bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proof of concept of a mind–mindedness intervention for mothers hospitalized for severe mental illness
Authors: Schacht Robin , Meins Elizabeth , Fernyhough Charles , Centifanti Luna C. M. , Bureau Jean-François , Pawlby Susan
Published: April 2017

Studies 1 and 2 investigated how maternal severe mental illness (SMI) related to mothers’ mind–mindedness (appropriate and nonattuned mind-related comments). Study 1 showed that mothers with SMI (n= 50) scored lower than psychologically well mothers for both appropriate and nonattuned comments, whereas mothers with SMI in Study 2 (n= 22) had elevated levels of nonattuned comments. Study 2 also tested the efficacy of a single-session video-feedback intervention to facilitate mind–mindedness in mothers with SMI. The intervention was associated with a decrease in nonattuned comments, such that on discharge, mothers did not differ from psychologically well controls. Study 3 assessed infant–mother attachment security in a small subset of intervention-group mothers from Study 2 (n= 9) and a separate group of standard care mothers (n= 30) at infant mean age 17.1 months (SD= 2.1). Infants whose mothers completed the intervention were more likely to be securely attached and less likely to be classified as insecure–disorganized than those of mothers who received standard care. We conclude that a single session of video-feedback to facilitate mind–mindedness in mothers with SMI may have benefits for mother–infant interaction into the second year of life.
Survival ofMacrobrachium amazonicumembryos submitted to cooling
Authors: Ferreira Arthur Vinícius Lourenço , Martins Moisés Fernandes , Martins de Sousa Míriam Luzia Nogueira , Soares Filho Aldeney Andrade , Sampaio Célia Maria de Souza
Published: April 2017

Cooling techniques have several applications for reproduction in aquaculture. However, few studies have sought to create protocols for cooling and cryopreservation ofMacrobrachium amazonicumembryos. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the survival ofM. amazonicumembryos and the correlation between embryonic volume and mortality ofM. amazonicumembryos after cooling. Embryo pools were collected from three females and divided into two treatment groups: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 3% and ethylene glycol (EG) 0.5%, both of them associated with 2 M sucrose. Positive and negative control groups consisted of seawater 10%. Aliquots of 10 µg of embryos were placed in Falcon®tubes containing a cryoprotectant solution and submitted directly to the test temperature of 2°C for 2 and 6 h of cooling. Further analysis of survival and embryonic volume were performed under a stereoscopic microscope. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using the Tukey test at 5%. The highest embryonic survival rate was observed after the shortest storage time for both the DMSO 3% and the 0.5% EG groups, with survival rates of 84.8 ± 3.9 and 79.7 ± 2.8%, respectively. There was a reduction in survival after 24 h, with the DMSO 3% group presenting a survival rate of 71.7 ± 6.6%, and the EG 0.5% group, 66 ± 6.9%. Survival showed a statistically significant difference when compared with the positive controls after 2 h and 24 h of cooling, with 99 ± 0.5% and 95.8 ± 1.5% survival rates, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the embryonic volume, but it was possible to observe a change in the appearance of the embryos, from a translucent coloration to an opaque white or brownish coloration, after 24 h in incubators. Thus, it can be concluded that survival is inversely proportional to storage time and that, although there was no change in the embryonic volume after cooling, a change in the appearance of embryos could be observed.
Social Behavior and Impairments in Social Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: May Michelle , Milders Maarten , Downey Bruce , Whyte Maggie , Higgins Vanessa , Wojcik Zuzana , Amin Sophie , O’Rourke Suzanne
Published: April 2017

Objectives:The negative effect of changes in social behavior following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are known, but much less is known about the neuropsychological impairments that may underlie and predict these changes. The current study investigated possible associations between post-injury behavior and neuropsychological competencies of emotion recognition, understanding intentions, and response selection, that have been proposed as important for social functioning.Methods:Forty participants with TBI and 32 matched healthy participants completed a battery of tests assessing the three functions of interest. In addition, self- and proxy reports of pre- and post-injury behavior, mood, and community integration were collected.Results:The TBI group performed significantly poorer than the comparison group on all tasks of emotion recognition, understanding intention, and on one task of response selection. Ratings of current behavior suggested significant changes in the TBI group relative to before the injury and showed significantly poorer community integration and interpersonal behavior than the comparison group. Of the three functions considered, emotion recognition was associated with both post-injury behavior and community integration and this association could not be fully explained by injury severity, time since injury, or education.Conclusions:The current study confirmed earlier findings of associations between emotion recognition and post-TBI behavior, providing partial evidence for models proposing emotion recognition as one of the pre-requisites for adequate social functioning. (JINS, 2017,23, 400–411)
SOCIAL SCIENCE IN BLACK AND WHITE: RETHINKING THE DISCIPLINES IN THE JIM CROW EMPIRE
Authors: KLUG SAM
Published: April 2017

