bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exome array analysis of rare and low frequency variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Dekker Annelot M. , Diekstra Frank P. , Pulit Sara L. , Tazelaar Gijs H. P. , van der Spek Rick A. , van Rheenen Wouter , van Eijk Kristel R. , Calvo Andrea , Brunetti Maura , Damme Philip Van , Robberecht Wim , Hardiman Orla , McLaughlin Russell , Chiò Adriano , Sendtner Michael , Ludolph Albert C. , Weishaupt Jochen H. , Pardina Jesus S. Mora , van den Berg Leonard H. , Veldink Jan H.
Published: April 2019

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects 1 in ~350 individuals. Genetic association studies have established ALS as a multifactorial disease with heritability estimated at ~61%, and recent studies show a prominent role for rare variation in its genetic architecture. To identify rare variants associated with disease onset we performed exome array genotyping in 4,244 cases and 3,106 controls from European cohorts. In this largest exome-wide study of rare variants in ALS to date, we performed single-variant association testing, gene-based burden, and exome-wide individual set-unique burden (ISUB) testing to identify single or aggregated rare variation that modifies disease risk. In single-variant testing no variants reached exome-wide significance, likely due to limited statistical power. Gene-based burden testing of rare non-synonymous and loss-of-function variants showed NEK1 as the top associated gene. ISUB analysis did not show an increased exome-wide burden of deleterious variants in patients, possibly suggesting a more region-specific role for rare variation. Complete summary statistics are released publicly. This study did not implicate new risk loci, emphasizing the immediate need for future large-scale collaborations in ALS that will expand available sample sizes, increase genome coverage, and improve our ability to detect rare variants associated to ALS.
Rare variants in SLC5A10 are associated with serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Loomis Stephanie J. , Köttgen Anna , Li Man , Tin Adrienne , Coresh Josef , Boerwinkle Eric , Gibbs Richard , Muzny Donna , Pankow James , Selvin Elizabeth , Duggal Priya
Published: April 2019

Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) is an emerging biomarker used to monitor glycemic control in persons with diabetes. We performed whole-exome sequencing, examining the association between rare, coding genetic variants and 1,5-AG among European ancestry (N = 6,589) and African ancestry (N = 2,309) participants without diagnosed diabetes in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Five variants representing 3 independent signals on chromosome 17 in SLC5A10, a glucose transporter not previously known to transport 1,5-AG, were associated with 1,5-AG levels up to 10.38 µg/mL lower per allele (1,5-AG range 3.4–32.8 µg/mL) in the European ancestry sample and validated in the African ancestry sample. Together these variants explained 6% of the variance in 1,5-AG. Two of these variants (rs61741107, p = 8.85E-56; rs148178887, p = 1.13E-36) were rare, nonsynonymous, and predicted to be damaging or deleterious by multiple algorithms. Gene-based SKAT-O analysis supported these results (SLC5A10 p = 5.13E-64 in European ancestry, validated in African ancestry, p = 0.006). Interestingly, these novel variants are not associated with other biomarkers of hyperglycemia or diabetes (p > 0.2). The large effect sizes and protein-altering, multiple independent signals suggest SLC5A10 may code for an important transporter of 1,5-AG in the kidney, with a potential nonglucose-related effect on 1,5-AG, impacting its clinical utility as a diabetes biomarker in this subpopulation.
Small-Molecule Ferroptotic Agents with Potential to Selectively Target Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Taylor William R. , Fedorka Sara R. , Gad Ibtissam , Shah Ronit , Alqahtani Hanan D. , Koranne Radhika , Kuganesan Nishanth , Dlamini Samkeliso , Rogers Tim , Al-Hamashi Ayad , Kholodovych Veronika , Barudi Yusuf , Junk Damian , Rashid Maisha S. , Jackson Mark W. , Tillekeratne L. M. Viranga
Published: April 2019

Effective management of advanced cancer requires systemic treatment including small molecules that target unique features of aggressive tumor cells. At the same time, tumors are heterogeneous and current evidence suggests that a subpopulation of tumor cells, called tumor initiating or cancer stem cells, are responsible for metastatic dissemination, tumor relapse and possibly drug resistance. Classical apoptotic drugs are less effective against this critical subpopulation. In the course of generating a library of open-chain epothilones, we discovered a new class of small molecule anticancer agents that has no effect on tubulin but instead kills selected cancer cell lines by harnessing reactive oxygen species to induce ferroptosis. Interestingly, we find that drug sensitivity is highest in tumor cells with a mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, these compounds showed enhanced toxicity towards mesenchymal breast cancer populations with cancer stem cell properties in vitro. In summary, we have identified a new class of small molecule ferroptotic agents that warrant further investigation.
Effect of the Nano Crystal Size on the X-ray Diffraction Patterns of Biogenic Hydroxyapatite from Human, Bovine, and Porcine Bones
Authors: Londoño-Restrepo Sandra M. , Jeronimo-Cruz Rodrigo , Millán-Malo Beatriz M. , Rivera-Muñoz Eric M. , Rodriguez-García Mario E.
Published: April 2019

