bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Echinococcus multilocularisand other zoonotic parasites in red foxes in Estonia
Authors: LAURIMAA LEIDI , MOKS EPP , SOE EGLE , VALDMANN HARRI , SAARMA URMAS
Published: June 2016

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widely distributed canid in the world and an important source of multiple zoonotic pathogens capable of causing life-threatening diseases, such as rabies and alveolar echinococcosis. Informing general public of potential risks related to foxes is becoming more important since the fox densities have increased in many countries and the species is colonizing urban areas in Europe and around the world with increasing pace, bringing zoonotic pathogens to the immediate neighbourhood of humans and their companion animals. The aim of this study was to examine the parasite fauna of red foxes in Estonia. We found in Estonian foxes a total of 17 endoparasite taxa, including ten zoonotic species. All the analysed individuals were infected and the average parasite species richness was 6·37. However, the infection rates varied to a very large extent for different parasite species, ranging from 0·9 to 91·5%. Of zoonotic species, the highest infection rate was observed forAlaria alata(90·7%),Eucoleus aerophilus(87·6%) andUncinaria stenocephala(84·3%). The prevalence of tapewormEchinococcus multilocularis, a causative agent for alveolar echinococcosis, was also relatively high (31·5%), presenting a potential risk to human health.
Parasites and Strange Bedfellows: A Study in Catullus' Political Imagery
Authors: Skinner Marilyn B.
Published: June 2016

For almost all present-day readers, Catullus is a compelling love poet; for Quintilian, he was a master of the savage political lampoon. These two views of the same author are not mutually exclusive. Yet a natural wish to establish Catullus as a great ‘lyric poet’, as twentieth-century scholars understand the term, has sometimes trapped his admirers into a false dichotomy: his invectives are denied any claim to artistic merit, and the Roman rhetorician's preference for them is dismissed as an odd lapse of taste. Such a pronouncement hardly does justice to Quintilian's aesthetic judgment. Nor does it give due recognition to Catullus' noteworthy achievements in the iambic mode. Even in the harshest of his lampoons, modern techniques of literary analysis reveal a level of sophistication as high as in any of the famous love lyrics, together with an equivalent degree of emotional complexity. In this paper I intend to support that thesis through an exploration of one significant characteristic of certain pasquinades: the use of standard invective topoi as condensed metaphors of political corruption.
On the generalizability of the Chunk-and-Pass processing approach: Perspectives from language acquisition and music
Authors: Lakshmanan Usha , Graham Robert E.
Published: June 2016

Christiansen & Chater (C&C) offer the Chunk-and-Pass strategy as a language processing approach allowing humans to make sense of incoming language in the face of cognitive and perceptual constraints. We propose that the Chunk-and-Pass strategy is not adequate to extend universally across languages (accounting for typologically diverse languages), nor is it sufficient to generalize to other auditory modalities such as music.
Exploring some edges: Chunk-and-Pass processing at the very beginning, across representations, and on to action
Authors: Maier Rose , Baldwin Dare
Published: June 2016

We identify three “working edges” for fruitful elaboration of the Chunk-and-Pass proposal: (a) accounting for the earliest phases of language acquisition, (b) explaining diversity in the stability and plasticity of different representational types, and (c) propelling investigation of action processing.
Language acquisition is model-based rather than model-free
Authors: Wang Felix Hao , Mintz Toben H.
Published: June 2016

Christiansen & Chater (C&C) propose that learning language is learning to process language. However, we believe that the general-purpose prediction mechanism they propose is insufficient to account for many phenomena in language acquisition. We argue from theoretical considerations and empirical evidence that many acquisition tasks are model-based, and that different acquisition tasks require different, specialized models.
What gets passed in “Chunk-and-Pass” processing? A predictive processing solution to the Now-or-Never bottleneck
Authors: Wilkinson Sam
Published: June 2016

I agree with the existence, and importance, of the “Now-or-Never” bottleneck. However, there is a far simpler and more parsimonious solution to it. This solution is predictive processing, and the failure to view the solution that this provides fundamentally boils down to viewing prediction as one aspect of cognition, rather than as its central principle.
Improving meat quality: the blueprint approach
Authors: Warkup C. C.
Published: June 2016

Consumer demand for meat is strongly influenced by sensory aspects of meat quality, particularly visual appeal and eating quality. One of the most important of these traits is tenderness which is notoriously complex in origin and hence difficult to control. Potential interactions between diet, pre-slaughter handling, chill rate, muscle shortening during chilling and, therefore, toughness are presented to illustrate the complexity of controlling the trait. The final eating quality result is far from predictable. The Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) has identified the enhancement of eating quality of beef and pork as important objectives for industry. It has produced and tested blueprint specifications which aim to summarize the ‘best state of the art’ regarding eating quality at each stage of the production and processing chain. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are discussed. The standard blueprint specification for pork produced an improvement in tenderness of 0.6 scale points (P<0.001, scale = 1 to 8) over random retail purchases of pork chops and a significant reduction in variance. However, considerable residual variation remains, providing the opportunity for greater improvements to be made in the future.
Patti Tamara Lenard Replies
Authors: Lenard Patti Tamara
Published: June 2016

