bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining thresholds of sustainable impact on benthic communities in relation to fishing disturbance
Authors: Lambert G. I. , Murray L. G. , Hiddink J. G. , Hinz H. , Lincoln H. , Hold N. , Cambiè G. , Kaiser M. J.
Published: July 2017

While the direct physical impact on seabed biota is well understood, no studies have defined thresholds to inform an ecosystem-based approach to managing fishing impacts. We addressed this knowledge gap using a large-scale experiment that created a controlled gradient of fishing intensity and assessed the immediate impacts and short-term recovery. We observed a mosaic of taxon-specific responses at various thresholds. The lowest threshold of significant lasting impact occurred between 1 and 3 times fished and elicited a decrease in abundance of 39 to 70% for some sessile epifaunal organisms (cnidarians, bryozoans). This contrasted with significant increases in abundance and/or biomass of scavenging species (epifaunal echinoderms, infaunal crustaceans) by two to four-fold in areas fished twice and more. In spite of these significant specific responses, the benthic community structure, biomass and abundance at the population level appeared resilient to fishing. Overall, natural temporal variation in community metrics exceeded the effects of fishing in this highly dynamic study site, suggesting that an acute level of disturbance (fished over six times) would match the level of natural variation. We discuss the implications of our findings for natural resources management with respect to context-specific human disturbance and provide guidance for best fishing practices.
Brain specific Lamellipodin knockout results in hyperactivity and increased anxiety of mice
Authors: Bodo Cristian , Fernandes Cathy , Krause Matthias
Published: July 2017

Lamellipodin (Lpd) functions as an important signalling integrator downstream of growth factor and axon guidance receptors. Mechanistically, Lpd promotes actin polymerization by interacting with F-actin and the actin effectors Ena/VASP proteins and the SCAR/WAVE complex. Thereby, Lpd supports lamellipodia protrusion, cell migration and endocytosis. In the mammalian central nervous system, Lpd contributes to neuronal morphogenesis, neuronal migration during development and its C. elegans orthologue MIG-10 also supports synaptogenesis. However, the consequences of loss of Lpd in the CNS on behaviour are unknown. In our current study, we crossed our Lpd conditional knockout mice with a mouse line expressing Cre under the CNS specific Nestin promoter to restrict the genetic ablation of Lpd to the central nervous system. Detailed behavioural analysis of the resulting Nestin-Cre-Lpd knockout mouse line revealed a specific behavioural phenotype characterised by hyperactivity and increased anxiety.
Inflammatory pain control by blocking oxidized phospholipid-mediated TRP channel activation
Authors: Oehler Beatrice , Kistner Katrin , Martin Corinna , Schiller Jürgen , Mayer Rafaela , Mohammadi Milad , Sauer Reine-Solange , Filipovic Milos R. , Nieto Francisco R. , Kloka Jan , Pflücke Diana , Hill Kerstin , Schaefer Michael , Malcangio Marzia , Reeh Peter W. , Brack Alexander , Blum Robert , Rittner Heike L.
Published: July 2017

Phospholipids occurring in cell membranes and lipoproteins are converted into oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) by oxidative stress promoting atherosclerotic plaque formation. Here, OxPL were characterized as novel targets in acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OxPAPC) and its derivatives were identified in inflamed tissue by mass spectrometry and binding assays. They elicited calcium influx, hyperalgesia and induced pro-nociceptive peptide release. Genetic, pharmacological and mass spectrometric evidence in vivo as well as in vitro confirmed the role of transient receptor potential channels (TRPA1 and TRPV1) as OxPAPC targets. Treatment with the monoclonal antibody E06 or with apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide D-4F, capturing OxPAPC in atherosclerosis, prevented inflammatory hyperalgesia, and in vitro TRPA1 activation. Administration of D-4F or E06 to rats profoundly ameliorated mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis. These data reveal a clinically relevant role for OxPAPC in inflammation offering therapy for acute and chronic inflammatory pain treatment by scavenging OxPAPC.
Effects of dietary supplementation with two alternatives to antibiotics on intestinal microbiota of preweaned calves challenged with Escherichia coli K99
Authors: Bi Yanliang , Yang Chuntao , Diao Qiyu , Tu Yan
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with two alternatives to antibiotics (Candida tropicalis and mulberry leaf flavonoids) on intestinal microbiota of preweaned calves challenged with Escherichia coli K99. Sixty Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 5 treatments: fed a basal diet (N-CON); fed a basal diet and challenged with E.coli K99 (P-CON); fed a basal diet supplemented with C.tropicalis (CT), mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLF), and the combination of the two additives (CM), respectively, and challenged with E.coli K99. The MLF and CM groups had significantly higher average daily grain and feed efficiency, and significantly lower fecal scores compared with the P-CON group after E. coli K99 challenge. The supplementation groups increased the relative abundance, at the phylum level, of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, whereas at the genus level, they increased the relative abundance of Prevotella, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus. Quantitative PCR revealed that the CT, MLF, and CM groups had significantly lower copy numbers of E.coli K99 compared with the P-CON group. The CT, MLF, and CM treatments reduce days of diarrhea, improve intestinal health, and beneficially manipulate the intestinal microbiota in preweaned calves.
Defying Dissolution: Discovery of Deep-Sea Scleractinian Coral Reefs in the North Pacific
Authors: Baco Amy R. , Morgan Nicole , Roark E. Brendan , Silva Mauricio , Shamberger Kathryn E. F. , Miller Kelci
Published: July 2017

