bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YesU from Bacillus subtilis preferentially binds fucosylated glycans
Authors: Tiralongo Joe , Cooper Oren , Litfin Tom , Yang Yuedong , King Rebecca , Zhan Jian , Zhao Huiying , Bovin Nicolai , Day Christopher J. , Zhou Yaoqi
Published: August 2018

The interaction of carbohydrate-binding proteins (CBPs) with their corresponding glycan ligands is challenging to study both experimentally and computationally. This is in part due to their low binding affinity, high flexibility, and the lack of a linear sequence in carbohydrates, as exists in nucleic acids and proteins. We recently described a function-prediction technique called SPOT-Struc that identifies CBPs by global structural alignment and binding-affinity prediction. Here we experimentally determined the carbohydrate specificity and binding affinity of YesU (RCSB PDB ID: 1oq1), an uncharacterized protein from Bacillus subtilis that SPOT-Struc predicted would bind high mannose-type glycans. Glycan array analyses however revealed glycan binding patterns similar to those exhibited by fucose (Fuc)-binding lectins, with SPR analysis revealing high affinity binding to Lewisx and lacto-N-fucopentaose III. Structure based alignment of YesU revealed high similarity to the legume lectins UEA-I and GS-IV, and docking of Lewisx into YesU revealed a complex structure model with predicted binding affinity of −4.3 kcal/mol. Moreover the adherence of B. subtilis to intestinal cells was significantly inhibited by Lex and Ley but by not non-fucosylated glycans, suggesting the interaction of YesU to fucosylated glycans may be involved in the adhesion of B. subtilis to the gastrointestinal tract of mammals.
Lysozyme and DNase I loaded poly (D, L lactide-co-caprolactone) nanocapsules as an oral delivery system
Authors: Abu Abed Omar S. , Chaw Cheng , Williams Lee , Elkordy Amal A.
Published: August 2018

Clinical applications of oral protein therapy for the treatment of various chronic diseases are limited due to the harsh conditions encounter the proteins during their journey in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Although nanotechnology forms a platform for the development of oral protein formulations, obtaining physiochemically stable formulations able to deliver active proteins is still challenging because of harsh preparation conditions. This study proposes the use of poly (D, L-lactic-co-caprolactone)-based polymeric nanocapsules at different monomers’ ratios for protein loading and oral delivery. All formulations had a spherical shape and nano-scale size, and lysozyme encapsulation efficiency reached 80% and significantly affected by monomers’ ratio. Trehalose and physical state of lysozyme had a significant effect on its biological activity (P < 0.05). Less than 10% of the protein was released in simulated gastric fluid, and 73% was the highest recorded accumulative release percentage in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) over 24 h. The higher caprolactone content, the higher encapsulation efficiency (EE) and the lower SIF release recorded. Therefore, the formulation factors were optimised and the obtained system was PEGylated wisely to attain EE 80%, 81% SIF release within 24 h, and 98% lysozyme biological activity. The optimum formulation was prepared to deliver DNase, and similar attributes were obtained.
The polymerization of nitrogen in Li2N2 at high pressures
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Xianlong , Yang Kaishuai , Cheng Ya , Zeng Zhi
Published: August 2018

The polymerization of nitrogen can be used as high energy density materials. The crystal structures of Li2N2 at high pressures are explored by using the first-principles method combined with evolutionary algorithm. The phase transitions Pmmm → Immm → Pnma → Cmcm-1 → I41/acd are predicted in the pressure range of 0–300 GPa. Enthalpy calculations reveal that the tetragonal phase I41/acd containing the spiral nitrogen chains is stable above 242 GPa, indicating that the polymerization of nitrogen is realized in Li2N2 under pressure.
Sorptive process and breakthrough behavior of odorous volatile compounds on inert surfaces
Authors: Ahmed Ezaz , Szulejko Jan E. , Adelodun Adedeji A. , Bhattacharya Satya Sundar , Jeon Byong Hun , Kumar Sandeep , Kim Ki-Hyun
Published: August 2018

The use of glass impinger is an important device for sampling and handling when measuring volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Thus, it is important to check for possible analyte losses to the inner glass surface when carrying out sample analysis with the aid of impinger system. In this research, we evaluated the sorptive loss patterns of vapor-phase semi-volatile organic compounds [SVOCs (n = 10): acetic acid (ACA), propionic acid (PPA), i-butyric acid (IBA), n-butyric acid (BTA), i-valeric acid (IVA), n-valeric acid (VLA), phenol (PhAl), p-cresol (p-C), indole (ID), and skatole (SK)] on inert surfaces of an impinger in reference to sampling bags. The gaseous standard of these SVOCs (48–406 ppb) in polyester aluminum (PEA) bags was passed through an empty impinger in 1 L steps. The exiting SVOCs were collected on three-bed sorbent tubes for subsequent analysis by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (TD-GC-MS). Impinger wall sorption capacities ranged from 2.0 to 21.0 ng cm−2. The 10% breakthrough adsorption capacities on the impinger wall for acids, phenols, and indoles ranged from 1.21 ± 0.15 to 5.39 ± 0.79, 0.92 ± 0.12 to 13.4 ± 2.25, and 4.47 ± 0.42 to 5.23 ± 0.35 ng cm−2, respectively. The observed sorptive patterns suggest that the sorptive losses of the volatile fatty acids, phenols, and indoles can occur very effectively at low ppb levels onto a glass surface.
Minimizing Structural Bias in Single-Molecule Super-Resolution Microscopy
Authors: Mazidi Hesam , Lu Jin , Nehorai Arye , Lew Matthew D.
Published: August 2018

