bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mps1 inhibitors synergise with low doses of taxanes in promoting tumour cell death by enhancement of errors in cell division
Authors: Maia Ana Rita R. , Linder Simon , Song Ji-Ying , Vaarting Chantal , Boon Ute , Pritchard Colin E. J. , Velds Arno , Huijbers Ivo J. , van Tellingen Olaf , Jonkers Jos , Medema René H.
Published: May 2018

Background

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a common trait of cancer characterised by the continuous gain and loss of chromosomes during mitosis. Excessive levels of CIN can suppress tumour growth, providing a possible therapeutic strategy. The Mps1/TTK kinase has been one of the prime targets to explore this concept, and indeed Mps1 inhibitors synergise with the spindle poison docetaxel in inhibiting the growth of tumours in mice.

Methods

To investigate how the combination of docetaxel and a Mps1 inhibitor (Cpd-5) promote tumour cell death, we treated mice transplanted with BRCA1−/−;TP53−/− mammary tumours with docetaxel and/or Cpd-5. The tumours were analysed regarding their histopathology, chromosome segregation errors, copy number variations and cell death to understand the mechanism of action of the drug combination.

Results

The enhanced efficacy of combining an Mps1 inhibitor with clinically relevant doses of docetaxel is associated with an increase in multipolar anaphases, aberrant nuclear morphologies and cell death. Tumours treated with docetaxel and Cpd-5 displayed more genomic deviations, indicating that chromosome stability is affected mostly in the combinatorial treatment.

Conclusions

Our study shows that the synergy between taxanes and Mps1 inhibitors depends on increased errors in cell division, allowing further optimisation of this treatment regimen for cancer therapy.
Reversible glycosidic switch for secure delivery of molecular nanocargos
Authors: Burnouf Pierre-Alain , Leu Yu-Lin , Su Yu-Cheng , Wu Kenneth , Lin Wei-Chi , Roffler Steve R.
Published: May 2018

Therapeutic drugs can leak from nanocarriers before reaching their cellular targets. Here we describe the concept of a chemical switch which responds to environmental conditions to alternate between a lipid-soluble state for efficient cargo loading and a water-soluble state for stable retention of cargos inside liposomes. A cue-responsive trigger allows release of the molecular cargo at specific cellular sites. We demonstrate the utility of a specific glycosidic switch for encapsulation of potent anticancer drugs and fluorescent compounds. Stable retention of drugs in liposomes allowed generation of high tumor/blood ratios of parental drug in tumors after enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic switch in the lysosomes of cancer cells. Glycosidic switch liposomes could cure mice bearing human breast cancer tumors without significant weight loss. The chemical switch represents a general method to load and retain cargos inside liposomes, thereby offering new perspectives in engineering safe and effective liposomes for therapy and imaging.
Distinct homeostatic modulations stabilize reduced postsynaptic receptivity in response to presynaptic DLK signaling
Authors: Goel Pragya , Dickman Dion
Published: May 2018

Synapses are constructed with the stability to last a lifetime, yet sufficiently flexible to adapt during injury. Although fundamental pathways that mediate intrinsic responses to neuronal injury have been defined, less is known about how synaptic partners adapt. We have investigated responses in the postsynaptic cell to presynaptic activation of the injury-related Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase pathway at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. We find that the postsynaptic compartment reduces neurotransmitter receptor levels, thus depressing synaptic strength. Interestingly, this diminished state is stabilized through distinct modulations to two postsynaptic homeostatic signaling systems. First, a retrograde response normally triggered by reduced receptor levels is silenced, preventing a compensatory enhancement in presynaptic neurotransmitter release. However, when global presynaptic release is attenuated, a postsynaptic receptor scaling mechanism persists to adaptively stabilize this diminished neurotransmission state. Thus, the homeostatic set point of synaptic strength is recalibrated to a reduced state as synapses acclimate to injury.
The thioredoxin-1 system is essential for fueling DNA synthesis during T-cell metabolic reprogramming and proliferation
Authors: Muri Jonathan , Heer Sebastian , Matsushita Mai , Pohlmeier Lea , Tortola Luigi , Fuhrer Tobias , Conrad Marcus , Zamboni Nicola , Kisielow Jan , Kopf Manfred
Published: May 2018

The thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) system is an important contributor to cellular redox balance and is a sensor of energy and glucose metabolism. Here we show critical c-Myc-dependent activation of the Trx1 system during thymocyte and peripheral T-cell proliferation, but repression during T-cell quiescence. Deletion of thioredoxin reductase-1 (Txnrd1) prevents expansion the CD4−CD8− thymocyte population, whereas Txnrd1 deletion in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes does not affect further maturation and peripheral homeostasis of αβT cells. However, Txnrd1 is critical for expansion of the activated T-cell population during viral and parasite infection. Metabolomics show that TrxR1 is essential for the last step of nucleotide biosynthesis by donating reducing equivalents to ribonucleotide reductase. Impaired availability of 2′-deoxyribonucleotides induces the DNA damage response and cell cycle arrest of Txnrd1-deficient T cells. These results uncover a pivotal function of the Trx1 system in metabolic reprogramming of thymic and peripheral T cells and provide a rationale for targeting Txnrd1 in T-cell leukemia.
Sex Differences in Cognitive Decline in Subjects with High Likelihood of Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sohn Dongwha , Shpanskaya Katie , Lucas Joseph E. , Petrella Jeffrey R. , Saykin Andrew J. , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Samatova Nagiza F. , Doraiswamy P. Murali
Published: May 2018

Sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biology and progression are not yet fully characterized. The goal of this study is to examine the effect of sex on cognitive progression in subjects with high likelihood of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s and followed up to 10 years in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Cerebrospinal fluid total-tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ42) ratio values were used to sub-classify 559 MCI subjects (216 females, 343 males) as having “high” or “low” likelihood for MCI due to Alzheimer’s. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models incorporating all follow-ups. The worsening from baseline in Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive score (mean, SD) (9 ± 12) in subjects with high likelihood of MCI due to Alzheimer’s was markedly greater than that in subjects with low likelihood (1 ± 6, p < 0.0001). Among MCI due to AD subjects, the mean worsening in cognitive score was significantly greater in females (11.58 ± 14) than in males (6.87 ± 11, p = 0.006). Our findings highlight the need to further investigate these findings in other populations and develop sex specific timelines for Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Nanovesicles from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit T lymphocyte trafficking and ameliorate chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Farinazzo Alessia , Angiari Stefano , Turano Ermanna , Bistaffa Edoardo , Dusi Silvia , Ruggieri Serena , Bonafede Roberta , Mariotti Raffaella , Constantin Gabriela , Bonetti Bruno
Published: May 2018

Cell based-therapies represent promising strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases. We have previously shown that adipose stem cells (ASC) ameliorate chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Recent evidence indicates that most ASC paracrine effects are mediated by extracellular vesicles, i.e. micro- and nanovesicles (MVs and NVs). We show that preventive intravenous administration of NVs isolated from ASC (ASC-NVs) before disease onset significantly reduces the severity of EAE and decreases spinal cord inflammation and demyelination, whereas therapeutic treatment with ASC-NVs does not ameliorate established EAE. This treatment marginally inhibits antigen-specific T cell activation, while reducing microglial activation and demyelination in the spinal cord. Importantly, ASC-NVs inhibited integrin-dependent adhesion of encephalitogenic T cellsin vitro, with no effect on adhesion molecule expression. In addition, intravital microscopy showed that encephalitogenic T cells treated with ASC NVs display a significantly reduced rolling and firm adhesion in inflamed spinal cord vessels compared to untreated cells. Our results show that ASC-NVs ameliorate EAE pathogenesis mainly by inhibiting T cell extravasation in the inflamed CNS, suggesting that NVs may represent a novel therapeutic approach in neuro-inflammatory diseases, enabling the safe administration of ASC effector factors.
Neuro-inflammatory effects of photodegradative products of bilirubin
Authors: Jašprová J. , Dal Ben M , Hurný D. , Hwang S. , Žížalová K. , Kotek J. , Wong R. J. , Stevenson D. K. , Gazzin S. , Tiribelli C. , Vítek L.
Published: May 2018

Phototherapy was introduced in the early 1950’s, and is the primary treatment of severe neonatal jaundice or Crigler-Najjar syndrome. Nevertheless, the potential biological effects of the products generated from the photodegradation of bilirubin during phototherapy remain unknown. This is very relevant in light of recent clinical observations demonstrating that the use of aggressive phototherapy can increase morbidity or even mortality, in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of bilirubin, lumirubin (LR, its major photo-oxidative product), and BOX A and B (its monopyrrolic oxidative products) on the central nervous system (CNS) using in vitro and ex vivo experimental models. The effects of bilirubin photoproducts on cell viability and expression of selected genes were tested in human fibroblasts, three human CNS cell lines (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, microglial HMC3, and glioblastoma U-87 cell lines), and organotypic rat hippocampal slices. Neither bilirubin nor its photo-oxidative products affected cell viability in any of our models. In contrast, LR in biologically-relevant concentrations (25 μM) significantly increased gene expression of several pro-inflammatory genes as well as production of TNF-α in organotypic rat hippocampal slices. These findings might underlie the adverse outcomes observed in ELBW infants undergoing aggressive phototherapy.
Clinically relevant mutations in the ABCG2 transporter uncovered by genetic analysis linked to erythrocyte membrane protein expression
Authors: Zámbó Boglárka , Bartos Zsuzsa , Mózner Orsolya , Szabó Edit , Várady György , Poór Gyula , Pálinkás Márton , Andrikovics Hajnalka , Hegedűs Tamás , Homolya László , Sarkadi Balázs
Published: May 2018

The ABCG2 membrane protein is a key xeno- and endobiotic transporter, modulating the absorption and metabolism of pharmacological agents and causing multidrug resistance in cancer. ABCG2 is also involved in uric acid elimination and its impaired function is causative in gout. Analysis of ABCG2 expression in the erythrocyte membranes of healthy volunteers and gout patients showed an enrichment of lower expression levels in the patients. By genetic screening based on protein expression, we found a relatively frequent, novel ABCG2 mutation (ABCG2-M71V), which, according to cellular expression studies, causes reduced protein expression, although with preserved transporter capability. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated a stumbled dynamics of the mutant protein, while ABCG2-M71V expression in vitro could be corrected by therapeutically relevant small molecules. These results suggest that personalized medicine should consider this newly discovered ABCG2 mutation, and genetic analysis linked to protein expression provides a new tool to uncover clinically important mutations in membrane proteins.
The bipartite mitochondrial genome of Ruizia karukerae (Rhigonematomorpha, Nematoda)
Authors: Kim Taeho , Kern Elizabeth , Park Chungoo , Nadler Steven A. , Bae Yeon Jae , Park Joong-Ki
Published: May 2018

