bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Childhood sexual and physical abuse: age at exposure modulates impact on functional outcome in early psychosis patients
Authors: Alameda L. , Ferrari C. , Baumann P. S. , Gholam-Rezaee M. , Do K. Q. , Conus P.
Published: July 2015

Background

Evidence suggests a relationship between exposure to trauma during childhood and functional impairments in psychotic patients. However, the impact of age at the time of exposure has been understudied in early psychosis (EP) patients.

Method

Two hundred and twenty-five patients aged 18–35 years were assessed at baseline and after 2, 6, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months of treatment. Patients exposed to sexual and/or physical abuse (SPA) were classified according to age at the time of first exposure (Early SPA: before age 11 years; Late SPA: between ages 12 and 15 years) and then compared to patients who were not exposed to such trauma (Non-SPA). The functional level in the premorbid phase was measured with the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) and with the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) during follow-up.

Results

There were 24.8% of patients with a documented history of SPA. Late SPA patients were more likely to be female (p= 0.010). Comparison with non-SPA patients revealed that: (1) both Early and Late SPA groups showed poorer premorbid social functioning during early adolescence, and (2) while patients with Early SPA had poorer functional level at follow-up with lower GAF (p= 0.025) and lower SOFAS (p= 0.048) scores, Late SPA patients did not.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a link between exposure to SPA and the later impairment of social functioning before the onset of the disease. EP patients exposed to SPA before age 12 may present long-lasting functional impairment, while patients exposed at a later age may improve in this regard and have a better functional outcome.
Diagnostic change 10 years after a first episode of psychosis
Authors: Heslin M. , Lomas B. , Lappin J. M. , Donoghue K. , Reininghaus U. , Onyejiaka A. , Croudace T. , Jones P. B. , Murray R. M. , Fearon P. , Dazzan P. , Morgan C. , Doody G. A.
Published: July 2015

Background

A lack of an aetiologically based nosology classification has contributed to instability in psychiatric diagnoses over time. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic stability of psychosis diagnoses using data from an incidence sample of psychosis cases, followed up after 10 years and to examine those baseline variables which were associated with diagnostic change.

Method

Data were examined from the ÆSOP and ÆSOP-10 studies, an incidence and follow-up study, respectively, of a population-based cohort of first-episode psychosis cases from two sites. Diagnosis was assigned using ICD-10 and DSM-IV-TR. Diagnostic change was examined using prospective and retrospective consistency. Baseline variables associated with change were examined using logistic regression and likelihood ratio tests.

Results

Slightly more (59.6%) cases had the same baseline and lifetime ICD-10 diagnosis compared with DSM-IV-TR (55.3%), but prospective and retrospective consistency was similar. Schizophrenia, psychotic bipolar disorder and drug-induced psychosis were more prospectively consistent than other diagnoses. A substantial number of cases with other diagnoses at baseline (ICD-10, n = 61; DSM-IV-TR, n = 76) were classified as having schizophrenia at 10 years. Many variables were associated with change to schizophrenia but few with overall change in diagnosis.

Conclusions

Diagnoses other than schizophrenia should to be regarded as potentially provisional.
PORTFOLIO OPTIMIZATION IN A DEFAULT MODEL UNDER FULL/PARTIAL INFORMATION
Authors: Lim Thomas , Quenez Marie-Claire
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we consider a financial market with an asset exposed to a risk inducing a jump in the asset price, and which can still be traded after the default time. We use a default-intensity modeling approach, and address in this incomplete market context the problem of maximization of expected utility from terminal wealth for logarithmic, power and exponential utility functions. We study this problem as a stochastic control problem both under full and partial information. Our contribution consists of showing that the optimal strategy can be obtained by a direct approach for the logarithmic utility function, and the value function for the power (resp. exponential) utility function can be determined as the minimal (resp. maximal) solution of a backward stochastic differential equation. For the partial information case, we show how the problem can be divided into two problems: a filtering problem and an optimization problem. We also study the indifference pricing approach to evaluate the price of a contingent claim in an incomplete market and the information price for an agent with insider information.
Can a microwave heat up coffee? How English- and Japanese-speaking children choose subjects in lexical causative sentences
Authors: KANERO JUNKO , HIRSH-PASEK KATHY , MICHNICK GOLINKOFF ROBERTA
Published: July 2015

Languages differ greatly in how they express causal events. In languages like Japanese, the subjects of causative sentences, orcausers, are generally animate and intentional, whereas in other languages like English, causers range widely from animate beings to inanimate objects (e.g. Wolff, Jeon & Li, 2009). This paper exploreswhenchildren learn to represent cause in their native tongue andhowthis learning occurs over the course of development. English- and Japanese-speaking preschoolers watched animations that were caused by (i) humans acting intentionally, (ii) humans acting accidentally, (iii) objects that generate energy (e.g. a machine), and (iv) objects that do not generate energy (e.g. a tool). Children were then asked to choose a good description of the event between two options. At age three, English- and Japanese-speaking children performed the task in similar ways, attending only to the intention of causal agents; however, at age four, speakers of the two languages diverged. English speakers were more likely to accept energy-generating objects such as machines as the subject of a lexical causative sentence than Japanese speakers.
Influence of thyroid hormone disruption on the incidence of shingles
Authors: AJAVON A. , KILLIAN D. , ODOM R. , FIGLIOZZI R. W. , CHEN F. , BALISH M. , PARMAR J. , FREEMAN R. , SNITZER J. , HSIA S. V.
Published: July 2015

