bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simply transitive quaternionic lattices of rank 2 overq(t) and a non-classical fake quadric
Authors: STIX JAKOB , VDOVINA ALINA
Published: March 2017

By means of a quaternion algebra over$\mathbb{F}$q(t), we construct an infinite series of torsion free, simply transitive, irreducible lattices in PGL2($\mathbb{F}$q((t))) × PGL2($\mathbb{F}$q((t))). The lattices depend on an odd prime powerq=prand a parameter τ ∈$\mathbb{F}$q×, τ ≠ 1, and are the fundamental group of a square complex with just one vertex and universal coveringTq+1×Tq+1, a product of trees with constant valencyq+ 1.

Our lattices give rise via non-archimedian uniformization to smooth projective surfaces of general type over$\mathbb{F}$q((t)) with ample canonical class, Chern numbers c12= 2 c2, trivial Albanese variety and non-reduced Picard scheme. Forq= 3, the Zariski–Euler characteristic attains its minimal value χ = 1: the surface is a non-classical fake quadric.
International outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder – USA and Canada, 2013–2014
Authors: HARVEY R. R. , HEIMAN MARSHALL K. E. , BURNWORTH L. , HAMEL M. , TATARYN J. , CUTLER J. , MEGHNATH K. , WELLMAN A. , IRVIN K. , ISAAC L. , CHAU K. , LOCAS A. , KOHL J. , HUTH P. A. , NICHOLAS D. , TRAPHAGEN E. , SOTO K. , MANK L. , HOLMES-TALBOT K. , NEEDHAM M. , BARNES A. , ADCOCK B. , HONISH L. , CHUI L. , TAYLOR M. , GAULIN C. , BEKAL S. , WARSHAWSKY B. , HOBBS L. , TSCHETTER L. R. , SURIN A. , LANCE S. , WISE M. E. , WILLIAMS I. , GIERALTOWSKI L.
Published: March 2017

Salmonella is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne illness. We report the collaborative investigative efforts of US and Canadian public health officials during the 2013–2014 international outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder. The investigation included open-ended interviews of ill persons, traceback, product testing, facility inspections, and trace forward. Ninety-four persons infected with outbreak strains from 16 states and four provinces were identified; 21% were hospitalized and none died. Fifty-four (96%) of 56 persons who consumed chia seed powder, reported 13 different brands that traced back to a single Canadian firm, distributed by four US and eight Canadian companies. Laboratory testing yielded outbreak strains from leftover and intact product. Contaminated product was recalled. Although chia seed powder is a novel outbreak vehicle, sprouted seeds are recognized as an important cause of foodborne illness; firms should follow available guidance to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination during sprouting.
Antimicrobial resistance, penicillin-binding protein sequences, and pilus islet carriage in relation to clonal evolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A in Russia, 2002–2013
Authors: MAYANSKIY N. , SAVINOVA T. , ALYABIEVA N. , PONOMARENKO O. , BRZHOZOVSKAYA E. , LAZAREVA A. , KATOSOVA L. , KOZLOV R.
Published: March 2017

Clonal changes of serotype 19A pneumococci have been appreciated in conjunction with growing prevalence of this serotype after implementation of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). In the present study, we characterized serotype 19A pneumococci collected in Russia within a decade preceding the implementation of PCV vaccination and described their clonal evolution. We retrospectively analyzed non-invasive serotype 19A isolates collected in 2002–2013. All isolates were subjected to multilocus sequence typing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, determination of macrolide resistance genotype, molecular detection of pilus islet (PI) carriage, sequencing of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) genes. A total of 49 serotype 19A isolates represented 25 sequence types, of which 14 were newly described. The majority of isolates were distributed among clonal complex (CC) 663 (28%), CC230 (25%), CC156, and CC320 (14% each). CC663 and CC156 dominated in 2003, but were replaced by CC230 and CC320 later on; CC320 was only evident starting 2010. All isolates of CC663 and CC156 carried PI1; CC320 possessed both PI1 and PI2. The overall rate of altered amino acids in penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates was 13·9%, 7·2%, and 8·7% for PBP1a, PBP2b, and PBP2x, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that the clonal structure of serotype 19A pneumococci may evolve without PCV pressure.
Recent recordings of plainchant
Authors: WEBER JEROME F.
Published: March 2017

FOREWORD

The Editorial Committee extends its heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes to Rev. Jerome F. Weber, who is retiring as PMM's Audio Review Editor effective this issue. For a quarter century, Father Weber has regularly contributed reviews of hundreds of plainchant recordings to this journal, casting his net widely to capture Gregorian and post-Gregorian repertoires, monastic and regional traditions including Byzantine Chant, and chants on recordings devoted mainly to polyphony. Having published A Gregorian Chant Discography in 1990, addenda et corrigenda in PMM 19/1 (2010), he launched the website chantdiscography.com in November 2010, a relational database of sound recordings in formats ranging from shellac 78s and vinyl LPs to cassette tapes and compact discs. An enormously useful resource for scholars and music lovers alike, the online discography analyses well over a thousand new and re-issued CD recordings produced since 1990 along with data from the 1990 discography. We wish our colleague the very best in his well-earned retirement!
The Epidemiology of Operation Stress during Continuing Promise 2011: A Humanitarian Response and Disaster Relief Mission aboard a US Navy Hospital Ship
Authors: Scouten William T. , Mehalick Melissa L. , Yoder Elizabeth , McCoy Andrea , Brannock; Tracy , Riddle Mark S.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Operational stress describes individual behavior in response to the occupational demands and tempo of a mission. The stress response of military personnel involved in combat and peace-keeping missions has been well-described. The spectrum of effect on medical professionals and support staff providing humanitarian assistance, however, is less well delineated. Research to date concentrates mainly on shore-based humanitarian missions.

