bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED ARTICLE: miR-1301 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis by decreasing Wnt/β-catenin signaling through targeting BCL9
Authors: Yang Chao , Xu Yonghua , Cheng Feng , Hu Yuanchang , Yang Shikun , Rao Jianhua , Wang Xuehao
Published: August 2017

Metastasis is the major cause of the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and increasing evidence supports the contribution of miRNAs to cancer progression. However, the exact relationship between the level of miR-1301 expression and HCC cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis remains largely unknown. Quantitative PCR was used to evaluate the level of miR-1301 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines. Transwell and tube-formation assays were used to measure the effects of miR-1301 on HCC cell migration and invasion, and angiogenesis, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays and western blotting were used to confirm the miR-1301 target genes. We found that miR-1301 was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Low miR-1301 expression was associated with tumor vascular invasion and Edmondson grade. Gain- and loss-of-function assays demonstrated that miR-1301 inhibited the migration, invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. BCL9, upregulated in HCC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues, was inversely correlated to miR-1301 levels in HCC tissues. Through reporter gene and western blot assays, BCL9 was shown to be a direct miR-1301 target. BCL9 overexpression could partially reverse the effects of miR-1301 on HCC cell migration and invasion. Most importantly, miR-1301 overexpression markedly suppressed the death of xenograft mouse models of cancer by reducing tumor load, metastasis, and host angiogenesis by downregulating BCL9, β-catenin, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in tumor cells. Our observations suggested that miR-1301 inhibits HCC migration, invasion, and angiogenesis via decreasing Wnt/β-catenin signaling through targeting BCL9, and might be a therapeutic target for HCC.
Increased tumor-infiltrating CD45RA−CCR7− regulatory T-cell subset with immunosuppressive properties foster gastric cancer progress
Authors: Mao Fang-yuan , Kong Hui , Zhao Yong-liang , Peng Liu-sheng , Chen Weisan , Zhang Jin-yu , Cheng Ping , Wang Ting-ting , Lv Yi-pin , Teng Yong-sheng , Fu Xiao-long , Liu Yu-gang , Wu Xiao-long , Hao Chuan-jie , You Nan , Luo Ping , Yu Pei-wu , Zou Quan-ming , Guo Gang , Zhuang Yuan
Published: August 2017

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are major components of tumor-infiltrating immune cells with potent immunosuppressive properties in gastric cancer (GC) microenvironment. However, different subsets of the Tregs and their relevance to GC are unknown. Here, we found that patients with GC showed a significantly higher Tregs infiltration in tumors, and CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset constituted most tumor-infiltrating Tregs. Tumor-infiltrating CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset with an effector/memory phenotype accumulated in tumors and expressed low level of HLA-DR. Gastric tumor-derived TNF-α induced CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset with similar phenotype to their status in tumors and inhibited their HLA-DR expression via activating STAT3 phosphorylation. These tumor-associated CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset exerted superior immunosuppressive properties to effectively suppress CD8+ T cells’ anti-tumor function including CD8+ T-cell IFN-γ and granzyme B (GrB) production as well as CD8+ T-cell proliferation in vitro, and also contributed to the growth and progression of human gastric tumors in vivo, via IL-10 secretion and cell–cell contact mechanisms. Moreover, increased tumor-infiltrating CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset as well as higher intratumoral CD45RA−CCR7− Treg/CD8+ T-cell ratio was associated with advanced disease progression and reduced GC patient survival. This study therefore identifies a novel immunosuppressive pathway involving CD45RA−CCR7− Treg subset development within the GC microenvironment. Efforts to inhibit this pathway may therefore prove a valuable strategy to prevent, and to treat this immune suppressive of GC.
Identification of an insect-produced olfactory cue that primes plant defenses
Authors: Helms Anjel M. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Tröger Armin , Alborn Hans T. , Francke Wittko , Tooker John F. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: August 2017

It is increasingly clear that plants perceive and respond to olfactory cues. Yet, knowledge about the specificity and sensitivity of such perception remains limited. We previously documented priming of anti-herbivore defenses in tall goldenrod plants (Solidago altissima) by volatile emissions from a specialist herbivore, the goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis). Here, we explore the specific chemical cues mediating this interaction. We report that E,S-conophthorin, the most abundant component of the emission of male flies, elicits a priming response equivalent to that observed for the overall blend. Furthermore, while the strength of priming is dose dependent, plants respond even to very low concentrations of E,S-conophthorin relative to typical fly emissions. Evaluation of other blend components yields results consistent with the hypothesis that priming in this interaction is mediated by a single compound. These findings provide insights into the perceptual capabilities underlying plant defense priming in response to olfactory cues.
Biochemical phosphates observed using hyperpolarized 31P in physiological aqueous solutions
Authors: Nardi-Schreiber Atara , Gamliel Ayelet , Harris Talia , Sapir Gal , Sosna Jacob , Gomori J. Moshe , Katz-Brull Rachel
Published: August 2017

The dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization technology had previously enabled nuclear magnetic resonance detection of various nuclei in a hyperpolarized state. Here, we show the hyperpolarization of 31P nuclei in important biological phosphates (inorganic phosphate and phosphocreatine) in aqueous solutions. The hyperpolarized inorganic phosphate showed an enhancement factor >11,000 (at 5.8 T, 9.3% polarization) in D2O (T1 29.4 s). Deuteration and the solution composition and pH all affected the lifetime of the hyperpolarized state. This capability opens up avenues for real-time monitoring of phosphate metabolism, distribution, and pH sensing in the live body without ionizing radiation. Immediate changes in the microenvironment pH have been detected here in a cell-free system via the chemical shift of hyperpolarized inorganic phosphate. Because the 31P nucleus is 100% naturally abundant, future studies on hyperpolarized phosphates will not require expensive isotope labeling as is usually required for hyperpolarization of other substrates.
Glutamine metabolism regulates autophagy-dependent mTORC1 reactivation during amino acid starvation
Authors: Tan Hayden Weng Siong , Sim Arthur Yi Loong , Long Yun Chau
Published: August 2017

Activation of autophagy and elevation of glutamine synthesis represent key adaptations to maintain amino acid balance during starvation. In this study, we investigate the role of autophagy and glutamine on the regulation of mTORC1, a critical kinase that regulates cell growth and proliferation. We report that supplementation of glutamine alone is sufficient to restore mTORC1 activity during prolonged amino acid starvation. Inhibition of autophagy abolishes the restorative effect of glutamine, suggesting that reactivation of mTORC1 is autophagy-dependent. Inhibition of glutaminolysis or transamination impairs glutamine-mediated mTORC1 reactivation, suggesting glutamine reactivates mTORC1 specifically through its conversion to glutamate and restoration of non-essential amino acid pool. Despite a persistent drop in essential amino acid pool during amino acid starvation, crosstalk between glutamine and autophagy is sufficient to restore insulin sensitivity of mTORC1. Thus, glutamine metabolism and autophagy constitute a specific metabolic program which restores mTORC1 activity during amino acid starvation.
Multi-orbital charge transfer at highly oriented organic/metal interfaces
Authors: Zamborlini Giovanni , Lüftner Daniel , Feng Zhijing , Kollmann Bernd , Puschnig Peter , Dri Carlo , Panighel Mirko , Di Santo Giovanni , Goldoni Andrea , Comelli Giovanni , Jugovac Matteo , Feyer Vitaliy , Schneider Claus Michael
Published: August 2017

The molecule–substrate interaction plays a key role in charge injection organic-based devices. Charge transfer at molecule–metal interfaces strongly affects the overall physical and magnetic properties of the system, and ultimately the device performance. Here, we report theoretical and experimental evidence of a pronounced charge transfer involving nickel tetraphenyl porphyrin molecules adsorbed on Cu(100). The exceptional charge transfer leads to filling of the higher unoccupied orbitals up to LUMO+3. As a consequence of this strong interaction with the substrate, the porphyrin’s macrocycle sits very close to the surface, forcing the phenyl ligands to bend upwards. Due to this adsorption configuration, scanning tunneling microscopy cannot reliably probe the states related to the macrocycle. We demonstrate that photoemission tomography can instead access the Ni-TPP macrocycle electronic states and determine the reordering and filling of the LUMOs upon adsorption, thereby confirming the remarkable charge transfer predicted by density functional theory calculations.
Maximum entropy models capture melodic styles
Authors: Sakellariou Jason , Tria Francesca , Loreto Vittorio , Pachet Francois
Published: August 2017

We introduce a Maximum Entropy model able to capture the statistics of melodies in music. The model can be used to generate new melodies that emulate the style of a given musical corpus. Instead of using the n–body interactions of (n−1)–order Markov models, traditionally used in automatic music generation, we use a k-nearest neighbour model with pairwise interactions only. In that way, we keep the number of parameters low and avoid over-fitting problems typical of Markov models. We show that long-range musical phrases don’t need to be explicitly enforced using high-order Markov interactions, but can instead emerge from multiple, competing, pairwise interactions. We validate our Maximum Entropy model by contrasting how much the generated sequences capture the style of the original corpus without plagiarizing it. To this end we use a data-compression approach to discriminate the levels of borrowing and innovation featured by the artificial sequences. Our modelling scheme outperforms both fixed-order and variable-order Markov models. This shows that, despite being based only on pairwise interactions, our scheme opens the possibility to generate musically sensible alterations of the original phrases, providing a way to generate innovation.
A multidimensional phasor approach reveals LAURDAN photophysics in NIH-3T3 cell membranes
Authors: Malacrida Leonel , Jameson David M. , Gratton Enrico
Published: August 2017

Mammalian cell membranes have different phospholipid composition and cholesterol content, displaying a profile of fluidity that depends on their intracellular location. Among the dyes used in membrane studies, LAURDAN has the advantage to be sensitive to the lipid composition as well as to membrane fluidity. The LAURDAN spectrum is sensitive to the lipid composition and dipolar relaxation arising from water penetration, but disentangling lipid composition from membrane fluidity can be obtained if time resolved spectra could be measured at each cell location. Here we describe a method in which spectral and lifetime information obtained in different measurements at the same plane in a cell are used in the phasor plot providing a solution to analyze multiple lifetime or spectral data through a common visualization approach. We exploit a property of phasor plots based on the reciprocal role of the phasor plot and the image. In the phasor analysis each pixel of the image is associated with a phasor and each phasor maps to pixels and features in the image. In this paper the lifetime and spectral fluorescence data are used simultaneously to determine the contribution of polarity and dipolar relaxations of LAURDAN in each pixel of an image.
Soy Improves Cardiometabolic Health and Cecal Microbiota in Female Low-Fit Rats
Authors: Cross Tzu-Wen L. , Zidon Terese M. , Welly Rebecca J. , Park Young-Min , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G. , Rottinghaus George E. , de Godoy Maria R. Cattai , Padilla Jaume , Swanson Kelly S. , Vieira-Potter Victoria J.
Published: August 2017

