bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amodiaquine–Ciprofloxacin: a potential combination therapy against drug resistant malaria
Authors: FALAJIKI Y. F. , AKINOLA O. , ABIODUN O. O. , HAPPI C. T. , SOWUNMI A. , GBOTOSHO G. O.
Published: March 2015

Emergence of malaria parasites resistant to artemisinin necessitates the need for development of new antimalarial therapies. Ciprofloxacin (CFX) a second generation quinolone antibiotic possesses some antimalarial activities. We investigated the in vivo antimalarial activities of CFX in combination with amodiaquine in mice infected with chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Animals were treated orally with 80 or 160 mg kg−1 body weight of CFX alone given twice daily or in combination with amodiaquine (AQ) 10 mg kg−1 body weight. Parasitological activity and survival of the animals were assessed over 21 days. Peak parasitaemia in the untreated control group was 72·51%. Treatment with AQ alone resulted in clearance of parasitaemia by day 4 while treatment with CFX 80 and 160 mg kg−1 alone suppressed parasitaemia by 13·94–54·64% and 35·6–92·7%, respectively. However, the combination of CFX with AQ significantly enhanced response of infection in the animals to treatment (P < 0·05) resulting in complete resolution of parasitaemia throughout follow up period with CFX 160 mg kg−1, delayed recrudescence time with CFX 80 mg kg−1 and significant increase in survival rate of the animals. The results demonstrate beneficial interaction between AQ and CFX which may provide a clinically relevant antimalarial/antibiotic therapeutic option in the management of malaria.
Older men and social activity: a scoping review of Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions
Authors: MILLIGAN CHRISTINE , NEARY DAVID , PAYNE SHEILA , HANRATTY BARBARA , IRWIN PAMELA , DOWRICK CHRISTOPHER
Published: March 2015

Finding ways of improving the health and wellbeing of older men is an important challenge for public health. This review aimed to assess evidence for the effects of Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities on the health and wellbeing of older men, and to consider their effective components and theoretical frameworks. A scoping review using standardised search criteria and terms identified 31 relevant papers of sufficient quality for inclusion. Analysis was informed by guidance on interpretative and narrative synthesis and a quality assessment tool designed for reviewing disparate data from different disciplines and research paradigms applied. The review found some limited evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered social activities may have impact on the mental health and wellbeing of older men, but little evidence of the impact on physical health. Qualitative data provided valuable insights into how and why complex psycho-social activities can affect participants, but there was a lack of longitudinal evidence drawing on validated health and wellbeing measures. Key components of successful interventions included accessibility, range of activities, local support and skilled co-ordination. A variety of theoretical frameworks were employed. As yet, there is no conclusive evidence that Men's Sheds and other gendered interventions confer health and wellbeing benefits on older men. Studies in this field to date are few and of variable quality. Larger and more robust mixed-methods studies, including randomised designs, are needed.
Loneliness among older persons in Uganda: examining social, economic and demographic risk factors
Authors: NZABONA ABEL , NTOZI JAMES , RUTAREMWA GIDEON
Published: March 2015

Later-life loneliness is becoming an area of great concern in Uganda in light of gradual weakening of extended family as a source of old-age human support. Although information about the effects of feeling lonely exists, little is known about the associated risk factors within the country's social and cultural setting. This paper discusses prevalence and correlates of feeling lonely among older persons. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on 605 older persons in a 2012 cross-sectional study. Respondents were asked to evaluate how they felt in terms of loneliness during the administration of the questionnaire. A total of ten focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were also conducted to collect qualitative data. Binary logistic regression was used to predict factors affecting loneliness. Findings indicate that approximately seven in ten older persons felt lonely. Elderly people residing in the urban area were more likely to be lonely than their counterparts staying in the rural environment. In comparison with married older persons, elderly people who were widowed were more likely to be lonely. Absence of a television and pension benefits and prevalence of limb joint ill-health predicted loneliness. The findings have several implications, including developing age-friendly urban centres, encouraging old-age social organisations, decentralising the elderly health-care system and establishing a special old-age fund.
Electron acceleration by surface plasma waves in the presence of static magnetic field
Authors: Chauhan Prashant , Anshu Varshney Deepika , Sajal Vivek
Published: March 2015

Electron acceleration is studied during the resonant interaction of launched electron beam with the surface plasma wave (SPW) in the presence of static magnetic field. A configuration of two parallel metal sheets separated by a vacuum region supports the SPW of amplitude maximum on the two parallel interfaces and minimum in the middle. Kretschmann geometry is used to excite surface plasma mode by shinning laser on a glass prism. Dispersion relation of SPW is established in the presence of magnetic field and smaller cut-off frequencies are observed as compared with that of without magnetic field. An electron beam launched in the middle region, experiences a longitudinal ponderomotive force due to SPWs and gets accelerated to the velocity of the order of phase velocity of the surface wave. The energy gained by electron is higher in the presence of magnetic field as compared with zero magnetic field. The electron energy and trajectory are also presented for varying parameters such as amplitude of SPW and magnetic field strength. In the present scheme, electron beams can achieve maximum 550 KeV energy for the SPW amplitude ESP = 1.2 × 1011 V/m, plasma frequency ωp = 1.3 × 1016 rad/s, and cyclotron frequency ωc/ωp = 0.05.
Form and function in early clause-combining
Authors: LUSTIGMAN LYLE , BERMAN RUTH A.
Published: March 2015