Deep-sea scleractinian coral reefs are protected ecologically and biologically significant areas that support global fisheries. The absence of observations of deep-sea scleractinian reefs in the Central and Northeast Pacific, combined with the shallow aragonite saturation horizon (ASH) and high carbonate dissolution rates there, fueled the hypothesis that reef formation in the North Pacific was improbable. Despite this, we report the discovery of live scleractinian reefs on six seamounts of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Emperor Seamount Chain at depths of 535–732 m and aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) values of 0.71–1.33. Although the ASH becomes deeper moving northwest along the chains, the depth distribution of the reefs becomes shallower, suggesting the ASH is having little influence on their distribution. Higher chlorophyll moving to the northwest may partially explain the geographic distribution of the reefs. Principle Components Analysis suggests that currents are also an important factor in their distribution, but neither chlorophyll nor the available current data can explain the unexpected depth distribution. Further environmental data is needed to elucidate the reason for the distribution of these reefs. The discovery of reef-forming scleractinians in this region is of concern because a number of the sites occur on seamounts with active trawl fisheries.
Stability of buried carbon in deep-ploughed forest and cropland soils - implications for carbon stocks
Authors: Alcántara Viridiana , Don Axel , Vesterdal Lars , Well Reinhard , Nieder Rolf
Published: July 2017

Accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) may play a key role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In particular, subsoil provides a great potential for additional SOC storage due to the assumed higher stability of subsoil SOC. The fastest way in which SOC reaches the subsoil is via burial, e.g. via erosion or deep ploughing. We assessed the effect of active SOC burial through deep ploughing on long-term SOC stocks and stability in forest and cropland subsoil. After 25–48 years, deep-ploughed subsoil contained significantly more SOC than reference subsoils, in both forest soil (+48%) and cropland (+67%). However, total SOC stocks down to 100 cm in deep-ploughed soil were greater than in reference soil only in cropland, and not in forests. This was explained by slower SOC accumulation in topsoil of deep-ploughed forest soils. Buried SOC was on average 32% more stable than reference SOC, as revealed by long-term incubation. Moreover, buried subsoil SOC had higher apparent radiocarbon ages indicating that it is largely isolated from exchange with atmospheric CO2. We concluded that deep ploughing increased subsoil SOC storage and that the higher subsoil SOC stability is not only a result of selective preservation of more stable SOC fractions.
Gene-wide Association Study Reveals RNF122 Ubiquitin Ligase as a Novel Susceptibility Gene for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Garcia-Martínez Iris , Sánchez-Mora Cristina , Soler Artigas María , Rovira Paula , Pagerols Mireia , Corrales Montse , Calvo-Sánchez Eva , Richarte Vanesa , Bustamante Mariona , Sunyer Jordi , Cormand Bru , Casas Miquel , Ramos-Quiroga Josep Antoni , Ribasés Marta
Published: July 2017

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition characterized by pervasive impairment of attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that can persist into adulthood. The aetiology of ADHD is complex and multifactorial and, despite the wealth of evidence for its high heritability, genetic studies have provided modest evidence for the involvement of specific genes and have failed to identify consistent and replicable results. Due to the lack of robust findings, we performed gene-wide and pathway enrichment analyses using pre-existing GWAS data from 607 persistent ADHD subjects and 584 controls, produced by our group. Subsequently, expression profiles of genes surpassing a follow-up threshold of P-value < 1e-03 in the gene-wide analyses were tested in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) of 45 medication-naive adults with ADHD and 39 healthy unrelated controls. We found preliminary evidence for genetic association betweenRNF122and ADHD and for its overexpression in adults with ADHD.RNF122encodes for an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the proteasome-mediated processing, trafficking, and degradation of proteins that acts as an essential mediator of the substrate specificity of ubiquitin ligation. Thus, our findings support previous data that place the ubiquitin-proteasome system as a promising candidate for its involvement in the aetiology of ADHD.
Lattice Thermal Conductivity of MgSiO3 Perovskite from First Principles
Authors: Ghaderi Nahid , Zhang Dong-Bo , Zhang Huai , Xian Jiawei , Wentzcovitch Renata M. , Sun Tao
Published: July 2017

We investigate lattice thermal conductivity κ of MgSiO3 perovskite (pv) by ab initio lattice dynamics calculations combined with exact solution of linearized phonon Boltzmann equation. At room temperature, κ of pristine MgSiO3 pv is found to be 10.7 W/(m · K) at 0 GPa. It increases linearly with pressure and reaches 59.2 W/(m · K) at 100 GPa. These values are close to multi-anvil press measurements whereas about twice as large as those from diamond anvil cell experiments. The increase of k with pressure is attributed to the squeeze of weighted phase-spaces phonons get emitted or absorbed. Moreover, we find κ exhibits noticeable anisotropy, with κ
zz
being the largest component and $$({{\boldsymbol{\kappa }}}_{{\rm{\max }}}-{{\boldsymbol{\kappa }}}_{{\rm{\min }}})/\bar{{\boldsymbol{\kappa }}}$$
(

