bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Significance of New Magnetic Resonance Thoracic Ductography Before Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Oguma Junya , Ozawa Soji , Kazuno Akihito , Nitta Miho , Ninomiya Yamato , Yatabe Kentaro , Niwa Tetsu , Nomura Takakiyo
Published: November 2017

Background

Preoperative simulation of the thoracic duct using magnetic resonance thoracic ductography (MRTD) would enable a safe lymph node dissection near the thoracic duct and the prevention of chylothorax after an esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether MRTD is useful for preventing injury to the thoracic duct during surgery and for reducing the incidence of chylothorax after surgery.

Methods

We evaluated 130 patients who underwent preoperative MRTD followed by a thoracoscopic esophagectomy for the treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer between August 2014 and April 2017 (MRTD group). These patients were then compared with 160 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent a thoracoscopic esophagectomy without preoperative MRTD (non‐MRTD group).

Results

Four patients in the non‐MRTD group developed Type IIIB chylothorax (International Consensus on Standardization), while none of the patients in the MRTD group developed Type III chylothorax. Some type of abnormal finding was found during MRTD in 24 patients (18.5%). Among them, 13 patients (10.0%) exhibited abnormal divergence, which was the most frequent finding, followed by 5 patients (3.8%) with window formation and 2 patients (1.5%) with stitch formation.

Conclusions

The present study revealed the frequencies of abnormal findings of the thoracic duct and of patients with false‐negative MRTD findings. Injury to the thoracic duct can be avoided through the use of appropriate care during procedures performed in patients with abnormal findings on preoperative MRTD.
Newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders by tandem mass spectrometry in North East Italy
Authors: Burlina Alberto B. , Polo Giulia , Salviati Leonardo , Duro Giovanni , Zizzo Carmela , Dardis Andrea , Bembi Bruno , Cazzorla Chiara , Rubert Laura , Zordan Roberta , Desnick Robert J. , Burlina Alessandro P.
Published: November 2017

Background

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are inborn errors of metabolism resulting from 50 different inherited disorders. The increasing availability of treatments and the importance of early intervention have stimulated newborn screening (NBS) to diagnose LSDs and permit early intervention to prevent irreversible impairment or severe disability. We present our experience screening newborns in North East Italy to identify neonates with Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) and Pompe, Fabry, and Gaucher diseases.

Methods

Activities of acid β‐glucocerebrosidase (ABG; Gaucher), acid α‐glucosidase (GAA; Pompe), acid α‐galactosidase (GLA; Fabry), and acid α‐L‐iduronidase (IDUA; MPS‐I) in dried blood spots (DBS) from all newborns during a 17‐month period were determined by multiplexed tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using the NeoLSD® assay system. Enzymatic activity cutoff values were determined from 3500 anonymous newborn DBS. In the screening study, samples were retested if the value was below cutoff and a second spot was requested, with referral for confirmatory testing and medical evaluation if a low value was obtained.

Results

From September 2015 to January 2017, 44,411 newborns were screened for the four LSDs. We recalled 40 neonates (0.09%) for collection of a second DBS. Low activity was confirmed in 20, who had confirmatory testing. Ten of 20 had pathogenic mutations: two Pompe, two Gaucher, five Fabry, and one MPS‐I. The incidences of Pompe and Gaucher diseases were similar (1/22,205), with Fabry disease the most frequent (1/8882) and MPS‐I the rarest (1/44411). The combined incidence of the four disorders was 1/4411 births.

Conclusions

Simultaneously determining multiple enzyme activities by MS/MS, with a focus on specific biochemical markers, successfully detected newborns with LSDs. The high incidence of these disorders supports this screening program.
Androgen Deprivation Alters Attention to Sexually Provocative Visual Stimuli in Elderly Men
Authors: Palmer-Hague Jaime L. , Tsang Vivian , Skead Charlenn , Wassersug Richard J. , Nasiopoulos Eleni , Kingstone Alan
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Testosterone is known to regulate male sexual interest, but the exact way that androgens influence men's sexual cognition remains unclear.

Aim

To investigate the influence of androgen deprivation (AD) on visual responses to sexually suggestive stimuli in men treated for prostate cancer with AD therapy.

Methods

Patients with AD-treated prostate cancer, patients with prostate cancer not on AD therapy, and age-matched healthy control participants were exposed to images of male and female runway models fully or minimally clothed. Eye tracking was used to compare looking behavior among groups.

Main Outcome Measures

Proportion of fixations on fully clothed vs minimally clothed models and proportion of fixations on target areas of interest (ie, legs, chest, pelvis, and face) of fully clothed and minimally clothed models were analyzed and compared among groups.

Results

Although men not on AD exhibited a larger proportion of fixations on the minimally clothed compared with the fully clothed images, there was no difference between the 2 image types for men on AD. This was true regardless of whether the images depicted male or female models. Groups did not differ in their fixations to target areas of interest.