Mitochondrial genes and whole mitochondrial genome sequences are widely used as molecular markers in studying population genetics and resolving both deep and shallow nodes in phylogenetics. In animals the mitochondrial genome is generally composed of a single chromosome, but mystifying exceptions sometimes occur. We determined the complete mitochondrial genome of the millipede-parasitic nematode Ruizia karukerae and found its mitochondrial genome consists of two circular chromosomes, which is highly unusual in bilateral animals. Chromosome I is 7,659 bp and includes six protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes and nine tRNA genes. Chromosome II comprises 7,647 bp, with seven protein-coding genes and 16 tRNA genes. Interestingly, both chromosomes share a 1,010 bp sequence containing duplicate copies of cox2 and three tRNA genes (trnD, trnG and trnH), and the nucleotide sequences between the duplicated homologous gene copies are nearly identical, suggesting a possible recent genesis for this bipartite mitochondrial genome. Given that little is known about the formation, maintenance or evolution of abnormal mitochondrial genome structures, R. karukerae mtDNA may provide an important early glimpse into this process.
Au nanoparticle@hollow mesoporous carbon with FeCo/graphitic shell nanoparticls as a magnetically recyclable yolk–shell nanocatalyst for catalytic reduction of nitroaromatics
Authors: Hong Yonghoon , Choi In Ae , Seo Won Seok
Published: May 2018

We have developed a highly stable and magnetically recyclable yolk–shell nanocatalyst for catalytic reduction of nitroaromatics. This nanocatalyst is composed of a ~13 nm Au nanoparticle encapsulated in a hollow mesoporous carbon (hmC) shell with a diameter of ~120 nm and a thickness of ~15 nm. The hmC shell contains ~6 nm FeCo/graphitic carbon shell (FeCo/GC) nanoparticles. We have synthesized the Au@hmC-FeCo/GC nanocatalyst by thermal decomposition of Fe and Co precursors in silica of a solid core/mesoporous shell structure containing a Au nanoparticle within the core, subsequent ethylene chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and then removal of the silica by treatment with aqueous HF. The Au@hmC-FeCo/GC has superparamagnetism and high saturation magnetization (29.2 emu g−1) at room temperature. It also shows a type IV sorption isotherm, typical for mesoporous carbon (pore diameter = 3.5 nm), thereby ensuring ready accessibility to the Au core by substrates. We have shown that the Au@hmC-FeCo/GC catalyses the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and 4-nitrotoluene more efficiently than Au nanoparticles do, can be separated very quickly from the reaction mixture using an magnet, and can be reused for the same reduction reaction at least five times without loss of the initial level of catalytic activity.
Region of Interest analysis using mass spectrometry imaging of mitochondrial and sarcomeric proteins in acute cardiac infarction tissue
Authors: Yajima Yuka , Hiratsuka Takuya , Kakimoto Yu , Ogawa Shuichiro , Shima Keisuke , Yamazaki Yuzo , Yoshikawa Kenichi , Tamaki Keiji , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki
Published: May 2018

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization image mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) has been developed for the identification of peptides in various tissues. The MALDI-IMS signal distribution patterns and quantification of the signal intensities of the regions of interest (ROI) with healthy regions were compared for identification of the disease specific biomarkers. We performed a new ROI analysis using the conventional t-test and data number independent Cohen’s d-value analysis. Using these techniques, we analysed heart tissues after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). As a result, IMS signals of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthase alpha subunit (ATP5A), myosin-6/7(MYH6/7), aortic actin, and the myosin light chain 3 (MYL3) were identified in the infarcted region. In particular, the signals of MYH7 are significantly greater in the infarcted region using ROI analysis. ROI analysis using MALDI-IMS may be a promising technique for the identification of biomarkers for pathological studies that involve the comparison of diseased and control areas.
Gestational oral low-dose estradiol-17β induces altered DNA methylation of CDKN2D and PSAT1 in embryos and adult offspring
Authors: van der Weijden Vera A. , Flöter Veronika L. , Ulbrich Susanne E.
Published: May 2018

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) interfere with the natural hormone balance and may induce epigenetic changes through exposure during sensitive periods of development. In this study, the effects of short-term estradiol-17β (E2) exposure on various tissues of pregnant sows (F0) and on day 10 blastocysts (F1) were assessed. Intergenerational effects were investigated in the liver of 1-year old female offspring (F1). During gestation, sows were orally exposed to two low doses and a high dose of E2 (0.05, 10, and 1000 µg/kg body weight/day). In F0, perturbed tissue specific mRNA expression of cell cycle regulation and tumour suppressor genes was found at low and high dose exposure, being most pronounced in the endometrium and corpus luteum. The liver showed the most significant DNA hypomethylation in three target genes; CDKN2D, PSAT1, and RASSF1. For CDKN2D and PSAT1, differential methylation in blastocysts was similar as observed in the F0 liver. Whereas blastocysts showed hypomethylation, the liver of 1-year old offspring showed subtle, but significant hypermethylation. We show that the level of effect of estrogenic EDC, with the periconceptual period as a sensitive time window, is at much lower concentration than currently presumed and propose epigenetics as a sensitive novel risk assessment parameter.
Informative three-dimensional survey of cell/tissue architectures in thick paraffin sections by simple low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Sawaguchi Akira , Kamimura Takeshi , Yamashita Atsushi , Takahashi Nobuyasu , Ichikawa Kaori , Aoyama Fumiyo , Asada Yujiro
Published: May 2018