The study characterizes developmental trends in early Hebrew clause-combining (CC) by analyzing the interplay between linguistic form and communicative function in different interactional settings. Analysis applied to all utterances produced by three children aged 2;0–3;0 who combined two or more clauses, either self-initiated or on the basis of adult input. Ten types of CC were analyzed for marking by connectives (e.g. the Hebrew equivalents of ‘and’, ‘that’, ‘so’). Four shared consecutive developmental phases emerged: non-marking; partial marking by ‘and’ and ‘that’; use of ‘but’ and ‘because’, favored significantly in interlocutor-supported contexts; marking of adverbial relations and more varied use ofše-‘that’. These CC processes are interpreted as reflecting general properties of language development, in the form of gradually increasing specification of form–function relations under the impact of interlocutor–child interactive support combined with Hebrew-particular typological factors.
From remote control to remote management, and onwards to remote encouragement? The evolution of MSF's operational models in Somalia and Afghanistan
Authors: Hofman Michiel , Pérache Andre Heller
Published: March 2015

This Opinion Note continues the discussion started in Antonio Donini and Daniel Maxwell's “From Face-to-Face to Face-to-Screen: Remote Management, Effectiveness and Accountability of Humanitarian Action in Insecure Environments”, published previously in the Review, by exposing the realities of Médecins Sans Frontières' (MSF) struggle with the issue of remote management. By reviewing MSF's experience with remote management in Somalia and Afghanistan, the authors explore how operational compromise evolves over time, based on specific contextual factors, and highlight the challenges that this form of compromised action poses to MSF's identity and principles.
Factorial Structure and Measurement Invariance of the PANAS in Spanish Older Adults
Authors: Buz José , Pérez-Arechaederra Diana , Fernández-Pulido Ramón , Urchaga David
Published: March 2015

Developmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the internal structure of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) has not been tested in Spanish older adults by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) despite it is the most widely used measure of emotional well-being in later life. The aim of this study was to examine competing models of the internal structure of the Spanish version of the PANAS, its measurement invariance, reliability, and external validity. Participants were a representative sample of 585 community-dwelling people aged 60 and over, who also completed depression, loneliness and life satisfaction measures. Results showed that the orthogonal two-factor model with correlated errors (RMSEA = .057, 90% CI [.051, .063], SRMR = .084, CFI = .97, NNFI = .97) was the best fitting solution. Measurement invariance analyses confirmed that the two-independent factor structure can be used across young-old and very old people, as well as in both males and females. It showed good reliability (PA: α = .93, NA: α = .83), criterion, convergent and discriminant validity (p < .01). Our discussion highlights the role of age and culture in the experience and expression of emotions.
A Ferry Keeps Tabs on Water Headed Northward Near Iceland
Authors: Palus Shannon
Published: March 2015

A ferry's routine trips from Iceland to Europe provide the most detailed account of the region's water flow.
Mioara Mandea Receives 2014 International Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: March 2015

Mioara Mandea received the 2014 International Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 17 December 2014 in San Francisco, Calif. The award honors “an individual scientist or a small team for making an outstanding contribution to furthering the Earth and space sciences and using science for the benefit of society in less favored nations.”
NSF Geosciences Budget Would Rise 4.7% in White House Request
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: March 2015

President Barack Obama's budget request calls for a healthy boost for the National Science Foundation's geosciences directorate.
Investigating Climate Change from the Stratosphere to Space
Authors: Emmert John. T. , Marsh Daniel R. , Cnossen Ingrid
Published: March 2015

8th Workshop on Long-Term Changes and Trends in the Atmosphere; Cambridge, United Kingdom, 28–31 July 2014
Earthquake Monitoring Gets Boost from New Satellite
Authors: Elliott John R. , Elliott Austin J. , Hooper Andrew , Larsen Yngvar , Marinkovic Petar , Wright Tim J.
Published: March 2015

Europe's Sentinel-1A spacecraft and its extraordinary images of slip from the South Napa earthquake herald a new era of space-based surveillance of faults.
Internet Users Act as Earthquake Trackers
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: March 2015

Armed with Internet connections, smartphones, and Twitter handles, citizens around the world are helping seismologists track earthquakes.
MiR‐21 controls in situ expansion of CCR6+ regulatory T cells through PTEN/AKT pathway in breast cancer
Authors: Hu Yan , Wang Chunhong , Li Yongju , Zhao Juanjuan , Chen Chao , Zhou Ya , Tao Yijin , Guo Mengmeng , Qin Nalin , Ren Tao , Wen Zhenke , Xu Lin
Published: March 2015

