bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secretory phospholipase A2-IIA overexpressing mice exhibit cyclic alopecia mediated through aberrant hair shaft differentiation and impaired wound healing response
Authors: Chovatiya Gopal L. , Sarate Rahul M. , Sunkara Raghava R. , Gawas Nilesh P. , Kala Vineet , Waghmare Sanjeev K.
Published: September 2017

Secretory phospholipase A2 Group-IIA (sPLA2-IIA) is involved in lipid catabolism and growth promoting activity. sPLA2-IIA is deregulated in many pathological conditions including various cancers. Here, we have studied the role of sPLA2-IIA in the development of cyclic alopecia and wound healing response in relation to complete loss of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). Our data showed that overexpression of sPLA2-IIA in homozygous mice results in hyperproliferation and terminal epidermal differentiation followed by hair follicle cycle being halted at anagen like stage. In addition, sPLA2-IIA induced hyperproliferation leads to complete exhaustion of hair follicle stem cell pool at PD28 (Postnatal day). Importantly, sPLA2-IIA overexpression affects the hair shaft differentiation leading to development of cyclic alopecia. Molecular investigation study showed aberrant expression of Sox21, Msx2 and signalling modulators necessary for proper differentiation of inner root sheath (IRS) and hair shaft formation. Further, full-thickness skin wounding on dorsal skin of K14-sPLA2-IIA homozygous mice displayed impaired initial healing response. Our results showed the involvement of sPLA2-IIA in regulation of matrix cells differentiation, hair shaft formation and complete loss of HFSCs mediated impaired wound healing response. These novel functions of sPLA2-IIA may have clinical implications in alopecia, cancer development and ageing.
Strong coupling of magnons in a YIG sphere to photons in a planar superconducting resonator in the quantum limit
Authors: Morris R. G. E. , van Loo A. F. , Kosen S. , Karenowska A. D.
Published: September 2017

We report measurements made at millikelvin temperatures of a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator (CPWR) coupled to a sphere of yttrium-iron garnet. Systems hybridising collective spin excitations with microwave photons have recently attracted interest for their potential quantum information applications. In this experiment the non-uniform microwave field of the CPWR allows coupling to be achieved to many different magnon modes in the sphere. Calculations of the relative coupling strength of different mode families in the sphere to the CPWR are used to successfully identify the magnon modes and their frequencies. The measurements are extended to the quantum limit by reducing the drive power until, on average, less than one photon is present in the CPWR. Investigating the time-dependent response of the system to square pulses, oscillations in the output signal at the mode splitting frequency are observed. These results demonstrate the feasibility of future experiments combining magnonic elements with planar superconducting quantum devices.
Treatment with Caffeic Acid and Resveratrol Alleviates Oxidative Stress Induced Neurotoxicity in Cell and Drosophila Models of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type3
Authors: Wu Yu-Ling , Chang Jui-Chih , Lin Wei-Yong , Li Chien-Chun , Hsieh Mingli , Chen Haw-Wen , Wang Tsu-Shing , Liu Chin-San , Liu Kai-Li
Published: September 2017

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the protein ataxin-3 which is involved in susceptibility to mild oxidative stress induced neuronal death. Here we show that caffeic acid (CA) and resveratrol (Res) decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS), mutant ataxin-3 and apoptosis and increased autophagy in the pro-oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH)-treated SK-N-SH-MJD78 cells containing mutant ataxin-3. Furthermore, CA and Res improved survival and locomotor activity and decreased mutant ataxin-3 and ROS levels in tBH-treated SCA3 Drosophila. CA and Res also altered p53 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and expression in tBH-treated cell and fly models of SCA3, respectively. Blockade of NF-κB activation annulled the protective effects of CA and Res on apoptosis, ROS, and p53 activation in tBH-treated SK-N-SH-MJD78 cells, which suggests the importance of restoring NF-κB activity by CA and Res. Our findings suggest that CA and Res may be useful in the management of oxidative stress induced neuronal apoptosis in SCA3.
Bed bug aggregation on dirty laundry: a mechanism for passive dispersal
Authors: Hentley William T. , Webster Ben , Evison Sophie E. F. , Siva-Jothy Michael T.
Published: September 2017

Bed bugs have shown a recent and rapid global expansion that has been suggested to be caused by cheap air travel. How a small, flightless and anachoretic insect that hides within its host’s sleeping area manages to travel long distances is not yet clear. Bed bugs are attracted to the odour of sleeping humans and we suggest that soiled clothing may present a similarly attractive cue, allowing bed bugs to ‘hitch-hike’ around the world after aggregating in the laundry bags of travellers. We show that (1) soiled clothing is significantly more attractive than clean clothing to active bed bugs moving within a bedroom sized arena and (2) elevation of CO2 to a level that simulates human occupancy in the same arena appears to initiate search behaviour rather than direct it. Our results show, for the first time, how leaving worn clothing exposed in sleeping areas when travelling can be exploited by bed bugs to facilitate passive dispersal.
Inhibition of fucosylation by 2-fluorofucose suppresses human liver cancer HepG2 cell proliferation and migration as well as tumor formation
Authors: Zhou Ying , Fukuda Tomohiko , Hang Qinglei , Hou Sicong , Isaji Tomoya , Kameyama Akihiko , Gu Jianguo
Published: September 2017