Recent advances in bio-medical research, such as the production of regenerative organs from stem cells, require three-dimensional analysis of cell/tissue architectures. High-resolution imaging by electron microscopy is the best way to elucidate complex cell/tissue architectures, but the conventional method requires a skillful and time-consuming preparation. The present study developed a three-dimensional survey method for assessing cell/tissue architectures in 30-µm-thick paraffin sections by taking advantage of backscattered electron imaging in a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope. As a result, in the kidney, the podocytes and their processes were clearly observed to cover the glomerulus. The 30 µm thickness facilitated an investigation on face-side (instead of sectioned) images of the epithelium and endothelium, which are rarely seen within conventional thin sections. In the testis, differentiated spermatozoa were three-dimensionally assembled in the middle of the seminiferous tubule. Further application to vascular-injury thrombus formation revealed the distinctive networks of fibrin fibres and platelets, capturing the erythrocytes into the thrombus. The four-segmented BSE detector provided topographic bird’s-eye images that allowed a three-dimensional understanding of the cell/tissue architectures at the electron-microscopic level. Here, we describe the precise procedures of this imaging method and provide representative electron micrographs of normal rat organs, experimental thrombus formation, and three-dimensionally cultured tumour cells.
A finely resolved phylogeny of Y chromosome Hg J illuminates the processes of Phoenician and Greek colonizations in the Mediterranean
Authors: Finocchio Andrea , Trombetta Beniamino , Messina Francesco , D’Atanasio Eugenia , Akar Nejat , Loutradis Aphrodite , Michalodimitrakis Emmanuel I. , Cruciani Fulvio , Novelletto Andrea
Published: May 2018

In order to improve the phylogeography of the male-specific genetic traces of Greek and Phoenician colonizations on the Northern coasts of the Mediterranean, we performed a geographically structured sampling of seven subclades of haplogroup J in Turkey, Greece and Italy. We resequenced 4.4 Mb of Y-chromosome in 58 subjects, obtaining 1079 high quality variants. We did not find a preferential coalescence of Turkish samples to ancestral nodes, contradicting the simplistic idea of a dispersal and radiation of Hg J as a whole from the Middle East. Upon calibration with an ancient Hg J chromosome, we confirmed that signs of Holocenic Hg J radiations are subtle and date mainly to the Bronze Age. We pinpointed seven variants which could potentially unveil star clusters of sequences, indicative of local expansions. By directly genotyping these variants in Hg J carriers and complementing with published resequenced chromosomes (893 subjects), we provide strong temporal and distributional evidence for markers of the Greek settlement of Magna Graecia (J2a-L397) and Phoenician migrations (rs760148062). Our work generated a minimal but robust list of evolutionarily stable markers to elucidate the demographic dynamics and spatial domains of male-mediated movements across and around the Mediterranean, in the last 6,000 years.
The effect of the total small vessel disease burden on the structural brain network
Authors: Xu Xiaopei , Lau Kui Kai , Wong Yuen Kwun , Mak Henry K. F. , Hui Edward S.
Published: May 2018

Different cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) lesion types have been shown to disrupt structural brain network individually. Considering that they often coexist, we investigated the relation between their collective effect using the recently proposed total SVD score and structural brain network on MRI in 95 patients with first transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke. Fifty-nine patients with and 36 without any SVD lesions were included. The total SVD score was recorded. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed to estimate structural brain connections for subsequent brain connectivity analysis. The global efficiency and characteristic path length of the structural brain network are respectively lower and higher due to SVD. Lower nodal efficiency is also found in the insular, precuneus, supplementary motor area, paracentral lobule, putamen and hippocampus. The total SVD score is correlated with global network measures, the local clustering coefficient and nodal efficiency of hippocampus, and the nodal efficiency of paracentral lobule. We have successfully demonstrated that the disruption of global and local structural brain networks are associated with the increase in the overall SVD severity or burden of patients with TIA or first-time stroke.
Lantibiotic production is a burden for the producing staphylococci
Authors: Ebner Patrick , Reichert Sebastian , Luqman Arif , Krismer Bernhard , Popella Peter , Götz Friedrich
Published: May 2018

Lantibiotics are antimicrobial peptides that contain non-proteinogenic amino acids lanthionine and 3-methyllanthionine and are produced by Gram-positive bacteria. Here we addressed the pros and cons of lantibiotic production for its producing strains. Two staphylococcal strains, S. gallinarum Tü3928 and S. epidermidis Tü3298 producing gallidermin and epidermin respectively were selected. In each of these parental strains, the structural genes gdmA and epiA were deleted; all the other biosynthetic genes including the immunity genes were left intact. Comparative analysis of the lantibiotic-producing strains with their non-producing mutants revealed that lantibiotic production is a burden for the cells. The production affected growth, caused release of ATP, lipids and increased the excretion of cytoplasmic proteins (ECP). The epidermin and gallidermin immunity genes were insufficient to protect the cells from their own product. Co-cultivation studies showed that the ΔgdmA mutant has an advantage over the parental strain; the latter was outcompeted. On the one hand, the production of staphylococcal lantibiotics is beneficial by suppressing competitors, but on the other hand they impose a burden on the producing-strains when they accumulate in higher amounts. Our observations explain why antibiotic-producing strains occur as a minority on our skin and other ecological niches, but retain corresponding antibiotic resistance.
Heterogeneously catalyzed selective hydrogenation of amides to alcohols and amines
Authors: Xie Yinjun , Hu Peng , Bendikov Tatyana , Milstein David
Published: May 2018

