bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of a Seco‐Triterpenoid α‐Onocerin Yielding Supramolecular Architectures
Authors: Bag Braja Gopal , Hasan Sk Nurul , Pongpamorn Pornkanok , Thasana Nopporn
Published: August 2017

Spontaneous hierarchical self‐assembly of natural products yielding supramolecular architectures of nano to micrometer dimensions has been in the forefront of research during the last decade because such studies aim at the development of a sustainable society. α‐onocerin 1, a naturally occurring C2 symmetric dihydroxy seco‐tetracyclic triterpenoid, is extractable from the fresh aerial part of Lycopodium clavatum. Herein we report the first self‐assembly property of α‐onocerin in different liquids. The molecule spontaneously self‐assembled in the liquids, yielding flower‐like architectures of nano to micrometer diameters via the formation of fibrillar networks. The self‐assemblies have been characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, FTIR and X‐Ray diffraction studies. The porous microstructure of the self‐assemblies has been utilized for the entrapment of fluorophores such as rhodamine‐B (Rho‐B), carboxy fluorescein (CF) and the anticancer drug doxorubicin. Release of the entrapped fluorophores including the anticancer drug has also been demonstrated spectrophotometrically.
Highly Selective Aerobic Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethyl Furfural into 2,5‐Diformylfuran over Mn–Co Binary Oxides
Authors: Gui Zhenyou , Saravanamurugan Shunmugavel , Cao Wenrong , Schill Leonhard , Chen Lifang , Qi Zhiwen , Riisager Anders
Published: August 2017

A series of Mn−Co binary oxides were prepared by a simple thermal decomposition procedure and evaluated for the aerobic oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5‐diformylfuran (DFF). Investigation of the effects of metal amounts and calcination temperatures of the prepared catalysts revealed that the Mn−Co binary oxide with a Mn/Co molar ratio of 1/1 showed the best catalytic performance yielding 42.6 % HMF conversion along with 98 % selectivity to DFF after 2 h of reaction. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These results indicated that the Mn−Co binary oxides could increase the Mn4+/Mn3+ atomic ratio and the exposed lattice oxygen content on the surface, thus accelerating the HMF oxidation into DFF. Furthermore, the Mn−Co binary oxides proved to be reusable in five consecutive reaction runs without significant loss of activity.
A New Class of Boronic Acid‐Derived Amphiphile‐Based Gel Emulsions Capable of Entrapping and Releasing Vitamin B12 and Doxorubicin
Authors: Roy Sumita , Maiti Monali , Roy Aparna
Published: August 2017

In this work, two boronic acid based amphiphiles, Sodium salt of 2‐amidodecylpyridine‐5‐boronic acid (SADPB) and Sodium salt of 2‐amidododecylpyridine‐5‐boronic acid (SADDPB) have been synthesized and their gel‐emulsion property in organic solvents were investigated. The good gelation ability of the amphiphiles was confirmed by low minimum gelation concentration (MGC) and high gelation number (Ngel) values. Theoretical study established that introduction of amide linkage in the amphiphilic structure dismantles aggregate formation. The gel‐emulsions are stable towards mechanical and thermal responses. The gelation process is also dependent on the nature of solvent and type of amphiphiles. The morphology of gel‐emulsions is highly dependent on the concentration of the amphiphile. The prepared gel‐emulsions are able to encapsulate and release biomolecule vitamin B12 and anticancer drug doxorubicin at room temperature. Both vitamin B12 and doxorubicin exhibited retention of their structures and activity which has been recognized this new type of boronic acid based amphiphiles as efficient drug delivery vehicles.
One‐Step Paths of the Alkene Hydration Revealed by a DFT Study
Authors: Yamabe Shinichi , Tsuchida Noriko , Yamazaki Shoko
Published: August 2017

DFT calculations were carried out for alkene hydration reactions. A model, alkene + H3O+ (H2O)13 → alcohol + H3O+(H2O)12, was adopted to assure proton transfer routes. The second and larger one, alkene + H3O+(H2O)21 → alcohol + H3O+(H2O)20, was also employed for some key reactions. Alkene substrates adopted here are ethylene, propylene, isobutene, styrenes (α‐methyl, para Z‐C6H4‐CH=CH2, Z=NO2, CN, CF3, Cl, H, Me, OMe, OH, NH2 and NMe2). Transition‐state geometries were determined, and the subsequent intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) analyses were made. In contrast to the traditional scheme, the stepwise path including the carbocation is quite limited (only for the styrene with Z=OMe, OH, NH2 and NMe2). Even for the isobutene substrate, the tert‐Bu+ cation intermediate was not found and a one‐step path was obtained. Calculated activation energies, +32.52 kcal/mol (a) for ethylene, +27.10 kcal/mol (b) for propylene, +21.33 kcal/mol (c) for isobutene, +19.79 kcal/mol (d) for styrene and +23.79 kcal/mol (e) for para‐nitrostyrene, are in good agreement with experimental values, +32.4±1 kcal/mol (a), +26.4±1 kcal/mol (b), +21.1±0.2 kcal/mol (c), +19.2±0.5 kcal/mol (d) and +23.2 kcal/mol (e), respectively. The solvent isotope effect k(H2O)/k(D2O) was calculated and was compared with the experimental data.
Facile Synthesis of a Next Generation Safety‐Catch Acid‐Labile Linker, SCAL‐2, Suitable for Solid‐Phase Synthesis, On‐Support Display and for Post‐Synthesis Tagging
Authors: Portal Christophe , Hintersteiner Martin , Barbeau Olivier , Dodd Peter , Huggett Margaret , Pérez‐Pi Irene , Evans David , Auer Manfred
Published: August 2017