This paper focuses on the study of the effect of the change of the crystal size on the shape and width of the X-ray diffraction patterns for defatted and deproteinized bones as well as incinerated biogenic hydroxyapatite obtained from bovine, porcine, and human bones. Inductively Couple Plasma showed the presence of some ions such as Mg, K, Al, Fe, Zn, and Na for all samples. The nanometric size of the crystals was determined through High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy in which ordered crystals were found. The calcination of raw clean bones at 720 °C produced a transition of crystal size from nano to micro due to a coalescence phenomenon, this was accompanied by a decrease of the peak width of the X-ray diffraction patterns due to the decrease of the inelastic scattering contribution from the microcrystals. A simulation of the effect of the crystallite size on the shape and width of the X-ray patterns was done using PDF-4 software which confirmed that raw ordered bone crystals produce broad peaks which so far have been erroneously assigned to polycrystalline hydroxyapatite with low crystalline quality.
A Physarum Centrality Measure of the Human Brain Network
Authors: Kwon Hunki , Choi Yong-Ho , Lee Jong-Min
Published: April 2019

The most important goals of brain network analyses are to (a) detect pivotal regions and connections that contribute to disproportionate communication flow, (b) integrate global information, and (c) increase the brain network efficiency. Most centrality measures assume that information propagates in networks with the shortest connection paths, but this assumption is not true for most real networks given that information in the brain propagates through all possible paths. This study presents a methodological pipeline for identifying influential nodes and edges in human brain networks based on the self-regulating biological concept adopted from the Physarum model, thereby allowing the identification of optimal paths that are independent of the stated assumption. Network hubs and bridges were investigated in structural brain networks using the Physarum model. The optimal paths and fluid flow were used to formulate the Physarum centrality measure. Most network hubs and bridges are overlapped to some extent, but those based on Physarum centrality contain local and global information in the superior frontal, anterior cingulate, middle temporal gyrus, and precuneus regions. This approach also reduced individual variation. Our results suggest that the Physarum centrality presents a trade-off between the degree and betweenness centrality measures.
Functional capillary impairment in patients with ventricular assist devices
Authors: Wadowski Patricia P. , Steinlechner Barbara , Zimpfer Daniel , Schlöglhofer Thomas , Schima Heinrich , Hülsmann Martin , Lang Irene M. , Gremmel Thomas , Koppensteiner Renate , Zehetmayer Sonja , Weikert Constantin , Pultar Joseph , Jilma Bernd
Published: April 2019

The implantation of continuous – flow ventricular assist devices (VAD) is suggested to evoke angiodysplasia contributing to adverse events such as gastrointestinal bleeding. We evaluated in vivo capillary density and glycocalyx dimensions to investigate possible systemic microvascular changes in patients with chronic heart failure and VAD support vs. standard medical treatment. Forty-two patients with VAD support were compared to forty-one patients with ischemic and non-ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF) on standard pharmacotherapy and to a group of forty-two healthy subjects in a prospective cross-sectional study. Sublingual microcirculation was visualized using Sidestream Darkfield videomicroscopy and functional and perfused total capillary densities were quantified. Patients with VAD implantation were followed for one year and bleeding events were recorded. Median time after VAD implantation was 18 months. Patients were treated with centrifugal-flow devices (n = 31) or axial-flow devices (n = 11). Median functional capillary density was significantly lower in patients with VAD therapy as compared to CHF patients (196 vs. 255/mm2, p = 0.042, adjusted p-value). Functional and total capillary densities were 44% and 53% lower (both p < 0.001) in patients with VAD therapy when compared to healthy subjects. Cox regression analysis revealed loss of capillary density as a significant predictor of bleeding events during one -year follow-up of VAD patients (HR: 0.987, CI (95%): 0.977–0.998, p = 0.021 for functional and 0.992, CI (95%): 0.985–0.999, p = 0.03 for total capillary density). In conclusion, patients with VAD support exhibit capillary density rarefaction, which was associated with bleeding events. If confirmed independently, capillary impairment may be evaluated as novel marker of bleeding risk.
Genome Organization of Canada Goose Coronavirus, A Novel Species Identified in a Mass Die-off of Canada Geese
Authors: Papineau Amber , Berhane Yohannes , Wylie Todd N. , Wylie Kristine M. , Sharpe Samuel , Lung Oliver
Published: April 2019

The complete genome of a novel coronavirus was sequenced directly from the cloacal swab of a Canada goose that perished in a die-off of Canada and Snow geese in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada. Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis indicate it is a new species of Gammacoronavirus, as it falls below the threshold of 90% amino acid similarity in the protein domains used to demarcate Coronaviridae. Additional features that distinguish the genome of Canada goose coronavirus include 6 novel ORFs, a partial duplication of the 4 gene and a presumptive change in the proteolytic processing of polyproteins 1a and 1ab.
N-doped Carbon Coated CoO Nanowire Arrays Derived from Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 as Binder-free Anodes for High-performance Lithium Storage
Authors: Wang Dongxia , Yan Bo , Guo Yujuan , Chen Long , Yu Feng , Wang Gang
Published: April 2019

To realize large lithium storage capacity and excellent rate capability lithium ion batteries, highly electrochemically active materials and rational design of structure are desirable. Here, we successfully synthesized CoO@N-doped carbon nanowire arrays derived from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-67 (ZIF-67) on Ni foam (denoted as CoO@N-C/NF). Each CoO@N-C nanowire was built up of numerous ordered in-situ nitrogen-doped carbon coated CoO nanoparticles (around 20 nm) after annealing treatment. Benefited from the unique structural features, when served as anode for lithium ion batteries, the CoO@N-C/NF exhibit superior initial Coulombic efficiency of 78.04%, and excellent electrochemical cyclability (1884.1 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 100 cycles) and good rate capability (1169.2 mAh g−1 at the rate of 5000 mA g−1). To our knowledge, this is the highest capacity with similar electric current density that has been reported for CoO-based materials. Our results indicate that the CoO@N-C/NF electrode without any auxiliary materials are expected to open up new opportunities for CoO-based material to power electronic devices.
The enzymes OSC1 and CYP716A263 produce a high variety of triterpenoids in the latex of Taraxacum koksaghyz
Authors: Pütter Katharina M. , van Deenen Nicole , Müller Boje , Fuchs Lea , Vorwerk Kirsten , Unland Kristina , Bröker Jan Niklas , Scherer Emely , Huber Claudia , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Prüfer Dirk , Schulze Gronover Christian
Published: April 2019

