bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR-195 targets cyclin D3 and survivin to modulate the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yu Xiaojie , Zhang Yiqiang , Cavazos David , Ma Xiuye , Zhao Zhenze , Du Liqin , Pertsemlidis Alexander
Published: February 2018

miR-195 has recently been reported to function as a tumor suppressor in various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms by which miR-195 represses the tumorigenesis of NSCLC cells are not fully understood. We performed a high-throughput screen using an miRNA mimic library and confirmed the identification of miR-195 as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC. We demonstrated that overexpression or induced expression of miR-195 in lung tumors slows tumor growth and that repression of miR-195 accelerates tumor growth. In addition, we found that knockout of miR-195 promotes cancer cell growth. We demonstrated that miR-195 targets cyclin D3 to cause cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and that miR-195 targets survivin to induce apoptosis and senescence in NSCLC cells. Overexpression of cyclin D3 or survivin reverses the effects of miR-195 in NSCLC cells. Through the analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we confirmed that the expression of miR-195 is lower in tumors than in adjacent normal tissues and that low expression of miR-195 is associated with poor survival in both lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma patients. Specifically, we found that BIRC5, which codes for survivin, is upregulated in both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissues and that high expression of BIRC5 is associated with poor survival in adenocarcinoma, but not squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, the ratio of miR-195 level to BIRC5 level is associated with both recurrence-free and overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that the miR-195/BIRC5 axis is a potential target for treatment of lung adenocarcinoma specifically, and NSCLC in general.
PHB2 interacts with LC3 and SQSTM1 is required for bile acids-induced mitophagy in cholestatic liver
Authors: Xiao Yongtao , Zhou Ying , Lu Ying , Zhou Kejun , Cai Wei
Published: February 2018

Mitophagy is a major pathway for clearance of injured mitochondria. However, whether mitophagy is involved in the cholestasis-induced damages of hepatic mitochondria remains unknown. We here aimed to investigate the molecular links between cholestasis and hepatic mitophagy. We show that mitophagy is increased significantly in livers of biliary atresia (BA) that is cholestatic disease in infants. The mitochondrial-toxicity bile acids treatment increases the activities of mitophagy in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, we find that the prohibitin 2 (PHB2) is crucial for cholestasis-mediated mitophagy in vitro. On the one hand, PHB2 binds the autophagosomal membrane-associated protein LC3 upon injured mitochondria via an LC3-interaction region domain. On the other hand, PHB2 forms a ternary protein complex with sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) and LC3, leading to loading of LC3 onto the damaged mitochondria. Altogether, our study suggests that PHB2 is required for cholestasis-induced mitophagy via LC3 onto the injured mitochondria.
Epigenetic inhibition of Wnt pathway suppresses osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs during osteoporosis
Authors: Jing Huan , Su Xiaoxia , Gao Bo , Shuai Yi , Chen Ji , Deng Zhihong , Liao Li , Jin Yan
Published: February 2018

Disrupted Wnt signaling in osteoblastic-lineage cells leads to bone formation defect in osteoporosis. However, the factors repressing Wnt signaling are unclear. In our study, we found that Wnt signaling was suppressed persistently in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) during osteoporosis. Accordingly, histone acetylation levels on Wnt genes (Wnt1, Wnt6, Wnt10a, and Wnt10b) were declined in BMSCs from OVX mice. By screening the family of histone acetyltransferase, we identified that GCN5 expression increased during osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas decreased after osteoporosis. Further analysis revealed that GCN5 promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by increasing acetylation on histone 3 lysine 9 loci on the promoters of Wnt genes. Reduced GCN5 expression suppressed Wnt signaling, resulting in osteogenic defect of BMSCs from OVX mice. Moreover, restoring GCN5 levels recovered BMSC osteogenic differentiation, and attenuated bone loss in OVX mice. Taken together, our study demonstrated that disrupted histone acetylation modification in BMSCs lead to bone formation defect during osteoporosis. The findings also introduced a novel therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
Plasma Hemopexin ameliorates murine spinal cord injury by switching microglia from the M1 state to the M2 state
Authors: Han Dunxin , Yu Zhongwang , Liu Weili , Yin Dou , Pu Yingyan , Feng Jifeng , Yuan Yimin , Huang Aijun , Cao Li , He Cheng
Published: February 2018

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating type of central nervous system (CNS) trauma with limited therapeutic treatments. The polarization of microglia into the M1 or M2 state has been documented to play important roles in the pathogenesis of SCI, although the complete repertoire of underlying factors has not been identified. Interestingly, the time point at which hematomyelia (intramedullary spinal cord hemorrhage) is alleviated coincides with a decrease in the number of M2 microglia. Here the function of Hemopexin (Hpx), a hematogenous glycoprotein, was examined in the crush model of SCI. Hpx levels were elevated at the lesion site during hematomyelia and were synchronously correlated with the level of the M2 marker Arginase-1 (Arg-1). Ablation of Hpx in vivo affected the polarization state of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, as mirrored by a lower percentage of M2 microglia and a higher percentage of M1 microglia in the lesion site, which delayed the recovery and exacerbated the behavioral dysfunction after SCI. However, Hpx induced a rapid switch from the M1 to M2 phenotype in LPS-stimulated primary cultured microglia in a heme scavenging-independent manner. The supernant of Hpx-treated microglia ameliorated neuronal degeneration, alleviated demyelination, and promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) maturation. This modulatory effect of Hpx on microglia polarization was at least partially mediated by the LRP-1 receptor. Based on these results, Hpx is considered a novel modulator of the polarization of microglia during the pathogenesis of SCI and may play a crucial role in the recovery from SCI.
Downregulation of β1,4-galactosyltransferase 5 improves insulin resistance by promoting adipocyte commitment and reducing inflammation
Authors: Li Shu-Fen , Zhu Cui-Song , Wang Yu-Meng , Xie Xin-Xin , Xiao Liu-Ling , Zhang Zhi-Chun , Tang Qi-Qun , Li Xi
Published: February 2018