Phytoestrogen-rich soy is known to ameliorate menopause-associated obesity and metabolic dysfunction for reasons that are unclear. The gut microbiota have been linked with the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We aimed to determine the impact of soy on cardiometabolic health, adipose tissue inflammation, and the cecal microbiota in ovariectomized (OVX) rats bred for low-running capacity (LCR), a model that has been previously shown to mimic human menopause compared to sham-operated (SHM) intact control LCR rats. In this study, soy consumption, without affecting energy intake or physical activity, significantly improved insulin sensitivity and body composition of OVX rats bred for low-running capacity. Furthermore, soy significantly improved blood lipid profile, adipose tissue inflammation, and aortic stiffness of LCR rats. Compared to a soy-free control diet, soy significantly shifted the cecal microbial community of LCR rats, resulting in a lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio. Correlations among metabolic parameters and cecal bacterial taxa identified in this study suggest that taxa Prevotella, Dorea, and Phascolarctobacterium may be taxa of interest. Our results suggest that dietary soy ameliorates adiposity, insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue inflammation, and arterial stiffness and exerts a beneficial shift in gut microbial communities in a rat model that mimics human menopause.
Simulation of Subject-Specific Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis and Comparison to Experimental Follow-up Data: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Liukkonen Mimmi K. , Mononen Mika E. , Klets Olesya , Arokoski Jari P. , Saarakkala Simo , Korhonen Rami K.
Published: August 2017

Economic costs of osteoarthritis (OA) are considerable. However, there are no clinical tools to predict the progression of OA or guide patients to a correct treatment for preventing OA. We tested the ability of our cartilage degeneration algorithm to predict the subject-specific development of OA and separate groups with different OA levels. The algorithm was able to predict OA progression similarly with the experimental follow-up data and separate subjects with radiographical OA (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 2 and 3) from healthy subjects (KL0). Maximum degeneration and degenerated volumes within cartilage were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in OA compared to healthy subjects, KL3 group showing the highest degeneration values. Presented algorithm shows a great potential to predict subject-specific progression of knee OA and has a clinical potential by simulating the effect of interventions on the progression of OA, thus helping decision making in an attempt to delay or prevent further OA symptoms.
Nevirapine induced mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells
Authors: Paemanee Atchara , Sornjai Wannapa , Kittisenachai Suthathip , Sirinonthanawech Naraporn , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Wongtrakul Jeerang , Smith Duncan R.
Published: August 2017

Nevirapine (NVP) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor frequently used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However NVP can cause serious, life-threatening complications. Hepatotoxicity is one of the most severe adverse effects, particularly in HIV patients with chronic hepatitis C virus co-infection as these patients can develop liver toxicity after a relatively short course of treatment. However, the mechanism of NVP-associated hepatotoxicity remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the effect of NVP on protein expression in liver cells using a proteomic approach. HepG2 cells were treated or not treated with NVP and proteins were subsequently resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 33 differentially regulated proteins were identified, of which nearly 40% (13/33) were mitochondrial proteins. While no obvious differences were observed between NVP treated and untreated cells after staining mitochondria with mitotracker, RT-PCR expression analysis of three mitochondrially encoded genes showed all were significantly up-regulated in NVP treated cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction was observed in response to treatment even with slightly sub-optimal therapeutic treatment concentrations of NVP. This study shows that NVP induces mitochondrial dysregulation in HepG2 cells.
Logic programming reveals alteration of key transcription factors in multiple myeloma
Authors: Miannay Bertrand , Minvielle Stéphane , Roux Olivier , Drouin Pierre , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Guérin-Charbonnel Catherine , Gouraud Wilfried , Attal Michel , Facon Thierry , Munshi Nikhil C , Moreau Philippe , Campion Loïc , Magrangeas Florence , Guziolowski Carito
Published: August 2017

Innovative approaches combining regulatory networks (RN) and genomic data are needed to extract biological information for a better understanding of diseases, such as cancer, by improving the identification of entities and thereby leading to potential new therapeutic avenues. In this study, we confronted an automatically generated RN with gene expression profiles (GEP) from a cohort of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and normal individuals using global reasoning on the RN causality to identify key-nodes. We modeled each patient by his or her GEP, the RN and the possible automatically detected repairs needed to establish a coherent flow of the information that explains the logic of the GEP. These repairs could represent cancer mutations leading to GEP variability. With this reasoning, unmeasured protein states can be inferred, and we can simulate the impact of a protein perturbation on the RN behavior to identify therapeutic targets. We showed that JUN/FOS and FOXM1 activities are altered in almost all MM patients and identified two survival markers for MM patients. Our results suggest that JUN/FOS-activation has a strong impact on the RN in view of the whole GEP, whereas FOXM1-activation could be an interesting way to perturb an MM subgroup identified by our method.
The activation of PPARγ by 2,4,6-Octatrienoic acid protects human keratinocytes from UVR-induced damages
Authors: Flori Enrica , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Kovacs Daniela , Bellei Barbara , Briganti Stefania , Maresca Vittoria , Cardinali Giorgia , Picardo Mauro
Published: August 2017

