bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of inter‐parental conflict on adolescent delinquency via school connectedness: Is impulsivity a vulnerability or plasticity factor?
Authors: Liu Sha , Yu Chengfu , Zhen Shuangju , Zhang Wei , Su Ping , Xu Yang
Published: July 2016

This study examined the mediating effect of school connectedness on the relationship between inter‐parental conflict and adolescent delinquency, and impulsivity's moderation of the conditional effect of school connectedness. In total, 1407 Chinese students (mean age = 12.74 years, SD = 0.57) from 4 middle schools completed anonymous questionnaires regarding inter‐parental conflict, impulsivity, school connectedness, and delinquency. Path analysis revealed school connectedness was a mediator in the relationship between inter‐parental conflict and adolescent delinquency. Furthermore, impulsivity moderated the indirect effect of school connectedness in the relationship between inter‐parental conflict and adolescent delinquency. A simple slope plot, together with a proportion affected (PA) index, indicated that impulsivity functioned more as a plasticity, rather than a vulnerability, factor in school connectedness. When school connectedness was low, high impulsivity was associated with more delinquent behaviors; however, when it was high, high impulsivity was associated with fewer delinquent behaviors.
Patient-Reported Esthetic and Functional Outcomes of Primary Total Laparoscopic Intestinal Vaginoplasty in Transgender Women with Penoscrotal Hypoplasia
Authors: Bouman Mark-Bram , van der Sluis Wouter B. , van Woudenberg Hamstra Leonora E. , Buncamper Marlon E. , Kreukels Baudewijntje P.C. , Meijerink Wilhelmus J.H.J. , Mullender Margriet G.
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Puberty-suppressing hormonal treatment may result in penoscrotal hypoplasia in transgender women, making standard penile inversion vaginoplasty not feasible. For these patients, intestinal vaginoplasty is a surgical alternative, but knowledge on patient-reported postoperative outcomes and quality of life is lacking.

Aims

To assess patient-reported functional and esthetic outcomes, quality of life, satisfaction, and sexual well-being after primary total laparoscopic intestinal vaginoplasty in transgender women.

Methods

A survey study was performed on transgender women who underwent primary total laparoscopic intestinal vaginoplasty with at least 1 year of clinical follow-up. Thirty-one transgender women completed the questionnaires (median age at time of surgery = 19.1 years, range = 18.3–45.0) after a median clinical follow-up of 2.2 years (range = 0.8–7.5). Consenting women were asked to complete a combined questionnaire of the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, Cantril's Ladder of Life Scale, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Female Genital Self-Imaging Scale, the Amsterdam Hyperactive Pelvic Floor Scale—Women, and a questionnaire addressing postoperative satisfaction.

Main Outcome Measures

Patient-reported functional and esthetic outcomes and postoperative quality of life.

Results

Patients graded their life satisfaction a median of 8.0 (range = 4.0–10.0) on Cantril's Ladder of Life Scale. Patients scored a mean total score of 27.7 ± 5.8 on the Satisfaction With Life Scale, which indicated high satisfaction with life, and a mean total score of 5.6 ± 1.4 on the Subjective Happiness Scale. Functionality was graded a median score of 8.0 of 10 (range = 1.0–10.0) and esthetics a score of 8.0 out of 10 (range = 3.0–10.0). The mean Female Sexual Function Index total score of sexually active transgender women was 26.0 ± 6.8.

Conclusion

This group of relatively young transgender women reported satisfactory functional and esthetic results of the neovagina and a good quality of life, despite low Female Sexual Function Index scores.
Ability–motivation–opportunity enhancing human resource practices and firm performance: Evidence from India
Authors: Kundu Subhash C. , Gahlawat Neha
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the diverse performance outcomes related to the bundles/components of high-performance work systems on the basis of ability–motivation–opportunity model. Using the primary data from 563 employees of 204 firms operating in India (collected during the time period between March, 2012 and January, 2013), the study has indicated that employees’ perceptions regarding the applicability of ability-enhancing, motivation-enhancing, and opportunity-enhancing human resource practices result in enhanced affective commitment and superior firm performance. The results have revealed that affective commitment fully mediates the relationship of opportunity-enhancing human resource practices with firm performance and partially mediates the relationships of ability-enhancing and motivation-enhancing human resource practices with firm performance. The study contributes in unlocking the ‘black box’ related to the high-performance work systems and firm performance relationship by stressing upon the importance of affective commitment as a mediator. Managerial implications and directions for future research are also discussed.
Nutrient intakes and iron and vitamin D status differ depending on main milk consumed by UK children aged 12–18 months – secondary analysis from the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children
Authors: Sidnell Anne , Pigat Sandrine , Gibson Sigrid , O'Connor Rosalyn , Connolly Aileen , Sterecka Sylwia , Stephen Alison M.
Published: July 2016