Protein glycosylation is an important post-translational modification. Aberrant glycosylation has been implicated in many diseases because of associated changes in protein distribution and biological function. We showed that the expression of β1, 4-galactosyltransferase 5 (B4GalT5) was positively correlated with diabetes and obesity. In vivo, B4GalT5 knockdown in subcutaneous adipose tissue alleviated insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation, and increased adipogenesis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and ob/ob mice. Downregulation of B4GalT5 in preadipocyte cells induced commitment to the adipocyte lineage in the absence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2/4 treatment, which is typically essential for adipogenic commitment. RNAi silencing experiments showed B4GalT5 knockdown activated Smad and p38 MPAK signaling pathways through both type 1A and 2 BMP receptors. Remarkably, B4GalT5 knockdown decreased BMPRIA glycosylation but increased BMPRIA stability and cellular location, thus leading to redistribution of BMPRIA and activation of the BMP signaling pathway. Meanwhile, downregulation of B4GalT5 decreased the infiltration of macrophages and the markers of M1 macrophages in subcutaneous adipose tissue of HFD mice and ob/ob mice. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and RAW264.7cells, B4GalT5 knockdown also repressed the markers of M1 by reducing NFκB and JNK signaling. These results demonstrated B4GalT5 downregulation improved insulin resistance by promoting adipogenic commitment and decreasing M1 macrophage infiltration.
Long noncoding RNA PANDAR blocks CDKN1A gene transcription by competitive interaction with p53 protein in gastric cancer
Authors: Liu Jun , Ben Qiwen , Lu Eryi , He Xiangyi , Yang Xiaoqun , Ma Jun , Zhang Wen , Wang Zhiming , Liu Tianshu , Zhang Jianjun , Wang Hongxia
Published: February 2018

Emerging evidence indicates that lncRNAs play important roles in cancer tumourigenesis and could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. However, the clinical significance and molecular mechanism of lncRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the expression and role of lncRNAs in GC. The relative expression level of lncRNAs in GC samples was examined by an lncRNA microarray analysis, northern blot analysis and qRT-PCR analysis. A Kaplan−Meier survival analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic significance of PANDAR (promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage activated RNA) in GC patients. The binding activity of PANDAR with the p53 protein was analysed by an RNA immunoprecipitation analysis and RNA pull-down analysis. The depletion of PANDAR was conducted using the CRISPR/Cas9 system for PANDAR. The biological functions of PANDAR in GC cells were determined both in vitro and in vivo. Upregulated PANDAR in GC patients was positively correlated with increased tumour size, advanced TNM classification and a poor survival rate in GC patients. The ROC curves identified that the PANDAR level was a marker for discriminating the early-stage tumour group from the healthy group, the metastasis group from the non-metastasis group and the chemoresistance group from the chemosensitive group in GC patients. As a target, the CDKN1A gene was successfully downregulated by PANDAR. PANDAR controlled the transcription of the CDKN1A gene by competitively binding with p53 protein. In combination with a p53 activator (nutlin3), the knockout of PANDAR by CRISPR/Cas9 technology synergistically inhibited GC tumour growth in vivo. Our results suggest that the PANDAR is a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic marker for patients with GC and, combined with other chemotherapeutics, may have distinct antitumour effects.
The antitumor natural product tanshinone IIA inhibits protein kinase C and acts synergistically with 17-AAG
Authors: Lv Chao , Zeng Hua-Wu , Wang Jin-Xin , Yuan Xing , Zhang Chuang , Fang Ting , Yang Pei-Ming , Wu Tong , Zhou Yu-Dong , Nagle Dale G. , Zhang Wei-Dong
Published: February 2018

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), the primary bioactive compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been reported to possess antitumor activity. However, its antitumor mechanisms are not fully understood. To resolve the potential antitumor mechanism(s) of Tan IIA, its gene expression profiles from our database was analyzed by connectivity map (CMAP) and the CMAP-based mechanistic predictions were confirmed/validated in further studies. Specifically, Tan IIA inhibited total protein kinase C (PKC) activity and selectively suppressed the expression of cytosolic and plasma membrane PKC isoforms ζ and ε. The Ras/MAPK pathway that is closely regulated by the PKC signaling is also inhibited by Tan IIA. While Tan IIA did not inhibit heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), it synergistically enhanced the antitumor efficacy of the Hsp90 inhibitors 17-AAG and ganetespib in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In addition, Tan IIA significantly inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, and induced both cell cycle arrest and autophagy. Collectively, these studies provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for antitumor activity of Tan IIA.
Fasudil increases temozolomide sensitivity and suppresses temozolomide-resistant glioma growth via inhibiting ROCK2/ABCG2
Authors: Zhang Xin , Liu Xiuting , Zhou Wei , Yang Mengdi , Ding Yang , Wang Qing , Hu Rong
Published: February 2018

Resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) is a major clinical challenge in glioma treatment, but the mechanisms of TMZ resistance are poorly understood. Here, we provided evidence that ROCK2 acted redundantly to maintain resistance of TMZ in TMZ-resistant gliomas, and as a ROCK2 phosphorylation inhibitor, fasudil significantly suppressed proliferation of TMZ-resistant gliomas in vivo and vitro via enhancing the chemosensitivity of TMZ. Additionally, the membrane translocation of ABCG2 was decreased with fasudil by ROCK2/moesin pathway. We also showed that fasudil suppressed the expression of ABCG2 via ROCK2/moesin/β-catenin pathway. Our results reveal an indispensable role for ROCK2 and provide strong evidence for the therapeutic use of fasudil in the clinical setting for TMZ-resistant gliomas.
Nicotine promotes atherosclerosis via ROS-NLRP3-mediated endothelial cell pyroptosis
Authors: Wu Xianxian , Zhang Haiying , Qi Wei , Zhang Ying , Li Jiamin , Li Zhange , Lin Yuan , Bai Xue , Liu Xin , Chen Xiaohui , Yang Huan , Xu Chaoqian , Zhang Yong , Yang Baofeng
Published: February 2018

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that nicotine impairs the cardiovascular system by targeting vascular endothelial cells, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. It is known that cell death and inflammation are crucial processes leading to atherosclerosis. We proposed that pyroptosis may be implicated in nicotine-induced atherosclerosis and therefore conducted the present study. We found that nicotine resulted in larger atherosclerotic plaques and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with nicotine resulted in NLRP3-ASC inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, as evidenced by cleavage of caspase-1, production of downstream interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide (PI) positive cells, which were all inhibited by caspase-1 inhibitor. Moreover, silencing NLRP3 or ASC by small interfering RNA efficiently suppressed nicotine-induced caspase-1 cleavage, IL-18 and IL-1β production, and pyroptosis in HAECs. Further experiments revealed that the nicotine-NLRP3-ASC-pyroptosis pathway was activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), since ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC) prevented endothelial cell pyroptosis. We conclude that pyroptosis is likely a cellular mechanism for the pro-atherosclerotic property of nicotine and stimulation of ROS to activate NLRP3 inflammasome is a signaling mechanism for nicotine-induced pyroptosis.
Magnetic resonance temporal diffusion tensor spectroscopy of disordered anisotropic tissue
Authors: Nielsen Jonathan Scharff , Dyrby Tim B. , Lundell Henrik
Published: February 2018

Molecular diffusion measured with diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) offers a probe for tissue microstructure. However, inferring microstructural properties from conventional DWI data is a complex inverse problem and has to account for heterogeneity in sizes, shapes and orientations of the tissue compartments contained within an imaging voxel. Alternative experimental means for disentangling the signal signatures of such features could provide a stronger link between the data and its interpretation. Double diffusion encoding (DDE) offers the possibility to factor out variation in compartment shapes from orientational dispersion of anisotropic domains by measuring the correlation between diffusivity in multiple directions. Time dependence of the diffusion is another effect reflecting the dimensions and distributions of barriers. In this paper we extend on DDE with a modified version of the oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) experiment, giving a basic contrast mechanism closely linked to both the temporal diffusion spectrum and the compartment anisotropy. We demonstrate our new method on post mortem brain tissue and show that we retrieve the correct temporal diffusion tensor spectrum in synthetic data from Monte Carlo simulations of random walks in a range of disordered geometries of different sizes and shapes.
Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to impaired reference memory and myeloid cell interference
Authors: Brombacher T. M. , De Gouveia K. S. , Cruywagen L. , Makena N. , Booley F. , Tamgue O. , Brombacher F.
Published: February 2018

Hookworm infection is endemic in developing countries, leading to poor cognitive function—among other disruptions. In this study, the effects of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection (a murine model of Necator Americanus) on cognitive function were investigated. Though impaired cognition has been extensively reported, the exact domain of cognition affected is still unknown, hence requiring investigation. The objective of this study was to identify possible cognitive changes during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in mice, using the Morris water maze. Here, we show for the first time that mice infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis were able to learn the Morris water maze task, but demonstrated impaired reference memory. Anxiety measured by thigmotaxis in the maze, did not play a role for the observed cognitive impairment. Of further interest, an increase in the number of hippocampal macrophages and microglia with training and/or infection suggested a significant role of these cell types during spatial learning. Together, these experimental mouse studies suggest that helminth infections do have an impact on cognition. Further experimental animal studies on cognition and infection might open new approaches for a better understanding and impact of pathogen infections.
Pyroptosis induced by enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus B3 infection affects viral replication and host response
Authors: Wang Yan , Qin Ying , Wang Tianying , Chen Yang , Lang Xiujuan , Zheng Jia , Gao Shuoyang , Chen Sijia , Zhong Xiaoyan , Mu Yusong , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhang Fengming , Zhao Wenran , Zhong Zhaohua
Published: February 2018

