bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedizin in der älteren Bevölkerung
Authors: Otto Ulrich , Brettenhofer Marlene , Tarnutzer Silvan
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung. Ein wesentliches Ziel der Telemedizin ist es, den Zugang zu medizinischen Angeboten durch Einsatz von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) zu vereinfachen und nicht zuletzt in ländlichen Regionen neue Versorgungsmodelle für alle PatientInnen zu ermöglichen. Vor dem Hintergrund der demografischen Entwicklungen werden Wege und Hilfsmittel gesucht, PatientInnen dort zu betreuen, wo sie leben – in Übereinstimmung mit dem verbreiteten Wunsch, so lange wie möglich zu Hause zu leben, auch bei Älteren, die in ihrer Mobilität eingeschränkt sind oder mehr und mehr nicht auf nahe lebende Angehöriger zurückgreifen können. Weil zunehmend komplexe Krankheitsbilder und Multimorbidität eine Betreuung durch mehrere ÄrztInnen und Fachkräfte sowie informelle Unterstützung erfordern, ist eine hohe intersektorale Vernetzung der AkteurInnen im Gesundheitssystem nötig. Neue Strategien verfolgen dieses Ziel u. a. durch den Aufbau von elektronischen PatientInnenakten, integrierten Versorgungsmodellen und ähnliche Lösungen. Die Telemedizin stellt hierbei einen wichtigen Baustein dar, mit erheblichem Potenzial gerade für Ältere. Sie zeigt sich als offenes Konstrukt, dessen Angebote und Massnahmen in einem ständigen Entwicklungsprozess erweitert werden. Die Antreiber für diesen Prozess sind zum einen ein verstärkter Einsatz von technischen Hilfsmitteln in der Medizin und zum anderen ein verstärktes Bedürfnis nach patientInnenorientierter Versorgung. Gerade im Kontext heute oftmals frühzeitiger Entlassungen aus Krankenhäusern sind technologisch gestützte Massnahmen zur Nachbetreuung von PatientInnen ein mögliches Mittel zur Risikoverminderung und Qualitätssteigerung von Behandlungen. Wesentliche Herausforderungen sind zudem die Orientierung an Selbstmanagementförderung, und an intersektoraler und interdisziplinärer Kooperation. Begünstigt werden die genannten Entwicklungen im Bereich der Telemedizin dadurch, dass aktuell trotz bisher oftmals konstatierter Vorbehalte von Älteren gegenüber Technik eine rasche Entwicklung zu einer höheren Vertrautheit Älterer mit einschlägigen elektronischen Geräten und Anwendungen stattfindet. Der Artikel bietet neben einer notwendigen Begriffsklärung einen Überblick über verschiedene Aspekte und deren Einsatzgebiete mit einem Fokus auf Anwendungsbeispiele für die ältere Bevölkerung und bildet aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Thematik ab. Abgerundet werden die Erläuterungen durch eine knappe Sammlung bisher vorliegender Erkenntnisse aus Evaluationen und Metastudien zu Wirkungen, Kosten und Nutzen von Telemedizin in der Praxis.
Therapie-orientierte Telemedizin – hat Europa eine Antwort?
Authors: Neumann Claas Lennart , Schulz Egbert Godehard
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung. Trotz zahlreicher Probleme bei der Umsetzung und den bereits zahlreichen vorhandenen telemedizinischen Ansätzen zeigt sich eine zunehmender Wunsch nach mehr Integration von IT-Lösungen in das Gesundheitssystem bei allen beteiligten Akteuren (Patienten, Ärzte, Software- und Hardwareentwickler, Versicherer und Leistungserbringer etc.). Dies spiegelt wieder, dass die digitalen Lösungen in der Medizin noch nicht im 21. Jahrhundert angekommen sind und weit hinter ihren Möglichkeiten zurückbleiben. So bleiben telemedizinische Ansätze „Leuchtturmprojekt“ meist ohne mittel- und langfristige Bedeutung für die medizinische Patientenversorgung oder die wissenschaftliche Forschung und ist weit entfernt von einer überregionalen bzw. nationalen Standardisierung. Das EUSTAR-Register unter der ESH-Schirmherrschaft wird konzipiert, um durch die Verwendung der innovativen Softwarelösung SCITIM® die noch bestehenden informationstechnischen Lücken zu schließen und eine breite Verwendung von Telemedizin unter der Schaffung von wissenschaftlichen und wirtschaftlichen Evidenzen zu ermöglichen. Der Ansatz des interventionellen dezentralen Telemonitorings (idTM®) scheint hierfür am geeignetsten, da eine klare und direkte Arzt-Patienten-Bindung und -Kommunikation erhalten bleibt. Der grundsätzliche Bewertungsmaßstab, die Qualität der telemedizinischen Applikation von der medizinischen Qualität der Handlungskonsequenz abzuleiten, findet bei der Mehrzahl der in kleineren Projekten etablierten Anwendungen und Verfahren kaum Berücksichtigung.
Surface Climate Processes Keep Earth's Energy Balance in Check
Authors: Betz Eric
Published: September 2015

Models show that an abrupt increase in carbon dioxide emissions would trigger feedback processes that would change Earth's hydrological cycle.
Selected SNARE proteins are essential for the polarized membrane insertion of igf-1 receptor and the regulation of initial axonal outgrowth in neurons
Authors: Grassi Diego , Plonka Florentyna Bustos , Oksdath Mariana , Guil Alvaro Nieto , Sosa Lucas J , Quiroga Santiago
Published: September 2015