Nutrition in the second year is important as this is a period of rapid growth and development. Milk is a major food for young children and this analysis evaluated the impact of the type of milk consumed on nutrient intakes and nutritional status. Data from the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children were used to investigate the intakes of key nutrients, and Fe and vitamin D status, of children aged 12–18 months, not breastfed, and consuming >400 g/d fortified milk (n 139) or >400 g/d of whole cows’ milk (n 404). Blood samples from eligible children for measurement of Hb (n 113), serum ferritin and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations (n 105) were available for approximately 20 % of children. Unpaired Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare nutrient intakes and status between consumers of fortified and cows’ milk. Mean daily total dietary intakes of Fe, Zn, vitamin A and vitamin D were significantly higher in the fortified milk group. Mean daily total dietary intakes of energy, protein, Ca, iodine, Na and saturated fat were significantly higher in the cows’ milk group. Hb was not different between groups. The fortified milk group had significantly higher serum ferritin (P = 0·049) and plasma 25(OH)D (P = 0·014). This analysis demonstrates significantly different nutrient intakes and status between infants consuming >400 g/d fortified milk v. those consuming >400 g/d whole cows’ milk. These results indicate that fortified milks can play a significant role in improving the quality of young children's diets in their second year of life.
Similarities between obesity in pets and children: the addiction model
Authors: Pretlow Robert A. , Corbee Ronald J.
Published: July 2016

Obesity in pets is a frustrating, major health problem. Obesity in human children is similar. Prevailing theories accounting for the rising obesity rates – for example, poor nutrition and sedentary activity – are being challenged. Obesity interventions in both pets and children have produced modest short-term but poor long-term results. New strategies are needed. A novel theory posits that obesity in pets and children is due to ‘treats’ and excessive meal amounts given by the ‘pet–parent’ and child–parent to obtain affection from the pet/child, which enables ‘eating addiction’ in the pet/child and results in parental ‘co-dependence’. Pet–parents and child–parents may even become hostage to the treats/food to avoid the ire of the pet/child. Eating addiction in the pet/child also may be brought about by emotional factors such as stress, independent of parental co-dependence. An applicable treatment for child obesity has been trialled using classic addiction withdrawal/abstinence techniques, as well as behavioural addiction methods, with significant results. Both the child and the parent progress through withdrawal from specific ‘problem foods’, next from snacking (non-specific foods) and finally from excessive portions at meals (gradual reductions). This approach should adapt well for pets and pet–parents. Pet obesity is more ‘pure’ than child obesity, in that contributing factors and treatment points are essentially under the control of the pet–parent. Pet obesity might thus serve as an ideal test bed for the treatment and prevention of child obesity, with focus primarily on parental behaviours. Sharing information between the fields of pet and child obesity would be mutually beneficial.
Dietary whey reduces energy intake and alters hypothalamic gene expression in obese phyto-oestrogen-deprived male rats
Authors: Andreoli María F. , Stoker Cora , Lazzarino Gisela P. , Canesini Guillermina , Luque Enrique H. , Ramos Jorge G.
Published: July 2016

Removing dietary phyto-oestrogens in adult male rats causes obesity and diabetes. As whey proteins have been reported to reduce food intake and improve glucose homoeostasis, we investigated whether they could attenuate susceptibility to obesity and diabetes due to phyto-oestrogen deprivation. To this end, thirty male Wistar rats were fed a high-phyto-oestrogen (HP) or a phyto-oestrogen-free (PF) diet for 10 weeks; six rats from each group were killed. The remaining HP animals (six animals) continued receiving the HP diet for 6 weeks. The remaining PF rats (twelve rats) were divided in two groups: one was given the PF diet and the other a variation of the PF diet plus whey protein (PF-W). Body weight, food intake and adipose tissue weights were recorded. Hypothalamic mRNA expressions of orexigenic (neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein (AgRP)) and anorexigenic (pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine-amphetamine-related transcript (CART)) neuropeptides were quantified by real-time PCR. Serum glucose, insulin and total thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone, testosterone and oestradiol were assessed. After 10 weeks of PF diet, increased body weight, adiposity and energy intake, with up-regulation of AgRP and down-regulation of POMC', were observed. Longer treatment exacerbated these results, increased total T4 levels, reduced oestradiol levels and impaired glucose homoeostasis. PF-W reduced energy intake and increased POMC expression; however, body weight and adiposity remained unchanged. PF-W could not prevent the hormonal changes or the high circulating glucose levels induced by phyto-oestrogen deprivation, but reduced fasting insulin. These data demonstrate that, although 6 weeks of whey administration could not prevent obesity in phyto-oestrogen-deprived rats, the reduction in energy intake and circulating insulin could be beneficial with longer treatments.
BENFORD'S LAW AND NUMERICAL STYLIZATION OF MONETARY VALUATIONS IN CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Authors: Scheidel Walter
Published: July 2016

In an article published in this journal in 1996, I surveyed number stylization in monetary amounts recorded in Roman-era literature up to the Severan period. I argued that certain leading digits such as 1, 3 and 4 were heavily over-represented in the evidence. For the limited samples I used at the time these findings are not in need of revision. However, as I show here, a more inclusive approach to the material produces a substantially different picture. The most significant shortcoming of my study was my failure to take account of the probable distribution of leading digits in a random sample, which may serve as a benchmark for assessing the nature and extent of number preference. While I noted that lower leading digits were inherently more likely to occur than higher ones, I schematically related observed frequencies to an even distribution of leading digits (in which each of them is expected to make up one-ninth of the total). This benchmarking strategy is invalidated by a widely observed phenomenon known as Benford's Law, according to which leading digits frequently conform to a predictable pattern that greatly favours lower over higher numbers. This is true in particular if observations are spread across several orders of magnitude. Ancient monetary valuations satisfy this condition since recorded amounts range from single digits to hundreds of millions. Yet, to the best of my knowledge, Benford's Law has never been applied to the study of these data.
Modelling role of basement block rotation and strike-slip faulting on structural pattern in cover units of fold-and-thrust belts
Authors: KOYI HEMIN , NILFOUROUSHAN FARAMARZ , HESSAMI KHALED
Published: July 2016