Increasing attention is addressed to identify products able to enhance skin photoprotection and to prevent skin carcinogenesis. Several studies have demonstrated that the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH), acting on a functional MC1R, provides a photoprotective effect by inducing pigmentation, antioxidants and DNA repair. We discovered a link between αMSH and the nuclear receptor Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ), suggesting that some of the αMSH protective effects may be dependent on PPARγ transcriptional activity. Moreover, we demonstrated that the activation of PPARγ by the parrodiene 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid (Octa) induces melanogenesis and antioxidant defence in human melanocytes and counteracts senescence-like phenotype in human fibroblasts. In this study, we demonstrate that the activation of PPARγ by Octa exerts a protective effect against UVA- and UVB-induced damage on normal human keratinocytes (NHKs), the major target cells of UV radiation. Octa promotes the antioxidant defence, augments DNA repair and reduces the induction of proteins involved in UV-induced DNA damage response. Our results contribute to deepen the analysis of the αMSH/PPARγ connection and suggest perspectives for the development of new molecules and formulations able to prevent cutaneous UV damage by acting on the different skin cell populations through PPARγ activation.
Fusion or Fission: The Destiny of Mitochondria In Traumatic Brain Injury of Different Severities
Authors: Di Pietro Valentina , Lazzarino Giacomo , Amorini Angela Maria , Signoretti Stefano , Hill Lisa J. , Porto Edoardo , Tavazzi Barbara , Lazzarino Giuseppe , Belli Antonio
Published: August 2017

Mitochondrial dynamics are regulated by a complex system of proteins representing the mitochondrial quality control (MQC). MQC balances antagonistic forces of fusion and fission determining mitochondrial and cell fates. In several neurological disorders, dysfunctional mitochondria show significant changes in gene and protein expression of the MQC and contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of cell damage. In this study, we evaluated the main gene and protein expression involved in the MQC in rats receiving traumatic brain injury (TBI) of different severities. At 6, 24, 48 and 120 hours after mild TBI (mTBI) or severe TBI (sTBI), gene and protein expressions of fusion and fission were measured in brain tissue homogenates. Compared to intact brain controls, results showed that genes and proteins inducing fusion or fission were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in mTBI, but downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in sTBI. In particular, OPA1, regulating inner membrane dynamics, cristae remodelling, oxidative phosphorylation, was post-translationally cleaved generating differential amounts of long and short OPA1 in mTBI and sTBI. Corroborated by data referring to citrate synthase, these results confirm the transitory (mTBI) or permanent (sTBI) mitochondrial dysfunction, enhancing MQC importance to maintain cell functions and indicating in OPA1 an attractive potential therapeutic target for TBI.
The efficacy of biliary and serum macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 for diagnosing biliary tract cancer
Authors: Sugimoto Mitsuru , Takagi Tadayuki , Konno Naoki , Suzuki Rei , Asama Hiroyuki , Watanabe Ko , Nakamura Jun , Waragai Yuichi , Kikuchi Hitomi , Takasumi Mika , Sato Yuki , Hikichi Takuto , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: August 2017

The serum macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) levels are elevated in some inflammatory conditions and cancers. We thus compared the levels of biliary and serum MIC-1 and conventional tumour markers between 23 biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients (malignant group) and 29 benign biliary disease patients (benign group) and found that all markers were significantly elevated in the malignant group. The levels of two markers were higher in early BTC (Stage I/II, n = 15) than in the benign group: biliary MIC-1 [12 (0–2153) vs. 678 (0–4429) pg/ml, P < 0.01] and serum CA19–9 [13 (2–15,682) vs. 45.1 (2–10,478) U/ml, P = 0.02]. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for biliary MIC-1 was greater than that for serum CA19-9 (0.77 vs. 0.73). The cut-off value for biliary MIC-1 in diagnosing early BTC was 581.6 pg/ml, and this value yielded a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 71.4%, 82.8%, and 79.1%, respectively. The sensitivity of biliary MIC-1 for diagnosing early BTC was superior to that of biliary cytology (71.4% vs. 8.33%, P < 0.01), and the combination of serum MIC-1 with CA19-9 (cut-off value = 4021.2 pg/ml, 42.4 U/ml) was useful for screening BTC (sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 72.4%). In conclusion, biliary MIC-1 can effectively diagnose early BTC.
Genome-wide comparative analyses of correlated and uncorrelated phenotypes identify major pleiotropic variants in dairy cattle
Authors: Xiang Ruidong , MacLeod Iona M. , Bolormaa Sunduimijid , Goddard Michael E.
Published: August 2017

While single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with multiple phenotype have been reported, the knowledge of pleiotropy of uncorrelated phenotype is minimal. Principal components (PCs) and uncorrelated Cholesky transformed traits (CT) were constructed using 25 raw traits (RTs) of 2841 dairy bulls. Multi-trait meta-analyses of single-trait genome-wide association studies for RT, PC and CT in bulls were validated in 6821 cows. Most PCs and CTs had substantial estimates of heritability, suggesting that genes affect phenotype via diverse pathways. Phenotypic orthogonalizations did not eliminate pleiotropy: the meta-analysis achieved an agreement of significant pleiotropic SNPs (p < 1 × 10−5, n = 368) between RTs (416), PCs (466) and CTs (425). From this overlap we identified 21 lead SNPs with 100% validation rate containing two clusters: one consisted of DGAT1 (chr14:1.8 M+), MGST1 (chr5:93 M+), PAEP (chr11:103 M+) and GPAT4 (chr27:36 M+) affecting protein, milk and fat yield and the other included CSN2 (chr6:87 M+), MUC1 (chr3:15.6 M), GHR (chr20:31.2 M+) and SDC2 (chr14:70 M+) affecting protein and milk yield. Combining beef cattle data identified correlated SNPs representing CAPN1 (chr29:44 M+) and CAST (chr 7:96 M+) loci affecting beef tenderness, showing pleiotropic effects in dairy cattle. Our findings show that SNPs with a large effect on one trait are likely to have small effects on other uncorrelated traits.
Evolutionary pathway analysis and unified classification of East Asian lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Shitikov Egor , Kolchenko Sergey , Mokrousov Igor , Bespyatykh Julia , Ischenko Dmitry , Ilina Elena , Govorun Vadim
Published: August 2017

