bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Peer and Sorting Effects within an Adaptive Multiplex Network Model
Authors: Lipari Francesca , Stella Massimo , Antonioni Alberto
Published: March 2019

Individuals have a strong tendency to coordinate with all their neighbors on social and economics networks. Coordination is often influenced by intrinsic preferences among the available options, which drive people to associate with similar peers, i.e., homophily. Many studies reported that behind coordination game equilibria there is the individuals’ heterogeneity of preferences and that such heterogeneity is given a priori. We introduce a new mechanism which allows us to analyze the issue of heterogeneity from a cultural evolutionary point of view. Our framework considers agents interacting on a multiplex network who deal with coordination issues using social learning and payoff-driven dynamics. Agents form their heterogeneous preference through learning on one layer and they play a pure coordination game on the other layer. People learn from their peers that coordination is good and they also learn how to reach it either by conformism behavior or sorting strategy. We find that the presence of the social learning mechanism explains the rising and the endurance of a segregated society when members are diverse. Knowing how culture affects the ability to coordinate is useful for understanding how to reach social welfare in a diverse society.
Against All Odds? Birth Fathers and Enduring Thoughts of the Child Lost to Adoption
Authors: Clapton Gary
Published: March 2019

This paper revisits a topic only briefly raised in earlier research, the idea that the grounds for fatherhood can be laid with little or no ‘hands-on’ experience of fathering and upon these grounds, an enduring sense of being a father of, and bond with, a child seen once or never, can develop. The paper explores the specific experiences of men whose children were adopted as babies drawing on the little research that exists on this population, work relating to expectant fathers, personal accounts, and other sources such as surveys of birth parents in the USA and Australia. The paper’s exploration and discussion of a manifestation of fatherhood that can hold in mind a ‘lost’ child, disrupts narratives of fathering that regard fathering as ‘doing’ and notions that once out of sight, a child is out of mind for a father. The paper suggests that, for the men in question, a diversity of feelings, but also behaviours, point to a form of continuing, lived fathering practices—that however, take place without the child in question. The conclusion debates the utility of the phrase “birth father” as applied historically and in contemporary adoption processes.
Not Something, Not Nothing, Not Shakespeare: Digitized Playbooks and the Question of Access in the Undergraduate Literature Classroom
Authors: Windholz Jordan
Published: March 2019

The digital divide is deeply felt by undergraduate students in resource-restricted universities, but creative, if also labor-intensive, solutions exist for instructors negotiating paywalls and other institutional impediments. In this essay, I argue that teaching early modern drama outside the restraints of the Shakespearean archive and through a host of digital archives, databases, and tools not only engages students in inquiry-based, active learning but also cultivates a critical sense of how digital tools obviate and exacerbate questions of access. To make my case, I describe how I designed and taught a course on non-Shakespearean drama for English majors at Shippensburg University, one of Pennyslvania’s state-funded universities. After describing the mechanics of the course, I further theorize and examine the ways centering digital archives, databases, and tools as course texts enables students to think critically about the content available through these resources as well as the information hierarchies and receptions histories they promulgate.
Lend Us Your Earbuds: Shakespeare/Podcasting/Poesis
Authors: Kimbro Devori , Noschka Michael , Way Geoffrey
Published: March 2019

Podcasts by nature break down traditional economic barriers to making and accessing content. With low costs to both distribute and access, does podcasting provide a new outlet for academics, practitioners, and audiences to explore typically “high-minded” art or scholarly discussions usually blocked by the price of a theater ticket or a subscription to a paywalled database? To answer these questions, we define a poetics of podcasting—one that encourages humanities thinking par excellence—and, more importantly, carries with it implications for humanities studies writ large. To think in terms of poetics of podcasting shifts attention to the study of how we can craft, form, wright, and write for and with different communities both inside and outside the academy. In examining the current field of Shakespeare studies and podcasting, we argue podcasting incorporates elements ranging from the “slow” professor movement, to composition studies, to the early modern print market, discussing different methods that are both inspired by and disrupt traditional forms of knowledge production in the process.
Comment on Gjestland, T. A Systematic Review of the Basis for WHO’s New Recommendation for Limiting Aircraft Noise Annoyance. Int. J. Env. Res. Pub. Health 2018, 15, 2717
Authors: Guski Rainer , Schreckenberg Dirk , Schuemer Rudolf , Brink Mark , Stansfeld Stephen A.
Published: March 2019

In his recent discussion paper in this journal, Truls Gjestland attempts a “systematic review”, as he calls it, of the evidence base for aircraft noise annoyance, consolidated in a meta-analysis by Guski et al. that informed the recommended guideline value of 45 dB Lden in the recently published World Health Organization (WHO) Environmental Noise Guidelines. He questions the validity of the presented evidence, as “some of the referenced studies have not been conducted according to standardized methods, and the selection of respondents is not representative of the general airport population.” Gjestland maintains that the new WHO Guidelines are based on a questionable selection of existing aircraft noise studies. Our reply comments on the arguments of Gjestland and refutes most of his critique.
Research Trends and Hotspots Analysis Related to Monocarboxylate Transporter 1: A Study Based on Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: He Siyi , Zhao Yue , Fan Yongsheng , Zhao Xue , Yu Jun , Xie Jie , Wang Chunhong , Su Jianmei
Published: March 2019

