bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interferon‐alpha‐induced hepatitis C virus clearance restores p53 tumor suppressor more than direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Aydin Yucel , Chatterjee Animesh , Chandra Partha K , Chava Srinivas , Chen Weina , Tandon Anamika , Dash Asha , Chedid Milad , Moehlen Martin W , Regenstein Frederic , Balart Luis A , Cohen Ari , Lu Hua , Wu Tong , Dash Srikanta
Published: March 2017

The mechanism why hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance by direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) does not eliminate the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with advanced cirrhosis is unclear. Many viral and bacterial infections degrade p53 in favor of cell survival to adapt an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐stress response. In this study, we examined whether HCV clearance by interferon‐alpha or DAAs normalizes the ER stress and restores the expression of p53 tumor suppressor in cell culture. We found that HCV infection induces chronic ER stress and unfolded protein response in untransformed primary human hepatocytes. The unfolded protein response induces chaperone‐mediated autophagy (CMA) in infected primary human hepatocytes and Huh‐7.5 cells that results in degradation of p53 and induced expression of mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2). Inhibition of p53/Mdm2 interactions by small molecule (nutlin‐3) or silencing Mdm2 did not rescue the p53 degradation, indicating that HCV infection induces degradation of p53 independent of the Mdm2 pathway. Interestingly, we found that HCV infection degrades p53 in a lysosome‐dependent mechanism because lysosome‐associated membrane protein 2A silencing restored p53 degradation. Our results show that HCV clearance induced by interferon‐alpha‐based antiviral therapies normalizes the ER‐stress response and restores p53, whereas HCV clearance by DAAs does neither. We show that decreased expression of p53 in HCV‐infected cirrhotic liver is associated with expression of chaperones associated with ER stress and the CMA response. Conclusion: HCV‐induced ER stress and CMA promote p53 degradation in advanced liver cirrhosis. HCV clearance by DAAs does not restore p53, which provides a potential explanation for why a viral cure by DAAs does not eliminate the HCC risk among patients with advanced liver disease. We propose that resolving the ER‐stress response is an alternative approach to reducing HCC risk among patients with cirrhosis after viral cure. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:256‐269)
Endoscopic management of tissue‐engineered tracheal graft stenosis in an ovine model
Authors: Pepper Victoria K. , Onwuka Ekene A. , Best Cameron A. , King Nakesha , Heuer Eric , Johnson Jed , Breuer Christopher K. , Grischkan Jonathan M. , Chiang Tendy
Published: March 2017

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bronchoscopic interventions in the management of tissue‐engineered tracheal graft (TETG) stenosis.

Study Design

Animal research study.

Methods

TETGs were constructed with seeded autologous bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cells on a bioartificial graft. Eight sheep underwent tracheal resection and orthotopic implantation of this construct. Animals were monitored by bronchoscopy and fluoroscopy at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 4 months. Bronchoscopic interventions, including dilation and stenting, were performed to manage graft stenosis. Postdilation measurements were obtained endoscopically and fluoroscopically.

Results

Seven dilations were performed in six animals. At the point of maximal stenosis, the lumen measured 44.6 ± 8.4 mm2 predilation and 50.7 ± 14.1 postdilation by bronchoscopy (P = 0.3517). By fluoroscopic imaging, the airway was 55.9 ± 12.9 mm2 predilation and 65.9 ± 22.4 mm2 postdilation (P = 0.1303). Stents were placed 17 times in six animals. Pre‐ and poststenting lumen sizes were 62.8 ± 38.8 mm2 and 80.1 ± 54.5 mm2 by bronchoscopy (P = 0.6169) and 77.1 ± 38.9 mm2 and 104 ± 60.7 mm2 by fluoroscopy (P = 0.0825). Mortality after intervention was 67% with dilation and 0% with stenting (P = 0.0004). The average days between bronchoscopy were 8 ± 2 for the dilation group and 26 ± 17 in the stenting group (P = 0.05). One hundred percent of dilations and 29% of stent placements required urgent follow‐up bronchoscopy (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

Dilation has limited efficacy for managing TETG stenosis, whereas stenting has a more lasting clinical effect.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:2219–2224, 2017
Onset of bell's palsy in late pregnancy and early puerperium is associated with worse long‐term outcomes
Authors: Phillips Katie M. , Heiser Alyssa , Gaudin Robert , Hadlock Tessa A. , Jowett Nate
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The incidence of Bell's palsy (BP) is elevated in the late phases of pregnancy. Controversy exists as to whether pregnancy is a risk factor for worse outcomes in BP, and whether such outcomes are the result of factors intrinsic to pregnancy or the tendency to withhold medical therapy in this cohort.

Methods

Long‐term facial function outcomes in cases of pregnancy‐associated BP (PABP) were compared against outcomes in cases affecting nonpregnant adult women of child‐bearing age by a blinded expert using the electronic clinician‐graded facial function scale (eFACE) facial grading system.

Results

Fifty‐one pregnancy‐associated cases and 58 nonpregnancy‐associated cases were included. Among patients who received early corticosteroid therapy, significantly worse static, synkinesis, and composite facial function eFACE scores were demonstrated among cases of PABP compared to nonpregnancy‐associated cases (static median = 86 vs. 92.5, P = 0.005; synkinesis median = 79 vs. 86, P = 0.007; composite median = 78 vs. 84, P = 0.023). Among those not treated with corticosteroids, significantly worse dynamic and composite facial function eFACE scores were demonstrated in cases of PABP compared to those for nonpregnancy‐associated cases (dynamic median = 74 vs. 92.5, P = 0.038; composite median = 73 vs. 86.5, P = 0.038). A trend toward improved outcomes was demonstrated within both groups for those treated with corticosteroids compared to those who were not.