The reactivation of dormant alpha-human herpesvirus (αHHV) has been attributed to various causes often referred to as stressors. However, no clinical study investigating the relationship between stressors and reactivation exists in humans at this time. Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), an important αHHV, was shown to have its gene expression and replication regulated by thyroid hormone (TH) using molecular biology approaches. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is categorized in αHHV superfamily and shares similar homology with HSV-1. We hypothesize that a history of TH imbalance may be associated with the incidence of shingles (VZV reactivation). This current pilot study, based on a hospital medical claims database, was conducted as a retrospective case-controlled investigation to determine if a putative link between TH imbalance and incidence of shingles is present. An odds ratio of 2·95 with a χ2 value of 51·74 was calculated for the total population diagnosed with TH disruption and shingles. Further analyses indicated that African American males exhibited a much higher chance of simultaneous diagnoses. These results show that a TH imbalance history may affect VZV reactivation at different incidence rates in different races and age groups.
Redexes are stable in the λ-calculus
Authors: LÉVY JEAN-JACQUES
Published: July 2015

In the theory of sequential programming languages, Berry's stability property is an important step claiming that values have unique origins in their calculations. It has been shown that Bohm trees are stable in the λ-calculus, meaning that there is a unique minimum prefix of any lambda term which computes its Bohm tree. Moreover this property is also true for finite prefixes of Bohm trees. The proof relies on Curry's standardization theorem as initially pointed out by Plotkin in his famous articleLCF considered as a programming language. In this paper we will show that the stability property also holds for redexes. Namely for any redex family, there is a unique minimum calculation and a unique redex which computes this family. This property was already known in the study of optimal reductions, but we stress here on stability and want to show that stability is inside the basic objects of calculations. The proof will be based on nice commutations between residuals and creations of new redexes. Our tool for proving this property will be the labelled lambda calculus used in the study of optimal reductions.
Involvement of l(–)-rhamnose in sea urchin gastrulation. Part II: α-l-Rhamnosidase
Authors: Liang Jing , Aleksanyan Heghush , Metzenberg Stan , Oppenheimer Steven B.
Published: July 2015

The sea urchin embryo is recognized as a model system to reveal developmental mechanisms involved in human health and disease. In Part I of this series, six carbohydrates were tested for their effects on gastrulation in embryos of the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus. Only l-rhamnose caused dramatic increases in the numbers of unattached archenterons and exogastrulated archenterons in living, swimming embryos. It was found that at 30 h post-fertilization the l-rhamnose had an unusual inverse dose-dependent effect, with low concentrations (1–3 mM) interfering with development and higher concentrations (30 mM) having little to no effect on normal development. In this study, embryos were examined for inhibition of archenteron development after treatment with α-l-rhamnosidase, an endoglycosidase that removes terminal l-rhamnose sugars from glycans. It was observed that the enzyme had profound effects on gastrulation, an effect that could be suppressed by addition of l-rhamnose as a competitive inhibitor. The involvement of l-rhamnose-containing glycans in sea urchin gastrulation was unexpected, since there are no characterized biosynthetic pathways for rhamnose utilization in animals. It is possible there exists a novel l-rhamnose-containing glycan in sea urchins, or that the enzyme and sugar interfere with the function of rhamnose-binding lectins, which are components of the innate immune system in many vertebrate and invertebrate species.
Restrictive atrial septum after the Fontan procedure
Authors: Penford Gemma , Quandt Daniel , Stumper Oliver
Published: July 2015

In this study, three patients presenting with early or late postoperative Fontan complications were identified to suffer from restriction of the native atrial septum. This caused significant obstruction to pulmonary venous return and elevated systemic venous pressure. Dobutamine stress testing was used in one patient to identify this lesion. Transcatheter stenting was performed in the other two patients. Patients improved after relief of the obstruction.
Exploring the opportunities for food and drink purchasing and consumption by teenagers during their journeys between home and school: a feasibility study using a novel method
Authors: Cowburn Gill , Matthews Anne , Doherty Aiden , Hamilton Alex , Kelly Paul , Williams Julianne , Foster Charlie , Nelson Michael
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable cameras as a method to capture the opportunities for food and drink purchasing/consumption that young people encounter on their regular journeys to and from school.

Design

A qualitative study using multiple data-collection methods including wearable cameras, global positioning system units, individual interviews, food and drink purchase and consumption diaries completed by participants over four days, and an audit of food outlets located within an 800 m Euclidean buffer zone around each school.

Setting

A community setting.

Subjects

Twenty-two students (fourteen girls and eight boys) aged 13–15 years recruited from four secondary schools in two counties of England.

Results

Wearable cameras offered a feasible and acceptable method for collecting food purchase and consumption data when used alongside traditional methods of data collection in a small number of teenagers. We found evidence of participants making deliberate choices about whether or not to purchase/consume food and drink on their journeys. These choices were influenced by priorities over money, friends, journey length, travel mode and ease of access to opportunities for purchase/consumption. Most food and drink items were purchased/consumed within an 800 m Euclidean buffer around school, with items commonly selected being high in energy, fat and sugar. Wearable camera images combined with interviews helped identify unreported items and misreporting errors.

