bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voter Reasoning Bias When Evaluating Statements from Female and Male Political Candidates
Authors: Madsen Jens Koed
Published: August 2018

The article examines whether female political candidates are disfavored in terms of persuasiveness potential based on their expertise and trustworthiness. Using a Bayesian argumentation paradigm in which candidates endorse policies, this study shows that male voters regard female candidates as less persuasive than male candidates. A controlled between-subjects experiment among 202 potential voters in the United States suggests that female election candidates are subject to sex biases in two central ways. First, despite agreeing on their trustworthiness and expertise, male voters find highly credible female candidates less persuasive than identical male candidates. Second, female candidates are affected more adversely if they are perceived as lacking in trustworthiness. Male candidates, on the other hand, are affected more negatively if they are perceived as lacking in expertise. Whereas perceived lack of expertise is relatively easy to repair, trustworthiness may be difficult to regain once it is lost. In a political environment in which attack ads are prevalent, this may carry a greater negative impact for female candidates.
A low-profile triple-band circularly polarized wide slot antenna for wireless systems
Authors: Patil Shilpee , Singh A. K. , Kanaujia Binod K. , Yadava R. L.
Published: August 2018

A simple design for triple-band circularly polarized (CP) wide slot antennas is proposed and experimentally investigated. The proposed antenna having a microstrip-fed rectangular patch with T-shaped notch for triple-band operation and a modified wide square slot on ground plane for CP operation. The measured 10 dB reflection bandwidths are 1.24% (≈340 MHz from 2.56 to 2.9 GHz), 9.63% (≈430 MHz from 4.25 to 4.68 GHz), and 5.34% (≈490 MHz from 8.93 to 9.42 GHz). The generated 3 dB axial ratio bandwidths of the proposed antenna are 7.54, 8.98, and 1.65% at operating frequencies around 2.65, 4.45, and 9.09 GHz, respectively. The measured peak gains within the 3 dB axial ratio bands are 3.03, 3.5, and 5.64 dBi. The simulated and measured results for the return loss, axial ratio, and antenna gain show a good agreement, which validate the antenna design.
Das Herz im Alter
Authors: Attenhofer Jost Christine , Müller Philippe , Bertel Osmund , Naegeli Barbara , Scharf Christoph , Wenaweser Peter , Amann Franz Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Das Wissen um kardiovaskuläre Veränderungen im Alter und deren therapeutische Optionen ist wichtig. Es kann zur Hypertrophie des linken Ventrikels, zur diastolischen Dysfunktion, Herzklappenveränderungen und pulmonaler Hypertonie kommen. Im Alter entwickeln Patienten häufig eine arterielle Hypertonie. Bei über 100-Jährigen sind valvuläre Veränderungen häufig (Aortenstenose und Mitralinsuffizienz). Das Risiko einer koronaren Herzkrankheit beträgt 35 % für Männer und 24 % für Frauen. Im Alter sind Sinusknotendysfunktion und Vorhofflimmern gehäuft. 25 % aller Schlaganfälle sind kardiale Embolien bei Vorhofflimmern. Kardiale Interventionen bei Betagten werden zunehmend häufiger durchgeführt und beinhalten koronare kathetertechnische Revaskularisationen oder Klappeneingriffe (perkutaner Aortenklappenersatz oder MitraClip). Die optimale Therapie im Alter beinhaltet neben kardiovaskulären Interventionen auch Medikamente und eine Lebensstilmodifikation und dient vor allem der Verbesserung der Lebensqualität.
CME: Sekundäre hämophagozytische Lymphohistiozytose
Authors: Leinenkugel Georg , Buser Lorenz , Vallelian Florence , Herfs Gregor
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Sekundäre hämophagozytische Lymphohistiozytose-Syndrome beschreiben eine vom Erscheinungsbild heterogene Gruppe überschiessender entzündlicher Reaktionen des Immunsystems, die durch Hyperinflammation mit Vermehrung zytotoxischer T-Lymphozyten und Makrophagen bei gesteigerter Hämophagozytose-Aktivität reagieren. Das sekundäre hämophagozytische Lymphohistiozytose-Syndrom wird häufig unterdiagnostiziert, was zu einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität beiträgt. Die Abfrage der etablierten diagnostischen Kriterien in einem systematischen Abklärungsalgorithmus soll helfen, durch frühzeitige Diagnosestellung und Initiation einer passenden Therapie höhere Heilungsraten zu erreichen.
Les lymphohistiocytoses hémophagocytaires
Authors: Stalder Grégoire , Ribi Camillo , Duchosal Michel André
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die hämophagozytische Lymphohistiozytose (HLH) umfasst eine Gruppe seltener Krankheiten, welche mit einer schwerwiegenden Entzündungsreaktion durch ungezügelte Aktivierung des Immunsystems einhergehen. Für das Erscheinungsbild ist auch die Bezeichnung Makrophagenaktivierungssyndrom gebräuchlich. Man unterscheidet primäre und sekundäre Formen der HLH. Erstere treten bereits im Säuglingsalter auf und sind durch Mutationen im Bereich der zytotoxischen Lymphozytenfunktion bedingt. Die sekundären Formen werden durch Infekte, Autoimmunerkrankungen und bösartige Bluterkrankungen und Tumoren hervorgerufen oder sind idiopathisch. Die verschiedenen Formen der HLH manifestieren sich einheitlich mit hohem Fieber, einer Hepatosplenomegalie und Zytopenien. Ohne Behandlung kommt es zum Multiorganversagen mit meist tödlichem Verlauf. Die Diagnose beruht zurzeit auf der Zusammenstellung mehrerer klinischer und biologischer Merkmale. Die Behandlung basiert auf der Entfernung der Ursache, Unterstützung des Kreislaufes und der Organfunktion und der Verabreichung von Immunosuppressiva. Die primären HLH wurden intensiv erforscht und gut etablierte Therapieprotokolle liegen für pädiatrische Fälle vor. Es liegen nun auch mehrere retrospektive Studien über die sekundären HLH vor, welche vor allem Erwachsene betreffen und eine steigende Inzidenz verzeichnen. So werden nun neue Diagnosekriterien und moderne Behandlungsansätze vorgeschlagen, welche in diesem Artikel zusammengefasst sind.
Kalt und weiss – Hypothenar-Hammer-Syndrom
Authors: Biskup Ewelina
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Das Hypothenar-Hammer-Syndrom (HHS) ist ein Zustand, der durch digitale Ischämie als Folge wiederholter Traumata auf den Kleinfingerballen entsteht. Die Routinediagnostik sollte eine genaue Anamnese sowie eine körperliche Untersuchung einschliesslich Allen-Test umfassen. Bildgebung der Gefässläsionen kann initial mittels akraler Plethysmografie und Duplexsonografie, oder aber direkt im Rahmen einer Angiografie (Goldstandard) erfolgen. Eine frühzeitige Diagnose ermöglicht effektive therapeutische Strategien und Verhinderung permanenter Spätfolgen. Die optimalen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten werden je nach Stärke der Symptomatik ausgewählt und reichen von konservativen Methoden und sekundärer Prävention über eine lokale Thrombolyse bis zu operativen Massnahmen.
Improving Air Quality Could Prevent Thousands of Deaths in India
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: August 2018