Problem

The goal of the current study was to document the pattern of operational stress, describe factors responsible for it, and the extent to which these factors impact job performance in military and civilian participants of Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11), a ship-based humanitarian medical mission.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of Disease Non-Battle Injury (DNBI) data from the medical sick-call clinic and from weekly self-report questionnaires for approximately 900 US military and civilian mission participants aboard the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20). The incidence rates and job performance impact of reported Operational Stress/Mental Health (OS/MH) issues and predictors (age, rank, occupation, service branch) of OS/MH issues (depression, anxiety) were analyzed over a 22-week deployment period.

Results

Incidence rates of OS/MH complaints from the sick-call clinic were 3.7% (4.5/1,000 persons) and 12.0% (53/1,000 persons) from the self-report questionnaire. The rate of operational stress increased as the mission progressed and fluctuated during the mission according to ship movement. Approximately 57% of the responders reported no impact on job performance. Younger individuals (enlisted ranks E4-6, officer ranks O1-3), especially Air Force service members, those who had spent only one day off ship, and those who were members of specific directorates, reported the highest rates of operational stress.

Conclusion

The overall incidence of OS/MH complaints was low in participants of CP11 but was under-estimated by clinic-based reporting. The OS/MH complaints increased as the mission progressed, were more prevalent in certain groups, and appeared to be related to ship’s movement. These findings document the pattern of operational stress in a ship-based medical humanitarian mission and confirm unique ship-based stressors. This information may be used by planners of similar missions to develop mitigation strategies for known stressors and by preventive medicine, behavioral health specialists, and mission leaders to develop sensitive surveillance tools to better detect and manage operational stress while on mission.

ScoutenWT, MehalickML, YoderE, McCoyA, BrannockT, RiddleMS. The epidemiology of operation stress during Continuing Promise 2011: a humanitarian response and disaster relief mission aboard a US Navy hospital ship. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(4):393–402.
Supervision in Motivational Interviewing: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Beckman Maria , Bohman Benjamin , Forsberg Lars , Rasmussen Finn , Ghaderi Ata
Published: March 2017

Background: Although supervision is believed to be an important strategy for training practitioners in evidence-based practice, little is known about how it should be organized and conducted to promote implementation fidelity. Aims: To explore supervisor behaviours that might facilitate supervisees’ proficiency in motivational interviewing. Method: In this exploratory study, ten supervisors from a primary prevention intervention of childhood obesity responded to semi-structured interviews about their supervision behaviours. A mixed method approach was used; both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. Results: The supervisors reported using several sources of information for evaluating and providing systematic feedback on supervisees’ performance. However, the majority did not use the available objective measures of proficiency as the primary source. Moreover, half of the supervisors argued that objective feedback might have a punishing effect on the supervisees. Conclusions: Variation in the use of supervision components that previous research has proposed to be potentially influential to the process and outcome may lead to less efficient supervision. Findings suggest that appropriate supervision activities conducted in each supervision session require clear supervision principles that specify the content and procedure of the supervision, as well as regular adherence monitoring of the supervision sessions.
Individual phonological attrition in Albanian–English late bilinguals
Authors: LEEUW ESTHER DE , TUSHA AURELA , SCHMID MONIKA S.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate phonological attrition in 10 native Albanian speakers who acquired Standard Southern British English (SSBE) as a second language (L2) in London, United Kingdom. A contrast was examined which is phonemic in Albanian but allophonic in SSBE, namely the production of light and dark lateral approximants. Impressionistic and acoustic analyses revealed that one late bilingual completely neutralized the phonemic contrast in her native Albanian speech. Furthermore, two other bilinguals neutralized the phonemic contrast between light /l/ and dark /ɫ/ in coda position, and overall there appeared to be a stronger trend for light /l/ to become dark in coda position than for dark /ɫ/ to become light in onset position. The findings are discussed in relation to the Speech Learning Model (Flege, 1995) and indicate that phonological attrition in native speech production is possible in late L2 acquisition, although not inevitable.
Mitigating Curtaining Artifacts During Ga FIB TEM Lamella Preparation of a 14 nm FinFET Device
Authors: Denisyuk Andrey , Hrnčíř Tomáš , Vincenc Oboňa Jozef , Sharang  , Petrenec Martin , Michalička Jan
Published: March 2017

We report on the mitigation of curtaining artifacts during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) lamella preparation by means of a modified ion beam milling approach, which involves altering the incident angle of the Ga ions by rocking of the sample on a special stage. We applied this technique to TEM sample preparation of a state-of-the-art integrated circuit based on a 14-nm technology node. Site-specific lamellae with a thickness <15 nm were prepared by top-down Ga focused ion beam polishing through upper metal contacts. The lamellae were analyzed by means of high-resolution TEM, which showed a clear transistor structure and confirmed minimal curtaining artifacts. The results are compared with a standard inverted thinning preparation technique.
The conduct of history in International Relations: rethinking philosophy of history in IR theory
Authors: MacKay Joseph , LaRoche Christopher David
Published: March 2017