Conclusion

These results suggest that testosterone can influence men’s visual attention to sexual stimuli; specifically, AD can attenuate the time spent fixated on sexualized targets.
Radiocarbon Data, Bayesian Modeling, and Alternative Historical Frameworks
Authors: Lulewicz Jacob
Published: November 2017

This article employs comparative Bayesian chronology building to formally evaluate the quality of a legacy radiocarbon dataset from the southern Appalachian region of the southeastern United States and to interrogate the assumptions that form the basis of the extant chronological narrative for the region. By incorporating alternative assumptions into Bayesian models, a number of alternative chronological frameworks are developed and compared to one another to yield insights into the development of sociopolitical complexity across southern Appalachia between AD 600 and 1600. The treatment of alternative chronological models as working hypotheses concerning the timing, tempo, and nature of sociopolitical transformations makes use of legacy radiocarbon datasets in developing new research trajectories including the encouragement of renewed field- and lab-based investigations. As such, this article provides a case study to illustrate the value of Bayesian chronological modeling in assessing legacy radiocarbon datasets and reevaluating extant chronological frameworks. Beyond initial evaluation of extant datasets and narratives, the methods and procedures outlined below can be used to form baseline models against which newly acquired data can be formally incorporated and interpreted.
Nutrition research in cognitive impairment/dementia, with a focus on soya and folate
Authors: Hogervorst Eef , Kassam Shelina , Kridawati Atik , Soni Mira , Xin Xu , Shifu Xiao , Rahardjo Tri Budi
Published: November 2017

Observational studies and treatment trials investigating nutrition and cognitive function, with a focus on folate and soya and dementia, were reviewed. Data suggested that effects of folic acid based interventions may only be shown before cognitive decline is evident and/or if people are folate deficient. In older people in Indonesia, Hawai'i and China, tofu, which can contain high levels of phytoestrogens, was found to increase dementia risk. This association was not mediated by a vegetarian diet, socioeconomic status, formaldehyde, thyroid function, or loss of teeth. On the other hand, human observational and animal treatment studies suggested that tempe, a fermented soya product containing phytoestrogens and folate, reduced dementia risk and improved memory. High oestrogen levels were found to increase dementia risk in older women. However, in women with adequate serum folate, high oestrogen levels did not confer additional dementia risk and may protect ageing neurons. In conclusion, reviews seem to suggest that folic acid interventions are only effective on cognitive outcomes in people who are folate deficient and do not have cognitive impairment. Frequent consumption of tofu may have detrimental effects on memory and increase dementia risk in older East Asian people, while tempe may reduce these risks. Possibly folate in tempe offsets the potential negative effects of oestrogenic compounds on ageing neurons.
The Vinkovci treasure of Late Roman silver plate: preliminary report
Authors: Vulić Hrvoje , Doračić Damir , Hobbs Richard , Lang Janet
Published: November 2017

The hoard of silver plate known as the Vinkovci treasure (or the Cibalae treasure, after the Roman name for the town) was discovered on March 23, 2012, during rescue excavations in the town of Vinkovci (Colonia Aurelia Cibalae) in the Vukovar-Srijem county of E Croatia (fig. 1). It is one of the most significant late Roman discoveries of the new millennium, and the first major 4th-c. A.D. assemblage of silver plate to be unearthed for at least half a century (the Seuso treasure was probably found in the late 1970s, and although new pieces of the Kaiseraugst treasure emerged in the 1990s the original discovery was made in 1961). This interim report on the treasure is based upon the results of research conducted by the authors in the 4 years that have passed since it came to light.
Water-supply infrastructure of Byzantine Constantinople
Authors: Ward Kate , Crow James , Crapper Martin
Published: November 2017

Modern water-supply systems — hidden beneath the ground, constructed, expanded, adapted and repaired intermittently by multiple groups of people — are often messy and difficult to comprehend. The ancient water-supply system we consider here is no different — and perhaps even more complex as it was developed over 1200 years and then had a modern city built on top. Despite this, we are beginning to understand how one of the Roman world's most important cities provided its population with water.

The remains of water infrastructure in Constantinople attest to a complex system of water-management and distribution, one that developed from the colony of Byzantium, through the growth and eventual decline of the new capital of the Roman empire, until conquest by the Ottomans. Aqueducts — the system of channels, bridges and tunnels designed to carry water through the landscape — were the focus of infrastructure investment in earlier periods, but cisterns for the storage and distribution of water were constructed throughout the time of Byzantine Constantinople.
The salinae of O Areal (Vigo) and Roman salt production in NW Iberia
Authors: Currás Brais X.
Published: November 2017

In antiquity, the production of sea salt was one of the most important sources of salt. According to Pliny the Elder (NH 31.81), the most common way of obtaining salt was through marine salinae: facticii varia genera, volgaris plurimusque in salinis mari adfuso. There are plenty of textual references to marine salt evaporation ponds: Livy (1.33) reported that Ancus Marcius opened saltworks on the Tiber next to Ostia; Pliny (NH 31.84-87) mentioned a series of examples of such installations distributed throughout the Mediterranean, while Columella (Rust. 10.135) indicated the existence of saltworks at Pompeii, and Cassiodorus (Var. 12.24) spoke of those located near Venice. Passages in Rutilius Namatianus (De red. 475-90) and Manilius (Astr. 5.682-92) are also well known for their explanations of how ancient saltworks operated.
The Antonine Wall's distance-slabs: LiDAR as metric survey
Authors: Hannon Nick , Rohl Darrell J. , Wilson Lyn
Published: November 2017

