bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opponent Process Theory Can Help Explain Some Effects of Resilience
Authors: Bowling Nathan A. , Beehr Terry A.
Published: July 2016

We read the focal article by Britt, Shen, Sinclair, Grossman, and Klieger (2016) with special interest. About 10 years ago, we were asked to write a chapter on hardiness (Beehr & Bowling, 2005), and in doing so we had many observations about hardiness that were similar to Britt et al.’s observations about resilience. Our chapter was most closely aligned with the “capacity” concept of resilience, but we think that both the “capacity” approach and the “demonstration” approach to resilience have merit.
Legislating Multiculturalism and Nationhood: The 1988Canadian Multiculturalism Act
Authors: Uberoi Varun
Published: July 2016

In this article I use new archival and elite interview data to improve our knowledge of how theCanadian Multiculturalism Actcame into existence. I show why some Canadians began to seek such an act, why political parties promised an act and how this act was created. The evidence in this article will also correct claims that scholars often make about this act and the policy of multiculturalism that it contains. This evidence also improves our knowledge of why the policy of multiculturalism in this legislation does what few scholars would expect. This is because scholars often claim that policies of multiculturalism are used to “repudiate” and remove understandings of a country. But my evidence helps to show why the policy of multiculturalism in this act promotes understandings of a country. Scholars also claim that policies of multiculturalism can be divisive if they are unaccompanied by nation-building policies. But my evidence helps to show why the policy of multiculturalism in this legislation was designed to be a nation-building policy.
Parasites of freshwater fishes and the Great American Biotic Interchange: a bridge too far?
Authors: Choudhury A. , García-Varela M. , Pérez-Ponce de León G.
Published: July 2016

We examine the extent to which adult helminths of freshwater fishes have been part of the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI), by integrating information in published studies and new data from Panama with fish biogeography and Earth history of Middle America. The review illustrates the following: (1) the helminth fauna south of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and especially south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, shows strong Neotropical affinities; (2) host–parasite associations follow principles of the ‘biogeographic core fauna’ in which host-lineage specificity is pronounced; (3) phylogenetic analysis of the widespread freshwater trematode family Allocreadiidae reveals a complex history of host-shifting and co-diversification involving mainly cyprinodontiforms and characids; (4) allocreadiids, monogeneans and spiruridan nematodes of Middle American cyprinodontiforms may provide clues to the evolutionary history of their hosts; and (5) phylogenetic analyses of cryptogonimid trematodes may reveal whether or how cichlids interacted with marine or brackish-water environments during their colonization history. The review shows that ‘interchange’ is limited and asymmetrical, but simple narratives of northward isthmian dispersal will likely prove inadequate to explain the historical biogeography of many host–parasite associations in tropical Middle America, particularly those involving poeciliids. Finally, our study highlights the urgent need for targeted survey work across Middle America, focused sampling in river drainages of Colombia and Venezuela, and deeper strategic sampling in other parts of South America, in order to develop and test robust hypotheses about fish–parasite associations in Middle America.
Subcranial craniofacial resection for advanced sinonasal malignant tumours involving the anterior skull base
Authors: Yong C C , Soni-Jaiswal A , Homer J J
Published: July 2016

Background:

The subcranial approach is a modification of traditional craniofacial resection. It provides similar broad access to the anterior skull base, but with lower mortality and morbidity. It has been the surgical technique of choice at our institution since 2006 for treating advanced stage sinonasal tumours (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III or above). This paper reports our experience and outcomes.

Method and results:

Eighteen patients underwent subcranial craniofacial resection over a seven-year period, this being combined with a second adjunctive procedure in 89 per cent of cases. Forty per cent of patients required reconstruction of the primary defect. No peri-operative deaths occurred. One patient had a transient cerebrospinal fluid leak. The major complication rate was 33 per cent, of which 67 per cent were directly related to soft tissue reconstruction. Tumour recurrence rate was 17 per cent and the five-year disease-free survival estimate was 40 per cent.

Conclusion:

The subcranial approach is a safe and effective technique that may be used to successfully treat advanced sinonasal malignancies with anterior skull base extension.
New insights in the taxonomy of MediterraneanDiodora(Mollusca, Gastropoda, Fissurellidae)
Authors: Aissaoui Chrifa , Puillandre Nicolas , Bouchet Philippe
Published: July 2016

The taxonomy of Mediterranean populations ofDiodorais assessed based on new molecular (COI and 28S) data. The recently describedDiodora demartiniorumBuzzurro & Russo, 2005, is found to be a valid species restricted to the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) but possibly occurring also on the coast of Libya. However, specimens from the Aegean Sea previously identified asD. demartiniorumare molecularly (and morphologically pseudocryptically) distinct and represent a previously unrecognized species here described asD. giannispadain. sp. It is hypothesized that the current distribution of these two species corresponds to glacial refuges during Pleistocene climate changes.
Understanding Attitudes to Paying for Care amongst Equity Release Consumers: citizenship, solidarity and the ‘hardworking homeowner’
Authors: OVERTON LOUISE , FOX O'MAHONY LORNA
Published: July 2016