The SCAL linker, a safety catch linker, is amongst the most versatile linkers for solid phase synthesis. It was originally described in 1991 by Pátek and Lebl. Yet, its application has been hindered by the low yields of published synthetic routes. Over time, the exceptional versatility of this linker has been demonstrated in several applications of advanced solid phase synthesis of peptides and peptidomimetics. Recently, an updated synthesis of the original linker has also been presented at the 22nd American Peptide Symposium, comprising 10 steps. Herein, the design and synthesis of a next generation SCAL linker, SCAL‐2, is reported. SCAL‐2 features a simplified molecular architecture, which allows for a more efficient synthesis in 8 steps with superior yields. Both linkers, SCAL and SCAL‐2 are compared in terms of their cleavage properties adding valuable information on how to best utilize the versatility of these linkers for solid phase synthesis.
Rhodium Nanoparticles Loaded on Carbon‐Wrapped Fe3O4 Sphere: an Efficient, Stable and Magnetically Recoverable Catalyst for the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes in Water
Authors: Zhou Junjie , Chen Zhangpei , Hu Zenan , Li Kang , Ai Yongjian , Li Shuang , Qi Li , Tang Zhike , Liu Lei , Sun Hong‐bin
Published: August 2017

The carbon wrapped magnetic nanosphere Fe3O4@C (∼300 nm) was prepared under simple hydrothermal conditions, and it served as the carrier of Rh nanoparticles (2‐3 nm), which acted as the highly efficient catalyst for reduction of nitro compounds, and reutilization of catalyst is convenient to achieve because the catalyst particles are magnetic. A scope of nitroarene derivatives were reduced to corresponding anilines in water, and the reactions completed in 10 min with nearly quantitative conversions and 100% selectivity. In addition, the abundant oxygen‐containing functionality on the carbon shell which can strongly binds the Rh‐NPs to offer extraordinary stability is investigated by using various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR).
Explicit, identical maximum likelihood estimates for some cyclic Gaussian and cyclic Ising models
Authors: Marchetti Giovanni M. , Wermuth Nanny
Published: August 2017

Cyclic models are a subclass of graphical Markov models with simple, undirected probability graphs that are chordless cycles. In general, all currently known distributions require iterative procedures to obtain maximum likelihood estimates in such cyclic models. For exponential families, the relevant conditional independence constraint for a variable pair is given all remaining variables, and it is captured by vanishing canonical parameters involving this pair. For Gaussian models, the canonical parameter is a concentration, that is, an off‐diagonal element in the inverse covariance matrix, while for Ising models, it is a conditional log‐linear, two‐factor interaction. We give conditions under which the two different likelihood functions, that is, one for continuous and one for binary variables, permit nevertheless explicit maximum likelihood estimates, and we show that their estimated correlation matrices are identical, provided the relevant starting correlation matrices coincide. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioral Circumscription and the Folk Psychology of Belief
Authors: Rose David , Machery Edouard , Stich Stephen , Alai Mario , Angelucci Adriano , Berniūnas Renatas ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2017

Is behavioral integration (i.e., which occurs when a subject’s assertion that p matches her nonverbal behavior) a necessary feature of belief in folk psychology? Our data fromover 5,000 people across 26 samples, spanning 22 countries suggests that it is not. Given the surprising cross-cultural robustness of our findings, we argue that the types of evidence for the ascription of a belief are, at least in some circumstances, lexicographically ordered: assertions are first taken into account, and when an agent sincerely asserts that p, nonlinguistic behavioral evidence is disregarded. In light of this, we take ourselves to have discovered a universal principle governing the ascription of beliefs in folk psychology.
Mediterranean wetlands: archaeology, ecology, and sustainability
Authors: Balbo Andrea L. , Martinez‐Fernández Julia , Esteve‐Selma Miguel‐Angel
Published: August 2017

We propose a long‐term view of the evolution of human–environment interactions within Mediterranean wetlands, from prehistory to the present day, based on available published works. Our aim is to consider the sustainable use of these landscapes, past, present, and future, integrating perspectives from archaeology, ecology, and sustainable development. After briefly introducing the physiographic and ecological processes that characterize Mediterranean wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide to human populations, we consider their significance for three major questions in European archaeology: the Neanderthal extinction and the spread of modern humans, the introduction and spread of agriculture, human environmental impact since the Bronze and Iron ages. We then proceed with historical evidence of intentional transformation of Mediterranean wetlands by means of land reclamation, from the Classical to Medieval periods and into Modern times, before considering the current state of Mediterranean wetlands and the challenges they are facing in the present day. The preservation of wetlands has now become a priority issue at European level and generates concern for local communities and governing bodies, concerning biodiversity, maintenance of key services and cultural preservation. Based on the review of key events in the dynamic relationship between human populations and Mediterranean wetlands, we end by exploring available initiatives, tools and strategies to assess and support their conservation, governance and sustainable development, present and future.WIREs Water2017, 4:e1238. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1238

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented
Cover Image, Volume 6, Issue 5
Authors: Smith Ryan J. , Rao‐Bhatia Abilasha , Kim Tae‐Hee
Published: August 2017

The cover image, by Ryan J. Smith et al., is based on the Advanced Review Signaling and epigenetic mechanisms of intestinal stem cells and progenitors: insight into crypt homeostasis, plasticity, and niches, DOI: 10.1002/wdev.281. Image Credit: Wasi Rizvi and Abilasha Rao‐Bhatia.