A series of scaled analogue models are used to study (de)coupling between basement and cover deformation. Rigid basal blocks were rotated about a vertical axis in a ‘bookshelf’ fashion, which caused strike-slip faulting along the blocks and in the overlying cover units of loose sand. Three different combinations of cover–basement deformations are modelled: (i) cover shortening before basement fault movement; (ii) basement fault movement before cover shortening; and (iii) simultaneous cover shortening with basement fault movement. Results show that the effect of the basement faults depends on the timing of their reactivation. Pre- and syn-orogenic basement fault movements have a significant impact on the structural pattern of the cover units, whereas post-orogenic basement fault movement has less influence on the thickened hinterland of the overlying belt. The interaction of basement faulting and cover shortening results in the formation of rhombic structures. In models with pre- and syn-orogenic basement strike-slip faults, rhombic blocks develop as a result of shortening of the overlying cover during basement faulting. These rhombic blocks are similar in appearance to flower structures, but are different in kinematics, genesis and structural extent. We compare these model results to both the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt in southwestern Iran and the Alborz Mountains in northern Iran. Based on the model results, we conclude that the traces of basement faults in cover units rotate and migrate towards the foreland during regional shortening. As such, these traces do not necessarily indicate the actual location or orientation of the basement faults which created them.
Workers’ Politics, the Communist Challenge, and the Schuman Plan: A Comparative History of the French Socialist and German Social Democratic Parties and the First Treaty for European Integration
Authors: Shaev Brian
Published: July 2016

The Schuman Plan to “pool” the coal and steel industries of Western Europe has been widely celebrated as the founding document of today’s European Union. An expansive historiography has developed around the plan but labor and workers are largely absent from existing accounts, even though the sectors targeted for integration, coal and steel, are traditionally understood as centers of working-class militancy and union activity in Europe. Existing literature generally considers the role coal and steel industries played as objects of the Schuman Plan negotiations but this article reverses this approach. It examines instead how labor politics in the French Nord and Pas-de-Calais and the German Ruhr, core industrial regions, influenced the positions adopted by two prominent political parties, the French Socialist and German Social Democratic parties, on the integration of European heavy industry. The empirical material combines archival research in party and national archives with findings from regional histories of the Nord/Pas-de-Calais, the Ruhr, and their local socialist party chapters, as well as from historical and sociological research on miners and industrial workers. The article analyses how intense battles between socialists and communists for the allegiance of coal and steel workers shaped the political culture of these regions after the war and culminated during a mass wave of strikes in 1947–1948. The divergent political outcomes of these battles in the Nord/Pas-de-Calais and the Ruhr, this article contends, strongly contributed to the decisions of the French Socialist Party to support and the German Social Democratic Party to oppose the Schuman Plan in 1950.
Understanding Portfolio Efficiency with Conditioning Information
Authors: Peñaranda Francisco
Published: July 2016

I develop two new types of portfolio efficiency when returns are predictable. The first type maximizes the unconditional Sharpe ratio of excess returns and differs from unconditional efficiency unless the safe asset return is constant over time. The second type maximizes conditional mean-variance preferences and differs from unconditional efficiency unless, additionally, the maximum conditional Sharpe ratio is constant. Using stock data, I quantify and test their performance differences with respect to unconditionally and fixed-weight efficient returns. I also show the relevance of the two new portfolio strategies to test conditional asset pricing models.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, DELIBERATIVE PROCESS, AND ETHICALLY CONTESTED ISSUES
Authors: Daniels Norman , van der Wilt Gert Jan
Published: July 2016

Healthcare technology assessment (HTA) aims to support decisions as to which technologies should be used in which situations to optimize value. Because such decisions will create winners and losers, they are bound to be controversial. HTA, then, faces a dilemma: should it stay away from such controversies, remaining a source of incomplete advice and risking an important kind of marginalization, or should it enter the controversy? The question is a challenging one, because we lack agreement on principles that are fine grained enough to tell us what choices we should make. In this study, we will argue that HTA should take a stand on ethical issues raised by the technology that is being investigated. To do so, we propose adding a form of procedural justice to HTA to arrive at decisions that the public can regard as legitimate and fair. A fair process involves deliberation about the reasons, evidence, and rationales that are considered relevant to meeting population-health needs fairly. One important way to make sure that there is real deliberation about relevant reasons is to include a range of stakeholders in the deliberative process. To illustrate how such deliberation might work, we use the case of cochlear implants for deaf children.
Psychotropic drug prescriptions in Western European nursing homes
Authors: Janus Sarah I. M. , van Manen Jeannette G. , IJzerman Maarten J. , Zuidema Sytse U.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Despite the numerous warnings of European and national drug agencies as well as clinical guidelines since the year 2004, psychotropic drugs are still frequently used in dementia. A systematic review comparing the use of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes from different European countries is lacking.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine prescription rates of psychotropic drug use in nursing home patients between different Western European countries since the first warnings were published.

