bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight, self-stigma and psychosocial outcomes in Schizophrenia: a structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Lien Y.-J. , Chang H.-A. , Kao Y.-C. , Tzeng N.-S. , Lu C.-W. , Loh C.-H.
Published: December 2016

Aims.

Poor insight is prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and has been associated with acute illness severity, medication non-adherence and poor treatment outcomes. Paradoxically, high insight has been associated with various undesirable outcomes, including low self-esteem, depression and low subjective quality of life (QoL) in patients with schizophrenia. Despite the growing body of studies conducted in Western countries supporting the pernicious effects of improved insight in psychosis, which bases on the level of self-stigma, the effects are unclear in non-Western societies. The current study examined the role of self-stigma in the relationship between insight and psychosocial outcomes in a Chinese population.

Methods.

A total of 170 outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were recruited from two general university hospitals. Sociodemographic data and clinical variables were recorded and self-report scales were employed to measure self-stigma, depression, insight, self-esteem and subjective QoL. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the cross-sectional data.

Results.

High levels of self-stigma were reported by 39% of the participants (n = 67). The influences of insight, self-stigma, self-esteem and depression on subjective QoL were confirmed by the SEM results. Our model with the closest fit to the data (χ2 = 33.28; df = 20; p = 0.03; χ2/df = 1.66; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.06) demonstrated that self-stigma might fully mediate the association of insight with low self-esteem, depression and poor subjective QoL. High insight into illness contributed to self-stigma, which caused low self-esteem and depression and, consequently, low QoL. Notably, insight did not directly affect self-esteem, depression or QoL. Furthermore, the association of insight with poor psychosocial outcomes was not moderated by self-stigma.

Conclusions.

Our findings support the mediating model of insight relevant to the poor psychosocial outcomes of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in non-Western societies, in which self-stigma plays a pivotal role. These findings elucidate the direct and indirect effects of insight on psychosocial outcomes and imply that identifying and correcting self-stigma in people with schizophrenia could be beneficial. Additional studies are required to identify whether several other neurocognitive or psychosocial variables mediate or moderate the association of insight with self-esteem, depression and QoL in patients with schizophrenia. Studies with detailed longitudinal assessments are necessary to confirm our findings.
Management der akuten Meningitis und Enzephalitis: ein klinischer Leitfaden
Authors: Leupold Daniela , Boggian Katia , Weber Johannes , Tettenborn Barbara , Hundsberger Thomas
Published: December 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die bakterielle Meningitis und Herpesenzephalitis sind akute Notfälle mit hoher Morbidität und Letalität. In der Akutphase ist die Anamnese und sorgfältige klinische Untersuchung ein wichtiger Pfeiler zur weiteren Diagnostik. Die Liquoranalyse ist entscheidend für das therapeutische Vorgehen. Die Indikation einer bildgebenden Diagnostik vor der Lumbalpunktion kann mit Hilfe einer Risikostratifizierung abgeschätzt werden. Bei klinischem Verdacht einer bakteriellen Meningitis sollte unverzüglich nach der Gewinnung der Liquordiagnostik eine empirische antibiotische Therapie eingeleitet werden. Eine adjuvante anti-inflammatorische Therapie mit Dexamethason reduziert Mortalität und Komplikationen bei Patienten mit Pneumokokken-Meningitis, wenn sie vor oder mit der ersten Antibiotikagabe eingeleitet wird. Bei Auftreten von Bewusstseinsalterationen und fokal neurologischen Defiziten ist bei Verdacht auf eine Herpesenzephalitis der zusätzliche Beginn einer antiviralen Therapie zu evaluieren.
Swissheart-Coach – neues Online-Risikomanagement-Programm für Ihre Patienten
Authors: Hoffmann Andreas , Bachmann Wolfgang , Blessberger Uwe , Hertel Isabelle , Bächtold Christa , Junker Therese , Gohlke Helmut
Published: December 2016

Zusammenfassung. Mit dem Swissheart-Coach hat die Schweizerische Herzstiftung eine webbasierte Informationsplattform mit einem kardiovaskulären Risikorechner lanciert. Das absolute Risiko und das Herzalter werden aufgrund bekannter und auch andernorts verwendeter Algorithmen berechnet, wobei die Kriterien Alter, Geschlecht, Vorerkrankungen, systolischer Blutdruck, Nikotinkonsum und Cholesterin berücksichtigt werden. Zusätzlich werden die Anzahl gerauchter Zigaretten, der Energieverbrauch bei körperlicher Aktivität, Ernährungsgewohnheiten und Stress erfragt und gemäss grossen Studien einbezogen. Das relative Risiko wird im Vergleich zu einer Person gleichen Alters und Geschlechts mit optimalem Gesundheitsverhalten ausgewiesen. Die detaillierten Ergebnisse dieser Analyse werden mit anschaulichen Diagrammen in Ampelfarben präsentiert und in einem mehrseitigen Report festgehalten. Die Nutzer haben die Möglichkeit, sich Ziele zu setzen und Veränderungen zu planen. Das Gesundheitspotenzial und die mögliche Risikoreduktion dank einem gesunden Lebensstil werden im Vergleich zur Ausgangslage grafisch dargestellt. Für registrierte Benutzer besteht die Möglichkeit, die Daten gesichert abzuspeichern, einen Längsverlauf zu erstellen und sich Erinnerungsmails senden zu lassen.
CME: Eosinophile Lungenerkrankungen
Authors: Tonko Johanna , Kronauer Christoph M. , Huber Lars C.
Published: December 2016

