bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Funding of Long-Term Care in Canada: What Do We Know, What Should We Know?
Authors: Grignon Michel , Spencer Byron G.
Published: April 2018

Les dépenses liées à la perte d’autonomie en soins de longue durée représentent une part croissante des dépenses en soins de santé, mais il n’est pas facile d’en appréhender le montant total ou bien la source de financement en se fondant sur les données publiées. Nous utilisons des séries de statistiques publiées régulièrement ainsi que des publications occasionnelles pour colliger des estimations validées de la part occupée par les dépenses en soins de longue durée relativement aux dépenses totales en soins de santé, ainsi que celle des dépenses en soins de longue durée financés de manière privée comparativement à celle des soins fournis en institution. Pour chaque série de statistiques, nous comparons les estimations publiées (par l’ICIS ou l’OCDE) à notre estimation validée. Notre conclusion est que l’utilisation de statistiques publiées régulièrement sans ajustement pourrait conduire à des interprétations erronées sur le niveau et l’évolution des dépenses en soins de longue durée au Canada, ainsi que sur la distribution de ces dépenses entre les secteurs privé et public ou bien entre les soins institutionnels et les soins à domicile.
Methods for the economic evaluation of changes to the organisation and delivery of health services: principal challenges and recommendations
Authors: Meacock Rachel
Published: April 2018

There is a requirement for economic evaluation of health technologies seeking public funding across Europe. Changes to the organisation and delivery of health services, including changes to health policy, are not covered by such appraisals. These changes also have consequences for National Health Service (NHS) funds, yet undergo no mandatory cost-effectiveness assessment. The focus on health technologies may have occurred because larger-scale service changes pose more complex challenges to evaluators. This paper discusses the principal challenges faced when performing economic evaluations of changes to the organisation and delivery of health services and provides recommendations for overcoming them. The five principal challenges identified are as follows: undertakingex-anteevaluation; evaluating impacts in terms of quality-adjusted life years; assessing costs and opportunity costs; accounting for spillover effects; and generalisability. Of these challenges, methods for estimating the impact on costs and quality-adjusted life years are those most in need of development. Methods are available forex-anteevaluation, assessing opportunity costs and examining generalisability. However, these are rarely applied in practice. The general principles of assessing the cost-effectiveness of interventions should be applied to all NHS spending, not just that involving health technologies. Advancements in this area have the potential to improve the allocation of scarce NHS resources.
Solar EUV Flux Proxy Using Multifrequency Solar Radio Flux
Authors: Zhang Yongliang , Paxton Larry J.
Published: April 2018

We report a new solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV; 26–34 nm) proxy using solar radio fluxes at six different frequencies (410; 610; 1,415; 2,695; 4,995; and 8,800 MHz) from ground‐based observations. The radio fluxes (2002–2008) are used to estimate the solar EUV flux under nonsolar flare conditions through an artificial neural network trained with coincidently observed solar EUV (26–34 nm) fluxes from the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory/Solar EUV Monitor instrument. The radio fluxes at 610; 1,415; and 8,800 MHz are the three top contributors in the estimation of the solar EUV flux. The 1,415 MHz flux has the highest correlation coefficient (0.97) with the observed EUV flux. The estimated EUV flux retained the highest correlation coefficient (0.97) and had the lowest error in comparison with the observed EUV flux. The popular F10.7cm (2,800 MHz) is between 2,695 and 4,995 MHz, which have a minor contribution to the estimated EUV flux. On the other hand, F30cm (1,000 MHz) is between 610 and 1,415 MHz, the two major contributors to the estimated EUV flux. These features are consistent with a significantly better neutral density modeling using F30cm versus F10.7cm (Bruinsman, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2015001). Similar results are obtained by applying the coefficients trained using a subset of the radio data (2002, 2004, and 2007) to a different subset of the data (2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008). These indicate that solar radio fluxes at multiple frequencies can be used to reliably retrieve solar EUV flux, one of the key parameters for space weather studies.
Lajishankou Ophiolite Complex: Implications for Paleozoic Multiple Accretionary and Collisional Events in the South Qilian Belt
Authors: Fu Changlei , Yan Zhen , Wang Zongqi , Buckman Solomon , Aitchison Jonathan C. , Niu Manlan , Cao Bo , Guo Xianqing , Li Xiucai , Li Yunshuai , Li Jiliang
Published: April 2018

The Lajishan ophiolite complex in the Qilian Orogen is one of several ophiolites situated between the Qaidam and North China blocks that record episodic closure of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean. Detailed field relations and geochemical and geochronological studies are critical to unraveling the tectonic processes responsible for an extensive period of intraoceanic subduction that produced juvenile ophiolite/island arc terranes, which were obducted onto continental margins during ocean closure. The Lajishankou ophiolite complex crops out along the northern margin of the South Qilian belt and was thrust over a Neoproterozoic‐Ordovician passive margin sequence that was deposited upon the Proterozoic Central Qilian block. The mafic rocks in Lajishankou ophiolite complex are the most abundant slices and can be categorized into three distinct groups based on petrological, geochemical, and geochronological characteristics: massive island arc tholeiites, 509‐Ma back‐arc dolerite dykes, and 491‐Ma pillow basaltic and dolerite slices that are of seamount origin in a back‐arc basin. These results, together with spatial relationships, indicate that the Cambrian island arc rocks, ophiolite complex, and accretionary complex developed between 530 and 480 Ma as a single, intraoceanic arc‐basin system as a result of south directed subduction of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean prior to Early Ordovician obduction of this system onto the Central Qilian block. Final continental amalgamation involved continental collision of the Central Qilian block with the Qaidam block during the Late Ordovician. This model solves the long‐lasting discussion on the emplacement of the Lajishan ophiolite and contributes to an improved understanding of multiple accretionary and collisional processes in the Qilian Orogen.
Precambrian Tectonic Discontinuities in Western Laurentia: Broadband Seismological Perspectives on the Snowbird and Great Falls Tectonic Zones
Authors: Gu Yu Jeffrey , Chen Yunfeng , Dokht Ramin M. H. , Wang Ruijia
Published: April 2018