Methods:

A literature review was performed and the various psychotropic prescribing rates in European nursing homes were investigated. The prescription rates of antipsychotic and antidepressants were pooled per country. Other classes of psychotropic drugs could not be pooled because of the limited number of studies found.

Results:

Thirty-seven studies on antipsychotic drug use and 27 studies on antidepressant drug use conducted in 12 different European countries. The antipsychotic use in nursing homes ranged from 12% to 59% and antidepressant use from 19% to 68%. The highest rates of antipsychotic drug prescription were found in Austria, Ireland, and Belgium while for antidepressants in Belgium, Sweden, and France.

Conclusions:

Despite warnings about the side effects and recommendation to focus on non-pharmacological interventions, antipsychotics and antidepressants are commonly used drugs in nursing homes. The data suggest that Norway does best with regards having a low antipsychotic drug usage. Studies are needed to explain the differences between Norway and other European countries.
Dosimetric comparison of treatment planning systems using collapsed cone convolution and pencil beam algorithms
Authors: Elcim Yelda , Dirican Bahar , Yavas Omer
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study is the dosimetric verification and comparative analysis of two different treatment planning systems (TPS) using collapsed cone convolution (CCC) and pencil beam (PB) algorithms for treatment sites of head and neck, chest wall–supraclavicular region, lung and prostate.

Methods and materials

Target volumes and critical organs for treatment sites mentioned above were delineated according to relevant The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocols. Treatment plans were generated using 6 MV photon energy with medical linear accelerator and Thermoluminescent Dosimeter-100 dosimeters were used to perform dosimetric verification, which were placed at appropriate locations in the Alderson Rando phantom.

Results and conclusions

Comparative analysis of CCC and PB algorithms for treatment sites revealed that point dose measurement values were higher with the PB algorithm compared with CCC algorithm, in both head and neck and chest wall–supraclavicular region plans. The most significant difference between two algorithms were found at the supraclavicular region which includes the lung point dose within the treatment field and 7–12 mm depth from the skin, respectively. Unlike the head and neck and chest wall–supraclavicular region plans, CCC and PB algorithms show overall comparable results in lung and prostate plans in terms of point dose measurement values; however, the most prominent difference was found in 7 mm and 6 cm depth from skin, respectively. The CCC algorithm values were higher. Our study confirms that the main reason of PB algorithm calculates less absorbed dose than CCC algorithm in medium transitions, skin entrance and irregular treatment regions is the underestimation of lateral equilibrium’s contribution to the total absorbed dose.
Deconvoluting hepatic processing of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Alidori Simone , Bowman Robert L. , Yarilin Dmitry , Romin Yevgeniy , Barlas Afsar , Mulvey J. Justin , Fujisawa Sho , Xu Ke , Ruggiero Alessandro , Riabov Vladimir , Thorek Daniel L. J. , Ulmert Hans David S. , Brea Elliott J. , Behling Katja , Kzhyshkowska Julia , Manova-Todorova Katia , Scheinberg David A. , McDevitt Michael R.
Published: July 2016

Single-wall carbon nanotubes present unique opportunities for drug delivery, but have not advanced into the clinic. Differential nanotube accretion and clearance from critical organs have been observed, but the mechanism not fully elucidated. The liver has a complex cellular composition that regulates a range of metabolic functions and coincidently accumulates most particulate drugs. Here we provide the unexpected details of hepatic processing of covalently functionalized nanotubes including receptor-mediated endocytosis, cellular trafficking and biliary elimination. Ammonium-functionalized fibrillar nanocarbon is found to preferentially localize in the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of the liver but not resident macrophages. Stabilin receptors mediate the endocytic clearance of nanotubes. Biocompatibility is evidenced by the absence of cell death and no immune cell infiltration. Towards clinical application of this platform, nanotubes were evaluated for the first time in non-human primates. The pharmacologic profile in cynomolgus monkeys is equivalent to what was reported in mice and suggests that nanotubes should behave similarly in humans.
Serial femtosecond crystallography datasets from G protein-coupled receptors
Authors: White Thomas A. , Barty Anton , Liu Wei , Ishchenko Andrii , Zhang Haitao , Gati Cornelius , Zatsepin Nadia A. , Basu Shibom , Oberthür Dominik , Metz Markus , Beyerlein Kenneth R. , Yoon Chun Hong , Yefanov Oleksandr M. , James Daniel , Wang Dingjie , Messerschmidt Marc , Koglin Jason E. , Boutet Sébastien , Weierstall Uwe , Cherezov Vadim
Published: July 2016

We describe the deposition of four datasets consisting of X-ray diffraction images acquired using serial femtosecond crystallography experiments on microcrystals of human G protein-coupled receptors, grown and delivered in lipidic cubic phase, at the Linac Coherent Light Source. The receptors are: the human serotonin receptor 2B in complex with an agonist ergotamine, the human δ-opioid receptor in complex with a bi-functional peptide ligand DIPP-NH2, the human smoothened receptor in complex with an antagonist cyclopamine, and finally the human angiotensin II type 1 receptor in complex with the selective antagonist ZD7155. All four datasets have been deposited, with minimal processing, in an HDF5-based file format, which can be used directly for crystallographic processing with CrystFEL or other software. We have provided processing scripts and supporting files for recent versions of CrystFEL, which can be used to validate the data.
The trickle before the torrent—diffraction data from X-ray lasers
Authors: Maia Filipe R.N.C. , Hajdu Janos
Published: July 2016

