bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The structural basis of proton driven zinc transport by ZntB
Authors: Gati Cornelius , Stetsenko Artem , Slotboom Dirk J. , Scheres Sjors H. W. , Guskov Albert
Published: October 2017

Zinc is an essential microelement to sustain all forms of life. However, excess of zinc is toxic, therefore dedicated import, export and storage proteins for tight regulation of the zinc concentration have evolved. In Enterobacteriaceae, several membrane transporters are involved in zinc homeostasis and linked to virulence. ZntB has been proposed to play a role in the export of zinc, but the transport mechanism of ZntB is poorly understood and based only on experimental characterization of its distant homologue CorA magnesium channel. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of full-length ZntB from Escherichia coli together with the results of isothermal titration calorimetry, and radio-ligand uptake and fluorescent transport assays on ZntB reconstituted into liposomes. Our results show that ZntB mediates Zn2+ uptake, stimulated by a pH gradient across the membrane, using a transport mechanism that does not resemble the one proposed for homologous CorA channels.
Dense fluidized granular media in microgravity
Authors: Born Philip , Schmitz Johannes , Sperl Matthias
Published: October 2017

Handling and transport of granular media are inevitably governed by the settling of particles. Settling into a dense state is one of the defining characteristics of granular media, among dissipation and absence of thermal agitation. Hence, settling complicates the adaptation of microscopic theories from atomic, molecular, or colloidal media to granular media. It is desirable to provide experiments in which selectively one of the granular characteristics is tuned to test suitable adaptation of a theory. Here we show that gas fluidization of granular media in microgravity is a suitable approach to achieve steady states closer to thermally agitated systems free of settling. We use diffusing-wave spectroscopy to compare the spatial homogeneity and the microscopic dynamics of gas-fluidized granular media on the ground and in drop tower flights with increasing packing densities up to full arrest. The gas fluidization on the ground leads to inhomogeneous states as known from fluidized beds, and partial arrest occurs at packing fractions lower than the full arrested packing. The granular medium in microgravity in contrast attains a homogeneous state with complete mobilization even close to full arrest. Fluidized granular media thus can be studied in microgravity with dynamics and packing fractions not achievable on the ground.
Developing a platform system for gene delivery: amplifying virus-like particles (AVLP) as an influenza vaccine
Authors: Wei Huiling , Chen Zhenhai , Elson Andrew , Li Zhuo , Abraham Mathew , Phan Shannon , Kristhnamurthy Sateesh , McCray Paul B. , Andrews Seth , Stice Steve , Sakamoto Kaori , Jones Cheryl , Tompkins S. Mark , He Biao
Published: October 2017

Delivery of a gene of interest to target cells is highly desirable for translational medicine, such as gene therapy, regenerative medicine, vaccine development, and studies of gene function. Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), a paramyxovirus with a negative-sense RNA genome, normally infects cells without causing obvious cytopathic effect, and it can infect many cell types. To exploit these features of PIV5, we established a system generating self-amplifying, virus-like particles (AVLP). Using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a reporter, AVLP encoding EGFP (AVLP–EGFP) successfully delivered and expressed the EGFP gene in primary human cells, including stem cells, airway epithelial cells, monocytes, and T cells. To demonstrate the application of this system for vaccine development, we generated AVLPs to express the HA and M1 antigens from the influenza A virus strain H5N1 (AVLP–H5 and AVLP–M1H5). Immunization of mice with AVLP–H5 and AVLP–M1H5 generated robust antibody and cellular immune responses. Vaccination with a single dose of AVLP–H5 and M1H5 completely protected mice against lethal H5N1 challenge, suggesting that the AVLP-based system is a promising platform for delivery of desirable genes.
Single Crystal Growth and Spin Polarization Measurements of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor (BaK)(ZnMn)2As2
Authors: Zhao G. Q. , Lin C. J. , Deng Z. , Gu G. X. , Yu S. , Wang X. C. , Gong Z. Z. , Uemura Yasutomo J. , Li Y. Q. , Jin C. Q.
Published: October 2017

Recently a new diluted magnetic semiconductor, (Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)2As2 (BZA), with high Curie temperature was discovered, showing an independent spin and charge-doping mechanism. This makes BZA a promising material for spintronics devices. We report the successful growth of a BZA single crystal for the first time in this study. An Andreev reflection junction, which can be used to evaluate spin polarization, was fabricated based on the BZA single crystal. A 66% spin polarization of the BZA single crystal was obtained by Andreev reflection spectroscopy analysis.
Transcriptional responses of wheat and the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae during their early contact stage
Authors: Chen Changlong , Cui Lei , Chen Yongpan , Zhang Hongjun , Liu Pei , Wu Peipei , Qiu Dan , Zou Jingwei , Yang Dan , Yang Li , Liu Hongwei , Zhou Yang , Li Hongjie
Published: October 2017

Cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) is attracted to and aggregated around wheat roots to initiate infection, but this interaction between wheat and the nematode is not fully understood. The transcriptional responses of both wheat and H. avenae were examined during their early contact stage by mRNA sequencing analysis; certain numbers of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using quantitative real-time PCR. The immobile host wheat root only had 93 DEGs (27 up-regulated and 66 down-regulated), while the mobile plant parasitic nematode reacted much more actively with 879 DEGs (867 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated). Among them, a number of wheat DEGs (mostly down-regulated) were involved in biotic stress pathways, while several putative effector genes were up-regulated in the nematode DEGs. One putative chitinase-like effector gene of H. avenae was able to suppress BAX-triggered programmed cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. Results of these experiments demonstrated that nematode responded more actively than wheat during the contact stage of parasitism. The parasite’s responses mainly involved up-regulation of genes including at least one anti-plant-defence effector gene, whereas the host responses mainly involved down-regulation of certain defence-related genes.
Translational utility of a hierarchical classification strategy in biomolecular data analytics
Authors: Galea Dieter , Inglese Paolo , Cammack Lidia , Strittmatter Nicole , Rebec Monica , Mirnezami Reza , Laponogov Ivan , Kinross James , Nicholson Jeremy , Takats Zoltan , Veselkov Kirill A.
Published: October 2017

Hierarchical classification (HC) stratifies and classifies data from broad classes into more specific classes. Unlike commonly used data classification strategies, this enables the probabilistic prediction of unknown classes at different levels, minimizing the burden of incomplete databases. Despite these advantages, its translational application in biomedical sciences has been limited. We describe and demonstrate the implementation of a HC approach for “omics-driven” classification of 15 bacterial species at various taxonomic levels achieving 90–100% accuracy, and 9 cancer types into morphological types and 35 subtypes with 99% and 76% accuracy, respectively. Unknown bacterial species were probabilistically assigned with 100% accuracy to their respective genus or family using mass spectra (n = 284). Cancer types were predicted by mRNA data (n = 1960) for most subtypes with 95–100% accuracy. This has high relevance in clinical practice where complete datasets are difficult to compile with the continuous evolution of diseases and emergence of new strains, yet prediction of unknown classes, such as bacterial species, at upper hierarchy levels may be sufficient to initiate antimicrobial therapy. The algorithms presented here can be directly translated into clinical-use with any quantitative data, and have broad application potential, from unlabeled sample identification, to hierarchical feature selection, and discovery of new taxonomic variants.
Freeform micropatterning of living cells into cell culture medium using direct inkjet printing
Authors: Park Ju An , Yoon Sejeong , Kwon Jimin , Now Hesung , Kim Young Kwon , Kim Woo-Jong , Yoo Joo-Yeon , Jung Sungjune
Published: October 2017

Microfabrication methods have widely been used to control the local cellular environment on a micron scale. However, accurately mimicking the complexity of the in vivo tissue architecture while maintaining the freedom of form and design is still a challenge when co-culturing multiple types of cells on the same substrate. For the first time, we present a drop-on-demand inkjet printing method to directly pattern living cells into a cell-friendly liquid environment. High-resolution control of cell location is achieved by precisely optimizing printing parameters with high-speed imaging of cell jetting and impacting behaviors. We demonstrated the capabilities of the direct cell printing method by co-printing different cells into various designs, including complex gradient arrangements. Finally, we applied this technique to investigate the influence of the heterogeneity and geometry of the cell population on the infectivity of seasonal H1N1 influenza virus (PR8) by generating A549 and HeLa cells printed in checkboard patterns of different sizes in a medium-filled culture dish. Direct inkjet cell patterning can be a powerful and versatile tool for both fundamental biology and applied biotechnology.
Discovery of targetable genetic alterations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer using a next-generation sequencing-based circulating tumor DNA assay
Authors: Hou Helei , Yang Xiaonan , Zhang Jinping , Zhang Zhe , Xu Xiaomei , Zhang Xiaoping , Zhang Chuantao , Liu Dong , Yan Weihua , Zhou Na , Zhu Hongmei , Qian Zhaoyang , Li Zhuokun , Zhang Xiaochun
Published: October 2017

Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays have provided a new method of identifying tumor-driving genes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), especially in those whose cancer tissues are unavailable or in those that have acquired treatment resistance. Here, we describe a total of 119 patients with advanced EGFR-TKI-naive NSCLC and 15 EGFR-TKI-resistant patients to identify somatic SNVs, small indels, CNVs and gene fusions in 508 tumor-related genes. Somatic ctDNA mutations were detected in 82.8% (111/134) of patients in the total cohort. Of the 119 patients with advanced NSCLC, 27.7% (33/119) were suitable for treatment with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline-approved targeted drugs. Actionable genetic alterations included 25 EGFR mutations, 5 BRAF mutations, and 1 MET mutation, as well as 1 EML4-ALK gene fusion and 1 KIF5B-RET gene fusion. In 19.3% (23/119) of the patients, we also identified genomic alterations with that could be targeted by agents that are in clinical trials, such as mTOR inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, and CDK4/6 inhibitors. Additionally, the EGFR T790M mutation was found in 46.7% (7/15) of the patients with EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC, suggesting that the NGS-based ctDNA assay might be an optional method to monitor EGFR-TKI resistance and to discover mechanisms of drug resistance.
A fossil species of the enigmatic early polypod fern genus Cystodium (Cystodiaceae) in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar
Authors: Regalado Ledis , Schmidt Alexander R. , Appelhans Marc S. , Ilsemann Bork , Schneider Harald , Krings Michael , Heinrichs Jochen
Published: October 2017

