bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoke-free legislation and child health
Authors: Faber Timor , Been Jasper V , Reiss Irwin K , Mackenbach Johan P , Sheikh Aziz
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we aim to present an overview of the scientific literature on the link between smoke-free legislation and early-life health outcomes. Exposure to second-hand smoke is responsible for an estimated 166 ,000 child deaths each year worldwide. To protect people from tobacco smoke, the World Health Organization recommends the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free legislation that prohibits smoking in all public indoor spaces, including workplaces, bars and restaurants. The implementation of such legislation has been found to reduce tobacco smoke exposure, encourage people to quit smoking and improve adult health outcomes. There is an increasing body of evidence that shows that children also experience health benefits after implementation of smoke-free legislation. In addition to protecting children from tobacco smoke in public, the link between smoke-free legislation and improved child health is likely to be mediated via a decline in smoking during pregnancy and reduced exposure in the home environment. Recent studies have found that the implementation of smoke-free legislation is associated with a substantial decrease in the number of perinatal deaths, preterm births and hospital attendance for respiratory tract infections and asthma in children, although such benefits are not found in each study. With over 80% of the world’s population currently unprotected by comprehensive smoke-free laws, protecting (unborn) children from the adverse impact of tobacco smoking and SHS exposure holds great potential to benefit public health and should therefore be a key priority for policymakers and health workers alike.
Na@SiO2-Mediated Addition of Organohalides to Carbonyl Compounds for the Formation of Alcohols and Epoxides
Authors: Kapoor Mohit , Hwu Jih Ru
Published: November 2016

Alcohols and epoxides were generated by the addition of organohalides to carbonyl compounds in the presence of sodium metal impregnated with silica gel (Na@SiO2) in THF at 25 °C through a radical pathway. Under the same conditions, Schiff bases were also successfully converted to the corresponding amines. Furthermore, the reaction of aldehydes with α-haloesters or 4-(chloromethyl)-coumarin with the aid of Na@SiO2generated trans epoxides. An unprecedented mechanism is proposed for their formation. The advantages associated with these new reactions include: (1) products are obtained in good-to-excellent yields, (2) reactions are completed at room temperatures in a short period of time (<2.0 h), (3) it is unnecessary to perform the reactions under anhydrous conditions, and (4) the entire process requires only simple manipulations.
Controlled Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice under treatment with anti-IL-17A or IL-17F antibodies, in contrast to TNFα neutralization
Authors: Segueni Noria , Tritto Elaine , Bourigault Marie-Laure , Rose Stéphanie , Erard François , Le Bert Marc , Jacobs Muazzam , Di Padova Franco , Stiehl Daniel P. , Moulin Pierre , Brees Dominique , Chibout Salah-Dine , Ryffel Bernhard , Kammüller Michael , Quesniaux Valerie F.
Published: November 2016

Antibodies targeting IL-17A or its receptor IL-17RA show unprecedented efficacy in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. These therapies, by neutralizing critical mediators of immunity, may increase susceptibility to infections. Here, we compared the effect of antibodies neutralizing IL-17A, IL-17F or TNFα on murine host responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by evaluating lung transcriptomic, microbiological and histological analyses. Coinciding with a significant increase of mycobacterial burden and pathological changes following TNFα blockade, gene array analyses of infected lungs revealed major changes of inflammatory and immune gene expression signatures 4 weeks post-infection. Specifically, gene expression associated with host-pathogen interactions, macrophage recruitment, activation and polarization, host-antimycobacterial activities, immunomodulatory responses, as well as extracellular matrix metallopeptidases, were markedly modulated by TNFα blockade. IL-17A or IL-17F neutralization elicited only mild changes of few genes without impaired host resistance four weeks after M. tuberculosis infection. Further, the absence of both IL-17RA and IL-22 pathways in genetically deficient mice did not profoundly compromise host control of M. tuberculosis over a 6-months period, ruling out potential compensation between these two pathways, while TNFα-deficient mice succumbed rapidly. These data provide experimental confirmation of the low clinical risk of mycobacterial infection under anti-IL-17A therapy, in contrast to anti-TNFα treatment.
A multiscale computational model predicts distribution of anti-angiogenic isoform VEGF165b in peripheral arterial disease in human and mouse
Authors: Chu Liang-Hui , Ganta Vijay Chaitanya , Choi Min H. , Chen George , Finley Stacey D. , Annex Brian H. , Popel Aleksander S.
Published: November 2016

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing microvessels. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis that results in ischemia mostly in the lower extremities. Clinical trials including VEGF-A administration for therapeutic angiogenesis have not been successful. The existence of anti-angiogenic isoform (VEGF165b) in PAD muscle tissues is a potential cause for the failure of therapeutic angiogenesis. Experimental measurements show that in PAD human muscle biopsies the VEGF165b isoform is at least as abundant if not greater than the VEGF165a isoform. We constructed three-compartment models describing VEGF isoforms and receptors, in human and mouse, to make predictions on the secretion rate of VEGF165b and the distribution of various isoforms throughout the body based on the experimental data. The computational results are consistent with the data showing that in PAD calf muscles secrete mostly VEGF165b over total VEGF. In the PAD calf compartment of human and mouse models, most VEGF165a and VEGF165b are bound to the extracellular matrix. VEGF receptors VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) are mostly in ‘Free State’. This study provides a computational model of VEGF165b in PAD supported by experimental measurements of VEGF165b in human and mouse, which gives insight of VEGF165b in therapeutic angiogenesis and VEGF distribution in human and mouse PAD model.
Piezoelectric extraction of ECG signal
Authors: Ahmad Mahmoud Al
Published: November 2016

