bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating and mitigating amplification bias in qualitative and quantitative arthropod metabarcoding
Authors: Krehenwinkel Henrik , Wolf Madeline , Lim Jun Ying , Rominger Andrew J. , Simison Warren B. , Gillespie Rosemary G.
Published: December 2017

Amplicon based metabarcoding promises rapid and cost-efficient analyses of species composition. However, it is disputed whether abundance estimates can be derived from metabarcoding due to taxon specific PCR amplification biases. PCR-free approaches have been suggested to mitigate this problem, but come with considerable increases in workload and cost. Here, we analyze multilocus datasets of diverse arthropod communities, to evaluate whether amplification bias can be countered by (1) targeting loci with highly degenerate primers or conserved priming sites, (2) increasing PCR template concentration, (3) reducing PCR cycle number or (4) avoiding locus specific amplification by directly sequencing genomic DNA. Amplification bias is reduced considerably by degenerate primers or targeting amplicons with conserved priming sites. Surprisingly, a reduction of PCR cycles did not have a strong effect on amplification bias. The association of taxon abundance and read count was actually less predictable with fewer cycles. Even a complete exclusion of locus specific amplification did not exclude bias. Copy number variation of the target loci may be another explanation for read abundance differences between taxa, which would affect amplicon based and PCR free methods alike. As read abundance biases are taxon specific and predictable, the application of correction factors allows abundance estimates.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone-to-Testosterone Ratio is Predictive of Positive Sperm Retrieval in Men with Idiopathic Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Authors: Alfano Massimo , Ventimiglia Eugenio , Locatelli Irene , Capogrosso Paolo , Cazzaniga Walter , Pederzoli Filippo , Frego Nicola , Matloob Rayan , Saccà Antonino , Pagliardini Luca , Viganò Paola , Zerbi Pietro , Nebuloni Manuela , Pontillo Marina , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea
Published: December 2017

The lack of clinically-reliable biomarkers makes impossible to predict sperm retrieval outcomes at testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), resulting in up to 50% of unnecessary surgical interventions. Clinical data, hormonal profile and histological classification of testis parenchyma from 47 white-Caucasian idiopathic NOA (iNOA) men submitted to microdissection TESE (microTESE) were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses tested potential clinical predictors of positive sperm retrieval. The predictive accuracy of all variables was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic-derived area under the curve, and the clinical net benefit estimated by a decision-curve analysis (DCA). Overall, 23 (49%) and 24 (51%) patients were classified as positive and negative sperm retrievals at microTESE. While circulating hormones associated to a condition of primary hypogonadism did not predict sperm retrieval, levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and the ratio AMH-to-total Testosterone (AMH/tT) achieved independent predictor status for sperm retrieval at microTESE, with a predictive accuracy of 93% and 95%. Using cutoff values of <4.62 ng/ml for AMH and <1.02 for AMH/tT, positive sperm retrieval was predicted in all individuals, with 19 men out of 47 potentially spared from surgery. DCA findings demonstrated clinical net benefit using AMH and AMH/tT for patient selection at microTESE.
TRPV1-mediated Pharmacological Hypothermia Promotes Improved Functional Recovery Following Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Cao Zhijuan , Balasubramanian Adithya , Pedersen Steen E. , Romero Jonathan , Pautler Robia G. , Marrelli Sean P.
Published: December 2017

Hypothermia shows promise for stroke neuroprotection, but current cooling strategies cause undesirable side effects that limit their clinical applications. Increasing efforts have focused on pharmacological hypothermia as a treatment option for stroke. Previously, we showed that activation of a thermoregulatory ion channel, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), by dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) produces reliable hypothermia. In this study, we investigate the effects of TRPV1-mediated hypothermia by DHC on long-term ischemic stroke injury and functional outcome. Hypothermia initiated at 3.5 hours after stroke significantly reduced primary cortical injury. Interestingly, hypothermia by DHC also significantly reduced secondary thalamic injury, as DHC-treated stroke mice exhibited 53% smaller thalamic lesion size. DHC-treated stroke mice further demonstrated decreased neuronal loss and astrogliosis in the thalamus and less thalamic fiber loss by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Importantly, a single 8 hour treatment of hypothermia by DHC after stroke provided long-term improvement in functional outcome, as DHC-treated mice exhibited improved behavioral recovery at one month post-stroke. These findings indicate that TRPV1-mediated hypothermia is effective in reducing both primary cortical injury and remote secondary thalamic injury, and a single treatment can produce persistent effects on functional recovery. These data highlight the therapeutic potential for TRPV1 agonism for stroke treatment.
Frequency-specific genetic influence on inferior parietal lobule activation commonly observed during action observation and execution
Authors: Araki Toshihiko , Onishi Mai , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Hirata Masayuki , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Ogata Soshiro , Hayakawa Kazuo , Honda Chika , Watanabe Mikio , Iwatani Yoshinori , Yorifuji Shiro
Published: December 2017