The rise of the social sciences in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century America has been an especially fruitful topic for intellectual historians over the past four decades. An early, prominent explanation of the new levels of institutional power and intellectual authority achieved by the social sciences stressed the sense of interdependence created by the expansion of the market and the rise of new communications technologies. Others have emphasized intellectual struggles for authority among religious, popular, and scientific approaches to knowledge. Still others have laid the credit, or blame, for the ascension of the social sciences on liberal elites’ consolidation of their power after the collapse of monarchical authority and the successful repression of Marxist challenges. Two celebrated accounts have argued that ideological conditions, whether pervasive beliefs in American exceptionalism or visions of “scientific democracy,” shaped the development of the social sciences and their claims to intellectual authority. In the case of specific disciplines, like sociology and political science, the most supple histories have shown how broad changes in the structure of American capitalism created the conditions of possibility for new forms of knowledge about the social world, while more subtle intellectual shifts created openings for particular practices.
Earth's Wobbly Path Gives Clues to Its Core
Authors: Dehant Veronique , Gross Richard
Published: April 2017

Understanding the Earth Core and Nutation; Brussels, Belgium, 19–21 September 2016
Prior context in audition informs binding and shapes simple features
Authors: Chambers Claire , Akram Sahar , Adam Vincent , Pelofi Claire , Sahani Maneesh , Shamma Shihab , Pressnitzer Daniel
Published: April 2017

A perceptual phenomenon is reported, whereby prior acoustic context has a large, rapid and long-lasting effect on a basic auditory judgement. Pairs of tones were devised to include ambiguous transitions between frequency components, such that listeners were equally likely to report an upward or downward ‘pitch’ shift between tones. We show that presenting context tones before the ambiguous pair almost fully determines the perceived direction of shift. The context effect generalizes to a wide range of temporal and spectral scales, encompassing the characteristics of most realistic auditory scenes. Magnetoencephalographic recordings show that a relative reduction in neural responsivity is correlated to the behavioural effect. Finally, a computational model reproduces behavioural results, by implementing a simple constraint of continuity for binding successive sounds in a probabilistic manner. Contextual processing, mediated by ubiquitous neural mechanisms such as adaptation, may be crucial to track complex sound sources over time.
Near-atomic structure of Japanese encephalitis virus reveals critical determinants of virulence and stability
Authors: Wang Xiangxi , Li Shi-Hua , Zhu Ling , Nian Qing-Gong , Yuan Shuai , Gao Qiang , Hu Zhongyu , Ye Qing , Li Xiao-Feng , Xie Dong-Yang , Shaw Neil , Wang Junzhi , Walter Thomas S. , Huiskonen Juha T. , Fry Elizabeth E. , Qin Cheng-Feng , Stuart David I. , Rao Zihe
Published: April 2017

Although several different flaviviruses may cause encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis virus is the most significant, being responsible for thousands of deaths each year in Asia. The structural and molecular basis of this encephalitis is not fully understood. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of mature Japanese encephalitis virus at near-atomic resolution, which reveals an unusual “hole” on the surface, surrounded by five encephalitic-specific motifs implicated in receptor binding. Glu138 of E, which is highly conserved in encephalitic flaviviruses, maps onto one of these motifs and is essential for binding to neuroblastoma cells, with the E138K mutation abrogating the neurovirulence and neuroinvasiveness of Japanese encephalitis virus in mice. We also identify structural elements modulating viral stability, notably Gln264 of E, which, when replaced by His264 strengthens a hydrogen-bonding network, leading to a more stable virus. These studies unveil determinants of neurovirulence and stability in Japanese encephalitis virus, opening up new avenues for therapeutic interventions against neurotropic flaviviruses.
Mechanisms of action of sacubitril/valsartan on cardiac remodeling: a systems biology approach
Authors: Iborra-Egea Oriol , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Roura Santiago , Perea-Gil Isaac , Prat-Vidal Cristina , Soler-Botija Carolina , Bayes-Genis Antoni
Published: April 2017

Sacubitril/Valsartan, proved superiority over other conventional heart failure management treatments, but its mechanisms of action remains obscure. In this study, we sought to explore the mechanistic details for Sacubitril/Valsartan in heart failure and post-myocardial infarction remodeling, using an in silico, systems biology approach. Myocardial transcriptome obtained in response to myocardial infarction in swine was analyzed to address post-infarction ventricular remodeling. Swine transcriptome hits were mapped to their human equivalents using Reciprocal Best (blast) Hits, Gene Name Correspondence, and InParanoid database. Heart failure remodeling was studied using public data available in gene expression omnibus (accession GSE57345, subseries GSE57338), processed using the GEO2R tool. Using the Therapeutic Performance Mapping System technology, dedicated mathematical models trained to fit a set of molecular criteria, defining both pathologies and including all the information available on Sacubitril/Valsartan, were generated. All relationships incorporated into the biological network were drawn from public resources (including KEGG, REACTOME, INTACT, BIOGRID, and MINT). An artificial neural network analysis revealed that Sacubitril/Valsartan acts synergistically against cardiomyocyte cell death and left ventricular extracellular matrix remodeling via eight principal synergistic nodes. When studying each pathway independently, Valsartan was found to improve cardiac remodeling by inhibiting members of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein family, while Sacubitril attenuated cardiomyocyte cell death, hypertrophy, and impaired myocyte contractility by inhibiting PTEN. The complex molecular mechanisms of action of Sacubitril/Valsartan upon post-myocardial infarction and heart failure cardiac remodeling were delineated using a systems biology approach. Further, this dataset provides pathophysiological rationale for the use of Sacubitril/Valsartan to prevent post-infarct remodeling.
Beclin-1-mediated Autophagy Protects Against Cadmium-activated Apoptosis via the Fas/FasL Pathway in Primary Rat Proximal Tubular Cell Culture
Authors: Liu Gang , Yuan Yan , Long Mengfei , Luo Tongwang , Bian Jianchun , Liu Xuezhong , Gu Jianhong , Zou Hui , Song Ruilong , Wang Yi , Wang Lin , Liu Zongping
Published: April 2017