image
Reference scenarios for evaluating wood pellet production in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Parish Esther S. , Dale Virginia H. , Kline Keith L. , Abt Robert C.
Published: August 2017

Wood pellet exports from the Southeastern United States (SE US) to Europe have been increasing in response to European Union member state policies to displace coal with renewable biomass for electricity generation. An understanding of the interactions among SE US forest markets, forest management, and forest ecosystem services is required to quantify the effects of pellet production compared to what would be expected under a reference case or ‘counterfactual scenario’ without pellet production. Inconsistent methods to define and justify the counterfactual scenario result in conflicting estimates and large uncertainties about the impacts of pellet production on SE US forests. Guidelines to support more consistent and transparent counterfactual scenarios are proposed. The guidelines include identifying major influences on current SE US forest conditions, developing potential futures that clearly document underlying assumptions and associated uncertainties, identifying the most likely alternative feedstock fates, and estimating the effects of no pellet demand on future forest conditions. The guidelines can help modelers to more accurately reflect the past and current forest dynamics and to consider the implications for SE US forest landscapes of future scenarios with and without pellet production. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e259. doi: 10.1002/wene.259

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Climate and Environment

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment

Energy and Development > Climate and Environment
Laser-assisted surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract: a clarification of nomenclature. A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society
Authors: Remacle Marc , Arens Christoph , Eldin Mostafa Badr , Campos Guillermo , Estomba Carlos Chiesa , Dulguerov Pavel , Fiz Ivana , Hantzakos Anastasios , Keghian Jerôme , Mora Francesco , Matar Nayla , Peretti Giorgio , Piazza Cesare , Postma Gregory N. , Prasad Vyas , Sjogren Elisabeth , Dikkers Frederik G.
Published: August 2017

Acronyms and abbreviations are frequently used in otorhinolaryngology and other medical specialties. CO2 laser-assisted transoral surgery of the pharynx, the larynx and the upper airway is a family of commonly performed surgical procedures termed transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). The abbreviation TLM can be confusing because of alternative modes of delivery. Classification and definition of the different types of procedures, performed transorally or transnasally, are proposed by the Working Committee for Nomenclature of the European Laryngological Society, emphasizing the type of laser used and the way this laser is transmitted. What is usually called TLM, would more clearly be defined as CO2 laser transoral microsurgery or CO2 TOLMS or CO2 laser transoral surgery only (with a handpiece) would be defined as CO2 TOLS. KTP transnasal flexible laser surgery would be KTP TNFLS. Transoral use of the flexible CO2 wave-guide with a handpiece would be a CO2 TOFLS. One can argue that these clarifications are not necessary and that the abbreviation TLM for transoral laser microsurgery is more than sufficient. But this is not the case. Laser surgery, office-based laser surgery and microsurgery are frequently and erroneously interchanged for one another. These classifications allow for a clear understanding of what was performed and what the results meant.
Retrospective Analyses Are Hard: A Cautionary Tale from EPA’s Air Toxics Regulations
Authors: Fraas Art , Egorenkov Alex
Published: August 2017

Under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to establish standards limiting air toxics emissions from industrial plants. This paper examines the effects of five of the largest-cost rules issued by EPA in the initial round of air toxics rulemaking over the 1995 to 2000 period. Our estimates suggest that plants in the printing and publishing and pulp and paper industries realized important reductions in their air toxics emissions in the period between publication of the final rule and the effective date for compliance with the rule – although the reduction in air toxics emissions by pulp and paper mills fell short of EPA’s ex ante projections. However, our estimates also suggest that plants in three other industries – petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, and wood furniture – achieved little or no additional reduction in air toxics emissions over the compliance period in response to EPA’s rules. Finally, the paper explores steps that EPA should take in setting up future retrospective analyses.
Polynomial decay of correlations for almost Anosov diffeomorphisms
Authors: ZHANG XU , HU HUYI
Published: August 2017

We investigate the polynomial lower and upper bounds for decay of correlations of a class of two-dimensional almost Anosov diffeomorphisms with respect to their Sinai–Ruelle–Bowen (SRB) measures. The degrees of the bounds are determined by the expansion and contraction rates as the orbits approach the indifferent fixed point, and are expressed by using coefficients of the third-order terms in the Taylor expansions of the diffeomorphisms at the indifferent fixed point.
SYMMETRIC SQUARE-CENTRAL ELEMENTS IN PRODUCTS OF ORTHOGONAL INVOLUTIONS IN CHARACTERISTIC TWO
Authors: NOKHODKAR A.-H.
Published: August 2017

In characteristic two, some criteria are obtained for a symmetric square-central element of a totally decomposable algebra with orthogonal involution, to be contained in an invariant quaternion subalgebra.
SOME REVERSE DYNAMIC INEQUALITIES ON TIME SCALES
Authors: AGARWAL R. P. , MAHMOUD R. R. , O’REGAN D. , SAKER S. H.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we prove some new reverse dynamic inequalities of Renaud- and Bennett-type on time scales. The results are established using the time scales Fubini theorem, the reverse Hölder inequality and a time scales chain rule.
HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN IRAN
Authors: Mohtasham Farideh , Majdzadeh Reza , Jamshidi Ensiyeh
Published: August 2017

Background: Hospitals with health technology assessment (HTA) programs have reported its positive effects on the management of resources and costs. This study aimed to identify the barriers faced by hospital-based HTA (HBHTA) in Iran by inductive content analysis of stakeholders’ and decision-makers’ points of view.