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) depends on sequential detection and localization of individual molecular blinking events. Due to the stochasticity of single-molecule blinking and the desire to improve SMLM’s temporal resolution, algorithms capable of analyzing frames with a high density (HD) of active molecules, or molecules whose images overlap, are a prerequisite for accurate location measurements. Thus far, HD algorithms are evaluated using scalar metrics, such as root-mean-square error, that fail to quantify the structure of errors caused by the structure of the sample. Here, we show that the spatial distribution of localization errors within super-resolved images of biological structures are vectorial in nature, leading to systematic structural biases that severely degrade image resolution. We further demonstrate that the shape of the microscope’s point-spread function (PSF) fundamentally affects the characteristics of imaging artifacts. We built a Robust Statistical Estimation algorithm (RoSE) to minimize these biases for arbitrary structures and PSFs. RoSE accomplishes this minimization by estimating the likelihood of blinking events to localize molecules more accurately and eliminate false localizations. Using RoSE, we measure the distance between crossing microtubules, quantify the morphology of and separation between vesicles, and obtain robust recovery using diverse 3D PSFs with unmatched accuracy compared to state-of-the-art algorithms.
X-ray structure analysis of bacteriorhodopsin at 1.3 Å resolution
Authors: Hasegawa Nagayuki , Jonotsuka Hideyuki , Miki Kunio , Takeda Kazuki
Published: August 2018

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) of Halobacterium salinarum is a membrane protein that acts as a light-driven proton pump. bR and its homologues have recently been utilized in optogenetics and other applications. Although the structures of those have been reported so far, the resolutions are not sufficient for elucidation of the intrinsic structural features critical to the color tuning and ion pumping properties. Here we report the accurate crystallographic analysis of bR in the ground state. The influence of X-rays was suppressed by collecting the data under a low irradiation dose at 15 K. Consequently, individual atoms could be separately observed in the electron density map at better than 1.3 Å resolution. Residues from Thr5 to Ala233 were continuously constructed in the model. The twist of the retinal polyene was determined to be different from those in the previous models. Two conformations were observed for the proton release region. We discuss the meaning of these fine structural features.
Genome-wide analysis of the FleQ direct regulon in Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 and Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Blanco-Romero Esther , Redondo-Nieto Miguel , Martínez-Granero Francisco , Garrido-Sanz Daniel , Ramos-González Maria Isabel , Martín Marta , Rivilla Rafael
Published: August 2018

Bacterial motility plays a crucial role in competitiveness and colonization in the rhizosphere. In this work, Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis has been used to identify genes putatively regulated by the transcriptional regulatory protein FleQ in Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 and Pseudomonas putida KT2440. This protein was previously identified as a master regulator of flagella and biofilm formation in both strains. This work has demonstrated that FleQ from both bacteria are conserved and functionally equivalent for motility regulation. Furthermore, the ChIP-seq analysis has shown that FleQ is a global regulator with the identification of 121 and 103 FleQ putative binding sites in P. fluorescens F113 and P. putida KT2440 respectively. Putative genes regulated by FleQ included, as expected, flagellar and motility-related genes and others involved in adhesion and exopolysaccharide production. Surprisingly, the ChIP-seq analysis also identified iron homeostasis-related genes for which positive regulation was shown by RT-qPCR. The results also showed that FleQ from P. fluorescens F113 shares an important part of its direct regulon with AmrZ, a global regulator also implicated in environmental adaption. Although AmrZ also regulates motility and iron uptake, the overlap occurred mostly with the iron-related genes, since both regulators control a different set of motility-related genes.
Electrochemical synthesis of AuPt nanoflowers in deep eutectic solvent at low temperature and their application in organic electro-oxidation
Authors: Li Aoqi , Duan Wanyi , Liu Jianming , Zhuo Kelei , Chen Yujuan , Wang Jianji
Published: August 2018

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), called a new generation of green solvents, have broad applied in synthesis of nanomaterials due to their remarkable physicochemical properties. In this work, we used a unique strategy (adding moderate water (10%) to DES) to effectively prepare nanomaterials. Flower-like AuPt alloy nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using one-step electrochemical reduction method at a low potential of −0.30 V (vs. Pt) and a low temperature of 30 °C. In this process, the DES acted as solvent and shape-directing agent. More importantly, we used the electrode modified with the as-prepared nanomaterials as the anode to the electrochemical oxidation synthesis. The glassy carbon electrode modified with the AuPt nanoflowers was directly employed to the electro-oxidation of xanthene (XT) to xanthone (XO) under a constant low potential of 0.80 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and room temperature, with a high yield of XO. Moreover, the synthesis process was milder and more environment-friendly than conventional organic syntheses. This new strategy would have a promising application in electroorganic synthesis fields.
Resting Frontal Asymmetry and Reward Sensitivity Theory Motivational Traits
Authors: De Pascalis Vilfredo , Sommer Kathrin , Scacchia Paolo
Published: August 2018

The revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (rRST) of personality has conceptualized three main systems: the behavioural approach system (BAS), behavioural inhibition system (BIS), and fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS). Research links greater relative left-frontal activity with BAS-related tendencies and impulsivity and greater relative right-frontal activity with “withdrawal” motivation that included both BIS and FFFS. Although rRST has addressed the separation of FFFS and BIS, much of personality neuroscience research does not indicate which system is related to right frontal activity. We administered the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) to measure the BAS and its facets (goal-drive persistence, reward interest, reward reactivity, and impulsivity), BIS, and the withdrawal FFFS. We examined the association of RST-PQ traits with resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha-asymmetry in female participants (N = 162) by considering the influence of experimenter’s gender. In the total group, that included two subgroups with experimenters of different gender, BAS-impulsivity was related to greater left- than right-frontal activity, and FFFS, but not BIS, was related to greater relative right-frontocentral activity. These associations remained significant for the subgroup with a young same-sex experimenter, but not with opposite-sex experimenter.
Ultrahigh-speed violet laser diode based free-space optical communication beyond 25 Gbit/s
Authors: Wang Wei-Chun , Wang Huai-Yung , Lin Gong-Ru
Published: August 2018

Violet laser diode (VLD) based ultrahigh-speed free-space optical (FSO) system is demonstrated for point-to-point data transmission. By directly encoding the VLD with 64-quadrature amplitude modulation discrete multi-tone (64-QAM DMT) data stream for optical wireless communication through 0.5–10 m in free space, the point-to-point VLD-based FSO link allows delivering the 64-QAM DMT data at an ultrahigh bit rate of up to 26.4 Gbps. After receiving with a high-speed p-i-n photodiode, such a VLD-FSO link can provide clear constellation plot with error vector magnitude (EVM) of 8.57%, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 21.34 dB and bit error ratio (BER) of 3.17 × 10−3 under forward-error-correction criterion. The EVM increases from 8.8% to 9.4% and the SNR decreases from 21.1 to 20.6 dB to slightly degrade the reachable data rate from 25.8 to 24 Gbit/s with transmission distance lengthening from 3 to 10 m.
Rationally-engineered reproductive barriers using CRISPR & CRISPRa: an evaluation of the synthetic species concept in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Waters Andrew J. , Capriotti Paolo , Gaboriau David C. A. , Papathanos Philippos Aris , Windbichler Nikolai
Published: August 2018

The ability to erect rationally-engineered reproductive barriers in animal or plant species promises to enable a number of biotechnological applications such as the creation of genetic firewalls, the containment of gene drives or novel population replacement and suppression strategies for genetic control. However, to date no experimental data exist that explores this concept in a multicellular organism. Here we examine the requirements for building artificial reproductive barriers in the metazoan model Drosophila melanogaster by combining CRISPR-based genome editing and transcriptional transactivation (CRISPRa) of the same loci. We directed 13 single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to the promoters of 7 evolutionary conserved genes and used 11 drivers to conduct a misactivation screen. We identify dominant-lethal activators of the eve locus and find that they disrupt development by strongly activating eve outside its native spatio-temporal context. We employ the same set of sgRNAs to isolate, by genome editing, protective INDELs that render these loci resistant to transactivation without interfering with target gene function. When these sets of genetic components are combined we find that complete synthetic lethality, a prerequisite for most applications, is achievable using this approach. However, our results suggest a steep trade-off between the level and scope of dCas9 expression, the degree of genetic isolation achievable and the resulting impact on fly fitness. The genetic engineering strategy we present here allows the creation of single or multiple reproductive barriers and could be applied to other multicellular organisms such as disease vectors or transgenic organisms of economic importance.
Plasma gelsolin promotes re-epithelialization
Authors: Wittmann J. , Dieckow J. , Schröder H. , Hampel U. , Garreis F. , Jacobi C. , Milczarek A. , Hsieh K. L. , Pulli B. , Chen J. W. , Hoogeboom S. , Bräuer L. , Paulsen F. P. , Schob S. , Schicht M.
Published: August 2018

Woundhealing disorders characterized by impaired or delayed re-epithelialization are a serious medical problem that is painful and difficult to treat. Gelsolin (GSN), a known actin modulator, supports epithelial cell regeneration and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential of recombinant gelsolin (rhu-pGSN) for ocular surface regeneration to establish a novel therapy for delayed or complicated wound healing. We analyzed the influence of gelsolin on cell proliferation and wound healing in vitro, in vivo/ex vivo and by gene knockdown. Gelsolin is expressed in all tested tissues of the ocular system as shown by molecular analysis. The concentration of GSN is significantly increased in tear fluid samples of patients with dry eye disease. rhu-pGSN induces cell proliferation and faster wound healing in vitro as well as in vivo/ex vivo. TGF-β dependent transcription of SMA is significantly decreased after GSN gene knockdown. Gelsolin is an inherent protein of the ocular system and is secreted into the tear fluid. Our results show a positive effect on corneal cell proliferation and wound healing. Furthermore, GSN regulates the synthesis of SMA in myofibroblasts, which establishes GSN as a key protein of TGF-β dependent cell differentiation.
The crucial role of density functional nonlocality and on-axis CH3NH3 rotation induced I2 formation in hybrid organic-inorganic CH3NH3PbI3 cubic perovskite
Authors: Klinkla Rakchat , Sakulsupich Vichawan , Pakornchote Teerachote , Pinsook Udomsilp , Bovornratanaraks Thiti
Published: August 2018