Our recent evidence showed that prior expansion of CCR6+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) was important for their dominant enrichment in tumor tissue, which was closely related to poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, the underlying regulation mechanism of expansion of CCR6+ Tregs in situ remains largely unknown. In this study, we reported that miR‐21 was highly expressed in CCR6+ Tregs in tumor tissues from a murine breast cancer model. And silencing of miR‐21 could significantly reduce the proliferation of CCR6+ Tregs in vitro. Adoptive cell‐transfer assay further showed that silencing of miR‐21 could alter the enrichment of CCR6+ Tregs in the tumor mass and endow effectively antitumor effect of CD8+ T cells using a murine breast cancer model. Mechanistic evidence showed that silencing of miR‐21 enhanced the expression of its target phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and subsequently altered the activation of Akt pathway, which was ultimately responsible for reduced proliferation activity of CCR6+ Tregs. Finally, we further revealed that miR‐21 was also highly expressed on CCR6+ Tregs in clinical breast cancer patients. Therefore, miR‐21 can act as a fine tuner in the regulation of PTEN/Akt pathway transduction in the expansion of CCR6+ Tregs in tumor sites and provided a novel insight into the development of therapeutic strategies for promoting T‐cell immunity by regulating distinct subset of Tregs through targeting specific miRNAs.
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Atraumatic Convexal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An ARIA before the Tsunami
Authors: Martínez-Lizana Eva , Carmona-Iragui María , Alcolea Daniel , Gómez-Choco Manuel , Vilaplana Eduard , Sánchez-Saudinós María B , Clarimón Jordi , Hernández-Guillamon Mar , Munuera Josep , Gelpi Ellen , Gómez-Anson Beatriz , de Juan-Delago Manel , Delgado-Mederos Raquel , Montaner Joan , Ois Angel , Amaro Sergi , Blesa Rafael , Martí-Fàbregas Joan , Lleó Alberto , Fortea Juan
Published: March 2015

Atraumatic convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) in elderly patients is a rare entity that has been associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and intracerebral hematomas (ICH). To characterize this entity and to study these associations, 22 patients over 60 with cSAH were included in a multicenter ambispective cohort study. Clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, APOE genotyping, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were evaluated. Results were compared with data from healthy controls (HC), non-cSAH CAA patients (CAAo), and Alzheimer disease patients. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage presented with transient sensory or motor symptoms. At follow-up (median 30.7 months), 5 patients had died, 6 survivors showed functional disability (modified Rankins Scale (mRS) > 2), and 12 cognitive impairment. Four patients had prior ICH and six had an ICH during follow-up. CSF-Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels were lower in cSAH and CAAo compared with HC. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage presented an APOE-ε2 overrepresentation and CAAo had an APOE-ε4 overrepresentation. On MRI, all patients fulfilled CAA-modified Boston criteria and 9 showed cortical ischemia in the surrounding cortex or the vicinity of superficial siderosis. The neuropathologic study, available in one patient, showed severe CAA and advanced Alzheimer-type pathology. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the elderly is associated with cognitive impairment and lobar ICH occurrence. Our findings support the existence of an underlying CAA pathology.
Enhancing and inhibiting stimulated Brillouin scattering in photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Merklein Moritz , Kabakova Irina V. , Büttner Thomas F. S. , Choi Duk-Yong , Luther-Davies Barry , Madden Stephen J. , Eggleton Benjamin J.
Published: March 2015

On-chip nonlinear optics is a thriving research field, which creates transformative opportunities for manipulating classical or quantum signals in small-footprint integrated devices. Since the length scales are short, nonlinear interactions need to be enhanced by exploiting materials with large nonlinearity in combination with high-Q resonators or slow-light structures. This, however, often results in simultaneous enhancement of competing nonlinear processes, which limit the efficiency and can cause signal distortion. Here, we exploit the frequency dependence of the optical density-of-states near the edge of a photonic bandgap to selectively enhance or inhibit nonlinear interactions on a chip. We demonstrate this concept for one of the strongest nonlinear effects, stimulated Brillouin scattering using a narrow-band one-dimensional photonic bandgap structure: a Bragg grating. The stimulated Brillouin scattering enhancement enables the generation of a 15-line Brillouin frequency comb. In the inhibition case, we achieve stimulated Brillouin scattering free operation at a power level twice the threshold.
Ontogenetic asymmetry modulates population biomass production and response to harvest
Authors: Reichstein Birte , Persson Lennart , De Roos André M.
Published: March 2015

Patterns in biomass production are determined by resource input (productivity) and trophic transfer efficiency. At fixed resource input, variation in consumer biomass production has been related to food quality, metabolic type and diversity among species. In contrast, intraspecific variation in individual body size because of ontogenetic development, which characterizes the overwhelming majority of taxa, has been largely neglected. Here we show experimentally in a long-term multigenerational study that reallocating constant resource input in a two-stage consumer system from an equal resource delivery to juveniles and adults to an adult-biased resource delivery is sufficient to cause more than a doubling of total consumer biomass. We discuss how such changes in consumer stage-specific resource allocation affect the likelihood for alternative stable states in harvested populations as a consequence of stage-specific overcompensation in consumer biomass and thereby the risk of catastrophic collapses in exploited populations.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Caused by Mycobacterium bovis in China
Authors: Jiang Guanglu , Wang Guirong , Chen Suting , Yu Xia , Wang Xiaobo , Zhao Liping , Ma Yifeng , Dong Lingling , Huang Hairong
Published: March 2015

The epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in humans in China is unknown. In this study, pulmonary tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in China was studied. A total of 4069 clinical strains isolated from sputa during the 2007–2009 nationwide surveillance of drug-resistant tuberculosis in China were analyzed. M. bovis was identified by para-nitrobenzoic acid and thiophen-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide growth tests, spoligotyping and multiplex PCR amplification. In addition, a total of 1828 clinical specimens were recruited from Beijing Chest Hospital (Beijing, China) for Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture, both on standard LJ medium and LJ medium containing 4.5 mg/ml(W/V) sodium pyruvate, the latter being the preferred medium for M. bovis growth. The isolates which demonstrated more vigorous on pyruvate containing medium than on standard LJ medium were then identified by multiplex PCR amplification. Only 1 isolate from the nationwide surveillance was confirmed as M. bovis-BCG. The isolate belonged to a predominant spoligotype SB0120 (ST482). In addition, no M. bovis isolate was acquired by the continuous screening step in Beijing Chest Hospital. M. bovis has a negligible contribution to pulmonary tuberculosis in China, so neither laboratory identification nor clinical treatment of M. bovis infection need be considered in routine work.
Repetitive genomic insertion of gene-sized dsDNAs by targeting the promoter region of a counter-selectable marker
Authors: Jeong Jaehwan , Seo Han Na , Jung Yu Kyung , Lee Jeewon , Ryu Gyuri , Lee Wookjae , Kwon Euijin , Ryoo Keunsoo , Kim Jungyeon , Cho Hwa-Young , Cho Kwang Myung , Park Jin Hwan , Bang Duhee
Published: March 2015

Genome engineering can be used to produce bacterial strains with a wide range of desired phenotypes. However, the incorporation of gene-sized DNA fragments is often challenging due to the intricacy of the procedure, off-target effects and low insertion efficiency. Here we report a genome engineering method enabling the continuous incorporation of gene-sized double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs) into theEscherichia coligenome. DNA substrates are inserted without introducing additional marker genes, by synchronously turning an endogenous counter-selectable marker gene ON and OFF. To accomplish this, we utilized λ Red protein-mediated recombination to insert dsDNAs within the promoter region of a counter-selectable marker gene,tolC. By repeatedly switching the marker gene ON and OFF, a number of desired gene-sized dsDNAs can be inserted consecutively. With this method, we successfully inserted approximately 13 kb gene clusters to generate engineeredE. colistrains producing 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO).
The anti-fibrotic effects of mesenchymal stem cells on irradiated lungs via stimulating endogenous secretion of HGF and PGE2
Authors: Dong Li-Hua , Jiang Yi-Yao , Liu Yong-Jun , Cui Shuang , Xia Cheng-Cheng , Qu Chao , Jiang Xin , Qu Ya-Qin , Chang Peng-Yu , Liu Feng
Published: March 2015

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis is a common disease and has a poor prognosis owing to the progressive breakdown of gas exchange regions in the lung. Recently, a novel strategy of administering mesenchymal stem cells for pulmonary fibrosis has achieved high therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, we attempted to use human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells to prevent disease in Sprague-Dawley rats that received semi-thoracic irradiation (15 Gy). To investigate the specific roles of mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we treated control groups of irradiated rats with human skin fibroblasts or phosphate-buffered saline. After mesenchymal stem cells were infused, host secretions of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were elevated compared with those of the controls. In contrast, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) levels were decreased after infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. Consequently, the architecture of the irradiated lungs was preserved without marked activation of fibroblasts or collagen deposition within the injured sites. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells were able to prevent the irradiated type II alveolar epithelial cells from undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these data confirmed that mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to limit pulmonary fibrosis after exposure to ionising irradiation.
Well-Constructed Single-Layer Molybdenum Disulfide Nanorose Cross-Linked by Three Dimensional-Reduced Graphene Oxide Network for Superior Water Splitting and Lithium Storage Property
Authors: Zhao Yanyan , Kuai Long , Liu Yanguo , Wang Pengpeng , Arandiyan Hamidreza , Cao Sufeng , Zhang Jie , Li Fengyun , Wang Qing , Geng Baoyou , Sun Hongyu
Published: March 2015

A facile one-step solution reaction route for growth of novel MoS2 nanorose cross-linked by 3D rGO network, in which the MoS2 nanorose is constructed by single-layered or few-layered MoS2 nanosheets, is presented. Due to the 3D assembled hierarchical architecture of the ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets and the interconnection of 3D rGO network, as well as the synergetic effects of MoS2 and rGO, the as-prepared MoS2-NR/rGO nanohybrids delivered high specific capacity, excellent cycling and good rate performance when evaluated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, the nanohybrids also show excellent hydrogen-evolution catalytic activity and durability in an acidic medium, which is superior to MoS2 nanorose and their nanoparticles counterparts.
Isolation and Characterization of Chinese Standard Fulvic Acid Sub-fractions Separated from Forest Soil by Stepwise Elution with Pyrophosphate Buffer
Authors: Bai Yingchen , Wu Fengchang , Xing Baoshan , Meng Wei , Shi Guolan , Ma Yan , Giesy John P.
Published: March 2015

XAD-8 adsorption technique coupled with stepwise elution using pyrophosphate buffers with initial pH values of 3, 5, 7, 9 and 13 was developed to isolate Chinese standard fulvic acid (FA) and then separated the FA into five sub-fractions: FApH3, FApH5, FApH7, FApH9 and FApH13, respectively. Mass percentages of FApH3-FApH13 decreased from 42% to 2.5% and the recovery ratios ranged from 99.0% to 99.5%. Earlier eluting sub-fractions contained greater proportions of carboxylic groups with greater polarity and molecular mass and later eluting sub-fractions had greater phenolic and aliphatic content. Protein-like components, as well as amorphous and crystalline poly(methylene)-containing components were enriched using neutral and basic buffers. Three main mechanisms likely affect stepwise elution of humic components from XAD-8 resin with pyrophosphate buffers including: 1) the carboxylic-rich sub-fractions are deprotonated at lower pH values and eluted earlier, while phenolic-rich sub-fractions are deprotonated at greater pH values and eluted later. 2) protein or protein-like components can be desorbed and eluted by use of stepwise elution as progressively greater pH values exceed their isoelectric points. 3) size exclusion affects elution of FA sub-fractions. Successful isolation of FA sub-fractions will benefit exploration of the origin, structure, evolution and the investigation of interactions with environmental contaminants.
Tilt after-effect from high spatial-frequency patterns in the amblyopic eye of adults with anisometropic amblyopia
Authors: Zhou Jiawei , Li Lin , Zhang Pan , Xi Jie , Zhou Yifeng , Lu Zhong-Lin , Huang Chang-Bing
Published: March 2015

