bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of late sodium current suppresses calcium-related ventricular arrhythmias by reducing the phosphorylation of CaMK-II and sodium channel expressions
Authors: Wei Xiao-Hong , Yu Shan-Dong , Ren Lu , Huang Si-Hui , Yang Qiao-Mei , Wang Ping , Chu Yan-Peng , Yang Wei , Ding Yan-Sheng , Huo Yong , Wu Lin
Published: April 2017

Cardiac arrhythmias associated with intracellular calcium inhomeostasis are refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy. We hypothesized that late sodium current (INa) contributed to the calcium-related arrhythmias. Monophasic action potential duration at 90% completion of repolarization (MAPD90) was significantly increased and ventricular arrhythmias were observed in hearts with increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by using Bay K 8644, and the increase became greater in hearts treated with a combination of ATX-II and Bay K 8644 compared to Bay K 8644 alone. The prolongations caused by Bay K 8644 and frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardias, both in absence and presence of ATX-II, were significantly attenuated or abolished by late INa inhibitors TTX and eleclazine. In rabbit ventricular myocytes, Bay K 8644 increased ICaL density, calcium transient and myocyte contraction. TTX and eleclazine decreased the amplitude of late INa, the reverse use dependence of MAPD90 at slower heart rate, and attenuated the increase of intracellular calcium transient and myocyte contraction. TTX diminished the phosphorylation of CaMKII-δ and Nav 1.5 in hearts treated with Bay K 8644 and ATX-II. In conclusion, late INa contributes to ventricular arrhythmias and its inhibition is plausible to treat arrhythmias in hearts with increased [Ca2+]i
The role of glutamine synthetase isozymes in enhancing nitrogen use efficiency of N-efficient winter wheat
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Xiong Shuping , Wei Yihao , Meng Xiaodan , Wang Xiaochun , Ma Xinming
Published: April 2017

Glutamine synthetase (GS) isozymes play critical roles in nitrogen (N) metabolism. However, the exact relationship between GS and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remain unclear. We have selected and compared two wheat cultivars, YM49 and XN509, which were identified as the N-efficient and N-inefficient genotypes, respectively. In this study, agronomical, morphological, physiological and biochemical approaches were performed. The results showed that TaGS1 was high expressed post-anthesis, and TaGS2 was highly expressed pre-anthesis in N-efficient genotype compared to N-inefficient genotype. GS1 and GS2 isozymes were also separated by native-PAGE and found that the spatial and temporal distribution of GS isozymes, their expression of gene and protein subunits in source-sink-flow organs during development periods triggered the pool strength and influenced the N flow. According to the physiological role of GS isozymes, we illustrated four metabolic regulation points, by which acting collaboratively in different organs, accelerating the transport of nutrients to the grain. It suggested that the regulation of GS isozymes may promote flow strength and enhance NUE by a complex C-N metabolic mechanism. The relative activity or amount of GS1 and GS2 isozymes could be a potential marker to predict and select wheat genotypes with enhanced NUE.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combine with Treated dentin matrix to build biological root
Authors: Luo Shiwei , Pei Fei , Zhang Wen , Guo Weihua , Li Rui , He Wei , Tian Weidong
Published: April 2017

Treated dentin matrix (TDM) as a kind of scaffolding material has been proved odontogenic induction ability on dental-derived stem cells. Given the limited resources of dental stem cells, it is necessary to seek new seed cell which easily obtained. Jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (JBMMSC) as non-dental-derived stem cell relates to the development of teeth and jaws which suggest us JBMMSCs could act as a new seed cell for tooth tissue engineering. To assess the odontogenic and osteogenic potential of JBMMSCs, cells were induced by TDM extraction in vitro and combined with TDM in vivo. Results were analyzed by PCR, Western Blotting and histology. PCR and Western Blotting showed odontogenic and osteogenic makers were significantly enhanced in varying degrees after induced by TDM extraction in vitro. In vivo, JBMMSCs expressed both odontogenic and osteogenic-related protein, and the latter showed stronger positive expression. Furthermore, histological examination of the harvested grafts was observed the formation of bone-like tissue. Therefore, osteogenic differentiation ability of JBMMSCs were enhanced significantly after being inducted by TDM which illustrates that non-odontogenic derived stem cells are still promising seed cells in tooth root tissue engineering.
Optical nonlinearity enhancement with graphene-decorated silicon waveguides
Authors: Ishizawa Atsushi , Kou Rai , Goto Takahiro , Tsuchizawa Tai , Matsuda Nobuyuki , Hitachi Kenichi , Nishikawa Tadashi , Yamada Koji , Sogawa Tetsuomi , Gotoh Hideki
Published: April 2017

Broadband on-chip optical frequency combs (OFCs) are important for expanding the functionality of photonic integrated circuits. Here, we demonstrate a huge local optical nonlinearity enhancement using graphene. A waveguide is decorated with graphene by precisely manipulating graphene’s area and position. Our approach simultaneously achieves both an extremely efficient supercontinuum and ultra-short pulse generation. With our graphene-decorated silicon waveguide (G-SWG), we have achieved enhanced spectral broadening of femtosecond pump pulses, along with an eightfold increase in the output optical intensity at a wavelength approximately 200 nm shorter than that of the pump pulses. We also found that this huge nonlinearity works as a compressor that effectively compresses pulse width from 80 to 15.7 fs. Our results clearly show the potential for our G-SWG to greatly boost the speed and capacity of future communications with lower power consumption, and our method will further decrease the required pump laser power because it can be applied to decorate various kinds of waveguides with various two-dimensional materials.
Acrolein acts as a neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat: involvement of α-synuclein aggregation and programmed cell death
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Lin Hui-Ching , Zhao Wei-Zhong , Huang Hui-Ju , Lo Yu-Li , Wang Hsiang-Tsui , Lin Anya Maan-Yuh
Published: April 2017