Core fucosylation is one of the most important glycosylation events in the progression of liver cancer. For this study, we used an easily handled L-fucose analog, 2-fluoro-L-fucose (2FF), which interferes with the normal synthesis of GDP-fucose, and verified its potential roles in regulating core fucosylation and cell behavior in the HepG2 liver cancer cell line. Results obtained from lectin blot and flow cytometry analysis clearly showed that 2FF treatment dramatically inhibited core fucosylation, which was also confirmed via mass spectrometry analysis. Cell proliferation and integrin-mediated cell migration were significantly suppressed in cells treated with 2FF. We further analyzed cell colony formation in soft agar and tumor xenograft efficacy, and found that both were greatly suppressed in the 2FF-treated cells, compared with the control cells. Moreover, the treatment with 2FF decreased the core fucosylation levels of membrane glycoproteins such as EGF receptor and integrin β1, which in turn suppressed downstream signals that included phospho-EGFR, -AKT, -ERK, and -FAK. These results clearly described the roles of 2FF and the importance of core fucosylation in liver cancer progression, suggesting 2FF shows promise for use in the treatment of hepatoma.
Turning behaviors of T cells climbing up ramp-like structures are regulated by myosin light chain kinase activity and lamellipodia formation
Authors: Song Kwang Hoon , Lee Jaehyun , Jung Hong-Ryul , Park HyoungJun , Doh Junsang
Published: September 2017

T cells navigate diverse microenvironments to perform immune responses. Micro-scale topographical structures within the tissues, which may inherently exist in normal tissues or may be formed by inflammation or injury, can influence T cell migration, but how T cell migration is affected by such topographical structures have not been investigated. In this study, we fabricated ramp-like structures with a 5 μm height and various slopes, and observed T cells climbing up the ramp-like structures. T cells encountering the ramp-like structures exhibited MLC accumulation near head-tail junctions contacting the ramp-like structures, and made turns to the direction perpendicular to the ramp-like structures. Pharmacological study revealed that lamellipodia formation mediated by arp2/3 and contractility regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) were responsible for the intriguing turning behavior of T cells climbing the ramp-like structures. Arp2/3 or MLCK inhibition substantially reduced probability of T cells climbing sharp-edged ramp-like structures, indicating intriguing turning behavior of T cells mediated by lamellipodia formation and MLCK activity may be important for T cells to access inflamed or injured tissues with abrupt topographical changes.
Radiation damage at the active site of human alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase reveals that the cofactor position is finely tuned during catalysis
Authors: Giardina Giorgio , Paiardini Alessandro , Montioli Riccardo , Cellini Barbara , Voltattorni Carla Borri , Cutruzzolà Francesca
Published: September 2017

The alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), a hepatocyte-specific pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzyme, transaminates L-alanine and glyoxylate to glycine and pyruvate, thus detoxifying glyoxylate and preventing pathological oxalate precipitation in tissues. In the widely accepted catalytic mechanism of the aminotransferase family, the lysine binding to PLP acts as a catalyst in the stepwise 1,3-proton transfer, interconverting the external aldimine to ketimine. This step requires protonation by a conserved aspartate of the pyridine nitrogen of PLP to enhance its ability to stabilize the carbanionic intermediate. The aspartate residue is also responsible for a significant geometrical distortion of the internal aldimine, crucial for catalysis. We present the structure of human AGT in which complete X-ray photoreduction of the Schiff base has occurred. This result, together with two crystal structures of the conserved aspartate pathogenic variant (D183N) and the molecular modeling of the transaldimination step, led us to propose that an interplay of opposite forces, which we named spring mechanism, finely tunes PLP geometry during catalysis and is essential to move the external aldimine in the correct position in order for the 1,3-proton transfer to occur.
Hybrid Ag nanowire transparent conductive electrodes with randomly oriented and grid-patterned Ag nanowire networks
Authors: Ha Bonhee , Jo Sungjin
Published: September 2017

To improve the electrical properties of silver nanowire (Ag NW) transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs), the density of Ag NW networks should be increased, to increase the number of percolation paths. However, because of the inverse relationship between optical transmittance and electrical resistivity, the optical properties of Ag NW TCEs deteriorate with increasing density of the Ag NW network. In this study, a hybrid Ag NW electrode composed of randomly oriented and grid-patterned Ag NW networks is demonstrated. The hybrid Ag NW electrodes exhibit significantly improved sheet resistances and slightly decreased transmittances compared to randomly oriented Ag NW networks. Hybrid Ag NW TCEs show excellent mechanical flexibilities and durabilities in bending tests with a 5 mm radius of curvature. Moreover, flexible transparent film heaters (TFHs) based on the hybrid Ag NW electrodes show elevated maximum temperatures relative to TFHs based on randomly oriented Ag NW electrodes, when operated at the same input voltages.
Comparative analysis reveals regulatory motifs at the ainS/ainR pheromone-signaling locus of Vibrio fischeri
Authors: Kimbrough John H. , Stabb Eric V.
Published: September 2017