The Snowbird Tectonic Zone (STZ) in southwestern Canada and the Great Falls Tectonic Zone (GFTZ) in northern Montana are two structural lineaments with major implications for the formation and evolution of the western North American craton. In this study, we examine the origins of these two proposed Proterozoic sutures using broadband seismic data from Alberta and USArray stations. We find substantial spatial variations in crustal structure and thickness across both the STZ and GFTZ based on an integrated analysis of P‐to‐S receiver functions, shear velocities, and potential field measurements. The STZ marks the transition from deep (NW, ~44 km) to shallow (SE, ~39 km) Moho in central Alberta. This steep Moho relief, in conjunction with elevated Vp/Vs ratios, provide compelling evidence for Proterozoic subduction and magmatism. In northern Montana, the Moho is depressed by ~6 km within the fold‐and‐thrust belts of the Trans‐Montana Orogen, where high (>1.84) Vp/Vs ratios spread along the collisional suture of the Dillion Shear Zone and terminates sharply along the reworked margin of the Wyoming craton. These observations, coupled with widespread lower crustal conversions, are concordant with a Paleoproterozoic orogeny resulting from collision(s) between Archean cratons. On the other hand, a flat Moho under major northeast striking potential field lineaments in the northernmost Montana favors an origin as a ductile shear zone, rather than suture, in the orogenic hinterland. We find evidence for crustal underplating beneath the GFTZ, though this anomalous layer is smaller than previous estimates and appears to be confined to the Trans‐Montana Orogen.
A Middle Permian Ophiolitic Mélange Belt in the Solonker Suture Zone, Western Inner Mongolia, China: Implications for the Evolution of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean
Authors: Fu Dong , Huang Bo , Kusky Timothy M. , Li Gangzhu , Wilde Simon A. , Zhou Wenxiao , Yu Yang
Published: April 2018

The Solonker suture zone in the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is generally regarded as the location of the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean, formed by complex and cryptic accretionary processes during late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic times. We recognize three tectonically juxtaposed lithotectonic units, including forearc basin sedimentary sequences, ophiolitic fragments, and ophiolitic mélange in the Solonker area, and here investigate the structural and kinematic features of the ophiolitic mélange in detail. The Solonker ophiolitic mélange has typical block‐in‐matrix fabrics with variably sized basalt, chert, sandstone, and ultramafic blocks embedded in siliceous‐argillaceous and siltstone matrices. Both extensional and contractional structures are well developed within the mélange, characterized by pervasive foliation, pinch‐and‐swell, boudinage, and S‐C fabrics. Kinematic analysis of the deformation structures indicates top‐to‐the‐N thrusting, correlated with the southward subduction of the southern margin of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. Zircon U‐Pb ages of the matrices and a tonalite pluton intruded into the mélange constrain the formation age of the Solonker ophiolitic mélange to be middle Permian (ca. 268–260 Ma). Geochemical data from the ophiolitic rocks show subduction‐related characteristics with enriched large ion lithophile elements and depleted Nb, implying formation in a forearc setting. Our study provides robust evidence for the closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean after the middle Permian. The late‐stage evolution of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean was characterized by subduction, forearc accretion with subsequent obduction of the kilometer‐scale upper plate, and soft collision, ultimately leading to the formation of the Solonker suture zone in the North China‐Mongolia segment.
Correction: Author Correction: Phosphorylated HBO1 at UV irradiated sites is essential for nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Niida Hiroyuki , Matsunuma Ryoichi , Horiguchi Ryo , Uchida Chiharu , Nakazawa Yuka , Motegi Akira , Nishimoto Koji , Sakai Satoshi , Ohhata Tatsuya , Kitagawa Kyoko , Moriwaki Shinichi , Nishitani Hideo , Ui Ayako , Ogi Tomoo , Kitagawa Masatoshi
Published: April 2018

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 16102 (2017); Published online 18 July 2017; Updated 20 April 2018 The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 1b, in which the cells were incorrectly labelled as ‘HeLa’, rather than the correct ‘HEK293’ Also, the following was omitted from the end of the legend of Fig.
Emerging two-dimensional ferromagnetism in silicene materials
Authors: Tokmachev Andrey M. , Averyanov Dmitry V. , Parfenov Oleg E. , Taldenkov Alexander N. , Karateev Igor A. , Sokolov Ivan S. , Kondratev Oleg A. , Storchak Vyacheslav G.
Published: April 2018