κ

max

−

κ

min

)
/

κ

¯

being about 25%. Such extent of anisotropy is comparable to those of upper mantle minerals such as olivine and enstatite. By analyzing phonon mean free paths and lifetimes, we further show that the weak temperature dependence of κ observed in experiments should not be caused by phonons reaching ‘minimum’ mean free paths. These results clarify the microscopic mechanism of thermal transport in MgSiO3 pv, and provide reference data for understanding heat conduction in the Earth’s deep interior.
Dramatic increases in blood glutamate concentrations are closely related to traumatic brain injury-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Bai Wei , Zhu Wan-Li , Ning Ya-Lei , Li Ping , Zhao Yan , Yang Nan , Chen Xing , Jiang Yu-Lin , Yang Wen-Qun , Jiang Dong-Po , Chen Li-Yong , Zhou Yuan-Guo
Published: July 2017

Traumatic brain injury-induced acute lung injury (TBI-ALI) is a serious complication after brain injury for which predictive factors are lacking. In this study, we found significantly elevated blood glutamate concentrations in patients with TBI or multiple peripheral trauma (MPT), and patients with more severe injuries showed higher blood glutamate concentrations and longer durations of elevated levels. Although the increase in amplitude was similar between the two groups, the duration was longer in the patients with TBI. There were no significant differences in blood glutamate concentrations in the patients with MPT with regard to ALI status, but the blood glutamate levels were significantly higher in the patients with TBI-ALI than in those without ALI. Moreover, compared to patients without ALI, patients with TBI showed a clearly enhanced inflammatory response that was closely correlated with the blood glutamate levels. The blood glutamate concentration was also found to be a risk factor (adjusted odds ratio, 2.229; 95% CI, 1.082–2.634) and was a better predictor of TBI-ALI than the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. These results indicated that dramatically increased blood glutamate concentrations were closely related to the occurrence of TBI-ALI and could be used as a predictive marker for “at-risk” patients.
Primary surface rupture of the 1950 Tibet-Assam great earthquake along the eastern Himalayan front, India
Authors: Priyanka Rao Singh , Jayangondaperumal R. , Pandey Arjun , Mishra Rajeeb Lochan , Singh Ishwar , Bhushan Ravi , Srivastava Pradeep , Ramachandran S. , Shah Chinmay , Kedia Sumita , Sharma Arun Kumar , Bhat Gulam Rasool
Published: July 2017

The pattern of strain accumulation and its release during earthquakes along the eastern Himalayan syntaxis is unclear due to its structural complexity and lack of primary surface signatures associated with large-to-great earthquakes. This led to a consensus that these earthquakes occurred on blind faults. Toward understanding this issue, palaeoseismic trenching was conducted across a ~3.1 m high fault scarp preserved along the mountain front at Pasighat (95.33°E, 28.07°N). Multi-proxy radiometric dating employed to the stratigraphic units and detrital charcoals obtained from the trench exposures provide chronological constraint on the discovered palaeoearthquake surface rupture clearly suggesting that the 15th August, 1950 Tibet-Assam earthquake (Mw ~ 8.6) did break the eastern Himalayan front producing a co-seismic slip of 5.5 ± 0.7 meters. This study corroborates the first instance in using post-bomb radiogenic isotopes to help identify an earthquake rupture.
Wider geographic distribution and higher diversity of hexaploids than tetraploids in Carassius species complex reveal recurrent polyploidy effects on adaptive evolution
Authors: Liu Xiao-Li , Jiang Fang-Fang , Wang Zhong-Wei , Li Xi-Yin , Li Zhi , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Chen Fan , Mao Jian-Feng , Zhou Li , Gui Jian-Fang
Published: July 2017

Polyploidy roles on adaptive evolution and ecological novelty have been extensively studied in plants but remained unclear in vertebrates owing to the rare polyploidy incidences. Here, a huge number of 3105 specimens in Carassius species complex including 2211 hexaploids and 894 tetraploids were sampled from 34 locations through mainland China. And hexaploids had wider geographic distribution than tetraploids especially in the areas with high altitude, high latitude and low annual precipitation. Then, an approximate 1050 bp transferrin (tf) fragments were amplified from all the samples, and 526 tf alleles were identified from a total of 37260 sequences at last. Intriguingly, higher nucleotide diversity of tf alleles in hexaploids than in tetraploids was revealed. Moreover, via phylogenetic analysis of tf alleles, potential origin center of Carassius species complex was deduced to be Yangtze River basin and hexaploids should undergo multiple independent polyploidy origins from sympatric tetraploids. These findings indicate that the hexaploids might possess stronger environmental adaptation and ecological novelty than the tetraploids, which provide an association paradigm of recurrent polyploidy and ecological context in polyploid vertebrates.
TKI-addicted ROS1-rearranged cells are destined to survival or death by the intensity of ROS1 kinase activity
Authors: Ogura Hayato , Nagatake-Kobayashi Yuka , Adachi Jun , Tomonaga Takeshi , Fujita Naoya , Katayama Ryohei
Published: July 2017

ROS1 rearrangement is observed in 1–2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) crizotinib has induced marked tumour shrinkage in ROS1-rearranged cancers. However, emergence of acquired resistance to TKI is inevitable within a few years. Previous findings indicate that cabozantinib overcomes secondary mutation–mediated crizotinib-resistance in ROS1-fusion-positive cells. Here we attempted to establish cabozantinib-resistant cells by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screening using CD74-ROS1–expressing Ba/F3 cells. Two resistant cell lines with CD74-ROS1 F2004V or F2075C mutations, which are homologous to ALK F1174 or F1245 mutations, survived in the presence of a low dose of ROS1-TKI. Removal of ROS1-TKI from these TKI-addicted cells induced excessive activation of ROS1 tyrosine kinase followed by apoptosis. We succeeded in recapturing the TKI-addicted phenotype using doxycycline-inducible CD74-ROS1 mutant over-expression in Ba/F3 cells, suggesting that excessive ROS1 oncogenic signaling itself induced apoptosis instead of cell growth. Phosphoproteomic analysis and high-throughput inhibitor screening revealed that excessive ROS1 signaling in the TKI-addicted cells phosphorylated or activated apoptosis-related molecules such as FAF1 or p38. Collectively, our findings partly clarify molecular mechanisms of excessive ROS1 oncogenic signaling that mediates paradoxical induction of apoptosis.
Tracing the Vedic Saraswati River in the Great Rann of Kachchh
Authors: Khonde Nitesh , Singh Sunil Kumar , Maurya D. M. , Rai Vinai K. , Chamyal L. S. , Giosan Liviu
Published: July 2017