More stringent emission controls are key to the country’s future health.
Estimating CDOM Concentration in Highly Turbid Estuarine Coastal Waters
Authors: Zhao Jun , Cao Wenxi , Xu Zhantang , Ai Bin , Yang Yuezhong , Jin Guangzhen , Wang Guifen , Zhou Wen , Chen Yong , Chen Haiyun , Sun Zhaohua
Published: August 2018

We proposed a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to retrieve colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentration (using ag(443) as a proxy) in the highly turbid Pearl River estuary. Two band ratios, namely, Rrs(443)/Rrs(547) and Rrs(488)/Rrs(547), were used as inputs. Comparisons between the estimated and measured ag(443) illustrated high accuracy of the SVM algorithm, yielding R2s of 0.98 and 0.89, mean absolute percentage errors of 5.18% and 13.1%, and root‐mean‐square deviations of 0.012 and 0.034 m−1 for the training and validation data sets, respectively. The SVM algorithm was also evaluated against existing ones for the study area and gave the best accuracy with a R2 of 0.9, a mean absolute percentage error of 10.23%, and a root‐mean‐square deviation of 0.025 m−1. The diurnal dynamics of CDOM in the Pearl River estuary was revealed showing complicated variations and influenced by the combined effects of wind, tide, circulation, and river discharge. As for remote sensing applications, the SVM‐based CDOM product exhibited great potential to trace the Pearl River plume and the satellite‐derived plume area agreed well with the FVCOM model simulation result. SVM is an accurate and fast tool for retrieving CDOM concentration, especially in highly turbid estuarine coastal waters, and thus, river plume dynamics can be traced.
Seasonality of Nutrient Flux and Biogeochemistry in an Intertidal Aquifer
Authors: Liu Yi , Liang Wenzhao , Jiao Jiu Jimmy
Published: August 2018

Biogeochemical reactions in coastal aquifers highly affect the nutrient flux associated with submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to the ocean, which subsequently influences the oceanic environment and ecology. This study investigates a seasonal variation of SGD‐derived nutrient flux to the ocean and nutrient biogeochemistry in an intertidal aquifer of Tolo Harbor, Hong Kong. The results show that the inventory of NOx− and PO43− in the intertidal aquifer has a clear seasonality with a large inventory in summer, a small inventory in spring, and a median inventory in autumn and winter, respectively. Differently, the inventory of NH4+ is large in winter and summer and small in spring and autumn, which results from the coupled effects of seasonal change of both production and removal of NH4+ in the aquifer. The SGD‐derived nutrient (NH4+, NOx−, and PO43−) flux is the highest in summer (271.71, 24.86, and 116.66 mmol·day−1·(m coastline)−1) and is the lowest in spring (114.83, 1.70, and 20.26 mmol·day−1·(m coastline)−1). The majority of SGD‐derived nutrient flux is supported by the local remineralization of organic matter along with seawater infiltration. In autumn, the recharge of seawater induced by tidal pumping significantly shifts the biogeochemical balance of nutrients and is the major source of groundwater nutrients in the intertidal aquifer. Among the various nutrient fluxes (SGD, river discharge, atmospheric deposition, and benthic sediment diffusion) to Tolo Harbor, SGD‐derived PO43− flux is the second major source of seawater PO43− in addition to benthic sediment diffusion. The PO43− loading via SGD is of significance to the primary production in the phosphorus‐limited environment in Tolo Harbor. After considering the natural attenuation of nutrients in a sandy/silty beach aquifer, this study suggests the overestimation of SGD‐derived nutrient loading estimated previously that simply use average nutrient concentration of fresh SGD endmember and saline SGD endmember as the nutrient concentration of total SGD endmember.
Complete polarization control in multimode fibers with polarization and mode coupling
Authors: Xiong Wen , Hsu Chia Wei , Bromberg Yaron , Antonio-Lopez Jose Enrique , Amezcua Correa Rodrigo , Cao Hui
Published: August 2018

