bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commercial harvests of saltwater crocodileCrocodylus porosuseggs by Indigenous people in northern Australia: lessons for long-term viability and management
Authors: Corey B. , Webb G.J.W , Manolis S.C. , Fordham A. , Austin B.J. , Fukuda Y. , Nicholls D. , Saalfeld K.
Published: June 2017

Sustainable commercial use of native wildlife is an alternative economic means of land use by Indigenous people in remote rural areas. This situation applies within large tracts of land owned by Indigenous people across northern Australia. The commercial use of saltwater crocodilesCrocodylus porosusis a growing industry in Australia's Northern Territory. Although Indigenous people sell crocodile eggs and hatchlings, the majority of harvesting and incubation is done by non-indigenous people from less remote areas. One Indigenous community has been heavily involved in this industry and now manages its own harvest and incubation programme. We present a case study of this programme, which has transitioned from outside agencies managing the harvest, to complete local ownership and management. Egg harvests and incubation success rates declined by 40% following the switch to local management. Income increased, as did production costs; in particular, royalty payments made to Indigenous landowners. The declines reflect the community's motives for engaging in the industry, which have been socially rather than commercially driven, and damage to nesting habitat by feral animals. The increase in royalties reflects the need to compete with non-indigenous harvesters from outside the township, who are strictly commercially driven. Harvesting, incubation and trade in crocodile eggs and hatchlings can form a viable and sustainable enterprise for remote Indigenous communities. However, efficiency needs to be improved to fulfil the need for a reliable and dependable supply chain, and regulatory institutions should give Indigenous harvesters sufficient freedom to pursue innovative and viable livelihood options.
Why the UK Needs a Social Policy on Ageing
Authors: WALKER ALAN
Published: June 2017

This article makes the case for a radical new strategy on ageing which focuses on the whole life course with the intention of preventing many of the chronic conditions associated with old age. The case is built on recent research evidence and the life-course concept of ‘active ageing’ is used to encapsulate the practical measures required. Combining biological and social science insights it is argued that, while ageing is inevitable, it is also plastic. This means that it not only manifests itself in different ways but also that it can be modified by mitigating the various risk factors that drive it. Such action would have considerable potential to reduce the personal costs of chronic conditions such as strokes and those falling on family carers but, also, to cut the associated health and social care expenditures. The question of why such apparently beneficial policy action is not being taken is discussed and a range of barriers are identified. One of these appears to be the UK's extreme brand of neo-liberalism, which militates against the collective approach necessary to implement a social policy for active ageing. Although the case is made with primary reference to UK policy and practice, the call for action to prevent chronic conditions has global relevance.
Seed caching by rodents favours seedling establishment of two palm species in a lowland Atlantic forest remnant
Authors: Dracxler Caroline Marques , Forget Pierre-Michel
Published: June 2017

Scatter-hoarding by rodents is expected to benefit palm recruitment by allowing cached seeds to escape predation and to colonize new areas, but evidence that seedlings emerge from cached seeds is scarce. We aimed to assess to what extent seedling establishment of two palm species (Astrocaryum aculeatissimum and Attalea humilis) is favoured by seed caching by rodents in a large Atlantic Forest remnant. We mapped the location of conspecific seedlings within circular plots of 15-m radius around five adult individuals of each palm species, checking if seedlings established from dispersed (>2 m from parent palms) or non-dispersed seeds (0–2 m from parent palms), and from buried or unburied seeds. We found a total of 42 A. aculeatissimum seedlings and 16 A. humilis seedlings. Nearly all (98%) seedlings established from seeds dispersed away from parents (mainly located 10–15 m from parents), and 83% and 75% of seedlings of A. aculeatissimum and A. humilis, respectively, established from seeds buried in the soil. Results show that both palm species depend almost entirely on caching of seeds by rodents to establish seedlings. Our study suggests that checking for endocarps associated with established seedlings can accurately estimate the process behind seedling establishment, improving our understanding about the net outcome of seed caching for large-seeded palms.
InvasiveSyzygium jambostrees in Puerto Rico: no refuge from guava rust
Authors: Burman Erin , Ackerman James D. , Tremblay Raymond L.
Published: June 2017

Biological invasions can have negative consequences for resident biota, particularly when disease-causing organisms are involved.Austropuccinia psidii, or guava rust, has rapidly spread through the tropics affecting both native and non-native Myrtaceae. In Puerto Rico, the rust has become common onSyzygium jambos, an invasive tree native to South-East Asia. What are the drivers of infection, and do refugia exist across a heterogeneous landscape? We address these questions using species distribution modelling and beta regressions. The realized and potential distribution ofSyzygium jambosis extensive. The model produced an AUC of 0.88, with land-use categories and precipitation accounting for 61.1% of the variation. Predictability ofS. jambosis highest in disturbed habitats, especially in mountainous regions with high precipitation. All 101 trees surveyed and measured across Puerto Rico showed signs of infection to varying extents. Infection severity was consistently associated with annual mean temperature in all top beta regression models, but was also commonly associated with tree size and precipitation variables. We found no safe sites forS. jambos. Many trees were extremely unhealthy and some were dead, suggesting thatS. jambosmay soon become extinct on the island or reduced to persistent stump sprouts. Native vegetation may benefit from the local demise ofS. jambos. While the rust has not jumped to native Myrtaceae, vigilance is required, as host-shifts have occurred in other tropical regions.
Differential susceptibility effects of oxytocin gene (OXT) polymorphisms and perceived parenting on social anxiety among adolescents
Authors: Olofsdotter Susanne , Åslund Cecilia , Furmark Tomas , Comasco Erika , Nilsson Kent W.
Published: June 2017