The importance of developing a system that is perceived to be ‘fair’ is a central element in debates about long-term care funding in the UK. It is therefore surprising that while previous research has established that older people tend to resent the idea of using housing equity, and other personal assets, it has often revealed little about the factors underpinning these attitudes or reflected on how they sit within a wider frame of social and political norms. Drawing on 60 semi-structured in-depth interviews with older home owners who have released equity from their homes, this paper exploreswhypeople feel that it is fair, or unfair, to require owners to use their housing equity to fund long-term care needs, once factors like reluctance to trade on the home, and mistrust of equity release products, have been excluded. While a small majority of our participants considered it unfair, a substantial minority thought it fair that they were required to use their accumulated housing equity to meet care needs. This distribution of attitudes enabled us to explore the reasons why participants held each view, and so reflect on the impact of pro-social and pro-individual norms in shaping attitudes towards intra-generational fairness and ideas about ‘responsible citizenship’. Our analysis posits that the factors that shape attitudes toward using housing assets to pay for care, and their relationship to the wider rhetorical framework of asset accumulation, management and decumulation, have been misunderstood by policy makers. We discuss the implications of our findings for policies that seek to promote the development of a housing-asset based care funding system capable of attracting widespread support.
Autonomous Navigation of Mars Probes by Single X-ray Pulsar Measurement and Optical Data of Viewing Martian Moons
Authors: Ma Pengbin , Wang Tianshu , Jiang Fanghua , Mu Junshan , Baoyin Hexi
Published: July 2016

In order to achieve high accuracy of autonomous navigation for Mars probes, an integrated navigation method using X-ray pulsar measurement and optical data of viewing Martian moons is proposed. For single X-ray pulsar measurement on board a Mars probe, navigation accuracy is low due to its poor observability. On the other hand, Phobos and Deimos, two natural moons of Mars, are important optical navigation information sources available for Mars missions. However, the Martian moons ephemeris bias and the differences between barycentre and centre of brightness of Martian moons will result in low navigation accuracy. The method of integrated navigation using X-ray pulsar measurement and optical data of viewing Martian moons can overcome the defect and achieve accurate navigation. Two sequential orbit determination algorithms, Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), are compared. The simulation results show this method can obtain high autonomous navigation accuracy during the phase of a probe orbiting Mars.
X-ray powder diffraction reference patterns for Bi1−xPbxOCuSe
Authors: Wong-Ng W. , Yan Y. , Kaduk J.A. , Tang X.F.
Published: July 2016

The structures and powder X-ray reference diffraction patterns of the “natural superlattice” series Bi1−xPbxOCuSe (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10) have been investigated. As the ionic radius of Pb2+ is greater than that of Bi3+, the unit-cell volume of Bi1−xPbxOCuSe increases progressively from x = 0 to 0.1, namely, from 137.868(5) to 139.172(11) Å3, as expected. The structure of Bi1−xPbxOCuSe is built from [Bi2(1−x)Pb2xO2]2(1−x)+ layers normal to the c-axis alternating with [Cu2Se2]2(1−x)− fluorite-like layers. Pb substitution in the Bi site of Bi1−xPbxOCuSe leads to the weakening of the “bonding” between the [Bi2(1−x)Pb2xO2]2(1−x)+ and the [Cu2Se2]2(1−x)− layers. Powder patterns of Bi1−xPbxOCuSe were submitted to be included in the Powder Diffraction File.
Giving up driving: does social engagement buffer declines in mental health after driving cessation in older women?
Authors: Rebok George W. , Jones Vanya C.
Published: July 2016

Many older adults consider driving as essential to maintaining their quality of life and independence, and this may be particularly true for individuals residing in more rural areas where transportation options may be limited. Although it is normative for individuals to eventually stop driving as they age, very few plan ahead for their driving retirement (Curl et al., 2014). The process of driving cessation has been associated with a host of negative consequences for physical and mental well-being, including increased depressive symptoms, reduced network of friends, lower activity levels, and accelerated health decline (Mezuk & Rebok, 2008; Edwards et al., 2009; Curl et al., 2014). Previous studies have found that, at all ages, women are more likely to stop driving in later life than men, and often stop driving prematurely, and that various factors such as education and marital status influence the likelihood of cessation differently for women and men (Ross et al., 2009; Choi et al., 2012). Thus, factors associated with driving cessation and its consequences for older women are important to understand, particularly factors that might help buffer the negative effects of giving up driving and that might serve as early targets for preventive interventions.
Socio-economic indicators are independently associated with intake of animal foods in French adults
Authors: Méjean Caroline , Si Hassen Wendy , Lecossais Christelle , Allès Benjamin , Péneau Sandrine , Hercberg Serge , Castetbon Katia
Published: July 2016

Objective

The specific role of major socio-economic indicators (education, occupation, income) in influencing consumer choice of animal foods (AF) intake could reveal distinct socio-economic facets, thus enabling elucidation of mechanisms leading to social inequalities in health. We investigated the independent association of each indicator with intake of different AF and their effect modification.

Design

Cross-sectional study. AF intake was estimated using three 24 h dietary records. Associations between socio-economic factors and AF intake and interactions between socio-economic indicators were assessed using ANCOVA adjusted for age and energy intake. Analyses were performed separately for men and women, since gender interactions were found.

Setting

France.

Subjects

Adults (n 92 036) participating in the NutriNet-Santé Study.