Conclusion

In comparison to cases unrelated to pregnancy, late‐term PABP is associated with worse long‐term outcomes to a degree that cannot solely be explained by differences in medical therapy.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:2854–2859, 2017
A novel fast clean algorithm using the gradient descent method
Authors: Choi Young‐Jae , Choi In‐Sik
Published: March 2017

An evolutionary programming (EP)‐based CLEAN and particle swarm optimization (PSO)‐based CLEAN have better accuracy than the FFT‐based CLEAN. EP‐ and PSO‐based CLEAN have a higher computational burden, because they must solve a three‐dimensional optimization problem using the stochastic search method. To overcome this problem, we employ gradient descent to the CLEAN algorithm. We then compare the performance of the proposed method with that of the PSO‐based CLEAN and the FFT‐based CLEAN. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is faster and more accurate than conventional methods. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1018–1022, 2017
Demonstration of a noble all optical D‐type flip flop system for high speed data processing
Authors: Lu Wei , Velazquez Alejandro , Lee Ghang‐Ho
Published: March 2017

In this article, we demonstrate a novel all optical D‐type flip flop (D‐FF) system for high speed data processing. The Cross Gain Modulation (XGM) response of four Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs) has been exploited to create optical logics for D‐FF. The system validity has been experimentally demonstrated by using the optical bit sequences operating at 10 Gbps. The proposed system can be extended in data rate and also be used as a basic architecture for the photonic integrated circuit. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1042–1045, 2017
Post‐polymerization surface segregation in thin PECVD siloxane films leading to a self‐regenerative effect
Authors: Zuber Kamil , Markanday Jonathon F.S. , Hall Colin , Evans Drew , Charrault Eric , Murphy Peter
Published: March 2017

In this work, the post‐synthesis changes of chemistry and surface properties of the siloxane coatings synthesized via Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) are investigated. The study shows that in contrast to the volume of the siloxane coating, which undergoes oxidation and increase in crosslinking density during several days after deposition, the surface of the coating displays different effects. Further analysis shows that this is the result of short polymer fragments diffusing onto the surface, affecting wettability of the surface and adhesion. It has also been observed that these short polymer fragment may be removed and will in time replenish, giving the coatings a regenerative nature.
Conformational flexibility of the glycosidase NagZ allows it to bind structurally diverse inhibitors to suppress β‐lactam antibiotic resistance
Authors: Vadlamani Grishma , Stubbs Keith A. , Désiré Jérôme , Blériot Yves , Vocadlo David J. , Mark Brian L.
Published: March 2017

NagZ is an N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase that participates in the peptidoglycan (PG) recycling pathway of Gram‐negative bacteria by removing N‐acetyl‐glucosamine (GlcNAc) from PG fragments that have been excised from the cell wall during growth. The 1,6‐anhydromuramoyl‐peptide products generated by NagZ activate β‐lactam resistance in many Gram‐negative bacteria by inducing the expression of AmpC β‐lactamase. Blocking NagZ activity can thereby suppress β‐lactam antibiotic resistance in these bacteria. The NagZ active site is dynamic and it accommodates distortion of the glycan substrate during catalysis using a mobile catalytic loop that carries a histidine residue which serves as the active site general acid/base catalyst. Here, we show that flexibility of this catalytic loop also accommodates structural differences in small molecule inhibitors of NagZ, which could be exploited to improve inhibitor specificity. X‐ray structures of NagZ bound to the potent yet non‐selective N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase inhibitor PUGNAc (O‐(2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucopyranosylidene) amino‐N‐phenylcarbamate), and two NagZ‐selective inhibitors – EtBuPUG, a PUGNAc derivative bearing a 2‐N‐ethylbutyryl group, and MM‐156, a 3‐N‐butyryl trihydroxyazepane, revealed that the phenylcarbamate moiety of PUGNAc and EtBuPUG completely displaces the catalytic loop from the NagZ active site to yield a catalytically incompetent form of the enzyme. In contrast, the catalytic loop was found positioned in the catalytically active conformation within the NagZ active site when bound to MM‐156, which lacks the phenylcarbamate extension. Displacement of the catalytic loop by PUGNAc and its N‐acyl derivative EtBuPUG alters the active site conformation of NagZ, which presents an additional strategy to improve the potency and specificity of NagZ inhibitors.
Construction of Spiro[indeno[2,1‐e]pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐10,3′‐indoline] and Indeno[1,2‐b]pyrrolo[3,4‐e]pyridine via Three‐Component Reaction
Authors: Xiao Man , Jiang Yan‐Hong , Yan Chao‐Guo
Published: March 2017

The three‐component reaction of β‐enamino imides, isatins and indan‐1,3‐dione in refluxing ethanol in the presence of triethylamine afforded functionalized spiro[indeno[2,1‐e]pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐10,3′‐indolines] in good yields. The similar three‐component reaction of β‐enamino imides, aromatic aldehydes and indan‐1,3‐dione in methylene dichloride in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate resulted in the corresponding indeno[1,2‐b]pyrrolo[3,4‐e]pyridine derivatives.
Moral Passion and Christian Ethics
Authors: Gill Robin
Published: March 2017