Social anxiety is one of the most commonly reported mental health problems among adolescents, and it has been suggested that parenting style influences an adolescent's level of anxiety. A context-dependent effect of oxytocin on human social behavior has been proposed; however, research on the oxytocin gene (OXT) has mostly been reported without considering contextual factors. This study investigated the interactions between parenting style and polymorphic variations in the OXT gene in association with social anxiety symptoms in a community sample of adolescents (n = 1,359). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to OXT, rs4813625 and rs2770378, were genotyped. Social anxiety and perceived parenting style were assessed by behavioral questionnaires. In interaction models adjusted for sex, significant interaction effects with parenting style were observed for both variants in relation to social anxiety. The nature of the interactions was in line with the differential susceptibility framework for rs4813625, whereas for rs2770378 the results indicated a diathesis–stress type of interaction. The findings may be interpreted from the perspective of the social salience hypothesis of oxytocin, with rs4813625 affecting social anxiety levels along a perceived unsafe–safe social context dimension.
Joint trajectories of depression and perfectionism across adolescence and childhood risk factors
Authors: Vaillancourt Tracy , Haltigan John D.
Published: June 2017

The codevelopment of symptoms of depression and socially prescribed perfectionism across adolescence (age 12–17) and non–age-overlapping childhood predictors (age 10–11) of joint trajectory group membership were examined in a sample of 700 Canadian youth. Results indicated that most adolescents (75.8%) followed a trajectory of low depression symptoms (low stable), whereas 15.7% followed an increasing trajectory (increasing), and 8.5% followed a trajectory that began high and decreased over time (high decreasing). More girls than boys were found in the increasing and high decreasing depression trajectories. Adolescents followed three distinct trajectories of socially prescribed perfectionism: 41.6% were in a low stable group, 40.5% in a moderate increasing group, and 17.9% in a high increasing group. Eight percent followed a high-risk dual trajectory of increasing depression and high increasing socially prescribed perfectionism. This joint trajectory was predicted by being bullied, anxious, and relationally aggressive (compared to the low-risk trajectory of low stable depression and perfectionism) at ages 10 and 11. These same predictors, along with poorer family functioning and lower family income, differentiated the joint high decreasing depression/high increasing perfectionism group from the low/low joint group, which comprised of 3.8% of the sample. The developmental progression was best characterized as depression leading to socially prescribed perfectionism. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) Training Improves First Responder Confidence to Face Mass-Casualty Incidents in Thailand
Authors: Kuhls Deborah A. , Chestovich Paul J. , Coule Phillip , Carrison Dale M. , Chua Charleston M. , Wora-Urai Nopadol , Kanchanarin Tavatchai
Published: June 2017

Background

Medical response to mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) requires specialized training and preparation. Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) is a course designed to prepare health care workers for a MCI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the confidence of health care professionals in Thailand to face a MCI after participating in a BDLS course.

Methods

Basic Disaster Life Support was taught to health care professionals in Thailand in July 2008. Demographics and medical experience were recorded, and participants rated their confidence before and after the course using a five-point Likert scale in 11 pertinent MCI categories. Survey results were compiled and compared with P<.05 statistically significant.

Results

A total of 162 health care professionals completed the BDLS course and surveys, including 78 physicians, 70 nurses, and 14 other health care professionals. Combined confidence increased among all participants (2.1 to 3.8; +1.7; P<.001). Each occupation scored confidence increases in each measured area (P<.001). Nurses had significantly lower pre-course confidence but greater confidence increase, while physicians had higher pre-course confidence but lower confidence increase. Active duty military also had lower pre-course confidence with significantly greater confidence increases, while previous disaster courses or experience increased pre-course confidence but lower increase in confidence. Age and work experience did not influence confidence.

Conclusion

Basic Disaster Life Support significantly improves confidence to respond to MCI situations, but nurses and active duty military benefit the most from the course. Future courses should focus on these groups to prepare for MCIs.

