bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic and structural anomalies of water nanodroplets
Authors: Malek Shahrazad M. A. , Poole Peter H. , Saika-Voivod Ivan
Published: June 2018

Liquid water nanodroplets are important in earth’s climate, and are valuable for studying supercooled water because they resist crystallisation well below the bulk freezing temperature. Bulk liquid water has well-known thermodynamic anomalies, such as a density maximum, and when supercooled is hypothesised to exhibit a liquid–liquid phase transition (LLPT) at elevated pressure. However, it is not known how these bulk anomalies might manifest themselves in nanodroplets. Here we show, using simulations of the TIP4P/2005 water model, that bulk anomalies occur in nanodroplets as small as 360 molecules. We also show that the Laplace pressure inside small droplets reaches 220 MPa at 180 K, conditions close to the LLPT of TIP4P/2005. While the density and pressure inside nanodroplets coincide with bulk values at moderate supercooling, we show that deviations emerge at lower temperature, as well as significant radial density gradients, which arise from and signal the approach to the LLPT.
Neural mechanisms for selectively tuning in to the target speaker in a naturalistic noisy situation
Authors: Dai Bohan , Chen Chuansheng , Long Yuhang , Zheng Lifen , Zhao Hui , Bai Xialu , Liu Wenda , Zhang Yuxuan , Liu Li , Guo Taomei , Ding Guosheng , Lu Chunming
Published: June 2018

The neural mechanism for selectively tuning in to a target speaker while tuning out the others in a multi-speaker situation (i.e., the cocktail-party effect) remains elusive. Here we addressed this issue by measuring brain activity simultaneously from a listener and from multiple speakers while they were involved in naturalistic conversations. Results consistently show selectively enhanced interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) between the listener and the attended speaker at left temporal–parietal junction, compared with that between the listener and the unattended speaker across different multi-speaker situations. Moreover, INS increases significantly prior to the occurrence of verbal responses, and even when the listener’s brain activity precedes that of the speaker. The INS increase is independent of brain-to-speech synchronization in both the anatomical location and frequency range. These findings suggest that INS underlies the selective process in a multi-speaker situation through neural predictions at the content level but not the sensory level of speech.
Assembly of Gold Nanorods on HSA Amyloid Fibrils to Develop a Conductive Nanoscaffold for Potential Biomedical and Biosensing Applications
Authors: Taheri Ramezan Ali , Akhtari Yasin , Tohidi Moghadam Tahereh , Ranjbar Bijan
Published: June 2018

Today, Gold Nanorods have promised variety of applications in conjugation with biomolecules of interest. Discovery of functional amyloids has also been highlighted with possible use in designing high performance materials. To exploit dual properties of both Nano and Bio counterparts in new functional materials, this effort has focused on synthesis of a potential hybrid system of Gold nanorods (GNRs) and HSA amyloid fibrils to develop a conductive nanoscaffold. UV-Vis spectroscopy, Thioflavin T (ThT) assay, Far-UV Circular Dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry, fluorescence and Transmission Electron microscopy were used to characterize formation of the nanostructures and amyloid fibrils. Surface plasmon resonance of GNRs was also monitored upon interaction with HSA amyloid fibrils, showing that the plasmonic component of the hybrid system has maintained its characteristic rod morphology without any perturbations. Analysis of Nyquist plots for the hybrid nanoscaffold showed that the electronic behavior of the hybrid system has been enhanced due to the presence of the assembled GNRs. Results of this investigation highlight the possibility of fabricating hybrid nano-bioscaffolds as promising candidates in versatile biomedical and biosensing applications.
Author Correction: Pressure-Induced Crystallization and Phase Transformation of Para-xylene
Authors: Bai Yanzhi , Yu Zhenhai , Liu Ran , Li Nana , Yan Shuai , Yang Ke , Liu Bingbing , Wei Dongqing , Wang Lin
Published: June 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Bandgap Tunable AgInS based Quantum Dots for High Contrast Cell Imaging with Enhanced Photodynamic and Antifungal Applications
Authors: Mir Irshad Ahmad , Radhakrishanan V. S. , Rawat Kamla , Prasad Tulika , Bohidar H. B.
Published: June 2018