Vibrio fischeri uses the AinS/AinR pheromone-signaling system to control bioluminescence and other symbiotic colonization factors. The Ain system is thought to initiate cell-cell signaling at moderate cell densities and to prime the LuxI/LuxR signaling system. Here we compared and analyzed the ain locus from two V. fischeri strains and a Vibrio salmonicida strain to explore ain regulation. The ainS and ainR genes were predicted to constitute an operon, which we corroborated using RT-PCR. Comparisons between strains revealed a stark area of conservation across the ainS-ainR junction, including a large inverted repeat in ainR. We found that this inverted repeat in cis can affect accumulation of the AinS-generated pheromone N-octanoyl homoserine lactone, which may account for the previously unexplained low-signal phenotype of a ∆ainR mutant, although the mechanism behind this regulation remains elusive. We also extended the previous observation of a possible “lux box” LuxR binding site upstream of ainS by showing the conservation of this site as well as a second putative lux box. Using a plasmid-based reporter we found that LuxR can mediate repression of ainS, providing a negative feedback mechanism in the Ain/Lux signaling cascade. Our results provide new insights into the regulation, expression, and evolution of ainSR.
Meiotic arrest with roscovitine and follicular fluid improves cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes by promoting chromatin de-condensation and gene transcription
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhang Chuan-Xin , Pan Liu-Zhu , Gong Shuai , Cui Wei , Yuan Hong-Jie , Zhang Wei-Ling , Tan Jing-He
Published: September 2017

The developmental capacity of in vitro matured oocytes is inferior to that of the in vivo matured ones due to insufficient cytoplasmic maturation. Although great efforts were made to accomplish better cytoplasmic maturation by meiotic arrest maintenance (MAM) before in vitro maturation (IVM), limited progress has been achieved in various species. This study showed that MAM of porcine oocytes was better achieved with roscovitine than with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Oocyte developmental competence after IVM was significantly improved following MAM in 199 + FF medium (TCM-199 containing 10% porcine follicular fluid and 25 µM roscovitine) to a level even higher than that in control oocytes matured without pre-MAM. Observations on other markers further confirmed the positive effects of MAM in 199 + FF on oocyte cytoplasmic maturation. During MAM culture in 199 + FF, re-decondensation (RDC) of condensed chromatin occurred, and transcription of genes beneficial to cytoplasmic maturation was evident in some of the oocytes with surrounded nucleoli (SN). However, MAM with db-cAMP neither induced RDC nor improved oocyte developmental potential. Together, the results suggest that MAM in the presence of FF and roscovitine improved the developmental competence of porcine oocytes by promoting a pre-GVBD chromatin de-condensation and expression of beneficial genes.
The importance of simulated lung fluid (SLF) extractions for a more relevant evaluation of the oxidative potential of particulate matter
Authors: Calas Aude , Uzu Gaëlle , Martins Jean M. F. , Voisin Didier , Spadini Lorenzo , Lacroix Thomas , Jaffrezo Jean-Luc
Published: September 2017

Particulate matter (PM) induces oxidative stress in vivo, leading to adverse health effects. Oxidative potential (OP) of PM is increasingly studied as a relevant metric for health impact (instead of PM mass concentration) as much of the ambient particle mass do not contribute to PM toxicity. Several assays have been developed to quantify PM oxidative potential and a widely used one is the acellular dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. However in such assays, particles are usually extracted with methanol or Milli-Q water which is unrepresentative of physiological conditions. For this purpose, OPDTT measurements after simulated lung fluids (SLF) extraction, in order to look at the impact of simulated lung fluid constituents, were compared to Milli-Q water extraction measurements. Our major finding is a significant decrease of the OPDTT when the artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) solution was used. Indeed, ligand compounds are present in the SLF solutions and some induce a decrease of the OP when compared to water extraction. Our results suggest that the effect of ligands and complexation in lining fluids towards PM contaminants probably has been underestimated and should be investigated further.
Size-dependent electrical transport properties in Co nanocluster-assembled granular films
Authors: Zhang Q. F. , Wang X. Z. , Wang L. S. , Zheng H. F. , Lin L. , Xie J. , Liu X. , Qiu Y. L. , Chen Y. Z. , Peng D. L.
Published: September 2017

A series of Co nanocluster-assembled films with cluster sizes ranging from 4.5 nm to 14.7 nm were prepared by the plasma-gas-condensation method. The size-dependent electrical transport properties were systematically investigated. Both of the longitudinal resistivity ($${\rho }_{xx}$$

ρ

x
x

) and saturated anomalous Hall resistivity ($${\rho }_{xy}^{A}$$

ρ

x
y

A

) continuously increased with the decrease of the cluster sizes (d). The $${\rho }_{xx}$$

ρ

x
x

firstly increased and then decreased with increasing the temperature for all samples, which could be well described by involving the thermally fluctuation-induced tunneling (FIT) process and scattering. The tunneling effect was verified to result in the invalidation of classical anomalous Hall effect (AHE) scaling relation. After deducting the contribution from tunneling effect to $${\rho }_{xx}$$

ρ

x
x

, the AHE scaling relation between $${\rho }_{xy}^{A}$$

ρ

x
y

A

and the scattering resistivity ($${\rho }_{S}$$

ρ

S

) by varying the temperature was reconstructed. The value of scaling exponent γ increased with increasing Co cluster sizes. The size dependence of γ might be qualitatively interpreted by the interface and surface-induced spin flip scattering. We also determined the scaling relation between $${\rho }_{xy}^{A}$$

ρ

x
y

A

and $${\rho }_{S}$$

ρ

S

at 5 K by changing the Co cluster sizes, and a large value of γ = 3.6 was obtained which might be ascribed to the surface and interfacial scattering.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Seismic Monitoring of The Near Surface: A Traffic-Noise Interferometry Case Study
Authors: Dou Shan , Lindsey Nate , Wagner Anna M. , Daley Thomas M. , Freifeld Barry , Robertson Michelle , Peterson John , Ulrich Craig , Martin Eileen R. , Ajo-Franklin Jonathan B.
Published: September 2017

