bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nostalgia and the City: Urdushahr āshobpoetry in the aftermath of 1857
Authors: TIGNOL EVE
Published: September 2017

After the Uprising of 1857, many poets from north Indian cities resorted to the Urdu nostalgic genre ofshahr āshobto recall mournfully pre-colonial urban landscapes and articulate emotional and poetic narratives of loss. This article proposes to open new perspectives for the historical study of collective memory and trauma among Urdu-speakingashrāfin the nineteenth century by looking at one collection of such poems entitled ‘The Lament for Delhi (Fuġhān-e Dehlī)’ (1863), which has recently started to attract the attention of historians. Although scholarship has generally emphasised the continuity of these poems with theshahr āshobtradition, this article re-assesses this body of texts through a careful analysis of their main literary motifs and highlights their originality and divergence from previousshahr āshobs. Beyond the stereotypical, the poems of ‘The Lament for Delhi’ both construct 1857 as cultural trauma through the use of powerful literary devices and the performance of collective grief as well as re-channel memory and melancholy into the urban landscape by emphasising its materiality and reinvesting it with new meanings and stakes. This paper more broadly underlines the importance of this under-studied source to understand the impact of 1857 on the imaginary of Urdu-speakingashrāfand on the cultural and social history of colonial India.
Ruralising the City: Migration and Viraha in Translocal Nepal
Authors: STIRR ANNA
Published: September 2017

Throughout the history of movement between country and city in the Nepali-speaking areas of the Indian subcontinent, musical links between cities and the rural hills have integrated emotional associations with rural hill life into the fabric of city life. Songs in the thematic genre ofviraha– longing and the pain of separation – articulate lyrical and musical tropes that have come to characterise the experience of moving between hill villages, cities, and back again. This article explores over a century of Nepali-languagevirahasongs related to labour migration, arguing that as these songs take root in translocal publics crossing urban-rural divides, they contribute to an ruralisation of social and emotional life in the cities.
For Love and Justice: The Mobilizing of Race, Gender, and Criminal Justice Contact
Authors: Walker Hannah L. , García-Castañon Marcela
Published: September 2017

This paper examines the political implications of the criminal justice system for those who experience it indirectly: the friends and extended families of individuals who become caught up in the criminal justice system through heightened police surveillance, arrest, probation/parole and incarceration, which scholars have termed “custodial citizenship” (Lerman and Weaver 2014, 8). Contact with the criminal justice system is increasingly common in the United States, which incarcerates more of its citizens than any other western democracy (West, Sabol, and Greenman 2010). In addition to the 2.3 million people currently behind bars scholars estimate that more than 19 million have a felony (Uggen, Manza, and Thompson 2006). Fully 23% of Black adults have a criminal background, and Latinos make up 50% of federal inmates, highlighting extreme racial disparities in American criminal justice (Meissner et al. 2013). A growing body of research explores the impact of criminal justice contact on political participation finding that depressed voter turnout is the result whether one has been incarcerated, arrested, or lives in a high-contact community (Burch 2011, 2013; Lerman and Weaver 2014).
Erratum: Predicting educational achievement from DNA
Authors: Selzam S , Krapohl E , von Stumm S , O'Reilly P F , Rimfeld K , Kovas Y , Dale P S , Lee J J , Plomin R
Published: September 2017

Correction to: Molecular Psychiatry (2017) 22: 267–272; doi: 10.1038/mp.2016.107 Following publication, the authors noticed that some information in the Acknowledgements section was presented incorrectly or omitted. The updated Acknowledgements section follows. We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing contribution of the participants in the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) and their families.
Breast cancer risk factors in relation to estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, and Ki67 expression in normal breast tissue
Authors: Oh Hannah , Eliassen A. Heather , Beck Andrew H. , Rosner Bernard , Schnitt Stuart J. , Collins Laura C. , Connolly James L. , Montaser-Kouhsari Laleh , Willett Walter C. , Tamimi Rulla M.
Published: September 2017

Studies have suggested that hormone receptor and Ki67 expression in normal breast tissue are associated with subsequent breast cancer risk. We examined the associations of breast cancer risk factors with estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and Ki67 expression in normal breast tissue. This analysis included 388 women with benign breast disease (ages 17–67 years) in the Nurses’ Health Studies. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on tissue microarrays constructed from benign biopsies containing normal breast epithelium and scored as the percentage of epithelial cells that were positively stained. Ordinal logistic regression (outcomes in tertiles), adjusting for age and potential confounders, was performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations with risk factors. Alcohol consumption was positively associated (≥2.5 vs.<0.4 drink/wk: OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.26–5.75, p-trend = 0.008) and breastfeeding was inversely associated (≥6 months vs. never: OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.04–0.35, p-trend = 0.0003) with ER expression. Height (≥66 vs.<64 inches: OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.34–4.67, p-trend = 0.005) and BMI at age 18 (≥22 vs.<20 kg/m2: OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.18–4.62, p-trend = 0.01) were positively associated with PR expression. Body size at age 5–10 years was inversely associated with Ki67 (Level ≥ 2.5 vs. 1: OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.30–1.01, p-trend = 0.03). Premenopausal BMI (≥25 vs.<20 kg/m2) was positively associated with cytoplasmic IGF-1R (OR = 5.06, 95% CI = 1.17–21.8, p-trend = 0.04). Our data suggest that anthropometrics, breastfeeding, and alcohol intake may influence the molecular characteristics of normal breast tissue, elucidating the mechanisms by which these risk factors operate. However, larger studies are required to confirm these results.
Research on flexible display at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Authors: Park Jihun , Heo Sanghyun , Park Kibog , Song Myoung Hoon , Kim Ju-Young , Kyung Gyouhyung , Ruoff Rodney Scott , Park Jang-Ung , Bien Franklin
Published: September 2017

