bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community mental health care worldwide: current status and further developments
Authors: Thornicroft Graham , Deb Tanya , Henderson Claire
Published: September 2016

This paper aims to give an overview of the key issues facing those who are in a position to influence the planning and provision of mental health systems, and who need to address questions of which staff, services and sectors to invest in, and for which patients. The paper considers in turn: a) definitions of community mental health care; b) a conceptual framework to use when evaluating the need for hospital and community mental health care; c) the potential for wider platforms, outside the health service, for mental health improvement, including schools and the workplace; d) data on how far community mental health services have been developed across different regions of the world; e) the need to develop in more detail models of community mental health services for low‐ and middle‐income countries which are directly based upon evidence for those countries; f) how to incorporate mental health practice within integrated models to identify and treat people with comorbid long‐term conditions; g) possible adverse effects of deinstitutionalization. We then present a series of ten recommendations for the future strengthening of health systems to support and treat people with mental illness.
Fatty Acid de Novo Synthesis in Adult Intrauterine Growth‐Restricted Offspring, and Adult Male Response to a High Fat Diet
Authors: Yee Jennifer K. , Han Guang , Vega Juan , Lee Wai‐Nang P. , Ross Michael G. , Desai Mina
Published: September 2016

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with rapid catch‐up growth leads to adult obesity and insulin resistance. We have previously shown that IUGR male rats demonstrated increased de novo fatty acid synthesis in the subcutaneous (SC) fat, but not the visceral fat, during the nursing period prior to the onset of obesity. Young IUGR females do not exhibit the same increase. We further hypothesized that in male IUGR offspring, de novo synthesis is a programmed intrinsic effect that persists to adulthood and does not suppress in response to a high fat diet. We measured fatty acid de novo synthesis in IUGR adult males (6 months) using deuterium‐enriched drinking water as a stable isotope tracer, then further studied the response after consumption of an isocaloric high fat diet. Baseline de novo synthesis in adult females was also studied at age 9 months. Males demonstrated increased baseline de novo synthesis in both SC fat and visceral fat. Correspondingly, SC and visceral fat protein expression of lipogenic enzymes acetyl‐coA carboxylase‐α (ACCα) and fatty acid synthase were upregulated. After the isocaloric high fat diet, de novo synthesis was suppressed such that no differences remained between the two groups, although, IUGR SC fat demonstrated persistently increased lipogenic protein expression. In contrast, de novo synthesis among adult females is not impacted in IUGR. In conclusion, enhancement of male IUGR SC fat de novo synthesis appears to be an early consequence of metabolic programming, whereas enhancement in visceral fat appears to be a later consequence.
Effects of pentoxifylline on oxidative stress in rats with abdominal compartment syndrome model
Authors: Eğin Seracettin , Açıksarı Kurtuluş , Ercan Gülçin , Aydın Fatih A. , Üstyol Esra Aycan , Eser Mediha , Tanrıverdi Gamze , Yanar Hakan Teoman
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) causes severe pathology in the cardiovascular, renal and pulmonary systems. Recent studies showed that pentoxifylline (PTX) has effects on increasing tissue oxygenation, healing capillary refill and reducing superoxides and hydroxyl radicals by inhibiting xanthine oxidase. In this study, our aim was to study the effects of PTX on free oxygen radicals and oxidative damage in rats with ACS model.

Materials and methods

ACS model was created in 32 male Wistar-Albino-rats, which were randomized into one of the four study groups: Group A (n:8), having ACS; Group B (n:8), having ACS and receiving PTX (50 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneal for 10 days; Group C (n:8), receiving PTX (50 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneal for 10 days without having ACS; Group D (n:8), having no ACS and not receiving PTX. On the 11th day blood samples were collected to measure alanine-amino-acid-transferase (ALT) and aspartate-amino-acid-transferase (AST) in the heart, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione (GSH) in the liver, lung and small bowel. Histopathologic injury scoring was done.

Results

Groups were compared in pairs. Group A compared to Group B: ALT increase, liver MDA, lung GSH and MPO decrease were statistically meaningful in Group B. Group A compared to Group C: ALT and liver MPO decrease and liver MDA increase were statistically meaningful in Group A. Group B compared to Group C: ALT increase, MDA and GSH decrease in the lung were statistically meaningful in Group B. Group B compared to Group D: ALT and MPO increase in the small bowel and MPO decrease in the lung were statistically meaningful in Group B. Group A had the highest histopathologic injury scoring.

Conclusion

Histopathologically confirmed pentoxifylline was effective in the treatment of ACS in these rat models.

Highlights
Clitorally Stimulated Orgasms are Associated with Better Control of Sexual Desire, and Not Associated with Depression or Anxiety, Compared with Vaginally Stimulated Orgasms
Authors: Prause Nicole , Kuang Lambert , Lee Peter , Miller Geoffrey
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Most women report that clitoral stimulation is an integral aspect of their orgasm experience. Thus, recent claims that vaginal stimulation and vaginally generated orgasms are superior to clitoral stimulation and clitorally generated orgasms pathologize most women and maintain a clitoral vs vaginal dichotomy that might not accurately reflect the complexity of women's sexual experience.

