bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple myeloma increases nerve growth factor and other pain-related markers through interactions with the bone microenvironment
Authors: Olechnowicz Sam W. Z. , Weivoda Megan M. , Lwin Seint T. , Leung Szi K. , Gooding Sarah , Nador Guido , Javaid Muhammed Kassim , Ramasamy Karthik , Rao Srinivasa R. , Edwards James R. , Edwards Claire M.
Published: October 2019

Interactions between multiple myeloma (MM) and bone marrow (BM) are well documented to support tumour growth, yet the cellular mechanisms underlying pain in MM are poorly understood. We have used in vivo murine models of MM to show significant induction of nerve growth factor (NGF) by the tumour-bearing bone microenvironment, alongside other known pain-related characteristics such as spinal glial cell activation and reduced locomotion. NGF was not expressed by MM cells, yet bone stromal cells such as osteoblasts expressed and upregulated NGF when cultured with MM cells, or MM-related factors such as TNF-α. Adiponectin is a known MM-suppressive BM-derived factor, and we show that TNF-α-mediated NGF induction is suppressed by adiponectin-directed therapeutics such as AdipoRON and L-4F, as well as NF-κB signalling inhibitor BMS-345541. Our study reveals a further mechanism by which cellular interactions within the tumour-bone microenvironment contribute to disease, by promoting pain-related properties, and suggests a novel direction for analgesic development.
The PAX3-FOXO1 oncogene alters exosome miRNA content and leads to paracrine effects mediated by exosomal miR-486
Authors: Ghamloush Farah , Ghayad Sandra E. , Rammal Ghina , Fahs Assil , Ayoub Abeer J. , Merabi Zeina , Harajly Mohamad , Zalzali Hassan , Saab Raya
Published: October 2019

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. The alveolar subtype (ARMS) is clinically more aggressive, and characterized by an oncogenic fusion protein PAX3-FOXO1 that drives oncogenic cellular properties. Exosomes are small, secreted vesicles that affect paracrine signaling. We show that PAX3-FOXO1 transcript alters exosome content of C2C12 myoblasts, leading to pro-tumorigenic paracrine effects in recipient cells. Microarray analysis revealed alteration in miRNA content of exosomes, affecting cellular networks involved in cell metabolism, growth signaling, and cellular invasion. Overexpression and knockdown studies showed that miR-486-5p is an effector of PAX3-FOXO1, and mediates its paracrine effects in exosomes, including promoting recipient cell migration, invasion, and colony formation. Analysis of human RMS cells showed miR-486-5p is enriched in both cells and exosomes, and to a higher extent in ARMS subtypes. Analysis of human serum samples showed that miR-486-5p is enriched in exosomes of patients with RMS, and follow-up after chemotherapy showed decrease to control values. Our findings identify a novel role of both PAX3-FOXO1 and its downstream effector miR-486-5p in exosome-mediated oncogenic paracrine effects of RMS, and suggest its possible use as a biomarker.
Functional linear modeling of activity data shows analgesic-mediated improved sleep in dogs with spontaneous osteoarthritis pain
Authors: Gruen M. E. , Samson D. R. , Lascelles B. D. X.
Published: October 2019

In humans, pain due to osteoarthritis has been demonstrated to be associated with insomnia and sleep disturbances that affect perception of pain, productivity, and quality of life. Dogs, which develop spontaneous osteoarthritis and represent an increasingly used model for human osteoarthritis, would be expected to show similar sleep disturbances. Further, these sleep disturbances should be mitigated by analgesic therapy. Previous efforts to quantify sleep in osteoarthritic dogs using accelerometry have not demonstrated a beneficial effect of analgesic therapy; this is despite owner-reported improvements in dogs’ sleep quality. However, analytic techniques for time-series accelerometry data have advanced with the development of functional linear modeling. Our aim was to apply functional linear modeling to accelerometry data from osteoarthritic dogs participating in a cross-over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (meloxicam) drug trial. Significant differences in activity patterns were seen dogs receiving drug (meloxicam) vs. placebo, suggestive of improved nighttime resting (sleep) and increased daytime activity. These results align with owner-reported outcome assessments of sleep quality and further support dogs as an important translational model with benefits for both veterinary and human health.
Substantial Narrowing on the Width of “Concentration Window” of Hydrothermal ZnO Nanowires via Ammonia Addition
Authors: Sakai Daiki , Nagashima Kazuki , Yoshida Hideto , Kanai Masaki , He Yong , Zhang Guozhu , Zhao Xixi , Takahashi Tsunaki , Yasui Takao , Hosomi Takuro , Uchida Yuki , Takeda Seiji , Baba Yoshinobu , Yanagida Takeshi
Published: October 2019

A crystal growth of hydrothermal ZnO nanowires essentially requires a concentration control within so-called “concentration window”, where the anisotropic crystal growth of ZnO nanowires preferentially occurs. Although understanding what exactly determines the width of “concentration window” is important to tailor the anisotropic crystal growth process, the fundamental knowledge as to “concentration window” is still scarce. Here we report the effect of ammonia addition on the width of “concentration window” using conventional hydrothermal ZnO nanowire growth. We found that the ammonia addition substantially narrows the width of “concentration window”. Within the narrow range of zinc complex concentration, we found a significant increase of growth rate (up to 2000 nm/h) of ZnO nanowires. The narrowed “concentration window” and the resultant increased growth rate by the ammonia addition can be understood in terms of synchronized effects of both (1) a reduction of zinc hydroxide complex (precursor) concentration and (2) a fast rate limiting process of ligand exchange between different zinc complexes. Thus, the present knowldege as to “concentration window” will accelerate further tailoring an anisotropic crystal growth of hydrothermal ZnO nanowires.
Measuring light scattering and absorption in corals with Inverse Spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography (ISOCT): a new tool for non-invasive monitoring
Authors: Spicer G. L. C. , Eid A. , Wangpraseurt D. , Swain T. D. , Winkelmann J. A. , Yi J. , Kühl M. , Marcelino L. A. , Backman V.
Published: October 2019