Brain activity relating to recognition of action varies among subjects. These differences have been hypothesised to originate from genetic and environmental factors although the extent of their effect remains unclear. Effects of these factors on brain activity during action recognition were evaluated by comparing magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals in twins. MEG signals of 20 pairs of elderly monozygotic twins and 11 pairs of elderly dizygotic twins were recorded while they observed finger movements and copied them. Beamformer and group statistical analyses were performed to evaluate spatiotemporal differences in cortical activities. Significant event-related desynchronisation (ERD) of the β band (13–25 Hz) at the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) was observed for both action observation and execution. Moreover, β-band ERD at the left IPL during action observation was significantly better correlated among monozygotic twins compared to unrelated pairs (Z-test, p = 0.027). β-band ERD heritability at the left IPL was 67% in an ACE model. These results demonstrate that β-band ERD at the IPL, which is commonly observed during action recognition and execution, is affected by genetic rather than environmental factors. The effect of genetic factors on the cortical activity of action recognition may depend on anatomical location and frequency characteristics.
Exploring Feature Dimensions to Learn a New Policy in an Uninformed Reinforcement Learning Task
Authors: Choung Oh-hyeon , Lee Sang Wan , Jeong Yong
Published: December 2017

When making a choice with limited information, we explore new features through trial-and-error to learn how they are related. However, few studies have investigated exploratory behaviour when information is limited. In this study, we address, at both the behavioural and neural level, how, when, and why humans explore new feature dimensions to learn a new policy for choosing a state-space. We designed a novel multi-dimensional reinforcement learning task to encourage participants to explore and learn new features, then used a reinforcement learning algorithm to model policy exploration and learning behaviour. Our results provide the first evidence that, when humans explore new feature dimensions, their values are transferred from the previous policy to the new online (active) policy, as opposed to being learned from scratch. We further demonstrated that exploration may be regulated by the level of cognitive ambiguity, and that this process might be controlled by the frontopolar cortex. This opens up new possibilities of further understanding how humans explore new features in an open-space with limited information.
Association between Neuroticism and Emotional Face Processing
Authors: Klamer Silke , Schwarz Lena , Krüger Oliver , Koch Katharina , Erb Michael , Scheffler Klaus , Ethofer Thomas
Published: December 2017

Neuroticism is one of the “Big Five” personality factors and is characterized by a tendency to experience negative affect. We aimed to investigate how neuroticism influences the neural correlates for processing of emotional facial expressions. 68 healthy participants were presented with emotional dynamic facial stimuli, i.e. happy, neutral or angry, during functional MRI. Brain activations for the contrasts emotional vs. neutral, happy vs. neutral and angry vs. neutral were correlated with individuals’ neuroticism scores as obtained by the NEO Five Factor Inventory questionnaire and additionally investigated for gender differences. The bilateral medial temporal gyrus (MTG) was identified as key region in the processing of emotional faces and activations within this region correlated with individual neuroticism scores. Although female participants showed significantly stronger activation differences between emotional and neutral facial expressions in the left MTG, the correlation between activation and neuroticism scores did not show any significant gender differences. Our results offer for the first time a biological correlate within the face processing network for enhanced reactivity of neurotic individuals to emotional facial expressions which occurs similarly for both male and female participants.
Cellulose long fibers fabricated from cellulose nanofibers and its strong and tough characteristics
Authors: Kafy Abdullahil , Kim Hyun Chan , Zhai Lindong , Kim Jung Woong , Hai Le Van , Kang Tae June , kim Jaehwan
Published: December 2017

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) with high crystallinity has great mechanical stiffness and strength. However, its length is too short to be used for fibers of environmentally friendly structural composites. This paper presents a fabrication process of cellulose long fiber from CNF suspension by spinning, stretching and drying. Isolation of CNF from the hardwood pulp is done by using (2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yl) oxidanyl (TEMPO) oxidation. The effect of spinning speed and stretching ratio on mechanical properties of the fabricated fibers are investigated. The modulus of the fabricated fibers increases with the spinning speed as well as the stretching ratio because of the orientation of CNFs. The fabricated long fiber exhibits the maximum tensile modulus of 23.9 GPa with the maximum tensile strength of 383.3 MPa. Moreover, the fabricated long fiber exhibits high strain at break, which indicates high toughness. The results indicate that strong and tough cellulose long fiber can be produced by using ionic crosslinking, controlling spinning speed, stretching and drying.
AICAR suppresses TNF-α-induced complement factor B in RPE cells
Authors: Chung Eun Jee , Efstathiou Nikolaos E. , Konstantinou Eleni K. , Maidana Daniel E. , Miller Joan W. , Young Lucy H. , Vavvas Demetrios G.
Published: December 2017

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Although its precise cause remains elusive, dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and dysregulation of complement have been implicated in its pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of an AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induction of complement factor B (CFB) in RPE cells. We found that AICAR inhibited TNF-α-induced CFB expression in ARPE-19 and human primary RPE cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Treatment of cells with dipyridamole, which blocks AICAR cellular uptake abolished these effects. In contrast, the adenosine kinase inhibitor, 5-iodotubericidin, which inhibits the conversion of AICAR to the direct activator of AMPK, ZMP, did not reverse the effects on TNF-α-induced CFB expression, suggesting AMPK-independent effects. Indeed, knockout of AMPK in RPE cells using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 did not abolish the inhibitory effects of AICAR on RPE CFB expression. Collectively, our results suggest that AICAR can suppress TNF-α-induced CFB expression in RPE cells in an AMPK-independent mechanism, and could be used as a therapeutic target in certain complement over-activation scenarios.
The transcriptome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a lipid-rich dormancy model through RNAseq analysis
Authors: Aguilar-Ayala Diana A. , Tilleman Laurentijn , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Deforce Dieter , Palomino Juan Carlos , Vandamme Peter , Gonzalez-Y-Merchand Jorge A. , Martin Anandi
Published: December 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) is currently the number one killer among infectious diseases worldwide. Lipids are abundant molecules during the infectious cycle of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and studies better mimicking its actual metabolic state during pathogenesis are needed. Though most studies have focused on the mycobacterial lipid metabolism under standard culture conditions, little is known about the transcriptome of Mtb in a lipid environment. Here we determined the transcriptome of Mtb H37Rv in a lipid-rich environment (cholesterol and fatty acid) under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, using RNAseq. Lipids significantly induced the expression of 368 genes. A main core lipid response was observed involving efflux systems, iron caption and sulfur reduction. In co-expression with ncRNAs and other genes discussed below, may act coordinately to prepare the machinery conferring drug tolerance and increasing a persistent population. Our findings could be useful to tag relevant pathways for the development of new drugs, vaccines and new strategies to control TB.
Eco-evolutionary Red Queen dynamics regulate biodiversity in a metabolite-driven microbial system
Authors: Bonachela Juan A. , Wortel Meike T. , Stenseth Nils Chr.
Published: December 2017