Conclusions

Wearable camera images prompt detailed discussion and generate contextually specific information which could offer new insights and understanding around eating behaviour patterns. The feasibility of scaling up the use of these methods requires further empirical work.
Asthma control in pregnancy is associated with pre-conception dietary patterns
Authors: Grieger Jessica A , Grzeskowiak Luke E , Wood Lisa G , Clifton Vicki L
Published: July 2015

Objective

To examine pre-conception dietary patterns in pregnant asthmatic women and to identify associations between maternal diet and asthma control during pregnancy.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Pre-conception food frequency data were collected retrospectively. Asthma control was assessed using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between uncontrolled asthma and each dietary pattern (Z-score), with values presented as odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval.

Setting

Antenatal clinic in a tertiary hospital, Adelaide, Australia, May 2009–July 2013.

Subjects

One hundred and fifty-eight asthmatic pregnant women.

Results

Three dietary patterns were identified: (i) ‘high protein/fruit’ (strong food group loadings for fish, meat, chicken, fruit); (ii) ‘high fat/sugar/takeaway’ (takeaway foods, crisps, refined grains); and (iii) ‘vegetarian-type’ (vegetables, fruit, soya milk, whole grains). A 1sdincrease in score on the high fat/sugar/takeaway pattern was associated with increased likelihood of uncontrolled asthma (adjusted OR=1·54; 95 % CI 1·07, 2·23;P=0·022). Women with uncontrolled asthma (n115) had higher energy-adjusted intakes of saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar and fibre compared with women with controlled asthma (n43, allP≤0·05).

Conclusions

Pre-pregnancy dietary patterns may influence maternal asthma control. Our work highlights the importance of achieving a healthy diet before pregnancy that is low in saturated fat, sugar and takeaway foods, and therefore higher in lean meats, poultry and fish, as well as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A healthy dietary pattern should be encouraged in all asthmatic women who are of childbearing age, and should additionally be promoted before pregnancy and beyond.
Nutrition among men and household food security in an internally displaced persons camp in Kenya
Authors: Singh Kamal P , Bhoopathy Sankara Varun , Worth Heather , Seale Holly , Richmond Robyn L
Published: July 2015

Objective

To determine the nutritional status of men and the food security status of their households in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Kenya.

Design

A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a questionnaire and biometric measurements was completed in June 2013.

Setting

IDP camp, Rongai, Kenya.

Subjects

A total of 267 men aged ≥18 years residing within the camp were recruited via respondent-driven sampling. Statistical associations between categorical variables were analysed using Pearson’sχ2tests, while independentttests were used for continuous variables.

Results

Among the men surveyed, we found a mean BMI of 20·3 (sd2·5) kg/m2, with 23·9 % of participants in the underweight category (BMI<18·5 kg/m2). The mean Individual Dietary Diversity Score was 6 out of a maximum score of 9. The mean Household Food Insecurity Access Scale score was 11·6 (sd6·8), with 180 participants (71·7 %) residing in households categorised as severely food insecure. Low monthly household income (<2000 Kenyan Shillings, or $US 25) was associated with a higher food insecurity score (P<0·001), greater likelihood of residing in a severely food-insecure household (P<0·001), low dietary diversity score (P<0·05) and being underweight (P<0·01).

Conclusions

While the nutritional status of men in the IDP camp is comparable to non-displaced men in Kenya, household food insecurity is relatively high. Efforts to improve food security for the future are essential to minimise the impact of severe food insecurity on mental health, disease profiles and family well-being reported in other IDP settings.
Long-term stability of the Hounsfield unit to electron density calibration curve in cone-beam computed tomography images for adaptive radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Takemura Akihiro , Tanabe Shogo , Tokai Mei , Ueda Shinichi , Noto Kimiya , Isomura Naoki , Kojima Hironori
Published: July 2015

Aim

To use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for treatment planning, the Hounsfield unit (HU)-electron density (ED) calibration table for CBCT should be stable. The purpose of this study was to verify the stability of the HU values for the CBCT system over 1 year and to evaluate the effects of variation in HU-ED calibration curves on dose calculation.

Materials and Methods

A tissue characterisation phantom was scanned with the field of view (FOV) of size S (FOV-S) and FOV of size M (FOV-M) using the CBCT system once a month for 1 year. A single field treatment plan was constructed on digital phantom images to validate the dose distribution using mean HU-ED calibration curves and possible variations.

Results

HU values for each material rod over the observation period varied with trend. The HU value of the cortical bone rod decreased by about 100 HU for the FOV-S and by about 300 HU for the FOV-M. Possible variation in the HU-ED calibration curves produced a ≤17·9% dose difference in the dose maximum in the treatment plan.