IR scholars have made increasingly sophisticated use of historical analysis in the last two decades. To do so, they have appealed to theories or philosophies of history, tacitly or explicitly. However, the plurality of approaches to these theories has gone largely unsystematized. Nor have their implications been compared. Such historical–theoretic orientations concern the ‘problem of history’: the theoretical question of how to make the facts of the past coherently intelligible. We aim to make these assumptions explicit, and to contrast them systematically. In so doing, we show theories of history are necessary: IR-theoretic research unavoidably has tacit or overt historical–theoretic commitments. We locate the field’s current historical commitments in a typology, along two axes. Theories of history may be either familiar to the observer or unfamiliar. They may also be linear, having a long-term trajectory, nonlinear, lacking such directionality, or multilinear, proceeding along multiple trajectories. This comparative exercise both excavates the field’s sometimes-obscured commitments and shows some IR theorists unexpectedly share commitments, while others unexpectedly do not. We argue that better awareness of historical–theoretic reasoning, embedded in all IR uses and invocations of history, may encourage the discipline become more genuinely plural.
LOGICS FOR PROPOSITIONAL CONTINGENTISM
Authors: FRITZ PETER
Published: March 2017

Robert Stalnaker has recently advocated propositional contingentism, the claim that it is contingent what propositions there are. He has proposed a philosophical theory of contingency in what propositions there are and sketched a possible worlds model theory for it. In this paper, such models are used to interpret two propositional modal languages: one containing an existential propositional quantifier, and one containing an existential propositional operator. It is shown that the resulting logic containing an existential quantifier is not recursively axiomatizable, as it is recursively isomorphic to second-order logic, and a natural candidate axiomatization for the resulting logic containing an existential operator is shown to be incomplete.
Psychometric Properties of the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale (URCS) for a Brazilian Sample
Authors: Vilar Roosevelt , Araujo Rafaella de C. R. , Coelho Gabriel Lins de H. , Grangeiro Alex S. M. , Gouveia Valdiney V.
Published: March 2017

The present research brings psychometric evidences for the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale (URCS), aiming at verifying its adequacy for use in the Brazilian context. Participants were 468 university students with mean age of 21.2 years. They completed a survey composed by the URCS, the Basic Values Survey (BSV), and demographic questions. Through Exploratory (Eigenvalue = 6.61) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFI = .937, TLI = .923), the results showed that the same one-factor structure from the original version of the scale was found. These results were also invariant across gender and relationship status (∆SRMR < .03), and presented evidences of internal consistence (α = .94), temporal stability (ICC = .903, p < .001), and convergent validity (rmale = .32, rfemale = .25, p < .001). In conclusion, this measure has shown to be psychometrically adequate for use in Brazil.
Clearing the outer mitochondrial membrane from harmful proteins via lipid droplets
Authors: Bischof Johannes , Salzmann Manuel , Streubel Maria Karolin , Hasek Jiri , Geltinger Florian , Duschl Jutta , Bresgen Nikolaus , Briza Peter , Haskova Danusa , Lejskova Renata , Sopjani Mentor , Richter Klaus , Rinnerthaler Mark
Published: March 2017

In recent years it turned out that there is not only extensive communication between the nucleus and mitochondria but also between mitochondria and lipid droplets (LDs) as well. We were able to demonstrate that a number of proteins shuttle between LDs and mitochondria and it depends on the metabolic state of the cell on which organelle these proteins are predominantly localized. Responsible for the localization of the particular proteins is a protein domain consisting of two α-helices, which we termed V-domain according to the predicted structure. So far we have detected this domain in the following proteins: mammalian BAX, BCL-XL, TCTP and yeast Mmi1p and Erg6p. According to our experiments there are two functions of this domain: (1) shuttling of proteins to mitochondria in times of stress and apoptosis; (2) clearing the outer mitochondrial membrane from pro- as well as anti-apoptotic proteins by moving them to LDs after the stress ceases. In this way the LDs are used by the cell to modulate stress response.
A natural tandem array alleviates epigenetic repression of IPA1 and leads to superior yielding rice
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yu Hong , Ma Bin , Liu Guifu , Wang Jianjun , Wang Junmin , Gao Rongcun , Li Jinjun , Liu Jiyun , Xu Jing , Zhang Yingying , Li Qun , Huang Xuehui , Xu Jianlong , Li Jianming , Qian Qian , Han Bin , He Zuhua , Li Jiayang
Published: March 2017