Effects of electronic nonlocality in density functional theory study of structural and energetic properties of a pseudocubic CH3NH3PbI3 are investigated by considering coherent rotation around C–N axis of a CH3NH3 cation. A number of truly non-local and semi-local exchange correlation density functionals are examined by comparing calculated structural parameters with experimental results. The vdW-DF-cx which takes into account the non-local van der Waals correlation and consistent exchange shows the best overall performance for density functional theory study of this system. Remarkable distinctions between results from vdW-DF-cx and those from PBEsol exchange correlation functionals are observed and indicate the need of including the non-local interaction in the study of this system, especially its dynamical properties. The obtained rotational barriers are 18.56 meV/formula and 27.71 meV/formula which correspond to rotational frequencies of 3.71 THz and 2.60 THz for vdW-DF-cx and PBEsol calculations, respectively. Interestingly, the maximally localised Wannier function analysis shows the hydrogen bonding assisted covalent character of two iodide anions at a moderate rotational angle which can lead to I2 formation and then material degradation.
High-resolution observations on enrichment processes in the sea-surface microlayer
Authors: Mustaffa Nur Ili Hamizah , Badewien Thomas H. , Ribas-Ribas Mariana , Wurl Oliver
Published: August 2018

For decades, researchers assumed that enrichment of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the sea surface microlayer (SML) is solely controlled by changes in the DOM concentration at this uppermost thin boundary layer between the ocean and the atmosphere. We conducted high-resolution observations of fluorescent-DOM (FDOM) at 13 stations in the coastal and open Atlantic Ocean to understand the enrichment processes. Results show that FDOM enrichment in the SML varied between 0.8 and 2.0 (in comparison to the concentrations in the underlying water; ULW), and FDOM enrichment is a common feature of the SML despite the varied distances to the terrestrial sources. At six stations, the FDOM concentration in the SML was less variable over the sampling period (>5 h) compared to FDOM concentrations in the ULW characterized with sudden changes. Even so we observed slightly lower enrichments with increasing wind speeds and solar radiation, changes in ULW concentrations forced the enrichment to change. In addition, we found evidences for the occurrence of photochemical degradation of FDOM in near-shore SML with implications on coastal carbon cycling. Overall, the results show that the processes leading to the enrichment of DOM in the SML are more complex than previously assumed. Given the importance of the organic-rich SML as a diffusion layer in the air–sea exchange of climate-relevant gases and heat, understanding the layer’s enrichment processes is crucial.
Performance of the deep convolutional neural network based magnetic resonance image scoring algorithm for differentiating between tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis
Authors: Kim Kiwook , Kim Sungwon , Lee Young Han , Lee Seung Hyun , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Sungjun
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) in differentiating between tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, compared to the performance of three skilled radiologists. This clinical retrospective study used spine MR images of 80 patients with tuberculous spondylitis and 81 patients with pyogenic spondylitis that was bacteriologically and/or histologically confirmed from January 2007 to December 2016. Supervised training and validation of the DCNN classifier was performed with four-fold cross validation on a patient-level independent split. The object detection and classification model was implemented as a DCNN and was designed to calculate the deep-learning scores of individual patients to reach a conclusion. Three musculoskeletal radiologists blindly interpreted the images. The diagnostic performances of the DCNN classifier and of the three radiologists were expressed as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared using a bootstrap resampling procedure. When comparing the AUC value of the DCNN classifier (0.802) with the pooled AUC value of the three readers (0.729), there was no significant difference (P = 0.079). In differentiating between tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis using MR images, the performance of the DCNN classifier was comparable to that of three skilled radiologists.
Gene expression profiling during hibernation in the European hamster
Authors: Gautier Célia , Bothorel Béatrice , Ciocca Dominique , Valour Damien , Gaudeau Albane , Dupré Clémence , Lizzo Giulia , Brasseur Chantal , Riest-Fery Isabelle , Stephan Jean-Philippe , Nosjean Olivier , Boutin Jean A. , Guénin Sophie-Pénélope , Simonneaux Valérie
Published: August 2018

Hibernation is an exceptional physiological response to a hostile environment, characterized by a seasonal period of torpor cycles involving dramatic reductions of body temperature and metabolism, and arousal back to normothermia. As the mechanisms regulating hibernation are still poorly understood, here we analysed the expression of genes involved in energy homeostasis, torpor regulation, and daily or seasonal timing using digital droplet PCR in various central and peripheral tissues sampled at different stages of torpor/arousal cycles in the European hamster. During torpor, the hypothalamus exhibited strongly down-regulated gene expression, suggesting that hypothalamic functions were reduced during this period of low metabolic activity. During both torpor and arousal, many structures (notably the brown adipose tissue) exhibited altered expression of deiodinases, potentially leading to reduced tissular triiodothyronine availability. During the arousal phase, all analysed tissues showed increased expression of the core clock genes Per1 and Per2. Overall, our data indicated that the hypothalamus and brown adipose tissue were the tissues most affected during the torpor/arousal cycle, and that clock genes may play critical roles in resetting the body’s clocks at the beginning of the active period.
Macrophage mannose receptor, CD206, predict prognosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Suzuki Yuzo , Shirai Masahiro , Asada Kazuhiro , Yasui Hideki , Karayama Masato , Hozumi Hironao , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Shirai Toshihiro , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Suda Takafumi
Published: August 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of fatal infectious disease. Accumulations of macrophages are found in infected sites; thus, we hypothesized that a marker of activated macrophages may be related to prognosis of pulmonary TB (PTB). This study investigated serum soluble macrophage mannose receptor, sCD206, in PTB and examined its clinical significance. First, the concentration of sCD206 was measured in the sera of 96 patients with PTB (Tenryu cohort), and in pleural effusions from 29 patients with TB pleurisy. These were verified in another independent cohort (Shizuoka cohort). We found increased concentrations of sCD206 in sera, but not in pleural effusions of PTB patients. Notably, PTB patients with poor prognosis showed significantly higher levels of serum sCD206. At a cut-off value of 1,600 ng/mL in the Tenryu cohort, sCD206 predicted prognosis of PTB with area under the curve 0.847, sensitivity 77.3%, and specificity 86.5%. These results were validated in the Shizuoka cohort. Pathological analyses showed concordance of enhanced CD206 expression in lung and pleural tissues with caseating granuloma in TB. Serum sCD206 increased in PTB and was associated with prognosis. sCD206 is a potential biomarker for PTB.
Machine learning identifies interacting genetic variants contributing to breast cancer risk: A case study in Finnish cases and controls
Authors: Behravan Hamid , Hartikainen Jaana M. , Tengström Maria , Pylkäs Katri , Winqvist Robert , Kosma Veli–Matti , Mannermaa Arto
Published: August 2018

