bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Aspect Ratio Sub‐Micrometer Channels Using Wet Etching: Application to the Dynamics of Red Blood Cell Transiting through Biomimetic Splenic Slits
Authors: Gambhire Priya , Atwell Scott , Iss Cécile , Bedu Frédéric , Ozerov Igor , Badens Catherine , Helfer Emmanuèle , Viallat Annie , Charrier Anne
Published: June 2017

Nanoparticles delivering drugs, disseminating cancer cells, and red blood cells (RBCs) during splenic filtration must deform and pass through the sub‐micrometer and high aspect ratio interstices between the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. The dynamics of passage of particles/cells through these slit‐like interstices remain poorly understood because the in vitro reproduction of slits with physiological dimensions in devices compatible with optical microscopy observations requires expensive technologies. Here, novel microfluidic PDMS devices containing high aspect ratio slits with sub‐micrometer width are molded on silicon masters using a simple, inexpensive, and highly flexible method combining standard UV lithography and anisotropic wet etching. These devices enabled revealing novel modes of deformations of healthy and diseased RBCs squeezing through splenic‐like slits (0.6–2 × 5–10 × 1.6–11 µm3) under physiological interstitial pressures. At the slit exit, the cytoskeleton of spherocytic RBCs seemed to be detached from the lipid membrane whereas RBCs from healthy donors and patients with sickle cell disease exhibited peculiar tips at their front. These tips disappeared much slower in patients' cells, allowing estimating a threefold increase in RBC cytoplasmic viscosity in sickle cell disease. Measurements of time and rate of RBC sequestration in the slits allowed quantifying the massive trapping of spherocytic RBCs.
Tautomerization and Dissociation of Molecular Peptide Radical Cations
Authors: Mu Xiaoyan , Song Tao , Siu Chi‐Kit , Chu Ivan K.
Published: June 2017

Radical‐mediated dissociations of peptide radical cations have intriguing unimolecular gas phase chemistry, with cleavages of almost every bond of the peptide backbone and amino acid side chains in a competitive and apparently “stochastic” manner. Challenges of unraveling mechanistic details are related to complex tautomerizations prior to dissociations. Recent conjunctions of experimental and theoretical investigations have revealed the existence of non‐interconvertible isobaric tautomers with a variety of radical‐site‐specific initial structures, generated from dissociative electron transfer of ternary metal‐ligand‐peptide complexes. Their reactivity is influenced by the tautomerization barriers, perturbing the nature, location, or number of radical and charge site(s), which also determine the energetics and dynamics of the subsequent radical‐mediated dissociatons. The competitive radical‐ and charge‐induced dissociations are extremely dependent on charge density. Charge sequesting can reduce the charge densities on the peptide backbone and hence enhance the flexibility of structural rearrangement. Analysing the structures of precursors, intermediates and products has led to the discovery of many novel radical migration prior to peptide backbone and/or side chain fragmentations. Upon these successes, scientists will be able to build peptide cationic analogues/tautomers having a variety of well‐defined radical sites.
Development of Proton‐Responsive Catalysts
Authors: Wang Lin , Kanega Ryoichi , Kawanami Hajime , Himeda Yuichiro
Published: June 2017

A changeable ligand, which involves in activation of a catalyst or assists a reaction, draws an increasing attention, in contrast to a classical ligand as spectator. Proton‐responsive catalysts, which are capable of undergoing changes of properties on gaining/losing one or more protons, provides interesting features as follows: (i) catalyst activation by electronic effect, (ii) pH‐tuning of water‐solubility, and (iii) second‐coordination‐sphere interaction. On the basis of this catalyst design concept, we developed several highly efficient proton‐responsive catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation as H2 storage, formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation as H2 production, and transfer hydrogenation. The transformable ligands of proton‐responsive catalysts in promoting effective catalysis have aroused our interest. In this account, we summarize our efforts for the development and application of proton‐responsive catalysts. Specifically, the important role of pH‐dependent proton‐responsive complexes will be discussed.
Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Harimoto Norifumi , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Sakata Kazuhito , Nagatsu Akihisa , Motomura Takashi , Itoh Shinji , Harada Noboru , Ikegami Toru , Uchiyama Hideaki , Soejima Yuji , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: June 2017

Background

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an objective tool widely used to assess nutritional status in patients with inflammatory disease, chronic heart failure, and chronic liver disease. The relationship between CONUT score and prognosis in patients who have undergone hepatic resection, however, has not been evaluated.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected for 357 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone hepatic resection with curative intent between January 2004 and December 2015. The patients were assigned to two groups, those with preoperative CONUT scores ≤3 (low CONUT score) and >3 (high CONUT score), and their clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and long‐term survival were compared.

Results

Of the 357 patients, 69 (19.3%) had high (>3) and 288 (80.7%) had low (≤3) preoperative CONUT scores. High CONUT score was significantly associated with HCV infection, low serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations, low lymphocyte count, shorter prothrombin time, Child–Pugh B and liver damage B scores, and blood transfusion. Multivariate analysis identified six factors prognostic of poor overall survival (older age, liver damage B score, high CONUT score, poor tumor differentiation, the presence of intrahepatic metastases, and blood transfusion) and five factors prognostic of reduced recurrence‐free survival (older age, higher ICGR15, larger tumor size, presence of intrahepatic metastasis, and blood transfusion).