In this book, Robin Gill argues that moral passion and rational ethical deliberation are not enemies, and that moral passion often lurks behind many apparently rational ethical commitments. He also contends that though moral passion is a key component of truly selfless moral action, without rational ethical deliberation it can also be extremely dangerous. Gill maintains that a reanalysis of moral passion is overdue. He inspects the gap between the 'purely rational' accounts of ethics provided by some moral philosophers and the normative positions that they espouse and/or the moral actions that they pursue. He also contends that Christian ethicists have not been adept at identifying their own implicit moral passion or at explaining why it is that doctrinal positions generate passionately held moral conclusions. Using a range of disciplines, including cognitive science and moral psychology, alongside the more usual disciplines of moral philosophy and religious ethics, Gill also makes links with moral passion in other world faith traditions.
WHO WANTS TO LEAVE CHINA?
Authors: Huang Haifeng
Published: March 2017

Why are Chinese people moving abroad in unprecedented numbers? Using unique experimental and survey data, this research finds that Chinese citizens with more positive perceptions and, especially, overestimation of foreign socioeconomic conditions are more interested in going abroad. Moreover, correcting socioeconomic overestimation of foreign countries reduces their interest in leaving China, indicating that there is a causal effect from rosier perceptions of foreign conditions to higher interest in going abroad, and emigration does not always represent well-informed “voting with the feet.” The relationship between international political knowledge and exit intentions, on the other hand, is not significant or consistent, suggesting that Chinese citizens’ interest in going abroad is more socioeconomic than political in nature. These results contribute to the study of citizen misinformation, challenge a prevalent assumption in the international migration literature, and help us understand one of the most important social trends in the world's largest developing and authoritarian country.
Recovery of ciliated protozoan communities in response to environmental change in a shrimp-farming pond in southern China
Authors: Liu Qian , Lu Borong , Song Xue , Li Yan , Gao Yu , Li Huifang , Wang Min , Shao Hongbing , Warren Alan , Chen Xiangrui , Jiang Yong , Lin Zhihua
Published: March 2017

The temporal dynamics of ciliate community structure in a southern Chinese shrimp aquaculture facility were investigated during the period June–September 2012. A total of 53 species belonging to 37 genera and 17 orders were recorded based on analyses of eight samples. Ciliate abundance peaked between 16 August and 14 September 2012, while the maximum number of species occurred on 26 June 2012. Clear temporal patterns were observed in the ciliate community structure. The patterns of succession of the 10 most abundant species were consistent with the results of a Canonical Analysis of Principal coordinates (CAP) analysis. Correlation analyses showed that these patterns of succession were related to temporal changes in environmental variables. In summary, the results demonstrate that the ciliate community responds predictably to environmental variations and recovers from shrimp cultivation.
Vitamin D deficiency as a public health issue: using vitamin D2or vitamin D3in future fortification strategies
Authors: Wilson Louise R. , Tripkovic Laura , Hart Kathryn H. , Lanham-New Susan A
Published: March 2017

The role of vitamin D in supporting the growth and maintenance of the skeleton is robust; with recent research also suggesting a beneficial link between vitamin D and other non-skeletal health outcomes, including immune function, cardiovascular health and cancer. Despite this, vitamin D deficiency remains a global public health issue, with a renewed focus in the UK following the publication of Public Health England's new Dietary Vitamin D Requirements. Natural sources of vitamin D (dietary and UVB exposure) are limited, and thus mechanisms are needed to allow individuals to achieve the new dietary recommendations. Mandatory or voluntary vitamin D food fortification may be one of the mechanisms to increase dietary vitamin D intakes and subsequently improve vitamin D status. However, for the food industry and public to make informed decisions, clarity is needed as to whether vitamins D2and D3are equally effective at raising total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations as the evidence thus far is inconsistent. This review summarises the evidence to date behind the comparative efficacy of vitamins D2and D3at raising 25(OH)D concentrations, and the potential role of vitamin D food fortification as a public health policy to support attainment of dietary recommendations in the UK. The comparative efficacy of vitamins D2and D3has been investigated in several intervention trials, with most indicating that vitamin D3is more effective at raising 25(OH)D concentrations. However, flaws in study designs (predominantly under powering) mean there remains a need for a large, robust randomised-controlled trial to provide conclusive evidence, which the future publication of the D2–D3Study should provide (BBSRC DRINC funded: BB/I006192/1). This review also highlights outstanding questions and gaps in the research that need to be addressed to ensure the most efficacious and safe vitamin D food fortification practices are put in place. This further research, alongside cost, availability and ethical considerations (vitamin D3is not suitable for vegans), will be instrumental in supporting government, decision-makers, industry and consumers in making informed choices about potential future vitamin D policy and practice.
Mental Health Experiences of Older Adults Living with HIV: Uncertainty, Stigma, and Approaches to Resilience
Authors: Furlotte Charles , Schwartz Karen
Published: March 2017