Conclusions

The CBCT system should be calibrated periodically for consistent dose calculation.
The missing link: economic exposure and pension plan risk
Authors: Sweeting Paul , Christie Alexandre , Gladwyn Edward
Published: July 2015

The funding position of a defined benefit pension plan is often closely linked to the performance of the sponsoring company’s business. For example, a plan sponsor whose financial health is dependent on high oil prices may struggle during periods of oil price weakness. If the pension plan’s assets perform poorly at this time, the ability of the sponsor to address any funding requirement could be restricted precisely when the need for funding is heightened. In this paper, we propose an approach to dealing with joint plan and sponsor risk that can provide protection against extreme adverse events for the sponsor. In particular, adopt a strategy of minimising a portfolio’s expected losses in the event of an assumed drop of x% in the oil price. Our methodology relies on an asset allocation framework that takes into account the impact of serial correlation in asset returns, as well as the negative skewness and leptokurtosis resulting from the non-normal shape of marginal distributions of historical asset returns. We also make use of copulas to measure the dependence between asset class returns.
An improved stopband and sharp roll off microstrip low pass filter with defected ground structures
Authors: Ertay Agâh Oktay , Abbak Mehmet , Şimşek Serkan
Published: July 2015

In this paper a novel low pass filter (LPF) design procedure is proposed for electromagnetic bandgap based microstrip filters without using classical filter design approach. LPF is designed for ultra-wide stopband and sharp roll-off rate via proposed design procedure. It has been shown that finite periodic fan-shaped defected ground structures (FSDGSs) and double radial stubs (DRSs) yield broad stopband and very sharp transition band. The proposed LPF has −3 dB passband from dc to 1.49 GHz, and −20 dB broad stopband from 1.65 GHz up to 7.41 GHz. Full wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation of the proposed filter is achieved with ANSYS's High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and equivalent circuit (EC) model of the filter is proposed and verified via Applied Wave Research (AWR) software. To verify the simulations, filter is realized on ARLON AD1000 substrate, and measured with Agilent 5245A PNA-X Vector Network Analyzer. Measurement results of fabricated filter are in good agreement with EM and EC simulations.
Supramolecular motifs in dynamic covalent PEG-hemiaminal organogels
Authors: Fox Courtney H. , ter Hurrne Gijs M. , Wojtecki Rudy J. , Jones Gavin O. , Horn Hans W. , Meijer E. W. , Frank Curtis W. , Hedrick James L. , García Jeannette M.
Published: July 2015

Dynamic covalent materials are stable materials that possess reversible behaviour triggered by stimuli such as light, redox conditions or temperature; whereas supramolecular crosslinks depend on the equilibrium constant and relative concentrations of crosslinks as a function of temperature. The combination of these two reversible chemistries can allow access to materials with unique properties. Here, we show that this combination of dynamic covalent and supramolecular chemistry can be used to prepare organogels comprising distinct networks. Two materials containing hemiaminal crosslink junctions were synthesized; one material is comprised of dynamic covalent junctions and the other contains hydrogen-bonding bis-hemiaminal moieties. Under specific network synthesis conditions, these materials exhibited self-healing behaviour. This work reports on both the molecular-level detail of hemiaminal crosslink junction formation as well as the macroscopic behaviour of hemiaminal dynamic covalent network (HDCN) elastomeric organogels. These materials have potential applications as elastomeric components in printable materials, cargo carriers and adhesives.
Short winters threaten temperate fish populations
Authors: Farmer Troy M. , Marschall Elizabeth A. , Dabrowski Konrad , Ludsin Stuart A.
Published: July 2015

Although climate warming is expected to benefit temperate ectotherms by lengthening the summer growing season, declines in reproductive success following short, warm winters may counter such positive effects. Here we present long-term (1973–2010) field patterns for Lake Erie yellow perch, Perca flavescens, which show that failed annual recruitment events followed short, warm winters. Subsequent laboratory experimentation and field investigations revealed how reduced reproductive success following short, warm winters underlie these observed field patterns. Following short winters, females spawn at warmer temperatures and produce smaller eggs that both hatch at lower rates and produce smaller larvae than females exposed to long winters. Our research suggests that continued climate warming can lead to unanticipated, negative effects on temperate fish populations.
Ultrafast Intrinsic Photoresponse and Direct Evidence of Sub-gap States in Liquid Phase Exfoliated MoS2Thin Films
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy , Winchester Andrew , Muchharla Baleeswaraiah , Wasala Milinda , Feng Simin , Elias Ana Laura , Krishna M. Bala Murali , Harada Takaaki , Chin Catherine , Dani Keshav , Kar Swastik , Terrones Mauricio , Talapatra Saikat
Published: July 2015

2-Dimensional structures with swift optical response have several technological advantages, for example they could be used as components of ultrafast light modulators, photo-detectors and optical switches. Here we report on the fast photo switching behavior of thin films of liquid phase exfoliated MoS2, when excited with a continuous laser of λ = 658 nm (E = 1.88 eV), over a broad range of laser power. Transient photo-conductivity measurements, using an optical pump and THz probe (OPTP), reveal that photo carrier decay follows a bi-exponential time dependence, with decay times of the order of picoseconds, indicating that the photo carrier recombination occurs via trap states. The nature of variation of photocurrent with temperature confirms that the trap states are continuously distributed within the mobility gap in these thin film of MoS2 and play a vital role in influencing the overall photo response. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of the photo-physics associated with optically active 2D materials and are crucial for developing advanced optoelectronic devices.
Identification of reproducible drug-resistance-related dysregulated genes in small-scale cancer cell line experiments
Authors: Ao Lu , Yan Haidan , Zheng Tingting , Wang Hongwei , Tong Mengsha , Guan Qingzhou , Li Xiangyu , Cai Hao , Li Mengyao , Guo Zheng
Published: July 2015

