bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knoten in der Schilddrüse – wie weiter?
Authors: Murer Karin , Müller Werner
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung: Asymptomatische Schilddrüsenknoten treten sehr häufig auf und werden zunehmend als sogenannte Inzidentalome im Rahmen von radiologischen Halsuntersuchungen entdeckt. Ist ein Schilddrüsenknoten dokumentiert stellt sich die Frage wie der Befund nun weiter abgeklärt werden soll. Das Ziel ist es die sehr seltenen bösartigen Befunde mit auch insgesamt sehr geringer Mortalität zu erkennen und einer adäquaten Therapie zu zuführen. Die Funktionsdiagnostik mittels Bestimmung des Thyroidea stimulierende Hormons (TSH) gehört dabei zu jeder Abklärung von Schilddrüsenknoten. Ist das Hormon supprimiert, wird zur Suche eines heissen Knotens eine Szintigraphie durchgeführt. Der Ultraschall ist die Bildgebung der Wahl für die Schilddrüse und liefert Informationen bezüglich Grösse, Anzahl und Aufbau der Knoten. Je nach vorhandenen sonomorphologischen Kriterien und anderen möglichen Risikofaktoren wird zur weiteren Abklärung eine Feinnadelpunktion des auffälligen Knotens durchgeführt. Anhand des zytologischen Resultates soll dann das weitere therapeutische Procedere bestimmt werden.
Riechstörung
Authors: Welge-Lüssen Antje
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung: Riechstörungen sind häufig, etwa 3 – 5 % der unter 65-jährigen Bevölkerung sind davon betroffen. Mit zunehmendem Alter steigen diese Zahlen auf über 50 % an. Grundsätzlich werden qualitative von quantitativen Störungen unterschieden, wobei erstere im Gegensatz zu den quantitativen Störungen nicht messbar sind. Da die subjektive Selbsteinschätzung des Riechvermögens sehr ungenau ist, ist beim Beklagen einer Riechstörung stets eine Riechtestung durchzuführen. Im klinischen Alltag werden dazu psychophysisch orientierend validierte Screening Riechtests oder aber, bei auffälligem Befund, weiterführend eine ausführliche psychophysische Testbatterie, die Sniffin' Sticks Testbatterie eingesetzt. Das Riechvermögen kann danach als norm-, hyp- oder anosmisch klassifiziert werden. Ergänzend können olfaktorisch evozierte Potentiale elektrophysiologisch abgeleitet werden, die insbesondere in medicolegalen Fällen von Belang sind. Gemäss Anamnese, klinischer und endoskopischer Untersuchung sowie nach ergänzender Bildgebung erfolgt die Klassifikation der Riechstörung je nach Ätiologie, wobei die Mehrheit der Riechstörungen sinunasal bedingt ist. Bei fehlendem eindeutigem Auslöser einer Riechstörung ist eine neurodegenerative Erkrankung auszuschliessen. Mit zunehmendem Alter muss das Vorhandensein einer Riechstörung als Ausdruck einer möglicherweise gesamthaft reduzierten Regenrationsfähigkeit gesehen werden, was sich bis hin zu einer erhöhten Mortalitätsrate bei entsprechenden Personen äussern kann.
Optimal Cut-Off Score of Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory-Brief	Form
Authors: Garcia-Lopez Luis-Joaquin , Beidel Deborah , Muela-Martinez Jose-Antonio , Espinosa-Fernandez Lourdes
Published: May 2016

Abstract. No cut-off scores for the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory-Brief (SPAI-B) are available to screen for young adults with and without social anxiety disorder (SAD). In addition, there is a currently heated debate on the utility of the performance-only specifier in DSM-5. The present study is aimed at covering these gaps. Participants included 124 young adults in higher education with a clinical diagnosis of SAD and 81 healthy controls. The SPAI-B scores revealed a continuum of severity among the nonclinical population, performance-only specifier participants, and those with both performance and social interactional fears. Data suggested to use a rounded cut-off of 24 to screen for patients with both performance and interactional fears, and a rounded cut-off score of 23 for young adults with performance-only specifier. Findings demonstrated that the SPAI-B is particularly useful as a screening measure among young adults in higher education, but the limited discriminative capacity of the performance-only specifier may call into question the clinical utility of this recently established specifier.
Characterization of MUDENG, a novel anti-apoptotic protein
Authors: Choi J-H , Lim J-B , Wickramanayake D D , Wagley Y , Kim J , Lee H-C , Seo H G , Kim T-H , Oh J-W
Published: May 2016