Displays represent information visually, so they have become the fundamental building block to visualize the data of current electronics including smartphones. Recently, electronics have been advanced toward flexible and wearable electronics that can be bent, folded, or stretched while maintaining their performance under various deformations. Here, recent advances in research to demonstrate flexible and wearable displays are reviewed. We introduce these results by dividing them into several categories according to the components of the display: active-matrix backplane, touch screen panel, light sources, integrated circuit for fingerprint touch screen panel, and characterization tests; and we also present mechanical tests in nano-meter scale and visual ergonomics research.
Erratum: Random electric field instabilities of relaxor ferroelectrics
Authors: Arce-Gamboa José R. , Guzmán-Verri Gian G.
Published: September 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
Investigation of Interfacial Layer for Ultrasonic Spot Welded Aluminum to Copper Joints
Authors: Zhang Zijiao , Wang Kaifeng , Li Jingjing , Yu Qian , Cai Wayne
Published: September 2017

The bonding formation for ultrasonic welding of dissimilar metals has been shrouded in mystery because of the complex thermomechanical behavior at the bonding interface. We investigated the microstructure and phases at the bonding interface of ultrasonically welded aluminum to copper joints using transmission electron microscopy, and found a ~10 nm thick transition layer composed of amorphous phase and nanocrystallines, which was believed to form the bonding between these two metals in addition to mechanical interlocking observed at a larger scale. Interdiffusion of parent elements (i.e. Al and Cu) was noticed in the amorphous phase, which was mainly driven by plastic deformation in solid state introduced by ultrasonic vibration. High densities of dislocations and stacking faults were also observed in the parent metals close to the transition layer, confirming the effects of severe plastic deformation.
Pain outside the body: defensive peripersonal space deformation in trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Bufacchi R. J. , Sambo C. F. , Di Stefano G. , Cruccu G. , Iannetti G. D.
Published: September 2017

Perception of space has been guiding effective therapeutic interventions in a number of unilateral chronic pain conditions. However little is known about how trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a condition in which trigeminal stimulation triggers paroxysmal facial pain, affects defensive peripersonal space (DPPS), the portion of space surrounding the body within which defensive responses are enhanced. Given that TN is unilateral, in TN patients the DPPS of the face might not be horizontally symmetric as in pain-free individuals, but instead larger around the affected side. We tested this a priori hypothesis by measuring the proximity-dependent modulation of the hand-blink reflex. Stimuli delivered to the hand ipsilateral to TN elicited a stronger blink, particularly when it was measured from the eye ipsilateral to TN and the hand was closer to the face. Geometric modelling revealed (1) that DPPS was larger on the side of space ipsilateral to TN, and (2) this asymmetry was consequent to an increased estimated potential of sensory events to cause harm when they occur ipsilaterally to TN. These observations demonstrate that neural mechanisms underlying body protection in TN are adjusted to reduce the likelihood that external events evoke the painful paroxysm typical of this condition.
Human in vitro Model Reveals the Effects of Collagen Cross-linking on Keratoconus Pathogenesis
Authors: Sharif Rabab , Hjortdal Jesper , Sejersen Henrik , Frank Garett , Karamichos Dimitrios
Published: September 2017

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal thinning disorder that leads to severe vision impairment As opposed to corneal transplantation; corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is a relatively non-invasive procedure that leads to an increase in corneal stiffness. In order to evaluate the effect of CXL on human corneal stromal cells in vitro, we developed a 3-D in vitro CXL model, using primary Human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) from healthy patients and Human Keratoconus fibroblasts (HKCs) from KC patients. Cells were plated on transwell polycarbonate membranes and stimulated by a stable vitamin C. CXL was performed using a mixed riboflavin 0.1% PBS solution followed by UVA irradiation. Our data revealed no significant apoptosis in either HCFs or HKCs following CXL. However, corneal fibrosis markers, Collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin, were significantly downregulated in CXL HKCs. Furthermore, a significant downregulation was seen in SMAD3, SMAD7, and phosphorylated SMADs -2 and -3 expression in CXL HKCs, contrary to a significant upregulation in both SMAD2 and Lysyl oxidase expression, compared to HCFs. Our novel 3-D in vitro model can be utilized to determine the cellular and molecular effects on the human corneal stroma post CXL, and promises to establish optimized treatment modalities in patients with KC.
Reconstructing human population history from dental phenotypes
Authors: Rathmann Hannes , Reyes-Centeno Hugo , Ghirotto Silvia , Creanza Nicole , Hanihara Tsunehiko , Harvati Katerina
Published: September 2017