We propose an effective machine learning approach to identify group of interacting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which contribute most to the breast cancer (BC) risk by assuming dependencies among BCAC iCOGS SNPs. We adopt a gradient tree boosting method followed by an adaptive iterative SNP search to capture complex non-linear SNP-SNP interactions and consequently, obtain group of interacting SNPs with high BC risk-predictive potential. We also propose a support vector machine formed by the identified SNPs to classify BC cases and controls. Our approach achieves mean average precision (mAP) of 72.66, 67.24 and 69.25 in discriminating BC cases and controls in KBCP, OBCS and merged KBCP-OBCS sample sets, respectively. These results are better than the mAP of 70.08, 63.61 and 66.41 obtained by using a polygenic risk score model derived from 51 known BC-associated SNPs, respectively, in KBCP, OBCS and merged KBCP-OBCS sample sets. BC subtype analysis further reveals that the 200 identified KBCP SNPs from the proposed method performs favorably in classifying estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and negative (ER−) BC cases both in KBCP and OBCS data. Further, a biological analysis of the identified SNPs reveals genes related to important BC-related mechanisms, estrogen metabolism and apoptosis.
Eye movement characteristics reflected fatigue development in both young and elderly individuals
Authors: Zargari Marandi Ramtin , Madeleine Pascal , Omland Øyvind , Vuillerme Nicolas , Samani Afshin
Published: August 2018

Fatigue can develop during prolonged computer work, particularly in elderly individuals. This study investigated eye movement characteristics in relation to fatigue development. Twenty young and 18 elderly healthy adults were recruited to perform a prolonged functional computer task while their eye movements were recorded. The task lasted 40 minutes involving 240 cycles divided into 12 segments. Each cycle consisted of a sequence involving memorization of a pattern, a washout period, and replication of the pattern using a computer mouse. The participants rated their perceived fatigue after each segment. The mean values of blink duration (BD) and frequency (BF), saccade duration (SCD) and peak velocity (SPV), pupil dilation range (PDR), and fixation duration (FD) along with the task performance based on clicking speed and accuracy, were computed for each task segment. An increased subjective evaluation of fatigue suggested the development of fatigue. BD, BF, and PDR increased whereas SPV and SCD decreased over time in the young and elderly groups. Longer FD, shorter SCD, and lower task performance were observed in the elderly compared with the young group. The present findings provide a viable approach to develop a computational model based on oculometrics to track fatigue development during computer work.
Independent modes of disease repair by AIM protein distinguished in AIM-felinized mice
Authors: Sugisawa Ryoichi , Komatsu Ginga , Hiramoto Emiri , Takeda Naoki , Yamamura Ken-ichi , Arai Satoko , Miyazaki Toru
Published: August 2018

Tissue macrophage-derived apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM, encoded bycd5lgene) is a circulating protein that has suppressive functions in a broad range of diseases including obesity, liver steatosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and acute kidney injury (AKI). In healthy states, high levels of AIM circulate in the inactivated state by associating with the immunoglobulin M (IgM) pentamer in the blood, whereas during AKI, AIM dissociates from IgM and gains disease repair activity. Here, we assessed whether AIM activation via its release from IgM is required to ameliorate other diseases. To this end, we employed a mouse line in which mouse AIM was replaced with feline AIM (AIM-felinized mice). Because feline AIM rarely dissociates from IgM due to its extremely high binding affinity for IgM, these mice exhibited deficient AKI repair as in cats. When fed a high-fat diet (HFD), similar to AIM-deficient (AIM−/−) mice, AIM-felinized mice exhibited enhanced triacylglycerol deposition in visceral adipocytes and hepatocytes, resulting in more prominent obesity and fatty liver than in wild-type mice. In contrast, the incidence of HCC after a 1-year HFD was remarkably lower in AIM-felinized mice than inAIM−/−mice, suggesting that AIM produced by liver Kupffer macrophages might directly facilitate the elimination of HCC cells. Accordingly, the marked deposition of AIM accompanied by accumulation of Kupffer cells was obvious during HCC tumour development in AIM-felinized mice. Δsµ mice, which harbour almost no circulating AIM due to the lack of secreted IgM, showed a phenotype comparable with that of AIM-felinized mice in prevention of those diseases. Thus, blood AIM released from IgM contributes to suppression of obesity and fatty liver as in AKI, whereas macrophage-derived noncirculating AIM mainly prevents HCC development. Our study depicted two different modes of disease prevention/repair facilitated by AIM, which could be the basis for HCC therapy that works by increasing AIM expression in macrophages.
Gulf war illness-related chemicals increase CD11b/c+ monocyte infiltration into the liver and aggravate hepatic cholestasis in a rodent model
Authors: Petrescu Anca D. , Grant Stephanie , Frampton Gabriel , McMillin Matthew , Kain Jessica , Kodali Maheedhar , Shetty Ashok K. , DeMorrow Sharon
Published: August 2018