Super hybrid rice varieties with ideal plant architecture (IPA) have been critical in enhancing food security worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their improved yield remain unclear. Here, we report the identification of a QTL, qWS8/ipa1-2D, in the super rice Yongyou12 (YY12) and related varieties. In-depth genetic molecular characterization of qWS8/ipa1-2D reveals that this newly identified QTL results from three distal naturally occurring tandem repeats upstream of IPA1, a key gene/locus previously shown to shape rice ideal plant architecture and greatly enhance grain yield. The qWS8/ipa1-2D locus is associated with reduced DNA methylation and a more open chromatin state at the IPA1 promoter, thus alleviating the epigenetic repression of IPA1 mediated by nearby heterochromatin. Our findings reveal that IPA traits can be fine-tuned by manipulating IPA1 expression and that an optimal IPA1 expression/dose may lead to an ideal yield, demonstrating a practical approach to efficiently design elite super rice varieties.
Regioselective synthesis of C3 alkylated and arylated benzothiophenes
Authors: Shrives Harry J. , Fernández-Salas José A. , Hedtke Christin , Pulis Alexander P. , Procter David J.
Published: March 2017

Benzothiophenes are heterocyclic constituents of important molecules relevant to society, including those with the potential to meet modern medical challenges. The construction of molecules would be vastly more efficient if carbon–hydrogen bonds, found in all organic molecules, can be directly converted into carbon–carbon bonds. In the case of elaborating benzothiophenes, functionalization of carbon–hydrogen bonds at carbon-number 3 (C3) is markedly more demanding than at C2 due to issues of regioselectivity (C3 versus C2), and the requirement of high temperatures, precious metals and the installation of superfluous directing groups. Herein, we demonstrate that synthetically unexplored but readily accessible benzothiophene S-oxides serve as novel precursors for C3-functionalized benzothiophenes. Employing an interrupted Pummerer reaction to capture and then deliver phenol and silane coupling partners, we have discovered a directing group-free method that delivers C3-arylated and -alkylated benzothiophenes with complete regioselectivity, under metal-free and mild conditions.
Long-term weight-change slope, weight fluctuation and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men and women: findings of Aichi Workers’ Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Y , Yatsuya H , Li Y , Chiang C , Hirakawa Y , Kawazoe N , Tamakoshi K , Toyoshima H , Aoyama A
Published: March 2017

Objective:

This study aims to investigate the association of long-term weight-change slopes, weight fluctuation and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in middle-aged Japanese men and women.

Methods:

A total of 4234 participants of Aichi Workers’ Cohort Study who were aged 35–66 years and free of diabetes in 2002 were followed through 2014. Past body weights at the ages of 20, 25, 30, 40 years, and 5 years before baseline as well as measured body weight at baseline were regressed on the ages. Slope and root-mean-square-error of the regression line were obtained and used to represent the weight changes and the weight fluctuation, respectively. The associations of the weight-change slopes and the weight fluctuation with incident T2DM were estimated by Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

During the median follow-up of 12.2 years, 400 incident cases of T2DM were documented. After adjustment for baseline overweight and other lifestyle covariates, the weight-change slopes were significantly associated with higher incidence of T2DM (hazard ratio (HR): 1.80, 95% confident interval (CI): 1.17–2.77 for men; and HR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.07–7.23 for women), while the weight fluctuation was not (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00–1.18 for men and HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.84–1.25 for women).

Conclusions:

Regardless of the presence of overweight, the long-term weight-change slopes were significantly associated with the increased risk of T2DM; however, the weight fluctuation was not associated with the risk of T2DM in middle-aged Japanese men and women.
Diabetes consequences in the fetus liver of the non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Aires M B , dos Santos A C V , Kubrusly M S , de Lima Luna A C , D’Albuquerque L A C , Maria D A
Published: March 2017

DM type 1 (T1D) incidence is increasing around 3% every year and represents risks for maternal and fetal health. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of diabetes on fetus liver cells in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Hyperglycemic NOD (HNOD), normoglycemic NOD (NNOD) and BALB/c females were used for mating, and the fetus livers were collected at 19.5 gestation day (gd). HNOD group had reduced fetal weight (989.5±68.32 vs 1290±57.39 mg BALB/c, P<0.05) at 19.5 gd and higher glycemia (516.66±28.86 mg dl−1, P<0.001) at both 0.5 gd and 19.5 gd compared to other groups. The protein expression of albumin (ALB) was significantly reduced in HNOD group (0.9±0.2 vs 3.36±0.36 NNOD P<0.01, vs 14.1±0.49 BALB/c P<0.001). Reduced gene expression of ALB (1.34±0.12 vs 5.53±0.89 NNOD and 5.23±0.71 BALB/c, P<0.05), Hepatic Nuclear Factor-4 alpha (HNF-4α) (0.69±0.1 vs 3.66±0.36 NNOD, P<0.05) and miR-122 (0.27±0,10 vs 0.88±0.15 NNOD, P<0.05) was present in HNOD group. No difference for alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and gene expression was observed. In conclusion, our findings show the impacts of T1D on the expression of ALB, AFP, HNF-4α and miR-122 in fetus liver cells by using NNOD and HNOD mice.
Evaluation of serum zonulin for use as an early predictor for gestational diabetes
Authors: Mokkala K , Tertti K , Rönnemaa T , Vahlberg T , Laitinen K
Published: March 2017