Multimode optical fibers have seen increasing applications in communication, imaging, high-power lasers, and amplifiers. However, inherent imperfections and environmental perturbations cause random polarization and mode mixing, causing the output polarization states to be different from the input polarization states. This difference poses a serious issue for employing polarization-sensitive techniques to control light–matter interactions or nonlinear optical processes at the distal end of a fiber probe. Here, we demonstrate complete control of polarization states for all output channels by only manipulating the spatial wavefront of a laser beam into the fiber. Arbitrary polarization states for individual output channels are generated by wavefront shaping without constraining the input polarization. The strong coupling between the spatial and polarization degrees of freedom in a multimode fiber enables full polarization control with the spatial degrees of freedom alone; thus, wavefront shaping can transform a multimode fiber into a highly efficient reconfigurable matrix of waveplates for imaging and communication applications.
NNMT depletion contributes to liver cancer cell survival by enhancing autophagy under nutrient starvation
Authors: Shin Ji Hye , Park Chang Wook , Yoon Gyesoon , Hong Sun Mi , Choi Kwan Yong
Published: August 2018

Nicotinamide N-methyl transferase (NNMT) transfers a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to nicotinamide (NAM), producing 1-methylnicotinamide (1MNA). NNMT has been implicated in several cancer types and recently in metabolism, but its role in autophagy regulation has not yet been investigated. In this study, we determined that NNMT negatively regulated autophagy at the stage of ULK1 activation through protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. Specifically, NNMT knockdown increased PP2A methylation and subsequently enhanced phosphatase activity. Consequent p-ULK1 (S638) dephosphorylation derepressed ULK1 activity, resulting in autophagy induction. Accordingly, NNMT downregulation rescued tumor cells under nutrient deficiency in vivo, which was alleviated by ULK1 inhibitor treatment. In summary, our results suggest a novel mechanism by which tumor cells protect themselves against nutrient deprivation through NNMT suppression to accelerate autophagy.
Chromatin regulates IL-33 release and extracellular cytokine activity
Authors: Travers Jared , Rochman Mark , Miracle Cora E. , Habel Jeff E. , Brusilovsky Michael , Caldwell Julie M. , Rymer Jeffrey K. , Rothenberg Marc E.
Published: August 2018

IL-33 is an epithelium-derived, pro-inflammatory alarmin with enigmatic nuclear localization and chromatin binding. Here we report the functional properties of nuclear IL-33. Overexpression of IL-33 does not alter global gene expression in transduced epithelial cells. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching data show that the intranuclear mobility of IL-33 is ~10-fold slower than IL-1α, whereas truncated IL-33 lacking chromatin-binding activity is more mobile. WT IL-33 is more resistant to necrosis-induced release than truncated IL-33 and has a relatively slow, linear release over time after membrane dissolution as compared to truncated IL-33 or IL-1α. Lastly, IL-33 and histones are released as a high-molecular weight complex and synergistically activate receptor-mediated signaling. We thus propose that chromatin binding is a post-translational mechanism that regulates the releasability and ST2-mediated bioactivity of IL-33 and provide a paradigm to further understand the enigmatic functions of nuclear cytokines.
Active nematics
Authors: Doostmohammadi Amin , Ignés-Mullol Jordi , Yeomans Julia M. , Sagués Francesc
Published: August 2018

Active matter extracts energy from its surroundings at the single particle level and transforms it into mechanical work. Examples include cytoskeleton biopolymers and bacterial suspensions. Here, we review experimental, theoretical and numerical studies of active nematics - a type of active system that is characterised by self-driven units with elongated shape. We focus primarily on microtubule–kinesin mixtures and the hydrodynamic theories that describe their properties. An important theme is active turbulence and the associated motile topological defects. We discuss ways in which active turbulence may be controlled, a pre-requisite to harvesting energy from active materials, and we consider the appearance, and possible implications, of active nematics and topological defects to cellular systems and biological processes.
Spin and orbital structure of the first six holes in a silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dot
Authors: Liles S. D. , Li R. , Yang C. H. , Hudson F. E. , Veldhorst M. , Dzurak A. S. , Hamilton A. R.
Published: August 2018

Valence band holes confined in silicon quantum dots are attracting significant attention for use as spin qubits. However, experimental studies of single-hole spins have been hindered by challenges in fabrication and stability of devices capable of confining a single hole. To fully utilize hole spins as qubits, it is crucial to have a detailed understanding of the spin and orbital states. Here we show a planar silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor-based quantum dot device and demonstrate operation down to the last hole. Magneto-spectroscopy studies show magic number shell filling consistent with the Fock–Darwin states of a circular two-dimensional quantum dot, with the spin filling sequence of the first six holes consistent with Hund’s rule. Next, we use pulse-bias spectroscopy to determine that the orbital spectrum is heavily influenced by the strong hole–hole interactions. These results provide a path towards scalable silicon hole-spin qubits.
Engineering the spin couplings in atomically crafted spin chains on an elemental superconductor
Authors: Kamlapure A. , Cornils L. , Wiebe J. , Wiesendanger R.
Published: August 2018