Is the revocation of citizenship—a policy increasingly adopted by democratic states—a violation of democratic principles? In an article published in the Spring 2016 issue of this journal, I argued that it is. A true commitment to the best understanding of democratic citizenship does not permit the revocation of some citizens’ status by others. David Miller and Ben Herzog are unconvinced. Elizabeth Cohen agrees that revocation is a violation of democratic principle, but argues that my defense of this claim leaves room for it nevertheless. These thoughtful critiques raise two questions to which I would like to respond: (1) What is the nature of citizenship in democratic states? (2) What can legitimately be done by democracies to protect themselves?
Almost in Europe? How Finland's Embarrassing Entry into Eureka Captured Policy Change
Authors: MITZNER VEERA
Published: June 2016

Common historical narratives of Finnish European policy emphasise the sudden and dramatic change of 1991–1995, when Finland, as a reaction to the collapse of the Soviet Union, rejected its previously cautious approach and wholeheartedly embraced the goal of joining a unified Europe. This article, however, shows that, already in the mid-1980s, the Finnish political and economic elites questioned the country's position in the Cold War order and took bold steps in order to forge closer relations with Western Europe. A key event was the struggle for membership in Eureka, a novel European project designed to enhance cooperation in high technology.
The Implications of Statements by Aboriginal Leaders for Language Teaching in Aboriginal Schools
Authors: Graham B.
Published: June 2016

In the Plenary Address to the Cross Cultural Issues in Educational Linguistics Conference held at Batchelor in 1987, Mandawuy Yunupingu, Principal at Yirrkala Community School, expressed the hope that a school using ‘both-ways’ curriculum would help Aboriginal people regain control of their lives. Among other things he states,

If you have control of both languages you have double power.

(Yunupingu, 1987, p.4)
Novel SRR-loaded CPW-fed UWB antenna with wide band-notched characteristics
Authors: Peng Haijun , Wang Chunhua , Zhao Lv , Liu Jun
Published: June 2016

This paper presents the design of a split-ring resonators (SRR) loaded coplanar waveguide-fed ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna. As using the electromagnetic coupling SRR connected by open-ended microstrip lines, this UWB antenna achieves wide band-notched characteristics. The frequency of the proposed antenna operates from 2.37 to 10.93 GHz with a broad notch band covers from 4.96 to 6.15 GHz (IEEE 802.11.ac), the relative stopped bandwidth of the notch band achieves 20.42%. Besides, theoretical analysis and experimental results are proposed to illustrate and validate this proposed antenna.
Clusters of suicides and suicide attempts: detection, proximity and correlates
Authors: Too L. S. , Pirkis J. , Milner A. , Spittal M. J.
Published: June 2016

Background.

A suicide cluster is defined as a higher number of observed cases occurring in space and/or time than would typically be expected. Previous research has largely focused on identifying clusters of suicides, while there has been comparatively limited research on clusters of suicide attempts. We sought to identify clusters of both types of behaviour, and having done that, identify the factors that distinguish suicide attempts inside a cluster from those that were outside a cluster.

Methods.

We used data from Western Australia from 2000 to 2011. We defined suicide attempts as admissions to hospital for deliberate self-harm and suicides as deaths due to deliberate self-harm. Using an analytic strategy that accounted for the repetition of attempted suicide within a cluster, we performed spatial-temporal analysis using Poisson discrete scan statistics to detect clusters of suicide attempts and clusters of suicides. Logistic regression was then used to compare clustered attempts with non-clustered attempts to identify risk factors for an attempt being in a cluster.

Results.

We detected 350 (1%) suicide attempts occurring within seven spatial-temporal clusters and 12 (0.6%) suicides occurring within two spatial-temporal clusters. Both of the suicide clusters were located within a larger but later suicide attempt cluster. In multivariate analysis, suicide attempts by individuals who lived in areas of low socioeconomic status had higher odds of being in a cluster than those living in areas of high socioeconomic status [odds ratio (OR) = 29.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.3–135.5]. A one percentage-point increase in the proportion of people who had changed address in the last year was associated with a 60% increase in the odds of the attempt being within a cluster (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.29–1.98) and a one percentage-point increase in the proportion of Indigenous people in the area was associated with a 7% increase in the suicide being within a cluster (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00–1.13). Age, sex, marital status, employment status, method of harm, remoteness, percentage of people in rented accommodation and percentage of unmarried people were not associated with the odds of being in a suicide attempt cluster.

Conclusions.