Zusammenfassung. Unter dem Begriff «eosinophile Lungenerkrankungen» wird eine Gruppe von unterschiedlichen Krankheitsentitäten zusammengefasst, die eine pathologische Vermehrung der eosinophilen Granulozyten in Alveolen und Lungeninterstitium aufweisen. Klinisch kann sich die pulmonale Eosinophilie als akute oder chronische eosinophile Pneumonie, als passagere pulmonale Infiltrate («Löffler-Syndrom») oder im Rahmen einer Systemerkrankung präsentieren. Die Diagnose wird im Kontext von Klinik, Radiologie und bronchoalveolärer Lavage (mit Nachweis einer eosinophilen Alveolitis) gestellt. Je nach Entität kommen zusätzlich serologische oder histologische Merkmale hinzu. Therapie der Wahl sind in den meisten Fällen systemische Glukokortikoide, die häufig zu einem raschen Ansprechen mit Restitutio ad integrum führen.
Myopia is an Adaptive Characteristic of Vision: Not a Disease or Defect
Authors: Wielkiewicz Richard M.
Published: December 2016

This article proposes that myopia (nearsightedness) is an adaptive characteristic of human vision. Most theories of the evolution of vision assume myopia is a disease or defect that would have resulted in decreased reproductive fitness in the absence of modern corrective lenses. In contrast, the present article argues that myopic individuals may have played important roles in hunter–gatherer groups such as making tools and weapons, and identifying medicinal plants, contributing to individual and group survival. This idea is called the “adaptive myopia hypothesis.” Evidence favoring this hypothesis is reviewed in the context of the metatheory of evolutionary psychology.
Downregulated expression of microRNA-124 in pediatric intestinal failure patients modulates macrophages activation by inhibiting STAT3 and AChE
Authors: Xiao Yong-Tao , Wang Jun , Lu Wei , Cao Yi , Cai Wei
Published: December 2016

Intestinal inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of intestinal failure (IF). The macrophages are essential to maintain the intestinal homeostasis. However, the underlying mechanisms of intestinal macrophages activation remain poorly understood. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) have pivotal roles in regulation of immune responses, here we aimed to investigate the role of miR-124 in the activation of intestinal macrophages. In this study, we showed that the intestinal macrophages increased in pediatric IF patients and resulted in the induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The miRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed that the expression of miR-124 significantly reduced in intestinal macrophages in IF patients. Overexpression of miR-124 was sufficient to inhibit intestinal macrophages activation by attenuating production of IL-6 and TNF-α. Further studies showed that miR-124 could directly target the 3′-untranslated region of both signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mRNAs, and suppress their protein expressions. The AChE potentially negates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory signal by hydrolyzing the acetylcholine. We here showed that intestinal macrophages increasingly expressed the AChE and STAT3 in IF patients when compared with controls. The inhibitors against to STAT3 and AChE significantly suppressed the lipopolysaccharides-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production in macrophages. Taken together, these findings highlight an important role for miR-124 in the regulation of intestinal macrophages activation, and suggest a potential application of miR-124 in pediatric IF treatment regarding as suppressing intestinal inflammation.
Mechanisms of RIPK3‐induced inflammation
Authors: Shlomovitz Inbar , Zargrian Sefi , Gerlic Motti
Published: December 2016

Receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3/RIPK3) is a multifunctional regulator of cell death and inflammation. It controls signalling downstream of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, DNA‐dependent activator of IFN‐regulatory factors (DAI) and toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Today, it is also widely recognized as a component of caspase‐independent cell death known as necroptosis, and cytokine production via activation of the inflammasome. Its role in inflammasome activation, in particular, make the interpretation of its role in vivo more complex. In this review, we focus on divergent roles for RIPK3 in cell death and inflammation.
Enhancing radiation tolerance by controlling defect mobility and migration pathways in multicomponent single-phase alloys
Authors: Lu Chenyang , Niu Liangliang , Chen Nanjun , Jin Ke , Yang Taini , Xiu Pengyuan , Zhang Yanwen , Gao Fei , Bei Hongbin , Shi Shi , He Mo-Rigen , Robertson Ian M. , Weber William J. , Wang Lumin
Published: December 2016

A grand challenge in material science is to understand the correlation between intrinsic properties and defect dynamics. Radiation tolerant materials are in great demand for safe operation and advancement of nuclear and aerospace systems. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on microstructural and nanoscale features to mitigate radiation damage, this study demonstrates enhancement of radiation tolerance with the suppression of void formation by two orders magnitude at elevated temperatures in equiatomic single-phase concentrated solid solution alloys, and more importantly, reveals its controlling mechanism through a detailed analysis of the depth distribution of defect clusters and an atomistic computer simulation. The enhanced swelling resistance is attributed to the tailored interstitial defect cluster motion in the alloys from a long-range one-dimensional mode to a short-range three-dimensional mode, which leads to enhanced point defect recombination. The results suggest design criteria for next generation radiation tolerant structural alloys.
Ageing and brain white matter structure in 3,513 UK Biobank participants
Authors: Cox Simon R. , Ritchie Stuart J. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Liewald David C. , Hagenaars Saskia P. , Davies Gail , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Gale Catharine R. , Bastin Mark E. , Deary Ian J.
Published: December 2016

