bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediating Role of TRPV1 Ion Channels in the Co-exposure to PM2.5 and Formaldehyde of Balb/c Mice Asthma Model
Authors: Song Jing , Kang Jun , Lin Bencheng , Li Jinquan , Zhu Yuqing , Du Junting , Yang Xu , Xi Zhuge , Li Rui
Published: September 2017

Asthma is a complex pulmonary inflammatory disease that can be promoted by air pollutants such as PM2.5 and formaldehyde (FA). However, existent experimental evidence principally focuses on the negative influence of a single air pollutant, neglecting the possible synergistic effect in biological responses to mixture of these pollutants, a more common situation in our daily life. In this study, allergic Balb/c mice were exposed to a mixture of PM2.5 and FA, and their toxicological effects and mechanisms were explored. It is demonstrated that the combined exposure to PM2.5 and FA can greatly aggravate allergic asthma in mice. When compared with exposure to PM2.5 or FA alone, the co-exposure showed a certain synergistic effect. Increased levels of ROS, inflammatory factors and total serum immunoglobulin E were concomitant with this deterioration. Furthermore, results suggested that co-exposure exacerbated the activation of TRPV1 signal pathways, with an enhancement in substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide production, which contributed to inflammation in asthma by neurogenic inflammation. The study also proved that capsazepine treatment could reduce the levels of not only pro-inflammatory neuropeptides, but also oxidative stress. It is concluded that co-exposure to PM2.5 and FA exacerbated allergic asthma through oxidative stress and enhanced TRPV1 activation.
Simulation of early DNA damage after the irradiation of a fibroblast cell nucleus using Geant4-DNA
Authors: Meylan Sylvain , Incerti Sébastien , Karamitros Mathieu , Tang Nicolas , Bueno Marta , Clairand Isabelle , Villagrasa Carmen
Published: September 2017

In order to improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the generation of early DNA damage, a new calculation chain based on the Geant4-DNA toolkit was developed. This work presents for the first time the simulation of the physical, physicochemical and chemical stages of early radiation damage at the scale of an entire human genome (fibroblast, male) and using Geant4-DNA models. The DnaFabric software was extended to generate and export this nucleus model to a text file with a specific format that can be read by Geant4 user applications. This calculation chain was used to simulate the irradiation of the nucleus by primary protons of different energies (0,5; 0,7; 0,8; 1; 1,5; 2; 3; 4; 5; 10; 20 MeV) and the results, in terms of DNA double strand breaks, agree with experimental data found in the literature (pulsed field electrophoresis technique). These results show that the simulation is consistent and that its parameters are well balanced. Among the different parameters that can be adjusted, our results demonstrate that the criterion used to select direct strand break appears to have a very significant role on the final number of simulated double strand breaks.
Enhancing the Mechanical Toughness of Epoxy-Resin Composites Using Natural Silk Reinforcements
Authors: Yang Kang , Wu Sujun , Guan Juan , Shao Zhengzhong , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: September 2017

Strong and tough epoxy composites are developed using a less-studied fibre reinforcement, that of natural silk. Two common but structurally distinct silks from the domestic B. mori/Bm and the wild A. pernyi/Ap silkworms are selected in fabric forms. We show that the toughening effects on silk-epoxy composites or SFRPs are dependent on the silk species and the volume fraction of silk. Both silks enhance the room-temperature tensile and flexural mechanical properties of the composite, whereas the more resilient Ap silk shows a more pronounced toughening effect and a lower critical reinforcement volume for the brittle-ductile transition. Specifically, our 60 vol.% Ap-SFRP displays a three-fold elevation in tensile and flexural strength, as compared to pure epoxy resin, with an order of magnitude higher breaking energy via a distinct, ductile failure mode. Importantly, the 60 vol.% Ap-SFRP remains ductile with 7% flexural elongation at lower temperatures (−50 °C). Under impact, these SFRPs show significantly improved energy absorption, and the 60 vol.% Ap-SFRP has an impact strength some eight times that of pure epoxy resin. The findings demonstrate both marked toughening and strengthening effects for epoxy composites from natural silk reinforcements, which presents opportunities for mechanically superior and “green” structural composites.
Calibrated Link Budget of a Silicon Photonics WDM Transceiver with SOA and Semiconductor Mode-Locked Laser
Authors: Moscoso-Mártir Alvaro , Müller Juliana , Islamova Elmira , Merget Florian , Witzens Jeremy
Published: September 2017

Based on the single channel characterization of a Silicon Photonics (SiP) transceiver with Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) and semiconductor Mode-Locked Laser (MLL), we evaluate the optical power budget of a corresponding Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) link in which penalties associated to multi-channel operation and the management of polarization diversity are introduced. In particular, channel cross-talk as well as Cross Gain Modulation (XGM) and Four Wave Mixing (FWM) inside the SOA are taken into account. Based on these link budget models, the technology is expected to support up to 12 multiplexed channels without channel pre-emphasis or equalization. Forward Error Correction (FEC) does not appear to be required at 14 Gbps if the SOA is maintained at 25 °C and MLL-to-SiP as well as SiP-to-SOA interface losses can be maintained below 3 dB. In semi-cooled operation with an SOA temperature below 55 °C, multi-channel operation is expected to be compatible with standard 802.3bj Reed-Solomon FEC at 14 Gbps provided interface losses are maintained below 4.5 dB. With these interface losses and some improvements to the Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx) electronics, 25 Gbps multi-channel operation is expected to be compatible with 7% overhead hard decision FEC.
THP-1-derived macrophages render lung epithelial cells hypo-responsive to Legionella pneumophila – a systems biology study
Authors: Schulz Christine , Lai Xin , Bertrams Wilhelm , Jung Anna Lena , Sittka-Stark Alexandra , Herkt Christina Elena , Janga Harshavadhan , Zscheppang Katja , Stielow Christina , Schulte Leon , Hippenstiel Stefan , Vera Julio , Schmeck Bernd
Published: September 2017