The monitoring and early detection of abnormalities or variations in the cardiac cycle functionality are very critical practices and have significant impact on the prevention of heart diseases and their associated complications. Currently, in the field of biomedical engineering, there is a growing need for devices capable of measuring and monitoring a wide range of cardiac cycle parameters continuously, effectively and on a real-time basis using easily accessible and reusable probes. In this paper, the revolutionary generation and extraction of the corresponding ECG signal using a piezoelectric transducer as alternative for the ECG will be discussed. The piezoelectric transducer pick up the vibrations from the heart beats and convert them into electrical output signals. To this end, piezoelectric and signal processing techniques were employed to extract the ECG corresponding signal from the piezoelectric output voltage signal. The measured electrode based and the extracted piezoelectric based ECG traces are well corroborated. Their peaks amplitudes and locations are well aligned with each other.
Assessment of brain reference genes for RT-qPCR studies in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Rydbirk Rasmus , Folke Jonas , Winge Kristian , Aznar Susana , Pakkenberg Bente , Brudek Tomasz
Published: November 2016

Evaluation of gene expression levels by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) has for many years been the favourite approach for discovering disease-associated alterations. Normalization of results to stably expressed reference genes (RGs) is pivotal to obtain reliable results. This is especially important in relation to neurodegenerative diseases where disease-related structural changes may affect the most commonly used RGs. We analysed 15 candidate RGs in 98 brain samples from two brain regions from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple System Atrophy, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy patients. Using RefFinder, a web-based tool for evaluating RG stability, we identified the most stable RGs to be UBE2D2, CYC1, and RPL13 which we recommend for future RT-qPCR studies on human brain tissue from these patients. None of the investigated genes were affected by experimental variables such as RIN, PMI, or age. Findings were further validated by expression analyses of a target gene GSK3B, known to be affected by AD and PD. We obtained high variations in GSK3B levels when contrasting the results using different sets of common RG underlining the importance of a priori validation of RGs for RT-qPCR studies.
Phosphorylation induces distinct alpha-synuclein strain formation
Authors: Ma Meng-Rong , Hu Zhi-Wen , Zhao Yu-Fen , Chen Yong-Xiang , Li Yan-Mei
Published: November 2016

Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases associated with alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated the existence of different structural characteristics or ‘strains’ of α-Syn, supporting the concept that synucleinopathies share several common features with prion diseases and possibly explaining how a single protein results in different clinical phenotypes within synucleinopathies. In earlier studies, the different strains were generated through the regulation of solution conditions, temperature, or repetitive seeded fibrillization in vitro. Here, we synthesize homogeneous α-Syn phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129 α-Syn), which is highly associated with the pathological changes, and demonstrate that phosphorylation at Ser129 induces α-Syn to form a distinct strain with different structures, propagation properties, and higher cytotoxicity compared with the wild-type α-Syn. The results are the first demonstration that post-translational modification of α-Syn can induce different strain formation, offering a new mechanism for strain formation.
Interaction Control to Synchronize Non-synchronizable Networks
Authors: Schröder Malte , Chakraborty Sagar , Witthaut Dirk , Nagler Jan , Timme Marc
Published: November 2016

Synchronization constitutes one of the most fundamental collective dynamics across networked systems and often underlies their function. Whether a system may synchronize depends on the internal unit dynamics as well as the topology and strength of their interactions. For chaotic units with certain interaction topologies synchronization might be impossible across all interaction strengths, meaning that these networks are non-synchronizable. Here we propose the concept of interaction control, generalizing transient uncoupling, to induce desired collective dynamics in complex networks and apply it to synchronize even such non-synchronizable systems. After highlighting that non-synchronizability prevails for a wide range of networks of arbitrary size, we explain how a simple binary control may localize interactions in state space and thereby synchronize networks. Intriguingly, localizing interactions by a fixed control scheme enables stable synchronization across all connected networks regardless of topological constraints. Interaction control may thus ease the design of desired collective dynamics even without knowledge of the networks’ exact interaction topology and consequently have implications for biological and self-organizing technical systems.
Spatial Analysis of PAHs in Soils along an Urban–Suburban–Rural Gradient: scale effect, distribution patterns, diffusion and influencing factors
Authors: Peng Chi , Wang Meie , Chen Weiping
Published: November 2016

Spatial statistical methods including Cokriging interpolation, Morans I analysis, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were used for studying the spatial characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in urban, suburban, and rural soils of Beijing. The concentrations of PAHs decreased spatially as the level of urbanization decreased. Generally, PAHs in soil showed two spatial patterns on the regional scale: (1) regional baseline depositions with a radius of 16.5 km related to the level of urbanization and (2) isolated pockets of soil contaminated with PAHs were found up to around 3.5 km from industrial point sources. In the urban areas, soil PAHs showed high spatial heterogeneity on the block scale, which was probably related to vegetation cover, land use, and physical soil disturbance. The distribution of total PAHs in urban blocks was unrelated to the indicators of the intensity of anthropogenic activity, namely population density, light intensity at night, and road density, but was significantly related to the same indicators in the suburban and rural areas. The moving averages of molecular ratios suggested that PAHs in the suburban and rural soils were a mix of local emissions and diffusion from urban areas.
Intronless WNT10B-short variant underlies new recurrent allele-specific rearrangement in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Lazzaroni Francesca , Del Giacco Luca , Biasci Daniele , Turrini Mauro , Prosperi Laura , Brusamolino Roberto , Cairoli Roberto , Beghini Alessandro
Published: November 2016