Due to its rapid spread and association with the numerous outbreaks, the global spread of East Asian lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains presents a global concern. Although there were many attempts to describe its population structure, no consensus has been reached yet. To define unbiased classification that will facilitate future studies of this lineage, we analyzed the performance and congruence of eight different genotyping schemes based on phylogenetic analysis of 1,398 strains from 32 countries using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. We confirm that East Asian lineage comprises two major clades, designated proto-Beijing, which harbors unusual 43-signal spoligoprofile, and Beijing, with well-known spoligoprofile (deleted signals from 1 to 34). We show that different genotyping methods give high consistency results in description of ancient Beijing strains while the classification of modern Beijing strains is significantly divergent due to star-shaped phylogeny. Using WGS data we intersect different studies and for the first time provide balanced classification with well-defined major groups and their genetic markers. Our reconstructed phylogenetic tree can also be used for further analysis of epidemiologically important clusters and their ancestors as well as white spots of unclassified strains, which are prospective areas of research.
Discovery and characterization of the feline miRNAome
Authors: Laganà Alessandro , Dirksen Wessel P. , Supsavhad Wachiraphan , Yilmaz Ayse Selen , Ozer Hatice G. , Feller James D. , Vala Kiersten A. , Croce Carlo M. , Rosol Thomas J.
Published: August 2017

The domestic cat is an important human companion animal that can also serve as a relevant model for ~250 genetic diseases, many metabolic and degenerative conditions, and forms of cancer that are analogous to human disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in many biological processes and their dysregulation has a significant impact on important cellular pathways and is linked to a variety of diseases. While many species already have a well-defined and characterized miRNAome, miRNAs have not been carefully studied in cats. As a result, there are no feline miRNAs present in the reference miRNA databases, diminishing the usefulness of medical research on spontaneous disease in cats for applicability to both feline and human disease. This study was undertaken to define and characterize the cat miRNAome in normal feline tissues. High-throughput sequencing was performed on 12 different normal cat tissues. 271 candidate feline miRNA precursors, encoding a total of 475 mature sequences, were identified, including several novel cat-specific miRNAs. Several analyses were performed to characterize the discovered miRNAs, including tissue distribution of the precursors and mature sequences, genomic distribution of miRNA genes and identification of clusters, and isomiR characterization. Many of the miRNAs were regulated in a tissue/organ-specific manner.
Hydrogel scaffolds for differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Huang Qiutong , Zou Yijie , Arno Maria C. , Chen Shuai , Wang Tao , Gao Jingyi , Dove Andrew P. , Du Jianzhong
Published: August 2017

This review presents an overview of advances in the preparation and application of hydrogels with a focus on encapsulating ADSCs.
Pt supraparticles with controllable DNA valences for programmed nanoassembly
Authors: Chen Gaoli , Wang Song , Song Lei , Song Xiaojun , Deng Zhaoxiang
Published: August 2017

Superstructured platinum particles with diameters of 10–73 nm are demonstrated for valence-controllable and high density DNA functionalizations toward DNA-programmed nanoassembly.
Ring closing metathesis of unprotected peptides
Authors: Gleeson Ellen C. , Jackson W. Roy , Robinson Andrea J.
Published: August 2017

Brønsted acid masking of unprotected peptide sequences facilitates high yielding Ru-alkylidene catalysed RCM to cyclic dicarba peptidomimetics in solution.
Extra-high short-circuit current for bifacial solar cells in sunny and dark–light conditions
Authors: Duan Jialong , Duan Yanyan , Zhao Yuanyuan , He Benlin , Tang Qunwei
Published: August 2017

We present here a symmetrically structured bifacial solar cell tailored by two fluorescent photoanodes and a platinum/titanium/platinum counter electrode, yielding extra-high short-circuit current densities as high as 28.59 mA cm−2 and 119.9 μA cm−2 under simulated sunlight irradiation (100 mW cm−2, AM1.5) and dark–light conditions, respectively.
What [plasma used for growing] diamond can shine like flame?
Authors: Ashfold Michael N. R. , Mahoney Edward J. D. , Mushtaq Sohail , Truscott Benjamin S. , Mankelevich Yuri A.
Published: August 2017

The gas-phase chemistry underpinning the chemical vapour deposition of diamond from microwave-activated methane/hydrogen plasmas is surveyed.
A catalytic asymmetric construction of a tetrahydroquinoline-based spirooxindole framework via a diastereo- and enantioselective decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition
Authors: Mei Guang-Jian , Li Dan , Zhou Gui-Xiang , Shi Qian , Cao Zheng , Shi Feng
Published: August 2017

A catalytic asymmetric decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinanones with methyleneindolinones has been established, affording chiral tetrahydroquinoline-based 3,3′-spirooxindoles with excellent enantioselectivities.
Tuning the formation of reductive species of perylene-bisimide derivatives in DMF via aggregation matter
Authors: Kang Rui , Miao Rong , Qi Yanyu , Chang Xingmao , Shang Congdi , Wang Li , Fang Yu
Published: August 2017