Background: Monocarboxylate transport protein 1 (MCT1) has been defined as a critical regulator in tumor energy metabolism, but bibliometric analysis of MCT1 research is rare. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the global scientific output of MCT1 research and explore the hotspots and frontiers from the past decade. Methods: Publications and their literature information from 2008 to 2018 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. We used Microsoft Excel 2016 to detect the trend of annual numbers of publications, and used Citespace V software as the bibliometric method to analyze the research areas, countries, institutions, authors, journals, research hotspots, and research frontiers. Results: A total of 851 publications were identified with an increasing trend. Relevant literature mainly focused on the field of oncology. The most prolific country and institution were the USA and University of Minho, respectively. Baltazar was the most productive author while Halestrap had the highest co-citations. The hottest topics in MCT1 were hypoxia, gene expression, and CD147 over the last decade. The three research frontier topics were proliferation, tumor cell, and resistance. The special role of MCT1 in human tumor cells has become the focus for scholars recently. Conclusion: The development prospects of MCT1 research could be expected and researchers should pay attention to the clinical significance of MCT1 inhibitors as anti-cancer or immunosuppressive drugs and the possibility of drug-resistance formation.
Problematic Internet Use in University Students Attending Three Superior Graduate Schools in Italy: Is Autism Spectrum Related to Suicide Risk?
Authors: Dell’Osso Liliana , Bertelloni Carlo Antonio , Di Paolo Marco , Avella Maria Teresa , Carpita Barbara , Gori Federica , Pompili Maurizio , Carmassi Claudia
Published: March 2019

Background: Over the past decades, problematic internet use (PIU) has dramatically increased, especially among young people. PIU has been recently associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits. Subjects with PIU report an increased suicidal risk and the same has been demonstrated among patients with ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate putative PIU rates among students and explore the correlation between autistic traits and suicide risk. Methods: A sample of 178 high achieving university students was assessed by means of the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), Autism Quotient questionnaire (AQ). Suicide risk was investigated by some specific items of the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR) and putative PIU was identified on the basis of a specific AdAS Spectrum item. Results: 27.5% subjects reporting putative PIU. This subgroup showed higher scores in all domains of AdAS Spectrum and AQ compared with others. Students with putative PIU showed a significant correlation between suicide risk and the non-verbal communication domain of the AdAS Spectrum and the Social skills domain of the AQ. Conclusions: We found that students with PIU show higher levels of autistic traits compared to those without PIU. A significant correlation was found between autistic traits and suicide risk.
Mapping the Evolution of Mercury (Hg) Research in the Amazon (1991–2017): A Scientometric Analysis
Authors: Moraes Pinto Lilian de C. , Dórea José G. , Bernardi José Vicente Elias , Gomes Leonardo Fernandes
Published: March 2019

Because the Amazon rain forest is ecologically relevant on a global scale, we applied scientometric techniques to integrate studies dealing with mercury research in this unique ecosystem between 1991 and 2017. Using a combination of co-authorship and co-citation analyses, keyword mapping and overlay visualization of topics in the field, this article identified three major areas in the 26-year period of mercury research: (1) human exposure to mercury (artisanal small-scale gold mining-ASGM) and methylmercury through fish consumption, and their respective risks for human health; (2) mercury accumulation in the environment and its relation to ASGM and atmospheric concentration; and (3) mercury geochemistry and its presence in soils, sediments, and water. The paper also identified the leading institutions related to the published research and respective influential scholars in the context of this study. Overall, the analyses revealed patterns of convergence and divergence between authors, specialization, and interdisciplinary engagement in mercury investigation, thus highlighting strengths and weaknesses of research topics in the field. This scientometric approach could be a useful tool to monitor/assess the implementation of the Minamata Convention.
Research on New and Traditional Energy Sources in OECD Countries
Authors: Li Ying , Chiu Yung-ho , Lin Tai-Yu
Published: March 2019

To mitigate the problems associated with climate change, the low-carbon economy concept is now being championed around the world in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure sustainable economic growth. Therefore, to reduce the dependence on traditional energy sources, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been actively promoting the use of renewable energy. Past research has tended to neglect the influence of other pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and have mainly been based on static analyses. To make up for these research gaps, this study examined OECD country data from 2010–2014, with labor, fixed assets, new energy, and traditional energy as the inputs, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), carbon dioxide (CO2), and PM2.5 as the outputs, from which it was found: (1) the overall efficiency of the individual countries varied significantly, with nine countries being found to have efficiencies of 1 for all five years, but many others having efficiencies below 0.2; (2) in countries where there was a need for improvements in traditional energy (which here refers to coal, petroleum and other fossil energy sources), there was also a significant need for improvement in new energy sources (which here refers to clean energy which will produce pollutant emissions and can be directly used for production and life, including resources like nuclear energy and “renewable energy”); (3) countries with poor traditional energy and new energy efficiencies also had poor CO2 and PM2.5 efficiencies; (4) many OECD countries have made progress towards sustainable new energy developments
Prevalence of Child Maltreatment and Its Association with Parenting Style: A Population Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Lo Camilla K. M. , Ho Frederick K. , Wong Rosa S. , Tung Keith T. S. , Tso Winnie W. Y. , Ho Matthew S. P. , Chow Chun Bong , Chan Ko Ling , Ip Patrick
Published: March 2019

