bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple biomarker responses (serum biochemistry, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology) in Channa punctatus exposed to heavy metal loaded waste water
Authors: Javed Mehjbeen , Ahmad Md. Irshad , Usmani Nazura , Ahmad Masood
Published: May 2017

Experiments were conducted to investigate the health of fish Channa punctatus inhabiting heavy metal-loaded waste water. Heavy metals in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Co > Ni > Cu = Cr were present in the waste water. Gills had high metal load followed by liver and then kidney. Albumin, albumin to globulin (A:G) ratio, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were found to be lower but phospholipid, low density lipoprotein (LDL), total protein, lipid and cholesterol were higher as compared to the reference. Oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were significantly higher in all tissues, whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were comparatively low. Damage to DNA was observed with significantly higher mean tail length of comets in the exposed fish gill cells (30.9 µm) followed by liver (24.3 µm) and kidney (20.6 µm) as compared to reference fish (5.2, 4.8 and 5.9 µm respectively). Histopathology in gill, liver and kidney also showed marked damage. Integrated biochemical, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathological findings are valuable biomarkers for native fish adaptive patterns, and monitoring of water quality/pollution of freshwater ecosystems.
Nuclear DNA markers for identification of Beluga and Sterlet sturgeons and their interspecific Bester hybrid
Authors: Havelka Miloš , Fujimoto Takafumi , Hagihara Seishi , Adachi Shinji , Arai Katsutoshi
Published: May 2017

Sturgeons (Acipenseriformes) are among the most endangered species in the world due to fragmentation and destruction of their natural habitats and to overexploitation, mainly for highly priced caviar. This has led to the development of sturgeon culture, originally for reintroduction, but more recently for caviar production. In both cases, accurate species identification is essential. We report a new tool for accurate identification of Huso huso and Acipenser ruthenus based on nuclear DNA markers. We employed ddRAD sequencing to identify species-specific nucleotide variants, which served as specific binding sites for diagnostic primers. The primers allowed identification of Huso huso and Acipenser ruthenus as well as their discrimination from A. baerii, A. schrenckii, A. gueldenstaedtii, A. stellatus, A. persicus, A. mikadoi, A. transmontanus, and H. dauricus and identification of A. ruthenus and H. huso hybrids with these species, except hybrid between A. ruthenus and A. stellatus. The species-specific primers also allowed identification of bester (H. huso × A. ruthenus), the most commercially exploited sturgeon hybrid. The tool, based on simple PCR and gel electrophoresis, is rapid, inexpensive, and reproducible. It will contribute to conservation of remaining wild populations of A. ruthenus and H. huso, as well as to traceability of their products.
The neuronal K+Cl− co-transporter 2 (Slc12a5) modulates insulin secretion
Authors: Kursan Shams , McMillen Timothy S. , Beesetty Pavani , Dias-Junior Eduardo , Almutairi Mohammed M. , Sajib Abu A. , Kozak J. Ashot , Aguilar-Bryan Lydia , Di Fulvio Mauricio
Published: May 2017

Intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) in pancreatic β-cells is kept above electrochemical equilibrium due to the predominant functional presence of Cl− loaders such as the Na+K+2Cl− co-transporter 1 (Slc12a2) over Cl−extruders of unidentified nature. Using molecular cloning, RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunolocalization and in vitro functional assays, we establish that the “neuron-specific” K+Cl− co-transporter 2 (KCC2, Slc12a5) is expressed in several endocrine cells of the pancreatic islet, including glucagon secreting α-cells, but particularly in insulin-secreting β-cells, where we provide evidence for its role in the insulin secretory response. Three KCC2 splice variants were identified: the formerly described KCC2a and KCC2b along with a novel one lacking exon 25 (KCC2a-S25). This new variant is undetectable in brain or spinal cord, the only and most abundant known sources of KCC2. Inhibition of KCC2 activity in clonal MIN6 β-cells increases basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and Ca2+ uptake in the presence of glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the ATP-dependent potassium (KATP)-channels, thus suggesting a possible mechanism underlying KCC2-dependent insulin release. We propose that the long-time considered “neuron-specific” KCC2 co-transporter is expressed in pancreatic islet β-cells where it modulates Ca2+-dependent insulin secretion.
Pharmacometabolomics for predicting variable busulfan exposure in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients
Authors: Kim Bora , Lee Ji Won , Hong Kyung Taek , Yu Kyung-Sang , Jang In-Jin , Park Kyung Duk , Shin Hee Young , Ahn Hyo Seop , Cho Joo-Youn , Kang Hyoung Jin
Published: May 2017

Owing to its narrow therapeutic range and high pharmacokinetic variability, optimal dosing for busulfan is important to minimise overexposure-related systemic toxicity and underexposure-related graft failure. Using global metabolomics, we investigated biomarkers for predicting busulfan exposure. We analysed urine samples obtained before busulfan administration from 59 paediatric patients divided into 3 groups classified by area under the busulfan concentration-time curve (AUC), i.e., low-, medium-, and high-AUC groups. In the high-AUC group, deferoxamine metabolites were detected. Phenylacetylglutamine and two acylcarnitines were significantly lower in the high-AUC group than in the low-AUC group. Deferoxamine, an iron-chelating agent that lowers serum ferritin levels, was detected in the high-AUC group, indicating that those patients had high ferritin levels. Therefore, in a retrospective study of 130 paediatric patients, we confirmed our hypothesis that busulfan clearance (dose/AUC) and serum ferritin level has a negative correlation (r = −0.205, P = 0.019). Ferritin, acylcarnitine, and phenylacetylglutamine are associated with liver damage, including free radical formation, deregulation of hepatic mitochondrial β-oxidation, and hyperammonaemia. Our findings reveal potential biomarkers predictive of busulfan exposure and suggest that liver function may affect busulfan exposure.
Model-guided control of hippocampal discharges by local direct current stimulation
Authors: Mina Faten , Modolo Julien , Recher Fanny , Dieuset Gabriel , Biraben Arnaud , Benquet Pascal , Wendling Fabrice
Published: May 2017