The Red Queen Hypothesis proposes that perpetual co-evolution among organisms can result from purely biotic drivers. After more than four decades, there is no satisfactory understanding as to which mechanisms trigger Red Queen dynamics or their implications for ecosystem features such as biodiversity. One reason for such a knowledge gap is that typical models are complicated theories where limit cycles represent an idealized Red Queen, and therefore cannot be used to devise experimental setups. Here, we bridge this gap by introducing a simple model for microbial systems able to show Red Queen dynamics. We explore diverse biotic sources that can drive the emergence of the Red Queen and that have the potential to be found in nature or to be replicated in the laboratory. Our model enables an analytical understanding of how Red Queen dynamics emerge in our setup, and the translation of model terms and phenomenology into general underlying mechanisms. We observe, for example, that in our system the Red Queen offers opportunities for the increase of biodiversity by facilitating challenging conditions for intraspecific dominance, whereas stasis tends to homogenize the system. Our results can be used to design and engineer experimental microbial systems showing Red Queen dynamics.
Genomic footprints of dryland stress adaptation in Egyptian fat-tail sheep and their divergence from East African and western Asia cohorts
Authors: Mwacharo Joram M. , Kim Eui-Soo , Elbeltagy Ahmed R. , Aboul-Naga Adel M. , Rischkowsky Barbara A. , Rothschild Max F.
Published: December 2017

African indigenous sheep are classified as fat-tail, thin-tail and fat-rump hair sheep. The fat-tail are well adapted to dryland environments, but little is known on their genome profiles. We analyzed patterns of genomic variation by genotyping, with the Ovine SNP50K microarray, 394 individuals from five populations of fat-tail sheep from a desert environment in Egypt. Comparative inferences with other East African and western Asia fat-tail and European sheep, reveal at least two phylogeographically distinct genepools of fat-tail sheep in Africa that differ from the European genepool, suggesting separate evolutionary and breeding history. We identified 24 candidate selection sweep regions, spanning 172 potentially novel and known genes, which are enriched with genes underpinning dryland adaptation physiology. In particular, we found selection sweeps spanning genes and/or pathways associated with metabolism; response to stress, ultraviolet radiation, oxidative stress and DNA damage repair; activation of immune response; regulation of reproduction, organ function and development, body size and morphology, skin and hair pigmentation, and keratinization. Our findings provide insights on the complexity of genome architecture regarding dryland stress adaptation in the fat-tail sheep and showcase the indigenous stocks as appropriate genotypes for adaptation planning to sustain livestock production and human livelihoods, under future climates.
Elucidating the 16S rRNA 3′ boundaries and defining optimal SD/aSD pairing in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis using RNA-Seq data
Authors: Wei Yulong , Silke Jordan R. , Xia Xuhua
Published: December 2017

Bacterial translation initiation is influenced by base pairing between the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence in the 5′ UTR of mRNA and the anti-SD (aSD) sequence at the free 3′ end of the 16S rRNA (3′ TAIL) due to: 1) the SD/aSD sequence binding location and 2) SD/aSD binding affinity. In order to understand what makes an SD/aSD interaction optimal, we must define: 1) terminus of the 3′ TAIL and 2) extent of the core aSD sequence within the 3′ TAIL. Our approach to characterize these components in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis involves 1) mapping the 3′ boundary of the mature 16S rRNA using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and 2) identifying the segment within the 3′ TAIL that is strongly preferred in SD/aSD pairing. Using RNA-Seq data, we resolve previous discrepancies in the reported 3′ TAIL in B. subtilis and recovered the established 3′ TAIL in E. coli. Furthermore, we extend previous studies to suggest that both highly and lowly expressed genes favor SD sequences with intermediate binding affinity, but this trend is exclusive to SD sequences that complement the core aSD sequences defined herein.
Host species adaptation of TLR5 signalling and flagellin recognition
Authors: Tahoun Amin , Jensen Kirsty , Corripio-Miyar Yolanda , McAteer Sean , Smith David G. E. , McNeilly Tom N. , Gally David L. , Glass Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2017

Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) recognition of flagellin instigates inflammatory signalling. Significant sequence variation in TLR5 exists between animal species but its impact on activity is less well understood. Building on our previous research that bovine TLR5 (bTLR5) is functional, we compared human and bovine TLR5 activity and signalling in cognate cell lines. bTLR5 induced higher levels of CXCL8 when expressed in bovine cells and reciprocal results were found for human TLR5 (hTLR5) in human cells, indicative of host cell specificity in this response. Analysis of Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) sequences indicated that these differential responses involve cognate MyD88 recognition. siRNA knockdowns and inhibitor experiments demonstrated that there are some host differences in signalling. Although, PI3K activation is required for bTLR5 signalling, mutating bTLR5 F798 to hTLR5 Y798 within a putative PI3K motif resulted in a significantly reduced response. All ruminants have F798 in contrast to most other species, suggesting that TLR5 signalling has evolved differently in ruminants. Evolutionary divergence between bovine and human TLR5 was also apparent in relation to responses measured to diverse bacterial flagellins. Our results underscore the importance of species specific studies and how differences may alter efficacy of TLR-based vaccine adjuvants.
Comparing two remote video survey methods for spatial predictions of the distribution and environmental niche suitability of demersal fishes
Authors: Galaiduk Ronen , Radford Ben T. , Wilson Shaun K. , Harvey Euan S.
Published: December 2017

Information on habitat associations from survey data, combined with spatial modelling, allow the development of more refined species distribution modelling which may identify areas of high conservation/fisheries value and consequentially improve conservation efforts. Generalised additive models were used to model the probability of occurrence of six focal species after surveys that utilised two remote underwater video sampling methods (i.e. baited and towed video). Models developed for the towed video method had consistently better predictive performance for all but one study species although only three models had a good to fair fit, and the rest were poor fits, highlighting the challenges associated with modelling habitat associations of marine species in highly homogenous, low relief environments. Models based on baited video dataset regularly included large-scale measures of structural complexity, suggesting fish attraction to a single focus point by bait. Conversely, models based on the towed video data often incorporated small-scale measures of habitat complexity and were more likely to reflect true species-habitat relationships. The cost associated with use of the towed video systems for surveying low-relief seascapes was also relatively low providing additional support for considering this method for marine spatial ecological modelling.
Ginsenoside Rg3 Decreases Fibrotic and Invasive Nature of Endometriosis by Modulating miRNA-27b: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Kim Min Kyoung , Lee Seung Kyun , Park Ji Hyun , Lee Jae Hoon , Yun Bo Hyon , Park Joo Hyun , Seo Seok Kyo , Cho SiHyun , Choi Young Sik
Published: December 2017

This research aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of Rg3 on endometriosis and identify target miRNAs. We designed an in vitro study using human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) obtained from patients with endometriosis and an in vivo study using mouse models. HESCs were treated with Rg3-enhanced red ginseng extract (Rg3E); real-time PCR and microarray profiling, transfection, and western blot were performed. Mouse endometriosis models were developed and supplemented with Rg3E for 8 weeks. Gross lesion size and fibrotic character were analyzed in the mouse models. RNA levels of Ki-67, col-1, CTGF, fibronectin, TGF-β1, MMP2 and MMP9 significantly decreased in HESCs after Rg3E treatment. Microarray analysis revealed downregulation of miR-27b-3p, which is related to fibrosis modulation. Expression of miR-27b-3p was significantly higher in HESCs from patients with endometriosis than that of controls, and Rg3E treatment significantly decreased its expression; the contraction and migration assay revealed significant reductions in both fibrosis and migration potential in Rg3E-treated HESCs from endometriosis patients. A decrease in size and fibrotic character of endometrial lesions from the Rg3E groups was observed in vivo. In conclusion, Rg3 effectively altered fibrotic properties of HESCs from patients with endometriosis, which is likely associated with miR-27b-3p modulation.
Effect of S267F variant of NTCP on the patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lee Hye Won , Park Hye Jung , Jin Bora , Dezhbord Mehrangiz , Kim Do Young , Han Kwang-Hyub , Ryu Wang-Shick , Kim Seungtaek , Ahn Sang Hoon
Published: December 2017

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) was identified as an entry receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The substitution of serine at position 267 of NTCP with phenylalanine (S267F) is an Asian-specific variation that hampers HBV entry in vitro. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of S267F polymorphism in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its association with disease progression and potential viral evolution in the preS1 domain of HBV. We found that the frequency of the S267F variant of NTCP in CHB patients and controls was 2.7% and 5.7% (P = 0.031), respectively, and that those who had S267F variant were less susceptible to chronic HBV infection. The frequency of the S267F variant in CHB, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients was 3.3%, 0.9%, and 3.5%, respectively. Thus, the S267F variant correlated significantly with a lower risk for cirrhosis (P = 0.036). Sequencing preS1 domain of HBV from the patients who had S267F variant revealed no significant sequence change compared to the wild type. In conclusion, the S267F variant of NTCP is clinically associated with a lower risk of chronic HBV infection and cirrhosis development, which implicates suppressing HBV entry could reduce the disease burden.
Effects of snow properties on humans breathing into an artificial air pocket – an experimental field study
Authors: Strapazzon Giacomo , Paal Peter , Schweizer Jürg , Falk Markus , Reuter Benjamin , Schenk Kai , Gatterer Hannes , Grasegger Katharina , Dal Cappello Tomas , Malacrida Sandro , Riess Lukas , Brugger Hermann
Published: December 2017

