bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of physical activity on pulse wave velocity in elderly subjects with normal glucose, prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Metsämarttila Erja , Rodilla Enrique , Jokelainen Jari , Herrala Sauli , Leppäluoto Juhani , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Herzig Karl-Heinz
Published: May 2018

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity ((cf)PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness, predicting cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that the amount of physical activity (PA) is correlated with reduced arterial stiffness in Type 2 diabetic (T2D) subjects. 570 subjects from the 1945 Oulu birth cohort were included in the analysis. (cf)PWV was determined by a non-invasive applanation tonometry. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed and LDL and HDL cholesterol analyzed. PA was registered daily with a wrist-worn acceleration meter for two weeks. (cf)PWV values in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and T2D were higher than in normal glycemic subjects (P < 0.001). PA, fasting and 2 h glucose and HbA1c correlated significantly with (cf)PWV, but HDL or LDL cholesterol did not. The 2 h glucose, heart rate and alcohol consumption in T2D subjects had independent effects on (cf)PWV in multiple regression analysis. T2D and IGM were significantly associated to (cf)PWV. Interestingly, lipids did not have an additional effect on (cf)PWV. Subjects walking more than 10 000 steps/day had 0.2 m/s lower (cf)PWV than those walking less than 6000 steps/day. Presence of T2D, elevated heart rate and alcohol consumption in males were associated with increased aortic stiffening in elderly subjects.
Asymmetric hemisphere activation in tenderness: evidence from EEG signals
Authors: Zhao Guozhen , Zhang Yulin , Ge Yan , Zheng Yan , Sun Xianghong , Zhang Kan
Published: May 2018

Emotions are processed asymmetrically by the human brain. Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) as measured by electroencephalographic (EEG) power in the alpha band (8–13 Hz), is a sensitive indicator of asymmetric brain activity in the frontal cortex. The current study aimed to analyze the frontal EEG asymmetries in terms of valence and motivational direction. We presented 37 participants with three film excerpts that were selected from the standard emotional film database to elicit three target emotions: tenderness, anger, and neutrality. Participants’ self-reports on their induced emotional responses and EEG signals were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that individuals displayed lower alpha power in the left hemisphere than the right hemisphere when they were watching a tender film, indicating that tenderness was positive and related to approach motivation. In contrast, when watching an angry movie, participants showed higher alpha power in the left hemisphere than the right hemisphere, suggesting that anger was negative and associated with withdrawal motivation. These findings help to link positive and approach-motivated tenderness with greater left hemispheric activation and state-anger with greater right hemispheric activation through the analysis of FAA.
High Redundancy as well as Complementary Prey Choice Characterize Generalist Predator Food Webs in Agroecosystems
Authors: Roubinet Eve , Jonsson Tomas , Malsher Gerard , Staudacher Karin , Traugott Michael , Ekbom Barbara , Jonsson Mattias
Published: May 2018

Food web structure influences ecosystem functioning and the strength and stability of associated ecosystem services. With their broad diet, generalist predators represent key nodes in the structure of many food webs and they contribute substantially to ecosystem services such as biological pest control. However, until recently it has been difficult to empirically assess food web structure with generalist predators. We utilized DNA-based molecular gut-content analyses to assess the prey use of a set of generalist invertebrate predator species common in temperate agricultural fields. We investigated the degree of specialization of predator-prey food webs at two key stages of the cropping season and analysed the link temperature of different trophic links, to identify non-random predation. We found a low level of specialization in our food webs, and identified warm and cool links which may result from active prey choice or avoidance. We also found a within-season variation in interaction strength between predators and aphid pests which differed among predator species. Our results show a high time-specific functional redundancy of the predator community, but also suggest temporally complementary prey choice due to within-season succession of some predator species.
Profiling dendritic cell subsets in head and neck squamous cell tonsillar cancer and benign tonsils
Authors: Abolhalaj Milad , Askmyr David , Sakellariou Christina Alexandra , Lundberg Kristina , Greiff Lennart , Lindstedt Malin
Published: May 2018

Dendritic cells (DCs) have a key role in orchestrating immune responses and are considered important targets for immunotherapy against cancer. In order to develop effective cancer vaccines, detailed knowledge of the micromilieu in cancer lesions is warranted. In this study, flow cytometry and human transcriptome arrays were used to characterize subsets of DCs in head and neck squamous cell tonsillar cancer and compare them to their counterparts in benign tonsils to evaluate subset-selective biomarkers associated with tonsillar cancer. We describe, for the first time, four subsets of DCs in tonsillar cancer: CD123+ plasmacytoid DCs (pDC), CD1c+, CD141+, and CD1c−CD141− myeloid DCs (mDC). An increased frequency of DCs and an elevated mDC/pDC ratio were shown in malignant compared to benign tonsillar tissue. The microarray data demonstrates characteristics specific for tonsil cancer DC subsets, including expression of immunosuppressive molecules and lower expression levels of genes involved in development of effector immune responses in DCs in malignant tonsillar tissue, compared to their counterparts in benign tonsillar tissue. Finally, we present target candidates selectively expressed by different DC subsets in malignant tonsils and confirm expression of CD206/MRC1 and CD207/Langerin on CD1c+ DCs at protein level. This study descibes DC characteristics in the context of head and neck cancer and add valuable steps towards future DC-based therapies against tonsillar cancer.
C151 in KEAP1 is the main cysteine sensor for the cyanoenone class of NRF2 activators, irrespective of molecular size or shape
Authors: Dayalan Naidu Sharadha , Muramatsu Aki , Saito Ryota , Asami Soichiro , Honda Tadashi , Hosoya Tomonori , Itoh Ken , Yamamoto Masayuki , Suzuki Takafumi , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T.
Published: May 2018