MUDENG (Mu-2-related death-inducing gene, MuD) is revealed to be involved in cell death signaling. Astrocytes, the major glial cell type in the central nervous system, are a source of brain tumors. In this study, we examined MuD expression and function in human astroglioma cells. Stimulation of U251-MG cells with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resulted in a 40% decrease in cell viability and a 33% decrease in MuD protein levels, although not in MuD mRNA levels. To study the functional relevance of MuD expression, stable transfectants expressing high levels of MuD were generated. Stimulation of these transfectants with TRAIL resulted in enhanced cell survival (77% for stable and 46% for control transfectants). Depletion of MuD led to a marked reduction upon TRAIL stimulation in cell viability (22% in MuD-depleted cells and 54% in control cells). In addition, we observed that MuD depletion increased the susceptibility of the cells to TRAIL by enhancing the cleavage of caspase-3/-9 and BH3-interacting domain death agonist (Bid). A unique 25-kDa fragment of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) lacking BH4 was observed 60–180 min post TRAIL treatment in MuD-depleted cells, suggesting that Bcl-2 is converted from its anti-apoptotic form to the truncated pro-apoptotic form. Importantly, the TRAIL-mediated decrease in cell viability in MuD-depleted cells was abrogated upon Bid depletion, indicating that the role of MuD in apoptotic signaling takes place at the Bid and Bcl-2 junction. MuD localizes predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum and partly in the mitochondria and its amounts are reduced 6 h post TRAIL stimulation, presumably via caspase-3-mediated MuD cleavage. Collectively, these results suggest that MuD, a novel signaling protein, not only possesses an anti-apoptotic function but may also constitute an important target for the design of ideal candidates for combinatorial treatment strategies for glioma cells.
Toward fully quantum modelling of ultrafast photodissociation imaging experiments. Treating tunnelling in the ab initio multiple cloning approach
Authors: Makhov Dmitry V. , Martinez Todd J. , Shalashilin Dmitrii V.
Published: May 2016

We present an account of our recent effort to improve simulation of the photodissociation of small heteroaromatic molecules using the Ab Initio Multiple Cloning (AIMC) algorithm. The ultimate goal is to create a quantitative and converged technique for fully quantum simulations which treats both electrons and nuclei on a fully quantum level. We calculate and analyse the total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra and Velocity Map Images (VMI), and compare the results directly with experimental measurements. In this work, we perform new extensive calculations using an improved AIMC algorithm that now takes into account the tunnelling of hydrogen atoms. This can play an extremely important role in photodissociation dynamics.
Pervaporation-assisted catalytic conversion of xylose to furfural
Authors: Wang Alex , Balsara Nitash P. , Bell Alexis T.
Published: May 2016

A reactor/membrane system was designed, built, and tested for improved furfural production from xylose.
1.4.1 Hydrolysis of Nitriles to Amides
Authors: Asano Y.
Published: May 2016

Nitrile hydratase (NHase; EC 4.2.1.84) catalyzes the hydration of nitriles to form amides. The reaction catalyzed by nitrile hydratase is strikingly fast and versatile and a wide range of nitriles, including aromatic and arylalkyl nitriles, α- and β-substituted nitriles, and aminonitriles can be hydrated to the corresponding amides. Although nitrile hydratase generally has low stereoselectivity, its use in conjunction with highly stereospecific amidases provides a valuable route for the stereoselective synthesis of carboxylic acids. The powerful nature of nitrile hydratase has had a huge impact on the progress of applied microbiology, enzyme engineering, and enzyme-catalyzed organic synthesis. The best-known applications of nitrile hydratase on an industrial scale are the production of acrylamide and nicotinamide from acrylonitrile and pyridine-3-carbonitrile, respectively.

This chapter provides an overview of the current scope of nitrile hydratase mediated reactions and focuses on whole-cell biotransformations.
Field and frequency modulated sub-THz electron spin resonance spectrometer
Authors: Caspers Christian , da Silva Pedro Freire , Soundararajan Murari , Haider M. Ali , Ansermet Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2016

260-GHz radiation is used for a quasi-optical electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer which features both field and frequency modulation. Free space propagation is used to implement Martin-Puplett interferometry with quasi-optical isolation, mirror beam focusing, and electronic polarization control. Computer-aided design and polarization pathway simulation lead to the design of a compact interferometer, featuring lateral dimensions less than a foot and high mechanical stability, with all components rated for power levels of several Watts suitable for gyrotron radiation. Benchmark results were obtained with ESR standards (BDPA, DPPH) using field modulation. Original high-field ESR of 4f electrons in Sm3+-doped Ceria was detected using frequency modulation. Distinct combinations of field and modulation frequency reach a signal-to-noise ratio of 35 dB in spectra of BDPA, corresponding to a detection limit of about 1014 spins.
Low-energy anomalies in electron tunneling through strongly asymmetric Majorana nanowire
Authors: Shkop A. D. , Parafilo A. V. , Krive I. V. , Shekhter R. I.
Published: May 2016

Electron transport through Majorana nanowire with strongly asymmetric couplings to normal metal leads is considered. In three terminal geometry (electrically grounded nanowire) it is shown that the presence of unbiased electrode restores zero-bias anomaly even for strong Majorana energy splitting. For effectively two-terminal geometry we show that electrical current through asymmetric Majorana junction is qualitatively different from the analogous current through a resonant (Breit-Wigner) level.
Thermal conductivity of argon-SiO2 cryocrystal nanocomposite
Authors: Nikonkov R. V. , Stachowiak P. , Jeżowski A. , Krivchikov A. I.
Published: May 2016

The effective thermal conductivity of samples of cryocrystal nanocomposite obtained from argon and SiO2 nanopowder was determined in the temperature interval 2–35 K using the steady-state method. The thermal conductivity of crystalline argon with nanoparticles of amorphous silica oxide embedded in its structure shows a weak dependence on particle linear dimension in the interval 5–42 nm. The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites can be well approximated by taking into account only the two mechanisms of heat carrier scattering: phonon-phonon interaction in U-processes and scattering of phonons by dislocations.
New ab initio adiabatic potential energy surfaces and bound state calculations for the singlet ground X̃1A1 and excited C̃1B2(21A′) states of SO2
Authors: Kłos Jacek , Alexander Millard H. , Kumar Praveen , Poirier Bill , Jiang Bin , Guo Hua
Published: May 2016