Early identification of and responding to suicide clusters may reduce the likelihood of subsequent clusters forming. The mechanisms, however, that underlie clusters forming is poorly understood.
Transnational Relationships and Cultural Identity of Older Migrants
Authors: Burholt Vanessa , Dobbs Christine , Victor Christina
Published: June 2016

Abstract. We take a social identity approach to explore the associations between cultural heritage, social class, social-support networks, transnational relationships and cultural identity. Data for 815 older people (≥ 55 years) from six ethnic groups living in England and Wales are used to help understand older migrants’ ethnic identity, cultural identity with the family’s country of origin, and British identity. Regression models explain a low amount of variance. Different configurations of the independent variables – cultural heritage, social class, social-support networks and transnational relationships (with children, siblings, other relatives) – predicted different forms of cultural identity. Transnational relationships provide migrants with a range of alternative identities into which they self-categorize or contrast to their group identity.
Intergenerational Family Solidarity
Authors: Kiilo Tatjana , Kasearu Kairi , Kutsar Dagmar
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This paper focuses on the provision of help and care to the older generation, comparing the situation of those in Estonia with migrant backgrounds to those with nonmigrant backgrounds. The empirical evidence suggests that, in the case of Estonia, the main factor determining attenuated family solidarity is proximity between family members. Thus, mainly first-generation migrants whose parents live more than 100 km away are at risk from weakened family bonds. The analysis points out significant gender differences, where men are more often deprived of help and emotional support. More relations of solidarity in migrant families where different generations move together are assumed, but the empirical evidence for this conjecture is far from conclusive.
Social Relations, Long-Term Care, and Well-Being of Older Migrants in Luxembourg
Authors: Ramos Anne Carolina , Karl Ute
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This paper is based on biographical and qualitative egocentric network analyses and examines the social relations of older Italian and Portuguese migrants in need of long-term care (LTC) in Luxembourg. It addresses three components of their everyday social relationships, including the relationships with emotionally close individuals in their egocentric networks, with careworkers, and with other care-recipients in institutional settings. The findings support two main theses: First, careworkers are central figures in providing emotional support to older migrants; second, the relations with other care-recipients can be difficult to establish in contexts of migration, which leads to the necessity of arranging new forms of institutional settings in order to decrease social isolation, being a pressing aspect to public health policies.
Erfassung von Achtsamkeit mit der deutschen Version des Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaires (FFMQ-D)
Authors: Michalak Johannes , Zarbock Gerhard , Drews Marko , Otto Deline , Mertens Dennis , Ströhle Gunnar , Schwinger Malte , Dahme Bernd , Heidenreich Thomas
Published: June 2016

Zusammenfassung. Achtsamkeit hat für die Gesundheitspsychologie eine immer stärkere Bedeutung, da achtsamkeitsbasierte Interventionen in der Prävention und Rehabilitation das körperliche Wohlbefinden und die Lebensqualität steigern können. Wie valide lässt sich selbstberichtete Achtsamkeit mit der deutschen Übersetzung des „Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire“ (FFMQ) erfassen? Der 39 Items umfassende FFMQ wurde ins Deutsche übersetzt. An einer Stichprobe von 550 studentischen Versuchspersonen wurde die dimensionale Struktur, Reliabilität und Validität der fünf Skalen bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine hohe Übereinstimmung mit den Validierungsstudien zur englischsprachigen Originalfassung des FFMQ. Die fünf-faktorielle Struktur konnte weitestgehend repliziert werden. Hypothesenkonform fanden sich korrelative Zusammenhänge zur psychopathologischen Symptombelastung und zu Indikatoren der psychischen Gesundheit. Mit der deutschen Version des FFMQ liegt ein valides Instrument vor, das die Erfassung der von Baer beschriebenen fünf Facetten selbstberichteter Achtsamkeit ermöglicht.
Prevention of Suicidal Behavior in Prisons
Authors: Marzano Lisa , Hawton Keith , Rivlin Adrienne , Smith E. Naomi , Piper Mary , Fazel Seena
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Background: Worldwide, prisoners are at high risk of suicide. Research on near-lethal suicide attempts can provide important insights into risk and protective factors, and inform suicide prevention initiatives in prison. Aims: To synthesize findings of research on near-lethal attempts in prisons, and consider their implications for suicide prevention policies and practice, in the context of other research in custody and other settings. Method: We searched two bibliographic indexes for studies in any language on near-lethal and severe self-harm in prisoners, supplemented by targeted searches over the period 2000–2014. We extracted information on risk factors descriptively. Data were not meta-analyzed owing to heterogeneity of samples and methods. Results: We identified eight studies reporting associations between prisoner near-lethal attempts and specific factors. The latter included historical, prison-related, and clinical factors, including psychiatric morbidity and comorbidity, trauma, social isolation, and bullying. These factors were also identified as important in prisoners' own accounts of what may have contributed to their attempts (presented in four studies). Conclusion: Factors associated with prisoners' severe suicide attempts include a range of potentially modifiable clinical, psychosocial, and environmental factors. We make recommendations to address these factors in order to improve detection, management, and prevention of suicide risk in prisoners.
ATP2C1 gene mutations in Hailey–Hailey disease and possible roles of SPCA1 isoforms in membrane trafficking
Authors: Micaroni M , Giacchetti G , Plebani R , Xiao G G , Federici L
Published: June 2016