Ambient-noise-based seismic monitoring of the near surface often has limited spatiotemporal resolutions because dense seismic arrays are rarely sufficiently affordable for such applications. In recent years, however, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) techniques have emerged to transform telecommunication fiber-optic cables into dense seismic arrays that are cost effective. With DAS enabling both high sensor counts (“large N”) and long-term operations (“large T”), time-lapse imaging of shear-wave velocity (V
S
) structures is now possible by combining ambient noise interferometry and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). Here we report the first end-to-end study of time-lapse V
S
imaging that uses traffic noise continuously recorded on linear DAS arrays over a three-week period. Our results illustrate that for the top 20 meters the V
S
models that is well constrained by the data, we obtain time-lapse repeatability of about 2% in the model domain—a threshold that is low enough for observing subtle near-surface changes such as water content variations and permafrost alteration. This study demonstrates the efficacy of near-surface seismic monitoring using DAS-recorded ambient noise.
In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility Evaluation of Polyallylamine and Macromolecular Heparin Conjugates Modified Alginate Microbeads
Authors: Vaithilingam Vijayaganapathy , Steinkjer Bjørg , Ryan Liv , Larsson Rolf , Tuch Bernard Edward , Oberholzer Jose , Rokstad Anne Mari
Published: September 2017

Host reactivity to biocompatible immunoisolation devices is a major challenge for cellular therapies, and a human screening model would be of great value. We designed new types of surface modified barium alginate microspheres, and evaluated their inflammatory properties using human whole blood, and the intraperitoneal response after three weeks in Wistar rats. Microspheres were modified using proprietary polyallylamine (PAV) and coupled with macromolecular heparin conjugates (Corline Heparin Conjugate, CHC). The PAV-CHC strategy resulted in uniform and stable coatings with increased anti-clot activity and low cytotoxicity. In human whole blood, PAV coating at high dose (100 µg/ml) induced elevated complement, leukocyte CD11b and inflammatory mediators, and in Wistar rats increased fibrotic overgrowth. Coating of high dose PAV with CHC significantly reduced these responses. Low dose PAV (10 µg/ml) ± CHC and unmodified alginate microbeads showed low responses. That the human whole blood inflammatory reactions paralleled the host response shows a link between inflammatory potential and initial fibrotic response. CHC possessed anti-inflammatory activity, but failed to improve overall biocompatibility. We conclude that the human whole blood assay is an efficient first-phase screening model for inflammation, and a guiding tool in development of new generation microspheres for cell encapsulation therapy.
Stimulatory Secretions of Airway Epithelial Cells Accelerate Early Repair of Tracheal Epithelium
Authors: Kardia Egi , Mohamed Rafeezul , Yahaya Badrul Hisham
Published: September 2017

Airway stem/progenitor epithelial cells (AECs) are notable for their differentiation capacities in response to lung injury. Our previous finding highlighted the regenerative capacity of AECs following transplantation in repairing tracheal injury and reducing the severity of alveolar damage associated acute lung injury in a rabbit model. The goal of this study is to further investigate the potential of AECs to re-populate the tracheal epithelium and to study their stimulatory effect on inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, epithelial cell migration and proliferation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process following tracheal injury. Two in vitro culture assays were applied in this study; the direct co-culture assay that involved a culture of decellularised tracheal epithelium explants and AECs in a rotating tube, and indirect co-culture assay that utilized microporous membrane-well chamber system to separate the partially decellularised tracheal epithelium explants and AEC culture. The co-culture assays provided evidence of the stimulatory behaviour of AECs to enhance tracheal epithelial cell proliferation and migration during early wound repair. Factors that were secreted by AECs also markedly suppressed the production of IL-1β and IL-6 and initiated the EMT process during tracheal remodelling.
Mapping the Atomistic Structure of Graded Core/Shell Colloidal Nanocrystals
Authors: Yarema Maksym , Xing Yunhua , Lechner Rainer T. , Ludescher Lukas , Dordevic Nikola , Lin Weyde M. M. , Yarema Olesya , Wood Vanessa
Published: September 2017

Engineering the compositional gradient for core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals improves their optical properties. To date, however, the structure of graded core/shell nanocrystal emitters has only been qualitatively described. In this paper, we demonstrate an approach to quantify nanocrystal structure, selecting graded Ag-In-Se/ZnSe core/shell nanocrystals as a proof-of-concept material. A combination of multi-energy small-angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy techniques enables us to establish the radial distribution of ZnSe with sub-nanometer resolution. Using ab initio shape-retrieval analysis of X-ray scattering spectra, we further determine the average shape of nanocrystals. These results allow us to generate three-dimensional, atomistic reconstructions of graded core/shell nanocrystals. We use these reconstructions to calculate solid-state Zn diffusion in the Ag-In-Se nanocrystals and the lattice mismatch between nanocrystal monolayers. Finally, we apply these findings to propose design rules for optimal shell structure and record-luminescent core/shell nanocrystals.
Pan-genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Leuconostoc mesenteroides provide insights into its genomic and metabolic features and roles in kimchi fermentation
Authors: Chun Byung Hee , Kim Kyung Hyun , Jeon Hye Hee , Lee Se Hee , Jeon Che Ok
Published: September 2017