Results

Low educated persons had higher intake of red meat (+9–12 g/d), processed meat (+6–9 g/d) and poultry (for men, +7 g/d) than those with a higher education level. Percentage of fish consumers was lower in individuals of the lowest income class compared with those in higher classes. Manual workers had a higher intake of cream desserts (for men, +14 g/d) than managerial staff. Few significant interactions were found. In stratified analyses, persons with the highest income consumed more yoghurt than those who had lower income, only in low educated individuals.

Conclusions

Socio-economic disparities in AF intake varied according to the socio-economic indicator, suggesting the specific influence of each indicator on AF intake. In particular, lower education was associated with higher intake of red and processed meats and cream desserts, and had an effect modification on the relationship between income and AF intake.
The effectiveness of the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020 to increase the level of organic public procurement in Danish public kitchens
Authors: Sørensen Nina N , Tetens Inge , Løje Hanne , Lassen Anne D
Published: July 2016

Objective

To measure the effect of organic food conversion projects on the percentage of organic food used in Danish public kitchens participating in the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020.

Design

The current longitudinal study was based on measurements of organic food percentages in Danish public kitchens before and after kitchen employees participated in conversion projects.

Setting

Public kitchens participating in the nine organic food conversion projects under the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020, initiated during autumn 2012 and spring 2013 and completed in summer 2015.

Subjects

A total of 622 public kitchens.

Results

The average (median) increase in organic food percentage from baseline to follow-up was 24 percentage points (P<0·001) during an overall median follow-up period of 1·5 years. When analysing data according to public kitchen type, the increase remained significant for seven out of eight kitchens. Furthermore, the proportion of public kitchens eligible for the Organic Cuisine Label in either silver (60–90 % organic food procurement) or gold (90–100 % organic food procurement) level doubled from 31 % to 62 %, respectively, during the conversion period. Conversion project curriculum mostly included elements of ‘theory’, ‘menu planning’, ‘network’ and ‘Organic Cuisine Label method’ to ensure successful implementation.

Conclusions

The study reports significant increases in the level of organic food procurement among public kitchens participating in the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020. Recommendations for future organic conversion projects include adding key curriculum components to the project’s educational content and measuring changes in organic food percentage to increase the chances of successful implementation.
Rethinking Risk and Ageing: Extending Working Lives
Authors: Powell Jason L. , Taylor Paul
Published: July 2016

This paper critically examines the development of recent policy and theoretical issues concerning the ‘extension of working lives’ for older people in the United Kingdom. It grounds its analysis in ideas from the ‘risk society’ thesis (Beck, 1992) to explore how the matrix of population ageing, job and pension changes impinge on the shifting emphasis on increasing the retirement age, coupled with individualising pensions from state provision to a focus on self-responsibility via private provision. This neo-liberal re-positioning of extending work and pension policy has implications for the management of risk for older people in the UK. The paper explores the impact of population ageing on government ideas associated with social policy relating to extending working lives. It concludes with an assessment on the lessons policy makers and social policy analysts can learn from such shifts and the impact on the social construction of age.
FROM CHOICE TO WELFARE: THE CONCEPT OF THE CONSUMER IN THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
Authors: OLSEN NIKLAS
Published: July 2016

This article examines the role of the consumer in the writings on regulation launched by the Chicago school from the 1930s to the 1980s. It shows how Chicago school scholars used the concept of the consumer to shape and justify their calls for deregulation, as they continually claimed to offer market solutions that protect and benefit the consumer. The focus is on how the scholars at issue executed a shift from choice to welfare in their consumer concept as they began more decisively to embrace deregulation in the postwar period. From initially having described consumers as individual agents, capable of ensuring democracy and freedom in modern society by expressing their choices on a partly regulated market, they began to portray consumers as a coherent, homogeneous and predictable mass, acting on a deregulated market and serving merely as a tool of so-called consumer welfare, understood as economic efficiency and aggregate wealth.
Hair Cortisol and Its Association With Psychological Risk Factors for Psychiatric Disorders: A Pilot Study in Adolescent Twins
Authors: Rietschel Liz , Streit Fabian , Zhu Gu , McAloney Kerrie , Kirschbaum Clemens , Frank Josef , Hansell Narelle K. , Wright Margaret J. , McGrath John J. , Witt Stephanie H. , Rietschel Marcella , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: July 2016

Measuring cortisol in hair is a promising method to assess long-term alterations of the biological stress response system, and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) may be altered in psychiatric disorders and in subjects suffering from chronic stress. However, the pattern of associations between HCC, chronic stress and mental health require clarification. Our exploratory study: (1) assessed the association between HCC and perceived stress, symptoms of depression and neuroticism, and the trait extraversion (as a control variable); and (2) made use of the twin design to estimate the genetic and environmental covariance between the variables of interest. Hair samples from 109 (74 female) subjects (age range 12–21 years, mean 15.1) including 8 monozygotic (MZ) and 21 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were analyzed. Perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale and/or the Daily Life and Stressors Scale, neuroticism, and extraversion with the NEO-Five Factor Inventory or the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and depressive symptoms with the Somatic and Psychological Health Report. We found a modest positive association between HCC and the three risk factors — perceived stress, symptoms of depression, and neuroticism (r = 0.22–0.33) — but no correlation with extraversion (-0.06). A median split revealed that the associations between HCC and risk factors were stronger (0.47–0.60) in those subjects with HCC >11.36 pg/mg. Furthermore, our results suggest that the genetic effects underlying HCC are largely shared with those that influence perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and neuroticism. These results of our proof of principle study warrant replication in a bigger sample but raise the interesting question of the direction of causation between these variables.
COPS5 amplification and overexpression confers tamoxifen-resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer by degradation of NCoR
Authors: Lu Renquan , Hu Xiaobo , Zhou Junmei , Sun Jiajun , Zhu Alan Z. , Xu Xiaofeng , Zheng Hui , Gao Xiang , Wang Xian , Jin Hongchuan , Zhu Ping , Guo Lin
Published: July 2016

