bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel humanized mouse lacking murine P450 oxidoreductase for studying human drug metabolism
Authors: Barzi Mercedes , Pankowicz Francis P. , Zorman Barry , Liu Xing , Legras Xavier , Yang Diane , Borowiak Malgorzata , Bissig-Choisat Beatrice , Sumazin Pavel , Li Feng , Bissig Karl-Dimiter
Published: June 2017

Only one out of 10 drugs in development passes clinical trials. Many fail because experimental animal models poorly predict human xenobiotic metabolism. Human liver chimeric mice are a step forward in this regard, as the human hepatocytes in chimeric livers generate human metabolites, but the remaining murine hepatocytes contain an expanded set of P450 cytochromes that form the major class of drug-metabolizing enzymes. We therefore generated a conditional knock-out of the NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase (Por) gene combined with Il2rg
− /−
/Rag2
− /−
/Fah
− /−
(PIRF) mice. Here we show that homozygous PIRF mouse livers are readily repopulated with human hepatocytes, and when the murine Por gene is deleted (<5%), they predominantly use human cytochrome metabolism. When given the anticancer drug gefitinib or the retroviral drug atazanavir, the Por-deleted humanized PIRF mice develop higher levels of the major human metabolites than current models. Humanized, murine Por-deficient PIRF mice can thus predict human drug metabolism and should be useful for preclinical drug development.
Improving Dialysis Adherence for High Risk Patients Using Automated Messaging: Proof of Concept
Authors: Som A. , Groenendyk J. , An T. , Patel K. , Peters R. , Polites G. , Ross W. R.
Published: June 2017

Comorbidities and socioeconomic barriers often limit patient adherence and self-management with hemodialysis. Missed sessions, often associated with communication barriers, can result in emergency dialysis and avoidable hospitalizations. This proof of concept study explored using a novel digital-messaging platform, EpxDialysis, to improve patient-to-dialysis center communication via widely available text messaging and telephone technology. A randomized controlled trial was conducted through Washington University-affiliated hemodialysis centers involving ESRD patients with poor attendance, defined as missing 2–6 sessions over the preceding 12 weeks. A cross-over study design evaluated appointment adherence between intervention and control groups. Comparing nonadherence rates eight weeks prior to enrollment, median appointment adherence after using the system increased by 75%, and median number of unintended hospitalization days fell by 31%. A conservative cost-benefit analysis of EpxDialysis demonstrates a 1:36 savings ratio from appointment adherence. EpxDialysis is a low-risk, cost-effective, intervention for increasing hemodialysis adherence in high-risk patients, especially at centers caring for vulnerable and low-income patients.
Sustained release from a metal - Analgesics entrapped within biocidal silver
Authors: Menagen Barak , Pedahzur Rami , Avnir David
Published: June 2017

Matrices for sustained release of drugs have been based on polymers, biomaterials and oxides. The use of the major family of metals as matrices for sustained release is, to the best of our knowledge, unknown. In this context we describe a new family of bio-composites for sustained release of drugs, namely analgesic drugs entrapped within metallic silver. Synthetic methodologies were developed for the preparation of ibuprofen@Ag, naproxen@Ag, tramadol@Ag and bupivacaine@Ag composites. Detailed kinetic analysis of the release of the drugs from within the metal, is provided, demonstrating that metals can indeed serve as reservoirs for drug release. The metal in our case acts not only as a drug releasing source, but also as an antibacterial agent and this property of the composites was studied. Unexpectedly, it was found that the entrapment of the analgesics within silver, dramatically enhances the growth inhibition activity of wild typePseudomonas aeruginosa, exceeding by far the inhibition activity of the separate components. A mechanism for this interesting observation is provided. The strong antimicrobial activity combined with the analgesic activity open the road for future applications of these materials as dual-purpose components in wound treatment.
Versatility of nodal affiliation to communities
Authors: Shinn Maxwell , Romero-Garcia Rafael , Seidlitz Jakob , Váša František , Vértes Petra E. , Bullmore Edward
Published: June 2017

Graph theoretical analysis of the community structure of networks attempts to identify the communities (or modules) to which each node affiliates. However, this is in most cases an ill-posed problem, as the affiliation of a node to a single community is often ambiguous. Previous solutions have attempted to identify all of the communities to which each node affiliates. Instead of taking this approach, we introduce versatility, V, as a novel metric of nodal affiliation: V ≈ 0 means that a node is consistently assigned to a specific community; V >> 0 means it is inconsistently assigned to different communities. Versatility works in conjunction with existing community detection algorithms, and it satisfies many theoretically desirable properties in idealised networks designed to maximise ambiguity of modular decomposition. The local minima of global mean versatility identified the resolution parameters of a hierarchical community detection algorithm that least ambiguously decomposed the community structure of a social (karate club) network and the mouse brain connectome. Our results suggest that nodal versatility is useful in quantifying the inherent ambiguity of modular decomposition.
Aldosterone Modulates the Association between NCC and ENaC
Authors: Wynne Brandi M. , Mistry Abinash C. , Al-Khalili Otor , Mallick Rickta , Theilig Franziska , Eaton Douglas C. , Hoover Robert S.
Published: June 2017