Numerous small molecules (termed inducers), many of which are electrophiles, upregulate cytoprotective responses and inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways by activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2). Key to NRF2 activation is the ability to chemically modifying critical sensor cysteines in the main negative regulator of NRF2, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), of which C151, C273 and C288 are best characterized. This study aimed to establish the requirement for these cysteine sensor(s) for the biological activities of the most potent NRF2 activators known to date, the cyclic cyanoenones, some of which are in clinical trials. It was found that C151 in KEAP1 is the main cysteine sensor for this class of inducers, irrespective of molecular size or shape. Furthermore, in primary macrophage cells expressing C151S mutant KEAP1, at low concentrations, the tricyclic cyanoenone TBE-31 is inactive as an activator of NRF2 as well as an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL1β. However, at high inducer concentrations, NRF2 activation proceeds in the absence of C151, albeit at a lower magnitude. Our findings highlight the intrinsic flexibility of KEAP1 and emphasize the critical importance of establishing the precise dose of NRF2 activators for maintaining on-target selectivity.
Direct observation of high spin polarization in Co2FeAl thin films
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Xu Huanfeng , Lai Bolin , Lu Qiangsheng , Lu Xianyang , Chen Yequan , Niu Wei , Gu Chenyi , Liu Wenqing , Wang Xuefeng , Liu Chang , Nie Yuefeng , He Liang , Xu Yongbing
Published: May 2018

We have studied the Co2FeAl thin films with different thicknesses epitaxially grown on GaAs (001) by molecular beam epitaxy. The magnetic properties and spin polarization of the films were investigated by in-situ magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) measurement and spin-resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (spin-ARPES) at 300 K, respectively. High spin polarization of 58% (±7%) was observed for the film with thickness of 21 unit cells (uc), for the first time. However, when the thickness decreases to 2.5 uc, the spin polarization falls to 29% (±2%) only. This change is also accompanied by a magnetic transition at 4 uc characterized by the MOKE intensity. Above it, the film’s magnetization reaches the bulk value of 1000 emu/cm3. Our findings set a lower limit on the thickness of Co2FeAl films, which possesses both high spin polarization and large magnetization.
Impact of the griffithsin anti-HIV microbicide and placebo gels on the rectal mucosal proteome and microbiome in non-human primates
Authors: Girard Lauren , Birse Kenzie , Holm Johanna B. , Gajer Pawel , Humphrys Mike S. , Garber David , Guenthner Patricia , Noël-Romas Laura , Abou Max , McCorrister Stuart , Westmacott Garrett , Wang Lin , Rohan Lisa C. , Matoba Nobuyuki , McNicholl Janet , Palmer Kenneth E. , Ravel Jacques , Burgener Adam D.
Published: May 2018

Topical microbicides are being explored as an HIV prevention method for individuals who practice receptive anal intercourse. In vivo studies of these microbicides are critical to confirm safety. Here, we evaluated the impact of a rectal microbicide containing the antiviral lectin, Griffithsin (GRFT), on the rectal mucosal proteome and microbiome. Using a randomized, crossover placebo-controlled design, six rhesus macaques received applications of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)- or carbopol-formulated 0.1% GRFT gels. Rectal mucosal samples were then evaluated by label-free tandem MS/MS and 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, for proteomics and microbiome analyses, respectively. Compared to placebo, GRFT gels were not associated with any significant changes to protein levels at any time point (FDR < 5%), but increased abundances of two common and beneficial microbial taxa after 24 hours were observed in HEC-GRFT gel (p < 2E-09). Compared to baseline, both placebo formulations were associated with alterations to proteins involved in proteolysis, activation of the immune response and inflammation after 2 hours (p < 0.0001), and increases in beneficial Faecalibacterium spp. after 24 hours in HEC placebo gel (p = 4.21E-15). This study supports the safety profile of 0.1% GRFT gel as an anti-HIV microbicide and demonstrates that current placebo formulations may associate with changes to rectal proteome and microbiota.
Metasurface-assisted orbital angular momentum carrying Bessel-Gaussian Laser: proposal and simulation
Authors: Zhou Nan , Wang Jian
Published: May 2018

Bessel-Gaussian beams have distinct properties of suppressed diffraction divergence and self-reconstruction. In this paper, we propose and simulate metasurface-assisted orbital angular momentum (OAM) carrying Bessel-Gaussian laser. The laser can be regarded as a Fabry-Perot cavity formed by one partially transparent output plane mirror and the other metasurface-based reflector mirror. The gain medium of Nd:YVO4 enables the lasing wavelength at 1064 nm with a 808 nm laser serving as the pump. The sub-wavelength structure of metasurface facilitates flexible spatial light manipulation. The compact metasurface-based reflector provides combined phase functions of an axicon and a spherical mirror. By appropriately selecting the size of output mirror and inserting mode-selection element in the laser cavity, different orders of OAM-carrying Bessel-Gaussian lasing modes are achievable. The lasing Bessel-Gaussian0, Bessel-Gaussian01+, Bessel-Gaussian02+ and Bessel-Gaussian03+ modes have high fidelities of ~0.889, ~0.889, ~0.881 and ~0.879, respectively. The metasurface fabrication tolerance and the dependence of threshold power and output lasing power on the length of gain medium, beam radius of pump and transmittance of output mirror are also discussed. The obtained results show successful implementation of metasurface-assisted OAM-carrying Bessel-Gaussian laser with favorable performance. The metasurface-assisted OAM-carrying Bessel-Gaussian laser may find wide OAM-enabled communication and non-communication applications.
NELFCD and CTSZ loci are associated with jaundice-stage progression in primary biliary cholangitis in the Japanese population
Authors: Nishida Nao , Aiba Yoshihiro , Hitomi Yuki , Kawashima Minae , Kojima Kaname , Kawai Yosuke , Ueno Kazuko , Nakamura Hitomi , Yamashiki Noriyo , Tanaka Tomohiro , Tamura Sumito , Mori Akira , Yagi Shintaro , Soejima Yuji , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Tanaka Atsushi , Harada Kenichi , Shimoda Shinji , Komori Atsumasa , Eguchi Susumu , Maehara Yoshihiko , Uemoto Shinji , Kokudo Norihiro , Nagasaki Masao , Tokunaga Katsushi , Nakamura Minoru
Published: May 2018