Clinical studies report significant increases in acrolein (an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde) in the substantia nigra (SN) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, acrolein-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was investigated by local infusion of acrolein (15, 50, 150 nmoles/0.5 μl) in the SN of Sprague-Dawley rats. Acrolein-induced neurodegeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was delineated by reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels, dopamine transporter levels and TH-positive neurons in the infused SN as well as in striatal dopamine content. At the same time, apomorphine-induced turning behavior was evident in rats subjected to a unilateral infusion of acrolein in SN. Acrolein was pro-oxidative by increasing 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and heme oxygenase-1 levels. Furthermore, acrolein conjugated with proteins at lysine residue and induced α-synuclein aggregation in the infused SN. Acrolein was pro-inflammatory by activating astrocytes and microglia. In addition, acrolein activated caspase 1 in the infused SN, suggesting acrolein-induced inflammasome formation. The neurotoxic mechanisms underlying acrolein-induced neurotoxicity involved programmed cell death, including apoptosis and necroptosis. Compared with well-known Parkinsonian neurotoxins, including 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and rotenone which do not exist in the SN of PD patients, our in vivo study shows that acrolein acts as a Parkinsonian neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat brain.
Occurrence of fibrates and their metabolites in source and drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China
Authors: Ido Akiko , Hiromori Youhei , Meng Liping , Usuda Haruki , Nagase Hisamitsu , Yang Min , Hu Jianying , Nakanishi Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2017

Fibrates, which are widely used lipidaemic-modulating drugs, are emerging environmental pollutants. However, fibrate concentrations in the environment have not been thoroughly surveyed. Here, we determined concentrations of the most commonly used fibrates and their metabolites in source water and drinking water samples from ten drinking water treatment plants in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China, using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. All the target compounds were detected in at least some of the source water samples, at concentrations ranging from 0.04 ng/L (fenofibrate) to 1.53 ng/L (gemfibrozil). All the compounds except fenofibrate were also detected in at least some of the drinking water samples, at recoveries ranging from 35.5% to 91.7%, suggesting that these compounds are poorly removed by typical drinking water treatment processes. In a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonistic activity assay, the target compounds showed no significant activity at nanogram per litre concentrations; therefore, our results suggest that the fibrate concentrations in drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China do not significantly affect human health. However, because of the increasing westernization of the Chinese diet, fibrate use may increase, and thus monitoring fibrate concentrations in aquatic environments and drinking water in China will become increasingly important.
Replacing Sanger with Next Generation Sequencing to improve coverage and quality of reference DNA barcodes for plants
Authors: Wilkinson Mike J. , Szabo Claudia , Ford Caroline S. , Yarom Yuval , Croxford Adam E. , Camp Amanda , Gooding Paul
Published: April 2017

We estimate the global BOLD Systems database holds core DNA barcodes (rbcL + matK) for about 15% of land plant species and that comprehensive species coverage is still many decades away. Interim performance of the resource is compromised by variable sequence overlap and modest information content within each barcode. Our model predicts that the proportion of species-unique barcodes reduces as the database grows and that ‘false’ species-unique barcodes remain >5% until the database is almost complete. We conclude the currentrbcL + matKbarcode is unfit for purpose. Genome skimming and supplementary barcodes could improve diagnostic power but would slow new barcode acquisition. We therefore present two novel Next Generation Sequencing protocols (with freeware) capable of accurate, massively parallelde novoassembly of high quality DNA barcodes of >1400 bp. We explore how these capabilities could enhance species diagnosis in the coming decades.
Ultra-high open-circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells induced by nucleation thermodynamics on rough substrates
Authors: Li Yan , Ding Bin , Chu Qian-Qian , Yang Guan-Jun , Wang Mingkui , Li Chang-Xin , Li Chang-Jiu
Published: April 2017

To obtain high performance CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells, it is highly important to realise a high open-circuit voltage. Calculation results based on a modified diode model have indicated that a low bare ratio ϕ of the perovskite film is the most important factor determining the open-circuit voltage, where ϕ is defined as the ratio of the projection of the uncovered area of the perovskite film to the apparent area of the total substrate surface. To realise a low ϕ, we investigate the nucleation behaviour of crystals on rough substrates. The analysis results predict that, when CH3NH3PbI3 is deposited on conventional transparent conductive oxide substrates such as fluorine-doped tin oxide, preferential heterogeneous nucleation will occur on the concave regions of the substrate; then, depending on the subsequent growth step, full coverage of the perovskite film at both the macroscopic and microscopic scales is realised. As a result, an ultra-high open-circuit voltage, i.e., 1.20 V, can be achieved in devices using the full coverage CH3NH3PbI3 film. The thermodynamics theory of precipitation nucleation should shed light on solution engineering of thin films.
Bacteriophages from ExPEC Reservoirs Kill Pandemic Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Clonal Group ST131 in Animal Models of Bacteremia
Authors: Green Sabrina I. , Kaelber Jason T. , Ma Li , Trautner Barbara W. , Ramig Robert F. , Maresso Anthony W.
Published: April 2017