Immune response in the lung has to protect the huge alveolar surface against pathogens while securing the delicate lung structure. Macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells constitute the first line of defense and together orchestrate the initial steps of host defense. In this study, we analysed the influence of macrophages on type II alveolar epithelial cells duringLegionella pneumophila-infection by a systems biology approach combining experimental work and mathematical modelling. We found thatL.pneumophila-infected THP-1-derived macrophages provoke a pro-inflammatory activation of neighboring lung epithelial cells, but in addition render them hypo-responsive to direct infection with the same pathogen. We generated a kinetic mathematical model of macrophage activation and identified a paracrine mechanism of macrophage-secreted IL-1β inducing a prolonged IRAK-1 degradation in lung epithelial cells. This intercellular crosstalk may help to avoid an overwhelming inflammatory response by preventing excessive local secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and thereby negatively regulating the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection. This suggests an important but ambivalent immunomodulatory role of macrophages in lung infection.
Eu3+-activated La2MoO6-La2WO6 red-emitting phosphors with ultrabroad excitation band for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Du Peng , Yu Jae Su
Published: September 2017

A series of novel Eu3+-activated La2MoO6-La2WO6 red-emitting phosphors have been successfully prepared by a citrate-assisted sol-gel process. Both photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra suggest that the resultant products have the strong ultrabroad absorption band ranging from 220 to 450 nm. Under the excitation of 379 nm, the characteristic emissions of Eu3+ ions corresponding to the 5D0 → 7F
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transitions are observed in the doped samples. The optimal doping concentration for Eu3+ ions is found to be 12 mol% and the quenching mechanism is attributed to the dipole-dipole interaction. A theoretical calculation based on the Judd-Ofelt theory is carried out to explore the local structure environment around the Eu3+ ions. The studied samples exhibit a typical thermal quenching effect with a T0.5 value of 338 K and the activation energy is determined to be 0.427 eV. A near-ultraviolet (NUV)-based white light-emitting diode (LED) is packaged by integrating a mixture of resultant phosphors, commercial blue-emitting and green-emitting phosphors into an NUV LED chip. The fabricated LED device emits glaring white light with high color rendering index (84.6) and proper correlated color temperature (6492 K). These results demonstrate that the Eu3+-activated La2MoO6-La2WO6 compounds are a promising candidate for indoor lighting as red-emitting phosphors.
High accuracy label-free classification of single-cell kinetic states from holographic cytometry of human melanoma cells
Authors: Hejna Miroslav , Jorapur Aparna , Song Jun S. , Judson Robert L.
Published: September 2017

Digital holographic cytometry (DHC) permits label-free visualization of adherent cells. Dozens of cellular features can be derived from segmentation of hologram-derived images. However, the accuracy of single cell classification by these features remains limited for most applications, and lack of standardization metrics has hindered independent experimental comparison and validation. Here we identify twenty-six DHC-derived features that provide biologically independent information across a variety of mammalian cell state transitions. When trained on these features, machine-learning algorithms achieve blind single cell classification with up to 95% accuracy. Using classification accuracy to guide platform optimization, we develop methods to standardize holograms for the purpose of kinetic single cell cytometry. Applying our approach to human melanoma cells treated with a panel of cancer therapeutics, we track dynamic changes in cellular behavior and cell state over time. We provide the methods and computational tools for optimizing DHC for kinetic single adherent cell classification.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Tones for the Treatment of Tinnitus: A Prospective Randomized Double-blind Controlled Pilot Study in Humans
Authors: Tyler Richard , Cacace Anthony , Stocking Christina , Tarver Brent , Engineer Navzer , Martin Jeffrey , Deshpande Aniruddha , Stecker Nancy , Pereira Melissa , Kilgard Michael , Burress Chester , Pierce David , Rennaker Robert , Vanneste Sven
Published: September 2017

The aim of the pilot study was to evaluate the effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with sounds in chronic tinnitus patients. All participants were implanted and randomized to a paired VNS (n = 16) or control (n = 14) group. After 6 weeks of home therapy, all participants received paired VNS. The device was used on 96% of days with good compliance. After 6 weeks, the paired VNS group improved on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) (p = 0.0012) compared to controls (p = 0.1561). The between-group difference was 10.3% (p = 0.3393). Fifty percent of the participants in the paired VNS group showed clinically meaningful improvements compared to 28% in controls. At one year, 50% of participants had a clinically meaningful response. The therapy had greater benefits for participants with tonal and non-blast induced tinnitus at the end of 6 (24.3% vs. 2%, p = 0.05) and 12 weeks (34% vs. 2%, p = 0.004) compared to controls with 80% and 70% responding at 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Adverse effects were mild and well-tolerated and the therapy had a similar safety profile to VNS for epilepsy. VNS paired with tones may be effective for a subgroup of tinnitus patients and provides impetus for a larger pivotal study.
RNA-Seq Analyses Identify Frequent Allele Specific Expression and No Evidence of Genomic Imprinting in Specific Embryonic Tissues of Chicken
Authors: Zhuo Zhu , Lamont Susan J. , Abasht Behnam
Published: September 2017