We report new and more accurate adiabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the ground X̃1A1 and electronically excited C̃1B2(21A′) states of the SO2 molecule. Ab initio points are calculated using the explicitly correlated internally contracted multi-reference configuration interaction (icMRCI-F12) method. A second less accurate PES for the ground X̃ state is also calculated using an explicitly correlated single-reference coupled-cluster method with single, double, and non-iterative triple excitations [CCSD(T)-F12]. With these new three-dimensional PESs, we determine energies of the vibrational bound states and compare these values to existing literature data and experiment.
Factorial-type Schur functions, orthogonal rational functions, and discrete dressing chains
Authors: Miyaura Ryosuke , Mukaihira Atsushi
Published: May 2016

A relationship between orthogonal rational functions and discrete integrable systems is studied by an approach based on Schur-type symmetric functions. A system of orthogonal rational functions is constructed using a multiparameter deformation of the Schur functions. Spectral equations for the orthogonal rational functions are derived by using properties of the Schur-type symmetric functions. The compatibility condition of the spectral equations induces a discrete dressing chain which is a Toda-type discrete integrable system describing dressing transformations for orthogonal rational functions.
Ergodicity of non-uniformly expanding transitive group (or semigroup) actions
Authors: Rashid A. A. , Zamani Bahabadi A.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we prove that every non-uniformly expanding transitive group (or semigroup) action of C1+α conformal local diffeomorphisms of a compact manifold is ergodic with respect to the Lebesgue measure.
A Lie based 4–dimensional higher Chern–Simons theory
Authors: Zucchini Roberto
Published: May 2016

We present and study a model of 4–dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory, special Chern–Simons (SCS) theory, instances of which have appeared in the string literature, whose symmetry is encoded in a skeletal semistrict Lie 2–algebra constructed from a compact Lie group with non discrete center. The field content of SCS theory consists of a Lie valued 2–connection coupled to a background closed 3–form. SCS theory enjoys a large gauge and gauge for gauge symmetry organized in an infinite dimensional strict Lie 2–group. The partition function of SCS theory is simply related to that of a topological gauge theory localizing on flat connections with degree 3 second characteristic class determined by the background 3–form. Finally, SCS theory is related to a 3–dimensional special gauge theory whose 2–connection space has a natural symplectic structure with respect to which the 1–gauge transformation action is Hamiltonian, the 2–curvature map acting as moment map.
DFT-D2 simulations of water adsorption and dissociation on the low-index surfaces of mackinawite (FeS)
Authors: Dzade N. Y. , Roldan A. , de Leeuw N. H.
Published: May 2016

The adsorption and dissociation of water on mackinawite (layered FeS) surfaces were studied using dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations. The catalytically active sites for H2O and its dissociated products on the FeS {001}, {011}, {100}, and {111} surfaces were determined, and the reaction energetics and kinetics of water dissociation were calculated using the climbing image nudged elastic band technique. Water and its dissociation products are shown to adsorb more strongly onto the least stable FeS{111} surface, which presents low-coordinated cations in the surface, and weakest onto the most stable FeS{001} surface. The adsorption energies decrease in the order FeS{111} > FeS{100} > FeS{011} > FeS{001}. Consistent with the superior reactivity of the FeS{111} surface towards water and its dissociation products, our calculated thermochemical energies and activation barriers suggest that the water dissociation reaction will take place preferentially on the FeS nanoparticle surface with the {111} orientation. These findings improve our understanding of how the different FeS surface structures and the relative stabilities dictate their reactivity towards water adsorption and dissociation.
The effect of an external magnetic field pulse on a magnetically ordered system at low temperatures
Authors: Zvyagin A. A.
Published: May 2016

A theoretical study of how external magnetic field pulses affect the magnon system of a magnetically-ordered magnet. It is shown that for a magnetic system in which the projection of the total spin moment, parallel to the external magnetic field, is not conserved, the field pulse causes magnetization vibrations, related to pulse duration. The amplitude and frequency of these vibrations is non-linearly dependent on the amplitude of the field pulse and the relaxation parameters. In the case of a short field pulse, the change in magnetization it causes is proportional to the square of its duration.
Effect of van der Waals interactions on the stability of SiC polytypes
Authors: Kawanishi Sakiko , Mizoguchi Teruyasu
Published: May 2016

Density functional theory calculations with a correction of the long-range dispersion force, namely, the van der Waals (vdW) force, are performed for SiC polytypes. The lattice parameters are in good agreement with those obtained from the experiments. Furthermore, the stability of the polytypes in the experiments, which show 3C-SiC as the most stable, is reproduced by the present calculations. The effects of the vdW force on the electronic structure and the stability of polytypes are discussed. We observe that the vdW interaction is more sensitive to the cubic site than the hexagonal site. Thus, the influence of the vdW force increases with decreasing the hexagonality of the polytype, which results in the confirmation that the most stable polytype is 3C-SiC.
The band-gap enhanced photovoltaic structure
Authors: Tessler Nir
Published: May 2016