Previous studies point to a link between parenting style and child maltreatment, but evidence from a Chinese context is lacking. We investigated the association between parenting style and child maltreatment in Hong Kong, and examined whether family socio-economic status and child gender moderate this relationship. Using stratified random sampling, 7585 children in Grade 1 to Grade 3 of 51 schools in Hong Kong were recruited and their parents were invited to complete the questionnaire. The past year weighted prevalence for minor physical abuse, severe/very severe physical abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect were 63.9%, 23.4%, 84.1%, and 23.2%, respectively. Authoritarian parenting was associated with all types of child maltreatment (prevalence ratio (PR) range: 1.10–1.53; p < 0.001), whereas authoritative parenting was associated with a lower risk of all types of child maltreatment (PR range: 0.89–0.97; p < 0.001). Child maltreatment is prevalent in Hong Kong and is strongly associated with parenting style. The association was significantly stronger among girls and those with higher family socioeconomic status. Education to empower parenting skills may alleviate the burden of child maltreatment.
The Relationship between Daily Concentration of Fine Particulate Matter in Ambient Air and Exacerbation of Respiratory Diseases in Silesian Agglomeration, Poland
Authors: Kowalska Małgorzata , Skrzypek Michał , Kowalski Michał , Cyrys Josef , Ewa Niewiadomska , Czech Elżbieta
Published: March 2019

The relationship between the worsening of air quality during the colder season of the year and respiratory health problems among the exposed population in many countries located in cold climates has been well documented in numerous studies. Silesian Voivodeship, a region located in southern Poland, is one of the most polluted regions in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between daily concentration of particulate matter (PM: PM2.5 and PM10) in ambient air and exacerbations of respiratory diseases during the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2017 in the central agglomeration area of Silesian Voivodeship. The study results confirmed a significant increase of daily fine particulate matter concentration in ambient air during the cold season in Silesian Voivodeship with a simultaneous increase of the number of outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases. The moving average concentration was better suited for the modelling of biological response as a result of PM2.5 or PM10 exposure than the temporal lag of health effects. Each increase of dose expressed in the form of moving average concentration over a longer time leads to an increase in the daily number of respiratory effects. The highest risk of hospitalization due to respiratory diseases was related to longer exposure of PM expressed by two to four weeks of exposure; outpatient visits was related to a shorter exposure duration of 3 days.
Impaired Glucose Metabolism in Bipolar Patients: The Role of Psychiatrists in Its Detection and Management
Authors: Łojko Dorota , Owecki Maciej , Suwalska Aleksandra
Published: March 2019

Bipolar patients have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are associated with cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death in this group. Additionally, there is growing evidence that impaired glucose metabolism in bipolar patients is associated with rapid cycling, poor response to mood stabilizers and chronic course of illness. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other types of impaired glucose metabolism in bipolar patients along with an evaluation of the Fasting Triglycerides and Glucose Index (TyG) as a method of the insulin sensitivity assessment. The analysis of fasting glycemia, insulinemia and lipid profile in euthymic bipolar patients was performed, and the Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and TyG were computed. Type 2 diabetes was observed in 9% and insulin resistance with HOMA-IR in 48% of patients. The TyG and HOMA-IR indices were correlated (p < 0.0001), the TyG index value of 4.7 had the highest sensitivity and specificity for insulin resistance detection. The usefulness of TyG in the recognition of insulin resistance in bipolar patients was suggested. The significant role of psychiatrists in the detection and management of impaired glucose metabolism in bipolar patients was presented.
Health Disparities in Czechia and Portugal at Country and Municipality Levels
Authors: Lustigova Michala , Dzurova Dagmar , Costa Claudia , Santana Paula
Published: March 2019

This article investigates the health outcomes and determinants between two different European populations, Portuguese and Czech, on two hierarchical levels: country and metropolitan area. At first, the decomposition method of age and cause of death were compared on the country level, and then health was examined based on a factor analysis at the municipality level of Prague and Lisbon. The results clearly indicate problematic diabetes mortality among the Portuguese population, and especially in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and confirm the dominant role of circulatory mortality and cancer mortality among Czech, especially the Prague population. The social and economic deprivations were revealed as the major drivers for both metropolitan areas, although with differences between them, requiring interventions that go beyond the health sector.
Resveratrol and Its Effects on the Vascular System
Authors: Breuss Johannes M. , Atanasov Atanas G. , Uhrin Pavel
Published: March 2019

Resveratrol, the phenolic substance isolated initially from Veratrum grandiflorum and richly present in grapes, wine, peanuts, soy, and berries, has been attracting attention of scientists and medical doctors for many decades. Herein, we review its effects on the vascular system. Studies utilizing cell cultures and pre-clinical models showed that resveratrol alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, resveratrol suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, promotes autophagy, and has been investigated in the context of vascular senescence. Pre-clinical models unambiguously demonstrated numerous vasculoprotective effects of resveratrol. In clinical trials, resveratrol moderately diminished systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, as well as blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus. Yet, open questions remain, as exemplified by a recent report which states that the intake of resveratrol might blunt certain positive effects of exercise in older persons, and further research addressing the framework for long-term use of resveratrol as a food supplement, will stay in demand.
Quantum Chemical and Kinetic Study on Radical/Molecule Formation Mechanism of Pre-Intermediates for PCTA/PT/DT/DFs from 2-Chlorothiophenol and 2-Chlorophenol Precursors
Authors: Zuo Chenpeng , Wang Hetong , Pan Wenxiao , Zheng Siyuan , Xu Fei , Zhang Qingzhu
Published: March 2019