Conclusions

In patients with HCC, preoperative CONUT scores are predictive of poorer overall survival, even after adjustments for other known predictors.
Guideline Implementation: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Part 1
Authors: Wasielewski Annette
Published: June 2017

Since its inception in the early 1990s, technological developments have made minimally invasive surgery the preferred approach for many operative procedures. However, perioperative personnel have had to develop new skills and techniques to manage this technology. The advent of robotic‐assisted procedures in the early 2000s added another level of complexity to the perioperative arena. The updated AORN “Guideline for minimally invasive surgery” provides guidance for creating a safe environment for patients undergoing a wide range of procedures in which complex, advanced equipment and techniques are used. This article focuses on key points of the guideline that address OR configuration for minimally invasive surgery, safe practices for robotic‐assisted procedures, and reducing risks associated with gas insufflation media. Perioperative RNs should review the complete guideline for additional information and for guidance when writing and updating policies and procedures.
Back to Basics: Radiation Safety
Authors: Spruce Lisa
Published: June 2017

Perioperative team members and patients are frequently exposed to radiation during operative and other invasive procedures. The use of equipment that emits radiation (eg, a fluoroscopy unit) is beneficial for diagnosing and treating patients but carries the risk of harm if team members do not follow radiation safety guidelines. Perioperative team members should implement safety precautions for themselves and their patients when radiation is used. This Back to Basics article addresses the basics of radiation safety and the precautions that perioperative team members should implement in the perioperative setting.
Perioperative Nursing Management of Donor and Recipient Patients Undergoing Face Transplantation
Authors: Sweeney Nicole , Allen Kathryn , Miller Brooke , Nolan Theresa , Sheerin Kathleen
Published: June 2017

Individuals with debilitating facial injuries and deformities have achieved significant improvement of aesthetic form and function after undergoing a face transplantation. The involvement of surgical technologists and perioperative nurses in the care of the recipient and donor plays a critical role in the success of these procedures. There are unique challenges that staff members may be presented with when caring for a donor and recipient undergoing a face transplantation, including less comfort with and knowledge of the surgical procedure and instrumentation, an increased amount of equipment and personnel in the OR, donor and recipient admission and discharge care, and increased shift length. At New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, we have developed a comprehensive process to prepare staff members to care for patients undergoing face transplantation.
Clinical Issues—July 2017
Authors: Ogg Mary J. , Johnstone Esther M.
Published: June 2017

This Month

Operation of fluoroscopy equipment

Key words: fluoroscopy, mini C‐arm, scope of practice, radiologic device.

Patient education after radionuclide implantation

Key words: radionuclides, brachytherapy, prostate cancer, radiation safety.

Personal protective equipment

Key words: clean, decontamination, instruments, PPE, tray assembly.

Safe staffing patterns

Key words: on‐call staffing, schedules, safe staffing levels.

Counting instruments when laparoscopy procedures convert to open procedures

Key words: counts, instrument, laparoscopy, retained surgical items.
The Internal Challenges of Associational Governance
Authors: Dadush Sarah
Published: June 2017

This essay describes the normative dynamics within industry associations that affect their contributions to private transnational legal ordering. It asserts that even the most powerful associations possess characteristics that undermine their autonomy to rulemake for their industries, and so, their ability to govern. Examining the relationships between associations and their members helps us identify the forces that impede the effectiveness of associational governance, an important source of transnational private regulation.
Notation and Music Education
Authors: FAUTLEY MARTIN
Published: June 2017

Every year on the pre-service teacher education course with which I am associated in England, we have something we have come to refer to as ‘the notation argument’. When this happens varies, but it normally occurs fairly near the beginning of the course. In essence, what happens is that a divide opens up between those pre-service teachers who believe they need to teach western classical stave notation in isolation from other aspects of music, and that this needs to be done in advance of other musical activities, as preparation for them. The other group of pre-service trainee teachers counter this with the case that there should be some sort of a need for this knowledge, and that acquiring it in isolation is unlikely to happen anyway. This notation argument can rage, on and off, for a good proportion of the first term, depending on how the issues are dealt with, and how passionate the various advocates are.
Music education: Why bother? - ERRATUM
Authors: FAUTLEY MARTIN
Published: June 2017

Unfortunately the March 2017 issue of the journal contained the wrong version of the editorial. The correct version is contained in this erratum.