The Fas/FasL signaling pathway is one of the primary apoptosis pathways, but the involvement and regulatory mechanism of this pathway by autophagy remain unclear. Here we demonstrated that cadmium (Cd) activated the Fas/FasL apoptosis pathway in rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells; this was accompanied by simultaneous activation of autophagy resulted in reduced apoptosis. In this model, we induced autophagy through RAPA and further demonstrated that autophagy protects against activation of Fas/FasL signaling and apoptosis. The antiapoptotic effect of autophagy was blocked by 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor. The interactions between Beclin-1 and Fas, FasL, FADD, caspase-8 and BID/tBID were relatively weak, with the exception of cleaved caspase-8, indicated that minimal interactions between these proteins and Beclin-1 are involved in maintaining the balance of autophagy and apoptosis. Beclin-1 precipitated with cleaved caspase-8 in a dose-dependent mannter, and the expression was increased by siRNA against Beclin-1. These data suggested that Beclin-1-mediated autophagy impairs the expression and function of cleaved caspase-8 to protect against Cd-induced activation of apopotosis through Fas/FasL signaling pathway.
Transforming growth factor β plays an important role in enhancing wound healing by topical application of Povidone-iodine
Authors: Wang Li , Qin Wenhan , Zhou Yaying , Chen Bin , Zhao Xiaoqing , Zhao Hailin , Mi Emma , Mi Ella , Wang Qingmei , Ning Jiaolin
Published: April 2017

Povidone-iodine (PVI) is principally used as an antimicrobial agent. It has been found that 0.5% PVI can attenuate congestion, edema and pain induced by pressure sores. Thus this study aimed to assess the effects of 0.5% PVI on acute skin wounds. Four full-thickness excisional wounds were generated on the dorsal skin of male Sprague-Dawley rats with a 10-mm sterile punch. Two wounds were left untreated and the other two were dressed with gauze with 0.5% PVI for 1 hour per day for the first 5 days after injury. 10-mm full-thickness excisional wounds were also generated on the dorsal skin of rats treated with 10 mg/kg SB431542 and all wounds were treated with 0.5% PVI for 5 days. PVI treatment enhanced wound healing via promotion of expression of α SMA and TGF β, neovascularization and re-epithelialization. Interleukin 6 was reduced following PVI treatment. Inhibition of TGF β abolished the effect of PVI treatment on wound closure. These data show that topical application of 0.5% PVI could promote acute skin wound healing though increased expression of TGF β leading to enhanced formation of granulation tissue, even in the absence of obvious infection.
A novel way to establish fertilization recommendations based on agronomic efficiency and a sustainable yield index for rice crops
Authors: Liu Chuang , Liu Yi , Li Zhiguo , Zhang Guoshi , Chen Fang
Published: April 2017

A simpler approach for establishing fertilizer recommendations for major crops is urgently required to improve the application efficiency of commercial fertilizers in China. To address this need, we developed a method based on field data drawn from the China Program of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) rice experiments and investigations carried out in southeastern China during 2001 to 2012. Our results show that, using agronomic efficiencies and a sustainable yield index (SYI), this new method for establishing fertilizer recommendations robustly estimated the mean rice yield (7.6 t/ha) and mean nutrient supply capacities (186, 60, and 96 kg/ha of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively) of fertilizers in the study region. In addition, there were significant differences in rice yield response, economic cost/benefit ratio, and nutrient-use efficiencies associated with agronomic efficiencies ranked as high, medium and low. Thus, ranking agronomic efficiency could strengthen linear models relating rice yields and SYI. Our results also indicate that the new method provides better recommendations in terms of rice yield, SYI, and profitability than previous methods. Hence, we believe it is an effective approach for improving recommended applications of commercial fertilizers to rice (and potentially other crops).
Divergent copies of the large inverted repeat in the chloroplast genomes of ulvophycean green algae
Authors: Turmel Monique , Otis Christian , Lemieux Claude
Published: April 2017

The chloroplast genomes of many algae and almost all land plants carry two identical copies of a large inverted repeat (IR) sequence that can pair for flip-flop recombination and undergo expansion/contraction. Although the IR has been lost multiple times during the evolution of the green algae, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. A recent comparison of IR-lacking and IR-containing chloroplast genomes of chlorophytes from the Ulvophyceae (Ulotrichales) suggested that differential elimination of genes from the IR copies might lead to IR loss. To gain deeper insights into the evolutionary history of the chloroplast genome in the Ulvophyceae, we analyzed the genomes of Ignatius tetrasporus and Pseudocharacium americanum (Ignatiales, an order not previously sampled), Dangemannia microcystis (Oltmannsiellopsidales), Pseudoneochloris marina (Ulvales) and also Chamaetrichon capsulatum and Trichosarcina mucosa (Ulotrichales). Our comparison of these six chloroplast genomes with those previously reported for nine ulvophyceans revealed unsuspected variability. All newly examined genomes feature an IR, but remarkably, the copies of the IR present in the Ignatiales, Pseudoneochloris, and Chamaetrichon diverge in sequence, with the tRNA genes from the rRNA operon missing in one IR copy. The implications of this unprecedented finding for the mechanism of IR loss and flip-flop recombination are discussed.
Dynamic Behaviors of Condensing Clusters Based on Rayleigh Scattering Experiment
Authors: Lan Zhong , Wang Di , Cao Kejian , Xue Quan , Ma Xuehu
Published: April 2017

