bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of subcortical structures on cognitive and social function in schizophrenia
Authors: Koshiyama Daisuke , Fukunaga Masaki , Okada Naohiro , Yamashita Fumio , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Fujimoto Michiko , Ohi Kazutaka , Fujino Haruo , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Kasai Kiyoto , Hashimoto Ryota
Published: January 2018

Subcortical regions have a pivotal role in cognitive, affective, and social functions in humans, and the structural and functional abnormalities of the regions have been associated with various psychiatric disorders. Although previous studies focused on the neurocognitive and socio-functional consequences of prefrontal and tempolo-limbic abnormalities in psychiatric disorders, those of subcortical structures remain largely unknown. Recently, MRI volume alterations in subcortical structures in patients with schizophrenia have been replicated in large-scale meta-analytic studies. Here we investigated the relationship between volumes of subcortical structures and neurocognitive and socio-functional indices in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia. First, we replicated the results of meta-analyses: the regional volumes of the bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and nucleus accumbens were significantly smaller for patients (N = 163) than for healthy controls (HCs, N = 620). Second, in the patient group, the right nucleus accumbens volume was significantly correlated with the Digit Symbol Coding score, which is known as a distinctively characteristic index of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the right thalamic volume was significantly correlated with social function scores. In HCs, no significant correlation was found. The results from this large-scale investigation shed light upon the role of specific subcortical nuclei on cognitive and social functioning in schizophrenia.
Distribution and the origin of invasive apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) in China
Authors: Yang Qian-Qian , Liu Su-Wen , He Chao , Yu Xiao-Ping
Published: January 2018

Species of Pomacea, commonly known as apple snails, are native to South America, and have become widely distributed agricultural and environmental pests in southern China since their introduction in the 1980s. However, only since 2010 have researchers recognized that at least two species, P. canaliculata and P. maculata, are present in China. Although impacts of apple snails have been extensively documented, confusion still persists regarding current distributions and origin of the species in China. To resolve this confusion, we used phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods to analyze 1464 mitochondrial COI sequences, including 349 new sequences from samples collected in southern China and 1115 publicly available sequences from snails collected in the native and introduced ranges. Pomacea canaliculata was found at all sampled localities, while P. maculata was found at only five sampled localities in the Sichuan basin and Zhejiang province. Our data indicate that Chinese populations of P. canaliculata share an Argentinian origin, consistent with multiple introductions of this species elsewhere in Asia. In addition, just a single lineage ofP. maculata is established in China, which shares with populations in Brazil.
Black-legged kittiwakes as messengers of Atlantification in the Arctic
Authors: Vihtakari Mikko , Welcker Jorg , Moe Børge , Chastel Olivier , Tartu Sabrina , Hop Haakon , Bech Claus , Descamps Sébastien , Gabrielsen Geir Wing
Published: January 2018

Climate warming is rapidly altering marine ecosystems towards a more temperate state on the European side of the Arctic. However, this “Atlantification” has rarely been confirmed, as long-term datasets on Arctic marine organisms are scarce. We present a 19-year time series (1982–2016) of diet samples from black-legged kittiwakes as an indicator of the changes in a high Arctic marine ecosystem (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). Our results highlight a shift from Arctic prey dominance until 2006 to a more mixed diet with high contribution of Atlantic fishes. Capelin, an Atlantic species, dominated the diet composition in 2007, marking a shift in the food web. The occurrence of polar cod, a key Arctic fish species, positively correlated with sea ice index, whereas Atlantic species demonstrated the opposite correlation indicating that the diet shift was likely connected with recent climate warming. Kittiwakes, which gather available fish and zooplankton near the sea surface to feed their chicks, can act as messengers of ecosystem change. Changes in their diet reveal that the Kongsfjord system has drifted in an Atlantic direction over the last decade.
GPhenoVision: A Ground Mobile System with Multi-modal Imaging for Field-Based High Throughput Phenotyping of Cotton
Authors: Jiang Yu , Li Changying , Robertson Jon S. , Sun Shangpeng , Xu Rui , Paterson Andrew H.
Published: January 2018

Imaging sensors can extend phenotyping capability, but they require a system to handle high-volume data. The overall goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a field-based high throughput phenotyping system accommodating high-resolution imagers. The system consisted of a high-clearance tractor and sensing and electrical systems. The sensing system was based on a distributed structure, integrating environmental sensors, real-time kinematic GPS, and multiple imaging sensors including RGB-D, thermal, and hyperspectral cameras. Custom software was developed with a multilayered architecture for system control and data collection. The system was evaluated by scanning a cotton field with 23 genotypes for quantification of canopy growth and development. A data processing pipeline was developed to extract phenotypes at the canopy level, including height, width, projected leaf area, and volume from RGB-D data and temperature from thermal images. Growth rates of morphological traits were accordingly calculated. The traits had strong correlations (r= 0.54–0.74) with fiber yield and good broad sense heritability (H2= 0.27–0.72), suggesting the potential for conducting quantitative genetic analysis and contributing to yield prediction models. The developed system is a useful tool for a wide range of breeding/genetic, agronomic/physiological, and economic studies.
Wearable Sweat Rate Sensors for Human Thermal Comfort Monitoring
Authors: Sim Jai Kyoung , Yoon Sunghyun , Cho Young-Ho
Published: January 2018