KuhlsDA, ChestovichPJ, Coule P, CarrisonDM, ChuaCM, Wora-UraiN, KanchanarinT. Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) training improves first responder confidence to face mass-casualty incidents in Thailand. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(5):492–500.
CAPITAL DESTRUCTION, JOBLESS RECOVERIES, AND THE DISCIPLINE DEVICE ROLE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: Riggi Marianna
Published: June 2017

I consider an economy growing along the balanced growth path that is hit by an adverse shock to its capital accumulation process. The model integrates efficiency wages due to imperfect monitoring of the quality of labor in a search and matching framework with methods of dynamic general equilibrium analysis. I show that, depending on the firms' abilities to assess workers' performance, the discipline device role of unemployment may account for sharp declines in employment and jobless recoveries driven by exceptional increases in the work effort of employees. The model also explains why rigid real wages may prevail in equilibrium: the large movements in unemployment are indeed associated with real wage rigidity, which is generated endogenously by efficiency wages.
Performance associated effect variations of public reporting in promoting antibiotic prescribing practice: a cluster randomized-controlled trial in primary healthcare settings
Authors: Tang Yuqing , Liu Chenxi , Zhang Xinping
Published: June 2017

Aim

To evaluate the variations in effect of public reporting in antibiotic prescribing practice among physicians with different performance in primary healthcare settings.

Background

Overprovision of antibiotics is a major public health concern. Public reporting has been adopted to encourage good antibiotic prescribing practices. However, which group, for instance, high, average or low antibiotic prescribers, accounted for antibiotic prescription reduction has not been fully understood.

Methods

A cluster randomized-controlled trial was conducted. In total, 20 primary healthcare institutions in Qianjiang city were paired through a six indicators-synthesized score. Coin flipping was used to assign control–intervention status; 10 were then subjected to intervention where prescription indicators were publicly reported monthly over a one-year period. Prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) before and after the intervention were collected. Physicians were divided into high, average and low antibiotic prescribers based on their antibiotic prescribing rates last month, which were publicly reported in intervention arm. Multilevel difference-in-differences logit regressions were performed to estimate intervention effect in each physician group on three outcome indicators: prescriptions containing antibiotics, two or more antibiotics and antibiotic injections.

Findings

In total, 31 460 URTI prescriptions were collected (16 170 in intervention arm and 15 290 in control arm). Reduction in antibiotic prescription attributed to intervention was 2.82% [95% confidence intervals (CI): −4.09, −1.54%, P<0.001], least significant in low prescribers (−1.41%, 95% CI: −3.81, 0.99%, P=0.249) and most significant in average prescribers (−5.01%, 95% CI: −6.94, −3.07%, P<0.001). Reduction in combined antibiotics prescriptions attributed to intervention was 3.81% (95% CI: −5.23, −2.39%, P<0.001), least significant in low prescribers (−2.42%, 95% CI: −4.39, −0.45%, P=0.016) and most significant in average prescribers (−5.01%, 95% CI: −7.47, −2.56%, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Public reporting can positively influence antibiotic prescribing patterns of physicians for URTIs in primary care settings, with reduction in antibiotic and combined antibiotic prescriptions. The reduction was mainly attributed to average and high antibiotic prescribers.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of Lebanese primary care physicians in nutrition counseling: a self-reported survey
Authors: Hseiki Rasha A. , Osman Mona H. , El-Jarrah Rana T. , Hamadeh Ghassan N. , Lakkis Najla A.
Published: June 2017

Aim

This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of primary care physicians (PCPs) in Lebanon regarding nutrition counseling and to investigate possible related barriers.

Background

Nutrition counseling is an important aspect of patient care, especially with the increase in nutrition-related disorders.

Methods

This is a descriptive study among a convenience sample of PCPs in Lebanon at two annual conferences in 2014 using an anonymous questionnaire.

Findings

Response rate was 54.6%. Overall, physicians considered that they have good to very good nutritional knowledge. Although they rated their formal nutritional education poorly, they had a positive attitude towards nutritional counseling and reported practicing general nutritional counseling with their patients. Barriers to nutritional counseling were: time, perceived poor patient adherence to diet, gap in physician’s nutritional knowledge and lack of insurance coverage for dietitian fees. Changes should be made to medical education curricula to include nutrition courses related to prevalent health problems.
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, FRENCH “INFLUENCE,” AND THE BALKANS, 1815–1830S
Authors: TIPEI ALEX R.
Published: June 2017

This article challenges the notion of French “influence.” It traces a network of like-minded reformers in France and the Balkans that came together in the early nineteenth century to further popular education. Examining interactions between actors in a cultural, scientific, and political center (France) and their allies on the periphery (in present-day Greece and Romania), the article reassesses these relationships, revealing the extent to which French individuals and organizations depended on such partnerships. Conceiving of joint Franco-Balkan reform agendas as programs of development, it offers a model and a vocabulary for the study of French soft power in post-Napoleonic Europe.
LEGACIES OF RACIAL CONTENTION
Authors: Cunningham David , Rondini Ashley
Published: June 2017

This paper focuses on the ways in which past racial contention shapes possibilities for contemporary civic action focused on youth education. Drawing on the recently legislated Civil Rights/Human Rights Education curriculum in Mississippi—a state with an exceptionally charged history of racial contention—we identify barriers to curricular implementation in Mississippi public schools and draw on case studies of initiatives in two communities that have successfully overcome these barriers. Results emphasize how the legacies of civil rights era struggles interact with contemporary demographic and educational dynamics to enable two distinct forms of robust civic action. School-centered civic practice is enabled by communities characterized by strong civil rights organizing infrastructures, high levels of contention with White authorities throughout the civil rights era, and low participation in public schools by White families. Conversely, youth civic practice in communities marked by high levels of civil rights-era contention but significant contemporary White participation in public schools occurs through out-of-school initiatives. In both cases, however, participation in and exposure to civil rights and human rights education has occurred in racially-bifurcated ways that reflect the state’s legacy of institutionalized racism.
The cost and value of UK pensions
Authors: Sweeting Paul J.
Published: June 2017