The establishment of polarity necessitates initial axonal outgrowth and, therefore, the addition of new membrane to the axon’s plasmalemma. Axolemmal expansion occurs by exocytosis of plasmalemmal precursor vesicles (PPVs) primarily at the neuronal growth cone. Little is known about the SNAREs family proteins involved in the regulation of PPV fusion with the neuronal plasmalemma at early stages of differentiation. We show here that five SNARE proteins (VAMP2, VAMP4, VAMP7, Syntaxin6 and SNAP23) were expressed by hippocampal pyramidal neurons before polarization. Expression silencing of three of these proteins (VAMP4, Syntaxin6 and SNAP23) repressed axonal outgrowth and the establishment of neuronal polarity, by inhibiting IGF-1 receptor exocytotic polarized insertion, necessary for neuronal polarization. In addition, stimulation with IGF-1 triggered the association of VAMP4, Syntaxin6 and SNAP23 to vesicular structures carrying the IGF-1 receptor and overexpression of a negative dominant form of Syntaxin6 significantly inhibited exocytosis of IGF-1 receptor containing vesicles at the neuronal growth cone. Taken together, our results indicated that VAMP4, Syntaxin6 and SNAP23 functions are essential for regulation of PPV exocytosis and the polarized insertion of IGF-1 receptor and, therefore, required for initial axonal elongation and the establishment of neuronal polarity.
Refining the phylum Chlorobi by resolving the phylogeny and metabolic potential of the representative of a deeply branching, uncultivated lineage
Authors: Hiras Jennifer , Wu Yu-Wei , Eichorst Stephanie A , Simmons Blake A , Singer Steven W
Published: September 2015

Recent studies have expanded the phylum Chlorobi, demonstrating that the green sulfur bacteria (GSB), the original cultured representatives of the phylum, are a part of a broader lineage whose members have more diverse metabolic capabilities that overlap with members of the phylum Bacteroidetes. The 16S rRNA gene of an uncultivated clone, OPB56, distantly related to the phyla Chlorobi and Bacteroidetes, was recovered from Obsidian Pool in Yellowstone National Park; however, the detailed phylogeny and function of OPB56 and related clones have remained unknown. Culturing of thermophilic bacterial consortia from compost by adaptation to grow on ionic-liquid pretreated switchgrass provided a consortium in which one of the most abundant members, NICIL-2, clustered with OPB56-related clones. Phylogenetic analysis using the full-length 16S rRNA gene from NICIL-2 demonstrated that it was part of a monophyletic clade, referred to as OPB56, distinct from the Bacteroidetes and Chlorobi. A near complete draft genome (>95% complete) was recovered from metagenomic data from the culture adapted to grow on ionic-liquid pretreated switchgrass using an automated binning algorithm, and this genome was used for marker gene-based phylogenetic analysis and metabolic reconstruction. Six additional genomes related to NICIL-2 were reconstructed from metagenomic data sets obtained from thermal springs at Yellowstone National Park and Nevada Great Boiling Spring. In contrast to the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis, protein phylogenetic analysis was most consistent with the clustering of the Chlorobea, Ignavibacteria and OPB56 into a single phylum level clade. Metabolic reconstruction of NICIL-2 demonstrated a close linkage with the class Ignavibacteria and the family Rhodothermaceae, a deeply branching Bacteroidetes lineage. The combined phylogenetic and functional analysis of the NICIL-2 genome has refined the membership in the phylum Chlorobi and emphasized the close evolutionary and metabolic relationship between the phyla Chlorobi and the Bacteroidetes.
Towards outperforming conventional sensor arrays with fabricated individual photonic vapour sensors inspired by Morpho butterflies
Authors: Potyrailo Radislav A. , Bonam Ravi K. , Hartley John G. , Starkey Timothy A. , Vukusic Peter , Vasudev Milana , Bunning Timothy , Naik Rajesh R. , Tang Zhexiong , Palacios Manuel A. , Larsen Michael , Le Tarte Laurie A. , Grande James C. , Zhong Sheng , Deng Tao
Published: September 2015

Combining vapour sensors into arrays is an accepted compromise to mitigate poor selectivity of conventional sensors. Here we show individual nanofabricated sensors that not only selectively detect separate vapours in pristine conditions but also quantify these vapours in mixtures, and when blended with a variable moisture background. Our sensor design is inspired by the iridescent nanostructure and gradient surface chemistry of Morpho butterflies and involves physical and chemical design criteria. The physical design involves optical interference and diffraction on the fabricated periodic nanostructures and uses optical loss in the nanostructure to enhance the spectral diversity of reflectance. The chemical design uses spatially controlled nanostructure functionalization. Thus, while quantitation of analytes in the presence of variable backgrounds is challenging for most sensor arrays, we achieve this goal using individual multivariable sensors. These colorimetric sensors can be tuned for numerous vapour sensing scenarios in confined areas or as individual nodes for distributed monitoring.
Nanoscale size effects in crystallization of metallic glass nanorods
Authors: Sohn Sungwoo , Jung Yeonwoong , Xie Yujun , Osuji Chinedum , Schroers Jan , Cha Judy J.
Published: September 2015