We propose watch-type sweat rate sensors capable of automatic natural ventilation by integrating miniaturized thermo-pneumatic actuators, and experimentally verify their performances and applicability. Previous sensors using natural ventilation require manual ventilation process or high-power bulky thermo-pneumatic actuators to lift sweat rate detection chambers above skin for continuous measurement. The proposed watch-type sweat rate sensors reduce operation power by minimizing expansion fluid volume to 0.4 ml through heat circuit modeling. The proposed sensors reduce operation power to 12.8% and weight to 47.6% compared to previous portable sensors, operating for 4 hours at 6 V batteries. Human experiment for thermal comfort monitoring is performed by using the proposed sensors having sensitivity of 0.039 (pF/s)/(g/m2h) and linearity of 97.9% in human sweat rate range. Average sweat rate difference for each thermal status measured in three subjects shows (32.06 ± 27.19) g/m2h in thermal statuses including ‘comfortable’, ‘slightly warm’, ‘warm’, and ‘hot’. The proposed sensors thereby can discriminate and compare four stages of thermal status. Sweat rate measurement error of the proposed sensors is less than 10% under air velocity of 1.5 m/s corresponding to human walking speed. The proposed sensors are applicable for wearable and portable use, having potentials for daily thermal comfort monitoring applications.
Omega-3-carboxylic acids provide efficacious anti-inflammatory activity in models of crystal-mediated inflammation
Authors: Iverson Cory , Bacong Andrew , Liu Sha , Baumgartner Scott , Lundström Torbjörn , Oscarsson Jan , Miner Jeffrey N.
Published: January 2018

This study assesses the efficacy and exposure–response relationship of omega-3-carboxylic acids (OM-3 CA) in models of crystal-based inflammation. Human THP-1 macrophages and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to multiple inflammatory crystal types were used to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of omega-3 (OM-3) fatty acids in vitro. Anti-inflammatory effects of OM-3 CA in vivo were tested in rat monosodium urate (MSU) crystal air pouch and rat knee intra-articular MSU injection models. Acute treatment with the OM-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid suppressed MSU-, cholesterol crystal-, and calcium pyrophosphate crystal-mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in vitro. In vivo, OM-3 CA dose-dependently reduced crystal-mediated cell migration, exudate volume, and levels of IL-1β and prostaglandin E2. Following intra-articular injection of MSU, treatment with OM-3-CA (1 mL/kg) and indomethacin (1 mg/kg) resulted in similar mean reductions in pain (23% and 41%, respectively) and swelling (58% and 50%, respectively), compared with controls. Additionally, in complex formulations of OM-3 fatty acids, high levels of palmitic acid could reduce the in vivo effect on crystal-mediated IL-1β elevation. OM-3 CA has a broadly efficacious anti-inflammatory effect with a strong exposure–response relationship that could be beneficial in prevention and treatment of crystal arthritis, with potential applications in other IL-1β-mediated diseases.
Time management in a co-housed social rodent species (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Castillo-Ruiz Alexandra , Indic Premananda , Schwartz William J.
Published: January 2018

Sociality has beneficial effects on fitness, and timing the activities of animals may be critical. Social cues could influence daily rhythmic activities via direct effects on the circadian clock or on processes that bypass it (masking), but these possibilities remain incompletely addressed. We investigated the effects of social cues on the circadian body temperature (Tb) rhythms in pairs of co-housed and isolated grass rats, Arvicanthis niloticus (a social species), in constant darkness (DD). Cohabitation did not induce synchronization of circadian Tb rhythms. However, socio-sexual history did affect circadian properties: accelerating the clock in sexually experienced males and females in DD and advancing rhythm phase in the females in a light-dark cycle. To address whether synchronization occurs at an ultradian scale, we analyzed Tb and activity rhythms in pairs of co-housed sisters or couples in DD. Regardless of pair type, co-housing doubled the percentage of time individuals were simultaneously active without increasing individual activity levels, suggesting that activity bouts were synchronized by redistribution over 24 h. Together, our laboratory findings show that social cues affect individual “time allocation” budgets via mechanisms at multiple levels of biological organization. We speculate that in natural settings these effects could be adaptive, especially for group-living animals.
Epigenetic control of influenza virus: role of H3K79 methylation in interferon-induced antiviral response
Authors: Marcos-Villar Laura , Díaz-Colunga Juan , Sandoval Juan , Zamarreño Noelia , Landeras-Bueno Sara , Esteller Manel , Falcón Ana , Nieto Amelia
Published: January 2018

Influenza virus stablishes a network of virus-host functional interactions, which depends on chromatin dynamic and therefore on epigenetic modifications. Using an unbiased search, we analyzed the epigenetic changes at DNA methylation and post-translational histone modification levels induced by the infection. DNA methylation was unaltered, while we found a general decrease on histone acetylation, which correlates with transcriptional inactivation and may cooperate with the impairment of cellular transcription that causes influenza virus infection. A particular increase in H3K79 methylation was observed and the use of an inhibitor of the specific H3K79 methylase, Dot1L enzyme, or its silencing, increased influenza virus replication. The antiviral response was reduced in conditions of Dot1L downregulation, since decreased nuclear translocation of NF-kB complex, and IFN-β, Mx1 and ISG56 expression was detected. The data suggested a control of antiviral signaling by methylation of H3K79 and consequently, influenza virus replication was unaffected in IFN pathway-compromised, Dot1L-inhibited cells. H3K79 methylation also controlled replication of another potent interferon-inducing virus such as vesicular stomatitis virus, but did not modify amplification of respiratory syncytial virus that poorly induces interferon signaling. Epigenetic methylation of H3K79 might have an important role in controlling interferon-induced signaling against viral pathogens.
Early lexical processing of Chinese words indexed by Visual Mismatch Negativity effects
Authors: Wei Dawei , Gillon Dowens Margaret , Guo Taomei
Published: January 2018