Breathing under snow, e.g. while buried by a snow avalanche, is possible in the presence of an air pocket, but limited in time as hypoxia and hypercapnia rapidly develop. Snow properties influence levels of hypoxia and hypercapnia, but their effects on ventilation and oxygenation in humans are not fully elucidated yet. We report that in healthy subjects breathing into snow with an artificial air pocket, snow density had a direct influence on ventilation, oxygenation and exhaled CO2. We found that a rapid decline in O2 and increase in CO2 were mainly associated with higher snow densities and led to premature interruption due to critical hypoxia (SpO2 ≤ 75%). However, subjects in the low snow density group demonstrated a higher frequency of test interruptions than expected, due to clinical symptoms related to a rapid CO2 accumulation in the air pocket. Snow properties determine the oxygen support by diffusion from the surrounding snow and the clearance of CO2 by diffusion and absorption. Thus, snow properties are co-responsible for survival during avalanche burial.
Proteasome stress sensitizes malignant pleural mesothelioma cells to bortezomib-induced apoptosis
Authors: Cerruti Fulvia , Jocollè Genny , Salio Chiara , Oliva Laura , Paglietti Luca , Alessandria Beatrice , Mioletti Silvia , Donati Giovanni , Numico Gianmauro , Cenci Simone , Cascio Paolo
Published: December 2017

Based on promising results in preclinical models, clinical trials have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib towards malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an aggressive cancer arising from the mesothelium of the serous cavities following exposure to asbestos. Unexpectedly, only minimal therapeutic benefits were observed, thus implicating that MPM harbors inherent resistance mechanisms. Identifying the molecular bases of this primary resistance is crucial to develop novel pharmacologic strategies aimed at increasing the vulnerability of MPM to bortezomib. Therefore, we assessed a panel of four human MPM lines with different sensitivity to bortezomib, for functional proteasome activity and levels of free and polymerized ubiquitin. We found that highly sensitive MPM lines display lower proteasome activity than more bortezomib-resistant clones, suggesting that reduced proteasomal capacity might contribute to the intrinsic susceptibility of mesothelioma cells to proteasome inhibitors-induced apoptosis. Moreover, MPM equipped with fewer active proteasomes accumulated polyubiquitinated proteins, at the expense of free ubiquitin, a condition known as proteasome stress, which lowers the cellular apoptotic threshold and sensitizes mesothelioma cells to bortezomib-induced toxicity as shown herein. Taken together, our data suggest that an unfavorable load-versus-capacity balance represents a critical determinant of primary apoptotic sensitivity to bortezomib in MPM.
Extracellular Cyclic GMP Modulates Membrane Expression of The GluA1 and GluA2 Subunits of AMPA Receptor in Cerebellum: Molecular Mechanisms Involved
Authors: Cabrera-Pastor Andrea , Taoro-González Lucas , Cuñat Amparo N. , Canet-López David , Balzano Tiziano , Felipo Vicente
Published: December 2017

There is increasing evidence that extracellular cGMP modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission and some forms of learning. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We proposed the hypotheses that extracellular cGMP may regulate membrane expression of AMPA receptors. To do this extracellular cGMP should act on a membrane protein and activate signal transduction pathways modulating phosphorylation of the GluA1 and/or GluA2 subunits. It has been shown that extracellular cGMP modulates glycine receptors. The aims of this work were to assess: 1) whether extracellular cGMP modulates membrane expression of GluA1 and GluA2 subunits of AMPA receptors in cerebellum in vivo; 2) whether this is mediated by glycine receptors; 3) the role of GluA1 and GluA2 phosphorylation and 4) identify steps of the intracellular pathways involved. We show that extracellular cGMP modulates membrane expression of GluA1 and GluA2 in cerebellum in vivo and unveil the mechanisms involved. Extracellular cGMP reduced glycine receptor activation, modulating cAMP, protein kinases and phosphatases, and GluA1 and GluA2 phosphorylation, resulting in increased GluA1 and reduced GluA2 membrane expression. Extracellular cGMP therefore modulates membrane expression of AMPA receptors and glutamatergic neurotransmission. The steps identified may be therapeutic targets to improve neurotransmission and neurological function in pathological situations with abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission.
A next-generation newborn screening pilot study: NGS on dried blood spots detects causal mutations in patients with inherited metabolic diseases
Authors: Boemer F. , Fasquelle C. , d’Otreppe S. , Josse C. , Dideberg V. , Segers K. , Guissard V. , Capraro V. , Debray FG. , Bours V.
Published: December 2017

The range of applications performed on dried blood spots (DBS) widely broadened during the past decades to now include next-generation sequencing (NGS). Previous publications provided a general overview of NGS capacities on DBS-extracted DNA but did not focus on the identification of specific disorders. We thus aimed to demonstrate that NGS was reliable for detecting pathogenic mutations on genomic material extracted from DBS. Assuming the future implementation of NGS technologies into newborn screening (NBS), we conducted a pilot study on fifteen patients with inherited metabolic disorders. Blood was collected from DBS. Whole-exome sequencing was performed, and sequences were analyzed with a specific focus on genes related to NBS. Results were compared to the known pathogenic mutations previously identified by Sanger sequencing. Causal mutations were readily characterized, and multiple polymorphisms have been identified. According to variant database prediction, an unexplained homozygote pathogenic mutation, unrelated to patient’s disorder, was also found in one sample. While amount and quality of DBS-extracted DNA are adequate to identify causal mutations by NGS, bioinformatics analysis revealed critical drawbacks: coverage fluctuations between regions, difficulties in identifying insertions/deletions, and inconsistent reliability of database-referenced variants. Nevertheless, results of this study lead us to consider future perspectives regarding “next-generation” NBS.
Antibacterial activity of ceramide and ceramide analogs against pathogenic Neisseria
Authors: Becam Jérôme , Walter Tim , Burgert Anne , Schlegel Jan , Sauer Markus , Seibel Jürgen , Schubert-Unkmeir Alexandra
Published: December 2017