Researchers usually measure only a few technical replicates of two types of cell line, resistant or sensitive to a drug and use a fold-change (FC) cut-off value to detect differentially expressed (DE) genes. However, the FC cut-off lacks statistical control and is biased towards the identification of genes with low expression levels in both cell lines. Here, viewing every pair of resistant-sensitive technical replicates as an experiment, we proposed an algorithm to identify DE genes by evaluating the reproducibility of the expression difference or FC between every two independent experiments without overlapping samples. Using four small datasets of cancer cell line resistant or sensitive to a drug, we demonstrated that this algorithm could efficiently capture reproducible DE genes significantly enriched in biological pathways relevant to the corresponding drugs, whereas many of them could not be found by the FC and other commonly used methods. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is an effective complement to current approaches for analysing small cancer cell line data.
ZBTB20 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor of alpha-fetoprotein gene
Authors: Zhang Hai , Cao Dongmei , Zhou Luting , Zhang Ye , Guo Xiaoqin , Li Hui , Chen Yuxia , Spear Brett T. , Wu Jia-Wei , Xie Zhifang , Zhang Weiping J.
Published: July 2015

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) represents a classical model system to study developmental gene regulation in mammalian cells. We previously reported that liver ZBTB20 is developmentally regulated and plays a central role in AFP postnatal repression. Here we show that ZBTB20 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor of AFP. By ELISA-based DNA-protein binding assay and conventional gel shift assay, we successfully identified a ZBTB20-binding site at −104/−86 of mouse AFP gene, flanked by two HNF1 sites and two C/EBP sites in the proximal promoter. Importantly, mutation of the core sequence in this site fully abolished its binding to ZBTB20 in vitro, as well as the repression of AFP promoter activity by ZBTB20. The unique ZBTB20 site was highly conserved in rat and human AFP genes, but absent in albumin genes. These help to explain the autonomous regulation of albumin and AFP genes in the liver after birth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that transcriptional repression of AFP gene by ZBTB20 was liver-specific. ZBTB20 was dispensable for AFP silencing in other tissues outside liver. Our data define a cognate ZBTB20 site in AFP promoter which mediates the postnatal repression of AFP gene in the liver.
Consequences of the variability of the CovRS and RopB regulators among Streptococcus pyogenes causing human infections
Authors: Friães Ana , Pato Catarina , Melo-Cristino José , Ramirez Mario
Published: July 2015

To evaluate the importance ofcovRSandropBmutations in invasive disease caused by Group A Streptococci (GAS), we determined the sequence of thecovRSandropBgenes of 191 isolates from invasive infections and pharyngitis, comprising a diverse set ofemmtypes and multilocus sequence types. The production of SpeB and the activity of NAD glycohydrolase (NADase) and streptolysin S (SLS) were evaluated. The results support the acquisition of nullcovSalleles (predicted to eliminate protein function), resulting in downregulation of SpeB and upregulation of NADase and SLS, as a mechanism possibly contributing to higher invasiveness. Among the isolates tested, this mechanism was found to be uncommon (10% of invasive isolates) and was not more prevalent among clones with enhanced invasiveness (including M1T1) but occurred in diverse genetic backgrounds. In lineages such asemm64, these changes did not result in upregulation of NADase and SLS, highlighting the diversity of regulatory pathways in GAS. Despite abrogating SpeB production, null alleles inropBwere not associated with invasive infection. ThecovRSandropBgenes are under stabilising selection and no expansion of isolates carrying null alleles has been observed, suggesting that the presence of these regulators is important for overall fitness.
Nogo-B protects mice against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Xu Wujian , Zhu Ying , Ning Yunye , Dong Yuchao , Huang Haidong , Zhang Wei , Sun Qinying , Li Qiang
Published: July 2015

Nogo-B, a member of the reticulon 4 protein family, plays a critical role in tissue repair and acute inflammation. Its role in acute lung injury (ALI) remains unclear. Here, we assessed the function of Nogo-B during tissue injury in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model. We found that pulmonary Nogo-B was significantly repressed after LPS instillation in C57BL/6 mice. Over-expression of pulmonary Nogo-B using an adenovirus vector carrying the Nogo-B-RFP-3flag gene (Ad-Nogo-B) significantly prolonged the survival of mice challenged with a lethal dose of LPS. The Ad-Nogo-B-treated mice also had less severe lung injury, less alveolar protein exudation and a higher number of macrophages but less neutrophil infiltration compared with Ad-RFP-treated mice. Interestingly, microarray analysis showed that the Ad-Nogo-B-treated mice had different gene expression profiles compared with the controls and the prominent expression of genes related to wound healing and the humoral immune response after LPS induction. Of the 49 differently expressed genes, we found that the expression of PTX3 was significantly up-regulated following Nogo-B over-expression as observed in lung tissues and RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, Nogo-B plays a protective role against LPS-induced ALI and this effect might be exerted through the modulation of alveolar macrophage recruitment and PTX3 production.
Early treatment of minocycline alleviates white matter and cognitive impairments after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion
Authors: Ma Jing , Zhang Jing , Hou Wei Wei , Wu Xiao Hua , Liao Ru Jia , Chen Ying , Wang Zhe , Zhang Xiang Nan , Zhang Li San , Zhou Yu Dong , Chen Zhong , Hu Wei Wei
Published: July 2015

Subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion develops with progressive white matter and cognitive impairments, yet no effective therapy is available. We investigated the temporal effects of minocycline on an experimental SIVD exerted by right unilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (rUCCAO). Minocycline treated at the early stage (day 0–3), but not the late stage after rUCCAO (day 4–32) alleviated the white matter and cognitive impairments and promoted remyelination. The actions of minocycline may not involve the inhibition of microglia activation, based on the effects after the application of a microglial activation inhibitor, macrophage migration inhibitory factor and co-treatment with lipopolysaccharides. Furthermore, minocycline treatment at the early stage promoted the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in subventricular zone, increased OPC number and alleviated apoptosis of mature oligodendrocytes in white matter. In vitro, minocycline promoted OPC proliferation and increased the percentage of OPCs in S and G2/M phases. We provided direct evidence that early treatment is critical for minocycline to alleviate white matter and cognitive impairments after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which may be due to its robust effects on OPC proliferation and mature oligodendrocyte loss. So, early therapeutic time window may be crucial for its application in SIVD.
Prostate-specific RNA aptamer: promising nucleic acid antibody-like cancer detection
Authors: Marangoni Karina , Neves Adriana F. , Rocha Rafael M. , Faria Paulo R. , Alves Patrícia T. , Souza Aline G. , Fujimura Patrícia T. , Santos Fabiana A. A. , Araújo Thaise G. , Ward Laura S. , Goulart Luiz R.
Published: July 2015

We described the selection of a novel nucleic acid antibody-like prostate cancer (PCa) that specifically binds to the single-stranded DNA molecule from a 277-nt fragment that may have been partially paired and bound to the PCA3 RNA conformational structure. PCA3-277 aptamer ligands were obtained and the best binding molecule, named CG3, was synthesized for validation. Aiming to prove its diagnostic utility, we used an apta-qPCR assay with CG3-aptamer conjugated to magnetic beads to capture PCA3 transcripts, which were amplified 97-fold and 7-fold higher than conventional qPCR in blood and tissue, respectively. Histopathologic analysis of 161 prostate biopsies arranged in a TMA and marked with biotin-labeled CG3-aptamer showed moderate staining in both cytoplasm and nucleus of PCa samples; in contrast, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples presented strong nuclear staining (78% of the cases). No staining was observed in stromal cells. In addition, using an apta-qPCR, we demonstrated that CG3-aptamer specifically recognizes the conformational PCA3-277 molecule and at least three other transcript variants, indicating that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is processed after transcription. We suggest that CG3-aptamer may be a useful PCa diagnostic tool. In addition, this molecule may be used in drug design and drug delivery for PCa therapy.
Overexpression of MAGE-A9 Is Predictive of Poor Prognosis in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Xu Yunzhao , Wang Chenyi , Zhang Yuquan , Jia Lizhou , Huang Jianfei
Published: July 2015

The cancer testis antigen, melanoma-associated antigen A9 (MAGE-A9), is expressed in many kinds of different human cancers and is an important target for immunotherapy. However, the clinicopathologic significance of MAGE-A9 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unknown. In this study, real-time PCR (12 carcinomas of high FIGO stage, 12 carcinomas of low FIGO stage and 20 normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues) and immunohistochemistry by tissue microarrays (128 carcinomas and 112 normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues, benign or borderline ovarian tumor tissues) were performed to characterize expression of MAGE-A9 in EOC. We found that significantly higher MAGE-A9 mRNA expression in EOC tumors than that in normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues (all P < 0.05). Protein expression of MAGE-A9 was significantly associated with FIGO stage, high histological grade, level of CA-125 and metastasis. Consistent with the associated poor clinicopathologic features, patients with MAGE-A9H (high-expressing) tumors had a worse overall survival as compared to patients with MAGE-A9L (low or none-expressing) tumors. Further studies revealed that MAGE-A9 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with MAGE-A9 overexpressing tumors had extremely poor OS. These findings indicate that MAGE-A9 expression may be helpful in predicting EOC prognosis.
Epidemic Model with Isolation in Multilayer Networks
Authors: Zuzek L. G. Alvarez , Stanley H. E. , Braunstein L. A.
Published: July 2015

The Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model has successfully mimicked the propagation of such airborne diseases as influenza A (H1N1). Although the SIR model has recently been studied in a multilayer networks configuration, in almost all the research the isolation of infected individuals is disregarded. Hence we focus our study in an epidemic model in a two-layer network and we use an isolation parameterwto measure the effect of quarantining infected individuals from both layers during an isolation periodtw. We call this process the Susceptible-Infected-Isolated-Recovered (SIIR) model. Using the framework of link percolation we find that isolation increases the critical epidemic threshold of the disease because the time in which infection can spread is reduced. In this scenario we find that this threshold increases withwandtw. When the isolation period is maximum there is a critical threshold forwabove which the disease never becomes an epidemic. We simulate the process and find an excellent agreement with the theoretical results.
An Inexpensive Co-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide Composite with Electron Donor-Acceptor Character for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Zheng Shufang , Lu Jun , Yan Dongpeng , Qin Yumei , Li Hailong , Evans David G. , Duan Xue
Published: July 2015