The appeal of ultra-compact spintronics drives intense research on magnetism in low-dimensional materials. Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in engineering two-dimensional (2D) magnetism via defects, edges, adatoms, and magnetic proximity. However, intrinsic 2D ferromagnetism remained elusive until recent discovery of out-of-plane magneto-optical response in Cr-based layers, stimulating the search for 2D magnets with tunable and diverse properties. Here we employ a bottom-up approach to produce layered structures of silicene (a Si counterpart of graphene) functionalized by rare-earth atoms, ranging from the bulk down to one monolayer. We track the evolution from the antiferromagnetism of the bulk to intrinsic 2D in-plane ferromagnetism of ultrathin layers, with its characteristic dependence of the transition temperature on low magnetic fields. The emerging ferromagnetism manifests itself in the electron transport. The discovery of a class of robust 2D magnets, compatible with the mature Si technology, is instrumental for engineering new devices and understanding spin phenomena.
Bcl11b is essential for licensing Th2 differentiation during helminth infection and allergic asthma
Authors: Lorentsen Kyle J. , Cho Jonathan J. , Luo Xiaoping , Zuniga Ashley N. , Urban Joseph F. , Zhou Liang , Gharaibeh Raad , Jobin Christian , Kladde Michael P. , Avram Dorina
Published: April 2018

During helminth infection and allergic asthma, naive CD4+ T-cells differentiate into cytokine-producing Type-2 helper (Th2) cells that resolve the infection or induce asthma-associated pathology. Mechanisms regulating the Th2 differentiation in vivo remain poorly understood. Here we report that mice lacking Bcl11b in mature T-cells have a diminished capacity to mount Th2 responses during helminth infection and allergic asthma, showing reduced Th2 cytokines and Gata3, and elevated Runx3. We provide evidence that Bcl11b is required to maintain chromatin accessibility at Th2-cytokine promoters and locus-control regions, and binds the Il4 HS IV silencer, reducing its accessibility. Bcl11b also binds Gata3-intronic and downstream-noncoding sites, sustaining the Gata3 expression. In addition, Bcl11b binds and deactivates upstream enhancers at Runx3 locus, restricting the Runx3 expression and its availability to act at the Il4 HS IV silencer. Thus, our results establish novel roles for Bcl11b in the regulatory loop that licenses Th2 program in vivo.
Publisher Correction: JMJD5 is a human arginyl C-3 hydroxylase
Authors: Wilkins Sarah E. , Islam Md. Saiful , Gannon Joan M. , Markolovic Suzana , Hopkinson Richard J. , Ge Wei , Schofield Christopher J. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman
Published: April 2018

The originally published version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Md. Saiful Islam, which was incorrectly given as Saiful Islam. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Using chemical and DNA marker analysis to authenticate a high-value food, manuka honey
Authors: McDonald Claire M. , Keeling Suzanne E. , Brewer Mark J. , Hathaway Steve C.
Published: April 2018

Ensuring the authenticity of food is a rapidly emerging issue, especially in regard to high-value products that are marketed through increasingly complex global food chains. With the ever-increasing potential for mislabeling, fraud and adulteration, governments are increasingly having to invest in, and assure, the authenticity of foods in international trade. This is particularly the case for manuka honey, an iconic New Zealand food product. We show how the authenticity of a specific type of honey can be determined using a combination of chemicals derived from nectar and DNA derived from pollen. We employ an inter-disciplinary approach to evaluate a selection of authenticity markers, followed by classification modelling to produce criteria that consistently identify manuka honey from New Zealand. The outcome of our work provides robust identification criteria that can be applied in a regulatory setting to authenticate a high-value natural food. Our approach can transfer to other foods where assurance of authenticity must take into account a high level of natural variability.
The ash dieback invasion of Europe was founded by two genetically divergent individuals
Authors: McMullan Mark , Rafiqi Maryam , Kaithakottil Gemy , Clavijo Bernardo J. , Bilham Lorelei , Orton Elizabeth , Percival-Alwyn Lawrence , Ward Ben J. , Edwards Anne , Saunders Diane G. O. , Garcia Accinelli Gonzalo , Wright Jonathan , Verweij Walter , Koutsovoulos Georgios , Yoshida Kentaro , Hosoya Tsuyoshi , Williamson Louisa , Jennings Philip , Ioos Renaud , Husson Claude , Hietala Ari M. , Vivian-Smith Adam , Solheim Halvor , MaClean Dan , Fosker Christine , Hall Neil , Brown James K. M. , Swarbreck David , Blaxter Mark , Downie J. Allan , Clark Matthew D.
Published: April 2018

Accelerating international trade and climate change make pathogen spread an increasing concern. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the causal agent of ash dieback, is a fungal pathogen that has been moving across continents and hosts from Asian to European ash. Most European common ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) are highly susceptible to H. fraxineus, although a minority (~5%) have partial resistance to dieback. Here, we assemble and annotate a H. fraxineus draft genome, which approaches chromosome scale. Pathogen genetic diversity across Europe and in Japan, reveals a strong bottleneck in Europe, though a signal of adaptive diversity remains in key host interaction genes. We find that the European population was founded by two divergent haploid individuals. Divergence between these haplotypes represents the ancestral polymorphism within a large source population. Subsequent introduction from this source would greatly increase adaptive potential of the pathogen. Thus, further introgression of H. fraxineus into Europe represents a potential threat and Europe-wide biological security measures are needed to manage this disease.
Integrative metabolic and microbial profiling on patients with Spleen-yang-deficiency syndrome
Authors: Lin Zhang , Ye Wu , Zu Xianpeng , Xie Haisheng , Li Houkai , Li Yiping , Zhang Weidong
Published: April 2018