The “Hidden Landscape of a Roman Frontier” is a collaborative research project run and jointly funded by Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES). Intended to run for a 3-year period, it began in October 2015. The project focuses on the landscape archaeology, history, and heritage management of the Roman frontier in Scotland, part of the “Frontiers of the Roman Empire” transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The project's primary data-set is comprised of aerial LiDAR at 0.5-m resolution covering the World Heritage Site, combined with terrestrial laser-scanning coverage for the forts at Bar Hill and Rough Castle and the fortlet at Kinneil. All data was commissioned under the auspices of the Scottish Ten Project; the aerial data was captured in spring 2010, the terrestrial data in July 2013 and April 2016. The project also draws upon a number of supplemental data sources, including the National Monuments Record of Scotland (https://canmore.org.uk/), geophysical survey data, archive aerial images, colour infra-red imagery, and additional LiDAR data from the UK Environment Agency.
Towards a typology of triangular bronze Hekate bases: contextualizing a new find from Sardis
Authors: Bruce William , Jackson Miller Kassandra
Published: November 2017

Excavations in Field 49 at Sardis in the summer of 2015 recovered a bronze triangle inscribed with three images of the goddess Hekate, Greek epithets, and magical symbols (Gr. χαρακτῆρες). The Sardis triangle is the third example of this design known from Roman Anatolia, the other two having been recovered from Pergamon and Apamea. This article aims to situate the new find within its archaeological and historical contexts and, through comparisons with the Pergamon and Apamea finds, to refine our interpretations of the forms and functions of these objects.

Field 49 at Sardis is a flat plateau just north of the acropolis. Supported by a series of monumental limestone terrace walls, this part of the city was inhabited almost continuously from the Lydian period through late antiquity.
L-leucine and SPNS1 coordinately ameliorate dysfunction of autophagy in mouse and human Niemann-Pick type C disease
Authors: Yanagisawa Hiroko , Ishii Tomohiro , Endo Kentaro , Kawakami Emiko , Nagao Kazuaki , Miyashita Toshiyuki , Akiyama Keiko , Watabe Kazuhiko , Komatsu Masaaki , Yamamoto Daisuke , Eto Yoshikatsu
Published: November 2017

Lysosomal storage disorders are characterized by progressive accumulation of undigested macromolecules within the cell due to lysosomal dysfunction. 573C10 is a Schwann cell line derived from a mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease-1, NPC (−/−). Under serum-starved conditions, NPC (−/−) cells manifested impaired autophagy accompanied by an increase in the amount of p62 and lysosome enlargement. Addition of L-leucine to serum-starved NPC (−/−) cells ameliorated the enlargement of lysosomes and the p62 accumulation. Similar autophagy defects were observed in NPC (−/−) cells even without serum starvation upon the knockdown of Spinster-like 1 (SPNS1), a putative transporter protein thought to function in lysosomal recycling. Conversely, SPNS1 overexpression impeded the enlargement of lysosomes, p62 accumulation and mislocalization of the phosphorylated form of the mechanistic Target of rapamycin in NPC (−/−) cells. In addition, we found a reduction in endogenous SPNS1 expression in fibroblasts derived from NPC-1 patients compared with normal fibroblasts. We propose that SPNS1-dependent L-leucine export across the lysosomal membrane is a key step for triggering autophagy, and that this mechanism is impaired in NPC-1.
Histamine N-methyltransferase regulates aggression and the sleep-wake cycle
Authors: Naganuma Fumito , Nakamura Tadaho , Yoshikawa Takeo , Iida Tomomitsu , Miura Yamato , Kárpáti Anikó , Matsuzawa Takuro , Yanai Atushi , Mogi Asuka , Mochizuki Takatoshi , Okamura Nobuyuki , Yanai Kazuhiko
Published: November 2017

Histamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates diverse physiological functions including the sleep-wake cycle. Recent studies have reported that histaminergic dysfunction in the brain is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) is an enzyme expressed in the central nervous system that specifically metabolises histamine; yet, the exact physiological roles of HNMT are unknown. Accordingly, we phenotyped Hnmt knockout mice (KO) to determine the relevance of HNMT to various brain functions. First, we showed that HNMT deficiency enhanced brain histamine concentrations, confirming a role for HNMT in histamine inactivation. Next, we performed comprehensive behavioural testing and determined that KO mice exhibited high aggressive behaviours in the resident-intruder and aggressive biting behaviour tests. High aggression in KO mice was suppressed by treatment with zolantidine, a histamine H2 receptor (H2R) antagonist, indicating that abnormal H2R activation promoted aggression in KO mice. A sleep analysis revealed that KO mice exhibited prolonged bouts of awakening during the light (inactive) period and compensatory sleep during the dark (active) period. Abnormal sleep behaviour was suppressed by treatment with pyrilamine, a H1R antagonist, prior to light period, suggesting that excessive H1R activation led to the dysregulation of sleep-wake cycles in KO mice. These observations inform the physiological roles of HNMT.
Comparative analysis of cytokine/chemokine regulatory networks in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD)
Authors: Srivastava Arpna , Dixit Aparna Banerjee , Paul Debasmita , Tripathi Manjari , Sarkar Chitra , Chandra P. Sarat , Banerjee Jyotirmoy
Published: November 2017