Atomistic understanding of crystallization in solids is incomplete due to the lack of appropriate materials and direct experimental tools. Metallic glasses possess simple metallic bonds and slow crystallization kinetics, making them suitable to study crystallization. Here, we investigate crystallization of metallic glass-forming liquids by in-situ heating metallic glass nanorods inside a transmission electron microscope. We unveil that the crystallization kinetics is affected by the nanorod diameter. With decreasing diameters, crystallization temperature decreases initially, exhibiting a minimum at a certain diameter, and then rapidly increases below that. This unusual crystallization kinetics is a consequence of multiple competing factors: increase in apparent viscosity, reduced nucleation probability and enhanced heterogeneous nucleation. The first two are verified by slowed grain growth and scatter in crystallization temperature with decreasing diameters. Our findings provide insight into relevant length scales in crystallization of supercooled metallic glasses, thus offering accurate processing conditions for predictable metallic glass nanomolding.
Multi-jet propulsion organized by clonal development in a colonial siphonophore
Authors: Costello John H. , Colin Sean P. , Gemmell Brad J. , Dabiri John O. , Sutherland Kelly R.
Published: September 2015

Physonect siphonophores are colonial cnidarians that are pervasive predators in many neritic and oceanic ecosystems. Physonects employ multiple, clonal medusan individuals, termed nectophores, to propel an aggregate colony. Here we show that developmental differences between clonal nectophores of the physonect Nanomia bijuga produce a division of labour in thrust and torque production that controls direction and magnitude of whole-colony swimming. Although smaller and less powerful, the position of young nectophores near the apex of the nectosome allows them to dominate torque production for turning, whereas older, larger and more powerful individuals near the base of the nectosome contribute predominantly to forward thrust production. The patterns we describe offer insight into the biomechanical success of an ecologically important and widespread colonial animal group, but, more broadly, provide basic physical understanding of a natural solution to multi-engine organization that may contribute to the expanding field of underwater-distributed propulsion vehicle design.
Temperature-Dependent Asymmetry of Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in Silicon p-n Junctions
Authors: Yang D. Z. , Wang T. , Sui W. B. , Si M. S. , Guo D. W. , Shi Z. , Wang F. C. , Xue D. S.
Published: September 2015

We report a large but asymmetric magnetoresistance in silicon p-n junctions, which contrasts with the fact of magnetoresistance being symmetric in magnetic metals and semiconductors. With temperature decreasing from 293 K to 100 K, the magnetoresistance sharply increases from 50% to 150% under a magnetic field of 2 T. At the same time, an asymmetric magnetoresistance, which manifests itself as a magnetoresistance voltage offset with respect to the sign of magnetic field, occurs and linearly increases with magnetoresistance. More interestingly, in contrast with other materials, the lineshape of anisotropic magnetoresistance in silicon p-n junctions significantly depends on temperature. As temperature decreases from 293 K to 100 K, the width of peak shrinks from 90° to 70°. We ascribe these novel magnetoresistance to the asymmetric geometry of the space charge region in p-n junction induced by the magnetic field. In the vicinity of the space charge region the current paths are deflected, contributing the Hall field to the asymmetric magnetoresistance. Therefore, the observed temperature-dependent asymmetry of magnetoresistance is proved to be a direct consequence of the spatial configuration evolution of space charge region with temperature.
Structural analysis of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type D as a platform for the development of targeted secretion inhibitors
Authors: Masuyer Geoffrey , Davies Jonathan R. , Moore Kevin , Chaddock John A. , Ravi Acharya K.
Published: September 2015

The botulinum neurotoxin type D is one of seven highly potent toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum which inhibit neurotransmission at cholinergic nerve terminals. A functional fragment derived from the toxin, LHn, consisting of the catalytic and translocation domains, has been heralded as a platform for the development of targeted secretion inhibitors. These secretion inhibitors are aimed at retargeting the toxin towards a specific cell type to inhibit vesicular secretion. Here we report crystal structures of LHn from serotype D at 2.3?Å and that of SXN101959 at 3.1?Å resolution. SXN101959, a derivative that combines LHn from serotype D with a fragment of the growth hormone releasing hormone, has previously revealed promising results in inhibiting growth hormone release in pituitary somatotrophs. These structures offer for the first time insights into the translocation domain interaction with the catalytic domain in serotype D. Furthermore, structural information from small-angle X-ray scattering of LHn/D is compared among serotypes A, B and D. Taken together, these results demonstrate the robustness of the ‘LHn fold’ across serotypes and its use in engineering additional polypeptide components with added functionality. Our study demonstrates the suitability of botulinum neurotoxin and serotype D in particular, as a basis for engineering novel secretion inhibitors.
Mass spectrometry imaging reveals new biological roles for choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs
Authors: Rudd David , Ronci Maurizio , Johnston Martin R. , Guinan Taryn , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: September 2015

Despite significant advances in chemical ecology, the biodistribution, temporal changes and ecological function of most marine secondary metabolites remain unknown. One such example is the association between choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) on nano-structured surfaces has emerged as a sophisticated platform for spatial analysis of low molecular mass metabolites in heterogeneous tissues, ideal for low abundant secondary metabolites. Here we applied desorption-ionisation on porous silicon (DIOS) to examinein situchanges in biodistribution over the reproductive cycle. DIOS-MSI showed muscle-relaxing choline ester murexine to co-localise with tyrindoxyl sulfate in the biosynthetic hypobranchial glands. But during egg-laying, murexine was transferred to the capsule gland and then to the egg capsules, where chemical ripening resulted in Tyrian purple formation. Murexine was found to tranquilise the larvae and may relax the reproductive tract. This study shows that DIOS-MSI is a powerful tool that can provide new insights into marine chemo-ecology.
Enhancing flavonoid production by systematically tuning the central metabolic pathways based on a CRISPR interference system in Escherichia coli
Authors: Wu Junjun , Du Guocheng , Chen Jian , Zhou Jingwen
Published: September 2015