Epigenetic and genetic cis-regulatory elements in diploid organisms may cause allele specific expression (ASE) – unequal expression of the two chromosomal gene copies. Genomic imprinting is an intriguing type of ASE in which some genes are expressed monoallelically from either the paternal allele or maternal allele as a result of epigenetic modifications. Imprinted genes have been identified in several animal species and are frequently associated with embryonic development and growth. Whether genomic imprinting exists in chickens remains debatable, as previous studies have reported conflicting evidence. Albeit no genomic imprinting has been reported in the chicken embryo as a whole, we interrogated the existence or absence of genomic imprinting in the 12-day-old chicken embryonic brain and liver by examining ASE in F1 reciprocal crosses of two highly inbred chicken lines (Fayoumi and Leghorn). We identified 5197 and 4638 ASE SNPs, corresponding to 18.3% and 17.3% of the genes with a detectable expression in the embryonic brain and liver, respectively. There was no evidence detected of genomic imprinting in 12-day-old embryonic brain and liver. While ruling out the possibility of imprinted Z-chromosome inactivation, our results indicated that Z-linked gene expression is partially compensated between sexes in chickens.
Evidence that CA3 is Underling the Comorbidity Between Pain and Depression and the Co-curation by Wu-Tou decoction in Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Zhu Chunyan , Xu Qionghong , Wang Chao , Mao Zhiyun , Lin Na
Published: September 2017

In neuropathic pain (NP), the atrophy of hippocampus contributes to the comorbidity between pain, depression and the cognitive deficits. However, the exact mechanism underling the comorbidity, the effective control of the degenerations in hippocampus and the remission of the accompanied depressive symptoms are still lacking. Wu-Tou decoction (WTD) has been prescribed for inflammatory pain for thousands of years. In this study, we manifested the effects of WTD on the pain, depression and anxiety co-curative symptoms of NP. Moreover, we reported that WTD rescued the mal-regulated BDNF and TNF-α in hippocampal CA3 alone, which is proven contributing to the pain and induced psychiatric symptoms. Finally, analysis of biochemistry, morphology and electrophysiology exhibited the potential mechanism of WTD in CA3. We found that, in the late stage of SNL condition, WTD mediated the rescue of the down-regulated glutamate as well as its pre-synaptic vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLuT1) and the post-synaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in CA3. In sum, the targeted mediation of glutamatergic system in CA3 suggest that WTD may be responsible for the remission of the hypo-functioned CA3 glutamatergic neurons and further contribute to the co-curative effects of WTD.
Ion-channel aligned gas-blocking membrane for lithium-air batteries
Authors: Choi Wonsung , Kim Mokwon , Park Jung Ock , Kim Joon-Hee , Choi Kyunghwan , Kim Yong Su , Kim Tae Young , Ogata Ken , Im Dongmin , Doo Seok-Gwang , Hwang Yunil
Published: September 2017

Lithium-metal-based batteries, owing to the extremely high specific energy, have been attracting intense interests as post-Li-ion batteries. However, their main drawback is that consumption/de-activation of lithium metal can be accelerated when O2 or S used in the cathode crosses over to the metal, reducing the lifetime of the batteries. In use of ceramic solid state electrolyte (SSE) separator, despite the capability of gas blocking, thick and heavy plates (~0.3 mm) are necessitated to compensate its mechanical fragility, which ruin the high specific energy of the batteries. Here, we demonstrate fabrication of a new membrane made of micron-sized SSE particles as Li-ion channels embedded in polymer matrix, which enable both high Li-ion conduction and gas-impermeability. Bimodal surface-modification was used to control the energy of the particle/polymer interface, which consequently allowed channel formation via a simple one-step solution process. The practical cell with the new membrane provides a cell-specific energy of over 500 Wh kg−1, which is the highest values ever reported.
Flexible bio-memristive devices based on chicken egg albumen:Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle nanocomposites
Authors: Bok Chang Han , Woo Sung Jun , Wu Chaoxing , Park Jae Hyeon , Kim Tae Whan
Published: September 2017

Flexible bio-memristive (FBM) devices utilizing chicken egg albumen (CEA):Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle nanocomposites were fabricated on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates. Current-voltage (I-V) curves for the Al/CEA:Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle/ITO/PEN devices showed clockwise current hysteresis behaviors due to the existence of the CEA:Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle nanocomposites. The endurance number of the ON/OFF switching for the FBM devices was above 102 cycles. An ON/OFF current ratio of 1 × 105 was maintained for retention times longer than 1 × 104 s. The memory characteristics of the FBM devices after bending were similar to those before bending. The memory margin and the stability of FBM devices were enhanced due to the embedded Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles. The switching mechanisms occurring in the Al/CEA:Au@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle/ITO-coated PEN devices are described on the basis of the I-V results and the filament mechanisms.
The impact of extreme El Niño events on modern sediment transport along the western Peruvian Andes (1968–2012)
Authors: Morera Sergio B. , Condom Thomas , Crave Alain , Steer Philippe , Guyot Jean L.
Published: September 2017

