bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast growth factor 21, assisted by elevated glucose, activates paraventricular nucleus NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 neurons to produce satiety under fed states
Authors: Santoso Putra , Nakata Masanori , Shiizaki Kazuhiro , Boyang Zhang , Parmila Kumari , Otgon-Uul Zesemdorj , Hashimoto Koshi , Satoh Tetsurou , Mori Masatomo , Kuro-o Makoto , Yada Toshihiko
Published: April 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), liver-derived hormone, exerts diverse metabolic effects, being considered for clinical application to treat obesity and diabetes. However, its anorexigenic effect is debatable and whether it involves the central mechanism remains unclarified. Moreover, the neuron mediating FGF21’s anorexigenic effect and the systemic energy state supporting it are unclear. We explored the target neuron and fed/fasted state dependence of FGF21’s anorexigenic action. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of FGF21 markedly suppressed food intake in fed mice with elevated blood glucose. FGF21 induced c-Fos expression preferentially in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and increased mRNA expression selectively for nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1 (NUCB2/Nesf-1). FGF21 at elevated glucose increased [Ca2+]i in PVN NUCB2/Nesf-1 neurons. FGF21 failed to suppress food intake in PVN-preferential Sim1-Nucb2-KO mice. These findings reveal that FGF21, assisted by elevated glucose, activates PVN NUCB2/Nesf-1 neurons to suppress feeding under fed states, serving as the glycemia-monitoring messenger of liver-hypothalamic network for integrative regulation of energy and glucose metabolism.
Light absorption engineering of a hybrid (Sn3S72−)n based semiconductor – from violet to red light absorption
Authors: Hvid Mathias Salomon , Lamagni Paolo , Lock Nina
Published: April 2017

The crystalline two-dimensional thiostannate Sn3S7(trenH)2 [tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine] consists of negatively charged (Sn3S72−)n polymeric sheets with trenH+ molecular species embedded in-between. The semiconducting compound is a violet light absorber with a band gap of 3.0 eV. In this study the compound was synthesized and functionalized by introducing the cationic dyes Methylene Blue (MB) or Safranin T (ST) into the crystal structure by ion exchange. Dye capacities up to approximately 45 mg/g were obtained, leading to major changes of the light absorption properties of the dye stained material. Light absorption was observed in the entire visible light region from red to violet, the red light absorption becoming more substantial with increasing dye content. The ion exchange reaction was followed in detail by variation of solvent, temperature and dye concentration. Time-resolved studies show that the ion exchange follows pseudo-second order kinetics and a Langmuir adsorption mechanism. The pristine and dye stained compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealing that the honeycomb hexagonal pore structure of the host material was maintained by performing the ion exchange in the polar organic solvent acetonitrile, while reactions in water caused a break-down of the long-range ordered structure.
Localised residency and inter-annual fidelity to coastal foraging areas may place sea bass at risk to local depletion
Authors: Doyle Thomas K. , Haberlin Damien , Clohessy Jim , Bennison Ashley , Jessopp Mark
Published: April 2017

For many marine migratory fish, comparatively little is known about the movement of individuals rather than the population. Yet, such individual-based movement data is vitally important to understand variability in migratory strategies and fidelity to foraging locations. A case in point is the economically important European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labraxL.) that inhabits coastal waters during the summer months before migrating offshore to spawn and overwinter. Beyond this broad generalisation we have very limited information on the movements of individuals at coastal foraging grounds. We used acoustic telemetry to track the summer movements and seasonal migrations of individual sea bass in a large tidally and estuarine influenced coastal environment. We found that the vast majority of tagged sea bass displayed long-term residency (mean, 167 days) and inter-annual fidelity (93% return rate) to specific areas. We describe individual fish home ranges of 3 km or less, and while fish clearly had core resident areas, there was movement of fish between closely located receivers. The combination of inter-annual fidelity to localised foraging areas makes sea bass very susceptible to local depletion; however, the designation of protected areas for sea bass may go a long way to ensuring the sustainability of this species.
Homogenizing cellular tension by hepatocyte growth factor in expanding epithelial monolayer
Authors: Jang Hwanseok , Notbohm Jacob , Gweon Bomi , Cho Youngbin , Park Chan Young , Kee Sun-Ho , Fredberg Jeffrey J. , Shin Jennifer H. , Park Yongdoo
Published: April 2017

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces cell migration and scattering by mechanisms that are thought to tip a local balance of competing physical forces; cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate forces. In this local process, HGF is known to attenuate local cadherin-dependent adhesion forces for cell-cell junction development and enhance local integrin-dependent contractile forces for pulling neighboring cells apart. Here we use an expanding island of confluent Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as a model system to quantify the collective cell migration. In the absence of HGF, cell trajectories are highly tortuous whereas in the presence of HGF, they become far less so, resembling free expansion of a gas. At the level of cell-to-cell junctions, HGF attenuates the linkage of stress fibers to cell-to-cell junctions with concomitant decrease in intercellular stress. At the level of cell-to-substrate junctions, HGF augments the linkage of stress fibers to cell-to-substrate junctions with no apparent effect on traction. Together, HGF induces both structural changes in the actin-bound junctional protein complex and physical forces spanning multicellular clusters, which further promotes the expansion of confluent cellular layer.
Comparison for Efficacy and Tolerability among Ten Drugs for Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Zhu Xiaodong , Jiang Ronghuan , Ji Feng , Su Zhonghua , Xue Rong , Zhou Yuying
Published: April 2017