The success of reef-building corals for >200 million years has been dependent on the mutualistic interaction between the coral host and its photosynthetic endosymbiont dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) that supply the coral host with nutrients and energy for growth and calcification. While multiple light scattering in coral tissue and skeleton significantly enhance the light microenvironment for Symbiodiniaceae, the mechanisms of light propagation in tissue and skeleton remain largely unknown due to a lack of technologies to measure the intrinsic optical properties of both compartments in live corals. Here we introduce ISOCT (inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography), a non-invasive approach to measure optical properties and three-dimensional morphology of living corals at micron- and nano-length scales, respectively, which are involved in the control of light propagation. ISOCT enables measurements of optical properties in the visible range and thus allows for characterization of the density of light harvesting pigments in coral. We used ISOCT to characterize the optical scattering coefficient (μs) of the coral skeleton and chlorophyll a concentration of live coral tissue. ISOCT further characterized the overall micro- and nano-morphology of live tissue by measuring differences in the sub-micron spatial mass density distribution (D) that vary throughout the tissue and skeleton and give rise to light scattering, and this enabled estimates of the spatial directionality of light scattering, i.e., the anisotropy coefficient, g. Thus, ISOCT enables imaging of coral nanoscale structures and allows for quantifying light scattering and pigment absorption in live corals. ISOCT could thus be developed into an important tool for rapid, non-invasive monitoring of coral health, growth and photophysiology with unprecedented spatial resolution.
Manganese protects wheat from the mycotoxin zearalenone and its derivatives
Authors: Gzyl-Malcher Barbara , Rudolphi-Skórska Elżbieta , Sieprawska Apolonia , Filek Maria
Published: October 2019

Searching for factors that reduce zearalenone (ZEN) toxicity is an important challenge in wheat production, considering that this crop is a basic dietary ingredient. ZEN, absorbed by cells, is metabolized into α-zearalenol and α-zearalanol, and this study focused on the function of manganese ions as potential protectants against the mycotoxins. Stress effects were invoked by an application of 30 µM ZEN and its derivatives. Manganese ions were applied at 100 µM, not stress-inducing concentration. Importance of the biomembrane structures in the absorption of the mycotoxins was demonstrated in in vitro wheat calli and on model membranes. ZEN showed the greatest and α-zearalanol the smallest stressogenic effect manifested as a decrease in the calli growth. This was confirmed by variable increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. Mn ions added to the toxin mixture diminished stressogenic properties of the toxins. Variable decrease in total lipid content and the percentage of phospholipid fraction detected in calli cells exposed to ZEN and its metabolites indicated significance of the membrane structure. An analysis of physicochemical parameters of model membranes build from phosphatidylcholine, a basic lipid in native membranes, and its mixture with the tested toxins made by Langmuir technique and verified by Brewster angle microscopy, confirmed variable contribution of ZEN and its derivatives to the modification of membrane properties. The order of toxicity was as follows: ZEN ≥ α-zearalenol > α-zearalanol. Manganese ions present in the hydrophilic phase interacted with polar lipid groups and reduced the extent of membrane modification caused by the mycotoxins.
Elastography of the bone-implant interface
Authors: Hériveaux Yoann , Nguyen Vu-Hieu , Geiger Didier , Haïat Guillaume
Published: October 2019

The stress distribution around endosseous implants is an important determinant of the surgical success. However, no method developed so far to determine the implant stability is sensitive to the loading conditions of the bone-implant interface (BII). The objective of this study is to investigate whether a quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technique may be used to retrieve information on compressive stresses applied to the BII. An acousto-mechanical device was conceived to compress 18 trabecular bovine bone samples onto coin-shaped implants and to measure the ultrasonic response of the BII during compression. The biomechanical behavior of the trabecular bone samples was modeled as Neo-Hookean. The reflection coefficient of the BII was shown to decrease as a function of the stress during the elastic compression of the trabecular bone samples and during the collapse of the trabecular network, with an average slope of −4.82 GPa−1. The results may be explained by an increase of the bone-implant contact ratio and by changes of bone structure occurring during compression. The sensitivity of the QUS response of the BII to compressive stresses opens new paths in the elaboration of patient specific decision support systems allowing surgeons to assess implant stability that should be developed in the future.
Optimised insert design for improved single-molecule imaging and quantification through CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knock-in
Authors: Khan Abdullah O. , White Carl W. , Pike Jeremy A. , Yule Jack , Slater Alexandre , Hill Stephen J. , Poulter Natalie S. , Thomas Steven G. , Morgan Neil V.
Published: October 2019