Distal sodium transport is a final step in the regulation of blood pressure. As such, understanding how the two main sodium transport proteins, the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), are regulated is paramount. Both are expressed in the late distal nephron; however, no evidence has suggested that these two sodium transport proteins interact. Recently, we established that these two sodium transport proteins functionally interact in the second part of the distal nephron (DCT2). Given their co-localization within the DCT2, we hypothesized that NCC and ENaC interactions might be modulated by aldosterone (Aldo). Aldo treatment increased NCC and αENaC colocalization (electron microscopy) and interaction (coimmunoprecipitation). Finally, with co-expression of the Aldo-induced protein serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1), NCC and αENaC interactions were increased. These data demonstrate that Aldo promotes increased interaction of NCC and ENaC, within the DCT2 revealing a novel method of regulation for distal sodium reabsorption.
Coordination of Bactericidal and Iron Regulatory Functions of Hepcidin in Innate Antimicrobial Immunity in a Zebrafish Model
Authors: Jiang Xiao-feng , Liu Zhi-fei , Lin Ai-fu , Xiang Li-xin , Shao Jian-zhong
Published: June 2017

Hepcidin acts as both an antimicrobial peptide and a hormonal regulator of iron homeostasis; however, the biological significance of this dual-function in immune reactions remains elusive. In this study, we provide experimental evidence regarding the coordination of this dual-function in the innate antimicrobial immunity using a zebrafish model. The transcription of hepcidin gene was significantly upregulated in liver by Aeromonas hydrophila (A.h) DNA stimulation, which was accompanied by an increase of hepcidin protein and a decrease of iron concentration in serum. Thus, an enhanced bactericidal activity against A.h and Escherichia coli and inhibitory effects on A.h growth and OmpA expression were observed in A.h cells, the latter of which made the bacterium more susceptible to complement attack. The enhanced bacteriostatic activities in serum following the stimulation were dramatically impaired by neutralizing hepcidin or restoring iron to the samples. Immuno-protection assay showed that zebrafish administrated with A.h DNA or designed CpG-ODNs had a significantly enhanced defence against A.h and Vibrio alginolyticus infections, which was also eliminated by the neutralization of hepcidin. Results indicate that the induction of hepcidin leads to the decrease of iron in circulation, which eventually limits iron availability to invading microorganisms, thus contributing to host defence.
Dacomitinib, a pan-inhibitor of ErbB receptors, suppresses growth and invasive capacity of chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma cells
Authors: Momeny Majid , Zarrinrad Ghazaleh , Moghaddaskho Farima , Poursheikhani Arash , Sankanian Ghazaleh , Zaghal Azam , Mirshahvaladi Shahab , Esmaeili Fatemeh , Eyvani Haniyeh , Barghi Farinaz , Sabourinejad Zahra , Alishahi Zivar , Yousefi Hassan , Ghasemi Reza , Dardaei Leila , Bashash Davood , Chahardouli Bahram , Dehpour Ahmad R. , Tavakkoly-Bazzaz Javad , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir , Ghaffari Seyed H.
Published: June 2017

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy worldwide. Development of chemoresistance and peritoneal dissemination of EOC cells are the major reasons for low survival rate. Targeting signal transduction pathways which promote therapy resistance and metastatic dissemination is the key to successful treatment. Members of the ErbB family of receptors are over-expressed in EOC and play key roles in chemoresistance and invasiveness. Despite this, single-targeted ErbB inhibitors have demonstrated limited activity in chemoresistant EOC. In this report, we show that dacomitinib, a pan-ErbB receptor inhibitor, diminished growth, clonogenic potential, anoikis resistance and induced apoptotic cell death in therapy-resistant EOC cells. Dacominitib inhibited PLK1-FOXM1 signalling pathway and its down-stream targets Aurora kinase B and survivin. Moreover, dacomitinib attenuated migration and invasion of the EOC cells and reduced expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers ZEB1, ZEB2 and CDH2 (which encodes N-cadherin). Conversely, the anti-tumour activity of single-targeted ErbB agents including cetuximab (a ligand-blocking anti-EGFR mAb), transtuzumab (anti-HER2 mAb), H3.105.5 (anti-HER3 mAb) and erlotinib (EGFR small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor) were marginal. Our results provide a rationale for further investigation on the therapeutic potential of dacomitinib in treatment of the chemoresistant EOC.
A Gelatin-sulfonated Silk Composite Scaffold based on 3D Printing Technology Enhances Skin Regeneration by Stimulating Epidermal Growth and Dermal Neovascularization
Authors: Xiong Si , Zhang Xianzhu , Lu Ping , Wu Yan , Wang Quan , Sun Heng , Heng Boon Chin , Bunpetch Varitsara , Zhang Shufang , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: June 2017