Aim

To have women report on their experienced source of orgasm, including combinations of vaginal and clitoral stimulation, the solo or partnered context of the stimulation, and the intensity of the orgasms from different sources and to predict indicators of mental health and sexual health using the orgasm source.

Methods

Eighty-eight women 18 to 53 years old answered detailed questions about their usual and recent orgasm experiences, sexual history, depression, and anxiety. Then, they viewed a series of neutral and sexual films. They were instructed to increase or decrease their sexual arousal or respond “as usual” to the sexual films. They reported their sexual arousal after each film.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcomes assessed included mental health (depression and anxiety) and sexual health (orgasm quality, ability to regulate sexual response to sex films). Reported sexual arousal was analyzed for the regulation task.

Results

Most women (64%) reported that clitoral and vaginal stimulation contributed to their usual method of reaching orgasm. Women who reported that clitoral stimulation was primarily responsible for their orgasm reported a higher desire to self-stimulate and demonstrated greater control over their self-reported sexual arousal. The primary stimulation site for orgasm was unrelated to measurements of depression or anxiety despite sufficient statistical power.

Conclusion

Most women reported that clitoral and vaginal stimulation is important in orgasm. Women experience orgasms in many varied patterns, a complexity that is often ignored by current methods of assessing orgasm source. The reported source of orgasm was unrelated to orgasm intensity, overall sex-life satisfaction, sexual distress, depression, or anxiety. Women who reported primarily stimulating their clitoris to reach orgasm reported higher trait sexual drive and higher sexual arousal to visual sexual stimulation and were better able to increase their sexual arousal to visual sexual stimulation when instructed than women who reported orgasms primarily from vaginal sources.
Robin Fletcher
Authors: Holton David , Mackridge Peter
Published: September 2016

Robin Anthony Fletcher, who died on 15 January 2016, was born in Godalming on 30 May 1922. He was educated at Marlborough College, as was R. M. Dawkins, who served as Bywater and Sotheby Professor of Byzantine and Modern Greek at Oxford from 1920 to 1939. As Dawkins had done in the First World War, Robin served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War, during which time he commanded a Greek caique in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the end of the war Robin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
‘Old wine in new bottles’? Gregory Palamas’ Logos on Saint Peter of Athos (BHG 1506)
Authors: Mitrea Mihail
Published: September 2016

In this article I attempt to enter the less studied ‘working room’ of the hagiographer and metaphrastes Gregory Palamas by contextualizing and analyzing, both on its own terms and comparatively, Palamas’ literary debut, the Logos on Saint Peter of Athos (BHG 1506). The article shows to what extent the hagiographer used, changed, supplemented, departed from his source—the tenth/eleventh-century Vita of Saint Peter (BHG 1505) written by a certain Athonite monk Nicholas—and refashioned the image of the saint when (re)writing his life.
Analogues of Auslander–Yorke theorems for multi-sensitivity
Authors: HUANG WEN , KOLYADA SERGIĬ , ZHANG GUOHUA
Published: September 2016

We study multi-sensitivity and thick sensitivity for continuous surjective selfmaps on compact metric spaces. Our main result states that a minimal system is either multi-sensitive or an almost one-to-one extension of its maximal equicontinuous factor. This is an analog of the Auslander–Yorke dichotomy theorem: a minimal system is either sensitive or equicontinuous. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of a syndetically equicontinuous point, and we prove that a transitive system is either thickly sensitive or contains syndetically equicontinuous points, which is a refinement of another well-known result of Akin, Auslander and Berg.
The Assouad dimension of randomly generated fractals
Authors: FRASER JONATHAN M. , MIAO JUN JIE , TROSCHEIT SASCHA
Published: September 2016

We consider several different models for generating random fractals including random self-similar sets, random self-affine carpets, and Mandelbrot percolation. In each setting we compute either thealmost sureor theBaire typicalAssouad dimension and consider some illustrative examples. Our results reveal a phenomenon common to each of our models: the Assouad dimension of a randomly generated fractal is generically as big as possible and does not depend on the measure-theoretic or topological structure of the sample space. This is in stark contrast to the other commonly studied notions of dimension like the Hausdorff or packing dimension.
A New Global Dynamic – Recognising the Importance of the Tropics
Authors: Harding Sandra
Published: September 2016

The recent declaration of 29 June as the United Nations International Day of the Tropics recognises the critical importance of the world's tropical zone. Accounting for 42 per cent of the world's population and 55 per cent of its children, it is also the most biologically and culturally diverse region on Earth. Economic growth in the region remains high even though the Tropics carries a greater burden of disease and has poorer mortality rates than the rest of the world. This article discusses the importance of the tropical zone and reports on discussions held at the United Nations to mark the inaugural International Day of the Tropics. Now more than ever, we recognise that if the world is to achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the countries and territories of the Tropics will be essential.
Dolomite overgrowths suggest a primary origin of cone-in-cone
Authors: HOOKER JOHN N. , CARTWRIGHT JOE
Published: September 2016

