bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological and transcriptome changes induced by Pseudomonas putida acquisition of an integrative and conjugative element
Authors: Miyazaki Ryo , Yano Hirokazu , Sentchilo Vladimir , van der Meer Jan Roelof
Published: March 2018

Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) comprise ubiquitous large mobile regions in prokaryotic chromosomes that transmit vertically to daughter cells and transfer horizontally to distantly related lineages. Their evolutionary success originates in maximized combined ICE-host fitness trade-offs, but how the ICE impacts on the host metabolism and physiology is poorly understood. Here we investigate global changes in the host genetic network and physiology of Pseudomonas putida with or without an integrated ICEclc, a model ICE widely distributed in proteobacterial genomes. Genome-wide gene expression differences were analyzed by RNA-seq using exponentially growing or stationary phase-restimulated cultures on 3-chlorobenzoate, an aromatic compound metabolizable thanks to specific ICEclc-located genes. We found that the presence of ICEclc imposes a variety of changes in global pathways such as cell cycle and amino acid metabolism, which were more numerous in stationary-restimulated than exponential phase cells. Unexpectedly, ICEclc stimulates cellular motility and leads to more rapid growth on 3-chlorobenzoate than cells carrying only the integrated clc genes. ICEclc also concomitantly activates the P. putida Pspu28-prophage, but this in itself did not provoke measurable fitness effects. ICEclc thus interferes in a number of cellular pathways, inducing both direct benefits as well as indirect costs in P. putida.
Anomalous transparency in photonic crystals and its application to point-by-point grating inscription in photonic crystal fibers
Authors: Baghdasaryan Tigran , Geernaert Thomas , Chah Karima , Caucheteur Christophe , Schuster Kay , Kobelke Jens , Thienpont Hugo , Berghmans Francis
Published: March 2018

It is common belief that photonic crystals behave similarly to isotropic and transparent media only when their feature sizes are much smaller than the wavelength of light. Here, we counter that belief and we report on photonic crystals that are transparent for anomalously high normalized frequencies up to 0.9, where the crystal’s feature sizes are comparable with the free space wavelength. Using traditional photonic band theory, we demonstrate that the isofrequency curves can be circular in the region above the first stop band for triangular lattice photonic crystals. In addition, by simulating how efficiently a tightly focused Gaussian beam propagates through the photonic crystal slab, we judge on the photonic crystal’s transparency rather than on isotropy only. Using this approach, we identified a wide range of photonic crystal parameters that provide anomalous transparency. Our findings indicate the possibility to scale up the features of photonic crystals and to extend their operational wavelength range for applications including optical cloaking and graded index guiding. We applied our result in the domain of femtosecond laser micromachining, by demonstrating what we believe to be the first point-by-point grating inscribed in a multi-ring photonic crystal fiber.
Anisotropy and Strain Localization in Dynamic Impact Experiments of Tantalum Single Crystals
Authors: Lim Hojun , Carroll Jay D. , Battaile Corbett C. , Chen Shuh Rong , Moore Alexander P. , Lane J. Matthew D.
Published: March 2018

Deformation mechanisms in bcc metals, especially in dynamic regimes, show unusual complexity, which complicates their use in high-reliability applications. Here, we employ novel, high-velocity cylinder impact experiments to explore plastic anisotropy in single crystal specimens under high-rate loading. The bcc tantalum single crystals exhibit unusually high deformation localization and strong plastic anisotropy when compared to polycrystalline samples. Several impact orientations - [100], [110], [111] and [$$\bar{1}49$$

1
¯

49
] - are characterized over a range of impact velocities to examine orientation-dependent mechanical behavior versus strain rate. Moreover, the anisotropy and localized plastic strain seen in the recovered cylinders exhibit strong axial symmetries which differed according to lattice orientation. Two-, three-, and four-fold symmetries are observed. We propose a simple crystallographic argument, based on the Schmid law, to understand the observed symmetries. These tests are the first to explore the role of single-crystal orientation in Taylor impact tests and they clearly demonstrate the importance of crystallography in high strain rate and temperature deformation regimes. These results provide critical data to allow dramatically improved high-rate crystal plasticity models and will spur renewed interest in the role of crystallography to deformation in dynamics regimes.
Cardiac (myo)fibroblasts modulate the migration of monocyte subsets
Authors: Pappritz Kathleen , Savvatis Konstantinos , Koschel Annika , Miteva Kapka , Tschöpe Carsten , Van Linthout Sophie
Published: March 2018

Cardiac fibroblasts play an important role in the regulation of the extracellular matrix and are newly recognized as inflammatory supporter cells. Interferon (IFN)-γ is known to counteract transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. This study aims at investigating in vitro how IFN-γ affects TGF-ß1-induced monocyte attraction. Therefore, C4 fibroblasts and fibroblasts obtained by outgrowth culture from the left ventricle (LV) of male C57BL6/j mice were stimulated with TGF-β1, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 + IFN-γ. Confirming previous studies, IFN-γ decreased the TGF-ß1-induced myofibroblast differentiation, as obviated by lower collagen I, III, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), lysyl oxidase (Lox)-1 and lysyl oxidase-like (LoxL)-2 levels in TGF-β1 + IFN-γ- versus TGF-ß1-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β1 + IFN-γ-stimulated C4 and cardiac fibroblasts displayed a higher CC-chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, CCL7 and chemokine C-X3-C motif ligand (Cx3CL1) release versus sole TGF-ß1-stimulated fibroblasts. Analysis of migrated monocyte subsets towards the different conditioned media further revealed that sole TGF-β1- and IFN-γ-conditioned media particularly attracted Ly6Clow and Ly6Chigh monocytes, respectively, as compared to control media. In line with theses findings, TGF-β1 + IFN-γ-conditioned media led to a lower Ly6Clow/Ly6Chigh monocyte migration ratio compared to sole TGF-ß1 treatment. These differences in monocyte migration reflect the complex interplay of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-fibrotic factors in cardiac remodelling and inflammation.
Phylogenomic and comparative analysis of the distribution and regulatory patterns of TPP riboswitches in fungi
Authors: Mukherjee Sumit , Retwitzer Matan Drory , Barash Danny , Sengupta Supratim
Published: March 2018