ATP2C1gene codes for the secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+-ATPase pump type 1 (SPCA1) localizing at the golgi apparatus. Mutations on the humanATP2C1gene, causing decreased levels of the SPCA1 expression, have been identified as the cause of the Hailey–Hailey disease, a rare skin disorder. In the last few years, several mutations have been described, and here we summarize how they are distributed along the gene and how missense mutations affect protein expression. SPCA1 is expressed in four different isoforms through alternative splicing of theATP2C1gene and none of these isoforms is differentially affected by any of these mutations. However, a better understanding of the tissue specific expression of the isoforms, their localization along the secretory pathway, their specific binding partners and the role of the C-terminal tail making isoforms different from each other, will be future goals of the research in this field.
Long non-coding RNA regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cancer metastasis
Authors: Xu Q , Deng F , Qin Y , Zhao Z , Wu Z , Xing Z , Ji A , Wang Q J
Published: June 2016

Metastasis is a multistep process starting with the dissemination of tumor cells from a primary site and ending with secondary tumor development in an anatomically distant location. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that endows epithelial tumor cells with mesenchymal properties including reduced adhesion and increased motility, is considered a critical step driving the early phase of cancer metastasis. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular characteristics of EMT, the intracellular mechanisms driving transition through the various stages of EMT remain unclear. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor metastasis through modulating EMT. LncRNAs and their associated signaling networks have now emerged as new players in the induction and regulation of EMT during metastasis. Here we summarize the recent findings and characterizations of several known lncRNAs involved in the regulation of EMT. We will also discuss the potential use of these lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets to slow down or prevent metastatic spread of malignant tumors.
KLF4 deletion alters gastric cell lineage and induces MUC2 expression
Authors: Yu T , Chen X , Lin T , Liu J , Li M , Zhang W , Xu X , Zhao W , Liu M , Napier D L , Wang C , Evers B M , Liu C
Published: June 2016

Gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, particularly in underdeveloped countries. The mechanism of gastric cancer is less understood compared with other types of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor and is a potential tumor suppressor in GI cancers. In this study, we have generated two mouse models, Rosa-Cre;Klf4fl/fl and Lgr5-Cre;Klf4fl/fl. KLF4 was deleted by Rosa-Cre in the gastric epithelia cells or by Lgr5-Cre in the antral stem cells in the adult mice. KLF4 deletion resulted in increased proliferating cells and decreased pit mucous cells. Surprisingly, the intestinal goblet cell marker, MUC2, which is not expressed in normal gastric tissues, was strongly induced at the base of the KLF4-deleted antral glands. To understand the clinical relevance of these findings, we analyzed the expression of KLF4 and MUC2 in human gastric cancer. In a subset of human gastric cancer, the expression of KLF4 is negatively associated with MUC2 expression. In conclusion, KLF4 is essential for normal homeostasis of antral stem cells; loss of KLF4 and expression of MUC2 could be important markers for gastric cancer diagnosis.
DJ-1 deficiency attenuates expansion of liver progenitor cells through modulating the inflammatory and fibrogenic niches
Authors: Chen L , Luo M , Sun X , Qin J , Yu C , Wen Y , Zhang Q , Gu J , Xia Q , Kong X
Published: June 2016

Our previous study suggested that DJ-1 has a critical role in initiating an inflammatory response, but its role in the liver progenitor cell (LPC) expansion, a process highly dependent on the inflammatory niche, remains elusive. The objective of this study is to determine the role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion. The correlation of DJ-1 expression with LPC markers was examined in the liver of patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infection, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. The role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion and the formation of LPC-associated fibrosis and inflammation was examined in a 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet-induced liver injury murine model. We also determined the ability of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in recruiting macrophages in DJ-1 knockout (KO) mice. The expression levels of DJ-1 were upregulated in the liver of HBV, HCV, PBC and PSC patients and DDC-fed mice. Additionally, DJ-1 expression was positively correlated with LPC proliferation in patients with liver injury and mice with DDC exposure. DJ-1 has no direct effect on LPC proliferation. Reduced activation of HSCs and collagen deposition were observed in DJ-1 KO mice. Furthermore, infiltrated CD11b+Gr-1low macrophages and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α) were attenuated in DJ-1 KO mice. Mechanistically, we found that HSCs isolated from DJ-1 KO mice had decreased secretion of macrophage-mobilizing chemokines, such as CCL2 and CX3CL1, resulting in impaired macrophage infiltration. DJ-1 positively correlates with LPC expansion during liver injury. DJ-1 deficiency negatively regulates LPC proliferation by impairing the formation of LPC-associated fibrosis and inflammatory niches.
Multiple-stable anisotropic magnetoresistance memory in antiferromagnetic MnTe
Authors: Kriegner D. , Výborný K. , Olejník K. , Reichlová H. , Novák V. , Marti X. , Gazquez J. , Saidl V. , Němec P. , Volobuev V. V. , Springholz G. , Holý V. , Jungwirth T.
Published: June 2016