Oestrogen receptor α (ERα) antagonists are used in endocrine therapies for ERα-positive (ERα+) breast cancer patients. Unfortunately the clinical benefit is limited due to intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. Here using integrated genomic and functional studies, we report that amplification and/or overexpression of COPS5 (CSN5/JAB1) confers resistance to tamoxifen. Amplification and overexpression of COPS5, a catalytic subunit of the COP9 complex, is present in about 9% of the ERα+ primary breast cancer and more frequently (86.7%, 26/30) in tamoxifen-refractory tumours. Overexpression of COPS5, through its isopeptidase activity, leads to ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of NCoR, a key corepressor for ERα and tamoxifen-mediated suppression of ERα target genes. Importantly, COPS5 overexpression causes tamoxifen-resistance in preclinical breast cancer models in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that genetic inhibition of the isopeptidase activity of COPS5 is sufficient to re-sensitize the resistant breast cancer cells to tamoxifen-treatment, offering a potential therapeutic approach for endocrine-resistant breast cancer patients.
High-throughput dual-colour precision imaging for brain-wide connectome with cytoarchitectonic landmarks at the cellular level
Authors: Gong Hui , Xu Dongli , Yuan Jing , Li Xiangning , Guo Congdi , Peng Jie , Li Yuxin , Schwarz Lindsay A. , Li Anan , Hu Bihe , Xiong Benyi , Sun Qingtao , Zhang Yalun , Liu Jiepeng , Zhong Qiuyuan , Xu Tonghui , Zeng Shaoqun , Luo Qingming
Published: July 2016

The precise annotation and accurate identification of neural structures are prerequisites for studying mammalian brain function. The orientation of neurons and neural circuits is usually determined by mapping brain images to coarse axial-sampling planar reference atlases. However, individual differences at the cellular level likely lead to position errors and an inability to orient neural projections at single-cell resolution. Here, we present a high-throughput precision imaging method that can acquire a co-localized brain-wide data set of both fluorescent-labelled neurons and counterstained cell bodies at a voxel size of 0.32 × 0.32 × 2.0 μm in 3 days for a single mouse brain. We acquire mouse whole-brain imaging data sets of multiple types of neurons and projections with anatomical annotation at single-neuron resolution. The results show that the simultaneous acquisition of labelled neural structures and cytoarchitecture reference in the same brain greatly facilitates precise tracing of long-range projections and accurate locating of nuclei.
The landscape of chromosomal aberrations in breast cancer mouse models reveals driver-specific routes to tumorigenesis
Authors: Ben-David Uri , Ha Gavin , Khadka Prasidda , Jin Xin , Wong Bang , Franke Lude , Golub Todd R.
Published: July 2016

Aneuploidy and copy-number alterations (CNAs) are a hallmark of human cancer. Although genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are commonly used to model human cancer, their chromosomal landscapes remain underexplored. Here we use gene expression profiles to infer CNAs in 3,108 samples from 45 mouse models, providing the first comprehensive catalogue of chromosomal aberrations in cancer GEMMs. Mining this resource, we find that most chromosomal aberrations accumulate late during breast tumorigenesis, and observe marked differences in CNA prevalence between mouse mammary tumours initiated with distinct drivers. Some aberrations are recurrent and unique to specific GEMMs, suggesting distinct driver-dependent routes to tumorigenesis. Synteny-based comparison of mouse and human tumours narrows critical regions in CNAs, thereby identifying candidate driver genes. We experimentally validate that loss of Stratifin (SFN) promotes HER2-induced tumorigenesis in human cells. These results demonstrate the power of GEMM CNA analysis to inform the pathogenesis of human cancer.
Comprehensive RNA-Seq profiling to evaluate lactating sheep mammary gland transcriptome
Authors: Suárez-Vega Aroa , Gutiérrez-Gil Beatriz , Klopp Christophe , Tosser-Klopp Gwenola , Arranz Juan-José
Published: July 2016