Neurostimulation is an emerging treatment for drug-resistant epilepsies when surgery is contraindicated. Recent clinical results demonstrate significant seizure frequency reduction in epileptic patients, however the mechanisms underlying this therapeutic effect are largely unknown. This study aimed at gaining insights into local direct current stimulation (LDCS) effects on hyperexcitable tissue, by i) analyzing the impact of electrical currents locally applied on epileptogenic brain regions, and ii) characterizing currents achieving an “anti-epileptic” effect (excitability reduction). First, a neural mass model of hippocampal circuits was extended to accurately reproduce the features of hippocampal paroxysmal discharges (HPD) observed in a mouse model of epilepsy. Second, model predictions regarding current intensity and stimulation polarity were confronted to in vivo mice recordings during LDCS (n = 8). The neural mass model was able to generate realistic hippocampal discharges. Simulation of LDCS in the model pointed at a significant decrease of simulated HPD (in duration and occurrence rate, not in amplitude) for cathodal stimulation, which was successfully verified experimentally in epileptic mice. Despite the simplicity of our stimulation protocol, these results contribute to a better understanding of clinical benefits observed in epileptic patients with implanted neurostimulators. Our results also provide further support for model-guided design of neuromodulation therapy.
Campanile Near-Field Probes Fabricated by Nanoimprint Lithography on the Facet of an Optical Fiber
Authors: Calafiore Giuseppe , Koshelev Alexander , Darlington Thomas P. , Borys Nicholas J. , Melli Mauro , Polyakov Aleksandr , Cantarella Giuseppe , Allen Frances I. , Lum Paul , Wong Ed , Sassolini Simone , Weber-Bargioni Alexander , Schuck P. James , Cabrini Stefano , Munechika Keiko
Published: May 2017

One of the major challenges to the widespread adoption of plasmonic and nano-optical devices in real-life applications is the difficulty to mass-fabricate nano-optical antennas in parallel and reproducible fashion, and the capability to precisely place nanoantennas into devices with nanometer-scale precision. In this study, we present a solution to this challenge using the state-of-the-art ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) to fabricate functional optical transformers onto the core of an optical fiber in a single step, mimicking the ‘campanile’ near-field probes. Imprinted probes were fabricated using a custom-built imprinter tool with co-axial alignment capability with sub <100 nm position accuracy, followed by a metallization step. Scanning electron micrographs confirm high imprint fidelity and precision with a thin residual layer to facilitate efficient optical coupling between the fiber and the imprinted optical transformer. The imprinted optical transformer probe was used in an actual NSOM measurement performing hyperspectral photoluminescence mapping of standard fluorescent beads. The calibration scans confirmed that imprinted probes enable sub-diffraction limited imaging with a spatial resolution consistent with the gap size. This novel nano-fabrication approach promises a low-cost, high-throughput, and reproducible manufacturing of advanced nano-optical devices.
Flexible and Self-Healing Aqueous Supercapacitors for Low Temperature Applications: Polyampholyte Gel Electrolytes with Biochar Electrodes
Authors: Li Xinda , Liu Li , Wang Xianzong , Ok Yong Sik , Elliott Janet A. W. , Chang Scott X. , Chung Hyun-Joong
Published: May 2017

A flexible and self-healing supercapacitor with high energy density in low temperature operation was fabricated using a combination of biochar-based composite electrodes and a polyampholyte hydrogel electrolyte. Polyampholytes, a novel class of tough hydrogel, provide self-healing ability and mechanical flexibility, as well as low temperature operation for the aqueous electrolyte. Biochar is a carbon material produced from the low-temperature pyrolysis of biological wastes; the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide conferred mechanical integrity and electrical conductivity and hence the electrodes are called biochar-reduced-graphene-oxide (BC-RGO) electrodes. The fabricated supercapacitor showed high energy density of 30 Wh/kg with ~90% capacitance retention after 5000 charge–discharge cycles at room temperature at a power density of 50 W/kg. At −30 °C, the supercapacitor exhibited an energy density of 10.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 500 W/kg. The mechanism of the low-temperature performance excellence is likely to be associated with the concept of non-freezable water near the hydrophilic polymer chains, which can motivate future researches on the phase behaviour of water near polyampholyte chains. We conclude that the combination of the BC-RGO electrode and the polyampholyte hydrogel electrolyte is promising for supercapacitors for flexible electronics and for low temperature environments.
Identifying conformational changes with site-directed spin labeling reveals that the GTPase domain of HydF is a molecular switch
Authors: Galazzo Laura , Maso Lorenzo , De Rosa Edith , Bortolus Marco , Doni Davide , Acquasaliente Laura , De Filippis Vincenzo , Costantini Paola , Carbonera Donatella
Published: May 2017