Experimental and clinical evidence have demonstrated aberrant expression of cytokines/chemokines and their receptors in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). However, there is limited information regarding the modulation of cytokine/chemokine-regulatory networks, suggesting contribution of miRNAs and downstream transcription factors/receptors in these pathologies. Hence, we studied the levels of multiple inflammatory mediators (IL1β, IL1Ra, IL6, IL10, CCL3, CCL4, TNFα and VEGF) along with transcriptional changes of nine related miRNAs and mRNA levels of downstream effectors of significantly altered cytokines/chemokines in brain tissues obtained from patients with HS (n = 26) and FCD (n = 26). Up regulation of IL1β, IL6, CCL3, CCL4, STAT-3, C-JUN and CCR5, and down regulation of IL 10 were observed in both HS and FCD cases (p < 0.05). CCR5 was significantly up regulated in FCD as compared to HS (p < 0.001). Both, HS and FCD presented decreased miR-223-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-204-5p and let-7a-5p and increased miR-155-5p expression (p < 0.05). As compared to HS, miR-204-5p (upstream to CCR5 and IL1β) and miR-195-5p (upstream to CCL4) were significantly decreased in FCD patients (p < 0.01). Our results suggest differential alteration of cytokine/chemokine regulatory networks in HS and FCD and provide a rationale for developing pathology specific therapy.
Ferroquine, the next generation antimalarial drug, has antitumor activity
Authors: Kondratskyi Artem , Kondratska Kateryna , Vanden Abeele Fabien , Gordienko Dmitri , Dubois Charlotte , Toillon Robert-Allain , Slomianny Christian , Lemière Sébastien , Delcourt Philippe , Dewailly Etienne , Skryma Roman , Biot Christophe , Prevarskaya Natalia
Published: November 2017

Despite the tremendous progress in medicine, cancer remains one of the most serious global health problems awaiting new effective therapies. Here we present ferroquine (FQ), the next generation antimalarial drug, as a promising candidate for repositioning as cancer therapeutics. We report that FQ potently inhibits autophagy, perturbs lysosomal function and impairs prostate tumor growth in vivo. We demonstrate that FQ negatively regulates Akt kinase and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and is particularly effective in starved and hypoxic conditions frequently observed in advanced solid cancers. FQ enhances the anticancer activity of several chemotherapeutics suggesting its potential application as an adjuvant to existing anticancer therapy. Alike its parent compound chloroquine (CQ), FQ accumulates within and deacidifies lysosomes. Further, FQ induces lysosomal membrane permeabilization, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-independent cancer cell death. Overall, our work identifies ferroquine as a promising new drug with a potent anticancer activity.
Remapping high-capacity, pre-attentive, fragile sensory memory
Authors: Zerr Paul , Gayet Surya , Mulder Kees , Pinto Yaïr , Sligte Ilja , Van der Stigchel Stefan
Published: November 2017

Humans typically make several saccades per second. This provides a challenge for the visual system as locations are largely coded in retinotopic (eye-centered) coordinates. Spatial remapping, the updating of retinotopic location coordinates of items in visuospatial memory, is typically assumed to be limited to robust, capacity-limited and attention-demanding working memory (WM). Are pre-attentive, maskable, sensory memory representations (e.g. fragile memory, FM) also remapped? We directly compared trans-saccadic WM (tWM) and trans-saccadic FM (tFM) in a retro-cue change-detection paradigm. Participants memorized oriented rectangles, made a saccade and reported whether they saw a change in a subsequent display. On some trials a retro-cue indicated the to-be-tested item prior to probe onset. This allowed sensory memory items to be included in the memory capacity estimate. The observed retro-cue benefit demonstrates a tFM capacity considerably above tWM. This provides evidence that some, if not all sensory memory was remapped to spatiotopic (world-centered, task-relevant) coordinates. In a second experiment, we show backward masks to be effective in retinotopic as well as spatiotopic coordinates, demonstrating that FM was indeed remapped to world-centered coordinates. Together this provides conclusive evidence that trans-saccadic spatial remapping is not limited to higher-level WM processes but also occurs for sensory memory representations.
microRNA-449a modulates medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Zhang Haohao , Sun Xiaohua , Hu Yiming , Jiang Wenxia , Liu Zhanjie , Liu Sanhong , Zhang Xiaoren
Published: November 2017

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) ectopically express a diversity of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens (PTAs) and provide unique cues for the expansion, maturation and selection of a repertoire of functionally diverse T lymphocytes. Genetic deletion of all mature microRNAs in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) results in premature thymic involution, progressive disorganisation of the thymic epithelium, and alteration in thymic T cell lineage commitment, consequently eliciting autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we identified that microRNA-449a (miR-449a), a member of miR-449 cluster, regulated mTEC differentiation. Expression of miR-449a was induced by RANK ligand in mouse fetal thymus. Inin vitrostudies, overexpression of miR-449a induced thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPCs) differentiation into mature mTECs. Despite abundant expression of miR-449a in developing thymus, miR-449a-mutant mice exhibited normal thymic development. This might be partially due to in miR-449a-mutant thymus the up-regulation of miR-34a which shared similar seed sequence with miR-449a. However, thymic expression of miR-449/34 sponge which was able to neutralize the function of miR-449/34 family members significantly reduced the number of mature Ly51-MHCIIhimTECs. Taken together, our data suggested that miR-449a modulated mTEC differentiation, and members of miR-34 cluster functioned redundantly to rescue miR-449a deficiency in thymus development.
European catfish (Silurus glanis) as a freshwater apex predator drives ecosystem via its diet adaptability
Authors: Vejřík Lukáš , Vejříková Ivana , Blabolil Petr , Eloranta Antti P. , Kočvara Luboš , Peterka Jiří , Sajdlová Zuzana , Chung Son Hoang The , Šmejkal Marek , Kiljunen Mikko , Čech Martin
Published: November 2017