RNA-Seq enables the generation of extensive transcriptome information providing the capability to characterize transcripts (including alternative isoforms and polymorphism), to quantify expression and to identify differential regulation in a single experiment. Our aim in this study was to take advantage of using RNA-Seq high-throughput technology to provide a comprehensive transcriptome profiling of the sheep lactating mammary gland. Eight ewes of two dairy sheep breeds with differences in milk production traits were used in this experiment (four Churra and four Assaf ewes). Milk samples from these animals were collected on days 10, 50, 120 and 150 after lambing to cover the various physiological stages of the mammary gland across the complete lactation. RNA samples were extracted from milk somatic cells. The RNA-Seq dataset was generated using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer. The information reported here will be useful to understand the biology of lactation in sheep, providing also an opportunity to characterize their different patterns on milk production aptitude.
MiRNA-203 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in colorectal cancer via targeting of EIF5A2
Authors: Deng Biao , Wang Bin , Fang Jiaqing , Zhu Xuchao , Cao Zhongwei , Lin Qi , Zhou Lisheng , Sun Xing
Published: July 2016

While it is known that miR-203 is frequently downregulated in many types of human cancer, little is known regarding its expression and functional role in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and the potential mechanisms of miR-203 in colorectal cancer. MiR-203 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues compared with matched normal adjacent tissues. Our clinical data show that decreased miR-203 was associated with an advanced clinical tumor-node-metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis and poor survival in CRC patients. Furthermore, externally induced expression of miR-203 significantly inhibited CRC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified EIF5A2 as a direct and functional target of miR-203. The levels of miR-203 were inversely correlated with levels of the EIF5A2 in the CRC tissues. Restoration of EIF5A2 in the miR-203-overexpressing CRC cells reversed the suppressive effects of miR-203. Our results demonstrate that miR-203 serves as a tumor suppressor gene and may be useful as a new potential therapeutic target in CRC.
Influence of Environmental Factors on the Active Substance Production and Antioxidant Activity in Potentilla fruticosa L. and Its Quality Assessment
Authors: Liu Wei , Yin Dongxue , Li Na , Hou Xiaogai , Wang Dongmei , Li Dengwu , Liu Jianjun
Published: July 2016

Environmental factors may influence types and contents of active substances. This study investigated the influence of environmental factors on the active substance contents and antioxidant activity ofPotentilla fruticosaL. from different regions of China. Also, HPLC fingerprint similarity analysis (SA) coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were further introduced for the accurate classification and quality assessment ofP. fruticosa. The results showed that altitude was significantly and negatively correlated to the content of tannin (P < 0.05). Annual sunshine duration and altitude were significantly and positively correlated to the flavonoids content, rutin content and antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). Annual mean temperature was significantly and negatively correlated to the content of total phenolics, while altitude was significantly and positively correlated to the content of total phenolics (P < 0.05). Eight samples were unambiguously separated into three groups. Two types of discriminant functions with a 100% discrimination ratio were constructed. All data consistently supported the conclusion thatP. fruticosaproduced from Kangding, Sichuan Province had high quality among all samples, therefore, Kangding in Sichuan Province with favorable environmental conditions is recommended as a preferable production location.
Positive Cofactor 4 (PC4) is critical for DNA repair pathway re-routing in DT40 cells
Authors: Caldwell Randolph B. , Braselmann Herbert , Schoetz Ulrike , Heuer Steffen , Scherthan Harry , Zitzelsberger Horst
Published: July 2016

PC4 is an abundant single-strand DNA binding protein that has been implicated in transcription and DNA repair. Here, we show that PC4 is involved in the cellular DNA damage response. To elucidate the role, we used the DT40 chicken B cell model, which produces clustered DNA lesions at Ig loci via the action of activation-induced deaminase. Our results help resolve key aspects of immunoglobulin diversification and suggest an essential role of PC4 in repair pathway choice. We show that PC4 ablation in gene conversion (GC)-active cells significantly disrupts GC but has little to no effect on targeted homologous recombination. In agreement, the global double-strand break repair response, as measured by γH2AX foci analysis, is unperturbed 16 hours post irradiation. In cells with the pseudo-genes removed (GC inactive), PC4 ablation reduced the overall mutation rate while simultaneously increasing the transversion mutation ratio. By tagging the N-terminus of PC4, gene conversion and somatic hypermutation are all but abolished even when native non-tagged PC4 is present, indicating a dominant negative effect. Our data point to a very early and deterministic role for PC4 in DNA repair pathway re-routing.
Alteration of protein prenylation promotes spermatogonial differentiation and exhausts spermatogonial stem cells in newborn mice
Authors: Diao Fan , Jiang Chen , Wang Xiu-Xing , Zhu Rui-Lou , Wang Qiang , Yao Bing , Li Chao-Jun
Published: July 2016

Spermatogenesis in adulthood depends on the successful neonatal establishment of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool and gradual differentiation during puberty. The stage-dependent changes in protein prenylation in the seminiferous epithelium might be important during the first round of spermatogenesis before sexual maturation, but the mechanisms are unclear. We have previous found that altered prenylation in Sertoli cells induced spermatogonial apoptosis in the neonatal testis, resulting in adult infertility. Now we further explored the role of protein prenylation in germ cells, using a conditional deletion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (Ggpps) in embryonic stage and postmeiotic stage respectively. We observed infertility ofGgpps−/−Ddx4-Cre mice that displayed a Sertoli-cell-only syndrome phenotype, which resulted from abnormal spermatogonial differentiation and SSC depletion during the prepubertal stage. Analysis of morphological characteristics and cell-specific markers revealed that spermatogonial differentiation was enhanced from as early as the 7thpostnatal day in the first round of spermatogenesis. Studies of the molecular mechanisms indicated thatGgppsdeletion enhanced Rheb farnesylation, which subsequently activated mTORC1 and facilitated spermatogonial differentiation. In conclusion, the prenylation balance in germ cells is crucial for spermatogonial differentiation fate decision during the prepubertal stage and the disruption of this process results in primary infertility.
Expression of dynein, cytoplasmic 2, heavy chain 1 (DHC2) associated with glioblastoma cell resistance to temozolomide
Authors: Wang Hai , Feng Wenfeng , Lu Yuntao , Li Hezhen , Xiang Wei , Chen Ziyang , He Minyi , Zhao Liang , Sun Xuegang , Lei Bingxi , Qi Songtao , Liu Yawei
Published: July 2016