Riboswitches are metabolite or ion sensing cis-regulatory elements that regulate the expression of the associated genes involved in biosynthesis or transport of the corresponding metabolite. Among the nearly 40 different classes of riboswitches discovered in bacteria so far, only the TPP riboswitch has also been found in algae, plants, and in fungi where their presence has been experimentally validated in a few instances. We analyzed all the available complete fungal and related genomes and identified TPP riboswitch-based regulation systems in 138 fungi and 15 oomycetes. We find that TPP riboswitches are most abundant in Ascomycota and Basidiomycota where they regulate TPP biosynthesis and/or transporter genes. Many of these transporter genes were found to contain conserved domains consistent with nucleoside, urea and amino acid transporter gene families. The genomic location of TPP riboswitches when correlated with the intron structure of the regulated genes enabled prediction of the precise regulation mechanism employed by each riboswitch. Our comprehensive analysis of TPP riboswitches in fungi provides insights about the phylogenomic distribution, regulatory patterns and functioning mechanisms of TPP riboswitches across diverse fungal species and provides a useful resource that will enhance the understanding of RNA-based gene regulation in eukaryotes.
Cyperenoic acid suppresses osteoclast differentiation and delays bone loss in a senile osteoporosis mouse model by inhibiting non-canonical NF-κB pathway
Authors: Chawalitpong Supatta , Chokchaisiri Ratchanaporn , Suksamrarn Apichart , Katayama Shigeru , Mitani Takakazu , Nakamura Soichiro , Athamneh Ahmad AI , Ritprajak Patcharee , Leelahavanichkul Asada , Aeimlapa Ratchaneevan , Charoenphandhu Narattaphol , Palaga Tanapat
Published: March 2018

Cyperenoic acid is a terpenoid isolated from the root of a medicinal plant Croton crassifolius with a wide range of biological activities. In this study, the effects of cyperenoic acid on osteoclast differentiation were investigated both in vitro and in vivo using receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced bone marrow-derived osteoclasts and senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6). Cyperenoic acid significantly suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation at the concentrations with no apparent cytotoxicity. The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) for osteoclast differentiation was 36.69 μM ± 1.02. Cyperenoic acid treatment evidently reduced the expression of two key transcription factors in osteoclast differentiation, NFATc1 and c-Fos. Detailed signaling analysis revealed that cyperenoic acid did not affect MAPK pathways and canonical NF-κB pathway but impaired activation of p100/p52 in the non-canonical NF-κB pathway upon RANKL stimulation. Moreover, the expression of osteoclast-related genes, nfatc1, ctsk, irf8, acp5 and cfos were disrupted by cyperenoic acid treatment. The bone resorption activity by cyperenoic acid-treated osteoclasts were impaired. In a senile osteoporosis mouse model SAMP6, mice fed on diet supplemented with cyperenoic acid showed delay in bone loss, compared to the control. Taken together, plant-derived cyperenoic acid shows great potential as therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
Multimodal imaging including semiquantitative short-wavelength and near-infrared autofluorescence in achromatopsia
Authors: Matet Alexandre , Kohl Susanne , Baumann Britta , Antonio Aline , Mohand-Said Saddek , Sahel José-Alain , Audo Isabelle
Published: March 2018

Multimodal imaging provides insights into phenotype and disease progression in inherited retinal disorders. Congenital achromatopsia (ACHM), a cone dysfunction syndrome, has been long considered a stable condition, but recent evidence suggests structural progression. With gene replacement strategies under development for ACHM, there is a critical need for imaging biomarkers to define progression patterns and follow therapy. Using semiquantitative plots, near-infrared (NIR-AF) and short-wavelength autofluorescence (SW-AF) were explored and correlated with clinical characteristics and retinal structure on optical coherence tomography (OCT). In sixteen ACHM patients with genetic confirmation (CNGA3, n = 8; CNGB3, n = 7; PDE6C, n = 1), semiquantitative plots allowed the detailed analysis of autofluorescence patterns, even in poorly fixating eyes. Twelve eyes showed perifoveal hyperautofluorescent rings on SW-AF, and 7 eyes had central hypoautofluorescent areas on NIR-AF, without association between these alterations (P = 0.57). Patients with central NIR-AF hypoautofluorescence were older (P = 0.004) and showed more advanced retinal alterations on OCT than those with normal NIR-AF (P = 0.051). NIR-AF hypoautofluorescence diameter was correlated to patient age (r = 0.63, P = 0.009), size of ellipsoid zone defect on OCT (r = 0.67, P = 0.005), but not to the size of SW-AF hyperautofluorescence (P = 0.27). These results demonstrate the interest of NIR-AF as imaging biomarker in ACHM, suggesting a relationship with age and disease progression.
Controlled biocide release from hierarchically-structured biogenic silica: surface chemistry to tune release rate and responsiveness
Authors: Mattos Bruno D. , Tardy Blaise L. , Pezhman Mohammadi , Kämäräinen Tero , Linder Markus , Schreiner Wido H. , Magalhães Washington L. E. , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: March 2018