We critically examine the recently suggested structure that was postulated to potentially add 50% to the photo-conversion efficiency of organic solar cells. We find that the structure could be realized using stepwise increase in the gap as long as the steps are not above 0.1 eV. We also show that the charge extraction is not compromised due to an interplay between the contact's space charge and the energy level modification, which result in a flat energy band at the extracting contact.
The effects of junction interdiffusion and misfit dislocations on the efficiency of highly mismatched heterojunction photovoltaic devices
Authors: Mendis B. G. , Treharne R. E. , Lane D. W. , Durose K.
Published: May 2016

A general modelling methodology has been developed to evaluate the effects of chemical interdiffusion and misfit dislocations on the performance of heterojunction solar cells made from highly mismatched materials. Results for the exemplar materials system CdS-CdTe are contrary to the widely held belief that such interdiffusion is beneficial to photovoltaic performance. In the model, recombination is presumed to take place at the cores of misfit dislocations, with the distribution of these dislocations in the interdiffused layer being calculated so as to minimise the total energy (an incidental result shows that the total number of dislocations is independent of the diffusion profile). The model takes calculated chemical profiles, optical absorption, and dislocation distributions from which the photovoltaic performance and recombination losses are evaluated. It was shown that for the realistic case in which the interdiffused region does not extend beyond the space charge region, the photovoltage losses dominate over any photocurrent gains. Methods to engineer mixed junctions that may increase solar conversion efficiency are discussed.
The origin of the strong microwave absorption in black TiO2
Authors: Li Kexue , Xu Jilian , Yan Xiaodong , Liu Lei , Chen Xiaobo , Luo Yongshi , He Jun , Shen D. Z.
Published: May 2016

In this study, the mechanism of the strong microwave absorption in black TiO2 nanoparticles has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. In experiment, the amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles/paraffin wax composites show the reflection loss (RL) of −4.0 dB, which is much smaller compared with the RL of −49.0 dB in those core/shell structure ones. Theoretically, the calculation illustrates that the accumulated charge of 1013 cm−3 at the core/shell interface results in the plasmon resonance with the incident microwave frequency at 9.3 GHz and 27.0 GHz. The microwave absorption enhancement of the black TiO2 nanoparticles is proposed to originate from the synergy mechanism between their crystalline-cores and amorphous-shells, rather than the defects and impurities in amorphous phase.
Electrically modulated magnetoelectric sensors
Authors: Hayes P. , Salzer S. , Reermann J. , Yarar E. , Röbisch V. , Piorra A. , Meyners D. , Höft M. , Knöchel R. , Schmidt G. , Quandt E.
Published: May 2016

Magnetoelectric thin film composites have demonstrated their potential to detect sub-pT magnetic fields if mechanical resonances (typically few hundred Hz to a few kHz) are utilized. At low frequencies (1–100 Hz), magnetic field-induced frequency conversion has enabled wideband measurements with resonance-enhanced sensitivities by using the nonlinear characteristics of the magnetostriction curve. Nevertheless, the modulation with a magnetic field with a frequency close to the mechanical resonance results in a number of drawbacks, which are, e.g., size and energy consumption of the sensor as well as potential crosstalk in sensor arrays. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of an electric frequency conversion of a magnetoelectric sensor which would overcome the drawbacks of magnetic frequency conversion. This magnetoelectric sensor consists of three functional layers: an exchange biased magnetostrictive multilayer showing a high piezomagnetic coefficient without applying a magnetic bias field, a non-linear piezoelectric actuation layer and a linear piezoelectric sensing layer. In this approach, the low frequency magnetic signal is shifted into the mechanical resonance of the sensor, while the electric modulation frequency is chosen to be either the difference or the sum of the resonance and the signal frequency. Using this electric frequency conversion, a limit of detection in the low nT/Hz1/2 range was shown for signals of low frequency.
A low-temperature study of manganese-induced ferromagnetism and valence band convergence in tin telluride
Authors: Chi Hang , Tan Gangjian , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Li Qiang , Uher Ctirad
Published: May 2016

SnTe is renowned for its promise in advancing energy-related technologies based on thermoelectricity and for its topological crystalline insulator character. Here, we demonstrate that each Mn atom introduces ∼4 μB (Bohr magneton) of magnetic moment to Sn1−xMnxTe. The Curie temperature TC reaches ∼14 K for x = 0.12, as observed in the field dependent hysteresis of magnetization and the anomalous Hall effect. In accordance with a modified two-band electronic Kane model, the light L-valence-band and the heavy Σ-valence-band gradually converge in energy with increasing Mn concentration, leading to a decreasing ordinary Hall coefficient RH and a favorably enhanced Seebeck coefficient S at the same time. With the thermal conductivity κ lowered chiefly via point defects associated with the incorporation of Mn, the strategy of Mn doping also bodes well for efficient thermoelectric applications at elevated temperatures.
Performance of pre-deformed flexible piezoelectric cantilever in energy harvesting
Authors: Wang Pengyingkai , Sui Li , Shi Gengchen , Liu Guohua
Published: May 2016