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multisymptom disorder affecting veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf war. GWI was linked with exposure to chemicals including the nerve gas prophylactic drug pyridostigmine-bromide (PB) and pesticides (DEET, permethrin). Veterans with GWI exhibit prolonged, low-level systemic inflammation, though whether this impacts the liver is unknown. While no evidence exists that GWI-related chemicals are hepatotoxic, the prolonged inflammation may alter the liver’s response to insults such as cholestatic injury. We assessed the effects of GWI-related chemicals on macrophage infiltration and its subsequent influence on hepatic cholestasis. Sprague Dawley rats were treated daily with PB, DEET and permethrin followed by 15 minutes of restraint stress for 28 days. Ten weeks afterward, GWI rats or naïve age-matched controls underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham surgeries. Exposure to GWI-related chemicals alone increased IL-6, and CD11b+F4/80− macrophages in the liver, with no effect on biliary mass or hepatic fibrosis. However, pre-exposure to GWI-related chemicals enhanced biliary hyperplasia and fibrogenesis caused by BDL, compared to naïve rats undergoing the same surgery. These data suggest that GWI patients could be predisposed to developing worse liver pathology due to sustained low-level inflammation of the liver when compared to patients without GWI.
A novel cell-based screening assay for small-molecule MYB inhibitors identifies podophyllotoxins teniposide and etoposide as inhibitors of MYB activity
Authors: Yusenko Maria , Jakobs Anke , Klempnauer Karl-Heinz
Published: August 2018

The transcription factor MYB plays key roles in hematopoietic cells and has been implicated the development of leukemia. MYB has therefore emerged as an attractive target for drug development. Recent work has suggested that targeting MYB by small-molecule inhibitors is feasible and that inhibition of MYB has potential as a therapeutic approach against acute myeloid leukemia. To facilitate the identification of small-molecule MYB inhibitors we have re-designed and improved a previously established cell-based screening assay and have employed it to screen a natural product library for potential inhibitors. Our work shows that teniposide and etoposide, chemotherapeutic agents causing DNA-damage by inhibiting topoisomerase II, potently inhibit MYB activity and induce degradation of MYB in AML cell lines. MYB inhibition is suppressed by caffeine, suggesting that MYB is inhibited indirectly via DNA-damage signalling. Importantly, ectopic expression of an activated version of MYB in pro-myelocytic NB4 cells diminished the anti-proliferative effects of teniposide, suggesting that podophyllotoxins disrupt the proliferation of leukemia cells not simply by inducing general DNA-damage but that their anti-proliferative effects are boosted by inhibition of MYB. Teniposide and etoposide therefore act like double-edged swords that might be particularly effective to inhibit tumor cells with deregulated MYB.
An iPhone Application for Blood Pressure Monitoring via the Oscillometric Finger Pressing Method
Authors: Chandrasekhar Anand , Natarajan Keerthana , Yavarimanesh Mohammad , Mukkamala Ramakrishna
Published: August 2018

We developed an iPhone X application to measure blood pressure (BP) via the “oscillometric finger pressing method”. The user presses her fingertip on both the front camera and screen to increase the external pressure of the underlying artery, while the application measures the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations via the camera and applied pressure via the strain gauge array under the screen. The application also visually guides the fingertip placement and actuation and then computes BP from the measurements just like many automatic cuff devices. We tested the application, along with a finger cuff device, against a standard cuff device. The application yielded bias and precision errors of −4.0 and 11.4 mmHg for systolic BP and −9.4 and 9.7 mmHg for diastolic BP (n = 18). These errors were near the finger cuff device errors. This proof-of-concept study surprisingly indicates that cuff-less and calibration-free BP monitoring may be feasible with many existing and forthcoming smartphones.
Origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in humans after sex-mismatched bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Kurashige Masako , Kohara Masaharu , Ohshima Kenji , Tahara Shinichiro , Hori Yumiko , Nojima Satoshi , Wada Naoki , Ikeda Jun-ichiro , Miyamura Koichi , Ito Masafumi , Morii Eiichi
Published: August 2018

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor stroma play a key role in disease progression. Recent studies using mice models suggest that CAFs are partly derived from bone marrow and TAMs primarily originate from bone marrow-derived inflammatory monocytes. However, the origin of these cells in humans remains unclear. Hence, we investigated their human origin, using specimens from human secondary tumors that developed after sex-mismatched bone marrow transplantation, by modified immunofluorescent in situ hybridization analysis and triple immunostaining. We observed that most of the α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive CAFs in the mammary gland, liver, and oral mucosa specimens obtained 3–19 years after bone marrow transplantation are recipient-derived cells. In contrast, the majority of the peritumoral αSMA-negative fibroblast-like cells are actually bone marrow-derived HLA-DR-positive myeloid cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Furthermore, almost all CD163-positive TAMs and macrophages present in the non-tumor areas are derived from bone marrow.
Regional-scale management maps for forested areas of the Southeastern United States and the US Pacific Northwest
Authors: Marsik Matthew , Staub Caroline G. , Kleindl William J. , Hall Jaclyn M. , Fu Chiung-Shiuan , Yang Di , Stevens Forrest R. , Binford Michael W.
Published: August 2018