Dental phenotypic data are often used to reconstruct biological relatedness among past human groups. Teeth are an important data source because they are generally well preserved in the archaeological and fossil record, even when associated skeletal and DNA preservation is poor. Furthermore, tooth form is considered to be highly heritable and selectively neutral; thus, teeth are assumed to be an excellent proxy for neutral genetic data when none are available. However, to our knowledge, no study to date has systematically tested the assumption of genetic neutrality of dental morphological features on a global scale. Therefore, for the first time, this study quantifies the correlation of biological affinities between worldwide modern human populations, derived independently from dental phenotypes and neutral genetic markers. We show that population relationship measures based on dental morphology are significantly correlated with those based on neutral genetic data (on averager = 0.574,p < 0.001). This relatively strong correlation validates tooth form as a proxy for neutral genomic markers. Nonetheless, we suggest caution in reconstructions of population affinities based on dental data alone because only part of the dental morphological variation among populations can be explained in terms of neutral genetic differences.
Omega-6 and omega-3 oxylipins are implicated in soybean oil-induced obesity in mice
Authors: Deol Poonamjot , Fahrmann Johannes , Yang Jun , Evans Jane R. , Rizo Antonia , Grapov Dmitry , Salemi Michelle , Wanichthanarak Kwanjeera , Fiehn Oliver , Phinney Brett , Hammock Bruce D. , Sladek Frances M.
Published: September 2017

Soybean oil consumption is increasing worldwide and parallels a rise in obesity. Rich in unsaturated fats, especially linoleic acid, soybean oil is assumed to be healthy, and yet it induces obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in mice. Here, we show that the genetically modified soybean oil Plenish, which came on the U.S. market in 2014 and is low in linoleic acid, induces less obesity than conventional soybean oil in C57BL/6 male mice. Proteomic analysis of the liver reveals global differences in hepatic proteins when comparing diets rich in the two soybean oils, coconut oil, and a low-fat diet. Metabolomic analysis of the liver and plasma shows a positive correlation between obesity and hepatic C18 oxylipin metabolites of omega-6 (ω6) and omega-3 (ω3) fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acid, respectively) in the cytochrome P450/soluble epoxide hydrolase pathway. While Plenish induced less insulin resistance than conventional soybean oil, it resulted in hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction as did olive oil, which has a similar fatty acid composition. These results implicate a new class of compounds in diet-induced obesity–C18 epoxide and diol oxylipins.
Single-cell analysis reveals sexually dimorphic repertoires of Interferon-γ and IL-17A producing T cells in salivary glands of Sjögren’s syndrome mice
Authors: Wanchoo Arun , Voigt Alexandria , Sukumaran Sukesh , Stewart Carol M. , Bhattacharya Indraneel , Nguyen Cuong Q.
Published: September 2017

The development of Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) is a dynamic and temporal process with a female predilection. Following the initial influx of immune cells, T cell clusters develop, accelerating the pathology in the salivary glands. Proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-γ and IL-17A, produced by T cells contribute synergistically to the disease. In this study, we examined the sexual dimorphism in cellular infiltrates of the salivary glands by using functional single-cell microengraving analysis. Using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the clonal diversity of the T cell receptors (TCRs) of infiltrating IFN-γ and IL-17A-producing T cells in male and female SjS-susceptible (SjSs) C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2mice. There were elevated frequencies of IFN-γ and IL-17A-producing effector T cell populations in female SjSSmice compared to male SjSSmice. MEME analysis shows high frequency and unique, sexually dimorphic motifs in the TCR hypervariable regions in the SjSSmice. Male mice selected for TRAV8/TRAJ52 (CATDLNTGANTGKLTFG) TCR genes in Th1 cells and TRBV16/(TRBD1/2)TRBJ1-7 (CGGKRRLESIFR) in Th1 and Th17 cells. Female SjSSmice selected for TRAV8/TRAJ52 (CATDLNTGANTGKLTFG), TRAV13D-2/TRAJ23 (CVYLEHHFE), and TRBV23/(TRBD2)TRBJ2-2 (CRKLHSCATCALNFL) in Th1 cells. These findings suggest that there is an elevated prevalence of pathogenic effector T cells in the glands with a sexually dimorphic selection bias of TCR repertoires.
A proposed method to measure weak magnetic field based on a hybrid optomechanical system
Authors: Liu Zeng-Xing , Wang Bao , Kong Cui , Si Liu-Gang , Xiong Hao , Wu Ying
Published: September 2017

Optomechanical systems have long been considered in the field of precision measurement. In this work, measurement of weak magnetic field in a hybrid optomechanical system is discussed. In contrast to conventional measurements based on detecting the change of magnetic flux, our scheme presents an alternative way to measure the magnetic field with a precision of 0.1 nT. We show that the effective cavity resonance frequency will be revised due to the electromagnetic interactions. Therefore, a resonance valley in the transmission spectrum of the probe field will shift in the presence of the magnetic field, and the width of an asymmetric transparency in the optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) shows a strong dependence on the magnetic field strength. Our results may have potential application for achieving high precision measurement of the magnetic field.
Functional relationship of AtABCG21 and AtABCG22 in stomatal regulation
Authors: Kuromori Takashi , Sugimoto Eriko , Ohiraki Haruka , Yamaguchi-Shinozaki Kazuko , Shinozaki Kazuo
Published: September 2017