Commercial magnetic memories rely on the bistability of ordered spins in ferromagnetic materials. Recently, experimental bistable memories have been realized using fully compensated antiferromagnetic metals. Here we demonstrate a multiple-stable memory device in epitaxial MnTe, an antiferromagnetic counterpart of common II–VI semiconductors. Favourable micromagnetic characteristics of MnTe allow us to demonstrate a smoothly varying zero-field antiferromagnetic anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) with a harmonic angular dependence on the writing magnetic field angle, analogous to ferromagnets. The continuously varying AMR provides means for the electrical read-out of multiple-stable antiferromagnetic memory states, which we set by heat-assisted magneto-recording and by changing the writing field direction. The multiple stability in our memory is ascribed to different distributions of domains with the Néel vector aligned along one of the three magnetic easy axes. The robustness against strong magnetic field perturbations combined with the multiple stability of the magnetic memory states are unique properties of antiferromagnets.
Structural identification of electron transfer dissociation products in mass spectrometry using infrared ion spectroscopy
Authors: Martens Jonathan , Grzetic Josipa , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos
Published: June 2016

Tandem mass spectrometry occupies a principle place among modern analytical methods and drives many developments in the ‘omics’ sciences. Electron attachment induced dissociation methods, as alternatives for collision-induced dissociation have profoundly influenced the field of proteomics, enabling among others the top-down sequencing of entire proteins and the analysis of post-translational modifications. The technique, however, produces more complex mass spectra and its radical-driven reaction mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate the facile structural characterization of electron transfer dissociation generated peptide fragments by infrared ion spectroscopy using the tunable free-electron laser FELIX, aiding the elucidation of the underlying dissociation mechanisms. We apply this method to verify and revise previously proposed product ion structures for an often studied model tryptic peptide, [AlaAlaHisAlaArg+2H]2+. Comparing experiment with theory reveals that structures that would be assigned using only theoretical thermodynamic considerations often do not correspond to the experimentally sampled species.
Directed percolation identified as equilibrium pre-transition towards non-equilibrium arrested gel states
Authors: Kohl M. , Capellmann R. F. , Laurati M. , Egelhaaf S. U. , Schmiedeberg M.
Published: June 2016

The macroscopic properties of gels arise from their slow dynamics and load-bearing network structure, which are exploited by nature and in numerous industrial products. However, a link between these structural and dynamical properties has remained elusive. Here we present confocal microscopy experiments and simulations of gel-forming colloid–polymer mixtures. They reveal that gel formation is preceded by continuous and directed percolation. Both transitions lead to system-spanning networks, but only directed percolation results in extremely slow dynamics, ageing and a shrinking of the gel that resembles synaeresis. Therefore, dynamical arrest in gels is found to be linked to a structural transition, namely directed percolation, which is quantitatively associated with the mean number of bonded neighbours. Directed percolation denotes a universality class of transitions. Our study hence connects gel formation to a well-developed theoretical framework, which now can be exploited to achieve a detailed understanding of arrested gels.
Self-Heating and Failure in Scalable Graphene Devices
Authors: Beechem Thomas E. , Shaffer Ryan A. , Nogan John , Ohta Taisuke , Hamilton Allister B. , McDonald Anthony E. , Howell Stephen W.
Published: June 2016

Self-heating induced failure of graphene devices synthesized from both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and epitaxial means is compared using a combination of infrared thermography and Raman imaging. Despite a larger thermal resistance, CVD devices dissipate >3x the amount of power before failure than their epitaxial counterparts. The discrepancy arises due to morphological irregularities implicit to the graphene synthesis method that induce localized heating. Morphology, rather than thermal resistance, therefore dictates power handling limits in graphene devices.
Differential proteomics profiling of the ova between healthy and Rice stripe virus-infected female insects of Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Liu Beibei , Qin Faliang , Liu Wenwen , Wang Xifeng
Published: June 2016

Rice stripe virus-infected females of the small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) usually lay fewer eggs with a longer hatch period, low hatchability, malformation and retarded or defective development compared with healthy females. To explore the molecular mechanism of those phenomena, we analyzed the differential proteomics profiling of the ova between viruliferous and healthy female insects using an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) approach. We obtained 147 differentially accumulated proteins: 98 (66.7%) proteins increased, but 49 (33.3%) decreased in the ova of the viruliferous females. RT-qPCR was used to verify the 12 differential expressed proteins from iTRAQ, finding that trends in the transcriptional change for the 12 genes were consistent with those at the proteomic level. Differentially expressed proteins that were associated with meiosis (serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2B and cyclin B3) and mitosis (cyclin B3 and dynein heavy chain) in viruliferous ova may contribute to low hatchability and defective or retarded development. Alterations in the abundance of proteins involved in the respiratory chain and nutrition metabolism may affect embryonic development. Our study begins to explain macroscopical developmental phenomena and explore the mechanisms by which Rice stripe virus impacts the development of SBPH.
Daytime nap controls toddlers’ nighttime sleep
Authors: Nakagawa Machiko , Ohta Hidenobu , Nagaoki Yuko , Shimabukuro Rinshu , Asaka Yoko , Takahashi Noriko , Nakazawa Takayo , Kaneshi Yousuke , Morioka Keita , Oishi Yoshihisa , Azami Yuriko , Ikeuchi Mari , Takahashi Mari , Hirata Michio , Ozawa Miwa , Cho Kazutoshi , Kusakawa Isao , Yoda Hitoshi
Published: June 2016