Biocides are essential for crop protection, packaging and several other biosystem applications. Therein, properties such as tailored and controlled release are paramount in the development of sustainable biocide delivery systems. We explore the self-similar nano-organized architecture of biogenic silica particles to achieve high biocide payload. The high surface area accessibility of the carrier allowed us to develop an efficient, low energy loading strategy, reaching significant dynamic loadings of up to 100 mg·g−1. The release rate and responsiveness were tuned by manipulating the interfaces, using either the native hydroxyl surfaces of the carrier or systems modified with amines or carboxylic acids in high density. We thoroughly evaluated the impact of the carrier-biocide interactions on the release rate as a function of pH, ionic strength and temperature. The amine and carboxyl functionalization strategy led to three-fold decrease in the release rate, while higher responsiveness against important agro-industrial variables. Key to our discoveries, nanostructuring thymol in the biogenic silica endowed systems with controlled, responsive release promoting remarkable, high and localized biocidal activity. The interfacial factors affecting related delivery were elucidated for an increased and localized biocidal activity, bringing a new light for the development of controlled release systems from porous materials.
Collective electrical oscillations of a diatom population induced by dark stress
Authors: Rocha Paulo R. F. , Silva Alexandra D. , Godinho Lia , Dane Willem , Estrela Pedro , Vandamme Lode K. J. , Pereira-Leal Jose B. , de Leeuw Dago M. , Leite Ricardo B.
Published: March 2018

Diatoms are photosynthetic microalgae, a group with a major environmental role on the planet due to the biogeochemical cycling of silica and global fixation of carbon. However, they can evolve into harmful blooms through a resourceful communication mechanism, not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that a population of diatoms under darkness show quasi-periodic electrical oscillations, or intercellular waves. The origin is paracrine signaling, which is a feedback, or survival, mechanism that counteracts changes in the physicochemical environment. The intracellular messenger is related to Ca2+ ions since spatiotemporal changes in their concentration match the characteristics of the intercellular waves. Our conclusion is supported by using a Ca2+ channel inhibitor. The transport of Ca2+ ions through the membrane to the extracellular medium is blocked and the intercellular waves disappear. The translation of microalgae cooperative signaling paves the way for early detection and prevention of harmful blooms and an extensive range of stress-induced alterations in the aquatic ecosystem.
ETV2-TET1/TET2 Complexes Induce Endothelial Cell-Specific Robo4 Expression via Promoter Demethylation
Authors: Tanaka Toru , Izawa Kohei , Maniwa Yusuke , Okamura Maki , Okada Atsumasa , Yamaguchi Tomoko , Shirakura Keisuke , Maekawa Naoki , Matsui Hayato , Ishimoto Kenji , Hino Nobumasa , Nakagawa Osamu , Aird William C. , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki , Kawabata Kenji , Doi Takefumi , Okada Yoshiaki
Published: March 2018

Although transcription factors regulating endothelial cell (EC)-specific gene expression have been identified, it is not known how those factors induce EC-specificity. We previously reported that DNA hypomethylation of the proximal promoter elicits EC-specific expression of Roundabout4 (Robo4). However, the mechanisms establishing EC-specific hypomethylation of the Robo4 promoter remain unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the hypermethylated Robo4 proximal promoter is demethylated as human iPS cells differentiate into endothelial cells. Reporter assays demonstrated that ETV2, an ETS family transcription factor, bound to ETS motifs in the proximal promoter and activated Robo4 expression. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated direct interaction between ETV2 and methylcytosine-converting enzymes TET1 and TET2. Adenoviral expression of ETV2-TET1/TET2 complexes demethylated the Robo4 promoter and induced Robo4 expression in non-ECs. In summary, we propose a novel regulatory model of EC-specific gene expression via promoter demethylation induced by ETV2-TET1/TET2 complexes during endothelial differentiation.
Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care
Authors: Anderson Katharine L. , O’Neill Dan G. , Brodbelt David C. , Church David B. , Meeson Richard L. , Sargan David , Summers Jennifer F. , Zulch Helen , Collins Lisa M.
Published: March 2018

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease diagnosed in veterinary medicine and poses considerable challenges to canine welfare. This study aimed to investigate prevalence, duration and risk factors of appendicular osteoarthritis in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompassTMprogramme collects clinical data on dogs attending UK primary-care veterinary practices. The study included all VetCompassTMdogs under veterinary care during 2013. Candidate osteoarthritis cases were identified using multiple search strategies. A random subset was manually evaluated against a case definition. Of 455,557 study dogs, 16,437 candidate osteoarthritis cases were identified; 6104 (37%) were manually checked and 4196 (69% of sample) were confirmed as cases. Additional data on demography, clinical signs, duration and management were extracted for confirmed cases. Estimated annual period prevalence (accounting for subsampling) of appendicular osteoarthritis was 2.5% (CI95: 2.4–2.5%) equating to around 200,000 UK affected dogs annually. Risk factors associated with osteoarthritis diagnosis included breed (e.g. Labrador, Golden Retriever), being insured, being neutered, of higher bodyweight and being older than eight years. Duration calculation trials suggest osteoarthritis affects 11.4% of affected individuals’ lifespan, providing further evidence for substantial impact of osteoarthritis on canine welfare at the individual and population level.
In-situ Cutting of Graphene into Short Nanoribbons with Applications to Ni-Zn Batteries
Authors: Cui Chao , Li Mingqiang , Zhang Xiaoliang
Published: March 2018