The use of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to introduce endogenously expressed tags has the potential to address a number of the classical limitations of single molecule localisation microscopy. In this work we present the first systematic comparison of inserts introduced through CRISPR-knock in, with the aim of optimising this approach for single molecule imaging. We show that more highly monomeric and codon optimised variants of mEos result in improved expression at the TubA1B locus, despite the use of identical guides, homology templates, and selection strategies. We apply this approach to target the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) CXCR4 and show a further insert dependent effect on expression and protein function. Finally, we show that compared to over-expressed CXCR4, endogenously labelled samples allow for accurate single molecule quantification on ligand treatment. This suggests that despite the complications evident in CRISPR mediated labelling, the development of CRISPR-PALM has substantial quantitative benefits.
RNA Transcription and Splicing Errors as a Source of Cancer Frameshift Neoantigens for Vaccines
Authors: Shen Luhui , Zhang Jian , Lee HoJoon , Batista Milene Tavares , Johnston Stephen Albert
Published: October 2019

The success of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy is largely attributed to activating the patient’s immune response to their tumor’s neoantigens arising from DNA mutations. This realization has motivated the interest in personal cancer vaccines based on sequencing the patient’s tumor DNA to discover neoantigens. Here we propose an additional, unrecognized source of tumor neoantigens. We show that errors in transcription of microsatellites (MS) and mis-splicing of exons create highly immunogenic frameshift (FS) neoantigens in tumors. The sequence of these FS neoantigens are predictable, allowing creation of a peptide array representing all possible neoantigen FS peptides. This array can be used to detect the antibody response in a patient to the FS peptides. A survey of 5 types of cancers reveals peptides that are personally reactive for each patient. This source of neoantigens and the method to discover them may be useful in developing cancer vaccines.
Selective bacterial colonization processes on polyethylene waste samples in an abandoned landfill site
Authors: Puglisi Edoardo , Romaniello Francesco , Galletti Serena , Boccaleri Enrico , Frache Alberto , Cocconcelli Pier Sandro
Published: October 2019

The microbial colonization of plastic wastes has been extensively studied in marine environments, while studies on aged terrestrial wastes are scarce, and mostly limited to the isolation of plastic-degrading microorganisms. Here we have applied a multidisciplinary approach involving culturomics, next-generation sequencing analyses and fine-scale physico-chemical measurements to characterize plastic wastes retrieved in landfill abandoned for more than 35 years, and to assess the composition of bacterial communities thriving as biofilms on the films’ surfaces. All samples were characterized by different colors but were all of polyethylene; IR and DSC analyses identified different level of degradation, while FT-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence further assessed the degradation level and the presence of pigments. Each plastic type harbored distinct bacterial communities from the others, in agreement with the differences highlighted by the physico-chemical analyses. Furthermore, the most degraded polyethylene films were found to host a bacterial community more similar to the surrounding soil as revealed by both α- and β-diversity NGS analyses. This work confirms the novel hypothesis that different polyethylene terrestrial waste samples select for different bacterial communities, and that structure of these communities can be correlated with physico-chemical properties of the plastics, including the degradation degree.
GM2-GM3 gangliosides ratio is dependent on GRP94 through down-regulation of GM2-AP cofactor in brain metastasis cells
Authors: Bedia Carmen , Badia Miriam , Muixí Laia , Levade Thierry , Tauler Romà , Sierra Angels
Published: October 2019

GRP94 is an ATP-dependent chaperone able to regulate pro-oncogenic signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown a critical role of GRP94 in brain metastasis (BrM) pathogenesis and progression. In this work, an untargeted lipidomic analysis revealed that some lipid species were altered in GRP94-deficient cells, specially GM2 and GM3 gangliosides. The catalytic pathway of GM2 is affected by the low enzymatic activity of β-Hexosaminidase (HexA), responsible for the hydrolysis of GM2 to GM3. Moreover, a deficiency of the GM2-activator protein (GM2-AP), the cofactor of HexA, is observed without alteration of gene expression, indicating a post-transcriptional alteration of GM2-AP in the GRP94-ablated cells. One plausible explanation of these observations is that GM2-AP is a client of GRP94, resulting in defective GM2 catabolic processing and lysosomal accumulation of GM2 in GRP94-ablated cells. Overall, given the role of gangliosides in cell surface dynamics and signaling, their imbalance might be linked to modifications of cell behaviour acquired in BrM progression. This work indicates that GM2-AP could be an important factor in ganglioside balance maintenance. These findings highlight the relevance of GM3 and GM2 gangliosides in BrM and reveal GM2-AP as a promising diagnosis and therapeutic target in BrM research.
Highly durable and flexible gallium-based oxide conductive-bridging random access memory
Authors: Gan Kai-Jhih , Liu Po-Tsun , Chien Ta-Chun , Ruan Dun-Bao , Sze Simon M.
Published: October 2019

The flexible conductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM) device using a Cu/TiW/Ga2O3/Pt stack is fabricated on polyimide substrate with low thermal budget process. The CBRAM devices exhibit good memory-resistance characteristics, such as good memory window (>105), low operation voltage, high endurance (>1.4 × 102 cycles), and large retention memory window (>105). The temperature coefficient of resistance in the filament confirms that the conduction mechanism observed in the Ga2O3 layer is similar with the phenomenon of electrochemical metallization (ECM). Moreover, the performance of CBRAM device will not be impacted during the flexibility test. Considering the excellent performance of the CBRAM device fabricated by low-temperature process, it may provide a promising potential for the applications of flexible integrated electronic circuits.
Classification of Articulator Movements and Movement Direction from Sensorimotor Cortex Activity
Authors: Salari E. , Freudenburg Z. V. , Branco M. P. , Aarnoutse E. J. , Vansteensel M. J. , Ramsey N. F.
Published: October 2019