Cette étude décrit les expériences des personnes âgées vivant avec le VIH à Ottawa en santé mentale. Onze participants âgés de 52-67 complété des entrevues personnelles approfondies. Problèmes de santé mentale sont omniprésentes dans la vie de ces personnes âgées. Nous avons identifié trois thèmes centraux communs aux histoires des participants: l’incertitude, la stigmatisation et la résilience. Pour certains de ces participants, l’incertitude impact sur la santé mentale centrée sur la survie inattendue; interprétation de l’un des symptômes; et l’incertitude médicale. Les expériences de stigmatisation des participants comprenaient la discrimination dans les interactions de soins de santé; désinformation; sentir stigmatisés en raison de certains aspects de leur apparence physique; stigmatisation aggravée; et la stigmatisation prévu. Les participants ont signalé l’utilisation de plusieurs stratégies d’adaptation, qui nous encadrent les approches à titre individuel à la résilience. Ces stratégies comprennent la réduction de l’espace VIH prend dans sa vie; faire des changements de style de vie pour accueillir sa maladie; et coopérant avec le soutien social. Ces résultats informent la compréhension des services pour les personnes vieillissantes avec le VIH qui peuvent éprouver des problèmes de santé mentale.
Political Economy or Political Systems? How Welfare Capitalism and Political Systems Affect Law and Order Policies in Twenty Western Industrialised Nations
Authors: Wenzelburger Georg
Published: March 2017

There has been little comparative policy research hitherto on the substantial differences in law and order policies between Western industrialised countries. Instead, criminologists have filled this void and used concepts such as Esping-Andersen's worlds of welfare or Lijphart's patterns of democracy to interpret cross-country variation. However, the state of the art has two weaknesses: it almost exclusively relies on imprisonment data as dependent variable and it remains silent as to why welfare state regimes or types of democracy should be responsible for similarities in law and order policies. The present article tackles these shortcomings by (1) examining differences and commonalities in law and order policies in twenty Western industrialised countries and by (2) investigating whether the clustering of countries is associated with features of the welfare state or the political system. We find three distinct clusters and show that their formation is related to the characteristics of the political economy of the countries.
Live music intervention for cancer inpatients: The Music Givers format
Authors: Toccafondi Alessandro , Bonacchi Andrea , Mambrini Andrea , Miccinesi Guido , Prosseda Roberto , Cantore Maurizio
Published: March 2017

Objective:

The present study intended to evaluate the impact of a standardized format—called the “Music Givers,” based on a single session of music intervention followed by a buffet—on the psychological burden and well-being of hospitalized cancer patients.

Method:

The Distress Thermometer (DT), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and self-reported visual analogue scales (score range = 1–10) to assess pain, fatigue, and five areas of well-being (i.e., physical, psychological, relational, spiritual, and overall well-being) were administered to 242 cancer patients upon admission to and at discharge from the hospital. Among them, 103 were hospitalized during which time a live concert took place (intervention group), whereas 139 patients were hospitalized when it did not (control group).

Results:

Compared to the control group, patients in the intervention group demonstrated less distress at discharge according to the DT (adjusted estimate of difference = –0.8,p = 0.001), lower HADS–Anxiety (–1.7,p < 0.001) and HADS–Depression scores (–1.3,p = 0.001), and higher scores on all the well-being scales, with the exception of spiritual well-being. In addition, no between-group differences were found in terms of pain and fatigue scores at discharge.

Significance of results:

The one-session format of the Music Givers intervention is an effective, standardized, easy-to-replicate, and low-cost intervention that reduces psychological burden and improves the well-being of hospitalized cancer patients. Listening to live music and the opportunity to establish better relationships between patients and staff could explain these results.
Proteogenomic integration reveals therapeutic targets in breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Huang Kuan-lin , Li Shunqiang , Mertins Philipp , Cao Song , Gunawardena Harsha P. , Ruggles Kelly V. , Mani D. R. , Clauser Karl R. , Tanioka Maki , Usary Jerry , Kavuri Shyam M. , Xie Ling , Yoon Christopher , Qiao Jana W , Wrobel John , Wyczalkowski Matthew A. , Erdmann-Gilmore Petra , Snider Jacqueline E. , Hoog Jeremy , Singh Purba , Niu Beifang , Guo Zhanfang , Sun Sam Qiancheng , Sanati Souzan , Kawaler Emily , Wang Xuya , Scott Adam , Ye Kai , McLellan Michael D. , Wendl Michael C. , Malovannaya Anna , Held Jason M. , Gillette Michael A. , Fenyö David , Kinsinger Christopher R. , Mesri Mehdi , Rodriguez Henry , Davies Sherri R. , Perou Charles M. , Ma Cynthia , Reid Townsend R. , Chen Xian , Carr Steven A. , Ellis Matthew J. , Ding Li
Published: March 2017

Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have enabled extensive analysis of cancer proteomes. Here, we employed quantitative proteomics to profile protein expression across 24 breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Integrated proteogenomic analysis shows positive correlation between expression measurements from transcriptomic and proteomic analyses; further, gene expression-based intrinsic subtypes are largely re-capitulated using non-stromal protein markers. Proteogenomic analysis also validates a number of predicted genomic targets in multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. However, several protein/phosphoprotein events such as overexpression of AKT proteins and ARAF, BRAF, HSP90AB1 phosphosites are not readily explainable by genomic analysis, suggesting that druggable translational and/or post-translational regulatory events may be uniquely diagnosed by MS. Drug treatment experiments targeting HER2 and components of the PI3K pathway supported proteogenomic response predictions in seven xenograft models. Our study demonstrates that MS-based proteomics can identify therapeutic targets and highlights the potential of PDX drug response evaluation to annotate MS-based pathway activities.
Plasmonic photoluminescence for recovering native chemical information from surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Lin Kai-Qiang , Yi Jun , Zhong Jin-Hui , Hu Shu , Liu Bi-Ju , Liu Jun-Yang , Zong Cheng , Lei Zhi-Chao , Wang Xiang , Aizpurua Javier , Esteban Rubén , Ren Bin
Published: March 2017