Rechargeable Ni–Zn batteries, with high safety, low cost and nontoxicity, can be expected to compete with lithium-ion batteries for market share. However, the issue of dissolution of zinc electrode largely limit the battery cycle life and remains unsolved. We designed a kind of graphene-ZnO hybrid electrode in which in-situ cutting of graphene into short nanoribbons can effectively anchor plenty of zinc atoms onto the surface of graphene. This not only thoroughly fixes the issue of dissolution of zinc electrode but also increases the specific surface areas of zinc and promotes chemical reaction rate of the charge-discharge processes. By performing experimental measurements, we found that the discharge capacity of the new designed Ni-Zn batteries can be as high as 2603 mAh/gZno, and the superior electrochemical performance can be kept in 10,000 test cycles, suggesting that the new developed in-situ cutting technique is very useful in electrochemical fields.
Early life stress induces long-term changes in limbic areas of a teleost fish: the role of catecholamine systems in stress coping
Authors: Vindas Marco A. , Fokos Stefanos , Pavlidis Michail , Höglund Erik , Dionysopoulou Sylvia , Ebbesson Lars O. E. , Papandroulakis Nikolaos , Dermon Catherine R.
Published: March 2018

Early life stress (ELS) shapes the way individuals cope with future situations. Animals use cognitive flexibility to cope with their ever-changing environment and this is mainly processed in forebrain areas. We investigated the performance of juvenile gilthead seabream, previously subjected to an ELS regime. ELS fish showed overall higher brain catecholaminergic (CA) signalling and lower brain derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) and higher cfos expression in region-specific areas. All fish showed a normal cortisol and serotonergic response to acute stress. Brain dopaminergic activity and the expression of the α2Α adrenergic receptor were overall higher in the fish homologue to the lateral septum (Vv), suggesting that the Vv is important in CA system regulation. Interestingly, ELS prevented post-acute stress downregulation of the α2Α receptor in the amygdala homologue (Dm3). There was a lack of post-stress response in the β2 adrenergic receptor expression and a downregulation in bdnf in the Dm3 of ELS fish, which together indicate an allostatic overload in their stress coping ability. ELS fish showed higher neuronal activity (cfos) post-acute stress in the hippocampus homologue (Dlv) and the Dm3. Our results show clear long-term effects on limbic systems of seabream that may compromise their future coping ability to environmental challenges.
Differences in DNA Methylation and Functional Expression in Lactase Persistent and Non-persistent Individuals
Authors: Leseva Milena N. , Grand Richard J. , Klett Hagen , Boerries Melanie , Busch Hauke , Binder Alexandra M. , Michels Karin B.
Published: March 2018

In humans the expression of lactase changes during post-natal development, leading to phenotypes known as lactase persistence and non-persistence. Polymorphisms within the lactase gene (LCT) enhancer, in particular the −13910C > T, but also others, are linked to these phenotypes. We were interested in identifying dynamic mediators of LCT regulation, beyond the genotype at −13910C > T. To this end, we investigated two levels of lactase regulation in human intestinal samples obtained from New England children and adolescents of mixed European ancestry: differential expression of transcriptional regulators of LCT, and variations in DNA methylation, and their relation to phenotype. Variations in expression of CDX2, POU2F1, GATA4, GATA6, and HNF1α did not correlate with phenotype. However, an epigenome-wide approach using the Illumina Infinium HM450 bead chip identified a differentially methylated position in the LCT promoter where methylation levels are associated with the genotype at −13910C > T, the persistence/non-persistence phenotype and lactase enzymatic activity. DNA methylation levels at this promoter site and CpGs in the LCT enhancer are associated with genotype. Indeed, taken together they have a higher power to predict lactase phenotypes than the genotype alone.
Low heart deceleration capacity imply higher atrial fibrillation-free rate after ablation
Authors: Chen Zifan , Yang Yichen , Zou Cao , Zhang Yunyun , Huang Xingmei , Li Xun , Yang Xiangjun
Published: March 2018

How deceleration capacity (DC) and acceleration capacity (AC) of heart rate associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ablation is still not clear. The dynamic changes of AC, DC and conventional heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were characterized in 154 subjects before circumferential pulmonary veins isolation (CPVI) and three days, 3 months and 6 months after CPVI. The DCs of the recurrent group decreased significantly at each time point after CPVI; the DCs of the recurrence-free group before CPVI and three days, 3 months and 6 months after CPVI were 7.06 ± 1.77, 3.79 ± 1.18, 4.22 ± 1.96 and 3.97 ± 0.98 ms respectively, which also decreased significantly at each time point and were significantly lower than these of recurrent group. Conversely, the AC of recurrent and recurrence-free groups increased significantly at each time point after CPVI; the ACs of recurrence-fee group were significantly higher than these of recurrent group at each time point. No stable difference trend of HRV parameters was found between two groups. Further Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that DC < 4.8 ms or AC ≥ −5.1 ms displayed significant higher recurrence-free rates. In conclusion, high AC and low DC imply higher AF-free rate after ablation.
Characterization of Population Genetic Structure of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, in China
Authors: Yi Shaokui , Li Yanhe , Shi Linlin , Zhang Long , Li Qingbin , Chen Jing
Published: March 2018