Today Scientific Data launched a collection of publications describing data from X-ray free-electron lasers under the theme ‘Structural Biology Applications of X-ray Lasers’. The papers cover data on nanocrystals, single virus particles, isolated cell organelles, and living cells. All data are deposited with the Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank (CXIDB) and available to the scientific community to develop ideas, tools and procedures to meet challenges with the expected torrents of data from new X-ray lasers, capable of producing billion exposures per day.
Single-shot diffraction data from the Mimivirus particle using an X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Ekeberg Tomas , Svenda Martin , Seibert M. Marvin , Abergel Chantal , Maia Filipe R.N.C. , Seltzer Virginie , DePonte Daniel P. , Aquila Andrew , Andreasson Jakob , Iwan Bianca , Jönsson Olof , Westphal Daniel , Odić Duško , Andersson Inger , Barty Anton , Liang Meng , Martin Andrew V. , Gumprecht Lars , Fleckenstein Holger , Bajt Saša , Barthelmess Miriam , Coppola Nicola , Claverie Jean-Michel , Loh N. Duane , Bostedt Christoph , Bozek John D. , Krzywinski Jacek , Messerschmidt Marc , Bogan Michael J. , Hampton Christina Y. , Sierra Raymond G. , Frank Matthias , Shoeman Robert L. , Lomb Lukas , Foucar Lutz , Epp Sascha W. , Rolles Daniel , Rudenko Artem , Hartmann Robert , Hartmann Andreas , Kimmel Nils , Holl Peter , Weidenspointner Georg , Rudek Benedikt , Erk Benjamin , Kassemeyer Stephan , Schlichting Ilme , Strüder Lothar , Ullrich Joachim , Schmidt Carlo , Krasniqi Faton , Hauser Günter , Reich Christian , Soltau Heike , Schorb Sebastian , Hirsemann Helmut , Wunderer Cornelia , Graafsma Heinz , Chapman Henry , Hajdu Janos
Published: July 2016

Free-electron lasers (FEL) hold the potential to revolutionize structural biology by producing X-ray pules short enough to outrun radiation damage, thus allowing imaging of biological samples without the limitation from radiation damage. Thus, a major part of the scientific case for the first FELs was three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of non-crystalline biological objects. In a recent publication we demonstrated the first 3D reconstruction of a biological object from an X-ray FEL using this technique. The sample was the giant Mimivirus, which is one of the largest known viruses with a diameter of 450 nm. Here we present the dataset used for this successful reconstruction. Data-analysis methods for single-particle imaging at FELs are undergoing heavy development but data collection relies on very limited time available through a highly competitive proposal process. This dataset provides experimental data to the entire community and could boost algorithm development and provide a benchmark dataset for new algorithms.
A data set from flash X-ray imaging of carboxysomes
Authors: Hantke Max F. , Hasse Dirk , Ekeberg Tomas , John Katja , Svenda Martin , Loh Duane , Martin Andrew V. , Timneanu Nicusor , Larsson Daniel S.D. , van der Schot Gijs , Carlsson Gunilla H. , Ingelman Margareta , Andreasson Jakob , Westphal Daniel , Iwan Bianca , Uetrecht Charlotte , Bielecki Johan , Liang Mengning , Stellato Francesco , DePonte Daniel P. , Bari Sadia , Hartmann Robert , Kimmel Nils , Kirian Richard A. , Seibert M. Marvin , Mühlig Kerstin , Schorb Sebastian , Ferguson Ken , Bostedt Christoph , Carron Sebastian , Bozek John D. , Rolles Daniel , Rudenko Artem , Foucar Lutz , Epp Sascha W. , Chapman Henry N. , Barty Anton , Andersson Inger , Hajdu Janos , Maia Filipe R.N.C.
Published: July 2016

Ultra-intense femtosecond X-ray pulses from X-ray lasers permit structural studies on single particles and biomolecules without crystals. We present a large data set on inherently heterogeneous, polyhedral carboxysome particles. Carboxysomes are cell organelles that vary in size and facilitate up to 40% of Earth’s carbon fixation by cyanobacteria and certain proteobacteria. Variation in size hinders crystallization. Carboxysomes appear icosahedral in the electron microscope. A protein shell encapsulates a large number of Rubisco molecules in paracrystalline arrays inside the organelle. We used carboxysomes with a mean diameter of 115±26 nm from Halothiobacillus neapolitanus. A new aerosol sample-injector allowed us to record 70,000 low-noise diffraction patterns in 12 min. Every diffraction pattern is a unique structure measurement and high-throughput imaging allows sampling the space of structural variability. The different structures can be separated and phased directly from the diffraction data and open a way for accurate, high-throughput studies on structures and structural heterogeneity in biology and elsewhere.
Next-century ocean acidification and warming both reduce calcification rate, but only acidification alters skeletal morphology of reef-building coral Siderastrea siderea
Authors: Horvath Kimmaree M. , Castillo Karl D. , Armstrong Pualani , Westfield Isaac T. , Courtney Travis , Ries Justin B.
Published: July 2016

