julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Enhanced killing of therapy‐induced senescent tumor cells by oncolytic measles vaccine viruses
2013-06-25

Therapy‐induced senescence (TIS) as a permanent growth arrest can be induced by various stimuli, including anticancer compounds. TIS emerged as a promising strategy to overcome resistance phenomena. However, senescent cancer cells might regain proliferation activity in vivo or even secrete tumor‐promoting cytokines. Therefore, successful exploitation of TIS in cancer treatment simultaneously requires the development of effective strategies to eliminate senescent cancer cells. Virotherapy aims to selectively hit tumor cells, thus a combination with senescence‐inducing drugs was explored. As a model, we chose measles vaccine virus (MeV), which does not interfere with cellular senescence by itself. In different tumor cell types, such as hepatoma, pancreatic and mammary gland carcinoma, we demonstrate efficient viral replication and lysis after TIS by gemcitabine, doxorubicin or taxol. Applying real time imaging, we even found an accelerated lysis of senescent cancer cells, supporting an enhanced viral replication with an increase in cell‐associated and released infectious MeV particles. In summary, we show as a proof‐of‐concept that senescent tumor cells can be efficiently exploited as virus host cells by oncolytic MeV. These observations open up a new field for preclinical and clinical research to further investigate TIS and oncolytic viruses as an attractive combinatorial future treatment approach.
Decreased Plasma Ascorbate Levels in Stage IV Melanoma Patients
2013-06-25

It has been reported that cancer patients frequently express low ascorbate (ascorbic acid, vitamin C) blood levels. However, so far this was not shown for melanoma patients. Total ascorbate (TAA) levels were determined in plasma of healthy control individuals (n=31, mean age: 47.3 years, TAA: 64.86 μM) and in 126 melanoma patients (stage I: n=30, mean age: 51 years, TAA: 59.95 μM; stage II: n=30, mean age: 46.8 years, TAA: 58.85 μM; stage III: n=32, mean age: 48.6 years, TAA: 57.27 μM; stage IV: n=34, mean age: 51.1 years, TAA: 47.16 μM). Plasma TAA levels in stage IV patients were significantly reduced by 27.3% when compared to healthy individuals (p=0.0001, t-test). The reduced plasma TAA levels in stage IV patients negatively correlated with increased S100 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Further, plasma TAA levels were determined in additional 9 stage IV patients directly before and 24 h after intravenous polychemotherapy (carboplatin+paclitaxel, n=5) or immunotherapy (ipilimumab, n=4). TAA levels significantly decreased 24 h after therapy (mean TAA before therapy: 48.7 μM; mean TAA after therapy: 43.0 μM; 11.4% reduction, p<0.05, t-test). Ascorbate levels in the plasma of 126 melanoma patients were significantly decreased in the cohort of stage IV patients and were further decreased by polychemo- or immunotherapy in stage IV patients. Considering the importance of adequate ascorbate supply, ascorbate substitution in physiological doses could be considered for late-stage melanoma patients.
Swift/XRT orbital monitoring of the candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J17354–3255
2013-06-25

We report on the Swift/X-ray Telescope (XRT) monitoring of the field of view around the candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) IGR J17354-3255, which is positionally associated with the AGILE/GRID gamma-ray transient AGL J1734-3310. Our observations, which cover 11 days for a total on-source exposure of about 24 ks, span 1.2 orbital periods (P_orb=8.4474 d) and are the first sensitive monitoring of this source in the soft X-rays. These new data allow us to exploit the timing variability properties of the sources in the field to unambiguously identify the soft X-ray counterpart of IGR J17354-3255. The soft X-ray light curve shows a moderate orbital modulation and a dip. We investigated the nature of the dip by comparing the X-ray light curve with the prediction of the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton accretion theory, assuming both spherical and nonspherical symmetry of the outflow from the donor star. We found that the dip cannot be explained with the X-ray orbital modulation. We propose that an eclipse or the onset of a gated mechanism is the most likely explanation for the observed light curve.
An X-Ray Counterpart of HESS J1427−608 Discovered with Suzaku
2013-06-25

We report on the discovery of an X-ray counterpart of the unidentified very high-energy gamma-ray source HESS J1427 608. In the sky field coincident with HESS J1427 608, an extended source was found in the 2–8 keV band, and was designated as Suzaku J1427–6051. Its X-ray radial profile has an extension of (1.1 0.3) 10 cm , (9 ) 10 erg s cm in the 2–10 keV band. Using XMM-Newton archive data, we found seven point sources in the Suzaku source region. However, because their total flux and absorbing column densities are more than an order of magnitude lower than those of Suzaku J1427–6051, we consider that they are unrelated to the Suzaku source. Thus, Suzaku J1427–6051 is considered to be a truly diffuse source and an X-ray counterpart of HESS J1427 608. The possible nature of HESS J1427 608 is discussed based on the observational properties.
Finding Potential Support Vectors in Separable Classification Problems
2013-06-25