The monospecific fern genus Cystodium (Cystodiaceae; Polypodiales) occurs exclusively in the tropical forests of the Malay Archipelago, the Admiralty Islands, the Louisiade Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands. Divergence time estimates suggest that the genus originated in the Mesozoic; however, fossil evidence to validate this suggestion has been lacking. Amber from Myanmar (Burmese amber) is an important source of new information on the diversity of vascular cryptogams in the Cretaceous. This paper describes the fossil taxon Cystodium sorbifolioides nov. sp. based on a fragment of a fertile leaf preserved in Burmese amber that represents the first fossil evidence of the family Cystodiaceae. Cystodium sorbifolioides is used to obtain a minimum age estimate for the Cystodiaceae and the closely related, monogeneric Lonchitidaceae and Lindsaeaceae. The fossil strengthens the hypothesis that the forest ecosystems of Malesia and Melanesia represent refugia for many tropical plant lineages that originated in the Cretaceous.
Signatures of adaptation and symbiosis in genomes and transcriptomes of Symbiodinium
Authors: González-Pech Raúl A. , Ragan Mark A. , Chan Cheong Xin
Published: October 2017

Symbiodiniumis best-known as the photosynthetic symbiont of corals, but some clades are symbiotic in other organisms or include free-living forms. Identifying similarities and differences among these clades can help us understand their relationship with corals, and thereby inform on measures to manage coral reefs in a changing environment. Here, using sequences from 24 publicly available transcriptomes and genomes ofSymbiodinium, we assessed 78,389 gene families inSymbiodiniumclades and the immediate outgroupPolarella glacialis, and identified putative overrepresented functions in gene families that (1) distinguishSymbiodiniumfrom other members of Order Suessiales, (2) are shared by all of theSymbiodiniumclades for which we have data, and (3) based on available information, are specific to each clade. Our findings indicate that transmembrane transport, mechanisms of response to reactive oxygen species, and protection against UV radiation are functions enriched in allSymbiodiniumclades but not inP. glacialis. Enrichment of these functions indicates the capability ofSymbiodiniumto establish and maintain symbiosis, and to respond and adapt to its environment. The observed differences in lineage-specific gene families imply extensive genetic divergence among clades. Our results provide a platform for future investigation of lineage- or clade-specific adaptation ofSymbiodiniumto their environment.
Ambipolar field role in formation of electron distribution function in gas discharge plasma
Authors: Yuan Chengxun , Bogdanov E. A. , Kudryavtsev A. A. , Rabadanov K. M. , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: October 2017

It is shown that the local approximation for electron distribution function (EDF) determination at plasma periphery, where the ambipolar field is dominant, is not applicable even at high pressures when the characteristic plasma size exceeds the energy relaxation length of the electrons R > λ
ε
. Therefore, consistent results can be obtained only when solving the complete kinetic equation in both energy and spatial variables (i.e. it is necessary to solve nonlocal kinetic equation).
Rotational Diffusion of Soft Vesicles Filled by Chiral Active Particles
Authors: Chen Jiamin , Hua Yunfeng , Jiang Yangwei , Zhou Xiaolin , Zhang Linxi
Published: October 2017

We investigate the dynamics of two-dimensional soft vesicles filled with chiral active particles by employing the overdamped Langevin dynamics simulation. The unidirectional rotation is observed for soft vesicles, and the rotational angular velocity of vesicles depends mainly on the area fraction (ρ) and angular velocity (ω) of chiral active particles. There exists an optimal parameter for ω at which the rotational angular velocity of vesicle takes its maximal value. Meanwhile, at low concentration the continuity of curvature is destroyed seriously by chiral active particles, especially for large ω, and at high concentration the chiral active particles cover the vesicle almost uniformly. In addition, the center-of-mass mean square displacement for vesicles is accompanied by oscillations at short timescales, and the oscillation period of diffusion for vesicles is consistent with the rotation period of chiral active particles. The diffusion coefficient of vesicle decreases monotonously with increasing the angular velocity ω of chiral active particles. Our investigation can provide a few designs for nanofabricated devices that can be driven in a unidirectional rotation by chiral active particles or could be used as drug-delivery agent.
A teleost CD46 is involved in the regulation of complement activation and pathogen infection
Authors: Li Mo-fei , Sui Zhi-hai , Sun Li
Published: October 2017

In mammals, CD46 is involved in the inactivation of complement by factor I (FI). In teleost, study on the function of CD46 is very limited. In this study, we examined the immunological property of a CD46 molecule (CsCD46) from tongue sole, a teleost species with important economic value. We found that recombinant CsCD46 (rCsCD46) interacted with FI and inhibited complement activation in an FI-dependent manner. rCsCD46 also interacted with bacterial pathogens via a different mechanism to that responsible for the FI interaction, involving different rCsCD46 sites. Cellular study showed that CsCD46 was expressed on peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and protected the cells against the killing effect of complement. When the CsCD46 on PBL was blocked by antibody before incubation of the cells with bacterial pathogens, cellular infection was significantly reduced. Consistently, when tongue sole were infected with bacterial pathogens in the presence of rCsCD46, tissue dissemination and survival of the pathogens were significantly inhibited. These results provide the first evidence to indicate that CD46 in teleosts negatively regulates complement activation via FI and protects host cells from complement-induced damage, and that CD46 is required for optimal bacterial infection probably by serving as a receptor for the bacteria.
Identification of novel cis-regulatory elements of Eya1 in Xenopus laevis using BAC recombineering
Authors: Maharana Santosh Kumar , Pollet Nicolas , Schlosser Gerhard
Published: October 2017