Approximately 10–20% of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) progress to jaundice stage regardless of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and bezafibrate. In this study, we performed a GWAS and a replication study to identify genetic variants associated with jaundice-stage progression in PBC using a total of 1,375 patients (1,202 early-stage and 173 jaundice-stage) in a Japanese population. SNP rs13720, which is located in the 3′UTR ofcathepsin Z(CTSZ), showed the strongest association (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15,P = 7.62 × 10−7) with progression to jaundice stage in GWAS. High-density association mapping at theCTSZandnegative elongation factor complex member C/D(NELFCD) loci, which are located within a strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) block, revealed that an intronic SNP ofCTSZ, rs163800, was significantly associated with jaundice-stage progression (OR = 2.16,P = 8.57 × 10−8). In addition, eQTL analysis andin silicofunctional analysis indicated that genotypes of rs163800 or variants in strong LD with rs163800 influence expression levels of bothNELFCDandCTSZmRNA. The present novel findings will contribute to dissect the mechanism of PBC progression and also to facilitate the development of therapies for PBC patients who are resistant to current therapies.
Improving the Explosive Performance of Aluminum Nanoparticles with Aluminum Iodate Hexahydrate (AIH)
Authors: Gottfried Jennifer L. , Smith Dylan K. , Wu Chi-Chin , Pantoya Michelle L.
Published: May 2018

A new synthesis approach for aluminum particles enables an aluminum core to be passivated by an oxidizing salt: aluminum iodate hexahydrate (AIH). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that AIH replaces the Al2O3passivation layer on Al particles that limits Al oxidation. The new core-shell particle reactivity was characterized using laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (LASEM) and results for two different Al-AIH core-shell samples that vary in the AIH concentration demonstrate their potential use for explosive enhancement on both fast (detonation velocity) and slow (blast effects) timescales. Estimates of the detonation velocity for TNT-AIH composites suggest an enhancement of up to 30% may be achievable over pure TNT detonation velocities. Replacement of Al2O3with AIH allows Al to react on similar timescales as detonation waves. The AIH mixtures tested here have relatively low concentrations of AIH (15 wt. % and 6 wt. %) compared to previously reported samples (57.8 wt. %) and still increase TNT performance by up to 30%. Further optimization of AIH synthesis could result in additional increases in explosive performance.
Prevalence and Associations of Illicit Drug and Polydrug Use in People Living with HIV in Vienna
Authors: Grabovac Igor , Meilinger Michael , Schalk Horst , Leichsenring Birgit , Dorner Thomas Ernst
Published: May 2018

We aimed to determine the prevalence of drug and polydrug use in people living with HIV in Austria for the first time for which a two center cross-sectional study was performed. Participants were recruited from consecutive patients during their regularly scheduled visits. In total 438 participants were included in the analysis. For this study we used paper-pencil and online-based questionnaires. The prevalence of illicit drug use was 60.5%; with cannabis use at 31.5%, nitrates at 31.5%, sildenafil/tadalafil at 24% and cocaine at 14%, being the most used substances. Use of more than one substance (polydrug) in drug users was 69.4% or 42.0% in the total study population. Younger age, male gender, and living in an urban area were associated with drug use. Moreover, drug use during clubbing and sex, HIV therapy non-adherence and younger age were associated with polydrug use. Drug users reported condomless sex in 42.4% and performing sexual acts they would not do sober in 44.1%. Results indicate a high prevalence of illicit drug use in PLWHIV in Austria. New research focusing on illicit drug use in PLWHIV should focus on the use of substances during sex and surrounding practices.
Distinctiveness in virological features and pathogenic potentials of subgenotypes D1, D2, D3 and D5 of Hepatitis B virus
Authors: Khatun Mousumi , Mondal Rajiv Kumar , Pal Sourina , Baidya Ayana , Bishnu Debasree , Banerjee Priyanka , Santra Amal Kumar , Dhali Gopal Krishna , Banerjee Soma , Chowdhury Abhijit , Datta Simanti
Published: May 2018