For people suffering from severe paralysis, communication can be difficult or nearly impossible. Technology systems called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are being developed to assist these people with communication by using their brain activity to control a computer without any muscle activity. To benefit the development of BCIs that employ neural activity related to speech, we investigated if neural activity patterns related to different articulator movements can be distinguished from each other. We recorded with electrocorticography (ECoG), the neural activity related to different articulator movements in 4 epilepsy patients and classified which articulator participants moved based on the sensorimotor cortex activity patterns. The same was done for different movement directions of a single articulator, the tongue. In both experiments highly accurate classification was obtained, on average 92% for different articulators and 85% for different tongue directions. Furthermore, the data show that only a small part of the sensorimotor cortex is needed for classification (ca. 1 cm2). We show that recordings from small parts of the sensorimotor cortex contain information about different articulator movements which might be used for BCI control. Our results are of interest for BCI systems that aim to decode neural activity related to (actual or attempted) movements from a contained cortical area.
Combined Near-Infrarred Light Transillumination and Direct Digital Radiography Increases Diagnostic In Approximal Caries
Authors: Melo Maria , Pascual Agustin , Camps Isabel , Ata-Ali Fadi , Ata-Ali Javier
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical ability of Near-Infrared Light-Transillumination (NILT) for approximal dentinal caries detection and to compare with direct digital-radiography (DDR), as well as to determine whether the combination of both techniques improves the diagnostic capacity of the lesions. From 88 patients (over 18 years), 138 posterior teeth (76 molars and 62 premolars), that had approximal caries reached into dentine determined by DDR, were included. Lesion extension and DDR images were scored as follows: D0 = sound surface, D1/D2 = caries restricted to the outer/inner-half of the enamel, and D3/4 = caries restricted to the outer/inner-half of the dentin. Opening of the approximal surface using 0.5 mm-in-diameter diamond-bar was used as gold-standard. The lesion extension was then determined by the following criteria: no dentinal caries (D0/1/2) or dentinal caries (D3/4). Seventy-one lesions were D3 and 67 lesions were D4. Sensitivities of overall/D3/D4 were 98.0/95.7/100.0 (NILT) and 100/100/100 (DDR), respectively. Correlations with gold-standard were 0.92 (NILT) and 0.42 (DDR), respectively. The correlation increased to 0.97 (p = 0.045) on combining NILT and DDR. There was no difference in sensitivity between the methods (p > 0.05); but was differences in the correlation (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that NILT showed sensitivity similar to that of DDR and higher correlation than DDR for approximal dentinal caries detection. Accordingly, it may be used to monitor the progression of caries without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation, this being of particular interest in growing patients and in pregnant women. In this respect, NILT can be an effective diagnostic tool adjunctive to bitewing radiographs in detecting approximal dentinal caries. The combination of NILT and DDR represents an increase in the diagnosis of approximal lesions The proposed diagnostic protocol comprises visual examination, followed by NILT and DDR only if the former technique detects approximal caries.
Liquid biopsy: one cell at a time
Authors: Lim Su Bin , Di Lee Wen , Vasudevan Jyothsna , Lim Wan-Teck , Lim Chwee Teck
Published: October 2019

As an alternative target to surgically resected tissue specimens, liquid biopsy has gained much attention over the past decade. Of the various circulating biomarkers, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have particularly opened new windows into the metastatic cascade, with their functional, biochemical, and biophysical properties. Given the extreme rarity of intact CTCs and the associated technical challenges, however, analyses have been limited to bulk-cell strategies, missing out on clinically significant sources of information from cellular heterogeneity. With recent technological developments, it is now possible to probe genetic material of CTCs at the single-cell resolution to study spatial and temporal dynamics in circulation. Here, we discuss recent transcriptomic profiling efforts that enabled single-cell characterization of patient-derived CTCs spanning diverse cancer types. We further highlight how expression data of these putative biomarkers have advanced our understanding of metastatic spectrum and provided a basis for the development of CTC-based liquid biopsies to track, monitor, and predict the efficacy of therapy and any emergent resistance.
A retrospective impact analysis of the WannaCry cyberattack on the NHS
Authors: Ghafur S. , Kristensen S. , Honeyford K. , Martin G. , Darzi A. , Aylin P.
Published: October 2019

A systematic analysis of Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data was done to determine the effects of the 2017 WannaCry attack on the National Health Service (NHS) by identifying the missed appointments, deaths, and fiscal costs attributable to the ransomware attack. The main outcomes measured were: outpatient appointments cancelled, elective and emergency admissions to hospitals, accident and emergency (A&E) attendances, and deaths in A&E. Compared with the baseline, there was no significant difference in the total activity across all trusts during the week of the WannaCry attack. Trusts had 1% more emergency admissions and 1% fewer A&E attendances per day during the WannaCry week compared with baseline. Hospitals directly infected with the ransomware, however, had significantly fewer emergency and elective admissions: a decrease of about 6% in total admissions per infected hospital per day was observed, with 4% fewer emergency admissions and 9% fewer elective admissions. No difference in mortality was noted. The total economic value of the lower activity at the infected trusts during this time was £5.9 m including £4 m in lost inpatient admissions, £0.6 m from lost A&E activity, and £1.3 m from cancelled outpatient appointments. Among hospitals infected with WannaCry ransomware, there was a significant decrease in the number of attendances and admissions, which corresponded to £5.9 m in lost hospital activity. There was no increase in mortality reported, though this is a crude measure of patient harm. Further work is needed to appreciate the impact of a cyberattack or IT failure on care delivery and patient safety.
Detection of phosphorus species in water: technology and strategies
Authors: Chen Hongwei , Zhao Linlu , Yu Fabiao , Du Qiaoling
Published: October 2019