Polychlorinated phenoxathiins (PCPTs), polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDTs), and polychlorinated thianthrenes (PCTAs) are sulfur analogues of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs). Chlorothiophenols (CTPs) and chlorophenols (CPs) are key precursors for the formation of PCTA/PT/DTs, which can react with H or OH to form chloro(thio)phenoxy radical, sulfydryl/hydroxyl-substituted phenyl radicals, and (thio)phenoxyl diradicals. However, previous radical/radical PCTA/DT formation mechanisms in the literature failed to explain the higher concentration of PCDTs than that of PCTAs under the pyrolysis or combustion conditions. In this work, a detailed thermodynamics and kinetic calculations were carried out to investigate the pre-intermediate formation for PCTA/PT/DTs from radical/molecule coupling of the 2-C(T)P with their key radical species. Our study showed that the radical/molecule coupling mechanism explains the gas-phase formation of PCTA/PT/DTs in both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. The S/C coupling modes to form thioether-(thio)enol intermediates are preferable over the O/C coupling modes to form ether-(thio)enol intermediates. Thus, although the radical/molecule coupling of chlorophenoxy radical with 2-C(T)P has no effect on the PCDD/PT formation, the radical/molecule coupling of chlorothiophenoxy radical with 2-C(T)P plays an important role in the PCTA/PT formation. Most importantly, the pre-PCDT intermediates formation pathways from the couplings of sulfydryl/hydroxyl-substituted phenyl radical with 2-C(T)P and (thio)phenoxyl diradicals with 2-C(T)P are more favorable than pre-PCTA/PT intermediates formation pathways from the coupling of chlorothiophenoxy radical with 2-C(T)P, which provides reasonable explanation for the high PCDT-to-PCTA ratio in the environment.
Thyroid Hormone Disruptors Interfere with Molecular Pathways of Eye Development and Function in Zebrafish
Authors: Baumann Lisa , Segner Helmut , Ros Albert , Knapen Dries , Vergauwen Lucia
Published: March 2019

The effects of thyroid hormone disrupting chemicals (THDCs) on eye development of zebrafish were investigated. We expected THDC exposure to cause transcriptional changes of vision-related genes, which find their phenotypic anchoring in eye malformations and dysfunction, as observed in our previous studies. Zebrafish were exposed from 0 to 5 days post fertilization (dpf) to either propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid hormone synthesis inhibitor, or tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), which interacts with thyroid hormone receptors. Full genome microarray analyses of RNA isolated from eye tissue revealed that the number of affected transcripts was substantially higher in PTU- than in TBBPA-treated larvae. However, multiple components of phototransduction (e.g., phosphodiesterase, opsins) were responsive to both THDC exposures. Yet, the response pattern for the gene ontology (GO)-class “sensory perception” differed between treatments, with over 90% down-regulation in PTU-exposed fish, compared to over 80% up-regulation in TBBPA-exposed fish. Additionally, the reversibility of effects after recovery in clean water for three days was investigated. Transcriptional patterns in the eyes were still altered and partly overlapped between 5 and 8 dpf, showing that no full recovery occurred within the time period investigated. However, pathways involved in repair mechanisms were significantly upregulated, which indicates activation of regeneration processes.
Identification, Characterization, and Regulatory Mechanisms of a Novel EGR1 Splicing Isoform
Authors: Aliperti Vincenza , Sgueglia Giulia , Aniello Francesco , Vitale Emilia , Fucci Laura , Donizetti Aldo
Published: March 2019

EGR1 is a transcription factor expressed in many cell types that regulates genes involved in different biological processes including growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of EGR1 expression has been associated with many pathological conditions such as tumors and brain diseases. Known molecular mechanisms underlying the control of EGR1 function include regulation of transcription, mRNA and protein stability, and post-translational modifications. Here we describe the identification of a splicing isoform for the human EGR1 gene. The newly identified splicing transcript encodes a shorter protein compared to the canonical EGR1. This isoform lacks a region belonging to the N-terminal activation domain and although it is capable of entering the nucleus, it is unable to activate transcription fully relative to the canonical isoform.
Inhibition of p300/CBP-Associated Factor Attenuates Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis through Modulation of NF-kB and Nrf2
Authors: Chung Sungjin , Kim Soojeong , Son Mina , Kim Minyoung , Koh Eun Sil , Shin Seok Joon , Park Cheol Whee , Kim Ho-Shik
Published: March 2019