Forests in the United States are managed by multiple public and private entities making harmonization of available data and subsequent mapping of management challenging. We mapped four important types of forest management, production, ecological, passive, and preservation, at 250-meter spatial resolution in the Southeastern (SEUS) and Pacific Northwest (PNW) USA. Both ecologically and socio-economically dynamic regions, the SEUS and PNW forests represent, respectively, 22.0% and 10.4% of forests in the coterminous US. We built a random forest classifier using seasonal time-series analysis of 16 years of MODIS 16-day composite Enhanced Vegetation Index, and ancillary data containing forest ownership, roads, US Forest Service wilderness and forestry areas, proportion conifer and proportion riparian. The map accuracies for SEUS are 89% (10-fold cross-validation) and 67% (external validation) and PNW are 91% and 70% respectively with the same validation. The now publicly available forest management maps, probability surfaces for each management class and uncertainty layer for each region can be viewed and analysed in commercial and open-source GIS and remote sensing software.
Theoretical investigations of the Ir-catalyzed direct borylation of B(3,6)–H of o-carborane: the actual catalyst, mechanism, and origin of regioselectivity
Authors: Bai Huining , Xu Hao , Zhang Huimin , Guo Yuen , Shan Jiankai , Wei Donghui , Zhu Yanyan , Zhang Shouren , Zhang Wenjing
Published: August 2018

The IrIII species is proved to be the actual catalyst. The electron-delocalized structure and the inductive effects of the carbon centers is account for the regioselectivity.
Group 4 permethylindenyl constrained geometry complexes for ethylene polymerisation catalysis
Authors: Williams Thomas J. , Buffet Jean-Charles , Turner Zoë R. , O'Hare Dermot
Published: August 2018

The synthesis and characterisation of six permethylindenyl constrained geometry complexes is reported. Slurry phase ethylene polymerisation studies demonstrate that activities increase with increasing electron donating character of the amido fragment.
Three-dimensional bandgap-tuned Ag2S quantum dots/reduced graphene oxide composites with enhanced adsorption and photocatalysis under visible light
Authors: Wu Qian , Zhou Ming , Gong Yu , Li Qijun , Yang Mingyang , Yang Qingfeng , Zhang Zhixun
Published: August 2018

Tuning Ag2S bandgap by quantum size effect and incorporation with rGO to form a three-dimensional composite enhances adsorption and photocatalysis under visible-light.
Effects of different levels of methionine on sow health and plasma metabolomics during late gestation
Authors: Bin Peng , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Liu Gang , Zhu Dan , Kim Sung Woo , Yin Yulong
Published: August 2018

Fetal growth, survival, and development are benchmarks for the production performance of sows, and methionine has been shown to impact fetal protein mass and the transport of nutrients through the uteroplacental vasculature.
The transition to magic bullets – transition state analogue drug design
Authors: Evans Gary B. , Schramm Vern L. , Tyler Peter C.
Published: August 2018

Transition state analogue design offers a new discovery paradigm for the design of drugs and chemical probes.
Laser-induced remote release in vivo in C. elegans from novel silver nanoparticles-alginate hydrogel shells
Authors: Lengert Ekaterina , Parakhonskiy Bogdan , Khalenkow Dmitry , Zečić Aleksandra , Vangheel Matthew , Monje Moreno Jose Manuel , Braeckman Bart P. , Skirtach Andre G.
Published: August 2018

A novel type of alginate hydrogel container: remote, non-destructive in vivo release through laser–nanoparticle interaction in C. elegans.
Broadband 1T-titanium selenide-based saturable absorbers for solid-state bulk lasers
Authors: Yan Bingzheng , Zhang Baitao , Nie Hongkun , Li Guoru , Sun Xiaoli , Wang Yiran , Liu Junting , Shi Bingnan , Liu Shande , He Jingliang
Published: August 2018

1T-titanium selenide (1T-TiSe2), a representative of 1T phase transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), exhibits semimetallic behaviour with a nearly zero bandgap structure, which makes it a promising photoelectric material.
OPGs: promising anode materials with high specific capacity and rate capability for Li/Na ion batteries
Authors: Gao Pengfei , Zhang Yang , Chen Xi , Wu Zhifeng , Zhang Quan , Zhang Shengli
Published: August 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures with high specific capacity and high rate capability have attracted extensive attention due to their promising applications as anode materials for rechargeable ion batteries.
Ambipolar remote graphene doping by low-energy electron beam irradiation
Authors: Stará Veronika , Procházka Pavel , Mareček David , Šikola Tomáš , Čechal Jan
Published: August 2018

By employing low-energy electron beam irradiation, full range n- and p-graphene doping can be achieved.
Switching a regular tryptophanC4-prenyltransferase to a reverse tryptophan-containing cyclic dipeptideC3-prenyltransferase by sequential site-directed mutagenesis
Authors: Zheng Liujuan , Mai Peter , Fan Aili , Li Shu-Ming
Published: August 2018

The site-directed mutagenesis of FgaPT2 switches a regularC4-prenylation to a reverseC3-prenylation of tryptophan-containing cyclic dipeptides.
Synthesis of functionalized 2,5-dihydropyrrole derivatives via a convenient [3 + 2] annulation of azomethine ylides with allenoates
Authors: Huang Zhusheng , Dai Zonghao , Zhu Jin , Yang Fulai , Zhou Qingfa
Published: August 2018

A convenient [3 + 2] annulation of azomethine ylides with allenoates to synthesize highly functionalized 2,5-dihydropyrrole derivatives was developed.
A solution-processed tin dioxide film applicable as a transparent and flexible humidity sensor
Authors: Lin Hwai-En , Katayanagi Yuta , Kishi Tetsuo , Yano Tetsuji , Matsushita Nobuhiro
Published: August 2018