Apex predators play a key role in ecosystem stability across environments but their numbers in general are decreasing. By contrast, European catfish (Silurus glanis), the European freshwater apex predator, is on the increase. However, studies concerning apex predators in freshwaters are scarce in comparison to those in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The present study combines stomach content and stable isotope analyses with diet preferences of catfish to reveal its impact on the ecosystem since stocking. Catfish niche width is extremely wide in comparison to the typical model predator, Northern pike (Esox lucius). Catfish and pike have different individual dietary specialization that results in different functional roles in coupling or compartmentalizing distinct food webs. The role of both species in the ecosystem is irreplaceable due to multiple predator effects. The impact of catfish is apparent across the entire aquatic ecosystem, but herbivores are the most affected ecological group. The key feature of catfish, and probably a common feature of apex predators in general, is utilization of several dietary strategies by individuals within a population: long-term generalism or specialization and also short-term specialization. Catfish, similar to other large-bodied apex predators, have two typical features: enormous generalism and adaptability to new prey sources.
Spontaneous body contractions are modulated by the microbiome of Hydra
Authors: Murillo-Rincon Andrea P. , Klimovich Alexander , Pemöller Eileen , Taubenheim Jan , Mortzfeld Benedikt , Augustin René , Bosch Thomas C. G.
Published: November 2017

Spontaneous contractile activity, such as gut peristalsis, is ubiquitous in animals and is driven by pacemaker cells. In humans, disruption of the contraction pattern leads to gastrointestinal conditions, which are also associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Spontaneous contractile activity is also present in animals lacking gastrointestinal tract. Here we show that spontaneous body contractions in Hydra are modulated by symbiotic bacteria. Germ-free animals display strongly reduced and less regular contraction frequencies. These effects are partially restored by reconstituting the natural microbiota. Moreover, soluble molecule(s) produced by symbiotic bacteria may be involved in contraction frequency modulation. As the absence of bacteria does not impair the contractile ability itself, a microbial effect on the pacemakers seems plausible. Our findings indicate that the influence of bacteria on spontaneous contractile activity is present in the early-branching cnidarian hydra as well as in Bilateria, and thus suggest an evolutionary ancient origin of interaction between bacteria and metazoans, opening a window into investigating the roots of human motility disorders.
Dislocation Multiplications in Extremely Small Hexagonal-structured Titanium Nanopillars Without Dislocation Starvation
Authors: Huang Peng , Yu Qian
Published: November 2017

“Smaller is stronger” has been commonly observed in cubic structured and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structured materials. Dislocation starvation phenomenon is highly responsible for the increase of strength at smaller scale in cubic materials. However, by using quantitative in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) nano-mechanical testing on cylindrical titanium nano-pillars with diameters of ~150 nm but varied orientations and three dimensional dislocation tomography, we found that dislocation nucleation and multiplication dominate the plastic deformation of the nano-pillars with no sign of dislocation starvation, resulting in much better ability of dislocation storage and plastic stability of HCP structured materials at extremely small scale.
Characterisation of the semi-volatile component of Dissolved Organic Matter by Thermal Desorption – Proton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Materić Dušan , Peacock Mike , Kent Matthew , Cook Sarah , Gauci Vincent , Röckmann Thomas , Holzinger Rupert
Published: November 2017

Proton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) is a sensitive, soft ionisation method suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic vapours. PTR-MS is used for various environmental applications including monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources, chemical composition measurements of aerosols, etc. Here we apply thermal desorption PTR-MS for the first time to characterise the chemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM). We developed a clean, low-pressure evaporation/sublimation system to remove water from samples and coupled it to a custom-made thermal desorption unit to introduce the samples to the PTR-MS. Using this system, we analysed waters from intact and degraded peat swamp forest of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, and an oil palm plantation and natural forest in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. We detected more than 200 organic ions from these samples and principal component analysis allowed clear separation of the different sample origins based on the composition of organic compounds. The method is sensitive, reproducible, and provides a new and comparatively cheap tool for a rapid characterisation of water and soil DOM.
A small molecule screen to identify regulators of let-7 targets
Authors: Cinkornpumin J. , Roos M. , Nguyen L. , Liu Xiaoguang , Gaeta X. , Lin S. , Chan D. N. , Liu A. , Gregory R. I. , Jung M. , Chute J. , Zhu H. , Lowry W. E.
Published: November 2017

The let-7 family of miRNAs has been shown to be crucial in many aspects of biology, from the regulation of developmental timing to cancer. The available methods to regulate this family of miRNAs have so far been mostly genetic and therefore not easily performed experimentally. Here, we describe a small molecule screen designed to identify regulators of let-7 targets in human cells. In particular, we focused our efforts on the identification of small molecules that could suppress let-7 targets, as these could serve to potentially intercede in tumors driven by loss of let-7 activity. After screening through roughly 36,000 compounds, we identified a class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors that suppress let-7 targets. These compounds stimulate cAMP levels and raise mature let-7 levels to suppress let-7 target genes in multiple cancer cell lines such as HMGA2 and MYC. As a result, these compounds also show growth inhibitory activity on cancer cells.
Toxicological and biochemical responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to cyanobacteria toxins
Authors: Cao Qing , Steinman Alan D. , Yao Lei , Xie Liqiang
Published: November 2017