p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), a histone acetyltransferase, is involved in many cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and reaction to cell damage by modulating the activities of several genes and proteins through the acetylation of either the histones or transcription factors. Here, we examined a pathogenic role of PCAF and its potential as a novel therapeutic target in the progression of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by non-diabetic unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in male C57BL/6 mice. Administration of garcinol, a PCAF inhibitor, reversed a UUO-induced increase in the renal expression of total PCAF and histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation and reduced positive areas of trichrome and α-smooth muscle actin and collagen content. Treatment with garcinol also decreased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and fibronectin. Furthermore, garcinol suppressed nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6, whereas it preserved the nuclear expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2) and levels of Nrf2-dependent antioxidants including heme oxygense-1, catalase, superoxide dismutase 1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. These results suggest that the inhibition of inordinately enhanced PCAF could mitigate renal fibrosis by redressing aberrant balance between inflammatory signaling and antioxidant response through the modulation of NF-κB and Nrf2.
Molecular Toxicological Mechanisms of Synthetic Cathinones on C2C12 Myoblasts
Authors: Zhou Xun , Luethi Dino , Sanvee Gerda M. , Bouitbir Jamal , Liechti Matthias E. , Krähenbühl Stephan
Published: March 2019

Synthetic cathinones are popular psychoactive substances that may cause skeletal muscle damage. In addition to indirect sympathomimetic myotoxicity, these substances could be directly myotoxic. Since studies in myocytes are currently lacking, the aim of the present study was to investigate potential toxicological effects by synthetic cathinones on C2C12 myoblasts (mouse skeletal muscle cell line). We exposed C2C12 myoblasts to 3-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone), 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), and naphthylpyrovalerone (naphyrone) for 1 or 24 h before cell membrane integrity, ATP content, mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial superoxide production was measured. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was included as a reference compound. All investigated synthetic cathinones, as well as MDMA, impaired cell membrane integrity, depleted ATP levels, and increased mitochondrial superoxide concentrations in a concentration-dependent manner in the range of 50–2000 μM. The two pyrovalerone derivatives α-PVP and naphyrone, and MDMA, additionally impaired basal and maximal cellular respiration, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Alpha-PVP inhibited complex I, naphyrone complex II, and MDMA complex I and III, whereas complex IV was not affected. We conclude that, in addition to sympathetic nervous system effects and strenuous muscle exercise, direct effects of some cathinones on skeletal muscle mitochondria may contribute to myotoxicity in susceptible synthetic cathinone drugs users.
Nifedipine Modulates Renal Lipogenesis via the AMPK-SREBP Transcriptional Pathway
Authors: Lin Yen-Chung , Wu Mai-Szu , Lin Yuh-Feng , Chen Chang-Rong , Chen Chang-Yu , Chen Chang-Jui , Shen Che-Chou , Chen Kuan-Chou , Peng Chiung-Chi
Published: March 2019

Lipid accumulation in renal cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-related kidney disease, and lipotoxicity in the kidney can be a surrogate marker for renal failure or renal fibrosis. Fatty acid oxidation provides energy to renal tubular cells. Ca2+ is required for mitochondrial ATP production and to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, how nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker) affects lipogenesis is unknown. We utilized rat NRK52E cells pre-treated with varying concentrations of nifedipine to examine the activity of lipogenesis enzymes and lipotoxicity. A positive control exposed to oleic acid was used for comparison. Nifedipine was found to activate acetyl Coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, long chain fatty acyl CoA elongase, ATP-citrate lyase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, suggesting elevated production of cholesterol and phospholipids. Nifedipine exposure induced a vast accumulation of cytosolic free fatty acids (FFA) and stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species, upregulated CD36 and KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1) expression, inhibited p-AMPK activity, and triggered the expression of SREBP-1/2 and lipin-1, underscoring the potential of nifedipine to induce lipotoxicity with renal damage. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating nifedipine-induced lipid accumulation in the kidney.
A Viperin Mutant Bearing the K358R Substitution Lost its Anti-ZIKA Virus Activity
Authors: Vanwalscappel Bénédicte , Gadea Gilles , Desprès Philippe
Published: March 2019

Interferon-induced viperin (VP) was identified as playing an important role in the innate immune response against Zika virus (ZIKV). The 361 amino acid long human VP protein comprises of a highly conserved C-terminal region, which has been associated with VP antiviral properties against ZIKV. In the present study, we sought to determine whether the very last C-terminal amino-acid residues of VP might play a role in VP-mediated ZIKV inhibition. To address this issue, a recombinant human viperin (rVPwt) was overexpressed by transfection in human epithelial A549 cells. We confirmed that transient overexpression of rVPwt prior to ZIKV infection dramatically reduced viral replication in A549 cells. Deletion of the last 17 C-terminal amino acids of VP resulted in a higher expression level of mutant protein compared to wild-type VP. Mutational analysis revealed that residue substitution at positions 356 to 360 with five alanine led to the same phenotype. The charged residues Asp356, Lys358, and Asp360 were then identified to play a role in the weak level of VPwt protein in A549 cells. Mutant VP bearing the D360A substitution partially rescued ZIKV growth in A549 cells. Remarkably, a single Lys-to-Arg substitution at position 358 was sufficient to abrogate VP antiviral activity against ZIKV. In conclusion, our study showed that Asp356, Lys358, and Asp360 may have an influence on biochemical properties of VP. Our major finding was that Lys358 was a key amino-acid in VP antiviral properties against ZIKV.
Mechanistic Insights in NeuroD Potentiation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Signaling
Authors: van Weert Lisa T. C. M. , Buurstede Jacobus C. , Sips Hetty C. M. , Mol Isabel M. , Puri Tanvi , Damsteegt Ruth , Roozendaal Benno , Sarabdjitsingh R. Angela , Meijer Onno C.
Published: March 2019