Only very little is known about the resin composition of natural rubber from the dandelion species Taraxacum koksaghyz, thus its full characterization could provide new insights into how the isoprenoid end-products influence the physical properties of natural rubber, and this resin might be a good source of highly diverse triterpenoids. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the triterpenoid composition in an acetone extract and identified 13 triterpenes and triterpenoids also including the so far unknown pentacyclic compounds lup-19(21)-en-3-ol (1) and its ketone lup-19(21)-en-3-one (2). We purified single triterpenes from the acetone extract by developing a two-step HPLC system that is adapted to the structural differences of the described triterpenoids. Furthermore, we isolated six different oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and two P450 enzymes, and we functionally characterized TkOSC1 and CYP716A263 in Nicotiana benthamiana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in detail. TkOSC1 is a multifunctional OSC that was capable of synthesizing at least four of the latex-predominant pentacyclic triterpenes (taraxasterol, α-, β-amyrin and lup-19(21)-en-3-ol) while CYP716A263 oxidized pentacyclic triterpenes at the C-3 position. The identified enzymes responsible for biosynthesis and modification of pentacyclic triterpenes in T. koksaghyz latex may represent excellent tools for bioengineering approaches to produce pentacyclic triterpenes heterologously.
Endoluminal radiofrequency ablation of the main pancreatic duct is a secure and effective method to produce pancreatic atrophy and to achieve stump closure
Authors: Andaluz Anna , Ewertowska Elzbieta , Moll Xavier , Aguilar Adrià , García Félix , Fondevila Dolors , Quesada Rita , Berjano Enrique , Grande Luís , Burdío Fernando
Published: April 2019

Radiofrequency energy has been used both experimentally and clinically to manage the pancreatic remnant after distal pancreatectomies. Our goal was to determine whether endoluminal radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the main pancreatic duct in large animals would be more efficient than glue occlusion as an exocrine pancreatic atrophy-inducing procedure. Thirty-four Landrace pigs were assigned to either the transpapilar (n = 16) or transection (n = 18) groups. The transection implied the pancreas neck was severed. In each of these groups the remaining distal pancreatic duct was occluded either by RF or by glue. In the transpapilar group complete atrophy was observed in all the RF cases, while atrophy was incomplete in all the members of the glue subgroup. The failure rate of the main pancreatic duct (usually expressed by a pseudocyst) in the transection groups was dramatically higher in the glue subgroup than the RF subgroups (9 out of 9 and 1 out of 9, respectively) and postoperative mortality occurred only in the glue subgroup (3 out of 9). These results show the superiority of endoluminal RF ablation over glue for main pancreatic duct occlusion, as seen by the degree of atrophy and fewer postoperative pancreatic fistulas.
Determination of oligomerization state of Drp1 protein in living cells at nanomolar concentrations
Authors: Kwapiszewska Karina , Kalwarczyk Tomasz , Michalska Bernadeta , Szczepański Krzysztof , Szymański Jędrzej , Patalas-Krawczyk Paulina , Andryszewski Tomasz , Iwan Michalina , Duszyński Jerzy , Hołyst Robert
Published: April 2019

Biochemistry in living cells is an emerging field of science. Current quantitative bioassays are performed ex vivo, thus equilibrium constants and reaction rates of reactions occurring in human cells are still unknown. To address this issue, we present a non-invasive method to quantitatively characterize interactions (equilibrium constants, KD) directly within the cytosol of living cells. We reveal that cytosolic hydrodynamic drag depends exponentially on a probe’s size, and provide a model for its determination for different protein sizes (1–70 nm). We analysed oligomerization of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1, wild type and mutants: K668E, G363D, C505A) in HeLa cells. We detected the coexistence of wt-Drp1 dimers and tetramers in cytosol, and determined that KD for tetramers was 0.7 ± 0.5 μM. Drp1 kinetics was modelled by independent simulations, giving computational results which matched experimental data. This robust method can be applied to in vivo determination of KD for other protein-protein complexes, or drug-target interactions.
A Novel CNN-Based CAD System for Early Assessment of Transplanted Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Abdeltawab Hisham , Shehata Mohamed , Shalaby Ahmed , Khalifa Fahmi , Mahmoud Ali , El-Ghar Mohamed Abou , Dwyer Amy C. , Ghazal Mohammed , Hajjdiab Hassan , Keynton Robert , El-Baz Ayman
Published: April 2019

