bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-conception and prenatal alcohol exposure from mothers and fathers drinking and head circumference: results from the Norwegian Mother-Child Study (MoBa)
Authors: Zuccolo Luisa , DeRoo Lisa A. , Wills Andrew K. , Davey Smith George , Suren Pål , Roth Christine , Stoltenberg Camilla , Magnus Per
Published: December 2016

Although microcephaly is a feature of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, it is currently unknown whether low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure affects head circumference. Small magnitude associations reported in observational studies are likely to be misleading due to confounding and misclassification biases. Alternative analytical approaches such as the use of family negative controls (e.g. comparing the effects of maternal and paternal exposure) could help disentangle causal effects. We investigated the association of maternal and paternal alcohol drinking before and early in pregnancy with infant head circumference, using data from 68,244 mother-father-offspring trios from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) (1999–2009). In analyses adjusted for potential confounders, we found no consistent pattern of association between maternal or paternal alcohol intake before or during pregnancy and offspring head circumference modelled as a continuous outcome. However, we found higher odds of microcephaly at birth for higher paternal, but not maternal, alcohol consumption before pregnancy, and similar but weaker effect estimates for first trimester drinking. Associations with paternal drinking before pregnancy were unexpected and should be regarded as hypothesis generating, until independently replicated, although potentially important given the absence of guidelines on safe drinking levels for men in couples trying for a pregnancy.
Acute transcriptional up-regulation specific to osteoblasts/osteoclasts in medaka fish immediately after exposure to microgravity
Authors: Chatani Masahiro , Morimoto Hiroya , Takeyama Kazuhiro , Mantoku Akiko , Tanigawa Naoki , Kubota Koji , Suzuki Hiromi , Uchida Satoko , Tanigaki Fumiaki , Shirakawa Masaki , Gusev Oleg , Sychev Vladimir , Takano Yoshiro , Itoh Takehiko , Kudo Akira
Published: December 2016

Bone loss is a serious problem in spaceflight; however, the initial action of microgravity has not been identified. To examine this action, we performed live-imaging of animals during a space mission followed by transcriptome analysis using medaka transgenic lines expressing osteoblast and osteoclast-specific promoter-driven GFP and DsRed. In live-imaging for osteoblasts, the intensity of osterix- or osteocalcin-DsRed fluorescence in pharyngeal bones was significantly enhanced 1 day after launch; and this enhancement continued for 8 or 5 days. In osteoclasts, the signals of TRAP-GFP and MMP9-DsRed were highly increased at days 4 and 6 after launch in flight. HiSeq from pharyngeal bones of juvenile fish at day 2 after launch showed up-regulation of 2 osteoblast- and 3 osteoclast- related genes. Gene ontology analysis for the whole-body showed that transcription of genes in the category “nucleus” was significantly enhanced; particularly, transcription-regulators were more up-regulated at day 2 than at day 6. Lastly, we identified 5 genes, c-fos, jun-B-like, pai-1, ddit4 and tsc22d3, which were up-regulated commonly in the whole-body at days 2 and 6, and in the pharyngeal bone at day 2. Our results suggested that exposure to microgravity immediately induced dynamic alteration of gene expression levels in osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
Synergistic Effect of Atmospheric-pressure Plasma and TiO2 Photocatalysis on Inactivation of Escherichia coli Cells in Aqueous Media
Authors: Zhou Renwu , Zhou Rusen , Zhang Xianhui , Li Jiangwei , Wang Xingquan , Chen Qiang , Yang Size , Chen Zhong , Bazaka Kateryna , Ostrikov Kostya
Published: December 2016

Atmospheric-pressure plasma and TiO2 photocatalysis have been widely investigated separately for the management and reduction of microorganisms in aqueous solutions. In this paper, the two methods were combined in order to achieve a more profound understanding of their interactions in disinfection of water contaminated by Escherichia coli. Under water discharges carried out by microplasma jet arrays can result in a rapid inactivation of E. coli cells. The inactivation efficiency is largely dependent on the feed gases used, the plasma treatment time, and the discharge power. Compared to atmospheric-pressure N2, He and air microplasma arrays, O2 microplasma had the highest activity against E. coli cells in aqueous solution, and showed >99.9% bacterial inactivation efficiency within 4 min. Addition of TiO2 photocatalytic film to the plasma discharge reactor significantly enhanced the inactivation efficiency of the O2 microplasma system, decreasing the time required to achieve 99.9% killing of E. coli cells to 1 min. This may be attributed to the enhancement of ROS generation due to high catalytic activity and stability of the TiO2 photocatalyst in the combined plasma-TiO2 systems. Present work demonstrated the synergistic effect of the two agents, which can be correlated in order to maximize treatment efficiency.
Dual observation of the ATP-evoked small GTPase activation and Ca2+ transient in astrocytes using a dark red fluorescent protein
Authors: Nakahata Yoshihisa , Nabekura Junichi , Murakoshi Hideji
Published: December 2016