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated signaling in the brain has been suggested as a protective factor in the development of psychopathology, in particular mood disorders. We recently identified genomic loci at which either MR or the closely related glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binds selectively, and found members of the NeuroD transcription factor family to be specifically associated with MR-bound DNA in the rat hippocampus. We show here using forebrain-specific MR knockout mice that GR binding to MR/GR joint target loci is not affected in any major way in the absence of MR. Neurod2 binding was also independent of MR binding. Moreover, functional comparison with MyoD family members indicates that it is the chromatin remodeling aspect of NeuroD, rather than its direct stimulation of transcription, that is responsible for potentiation of MR-mediated transcription. These findings suggest that NeuroD acts in a permissive way to enhance MR-mediated transcription, and they argue against competition for DNA binding as a mechanism of MR- over GR-specific binding.
Mechanotransduction and Cytoskeleton Remodeling Shaping YAP1 in Gastric Tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Jinglin , Zhou Yuhang , Tang Patrick M.K. , Cheng Alfred S.L. , Yu Jun , To Ka Fai , Kang Wei
Published: March 2019

The essential role of Hippo signaling pathway in cancer development has been elucidated by recent studies. In the gastrointestinal tissues, deregulation of the Hippo pathway is one of the most important driving events for tumorigenesis. It is widely known that Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and WW domain that contain transcription regulator 1 (TAZ), two transcriptional co-activators with a PDZ-binding motif, function as critical effectors negatively regulated by the Hippo pathway. Previous studies indicate the involvement of YAP1/TAZ in mechanotransduction by crosstalking with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the F-actin cytoskeleton associated signaling network. In gastric cancer (GC), YAP1/TAZ functions as an oncogene and transcriptionally promotes tumor formation by cooperating with TEAD transcription factors. Apart from the classic role of Hippo-YAP1 cascade, in this review, we summarize the current investigations to highlight the prominent role of YAP1/TAZ as a mechanical sensor and responder under mechanical stress and address its potential prognostic and therapeutic value in GC.
Giant Water Clusters: Where Are They From?
Authors: Yakhno Tatiana , Drozdov Mikhail , Yakhno Vladimir
Published: March 2019

A new mechanism for the formation and destruction of giant water clusters (ten to hundreds of micrometers) is proposed. Our earlier hypothesis was that the clusters are associates of liquid-crystal spheres (LCS), each of which is formed around a seed particle, a microcrystal of sodium chloride. In this study, we show that the ingress of LCSs into water from the surrounding air is highly likely. We followed the evolution of giant clusters during the evaporation of water. When a certain threshold of the ionic strength of a solution is exceeded, the LCSs begin to “melt”, passing into free water, and the salt crystals dissolve, ensuring re-growth of larger crystals as a precipitate on the substrate. A schematic diagram of the dynamics of phase transitions in water containing LCSs during evaporation is proposed. The results illustrate the salt dust cycle in nature.
Three-Source Partitioning of Methane Emissions from Paddy Soil: Linkage to Methanogenic Community Structure
Authors: Yuan Jing , Yi Xiaomei , Cao Linkui
Published: March 2019

Identification of the carbon (C) sources of methane (CH4) and methanogenic community structures after organic fertilization may provide a better understanding of the mechanism that regulate CH4 emissions from paddy soils. Based on our previous field study, a pot experiment with isotopic 13C labelling was designed in this study. The objective was to investigate the main C sources for CH4 emissions and the key environmental factor with the application of organic fertilizer in paddies. Results indicated that 28.6%, 64.5%, 0.4%, and 6.5% of 13C was respectively distributed in CO2, the plants, soil, and CH4 at the rice tillering stage. In total, organically fertilized paddy soil emitted 3.51 kg·CH4 ha−1 vs. 2.00 kg·CH4 ha−1 for the no fertilizer treatment. Maximum CH4 fluxes from organically fertilized (0.46 mg·m−2·h−1) and non-fertilized (0.16 mg·m−2·h−1) soils occurred on day 30 (tillering stage). The total percentage of CH4 emissions derived from rice photosynthesis C was 49%, organic fertilizer C < 0.34%, and native soil C > 51%. Therefore, the increased CH4 emissions from paddy soil after organic fertilization were mainly derived from native soil and photosynthesis. The 16S rRNA sequencing showed Methanosarcina (64%) was the dominant methanogen in paddy soil. Organic fertilization increased the relative abundance of Methanosarcina, especially in rhizosphere. Additionally, Methanosarcina sp. 795 and Methanosarcina sp. 1H1 co-occurred with Methanobrevibacter sp. AbM23, Methanoculleus sp. 25XMc2, Methanosaeta sp. HA, and Methanobacterium sp. MB1. The increased CH4 fluxes and labile methanogenic community structure in organically fertilized rice soil were primarily due to the increased soil C, nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and acetate. These results highlight the contributions of native soil- and photosynthesis-derived C in paddy soil CH4 emissions, and provide basis for more complex investigations of the pathways involved in ecosystem CH4 processes.
Inhibitors of Mammalian Aquaporin Water Channels
Authors: Abir-Awan Mohammed , Kitchen Philip , Salman Mootaz M. , Conner Matthew T. , Conner Alex C. , Bill Roslyn M.
Published: March 2019