Condensation is a common physical process which widely exists in natural phenomena and thermal energy systems. In a condensation process, cluster is considered as the important bridge between vapor body and condensates. However, limited by the minimum imaging dimension of traditional measurements, early experimental studies about initial stages of condensation process are not sufficient. This paper provides a powerful optical platform for the study of dynamic clusters process. Based on the Rayleigh law, optical experiments were firstly introduced to investigate the clusters spatial distribution close to and far from condensation surface. The results show that clusters are mainly generated in the vicinity of the condensation surface within the thickness of 200 μm. When they move away from the condensation surface, clusters progressively vanish and they have a life cycle of a fraction of a millisecond. Though scattering intensity is proportional to the 6th power of cluster radius r and cluster number density Nc theoretically, the scattering intensity does not increase sharply with the increase of subcooling degree from the experimental results, so we can infer that the cluster number density plays a dominate role in this process and the effect of cluster radius almost can be ignored.Zhong Lan and Di Wang contributed equally to this work.
Two-photon autofluorescence lifetime imaging of human skin papillary dermis in vivo: assessment of blood capillaries and structural proteins localization
Authors: Shirshin Evgeny A. , Gurfinkel Yury I. , Priezzhev Alexander V. , Fadeev Victor V. , Lademann Juergen , Darvin Maxim E.
Published: April 2017

The papillary dermis of human skin is responsible for its biomechanical properties and for supply of epidermis with chemicals. Dermis is mainly composed of structural protein molecules, including collagen and elastin, and contains blood capillaries. Connective tissue diseases, as well as cardiovascular complications have manifestations on the molecular level in the papillary dermis (e.g. alteration of collagen I and III content) and in the capillary structure. In this paper we assessed the molecular structure of internal and external regions of skin capillaries using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of endogenous compounds. It was shown that the capillaries are characterized by a fast fluorescence decay, which is originated from red blood cells and blood plasma. Using the second harmonic generation signal, FLIM segmentation was performed, which provided for spatial localization and fluorescence decay parameters distribution of collagen I and elastin in the dermal papillae. It was demonstrated that the lifetime distribution was different for the inner area of dermal papillae around the capillary loop that was suggested to be due to collagen III. Hence, we propose a generalized approach to two-photon imaging of the papillary dermis components, which extends the capabilities of this technique in skin diagnosis.
CRL4BDCAF11 E3 ligase targets p21 for degradation to control cell cycle progression in human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Chen Zhi , Wang Kun , Hou Canglong , Jiang Kaibiao , Chen Bin , Chen Jianwei , Lao Lifeng , Qian Lie , Zhong Guibin , Liu Zude , Zhang Caiguo , Shen Hongxing
Published: April 2017

Cell cycle progression in mammals is strictly controlled by a number of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and CDK inhibitors (CKIs), the expression of which is often dysregulated in cancer cells. Our previous work revealed that Cullin 4B (CUL4B), a critical component of the Cullin4B-RING E3 ligase complex (CRL4B), is overexpressed in human osteosarcoma cells through an unknown mechanism. Here, we demonstrated that CUL4B forms an E3 ligase with RBX1 (RING-box 1), DDB1 (DNA damage binding protein 1), and DCAF11 (DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 11) in human osteosarcoma cells. In vitro and in vivo ubiquitination analyses indicated that CRL4BDCAF11 E3 ligase was able to specifically ubiquitinate a CDK inhibitor—p21Cip1 at K16, K154, K161 and K163 but not at K75 and K141. Knocking down any component of the CRL4BDCAF11 complex, including CUL4B, DDB1 or DCAF11, using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) attenuated the ubiquitination level of p21Cip1, inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation, led to cell cycle arrest at S phase, and decreased colony formation rate. Taken together, our data suggest that the CRL4BDCAF11 complex represents a unique E3 ligase that promotes the ubiquitination of p21Cip1 and regulates cell cycle progression in human osteosarcoma cells.
Three-dimensional modeling of single stranded DNA hairpins for aptamer-based biosensors
Authors: Jeddi Iman , Saiz Leonor
Published: April 2017