Intracellular signal transduction involves a number of biochemical reactions, which largely consist of protein-protein interactions and protein conformational changes. Monitoring Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), called FLIM-FRET, is one of the best ways to visualize such protein dynamics. Here, we attempted to apply dark red fluorescent proteins with significantly smaller quantum yields. Application of the dark mCherry mutants to single-molecule FRET sensors revealed that these dark mCherry mutants are a good acceptor in a pair with mRuby2. Because the FRET measurement between mRuby2 and dark mCherry requires only the red region of wavelengths, it facilitates dual observation with other signaling sensors such as genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. Taking advantage of this approach, we attempted dual observation of Ca2+ and Rho GTPase (RhoA and Cdc42) activities in astrocytes and found that ATP triggers both RhoA and Cdc42 activation. In early phase, while Cdc42 activity is independent of Ca2+ transient evoked by ATP, RhoA activity is Ca2+ dependent. Moreover, the transient Ca2+ upregulation triggers long-lasting Cdc42 and RhoA activities, thereby converting short-term Ca2+ signaling to long-term signaling. Thus, the new FRET pair should be useful for dual observation of intracellular biochemical reactions.
Fluid flow facilitates inward rectifier K+ current by convectively restoring [K+] at the cell membrane surface
Authors: Kim Jae Gon , Park Sang Woong , Byun Doyoung , Choi Wahn Soo , Sung Dong Jun , Shin Kyung Chul , Kim Hyun-ji , Leem Young-Eun , Kang Jong-Sun , Cho Hana , Kim Bokyung , Cho Sung I , Bae Young Min
Published: December 2016

The inward rectifier Kir2.1 current (IKir2.1) was reported to be facilitated by fluid flow. However, the mechanism underlying this facilitation remains uncertain. We hypothesized that during K+ influx or efflux, [K+] adjacent to the outer mouth of the Kir2.1 channel might decrease or increase, respectively, compared with the average [K+] of the bulk extracellular solution, and that fluid flow could restore the original [K+] and result in the apparent facilitation of IKir2.1. We recorded the IKir2.1 in RBL-2H3 cells and HEK293T cells that were ectopically over-expressed with Kir2.1 channels by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Fluid-flow application immediately increased the IKir2.1, which was not prevented by either the pretreatment with inhibitors of various protein kinases or the modulation of the cytoskeleton and caveolae. The magnitudes of the increases of IKir2.1 by fluid flow were driving force-dependent. Simulations performed using the Nernst-Planck mass equation indicated that [K+] near the membrane surface fell markedly below the average [K+] of the bulk extracellular solution during K+ influx, and, notably, that fluid flow restored the decreased [K+] at the cell surface in a flow rate-dependent manner. These results support the “convection-regulation hypothesis” and define a novel interpretation of fluid flow-induced modulation of ion channels.
High performing solution-coated electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors for aqueous media operation
Authors: Zhang Qiaoming , Leonardi Francesca , Casalini Stefano , Temiño Inés , Mas-Torrent Marta
Published: December 2016

Since the first demonstration, the electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors (EGOFETs) have immediately gained much attention for the development of cutting-edge technology and they are expected to have a strong impact in the field of (bio-)sensors. However EGOFETs directly expose their active material towards the aqueous media, hence a limited library of organic semiconductors is actually suitable. By using two mostly unexplored strategies in EGOFETs such as blended materials together with a printing technique, we have successfully widened this library. Our benchmarks were 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene and 2,8-difluoro-5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene (diF-TES-ADT), which have been firstly blended with polystyrene and secondly deposited by means of the bar-assisted meniscus shearing (BAMS) technique. Our approach yielded thin films (i.e. no thicker than 30 nm) suitable for organic electronics and stable in liquid environment. Up to date, these EGOFETs show unprecedented performances. Furthermore, an extremely harsh environment, like NaCl 1M, has been used in order to test the limit of operability of these electronic devices. Albeit an electrical worsening is observed, our devices can operate under different electrical stresses within the time frame of hours up to a week. In conclusion, our approach turns out to be a powerful tool for the EGOFET manufacturing.
Pressure effect on iron-based superconductor LaFeAsO1−xHx: Peculiar response of 1111-type structure
Authors: Kobayashi Kensuke , Yamaura Jun-ichi , Iimura Soshi , Maki Sachiko , Sagayama Hajime , Kumai Reiji , Murakami Youichi , Takahashi Hiroki , Matsuishi Satoru , Hosono Hideo
Published: December 2016

A systematic study of the crystal structure of a layered iron oxypnictide LaFeAsO1−xHx as a function of pressure was performed using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. This compound exhibits a unique phase diagram of two superconducting phases and two parent phases. We established that the As–Fe–As angle of the FeAs4 tetrahedron widens on the application of pressure due to the interspace between the layers being nearly infilled by the large La and As atoms. Such rarely observed behaviour in iron pnictides implies that the FeAs4 coordination deviates from the regular tetrahedron in the present systems. This breaks a widely accepted structural guide that the superconductivity favours the regular tetrahedron, albeit the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) increases from 18 K at ambient pressure to 52 K at 6 GPa for x = 0.2. In the phase diagram, the second parent phase at x ~ 0.5 is suppressed by pressure as low as ~1.5 GPa in contrast to the first parent phase at x ~ 0, which is robust against pressure. We suggest that certain spin-fluctuation from the second parent phase is strongly related to high-Tc under pressure.
Functional insights into the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein family from Dendrobium officinale (Orchidaceae) using an Escherichia coli system
Authors: Ling Hong , Zeng Xu , Guo Shunxing
Published: December 2016