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the primary causative pathogen of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), affecting children with severe neurological complications. Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by cell lysis and inflammatory response. Although proinflammatory response has been implicated to play important roles in EV71-caused diseases, the involvement of pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of EV71 is poorly defined. We show that EV71 infection induced caspase-1 activation. Responding to the activation of caspase-1, the expression and secretion of both IL-1β and IL-18 were increased in EV71-infected cells. The treatment of caspase-1 inhibitor markedly improved the systemic response of the EV71-infected mice. Importantly, caspase-1 inhibitor suppressed EV71 replication in mouse brains. Similarly, pyroptosis was activated by the infection of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), an important member of the Enterovirus genus. Caspase-1 activation and the increased expression of IL-18 and NLRP3 were demonstrated in HeLa cells infected with CVB3. Caspase-1 inhibitor also alleviated the overall conditions of virus-infected mice with markedly decreased replication of CVB3 and reduced expression of caspase-1. These results indicate that pyroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of both EV71 and CVB3 infections, and the treatment of caspase-1 inhibitor is beneficial to the host response during enterovirus infection.
Limited accuracy of conduction band effective mass equations for semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Mielnik-Pyszczorski Adam , Gawarecki Krzysztof , Machnikowski Paweł
Published: February 2018

Effective mass equations are the simplest models of carrier states in a semiconductor structures that reduce the complexity of a solid-state system to Schrödinger- or Pauli-like equations resempling those well known from quantum mechanics textbooks. Here we present a systematic derivation of a conduction-band effective mass equation for a self-assembled semiconductor quantum dot in a magnetic field from the 8-band k · p theory. The derivation allows us to classify various forms of the effective mass equations in terms of a hierarchy of approximations. We assess the accuracy of the approximations in calculating selected spectral and spin-related characteristics. We indicate the importance of preserving the off-diagonal terms of the valence band Hamiltonian and argue that an effective mass theory cannot reach satisfactory accuracy without self-consistently including non-parabolicity corrections and renormalization of k · p parameters. Quantitative comparison with the 8-band k · p results supports the phenomenological Roth-Lax-Zwerdling formula for the g-factor in a nanostructure.
Chronic exposure to low dose of bisphenol A impacts on the first round of spermatogenesis via SIRT1 modulation
Authors: Chianese Rosanna , Viggiano Andrea , Urbanek Konrad , Cappetta Donato , Troisi Jacopo , Scafuro Marika , Guida Maurizio , Esposito Grazia , Ciuffreda Loreta Pia , Rossi Francesco , Berrino Liberato , Fasano Silvia , Pierantoni Riccardo , De Angelis Antonella , Meccariello Rosaria
Published: February 2018

Spermatogenesis depends on endocrine, autocrine and paracrine communications along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis. Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-mimic endocrine disrupting chemical, is an environmental contaminant used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins with toxic effects for male reproduction. Here we investigated whether the chronic exposure to low BPA doses affects spermatogenesis through the modulation of SIRT1, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase involved in the progression of spermatogenesis, with outcomes on apoptosis, oxidative stress, metabolism and energy homeostasis. BPA exposureviaplacenta first, and lactation and drinking water later, affected the body weight gain in male offspring at 45 postnatal days and the first round of spermatogenesis, with impairment of blood testis barrier, reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage and decreased expression of SIRT1. The analysis of SIRT1 downstream molecular pathways revealed the increase of acetyl-p53Lys370, γH2AX foci, the decrease of oxidative stress defenses and the higher apoptotic rate in the testis of treated animals, with partial rescue at sex maturation. In conclusion, SIRT1 pathways disruption after BPA exposure can have serious consequences on the first round of spermatogenesis.
Folic Acid Exposure Rescues Spina Bifida Aperta Phenotypes in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model
Authors: Sahakyan Vardine , Duelen Robin , Tam Wai Long , Roberts Scott J. , Grosemans Hanne , Berckmans Pieter , Ceccarelli Gabriele , Pelizzo Gloria , Broccoli Vania , Deprest Jan , Luyten Frank P. , Verfaillie Catherine M. , Sampaolesi Maurilio
Published: February 2018

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital abnormalities, caused by failed closure of neural tube during early embryonic development. Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation greatly reduces the risk of NTDs. However, the molecular mechanisms behind NTDs and the preventive role of FA remain unclear. Here, we use human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from fetuses with spina bifida aperta (SBA) to study the pathophysiology of NTDs and explore the effects of FA exposure. We report that FA exposure in SBA model is necessary for the proper formation and maturation of neural tube structures and robust differentiation of mesodermal derivatives. Additionally, we show that the folate antagonist methotrexate dramatically affects the formation of neural tube structures and FA partially reverts this aberrant phenotype. In conclusion, we present a novel model for human NTDs and provide evidence that it is a powerful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying NTDs, test drugs for therapeutic approaches.
Enhanced nonlinear characteristics with the assistance of a $$\mathscr{PT}$$-symmetric trimer system
Authors: Du Lei , Zhang Yan , Fan Chu-Hui , Liu Yi-Mou , Gao Feng , Wu Jin-Hui
Published: February 2018