Magnetic atoms on a superconductor give rise to Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) states within the superconducting energy gap. A spin chain of magnetic adatoms on an s-wave superconductor may lead to topological superconductivity accompanied by the emergence of Majorana modes at the chain ends. For their usage in quantum computation, it is a prerequisite to artificially assemble the chains and control the exchange couplings between the spins in the chain and in the substrate. Here, using a scanning tunneling microscope tip, we demonstrate engineering of the energy levels of the YSR states by placing interstitial Fe atoms in close proximity to adsorbed Fe atoms on an oxidized Ta surface. Based on this prototype platform, we show that the interaction within a long chain can be strengthened by linking the adsorbed Fe atoms with the interstitial ones. Our work adds an important step towards the controlled design and manipulation of Majorana end states.
Coherent control of solid state nuclear spin nano-ensembles
Authors: Unden Thomas , Tomek Nikolas , Weggler Timo , Frank Florian , London Paz , Zopes Jonathan , Degen Christian , Raatz Nicole , Meijer Jan , Watanabe Hideyuki , Itoh Kohei M. , Plenio Martin B. , Naydenov Boris , Jelezko Fedor
Published: August 2018

Detecting and controlling nuclear spin nano-ensembles is crucial for the further development of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and for the emerging solid state quantum technology. Here we present the fabrication of a ≈1 nanometre thick diamond layer consisting of 13C nuclear spins doped with nitrogen-vacancy centres (NV) embedded in a spin-free 12C crystal matrix. A single NV in the vicinity of the layer is used for polarization of the 13C spins and the readout of their magnetization. We demonstrate a method for coherent control of few tens of nuclear spins by using radio frequency pulses, and show the basic coherent control experiments, Rabi oscillations and Ramsey spectroscopy, though any NMR pulse sequence can be implemented. The results shown here present an important step towards the realization of a nuclear spin based quantum simulator.
Transgenic Tmc2 expression preserves inner ear hair cells and vestibular function in mice lacking Tmc1
Authors: Asai Yukako , Pan Bifeng , Nist-Lund Carl , Galvin Alice , Lukashkin Andrei N. , Lukashkina Victoria A. , Chen Tianwen , Zhou Wu , Zhu Hong , Russell Ian J. , Holt Jeffrey R. , Géléoc Gwenaelle S. G.
Published: August 2018

Recent work has demonstrated that transmembrane channel-like 1 protein (TMC1) is an essential component of the sensory transduction complex in hair cells of the inner ear. A closely related homolog, TMC2, is expressed transiently in the neonatal mouse cochlea and can enable sensory transduction in Tmc1-null mice during the first postnatal week. Both TMC1 and TMC2 are expressed at adult stages in mouse vestibular hair cells. The extent to which TMC1 and TMC2 can substitute for each other is unknown. Several biophysical differences between TMC1 and TMC2 suggest these proteins perform similar but not identical functions. To investigate these differences, and whether TMC2 can substitute for TMC1 in mature hair cells, we generated a knock-in mouse model allowing Cre-inducible expression of Tmc2. We assayed for changes in hair cell sensory transduction and auditory and vestibular function in Tmc2 knockin mice (Tm[Tmc2]) in the presence or absence of endogenous Tmc1, Tmc2 or both. Our results show that expression of Tm[TMC2] restores sensory transduction in vestibular hair cells and transiently in cochlear hair cells in the absence of TMC1. The cellular rescue leads to recovery of balance but not auditory function. We conclude that TMC1 provides some additional necessary function, not provided by TMC2.
Tmc2 expression partially restores auditory function in a mouse model of DFNB7/B11 deafness caused by loss of Tmc1 function
Authors: Nakanishi Hiroshi , Kurima Kiyoto , Pan Bifeng , Wangemann Philine , Fitzgerald Tracy S. , Géléoc Gwenaëlle S. , Holt Jeffrey R. , Griffith Andrew J.
Published: August 2018

Mouse Tmc1 and Tmc2 are required for sensory transduction in cochlear and vestibular hair cells. Homozygous Tmc1∆/∆ mice are deaf, Tmc2∆/∆ mice have normal hearing, and double homozygous Tmc1∆/∆; Tmc2∆/∆ mice have deafness and profound vestibular dysfunction. These phenotypes are consistent with their different spatiotemporal expression patterns. Tmc1 expression is persistent in cochlear and vestibular hair cells, whereas Tmc2 expression is transient in cochlear hair cells but persistent in vestibular hair cells. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesized that persistent Tmc2 expression in mature cochlear hair cells could restore auditory function in Tmc1∆/∆ mice. To express Tmc2 in mature cochlear hair cells, we generated a transgenic mouse line, Tg[PTmc1::Tmc2], in which Tmc2 cDNA is expressed under the control of the Tmc1 promoter. The Tg[PTmc1::Tmc2] transgene slightly but significantly restored hearing in young Tmc1∆/∆ mice, though hearing thresholds were elevated with age. The elevation of hearing thresholds was associated with deterioration of sensory transduction in inner hair cells and loss of outer hair cell function. Although sensory transduction was retained in outer hair cells, their stereocilia eventually degenerated. These results indicate distinct roles and requirements for Tmc1 and Tmc2 in mature cochlear hair cells.
Trends in pulmonary embolism in patients infected with HIV during the combination antiretroviral therapy era in Spain: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Alvaro-Meca Alejandro , Ryan Pablo , Micheloud Dariela , De Miguel Angel , Berenguer Juan , Resino Salvador
Published: August 2018