Defects in the control of Wnt signaling have emerged as a recurrent mechanism involved in cancer pathogenesis and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), including the hematopoietic regeneration-associated WNT10B in AC133bright leukaemia cells, although the existence of a specific mechanism remains unproven. We have obtained evidences for a recurrent rearrangement, which involved the WNT10B locus (WNT10BR) within intron 1 (IVS1) and flanked at the 5′ by non-human sequences whose origin remains to be elucidated; it also expressed a transcript variant (WNT10BIVS1) which was mainly detected in a cohort of patients with intermediate/unfavorable risk AML. We also identified in two separate cases, affected by AML and breast cancer respectively, a genomic transposable short form of human WNT10B (ht-WNT10B). The intronless ht-WNT10B resembles a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which suggests its involvement in a non-random microhomology-mediated recombination generating the rearranged WNT10BR. Furthermore, our studies supports an autocrine activation primed by the formation of WNT10B-FZD4/5 complexes in the breast cancer MCF7 cells that express the WNT10BIVS1. Chemical interference of WNT-ligands production by the porcupine inhibitor IWP-2 achieved a dose-dependent suppression of the WNT10B-FZD4/5 interactions. These results present the first evidence for a recurrent rearrangement promoted by a mobile ht-WNT10B oncogene, as a relevant mechanism for Wnt involvement in human cancer.
OSR1 and SPAK cooperatively modulate Sertoli cell support of mouse spermatogenesis
Authors: Liu Yung-Liang , Yang Sung-Sen , Chen Shyi-Jou , Lin Yu-Chun , Chu Chin-Chen , Huang Hsin-Hui , Chang Fung-Wei , Yu Mu-Hsien , Lin Shih-Hua , Wu Gwo-Jang , Sytwu Huey-Kang
Published: November 2016

We investigated the role of oxidative stress-responsive kinase-1 (OSR1) and STE20 (sterile 20)/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK), upstream regulators of the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC1)—essential for spermatogenesis—in mouse models of male fertility. Global OSR1+/− gene mutations, but not global SPAK−/− or Sertoli cell (SC)-specific OSR1 gene knockout (SC-OSR1−/−), cause subfertility with impaired sperm function and are associated with reduced abundance of phosphorylated (p)-NKCC1 but increased p-SPAK expression in testicular tissue and spermatozoa. To dissect further in a SC-specific manner the compensatory effect of OSR1 and SPAK in male fertility, we generated SC-OSR1−/− and SPAK−/− double knockout (DKO) male mice. These are infertile with defective spermatogenesis, presenting a SC-only-like syndrome. Disrupted meiotic progression and increased germ cell apoptosis occurred in the first wave of spermatogenesis. The abundance of total and p-NKCC1 was significantly decreased in the testicular tissues of DKO mice. These results indicate that OSR1 and SPAK cooperatively regulate NKCC1-dependent spermatogenesis in a SC-restricted manner.
Emergence of the ability to perceive dynamic events from still pictures in human infants
Authors: Shirai Nobu , Imura Tomoko
Published: November 2016

The ability to understand a visual scene depicted in a still image is among the abilities shared by all human beings. The aim of the present study was to examine when human infants acquire the ability to perceive the dynamic events depicted in still images (implied motion perception). To this end, we tested whether 4- and 5-month-old infants shifted their gaze toward the direction cued by a dynamic running action depicted in a still figure of a person. Results indicated that the 5- but not the 4-month-olds showed a significant gaze shift toward the direction implied by the posture of the runner (Experiments 1, 2, and 3b). Moreover, the older infants showed no significant gaze shift toward the direction cued by control stimuli, which depicted a figure in a non-dynamic standing posture (Experiment 1), an inverted running figure (Experiment 2), and some of the body parts of a running figure (Experiment 3a). These results suggest that only the older infants responded in the direction of the implied running action of the still figure; thus, implied motion perception emerges around 5 months of age in human infants.
Rapid identification of nine species of diphyllobothriidean tapeworms by pyrosequencing
Authors: Thanchomnang Tongjit , Tantrawatpan Chairat , Intapan Pewpan M. , Sanpool Oranuch , Lulitanond Viraphong , Tourtip Somjintana , Yamasaki Hiroshi , Maleewong Wanchai
Published: November 2016

The identification of diphyllobothriidean tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) that infect humans and intermediate/paratenic hosts is extremely difficult due to their morphological similarities, particularly in the case of Diphyllobothrium and Spirometra species. A pyrosequencing method for the molecular identification of pathogenic agents has recently been developed, but as of yet there have been no reports of pyrosequencing approaches that are able to discriminate among diphyllobothriidean species. This study, therefore, set out to establish a pyrosequencing method for differentiating among nine diphyllobothriidean species, Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, Diphyllobothrium ditremum, Diphyllobothrium latum, Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense, Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, Diplogonoporus balaenopterae, Adenocephalus pacificus, Spirometra decipiens and Sparganum proliferum, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene as a molecular marker. A region of 41 nucleotides in the cox1 gene served as a target, and variations in this region were used for identification using PCR plus pyrosequencing. This region contains nucleotide variations at 12 positions, which is enough for the identification of the selected nine species of diphyllobothriidean tapeworms. This method was found to be a reliable tool not only for species identification of diphyllobothriids, but also for epidemiological studies of cestodiasis caused by diphyllobothriidean tapeworms at public health units in endemic areas.
Activation of FXR protects against renal fibrosis via suppressing Smad3 expression
Authors: Zhao Kai , He Jialin , Zhang Yan , Xu Zhizhen , Xiong Haojun , Gong Rujun , Li Song , Chen Shan , He Fengtian
Published: November 2016