The multifunctional Eya1 protein plays important roles during the development of cranial sensory organs and ganglia, kidneys, hypaxial muscles and several other organs in vertebrates. Eya1 is encoded by a complex locus with candidate cis-regulatory elements distributed over a 329 kbp wide genomic region in Xenopus. Consequently, very little is currently known about how expression of Eya1 is controlled by upstream regulators. Here we use a library of Xenopus tropicalis genomic sequences in bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) to analyze the genomic region surrounding the Eya1 locus for enhancer activity. We used BAC recombineering to first create GFP reporter constructs, which were analysed for enhancer activity by injection into Xenopus laevis embryos. We then used a second round of BAC recombineering to create deletion constructs of these BAC reporters to localize enhancer activity more precisely. This double recombineering approach allowed us to probe a large genomic region for enhancer activity without assumptions on sequence conservation. Using this approach we were able to identify two novel cis-regulatory regions, which direct Eya1 expression to the somites, pharyngeal pouches, the preplacodal ectoderm (the common precursor region of many cranial sensory organs and ganglia), and other ectodermal domains.
Trichostatin A ameliorates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through modulation of the JNK-dependent Notch-2 signaling pathway
Authors: Tung Chun-Wu , Hsu Yung-Chien , Cai Chang-Jhih , Shih Ya-Hsueh , Wang Ching-Jen , Chang Pey-Jium , Lin Chun-Liang
Published: October 2017

Renal fibrosis is the final common pathological feature in a variety of chronic kidney disease. Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, reportedly attenuates renal fibrosis in various kidney disease models. However, the detailed molecular action of TSA in ameliorating renal fibrotic injury is not yet fully understood. In a cultured renal fibroblastic cell model, we showed that TGF-β1 triggers upregulation of α-SMA and fibronectin, two hallmarks of myofibroblastic activation. During the course of TGF-β1 treatment, activation of Smad2/3, p38, ERK, JNK and Notch-2 was also detected. Under the conditions, administration of TSA significantly decreased TGF-β1-stimulated expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, phospho-JNK, and cleaved Notch-2; however, the levels of phospho-Smad2/3, phospho-p38 and phospho-ERK remained unchanged. Pharmacological inhibition of different signaling pathways and genetic knockdown of Notch-2 further revealed JNK as an upstream effector of Notch-2 in TGF-β1-mediated renal fibrosis. Consistently, we also demonstrated that administration of TSA or a γ-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 in the mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction significantly ameliorated renal fibrosis through suppression of the JNK/Notch-2 signaling activation. Taken together, our findings provide further insights into the crosstalk among different signaling pathways in renal fibrosis, and elucidate the molecular action of TSA in attenuating fibrogenesis.
Microbial network of the carbonate precipitation process induced by microbial consortia and the potential application to crack healing in concrete
Authors: Zhang Jiaguang , Zhou Aijuan , Liu Yuanzhen , Zhao Bowei , Luan Yunbo , Wang Sufang , Yue Xiuping , Li Zhu
Published: October 2017

Current studies have employed various pure-cultures for improving concrete durability based on microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). However, there have been very few reports concerned with microbial consortia, which could perform more complex tasks and be more robust in their resistance to environmental fluctuations. In this study, we constructed three microbial consortia that are capable of MICP under aerobic (AE), anaerobic (AN) and facultative anaerobic (FA) conditions. The results showed that AE consortia showed more positive effects on inorganic carbon conversion than AN and FA consortia. Pyrosequencing analysis showed that clear distinctions appeared in the community structure between different microbial consortia systems. Further investigation on microbial community networks revealed that the species in the three microbial consortia built thorough energetic and metabolic interaction networks regarding MICP, nitrate-reduction, bacterial endospores and fermentation communities. Crack-healing experiments showed that the selected cracks of the three consortia-based concrete specimens were almost completely healed in 28 days, which was consistent with the studies using pure cultures. Although the economic advantage might not be clear yet, this study highlights the potential implementation of microbial consortia on crack healing in concrete.
Phosphodiester backbone of the CpG motif within immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides augments activation of Toll-like receptor 9
Authors: Pohar Jelka , Lainšček Duško , Kunšek Ana , Cajnko Miša-Mojca , Jerala Roman , Benčina Mojca
Published: October 2017

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) stimulatory CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) with phosphorothioate backbones have successfully replaced the naturally occurring agonists of TLR9 in drug development due to their increased stability. Replacing the nonbridging oxygen with a sulfur atom in the phosphate linkage of ODNs has been accepted as having a minor impact on the chemical and physical properties of the agonists. Here, we report that the TLR9 binding site exhibits a strong bias in favor of a phosphodiester backbone over the phosphorothioate backbone of the CpG motif. Furthermore, we show that while single point mutations of W47, W96 and K690 within the TLR9 binding site retains full TLR9 activation by phosphodiester-based ODNs, activation by phosphorothioate-based ODNs is strongly impaired. The substitution of a phosphorothioate linkage for a phosphodiester linkage of just the CpG motif considerably improves the activation potency of a phosphorothioate-based oligonucleotide for human B-cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, as well as for mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. Our results highlight the functional significance of the phosphodiester linkage of a CpG dinucleotide for binding, which is important in designing improved immunostimulatory TLR9 agonists.
EFHD2 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and correlates with postsurgical recurrence of stage I lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fan Chi-Chen , Cheng Wei-Chung , Huang Yu-Chuen , Sher Yuh-Pyng , Liou Nia-Jhen , Chien Yu-Chuan , Lin Pei-Shan , Lin Pei-Syuan , Chen Chung-Hsuan , Chang Wei-Chao
Published: October 2017