The limited supply of intracellular malonyl-CoA in Escherichia coli impedes the biological synthesis of polyketides, flavonoids and biofuels. Here, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference system was constructed for fine-tuning central metabolic pathways to efficiently channel carbon flux toward malonyl-CoA. Using synthetic sgRNA to silence candidate genes, genes that could increase the intracellular malonyl-CoA level by over 223% were used as target genes. The efficiencies of repression of these genes were tuned to achieve appropriate levels so that the intracellular malonyl-CoA level was enhanced without significantly altering final biomass accumulation (the final OD600 decreased by less than 10%). Based on the results, multiple gene repressing was successful in approaching the limit of the amount of malonyl-CoA needed to produce the plant-specific secondary metabolite (2S)-naringenin. By coupling the genetic modifications to cell growth, the combined effects of these genetic perturbations increased the final (2S)-naringenin titer to 421.6 mg/L, which was 7.4-fold higher than the control strain. The strategy described here could be used to characterize genes that are essential for cell growth and to develop E. coli as a well-organized cell factory for producing other important products that require malonyl-CoA as a precursor.
A new formulation of Gamma Delta Tocotrienol has superior bioavailability compared to existing Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction in healthy human subjects
Authors: Meganathan Puvaneswari , Jabir Rafid Salim , Fuang Ho Gwo , Bhoo-Pathy Nirmala , Choudhury Roma Basu , Taib Nur Aishah , Nesaretnam Kalanithi , Chik Zamri
Published: September 2015

Gamma and delta tocotrienols are isomers of Vitamin E with established potency in pre-clinical anti-cancer research. This single-dose, randomized, crossover study aimed to compare the safety and bioavailability of a new formulation of Gamma Delta Tocotrienol (GDT) in comparison with the existing Tocotrienol-rich Fraction (TRF) in terms of gamma and delta isomers in healthy volunteers. Subjects were given either two 300 mg GDT (450 mg γ-T3 and 150 mg δ-T3) capsules or four 200 mg TRF (451.2 mg γ-T3 & 102.72 mg δ-T3) capsules and blood samples were taken at several time points over 24 hours. Plasma tocotrienol concentrations were determined using HPLC method. The 90% CI for gamma and delta tocotrienols for the ratio of log-transformation of GDT/TRF for Cmax and AUC0–∞ (values were anti-logged and expressed as a percentage) were beyond the bioequivalence limits (106.21–195.46, 154.11–195.93 and 52.35–99.66, 74.82–89.44 respectively). The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for Tmax did not show any significant difference between GDT and TRF for both isomers (p > 0.05). No adverse events were reported during the entire period of study. GDT was found not bioequivalent to TRF, in terms of AUC and Cmax. Gamma tocotrienol in GDT showed superior bioavailability whilst delta tocotrienol showed less bioavailability compared to TRF.
Thermosensitive hydrogel containing dexamethasone micelles for preventing postsurgical adhesion in a repeated-injury model
Authors: Wu Qinjie , Wang Ning , He Tao , Shang Jinfeng , Li Ling , Song Linjiang , Yang Xi , Li Xia , Luo Na , Zhang Wenli , Gong Changyang
Published: September 2015

Tissue adhesion is a common complication after surgery. In this work, a dexamethasone loaded polymeric micelles in thermosensitive hydrogel composite (Dex hydrogel) was prepared, which combined the anti-adhesion barrier with controlled release of anti-adhesion drug. Dexamethasone (Dex) was encapsulated in polymeric micelles (Dex micelles) and then the Dex micelles were loaded into biodegradable and thermosensitive hydrogel. The obtained Dex hydrogel showed a temperature-dependent sol-gel-sol phase transition behavior. The Dex hydrogel could form a non-flowing gel in situ upon subcutaneous injection and gradually degrade in about 20 days. In addition, Dex hydrogel was assigned for anti-adhesion studies in a more rigorous recurrent adhesion animal model. Compared with normal saline (NS) and Dex micelles group, tissue adhesions in hydrogel and Dex hydrogel group were significantly alleviated. In Dex hydrogel group, the media adhesion score is 0, which was dramatically lower than that in blank hydrogel group (2.50, P < 0.001). In histopathological examination and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, an integral neo-mesothelial cell layer with microvilli on their surface was observed, which revealed that the injured parietal and visceral peritoneum were fully recovered without the concerns of adhesion formation. Our results suggested that Dex hydrogel may serve as a potential anti-adhesion candidate.
Physicochemical and biological characterization of chitosan-microRNA nanocomplexes for gene delivery to MCF-7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Santos-Carballal B. , Aaldering L. J. , Ritzefeld M. , Pereira S. , Sewald N. , Moerschbacher B. M. , Götte M. , Goycoolea F. M.
Published: September 2015