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has attracted tremendous interests as a highly sensitive label-free tool. The local field produced by the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) dominates the overall enhancement of SERS. Such an electromagnetic enhancement is unfortunately accompanied by a strong modification in the relative intensity of the original Raman spectra, which highly distorts spectral features providing chemical information. Here we propose a robust method to retrieve the fingerprint of intrinsic chemical information from the SERS spectra. The method is established based on the finding that the SERS background originates from the LSPR-modulated photoluminescence, which contains the local field information shared also by SERS. We validate this concept of retrieval of intrinsic fingerprint information in well controlled single metallic nanoantennas of varying aspect ratios. We further demonstrate its unambiguity and generality in more complicated systems of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and SERS of silver nanoaggregates.
Catalyzed Synthesis of Zinc Clays by Prebiotic Central Metabolites
Authors: Zhou Ruixin , Basu Kaustuv , Hartman Hyman , Matocha Christopher J. , Sears S. Kelly , Vali Hojatollah , Guzman Marcelo I.
Published: March 2017

How primordial metabolic networks such as the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle and clay mineral catalysts coevolved remains a mystery in the puzzle to understand the origin of life. While prebiotic reactions from the rTCA cycle were accomplished via photochemistry on semiconductor minerals, the synthesis of clays was demonstrated at low temperature and ambient pressure catalyzed by oxalate. Herein, the crystallization of clay minerals is catalyzed by succinate, an example of a photoproduced intermediate from central metabolism. The experiments connect the synthesis of sauconite, a model for clay minerals, to prebiotic photochemistry. We report the temperature, pH, and concentration dependence on succinate for the synthesis of sauconite identifying new mechanisms of clay formation in surface environments of rocky planets. The work demonstrates that seeding induces nucleation at low temperatures accelerating the crystallization process. Cryogenic and conventional transmission electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and measurements of total surface area are used to build a three-dimensional representation of the clay. These results suggest the coevolution of clay minerals and early metabolites in our planet could have been facilitated by sunlight photochemistry, which played a significant role in the complex interplay between rocks and life over geological time.
Purification of an unpolarized spin ensemble into entangled singlet pairs
Authors: Greiner Johannes N. , Dasari Durga Bhaktavatsala Rao , Wrachtrup Jörg
Published: March 2017

Dynamical polarization of nuclear spin ensembles is of central importance for magnetic resonance studies, precision sensing and for applications in quantum information theory. Here we propose a scheme to generate long-lived singlet pairs in an unpolarized nuclear spin ensemble which is dipolar coupled to the electron spins of a Nitrogen Vacancy center in diamond. The quantum mechanical back-action induced by frequent spin-selective readout of the NV centers allows the nuclear spins to pair up into maximally entangled singlet pairs. Counterintuitively, the robustness of the pair formation to dephasing noise improves with increasing size of the spin ensemble. We also show how the paired nuclear spin state allows for enhanced sensing capabilities of NV centers in diamond.
Electrochemically synthesized highly crystalline nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets with exceptional biocompatibility
Authors: Suhag Deepa , Kumar Sharma Arun , Rajput Satyendra K. , Saini Gajender , Chakrabarti Sandip , Mukherjee Monalisa
Published: March 2017

This work reports first electrochemical preparation of exceptionally biocompatible, highly crystalline, and well exfoliated nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets (eNGS) from carbon nanosheets for the development of mighty platforms in the field of modern biosensing and other biological applications for human welfare. eNGS displayed exceptional biocompatibility. Administration of the as-synthesized eNGS to rat models did not lead to any significant deviation or inimical consequences in its functional observation battery (FOB) tests, GSH levels or the histology of the vital organs of the rat models. The pictomicrographs of myocytes nuclei and myofibrillar for heart, hippocampus (CA1) section for brain, central vein, and hepatocytes for liver and parenchyma, tubules and glomeruli for kidney also remained unaffected. Moreover, the resultant nanoelectrocatalyst displayed enhanced electrochemical performance towards real-time sensing of dopamine (DA) from human urine sample in the presence of interferences, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA).
Dynamics of single human embryonic stem cells and their pairs: a quantitative analysis
Authors: Wadkin L. E. , Elliot L. F. , Neganova I. , Parker N. G. , Chichagova V. , Swan G. , Laude A. , Lako M. , Shukurov A.
Published: March 2017