A long-debated aspect of cone-in-cone structures is whether the mineral aggregates composing the structure precipitated with their conical form (primary cone-in-cone), or whether the cones formed after precipitation (secondary cone-in-cone). A calcite deposit from the Cretaceous of Jordan bears all the defining characteristics of the structure. Trace dolomite within the sample supports the primary cone-in-cone hypothesis. The host sediment is a biosiliceous mudstone containing abundant rhombohedral dolomite grains. Dolomite rhombohedra are also distributed throughout the calcite of the cone-in-cone. The rhombohedra within the calcite locally have dolomite overgrowths that are aligned with calcite fibres. Evidence that dolomite co-precipitated with calcite, and did not replace calcite, includes (i) preferential downward extension of dolomite overgrowths, in the presumed growth-direction of the cone-in-cone, from the dolomite grains on which they nucleate, and (ii) planar, vertical borders between dolomite crystals and calcite fibres. Because dolomite overgrows host-sediment rhombohedra and forms part of the cones, it follows that the host-sediment was incorporated into the growing cone-in-cone as the calcite precipitated, and not afterward. The host-sediment was not injected into the cone-in-cone along fractures, as the secondary-origin theory suggests. This finding implies that cone-in-cone in general does not form over multiple stages, and thus has greater potential to preserve the chemical signature of its original precipitation.
Early Childhood Education and Care in England under Austerity: Continuity or Change in Political Ideas, Policy Goals, Availability, Affordability and Quality in a Childcare Market?
Authors: LEWIS JANE , WEST ANNE
Published: September 2016

Provision of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in England is highly marketised. Since 2010, when the Labour Party lost power to a Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition, followed by a Conservative victory in 2015, there has been a strong austerity agenda. It is therefore surprising that ECEC has continued to be supported and expanded. However, we show that policies to address the three key issues of availability, affordability and quality have undergone significant incremental change in response to shifting emphases between the two main goals of increasing children's development and mothers' employment, together with a much firmer orientation towards the importance of growing the childcare market.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF MAXIMAL PERCENTAGES IN PÓLYA'S URN
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees
Published: September 2016

Schulte-Geers and Stadje [Journal of Applied Probability, 2015, 52: 180–190] gave several closed form expressions for the exact distribution of the all-time maximal percentage in Pólya's urn model. But all these expressions corresponded to an integer parameter taking the value 1. Here, we derive much more general closed form expressions applicable for all possible values of the integer parameter. We also illustrate their computational efficiency.
Australia’s evolving food practices: a risky mix of continuity and change
Authors: Venn Danielle , Banwell Cathy , Dixon Jane
Published: September 2016

Objective

To investigate trends in five key aspects of Australian food practice which have been implicated in diet-related health risks, specifically energy intake. They are: the replacement of home-prepared foods by commercially prepared foods; consumer reliance on ultra-processed foods; de-structured dining; increased pace of eating; and a decline in commensal eating.

Design

Data were from repeated cross-sections from the national Household Expenditure and Time Use Surveys. Trends in food practice aspects were examined using indicators of food expenditure across different food groups and time spent eating and cooking, including where, when and with whom eating activities took place.

Setting

Australia, 1989–2010.

Subjects

Nationally representative samples of Australian households.

Results

The share of the total food budget spent on food away from home rose steadily from 22·8 % in 1989 to 26·5 % in 2010, while spending on ultra-processed foods increased. The basic patterning of meals and the pace of eating changed little, although people spent more time eating alone and at restaurants. Cooking time declined considerably, particularly for women.

Conclusions

These changes have occurred over the same time that obesity and diet-related, non-communicable diseases have increased rapidly in Australia. Some aspects are implicated more than others: particularly the shift from domestic cooking to use of pre-prepared and ultra-processed foods, a reduction in time spent in food preparation and cooking, as well as an upsurge in time and money devoted to eating away from home. These are all likely to operate through the higher energy content of commercially prepared, compared with unprocessed or lightly processed, foods.
Retention of Assessment Center Rater Training
Authors: Gorman C. Allen , Rentsch Joan R.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. The purpose of this research was to examine frame-of-reference (FOR) training retention in an assessment center (AC) rater training context. In this study, we extended Gorman and Rentsch’s (2009) research showing FOR training effects on performance schemas by examining the effects immediately after training and again after a two-week nonuse period. We examined the retention effects of FOR training on performance ratings and on performance schema accuracy. The results indicated that the FOR training condition, compared to a control condition, yielded performance ratings and performance schemas more similar to expert ratings and to an expert schema, respectively. FOR training also had positive effects on ratings and performance schema accuracy assessed two weeks after training. These results support and extend the theory of FOR training, which posits that the instructed theory of performance replaces the preexisting rater schemas ( Lievens, 2001 ), and they contribute to the research on FOR training within AC contexts.
Jupiter's Auroras Recharge Between Solar Storms
Authors: Zastrow Mark
Published: September 2016

New research suggests that Jupiter's magnetic field replenishes its stock of plasma during lulls in solar activity, creating spectacular displays when a solar storm hits.
4-cholesten-3-one suppresses lung adenocarcinoma metastasis by regulating translocation of HMGB1, HIF1α and Caveolin-1
Authors: Ma Jinben , Fu Guobin , Wu Jing , Han Shaoxian , Zhang Lishan , Yang Ming , Yu Yong , Zhang Mengyuan , Lin Yanliang , Wang Yibing
Published: September 2016