Surgery is the only curative treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, approximately one-third of these patients develop recurrence, which remains the main cause of mortality in the postsurgical treatment of NSCLC. Many molecular markers have been proposed to predict recurrence of early-stage disease, but no marker has demonstrated sufficient reliability for clinical application. In the present study, the novel protein EF-hand domain-containing protein D2 (EFHD2) was identified as expressed in highly metastatic tumor cells. EFHD2 increased the formation of protrusive invadopodia structures and cell migration and invasion abilities and promoted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) character of lung adenocarcinoma cells. We demonstrated that the mechanism of EFHD2 in enhancing EMT occurs partly through inhibition of caveolin-1 (CAV1) for cancer progression. The expression of EFHD2 was significantly correlated with postsurgical recurrence of patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma in the Kaplan-Meier-plotter cancer database search and our retrospective cohort study (HR, 6.14; 95% CI, 2.40–15.74; P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that EFHD2 expression was an independent clinical predictor for this disease. We conclude that EFHD2 expression is associated with increased metastasis and EMT and could serve as an independent marker to predict postsurgical recurrence of patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma.
Paracrine interactions between mesenchymal stem cells and macrophages are regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Saldaña Laura , Vallés Gema , Bensiamar Fátima , Mancebo Francisco José , García-Rey Eduardo , Vilaboa Nuria
Published: October 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) modulate the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response through the secretion of soluble factors. In addition to its classical effects on calcium homeostasis, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) has emerged as an important regulator of the immune system. The present study investigates whether 1,25D3 modulates the paracrine interactions between MSC and macrophages. 1,25D3 stimulated MSC to produce PGE2and VEGF and regulated the interplay between macrophages and MSC toward reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Conditioned media (CM) from co-cultures of macrophages and MSC impaired MSC osteogenesis. However, MSC cultured in CM from 1,25D3-treated co-cultures showed increased matrix maturation and mineralization. Co-culturing MSC with macrophages prevented the 1,25D3-induced increase in RANKL levels, which correlated with up-regulation of OPG secretion. MSC seeding in three-dimensional (3D) substrates potentiated their immunomodulatory effects on macrophages. Exposure of 3D co-cultures to 1,25D3 further reduced the levels of soluble factors related to inflammation and chemotaxis. As a consequence of 1,25D3 treatment, the recruitment of monocytes toward CM of 3D co-cultures decreased, while the osteogenic maturation of MSC increased. These data add new insights into the pleiotropic effects of 1,25D3 on the crosstalk between MSC and macrophages and highlight the role of the hormone in bone regeneration.
Morphology transition of the primary silicon particles in a hypereutectic A390 alloy in high pressure die casting
Authors: Wang J. , Guo Z. , Song J. L. , Hu W. X. , Li J. C. , Xiong S. M.
Published: October 2017

The microstructure of a high-pressure die-cast hypereutectic A390 alloy, including PSPs, pores, α-Al grains and Cu-rich phases, was characterized using synchrotron X-ray tomography, together with SEM, TEM and EBSD. The Cu-rich phases exhibited a net morphology and distributed at the boundaries of the α-Al grains, which in turn surrounded the PSPs. Statistical analysis of the reconstructed 1000 PSPs showed that both equivalent diameter and shape factor of the PSPs exhibited a unimodal distribution with peaks corresponding to 25 μm and 0.78, respectively.) PSPs morphology with multiple twinning were observed and morphological or growth transition of the PSPs from regular octahedral shape (with a shape factor of 0.85 was mainly caused by the constraint of the Cu-rich phases. In particular, the presence of the Cu-rich phases restricted the growth of the α-Al grains, inducing stress on the internal silicon particles, which caused multiple twinning occurrence with higher growth potential and consequently led to growth transitions of the PSPs.
Fourier transform infrared analysis of commercial formulations for Varroa treatment
Authors: Bounaas K. , Bouzidi N. , Daghbouche Y. , Garrigues S. , de la Guardia M. , El Hattab M.
Published: October 2017

Simultaneous determination of monoterpenes in commercial formulations.
Electrophoretic deposition hyphenated with electrochemical anodization for the fabrication of phenyl-functionalized mesoporous silica onto Nitinol fibers for selective solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Jin Panxia , Zhou Shanshan , Wang Huiju , Wang Ziyi , Wang Xuemei , Du Xinzhen
Published: October 2017

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was hyphenated with electrochemical anodization for the fabrication of phenyl modified mesoporous silica (MPS-Ph) particles onto Nitinol (NiTi) wire as a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber.
Flow-based food analysis: an overview of recent contributions
Authors: Sasaki Milton K. , Rocha Fábio R. P. , Batista Alex D. , Rocha Diogo L.
Published: October 2017

Analysis of food and beverages (e.g.determination of nutrients, additives, and contaminants) is benefited by the advantages provided by flow systems such as high precision and sampling rate, as well as low reagent consumption and waste generation.
3D assembly of preformed colloidal nanoparticles into gels and aerogels: function-led design
Authors: Wen Dan , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: October 2017

Nanoparticle-based aerogels combine the properties of traditional aerogels with those of nanoparticles, and hold promise for various applications following a function-led design.
A Zn-doped Ni3S2nanosheet array as a high-performance electrochemical water oxidation catalyst in alkaline solution
Authors: Liu Qin , Xie Lisi , Liu Zhiang , Du Gu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: October 2017