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) enteric bacteria are of increasing global concern. A clonal group,Escherichia colisequence type (ST) 131, harbors both MDR and a deadly complement of virulence factors. Patients with an immunocompromised system are at high risk of infections with theseE. coliand there is strong epidemiologic evidence that the human intestinal tract, as well as household pets, may be a reservoir. Here, we examine if phages are an effective treatment strategy against this clonal group in murine models of bacteremia that recapitulate clinical infections. Bacteriophages isolated from knownE. colireservoirs lyse a diverse array of MDR ST131 clinical isolates. Phage HP3 reducedE. colilevels and improved health scores for mice infected with two distinct ST131 strains. Efficacy was correlated toin vitrolysis ability by the infecting phage and the level of virulence of theE. colistrain. Importantly, it is also demonstrated thatE. colibacteremia initiated from translocation across the intestinal tract in an immunocompromised host is substantially reduced after phage treatment. This study demonstrates that phage, isolated from the environment and with little experimental manipulation, can be effective in combating even the most serious of infections byE. coli“superbugs”.
An Intrathermocline Eddy and a tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Gordon Arnold L. , Shroyer Emily , Murty V. S. N.
Published: April 2017

The Bay of Bengal, subjected to monsoonal forcing and tropical cyclones, displays a complex field of ocean eddies. On 5 December 2013 a sub-surface vortex or Intrathermocline Eddy (ITE) composed of water characteristic of the Andaman Sea was observed within the thermocline of the western Bay of Bengal. We propose that the ITE was the product of Tropical Cyclone Lehar interaction on 27 November 2013 with a westward propagating surface eddy from the eastern Bay of Bengal. While Lehar’s interaction with the ocean initially removes heat from the upper layers of the eddy, air-sea flux is limited as the deeper portions of the eddy was subducted into the stratified thermocline, inhibiting further interaction with the atmosphere. The ITE core from 30 to 150 m is thus isolated from local air-sea fluxes by strong stratification at the mixed layer base, and its periphery is stable to shear instability, suggestive of longevity and the ability to carry water far distances with minimal modification.
Feasibility of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a tool for studying pregnancy-related disorders
Authors: Fuchi Naoki , Miura Kiyonori , Doi Hanako , Li Tao-Sheng , Masuzaki Hideaki
Published: April 2017

The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for pregnancy-related disorders remain unclear. We investigated the feasibility of using placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a tool to study such pregnancy-related disorders. We isolated and expanded adequate numbers of cells with characteristic features of MSCs from the chorionic plate (CP-MSCs), chorionic villi (CV-MSCs), and decidua basalis (DB-MSCs) of human term placental tissues. All placenta-derived MSCs expressed pregnancy-associated C14MC microRNA (miRNA) (miR-323-3p). Interestingly, the placenta-specific C19MC miRNAs (miR-518b and miR517a) were clearly expressed in CP-MSCs and CV-MSCs of foetal origin, but were barely expressed in DB-MSCs of maternal origin. Furthermore, expression levels of placenta-specific C19MC miRNAs in CV-MSCs remained stable during theex vivoexpansion process and across different pregnancy phases (first trimesterversusthird trimester). High-efficiency siRNA transfection was confirmed in twice-passaged CV-MSCs with little toxicity, and microarray analysis was used to screen for miR-518b target genes. Placenta-derived MSCs, especially CV-MSCs, are a potential tool for investigating the role of placental miRNAs in pregnancy-related disorders.
apterous Brain Neurons Control Receptivity to Male Courtship in Drosophila Melanogaster Females
Authors: Aranha Márcia M. , Herrmann Dennis , Cachitas Hugo , Neto-Silva Ricardo M. , Dias Sophie , Vasconcelos Maria Luísa
Published: April 2017

Courtship behaviours allow animals to interact and display their qualities before committing to reproduction. In fly courtship, the female decides whether or not to mate and is thought to display receptivity by slowing down to accept the male. Very little is known on the neuronal brain circuitry controlling female receptivity. Here we use genetic manipulation and behavioural studies to identify a novel set of neurons in the brain that controls sexual receptivity in the female without triggering the postmating response. We show that these neurons, defined by the expression of the transcription factor apterous, affect the modulation of female walking speed during courtship. Interestingly, we found that the apterous neurons required for female receptivity are neither doublesex nor fruitless positive suggesting that apterous neurons are not specified by the sex-determination cascade. Overall, these findings identify a neuronal substrate underlying female response to courtship and highlight the central role of walking speed in the receptivity behaviour.
Signal coverage approach to the detection probability of hypothetical extraterrestrial emitters in the Milky Way
Authors: Grimaldi Claudio
Published: April 2017

