bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life Science Applications Utilizing Radiocarbon Tracing
Authors: Salehpour M , Håkansson K , Westermark P , Antoni G , Wikström G , Possnert G
Published: January 2017

Radiocarbon-based accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facilities at Uppsala University include a measurement center for archaeological applications and a separate entity dedicated to life science research. This paper addresses the latter, with the intention of giving a brief description of the biomedical activities at our laboratory, as well as presenting new data. The ultra-small sample preparation method, which can be used down to a few μg C samples, is outlined and complemented with new results. Furthermore, it is shown that the average secondary ion current performance for small samples can be improved by increasing the distance between the cathode surface and the pressed graphite surface. Finally, data is presented for a new application: Amyloidoses are a group of diseases where the conformational changes in specific proteins' structure lead to the formation of extracellular deposits that spread and increase in mass and eventually may lead to total organ failure and death. The formation timeframe is unknown and yet it is an important clue for the elucidation of the mechanism. We present results on bomb-peak dating of 4 different types of purified amyloid proteins from human postmortem heart and spleen samples. The data indicates that the average measured age of the carbon originating from the systemic amyloid types studied here correspond to a few years before the death of the subject. This suggests that a major part of the fibril formation takes place during the last few years before death, rather than as an accumulation of amyloid deposits over decades.
Evolution of Radiocarbon in a Sandy Aquifer Across Large Temporal and Spatial Scales: Case Study from Southern Poland
Authors: Dulinski M , Rozanski K , Kuc T , Gorczyca Z , Kania J , Kapusta M
Published: January 2017

We present the results of a comprehensive study aimed at tracing the evolution of carbon isotopic composition of the TDIC (total dissolved inorganic carbon) reservoir from the unsaturated zone down to the discharge area, in a sandy aquifer near Kraków, southern Poland. A multilevel well penetrating the unsaturated zone in the study area was equipped with horizontally mounted lysimeters with ceramic suction cups to collect samples of pore water and metal probes to collect soil air. Strong seasonal fluctuations were observed of soil pCO2 extending down to the water table, coupled with distinct, well-defined depth profiles of δ13CTDIC reaching approximately −10′ at 8 m depth and almost constant radiocarbon content in the TDIC pool, comparable to 14CO2 levels in the local atmosphere. Simple models (closed/open system) do not account for the observed depth variations of carbon isotopic composition of the TDIC pool. This suggests that the TDIC reservoir of pore waters is evolving under conditions gradually changing from an open towards a closed system. In order to explain 13C and 14C content of dissolved carbonates in groundwater in the recharge area of the studied aquifer, additional sources of carbon in the system are considered, such as organic matter decomposition accompanied by reduction of dissolved nitrates and sulfates. The piston-flow l4C ages of groundwater in the confined part of the studied system were calculated using 2 approaches: 1) the correction model proposed by Fontes and Garnier (1979) was used to calculate groundwater ages, utilizing the chemical and carbon isotopic data available for the sampled wells; and 2) inverse geochemical modeling was performed for selected pairs of wells using NETHPATH code. The calculated 14C ages of groundwater range from approximately 0.6 to 37.5 ka BP. Although both methods appeared to be in a broad agreement, NETHPATH calculations revealed that isotopic exchange processes between TDIC pool and solid carbonates present in relatively small amounts in the aquifer matrix play an important role in controlling the 13C and 14C signatures of the dissolved carbonate species in groundwater and should be taken into account when 14C ages are calculated.
Assessing Groundwater Residence Time in a Highly Anthropized Unconfined Aquifer Using Bomb Peak 14C and Reconstructed Irrigation Water 3H
Authors: Baudron Paul , Barbecot Florent , Gillon Marina , Aróstegui José Luis García , Travi Yves , Leduc Christian , Castillo Francisco Gomariz , Martinez-Vicente David
Published: January 2017

Radiocarbon decay is rarely used to assess the residence time of modern groundwater due to the low resolution of its long half-life in comparison to the expected range of ages. Nonetheless, the modern 14C peak induced by the nuclear bomb tests traces efficiently the impacts of recent human activities on groundwater recharge, as well as for tritium. A simple lumped parameter model (LPM) was implemented in order to assess the interest of 14C and 3H nuclear peaks in a highly anthropized aquifer system of southeastern Spain under intense agricultural development. It required i) to assess a correction factor for modern 14C activities and ii) to reconstruct the 3H recharge input function, affected by irrigation. In such a complex hydrogeological context, an exponential model did not provide satisfying results for all samples. A better solution was reached by taking into account the qualitative recent variation of the recharge rates into a combined exponential flow and piston flow model. Apart from presenting an uncommon approach for 14C dating of modern groundwater, this study highlights the need of considering not only the variation of the tracer but also the variability of recharge rates in LPMs.
Radiocarbon and Stable Isotopes as Groundwater Tracers in the Danube River Basin of SW Slovakia
Authors: Povinec P P , Ženišová Z , Šivo A , Ogrinc N , Richtáriková M , Breier R
Published: January 2017