This paper introduces a deep-learning based computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system for the early detection of acute renal transplant rejection. For noninvasive detection of kidney rejection at an early stage, the proposed CAD system is based on the fusion of both imaging markers and clinical biomarkers. The former are derived from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) by estimating the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) representing the perfusion of the blood and the diffusion of the water inside the transplanted kidney. The clinical biomarkers, namely: creatinine clearance (CrCl) and serum plasma creatinine (SPCr), are integrated into the proposed CAD system as kidney functionality indexes to enhance its diagnostic performance. The ADC maps are estimated for a user-defined region of interest (ROI) that encompasses the whole kidney. The estimated ADCs are fused with the clinical biomarkers and the fused data is then used as an input to train and test a convolutional neural network (CNN) based classifier. The CAD system is tested on DW-MRI scans collected from 56 subjects from geographically diverse populations and different scanner types/image collection protocols. The overall accuracy of the proposed system is 92.9% with 93.3% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity in distinguishing non-rejected kidney transplants from rejected ones. These results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for a reliable non-invasive diagnosis of renal transplant status for any DW-MRI scans, regardless of the geographical differences and/or imaging protocol.
Surveying cephalopod diversity of the Amazon reef system using samples from red snapper stomachs and description of a new genus and species of octopus
Authors: de Luna Sales João Bráullio , Haimovici Manuel , Ready Jonathan Stuart , Souza Rosália Furtado , Ferreira Yrlene , de Cassia Silva Pinon Jessica , Costa Luis Fernando Carvalho , Asp Nils Edvin , Sampaio Iracilda , Schneider Horacio
Published: April 2019

The cephalopod fauna of the southwestern Atlantic is especially poorly-known because sampling is mostly limited to commercial net-fishing operations that are relatively inefficient at obtaining cephalopods associated with complex benthic substrates. Cephalopods have been identified in the diets of many large marine species but, as few hard structures survive digestion in most cases, the identification of ingested specimens to species level is often impossible. Samples can be identified by molecular techniques like barcoding and for cephalopods, mitochondrial 16S and COI genes have proven to be useful diagnostic markers for this purpose. The Amazon River estuary and continental shelf are known to encompass a range of different substrates with recent mapping highlighting the existence of an extensive reef system, a type of habitat known to support cephalopod diversity. The present study identified samples of the cephalopod fauna of this region obtained from the stomachs of red snappers,Lutjanus purpureus, a large, commercially-important fish harvested by fisheries using traps and hook-and-line gear that are capable of sampling habitats inaccessible to nets. A total of 98 samples were identified using molecular tools, revealing the presence of three squid species and eight MOTUs within the Octopodidae, representing five major clades. These include four known genera,Macrotritopus,Octopus,ScaeurgusandAmphioctopus, and one basal group distinct from all known octopodid genera described here asLepidoctopus joaquiniHaimovici and Sales, new genus and species. Molecular analysis of large predatory fish stomach contents was found to be an incredibly effective extended sampling method for biodiversity surveys where direct sampling is very difficult.
Rituximab Decreases Lymphoproliferative Tumor Formation in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts
Authors: Leiting Jennifer L. , Hernandez Matthew C. , Yang Lin , Bergquist John R. , Ivanics Tommy , Graham Rondell P. , Truty Mark J.
Published: April 2019

High engraftment rates are critical to any patient-derived xenograft (PDX) program and the loss of PDX models due to the development of lymphoproliferative tumors (LTs) is costly and inefficient. We hypothesized that routine injection of rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, at the time of implantation would reduce the incidence of LTs. Rituximab injection was added to the standard PDX engraftment protocol. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the significance of various factors. A total of 811 generations of PDX were implanted with 406 receiving rituximab with implantation. On multivariable analysis, rituximab was an independent factor for decreased LT formation across the entire cohort (OR 0.465, 95% CI 0.271–0.797, p = 0.005). Hepatocellular carcinomas (OR 0.319, 95% CI 0.107–0.949, p = 0.040) and cholangiocarcinomas (OR 0.185, 95% CI 0.049–0.696, p = 0.113) were the specific malignant histologic subtypes that demonstrated the greatest benefit. The frequency of LTs decreased across the entire cohort with rituximab administration and PDX tumors that are traditionally associated with higher rates of LT formation, HCCs and CCAs, appear to benefit the most from rituximab treatment. Routine use of rituximab at the time of tumor implantation may have significant programmatic benefits for laboratories that utilize PDX models.
Assessing Deep-Pelagic Shrimp Biomass to 3000 m in The Atlantic Ocean and Ramifications of Upscaled Global Biomass
Authors: Vereshchaka Alexander L. , Lunina Anastasia A. , Sutton Tracey
Published: April 2019

We assess the biomass of deep-pelagic shrimps in the Atlantic Ocean using data collected between 40°N and 40°S. Forty-eight stations were sampled in discrete-depth fashion, including epi- (0–200 m), meso- (200–800/1000 m), upper bathy- (800/1000–1500 m), and lower bathypelagic (1500–3000 m) strata. We compared samples collected from the same area on the same night using obliquely towed trawls and large vertically towed nets and found that shrimp catches from the latter were significantly higher. This suggests that vertical nets are more efficient for biomass assessments, and we report these values here. We further compared day and night samples from the same site and found that biomass estimates differed only in the epi- and mesopelagic strata, while estimates from the bathypelagic strata and the total water column were independent of time of day. Maximal shrimp standing stocks occurred in the upper bathypelagic (52–54% of total biomass) and in the mesopelagic (42–43%). We assessed shrimp biomass in three major regions of the Atlantic between 40°N and 40°S, and the first-order extrapolation of these data suggests that the global low-latitude deep-pelagic shrimp biomass (1700 million tons) may lie within the range reported for mesopelagic fishes (estimations between 1000 and 15000 million tons). These data, along with previous fish-biomass estimates, call for the reassessment of the quantity and distribution of nektonic carbon in the deep ocean.
Effect of two (short-term) storage methods on load to failure testing of murine bone tissue
Authors: Tiefenboeck Thomas M. , Payr Stephan , Bajenov Olga , Koch Thomas , Komjati Micha , Sarahrudi Kambiz
Published: April 2019