The Editors apologise for the error.
A practical and catalyst-free trifluoroethylation reaction of amines using trifluoroacetic acid
Authors: Andrews Keith G. , Faizova Radmila , Denton Ross M.
Published: June 2017

Amines are a fundamentally important class of biologically active compounds and the ability to manipulate their physicochemical properties through the introduction of fluorine is of paramount importance in medicinal chemistry. Current synthesis methods for the construction of fluorinated amines rely on air and moisture sensitive reagents that require special handling or harsh reductants that limit functionality. Here we report practical, catalyst-free, reductive trifluoroethylation reactions of free amines exhibiting remarkable functional group tolerance. The reactions proceed in conventional glassware without rigorous exclusion of either moisture or oxygen, and use trifluoroacetic acid as a stable and inexpensive fluorine source. The new methods provide access to a wide range of medicinally relevant functionalized tertiary β-fluoroalkylamine cores, either through direct trifluoroethylation of secondary amines or via a three-component coupling of primary amines, aldehydes and trifluoroacetic acid. A reduction of in situ-generated silyl ester species is proposed to account for the reductive selectivity observed.
A distinct function of the retinoblastoma protein in the control of lipid composition identified by lipidomic profiling
Authors: Muranaka H , Hayashi A , Minami K , Kitajima S , Kohno S , Nishimoto Y , Nagatani N , Suzuki M , Kulathunga L A N , Sasaki N , Okada N , Matsuzaka T , Shimano H , Tada H , Takahashi C
Published: June 2017

Here, by combining lipidomics with transcriptome analysis, we demonstrate that Rb depletion in mouse embryonic fibroblastss induces significant alterations in their lipid composition. We discovered that Rb depletion induced increase in lysophosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol (DAG), fatty acid (FA), acylcarnitine, phosphatidylcholine (PC), arachidonoyl ethanolamine, and decrease in phosphatidylglycerol, monoacylglycerol, without change in total lipid per protein levels. Analysis of the acyl chain composition of DAG, PC and phosphatidylserine revealed increase of saturated and mono-unsaturated acyl chains with specific carbon chain length. Consistently, we observed that Rb depletion increased the levels of fatty acids with the corresponding carbon chain length and number of carbon–carbon double bondssuch as myristic acid (14:0), palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0) and all forms of FA 18:1. Microarray analysis revealed that Rb depletion induced significant upregulation of enzymes involved in elongation and desaturation of fatty acids. Among these, we found that elongation of long chain fatty acid family member 6 (Elovl6) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1) are the most robustly controlled by Rb possibly through E2F and sterol regulatory element-binding protein transcription factors. Depletion of Elovl6 or Scd1 significantly suppressed colony formation, sphere formation and xenograft tumor growth of Rb-deficient tumor cells. Suppression of self-renewal by the SCD1 inhibitor was rescued upon supplementation of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids generated by this enzyme. This study suggests a novel role for Rb in suppressing the malignant progression of tumors by controlling the lipid composition.
Exosomes from Plasmodium-infected hosts inhibit tumor angiogenesis in a murine Lewis lung cancer model
Authors: Yang Y , Liu Q , Lu J , Adah D , Yu S , Zhao S , Yao Y , Qin L , Qin L , Chen X
Published: June 2017

Previous research to investigate the interaction between malaria infection and tumor progression has revealed that malaria infection can potentiate host immune response against tumor in tumor-bearing mice. Exosomes may play key roles in disseminating pathogenic host-derived molecules during infection because several studies have shown the involvement and roles of extracellular vesicles in cell–cell communication. However, the role of exosomes generated during Plasmodium infection in tumor growth, progression and angiogenesis has not been studied either in animals or in the clinics. To test this hypothesis, we designed an animal model to generate and isolate exosomes from mice which were subsequently used to treat the tumor. Intra-tumor injection of exosomes derived from the plasma of Plasmodium-infected mice provided significantly reduced Lewis lung cancer growth in mice. We further co-cultured the isolated exosomes with endothelial cells and observed significantly reduced expression of VEGFR2 and migration in the endothelial cells. Interestingly, high level of micro-RNA (miRNA) 16/322/497/17 was detected in the exosomes derived from the plasma of mice infected with Plasmodium compared with those from control mice. We observed that overexpression of the miRNA 16/322/497/17 in endothelial cell corresponded with decreased expression of VEGFR2, inhibition of angiogenesis and inhibition of the miRNA 16/322/497/17 significantly alleviated these effects. These data provide novel scientific evidence of the interaction between Plasmodium infection and lung cancer growth and angiogenesis.
Anisotropy of magnetic interactions and symmetry of the order parameter in unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4
Authors: Kim Bongjae , Khmelevskyi Sergii , Mazin Igor I. , Agterberg Daniel F. , Franchini Cesare
Published: June 2017

Sr2RuO4 is the best candidate for spin-triplet superconductivity, an unusual and elusive superconducting state of fundamental importance. In the last three decades, Sr2RuO4 has been very carefully studied and despite its apparent simplicity when compared with strongly correlated high-Tc cuprates, for which the pairing symmetry is understood, there is no scenario that can explain all the major experimental observations, a conundrum that has generated tremendous interest. Here, we present a density-functional-based analysis of magnetic interactions in Sr2RuO4 and discuss the role of magnetic anisotropy in its unconventional superconductivity. Our goal is twofold. First, we access the possibility of the superconducting order parameter rotation in an external magnetic field of 200 Oe, and conclude that the spin–orbit interaction in this material is several orders of magnitude too strong to be consistent with this hypothesis. Thus, the observed invariance of the Knight shift across Tc has no plausible explanation, and casts doubt on using the Knight shift as an ultimate litmus paper for the pairing symmetry. Second, we propose a quantitative double-exchange-like model for combining itinerant fermions with an anisotropic Heisenberg magnetic Hamiltonian. This model is complementary to the Hubbard-model-based calculations published so far, and forms an alternative framework for exploring superconducting symmetry in Sr2RuO4. As an example, we use this model to analyze the degeneracy between various p-triplet states in the simplest mean-field approximation, and show that it splits into a single and two doublets with the ground state defined by the competition between the “Ising” and “compass” anisotropic terms.
Nanoscale rheology at solid-complex fluid interfaces
Authors: Jaksch Sebastian , Holderer Olaf , Gvaramia Manuchar , Ohl Michael , Monkenbusch Michael , Frielinghaus Henrich
Published: June 2017