Atmospheric pCO2 is predicted to rise from 400 to 900 ppm by year 2100, causing seawater temperature to increase by 1–4 °C and pH to decrease by 0.1–0.3. Sixty-day experiments were conducted to investigate the independent and combined impacts of acidification (pCO2 = 424–426, 888–940 ppm-v) and warming (T = 28, 32 °C) on calcification rate and skeletal morphology of the abundant and widespread Caribbean reef-building scleractinian coral Siderastrea siderea. Hierarchical linear mixed-effects modelling reveals that coral calcification rate was negatively impacted by both warming and acidification, with their combined effects yielding the most deleterious impact. Negative effects of warming (32 °C/424 ppm-v) and high-temperature acidification (32 °C/940 ppm-v) on calcification rate were apparent across both 30-day intervals of the experiment, while effects of low-temperature acidification (28 °C/888 ppm-v) were not apparent until the second 30-day interval—indicating delayed onset of acidification effects at lower temperatures. Notably, two measures of coral skeletal morphology–corallite height and corallite infilling–were negatively impacted by next-century acidification, but not by next-century warming. Therefore, while next-century ocean acidification and warming will reduce the rate at which corals build their skeletons, next-century acidification will also modify the morphology and, potentially, function of coral skeletons.
Mechanism of artemisinin resistance for malaria PfATP6 L263 mutations and discovering potential antimalarials: An integrated computational approach
Authors: N. Nagasundaram , C. George Priya Doss , Chakraborty Chiranjib , V. Karthick , D. Thirumal Kumar , V. Balaji , R. Siva , Lu Aiping , Ge Zhang , Zhu Hailong
Published: July 2016

Artemisinin resistance inPlasmodium falciparumthreatens global efforts in the elimination or eradication of malaria. Several studies have associated mutations in thePfATP6gene in conjunction with artemisinin resistance, but the underlying molecular mechanism of the resistance remains unexplored. Associated mutations act as a biomarker to measure the artemisinin efficacy. In the proposed work, we have analyzed the binding affinity and efficacy between PfATP6 and artemisinin in the presence of L263D, L263E and L263K mutations. Furthermore, we performed virtual screening to identify potential compounds to inhibit the PfATP6 mutant proteins. In this study, we observed that artemisinin binding affinity with PfATP6 gets affected by L263D, L263E and L263K mutations. Thisin silicoelucidation of artemisinin resistance enhanced the identification of novel compounds (CID: 10595058 and 10625452) which showed good binding affinity and efficacy with L263D, L263E and L263K mutant proteins in molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies. Owing to the high propensity of the parasite to drug resistance the need for new antimalarial drugs will persist until the malarial parasites are eventually eradicated. The two compounds identified in this study can be tested inin vitroandin vivoexperiments as possible candidates for the designing of new potential antimalarial drugs.
Restoration of intestinal function in an MPTP model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Ellett L. J. , Hung L. W. , Munckton R. , Sherratt N. A. , Culvenor J. , Grubman A. , Furness J. B. , White A. R. , Finkelstein D. I. , Barnham K. J. , Lawson V. A.
Published: July 2016

Patients with Parkinson’s disease often experience non-motor symptoms including constipation, which manifest prior to the onset of debilitating motor signs. Understanding the causes of these non-motor deficits and developing disease modifying therapeutic strategies has the potential to prevent disease progression. Specific neuronal subpopulations were reduced within the myenteric plexus of mice 21 days after intoxication by the intraperitoneal administration of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) and was associated with a reduction in stool frequency, indicative of intestinal dysfunction. Oral administration of the divalent copper complex, CuII(atsm), which has been shown to be neuroprotective and restore motor performance to MPTP lesioned mice, improved stool frequency and was correlated with restoration of neuronal subpopulations in the myenteric plexus of MPTP lesioned mice. Restoration of intestinal function was associated with reduced enteric glial cell reactivity and reduction of markers of inflammation. Therapeutics that have been shown to be neuroprotective in the central nervous system, such as CuII(atsm), therefore also provide symptom relief and are disease modifying in the intestinal tract, suggesting that there is a common cause of Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis in the enteric nervous system and central nervous system.
Risk buffering and resource access shape valuation of out-group strangers
Authors: Pisor Anne C. , Gurven Michael
Published: July 2016

Unlike other primates, humans exhibit extensive inter-group tolerance and frequently build relationships with out-group members. Despite its common occurrence, little is known about the conditions leading to out-group relationship building in humans. What are the social and ecological factors promoting valuation of out-group members as potential social partners? Do they differ from those promoting valuation of in-group members? We propose that opportunities for non-local resource access and resource buffering, crucial in the human foraging niche, will increase valuation of out-group strangers. Using survey and experimental data collected among three Bolivian horticultural populations, we find that individuals with fewer non-locally available resources and more information about out-groups demonstrate more generosity toward out-group strangers, but not in-group strangers. The effects are specific to subjective resource access, not objective measures of access, and out-group exposure, not stereotypes. Further, depending on the measure, existing network connections affect both out-group and in-group giving, suggesting that new partnerships from both in-groups and out-groups may bolster one’s networks. Our results illustrate how evolved human psychology is sensitive to the costs and benefits of both out-group and in-group relationships, but underscore that the social and ecological factors favoring new relationships with in-group versus out-group strangers may differ.
In vitro synthesis of linear α-1,3-glucan and chemical modification to ester derivatives exhibiting outstanding thermal properties
Authors: Puanglek Sakarin , Kimura Satoshi , Enomoto-Rogers Yukiko , Kabe Taizo , Yoshida Makoto , Wada Masahisa , Iwata Tadahisa
Published: July 2016