Since mechanical testing of bone quality is often delayed following euthanasia, the method of bone storage is of high importance in animal studies. Different storage methods may cause a change in the properties of bone tissue during mechanical testing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effects of two different fixation methods for bone tissue. We hypothesized that there is a difference between the load to failure values between the two groups. The tibias of fifteen 18-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were harvested and randomly allocated to three different groups with varying storage methods: (1) frozen at −80 °C, (2) paraformaldehyde working solution, and (3) native group. A storage time of two weeks prior to testing was chosen for groups 1 and 2. In group 3, referred to as the “native group”, bones were immediately tested after the harvesting procedure. The comparison of the mean load to failure of all 3 groups (group 1: 28.7 N ± 6.4 N, group 2: 23.7 N ± 6.0 N and group 3: 24.0 N ± 3.9 N) did not reveal a significant difference. There was also no difference in strength or stiffness. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the two most common storage methods, do not have an influence on the biomechanical properties of murine bone over a two week period.
Enhancing cancer cell adhesion with clay nanoparticles for countering metastasis
Authors: Abduljauwad Sahel N. , Ahmed Habib-ur-Rehman
Published: April 2019

Cancer metastasis results from the suppression of adhesion between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix, causing their migration from the primary tumor location and the subsequent formation of tumors in distant organs. This study demonstrates the potential use of nano-sized clay mineral particles to modulate adhesions between tumor cells and with the surrounding extracellular matrix. Atomic force microscopy studies of live cell cultures reveal a significant increase in adhesion between tumor cells and their environment after treatment with different types of electrically charged clay nanoparticles. The enhancement of adhesion among cancer cells was further confirmed through scratch type of wound healing assay studies. To provide insight into the adhesion mechanisms introduced by the clay nanoparticles, we performed a molecular-level computer simulation of cell adhesions in the presence and absence of the nanoparticles. Strong van der Waals and electrostatic attractions modelled in the molecular simulations result in an increase in the cohesive energy density of these environments when treated with clay crystallites. The increase in the cohesive energy density after the sorption of clay crystallites on cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix complexes lends weight to our strategy of using clay nanoparticles for the restoration of adhesion among cancer cells and prevention of metastasis.
Specific protein 1(SP1) regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition via lysyl oxidase-like 2(LOXL2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kim Im-kyung , Lee Yun Sun , Kim Hyung Sun , Dong Seung Myung , Park Joon Seong , Yoon Dong Sup
Published: April 2019

Specific protein 1 (SP1) is associated with aggressive behavior, invasive clinical phenotype and poor clinical outcomes in various cancers. We studied whether SP1 exerts its effect on invasiveness and promotion of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines. We showed that silencing of SP1 in MIA Paca-2 cell significantly decreased cell invasion and migration. In MIA Paca-2 cells, silencing of SP1 induced a reduction of LOXL2 expression, whereas LOXL2 silencing did not lead to a decrease in the expression of SP1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated the binding of SP1 to LOXL2 promoter. Wound healing and transmigration assays also showed that transfection of both SP1 and LOXL2 siRNA induced most significant decrease of cell invasion and migration compared to either SP1 or LOXL2-only silenced cells. Finally, we investigated the prognostic value of SP1 in patients with PDAC and SP1/LOX2 expression was examined by immunochemistry. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that tumor differentiation and co-expression of SP1 and LOXL2 were independent factors for disease-free survival. In summary, our study demonstrates that SP1 modulates EMT and is involved in tumor invasion and migration of PDAC cells through the regulation of LOXL2.
Comparative study of peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis on the clinical outcomes in Korea: a population-based approach
Authors: Lee Sung Woo , Lee Na Rae , Son Soo Kyung , Kim Jimin , Sul Ah Ram , Kim Yunjung , Park Jung Tak , Lee Jung Pyo , Ryu Dong-Ryeol
Published: April 2019

There has been paucity of data regarding the secular trend of adverse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) as compared with hemodialysis (HD) in Korea. 96,596 patients who started dialysis between 2004–2015 in Korea were identified using the National Health Insurance Service database. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval, CI) of PD over HD for mortality was 1.31 (1.27–1.36; P < 0.001) in the period of 2004–2007 and 1.21 (1.16–1.27; P < 0.001) in the period of 2008–2011. However, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality turned out to be insignificant in the period of 2012–2015. Similar trend was noted for nonfatal cardiovascular events (CVEs). In subgroup analysis, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality was evident, regardless of the status of age, diabetes, and comorbidity burden in 2004–2011. In 2012–2015, however, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality was insignificant when follow up was censored at one year, which became significant when follow up follow up was censored at three or five year. In conclusion, the mortality of PD over HD in Korea has been significantly improved, a finding that was paralleled by the improved nonfatal CVEs.
DNA methylation of dopamine-related gene promoters is associated with line bisection deviation in healthy adults
Authors: Schmitz Judith , Kumsta Robert , Moser Dirk , Güntürkün Onur , Ocklenburg Sebastian
Published: April 2019