Stomatal regulation is important for water transpiration from plants. Stomatal opening and closing are controlled by many transporter proteins in guard cells. AtABCG22 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and is a stomatal regulator; however, the function of AtABCG22 has not yet been determined fully, although a mutant phenotype included a significant effect on stomatal status. Here, we further investigated the function of the AtABCG22 gene and its functional relationships with other subfamily genes. Among close family members, we found a functional relationship of stomatal phenotypes with AtABCG21, which is also expressed specifically in guard cells. Based on an analysis of double mutants, adding the atabcg21 mutation to atabcg22 mutant partially suppressed the open-stomata phenotype of atabcg22. Multiple-mutant analyses indicated that this suppression was independent of abscisic acid signaling in guard cells. We also found that atabcg22 mutant showed a unique time course-dependent phenotype, being defective in maintenance of stomatal status after initial stomatal opening elicited by light signaling. The function of AtABCG22 and its relationship with AtABCG21 in stomatal regulation are considered.
Rev1 contributes to proper mitochondrial function via the PARP-NAD+-SIRT1-PGC1α axis
Authors: Fakouri Nima Borhan , Durhuus Jon Ambæk , Regnell Christine Elisabeth , Angleys Maria , Desler Claus , Hasan-Olive Md Mahdi , Martín-Pardillos Ana , Tsaalbi-Shtylik Anastasia , Thomsen Kirsten , Lauritzen Martin , Bohr Vilhelm A. , de Wind Niels , Bergersen Linda Hildegard , Rasmussen Lene Juel
Published: September 2017

Nucleic acids, which constitute the genetic material of all organisms, are continuously exposed to endogenous and exogenous damaging agents, representing a significant challenge to genome stability and genome integrity over the life of a cell or organism. Unrepaired DNA lesions, such as single- and double-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs and DSBs), and single-stranded gaps can block progression of the DNA replication fork, causing replicative stress and/or cell cycle arrest. However, translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases, such as Rev1, have the ability to bypass some DNA lesions, which can circumvent the process leading to replication fork arrest and minimize replicative stress. Here, we show that Rev1-deficiency in mouse embryo fibroblasts or mouse liver tissue is associated with replicative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, Rev1-deficiency is associated with high poly(ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) activity, low endogenous NAD+, low expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α and low adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated kinase (AMPK) activity. We conclude that replication stress via Rev1-deficiency contributes to metabolic stress caused by compromized mitochondrial function via the PARP-NAD+-SIRT1-PGC1α axis.
HDL cholesterol efflux normalised to apoA-I is associated with future development of type 2 diabetes: from the CORDIOPREV trial
Authors: Blanco-Rojo Ruth , Perez-Martinez Pablo , Lopez-Moreno Javier , Martinez-Botas Javier , Delgado-Lista Javier , van-Ommen Ben , Yubero-Serrano Elena , Camargo Antonio , Ordovas Jose M. , Perez-Jimenez Francisco , Gomez-Coronado Diego , Lopez-Miranda Jose
Published: September 2017

This prospective study evaluated whether baseline cholesterol efflux is associated with future development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in cardiovascular patients. We measured cholesterol efflux in all CORDIOPREV study (NCT00924937) participants free of T2DM at baseline (n = 462) and assessed its relationship with T2DM incidence during a 4.5 years of follow-up. Cholesterol efflux was quantified by incubation of cholesterol-loaded THP-1 cells with the participants’ apoB-depleted plasma. Disposition index was estimated as beta-cell function indicator. During follow-up 106 individuals progressed to T2DM. The cholesterol efflux/apoA-1 ratio was inversely associated with T2DM development independently of traditional risk factors (model-1, OR: 0.647, 95%CI: 0.495–0.846), and after additional adjustment for glycaemic parameters (model-2, OR: 0.670, 95%CI: 0.511–0.878). When cumulative incidence of diabetes was analysed by quartiles of cholesterol efflux/apoA-I, incidence of T2DM was reduced by 54% in subjects who were in the higher cholesterol efflux/apoA-I quartile compared to subjects in the lowest quartile (p = 0.018 and p = 0.042 for model-1 and 2). Moreover, participants who were in the higher cholesterol efflux/apoA-I presented significantly higher disposition index (β = 0.056, SE = 0.026; p = 0.035). In conclusion, HDL-cholesterol efflux normalised to apoA-I was inversely associated with T2DM development in cardiovascular patients. This association was independent of several T2DM risk factors, and may be related to a preserved beta-cell function.
Schwann cells promote post-traumatic nerve inflammation and neuropathic pain through MHC class II
Authors: Hartlehnert Maike , Derksen Angelika , Hagenacker Tim , Kindermann David , Schäfers Maria , Pawlak Mathias , Kieseier Bernd C. , Meyer zu Horste Gerd
Published: September 2017

The activation of T helper cells requires antigens to be exposed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs) via MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules. Expression of MHC-II is generally limited to professional APCs, but other cell types can express MHC-II under inflammatory conditions. However, the importance of these conditional APCs is unknown. We and others have previously shown that Schwann cells are potentially conditional APCs, but the functional relevance of MHC-II expression by Schwann cells has not been studied in vivo. Here, we conditionally deleted the MHC-II β-chain from myelinating Schwann cells in mice and investigated how this influenced post-traumatic intraneural inflammation and neuropathic pain using the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. We demonstrate that deletion of MHC-II in myelinating Schwann cells reduces thermal hyperalgesia and, to a lesser extent, also diminishes mechanical allodynia in CCI in female mice. This was accompanied by a reduction of intraneural CD4+ T cells and greater preservation of preferentially large-caliber axons. Activation of T helper cells by MHC-II on Schwann cells thus promotes post-traumatic axonal loss and neuropathic pain. Hence, we provide experimental evidence that Schwann cells gain antigen-presenting function in vivo and modulate local immune responses and diseases in the peripheral nerves.
Pore formation in lipid membrane II: Energy landscape under external stress
Authors: Akimov Sergey A. , Volynsky Pavel E. , Galimzyanov Timur R. , Kuzmin Peter I. , Pavlov Konstantin V. , Batishchev Oleg V.
Published: September 2017