This paper considers the classification problem using support vector (SV) machines and investigates how to maximally reduce the size of the training set without losing information. Under separable data set assumptions, we derive the exact conditions stating which observations can be discarded without diminishing the overall information content. For this purpose, we introduce the concept of potential SVs, i.e., those data that can become SVs when future data become available. To complement this, we also characterize the set of discardable vectors (DVs), i.e., those data that, given the current data set, can never become SVs. Thus, these vectors are useless for future training purposes and can eventually be removed without loss of information. Then, we provide an efficient algorithm based on linear programming that returns the potential and DVs by constructing a simplex tableau. Finally, we compare it with alternative algorithms available in the literature on some synthetic data as well as on data sets from standard repositories.
Potential effects of anthropogenic noise on echolocation behavior in horseshoe bats
2013-06-26

We previously reported that band-pass filtered noise (BFN, bandwidth 20 kHz) affected the echolocation behavior of horseshoe bats in different ways depending on which frequencies within the bats' hearing range BFN was centered. We found that call amplitudes only increased when BFN was centered on the dominant frequency of the bats' calls. In contrast, call frequencies were shifted for all BFN stimuli centered on or below the dominant frequency of echolocation calls including when BFN was centered at 20 kHz (BFN20), which is far below the range of the bats' echolocation call frequencies. In the present study we focused on masking effects of BFN20 and used it as a model stimulus for anthropogenic noise to investigate how this noise affected call parameters of echolocation calls, such as their frequency, amplitude, duration and rate. We show that only call frequencies shifted in response to masking BFN20, whereas all other call parameters tested exhibited no noise-related changes. Our findings provide an empirical basis to quantitatively predict the impact of anthropogenic noise on echolocation behavior in bats. They also emphasize the need for a better understanding of the impact of anthropogenic noise on bioacoustic communication and orientation systems in general.
Novel application of polioviral capsid: development of a potent and prolonged oral calcitonin using polioviral binding ligand and Tat peptide
2013-06-26

Potential application of V and Tat in oral calcitonin delivery system was demonstrated. Further study in a proper PVR bearing host is still needed to provide more useful information for the application of V in the development of drug delivery systems.
Micro-FTIR imaging: an advanced method for the determination of CO2 and H2O concentration gradients in silicate glasses
2013-06-26

Glass samples of diffusion couple experiments with rhyolitic to hawaiitic melts were analyzed by FTIR microscopy with a common single element and a 64 × 64 element focal plane array detector to obtain total CO 2 and H 2 O concentration distance profiles. In contrast to the single element detector, the array detector facilitates mid-infrared spectral imaging with a resolution on a micrometer scale. The imaged sample information was converted to multiple parallel concentration distance profiles, using the absorption band areas of the dissolved volatile species. The bulk CO 2 and H 2 O diffusivities from measurements with different array resolutions range from log D = −11.03 to −11.33 m 2 ·s −1 at 500 MPa and 1523–1623 K. All determined diffusion coefficients are within the error identical to single element detector analysis. Further test measurements were performed on a partially degassed, vesiculated phonolite in order to visualize the concentration of H 2 O around bubbles. Both applications confirm that FTIR imaging is a convenient tool to investigate the spatial distribution of CO 2 and H 2 O in silicate glasses, especially in terms of diffusion-related studies.
Pb(II) Binding to Humic Substances: An Equilibrium and Spectroscopic Study
2013-06-27

The binding of Pb(II) to humic acids is studied through an approach combining equilibrium and spectroscopic measurements. The methods employed are potentiometric and fluorometric titrations, fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEM) and IR spectroscopy. Potentiometric titration curves are analyzed using the NICA equations and an electrostatic model treating the humic particles as an elastic polyelectrolyte network. EEMs are analyzed using parallel factor analysis, decomposing the signal in its independent components and finding their dependence on Pb(II) activity. Potentiometric results are consistent with bimodal affinity distributions for Pb(II) binding, whereas fluorometric titrations are explained by monomodal distributions. EEM analysis is consistent with three independent components in the humic fluorescence response, which are assigned to moieties with different degree of aromaticity. All three components show a similar quenching behavior upon Pb(II) binding, saturating at relatively low Pb(II) concentrations. This is attributed to metal ion induced aggregation of humic molecules, resulting in the interaction between the aromatic groups responsible for fluorescence; this is also consistent with IR spectroscopy results. The observed behavior is interpreted considering that initial metal binding (observed as strongly binding sites), correspond to bi- or multidentate complexation to carboxylate groups, including binding between groups of different humic molecules, promoting aggregation; further metal ions (observed as weakly binding sites) bind to single ligand groups.
Fate of Arsenic during Microbial Reduction of Biogenic versus Abiogenic As–Fe(III)–Mineral Coprecipitates
2013-06-27

Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide minerals exhibit a high sorption affinity for arsenic (As) and the reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides is considered to be the primary mechanism for As release into groundwater. To date, research has focused on the reactivity of abiogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, yet in nature biogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, precipitated by Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are also present. These biominerals contain cell-derived organic matter (CDOM), leading to different properties than their abiogenic counterparts. Here, we follow Fe mineralogy and As mobility during the reduction of As-loaded biogenic and abiogenic Fe(III) minerals by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. We found that microbial reduction of As(III)-bearing biogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides released more As than reduction of abiogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. In contrast, As was immobilized more effectively during reduction of As(V)-loaded biogenic than abiogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides during secondary Fe mineral formation. During sterile incubation of minerals and after microbial Fe(III) reduction stopped, As(V) was mobilized from biogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides probably by sorption competition with phosphate and CDOM. Our data show that the presence of CDOM significantly influences As mobility during reduction of Fe(III) minerals and we suggest that it is essential to consider both biogenic and abiogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides to further understand the environmental fate of As.
Forest Age and Plant Species Composition Determine the Soil Fungal Community Composition in a Chinese Subtropical Forest
2013-06-27

Fungal diversity and community composition are mainly related to soil and vegetation factors. However, the relative contribution of the different drivers remains largely unexplored, especially in subtropical forest ecosystems. We studied the fungal diversity and community composition of soils sampled from 12 comparative study plots representing three forest age classes (Young: 10-40 yrs; Medium: 40-80 yrs; Old: ≥80 yrs) in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve in South-eastern China. Soil fungal communities were assessed employing ITS rDNA pyrotag sequencing. Members of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota dominated the fungal community, with 22 putative ectomycorrhizal fungal families, where Russulaceae and Thelephoraceae were the most abundant taxa. Analysis of similarity showed that the fungal community composition significantly differed among the three forest age classes. Forest age class, elevation of the study plots, and soil organic carbon (SOC) were the most important factors shaping the fungal community composition. We found a significant correlation between plant and fungal communities at different taxonomic and functional group levels, including a strong relationship between ectomycorrhizal fungal and non-ectomycorrhizal plant communities. Our results suggest that in subtropical forests, plant species community composition is the main driver of the soil fungal diversity and community composition.
Low-Temperature Green Synthesis of Multivalent Manganese Oxide Nanowires
2013-06-27

Manganese oxide nanomaterials hold promise for sustainable nanotechnologies given their utility for a variety of applications, the Earth’s abundance of manganese, and their low toxicity relative to other nanomaterials. However green scalable synthesis methods for such nanomaterials are needed. We report here a green room-temperature synthesis of polycrystalline Mn3O4 nanowires. In this procedure, aqueous Mn(II) is oxidized under circumneutral conditions by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of nanocrystalline iron oxide (α-Fe2O3), an inexpensive catalyst, and a classic biochemical Good’s buffer, PIPES (piperazine-N,NI-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid). The synthesis method is novel due to its simplicity, minimal energy input and waste output, and potential scalability. The Mn3O4 nanowires have been characterized with a suite of electron microscopy techniques.
Coxsackievirus B3 modulates cardiac ion channels
2013-06-27

Infections with coxsackieviruses of type B (CVBs), which are known to induce severe forms of acute and chronic myocarditis, are often accompanied by ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The mechanisms underlying the development of virus‐induced, life‐threatening arrhythmias, which are pheno‐typically similar to those observed in patients having functionally impaired cardiac ion channels, remain, however, enigmatic. In the present study, we show, for the first time, modulating time‐dependent effects of CVB3 on the cardiac ion channels KCNQ1, hERG1, and Ca v 1.2 in heterologous expression. Channel protein abundance in cellular plasma membrane and patterns of their subcellular distribution were altered in infected murine hearts. The antiviral compound AG7088 did not prevent these effects on channels. In silico analyses of infected human myocytes suggest pronounced alterations of electrical and calcium signaling and increased risk of arrhythmogenesis. These modifications are attenuated by the common Asian polymorphism KCNQ1 P448R, a genetic determinant preventing coxsackievirus‐induced effects in vitro . This study provides a previously unknown explanation for the development of arrhythmias in enteroviral myocarditis, which will help to develop therapeutic strategies for arrhythmia treatment.—Steinke, K., Sachse, F., Ettischer, N., Strutz‐Seebohm, N., Henrion, U., Rohrbeck, M., Klosowski, R., Wolters, D., Brunner, S., Franz, W.‐M., Pott, L., Munoz, C., Kandolf, R., SchulzeBahr, E., Lang, F., Klingel, K., Seebohm, G., Coxsackievirus B3 modulates cardiac ion channels. FASEB J. 27, 4108–4121 (2013). www.fasebj.org
HEROICA: an underground facility for the fast screening of germanium detectors
2013-06-27

