bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetically and functionally defined NTS to PBN brain circuits mediating anorexia
Authors: Roman Carolyn W. , Derkach Victor A. , Palmiter Richard D.
Published: June 2016

The central nervous system controls food consumption to maintain metabolic homoeostasis. In response to a meal, visceral signals from the gut activate neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) via the vagus nerve. These NTS neurons then excite brain regions known to mediate feeding behaviour, such as the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBN). We previously described a neural circuit for appetite suppression involving calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP)-expressing PBN (CGRPPBN) neurons; however, the molecular identity of the inputs to these neurons was not established. Here we identify cholecystokinin (CCK) and noradrenergic, dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH)-expressing NTS neurons as two separate populations that directly excite CGRPPBN neurons. When these NTS neurons are activated using optogenetic or chemogenetic methods, food intake decreases and with chronic stimulation mice lose body weight. Our optogenetic results reveal that CCK and DBH neurons in the NTS directly engage CGRPPBN neurons to promote anorexia.
Diet-dependent, microbiota-independent regulation of IL-10-producing lamina propria macrophages in the small intestine
Authors: Ochi Takanori , Feng Yongjia , Kitamoto Sho , Nagao-Kitamoto Hiroko , Kuffa Peter , Atarashi Koji , Honda Kenya , Teitelbaum Daniel H. , Kamada Nobuhiko
Published: June 2016

Intestinal resident macrophages (Mϕs) regulate gastrointestinal homeostasis via production of an anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. Although a constant replenishment by circulating monocytes is required to maintain the pool of resident Mϕs in the colonic mucosa, the homeostatic regulation of Mϕ in the small intestine (SI) remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that direct stimulation by dietary amino acids regulates the homeostasis of intestinal Mϕs in the SI. Mice that received total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which deprives the animals of enteral nutrients, displayed a significant decrease of IL-10-producing Mϕs in the SI, whereas the IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells remained intact. Likewise, enteral nutrient deprivation selectively affected the monocyte-derived F4/80+ Mϕ population, but not non-monocytic precursor-derived CD103+ dendritic cells. Notably, in contrast to colonic Mϕs, the replenishment of SI Mϕs and their IL-10 production were not regulated by the gut microbiota. Rather, SI Mϕs were directly regulated by dietary amino acids. Collectively, our study highlights the diet-dependent, microbiota-independent regulation of IL-10-producing resident Mϕs in the SI.
Size distribution of ring polymers
Authors: Medalion Shlomi , Aghion Erez , Meirovitch Hagai , Barkai Eli , Kessler David A.
Published: June 2016

We present an exact solution for the distribution of sample averaged monomer to monomer distance of ring polymers. For non-interacting and local-interaction models these distributions correspond to the distribution of the area under the reflected Bessel bridge and the Bessel excursion respectively and are shown to be identical in dimensiond ≥ 2, albeit with pronounced finite size effects at the critical dimension,d = 2. A symmetry of the problem reveals that dimensiondand 4 − dare equivalent, thus the celebrated Airy distribution describing the areal distribution of thed = 1 Brownian excursion describes also a polymer in three dimensions. For a self-avoiding polymer in dimensiondwe find numerically that the fluctuations of the scaled averaged distance are nearly identical in dimensiond = 2, 3 and are well described to a first approximation by the non-interacting excursion model in dimension 5.
Continuous Compressed Sensing for Surface Dynamical Processes with Helium Atom Scattering
Authors: Jones Alex , Tamtögl Anton , Calvo-Almazán Irene , Hansen Anders
Published: June 2016

Compressed Sensing (CS) techniques are used to measure and reconstruct surface dynamical processes with a helium spin-echo spectrometer for the first time. Helium atom scattering is a well established method for examining the surface structure and dynamics of materials at atomic sized resolution and the spin-echo technique opens up the possibility of compressing the data acquisition process. CS methods demonstrating the compressibility of spin-echo spectra are presented for several measurements. Recent developments on structured multilevel sampling that are empirically and theoretically shown to substantially improve upon the state of the art CS techniques are implemented. In addition, wavelet based CS approximations, founded on a new continuous CS approach, are used to construct continuous spectra. In order to measure both surface diffusion and surface phonons, which appear usually on different energy scales, standard CS techniques are not sufficient. However, the new continuous CS wavelet approach allows simultaneous analysis of surface phonons and molecular diffusion while reducing acquisition times substantially. The developed methodology is not exclusive to Helium atom scattering and can also be applied to other scattering frameworks such as neutron spin-echo and Raman spectroscopy.
Modulation of the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Using Computer-Controlled Bioreactors: Impact on Neuronal Cell Proliferation, Survival and Differentiation
Authors: Teixeira Fábio G. , Panchalingam Krishna M. , Assunção-Silva Rita , Serra Sofia C. , Mendes-Pinheiro Bárbara , Patrício Patrícia , Jung Sunghoon , Anjo Sandra I. , Manadas Bruno , Pinto Luísa , Sousa Nuno , Behie Leo A. , Salgado António J.
Published: June 2016