A Zn-doped Ni3S2nanosheet array on Ni foam (Zn-Ni3S2/NF) acts as a high-performance and durable electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in 1.0 M KOH, driving a catalytic current density of 100 mA cm−2at an overpotential of 330 mV, 90 mV less than that for Ni3S2/NF.
Dual-target cancer theranostic for glutathione S-transferase and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α inhibition
Authors: Li Zan , Ding Jie , Chen Chunxia , Chang Jiayin , Huang Binghuan , Geng Zhirong , Wang Zhilin
Published: October 2017

The theranostic F671 inhibits the activity of GSTP1-1 and suppresses HIF-1α levels for diagnostic imaging and synergetic cancer treatment.
Solubility and in vitro drug permeation behavior of ethenzamide cocrystals regulated in physiological pH environments
Authors: Khatioda Rajiv , Saikia Basanta , Das Pranab Jyoti , Sarma Bipul
Published: October 2017

Drug release behavior of few ethenzamide cocrystals was investigated at different pH buffers. Change in lipophilic behavior and conformational adjustment of drug along with supramolecular synthons were probed for their improved drug efficacy.
Novel meso-substituted trans-A2B2 porphyrins: synthesis and structure of their metal-mediated supramolecular assemblies
Authors: Goswami Soumyabrata , Tripuramallu Bharat Kumar , Goldberg Israel
Published: October 2017

Five novel trans-A2B2 porphyrins and their corresponding coordination polymers with transition metals have been synthesized. Absorption and emission studies and structural investigations define the coordination patterns of these compounds in the solid state.
Ternary Pt–Pd–Ag alloy nanoflowers for oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysis
Authors: Chalgin Aleksei , Shi Fenglei , Li Fan , Xiang Qian , Chen Wenlong , Song Chengyi , Tao Peng , Shang Wen , Deng Tao , Wu Jianbo
Published: October 2017

Elemental composition, dimensionality and morphology are the main factors that influence the catalytic activity and stability of platinum-based and noble metal alloy nanocatalysts.
Metal-enhanced Förster resonance energy transfer (ME-FRET) in anthracene/tetracene-doped crystal systems
Authors: Karnam L. , Brambilla L. , Del Zoppo M. , Bertarelli C.
Published: October 2017

Energy transfer in host–guest acene crystals fostered by metal nanoparticles resulting in efficient down-converted emission.
Coincident velocity map image reconstruction illustrated by the single-photon valence photoionisation of CF3SF5
Authors: Bodi Andras , Hemberger Patrick , Tuckett Richard P.
Published: October 2017

Photoion–photoelectron kinetic energy and angular anisotropy correlation maps reveal new details about the ionization mechanism.
Spin-dependent electron transport in C and Ge doped BN monolayers
Authors: Gupta Sanjeev K. , He Haiying , Lukačević Igor , Pandey Ravindra
Published: October 2017

The aliovalent doping in h-BN monolayers leads to unique features in the electron transport characteristics including significant enhancement of current at the dopant site, diode-like asymmetric current–voltage response, and spin-dependent current.
Acid-tolerant cyclodextrin-based ruthenium nanoparticles for the hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds in water
Authors: Noël Sébastien , Bourbiaux Dolorès , Tabary Nicolas , Ponchel Anne , Martel Bernard , Monflier Eric , Léger Bastien
Published: October 2017

Ru NPs, stabilized by a water soluble cationic β-cyclodextrin polymer, proved to be efficient for the hydrogenation of acid substrates.
Reactivity of sulfonyl-containing compounds with ditetrelenes
Authors: Tashkandi Nada Y. , Bourque Jeremy L. , Baines Kim M.
Published: October 2017

Ditetrelenes selectively reduce sulfonyl chlorides to sulfinates.
Rubidium containing thin films by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Sønsteby Henrik H. , Weibye Kristian , Bratvold Jon E. , Nilsen Ola
Published: October 2017

Filling in the gaps of the ALD periodic table: rubidium containing films deposited for the first time.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance of a hematite photoanode by decorating with Au–Pt core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Biyi , Fan Weiqiang , Mao Baodong , Shen Hao , Shi Weidong
Published: October 2017

The charge transfer process of the AuPt/α-Fe2O3 composite photoanode for photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
The development of phytosterol-lecithin mixed micelles and organogels
Authors: Matheson Andrew B. , Dalkas Georgios , Gromov Andrei , Euston Stephen R , Clegg Paul S.
Published: October 2017

We demonstrate that by mixing the phytosterol-ester oryzanol with lecithin in an organic solvent, both components may be dispersed at much higher concentrations than they may be individually. By adding water to these samples a solid like gel may be formed.
Treatment of dye wastewater nanofiltration concentrates containing high anion levels by a pH-sensitive nano-sized Fe(iii)@silica microgel
Authors: Zheng ChunMing , Lian DongYing , Chang ShuBin , Ma Chao , Du MengWei , Sun XiaoHong
Published: October 2017

The pH-sensitive dual effects of Fe(iii) in heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation and enhanced coagulation with silica microgel for the treatment of refractory nanofiltration concentrates.
Facile synthesis of nickel oxide thin films from PVP encapsulated nickel sulfide thin films: an efficient material for electrochemical sensing of glucose, hydrogen peroxide and photodegradation of dye
Authors: Jana Sumanta , Mondal Gopinath , Mitra Bibhas Chandra , Bera Pulakesh , Chakraborty Biswajit , Mondal Anup , Ghosh Ashutosh
Published: October 2017