We report the heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of amides to form alcohols and amines.
Perforated N-doped monoclinic ZnWO4 nanorods for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation and RhB degradation under natural sunlight
Authors: Sethi Yogesh A. , Praveen C. S. , Panmand Rajendra P. , Ambalkar Anuradha , Kulkarni Aniruddha K. , Gosavi Suresh W. , Kulkarni Milind V. , Kale Bharat B.
Published: May 2018

A perforated N-doped monoclinic ZnWO4 nanorod photocatalyst for excellent hydrogen production via water splitting under sunlight.
The immunomodulatory activity and mechanism of docosahexenoic acid (DHA) on immunosuppressive mice models
Authors: Han Lirong , Lei Huanna , Tian Ziwei , Wang Xu , Cheng Dai , Wang Chunling
Published: May 2018

The immunomodulatory activity and mechanism of docosahexenoic acid (DHA) on immunosuppressive mice models.
Pentacoordinated silicon in the high-pressure modification of datolite, CaBSiO4(OH)
Authors: Gorelova Liudmila A. , Pakhomova Anna S. , Aprilis Georgios , Dubrovinsky Leonid S. , Krivovichev Sergey V.
Published: May 2018

A new modification of borosilicate datolite, CaBSiO4(OH), has been discovered using synchrotron-basedin situhigh-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Identification of the key factor promoting the enrichment of chiral polymorph A in zeolite beta and the synthesis of chiral polymorph A highly enriched zeolite beta
Authors: Lu Tingting , Zhu Liangkui , Wang Xiaohe , Yan Wenfu , Shi Wei , Xu Ruren
Published: May 2018

The acidity of the initial mixture is the key factor promoting the enrichment of chiral polymorph A in zeolite beta.
Identifying the high activity of the basal plane in 1T′-phase MoS2 towards electrochemical hydrogen evolution
Authors: Shi Yanmei , Zhang Bin
Published: May 2018

Highly pure 1T′-MoS2 crystals are prepared and the electrochemical hydrogen evolution activity of the basal plane in 1T′-MoS2 is experimentally confirmed.
Generation of an oxoglutarate dehydrogenase knockout rat model and the effect of a high-fat diet
Authors: Fan Zhirui , Li Lifeng , Li Xiaoli , Zhang Meng , Zhong Yali , Li Yaqing , Yu Dandan , Cao Jing , Zhao Jing , Xiaoming Deng Xiaoming Deng , Zhang Mingzhi , Jian-Guo Wen Jian-Guo Wen , Liu Zhangsuo , Goscinski Mariusz Adam , Berge Viktor , Nesland Jahn M. , Suo Zhenhe
Published: May 2018

Although abnormal metabolism in metabolic syndrome and tumours has been well described, the relationship between oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) and obesity-related diseases is still largely unknown.
Performance optimization of freestanding MWCNT-LiFePO4 sheets as cathodes for improved specific capacity of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Susantyoko Rahmat Agung , Alkindi Tawaddod Saif , Kanagaraj Amarsingh Bhabu , An Boohyun , Alshibli Hamda , Choi Daniel , AlDahmani Sultan , Fadaq Hamed , Almheiri Saif
Published: May 2018

We optimized the specific capacity of freestanding MWCNT-LiFePO4 positive electrode. We demonstrated as high (low) as 90 wt% LiFePO4 active material (10 wt% MWCNTs inactive material). This corresponded to a maximum specific capacity of 153 mA h g−1.
Phosphotungstic acid heterogenized by assembly with pyridines for efficient catalytic conversion of fructose to methyl levulinate
Authors: Fang Chengjiang , Li Yan , Zhao Wenfeng , Wu Weibo , Li Hu , He Chao , Yang Song
Published: May 2018

A high yield of methyl levulinate (82.5%) was achieved from fructose via a one-pot multi-step conversion process using acidic 3-FPYPW as a heterogeneous catalyst.
Quantitative characterization of the long-term charge storage of a ZnO-based nanorod array film through persistent photoconductance
Authors: Lu Linzhi , Jiang Xiaotong , Peng Huiqiong , Zeng Dawen , Xie Changsheng
Published: May 2018

Q
uo, Qus and η were derived from a photocurrent–time curve to quantitatively characterize the charge storage of a ZnO-based nanorod array film.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel quinolone derivatives dual targeting histone deacetylase and tubulin polymerization as antiproliferative agents
Authors: Wang Xuan , Jiang Xiaoye , Sun Shiyou , Liu Yongqiong
Published: May 2018

Synthesis of a series of novel dual-acting levofloxacin–HDACi conjugates, which show potent inhibitory activities against HDACs, tubulin polymerization, and significant antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells.
A long-persistent phosphorescent chemosensor for the detection of TNP based on CaTiO3:Pr3+@SiO2 photoluminescence materials
Authors: Li Fangfang , Wang Fengyi , Hu Xuan , Zheng Baozhan , Du Juan , Xiao Dan
Published: May 2018

An effective and facile phosphorescence sensing approach was developed for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) detection using CaTiO3:Pr3+@SiO2 photoluminescence materials.
A new efficient domino approach for the synthesis of pyrazolyl-phthalazine-diones. Antiradical activity of novel phenolic products
Authors: Simijonović Dušica , Petrović Zorica D. , Milovanović Vesna M. , Petrović Vladimir P. , Bogdanović Goran A.
Published: May 2018