The genomic and metabolic features of Leuconostoc (Leu) mesenteroides were investigated through pan-genomic and transcriptomic analyses. Relatedness analysis of 17 Leu. mesenteroides strains available in GenBank based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, average nucleotide identity, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, molecular phenotype, and core-genome indicated that Leu. mesenteroides has been separated into different phylogenetic lineages. Pan-genome of Leu. mesenteroides strains, consisting of 999 genes in core-genome, 1,432 genes in accessory-genome, and 754 genes in unique genome, and their COG and KEGG analyses showed that Leu. mesenteroides harbors strain-specifically diverse metabolisms, probably representing high evolutionary genome changes. The reconstruction of fermentative metabolic pathways for Leu. mesenteroides strains showed that Leu. mesenteroides produces various metabolites such as lactate, ethanol, acetate, CO2, mannitol, diacetyl, acetoin, and 2,3-butanediol through an obligate heterolactic fermentation from various carbohydrates. Fermentative metabolic features of Leu. mesenteroides during kimchi fermentation were investigated through transcriptional analyses for the KEGG pathways and reconstructed metabolic pathways of Leu. mesenteroides using kimchi metatranscriptomic data. This was the first study to investigate the genomic and metabolic features of Leu. mesenteroides through pan-genomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, and may provide insights into its genomic and metabolic features and a better understanding of kimchi fermentations by Leu. mesenteroides.
Three-dimensional combined biomarkers assay could improve diagnostic accuracy for gastric cancer
Authors: Sun Liping , Tu Huakang , Chen Tiejun , Yuan Quan , Liu Jingwei , Dong Nannan , Yuan Yuan
Published: September 2017

So far, stomach-specific biomarkers, gastric cancer(GC)-related environmental factors, and cancer-associated biomarkers are three major classes of serological biomarkers with GC warning potential, joint detection of which is expected to increase the diagnosis efficiency. We investigated whether the combination of serum pepsinogens(PGs), IgG anti-Helicobacter pylori (HpAb), and osteopontin (OPN) can be used as a panel for GC diagnose. Serum was collected from 365 GC patients and 729 healthy individuals,furtherly 332 cases and 332 age- and sex-matched controls were selected for the matched analysis. Serum levels were measured by ELISA. Logistic regression and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) were used to assess the associations of biomarkers with GC and the discriminative performance of biomarkers for GC. The area under ROC from three-dimensional combination of PGI/II-HpAb-OPN (0.826) was significantly higher than two-dimensional combination of PGI/II-HpAb (0.786, P < 0.001), PGI/II-OPN (0.787, P < 0.001), and OPN-HpAb (0.801, P = 0.006), as well as one-biomarker of PGI/II (0.735, P < 0.001), HpAb (0.737, P < 0.001) and OPN(0.713, P < 0.001), respectively. The combination of PGI/II-HpAb-OPN, yielded a sensitivity of 70.2% and specificity of 78.3% at the predicted probability of 0.493 as the optimal cutoff point. Three-dimensional combined biomarkers assay could improve diagnostic accuracy for gastric cancer.
Genetic variants in PPP2CA are associated with gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population
Authors: Huang Tongtong , He Kexin , Mao Yingying , Zhu Meng , Yan Caiwang , Yu Fei , Qi Qi , Wang Tianpei , Wang Yan , Du Jiangbo , Liu Li
Published: September 2017

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a tumor suppressor protein, has been implicated in cell cycle and apoptosis. Additionally, studies have illustrated its crucial roles in transformation of normal human cells to tumorigenic status. PPP2CA, which encodes the alpha isoform of the catalytic subunit of PP2A, has been recently reported to be associated with several types of cancers. Therefore, we hypothesized that genetic variants in PPP2CA might influence susceptibility of gastric cancer. To test this hypothesis, three tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PPP2CA were genotyped in a case-control study including 1,113 cases and 1,848 controls in a Chinese population. Three tagging SNPs in PPP2CA were genotyped using Illumina Human Exome BeadChip. We observed that the A allele of rs13187105 was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.28, P = 0.017). Further analyses showed that rs13187105 [A] was associated with decreased expression of PPP2CA mRNA (P = 5.1 × 10−6), and PPP2CA mRNA was significantly lower in gastric tumor tissues when comparing that in their adjacent normal tissues (P = 0.037). These findings support our hypothesis that genetic variants in PPP2CA may be implicated in gastric cancer susceptibility in Chinese population.
Profiling of cocaine using ratios of GC-MS peaks
Authors: Villesen Palle , Stride Nielsen Louise
Published: September 2017

Illicit cocaine seizures are often compared to each other by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data from cocaine alkaloid compounds to determine whether two specimens originate from the same production batch or not. This can provide intelligence or investigative information at the early stages of an investigation or evidence in court. Traditional classification methods assume high stability of all alkaloids, use all of them to calculate the correlation between two profiles and use a threshold to classify samples. Unstable alkaloids will have a strong influence on the performance. We show that comparing each alkaloid target compound individually improves the classification. Unfortunately, it requires normalization and is also sensitive to the stability. Instead we suggest to use ratios of all possible pairwise combinations of the GC-MS peaks. These ratios are scale free and directly comparable between samples. The peaks can be given different weights in the comparison of profiles using appropriate classification methods and we show that randomForest classification using these ratios have a high and reproducible performance in comparison with other methods. The performance of this method is not affected by noise, transformation or normalization and should be considered for future comparison of chromatographic profiles in general.
The cancer chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (Taxol) reduces hippocampal neurogenesis via down-regulation of vesicular zinc
Authors: Lee Bo Eun , Choi Bo Young , Hong Dae Kee , Kim Jin Hee , Lee Song Hee , Kho A Ra , Kim Haesung , Choi Hui Chul , Suh Sang Won
Published: September 2017