One of the key problems hindering skin repair is the deficiency of dermal vascularization and difficulty of epidermis regeneration, which makes it challenging to fabricate scaffolds that can biologically fulfill the requirements for skin regeneration. To overcome this problem, three-dimensional printing was used to fabricate a gelatin-sulfonated silk composite scaffold that was incorporated with basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) through binding with a sulfonic acid group (SO3) (3DG-SF-SO3-FGF). The efficacy and mechanism by which the 3DG-SF-SO3-FGF scaffolds promote skin regeneration were investigated both within in vitro cell culture and in vivo with a full-thickness skin defect model. The histological results showed that the gelatin-sulfonated silk composite scaffolds promoted granulation, and that incorporation of FGF-2 significantly enhanced the regeneration of skin-like tissues after implantation in rat skin defects for 14 and 28 days. Further investigations demonstrated that 3DG-SF-SO3-FGF scaffolds might stimulate dermal vascularization. These findings thus suggest that incorporation of FGF-2 into the 3D printed scaffolds is a viable strategy for enhancing skin regeneration.
Global rainfall erosivity assessment based on high-temporal resolution rainfall records
Authors: Panagos Panos , Borrelli Pasquale , Meusburger Katrin , Yu Bofu , Klik Andreas , Jae Lim Kyoung , Yang Jae E. , Ni Jinren , Miao Chiyuan , Chattopadhyay Nabansu , Sadeghi Seyed Hamidreza , Hazbavi Zeinab , Zabihi Mohsen , Larionov Gennady A. , Krasnov Sergey F. , Gorobets Andrey V. , Levi Yoav , Erpul Gunay , Birkel Christian , Hoyos Natalia , Naipal Victoria , Oliveira Paulo Tarso S. , Bonilla Carlos A. , Meddi Mohamed , Nel Werner , Al Dashti Hassan , Boni Martino , Diodato Nazzareno , Van Oost Kristof , Nearing Mark , Ballabio Cristiano
Published: June 2017

The exposure of the Earth’s surface to the energetic input of rainfall is one of the key factors controlling water erosion. While water erosion is identified as the most serious cause of soil degradation globally, global patterns of rainfall erosivity remain poorly quantified and estimates have large uncertainties. This hampers the implementation of effective soil degradation mitigation and restoration strategies. Quantifying rainfall erosivity is challenging as it requires high temporal resolution(<30 min) and high fidelity rainfall recordings. We present the results of an extensive global data collection effort whereby we estimated rainfall erosivity for 3,625 stations covering 63 countries. This first ever Global Rainfall Erosivity Database was used to develop a global erosivity map at 30 arc-seconds(~1 km) based on a Gaussian Process Regression(GPR). Globally, the mean rainfall erosivity was estimated to be 2,190 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 yr−1, with the highest values in South America and the Caribbean countries, Central east Africa and South east Asia. The lowest values are mainly found in Canada, the Russian Federation, Northern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. The tropical climate zone has the highest mean rainfall erosivity followed by the temperate whereas the lowest mean was estimated in the cold climate zone.
The role of SET/I2PP2A in canine mammary tumors
Authors: Kake Satoru , Tsuji Shunya , Enjoji Shuhei , Hanasaki Sayaka , Hayase Hiroshi , Yabe Ryotaro , Tanaka Yuiko , Nakagawa Takayuki , Liu Hao-Ping , Chang Shih-Chieh , Usui Tatsuya , Ohama Takashi , Sato Koichi
Published: June 2017

Canine mammary tumor is the most common neoplasm in female dogs, and it has generated considerable attention as a translational model for human breast cancer. Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical role as a tumor suppressor, and SET/I2PP2A, the endogenous inhibitory protein of PP2A, binds directly to PP2A and suppresses its phosphatase activity. Here, we investigated the role of SET in the tumorigenic growth in canine mammary tumor as well as in the sensitivity of tumors to existing therapeutics. Elevated protein levels of SET were observed in advanced-stage of canine mammary tumor tissues of dogs compared with paired normal tissues. Knockdown of SET expression in a canine mammary tumor cell line CIP-m led to increased PP2A activity and decreased cell proliferation, colony formation, and in vivo tumor growth. We observed suppression of mTOR, β-catenin, and NFκB signaling by SET knockdown. The sensitivity of CIP-m cells to doxorubicin was decreased by SET knockdown, while SET knockdown in CIP-m cells did not affect sensitivity to 4-OH-tamoxifen, carboplatin, bortezomib, and X-ray radiation. These data suggest that SET plays important roles in the tumor progression of a subset of canine mammary tumor by suppressing PP2A activity and enhancing mTOR, β-catenin, and NFκB signaling.
Experimental Demonstration of Four-Dimensional Photonic Spatial Entanglement between Multi-core Optical Fibres
Authors: Lee Hee Jung , Choi Sang-Kyung , Park Hee Su
Published: June 2017

Fibre transport of multi-dimensional photonic quantum states promises high information capacity per photon without space restriction. This work experimentally demonstrates transmission of spatial ququarts through multi-core optical fibres and measurement of the entanglement between two fibres with quantum state analyzers, each composed of a spatial light modulator and a single-mode fibre. Quantum state tomography reconstructs the four-dimension entangled state that verifies the nonlocality through concurrences in two-dimensional subspaces, a lower bound of four-dimensional concurrence and a Bell-type CGLMP inequality.
Effect of H2O Adsorption on Negative Differential Conductance Behavior of Single Junction
Authors: Li Zong-Liang , Yi Xiao-Hua , Liu Ran , Bi Jun-Jie , Fu Huan-Yan , Zhang Guang-Ping , Song Yu-Zhi , Wang Chuan-Kui
Published: June 2017

Large negative differential conductance (NDC) at lower bias regime is a very desirable functional property for single molecular device. Due to the non-conjugated segment separating two conjugated branches, the single thiolated arylethynylene molecule with 9,10-dihydroanthracene core (denoted as TADHA) presents excellent NDC behavior in lower bias regime. Based on the ab initio calculation and non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism, the NDC behavior of TADHA molecular device and the H2O-molecule-adsorption effects are studied systematically. The numerical results show that the NDC behavior of TADHA molecular junction originates from the Stark effect of the applied bias which splits the degeneration of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1. The H2O molecule adsorbed on the terminal sulphur atom strongly suppresses the conductance of TADHA molecular device and destroys the NDC behavior in the lower bias regime. Single or separated H2O molecules adsorbed on the backbone of TADHA molecule can depress the energy levels of molecular orbitals, but have little effects on the NDC behavior of the TADHA molecular junction. Aggregate of several H2O molecules adsorbed on one branch of TADHA molecule can dramatically enhance the conductance and NDC behavior of the molecular junction, and result in rectifier behavior.
Identification of introns harboring functional sequence elements through positional conservation
Authors: Chorev Michal , Joseph Bekker Alan , Goldberger Jacob , Carmel Liran
Published: June 2017