Aptamers consist of short oligonucleotides that bind specific targets. They provide advantages over antibodies, including robustness, low cost, and reusability. Their chemical structure allows the insertion of reporter molecules and surface-binding agents in specific locations, which have been recently exploited for the development of aptamer-based biosensors and direct detection strategies. Mainstream use of these devices, however, still requires significant improvements in optimization for consistency and reproducibility. DNA aptamers are more stable than their RNA counterparts for biomedical applications but have the disadvantage of lacking the wide array of computational tools for RNA structural prediction. Here, we present the first approach to predict from sequence the three-dimensional structures of single stranded (ss) DNA required for aptamer applications, focusing explicitly on ssDNA hairpins. The approach consists of a pipeline that integrates sequentially building ssDNA secondary structure from sequence, constructing equivalent 3D ssRNA models, transforming the 3D ssRNA models into ssDNA 3D structures, and refining the resulting ssDNA 3D structures. Through this pipeline, our approach faithfully predicts the representative structures available in the Nucleic Acid Database and Protein Data Bank databases. Our results, thus, open up a much-needed avenue for integrating DNA in the computational analysis and design of aptamer-based biosensors.
Hyperpolarized 13C Spectroscopic Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in a Rodent Model of Steatohepatitis
Authors: Wilson David M. , Di Gialleonardo Valentina , Wang Zhen J. , Carroll Valerie , Von Morze Cornelius , Taylor Andrew , Sai Victor , VanCriekinge Mark , Bok Robert , Ohliger Michael A. , Keshari Kayvan R.
Published: April 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become highly prevalent, now considered the most common liver disease in the western world. Approximately one-third of patients with NASH develop non-alchoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), histologically defined by lobular and portal inflammation, and accompanied by marked oxidative stress. Patients with NASH are at increased risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and diagnosis currently requires invasive biopsy. In animal models of NASH, particularly the methionine-choline deficient (MCD) model, profound changes are seen in redox enzymes and key intracellular antioxidants. To study antioxidant status in NASH non-invasively, we applied the redox probe hyperpolarized [1-13C] dehydroascorbic acid (HP DHA), which is reduced to Vitamin C (VitC) rapidly in the normal liver. In MCD mice, we observed a significant decrease in HP DHA to VitC conversion that accompanied hepatic fat deposition. When these animals were subsequently placed on a normal diet, resonance ratios reverted to those seen in control mice. These findings suggest that HP DHA, a potentially clinically translatable imaging agent, holds special promise in imaging NASH and other metabolic syndromes, to monitor disease progression and response to targeted therapies.
Notch and Hippo signaling converge on Strawberry Notch 1 (Sbno1) to synergistically activate Cdx2 during specification of the trophectoderm
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Miyasaka Kota Y. , Kubo Atsushi , Kida Yasuyuki S. , Nakagawa Osamu , Hirate Yoshikazu , Sasaki Hiroshi , Ogura Toshihiko
Published: April 2017

The first binary cell fate decision occurs at the morula stage and gives rise to two distinct types of cells that constitute the trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM). The cell fate determinant, Cdx2, is induced in TE cells and plays an essential role in their differentiation and maintenance. Notch and Hippo signaling cascades are assumed to converge onto regulatory elements of Cdx2, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show involvement of Strawberry Notch1 (Sbno1), a novel chromatin factor of the helicase superfamily 2, during preimplantation development. Sbno1 knockout embryos die at the preimplantation stage without forming a blastocoel, and Cdx2 is not turned on even though both Yap and Tead4 reside normally in nuclei. Accordingly, Sbno1 acts on the trophectoderm-enhancer (TEE) of Cdx2, ensuring its robust and synergistic activation by the Yap/Tead4 and NICD/Rbpj complexes. Interestingly, this synergism is enhanced when cells are mechanically stretched, which might reflect that TE cells are continuously stretched by the expanding ICM and blastocoel cavity. In addition, the histone chaperone, FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) physically interacts with Sbno1. Our data provide new evidence on TE specification, highlighting unexpected but essential functions of the highly conserved chromatin factor, Sbno1.
Integrated host and viral transcriptome analyses reveal pathology and inflammatory response mechanisms to ALV-J injection in SPF chickens
Authors: Lan Xi , Wang Yan , Tian Kai , Ye Fei , Yin Huadong , Zhao Xiaoling , Xu Hengyong , Huang Yong , Liu Haibo , Hsieh John C. F. , Lamont Susan J. , Zhu Qing
Published: April 2017

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is detrimental to poultry health and causes substantial economic losses from mortality and decreased performance. Because tumorigenesis is a complex mechanism, the regulatory architecture of the immune system is likely to include the added dimensions of modulation by miRNAs and long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA). To characterize the response to ALV challenge, we developed a novel methodology that combines four datasets: mRNA expression and the associated regulatory factors of miRNA and lncRNA, and ALV gene expression. Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) layer chickens were infected with ALV-J or maintained as non-injected controls. Spleen samples were collected at 40 days post injection (dpi), and sequenced. There were 864 genes, 7 miRNAs and 17 lncRNAs differentially expressed between infected and non-infected birds. The combined analysis of the 4 RNA expression datasets revealed that ALV infection is detected by pattern-recognition receptors (TLR9 and TLR3) leading to a type-I IFN mediated innate immune response that is modulated by IRF7 and IRF1. Co-expression network analysis of mRNA with miRNA, lncRNA and virus genes identified key elements within the complex networks utilized during ALV response. The integration of information from the host transcriptomic, epigenetic and virus response also has the potential to provide deeper insights into other host-pathogen interactions.
Label-free volumetric optical imaging of intact murine brains
Authors: Ren Jian , Choi Heejin , Chung Kwanghun , Bouma Brett E.
Published: April 2017