We study the parity-time (PT) symmetry characteristics and the applications to nonlinear optics in an optical trimer system consisting of two indirectly coupled standing-mode micro-cavities and a two-level quantum emitter (QE) placed at the intersection of two cavities. We find this trimer system can exhibit analogical phenomena as those in typical $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric dimer systems composed of a passive cavity directly coupled to an active cavity. This system, whose $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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symmetry is demonstrated by our analytic results, can be transformed between the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric phase and the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-broken phase by adjusting relevant system parameters. Then, with this system, we observe both the linear and nonlinear parts of the transmission field become remarkably enhanced and can further reach peak values around the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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breaking point. In addition, we show the negative correlation between the gain degree of the linear (nonlinear) transmission part and decay rate of the QE. This trimer proposal is feasible for experiments and may provide a promising platform for $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric optics of low-light levels. Moreover, novel phenomena arising from the QE-cavity-coupling induced nonlinearity gain could be explored to fabricate photonic devices and controllable nonlinear optical media for quantum information process and communication of photons.
Highly variable contractile performance correlates with myocyte content in trabeculae from failing human hearts
Authors: Munro Michelle L. , Shen Xin , Ward Marie , Ruygrok Peter N. , Crossman David J. , Soeller Christian
Published: February 2018

Heart failure (HF) is defined by compromised contractile function and is associated with changes in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling and cardiomyocyte organisation. Tissue level changes often include fibrosis, while changes within cardiomyocytes often affect structures critical to EC coupling, including the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the associated protein junctophilin-2 (JPH2) and the transverse tubular system architecture. Using a novel approach, we aimed to directly correlate the influence of structural alterations with force development in ventricular trabeculae from failing human hearts. Trabeculae were excised from explanted human hearts in end-stage failure and immediately subjected to force measurements. Following functional experiments, each trabecula was fixed, sectioned and immuno-stained for structural investigations. Peak stress was highly variable between trabeculae from both within and between failing hearts and was strongly correlated with the cross-sectional area occupied by myocytes (MCSA), rather than total trabecula cross-sectional area. At the cellular level, myocytes exhibited extensive microtubule densification which was linked via JPH2 to time-to-peak stress. Trabeculae fractional MCSA variability was much higher than that in adjacent free wall samples. Together, these findings identify several structural parameters implicated in functional impairment in human HF and highlight the structural variability of ventricular trabeculae which should be considered when interpreting functional data.
Rapid removal of ammonium from domestic wastewater using polymer hydrogels
Authors: Cruz Heidy , Luckman Paul , Seviour Thomas , Verstraete Willy , Laycock Bronwyn , Pikaar Ilje
Published: February 2018

To date, technologies to recover ammonium from domestic wastewater from the mainstream have not found widespread application. This is largely due to the low ammonium concentrations in these wastewater streams. This paper reports on the use of polymer hydrogels for rapid sorption of ammonium from domestic wastewater coupled with efficient regeneration by mild acid washing. The sorption capacity of the hydrogel was 8.8–32.2 mg NH4–N/g, which corresponds to removal efficiencies ranging from 68% to 80% NH4–N, increasing proportionally with the initial ammonium concentration. It was, however, unaffected by changes in pH, as the sorption capacity remained constant from pH 5.0–8.0. Importantly, effective regeneration of the hydrogels under mildly acidic conditions (i.e. pH 4.0) was demonstrated with minimal loss in sorption performance following multiple sorption/desorption cycles. Overall, this study highlights the potential of low-cost polymer hydrogels for achieving mainstream ammonium recovery from domestic wastewater.
A sarcopenia screening test predicts mortality in hospitalized older adults
Authors: Tang Tianjiao , Wu Linna , Yang Ling , Jiang Jiaojiao , Hao Qiukui , Dong Birong , Yang Ming
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the validation of a sarcopenia screening test (Ishii’s formula) for predicting long-term mortality among older adult inpatients. A prospective, observational study was conducted in acute geriatric wards at three hospitals in western China. Sarcopenia was estimated using Ishii’s formula. Survival status was assessed at 12, 24, and 36 months after the baseline investigation. Cox proportional-hazard models were applied to calculate the hazard ratio for mortality associated with sarcopenia. Three hundred and eighty participants (100 women) with a mean age of 80.2 ± 7.1 years were included. According to Ishii’s formula, 264 participants (69.5%) were sarcopenic. The prevalence of sarcopenia was similar in men and women (71.1% vs. 65.0%, respectively, P = 0.258). Sixty-seven participants (17.6%) died during the 3-year follow-up period. The all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (20.1% vs. 12.1%, respectively, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified sarcopenia as a significant predictor of 3-year all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–4.15). In conclusion, sarcopenia, estimated by Ishii’s formula, can predict 3-year all-cause mortality in a study population of hospitalized older adults.
Reliable charge assessment on encapsulated fragment for endohedral systems
Authors: Stasyuk A. J. , Solà M. , Voityuk A. A.
Published: February 2018

A simple scheme to determine charge distribution in endohedral complexes is suggested. It is based on comparison of inner-shell atomic orbital energies of the encapsulated species to the corresponding energies in reference systems with unambiguously defined charges on X. This robust approach is applied to endohedral borospherenes X@B39, for which the conventional schemes provide in some cases quite different results. Efficiency of proposed scheme also has been proven for typical fullerene based Sc3N@C80endohedral complex.
Time-reversed magnetically controlled perturbation (TRMCP) optical focusing inside scattering media
Authors: Yu Zhipeng , Huangfu Jiangtao , Zhao Fangyuan , Xia Meiyun , Wu Xi , Niu Xufeng , Li Deyu , Lai Puxiang , Wang Daifa
Published: February 2018