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long term disorder affects the central nervous system and we aim to determine the relative efficacy of the current available drugs used in PD. Firstly, we performed a systematic review in current literature and eligible studies were retrieved from online databases, relevant data were extracted. Efficacy of these medications was assessed by different Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scales (UPDRS). Mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) were produced by pairwise or network meta-analysis (NMA). Finally, we performed a cluster analysis for the included medications with respect to their surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Pairwise meta-analysis suggests that selegiline had a higher ranking in UPDRS II, UPDRS III and UPDRS total than bromocriptine and levodopa. Selegiline was more tolerable than bromocriptine (OR = 0.62, CI: 0.39 to 0.98) and pramipexole was less tolerable than levodopa (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.00 to 2.04). Results of NMA indicate that patients with levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole and selegiline exhibited a significantly improved UPDRS III than those with lazabemide. To sum up, levodopa, selegiline, ropinirole and rotigotine were recommended for PD patients as they appeared relatively high efficacy and tolerability.
Brillouin scattering-induced rogue waves in self-pulsing fiber lasers
Authors: Hanzard Pierre-Henry , Talbi Mohamed , Mallek Djouher , Kellou Abdelhamid , Leblond Hervé , Sanchez François , Godin Thomas , Hideur Ammar
Published: April 2017

We report the experimental observation of extreme instabilities in a self-pulsing fiber laser under the influence of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). Specifically, we observe temporally localized structures with high intensities that can be referred to as rogue events through their statistical behaviour with highly-skewed intensity distributions. The emergence of these SBS-induced rogue waves is attributed to the interplay between laser operation and resonant Stokes orders. As this behaviour is not accounted for by existing models, we also present numerical simulations showing that such instabilities can be observed in chaotic laser operation. This study opens up new possibilities towards harnessing extreme events in highly-dissipative systems through adapted laser cavity configurations.
Effect of agomelatine on memory deficits and hippocampal gene expression induced by chronic social defeat stress in mice
Authors: Martin Vincent , Allaïli Najib , Euvrard Marine , Marday Tevrasamy , Riffaud Armance , Franc Bernard , Mocaër Elisabeth , Gabriel Cecilia , Fossati Philippe , Lehericy Stéphane , Lanfumey Laurence
Published: April 2017

Chronic stress is known to induce not only anxiety and depressive-like phenotypes in mice but also cognitive impairments, for which the action of classical antidepressant compounds remains unsatisfactory. In this context, we investigated the effects of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) on anxiety-, social- and cognitive-related behaviors, as well as hippocampal Bdnf, synaptic plasticity markers (PSD-95, Synaptophysin, Spinophilin, Synapsin I and MAP-2), and epigenetic modifying enzymes (MYST2, HDAC2, HDAC6, MLL3, KDM5B, DNMT3B, GADD45B) gene expression in C57BL/6J mice. CSDS for 10 days provoked long-lasting anxious-like phenotype in the open field and episodic memory deficits in the novel object recognition test. While total Bdnf mRNA level was unchanged, Bdnf exon IV, MAP-2, HDAC2, HDAC6 and MLL3 gene expression was significantly decreased in the CSDS mouse hippocampus. In CSDS mice treated 3 weeks with 50 mg/kg/d agomelatine, an antidepressant with melatonergic receptor agonist and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist properties, the anxious-like phenotype was not reversed, but the treatment successfully prevented the cognitive impairments and hippocampal gene expression modifications. Altogether, these data evidenced that, in mice, agomelatine was effective in alleviating stress-induced altered cognitive functions, possibly through a mechanism involving BDNF signaling, synaptic plasticity and epigenetic remodeling.
Meissner effect measurement of single indium particle using a customized on-chip nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device system
Authors: Wu Long , Chen Lei , Wang Hao , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Zhen
Published: April 2017

As many emergent phenomena of superconductivity appear on a smaller scale and at lower dimension, commercial magnetic property measurement systems (MPMSs) no longer provide the sensitivity necessary to study the Meissner effect of small superconductors. The nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device (nano-SQUID) is considered one of the most sensitive magnetic sensors for the magnetic characterization of mesoscopic or microscopic samples. Here, we develop a customized on-chip nano-SQUID measurement system based on a pulsed current biasing method. The noise performance of our system is approximately 4.6 × 10−17 emu/Hz1/2, representing an improvement of 9 orders of magnitude compared with that of a commercial MPMS (~10−8 emu/Hz1/2). Furthermore, we demonstrate the measurement of the Meissner effect of a single indium (In) particle (of 47 μm in diameter) using our on-chip nano-SQUID system. The system enables the observation of the prompt superconducting transition of the Meissner effect of a single In particle, thereby providing more accurate characterization of the critical field Hc and temperature Tc. In addition, the retrapping field Hre as a function of temperature T of single In particle shows disparate behavior from that of a large ensemble.
Lattice thermal conductivity of borophene from first principle calculation
Authors: Xiao Huaping , Cao Wei , Ouyang Tao , Guo Sumei , He Chaoyu , Zhong Jianxin
Published: April 2017