An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of pyrazolyl-phthalazine-diones was developed. New phenolic compounds exerted good to excellent antioxidative activity.
Synthesis of a BiOCl1−xBrx@AgBr heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light
Authors: Hua Chenghe , Dong Xiaoli , Wang Yu , Zheng Nan , Ma Hongchao , Zhang Xiufang
Published: May 2018

BiOCl1−xBrx nanosheets are covered by a thin layer of AgBr that forms BiOCl1−xBrx@AgBr heterostucture with high photocatalytic activity.
Galvanic corrosion of duplex corrosion-resistant steel rebars under carbonated concrete conditions
Authors: Jiang Jinyang , Chu Hong-yan , Liu Yao , Wang Danqian , Guo Dong , Sun Wei
Published: May 2018

Galvanic corrosion between two different kinds of steel rebars is usually the case in practical engineering.
Orientational ordering of closely packed Janus particles
Authors: Mitsumoto Kota , Yoshino Hajime
Published: May 2018

We study the orientational ordering of 2-dimensional closely packed Janus particles by extensive Monte Carlo simulations.
Developing intercalation based anode materials for fluoride-ion batteries: topochemical reduction of Sr2TiO3F2via a hydride based defluorination process
Authors: Wissel Kerstin , Dasgupta Supratik , Benes Alexander , Schoch Roland , Bauer Matthias , Witte Ralf , Fortes Andrew Dominic , Erdem Emre , Rohrer Jochen , Clemens Oliver
Published: May 2018

Sr2TiO3F2−x, a potential anode material for fluoride ion batteries, is prepared in the charged state via selective low-temperature defluorination.
Stable mixed group II (Ca, Sr) and XIV (Ge, Sn) lead-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ali Roshan , Hou Guo-Jiao , Zhu Zhen-Gang , Yan Qing-Bo , Zheng Qing-Rong , Su Gang
Published: May 2018

Novel stable perovskites: Pb in CH3NH3PbI3 is replaced by Ca/(Ge, Sn) or Sr/(Ge, Sn) and exhibits high optical absorption.
Immediate Passage Comprehension and Encoding of Information Into Long-Term Memory in Children With Normal Hearing: The Effect of Voice Quality and Multitalker Babble Noise
Authors: Brännström K. Jonas , von Lochow Heike , Åhlander Viveka Lyberg , Sahlén Birgitta
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study examines how voice quality and multitalker babble noise affect immediate passage comprehension and the efficiency of information encoding into long-term memory in children with normal hearing.

Method

Eighteen children (mean age = 9 years) with normal hearing participated. Immediate passage comprehension performance and delayed performance (after 5 to 8 days) were assessed for 4 listening conditions: a typical voice in quiet, a typical voice in noise, a dysphonic voice in quiet, and a dysphonic voice in noise.

Results

Multitalker babble noise had a significant effect on immediate and delayed performance. This effect was more pronounced for delayed performance. No significant main effect of voice quality was seen on immediate or delayed performance.

Conclusions

Multitalker babble noise impairs immediate passage comprehension and encoding of information into long-term memory for later recall in children with normal hearing. In learning situations where competing speech signals are present, background noise may reduce the prerequisites for optimal learning.
Speech Rate Entrainment in Children and Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Wynn Camille J. , Borrie Stephanie A. , Sellers Tyra P.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Conversational entrainment, a phenomenon whereby people modify their behaviors to match their communication partner, has been evidenced as critical to successful conversation. It is plausible that deficits in entrainment contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties exhibited by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined speech rate entrainment in children and adult populations with and without ASD.

Method

Sixty participants including typically developing children, children with ASD, typically developed adults, and adults with ASD participated in a quasi-conversational paradigm with a pseudoconfederate. The confederate's speech rate was digitally manipulated to create slow and fast speech rate conditions.

Results

Typically developed adults entrained their speech rate in the quasi-conversational paradigm, using a faster rate during the fast speech rate conditions and a slower rate during the slow speech rate conditions. This entrainment pattern was not evident in adults with ASD or in children populations.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that speech rate entrainment is a developmentally acquired skill and offers preliminary evidence of speech rate entrainment deficits in adults with ASD. Impairments in this area may contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties experienced by this population. Future work is needed to advance this area of inquiry.
Nonword Repetition and Language Outcomes in Young Children Born Preterm
Authors: Gresch Lisa D. , Marchman Virginia A. , Loi Elizabeth C. , Fernald Anne , Feldman Heidi M.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The aims of this study were to examine phonological short-term memory in children born preterm (PT) and to explore relations between this neuropsychological process and later language skills.

Method

Children born PT (
n
= 74) and full term (FT;
n
= 60) participated in a nonword repetition (NWR) task at 36 months old. Standardized measures of language skills were administered at 36 and 54 months old. Group differences in NWR task completion and NWR scores were analyzed. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the extent to which NWR ability predicted later performance on language measures.

Results

More children born PT than FT did not complete the NWR task. Among children who completed the task, the performance of children born PT and FT was not statistically different. NWR scores at 36 months old accounted for significant unique variance in language scores at 54 months old in both groups. Birth group did not moderate the relation between NWR and later language performance.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that phonological short-term memory is an important skill underlying language development in both children born PT and FT. These findings have relevance to clinical practice in assessing children born PT.
Does Implicit Voice Learning Improve Spoken Language Processing? Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Case Julie , Seyfarth Scott , Levi Susannah V.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

In typical interactions with other speakers, including a clinical environment, listeners become familiar with voices through implicit learning. Previous studies have found evidence for a Familiar Talker Advantage (better speech perception and spoken language processing for familiar voices) following explicit voice learning. The current study examined whether a Familiar Talker Advantage would result from implicit voice learning.