Horizontal and vertical variations in the distribution of 14C, δ13C, δ18O, and δ2H in groundwater of Žitný Island (Rye Island) have been studied. Žitný Island, situated in the Danube River Basin, is the largest island in Europe that is formed by interconnected rivers. It is also the largest groundwater reservoir in central Europe (∼1010 m3 of drinking water). The δ2H vs. δ18O plot made from collected groundwater samples showed an agreement with the Global Meteoric Water Line. In the eastern part of the island, it was found that subsurface water profiles (below 10 m water depth) showed enriched δ18O levels, which were probably caused by large evaporation losses and the practice of irrigating the land for agriculture. The core of the subsurface 14C profile represents contemporary groundwater with 14C values >80 pMC, indicating that the Danube River during all its water levels feeds most of the groundwater of Žitný Island. However, on the eastern part of the island a small area was found where the δ13C and 14C data (down to ∼30 pMC) helped to identify a groundwater aquifer formed below the Neogene clay sediments. This is the first time that vertical distributions of isotopes in different groundwater horizons have been studied.
Carbon Cycling and Organic Radiocarbon Reservoir Effect in a Meromictic Crater Lake (Lac Pavin, Puy-de-Dôme, France)
Authors: Albéric Patrick , Jézéquel Didier , Bergonzini Laurent , Chapron Emmanuel , Viollier Eric , Massault Marc , Michard Gil
Published: January 2017

Lac Pavin is a meromictic maar lake for which the interpretation of sediment radiocarbon dates is complicated by the existence of a largely undefined reservoir effect resulting from degradation of carbon stored in the bottom layer of the water column. A data set of the contemporary 14C distribution of dissolved and particulate organic pools in the water column is presented to address this issue. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and organic carbon (DOC), plankton, suspended particulate organic carbon (POCsusp), sinking POC (POCsink), and bottom sediment organic carbon (SOC) were analyzed. Present-day Δ14C values of DIC were measured ranging from −750′ in the monimolimnion to atmospheric values in lake surface waters and in spring inlet waters. A range of Δ14C values between −200 and −300′ was observed for superficial POCsusp, POCsink, SOC, and DOC. This relatively uniform 14C offset of the exported organic production from the surface waters to the bottom represents a contemporary reservoir effect of ∼2500 yr. Laminated buried sediment samples and terrestrial vegetal macro-remains were used to evaluate temporal reservoir effect variations since the formation of the crater lake (7 ka cal BP). Buried sediment layers presented a similar offset or showed larger differences between Δ14C values of bulk sediment and terrestrial plant remains (–400 to −500′). Furthermore, an almost 0-yr reservoir effect was inferred from the sediment layers deposited just above the volcanic bedrock at the early flooding of the crater, and increasing slightly within the first centuries of the lake's history. A second objective was to tentatively model a defined scenario of the cycling of carbon in the lake capable of predicting a modern reservoir effect. Alternative scenarios were then tested for which a larger contribution of deeper DIC would provide a model compatible with larger past reservoir effects. It is concluded that using Δ14C SOC variation in laminated lake sediments as a proxy of paleolimnological conditions may be valuable provided that more data on the dynamics of the 14C composition of plankton and more detailed sampling of laminated sediment layers are available.
PERCEPTION PRACTICE, PRODUCTION PRACTICE, AND MUSICAL ABILITY IN L2 MANDARIN TONE-WORD LEARNING
Authors: Li Man , DeKeyser Robert
Published: January 2017

This study examined the differential effects of systematic perception and production practice and the role of musical ability in learning Mandarin tone-words by native English-speaking adults in a training study. In this study, all participants (N = 38; 19 for each practice group) were first taught declarative knowledge of Mandarin tones and of the target words on the first day. They had to reach criterion performance on the test of vocabulary before they started to engage in either perception or production practice on the second day. Each participant went through three practice sessions on three separate days. Immediate posttests assessing learning outcomes in both perceptive and productive skills were administered on the last day. Musical tonal ability tests were administered to all participants and used as a covariate. The results showed that performance was far worse when participants were tested on the reverse skill than when they were tested on the practiced skill in terms of both error rates and reaction times, providing strong support for the skill-specificity hypothesis. Musical tonal ability was found to correlate with accuracy performance in both tone-word perception and production.
Does breast-feeding reduce offspring junk food consumption during childhood? Examinations by socio-economic status and race/ethnicity
Authors: Jackson Dylan B , Johnson Kecia R
Published: January 2017

Objective

To examine whether breast-feeding duration and socio-economic status (SES) interact to predict junk food consumption among offspring and whether the interaction differs across racial/ethnic groups.

Design

Survey research using a longitudinal panel design. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyse the data.

Setting

In-home interviews with the child’s parents over a 5-year period across the USA.

Subjects

Approximately 10 000 American children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B).

Results

The findings revealed that longer breast-feeding durations correspond to lower levels of junk food consumption, but that this relationship emerges consistently only among low-SES blacks.