Aerial oxidation of PVP-NiS thin films to synthesize NiO thin films; a potential material for electrochemical oxidation of glucose, reduction of peroxide and photodegradation of dye.
Nanofiber electrospinning in samarium complex-doped PMMA
Authors: Li Yue , Chen Baojie , Pun Edwin Yue Bun , Lin Hai
Published: October 2017

Herein, an electrospinning process of samarium complex-doped PMMAs was carried out to fabricate ultrafine fibers with a uniform diameter of about 230 nm.
Design of multifunctional phytate coated magnetic composites for combined therapy with antitumor drugs
Authors: Guo Xuejie , Li Rumin , Liu Jingyuan , Chen Rongrong , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Qi , Li Zhanshuang , Wang Jun
Published: October 2017

A multifunctional phytate coated magnetic nanocomposite was successfully synthesized with Zn ions via self-assembly route for combined therapy with antitumor drug.
Enhancing the power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells via selection of quinoxaline substituents
Authors: Karagaçtı Özge , Cevher Sevki Can , Hizalan Gonul , Hacioglu Serife O. , Toppare Levent , Cirpan Ali
Published: October 2017

Improvement of the power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells was successfully achieved by selecting appropriate quinoxaline substituents on the polymer backbone.
Complex interaction of caffeic acid with bovine serum albumin: calorimetric, spectroscopic and molecular docking evidence
Authors: Precupas Aurica , Sandu Romica , Leonties Anca Ruxandra , Anghel Dan-Florin , Popa Vlad Tudor
Published: October 2017

Binding of caffeic acid at low concentrations to bovine serum albumin enhances the thermal stability of the protein.
Enhancing the sensitivity of DNA detection by structurally modified solid-state nanopore
Authors: Lee Kidan , Lee Hyomin , Lee Seung-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Mi , Kim Ki-Bum , Kim Sung Jae
Published: October 2017

Guide nanostructures fabricated in front of conventional nanopore device would significantly increase both SNR and dwell time of DNA translocation.
Novel Ba-hexaferrite structural variations stabilized on the nanoscale as building blocks for epitaxial bi-magnetic hard/soft sandwiched maghemite/hexaferrite/maghemite nanoplatelets with out-of-plane easy axis and enhanced magnetization
Authors: Belec B. , Dražić G. , Gyergyek S. , Podmiljšak B. , Goršak T. , Komelj M. , Nogués J. , Makovec D.
Published: October 2017

A distinct structure of Ba-hexaferrite nanoplatelets can be presented as SRSRS stacking of cubic (Fe6O8)2+S and hexagonal (BaFe6O11)2−R structural blocks.
A 2D self-assembled MoS2/ZnIn2S4 heterostructure for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Li Weijia , Lin Zhaoyong , Yang Guowei
Published: October 2017

A 2D MoS2/ZnIn2S4 heterostructured photocatalyst with efficient hydrogen evolution performance was developed by a simple route.
Mid-infrared subwavelength modulator based on grating-assisted coupling of a hybrid plasmonic waveguide mode to a graphene plasmon
Authors: Kim Yonghan , Kwon Min-Suk
Published: October 2017

This work reports an ultracompact mid-infrared waveguide modulator which practically uses a graphene plasmon for an effective tuning mechanism.
Synthetic approaches to the C11–C27 fragments of bryostatins
Authors: Green Anthony P. , Hardy Simon , Thomas Eric J.
Published: October 2017

Modified Julia reactions and reactions of lithated dithianes have been used to prepare intermediates for a synthesis of bryostatins.
Adsorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) by humic acid (HA): characteristics and mechanism
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Lu Shaoyong , Liu Ying , Meng Wei , Zheng Binghui
Published: October 2017

The adsorption behavior and mechanisms of single adsorption and co-adsorption of ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole with HA were studied in detail.
30-Fold efficiency enhancement achieved in the perovskite light-emitting diodes
Authors: Ma Xing-Juan , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Xiong Zi-Yang , Zhang Yue , Yu Fu-Xing , Chen Ping , Xiong Zu-Hong , Gao Chun-Hong
Published: October 2017

30-Fold enhancement in electroluminescent performance in PeLEDs based on nearly 100% coverage perovskite film treated by only pumping away.
Carbon nanodots crosslinked photoluminescent alginate hydrogels
Authors: Wijayapala Rangana , Hashemnejad Seyed Meysam , Kundu Santanu
Published: October 2017

Multicolor, fluorescent, stable, alginate hydrogels are synthesized by crosslinking alginate chains with phenylenediamine based carbon nanodots.
Reactive molecular dynamics study of the decomposition mechanism of the environmentally friendly insulating medium C3F7CN
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxing , Li Yi , Chen Dachang , Xiao Song , Tian Shuangshuang , Tang Ju , Zhuo Ran
Published: October 2017

The decomposition mechanism of an environmentally friendly insulating medium C3F7CN was explored.
Thermoregulated phase-separable rhodium nanoparticle catalyst for selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones
Authors: Xue Xiuru , Niu Mingming , Xu Yicheng , Wang Yanhua
Published: October 2017

Highly efficient and recyclable thermoregulated phase-separable Rhnano catalysts applied for the selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones are presented.
The structure and properties of Co substituted Bi7Ti4NbO21with intergrowth phases
Authors: Liu Changhui , Chen Zezhi , Peng Ranran , Fu Zhengping , Zhai Xiaofang , Lu Yalin
Published: October 2017