The lost Saraswati River mentioned in the ancient Indian tradition is postulated to have flown independently of the Indus River into the Arabian Sea, perhaps along courses of now defunct rivers such as Ghaggar, Hakra and Nara. The persistence of such a river during the Harappan Bronze Age and the Iron Age Vedic period is strongly debated. We drilled in the Great Rann of Kachchh (Kutch), an infilled gulf of the Arabian Sea, which must have received input from the Saraswati, if active. Nd and Sr isotopic measurements suggest that a distinct source may have been present before 10 ka. Later in Holocene, under a drying climate, sediments from the Thar Desert probably choked the signature of an independent Saraswati-like river. Alternatively, without excluding a Saraswati-like secondary source, the Indus and the Thar were the dominant sources throughout the post-glacial history of the GRK. Indus-derived sediment accelerated the infilling of GRK after ~6 ka when the Indus delta started to grow. Until its complete infilling few centuries ago, freshwater input from the Indus, and perhaps from the Ghaggar-Hakra-Nara, probably sustained a productive marine environment as well as navigability toward old coastal Harappan and historic towns in the region.
The LRRK2 G2385R variant is a partial loss-of-function mutation that affects synaptic vesicle trafficking through altered protein interactions
Authors: Carrion Maria Dolores Perez , Marsicano Silvia , Daniele Federica , Marte Antonella , Pischedda Francesca , Di Cairano Eliana , Piovesana Ester , von Zweydorf Felix , Kremmer Elisabeth , Gloeckner Christian Johannes , Onofri Franco , Perego Carla , Piccoli Giovanni
Published: July 2017

Mutations in the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are associated with familial Parkinson’s disease (PD). LRRK2 protein contains several functional domains, including protein-protein interaction domains at its N- and C-termini. In this study, we analyzed the functional features attributed to LRRK2 by its N- and C-terminal domains. We combined TIRF microscopy and synaptopHluorin assay to visualize synaptic vesicle trafficking. We found that N- and C-terminal domains have opposite impact on synaptic vesicle dynamics. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that different proteins are bound at the two extremities, namely β3-Cav2.1 at N-terminus part and β-Actin and Synapsin I at C-terminus domain. A sequence variant (G2385R) harboured within the C-terminal WD40 domain increases the risk for PD. Complementary biochemical and imaging approaches revealed that the G2385R variant alters strength and quality of LRRK2 interactions and increases fusion of synaptic vesicles. Our data suggest that the G2385R variant behaves like a loss-of-function mutation that mimics activity-driven events. Impaired scaffolding capabilities of mutant LRRK2 resulting in perturbed vesicular trafficking may arise as a common pathophysiological denominator through which different LRRK2 pathological mutations cause disease.
Naja sputatrix Venom Preconditioning Attenuates Neuroinflammation in a Rat Model of Surgical Brain Injury via PLA2/5-LOX/LTB4 Cascade Activation
Authors: Wang Yuechun , Sherchan Prativa , Huang Lei , Akyol Onat , McBride Devin W. , Zhang John H.
Published: July 2017

Inflammatory preconditioning is a mechanism in which exposure to small doses of inflammatory stimuli prepares the body against future massive insult by activating endogenous protective responses. Phospholipase A2/5-lipoxygenase/leukotriene-B4 (PLA2/5-LOX/LTB4) axis is an important inflammatory signaling pathway. Naja sputatrix (Malayan spitting cobra) venom contains 15% secretory PLA2 of its dry weight. We investigated if Naja sputatrix venom preconditioning (VPC) reduces surgical brain injury (SBI)-induced neuroinflammation via activating PLA2/5-LOX/LTB4 cascade using a partial frontal lobe resection SBI rat model. Naja sputatrix venom sublethal dose was injected subcutaneously for 3 consecutive days prior to SBI. We observed that VPC reduced brain edema and improved neurological function 24 h and 72 h after SBI. The expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in peri-resection brain tissue was reduced with VPC. Administration of Manoalide, a PLA2 inhibitor or Zileuton, a 5-LOX inhibitor with VPC reversed the protective effects of VPC against neuroinflammation. The current VPC regime induced local skin inflammatory reaction limited to subcutaneous injection site and elicited no other toxic effects. Our findings suggest that VPC reduces neuroinflammation and improves outcomes after SBI by activating PLA2/5-LOX/LTB4 cascade. VPC may be beneficial to reduce post-operative neuroinflammatory complications after brain surgeries.
Evaluation and diagnostic potential of circulating extracellular vesicle-associated microRNAs in adrenocortical tumors
Authors: Perge Pál , Butz Henriett , Pezzani Raffaele , Bancos Irina , Nagy Zoltán , Pálóczi Krisztina , Nyírő Gábor , Decmann Ábel , Pap Erna , Luconi Michaela , Mannelli Massimo , Buzás Edit I. , Tóth Miklós , Boscaro Marco , Patócs Attila , Igaz Peter
Published: July 2017