With abnormal visual cortical development, amblyopia is generally associated with high spatial frequency deficits in spatial vision. In this study, we aim to answer a critical question: How much high spatial frequency information is available to the amblyopic visual system? We measured the tilt after-effect following adaption to perceptually resolvable and unresolvable sinewave gratings and showed that gratings with spatial frequency up to 1.5 times the cutoff frequency in grating orientation identification can still produce significant tilt after-effects in adults with amblyopia. Our results suggest that neural connections in the amblyopic visual cortex, at least in V1, may have profoundly developed to represent high spatial frequency information. The demonstration of extant neural connections for high spatial frequencies may have important implications for the development of training protocols for amblyopia treatment. Our paradigm may also serve as a non-invasive probe to diagnose the status of neural connections in other visual deficits.
Middle Holocene daily light cycle reconstructed from the strontium/calcium ratios of a fossil giant clam shell
Authors: Hori Masako , Sano Yuji , Ishida Akizumi , Takahata Naoto , Shirai Kotaro , Watanabe Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2015

Insolation is an important component of meteorological data because solar energy is the primary and direct driver of weather and climate. Previous analyses of cultivated giant clam shells revealed diurnal variation in the Sr/Ca ratio, which might reflect the influence of the daily light cycle. We applied proxy method to sample from prehistoric era, a fossil giant clam shell collected at Ishigaki Island in southern Japan. The specimen was alive during the middle Holocene and thus exposed to the warmest climate after the last glacial period. This bivalve species is known to form a growth line each day, as confirmed by the analysis of the Sr enrichment bands using EPMA and facilitated age-model. We analyzed the Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios along the growth axis, measuring a 2-μm spot size at 2-μm interval using NanoSIMS. The Sr/Ca ratios in the winter layers are characterized by a striking diurnal cycle consisting of narrow growth lines with high Sr/Ca ratios and broad growth bands with low Sr/Ca ratios. These variations, which are consistent with those of the cultivated clam shell, indicate the potential for the reconstruction of the variation in solar insolation during the middle Holocene at a multi-hourly resolution.
MicroRNA-320a sensitizes tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells to tamoxifen by targeting ARPP-19 and ERRγ*
Authors: Lü Mingrong , Ding Keshuo , Zhang Guofeng , Yin Mianmian , Yao Guidong , Tian Hui , Lian Jie , Liu Lin , Liang Meng , Zhu Tao , Sun Fei
Published: March 2015

Tamoxifen represents a major adjuvant therapy to those patients with estrogen receptor-alpha positive breast cancer. However, tamoxifen resistance occurs quite often, either de novo or acquired during treatment. To investigate the role of miR-320a in the development of resistance to tamoxifen, we established tamoxifen-resistant (TamR) models by continually exposing MCF-7 or T47D breast cancer cells to tamoxifen and identified microRNA(miRNA)-320a as a down-regulated miRNA in tamoxifen resistant cells. Re-expression of miR-320a was sufficient to sensitize TamR cells to tamoxifen by targeting cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (ARPP-19) and estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) as well as their downstream effectors, c-Myc and Cyclin D1. Furthermore, progesterone (P4) promoted the expression of miR-320a by repressing c-Myc expression, while estrogen (E2) exerted the opposite effect. These results suggest the potential therapeutic approach for tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer by restorating miR-320a expression or depleting ARPP-19/ERRγ expression.
Microreactor Array Device
Authors: Wiktor Peter , Brunner Al , Kahn Peter , Qiu Ji , Magee Mitch , Bian Xiaofang , Karthikeyan Kailash , LaBaer Joshua
Published: March 2015

We report a device to fill an array of small chemical reaction chambers (microreactors) with reagent and then seal them using pressurized viscous liquid acting through a flexible membrane. The device enables multiple, independent chemical reactions involving free floating intermediate molecules without interference from neighboring reactions or external environments. The device is validated by protein expressed in situ directly from DNA in a microarray of ~10,000 spots with no diffusion during three hours incubation. Using the device to probe for an autoantibody cancer biomarker in blood serum sample gave five times higher signal to background ratio compared to standard protein microarray expressed on a flat microscope slide. Physical design principles to effectively fill the array of microreactors with reagent and experimental results of alternate methods for sealing the microreactors are presented.
Analysis of accumulation patterns and preliminary study on the condensation mechanism of proanthocyanidins in the tea plant [Camellia sinensis]
Authors: Jiang Xiaolan , Liu Yajun , Wu Yahui , Tan Huarong , Meng Fei , Wang Yun sheng , Li Mingzhuo , Zhao Lei , Liu Li , Qian Yumei , Gao Liping , Xia Tao
Published: March 2015