Gut microbiota is recognized as an indispensable “metabolic organ” that plays crucial roles in maintaining human health or initiating diseases. Spleen-yang-deficiency syndrome (SYDS) is a common syndrome of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic. It is a complex phenotype reflecting the overall changes of metabolism which are mainly caused by digestive disorders. However, little is known about the changes of gut microbiota and metabolism in patients with SYDS, as well as the crosstalk between gut microbiota and host metabolism. In the current study, an integrative metabolic and microbial profiling was performed on plasma, urine and feces from recruited SYDS and healthy individuals by using a LC-QTOFMS-based metabolomic and 16 s rRNA sequencing approaches. Our results showed a potentially significant contribution of gut dysbiosis to the metabolic disorders in SYDS. By integrating the differential gut bacteria with the metabolites, the results revealed some active bacterium of norank_f_CFT112H7, f_lachnospiraceae and bacteroides were closely involved in host mucosal integrity, bile acid metabolism and polysaccharides decomposition. Therefore, our results indicated the probable involvement of gut microbiota in mediating the metabolic changes, which warrants a further investigation on the role of gut microbiota in modulating the pathogenesis of SYDS.
Elovl6 is a negative clinical predictor for liver cancer and knockdown of Elovl6 reduces murine liver cancer progression
Authors: Su Yu-Chu , Feng Yin-Hsun , Wu Hung-Tsung , Huang Yao-Shen , Tung Chao-Ling , Wu Pensee , Chang Chih-Jen , Shiau Ai-Li , Wu Chao-Liang
Published: April 2018

The elongation of long-chain fatty acids family member 6 (Elovl6) is a key enzyme in lipogenesis that catalyzes the elongation of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Insulin resistance involves upregulation of Elovl6, which has been linked to obesity-related malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of Elovl6 in cancer progression remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression of Elovl6 in 61 clinical HCC specimens. Patients with Elovl6 high-expressing tumors were associated with shorter disease-free survival and overall survival compared to those with Elovl6 low-expressing tumors. Knockdown of Elovl6 in HCC cells reduced cell proliferation and Akt activation, as well as sensitivity to fatty acids. Inhibition of Elovl6 reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice bearing tumors. Taken together, our results indicate that Elovl6 enhances oncogenic activity in liver cancer and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Elovl6 may be a therapeutic target for HCC; thus, further studies to confirm this strategy are warranted.
Theoretical prediction and atomic kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of void superlattice self-organization under irradiation
Authors: Gao Yipeng , Zhang Yongfeng , Schwen Daniel , Jiang Chao , Sun Cheng , Gan Jian , Bai Xian-Ming
Published: April 2018

Nano-structured superlattices may have novel physical properties and irradiation is a powerful mean to drive their self-organization. However, the formation mechanism of superlattice under irradiation is still open for debate. Here we use atomic kinetic Monte Carlo simulations in conjunction with a theoretical analysis to understand and predict the self-organization of nano-void superlattices under irradiation, which have been observed in various types of materials for more than 40 years but yet to be well understood. The superlattice is found to be a result of spontaneous precipitation of voids from the matrix, a process similar to phase separation in regular solid solution, with the symmetry dictated by anisotropic materials properties such as one-dimensional interstitial atom diffusion. This discovery challenges the widely accepted empirical rule of the coherency between the superlattice and host matrix crystal lattice. The atomic scale perspective has enabled a new theoretical analysis to successfully predict the superlattice parameters, which are in good agreement with independent experiments. The theory developed in this work can provide guidelines for designing target experiments to tailor desired microstructure under irradiation. It may also be generalized for situations beyond irradiation, such as spontaneous phase separation with reaction.
Mutational profiling can identify laryngeal dysplasia at risk of progression to invasive carcinoma
Authors: Manterola Lorea , Aguirre Pablo , Larrea Erika , Arestín María , Gaafar Ayman , Elorriaga Kepa , Goicoechea Ibai , Armesto María , Fernández-Mercado Marta , Zabalza Ignacio , López-Duque Juan Carlos , Larruskain Ekhiñe , Sistiaga Jon Alexander , Landa Mikel , Zabala Aitor , Santaolalla Francisco , Municio José Antonio , Ispizua Ángel , García-Pedrero Juana María , Rodrigo Juan Pablo , Lawrie Charles Henderson
Published: April 2018

Early diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) at the stage of dysplasia could greatly improve the outcome of affected patients. For the first time we compared the mutational landscape of non-progressing dysplasia (NPD; n = 42) with progressing dysplasia (PD; n = 24), along with patient-matched LSCC biopsies; a total of 90 samples. Using targeted next-generation sequencing identified non-synonymous mutations in six genes (PIK3CA, FGFR3, TP53, JAK3, MET, FBXW7), and mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing and/or qPCR. Analysis was extended in silico to 530 head and neck (HNSCC) cases using TCGA data. Mutations in PIK3CA and FGFR3 were detected in PD and LSCC cases, as well as other HNSCC cases, but absent in NPD cases. In contrast, mutations in JAK3, MET and FBXW7 were found in NPD cases but not PD, LSCC or other HNSCC cases. TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene in both PD and NPD cases. With the exception of R248W, mutations were mutually exclusive. Moreover, five of seven PD mutations were located in motif H2 of p53, whereas none of the NPD mutations were. In summary, we propose that the mutational profile of laryngeal dysplasia has utility for the early detection of patients at risk of progression.
Prion protein modulates glucose homeostasis by altering intracellular iron
Authors: Ashok Ajay , Singh Neena
Published: April 2018