In recent years it has been shown that the therapeutic benefits of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) in the Central Nervous System (CNS) are mainly attributed to their secretome. The implementation of computer-controlled suspension bioreactors has shown to be a viable route for the expansion of these cells to large numbers. As hMSCs actively respond to their culture environment, there is the hypothesis that one can modulate its secretome through their use. Herein, we present data indicating that the use of computer-controlled suspension bioreactors enhanced the neuroregulatory profile of hMSCs secretome. Indeed, higher levels ofin vitroneuronal differentiation and NOTCH1 expression in human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) were observed when these cells were incubated with the secretome of dynamically cultured hMSCs. A similar trend was also observed in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rat brains where, upon injection, an enhanced neuronal and astrocytic survival and differentiation, was observed. Proteomic analysis also revealed that the dynamic culturing of hMSCs increased the secretion of several neuroregulatory molecules and miRNAs present in hMSCs secretome. In summary, the appropriate use of dynamic culture conditions can represent an important asset for the development of future neuro-regenerative strategies involving the use of hMSCs secretome.
Phototheranostics of CD44-positive cell populations in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Jin Jiefu , Krishnamachary Balaji , Mironchik Yelena , Kobayashi Hisataka , Bhujwalla Zaver M.
Published: June 2016

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most lethal subtypes of breast cancer that has limited treatment options. Its high rates of recurrence and metastasis have been associated, in part, with a subpopulation of breast cancer stem-like cells that are resistant to conventional therapies. A compendium of markers such as CD44high/CD24low and increased expression of the ABCG2 transporter and increased aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1), have been associated with these cells. We developed a CD44-targeted monoclonal antibody photosensitizer conjugate for combined fluorescent detection and photoimmunotherapy (PIT) of CD44 expressing cells in TNBC. The CD44-targeted conjugate demonstrated acute cell killing of breast cancer cells with high CD44 expression. This cell death process was dependent upon CD44-specific cell membrane binding combined with near-infrared irradiation. The conjugate selectively accumulated in CD44-positive tumors and caused dramatic tumor shrinkage and efficient elimination of CD44-positive cell populations following irradiation. This novel phototheranostic strategy provides a promising opportunity for the destruction of CD44-positive populations that include cancer stem-like cells, in locally advanced primary and metastatic TNBC.
Cotton fiber tips have diverse morphologies and show evidence of apical cell wall synthesis
Authors: Stiff Michael R. , Haigler Candace H.
Published: June 2016

Cotton fibers arise through highly anisotropic expansion of a single seed epidermal cell. We obtained evidence that apical cell wall synthesis occurs through examining the tips of young elongating Gossypium hirsutum (Gh) and G. barbadense (Gb) fibers. We characterized two tip types in Gh fiber (hemisphere and tapered), each with distinct apical diameter, central vacuole location, and distribution of cell wall components. The apex of Gh hemisphere tips was enriched in homogalacturonan epitopes, including a relatively high methyl-esterified form associated with cell wall pliability. Other wall components increased behind the apex including cellulose and the α-Fuc-(1,2)-β-Gal epitope predominantly found in xyloglucan. Gb fibers had only one narrow tip type featuring characters found in each Gh tip type. Pulse-labeling of cell wall glucans indicated wall synthesis at the apex of both Gh tip types and in distal zones. Living Gh hemisphere and Gb tips ruptured preferentially at the apex upon treatment with wall degrading enzymes, consistent with newly synthesized wall at the apex. Gh tapered tips ruptured either at the apex or distantly. Overall, the results reveal diverse cotton fiber tip morphologies and support primary wall synthesis occurring at the apex and discrete distal regions of the tip.
Biodegradability of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) after femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Shibata Akimichi , Yada Shuhei , Terakawa Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2016

Biodegradation is a key property for biodegradable polymer-based tissue scaffolds because it can provide suitable space for cell growth as well as tailored sustainability depending on their role. Ultrashort pulsed lasers have been widely used for the precise processing of optically transparent materials, including biodegradable polymers. Here, we demonstrated the change in the biodegradation of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) following irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses at different wavelengths. Microscopic observation as well as water absorption and mass change measurement revealed that the biodegradation of the PLGA varied significantly depending on the laser wavelength. There was a significant acceleration of the degradation rate upon 400 nm-laser irradiation, whereas 800 nm-laser irradiation did not induce a comparable degree of change. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that laser pulses at the shorter wavelength dissociated the chemical bonds effectively, resulting in a higher degradation rate at an early stage of degradation.
Effectors and potential targets selectively upregulated in human KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Li Jinyu , Sordella Raffaella , Powers Scott
Published: June 2016

Genetic and proteomic analysis of human tumor samples can provide an important compliment to information obtained from model systems. Here we examined protein and gene expression from the Cancer Genome and Proteome Atlases (TCGA and TCPA) to characterize proteins and protein-coding genes that are selectively upregulated in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas. Phosphoprotein activation of several MAPK signaling components was considerably stronger in KRAS-mutants than any other group of tumors, even those with activating mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and BRAF. Co-occurring mutations in KRAS-mutants were associated with differential activation of PDK1 and PKC-alpha. Genes showing strong activation in RNA-seq data included negative regulators of RTK/RAF/MAPK signaling along with potential oncogenic effectors including activators of Rac and Rho proteins and the receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase genes PTPRM and PTPRE. These results corroborate RAF/MAPK signaling as an important therapeutic target in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas and pinpoint new potential targets.
The Hydration Structure at Yttria-Stabilized Cubic Zirconia (110)-Water Interface with Sub-Ångström Resolution
Authors: Hou Binyang , Kim Seunghyun , Kim Taeho , Kim Jongjin , Hong Seungbum , Bahn Chi Bum , Park Changyong , Kim Ji Hyun
Published: June 2016