Diet has an important role in regulating intestinal permeability and subsequently the risk for metabolic disorders. In this observational study, we examined whether serum intestinal permeability marker zonulin, could be used as a predictor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Serum zonulin concentration was measured in early pregnancy in overweight or obese pregnant women (n=88) at risk for developing GDM. Serum zonulin was associated with higher odds of GDM (adjusted OR for 1 ng ml−1 increase in zonulin: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15; P=0.009), diagnosed by a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at late pregnancy. The optimal cutoff value was 43.3 ng ml−1, with sensitivity of 88% (95% CI: 71–100%) and specificity of 47% (95% CI: 33–58%). The area under the ROC-curve was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.54–0.81). Our results show an association between increased early-pregnancy serum zonulin concentration and GDM, suggesting zonulin as a possible predictor for GDM.
Bacillus subtilis utilizes the DNA damage response to manage multicellular development
Authors: Gozzi Kevin , Ching Carly , Paruthiyil Srinand , Zhao Yinjuan , Godoy-Carter Veronica , Chai Yunrong
Published: March 2017

Bacteria switch between free-living and a multicellular state, known as biofilms, in response to cellular and environmental cues. It is important to understand how these cues influence biofilm development as biofilms are not only ubiquitous in nature but are also causative agents of infectious diseases. It is often believed that any stress triggers biofilm formation as a means of bacterial protection. In this study, we propose a new mechanism for how cellular and environmental DNA damage may influence biofilm formation. We demonstrate that Bacillus subtilis prevents biofilm formation and cell differentiation when stressed by oxidative DNA damage. We show that during B. subtilis biofilm development, a subpopulation of cells accumulates reactive oxygen species, which triggers the DNA damage response. Surprisingly, DNA damage response induction shuts off matrix genes whose products permit individual cells to stick together within a biofilm. We further revealed that DDRON cells and matrix producers are mutually exclusive and spatially separated within the biofilm, and that a developmental checkpoint protein, Sda, mediates the exclusiveness. We believe this represents an alternative survival strategy, ultimately allowing cells to escape the multicellular community when in danger.
Genetic Analysis of the IncX4 Plasmids: Implications for a Unique Pattern in the mcr-1 Acquisition
Authors: Sun Jian , Fang Liang-Xing , Wu Zuowei , Deng Hui , Yang Run-Shi , Li Xing-Ping , Li Shu-Min , Liao Xiao-Ping , Feng Youjun , Liu Ya-Hong
Published: March 2017

IncX4 plasmids are associated with the dissemination of the mcr-1 genes in Enterobacteriaceae. We screened IncX4 plasmids among 2,470 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and determined the mcr-1 positive isolates. Forty-three isolates were observed to carry IncX4 type plasmid, among which 13 were identified to carry mcr-1 gene. Three representative mcr-1-positive IncX4 plasmids were selected for high-throughput sequencing. Comparative genomics showed that the mcr-1-carrying IncX4 plasmids exhibit remarkable similarity in the backbone, and the major distinction lies in the region containing mcr-1. The major variable regions of all the IncX4 plasmids were fully characterized by PCR-RFLP. The results revealed that the mcr-1 was located on the Variable Region I of IncX4 plasmids in 11 E. coli isolates. Among them, nine E. coli strains possess an epidemic pCSZ4-like IncX4 plasmid containing mcr-1. ISApl1 was presumably involved in the transposition of the mcr-1 cassette and then was lost. Similar genetic contexts were found in different plasmids, even the E. coli chromosome, implying the acquisition of mcr-1 by a unique common mechanism.
FAM46C is critical for the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of norcantharidin in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Zhang Qiao-Yan , Yue Xiao-Qiang , Jiang Yi-Ping , Han Ting , Xin Hai-Liang
Published: March 2017

Norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated analog of cantharidin derived from Chinese traditional medicine blister beetle, has been currently used as an anticancer drug for various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, for a more comprehensive understanding of the targets of NCTD in HCC, next-generation RNA-Seq was utilized. We revealed that the expression of FAM46C, which has been reported as a tumor suppressor for multiple myeloma, was enhanced after NCTD treatment. Re-analysis of TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) LIHC (liver hepatocellular carcinoma) dataset demonstrated that FAM46C expression was significantly lower in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues. NCTD injection or FAM46C overexpression could mitigate diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated HCC in mice. Ectopic expression of FAM46C in two HCC cell lines, SMCC-7721 and SK-Hep-1, significantly repressed cell proliferation, and increased cells population in G2/M phase and cell apoptotic rate. We also found that FAM46C overexpression caused a notable decrease in Ras expression, MEK1/2 phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. More importantly, FAM46C knockdown significantly weakened the biological effects of NCTD on HCC cells, which suggested NCTD exerted the anticancer functions partially through up-regulating FAM46C. In conclusion, FAM46C, a tumor suppressor for HCC, is important for the anti-proliferation and proapoptotic effects of NCTD.
Embryonic defence mechanisms against glucose-dependent oxidative stress require enhanced expression of Alx3 to prevent malformations during diabetic pregnancy
Authors: García-Sanz Patricia , Mirasierra Mercedes , Moratalla Rosario , Vallejo Mario
Published: March 2017