The prion protein (PrPC), a mainly neuronal protein, is known to modulate glucose homeostasis in mouse models. We explored the underlying mechanism in mouse models and the human pancreatic β-cell line 1.1B4. We report expression of PrPC on mouse pancreatic β-cells, where it promoted uptake of iron through divalent-metal-transporters. Accordingly, pancreatic iron stores in PrP knockout mice (PrP−/−) were significantly lower than wild type (PrP+/+) controls. Silencing of PrPC in 1.1B4 cells resulted in significant depletion of intracellular (IC) iron, and remarkably, upregulation of glucose transporter GLUT2 and insulin. Iron overloading, on the other hand, resulted in downregulation of GLUT2 and insulin in a PrPC-dependent manner. Similar observations were noted in the brain, liver, and neuroretina of iron overloaded PrP+/+ but not PrP−/− mice, indicating PrPC-mediated modulation of insulin and glucose homeostasis through iron. Peripheral challenge with glucose and insulin revealed blunting of the response in iron-overloaded PrP+/+ relative to PrP−/− mice, suggesting that PrPC-mediated modulation of IC iron influences both secretion and sensitivity of peripheral organs to insulin. These observations have implications for Alzheimer’s disease and diabetic retinopathy, known complications of type-2-diabetes associated with brain and ocular iron-dyshomeostasis.
Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in rats with selenium deficiency and identification of associated miRNA-mRNA network
Authors: Feng Yanjing , Xing Yunjie , Liu Zhongwei , Yang Guang , Niu Xiaolin , Gao Dengfeng
Published: April 2018

Selenium deficiency is closely related with various type of cardiovascular disease. However, the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in Selenium deficiency related cardiac change remains to be understand. In the present study, a reliable Selenium deficiency rat model was established and confirmed by pathological and biochemical examination. The mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were conducted by microarray technology. Gene Ontology (GO) Analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway Analysis was performed to investigate the function of targeted genes, and the relationship between miRNA and mRNA was studied by network analysis. A total of 4931 mRNAs and 119 miRNAs was differentially expressed between any two groups (control group, low-selenium group and selenium supplementation group). GO and KEGG pathway analysis of selected miRNAs target genes found that selenium deficiency was related to several different biological processes. Furthermore, a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was conducted to illustrate the interaction of miRNAs and these targeted genes. In conclusion, our present study provides a new insight that potential molecular mechanism of Selenium deficiency was a multiply miRNAs and mRNA caused biological change.
3D bio-printed scaffold-free nerve constructs with human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote rat facial nerve regeneration
Authors: Zhang Qunzhou , Nguyen Phuong D. , Shi Shihong , Burrell Justin C. , Cullen D. Kacy , Le Anh D.
Published: April 2018

Despite the promising neuro-regenerative capacities of stem cells, there is currently no licensed stem cell-based product in the repair and regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries. Here, we explored the potential use of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) as the only cellular component in 3D bio-printed scaffold-free neural constructs that were transplantable to bridge facial nerve defects in rats. We showed that GMSCs have the propensity to aggregate into compact 3D-spheroids that could produce their own matrix. When cultured under either 2D- or 3D-collagen scaffolds, GMSC spheroids were found to be more capable of differentiating into both neuronal and Schwann-like cells than their adherent counterparts. Using a scaffold-free 3D bio-printer system, nerve constructs were printed from GMSC spheroids in the absence of exogenous scaffolds and allowed to mature in a bioreactor. In vivo transplantation of the GMSC-laden nerve constructs promoted regeneration and functional recovery when used to bridge segmental defects in rat facial nerves. Our findings suggest that GMSCs represent an easily accessible source of MSCs for 3D bio-printing of scaffold-free nervous tissue constructs with promising potential application for repair and regeneration of peripheral nerve defects.
Controllable interlayer space effects of layered potassium triniobate nanoflakes on enhanced pH dependent adsorption-photocatalysis behaviors
Authors: Deng Qinglin , Li Mengjiao , Wang Junyong , Jiang Kai , Hu Zhigao , Chu Junhao
Published: April 2018

Despite the extensive study of two-dimensional layered KNb3O8 (KN), there still remains some vital problems need to be clarified for future applications in environmental purification. Here we demonstrated the successful preparation of interlayer-controlled KN nanoflakes using alkaline hydrothermal conditions by adjusting the amount of thiourea in the reaction. This process resulted in KN nanoflakes with a larger specific surface area than previously reported. Moreover, the initial pH of dye solution and discrepant preferential orientation of interlayer peak have been proved to significantly influence the adsorption and photocatalysis performances of KN. In addition, relevant photocatalysis mechanisms have been expounded, by combined the first-principles calculation. The present work could be helpful in revealing the intrinsic adsorption-photocatalysis features of KN and other similar niobates.
Ultra-slow mechanical stimulation of olfactory epithelium modulates consciousness by slowing cerebral rhythms in humans
Authors: Piarulli A. , Zaccaro A. , Laurino M. , Menicucci D. , De Vito A. , Bruschini L. , Berrettini S. , Bergamasco M. , Laureys S. , Gemignani A.
Published: April 2018