Here we present an approach to measure dynamic membrane properties of phospholipid membranes close to an interface. As an example we show results of the membrane dynamics of a phospholipid membrane multilayer-stack on a solid substrate (silicon). On this sample we were able to measure local interaction and friction parameters using Grazing Incidence Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy (GINSES), where an evanescent neutron wave probes the fluctuations close to a rigid interface. With this method it is possible to access length scales in the nano to micrometer region as well as energies in the μeV range. Using a new neutron resonator structure we achieved the required intensity gain for this experiment. During our investigations we found an excitation mode of the phospholipid membrane that has not been reported previously and only became visible using the new methodology. We speculate that the energy transported by that undulation can also serve to distribute energy over a larger area of the membrane, stabilizing it. This new methodology has the capability to probe the viscoelastic effects of biological membranes, becoming a new tool for tribology on the nanoscale and has allowed the observation of the hitherto invisible property of phospholipid membranes using neutrons.
Infection is an Independent Predictor of Death in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Dendle Claire , Gilbertson Michael , Spelman Tim , Stuart Rhonda L. , Korman Tony M. , Thursky Karin , Opat Stephen , McQuilten Zoe
Published: June 2017

To identify risk factors for infection in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin and prednisolone (R-CHOP) treatment. All patients with DLBCL who received R-CHOP from 2004–2014 in a tertiary Australian hospital were identified and information collected from hospital admission data, laboratory results and medical record review. Infection was defined as hospitalisation with an ICD-10-AM diagnostic code for infection. Risk factors for infection and association between infection and survival were modelled using Cox proportional hazards regression. Over the 10-year period there were 325 patients; 191 (58.8%) males, median age 66 years. 206 (63.4%) patients experienced ≥1 infection. Independent predictors of infection were Charlson comorbidity index score (hazard ratio [HR] 3.60, p = 0.002), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (HR 2.09 p = <0.001) and neutropenia (HR 2.46, p = <0.001). 99 (31%) patients died. Infection was an independent predictor of survival (HR 3.27, p = <0.001, as were age (HR 2.49, p = 0.001), Charlson comorbidity index (HR 4.34, p = <0.001), ECOG performance status (HR 4.33, p = 0.045) and neutropenia (HR 1.95, p = 0.047). Infections are common and infection itself is an independent predictor of survival. Patients at highest risk of infection and death are those with multiple comorbidities, poor performance status and neutropenia.
A new, exceptionally preserved juvenile specimen of Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi (Diapsida) and implications for Mesozoic marine diapsid phylogeny
Authors: Scheyer Torsten M. , Neenan James M. , Bodogan Timea , Furrer Heinz , Obrist Christian , Plamondon Mathieu
Published: June 2017

Recently it was suggested that the phylogenetic clustering of Mesozoic marine reptile lineages, such as thalattosaurs, the very successful fish-shaped ichthyosaurs and sauropterygians (including plesiosaurs), among others, in a so-called ‘superclade’ is an artefact linked to convergent evolution of morphological characters associated with a shared marine lifestyle. Accordingly, partial ‘un-scoring’ of the problematic phylogenetic characters was proposed. Here we report a new, exceptionally preserved and mostly articulated juvenile skeleton of the diapsid reptile, Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi, a species previously recovered within the marine reptile ‘superclade’, for which we now provide a revised diagnosis. Using micro-computed tomography, we show that besides having a deep skull with a short and broad rostrum, the most outstanding feature of the new specimen is extensive, complex body armour, mostly preserved in situ, along its vertebrae, ribs, and forelimbs, as well as a row of flat, keeled ventrolateral osteoderms associated with the gastralia. As a whole, the anatomical features support an essentially terrestrial lifestyle of the animal. A review of the proposed partial character ‘un-scoring’ using three published data matrices indicate that this approach is flawed and should be avoided, and that within the marine reptile ‘superclade’ E. dalsassoi potentially is the sister taxon of Sauropterygia.
Eigen-analysis reveals components supporting super-resolution imaging of blinking fluorophores
Authors: Agarwal Krishna , Prasad Dilip K.
Published: June 2017