Herein, we report a facile microwave-assisted synthesis of cadmium-free water-soluble silver indium sulfide (AgInS2 or AIS) and AgInS@ZnS (or AIS@ZnS) core-shell quantum dots (QDs) using glutathione (GSH) as stabilizer. The core and core-shell nanocrystals exhibit tunable bandgap ranging of 2.3–3.1 and 2.4–3.5 eV, mean particle size of 2.5 and 3.25 nm, quantum yield of 26% and 49%, and fluorescence lifetimes of 326 and 438 ns, respectively. The core-shell QDs exhibit color-tunable emission in the visible region (500 to 600 nm), where the tunability was achieved by varying the molar ratio of Ag:In in the precursors. In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of these water/ buffer stable QDs against the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans demonstrated that these were not toxic to the fungal cells upto a concentration of 100 µg/ml for 16 hours of incubation. Confocal imaging and spectrofluorometric studies showed enhanced fluorescence inside the microbial cells suggesting that AIS@ZnS particles had the capability to easily penetrate the cells. The increased generation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated for the core-shell QDs (photosensitizers) by using 9, 10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid (ABMDMA) as singlet oxygen (1O2) scavenger molecule. These QDs have the potential for use as high contrast cell imaging, photodynamic and antifungal agents.
Subtropical hibernation in juvenile tegu lizards (Salvator merianae): insights from intestine redox dynamics
Authors: Moreira Daniel C. , Welker Alexis F. , Campos Élida G. , de Souza Silvia Cristina R. , Hermes-Lima Marcelo
Published: June 2018

Juvenile tegu lizards (Salvator merianae) experience gradual and mild temperature changes from autumn to winter in their habitat. This tropical/subtropical reptile enter a state of dormancy, with an 80% reduction in metabolic rate, that remains almost constant during winter. The redox metabolism in non-mammalian vertebrates that hibernate under such distinguished conditions is poorly understood. We analyzed the redox metabolism in the intestine of juvenile tegus during different stages of their first annual cycle. The effect of food deprivation (in spring) was also studied to compare with fasting during hibernation. Both winter dormancy and food deprivation caused decreases in reduced glutathione levels and glutathione transferase activity. While glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase activities decreased during winter dormancy, as well as glutathione (GSH) levels, other antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase) remained unchanged. Notably, levels of disulfide glutathione (GSSG) were 2.1-fold higher in late autumn, when animals were in the process of depressing metabolism towards hibernation. This increased “oxidative tonus” could be due to a disruption in NADPH-dependent antioxidant systems. In dormancy, GSSG and lipid hydroperoxides were diminished by 60–70%. The results suggest that the entrance into hibernation is the main challenge for the redox homeostasis in the intestine of juvenile tegus.
The level of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in patients with pulmonary hypertension in plateau area
Authors: Liu Bing , Chang Rong , Duan Zhili , Zhang Xiaofei , Shen Yusong , Liu Xiangbo , Wu Jinchun , Tuo Yajun , Luo Junming
Published: June 2018

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg under the sea level in resting state. ROCK1 and ROCK2 can be combined to cause the damage of vascular endothelial function. To explore the differences of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in subjects with pulmonary hypertension or normal pulmonary artery pressure in plateau area, and to further understand the mechanism of Rho/rho-kinase pathway activation for promoting pulmonary hypertension, we collected 64 patients with pulmonary hypertension and 87 normal pulmonary artery healthy controls. All subjects were hospitalized in Cardiology or Respiration Department of Qinghai Provincial Peoples’ Hospital from December 2016 to June 2017. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure was measured by Doppler ultrasound, and serum ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that the serum ROCK2 concentration in the pulmonary hypertension group was significantly higher than that in the control group, but serum ROCK1 level had no significant difference. ROCK2 plays a leading role in pulmonary hypertension in the plateau region, so selective ROCK2 inhibitors will be more effective in improving pulmonary hypertension.
Acute infarction after mechanical thrombectomy is better delineable in virtual non-contrast compared to conventional images using a dual-layer spectral CT
Authors: Riederer Isabelle , Fingerle Alexander A. , Baum Thomas , Kirschke Jan S. , Rummeny Ernst J. , Noël Peter B. , Pfeiffer Daniela
Published: June 2018