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, a diverse family, accumulate during seed desiccation in the later stages of embryogenesis. LEA proteins are associated with tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity and high or cold temperature. Here, we report the first comprehensive survey of the LEA gene family in Dendrobium officinale, an important and widely grown medicinal orchid in China. Based on phylogenetic relationships with the complete set of Arabidopsis and Oryza LEA proteins, 17 genes encoding D. officinale LEAs (DofLEAs) were identified and their deduced proteins were classified into seven groups. The motif composition of these deduced proteins was correlated with the gene structure found in each LEA group. Our results reveal the DofLEA genes are widely distributed and expressed in tissues. Additionally, 11 genes from different groups were introduced into Escherichia coli to assess the functions of DofLEAs. Expression of 6 and 7 DofLEAs in E. coli improved growth performance compared with the control under salt and heat stress, respectively. Based on qPCR data, all of these genes were up-regulated in various tissues following exposure to salt and heat stresses. Our results suggest that DofLEAs play an important role in responses to abiotic stress.
Quasi mode-locking of coherent feedback random fiber laser
Authors: Ma R. , Zhang W. L. , Zeng X. P. , Yang Z. J. , Rao Y. J. , Yao B. C. , Yu C. B. , Wu Y. , Yu S. F.
Published: December 2016

Mode-locking is a milestone in the history of lasers that allows the generation of short light pulses and stabilization of lasers. This phenomenon is known to occur only in standard ordered lasers for long time and until recently it is found that it also occurs in disordered random lasers formed by nanoscale particles. Here, we report the realization of a so-called quasi mode-locking of coherent feedback random fiber laser which consists of a partially disordered linear cavity formed between a point reflector and a random distributed fiber Bragg grating array with an inserted graphene saturable absorber. We show that multi-groups of regular light pulses/sub-pulses with different repetition frequencies are generated within the quasi mode-locking regime through the so-called collective resonances phenomenon in such a random fiber laser. This work may provide a platform to study mode locking as well as pulse dynamic regulation of random lasing emission of coherent feedback disordered structures and pave the way to the development of novel multi-frequency pulse fiber lasers with potentially wide frequency tuning range.
IL-13 is a therapeutic target in radiation lung injury
Authors: Chung Su I. , Horton Jason A. , Ramalingam Thirumalai R. , White Ayla O. , Chung Eun Joo , Hudak Kathryn E. , Scroggins Bradley T. , Arron Joseph R. , Wynn Thomas A. , Citrin Deborah E.
Published: December 2016

Pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially lethal late adverse event of thoracic irradiation. Prior research indicates that unrestrained TGF-β1 and/or type 2 cytokine-driven immune responses promote fibrosis following radiation injury, but the full spectrum of factors governing this pathology remains unclear. Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a key factor in fibrotic disease associated with helminth infection, but it is unclear whether it plays a similar role in radiation-induced lung fibrosis. Using a mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that IL-13 drives the progression of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Irradiated lungs from wild-type c57BL/6NcR mice accumulated alternatively-activated macrophages, displayed elevated levels of IL-13, and extensive fibrosis, whereas IL-13 deficient mice were resistant to these changes. Furthermore, plasma from irradiated wild-type mice showed a transient increase in the IL-13 saturated fraction of the circulating decoy receptor IL-13Rα2. Finally, we determined that therapeutic neutralization of IL-13, during the period of IL-13Rα2 saturation was sufficient to protect mice from lung fibrosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that IL-13 is a major regulator of radiation-induced lung injury and demonstrates that strategies focusing on IL-13 may be useful in screening for timely delivery of anti-IL-13 therapeutics.
The DE and FG loops of the HPV major capsid protein contribute to the epitopes of vaccine-induced cross-neutralising antibodies
Authors: Bissett Sara L. , Godi Anna , Beddows Simon
Published: December 2016

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines consist of major capsid protein (L1) virus-like particles (VLP) and are highly efficacious against the development of cervical cancer precursors attributable to oncogenic genotypes, HPV16 and HPV18. A degree of vaccine-induced cross-protection has also been demonstrated against genetically-related genotypes in the Alpha-7 (HPV18-like) and Alpha-9 (HPV16-like) species groups which is coincident with the detection of L1 cross-neutralising antibodies. In this study the L1 domains recognised by inter-genotype cross-neutralising antibodies were delineated. L1 crystallographic homology models predicted a degree of structural diversity between the L1 loops of HPV16 and the non-vaccine Alpha-9 genotypes. These structural predictions informed the design of chimeric pseudovirions with inter-genotype loop swaps which demonstrated that the L1 domains recognised by inter-genotype cross-neutralising antibodies comprise residues within the DE loop and the late region of the FG loop. These data contribute to our understanding of the L1 domains recognised by vaccine-induced cross-neutralising antibodies. Such specificities may play a critical role in vaccine-induced cross-protection.
Theoretic Study on Dispersion Mechanism of Boron Nitride Nanotubes by Polynucleotides
Authors: Liang Lijun , Hu Wei , Zhang Zhisen , Shen Jia-Wei
Published: December 2016