Although Mismatch Negativity (MMN) effects indicating early, automatic lexical processing have been reported in the auditory language modality, so far these have not been reliably obtained in MMN studies of visual word recognition. The present study explores this discrepancy by investigating whether visual MMN (vMMN) effects can be obtained in written Chinese single-character word recognition. While participants were engaged in a non-linguistic distraction task, we measured Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) time-locked to perifoveally-presented real and pseudo- characters matched in overall visual-orthographic attributes. VMMN was defined as significant difference between the ERPs to characters presented as deviants or as standards in a context of non-characters. For the native Chinese readers, af ter sub-lexical structural detection from 120–160 ms, only real characters elicited vMMN at the interval of 170–210 ms, suggesting that lexical information in Chinese words is processed early and automatically. In a later window of 340–380 ms, both real and pseudo- characters yielded vMMNs. In a control group of non-Chinese participants, no evidence of vMMN was found for either real or pseudo-characters. Taken together, these results suggest that long-term memory representations for real characters may enable their early processing even in unattended conditions.
Cross-species transcriptional analysis reveals conserved and host-specific neoplastic processes in mammalian glioma
Authors: Connolly Nina P. , Shetty Amol C. , Stokum Jesse A. , Hoeschele Ina , Siegel Marni B. , Miller C. Ryan , Kim Anthony J. , Ho Cheng-Ying , Davila Eduardo , Simard J. Marc , Devine Scott E. , Rossmeisl John H. , Holland Eric C. , Winkles Jeffrey A. , Woodworth Graeme F.
Published: January 2018

Glioma is a unique neoplastic disease that develops exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS) and rarely metastasizes to other tissues. This feature strongly implicates the tumor-host CNS microenvironment in gliomagenesis and tumor progression. We investigated the differences and similarities in glioma biology as conveyed by transcriptomic patterns across four mammalian hosts: rats, mice, dogs, and humans. Given the inherent intra-tumoral molecular heterogeneity of human glioma, we focused this study on tumors with upregulation of the platelet-derived growth factor signaling axis, a common and early alteration in human gliomagenesis. The results reveal core neoplastic alterations in mammalian glioma, as well as unique contributions of the tumor host to neoplastic processes. Notable differences were observed in gene expression patterns as well as related biological pathways and cell populations known to mediate key elements of glioma biology, including angiogenesis, immune evasion, and brain invasion. These data provide new insights regarding mammalian models of human glioma, and how these insights and models relate to our current understanding of the human disease.
Bi-exponential 3D-T1ρ mapping of whole brain at 3 T
Authors: Menon Rajiv G. , Sharafi Azadeh , Windschuh Johannes , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: January 2018

Detection of multiple relaxation pools using MRI is useful in a number of neuro-pathologies including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and stroke. In this study we evaluate the feasibility of using T1ρ imaging for the detection of bi-exponential decays in the human brain. A prospective T1ρ imaging study was performed on model relaxation phantoms (eggs) and 7 healthy volunteers. The data was fitted using a single pool and a 2-pool model to estimate mono- and bi-exponential T1ρ maps, respectively. Bi-exponential decays were identified in the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of the brain with 40.5% of GM, and 65.1% of WM pixels showing two T1ρ relaxation pools (significance level P < 0.05). Detection of T1ρ based bi-exponential decays in the brain provides complimentary information to T2 based contrast regarding the in vivo micro-environment in the brain.
Early impoverished environment delays the maturation of cerebral cortex
Authors: Narducci Roberta , Baroncelli Laura , Sansevero Gabriele , Begenisic Tatjana , Prontera Concetta , Sale Alessandro , Cenni Maria Cristina , Berardi Nicoletta , Maffei Lamberto
Published: January 2018

The influence of exposure to impoverished environments on brain development is unexplored since most studies investigated how environmental impoverishment affects adult brain. To shed light on the impact of early impoverishment on developmental trajectories of the nervous system, we developed a protocol of environmental impoverishment in which dams and pups lived from birth in a condition of reduced sensory-motor stimulation. Focusing on visual system, we measured two indexes of functional development, that is visual acuity, assessed by using Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs), and VEP latency. In addition, we assessed in the visual cortex levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and myelin maturation, together with the expression of the GABA biosynthetic enzyme GAD67. We found that early impoverishment strongly delays visual acuity and VEP latency development. These functional changes were accompanied by a significant reduction of IGF-1 protein and GAD67 expression, as well as by delayed myelination of nerve fibers, in the visual cortex of impoverished pups. Thus, exposure to impoverished living conditions causes a significant alteration of developmental trajectories leading to a prominent delay of brain maturation. These results underscore the significance of adequate levels of environmental stimulation for the maturation of central nervous system.
SREBP1c mediates the effect of acetaldehyde on Cidea expression in Alcoholic fatty liver Mice
Authors: He Qi , Diao Yan , Zhao Tingting , Hou Baoyu , Ngokana Linel Darrel , Liang Huan , Nie Junhui , Tan Peizhu , Huang Hui , Li Yanze , Qi Lin , Zhao Yuanyuan , Liu Ying , Gao Xu , Zhou Lingyun
Published: January 2018