This review highlights recent advances in methods of detection of total phosphorus in water, including photoelectric strategies, spectroscopy techniques, and modeling algorithms.
Cognitive spectroscopy for wood species identification: near infrared hyperspectral imaging combined with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Kanayama Hideaki , Ma Te , Tsuchikawa Satoru , Inagaki Tetsuya
Published: October 2019

From the viewpoint of combating illegal logging and examining wood properties, there is a contemporary demand for a wood species identification system.
An evaluation of monovalent, divalent, and trivalent cations as aggregating agents for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis of synthetic cannabinoids
Authors: Mostowtt Thaddeus , Munoz Jonathan , McCord Bruce
Published: October 2019

Monovalent, divalent and trivalent chloride, sulfate and nitrate salts were examined to determine the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) for each salt and its corresponding effect on detection limits for SERS analysis of synthetic cannabinoids.
Photocurrent enhancement by a local electric field on DNA-modified electrodes covered with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Takada Tadao , Syunori Kazue , Nakamura Mitsunobu , Yamana Kazushige
Published: October 2019

The enhancement of photocurrent by gold nanoparticles assembled by DNA is reported.
A chromenone analog as an ATP-competitive, DNA non-intercalative topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitor with preferences toward the alpha isoform
Authors: Park Seojeong , Hwang Soo-Yeon , Shin Jaeho , Jo Hyunji , Na Younghwa , Kwon Youngjoo
Published: October 2019

Compound 52 exhibited highly topo IIα-selective properties as an ATP competitive catalytic inhibitor with less toxicity, unlike topo II poisons.
An amphipathic cell penetrating peptide aids cell penetration of cyclosporin A and increases its therapeutic effect in an in vivo mouse model for dry eye disease
Authors: Hyun Soonsil , Li Lan , Yoon Kyung Chul , Yu Jaehoon
Published: October 2019

The use of CPP, LK-3, increases the cell penetration of cyclosporine A (CsA) at nanomolar concentrations and therapeutic efficacy.
Self-assembly of aliphatic dipeptides coupled with porphyrin and BODIPY chromophores
Authors: Nikoloudakis Emmanouil , Mitropoulou Konstantina , Landrou Georgios , Charalambidis Georgios , Nikolaou Vasilis , Mitraki Anna , Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Published: October 2019

Porphyrin and BODIPY chromophores covalently linked with aliphatic dipeptides self-assemble into various supramolecular architectures. Hydrogel formation was also observed in HFIP-water solvent mixture.
Silver-mediated oxidative 1,2-alkylesterification of styrenes with nitriles and acids via C(sp3)–H functionalization
Authors: Jiang Shuai-Shuai , Wu Yan-Chen , Luo Shu-Zheng , Teng Fan , Song Ren-Jie , Xie Ye-Xiang , Li Jin-Heng
Published: October 2019

A new silver-mediated 1,2-alkylesterification of alkenes with nitriles and acids promoted by a catalytic amount of nickel catalyst for producing acyloxylated nitriles has been developed via a C(sp3)–H functionalization process.
Azo-based near-infrared fluorescent theranostic probe for tracking hypoxia-activated cancer chemotherapyin vivo
Authors: Ding Ning , Li Zhao , Tian Xinwei , Zhang Jiahang , Guo Kaili , Wang Pan
Published: October 2019

A novel azo-based near-infrared fluorescent therabostic probe activated by hypoxia is applied to real-time visualization of drug deliveryin vivo.
Positron emission tomography probes targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) domains to enable in vivo neuroepigenetic imaging
Authors: Bai Ping , Wey Hsiao-Ying , Patnaik Debasis , Lu Xiaoxia , Lan Yu , Rokka Johanna , Stephanie Fiedler , Haggarty Stephen J. , Wang Changning
Published: October 2019

Novel PET radiotracer of BET proteins enable in vivo neuroepigenetic imaging.
Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute-mediated nucleic acid detection
Authors: He Ruyi , Wang Longyu , Wang Fei , Li Wenqiang , Liu Yang , Li Aitao , Wang Yuan , Mao Wuxiang , Zhai Chao , Ma Lixin
Published: October 2019

PfAgo-mediated Nucleic acid Detection (PAND) distinguishes single-nucleotide mutants and accomplishes multiplexed detection by a second round of cleavage.
Correction: Robust magnetic double-network hydrogels with self-healing, MR imaging, cytocompatibility and 3D printability
Authors: Gang Fangli , Yan Hao , Ma Chunyang , Jiang Le , Gu Yingying , Liu Ziyu , Zhao Lingyun , Wang Xiumei , Zhang Jiwen , Sun Xiaodan
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘Robust magnetic double-network hydrogels with self-healing, MR imaging, cytocompatibility and 3D printability’ by Fangli Gang et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 9801–9804.
Bandgap trimming and optical properties of Si3N4:Al microbelt phosphors for warm white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Shen Dongyi , Shao Yiran , Zhu Yingchun
Published: October 2019