This paper presents eigen-analysis of image stack of blinking fluorophores to identify the components that enable super-resolved imaging of blinking fluorophores. Eigen-analysis reveals that the contributions of spatial distribution of fluorophores and their temporal photon emission characteristics can be completely separated. While cross-emitter cross-pixel information of spatial distribution that permits super-resolution is encoded in two matrices, temporal statistics weigh the contribution of these matrices to the measured data. The properties and conditions of exploitation of these matrices are investigated. Con-temporary super-resolution imaging methods that use blinking for super-resolution are studied in the context of the presented analysis. Besides providing insight into the capabilities and limitations of existing super-resolution methods, the analysis shall help in designing better super-resolution techniques that directly exploit these matrices.
Inhibitors Alter the Stochasticity of Regulatory Proteins to Force Cells to Switch to the Other State in the Bistable System
Authors: Jhang Wun-Sin , Lo Shih-Chiang , Yeh Chen-Chao , Shu Che-Chi
Published: June 2017

The cellular behaviors under the control of genetic circuits are subject to stochastic fluctuations, or noise. The stochasticity in gene regulation, far from a nuisance, has been gradually appreciated for its unusual function in cellular activities. In this work, with Chemical Master Equation (CME), we discovered that the addition of inhibitors altered the stochasticity of regulatory proteins. For a bistable system of a mutually inhibitory network, such a change of noise led to the migration of cells in the bimodal distribution. We proposed that the consumption of regulatory protein caused by the addition of inhibitor is not the only reason for pushing cells to the specific state; the change of the intracellular stochasticity is also the main cause for the redistribution. For the level of the inhibitor capable of driving 99% of cells, if there is no consumption of regulatory protein, 88% of cells were guided to the specific state. It implied that cells were pushed, by the inhibitor, to the specific state due to the change of stochasticity.
Computational insights and the observation of SiC nanograin assembly: towards 2D silicon carbide
Authors: Susi Toma , Skákalová Viera , Mittelberger Andreas , Kotrusz Peter , Hulman Martin , Pennycook Timothy J. , Mangler Clemens , Kotakoski Jani , Meyer Jannik C.
Published: June 2017

While an increasing number of two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene and silicene, have already been realized, others have only been predicted. An interesting example is the two-dimensional form of silicon carbide (2D-SiC). Here, we present an observation of atomically thin and hexagonally bonded nanosized grains of SiC assembling temporarily in graphene oxide pores during an atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy experiment. Even though these small grains do not fully represent the bulk crystal, simulations indicate that their electronic structure already approaches that of 2D-SiC. This is predicted to be flat, but some doubts have remained regarding the preference of Si for sp3 hybridization. Exploring a number of corrugated morphologies, we find completely flat 2D-SiC to have the lowest energy. We further compute its phonon dispersion, with a Raman-active transverse optical mode, and estimate the core level binding energies. Finally, we study the chemical reactivity of 2D-SiC, suggesting it is like silicene unstable against molecular absorption or interlayer linking. Nonetheless, it can form stable van der Waals-bonded bilayers with either graphene or hexagonal boron nitride, promising to further enrich the family of two-dimensional materials once bulk synthesis is achieved.
Noninvasive spatiotemporal imaging of neural transmission in the subcortical visual pathway
Authors: Yoshida Fumiaki , Hirata Masayuki , Onodera Ayako , Goto Tetsu , Sugata Hisato , Yorifuji Shiro
Published: June 2017

Spatiotemporal signal transmission in the human subcortical visual pathway has not been directly demonstrated to date. To delineate this signal transmission noninvasively, we investigated the early latency components between 45 ms (P45m) and 75 ms (N75m) of visually-evoked neuromagnetic fields (VEFs). Four healthy volunteers participated in this study. Hemi-visual field light flash stimuli were delivered a total of 1200 times. Neuromagnetic responses were measured with a 160-channel whole-head gradiometer. In three participants, averaged waveforms indicated a subtle but distinct component that peaked with a very early latency at 44.7 ± 2.1 ms with an initial rise latency of 36.8 ± 3.1 ms, followed by a typical prominent cortical component at 75 ms. The moving equivalent current dipoles continuously estimated from P45m to N75m were first localized in the vicinity of the contralateral lateral geniculate body, then rapidly propagated along the optic radiation and finally terminated in the contralateral calcarine fissure. This result indicates that the source of P45m is the lateral geniculate body and that the early latency components P45m–N75m of the VEFs reflect neural transmission in the optic radiation. This is the first report to noninvasively demonstrate the neurophysiological transmission of visual information through the optic radiation.
First-principles study of superconducting hydrogen sulfide at pressure up to 500 GPa
Authors: Durajski Artur P. , Szczęśniak Radosław
Published: June 2017

We investigate the possibility of achieving the room-temperature superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide (H3S) through increasing external pressure, a path previously widely used to reach metallization and superconducting state in novel hydrogen-rich materials. The electronic properties and superconductivity of H3S in the pressure range of 250–500 GPa are determined by the first-principles calculations. The metallic character of a body-centered cubic Im$$\overline{{\bf{3}}}$$