Cell death inducing DNA fragmentation factor-alpha-like A (Cidea) is a member of cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) protein. The initial function of CIDE is the promotion of cell death and DNA fragmentation in mammalian cells. Cidea was recently reported to play critical roles in the development of hepatic steatosis. The purpose of present study is to determine the effect of chronic alcohol intake on Cidea expression in the livers of mice with alcoholic fatty liver disease. Cidea expression was significantly increased in the liver of alcohol-induced fatty liver mice. While, knockdown of Cidea caused lipid droplets numbers reduction. Next, we detected the activity of ALDH2 reduction and the concentration of serum acetaldehyde accumulation in our alcohol-induced fatty liver mice. Cidea expression was elevated in AML12 cells exposed to 100uM acetaldehyde. Interestingly, Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that 100 uM acetaldehyde led to the activation of Cidea reporter gene plasmid which containing SRE element. What’s more, the knockdown of SREBP1c suppressed acetaldehyde-induced Cidea expression. Overall, our findings suggest that Cidea is highly associated with alcoholic fatty liver disease and Cidea expression is specifically induced by acetaldehyde, and this up-regulation is most likely mediated by SREBP1c.
Handheld magnetic probe with permanent magnet and Hall sensor for identifying sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients
Authors: Sekino Masaki , Kuwahata Akihiro , Ookubo Tetsu , Shiozawa Mikio , Ohashi Kaichi , Kaneko Miki , Saito Itsuro , Inoue Yusuke , Ohsaki Hiroyuki , Takei Hiroyuki , Kusakabe Moriaki
Published: January 2018

The newly developed radioisotope-free technique based on magnetic nanoparticle detection using a magnetic probe is a promising method for sentinel lymph node biopsy. In this study, a novel handheld magnetic probe with a permanent magnet and magnetic sensor is developed to detect the sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. An outstanding feature of the probe is the precise positioning of the sensor at the magnetic null point of the magnet, leading to highly sensitive measurements unaffected by the strong ambient magnetic fields of the magnet. Numerical and experimental results show that the longitudinal detection length is approximately 10 mm, for 140 μg of iron. Clinical tests were performed, for the first time, using magnetic and blue dye tracers—without radioisotopes—in breast cancer patients to demonstrate the performance of the probe. The nodes were identified through transcutaneous and ex-vivo measurements, and the iron accumulation in the nodes was quantitatively revealed. These results show that the handheld magnetic probe is useful in sentinel lymph node biopsy and that magnetic techniques are widely being accepted as future standard methods in medical institutions lacking nuclear medicine facilities.
Equal status in Ultimatum Games promotes rational sharing
Authors: Han Xiao , Cao Shinan , Bao Jian-Zhang , Wang Wen-Xu , Zhang Boyu , Gao Zi-You , Sánchez Angel
Published: January 2018

Experiments on the Ultimatum Game (UG) repeatedly show that people’s behaviour is far from rational. In UG experiments, a subject proposes how to divide a pot and the other can accept or reject the proposal, in which case both lose everything. While rational people would offer and accept the minimum possible amount, in experiments low offers are often rejected and offers are typically larger than the minimum, and even fair. Several theoretical works have proposed that these results may arise evolutionarily when subjects act in both roles and there is a fixed interaction structure in the population specifying who plays with whom. We report the first experiments on structured UG with subjects playing simultaneously both roles. We observe that acceptance levels of responders approach rationality and proposers accommodate their offers to their environment. More precisely, subjects keep low acceptance levels all the time, but as proposers they follow a best-response-like approach to choose their offers. We thus find that status equality promotes rational sharing while the influence of structure leads to fairer offers compared to well-mixed populations. Our results are far from what is observed in single-role UG experiments and largely different from available predictions based on evolutionary game theory.
Short Tandem Repeat analysis after Whole Genome Amplification of single B-lymphoblastoid cells
Authors: Deleye Lieselot , Vander Plaetsen Ann-Sophie , Weymaere Jana , Deforce Dieter , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip
Published: January 2018

To allow multiple genetic analyses on a single cell, whole genome amplification (WGA) is required. Unfortunately, studies comparing different WGA methods for downstream human identification Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis remain absent. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess the performance of four commercially available WGA kits for downstream human identification STR profiling on a B-lymphoblastoid cell line. The performance was assessed using an input of one or three micromanipulated cells. REPLI-g showed a very low dropout rate, as it was the only WGA method in this study that could provide a complete STR profile in some of its samples. Although Ampli1, DOPlify and PicoPLEX did not detect all selected STR markers, they seem suitable for genetic identification in single-cell applications.
Phosphorylation of the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 by Cyclin-dependent Kinase 5 affects Chemo-nociception
Authors: Hall Bradford E. , Prochazkova Michaela , Sapio Matthew R. , Minetos Paul , Kurochkina Natalya , Binukumar B. K. , Amin Niranjana D. , Terse Anita , Joseph John , Raithel Stephen J. , Mannes Andrew J. , Pant Harish C. , Chung Man-Kyo , Iadarola Michael J. , Kulkarni Ashok B.
Published: January 2018