The interfacial hydration structure of yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (110) surface in contact with water was determined with ~0.5 Å resolution by high-resolution X-ray reflectivity measurement. The terminal layer shows a reduced electron density compared to the following substrate lattice layers, which indicates there are additional defects generated by metal depletion as well as intrinsic oxygen vacancies, both of which are apparently filled by water species. Above this top surface layer, two additional adsorbed layers are observed forming a characteristic interfacial hydration structure. The first adsorbed layer shows abnormally high density as pure water and likely includes metal species, whereas the second layer consists of pure water. The observed interfacial hydration structure seems responsible for local equilibration of the defective surface in water and eventually regulating the long-term degradation processes. The multitude of water interactions with the zirconia surface results in the complex but highly ordered interfacial structure constituting the reaction front.
CREBH-FGF21 axis improves hepatic steatosis by suppressing adipose tissue lipolysis
Authors: Park Jong-Gil , Xu Xu , Cho Sungyun , Hur Kyu Yeon , Lee Myung-Shik , Kersten Sander , Lee Ann-Hwee
Published: June 2016

Adipose tissue lipolysis produces glycerol and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) that serve as energy sources during nutrient scarcity. Adipose tissue lipolysis is tightly regulated and excessive lipolysis causes hepatic steatosis, as NEFA released from adipose tissue constitutes a major source of TG in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. Here we show that the liver-enriched transcription factor CREBH is activated by TG accumulation and induces FGF21, which suppresses adipose tissue lipolysis, ameliorating hepatic steatosis. CREBH-deficient mice developed severe hepatic steatosis due to increased adipose tissue lipolysis, when fasted or fed a high-fat low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. FGF21 production was impaired in CREBH-deficient mice, and adenoviral overexpression of FGF21 suppressed adipose tissue lipolysis and improved hepatic steatosis in these mice. Thus, our results uncover a negative feedback loop in which CREBH regulates NEFA flux from adipose tissue to the liver via FGF21.
The thermal and electrical properties of the promising semiconductor MXene Hf2CO2
Authors: Zha Xian-Hu , Huang Qing , He Jian , He Heming , Zhai Junyi , Francisco Joseph S. , Du Shiyu
Published: June 2016

With the growing interest in low dimensional materials, MXenes have also attracted considerable attention recently. In this work, the thermal and electrical properties of oxygen-functionalized M2CO2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) MXenes are investigated using first-principles calculations. Hf2CO2 is determined to exhibit a thermal conductivity better than MoS2 and phosphorene. The room-temperature thermal conductivity along the armchair direction is determined to be 86.25~131.2 Wm−1 K−1 with a flake length of 5~100 μm. The room temperature thermal expansion coefficient of Hf2CO2 is 6.094 × 10−6 K−1, which is lower than that of most metals. Moreover, Hf2CO2 is determined to be a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.657 eV and to have high and anisotropic carrier mobility. At room temperature, the Hf2CO2 hole mobility in the armchair direction (in the zigzag direction) is determined to be as high as 13.5 × 103 cm2V−1s−1 (17.6 × 103 cm2V−1s−1). Thus, broader utilization of Hf2CO2, such as the material for nanoelectronics, is likely. The corresponding thermal and electrical properties of Ti2CO2 and Zr2CO2 are also provided. Notably, Ti2CO2 presents relatively lower thermal conductivity but much higher carrier mobility than Hf2CO2. According to the present results, the design and application of MXene based devices are expected to be promising.
From multiple pathogenicity islands to a unique organized pathogenicity archipelago
Authors: Bouyioukos Costas , Reverchon Sylvie , Képès François
Published: June 2016

Pathogenicity islands are sets of successive genes in a genome that determine the virulence of a bacterium. In a growing number of studies, bacterial virulence appears to be determined by multiple islands scattered along the genome. This is the case in a family of seven plant pathogens and a human pathogen that, under KdgR regulation, massively secrete enzymes such as pectinases that degrade plant cell wall. Here we show that their multiple pathogenicity islands form together a coherently organized, single “archipelago” at the genome scale. Furthermore, in half of the species, most genes encoding secreted pectinases are expressed from the same DNA strand (transcriptional co-orientation). This genome architecture favors DNA conformations that are conducive to genes spatial co-localization, sometimes complemented by co-orientation. As proteins tend to be synthetized close to their encoding genes in bacteria, we propose that this architecture would favor the efficient funneling of pectinases at convergent points within the cell. The underlying functional hypothesis is that this convergent funneling of the full blend of pectinases constitutes a crucial strategy for successful degradation of the plant cell wall. Altogether, our work provides a new approach to describe and predict, at the genome scale, the full virulence complement.
The cleaved FAS ligand activates the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1 through Akt/ROCK1 to stimulate cell motility
Authors: Monet Michael , Poët Mallorie , Tauzin Sébastien , Fouqué Amélie , Cophignon Auréa , Lagadic-Gossmann Dominique , Vacher Pierre , Legembre Patrick , Counillon Laurent
Published: June 2016