Certain fatty acids and sphingoid bases found at mucosal surfaces are known to have antibacterial activity and are thought to play a more direct role in innate immunity against bacterial infections. Herein, we analysed the antibacterial activity of sphingolipids, including the sphingoid base sphingosine as well as short-chain C6and long-chain C16-ceramides and azido-functionalized ceramide analogs against pathogenicNeisseriae. Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) demonstrated that short-chain ceramides and a ω-azido-functionalized C6-ceramide were active againstNeisseria meningitidisandN. gonorrhoeae, whereas they were inactive againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus. Kinetic assays showed that killing ofN.meningitidisoccurred within 2 h with ω–azido-C6-ceramide at 1 X the MIC. Of note, at a bactericidal concentration, ω–azido-C6-ceramide had no significant toxic effect on host cells. Moreover, lipid uptake and localization was studied by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and revealed a rapid uptake by bacteria within 5 min. CLSM and super-resolution fluorescence imaging bydirectstochastic optical reconstruction microscopy demonstrated homogeneous distribution of ceramide analogs in the bacterial membrane. Taken together, these data demonstrate the potent bactericidal activity of sphingosine and synthetic short-chain ceramide analogs against pathogenicNeisseriae.
Advancing climate science with knowledge-discovery through data mining
Authors: Bracco Annalisa , Falasca Fabrizio , Nenes Athanasios , Fountalis Ilias , Dovrolis Constantine
Published: December 2017

Global climate change represents one of the greatest challenges facing society and ecosystems today. It impacts key aspects of everyday life and disrupts ecosystem integrity and function. The exponential growth of climate data combined with Knowledge-Discovery through Data-mining (KDD) promises an unparalleled level of understanding of how the climate system responds to anthropogenic forcing. To date, however, this potential has not been fully realized, in stark contrast to the seminal impacts of KDD in other fields such as health informatics, marketing, business intelligence, and smart city, where big data science contributed to several of the most recent breakthroughs. This disparity stems from the complexity and variety of climate data, as well as the scientific questions climate science brings forth. This perspective introduces the audience to benefits and challenges in mining large climate datasets, with an emphasis on the opportunity of using a KDD process to identify patterns of climatic relevance. The focus is on a particular method, δ-MAPS, stemming from complex network analysis. δ-MAPS is especially suited for investigating local and non-local statistical interrelationships in climate data and here is used is to elucidate both the techniques, as well as the results-interpretation process that allows extracting new insight. This is achieved through an investigation of similarities and differences in the representation of known teleconnections between climate reanalyzes and climate model outputs.
Urban atmospheric chemistry: a very special case for study
Authors: Harrison Roy M.
Published: December 2017

Studies of the chemistry of the urban atmosphere provide special challenges which arise from the high density of emissions, strong concentration gradients and relatively high pollutant concentrations. In contrast to the regional and global atmosphere, local dispersion processes play a much larger role in determining atmospheric concentrations and also have a substantial effect on chemical transformations. On the other hand, residence times in the urban atmosphere are relatively short, hence limiting the range of chemical reaction processes which are significant. Some key species such as the hydroxyl radical have different predominant source processes in the urban and the regional atmosphere. A case is made that the differences are so large that urban atmospheric chemistry needs to be given special treatment and cannot simply be considered as subtlely different from regional and global atmosphere studies.
Psychomotor function measured via online activity predicts motor vehicle fatality risk
Authors: Althoff Tim , Horvitz Eric , White Ryen W.
Published: December 2017

Impaired psychomotor performance severely increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal car accidents. However, we currently lack methods to continuously and non-intrusively monitor psychomotor performance. We show we can estimate psychomotor function at population scale from 16 billion observations of typing speeds during the input of web search queries. We show that these estimates exhibit diurnal variation with a substantial increase during typical sleep times, matching published accident risk rates. Further, we show that psychomotor impairment, as measured by keystroke timing, predicts motor vehicle fatality risk on a population level (Spearman ρ = 0.61; p « 10−10). The methods and results highlight a promising direction of harnessing ambient streams of data, such as patterns of interactions with devices, as large-scale sensors to continuously and non-intrusively monitor human psychomotor performance at population scale.
Chemistry of extracting high-contrast invisible fingerprints from transparent and colored substrates using a novel phosphorescent label
Authors: Swati G. , Bishnoi Swati , Singh Paramjeet , Lohia Naina , Jaiswal Vishnu V. , Dalai M. K. , Haranath D.
Published: December 2017

Conventional fluorescent powders for developing latent fingerprints show characteristics of complicated operation, auto-fluorescence interference and high toxicity. To overcome these issues, we report a facile methodology to extract high contrast fingerprints on non-porous and porous substrates using a phosphorescent label.
Tuning the activity of the inert MoS2 surface via graphene oxide support doping towards chemical functionalization and hydrogen evolution: a density functional study
Authors: Tang Shaobin , Wu Weihua , Zhang Shiyong , Ye Dongnai , Zhong Ping , Li Xiaokang , Liu Liangxian , Li Ya-Fei
Published: December 2017