The phonon transport property is a foundation of understanding a material and predicting the potential application in mirco/nano devices. In this paper, the thermal transport property of borophene is investigated by combining first-principle calculations and phonon Boltzmann transport equation. At room temperature, the lattice thermal conductivity of borophene is found to be about 14.34 W/mK (error is about 3%), which is much smaller than that of graphene (about 3500 W/mK). The contributions from different phonon modes are qualified, and some phonon modes with high frequency abnormally play critical role on the thermal transport of borophene. This is quite different from the traditional understanding that thermal transport is usually largely contributed by the low frequency acoustic phonon modes for most of suspended 2D materials. Detailed analysis further reveals that the scattering between the out-of-plane flexural acoustic mode (FA) and other modes likes FA + FA/TA/LA/OP ↔ TA/LA/OP is the predominant phonon process channel. Finally the vibrational characteristic of some typical phonon modes and mean free path distribution of different phonon modes are also presented in this work. Our results shed light on the fundamental phonon transport properties of borophene, and foreshow the potential application for thermal management community.
Delineation of molecular pathway activities of the chronic antidepressant treatment response suggests important roles for glutamatergic and ubiquitin–proteasome systems
Authors: Park D I , Dournes C , Sillaber I , Ising M , Asara J M , Webhofer C , Filiou M D , Müller M B , Turck C W
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to identify molecular pathways related to antidepressant response. We administered paroxetine to the DBA/2J mice for 28 days. Following the treatment, the mice were grouped into responders or non-responders depending on the time they spent immobile in the forced swim test. Hippocampal metabolomics and proteomics analyses revealed that chronic paroxetine treatment affects glutamate-related metabolite and protein levels differentially in the two groups. We found significant differences in the expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase proteins between the two groups, without any significant alterations in the respective transcript levels. In addition, we found that chronic paroxetine treatment altered the levels of proteins associated with the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The soluble guanylate cyclase-β1, proteasome subunit α type-2 and ubiquitination levels were also affected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from antidepressant responder and non-responder patients suffering from major depressive disorder. We submit that the glutamatergic system and UPS have a crucial role in the antidepressant treatment response in both mice and humans.
The serum protein levels of the tPA–BDNF pathway are implicated in depression and antidepressant treatment
Authors: Jiang H , Chen S , Li C , Lu N , Yue Y , Yin Y , Zhang Y , Zhi X , Zhang D , Yuan Y
Published: April 2017

Evidence demonstrates that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Precursor-BDNF (proBDNF) and mature BDNF (mBDNF) have opposing biological effects in neuroplasticity, and the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasmin system is crucial in the cleavage processing of proBDNF to mBDNF. However, very little is known about the role of the tPA–BDNF pathway in MDD. We examined serum protein concentrations in the tPA–BDNF pathway, including tPA, BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), proBDNF and p75NTR, obtained from 35 drug-free depressed patients before and after 8 weeks of escitalopram (mean 12.5 mg per day) or duloxetine (mean 64 mg per day) treatment and 35 healthy controls using sandwich ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) methods. Serum tPA and BDNF and the ratio of BDNF/proBDNF were significantly lower in the MDD patients than in controls, whereas TrkB, proBDNF and its receptor p75NTR were higher. After 8 weeks of treatment, tPA, BDNF and proBDNF and the BDNF/proBDNF ratio were reversed, but p75NTR was higher than baseline, and TrkB was not significantly changed. tPA, BDNF, TrkB, proBDNF and p75NTR all yielded fairly good or excellent diagnostic performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) >0.8 or 0.9). Combination of these five proteins demonstrated much better diagnostic effectiveness (AUC: 0.977) and adequate sensitivity and specificity of 88.1% and 92.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that the tPA–BDNF lysis pathway may be implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD and the mechanisms underlying antidepressant therapeutic action. The combination of tPA, BDNF, TrkB, proBDNF and p75NTR may provide a diagnostic biomarker panel for MDD.
Immune network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome with atypical and classical presentations
Authors: Hornig M , Gottschalk C G , Eddy M L , Che X , Ukaigwe J E , Peterson D L , Lipkin W I
Published: April 2017

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a persistent and debilitating disorder marked by cognitive and sensory dysfunction and unexplained physical fatigue. Classically, cases present after a prodrome consistent with infection; however, some cases are atypical and have a different presentation and comorbidities that pose challenges for differential diagnosis. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 32 cases with classical ME/CFS and 27 cases with atypical ME/CFS using a 51-plex cytokine assay. Atypical subjects differed in cytokine profiles from classical subjects. In logistic regression models incorporating immune molecules that were identified as potential predictor variables through feature selection, we found strong associations between the atypical ME/CFS phenotype and lower CSF levels of the inflammatory mediators, interleukin 17A and CXCL9. Network analysis revealed an absence of inverse inter-cytokine relationships in CSF from atypical patients, and more sparse positive intercorrelations, than classical subjects. Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist appeared to be a negative regulator in classical ME/CFS, with patterns suggestive of disturbances in interleukin 1 signaling and autoimmunity-type patterns of immune activation. Immune signatures in the central nervous system of ME/CFS patients with atypical features may be distinct from those with more typical clinical presentations.
Dielectric spectroscopy platform to measure MCF10A epithelial cell aggregation as a model for spheroidal cell cluster analysis
Authors: Heileman K. L. , Tabrizian M.
Published: April 2017

A platform using planar electrodes to non-invasively monitor cell aggregation in a 3-dimensional extracellular matrix with dielectric spectroscopy.
Unusual molecular mechanism behind the thermal response of polypeptoids in aqueous solutions
Authors: Ma Jianbo , Xuan Sunting , Guerin Abby C. , Yu Tianyi , Zhang Donghui , Kuroda Daniel G.
Published: April 2017

The molecular mechanism behind the thermal response of the aqueous solutions of two identical polypeptoids with different architecture was studied. It was found the thermal response is initiated by a conformational change of the polymer backbone irrespective of the architecture.
On the validity of linear response approximations regarding the solvation dynamics of polyatomic solutes
Authors: Heid Esther , Moser Wanda , Schröder Christian
Published: April 2017