Manipulating and focusing light deep inside biological tissue and tissue-like complex media has been desired for long yet considered challenging. One feasible strategy is through optical wavefront engineering, where the optical scattering-induced phase distortions are time reversed or pre-compensated so that photons travel along different optical paths interfere constructively at the targeted position within a scattering medium. To define the targeted position, an internal guidestar is needed to guide or provide a feedback for wavefront engineering. It could be injected or embedded probes such as fluorescence or nonlinear microspheres, ultrasonic modulation, as well as absorption perturbation. Here we propose to use a magnetically controlled optical absorbing microsphere as the internal guidestar. Using a digital optical phase conjugation system, we obtained sharp optical focusing within scattering media through time-reversing the scattered light perturbed by the magnetic microsphere. Since the object is magnetically controlled, dynamic optical focusing is allowed with a relatively large field-of-view by scanning the magnetic field externally. Moreover, the magnetic microsphere can be packaged with an organic membrane, using biological or chemical means to serve as a carrier. Therefore, the technique may find particular applications for enhanced targeted drug delivery, and imaging and photoablation of angiogenic vessels in tumours.
Matrimid-JUC-62 and Matrimid-PCN-250 mixed matrix membranes displaying light-responsive gas separation and beneficial ageing characteristics for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Prasetya Nicholaus , Teck Anastasia A. , Ladewig Bradley P.
Published: February 2018

The performance of two generation-3 light-responsive metal-organic framework (MOF), namely JUC-62 and PCN-250, was investigated in a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) form. Both of them were incorporated inside the matrimid as the polymer matrix. Using our custom-designed membrane testing cell, it was observed that the MMMs showed up to 9% difference in CO2 permeability between its pristine and UV-irradiated condition. This shows that the light-responsive ability of the light-responsive MOFs could still be maintained. Thus, this finding is applicable in designing a smart material. Apart from that, the MMMs also has the potential to be applied for post-combustion carbon capture. At loadings up to 15 wt%, both CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 ideal selectivity could be significantly improved and surpassed the value exhibited by most of the MOF-matrimid MMM. Lastly the long term performance of the MMM was also evaluated and it was observed that both MMM could maintain their performance up to 1 month with only a slight decrease in CO2 permeability observed for 10 wt% PCN-250-matrimid. This study then opens up the possibility to fabricate a novel anti-aging multifunctional membrane material that is applicable as a smart material and also in post combustion carbon capture applications.
Half metal phase in the zigzag phosphorene nanoribbon
Authors: Ren Yi , Cheng Fang , Zhang Z. H. , Zhou Guanghui
Published: February 2018

Exploring half-metallic nanostructures is a crucial solution for developing high-performance spintronic devices. Black phosphorene is an emerging two-dimensional material possessing strong anisotropic band structure and high mobility. Based on the first principles calculations, we investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons (ZPNRs) with three different functionalization groups (OH/CN, OH/NO2, NH2/NO2) at the edges. We find that the interplay between edge functionalization and edge oxidation can induce the half metal phase in the ZPNRs, and the half metal phase can be controlled by the external transverse in-plane electric field and the proportion of the functional groups and edge oxidation. The results may pave a new way to construst nanoscale spintronic devices based on black phosphorene nanoribbons.
Sperm selection by thermotaxis improves ICSI outcome in mice
Authors: Pérez-Cerezales Serafín , Laguna-Barraza Ricardo , de Castro Alejandro Chacón , Sánchez-Calabuig María Jesús , Cano-Oliva Esther , de Castro-Pita Francisco Javier , Montoro-Buils Luis , Pericuesta Eva , Fernández-González Raúl , Gutiérrez-Adán Alfonso
Published: February 2018

The ejaculate is a heterogeneous pool of spermatozoa containing only a small physiologically adequate subpopulation for fertilization. As there is no method to isolate this subpopulation, its specific characteristics are unknown. This is one of the main reasons why we lack effective tools to identify male infertility and for the low efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies. The aim of this study was to improve ICSI outcome by sperm selection through thermotaxis. Here we show that a specific subpopulation of mouse and human spermatozoa can be selectedin vitroby thermotaxis and that this subpopulation is the one that enters the fallopian tube in mice. Further, we confirm that these selected spermatozoa in mice and humans show a much higher DNA integrity and lower chromatin compaction than unselected sperm, and in mice, they give rise to more and better embryos through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, doubling the number of successful pregnancies. Collectively, our results indicate that a high quality sperm subpopulation is selectedin vitroby thermotaxis and that this subpopulation is also selectedin vivowithin the fallopian tube possibly by thermotaxis.
Water memory effects and their impacts on global vegetation productivity and resilience
Authors: Liu Laibao , Zhang Yatong , Wu Shuyao , Li Shuangcheng , Qin Dahe
Published: February 2018