A central effort of today’s neuroscience is to study the brain’s ’wiring diagram’. The nervous system is believed to be a network of neurons interacting with each other through synaptic connection between axons and dendrites, therefore the neuronal connectivity map not only depicts the underlying anatomy, but also has important behavioral implications. Different approaches have been utilized to decipher neuronal circuits, including electron microscopy (EM) and light microscopy (LM). However, these approaches typically demand extensive sectioning and reconstruction for a brain sample. Recently, tissue clearing methods have enabled the investigation of a fully assembled biological system with greatly improved light penetration. Yet, most of these implementations, still require either genetic or exogenous contrast labeling for light microscopy. Here we demonstrate a high-speed approach, termed as Clearing Assisted Scattering Tomography (CAST), where intact brains can be imaged at optical resolution without labeling by leveraging tissue clearing and the scattering contrast of optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI).
Prevalence of Modic changes in the lumbar vertebrae and their associations with workload, smoking and weight in northern China
Authors: Han Chao , Kuang Ming-jie , Ma Jian-xiong , Ma Xin-long
Published: April 2017

The distribution of Modic changes (MCs) in the lumbar endplates and the evaluation of the relationships between MCs and risk factors are vital for research into MCs. The T1-weighted and T2-weighted sagittal MRI scans of 210 patients who exhibited lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ weights, genders, smoking statuses, physical activity levels and specific types of MC were recorded. The associations between MCs and risk factors, such as physical work, smoking and body mass index, were also analysed. MCs were observed in 47 patients (22.4%), including 16 males and 31 females. Among all patients, the L5/S1 lumbar level was most likely to suffer MCs. The MCs were predominantly type II. MCs occurred more often in obese patients than in normal and overweight patients (P < 0.05). Patients whose jobs required heavy labour were more likely to develop MCs (P < 0.05). Heavy work and obesity were related to type III MCs more strongly than the other types (P > 0.05). Smoking seemed not to be correlated with the incidence of MCs (P > 0.05). Gender, obesity and heavy work were strongly associated with MCs. Biomechanical factors may play a critical role in the development of MCs.
Lignin-graft-Polyoxazoline Conjugated Triazole a Novel Anti-Infective Ointment to Control Persistent Inflammation
Authors: Mahata Denial , Jana Malabendu , Jana Arundhuti , Mukherjee Abhishek , Mondal Nibendu , Saha Tilak , Sen Subhajit , Nando Golok B. , Mukhopadhyay Chinmay K. , Chakraborty Ranadhir , Mandal Santi M.
Published: April 2017

Lignin, one of the most abundant renewable feedstock, is used to develop a biocompatible hydrogel as anti-infective ointment. A hydrophilic polyoxazoline chain is grafted through ring opening polymerization, possess homogeneous spherical nanoparticles of 10–15 nm. The copolymer was covalently modified with triazole moiety to fortify the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. The hydrogel was capable of down regulating the expression level of IL-1β in LPS induced macrophage cells, and to cause significant reduction of iNOS production. It supported cellular anti-inflammatory activity which was confirmed with luciferase assay, western blot, and NF-κB analysis. This novel lignin-based hydrogel testedin-vivohas shown the abilities to prevent infection of burn wound, aid healing, and an anti-inflammatory dressing material. The hydrogel reported here provides a new material platform to introduce a cost-effective and efficient ointment option after undertaking further work to look at its use in the area of clinical practice.
Scenario dependence of future changes in climate extremes under 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming
Authors: Wang Zhili , Lin Lei , Zhang Xiaoye , Zhang Hua , Liu Liangke , Xu Yangyang
Published: April 2017

The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming below 2 °C and pursue efforts to even limit it to 1.5 °C relative to pre-industrial levels. Decision makers need reliable information on the impacts caused by these warming levels for climate mitigation and adaptation measures. We explore the changes in climate extremes, which are closely tied to economic losses and casualties, under 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming and their scenario dependence using three sets of ensemble global climate model simulations. A warming of 0.5 °C (from 1.5 °C to 2 °C) leads to significant increases in temperature and precipitation extremes in most regions. However, the projected changes in climate extremes under both warming levels highly depend on the pathways of emissions scenarios, with different greenhouse gas (GHG)/aerosol forcing ratio and GHG levels. Moreover, there are multifold differences in several heavily polluted regions, among the scenarios, in the changes in precipitation extremes due to an additional 0.5 °C warming from 1.5 °C to 2 °C. Our results demonstrate that the chemical compositions of emissions scenarios, not just the total radiative forcing and resultant warming level, must be considered when assessing the impacts of global 1.5/2 °C warming.
Development and validation of a prognostic model for predicting 30-day mortality risk in medical patients in emergency department (ED)
Authors: Ha Duc T. , Dang Tam Q. , Tran Ngoc V. , Pham Thao N. T. , Nguyen Nguyen D. , Nguyen Tuan V.
Published: April 2017