Cancer gene therapy requires the design of non-viral vectors that carry genetic material and selectively deliver it with minimal toxicity. Non-viral vectors based on cationic natural polymers can form electrostatic complexes with negatively-charged polynucleotides such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Here we investigated the physicochemical/biophysical properties of chitosan–hsa-miRNA-145 (CS–miRNA) nanocomplexes and the biological responses of MCF-7 breast cancer cells cultured in vitro. Self-assembled CS–miRNA nanocomplexes were produced with a range of (+/−) charge ratios (from 0.6 to 8) using chitosans with various degrees of acetylation and molecular weight. The Z-average particle diameter of the complexes was <200 nm. The surface charge increased with increasing amount of chitosan. We observed that chitosan induces the base-stacking of miRNA in a concentration dependent manner. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy shows that complexes formed by low degree of acetylation chitosans are highly stable, regardless of the molecular weight. We found no evidence that these complexes were cytotoxic towards MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, CS–miRNA nanocomplexes with degree of acetylation 12% and 29% were biologically active, showing successful downregulation of target mRNA expression in MCF-7 cells. Our data, therefore, shows that CS–miRNA complexes offer a promising non-viral platform for breast cancer gene therapy.
Octanoylation of early intermediates of mycobacterial methylglucose lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Maranha Ana , Moynihan Patrick J. , Miranda Vanessa , Correia Lourenço Eva , Nunes-Costa Daniela , Fraga Joana S. , José Barbosa Pereira Pedro , Macedo-Ribeiro Sandra , Ventura M. Rita , Clarke Anthony J. , Empadinhas Nuno
Published: September 2015

Mycobacteria synthesize unique intracellular methylglucose lipopolysaccharides (MGLP) proposed to modulate fatty acid metabolism. In addition to the partial esterification of glucose or methylglucose units with short-chain fatty acids, octanoate was invariably detected on the MGLP reducing end. We have identified a novel sugar octanoyltransferase (OctT) that efficiently transfers octanoate to glucosylglycerate (GG) and diglucosylglycerate (DGG), the earliest intermediates in MGLP biosynthesis. Enzymatic studies, synthetic chemistry, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry approaches suggest that, in contrast to the prevailing consensus, octanoate is not esterified to the primary hydroxyl group of glycerate but instead to the C6 OH of the second glucose in DGG. These observations raise important new questions about the MGLP reducing end architecture and about subsequent biosynthetic steps. Functional characterization of this unique octanoyltransferase, whose gene has been proposed to be essential forM. tuberculosisgrowth, adds new insights into a vital mycobacterial pathway, which may inspire new drug discovery strategies.
Remote control of magnetostriction-based nanocontacts at room temperature
Authors: Jammalamadaka S. Narayana , Kuntz Sebastian , Berg Oliver , Kittler Wolfram , Kannan U. Mohanan , Chelvane J. Arout , Sürgers Christoph
Published: September 2015

The remote control of the electrical conductance through nanosized junctions at room temperature will play an important role in future nano-electromechanical systems and electronic devices. This can be achieved by exploiting the magnetostriction effects of ferromagnetic materials. Here we report on the electrical conductance of magnetic nanocontacts obtained from wires of the giant magnetostrictive compound Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.95 as an active element in a mechanically controlled break-junction device. The nanocontacts are reproducibly switched at room temperature between “open” (zero conductance) and “closed” (nonzero conductance) states by variation of a magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the long wire axis. Conductance measurements in a magnetic field oriented parallel to the long wire axis exhibit a different behaviour where the conductance switches between both states only in a limited field range close to the coercive field. Investigating the conductance in the regime of electron tunneling by mechanical or magnetostrictive control of the electrode separation enables an estimation of the magnetostriction. The present results pave the way to utilize the material in devices based on nano-electromechanical systems operating at room temperature.
PrP charge structure encodes interdomain interactions
Authors: Martínez Javier , Sánchez Rosa , Castellanos Milagros , Makarava Natallia , Aguzzi Adriano , Baskakov Ilia V. , Gasset María
Published: September 2015

Almost all proteins contain charged residues and their chain distribution is tailored to fulfill essential ionic interactions for folding, binding and catalysis. Among proteins, the hinged two-domain chain of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) exhibits a peculiar charge structure with unclear consequences in its structural malleability. To decipher the charge design role, we generated charge-reverted mutants for each domain and analyzed their effect on conformational and metabolic features. We found that charges contain the information for interdomain interactions. Use of dynamic light scattering and thermal denaturation experiments delineates the compaction of the α-fold by an electrostatic compensation between the polybasic 23–30 region and the α3 electronegative surface. This interaction increases stability and disfavors fibrillation. Independently of this structural effect, the N-terminal electropositive clusters regulate the α-cleavage efficiency. In the fibrillar state, use of circular dichroism, atomic-force and fluorescence microscopies reveal that the N-terminal positive clusters and the α3 electronegative surface dictate the secondary structure, the assembly hierarchy and the growth length of the fibril state. These findings show that the PrP charge structure functions as a code set up to ensure function and reduce pathogenic routes.
Silica bioreplication preserves three-dimensional spheroid structures of human pluripotent stem cells and HepG2 cells
Authors: Lou Yan-Ru , Kanninen Liisa , Kaehr Bryan , Townson Jason L. , Niklander Johanna , Harjumäki Riina , Jeffrey Brinker C. , Yliperttula Marjo
Published: September 2015