Quantifying the microstructural properties of the human brain’s connections is necessary for understanding normal ageing and disease. Here we examine brain white matter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in 3,513 generally healthy people aged 44.64–77.12 years from the UK Biobank. Using conventional water diffusion measures and newer, rarely studied indices from neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, we document large age associations with white matter microstructure. Mean diffusivity is the most age-sensitive measure, with negative age associations strongest in the thalamic radiation and association fibres. White matter microstructure across brain tracts becomes increasingly correlated in older age. This may reflect an age-related aggregation of systemic detrimental effects. We report several other novel results, including age associations with hemisphere and sex, and comparative volumetric MRI analyses. Results from this unusually large, single-scanner sample provide one of the most extensive characterizations of age associations with major white matter tracts in the human brain.
The in vivo hydrocarbon formation by vanadium nitrogenase follows a secondary metabolic pathway
Authors: Rebelein Johannes G. , Lee Chi Chung , Hu Yilin , Ribbe Markus W.
Published: December 2016

The vanadium (V)-nitrogenase of Azotobacter vinelandii catalyses the in vitro conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) to hydrocarbons. Here we show that an A. vinelandii strain expressing the V-nitrogenase is capable of in vivo reduction of CO to ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8). Moreover, we demonstrate that CO is not used as a carbon source for cell growth, being instead reduced to hydrocarbons in a secondary metabolic pathway. These findings suggest a possible role of the ancient nitrogenase as an evolutionary link between the carbon and nitrogen cycles on Earth and establish a solid foundation for biotechnological adaptation of a whole-cell approach to recycling carbon wastes into hydrocarbon products. Thus, this study has several repercussions for evolution-, environment- and energy-related areas.
Multivoxel neurofeedback selectively modulates confidence without changing perceptual performance
Authors: Cortese Aurelio , Amano Kaoru , Koizumi Ai , Kawato Mitsuo , Lau Hakwan
Published: December 2016

A central controversy in metacognition studies concerns whether subjective confidence directly reflects the reliability of perceptual or cognitive processes, as suggested by normative models based on the assumption that neural computations are generally optimal. This view enjoys popularity in the computational and animal literatures, but it has also been suggested that confidence may depend on a late-stage estimation dissociable from perceptual processes. Yet, at least in humans, experimental tools have lacked the power to resolve these issues convincingly. Here, we overcome this difficulty by using the recently developed method of decoded neurofeedback (DecNef) to systematically manipulate multivoxel correlates of confidence in a frontoparietal network. Here we report that bi-directional changes in confidence do not affect perceptual accuracy. Further psychophysical analyses rule out accounts based on simple shifts in reporting strategy. Our results provide clear neuroscientific evidence for the systematic dissociation between confidence and perceptual performance, and thereby challenge current theoretical thinking.
Photonic Weyl point in a two-dimensional resonator lattice with a synthetic frequency dimension
Authors: Lin Qian , Xiao Meng , Yuan Luqi , Fan Shanhui
Published: December 2016

Weyl points, as a signature of 3D topological states, have been extensively studied in condensed matter systems. Recently, the physics of Weyl points has also been explored in electromagnetic structures such as photonic crystals and metamaterials. These structures typically have complex three-dimensional geometries, which limits the potential for exploring Weyl point physics in on-chip integrated systems. Here we show that Weyl point physics emerges in a system of two-dimensional arrays of resonators undergoing dynamic modulation of refractive index. In addition, the phase of modulation can be controlled to explore Weyl points under different symmetries. Furthermore, unlike static structures, in this system the non-trivial topology of the Weyl point manifests in terms of surface state arcs in the synthetic space that exhibit one-way frequency conversion. Our system therefore provides a versatile platform to explore and exploit Weyl point physics on chip.
Heritability of the shape of subcortical brain structures in the general population
Authors: Roshchupkin Gennady V. , Gutman Boris A. , Vernooij Meike W. , Jahanshad Neda , Martin Nicholas G. , Hofman Albert , McMahon Katie L. , van der Lee Sven J. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , de Zubicaray Greig I. , Uitterlinden André G. , Wright Margaret J. , Niessen Wiro J. , Thompson Paul M. , Ikram M. Arfan , Adams Hieab H. H.
Published: December 2016