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the main chemotherapeutic drug utilized for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GMB), however, drug resistance often leads to tumor recurrence and poor outcomes. GMB cell lines were treated with TMZ for up to two weeks and then subjected to proteomics analysis to identify the underlying molecular pathology that is associated with TMZ resistance. Proteomics data showed that TMZ altered expression of proteins that related to cytoskeleton structure and function, such as DHC2 and KIF2B. qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence were used to verify expression of DHC2 and KIF2B in these cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify expression of these two proteins in xenografts of a nude mouse model and ex vivo GBM tissue samples. Their expression was knocked down using siRNA to confirm their role in the regulation of GBM cell sensitivity to TMZ. Knockdown of DHC2 expression enhanced sensitivity of U87 cells to TMZ treatment. Ex vivo data showed that DHC2 expression in GBM tissue samples was associated with tumor recurrence after TMZ chemotherapy. These results indicated cytoskeleton related protein DHC2 reduced sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ treatment. Further studies should assess DHC2 as a novel target in GBM for TMZ combination treatment.
Transcriptome Analysis on Monocytes from Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Grunin Michelle , Hagbi-Levi Shira- , Rinsky Batya , Smith Yoav , Chowers Itay
Published: July 2016

Mononuclear phagocytes (MPs), including monocytes/macrophages, play complex roles in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis. We reported altered gene-expression signature in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from AMD patients and a chemokine receptor signature on AMD monocytes. To obtain comprehensive understanding of MP involvement, particularly in peripheral circulation in AMD, we performed global gene expression analysis in monocytes. We separated monocytes from treatment-naïve neovascular AMD (nvAMD) patients (n = 14) and age-matched controls (n = 15) and performed microarray and bioinformatics analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on other sets of nvAMD (n = 25), atrophic AMD (n = 21) and controls (n = 28) for validation. This validated microarray genes (like TMEM176A/B and FOSB) tested, including differences between nvAMD and atrophic AMD. We identified 2,165 differentially-expressed genes (P < 0.05), including 79 genes with log2 fold change ≥1.5 between nvAMD and controls. Functional annotation using DAVID and TANGO demonstrated immune response alterations in AMD monocytes (FDR-P <0.05), validated by randomized data comparison (P < 0.0001). GSEA, ISMARA and MEME analysis found immune enrichment and specific involved microRNAs. Enrichment of differentially-expressed genes in monocytes was found in retina via SAGE data-mining. These genes were enriched in non-classical vs. classical monocyte subsets (P < 0.05). Therefore, global gene expression analysis in AMD monocytes reveals an altered immune-related signature, further implicating systemic MP activation in AMD.
Observations of movement dynamics of flying insects using high resolution lidar
Authors: Kirkeby Carsten , Wellenreuther Maren , Brydegaard Mikkel
Published: July 2016

Insects are fundamental to ecosystem functioning and biodiversity, yet the study of insect movement, dispersal and activity patterns remains a challenge. Here we present results from a novel high resolution laser-radar (lidar) system for quantifying flying insect abundance recorded during one summer night in Sweden. We compare lidar recordings with data from a light trap deployed alongside the lidar. A total of 22808 insect were recorded and the relative temporal quantities measured matched the quantities recorded with the light trap within a radius of 5 m. Lidar records showed that small insects (wing size <2.5 mm2 in cross-section) moved across the field and clustered near the light trap around 22:00 local time, while larger insects (wing size >2.5 mm2 in cross-section) were most abundant near the lidar beam before 22:00 and then moved towards the light trap between 22:00 and 23:30. We could distinguish three insect clusters based on morphology and found that two contained insects predominantly recorded above the field in the evening, whereas the third was formed by insects near the forest at around 21:30. Together our results demonstrate the capability of lidar for distinguishing different types of insect during flight and quantifying their movements.
Highly sensitive gas-phase explosive detection by luminescent microporous polymer networks
Authors: Räupke André , Palma-Cando Alex , Shkura Eugen , Teckhausen Peter , Polywka Andreas , Görrn Patrick , Scherf Ullrich , Riedl Thomas
Published: July 2016