Lipid membranes are extremely stable envelopes allowing cells to survive in various environments and to maintain desired internal composition. Membrane permeation through formation of transversal pores requires substantial external stress. Practically, pores are usually formed by application of lateral tension or transmembrane voltage. Using the same approach as was used for obtaining continuous trajectory of pore formation in the stress-less membrane in the previous article, we now consider the process of pore formation under the external stress. The waiting time to pore formation proved a non-monotonous function of the lateral tension, dropping from infinity at zero tension to a minimum at the tension of several millinewtons per meter. Transmembrane voltage, on the contrary, caused the waiting time to decrease monotonously. Analysis of pore formation trajectories for several lipid species with different spontaneous curvatures and elastic moduli under various external conditions provided instrumental insights into the mechanisms underlying some experimentally observed phenomena.
A mouse-to-man candidate gene study identifies association of chronic otitis media with the loci TGIF1 and FBXO11
Authors: Bhutta Mahmood F. , Lambie Jane , Hobson Lindsey , Goel Anuj , Hafrén Lena , Einarsdottir Elisabet , Mattila Petri S. , Farrall Martin , Brown Steve , Burton Martin J.
Published: September 2017

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) is the most common cause of hearing loss in children, and known to have high heritability. Mutant mouse models have identified Fbxo11, Evi1, Tgif1, and Nisch as potential risk loci. We recruited children aged 10 and under undergoing surgical treatment for COME from 35 hospitals in the UK, and their nuclear family. We performed association testing with the loci FBXO11, EVI1, TGIF1 and NISCH and sought to replicate significant results in a case-control cohort from Finland. We tested 1296 families (3828 individuals), and found strength of association with the T allele at rs881835 (p = 0.006, OR 1.39) and the G allele at rs1962914 (p = 0.007, OR 1.58) at TGIF1, and the A allele at rs10490302 (p = 0.016, OR 1.17) and the G allele at rs2537742 (p = 0.038, OR 1.16) at FBXO11. Results were not replicated. This study supports smaller studies that have also suggested association of otitis media with polymorphism at FBX011, but this is the first study to report association with the locus TGIF1. Both FBX011 and TGIF1 are involved in TGF-β signalling, suggesting this pathway may be important in the transition from acute to chronic middle ear inflammation, and a potential molecular target.
Cytotoxic Serrulatane-Type Diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Euplexaura sp. and Their Absolute Configurations by Vibrational Circular Dichroism
Authors: Cao Fei , Shao Chang-Lun , Liu Yun-Feng , Zhu Hua-Jie , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: September 2017

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) method has become robust and reliable alternative for the stereochemical characterization of natural products. In this paper, three new serrulatane-type diterpenoids, euplexaurenes A–C (1–3), and a known metabolite, anthogorgiene P (4), were obtained from the South China Sea gorgonian Euplexaura sp. GXWZ-05. The absolute configuration of C-11 in 1–4, which was difficult to be determined by common means due to the high conformational flexibility of the eight-carbon aliphatic chain attached at C-4, was determined by VCD method, suggesting a new horizon to define the absolute configurations of natural products possessing chains. Compounds 1–4 were found to show selective cytotoxic activities against human laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2) cell line with the IC50 values of 1.95, 7.80, 13.6 and 5.85 μM, respectively.
Ant-infecting Ophiocordyceps genomes reveal a high diversity of potential behavioral manipulation genes and a possible major role for enterotoxins
Authors: de Bekker Charissa , Ohm Robin A , Evans Harry C. , Brachmann Andreas , Hughes David P.
Published: September 2017

Much can be gained from revealing the mechanisms fungal entomopathogens employ. Especially intriguing are fungal parasites that manipulate insect behavior because, presumably, they secrete a wealth of bioactive compounds. To gain more insight into their strategies, we compared the genomes of five ant-infecting Ophiocordyceps species from three species complexes. These species were collected across three continents, from five different ant species in which they induce different levels of manipulation. A considerable number of (small) secreted and pathogenicity-related proteins were only found in these ant-manipulating Ophiocordyceps species, and not in other ascomycetes. However, few of those proteins were conserved among them, suggesting that several different methods of behavior modification have evolved. This is further supported by a relatively fast evolution of previously reported candidate manipulation genes associated with biting behavior. Moreover, secondary metabolite clusters, activated during biting behavior, appeared conserved within a species complex, but not beyond. The independent co-evolution between these manipulating parasites and their respective hosts might thus have led to rather diverse strategies to alter behavior. Our data indicate that specialized, secreted enterotoxins may play a major role in one of these strategies.
Impact of Endothelial Lipase on Cholesterol Efflux Capacity of Serum and High-density Lipoprotein
Authors: Schilcher Irene , Kern Sabine , Hrzenjak Andelko , Eichmann Thomas O. , Stojakovic Tatjana , Scharnagl Hubert , Duta-Mare Madalina , Kratky Dagmar , Marsche Gunther , Frank Saša
Published: September 2017