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) is increasingly recognized as a major unwanted side effect of an otherwise highly valuable life-saving technology. In part, this awareness is a result of increased cancer survival rates following chemotherapy. Altered hippocampal neurogenesis may play a role in mediating CICI. In particular, zinc could act as a key regulator of this process. To test this hypothesis, we administered paclitaxel (Px) to male C57BL/6 mice for set time periods and then evaluated the effects of Px treatment on hippocampal neurogenesis and vesicular zinc. We found that vesicular zinc levels and expression of zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) were reduced in Px-treated mice, compared to vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, Px-treated mice demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of neuroblasts present. However, no difference in the number of progenitor cells were observed. In addition, zinc supplementation by treatment with ZnCl2 ameliorated the Px-induced decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive impairment. These results suggest that via disruption of vesicular zinc stores in hippocampal mossy fiber terminals, chemotherapy may impinge upon one or more of the sequential stages involved in the maturation of new neurons derived via adult neurogenesis and thereby leads to the progressive cognitive decline associated with CICI.
Measuring glucose cerebral metabolism in the healthy mouse using hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance
Authors: Mishkovsky Mor , Anderson Brian , Karlsson Magnus , Lerche Mathilde H. , Sherry A. Dean , Gruetter Rolf , Kovacs Zoltan , Comment Arnaud
Published: September 2017

The mammalian brain relies primarily on glucose as a fuel to meet its high metabolic demand. Among the various techniques used to study cerebral metabolism, 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows following the fate of 13C-enriched substrates through metabolic pathways. We herein demonstrate that it is possible to measure cerebral glucose metabolism in vivo with sub-second time resolution using hyperpolarized 13C MRS. In particular, the dynamic 13C-labeling of pyruvate and lactate formed from 13C-glucose was observed in real time. An ad-hoc synthesis to produce [2,3,4,6,6-2H5, 3,4-13C2]-D-glucose was developed to improve the 13C signal-to-noise ratio as compared to experiments performed following [U-2H7, U-13C]-D-glucose injections. The main advantage of only labeling C3 and C4 positions is the absence of 13C-13C coupling in all downstream metabolic products after glucose is split into 3-carbon intermediates by aldolase. This unique method allows direct detection of glycolysis in vivo in the healthy brain in a noninvasive manner.
Striking diflubenzuron resistance in Culex pipiens, the prime vector of West Nile Virus
Authors: Grigoraki Linda , Puggioli Arianna , Mavridis Konstantinos , Douris Vassilis , Montanari Mario , Bellini Romeo , Vontas John
Published: September 2017

Culex pipiens mosquitoes cause severe nuisance and transmit human diseases including West Nile. Vector control by insecticides is the main tool to prevent these diseases and diflubenzuron is one of the most effective mosquito larvicides used in many places. Here, high levels of resistance were identified in Cx. pipiens from Italy, with a Resistance Ratio of 128 fold. The phenotype was associated with mutations at amino acid I1043 (I1043M and I1043L) of the Chitin synthase gene, which showed significantly higher frequency in bioassay survivors. Both mutations have been introduced in the Drosophila melanogaster chitin synthase gene using the genome editing method CRISPR/Cas9 and validated to confer significant levels of resistance, although at different levels. The I→M mutation results in a Resistance Ratio >2,900 fold and the I→L mutation >20 fold. Two PCR based diagnostics were developed for monitoring of the resistant mutations in field populations. The findings are of major concern for public health given the importance of diflubenzuron in mosquito control in many places, the intensity of the resistance phenotype and the limited availability of alternative larvicides.
Exploring the excited state behavior for 2-(phenyl)imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine in methanol solvent
Authors: Yang Dapeng , Jia Min , Wu Jingyuan , Song Xiaoyan
Published: September 2017

In this present work, we theoretically investigate the excited state mechanism for the 2-(phenyl)imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (PIP-C) molecule combined with methanol (MeOH) solvent molecules. Three MeOH molecules should be connected with PIP-C forming stable PIP-C-MeOH complex in the S0state. Upon the photo-excitation, the hydrogen bonded wires are strengthened in the S1state. Particularly the deprotonation process of PIP-C facilitates the excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. In our work, we do verify that the ESIPT reaction should occur due to the low potential energy barrier 8.785 kcal/mol in the S1state. While the intersection of potential energy curves of S0and S1states result in the nonradiation transition from S1to S0state, which successfully explain why the emission peak of the proton-transfer PIP-C-MeOH-PT form could not be reported in previous experiment. As a whole, this work not only put forward a new excited state mechanism for PIP-C system, but also compensates for the defects about mechanism in previous experiment.
An omniphobic lubricant-infused coating produced by chemical vapor deposition of hydrophobic organosilanes attenuates clotting on catheter surfaces
Authors: Badv Maryam , Jaffer Iqbal H. , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Didar Tohid F.
Published: September 2017

Abstarct

Catheter associated thrombosis is an ongoing problem. Omniphobic coatings based on tethering biocompatible liquid lubricants on self-assembled monolayers of hydrophobic organosilanes attenuate clotting on surfaces. Herein we report an efficient, non-invasive and robust process for coating catheters with an antithrombotic, omniphobic lubricant-infused coating produced using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of hydrophobic fluorine-based organosilanes. Compared with uncoated catheters, CVD coated catheters significantly attenuated thrombosis via the contact pathway of coagulation. When compared with the commonly used technique of liquid phase deposition (LPD) of fluorine-based organosilanes, the CVD method was more efficient and reproducible, resulted in less disruption of the outer polymeric layer of the catheters and produced greater antithrombotic activity. Therefore, omniphobic coating of catheters using the CVD method is a simple, straightforward and non-invasive procedure. This method has the potential to not only prevent catheter thrombosis, but also to prevent thrombosis on other blood-contacting medical devices.
Dynamics of necklace beams in nonlinear colloidal suspensions
Authors: Walasik Wiktor , Silahli Salih Z. , Litchinitser Natalia M.
Published: September 2017