3

¯

m structure is found over the whole studied pressure. Moreover, the absence of imaginary frequency in phonon spectrum implies that this structure is dynamically stable. Furthermore, our calculations conducted within the framework of the Eliashberg formalism indicate that H3S in the range of the extremely high pressures is a conventional strong-coupling superconductor with a high superconducting critical temperature, however, the maximum critical temperature does not exceed the value of 203 K.
3′UTR polymorphisms of carbonic anhydrase IX determine the miR-34a targeting efficiency and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hua Kuo-Tai , Liu Yu-Fan , Hsu Chia-Lang , Cheng Tsu-Yao , Yang Ching-Yao , Chang Jeng-Shou , Lee Wei-Jiunn , Hsiao Michael , Juan Hsueh-Fen , Chien Ming-Hsien , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: June 2017

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) expression level has been considered as a poor prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the judging criteria of CA9 level is hard to define for potential clinical applications. Unlike CA9 expression level, CA9 polymorphism is poorly documented in HCC. Here, we found that people carry A allele at CA9 rs1048638, a 3′UTR SNP, has higher risk of HCC. rs1048638-CA correlates with advanced stages, larger tumor sizes, more vascular invasion, and shorter survival of HCC patients. A allele at CA9 rs1048638 impairs miR-34a, a tumor suppressor miRNA in HCC, binding to CA9 3′UTR and desensitizes CA9 mRNA to miR-34a-dependent RNA degradation. CA9 expression levels were also correlated with miR-34a levels and rs1048638 genotypes in HCC patients. rs1048638 influences HCC risk and progression through effects on miR-34a-targeted CA9 expression in HCC. In conclusion, genetic variations of the CA9 3′UTR play important roles in regulating CA9 expression and cancer progression, which is a novel determinant and target for HCC metastasis and prognosis.
Surface Engineering for Mechanical Enhancement of Cell Sheet by Nano-Coatings
Authors: Yang Miso , Kang Eunah , Shin Jong wook , Hong Jinkee
Published: June 2017

Cell sheet technology is becoming increasingly popular in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, due to integrity into versatile organ and manageable cell and tissue type from the bank, and no needs of large volume organ for transplantation. Cell sheets have still a room to resolve the mechanical resistance under load-bearing occasion, easy translocation into organ, and prompt shape modulation for regular application in vivo. Herein, a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of nanometer scaled film coating method was introduced to inter-planar cell sheet for multilayered cell sheet (M1) and a single cell before sheet formation (M2). Nano-films with collagen and alginate increased mechanical property of cell sheets without altering cell functions, viability, and proliferation. The moduli of triple layered cell sheet (M1) and (M2) were critically enhanced to 109% and 104%, compared to uncoated cell sheet (CON) with mono-layer, while modulus of CON with triple-layers were increased to 43%. LbL assembly to cell sheets offers increased modulus allowing cell sheet engineering to become a potential strategy under load-bearing environment.
Transcriptome analysis explores genes related to shikonin biosynthesis in Lithospermeae plants and provides insights into Boraginales’ evolutionary history
Authors: Wu Feng-Yao , Tang Cheng-Yi , Guo Yu-Min , Bian Zhuo-Wu , Fu Jiang-Yan , Lu Gui-Hua , Qi Jin-Liang , Pang Yan-Jun , Yang Yong-Hua
Published: June 2017

Shikonin and its derivatives extracted from Lithospermeae plants’ red roots have current applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Previous studies have cloned some genes related to shikonin biosynthesis. However, most genes related to shikonin biosynthesis remain unclear, because the lack of the genome/transcriptome of the Lithospermeae plants. Therefore, in order to provide a new understanding of shikonin biosynthesis, we obtained transcriptome data and unigenes expression profiles in three shikonin-producing Lithospermeae plants, i.e.,Lithospermum erythrorhizon,Arnebia euchromaandEchium plantagineum. As a result, two unigenes (i.e.,G10Hand12OPR) that are involved in “shikonin downstream biosynthesis” and “methyl jasmonate biosynthesis” were deemed to relate to shikonin biosynthesis in this study. Furthermore, we conducted a Lamiids phylogenetic model and identified orthologous unigenes under positive selection in above three Lithospermeae plants. The results indicated Boraginales was more relative to Solanales/Gentianales than to Lamiales.
Dielectric properties of complex magnetic field induced states in PbCuSO4(OH)2
Authors: Mack T. , Ruff A. , Krug von Nidda H.-A. , Loidl A. , Krohns S.
Published: June 2017

Spin spirals, which coexist with collinear spin order in linarite PbCuSO4(OH)2, indicate electrical polarisation textures of spin-multipolar phases. We derive experimental evidence by a detailed investigation of the magnetic-field dependent dielectric and electric polarization properties at low temperatures. Linarite exhibits a quasi-one-dimensional frustrated S = ½ spin chain, which forms 3D spin-spiral order in zero magnetic field for T < 2.85 K. Recently, due to the monoclinic lattice of linarite with CuO2 ribbon chains, complex magnetic field induced states were found. These spin-multipolar phases, which compete with spin-density waves at low magnetic fields, exist in close vicinity to the transition from the spin spiral into field induced spin polarized state. Via antisymmetric Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction spin-driven ferroelectricity develops in the spin-spirals state. Via electric polarization measurements this allows to prove the transitions into complex magnetic field induced phases. Thorough analyses of the temperature and magnetic field dependent dielectric properties of a naturally grown single crystalline sample provide a detailed (T,H) phase diagrams for the three different crystallographic directions.
Mobile nucleic acid amplification testing (mobiNAAT) for Chlamydia trachomatis screening in hospital emergency department settings
Authors: Shin D. J. , Athamanolap P. , Chen L. , Hardick J. , Lewis M. , Hsieh Y. H. , Rothman R. E. , Gaydos C. A. , Wang T. H.
Published: June 2017