Transmembrane CD95L (Fas ligand) can be cleaved to release a promigratory soluble ligand, cl-CD95L, which can contribute to chronic inflammation and cancer cell dissemination. The motility signaling pathway elicited by cl-CD95L remains poorly defined. Here, we show that in the presence of cl-CD95L, CD95 activates the Akt and RhoA signaling pathways, which together orchestrate an allosteric activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1. Pharmacologic inhibition of Akt or ROCK1 independently blocks the cl-CD95L-induced migration. Confirming these pharmacologic data, disruption of the Akt and ROCK1 phosphorylation sites on NHE1 decreases cell migration in cells exposed to cl-CD95L. Together, these findings demonstrate that NHE1 is a novel molecular actor in the CD95 signaling pathway that drives the cl-CD95L-induced cell migration through both the Akt and RhoA signaling pathways.
Characterization of different CTC subpopulations in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hanssen Annkathrin , Wagner Jenny , Gorges Tobias M. , Taenzer Aline , Uzunoglu Faik G. , Driemel Christiane , Stoecklein Nikolas H. , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Angenendt Sebastian , Hauch Siegfried , Atanackovic Djordje , Loges Sonja , Riethdorf Sabine , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet
Published: June 2016

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) serve as valuable biomarkers. However, EpCAM positive CTCs are less frequently detected in NSCLC patients compared to other epithelial tumours. First, EpCAM protein expression was analysed in primary and metastatic lung cancer tissue. In both groups 21% of the samples were EpCAM negative. Second, the CellSearch system identified 15% of patients (n = 48) as CTC positive whereas a multiplex RT-PCR for PIK3CA, AKT2, TWIST, and ALDH1 following EGFR, HER2 and EpCAM based enrichment detected CTCs in 29% of the patients. Interestingly, 86% of CTC positive patients were found to express ALDH1. Only 11% of the patients were CTC-positive by both techniques. CTC positivity was associated with patient disease state when assessed by the multiplex RT-PCR assay (p = 0.015). Patients harbouring tumours with an altered EGFR genotype were more frequently CTC-positive compared to patients with EGFR wildtype tumours. In subsets of patients, CTCs were found to express genes involved in resistance to therapy such as HER3 and MET. In conclusion, using multiple targets for CTC capture and identification increases the sensitivity of CTC detection in NSCLC patients, which can be explained by the presence of different CTC subtypes with distinct molecular features.
Experimental Models in Syrian Golden Hamster Replicate Human Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Yunan , Kayoumu Abudurexiti , Lu Guotao , Xu Pengfei , Qiu Xu , Chen Liye , Qi Rong , Huang Shouxiong , Li Weiqin , Wang Yuhui , Liu George
Published: June 2016

The hamster has been shown to share a variety of metabolic similarities with humans. To replicate human acute pancreatitis with hamsters, we comparatively studied the efficacy of common methods, such as the peritoneal injections of caerulein, L-arginine, the retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate, and another novel model with concomitant administration of ethanol and fatty acid. The severity of pancreatitis was evaluated by serum amylase activity, pathological scores, myeloperoxidase activity, and the expression of inflammation factors in pancreas. The results support that the severity of pathological injury is consistent with the pancreatitis induced in mice and rat using the same methods. Specifically, caerulein induced mild edematous pancreatitis accompanied by minimal lung injury, while L-arginine induced extremely severe pancreatic injury including necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. Infusion of Na-taurocholate into the pancreatic duct induced necrotizing pancreatitis in the head of pancreas and lighter inflammation in the distal region. The severity of acute pancreatitis induced by combination of ethanol and fatty acids was between the extent of caerulein and L-arginine induction, with obvious inflammatory cells infiltration. In view of the advantages in lipid metabolism features, hamster models are ideally suited for the studies of pancreatitis associated with altered metabolism in humans.
Performance and cross-crop resistance of Cry1F-maize selected Spodoptera frugiperda on transgenic Bt cotton: implications for resistance management
Authors: Yang Fei , Kerns David L. , Brown Sebe , Kurtz Ryan , Dennehy Tim , Braxton Bo , Head Graham , Huang Fangneng
Published: June 2016

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins have become a primary tool in pest management. Due to the intensive use of Bt crops, resistance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, to Cry1F maize has occurred in Puerto Rico, Brazil and some areas of the southeastern U.S. The sustainability of Bt crops faces a great challenge because the Cry1F-maize resistant S. frugiperda may also infest other Bt crops in multiple cropping ecosystems. Here we examined the survival and plant injury of a S. frugiperda population selected with Cry1F maize on three single-gene and five pyramided Bt cotton products. Larvae of Cry1F-susceptible (SS), -heterozygous (RS) and -resistant (RR) genotypes of S. frugiperda were all susceptible to the pyramided cotton containing Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab, Cry1Ac/Cry1F/Vip3A, Cry1Ab/Cry2Ae, or Cry1Ab/Cry2Ae/Vip3A and the single-gene Cry2Ae cotton. Pyramided cotton containing Cry1Ac/Cry1F was effective against SS and RS, but not for RR. These findings show that the Cry1F-maize selected S. frugiperda can cause cross-crop resistance to other Bt crops expressing similar insecticidal proteins. Resistance management and pest management programs that utilize diversify mortality factors must be implemented to ensure the sustainability of Bt crops. This is especially important in areas where resistance to single-gene Bt crops is already widespread.
A Genome-wide Study of “Non-3UTR” Polyadenylation Sites in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Guo Cheng , Spinelli Matthew , Liu Man , Li Qingshun Q. , Liang Chun
Published: June 2016