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures produce more in vivo-like multicellular structures such as spheroids that cannot be obtained in two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Thus, they are increasingly employed as models for cancer and drug research, as well as tissue engineering. It has proven challenging to stabilize spheroid architectures for detailed morphological examination. Here we overcome this issue using a silica bioreplication (SBR) process employed on spheroids formed from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells cultured in the nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) hydrogel. The cells in the spheroids are more round and tightly interacting with each other than those in 2D cultures and they develop microvilli-like structures on the cell membranes as seen in 2D cultures. Furthermore, SBR preserves extracellular matrix-like materials and cellular proteins. These findings provide the first evidence of intact hPSC spheroid architectures and similar fine structures to 2D-cultured cells, providing a pathway to enable our understanding of morphogenesis in 3D cultures.
Selective in vivo and in vitro activities of 3,3′-4-nitrobenzylidene-bis-4-hydroxycoumarin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by inhibition of DNA polymerase III
Authors: Hou Zheng , Zhou Ying , Li Jing , Zhang Xinlei , Shi Xin , Xue Xiaoyan , Li Zhi , Ma Bo , Wang Yukun , Li Mingkai , Luo Xiaoxing
Published: September 2015

As the persistent resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to available antibiotics is associated with high infection incidence, mortality rate and treatment cost, novel antibacterial agents with innovative therapeutic targets must be developed. 3,3′-(4-Nitrobenzylidene)-bis-(4-hydroxycoumarin) (NBH), a dicoumarin derivative, was reported to exert antibacterial activity. This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of in vivo and in vitro activities of NBH against S. aureus. NBH exerted bactericidal effects against the tested S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains in vitro, with low cytotoxicity and resistance and high plasma stability. NBH also exhibited therapeutic effects in vivo on septicaemic mice. Results of molecular docking and analysis on morphological change, DNA production and polymerase inhibition suggested that DNA polymerase could be the target of NBH. These findings indicated that dicoumarin derivatives, which interfere with DNA replication, could be developed as a potential agent against S. aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant strains.
Photoluminescence of monovalent indium centres in phosphate glass
Authors: Masai Hirokazu , Yamada Yasuhiro , Okumura Shun , Yanagida Takayuki , Fujimoto Yutaka , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko , Ina Toshiaki
Published: September 2015

Valence control of polyvalent cations is important for functionalization of various kinds of materials. Indium oxides have been used in various applications, such as indium tin oxide in transparent electrical conduction films. However, although metastable In+ (5 s2 configuration) species exhibit photoluminescence (PL), they have attracted little attention. Valence control of In+ cations in these materials will be important for further functionalization. Here, we describe In+ species using PL and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. Three absorption bands in the UV region are attributed to the In+ centre: two weak forbidden bands (1S0 → 3P1,1S0 → 3P2) and a strong allowed band (1S0 → 1P1). The strongest PL excitation band cannot be attributed to the conventional allowed transition to the singlet excited state. Emission decay of the order of microseconds suggests that radiative relaxation occurs from the triplet excitation state. The XAFS analysis suggests that these In+ species have shorter In–O distances with lower coordination numbers than in In2O3. These results clearly demonstrate that In+ exists in a metastable amorphous network, which is the origin of the observed luminescent properties.
Transmission and full-band coherent detection of polarization-multiplexed all-optical Nyquist signals generated by Sinc-shaped Nyquist pulses
Authors: Zhang Junwen , Yu Jianjun , Chi Nan
Published: September 2015

All optical method is considered as a promising technique for high symbol rate Nyquist signal generation, which has attracted a lot of research interests for high spectral-efficiency and high-capacity optical communication system. In this paper, we extend our previous work and report the fully experimental demonstration of polarization-division multiplexed (PDM) all-optical Nyquist signal generation based on Sinc-shaped Nyquist pulse with advanced modulation formats, fiber-transmission and single-receiver full-band coherent detection. Using this scheme, we have successfully demonstrated the generation, fiber transmission and single-receiver full-band coherent detection of all-optical Nyquist PDM-QPSK and PDM-16QAM signals up to 125-GBaud. 1-Tb/s single-carrier PDM-16QAM signal generation and full-band coherent detection is realized, which shows the advantage and feasibility of the single-carrier all-optical Nyquist signals.
Increased expression of surface CD44 in hypoxia-DCs skews helper T cells toward a Th2 polarization
Authors: Yang Meixiang , Liu Yanguo , Ren Guangwen , Shao Qianqian , Gao Wenjuan , Sun Jintang , Wang Huayang , Ji Chunyan , Li Xingang , Zhang Yun , Qu Xun
Published: September 2015

A low partial oxygen pressure (hypoxia) occurs in many pathological environments, such as solid tumors and inflammatory lesions. Understanding the cellular response to hypoxic stress has broad implications for human diseases. As we previously reported, hypoxia significantly altered dendritic cells (DCs) to a DC2 phenotype and promoted a Th2 polarization of naïve T cells with increased IL-4 production. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain largely unknown. In this study, we found the over-expression of surface CD44 in DCs was involved in this process via ligand binding. Further investigation showed hypoxia could reduce the surface expression of membrane type 1 metalloprotease (MT1-MMP) via down-regulating the kinesin-like protein KIF2A, which subsequently alleviated the shedding of CD44 from DCs. Moreover, KIF2A expression was found negatively regulated by HIF-1α in hypoxic microenvironment. These results suggest a previously uncharacterized mechanism by which hypoxia regulates the function of DCs via KIF2A/MT1-MMP/CD44 axis, providing critical information to understand the immune response under hypoxia.
Trends in (LaMnO3)n/(SrTiO3)m superlattices with varying layer thicknesses
Authors: Jilili J. , Cossu F. , Schwingenschlögl U.
Published: September 2015