The volumes of subcortical brain structures are highly heritable, but genetic underpinnings of their shape remain relatively obscure. Here we determine the relative contribution of genetic factors to individual variation in the shape of seven bilateral subcortical structures: the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, pallidum, putamen and thalamus. In 3,686 unrelated individuals aged between 45 and 98 years, brain magnetic resonance imaging and genotyping was performed. The maximal heritability of shape varies from 32.7 to 53.3% across the subcortical structures. Genetic contributions to shape extend beyond influences on intracranial volume and the gross volume of the respective structure. The regional variance in heritability was related to the reliability of the measurements, but could not be accounted for by technical factors only. These findings could be replicated in an independent sample of 1,040 twins. Differences in genetic contributions within a single region reveal the value of refined brain maps to appreciate the genetic complexity of brain structures.
A large-scale genome-wide association and meta-analysis identified four novel susceptibility loci for leprosy
Authors: Wang Zhenzhen , Sun Yonghu , Fu Xi’an , Yu Gongqi , Wang Chuan , Bao Fangfang , Yue Zhenhua , Li Jianke , Sun Lele , Irwanto Astrid , Yu Yongxiang , Chen Mingfei , Mi Zihao , Wang Honglei , Huai Pengcheng , Li Yi , Du Tiantian , Yu Wenjun , Xia Yang , Xiao Hailu , You Jiabao , Li Jinghui , Yang Qing , Wang Na , Shang Panpan , Niu Guiye , Chi Xiaojun , Wang Xiuhuan , Cao Jing , Cheng Xiujun , Liu Hong , Liu Jianjun , Zhang Furen
Published: December 2016

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, results from the uncultivable pathogen Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), and usually progresses to peripheral neuropathy and permanent progressive deformity if not treated. Previously published genetic studies have identified 18 gene/loci significantly associated with leprosy at the genome-wide significant level. However as a complex disease, only a small proportion of leprosy risk could be explained by those gene/loci. To further identify more susceptibility gene/loci, we hereby performed a three-stage GWAS comprising 8,156 leprosy patients and 15,610 controls of Chinese ancestry. Four novel loci were identified including rs6807915 on 3p25.2 (P=1.94 × 10−8, OR=0.89), rs4720118 on 7p14.3 (P=3.85 × 10−10, OR=1.16), rs55894533 on 8p23.1 (P=5.07 × 10−11, OR=1.15) and rs10100465 on 8q24.11 (P=2.85 × 10−11, OR=0.85). Altogether, these findings have provided new insight and significantly expanded our understanding of the genetic basis of leprosy.
Temporal pairwise spike correlations fully capture single-neuron information
Authors: Dettner Amadeus , Münzberg Sabrina , Tchumatchenko Tatjana
Published: December 2016

To crack the neural code and read out the information neural spikes convey, it is essential to understand how the information is coded and how much of it is available for decoding. To this end, it is indispensable to derive from first principles a minimal set of spike features containing the complete information content of a neuron. Here we present such a complete set of coding features. We show that temporal pairwise spike correlations fully determine the information conveyed by a single spiking neuron with finite temporal memory and stationary spike statistics. We reveal that interspike interval temporal correlations, which are often neglected, can significantly change the total information. Our findings provide a conceptual link between numerous disparate observations and recommend shifting the focus of future studies from addressing firing rates to addressing pairwise spike correlation functions as the primary determinants of neural information.
Oscillatory integration windows in neurons
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Singh Swikriti Saran , Stopfer Mark
Published: December 2016

Oscillatory synchrony among neurons occurs in many species and brain areas, and has been proposed to help neural circuits process information. One hypothesis states that oscillatory input creates cyclic integration windows: specific times in each oscillatory cycle when postsynaptic neurons become especially responsive to inputs. With paired local field potential (LFP) and intracellular recordings and controlled stimulus manipulations we directly test this idea in the locust olfactory system. We find that inputs arriving in Kenyon cells (KCs) sum most effectively in a preferred window of the oscillation cycle. With a computational model, we show that the non-uniform structure of noise in the membrane potential helps mediate this process. Further experiments performed in vivo demonstrate that integration windows can form in the absence of inhibition and at a broad range of oscillation frequencies. Our results reveal how a fundamental coincidence-detection mechanism in a neural circuit functions to decode temporally organized spiking.
Evidence for spin-to-charge conversion by Rashba coupling in metallic states at the Fe/Ge(111) interface
Authors: Oyarzún S. , Nandy A. K. , Rortais F. , Rojas-Sánchez J.-C. , Dau M.-T. , Noël P. , Laczkowski P. , Pouget S. , Okuno H. , Vila L. , Vergnaud C. , Beigné C. , Marty A. , Attané J.-P. , Gambarelli S. , George J.-M. , Jaffrès H. , Blügel S. , Jamet M.
Published: December 2016

The spin–orbit coupling relating the electron spin and momentum allows for spin generation, detection and manipulation. It thus fulfils the three basic functions of the spin field-effect transistor. However, the spin Hall effect in bulk germanium is too weak to produce spin currents, whereas large Rashba effect at Ge(111) surfaces covered with heavy metals could generate spin-polarized currents. The Rashba spin splitting can actually be as large as hundreds of meV. Here we show a giant spin-to-charge conversion in metallic states at the Fe/Ge(111) interface due to the Rashba coupling. We generate very large charge currents by direct spin pumping into the interface states from 20 K to room temperature. The presence of these metallic states at the Fe/Ge(111) interface is demonstrated by first-principles electronic structure calculations. By this, we demonstrate how to take advantage of the spin–orbit coupling for the development of the spin field-effect transistor.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection of Cultured Human Hepatoma Cells Causes Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in Both Infected and Bystander Cells
Authors: Kofahi H. M. , Taylor N. G. A. , Hirasawa K. , Grant M. D. , Russell R. S.
Published: December 2016

Individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at high risk of developing progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). How HCV infection causes liver destruction has been of significant interest for many years, and apoptosis has been proposed as one operative mechanism. In this study, we employed a tissue culture-adapted strain of HCV (JFH1T) to test effects of HCV infection on induction of programmed cell death (PCD) in Huh-7.5 cells. We found that HCV infection reduced the proliferation rate and induced caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in the infected cell population. However, in addition to apoptosis, we also observed infected cells undergoing caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis, which was induced by NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By co-culturing HCV-infected Huh-7.5 cells with an HCV-non-permissive cell line, we also demonstrated induction of both apoptosis and pyroptosis in uninfected cells. Bystander apoptosis, but not bystander pyroptosis, required cell-cell contact between infected and bystander cells. In summary, these findings provide new information on mechanisms of cell death in response to HCV infection. The observation that both apoptosis and pyroptosis can be induced in bystander cells extends our understanding of HCV-induced pathogenesis in the liver.
AECHL-1 targets breast cancer progression via inhibition of metastasis, prevention of EMT and suppression of Cancer Stem Cell characteristics
Authors: Dasgupta Aparajita , Sawant Mithila A. , Kavishwar Gayatri , Lavhale Manish , Sitasawad Sandhya
Published: December 2016

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) features among the most aggressive manifestations of cancer due to its enhanced metastatic potential and immunity to therapeutics which target hormone receptors. Under such scenarios, anti-cancer compounds with an ability to influence multiple targets, or an entire process, will have an advantage over specific signal transduction inhibitors. To counter the metastatic threat it is essential to target cellular components central to the processes of cancer cell migration and adaptation. Our previous work on a novel triterpenoid, AECHL-1, explored its anti-cancer potential, and linked it to elevated ER stress in cancer cells, while its anti-angiogenic potential was credited for its ability to manipulate the cytoskeleton. Here, we broaden its range of action by showing that it curbs the metastatic ability of TNBC cells, bothin vitroin MDA-MB-231 cell line andin vivo, in mouse models of metastasis. AECHL-1 does so by disrupting the cytoskeletal network, and also suppressing NF-κB and β-Catenin mediated key molecular pathways. These activities also contributed to AECHL-1 mediated suppression of TGF-β/TNF-α induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell characteristic. Thus, we present AECHL-1 as a promising therapeutic inhibitor of metastatic disease.
Four microRNAs Signature for Survival Prognosis in Colon Cancer using TCGA Data
Authors: Xu Jian , Zhao Jian , Zhang Rui
Published: December 2016

This study aims to develop microRNA expression signature for colon cancer survival prognosis based on the Cancer Genomic Common database. miRNAs levels between colon cancer and non-cancer tissues were screened by t-test (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to discriminate survival significant miRNAs, followed by miRNAs index accumulation to power the miRNAs-survival reliability. In the end, we test the selected miRNAs in HT126 colon cancer cells to validate its anti-cancer effect. The study identified a 84-miRNAs signature. Of the above 84 miRNAs, we got four miRNAs which were survival associated by using ROC curve method and Kaplan-Meier survival method (p < 0.001). The result showed that low risk group had quite a low death rate, the survival rate was over 80%. The high risk group had survival rate lower than 20%, which was also extremely lower than the overall survival rate. In the HT126 cells study, cell growth assay showed miR-130a sponge inhibited colon cancer cells growth and sensitized the anti-cancer drug effect of 5-FU to blocked cancer cell growth. We developed a prognostic 4-microRNA expression signature for colon cancer patient survival, and validated miR-130a sponge could sensitized 5-FU anti-cancer effect.
Forest type effects on the retention of radiocesium in organic layers of forest ecosystems affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident
Authors: Koarashi Jun , Atarashi-Andoh Mariko , Matsunaga Takeshi , Sanada Yukihisa
Published: December 2016

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster caused serious radiocesium (137Cs) contamination of forest ecosystems over a wide area. Forest-floor organic layers play a key role in controlling the overall bioavailability of 137Cs in forest ecosystems; however, there is still an insufficient understanding of how forest types influence the retention capability of 137Cs in organic layers in Japanese forest ecosystems. Here we conducted plot-scale investigations on the retention of 137Cs in organic layers at two contrasting forest sites in Fukushima. In a deciduous broad-leaved forest, approximately 80% of the deposited 137Cs migrated to mineral soil located below the organic layers within two years after the accident, with an ecological half-life of approximately one year. Conversely, in an evergreen coniferous forest, more than half of the deposited 137Cs remained in the organic layers, with an ecological half-life of 2.1 years. The observed retention behavior can be well explained by the tree phenology and accumulation of 137Cs associated with litter materials with different degrees of degradation in the organic layers. Spatial and temporal patterns of gamma-ray dose rates depended on the retention capability. Our results demonstrate that enhanced radiation risks last longer in evergreen coniferous forests than in deciduous broad-leaved forests.
Electron beam-formed ferromagnetic defects on MoS2 surface along 1 T phase transition
Authors: Han Sang Wook , Park Youngsin , Hwang Young Hun , Jekal Soyoung , Kang Manil , Lee Wang G. , Yang Woochul , Lee Gun-Do , Hong Soon Cheol
Published: December 2016