We propose microporous networks (MPNs) of a light emitting spiro-carbazole based polymer (PSpCz) as luminescent sensor for nitro-aromatic compounds. The MPNs used in this study can be easily synthesized on arbitrarily sized/shaped substrates by simple and low-cost electrochemical deposition. The resulting MPN afford an extremely high specific surface area of 1300 m2/g, more than three orders of magnitude higher than that of the thin films of the respective monomer. We demonstrate, that the luminescence of PSpCz is selectively quenched by nitro-aromatic analytes, e.g. nitrobenzene, 2,4-DNT and TNT. In striking contrast to a control sample based on non-porous spiro-carbazole, which does not show any luminescence quenching upon exposure to TNT at levels of 3 ppm and below, the microporous PSpCz shows a clearly detectable response even at TNT concentrations as low as 5 ppb, clearly demonstrating the advantage of microporous films as luminescent sensors for traces of explosive analytes. This level states the vapor pressure of TNT at room temperature.
Molecular characterization and analysis of high-level multidrug-resistance of Shigella flexneri serotype 4s strains from China
Authors: Yang Chaojie , Li Peng , Zhang Xiujuan , Ma Qiuxia , Cui Xianyan , Li Hao , Liu Hongbo , Wang Jian , Xie Jing , Wu Fuli , Sheng Chunyu , Du Xinying , Qi Lihua , Su Wenli , Jia Leili , Xu Xuebin , Zhao Jiayong , Xia Shengli , Zhou Na , Ma Hui , Qiu Shaofu , Song Hongbin
Published: July 2016

To conduct the first comprehensive analysis of Shigella flexneri serotype 4s, a novel serotype found in 2010, we identified 24 serotype 4s isolates from 1973 shigellosis cases in China (2002–2014). The isolates were characterized by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) phylogenetic analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine their genetic relatedness and analysed further for their antimicrobial susceptibilities and antimicrobial resistance determinants. The PFGE and SNP phylogenetic analyses suggest that S. flexneri serotype 4s strains are derived from multiple serotypes, including two predominant serotypes in China: serotype X variant and serotype II. Three new sequence types were identified by MLST. All isolates were resistant to ticarcillin, ampicillin and tetracycline, with high-level resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. Notably, all the isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), with the highest levels of resistance observed for eight antimicrobials classes. Most isolates contain various antimicrobial resistance determinants. In conclusion, we found that serotype 4s isolates have multiple evolutionary sources, diverse biochemical characteristics and genomes and highly prevalent multidrug resistance and antimicrobial-resistant determinants. With few clinical treatment options, continuous monitoring and timely intervention against this emerging MDR serotype is essential. The possibility that serotype 4s will become the next predominant serotype exists.
Nanoscale imaging of untreated mammalian cells in a medium with low radiation damage using scanning electron-assisted dielectric microscopy
Authors: Okada Tomoko , Ogura Toshihiko
Published: July 2016

Imaging of untreated living cells in a medium at a nanometre-scale resolution under physiological conditions is a significant challenge. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is widely used to observe cells in various atmospheric holders or special equipment. However, untreated biological specimens in aqueous solution generally incur heavy radiation damage from the direct electron beam (EB); and these images exhibit very poor contrast. Therefore, a new method for generating high-contrast images of living cells under physiological conditions without radiation damage has been strongly desired. Here, we demonstrate the first nanoscale observation of living cultured mammalian cells using our newly developed scanning-electron assisted dielectric microscopy (SE-ADM) method with a culture dish holder. Using the difference in relative permittivity between water and specimens, our SE-ADM system aids in the visualisation of untreated biological samples in aqueous solution. In addition, specimens incurred only a low level of radiation damage because the tungsten (W)-coated silicon nitride (SiN) film absorbs irradiated electrons. Untreated cells and organelles are clearly visible in high-contrast and high-resolution images without staining and fixation. Furthermore, our method enables the detection of changes in organelle structures within cells via time-lapse imaging with minimal radiation damage.
Topological water wave states in a one-dimensional structure
Authors: Yang Zhaoju , Gao Fei , Zhang Baile
Published: July 2016

Topological concepts have been introduced into electronic, photonic and phononic systems, but have not been studied in surface-water-wave systems. Here we study a one-dimensional periodic resonant surface-water-wave system and demonstrate its topological transition. By selecting three different water depths, we can construct different types of water waves - shallow, intermediate and deep water waves. The periodic surface-water-wave system consists of an array of cylindrical water tanks connected with narrow water channels. As the width of connecting channel varies, the band diagram undergoes a topological transition which can be further characterized by Zak phase. This topological transition holds true for shallow, intermediate and deep water waves. However, the interface state at the boundary separating two topologically distinct arrays of water tanks can exhibit different bands for shallow, intermediate and deep water waves. Our work studies for the first time topological properties of water wave systems and paves the way to potential management of water waves.
Characteristic distribution of finite-time Lyapunov exponents for chimera states
Authors: Botha André E.
Published: July 2016