This paper proposes a novel structure for pre-rolled flexible piezoelectric cantilevers that use wind energy to power a submunition electrical device. Owing to the particular installation position and working environment, the submunition piezoelectric cantilever should be rolled when not working, but this pre-rolled state can alter the energy harvesting performance. Herein, a working principle and installation method for piezoelectric cantilevers used in submunitions are introduced. To study the influence of the pre-rolled state, pre-rolled piezoelectric cantilevers of different sizes were fabricated and their performances were studied using finite element analysis simulations and experiments. The simulation results show that the resonance frequency and stiffness of the pre-rolled structure is higher than that of a flat structure. Results show that, (1) for both the pre-rolled and flat cantilever, the peak voltage will increase with the wind speed. (2) The pre-rolled cantilever has a higher critical wind speed than the flat cantilever. (3) For identical wind speeds and cantilever sizes, the peak voltage of the flat cantilever (45 V) is less than that of the pre-rolled cantilever (56 V). (4) Using a full-bridge rectifier, the output of the pre-rolled cantilever can sufficiently supply a 10 μF capacitor, whose output voltage may be up to 23 V after 10 s. These results demonstrate that the pre-rolled piezoelectric cantilever and its installation position used in this work are more suitable for submunition, and its output sufficiently meets submunition requirements.
Essential role of methyl donors in animal productivity
Authors: Cronje P. B.
Published: May 2016

Dietary requirements for the methyl donors, choline, betaine and folate, in livestock species are poorly defined and have not been included in diet formulation software or simulation models for animals. A deficiency of methyl donors may promote an inflammatory state, which is significant for the livestock industry because chronic low-grade inflammation is widespread among livestock under commercial conditions. Furthermore, recent evidence showing that methyl donors activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, an anti-inflammatory master switch, indicates that dietary methyl-donor supplementation could be used to prevent or ameliorate chronic inflammation and its sequelae in livestock, which include fatty liver disease in dairy cows, fatty liver and kidney syndrome in broilers, fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome in layers, gut ulcers in pigs, liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, enteritis in poultry and susceptibility to heat stress in all species. Because of the complexity of interactions among methyl donors, a modelling approach inclusive of a supporting research effort will be required to harness the potential of methyl-donor supplementation in livestock production.
Impact of high-severity fire in a Tasmanian dry eucalypt forest
Authors: Prior Lynda D. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: May 2016

Dry eucalypt forests are believed to be highly fire tolerant, but their response to fire is not well quantified. We measured the effect of high-severity fires in dry eucalypt forest in the Tasmanian Midlands, the driest region on the island. We compared stand structures and fuel loads in long-unburnt (>15 years since fire) and recently burnt (<5 years since fire) sites that had been completely defoliated. Even in unburnt plots, 37% of eucalypt stems and 56% of acacia stems ≥5 cm in diameter were dead, possibly because of antecedent drought. The density of live eucalypt stems was 37% lower overall in burnt than in unburnt plots, compared with 78% lower for acacias. Whole-plant mortality caused by fire was estimated at 25% for eucalypt trees and 33% for acacias. Fire stimulated establishment of both eucalypt and acacia seedlings, although some seedlings and saplings were present in long-unburnt plots. The present study confirmed that eucalypts in dry forests are more tolerant of fire than the obligate seeder eucalypts in wet forests. However, there were few live mature stems remaining in some burnt plots, suggesting that dry eucalypt forests could be vulnerable to increasingly frequent, severe fires.
Sliding of centrosome-unattached microtubules defines key features of neuronal phenotype
Authors: Rao Anand N. , Falnikar Aditi , O’Toole Eileen T. , Morphew Mary K. , Hoenger Andreas , Davidson Michael W. , Yuan Xiaobing , Baas Peter W.
Published: May 2016

Contemporary models for neuronal migration are grounded in the view that virtually all functionally relevant microtubules (MTs) in migrating neurons are attached to the centrosome, which occupies a position between the nucleus and a short leading process. It is assumed that MTs do not undergo independent movements but rather transduce forces that enable movements of the centrosome and nucleus. The present results demonstrate that although this is mostly true, a small fraction of the MTs are centrosome-unattached, and this permits limited sliding of MTs. When this sliding is pharmacologically inhibited, the leading process becomes shorter, migration of the neuron deviates from its normal path, and the MTs within the leading process become buckled. Partial depletion of ninein, a protein that attaches MTs to the centrosome, leads to greater numbers of centrosome-unattached MTs as well as greater sliding of MTs. Concomitantly, the soma becomes less mobile and the leading process acquires an elongated morphology akin to an axon.
Regulation of podocalyxin trafficking by Rab small GTPases in 2D and 3D epithelial cell cultures
Authors: Mrozowska Paulina S. , Fukuda Mitsunori
Published: May 2016

MDCK II cells, a widely used model of polarized epithelia, develop into different structures depending on culture conditions: two-dimensional (2D) monolayers when grown on synthetic supports or three-dimensional (3D) cysts when surrounded by an extracellular matrix. The establishment of epithelial polarity is accompanied by transcytosis of the apical marker podocalyxin from the outer plasma membrane to the newly formed apical domain, but its exact route and regulation remain poorly understood. Here, through comprehensive colocalization and knockdown screenings, we identified the Rab GTPases mediating podocalyxin transcytosis and showed that different sets of Rabs coordinate its transport during cell polarization in 2D and 3D structures. Moreover, we demonstrated that different Rab35 effectors regulate podocalyxin trafficking in 2D and 3D environments; trafficking is mediated by OCRL in 2D monolayers and ACAP2 in 3D cysts. Our results give substantial insight into regulation of the transcytosis of this apical marker and highlight differences between trafficking mechanisms in 2D and 3D cell cultures.
Secretory cargo sorting by Ca2+-dependent Cab45 oligomerization at the trans-Golgi network
Authors: Crevenna Alvaro H. , Blank Birgit , Maiser Andreas , Emin Derya , Prescher Jens , Beck Gisela , Kienzle Christine , Bartnik Kira , Habermann Bianca , Pakdel Mehrshad , Leonhardt Heinrich , Lamb Don C. , von Blume Julia
Published: May 2016