We investigate the thickness dependence of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of (LaMnO3)n/(SrTiO3)m (n, m = 2, 4, 6, 8) superlattices using density functional theory. The electronic structure turns out to be highly sensitive to the onsite Coulomb interaction. In contrast to bulk SrTiO3, strongly distorted O octahedra are observed in the SrTiO3 layers with a systematic off centering of the Ti atoms. The systems favour ferromagnetic spin ordering rather than the antiferromagnetic spin ordering of bulk LaMnO3 and all show half-metallicity, while a systematic reduction of the minority spin band gaps as a function of the LaMnO3 and SrTiO3 layer thicknesses originates from modifications of the Ti dxy states.
5-HTTLPR and use of antidepressants after colorectal cancer including a meta-analysis of 5-HTTLPR and depression after cancer
Authors: Suppli N P , Bukh J D , Moffitt T E , Caspi A , Johansen C , Albieri V , Tjønneland A , Kessing L V , Dalton S O
Published: September 2015

The serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is one of the most extensively investigated candidates to be involved in gene–environment interaction associated with depression. Nevertheless, the interaction remains controversial. In an original study, we tested the hypothesis that risk for use of antidepressants following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer is associated with bi- and triallelic genotypes of 5-HTTLPR. In addition, in an inclusive meta-analysis, we tested the hypothesis that depression following a diagnosis of cancer is associated with biallelic 5-HTTLPR genotype. We created an exposed-only cohort of 849 colorectal cancer patients from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort study. The hypothesized association was investigated with Cox regression models and competing risk analyses. Five studies comprising a total of 1484 cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. Nationwide registries provided information on dates of diagnosis of colorectal cancer and use of antidepressants. Unadjusted odds ratios of depression according to the biallelic 5-HTTLPR genotype were included in the meta-analysis. 5-HTTLPR genotypes were not associated with use of antidepressants after colorectal cancer. Estimated hazard ratios ranged 0.92–1.08, and we observed no statistically significant associations across biallelic and triallelic genotypes in crude as well as adjusted models. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant associations of 5-HTTLPR biallelic genotype with depression after cancer. Our findings in an original study and a meta-analysis do not support the hypothesis of an association between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and depression after cancer.
The effects of compound stimulus extinction and inhibition of noradrenaline reuptake on the renewal of alcohol seeking
Authors: Furlong T M , Pan M J , Corbit L H
Published: September 2015

Alcohol-related stimuli can trigger relapse of alcohol-seeking behaviors even after extended periods of abstinence. Extinction of such stimuli can reduce their impact on relapse; however, the expression of extinction can be disrupted when testing occurs outside the context where extinction learning took place, an effect termed renewal. Behavioral and pharmacological methods have recently been shown to augment extinction learning; yet, it is not known whether the improved expression of extinction following these treatments remains context-dependent. Here we examined whether two methods, compound–stimulus extinction and treatment with the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine, would reduce the vulnerability of extinction to a change in context. Following alcohol self-administration, responding was extinguished in a distinct context. After initial extinction, further extinction was given to a target stimulus presented in compound with another alcohol-predictive stimulus intended to augment prediction error (Experiment 1) or after a systemic injection of atomoxetine (1.0 mg kg−1; Experiment 2). A stimulus extinguished as part of a compound elicited less responding than a stimulus receiving equal extinction alone regardless of whether animals were tested in the training or extinction context; however, reliable renewal was not observed in this paradigm. Importantly, atomoxetine enhanced extinction relative to controls even in the presence of a reliable renewal effect. Thus, extinction of alcohol-seeking behavior can be improved by extinguishing multiple alcohol-predictive stimuli or enhancing noradrenaline neurotransmission during extinction training. Importantly, both methods improve extinction even when the context is changed between extinction training and test, and thus could be utilized to enhance the outcome of extinction-based treatments for alcohol-use disorders.
Structural characterization and thermally induced isomerization investigation of cis- and trans-vitamin K1using ion mobility mass spectrometry
Authors: Xiao Peng , Li Hong-Mei , Li Ming , Song De-Wei , Li Xiao-Min , Dai Xin-Hua , Hu Zhi-Shang
Published: September 2015

Vitamin K1isomer separation on the basis of APCI/ion mobility mass spectrometry.
Graphene grafted magnetic microspheres for solid phase extraction of bisphenol A and triclosan from water samples followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Zang Xiaohuan , Chang Qingyun , Hou Mengying , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: September 2015

Graphene grafted magnetic microspheres were prepared and used as the adsorbent for magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of bisphenol A and triclosan from water samples prior to their determination by GC-MS detection.
An experimental study on the evolution of aggregate structure in coals of different ranks by in situ X-ray diffractometry
Authors: Zhang Wenyong , Chen Shancheng , Han Feng , Wu Dun
Published: September 2015

The XRD profiles of raw coal.
Point-and-shoot: rapid quantitative detection methods for on-site food fraud analysis – moving out of the laboratory and into the food supply chain
Authors: Ellis David I. , Muhamadali Howbeer , Haughey Simon A. , Elliott Christopher T. , Goodacre Royston
Published: September 2015