Metastasis is a great challenge in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) therapy. Cholesterol has been implicated in ADC metastasis. 4-cholesten-3-one, as cholesterol metabolite and analog, can substitute membrane cholesterol and increase membrane fluidity. In this study, we explored the possibility that 4-cholesten-3-one inhibited ADC metastasis. Low-dose 4-cholesten-3-one significantly restrained ADC cells migration and invasion with little effects on cells viabilities. Further investigation showed that 4-cholesten-3-one promoted ROS generation, which transiently activated AMPKα1, increased HIF1α expression, reduced Bcl-2 expression and caused autophagy. AMPKα1 knockdown partly suppressed 4-cholesten-3-one-induced autophagy but, neither prevented 4-cholesten-3-one-induced upregulation of HIF1α or downregulation of Bcl-2. 4-cholesten-3-one-induced autophagy facilitated the release of HMGB1 from nuclei to cytoplasm, blocking nuclear translocation of HIF1α and activation of MMP2 and MMP9. Also, 4-cholesten-3-one induced time-dependent phosphorylation of caveolin-1, Akt and NF-κB. With increasing treatment time, 4-cholesten-3-one accelerated caveolin-1 internalization, but reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and NF-κB, and inhibited the expression of snail and twist. These data suggested that 4-cholesten-3-one could be a potential candidate for anti-metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma.
MINERVA—a platform for visualization and curation of molecular interaction networks
Authors: Gawron Piotr , Ostaszewski Marek , Satagopam Venkata , Gebel Stephan , Mazein Alexander , Kuzma Michal , Zorzan Simone , McGee Fintan , Otjacques Benoît , Balling Rudi , Schneider Reinhard
Published: September 2016

Our growing knowledge about various molecular mechanisms is becoming increasingly more structured and accessible. Different repositories of molecular interactions and available literature enable construction of focused and high-quality molecular interaction networks. Novel tools for curation and exploration of such networks are needed, in order to foster the development of a systems biology environment. In particular, solutions for visualization, annotation and data cross-linking will facilitate usage of network-encoded knowledge in biomedical research. To this end we developed the MINERVA (Molecular Interaction NEtwoRks VisuAlization) platform, a standalone webservice supporting curation, annotation and visualization of molecular interaction networks in Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN)-compliant format. MINERVA provides automated content annotation and verification for improved quality control. The end users can explore and interact with hosted networks, and provide direct feedback to content curators. MINERVA enables mapping drug targets or overlaying experimental data on the visualized networks. Extensive export functions enable downloading areas of the visualized networks as SBGN-compliant models for efficient reuse of hosted networks. The software is available under Affero GPL 3.0 as a Virtual Machine snapshot, Debian package and Docker instance at http://r3lab.uni.lu/web/minerva-website/. We believe that MINERVA is an important contribution to systems biology community, as its architecture enables set-up of locally or globally accessible SBGN-oriented repositories of molecular interaction networks. Its functionalities allow overlay of multiple information layers, facilitating exploration of content and interpretation of data. Moreover, annotation and verification workflows of MINERVA improve the efficiency of curation of networks, allowing life-science researchers to better engage in development and use of biomedical knowledge repositories.
Non-professional marathon running: RAGE axis and ST2 family changes in relation to open-window effect, inflammation and renal function
Authors: Bekos Christine , Zimmermann Matthias , Unger Lukas , Janik Stefan , Hacker Philipp , Mitterbauer Andreas , Koller Michael , Fritz Robert , Gäbler Christian , Kessler Mario , Nickl Stefanie , Didcock Jessica , Altmann Patrick , Haider Thomas , Roth Georg , Klepetko Walter , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan , Moser Bernhard
Published: September 2016

Conflicting data exist on the relevance of marathon (M) and half marathon (HM) running for health. The number of non-professional athletes finishing M and HM events is steadily growing. In order to investigate molecular changes occurring in amateur athletes, we enrolled 70 non-professional runners finishing a single M (34) or HM (36) event at baseline, the finish line and during recovery, and 30 controls. The measurement of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts, Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, ST2 and cytokeratin 18 was combined with molecules measured during clinical routine. Results were analyzed in the light of blood cell analysis, lactate measurements, correction for changes in plasma volume and body composition assessments. There were intrinsic differences in body mass index, abdominal body fat percentage and training time between M and HM runners. C-reactive protein changes in M and HM runners. While soluble RAGE, AGEs and ST2 increased immediately after the race in HM runners, HMGB1 increased in HM and M after the race and declined to baseline after a recovery period. We give insights into the regulation of various molecules involved in physical stress reactions and their possible implications for the cardiovascular system or renal function.
Spatial Distribution of the Cannabinoid Type 1 and Capsaicin Receptors May Contribute to the Complexity of Their Crosstalk
Authors: Chen Jie , Varga Angelika , Selvarajah Srikumaran , Jenes Agnes , Dienes Beatrix , Sousa-Valente Joao , Kulik Akos , Veress Gabor , Brain Susan D. , Baker David , Urban Laszlo , Mackie Ken , Nagy Istvan
Published: September 2016

The cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor and the capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) exhibit co-expression and complex, but largely unknown, functional interactions in a sub-population of primary sensory neurons (PSN). We report that PSN co-expressing CB1 receptor and TRPV1 form two distinct sub-populations based on their pharmacological properties, which could be due to the distribution pattern of the two receptors. Pharmacologically, neurons respond either only to capsaicin (COR neurons) or to both capsaicin and the endogenous TRPV1 and CB1 receptor ligand anandamide (ACR neurons). Blocking or deleting the CB1 receptor only reduces both anandamide- and capsaicin-evoked responses in ACR neurons. Deleting the CB1 receptor also reduces the proportion of ACR neurons without any effect on the overall number of capsaicin-responding cells. Regarding the distribution pattern of the two receptors, neurons express CB1 and TRPV1 receptors either isolated in low densities or in close proximity with medium/high densities. We suggest that spatial distribution of the CB1 receptor and TRPV1 contributes to the complexity of their functional interaction.
Radiation endurance in Al2O3 nanoceramics
Authors: García Ferré F. , Mairov A. , Ceseracciu L. , Serruys Y. , Trocellier P. , Baumier C. , Kaïtasov O. , Brescia R. , Gastaldi D. , Vena P. , Beghi M. G. , Beck L. , Sridharan K. , Di Fonzo F.
Published: September 2016

The lack of suitable materials solutions stands as a major challenge for the development of advanced nuclear systems. Most issues are related to the simultaneous action of high temperatures, corrosive environments and radiation damage. Oxide nanoceramics are a promising class of materials which may benefit from the radiation tolerance of nanomaterials and the chemical compatibility of ceramics with many highly corrosive environments. Here, using thin films as a model system, we provide new insights into the radiation tolerance of oxide nanoceramics exposed to increasing damage levels at 600 °C –namely 20, 40 and 150 displacements per atom. Specifically, we investigate the evolution of the structural features, the mechanical properties, and the response to impact loading of Al2O3 thin films. Initially, the thin films contain a homogeneous dispersion of nanocrystals in an amorphous matrix. Irradiation induces crystallization of the amorphous phase, followed by grain growth. Crystallization brings along an enhancement of hardness, while grain growth induces softening according to the Hall-Petch effect. During grain growth, the excess mechanical energy is dissipated by twinning. The main energy dissipation mechanisms available upon impact loading are lattice plasticity and localized amorphization. These mechanisms are available in the irradiated material, but not in the as-deposited films.
Stress and temperature dependence of the avalanche dynamics during creep deformation of metallic glasses
Authors: Herrero-Gómez Carlos , Samwer Konrad
Published: September 2016

The understanding of the mesoscopic origin of plasticity in metallic glasses remains still an open issue. At the microscopic level, Shear Transformation Zones (STZ), composed by dozens of atoms, have been identified as the basic unit of the deformation process. Macroscopically, metallic glasses perform either homogeneous or inhomogeneous flow depending on the experimental conditions. However, the emergence of macroscopic behavior resulting from STZ interactions is still an open issue and is of great interest. In the current work we present an approach to analyze the different interaction mechanisms of STZ’s by studying the statistics of the avalanches produced by a metallic glass during tensile creep deformation. We identified a crossover between different regimes of avalanches, and we analyzed the dependence of such crossover on the experimental conditions, namely stress and temperature. We interpret such crossover as a transition from 3D random STZ activity to localized 2D nano-shear bands. The experimental time at which the crossover takes place seems to depend on the overall strain and strain rate in the sample
High throughput sequencing analysis of RNA libraries reveals the influences of initial library and PCR methods on SELEX efficiency
Authors: Takahashi Mayumi , Wu Xiwei , Ho Michelle , Chomchan Pritsana , Rossi John J. , Burnett John C. , Zhou Jiehua
Published: September 2016

The systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technique is a powerful and effective aptamer-selection procedure. However, modifications to the process can dramatically improve selection efficiency and aptamer performance. For example, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has been recently incorporated into SELEX selection protocols to putatively reduce the propagation of byproducts and avoid selection bias that result from differences in PCR efficiency of sequences within the random library. However, a detailed, parallel comparison of the efficacy of conventional solution PCR versus the ddPCR modification in the RNA aptamer-selection process is needed to understand effects on overall SELEX performance. In the present study, we took advantage of powerful high throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis coupled with SELEX (HT-SELEX) to thoroughly investigate the effects of initial library and PCR methods in the RNA aptamer identification. Our analysis revealed that distinct “biased sequences” and nucleotide composition existed in the initial, unselected libraries purchased from two different manufacturers and that the fate of the “biased sequences” was target-dependent during selection. Our comparison of solution PCR- and ddPCR-driven HT-SELEX demonstrated that PCR method affected not only the nucleotide composition of the enriched sequences, but also the overall SELEX efficiency and aptamer efficacy.
Inversion of diffraction data for amorphous materials
Authors: Pandey Anup , Biswas Parthapratim , Drabold D. A.
Published: September 2016