Chronic infections are a major factor in the development of pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to evaluate the trends of PE-related hospitalizations and PE-related deaths in people living with HIV (PLWH) during the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) through a retrospective study in Spain. Data were collected from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) between 1997 and 2013. The study period was fragmented into four calendar periods (1997–1999, 2000–2003, 2004–2007, and 2008–2013). The rate of PE-related hospitalizations remained stable in PLWH (P = 0.361). HIV-monoinfected patients had a higher incidence than HIV/HCV-coinfected patients during all follow-up [(98.7 (95%CI = 92.2; 105.1); P < 0.001], but PE incidence decreased in HIV-monoinfected patients (P < 0.001) and increased in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (P < 0.001). Concretely, the rate of PE-related hospitalizations decreased significantly in patients monoinfected with HIV [from 203.6 (95%CI = 175.7; 231.6) events per 100,000 patient-years in 1997–1999 to 74.3 (95%CI = 66.1; 82.3) in 2008–2013; P < 0.001], while patients coinfected with HIV/HCV had a significant increase [from 16.3 (95%CI = 11; 21.6) in 1997–1999 to 53.3 (95%CI = 45.9; 60.6) in 2008–2013; P < 0.001]. The mortality rate of PE-related hospitalizations showed a similar trend as PE incidence. In conclusion, the epidemiological trends of PE in PLWH changed during the cART era, with decreases in incidence and mortality in HIV-monoinfected and increases in both variables in patients coinfected with HIV/HCV.
Role of the Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in the survival of first trimester human placenta under induced stress conditions
Authors: Ietta Francesca , Ferro Eloisa Amália Vieira , Bevilacqua Estela , Benincasa Linda , Maioli Emanuela , Paulesu Luana
Published: August 2018

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a multifunctional molecule highly secreted by human placenta mainly in the early phases of pregnancy. Studies in different cells show that MIF is a pro-survival factor by binding to its receptor CD74. By using the in vitro model of placental explants from first trimester pregnancy, we investigated the role of MIF in the survival of placental cells under induced stress conditions that promote apoptosis or mimic the hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R) injury that placenta could suffer in vivo. We demonstrated that recombinant MIF (rMIF) treatment was able to reduce caspase-3 activation when cultures were challenged with the apoptosis-inducer Carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) while, in the cultures exposed to H/R, the treatment with rMIF did not show any effect. However, a significant increase in caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation was found when H/R-exposed cultures, were treated with anti-MIF or anti-CD74 antibody. We also observed that under H/R, a significant amount of endogenous MIF was released into the medium, which could account for the lack of effect of rMIF added to the cultures. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the MIF/CD74 axis contributes to maintain trophoblast homeostasis, by preventing abnormal apoptotic death.
The induction of the fibroblast extracellular senescence metabolome is a dynamic process
Authors: James Emma N. L. , Bennett Mark H. , Parkinson E. Kenneth
Published: August 2018

Cellular senescence is often associated with irreparable DNA double strand breaks (IrrDSBs) which accumulate with chronological age (IrrDSBsen). The removal of senescent cells ameliorates several age-related diseases in mice but the translation of these findings into a clinical setting would be aided by the characterisation of non-invasive biomarkers of senescent cells. Several serum metabolites are independent indicators of chronological age and some of these accumulate outside senescent fibroblasts independently of cell cycle arrest, repairable DNA breaks and cell size (the extracellular senescence metabolome, or ESM). The post-mitotic phase of senescence is dynamic, making the detection of senescent cells in vivo difficult. An unbiased metabolomic screen of the IrrDSBsen fibroblast ESM also showed differences in the times of initiation and maintenance of different metabolites but generally the ESM altered progressively over the 20 day study period unlike the reported transcriptional profiles. This more detailed analysis of IrrDSBsen identified several new ESM metabolites that are associated with chronological ageing. Targeted analysis of citrate confirmed the dynamic nature of this metabolite in two cell lines and revealed its independence from the senescence effector p16INK4A. These data will aid our understanding of metabolic signatures of ageing and their relationship to cellular senescence and IrrDSBs.
Publisher Correction: Ramifications of Atmospheric Humidity on Monsoon Depressions over the Indian Subcontinent
Authors: Baisya Himadri , Pattnaik Sandeep , Hazra Vivekananda , Sisodiya Anshul , Rai Deepika
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Facilitating CAD/CAM nasoalveolar molding therapy with a novel click-in system for nasal stents ensuring a quick and user-friendly chairside nasal stent exchange
Authors: Grill Florian D. , Ritschl Lucas M. , Dikel Hannes , Rau Andrea , Roth Maximilian , Eblenkamp Markus , Wolff Klaus-Dietrich , Loeffelbein Denys J. , Bauer Franz X.
Published: August 2018

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) aims to improve nasal symmetry with a nasal stent in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. When plates have to be exchanged because of dentoalveolar growth or cleft reduction, the nasal stent has to be mounted onto a new plate. This procedure elongates visiting hours for patients and parents or requires second treatment sessions. This study introduces a quick-lock additive manufacturing solution for chairside nasal stent exchange called RapidNAM. A novel taping retention pin has been designed that enables nasal stent insertion. Patients with unilateral CLP were included in this study. Plaster models were digitalized and measured by two independent observers. Two methods of CAD/CAM-molding therapies were compared: (i) conventional adhesion of a nasal stent (CAD/CAM NAM); (ii) quick-lock system in which the nasal stent was transferred to another plate (RapidNAM). CAD/CAM NAM and its refinement RapidNAM significantly increased the cleft-side nasal height and tilted the nose towards symmetry. The quick-lock system minimizes wire adaptations, since the pre-existing stent can be reused. The new nasal stent development seems a feasible solution to minimize visiting hours but with clinically satisfactory results. This new nasal stent system combines traditional elements of NAM with CAD/CAM-technology.
Author Correction: MicroRNA interactome analysis predicts post-transcriptional regulation of ADRB2 and PPP3R1 in the hypercholesterolemic myocardium
Authors: Ágg Bence , Baranyai Tamás , Makkos András , Vető Borbála , Faragó Nóra , Zvara Ágnes , Giricz Zoltán , Veres Dániel V. , Csermely Péter , Arányi Tamás , Puskás László G. , Varga Zoltán V. , Ferdinandy Péter
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Micro-CT 3D imaging reveals the internal structure of three abyssal xenophyophore species (Protista, Foraminifera) from the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean
Authors: Gooday Andrew J. , Sykes Dan , Góral Tomasz , Zubkov Mikhail V. , Glover Adrian G.
Published: August 2018