Methods: The key individuals and organizations that could provide rich, relevant, and diverse data in response to the research question were purposively selected for the interviews and focus group discussion.

Results: Twelve stakeholders from seven public hospitals participated in the interviews. Another eighteen stakeholders from twelve HBHTA-related organizations took part in the focus group discussion. Most of the hospitals’ senior management team did not feel the need for HBHTA and believed that in Iran a systematic process like HTA faces many challenges.

Conclusions: The stakeholders participating in this study highlighted the significance of certain points that needed to be addressed before establishing HBHTA in Iran.
QUṬB AL-DĪN AL-SHĪRĀZĪ AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-PTOLEMAIC PLANETARY MODELING IN THE 13thCENTURY
Authors: Gamini Amir-Mohammad
Published: August 2017

Coming after Muʾayyad al-Dīn al-ʿUrḍī (1200–1266) and Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī (1201–1274), Quṭb al-Dīn al-Shīrāzī (1236–1311), a leading figure of the so-called Marāgha school in astronomy, presents his predecessors’ non-Ptolemaic models and criticizes them in his threehayʾabooks. Since his own new models inNihāyat al-idrāk(written in Arabic in 1281) andIkhtiyārāt muẓaffarī(written in Persian in 1282) are not without difficulties, in his latest book onhayʾa,al-Tuḥfa al-shāhiyya(written in Arabic in 1285) he puts forward his modified models inspired from Ṭūsī’s and ʿUrḍī’s models and produces a series of new models for Mercury and the oscillation of the spheres. Nevertheless, in spite of all his attempts, the tradition of non-Ptolemaic modeling after him never converged to a series of standard models.
MULLĀ ṢADRĀ ON THE PROBLEM OF NATURAL UNIVERSALS
Authors: Faruque Muhammad U.
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the problem of the natural universal (kullī ṭabīʿī) in the works of Mullā Ṣadrā (d. 1640). The problem of universals made its way into Arabic/Islamic philosophy via its Greek sources, and was transformed into the problem of natural universals by Avicenna. Weighing in on this problem, Ṣadrā reinterprets the nature of natural universals against the backdrop of his doctrine of “the primacy of being.” As he argues, a natural universal or quiddity qua quiddity is an “accidental being” that requireswujūdfor its existentiation. Thus, Ṣadrā re-envisions the status of natural universals by stripping them of their disputed status as independently existing entities.
PROSPERITY FOR ALL: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE “FARMERIAN” REMEDIES TO PREVENT FINANCIAL CRISES AND REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: Guerrazzi Marco
Published: August 2017

In a recent book, Roger Farmer offers a quick but exhaustive rundown of the research agenda that he drove forward over the last 10 years with the aim to offer a novel microfoundation for Keynesian macroeconomics and—as a by-product—providing practical remedies to prevent financial crises, reduce unemployment, and ensure prosperity for all. In that work, the Farmerian arguments question the conventional visions underlying the Neo-Classical and New Keynesian paradigms and the addressed topics cover relevant theoretical, empirical, and policy issues that have been widely debated after the Great Recession of 2007–2009.
Die Krampfanfallrate unter zwei Medikationsschemata im Alkoholentzug
Authors: C. Lutz Ulrich , Dedner Christopher , Palm Philipp , Haug Monika , Swietlik Bernd , Batra Anil
Published: August 2017

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Der Krampfanfall stellt eine Komplikation des Alkoholentzugs dar. Die Studie vergleicht zwei Medikationsschemata bezüglich der Krampfanfallrate im stationären Alkoholentzug.

Methodik: Es wurde ein retrospektives, naturalistisches Herangehen gewählt. Patienten, die im Zentrum für Psychiatrie in Winnenden in der Klinik für Suchttherapie und Entwöhnung im Jahr 2009 und 2010 sowie von 2012 bis 2015 zum Zweck des qualifizierten Alkoholentzugs behandelt wurden, wurden hinsichtlich der Krampfanfallrate untersucht. Es kamen in den Zeiträumen zwei unterschiedliche Medikationsschemata im Entzug (altes Schema [AS]: starres Schema mit Clomethiazol und Oxcarbazepin; neues Schema [NS]: flexibles Schema mit Clomethiazol) zum Einsatz.

Ergebnisse: Es wurden N = 10 836 Fälle (AS: n = 2675 bzw. NS: n = 8161) untersucht. Patienten, die mit dem AS behandelt wurden, waren signifikant älter und hatten eine längere Verweildauer. Die Geschlechterverteilung war nicht unterschiedlich. Die Krampfanfallrate, nicht jedoch die Zeit bis zum Eintritt eines Krampfanfalls, war auch unter Berücksichtigung von Alter und Verweildauer signifikant geringer (p < .0001) unter Anwendung des NS (0.527 %) verglichen mit dem AS (1.607 %).