Management of curable sexually-transmitted infections (STI) such as Chlamydia can be revolutionized by highly sensitive nucleic acid testing that is deployable at the point-of-care (POC). Here we report the development of a mobile nucleic acid amplification testing (mobiNAAT) platform utilizing a mobile phone and droplet magnetofluidics to deliver NAAT in a portable and accessible format. By using magnetic particles as a mobile substrate for nucleic acid capture and transport, fluid handling is reduced to particle translocation on a simple magnetofluidic cartridge assembled with reagents for nucleic acid purification and amplification. A mobile phone user interface operating in tandem with a portable Bluetooth-enabled cartridge-processing unit facilitates process integration. We tested 30 potentially Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)-infected patients in a hospital emergency department and confirmed that mobiNAAT showed 100% concordance with laboratory-based NAAT. Concurrent evaluation by a nontechnical study coordinator who received brief training via an embedded mobile app module demonstrated ease of use and reproducibility of the platform. This work demonstrates the potential of mobile nucleic acid testing in bridging the diagnostic gap between centralized laboratories and hospital emergency departments.
Mitochondrial genomes of two Australian fishflies with an evolutionary timescale of Chauliodinae
Authors: Yang Fan , Jiang Yunlan , Yang Ding , Liu Xingyue
Published: June 2017

Fishflies (Corydalidae: Chauliodinae) with a total of ca. 130 extant species are one of the major groups of the holometabolous insect order Megaloptera. As a group which originated during the Mesozoic, the phylogeny and historical biogeography of fishflies are of high interest. The previous hypothesis on the evolutionary history of fishflies was based primarily on morphological data. To further test the existing phylogenetic relationships and to understand the divergence pattern of fishflies, we conducted a molecule-based study. We determined the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two Australian fishfly species, Archichauliodes deceptor Kimmins, 1954 and Protochauliodes biconicus Kimmins, 1954, both members of a major subgroup of Chauliodinae with high phylogenetic significance. A phylogenomic analysis was carried out based on 13 mt protein coding genes (PCGs) and two rRNAs genes from the megalopteran species with determined mt genomes. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses recovered the Dysmicohermes clade as the sister group of the Archichauliodes clade + the Protochauliodes clade, which is consistent with the previous morphology-based hypothesis. The divergence time estimation suggested that the divergence among the three major subgroups of fishflies occurred during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous when the supercontinent Pangaea was undergoing sequential breakup.
Fam64a is a novel cell cycle promoter of hypoxic fetal cardiomyocytes in mice
Authors: Hashimoto Ken , Kodama Aya , Honda Takeshi , Hanashima Akira , Ujihara Yoshihiro , Murayama Takashi , Nishimatsu Shin-ichiro , Mohri Satoshi
Published: June 2017

Fetal cardiomyocytes actively proliferate to form the primitive heart in utero in mammals, but they stop dividing shortly after birth. The identification of essential molecules maintaining this active cardiomyocyte proliferation is indispensable for potential adult heart regeneration. A recent study has shown that this proliferation depends on a low fetal oxygen condition before the onset of breathing at birth. We have established an isolation protocol for mouse fetal cardiomyocytes, performed under strict low oxygen conditions to mimic the intrauterine environment, that gives the highest proliferative activities thus far reported. Oxygen exposure during isolation/culture markedly inhibited cell division and repressed cell cycle-promoting genes, and subsequent genome-wide analysis identified Fam64a as a novel regulatory molecule. Fam64a was abundantly expressed in hypoxic fetal cardiomyocyte nuclei, but this expression was drastically repressed by oxygen exposure, and in postnatal cardiomyocytes following the onset of breathing and the resulting elevation of oxygen tension. Fam64a knockdown inhibited and its overexpression enhanced cardiomyocyte proliferation. Expression of a non-degradable Fam64a mutant suggested that optimum Fam64a expression and subsequent degradation by anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) during the metaphase-to-anaphase transition are required for fetal cardiomyocyte division. We propose that Fam64a is a novel cell cycle promoter of hypoxic fetal cardiomyocytes in mice.
Validity Examination of the Dissipative Quantum Model of Olfaction
Authors: Tirandaz Arash , Taher Ghahramani Farhad , Salari Vahid
Published: June 2017

Despite some inconclusive experimental evidences for the vibrational model of olfaction, the validity of the model has not been examined yet and therefore it suffers from the lack of conclusive experimental support. Here, we generalize the model and propose a numerical analysis of the dissipative odorant-mediated inelastic electron tunneling mechanism of olfaction, to be used as a potential examination in experiments. Our analysis gives several predictions on the model such as efficiency of elastic and inelastic tunneling of electrons through odorants, sensitivity thresholds in terms of temperature and pressure, isotopic effect on sensitivity, and the chiral recognition for discrimination between the similar and different scents. Our predictions should yield new knowledge to design new experimental protocols for testing the validity of the model.
Moss survival through in situ cryptobiosis after six centuries of glacier burial
Authors: Cannone N. , Corinti T. , Malfasi F. , Gerola P. , Vianelli A. , Vanetti I. , Zaccara S. , Convey P. , Guglielmin M.
Published: June 2017