[FeFe]-hydrogenases catalyse the reduction of protons to hydrogen at a complex 2Fe[4Fe4S] center called H-cluster. The assembly of this active site is a multistep process involving three proteins, HydE, HydF and HydG. According to the current models, HydF has the key double role of scaffold, upon which the final H-cluster precursor is assembled, and carrier to transfer it to the target hydrogenase. The X-ray structure of HydF indicates that the protein is a homodimer with both monomers carrying two functional domains: a C-terminal FeS cluster-binding domain, where the precursor is assembled, and a N-terminal GTPase domain, whose exact contribution to cluster biogenesis and hydrogenase activation is still elusive. We previously obtained several hints suggesting that the binding of GTP to HydF could be involved in the interactions of this scaffold protein with the other maturases and with the hydrogenase itself. In this work, by means of site directed spin labeling coupled to EPR/PELDOR spectroscopy, we explored the conformational changes induced in a recombinant HydF protein by GTP binding, and provide the first clue that the HydF GTPase domain could be involved in the H-cluster assembly working as a molecular switch similarly to other known small GTPases.
Circulating miRNA-21-5p as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer: evidence from comprehensive miRNA expression profiling analysis and clinical validation
Authors: Qu Kai , Zhang Xing , Lin Ting , Liu Tian , Wang Zhixin , Liu Sushun , Zhou Lei , Wei Jichao , Chang Hulin , Li Ke , Wang Zheng , Liu Chang , Wu Zheng
Published: May 2017

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal disease worldwide and is often misdiagnosed in its early stages. The exploration of novel non-invasive biomarkers will definitely benefit PC patients. Recently, circulating miRNAs in body fluids are emerging as non-invasive biomarkers for PC diagnosis. In this study, we first conducted comprehensive robust rank aggregation (RRA) analysis based on 21 published miRome profiling studies. We statistically identified and clinically validated a miRNA expression pattern in PC patients. These miRNAs consisted of four up-regulated (hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-31-5p, hsa-miR-210-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p) and three down-regulated miRNAs (hsa-miR-217, hsa-miR-148a-3p and hsa-miR-375). Among them, hsa-miR-21-5p was one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in the serum of PC patients. Our validation test further suggested a relatively high accuracy of serum hsa-miR-21-5p levels in the diagnosis of PC, with a sensitivity of 0.77 and a specificity of 0.80. Finally, a diagnostic meta-analysis based on 9 studies also revealed favorable sensitivity and specificity of circulating hsa-miR-21-5p for the diagnosis of PC (pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.74, respectively), which was consistent with our findings. Taken together, as one of the most aberrantly expressed miRNAs in PC, circulating hsa-miR-21-5p might be a promising serum biomarker in patients with PC.
Intact word processing in developmental prosopagnosia
Authors: Burns Edwin J. , Bennetts Rachel J. , Bate Sarah , Wright Victoria C. , Weidemann Christoph T. , Tree Jeremy J.
Published: May 2017

A wealth of evidence from behavioural, neuropsychological and neuroimaging research supports the view that face recognition is reliant upon a domain-specific network that does not process words. In contrast, the recent many-to-many model of visual recognition posits that brain areas involved in word and face recognition are functionally integrated. Developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is characterised by severe deficits in the recognition of faces, which the many-to-many model predicts should negatively affect word recognition. Alternatively, domain-specific accounts suggest that impairments in face and word processing need not go hand in hand. To test these possibilities, we ran a battery of 7 tasks examining word processing in a group of DP cases and controls. One of our prosopagnosia cases exhibited a severe reading impairment with delayed response times during reading aloud tasks, but not lexical decision tasks. Overall, however, we found no evidence of global word processing deficits in DP, consistent with a dissociation account for face and word processing.
Quantification of blood-brain barrier permeability by dynamic contrast-enhanced NIRS
Authors: Milej Daniel , Abdalmalak Androu , Desjardins Lise , Ahmed Hassaan , Lee Ting-Yim , Diop Mamadou , Lawrence Keith St.
Published: May 2017

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is integral to maintaining a suitable microenvironment for neurons to function properly. Despite its importance, there are no bedside methods of assessing BBB disruption to help guide management of critical-care patients. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can quantify the permeability surface-area product (PS) of the BBB. Experiments were conducted in rats in which the BBB was opened by image-guided focused ultrasound. DCE-NIRS data were acquired with two dyes of different molecular weight, indocyanine green (ICG, 67 kDa) and 800CW carboxylate (IRDye, 1166 Da), and PS maps were generated by DCE computer tomography (CT) for comparison. Both dyes showed a strong correlation between measured PS values and sonication power (R2 = 0.95 and 0.92 for ICG and IRDye respectively), and the PS values for IRDye were in good agreement with CT values obtained with a contrast agent of similar molecular weight. These proof-of-principle experiments demonstrate that DCE NIRS can quantify BBB permeability. The next step in translating this method to critical care practice will be to adapt depth sensitive methods to minimize the effects of scalp contamination on NIRS PS values.
Increased cerebral expressions of MMPs, CLDN5, OCLN, ZO1 and AQPs are associated with brain edema following fatal heat stroke
Authors: Du Yu , Xu Jing-Tao , Jin Hong-Nian , Zhao Rui , Zhao Dong , Du Si-Hao , Xue Ye , Xie Xiao-Li , Wang Qi
Published: May 2017