The general and practical inversion of diffraction data–producing a computer model correctly representing the material explored–is an important unsolved problem for disordered materials. Such modeling should proceed by using our full knowledge base, both from experiment and theory. In this paper, we describe a robust method to jointly exploit the power of ab initio atomistic simulation along with the information carried by diffraction data. The method is applied to two very different systems: amorphous silicon and two compositions of a solid electrolyte memory material silver-doped GeSe3. The technique is easy to implement, is faster and yields results much improved over conventional simulation methods for the materials explored. By direct calculation, we show that the method works for both poor and excellent glass forming materials. It offers a means to add a priori information in first-principles modeling of materials and represents a significant step toward the computational design of non-crystalline materials using accurate interatomic interactions and experimental information.
Effect of Intermittent versus Chronic Calorie Restriction on Tumor Incidence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Studies
Authors: Chen Yalan , Ling Lifeng , Su Guanglei , Han Ming , Fan Xikang , Xun Pengcheng , Xu Guangfei
Published: September 2016

Both chronic calorie restriction (CCR) and intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) have shown anticancer effects. However, the direct evidence comparing ICR to CCR with respect to cancer prevention is controversial and inconclusive. PubMed and Web of Science were searched on November 25, 2015. The relative risk (RR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] was calculated for tumor incidence and the standardised mean difference (95% CI) was computed for levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), leptin and adiponectin using a random-effects meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were identified, including 11 using genetically engineered mouse models (908 animals with 38–76 weeks of follow-up) and 5 using chemically induced rat models (379 animals with 7–18 weeks of follow-up). Compared to CCR, ICR decreased tumor incidence in genetically engineered models (RR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.88) but increased the risk in chemically induced models (RR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.06). It appears that ICR decreases IGF-1 and leptin and increases adiponectin in genetically engineered models. Thus, the evidence suggests that ICR exerts greater anticancer effect in genetically engineered mouse models but weaker cancer prevention benefit in chemically induced rat models as compared to CCR. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these effects.
Influenza A Virus Polymerase Recruits the RNA Helicase DDX19 to Promote the Nuclear Export of Viral mRNAs
Authors: Diot Cédric , Fournier Guillaume , Dos Santos Mélanie , Magnus Julie , Komarova Anastasia , van der Werf Sylvie , Munier Sandie , Naffakh Nadia
Published: September 2016

Enhancing the knowledge of host factors that are required for efficient influenza A virus (IAV) replication is essential to address questions related to pathogenicity and to identify targets for antiviral drug development. Here we focused on the interplay between IAV and DExD-box RNA helicases (DDX), which play a key role in cellular RNA metabolism by remodeling RNA-RNA or RNA-protein complexes. We performed a targeted RNAi screen on 35 human DDX proteins to identify those involved in IAV life cycle. DDX19 was a major hit. In DDX19-depleted cells the accumulation of viral RNAs and proteins was delayed and the production of infectious IAV particles was strongly reduced. We show that DDX19 associates with intronless, unspliced and spliced IAV mRNAs and promotes their nuclear export. In addition, we demonstrate an RNA-independent association between DDX19 and the viral polymerase, that is modulated by the ATPase activity of DDX19. Our results provide a model in which DDX19 is recruited to viral mRNAs in the nucleus of infected cells to enhance their nuclear export. Information gained from this virus-host interaction improves the understanding of both the IAV replication cycle and the cellular function of DDX19.
Plasmodium falciparum proteins involved in cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes to chemokine CX3CL1
Authors: Hermand Patricia , Cicéron Liliane , Pionneau Cédric , Vaquero Catherine , Combadière Christophe , Deterre Philippe
Published: September 2016

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is associated with cytoadherence of infected red blood cells (iRBC) to endothelial cells. Numerous host molecules have been involved in cytoadherence, including the adhesive chemokine CX3CL1. Most of the identified parasite ligands are from the multigenic and hypervariable Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) family which makes them poor targets for the development of a broadly protective vaccine. Using proteomics, we have identified two 25-kDa parasite proteins with adhesive properties for CX3CL1, called CBP for CX3CL1 Binding Proteins. CBPs are coded by single-copy genes with little polymorphic variation and no homology with other P. falciparum gene products. Specific antibodies raised against epitopes from the predicted extracellular domains of each CBP efficiently stain the surface of RBC infected with trophozoites or schizonts, which is a strong indication of CBP expression at the surface of iRBC. These anti-CBP antibodies partially neutralize iRBC adherence to CX3CL1. This adherence is similarly inhibited in the presence of peptides from the CBP extracellular domains, while irrelevant peptides had no such effect. CBP1 and CBP2 are new P. falciparum ligands for the human chemokine CX3CL1. The identification of this non-polymorphic P. falciparum factors provides a new avenue for innovative vaccination approaches.
Mitochondrial pathogenic mechanism and degradation in optineurin E50K mutation-mediated retinal ganglion cell degeneration
Authors: Shim Myoung Sup , Takihara Yuji , Kim Keun-Young , Iwata Takeshi , Yue Beatrice Y. J. T. , Inatani Masaru , Weinreb Robert N. , Perkins Guy A. , Ju Won-Kyu
Published: September 2016