The lack of evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial life, even the simplest forms of animal life, makes it is difficult to decide whether the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is more a high-risk, high-payoff endeavor than a futile attempt. Here we insist that even if extraterrestrial civilizations do exist and communicate, the likelihood of detecting their signals crucially depends on whether the Earth lies within a region of the galaxy covered by such signals. By considering possible populations of independent emitters in the galaxy, we build a statistical model of the domain covered by hypothetical extraterrestrial signals to derive the detection probability that the Earth is within such a domain. We show that for general distributions of the signal longevity and directionality, the mean number of detectable emitters is less than one even for detection probabilities as large as 50%, regardless of the number of emitters in the galaxy.
Lock-picks: fungal infection facilitates the intrusion of strangers into ant colonies
Authors: Csata Enikő , Timuş Natalia , Witek Magdalena , Casacci Luca Pietro , Lucas Christophe , Bagnères Anne-Geneviève , Sztencel-Jabłonka Anna , Barbero Francesca , Bonelli Simona , Rákosy László , Markó Bálint
Published: April 2017

Studies investigating host-parasite systems rarely deal with multispecies interactions, and mostly explore impacts on hosts as individuals. Much less is known about the effects at colony level, when parasitism involves host organisms that form societies. We surveyed the effect of an ectoparasitic fungus, Rickia wasmannii, on kin-discrimination abilities of its host ant, Myrmica scabrinodis, identifying potential consequences at social level and subsequent changes in colony infiltration success of other organisms. Analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), known to be involved in insects’ discrimination processes, revealed variations in chemical profiles correlated with the infection status of the ants, that could not be explained by genetic variation tested by microsatellites. In behavioural assays, fungus-infected workers were less aggressive towards both non-nestmates and unrelated queens, enhancing the probability of polygyny. Likewise, parasitic larvae of Maculinea butterflies had a higher chance of adoption by infected colonies. Our study indicates that pathogens can modify host recognition abilities, making the society more prone to accept both conspecific and allospecific organisms.
Simultaneous and quantitative monitoring of co-cultured Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with antibiotics on a diffusometric platform
Authors: Chung Chih-Yao , Wang Jhih-Cheng , Chuang Han-Sheng
Published: April 2017

Successful treatments against bacterial infections depend on antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). However, conventional AST requires more than 24 h to obtain an outcome, thereby contributing to high patient mortality. An antibiotic therapy based on experiences is therefore necessary for saving lives and escalating the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Accordingly, a fast and effective drug screen is necessary for the appropriate administration of antibiotics. The mixed pathogenic nature of infectious diseases emphasizes the need to develop an assay system for polymicrobial infections. On this basis, we present a novel technique for simultaneous and quantitative monitoring of co-cultured microorganisms by coupling optical diffusometry with bead-based immunoassays. This simple integration simultaneously achieves a rapid AST analysis for two pathogens. Triple color particles were simultaneously recorded and subsequently analyzed by functionalizing different fluorescent color particles with dissimilar pathogen-specific antibodies. Results suggested that the effect of the antibiotic, gentamicin, on co-cultured Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was effectively distinguished by the proposed technique. This study revealed a multiplexed and time-saving (within 2 h) platform with a small sample volume (~0.5 μL) and a low initial bacterial count (50 CFU per droplet, ~105 CFU/mL) for continuously monitoring the growth of co-cultured microorganisms. This technique provides insights into timely therapies against polymicrobial diseases in the near future.
MAOA-a novel decision maker of apoptosis and autophagy in hormone refractory neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells
Authors: Lin Yi-Cheng , Chang Yi-Ting , Campbell Mel , Lin Tzu-Ping , Pan Chin-Chen , Lee Hsin-Chen , Shih Jean C. , Chang Pei-Ching
Published: April 2017

Autophagy and apoptosis are two well-controlled mechanisms regulating cell fate. An understanding of decision-making between these two pathways is in its infancy. Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is a mitochondrial enzyme that is well-known in psychiatric research. Emerging reports showed that overexpression MAOA is associated with prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we show that MAOA is involved in mediating neuroendocrine differentiation of PCa cells, a feature associated with hormone-refractory PCa (HRPC), a lethal type of disease. Following recent reports showing that NED of PCa requires down-regulation of repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) and activation of autophagy; we observe that MAOA is a novel direct target gene of REST. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by overexpressed MAOA plays an essential role in inhibiting apoptosis and activating autophagy in NED PCa cells. MAOA inhibitors significantly reduced NED and autophagy activation of PCa cells. Our results here show MAOA as a new decision-maker for activating autophagy and MAOA inhibitors may be useful as a potential therapy for neuroendocrine tumors.
No evidence for loss of short-wavelength sensitive cone photoreceptors in normal ageing of the primate retina
Authors: Weinrich Tobias W. , Powner Michael B. , Lynch Aisling , Jonnal Ravi S. , Werner John S. , Jeffery Glen
Published: April 2017

In old world primates including humans, cone photoreceptors are classified according to their maximal sensitivity at either short (S, blue), middle (M, green) or long (L, red) wavelengths. Colour discrimination studies show that the S-cone pathway is selectively affected by age and disease, and psychophysical models implicate their loss. Photoreceptors have high metabolic demand and are susceptible to age or disease-related losses in oxygen and nutrient supply. Hence 30% of rods are lost over life. While comparable losses are not seen in cones, S-cones comprise less than 10% of the cone population, so significant loss would be undetected in total counts. Here we examine young and aged primate retinae stained to distinguish S from M/L-cones. We show there is no age-related cone loss in either cone type and that S-cones are as regularly distributed in old as young primates. We propose that S-cone metabolism is less flexible than in their M/L counterparts, making them more susceptible to deficits in normal cellular function. Hypoxia is a feature of the ageing retina as extracellular debris accumulates between photoreceptors and their blood supply which likely impacts S-cone function. However, that these cells remain in the ageing retina suggests the potential for functional restoration.
Deep Learning for Flow Sculpting: Insights into Efficient Learning using Scientific Simulation Data
Authors: Stoecklein Daniel , Lore Kin Gwn , Davies Michael , Sarkar Soumik , Ganapathysubramanian Baskar
Published: April 2017