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a key neuronal kinase that is upregulated during inflammation, and can subsequently modulate sensitivity to nociceptive stimuli. We conducted an in silico screen for Cdk5 phosphorylation sites within proteins whose expression was enriched in nociceptors and identified the chemo-responsive ion channel Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) as a possible Cdk5 substrate. Immunoprecipitated full length TRPA1 was shown to be phosphorylated by Cdk5 and this interaction was blocked by TFP5, an inhibitor that prevents activation of Cdk5. In vitro peptide-based kinase assay revealed that four of six TRPA1 Cdk5 consensus sites acted as substrates for Cdk5, and modeling of the ankyrin repeats disclosed that phosphorylation would occur at characteristic pockets within the (T/S)PLH motifs. Calcium imaging of trigeminal ganglion neurons from genetically engineered mice overexpressing or lacking the Cdk5 activator p35 displayed increased or decreased responsiveness, respectively, to stimulation with the TRPA1 agonist allylisothiocyanate (AITC). AITC-induced chemo-nociceptive behavior was also heightened in vivo in mice overexpressing p35 while being reduced in p35 knockout mice. Our findings demonstrate that TRPA1 is a substrate of Cdk5 and that Cdk5 activity is also able to modulate TRPA1 agonist-induced calcium influx and chemo-nociceptive behavioral responses.
Reduction in hepatic secondary bile acids caused by short-term antibiotic-induced dysbiosis decreases mouse serum glucose and triglyceride levels
Authors: Kuno Takuya , Hirayama-Kurogi Mio , Ito Shingo , Ohtsuki Sumio
Published: January 2018

Antibiotic-caused changes in intestinal flora (dysbiosis) can have various effects on the host. Secondary bile acids produced by intestinal bacteria are ligands for specific nuclear receptors, which regulate glucose, lipid, and drug metabolism in the liver. The present study aimed to clarify the effect of changes in secondary bile acids caused by antibiotic-induced dysbiosis on the host physiology, especially glucose, lipid, and drug metabolism. After oral administration of non-absorbable antibiotics for 5 days, decreased amounts of secondary bile acid-producing bacteria in faeces and a reduction in secondary bile acid [lithocholic acid (LCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA)] levels in the liver were observed. Serum glucose and triglyceride levels were also decreased, and these decreases were reversed by LCA and DCA supplementation. Quantitative proteomics demonstrated that the expression levels of proteins involved in glycogen metabolism, cholesterol, bile acid biosynthesis, and drug metabolism (Cyp2b10, Cyp3a25, and Cyp51a1) were altered in the liver in dysbiosis, and these changes were reversed by LCA and DCA supplementation. These results suggested that secondary bile acid-producing bacteria contribute to the homeostasis of glucose and triglyceride levels and drug metabolism in the host, and have potential as therapeutic targets for treating metabolic disease.
Atomic structure and passivated nature of the Se-treated GaAs(111)B surface
Authors: Ohtake Akihiro , Goto Shunji , Nakamura Jun
Published: January 2018

We have systematically studied the atomic structure and electronic properties of the Se-treated GaAs(111)B surface using scanning tunneling microscopy, reflection high-energy electron diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations. We have found that Se atoms substitute $$\frac{3}{4}$$

3
4

monolayer of As atoms at the outermost layer of the ideal (111)B surface. Charge transfer from Se to As eliminates all of unsaturated dangling bonds, so that the surface is electronically stabilized, leaving no surface states in the mid-gap region.
Study of an Oxygen Supply and Oxygen Saturation Monitoring System for Radiation Therapy Associated with the Active Breathing Coordinator
Authors: Gong Guanzhong , Guo Yujie , Sun Xuemei , Wang Xiuying , Yin Yong , Feng David Dagan
Published: January 2018

In this study, we designed an oxygen supply and oxygen saturation monitoring (OSOSM) system. This OSOSM system can provide a continuous supply of oxygen and monitor the peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) of patients who accept radiotherapy and use an active breathing coordinator (ABC). A clinical test with 27 volunteers was conducted. The volunteers were divided into two groups based on the tendency of SpO2 decline in breath-holding without the OSOSM system: group A (12 cases) showed a decline in SpO2 of less than 2%, whereas the decline in SpO2 in group B (15 cases) was greater than 2% and reached up to 6% in some cases. The SpO2 of most volunteers declined during rest. The breath-holding time of group A without the OSOSM system was significantly longer than that of group B (p < 0.05) and was extended with the OSOSM system by 26.6% and 27.85% in groups A and B, respectively. The SpO2 recovery time was reduced by 36.1%, and the total rest time was reduced by 27.6% for all volunteers using the OSOSM system. In summary, SpO2 declines during breath-holding and rest time cannot be ignored while applying an ABC. This OSOSM system offers a simple and effective way to monitor SpO2 variation and overcome SpO2 decline, thereby lengthening breath-holding time and shortening rest time.
Integrating modality-specific expectancies for the deployment of spatial attention
Authors: Mengotti Paola , Boers Frank , Dombert Pascasie L. , Fink Gereon R. , Vossel Simone
Published: January 2018