There is no available blood marker for the preoperative diagnosis of adrenocortical malignancy. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of extracellular vesicle-associated microRNAs and their diagnostic potential in plasma samples of patients suffering from adrenocortical tumors. Extracellular vesicles were isolated either by using Total Exosome Isolation Kit or by differential centrifugation/ultracentrifugation. Preoperative plasma extracellular vesicle samples of 6 adrenocortical adenomas (ACA) and 6 histologically verified adrenocortical cancer (ACC) were first screened by Taqman Human Microarray A-cards. Based on the results of screening, two miRNAs were selected and validated by targeted quantitative real-time PCR. The validation cohort included 18 ACAs and 16 ACCs. Beside RNA analysis, extracellular vesicle preparations were also assessed by transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and dynamic light scattering. Significant overexpression of hsa-miR-101 and hsa-miR-483-5p in ACC relative to ACA samples has been validated. Receiver operator characteristics of data revealed dCT
hsa-miR-483-5p
normalized to cel-miR-39 to have the highest diagnostic accuracy (area under curve 0.965), the sensitivity and the specifity were 87.5 and 94.44, respectively. Extracellular vesicle-associated hsa-miR-483-5p thus appears to be a promising minimally invasive biomarker in the preoperative diagnosis of ACC but needs further validation in larger cohorts of patients.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults with liver function injury in rural area of Southwest China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Hui , Lin Hui , Liu Wenyi , Wang Jia , Wang Lingqiao , Zheng Chuanfen , Tan Yao , Huang Yujing , He Lixiong , Luo Jiaohua , Pu Chaowen , Zhang Renping , Yang Xiaohong , Tian Yingqiao , Qiu Zhiqun , Chen Ji-an , Luo Yang , Feng Xiaobin , Xiao Guosheng , Wu Liping , Shu Weiqun
Published: July 2017

Abnormal liver function (ALF) plays a key role in metabolic syndrome (MetS), but only few data on the relationship between MetS and the risk factors for ALF (e.g., biotoxins) are available. We aimed to provide the prevalence of MetS and its association with the risk factors for ALF in rural area of Southwest China. A cross-sectional study within the hepatocellular carcinoma cohort was conducted, and included 5493 people with age from 30 to 85 years old. MetS was defined according to the Joint Scientific Statement. We observed that the prevalence of MetS was 31.8% (39.0% in women and 19.8% in men). Logistic regression analysis showed that significantly increased risk of MetS was found in those showing ALF (OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 2.43–3.71). Significantly decreased risk of MetS was found in those with higher HBV DNA titers (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.33–0.74), and in those with higher aflatoxin B1 exposure (estimated daily intake, EDI) (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.53–0.67). No significant change was found in those with higher microcystin-LR exposure (EDI). Therefore, the different risk factors for ALF might exert different effects on MetS. However, there should be an interaction effect existing that might decide the severity of MetS.
The Resilience of Life to Astrophysical Events
Authors: Sloan David , Alves Batista Rafael , Loeb Abraham
Published: July 2017

Much attention has been given in the literature to the effects of astrophysical events on human and land-based life. However, little has been discussed on the resilience of life itself. Here we instead explore the statistics of events that completely sterilise an Earth-like planet with planet radii in the range 0.5–1.5R⊕ and temperatures of ∼300 K, eradicating all forms of life. We consider the relative likelihood of complete global sterilisation events from three astrophysical sources – supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, large asteroid impacts, and passing-by stars. To assess such probabilities we consider what cataclysmic event could lead to the annihilation of not just human life, but also extremophiles, through the boiling of all water in Earth’s oceans. Surprisingly we find that although human life is somewhat fragile to nearby events, the resilience of Ecdysozoa such as Milnesium tardigradum renders global sterilisation an unlikely event.
Latitudinal cline of chronotype
Authors: Leocadio-Miguel Mario André , Louzada Fernando Mazzili , Duarte Leandro Lourenção , Areas Roberta Peixoto , Alam Marilene , Freire Marcelo Ventura , Fontenele-Araujo John , Menna-Barreto Luiz , Pedrazzoli Mario
Published: July 2017

The rotation of the Earth around its own axis and around the sun determines the characteristics of the light/dark cycle, the most stable and ancient 24 h temporal cue for all organisms. Due to the tilt in the earth’s axis in relation to the plane of the earth’s orbit around the sun, sunlight reaches the Earth differentially depending on the latitude. The timing of circadian rhythms varies among individuals of a given population and biological and environmental factors underlie this variability. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that latitude is associated to the regulation of circadian rhythm in humans. We have studied chronotype profiles across latitudinal cline from around 0° to 32° South in Brazil in a sample of 12,884 volunteers living in the same time zone. The analysis of the results revealed that humans are sensitive to the different sunlight signals tied to differences in latitude, resulting in a morning to evening latitudinal cline of chronotypes towards higher latitudes.
The essential role of TAp73 in bortezomib-induced apoptosis in p53-deficient colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Dabiri Yasamin , Kalman Sara , Gürth Clara-Marie , Kim Jee Young , Mayer Viola , Cheng Xinlai
Published: July 2017