Previous studies have demonstrated that afternoon naps can have a negative effect on subsequent nighttime sleep in children. These studies have mainly been based on sleep questionnaires completed by parents. To investigate the effect of napping on such aspects of sleep quality, we performed a study in which child activity and sleep levels were recorded using actigraphy. The parents were asked to attach actigraphy units to their child’s waist by an adjustable elastic belt and complete a sleep diary for 7 consecutive days. 50 healthy young toddlers of approximately 1.5 years of age were recruited. There was a significant negative correlation between nap duration and both nighttime sleep duration and sleep onset time, suggesting that long nap sleep induces short nighttime sleep duration and late sleep onset time. We also found a significant negative correlation between nap timing and nighttime sleep duration and also a significant positive correlation between nap timing and sleep onset time, suggesting that naps in the late afternoon also lead to short nighttime sleep duration and late sleep onset. Our findings suggest that duration-controlled naps starting early in the afternoon can induce a longer nighttime sleep in full-term infants of approximately 1.5 years of age.
Accumulation of human full-length tau induces degradation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 via activating calpain-2
Authors: Yin Yaling , Wang Yali , Gao Di , Ye Jinwang , Wang Xin , Fang Lin , Wu Dongqin , Pi Guilin , Lu Chengbiao , Zhou Xin-Wen , Yang Ying , Wang Jian-Zhi
Published: June 2016

Cholinergic impairments and tau accumulation are hallmark pathologies in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, the intrinsic link between tau accumulation and cholinergic deficits is missing. Here, we found that overexpression of human wild-type full-length tau (termed hTau) induced a significant reduction of α4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with an increased cleavage of the receptor producing a ~55kDa fragment in primary hippocampal neurons and in the rat brains, meanwhile, the α4 nAChR currents decreased. Further studies demonstrated that calpains, including calpain-1 and calpain-2, were remarkably activated with no change of caspase-3, while simultaneous suppression of calpain-2 by selective calpain-2 inhibitor but not calpain-1 attenuated the hTau-induced degradation of α4 nAChR. Finally, we demonstrated that hTau accumulation increased the basal intracellular calcium level in primary hippocampal neurons. We conclude that the hTau accumulation inhibits nAChRs α4 by activating calpain-2. To our best knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that the intracellular accumulation of tau causes cholinergic impairments.
The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Uses its C-Terminus to Regulate the A2B Adenosine Receptor
Authors: Watson Michael J. , Lee Shernita L. , Marklew Abigail J. , Gilmore Rodney C. , Gentzsch Martina , Sassano Maria F. , Gray Michael A. , Tarran Robert
Published: June 2016

CFTR is an apical membrane anion channel that regulates fluid homeostasis in many organs including the airways, colon, pancreas and sweat glands. In cystic fibrosis, CFTR dysfunction causes significant morbidity/mortality. Whilst CFTR’s function as an ion channel has been well described, its ability to regulate other proteins is less understood. We have previously shown that plasma membrane CFTR increases the surface density of the adenosine 2B receptor (A2BR), but not of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), leading to an enhanced, adenosine-induced cAMP response in the presence of CFTR. In this study, we have found that the C-terminal PDZ-domain of both A2BR and CFTR were crucial for this interaction and that replacing the C-terminus of A2BR with that of β2AR removed this CFTR-dependency. This observation extended to intact epithelia and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton prevented A2BR-induced but not β2AR-induced airway surface liquid (ASL) secretion. We also found that CFTR expression altered the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and PDZ-binding proteins in both HEK293T cells and in well-differentiated human bronchial epithelia. Furthermore, removal of CFTR’s PDZ binding motif (ΔTRL) prevented actin rearrangement, suggesting that CFTR insertion in the plasma membrane results in local reorganization of actin, PDZ binding proteins and certain GPCRs.
Homeostatic maintenance via degradation and repair of elastic fibers under tension
Authors: Alves Calebe , Araújo Ascanio D. , Oliveira Cláudio L. N. , Imsirovic Jasmin , Bartolák-Suki Erzsébet , Andrade José S. , Suki Béla
Published: June 2016

Cellular maintenance of the extracellular matrix requires an effective regulation that balances enzymatic degradation with the repair of collagen fibrils and fibers. Here, we investigate the long-term maintenance of elastic fibers under tension combined with diffusion of general degradative and regenerative particles associated with digestion and repair processes. Computational results show that homeostatic fiber stiffness can be achieved by assuming that cells periodically probe fiber stiffness to adjust the production and release of degradative and regenerative particles. However, this mechanism is unable to maintain a homogeneous fiber. To account for axial homogeneity, we introduce a robust control mechanism that is locally governed by how the binding affinity of particles is modulated by mechanical forces applied to the ends of the fiber. This model predicts diameter variations along the fiber that are in agreement with the axial distribution of collagen fibril diameters obtained from scanning electron microscopic images of normal rat thoracic aorta. The model predictions match the experiments only when the applied force on the fiber is in the range where the variance of local stiffness along the fiber takes a minimum value. Our model thus predicts that the biophysical properties of the fibers play an important role in the long-term regulatory maintenance of these fibers.
Impact of aortocaval shunt flow on cardiac and renal function in unilateral nephrectomized rats
Authors: Wu Jie , Cheng Zhong , Zhang Mingjing , Zhu Pengfei , Gu Ye
Published: June 2016