Due to the unique electrical and mechanical properties of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT), BNNT has been a promising material for many potential applications, especially in biomedical field. Understanding the dispersion of BNNT in aqueous solution by biomolecules is essential for its use in biomedical applications. In this study, BNNT wrapped by polynucleotides in aqueous solution was investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our results demonstrated that the BNNT wrapped by polynucleotides could greatly hinder the aggregation of BNNTs and improve the dispersion of BNNTs in aqueous solution. Dispersion of BNNTs with the assistance of polynucleotides is greatly affected by the wrapping manner of polynucleotides on BNNT, which mainly depends on two factors: the type of polynucleotides and the radius of BNNT. The interaction between polynucleotides and BNNT(9, 9) is larger than that between polynucleotides and BNNT(5, 5), which leads to the fact that dispersion of BNNT(9, 9) is better than that of BNNT(5, 5) with the assistance of polynucleotides in aqueous solution. Our study revealed the molecular-level dispersion mechanism of BNNT with the assistance of polynucleotides in aqueous solution. It shades a light on the understanding of dispersion of single wall nanotubes by biomolecules.
Assessment of myocardial function in elite athlete’s heart at rest - 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in Korean elite soccer players
Authors: Eun Lucy Youngmin , Chae Hyun Wook
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean elite soccer players’ myocardial function using the conventional and advanced speckle tracking imaging to compare the difference with the normal controls. We used 2D echocardiography speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to evaluate LV regional strain in 29 elite soccer players compared to 29 age-matched healthy controls. Conventional, tissue Doppler, and STI echocardiography was performed, for strain at base and apex, rotation and torsion. There is no difference in longitudinal strain (−17.6 ± 1.8 vs −17.3 ± 2.9, p = ns), and basal radial strain. However, the significant increases were noticed in basal circumferential strain (−17.5 ± 2.6 vs −15.5 ± 8.9, p = 0.05), apical radial strain (33.1 ± 20.5 vs 22.5 ± 19.4, p = 0.02), and apical circumferential strain in soccer players (−21.4 ± 4.8 vs −16.8 ± 7.6, p = 0.005). Soccer players showed the higher rotation at base (−3.9 ± 1.9 vs −2.6 ± 3.2, p = 0.03), and apex (6.98 ± 2.62 vs 6.21 ± 3.81, p = 0.05), higher torsion (10.9 ± 3.7 vs 8.8 ± 6.3, p = 0.05). In conclusion, the elite soccer players’ heart demonstrated the unique ventricular adaptation. These alterations could benefit the cardiovascular adjustment to exercise without much loss of myocardial energy expenditure.
GPS-PAIL: prediction of lysine acetyltransferase-specific modification sites from protein sequences
Authors: Deng Wankun , Wang Chenwei , Zhang Ying , Xu Yang , Zhang Shuang , Liu Zexian , Xue Yu
Published: December 2016

Protein acetylation catalyzed by specific histone acetyltransferases (HATs) is an essential post-translational modification (PTM) and involved in the regulation a broad spectrum of biological processes in eukaryotes. Although several ten thousands of acetylation sites have been experimentally identified, the upstream HATs for most of the sites are unclear. Thus, the identification of HAT-specific acetylation sites is fundamental for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of protein acetylation. In this work, we first collected 702 known HAT-specific acetylation sites of 205 proteins from the literature and public data resources, and a motif-based analysis demonstrated that different types of HATs exhibit similar but considerably distinct sequence preferences for substrate recognition. Using 544 human HAT-specific sites for training, we constructed a highly useful tool of GPS-PAIL for the prediction of HAT-specific sites for up to seven HATs, including CREBBP, EP300, HAT1, KAT2A, KAT2B, KAT5 and KAT8. The prediction accuracy of GPS-PAIL was critically evaluated, with a satisfying performance. Using GPS-PAIL, we also performed a large-scale prediction of potential HATs for known acetylation sites identified from high-throughput experiments in nine eukaryotes. Both online service and local packages were implemented, and GPS-PAIL is freely available at: http://pail.biocuckoo.org.
First-principles study of the electronic and optical properties of a new metallic MoAlB
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Cui Hongling , Zhang Ruizhou
Published: December 2016

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of MoAlB were investigated by first-principles calculations. The hardness of MoAlB is 12.71 GPa, which is relatively softer and easily machinable compared to the other borides. The analysis of the band structure and density (DOS) of states indicates that MoAlB has a metallic nature. The analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) shows that the Mo-B bond is a polar covalent bond with a short distance, which may increase the stability of the compound. The calculation of the phonon frequencies confirms the dynamical stability of MoAlB. Optical properties of MoAlB are investigated. In the energy range up to ~19 eV, MoAlB possesses high reflectivity and has the strongest absorption in the energy range of 0–23.0 eV. In addition, the plasma frequency of MoAlB is 20.4 eV and MoAlB can change from a metallic to a dielectric response if the incident light has a frequency greater than 20.4 eV.
Nitrite addition to acidified sludge significantly improves digestibility, toxic metal removal, dewaterability and pathogen reduction
Authors: Du Fangzhou , Keller Jürg , Yuan Zhiguo , Batstone Damien J. , Freguia Stefano , Pikaar Ilje
Published: December 2016