A N-doped GO support effectively tunes the activity of the inert MoS2 surface towards chemical functionalization and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
The mechanism of electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide on silver nanoparticles
Authors: Cai Xiaosheng , Tanner Eden E. L. , Lin Chuhong , Ngamchuea Kamonwad , Foord John S. , Compton Richard G.
Published: December 2017

Reduction of hydrogen peroxide on silver nanoparticle modified electrodes in the neutral solution proceeds through a CE mechanism.
Microwave-induced synthesis of a bimetallic charge-transfer metal organic framework: a promising host for the chemical fixation of CO2
Authors: Kurisingal Jintu Francis , Babu Robin , Kim Seol-Hee , Li Yi Xin , Chang Jong-San , Cho Sung June , Park Dae-Won
Published: December 2017

Ni–Co bimetallic MOF was prepared and used as a catalyst for epoxide-CO2 cycloaddition.
Insight into the role of UV-irradiation in photothermal catalytic Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over TiO2 nanotube-supported cobalt nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Limin , Zhang Yichi , Gu Xiaojun , Zhang Yulong , Su Haiquan
Published: December 2017

To explore an efficient catalytic system with high activity and selectivity is the key to improve Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology and the main focus in the academic field.
An altered tissue distribution of flaxseed lignans and their metabolites in Abcg2 knockout mice
Authors: García-Mateos Dafne , García-Villalba Rocío , Otero Jon A. , Marañón José A. , Espín Juan C. , Álvarez Ana I. , Merino Gracia
Published: December 2017

The ABCG2 transporter affects the tissue distribution of lignans and their microbial-derived enterolignans after a repeated flaxseed administration.
MicroRNAs as novel endogenous targets for regulation and therapeutic treatments
Authors: Cha Wenzhang , Fan Rengen , Miao Yufeng , Zhou Yong , Qin Chenglin , Shan Xiangxiang , Wan Xinqiang , Cui Ting
Published: December 2017

In this review paper, we summarize exogenous small molecules and synthetic oligonucleotides that can regulate endogenous microRNAs.
Allenamide as a bioisostere of acrylamide in the design and synthesis of targeted covalent inhibitors
Authors: Chen Deheng , Guo Dexiang , Yan Ziqin , Zhao Yujun
Published: December 2017

The success of acrylamide-containing drugs in treating cancers has spurred a passion to search for acrylamide bioisosteres.
Controlled growth of vertically aligned ultrathin In2S3 nanosheet arrays for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Li Ming , Tu Xinglong , Su Yanjie , Lu Jing , Hu Jing , Cai Baofang , Zhou Zhihua , Yang Zhi , Zhang Yafei
Published: December 2017

A facile solvothermal method is proposed for the controllable growth of vertically aligned In2S3 nanosheet arrays, which show remarkably enhanced photoelectrochemical performance for water oxidation after forming a heterojunction with ZnO.
Optical trapping and optical force positioning of two-dimensional materials
Authors: Donato M. G. , Messina E. , Foti A. , Smart T. J. , Jones P. H. , Iatì M. A. , Saija R. , Gucciardi P. G. , Maragò O. M.
Published: December 2017

Optical forces are used for trapping, characterization, and positioning of layered materials (hBN, MoS2, and WS2) obtained by liquid phase exfoliation.
Probing fibronectin conformation on a protein corona layer around nanoparticles
Authors: Raoufi Mohammad , Hajipour Mohammad Javad , Kamali Shahri Seyed Mehdi , Schoen Ingmar , Linn Uwe , Mahmoudi Morteza
Published: December 2017

Proteins adsorbed on the protein corona-coated NPs through protein–protein interaction undergo less structural changes than those directly attach to the surface of NP.
Fabrication of an artificial nanosucker device with a large area nanotube array of metallic glass
Authors: Chen Wei-Ting , Manivannan Karthikeyan , Yu Chia-Chi , Chu Jinn P. , Chen Jem-Kun
Published: December 2017

By applying a voltage, the hydrophobicity (left) of a 500 nm diameter metallic glass nanotube array (right) can be varied and enhanced.
Controlled growth and optical response of a semi-hollow plasmonic nanocavity and ultrathin sulfide nanosheets on Au/Ag platelets
Authors: Xie Ying , Pan Gui-Ming , Li Ying-Ying , Chen Kai , Lin Yong-Jie , Zhou Li , Wang Qu-Quan
Published: December 2017

We expanded a strategy to construct a semi-hollow plasmonic nanocavity and grow 2D ultrathin sulfide nanosheets inside.
Intrinsic rippling enhances static non-reciprocity in a graphene metamaterial
Authors: Ho Duc Tam , Park Harold S. , Kim Sung Youb
Published: December 2017

A graphene metamaterial exhibits significantly enhanced static non-reciprocal response due to a striking interplay between out-of-plane ripples and stress fields of graphene.
A typical diffusion monitored by flow cytometry: slow diffusion of small molecules in polyelectrolyte multilayers
Authors: Donath E. , Vardanyan I. , Meyer S. , Murray R. A. , Moya S. E. , Navoyan Z. , Arakelyan V.
Published: December 2017

An innovative approach has been developed to measure small molecule diffusion in polyelectrolyte multilayers assembled on colloidal particles by means of flow cytometry.
Ethylene/vinyl acetate-based macrocycles via organometallic-mediated radical polymerization and CuAAC ‘click’ reaction
Authors: Demarteau Jérémy , De Winter Julien , Detrembleur Christophe , Debuigne Antoine
Published: December 2017