Conclusions

Efforts to promote breast-feeding among low-SES black women may have the added benefit of reducing their children’s junk food intake, and may thereby promote their general health and well-being. Future research should seek to explore the mechanisms by which breast-feeding might benefit the dietary habits of low-SES black children.
Prevalence and Heritability of Early Childhood Caries Among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins
Authors: Kuppan Anuradha , Rodrigues Steven , Samuel Victor , Ramakrishnan Mahesh , Halawany Hassan S. , Abraham Nimmi B. , Jacob Vimal , Anil Sukumaran
Published: January 2017

Deciphering the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors, which play a major role in the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), can help clinicians with planning a long-term preventive treatment. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and heritability of ECC among monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins in Chennai, India, in the year 2013. A cross-sectional study was designed to estimate the prevalence of ECC among twins. Zygosity classification for the survey framework was adapted from a highly accurate parental report questionnaire pertaining to the physical similarity between twins. The associated heritability index was estimated. The Decayed, Missing, Filled Surface (DMFS) Index was used as the diagnostic criterion for dental caries. The prevalence of ECC was estimated at 18.7%. The correlation coefficient between the twin pair showed significant correlation. The heritability index for ECC was estimated at 15% higher prevalence of ECC found among children in the age group 25–36 months. The heritability estimate indicated a relatively low genetic influence for early childhood caries among twins. There was no significant difference detected in the concordance rate for the MZ and DZ twins. Further research could be directed toward the prevalence of ECC among higher age group children to explore the role of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic and Environmental Basis in Phenotype Correlation Between Physical Function and Cognition in Aging Chinese Twins
Authors: Xu Chunsheng , Zhang Dongfeng , Tian Xiaocao , Wu Yili , Pang Zengchang , Li Shuxia , Tan Qihua
Published: January 2017

Although the correlation between cognition and physical function has been well studied in the general population, the genetic and environmental nature of the correlation has been rarely investigated. We conducted a classical twin analysis on cognitive and physical function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), handgrip strength, five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost in 379 complete twin pairs. Bivariate twin models were fitted to estimate the genetic and environmental correlation between physical and cognitive function. Bivariate analysis showed mildly positively genetic correlations between cognition and FEV1, rG = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.62], as well as FVC, rG = 0.35 [95% CI: 0.06, 1.00]. We found that FTSST and cognition presented very high common environmental correlation, rC = -1.00 [95% CI: -1.00, -0.57], and low but significant unique environmental correlation, rE = -0.11 [95% CI: -0.22, -0.01], all in the negative direction. Meanwhile, near visual acuity and cognition also showed unique environmental correlation, rE = 0.16 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.27]. We found no significantly genetic correlation for cognition with handgrip strength, FTSST, near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost. Cognitive function was genetically related to pulmonary function. The FTSST and cognition shared almost the same common environmental factors but only part of the unique environmental factors, both with negative correlation. In contrast, near visual acuity and cognition may positively share part of the unique environmental factors.
Defective T‐cell control of Epstein–Barr virus infection in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Pender Michael P , Csurhes Peter A , Burrows Jacqueline M , Burrows Scott R
Published: January 2017

Mounting evidence indicates that infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has a major role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Defective elimination of EBV‐infected B cells by CD8+ T cells might cause MS by allowing EBV‐infected autoreactive B cells to accumulate in the brain. Here we undertake a comprehensive analysis of the T‐cell response to EBV in MS, using flow cytometry and intracellular IFN‐γ staining to measure T‐cell responses to EBV‐infected autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines and pools of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐class‐I‐restricted peptides from EBV lytic or latent proteins and cytomegalovirus (CMV), in 95 patients and 56 EBV‐seropositive healthy subjects. In 20 HLA‐A2+ healthy subjects and 20 HLA‐A2+ patients we also analysed CD8+ T cells specific for individual peptides, measured by binding to HLA‐peptide complexes and production of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL‐2. We found a decreased CD8+ T‐cell response to EBV lytic, but not CMV lytic, antigens at the onset of MS and at all subsequent disease stages. CD8+ T cells directed against EBV latent antigens were increased but had reduced cytokine polyfunctionality indicating T‐cell exhaustion. During attacks the EBV‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell populations expanded, with increased functionality of latent‐specific CD8+ T cells. With increasing disease duration, EBV‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells progressively declined, consistent with T‐cell exhaustion. The anti‐EBNA1 IgG titre correlated inversely with the EBV‐specific CD8+ T‐cell frequency. We postulate that defective CD8+ T‐cell control of EBV reactivation leads to an expanded population of latently infected cells, including autoreactive B cells.
Discovery of anaerobic lithoheterotrophic haloarchaea, ubiquitous in hypersaline habitats
Authors: Sorokin Dimitry Y , Messina Enzo , Smedile Francesco , Roman Pawel , Damsté Jaap S Sinninghe , Ciordia Sergio , Mena Maria Carmen , Ferrer Manuel , Golyshin Peter N , Kublanov Ilya V , Samarov Nazar I , Toshchakov Stepan V , La Cono Violetta , Yakimov Michail M
Published: January 2017

Hypersaline anoxic habitats harbour numerous novel uncultured archaea whose metabolic and ecological roles remain to be elucidated. Until recently, it was believed that energy generation via dissimilatory reduction of sulfur compounds is not functional at salt saturation conditions. Recent discovery of the strictly anaerobic acetotrophic Halanaeroarchaeum compels to change both this assumption and the traditional view on haloarchaea as aerobic heterotrophs. Here we report on isolation and characterization of a novel group of strictly anaerobic lithoheterotrophic haloarchaea, which we propose to classify as a new genus Halodesulfurarchaeum. Members of this previously unknown physiological group are capable of utilising formate or hydrogen as electron donors and elemental sulfur, thiosulfate or dimethylsulfoxide as electron acceptors. Using genome-wide proteomic analysis we have detected the full set of enzymes required for anaerobic respiration and analysed their substrate-specific expression. Such advanced metabolic plasticity and type of respiration, never seen before in haloarchaea, empower the wide distribution of Halodesulfurarchaeum in hypersaline inland lakes, solar salterns, lagoons and deep submarine anoxic brines. The discovery of this novel functional group of sulfur-respiring haloarchaea strengthens the evidence of their possible role in biogeochemical sulfur cycling linked to the terminal anaerobic carbon mineralisation in so far overlooked hypersaline anoxic habitats.
Correction: Corrigendum: Making brain-machine interfaces robust to future neural variability
Authors: Sussillo David , Stavisky Sergey D. , Kao Jonathan C. , Ryu Stephen I. , Shenoy Krishna V.
Published: January 2017