Renal fibrosis is the common pathway of most chronic kidney disease progression to end-stage renal failure. The nuclear receptor FXR (farnesoid X receptor), a multiple functional transcription factor, plays an important role in protecting against fibrosis. The TGFβ-Smad signaling has a central role in kidney fibrosis. However, it remains unclear whether FXR plays direct anti-fibrotic effect in renal fibrosis via regulating TGFβ-Smad pathway. In this study, we found that the level of FXR was negatively correlated with that of Smad3 and fibronectin (a marker of fibrosis) in human fibrotic kidneys. Activation of FXR suppressed kidney fibrosis and downregulated Smad3 expression, which was markedly attenuated by FXR antagonist. Moreover, the FXR-mediated repression of fibrosis was significantly alleviated by ectopic expression of Smad3. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that FXR activation inhibited the transcriptional activity of Smad3 gene promoter. The in vivo experiments showed that FXR agonist protected against renal fibrosis and downregulated Smad3 expression in UUO mice. These results suggested that FXR may serve as an important negative regulator for manipulating Smad3 expression, and the FXR/Smad3 pathway may be a novel target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
Human CD133+ Renal Progenitor Cells Induce Erythropoietin Production and Limit Fibrosis After Acute Tubular Injury
Authors: Aggarwal Shikhar , Grange Cristina , Iampietro Corinne , Camussi Giovanni , Bussolati Benedetta
Published: November 2016

Persistent alterations of the renal tissue due to maladaptive repair characterize the outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI), despite a clinical recovery. Acute damage may also limit the renal production of erythropoietin, with impairment of the hemopoietic response to ischemia and possible lack of its reno-protective action. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a cell therapy using human CD133+ renal progenitor cells on maladaptive repair and fibrosis following AKI in a model of glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis. In parallel, we evaluated the effect of CD133+ cells on erythropoietin production. Administration of CD133+ cells promoted the restoration of the renal tissue, limiting the presence of markers of injury and pro-inflammatory molecules. In addition, it promoted angiogenesis and protected against fibrosis up to day 60. No effect of dermal fibroblasts was observed. Treatment with CD133+ cells, but not with PBS or fibroblasts, limited anemia and increased erythropoietin levels both in renal tissue and in circulation. Finally, CD133+ cells contributed to the local production of erythropoietin, as observed by detection of circulating human erythropoietin. CD133+ cells appear therefore an effective source for cell repair, able to restore renal functions, including erythropoietin release, and to limit long term maldifferentiation and fibrosis.
Novel Genomic and Evolutionary Insight of WRKY Transcription Factors in Plant Lineage
Authors: Mohanta Tapan Kumar , Park Yong-Hwan , Bae Hanhong
Published: November 2016

The evolutionarily conserved WRKY transcription factor (TF) regulates different aspects of gene expression in plants, and modulates growth, development, as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. Therefore, understanding the details regarding WRKY TFs is very important. In this study, large-scale genomic analyses of the WRKY TF gene family from 43 plant species were conducted. The results of our study revealed that WRKY TFs could be grouped and specifically classified as those belonging to the monocot or dicot plant lineage. In this study, we identified several novel WRKY TFs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a revised grouping system of the WRKY TF gene family in plants. The different forms of novel chimeric forms of WRKY TFs in the plant genome might play a crucial role in their evolution. Tissue-specific gene expression analyses in Glycine max and Phaseolus vulgaris showed that WRKY11-1, WRKY11-2 and WRKY11-3 were ubiquitously expressed in all tissue types, and WRKY15-2 was highly expressed in the stem, root, nodule and pod tissues in G. max and P. vulgaris.
The androgen-induced protein AIbZIP facilitates proliferation of prostate cancer cells through downregulation of p21 expression
Authors: Cui Xiang , Cui Min , Asada Rie , Kanemoto Soshi , Saito Atsushi , Matsuhisa Koji , Kaneko Masayuki , Imaizumi Kazunori
Published: November 2016

Androgen-Induced bZIP (AIbZIP) is structurally a bZIP transmembrane transcription factor belonging to the CREB/ATF family. This molecule is highly expressed in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells and is transcriptionally upregulated by androgen treatment. Here, we investigated molecular mechanism of androgen-dependent expression of AIbZIP and its physiological function in prostate cancer cells. Our data showed that SAM pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF), which is upregulated by androgen treatment, directly activates transcription of AIbZIP. Knockdown of AIbZIP caused a significant reduction in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells with robust expression of p21. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AIbZIP interacts with old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS), which is a CREB/ATF family transcription factor, and prevents OASIS from promoting transcription of its target gene p21. These findings showed that AIbZIP induced by the androgen receptor (AR) axis plays a crucial role in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells, and could be a novel target of therapy for prostate cancer.
Toward High Performance 2D/2D Hybrid Photocatalyst by Electrostatic Assembly of Rationally Modified Carbon Nitride on Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Chen Jian , Xu Xiaochan , Li Tao , Pandiselvi Kannusamy , Wang Jingyu
Published: November 2016