Distinct clinical features of HBV infection have been associated with different viral genotype/subgenotype. HBV Genotype-D comprised of 10 subgenotypes, D1–D10, whose clinical implications still remain elusive. We investigated for the first-time, the virologic characteristics and cytopathic effects of four non-recombinant D-subgenotypes, D1/D2/D3/D5. Expressions of viral/host genes were evaluated in Huh7 cells transfected with full-length, linear-monomers of HBV/D-subgenotypes or pGL3-Basic vector carrying subgenotype-specific HBx. Intracellular HBV-DNA and pregenomic-RNA levels were high in D1/D2 than D3/D5. Expressions of PreC-mRNA and HBx were highest for D2 and D1 respectively, whereas PreS2/S-transcript was significantly reduced in D5. Increased apoptotic cell death and marked upregulation in caspase-3/Bax/TNF-R1/FasR/TRAIL-R1/ROS/MCP-1/IP-10/MIP-1β expression were noticed specifically in D2- and also in D3-transfected cells, while D5 resulted in over-expression of ER-stress-markers. D-subgenotype-transfected Huh7 cells were co-cultured with PBMC of healthy-donors or LX-2 cells and significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in PBMC and fibrogenic-markers in LX-2 were noticed in presence of D2/D3. Further, Huh7 cells transfected with D1, in particular and also D5, displayed remarkable induction of EMT-markers and high proliferative/migratory abilities. Collectively, our results demonstrated that D2/D3 were more associated with hepatic apoptosis/inflammation/fibrosis and D1/D5 with increased risk of hepatocarcinogenesis and emphasize the need for determining HBV-subgenotype in clinical practice.
Voting Simulation based Agglomerative Hierarchical Method for Network Community Detection
Authors: Cheng Jianjun , Yin Xinhong , Li Qi , Yang Haijuan , Li Longjie , Leng Mingwei , Chen Xiaoyun
Published: May 2018

Community detection has been paid much attention in many fields in recent years, and a great deal of community-detection methods have been proposed. But the time consumption of some of them is heavy, limiting them from being applied to large-scale networks. On the contrary, there exist some lower-time-complexity methods. But most of them are non-deterministic, meaning that running the same method many times may yield different results from the same network, which reduces their practical utility greatly in real-world applications. To solve these problems, we propose a community-detection method in this paper, which takes both the quality of the results and the efficiency of the detecting procedure into account. Moreover, it is a deterministic method which can extract definite community structures from networks. The proposed method is inspired by the voting behaviours in election activities in the social society, in which we first simulate the voting procedure on the network. Every vertex votes for the nominated candidates following the proposed voting principles, densely connected groups of vertices can quickly reach a consensus on their candidates. At the end of this procedure, candidates and their own voters form a group of clusters. Then, we take the clusters as initial communities, and agglomerate some of them into larger ones with high efficiency to obtain the resulting community structures. We conducted extensive experiments on some artificial networks and real-world networks, the experimental results show that our proposed method can efficiently extract high-quality community structures from networks, and outperform the comparison algorithms significantly.
Signal quality of simultaneously recorded endovascular, subdural and epidural signals are comparable
Authors: John Sam E. , Opie Nicholas L. , Wong Yan T. , Rind Gil S. , Ronayne Stephen M. , Gerboni Giulia , Bauquier Sebastien H. , O’Brien Terence J. , May Clive N. , Grayden David B. , Oxley Thomas J.
Published: May 2018

Recent work has demonstrated the feasibility of minimally-invasive implantation of electrodes into a cortical blood vessel. However, the effect of the dura and blood vessel on recording signal quality is not understood and may be a critical factor impacting implementation of a closed-loop endovascular neuromodulation system. The present work compares the performance and recording signal quality of a minimally-invasive endovascular neural interface with conventional subdural and epidural interfaces. We compared bandwidth, signal-to-noise ratio, and spatial resolution of recorded cortical signals using subdural, epidural and endovascular arrays four weeks after implantation in sheep. We show that the quality of the signals (bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio) of the endovascular neural interface is not significantly different from conventional neural sensors. However, the spatial resolution depends on the array location and the frequency of recording. We also show that there is a direct correlation between the signal-noise-ratio and classification accuracy, and that decoding accuracy is comparable between electrode arrays. These results support the consideration for use of an endovascular neural interface in a clinical trial of a novel closed-loop neuromodulation technology.
Profibrogenic effect of high-mobility group box protein-1 in human dermal fibroblasts and its excess in keloid tissues
Authors: Lee Won Jai , Song Seung Yong , Roh Hyun , Ahn Hyo Min , Na Youjin , Kim Jihee , Lee Ju Hee , Yun Chae Ok
Published: May 2018

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a DNA chaperone for nuclear homeostasis. It translocates into the cytosol and is secreted into extracellular spaces, triggering proinflammatory cytokines and acting as a mediator in fibrosis. We determined whether HMGB1 plays a role in normal dermal fibrosis and keloid, and is involved with transforming growth factor β. We investigated the translocation and active release of HMGB1 from normal dermal fibroblasts under lipopolysaccharide stimuli, and the redistribution of nuclear HMGB1 into the cytoplasm of keloid fibroblasts. HMGB1 and its effector toll-like receptors and receptors for advanced glycation end product proteins are actively expressed in keloid tissues. Exogenous HMGB1 can induce the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, and could act as a profibrogenic molecule to produce collagen, decrease MMP-1, and increase TIMP-1 mRNA expression. Moreover, administration of HMGB1 increased the expression level of TGF-β1 and internal signaling molecules, such as Smad 2 and 3, phosphorylated Smad 2/3 complex, Erk 1/2, Akt, and NF-κB. Collectively, we demonstrate that HMGB1 treatment increases the expression level of collagen types I and III, elastin, and fibronectin in dermal spheroid cultures, thus making HMGB1 a promising therapeutic target for treatment of profibrogenic diseases.
Engineered membrane protein antigens successfully induce antibodies against extracellular regions of claudin-5
Authors: Hashimoto Yosuke , Zhou Wei , Hamauchi Kohtaroh , Shirakura Keisuke , Doi Takefumi , Yagi Kiyohito , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Okada Yoshiaki , Kondoh Masuo , Takeda Hiroyuki
Published: May 2018