The deployment of spatial attention is highly sensitive to stimulus predictability. Despite evidence for strong crossmodal links in spatial attentional systems, it remains to be elucidated how concurrent but divergent predictions for targets in different sensory modalities are integrated. In a series of behavioral studies, we investigated the processing of modality-specific expectancies using a multimodal cueing paradigm in which auditory cues predicted the location of visual or tactile targets with modality-specific cue predictability. The cue predictability for visual and tactile targets was manipulated independently. A Bayesian ideal observer model with a weighting factor was applied to trial-wise individual response speed to investigate how the two probabilistic contexts are integrated. Results showed that the degree of integration depended on the level of predictability and on the divergence of the modality-specific probabilistic contexts (Experiments 1–2). However, when the two probabilistic contexts were matched in their level of predictability and were highly divergent (Experiment 3), higher separate processing was favored, especially when visual targets were processed. These findings suggest that modality-specific predictions are flexibly integrated according to their reliability, supporting the hypothesis of separate modality-specific attentional systems that are however linked to guarantee an efficient deployment of spatial attention across the senses.
Spin Hall-induced auto-oscillations in ultrathin YIG grown on Pt
Authors: Evelt M. , Safranski C. , Aldosary Mohammed , Demidov V. E. , Barsukov I. , Nosov A. P. , Rinkevich A. B. , Sobotkiewich K. , Li Xiaoqin , Shi Jing , Krivorotov I. N. , Demokritov S. O.
Published: January 2018

We experimentally study nanowire-shaped spin-Hall nano-oscillators based on nanometer-thick epitaxial films of Yttrium Iron Garnet grown on top of a layer of Pt. We show that, although these films are characterized by significantly larger magnetic damping in comparison with the films grown directly on Gadolinium Gallium Garnet, they allow one to achieve spin current-driven auto-oscillations at comparable current densities, which can be an indication of the better transparency of the interface to the spin current. These observations suggest a route for improvement of the flexibility of insulator-based spintronic devices and their compatibility with semiconductor technology.
Maize chlorotic mottle virus exhibits low divergence between differentiated regional sub-populations
Authors: Braidwood Luke , Quito-Avila Diego F. , Cabanas Darlene , Bressan Alberto , Wangai Anne , Baulcombe David C.
Published: January 2018

Maize chlorotic mottle virus has been rapidly spreading around the globe over the past decade. The interactions of maize chlorotic mottle virus with Potyviridae viruses causes an aggressive synergistic viral condition - maize lethal necrosis, which can cause total yield loss. Maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is the most important cereal, is threatened by the arrival of maize lethal necrosis. We obtained maize chlorotic mottle virus genome sequences from across East Africa and for the first time from Ecuador and Hawaii, and constructed a phylogeny which highlights the similarity of Chinese to African isolates, and Ecuadorian to Hawaiian isolates. We used a measure of clustering, the adjusted Rand index, to extract region-specific SNPs and coding variation that can be used for diagnostics. The population genetics analysis we performed shows that the majority of sequence diversity is partitioned between populations, with diversity extremely low within China and East Africa.
Pressure assisted enhancement in superconducting properties of Fe substituted NbSe2 single crystal
Authors: Krishnan Manikandan , Pervin Rukshana , Ganesan Kalai Selvan , Murugesan Kannan , Lingannan Govindaraj , Verma Akshay Kumar , Shirage Parasharam M. , Sonachalam Arumugam
Published: January 2018

The impact of hydrostatic pressure (P) up to 1 GPa on T
c
, J
c
and the nature of the pinning mechanism in FexNbSe2 single crystals have been investigated within the framework of the collective theory. We found that the pressure can induce a transition from the regime where pinning is controlled by spatial variation in the critical transition temperature (δT
c
) to the regime controlled by spatial variation in the mean free path (δℓ). Furthermore, T
c
and low field J
c
are slightly induced, although the J
c
drops more rapidly at high fields than at ambient P. The pressure effect enhances the anisotropy and reduces the coherence length, resulting in weak interaction of the vortex cores with the pinning centers. Moreover, the P can induce the density of states, which, in turn, leads to enhance in T
c
with increasing P. P enhances the T
c
with the rates of dT
c
/dP of 0.86, 1.35 and 1.47 K/GPa for FexNbSe2, respectively. The magnetization data are used to establish a vortex phase diagram. The nature of the vortices has been determined from the scaling behaviour of the pinning force density extracted from the J
c
–H isotherms and demonstrates the point pinning mechanism.
Bedside assessment of regional cerebral perfusion using near-infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green in patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease
Authors: Saito Hiroshi , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Tanabe Jun , Kobayashi Shinya , Moroi Junta
Published: January 2018

This pilot study aimed to investigate the utility of near-infrared spectroscopy/indocyanine green (NIRS/ICG) for examining patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Twenty-nine patients with chronic-stage atherosclerotic occlusive cerebrovascular disease were included. The patients were monitored using NIRS at the bedside. Using ICG time-intensity curves, the affected-to-unaffected side ratios were calculated for several parameters, including the maximum ICG concentration (ΔICGmax), time to peak (TTP), rise time (RT), and blood flow index (BFI = ΔICGmax/RT), and were compared to the affected-to-unaffected side ratios of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) obtained using positron emission tomography with 15O-labeled gas. The BFI ratio showed the best correlation with the rCBF ratio among these parameters (r = 0.618; P = 0.0004), and the RT ratio showed the best correlation with the rOEF ratio (r = 0.593; P = 0.0007). The patients were further divided into reduced rCBF or elevated rOEF groups, and the analysis revealed significant related differences. The present results advance the measurement of ICG kinetics using NIRS as a useful tool for the detection of severely impaired perfusion with reduced rCBF or elevated rOEF. This method may be applicable as a monitoring tool for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Expression and relevance of the G protein-gated K+ channel in the mouse ventricle
Authors: Anderson Allison , Kulkarni Kanchan , Marron Fernandez de Velasco Ezequiel , Carlblom Nicholas , Xia Zhilian , Nakano Atsushi , Martemyanov Kirill A. , Tolkacheva Elena G. , Wickman Kevin
Published: January 2018