A new technique for shaping microfluid flow, known as flow sculpting, offers an unprecedented level of passive fluid flow control, with potential breakthrough applications in advancing manufacturing, biology, and chemistry research at the microscale. However, efficiently solving the inverse problem of designing a flow sculpting device for a desired fluid flow shape remains a challenge. Current approaches struggle with the many-to-one design space, requiring substantial user interaction and the necessity of building intuition, all of which are time and resource intensive. Deep learning has emerged as an efficient function approximation technique for high-dimensional spaces, and presents a fast solution to the inverse problem, yet the science of its implementation in similarly defined problems remains largely unexplored. We propose that deep learning methods can completely outpace current approaches for scientific inverse problems while delivering comparable designs. To this end, we show how intelligent sampling of the design space inputs can make deep learning methods more competitive in accuracy, while illustrating their generalization capability to out-of-sample predictions.
Increasing large scale windstorm damage in Western, Central and Northern European forests, 1951–2010
Authors: Gregow H. , Laaksonen A. , Alper M. E.
Published: April 2017

Using reports of forest losses caused directly by large scale windstorms (or primary damage, PD) from the European forest institute database (comprising 276 PD reports from 1951–2010), total growing stock (TGS) statistics of European forests and the daily North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, we identify a statistically significant change in storm intensity in Western, Central and Northern Europe (17 countries). Using the validated set of storms, we found that the year 1990 represents a change-point at which the average intensity of the most destructive storms indicated by PD/TGS > 0.08% increased by more than a factor of three. A likelihood ratio test provides strong evidence that the change-point represents a real shift in the statistical behaviour of the time series. All but one of the seven catastrophic storms (PD/TGS > 0.2%) occurred since 1990. Additionally, we detected a related decrease in September–November PD/TGS and an increase in December–February PD/TGS. Our analyses point to the possibility that the impact of climate change on the North Atlantic storms hitting Europe has started during the last two and half decades.
Cooperative roles of the suprachiasmatic nucleus central clock and the adrenal clock in controlling circadian glucocorticoid rhythm
Authors: Chung Sooyoung , Lee Eun Jeong , Cha Hyo Kyeong , Kim Jeongah , Kim Doyeon , Son Gi Hoon , Kim Kyungjin
Published: April 2017

The mammalian circadian timing system consists of the central clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and subsidiary peripheral clocks in other tissues. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are adrenal steroid hormones with widespread physiological effects that undergo daily oscillations. We previously demonstrated that the adrenal peripheral clock plays a pivotal role in circadian GC rhythm by driving cyclic GC biosynthesis. Here, we show that the daily rhythm in circulating GC levels is controlled by bimodal actions of central and adrenal clockwork. When mice were subjected to daytime restricted feeding to uncouple central and peripheral rhythms, adrenal GC contents and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression peaked around zeitgeber time 00 (ZT00), consistent with shifted adrenal clock gene expression. However, restricted feeding produced two distinct peaks in plasma GC levels: one related to adrenal GC content and the other around ZT12, which required an intact SCN. Light pulse-evoked activation of the SCN increased circulating GC levels in both wild-type and adrenal clock-disrupted mutant mice without marked induction of GC biosynthesis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that adrenal clock-dependent steroidogenesis and a SCN-driven central mechanism regulating GC release cooperate to produce daily circulatory GC rhythm.
Early neurovascular dysfunction in a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Joo Illsung L. , Lai Aaron Y. , Bazzigaluppi Paolo , Koletar Margaret M. , Dorr Adrienne , Brown Mary E. , Thomason Lynsie A. M. , Sled John G. , McLaurin JoAnne , Stefanovic Bojana
Published: April 2017

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), pathologically characterized by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neurodegeneration, is thought to involve early-onset neurovascular abnormalities. Hitherto studies on AD-associated neurovascular injury have used animal models that exhibit only a subset of AD-like pathologies and demonstrated some Aβ-dependent vascular dysfunction and destabilization of neuronal network. The present work focuses on the early stage of disease progression and uses TgF344-AD rats that recapitulate a broader repertoire of AD-like pathologies to investigate the cerebrovascular and neuronal network functioning usingin situtwo-photon fluorescence microscopy and laminar array recordings of local field potentials, followed by pathological analyses of vascular wall morphology, tau hyperphosphorylation, and amyloid plaques. Concomitant to widespread amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation, cerebrovascular reactivity was strongly attenuated in cortical penetrating arterioles and venules of TgF344-AD rats in comparison to those in non-transgenic littermates. Blood flow elevation to hypercapnia was abolished in TgF344-AD rats. Concomitantly, the phase-amplitude coupling of the neuronal network was impaired, evidenced by decreased modulation of theta band phase on gamma band amplitude. These results demonstrate significant neurovascular network dysfunction at an early stage of AD-like pathology. Our study identifies early markers of pathology progression and call for development of combinatorial treatment plans.
Influence of parental care on offspring hippocampal volume in young adults varies as a function of overprotection
Authors: Wang Yinan , Song Yiying , Li Xueting , Zhang Lin , Liu Jia
Published: April 2017