Sequential organometallic-mediated radical polymerization and copper-catalyzed Huisgen dipolar cycloaddition ring-closure led to unique vinyl acetate and ethylene-containing macrocycles.
Anin situstudy on the solid state decomposition of ammonia borane: unmitigated by-product suppression by a naturally abundant layered clay mineral
Authors: Roy Binayak , Manna Joydev , Pal Urbi , Hajari Animesh , Bishnoi Ankita , Sharma Pratibha
Published: December 2017

Borazine is a by-product often encountered in the thermal decomposition of ammonia borane, which leads to an inescapable hindrance towards sustainability and cost effectiveness.
Fe/Fe3C@graphitic carbon shell embedded in carbon nanotubes derived from Prussian blue as cathodes for Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Lai Yanqing , Jiao Yifeng , Song Junxiao , Zhang Kai , Li Jie , Zhang Zhian
Published: December 2017

Novel nanostructured catalysts were designed by a one-step controlled pyrolysis method and exhibited better performance for lithium–oxygen batteries.
Homologous Co3O4‖CoP nanowires grown on carbon cloth as a high-performance electrode pair for triclosan degradation and hydrogen evolution
Authors: Lyu Chaojie , Zheng Jinlong , Zhang Rui , Zou Ruqiang , Liu Bin , Zhou Wei
Published: December 2017

High efficiency TCS degradation and H2evolution are achieved simultaneously by an electrochemical method using the Co3O4NWs/CC‖CoP NWs/CC electrode pair.
Enhanced photoreduction of Cr(vi) and photooxidation of NO over TiO2−x mesoporous single crystals
Authors: Zhou Yi , Fang Wenzhang , Deng Yuanxin , Pan Lihan , Shen Bin , Li Hexing , Hu Yun , Chen Haijun , Xing Mingyang , Zhang Jinlong
Published: December 2017

The extended wide-spectrum absorption and the high-active holes and electrons on Ti3+-MSCs lead to the high decontamination ability and an improved selectivity of NO2 in the NOx photo-oxidation process.
Tetraphenylethylene- and fluorene-functionalized near-infrared aza-BODIPY dyes for living cell imaging
Authors: Zhu Li , Xie Wensheng , Zhao Lingyun , Zhang Yongjie , Chen Zhijian
Published: December 2017

The new NIR absorbing aza-BODIPY dyes bearing tetraphenylethylene and fluorinyl substituents were synthesized and characterized. The application potential of these new dyes in living cell imaging was demonstrated.
A low-loss electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metamaterial based on coupling between electric and toroidal dipoles
Authors: Zhu Lei , Dong Liang , Guo Jing , Meng Fan-Yi , He Xun Jun , Zhao Chun Hui , Wu Qun
Published: December 2017

Herein, a low-loss metamaterial by incorporating an electric toroidal dipole response into electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect has been achieved, which is numerically and experimentally demonstrated.
Samarium doped Sn15Sb85: a promising material for phase change memory applications
Authors: Zou Hua , Zhai Liangjun , Hu Yifeng , Zhu Xiaoqin , You Haipeng , Zhang Jianhao , Song Sannian , Song Zhitang
Published: December 2017

Thermal stability of phase change films is key for phase change memory applications. Sm doped Sn15Sb85thin films were prepared by magnetron sputtering. Compared with none doped films, the thermal stability of the film was significantly improved.
Highly luminescent silver nanocluster-doped fluorophosphate glasses for microfabrication of 3D waveguides
Authors: Fares H. , Santos S. N. C. , Santos M. V. , Franco D. F. , Souza A. E. , Manzani D. , Mendonça C. R. , Nalin M.
Published: December 2017

Highly photoluminescent glasses were prepared by embedding silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) in a fluorophosphate matrix using a melt-quenching method.
Sub-nanosecond tryptophan radical deprotonation mediated by a protein-bound water cluster in class II DNA photolyases
Authors: Müller Pavel , Ignatz Elisabeth , Kiontke Stephan , Brettel Klaus , Essen Lars-Oliver
Published: December 2017

Light activation of class II DNA photolyases is enhanced by a unique cluster of protein-bound water molecules.
A modular synthetic route to size-defined immunogenicHaemophilus influenzaeb antigens is key to the identification of an octasaccharide lead vaccine candidate
Authors: Baek J. Y. , Geissner A. , Rathwell D. C. K. , Meierhofer D. , Pereira C. L. , Seeberger P. H.
Published: December 2017

AHaemophilus influenzaeb vaccine lead antigen was identified by the immunological evaluation of chemically precisely defined capsular polysaccharide repeating unit oligosaccharides.
First transparent oxide ion conducting ceramics synthesized by full crystallization from glass
Authors: Boyer Marina , Yang Xiaoyan , Fernández Carrión Alberto José , Wang Quanchao , Véron Emmanuel , Genevois Cécile , Hennet Louis , Matzen Guy , Suard Emmanuelle , Thiaudière Dominique , Castro Célia , Pelloquin Denis , Kong Ling Bing , Kuang Xiaojun , Allix Mathieu
Published: December 2017

New transparent Ln1+xSr1−xGa3O7+δ (Eu/Gd/Tb) melilite ceramics, elaborated by full crystallization from glass, show anionic conductivity (>0.01 S cm−1 at 700 °C).