Efficient metal-free visible photocatalysts with high stability are highly desired for sufficient utilization of solar energy. In this work, the popular carbon nitride (CN) photocatalyst is rationally modified by acid exfoliation of molecular grafted CN, achieving improved visible-light utilization and charge carriers mobility. Moreover, the modification process tuned the surface electrical property of CN, which enabled it to be readily coupled with the oppositely charged graphene oxide during the following photo-assisted electrostatic assembly. Detailed characterizations indicate the formation of well-contacted 2D/2D heterostructure with strong interfacial interaction between the modified CN nanosheets (CNX-NSs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The optimized hybrid (with a RGO ratio of 20%) exhibits the best photocatalytic performance toward MB degradation, which is almost 12.5 and 7.0 times of CN under full spectrum and visible-light irradiation, respectively. In addition, the hybrid exhibits high stability after five successive cycles with no obvious change in efficiency. Unlike pure CNX-NSs, the dye decomposition mostly depends on the H2O2generation by a two-electron process due to the electron reservoir property of RGO. Thus the enhancement in photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the improved light utilization and increased charge transfer ability across the interface of CNX-NSs/RGO heterostructure.
Changes in Choroidal Thickness follow the RNFL Changes in Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Borrelli Enrico , Triolo Giacinto , Cascavilla Maria Lucia , La Morgia Chiara , Rizzo Giovanni , Savini Giacomo , Balducci Nicole , Nucci Paolo , Giglio Rosa , Darvizeh Fatemeh , Parisi Vincenzo , Bandello Francesco , Sadun Alfredo A. , Carelli Valerio , Barboni Piero
Published: November 2016

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is typically characterized by vascular alterations in the acute phase. The aim of this study was to evaluate choroidal changes occurring in asymptomatic, acute and chronic stages of LHON. We enrolled 49 patients with LHON, 19 with Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA) and 22 healthy controls. Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) scans of macular and peripapillary regions were performed in all subjects, to evaluate macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknes. Macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were significantly increased in the acute LHON stage. On the contrary, macular choroidal thickness was significantly reduced in the chronic stage. Furthermore, peripapillary choroidal thickness was decreased in chronic LHON and in DOA. Both RNFL and choroid had the same trend (increased thickness, followed by thinning), but RNFL changes preceded those affecting the choroid. In conclusion, our study quantitatively demonstrated the involvement of the choroid in LHON pathology. The increase in choroidal thickness is a feature of the LHON acute stage, which follows the thickening of RNFL. Conversely, thinning of the choroid is the common outcome in chronic LHON and in DOA.
Solid-state NMR reveals differential carbohydrate utilization in diapausing Culex pipiens
Authors: Chang James , Singh Jugeshwar , Kim Sungshil , Hockaday William C. , Sim Cheolho , Kim Sung Joon
Published: November 2016

Culex pipiens is the mosquito that vectors West Nile Virus and other human-pathogenic flavivruses in North America. In response to shortened day length and lower temperatures, female Cx. pipiense prepares for the diapause by actively feeding on carbohydrates to increase the biosynthesis of glycogen and lipid to store energy for overwintering. The effect of feeding different carbohydrates on glycogen and lipid biosynthesis in diapausing mosquitoes was investigated in vivo using 13C solid-state NMR. Diapause-destined adult females and nondiapausing counterparts after adult eclosion were fed with three different carbohydrate sources for 7 days: 1) 10% sucrose, 2) 10% D-[13C6]glucose, and 3) 1% D-[13C6]glucose co-provisioned with 10% sucrose. NMR measurements show that sucrose and glucose are metabolized differently in diapausing mosquitoes. Mosquitoes fed on sucrose primarily accumulate glycogen with increased branching structures, but less of lipids. In contrast, mosquitoes fed exclusively on glucose show accumulation of both glycogen and lipid with increased aliphatic chain length. Glucose is exclusively metabolized for the biosynthesis of triacylglyceride when mosquitoes were co-fed with sucrose. Our findings provide novel insights into the insect carbohydrate metabolism that governs glycogen and lipid biosynthesis during diapause, which is fundamental for the insect survival during inimical environments.
SUMO-specific protease 3 is a key regulator for hepatic lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Yu Fudong , Han Yan , Li Qing , Cao Zhujun , Xiang Xiaogang , Jiang Shaowen , Wang Xiaolin , Lu Jie , Lai Rongtao , Wang Hui , Cai Wei , Bao Shisan , Xie Qing
Published: November 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. The role of SENP3 in lipid metabolism, particularly NAFLD, is unclear. Our results showed that hepatic SENP3 was up-regulated in NAFLD patients and an animal model in vivo and after loading hepatocytes with free fatty acids (FFA) in vitro. Intracellular lipid accumulation was determined in SENP3 silenced or overexpressed hepatocytes with/without FFA in vitro. Confirming a role for SENP3, gene silencing was associated in vitro with amelioration of lipid accumulation and overexpression with enhancement of lipid accumulation. SENP3 related genes in NAFLD were determined in vitro using RNA-Seq. Eleven unique genes closely associated with lipid metabolism were generated using bioinformatics. Three selected genes (apoe, a2m and tnfrsf11b) were verified in vitro, showing apoe, a2m and tnfrsf11b were regulated by SENP3 with FFA stimulation. Intrahepatic and circulating APOE, A2M and TNFRSF11B were elevated in NAFLD compared with controls. These data demonstrate the important role of SENP3 in lipid metabolism during the development of NAFLD via downstream genes, which may be useful information in the development of NAFLD. The precise role of SENP3 in NAFLD will be investigated using liver-specific conditional knockout mice in future studies.
Structured plant metabolomics for the simultaneous exploration of multiple factors
Authors: Vasilev Nikolay , Boccard Julien , Lang Gerhard , Grömping Ulrike , Fischer Rainer , Goepfert Simon , Rudaz Serge , Schillberg Stefan
Published: November 2016