Over the last 20 years, the extent of defined benefit provision has declined substantially in the United Kingdom. Whilst most of the focus has been on deficits relating to past benefit accrual, the increasing cost of future benefit accrual is also important. There are two reasons for this. First, the change in the cost of defined benefit accrual represents the difference in the earnings for employees with membership of a defined benefit scheme and those with membership of a defined contribution scheme. Second, the current cost of defined benefit accrual gives an indication of the cost of an adequate pension. As such, it can be compared with levels of contribution to defined contribution schemes to determine whether these are adequate. I therefore look at how the cost of pensions has changed relative to the cost of non-pensions earnings. I also look at the main components of the change in pensions cost – those relating to benefits payable, discount rates and longevity – to analyse their relative importance. I find that the cost of employing a member of defined benefit pension scheme has consistently outpaced the cost of employing someone in a defined contribution arrangement. I also find that the current cost of accrual is significantly higher than the average level of payments to defined contribution schemes.
The Contribution of Genes and the Environment to Educational and Socioeconomic Attainments in Australia
Authors: Marks Gary N.
Published: June 2017

This article analyzes the contribution of genetics and the environment to educational attainment, occupational status, and income using data from over 1,100 monozygotic and 400 dizygotic Australian twin pairs aged from 18 to 99. The respective heritability estimates were 0.54, 0.37, and 0.18. The bivariate heritabilities were 0.71 for educational attainment and occupational status, 0.37 for education and income, and 0.61 for occupational status and income. There were no gender and cohort differences in the heritabilities for education and occupation, but for income, contrary to expectations, the heritabilities were significantly higher among women and for the older cohort (aged 50 or older). The sizable contribution of genes to these socioeconomic outcomes suggests that standard sociological and economic theories on the socioeconomic career require substantial modification to accommodate the role of genetics.
Exomic and Epigenomic Analyses in a Pair of Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Cryptorchidism
Authors: Lu Peng , Wang Pengyun , Li Lianbing , Xu Chengqi , Liu Jing Crystal , Guo Xiangqian , He Dawei , Huang Huizhe , Cheng Zhi
Published: June 2017

Cryptorchidism represents one of the most common human congenital anomalies. In most cases, its etiology remains unclear and seems to be multifactorial. In the present study, a pair of monozygotic twins discordant for cryptorchidism was identified. Twin zygosity was confirmed by microsatellite genotyping. Whole exome sequencing and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-Seq) of DNA extract from leucocytes were performed to, respectively, evaluate their exomes and epigenomes. No differences in exome sequencing data were found between the twins after validation. MeDIP-Seq analysis detected 5,410 differentially hypermethylated genes and 2,383 differentially hypomethylated genes. Bioinformatic analysis showed that these genes belonged to several biological processes and signaling pathways, including regulation of actin cytoskeleton, which has been previously implicated in the etiology of cryptorchidism. The findings of the present study suggest that non-genetic factors might contribute to the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.
Projekt Notfallstation im St. Francis Referral Hospital, Ifakara, Tansania
Authors: Rohacek Martin , Hatz Christoph , Weisser Maja
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Vor dem Start unseres Projekts gab es im St. Francis Referral Hospital, Ifakara, Tansania, wie auch in den meisten Spitälern im südlichen Afrika keine Notfallstation. Durch eine Ausbildung in Notfallmedizin und Ultraschall, die Organisation eines Dreischichtbetriebes und einer Triage war die neu geschaffene Notfallstation weniger als sechs Monate nach Beginn des Projekts voll funktionstüchtig. Einige wenige Geräte (zwei Überwachungsmonitore, EKG-Gerät, Thoraxdrainagesystem, Vernebler, Defibrillator, Ultraschallgeräte) mussten angeschafft werden oder wurden gespendet. Derzeit werden täglich 80–100 Patienten betreut, etwa 20 % der Patienten sind schwer krank. Neben Anamnese und klinischer Untersuchung ist der Ultraschall das wichtigste diagnostische Instrument. Die klinische Arbeit steht im Mittelpunkt. In einer Studie werden mittels «Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV-Associated Tuberculosis (FASH)» Patienten mit Verdacht auf Tuberkulose untersucht, mit Echokardiografie ermitteln wir die Häufigkeit von Herzkrankheiten.
Einführung eines vereinfachten präventiven Schwangerschaftsultraschalls in Ostafrika
Authors: Gysel Walter , Villabruna Karin
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die SmW Stiftung für medizinischen Wissenstransfer führt ein vereinfachtes Schwangerschaftsscreening für Ärzte und Nichtärzte in der Kilimandscharo-Region in Tansania ein. Das Programm kann in zwei Kursen von drei bis vier Tagen erlernt und mit einer Prüfung abgeschlossen werden. Die ersten Resultate des Rombo-Districts liegen vor und werden diskutiert.
Can Volcanic Gas Levels Predict an Eruption?
Authors: Branscombe Alexandra
Published: June 2017