Host–guest interaction and chemical modification are effective approaches to tune the reduction of perylene bisimide derivatives.
Synthesis of ribosyl-ribosyl-adenosine-5′,5′′,5′′′(triphosphate)—the naturally occurring branched fragment of poly(ADP ribose)
Authors: Liu Qiang , Kistemaker Hans. A. V. , Overkleeft Herman S. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Filippov Dmitri V.
Published: August 2017

Total synthesis provided the first independent confirmation of the chemical structure of the branching point in poly(ADP ribose).
Strategic design of a ruthenium catalyst for both CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation: the electronic influence of the co-ligands
Authors: Das Biswanath , Ezzedinloo Lida , Bhadbhade Mohan , Bucknall Martin P. , Colbran Stephen B.
Published: August 2017

A new ruthenium(ii) complex capable of catalysing both CO2 reduction and water oxidation was designed and synthesised.
Coherent electronic and nuclear dynamics in a rhodamine heterodimer–DNA supramolecular complex
Authors: Cipolloni M. , Fresch B. , Occhiuto I. , Rukin P. , Komarova K. G. , Cecconello A. , Willner I. , Levine R. D. , Remacle F. , Collini E.
Published: August 2017

An inter-molecular electronic coherence in a rhodamine heterodimer has been fully characterized by 2D electronic spectroscopy and theoretical modeling.
Nucleophilicity and electrophilicity of the C(sp3)–H bond: methane and ethane binary complexes with iodine
Authors: Baggioli Alberto , Meille Stefano V. , Famulari Antonino
Published: August 2017

Cooperativity is key to the ability of saturated hydrocarbons to act both as nucleophilic and electrophilic centres.
Evaluation of mapping schemes for systematic coarse graining of higher alkanes
Authors: Dallavalle Marco , van der Vegt Nico F. A.
Published: August 2017

Different levels of coarse-graining are introduced to study the thermodynamic and structural properties of higher alkanes.
Solvation of Li+by argon: how important are three-body forces?
Authors: Prudente Frederico V. , Marques Jorge M. C. , Pereira Francisco B.
Published: August 2017

A global geometry search on a new potential energy surface for Li+Arnclusters revealed that three-body interactions must be included to reproduceab initiostructures and accurate energetic features.
Peracetic acid disinfection kinetics for combined sewer overflows: indicator organisms, antibiotic resistance genes, and microbial community
Authors: Eramo Alessia , Morales Medina William R. , Fahrenfeld Nicole L.
Published: August 2017

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) degrade water quality and end-of-pipe treatment is one potential solution for retrofitting this outdated infrastructure.
The impact of extrusion on the nutritional composition, dietary fiber and in vitro digestibility of gluten-free snacks based on rice, pea and carob flour blends
Authors: Arribas C. , Cabellos B. , Sánchez C. , Cuadrado C. , Guillamón E. , Pedrosa M. M.
Published: August 2017

Novel extruded gluten-free snack-type functional foods based on rice, pea and carob flours.
Preparation of S/N-codoped carbon nanosheets with tunable interlayer distance for high-rate sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zou Guoqiang , Hou Hongshuai , Zhao Ganggang , Huang Zhaodong , Ge Peng , Ji Xiaobo
Published: August 2017

In this work, an ultra-thin sheet-like carbon with the co-doping of S and N prepared by a environmentally friendly one-pot method was firstly reported, delivering high-rate capability for SIBs.
Matrix-matched standards for the quantification of elemental lithium ion battery degradation products deposited on carbonaceous negative electrodes using pulsed-glow discharge-sector field-mass spectrometry
Authors: Evertz Marco , Schwieters Timo , Börner Markus , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: August 2017

A glow discharge-sector field-mass spectrometry (GD-SF-MS) method using matrix-matched self-prepared carbonaceous standards for elemental battery degradation products of (NCM111) electrodes was developed.
Microfluidic device for rapid digestion of tissues into cellular suspensions
Authors: Qiu Xiaolong , Westerhof Trisha M. , Karunaratne Amrith A. , Werner Erik M. , Pourfard Pedram P. , Nelson Edward L. , Hui Elliot E. , Haun Jered B.
Published: August 2017

Harvesting viable single cells from tissue samples remains a major challenge. Here, we present a microfluidic device that leverages fluid flows to hydrodynamically mince tissue specimens and improve overall digestion efficiency.
Comment on “Towards a personalized approach to aromatase inhibitor therapy: a digital microfluidic platform for rapid analysis of estradiol in core-needle-biopsies” by S. Abdulwahab, A. H. C. Ng, M. D. Chamberlain, H. Ahmado, L.-A. Behan, H. Gomaa, R. F. Casper and A. R. Wheeler, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1594
Authors: Lønning Per E.
Published: August 2017

This comment on an article that appeared in Lab on a Chip highlights the need for further validation of the proposed method.
The impact of aluminum impurity on the regenerated lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide cathode materials from spent LIBs
Authors: Ren Jie , Li Ruhong , Liu Yuanlong , Cheng Yarui , Mu Deying , Zheng Rujuan , Liu Jianchao , Dai Changsong
Published: August 2017

An effective recycling process from spent LIBs has been developed, and the tolerability of aluminum was studied in this work.
Fabrication of anl-glutathione sensor based on PEG-conjugated functionalized CNT nanocomposites: a real sample analysis
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Hussein Mahmoud A. , Abdel Salam Mohamed , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: August 2017