HEROICA (Hades Experimental Research Of Intrinsic Crystal Appliances) is an infrastructure to characterize germanium detectors and has been designed and constructed at the HADES Underground Research Laboratory, located in Mol (Belgium). Thanks to the 223 m overburden of clay and sand, the muon flux is lowered by four orders of magnitude. This natural shield minimizes the exposure of radio-pure germanium material to cosmic radiation resulting in a significant suppression of cosmogenic activation in the germanium detectors. The project has been strongly motivated by a special production of germanium detectors for the GERDA experiment. GERDA, currently collecting data at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN, is searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay of Ge-76. In the near future, GERDA will increase its mass and sensitivity by adding new Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors. The production of the BEGe detectors is done at Canberra in Olen (Belgium), located about 30 km from the underground test site. Therefore, HADES is used both for storage of the crystals over night, during diode production, and for the characterization measurements. A full quality control chain has been setup and tested on the first seven prototype detectors delivered by the manufacturer at the beginning of 2012. The screening capabilities demonstrate that the installed setup fulfills a fast and complete set of measurements on the diodes and it can be seen as a general test facility for the fast screening of high purity germanium detectors. The results are of major importance for a future massive production and characterization chain of germanium diodes foreseen for a possible next generation 1-tonne double beta decay experiment with Ge-76.
The Impact of Private Interest Contributions on RPS Adoption
2013-06-27

In the last two decades, many U.S. states introduced policies to promote electricity generation from renewable energy sources ( RES ‐E). Renewable portfolio standards ( RPS ) are considered to be the key RES ‐E policy tool to date. This article tackles the question on why some state legislators were front‐running the trend of RPS implementation whereas others adopted policies just recently, and why others have not adopted them at all. We compile data on financial contributions of conventional energy interest groups ( CEI ) and renewable energy interest groups ( REI ) to state‐level policy‐makers between 1998 and 2010. By means of hazard and tobit regressions, we test the effect of these financial contributions on the probability of RPS adoption and on RPS stringency. The article provides evidence in favor of interest group theory. First, CEI have donated more to state‐level legislators affiliated with the Republican Party than to Democrats while contributions from REI went largely to the latter. Second, there are statistically significant links between the likelihood of RPS adoption and private interest contributions. Contributions from CEI have a negative effect on the likelihood of RPS adoption whereas REI contributions have a positive effect.
Application of GaCp as a Ligand in Coordination Chemistry: Similarities and Differences to GaCp*
2013-06-27

Abstract Solid “GaI” reacts with NaCp to give (η 5 ‐cyclopentadienyl)gallium (GaCp). Further reaction of a solution of GaCp with [Cr(CO) 5 (coe)] (coe = cyclooctene) or Co 2 (CO) 8 leads to CpGa–Cr(CO) 5 ( 1 ) or (thf)GaCp{Co(CO) 4 } 2 ( 4 ), respectively, which shows that GaCp can be used as a terminal ligand in coordination chemistry, but unlike its bulkier analogue GaCp* (Cp* = C 5 Me 5 ), it also acts as a reducing agent.
Effects of Low Frequency Prefrontal Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the N2 Amplitude in a GoNogo Task
2013-06-27

During the last decade, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the prefrontal cortex has become established as a treatment for various mental diseases. The rational of prefrontal stimulation has been adapted from the mode of action known from rTMS using motor-evoked potentials though little is known about the precise effect of rTMS at prefrontal sites. The objective of the current study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of prefrontal 1 Hz rTMS by stimulating the generators of event-related potentials (ERP) which are located in the prefrontal cortex. Thus, 1 Hz rTMS was applied offline over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) in 18 healthy subjects who subsequently underwent a GoNogo task. Both active conditions were compared to sham rTMS within a randomized and counterbalanced cross-over design in one day. ERPs were recorded during task performance and the N2 and the P3 were analysed. After 1 Hz rTMS of the left DLPFC (but not of the MPFC), an inhibitory effect on the N2 amplitude was observed, which was related to inhibitory control. In contrast, after 1 Hz rTMS of the MPFC (but not at the left DLPFC) a trend towards an increased P3 amplitude was found. There was no significant modulation of latencies and behavioural data. The results argue in favour of an inhibitory effect of 1 Hz rTMS on N2 amplitudes in a GoNogo task. Our findings suggest that rTMS may mildly modulate prefrontally generated ERP immediately after stimulation, even where behavioural effects are not measurable. Thus, combined rTMS-ERP approaches need to be further established in order to serve as paradigms in experimental neuroscience and clinical research.