Structure and properties of intergrowth Bi7Ti4−2xCoxNb1+xO21were studied in this work.
Beyond optical rotation: what's left is not always right in total synthesis
Authors: Joyce Leo A. , Nawrat Christopher C. , Sherer Edward C. , Biba Mirlinda , Brunskill Andrew , Martin Gary E. , Cohen Ryan D. , Davies Ian W.
Published: October 2017

Longstanding debate on the absolute configuration of frondosin B was definitively solved using circular dichroism spectroscopy.
A pure magnetite hydrogel: synthesis, properties and possible applications
Authors: Anastasova Elizaveta I. , Ivanovski Vladimir , Fakhardo Anna F. , Lepeshkin Artem I. , Omar Suheir , Drozdov Andrey S. , Vinogradov Vladimir V.
Published: October 2017

A magnetite-only hydrogel was prepared for the first time by weak base mediated gelation of stable magnetite hydrosols at room temperature.
Highly active two dimensional α-MoO3−x for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Datta R. S. , Haque F. , Mohiuddin M. , Carey B. J. , Syed N. , Zavabeti A. , Zhang B. , Khan H. , Berean K. J. , Ou J. Z. , Mahmood N. , Daeneke T. , Kalantar-zadeh K.
Published: October 2017

The development of earth-abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, with high activity and stability, is of great interest in the field of clean energy.
Impact of anti-biofouling surface coatings on the properties of nanomaterials and their biomedical applications
Authors: Li Yuancheng , Xu Yaolin , Fleischer Candace C. , Huang Jing , Lin Run , Yang Lily , Mao Hui
Published: October 2017

Various anti-biofouling surface coating materials for nanoparticles have been reviewed for the reduction of their non-specific interactions with biological systems.
Fluorescence detection of cholesterol using a nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot/chromium picolinate complex-based sensor
Authors: Sun Long , Li Shanshan , Ding Wei , Yao Yuewei , Yang Xueyun , Yao Cheng
Published: October 2017

A novel N-GQDs/CrPic-based cholesterol sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity has been constructed.
A simple mitochondrial targeting AIEgen for image-guided two-photon excited photodynamic therapy
Authors: Jiang Meijuan , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Li Xuesong , Gui Chen , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Qu Jianan , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2017

A simple AIE luminogen, IQ-TPA, with mitochondrial targeting was demonstrated for image-guided two-photon excited photodynamic therapy in cancer cells.
Facile growth of density- and diameter-controlled GaN nanobridges and their photodetector application
Authors: Kang Jin-Ho , Johar Muhammad Ali , Alshehri Bandar , Dogheche Elhadj , Ryu Sang-Wan
Published: October 2017

The growth of arrayed GaN nanobridges (NBs) and their application in a photodetector (PD) were studied.
Green-yellow emitting hybrid light emitting electrochemical cell
Authors: Di Marcantonio M. , Namanga J. E. , Smetana V. , Gerlitzki N. , Vollkommer F. , Mudring A.-V. , Bacher G. , Nannen E.
Published: October 2017

Greenish light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) reaching a lifetime of 271 hours at luminance of 1500 cd m−2 were realized by the introduction of a fluorinated ionic transition metal complex (iTMC) inside the ZnO nanocrystal hybrid-LEC device structure.
Highly efficient exciplex organic light-emitting devices employing a sputtered indium-tin oxide electrode with nano-pinhole morphology
Authors: Lee Chih-Chien , Shih Chun-Jen , Kumar Gautham , Biring Sajal , Sen Somaditya , Liu Shun-Wei
Published: October 2017

An exciplex-forming phosphorescent OLED with nano-pinhole sputtered ITO exhibiting a maximum external quantum efficiency (power efficiency) of 34% (132.8 lm W−1) was achieved.
Prompt synthesis of iridium organosol on DNA for catalysis and SERS applications
Authors: Sakthikumar K. , Anantharaj S. , Ede Sivasankara Rao , Karthick K. , Ravi G. , Karthik T. , Kundu Subrata
Published: October 2017

Microwave accelerated, prompt formation of chain-like Ir NPs on DNA scaffolds in ethanol had been succeeded for enhanced activities in catalytic nitroarene reduction and in SERS.
Impact of Performance Feedback in Family-Centered and Culturally Responsive Interview Instruction
Authors: Brown Jennifer A.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Conducting culturally responsive and family-centered diagnostic interviews is an important part of speech and language services. However, there is limited information on the effective ways to teach speech-language pathology graduate students to acquire these skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of performance feedback on graduate students' use of ethnographic principles, open-ended questions, and restating and summarizing comments in caregiver interviews.

Method

A randomized controlled crossover design (
n
= 26) was used to examine the differential effects of students receiving performance feedback or general feedback on role-play interviews. Ethnographic principles, open-ended questions, and restating and summarizing comments were measured at 3 time points: after class instruction (Groups 1 and 2), after the first feedback type allocation (Group 1: performance feedback; Group 2: general feedback), and after the second feedback type allocation (Group 1: general feedback; Group 2: performance feedback).

Results

Statistically significant increases, with large effect sizes, were found in students' use of ethnographic principles, open-ended questions, and restating and summarizing comments following the performance feedback conditions.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that performance feedback is an effective and efficient instructional procedure to increase culturally responsive and family-centered interview skills through an ethnographic interview approach in preservice speech-language pathology students.