Human brain samples were collected from 46 autopsy cases, including 23 fatal heat stroke cases and 23 age-matched controls. Nine candidate reference genes (PES1, POLR2A, IPO8, HMBS, SDHA, GAPDH, UBC, B2M, ACTB) were evaluated in the cerebral cortex of 10 forensic autopsy cases (5 heat stroke and 5 controls), using the geNorm module in qBaseplus software. SDHA, POLR2A, IPO8 and HMBS were identified as the most stable reference genes. Using these validated reference genes, mRNA expressions of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs, MMP2 and MMP9), Claudin5 (CLDN5), Occludin (OCLN), Zona occludens protein-1 (ZO1) and Aquaporins (AQPs, AQP1 and AQP4) in the cerebral cortex were examined. Relative mRNA quantification using Taqman real-time PCR assay demonstrated increased calibrated normalized relative quantity (CNRQ) values of MMP9, CLDN5, OCLN, ZO1 and AQP4 in heat stroke cases. Heat stroke cases showed an increase in brain water content, which was found to be positively correlated with MMP9, OCLN, ZO1 and CLDN5 mRNA. When using one conventional reference gene (GAPDH or ACTB) for normalization, no difference was detected between heat stroke and controls. In immunostaining, only AQP4 showed more intense staining in most heat stroke cases. The present study, for the first time, reports increased cerebral MMP9, CLDN5, OCLN, ZO1 and AQP4 in heat stroke and suggest a crucial role of reference gene selection when using postmortem human tissues.
Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Pressure-Responsive Films Based on The Orientation Dependence of Plasmonic Properties of Ag@Au Nanoplates
Authors: Fu Li-Shun , Wang Wen-Shou , Xu Cheng-Yan , Li Yao , Zhen Liang
Published: May 2017

A novel pressure-responsive polymer composite film was developed based on Ag@Au composite nanoplates (NPLs) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by using Au nanoparticles as concentration reference. The orientation change of Ag@Au NPLs is impelled by the deformation of polymer matrix under pressure, resulting in its localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) intensity change of in-plane dipolar peak. The intensity ratio between plasmon peak of Au nanoparticles and in-plane dipolar peak of Ag@Au NPLs relies on the intensity and duration of pressure. By adjusting the viscosity of the polymer, the orientation change of LSPR may respond to a wide range of stresses. This pressure sensitive film can be utilized to record the magnitude and distribution of pressure between two contacting surfaces via optical information.
Precision Radiology: Predicting longevity using feature engineering and deep learning methods in a radiomics framework
Authors: Oakden-Rayner Luke , Carneiro Gustavo , Bessen Taryn , Nascimento Jacinto C. , Bradley Andrew P. , Palmer Lyle J.
Published: May 2017

Precision medicine approaches rely on obtaining precise knowledge of the true state of health of an individual patient, which results from a combination of their genetic risks and environmental exposures. This approach is currently limited by the lack of effective and efficient non-invasive medical tests to define the full range of phenotypic variation associated with individual health. Such knowledge is critical for improved early intervention, for better treatment decisions, and for ameliorating the steadily worsening epidemic of chronic disease. We present proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate how routinely acquired cross-sectional CT imaging may be used to predict patient longevity as a proxy for overall individual health and disease status using computer image analysis techniques. Despite the limitations of a modest dataset and the use of off-the-shelf machine learning methods, our results are comparable to previous ‘manual’ clinical methods for longevity prediction. This work demonstrates that radiomics techniques can be used to extract biomarkers relevant to one of the most widely used outcomes in epidemiological and clinical research – mortality, and that deep learning with convolutional neural networks can be usefully applied to radiomics research. Computer image analysis applied to routinely collected medical images offers substantial potential to enhance precision medicine initiatives.
Flexible and compact hybrid metasurfaces for enhanced ultra high field in vivo magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Schmidt Rita , Slobozhanyuk Alexey , Belov Pavel , Webb Andrew
Published: May 2017

Developments in metamaterials and related structures such as metasurfaces have opened up new possibilities in designing materials and devices with unique properties. Here we report a new hybrid metasurface structure, comprising a two-dimensional metamaterial surface and a very high permittivity dielectric substrate, that has been designed to enhance the local performance of an ultra-high field MRI scanner. This new flexible and compact resonant structure is the first metasurface which can be integrated with multi-element close-fitting receive coil arrays that are used for all clinical MRI scans. We demonstrate the utility of the metasurface acquiring in-vivo human brain images and proton MR spectra with enhanced local sensitivity on a commercial 7 Tesla system.
Progranulin deficiency causes the retinal ganglion cell loss during development
Authors: Kuse Yoshiki , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Mizoguchi Takahiro , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Hara Hideaki
Published: May 2017

Astrocytes are glial cells that support and protect neurons in the central nervous systems including the retina. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are in contact with the astrocytes and our earlier findings showed the reduction of the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer in adult progranulin deficient mice. In the present study, we focused on the time of activation of the astrocytes and the alterations in the number of RGCs in the retina and optic nerve in progranulin deficient mice. Our findings showed that the number of Brn3a-positive cells was reduced and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was increased in progranulin deficient mice. The progranulin deficient mice had a high expression of GFAP on postnatal day 9 (P9) but not on postnatal day 1. These mice also had a decrease in the number of the Brn3a-positive cells on P9. Taken together, these findings indicate that the absence of progranulin can affect the survival of RGCs subsequent the activation of astrocytes during retinal development.
Transcriptome and metabolite analysis identifies nitrogen utilization genes in tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Li Wei , Xiang Fen , Zhong Micai , Zhou Lingyun , Liu Hongyan , Li Saijun , Wang Xuewen
Published: May 2017

Applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer significantly increases the leaf yield. However, most N is not utilized by the plant, negatively impacting the environment. To date, little is known regarding N utilization genes and mechanisms in the leaf production. To understand this, we investigated transcriptomes using RNA-seq and amino acid levels with N treatment in tea (Camellia sinensis), the most popular beverage crop. We identified 196 and 29 common differentially expressed genes in roots and leaves, respectively, in response to ammonium in two tea varieties. Among those genes, AMT, NRT and AQP for N uptake and GOGAT and GS for N assimilation were the key genes, validated by RT-qPCR, which expressed in a network manner with tissue specificity. Importantly, only AQP and three novel DEGs associated with stress, manganese binding, and gibberellin-regulated transcription factor were common in N responses across all tissues and varieties. A hypothesized gene regulatory network for N was proposed. A strong statistical correlation between key genes’ expression and amino acid content was revealed. The key genes and regulatory network improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of N usage and offer gene targets for plant improvement.
Fabrication and Wettability Study of WO3 Coated Photocatalytic Membrane for Oil-Water Separation: A Comparative Study with ZnO Coated Membrane
Authors: Gondal Mohammed A. , Sadullah Muhammad S. , Qahtan Talal F. , Dastageer Mohamed A. , Baig Umair , McKinley Gareth H.
Published: May 2017

Superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic surfaces were fabricated by facile spray coating of nanostructured WO3 on stainless steel meshes and compared its performance in oil–water separation with ZnO coated meshes. The gravity driven oil-water separation system was designed using these surfaces as the separation media and it was noticed that WO3 coated stainless steel mesh showed high separation efficiency (99%), with pore size as high as 150 µm, whereas ZnO coated surfaces failed in the process of oil-water separation when the pore exceeded 50 µm size. Since, nanostructured WO3 is a well known catalyst, the simultaneous photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants present in the separated water from the oil water separation process were tested using WO3 coated surfaces under UV radiation and the efficiency of this degradation was found to be quite significant. These results assure that with little improvisation on the oil water separation system, these surfaces can be made multifunctional to work simultaneously for oil-water separation and demineralization of organic pollutants from the separated water. Fabrication of the separating surface, their morphological characteristics, wettability, oil water separation efficiency and photo-catalytic degradation efficiency are enunciated.
Allelic imbalance of somatic mutations in cancer genomes and transcriptomes
Authors: Rhee Je-Keun , Lee Sejoon , Park Woong-Yang , Kim Young-Ho , Kim Tae-Min
Published: May 2017

Somatic mutations in cancer genomes often show allelic imbalance (AI) of mutation abundance between the genome and transcriptome, but there is not yet a systematic understanding of AI. In this study, we performed large-scale DNA and RNA AI analyses of >100,000 somatic mutations in >2,000 cancer specimens across five tumor types using the exome and transcriptome sequencing data of the Cancer Genome Atlas consortium. First, AI analysis of nonsense mutations and frameshift indels revealed that nonsense-mediated decay is typical in cancer genomes, and we identified the relationship between the extent of AI and the location of mutations in addition to the well-recognized 50-nt rules. Second, the AI with splice site mutations may reflect the extent of intron retention and is frequently observed in known tumor suppressor genes. For missense mutations, we observed that mutations frequently subject to AI are enriched to genes related to cancer, especially those of apoptosis and the extracellular matrix, and C:G > A:T transversions. Our results suggest that mutations in known cancer-related genes and their transcripts are subjected to different levels of transcriptional or posttranscriptional regulation compared to wildtype alleles and may add an additional regulatory layer to the functions of cancer-relevant genes.
Co-delivery of paclitaxel and tetrandrine via iRGD peptide conjugated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles overcome multidrug resistance in cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Jinming , Wang Lu , Fai Chan Hon , Xie Wei , Chen Sheng , He Chengwei , Wang Yitao , Chen Meiwan
Published: May 2017

One of the promising strategies to overcome tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) is to deliver anticancer drug along with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor simultaneously. To enhance the cancer cellular internalization and implement the controlled drug release, herein an iRGD peptide-modified lipid-polymer hybrid nanosystem (LPN) was fabricated to coload paclitaxel (PTX) and tetrandrine (TET) at a precise combination ratio. In this co-delivery system, PTX was covalently conjugated to poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) polymeric core by redox-sensitive disulfide bond, while TET was physically capsulated spontaneously for the aim to suppress P-gp in advance by the earlier released TET in cancer cells. As a result, the PTX+TET/iRGD LPNs with a core-shell structure possessed high drug loading efficiency, stability and redox-sensitive drug release profiles. Owing to the enhanced cellular uptake and P-gp suppression mediated by TET, significantly more PTX accumulated in A2780/PTX cells treated with PTX+TET/iRGD LPNs than either free drugs or non-iRGD modified LPNs. As expected, PTX+TET/iRGD LPNs presented the highest cytotoxicity against A2780/PTX cells and effectively promoted ROS production, enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrests particularly. Taken together, the co-delivery system demonstrated great promise as potential treatment for MDR-related tumors based on the synergistic effects of P-gp inhibition, enhanced endocytosis and intracellular sequentially drug release.
Pressure-induced iso-structural phase transition and metallization in WSe2
Authors: Wang Xuefei , Chen Xuliang , Zhou Yonghui , Park Changyong , An Chao , Zhou Ying , Zhang Ranran , Gu Chuanchuan , Yang Wenge , Yang Zhaorong
Published: May 2017