Climate change is considered as one of the main factors controlling sediment fluxes in mountain belts. However, the effect of El Niño, which represents the primary cause of inter-annual climate variability in the South Pacific, on river erosion and sediment transport in the Western Andes remains unclear. Using an unpublished dataset of Suspended Sediment Yield (SSY) in Peru (1968–2012), we show that the annual SSY increases by 3–60 times during Extreme El Niño Events (EENE) compared to normal years. During EENE, 82% to 97% of the annual SSY occurs from January to April. We explain this effect by a sharp increase in river water discharge due to high precipitation rates and transport capacity during EENE. Indeed, sediments accumulate in the mountain and piedmont areas during dry normal years, and are then rapidly mobilized during EENE years. The effect of EENE on SSY depends on the topography, as it is maximum for catchments located in the North of Peru (3–7°S), exhibiting a concave up hypsometric curve, and minimum for catchments in the South (7–18°S), with a concave down hypsometric curve. These findings highlight how the sediment transport of different topographies can respond in very different ways to large climate variability.
Hybridization oscillation in the one-dimensional Kondo-Heisenberg model with Kondo holes
Authors: Xie Neng , Hu Danqing , Yang Yi-feng
Published: September 2017

We use the density matrix renormalization group method to study the properties of the one-dimensional Kondo-Heisenberg model doped with Kondo holes. We find that the perturbation of the Kondo holes to the local hybridization exhibits spatial oscillation pattern and its amplitude decays exponentially with distance away from the Kondo hole sites. The hybridization oscillation is correlated with both the charge density oscillation of the conduction electrons and the oscillation in the correlation function of the Heisenberg spins. In particular, we find that the oscillation wavelength for intermediate Kondo couplings is given by the Fermi wavevector of the large Fermi surface even before it is formed. This suggests that heavy electrons responsible for the oscillation are already present in this regime and start to accumulate around the to-be-formed large Fermi surface in the Brillouin zone.
Red-light phenotype in a marine diatom involves a specialized oligomeric red-shifted antenna and altered cell morphology
Authors: Herbstová Miroslava , Bína David , Kaňa Radek , Vácha František , Litvín Radek
Published: September 2017

Diatoms greatly contribute to carbon fixation and thus strongly influence the global biogeochemical balance. Capable of chromatic acclimation (CA) to unfavourable light conditions, diatoms often dominate benthic ecosystems in addition to their planktonic lifestyle. Although CA has been studied at the molecular level, our understanding of this phenomenon remains incomplete. Here we provide new data to better explain the acclimation-associated changes under red-enhanced ambient light (RL) in diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, known to express a red-shifted antenna complex (F710). The complex was found to be an oligomer of a single polypeptide, Lhcf15. The steady-state spectroscopic properties of the oligomer were also studied. The oligomeric assembly of the Lhcf15 subunits is required for the complex to exhibit a red-shifted absorption. The presence of the red antenna in RL culture coincides with the development of a rounded phenotype of the diatom cell. A model summarizing the modulation of the photosynthetic apparatus during the acclimation response to light of different spectral quality is proposed. Our study suggests that toggling between alternative organizations of photosynthetic apparatus and distinct cell morphologies underlies the remarkable acclimation capacity of diatoms.
Netrin-1 Derived from the Ventricular Zone, but not the Floor Plate, Directs Hindbrain Commissural Axons to the Ventral Midline
Authors: Yamauchi Kenta , Yamazaki Maya , Abe Manabu , Sakimura Kenji , Lickert Heiko , Kawasaki Takahiko , Murakami Fujio , Hirata Tatsumi
Published: September 2017

Netrin-1 (Ntn1) emanating from the ventral midline has been thought to act as a long-range diffusible chemoattractant for commissural axons (CAs). However, CAs still grow towards the midline in the absence of the floor plate (FP), a glial structure occupying the midline. Here, using genetically loss-of-function approaches in mice, we show that Ntn1 derived from the ventricular zone (VZ), but not the FP, is crucial for CA guidance in the mouse hindbrain. During the period of CA growth,Ntn1is expressed in the ventral two-thirds of the VZ, in addition to the FP. Remarkably, deletion ofNtn1from the VZ and even from the dorsal VZ highly disrupts CA guidance to the midline, whereas the deletion from the FP has little impact on it. We also show that the severities of CA guidance defects found in theNtn1conditional mutants were irrelevant to their FP long-range chemoattractive activities. Our results are incompatible with the prevailing view that Ntn1 is an FP-derived long-range diffusible chemoattractant for CAs, but suggest a novel mechanism that VZ-derived Ntn1 directs CAs to the ventral midline by its local actions.
Geochemical and Microbial Community Attributes in Relation to Hyporheic Zone Geological Facies
Authors: Hou Z. , Nelson W. C. , Stegen J. C. , Murray C. J. , Arntzen E. , Crump A. R. , Kennedy D. W. , Perkins M. C. , Scheibe T. D. , Fredrickson J. K. , Zachara J. M.
Published: September 2017