Multiple factors act simultaneously on plants to establish complex interaction networks involving nutrients, elicitors and metabolites. Metabolomics offers a better understanding of complex biological systems, but evaluating the simultaneous impact of different parameters on metabolic pathways that have many components is a challenging task. We therefore developed a novel approach that combines experimental design, untargeted metabolic profiling based on multiple chromatography systems and ionization modes, and multiblock data analysis, facilitating the systematic analysis of metabolic changes in plants caused by different factors acting at the same time. Using this method, target geraniol compounds produced in transgenic tobacco cell cultures were grouped into clusters based on their response to different factors. We hypothesized that our novel approach may provide more robust data for process optimization in plant cell cultures producing any target secondary metabolite, based on the simultaneous exploration of multiple factors rather than varying one factor each time. The suitability of our approach was verified by confirming several previously reported examples of elicitor–metabolite crosstalk. However, unravelling all factor–metabolite networks remains challenging because it requires the identification of all biochemically significant metabolites in the metabolomics dataset.
Highly sensitive determination of gallic acid based on a Pt nanoparticle decorated polyelectrolyte-functionalized graphene modified electrode
Authors: Gao Yudong , Wang Lu , Zhang Yulong , Zou Lina , Li Gaiping , Ye Baoxian
Published: November 2016

Cyclic voltammograms of gallic acid (5 × 10−5 mol L−1) obtained at the bare GCE (a), PDDA–GR/GCE (b) and PDDA–GR–Pt/GCE (c), (where the blue line corresponds to the blank solution). Supporting electrolyte: 0.1 mol L−1 PBS (pH 2.5). Scan rate: 100 mV s−1.
A highly active and stable palladium catalyst on a g-C3N4 support for direct formic acid synthesis under neutral conditions
Authors: Park Hunmin , Lee Ju Hyung , Kim Eun Hyup , Kim Kwang Young , Choi Yo Han , Youn Duck Hyun , Lee Jae Sung
Published: November 2016

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is applied as a support of the Pd catalyst for direct HCOOH synthesis by CO2 hydrogenation under neutral conditions.
Neutral red as a specific light-up fluorescent probe for i-motif DNA
Authors: Xu Lijun , Wang Jine , Sun Na , Liu Min , Cao Yi , Wang Zhili , Pei Renjun
Published: November 2016

Neutral red as the first specific light-up fluorescent probe for i-motif DNA is presented.
Multiple correlations between spin crossover and fluorescence in a dinuclear compound
Authors: Wang Chun-Feng , Sun Ming-Jun , Guo Qi-Jie , Cao Ze-Xing , Zheng Lan-Sun , Tao Jun
Published: November 2016

Multiple correlations between spin crossover and fluorescence are established in a dinuclear compound with fluorescence from d(Fe) + π(SCN) to π*(ligand) charge transfer and correlation originated from ligand to Fe(ii) energy transfer.
Tetracyclic dihydronaphthalene derivatives via gold-catalyzed aminative homodimerization of ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes
Authors: Ruch Aaron A. , Kong Fanji , Nesterov Vladimir N. , Slaughter LeGrande M.
Published: November 2016

o-Alkynylbenzaldehydes undergo gold-catalyzed aminative homodimerization via a domino 6-endo-dig/hydroamination/[4+2] cycloaddition reaction sequence, furnishing tetracyclic products that incorporate medicinally relevant moieties.
Cascade photoredox/gold catalysis: access to multisubstituted indoles via aminoarylation of alkynes
Authors: Qu Chuanhua , Zhang Songlin , Du Hongbin , Zhu Chengjian
Published: November 2016

A new method for the synthesis of 3-arylindoles has been developed by visible light mediated dual gold/photoredox catalysis.
Organic functionalization of epitaxial graphene on SiC through direct binding of transient radicals from the reaction mixture
Authors: Hossain M. Z. , Yoko H. , Jusoh M. A. M.
Published: November 2016

We report the direct binding of substituted aryl or alkyl radicals generated during the preparation of Grignard reagents onto a graphene sample preloaded in a reaction vessel.
Photoluminescence spectra and quantum yields of gold nanosphere monomers and dimers in aqueous suspension
Authors: Loumaigne Matthieu , Laurent Guillaume , Werts Martinus H. V. , Débarre Anne
Published: November 2016

Photoluminescence spectra and quantum yields of gold spherical monomers and dimers mixed in solution.
Comparative experimental and theoretical study of the rotational excitation of CO by collision with ortho- and para-D2 molecules
Authors: Stoecklin T. , Faure A. , Jankowski P. , Chefdeville S. , Bergeat A. , Naulin C. , Morales S. B. , Costes M.
Published: November 2016

A joint crossed beam and quantum mechanical investigation of the rotationally inelastic collisions of CO with ortho- and para-D2 molecules is reported.
Experimental evidence for quantum cutting co-operative energy transfer process in Pr3+/Yb3+ ions co-doped fluorotellurite glass: dispute over energy transfer mechanism
Authors: Balaji Sathravada , Ghosh Debarati , Biswas Kaushik , Gupta Gaurav , Annapurna Kalyandurg
Published: November 2016