Gaussian statistics and linear response predictions of the nonequilibrium solvation dynamics are tested for numerous solute/solvent combinations.
Shape memory polymers with visible and near-infrared imaging modalities: synthesis, characterization and in vitro analysis
Authors: Weems A. C. , Raymond J. E. , Easley A. D. , Wierzbicki M. A. , Gustafson T. , Monroe M. B. B. , Maitland D. J.
Published: April 2017

Shape memory polymers that may be visualized through blood or soft tissue using either X-ray or fluorescence imaging.
High-throughput and multi-dimensional omics approach uncovers a huaxian capsule to ameliorate the dysregulated expression profiling of severe sepsis rats
Authors: Liang Qun , Liu Han , Xie Lixiang , Li Xue , Ai Huazhang
Published: April 2017

Multi-dimensional omics could be helpful to interpret the underlying mechanisms of disease.
A simple microfluidic method for one-step encapsulation of reagents with varying concentrations in double emulsion drops for nanoliter-scale reactions and analyses
Authors: Hou Likai , Ren Yukun , Jia Yankai , Deng Xiaokang , Tang Zheng , Tao Ye , Jiang Hongyuan
Published: April 2017

This work reports a simple microfluidic method for one-step encapsulation of two reagents with varying concentrations in water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double-emulsion drops.
Using fluorescently-labeled magnetic nanocomposites as a dual contrast agent for optical and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhu Taofeng , Ma Xiuqin , Chen Ruhua , Ge Zhijun , Xu Jun , Shen Xiaoke , Jia Lei , Zhou Tao , Luo Yifeng , Ma Tieliang
Published: April 2017

The intravenous administration of atta@Fe3O4@Ru nanocomposites to a rabbit model resulted in a marked and negatively enhanced T2-weighted MRI.
Bulk iron pyrite as a catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes
Authors: Morse James R. , Callejas Juan F. , Darling Albert J. , Schaak Raymond E.
Published: April 2017

Bulk iron pyrite (FeS2) functions as an inexpensive, Earth-abundant, off-the-shelf catalyst capable of selectively hydrogenating a broad scope of substituted nitroarenes to their corresponding aniline derivatives using molecular hydrogen.
A copper-catalyzed Ritter-type cascade via iminoketene for the synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and diazocines
Authors: Abe Takumi , Kida Koshiro , Yamada Koji
Published: April 2017

We have developed a copper-catalyzed Ritter-type reaction/cyclization cascade of anthranilic acids and nitriles, affording the quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and diazocines.
Asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of 3-amino oxindole-based azomethine ylides with α,β-ynones: a straightforward approach to spirooxindoles incorporating 2,5-dihydropyrroles and pyrroles
Authors: Zhu Guodong , Wu Shiqi , Bao Xiaoze , Cui Longchen , Zhang Yanpeng , Qu Jingping , Chen Hongbo , Wang Baomin
Published: April 2017

An organocatalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition to α,β-ynones is reported.
An organolanthanide(iii) single-molecule magnet with an axial crystal-field: influence of the Raman process over the slow relaxation
Authors: Long Jérôme , Shestakov Boris G. , Liu Dan , Chibotaru Liviu F. , Guari Yannick , Cherkasov Anton V. , Fukin Georgy K. , Trifonov Alexander A. , Larionova Joulia
Published: April 2017

We report the synthesis and magnetic properties of a series of new organometallic homoleptic complexes Li(DME)3[Ln(DAD)2] (Ln = Dy (1a, 1b), Tb(2), and Er(3)).
Automatic assignment and fitting of spectra with pgopher
Authors: Western Colin M. , Billinghurst Brant E.
Published: April 2017

An open source program for automatically assigning complex, well resolved spectra.
Covering the optical spectrum through collective rare-earth doping of NaGdF4 nanoparticles: 806 and 980 nm excitation routes
Authors: Skripka A. , Marin R. , Benayas A. , Canton P. , Hemmer E. , Vetrone F.
Published: April 2017

Sensitization of numerous emission bands (from ultraviolet to near-infrared) in rare-earth doped multilayered nanoparticles: 806 versus 980 nm excitation.
UV-induced hydrogen-atom transfer and hydrogen-atom detachment in monomeric 7-azaindole isolated in Ar and n-H2 matrices
Authors: Nowak Maciej J. , Reva Igor , Rostkowska Hanna , Lapinski Leszek
Published: April 2017

Upon UV excitation, the N1H form of 7-azaindole isolated in an Ar matrix transforms into N7H, C3H tautomers and the 7-azaindolyl radical; whereas only C3H and 7-azaindolyl radical products are photogenerated in solid H2 environment.
Design strategies of surface basicity for NO oxidation over a novel Sn–Co–O catalyst in the presence of H2O
Authors: Chang Huazhen , Li Mingguan , Li Zhenguo , Duan Lei , Zhao Chaocheng , Li Junhua , Hao Jiming
Published: April 2017

A novel mechanism is proposed for the modification of surface basicity to enhance H2O resistance in NO oxidation over novel Sn–Co–O catalysts.
Retraction: Ring-opening polymerization of lactide by aluminium catalyst
Authors: Routaray Anita , Nath Nibedita , Maharana Tungabidya , Sutar Alekha Kumar
Published: April 2017