Sorting and export of transmembrane cargoes and lysosomal hydrolases at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) are well understood. However, elucidation of the mechanism by which secretory cargoes are segregated for their release into the extracellular space remains a challenge. We have previously demonstrated that, in a reaction that requires Ca2+, the soluble TGN-resident protein Cab45 is necessary for the sorting of secretory cargoes at the TGN. Here, we report that Cab45 reversibly assembles into oligomers in the presence of Ca2+. These Cab45 oligomers specifically bind secretory proteins, such as COMP and LyzC, in a Ca2+-dependent manner in vitro. In intact cells, mutation of the Ca2+-binding sites in Cab45 impairs oligomerization, as well as COMP and LyzC sorting. Superresolution microscopy revealed that Cab45 colocalizes with secretory proteins and the TGN Ca2+ pump (SPCA1) in specific TGN microdomains. These findings reveal that Ca2+-dependent changes in Cab45 mediate sorting of specific cargo molecules at the TGN.
Tipping the spindle into the right position
Authors: Akhmanova Anna , van den Heuvel Sander
Published: May 2016

The position of the mitotic spindle determines the cleavage plane in animal cells, but what controls spindle positioning? Kern et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201510117) demonstrate that the microtubule plus end–associated SKAP/Astrin complex participates in this process, possibly by affecting dynein-dependent pulling forces exerted on the tips of astral microtubules.
Rab-mediated membrane trafficking and the control of epithelial cell polarity
Authors: Ioannou Maria S. , McPherson Peter S.
Published: May 2016

Development of cell polarity requires apical trafficking of podocalyxin; yet the regulation of its transport is unclear. In this issue, Mrozowska and Fukuda (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201512024) demonstrate that different sets of Rabs and Rab effectors are used to regulate podocalyxin trafficking in two- versus three-dimensional model systems.
NLRP3 recruitment by NLRC4 during Salmonella infection
Authors: Qu Yan , Misaghi Shahram , Newton Kim , Maltzman Allie , Izrael-Tomasevic Anita , Arnott David , Dixit Vishva M.
Published: May 2016

NLRC4 and NLRP3, of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family of intracellular proteins, are expressed in innate immune cells and are thought to nucleate distinct inflammasome complexes that promote caspase-1 activation, secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and a form of cell death termed pyroptosis. We show that NLRP3 associates with NLRC4 in macrophages infected with Salmonella typhimurium or transfected with flagellin. The significance of the interaction between the NLRC4 NACHT domain and NLRP3 was revealed when Nlrc4S533A/S533A bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) expressing phosphorylation site mutant NLRC4 S533A had only a mild defect in caspase-1 activation when compared with NLRC4-deficient BMDMs. NLRC4 S533A activated caspase-1 by recruiting NLRP3 and its adaptor protein ASC. Thus, Nlrc4S533A/S533A Nlrp3−/− BMDMs more closely resembled Nlrc4−/− BMDMs in their response to S. typhimurium or flagellin. The interplay between NLRP3 and NLRC4 reveals an unexpected overlap between what had been considered distinct inflammasome scaffolds.
Myeloid cell transmigration across the CNS vasculature triggers IL-1β–driven neuroinflammation during autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Lévesque Sébastien A. , Paré Alexandre , Mailhot Benoit , Bellver-Landete Victor , Kébir Hania , Lécuyer Marc-André , Alvarez Jorge Ivan , Prat Alexandre , Vaccari Juan Pablo de Rivero , Keane Robert W. , Lacroix Steve
Published: May 2016

Growing evidence supports a role for IL-1 in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), but how it impacts neuroinflammation is poorly understood. We show that susceptibility to EAE requires activation of IL-1R1 on radiation-resistant cells via IL-1β secreted by bone marrow–derived cells. Neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) are the main source of IL-1β and produce this cytokine as a result of their transmigration across the inflamed blood–spinal cord barrier. IL-1R1 expression in the spinal cord is found in endothelial cells (ECs) of the pial venous plexus. Accordingly, leukocyte infiltration at EAE onset is restricted to IL-1R1+ subpial and subarachnoid vessels. In response to IL-1β, primary cultures of central nervous system ECs produce GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-6, Cxcl1, and Cxcl2. Initiation of EAE or subdural injection of IL-1β induces a similar cytokine/chemokine signature in spinal cord vessels. Furthermore, the transfer of Gr1+ cells on the spinal cord is sufficient to induce illness in EAE-resistant IL-1β knockout (KO) mice. Notably, transfer of Gr1+ cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice induce massive recruitment of recipient myeloid cells compared with cells from IL-1β KO donors, and this recruitment translates into more severe paralysis. These findings suggest that an IL-1β–dependent paracrine loop between infiltrated neutrophils/MDMs and ECs drives neuroinflammation.
Single-cell transcriptional analysis of normal, aberrant, and malignant hematopoiesis in zebrafish
Authors: Moore Finola E. , Garcia Elaine G. , Lobbardi Riadh , Jain Esha , Tang Qin , Moore John C. , Cortes Mauricio , Molodtsov Aleksey , Kasheta Melissa , Luo Christina C. , Garcia Amaris J. , Mylvaganam Ravi , Yoder Jeffrey A. , Blackburn Jessica S. , Sadreyev Ruslan I. , Ceol Craig J. , North Trista E. , Langenau David M.
Published: May 2016