Three series of polyethylene glycol–carbon nanotube nanocomposites in the form of PEG/CNTa–e, PEG/f-CNT.Oxia–e, and PEG/CNT.C18a–ehave been fabricated using a dissolution stirring ultra-sonication method.
A two-pocket Schiff-base molecule as a chemosensor for Al3+
Authors: Maity Dinesh , Dey Sudipto , Roy Partha
Published: August 2017

A new Schiff-base molecule with two binding pockets acts as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+.
Development of N and S heteroatom co-doped stable dual emitting carbon ink in aqueous media for sensing applications
Authors: Pramanik Srikrishna , Devi Parukuttyamma Sujatha
Published: August 2017

This manuscript describes a simple chemical route to synthesize nitrogen and sulfur co-doped highly fluorescent carbon nanomaterials with dual emission fluorescence properties. The fluorescence intensity of the (N,S)-CNPs has been found to be highly responsive towards Hg2+ ions and the pH of the solution.
A spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation approach towards the stabilizing effect of ammonium-based ionic liquids on bovine serum albumin
Authors: Satish Lakkoji , Millan Sabera , Bera Krishnendu , Mohapatra Sujata , Sahoo Harekrushna
Published: August 2017

Experimental and theoretical evidence in support of the stabilizing effect of ammonium-based ionic liquids on thermal unfolding/refolding of bovine serum albumin is provided in this article.
Synthesis of phostones via DABCO-catalyzed bromocyclization of alkenylphosphonic acid monoesters
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Huang Liye , Cao Xiaohui , Liang Dacheng , Peng Ai-Yun
Published: August 2017

A series of phostones were synthesized via DABCO-catalyzed bromocyclization reaction under mild conditions with high endo regioselectivity. The obtained diastereomers were separated and the relative configurations were confirmed.
Synthesis of the octahydronaphthalene core of nahuoic acid A via a B(C6F5)3-catalyzed intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) reaction
Authors: Guillade Lucía , González-Pérez Adán B. , de Lera Ángel R.
Published: August 2017

Catalysis of the intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction by the bulky Lewis acid B(C6F5)3 delivered as major components the cis-fused angularly-methylated octahydronaphthalene products derived from the exo orientations, one of which (Si-exo, Figure) is the central core of nahuoic acid A.
Cr2O3/carbon nanosheet composite with enhanced performance for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cao Zhiqin , Zuo Chengyang
Published: August 2017

A Cr2O3/carbon nanosheet composite is directly synthesized by solution combustion synthesis using chromium nitrate as the chromium source and glucose as the carbon source. As anode materials for LIBs, the composite shows superior performance than pure Cr2O3.
Electron beam induced epitaxial crystallization in a conducting and insulating a-LaAlO3/SrTiO3system
Authors: Lee Gwangyeob , Moon Seon Young , Kim Jinyeon , Baek Seung-Hyub , Kim Do Hyang , Jang Ho Won , Chang Hye Jung
Published: August 2017

We report the effect of the interfacial conductivity on the e-beam-induced crystallization of an oxide a-LaAlO3thin film on the SrTiO3substrate and the kinetics can be controlled by the electrical conductivity of the interface and the dose rate.
A red-emissive antibody–AIEgen conjugate for turn-on and wash-free imaging of specific cancer cells
Authors: Shi Xiujuan , Yu Chris Y. Y. , Su Huifang , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Jiang Meijuan , He Zikai , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: August 2017

For the first time, an AIEgen-conjugated monoclonal antibody is designed for “turn-on” and “wash-free” imaging of EGFR-overexpressed cancer cells.
Highly flexible and transparent dielectric elastomer actuators using silver nanowire and carbon nanotube hybrid electrodes
Authors: Lee Ye Rim , Kwon Hyungho , Lee Do Hoon , Lee Byung Yang
Published: August 2017

Electrodes consisting of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes enable a dielectric elastomer actuator to become highly stretchable and optically transparent.
Study of electronic interactions and photo-induced electron transfer dynamics in a metalloconjugated polymer–single-walled carbon nanotube hybrid by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Shi Haiting , Du Lili , Xiong Wenjuan , Dai Mingjie , Chan Wai Kin , Phillips David Lee
Published: August 2017

The present study demonstrated the selective dispersion of SWCNTs by the metalloconjugated polymer, and the evidence of electron injection from the sensitizers to SWCNTs.
Iron oxide@mesoporous carbon architectures derived from an Fe(ii)-based metal organic framework for highly sensitive oxytetracycline determination
Authors: Song Yingpan , Duan Fenghe , Zhang Shuai , Tian Jia-Yue , Zhang Zhihong , Wang Zhuo-Wei , Liu Chun-Sen , Xu Wen-Ming , Du Miao
Published: August 2017

An Fe-MOF-derived Fe3O4@mC-based aptasensor was constructed to sensitively and selectivity detect trace oxytetracycline and a low detection limit was obtained.
Dual optimization of microporosity in carbon spheres for CO2 adsorption by using pyrrole as the carbon precursor and potassium salt as the activator
Authors: Dassanayake Arosha C. , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: August 2017

Nitrogen-doped microporous carbon spheres (CSs) were prepared via the Stöber method by simultaneous carbonization and activation of nitrogen-doped polymer spheres obtained in the presence of potassium citrate.
Effects of co-coordinated auxiliary ligands on the photoelectrochemical behaviour of titanium-alkoxide-dyes
Authors: Guo Yao , Hou Jin-Le , Luo Wen , Li Zhao-Qi , Zou Dan-Hong , Zhu Qin-Yu , Dai Jie
Published: August 2017