Researchers test whether the changing composition of volcanic gas can signal a coming eruption in Chile’s Villarrica volcano.
Japan-U.S. Joint Meeting: Geoscience for a Borderless World
Authors: Parr Lauren
Published: June 2017

The groundbreaking conference included sessions in Japanese, sessions in English, and sessions in which presenters used English language slides but could speak in Japanese.
Two-year clinical outcome of denosumab treatment alone and in combination with teriparatide in Japanese treatment-naive postmenopausal osteoporotic women
Authors: Nakamura Yukio , Suzuki Takako , Kamimura Mikio , Ikegami Shota , Murakami Kohei , Uchiyama Shigeharu , Taguchi Akira , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

This randomized prospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of denosumab treatment alone and in combination with teriparatide in treatment-naive postmenopausal Japanese female patients with osteoporosis. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) denosumab group (denosumab alone, n=13); and (2) combination group (denosumab+teriparatide, n=17). Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-5b, urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), and bone mineral density (BMD) of L1–4 lumbar vertebrae (L-BMD) and bilateral total hips (H-BMD) were determined at the first visit and at various time points up to 24 months post-treatment to determine percentage changes. Serum TRACP-5b and urinary NTX were equally suppressed in both groups and maintained at low levels, with slight increases at 12, 18 and 24 months. BAP was significantly decreased in both groups from 4 to 24 months, with significant differences between the groups at 4, 8 and 15 months (P<0.05). L-BMD was significantly increased at most time points in both groups, with a significant difference between the combination group and denosumab group at 24 months (17.2% increase versus 9.6% increase; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in H-BMD between the two groups, although the levels tended to be higher in the combination group than in the denosumab group (9.5% increase versus 5.6% increase). These findings suggest that denosumab+teriparatide combination therapy may represent an important treatment for primary osteoporotic patients at high risk of vertebral fracture.
Precocious centriole disengagement and centrosome fragmentation induced by mitotic delay
Authors: Karki Menuka , Keyhaninejad Neda , Shuster Charles B.
Published: June 2017

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) delays mitotic progression until all sister chromatid pairs achieve bi-orientation, and while the SAC can maintain mitotic arrest for extended periods, moderate delays in mitotic progression have significant effects on the resulting daughter cells. Here we show that when retinal-pigmented epithelial (RPE1) cells experience mitotic delay, there is a time-dependent increase in centrosome fragmentation and centriole disengagement. While most cells with disengaged centrioles maintain spindle bipolarity, clustering of disengaged centrioles requires the kinesin-14, HSET. Centrosome fragmentation and precocious centriole disengagement depend on separase and anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activity, which also triggers the acquisition of distal appendage markers on daughter centrioles and the loss of procentriolar markers. Together, these results suggest that moderate delays in mitotic progression trigger the initiation of centriole licensing through centriole disengagement, at which point the ability to maintain spindle bipolarity becomes a function of HSET-mediated spindle pole clustering.
Reconstructing cell cycle pseudo time-series via single-cell transcriptome data
Authors: Liu Zehua , Lou Huazhe , Xie Kaikun , Wang Hao , Chen Ning , Aparicio Oscar M. , Zhang Michael Q. , Jiang Rui , Chen Ting
Published: June 2017

Single-cell mRNA sequencing, which permits whole transcriptional profiling of individual cells, has been widely applied to study growth and development of tissues and tumors. Resolving cell cycle for such groups of cells is significant, but may not be adequately achieved by commonly used approaches. Here we develop a traveling salesman problem and hidden Markov model-based computational method named reCAT, to recover cell cycle along time for unsynchronized single-cell transcriptome data. We independently test reCAT for accuracy and reliability using several data sets. We find that cell cycle genes cluster into two major waves of expression, which correspond to the two well-known checkpoints, G1 and G2. Moreover, we leverage reCAT to exhibit methylation variation along the recovered cell cycle. Thus, reCAT shows the potential to elucidate diverse profiles of cell cycle, as well as other cyclic or circadian processes (e.g., in liver), on single-cell resolution.
Intestinal microbial dysbiosis aggravates the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in Drosophila
Authors: Wu Shih-Cheng , Cao Zih-Syuan , Chang Kuo-Ming , Juang Jyh-Lyh
Published: June 2017