Xenophyophores, giant foraminifera, are distinctive members of the deep-sea megafauna that accumulate large masses of waste material (‘stercomare’) within their agglutinated tests, and organise their cells as branching strands enclosed within an organic tube (the ‘granellare’ system). Using non-destructive, three-dimensional micro-CT imaging we explored these structures in three species from the abyssal eastern Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). In Psammina spp., the low-density stercomare occupied much of the test interior, while high-density granellare strands branched throughout the structure. In Galatheammina sp. the test comprised a mixture of stercomare and test particles, with the granellare forming a web-like system of filaments. The granellare occupied 2.8–5.1%, the stercomare 72.4–82.4%, and test particles 14.7–22.5%, of the ‘body’ volume in the two Psammina species. The corresponding proportions in Galatheammina sp. were 1.7% (granellare), 39.5% (stercomare) and 58.8% (test particles). These data provide a potential basis for estimating the contribution of xenophyophores to seafloor biomass in areas like the CCZ where they dominate the megafauna. As in most xenophyophore species, the granellare hosted huge numbers of tiny barite crystals. We speculate that these help to support the extensive granellare system, as well as reducing the cell volume and lightening the metabolic burden required to maintain it.
The molecular chaperon AKR2A increases the mulberry chilling-tolerant capacity by maintaining SOD activity and unsaturated fatty acids composition
Authors: Chen Lin , Hou Yuqi , Hu Wenjun , Qiu Xiaoyun , Lu Hongling , Wei Jia , Yu Shaofang , He NingJia , Zhang Hong , Shen Guoxin
Published: August 2018

Chilling is common in nature and can damage most plant species, particularly young leaves and buds. Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an economically important food source for the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori). However, weather and climatic extremes, such as “late spring coldness”, seriously damage mulberry buds and young leaves. The molecular mechanism involved in the differing mulberry chilling tolerance is unclear. In the present study, we found that mSOD1, mFADII, and mKCS1 interacted with mAKR2A and that the expression of mAKR2A, mSOD, mFAD, and mKCS1 in the chilling-tolerant mulberry variety was higher than that in the chilling-sensitive variety. Unsaturated fatty acids content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the chilling-tolerant variety was higher than that in the chilling-sensitive variety. After chilling treatment, mSOD1, mKCS1 and mAKR2A expression in the chilling-tolerant variety was reduced to lower than that in the chilling-sensitive variety, whereas mFADII expression increased in the chilling-tolerant variety compared with that in the chilling-sensitive variety, suggesting that the increased expression of the molecular chaperon mAKR2A helped to maintain or prompted the chilling-related proteins in the chilling-tolerant variety.
Biochemical analysis of GTPase FlhF which controls the number and position of flagellar formation in marine Vibrio
Authors: Kondo Shota , Imura Yoshino , Mizuno Akira , Homma Michio , Kojima Seiji
Published: August 2018

FlhF controls the number and position of the polar flagellar formation of Vibrio species. FlhF, is a paralog of FtsY, a GTPase acting in the Sec membrane transport system of bacteria, and localizes at the cell pole. Mutations in the conserved GTPase motif of FlhF lost polar localization capability and flagellar formation. Vibrio FlhF has not, until now, been purified as soluble protein. Here, we report that addition of MgCl2 and GTP or GDP at the step of cell lysis greatly improved the solubility of FlhF, allowing us to purify it in homogeneity. Purified FlhF showed GTPase activity only in the presence of FlhG. Of twelve FlhF GTPase motif mutants showing reduced function, eleven were recovered as precipitate after the cell disruption. The E440K substitution could be purified and showed no GTPase activity even in the presence of FlhG. Interestingly an FlhF substitution in the putative catalytic residue for GTP hydrolysis, R334A, allowed normal flagellar formation although GTPase activity of FlhF was completely abolished. Furthermore, size exclusion chromatography of purified FlhF revealed that it forms dimers in the presence of GTP but exists as monomer in the presence of GDP. We speculate that the GTP binding allows FlhF to dimerize and localize at the pole where it initiates flagellar formation, and the GDP-bound form diffuses as monomer.
Avalanche precursors of failure in hierarchical fuse networks
Authors: Moretti Paolo , Dietemann Bastien , Esfandiary Nosaibeh , Zaiser Michael
Published: August 2018