The production of antibodies against the extracellular regions (ECR) of multispanning membrane proteins is notoriously difficult because of the low productivity and immunogenicity of membrane proteins due to their complex structure and highly conserved sequences among species. Here, we introduce a new method to generate ECR-binding antibodies utilizing engineered liposomal immunogen prepared using a wheat cell-free protein synthesis system. We used claudin-5 (CLDN-5) as the target antigen, which is a notoriously difficult to produce and poorly immunogenic membrane protein with two highly conserved extracellular loops. We drastically improved the productivity of CLDN-5 in the cell-free system after suppressing and normalizing mRNA GC content. To overcome its low immunogenicity, two engineered antigens were designed and synthesized as proteoliposomes: a human/mouse chimeric CLDN-5, and a CLDN-5-based artificial membrane protein consisting of symmetrically arranged ECRs. Intraperitoneal immunization of both engineered CLDN-5 ECR antigens induced ECR-binding antibodies in mice with a high success rate. We isolated five monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognized CLDN-5 ECR. Antibody clone 2B12 showed high affinity (<10 nM) and inhibited CLDN-5-containing tight junctions. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods for monoclonal antibody development targeting difficult-to-produce membrane proteins such as CLDNs.
The 13C hyperpolarized pyruvate generated by ParaHydrogen detects the response of the heart to altered metabolism in real time
Authors: Cavallari Eleonora , Carrera Carla , Sorge Matteo , Bonne Gisèle , Muchir Antoine , Aime Silvio , Reineri Francesca
Published: May 2018

Many imaging methods have been proposed to act as surrogate markers of organ damage, yet for many candidates the essential biomarkers characteristics of the injured organ have not yet been described. Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate allows real time monitoring of metabolism in vivo. ParaHydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) is a portable, cost effective technique able to generate 13C MR hyperpolarized molecules within seconds. The introduction of the Side Arm Hydrogenation (SAH) strategy offered a way to widen the field of PHIP generated systems and to make this approach competitive with the currently applied dissolution-DNP (Dynamic Nuclear Polarization) method. Herein, we describe the first in vivo metabolic imaging study using the PHIP-SAH hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate. In vivo maps of pyruvate and of its metabolic product lactate have been acquired on a 1 T MRI scanner. By comparing pyruvate/lactate 13C label exchange rate in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy, it has been found that the metabolic dysfunction occurring in the cardiac muscle of the diseased mice can be detected well before the disease can be assessed by echocardiographic investigations.
eIF4A inhibition prevents the onset of cytokine-induced muscle wasting by blocking the STAT3 and iNOS pathways
Authors: Cramer Zvi , Sadek Jason , Vazquez Gabriela Galicia , Di Marco Sergio , Pause Arnim , Pelletier Jerry , Gallouzi Imed-Eddine
Published: May 2018

Cachexia is a deadly muscle wasting syndrome that arises under conditions linked to chronic inflammation, such as cancer. Cytokines, including interferon γ (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and their downstream effectors such as Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), have been shown to play a prominent role in muscle wasting. Previously, we demonstrated that Pateamine A (PatA), a compound that targets eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), could prevent muscle wasting by modulating the translation of the inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) mRNA. Here we show that hippuristanol, a compound that impedes eIF4A in a manner distinct from PatA, similarly inhibits the iNOS/NO pathway and cytokine-induced muscle wasting. Furthermore, we show that hippuristanol perturbs the activation of the STAT3 pathway and expression of STAT3-gene targets such as IL-6. The decreased activation of STAT3, which resulted from a decrease in STAT3 protein expression, was due to the inhibition of STAT3 translation as there were no changes in STAT3 mRNA levels. These effects are likely dependent on the inhibition of eIF4A activity since we observed similar results using PatA. Our results identify the inhibition of eIF4A-responsive transcripts, such as STAT3, as a viable approach to alleviate cachexia.
Signatures of balancing selection in toll-like receptor (TLRs) genes – novel insights from a free-living rodent
Authors: Kloch Agnieszka , Wenzel Marius A. , Laetsch Dominik R. , Michalski Olek , Bajer Anna , Behnke Jerzy M. , Welc-Falęciak Renata , Piertney Stuart B.
Published: May 2018

Selective pressure from pathogens is considered a key selective force driving the evolution of components of the immune system. Since single components of the immune system may interact with many pathogens, and single pathogens may be recognized by multiple components of the immune system, gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of parasite-driven selection requires the study of multiple genes and pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a large gene family that code for antigen-presenting components of the innate immune response. In the present paper we characterize polymorphism and signatures of selection in seven TLRs in free-living bank volesMyodes glareolus. We report the first evidence of balancing selection in several TLR genes, supported by positive values of Fu and Li’s D* in TLR2 and TLR5, and positive values of Tajima’s D in LRR regions within TLR1 and TLR2. We further found significant associations between amino-acid alleles of TLR1 and TLR5 and susceptibility to infection with the blood pathogenBartonella. Interestingly, selection patterns in TLRs presenting virus-derived motifs (TLR7 and TLR9) differed considerably from those interacting with bacterial PAMPs. In contrast to the highly variable TLRs presenting bacterial motifs, TLR7 and TLR9 had low polymorphism and displayed signatures of directional selection. These findings suggest different functional responses across the TLR gene family and highlight the complexity of parasite-driven selection.
Polarons Explain Luminescence Behavior of Colloidal Quantum Dots at Low Temperature
Authors: Khosla Meenakshi , Rao Sravya , Gupta Shilpi
Published: May 2018