Retraction of ‘Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide by Aluminium Catalyst’ by Anita Routaray et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cy00454c.
Self-assembly and anion sensing of metal–organic [M6L2] cages from fluorescent triphenylamine tri-pyrazoles with dipalladium(ii,ii) corners
Authors: Cui Yu , Chen Zi-Man , Jiang Xuan-Feng , Tong Jin , Yu Shu-Yan
Published: April 2017

Three supramolecular metallo-cages are synthesized from the fluorescent triphenylamine functionalized tri-pyrazoles via a directed self-assembly process in aqueous solution.
Energetic isomers of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-bis-1,2,4-triazoles with low toxicity
Authors: Shlomovich A. , Pechersky T. , Cohen A. , Yan Q. L. , Kosa M. , Petrutik N. , Tal N. , Aizikovich A. , Gozin M.
Published: April 2017

A series of nitrogen-rich “green” Energetic Materials (EMs), some with improved sensitivity, thermostability, and very low toxicity, were synthesized on the basis of 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole (DAT) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine building blocks.
Expanding the substrate scope of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Petroselinum crispum towards styrylalanines
Authors: Bencze László Csaba , Filip Alina , Bánóczi Gergely , Toşa Monica Ioana , Irimie Florin Dan , Gellért Ákos , Poppe László , Paizs Csaba
Published: April 2017

The substrate scope of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Petroselinum crispum (PcPAL) towards the l-enantiomers of racemic styrylalanines rac-1a–d were extended by reshaping the aromatic binding pocket of the active site of PcPAL by point mutations of F137.
Norbornene-modified poly(glycerol sebacate) as a photocurable and biodegradable elastomer
Authors: Yeh Yi-Cheun , Ouyang Liliang , Highley Christopher B. , Burdick Jason A.
Published: April 2017

Photocurable norbornene-functionalized poly(glycerol sebacate) (Nor-PGS) has been developed to fabricate cytocompatible, biodegradable and elastomeric scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
Radical cation and dication of a 4H-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e][1,4]-thiazine
Authors: Schneeweis Arno , Neidlinger Andreas , Reiss Guido J. , Frank Walter , Heinze Katja , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: April 2017

4H-Dithieno[2,3-b:3’,2’-e][1,4]-thiazine (DTT), and its radical cation and dication were synthesized, characterized (EPR spectroscopy and spectroelectrochemistry) and interpreted (DFT and TD DFT calculations).
Planar versus triptycenylene end-capped aroyleneimidazoles as electron acceptors in organic photovoltaics
Authors: Menke Elisabeth H. , Leibold David , Ullrich Alexander P. , Vaynzof Yana , Mastalerz Michael
Published: April 2017

The effect of triptycenylene end-groups on the optoelectronic properties of aroyleneimidazoles and their performance as acceptors in bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices are described.
Characterization of an inorganic polymer coagulant and coagulation behavior for humic acid/algae-polluted water treatment: polymeric zinc–ferric–silicate–sulfate coagulant
Authors: Liao Yong , Tang Xiaomin , Yang Qingqing , Chen Wei , Liu Bingzhi , Zhao Chuanliang , Zhai Jun , Zheng Huaili
Published: April 2017

Algae and algae organic matter (AOM) are not the sole pollutants in algae-polluted water.
Characterization of the binding mode of the PET tracer [18F]ASEM to a chimera structure of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Kuang Guanglin , Zhou Yang , Zou Rongfeng , Halldin Christer , Nordberg Agneta , Långström Bengt , Ågren Hans , Tu Yaoquan
Published: April 2017

The binding free energy profile of the radio-ligand [18F]ASEM with the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor was revealed by metadynamic simulations.
Graphene material preparation through thermal treatment of graphite oxide electrochemically synthesized in aqueous sulfuric acid
Authors: Gurzęda B. , Buchwald T. , Nocuń M. , Bąkowicz A. , Krawczyk P.
Published: April 2017

The present work demonstrates a simple and low-cost method to produce bulk quantities of graphene material through the thermal treatment of graphite oxide (GO).
The enhanced resistance to P species of an Mn–Ti catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 by the modification with Mo
Authors: Guo Rui-tang , Li Ming-yuan , Sun Peng , Liu Shu-ming , Wang Shu-xian , Pan Wei-guo , Liu Shuai-wei , Liu Jian , Sun Xiao
Published: April 2017

The modification of Mn–Ti catalyst by Mo could enhance its resistance to P species.
The synthesis of two long-chain N-hydroxy amino coumarin compounds and their applications in the analysis of aldehydes
Authors: Guan Zhaobing , Ding Manman , Sun Yao , Yu Sisi , Zhang Ao , Xia Shuguang , Hu Xiaosong , Lin Yawei
Published: April 2017

Two long-chain N-substituted coumaryl hydroxylamines were synthesized, which can serve as excellent probes for the analysis of various aldehydes.
He-Wei granules (HWKL) combat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and myelosuppression in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis
Authors: Song Zehai , Chang Hang , Han Na , Liu Zhihui , Liu Ye , Wang Hui , Shao Jingxuan , Wang Zhonglin , Gao Hao , Yin Jun
Published: April 2017

He-Wei granules (HWKL) combat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and myelosuppression in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis
Correction: High concentration levulinic acid production from corn stover
Authors: Alipour Siamak , Omidvarborna Hamid , Relue Patricia A. , Viamajala Sridhar , Varanasi Sasidhar
Published: April 2017

Correction for ‘High concentration levulinic acid production from corn stover’ by Siamak Alipour et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 111616–111621.
The intrinsic properties of FA(1−x)MAxPbI3 perovskite single crystals
Authors: Huang Yuan , Li Liang , Liu Zonghao , Jiao Haoyang , He Yuqing , Wang Xiaoge , Zhu Rui , Wang Dong , Sun Junliang , Chen Qi , Zhou Huanping
Published: April 2017