Hematopoiesis culminates in the production of functionally heterogeneous blood cell types. In zebrafish, the lack of cell surface antibodies has compelled researchers to use fluorescent transgenic reporter lines to label specific blood cell fractions. However, these approaches are limited by the availability of transgenic lines and fluorescent protein combinations that can be distinguished. Here, we have transcriptionally profiled single hematopoietic cells from zebrafish to define erythroid, myeloid, B, and T cell lineages. We also used our approach to identify hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and a novel NK-lysin 4+ cell type, representing a putative cytotoxic T/NK cell. Our platform also quantified hematopoietic defects in rag2E450fs mutant fish and showed that these fish have reduced T cells with a subsequent expansion of NK-lysin 4+ cells and myeloid cells. These data suggest compensatory regulation of the innate immune system in rag2E450fs mutant zebrafish. Finally, analysis of Myc-induced T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed that cells are arrested at the CD4+/CD8+ cortical thymocyte stage and that a subset of leukemia cells inappropriately reexpress stem cell genes, including bmi1 and cmyb. In total, our experiments provide new tools and biological insights into single-cell heterogeneity found in zebrafish blood and leukemia.
The diversity of thick galactic discs
Authors: Kasparova Anastasia V. , Katkov Ivan Yu. , Chilingarian Igor V. , Silchenko Olga K. , Moiseev Alexey V. , Borisov Svyatoslav B.
Published: May 2016

Although thick stellar discs are detected in nearly all edge-on disc galaxies, their formation scenarios still remain a matter of debate. Due to observational difficulties, there is a lack of information about their stellar populations. Using the Russian 6-m telescope BTA we collected deep spectra of thick discs in three edge-on S0-a disc galaxies located in different environments: NGC 4111 in a dense group, NGC 4710 in the Virgo cluster, and NGC 5422 in a sparse group. We see intermediate age (4–5 Gyr) metal rich ([Fe/H] ∼− 0.2…0.0 dex) stellar populations in NGC 4111 and NGC 4710. On the other hand, NGC 5422 does not harbour young stars, its disc is thick and old (10 Gyr), without evidence for a second component, and its α-element abundance suggests a 1.5–2 Gyr long formation epoch implying its formation at high redshift. Our results suggest the diversity of thick disc formation scenarios.
Compliance with Gluten‐Free Labelling Regulation in the Brazilian Food Industry
Authors: Mattioni Bruna , Scheuer Patricia M. , Antunes Andre L. , Paulino Niraldo , de Francisco Alicia
Published: May 2016

Gluten is an important protein complex for baking products found in wheat, rye, barley, and some oat varieties. However, some people need to avoid these grains and their products because they result in gluten‐related disorders. The only treatment for these individuals is to engage in a gluten‐free diet. The objective of this work was to verify if the gluten content of several commercial food products sold in Brazil complied with their labeling. The Méndez ELISA R5 sandwich method was used to analyze 437 samples, and of these, 70% were labeled as gluten‐free, 26% as containing gluten, and 4% not labeled in relation to gluten. The results indicated that 89% of the products labeled as gluten‐free were correctly labeled and 11% were not, which represented a risk for celiac people.
Poplar–Root Knot Nematode Interaction: A Model for Perennial Woody Species
Authors: Baldacci-Cresp Fabien , Sacré Pierre-Yves , Twyffels Laure , Mol Adeline , Vermeersch Marjorie , Ziemons Eric , Hubert Philippe , Pérez-Morga David , El Jaziri Mondher , Engler Janice de Almeida , Baucher Marie
Published: May 2016

Plant root-knot nematode (RKN) interaction studies are performed on several host plant models. Though RKN interact with trees, no perennial woody model has been explored so far. Here, we show that poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba) grown in vitro is susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita, allowing this nematode to penetrate, to induce feeding sites, and to successfully complete its life cycle. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to study changes in poplar gene expression in galls compared with noninfected roots. Three genes (expansin A, histone 3.1, and asparagine synthase), selected as gall development marker genes, followed, during poplar-nematode interaction, a similar expression pattern to what was described for other plant hosts. Downregulation of four genes implicated in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway was evidenced in galls, suggesting a shift in the phenolic profile within galls developed on poplar roots. Raman microspectroscopy demonstrated that cell walls of giant cells were not lignified but mainly composed of pectin and cellulose. The data presented here suggest that RKN exercise conserved strategies to reproduce and to invade perennial plant species and that poplar is a suitable model host to study specific traits of tree-nematode interactions.
β1 Tubulin Rather Than β2 Tubulin Is the Preferred Binding Target for Carbendazim inFusarium graminearum
Authors: Zhou Yujun , Zhu Yuanye , Li Yanjun , Duan Yabing , Zhang Rongsheng , Zhou Mingguo
Published: May 2016