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 13749 (2016); Published: 13 December 2016; Updated: 20 January 2017 The financial support for this Article was not fully acknowledged. The Acknowledgements should have included the following: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation GraduateResearch Fellowship (J.
Shigatoxin encoding Bacteriophage ϕ24B modulates bacterial metabolism to raise antimicrobial tolerance
Authors: Holt G. S. , Lodge J. K. , McCarthy A. J. , Graham A. K. , Young G. , Bridge S. H. , Brown A. K. , Veses-Garcia M. , Lanyon C. V. , Sails A. , Allison H. E. , Smith D. L.
Published: January 2017

How temperate bacteriophages play a role in microbial infection and disease progression is not fully understood. They do this in part by carrying genes that promote positive evolutionary selection for the lysogen. Using Biolog phenotype microarrays and comparative metabolite profiling we demonstrate the impact of the well-characterised Shiga toxin-prophage ϕ24B on its Escherichia coli host MC1061. As a lysogen, the prophage alters the bacterial physiology by increasing the rates of respiration and cell proliferation. This is the first reported study detailing phage-mediated control of the E. coli biotin and fatty acid synthesis that is rate limiting to cell growth. Through ϕ24B conversion the lysogen also gains increased antimicrobial tolerance to chloroxylenol and 8-hydroxyquinoline. Distinct metabolite profiles discriminate between MC1061 and the ϕ24B lysogen in standard culture, and when treated with 2 antimicrobials. This is also the first reported use of metabolite profiling to characterise the physiological impact of lysogeny under antimicrobial pressure. We propose that temperate phages do not need to carry antimicrobial resistance genes to play a significant role in tolerance to antimicrobials.
Identification of LukPQ, a novel, equid-adapted leukocidin of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Koop Gerrit , Vrieling Manouk , Storisteanu Daniel M. L. , Lok Laurence S. C. , Monie Tom , van Wigcheren Glenn , Raisen Claire , Ba Xiaoliang , Gleadall Nicholas , Hadjirin Nazreen , Timmerman Arjen J. , Wagenaar Jaap A. , Klunder Heleen M. , Fitzgerald J. Ross , Zadoks Ruth , Paterson Gavin K. , Torres Carmen , Waller Andrew S. , Loeffler Anette , Loncaric Igor , Hoet Armando E. , Bergström Karin , De Martino Luisa , Pomba Constança , de Lencastre Hermínia , Ben Slama Karim , Gharsa Haythem , Richardson Emily J. , Chilvers Edwin R. , de Haas Carla , van Kessel Kok , van Strijp Jos A. G. , Harrison Ewan M. , Holmes Mark A.
Published: January 2017

Bicomponent pore-forming leukocidins are a family of potent toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, which target white blood cells preferentially and consist of an S- and an F-component. The S-component recognizes a receptor on the host cell, enabling high-affinity binding to the cell surface, after which the toxins form a pore that penetrates the cell lipid bilayer. Until now, six different leukocidins have been described, some of which are host and cell specific. Here, we identify and characterise a novel S. aureus leukocidin; LukPQ. LukPQ is encoded on a 45 kb prophage (ΦSaeq1) found in six different clonal lineages, almost exclusively in strains cultured from equids. We show that LukPQ is a potent and specific killer of equine neutrophils and identify equine-CXCRA and CXCR2 as its target receptors. Although the S-component (LukP) is highly similar to the S-component of LukED, the species specificity of LukPQ and LukED differs. By forming non-canonical toxin pairs, we identify that the F-component contributes to the observed host tropism of LukPQ, thereby challenging the current paradigm that leukocidin specificity is driven solely by the S-component.
TLR4 antagonist FP7 inhibits LPS-induced cytokine production and glycolytic reprogramming in dendritic cells, and protects mice from lethal influenza infection
Authors: Perrin-Cocon Laure , Aublin-Gex Anne , Sestito Stefania E. , Shirey Kari Ann , Patel Mira C. , André Patrice , Blanco Jorge C. , Vogel Stefanie N. , Peri Francesco , Lotteau Vincent
Published: January 2017

Dysregulated Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 activation is involved in acute systemic sepsis, chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, and in viral infections, such as influenza infection. Thus, therapeutic control of the TLR4 signalling pathway is of major interest. Here we tested the activity of the small-molecule synthetic TLR4 antagonist, FP7, in vitro on human monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and in vivo during influenza virus infection of mice. Our results indicate that FP7 antagonized the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and MIP-1β) by monocytes and DCs (IC50 < 1 μM) and prevented DC maturation upon TLR4 activation by ultrapure lipopolysaccharide (LPS). FP7 selectively blocked TLR4 stimulation, but not TLR1/2, TLR2/6, or TLR3 activation. TLR4 stimulation of human DCs resulted in increased glycolytic activity that was also antagonized by FP7. FP7 protected mice from influenza virus-induced lethality and reduced both proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in the lungs and acute lung injury (ALI). Therefore, FP7 can antagonize TLR4 activation in vitro and protect mice from severe influenza infection, most likely by reducing TLR4-dependent cytokine storm mediated by damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) like HMGB1.
Social Models Enhance Apes’ Memory for Novel Events
Authors: Howard Lauren H. , Wagner Katherine E. , Woodward Amanda L. , Ross Stephen R. , Hopper Lydia M.
Published: January 2017