Mutations in optineurin (OPTN) are linked to the pathology of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Emerging evidence indicates that OPTN mutation is involved in accumulation of damaged mitochondria and defective mitophagy. Nevertheless, the role played by an OPTN E50K mutation in the pathogenic mitochondrial mechanism that underlies retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration in POAG remains unknown. We show here that E50K expression induces mitochondrial fission-mediated mitochondrial degradation and mitophagy in the axons of the glial lamina of aged E50K−tg mice in vivo. While E50K activates the Bax pathway and oxidative stress, and triggers dynamics alteration-mediated mitochondrial degradation and mitophagy in RGC somas in vitro, it does not affect transport dynamics and fission of mitochondria in RGC axons in vitro. These results strongly suggest that E50K is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in RGC degeneration in synergy with environmental factors such as aging and/or oxidative stress.
Current driven spin–orbit torque oscillator: ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling
Authors: Johansen Øyvind , Linder Jacob
Published: September 2016

We consider theoretically the impact of Rashba spin–orbit coupling on spin torque oscillators (STOs) in synthetic ferromagnets and antiferromagnets that have either a bulk multilayer or a thin film structure. The synthetic magnets consist of a fixed polarizing layer and two free magnetic layers that interact through the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction. We determine analytically which collinear states along the easy axis that are stable and establish numerically the phase diagram for when the system is in the STO mode and when collinear configurations are stable, respectively. It is found that the Rashba spin–orbit coupling can induce anti-damping in the vicinity of the collinear states, which assists the spin transfer torque in generating self-sustained oscillations and that it can substantially increase the STO part of the phase diagram. Moreover, we find that the STO phase can extend deep into the antiferromagnetic regime in the presence of spin–orbit torques.
A shape tailored gold-conductive polymer nanocomposite as a transparent electrode with extraordinary insensitivity to volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Authors: Khalil Rania , Homaeigohar Shahin , Häußler Dietrich , Elbahri Mady
Published: September 2016

In this study, the transparent conducting polymer of poly (3,4-ethylenendioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was nanohybridized via inclusion of gold nanofillers including nanospheres (NSs) and nanorods (NRs). Such nanocomposite thin films offer not only more optimum conductivity than the pristine polymer but also excellent resistivity against volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Interestingly, such amazing properties are achieved in the diluted regimes of the nanofillers and depend on the characteristics of the interfacial region of the polymer and nanofillers, i.e. the aspect ratio of the latter component. Accordingly, a shape dependent response is made that is more desirable in case of using the Au nanorods with a much larger aspect ratio than their nanosphere counterparts. This transparent nanocomposite thin film with an optimized conductivity and very low sensitivity to organic gases is undoubtedly a promising candidate material for the touch screen panel production industry. Considering PEDOT as a known material for integrated electrodes in energy saving applications, we believe that our strategy might be an important progress in the field.
Dysregulated JAK2 expression by TrkC promotes metastasis potential, and EMT program of metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Kim Min Soo , Jeong Joon , Seo Jeongbeob , Kim Hae-Suk , Kim Seong-Jin , Jin Wook
Published: September 2016

Metastatic breast cancers are aggressive tumors associated with high levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, activation of IL6/JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways for cell growth, mobility, invasion, metastasis, and CSC status. We identified a new molecular and functional network present in metastasis that regulates and coordinates with TrkC. Inhibition of SOCS3-mediated JAK2 degradation by TrkC increases total JAK2/STAT3 expression, and then leads to upregulation of Twist-1 through activation of JAK2/STAT3 cascade. Also, TrkC increases secretion and expression of IL-6, suggesting that this autocrine loop generated by TrkC maintains the mesenchymal state by continued activation of the JAK2/STAT3 cascade and upregulation of Twist expression. Moreover, TrkC interacts with the c-Src/Jak2 complex, which increases Twist-1 and Twist-2 levels via regulation of JAK2/STAT3 activation and JAK2/STAT3 expression. Furthermore, TrkC enhances metastatic potential of breast cancer via induction of EMT by upregulating Twist-1 and Twist-2. Additionally, TrkC significantly enhances the ability of breast cancer cells to form pulmonary metastases and primary tumor formation. Unexpectedly, we found that TrkC expression and clinical breast tumor pathological phenotypes show significant correlation. These findings suggest that TrkC plays a central role in tumorigenicity, metastasis, and self-renewal traits of metastatic breast cancer.
Comparing nodal versus bony metastatic spread using tumour phylogenies
Authors: Mangiola Stefano , Hong Matthew K. H. , Cmero Marek , Kurganovs Natalie , Ryan Andrew , Costello Anthony J. , Corcoran Niall M. , Macintyre Geoff , Hovens Christopher M.
Published: September 2016

The role of lymph node metastases in distant prostate cancer dissemination and lethality is ill defined. Patients with metastases restricted to lymph nodes have a better prognosis than those with distant metastatic spread, suggesting the possibility of distinct aetiologies. To explore this, we traced patterns of cancer dissemination using tumour phylogenies inferred from genome-wide copy-number profiling of 48 samples across 3 patients with lymph node metastatic disease and 3 patients with osseous metastatic disease. Our results show that metastatic cells in regional lymph nodes originate from evolutionary advanced extraprostatic tumour cells rather than less advanced central tumour cell populations. In contrast, osseous metastases do not exhibit such a constrained developmental lineage, arising from either intra or extraprostatic tumour cell populations, at early and late stages in the evolution of the primary. Collectively, this comparison suggests that lymph node metastases may not be an intermediate developmental step for distant osseous metastases, but rather represent a distinct metastatic lineage.
SmedOB1 is Required for Planarian Homeostasis and Regeneration
Authors: Yin Shanshan , Huang Yan , Zhangfang Yingnan , Zhong Xiaoqin , Li Pengqing , Huang Junjiu , Liu Dan , Songyang Zhou
Published: September 2016