Tubulins are the proposed target of anticancer drugs, anthelminthics, and fungicides. In Fusarium graminearum, β2 tubulin has been reported to be the binding target of methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicides. However, the function of F. graminearum β1 tubulin, which shares 76% amino acid sequence identity with β2 tubulin, in MBC sensitivity has been unclear. In this study, MBC sensitivity relative to that of a parental strain (2021) was significantly reduced in a β1 tubulin deletion strain but increased in a β2 tubulin deletion strain, suggesting that β1 tubulin was involved in the MBC sensitivity of F. graminearum. When strain 2021 was grown in a medium with a low or high concentration of the MBC fungicide carbendazim (0.5 or 1.4 μg/ml), the protein accumulation levels were reduced by 47 and 87%, respectively, for β1 tubulin but only by 6 and 24%, respectively, for β2 tubulin. This result was consistent with observations that MBC fungicides are more likely to disrupt β1 tubulin microtubules rather than β2 tubulin microtubules in GFP-β tubulin fusion mutants in vivo. Furthermore, sequence analysis indicated that a difference in tubulin amino acid 240 (240L in β1 versus 240F in β2) may explain the difference in MBC binding affinity; this result was consistent with the result that an F240L mutation in β2 tubulin greatly increased sensitivity to carbendazim in F. graminearum. We suggest that β1 tubulin rather than β2 tubulin is the preferred binding target for MBC fungicides in F. graminearum.
Pyricularia graminis-triticisp. nov., a newPyriculariaspecies causing wheat blast
Authors: Castroagudín V.L. , Moreira S.I. , Pereira D.A.S. , Moreira S.S. , Brunner P.C. , Maciel J.L.N. , Crous P.W. , McDonald B.A. , Alves E. , Ceresini P.C.
Published: May 2016

AbstractPyricularia oryzaeis a species complex that causes blast disease on more than 50 species of poaceous plants.Pyricularia oryzaehas a worldwide distribution as a rice (Oryza) pathogen and in the last 30 years emerged as an important wheat (Triticum) pathogen in southern Brazil. We conducted phylogenetic analyses using 10 housekeeping loci for 128 isolates ofP. oryzaesampled from sympatric populations of grasses growing in or near wheat fields. Phylogenetic analyses grouped the isolates into three major clades. Clade 1 comprised isolates associated only with rice and corresponds to the previously described rice blast pathogenP. oryzaepathotypeOryza(PoO). Clade 2 comprised isolates associated almost exclusively with wheat and corresponds to the previously described wheat blast pathogenP. oryzaepathotypeTriticum(PoT). Clade 3 contained isolates obtained from wheat as well as otherPoaceaehosts. We found that Clade 3 is distinct fromP. oryzaeand represents a new species,Pyricularia graminis-tritici, (Pgt). No morphological differences were observed among these species, but a distinctive pathogenicity spectrum was observed. Pgt and PoT were pathogenic and highly aggressive onTriticum aestivum(wheat),Hordeum vulgare(barley),Urochloa brizantha(signal grass) andAvena sativa(oats). PoO was highly virulent on the original rice host (Oryza sativa), and also on wheat, barley, and oats, but not on signal grass. We conclude that blast disease on wheat and its associatedPoaceaehosts in Brazil is caused by multiplePyriculariaspecies.Pyricularia graminis-triticiwas recently found causing wheat blast in Bangladesh. This indicates thatP. graminis-triticirepresents a serious threat to wheat cultivation globally.
Higher fungal diversity is correlated with lower CO2emissions from dead wood in a natural forest: BioRxiv preprint
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Schaefer Douglas A. , Liu Weijie , Popescu Viorel D. , Yang Chenxue , Wang Xiaoyang , Wu Chunying , Yu Douglas W.
Published: May 2016

Wood decomposition releases almost as much CO2to the atmosphere as does fossil-fuel combustion, so the factors regulating wood decomposition can affect global carbon cycling. We used metabarcoding to estimate the fungal species diversities of naturally colonized decomposing wood in subtropical China and, for the first time, compared them to concurrent measures of CO2emissions. Wood hosting more diverse fungal communities emitted less CO2, with Shannon diversity explaining 26 to 44% of emissions variation. Community analysis supports a ‘pure diversity’ effect of fungi on decomposition rates and thus suggests that interference competition is an underlying mechanism. Our findings extend the results of published experiments using low-diversity, laboratory-inoculated wood to a high-diversity, natural system. We hypothesize that high levels of saprotrophic fungal biodiversity could be providing globally important ecosystem services by maintaining dead-wood habitats and by slowing the atmospheric contribution of CO2from the world’s stock of decomposing wood. However, large-scale surveys and controlled experimental tests in natural settings will be needed to test this hypothesis.
Molecular Genetic Tools and Techniques in Fission Yeast
Authors: Murray Johanne M. , Watson Adam T. , Carr Antony M.
Published: May 2016

The molecular genetic tools used in fission yeast have generally been adapted from methods and approaches developed for use in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Initially, the molecular genetics of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was developed to aid gene identification, but it is now applied extensively to the analysis of gene function and the manipulation of noncoding sequences that affect chromosome dynamics. Much current research using fission yeast thus relies on the basic processes of introducing DNA into the organism and the extraction of DNA for subsequent analysis. Targeted integration into specific genomic loci is often used to create site-specific mutants or changes to noncoding regulatory elements for subsequent phenotypic analysis. It is also regularly used to introduce additional sequences that generate tagged proteins or to create strains in which the levels of wild-type protein can be manipulated through transcriptional regulation and/or protein degradation. Here, we draw together a collection of core molecular genetic techniques that underpin much of modern research using S. pombe. We summarize the most useful methods that are routinely used and provide guidance, learned from experience, for the successful application of these methods.