Irrigation with eutrophic water containing cyanobacteria toxins poses a potential risk to soil animals. To evaluate ecotoxicological effect of microcystins (MCs) on earthworms, filter paper acute toxicity test, avoidance test and a 14-d artificial soil test were carried out. No acute toxicity was found in the filter paper test, and earthworms showed no avoidance response to MCs exposure. In the artificial soil test, Eisenia fetida were allowed to grow in presence or absence of MCs (0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 μg kg−1 of soil) for 1, 7, and 14 d. Results showed that MCs could bioaccumulated in earthworm. A stimulatory effect on catalase and glutathione oxidase activities induced by MCs was found on day 1, and both of them were significantly inhibited at 100 and 1000 μg kg−1 on days 14. The superoxide dismutase activity was relatively insensitive. Significant increase of malondialdehyde content and decrease of neutral red retention time were observed at 100 and 1000 μg kg−1 on days 7 and 14. Our results suggest that MCs induces oxidative stress on earthworms, which leads to disruption of the antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation, as well as alterations in lysosomal membrane stability.
Comparison of clinical outcomes with InterTan vs Gamma nail or PFNA in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Jian-xiong , Kuang Ming-jie , Fan Zheng-rui , Xing Fei , Zhao Yun-long , Zhang Lu-kai , Chen Heng-ting , Han Chao , Ma Xin-long
Published: November 2017

Intertrochanteric fractures are common injuries in the elderly. Conventional intramedullary nails including Gamma 3 locking nail and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were designed for unstable intertrochanteric fractures. The InterTan (IT) nail system, introduced in 2005, has been reported superior biomechanical and clinical outcomes compared with 1-screw nailing system. However, some recent studies have reported that IT did not improve functional recovery in patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. We used the PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane Handbook to evaluate the quality of included studies to ensure that the pooled data of our meta-analysis were reliable and veritable. Our pooled data analysis demonstrated that IT was as effective as the control group in terms of Harris Hip Score (HHS), blood loss, total complications, union time, length of hospital stay, revision rate, and fluoroscopy time. IT shows less implant cut-out rate and femoral fractures when compared with control groups.
A graphene oxide nanosensor enables the co-delivery of aptamer and peptide probes for fluorescence imaging of a cascade reaction in apoptotic signaling
Authors: Liu Chang , Hu Yan-Lei , Deng Wen-Jing , Pan Qing-Shan , Yi Jin-Tao , Chen Ting-Ting , Chu Xia
Published: November 2017

Cytochrome c (Cyt c) and caspase-3 are the key mediators in apoptotic signaling.
A self-supported electrochemical sensor for simultaneous sensitive detection of trace heavy metal ions based on PtAu alloy/carbon nanofibers
Authors: Zhang SongGe , Zhu Han , Ma PiMing , Duan Fang , Dong WeiFu , Du MingLiang
Published: November 2017

The key issue in efficient electrochemical detection of trace heavy metal ions (HMIs) is to design hierarchical nanostructure electrodes with high sensitivity and low detection limit.
Few-layered titanate nanosheets with large lateral size and surface functionalization: potential for the controlled exfoliation of inorganic–organic layered composites
Authors: Nakada Gentoku , Imai Hiroaki , Oaki Yuya
Published: November 2017

A new straightforward exfoliation method realizes the selective synthesis of few-layered titanate nanosheets with a large lateral size and surface functionalization.
Short two-armed lanthanide-binding tags for paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy based on chiral 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane scaffolds
Authors: Lee Michael D. , Dennis Matthew L. , Graham Bim , Swarbrick James D.
Published: November 2017

A new pair of enantiomeric two-armed lanthanide-binding tags have been developed for paramagnetic NMR studies of proteins.
An “on–off” switchable cubic phase with exceptional thermal stability and water sorption capacity
Authors: Grafskaia K. N. , Anokhin D. V. , Zimka B. I. , Izdelieva I. A. , Zhu X. , Ivanov D. A.
Published: November 2017

A wedge-shaped mesogen reveals structural bistability; the gyroid phase exhibits exceptional water sorption capacity whereas the columnar structure does not swell.
Theoretical study of the photothermal behaviour of self-assembled magnetic–plasmonic chain structures
Authors: Liu Kai , Mokhtare Amir , Xue Xiaozheng , Furlani Edward P.
Published: November 2017

Optical and photothermal properties of self-assembled 1D chains of magnetic–plasmonic (Fe3O4@Au) nanoparticles for biosensing and photothermal applications.
On the calculation of multiplet energies of three-open-shell 4f135fn6d1electron configuration by LFDFT: modeling the optical spectra of 4f core-electron excitation in actinide compounds
Authors: Ramanantoanina Harry
Published: November 2017

My presentation relates the modeling of X-ray absorption spectra of actinides, exemplified here by the study of U4+ion with configuration 4f135f26d1.
Raman spectroscopy studies of the terahertz vibrational modes of a DUT-8 (Ni) metal–organic framework
Authors: Krylov Alexander , Vtyurin Alexander , Petkov Petko , Senkovska Irena , Maliuta Mariia , Bon Volodymyr , Heine Thomas , Kaskel Stefan , Slyusareva Evgenia
Published: November 2017