In the present study, proanthocyanidins were qualitatively and quantitatively identified using hydrolysis and thiolysis assays, NP-HPLC, HPLC-ESI-MS, MALDI-TOF-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR techniques in different organs of tea plants. The results showed that in leaves, the tri-hydroxyl, cis- and galloylated flavan-3-ols were the main monomeric catechins units and (epi)catechin was found to be the major unit of polymeric flavan-3-ols when the degree of polymerization was greater than five. In roots, the PAs were found to be abundant and epicatechin formed the predominant extension unit of oligomeric and polymeric PAs. In order to understand the mechanism of proanthocyanidins polymerization, auto-condensation of the flavan-3-ols was investigated. The results showed that the same trimers (m/z 865) were detected in the extracts of tea plants and in the non-enzymatic in vitro assay, in weak acid as well as weak alkaline solutions at room temperature, when the substrates used were either procyanidin B2 and monomeric flavan-3-ols (epicatechin or catechin), or only procyanidin B2. This suggested that procyanidin B2 not only released carbocation as electrophilic upper units, but also could be used as nucleophilic lower units directly itself, to form the procyanidin trimer in vitro or in vivo.
Image-Guided Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulates Human Primary Somatosensory Cortex
Authors: Lee Wonhye , Kim Hyungmin , Jung Yujin , Song In-Uk , Chung Yong An , Yoo Seung-Schik
Published: March 2015

Focused ultrasound (FUS) has recently been investigated as a new mode of non-invasive brain stimulation, which offers exquisite spatial resolution and depth control. We report on the elicitation of explicit somatosensory sensations as well as accompanying evoked electroencephalographic (EEG) potentials induced by FUS stimulation of the human somatosensory cortex. As guided by individual-specific neuroimage data, FUS was transcranially delivered to the hand somatosensory cortex among healthy volunteers. The sonication elicited transient tactile sensations on the hand area contralateral to the sonicated hemisphere, with anatomical specificity of up to a finger, while EEG recordings revealed the elicitation of sonication-specific evoked potentials. Retrospective numerical simulation of the acoustic propagation through the skull showed that a threshold of acoustic intensity may exist for successful cortical stimulation. The neurological and neuroradiological assessment before and after the sonication, along with strict safety considerations through the individual-specific estimation of effective acoustic intensity in situ and thermal effects, showed promising initial safety profile; however, equal/more rigorous precautionary procedures are advised for future studies. The transient and localized stimulation of the brain using image-guided transcranial FUS may serve as a novel tool for the non-invasive assessment and modification of region-specific brain function.
N-butylidenephthalide Attenuates Alzheimer's Disease-Like Cytopathy in Down Syndrome Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons
Authors: Chang Chia-Yu , Chen Sheng-Mei , Lu Huai-En , Lai Syu-Ming , Lai Ping-Shan , Shen Po-Wen , Chen Pei-Ying , Shen Ching-I , Harn Horng-Jyh , Lin Shinn-Zong , Hwang Shiaw-Min , Su Hong-Lin
Published: March 2015

Down syndrome (DS) patients with early-onset dementia share similar neurodegenerative features with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To recapitulate the AD cell model, DS induced pluripotent stem cells (DS-iPSCs), reprogrammed from mesenchymal stem cells in amniotic fluid, were directed toward a neuronal lineage. Neuroepithelial precursor cells with high purity and forebrain characteristics were robustly generated on day 10 (D10) of differentiation. Accumulated amyloid deposits, Tau protein hyperphosphorylation and Tau intracellular redistribution emerged rapidly in DS neurons within 45 days but not in normal embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. N-butylidenephthalide (Bdph), a major phthalide ingredient of Angelica sinensis, was emulsified by pluronic F127 to reduce its cellular toxicity and promote canonical Wnt signaling. Interestingly, we found that F127-Bdph showed significant therapeutic effects in reducing secreted Aβ40 deposits, the total Tau level and the hyperphosphorylated status of Tau in DS neurons. Taken together, DS-iPSC derived neural cells can serve as an ideal cellular model of DS and AD and have potential for high-throughput screening of candidate drugs. We also suggest that Bdph may benefit DS or AD treatment by scavenging Aβ aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles.
Latent instabilities in metallic LaNiO3 films by strain control of Fermi-surface topology
Authors: Yoo Hyang Keun , Hyun Seung Ill , Moreschini Luca , Kim Hyeong-Do , Chang Young Jun , Sohn Chang Hee , Jeong Da Woon , Sinn Soobin , Kim Yong Su , Bostwick Aaron , Rotenberg Eli , Shim Ji Hoon , Noh Tae Won
Published: March 2015

Strain control is one of the most promising avenues to search for new emergent phenomena in transition-metal-oxide films. Here, we investigate the strain-induced changes of electronic structures in strongly correlated LaNiO3 (LNO) films, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and the dynamical mean-field theory. The strongly renormalized eg-orbital bands are systematically rearranged by misfit strain to change its fermiology. As tensile strain increases, the hole pocket centered at the A point elongates along the kz-axis and seems to become open, thus changing Fermi-surface (FS) topology from three- to quasi-two-dimensional. Concomitantly, the FS shape becomes flattened to enhance FS nesting. A FS superstructure with Q1 = (1/2,1/2,1/2) appears in all LNO films, while a tensile-strained LNO film has an additional Q2 = (1/4,1/4,1/4) modulation, indicating that some instabilities are present in metallic LNO films. Charge disproportionation and spin-density-wave fluctuations observed in other nickelates might be their most probable origins.
Completing bacterial genome assemblies: strategy and performance comparisons
Authors: Liao Yu-Chieh , Lin Shu-Hung , Lin Hsin-Hung
Published: March 2015