Luminescence properties of colloidal quantum dots have found applications in imaging, displays, light-emitting diodes and lasers, and single photon sources. Despite wide interest, several experimental observations in low-temperature photoluminescence of these quantum dots, such as the short lifetime on the scale of microseconds and a zero-longitudinal optical phonon line in spectrum, both attributed to a dark exciton in literature, remain unexplained by existing models. Here we propose a theoretical model including the effect of solid-state environment on luminescence. The model captures both coherent and incoherent interactions of band-edge exciton with phonon modes. Our model predicts formation of dressed states by coupling of the exciton with a confined acoustic phonon mode, and explains the short lifetime and the presence of the zero-longitudinal optical phonon line in the spectrum. Accounting for the interaction of the exciton with bulk phonon modes, the model also explains the experimentally observed temperature-dependence of the photoluminescence decay dynamics and temperature-dependence of the photoluminescence spectrum.
Combining micro-RNA and protein sequencing to detect robust biomarkers for Graves’ disease and orbitopathy
Authors: Zhang Lei , Masetti Giulia , Colucci Giuseppe , Salvi Mario , Covelli Danila , Eckstein Anja , Kaiser Ulrike , Draman Mohd Shazli , Muller Ilaria , Ludgate Marian , Lucini Luigi , Biscarini Filippo
Published: May 2018

Graves’ Disease (GD) is an autoimmune condition in which thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TRAB) mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone function causing hyperthyroidism. 5% of GD patients develop inflammatory Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) characterized by proptosis and attendant sight problems. A major challenge is to identify which GD patients are most likely to develop GO and has relied on TRAB measurement. We screened sera/plasma from 14 GD, 19 GO and 13 healthy controls using high-throughput proteomics and miRNA sequencing (Illumina’s HiSeq2000 and Agilent-6550 Funnel quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry) to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis evaluation. Euclidean distances and differential expression (DE) based on miRNA and protein quantification were analysed by multidimensional scaling (MDS) and multinomial regression respectively. We detected 3025 miRNAs and 1886 proteins and MDS revealed good separation of the 3 groups. Biomarkers were identified by combined DE and Lasso-penalized predictive models; accuracy of predictions was 0.86 (±0:18), and 5 miRNA and 20 proteins were found including Zonulin, Alpha-2 macroglobulin, Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 and Fibronectin. Functional analysis identified relevant metabolic pathways, including hippo signaling, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and mRNA surveillance. Proteomic and miRNA analyses, combined with robust bioinformatics, identified circulating biomarkers applicable to diagnose GD, predict GO disease status and optimize patient management.
Birth weight variants are associated with variable fetal intrauterine growth from 20 weeks of gestation
Authors: Engelbrechtsen L. , Gybel-Brask D. , Mahendran Y. , Crusell M. , Hansen T. H. , Schnurr T. M. , Hogdall E. , Skibsted L. , Hansen T. , Vestergaard H.
Published: May 2018

Fetal intrauterine growth is influenced by complex interactions between the maternal genes, environment and fetal genes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GWAS-identified genetic variants associated with birth weight on intrauterine fetal growth in 665 children. Fetal growth was estimated by two-dimensional ultrasound scans at 20, 25 and 32 weeks of gestation and growth trajectories were modeled using mixed linear regression. A genetic risk score (GRS) of birth weight-raising variants was associated with intrauterine growth showing an attenuating effect on the unconditional daily reduction in proportional weight gain of 8.92 × 10−6 percentage points/allele/day (p = 2.0 × 10−4), corresponding to a mean difference of 410 g at 40 weeks of gestation between a child with lowest and highest GRS. Eight variants were independently associated with intrauterine growth throughout the pregnancy, while four variants were associated with fetal growth in the periods 20–25 or 25–32 weeks of gestation, indicating that some variants may act in specific time windows during pregnancy. Four of the intrauterine growth variants were associated with type 2 diabetes, hypertension or BMI in the UK Biobank, which may provide basis for further understanding of the link between intrauterine growth and later risk of metabolic disease.
Deciphering the functional role of spatial and temporal muscle synergies in whole-body movements
Authors: Delis Ioannis , Hilt Pauline M. , Pozzo Thierry , Panzeri Stefano , Berret Bastien
Published: May 2018

Voluntary movement is hypothesized to rely on a limited number of muscle synergies, the recruitment of which translates task goals into effective muscle activity. In this study, we investigated how to analytically characterize the functional role of different types of muscle synergies in task performance. To this end, we recorded a comprehensive dataset of muscle activity during a variety of whole-body pointing movements. We decomposed the electromyographic (EMG) signals using a space-by-time modularity model which encompasses the main types of synergies. We then used a task decoding and information theoretic analysis to probe the role of each synergy by mapping it to specific task features. We found that the temporal and spatial aspects of the movements were encoded by different temporal and spatial muscle synergies, respectively, consistent with the intuition that there should a correspondence between major attributes of movement and major features of synergies. This approach led to the development of a novel computational method for comparing muscle synergies from different participants according to their functional role. This functional similarity analysis yielded a small set of temporal and spatial synergies that describes the main features of whole-body reaching movements.
Erratum: A scientific report on heat transfer analysis in mixed convection flow of Maxwell fluid over an oscillating vertical plate
Authors: Khan Ilyas , Shah Nehad Ali , Dennis L. C. C.
Published: May 2018