The hyporheic zone (HZ) is the active ecotone between the surface stream and groundwater, where exchanges of nutrients and organic carbon have been shown to stimulate microbial activity and transformations of carbon and nitrogen. To examine the relationship between sediment texture, biogeochemistry, and biological activity in the Columbia River HZ, the grain size distributions for sediment samples were characterized to define geological facies, and the relationships among physical properties of the facies, physicochemical attributes of the local environment, and the structure and activity of associated microbial communities were examined. Mud and sand content and the presence of microbial heterotrophic and nitrifying communities partially explained the variability in many biogeochemical attributes such as C:N ratio and %TOC. Microbial community analysis revealed a high relative abundance of putative ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota and nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospirae. Network analysis showed negative relationships between sets of co-varying organisms and sand and mud contents, and positive relationships with total organic carbon. Our results indicate grain size distribution is a good predictor of biogeochemical properties, and that subsets of the overall microbial community respond to different sediment texture. Relationships between facies and hydrobiogeochemical properties enable facies-based conditional simulation/mapping of these properties to inform multiscale modeling of hyporheic exchange and biogeochemical processes.
Contrasting subtropical PV intrusion frequency and their impact on tropospheric Ozone distribution over Pacific Ocean in El-Niño and La-Niña conditions
Authors: Nath Debashis , Chen Wen , Graf Hans-F. , Lan Xiaoqiang , Gong Hainan
Published: September 2017

Upper tropospheric equatorial westerly ducts over the Pacific Ocean are the preferred location for Rossby wave breaking events during boreal winter and spring. These subtropical wave breaking events lead to the intrusion of high PV (potential vorticity) air along the extra-tropical tropopause and transport ozone rich dry stratospheric air into the tropics. The intrusion frequency has strong interannual variability due to ENSO (El-Niño/Southern Oscillation), with more events under La-Niña and less under El-Niño conditions. This may result from stronger equatorial westerly ducts and subtropical jets during La-Niña and weaker during El-Niño. It was previously suggested that the interannual variability of the tropospheric ozone distribution over the central-eastern Pacific Ocean is mainly driven by convective activity related to ENSO and that the barotropic nature of the subtropical intrusions restricts the tracers within the UT. However, our analysis shows that tropospheric ozone concentration and subtropical intrusions account ~65% of the co- variability (below 5 km) in the outer tropical (10–25°N) central Pacific Ocean, particularly during La-Niña conditions. Additionally, we find a two-fold increase and westward shift in the intrusion frequency over the Pacific Ocean, due to the climate regime shift in SST pattern during 1997/98.
Self-propulsion of Leidenfrost Drops between Non-Parallel Structures
Authors: Luo Cheng , Mrinal Manjarik , Wang Xiang
Published: September 2017

In this work, we explored self-propulsion of a Leidenfrost drop between non-parallel structures. A theoretical model was first developed to determine conditions for liquid drops to start moving away from the corner of two non-parallel plates. These conditions were then simplified for the case of a Leidenfrost drop. Furthermore, ejection speeds and travel distances of Leidenfrost drops were derived using a scaling law. Subsequently, the theoretical models were validated by experiments. Finally, three new devices have been developed to manipulate Leidenfrost drops in different ways.
Survival and prognostic factors in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Qun , Li Diandian , Berger Alan E. , Johns Roger A. , Gao Li
Published: September 2017

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder but data on survival rates are still conflicting and have not so far been quantitatively reviewed. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess pooled survival rates and prognostic factors for survival in patients with HCM. Nineteen studies were included representing 12,146 HCM patients. The pooled 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 98.0%, 94.3%, 82.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Among patients with HCM, age, NYHA functional class, family history of sudden death (FHSD), syncope, atrial fibrillation, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT), maximum left ventricular wall thickness and obstruction were significant prognostic factors for cardiovascular death. For sudden cardiac death, FHSD, nsVT, and obstruction showed significant predictive values. Moreover, estimation of population attributable risk (PAR) suggested that nsVT was the strongest predictor for cardiovascular death (13.02%, 95% CI 3.60–25.91%), while left ventricular outflow tract obstruction/mid-ventricular obstruction (LVO/MVO) was the strongest predictor for all-cause death and sudden cardiac death (10.09%, 95% CI 4.72–20.42% and 16.44%, 95% CI 7.45–31.55%, respectively). These risk factors may thus be useful for identifying HCM patients who might benefit from early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
Screening of miRNA profiles and construction of regulation networks in early and late lactation of dairy goat mammary glands
Authors: Ji Zhibin , Liu Zhaohua , Chao Tianle , Hou Lei , Fan Rui , He Rongyan , Wang Guizhi , Wang Jianmin
Published: September 2017

In recent years, studies related to the expression profiles of miRNAs in the dairy goat mammary gland were performed, but regulatory mechanisms in the physiological environment and the dynamic homeostasis of mammary gland development and lactation are not clear. In the present study, sequencing data analysis of early and late lactation uncovered a total of 1,487 unique miRNAs, including 45 novel miRNA candidates and 1,442 known and conserved miRNAs, of which 758 miRNAs were co-expressed and 378 differentially expressed with P < 0.05. Moreover, 76 non-redundant target genes were annotated in 347 GO consortiums, with 3,143 candidate target genes grouped into 33 pathways. Additionally, 18 predicted target genes of 214 miRNAs were directly annotated in mammary gland development and used to construct regulatory networks based on GO annotation and the KEGG pathway. The expression levels of seven known miRNAs and three novel miRNAs were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that miRNAs might play important roles in early and late lactation during dairy goat mammary gland development, which will be helpful to obtain a better understanding of the genetic control of mammary gland lactation and development.
Lymphoblastoid cell lines from Diamond Blackfan anaemia patients exhibit a full ribosomal stress phenotype that is rescued by gene therapy
Authors: Aspesi Anna , Monteleone Valentina , Betti Marta , Actis Chiara , Morleo Giulia , Sculco Marika , Guarrera Simonetta , Wlodarski Marcin W. , Ramenghi Ugo , Santoro Claudio , Ellis Steven R. , Loreni Fabrizio , Follenzi Antonia , Dianzani Irma
Published: September 2017