Bio-based polymer is considered as one of potentially renewable materials to reduce the consumption of petroleum resources. We report herein on the one-pot synthesis and development of unnatural-type bio-based polysaccharide, α-1,3-glucan. The synthesis can be achieved byin vitroenzymatic polymerization with GtfJ enzyme, one type of glucosyltransferase, cloned fromStreptococcus salivariusATCC 25975 utilizing sucrose, a renewable feedstock, as a glucose monomer source, via environmentally friendly one-pot water-based reaction. The structure of α-1,3-glucan is completely linear without branches with weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 700 kDa. Furthermore, acetate and propionate esters of α-1,3-glucan were synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, α-1,3-glucan acetate showed a comparatively high melting temperature at 339 °C, higher than that of commercially available thermoplastics such as PET (265 °C) and Nylon 6 (220 °C). Thus, the discovery of crystalline α-1,3-glucan esters without branches with high thermal stability and melting temperature opens the gate for further researches in the application of thermoplastic materials.
High throughput screening of starch structures using carbohydrate microarrays
Authors: Tanackovic Vanja , Rydahl Maja Gro , Pedersen Henriette Lodberg , Motawia Mohammed Saddik , Shaik Shahnoor Sultana , Mikkelsen Maria Dalgaard , Krunic Susanne Langgaard , Fangel Jonatan Ulrik , Willats William George Tycho , Blennow Andreas
Published: July 2016

In this study we introduce the starch-recognising carbohydrate binding module family 20 (CBM20) from Aspergillus niger for screening biological variations in starch molecular structure using high throughput carbohydrate microarray technology. Defined linear, branched and phosphorylated maltooligosaccharides, pure starch samples including a variety of different structures with variations in the amylopectin branching pattern, amylose content and phosphate content, enzymatically modified starches and glycogen were included. Using this technique, different important structures, including amylose content and branching degrees could be differentiated in a high throughput fashion. The screening method was validated using transgenic barley grain analysed during development and subjected to germination. Typically, extreme branching or linearity were detected less than normal starch structures. The method offers the potential for rapidly analysing resistant and slowly digested dietary starches.
eSNPO: An eQTL-based SNP Ontology and SNP functional enrichment analysis platform
Authors: Li Jin , Wang Limei , Jiang Tao , Wang Jizhe , Li Xue , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Chunyu , Teng Zhixia , Zhang Ruijie , Lv Hongchao , Guo Maozu
Published: July 2016

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have mined many common genetic variants associated with human complex traits like diseases. After that, the functional annotation and enrichment analysis of significant SNPs are important tasks. Classic methods are always based on physical positions of SNPs and genes. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are genomic loci that contribute to variation in gene expression levels and have been proven efficient to connect SNPs and genes. In this work, we integrated the eQTL data and Gene Ontology (GO), constructed associations between SNPs and GO terms, then performed functional enrichment analysis. Finally, we constructed an eQTL-based SNP Ontology and SNP functional enrichment analysis platform. Taking Parkinson Disease (PD) as an example, the proposed platform and method are efficient. We believe eSNPO will be a useful resource for SNP functional annotation and enrichment analysis after we have got significant disease related SNPs.
Evaluation of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Japan
Authors: Yi Lina , Sasaki Yuka , Nagai Hideaki , Ishikawa Satoru , Takamori Mikio , Sakashita Kentaro , Saito Takefumi , Fukushima Kiyoyasu , Igarashi Yuriko , Aono Akio , Chikamatsu Kinuyo , Yamada Hiroyuki , Takaki Akiko , Mori Toru , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: July 2016

Performance of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays still needs to be improved. The data on the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), a new-generation of QFT assay are limited. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of QFT-Plus, and compared to that of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT). Blood samples were collected from 162 bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis (TB) patients and 212 Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected volunteers; these samples were then tested with QFT-GIT and QFT-Plus. The IFN-γ concentration of QFT-Plus was lower than that of QFT-GIT in TB patients (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves were compared between QFT-GIT and QFT-Plus. Both assays showed area under the curve values over 0.99 without significant difference. Using the conventional cut-off (0.35 IU/mL) for QFT-GIT, QFT-Plus had a lower sensitivity of 91.1% compared to 96.2% (p = 0.008) at its optimum cut-off (0.168 IU/mL) with the same specificity. Moreover, IFN-γ values were significantly reduced with age in QFT-GIT (p = 0.035) but not in QFT-Plus. The diagnostic performance of QFT-Plus was as accurate as that of QFT-GIT despite a lack of TB7.7 antigen and despite the decrease in quantitative values. However, the cut-off value for QFT-Plus should be considered independently from that of QFT-GIT to obtain the best sensitivity without compromising specificity.
Gold Nanoparticle–Mediated Targeted Delivery of Recombinant Human Endostatin Normalizes Tumour Vasculature and Improves Cancer Therapy
Authors: Li Wei , Zhao Xiaoxu , Du Bin , Li Xin , Liu Shuhao , Yang Xiao-Yan , Ding Hui , Yang Wende , Pan Fan , Wu Xiaobo , Qin Li , Pan Yunlong
Published: July 2016