We previously reported significantly enhanced cardiac remodeling post aortocaval fistula (AV) in unilateral nephrectomized (UNX) rats. However, the relationship between the size of the AV and the cardiorenal effects in UNX rats remains unknown. In the present study, AV was induced by 20, 18 and 16 gauge needles in UNX rats to see if larger shunt would definitely induce heavier cardiac and renal damage in UNX rats. Our results demonstrated that bigger shunt size is linked with proportional more significant cardiorenal remodeling and dysfunction in UNX rats. Expression of inflammatory biomarkers including CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TGF-β and MCP-1 in left kidney and heart was significantly increased in all UNX + AV groups compared to Sham rats. Inflammation might thus participate in the worsening cardiorenal functions and remodeling processes in this model.
Codon optimization of the adenoviral fiber negatively impacts structural protein expression and viral fitness
Authors: Villanueva Eneko , Martí-Solano Maria , Fillat Cristina
Published: June 2016

Codon usage adaptation of lytic viruses to their hosts is determinant for viral fitness. In this work, we analyzed the codon usage of adenoviral proteins by principal component analysis and assessed their codon adaptation to the host. We observed a general clustering of adenoviral proteins according to their function. However, there was a significant variation in the codon preference between the host-interacting fiber protein and the rest of structural late phase proteins, with a non-optimal codon usage of the fiber. To understand the impact of codon bias in the fiber, we optimized the Adenovirus-5 fiber to the codon usage of the hexon structural protein. The optimized fiber displayed increased expression in a non-viral context. However, infection with adenoviruses containing the optimized fiber resulted in decreased expression of the fiber and of wild-type structural proteins. Consequently, this led to a drastic reduction in viral release. The insertion of an exogenous optimized protein as a late gene in the adenovirus with the optimized fiber further interfered with viral fitness. These results highlight the importance of balancing codon usage in viral proteins to adequately exploit cellular resources for efficient infection and open new opportunities to regulate viral fitness for virotherapy and vaccine development.
Electromagnetically induced transparency metamaterial based on spoof localized surface plasmons at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Liao Zhen , Liu Shuo , Ma Hui Feng , Li Chun , Jin Biaobing , Cui Tie Jun
Published: June 2016

We numerically and experimentally demonstrate a plasmonic metamaterial whose unit cell is composed of an ultrathin metallic disk and four ultrathin metallic spiral arms at terahertz frequencies, which supports both spoof electric and magnetic localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances. We show that the resonant wavelength is much larger than the size of the unit particle and further find that the resonant wavelength is very sensitive to the particle’s geometrical dimensions and arrangements. It is clearly illustrated that the magnetic LSP resonance exhibits strong dependence to the incidence angle of terahertz wave, which enables the design of metamaterials to achieve an electromagnetically induced transparency effect in the terahertz frequencies. This work opens up the possibility to apply for the surface plasmons in functional devices in the terahertz band.
Genetic Dissection of the Signaling Cascade that Controls Activation of the Shigella Type III Secretion System from the Needle Tip
Authors: Murillo I. , Martinez-Argudo I. , Blocker A. J.
Published: June 2016

Many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens use type III secretion systems (T3SSs) for virulence. The Shigella T3SS consists of a hollow needle, made of MxiH and protruding from the bacterial surface, anchored in both bacterial membranes by multimeric protein rings. Atop the needle lies the tip complex (TC), formed by IpaD and IpaB. Upon physical contact with eukaryotic host cells, T3S is initiated leading to formation of a pore in the eukaryotic cell membrane, which is made of IpaB and IpaC. Through the needle and pore channels, further bacterial proteins are translocated inside the host cell to meditate its invasion. IpaD and the needle are implicated in transduction of the host cell-sensing signal to the T3S apparatus. Furthermore, the sensing-competent TC seems formed of 4 IpaDs topped by 1 IpaB. However, nothing further is known about the activation process. To investigate IpaB’s role during T3SS activation, we isolated secretion-deregulated IpaB mutants using random mutagenesis and a genetic screen. We found ipaB point mutations in leading to defects in secretion activation, which sometimes diminished pore insertion and host cell invasion. We also demonstrated IpaB communicates intramolecularly and intermolecularly with IpaD and MxiH within the TC because mutations affecting these interactions impair signal transduction.
Intensity of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Correlate for Stroke Risk Stratification in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zhao Yuanping , Ji Lijing , Liu Jian , Wu Juefei , Wang Yan , Shen Shuxin , Guo Shengcun , Jian Rong , Chen Gangbin , Wei Xuan , Liao Wangjun , Kutty Shelby , Liao Yulin , Bin Jianping
Published: June 2016