The bandgap energy of Si3N4:Al is precisely and gradually tailored from 2.58 to 2.85 eV by increasing the Al concentration. Si3N4:Al:Eu phosphors exhibiting a yellow-orange emission are promising for solid-state warm white lighting under blue chip excitation.
Computational insights into lipid assisted peptide misfolding and aggregation in neurodegeneration
Authors: Sahoo Abhilash , Matysiak Silvina
Published: October 2019

An overview of recent advances in computational investigation of peptide–lipid interactions in neurodegeneration – Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.
Gradient of zinc content in core–shell zinc ferrite nanoparticles – precise study on composition and magnetic properties
Authors: Lachowicz Dorota , Wirecka Roma , Górka-Kumik Weronika , Marzec Mateusz Marek , Gajewska Marta , Kmita Angelika , Żukrowski Jan , Sikora Marcin , Zapotoczny Szczepan , Bernasik Andrzej
Published: October 2019

Structure, magnetic properties and chemical composition of synthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles were characterized by a broad spectrum of methods.
On principal features of organic electrolyte molecules in lithium ion battery performance
Authors: Tsuneda Takao , Tateyama Yoshitaka
Published: October 2019

Theoretical investigation on organic electrolyte solvents of lithium ion battery shows that the high performance needs the preference of five-coordination structures, high electron-donating ability of ligand molecules and the localization of accepted electron into one ligand molecule.
Interaction of antibacterial silver nanoparticles and microbiota-dependent holobionts revealed by metatranscriptomic analysis
Authors: Li Yingdong , Yan Neng , Wong Tin Yan , Wang Wen-Xiong , Liu Hongbin
Published: October 2019

Although antibacterial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly released into the environment and are very toxic to aquatic organisms, their effects on bacteria-based holobionts have been rarely studied.
Correction: Adverse effects of fluorescent carbon dots from canned yellow croaker on cellular respiration and glycolysis
Authors: Li Dongmei , Na Xiaokang , Zhou Wanru , Wang Congcong , Li Yuliang , Zhu Bei-Wei , Tan Mingqian
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘Adverse effects of fluorescent carbon dots from canned yellow croaker on cellular respiration and glycolysis’ by Dongmei Li et al., Food Funct., 2019, 10, 1123–1131.
Rapid and label-free isolation of small extracellular vesicles from biofluids utilizing a novel insulator based dielectrophoretic device
Authors: Shi Leilei , Kuhnell Damaris , Borra Vishnupriya J. , Langevin Scott M. , Nakamura Takahisa , Esfandiari Leyla
Published: October 2019

Rapid and low voltage iDEP device for purification of exosomes from biofluids with high yield and small initial sample volumes.
Threshold reduction and yield improvement of semiconductor nanowire lasers via processing-related end-facet optimization
Authors: Alanis Juan Arturo , Chen Qian , Lysevych Mykhaylo , Burgess Tim , Li Li , Liu Zhu , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati , Parkinson Patrick
Published: October 2019

For nanowire lasers, end-facets matter; a rigorous statistical study demonstrates that short ultrasound or PDMA transfer provides optimized lasing performance.
Evolution of inter-layer coupling in artificially stacked bilayer MoS2
Authors: Sarkar Suman , Pradeepa H. L. , Nayak Goutham , Marty Laetitia , Renard Julien , Coraux Johann , Bendiab Nedjma , Bouchiat Vincent , Basu Jaydeep K. , Bid Aveek
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we show experimentally that for van der Waals heterostructures of atomically-thin materials, the hybridization of bands of adjacent layers is possible only for ultra-clean interfaces.
Flame-retardant and smoke-suppressing wood obtained by the in situ growth of a hydrotalcite-like compound on the inner surfaces of vessels
Authors: Lv Shuai , Kong Xianggui , Wang Liren , Zhang Fazhi , Lei Xiaodong
Published: October 2019

MgAl-CO32−-LDH was directly grown on the inner surfaces of wood vessels via a one-step hydrothermal process, which greatly enhanced the flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of the wood.
Hemihelices on molecular scale: extended metal atom chains with helical perversions in ligands
Authors: Liu Tsai-Jung , Peng Shie-Ming , Jin Bih-Yaw
Published: October 2019

Hemihelices, which contain helical perversions, are found infrequently alongside helices in nature.
Superhydrophobic and slippery cotton fabrics with robust nanolayers for stable wettability, anti-fouling and anti-icing properties
Authors: Gao Xiaoyu , Wen Gang , Guo Zhiguang
Published: October 2019

The superhydrophobic (SHB) and slippery lubricant-infused (SLI) cotton fabrics were fabricated via modifying and infusing lubricant of ZnO-growth fabric cotton.
In situ formation of porous LiCuVO4/LiVO3/C nanotubes as a high-capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cui Rong , Lin Jiande , Cao Xinxin , Hao Pengfei , Xie Xuefang , Zhou Shuang , Wang Yaping , Liang Shuquan , Pan Anqiang
Published: October 2019

LiCuVO4/LiVO3/C porous nanotubes were fabricated by an efficient electrospinning method with subsequent calcination and exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Visible-light promoted sulfonamidation of enol acetates to α-amino ketones based on redox-neutral photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Lin , Cheng Pi , Wang Xinhao , Wang Wei , Zeng Jianguo , Liang Yun , Reiser Oliver
Published: October 2019