Nonhuman primates are more likely to learn from the actions of a social model than a non-social “ghost display”, however the mechanism underlying this effect is still unknown. One possibility is that live models are more engaging, drawing increased attention to social stimuli. However, recent research with humans has suggested that live models fundamentally alter memory, not low-level attention. In the current study, we developed a novel eye-tracking paradigm to disentangle the influence of social context on attention and memory in apes. Tested in two conditions, zoo-housed apes (2 gorillas, 5 chimpanzees) were familiarized to videos of a human hand (social condition) and mechanical claw (non-social condition) constructing a three-block tower. During the memory test, subjects viewed side-by-side pictures of the previously-constructed block tower and a novel block tower. In accordance with looking-time paradigms, increased looking time to the novel block tower was used to measure event memory. Apes evidenced memory for the event featuring a social model, though not for the non-social condition. This effect was not dependent on attention differences to the videos. These findings provide the first evidence that, like humans, social stimuli increase nonhuman primates’ event memory, which may aid in information transmission via social learning.
Tunable Multifunctional Thermal Metamaterials: Manipulation of Local Heat Flux via Assembly of Unit-Cell Thermal Shifters
Authors: Park Gwanwoo , Kang Sunggu , Lee Howon , Choi Wonjoon
Published: January 2017

Thermal metamaterials, designed by transformation thermodynamics are artificial structures that can actively control heat flux at a continuum scale. However, fabrication of them is very challenging because it requires a continuous change of thermal properties in materials, for one specific function. Herein, we introduce tunable thermal metamaterials that use the assembly of unit-cell thermal shifters for a remarkable enhancement in multifunctionality as well as manufacturability. Similar to the digitization of a two-dimensional image, designed thermal metamaterials by transformation thermodynamics are disassembled as unit-cells thermal shifters in tiny areas, representing discretized heat flux lines in local spots. The programmed-reassembly of thermal shifters inspired by LEGO enable the four significant functions of thermal metamaterials—shield, concentrator, diffuser, and rotator—in both simulation and experimental verification using finite element method and fabricated structures made from copper and PDMS. This work paves the way for overcoming the structural and functional limitations of thermal metamaterials.
The systematic analysis of coding and long non-coding RNAs in the sub-chronic and chronic stages of spinal cord injury
Authors: Duran Raquel Cuevas-Diaz , Yan Han , Zheng Yiyan , Huang Xingfan , Grill Raymond , Kim Dong H. , Cao Qilin , Wu Jia Qian
Published: January 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the most debilitating neurological disorders and the majority of SCI patients are in the chronic phase. Previous studies of SCI have usually focused on few genes and pathways at a time. In particular, the biological roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have never been characterized in SCI. Our study is the first to comprehensively investigate alterations in the expression of both coding and long non-coding genes in the sub-chronic and chronic stages of SCI using RNA-Sequencing. Through pathway analysis and network construction, the functions of differentially expressed genes were analyzed systematically. Furthermore, we predicted the potential regulatory function of non-coding transcripts, revealed enriched motifs of transcription factors in the upstream regulatory regions of differentially expressed lncRNAs, and identified differentially expressed lncRNAs homologous to human genomic regions which contain single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with diseases. Overall, these results revealed critical pathways and networks that exhibit sustained alterations at the sub-chronic and chronic stages of SCI, highlighting the temporal regulation of pathological processes including astrogliosis. This study also provided an unprecedented resource and a new catalogue of lncRNAs potentially involved in the regulation and progression of SCI.
Broad-Range Antiviral Activity of Hydrogen Sulfide Against Highly Pathogenic RNA Viruses
Authors: Bazhanov Nikolay , Escaffre Olivier , Freiberg Alexander N. , Garofalo Roberto P. , Casola Antonella
Published: January 2017

Hydrogen sulfide is an important endogenous mediator that has been the focus of intense investigation in the past few years, leading to the discovery of its role in vasoactive, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory responses. Recently, we made a critical observation that H2S also has a protective role in paramyxovirus infection by modulating inflammatory responses and viral replication. In this study we tested the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity of the H2S slow-releasing donor GYY4137 on enveloped RNA viruses from Ortho-, Filo-, Flavi- and Bunyavirus families, for which there is no FDA-approved vaccine or therapeutic available, with the exception of influenza. We found that GYY4137 significantly reduced replication of all tested viruses. In a model of influenza infection, GYY4137 treatment was associated with decreased expression of viral proteins and mRNA, suggesting inhibition of an early step of replication. The antiviral activity coincided with the decrease of viral-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and viral-induced nuclear translocation of transcription factors from Nuclear Factor (NF)-kB and Interferon Regulatory Factor families. In conclusion, increasing cellular H2S is associated with significant antiviral activity against a broad range of emerging enveloped RNA viruses, and should be further explored as potential therapeutic approach in relevant preclinical models of viral infections.
Anisotropic hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr and Zircaloy predicted by accelerated kinetic Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Jiang Chao , Bai Xianming
Published: January 2017