Handedness and language lateralization are the most investigated phenotypes among functional hemispheric asymmetries, i.e. differences in function between the left and the right half of the human brain. Both phenotypes are left hemisphere-dominant, while investigations of the molecular factors underlying right hemisphere-dominant phenotypes are less prominent. In the classical line bisection task, healthy subjects typically show a leftward attentional bias due to a relative dominance of the right hemisphere for visuospatial attention. Based on findings of variations in dopamine-related genes affecting performance in the line bisection task, we first tested whether DNA methylation in non-neuronal tissue in the promoter regions ofDBH,SLC6A3, andDRD2are associated with line bisection deviation. We replicated the typical behavioral pattern and found an effect of DNA methylation in theDBHpromoter region on line bisection deviation in right-aligned trials. A second exploratory analysis indicated that an overall DNA methylation profile of genes involved in dopamine function predicts line bisection performance in right-aligned trials. Genetic variation in dopamine-related genes has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental trait associated with rightward attentional bias. Overall, our findings point towards epigenetic markers for functional hemispheric asymmetries in non-neuronal tissue not only for left hemisphere-dominant, but also for right hemisphere-dominant phenotypes.
Finding missed cases of familial hypercholesterolemia in health systems using machine learning
Authors: Banda Juan M. , Sarraju Ashish , Abbasi Fahim , Parizo Justin , Pariani Mitchel , Ison Hannah , Briskin Elinor , Wand Hannah , Dubois Sebastien , Jung Kenneth , Myers Seth A. , Rader Daniel J. , Leader Joseph B. , Murray Michael F. , Myers Kelly D. , Wilemon Katherine , Shah Nigam H. , Knowles Joshua W.
Published: April 2019

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an underdiagnosed dominant genetic condition affecting approximately 0.4% of the population and has up to a 20-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease if untreated. Simple screening strategies have false positive rates greater than 95%. As part of the FH Foundation′s FIND FH initiative, we developed a classifier to identify potential FH patients using electronic health record (EHR) data at Stanford Health Care. We trained a random forest classifier using data from known patients (n = 197) and matched non-cases (n = 6590). Our classifier obtained a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88 and sensitivity of 0.75 on a held-out test-set. We evaluated the accuracy of the classifier′s predictions by chart review of 100 patients at risk of FH not included in the original dataset. The classifier correctly flagged 84% of patients at the highest probability threshold, with decreasing performance as the threshold lowers. In external validation on 466 FH patients (236 with genetically proven FH) and 5000 matched non-cases from the Geisinger Healthcare System our FH classifier achieved a PPV of 0.85. Our EHR-derived FH classifier is effective in finding candidate patients for further FH screening. Such machine learning guided strategies can lead to effective identification of the highest risk patients for enhanced management strategies.
Tyrosine based cationic acrylates as potent antimicrobial agents against shigellosis
Authors: Datta Lakshmi Priya , Dutta Debanjan , Chakraborty Arpita , Das Tapan Kumar
Published: April 2019

Design of tyrosine-based cationic polymers with antimicrobial activities.
Effects of convective drying and freeze-drying on the release of bioactive compounds from beetroot during in vitro gastric digestion
Authors: Dalmau Maria Esperanza , Eim Valeria , Rosselló Carmen , Cárcel Juan A. , Simal Susana
Published: April 2019

Drying may alter the microstructure of vegetables and influence the release of bioactive compounds during digestion.
Design, synthesis and evaluation of PD176252 analogues for ameliorating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Yao Sen , Wei Biao , Yu Mingjun , Meng Xiaoming , He Meng , Yao Risheng
Published: April 2019

The PD analogues were good at ameliorating cisplatin-induced renal toxicity and were not toxic to normal cells.
An online surface water COD measurement method based on multi-source spectral feature-level fusion
Authors: Guan Li , Tong Yifei , Li Jingwei , Wu Shaofeng , Li Dongbo
Published: April 2019

To overcome the shortcomings of UV-Vis absorbance spectroscopic methods, fluorescence spectroscopic methods or wet chemistry methods for COD measurement, an online detection method was developed and evaluated.
Pd catalyst supported on CeO2 nanotubes with enhanced structural stability toward oxidative carbonylation of phenol
Authors: Fu Zengjie , Wang Zhimiao , Wang Hongjuan , Li Fang , Xue Wei , Wang Yanji
Published: April 2019

Schematic representation of formation of Pd/CeO2-T.
Solvation effect and binding of rhaponticin with iron: a spectroscopic and DFT/TDDFT study
Authors: Liu Zhen , Xue Ling , Jia Yuan , Lou Boyu , Yang Juxiang
Published: April 2019

In this article, both experimental and computational methods are employed to investigate the photophysics of rhaponticin (RH).
Enhancing singlet oxygen generation in semiconducting polymer nanoparticles through fluorescence resonance energy transfer for tumor treatment
Authors: Jiang Jiayang , Qian Yuanyuan , Xu Zihan , Lv Zhuang , Tao Peng , Xie Mingjuan , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: April 2019

We have developed semiconducting polymer nanoparticle-based photosensitizers for O2mapping and enhanced the PDT effect by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
Pattern selection when a layer buckles on a soft substrate
Authors: Cheewaruangroj Nontawit , Biggins John S.
Published: April 2019

The hexagonal pattern formed by wrinkling of an elastic layer on a substrate was studied with our non-linear theoretical model.
Improved photostability in ternary blend organic solar cells: the role of [70]PCBM
Authors: Doumon Nutifafa Y. , Houard Félix V. , Dong Jingjin , Christodoulis Panagiotis , Dryzhov Mikhail V. , Portale Giuseppe , Koster L. Jan Anton
Published: April 2019