Schlussfolgerungen: Trotz methodischer Einschränkungen, die sich aus dem nichtkontrollierten Ansatz ergeben, zeigt sich unter Anwendung eines risikostratifizierten Schemas mit symptomgetriggerter Eindosierungs- und starrer Abdosierphase eine signifikant geringere Krampfanfallrate.
Reaktionen auf Bilder mit Nikotinthematik bei alkoholabhängigen Rauchern
Authors: Olbrich Robert , Metzner Petra , Beutel Martin , W Alpers Georg
Published: August 2017

Zusammenfassung. Einleitung: In der verhaltenstherapeutisch orientierten Raucherbehandlung spielt die Identifizierung von Auslösesituationen eines aufkommenden Rauchdrucks eine große Rolle. Im Rahmen der bisherigen Forschung konnte gezeigt werden, dass bildliche Darstellungen mit Nikotinthematik aus der Anfangsphase des Rauchrituals einen hohen Anreizwert besitzen, Bilder aus der Endphase eines Rauchvorgangs jedoch kaum Nikotincraving auslösen. Unsere Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob bei Rauchern mit einer zusätzlichen Alkoholabhängigkeit auch die an sich wenig einladenden Darstellungen aus der Endphase anders als bei den bislang untersuchten Rauchern ohne Substanzabhängigkeiten ein hohes Rauchverlangen auslösen. Methode: In zwei Studien wurden jeweils 12 männliche und 12 weibliche Probanden mit einer kombinierten Alkohol- und Tabakabhängigkeit untersucht. Den Studienteilnehmern wurden auf einem Farbmonitor Bilder mit Nikotinthematik aus den verschiedenen Phasen des Rauchrituals präsentiert. Jedes Bild sollte in Hinblick auf das ausgelöste Rauchverlangen (Craving) sowie zu den beiden emotionalen Dimensionen Valenz und Arousal bewertet werden. Bildmaterial und Bildbeurteilung wurden bereits in einer Reihe von Studien eingesetzt. Ergebnisse: Auch bei unseren alkohol- und tabakabhängigen Probanden lösten Bilder aus der Anfangsphase des Rauchrituals ein höheres Rauchverlangen aus als Bilder aus der Endphase. Es zeigte sich aber auch ein geschlechtsspezifischer Interaktionseffekt: Frauen reagierten auf das wenig einladende Bildmaterial der Endphase mit einem höheren Rauchverlangen als Männer. Dabei schien die bei den Bildpräsentationen generierte Erregung (Arousal) die modulierende Größe bei der Entstehung dieses Befundes zu sein. Diskussion: Hier soll aufgezeigt werden, dass sich in Hinblick auf unsere Ergebnisse bei der Behandlung der Tabakabhängigkeit die Aufgabe stellt, in gemischtgeschlechtlichen Gruppenformaten frauenspezifische Auslösesituationen etwa im Bereich von Stress und Erregung explizit und ausführlich anzusprechen.
Altered marginal zone and innate-like B cells in aged senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice with defective IgG1 responses
Authors: Cortegano Isabel , Rodríguez Mercedes , Martín Isabel , Prado Maria Carmen , Ruíz Carolina , Hortigüela Rafael , Alía Mario , Vilar Marçal , Mira Helena , Cano Eva , Domínguez Mercedes , de Andrés Belén , Gaspar María Luisa
Published: August 2017

Aging has a strong impact on the activity of the immune system, enhancing susceptibility to pathogens and provoking a predominant pre-inflammatory status, whereas dampening responses to vaccines in humans and mice. Here, we demonstrate a loss of marginal zone B lymphocytes (MZ, CD19+CD45R+CD21++CD23lo) and a decrease of naive B cells (CD19+IgD+), whereas there is an enhancement of a CD19+CD45Rloinnate-like B cell population (B1REL) and the so-called aged B cell compartment (ABC, CD45R+CD21loCD23loCD5−CD11b−) in aged senescence-accelerated (SAMP8) mice but not in aged senescence-resistant (SAMR1) mice. These changes in aged SAMP8 mice were associated with lower IgG isotype levels, displaying low variable gene usage repertoires of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (VH) diversity, with a diminution on IgG1-memory B cells (CD11b−Gr1−CD138−IgM−IgD−CD19+CD38+IgG1+), an increase in T follicular helper (TFH, CD4+CXCR5+PD1+) cell numbers, and an altered MOMA-1 (metallophilic macrophages) band in primary follicles. LPS-mediated IgG1 responses were impaired in the B1REL and ABC cell compartments, bothin vitroandin vivo. These data demonstrate the prominent changes to different B cell populations and in structural follicle organization that occur upon aging in SAMP8 mice. These novel results raise new questions regarding the importance of the cellular distribution in the B cell layers, and their effector functions needed to mount a coordinated and effective humoral response.
Administration of follicle-stimulating hormone induces autophagy via upregulation of HIF-1α in mouse granulosa cells
Authors: Zhou Jilong , Yao Wang , Li Chengyu , Wu Wangjun , Li Qifa , Liu Honglin
Published: August 2017

Recent studies reported the important role of autophagy in follicular development. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on mouse granulosa cells (MGCs). Results indicated that autophagy was induced by FSH, which is known to be the dominant hormone regulating follicular development and granulosa cell (GC) proliferation. The activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of autophagy, was inhibited during the process of MGC autophagy. Moreover, MHY1485 (an agonist of mTOR) significantly suppressed autophagy signaling by activating mTOR. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) was increased after FSH treatment. Blocking hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha attenuated autophagy signaling. In vitro, CoCl2-induced hypoxia enhanced cell autophagy and affected the expression of beclin1 and BCL2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 (Bnip3) in the presence of FSH. Knockdown of beclin1 and Bnip3 suppressed autophagy signaling in MGCs. Furthermore, our in vivo study demonstrated that the FSH-induced increase in weight was significantly reduced after effectively inhibiting autophagy with chloroquine, which was correlated with incomplete mitophagy process through the PINK1-Parkin pathway, delayed cell cycle, and reduced cell proliferation rate. In addition, chloroquine treatment decreased inhibin alpha subunit, but enhanced the expression of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Blocking autophagy resulted in a significantly lower percentage of antral and preovulatory follicles after FSH stimulation. In conclusion, our results indicate that FSH induces autophagy signaling in MGCs via HIF-1α. In addition, our results provide evidence that autophagy induced by FSH is related to follicle development and atresia.
The vaginal microbiome of pregnant women is less rich and diverse, with lower prevalence of Mollicutes, compared to non-pregnant women
Authors: Freitas Aline C. , Chaban Bonnie , Bocking Alan , Rocco Maria , Yang Siwen , Hill Janet E. , Money Deborah M. ,   The VOGUE Research Group, Hemmingsen Sean , Reid Gregor , Dumonceaux Tim , Gloor Gregory , Links Matthew , O’Doherty Kieran , Tang Patrick , van Schalkwyk Julianne , Yudin Mark
Published: August 2017