Sludge management is a major issue for water utilities globally. Poor digestibility and dewaterability are the main factors determining the cost for sludge management, whereas pathogen and toxic metal concentrations limit beneficial reuse. In this study, the effects of low level nitrite addition to acidified sludge to simultaneously enhance digestibility, toxic metal removal, dewaterability and pathogen reduction were investigated. Waste activated sludge (WAS) from a full-scale waste water treatment plant was treated at pH 2 with 10 mg NO2−-N/L for 5 h. Biochemical methane potential tests showed an increase in the methane production of 28%, corresponding to an improvement from 247 ± 8 L CH4/kg VS to 317 ± 1 L CH4/kg VS. The enhanced removal of toxic metals further increased the methane production by another 18% to 360 ± 6 L CH4/kg VS (a total increase of 46%). The solids content of dewatered sludge increased from 14.6 ± 1.4% in the control to 18.2 ± 0.8%. A 4-log reduction for both total coliforms and E. coli was achieved. Overall, this study highlights the potential of acidification with low level nitrite addition as an effective and simple method achieving multiple improvements in terms of sludge management.
Free Triiodothyronine Level Correlates with Myocardial Injury and Prognosis in Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Evidence from Cardiac MRI and SPECT/PET Imaging
Authors: Wang Wenyao , Guan Haixia , Fang Wei , Zhang Kuo , Gerdes A. Martin , Iervasi Giorgio , Tang Yi-Da
Published: December 2016

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis in heart failure, but theories of mechanisms are mainly based on animal experiments, not on human level. We aimed to explore the relation between thyroid function and myocardial injuries in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Myocardial fibrosis was detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI, and myocardial perfusion/metabolism was evaluated by 99mTc-MIBI SPECT /18F-FDG PET imaging. Across the quartiles of FT3, decreased percentage of segments with LGE and perfusion/metabolism abnormalities were found. As for FT4 and TSH levels, no significant distribution trend of myocardial injuries could be detected. In logistic analysis, FT3 was independently associated with the presence of LGE (OR: 0.140, 95% CI: 0.035–0.567), perfusion abnormalities (OR: 0.172, 95% CI: 0.040–0.738) and metabolism abnormalities (OR: 0.281, 95% CI: 0.081–0.971). After a median follow-up of 46 months, LGE-positive and FT3 < 2.77 pg/mL was identified as the strongest predictor of cardiac events (HR: 8.623, 95% CI: 3.626–16.438). Low FT3 level is associated with myocardial fibrosis and perfusion/metabolism abnormalities in patients with IDCM. The combination of FT3 level and LGE provides useful information for assessing the prognosis of IDCM.
Prognostic value of inflammation-based scores in patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Liu Bangjian , Huang Yujing , Sun Yuanjue , Zhang Jianjun , Yao Yang , Shen Zan , Xiang Dongxi , He Aina
Published: December 2016

Systemic inflammation responses have been associated with cancer development and progression. C-reactive protein (CRP), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil-platelet score (NPS) have been shown to be independent risk factors in various types of malignant tumors. This retrospective analysis of 162 osteosarcoma cases was performed to estimate their predictive value of survival in osteosarcoma. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS statistical software. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was generated to set optimal thresholds; area under the curve (AUC) was used to show the discriminatory abilities of inflammation-based scores; Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to plot the survival curve; cox regression models were employed to determine the independent prognostic factors. The optimal cut-off points of NLR, PLR, and LMR were 2.57, 123.5 and 4.73, respectively. GPS and NLR had a markedly larger AUC than CRP, PLR and LMR. High levels of CRP, GPS, NLR, PLR, and low level of LMR were significantly associated with adverse prognosis (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that GPS, NLR, and occurrence of metastasis were top risk factors associated with death of osteosarcoma patients.
Expanding the genetic code of Salmonella with non-canonical amino acids
Authors: Gan Qinglei , Lehman Brent P. , Bobik Thomas A. , Fan Chenguang
Published: December 2016

The diversity of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) endows proteins with new features for a variety of biological studies and biotechnological applications. The genetic code expansion strategy, which co-translationally incorporates ncAAs into specific sites of target proteins, has been applied in many organisms. However, there have been only few studies on pathogens using genetic code expansion. Here, we introduce this technique into the human pathogen Salmonella by incorporating p-azido-phenylalanine, benzoyl-phenylalanine, acetyl-lysine, and phosphoserine into selected Salmonella proteins including a microcompartment shell protein (PduA), a type III secretion effector protein (SteA), and a metabolic enzyme (malate dehydrogenase), and demonstrate practical applications of genetic code expansion in protein labeling, photocrosslinking, and post-translational modification studies in Salmonella. This work will provide powerful tools for a wide range of studies on Salmonella.
Recent advances in analytical figures of merit: heteroscedasticity strikes back
Authors: Allegrini Franco , Olivieri Alejandro C.
Published: December 2016

With a growing number of analytical methodologies incorporating multivariate calibration models, the development of suitable estimators of their analytical figures of merit is playing an important role in modern analytical chemistry.
Highly porous N-doped graphene nanosheets for rapid removal of heavy metals from water by capacitive deionization
Authors: Liu Lianjun , Guo Xiaoru , Tallon Rebecca , Huang Xingkang , Chen Junhong
Published: December 2016

Highly porous N-doped graphene nanosheet-based capacitive deionization for rapid and efficient removal of multiple heavy metals from water.
Aqueous phase sensing of cyanide ions using a hydrolytically stable metal–organic framework
Authors: Karmakar Avishek , Joarder Biplab , Mallick Abhik , Samanta Partha , Desai Aamod V. , Basu Sudipta , Ghosh Sujit K.
Published: December 2016

A fluorescent bio-compatible anionic metal–organic framework (MOF) for pure aqueous phase recognition and detoxification of cyanide ions (CN−) has been reported. The MOF acts as a molecular reaction vessel exclusively for cyanide ions, inducing a signal turn on response in aqueous media.
Quantitation in the regioselectivity of acylation of glycosyl diglycerides: total synthesis of a Streptococcus pneumoniae α-glucosyl diglyceride
Authors: Richardson Mark B. , Smith Dylan G. M. , Williams Spencer J.
Published: December 2016

Regioselective fidelity of acylation of glycosyl diacylglycerols can be monitored by use of isotope-labelled fatty acids and quantitative13C NMR spectroscopy.
Correction: Highlights from Faraday Discussion 194: Ultrafast Imaging of Photochemical Dynamics, Edinburgh, 2016
Authors: Kirrander Adam , Minns Russell S.
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Highlights from Faraday Discussion 193: Ultrafast Imaging of Photochemical Dynamics, Edinburgh, 2016’ by Adam Kirrander and Russell S. Minns, Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 13631–13636.
Excited state proton transfer in 2′-hydroxychalcone derivatives
Authors: Dommett Michael , Crespo-Otero Rachel
Published: December 2016

ESIPT-active solid-state emitters based on 2-hydroxychalcone are almost non-emissive in solution but emit in the deep red/NIR region when crystalline. A comprehensive theoretical investigation of the gas-phase excited state relaxation pathways in five 2-hydroxychalcone systems is presented, using a combination of static and non-adiabatic simulations.
Enhanced electrooxidation of glucose at nano-chitosan–NiOOH modified GC electrode: fuel blends and hydrocarbon impurities
Authors: El-Nagar Gumaa A. , Roth Christina
Published: December 2016

The current study addresses, for the first time, the promoting effect of some selected hydrocarbon's impurities (e.g., acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, etc) and fuel blending components, such as methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH) and acetaldehyde (ACTA), on the glucose electrooxidation at a nano-chitosan–NiOOH modified GC electrode (nano-CS–NiOOH/GC).
Effect of in situ Fe(ii)/Fe(iii)-doping on the visible light-Fenton-like catalytic activity of Bi/BiOBr hierarchical microspheres
Authors: Geng Xin , Li Wentao , Xiao Feng , Wang Dongsheng , Yang Lian
Published: December 2016

Scheme of the visible light-Fenton-like catalytic reaction mechanism.
Multitopic ligand directed assembly of low-dimensional metal-chalcogenide organic frameworks
Authors: Liu Yi , Ye Kaiqi , Wang Yue , Zhang Qichun , Bu Xianhui , Feng Pingyun
Published: December 2016

Multitopic ligands have been employed as linkers to prepare semiconducting low-dimensional metal-chalcogenide organic frameworks.
Sandwich and half-sandwich metal complexes derived from cross-conjugated 3-methylene-penta-1,4-diynes
Authors: Vincent Kevin B. , Gluyas Josef B. G. , Zeng Qiang , Yufit Dmitry S. , Howard Judith A. K. , Hartl František , Low Paul J.
Published: December 2016

Mono-, di- and trimetallic derivatives of the cross-conjugated 3-methylene-penta-1,4-diyne moiety have been prepared, and studied by (spectro)electrochemical methods.
All-inorganic perovskite quantum dot/mesoporous TiO2 composite-based photodetectors with enhanced performance
Authors: Zhou Lin , Yu Kai , Yang Fan , Zheng Jun , Zuo Yuhua , Li Chuanbo , Cheng Buwen , Wang Qiming
Published: December 2016

Herein, we evaluated an all-inorganic perovskite based MSM photodetector employing a bilayer composite film of mp-TiO2 and CsPbBr3 quantum dots as a photosensitizer.
Diversified magnetic behaviors of new nickel(ii) and copper(ii) azido coordination polymers templated by diethyl or triethyl amines
Authors: Zeng Ying , Liu Sui-Jun , Liu Cai-Ming , Xie Yong-Rong , Du Zi-Yi
Published: December 2016

The reactions of NiII or CuII ions with N3− anions in the presence of templated diethyl or triethyl amines afford three new azido-bridged coordination polymers, which exhibit metamagnetism, spin glass and canted ferromagnetism, respectively.
Magnetic and luminescence properties of an inorganic 3D nickel–vanadium bimetallic framework
Authors: Li Ning , Zhang Zhong , Liu Yiwei , Lu Ying , He Danfeng , Xu Li , Zhong Xiahua , Liu Shuxia
Published: December 2016

Magnetic and luminescence properties of the first nickel–vanadium inorganic 3D framework with a pair of entangled double helices.
Kinetic enantioselectivity of a protonated bis(diamido)-bridged basket resorcin[4]arene towards alanine peptides
Authors: Fraschetti C. , Montagna M. , Crestoni M. E. , Calcaterra A. , Aiello F. , Santi L. , Filippi A.
Published: December 2016

Protonated basket resorcin[4]arenes are suitable for enantiodiscrimination of alanine di- and tripeptides in the gas phase.
Improvement of D–π–A organic dye-based dye-sensitized solar cell performance by simple triphenylamine donor substitutions on the π-linker of the dye
Authors: Prachumrak N. , Sudyoadsuk T. , Thangthong A. , Nalaoh P. , Jungsuttiwong S. , Daengngern R. , Namuangruk S. , Pattanasattayavong P. , Promarak V.
Published: December 2016