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is one of the most economically important farmed aquatic species in China. However, it is also a famous invasive species in the world. This invasive species was dispersed most via human activities including intentional or unintentional carry in China. Thus, P. clarkii naturally distributed in China provides us a desirable mode to investigate the genetic structure of an invasive species dispersed mainly by human-mediated factors. To reveal the impact of human-mediated dispersal on genetic structure of P. clarkii in China, a total of 22,043 genome-wide SNPs were obtained from approximately 7.4 billion raw reads using 2b-RAD technique in this study. An evident pattern of population genetic structure and the asymmetrical migrational rates between different regions were observed with 22 populations based on these SNPs. This study provide a better understanding of the population genetic structure and demographic history of P. clarkii populations in China, inferring that anthropogenic factors (aquaculture or by accident) and ecological factors (e.g., complicated topography and climatic environment), as well as its special biological traits could account for the current population structure pattern and dispersal history of P. clarkii.
Differences in the accumulation of phosphorus between vegetative cells and heterocysts in the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena
Authors: Braun Philipp D. , Schulz-Vogt Heide N. , Vogts Angela , Nausch Monika
Published: March 2018

The cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena is a species that frequently forms blooms in the Baltic Sea. Accumulation of the vital nutrient phosphorus (P) apparently plays an important role in the ability of this and other cyanobacteria to grow even when dissolved inorganic phosphorus is depleted. However, until now, this has not been studied in N. spumigena at the cellular level. Therefore, in this study, phosphorus incorporation and distribution in cyanobacterial filaments over time was examined by scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). Immediately after phosphate addition to a phosphorus-depleted population, the phosphate concentration decreased in the water while intracellular polyphosphate accumulated. Microscopically, phosphorus in form of polyphosphate granules was stored preferentially in vegetative cells, whereas heterocysts remained low in intracellular phosphorus. This information is an essential step towards understanding the phosphorus dynamics of this species and demonstrates that the division of tasks between vegetative cells and heterocysts is not restricted to nitrogen fixation.
Pupillary Abnormalities with Varying Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Jain Mukesh , Devan Sandeep , Jaisankar Durgasri , Swaminathan Gayathri , Pardhan Shahina , Raman Rajiv
Published: March 2018

Our aim is to study the dynamics of pupillary abnormalities in varying severity of diabetic retinopathy. A non-interventional case-control study with 405 eyes of 244 subjects with diabetes, and 41 eyes of 26 subjects with no history of diabetes was done. Diabetes group was classified according to retinopathy severity: no retinopathy, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). After dark adaptation, pupil size and flashlight response were captured with an infrared camera. Baseline Pupil Diameter (BPD), Amplitude of Pupillary Constriction (APC), Velocity of Pupillary Constriction (VPC) and Velocity of Pupillary Dilatation (VPD). Compared to controls, mean BPD decreased with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy. Mean APC in control group was 1.73 ± 0.37 mm and reduced in mild NPDR (1.57 ± 0.39, p = 1.000), moderate NPDR (1.51 ± 0.44, p = 0.152) and found to be significant reduced in severe NPDR (1.43 ± 0.48, p = 0.001) and PDR (1.29 ± 0.43, p = 0.008). Compared to controls, mean VPC decreased progressively with increasing severity of retinopathy, with a maximal difference in the PDR group. Mean VPD as compared to the control group was significantly reduced in the no DR (p = 0.03), mild NPDR (p = 0.038), moderate NPDR (p = 0.05), PDR group (p = 0.02). We found pupillary dynamics are abnormal in early stages of diabetic retinopathy and progress with increasing retinopathy severity.
Oxygen Extraction Ratio (OER) as a Measurement of Hemodialysis (HD) Induced Tissue Hypoxia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rotondi Silverio , Tartaglione Lida , Muci Maria Luisa , Farcomeni Alessio , Pasquali Marzia , Mazzaferro Sandro
Published: March 2018