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 40147; published online: 15 March 2017; updated: 17 May 2018 In the original version of this Article, the author L. C. C. Dennis was inadvertently omitted from the Author Contributions statement and the Supplementary Information. The Author Contributions statement,
Enhanced ion transport using geometrically structured charge selective interfaces
Authors: Benneker Anne M. , Gumuscu Burcu , Derckx Ernest G. H. , Lammertink Rob G. H. , Eijkel Jan C. T. , Wood Jeffery A.
Published: May 2018

A microfluidic platform containing charged hydrogels is used to investigate the effect of geometry on charge transport in electrodialysis applications.
Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of 2-chloroethyl(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonate
Authors: Galván J. E. , Defonsi Lestard M. E. , Piro O. E. , Echeverria G. , Molina R. D. I. , Arena M. E. , Ulic S. E. , Tuttolomondo M. E. , Ben Altabef A.
Published: May 2018

This is a study of structure – reactivity relationship of clomesone.
Ultrafast magnetization dynamics in a nanoscale three-dimensional cobalt tetrapod structure
Authors: Sahoo Sourav , Mondal Sucheta , Williams Gwilym , May Andrew , Ladak Sam , Barman Anjan
Published: May 2018

Time resolved measurement and numerical study of ultrafast spin dynamics in a 3D Co tetrapod structure revealed complex spin-wave modes.
Discrimination analysis of excitatory and inhibitory neurons using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hashimoto Kosuke , Andriana Bibin B. , Matsuyoshi Hiroko , Sato Hidetoshi
Published: May 2018

We have succeeded in discriminating between intact excitatory and inhibitory neuronal cells with Raman analysis.
Correcting the effect of hematocrit in whole blood coagulation analysis on paper-based lateral flow device
Authors: Li Hua , Han Daewoo , Pauletti Giovanni M. , Hegener Michael A. , Steckl Andrew J.
Published: May 2018

A simple method to correct the effect of hematocrit (Hct) on a paper-based lateral flow assay device that is designed to assess whole blood coagulation is reported.
Investigation of charge-transfer between a 4-mercaptobenzoic acid monolayer and TiO2nanoparticles under high pressure using surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Li Peng , Wang Xiaolei , Li Haiyan , Yang Xuwei , Zhang Xiaolei , Zhang Lixia , Ozaki Yukihio , Liu Bingbing , Zhao Bing
Published: May 2018

We investigated the CT process between a 4-MBA monolayer and TiO2NPs under high pressure using SERS, and the effect of pressure on CT process was explored.
Autoinductive conversion of α,α-diiodonitroalkanes to amides and esters catalysed by iodine byproducts under O2
Authors: Li Jing , Lear Martin J. , Hayashi Yujiro
Published: May 2018

Studies to convert nitroalkanes into amides and esters using I2 and O2 revealed in situ-generated iodine species facilitate the homolytic C–I bond cleavage of α,α-diiodonitroalkanes, arguably in an autoinductive or autocatalytic manner.
Pillar[6]pyridinium: a hexagonally shaped molecular box that selectively recognizes multicharged anionic species
Authors: Kosiorek Sandra , Butkiewicz Helena , Danylyuk Oksana , Sashuk Volodymyr
Published: May 2018

An electrically charged macrocycle that recognizes oppositely charged guests depending on the magnitude and the distribution of their electric charge by binding them either inside or outside the inner cavity is reported.
Logic circuit controlled multi-responsive branched DNA scaffolds
Authors: Du Yi , Peng Pai , Li Tao
Published: May 2018

We report a logic circuit-controlled multi-responsive sensing platform built on a three-way DNA junction.
Modulation of two ye'elimite phasesviaGa3+cation substitution
Authors: Liu Shuxin , Lu Xiaolei , Chen Jiaxin , Wang Shuxian , Ye Zhengmao , Cheng Xin
Published: May 2018

The phase transition of Ca4Al6SO16fromPcc2 toI4̄3mis adjusted by Ga3+cation substitution.
Cluster-model DFT simulations of the infrared spectra of triazine-based molecular crystals
Authors: Yuan Xiaohong , Luo Kun , Liu Nan , Ji Xueqiang , Liu Chao , He Julong , Tian Guangjun , Zhao Yuanchun , Yu Dongli
Published: May 2018

A cluster-model approach is developed to simulate the IR spectra of triazine-based molecular crystals, and the distinct hydrogen-bonding environments of the crystallographically independent molecules can be clearly revealed.
The rotation–vibration spectrum of methyl fluoride from first principles
Authors: Owens Alec , Yachmenev Andrey , Küpper Jochen , Yurchenko Sergei N. , Thiel Walter
Published: May 2018

State-of-the-art theoretical methods are used to investigate the rotation–vibration spectrum of methyl fluoride.
From ascorbic acid to furan derivatives: the gas phase acid catalyzed degradation of vitamin C
Authors: Cimino Paola , Troiani Anna , Pepi Federico , Garzoli Stefania , Salvitti Chiara , Di Rienzo Brunella , Barone Vincenzo , Ricci Andreina
Published: May 2018

Furan derivatives, potentially carcinogenic to humans, can be formed, in addition to carbohydrates and other sources, from the degradation of ascorbic acid (AA).
Coordination-induced CO2 fixation into carbonate by metal oxides
Authors: Zhao Zhi , Kong Xiangtao , Yuan Qinqin , Xie Hua , Yang Dong , Zhao Jijun , Fan Hongjun , Jiang Ling
Published: May 2018