Method

Thirty-three adults and 16 second graders were familiarized with 1 of 2 talkers' voices over 2 days through live interactions as 1 of 2 experimenters administered standardized tests and interacted with the listeners. To assess whether this implicit voice learning would generate a Familiar Talker Advantage, listeners completed a baseline sentence recognition task and a post-learning sentence recognition task with both the familiar talker and the unfamiliar talker.

Results

No significant effect of voice familiarity was found for either the children or the adults following implicit voice learning. Effect size estimates suggest that familiarity with the voice may benefit some listeners, despite the lack of an overall effect of familiarity.

Discussion

We discuss possible clinical implications of this finding and directions for future research.
Controlling the thermal environment of underground cable lines using the pavement surface radiation properties
Authors: Klimenta Dardan , Perović Bojan , Klimenta Jelena , Jevtić Milena , Milovanović Miloš , Krstić Ivan
Published: May 2018

The main purpose of this study is to show how the emissivity and absorptivity of a pavement surface above underground cables affect their ampacity. The use of cool pavements whose surfaces absorb less heat from the Sun than they emit to the ambient is considered as a novel method to control the thermal environment of underground cables. The method predicts that the trench along the entire length of a 110 kV cable line is completely filled with quartz sand and paved with a cool pavement. Quartz sand would provide good conduction of heat from the cables to the earth and pavement surfaces, while a paved surface of the trench would establish approximately unchangeable convection and radiation boundary conditions along the entire cable line route. It is assumed that the three‐phase system is balanced and that the boundary conditions along the earth and pavement surfaces are the most unfavourable. The novel method is based on the results of experimental research, generalised and verified numerically using the finite‐element method in COMSOL. Finally, it is established that the ampacity of the 110 kV cable line can be increased up to 26.7%.
Research of the high supply voltage quality control for solid‐state transformer
Authors: Tu Chunming , Xiao Fan , Lan Zheng , Shuai Zhikang
Published: May 2018

The harmonics flow characteristic of microgrid will be changed when solid‐state transformer (SST) replaces solid‐state switch or traditional transformer (TT). The supply voltage quality of SST is related to its control strategy at this time. Therefore, a high supply voltage quality control strategy for SST has been proposed in this study. First, the supply voltage characteristics of SST and TT have been compared, and finding that the voltage quality is easy to worsen when SST working without power quality control strategy. Then, the voltage quality regulating mechanism of SST has been analysed. In addition, a novel control strategy which includes the direct voltage control loop and the virtual impedance loop has been proposed for SST. The characteristics of the voltage loop and virtual impedance loop are analysed. The computational burden, harmonic extraction and phase‐locked‐loop are considered in the voltage control loop. The compensational state can vary with the surplus compensation capacity by adopting the virtual impedance loop. Finally, the experimental results verified the validity and effectiveness of the presented control strategy.
Design of W‐band sheet beam travelling wave tubes based on staggered double vane slow wave structure
Authors: Tian Hanwen , Shao Wei , Wang Zhanliang , Wei Yanyu , Duan Zhaoyun , Gong Yubin , Feng Jinjun
Published: May 2018

In this study, a complete and viable plan about a W‐band sheet beam travelling wave tube based on a staggered double vane slow wave structure is drawn up. The dispersion characteristics, transposition characteristics of high‐frequency system, sheet electron beam gun, vacuum window, periodically cusped magnetic focusing system and beam–wave interaction are analysed by CST Microwave Studio, CST Particle Studio and HFSS. An attenuator is used in this device to suppress oscillation. A phase velocity taper is used to increase output power. The operation voltage is 20.6 kV and the current is 80 mA. With a 10 W input power, the output power is 1100 W versus the gain is 20.41 dB at 95 GHz. The peak amplitude approaches 1200 W versus the gain approaches 20.79 dB at 99 GHz.
Oversized coaxial output cavity for Ka band relativistic klystron
Authors: Li Shifeng , Duan Zhaoyun , Huang Hua , Wang Fei , Wang Xin , Liu Zhenbang , He Hu , Wang Zhanliang , Gong Yubin
Published: May 2018

In this study, an oversized coaxial output cavity is proposed for a Ka band relativistic klystron amplifier (RKA). It consists of a three‐gap resonator and a coupler. To ensure the concentricity, the double‐row supporting rods are used in the output cavity. The parameters of the output cavity are obtained through theoretical analysis and CST simulation. In addition, the authors evaluate the performance of the output cavity by using particle‐in‐cell software CHIPIC. They investigate the influences of the period length and the external quality factor on the output power. Furthermore, they study the effect of the overmoded ratio on power and electronic efficiency. The simulation shows that the output power reaches 1.08 GW and electronic efficiency is 36.0%. The simulated results indicate that the proposed output cavity can be used in the RKA with GW‐level power at the Ka band.
NIKA 150 GHz polarization observations of the Crab nebula and its spectral energy distribution
Authors: Ritacco A. , Macías-Pérez J. F. , Ponthieu N. , Adam R. , Ade P. , André P. , Aumont J. , Beelen A. , Benoît A. , Bideaud A. , Billot N. , Bourrion O. , Bracco A. , Calvo M. , Catalano A. , Coiffard G. , Comis B. , D’Addabbo A. , De Petris M. , Désert F.-X. , Doyle S. , Goupy J. , Kramer C. , Lagache G. , Leclercq S. , Lestrade J.-F. , Mauskopf P. , Mayet F. , Maury A. , Monfardini A. , Pajot F. , Pascale E. , Perotto L. , Pisano G. , Rebolo-Iglesias M. , Revéret V. , Rodriguez L. , Romero C. , Roussel H. , Ruppin F. , Schuster K. , Sievers A. , Siringo G. , Thum C. , Triqueneaux S. , Tucker C. , Wiesemeyer H. , Zylka R.
Published: May 2018