1 T phase incorporation into 2H-MoS2via an optimal electron irradiation leads to induce a weak ferromagnetic state at room temperature, together with the improved transport property. In addition to the 1T-like defects, the electron irradiation on the cleaved MoS2 surface forms the concentric circle-type defects that are caused by the 2 H/1 T phase transition and the vacancies of the nearby S atoms of the Mo atoms. The electron irradiation-reduced bandgap is promising in vanishing the Schottky barrier to attaining spintronics device. The simple method to control and improve the magnetic and electrical properties on the MoS2 surface provides suitable ways for the low-dimensional device applications.
Increased Fetal Thymocytes Apoptosis Contributes to Prenatal Nicotine Exposure-induced Th1/Th2 Imbalance in Male Offspring Mice
Authors: Chen Ting , Yan You-e , Liu Sha , Liu Han-xiao , Yan Hui-yi , Hou Li-fang , Qu Wen , Ping Jie
Published: December 2016

Nicotine, a definite risk factor during pregnancy, is an immunomodulator. This study was designed to investigate the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) on the balance of Th1/Th2 in offspring, and further explore the developmental origin mechanisms from the perspective of fetal thymocytes apoptosis. Pregnant Balb/c mice were administered 1.5 mg/kg nicotine subcutaneously twice per day from gestational day (GD) 9 to GD18. Results showed that PNE could cause a Th2 shift in male offspring, manifested as increased ratio of IgG1/IgG2a, IL-4 production in serum, and IL-4/IFN-γ expression ratio in spleen. Increased apoptosis of total thymocytes and CD4SP and reduced cell proportion of CD4SP were found in PNE male offspring on postnatal day (PND) 14 and PND 49. In the fetuses, decreased body weight and organ index of fetal thymus, histological changes in fetal thymus, reduced CD4SP proportion and increased fetal thymocyte apoptosis were observed in nicotine group. The increased mRNA expression of genes involved in Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway and protein expression of Fas were also detected. In conclusion, PNE could cause a Th2 shift in male offspring mediated by reduced CD4+ T cells output, which may result from the increasing apoptosis of total thymocytes and CD4SP.
The protective role of MLCP-mediated ERM dephosphorylation in endotoxin-induced lung injury in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Kovacs-Kasa Anita , Gorshkov Boris A. , Kim Kyung-Mi , Kumar Sanjiv , Black Stephen M. , Fulton David J. , Dimitropoulou Christiana , Catravas John D. , Verin Alexander D.
Published: December 2016

The goal of this study was to investigate the role of MLC phosphatase (MLCP) in a LPS model of acute lung injury (ALI). We demonstrate that ectopic expression of a constitutively-active (C/A) MLCP regulatory subunit (MYPT1) attenuates the ability of LPS to increase endothelial (EC) permeability. Down-regulation of MYPT1 exacerbates LPS-induced expression of ICAM1 suggesting an anti-inflammatory role of MLCP. To determine whether MLCP contributes to LPS-induced ALIin vivo,we utilized a nanoparticle DNA delivery method to specifically target lung EC. Expression of a C/A MYPT1 reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation and vascular permeability. Further, increased expression of the CS1β (MLCP catalytic subunit) also reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation, whereas the inactive CS1β mutant increased vascular leak. We next examined the role of the cytoskeletal targets of MLCP, the ERM proteins (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin), in mediating barrier dysfunction. LPS-induced increase in EC permeability was accompanied by PKC-mediated increase in ERM phosphorylation, which was more prominent in CS1β-depleted cells. Depletion of Moesin and Ezrin, but not Radixin attenuated LPS-induced increases in permeability. Further, delivery of a Moesin phospho-null mutant into murine lung endothelium attenuated LPS-induced lung inflammation and vascular leak suggesting that MLCP opposes LPS-induced ALI by mediating the dephosphorylation of Moesin and Ezrin.
Interactomic analysis of REST/NRSF and implications of its functional links with the transcription suppressor TRIM28 during neuronal differentiation
Authors: Lee Namgyu , Park Sung Jin , Haddad Ghazal , Kim Dae-Kyum , Park Seon-Min , Park Sang Ki , Choi Kwan Yong
Published: December 2016

RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a transcriptional repressor that regulates gene expression by binding to repressor element 1. However, despite its critical function in physiology, little is known about its interaction proteins. Here we identified 204 REST-interacting proteins using affinity purification and mass spectrometry. The interactome included proteins associated with mRNA processing/splicing, chromatin organization, and transcription. The interactions of these REST-interacting proteins, which included TRIM28, were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that neuronal differentiation-related GO terms were enriched among target genes that were co-regulated by REST and TRIM28, while the level of CTNND2 was increased by the knockdown of REST and TRIM28. Consistently, the level of CTNND2 increased while those of REST and TRIM28 decreased during neuronal differentiation in the primary neurons, suggesting that CTNND2 expression may be co-regulated by both. Furthermore, neurite outgrowth was increased by depletion of REST or TRIM28, implying that reduction of both REST and TRIM28 could promote neuronal differentiation via induction of CTNND2 expression. In conclusion, our study of REST reveals novel interacting proteins which could be a valuable resource for investigating unidentified functions of REST and also suggested functional links between REST and TRIM28 during neuronal development.
Associative nitrogen fixation in nodules of the conifer Lepidothamnus fonkii (Podocarpaceae) inhabiting ombrotrophic bogs in southern Patagonia
Authors: Borken Werner , Horn Marcus A. , Geimer Stefan , Aguilar Nelson A. Bahamonde , Knorr Klaus-Holger
Published: December 2016