Oxidative stress constitutes a major cause for increased risk of congenital malformations associated to severe hyperglycaemia during pregnancy. Mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factor ALX3 cause congenital craniofacial and neural tube defects. Since oxidative stress and lack of ALX3 favour excessive embryonic apoptosis, we investigated whether ALX3-deficiency further increases the risk of embryonic damage during gestational hyperglycaemia in mice. We found that congenital malformations associated to ALX3-deficiency are enhanced in diabetic pregnancies. Increased expression of genes encoding oxidative stress-scavenging enzymes in embryos from diabetic mothers was blunted in the absence of ALX3, leading to increased oxidative stress. Levels of ALX3 increased in response to glucose, but ALX3 did not activate oxidative stress defence genes directly. Instead, ALX3 stimulated the transcription ofFoxo1, a master regulator of oxidative stress-scavenging genes, by binding to a newly identified binding site located in theFoxo1promoter. Our data identify ALX3 as an important component of the defence mechanisms against the occurrence of developmental malformations during diabetic gestations, stimulating the expression of oxidative stress-scavenging genes in a glucose-dependent manner viaFoxo1activation. Thus, ALX3 deficiency provides a novel molecular mechanism for developmental defects arising from maternal hyperglycaemia.
Minimum Vertex-type Sequence Indexing for Clusters on Square Lattice
Authors: Liao Longguang , Zhao Yu-Jun , Cao Zexian , Yang Xiao-Bao
Published: March 2017

An effective indexing scheme for clusters that enables fast structure comparison and congruence check is desperately desirable in the field of mathematics, artificial intelligence, materials science, etc. Here we introduce the concept of minimum vertex-type sequence for the indexing of clusters on square lattice, which contains a series of integers each labeling the vertex type of an atom. The minimum vertex-type sequence is orientation independent, and it builds a one-to-one correspondence with the cluster. By using minimum vertex-type sequence for structural comparison and congruence check, only one type of data is involved, and the largest amount of data to be compared is n pairs, n is the cluster size. In comparison with traditional coordinate-based methods and distance-matrix methods, the minimum vertex-type sequence indexing scheme has many other remarkable advantages. Furthermore, this indexing scheme can be easily generalized to clusters on other high-symmetry lattices. Our work can facilitate cluster indexing and searching in various situations, it may inspire the search of other practical indexing schemes for handling clusters of large sizes.
MicroRNA-140-5p regulates osteosarcoma chemoresistance by targeting HMGN5 and autophagy
Authors: Meng Yichen , Gao Rui , Ma Jun , Zhao Jianquan , Xu Enjie , Wang Ce , Zhou Xuhui
Published: March 2017

Chemotherapy is an important treatment modality for osteosarcoma. However, it often fails because of chemoresistance, especially multidrug resistance. Previously, we found several genes were involved in chemoresistance development. In this report, we used high-throughput microRNA (miRNA) expression analysis to reveal that expression of miR-140-5p was associated with chemosensitivity in osteosarcoma. The exact roles of miR-140-5p in the chemoresistance of osteosarcoma were then investigated, we found that knockdown of miR-140-5p enhanced osteosarcoma cells resistance to multiple chemotherapeutics while overexpression of miR-140-5p sensitized tumors to chemotherapy in vitro. Moreover, in vivo, knockdown of miR-140-5p also increased the osteosarcoma cells resistance to chemotherapy. Luciferase assay and Western blot analysis showed that HMGN5 was the direct target of miR-140-5p which could positively regulated autophagy. Silencing these target genes by siRNA or inhibition of autophagy sensitized osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy. These findings suggest that a miR-140-5p/HMGN5/autophagy regulatory loop plays a critical role in chemoresistance in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, our data elucidated that miR-140-5p promoted autophagy mediated by HMGN5 and sensitized osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy. These results suggest a potential application of miR-140-5p in overall survival, chemoresistance prognosis and treatment.
Nanostructure Introduces Artifacts in Quantitative Immunofluorescence by Influencing Fluorophore Intensity
Authors: Chapman Christopher A. R. , Zhu Xiangchao , Chen Hao , Yanik Ahmet A. , Lein Pamela J. , Seker Erkin
Published: March 2017

Quantitative analysis of fluorescence signals from cells reacted with fluorescently labeled probes is a widely-used method for assessing cell biology. This method has become especially powerful for screening novel nanostructured materials for their influence on cell behavior. However, the effect of nanostructured surface on fluorescence intensity has largely been ignored, which likely leads to erroneous conclusions about cell behavior. This paper investigates this possibility by using fibroblasts cultured on nanoporous gold (np-Au) as a model nanostructured material system. We found that fibroblasts stained for f-actin using phalloidin conjugated with common fluorophores display different levels of fluorescence on np-Au, planar gold, and glass, suggesting different levels of f-actin composition. However, direct quantification via western blots indicates that the actin expression is the same across all conditions. We further investigated whether the fluorescence intensity depended on np-Au feature size, complementing the findings with reflection dark field measurements from different np-Au surfaces. Overall, our experimental measurements in agreement with our electrodynamic simulations suggest that nanostructured surfaces alter the fluorescence intensity of fluorophores by modulating both the excitation and light emission processes. We conclude that comparison of fluorescence on materials with different nanostructures should be done with a quantification method decoupled from the nanostructure's influence.
Relevance of the dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and genetic predisposition for the glucose homeostasis of Chinese adults without diabetes
Authors: Cheng Guo , Xue Hongmei , Luo Jiao , Jia Hong , Zhang Lishi , Dai Junbiao , Buyken Anette E.
Published: March 2017