The vaginal microbiome plays an important role in maternal and neonatal health. Imbalances in this microbiota (dysbiosis) during pregnancy are associated with negative reproductive outcomes, such as pregnancy loss and preterm birth, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Consequently a comprehensive understanding of the baseline microbiome in healthy pregnancy is needed. We characterized the vaginal microbiomes of healthy pregnant women at 11–16 weeks of gestational age (n = 182) and compared them to those of non-pregnant women (n = 310). Profiles were created by pyrosequencing of thecpn60 universal target region. Microbiome profiles of pregnant women clustered into six Community State Types: I, II, III, IVC, IVD and V. Overall microbiome profiles could not be distinguished based on pregnancy status. However, the vaginal microbiomes of women with healthy ongoing pregnancies had lower richness and diversity, lower prevalence ofMycoplasmaandUreaplasmaand higher bacterial load when compared to non-pregnant women.Lactobacillusabundance was also greater in the microbiomes of pregnant women withLactobacillus-dominated CSTs in comparison with non-pregnant women. This study provides further information regarding characteristics of the vaginal microbiome of low-risk pregnant women, providing a baseline for forthcoming studies investigating the diagnostic potential of the microbiome for prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Pregnancy reduces the perception of anxiety
Authors: Lübke Katrin T. , Busch Anne , Hoenen Matthias , Schaal Benoist , Pause Bettina M.
Published: August 2017

In humans, stress can be contagiously transmitted via chemosignals on a subconscious level. This study investigates how pregnancy affects neural responses to anxiety chemosignals. Using cotton pads, 28 men donated axillary sweat immediately before an academic examination (anxiety sweat) and during ergometer training (control). Via a constant-flow olfactometer, samples were presented (oddball paradigm) to 12 non-pregnant (NP) women, 14 women in their first (T1), and 18 in their third (T3) trimester of pregnancy. Chemosensory event-related potentials and current source densities (CSD) were analysed (60 electrode setup). Compared to NP-women, pregnant women display diminished evaluative processing of the sweat samples (targets; P3-1/ P3-2 amplitudes) and delayed evaluative processing of the anxiety sweat (targets; P3-2 latency). T3-women show attenuated early processing (targets; N1 amplitude) compared to NP-women, and reduced evaluative processing compared to T1-women (standards; P3-2 amplitude). CSDs (P3-1/ P3-2 latency ranges) reveal that T1- and T3-women show an atypical activation distribution to anxiety sweat. Most participants were unable to detect the sweat samples (anxiety sweat: 79.5%, sport sweat 88.6%). The results demonstrate that the processing of anxiety chemosignals progressively vanishes during pregnancy. This effect is likely to occur without any cognitive control.
The changing epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China, 2011–2016
Authors: Sun Jimin , Lu Liang , Wu Haixia , Yang Jun , Ren Jiangping , Liu Qiyong
Published: August 2017

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is emerging and the number of SFTS cases increased year by year in China. In order to explore the epidemiology trend, we analyzed the changing epidemiological characteristics of SFTS cases in different years and compare characteristics in different provinces. From 2011 to 2016, a total of 5360 laboratory-confirmed SFTS cases were reported and annual case numbers increased year by year. Most SFTS cases occurred in individuals aged between 40 years and 80 years (91.57%), but age distributions of SFTS cases in different years were significantly different and the median ages increased slightly year by year. The numbers of affected counties from 2011 to 2016 increased sharply from 98 to 167. Of note, the seasonal distributions of SFTS cases in different provinces were significantly different (Fisher = 712.157, P = 0.000) and provinces in south regions showed earlier epidemic peak and longer epidemics durations. The median time from illness onset to confirmation of different years was significantly different (χ2 = 896.088, P = 0.000) and it peaked in 2014. Furthermore, case fatality rate was associated with province, year, and age of SFTS cases. These results may be helpful for authorities to better preventive strategy and improve interventions against SFTS.
The evolution of animal Argonautes: evidence for the absence of antiviral AGO Argonautes in vertebrates
Authors: Wynant Niels , Santos Dulce , Vanden Broeck Jozef
Published: August 2017