Diamond Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome characterised by selective red cell hypoplasia. DBA is most often due to heterozygous mutations in ribosomal protein (RP) genes that lead to defects in ribosome biogenesis and function and result in ribosomal stress and p53 activation. The molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are still poorly understood and studies on patient erythroid cells are hampered by their paucity. Here we report that RP-mutated lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) established from DBA patients show defective rRNA processing and ribosomal stress features such as reduced proliferation, decreased protein synthesis, and activation of p53 and its target p21. These phenotypic alterations were corrected by gene complementation. Our data indicate that DBA LCLs could be a useful model for molecular and pharmacological investigations.
Automatic Classification of Cancerous Tissue in Laserendomicroscopy Images of the Oral Cavity using Deep Learning
Authors: Aubreville Marc , Knipfer Christian , Oetter Nicolai , Jaremenko Christian , Rodner Erik , Denzler Joachim , Bohr Christopher , Neumann Helmut , Stelzle Florian , Maier Andreas
Published: September 2017

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a common type of cancer of the oral epithelium. Despite their high impact on mortality, sufficient screening methods for early diagnosis of OSCC often lack accuracy and thus OSCCs are mostly diagnosed at a late stage. Early detection and accurate outline estimation of OSCCs would lead to a better curative outcome and a reduction in recurrence rates after surgical treatment. Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) records sub-surface micro-anatomical images for in vivo cell structure analysis. Recent CLE studies showed great prospects for a reliable, real-time ultrastructural imaging of OSCC in situ. We present and evaluate a novel automatic approach for OSCC diagnosis using deep learning technologies on CLE images. The method is compared against textural feature-based machine learning approaches that represent the current state of the art. For this work, CLE image sequences (7894 images) from patients diagnosed with OSCC were obtained from 4 specific locations in the oral cavity, including the OSCC lesion. The present approach is found to outperform the state of the art in CLE image recognition with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 and a mean accuracy of 88.3% (sensitivity 86.6%, specificity 90%).
Multiple stressor effects on marine infauna: responses of estuarine taxa and functional traits to sedimentation, nutrient and metal loading
Authors: Ellis J. I. , Clark D. , Atalah J. , Jiang W. , Taiapa C. , Patterson M. , Sinner J. , Hewitt J.
Published: September 2017

Sedimentation, nutrients and metal loading to coastal environments are increasing, associated with urbanization and global warming, hence there is a growing need to predict ecological responses to such change. Using a regression technique we predicted how maximum abundance of 20 macrobenthic taxa and 22 functional traits separately and interactively responded to these key stressors. The abundance of most taxa declined in response to sedimentation and metal loading while a unimodal response was often associated with nutrient loading. Optimum abundances for both taxa and traits occurred at relatively low stressor levels, highlighting the vulnerability of estuaries to increasing stressor loads. Individual taxa were more susceptible to stress than traits, suggesting that functional traits may be less sensitive for detecting changes in ecosystem health. Multiplicative effects were more common than additive interactions. The observed sensitivity of most taxa to increasing sedimentation and metal loading and the documented interaction effects between multiple stressors have important implications for understanding and managing the ecological consequences of eutrophication, sedimentation and contaminants on coastal ecosystems.
Dynamic transcriptome and phytohormone profiling along the time of light exposure in the mesocotyl of rice seedling
Authors: Feng Fangjun , Mei Hanwei , Fan Peiqing , Li Yanan , Xu Xiaoyan , Wei Haibin , Yan Ming , Luo Lijun
Published: September 2017

Mesocotyl elongation is an important trait influencing seedling emergence and establishment in rice direct-seeding cultivation and is immediately inhibited after light exposure. Detailed researches on the molecular basis and biological processes underlying light repression of mesocotyl growth could probably provide useful information for key factors controlling this trait. Here we monitored the transcriptome and endogenous phytohormone changes specifically in the elongating mesocotyl in response to light exposure with a time-course. It was revealed that 974 transcripts were significantly differentially expressed (FDR < 0.05, |log2 (L/D) | ≥2) after light exposure. Most of the differential expression genes associated with the responses to hormone. Metabolic pathway analysis using the KEGG system suggested plant hormone signal transduction, α-linolenic acid metabolism and diterpenoid biosynthesis were critical processes of mesocotyl growth inhibited by light. Consistent with DEGs, the endogenous IAA, tZ and GA3 content was significantly reduced while JA level was dramatically increased, which indicated that light inhibited rice mesocotyl growth through decreasing IAA, tZ and GA3 content and/or increasing JA level. The present results enriched our knowledge about the genes and phytohormones regulating mesocotyl elongation in rice, which may help improve future studies on associated genes and develop new varieties tolerance to deep sowing.
Defective thymic output in WAS patients is associated with abnormal actin organization
Authors: Li Wenyan , Sun Xiaoyu , Wang Jinzhi , Zhao Qin , Dai Rongxin , Wang Yanping , Zhou Lina , Westerberg Lisa , Ding Yuan , Zhao Xiaodong , Liu Chaohong
Published: September 2017