The coupling between respiration and neural activity within olfactory areas and hippocampus has recently been unambiguously demonstrated, its neurophysiological basis sustained by the well-assessed mechanical sensitivity of the olfactory epithelium. We herein hypothesize that this coupling reverberates to the whole brain, possibly modulating the subject’s behavior and state of consciousness. The olfactory epithelium of 12 healthy subjects was stimulated with periodical odorless air-delivery (frequency 0.05 Hz, 8 s on, 12 off). Cortical electrical activity (High Density-EEG) and perceived state of consciousness have been studied. The stimulation induced i) an enhancement of delta-theta EEG activity over the whole cortex mainly involving the Limbic System and Default Mode Network structures, ii) a reversal of the overall information flow directionality from wake-like postero-anterior to NREM sleep-like antero-posterior, iii) the perception of having experienced an Altered State of Consciousness. These findings could shed further light via a neurophenomenological approach on the links between respiration, cerebral activity and subjective experience, suggesting a plausible neurophysiological basis for interpreting altered states of consciousness induced by respiration-based meditative practices.
The Correlation Between the Immune and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Signatures Suggests Potential Therapeutic Targets and Prognosis Prediction Approaches in Kidney Cancer
Authors: Liang Jiayu , Liu Zhihong , Zou Zijun , Tang Yongquan , Zhou Chuan , Yang Jian , Wei Xin , Lu Yiping
Published: April 2018

Both epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune regulation are important biological process in malignant tumours. The current research aims to comprehensively explore the potential association between the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature and immune checkpoint signature and its role in predicting the prognosis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. EMT-related genes were collected from an experiment-based study and then were investigated using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas. A total of 357 genes were included, and 23 of them that were upregulated and correlated with prognosis were analysed further as core EMT genes in ccRCC. Interestingly, the emerging immune checkpoints CD276, OX40 and TGFB1 were found to be significantly co-expressed with core EMT genes, and TGFB1, CXCR4, IL10, and IL6 were the most important molecules potentially interacting with EMT molecules in our model, as determined from mRNA co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analysis. Additionally, an integrated scoring model based on FOXM1, TIMP1 and IL6 was successfully established to distinguish ccRCC patients with different clinical risks. Our results identified core genes in the EMT-immunophenotyping correlation and evaluated their risk assessment capabilities, providing more potential therapeutic targets and prediction approaches regarding the translational research of treatment and prognosis in ccRCC.
Design of Metamaterial Absorber using Eight-Resistive-Arm Cell for Simultaneous Broadband and Wide-Incidence-Angle Absorption
Authors: Nguyen Toan Trung , Lim Sungjoon
Published: April 2018

In this paper, a broadband metamaterial (MM) absorber is presented for X-band applications. A novel eight-resistive-arm (ERA) cell is proposed as an MM unit cell to achieve both broadband absorption and wide incidence angles. The proposed ERA cell is designed using equivalent circuit model and full-wave analysis in order to achieve an absorption ratio higher than 90% in the range of 8.2–13.4 GHz. The experimental results indicate that the absorptivity was greater than 90% in the range of 8–13 GHz for all polarization angles under normal incidence. Under oblique incidence, the measured absorptivity was greater than 90% in the range of 8.2–12.2 GHz up to 60° and in the range of 9.2–12 GHz up to 65° in the transverse electric (TE) mode. In the transverse magnetic (TM) mode, the measured absorptivity was higher than 90% in the range of 9.5–12.4 GHz when the incidence angle was varied from 0° to 60° and remaining a 90% absorption bandwidth in the range of 10–12 GHz up to 65°. Compared to other broadband MM absorbers, the proposed MM absorber exhibited the widest incidence angles in both TE and TM modes.
Photocatalytic NO removal over calcium-bridged siloxenes under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation
Authors: Imagawa Haruo , Wu Xiaoyong , Itahara Hiroshi , Yin Shu , Kojima Kazunobu , Chichibu Shigefusa F. , Sato Tsugio
Published: April 2018

Ca-Bridged siloxenes with a wide optical absorption band from the visible to ultraviolet region exhibited photocatalytic activity for NO removal.
Functional roles of eriocalyxin B in zebrafish revealed by transcriptome analysis
Authors: Zhou Xunian , Cao Cyanne Ye , Wan Angel Tsz-Yau , Yue Grace Gar-Lee , Kwok Frankie Hin-Fai , Fung Kwok-Pui , Sun Handong , Lau Clara Bik-San , Puno Pema-Tenzin , Tsui Stephen Kwok-Wing
Published: April 2018

Eriocalyxin B (EriB) is a naturalent-kaurane diterpenoid obtained fromIsodon eriocalyxvar.laxiflora(family Lamiaceae), which exerted multiple biological activities (e.g.anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory)viathe alteration of gene expression and signaling transduction.
Naked eye and optical biosensing of cysteine over the other amino acids using β-cyclodextrin decorated silver nanoparticles as a nanoprobe
Authors: Rajamanikandan Ramar , Ilanchelian Malaichamy
Published: April 2018