Major food adulteration and contamination events occur with alarming regularity and are known to be episodic, with the question being not if but when another large-scale food safety/integrity incident will occur.
Photoelectrochemical aptasensor for the sensitive and selective detection of kanamycin based on Au nanoparticle functionalized self-doped TiO2nanotube arrays
Authors: Xin Yanmei , Li Zhenzhen , Zhang Zhonghai
Published: September 2015

A new photoelectrochemical aptasensor with Au nanoparticle functionalized self-doped TiO2nanotube arrays as the core sensing unit and aptamers as the recognition unit was set up to accomplish the sensitive and selective detection of kanamycin.
Role of entropic effects in controlling the polymorphism in formate ABX3 metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Kieslich Gregor , Kumagai Shohei , Butler Keith T. , Okamura Takuro , Hendon Christopher H. , Sun Shijing , Yamashita Masahiro , Walsh Aron , Cheetham Anthony K.
Published: September 2015

Polymorphism in formate-based dense metal–organic frameworks with the general formula ABX3 is predicted by quantum chemical calculations and confirmed experimentally.
Versatile controlled ion release for synthesis of recoverable hybrid hydrogels with high stretchability and notch-insensitivity
Authors: Du Gaolai , Wu Fengxiang , Cong Yang , Nie Lei , Liu Shuhui , Gao Guorong , Fu Jun
Published: September 2015

A versatile controlled ion release is demonstrated for synthesis of highly stretchable and notch-insensitive hybrid hydrogels with controlled gelatins kinetics.
Fano resonance in a gold nanosphere with a J-aggregate coating
Authors: Fales Andrew M. , Norton Stephen J. , Crawford Bridget M. , DeLacy Brendan G. , Vo-Dinh Tuan
Published: September 2015

A facile method to induce J-aggregate formation on gold nanospheres produced a split lineshape due to plasmon–exciton coupling. The observed splitting was shown analytically to arise from Fano resonance.
Modulation of the aggregation properties of sodium deoxycholate in presence of hydrophilic imidazolium based ionic liquid: water dynamics study to probe the structural alteration of the aggregates
Authors: Kundu Niloy , Banik Debasis , Roy Arpita , Kuchlyan Jagannath , Sarkar Nilmoni
Published: September 2015

In this article, we have investigated the effect of hydrophilic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate on the aggregation properties of sodium deoxycholate (NaDC).
Vertical heterostructures of MoS2 and graphene nanoribbons grown by two-step chemical vapor deposition for high-gain photodetectors
Authors: Yunus Rozan Mohamad , Endo Hiroko , Tsuji Masaharu , Ago Hiroki
Published: September 2015

Synthesis and characterizations of new vertically stacked MoS2-graphene nanoribbon heterostructures are presented.
Emission of highly excited electronic states of potassium from cryptomelane nanorods
Authors: Stelmachowski P. , Legutko P. , Jakubek T. , Indyka P. , Sojka Z. , Holmlid L. , Kotarba A.
Published: September 2015

The first report on the Rydberg matter emission of K* from a potassium nanostructured manganese oxide material.
The Cl + O3 reaction: a detailed QCT simulation of molecular beam experiments
Authors: Menéndez M. , Castillo J. F. , Martínez-Haya B. , Aoiz F. J.
Published: September 2015

QCT calculations have been carried out to determine angle–velocity differential cross-sections to simulate the results of molecular beam experiments.
Developing accurate molecular mechanics force fields for conjugated molecular systems
Authors: Do Hainam , Troisi Alessandro
Published: September 2015

A rapid method to parameterize the intramolecular component of classical force fields is proposed and applied to a molecular semiconductor, oligomers of conjugated polymers and a biological chromophore.
Quantum dynamics of the photostability of pyrazine
Authors: Sala Matthieu , Guérin Stéphane , Gatti Fabien
Published: September 2015

We propose a new mechanism for the radiationless decay of photoexcited pyrazine to its ground electronic state involving a conical intersection between the dark Au(nπ) state and the ground state.
Nitrogen heterocyclic carbene containing pentacoordinate iron dicarbonyl as a [Fe]-hydrogenase active site model
Authors: Jiang Shuang , Zhang Tianyong , Zhang Xia , Zhang Guanghui , Li Bin
Published: September 2015

A novel pentacoordinate mono-iron dicarbonyl was reported as a structural and functional model of a [Fe]-hydrogenase active site.
Developing five-membered heterocycle substituted phosphinous acids as ligands for palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura and Catellani reactions
Authors: Chang Ting-Wei , Ho Pei-Yun , Mao Kuo-Chung , Hong Fung-E.
Published: September 2015

Several secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) were prepared. Organic products with unexpected conformations (9 and 10) were obtained besides 8 from Heck-type Catellani reactions with the assistance of the selected SPO ligand 5f.
Luminescent mononuclear mixed ligand complexes of copper(i) with 5-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine and triphenylphosphine
Authors: Safin Damir A. , Mitoraj Mariusz P. , Robeyns Koen , Filinchuk Yaroslav , Vande Velde Christophe M. L.
Published: September 2015

Reaction of 5-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L) with a mixture of CuI or [Cu(CH3CN)4]BF4 and PPh3 leads to [CuL(PPh3)I] (1) and [CuL(PPh3)2]BF4 (2). While solid state emission of L is due to the ligand-centerd π → π* transition, luminescence of 1 and 2 was assigned to a (M + X)LCT and MLCT excited states, respectively.