A visible-light mediated photoredox-catalyzed sulfonamidation of enol acetates to α-amino ketones has been developed. The process features mild and operationally simple reaction conditions and does not require an external oxidant.
Activating molecular oxygen with Au/CeO2 for the conversion of lignin model compounds and organosolv lignin
Authors: Song Wu-Lin , Dong Qingmeng , Hong Liang , Tian Zhou-Qi , Tang Li-Na , Hao Wenli , Zhang Hongxi
Published: October 2019

Au/CeO2 was demonstrated to be a high efficiency catalyst for the conversion of 2-phenoxyacetophenol (PP-ol) employing O2 as an oxidant and methyl alcohol as the solvent without using an erosive strong base or acid.
Synthesis, oxide formation, properties and thin film transistor properties of yttrium and aluminium oxide thin films employing a molecular-based precursor route
Authors: Koslowski Nico , Hoffmann Rudolf C. , Trouillet Vanessa , Bruns Michael , Foro Sabine , Schneider Jörg J.
Published: October 2019

Transformation of a new molecular precursor allows the formation of yttrium oxide under moderate conditions displaying high voltage breakthrough behaviour.
Waste spunlaced facial puff derived monolithic flexible carbon framework (WCF): an ultralow-cost, recyclable and eco-friendly sorbent for oils and organic solvents
Authors: Ren Huiru , Hao Jingbiao , Kang Weimin , Wang Gang , Ju Jingge , Li Lei , Cheng Bowen
Published: October 2019

A three-dimensional carbon framework material as an excellent sorbent for oils and organic solvents was synthesized using waste spunlaced facial puff.
Iron-catalysed allylation–hydrogenation sequences as masked alkyl–alkyl cross-couplings
Authors: Bernauer Josef , Wu Guojiao , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel
Published: October 2019

An iron-catalysed allylation of organomagnesium reagents (alkyl, aryl) with simple allyl acetates proceeds under mild conditions (Fe(OAc)2 or Fe(acac)2, Et2O, r.t.) to furnish various alkene and styrene derivatives.
Design of noble metal free hierarchical VS2 onto WO3 nanoflakes as an effective heterojunction strategy for enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Moi Ching Thian , Gogoi Gaurangi , Sahu Tushar Kanta , Gogoi Devipriya , Peela Nageswara Rao , Qureshi Mohammad
Published: October 2019

WO3–VS2 is a promising photoanodic material for photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
Electroluminescent soft elastomer actuators with adjustable luminance and strain
Authors: Lee Ye Rim , An Jongyeop , Kim Hyun Soo , Park In Woo , Heo Kwang , Lee Hyungwoo , Lee Byung Yang
Published: October 2019

Electroluminescent soft actuators with individually adjustable luminance and strain by integrating dielectric and electroluminescent layers.
Dual stimuli-responsive nano-structure transition of three-arm branched amphiphilic polymers containing ferrocene (Fc) and azobenzene (Azo) moieties in aqueous solution
Authors: Du Zhukang , Yan Xiaolong , Sun Ning , Ren Biye
Published: October 2019

Amphiphilic polymers can self-assemble into various nanostructures, depending on the PEO molecular weight, applied stimuli, and polymer concentration.
Patchy particles by self-assembly of star copolymers on a spherical substrate: Thomson solutions in a geometric problem with a color constraint
Authors: Hain Tobias M. , Schröder-Turk Gerd E. , Kirkensgaard Jacob J. K.
Published: October 2019

Star copolymers on a sphere self-assemble into patchy particles with structure and coordination corresponding to those found in the famous Thomson problem.
BODIPY-based selenides as fluorescent probes for rapid, sensitive and mitochondria-specific detection of hypochlorous acid
Authors: Xu Xiang-Hong , Liu Chao , Mei Yuan , Song Qin-Hua
Published: October 2019

Three meso-substituted BODIPY selenides have been constructed for detection of HClO, and their sensing behavior shows a regular structure-activity relationship, and achieved mitochondria-specific and endogenous HClO imaging in live cells.
Engaging the Articulators Enhances Perception of Concordant Visible Speech Movements
Authors: Masapollo Matthew , Guenther Frank H.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to test whether (and how) somatosensory feedback signals from the vocal tract affect concurrent unimodal visual speech perception.

Method

Participants discriminated pairs of silent visual utterances of vowels under 3 experimental conditions: (a) normal (baseline) and while holding either (b) a bite block or (c) a lip tube in their mouths. To test the specificity of somatosensory–visual interactions during perception, we assessed discrimination of vowel contrasts optically distinguished based on their mandibular (English /ɛ/–/æ/) or labial (English /u/–French /u/) postures. In addition, we assessed perception of each contrast using dynamically articulating videos and static (single-frame) images of each gesture (at vowel midpoint).