The work demonstrated the advantages of titanium-alkoxide-dyes in improvement of photocurrent conversion, and revealed the synergistic effects of dye and auxiliary ligand.
Self‐biased CMOS LC VCO based on trans‐conductance linearisation technique
Authors: Ji Xincun , Xia Xiaojuan , He Lin , Guo Yufeng
Published: August 2017

Introduction: A self‐biased low‐phase noise CMOS LC VCO (employing both nMOS and pMOS switching transistors) based on the trans‐conductance linearisation of active devices is proposed. The self‐biased push–pull configuration with resistors between the LC tank and device drain, not only reduces power consumption, but also is capable of removing the RF choking inductor needed in NMOS‐only or PMOS‐only topology, which results into a compact chip area. A capacitive‐coupled feedback from the drain and LC tank improves the oscillation amplitude and reduces the tank loading. The proposed VCO is fabricated and measured with a 65 nm CMOS process. The core chip area is 0.12 mm2. The measured oscillation frequency ranges from 3.96 to 6.1 GHz, the phase noise at 1 MHz offset is from −123 to −125 dBc/Hz, with a power dissipation from 13 to 23 mW under a 1.3 V supply voltage across the frequency tuning range. The achieved figure‐of‐merit with tuning range (FoMT) from 196.5 to 199.5 dBc/Hz.
Human action recognition using similarity degree between postures and spectral learning
Authors: Ding Wenwen , Liu Kai , Chen Hao , Tang Fengqin
Published: August 2017

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in developing methods for skeleton‐based human action recognition. In this study, the challenging problem of the similarity degree of skeleton‐based human postures is addressed. Human posture is described by screw motions between 3D rigid bodies, which can be seen as a relation matrix of 3D rigid bodies (RMRB3D). A linear subspace, a point of a Grassmannian manifold, is spanned by the orthonormal basis of matrix RMRB3D. A powerful way to compute the similarity degree between postures is researched to solve the geodesic distance between points on the Grassmannian manifold. Then representative postures are extracted through spectral clustering over representative postures. An action will be represented by a symbol sequence generated with a global linear eigenfunction constructed by spectral embedding. Finally, dynamic time warping and hidden Markov model (HMM) are used to classify these action sequences. The experimental evaluations of the proposed method on several challenging 3D action datasets show that the proposed approaches achieve promising results compared with other skeleton‐based human action recognition algorithms.
Imprecise reliability assessment of generating systems involving interval probability
Authors: Qi Xianjun , Cheng Qiao
Published: August 2017

Probabilistic information about random variables describing equipment's reliability is not complete when there is a lack of statistical data about failure. The traditional reliability assessment cannot deal with the incomplete probabilistic information. Interval probability is an efficient method to address the incomplete probabilistic information. The interval value of reliability indices can reflect the degree of completeness of probabilistic information. In this study, the optimisation model of generating systems’ imprecise reliability assessment (IRA) is established and the efficient unit‐adding algorithm is proposed to obtain the upper and lower bounds of reliability indices. The probability density and the expectation of reliability indices are also calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation method. In the process of IRA, massive calculations of the traditional reliability are needed, therefore the recursive convolution algorithm, which is based on the outage capacity table and has the merit of high‐computation efficiency, is adopted. A case study on a revised IEEE‐RTS79 system shows the rationality and equity of the presented method.
Study on the difference of chemical composition of insulator contamination on UHV‐AC and ‐DC transmission lines
Authors: Li Lee , Jiang Yunpeng , Lu Ming , Liu Zehui , Hua Kui , Li Zhe
Published: August 2017

For the ultra high voltage (UHV)‐DC and UHV‐AC transmission lines, their contamination characteristics are different. Thus, researching the contamination polluted degree of UHV‐AC and UHV‐DC lines by geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor method is an ingenious method. This study analyses and compares the chemical composition of contamination on parallel energised UHV‐DC (800 kV) and UHV‐AC (1000 kV) overhead transmission lines. The results indicate that the major cations of insulator contamination are Ca2+, and NH4+, and the major anions of insulator contamination are SO42− and NO3− both on UHV‐DC and UHV‐AC lines. For the UHV‐DC line, the concentrations of the same cations on the insulator bottom surface are higher than that of on the top surface. However, on the UHV‐AC line, the same cation concentrations on the bottom surface close to the one on the top surface. The metallic elements of Ca2+ and Zn2+ are in seriously polluted degree. Also, the polluted degree of contamination on UHV‐DC insulator is more serious than UHV‐AC insulator. This study considers that field charging plays an important role in accumulating contamination.
Design of dynamic genetic memory
Authors: Hu Yu‐Jia , Lin Chun‐Liang , Li Wei‐Xian
Published: August 2017

In electronic systems, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is one of the core modules in the modern silicon computer. As for a bio‐computer, one would need a mechanism for storage of bio‐information named ‘data’, which, in binary logic, has two levels, logical high and logical low, or in the normalised form, ‘1’ and ‘0’. This study proposes a possible genetic DRAM based on the modified electronic configuration, which uses the biological reaction to fulfil an equivalent RC circuit constituting a memory cell. The authors implement fundamental functions of the genetic DRAM by incorporating a genetic toggle switch for data hold. The results of simulation verify that the basic function can be used on a bio‐storage module for the future bio‐computer.