This report presents an accelerated kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method to compute the diffusivity of hydrogen in hcp metals and alloys, considering both thermally activated hopping and quantum tunneling. The acceleration is achieved by replacing regular KMC jumps in trapping energy basins formed by neighboring tetrahedral interstitial sites, with analytical solutions for basin exiting time and probability. Parameterized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the accelerated KMC method is shown to be capable of efficiently calculating hydrogen diffusivity in α-Zr and Zircaloy, without altering the kinetics of long-range diffusion. Above room temperature, hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr and Zircaloy is dominated by thermal hopping, with negligible contribution from quantum tunneling. The diffusivity predicted by this DFT + KMC approach agrees well with that from previous independent experiments and theories, without using any data fitting. The diffusivity along  is found to be slightly higher than that along , with the anisotropy saturated at about 1.20 at high temperatures, resolving contradictory results in previous experiments. Demonstrated using hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr, the same method can be extended for on-lattice diffusion in hcp metals, or systems with similar trapping basins.
Norovirus P particle-based active Aβ immunotherapy elicits sufficient immunogenicity and improves cognitive capacity in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fu Lu , Li Yingnan , Hu Yue , Zheng Yayuan , Yu Bin , Zhang Haihong , Wu Jiaxin , Wu Hui , Yu Xianghui , Kong Wei
Published: January 2017

Disease-modifying immunotherapies focusing on reducing amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition are the main treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, none of the Aβ immunotherapies has produced clinically meaningful results to date. The main reason for this lack of efficacy is that the vaccine induces insufficiently high antibody titers, as it contains small B-cell epitope of Aβ to avoid Aβ42-specific T-cell activation. With the aim of generating a potent AD vaccine, we designed the protein PP-3copy-Aβ1-6-loop123, comprising three copies of Aβ1-6 inserted into three loops of a novel vaccine platform, the norovirus P particle, which could present Aβ at its surface and remarkably enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine. We demonstrated that PP-3copy-Aβ1-6-loop123 was able to elicit high antibody titers against Aβ42, without causing T-cell activation, in AD mice regardless of their age. Importantly, PP-3copy-Aβ1-6-loop123 treatment successfully reduced amyloid deposition, rescued memory loss, and repaired hippocampus damage in AD mice. The Aβ antibodies induced by this active immunotherapy reacted with and disrupted aggregated Aβ, reducing its cellular toxicity. In addition, our results suggested PP-3copy-Aβ1-6-loop123 immunization could restore Aβ42 homeostasis in both the serum and brain. Thus, the P particle-based Aβ epitope vaccine is a sufficiently immunogenic and safe immunotherapeutic intervention for Alzheimer’s disease.
Spatio-Temporal Tolerance of Visuo-Tactile Illusions in Artificial Skin by Recurrent Neural Network with Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
Authors: Pitti Alexandre , Pugach Ganna , Gaussier Philippe , Shimada Sotaro
Published: January 2017

Perceptual illusions across multiple modalities, such as the rubber-hand illusion, show how dynamic the brain is at adapting its body image and at determining what is part of it (the self) and what is not (others). Several research studies showed that redundancy and contingency among sensory signals are essential for perception of the illusion and that a lag of 200–300 ms is the critical limit of the brain to represent one’s own body. In an experimental setup with an artificial skin, we replicate the visuo-tactile illusion within artificial neural networks. Our model is composed of an associative map and a recurrent map of spiking neurons that learn to predict the contingent activity across the visuo-tactile signals. Depending on the temporal delay incidentally added between the visuo-tactile signals or the spatial distance of two distinct stimuli, the two maps detect contingency differently. Spiking neurons organized into complex networks and synchrony detection at different temporal interval can well explain multisensory integration regarding self-body.
Cold spells and ischaemic sudden cardiac death: effect modification by prior diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease and cardioprotective medication
Authors: Ryti Niilo R. I. , Mäkikyrö Elina M. S. , Antikainen Harri , Junttila M. Juhani , Hookana Eeva , Ikäheimo Tiina M. , Kortelainen Marja-Leena , Huikuri Heikki V. , Jaakkola Jouni J. K.
Published: January 2017

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death. The current paradigm in SCD requires the presence of an abnormal myocardial substrate and an internal or external transient factor that triggers cardiac arrest. Based on prior mechanistic evidence, we hypothesized that an unusually cold weather event (a cold spell) could act as an external factor triggering SCD. We tested potential effect modification of prior diagnoses and select pharmacological agents disrupting pathological pathways between cold exposure and death. The home coordinates of 2572 autopsy-verified cases of ischaemic SCD aged ≥35 in the Province of Oulu, Finland, were linked to 51 years of home-specific weather data. Based on conditional logistic regression, an increased risk of ischaemic SCD associated with a cold spell preceding death (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.06–2.09). Cases without a prior diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease seemed more susceptible to the effects of cold spells (OR 1.70; 95% CI: 1.13–2.56) than cases who had been diagnosed during lifetime (OR 1.14; 95% CI: 0.61–2.10). The use of aspirin, β-blockers, and/or nitrates, independently and in combinations decreased the risk of ischaemic SCD during cold spells. The findings open up new lines of research in mitigating the adverse health effects of weather.
Effects of Sr-HT-Gahnite on osteogenesis and angiogenesis by adipose derived stem cells for critical-sized calvarial defect repair
Authors: Wang Guifang , Roohani-Esfahani Seyed-Iman , Zhang Wenjie , Lv Kaige , Yang Guangzheng , Ding Xun , Zou Derong , Cui Daxiang , zreiqat Hala , Jiang Xinquan
Published: January 2017