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins that are essential to life, being expressed in all kingdoms. In humans, there are 13 AQPs, at least one of which is found in every organ system. The structural biology of the AQP family is well-established and many functions for AQPs have been reported in health and disease. AQP expression is linked to numerous pathologies including tumor metastasis, fluid dysregulation, and traumatic injury. The targeted modulation of AQPs therefore presents an opportunity to develop novel treatments for diverse conditions. Various techniques such as video microscopy, light scattering and fluorescence quenching have been used to test putative AQP inhibitors in both AQP-expressing mammalian cells and heterologous expression systems. The inherent variability within these methods has caused discrepancy and many molecules that are inhibitory in one experimental system (such as tetraethylammonium, acetazolamide, and anti-epileptic drugs) have no activity in others. Some heavy metal ions (that would not be suitable for therapeutic use) and the compound, TGN-020, have been shown to inhibit some AQPs. Clinical trials for neuromyelitis optica treatments using anti-AQP4 IgG are in progress. However, these antibodies have no effect on water transport. More research to standardize high-throughput assays is required to identify AQP modulators for which there is an urgent and unmet clinical need.
MoMCP1, a Cytochrome P450 Gene, Is Required for Alleviating Manganese Toxin Revealed by Transcriptomics Analysis in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Wang Yi , Wu Qi , Liu Lina , Li Xiaoling , Lin Aijia , Li Chengyun
Published: March 2019

Manganese, as an essential trace element, participates in many physiological reactions by regulating Mn associated enzymes. Magnaporthe oryzae is a serious pathogen and causes destructive losses for rice production. We identified a cytochrome P450 gene, MoMCP1, involving the alleviation of manganese toxin and pathogenicity. To identify the underlying mechanisms, transcriptomics were performed. The results indicated that many pathogenicity related genes were regulated, especially hydrophobin related genes in ∆Momcp1. Furthermore, the Mn2+ toxicity decreased the expressions of genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation and energy production, and increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which might impair the functions of mitochondrion and vacuole, compromising the pathogenicity and development in ∆Momcp1. Additionally, our results provided further information about Mn associated the gene network for Mn metabolism in cells.
Force Performance Analysis of Pile Behavior of the Lateral Load
Authors: Youssouf Touré , Yu Tianlai , Abdramane Dembélé , Cyriaque Assogba Ogoubi , Youssouf Diakité
Published: March 2019

This study was focused on the performance of the pile force at the lateral load of an arched bridge. The effect of the compression of arch bridges creates a large horizontal load. Therefore, it is one of the most important factors in the dimensioning of piles. The study aims to make a comparative study between the results obtained in the field, and those obtained by a 3D model defined as a Finite Element (FE) of a drilled pile, subjected to different lateral loads applied at exact time intervals. Moreover, the study was intended to determine the influence of the lateral load applied to a different pile diameter using the FE model. Thus, the unified FEA software Abaqus™ by Dassault systèmes® carried out various processing procedures, namely soil FE modeling, pile FE modeling, soil-pile interface, Mesh, and boundary conditions, to carry out an effective and predictive piles behavior analysis. Based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion, the soil is considered to be stratified with elastoplastic behavior, whereas the Reinforcement Concrete Pile (RCP) was assumed to be linear isotropic elastic, integrating the concrete damage plasticity. Since the bridge is an arched bridge, the lateral load induced was applied to the head of the piles through a concentrated force to check the pile strength, for which the displacement, stress and strain were taken into account throughout, along the pile depth. The lateral displacement of the pile shows a deformation of the soil as a function of its depth, with different layers crossed with different lateral loads applied. Thus, from the study comparing the results of the FE measurements with the data measured in the field, added to the statistical analyses are as follows: Decrease of the displacement and stress according to the diameter, taking into account the different diameter. The foundations receive loads of the superstructure to be transmitted to the ground. Thus, the piles are generally used as a carrier transmitting loads on the ground. One of the important factors in the durability of the bridge depends more on the strength of these piles. This makes it necessary to study the reinforced concrete foundations because of their ability to resist loads of the structure, and the vertical and lateral loads applied to the structure. This implies an evaluation of the responses of the RCP according to the different lateral loads.
Hexaborate(2−) and Dodecaborate(6−) Anions as Ligands to Zinc(II) Centres: Self-Assembly and Single-Crystal XRD Characterization of [Zn{κ3O-B6O7(OH)6}(κ3N-dien)]·0.5H2O (dien = NH(CH2–CH2NH2)2), (NH4)2[Zn{κ2O-B6O7(OH)6}2 (H2O)2]·2H2O and (1,3-pnH2)3[(κ1N-H3N{CH2}3NH2) Zn{κ3O-B12O18(OH)6}]2·14H2O (1,3-pn = 1,3-diaminopropane)
Authors: Altahan Mohammed A. , Beckett Michael A. , Coles Simon J. , Horton Peter N.
Published: March 2019