Many human introns carry out a function, in the sense that they are critical to maintain normal cellular activity. Their identification is fundamental to understanding cellular processes and disease. However, being noncoding elements, such functional introns are poorly predicted based on traditional approaches of sequence and structure conservation. Here, we generated a dataset of human functional introns that carry out different types of functions. We showed that functional introns share common characteristics, such as higher positional conservation along the coding sequence and reduced loss rates, regardless of their specific function. A unique property of the data is that if an intron is unknown to be functional, it still does not mean that it is indeed non-functional. We developed a probabilistic framework that explicitly accounts for this unique property, and predicts which specific human introns are functional. We show that we successfully predict function even when the algorithm is trained on introns with a different type of function. This ability has many implications in studying regulatory networks, gene regulation, the effect of mutations outside exons on human disease, and on our general understanding of intron evolution and their functional exaptation in mammals.
Regulation of Drosophila Lifespan by bellwether Promoter Alleles
Authors: Garcia Júlia Frankenberg , Carbone Mary Anna , Mackay Trudy F. C. , Anholt Robert R. H.
Published: June 2017

Longevity varies among individuals, but how natural genetic variation contributes to variation in lifespan is poorly understood. Drosophila melanogaster presents an advantageous model system to explore the genetic underpinnings of longevity, since its generation time is brief and both the genetic background and rearing environment can be precisely controlled. The bellwether (blw) gene encodes the α subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase. Since metabolic rate may influence lifespan, we investigated whether alternative haplotypes in the blw promoter affect lifespan when expressed in a co-isogenic background. We amplified 521 bp upstream promoter sequences containing alternative haplotypes and assessed promoter activity both in vitro and in vivo using a luciferase reporter system. The AG haplotype showed significantly greater expression of luciferase than the GT haplotype. We then overexpressed a blw cDNA construct driven by either the AG or GT haplotype promoter in transgenic flies and showed that the AG haplotype also results in greater blw cDNA expression and a significant decrease in lifespan relative to the GT promoter haplotype, in male flies only. Thus, our results show that naturally occurring regulatory variants of blw affect lifespan in a sex-specific manner.
Structural and biochemical studies of sulphotransferase 18 from Arabidopsis thaliana explain its substrate specificity and reaction mechanism
Authors: Hirschmann Felix , Krause Florian , Baruch Petra , Chizhov Igor , Mueller Jonathan Wolf , Manstein Dietmar J. , Papenbrock Jutta , Fedorov Roman
Published: June 2017

Sulphotransferases are a diverse group of enzymes catalysing the transfer of a sulfuryl group from 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulphate (PAPS) to a broad range of secondary metabolites. They exist in all kingdoms of life. InArabidopsis thaliana(L.) Heynh. twenty-two sulphotransferase (SOT) isoforms were identified. Three of those are involved in glucosinolate (Gl) biosynthesis, glycosylated sulphur-containing aldoximes containing chemically different side chains, whose break-down products are involved in stress response against herbivores, pathogens, and abiotic stress. To explain the differences in substrate specificity of desulpho (ds)-Gl SOTs and to understand the reaction mechanism of plant SOTs, we determined the first high-resolution crystal structure of the plant ds-Gl SOT AtSOT18 in complex with 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphate (PAP) alone and together with the Gl sinigrin. These new structural insights into the determination of substrate specificity were complemented by mutagenesis studies. The structure of AtSOT18 invigorates the similarity between plant and mammalian sulphotransferases, which illustrates the evolutionary conservation of this multifunctional enzyme family. We identified the essential residues for substrate binding and catalysis and demonstrated that the catalytic mechanism is conserved between human and plant enzymes. Our study indicates that the loop-gating mechanism is likely to be a source of the substrate specificity in plants.
IGF1R deficiency attenuates acute inflammatory response in a bleomycin-induced lung injury mouse model
Authors: Piñeiro-Hermida Sergio , López Icíar P. , Alfaro-Arnedo Elvira , Torrens Raquel , Iñiguez María , Alvarez-Erviti Lydia , Ruíz-Martínez Carlos , Pichel José G.
Published: June 2017