We present in situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy study, and electrical transport measurement of single crystal WSe2 in diamond anvil cells with pressures up to 54.0–62.8 GPa. The XRD and Raman results show that the phase undergoes a pressure-induced iso-structural transition via layer sliding, beginning at 28.5 GPa and not being completed up to around 60 GPa. The Raman data also reveals a dominant role of the in-plane strain over the out-of plane compression in helping achieve the transition. Consistently, the electrical transport experiments down to 1.8 K reveals a pressure-induced metallization for WSe2 through a broad pressure range of 28.2–61.7 GPa, where a mixed semiconducting and metallic feature is observed due to the coexisting low- and high-pressure structures.
Erratum: Eye fixation during multiple object attention is based on a representation of discrete spatial foci
Authors: Fluharty Meg , Jentzsch Ines , Spitschan Manuel , Vishwanath Dhanraj
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 31832; published online: 26 August 2016; updated: 04 May 2017 In the original version of this Article, Affiliations 1 and 2 were not listed in the correct order. The correct affiliations are listed below: Affiliation 1 School of Psychology & Neuroscience University of St.
Erratum: Reduced GABAergic transmission in the ventrobasal thalamus contributes to thermal hyperalgesia in chronic inflammatory pain
Authors: Zhang Chan , Chen Rong-Xiang , Zhang Yu , Wang Jie , Liu Feng-Yu , Cai Jie , Liao Fei-Fei , Xu Fu-Qiang , Yi Ming , Wan You
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41439; published online: 02 February 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 This Article contains errors in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. In Figure 1, n = 7 was omitted from panel C. In Figure 2, labels are missing from the bars of panel B. In Figure 3, ‘Control’ was incorrectly given as ‘Sham’, labels are missing from the bars in Figure 3B and C, and n = 7 and n = 9 were omitted from Figure 3E.
Chiral determination and assay of optical isomers in clandestine drug laboratory samples using LC-MSMS
Authors: Popovic A. , McBriar T. , He P. , Beavis A.
Published: May 2017

Development of a method for enantioseparation of amphetamine, methamphetamine and methorphan using LC-MSMS with the aid of a chiral stationary phase.
Bottom-up engineering of thermoelectric nanomaterials and devices from solution-processed nanoparticle building blocks
Authors: Ortega Silvia , Ibáñez Maria , Liu Yu , Zhang Yu , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Cadavid Doris , Cabot Andreu
Published: May 2017

Nanoparticle-based bottom-up engineered nanomaterials are extremely appealing for the direct solid-state conversion between heat and electricity.
Fluoride-promoted carbonylation polymerization: a facile step-growth technique to polycarbonates
Authors: Olsson J. V. , Hult D. , García-Gallego S. , Malkoch M.
Published: May 2017

Fluoride-Promoted Carbonylation (FPC) polymerization is herein presented as a novel catalytic polymerization methodology that complements ROP and unlocks a greater synthetic window to advanced polycarbonates.
Capping the calix: how toluene completes cesium(i) coordination with calix[4]pyrrole
Authors: Ellis Ross J. , Reinhart Benjamin , Williams Neil J. , Moyer Bruce A. , Bryantsev Vyacheslav S.
Published: May 2017

EXAFS measurements and simulations reveal surprising interactions between the toluene solvent and the open face of the bound Cs(i) cation that allow toluene to “cap-the-calix”.
A programmed terminal extension strategy to light up multiple beacons for DNA and cellular telomerase detection
Authors: Yang Yucai , Li Chao , Hu Xiaolu , Yang Yi , Yin Yongmei , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: May 2017

A new method to detect DNA and cellular telomerase is developed using an enzyme-triggered terminal extension strategy.
Insight into the phase evolution of a NiMgAl catalyst from the reduction stage to the post-reaction stage during the dry reforming of methane
Authors: Bao Zhenghong , Zhan Yiqiu , Street Jason , Xu Wenqian , To Filip , Yu Fei
Published: May 2017

A NiMgAl oxide catalyst was characterized and analyzed using in situ synchrotron XRD during the catalyst reduction, DRM reaction, and post-reaction.
In situ bubble template-assisted synthesis of phosphonate-functionalized Rh nanodendrites and their catalytic application
Authors: Zhu Jing-Yi , Li Fu-Min , Yao Lin , Han Cong-Cong , Li Shu-Ni , Zeng Jing-Hui , Jiang Jia-Xing , Lee Jong-Min , Chen Yu
Published: May 2017

The phosphonate-functionalized Rh nanodendrites with hippocampus tail-like branches exhibited excellent catalytic activity and durability for the o-phenylenediamine oxidation reaction.
Multiple electron capture from isolated protein poly-anions in collision with slow highly charged ions
Authors: Milosavljević A. R. , Rousseau P. , Domaracka A. , Huber B. A. , Giuliani A.
Published: May 2017

Multiply charged ions very efficiently capture several electrons from trapped mass/charge selected protein poly-anions, producing dominantly charge-reduced proteins and small neutral losses.
The theory of surface-enhanced Raman scattering on semiconductor nanoparticles; toward the optimization of SERS sensors
Authors: Lombardi John R.
Published: May 2017