Tissue engineering strategies to construct vascularized bone grafts are now attracting much attention. Strontium-hardystonite-Gahnite (Sr-HT-Gahnite) is a strong, highly porous, and biocompatible calcium silicate based bio-ceramic that contains strontium and zinc ions. Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) have been demonstrated to have the ability in promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, the effects of Sr-HT-Gahnite on cell morphology, cell proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs were systematically investigated. The cell proliferation, migration and angiogenic differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) were studied. Beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (TCP/HA) bioceramic scaffolds were set as the control biomaterial. Both bio-ceramics exhibited no adverse influence on cell viability. The Sr-HT-Gahnite scaffolds promoted cell attachment and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of ASCs. The Sr-HT-Gahnite dissolution products enhanced ALP activity, matrix mineralization, and angiogenic differentiation of ASCs. They could also improve cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenic differentiation of HUVECs. Levels of in vivo bone formation with Sr-HT Gahnite were significantly higher than that for TCP/HA. The combination of Sr-HT-Gahnite and ASCs promoted both osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo study, compared to Sr-HT-Gahnite and TCP/HA bio-ceramics when administered alone, suggesting Sr-HT-Gahnite can act as a carrier for ASCs for construction of vascularized tissue-engineered bone.
Bi-axial grown amorphous MoSx bridged with oxygen on r-GO as a superior stable and efficient nonprecious catalyst for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Lee Cheol-Ho , Yun Jin-Mun , Lee Sungho , Jo Seong Mu , Eom KwangSup , Lee Doh C. , Joh Han-Ik , Fuller Thomas F.
Published: January 2017

Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) is covalently anchored to reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) via a simple one-pot reaction, thereby inducing the reduction of GO and simultaneous doping of heteroatoms on the GO. The oxygen atoms form a bridged between MoSx and GO and play a crucial role in the fine dispersion of the MoSx particles, control of planar MoSx growth, and increase of exposed active sulfur sites. This bridging leads to highly efficient (−157 mV overpotential and 41 mV/decade Tafel slope) and stable (95% versus initial activity after 1000 cycles) electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution.
Macroporous materials: microfluidic fabrication, functionalization and applications
Authors: Wang Bingjie , Prinsen Pepijn , Wang Huizhi , Bai Zhishan , Wang Hualin , Luque Rafael , Xuan Jin
Published: January 2017

This article provides an up-to-date highly comprehensive overview (594 references) on the state of the art of the synthesis and design of macroporous materials using microfluidics and their applications in different fields.
A micellar sensitized kinetic method for quantification of low levels of bisphenol A in foodstuffs by spectrophotometry
Authors: Temel Nuket Kartal , Gürkan Ramazan
Published: January 2017

In the current study, because of its potential to leach out into foodstuffs as a result of food contact uses, a new kinetic method for the monitoring and determination of bisphenol A in foods by spectrophotometry for a fixed-time method of 5.0 min at 447 nm was established without a prior preconcentration step.
Programmable DNA triple-helix molecular switch in biosensing applications: from in homogenous solutions to in living cells
Authors: Tang Pinting , Zheng Jing , Tang Jianru , Ma Dandan , Xu Weijian , Li Jishan , Cao Zhong , Yang Ronghua
Published: January 2017

We demonstrated a gold nanoparticles-integrated programmable triple-helix molecular switch to realize biosensing messenger RNA from in homogenous solutions to living cells.
C–H⋯Cl− hydrogen bonds in solution and in the solid-state: HgCl2 complexes with cyclen-based cryptands
Authors: Ikeda Mari , Sah Ajay Kumar , Iwase Miki , Murashige Rina , Ishi-i Jun-ichi , Hasegawa Masatoshi , Kachi-Terajima Chihiro , Park Ki-Min , Kuwahara Shunsuke , Habata Yoichi
Published: January 2017

Structural evidence is reported for C–H⋯Cl− hydrogen bonds in solution and in the solid state of cyclen-based cryptands/HgCl2 complexes.
Binuclear β-diketiminate complexes of copper(i)
Authors: Phanopoulos Andreas , Leung Alice H. M. , Yow Shuhui , Palomas David , White Andrew J. P. , Hellgardt Klaus , Horton Andrew , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: January 2017

The reaction of a series of dinucleating bis(β-diketiminate) pro-ligands with mesitylcopper in the presence and absence of mono and diphosphines has allowed the isolation of a new series of dicopper(i) complexes.
27Al MQMAS of the δ-Al13-Keggin
Authors: Pilgrim C. D. , Callahan J. R. , Colla C. A. , Ohlin C. A. , Mason H. E. , Casey W. H.
Published: January 2017

27Al-MQMAS spectra of the δ isomer of the Na[AlO4Al12(OH)24(OH2)12]·2,6-napthalene disulfonate salt.
The magnetoresistance effect in a conducting molecular crystal consisting of dicyano(phthalocyaninato)manganese(iii)
Authors: Matsuda Masaki , Yoshida Gosuke , Yamaura Jun-ichi , Inabe Tamotsu , Tajima Hiroyuki
Published: January 2017