Recently, we have predicted that the modulation instability of optical vortex solitons propagating in nonlinear colloidal suspensions with exponential saturable nonlinearity leads to formation of necklace beams (NBs). Here, we investigate the dynamics of NB formation and propagation, and demonstrate a variety of optical beam structures emerging upon vortex beam propagation in engineered nonlinear colloidal medium. In particular, we show that the distance at which the NB is formed depends on the input power of the vortex beam. Moreover, we show that the NB trajectories are not necessarily tangent to the initial vortex ring, and that their velocities have components stemming both from the beam diffraction and from the beam orbital angular momentum. We also demonstrate the generation of elliptical rotating solitons and analyze the influence of losses on their propagation. Finally, we investigate the conservation of the orbital angular momentum in necklace and elliptical rotating beams. Our studies, performed in ideal lossless media and in realistic colloidal suspensions with losses, provide a detailed description of NB dynamics, and may be useful in analysis of light propagation in highly scattering colloids and biological samples.
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of iloperidone on rat dried blood spots: application to pharmacokinetics
Authors: Rao R. Nageswara , Prasad K. Guru , Khalid Sara , Praneetha K. S. , Dodda Dilip , Veeresham Ciddi
Published: September 2017

A simple, rapid and highly sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for analysis of iloperidone on rat dried blood spots.
A BODIPY-based two-photon fluorescent probe validates tyrosinase activity in live cells
Authors: Naidu Bobba Kondapa , Won Miae , Shim Inseob , Velusamy Nithya , Yang Zhigang , Qu Junle , Kim Jong Seung , Bhuniya Sankarprasad
Published: September 2017

A two-photon fluorescent probe (Tyro-1) can validate intracellular tyrosinase activity, and H2O2induced upregulated tyrosinase in melanoma cells.
Formal arylation of NH3 to produce diphenylamines over supported Pd catalysts
Authors: Koizumi Yu , Taniguchi Kento , Jin Xiongjie , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Nozaki Kyoko , Mizuno Noritaka
Published: September 2017

In the presence of Pd/Al2O3, various diphenylamines could be synthesized through acceptorless formal arylation using urea as a nitrogen source and cyclohexanones as arylation sources.
3D and 2D growth of SnO2 nanostructures on Ga2O3 nanowires: synthesis and structural characterization
Authors: Alonso-Orts M. , Sánchez A. M. , López I. , Nogales E. , Piqueras J. , Méndez B.
Published: September 2017

In this work, a simple thermal evaporation method has been used to obtain a variety of Ga2O3/SnO2 nano-assemblies with different shapes and dimensionalities, which may affect their physical properties, especially those influenced by surface properties.
Dichotomy between the band and hopping transport in organic crystals: insights from experiments
Authors: Yavuz I.
Published: September 2017

The molecular understanding of charge-transport in organic crystals has often been tangled with identifying the true dynamical origin.
Iridium(iii) complexes with five-membered heterocyclic ligands for combined photodynamic therapy and photoactivated chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Na , Cao Jian-Jun , Wu Xiao-Wen , Tan Cai-Ping , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: September 2017

In this work, three iridium(iii) complexes were investigated as combined photodynamic and photoactivated chemotherapeutic agents.
Highly active group 11 metal complexes with α-hydrazidophosphonate ligands
Authors: Salvador-Gil Daniel , Ortego Lourdes , Herrera Raquel P. , Marzo Isabel , Gimeno M. Concepción
Published: September 2017

Unprecedented α-hydrazidophosphonate group 11 metal complexes have been prepared, with various coordination modes of ligands to metal atoms. They present an excellent cytotoxic activity in HeLa (cervical carcinoma) and A549 (lung carcinoma) cell lines, with IC50values among the lowest found in silver or copper complexes.
Oleuropein inhibits the IL-1β-induced expression of inflammatory mediators by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes
Authors: Feng Zhenhua , Li Xiaobin , Lin Jian , Zheng Wenhao , Hu Zhichao , Xuan Jiangwei , Ni Wenfei , Pan Xiaoyun
Published: September 2017

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease and is widespread in the elderly population and is characterized by erosion of articular cartilage, subchondral bone sclerosis and synovitis.
Stability and partitioning of β-carotene in whey protein emulsions during storage
Authors: Fahmi Wan Mohamad W. A. , McNaughton D. , Buckow R. , Augustin M. A.
Published: September 2017

Raman spectra of β-carotene in a droplet O/W emulsion, with bands originating from vibrations of the isoprene units of β-carotene molecules.
Sustainable chemistry: how to produce better and more from less?
Authors: Marion P. , Bernela B. , Piccirilli A. , Estrine B. , Patouillard N. , Guilbot J. , Jérôme F.
Published: September 2017