Raman spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamic simulations were applied to study low-frequency vibrations of a flexible metal–organic framework DUT-8(Ni).
Thermoelectric properties and thermal stability of layered chalcogenides, TlScQ2, Q = Se, Te
Authors: Aswathy Vijayakumar Sajitha , Sankar Cheriyedath Raj , Varma Manoj Raama , Assoud Abdeljalil , Bieringer Mario , Kleinke Holger
Published: November 2017

The layered chalcogenides, TlScQ2 (Q = Se, Te), possess intriguing band structure characteristics and very low thermal conductivity.
Effect of point mutations on the ultrafast photo-isomerization of Anabaena sensory rhodopsin
Authors: Agathangelou D. , Orozco-Gonzalez Y. , del Carmen Marín M. , Roy P. P. , Brazard J. , Kandori H. , Jung K.-H. , Léonard J. , Buckup T. , Ferré N. , Olivucci M. , Haacke S.
Published: November 2017

Tuning excited state potentials and dynamics of a retinal protein through point mutations.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering II: concluding remarks
Authors: Porter Marc D. , Granger Jennifer H.
Published: November 2017

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enables the detection of a large number of different adsorbates at extraordinarily low levels. This plasmonics-based technology has undergone a number of remarkable advances since its discovery over 40 years ago, and has emerged from being an investigative tool confined largely to the research laboratory into a much more usable tool across a broad range of investigative studies, both within the laboratory and beyond. The purpose of this Concluding remarks manuscript is to capture, at least in part, the developments in this area since the first Faraday discussion of SERS over a decade ago. It begins with a brief contextual overview and then moves into describing a few of the many highlights from the meeting. Along the way, we have added a few comments and perspectives as a means to more fully stage where the different areas of research with SERS stand today. An addendum is included that collects a few of the recent perspectives on the original work and activities in this area.
Lignin depolymerization to monophenolic compounds in a flow-through system
Authors: Kumaniaev Ivan , Subbotina Elena , Sävmarker Jonas , Larhed Mats , Galkin Maxim V. , Samec Joseph S. M.
Published: November 2017

A reductive lignocellulose fractionation in a flow-through system in which pulping and transfer hydrogenolysis steps were separated in time and space has been developed.
Sub-ppt determination of butyltins, methylmercury and inorganic mercury in natural waters by dynamic headspace in-tube extraction and GC-ICPMS detection
Authors: Hu Jing , Pagliano Enea , Hou Xiandeng , Zheng Chengbin , Yang Lu , Mester Zoltan
Published: November 2017

Sub-ppt determination of butyltins, methylmercury and inorganic mercury in natural waters by dynamic headspace in-tube extraction and GC-ICPMS detection.
SI-traceable quantification of sulphur in copper metal and its alloys by ICP-IDMS
Authors: Phukphatthanachai Pranee , Panne Ulrich , Jakubowski Norbert , Vogl Jochen
Published: November 2017

Sulphur–matrix separation for the quantification of sulphur in copper metal by ICP-IDMS which is traceable to the international system of units (SI units).
Inverse design of grafted nanoparticles for targeted self-assembly
Authors: Chao Huikuan , Riggleman Robert A.
Published: November 2017

Two dimensional nanoparticle lattices can exhibit unique optical, electrical, and chemical properties giving rise to emerging applications for photovoltaic conversion, electronics and optical devices.
Sm(iii)[12-MCGa(III)shi-4] as a luminescent probe for G-quadruplex structures
Authors: Rajczak Ewa , Pecoraro Vincent L. , Juskowiak Bernard
Published: November 2017

The luminescent anionic metallacrown Sm12-MC-4 exhibits similarity in shape and size to the guanine tetrad and is able to form complexes with G-quadruplex assembly.
Theoretical aspects of the enhancement of metal binding affinity by intramolecular hydrogen bonding and modulating pKavalues
Authors: Motahari Ahmad , Fattahi Alireza
Published: November 2017

The stability balance shows that the hydrogen bond network and modulation of pKavalues can enhance the metal binding affinity.
Fabrication of lithium ion imprinted hybrid membranes with antifouling performance for selective recovery of lithium
Authors: Cui Jiuyun , Zhang Yufeng , Wang Yu , Ding Jiyang , Yu Penghu , Yan Yongsheng , Li Chunxiang , Zhou Zhiping
Published: November 2017

The LIHMs showed a distinctive adsorption capacity (27.10 mg g−1) and permselectivity (βK/Li = 5.3780, βCa/Li = 21.9402, βMg/Li = 15.5620) for Li+, which resulted from the effect of the special imprinted sites.
Effect of the nature of the nucleophile and solvent on an SNAr reaction
Authors: Gazitúa Marcela , Tapia Ricardo A. , Contreras Renato , Campodónico Paola R.
Published: November 2017

The reaction of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride toward propylamine was kinetically evaluated in 19 organic solvents and 10 ionic liquids as reaction media.
Remarkably selective NH4+ binding and fluorescence sensing by tripodal tris(pyrazolyl) receptors derived from 1,3,5-triethylbenzene: structural and theoretical insights on the role of ion pairing
Authors: Jonah Tosin M. , Mathivathanan Logesh , Morozov Alexander N. , Mebel Alexander M. , Raptis Raphael G. , Kavallieratos Konstantinos
Published: November 2017