The Crab nebula is a supernova remnant exhibiting a highly polarized synchrotron radiation at radio and millimetre wavelengths. It is the brightest source in the microwave sky with an extension of 7 by 5 arcmin, and is commonly used as a standard candle for any experiment which aims to measure the polarization of the sky. Though its spectral energy distribution has been well characterized in total intensity, polarization data are still lacking at millimetre wavelengths. We report in this paper high resolution observations (18′′ FWHM) of the Crab nebula in total intensity and linear polarization at 150 GHz with the NIKA camera. NIKA, operated at the IRAM 30 m telescope from 2012 to 2015, is a camera made of Lumped Element Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKIDs) observing the sky at 150 and 260 GHz. From these observations we are able to reconstruct the spatial distribution of the polarization degree and angle of the Crab nebula, which is found to be compatible with previous observations at lower and higher frequencies. Averaging across the source and using other existing data sets we find that the Crab nebula polarization angle is consistent with being constant over a wide range of frequencies with a value of − 87.7° ± 0.3 in Galactic coordinates. We also present the first estimation of the Crab nebula spectral energy distribution polarized flux in a wide frequency range: 30–353 GHz. Assuming a single power law emission model we find that the polarization spectral index βpol = – 0.347 ± 0.026 is compatible with the intensity spectral index β = – 0.323 ± 0.001.
Diagnostic value of far-IR water ice features in T Tauri disks
Authors: Kamp I. , Scheepstra A. , Min M. , Klarmann L. , Riviere-Marichalar P.
Published: May 2018

Aims. This paper investigates how the far-IR water ice features can be used to infer properties of disks around T Tauri stars and the water ice thermal history. We explore the power of future observations with SOFIA/HIRMES and SPICA’s proposed far-IR instrument SAFARI.

Methods. A series of detailed radiative transfer disk models around a representative T Tauri star are used to investigate how the far-IR water ice features at 45 and 63 μm change with key disk properties: disk size, grain sizes, disk dust mass, dust settling, and ice thickness. In addition, a series of models is devised to calculate the water ice emission features from warmup, direct deposit, and cooldown scenarios of the water ice in disks.

Results. Photodesorption from icy grains in disk surfaces weakens the mid-IR water ice features by factors of 4–5. The far-IR water ice emission features originate from small grains at the surface snow line in disks at distance of 10–100 au. Unless this reservoir is missing in disks (e.g., transitional disks with large cavities), the feature strength does not change. Grains larger than 10 μm do not contribute to the features. Grain settling (using turbulent description) affects the strength of the ice features by at most 15%. The strength of the ice feature scales with the disk dust mass and water ice fraction on the grains, but saturates for dust masses higher than 10−4 M⊙ and for ice mantles that increase the dust mass by more than 50%. The various thermal histories of water ice leave an imprint on the shape of the features (crystalline and/or amorphous) and on the peak strength and position of the 45 μm feature. SOFIA/HIRMES can only detect crystalline ice features that are much stronger than those simulated in our standard T Tauri disk model in deep exposures (1 h). SPICA/SAFARI can detect the typical ice features in our standard T Tauri disk model in short exposures (10 min).

Conclusions. The sensitivity of SPICA/SAFARI will allow the detailed study of the 45 and 63 μm water ice feature in unbiased surveys of T Tauri stars in nearby star forming regions and an estimate of the mass of their ice reservoir. The water ice emission features carry an imprint of the thermal history of the ice, and thus can distinguish between various formation and transport scenarios. Amorphous ice at 45 μm that has a much broader and flatter peak could be detected in deep surveys if the underlying continuum can be well characterized and the baseline stability of SAFARI is better than a few percent.
Excitation of vertical coronal loop oscillations by impulsively driven flows
Authors: Kohutova P. , Verwichte E.
Published: May 2018

Context. Flows of plasma along a coronal loop caused by the pressure difference between loop footpoints are common in the solar corona.

Aims. We aim to investigate the possibility of excitation of loop oscillations by an impulsively driven flow triggered by an enhanced pressure in one of the loop footpoints.

Methods. We carry out 2.5D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of a coronal loop with an impulsively driven flow and investigate the properties and evolution of the resulting oscillatory motion of the loop.

Results. The action of the centrifugal force associated with plasma moving at high speeds along the curved axis of the loop is found to excite the fundamental harmonic of a vertically polarised kink mode. We analyse the dependence of the resulting oscillations on the speed and kinetic energy of the flow.

Conclusions. We find that flows with realistic speeds of less than 100 km s−1 are sufficient to excite oscillations with observable amplitudes. We therefore propose plasma flows as a possible excitation mechanism for observed transverse loop oscillations.