IGF1R (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor) is a tyrosine kinase with pleiotropic cellular functions. IGF activity maintains human lung homeostasis and is implicated in pulmonary diseases such as cancer, ARDS, COPD, asthma and fibrosis. Here we report that lung transcriptome analysis in mice with a postnatally-induced Igf1r gene deletion showed differentially expressed genes with potentially protective roles related to epigenetics, redox and oxidative stress. After bleomycin-induced lung injury, IGF1R-deficient mice demonstrated improved survival within a week. Three days post injury, IGF1R-deficient lungs displayed changes in expression of IGF system-related genes and reduced vascular fragility and permeability. Mutant lungs presented reduced inflamed area, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory markers and up-regulation of resolution indicators. Decreased inflammatory cell presence in BALF was reflected in diminished lung infiltration mainly affecting neutrophils, also corroborated by reduced neutrophil numbers in bone marrow, as well as reduced lymphocyte and alveolar macrophage counts. Additionally, increased SFTPC expression together with hindered HIF1A expression and augmented levels of Gpx8 indicate that IGF1R deficiency protects against alveolar damage. These findings identify IGF1R as an important player in murine acute lung inflammation, suggesting that targeting IGF1R may counteract the inflammatory component of many lung diseases.
Oxytocin administration suppresses hypothalamic activation in response to visual food cues
Authors: van der Klaauw Agatha A. , Ziauddeen Hisham , Keogh Julia M. , Henning Elana , Dachi Sekesai , Fletcher Paul C. , Farooqi I. Sadaf
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to use functional neuroimaging to investigate whether oxytocin modulates the neural response to visual food cues in brain regions involved in the control of food intake. Twenty-four normal weight volunteers received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo in a double-blind, randomized crossover study. Measurements were made forty-five minutes after dosing. On two occasions, functional MRI (fMRI) scans were performed in the fasted state; the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response to images of high-calorie foods versus low-calorie foods was measured. Given its critical role in eating behaviour, the primary region of interest was the hypothalamus. Secondary analyses examined the parabrachial nuclei and other brain regions involved in food intake and food reward. Intranasal oxytocin administration suppressed hypothalamic activation to images of high-calorie compared to low-calorie food (P = 0.0125). There was also a trend towards suppression of activation in the parabrachial nucleus (P = 0.0683). No effects of intranasal oxytocin were seen in reward circuits or on ad libitum food intake. Further characterization of the effects of oxytocin on neural circuits in the hypothalamus is needed to establish the utility of targeting oxytocin signalling in obesity.
Belowground top-down and aboveground bottom-up effects structure multitrophic community relationships in a biodiverse forest
Authors: Schuldt Andreas , Bruelheide Helge , Buscot François , Assmann Thorsten , Erfmeier Alexandra , Klein Alexandra-Maria , Ma Keping , Scholten Thomas , Staab Michael , Wirth Christian , Zhang Jiayong , Wubet Tesfaye
Published: June 2017

Ecosystem functioning and human well-being critically depend on numerous species interactions above- and belowground. However, unraveling the structure of multitrophic interaction webs at the ecosystem level is challenging for biodiverse ecosystems. Attempts to identify major relationships between trophic levels usually rely on simplified proxies, such as species diversity. Here, we propose to consider the full information on species composition across trophic levels, using Procrustes correlation and structural equation models. We show that species composition data of a highly diverse subtropical forest―with 5,716 taxa across 25 trophic groups― reveal strong interrelationships among plants, arthropods, and microorganisms, indicating complex multitrophic interactions. We found substantial support for top-down effects of microorganisms belowground, indicating important feedbacks of microbial symbionts, pathogens, and decomposers on plant communities. In contrast, aboveground pathways were characterized by bottom-up control of plants on arthropods, including many non-trophic links. Additional analyses based on diversity patterns revealed much weaker interrelationships. Our study suggests that multitrophic communities in our forest system are structured via top-down effects of belowground biota on plants, which in turn affect aboveground arthropod communities across trophic levels. Moreover, the study shows that the consequences of species loss will be more complex than indicated by studies based solely on diversity.
Korean Variant Archive (KOVA): a reference database of genetic variations in the Korean population
Authors: Lee Sangmoon , Seo Jihae , Park Jinman , Nam Jae-Yong , Choi Ahyoung , Ignatius Jason S. , Bjornson Robert D. , Chae Jong-Hee , Jang In-Jin , Lee Sanghyuk , Park Woong-Yang , Baek Daehyun , Choi Murim
Published: June 2017

Despite efforts to interrogate human genome variation through large-scale databases, systematic preference toward populations of Caucasian descendants has resulted in unintended reduction of power in studying non-Caucasians. Here we report a compilation of coding variants from 1,055 healthy Korean individuals (KOVA; Korean Variant Archive). The samples were sequenced to a mean depth of 75x, yielding 101 singleton variants per individual. Population genetics analysis demonstrates that the Korean population is a distinct ethnic group comparable to other discrete ethnic groups in Africa and Europe, providing a rationale for such independent genomic datasets. Indeed, KOVA conferred 22.8% increased variant filtering power in addition to Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) when used on Korean exomes. Functional assessment of nonsynonymous variant supported the presence of purifying selection in Koreans. Analysis of copy number variants detected 5.2 deletions and 10.3 amplifications per individual with an increased fraction of novel variants among smaller and rarer copy number variable segments. We also report a list of germline variants that are associated with increased tumor susceptibility. This catalog can function as a critical addition to the pre-existing variant databases in pursuing genetic studies of Korean individuals.
Danhong injection reduces vascular remodeling and up-regulates the Kallikrein-kinin system in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Yang Xiaohu , Orgah John , Wang Dandan , Fan Guanwei , Jingyang Hu , Han Jihong , Qin Gangjian , Gao Xiumei , Zhu Yan
Published: June 2017