The intensity of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been proposed as an important variable in the stratification of thromboembolic risk, particularly in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We hypothesized that the quantification of LASEC by ultrasound will improve its utility in predicting subsequent stroke events in patients with NVAF. Patients (n = 206) with definite NVAF receiving TEE were included for this prospective cohort study. Baseline clinical risk factors of stroke, CHADS2 score and CHA2DS2-Vasc, left atrial thrombus (LAT), the five-grades of LASEC and video intensity (VI) value of LASEC were measured. During 2 years follow-up, 20 patients (9.7%) developed stroke. VI value of LASEC in the patients with stroke was higher compared to patients without stroke (25.30 ± 3.61 vs. 8.65 ± 0.81, p < 0.001). On logistic regression analysis, LAT, qualitative LASEC, graded LASEC, VI value of LASEC and CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-Vasc score were independent predictors of stroke. Among them, the highest area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) in predicting stroke was VI value of LASEC (p < 0.05). These results show that quantification of LASEC by VI value is the most favorable predictor of stroke in patients with NVAF, and calls for improving the utility of LASEC in predicting subsequent stroke events.
The Use of NS1 Rapid Diagnostic Test and qRT-PCR to Complement IgM ELISA for Improved Dengue Diagnosis from Single Specimen
Authors: Teoh Boon-Teong , Sam Sing-Sin , Tan Kim-Kee , Johari Jefree , Abd-Jamil Juraina , Hooi Poh-Sim , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: June 2016

Timely and accurate dengue diagnosis is important for differential diagnosis and immediate implementation of appropriate disease control measures. In this study, we compared the usefulness and applicability of NS1 RDT (NS1 Ag Strip) and qRT-PCR tests in complementing the IgM ELISA for dengue diagnosis on single serum specimen (n = 375). The NS1 Ag Strip and qRT-PCR showed a fair concordance (κ = 0.207, p = 0.001). While the NS1 Ag Strip showed higher positivity than qRT-PCR for acute (97.8% vs. 84.8%) and post-acute samples (94.8% vs. 71.8%) of primary infection, qRT-PCR showed higher positivity for acute (58.1% vs. 48.4%) and post-acute (50.0% vs.41.4%) samples in secondary infection. IgM ELISA showed higher positivity in samples from secondary dengue (74.2–94.8%) than in those from primary dengue (21.7–64.1%). More primary dengue samples showed positive with combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA (99.0% vs. 92.8%) whereas more secondary samples showed positive with combined qRT-PCR/IgM ELISA (99.4% vs. 96.2%). Combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA is a suitable combination tests for timely and accurate dengue diagnosis on single serum specimen. If complemented with qRT-PCR, combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA would improve detection of secondary dengue samples.
Microglia retard dengue virus-induced acute viral encephalitis
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Ting , Chen Chia-Ling , Lin Yee-Shin , Chang Chih-Peng , Tsai Cheng-Chieh , Cheng Yi-Lin , Huang Chao-Ching , Ho Chien-Jung , Lee Yi-Chao , Lin Liang-Tzung , Jhan Ming-Kai , Lin Chiou-Feng
Published: June 2016

Patients with dengue virus (DENV) infection may also present acute viral encephalitis through an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that encephalitic DENV-infected mice exhibited progressive hunchback posture, limbic seizures, limbic weakness, paralysis and lethality 7 days post-infection. These symptoms were accompanied by CNS inflammation, neurotoxicity and blood-brain barrier destruction. Microglial cells surrounding the blood vessels and injured hippocampus regions were activated by DENV infection. Pharmacologically depleting microglia unexpectedly increased viral replication, neuropathy and mortality in DENV-infected mice. In microglia-depleted mice, the DENV infection-mediated expression of antiviral cytokines and the infiltration of CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) was abolished. DENV infection prompted the antigen-presenting cell-like differentiation of microglia, which in turn stimulated CTL proliferation and activation. These results suggest that microglial cells play a key role in facilitating antiviral immune responses against DENV infection and acute viral encephalitis.
Active dynamics of colloidal particles in time-varying laser speckle patterns
Authors: Bianchi Silvio , Pruner Riccardo , Vizsnyiczai Gaszton , Maggi Claudio , Di Leonardo Roberto
Published: June 2016

Colloidal particles immersed in a dynamic speckle pattern experience an optical force that fluctuates both in space and time. The resulting dynamics presents many interesting analogies with a broad class of non-equilibrium systems like: active colloids, self propelled microorganisms, transport in dynamical intracellular environments. Here we show that the use of a spatial light modulator allows to generate light fields that fluctuate with controllable space and time correlations and a prescribed average intensity profile. In particular we generate ring-shaped random patterns that can confine a colloidal particle over a quasi one-dimensional random energy landscape. We find a mean square displacement that is diffusive at both short and long times, while a superdiffusive or subdiffusive behavior is observed at intermediate times depending on the value of the speckles correlation time. We propose two alternative models for the mean square displacement in the two limiting cases of a short or long speckles correlation time. A simple interpolation formula is shown to account for the full phenomenology observed in the mean square displacement across the entire range from fast to slow fluctuating speckles.