The atrial G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+(GIRK) channel is a critical mediator of parasympathetic influence on cardiac physiology. Here, we probed the details and relevance of the GIRK channel in mouse ventricle. mRNAs for the atrial GIRK channel subunits (GIRK1, GIRK4), M2 muscarinic receptor (M2R), and RGS6, a negative regulator of atrial GIRK-dependent signaling, were detected in mouse ventricle at relatively low levels. The cholinergic agonist carbachol (CCh) activated small GIRK currents in adult wild-type ventricular myocytes that exhibited relatively slow kinetics and low CCh sensitivity; these currents were absent in ventricular myocytes fromGirk1−/−orGirk4−/−mice. While loss of GIRK channels attenuated the CCh-induced shortening of action potential duration and suppression of ventricular myocyte excitability, selective ablation of GIRK channels in ventricle had no effect on heart rate, heart rate variability, or electrocardiogram parameters at baseline or after CCh injection. Additionally, loss of ventricular GIRK channels did not impact susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. These data suggest that the mouse ventricular GIRK channel is a GIRK1/GIRK4 heteromer, and show that while it contributes to the cholinergic suppression of ventricular myocyte excitability, this influence does not substantially impact cardiac physiology or ventricular arrhythmogenesis in the mouse.
Growth and remodeling play opposing roles during postnatal human heart valve development
Authors: Oomen Pim J. A. , Holland Maria A. , Bouten Carlijn V. C. , Kuhl Ellen , Loerakker Sandra
Published: January 2018

Tissue growth and remodeling are known to govern mechanical homeostasis in biological tissue, but their relative contributions to homeostasis remain unclear. Here, we use mechanical models, fueled by experimental findings, to demonstrate that growth and remodeling have different effects on heart valve stretch homeostasis during physiological postnatal development. Two developmental stages were considered: early-stage (from infant to adolescent) and late-stage (from adolescent to adult) development. Our models indicated that growth and remodeling play opposing roles in preserving tissue stretch and with time. During early-stage development, excessive tissue stretch was decreased by tissue growth and increased by remodeling. In contrast, during late-stage development tissue stretch was decreased by remodeling and increased by growth. Our findings contribute to an improved understanding of native heart valve adaptation throughout life, and are highly relevant for the development of tissue-engineered heart valves.
The ‘forma specialis’ issue in Fusarium: A case study in Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi
Authors: Šišić Adnan , Baćanović-Šišić Jelena , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Karlovsky Petr , Ahmed Sarah A. , Maier Wolfgang , de Hoog G. Sybren , Finckh Maria R.
Published: January 2018

The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) has been studied intensively but its association with legumes, particularly under European agro-climatic conditions, is still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated phylogenetic relationships and aggressiveness of 79 isolates of the FSSC collected from pea, subterranean clover, white clover and winter vetch grown under diverse agro-climatic and soil conditions within Temperate and Mediterranean Europe. The isolates were characterized by sequencing tef1 and rpb2 loci and by greenhouse aggressiveness assays. The majority of the isolates belonged to two lineages: the F. pisi comb. nov. lineage (formerly F. solani f. sp. pisi) mainly accommodating German and Swiss isolates, and the Fusisporium (Fusarium) solani lineage accommodating mainly Italian isolates. Based on the results of aggressiveness tests on pea, most of the isolates were classified as weakly to moderately aggressive. In addition, using one model strain, 62 accessions of 10 legume genera were evaluated for their potential to host F. pisi, the species known mainly as a pathogen of pea. A total of 58 accessions were colonized, with 25 of these being asymptomatic hosts. These results suggest a broad host range for F. pisi and challenge the forma specialis naming system in Fusarium.
LY2087101 and dFBr share transmembrane binding sites in the (α4)3(β2)2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Authors: Deba Farah , Ali Hamed I. , Tairu Abisola , Ramos Kara , Ali Jihad , Hamouda Ayman K.
Published: January 2018

Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have potential therapeutic application in neuropathologies associated with decrease in function or loss of nAChRs. In this study, we characterize the pharmacological interactions of the nAChRs PAM, LY2087101, with the α4β2 nAChR using mutational and computational analyses. LY2087101 potentiated ACh-induced currents of low-sensitivity (α4)3(β2)2 and high-sensitivity (α4)2(β2)3 nAChRs with similar potencies albeit to a different maximum potentiation (potentiation I
max
 = ~840 and 450%, respectively). Amino acid substitutions within the α4 subunit transmembrane domain [e.g. α4Leu256 and α4Leu260 within the transmembrane helix 1 (TM1); α4Phe316 within the TM3; and α4Gly613 within TM4] significantly reduced LY2087101 potentiation of (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR. The locations of these amino acid residues and LY2087101 computational docking analyses identify two LY2087101 binding sites: an intrasubunit binding site within the transmembrane helix bundle of α4 subunit at the level of α4Leu260/α4Phe316 and intersubunit binding site at the α4:α4 subunit interface at the level of α4Leu256/α4Ile315 with both sites extending toward the extracellular end of the transmembrane domain. We also show that desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) binds to these two sites identified for LY2087101. These results provide structural information that are pertinent to structure-based design of nAChR allosteric modulators.
Plasma MCP-1 and Cognitive Decline in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Two-year Follow-up Study
Authors: Lee Wei-Ju , Liao Yi-Chu , Wang Yen-Feng , Lin I-Feng , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Fuh Jong-Ling
Published: January 2018

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, also known as chemokine CCL2) is a vital chemokine that mediates inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We analyzed the associations between the baseline plasma MCP-1 level, longitudinal cognitive changes, and genetic effects of CCL2 rs1024611 and its receptor, CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) rs1799864, in AD. In total, 310 AD patients and 66 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients were followed for 2 years, and 120 controls were recruited at baseline for comparison. After adjusting for covariates using one-way analysis of covariance, AD patients had higher plasma MCP-1 levels compared with MCI patients and controls, and severe AD patients had the highest levels. After adjusting for covariates using generalized estimating equation analysis, the results showed that the baseline MCP-1 level was significantly correlated with changes in the two-year Mini-Mental Status Examination (p = 0.046). The A allele of CCR2 rs1799864 was associated with a higher MCP-1 level in AD and MCI patients. In conclusion, plasma MCP-1 might reflect the risk and disease course of AD. A higher plasma MCP-1 level is associated with greater severity and faster cognitive decline. Additionally, the CCR2 polymorphism may play a role in the regulation of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling in AD.
Analysis of coffee seed vigor by extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhou Yalian , Cui Meng , Yin Qin , Deng Min , Hao Yingbin , Huang Xueyong , Luo Liping
Published: January 2018

EESI-MS and multivariate analysis distinguish coffee seeds with different vigor.
A high-throughput method for orthophosphate determination of thermostable membrane-bound pyrophosphatase activity
Authors: Vidilaseris Keni , Kellosalo Juho , Goldman Adrian
Published: January 2018

Membrane-bound pyrophosphatases (mPPases) are homodimeric integral membrane proteins that hydrolyse pyrophosphate into orthophosphates coupled to the active transport of protons or sodium ions across membranes.
A sensitive gold nanoparticle-based aptasensor for colorimetric detection of Aβ1–40 oligomers
Authors: Zhu Xu , Zhang Ningning , Zhang Yintang , Liu Baoxia , Chang Zhu , Zhou Yanli , Hao Yuanqiang , Ye Baoxian , Xu Maotian
Published: January 2018

A gold nanoparticle-based label-free homogeneous phase colorimetric bioassay was developed for the detection of Aβ1–40 oligomers.
Regioselective direct arylation of indoles on the benzenoid moiety
Authors: Yang Youqing , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: January 2018

Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed selective C–H functionalization of indoles have garnered tremendous attention.
Designing anisotropic cyanometallate coordination polymers with unidirectional thermal expansion (TE): 2D zero and 1D colossal positive TE
Authors: Sergeenko Ania S. , Ovens Jeffrey S. , Leznoff Daniel B.
Published: January 2018

By design, zero thermal expansion of Cu(H2O)2[PtX2(CN)4] is observed in the two dimensional cyanometallate sheet (left) and colossal thermal expansion in the inter-sheet direction (right).
Humidity-responsive phase transition and on-demand UV-curing in a hygroscopic polysiloxane–surfactant nanohybrid film
Authors: Hara Mitsuo , Orito Taiki , Nagano Shusaku , Seki Takahiro
Published: January 2018

Humidity-responsive phase transition of a lyotropic liquid crystalline surfactant and on-demand UV-curing in a hygroscopic polysiloxane film.
The negative Poisson's ratio in graphene-based carbon foams
Authors: Zhang Jin , Xiong Qilin
Published: January 2018

The negative Poisson's ratio is found in 3D carbon foams, the mechanism of which can be utilized to manufacture new auxetic nanomaterials.
The oxidation of sulfur(iv) by reaction with iron(iii): a critical review and data analysis
Authors: Warneck Peter
Published: January 2018

Iron(iii)–sulfito complexes: equilibrium constants, decomposition, and rate coefficients of subsequent SO3− radical reactions leading to dithionate and sulfate.
Impact of screw and edge dislocations on the thermal conductivity of individual nanowires and bulk GaN: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Termentzidis Konstantinos , Isaiev Mykola , Salnikova Anastasiia , Belabbas Imad , Lacroix David , Kioseoglou Joseph
Published: January 2018

The thermal transport properties of nanowires and bulk GaN in the presence of different dislocations using molecular dynamics simulations are reported.
The influence of interactions between isotopoloques on coherent, ultrafast vibrational dynamics of liquid C2Cl4
Authors: Ratajska-Gadomska B. , Gadomski W. , Konarska J. , Polok K.
Published: January 2018

The time resolved spectroscopic techniques have been applied for the first time in liquid tetrachloroethylene in order to study the dynamics of intermolecular interactions and their influence on intramolecular vibrations.