A simple, highly selective and efficient sensing approach based on a β-CD AgNP colorimetric nanoprobe has been demonstrated, which permits quick and specific determination of Cys over other important amino acids.
Optically controllable photonic crystals and passively tunable terahertz metamaterials using dye-doped liquid crystal cells
Authors: Lee Chia-Rong , Lin Shih-Hung , Wang Sheng-Min , Lin Jia-De , Chen Yu-Shao , Hsu Mi-Chia , Liu Jia-Kai , Mo Tin-Shan , Huang Chia-Yi
Published: April 2018

This work fabricates a fishnet grating by exerting two one-dimensional (1D) holographic interference fields with mutually orthogonal grating vectors separately on the substrates of a dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) cell.
Determination of chemical composition in multilayer polymer film using ToF-SIMS
Authors: Zhou Chuanzhen , Sun Dayong , Garcia Roberto , Stevie Fred A.
Published: April 2018

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is a widely used surface analytical technique, which can provide chemical information from both the uppermost surface and underneath the surface for various materials.
Dynamics of the phospholipid shell of microbubbles: a fluorescence photoselection and spectral phasor approach
Authors: Slenders Eli , Seneca Senne , Pramanik Sumit Kumar , Smisdom Nick , Adriaensens Peter , vandeVen Martin , Ethirajan Anitha , Ameloot Marcel
Published: April 2018

The lipid organization of microbubbles is important in many applications.
Site-selectivity in the halogenation of titanium-functionalized polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters
Authors: VanGelder L. E. , Forrestel P. L. , Brennessel W. W. , Matson E. M.
Published: April 2018

Syntheses and site differentiated reactivity for titanium-functionalized polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters are presented. We present insights into the mechanism and electronic consequences metal oxide halogenation.
Integration of single-molecule detection with magnetic separation for multiplexed detection of DNA glycosylases
Authors: Li Chen-chen , Zhang Yan , Tang Bo , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: April 2018

We combine single-molecule detection with magnetic separation for simultaneously sensitive detection of multiple DNA glycosylases.
Hamiltonian replica exchange simulations of glucose oxidase adsorption on charged surfaces
Authors: Xie Yun , Li Zhanchao , Zhou Jian
Published: April 2018

Hamiltonian replica exchange Monte Carlo simulations efficiently identify the lowest-energy orientations of proteins on charged surfaces at variable ionic strengths.
Kinetics of Cd(ii) adsorption and desorption on ferrihydrite: experiments and modeling
Authors: Liang Yuzhen , Tian Lei , Lu Yang , Peng Lanfang , Wang Pei , Lin Jingyi , Cheng Tao , Dang Zhi , Shi Zhenqing
Published: April 2018

This study provided modeling tools to quantitatively assess the contributions of individual ferrihydrite binding sites to overall Cd(ii) adsorption/desorption rates.
Low-cost, flexible, disinfectant-free and regular-array three-dimensional nanopyramid antibacterial films for clinical applications
Authors: Tsui Kwong-Hoi , Li Xin , Tsoi James K. H. , Leung Siu-Fung , Lei Tang , Chak Wing Yi , Zhang Chengfei , Chen Jiang , Cheung Gary S. P. , Fan Zhiyong
Published: April 2018

In this work, a low-cost, scalable and highly repeatable approach was developed to prepare polystyrene films with three-dimensional nanopyramids on the surface for antibacterial applications.
Rab35-dependent extracellular nanovesicles are required for induction of tumour supporting stroma
Authors: Yeung V. , Webber J. P. , Dunlop E. A. , Morgan H. , Hutton J. , Gurney M. , Jones E. , Falcon-Perez J. , Tabi Z. , Errington R. , Clayton A.
Published: April 2018

A subpopulation of secreted nano-vesicles is critical for microenvironment changes, driving tumour growth.
Preparation of magnetically separable and recyclable carbon dots/NiCo2O4 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline under visible light
Authors: Jiang Jinhui , Shi Weilong , Guo Feng , Yuan Songliu
Published: April 2018

CDs/NiCo2O4 magnetic composite photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity were fabricated through a one-step calcination method.
Transition-metal-free arylation of benzoxazoles with aryl nitriles
Authors: Wu Aizhen , Chen Quan , Liu Wei , You Lijun , Fu Yifan , Zhang Hua
Published: April 2018

Transition-metal-free arylation of benzoxazoles with aryl nitriles has been developed to afford important 2-aryl benzoxazoles under simple reaction conditions.
Directed evolution of mevalonate kinase inEscherichia coliby random mutagenesis for improved lycopene
Authors: Chen Hailin , Liu Changqing , Li Meijie , Zhang Haibo , Xian Mo , Liu Huizhou
Published: April 2018

Lycopene is a terpenoid pigment that has diverse applications in the fields of food and medicine.
Reductive coupling of benzyl oxalates with highly functionalized alkyl bromides by nickel catalysis
Authors: Yan Xiao-Biao , Li Chun-Ling , Jin Wen-Jie , Guo Peng , Shu Xing-Zhong
Published: April 2018

A nickel-catalyzed reductive Csp3–Csp3 coupling of benzyl oxalates with highly functionalized alkyl bromides was disclosed.
Reversible disassembly of metallasupramolecular structures mediated by a metastable-state photoacid
Authors: Jansze Suzanne M. , Cecot Giacomo , Severin Kay
Published: April 2018