Parental care results in increased hippocampal volumes through adaptive stress responses in developing animals. However, human studies have not yet provided consistent findings analogous to the animal literature, possibly because parental care in humans is likely intermingled with parental overprotection, as suggested by the optimal parenting theory. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the effect of parental care on offspring hippocampal volume varies as a function of parental overprotection with a large cohort of young adult participants (N = 257). Consistent with some previous human studies, we found that parental care in childhood alone had little association with the hippocampal volume in adulthood. However, when parental overprotection was low, parental care was positively correlated with offspring hippocampal volume, whereas there was no association between parental care and offspring hippocampal volume when parental overprotection was high. Thus, an interaction exists between parental care and overprotection in human’s hippocampal development, which contributes to the elucidation of the complex relationship between brain structure and environmental factors.
The effect of L-PRF membranes on bone healing in rabbit tibiae bone defects: micro-CT and biomarker results
Authors: Faot Fernanda , Deprez Sanne , Vandamme Katleen , Camargos Germana V. , Pinto Nelson , Wouters Jasper , van den Oord Joost , Quirynen Marc , Duyck Joke
Published: April 2017

More insight into the biological fundamentals of leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) guided healing is necessary to recommend its application, in particular in deficient bone sites that need to support implants. This study investigated the short-term bone healing effect of L-PRF treatment in cylindrical non-critical sized bone defects with 3 mm diameter and 6 mm depth in tibiae of 18 adult male New Zealand White rabbits. After a randomization process, 96 bone defects were prepared and half of them were filled with a L-PRF membrane, while untreated defects in the opposite tibia served as control group. The rabbits were euthanized after 7, 14 or 28 days of healing. The bone healing of the cortical and medullary areas was investigated by micro-CT, while the expression of molecular markers (RUNX2, VEGFA, COL1A2 and BMP2) was assessed by qRT-PCR. Treatment with L-PRF did not affect the micro-structural bone characteristics of the repaired bone tissue, except for a decrease in the trabecular connectivity at the cortical level after 14 days of healing. At this time, RUNX2 and VEGFA mRNA levels were significantly lower in the treated defects. L-PRF membranes thus had a temporary negative influence on the bone microarchitecture (Tb.Pf) and on the RUNX2 and VEGFA expression during early bone healing. Overall, L-PRF treatment did not enhance bone regeneration in these non-critical size defects after 28 days.
Nearest-neighbour nanocrystal bonding dictates framework stability or collapse in colloidal nanocrystal frameworks
Authors: Williams Teresa E. , Ushizima Daniela , Zhu Chenhui , Anders André , Milliron Delia J. , Helms Brett A.
Published: April 2017

Here we identify order–disorder transitions in porous, mesostructured assemblies of colloidal nanocrystals using quantitative image analysis of assembly outcomes.
A three-species microbial consortium for power generation
Authors: Liu Yue , Ding Mingzhu , Ling Wei , Yang Yun , Zhou Xiao , Li Bing-Zhi , Chen Tao , Nie Yong , Wang Miaoxiao , Zeng Boxuan , Li Xia , Liu Hong , Sun Baode , Xu Heming , Zhang Jiamei , Jiao Yi , Hou Yanan , Yang Hui , Xiao Sijia , Lin Qucheng , He Xinzi , Liao Wenjie , Jin Zeqi , Xie Yufei , Zhang Bofeng , Li Tianyu , Lu Xi , Li Jiabei , Zhang Fan , Wu Xiao-Lei , Song Hao , Yuan Ying-Jin
Published: April 2017

A synbio strategy for efficient sugar-to-electricity conversion.
A biomass carbon mass coated with modified TiO2 nanotube/graphene for photocatalysis
Authors: Lian Yiren , Zhu Wenkun , Yao Weitang , Yi Huan , Hu Zuowen , Duan Tao , Cheng Wencai , Wei Xianfeng , Hu Guozhen
Published: April 2017

A floating mass constructed with fungus and Fe/N-TNTs/NG for the photocatalysis on the surface of solution.
Comparison of different GC-MS configurations for the determination of prevalent drugs and related metabolites
Authors: Sáiz Jorge , García-Ruiz Carmen , Gómara Belén
Published: April 2017

Cocaine, cannabis, heroin, and other opioids are among the prevalent drugs in Europe.
O2-(6-Oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolates: a new class of nitric oxide donors activatable by GSH/GSTπ with both anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities against melanoma
Authors: Bai Chengfeng , Xue Rongfang , Wu Jianbing , Lv Tian , Luo Xiaojun , Huang Yun , Gong Yan , Zhang Honghua , Zhang Yihua , Huang Zhangjian
Published: April 2017

3c, a new nitric oxide donor activatable by GSH/GSTπ, exhibits both anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities against melanoma.
Expanding the morphology library of block copolymer self-assemblies with clews of tubules
Authors: Sun Xiao-Li , Liu Dong-Ming , Wang Pan , Tan Jia-Lin , Li Kang-Kang , Deng Li , Wan Wen-Ming
Published: April 2017

Clews of tubules are reported via block copolymer self-assembly of P4VP-b-PS with both high asymmetry and very high molecular weight.
Fluorogen-free aggregation induced NIR emission from gold nanoparticles
Authors: Saini Meenaxi , Masirkar Yogeshwar , Varshney Ritu , Roy Partha , Sadhu Kalyan K.
Published: April 2017