Mutations in the tumor suppressor p53 are among the most highly occurring events in colorectal cancer (CRC). Such mutations have been shown to influence the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. However their impact on the efficacy of the proteasomal inhibitor bortezomib remains controversial. We thus re-evaluated the toxicity of bortezomib in the CRC cell lines HCT116 wt (wild-type) and its p53−/− clone. Transient resistance to bortezomib treatment was observed in p53-null cells that was later accompanied by an increase in levels and nuclear translocation of TAp73, an isoform of the p53-homologue p73, as well as induction of apoptosis. Knockdown of p73 in p53−/− cells using CRISPR/Cas9 significantly prolonged the duration of resistance. Moreover, similar results were observed in HT-29 cells carrying mutated p53, but not human fibroblasts with expression of functional p53. Thus, our results clearly demonstrated that TAp73 served as a substitute for p53 in bortezomib-induced apoptosis in p53-deficient or mutated cells, implicating that TAp73 could be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of CRCs, in particular those lacking functional p53.
Conformational Transitions of the Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Receptor, a Human Class B GPCR
Authors: Liao Chenyi , Zhao Xiaochuan , Brewer Matthias , May Victor , Li Jianing
Published: July 2017

The G protein-coupled pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (PAC1R) is a potential therapeutic target for endocrine, metabolic and stress-related disorders. However, many questions regarding the protein structure and dynamics of PAC1R remain largely unanswered. Using microsecond-long simulations, we examined the open and closed PAC1R conformations interconnected within an ensemble of transitional states. The open-to-closed transition can be initiated by “unzipping” the extracellular domain and the transmembrane domain, mediated by a unique segment within the β3-β4 loop. Transitions between different conformational states range between microseconds to milliseconds, which clearly implicate allosteric effects propagating from the extracellular face of the receptor to the intracellular G protein-binding site. Such allosteric dynamics provides structural and mechanistic insights for the activation and modulation of PAC1R and related class B receptors.
Microplastics in eviscerated flesh and excised organs of dried fish
Authors: Karami Ali , Golieskardi Abolfazl , Ho Yu Bin , Larat Vincent , Salamatinia Babak
Published: July 2017

There is a paucity of information about the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in edible fish tissues. Here, we investigated the potential presence of MPs in the excised organs (viscera and gills) and eviscerated flesh (whole fish excluding the viscera and gills) of four commonly consumed dried fish species (n = 30 per species). The MP chemical composition was then determined using micro-Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Out of 61 isolated particles, 59.0% were plastic polymers, 21.3% were pigment particles, 6.55% were non-plastic items (i.e. cellulose or actinolite), while 13.1% remained unidentified. The level of heavy metals on MPs or pigment particles were below the detection limit. Surprisingly, in two species, the eviscerated flesh contained higher MP loads than the excised organs, which highlights that evisceration does not necessarily eliminate the risk of MP intake by consumers. Future studies are encouraged to quantify anthropogenic particle loads in edible fish tissues.
A facile synthetic strategy for iron, aniline-based non-precious metal catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Authors: Lee Hyunjoon , Kim Min Jeong , Lim Taeho , Sung Yung-Eun , Kim Hyun-Jong , Lee Ho-Nyun , Kwon Oh Joong , Cho Yong-Hun
Published: July 2017

The development of a low cost and highly active alternative to the commercial Pt/C catalysts used in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) requires a facile and environmentally-friendly synthesis process to facilitate large-scale production and provide an effective replacement. Transition metals, in conjunction with nitrogen-doped carbon, are among the most promising substitute catalysts because of their high activity, inexpensive composition, and high carbon monoxide tolerance. We prepared a polyaniline-derived Fe-N-C catalyst for oxygen reduction using a facile one-pot process with no additional reagents. This process was carried out by ultrasonicating a mixture containing an iron precursor, an aniline monomer, and carbon black. The half-wave potential of the synthesized Fe-N-C catalyst for the ORR was only 10 mV less than that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The optimized Fe-N-C catalyst showed outstanding performance in a practical anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), suggesting its potential as an alternative to commercial Pt/C catalysts for the ORR.
Screening of microalgae for integral biogas slurry nutrient removal and biogas upgrading by different microalgae cultivation technology
Authors: Wang Xue , Bao Keting , Cao Weixing , Zhao Yongjun , Hu Chang Wei
Published: July 2017

The microalgae-based technology has been developed to reduce biogas slurry nutrients and upgrade biogas simultaneously. In this work, five microalgal strains named Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, Selenastrum capricornutum, Nitzschia palea, and Anabaena spiroides under mono- and co-cultivation were used for biogas upgrading. Optimum biogas slurry nutrient reduction could be achieved by co-cultivating microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Nitzschia palea) with fungi using the pelletization technology. In addition, the effects of different ratio of mixed LED light wavelengths applying mixed light-emitting diode during algae strains and fungi co-cultivation on CO2 and biogas slurry nutrient removal efficiency were also investigated. The results showed that the COD (chemical oxygen demand), TN (total nitrogen), and TP (total phosphorus) removal efficiency were 85.82 ± 5.37%, 83.31 ± 4.72%, and 84.26 ± 5.58%, respectively at red: blue = 5:5 under the co-cultivation of S. obliquus and fungi. In terms of biogas upgrading, CH4 contents were higher than 90% (v/v) for all strains, except the co-cultivation with S. obliquus and fungi at red: blue = 3:7. The results indicated that co-cultivation of microalgae with fungi under mixed light wavelengths treatments was most successful in nutrient removal from wastewater and biogas upgrading.
Ageing and latent CMV infection impact on maturation, differentiation and exhaustion profiles of T-cell receptor gammadelta T-cells
Authors: Kallemeijn Martine J. , Boots Anne Mieke H. , van der Klift Michèle Y. , Brouwer Elisabeth , Abdulahad Wayel H. , Verhaar Jan A. N. , van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Langerak Anton W.
Published: July 2017