Numerous biological approaches are available to characterise the mechanisms which govern the formation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) colonies. To understand how the kinematics of single and pairs of hESCs impact colony formation, we study their mobility characteristics using time-lapse imaging. We perform a detailed statistical analysis of their speed, survival, directionality, distance travelled and diffusivity. We confirm that single and pairs of cells migrate as a diffusive random walk for at least 7 hours of evolution. We show that the presence of Cell Tracer significantly reduces hESC mobility. Our results open the path to employ the theoretical framework of the diffusive random walk for the prognostic modelling and optimisation of the growth of hESC colonies. Indeed, we employ this random walk model to estimate the seeding density required to minimise the occurrence of hESC colonies arising from more than one founder cell and the minimal cell number needed for successful colony formation. Our prognostic model can be extended to investigate the kinematic behaviour of somatic cells emerging from hESC differentiation and to enable its wide application in phenotyping of pluripotent stem cells for large scale stem cell culture expansion and differentiation platforms.
Excited-state fidelity as a signal for the many-body localization transition in a disordered Ising chain
Authors: Hu Taotao , Xue Kang , Li Xiaodan , Zhang Yan , Ren Hang
Published: March 2017

In this work, we use exact matrix diagonalization to explore the many-body localization (MBL) transitions in quantum Ising chains with disordered nearest-neighbour couplings, disordered next-nearest-neighbour couplings and disordered external fields. It is demonstrated that the fidelity can be used to characterize the interaction-driven MBL transition in this closed spin system in a manner that is consistent with previous analytical and numerical results. We compute the fidelity for high-energy many-body eigenstates, namely, the excited-state fidelity. It is demonstrated that disordered nearest-neighbour couplings, disordered next-nearest-neighbour couplings and disordered external fields each have different effects on the MBL transition. Furthermore, we investigate the MBL transition of a quantum Ising chain with both disordered nearest-neighbour couplings and disordered next-nearest-neighbour couplings to see how these two types of disordered couplings drive the occurrence of the MBL transition.
Double-stacked hyperbolic metamaterial waveguide arrays for efficient and broadband terahertz quarter-wave plates
Authors: Ke Xianmin , Zhu Hua , Li Junhao , Chen Lin , Li Xun
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate how it is possible to achieve weak dispersion in the phase delay between two orthogonal polarization states by using double-stacked hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) waveguide arrays. The weak dispersion in the phase delay originates from the different signs of phase delay from the two different HMM waveguide arrays. The condition of dispersion-free phase delay for the transmitted waves has been theoretically derived from the transmission matrix as the propagation characteristic of the HMM waveguide is involved. We further reveal that the designed double-stacked HMM waveguide array can function as an efficient quarter-wave plate that enables the conversion of linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light within a broad frequency band. In addition, the bandwidth over which the degree of linear polarization is nearly unity and over which the angle of linear polarization is kept at approximately 45° is basically consistent with the phase bandwidth. This offers a promising approach for developing a practical polarization converter in the terahertz domain.
Adventitial lymphatic capillary expansion impacts on plaque T cell accumulation in atherosclerosis
Authors: Rademakers Timo , van der Vorst Emiel P. C. , Daissormont Isabelle T. M. N. , Otten Jeroen J. T. , Theodorou Kosta , Theelen Thomas L. , Gijbels Marion , Anisimov Andrey , Nurmi Harri , Lindeman Jan H. N. , Schober Andreas , Heeneman Sylvia , Alitalo Kari , Biessen Erik A. L.
Published: March 2017

During plaque progression, inflammatory cells progressively accumulate in the adventitia, paralleled by an increased presence of leaky vasa vasorum. We here show that next to vasa vasorum, also the adventitial lymphatic capillary bed is expanding during plaque development in humans and mouse models of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we investigated the role of lymphatics in atherosclerosis progression. Dissection of plaque draining lymph node and lymphatic vessel in atherosclerotic ApoE−/− mice aggravated plaque formation, which was accompanied by increased intimal and adventitial CD3+ T cell numbers. Likewise, inhibition of VEGF-C/D dependent lymphangiogenesis by AAV aided gene transfer of hVEGFR3-Ig fusion protein resulted in CD3+ T cell enrichment in plaque intima and adventitia. hVEGFR3-Ig gene transfer did not compromise adventitial lymphatic density, pointing to VEGF-C/D independent lymphangiogenesis. We were able to identify the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, which has previously been shown to indirectly activate VEGFR3, as a likely pathway, in that its focal silencing attenuated lymphangiogenesis and augmented T cell presence. Taken together, our study not only shows profound, partly CXCL12/CXCR4 mediated, expansion of lymph capillaries in the adventitia of atherosclerotic plaque in humans and mice, but also is the first to attribute an important role of lymphatics in plaque T cell accumulation and development.
Checking behavior in rhesus monkeys is related to anxiety and frontal activity
Authors: Bosc Marion , Bioulac Bernard , Langbour Nicolas , Nguyen Tho Hai , Goillandeau Michel , Dehay Benjamin , Burbaud Pierre , Michelet Thomas
Published: March 2017

When facing doubt, humans can go back over a performed action in order to optimize subsequent performance. The present study aimed to establish and characterize physiological doubt and checking behavior in non-human primates (NHP). We trained two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in a newly designed “Check-or-Go” task that allows the animal to repeatedly check and change the availability of a reward before making the final decision towards obtaining that reward. By manipulating the ambiguity of a visual cue in which the reward status is embedded, we successfully modulated animal certainty and created doubt that led the animals to check. This voluntary checking behavior was further characterized by making EEG recordings and measuring correlated changes in salivary cortisol. Our data show that monkeys have the metacognitive ability to express voluntary checking behavior similar to that observed in humans, which depends on uncertainty monitoring, relates to anxiety and involves brain frontal areas.
Quantifying edge significance on maintaining global connectivity
Authors: Qian Yuhua , Li Yebin , Zhang Min , Ma Guoshuai , Lu Furong
Published: March 2017