We provided a systematical investigation to correlate the crystal structure, composition, mobility, and ion migration behavior to the ratio of MA+/FA+ in FA(1−x)MAxPbI3 single crystal.
Bifunctional 2D-on-2D MoO3nanobelt/Ni(OH)2nanosheets for supercapacitor-driven electrochromic energy storage
Authors: Zhu Liangliang , Nuo Peh Connor Kang , Zhu Ting , Lim Yee-Fun , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: April 2017

A 2D-on-2D hierarchical architecture of nanobelt core–nanosheets shell is exploited for bifunctional electrochromism–supercapacitive application.
Heteroatoms dual doped porous graphene nanosheets as efficient bifunctional metal-free electrocatalysts for overall water-splitting
Authors: Yue Xin , Huang Shangli , Cai Junjie , Jin Yanshuo , Shen Pei Kang
Published: April 2017

N and F dual doped porous graphene nanosheets (NFPGNS).
Correction: High quality graphene films with a clean surface prepared by an UV/ozone assisted transfer process
Authors: Sun Hongyan , Chen Ding , Wu Yuming , Yuan Qilong , Guo Liangchao , Dai Dan , Chee Kuan W. A. , Xu Yang , Zhao Pei , Jiang Nan , Lin Cheng-Te
Published: April 2017

Correction for ‘High quality graphene films with a clean surface prepared by an UV/ozone assisted transfer process’ by Hongyan Sun et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2017, 5, 1880–1884.
Mu‐negative metamaterial filter‐based isolation technique for MIMO antennas
Authors: Thummaluru S.R. , Chaudhary R.K.
Published: April 2017

In this Letter, a mu‐negative metamaterial (MTM) filter‐based novel decoupling technique is presented for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas. The design process has been described in a systematic manner, starting with the basic two port monopole antenna and then adding cancellation network and finally the proposed MIMO antenna by adding the matching network. Since the presented decoupling network is developed using MTM structure, good isolation between the antennas is achieved by maintaining compactness. The presented isolation technique can be used in different applications like in developing circularly polarized and multi‐band MIMO antennas. As an example, two port circularly polarised MIMO antenna design is also presented. The proposed designs have been fabricated and the simulation results are experimentally verified.
Power saving transmission in interference networks
Authors: Madani Najmeh , Azmi Paeiz
Published: April 2017

This study proposes a power control scheme to obtain minimum aggregate power in a system composing of interfering links (N‐link) while a target sum‐rate is met. The authors develop an analytical framework for two interfering links which results in the optimal transmission policy. For N > 2, they propose a suboptimal solution based on successive convex approximation for low‐complexity (SCALE) algorithm. They modify the SCALE algorithm to converge to a point satisfying Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions when high signal‐to‐noise‐and‐interference approximation of rate function is not valid. They also provide a suboptimal solution based on the geometric programming. They perform numerical evaluations in a dense interference environment and compare the performance of the modified SCALE with that of the SCALE algorithm. They also compare the performance of proposed power control with that of sum‐rate maximisation of interfering links, in which the individual power constraint on each user is considered. The simulation results indicate that the modified SCALE performs better than the SCALE algorithm. The results also demonstrate that the proposed power control can save power comparing to the sum‐rate maximisation in most considered cases.
Asymptotic tracking and dynamic regulation of SISO non‐linear system based on discrete multi‐dimensional Taylor network
Authors: Yan Hong‐Sen , Kang An‐Ming
Published: April 2017

For non‐linear control, it is important to secure a generally structured controller that promises wide application and desirable performance. This study deals with the problem of asymptotic tracking and dynamic regulation of single‐input single output (SISO) non‐linear systems via output feedbacks by the discrete multi‐dimensional Taylor network (MTN) controller, a novel controller with fixed structure and sampled‐data control mechanism. For verification of its validity, differential geometry and polynomial approximation are adopted. Using the emulation technique and regional pole assignment, the asymptotic tracking and dynamic regulation without online optimisation of the system by discrete MTN controller is tested. With the dynamic change of error signals, the dynamic regulation by given index is realised. As a convex optimisation problem, the controller parameters can be acquired by parametric learning. Based on the delta operator model, the procedure of the controller design is given in detail. Simulation results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Performance enhancement of AlGaN/InGaN MQW LED with GaN/InGaN superlattice structure
Authors: Saroosh Rabia , Tauqeer Tauseef , Afzal Sara , Mehmood Haris
Published: April 2017

A gallium nitride (GaN)‐based light‐emitting diode (LED) structure with 10‐period superlattice layers (SLs) of p ‐GaN/i ‐In0.2 Ga0.8 N, inserted between p ‐GaN and 12‐period Al0.16 Ga0.84 N/In0.2 Ga0.8 N multiple quantum well (MQW) layers, is numerically designed and examined using physical device simulator, SILVACO. The SL structure acts as a confinement layer of holes that serves to mitigate the effects of efficiency droop and leakage current within LED. Consequently, inserting SL structure within epitaxial domain tends to improve the current‐spreading capability of the device. The proposed structure is compared with the conventional LED without SL and enhanced LED performance has been demonstrated by the SL‐based device. The measured power spectral density and luminous power of the under‐investigated device are 8.27 W/cm eV at 433 nm and 3.1 W/cm at 12.32 kA/cm2, respectively. Correspondingly, the external QE of 25.4% has been determined that is higher than the earlier LED reported with 10‐period SL structure of p ‐GaN/i ‐In0.2 Ga0.8 N and 12‐period MQWs of GaN/indium GaN configuration. Moreover, another structure based on 30‐period SL was also investigated and the output results exhibited no significant improvement in the efficiency due to thermionic emission and thickness‐induced strain factors.
Permanent magnet working point ripple in synchronous generators
Authors: Sjökvist Stefan , Rossander Morgan , Eriksson Sandra
Published: April 2017