Determining the genomic sequences of microorganisms is the basis and prerequisite for understanding their biology and functional characterization. While the advent of low-cost, extremely high-throughput second-generation sequencing technologies and the parallel development of assembly algorithms have generated rapid and cost-effective genome assemblies, such assemblies are often unfinished, fragmented draft genomes as a result of short read lengths and long repeats present in multiple copies. Third-generation, PacBio sequencing technologies circumvented this problem by greatly increasing read length. Hybrid approaches including ALLPATHS-LG, PacBio corrected reads pipeline, SPAdes and SSPACE-LongRead and non-hybrid approaches—hierarchical genome-assembly process (HGAP) and PacBio corrected reads pipeline via self-correction—have therefore been proposed to utilize the PacBio long reads that can span many thousands of bases to facilitate the assembly of complete microbial genomes. However, standardized procedures that aim at evaluating and comparing these approaches are currently insufficient. To address the issue, we herein provide a comprehensive comparison by collecting datasets for the comparative assessment on the above-mentioned five assemblers. In addition to offering explicit and beneficial recommendations to practitioners, this study aims to aid in the design of a paradigm positioned to complete bacterial genome assembly.
Heterosis and differential gene expression in hybrids and parents in Bombyx mori by digital gene expression profiling
Authors: Wang Hua , Fang Yan , Wang Lipeng , Zhu Wenjuan , Ji Haipeng , Wang Haiying , Xu Shiqing , Sima Yanghu
Published: March 2015

Heterosis is a concern to all breeders, but the mechanism of heterosis remains unknown. In F1 organisms, genetic material is inherited from the two parents and theoretically, heterosis might be caused by differences in gene expression or modification. Differential gene expression was analyzed in hybrids and parents in Bombyx mori. The results showed that there were significant changes in gene expression in the fat body involving biological regulation, cellular and metabolic processes. Consistent trends in expression patterns covering different hybrid combinations were seen in 74 genes. Moreover, these differential gene expression patterns included overdominance, dominance and additive effects. By correlating these patterns with economic traits, a potential relationship was found. Differential gene expression was seen in different cross combinations and in different sexes. In addition, a regulatory mechanism involving metabolism and ErbB signaling pathways was also found, suggesting that such a network might also be related to heterosis in Bombyx mori. Together, our data provide a comprehensive overview and useful resource for transcriptional analysis of heterosis of Bombyx mori.
Coupled Néel domain wall motion in sandwiched perpendicular magnetic anisotropy nanowires
Authors: Purnama I. , Kerk I. S. , Lim G. J. , Lew W. S.
Published: March 2015

The operating performance of a domain wall-based magnetic device relies on the controlled motion of the domain walls within the ferromagnetic nanowires. Here, we report on the dynamics of coupled Néel domain wall in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) nanowires via micromagnetic simulations. The coupled Néel domain wall is obtained in a sandwich structure, where two PMA nanowires that are separated by an insulating layer are stacked vertically. Under the application of high current density, we found that the Walker breakdown phenomenon is suppressed in the sandwich structure. Consequently, the coupled Néel domain wall of the sandwich structure is able to move faster as compared to individual domain walls in a single PMA nanowire.
βA3/A1-crystallin is a critical mediator of STAT3 signaling in optic nerve astrocytes
Authors: Valapala Mallika , Edwards Malia , Hose Stacey , Hu Jianfei , Wawrousek Eric , Lutty Gerard A. , Zigler, J. Samuel , Qian Jiang , Sinha Debasish
Published: March 2015

We have previously reported that in the Nuc1 rat, which has a spontaneous mutation in Cryba1 (the gene encoding βA3/A1-crystallin), astrocytes exhibit decreased Notch signaling, leading to reduced promoter activity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Interestingly, in both Nuc1 astrocytes and in wild type astrocytes following knockdown of Cryba1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion is decreased. This has led us to explore signaling mediators that could be regulated by βA3/A1-crystallin to modulate both GFAP and VEGF. Several studies have shown that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is involved in the co-regulation of GFAP and VEGF. We show that STAT3 and βA3/A1-crystallin may co-regulate each other in astrocytes. Such co-regulation would create a positive feedback circuit; i.e., in the cytosol of astrocytes, βA3/A1-crystallin is necessary for the phosphorylation of STAT3, which then dimerizes and translocates to the nucleus to form DNA-binding complexes, activating transcription of Cryba1. This stoichiometric co-regulation of STAT3 and Cryba1 could potentiate expression of GFAP and secretion of VEGF, both of which are essential for maintaining astrocyte and blood vessel homeostasis in the retina. Consistent with this idea, Cryba1 knockout mice exhibit an abnormal astrocyte pattern and defective remodeling of retinal vessels.
Improving Prediction of Prostate Cancer Recurrence using Chemical Imaging
Authors: Kwak Jin Tae , Kajdacsy-Balla André , Macias Virgilia , Walsh Michael , Sinha Saurabh , Bhargava Rohit
Published: March 2015