Global connectivity is a quite important issue for networks. The failures of some key edges may lead to breakdown of the whole system. How to find them will provide a better understanding on system robustness. Based on topological information, we propose an approach named LE (link entropy) to quantify the edge significance on maintaining global connectivity. Then we compare the LE with the other six acknowledged indices on the edge significance: the edge betweenness centrality, degree product, bridgeness, diffusion importance, topological overlap and k-path edge centrality. Experimental results show that the LE approach outperforms in quantifying edge significance on maintaining global connectivity.
Nerve regeneration by human corneal stromal keratocytes and stromal fibroblasts
Authors: Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Williams Geraint P. , Setiawan Melina , Yusoff Nur Zahirah Binte M. , Lee Xiao-wen , Htoon Hla Myint , Zhou Lei , Fuest Matthias , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: March 2017

Laser refractive surgeries reshape corneal stroma to correct refractive errors, but unavoidably affect corneal nerves. Slow nerve regeneration and atypical neurite morphology cause desensitization and neuro-epitheliopathy. Following injury, surviving corneal stromal keratocytes (CSKs) are activated to stromal fibroblasts (SFs). How these two different cell types influence nerve regeneration is elusive. Our study evaluated the neuro-regulatory effects of human SFs versus CSKs derived from the same corneal stroma using anin vitrochick dorsal root ganglion model. The neurite growth was assessed by a validated concentric circle intersection count method. Serum-free conditioned media (CM) from SFs promoted neurite growth dose-dependently, compared to that from CSKs. We detected neurotrophic and pro-inflammatory factors (interleukin-8, interleukin-15, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, eotaxin, RANTES) in SFCM by Bio-Plex Human Cytokine assay. More than 130 proteins in SFCM and 49 in CSKCM were identified by nanoLC-MS/MS. Proteins uniquely present in SFCM had reported neuro-regulatory activities and were predicted to regulate neurogenesis, focal adhesion and wound healing. Conclusively, this was the first study showing a physiological relationship between nerve growth and the metabolically active SFs versus quiescent CSKs from the same cornea source. The dose-dependent effect on neurite growth indicated that nerve regeneration could be influenced by SF density.
Inelastic electron injection in a water chain
Authors: Rizzi Valerio , Todorov Tchavdar N. , Kohanoff Jorge J.
Published: March 2017

Irradiation of biological matter triggers a cascade of secondary particles that interact with their surroundings, resulting in damage. Low-energy electrons are one of the main secondary species and electron-phonon interaction plays a fundamental role in their dynamics. We have developed a method to capture the electron-phonon inelastic energy exchange in real time and have used it to inject electrons into a simple system that models a biological environment, a water chain. We simulated both an incoming electron pulse and a steady stream of electrons and found that electrons with energies just outside bands of excited molecular states can enter the chain through phonon emission or absorption. Furthermore, this phonon-assisted dynamical behaviour shows great sensitivity to the vibrational temperature, highlighting a crucial controlling factor for the injection and propagation of electrons in water.
Erratum: Repeated administration of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor attenuates nicotine taking in rats and smoking behavior in human smokers
Authors: Ashare R L , Kimmey B A , Rupprecht L E , Bowers M E , Hayes M R , Schmidt H D
Published: March 2017

Repeated administration of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor attenuates nicotine taking in rats and smoking behavior in human smokers
Sodium-ion batteries: present and future
Authors: Hwang Jang-Yeon , Myung Seung-Taek , Sun Yang-Kook
Published: March 2017

This review introduces current research on materials and proposes future directions for sodium-ion batteries.
A pyrene-based fast-responsive fluorescent probe for G-quadruplexes
Authors: Jiang Chuang , Li Ling-Ling , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: March 2017

A novel pyrene-based fluorescent probe (3-methyl-2-(pyren-1-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-3-ium iodide) (PBT) was found to be a fast-responsive and highly selective towards G-quadruplexes. PBT exhibited an opposite fluorescent variation tendency on binding with G-quadruplexes and ds-DNAs.
Titanium dioxide visible light photocatalysis: surface association enables photocatalysis with visible light irradiation
Authors: Pitre Spencer P. , Yoon Tehshik P. , Scaiano Juan C.
Published: March 2017

While titanium oxide (TiO2) photocatalysis is typically enabled by UV irradiation, association of indole to the TiO2 surface was found to enable photocatalysis with visible light irradiation.
Buckling behaviour of composites with double walled nanotubes from carbon and phosphorus
Authors: Cai Kun , Wan Jing , Yang Likui , Wei Ning , Shi Jiao , Qin Qing-Hua
Published: March 2017

Due to weak interactions among phosphorus atoms in black phosphorene, a nanotube obtained by curling single-layer black phosphorus is not as stable as a carbon nanotube (CNT) under uniaxial compression.
Oleuropein down-regulated IL-1β-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in human synovial fibroblast cell line SW982
Authors: Castejón Maria Luisa , Rosillo Maria Ángeles , Montoya Tatiana , González-Benjumea Alejandro , Fernández-Bolaños Jose Maria , Alarcón-de-la-Lastra Catalina
Published: March 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease mainly characterized by aggressive hyperproliferation of synovial fibroblasts (SFs).
A switchable route to valuable commodity chemicals from glycerol via electrocatalytic oxidation with an earth abundant metal oxidation catalyst
Authors: Lam Chun Ho , Bloomfield Aaron J. , Anastas Paul T.
Published: March 2017