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a potent modulator of the structural and functional properties of HDL. Impact of EL on cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of serum and isolated HDL is not well understood and apparently contradictory data were published. Here, we systematically examined the impact of EL on composition and CEC of serum and isolated HDL, in vitro and in vivo, using EL-overexpressing cells and EL-overexpressing mice. CEC was examined in a validated assay using 3H-cholesterol labelled J774 macrophages. In vitro EL-modification of serum resulted in complex alterations, including enrichment of serum with lipid-free/-poor apoA-I, decreased size of human (but not mouse) HDL and altered HDL lipid composition. EL-modification of serum increased CEC, in line with increased lipid-free/-poor apoA-I formation. In contrast, CEC of isolated HDL was decreased likely through altered lipid composition. In contrast to in vitro results, EL-overexpression in mice markedly decreased HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I serum levels associated with a decreased CEC of serum. HDL lipid composition was altered, but HDL particle size and CEC were not affected. Our study highlights the multiple and complex effects of EL on HDL composition and function and may help to clarify the seemingly contradictory data found in published articles.
Shift in bacterioplankton diversity and structure: Influence of anthropogenic disturbances along the Yarlung Tsangpo River on the Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Wang Peifang , Wang Xun , Wang Chao , Miao Lingzhan , Hou Jun , Yuan Qiusheng
Published: September 2017

River systems have critical roles in the natural water environment and the transportation of nutrients. Anthropogenic activities, including wastewater discharge and river damming, raise adverse impacts on ecosystem and continuum of rivers. An increasing amount of attention has been paid to riverine bacterioplankton as they make vital contributions to biogeochemical nutrient cycle. A comprehensive study was conducted on the bacterioplankton community along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is the longest plateau river in China and is suffering from various anthropogenic impacts. The results indicated that nutrient variations corresponded to anthropogenic activities, and silica, nitrogen and phosphorus were retained by the dam. River damming influenced the biomass and diversity of the bacterioplankton, but significant alterations in the community structure were not observed between upstream and downstream of the dam. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the bacterioplankton community changed gradually along the river, and the dominant bacterioplankton in the upstream, midstream and downstream portions of the river were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, respectively. Soluble reactive phosphorus, elevation, ammonium nitrogen, velocity and turbidity were the main environmental factors that shape the bacterioplankton community. Our study offers the first insights into the variation of a bacterioplankton community of a large river in plateau region.
Fungal endophyte-induced salidroside and tyrosol biosynthesis combined with signal cross-talk and the mechanism of enzyme gene expression in Rhodiola crenulata
Authors: Cui Jin-Long , Wang Ya-Nan , Jiao Jin , Gong Yi , Wang Jun-Hong , Wang Meng-Liang
Published: September 2017

Endophyte is a factor that affects the physiology and metabolism of plant. However, limited information is available on the mechanism of interaction between endophyte and plant. To investigate the effects of endophytic fungus ZPRs-R11, that is, Trimmatostroma sp., on salidroside and tyrosol accumulations in Rhodiola crenulata, signal transduction, enzyme gene expression, and metabolic pathway were investigated. Results showed that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), and salicylic acid (SA) involved in fungus-induced salidroside and tyrosol accumulations. NO acted as an upstream signal of H2O2 and SA. No up- or down-stream relationship was observed, but mutual coordination existed between H2O2 and SA. Rate-limiting enzyme genes with the maximum expression activities were UDP-glucosyltransferase, tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC), monoamine oxidase, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), and cinnamic-4-hydroxylase sequentially. Nevertheless, the genes of tyrosine transaminase and pyruvate decarboxylase only indicated slightly higher activities than those in control. Thus, TYDC and PAL branches were the preferential pathways in ZPRs-R11-induced salidroside and tyrosol accumulation. Trimmatostroma sp. was a potential fungus for promoting salidroside and tyrosol accumulations. The present data also provided scientific basis for understanding complex interaction between endophytic fungus and R. crenulata.
HSF1-dependent and -independent regulation of the mammalian in vivo heat shock response and its impairment in Huntington's disease mouse models
Authors: Neueder Andreas , Gipson Theresa A. , Batterton Sophie , Lazell Hayley J. , Farshim Pamela P. , Paganetti Paolo , Housman David E. , Bates Gillian P.
Published: September 2017

The heat shock response (HSR) is a mechanism to cope with proteotoxic stress by inducing the expression of molecular chaperones and other heat shock response genes. The HSR is evolutionarily well conserved and has been widely studied in bacteria, cell lines and lower eukaryotic model organisms. However, mechanistic insights into the HSR in higher eukaryotes, in particular in mammals, are limited. We have developed an in vivo heat shock protocol to analyze the HSR in mice and dissected heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)-dependent and -independent pathways. Whilst the induction of proteostasis-related genes was dependent on HSF1, the regulation of circadian function related genes, indicating that the circadian clock oscillators have been reset, was independent of its presence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the in vivo HSR is impaired in mouse models of Huntington’s disease but we were unable to corroborate the general repression of transcription that follows a heat shock in lower eukaryotes.
Fault-Tolerant Electro-Responsive Surfaces for Dynamic Micropattern Molds and Tunable Optics
Authors: Lin I-Ting , Wang Tiesheng , Zhang Fenghua , Smoukov Stoyan K.
Published: September 2017