Precise Outcome prediction is crucial to providing optimal cancer care across the spectrum of solid cancers. Clinically-useful tools to predict risk of adverse events (metastases, recurrence), however, remain deficient. Here, we report an approach to predict the risk of prostate cancer recurrence, at the time of initial diagnosis, using a combination of emerging chemical imaging, a diagnostic protocol that focuses simultaneously on the tumor and its microenvironment and data analysis of frequent patterns in molecular expression. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging was employed to record the structure and molecular content from tumors prostatectomy. We analyzed data from a patient cohort that is mid-grade dominant – which is the largest cohort of patients in the modern era and in whom prognostic methods are largely ineffective. Our approach outperforms the two widely used tools, Kattan nomogram and CAPRA-S score in a head-to-head comparison for predicting risk of recurrence. Importantly, the approach provides a histologic basis to the prediction that identifies chemical and morphologic features in the tumor microenvironment that is independent of conventional clinical information, opening the door to similar advances in other solid tumors.
Synchrotron x-ray imaging of pulmonary alveoli in respiration in live intact mice
Authors: Chang Soeun , Kwon Namseop , Kim Jinkyung , Kohmura Yoshiki , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Rhee Chin Kook , Je Jung Ho , Tsuda Akira
Published: March 2015

Despite nearly a half century of studies, it has not been fully understood how pulmonary alveoli, the elementary gas exchange units in mammalian lungs, inflate and deflate during respiration. Understanding alveolar dynamics is crucial for treating patients with pulmonary diseases. In-vivo, real-time visualization of the alveoli during respiration has been hampered by active lung movement. Previous studies have been therefore limited to alveoli at lung apices or subpleural alveoli under open thorax conditions. Here we report direct and real-time visualization of alveoli of live intact mice during respiration using tracking X-ray microscopy. Our studies, for the first time, determine the alveolar size of normal mice in respiration without positive end expiratory pressure as 58 ± 14 (mean ± s.d.) μm on average, accurately measured in the lung bases as well as the apices. Individual alveoli of normal lungs clearly show heterogeneous inflation from zero to ~25% (6.7 ± 4.7% (mean ± s.d.)) in size. The degree of inflation is higher in the lung bases (8.7 ± 4.3% (mean ± s.d.)) than in the apices (5.7 ± 3.2% (mean ± s.d.)). The fraction of the total tidal volume allocated for alveolar inflation is 34 ± 3.8% (mean ± s.e.m). This study contributes to the better understanding of alveolar dynamics and helps to develop potential treatment options for pulmonary diseases.
β-Cyclodextrin decorated nanocellulose: a smart approach towards the selective fluorimetric determination of danofloxacin in milk samples
Authors: Ruiz-Palomero Celia , Soriano M. Laura , Valcárcel Miguel
Published: March 2015

Nanocellulose conjugation with specific cavitands allows the design and preparation of recycling extraction nanomaterials with unique host–guest properties in both analytical and bioanalytical fields.
Characteristic region extraction from time-series three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Yu Shaohui , Xiao Xue , Zhao Nanjing , Yang Jisheng
Published: March 2015

We propose a method to extract the characteristic region of time-series three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, including the monitored organic matter and the outlier organic matter.
A block copolymer of zwitterionic polyphosphoester and polylactic acid for drug delivery
Authors: Sun Rong , Du Xiao-Jiao , Sun Chun-Yang , Shen Song , Liu Yang , Yang Xian-Zhu , Bao Yan , Zhu Yan-Hua , Wang Jun
Published: March 2015

Zwitterionic polyphosphoester containing polymers are synthesized and evaluated as an alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers for anticancer drug delivery.
Fabrication of silver nanoplate hierarchical turreted ordered array and its application in trace analyses
Authors: Fu Rongrong , Liu Guangqiang , Jia Chong , Li Xinhua , Tang Xia , Duan Guotao , Li Yue , Cai Weiping
Published: March 2015

3D silver nanoplate hierarchical turreted ordered arrays (HTOAs) were fabricated on acuate silicon nanocone templates and used for trace analyses.
A one-step hydrothermal route to programmable stimuli-responsive hydrogels
Authors: Luo Rongcong , Chen Chia-Hung
Published: March 2015

An effective one-step hydrothermal route to program the structure, swelling and responsiveness properties of stimuli-responsive hydrogels is developed.
Highly selective detection of palladium and picric acid by a luminescent MOF: a dual functional fluorescent sensor
Authors: Sanda Suresh , Parshamoni Srinivasulu , Biswas Soumava , Konar Sanjit
Published: March 2015

A new luminescent metal–organic framework has been synthesized and explored as a dual functional fluorescent sensor to detect picric acid and Pd2+.
Ionization controls for biomineralization-inspired CO2chemical looping at constant room temperature
Authors: Liu Zhaoming , Hu Yadong , Zhao Hongqing , Wang Yang , Xu Xurong , Pan Haihua , Tang Ruikang
Published: March 2015

We establish a solution system of calcium acetate–ethanol–water for CO2chemical looping at room temperature. This biomimetic mineralization-based CO2capture/release is controlled by the ionization states of electrolytes, and is precisely regulated in the C2H5OH–H2O solvent.
Comment on “How to interpret Onsager cross terms in mixed ionic electronic conductors” by I. Riess, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014,16, 22513
Authors: Yoo Han-Ill , Martin Manfred , Janek Juergen
Published: March 2015

Onsager cross coefficients account for the interaction of ionic and electronic fluxes in mixed conductors.