Identifying the best ratios of components in ternary blend polymer solar cell could lead to more photostable organic solar cells.
Liquid crystalline microspheres of azobenzene amphiphiles formed by thermally induced pH changes in binary water–hydrolytic ionic liquid media
Authors: Kang Tejwant Singh , Morikawa Masa-aki , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: April 2019

Anionic azobenzene-containing bilayered membranes dispersed in binary water–ionic liquid (IL) media undergo proton-responsive transformation into liquid crystalline microspheres (LCMs).
Shock wave and modelling study of the dissociation pathways of (C2F5)3N
Authors: Cobos C. J. , Hintzer K. , Sölter L. , Tellbach E. , Thaler A. , Troe J.
Published: April 2019

The thermal decomposition of perfluorotriethylamine, (C2F5)3N, was investigated in shock waves by monitoring the formation of CF2.
Aromaticity and photophysics of tetrasila- and tetragerma-annelated tetrathienylenes as new representatives of the hetero[8]circulene family
Authors: Baryshnikov G. V. , Valiev R. R. , Cherepanov V. N. , Karaush-Karmazin N. N. , Minaeva V. A. , Minaev B. F. , Ågren H.
Published: April 2019

The electronic structure, absorption and emission spectra, aromaticity and photophysical behavior of the recently synthesized tetrasilatetrathia[8]circulene and tetragermatetrathia[8]circulene compounds have been studied computationally.
Antibacterial activities of Cu-MOFs containing glutarates and bipyridyl ligands
Authors: Jo Jin Hyoung , Kim Hyun-Chul , Huh Seong , Kim Youngmee , Lee Do Nam
Published: April 2019

Cu-MOFs containing glutarates and bipyridyl ligands exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against five kinds of bacteria with very low MBCs although they are structurally very stable in aqueous medium during antibacterial activity tests.
Interactions between polystyrene nanoparticles and supported lipid bilayers: impact of charge and hydrophobicity modification by specific anions
Authors: Xia Zehui , Woods April , Quirk Amanda , Burgess Ian J. , Lau Boris L. T.
Published: April 2019

The interaction between nanoparticles and zwitterionic supported lipid bilayers is a multi-step process, with specific ions exerting their influences on electrostatic-driven NP deposition and hydrophobicity-induced membrane disruption.
Heterogeneous conversion of SO2on nano α-Fe2O3: the effects of morphology, light illumination and relative humidity
Authors: Li Kejian , Kong Lingdong , Zhanzakova Assiya , Tong Songying , Shen Jiandong , Wang Tao , Chen Lu , Li Qing , Fu Hongbo , Zhang Liwu
Published: April 2019

Hematite is one of the most important components in atmospheric mineral aerosols, which always presents different morphologies due to its different formation processes and various sources.
A facile ionic liquid approach to prepare cellulose-rich aerogels directly from corn stalks
Authors: Li Xiaoqian , Lu Xingmei , Yang Jiming , Ju Zhaoyang , Kang Ying , Xu Junli , Zhang Suojiang
Published: April 2019

Cellulose-rich aerogels were prepared through a one-step approach whereby lignin was separated from the other components of corn stalks using a coupled solvent system: IL and ASA.
Using sonochemistry for the production of poly(vinyl alcohol)/MWCNT–vitamin B1 nanocomposites: exploration of morphology, thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Azimi Faezeh
Published: April 2019

Functionalized MWCNTs with vitamin B1 as a green material were applied for the enhancement of poly(vinyl alcohol) properties.
Preparation of metal–organic frameworks with bimetallic linkers and corresponding properties
Authors: Huang Dongdong , Liu Yi , Liu Yongfeng , Di Duolong , Wang Hao , Yang Wu
Published: April 2019

A series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with bimetallic linkers were synthesized through a facile reflux route.
A portable micro glucose sensor based on copper-based nanocomposite structure
Authors: Chen Huang , Fan Guokang , Zhao Jie , Qiu Meijia , Sun Peng , Fu Yifeng , Han Dongxue , Cui Guofeng
Published: April 2019

A sensor device based on a copper-based nanocomposite structure is achieved and presents excellent sensing performance for glucose.
Friedel–Crafts alkylation with α-bromoarylacetates for the preparation of enantioenriched 2,2-diarylethanols
Authors: Kim Yongtae , Choi Yun Soo , Hong Su Kyung , Park Yong Sun
Published: April 2019

Highly enantioenriched 2,2-diarylethanols can be efficiently synthesized using the AgOTf-promoted Friedel–Crafts alkylation of (hetero)arenes with configurationally labile α-bromoarylacetates.
Understanding the operational lifetime expansion methods of thermally activated delayed fluorescence sensitized OLEDs: a combined study of charge trapping and exciton dynamics
Authors: Zhao Chongguang , Li Chen , Li Yilang , Qiu Yong , Duan Lian
Published: April 2019

Shallow trap assisted charge transport, fast reverse intersystem crossing of the hosts and efficient host–guest Förster resonant energy transfer in OLEDs can retard the defect formation by inhibiting exciton–polaron annhilation.
An unexpected reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sodium metabisulfite, and thiourea under photoinduced conditions
Authors: Gong Xinxing , Li Xiaofang , Xie Wenlin , Wu Jie , Ye Shengqing
Published: April 2019

A photoinduced synthesis of S-aryl thiosulfonates through a three-component reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sodium metabisulfite, and thiourea is achieved. In this transformation, a radical coupling pathway is proposed.
New antiproliferative germacranolides from Carpesium divaricatum
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhang Qiu-Bo , Fu Lu , Li Ling-Yu , Ma Li-Yan , Si Jin-Guang , Zhang Hong-Wu , Wei Jian-He , Yu Shi-Shan , Zou Zhong-Mei
Published: April 2019