Alternative polyadenylation has been recognized as a key contributor of gene expression regulation by generating different transcript isoforms with altered 3′ ends. Although polyadenylation is well known for marking the end of a 3′ UTR, an increasing number of studies have reported previously less-addressed polyadenylation events located in other parts of genes in many eukaryotic organisms. These other locations include 5′ UTRs, introns and coding sequences (termed herein as non-3UTR), as well as antisense and intergenic polyadenlation. Focusing on the non-3UTR polyadenylation sites (n3PASs), we detected and characterized more than 11000 n3PAS clusters in the Arabidopsis genome using poly(A)-tag sequencing data (PAT-Seq). Further analyses suggested that the occurrence of these n3PASs were positively correlated with certain characteristics of their respective host genes, including the presence of spliced, diminutive or diverse beginning of 5′ UTRs, number of introns and whether introns have extreme lengths. The interaction of the host genes with surrounding genetic elements, like a convergently overlapped gene and associated transposable element, may contribute to the generation of a n3PAS as well. Collectively, these results provide a better understanding of n3PASs and offer some new insights of the underlying mechanisms for non-3UTR polyadenylation and its regulation in plants.
Synthesizing 2D MoS2 Nanofins on carbon nanospheres as catalyst support for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Hu Yan , Chua Daniel H. C.
Published: June 2016

Highly dense 2D MoS2 fin-like nanostructures on carbon nanospheres were fabricated and formed the main catalyst support structure in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. These nanofins were observed growing perpendicular to the carbon nanosphere surface in random orientations and high resolution transmission electron microscope confirmed 2D layers. The PEM fuel cell test showed enhanced electrochemical activity with good stability, generating over 8.5 W.mgPt−1 as compared to standard carbon black of 7.4 W.mgPt−1 under normal operating conditions. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy confirmed that the performance improvement is highly due to the excellent water management of the MoS2 lamellar network, which facilitates water retention at low current density and flood prevention at high current density. Reliability test further demonstrated that these nanofins are highly stable in the electrochemical reaction and is an excellent ORR catalyst support.
Glycosylation of plasma IgG in colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Theodoratou Evropi , Thaçi Kujtim , Agakov Felix , Timofeeva Maria N. , Štambuk Jerko , Pučić-Baković Maja , Vučković Frano , Orchard Peter , Agakova Anna , Din Farhat V. N. , Brown Ewan , Rudd Pauline M. , Farrington Susan M. , Dunlop Malcolm G. , Campbell Harry , Lauc Gordan
Published: June 2016

In this study we demonstrate the potential value of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation as a novel prognostic biomarker of colorectal cancer (CRC). We analysed plasma IgG glycans in 1229 CRC patients and correlated with survival outcomes. We assessed the predictive value of clinical algorithms and compared this to algorithms that also included glycan predictors. Decreased galactosylation, decreased sialylation (of fucosylated IgG glycan structures) and increased bisecting GlcNAc in IgG glycan structures were strongly associated with all-cause (q < 0.01) and CRC mortality (q = 0.04 for galactosylation and sialylation). Clinical algorithms showed good prediction of all-cause and CRC mortality (Harrell’s C: 0.73, 0.77; AUC: 0.75, 0.79, IDI: 0.02, 0.04 respectively). The inclusion of IgG glycan data did not lead to any statistically significant improvements overall, but it improved the prediction over clinical models for stage 4 patients with the shortest follow-up time until death, with the median gain in the test AUC of 0.08. These glycan differences are consistent with significantly increased IgG pro-inflammatory activity being associated with poorer CRC prognosis, especially in late stage CRC. In the absence of validated biomarkers to improve upon prognostic information from existing clinicopathological factors, the potential of these novel IgG glycan biomarkers merits further investigation.
Risk factors for endophthalmitis requiring evisceration or enucleation
Authors: Lu Xuehui , Ng Danny Siu-Chun , Zheng Kangkeng , Peng Kun , Jin Chuang , Xia Honghe , Chen Weiqi , Chen Haoyu
Published: June 2016

Endophthalmitis has devastating sequelae resulting in blindness and even loss of eyeball. Although the prognosis of endophthalmitis has much improved with the advances of antibiotics and vitreoretinal surgery, of the number of patients that required evisceration or enucleation is still significant. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 210 eyes of 210 patients with endophthalmitis andcompared the group that required evisceration or enucleation with those that received salvaging therapies. Regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for evisceration or enucleation. Thirty eyes (14.3%) underwent enucleation or evisceration. The group of eviscerated or enucleated eyes were older (58.7 vs. 42.2 years, p < 0.001), had more women (56.7% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.003), had poorer initial visual acuity (2.79 vs. 2.10 LogMAR, p < 0.001) and had longer duration before intervention (18.03 vs. 5.74 days, p = 0.031). The most common primary indications for endophthalmitis were infections from corneal ulcer (50.0% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001) andfrom endogenous source (23.3% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001). Less common indications were trauma (26.7% vs. 67.8%, p < 0.001) and postoperative (6.7% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.049) endophthalmitis. After adjusting for confounding factors, corneal ulcer-related endophthalmitis, endogenous endophthalmitis and initial visual acuity were the independent risk factors for evisceration or enucleation.
Arm crossing updates brain functional connectivity of the left posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Ora Hiroki , Wada Makoto , Salat David , Kansaku Kenji
Published: June 2016