Our fascination with chimera states stems partially from the somewhat paradoxical, yet fundamental trait of identical, and identically coupled, oscillators to split into spatially separated, coherently and incoherently oscillating groups. While the list of systems for which various types of chimeras have already been detected continues to grow, there is a corresponding increase in the number of mathematical analyses aimed at elucidating the fundamental reasons for this surprising behaviour. Based on the model systems, there are strong indications that chimera states may generally be ubiquitous in naturally occurring systems containing large numbers of coupled oscillators – certain biological systems and high-Tc superconducting materials, for example. In this work we suggest a new way of detecting and characterising chimera states. Specifically, it is shown that the probability densities of finite-time Lyapunov exponents, corresponding to chimera states, have a definite characteristic shape. Such distributions could be used as signatures of chimera states, particularly in systems for which the phases of all the oscillators cannot be measured directly. For such cases, we suggest that chimera states could perhaps be detected by reconstructing the characteristic distribution via standard embedding techniques, thus making it possible to detect chimera states in systems where they could otherwise exist unnoticed.
Genome-wide analysis of HIF-2α chromatin binding sites under normoxia in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) suggests its diverse functions
Authors: Lee Meng-Chang , Huang Hsin-Ju , Chang Tzu-Hao , Huang Hsieh-Chou , Hsieh Shen-Yuan , Chen Yi-Siou , Chou Wei-Yuan , Chiang Chiao-Hsi , Lai Ching-Huang , Shiau Chia-Yang
Published: July 2016

Constitutive functional HIF-2α was recently identified in cancer and stem cell lines under normoxia. In this study, BEAS-2B, a bronchial epithelial cell line, was shown to constitutively express active HIF-2α under normoxia and exhibit markers of pluripotency including Oct-4, Nanog and sphere formation. Oct-4 expression was reduced after knockdown of HIF-2α under normoxia. Global enrichment analysis of HIF-2α demonstrated the diverse functions of HIF-2α under normoxia. Bioinformatics analysis of the enriched loci revealed an enhancer role of HIF-2α binding sites, involvement of HIF-2α interacting proteins and enriched de novo motifs which suggest the diverse role of HIF-2α in pseudohypoxia. The low ratio of the discovered loci overlapping with those revealed in cancer cell lines 786-O (16.1%) and MCF-7 (15.9%) under hypoxia indicated a prevailing non-canonical mechanism. Hypoxia had positive, marginal or adverse effects on the enrichment of the selected loci in ChIP-PCR assays. Deletion of the N-terminal activation domain (N-TAD) of HIF-2α disrupted the reporting activity of two of the loci annotated to ELN and ANKRD31. Hypoxia incurring abundance variation of HIF-2α may misrepresent the N-TAD functions as canonical hypoxia inducible features via C-TAD activation. Elucidation of the pseudohypoxia functions of constitutive HIF-2α is useful for resolving its role in malignancy and pluripotency.
Thermodynamic and redox properties of graphene oxides for lithium-ion battery applications: a first principles density functional theory modeling approach
Authors: Kim Sunghee , Kim Ki Chul , Lee Seung Woo , Jang Seung Soon
Published: July 2016

Understanding the thermodynamic stability and redox properties of oxygen functional groups on graphene is critical to systematically design stable graphene-based positive electrode materials with high potential for lithium-ion battery applications.
Thermoelectric performance enhancement of Mg2Sn based solid solutions by band convergence and phonon scattering via Pb and Si/Ge substitution for Sn
Authors: Mao Jun , Wang Yumei , Ge Binghui , Jie Qing , Liu Zihang , Saparamadu Udara , Liu Weishu , Ren Zhifeng
Published: July 2016

The thermoelectric properties of Mg2Sn–Mg2Pb, Mg2Sn–Mg2Si–Mg2Pb, and Mg2Sn–Mg2Ge–Mg2Pb solid solutions are studied.
Implication of the solvent effect, metal ions and topology in the electronic structure and hydrogen bonding of human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA
Authors: Poudel Lokendra , Steinmetz Nicole F. , French Roger H. , Parsegian V. Adrian , Podgornik Rudolf , Ching Wai-Yim
Published: July 2016

First-principlesdensity functional study elucidating the effects of solvent, metal ions and topology on the electronic structure and hydrogen bonding of 12 well-designed three dimensional G-quadruplex (G4-DNA) models.
Unique mononuclear MnIIcomplexes of an end-off compartmental Schiff base ligand: experimental and theoretical studies on their bio-relevant catalytic promiscuity
Authors: Adhikary Jaydeep , Chakraborty Aratrika , Dasgupta Sanchari , Chattopadhyay Shyamal Kumar , Kruszynski Rafał , Trzesowska-Kruszynska Agata , Stepanović Stepan , Gruden-Pavlović Maja , Swart Marcel , Das Debasis
Published: July 2016

MnIISchiff base complexes have been experimentally and theoretically studied for their catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activity.
Cytotoxic hydrogen bridged ruthenium quinaldamide complexes showing induced cancer cell death by apoptosis
Authors: Lord Rianne M. , Allison Simon J. , Rafferty Karen , Ghandhi Laura , Pask Christopher M. , McGowan Patrick C.
Published: July 2016

This report presents the first known p-cymene ruthenium quinaldamide complexes stabilised by a hydrogen-bridging atom, which are cytotoxic and show induced cancer cell death by apoptosis.
A cobalt complex with a bioinspired molybdopterin-like ligand: a catalyst for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Fogeron Thibault , Porcher Jean-Philippe , Gomez-Mingot Maria , Todorova Tanya K. , Chamoreau Lise-Marie , Mellot-Draznieks Caroline , Li Yun , Fontecave Marc
Published: July 2016

A cobalt complex using a bioinspired ligand, that mimics the molybdopterin cofactor, displays very good activity for electrochemical proton reduction in terms of turnover frequency, faradic yields and stability.