In addition to mediating regulation of endogenous gene expression, RNA interference (RNAi) in plants and invertebrates plays a crucial role in defense against viruses via virus-specific siRNAs. Different studies have demonstrated that the functional diversity of RNAi in animals is linked to the diversification of the Argonaute superfamily, central components of RISCs (RNA induced silencing complexes). The animal Argonaute superfamily is traditionally grouped into AGO and PIWI Argonautes. Yet, by performing phylogenetic analyses and determining the selective evolutionary pressure in the metazoan Argonaute superfamily, we provide evidence for the existence of three conserved Argonaute lineages between basal metazoans and protostomes, namely siRNA-class AGO, miRNA-class AGO and PIWI Argonautes. In addition, it shown that the siRNA-class AGO lineage is characterized by high rates of molecular evolution, suggesting a role in the arms race with viruses, while the miRNA-class AGOs display strong sequence conservation. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that vertebrates lack siRNA-class AGO proteins and that vertebrate AGOs display low rates of molecular evolution. In this way, we provide supportive evidence for the loss of the antiviral siRNA-class AGO group in vertebrates and discuss the consequence hereof on antiviral immunity and the use of RNAi as a loss of function tool in these animals.
Disparate subcellular location of putative sortase substrates in Clostridium difficile
Authors: Peltier Johann , Shaw Helen A. , Wren Brendan W. , Fairweather Neil F.
Published: August 2017

Clostridium difficile is a gastrointestinal pathogen but how the bacterium colonises this niche is still little understood. Sortase enzymes covalently attach specific bacterial proteins to the peptidoglycan cell wall and are often involved in colonisation by pathogens. Here we show C. difficile proteins CD2537 and CD3392 are functional substrates of sortase SrtB. Through manipulation of the C-terminal regions of these proteins we show the SPKTG motif is essential for covalent attachment to the cell wall. Two additional putative substrates, CD0183 which contains an SPSTG motif, and CD2768 which contains an SPQTG motif, are not cleaved or anchored to the cell wall by sortase. Finally, using an in vivo asymmetric cleavage assay, we show that despite containing a conserved SPKTG motif, in the absence of SrtB these proteins are localised to disparate cellular compartments.
Involvement of oxidative modification of proteins related to ATP synthesis in the left ventricles of hamsters with cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ichihara Sahoko , Suzuki Yuka , Chang Jie , Kuzuya Kentaro , Inoue Chisa , Kitamura Yuki , Oikawa Shinji
Published: August 2017

Inflammation enhanced by accumulation of reactive oxygen species plays an essential role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Using the 2D-oxyblot analysis and 2D-difference image gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we compared the levels of ROS-induced carbonyl modification of myocardial proteins in the whole left ventricles between 6-week-old hamsters with dilated (TO-2) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Bio14.6) and control hamsters (F1B). Then, 2D electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry detected 18 proteins with increased carbonyl level in cardiomyopathy hamsters compared with control hamster. Carbonyl modification of proteins related to ATP synthesis, including citric acid cycle and electron transport system, was observed in the hearts of hamsters with both types of cardiomyopathy. Further analysis indicated that left ventricular carbonyl production correlated negatively with succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase 1 activity (r2 = 0.60, P = 0.0007) and ATP concentration (r2 = 0.29, P = 0.037), suggesting that protein carbonylation has negative effects on the levels of these biomolecules. Furthermore, carbonyl production significantly correlated with plasma Troponin T level (r2 = 0.33, P = 0.026). Reduction of energy metabolism by oxidative damage may contribute to the development of left ventricular impairment in cardiomyopathy.
Light-Triggered Soft Artificial Muscles: Molecular-Level Amplification of Actuation Control Signals
Authors: Dicker Michael P. M. , Baker Anna B. , Iredale Robert J. , Naficy Sina , Bond Ian P. , Faul Charl F. J. , Rossiter Jonathan M. , Spinks Geoffrey M. , Weaver Paul M.
Published: August 2017

The principle of control signal amplification is found in all actuation systems, from engineered devices through to the operation of biological muscles. However, current engineering approaches require the use of hard and bulky external switches or valves, incompatible with both the properties of emerging soft artificial muscle technology and those of the bioinspired robotic systems they enable. To address this deficiency a biomimetic molecular-level approach is developed that employs light, with its excellent spatial and temporal control properties, to actuate soft, pH-responsive hydrogel artificial muscles. Although this actuation is triggered by light, it is largely powered by the resulting excitation and runaway chemical reaction of a light-sensitive acid autocatalytic solution in which the actuator is immersed. This process produces actuation strains of up to 45% and a three-fold chemical amplification of the controlling light-trigger, realising a new strategy for the creation of highly functional soft actuating systems.
Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging in relation to cognitive impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Kim Su-Hyun , Park Eun Young , Park Boram , Hyun Jae-Won , Park Na Young , Joung AeRan , Lee Sang Hyun , Kim Ho Jin
Published: August 2017

Cognitive impairment (CI) is reported in 29–57% of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, the pathophysiology underlying CI in NMOSD is poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the predictive values of various conventional and quantitative MRI parameters for cognitive performance in patients with NMOSD. Neurological assessment and conventional, diffusion tensor, and volumetric MRI sequences were collected form 73 patients with NMOSD and 44 healthy controls (HCs). Patients with ≥3 failed tests were considered to have CI. Brain lesion load, gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) atrophy, deep GM (DGM) atrophy, cortical thickness, and diffuse microstructural WM damage were assessed. Twenty-three (32%) patients with NMOSD had CI. Compared to cognitively preserved (CP) individuals, patients with CI had atrophy in the WM, thalamus, and caudate, decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity in their WM. A multivariate model indicated that mean FA values in the WM and volume in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) were associated with overall cognition (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008, respectively). Diffuse microstructural damage in the WM and DGM atrophy in the NAc are the strongest predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with NMOSD.
Neuroprotective effects of a Coeloglossum viride var. Bracteatum extract in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Pan Rui-Yuan , Ma Jun , Wu Huan-Tong , Liu Qing-Shan , Qin Xiao-Yan , Cheng Yong
Published: August 2017