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. Defective T - cell function is a major cause for immune deficiency in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) patients. T cells originate in the bone marrow and develop in the thymus, and then migrate to peripheral tissues. TCR excision circles (TRECs) present in thymic output cells stably, which is used as a molecular marker for thymic output. We found that CD8+ T naïve cells of classic WAS patients were significantly reduced, and TRECs in patients with classic WAS and X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) dramatically decreased compared with that of HCs. TRECs were also reduced in WAS (KO) mice. These suggest that defective thymic output partially accounts for T cell lymphopenia in WAS patients. However, the correlation between the defect of thymic output and actin organization still remains elusive. We found that the subcellular location and the levels of of F-actin were altered in T cells from both WAS and XLT patients compared to that of HCs with or without stimulation. Our study shows that WASp plays a critical role in thymic output, which highly correlates with the subcellular location and level of F-actin in T cells.
Association of HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 polymorphisms with antithyroid drug-induced agranulocytosis in a Han population from northern China
Authors: He Yayi , Zheng Jie , Zhang Qian , Hou Peng , Zhu Feng , Yang Jian , Li Wenhao , Chen Pu , Liu Shu , Zhang Bao , Shi Bingyin
Published: September 2017

Antithyroid drug (ATD)-induced agranulocytosis is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and nearby genes in Southeast Asian and European populations. The susceptibility of the Han population from northern China to ATD-induced agranulocytosis has not been reported. We evaluated the associations of genetic variants at theHLA-BandHLA-DRB1loci and 32 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with agranulocytosis in 29 patients with ATD-induced agranulocytosis and in 140 patients with Graves’ disease (GD) as controls. All subjects were of Han descent from northern China.HLA-B*27:05(P = 1.10 × 10−4),HLA-B*38:02(P = 2.41 × 10−4) andHLA-DRB1*08:03(P = 1.57 × 10−3) were susceptibility HLA variants for ATD-induced agranulocytosis. All subjects carrying theHLA-B*27:05allele had agranulocytosis. The odds ratios (ORs) comparing allele carriers to non-carriers were 66.24 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.54–1239.66) forHLA-B*27:05, 7.525 (95% CI: 2.294–24.68) forHLA-B*38:02and 4.316 (95% CI: 1.56–11.93) forHLA-DRB1*08:03. Two SNPs, rs2596487 (OR = 4.196, 95% CI = 2.086–8.441, P = 2.08 × 10−5) and rs2228391 (OR = 3.621, 95% CI = 1.596–8.217, P = 1.2 × 10−3), were independently associated with ATD-induced agranulocytosis. Subjects carrying the ‘A’ allele of rs1811197 orHLA-B*38:02showed lower minimum granulocyte counts than non-carriers (P = 4.74 × 10−4and P = 7.39 × 10−4, respectively). Our findings support the association between genetic variations ofHLA-BandHLA-DRB1with ATD-induced agranulocytosis in a Han population from northern China.
Spatiotemporal variation of endogenous cell-generated stresses within 3D multicellular spheroids
Authors: Lucio Adam A. , Mongera Alessandro , Shelton Elijah , Chen Renwei , Doyle Adele M. , Campàs Otger
Published: September 2017

Multicellular spheroids serve as an excellent platform to study tissue behavior and tumor growth in a controlled, three-dimensional (3D) environment. While molecular and cellular studies have long used this platform to study cell behavior in 3D, only recently have studies using multicellular spheroids shown an important role for the mechanics of the microenvironment in a wide range of cellular processes, including during tumor progression. Despite the well-established relevance of mechanical cues to cell behavior and the numerous studies on mechanics using 2D cell culture systems, the spatial and temporal variations in endogenous cellular forces within growing multicellular aggregates remain unknown. Using cell-sized oil droplets with controlled physicochemical properties as force transducers in mesenchymal cell aggregates, we show that the magnitude of cell-generated stresses varies only weakly with spatial location within the spherical aggregate, but it increases considerably over time during aggregate compaction and growth. Moreover, our results indicate that the temporal increase in cellular stresses is due to increasing cell pulling forces transmitted via integrin-mediated cell adhesion, consistent with the need for larger intercellular pulling forces to compact cell aggregates.
Cell-free synthesis of functional antibodies using a coupled in vitro transcription-translation system based on CHO cell lysates
Authors: Stech M. , Nikolaeva O. , Thoring L. , Stöcklein W. F. M. , Wüstenhagen D. A. , Hust M. , Dübel S. , Kubick S.
Published: September 2017

Antibodies are indispensable tools for basic research as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Consequently, the development of alternative manufacturing strategies which circumvent the hurdles connected to conventional antibody production technologies is of enormous interest. To address this issue, we demonstrate the synthesis of complex antibody formats, in particular immunoglobulin G (IgG) and single-chain variable fragment Fc fusion (scFv-Fc), in a microsome-containing cell-free system based on translationally active chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lysates. To mimic the environment for antibody folding and assembly present in living cells, antibody genes were fused to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-specific signal sequence. Signal-peptide induced translocation of antibody polypeptide chains into the lumen of ER microsomes was found to be the prerequisite for antibody chain assembly and functionality. In this context, we show the rapid synthesis of antibody molecules in different reaction formats, including batch and continuous-exchange cell-free (CECF) reactions, depending on the amount of protein needed for further analysis. In addition, we demonstrate site-specific and residue-specific labeling of antibodies with fluorescent non-canonical amino acids. In summary, our study describes a novel antibody production platform which combines the highly efficient mammalian protein folding machinery of CHO cells with the benefits of cell-free protein synthesis.
Buckling Structured Stretchable Pseudocapacitor Yarn
Authors: Lee Duck Weon , Lee Jung Han , Min Nam Ki , Jin Joon-Hyung
Published: September 2017