Pr3+/Yb3+ doped materials have been widely reported as quantum-cutting materials in recent times.
The intrinsic strength of the halogen bond: electrostatic and covalent contributions described by coupled cluster theory
Authors: Oliveira Vytor , Kraka Elfi , Cremer Dieter
Published: November 2016

The first quantitative description of the halogen bond strength based on local vibrational stretching force constants determined with CCSD(T).
Nanobubbles, cavitation, shock waves and traumatic brain injury
Authors: Adhikari Upendra , Goliaei Ardeshir , Berkowitz Max L.
Published: November 2016

Shock wave induced cavitation denaturates blood–brain barrier tight junction proteins; this may result in various neurological complications.
Simple realization of efficient barrier performance of a single layer silicon nitride film via plasma chemistry
Authors: Lee Jun Suk , Sahu Bibhuti Bhusan , Han Jeon Geon
Published: November 2016

The essence and effect of plasma chemistry control on the growth and properties of barrier films is studied.
CO oxidation by the atomic oxygen on silver clusters: structurally dependent mechanisms generating free or chemically bonded CO2
Authors: Cao Xizi , Chen Mengyi , Ma Jun , Yin Baoqi , Xing Xiaopeng
Published: November 2016

Oxidation of CO by the atomic oxygen on AgnO− (n = 1–8) forms free or chemically bonded CO2.
Na2CoSiO4 as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries: structure, electrochemistry and diffusion pathways
Authors: Treacher Joshua C. , Wood Stephen M. , Islam M. Saiful , Kendrick Emma
Published: November 2016

A novel cobalt orthosilicate, Na2CoSiO4, shows promise as a high voltage (3.3 V vs. Na/Na+) cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.
Scalable exfoliation and dispersion of two-dimensional materials – an update
Authors: Tao Hengcong , Zhang Yuqin , Gao Yunnan , Sun Zhenyu , Yan Chao , Texter John
Published: November 2016

The preparation of dispersions of 2D materials in various solvents, as well as the characterization methods, is critically reviewed.
Open-ended formulation of self-consistent field response theory with the polarizable continuum model for solvation
Authors: Di Remigio Roberto , Beerepoot Maarten T. P. , Cornaton Yann , Ringholm Magnus , Steindal Arnfinn Hykkerud , Ruud Kenneth , Frediani Luca
Published: November 2016

We present the first derivation and implementation of an open-ended SCF response theory framework including solvent effects to derive expressions for arbitrary order response functions and their residues, essential for evaluating multiphoton absorption cross sections.
Surface organization of a DPPC monolayer on concentrated SrCl2 and ZnCl2 solutions
Authors: Adams Ellen M. , Verreault Dominique , Jayarathne Thilina , Cochran Richard E. , Stone Elizabeth A. , Allen Heather C.
Published: November 2016

Zn2+ strongly interacts with DPPC molecules, while Sr2+ does not, which could explain their respective enrichment and depletion in sea spray aerosols.
Development of a novel carbon-coating strategy for producing core–shell structured carbon coated LiFePO4for an improved Li-ion battery performance
Authors: Pratheeksha Parakandy Muzhikara , Mohan Erabhoina Hari , Sarada Bulusu Venkata , Ramakrishna Mantripragada , Hembram Kalyan , Srinivas Pulakhandam Veera Venkata , Daniel Paul Joseph , Rao Tata Narasinga , Anandan Srinivasan
Published: November 2016

A unique process for producing core–shell structured carbon coated LiFePO4has successfully developed.
VUV photochemistry of the H2O⋯CO complex in noble-gas matrices: formation of the OH⋯CO complex and the HOCO radical
Authors: Ryazantsev Sergey V. , Duarte Luís , Feldman Vladimir I. , Khriachtchev Leonid
Published: November 2016

VUV photolysis of the H2O⋯CO complexes leads to the formation of the OH⋯CO radical–molecule complexes and trans-HOCO radicals.
A QM/MM study of the reaction mechanism of human β-ketoacyl reductase
Authors: Medina Fabiola E. , Neves Rui P. P. , Ramos Maria J. , Fernandes Pedro A.
Published: November 2016

Human fatty acid synthase (hFAS) is a multifunctional enzyme involved in a wide diversity of biological functions. We have studied its reaction mechanism with computational QM/MM methods.
Achieving enhanced ionic mobility in nanoporous silica by controlled surface interactions
Authors: Garaga Mounesha Nagendrachar , Aguilera Luis , Yaghini Negin , Matic Aleksandar , Persson Michael , Martinelli Anna
Published: November 2016

Upon chemical modification of the silica surface the ionic mobility is increased by one order of magnitude inside the nano-pores.
Ruthenium water oxidation catalysts containing the non-planar tetradentate ligand, biisoquinoline dicarboxylic acid (biqaH2)
Authors: Scherrer Dominik , Schilling Mauro , Luber Sandra , Fox Thomas , Spingler Bernhard , Alberto Roger , Richmond Craig J.
Published: November 2016

Influences on water oxidation catalysis caused by elaboration of the equatorial ligand framework from bipyridine to biisoquinoline.
Analysis of rocks by CSigma laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with fused glass sample preparation
Authors: Aguilera J. A. , Aragón C.
Published: November 2016