We study precursors of failure in hierarchical random fuse network models which can be considered as idealizations of hierarchical (bio)materials where fibrous assemblies are held together by multi-level (hierarchical) cross-links. When such structures are loaded towards failure, the patterns of precursory avalanche activity exhibit generic scale invariance: irrespective of load, precursor activity is characterized by power-law avalanche size distributions without apparent cut-off, with power-law exponents that decrease continuously with increasing load. This failure behavior and the ensuing super-rough crack morphology differ significantly from the findings in non-hierarchical structures.
Fundamental pharmacological expressions on ocular exposure to capsaicin, the principal constituent in pepper sprays
Authors: Krishnatreyya Harshita , Hazarika Hemanga , Saha Achintya , Chattopadhyay Pronobesh
Published: August 2018

Eye irritation assessment is compulsory to anticipate health risks in military personnel exposed to riot control agents such as capsaicin, the principal constituent of oleoresin capsicum, or pepper sprays. The present work investigates certain fundamental yet unaddressed pharmacological manifestations on ocular exposure to capsaicin. Ocular pharmacology of capsaicin was studied using acute eye irritation (AEI), bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay, corneal fluorescein staining and indirect ophthalmoscopy studies, transcorneal permeation, Schirmer tear secretion test, nerve conduction velocity study and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of bovine corneas and rat optic nerves were done to further estimate capsaicin induced morphological variations. Our findings demonstrated that AEI, BCOP, corneal fluorescein staining and indirect ophthalmoscopy were useful in assessing capsaicin induced ocular irritation; AEI and BCOP also contributed towards indicating the eye irritation potential of capsaicin as per the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals categorization. Additional experimental observations include considerable transcorneal permeation of capsaicin, capsaicin induced reduction in tear secretions and nerve conduction velocity and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines by ELISA. Histopathology and SEM were favourable techniques for the detection of capsaicin induced ocular physiological modifications.
Characterizing pearls structures using X-ray phase-contrast and neutron imaging: a pilot study
Authors: Micieli D. , Di Martino D. , Musa M. , Gori L. , Kaestner A. , Bravin A. , Mittone A. , Navone R. , Gorini G.
Published: August 2018

Some cultured and natural pearls can be reliably distinguished by visual inspection and by the use of lens and microscope. However, assessing the origin of the pearls could be not straightforward since many different production techniques can now be found in the pearl market, for example in salt or freshwater environments, with or without a rigid nucleus. This wide range of products requires the use of new effective scientific techniques. Indeed, X-ray radiography has been used by gemologists since last century as the only safe and non-destructive way to visually inspect the interior of a pearl, and recently, also X-ray computed micro-tomography was used to better visualize the inner parts of the gems. In this study we analyzed samples of natural and cultured pearls by means of two non-destructive techniques: the X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging (PCI) and the Neutron Imaging (NI). PCI and NI results will be combined for the first time, to better visualize the pearls internal morphology, thus giving relevant indications on the pearl formation process.
Integrative metagenomic and biochemical studies on rifamycin ADP-ribosyltransferases discovered in the sediment microbiome
Authors: Shin Jae Hong , Eom Hyunuk , Song Woon Ju , Rho Mina
Published: August 2018

Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing threat to human health. The environmental microbiome is a rich reservoir of resistomes, offering opportunities to discover new antibiotic resistance genes. Here we demonstrate an integrative approach of utilizing gene sequence and protein structural information to characterize unidentified genes that are responsible for the resistance to the action of rifamycin antibiotic rifampin, a first-line antimicrobial agent to treat tuberculosis. Biochemical characterization of four environmental metagenomic proteins indicates that they are adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosyltransferases and effective in the development of resistance to FDA-approved rifamycins. Our analysis suggests that even a single residue with low sequence conservation plays an important role in regulating the degrees of antibiotic resistance. In addition to advancing our understanding of antibiotic resistomes, this work demonstrates the importance of an integrative approach to discover new metagenomic genes and decipher their biochemical functions.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of outdoor air pollution exposure and cognitive function in UK Biobank
Authors: Cullen Breda , Newby Danielle , Lee Duncan , Lyall Donald M. , Nevado-Holgado Alejo J. , Evans Jonathan J. , Pell Jill P. , Lovestone Simon , Cavanagh Jonathan
Published: August 2018

Observational studies have shown consistently increased likelihood of dementia or mild cognitive impairment diagnoses in people with higher air pollution exposure history, but evidence has been less consistent for associations with cognitive test performance. We estimated the association between baseline neighbourhood-level exposure to airborne pollutants (particulate matter and nitrogen oxides) and (1) cognitive test performance at baseline and (2) cognitive score change between baseline and 2.8-year follow-up, in 86,759 middle- to older-aged adults from the UK Biobank general population cohort. Unadjusted regression analyses indicated small but consistent negative associations between air pollutant exposure and baseline cognitive performance. Following adjustment for a range of key confounders, associations were inconsistent in direction and of very small magnitude. The largest of these indicated that 1 interquartile range higher air pollutant exposure was associated on average with 0.35% slower reaction time (95% CI: 0.13, 0.57), a 2.92% higher error rate on a visuospatial memory test (95% CI: 1.24, 4.62), and numeric memory scores that were 0.58 points lower (95% CI: −0.96, −0.19). Follow-up analyses of cognitive change scores did not show evidence of associations. The findings indicate that in this sample, which is five-fold larger than any previous cross-sectional study, the association between air pollution exposure and cognitive performance was weak. Ongoing follow-up of the UK Biobank cohort will allow investigation of longer-term associations into old age, including longitudinal tracking of cognitive performance and incident dementia outcomes.
Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Dandruff Agent Zinc Pyrithione against Malassezia restricta
Authors: Park Minji , Cho Yong-Joon , Lee Yang Won , Jung Won Hee
Published: August 2018