An all-solution-processed transparent tin oxide (SnO2)-based humidity sensor was directly prepared on borosilicate glass (SnO2–G) and a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (SnO2–PET) substrate without using a template.
Flexible solid-like electrolytes with ultrahigh conductivity and their applications in all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Chih-Chieh , Lin Hao-Yang , Kumar Amit , Pattanayak Bhaskar , Tsai Hung-Yi , Winie Tan , Tseng Tseung-Yuen
Published: August 2018

All-solid-state supercapacitor (ASSS) with solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) can be used to overcome the liquid leakage problem in device. The ultrahigh conductivity SSEs with a wide operation voltage are studied.
Tuning the mechanical properties of silicene nanosheet by auxiliary cracks: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Nahid Shahriar Muhammad , Nahian Shahriar , Motalab Mohammad , Rakib Tawfiqur , Mojumder Satyajit , Islam Md Mahbubul
Published: August 2018

Inclusion of auxiliary cracks increases the fracture stress of silicene nanosheets with a pre existing crack.
Percolation effect of a Cu layer on a MWCNT/PP nanocomposite substrate after laser direct structuring and autocatalytic plating
Authors: Gedvilas Mindaugas , Ratautas Karolis , Jagminienė Aldona , Stankevičienė Ina , Li Pira Nello , Sinopoli Stefano , Kacar Elif , Norkus Eugenijus , Račiukaitis Gediminas
Published: August 2018

Digital image processing of Cu layer on MWCNT/PP nanocomposite substrate after laser direct structuring and autocatalytic plating reveals percolation effect.
2D-BN nanoparticles as a spectroscopic marker and drug delivery system with protection properties
Authors: Gnatyuk O. P. , Dovbeshko G. I. , Yershov A. , Karakhim S. O. , Ilchenko O. , Posudievsky O. Yu.
Published: August 2018

An application of 2D-BN nanoparticles as spectroscopic marker, weak luminescent marker and anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX) delivery system with protection property was studied for the LNCaP strains of cancer cells.
Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic cotton-oil absorbent: preparation and its application in oil/water separation
Authors: Lv Na , Wang Xiaoli , Peng Shitao , Luo Lei , Zhou Ran
Published: August 2018

A superhydrophobic and superoleophilic oil sorbent was prepared by attaching SiO2 particles onto a cotton fiber surface by a sol–gel method and subsequent octadecyltrichlorosilane modification.
Direct conversion of C6 sugars to methyl glycerate and glycolate in methanol
Authors: Feng Lei , Li Gang , Yan Yueer , Hou Wenrong , Zhang Yahong , Tang Yi
Published: August 2018

Methyl glycerate (MGLY) and methyl glycolate (MG) are directly produced in maximum yield by the one-pot conversion of hexose, and the formation of MGLY and MG experience different reaction routes.
Preparation of high-yield N-doped biochar from nitrogen-containing phosphate and its effective adsorption for toluene
Authors: Zhou Qiying , Jiang Xia , Li Xi , Jia Charles Qiang , Jiang Wenju
Published: August 2018

Novel biochar was prepared from plant-based biomass by the addition of nitrogen-containing phosphates (NCPs), including ammonia phosphate (AP), ammonia polyphosphate (APP) and urea phosphate (UP).
Valence electronic structure of [EMIM][BF4] ionic liquid: photoemission and DFT+D study
Authors: Kuusik I. , Berholts M. , Kruusma J. , Kisand V. , Tõnisoo A. , Lust E. , Nõmmiste E.
Published: August 2018

The ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum (UPS) of the [EMIM][BF4] ionic liquid was recorded and compared to previously measured vapor phase UPS spectrum.
Template conversion of MoO3 to MoS2 nanoribbons: synthesis and electrochemical properties
Authors: Vieira Luciana , Martins Neto Jose de Ribamar , Ferreira Odair Pastor , Torresi Roberto Manuel , Cordoba de Torresi Susana Ines , Alves Oswaldo Luiz
Published: August 2018

Electrochromic α-MoO3 nanoribbons were prepared by a hydrothermal method and converted to MoS2 with the same morphology.
Computational study on palladium-catalyzed alkenylation of remote δ-C(sp3)–H bonds with alkynes: a new understanding of mechanistic insight and origins of site-selectivity
Authors: Yan Hui-Min , Tian Ye , Li Niu , Chang Rong , Zhang Zhu-Xia , Zhang Xiao-Yun , Yang Wen-Jing , Guo Zhen , Li Yan-Rong
Published: August 2018

Palladium-catalyzed alkenylation of δ-C(sp3)–H bonds with alkynes was conducted by DFT calculations, showing that the dimeric Pd2(OAc)4 mechanism reproduces experimental observations well.
Controlling the electrical conductive network formation in nanorod filled polymer nanocomposites by tuning nanorod stiffness
Authors: Gao Yangyang , Ma Ruibin , Zhang Huan , Liu Jun , Zhao Xiuying , Zhang Liqun
Published: August 2018

In this work, by employing a coarse-grained molecular simulation, we investigated the effect of the nanorod stiffness on the relationship between the microstructure and the conductive probability under the quiescent state and under the shear field.
Photoluminescence properties of novel Ba2Lu5B5O17:Eu3+ red emitting phosphors with high color purity for near-UV excited white light emitting diodes
Authors: Annadurai G. , Devakumar Balaji , Guo Heng , Li Bin , Sun Liangling , Huang Xiaoyong
Published: August 2018

Novel Ba2Lu5B5O17:Eu3+ red emitting phosphors with high color purity were prepared for near-UV excited white light emitting diodes.