Infrared spectroscopic studies reveal how the coordination induces CO2 fixation into carbonate by a cationic yttrium oxide model catalyst.
Bicapped Keggin polyoxomolybdates: discrete species and experimental and theoretical investigations on the electronic delocalization in a chain compound
Authors: Salomon William , Rivière Eric , López Xavier , Suaud Nicolas , Mialane Pierre , Haouas Mohamed , Saad Ali , Marrot Jérôme , Dolbecq Anne
Published: May 2018

Monomeric and 1D reduced Keggin polyoxometalates have been isolated as black crystals soluble in DMSO; DFT calculations allowed the explanation of the magnetic behavior.
Enhanced gas separation performance of an ultramicroporous pillared-layer framework induced by hanging bare Lewis basic pyridine groups
Authors: Li Haipeng , Li Shu'ni , Hou Xiangyang , Jiang Yucheng , Hu Mancheng , Zhai Quan-Guo
Published: May 2018

An ultramicroporous pillared-layer framework exhibits extra high CO2and C2hydrocarbons over CH4separation performance under ambient conditions induced by hanging bare Lewis basic pyridine groups on the pore surface.
Design principles for high transition metal capacity in disordered rocksalt Li-ion cathodes
Authors: Kitchaev Daniil A. , Lun Zhengyan , Richards William D. , Ji Huiwen , Clément Raphaële J. , Balasubramanian Mahalingam , Kwon Deok-Hwang , Dai Kehua , Papp Joseph K. , Lei Teng , McCloskey Bryan D. , Yang Wanli , Lee Jinhyuk , Ceder Gerbrand
Published: May 2018

Design rules for high capacity disordered rocksalt Li-ion cathodes applied to the Li–Mn–V–O–F system.
Exploring matrix effects and quantifying organic additives in hydraulic fracturing associated fluids using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Nell Marika , Helbling Damian E.
Published: May 2018

Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to quantify chemical additives in water collected from unconventional shale gas wells.
How many ritonavir cases are there still out there?
Authors: Neumann Marcus A. , van de Streek Jacco
Published: May 2018

The number of dormant ritonavir cases is estimated based on 41 commercial pharmaceutical crystal structure prediction studies.
Mercaptoacetate thioesters and their hydrolysate mercaptoacetic acids jointly inhibit metallo-β-lactamase L1
Authors: Chen Cheng , Xiang Yang , Liu Ya , Hu Xiangdong , Yang Ke-Wu
Published: May 2018

The ‘superbug’ infection caused by metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) including L1 has grown into an emerging threat.
Factors affecting charge transfer in tetraiodide dianions
Authors: Grześkiewicz Anita M. , Kubicki Maciej
Published: May 2018

Thirty-one examples of crystal structures containing discrete tetraiodide I42−dianions were identified from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and analyzed in detail in order to find the factors influencing the geometry of this rare fragment. The intermolecular interactions are at least partially responsible for the changes in the geometry of the dianion.
Solar light active plasmonic Au@TiO2 nanocomposite with superior photocatalytic performance for H2 production and pollutant degradation
Authors: Khore Supriya K. , Kadam Sunil R. , Naik Sonali D. , Kale Bharat B. , Sonawane Ravindra S.
Published: May 2018

Spherically shaped plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NPs) of size 10 nm (±4 nm) have been decorated on TiO2 NPs for the synthesis of Au@TiO2 composites via an aqueous sol–gel method.
Three-dimensional composite of Co3O4 nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide for lignin model compound oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jiali , Zhang Fangwei , Guo Shouwu , Zhang Jingyan
Published: May 2018

3D composite of Co3O4 nanoparticles and N-doped reduced graphene oxide can effectively catalyze the oxidation of lignin model compounds.
(Fe)MIL-100-Met@alginate: a hybrid polymer–MOF for enhancement of metformin's bioavailability and pH-controlled release
Authors: Azizi Vahed Tahereh , Naimi-Jamal M. Reza , Panahi Leila
Published: May 2018

Metformin hydrochloride (Met) was combined with iron(iii) chloride and trimesic acid (1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid, BTC) as an organic linker in a short and simple method, providing a MOF in which the drug is a part of the constituent.
Low-temperature solution-phase route to sub-10 nm titanium oxide nanocrystals having super-enhanced photoreactivity
Authors: Akram Bilal , Ahmad Khalil , Khan Jahanzeb , Khan Bilal Ahmad , Akhtar Javeed
Published: May 2018

High-purity anatase nanocrystals were prepared by using a low-temperature surfactant-assisted solution-phase method.
Five-minute synthesis of silver nanowires and their roll-to-roll processing for large-area organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Sim Hwansu , Kim Chanho , Bok Shingyu , Kim Min Ki , Oh Hwisu , Lim Guh-Hwan , Cho Sung Min , Lim Byungkwon
Published: May 2018

Silver nanowires can be rapidly synthesized by introducing propylene glycol into ethylene glycol-based polyol synthesis and applied to roll-to-roll process for large-area organic light emitting diodes.
Asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloadditions with 3-furfural derivatives and α-cyano-α,β-unsaturated ketones
Authors: Duan Chuan-Qi , He Xiao-Long , Du Wei , Chen Ying-Chun
Published: May 2018

An asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with 2-benzyl-3-furfurals and α-cyano-chalcones was developed to afford chiral tetrahydrobenzofurans having dense substitutions.
Diastereoselectivity in a cyclic secondary amine catalyzed asymmetric Mannich reaction: a model rationalization from DFT studies
Authors: Shu Siwei , Liu Zhao , Li Yukui , Ke Zhuofeng , Liu Yan
Published: May 2018

DFT studies revealed the detailed structure stereoselectivity relationship for cyclic secondary amine catalyzed asymmetric Mannich reactions.