Although Danhong injection (DHI) is one of the most prescribed cardiovascular medicines in China, its therapeutic indications and mechanisms remain partially defined. We now identify molecular targets of DHI in resistance vasculatures and demonstrate its role in vascular function and blood pressure (BP) regulation. BP was determined in DHI, Losartan, and placebo- treated Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) by both noninvasive and invasive measurements. Vasorelaxation was examined both in conduit and resistance vasculature by ex vivo aortic rings. Microarray analysis was performed and gene expression changes were verified by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Diastolic, systolic and mean BPs were significantly lower in DHI-treated SHR than controls by both tail-cuff and invasive BP measurements. In ex vivo rings, aortic and mesenteric vessels from SHR treated with DHI exhibited significantly greater acetylcholine-mediated relaxation. Among the 282 genes that are differentially expressed in microarray analysis, DHI treatment up-regulated the expression of kallikrein and plasma kallikrein B genes. DHI also significantly increased serum kallikrein content in SHR. Treatment with DHI significantly increased the ratio of aortic lumen to outer diameter. Therefore, the reduction of vascular remodeling and the up-regulation of Kallikrein-kinin system contribute, at least in part, to the antihypertensive effect of DHI in SHR.
Ionic salt (4-ethoxybenzyl)-triphenylphosphonium bromide as a green corrosion inhibitor on mild steel in acidic medium: experimental and theoretical evaluation
Authors: Kumar Sudershan , Goyal Madhusudan , Vashisht Hemlata , Sharma Vandana , Bahadur Indra , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: June 2017

Electrochemical results show that the EBTPPB compound has good inhibiting features for MS corrosion in a corrosive medium, with efficiencies of approximately 98% at an optimum concentration.
Breathing-induced new phase transition in an MIL-53(Al)–NH2 metal–organic framework under high methane pressures
Authors: Bolinois Linius , Kundu Tanay , Wang Xuerui , Wang Yuxiang , Hu Zhigang , Koh Kenny , Zhao Dan
Published: June 2017

The room temperature methane sorption tests on a flexible MOF reveal a new phase transition to a large pore phase above 45 bar, which is helpful to increase the deliverable capacity for natural gas storage.
Expeditious synthesis of pyrano[2,3,4-de]quinolines via Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade C–H activation/annulation/lactonization of quinolin-4-ol with alkynes
Authors: Liao Gang , Song Hong , Yin Xue-Song , Shi Bing-Feng
Published: June 2017

One-step synthesis of tetracyclic pyrano[2,3,4-de]quinolones via Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade C–H activation/annulation/lactonization is described.
Effect of O2, CO2 and N2O on Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst oxygen mobility in n-butane activation and conversion to 1,3-butadiene
Authors: Dasireddy Venkata D. B. C. , Huš Matej , Likozar Blaž
Published: June 2017

A commercial heterogeneous Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst was tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reaction of n-butane with different oxidant species: O2, CO2 and N2O.
Evidence of bad recycling practices: BFRs in children's toys and food-contact articles
Authors: Guzzonato A. , Puype F. , Harrad S. J.
Published: June 2017

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been used intentionally in a wide range of plastics, but are now found in an even wider range of such materials (including children's toys and food contact articles) as a result of recycling practices that mix BFR-containing waste plastics with “virgin” materials.
In vitro modulation of gut microbiota by whey protein to preserve intestinal health
Authors: Sánchez-Moya T. , López-Nicolás R. , Planes D. , González-Bermúdez C. A. , Ros-Berruezo G. , Frontela-Saseta C.
Published: June 2017

The effect of several types of whey milk was assessed in the human microbiota.
A temperature and electric field-responsive flexible smart film with full broadband optical modulation
Authors: Liang Xiao , Guo Shumeng , Chen Mei , Li Chenyue , Wang Qian , Zou Cheng , Zhang Cuihong , Zhang Lanying , Guo Shaojun , Yang Huai
Published: June 2017

This study provides a flexible multi-responsive smart film with a broadband optical modulation containing tin doped indium oxide nanocrystals and a phase-separated liquid crystal-polymer.
Probing functional roles of Wilson disease protein (ATP7B) copper-binding domains in yeast
Authors: Ponnandai Shanmugavel Kumaravel , Petranovic Dina , Wittung-Stafshede Pernilla
Published: June 2017

A double deleted yeast system was developed to probe activity of human ATP7B variants in the presence of human Atox1.
Application of an addition–fragmentation-chain transfer monomer in di(meth)acrylate network formation to reduce polymerization shrinkage stress
Authors: Shah Parag K. , Stansbury Jeffrey W. , Bowman Christopher N.
Published: June 2017

Reduction in photopolymerization-induced shrinkage stress is achieved using an addition–fragmentation chain transfer moiety incorporated into a dimethacrylate monomer that participates in network formation with multifunctional (meth)acrylates.
Aqueous solution behaviour of novel water-soluble amphiphilic copolymers with elevated hydrophobic unit content
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Blakey Idriss , Whittaker Andrew K.
Published: June 2017

The synthesis and aqueous solution behaviour of water-soluble copolymers poly(OEGMA-stat-styrene)-b-PDMAPMA with a relatively high content of styrene units were explored.
Study of the RAFT homopolymerization and copolymerization of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide hydrochloride and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the resulting homo- and copolymers
Authors: Singhsa Pratyawadee , Manuspiya Hathaikarn , Narain Ravin
Published: June 2017

Well-defined p(DMAPMA·HCl) homopolymers with good chain extension ability were obtained by the RAFT in acidic conditions and precipitation in acetone.
Dielectric and nonlinear optical dual switching in an organic–inorganic hybrid relaxor [(CH3)3PCH2OH][Cd(SCN)3]
Authors: Zheng Xuan , Shi Ping-Ping , Lu Yang , Zhou Lin , Gao Ji-Xing , Geng Fu-Juan , Wu De-Hong , Fu Da-Wei , Ye Qiong
Published: June 2017