Results

Engaging the jaw selectively facilitated perception of the dynamic gestures optically distinct in terms of jaw height, whereas engaging the lips selectively facilitated perception of the dynamic gestures optically distinct in terms of their degree of lip compression and protrusion. Thus, participants perceived visible speech movements in relation to the configuration and shape of their own vocal tract (and possibly their ability to produce covert vowel production–like movements). In contrast, engaging the articulators had no effect when the speaking faces did not move, suggesting that the somatosensory inputs affected perception of time-varying kinematic information rather than changes in target (movement end point) mouth shapes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that orofacial somatosensory inputs associated with speech production prime premotor and somatosensory brain regions involved in the sensorimotor control of speech, thereby facilitating perception of concordant visible speech movements.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9911846
From grains to pebbles: the influence of size distribution and chemical composition on dust emission properties
Authors: Ysard N. , Koehler M. , Jimenez-Serra I. , Jones A. P. , Verstraete L.
Published: October 2019

Context. The size and chemical composition of interstellar dust grains are critical in setting the dynamical, physical, and chemical evolution of all the media in which they are present. Thanks to facilities such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and, in the future, the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), thermal emission in the (sub)millimetre to centimetre domain has become a very convenient way to trace grain properties.

Aims. Our aim is to understand the influence of the composition and size distribution of dust grains on the shape of their spectral energy distribution (peak position, spectral index) in dense interstellar regions such as molecular clouds, prestellar cores, young stellar objects, and protoplanetary discs.

Methods. Starting from the optical constants defined in The Heterogeneous dust Evolution Model for Interstellar Solids (THEMIS) for amorphous hydrogenated carbon grains and amorphous silicates in addition to water ice, we defined six material mixtures that we believe are representative of the expected dust composition in dense interstellar regions. The optical properties of 0.01 μm to 10 cm grains were then calculated with effective medium and Mie theories. The corresponding spectral energy distributions were subsequently calculated for isolated clouds either externally heated by the standard interstellar radiation field alone or in addition to an internal source.

Results. The three main outcomes of this study are as follows. Firstly, the dust mass absorption coefficient strongly depends on both grain composition and size distribution potentially leading to errors in dust mass estimates by factors up to ~3 and 20, respectively. Secondly, it appears almost impossible to retrieve the grain composition from the (sub)millimetre to centimetre thermal emission shape alone as its spectral index for λ ≳ 3 mm does not depend on dust composition. Thirdly, using the “true” dust opacity spectral index to estimate grain sizes may lead to erroneous findings as the observed spectral index can be highly modified by the dust temperature distribution along the line of sight, which depends on the specific heating source and on the geometry of the studied interstellar region.

Conclusions. Based on the interpretation of only the spectral shape of (sub)millimetre to centimetre observational data, the determination of the dust masses, compositions, and sizes are highly uncertain.
Definition of the Response to Initial Therapy with Radioiodine in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Basal or Stimulated Thyroglobulin?
Authors: Rosario Pedro Weslley , Mourão Gabriela Franco , Calsolari Maria Regina
Published: October 2019

Basal thyroglobulin (b-Tg) measured with second-generation assay or stimulated Tg (s-Tg) can be used to define the response to therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, they do not always define the same category and guidelines do not establish “if” or “when” s-Tg needs to be obtained. We studied 304 patients without clinically apparent disease or disease detected by neck ultrasonography and without anti-Tg antibodies 9–12 months after therapy. Based on b-Tg, 196 patients had an excellent response and 108 had an indeterminate response. Based on s-Tg, a change in category occurred in 10.2% of the patients with an initial excellent response (all to indeterminate response) and in half the patients with an initial indeterminate response (44.4% to excellent response and 5.5% to biochemical incomplete response). One case of recurrence was observed among patients with an initial excellent response but whose response changed to indeterminate after s-Tg, while no disease was detected among those who remained in the initial category; however, this difference was not significant. In patients with an initial indeterminate response, no recurrence was detected among those whose response changed to excellent after s-Tg, while 11.1 and 33.3% of those who remained in the initial category or whose response changed to biochemical incomplete, respectively, had structural disease. This study suggest that, in low- or intermediate-risk patients, s-Tg better defines the response to therapy with 131I when it is classified as indeterminate based on b-Tg using second-generation assay. However, s-Tg is not necessary when b-Tg defines the response as excellent.
Perspective on Idiopathic Subchondral, Osteochondral, and Chondral Lesions with Emphasis on the Knee
Authors: Fischer Wolfgang
Published: October 2019

Subchondral, osteochondral, and chondral lesions of unknown cause are often encountered, especially in the knee joint. These are mainly idiopathic bone marrow edema syndrome, osteochondrosis dissecans, and cartilage delaminations. The literature on these diseases is sparse and often confusing and inconsistent. Because there is little evidence, this article was written as a perspective on these conditions. It offers an overview of the literature with personal comments and opinions based on observations from many years of clinical practice. The main goal is to highlight clinically important features and provide a practical guide for dealing with various magnetic resonance imaging findings in everyday work. The article also discusses several terms commonly used in relation to these diseases and their differential diagnoses.
Top-Ten Tips for Imaging the Brachial Plexus with Ultrasound and MRI
Authors: Griffith James F. , Lalam Radhesh Krishna
Published: October 2019

When it comes to examining the brachial plexus, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are complementary investigations. US is well placed for screening most extraforaminal pathologies, whereas MRI is more sensitive and accurate for specific clinical indications. For example, MRI is probably the preferred technique for assessment of trauma because it enables a thorough evaluation of both the intraspinal and extraspinal elements, although US can depict extraforaminal neural injury with a high level of accuracy. Conversely, US is probably the preferred technique for examination of neurologic amyotrophy because a more extensive involvement beyond the brachial plexus is the norm, although MRI is more sensitive than US for evaluating muscle denervation associated with this entity. With this synergy in mind, this review highlights the tips for examining the brachial plexus with US and MRI.