We present an expression for the lowest order nonzero contribution to the surface-enhanced Raman spectrum obtained from a system of a molecule adsorbed on a semiconductor nanoparticle. Herzberg–Teller vibronic coupling of the zero-order Born–Oppenheimer states results in an expression which may be regarded as an extension of the Albrecht A-, B-, and C-terms to SERS substrates. We show that the SERS enhancement is caused by combinations of several types of resonances in the combined system, namely, surface, exciton, charge-transfer, and molecular resonances. These resonances are coupled by terms in the numerator, which provide selection rules that enable various tests of the theory and predict the relative intensities of the Raman lines. Furthermore, by considering interactions of the various contributions to the SERS enhancement, we are able to develop ways to optimize the enhancement factor by tailoring the semiconductor nanostructure, thereby adjusting the locations of the various contributing resonances. This provides a procedure by which molecular sensors can be constructed and optimized. We provide several experimental examples on substrates such as monolayer MoS2 and GaN nanorods.
Speciation of inorganic As and Sb in natural waters by total reflection X-ray fluorescence following selective hydride generation and trapping onto quartz reflectors coated with nanostructured Pd
Authors: Romero Vanesa , Vilas Laura , Lavilla Isela , Bendicho Carlos
Published: May 2017

Inorganic As and Sb speciation by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis following selective hydride generation and trapping onto palladium nanoparticles.
Iodine-mediated synthesis of sulfur-bridged enaminones and chromones via double C(sp2)–H thiolation
Authors: Gao Yong , Wei Li , Liu Yunyun , Wan Jie-Ping
Published: May 2017

The synthesis of sulfur-bridged enaminones and chromones has been readily achieved via double vinyl C–H thiolation under metal-free conditions by using enaminones and elemental sulfur.
Dithieno[3,2-a:3′,2′-j][5,6,11,12]chrysene diimides and their molecular energy level regulation
Authors: Zhao Xueqian , Ge Congwu , Yang Xiaodi , Gao Xike
Published: May 2017

Dithieno[3,2-a:3′,2′-j][5,6,11,12]chrysene diimides (DTCDIs), a new class of organic dyes, with a twisted molecular backbone were designed and synthesized.
Interaction of galacto-oligosaccharides and lactulose with dipalmitoylphosphatidilcholine lipid membranes as determined by infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Díaz Sonia B. , Ale Norma M. , Ben Altabef Aida , Tymczyszyn Elizabeth , Gomez-Zavaglia Andrea
Published: May 2017

Galacto-oligosaccharides and lactulose interact with DPPC lipid membranes by modifying theirTm, and this effect is dependent on their degree of polymerization.
Structure-preserved 3D porous silicon/reduced graphene oxide materials as anodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Keli , Xia Yonggao , Yang Zhengdong , Fu Rusheng , Shen Chengxu , Liu Zhaoping
Published: May 2017

3D porous networks are subject to be destroyed during electrode preparation. Structure-preserved 3D porous Si/rGO anode materials were synthesized by tuning pore size distribution and performed superior electrochemical properties.
Holistic methodology for characterisation of the thermally induced failure of commercially available 18650 lithium ion cells
Authors: Lammer Michael , Königseder Alexander , Hacker Viktor
Published: May 2017

A highly effective method of investigating complex thermal degradation scenarios on Li-ion cells has been developed to promote battery safety.
Controllable synthesis of Ni–Co–Mn multi-component metal oxides with various morphologies for high-performance flexible supercapacitors
Authors: He Pingge , Huang Qun , Huang Boyun , Chen Tengfei
Published: May 2017

Ni–Co–Mn multi-component metal oxides with various morphologies were controllably synthesized on carbon cloth for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.
Effective removal of glyphosate from water by resin-supported double valent nano-sized hydroxyl iron oxide
Authors: Jia D. M. , Li C. H. , Li A. M.
Published: May 2017

The double valent composite resin (DR) was prepared within nano-sized Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) hydroxyl oxide crosslinking polystyrene anion exchanger resin for efficient glyphosate removal from water.
Carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalysed by well-defined Mn(i) PNP pincer hydride complexes
Authors: Bertini Federica , Glatz Mathias , Gorgas Nikolaus , Stöger Berthold , Peruzzini Maurizio , Veiros Luis F. , Kirchner Karl , Gonsalvi Luca
Published: May 2017

Mn(i) PNP pincer hydride complexes were shown for the first time to catalyse the hydrogenation of CO2 to formate reaching quantitative yields and high TONs.
Identification of key structural features of the elusive Cu–Aβ complex that generates ROS in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cheignon Clémence , Jones Megan , Atrián-Blasco Elena , Kieffer Isabelle , Faller Peter , Collin Fabrice , Hureau Christelle
Published: May 2017

ROS production proceeds through a Cu–Aβ state in which Cu(i/ii) binds to the NH2 and COO− groups of Asp1 and a histidine.
Metal exchange in lithiocuprates: implications for our understanding of structure and reactivity
Authors: Peel Andrew J. , Ackroyd Ryan , Wheatley Andrew E. H.
Published: May 2017

A new class of lithium cyanatocuprates are elucidated whose structures reveal a preference by copper for lower order structure formation.
Enhanced thermal conductivity of epoxy composites with core‐shell SiC@SiO2 nanowires
Authors: Shen Dianyu , Wang Mengjie , Wu Yuming , Liu Zhiduo , Cao Yong , Wang Ting , Wu Xinfeng , Shi Qingtang , Chee Kuan W.A. , Dai Wen , Bai Hua , Dai Dan , Lyu Jilei , Jiang Nan , Lin Cheng‐Te , Yu Jinhong
Published: May 2017