Permanent magnets (PMs) are today widely used in electrical machines of all sorts. With their increase in popularity, the amount of research has increased as well. In this study, the magnetic flux density ripple of the working point of the PMs in a 100 kW PM synchronous generator has been investigated for three different load cases: no load, AC load, and DC load. The PMs will be subjected to a shift in working point as a consequence of the characteristics of the electrical loading. This study is based on finite element method simulations where the ripple of the magnetic flux density in the PMs was recorded at three positions within a PM. The slot harmonic of 7.5 times the electrical frequency was present in the results for all load cases, but mainly at the surface of the PM, as expected. Results showed an unexpected harmonic of , assumed to be an undertone of the slot harmonics. The harmonic for the DC load case was significantly higher than for the AC load case and is caused by the current fluctuation during passive rectification. For the studied machine, the added harmonics in the magnetic field due to passive rectification are less than the slot‐related harmonics.
Efficient Access to Original 6-Substituted 5-Nitro-2,3-dihydro­imidazo[2,1-b]oxazoles
Authors: Mathias Fanny , Kabri Youssef , Crozet Maxime , Vanelle Patrice
Published: April 2017

A one-pot sequential intramolecular cyclization and Suzuki–Miyaura or Sonogashira reaction under microwave irradiation are reported in the 5-nitro-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole series. The intramolecular cyclization of 1-(2,4-dibromo-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol between the hydroxyethyl group and the bromine atom at the 2-position is carried out first, followed by optimization and generalization of the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of the bromine atom at the 4-position. The various boronic acids and alkynyl derivatives used to perform these palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions allowed to substitute the 6-position of 5-nitro-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole compounds.
European Census on Pediatric Surgery
Authors: Czauderna Piotr , Rolle Udo , Zachariou Zacharias , Parigi Gian
Published: April 2017

Background Detailed data on the distribution of pediatric surgical institutions in Europe are sparse. Therefore, the Section and Board of Pediatric Surgery of the Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) jointly organized the first official census of the European centers of pediatric surgery (PS).

Materials and Methods After obtaining a list of pediatric surgical centers in Europe, a specialized questionnaire was created and made available on the Internet. General, workload, staff, and ancillary data were collected for the centers.

Results Total 215 out of 431 centers answered. PS center density is 1 in every 177,000 children or 1 in every 1,142,000 inhabitants. Approximately 77% of the centers (167 out of 215) are training centers in PS. Every center has an average inpatients procedures/year equal to 1,588, and 92.6 neonatal procedures/year. There are 3.9 surgeons/100,000 children, and 1,662 neonates for every surgeon. In average every EU surgeon performs 202 procedures/year, of which 11 procedures are on neonates. Trainees represent the 38% of the total workforce, and there are 2.3 trainees for every staff aged > 60 years.

Conclusion The paper aims to offer a more grounded basis on which the future of PS in our Continent should be planned. Presented data will provide an invaluable help to all our colleagues, as well as national policy makers, to press for and to make better informed and well-grounded sound political choices in the field of PS.
New Perspectives in Autism Spectrum Disorder associated with Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Benvenuto Arianna , Graziola Federica , Moavero Romina , Mazzone Luigi , Gialloreti Leonardo , Curatolo Paolo , Siracusano Martina
Published: April 2017

Recent advances in molecular genetics and preclinical studies of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) have helped to better understand the pathophysiology of TSC-related autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Furthermore, developmental studies have shown that infants with TSC begin to diverge from the neurotypical trajectories at the age of 6 months. Early abnormalities are often characterized by a delay in nonverbal cognitive skills, such as fine motor and visual reception domains followed by qualitative impairment of social communication. The expanding possibilities of an early diagnosis of TSC should increasingly allow the prompt identification of a population of infants at high risk for developing ASD. A presymptomatic diagnosis of TSC could facilitate not only the prospective investigation of developmental trajectories and early markers of ASD but also the evaluation of the efficacy of early interventions. Early identification of infants at high-risk for ASD, such as TSC infants, can allow designing individualized treatment strategies to address deficits in specific developmental domains associated with autism. The involvement of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in determining the behavioral phenotypes associated with TSC led to the hypothesis that mTOR inhibitors could also have a benefit on ASD symptoms. After the promising results from preclinical studies administrating rapamycin, clinical trials studying mTOR inhibitors are now undergoing.
Effects of shRNA Targeting Maspin on the Invasion of Extravillous Trophoblast Cell
Authors: Shi Xinwei , Liu Qing , Liu Hao , Deng Dongrui , Qiao Fuyuan , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: April 2017

Objective Hypomethylation of the maspin gene results in increased expression of maspin in preeclamptic placentas. However, maspin gene function and the molecular aspects in placentation remain largely unclear. The study was designed to investigate the effects of maspin on the invasion of extravillous trophoblast cell line (TEV-1) and the molecular mechanism.