The primary aim of this prospective study is to develop and validate a new prognostic model for predicting the risk of mortality in Emergency Department (ED) patients. The study involved 1765 patients in the development cohort and 1728 in the validation cohort. The main outcome was mortality up to 30 days after admission. Potential risk factors included clinical characteristics, vital signs, and routine haematological and biochemistry tests. The Bayesian Model Averaging method within the Cox’s regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for mortality. In the development cohort, the incidence of 30-day mortality was 9.8%, and the following factors were associated with a greater risk of mortality: male gender, increased respiratory rate and serum urea, decreased peripheral oxygen saturation and serum albumin, lower Glasgow Coma Score, and admission to intensive care unit. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model with the listed factors was 0.871 (95% CI, 0.844–0.898) in the development cohort and 0.783 (95% CI, 0.743–0.823) in the validation cohort. Calibration analysis found a close agreement between predicted and observed mortality risk. We conclude that the risk of mortality among ED patients could be accurately predicted by using common clinical signs and biochemical tests.
The Impact of Treatments for Depression on the Dynamic Network Structure of Mental States: Two Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Snippe Evelien , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , Geschwind Nicole , Klippel Annelie , de Jonge Peter , Wichers Marieke
Published: April 2017

Evidence is growing that vulnerability to depression may be characterized by strong negative feedback loops between mental states. It is unknown whether such dynamics between mental states can be altered by treatment. This study examined whether treatment with imipramine or treatment with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces the connectivity within dynamic networks of mental states in individuals with depressive symptoms. In the Imipramine trial, individuals diagnosed with major depression were randomized to imipramine treatment or placebo-pill treatment (n = 50). In the Mind-Maastricht trial, individuals with residual depressive symptoms were randomized to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or to a waiting-list control condition (n = 119). Lagged associations among mental states, as assessed with the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), were estimated at baseline and post-intervention. The results show that few of the dynamic network connections changed significantly over time and few of the changes after MBCT and imipramine treatment differed significantly from the control groups. The decrease in average node connectivity after MBCT did not differ from the decrease observed in the waiting-list control group. Our findings suggest that imipramine treatment and MBCT do not greatly change the dynamic network structure of mental states, even though they do reduce depressive symptomatology.
Urinary and Fecal Metabonomics Study of the Protective Effect of Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San on Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Rats
Authors: Yu Meng , Jia Hong-Mei , Zhou Chao , Yang Yong , Sun Li-Li , Zou Zhong-Mei
Published: April 2017

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota dysbiosis and their host metabolic phenotype alteration is an important factor in human disease development. A traditional Chinese herbal formula, Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San (CSGS), has been effectively used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The present study was carried out to investigate whether CSGS modulates the host metabolic phenotype under the condition of gut microbiota dysbiosis. The metabonomics studies of biochemical changes in urine and feces of antibiotic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis rats after treatment with CSGS were performed using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) indicated that the CSGS treatment reduced the metabolic phenotype perturbation induced by antibiotic. In addition, there was a strong correlation between gut microbiota genera and urinary and fecal metabolites. Moreover, the correlation analysis and the metabolic pathway analysis (MetPA) identified that three key metabolic pathways including glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and bile acid metabolism were the most relevant pathways involved in antibiotic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings provided a comprehensive understanding of the protective effects of CSGS on the host metabolic phenotype of the gut microbiota dysbiosis rats, and further as a new source for drug leads in gut microbiota-targeted disease management.
Data Intensive Genome Level Analysis for Identifying Novel, Non-Toxic Drug Targets for Multi Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kaur Divneet , Kutum Rintu , Dash Debasis , Brahmachari Samir K.
Published: April 2017

We report the construction of a novel Systems Biology based virtual drug discovery model for the prediction of non-toxic metabolic targets in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This is based on a data-intensive genome level analysis and the principle of conservation of the evolutionarily important genes. In the 1623 sequenced Mtb strains, 890 metabolic genes identified through a systems approach in Mtb were evaluated for non-synonymous mutations. The 33 genes showed none or one variation in the entire 1623 strains, including 1084 Russian MDR strains. These invariant targets were further evaluated for their experimental and in silico essentiality as well as availability of their crystal structure in Protein Data Bank (PDB). Along with this, targets for the common existing antibiotics and the new Tb drug candidates were also screened for their variation across 1623 strains of Mtb for understanding the drug resistance. We propose that the reduced set of these reported targets could be a more effective starting point for medicinal chemists in generating new chemical leads. This approach has the potential of fueling the dried up Tuberculosis (Tb) drug discovery pipeline.
Aptamer-mediated impairment of EGFR-integrin αvβ3 complex inhibits vasculogenic mimicry and growth of triple-negative breast cancers
Authors: Camorani Simona , Crescenzi Elvira , Gramanzini Matteo , Fedele Monica , Zannetti Antonella , Cerchia Laura
Published: April 2017

Current treatment options for triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) is limited by the absence of well-defined biomarkers, excluding a targeted therapy. Notably, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in a great proportion of TNBCs and is a negative prognostic factor. In clinical trials, however, existing EGFR inhibitors showed disappointing outcome. Oligonucleotide aptamers are a valid alternative to antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic uses. Here, we prove that, when applied to aggressive TNBC cell lines with unique stem-like plasticity, the anti-EGFR CL4 aptamer, but not erlotinib or cetuximab, prevents the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) capability of the cells and destroys previously formed channels in three-dimensional culture. Notably, we found that CL4 impairs the matrix-induced integrin αvβ3 interaction with EGFR and integrin αvβ3-dependent cell adhesion. Consistently, the aptamer strongly inhibits VM and tumor growth in a xenograft TNBC model. These data suggest that in TNBC cells, EGFR may cooperate with integrin αvβ3 to regulate integrin binding to extracellular ligands required for VM, and EGFR-targeting by CL4 aptamer may counteract this event. Overall, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of action for CL4 related with integrin αvβ3-EGFR interaction, that may help to develop new oligonucleotide-based strategy addressing unmet need for TNBCs therapy.
Specific single-molecule detection of glucose in a supramolecularly designed tunnel junction
Authors: Nishino Tomoaki , Shiigi Hiroshi , Kiguchi Manabu , Nagaoka Tsutomu
Published: April 2017