Only stable in the dark: when mixed with a metastable-state photoacid, metallasupramolecular structures become light sensitive. The photo-induced disassembly of the structures is reversed when the light is switched off.
Mesoporous Ca–Mn–O as an efficient scavenger toward organic pollutants and heavy metals: ion exchange provoking ultrafast Fenton-like reaction based on the synergy of alkaline earth/transition metals
Authors: Weng Yali , Weng Zhenzhang , Liang Zhiyu , Lyu Haixia , Zhuang Zanyong , Yu Yan
Published: April 2018

An elegant synergy of Ca and Mn in CaMnx contributes to efficient purification of solutions containing complex matrices in a short time.
2D magnetic titanium carbide MXene for cancer theranostics
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Zhao Menglong , Lin Han , Dai Chen , Ren Caiyue , Zhang Shengjian , Peng Weijun , Chen Yu
Published: April 2018

A functionalized strategy for the construction of superparamagnetic 2D Ti3C2MXene nanocomposites was developed for highly efficient cancer theranostics.
Dependence of the photoluminescence properties of Eu2+doped M–Si–N (M = alkali, alkaline earth or rare earth metal) nitridosilicates on their structure and composition
Authors: ten Kate Otmar M. , Zhang Zhijun , van Ommen J. Ruud , Hintzen H. T. (Bert)
Published: April 2018

Dependence of the photoluminescence properties of the MxSiyNz:Eu2+(M = alkali, alkaline earth, rare earth metal) phosphors on the Si/N ratio.
Polar order of an achiral taper-shaped liquid crystal in the uniaxial smectic A phase
Authors: Kashima Shinya , Chiba Masahiro , Takanishi Yoichi , Yamamoto Jun , Yoshizawa Atsushi
Published: April 2018

Coupling of a taper-shaped structure and phenylpyrimidine–cyanobiphenyl interaction organizes a polar order parallel to the layer normal in the SmA phase.
Subverting the mechanisms of cell death: flavivirus manipulation of host cell responses to infection
Authors: Vicenzi Elisa , Pagani Isabel , Ghezzi Silvia , Taylor Sarah L. , Rudd Timothy R. , Lima Marcelo A. , Skidmore Mark A. , Yates Edwin A.
Published: April 2018

Viruses exploit host metabolic and defence machinery for their own replication. The flaviviruses, which include Dengue (DENV), Yellow Fever (YFV), Japanese Encephalitis (JEV), West Nile (WNV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses, infect a broad range of hosts, cells and tissues. Flaviviruses are largely transmitted by mosquito bites and humans are usually incidental, dead-end hosts, with the notable exceptions of YFV, DENV and ZIKV. Infection by flaviviruses elicits cellular responses including cell death via necrosis, pyroptosis (involving inflammation) or apoptosis (which avoids inflammation). Flaviviruses exploit these mechanisms and subvert them to prolong viral replication. The different effects induced by DENV, WNV, JEV and ZIKV are reviewed. Host cell surface proteoglycans (PGs) bearing glycosaminoglycan (GAG) polysaccharides — heparan/chondroitin sulfate (HS/CS) — are involved in initial flavivirus attachment and during the expression of non-structural viral proteins play a role in disease aetiology. Recent work has shown that ZIKV-infected cells are protected from cell death by exogenous heparin (a GAG structurally similar to host cell surface HS), raising the possibility of further subtle involvement of HS PGs in flavivirus disease processes. The aim of this review is to synthesize information regarding DENV, WNV, JEV and ZIKV from two areas that are usually treated separately: the response of host cells to infection by flaviviruses and the involvement of cell surface GAGs in response to those infections.
Stochastic stability analysis of Markovian jump linear systems with incomplete transition descriptions
Authors: Sun Hui‐Jie , Zhang Ying , Wu Ai‐Guo
Published: April 2018

In this study, the authors focus on the stability analysis for Markovian jump linear systems with partly known transition rates in the continuous‐time domain and partly known transition probabilities in the discrete‐time domain. By using the properties of the transition rates and transition probabilities, two new sufficient conditions are derived for the stochastic stability of the continuous‐time and discrete‐time Markovian jump linear systems, respectively. The main advantage of the proposed stability conditions is that the total number of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) in the proposed stability conditions is much less than that in some existing results. Based on the presented stability conditions, two state feedback controllers are designed for the considered systems in terms of LMIs. In addition, two kinds of stability criteria are developed for the stochastic stability of the considered systems with incomplete transition descriptions by the existence of the unique positive definite solution of the coupled Lyapunov matrix equations. Finally, two numerical examples and one practical example are provided to verify the correctness of the theoretical results.
Background subtraction using Gaussian–Bernoulli restricted Boltzmann machine
Authors: Sheri Ahmad Muqeem , Rafique Muhammad Aasim , Jeon Moongu , Pedrycz Witold
Published: April 2018

The background subtraction is an important technique in computer vision which segments moving objects into video sequences by comparing each new frame with a learned background model. In this work, the authors propose a novel background subtraction method based on Gaussian–Bernoulli restricted Boltzmann machines (GRBMs). The GRBM is different from the ordinary restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) by using real numbers as inputs, resulting in a constrained mixture of Gaussians, which is one of the most widely used techniques to solve the background subtraction problem. The GRBM makes it easy to learn the variance of pixel values and takes the advantage of the generative model paradigm of the RBM. They present a simple technique to reconstruct the learned background model from a given input frame and to extract the foreground from the background using the variance learned for each pixel. Furthermore, they demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique with extensive experimentation and quantitative evaluation on several commonly used public data sets for background subtraction.