The planarian flatworm is an emerging model that is useful for studying homeostasis and regeneration due to its unique adult stem cells (ASCs). Previously, planaria were found to share mammalian TTAGGG chromosome ends and telomerases; however, their telomere protection proteins have not yet been identified. In Schmidtea mediterranea, we identified a homologue of the human protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) with an OB-fold (SmedOB1). SmedOB1 is evolutionarily conserved among species and is ubiquitously expressed throughout the whole body. Feeding with SmedOB1 double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) led to homeostasis abnormalities in the head and pharynx. Furthermore, several ASC progeny markers were downregulated and regeneration was impaired. Here we found that SmedOB1 is required for telomeric DNA-protein complex formation and it associates with the telomere TTAGGG sequence in vitro. Moreover, DNA damage and apoptosis signals in planarian were significantly affected by SmedOB1 RNAi. We also confirmed these phenotypes in Dugesia japonica, another flatworm species. Our work identified a novel telomere-associated protein SmedOB1 in planarian, which is required for planarian homeostasis and regeneration. The phylogenetic and functional conservations of SmedOB1 provide one mechanism by which planarians maintain telomere and genome stability to ensure their immortality and shed light on the regeneration medicine of humans.
The origin of neutron biological effectiveness as a function of energy
Authors: Baiocco G. , Barbieri S. , Babini G. , Morini J. , Alloni D. , Friedland W. , Kundrát P. , Schmitt E. , Puchalska M. , Sihver L. , Ottolenghi A.
Published: September 2016

The understanding of the impact of radiation quality in early and late responses of biological targets to ionizing radiation exposure necessarily grounds on the results of mechanistic studies starting from physical interactions. This is particularly true when, already at the physical stage, the radiation field is mixed, as it is the case for neutron exposure. Neutron Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) is energy dependent, maximal for energies ~1 MeV, varying significantly among different experiments. The aim of this work is to shed light on neutron biological effectiveness as a function of field characteristics, with a comprehensive modeling approach: this brings together transport calculations of neutrons through matter (with the code PHITS) and the predictive power of the biophysical track structure code PARTRAC in terms of DNA damage evaluation. Two different energy dependent neutron RBE models are proposed: the first is phenomenological and based only on the characterization of linear energy transfer on a microscopic scale; the second is purely ab-initio and based on the induction of complex DNA damage. Results for the two models are compared and found in good qualitative agreement with current standards for radiation protection factors, which are agreed upon on the basis of RBE data.
Direct quantitative analysis of cocaine by thin layer chromatography plus a mobile phone and multivariate calibration: a cost-effective and rapid method
Authors: Tosato Flávia , Rosa Thalles R. , Morais Camilo L. M. , Maldaner Adriano O. , Ortiz Rafael S. , Filgueiras Paulo R. , Gomes Lima Kássio M. , Romão Wanderson
Published: September 2016

The detection and quantification of trace amounts of illicit substances such as crack-cocaine continues to be important for law enforcement and clinical medicine.
Liquid–liquid extraction of enzymatically synthesized functional RNA oligonucleotides using reverse micelles with a DNA-surfactant
Authors: Maruyama Tatsuo , Ishizu Naoki , Eguchi Yuka , Hosogi Takuya , Goto Masahiro
Published: September 2016

We successfully implemented solvent extraction of short, single-stranded RNA using reverse micelles (water-in-oil microemulsions) with a DNA-surfactant.
A heteropentanuclear metal string complex [Mo2NiMo2(tpda)4(NCS)2] with two linearly aligned quadruply bonded Mo2 units connected by a Ni ion and a meso configuration of the complex
Authors: Hung Wei-Chieh , Sigrist Marc , Hua Shao-An , Wu Lai-Chin , Liu Tsai-Jung , Jin Bih-Yaw , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Peng Shie-Ming
Published: September 2016

This communication describes the meso structure of a heterometallic metal string complex with a high spin Ni(ii) ion.
Extraordinary stability of hemocyanins from L. polyphemus and E. californicum studied using infrared spectroscopy from 294 to 20 K
Authors: Khalil Mireille , Boubegtiten-Fezoua Zahia , Hellmann Nadja , Hellwig Petra
Published: September 2016

Infrared spectroscopic evidence of a high stability towards exposure to sub-zero temperatures for hemocyanins from the arthropods Limulus polyphemus and Eurypelma californicum.
An unusual deprotonation trend in 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)pyridoimidazoles
Authors: Sahu Saugata , Dutta Sanjay , Krishnamoorthy G.
Published: September 2016

Different trend is observed in the anion sensitivity and the deprotonation nature of the nitrogenous analogues of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI) in a polar aprotic medium.