Ageing is a broad cellular process, largely affecting the immune system, especially T-lymphocytes. Additionally to immunosenescence alone, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is thought to have major impacts on T-cell subset composition and exhaustion. These impacts have been studied extensively in TCRαβ+ T-cells, with reduction in naive, increase in effector (memory) subsets and shifts in CD4/CD8-ratios, in conjunction with morbidity and mortality in elderly. Effects of both ageing and CMV on the TCRγδ+ T-cell compartment remain largely elusive. In the current study we investigated Vγ- and Vδ-usage, maturation, differentiation and exhaustion marker profiles of both CD4 and CD8 double-negative (DN) and CD8+TCRγδ+ T-cells in 157 individuals, age range 20–95. We observed a progressive decrease in absolute numbers of total TCRγδ+ T-cells in blood, affecting the predominant Vγ9/Vδ2 population. Aged TCRγδ+ T-cells appeared to shift from naive to more (late-stage) effector phenotypes, which appeared more prominent in case of persistent CMV infections. In addition, we found effects of both ageing and CMV on the absolute counts of exhausted TCRγδ+ T-cells. Collectively, our data show a clear impact of ageing and CMV persistence on DN and CD8+TCRγδ+ T-cells, similar to what has been reported in CD8+TCRαβ+ T-cells, indicating that they undergo similar ageing processes.
Combined deletion and DNA methylation result in silencing of FAM107A gene in laryngeal tumors
Authors: Kiwerska Katarzyna , Szaumkessel Marcin , Paczkowska Julia , Bodnar Magdalena , Byzia Ewa , Kowal Ewelina , Kostrzewska-Poczekaj Magdalena , Janiszewska Joanna , Bednarek Kinga , Jarmuż-Szymczak Małgorzata , Kalinowicz Ewelina , Wierzbicka Małgorzata , Grenman Reidar , Szyfter Krzysztof , Marszałek Andrzej , Giefing Maciej
Published: July 2017

Larynx squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is characterized by complex genotypes, with numerous abnormalities in various genes. Despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment of this disease, 5-year survival rates remain unsatisfactory. Therefore, the extended studies are conducted, with the aim to find genes, potentially implicated in this cancer. In this study, we focus on the FAM107A (3p14.3) gene, since we found its significantly reduced expression in LSCC by microarray profiling (Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 array). By RT-PCR we have confirmed complete FAM107A downregulation in laryngeal cancer cell lines (15/15) and primary tumors (21/21) and this finding was further supported by FAM107A protein immunohistochemistry (15/15). We further demonstrate that a combined two hit mechanism including loss of 3p and hypermethylation of FAM107A promoter region (in 9/15 cell lines (p < 0.0001) and in 15/21 primary tumors (p < 0.0001)) prevails in the gene transcriptional loss. As a proof of principle, we show that Decitabine - a hypomethylating agent – restores FAM107A expression (5 to 6 fold increase) in the UT-SCC-29 cell line, characterized by high DNA methylation. Therefore, we report the recurrent inactivation of FAM107A in LSCC, what may suggest that the gene is a promising tumor suppressor candidate involved in LSCC development.
Spontaneous Emulsification as a Function of Material Exchange
Authors: Spooner Stephen , Li Zushu , Sridhar Seetharaman
Published: July 2017

Direct visualization at 1873 K of 0% to 8% molten FeAl droplets suspended in a SiO2 enriched oxide medium was carried out to image the evolution of droplet morphology during reaction between Al and SiO2. Phenomena such as perturbation growth, necking and budding of offspring droplets from a bulk body are observed. The observations are used to discuss and inform a new approach to the nature of interfacial tension and the impact this has on concepts used to define interfacial tension for a two phase system with material exchange across the interface. The mapping of global interfacial tension coupled with free energy dissipation has been used to give an energetic reasoning as to the behaviour seen with respect to aluminium content in the metal phase.
Suppression of cell migration by phospholipase C-related catalytically inactive protein-dependent modulation of PI3K signalling
Authors: Asano Satoshi , Taniguchi Yuri , Yamawaki Yosuke , Gao Jing , Harada Kae , Takeuchi Hiroshi , Hirata Masato , Kanematsu Takashi
Published: July 2017

The metabolic processes of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] into PI(3,4,5)P3 and the subsequent PI(3,4,5)P3 signalling are involved in cell migration. Dysfunctions in the control of this pathway can cause human cancer cell migration and metastatic growth. Here we investigated whether phospholipase C-related catalytically inactive protein (PRIP), a PI(4,5)P2-binding protein, regulates cancer cell migration. PRIP overexpression in MCF-7 and BT-549 human breast cancer cells inhibited cell migration in vitro and metastasis development in vivo. Overexpression of the PRIP pleckstrin homology domain, a PI(4,5)P2 binding motif, in MCF-7 cells caused significant suppression of cell migration. Consistent with these results, in comparison with wild-type cells, Prip-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibited increased cell migration, and this was significantly attenuated upon transfection with a siRNA targeting p110α, a catalytic subunit of class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks). PI(3,4,5)P3 production was decreased in Prip-overexpressing MCF-7 and BT-549 cells. PI3K binding to PI(4,5)P2 was significantly inhibited by recombinant PRIP in vitro, and thus the activity of PI3K was downregulated. Collectively, PRIP regulates the production of PI(3,4,5)P3 from PI(4,5)P2 by PI3K, and the suppressor activity of PRIP in PI(4,5)P2 metabolism regulates the tumour migration, suggesting PRIP as a promising target for protection against metastatic progression.
Ergodicity breaking on the neuronal surface emerges from random switching between diffusive states
Authors: Weron Aleksander , Burnecki Krzysztof , Akin Elizabeth J. , Solé Laura , Balcerek Michał , Tamkun Michael M. , Krapf Diego
Published: July 2017