Neuroinflammation caused by local deposits of Aβ42 in the brain is key for the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, inflammation in the brain is not always a response to local primary insults. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is recently emerging as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, can also initiate a brain inflammatory response. It still remains unclear however, whether enteric dysbiosis also contributes to Alzheimer’s disease. Here we show that in a Drosophila Alzheimer’s disease model, enterobacteria infection exacerbated progression of Alzheimer’s disease by promoting immune hemocyte recruitment to the brain, thereby provoking TNF-JNK mediated neurodegeneration. Genetic depletion of hemocytes attenuates neuroinflammation and alleviated neurodegeneration. We further found that enteric infection increases the motility of the hemocytes, making them more readily attracted to the brain with an elevated oxidative stress status. This work highlights the importance of gut–brain crosstalk as a fundamental regulatory system in modulating Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration.
Ordered hydroxyls on Ca3Ru2O7(001)
Authors: Halwidl Daniel , Mayr-Schmölzer Wernfried , Fobes David , Peng Jin , Mao Zhiqiang , Schmid Michael , Mittendorfer Florian , Redinger Josef , Diebold Ulrike
Published: June 2017

As complex ternary perovskite-type oxides are increasingly used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolysis and catalysis, it is desirable to obtain a better understanding of their surface chemical properties. Here we report a pronounced ordering of hydroxyls on the cleaved (001) surface of the Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite Ca3Ru2O7 upon water adsorption at 105 K and subsequent annealing to room temperature. Density functional theory calculations predict the dissociative adsorption of a single water molecule (Eads = 1.64 eV), forming an (OH)ads group adsorbed in a Ca-Ca bridge site, with an H transferred to a neighboring surface oxygen atom, Osurf. Scanning tunneling microscopy images show a pronounced ordering of the hydroxyls with (2 × 1), c(2 × 6), (1 × 3), and (1 × 1) periodicity. The present work demonstrates the importance of octahedral rotation and tilt in perovskites, for influencing surface reactivity, which here induces the ordering of the observed OH overlayers.
Investigation on the phase-transition-induced hysteresis in the thermal transport along the c-axis of MoTe2
Authors: Yan Xue-Jun , Lv Yang-Yang , Li Lei , Li Xiao , Yao Shu-Hua , Chen Yan-Bin , Liu Xiao-Ping , Lu Hong , Lu Ming-Hui , Chen Yan-Feng
Published: June 2017

The storage and recall of thermal information can be achieved by a thermal memory, which is a key element in the applications of thermal logic devices. Thermal memories can be experimentally realized by solid-state materials with hysteretic thermal transport properties. Here, by means of the time-domain thermoreflectance method, we observe hysteretic behaviors in the c-axis thermal conductivities of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) in their metastable phases. Supported by the characterizations of Raman modes and electrical resistivity, we infer that this hysteresis is induced by the structural phase transition around 250 K. This thermal hysteresis is dominated by the transportation of phonons and makes it possible to build all-phononic devices based on MoTe2. In addition, the mechanism of phonon scatterings is analyzed quantitatively using Boltzmann transport equation. This study provides a promising material system for applications in integrated phononic devices, topological electronics and thermoelectric materials.
How impaired efficacy happened between Gancao and Yuanhua: Compounds, targets and pathways
Authors: Yu Jin-gao , Guo Jianming , Zhu Kevin Yue , Tao Weiwei , Chen Yanyan , Liu Pei , Hua Yongqing , Tang Yuping , Duan Jin-ao
Published: June 2017

As recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) could weaken the pharmacological effect or increase the toxicity of Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos). However, the theory has been suspected due to lack of evidence. Here, we investigate whether Gancao could weaken Yuanhua’s diuretic effect, if so, which chemicals and which targets may be involved. Results showed that Yuanhua exerted diuretic effect through down-regulating renal AQP 2, without electrolyte disturbances such as K+ loss which has been observed as side-effect of most diuretics. Gancao had no diuretic effect, but could impair Yuanhua’s diuretic effect through up-regulating renal AQP 2. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) in Gancao could up-regulate AQP 2 and counteract the AQP 2 regulation effect of Yuanhuacine (YHC) and Ginkwanin (GKW) in Yuanhua. Network pharmacology method suggested that YHC, GKW and GRA could bind to MEK1/FGFR1 protein and influence ERK-MAPK pathway, which was verified by Western blotting. This study supports TCM theory and reminds that more attention should be paid to the safety and efficacy problems induced by improper combination between herbs. Moreover, we suggested that promising diuretics with less side effects can be developed from Chinese Medicines such as Yuanhua.
Acute administration of catalase targeted to ICAM-1 attenuates neuropathology in experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lutton Evan M. , Razmpour Roshanak , Andrews Allison M. , Cannella Lee Anne , Son Young-Jin , Shuvaev Vladimir V. , Muzykantov Vladimir R. , Ramirez Servio H.
Published: June 2017