Memory effects refer to the impacts of antecedent climate conditions on current vegetation productivity. This temporal linkage has been found to be strong in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the dominant climatic factors that determine such patterns are still unclear. Here, we defined’water-memory effects’ as the persistent effects of antecedent precipitation on the vegetation productivity for a given memory length (from 1 to up to 12 months). Based on satellite observations and climate data, we quantified the length of water-memory effects and evaluated the contributions of antecedent precipitation on current vegetation. Our results showed that vegetation productivity was highly dependent on antecedent precipitation in arid and semi-arid regions. The average length of water memory was approximately 5.6 months. Globally, water-memory effects could explain the geographical pattern and strength of memory effects, indicating that precipitation might be the dominant climatic factor determining memory effects because of its impact on water availability. Moreover, our results showed vegetation in regions with low mean annual precipitation or a longer water memory has lower engineering resilience (i.e. slower recovery rate) to disturbances. These findings will enable better assessment of memory effects and improve our understanding of the vulnerability of vegetation to climate change.
Ectopic expression of S28A-mutated Histone H3 modulates longevity, stress resistance and cardiac function in Drosophila
Authors: Joos J. P. , Saadatmand A. R. , Schnabel C. , Viktorinová I. , Brand T. , Kramer M. , Nattel S. , Dobrev D. , Tomancak P. , Backs J. , Kleinbongard P. , Heusch G. , Lorenz K. , Koch E. , Weber S. , El-Armouche A.
Published: February 2018

Histone H3 serine 28 (H3S28) phosphorylation and de-repression of polycomb repressive complex (PRC)-mediated gene regulation is linked to stress conditions in mitotic and post-mitotic cells. To better understand the role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo, we studied a Drosophila strain with ectopic expression of constitutively-activated H3S28A, which prevents PRC2 binding at H3S28, thus mimicking H3S28 phosphorylation. H3S28A mutants showed prolonged life span and improved resistance against starvation and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. Morphological and functional analysis of heart tubes revealed smaller luminal areas and thicker walls accompanied by moderately improved cardiac function after acute stress induction. Whole-exome deep gene-sequencing from isolated heart tubes revealed phenotype-corresponding changes in longevity-promoting and myotropic genes. We also found changes in genes controlling mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. Analysis of mitochondrial respiration from whole flies revealed improved efficacy of ATP production with reduced electron transport-chain activity. Finally, we analyzed posttranslational modification of H3S28 in an experimental heart failure model and observed increased H3S28 phosphorylation levels in HF hearts. Our data establish a critical role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo for life span, stress resistance, cardiac and mitochondrial function in Drosophila. These findings may pave the way for H3S28 phosphorylation as a putative target to treat stress-related disorders such as heart failure.
Simultaneous determination of fifteen toxic alkaloids in meat dishes and vegetable dishes using double layer pipette tip magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction followed by UFLC-MS/MS
Authors: Cheng He-Li , Wang Feng-Lian , Zhao Yong-Gang , Zhang Yun , Jin Mi-Cong , Zhu Yan
Published: February 2018

A novel double layer pipette tip magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction based on polyamidoamine-functionalized magnetic carbon nanotubes was developed for the purification of fifteen toxic alkaloids in cooked food samples.
Quantitative analysis of sinters using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with kernel-based extreme learning machine (K-ELM)
Authors: Ding Yu , Yan Fei , Yang Guang , Chen Haixiu , Song Zhensheng
Published: February 2018

This work explores the combination of LIBS technology and K-ELM algorithm for the quantitative analysis of total iron (TFe) content and alkalinity of sinter.
Unprecedented self-assembled architectures of surface-active ionic liquids in aqueous medium
Authors: Singh Gurbir , Kaur Manvir , Drechsler Markus , Kang Tejwant Singh
Published: February 2018

A first report on bilayer architectures from self-assembly of SAILs without any additive in aqueous solutions at very low concentrations.
Expeditious synthesis of polyacetylenic water hemlock toxins and their effects on the major GABAA receptor isoform
Authors: Berger Martin , Chen Yong , Bampali Konstantina , Ernst Margot , Maulide Nuno
Published: February 2018

Classical synthetic approaches to highly unsaturated polyene/yne natural products rely on iterative cross-coupling of linear fragments.
Direct versus acetalization routes in the reaction network of catalytic HMF etherification
Authors: Lanzafame P. , Papanikolaou G. , Perathoner S. , Centi G. , Migliori M. , Catizzone E. , Aloise A. , Giordano G.
Published: February 2018

The etherification of HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) to EMF (5-(ethoxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde) is studied over a series of MFI-type zeolite catalysts containing different heteroatoms (B, Fe, Al), aiming to understand the effect of different isomorph substitutions in the MFI framework on the reaction pathways of HMF conversion.
Feruloylated oligosaccharides from maize bran alleviate the symptoms of diabetes in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Huang Junqing , Wang Xiaoqi , Tao Guanyu , Song Yuan , Ho Chitang , Zheng Jie , Ou Shiyi
Published: February 2018

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) extracted from maize bran on type 2 diabetic rats and its potential mechanism.
Gram-scale synthesis of single-crystalline graphene quantum dots derived from lignin biomass
Authors: Ding Zheyuan , Li Fengfeng , Wen Jialong , Wang Xiluan , Sun Runcang
Published: February 2018

A gram-scale, low-cost and sustainable synthesis of single-crystalline graphene quantum dots derived from biomass waste.
Preparation and characterization of universal Fe3O4@SiO2/CdTe nanocomposites for rapid and facile detection and separation of membrane proteins
Authors: Wang Min , Zheng Ke-yan , Lv Shao-wu , Zou Hai-feng , Liu Hong-sen , Yan Gang-lin , Liu Ai-dong , Fei Xiao-fang
Published: February 2018