Differences in pyrazole substitution result in dramatic changes in NH4+ binding and fluorescence sensing, due to ion pairing and solvation effects.
Tetracarboxylic acids on a thiacalixarene scaffold: synthesis and binding of dopamine hydrochloride
Authors: Mostovaya O. A. , Padnya P. L. , Vavilova A. A. , Shurpik D. N. , Khairutdinov B. I. , Mukhametzyanov T. A. , Khannanov A. A. , Kutyreva M. P. , Stoikov I. I.
Published: November 2017

Tetracarboxylic acids based on thiacalix[4]arene in 1,3-alternate conformation quench fluorescence of dopamine hydrochloride according to the static mechanism.
A new strategy to address the challenges of nanoparticles in practical water treatment: mesoporous nanocomposite beadsviaflash freezing
Authors: Pan Siyuan , Zhang Xiaolin , Qian Jieshu , Lu Zhenda , Hua Ming , Cheng Cheng , Pan Bingcai
Published: November 2017

The well-dispersed NPs and their high reactivity make Fe2O3@PS quite attractive for water decontamination.
Perylenediimide-based glycoclusters as high affinity ligands of bacterial lectins: synthesis, binding studies and anti-adhesive properties
Authors: Donnier-Maréchal Marion , Galanos Nicolas , Grandjean Teddy , Pascal Yoann , Ji Ding-Kun , Dong Lei , Gillon Emilie , He Xiao-Peng , Imberty Anne , Kipnis Eric , Dessein Rodrigue , Vidal Sébastien
Published: November 2017

Rapid access to perylenediimide-based glycoclusters allowed their evaluation as high affinity ligands of bacterial lectins and their potential as anti-adhesive antibacterials.
Diagnosing the quality of high school students’ and pre-service chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures in organic chemistry by using students’ generated systemic synthesis questions
Authors: Hrin Tamara , Milenković Dušica , Segedinac Mirjana
Published: November 2017

The importance of well elaborated cognitive structures in a science knowledge domain has been noted in many studies. Therefore, the main aim of this particular study was to employ a new diagrammatic assessment approach, students’ generated systemic synthesis questions (SSynQs), to evaluate and compare the quality of high school students’ and pre-service chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures in the organic chemistry domain. We used a mixed research sample (N= 83), and SSynQs were constructed following the high school chemical curriculum in the Republic of Serbia. Besides the overall quality of the cognitive structures, the size (extent) and strength (complexity) of the conceptual structures, as external representations of cognitive structures, were also analysed. It was found that both high school students and pre-service chemistry teachers had a substantial size of the conceptual structures, showing relatively good knowledge about IUPAC naming and structures of organic compounds, except for ethers. However, the strength of the conceptual structures, or inter-correlations between organic chemistry concepts, was evaluated as weak within high school students, and medium within pre-service chemistry teachers. This resulted in the identification of three main learning difficulties (LDs), accompanied by a lack of understanding (LU) about the chemical properties and relations of organic compounds. It was surprising to find that all identified LDs and LUs within high school students also appeared within pre-service chemistry teachers. What is more, the most desired and expected cognitive structures (distinguished multidimensional cognitive structures) without LDs and LUs appeared within high school students.
Robust retinal blood vessel segmentation using line detectors with multiple masks
Authors: Biswal Birendra , Pooja Thotakura , Bala Subrahmanyam N.
Published: November 2017

Several diseases can be detected and diagnosed at a very early stage by observing changes in retinal blood vessel features. In order to detect these changes, the major step required is blood vessel segmentation. In this study, an effective method for the segmentation of blood vessels on coloured digital retinal images has been proposed. The proposed method uses linear combination of line detectors at varying scales along with multiple windows of different sizes. By implementing this technique, the drawbacks encountered in multi‐scale line detection such as noise and false vessel detection around the optic disk are eliminated. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on three publicly available datasets DRIVE, STARE and CHASE by considering sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, false discovery rate, F1 score, Matthews correlation coefficient and G‐mean. The results were analysed by comparing with most of the other earlier existing methods and have proven to achieve higher accuracy. It has also confirmed its effectiveness and robustness with high‐resolution retinal images together with better simplicity and faster implementation for reliable blood vessel segmentation.
Identification of current transformer saturation based on the improved gradient mathematical morphology method
Authors: Duan Jian‐dong , Lei Yang , Li Hao
Published: November 2017

A protective current transformer (CT) is essential to accommodate protection relays while the saturation of the CT may severely impact the security of protective relays. The saturation detection is the first step for activating procedures to ensure the satisfactory performance of the relay system. This study presents a saturation detection method based on mathematical morphology. The detection method involves the secondary current data as the input in a sliding data window and a noisy filter as the must step for morphological wavelet detection. Then the proposed extended sine form of the structural element is used for shaping the saturation detecting signals. To verify the practicality and effectiveness of the method, dynamic large CT tests, up to 48 kA, are carried out, particularly. The test aims at the P class CT installed in the 330/110 kV substation and the simulating current ranging from 6 to 48 kA. More discussions are simulated in the 330 kV substation system based on RT‐LAB to inspect the noise‐repressing and saturation detect abilities. The experimental data and simulation results show that the proposed method could accurately detect the saturation of the CT and adapt to the noise circumstance of the test.