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to one third of injury related deaths in the US. Treatment strategies for TBI are supportive, and the pathophysiology is not fully understood. Secondary mechanisms of injury in TBI, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, are points at which intervention may reduce neuropathology. Evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) propagate blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability and inflammation following TBI. We hypothesized that targeted detoxification of ROS may improve the pathological outcomes of TBI. Following TBI, endothelial activation results in a time dependent increase in vascular expression of ICAM-1. We conjugated catalase to anti-ICAM-1 antibodies and administered the conjugate to 8 wk old C57BL/6J mice 30 min after moderate controlled cortical impact injury. Results indicate that catalase targeted to ICAM-1 reduces markers of oxidative stress, preserves BBB permeability, and attenuates neuropathological indices more effectively than non-targeted catalase and anti-ICAM-1 antibody alone. Furthermore, the study of microglia by two-photon microscopy revealed that anti-ICAM-1/catalase prevents the transition of microglia to an activated phenotype. These findings demonstrate the use of a targeted antioxidant enzyme to interfere with oxidative stress mechanisms in TBI and provide a proof-of-concept approach to improve acute TBI management that may also be applicable to other neuroinflammatory conditions.
Host-guest assembly for highly sensitive probing of a chiral mono-alcohol with a zinc trisporphyrinate
Authors: Zhuo Cong-Cong , Li Li , Hu Chuan-Jiang , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: June 2017

A zinc trisporphyrinate has been developed as a chirality sensor for chiral mono-alcohols. In its structure, there are two “spaces” surrounded by three porphyrin moieties, which allow guests to fill in. It has shown extremely high CD sensitivity for a chiral mono-alcohol with a naphthyl substituent, 1-(1-naphthyl)ethanol, at μM level, which is at least three orders of magnitude lower concentration than previous reports. A crystallographic study of the host-guest complex reveals the binding of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethanol to the zinc trisporphyrinate is greatly enhanced by multipoint interactions, such as coordination interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π and CH···π interactions etc. Spectroscopic studies suggest the corresponding binding constant K1 is over 105 M−1, which is two or three orders of magnitude larger than other mono-alcohols. Among porphyrin systems, this trisporphyrin have the strongest binding affinity for 1-(1-naphthyl)ethanol, which leads to the highest CD sensitivity.
A Novel Gd-DTPA-conjugated Poly(L-γ-glutamyl-glutamine)-paclitaxel Polymeric Delivery System for Tumor Theranostics
Authors: Gao Lipeng , Zhou Jinge , Yu Jing , Li Qilong , Liu Xueying , Sun Lei , Peng Ting , Wang Jing , Zhu Jianzhong , Sun Jihong , Lu Weiyue , Yu Lei , Yan Zhiqiang , Wang Yiting
Published: June 2017

The conventional chemotherapeutics could not be traced in vivo and provide timely feedback on the clinical effectiveness of drugs. In this study, poly(L-γ-glutamyl-glutamine)-paclitaxel (PGG-PTX), as a model polymer, was chemically conjugated with Gd-DTPA (Gd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), a T1-contrast agent of MRI, to prepare a Gd-DTPA-conjugated PGG-PTX (PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd) delivery system used for tumor theranostics. PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd can be self-assembled to NPs in water with a z-average hydrodynamic diameter about 35.9 nm. The 3 T MRI results confirmed that the relaxivity of PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd NPs (r1 = 18.98 mM−1S−1) was increased nearly 4.9 times compared with that of free Gd-DTPA (r1 = 3.87 mM−1S−1). The in vivo fluorescence imaging results showed that PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd NPs could be accumulated in the tumor tissue of NCI-H460 lung cancer animal model by EPR effect, which was similar to PGG-PTX NPs. The MRI results showed that compared with free Gd-DTPA, PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd NPs showed significantly enhanced and prolonged signal intensity in tumor tissue, which should be attributed to the increased relaxivity and tumor accumulation. PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd NPs also showed effective antitumor effect in vivo. These results indicated that PGG-PTX-DTPA-Gd NPs are an effective delivery system for tumor theranostics, and should have a potential value in personalized treatment of tumor.
Looking to nature for a new concept in antimicrobial treatments: isoflavonoids from Cytisus striatus as antibiotic adjuvants against MRSA
Authors: Abreu Ana Cristina , Coqueiro Aline , Sultan Andi R. , Lemmens Nicole , Kim Hye Kyong , Verpoorte Robert , van Wamel Willem J. B. , Simões Manuel , Choi Young Hae
Published: June 2017

The spread of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), has shortened the useful life of anti-staphylococcal drugs enormously. Two approaches can be followed to address this problem: screening various sources for new leads for antibiotics or finding ways to disable the resistance mechanisms to existing antibiotics. Plants are resistant to most microorganisms, but despite extensive efforts to identify metabolites that are responsible for this resistance, no substantial progress has been made. Plants possibly use multiple strategies to deal with microorganisms that evolved over time. For this reason, we searched for plants that could potentiate the effects of known antibiotics. From 29 plant species tested, Cytisus striatus clearly showed such an activity and an NMR-based metabolomics study allowed the identification of compounds from the plant extracts that could act as antibiotic adjuvants. Isoflavonoids were found to potentiate the effect of ciprofloxacin and erythromycin against MRSA strains. For the structure-activity relationship (SAR), 22 isoflavonoids were assessed as antibiotic adjuvants. This study reveals a clear synergy between isoflavonoids and the tested antibiotics, showing their great potential for applications in the clinical therapy of infections with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms such as MRSA.
Investigating the Life Expectancy and Proteolytic Degradation of Engineered Skeletal Muscle Biological Machines
Authors: Cvetkovic Caroline , Ferrall-Fairbanks Meghan C. , Ko Eunkyung , Grant Lauren , Kong Hyunjoon , Platt Manu O. , Bashir Rashid
Published: June 2017