In this paper, the inexpensive 4,4-diaminostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DAS) and 4,4-dinitro-stilbene-2,2- disulfonate (DNS) anions with arbitrary molar ratios were successfully co-intercalated into Zn2Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite exhibited the broad UV-visible light absorption and fluorescence quenching, which was a direct indication of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process between the intercalated DAS (donor) and DNS (acceptor) anions. This was confirmed by the matched HOMO/LUMO energy levels alignment of the intercalated DAS and DNS anions, which was also compatible for water splitting. The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite was fabricated as the photoanode and Pt as the cathode. Under the UV-visible light illumination, the enhanced photo-generated current (4.67 mA/cm2 at 0.8 V vs. SCE) was generated in the external circuit and the photoelectrochemical water split was realized. Furthermore, this photoelectrochemical water splitting performance had excellent crystalline, electrochemical and optical stability. Therefore, this novel inorganic/organic hybrid photoanode exhibited potential application prospect in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Copper depletion inhibits CoCl2-induced aggressive phenotype of MCF-7 cells via downregulation of HIF-1 and inhibition of Snail/Twist-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Li Shun , Zhang Jing , Yang Hong , Wu Chunhui , Dang Xitong , Liu Yiyao
Published: July 2015

Copper, a strictly regulated trace element, is essential for many physiological processes including angiogenesis. Dysregulated angiogenesis has been associated with increased copper in tumors and thus copper chelators have been used to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether copper has any effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Using CoCl2-induced EMT of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, we found that TEPA, a copper chelator, inhibited EMT-like cell morphology and cytoskeleton arrangement triggered by CoCl2; decreased the expression of vimentin and fibronectin, markers typical of EMT; inhibited HIF-1 activation and HIF1-α accumulation in nuclear; and down-regulated the expression of hypoxia-associated transcription factors, Snail and Twist1. Moreover, knockdown copper transport protein, Ctr1, also inhibited CoCl2-induced EMT and reversed the mesenchymal phenotype. In EMT6 xenograft mouse models, TEPA administration inhibited the tumor growth and increased mice survival. Immunohistochemical analysis of the xenograft further demonstrated that TEPA administration significantly inhibited tumor angiogenesis, down-regulated hypoxia-induced transcription factors, Snail and Twist1, leading to decreased transactivation of EMT-associated marker genes, vimentin and fibronectin. These results indicate that TEPA inhibits CoCl2-induced EMT most likely via HIF1-α-Snail/Twist signaling pathway and copper depletion may be exploited as a therapeutic for breast cancer.
Search for common targets of lithium and valproic acid identifies novel epigenetic effects of lithium on the rat leptin receptor gene
Authors: Lee R S , Pirooznia M , Guintivano J , Ly M , Ewald E R , Tamashiro K L , Gould T D , Moran T H , Potash J B
Published: July 2015

Epigenetics may have an important role in mood stabilizer action. Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and lithium (Li) may have downstream epigenetic actions. To identify genes commonly affected by both mood stabilizers and to assess potential epigenetic mechanisms that may be involved in their mechanism of action, we administered Li (N=12), VPA (N=12), and normal chow (N=12) to Brown Norway rats for 30 days. Genomic DNA and mRNA were extracted from the hippocampus. We used the mRNA to perform gene expression analysis on Affymetrix microarray chips, and for genes commonly regulated by both Li and VPA, we validated expression levels using quantitative real-time PCR. To identify potential mechanisms underlying expression changes, genomic DNA was bisulfite treated for pyrosequencing of key CpG island ‘shores’ and promoter regions, and chromatin was prepared from both hippocampal tissue and a hippocampal-derived cell line to assess modifications of histones. For most genes, we found little evidence of DNA methylation changes in response to the medications. However, we detected histone H3 methylation and acetylation in the leptin receptor gene, Lepr, following treatment with both drugs. VPA-mediated effects on histones are well established, whereas the Li effects constitute a novel mechanism of transcriptional derepression for this drug. These data support several shared transcriptional targets of Li and VPA, and provide evidence suggesting leptin signaling as an epigenetic target of two mood stabilizers. Additional work could help clarify whether leptin signaling in the brain has a role in the therapeutic action of Li and VPA in bipolar disorder.
The Use Of In Situ Gamma Measurements In Land Surveys
Authors: Rostron P. D. , Heathcote J. A. , Ramsey M. H.
Published: July 2015

Surveys of the radionuclide content of land areas that may have been contaminated are required to determine whether there is an existing hazard to workers or the public. The objectives of this paper are to compare the results and uncertainties of in situ and ex situ measurements on land areas at a decommissioning nuclear site for the three different survey objectives, and to propose a new method for estimating the size and shape of in situ specimens that can be used to optimise the design of objective-driven in situ surveys.
The Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil, Silt, Sand and Sediment by ICP-MS Using Isotopically Enriched Rhenium as a Yield Monitor
Authors: Bell M. , Lees A. M. J. , Scott N.
Published: July 2015