Three new D–π–A dyes containing different numbers of triphenylamine donor substitutions on a π-linker were synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells.
Theoretical and experimental study of the antifreeze protein AFP752, trehalose and dimethyl sulfoxide cryoprotection mechanism: correlation with cryopreserved cell viability
Authors: Kratochvílová Irena , Golan Martin , Pomeisl Karel , Richter Jan , Sedláková Silvia , Šebera Jakub , Mičová Júlia , Falk Martin , Falková Iva , Řeha David , Elliott K. Wade , Varga Krisztina , Follett Shelby E. , Šimek Daniel
Published: December 2016

In this work the physico-chemical properties of selected cryoprotectants (antifreeze protein TrxA-AFP752, trehalose and dimethyl sulfoxide) were correlated with their impact on the constitution of ice and influence on frozen/thawed cell viability.
Degradation of ultra-high molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) under ultra violet irradiation
Authors: Shanti R. , Hadi A. N. , Salim Y. S. , Chee S. Y. , Ramesh S. , Ramesh K.
Published: December 2016

A new acrylic terpolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) [P(MMA-co-BA-co-AA)] of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) was synthesizedviaseeded emulsion polymerization.
A free-standing porous silicon-type gel sponge with superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity
Authors: Zhang Xia , Zhu Wenzhong , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: December 2016

Porous and spongy superhydrophobic silicon-type gels monoliths have been fabricated by a facile method.
Chiral carbon–sulfur center formation via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic thioetherification: synthesis of allylic thioethers
Authors: Cai Junmei , Cai Juewang , Zheng Purui , Wang Xiaorong , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: December 2016

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic thioetherification of various sodium thiolates was realized, giving the allylic thioethers with high enantioselectivity.
Scalable solution-based synthesis of component-controllable ultrathin PbTe1−xSexnanowires with high n-type thermoelectric performance
Authors: Zhou Chongjian , Shi Zhongqi , Ge Bangzhi , Wang Ke , Zhang Danli , Liu Guiwu , Qiao Guanjun
Published: December 2016

As an important candidate for thermoelectric (TE) applications, the preparation of PbTe-based one-dimensional nanostructures with controllable components and properties remains a challenge.
Improved electrochemical performance of boron-doped carbon-coated lithium titanate as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Yun Bin-Na , Du Hoang Long , Hwang Jang-Yeon , Jung Hun-Gi , Sun Yang-Kook
Published: December 2016

A boron-doped carbon layer (BC) was coated on porous micron-sized Li4Ti5O12(LTO)viaa facile wet-chemical method for use as a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries.
Carbamoylmannose enhances the tumor targeting ability of supramolecular nanoparticles formed through host–guest complexation of a pair of homopolymers
Authors: Yao Xikuang , Zhu Qiwen , Li Cheng , Yuan Kangjun , Che Rui , Zhang Peng , Yang Chenchen , Lu Wei , Wu Wei , Jiang Xiqun
Published: December 2016

Bleomycin monosaccharide-decorated platinum-incorporating supramolecular nanoparticles showed excellent tumor targeting and antitumor efficacy.
Extracellular vesicles: their role in cancer biology and epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Gopal Shashi K. , Greening David W. , Rai Alin , Chen Maoshan , Xu Rong , Shafiq Adnan , Mathias Rommel A. , Zhu Hong-Jian , Simpson Richard J.
Published: December 2016

Cell–cell communication is critical across an assortment of physiological and pathological processes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an integral facet of intercellular communication largely through the transfer of functional cargo such as proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNA (miRNAs), DNAs and lipids. EVs, especially exosomes and shed microvesicles, represent an important delivery medium in the tumour micro-environment through the reciprocal dissemination of signals between cancer and resident stromal cells to facilitate tumorigenesis and metastasis. An important step of the metastatic cascade is the reprogramming of cancer cells from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype (epithelial–mesenchymal transition, EMT), which is associated with increased aggressiveness, invasiveness and metastatic potential. There is now increasing evidence demonstrating that EVs released by cells undergoing EMT are reprogrammed (protein and RNA content) during this process. This review summarises current knowledge of EV-mediated functional transfer of proteins and RNA species (mRNA, miRNA, long non-coding RNA) between cells in cancer biology and the EMT process. An in-depth understanding of EVs associated with EMT, with emphasis on molecular composition (proteins and RNA species), will provide fundamental insights into cancer biology.
Exploring the past and the future of protein evolution with ancestral sequence reconstruction: the ‘retro’ approach to protein engineering
Authors: Gumulya Yosephine , Gillam Elizabeth M.J.
Published: December 2016