Electrically deformable surfaces based on dielectric elastomers have recently demonstrated controllable microscale roughness, ease of operation, fast response, and possibilities for programmable control. Potential applications include marine anti-biofouling, dynamic pattern generation, and voltage-controlled smart windows. Most of these systems, however, exhibit limited durability due to irreversible dielectric breakdown. Lowering device voltage to avoid this issue is hindered by an inadequate understanding of the electrically-induced wrinkling deformation as a function of the deformable elastic film thickness. Here we report responsive surfaces that overcome these shortcomings: we achieve fault-tolerant behavior based on the ability to self-insulate breakdown faults, and we enhance fundamental understanding of the system by quantifying the critical field necessary to induce wrinkles in films of different thickness and comparing to analytical models. We also observe new capabilities of these responsive surfaces, such as field amplification near local breakdown sites, which enable actuation and wrinkle pattern formation at lower applied voltages. We demonstrate the wide applicability of our responsive, fault-tolerant films by using our system for adjustable transparency films, tunable diffraction gratings, and a dynamic surface template/factory from which various static micropatterns can be molded on demand.
A Therapeutic Peptide Vaccine Against PCSK9
Authors: Pan Yajie , Zhou Yanzhao , Wu Hailang , Chen Xiao , Hu Xiajun , Zhang Hongrong , Zhou Zihua , Qiu Zhihua , Liao Yuhua
Published: September 2017

Vaccination provides a promising approach for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and improvement in compliance. In this study, the appropriate virus-like particle (VLP)-peptide vaccines targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were screened. The screening criteria of target peptides were as follows: (1) located in catalytic domain of PCSK9, or regulating the binding of PCSK9 and LDL receptors (LDLR); (2) having low/no-similarity when matched with the host proteome; (3) possessing ideal antigenicity and hydrophilicity; (4) including the functional mutation site of PCSK9. It was found that mice vaccinated with VLP -PCSK9 peptide vaccines, especially PCSK9Qβ-003 vaccine, developed high titer IgG antibodies against PCSK9. PCSK9Qβ-003 vaccine obviously decreased plasma total cholesterol in both Balb/c mice and LDLR+/− mice. Also, PCSK9Qβ-003 vaccine decreased plasma PCSK9 level and up-regulated LDLR expression in liver. Additionally, PCSK9Qβ-003 vaccine injection was associated with significant up-regulation of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF-1α), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in LDLR+/− mice. No obvious immune injury was detected in vaccinated animals. The PCSK9Qβ-003 vaccine, therefore, may be an attractive treatment approach for hypercholesterolemia through decreasing cholesterol and regulating lipid homeostasis.
Compliance with minimum information guidelines in public metabolomics repositories
Authors: Spicer Rachel A. , Salek Reza , Steinbeck Christoph
Published: September 2017

The Metabolomics Standards Initiative (MSI) guidelines were first published in 2007. These guidelines provided reporting standards for all stages of metabolomics analysis: experimental design, biological context, chemical analysis and data processing. Since 2012, a series of public metabolomics databases and repositories, which accept the deposition of metabolomic datasets, have arisen. In this study, the compliance of 399 public data sets, from four major metabolomics data repositories, to the biological context MSI reporting standards was evaluated. None of the reporting standards were complied with in every publicly available study, although adherence rates varied greatly, from 0 to 97%. The plant minimum reporting standards were the most complied with and the microbial and in vitro were the least. Our results indicate the need for reassessment and revision of the existing MSI reporting standards.
Ligand-based reduction of nitrate to nitric oxide utilizing a proton-responsive secondary coordination sphere
Authors: Delgado Mayra , Gilbertson John D.
Published: September 2017

Utilizing the proton-responsive pyridinediimine ligand [(2,6-iPrC6H3)(NCMe)(N(iPr)2C2H4)(NCMe)C5H3N] (didpa), the ligand-based reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to nitric oxide (NO) was achieved.
Electronic and optical properties of MoS2/α-Fe2O3(0001) heterostructures: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Pan Haijun , Meng Xiangying , Qi Xiwei , Qin Gaowu
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the effect of interfacial structure of MoS2/α-Fe2O3(0001) heterostructure on its photocatalytic activity.
Hydrotropy and scattering: pre-ouzo as an extended near-spinodal region
Authors: Shimizu Seishi , Matubayasi Nobuyuki
Published: September 2017

The relationship between hydrotropic solubilization and mesoscale structuring has been clarified from the first principles of chemical and statistical thermodynamics.
Structural origins of the cohesive energy in metal-terpyridine oligomer thin-films
Authors: Meded Velimir , Knorr Nikolaus , Neumann Tobias , Nelles Gabriele , Wenzel Wolfgang , von Wrochem Florian
Published: September 2017

Nanotribological studies reveal the high mechanical stability of thin films based on FeII-terpyridine oligomers, which according to theory is attributed to the high cohesive energy resulting from Coulomb interactions among the ionic constituents.
Hierarchical and chemical space partitioning in new intermetallic borides MNi21B20(M = In, Sn)
Authors: Wagner Frank R. , Zheng Qiang , Gumeniuk Roman , Bende David , Prots Yurii , Bobnar Matej , Hu Dong-Li , Burkhardt Ulrich , Grin Yuri , Leithe-Jasper Andreas
Published: September 2017

MNi21B20(M = ln, Sn): [Ni6@B20@Ni24] triple shell clusters with M atoms centering the cuboctahedra [M@Ni12].
Photoactivated proton coupled electron transfer in DNA: insights from quantum mechanical calculations
Authors: Martinez-Fernandez Lara , Improta Roberto
Published: September 2017

The energetics of the two main proton coupled electron transfer processes that could occur in DNA are determined by means of time dependent-DFT calculations, using the M052X functional and the polarizable continuum model to include solvent effect.
PANDAR: a pivotal cancer-related long non-coding RNA in human cancers
Authors: Li Jinglin , Li Zhenglong , Zheng Wangyang , Li Xinheng , Wang Zhidong , Cui Yunfu , Jiang Xingming
Published: September 2017