A conducting molecular crystal TPP[MnIII(Pc)(CN)2]2 (MnIII: d4, S = 1, TPP = tetraphenylphosphonium and Pc = phthalocyanine), showing the negative magnetoresistance effect, was fabricated.
Deactivation of the coordinating ability of the iminophosphorane group by the effect of ortho-carborane
Authors: Crujeiras Pablo , Rodríguez-Rey José Luis , Sousa-Pedrares Antonio
Published: January 2017

An electron-withdrawing carborane group deactivates the nitrogen donor atom of an iminophosphorane ligand, which is not observed for organic ligands.
Selective recovery of rare earth elements from ion-adsorption rare earth element ores by stepwise extraction with HEH(EHP) and HDEHP
Authors: Huang Xiaowei , Dong Jinshi , Wang Liangshi , Feng Zongyu , Xue Qiannan , Meng Xianglong
Published: January 2017

Ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) ores are strategic mineral resources, particularly for heavy REEs.
The molecular basis of the interactions between synthetic retinoic acid analogues and the retinoic acid receptors
Authors: Haffez Hesham , Chisholm David R. , Valentine Roy , Pohl Ehmke , Redfern Christopher , Whiting Andrew
Published: January 2017

Molecular docking and ligand binding assays shed new light on the conformational flexibility of natural retinoids compared with less flexible synthetic ligands during binding to RARs and the resulting impact upon on the design of synthetic analogues.
Studies on enhanced colloidal stability and heating ability of glycine functionalized LSMO nanoparticles for cancer hyperthermia therapy
Authors: Jadhav Swati V. , Lee Seung-Hwan , Nikam Dipali S. , Bohara Raghvendra A. , Pawar Shivaji H. , Yu Yun-Sik
Published: January 2017

The heating ability of glycine functionalized LSMO nanoparticles for cancer hyperthermia is measured in different physiological media.
A dramatic synergistic effect of a flexible achiral linker on a rigid chiral cis-1,2-diamine bifunctional organocatalyst
Authors: Matsunaga Hirofumi , Tajima Daisuke , Kawauchi Tetsuro , Yasuyama Takuro , Ando Shin , Ishizuka Tadao
Published: January 2017

The combination of a “rigid” chiral bicyclic cis-1,2-diamine skeleton and a “flexible” achiral linker was newly designed as a bifunctional organocatalyst framework and showed excellent catalytic activity, accompanied by the reversal of enantioselection.
Ethanol/acetaldehyde conversion into butadiene over sol–gel ZrO2–SiO2catalysts doped with ZnO
Authors: Xu Yuchao , Liu Zongzhang , Han Zheng , Zhang Minhua
Published: January 2017

High performance and stability of a ZnO/ZrO2–SiO2catalyst preparedviaa sol–gel method in ethanol and acetaldehyde conversion into 1,3-butadiene process.
Effect of graphene incorporation in carbon nanofiber decorated with TiO2 for photoanode applications
Authors: Lee Hoik , Nagaishi Tomoki , Phan Duy-Nam , Kim Myungwoong , Zhang Ke-Qin , Wei Kai , Kim Ick Soo
Published: January 2017

The photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using a photoanode fabricated with graphene incorporated carbon nanofibers with a TiO2 layer on their surfaces is reported.
Precise control over reduction potential of fulleropyrrolidines for organic photovoltaic materials
Authors: Karakawa M. , Nagai T. , Adachi K. , Ie Y. , Aso Y.
Published: January 2017

A series of fulleropyrrolidines containing fluorine- and methoxy group were synthesized. The substitution pattern influenced the reduction potential of the fulleropyrrolidines and enabled precise control over an open circuit voltage of OPV cells.
New insight into chondroitin and heparosan-like capsular polysaccharide synthesis by profiling of the nucleotide sugar precursors
Authors: Restaino Odile Francesca , di Lauro Irene , Di Nuzzo Rosaria , De Rosa Mario , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: January 2017

Escherichia coli K4 and K5 capsular polysaccharides (K4 and K5 CPSs) have been used as starting material for the biotechnological production of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparin (HP) respectively. The CPS covers the outer cell wall but in late exponential or stationary growth phase it is released in the surrounding medium. The released CPS concentration was used, so far, as the only marker to connect the strain production ability to the different cultivation conditions employed. Determining also the intracellular UDP-sugar precursor concentration variations, during the bacterial growth, and correlating it with the total CPS production (as sum of the inner and the released ones), could help to better understand the chain biosynthetic mechanism and its bottlenecks. In the present study, for the first time, a new capillary electrophoresis method was set up to simultaneously analyse the UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc), UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal), UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) and UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) and the inner CPS portion, extracted at the same time from the bacterial biomasses; separation was performed at 18°C and 18 kV with a borate-based buffer and detection at 200 nm. The E. coli K4 and K5 UDP-sugar pools were profiled, for the first time, at different time points of shake flask growths on a glycerol-containing medium and on the same medium supplemented with the monosaccharide precursors of the CPSs: their concentrations varied from 0.25 to 11 μM·gcdw−1, according to strain, the type of precursor, the growth phase and the cultivation conditions and their availability dramatically influenced the total CPS produced.