Single-molecule detection of glucose was achieved within a nanogap between electrodes modified with 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid.
Size dependence of silver nanoparticle removal in a wastewater treatment plant mesocosm measured by FAST single particle ICP-MS
Authors: Tuoriniemi Jani , Jürgens Monika D. , Hassellöv Martin , Cornelis Geert
Published: April 2017

The quantities of engineered nanoparticles (NP) released to the environment are often influenced by their fate in waste water treatment plants (WWTP).
Hybrid magnetite–gold nanoparticles as bifunctional magnetic–plasmonic systems: three representative cases
Authors: Canet-Ferrer J. , Albella P. , Ribera A. , Usagre J. V. , Maier S. A.
Published: April 2017

Controlling the electromagnetic field distribution of magnetite–gold hetero-structures by tailoring the geometry of the magnetic- and plasmonic-constituents.
Correction: Self-supported Co3O4 nanoneedle arrays decorated with PPy via chemical vapor phase polymerization for high-performance detection of trace Pb2+
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Wang Chao , Dou Peng , Zhang Lifang , Zheng Jiao , Cao Zhenzhen , Xu Xinhua
Published: April 2017

Correction for ‘Self-supported Co3O4 nanoneedle arrays decorated with PPy via chemical vapor phase polymerization for high-performance detection of trace Pb2+’ by Wenjing Wang et al., Anal. Methods, 2017, 9, 1905–1911.
Surface-controlled preparation of EuWO4(OH) nanobelts and their hybrid with Au nanoparticles as a novel enzyme-free sensing platform towards hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Yu Linglin , Wang Yao , Wu Qiong , Yuan Ze , Xie Xiaoji , Wang Zhiwei , Wang Ning , Huang Xiao , Huang Wei
Published: April 2017

EuWO4(OH) nanobelts were prepared for the first time and hybridized with Au nanoparticles for highly sensitive H2O2 detection.
Revisiting the Juliá–Colonna enantioselective epoxidation: supramolecular catalysis in water
Authors: Bérubé Christopher , Barbeau Xavier , Lagüe Patrick , Voyer Normand
Published: April 2017

With only water as solvent, poly-l-leucine serves as supramolecular catalyst for the epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones.
A hypercrosslinking-induced self-assembly strategy for preparation of advanced hierarchical porous polymers with customizable functional components
Authors: Xu Hongji , Wu Jinlun , Zheng Bingna , Mai Weicong , Xu Fei , Chen Luyi , Liu Hao , Fu Ruowen , Wu Dingcai , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: April 2017

Advanced hierarchical porous polymers with customizable functional components were synthesized by development of a facile and efficient hypercrosslinking-induced self-assembly strategy.
Enhanced enzymatic reactions by solar-to-thermal conversion nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Xiaoling , Ou Gang , Yang Cheng , Ge Jun , Wu Hui
Published: April 2017

In this study, we demonstrate that enzymatic reactions can be easily enhanced by visible light irradiation.
PbI2 heterogeneous-cap-induced crystallization for an efficient CH3NH3PbI3 layer in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Yangrunqian , Li Jiawei , Li Qian , Zhu Weidong , Yu Tao , Chen Xingyu , Yin Lu'an , Zhou Yong , Wang Xiaoyong , Zou Zhigang
Published: April 2017

The difference in kinetics is illustrated between heterogeneous cap face-to-face annealing and conventional annealing.
Electrosynthesis of NiPx nanospheres for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from a neutral aqueous solution
Authors: Chen Mingxing , Qi Jing , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui
Published: April 2017

By a simple and fast electrosynthesis method, NiPx nanospheres are deposited on electrode substrates, which could catalyze HER efficiently in a neutral solution.
Assembling metallic 1T-MoS2nanosheets with inorganic-ligand stabilized quantum dots for exceptional solar hydrogen evolution
Authors: Li Xu-Bing , Gao Yu-Ji , Wu Hao-Lin , Wang Yang , Guo Qing , Huang Mao-Yong , Chen Bin , Tung Chen-Ho , Wu Li-Zhu
Published: April 2017

Metallic 1T-MoS2nanosheets are firstly assembled with inorganic-ligand stabilized QDs for enhanced solar H2evolution.
Flexible monomer-based covalent organic frameworks: design, structure and functions
Authors: Zou Lanfang , Yang Xinyu , Yuan Shuai , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: April 2017

A new flexible monomer-based COF has been designed and synthesized and its structure and gas adsorption properties have been carefully investigated.
Excited-state E → Z photoisomerization mechanism unveiled by ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation for hemithioindigo–hemistilbene
Authors: Yang Meihong , Huo Chunyan , Li Anyang , Lei Yibo , Yu Le , Zhu Chaoyuan
Published: April 2017

E-HTI photoisomerization pathways revealed by dynamics simulations.