A central goal in molecular evolution is to understand the ways in which genes and proteins evolve in response to changing environments. In the absence of intact DNA from fossils, ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) can be used to infer the evolutionary precursors of extant proteins. To date, ancestral proteins belonging to eubacteria, archaea, yeast and vertebrates have been inferred that have been hypothesized to date from between several million to over 3 billion years ago. ASR has yielded insights into the early history of life on Earth and the evolution of proteins and macromolecular complexes. Recently, however, ASR has developed from a tool for testing hypotheses about protein evolution to a useful means for designing novel proteins. The strength of this approach lies in the ability to infer ancestral sequences encoding proteins that have desirable properties compared with contemporary forms, particularly thermostability and broad substrate range, making them good starting points for laboratory evolution. Developments in technologies for DNA sequencing and synthesis and computational phylogenetic analysis have led to an escalation in the number of ancient proteins resurrected in the last decade and greatly facilitated the use of ASR in the burgeoning field of synthetic biology. However, the primary challenge of ASR remains in accurately inferring ancestral states, despite the uncertainty arising from evolutionary models, incomplete sequences and limited phylogenetic trees. This review will focus, firstly, on the use of ASR to uncover links between sequence and phenotype and, secondly, on the practical application of ASR in protein engineering.
Neuronal Signaling: an introduction
Authors: Sullivan Aideen M.
Published: December 2016

There have been a number of advances in our knowledge of neuronal communication in processes involved in development, functioning and disorders of the nervous system. This progress has prompted the Biochemical Society to launch Neuronal Signaling, a new open access journal that aims to expand on the existing knowledge about signaling within and between neurons.
On capability of different FACTS devices to mitigate a range of power quality phenomena
Authors: Liao Huilian , Milanović Jovica V.
Published: December 2016

This study investigates the impact of different flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices on critical power quality (PQ) phenomena including voltage sags, harmonics and unbalance from the perspective of both mitigation effect and potential negative impact. The FACTS devices, including static VAR compensator, static compensator (STATCOM) and dynamic voltage restorers, are modelled in commercially available software PowerFactory/DIgSILENT to study their impacts on the critical PQ phenomena. Two control strategies, voltage regulation and reactive power compensation, are considered for STATCOM. For DVR, a PI‐controller is developed for the purpose of voltage sag mitigation. The merit of the proposed controller is presented by the dynamic response of during fault voltage and the capability of post‐fault voltage recovery. The study is carried out on a large‐scale generic distribution network. The impact of various devices on PQ phenomena is assessed using appropriate evaluation methodologies, and the results obtained with and without mitigation are presented and compared using heatmaps.
Near‐real‐time loss allocation methodology based on the power system states
Authors: Yiasemi Yiasoumis , Ciornei Irina , Asprou Markos , Kyriakides Elias
Published: December 2016

Power losses in transmission systems are most of the time seen as a small amount (2–5%) from the total power carried over the network. However, transmission loss allocation may play a crucial role in the congestion management of balancing markets. Several loss allocation and loss cost allocation methods have been proposed and implemented in different markets. Most of these methods are intended to be used post‐market. This study presents a novel near‐real‐time loss allocation method suitable to be applied in real‐time markets as envisioned in the smart grid context. The proposed method allocates the total system losses fairly to all the demand and generator buses, by taking into account the dynamical changes of the power network states, which are provided by an accurate state estimation. The power flows required to determine the allocated losses are executed after an economic dispatch procedure that ignores losses, making the choice of the slack bus an independent factor. The proposed method can be used as an accurate real‐time pricing for network usage while the resolving of transmission congestion can be more reliable.
Evidential reasoning based approach to high impedance fault detection in power distribution systems
Authors: Soheili Adel , Sadeh Javad
Published: December 2016

Power system faults with the possibility of threatening public safety are of highest importance. High‐impedance faults (HIFs), considering the companionship with electrical arcs, occur on power distribution system feeders with close proximity to the population. The randomness, low current, non‐linearity and dependency towards network topology have commonly resulted in failed detection. Moreover, typical system events such as switching events have shown the same pattern which has led to false detection and major distrust in available detection schemes. In this study, a new HIF detection algorithm based on the concept of evidential reasoning (ER) has been proposed. The employment of various basic attributes with different advantages results in a wider detection scope and higher detection rates. The designed scheme has the ability to successfully detect and distinguish switching events from HIFs. Rigorous simulations via the IEEE 13‐Node standard distribution system and experimental real‐world HIF data acquired from southwest Tehran Distribution Company have provided proof to these claims. Simulation trials in low‐current single‐phase extensions have also shown promising results. Unaffectedness in regards to network topology, fault resistance values, fault position and lack of sufficient information regarding basic attributes are additional virtues of the proposed method.
Engineering approach to calculate the effective permeability of a composite material with unbiased ferrimagnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Kyriakou John G. , Chryssomallis Michael T.
Published: December 2016

A step‐by‐step engineering approach offering a model for the characterization of magnetic composite materials is presented. The modelling of composite materials containing unbiased ferrites is a subject of great interest, due to extended range of applications, such as hyperthermia and microwave absorbers. Here, unbiased ferrites simplify the application structure, as they do not require a biasing field, while they can resonate at low microwave frequencies due to their innate magnetocrystalline anisotropy field. However, so far there has not been an explicit organized step‐by‐step engineering modelling approach. The homogenization approximation formula is used in conjunction with Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation solution to systematically compute the complex effective permeability and compare it with published measurements, from an engineer's result‐focused perspective. For further validation, simulations of these composite materials as periodic structures are carried out, which additionally provide useful insight on the electromagnetic field distributions within the composites and are often more accurate. The results of the proposed procedure show good agreement with the experimental ones, which validate it, while the relatively greater error appears for the imaginary parts. The EM field distributions suggest that better focusing around the nanoparticles is achieved when those are large enough to form magnetic domains.