Electronic packaging materials and thermal interface materials (TIMs) are widely used in thermal management. In this study, the epoxy composites with core‐shell structure SiC@SiO2 nanowires (SiC@SiO2 NWs) as fillers could effectively enhance the thermal conductivity of epoxy composites. The unique structure of fillers results in a high thermal conductivity of epoxy composites, which is attributed to good interfacial compatibility epoxy matrix and bridging connections of SiC@SiO2 NWs. From neat epoxy to 2.5 wt% loading of SiC@SiO2 NWs, the thermal conductivity is significantly increased from 0.218 to 0.391 W m−1 K−1, increased by 79.4%. In addition, the composite with 2.5 wt% filler possess lower coefficient of thermal expansion and better thermal stability than that of neat epoxy. All these outstanding properties imply that epoxy/SiC@SiO2 NWs composites could be the ideal candidate for TIM.
Cooperative spectrum sharing protocol using spatial modulation
Authors: Üstünbaş Seda , Basar Ertugrul , Aygölü Ümit
Published: May 2017

In this study, a new cooperative spectrum sharing protocol based on overlay system paradigm is proposed for different relaying strategies. In the considered model, a single‐antenna primary transmitter (PT) communicates with a primary receiver (PR) by the assistance of a secondary transmitter (ST) which seeks an opportunity to realise spectrum sharing by adopting spatial modulation (SM). The proposed protocol consists of two time slots. In the first time slot, primary M‐ary modulated signal is transmitted from PT to ST and PR. ST processes the received signal according to the relaying strategy it adopts and transmits the processed signal by SM to PR and secondary receiver (SR) in the second time slot. Thanks to SM at ST, primary information is carried by conventional M‐ary modulation whereas secondary information is conveyed by antenna indices. Therefore, the need for superposition of different users' information and power allocation at ST are avoided. Upper bounds on bit error probability according to three different relaying strategies: fixed and incremental amplify‐and‐forward, and selective decode‐and‐forward, are derived for both users. The theoretical results are supported via computer simulations and error performance comparisons with two existing reference systems are performed to show the superiority of the proposed protocol.
Outage of relay simultaneous wireless information and power transfer with GSC and finite storage in Nakagami‐m fading
Authors: Wang Danyang , Yu Han , Lei Hongjiang , Li Tingting , Zhang Jiliang , Pan Gaofeng , Chen Yunfei
Published: May 2017

In this study, a wireless powered dual‐hop relay system, which consists of a source, a destination and a relay that is equipped with () receiving antennas and finite energy storage, is considered. Antenna selection scheme is employed for the relay to harvest energy from the received signals, under which the () strongest received signals are combined for information processing and the other copies of signals are used for energy harvesting. Considering Nakagami‐m fading scenarios, the authors first derive the closed‐form expressions for the probability density function and the cumulative distribution function of the signal‐to‐noise ratio with generalised selection combining (GSC), and then the exact and asymptotic analytical expressions for outage probability are derived, respectively. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the proposed analysis model.
Punctured Reed–Muller code‐based McEliece cryptosystems
Authors: Lee Wijik , No Jong‐Seon , Kim Young‐Sik
Published: May 2017

The authors propose new McEliece cryptosystems based on punctured Reed–Muller (RM) codes. They successfully show that the commonly known attacks, such as the Minder–Shokrollahi attack, the Chizhov–Borodin attack, and the square code attack, are ineffective against the proposed RM code‐based McEliece cryptosystem. We developed an optimal puncturing scheme to prevent the above‐mentioned attacks for the proposed RM code‐based cryptosystems in a sense that the exact locations of puncturing positions with the minimum number of punctured columns of the generator matrix should be found for attacking. It is important to carry out the minimum number of punctures, however, as code modification resulting from puncturing can reduce security. Additionally, the square code attack can be prevented in the proposed RM code‐based McEliece cryptosystems by using both the proposed puncturing method and random insertion methods.
Energy‐efficient precoding design for cloud radio access networks
Authors: Hou Qi , He Shiwen , Huang Yongming , Shi Qingjiang , Yang Luxi
Published: May 2017

In cloud radio access network, a baseband unit (BBU) performs the baseband processing for a cluster of low‐power low‐cost remote radio heads (RRHs) that are connected to the BBU through low‐latency fronthaul links. In this study, the authors study the optimisation of two energy‐efficient compression and precoding strategies which take transmit power constraint, fronthaul capacity constraint and user specific rate constraint into account. To overcome the non‐convexity nature of the original problem, they first transform the objective of the original problem into a parameterised subtractive form and obtain an approximate convex problem via the successive convex approximation. Then, an effective optimisation algorithm with provable convergence is designed to solve the effective problem. Numerical results reveal that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional maximum sum rate and minimum total power consumption schemes in terms of the energy‐efficiency criterion. In particular, compression after precoding strategy outperforms compression before precoding strategy when both of their RRHs perform the same user scheduling, while the opposite conclusion can be drawn otherwise.
Comments on: ‘Target tracking algorithm for passive coherent location’, A.A. Konovalov, IET Radar Sonar Navig., 2016, 10, (7), pp. 1228–1233
Authors: Di Lallo Annarita , Farina Alfonso , Fulcoli Riccardo , Timmoneri Luca , Vigilante Domenico
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study is to provide comment on the paper ‘Target tracking algorithm for passive coherent location’, A.A. Konovalov, in which the author quotes from two of the authors’ papers, making statements that the authors respectfully disagree with and which they therefore contest.