Dandruff is known to be associated with Malassezia restricta. Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) has been used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff treatments. The mechanism of ZPT has been investigated in several studies; however, a non-pathogenic model yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae was most often used. The aim of the present study was to understand how ZPT inhibits the growth of M. restricta. We analyzed the cellular metal content and transcriptome profile of ZPT-treated M. restricta cells and found that ZPT treatment dramatically increased cellular zinc levels, along with a small increase in cellular copper levels. Moreover, our transcriptome analysis showed that ZPT inhibits Fe-S cluster synthesis in M. restricta. We also observed that ZPT treatment significantly reduced the expression of lipases, whose activities contribute to the survival and virulence of M. restricta on human skin. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that at least three inhibitory mechanisms are associated with the action of ZPT against M. restricta: (i) an increase in cellular zinc levels, (ii) inhibition of mitochondrial function, and (iii) a decrease in lipase expression.
Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer to Arginine Deprivation Therapy is Shaped by Differential Expression of Urea Cycle Enzymes
Authors: Alexandrou Constantinos , Al-Aqbi Saif Sattar , Higgins Jennifer A. , Boyle William , Karmokar Ankur , Andreadi Catherine , Luo Jin-Li , Moore David A. , Viskaduraki Maria , Blades Matthew , Murray Graeme I. , Howells Lynne M. , Thomas Anne , Brown Karen , Cheng Paul N. , Rufini Alessandro
Published: August 2018

Tumors deficient in the urea cycle enzymes argininosuccinate synthase-1 (ASS1) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) are unable to synthesize arginine and can be targeted using arginine-deprivation therapy. Here, we show that colorectal cancers (CRCs) display negligible expression of OTC and, in subset of cases, ASS1 proteins. CRC cells fail to grow in arginine-free medium and dietary arginine deprivation slows growth of cancer cells implanted into immunocompromised mice. Moreover, we report that clinically-formulated arginine-degrading enzymes are effective anticancer drugs in CRC. Pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20), which degrades arginine to citrulline and ammonia, affects growth of ASS1-negative cells, whereas recombinant human arginase-1 (rhArg1peg5000), which degrades arginine into urea and ornithine, is effective against a broad spectrum of OTC-negative CRC cell lines. This reflects the inability of CRC cells to recycle citrulline and ornithine into the urea cycle. Finally, we show that arginase antagonizes chemotherapeutic drugs oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), whereas ADI-PEG20 synergizes with oxaliplatin in ASS1-negative cell lines and appears to interact with 5-fluorouracil independently of ASS1 status. Overall, we conclude that CRC is amenable to arginine-deprivation therapy, but we warrant caution when combining arginine deprivation with standard chemotherapy.
Impact on predictability of tropical and mid-latitude cyclones by extra Arctic observations
Authors: Sato Kazutoshi , Inoue Jun , Yamazaki Akira , Kim Joo-Hong , Makshtas Alexander , Kustov Vasilli , Maturilli Marion , Dethloff Klaus
Published: August 2018

Recent research has demonstrated that additional winter radiosonde observations in Arctic regions enhance the predictability of mid-latitude weather extremes by reducing uncertainty in the flow of localised tropopause polar vortices. The impacts of additional Arctic observations during summer are usually confined to high latitudes and they are difficult to realize at mid-latitudes because of the limited scale of localised tropopause polar vortices. However, in certain climatic states, the jet stream can intrude remarkably into the mid-latitudes, even in summer; thus, additional Arctic observations might improve analysis validity and forecast skill for summer atmospheric circulations over the Northern Hemisphere. This study examined such cases that occurred in 2016 by focusing on the prediction of the intensity and track of tropical cyclones (TCs) over the North Atlantic and North Pacific, because TCs are representative of extreme weather in summer. The predictabilities of three TCs were found influenced by additional Arctic observations. Comparisons with ensemble reanalysis data revealed that large errors propagate from the data-sparse Arctic into the mid-latitudes, together with high-potential-vorticity air. Ensemble forecast experiments with different reanalysis data confirmed that additional Arctic observations sometimes improve the initial conditions of upper-level troposphere circulations.
Impact of herbivory and competition on lake ecosystem structure: underwater experimental manipulation
Authors: Vejříková Ivana , Vejřík Lukáš , Lepš Jan , Kočvara Luboš , Sajdlová Zuzana , Čtvrtlíková Martina , Peterka Jiří
Published: August 2018

Two basic ecological relationships, herbivory and competition, distinctively influence terrestrial ecosystem characteristics, such as plant cover, species richness and species composition. We conducted a cage experiment under natural conditions in an aquatic ecosystem to test the impacts of two treatments combined in a factorial manner: (i) a pulse treatment – removal of dominant competitors among primary producers (macroalgae Chara sp. and Vaucheria sp.), and (ii) a press treatment – preventing herbivore (fish, crayfish) access to caged plots. The plots were sampled once before the treatments were established and four more times within two years. Both treatments had a significantly positive impact on macrophyte cover and species richness and changed the macrophyte species composition. The effect of the macroalgae removal was immediate with the highest species richness occurrence during the first post-treatment monitoring, but the positive effect vanished with time. In contrast, preventing herbivore access had a gradual but long-lasting effect and reached a more steady-state over time. Two of the most common species showed contrasting responses, the palatable Potamogeton pectinatus was most supported by caging, while the distasteful Myriophyllum spicatum preferred open plots. Our findings may be applicable during the revitalisation of aquatic ecosystems that aims to increase macrophyte biodiversity.