The dysregulation of PANDAR—a promising candidate among all tumor-associated lncRNAs—is involved in tumorigenesis and progression of diverse cancers.
Hydroxylated carbon black as improved deposition support for discharge products in lithium air(oxygen)batteries
Authors: Duan Xiaobo , Song Ming , Zhang Lei , Wang Lianli , Zhu Ding , Chen Yungui
Published: September 2017

The positive roles of the hydroxyls in improving the deposition of Li2O2and the performances of the Li–air battery are revealed.
The green synthesis of ultrafine palladium–phosphorus alloyed nanoparticles anchored on polydopamine functionalized graphene used as an excellent electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation
Authors: Yang Honglei , Zou Hai , Chen Ming , Li Shuwen , Jin Jun , Ma Jiantai
Published: September 2017

A new catalyst, consisting of ultrafine Pd–P alloyed nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on polydopamine functionalized graphene (Pd–P/PDA-GS), was fabricated by a green, facile and surfactant free method for ethanol electrocatalytic oxidation reaction (EOR).
Biomimetic structure of carbon fiber cloth grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) for water collection and smart gates
Authors: Chou Hung-Tao , Chen Ying-Chieh , Lee Chi-Young , Chang Hwan-You , Tai Nyan-Hwa
Published: September 2017

An eco-friendly, facile, and efficient method was developed to modify carbon fiber cloth (CFC) having superhydrophobic or hydrophilic properties.
Cav2.2 and Cav3.1 calcium channel inhibitors from Valeriana jatamansi Jones
Authors: Jiang He-Hai , Dong Fa-Wu , Zhou Jun , Hu Jiang-Miao , Yang Jian , Nian Yin
Published: September 2017

In China, the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana jatamansi Jones are traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal and rheumatic pain. In the present study, a number of N- and T-type calcium channel inhibitors were initially isolated and identified.
Design and synthesis of a free-standing carbon nano-fibrous web electrode with ultra large pores for high-performance vanadium flow batteries
Authors: Xu Chi , Li Xianfeng , Liu Tao , Zhang Huamin
Published: September 2017

A highly porously free-standing nano fibrous web electrode has been designed and fabricated for VFB through a novel horizontally-opposed blending electrospinning method in this study.
Grafting polycarbonate onto graphene nanosheets: synthesis and characterization of high performance polycarbonate–graphene nanocomposites for ESD/EMI applications
Authors: Yoon Sang-Hwa , Jung Hee-Tae
Published: September 2017

High performance polycarbonate–graphene nanocomposites were synthesized by grafting polycarbonate onto graphene nanosheets with outstanding mechanical and electrical properties.
A RGB random laser on an optical fiber facet
Authors: Zhai Tianrui , Niu Lianze , Cao Fengzhao , Tong Fei , Li Songtao , Wang Meng , Zhang Xinping
Published: September 2017

A red-green-blue random laser is fabricated on an optical fiber facet by the dip-coating method.
A pair of novel Zn(ii) enantiomeric coordination polymers based on a chiral multicarboxylate ligand: synthesis, crystal structures and molecular recognition properties
Authors: Gu Lei , Zhang Han-Zhong , Jiang Wen-Hong , Hou Guang-Feng , Yu Ying-Hui , Ma Dong-Sheng
Published: September 2017

A pair of Zn(ii) enantiomeric coordination polymers, 1-R and 1-S, were synthesized via solvothermal reactions, exhibiting luminescence recognizing properties toward nitro aromatic compounds and ferric cations.
Flow synthesis of secondary amines over Ag/Al2O3 catalyst by one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes
Authors: Artiukha Ekaterina A. , Nuzhdin Alexey L. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A. , Bukhtiyarov Valerii I.
Published: September 2017

The reaction of aldehydes with nitroarenes over Ag/Al2O3 catalyst under H2 in a flow reactor gives secondary amines in high yield.
Photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin on different TiO2−X polymorphs under visible light in water
Authors: Yang Hai , Mei Liangyong , Wang Pengcheng , Genereux Joseph , Wang Yinsheng , Yi Bing , Au Chaktong , Dang Limin , Feng Pingyun
Published: September 2017

Reduced TiO2 (TiO2−X) materials with different crystallographic structures were prepared and characterized.
The significance of bromide in the Brust–Schiffrin synthesis of thiol protected gold nanoparticles
Authors: Booth S. G. , Uehara A. , Chang S.-Y. , La Fontaine C. , Fujii T. , Okamoto Y. , Imai T. , Schroeder S. L. M. , Dryfe R. A. W.
Published: September 2017

The mechanism of the two-phase Brust–Schiffrin synthesis of alkane thiol protected metal nanoparticles has been shown to be highly sensitive to the precursor species and reactant conditions.
High-throughput screening of bimetallic catalysts enabled by machine learning
Authors: Li Zheng , Wang Siwen , Chin Wei Shan , Achenie Luke E. , Xin Hongliang
Published: September 2017

We present a holistic machine-learning framework for rapid screening of bimetallic catalysts with the aid of the descriptor-based kinetic analysis.
Fabrication of a non-semiconductor photocatalytic system using dendrite-like plasmonic CuNi bimetal combined with a reduced graphene oxide nanosheet for near-infrared photocatalytic H2evolution
Authors: Zhang Piyong , Song Ting , Wang Tingting , Zeng Heping
Published: September 2017

Dendrite-like plasmonic CuNi bimetal was prepared and modified with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets for improving the photocatalytic H2evolution rate.