CSigma laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is applied to analyse rocks replacing calibration with characterization using only two standard samples.
Characterization of size-dependent mechanical properties of tip-growing cells using a lab-on-chip device
Authors: Hu Chengzhi , Munglani Gautam , Vogler Hannes , Ndinyanka Fabrice Tohnyui , Shamsudhin Naveen , Wittel Falk K. , Ringli Christoph , Grossniklaus Ueli , Herrmann Hans J. , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: November 2016

A microfluidic device can trap and indent tip-growing cells for quantification of turgor pressure and cell wall Young's modulus.
Xurography for microfluidics on a reactive solid
Authors: Neuville Amélie , Renaud Louis , Luu Thi Thuy , Minde Mona Wetrhus , Jettestuen Espen , Vinningland Jan Ludvig , Hiorth Aksel , Dysthe Dag Kristian
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we propose a simple method to i) embed transparent reactive materials in a microfluidic cell, ii) observein situand quantify the dissolution of the material in presence of flowing fluids, using a standard interference microscope.
On-demand magnetic manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels for electrical switching applications
Authors: Jeon Jinpyo , Lee Jeong-Bong , Chung Sang Kug , Kim Daeyoung
Published: November 2016

We report magnetic-field-driven on-demand manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels filled with base or acid.
Withaferin A induces cell death and differentiation in multiple myeloma cancer stem cells
Authors: Issa Mark E. , Cuendet Muriel
Published: November 2016

Withaferin A induced the differentiation of multiple myeloma cancer stem cells in vitro, and altered the expression of stemness and differentiation markers.
Biosurfactant functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes to promote laccase bioelectrocatalysis
Authors: Tominaga Masato , Sasaki Aiko , Tsushida Masayuki , Togami Makoto
Published: November 2016

The type and coverage of biosurfactants adsorbed on single-walled carbon nanotubes strongly influence the direct electron transfer reaction of laccase.
Spectroelectrochemical properties of a Ru(ii) complex with a thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole triarylamine ligand
Authors: Hua Carol , Rizzuto Felix J. , Zhang Xuan , Tuna Floriana , Collison David , D'Alessandro Deanna M.
Published: November 2016

A new electroactive bridging ligand based on the donor (triarylamine) and acceptor (thiazolothiazole) units has been designed and incorporated into a diruthenium complex.
An efficient methodology to introduce o-(aminomethyl)phenyl-boronic acids into peptides: alkylation of secondary amines
Authors: Hernandez Erik T. , Kolesnichenko Igor V. , Reuther James F. , Anslyn Eric V.
Published: November 2016

Three synthetically accessible approaches were developed to make complex multi-boronic acid peptides.
Review: biologically active pyrazole derivatives
Authors: Ansari Anam , Ali Abad , Asif Mohd , Shamsuzzaman Shamsuzzaman
Published: November 2016

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and their derivatives have historically been invaluable as a source of therapeutic agents.
A well-defined low-valent cobalt catalyst Co(PMe3)4 with dimethylzinc: a simple catalytic approach for the reductive dimerization of benzyl halides
Authors: Fallon Brendan J. , Corcé Vincent , Amatore Muriel , Aubert Corinne , Chemla Fabrice , Ferreira Franck , Perez-Luna Alejandro , Petit Marc
Published: November 2016

We report a simple catalytic version of a cobalt-catalysed reductive homocoupling of benzyl halides by combining Co(PMe3)4 and Me2Zn.
One-pot conversion reactions of glycosyl boranophosphates into glycosyl phosphate derivatives via acyl phosphite intermediates
Authors: Sato Kazuki , Wada Takeshi
Published: November 2016

One-pot conversion reactions of glycosyl boranophosphate into glycosyl phosphate derivatives under mild basic conditions.
A PHEA-g-PEO well-defined graft copolymer exhibiting the synchronous encapsulation of both hydrophobic pyrene and hydrophilic Rhodamine 6G
Authors: Sun Fangxu , Lu Guolin , Feng Chun , Li Yongjun , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2016

This article reports the synthesis of a well-defined PHEA-g-PEO graft copolymer by the combination of RAFT polymerization, Cu(i)-mediated ATNRC, and the grafting-onto strategy, which could encapsulate hydrophilic R6G and hydrophobic pyrene simultaneously.
Fluorine-free superwetting systems: construction of environmentally friendly superhydrophilic, superhydrophobic, and slippery surfaces on various substrates
Authors: Schlaich Christoph , Yu Leixiao , Cuellar Camacho Luis , Wei Qiang , Haag Rainer
Published: November 2016

Herein we present a simple, substrate-independent, completely fluorine free and environmental-friendly concept for construction of various super-wetting systems.
Separation and characterization of benzaldehyde-functional polyethylene glycols by liquid chromatography under critical conditions
Authors: Wei Y.-Z. , Chu Y.-F. , Uliyanchenko E. , Schoenmakers P. J. , Zhuo R.-X. , Jiang X.-L.
Published: November 2016

Baseline separation and characterization of benzaldehyde-substituted PEGs based on end-group functionality achieved by LCCC and confirmed by off-line MALDI-TOF-MS.
Combination anti-HIV therapy via tandem release of prodrugs from macromolecular carriers
Authors: Danial Maarten , Telwatte Sushama , Tyssen David , Cosson Steffen , Tachedjian Gilda , Moad Graeme , Postma Almar
Published: November 2016

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation has been used to create a library of copolymers outfitted with a combination of self-immolative reverse transcriptase inhibitor prodrug pendents comprising zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC).