bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Performance Flexible Solid-State Carbon Cloth Supercapacitors Based on Highly Processible N-Graphene Doped Polyacrylic Acid/Polyaniline Composites
Authors: Wang Yongguang , Tang Shaochun , Vongehr Sascha , Ali Syed Junaid , Wang Xiangyu , Meng Xiangkang
Published: February 2016

Improving the solubility of conductive polymers to facilitate processing usually decreases their conductivity and they suffer from poor cycling stability due to swelling-shrinking during charging cycles. We circumvent these problems with a novel preparation method for nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) enhanced polyacrylic acid/polyaniline (NG-PAA/PANI) composites, ensuring excellent processibility for scalable production. The content of PANI is maximized under the constraint of still allowing defect-free coatings on filaments of carbon cloth (CC). The NG content is then adjusted to optimize specific capacitance. The optimal CC electrodes have 32 wt.% PANI and 1.3 wt.% NG, thus achieving a high capacitance of 521 F/g at 0.5 F/g. A symmetric supercapacitor made from 20 wt.% PANI CC electrodes has more than four times the capacitance (68 F/g at 1 A/g) of previously reported flexible capacitors based on PANI-carbon nanotube composites and it retains the full capacitance under large bending angles. The capacitor exhibits high energy and power densities (5.8 Wh/kg at 1.1 kW/kg), a superior rate capability (still 81% of the 1 A/g capacitance at 10 A/g) and long-term electrochemical stability (83.2% retention after 2000 cycles).
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is activated in human interstitial cystitis (IC) and rat protamine sulfate induced cystitis
Authors: Zhao Jiang , Wang Liang , Dong Xingyou , Hu Xiaoyan , Zhou Long , Liu Qina , Song Bo , Wu Qingjian , Li Longkun
Published: February 2016

The pathogenesis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is currently unclear. However, inflammation has been suggested to play an important role in BPS/IC. JNK downstream signaling plays an important role in numerous chronic inflammatory diseases. However, studies of the JNK pathway in BPS/IC are limited. In this study, we investigated the role of the JNK pathway in human BPS/IC and rat protamine sulfate (PS)-induced cystitis and examined the effect of the selective JNK inhibitor SP600125 on rat bladder cystitis. In our study, we demonstrated that the JNK signaling pathway was activated (the expression of JNK, c-Jun, p-JNK, p-c-Jun, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increasing in BPS/IC compared to the non-BPS/IC patients) and resulted in inflammation in human BPS/IC. Further animal models showed that the JNK pathway played an important role in the pathogenesis of cystitis. JNK inhibitors, SP600125, effectively inhibited the expression of p-JNK, p-c-Jun, IL-6 and TNF-α. The inhibition of these pathways had a protective effect on PS-induced rat cystitis by significantly decreasing histological score and mast cell count and improving bladder micturition function (micturition frequency significantly decreasing and bladder capacity significantly increasing). Therefore, JNK inhibition could be used as a potential treatment for BPS/IC.
Electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide/vanadium dioxide multilayered thin films for smart-device applications
Authors: Skuza J. R. , Scott D. W. , Mundle R. M. , Pradhan A. K.
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate the electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) /vanadium dioxide (VO2) multilayered thin films, where the application of a small electric field enables precise control of the applied heat to the VO2 thin film to induce its semiconductor-metal transition (SMT). The transparent conducting oxide nature of the top Al:ZnO film can be tuned to facilitate the fine control of the SMT of the VO2 thin film and its associated properties. In addition, the Al:ZnO film provides a capping layer to the VO2 thin film, which inhibits oxidation to a more energetically favorable and stable V2O5 phase. It also decreases the SMT of the VO2 thin film by approximately 5–10 °C because of an additional stress induced on the VO2 thin film and/or an alteration of the oxygen vacancy concentration in the VO2 thin film. These results have significant impacts on technological applications for both passive and active devices by exploiting this near-room-temperature SMT.
Plasmon Excitations of Multi-layer Graphene on a Conducting Substrate
Authors: Gumbs Godfrey , Iurov Andrii , Wu Jhao-Ying , Lin M. F. , Fekete Paula
Published: February 2016

We predict the existence of low-frequency nonlocal plasmons at the vacuum-surface interface of a superlattice of N graphene layers interacting with conducting substrate. We derive a dispersion function that incorporates the polarization function of both the graphene monolayers and the semi-infinite electron liquid at whose surface the electrons scatter specularly. We find a surface plasmon-polariton that is not damped by particle-hole excitations or the bulk modes and which separates below the continuum mini-band of bulk plasmon modes. The surface plasmon frequency of the hybrid structure always lies below "Equation missing", the surface plasmon frequency of the conducting substrate. The intensity of this mode depends on the distance of the graphene layers from the conductor’s surface, the energy band gap between valence and conduction bands of graphene monolayer and, most importantly, on the number of two-dimensional layers. For a sufficiently large number of layers "Equation missing" the hybrid structure has no surface plasmon. The existence of plasmons with different dispersion relations indicates that quasiparticles with different group velocity may coexist for various ranges of wavelengths determined by the number of layers in the superlattice.
Activation of EGFR by small compounds through coupling the generation of hydrogen peroxide to stable dimerization of Cu/Zn SOD1
Authors: Sakanyan Vehary , Hulin Philippe , Alves de Sousa Rodolphe , Silva Viviane A. O. , Hambardzumyan Artur , Nedellec Steven , Tomasoni Christophe , Logé Cédric , Pineau Charles , Roussakis Christos , Fleury Fabrice , Artaud Isabelle
Published: February 2016

Activation of cell signaling by reactive chemicals and pollutants is an important issue for human health. It has been shown that lipophilic nitro-benzoxadiazole (NBD) compounds rapidly move across the plasma membrane and enhance Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine phosphorylation in cancer cells. Unlike ligand-dependent activation, the mechanism of this induction relies on the generation of hydrogen peroxide, which is involved in the activation of the catalytic site of the receptor and the inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-1B. Production of H2O2during redox transformation of NBD compounds is associated with the transition of a monomeric form of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) to stable dimers. The highly stable and functionally active SOD1 dimer, in the absence of adequate activities in downstream reactions, promotes the disproportionate production and accumulation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide shortly after exposure to NBD compounds. The intrinsic fluorescence of small compounds was used to demonstrate their binding to SOD1. Our data indicate that H2O2and concomitantly generated electrophilic intermediates behave as independent entities, but all contribute to the biological reactivity of NBD compounds. This study opens a promising path to identify new biomarkers of oxidative/electrophilic stress in the progression of cancer and other diseases.
ECM microenvironment unlocks brown adipogenic potential of adult human bone marrow-derived MSCs
Authors: Lee Michelle H. , Goralczyk Anna G. , Kriszt Rókus , Ang Xiu Min , Badowski Cedric , Li Ying , Summers Scott A. , Toh Sue-Anne , Yassin M. Shabeer , Shabbir Asim , Sheppard Allan , Raghunath Michael
Published: February 2016

Key to realizing the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of human brown/brite adipocytes is the identification of a renewable, easily accessible and safe tissue source of progenitor cells and an efficacious in vitro differentiation protocol. We show that macromolecular crowding (MMC) facilitates brown adipocyte differentiation in adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bmMSCs), as evidenced by substantially upregulating uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and uncoupled respiration. Moreover, MMC also induced ‘browning’ in bmMSC-derived white adipocytes. Mechanistically, MMC creates a 3D extracellular matrix architecture enshrouding maturing adipocytes in a collagen IV cocoon that is engaged by paxillin-positive focal adhesions also at the apical side of cells, without contact to the stiff support structure. This leads to an enhanced matrix-cell signaling, reflected by increased phosphorylation of ATF2, a key transcription factor in UCP1 regulation. Thus, tuning the dimensionality of the microenvironment in vitro can unlock a strong brown potential dormant in bone marrow.
The roles and impacts of human hunter-gatherers in North Pacific marine food webs
Authors: Dunne Jennifer A. , Maschner Herbert , Betts Matthew W. , Huntly Nancy , Russell Roly , Williams Richard J. , Wood Spencer A.
Published: February 2016

There is a nearly 10,000-year history of human presence in the western Gulf of Alaska, but little understanding of how human foragers integrated into and impacted ecosystems through their roles as hunter-gatherers. We present two highly resolved intertidal and nearshore food webs for the Sanak Archipelago in the eastern Aleutian Islands and use them to compare trophic roles of prehistoric humans to other species. We find that the native Aleut people played distinctive roles as super-generalist and highly-omnivorous consumers closely connected to other species. Although the human population was positioned to have strong effects, arrival and presence of Aleut people in the Sanak Archipelago does not appear associated with long-term extinctions. We simulated food web dynamics to explore to what degree introducing a species with trophic roles like those of an Aleut forager, and allowing for variable strong feeding to reflect use of hunting technology, is likely to trigger extinctions. Potential extinctions decreased when an invading omnivorous super-generalist consumer focused strong feeding on decreasing fractions of its possible resources. This study presents the first assessment of the structural roles of humans as consumers within complex ecological networks, and potential impacts of those roles and feeding behavior on associated extinctions.
Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Expression Profiles of In Vitro Produced Vitrified Bovine Blastocysts
Authors: Jiang Zongliang , Harrington Patrick , Zhang Ming , Marjani Sadie L. , Park Joonghoon , Kuo Lynn , Pribenszky Csaba , Tian Xiuchun
Published: February 2016

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has been used to pre-condition embryos before essential, yet potentially detrimental procedures such as cryopreservation. However, the mechanisms for HHP are poorly understood. We treated bovine blastocysts with three different HHP (40, 60 and 80 MPa) in combination with three recovery periods (0, 1 h, 2 h post HHP). Re-expansion rates were significantly higher at 40 and 60 but lower at 80 MPa after vitrification-warming in the treated groups than controls. Microarray analysis revealed 399 differentially expressed transcripts, representing 254 unique genes, among different groups. Gene ontology analysis indicated that HHP at 40 and 60 MPa promoted embryo competence through down-regulation of genes in cell death and apoptosis, and up-regulation of genes in RNA processing, cellular growth and proliferation. In contrast, 80 MPa up-regulated genes in apoptosis, and down-regulated protein folding and cell cycle-related genes. Moreover, gene expression was also influenced by the length of the recovery time after HHP. The significantly over-represented categories were apoptosis and cell death in the 1 h group, and protein folding, response to unfolded protein and cell cycle in the 2 h group compared to 0 h. Taken together, HHP promotes competence of vitrified bovine blastocysts through modest transcriptional changes.
Abdominal obesity is strongly associated with Cardiovascular Disease and its Risk Factors in Elderly and very Elderly Community-dwelling Chinese
Authors: Fan Huimin , Li Xiaolin , Zheng Liang , Chen Xiaoli , lan Qin , Wu Hong , Ding Xugang , Qian Dingguang , Shen Yixin , Yu Zuoren , Fan Lieying , Chen Ming , Tomlinson Brian , Chan Paul , Zhang Yuzhen , Liu Zhongmin
Published: February 2016

Obesity is usually considered to predispose to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but milder degrees of obesity or overweight may be protective in some elderly populations. We examined the relationships between general and abdominal obesity indices with ASCVD and its risk factors in elderly (aged ≥65 years) Shanghai community residents Among the 3950 participants, 21.5% had ASCVD, 56.2% had body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m2, 50.1% had high waist circumference (WC) and 77.1% had waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ≥0.50. WHtR increased with age in both men and women whereas WC increased with age only in women and BMI decreased with age only in men. The optimal WHtR cut-off value to predict the risk of ASCVD determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis was WHtR ≥0.53 with a prevalence of 55.8%. Having abdominal obesity was significantly associated with prevalent ASCVD with WHtR ≥0.53 having a higher value for the odds ratio than high WC, whereas high BMI was not associated. All three indices predicted high glucose, triglycerides and hsCRP levels but only the WHtR ≥0.53 showed a significant association with physical activity. Abdominal obesity indices, but not BMI, predicted prevalent ASCVD and its risk factors in this elderly Chinese population.
MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 – pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines with neuroendocrine differentiation and somatostatin receptors
Authors: Gradiz Rui , Silva Henriqueta C. , Carvalho Lina , Botelho Maria Filomena , Mota-Pinto Anabela
Published: February 2016

Studies using cell lines should always characterize these cells to ensure that the results are not distorted by unexpected morphological or genetic changes possibly due to culture time or passage number. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe those MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cell line phenotype and genotype characteristics that may play a crucial role in pancreatic cancer therapeutic assays, namely neuroendocrine chemotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Epithelial, mesenchymal, endocrine and stem cell marker characterization was performed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry and genotyping by PCR, gene sequencing and capillary electrophoresis. MIA PaCa-2 (polymorphism) expresses CK5.6, AE1/AE3, E-cadherin, vimentin, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, SSTR2 and NTR1 but not CD56. PANC-1 (pleomorphism) expresses CK5.6, MNF-116, vimentin, chromogranin A, CD56 and SSTR2 but not E-cadherin, synaptophysin or NTR1. MIA PaCA-1 is CD24−, CD44+/++, CD326−/+ and CD133/1−, while PANC-1 is CD24−/+, CD44+, CD326−/+ and CD133/1−. Both cell lines have KRAS and TP53 mutations and homozygous deletions including the first 3 exons of CDKN2A/p16INK4A, but no SMAD4/DPC4 mutations or microsatellite instability. Both have neuroendocrine differentiation and SSTR2 receptors, precisely the features making them suitable for the therapies we propose to assay in future studies.
Ecological-network models link diversity, structure and function in the plankton food-web
Authors: D’Alelio Domenico , Libralato Simone , Wyatt Timothy , Ribera d’Alcalà Maurizio
Published: February 2016

A planktonic food-web model including sixty-three functional nodes (representing auto- mixo- and heterotrophs) was developed to integrate most trophic diversity present in the plankton. The model was implemented in two variants - which we named ‘green’ and ‘blue’ - characterized by opposite amounts of phytoplankton biomass and representing, respectively, bloom and non-bloom states of the system. Taxonomically disaggregated food-webs described herein allowed to shed light on how components of the plankton community changed their trophic behavior in the two different conditions and modified the overall functioning of the plankton food web. The green and blue food-webs showed distinct organizations in terms of trophic roles of the nodes and carbon fluxes between them. Such re-organization stemmed from switches in selective grazing by both metazoan and protozoan consumers. Switches in food-web structure resulted in relatively small differences in the efficiency of material transfer towards higher trophic levels. For instance, from green to blue states, a seven-fold decrease in phytoplankton biomass translated into only a two-fold decrease in potential planktivorous fish biomass. By linking diversity, structure and function in the plankton food-web, we discuss the role of internal mechanisms, relying on species-specific functionalities, in driving the ‘adaptive’ responses of plankton communities to perturbations.
Localized surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles for sensitive colorimetric detection of chromium in surface water, industrial waste water and vegetable samples
Authors: Shrivas Kamlesh , Sahu Swapan , Patra Goutam Kumar , Jaiswal Nitin Kumar , Shankar Ravi
Published: February 2016

A AgNP-based colorimetric sensor is developed and applied for the sensitive determination of chromium in surface water, industrial waste water and vegetable samples.
Improved stability of salvianolic acid B from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae in deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Chen Jue , Li Shi-fei , Yao Zhi-feng , Yang Da-wei , Zhang Li-wei
Published: February 2016

Environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvents were developed for enhancing the stability of salvianolic acid B from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae.
The unusual metal ion binding ability of histidyl tags and their mutated derivatives
Authors: Brasili Davide , Watly Joanna , Simonovsky Eyal , Guerrini Remo , Barbosa Nuno A. , Wieczorek Robert , Remelli Maurizio , Kozlowski Henryk , Miller Yifat
Published: February 2016

Peptides that consist of repeated sequences of alternating histidines and alanines strongly bind Cu(ii) and form α-helical structures.
Fabrication of porous silicon-based optical sensors using metal-assisted chemical etching
Authors: Balderas-Valadez R. F. , Agarwal V. , Pacholski C.
Published: February 2016

Metal-assisted chemical etching was exploited for fabricating a porous silicon double beam interferometer composed of pillars with large pores on top of a monolayer with smaller pores which can act as a sensing and reference channel, respectively.
Specific interaction of platinated DNA and proteins by surface plasmon resonance imaging
Authors: Wang Xiao , Xu Jiying , Liu Chanjuan , Chen Yi
Published: February 2016

A surface plasmon resonance imaging method to differentiate the interaction between the protein human high mobility group box 1 or human nuclear protein positive cofactor 4 (PC4) and DNAs has been developed.
On the origin of high ionic conductivity in Na-doped SrSiO3
Authors: Chien Po-Hsiu , Jee Youngseok , Huang Chen , Dervişoğlu Riza , Hung Ivan , Gan Zhehong , Huang Kevin , Hu Yan-Yan
Published: February 2016

Na+ motion in an amorphous β-Na2Si2O5 phase was identified to be responsible for the high ionic conductivity of Na-doped SrSiO3.
The synthesis of BN-embedded tetraphenes and their photophysical properties
Authors: Huang Huanan , Pan Zexiong , Cui Chunming
Published: February 2016

A series of intensely blue fluorescent BN-embedded tetraphene derivatives have been synthesized by the catalytic cyclization of BN-naphthalenes with alkynes.
Macroscopic switches constructed through host–guest chemistry
Authors: Sun Yue , Ma Junkai , Tian Demei , Li Haibing
Published: February 2016

In this feature article, we discuss recent developments in macroscopic contact angle switches formed by different macrocyclic hosts and highlight the properties of these new functional surfaces and their potential applications.
Nitride tuning of lanthanide chromites
Authors: Black Ashley P. , Johnston Hannah E. , Oró-Solé Judith , Bozzo Bernat , Ritter Clemens , Frontera Carlos , Attfield J. Paul , Fuertes Amparo
Published: February 2016

LnCrO3−xNx compounds with Ln = La, Pr and Nd represent one of the few examples of chromium oxynitrides and the first chromium oxynitride perovskites. Hole-doping of LnCrO3 through O2−/N3− anion substitution suppresses the antiferromagnetic transition far less drastically than cation substitutions.
Synthesis of a disulfide-bridged bispillar[5]arene and its application in supramolecular polymers
Authors: Sun Cai-Li , Xu Jiang-Fei , Chen Yu-Zhe , Niu Li-Ya , Wu Li-Zhu , Tung Chen-Ho , Yang Qing-Zheng
Published: February 2016

A disulfide-bridged bispillar[5]arene was synthesized efficiently and applied to fabricate supramolecular polymers, which were redox-responsive and could be used to prepare fluorescent water-dispersible nanospheres.
Controllable synthesis of Pd@ZIF-L catalysts by an assembly method
Authors: Jiang Hong , Xue Songlin , Liu Yefei , Chen Rizhi , Xing Weihong
Published: February 2016

Pd@ZIF-L catalysts with uniform morphology and better catalytic performance were fabricated by controlling the 2-MeIM/Zn2+ and PVP/Zn2+ molar ratios.
Influence of silk–silica fusion protein design on silica condensation in vitro and cellular calcification
Authors: Plowright Robyn , Dinjaski Nina , Zhou Shun , Belton David J. , Kaplan David L. , Perry Carole C.
Published: February 2016

Peptide location in silk–R5 genetic chimeras (N vs. C terminus) moderates cellular calcification and influences silicification through entropically driven protein aggregation.
Palladium-catalyzed difluoromethylthiolation of heteroaryl bromides, iodides, triflates and aryl iodides
Authors: Wu Jiang , Liu Yafei , Lu Changhui , Shen Qilong
Published: February 2016

A palladium-catalyzed difluoromethylthiolation of heteroaryl halides and triflates under mild conditions was described.
Cooperative multilevel dynamic space–time trellis coding scheme for improved system performance
Authors: Aneja Sakshi , Sharma Sanjay
Published: February 2016

This study proposes a system that employs multilevel coding scheme with dynamic space–time trellis codes (DSTTCs) as component codes in order to cooperatively transmit the information of mobile nodes to a common destination node. Perfect channel state information is available at both transmitter and receiver. Every mobile node has a DSTTC encoder at each information level, which receives feedback information from destination node and adapts to the current channel conditions by modifying its code set of generator sequences. The feedback information is in the form of an index of predefined channel profile with power gain in close proximity to the power gain of current channel profile at destination node. The proposed cooperative multilevel dynamic space–time trellis coding (CMLDSTTC) system has the potential of improving spectral efficiency, system throughput, diversity gain, coding gain with low decoding complexity. The CMLDSTTC system outperforms cooperative multilevel space–time trellis coding (CMLSTTC) system with predefined space–time trellis codes and non‐cooperative multilevel dynamic space–time trellis coding system by ∼5 and ∼2.5 dB, respectively, at frame error rate of 10−2 using two transmit and two receive antennas. The performance of CMLDSTTC system improves further with an increase in the bits of feedback information.
Adaptive fuzzy output‐feedback control for switched uncertain non‐linear systems
Authors: Long Lijun , Zhao Jun
Published: February 2016

The problem of adaptive fuzzy output‐feedback control for a class of switched uncertain non‐linear systems without the measurements of the system states is discussed. By utilising fuzzy logic systems to approximate unknown non‐linear functions, an adaptive fuzzy control technique for the problem under study is provided by exploiting the average dwell time method and the backstepping technique. To reduce the conservativeness caused by adoption of a common observer for all subsystems, a switched observer for switched systems is designed. It is proved that the proposed controllers of subsystems can guarantee the semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded for all the closed‐loop signals under a class of switching signals with average dwell time, while the output tracking error can converge to a small neighbourhood of the origin. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is illustrated by its application to a switched RLC circuit and a mass–spring–damper system.
Tunable cavity-enhanced photon pairs source in Hermite-Gaussian mode
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Yuan , Li Yan , Ding Dong-Sheng , Zhang Wei , Shi Shuai , Shi Bao-Sen , Guo Guang-Can
Published: February 2016

The spatial modes of light have grasped great research interests because of its great potentials in optical communications, optical manipulation and trapping, optical metrology and quantum information processing. Here we report on generating of photon pairs in Hermite-Gaussian (HG) mode in a type-I optical parametric oscillator operated far below threshold. The bandwidths of the photon pairs are 11.4 MHz and 20.8MHz for two different HG modes respectively, therefore the photons can be stored in cold Rubidium atomic ensembles. The non-classical properties of HG modes are clearly verified by the violation of Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. Our study provides an effective way to generate photon pairs with narrow bandwidth in high order spatial modes for high dimensional quantum communication.
Magnetohydrodynamic flow of Sisko fluid over a stretching cylinder with variable thermal conductivity: A numerical study
Authors: Malik M. Y. , Hussain Arif , Salahuddin T. , Awais M. , Bilal S.
Published: February 2016

In present study effects of magnetic field and variable thermal conductivity on Sisko fluid model are analyzed. The modeled partial differential equations are simplified by boundary layer approach. Appropriate similarity transformations are applied to transform governing partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. Then these equations are solved numerically by shooting method in combination with Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method. Comparison between present and previous computed results is presented via tables. The variations in fluid velocity and temperature are displayed through graphs for different values of Sisko fluid parameter, curvature parameter, magnetic field parameter, thermal conductivity parameter and Prandtl number. The effects of physical parameters on skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are exhibited with figures and tables.
Mineral metabolism of pregnant goats under feed restriction
Authors: Härter Carla J. , Lima Lisiane D. , Castagnino Douglas S. , Rivera Astrid R. , Nunes Alana M. , Sousa Samuel F. , Liesegang Annette , Resende Kleber T. , Teixeira Izabelle A. M. A.
Published: February 2016

We examined the effects of feed restriction on calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium metabolism in Oberhasli and Saanen goats during gestation. The 63 goats were distributed into groups that were divided into three levels of feed restriction (0%, 20% and 40% restriction) and slaughtered at different pregnancy stages (80, 110 and 140 days of gestation), in a randomised block design with a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. The mineral balance was determined at ~80, 110 and 140 days of gestation. The serum levels of minerals and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined during pregnancy. Mineral retention in the maternal body, femur, empty uterus, mammary gland, fetus and fetal fluid was also determined during gestation. Bone mineral density was measured in the femur. Mixed models with days of gestation, levels of feed restriction, breed and their interactions as fixed effects and blocks as random effect were used for data analysis. In response to the reduction in feed intake, the maternal body uses its mineral reserves to maintain gestation. Physiological adjustments of the goats subjected to 20% feed restriction avoided a decrease in fetal mineral deposition. More severe feed restriction, however, compromised concentrations of phosphorus, sodium and potassium in the fetus, which were the main minerals used by the maternal body, whereas calcium and magnesium deposition in fetuses remained unaffected. At 40% feed restriction, the retention of all minerals in the body decreased, and the fetal dry mass was on average also less than those fetuses from goats without feed restriction. The fetal deposition of phosphorus, sodium and potassium was also lower during 40% restriction.
Cattle removal in arid Australia benefits kangaroos in high quality habitat but does not affect camels
Authors: Frank Anke S. K. , Wardle Glenda M. , Greenville Aaron C. , Dickman Chris R.
Published: February 2016

Removing cattle as a management tool to conserve biodiversity may not necessarily alter grazing impacts on vegetation if other introduced or native herbivores move in and replace the cattle after removal. This study investigated whether there was a difference in the abundance of native red kangaroos (Osphranter (Macropus) rufus) and introduced feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on arid rangelands where cattle had been recently removed compared with where cattle remained. Activity was measured by clearing and weighing dung, and by counting animal sightings. Kangaroos were encountered more frequently in high quality habitat (gidgee woodland) where cattle had been recently removed. However, kangaroo dung in newly cattle-free areas comprised only ~1.5% of the weight of cattle dung in this habitat where cattle still grazed, indicating no grazing compensation by the native herbivore. Camels showed no clear preference for particular habitat types but used dune tops usually avoided by kangaroos and cattle. There was no indication of camels using habitats differently in areas where cattle were removed. Camel dung collected across all habitats comprised less than a tenth the weight of cattle dung, but almost five times as much as kangaroo dung. As cattle removal had occurred relatively recently, further monitoring is needed to determine its impact over longer periods, especially through low and high rainfall cycles. Methods to improve the monitoring of large herbivores in the presence and absence of livestock and to assess whether anticipated conservation goals are achieved are discussed.
Prevalence of human herpesvirus-8 among HIV-infected patients, intravenous drug users and the general population in Iran
Authors: Kakavand-Ghalehnoei Rezvan , Shoja Zabihollah , Najafi Alireza , Mollahoseini Mostafa Haji , Shahmahmoodi Shohreh , Marashi Sayed Mahdi , Nejati Ahmad , Jalilvand Somayeh
Published: February 2016

Studies looking at the frequency of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) among Iranian blood donors have produced conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HHV-8 DNA by using polymerase chain reaction methods among 168 healthy individuals, 60 intravenous drug users and 100 HIV-infected patients from Iran. The prevalence of HHV-8 was significantly higher among intravenous drug users (13.3%) compared with the general population (3.6%; P = 0.017). The HHV-8 genome was mostly detected among intravenous drug users who displayed high-risk sexual behaviours. Moreover, the HHV-8 genome was also detected in 8% of HIV-infected patients. The present study findings support the likelihood that the transmission of HHV-8 is via a sexual route in the Iranian population.
Proteomics of HCV virions reveals an essential role for the nucleoporin Nup98 in virus morphogenesis
Authors: Lussignol Marion , Kopp Martina , Molloy Kelly , Vizcay-Barrena Gema , Fleck Roland A. , Dorner Marcus , Bell Kierstin L. , Chait Brian T. , Rice Charles M. , Catanese Maria Teresa
Published: February 2016

Significance

Virion proteomics represents a powerful and unbiased approach to gain insights into the process of virus assembly and the host factors important for infection. For hepatitis C virus (HCV), it is known that infectious virions are assembled alongside endogenous lipoproteins to give rise to a chimeric lipoviral particle. Host-derived apolipoproteins coat the exterior of circulating particles, making for a veiled pathogen. The protein composition of HCV remains, however, undefined. Here, using MS, we identified novel viral and cellular proteins specifically associated with HCV virions and discovered an essential interaction between the capsid protein and the nucleoporin Nup98 that is required for virion biogenesis.
Bi-induced acceptor level responsible for partial compensation of native free electron density in InP1−xBix dilute bismide alloys
Authors: Gelczuk Łukasz , Stokowski Hubert , Kopaczek Jan , Zhang Liyao , Li Yaoyao , Wang Kai , Wang Peng , Wang Shumin , Kudrawiec Robert
Published: February 2016

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) has been applied to study electron and hole traps in InPBi alloys with 2.2 and 2.4% Bi grown by molecular beam epitaxy. One donor-like trap with the activation energy of 0.45–0.47 eV and one acceptor-like trap with activation energy of 0.08 eV have been identified in DLTS measurements. For the reference sample (InP grown at the same temperature), the deep donor trap has also been observed, while the acceptor trap was not detected. According to the literature, the deep donor level found in InP(Bi) at 0.45–0.47 eV below the conduction band has been attributed to the isolated PIn defect, while the second trap, which is observed only for Bi containing samples at 0.08 eV above the valence band can be attributed to Bi clusters in InPBi. This acceptor level was proposed to be responsible for the observed partial compensation of native free electron density in InPBi layers. It is also shown that the deep donor traps are active in photoluminescence (PL). A strong radiative recombination between donor traps and the valence band are observed in PL spectra at energy 0.6–0.8 eV, i.e. ~0.47 eV below the energy gap of InPBi, which is determined by contactless electroreflectance.
Modified pulse growth and misfit strain release of an AlN heteroepilayer with a Mg–Si codoping pair by MOCVD
Authors: Soomro Abdul Majid , Wu Chenping , Lin Na , Zheng Tongchang , Wang Huachun , Chen Hangyang , Li Jinchai , Li Shuping , Cai Duanjun , Kang Junyong
Published: February 2016

We report the modified pulse growth method together with an alternating introduction of larger-radius impurity (Mg) for the quality improvement and misfit strain release of an AlN epitaxial layer by the metal–organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) method. Various pulse growth methods were employed to control the migration of Al atoms on the substrate surface. The results showed that the pulse time and overlapping of V/III flux is closely related with the enhancement of the 2D and 3D growth mode. In order to reduce the misfit strain between AlN and sapphire, an impurity of larger atomic radius (e.g. Mg) was doped into the AlN lattice to minimize the rigidity of the AlN epilayer. It was found that the codoping of Mg–Si ultrathin layers could significantly minimize the residual strain as well as the density of threading dislocations.
MgSe/CdSe coupled quantum wells with optimized MgSe coupling layer thickness and near infrared intersubband absorption around 1.55 μm
Authors: Chen Guopeng , Tamargo Maria C , Shen Aidong
Published: February 2016

The authors report the optimization of MgSe coupling layer thickness in MgSe/CdSe coupled quantum well (QW) structures and its effect on structural and optical quality as well as electron energy levels in the QWs. The structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy with MgSe coupling layer thickness varying from 2 mono-layers (MLs), to 4 MLs. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the thinner the MgSe coupling layer thickness the better the structural quality of the samples. Photoluminescence showed red shift of QW emissions with the decrease of MgSe coupling layer thickness, as a result of stronger coupling of electron states in samples with thinner coupling layers. While in the structures with thinner (2 MLs) coupling layers, the electron energy levels broadening may weaken the intersubband (ISB) transitions, the weak ISB absorption in samples with thicker (4 MLs) coupling layers are likely due to the poorer overall sample quality. Optimized MgSe coupling layer thickness is found to be around 3 MLs, with which a clear coupling effect is observed with ISB absorption around 1.55 μm.
Computationally expanding infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array data to reveal distinct DNA methylation patterns of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fan Shicai , Li Chengzhe , Ai Rizi , Wang Mengchi , Firestein Gary S. , Wang Wei
Published: February 2016

Motivation: DNA methylation signatures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been identified in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) with Illumina HumanMethylation450 array. Since <2% of CpG sites are covered by the Illumina 450K array and whole genome bisulfite sequencing is still too expensive for many samples, computationally predicting DNA methylation levels based on 450K data would be valuable to discover more RA-related genes.

Results: We developed a computational model that is trained on 14 tissues with both whole genome bisulfite sequencing and 450K array data. This model integrates information derived from the similarity of local methylation pattern between tissues, the methylation information of flanking CpG sites and the methylation tendency of flanking DNA sequences. The predicted and measured methylation values were highly correlated with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.9 in leave-one-tissue-out cross-validations. Importantly, the majority (76%) of the top 10% differentially methylated loci among the 14 tissues was correctly detected using the predicted methylation values. Applying this model to 450K data of RA, osteoarthritis and normal FLS, we successfully expanded the coverage of CpG sites 18.5-fold and accounts for about 30% of all the CpGs in the human genome. By integrative omics study, we identified genes and pathways tightly related to RA pathogenesis, among which 12 genes were supported by triple evidences, including 6 genes already known to perform specific roles in RA and 6 genes as new potential therapeutic targets.

Availability and implementation: The source code, required data for prediction, and demo data for test are freely available at: http://wanglab.ucsd.edu/star/LR450K/.

Contact:  wei-wang@ucsd.edu or gfirestein@ucsd.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Identification and Characterization of Isolates of Pythium and Phytophthora spp. from Snap Beans with Cottony Leak
Authors: Olson J. D. , Damicone J. P. , Kahn B. A.
Published: February 2016

Cottony leak is an important disease of snap bean in Oklahoma and nearby states. Oomycete pathogens isolated from diseased pods collected from commercial fields and research plots consisted of both Pythium spp. (n = 131) and Phytophthora spp. (n = 46). Isolates were identified to species by morphological characteristics and by sequencing a portion of the internal transcribed spacer region of representative isolates. The most common Pythium spp. were Pythium ultimum var. ultimum; Pythium ‘group HS’, a self-sterile form of P. ultimum that produces hyphal swellings in lieu of sporangia (n = 74); and P. aphanidermatum (n = 50). Phytophthora spp. included Phytophthora drechsleri (n = 41) and P. nicotianae (n = 5). Nearly all of the isolates (95%) and all species were pathogenic on detached pods but Pythium ultimum var. ultimum and Pythium ‘group HS’ were most aggressive. Phytophthora drechsleri was most aggressive on seedlings, causing preemergence damping off and seed rot. Pythium ultimum var. ultimum, Pythium ‘group HS’, and P. aphanidermatum were intermediate in virulence to seedlings, causing root rot, stunting, and limited postemergence damping off. Phytophthora nicotianae and Pythium diclinum (n = 4) were not pathogenic on seedlings. Most (87%) isolates were sensitive to metalaxyl-M (concentration that caused a 50% reduction in mycelial growth [EC50] < 1 μg/ml) and the rest were intermediate in sensitivity (EC50 > 1 to < 100 μg/ml). Phytophthora drechsleri was the most sensitive species (EC50 = 0.06 μg/ml) compared with Pythium aphanidermatum, which was least sensitive (EC50 = 1.3 μg/ml). Cottony leak is a disease complex caused by several oomycete species that should include Phytophthora drechsleri, a newly reported pathogen of snap bean in the United States.
Clinical significance of serum claudin-1 levels in melanoma patients
Authors: Tas Faruk , Bilgin Elif , Erturk Kayhan , Duranyildiz Derya
Published: February 2016

Claudins are the most important structural and functional components of tight-junction integral membrane proteins. They play roles in major cellular functions including growth and adhesion and are responsible for regulating the paracellular transport of molecules. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of the serum levels of claudin-1, an oldest and important member of the claudin family, in melanoma patients. A total of 98 patients with a pathologically confirmed melanoma were enrolled into this study. Serum claudin-1 concentrations were determined by the solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Age-matched and sex-matched 43 healthy controls were included in the analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 51 years, ranging from 16 to 85 years. The majority of the patients were male (61%) and had axial localized (54%) and metastatic disease (61%). Moreover, most of the patients with metastatic disease had M1c (73%). The baseline serum claudin-1 levels of the melanoma patients were significantly lower than those of control subjects (median values 9.17 vs. 13.82 ng/ml, respectively, P<0.001). However, known clinical variables including age of the patient, sex, site of lesion, histology, lymph node involvement, stage of disease, serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, and response to chemotherapy were not found to be correlated with serum claudin-1 concentrations (P>0.05). Similarly, serum claudin-1 concentration was found to have no prognostic role in survival (P=0.524). In conclusion, serum levels of claudin-1 may have a diagnostic value in melanoma patients. However, its predictive and prognostic value has not been determined.
Characteristics and outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt recipients in the VA Healthcare System
Authors: Lerrigo Robert , Beste Lauren A. , Leipertz Steven L. , Green Pamela K. , Lok Anna S.F. , Kogut Matthew J. , Ioannou George N.
Published: February 2016

Background and Aims

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is an effective treatment for complications of portal hypertension. We aimed to describe post-TIPS mortality and its predictors in the modern era of covered stents.

Patients and methods

We identified patients with cirrhosis who underwent TIPS insertion at Veterans Affairs Healthcare facilities nationally from 2004 to 2014 (n=703), most of which (95%) were performed as elective procedures. We followed patients until the date of death, transplantation, or the end of the observation period.

Results

TIPS recipients had a mean age of 59.3 years (SD 8) and 97% were men. The mean Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 13 (SD 4.8); 47% had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 48% had variceal hemorrhage, and 40% had ascites. During a mean follow-up of 1.72 years (SD 1.9), 57.5% of TIPS recipients died (n=404) and only 5.3% underwent liver transplantation (n=37). The median survival after TIPS was 1.74 years (interquartile range 0.3–4.7). Thirty-day mortality after TIPS was 11.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.4–14.2], 1-year mortality was 40.3% (95% CI 36.7–44.2), and 3-year mortality was 61.9% (95% CI 57.9–66.0). Independent predictors of post-TIPS mortality included medical comorbidity burden, low albumin, HCV infection, and high MELD score (or high international normalized ratio and bilirubin when the components of the MELD score were analyzed individually). TIPS revision was performed at least once in 27.3% of TIPS recipients.

Conclusion

TIPS should not be considered simply as a bridge to transplantation. Burden of extra-hepatic comorbidities, HCV infection, and low serum albumin strongly predict post-TIPS mortality in addition to the MELD score.
Myoepithelial Carcinoma: The Role of Radiation Therapy. A Case Report and Analysis of Data From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Registry
Authors: Miccio Joseph A. , Oladeru Oluwadamilola T. , Yang Jie , Xue Yaqi , Hoda Syed T. , Ryu Samuel , Stessin Alexander M. , Parker Robert I.
Published: February 2016

Purpose/Objective:

The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) is unknown. We present a case of a high-grade soft-tissue MC in a pediatric patient and retrospectively examine the effect of postoperative radiation on survival in patients with MC.

Materials and Methods:

Our patient was treated with 4 cycles of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide followed by 3 cycles of ifosfamide vincristine and etoposide. Radiation was delivered to a total dose of 5580 cGy in 180 cGy/fraction to the surgical bed with a 2 cm margin starting after the third cycle of chemotherapy. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database was queried for cases of surgically resected MC. Retrospective analysis was performed with the endpoint of overall survival (OS).

Results:

Two hundred thirty-four cases of MC were identified; for 62 of these cases, the grade of the tumor wasidentified. Of these 62 patients, 27 received postoperative radiation. OS was improved with adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with grade III or IV MC (P<0.01) as determined by the log-rank test.

Conclusions:

This analysis of SEER data showed an OS benefit with adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of high-grade MC. Physicians should report all cases of MC to improve clinical decision making in the treatment of this rare disease.
Which Factors Are Associated with Open Reduction of Adult Mandibular Condylar Injuries?
Authors: Wang Howard D. , Susarla Srinivas M. , Mundinger Gerhard S. , Schultz Benjamin D. , Yang Robin , Bojovic Branko , Christy Michael R. , Manson Paul N. , Rodriguez Eduardo D. , Dorafshar Amir H.
Published: February 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the decision to perform open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condylar fractures.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with mandibular condylar fractures managed by the plastic and reconstructive surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and otorhinolaryngology services over a 15-year period. Bivariate associations and a multiple logistic regression model were computed for injury characteristics that were associated with open reduction and internal fixation. For all analyses, a value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Six hundred fifty-four condylar injuries were identified in 547 patients. The sample’s mean age was 36.0 ± 16.5 years, 20.5 percent were women, and 63 percent were Caucasian. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle collisions (49 percent), 53.4 percent involved the subcondylar region and 20 percent were bilateral injuries. Associated noncondylar mandibular fractures were present in 60 percent of cases; 20.7 percent were managed with open reduction and internal fixation. The overall complication rate was 21.6 percent. In a multiple logistic regression model, factors associated with an increased likelihood of open reduction and internal fixation were the presence of extracondylar mandibular injuries, condylar neck or subcondylar region injuries, increasing dislocation, and treatment by plastic and reconstructive surgery/oral and maxillofacial surgery (p ≤ 0.04).

Conclusions:

Increasing severity of mandibular injury, lower level of fracture, joint dislocation, and treatment by plastic and reconstructive surgery/oral and maxillofacial surgery are associated with open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condylar injuries.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.