Historically, measurement of technetium-99 in environmental matrices has been carried out by radiometric methods such as liquid scintillation counting and gas flow proportional counting. This work evaluates the use of 185Re-enriched rhenium as a yield monitor, and presents a simple microwave digestion of wet sample, coupled with TEVA resin extraction and ICP-MS measurement for the rapid determination of Tc-99 in soil, silt and sediment samples.
A Comparison of Analytical Methods for Screening Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity in Water by Liquid Scintillation Counting and Gas Flow Proportional Counting
Authors: Nisti M. B. , Ferreira A. O. , Campos M. P. , Saueia C. H. R. , Mazzilli B. P.
Published: July 2015

The radiation exposure through drinking-water comprises: naturally occurring radioactive species radium-226/228 and a few others. The classical approach to radioactivity measurements in drinking water consists of evaporating a known volume of water and measure the activity of the residue in a glass flow proportional counter; an attractive alternative to classical methods is the ultra-low level liquid scintillation counting coupled to alpha–beta discrimination. The main aim of this work is to compare these two methodologies, considering an identical initial step of pre-concentration, in terms of: principles involved in the measurement (efficiency, measuring time, background radiation); minimal detectable activity; time to perform the analysis.
Pharmaceuticals that contain polycyclic hydrocarbon scaffolds
Authors: Stockdale Tegan P. , Williams Craig M.
Published: July 2015

This review comprehensively explores approved pharmaceutical compounds that contain polycyclic scaffolds and the properties that these skeletons convey.
Insights into the consequences of co-polymerisation in the early stages of IAPP and Aβ peptide assembly from mass spectrometry
Authors: Young Lydia M. , Mahood Rachel A. , Saunders Janet C. , Tu Ling-Hsien , Raleigh Daniel P. , Radford Sheena E. , Ashcroft Alison E.
Published: July 2015

The precise molecular mechanisms by which different peptides and proteins assemble into highly ordered amyloid deposits remain elusive.
Liquid extraction surface analysis field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry for the analysis of dried blood spots
Authors: Griffiths Rian L. , Dexter Alex , Creese Andrew J. , Cooper Helen J.
Published: July 2015

LESA mass spectrometry coupled with high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for the analysis of dried blood spots.
Collision-energy resolved ion mobility characterization of isomeric mixtures
Authors: Pettit Michael E. , Harper Brett , Brantley Matthew R. , Solouki Touradj
Published: July 2015

Existing instrumental resolving power limitations in ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) often restrict adequate characterization of unresolved or co-eluting chemical isomers.
Magnetic scavengers as carriers of analytes for flowing atmospheric pressure afterglow mass spectrometry (FAPA-MS)
Authors: Cegłowski Michał , Kurczewska Joanna , Smoluch Marek , Reszke Edward , Silberring Jerzy , Schroeder Grzegorz
Published: July 2015

A procedure for the determination of various compounds using magnetic scavengers and FAPA-MS as an analytical method has been presented.
Pb3[C6(CH3)3(CO2)3H6]2[DMF]3: first layered Pb-Kemp's triacid complex
Authors: Kim Saet Byeol , Lee Dong Woo , Chang Suk-Kyu , Ok Kang Min
Published: July 2015

The first layered Pb-Kemp's triacid material, Pb3[C6(CH3)3(CO2)3H6]2[DMF]3, reveals reversible solvent coordination, intercalative addition, and higher selectivity of Cd2+ over Pb2+.
Cholinium-amino acid based ionic liquids: a new method of synthesis and physico-chemical characterization
Authors: De Santis Serena , Masci Giancarlo , Casciotta Francesco , Caminiti Ruggero , Scarpellini Eleonora , Campetella Marco , Gontrani Lorenzo
Published: July 2015

Fourteen cholinium-amino acid based room temperature ionic liquids were prepared using a cleaner synthetic method. Chemicophysical properties were well correlated with the wide range of amino acid chemical structures.
Molecular tectonics: heterometallic coordination networks based on a Pt(ii) organometallic metallatecton
Authors: Zigon Nicolas , Kyritsakas Nathalie , Hosseini Mir Wais
Published: July 2015

Combinations of a Pt(ii) organometallic linear tecton with 4-connecting MX2salts lead to the formation of heterobimetallic (Pt,M) 2D grid tape architectures.
Silolothiophene-linked triphenylamines as stable hole transporting materials for high efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Abate Antonio , Paek Sanghyun , Giordano Fabrizio , Correa-Baena Juan-Pablo , Saliba Michael , Gao Peng , Matsui Taisuke , Ko Jaejung , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Dahmen Klaus H. , Hagfeldt Anders , Grätzel Michael , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: July 2015

Novel hole transporting materials enabled to prepare stable perovskite solar cells.
Kaempferol suppresses lipid accumulation by inhibiting early adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and zebrafish
Authors: Lee Yeon-Joo , Choi Hyeon-Son , Seo Min-Jung , Jeon Hui-Jeon , Kim Kui-Jin , Lee Boo-Yong
Published: July 2015

Kaempferol is a flavonoid present in Kaempferia galanga and Opuntia ficus indica var. saboten.