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and pre-diabetes have become a major public health problem in China. We examined whether a higher dietary glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL) was associated with a less favorable glucose homeostasis among Chinese adults and whether these associations were modified by their genetic predisposition or whether combined effects exist with their cereal fiber intake. Multivariable regression analyses were performed in 3918 adults aged 23–69 years for whom three 24-hour dietary recalls and information on glucose homeostasis, genetic background and potential confounders was available. Adults in the highest GI (GL) tertile had an approximately 9% (5%) higher fasting plasma glucose, 11% (3%) higher glycated haemoglobin, 12% (7%) higher insulin level, and 28% (22%) higher hepatic insulin resistance compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted pfor-trend ≤ 0.04). Moreover, a higher dietary GI or GL was associated with higher odds of pre-diabetes (pfor-trend = 0.03). These associations were more pronounced among persons with a high T2DM genetic risk score (pfor-interaction ≤ 0.06) or a low cereal fiber intake (pfor-interaction ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, our study indicates that the dietary GI or GL is of relevance for glucose homeostasis among Chinese adults, particularly among individuals genetically predisposed to T2DM.
Role of p62 in the suppression of inflammatory cytokine production by adiponectin in macrophages: Involvement of autophagy and p21/Nrf2 axis
Authors: Tilija Pun Nirmala , Park Pil-Hoon
Published: March 2017

Adiponectin possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. p62, an adaptor protein composed of multi-functional domain, is known to play a role in controlling inflammatory responses. In the present study, we examined the role of p62 in suppressing inflammatory cytokines produced by globular adiponectin (gAcrp) and the potential underlying mechanisms in macrophages. We demonstrated that gAcrp significantly increased p62 expression. Knockdown of p62 abrogated the suppressive effects of gAcrp on LPS-stimulated TNF-α and IL-1β expression and TRAF6/p38 MAPK pathway, indicating that p62 signaling is critical for suppressing inflammatory cytokines production by gAcrp. We next examined the role of p62 in gAcrp-induced autophagy activation, because autophagy has been shown to play a pivotal role in suppressing TNF-α. Herein, we observed that gene silencing of p62 prevented gAcrp-induced increases in autophagy-related genes and autophagosome formation. In addition, we found that Nrf2 knockdown prevented gAcrp-induced p62 expression, and p21 knockdown prevented Nrf2 induction, suggesting the role of p21/Nrf2 axis in gAcrp-induced p62 expression. Taken together, these findings imply that p62 signaling plays a crucial role in suppressing inflammatory cytokine production by globular adiponectin in macrophages, at least in part, through autophagy induction. Furthermore, the p21/Nrf2 signaling cascade contributes to p62 induction by globular adiponectin.
Respiratory Microbiome of Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and Microbiota of Surrounding Sea Surface Microlayer in the Eastern North Pacific
Authors: Raverty Stephen A. , Rhodes Linda D. , Zabek Erin , Eshghi Azad , Cameron Caroline E. , Hanson M. Bradley , Schroeder J. Pete
Published: March 2017

In the Salish Sea, the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) is a high trophic indicator of ecosystem health. Three major threats have been identified for this population: reduced prey availability, anthropogenic contaminants, and marine vessel disturbances. These perturbations can culminate in significant morbidity and mortality, usually associated with secondary infections that have a predilection to the respiratory system. To characterize the composition of the respiratory microbiota and identify recognized pathogens of SRKW, exhaled breath samples were collected between 2006–2009 and analyzed for bacteria, fungi and viruses using (1) culture-dependent, targeted PCR-based methodologies and (2) taxonomically broad, non-culture dependent PCR-based methodologies. Results were compared with sea surface microlayer (SML) samples to characterize the respective microbial constituents. An array of bacteria and fungi in breath and SML samples were identified, as well as microorganisms that exhibited resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. The SML microbes and respiratory microbiota carry a pathogenic risk which we propose as an additional, fourth putative stressor (pathogens), which may adversely impact the endangered SRKW population.
Transcriptomic profile of tobacco in response to Phytophthora nicotianae infection
Authors: Yang Jian-Kang , Tong Zhi-Jun , Fang Dun-Huang , Chen Xue-Jun , Zhang Ke-Qin , Xiao Bing-Guang
Published: March 2017

Black shank, caused byPhytophthora nicotianae(P. nicotianae), is a serious disease of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) worldwide. The interactions between tobacco andP. nicotianaeare complex and the outcomes of the interactions depend on the tobacco genotype,P. nicotianaestrain, and environmental conditions. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to investigate and compare transcriptional changes in the stems of tobacco upon inoculation withP. nicotianaestrain race 0. We used two tobacco varieties: RBST (named from resistance to black shank and tobacco mosaic virus), which was resistant to theP. nicotianaestrain race 0, and Honghuadajinyuan (HD), which was susceptible toP. nicotianaerace 0. Samples were collected 12 and 72-hour post inoculation (hpi). Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and significantly enriched GO terms indicated that several basic defense mechanisms were suppressed in both varieties, which included response to wounding (GO: 0009611), and defense response to fungus (GO: 0050832). We also found some genes that may especially be related to mechanisms of resistance in RBST, such as the one encoding a chitinase. These results will provide a valuable resource for understanding the interactions betweenP. nicotianaeand tobacco plants.
A scoring system to predict breast cancer mortality at 5 and 10 years
Authors: Paredes-Aracil Esther , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Folgado-de la Rosa David Manuel , Ots-Gutiérrez José Ramón , Compañ-Rosique Antonio Fernando , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco
Published: March 2017