Cryptobiosis is a reversible ametabolic state of life characterized by the ceasing of all metabolic processes, allowing survival of periods of intense adverse conditions. Here we show that 1) entire moss individuals, dated by 14C, survived through cryptobiosis during six centuries of cold-based glacier burial in Antarctica, 2) after re-exposure due to glacier retreat, instead of dying (due to high rates of respiration supporting repair processes), at least some of these mosses were able to return to a metabolically active state and remain alive. Moss survival was assessed through growth experiments and, for the first time, through vitality measurements. Future investigations on the genetic pathways involved in cryptobiosis and the subsequent recovery mechanisms will provide key information on their applicability to other systematic groups, with implications for fields as divergent as medicine, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and space exploration.
Improving transportation networks: Effects of population structure and decision making policies
Authors: Pablo-Martí Federico , Sánchez Angel
Published: June 2017

Transportation networks are one of the fundamental tools for human society to work, more so in our globalized world. The importance of a correct, efficient design of a transportation network for a given region or country cannot be overstated. We here study how network design is affected by the geography of the towns or nuclei to be connected, and also by the decision process necessary to choose which connections should be improved (in a generic sense) first. We begin by establishing that Delaunay networks provide an efficient starting point for the network design and at the same time allow us to introduce a computationally amenable model. Subsequent improvements lead to decentralized designs in geographies where towns are more or less homogeneously distributed, whereas radial designs arise when there is a core-periphery distribution of nodes. We also show that optimization of Delaunay networks outperforms that of complete networks at a lower cost, by allowing for a proper selection of the links to improve. In closing, we draw conclusions relevant to policy making applied to designing transportation networks and point our how our study can be useful to identify mechanisms relevant to the historical development of a region.
Surface modification of pig endothelial cells with a branched heparin conjugate improves their compatibility with human blood
Authors: Bongoni Anjan K. , Salvaris Evelyn , Nordling Sofia , Klymiuk Nikolai , Wolf Eckhard , Ayares David L. , Rieben Robert , Magnusson Peetra U. , Cowan Peter J.
Published: June 2017

Corline Heparin Conjugate (CHC), a compound of multiple unfractionated heparin chains, coats cells with a glycocalyx-like layer and may inhibit (xeno)transplant-associated activation of the plasma cascade systems. Here, we investigated the use of CHC to protect WT and genetically modified (GTKO.hCD46.hTBM) pig aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) in two pig-to-human in vitro xenotransplantation settings. Model 1: incubation of untreated or hTNFα-treated PAEC with 10% human plasma induced complement C3b/c and C5b-9 deposition, cellular activation and coagulation activation in WT and GTKO.hCD46.hTBM PAEC. Coating of untreated or hTNFα-treated PAEC with CHC (100 µg/ml) protected against human plasma-induced endothelial activation and damage. Model 2: PAEC were grown on microcarrier beads, coated with CHC, and incubated with non-anticoagulated whole human blood. Genetically modified PAEC significantly prolonged clotting time of human blood (115.0 ± 16.1 min, p < 0.001) compared to WT PAEC (34.0 ± 8.2 min). Surface CHC significantly improved the human blood compatibility of PAEC, as shown by increased clotting time (WT: 84.3 ± 11.3 min, p < 0.001; GTKO.hCD46.hTBM: 146.2 ± 20.4 min, p < 0.05) and reduced platelet adhesion, complement activation, coagulation activation and inhibition of fibrinolysis. The combination of CHC coating and genetic modification provided the greatest compatibility with human blood, suggesting that pre-transplant perfusion of genetically modified porcine organs with CHC may benefit post-transplant xenograft function.
Accurate strain sensing based on super-mode interference in strongly coupled multi-core optical fibres
Authors: Villatoro Joel , Arrizabalaga Oskar , Durana Gaizka , Sáez de Ocáriz Idurre , Antonio-Lopez Enrique , Zubia Joseba , Schülzgen Axel , Amezcua-Correa Rodrigo
Published: June 2017

We report on the use of a multi-core fibre (MCF) comprising strongly-coupled cores for accurate strain sensing. Our MCF is designed to mode match a standard single mode optical fibre. This allows us to fabricate simple MCF interferometers whose interrogation is carried out with light sources, detectors and fibre components readily available from the optical communications tool box. Our MCF interferometers were used for sensing strain. The sensor calibration was carried out in a high-fidelity aerospace test laboratory. In addition, a packaged MCF interferometer was transferred into field trials to validate its performance under deployment conditions, specifically the sensors were installed in a historical iron bridge. Our results suggest that the MCF strain sensors here proposed are likely to reach the readiness level to compete with other mature sensor technologies, hence to find commercial application. An important advantage of our MCF interferometers is their capability to operate at very high temperatures.