The separation and enrichment of cell membrane proteins was achieved by the construction of bi-functional magnetic fluorescent nanoprobes.
Tracking fast cellular membrane dynamics with sub-nm accuracy in the normal direction
Authors: Yu Hui , Yang Yuting , Yang Yunze , Zhang Fenni , Wang Shaopeng , Tao Nongjian
Published: February 2018

An optical method to measure the cellular membrane fluctuations with high spatial and temporal resolution.
A facile synthesis of contorted spirobisindane-diamine and its microporous polyimides for gas separation
Authors: Shrestha Binod Babu , Wakimoto Kazuki , Wang Zhenggong , Isfahani Ali Pournaghshband , Suma Tomoya , Sivaniah Easan , Ghalei Behnam
Published: February 2018

Contorted diamine monomers are the attractive precursors for the synthesis of novel microporous polyimides with high gas separation performance.
Enhanced biodegradation of phenol in a novel cyclic activated sludge integrated with a rotating bed bioreactor in anoxic and peroxidase-mediated conditions
Authors: Pourakbar Mojtaba , Moussavi Gholamreza , Yaghmaeian Kamyar
Published: February 2018

Cyclic activated sludge integrated with a rotating bed bioreactor (CASIR) was used for phenol biodegradation.
A highly efficient nano-sized Cu2O/SiO2egg-shell catalyst for C–C coupling reactions
Authors: Kim Soohee , Kang Shin Wook , Kim Aram , Yusuf Mohammad , Park Ji Chan , Park Kang Hyun
Published: February 2018

Mesoporous SiO2-supported Cu2O nanoparticles as an egg-shell type catalyst were prepared by impregnation method.
Simultaneous and selective electrochemical determination of hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol at poly(1,5-diaminonaphthalene)/glassy carbon-modified electrode in different media
Authors: Hassan Khalid Mahmoud , Hathoot Abla Ahmed , Abo oura Mohamed Fathi , Azzem Magdi Abdel
Published: February 2018

Electrochemical behaviors of hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol were examined at poly(1,5-diaminonaphthalene)/glassy carbon-modified electrode by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques in different media.
Correction: Physical and compositional analysis of differently cultured 3D human skin equivalents by confocal Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Dancik Y. , Sriram G. , Rout B. , Zou Y. , Bigliardi-Qi M. , Bigliardi P. L.
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Physical and compositional analysis of differently cultured 3D human skin equivalents by confocal Raman spectroscopy’ by Y. Dancik, et al., Analyst, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7an01675a.
Stereoselective synthesis of a Podophyllum lignan core by intramolecular reductive nickel-catalysis
Authors: Xiao Jian , Cong Xiao-Wei , Yang Gui-Zhen , Wang Ya-Wen , Peng Yu
Published: February 2018

Ni-catalyzed intramolecular coupling for a stereodivergent construction of a THN[2,3-c]furan core embedded in bioactive Podophyllum lignans, is developed.
Recognition of shorter and longer trimethyllysine analogues by epigenetic reader proteins
Authors: Al Temimi Abbas H. K. , Belle Roman , Kumar Kiran , Poater Jordi , Betlem Peter , Pieters Bas J. G. E. , Paton Robert S. , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Mecinović Jasmin
Published: February 2018

Combined thermodynamic data, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum chemical studies reveal that epigenetic reader proteins efficiently bind trimethylornithine and trimethylhomolysine.
Iodine chemistry determines the defect tolerance of lead-halide perovskites
Authors: Meggiolaro Daniele , Motti Silvia G. , Mosconi Edoardo , Barker Alex J. , Ball James , Andrea Riccardo Perini Carlo , Deschler Felix , Petrozza Annamaria , De Angelis Filippo
Published: February 2018

Electron/hole traps related to interstitial iodine defects show the typical features of iodine photo-electrochemistry, inducing MAPbI3 defect tolerance.
C–H arylation reactions through aniline activation catalysed by a PANI-g-C3N4-TiO2composite under visible light in aqueous medium
Authors: Wang Liang , Shen Jun , Yang Sen , Liu Wenjie , Chen Qun , He Mingyang
Published: February 2018

C–H arylation reactions under visible light in aqueous medium catalysed by a PANI-g-C3N4-TiO2composite have been developed.
Novel composite films of polysaccharides and glutathione capped zinc selenide (GSH@ZnSe) quantum dots for detection of Cd2+ and Cu2+
Authors: Ding Yongling , Yin Hong , Musameh Mustafa M. , Hao Xiaojuan , Kyratzis Ilias Louis , Shirley Shen , Sun Kangning , Liu Futian
Published: February 2018

Water-soluble glutathione capped zinc selenide (GSH@ZnSe) quantum dots (QDs) were employed to develop composite films with positively charged chitosan (CS) and negatively charged xanthan gum (XG), respectively.
Synthesis of CoFe Prussian blue analogue/poly vinylidene fluoride nanocomposite material with improved thermal stability and ferroelectric properties
Authors: Bhatt Pramod , Meena Sher Singh , Mukadam M. D. , Mandal Balaji P. , Chauhan A. K. , Yusuf S. M.
Published: February 2018

Synthesis of a nanocomposite CoFe Prussian blue analogue (CoFePBA) molecular magnet with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer show improved thermal stability and ferroelectric properties.