A switchable mild electrocatalytic protocol to transform glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, into either lactic or glyceric acid is reported.
Fluorescence fiber-optic turn-on detection of trace hydrazine vapor with dicyanovinyl-functionalized triazatruxene-based hyperbranched conjugated polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Xu Yuxiang , Li Hua , Wu Xiaofu , Chen Yonghong , Hang Hao , Tong Hui , Wang Lixiang
Published: March 2017

A solution-processed triazatruxene-based hyperbranched conjugated polymer nanoparticle was applied for fluorescence fiber-optic detection of hydrazine vapor with a limit of detection down to 1.1 mg m−3 in 5 minutes.
One-step preparation and application of magnetic sludge-derived biochar on acid orange 7 removal via both adsorption and persulfate based oxidation
Authors: Wang Jia , Liao Zhuwei , Ifthikar Jerosha , Shi Lerong , Chen Zhuqi , Chen Zhulei
Published: March 2017

Magnetic sludge-derived biochar was synthesized in one-step, and showed stable and remarkable performance in persulfate based oxidative degradation.
Investigation of the dinuclear effect of aluminum complexes in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone
Authors: Hsu Chiao-Yin , Tseng Hsi-Ching , Vandavasi Jaya Kishore , Lu Wei-Yi , Wang Li-Fang , Chiang Michael Y. , Lai Yi-Chun , Chen Hsing-Yin , Chen Hsuan-Ying
Published: March 2017

Al complexes bearing hydrazine-bridging Schiff base ligands showed the best catalytic activity, approximately 3- to 11-fold higher than that of dinuclear Al complexes bearing Salen ligands and mononuclear Al complexes bearing Schiff base ligands.
Main-chain poly(fullerene) multiblock copolymers as organic photovoltaic donor–acceptors and stabilizers
Authors: Raissi Mahfoudh , Erothu Harikrishna , Ibarboure Emmanuel , Bejbouji Habiba , Cramail Henri , Cloutet Eric , Vignau Laurence , Hiorns Roger C.
Published: March 2017

Main-chain fullerene block copolymers increase efficiency and stability when used as additives in inverted organic bulk heterojunction solar cells.
Mesoporous silica particles as a lipophilic drug vehicle investigated by fluorescence lifetime imaging
Authors: Valetti Sabrina , Wankar Jitendra , Ericson Marica B. , Feiler Adam , Manet Ilse
Published: March 2017

Fluorescent mesoporous silica particles, obtained upon calcination after carboamino functionalisation, have been loaded with the antibiotic clofazimine. Visible fluorescence lifetime imaging allows us to discern loaded from unloaded particles.
Nanoparticles/thermosensitive hydrogel reinforced with chitin whiskers as a wound dressing for treating chronic wounds
Authors: Xia Guixue , Liu Ya , Tian Meiping , Gao Ping , Bao Zixian , Bai Xiaoyu , Yu Xiaoping , Lang Xuqian , Hu Shihao , Chen Xiguang
Published: March 2017

Nanoparticles/thermosensitive hydrogel reinforced with chitin whiskers as a wound dressing for treating chronic wounds.
Effective band gap tuning by foreign metal doping in hybrid tin iodide perovskites
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Keisuke , Takahashi Yukihiro , Harada Jun , Inabe Tamotsu
Published: March 2017

Band gap reduction down to 0.8 eV is observed in tin iodide-based hybrid perovskites as a result of bismuth doping. The band gap reduction originated because of lowering of the conduction band energies. In spite of the foreign metal doping, the number of carriers is not affected.
Tunable magnetic pole inversion in multiferroic BiFeO3–DyFeO3 solid solution
Authors: Wu Jiangtao , Liao Zuzhen , Sun Ting , Su Lun-Wei , Bi Jian , Fan Guangyin , Gao Daojiang , Xie Zhaoxiong , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: March 2017

We report an unusual magnetic pole inversion behaviour in multiferroic BiFeO3–xDyFeO3 solid solution, which can be tuned by varying the concentration of the magnetic ion Dy in the solid solution. It is found that the temperature-induced magnetic pole inversion occurs in a wide composition range (x = 0.14–0.90). Moreover, multiple magnetic pole inversions are observed in the solid solution compounds of high Dy-concentrations.
Metal–organic-framework derived porous conducting frameworks for highly efficient quantum dot-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Liu Yingru , Sun Yuxiu , Zhang Jingbo
Published: March 2017

Metal–organic-framework (MOF) derived carbon framework was buried inside nanocrystalline SnO2thin film as an electron highway to increase the transporting rate of electrons in QD-sensitized thin film.
An embedded-PVA@Ag nanofiber network for ultra-smooth, high performance transparent conducting electrodes
Authors: Singh Soram Bobby , Hu Yibin , Kshetri Tolendra , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee
Published: March 2017

Flexible transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) in replacement of brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) films are of ultimate importance in the production of flexible and stretchable displays, lighting devices, and solar panels with the ability to resist harsh weather conditions.