Biological N2 fixation (BNF) in the rhizosphere of Podocarpaceae is currently attributed to unspecific diazotrophs with negligible impact on N acquisition. Here, we report specific and high associative BNF in dead cells of root nodules of Lepidothamnus fonkii distributed in ombrotrophic peatlands of Patagonia. BNF of nodulated roots, intact plants of L. fonkii and rhizospheric peat was assessed by 15N2 and acetylene reduction. Diazotrophs were identified by electron microscopy, analysis of nitrogenase encoding genes (nifH) and transcripts, and 16S rRNA. Nitrogenase encoding nifH transcripts from root nodules point to Beijerinckiaceae (Rhizobiales), known as free-living diazotrophs. Electron microscopy and 16S rRNA analysis likewise identified active Beijerinckiaceae in outer dead cells of root nodules. NifH transcripts from the rhizopshere peat revealed diverse active diazotrophs including Beijerinckiaceae. Both methods revealed high activity of nitrogenase rates in cut roots of L. fonkii (2.5 μmol N g−1 d.w. d−1 based on 15N2 assay; 2.4 μmol C2H4 g−1 d.w. d−1 based on acetylene reduction assay). The data suggest that (i) nodules recruit diazotrophic Beijerinckiaceae from peat, (ii) dead nodule cells provide an exclusive habitat for Beijerinckiaceae, and (iii) BNF in L. fonkii is one potent pathway to overcome N deficiency in ombrotrophic peatlands of Patagonia.
The December 2015 North Pole Warming Event and the Increasing Occurrence of Such Events
Authors: Moore G. W. K.
Published: December 2016

In late December 2015, widespread media interest revolved around forecasts that the surface air temperature at the North Pole would rise above freezing. Although there has been significant interest in the enhanced warming that is occurring at high northern latitudes, a process known as arctic amplification, remarkably little is known about these midwinter warming events at the pole including their frequency, duration and magnitude as well as the environmental conditions responsible for their occurrence. Here we use buoy and radiosonde data along with operational weather forecasts and atmospheric reanalyses to show that such events are associated with surface cyclones near the pole as well as a highly perturbed polar vortex. They occur once or twice each decade with the earliest identified event taking place in 1959. In addition, the warmest midwinter temperatures at the North Pole have been increasing at a rate that is twice as large as that for mean midwinter temperatures at the pole. It is argued that this enhanced trend is consistent with the loss of winter sea ice from the Nordic Seas that moves the reservoir of warm air over this region northwards making it easier for weather systems to transport this heat polewards.
Induction of a robust immunity response against novel duck reovirus in ducklings using a subunit vaccine of sigma C protein
Authors: Bi Zhuangli , Zhu Yingqi , Chen Zongyan , Li Chuanfeng , Wang Yong , Wang Guijun , Liu Guangqing
Published: December 2016

Novel duck reovirus (NDRV) disease emerged in China in 2011 and continues to cause high morbidity and about 5.0 to 50% mortality in ducklings. Currently there are no approved vaccines for the virus. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new vaccine created from the baculovirus and sigma C gene against NDRV. In this study, a recombinant baculovirus containing the sigma C gene was constructed, and the purified protein was used as a vaccine candidate in ducklings. The efficacy of sigma C vaccine was estimated according to humoral immune responses, cellular immune response and protection against NDRV challenge. The results showed that sigma C was highly expressed in Sf9 cells. Robust humoral and cellular immune responses were induced in all ducklings immunized with the recombinant sigma C protein. Moreover, 100% protection against lethal challenge with NDRV TH11 strain was observed. Summary, the recombinant sigma C protein could be utilized as a good candidate against NDRV infection.
Human dental stem cells suppress PMN activity after infection with the periodontopathogens Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Hieke Cathleen , Kriebel Katja , Engelmann Robby , Müller-Hilke Brigitte , Lang Hermann , Kreikemeyer Bernd
Published: December 2016

Periodontitis is characterized by inflammation associated with the colonization of different oral pathogens. We here aimed to investigate how bacteria and host cells shape their environment in order to limit inflammation and tissue damage in the presence of the pathogen. Human dental follicle stem cells (hDFSCs) were co-cultured with gram-negative P. intermedia and T. forsythia and were quantified for adherence and internalization as well as migration and interleukin secretion. To delineate hDFSC-specific effects, gingival epithelial cells (Ca9-22) were used as controls. Direct effects of hDFSCs on neutrophils (PMN) after interaction with bacteria were analyzed via chemotactic attraction, phagocytic activity and NET formation. We show that P. intermedia and T. forsythia adhere to and internalize into hDFSCs. This infection decreased the migratory capacity of the hDFSCs by 50%, did not disturb hDFSC differentiation potential and provoked an increase in IL-6 and IL-8 secretion while leaving IL-10 levels unaltered. These environmental modulations correlated with reduced PMN chemotaxis, phagocytic activity and NET formation. Our results suggest that P. intermedia and T. forsythia infected hDFSCs maintain their stem cell functionality, reduce PMN-induced tissue and bone degradation via suppression of PMN-activity, and at the same time allow for the survival of the oral pathogens.
Rethinking the process of detrainment: jets in obstructed natural flows
Authors: Mossa Michele , De Serio Francesca
Published: December 2016