The unusual configuration of body parts can cause illusions. For example, when tactile stimuli are delivered to crossed arms a reversal of subjective temporal ordering occurs. Our group has previously demonstrated that arm crossing without sensory stimuli causes activity changes in the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and an assessment of tactile temporal order judgments (TOJs) revealed a positive association between activity in this area, especially the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the degree of the crossed-hand illusion. Thus, the present study investigated how the IPS actively relates to other cortical areas under arms-crossed and -uncrossed conditions by analyzing the functional connectivity of the IPS. Regions showing connectivity with the IPS overlapped with regions within the default mode network (DMN) but the IPS also showed connectivity with other brain areas, including the frontoparietal control network (FPCN). The right middle/inferior frontal gyrus (MFG/IFG), which is included in the FPCN, showed greater connectivity in the arms-crossed condition than in the arms-uncrossed condition. These findings suggest that there is state-dependent connectivity during arm crossing and that the left IPS may play an important role during the spatio-temporal updating of arm positions.
Dynamic terahertz spectroscopy of gas molecules mixed with unwanted aerosol under atmospheric pressure using fibre-based asynchronous-optical-sampling terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Hsieh Yi-Da , Nakamura Shota , Abdelsalam Dahi Ghareab , Minamikawa Takeo , Mizutani Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Hirotsugu , Iwata Tetsuo , Hindle Francis , Yasui Takeshi
Published: June 2016

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is a promising method for analysing polar gas molecules mixed with unwanted aerosols due to its ability to obtain spectral fingerprints of rotational transition and immunity to aerosol scattering. In this article, dynamic THz spectroscopy of acetonitrile (CH3CN) gas was performed in the presence of smoke under the atmospheric pressure using a fibre-based, asynchronous-optical-sampling THz time-domain spectrometer. To match THz spectral signatures of gas molecules at atmospheric pressure, the spectral resolution was optimized to 1 GHz with a measurement rate of 1 Hz. The spectral overlapping of closely packed absorption lines significantly boosted the detection limit to 200 ppm when considering all the spectral contributions of the numerous absorption lines from 0.2 THz to 1 THz. Temporal changes of the CH3CN gas concentration were monitored under the smoky condition at the atmospheric pressure during volatilization of CH3CN droplets and the following diffusion of the volatilized CH3CN gas without the influence of scattering or absorption by the smoke. This system will be a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of target gases in practical applications of gas analysis in the atmospheric pressure, such as combustion processes or fire accident.
Atomic-resolved depth profile of strain and cation intermixing around LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces
Authors: Zaid H. , Berger M. H. , Jalabert D. , Walls M. , Akrobetu R. , Fongkaew I. , Lambrecht W. R. L. , Goble N. J. , Gao X. P. A. , Berger P. , Sehirlioglu A.
Published: June 2016

Novel behavior has been observed at the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures such as two dimensional metallic conductivity, magnetic scattering and superconductivity. However, both the origins and quantification of such behavior have been complicated due to an interplay of mechanical, chemical and electronic factors. Here chemical and strain profiles near the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures are correlated. Conductive and insulating samples have been processed, with thicknesses respectively above and below the commonly admitted conductivity threshold. The intermixing and structural distortions within the crystal lattice have been quantitatively measured near the interface with a depth resolution of unit cell size. A strong link between intermixing and structural distortions at such interfaces is highlighted: intermixing was more pronounced in the hetero-couple with conductive interface, whereas in-plane compressive strains extended deeper within the substrate of the hetero-couple with the insulating interface. This allows a better understanding of the interface local mechanisms leading to the conductivity.
Biomedical-grade, high mannuronic acid content (BioMVM) alginate enhances the proteoglycan production of primary human meniscal fibrochondrocytes in a 3-D microenvironment
Authors: Rey-Rico Ana , Klich Angelique , Cucchiarini Magali , Madry Henning
Published: June 2016

Alginates are important hydrogels for meniscus tissue engineering as they support the meniscal fibrochondrocyte phenotype and proteoglycan production, the extracellular matrix (ECM) component chiefly responsible for its viscoelastic properties. Here, we systematically evaluated four biomedical- and two nonbiomedical-grade alginates for their capacity to provide the best three-dimensional (3-D) microenvironment and to support proteoglycan synthesis of encapsulated human meniscal fibrochondrocytes in vitro. Biomedical-grade, high mannuronic acid alginate spheres (BioLVM, BioMVM) were the most uniform in size, indicating an effect of the purity of alginate on the shape of the spheres. Interestingly, the purity of alginates did not affect cell viability. Of note, only fibrochondrocytes encapsulated in BioMVM alginate produced and retained significant amounts of proteoglycans. Following transplantation in an explant culture model, the alginate spheres containing fibrochondrocytes remained in close proximity with the meniscal tissue adjacent to the defect. The results reveal a promising role of BioMVM alginate to enhance the proteoglycan production of primary human meniscal fibrochondrocytes in a 3-D hydrogel microenvironment. These findings have significant implications for cell-based translational studies aiming at restoring lost meniscal tissue in regions containing high amounts of proteoglycans.
Fast and high resolution single-cell BRET imaging
Authors: Goyet Elise , Bouquier Nathalie , Ollendorff Vincent , Perroy Julie
Published: June 2016