Cable-type stretchable electrochemical pseudocapacitors based on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheets and two different metal oxide nanopowders (NP), i.e., MnO2 and RuO2 are developed using a newly-devised dry painting method to mechanically fix the NP to the elastic rubber-based MWCNT electrode substrate, resulting in a porous buckling structured pseudocapacitor yarn. Highly stretchable stylene-ethylene/butylene-stylene (SEBS) is used as the supporting elastomeric core for wrapping with the MWCNT sheets and the electroactive NP. The dry painting can successfully deposit NP on the soft SEBS surface, which is normally an unfavorable substrate for coating alien materials. The resulting yarn-type pseudocapacitor, composed of eight-layered MWCNT sheets, three-layered RuO2, and two-layered MnO2, showing a diameter of approximately 400 μm with a porous buckling structure, records a specific capacitance of 25 F g−1. After being stretched by 200% in strain with no sacrifice of the porous buckling structure, the cable-type stretchable electrochemical pseudocapacitor yarn retains its electrical capacity, and is potentially applicable to energy storage devices for wearable electronics.
Suppression of fragmentation in multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry using a near-infrared femtosecond laser as an ionization source
Authors: Li Adan , Dinh Thang Phan , Imasaka Tomoko , Imasaka Totaro
Published: September 2017

The ionization and fragmentation processes were examined for pentachlorobenzene using a femtosecond laser emitting at 400, 800, and 1200 nm.
Alkaline peroxidase activity of cupric oxide nanoparticles and its modulation by ammonia
Authors: Deng Hao-Hua , Zheng Xiao-Qing , Wu Yan-Yu , Shi Xiao-Qiong , Lin Xiu-Ling , Xia Xing-Hua , Peng Hua-Ping , Chen Wei , Hong Guo-Lin
Published: September 2017

Based on the ammonia-modulated alkaline peroxidase-like activity of CuO nanoparticles, a fluorescent sensor for urea and urease was developed.
A sensitive and group-specific monoclonal antibody-based indirect competitive ELISA for the determination of salbutamol in swine meat and liver samples
Authors: Yuan Yin , Zhao Yingying , Wu Kang , Yang Hong , Zhao Kang , Li Jianguo , Deng Anping
Published: September 2017

The use of salbutamol (SAL) has been prohibited as an additive in animal feeds for livestock production in many countries due to its harmful effect to the consumers.
Single quantum dot-based nanosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase
Authors: Wang Li-Juan , Luo Ming-Li , Zhang Qianyi , Tang Bo , Zhang Chun-Yang
Published: September 2017

We developed a single quantum dot-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer nanosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.
Single-crystal UV-vis spectroscopic examination of a striking odd–even effect on structure and chromic behaviour of salicylidene alkylamines
Authors: Houjou Hirohiko , Ikedo Hana , Yoshikawa Isao
Published: September 2017

A simple salicylideneamine exhibits either photochromism or thermochromism depending on the number of its alkyl carbons.
Terminal tungsten pnictide complex formation through pnictaethynolate decarbonylation
Authors: Joost Maximilian , Transue Wesley J. , Cummins Christopher C.
Published: September 2017

Treatment of a four-coordinate tungsten(iv) complex with pnictaethynolate ions installs terminal tungsten–nitrogen, –phosphorus, and –arsenic triple bondsviadecarbonylation.
A crystalline molecular gyrotop with a biphenylene dirotor and its temperature-dependent birefringence
Authors: Fujiwara Atsushi , Inagaki Yusuke , Momma Hiroyuki , Kwon Eunsang , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Kanno Manabu , Kono Hirohiko , Setaka Wataru
Published: September 2017

A crystalline molecular gyrotop with a biphenylene dirotor showed a reduction in the birefringence with increasing temperature.
Structure, physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of resveratrol and piperine cocrystals
Authors: He Hongyan , Zhang Qi , Wang Jian-Rong , Mei Xuefeng
Published: September 2017

The in vitro dissolution of RSV–Pip co-1 has a strong diminishing effect on the pharmacokinetics, despite the bioenhancer properties of Pip.
Mechanism of ultrafast non-reactive deactivation of the retinal chromophore in non-polar solvents
Authors: Mališ M. , Novak J. , Zgrablić G. , Parmigiani F. , Došlić N.
Published: September 2017

Counterion sensitive photodynamics of the retinal chromophore in solution.
Correlation between electronic structure, transport and electrochemical properties of a LiNi1−y−zCoyMnzO2 cathode material
Authors: Molenda Janina , Milewska Anna , Zając Wojciech , Rybski Michal , Tobola Janusz
Published: September 2017

Herein, the correlation between electronic structure, transport and electrochemical properties of layered LixNi1−y−zCoyMnzO2 cathode material is revealed.