A thorough understanding of the mixing and diffusion of turbulent jets released in porous obstructions is still lacking in literature. This issue is undoubtedly of interest because it is not strictly limited to vegetated flows, but also includes outflows which come from different sources and which spread among oyster or wind farms, as well as aerial pesticide treatments sprayed onto orchards. The aim of the present research is to analyze this process from a theoretical point of view. Specifically, by examining the entrainment coefficient, it is deduced that the presence of a canopy prevents a momentum jet from having an entrainment process, but rather promotes its detrainment. In nature, detrainment is usually associated with buoyancy-driven flows, such as plumes or density currents flowing in a stratified environment. The present study proves that detrainment occurs also when a momentum-driven jet is issued in a not-stratified obstructed current, such as a vegetated flow.
Detection and control of charge states in a quintuple quantum dot
Authors: Ito Takumi , Otsuka Tomohiro , Amaha Shinichi , Delbecq Matthieu R. , Nakajima Takashi , Yoneda Jun , Takeda Kenta , Allison Giles , Noiri Akito , Kawasaki Kento , Tarucha Seigo
Published: December 2016

A semiconductor quintuple quantum dot with two charge sensors and an additional contact to the center dot from an electron reservoir is fabricated to demonstrate the concept of scalable architecture. This design enables formation of the five dots as confirmed by measurements of the charge states of the three nearest dots to the respective charge sensor. The gate performance of the measured stability diagram is well reproduced by a capacitance model. These results provide an important step towards realizing controllable large scale multiple quantum dot systems.
High-order synchronization of hair cell bundles
Authors: Levy Michael , Molzon Adrian , Lee Jae-Hyun , Kim Ji-wook , Cheon Jinwoo , Bozovic Dolores
Published: December 2016

Auditory and vestibular hair cell bundles exhibit active mechanical oscillations at natural frequencies that are typically lower than the detection range of the corresponding end organs. We explore how these noisy nonlinear oscillators mode-lock to frequencies higher than their internal clocks. A nanomagnetic technique is used to stimulate the bundles without an imposed mechanical load. The evoked response shows regimes of high-order mode-locking. Exploring a broad range of stimulus frequencies and intensities, we observe regions of high-order synchronization, analogous to Arnold Tongues in dynamical systems literature. Significant areas of overlap occur between synchronization regimes, with the bundle intermittently flickering between different winding numbers. We demonstrate how an ensemble of these noisy spontaneous oscillators could be entrained to efficiently detect signals significantly above the characteristic frequencies of the individual cells.
Rats overexpressing the dopamine transporter display behavioral and neurobiological abnormalities with relevance to repetitive disorders
Authors: Hadar Ravit , Edemann-Callesen Henriette , Reinel Claudia , Wieske Franziska , Voget Mareike , Popova Elena , Sohr Reinhard , Avchalumov Yosef , Priller Josef , van Riesen Christoph , Puls Imke , Bader Michael , Winter Christine
Published: December 2016

The dopamine transporter (DAT) plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal dopamine signaling. DAT-overactivity has been linked to various neuropsychiatric disorders yet so far the direct pathological consequences of it has not been fully assessed. We here generated a transgenic rat model that via pronuclear microinjection overexpresses the DAT gene. Our results demonstrate that DAT-overexpression induces multiple neurobiological effects that exceeded the expected alterations in the corticostriatal dopamine system. Furthermore, transgenic rats specifically exhibited behavioral and pharmaco-therapeutic profiles phenotypic of repetitive disorders. Together our findings suggest that the DAT rat model will constitute a valuable tool for further investigations into the pathological influence of DAT overexpression on neural systems relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Human cellular CYBA UTR sequences increase mRNA translation without affecting the half-life of recombinant RNA transcripts
Authors: Ferizi Mehrije , Aneja Manish K. , Balmayor Elizabeth R. , Badieyan Zohreh Sadat , Mykhaylyk Olga , Rudolph Carsten , Plank Christian
Published: December 2016

Modified nucleotide chemistries that increase the half-life (T1/2) of transfected recombinant mRNA and the use of non-native 5′- and 3′-untranslated region (UTR) sequences that enhance protein translation are advancing the prospects of transcript therapy. To this end, a set of UTR sequences that are present in mRNAs with long cellular T1/2 were synthesized and cloned as five different recombinant sequence set combinations as upstream 5′-UTR and/or downstream 3′-UTR regions flanking a reporter gene. Initial screening in two different cell systems in vitro revealed that cytochrome b-245 alpha chain (CYBA) combinations performed the best among all other UTR combinations and were characterized in detail. The presence or absence of CYBA UTRs had no impact on the mRNA stability of transfected mRNAs, but appeared to enhance the productivity of transfected transcripts based on the measurement of mRNA and protein levels in cells. When CYBA UTRs were fused to human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP2) coding sequence, the recombinant mRNA transcripts upon transfection produced higher levels of protein as compared to control transcripts. Moreover, transfection of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells with recombinant hBMP2-CYBA UTR transcripts induced bone differentiation demonstrating the osteogenic and therapeutic potential for transcript therapy based on hybrid UTR designs.