Nontoxic NIR emissive aggregated gold nanoparticles have been obtained by controlled diluted aqua regia addition.
N-Difluoromethyl-triazole as a constrained scaffold in peptidomimetics
Authors: Mamone M. , Gonçalves R. S. B. , Blanchard F. , Bernadat G. , Ongeri S. , Milcent T. , Crousse B.
Published: April 2017

The N-difluoromethyl triazolo-β-aza-ε-amino acid present in the core of peptides led to constrained conformations due to CH–F and NH–F interactions.
“Colored” inorganic dopants for inducing liquid crystal chiral nematic and blue phases: monitoring of dopant–host interaction by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Yoshida Jun , Tamura Shuhei , Watanabe Go , Kasahara Yasutoshi , Yuge Hidetaka
Published: April 2017

A new ruthenium complex that effectively induces chiral nematic and blue phases was developed.
A micron-scale laminar MAPbBr3 single crystal for an efficient and stable perovskite solar cell
Authors: Rao Hua-Shang , Chen Bai-Xue , Wang Xu-Dong , Kuang Dai-Bin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: April 2017

A novel strategy is used to prepare a MAPbBr3 single-crystal with a controllable thickness of 16 μm and a size of 6 × 8 mm.
Potential energy surface for the reaction Sm+ + CO2 → SmO+ + CO: guided ion beam and theoretical studies
Authors: Armentrout P. B. , Cox Richard M
Published: April 2017

The complete potential energy surface for the reaction of Sm+ with CO2 is explored experimentally and computationally.
Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the benzyl radical
Authors: Röder A. , Humeniuk A. , Giegerich J. , Fischer I. , Poisson L. , Mitrić R.
Published: April 2017

We present a joint experimental and computational study of the nonradiative deactivation of the benzyl radical, C7H7, after UV excitation.
Frontiers of supramolecular chemistry at solid surfaces
Authors: Mali Kunal S. , Pearce Nicholas , De Feyter Steven , Champness Neil R.
Published: April 2017

Supramolecular chemistry on solid surfaces represents an exciting field of research that continues to develop in new and unexpected directions.
Crystal structure, NIR luminescence and X-ray computed tomography of Nd3+:Ba0.3Lu0.7F2.7 nanospheres
Authors: González-Mancebo Daniel , Becerro Ana Isabel , Cantelar Eugenio , Cussó Fernando , Briat Arnaud , Boyer Damien , Ocaña Manuel
Published: April 2017

Uniform, hydrophilic Nd3+-doped Ba0.3Lu0.7F2.7 50 nm spheres are obtained in the absence of additives. Their NIR excitation and emission as well as their X-ray absorption make them ideal candidates as bioimaging probes.
Efficient photodecomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenol on recyclable phase-mixed hierarchically structured Bi2O3 coupled with phosphate-bridged nano-SnO2
Authors: Sun Ning , Qu Yang , Chen Shuangying , Yan Rui , Humayun Muhammad , Liu Yanduo , Bai Linlu , Jing Liqiang , Fu Honggang
Published: April 2017

2,4-Dichlorophenol could be efficiently photodecomposed on as-fabricated recyclable phase-mixed hierarchically structured Bi2O3 coupled with phosphate-bridged nano-SnO2.
Kinetic control in the temperature-dependent sequential growth of surface-confined supramolecular copolymers
Authors: Engel Sabrina , Spitzer Daniel , Rodrigues Leona Lucas , Fritz Eva-Corinna , Straßburger David , Schönhoff Monika , Ravoo Bart Jan , Besenius Pol
Published: April 2017

We report the sequential growth of supramolecular copolymers on gold surfaces, using oppositely charged dendritic peptide amphiphiles. By including water-solubilising thermoresponsive chains in the monomer design, we observed non-linear effects in the temperature-dependent sequential growth. The step-wise copolymerisation process is characterised using temperature dependent SPR and QCM-D measurements. At higher temperatures, dehydration of peripheral oligoethylene glycol chains supports copolymer growth due to more favourable comonomer interactions. Both monomers incorporate methionine amino acids but remarkably, desorption of the copolymers via competing sulphur gold interactions with the initial monomer layer is not observed. The surface-confined supramolecular copolymers remain kinetically trapped on the metal surface at near neutral pH and form viscoelastic films with a tuneable thickness.
Talaramide A, an unusual alkaloid from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. (HZ-YX1) as an inhibitor of mycobacterial PknG
Authors: Chen Senhua , He Liqing , Chen Dongni , Cai Runlin , Long Yuhua , Lu Yongjun , She Zhigang
Published: April 2017

An unusual alkaloid, talaramide A (1), was obtained from the mangrove endophytic fungusTalaromycessp. (HZ-YX1).
Identification of novel 3-nitroacridines as autophagy inducers in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Yu Jia , Zhao Xiaoqing , Zhang Nanmengzi , You Chaoqun , Yao Gang , Zhu Jin , Xu Liang , Sun Baiwang
Published: April 2017

Nine novel 3-nitroacridines were synthesized, of which 3 compounds inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation via an autophagy-associated cell death pathway.
Design, synthesis and properties of a reactive chromophoric/fluorometric probe for hydrogen peroxide detection
Authors: Zhang Yu , Jiao Zinuo , Xu Wei , Fu Yanyan , Zhu Defeng , Xu Jiaqiang , He Qingguo , Cao Huimin , Cheng Jiangong
Published: April 2017