[(CH3)3PCH2OH][Cd(SCN)3] exhibits dielectric and nonlinear optical dual switching with reversible phase transition as an organic–inorganic hybrid relaxor.
Thermal-induced surface defective Co/Fe–Co planar hybrid composite nanosheet with enhanced catalytic activity in the Fenton-like reaction
Authors: Yang Fu , Wang Bangbang , Su Hang , Zhou Shijian , Kong Yan
Published: June 2017

The unexpected Co/Fe–Co planar hybrid nanosheets catalyst with serried surface defects including biphasic junction sites or defective holes were prepared.
Ionic liquids are not innocent in Pd catalysis. C–H arylation of thiazolium and imidazolium ionic liquids with aryl halides
Authors: Fukuyama Takahide , Rahman Md. Taifur , Mashima Hiroshi , Takahashi Hideo , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: June 2017

The ionic liquids bearing an aromatic vinylic C–H moiety are not innocent during Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides. Palladium-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of thiazolium and imidazolium ionic liquids took place to give arylated ionic liquids.
Ag(i)-Catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 4-fluorobenzo[b][1,6] naphthyridines and 4-fluoroisoquinolines via iminofluorination of alkynes with Selectfluor
Authors: Mishra Kalpana , Singh Jay Bahadur , Gupta Tanu , Singh Radhey M.
Published: June 2017

Ag(i)-Catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 4-fluorobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines is described from o-alkynylquinolinyl aldehydes through imines.
The conversion of donor to acceptor and rational design for diketopyrrolopyrrole-containing small molecule acceptors by introducing nitrogen-atoms for organic solar cells
Authors: Pan Jie , Yin Hang , Xie Yu-Zhong , Sun Guang-Yan , Su Zhong-Min
Published: June 2017

Following the introduction of nitrogen, a donor could convert into an acceptor, the conversion mechanism of which, acquired from theoretical calculations, will promote the development of acceptors.
New instrumentation for large-scale quantitative analysis of components spanning a wide polarity range by column-switching hydrophilic interaction chromatography-turbulent flow chromatography-reversed phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Song Qingqing , Zhao Yunfang , Chen Xiaojia , Li Jun , Li Peng , Jiang Yong , Wang Yitao , Song Yuelin , Tu Pengfei
Published: June 2017

New instrumentation, namely column-switching HILIC-TFC-RPLC-MS/MS, was configured for large-scale quantitative analysis of components spanning a wide polarity range in a mimic complicated sample.
Selective and colorimetric detection of Ba2+ ions in aqueous solutions using 11-mercaptoundecylphosphonic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles
Authors: García Grajeda Blanca A. , Soto Acosta Samuel G. , Aguila Sergio A. , Guevara Héctor Peinado , Díaz-García Marta E. , Enríquez Adriana Cruz , Campos-Gaxiola José J.
Published: June 2017

In this paper we describe a simple colorimetric method for the sensitive and selective detection of Ba2+ ions, using 11-mercaptoundecylphosphonic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs–MPA) in aqueous solution.
Facile synthesis of uniformly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles on a polystyrene/rGO matrix and its superior electrical conductivity and photocurrent generation
Authors: Jeyavelan M. , Ramesh A. , Rathes Kannan R. , Sonia T. , Rugunandhiri K. , Hudson M. Sterlin Leo
Published: June 2017

Herein, a ZnO/PS/rGO composite was prepared via a simple reflex method and its microstructural and physical properties were characterized using XRD, SEM, HRTEM, TGA, FTIR, UV-visible, PL spectroscopy, PCTR and OCVD measurements.
Optical properties and structural phase transitions of W-doped VO2(R) under pressure
Authors: Zhang Huafang , Guan Zhou , Cheng Benyuan , Li Quanjun , Liu Ran , Zhang Jing , Liu Zhenxian , Yang Ke , Cui Tian , Liu Bingbing
Published: June 2017

The structure transition sequence of W–VO2(R) nanoparticles follows rutile (R) → orthorhombic (CaCl2-type) → monoclinic (Mx) within metallic phases.
Biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by environmental strains of filamentous fungi
Authors: Kozłowska Ewa , Urbaniak Monika , Kancelista Anna , Dymarska Monika , Kostrzewa-Susłow Edyta , Stępień Łukasz , Janeczko Tomasz
Published: June 2017

Study on the ability of selected filamentous fungus species to transform dehydroepiandrosterone was performed (DHEA) and interesting DHEA derivatives were obtained with high yield.
Transformation behavior of potassium during pyrolysis of biomass
Authors: Chen Chen , Luo Zhongyang , Yu Chunjiang , Wang Tao , Zhang Hengli
Published: June 2017

Quantitatively study on K transformation (conversion of KCl, water-insoluble K, and K2CO3) by using KCl-loaded cellulose as fuels.
Facile synthesis of nanocrystalline-assembled nest-like NiO hollow microspheres with superior lithium storage performance
Authors: Li Yanwei , Zheng Yuanyuan , Yao Jinhuan , Xiao Jianrong , Yang Jianwen , Xiao Shunhua
Published: June 2017

Interconnected nest-like NiO hollow microspheres assembled from nanocrystallites are prepared by a facile hydrothermal method followed by annealing at 700 °C in air.
Intestinal absorption and neuroprotective effects of kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside
Authors: Ma Yingcong , Liu Yujie , Sun Aning , Du Yitian , Ye Min , Pu Xiaoping , Qi Xianrong
Published: June 2017

Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (K3R) has been proven to have biological activities for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
Fabrication and evaluation of a highly durable and reliable chloride monitoring sensor for civil infrastructure
Authors: Karthick Subbiah , Kwon Seung-Jun , Lee Han Seung , Muralidharan Srinivasan , Saraswathy Velu , Natarajan Rethinam
Published: June 2017

A solid-state alkaline stable polymer coated Ag/AgCl sensor was fabricated for chloride sensing in concrete structures.
Controlling the bandgap in graphene/h-BN heterostructures to realize electron mobility for high performing FETs
Authors: Behera Sushant Kumar , Deb Pritam
Published: June 2017

Electric field induced field-effect mobility and nontrivial Z2 topological phase transition in graphene sandwiched by h-BN bilayers.
Direct synthesis of a carbon nanotube interpenetrated doped porous carbon alloy as a durable Pt-free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline medium
Authors: Unni Sreekuttan M. , Anilkumar Gopinathan M. , Matsumoto Masashi , Tamaki Takanori , Imai Hideto , Yamaguchi Takeo
Published: June 2017

The carbon nanotube interpenetrated porous doped carbon alloy derived from trimetallic ZIF displays excellent oxygen reduction activity in alkaline media.
NaCl multistage-recrystallization-induced formation of 3D micro-structured ribbon-like graphene based films for high performance flexible/transparent supercapacitors
Authors: Li Na , Huang Xuankai , Zhang Haiyan , Shi Zhicong , Li Yunyong , Wang Chengxin
Published: June 2017

Micro-structured interconnected ribbon-like graphene sheet hanging in polygonal graphene walls was developed; the ribbons were formed along grain boundaries during the NaCl multistage-recrystallization process.
Recent progress in fabrication and application of polydimethylsiloxane sponges
Authors: Zhu Deyong , Handschuh-Wang Stephan , Zhou Xuechang
Published: June 2017

Polydimethylsiloxane-based sponges have emerged with diverse applications in energy, environmental engineering, electronics, sensors, photocatalysis, etc.
Facile preparation of full-color emissive carbon dots and their applications in imaging of the adhesion of erythrocytes to endothelial cells
Authors: Lai Zhiqiang , Yang Xiaojuan , Li Aiqun , Qiu Youyi , Cai Jiye , Yang PeiHui
Published: June 2017

Full-color emissive carbon dots were facilely prepared and applied in imaging of endothelial cells and their adhesion with erythrocytes.
Encapsulation of Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles into a polymer nanoarchitecture with combined near infrared-triggered chemo-photothermal therapy based on intracellular secondary protein understanding
Authors: Chen Ching-Wen , Syu Wei-Jhe , Huang Tzu-Chi , Lee Yao-Chang , Hsiao Jong-Kai , Huang Kuo-Yi , Yu Hsiu-Ping , Liao Mei-Yi , Lai Ping-Shan
Published: June 2017

We report an intracellular secondary protein understanding after NIR-triggered chemo-photothermal therapy.
Facet-engineered CeO2/graphene composites for enhanced NO2gas-sensing
Authors: Zhang Lizhai , Fang Qinglong , Huang Yuhong , Xu Kewei , Ma Fei , Chu Paul K.
Published: June 2017

An effective approach to enhance the gas sensing performance of CeO2/graphene composites at room temperature is demonstrated and discussed.
Modeling Alphabet Skills as Instructive Feedback Within a Phonological Awareness Intervention
Authors: Olszewski Arnold , Soto Xigrid , Goldstein Howard
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study evaluated the efficacy of an instructive feedback strategy for modeling letter names and sounds during presentation of positive feedback within a small-group phonological awareness intervention for preschoolers.

Method

Two experiments were conducted using multiple-baseline designs across children and behaviors. Letter name and sound identification and performance on a phonological awareness fluency measure served as the primary outcome variables. Six children completed Experiment 1. A progressive time delay was added to instructive feedback to elicit a response from the 9 children in the second experiment.

Results

In the first experiment, 6 children demonstrated gains on phonological awareness but not alphabet knowledge. With the addition of progressive time delay in the second experiment, all 9 children demonstrated gains on letter name and sound identification as well as phonological awareness skills.

Conclusions

Progressive time delay to prompt children's responses appears to bolster the effects of instructive feedback as an efficient strategy for modeling alphabet skills within a broader early literacy curriculum. Modeling alphabet skills did not detract from, and may have enhanced, phonological awareness instruction for preschoolers.
Simplified MPCC for four‐switch three‐phase inverter‐fed PMSM
Authors: Su Junpan , Sun Dan
Published: June 2017

A simplified model predictive current control (MPCC) for four‐switch three‐phase inverter (FSTPI)‐fed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) considering the periodic fluctuation of the capacitor voltages is proposed. After analysing the inherent features of the FSTPI‐fed PMSM system, an offset voltage vector and an ideal reference voltage vector are defined, which allows to deal with the reference voltage in the ideal voltage vector plane. Thus, the sector division is simplified. Furthermore, a concept of virtual duty cycle is introduced to employ an equivalent null vector in the MPCC in order to reduce the current ripples. Combining with a simple sector division, the active voltage vector and its virtual duty cycle are determined with only one prediction. Comparative experimental studies between the conventional and the proposed MPCC are executed to validate the feasibility of the proposed simplified MPCC.