Resonance Energy Transfer (RET)-based technologies are used to report protein-protein interactions in living cells. Among them, Bioluminescence-initiated RET (BRET) provides excellent sensitivity but the low light intensity intrinsic to the bioluminescent process hampers its use for the localization of protein complexes at the sub-cellular level. Herein we have characterized the methodological conditions required to reliably perform single-cell BRET imaging using an extremely bright luciferase, Nanoluciferase (Nluc). With this, we achieved an unprecedented performance in the field of protein-protein interaction imaging in terms of temporal and spatial resolution, duration of signal stability, signal sensitivity and dynamic range. As proof-of-principle, an Nluc-containing BRET-based sensor of ERK activity enabled the detection of subtle, transient and localized variations in ERK activity in neuronal dendritic spines, induced by the activation of endogenous synaptic NMDA receptors. This development will improve our comprehension of both the spatio-temporal dynamics of protein-protein interactions and the activation patterns of specific signaling pathways.
NutriPhone: a mobile platform for low-cost point-of-care quantification of vitamin B12 concentrations
Authors: Lee Seoho , O’Dell Dakota , Hohenstein Jess , Colt Susannah , Mehta Saurabh , Erickson David
Published: June 2016

Vitamin B12 is necessary for formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, neural myelination, brain development and growth. Vitamin B12 deficiency is often asymptomatic early in its course; however, once it manifests, particularly with neurological symptoms, reversal by dietary changes or supplementation becomes less effective. Access to easy, low cost and personalized nutritional diagnostics could enable individuals to better understand their own deficiencies as well as track the effects of dietary changes. In this work, we present the NutriPhone, a mobile platform for the analysis of blood vitamin B12 levels in 15 minutes. The NutriPhone technology comprises of a smartphone accessory, an app and a competitive-type lateral flow test strip that quantifies vitamin B12 levels. To achieve the detection of sub-nmol/L physiological levels of vitamin B12, our assay incorporates an innovative “spacer pad” for increasing the duration of the key competitive binding reaction and uses silver amplification of the initial signal. We demonstrate the efficacy of our NutriPhone system by quantifying physiologically relevant levels of vitamin B12 and performing human trials where it was used to accurately evaluate blood vitamin B12 status of 12 participants from just a drop (~40 μl) of finger prick blood.
Facile synthesis of iron phosphide nanorods for efficient and durable electrochemical oxygen evolution
Authors: Xiong Dehua , Wang Xiaoguang , Li Wei , Liu Lifeng
Published: June 2016

Iron phosphide (FeP) nanorods supported on carbon fiber paper electrodes exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability toward the oxygen evolution reaction.
Enhanced fluorescence of [[5′-(4-hydroxyphenyl)[2,2′-bithiophen]-5-yl]methylene]-propanedinitrile (NIAD-4): solvation induced micro-viscosity enhancement
Authors: Hu Jiangpu , Zhu Huaning , Li Yang , Wang Xian , Ma Renjun , Guo Qianjin , Xia Andong
Published: June 2016

The solvation induced micro-viscosity enhancement effects on the fluorescence of a novel amyloid fibril marker (NIAD-4) were investigated in different alcoholic and aprotic solvents.
Experimentally probing the libration of interfacial water: the rotational potential of water is stiffer at the air/water interface than in bulk liquid
Authors: Tong Yujin , Kampfrath Tobias , Campen R. Kramer
Published: June 2016

Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy measurements reveal that the libration frequency of interfacial water is significantly higher than bulk liquid water, suggesting that water's rotational potential stiffens on moving from the bulk liquid to the air/water interface.
Mechanism of Co–C photodissociation in adenosylcobalamin
Authors: Garabato Brady D. , Lodowski Piotr , Jaworska Maria , Kozlowski Pawel M.
Published: June 2016

A mechanism of Co–C bond photodissociation in the base-on form of adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) was investigated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT).
Photoinduced charge separation in wide-band capturing, multi-modular bis(donor styryl)BODIPY–fullerene systems
Authors: Obondi Christopher O. , Lim Gary N. , Karr Paul A. , Nesterov Vladimir N. , D'Souza Francis
Published: June 2016

A new series of multi-modular, wide-band capturing donor–acceptor systems capable of exhibiting photoinduced charge separation have been designed, synthesized and characterized using various techniques.
A first-principles study of the tuning effect of a Fe2O3 cluster on the dehydrogenation properties of a LiBH4 (001) surface
Authors: Liu Chuan , Huang Shiping
Published: June 2016

First-principles calculations were performed to investigate the effects of a Fe2O3 cluster on the structural, electronic and dehydrogenation properties of a LiBH4 (001) surface.
Tricarbonylrhenium(i) complexes with 2-acetylpyridine-derived hydrazones are cytotoxic to NCI-H460 human large cell lung cancer
Authors: Garcia Camila Vargas , Parrilha Gabrieli Lessa , Rodrigues Bernardo Lages , Teixeira Sarah Fernandes , de Azevedo Ricardo Alexandre , Ferreira Adilson Kleber , Beraldo Heloisa
Published: June 2016

Tricarbonylrhenium(i)-hydrazone complexes showed antiproliferative activity against NCI-H460 cells. The mode of action involves apoptosis and ROS scavenge.
Nickel(ii) complexes chelated by 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide: syntheses, characterization, and ethylene oligomerization
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Shaofeng , Li Antai , Ye Hongqi , Li Zhibo
Published: June 2016

Ni(ii) complexes chelated by a neutral tridentate amide ligand are conveniently prepared and are highly active for ethylene oligomerization.
Inhibitive action and adsorption behavior of cefotaxime drug at copper/hydrochloric acid interface: electrochemical, surface and quantum chemical studies
Authors: El-Haddad Mahmoud N.
Published: June 2016