A succinct chromophoric/fluorometric probe, AVPM, for sensitive and selective H2O2detection.
Stereodivergent synthesis of right- and left-handed iminoxylitol heterodimers and monomers. Study of their impact on β-glucocerebrosidase activity
Authors: Stauffert Fabien , Serra-Vinardell Jenny , Gómez-Grau Marta , Michelakakis Helen , Mavridou Irene , Grinberg Daniel , Vilageliu Lluïsa , Casas Josefina , Bodlenner Anne , Delgado Antonio , Compain Philippe
Published: April 2017

Unprecedented Janus-faced iminosugars act as pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of Gaucher disease.
Pd(0)-Catalysed asymmetric reductive Heck-type cyclization of (Z)-1-iodo-1,6-dienes and enantioselective synthesis of quaternary tetrahydropyridines
Authors: Hou Longlei , Yuan Yuejie , Tong Xiaofeng
Published: April 2017

The asymmetric reductive Heck reaction of (Z)-1-iodo-1,6-dienes has been developed, which affords quaternary tetrahydropyridines with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
Organocatalytic decarboxylative aldol reaction of β-ketoacids with α-ketophosphonates en route to the enantioselective synthesis of tertiary α-hydroxyphosphonates
Authors: Vamisetti Ganga B. , Chowdhury Raghunath , Ghosh Sunil K.
Published: April 2017

γ-Aroyl tertiary α-hydroxyphosphonates with a chiral quaternary centre were synthesized via a facile organocatalyzed decarboxylative aldol reaction between β-ketoacids and α-ketophosphonates.
A PVdF-based electrolyte membrane for a carbon counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Sun Kyung Chul , Arbab Alvira Ayoub , Sahito Iftikhar Ali , Qadir Muhammad Bilal , Choi Bum Jin , Kwon Soon Chul , Yeo Sang Young , Yi Sung Chul , Jeong Sung Hoon
Published: April 2017

This research demonstrates the design and operation of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with a multi-walled carbon nanotube counter electrode (CE) and a pore-filled membrane consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-co-HFP) as an electrolyte.
Construction of the oxaphenalene skeletons of mansonone F derivatives through C–H bond functionalization and their evaluation for anti-proliferative activities
Authors: Xie Hua-Ting , Zhou Du-Chao , Mai Yan-Wen , Huo Lian , Yao Pei-Fen , Huang Shi-Liang , Wang Hong-Gen , Huang Zhi-Shu , Gu Lian-Quan
Published: April 2017

A novel and convenient synthetic route for constructing a diversity of MsF derivatives with significant anti-proliferative activity.
Bioreducible amphiphilic block copolymers based on PCL and glycopolypeptide as multifunctional theranostic nanocarriers for drug delivery and MR imaging
Authors: Yang Hui-Kang , Bao Jun-Fang , Mo Lei , Yang Rui-Meng , Xu Xiang-Dong , Tang Wen-Jie , Lin Jian-Tao , Wang Guan-Hai , Zhang Li-Ming , Jiang Xin-Qing
Published: April 2017

Amphiphilic diblock poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-glycopolypeptides (PCL–SS–GPPs) bearing disulfide bonds were synthesized from a clickable poly(ε-caprolactone)–SS–poly(2-azidoethyl-l-glutamate) diblock copolymer.
Recent developments of carbon based nanomaterials and membranes for oily wastewater treatment
Authors: Al-anzi Bader Shafaqa , Siang Ong Chi
Published: April 2017

Carbon-based nanocomposite membranes have recently drawn tremendous attentions among membrane scientists due to their excellent chemical, mechanical stability and antifouling properties against oil deposition/adsorption.
Selective hydrodeoxygenation of 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone to γ-butyrolactone over Pt/mesoporous solid acid bifunctional catalyst
Authors: Chen Bingfeng , Li Fengbo , Yuan Guoqing
Published: April 2017

A sustainable strategy for γ-butyrolactone production from furfural was developed, which involves photocatalytic oxidation and subsequent hydrodeoxygenation over Pt/Nb5Zr5-550 bifunctional catalysts.
Reconnection of micro‐grid from islanded mode to grid‐connected mode used sliding Goertzel transform based filter
Authors: Zeng Zheng , Shao Weihua
Published: April 2017

The micro‐grid is a key interface between renewable energy sources and the utility. A micro‐grid can work under islanded mode or grid‐connected mode. To confirm the seamless transform of a micro‐grid from islanded mode to grid‐connected mode, synchronisation of the islanded micro‐grid to the utility is an essential challenge. In this study, replacing first‐order low‐pass filter by sliding Goertzel transform based filter, a control strategy with an extended phase‐locked loop is presented for the inverter applications in islanded micro‐grids. It can ensure the synchronisation between the micro‐grid voltage and the utility voltage, and guarantee the seamless reconnection of the micro‐grid from islanded mode to grid‐connected mode. Considering the influence of the voltage deviation between the micro‐grid and the utility voltages in the synchronisation process, detailed analyses are proposed. Analytical non‐linear model and small‐signal model are presented to prove the fast and effective reconnect performance. Simulated and experimental results are provided to verify the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. This study is of interest for the seamless transform control of islanded micro‐grids.