The excessive release and accumulation of glutamate in the brain is known to be associated with excitotoxicity. CE, an extract derived from the plant Coeloglossum viride var. Bracteatum, exerted neuroprotective effects against amyloid toxicity and oxidative stress in cortical neurons. The aims of this study are to examine whether CE also attenuates glutamate neurotoxicity in rat primary cultured cortical neurons and to determine the effect of CE in vivo. According to the results of MTT, LDH release, and TUNEL assays, the CE treatment significantly reduced glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the protective effects of CE were blocked by an Akt inhibitor, LY294002, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway is involved in the neuroprotective effects of CE. In addition, CE might regulate the PKC-GluA2 axis to prevent neuronal apoptosis. CE also protected against dopaminergic neuronal loss in a mouse model of MPTP-induced PD. Based on our results, CE exerted neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment or prevention of neurodegeneration.
The scaffold protein Ajuba suppresses CdGAP activity in epithelia to maintain stable cell-cell contacts
Authors: McCormack J. J. , Bruche S. , Ouadda A. B. D. , Ishii H. , Lu H. , Garcia-Cattaneo A. , Chávez-Olórtegui C. , Lamarche-Vane N. , Braga V. M. M.
Published: August 2017

Levels of active Rac1 at epithelial junctions are partially modulated via interaction with Ajuba, an actin binding and scaffolding protein. Here we demonstrate that Ajuba interacts with the Cdc42 GTPase activating protein CdGAP, a GAP for Rac1 and Cdc42, at cell-cell contacts. CdGAP recruitment to junctions does not require Ajuba; rather Ajuba seems to control CdGAP residence at sites of cell-cell adhesion. CdGAP expression potently perturbs junctions and Ajuba binding inhibits CdGAP activity. Ajuba interacts with Rac1 and CdGAP via distinct domains and can potentially bring them in close proximity at junctions to facilitate activity regulation. Functionally, CdGAP-Ajuba interaction maintains junctional integrity in homeostasis and diseases: (i) gain-of-function CdGAP mutants found in Adams-Oliver Syndrome patients strongly destabilize cell-cell contacts and (ii) CdGAP mRNA levels are inversely correlated with E-cadherin protein expression in different cancers. We present conceptual insights on how Ajuba can integrate CdGAP binding and inactivation with the spatio-temporal regulation of Rac1 activity at junctions. Ajuba provides a novel mechanism due to its ability to bind to CdGAP and Rac1 via distinct domains and influence the activation status of both proteins. This functional interplay may contribute towards conserving the epithelial tissue architecture at steady-state and in different pathologies.
The relative contribution of target-site mutations in complex acaricide resistant phenotypes as assessed by marker assisted backcrossing in Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Riga Maria , Bajda Sabina , Themistokleous Christos , Papadaki Stavrini , Palzewicz Maria , Dermauw Wannes , Vontas John , Leeuwen Thomas Van
Published: August 2017

The mechanisms underlying insecticide and acaricide resistance in insects and mites are often complex, including additive effects of target-site insensitivity, increased metabolism and transport. The extent to which target-site resistance mutations contribute to the resistance phenotype is, however, not well studied. Here, we used marker-assisted backcrossing to create 30 congenic lines carrying nine mutations (alone, or in combination in a few cases) associated with resistance to avermectins, pyrethroids, mite growth inhibitors and mitochondrial complex III inhibitors (QoI) in a polyphagous arthropod pest, the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Toxicity tests revealed that mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel, chitin synthase 1 and cytochrome b confer high levels of resistance and, when fixed in a population, these mutations alone can result in field failure of acaricide treatment. In contrast, although we confirmed the implication of mutations in glutamate-gated chloride channels in abamectin and milbemectin insensitivity, these mutations do not lead to the high resistance levels that are often reported in abamectin resistant strains of T. urticae. Overall, this study functionally validates reported target-site resistance mutations in T. urticae, by uncoupling them from additional mechanisms, allowing to finally investigate the strength of the conferred phenotype in vivo.
Altitude control in honeybees: joint vision-based learning and guidance
Authors: Portelli Geoffrey , Serres Julien R. , Ruffier Franck
Published: August 2017

Studies on insects’ visual guidance systems have shed little light on how learning contributes to insects’ altitude control system. In this study, honeybees were trained to fly along a double-roofed tunnel after entering it near either the ceiling or the floor of the tunnel. The honeybees trained to hug the ceiling therefore encountered a sudden change in the tunnel configuration midways: i.e. a "dorsal ditch". Thus, the trained honeybees met a sudden increase in the distance to the ceiling, corresponding to a sudden strong change in the visual cues available in their dorsal field of view. Honeybees reacted by rising quickly and hugging the new, higher ceiling, keeping a similar forward speed, distance to the ceiling and dorsal optic flow to those observed during the training step; whereas bees trained to follow the floor kept on following the floor regardless of the change in the ceiling height. When trained honeybees entered the tunnel via the other entry (the lower or upper entry) to that used during the training step, they quickly changed their altitude and hugged the surface they had previously learned to follow. These findings clearly show that trained honeybees control their altitude based on visual cues memorized during training. The memorized visual cues generated by the surfaces followed form a complex optic flow pattern: trained honeybees may attempt to match the visual cues they perceive with this memorized optic flow pattern by controlling their altitude.