A combination of techniques from 3D printing, tissue engineering and biomaterials has yielded a new class of engineered biological robots that could be reliably controlled via applied signals. These machines are powered by a muscle strip composed of differentiated skeletal myofibers in a matrix of natural proteins, including fibrin, that provide physical support and cues to the cells as an engineered basement membrane. However, maintaining consistent results becomes challenging when sustaining a living system in vitro. Skeletal muscle must be preserved in a differentiated state and the system is subject to degradation by proteolytic enzymes that can break down its mechanical integrity. Here we examine the life expectancy, breakdown, and device failure of engineered skeletal muscle bio-bots as a result of degradation by three classes of proteases: plasmin, cathepsin L, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). We also demonstrate the use of gelatin zymography to determine the effects of differentiation and inhibitor concentration on protease expression. With this knowledge, we are poised to design the next generation of complex biological machines with controllable function, specific life expectancy and greater consistency. These results could also prove useful for the study of disease-specific models, treatments of myopathies, and other tissue engineering applications.
Insulin use and Excess Fracture Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Propensity-Matched cohort analysis
Authors: Losada-Grande Eladio , Hawley Samuel , Soldevila Berta , Martinez-Laguna Daniel , Nogues Xavier , Diez-Perez Adolfo , Puig-Domingo Manel , Mauricio Dídac , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel
Published: June 2017

Despite normal to high bone mineral density, patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have an increased fracture risk. T2DM medications could partially account for this excess risk. The aim of this study was to assess the association between insulin use and bone fracture risk in T2DM patients. A population-based matched cohort study based on a primary care records database validated for research use (Catalonia, Spain) was performed. Propensity score (PS) for insulin use was calculated using logistic regression including predefined predictors of fractures. A total of 2,979 insulin users and 14,895 non-users were observed for a median of 1.42 and 4.58 years respectively. Major fracture rates were 11.2/1,000 person-years for insulin users, compared with 8.3/1,000 among non-users. Matched models confirmed a significant association, with an adjusted subhazard ratio (adj SHR) of 1.38 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.80] for major fractures. No differences between types of insulin or different regimens were found. Estimated number needed to harm (fracture) was 82 (95% CI 32 to 416). Insulin use appears to be associated with a 38% excess fracture risk among T2DM patients in the early stages of the disease. Fracture risk should be included among the considerations to initiate insulin treatment.
Comparative effectiveness of 9 ovulation-induction therapies in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Yiping , Fang Lanlan , Zhang Ruizhe , He Jingyan , Xiong Yujing , Guo Xiaoyi , Du Qingyun , Huang Yan , Sun Yingpu
Published: June 2017

The comparative efficacies of ovulation-induction treatments in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant (CCR) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not well known. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis to rank the reproductive efficacies of these treatments. We ultimately included 26 randomized clinical trials with 2722 participants and 9 types of therapies: clomiphene citrate (CC), metformin, letrozole, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), unilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ULOD), bilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling (BLOD), the combination of metformin with letrozole (metformin+letrozole), and the combination of metformin with CC (metformin+CC). The network meta-analysis demonstrates that hMG therapy result in higher pregnancy rates than BLOD, ULOD and CC therapies. Pregnancy, live birth and ovulation rates are significantly higher in metformin+letrozole and FSH groups than CC group. The abortion rate in the metformin+letrozole group is significantly lower than that in the metformin+CC group. Ranking probabilities show that, apart from gonadotropin (FSH and hMG), metformin+letrozole is also potentially more effective in improving reproductive outcomes than other therapies. In conclusion, owing to the low quality of evidence and the wide confidence intervals, no recommendation could be made for the treatment of ovulation-induction in patients with CCR PCOS.
Simultaneous Extraction of Density of States Width, Carrier Mobility and Injection Barriers in Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Africa Pasquale Claudio , de Falco Carlo , Maddalena Francesco , Caironi Mario , Natali Dario
Published: June 2017

The predictive accuracy of state–of–the–art continuum models for charge transport in organic semiconductors is highly dependent on the accurate tuning of a set of parameters whose values cannot be effectively estimated either by direct measurements or by first principles. Fitting the complete set of model parameters at once to experimental data requires to set up extremely complex multi–objective optimization problems whose solution is, on the one hand, overwhelmingly computationally expensive and, on the other, it provides no guarantee of the physical soundness of the value obtained for each individual parameter. In the present study we present a step–by–step procedure that enables to determine the most relevant model parameters, namely the density of states width, the carrier mobility and the injection barrier height, by fitting experimental data from a sequence of relatively simple and inexpensive measurements to suitably devised numerical simulations. At each step of the proposed procedure only one parameter value is sought for, thus highly simplifying the numerical fitting and enhancing its robustness, reliability and accuracy. As a case study we consider a prototypical n-type organic polymer. A very satisfactory fitting of experimental measurements is obtained, and physically meaningful values for the aforementioned parameters are extracted.