HD tissue hypoxia associates with organ dysfunctions. OER, the ratio between SaO2 and central-venous-oxygen-saturation, could estimate oxygen requirements during sessions, but no data are available. We evaluated OER behavior in 20 HD patients with permanent central venous catheter (CVC) as vascular access. Pre-HD OER (33.6 ± 1.4%; M ± SE) was higher than normal (range 20–30%). HD sessions increased OER to 39.2 ± 1.5% (M ± SE; p < 0.05) by 30′ and to 47.4 ± 1.5% (M ± SE; p < 0.001) by end of treatment (delta 40%). During HD sessions of the long and short interdialytic intervals, OER values overlapped, suggesting no influence of patient’s hydration status shifts. OER increased (p < 0.05) after 30′ of isolated HD (zero ultrafiltration), but not during isolated ultrafiltration (zero dialysate flow), suggesting a role for blood-membrane-dialysate interaction, independent of volume reduction. In ten patients, individual variability of pre-HD OER was low and repeatable (maximum calculated difference over time 6.6%), and negatively correlated with HD-induced OER increments (r = 0.860; p < 0.005), suggesting a decline in the adaptive response along with resting OER increments. In 30 prevalent patients, adjusted multivariate analysis showed that pre-HD OER (HR = 0.88, CI 0.79–0.99, p = 0.028) and percent HD-induced OER (HR = 1.04, CI 1.01–1.08, p = 0.015) were both associated with mortality, with threshold values respectively <32% and >40%. In HD patients with CVC as vascular access, OER is a cheap, easily measurable and repeatable parameter useful to assess intradialytic hypoxia, and a potential biomarker of HD related stress and morbidity, helpful to recognize patients at increased risk of mortality.
Integrative analysis of Multiple Sclerosis using a systems biology approach
Authors: Cervantes-Gracia Karla , Husi Holger
Published: March 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammatory-demyelinating events in the central nervous system. Despite more than 40 years of MS research its aetiology remains unknown. This study aims to identify the most frequently reported and consistently regulated molecules in MS in order to generate molecular interaction networks and thereby leading to the identification of deregulated processes and pathways which could give an insight of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MS. Driven by an integrative systems biology approach, gene-expression profiling datasets were combined and stratified into “Non-treated” and “Treated” groups and additionally compared to other disease patterns. Molecular identifiers from dataset comparisons were matched to our Multiple Sclerosis database (MuScle; www.padb.org/muscle). From 5079 statistically significant molecules, correlation analysis within groups identified a panel of 16 high-confidence genes unique to the naïve MS phenotype, whereas the “Treated” group reflected a common pattern associated with autoimmune disease. Pathway and gene-ontology clustering identified the Interferon gamma signalling pathway as the most relevant amongst all significant molecules, and viral infections as the most likely cause of all down-stream events observed. This hypothesis-free approach revealed the most significant molecular events amongst different MS phenotypes which can be used for further detailed studies.
A Rapid CRISPR/Cas-based Mutagenesis Assay in Zebrafish for Identification of Genes Involved in Thyroid Morphogenesis and Function
Authors: Trubiroha A. , Gillotay P. , Giusti N. , Gacquer D. , Libert F. , Lefort A. , Haerlingen B. , De Deken X. , Opitz R. , Costagliola S.
Published: March 2018

The foregut endoderm gives rise to several organs including liver, pancreas, lung and thyroid with important roles in human physiology. Understanding which genes and signalling pathways regulate their development is crucial for understanding developmental disorders as well as diseases in adulthood. We exploited unique advantages of the zebrafish model to develop a rapid and scalable CRISPR/Cas-based mutagenesis strategy aiming at the identification of genes involved in morphogenesis and function of the thyroid. Core elements of the mutagenesis assay comprise bi-allelic gene invalidation in somatic mutants, a non-invasive monitoring of thyroid development in live transgenic fish, complementary analyses of thyroid function in fixed specimens and quantitative analyses of mutagenesis efficiency by Illumina sequencing of individual fish. We successfully validated our mutagenesis-phenotyping strategy in experiments targeting genes with known functions in early thyroid morphogenesis (pax2a, nkx2.4b) and thyroid functional differentiation (duox, duoxa, tshr). We also demonstrate that duox and duoxa crispants phenocopy thyroid phenotypes previously observed in human patients with bi-allelic DUOX2 and DUOXA2 mutations. The proposed combination of efficient mutagenesis protocols, rapid non-invasive phenotyping and sensitive genotyping holds great potential to systematically characterize the function of larger candidate gene panels during thyroid development and is applicable to other organs and tissues.
Soil pH and plant diversity shape soil bacterial community structure in the active layer across the latitudinal gradients in continuous permafrost region of Northeastern China
Authors: Ren Baihui , Hu Yuanman , Chen Baodong , Zhang Ying , Thiele Jan , Shi Rongjiu , Liu Miao , Bu Rencang
Published: March 2018

In the permafrost region of northeastern China, vegetation and soil environment have showed response to permafrost degradation triggered by global warming, but the corresponding variation of the soil microbial communities remains poorly investigated. Here, a field investigation in the continuous permafrost region was conducted to collect 63 soil samples from 21 sites along a latitudinal gradient to assess the distribution pattern of microbial communities and their correlation with environmental factors. High-throughput Illumina sequencing revealed that bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Both microbial richness and phylogenetic diversity decreased initially and then increased as the latitude increased. UniFrac analysis of microbial communities detected significant differences among latitudes. Variation partitioning analysis and structural equation models revealed that environmental variables, including geographic factors, plant-community factors and soil physicochemical factors, all played non-negligible roles in affecting the microbial community structures directly or indirectly. Redundancy analysis and boosted regression tree analysis further highlighted the influences of soil pH and plant richness on microbial community compositions and diversity patterns. Taken together, these results suggest that the distribution pattern of soil microbial communities shows distinct changes along the latitudinal gradients in northeastern China and is predominantly mediated by soil pH and plant diversity.
Design of Boron Doped C2N-C3N Coplanar Conjugated Heterostructure for Efficient HER Electrocatalysis
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Chen Chongyang , Tang Chao , Li Youyong , Xu Lai
Published: March 2018