The inhibitive action and adsorption behavior of cefotaxime drug on corrosion of copper in 0.1 mol L−1 HCl solutions was discussed using potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, EFM, SEM and EDX techniques.
Production and electrical characterization of the reflectin A2 isoform from Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii
Authors: Ordinario David D. , Phan Long , Walkup IV Ward G. , Van Dyke Yegor , Leung Erica M. , Nguyen Michael , Smith Amanda G. , Kerr Justin , Naeim Mahan , Kymissis Ioannis , Gorodetsky Alon A.
Published: June 2016

​We report an improved methodology for the production of cephalopod proteins known as reflectins. Our findings may afford new opportunities for the study of these proteins’ multifaceted materials properties.
Markovnikov addition of imidazole derivatives with vinyl esters catalyzed by lipase TL IM from Thermomyces lanuginosus/K2CO3 in a continuous-flow microreactor
Authors: Du Li-Hua , Cheng Bing-Zhuo , Yang Wen-Jun , Xu Liang-Liang , Luo Xi-Ping
Published: June 2016

In this work, a simple and efficient method for Markovnikov addition of imidazole derivatives to vinyl esters catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM/K2CO3 in a continuous-flow microreactor was described.
Chromogenic and fluorogenic multianalyte detection with a tuned receptor: refining selectivity for toxic anions and nerve agents
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Rana Hemlata , Raviraju G. , Garg Prabhat , Baghel Anuradha , Gupta A. K.
Published: June 2016

In the present study, a chemical probe was finely tuned for the highly selective and sensitive chromogenic and fluorogenic detection of toxic anions and a nerve agent.
Non-covalent marriage of β-cyclodextrin-polyethylene glycol and functional polyacrylamide via host–guest interaction: construction, characterization and performances
Authors: Zhang Yanlin , Tan Naidi , Zhao Pinwen
Published: June 2016

This paper reports the non-covalent marriage of bridged β-cyclodextrin and functional acrylamide polymers via host–guest interactions.
Enzymatic transesterification for biodiesel production: a comprehensive review
Authors: Norjannah B. , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Masjuki H. H. , Juan J. C. , Chong W. T.
Published: June 2016

Biodiesel catalyzed by enzyme is affected by many factors. This review will critically discuss the three major components of enzymatic production of biodiesel and the methods used to improve the reaction.
Benzene hydrogenation over alumina-supported nickel nanoparticles prepared by polyol method
Authors: Mokrane Tahar , Boudjahem Abdel-Ghani , Bettahar Mohammed
Published: June 2016

The reactivity of alumina-supported nickel catalysts can be improved by storing hydrogen in catalysts. This illustrates that a smooth correlation exists between the amount of stored hydrogen in catalysts and the catalytic activity.
Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution system by assembling earth abundant NixOy nanoclusters in cubic MCM-48 mesoporous materials
Authors: Peng Rui , Shrestha Khadga , Mishra Gautam , Baltrusaitis Jonas , Wu Chia-Ming , Koodali Ranjit T.
Published: June 2016

A MCM-48 mesoporous support containing NiO and Ni2O3 nanoclusters exhibit high activity for photocatalytic hydrogen production in comparison to NiO.
Molecular dynamics simulation of Al–SiO2sandwich nanostructure melting and low-temperature energetic reaction behavior
Authors: Zhang Jinping , Si Yubing , Leng Can , Yang Baocheng
Published: June 2016

The heating and low temperature thermite reactions of the Al/SiO2sandwich nanostructure are investigated by MD simulations in combination with the reactive force field. The results show that the melting temperature of this structure is ∼1400 K.
Novel magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with sulfonated asphaltene as crude oil spill collectors
Authors: Abdullah Mahmood M. S. , Al-Lohedan Hamad A. , Atta Ayman M.
Published: June 2016

This work aims to apply modified asphaltene for capping of magnetite to form dispersed hydrophobic magnetic nanomaterials for environmental applications.
Silsesquioxane-based luminescent PMMA nanocomposites
Authors: Shen Rong , Feng Shengyu , Liu Hongzhi
Published: June 2016

Multimethacrylate functionalized cage silsesquioxane is a highly polymerizable monomer that can also act as a ligand coordinating agent to form luminescent hybrid complex with rare earth ions.
Interconnected CuS nanowalls with rough surfaces grown on nickel foam as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yan , Xu Jie , Zheng Yayun , Hu Xiaoyang , Shang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yingjiu
Published: June 2016

Three-dimensional interconnected CuS nanowalls with rough surfaces on Ni foam were obtained through a facial ​ synthetic route. The binder-free electrode exhibits high electrochemical performance with excellent cycling stability.
Perylene diimide derivatives as red and deep red-emitters for fully solution processable OLEDs
Authors: Kozma Erika , Mróz Wojciech , Villafiorita-Monteleone Francesca , Galeotti Francesco , Andicsová-Eckstein Anita , Catellani Marinella , Botta Chiara
Published: June 2016

We report on the photophysical characterization of two solution-processable red-emissive perylene diimide molecules and on their use in fully solution assembled OLEDs.
Self-assembled mesoporous Ni0.85Se spheres as high performance counter cells of dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Bai Jinwu , Yang Bo , Li Guang , Liu Lu
Published: June 2016

Mesoporous Ni0.85Se spheres exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity as counter cell of dye-sensitized solar cells.