Stochastic motion on the surface of living cells is critical to promote molecular encounters that are necessary for multiple cellular processes. Often the complexity of the cell membranes leads to anomalous diffusion, which under certain conditions it is accompanied by non-ergodic dynamics. Here, we unravel two manifestations of ergodicity breaking in the dynamics of membrane proteins in the somatic surface of hippocampal neurons. Three different tagged molecules are studied on the surface of the soma: the voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels Kv1.4 and Nav1.6 and the glycoprotein CD4. In these three molecules ergodicity breaking is unveiled by the confidence interval of the mean square displacement and by the dynamical functional estimator. Ergodicity breaking is found to take place due to transient confinement effects since the molecules alternate between free diffusion and confined motion.
Erratum: Reduction of Abeta amyloid pathology in APPPS1 transgenic mice in the absence of gut microbiota
Authors: Harach T. , Marungruang N. , Duthilleul N. , Cheatham V. , Mc Coy K. D. , Frisoni G. , Neher J. J. , Fåk F. , Jucker M. , Lasser T. , Bolmont T.
Published: July 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41802; published online: 08 February 2017; updated: 10 July 2017. This Article contains errors in the Discussion section. “Our colonization experiments with microbiota from APPPS1 mice resulted in similar differences in Akkermansia and S24-7, along with increased AD-like pathology compared to colonization with microbiota from WT mice, indicating that these two microbial taxa may influence progression of AD pathology.
Correction: Corrigendum: The effects of three-dimensional defects on one-way surface plasmon propagation for photonic topological insulators comprised of continuum media
Authors: Hassani Gangaraj S. Ali , Nemilentsau Andrei , Hanson George W.
Published: July 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 30055; published online: 21 July 2016; updated: 10 July 2017. This Article contains errors. In the Results section, Equation (7), “ ” should read: “ ” In the Supplementary Information, Equation (40), “ ” should read: “ ” Additionally in the Supplementary Information, Equation (42),
Colorimetric-based Sensing in Food Safety and Quality Analysis
Authors: Nilghaz Azadeh , Trofimchuk Evan , Lu Xiaonan
Published: July 2017

The screening of biological contaminants, chemical hazards and allergens in food products is critical to understanding the potential negative effects on human health. Intensive research has been conducted to develop various detection methods to monitor food safety and quality. However, most of these developed methods are costly and require supporting equipment and professional skills to perform the testing. Therefore, there is high demand to develop alternative and innovative methods that are affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free and deliverable to fulfil the “ASSURED” criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Colorimetric analysis can identify and determine the content of chemical elements/compounds in sample solutions by using various color reagents. This method has been used to detect and quantify specific pathogens, chemicals and hazards in foods for safety and quality control, which are suitable for use in laboratories and field studies. This chapter summarizes the recent advances in colorimetric analysis for assessing food safety and quality assurance, such as colorimetric detection of pathogens, toxins, parasites, antibiotic residues and chemical hazards in agri-food products. This chapter also conveys the current technical limitations and strategic research of colorimetric analysis required to further improve the performance of analytical assays in sensing food safety and quality control.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers-based Sensing in Food Safety and Quality Analysis
Authors: Tang Yiwei , Zhang Hong , Zhang Yuchen
Published: July 2017

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthesized towards the target molecules utilizing interactions between template and functional monomers to impress complementary binding sites into or onto polymers. Three major methods can be developed to prepare MIPs, including covalent, non-covalent and semi-covalent imprinting approaches. Due to their excellent properties of pre-designed target selectivity and outstanding stability, MIPs are regarded as a suitable molecular recognition element to replace the currently used bio-materials. There has been increasing interest in using MIPs-based sensors for food safety and quality sensing based upon sensitive and accurate detection of target analytes. We provide a critical review on MIPs-based sensors and their applications in food safety and quality analysis. Due to a wide variety of sensing principles, the sensors are divided into different groups, including electrochemical sensors, quartz crystal microbalance sensors, fluorescence sensors, surface enhanced Raman scattering sensors, surface plasmon resonance sensors and MIPs-based enzyme-linked immunoassays. The critical parameters, such as sensing principle, sensor design, material preparation process and sensing experiment, are summarized and discussed. The increased accuracy and effectiveness have made MIPs a promising sensing material for extensive use in the food industry.
Graphene-electrochemical Sensing in Food Safety and Quality Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xian
Published: July 2017

As one of the unique carbon-based materials, graphene and its derivatives have unique optical, electrochemical, thermal and mechanical properties. Therefore, this material has been widely applied as a sensing material and component to be integrated into a sensing platform. In this chapter, we introduce the development and application of graphene-based materials and their application in food safety and quality control. Graphene-based sensing materials have outstanding performance for the determination of trace levels of target analytes in a complicated food matrix. In addition, graphene is readily integrated into an electrochemical sensing platform for food analysis.