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) via the electrocatalytic reduction of water on metal-free catalysts may become a promising method for a sustainable energy supply in the future. However, compared with noble metals or transition metals, the carbon-based metal-free electrocatalysts show poor activity. Here, a novel coplanar metal-free catalyst (C2N-C3N) was designed for the first time to achieve better efficiency for electron transfer and water reduction. Through the DFT calculations, we discovered that the unique coplanar C2N-C3N structure can promote the directional transfer of electrons from C3N to C2N under the drive of built-in electric potential in the π-conjugated plane. To achieve higher performance in HER, the single atom doping by the substitution of boron is carried out. Remarkably, after the boron is doped, the barrier in the Tafel step decreases from 2.35 eV to 0.86 eV. Our results indicate that the novel B-doped coplanar C2N-C3N structure is a promising metal-free catalyst for HER.
In vivo study of non-invasive effects of non-thermal plasma in pressure ulcer treatment
Authors: Chatraie Maedeh , Torkaman Giti , Khani Mohammadreza , Salehi Hossein , Shokri Babak
Published: March 2018

According to high incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers worldwide, the purpose of this study is using of non-thermal atmospheric plasma as a novel therapy for pressure ulcers. Cold plasma was produced by applying a high-voltage (5 kV) and high-frequency (25 kHz), to helium gas. Under general anesthesia and sterile conditions, two circular magnets were used to create pressure ulcers on the dorsal skin of adult rats. The wounds were divided randomly into control and plasma-treated groups. Animals in the plasma-treated group received plasma radiation for 5 days, each day 3 times and every time 60 s. Mechanical assays were performed to determine plasma effects on the mechanical strength of the repaired tissue. The results showed that mechanical strength of repaired wound in the plasma-treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, evidence from histological studies indicates a significantly accelerated wound re-epithelialization in comparison with the control group; angiogenesis and fibrosis (collagen synthesis) were also significantly increased and the inflammation phase of wound healing was shorter in the plasma-treated group. The plasma treatment also resulted in significant wound contraction and acceleration of wound healing. The findings of present study indicate the effects of cold plasma on pressure ulcer treatment.
Association between optical coherence tomography based retinal microvasculature characteristics and myocardial infarction in young men
Authors: Kromer Robert , Tigges Eike , Rashed Nargis , Pein Inga , Klemm Maren , Blankenberg Stefan
Published: March 2018

Incident myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of adult mortality in the United States. However, because MI has a relatively low incidence in the young population, little information exists on the disease in younger adults. Because the retina has the unique quality that its vasculature is readily and noninvasively visible, the retina is frequently studied to evaluate correlations between vessels and cardiovascular diseases. In the current study, we evaluated the retinal microvasculature of patients who had experienced an MI before 50 years of age (n = 53 subjects) and age- and sex-matched patients who had not experienced an MI (n = 53 patients). We used circular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to image peripapillary venules and arterioles. The diameter of each vessel was measured and the respective arterial-venous ratio (AVR) was calculated. We did not detect any significant differences between MI and control subjects in retinal vessel calibre or AVR.
Carbon nanodot-induced gelation of a histidine-based amphiphile: application as a fluorescent ink, and modulation of gel stiffness
Authors: Paul Subir , Gayen Kousik , Nandi Nibedita , Banerjee Arindam
Published: March 2018

This study demonstrates carbon dots induced hydrogelation of an amino acid based amphiphile and the potential use of this gel as a fluorescent ink.
Mining legacy across a wetland landscape: high mercury in Upper Peninsula (Michigan) rivers, lakes, and fish
Authors: Kerfoot W. Charles , Urban Noel R. , McDonald Cory P. , Zhang Huanxin , Rossmann Ronald , Perlinger Judith A. , Khan Tanvir , Hendricks Ashley , Priyadarshini Mugdha , Bolstad Morgan
Published: March 2018

A geographic enigma is that atmospheric deposition of mercury is low and declining in the Upper Peninsula although total mercury (THg) and (MeHg) levels are high in waters and fish.
Monodisperse CoSn2 and FeSn2 nanocrystals as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Shutao , He Meng , Walter Marc , Krumeich Frank , Kravchyk Kostiantyn V. , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: March 2018

10 nm monodisperse CoSn2 NCs deliver a stable average capacity of 650 mA h g−1 for 5000 cycles.
Novel pathway to produce high molecular weight kraft lignin–acrylic acid polymers in acidic suspension systems
Authors: Kong Fangong , Wang Shoujuan , Gao Weijue , Fatehi Pedram
Published: March 2018

Kraft lignin (KL) produced in kraft pulping process was polymerized with acrylic acid in an aqueous system.
The effect of peer-led team learning on undergraduate engineering students’ conceptual understanding, state anxiety, and social anxiety
Authors: Eren-Sisman E. N. , Cigdemoglu C. , Geban O.
Published: March 2018

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) model with that of traditional college instruction (TCI) in enhancing the conceptual understanding and reducing both the state anxiety and social anxiety of undergraduate engineering students in a general chemistry course in a quasi-experimental design. 128 engineering students taking the course participated in the study. One of the course sections was randomly assigned to the experimental group and the other section was assigned to the control group. Both sections were taught by the same instructor. The control group was instructed using traditional college instruction, while the experimental group was instructed using the PLTL model. Throughout this study, six peer-led chemistry workshops and leader training sessions were performed simultaneously. The General Chemistry Concept Test, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults were administered before and after the treatment to both groups. One-way Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) indicated that after controlling students’ university entrance scores, trait anxiety scores and pre-test scores of both the General Chemistry Concept Test and state anxiety, the PLTL model was more effective in improving the conceptual understanding and reducing the situational anxiety of engineering students in undergraduate general chemistry. However, it was not so effective in lessening their social anxiety when compared to traditional college instruction.
The effect of oxygen on the efficiency of planar p–i–n metal halide perovskite solar cells with a PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer
Authors: Bruijnaers Bardo J. , Schiepers Eric , Weijtens Christ H. L. , Meskers Stefan C. J. , Wienk Martijn M. , Janssen René A. J.
Published: March 2018