This review describes the rapid evolution of chemistry in the context of a sustainable development of our society. Written in collaboration between scientists from different horizons, either from public organizations or chemical companies, we aim here at providing recommendations to accelerate the emergence of eco-designed products on the market.
Pyrene–antipyrine based highly selective and sensitive turn-on fluorescent sensor for Th(iv)
Authors: Rani B. Kirthika , John S. Abraham
Published: September 2017

Herein, a turn-on flruorescent sensor for thorium(iv) based on pyrene–antipyrine unit is described.
Size-selective catalysts in five functionalized porous coordination polymers with unsaturated zinc centers
Authors: Deng Dongsheng , Guo Hui , Ji Baoming , Wang Weizhou , Ma Lufang , Luo Feng
Published: September 2017

Five reported structural isomorphic zinc porous coordination polymers exhibit good catalytic efficiency and size-selectivity toward acetylation of phenols owing to their unsaturated metal centers, non-coordinated amide, and suitable channel size and shape.
Pore and ligament size control, thermal stability and mechanical properties of nanoporous single crystals of gold
Authors: Koifman Khristosov Maria , Dishon Shiri , Noi Imrit , Katsman Alex , Pokroy Boaz
Published: September 2017

Thermal stability and mechanical properties investigation of nanoporous gold single crystals.
Review of recent research on flexible multifunctional nanopapers
Authors: Barhoum Ahmed , Samyn Pieter , Öhlund Thomas , Dufresne Alain
Published: September 2017

Traditional paper and papermaking have struggled with a declining market during the last few decades.
Highly dispersed ultra-small Pd nanoparticles on gadolinium hydroxide nanorods for efficient hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Ullah Naseeb , Imran M. , Liang Kuang , Yuan Cheng-Zong , Zeb Akif , Jiang Nan , Qazi Umair Yaqub , Sahar Shafaq , Xu An-Wu
Published: September 2017

Highly dispersed ultra-small Pd nanoparticles on gadolinium hydroxide nanorods catalysts have been developed for excellent hydrogenation activities.
Multifunctional gold nanoparticle layers for controllable capture and release of proteins
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Liu Feng , Yuan Yuqi , Wu Jingxian , Wang Hongwei , Yuan Lin , Chen Hong
Published: September 2017

pH-Responsive polymer modified enzyme–gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugates and gold nanoparticle layers (GNPLs) were constructed for surface bioactivity regulation.
Instant room temperature synthesis of self-assembled emission-tunable gold nanoclusters: million-fold emission enhancement and fluorimetric detection of Zn2+
Authors: Kuppan Balamurugan , Maitra Uday
Published: September 2017

Rapid room temperature metal ion triggered synthesis of intensely luminescent Au NCs from nonluminescent ones. The journey from nonluminescent to yellow emitting to green emitting species, induced by aggregation and self-assembly, is clearly depicted in the TEM micrograph.
A one-pot-one-reactant synthesis of platinum compounds at the nanoscale
Authors: Stoppiello C. T. , Biskupek J. , Li Z. Y. , Rance G. A. , Botos A. , Fogarty R. M. , Bourne R. A. , Yuan J. , Lovelock K. R. J. , Thompson P. , Fay M. W. , Kaiser U. , Chamberlain T. W. , Khlobystov A. N.
Published: September 2017

The preparation of inorganic nanomaterials with a desired structure and specific properties requires the ability to strictly control their size, shape and composition.
Conjugated phenothiazine oxime esters as free radical photoinitiators
Authors: Ma Xiaoyu , Gu Renquan , Yu Liujian , Han Weixiang , Li Jie , Li Xiuyan , Wang Tao
Published: September 2017

Three novel phenothiazine-substituted oxime esters (Ph-PTZ-OXE, TPA-PTZ-OXE and CZ-PTZ-OXE) applicable to visible laser diodes (405 nm and 455 nm) were successfully designed and synthesised.
A review of recent progress in molybdenum disulfide-based supercapacitors and batteries
Authors: Zhang Wen-Jing , Huang Ke-Jing
Published: September 2017

This article reviews the recent progress in molybdenum disulfide-based supercapacitors and batteries.
Pyrolysis of metal–organic frameworks to hierarchical porous Cu/Zn-nanoparticle@carbon materials for efficient CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Zhang Jingzheng , An Bing , Hong Yahui , Meng Yaping , Hu Xuefu , Wang Cheng , Lin Jingdong , Lin Wenbin , Wang Yong
Published: September 2017

Hierarchical structures of porous Cu/Zn@C materials via pyrolysis of Zn–Cu-BTC metal–organic frameworks give stable activity in the reverse water gas shift reaction, thanks to stabilization of the nanoparticles by carbon encapsulation.
Design of bond-cleavage-induced intramolecular charge transfer emission with dibenzoboroles and their application to ratiometric sensors for discriminating chain lengths of alkanes
Authors: Matsumoto Takuya , Takamine Hirofumi , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: September 2017

Dibenzoboroles with emission from the bond-cleavage-induced ICT was reported.
Screen printable MWCNT inks for printed electronics
Authors: Menon Heera , Aiswarya Remadevi , Surendran Kuzhichalil Peethambharan
Published: September 2017

A fast curing screen-printable ink formulation for MWCNT possessing excellent stability, adhesion strength, and electrical properties is reported.
Improved corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of composite arch-wires by N-doped TiO2coating
Authors: Liu Jiming , Lou Yixin , Zhang Chao , Yin Shuo , Li Hongmei , Sun Daqin , Sun Xinhua
Published: September 2017

In this paper, composite arch-wires (CAWs) coated with TiO2and N-doped TiO2nanocrystal thin films were fabricated.