Tumour vasculature is generally disordered because of the production of excessive angiogenic factors by tumour cells, which results in tumour progression and reduces the effectiveness of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Transient anti-angiogenic therapies that regulate tumour vascular morphology and function and improve the efficiency of antitumour therapy are under investigation. Recombinant human endostatin (Endostar/rhES) is a vascular angiogenesis–disrupting agent that has been used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the clinical setting. In this study, we used gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a drug-delivery system (DDS) for targeted tumour delivery of rhES for short therapy, which resulted in transient tumour vascular normalization, reduced permeability and hypoxia, strengthened blood vessel integrity and increased blood-flow perfusion. Moreover, combination therapy with 5-FU over this timeframe was substantially more effective than 5-FU monotherapy. In conclusion, our research demonstrates the potential use of AuNPs as a drug-delivery platform for transporting rhES into a tumour to induce transient tumour vascular normalization and enhance the antitumour efficacy of cytotoxic drugs.
Concurrent Chemotherapy of Malignant Glioma in Rats by Using Multidrug-Loaded Biodegradable Nanofibrous Membranes
Authors: Tseng Yuan-Yun , Huang Yin-Chen , Yang Tao-Chieh , Yang Shun-Tai , Liu Shou-Cheng , Chang Tzu-Min , Kau Yi-Chuan , Liu Shih-Jung
Published: July 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme has a poor prognosis and is highly chemoresistant. In this study, we implanted biodegradable 1,3-bis[2-chloroethyl]-1-nitroso-urea-, irinotecan- and cisplatin-eluting poly[(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide] (BIC/PLGA) and virgin nanofibrous membranes on the brain surface of C6 glioma-bearing rats in concurrent and virgin groups, respectively. The concentrations of all applied drugs were significantly higher in the brain than in the blood for more than 8 weeks in all studied rats. Tumor growth was more rapid in the vehicle-treated group and tumor volumes were significantly higher in the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the average survival time was significantly shorter in the vehicle-treated group (P = 0.026) and the BIC/PLGA nanofibrous membranes significantly reduced the risk of mortality (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the results suggested that the BIC/PLGA nanofibers reduced the malignancy of C6 glioma. The experimental findings indicate that the multianticancer drug (i.e., BIC)-eluting PLGA nanofibers are favorable candidates for treating malignant glioma.
A new in vitro hemagglutinin inhibitor screening system based on a single-vesicle fusion assay
Authors: Lee Hanki , Jin Wook , Jeong Byeong-Chul , Suh Joo-Won
Published: July 2016

Hemagglutinin (HA) from the influenza virus plays a pivotal role in the infection of host mammalian cells and is, therefore, a druggable target, similar to neuraminidase. However, research involving the influenza virus must be conducted in facilities certified at or above Biosafety Level 2 because of the potential threat of the contagiousness of this virus. To develop a new HA inhibitor screening system without intact influenza virus, we conceived a single-vesicle fusion assay using full-length recombinant HA. In this study, we first showed that full-length recombinant HA can mediate membrane fusion in ensemble and single-vesicle fusion assays. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) frequency pattern of single-vesicle complexes completely differed when the inhibitors targeted the HA1 or HA2 domain of HA. This result indicates that analysing the FRET patterns in this assay can provide information regarding the domains of HA inhibited by compounds and compounds’ inhibitory activities. Therefore, our results suggest that the assay developed here is a promising tool for the discovery of anti-influenza virus drug candidates as a new in vitro inhibitor screening system against HA from the influenza virus.
The mitochondrial genome of booklouse, Liposcelis sculptilis (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) and the evolutionary timescale of Liposcelis
Authors: Shi Yan , Chu Qing , Wei Dan-Dan , Qiu Yuan-Jian , Shang Feng , Dou Wei , Wang Jin-Jun
Published: July 2016

Bilateral animals are featured by an extremely compact mitochondrial (mt) genome with 37 genes on a single circular chromosome. To date, the complete mt genome has only been determined for four species of Liposcelis, a genus with economic importance, including L. entomophila, L. decolor, L. bostrychophila and L. paeta. They belong to A, B, or D group of Liposcelis, respectively. Unlike most bilateral animals, L. bostrychophila, L. entomophila and L. paeta have a bitipartite mt genome with genes on two chromosomes. However, the mt genome of L. decolor has the typical mt chromosome of bilateral animals. Here, we sequenced the mt genome of L. sculptilis and identified 35 genes, which were on a single chromosome. The mt genome fragmentation is not shared by the D group of Liposcelis and the single chromosome of L. sculptilis differed from those of booklice known in gene content and gene arrangement. We inferred that different evolutionary patterns and rate existed in Liposcelis. Further, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of 21 psocodean taxa with phylogenetic analyses, which suggested that Liposcelididae and Phthiraptera have evolved 134 Ma and the sucking lice diversified in the Late Cretaceous.