Thermal annealing in air of p–i–n metal halide perovskite solar cells processed on PEDOT:PSS restores the work function of this hole transport layer, resulting in power conversion efficiency.
Determination of chromium and titanium contents in V–Cr–Ti alloys using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with solution and fusion techniques
Authors: Tian L. F. , Gao W. , Li X. Y. , Wang L. L. , Dai Y. C. , Zou D. S.
Published: March 2018

Determination of chromium and titanium contents in V–Cr–Ti ternary alloys by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
A headgroup linker perturbs pKaviaacyl chain migration: designing base-labile supramolecular assemblies
Authors: Sardar Avijit , Rout Nilesh K. , Nath Soumav , Prasad Mahesh , Mahanti Jnansankar , Mondal Santanu , Tarafdar Pradip K.
Published: March 2018

Acyl chain transfer, which perturbs the protonation equilibrium of amine and reduces the apparent pKaby 2.0–2.5 units, is used to develop a liposome-based drug delivery system.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 film coated stainless steel meshes for highly efficient oil/water separation
Authors: Ma Qiang , Li Guodong , Liu Xiangyu , Wang Zheng , Song Zhi , Wang Huanting
Published: March 2018

ZIF-8 film coated meshes with an oil–water separation efficiency of up to 99.99% and a high flux of up to 50 L m−2 s−1.
Unravelling the influence of carbon dioxide on the adsorptive recovery of butanol from fermentation broth using ITQ-29 and ZIF-8
Authors: Martin-Calvo Ana , Van der Perre Stijn , Claessens Benjamin , Calero Sofia , Denayer Joeri F. M.
Published: March 2018

The presence of CO2during the vapor phase adsorption of butanol from ABE fermentation at the head space of the fermenter has an important roll on the efficient recovery of biobutanol.
Distinctive organized molecular assemble of MoS2, MOF and Co3O4, for efficient dye-sensitized photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Fan Kai , Jin Zhiliang , Wang Guorong , Yang Hao , Liu Duanduan , Hu Hongyan , Lu Gongxuan , Bi Yingpu
Published: March 2018

Stable and efficient photocatalyst has been a key research goal in recent years.
Pd–P nanoalloys supported on a porous carbon frame as an efficient catalyst for benzyl alcohol oxidation
Authors: Guo Wenyao , Niu Shuo , Shi Wen , Zhang Bingsen , Yu Weizhen , Xie Yanan , Ji Xiaobo , Wu Yifei , Su Dangsheng , Shao Lidong
Published: March 2018

A 3D carbon frame (PCF) acted as a support for Pd–P nanoalloys and was used as an efficient catalyst for benzyl alcohol oxidation.
Activating [4 + 4] photoreactivity in the solid-state via complexation: from 9-(methylaminomethyl)anthracene to its silver(i) complexes
Authors: Spinelli Floriana , d'Agostino Simone , Taddei Paola , Jones Christopher D. , Steed Jonathan W. , Grepioni Fabrizia
Published: March 2018

Photoreactivity of an otherwise photostable anthracene derivative can be observed in the solid state upon complexation to silver(i) salts.
A pair of new chiral polyoxovanadates with decent NLO properties
Authors: Cao Jiapeng , Xiong Yao , Luo Ximing , Chen Lu , Shi Jie , Zhou Mengjie , Xu Yan
Published: March 2018

Through utilizing a two-step method to successfully prepare a pair of enantiomers trataric-polyoxovanadate [(l/d-C4O6H2)2V4O8]·2C6N2H18 (1-L or 1-D), these compounds show decent third-order NLO property and electrochemical behavior.
Reducing possible combinations of Wyckoff positions for zeolite structure prediction
Authors: Wang Jiaze , Xuan Yuzhi , Ming Yue , Li Yi
Published: March 2018

Restricting the numbers of Wyckoff positions (WPs) on axes and planes dramatically reduces the WP combinations for zeolite structure prediction.
May halogen bonding interactions compete with Cu⋯Cl semi-coordinate bonds? Structural, magnetic and theoretical studies of two polymorphs of trans-bis(5-bromo-2-chloro pyridine)dichlorocopper(ii) and trans-bis(2,5-dichloropyridine)dichlorocopper(ii)
Authors: Awwadi Firas F. , Turnbull Mark M. , Alwahsh Manal I. , Haddad Salim F.
Published: March 2018

Interaction of the negative potential area from one molecule with the positive areas I and II from two different molecules produces polymorphs 1 and 2.
Boronic acids as molecular inks for surface functionalization of polyvinyl alcohol substrates
Authors: Nishiyabu Ryuhei , Tomura Miku , Okade Tomo , Kubo Yuji
Published: March 2018

Boronic acids are proposed to be used as molecular inks for surface functionalization of polyvinyl alcohol substrates using marker pen applicators.
Grain engineering by ultrasonic substrate vibration post-treatment of wet perovskite films for annealing-free, high performance, and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xiong Hao , Zabihi Fatemeh , Wang Hongzhi , Zhang Qinghong , Eslamian Morteza
Published: March 2018

The ultrasonic substrate vibration post-treatment (SVPT) of wet perovskite films can eliminate the annealing process.