Study Design We cloned short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting maspin gene into plasmid pGenesil-1.1 eukaryotic expression vector and then transfected it using adenovirus. The methylation rates in the maspin gene were detected by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction; the invasive ability of trophoblast cells was examined by Transwell chamber assay; the mRNA and protein expression of maspin and some invasive related gene was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.

Results After the maspin expression was successfully knocked down, the methylation rates in the maspin gene were significantly increased, and the number of cells invading through Matrigel (Corning Life Sciences and BD Biosciences) was obviously increased. The mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) were increased significantly.

Conclusion Using shRNA technology, this study further verified that maspin gene methylation could decrease maspin expression and inhibit the invasion of TEV-1 cells through VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and MMP2.
Update on cholangiocarcinoma: potential impact of genomic studies on clinical management
Authors: Walter Dirk , Hartmann Sylvia , Waidmann Oliver
Published: April 2017

The term cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises neoplasms of the intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal bile duct. Five-year survival rates of patients with CCA are below 20 %, and no targeted therapy could prove a benefit in comparison to the standard treatment of cisplatinum and gemcitabine. In recent years, next generation sequencing studies revealed a profound genomic heterogeneity of CCA subtypes potentially affecting the design of future therapy trials. This review provides a concise update on current clinical management of CCA including data of recent genomic studies and differences between CCA subtypes.
Suprachoroidale Hydrogelplombe – eine neue minimalinvasive Technik zur Behandlung der rhegmatogenen Netzhautablösung
Authors: Boden K. , Januschowski K. , Szurman P.
Published: April 2017

Die suprachoroidale Hydrogelplombe ist ein neues, einfaches und sicheres Verfahren zur Behandlung der Netzhautablösung. Die technischen Vorteile der modernen Vitrektomie und der klassischen Buckelchirurgie sollen in diesem operativen Ansatz vereint werden. Die Technik kann additiv in Kombination mit der Vitrektomie oder als „stand-alone procedure“ angewendet werden. Als geeignetes Tamponadematerial hat sich das quervernetzte Hydrogel mit einer Resorptionsdauer von bis zu 8 Wochen herausgestellt. Es werden noch weitere Untersuchungen mit Langzeiterfahrungen empfohlen, die zu einer weiteren Verbreitung der suprachoroidalen Hydrogelplombe als operatives Verfahren zur Behandlung der Netzhautablösung führen sollten.
Uveale Melanomzellen unter oxidativem Stress – Einfluss von VEGF und VEGF-Inhibitoren
Authors: Dithmer M. , Kirsch A. , Gräfenstein L. , Wang F. , Schmidt H. , Coupland S. , Fuchs S. , Roider J. , Klettner A.
Published: April 2017

Hintergrund Die Rolle des oxidativen Stresses bei Krebserkrankungen ist komplex. Während die durch ihn ausgelösten pathologischen Veränderungen an der Krebsentstehung beteiligt sind, kann er in späteren Stadien das Absterben von Tumorzellen fördern und sogar Metastasierungen eindämmen. Krebszellen zeigen durch ihren veränderten Metabolismus häufig eine verstärkte Bildung von radikalen Sauerstoffspezies, was sie anfällig für zusätzlichen oxidativen Stress macht. Dies ist ein wichtiger Wirkmechanismus von verschiedenen Chemotherapeutika und von therapeutisch eingesetzter ionisierender Strahlung. Das uveale Melanom ist der häufigste primäre Tumor im adulten Auge. Für die bei etwa 50 % der Patienten auftretenden Metastasen sind zurzeit leider keine wirksamen Behandlungsoptionen verfügbar. Der Primärtumor kann aber mit gutem Erfolg mit ionisierender Strahlung behandelt werden. Eine wichtige Nebenwirkung ist hierbei die Strahlenretinopathie, die wiederum mit VEGF-Antagonisten (VEGF: Vascular endothelial Growth Factor) behandelt wird. Eine Therapie des Primärtumors mit Anti-VEGF-Substanzen wird ebenfalls in der Literatur diskutiert. Über eine solche Anwendung liegen bisher nur wenige Daten vor, es ist aber eine paradoxe Verschlechterung der Situation bei einem uvealen Melanommodell in der Maus unter Anti-VEGF-Therapie berichtet worden.

Methoden In einer Studie haben wir den Einfluss von VEGF und dem VEGF-Antagonisten Bevacizumab auf das Überleben von 5 unterschiedlichen uvealen Melanomzelllinien, die mit oxidativem Stress (Wasserstoffperoxid) behandelt worden sind, untersucht. Im Weiteren haben wir uns die Expression relevanter Proteine sowie den Einfluss von Bevacizumab auf das Proliferationsverhalten der Zellen und auf das Angiogeneseverhalten von Endothelzellen in einer Kokultur mit uvealen Melanomzellen angesehen.

Ergebnisse Wir konnten in dieser Studie zeigen, dass nicht nur VEGF, sondern paradoxerweise auch der VEGF-Antagonist Bevacizumab uveale Melanomzellen vor einem Zelltod durch oxidativen Stress schützen kann. Bevacizumab zeigt darüber hinaus keinen Einfluss auf die Proliferation der Zellen und ist nur bedingt in der Lage, angiogene Strukturen in diesem System zu verhindern.

Schlussfolgerungen Die Protektion der uvealen Melanomzellen vor oxidativem Stress durch Bevacizumab ist, gerade in Anbetracht des Wirkprinzips der ionisierenden Strahlung, durch oxidativen Stress in den Tumorzellen einen Zelltod auszulösen, ein besorgniserregender Befund, der gegen eine Verwendung von Anti-VEGF bei uvealem Melanom spricht.