Two zinc(II) hexaborate(2−) complexes, [Zn{κ3O-B6O7(OH)6}(κ3N-dien)]·0.5H2O (dien = NH(CH2CH2NH2)2) (1) and (NH4)2[Zn{κ2O-B6O7(OH)6}2(H2O)2]·2H2O (2), and a zinc(II) dodecaborate(6−) complex, (1,3-pnH2)3[(κ1N-H3N{CH2}3NH2)Zn{κ3O-B12O18(OH)6}]2·14H2O (1,3-pn = 1,3-diaminopropane) (3), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal XRD studies. The complexes crystallized through self-assembly processes, from aqueous solutions containing 10:1 ratios of B(OH)3 and appropriate Zn(II) amine complex: [Zn(dien)2](OH)2, [Zn(NH3)4](OH)2, and [Zn(pn)3](OH)2. The hexaborate(2−) anions in 1 and 2 are coordinated to octahedral Zn(II) centres as tridentate (1) or bidentate ligands (2) and the dodecaborate(6−) ligand in 3 is tridentate to a tetrahedral Zn(II) centre.
Dimethyloxonium and Methoxy Derivatives of nido-Carborane and Metal Complexes Thereof
Authors: Stogniy Marina Yu. , Erokhina Svetlana A. , Kosenko Irina D. , Semioshkin Andrey A. , Sivaev Igor B.
Published: March 2019

9-Dimethyloxonium, 10-dimethyloxonium, 9-methoxy and 10-methoxy derivatives of nido-carborane (9-Me2O-7,8-C2B9H11, 10-Me2O-7,8-C2B9H11, [9-MeO-7,8-C2B9H11]−, and [10-MeO-7,8-C2B9H11]−, respectively) were prepared by the reaction of the parent nido-carborane [7,8-C2B9H12]− with mercury(II) chloride in a mixture of benzene and dimethoxymethane. Reactions of the 9 and 10-dimethyloxonium derivatives with triethylamine, pyridine, and 3-methyl-6-nitro-1H-indazole result in their N-methylation with the formation of the corresponding salts with 9 and 10-methoxy-nido-carborane anions. The reaction of the symmetrical methoxy derivative [10-MeO-7,8-C2B9H11]− with anhydrous FeCl2 in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of t-BuOK results in the corresponding paramagnetic iron bis(dicarbollide) complex [8,8′-(MeO)2-3,3′-Fe(1,2-C2B9H10)2]−, whereas the similar reactions of the asymmetrical methoxy derivative [9-MeO-7,8-C2B9H11]− with FeCl2 and CoCl2 presumably produce the 4,7′-isomers [4,7′-(MeO)2-3,3′-M(1,2-C2B9H10)2]− (M = Fe, Co) rather than a mixture of rac-4,7′- and meso-4,4′-isomers.
Insights into the Maternal Ancestry of Côte d’Ivoire Honeybees Using the Intergenic Region COI-COII
Authors: Coulibaly Krouholé Abdoul Salam , Majeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Chen Chao , YEO Kolo , Shi Wei , Ma Chun-Sen
Published: March 2019

Honeybee populations in Côte d’Ivoire have been previously identified as belonging to one subspecies, Apis mellifera scutellata, but other studies have since reported a mixed population consisting of A. m. adansonii and A. m. jemenitica. The population structure and the geographic distribution of honeybees in Côte d’Ivoire remain unclear. This study aimed to profile the population structure of honeybees and their biogeography in Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 33 honeybee colonies were sampled from 15 localities to investigate the maternal ancestry of indigenous honeybee populations using the DraI COI-COII mtDNA test. The results revealed that the honeybee population in Côte d’Ivoire is composed of African haplotypes, all belonging to the AI sublineage. Haplotypes A1 and A4 were recorded with five new sequence variants, including three types of haplotype A1 and two types of haplotype A4. The A1e variant was the most frequent in the A. m. adansonii distributional area. The distribution of the haplotype variants was correlated with the climate pattern in Côte d’Ivoire. This is the first study in Côte d’Ivoire that gives insights into the biogeography and mitotype structure of the local honeybee populations.
Effects of Different Pretreatments of DNA Extraction from Dried Specimens of Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Huang Weidong , Xie Xiufeng , Liang Xinyue , Wang Xingmin , Chen Xiaosheng
Published: March 2019

Obtaining genetic information from museum specimens is a fundamental component of many fields of research, including DNA barcoding, population genetics, conservation genetics, and phylogenetic analysis. However, acquiring genetic information from museum specimens is challenging because of the difficulty in amplifying the target sequences due to DNA damage and degradation. Different pretreatments can significantly impact the purity and concentration of genomic DNA from museum specimens. Here, we assessed four pretreatment methods—use of 0.9% NaCl buffer, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Saline Tris-EDTA (STE) buffer, and sterile water—to determine which pretreatment is most suitable for DNA extraction from dried specimens of ladybird beetles. We completed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis to test whether the sequences obtained from dried specimens enable proper phylogenetic inference. Our results showed that pretreatment can improve the quality of DNA from dried specimens. The pretreatment effects of 0.9% NaCl buffer and STE buffer were better than those of PBS buffer and sterile water. The phylogenetic analyses results showed that museum specimens can be used to generate cogent phylogenetic inferences. We report the optimum pretreatment methods for DNA extraction from dried ladybird beetles specimens as well as provide evidence for accurately determining phylogenetic relationships for museum specimens.