Although predictive models exist for mortality in breast cancer (BC) (generally all cause-mortality), they are not applicable to all patients and their statistical methodology is not the most powerful to develop a predictive model. Consequently, we developed a predictive model specific for BC mortality at 5 and 10 years resolving the above issues. This cohort study included 287 patients diagnosed with BC in a Spanish region in 2003–2016. Main outcome variable: time-to-BC death. Secondary variables: age, personal history of breast surgery, personal history of any cancer/BC, premenopause, postmenopause, grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, c-erbB2, TNM stage, multicentricity/multifocality, diagnosis and treatment. A points system was constructed to predict BC mortality at 5 and 10 years. The model was internally validated by bootstrapping. The points system was integrated into a mobile application for Android. Mean follow-up was 8.6 ± 3.5 years and 55 patients died of BC. The points system included age, personal history of BC, grade, TNM stage and multicentricity. Validation was satisfactory, in both discrimination and calibration. In conclusion, we constructed and internally validated a scoring system for predicting BC mortality at 5 and 10 years. External validation studies are needed for its use in other geographical areas.
Serum and synovial fluid lipidomic profiles predict obesity-associated osteoarthritis, synovitis, and wound repair
Authors: Wu Chia-Lung , Kimmerling Kelly A. , Little Dianne , Guilak Farshid
Published: March 2017

High-fat diet-induced obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) and diminished wound healing. The objective of this study was to determine the associations among serum and synovial fluid lipid levels with OA, synovitis, adipokine levels, and wound healing in a pre-clinical obese mouse model of OA. Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed either a low-fat (10% kcal) or one of three high-fat (HF, 60% kcal) diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), ω-6 or ω-3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). OA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus. Mice also received an ear punch for evaluating wound healing. Serum and synovial fluid were collected for lipidomic and adipokine analyses. We demonstrated that the serum levels of ω-3 PUFAs were negatively correlated with OA and wound size, but positively correlated with adiponectin levels. In contrast, most ω-6 PUFAs exhibited positive correlations with OA, impaired healing, and inflammatory adipokines. Interestingly, levels of pentadecylic acid (C15:0, an odd-chain SFA) and palmitoleic acid were inversely correlated with joint degradation. This study extends our understanding of the links of FAs with OA, synovitis and wound healing, and reports newly identified serum and synovial fluid FAs as predictive biomarkers of OA in obesity.
Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1M HCl by D-glucose derivatives of dihydropyrido [2,3-d:6,5-d′] dipyrimidine-2, 4, 6, 8(1H,3H, 5H,7H)-tetraone
Authors: Verma Chandrabhan , Quraishi M. A. , Kluza K. , Makowska-Janusik M. , Olasunkanmi Lukman O. , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: March 2017

D-glucose derivatives of dihydropyrido-[2,3-d:6,5-d′]-dipyrimidine-2, 4, 6, 8(1H,3H, 5H,7H)-tetraone (GPHs) have been synthesized and investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1M HCl solution using gravimetric, electrochemical, surface, quantum chemical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations methods. The order of inhibition efficiencies is GPH-3 > GPH-2 > GPH-1. The results further showed that the inhibitor molecules with electron releasing (-OH, -OCH3) substituents exhibit higher efficiency than the parent molecule without any substituents. Polarization study suggests that the studied compounds are mixed-type but exhibited predominantly cathodic inhibitive effect. The adsorption of these compounds on mild steel surface obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. SEM, EDX and AFM analyses were used to confirm the inhibitive actions of the molecules on mild steel surface. Quantum chemical (QC) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations studies were undertaken to further corroborate the experimental results.
Reducing Cascading Failure Risk by Increasing Infrastructure Network Interdependence
Authors: Korkali Mert , Veneman Jason G. , Tivnan Brian F. , Bagrow James P. , Hines Paul D. H.
Published: March 2017

Increased interconnection between critical infrastructure networks, such as electric power and communications systems, has important implications for infrastructure reliability and security. Others have shown that increased coupling between networks that are vulnerable to internetwork cascading failures can increase vulnerability. However, the mechanisms of cascading in these models differ from those in real systems and such models disregard new functions enabled by coupling, such as intelligent control during a cascade. This paper compares the robustness of simple topological network models to models that more accurately reflect the dynamics of cascading in a particular case of coupled infrastructures. First, we compare a topological contagion model to a power grid model. Second, we compare a percolation model of internetwork cascading to three models of interdependent power-communication systems. In both comparisons, the more detailed models suggest substantially different conclusions, relative to the simpler topological models. In all but the most extreme case, our model of a “smart” power network coupled to a communication system suggests that increased power-communication coupling decreases vulnerability, in contrast to the percolation model. Together, these results suggest that robustness can be enhanced by interconnecting networks with complementary capabilities if modes of internetwork failure propagation are constrained.