A new compound from Carpesium divaricatum has the potential to treat liver cancer through apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest.
Laser-induced selective wax reflow for paper-based microfluidics
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Liu Jingji , Wang Hongliang , Fan Yiqiang
Published: April 2019

This study proposes a one-step method for the fabrication of paper-based microfluidics using laser-induced selective wax reflow and penetration.
Kinetic inhibition effect of Type I and III antifreeze proteins on unidirectional tetrahydrofuran hydrate crystal growth
Authors: Muraoka Michihiro , Ohtake Michika , Yamamoto Yoshitaka
Published: April 2019

Experiments were performed to evaluate the kinetic inhibition effect of Type I and Type III antifreeze proteins (AFPs) on the growth of tetrahydrofuran (THF) clathrate hydrate crystals using the unidirectional growth technique.
Blond and blood juice supplementation in high fat diet fed mice: effect on antioxidant status and DDAH/ADMA pathway
Authors: Sorrenti V. , Di Giacomo C. , Acquaviva R. , Cosenza J. , Carota G. , Galvano F.
Published: April 2019

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease spread throughout the world.
Preparation and heat-insulating properties of Al2O3–ZrO2(Y2O3) hollow fibers derived from cogon using an orthogonal experimental design
Authors: Dai Changhao , Zhang Zihao , Wang Tianchi
Published: April 2019

Lightweight Al2O3–ZrO2(Y2O3) hollow fibers with low thermal conductivity were prepared by a natural template—cogon grass.
A new HILIC-ICP-SF-MS method for the quantification of organo(fluoro)phosphates as decomposition products of lithium ion battery electrolytes
Authors: Stenzel Yannick Philipp , Henschel Jonas , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: April 2019

The lithium ion battery (LIB) is the most popular choice for powering consumer electronics, grid storage and electric vehicles.
A surface with stress, extensional elasticity, and bending stiffness
Authors: Lapinski Nicole , Liu Zezhou , Yang Shu , Hui Chung-Yuen , Jagota Anand
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate that the surface of a commonly used polydimethylsiloxane formulation (PDMS, Sylgard 184) treated by ultraviolet ozonolysis (UVO) has significant surface stress, considerable extensional elasticity (the “Shuttleworth Effect”), and surface bending elasticity.
The influence of pH, protein concentration and calcium ratio on the formation and structure of nanotubes from partially hydrolyzed bovine α-lactalbumin
Authors: Geng XiaoLu , Kirkensgaard Jacob Judas Kain , Arleth Lise , Otte Jeanette , Ipsen Richard
Published: April 2019

A food grade protein was shown to self-assemble into nanotubes at almost all the conditions applied in this study with similar dimension and the same β-sheet motif. The reaction conditions affect the formation of physical states including transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent gels, or sediments.
Controlling shear jamming in dense suspensionsviathe particle aspect ratio
Authors: James Nicole M. , Xue Huayue , Goyal Medha , Jaeger Heinrich M.
Published: April 2019

Dense suspensions of particles in a liquid exhibit rich, non-Newtonian behaviors such as shear thickening (ST) and shear jamming (SJ).
Rational design of hydrocarbon-based sulfonated copolymers for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Liu Lunyang , Chen Wenduo , Liu Tingli , Kong Xiangxin , Zheng Jifu , Li Yunqi
Published: April 2019

Developing novel hydrocarbon-based proton exchange membranes is at the Frontier of research on fuel cells, batteries and electrolysis, aiming to reach the demand for advanced performance in proton conductivity, fuel retardation, swelling, mechanical and thermal stability etc.
Printing approaches to inorganic semiconductor photocatalyst fabrication
Authors: Friedmann Donia , Lee Adam F. , Wilson Karen , Jalili Rouhollah , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: April 2019

Printing approaches to inorganic semiconductor photocatalyst fabrication potentially offer a simplified path to realising designer photocatalytic systems tailored to applications including water and air remediation, chemical synthesis, and renewable energy.
Metal–organic-frameworks-derived NaTi2(PO4)3/carbon composites for efficient hybrid capacitive deionization
Authors: Wang Kai , Liu Yong , Ding Zibiao , Li Yuquan , Lu Ting , Pan Likun
Published: April 2019

Metal–organic-framework-derived NaTi2(PO4)3/carbon composites with unique porous structure and improved electrical conductivity exhibit high desalination performance for hybrid capacitive deionization.
Reduced graphene oxide aerogel membranes fabricated through hydrogen bond mediation for highly efficient oil/water separation
Authors: He Mingrui , Zhang Runnan , Zhang Kan , Liu Yanan , Su Yanlei , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: April 2019

Reduced graphene oxide aerogel membranes (rGOAMs) with tunable pore sizes were fabricated via reduction-induced self-assembly of rGO through hydrogen bond mediation.
Versatile electrocatalytic processes realized by Ni, Co and Fe alloyed core coordinated carbon shells
Authors: Lu Xunyu , Tan Xin , Zhang Qingran , Daiyan Rahman , Pan Jian , Chen Rui , Tahini Hassan A. , Wang Da-Wei , Smith Sean C. , Amal Rose
Published: April 2019

Through encapsulation of Ni, Co and Fe alloyed core inside graphitic carbon shells, a versatile composite catalyst can be obtained that demonstrates excellent activity towards electrochemical energy conversion reactions.