The aim was to evaluate Virtual Non-Contrast (VNC)-CT images for the detection of acute infarcts in the brain after mechanical thrombectomy using a dual-layer spectral CT. 29 patients between September 2016 and February 2017 with unenhanced head spectral-CT after mechanical thrombectomy and available follow-up images (MRI, n:26; CT, n:3) were included. VNC-CT and conventional CT (CT) images were reconstructed using dedicated software. Based on those, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and the volume of infarction were measured semi-automatically in VNC-CT, CT and MRI. Furthermore, two readers independently assessed the VNC-CT and CT images in a randomized order by using the ASPECT score, and inter-rater reliability, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. CNR was significantly higher in VNC-CT compared to CT (3.1 ± 1.5 versus 1.1 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). The mean estimated volume of infarction was significantly higher in VNC-CT compared to CT (72% versus 55% of the volume measured in MRI, p < 0.005). Inter-rater reliability was higher in VNC-CT compared to CT (0.751 versus 0.625) and sensitivity was higher in VNC-CT compared to CT (73% versus 55%). In conclusion, acute ischemic lesions after mechanical thrombectomy are better definable in VNC-CT compared to CT images using a dual-layer spectral CT system.
Rosmarinic Acid Restores Complete Transparency of Sonicated Human Cataract Ex Vivo and Delays Cataract Formation In Vivo
Authors: Chemerovski-Glikman Marina , Mimouni Michael , Dagan Yarden , Haj Esraa , Vainer Igor , Allon Raviv , Blumenthal Eytan Z. , Adler-Abramovich Lihi , Segal Daniel , Gazit Ehud , Zayit-Soudry Shiri
Published: June 2018

Cataract, the leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, arises from abnormal aggregation of crystallin lens proteins. Presently, surgical removal is the only therapeutic approach. Recent findings have triggered renewed interest in development of non-surgical treatment alternatives. However, emerging treatments are yet to achieve full and consistent lens clearance. Here, the first ex vivo assay to screen for drug candidates that reduce human lenticular protein aggregation was developed. This assay allowed the identification of two leading compounds as facilitating the restoration of nearly-complete transparency of phacoemulsified cataractous preparation ex vivo. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that both compounds reduce cataract microparticle size and modify their amyloid-like features. In vivo studies confirmed that the lead compound, rosmarinic acid, delays cataract formation and reduces the severity of lens opacification in model rats. Thus, the ex vivo assay may provide an initial platform for broad screening of potential novel therapeutic agents towards pharmacological treatment of cataract.
Management of Low and Intermediate Risk Adult Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Pooled Survival Analysis of 553 Patients
Authors: Elsebaie Maha A. T. , Amgad Mohamed , Elkashash Ahmed , Elgebaly Ahmed Saber , Ashal Gehad Gamal E. l. , Shash Emad , Elsayed Zeinab
Published: June 2018

This is the second-largest retrospective analysis addressing the controversy of whether adult rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) should be treated with chemotherapy regimens adopted from pediatric RMS protocols or adult soft-tissue sarcoma protocols. A comprehensive database search identified 553 adults with primary non-metastatic RMS. Increasing age, intermediate-risk disease, no chemotherapy use, anthacycline-based and poor chemotherapy response were significant predictors of poor overall and progression-free survival. In contrast, combined cyclophosphamide-based, cyclophosphamide + anthracycline-based, or cyclophosphamide + ifosfamide + anthracycline-based regimens significantly improved outcomes. Intermediate-risk disease was a significant predictor of poor chemotherapy response. Overall survival of clinical group-III patients was significantly improved if they underwent delayed complete resection. Non-parameningeal clinical group-I patients had the best local control, which was not affected by additional adjuvant radiotherapy. This study highlights the superiority of chemotherapy regimens –adapted from pediatric protocols- compared to anthracycline-based regimens. There is lack of data to support the routine use of adjuvant radiotherapy for non-parameningeal group-I patients. Nonetheless, intensive local therapy should be always considered for those at high risk for local recurrence, including intermediate-risk disease, advanced IRS stage, large tumors or narrow surgical margins. Although practically difficult (due to tumor’s rarity), there is a pressing need for high quality randomized controlled trials to provide further guidance.
Nesfatin-1 in the dorsal raphe nucleus influences visceral sensitivity via 5-HT neurons in male maternally separated rats
Authors: Zhang Hui-Ai , Sang Nan , Ge Xian , Huang Qian , Li Xue-Liang , Sha Jie
Published: June 2018

Nesfatin-1, a satiety molecule processed from nucleobindin2 (NUCB2), is implicated in visceral hypersensitivity in rats and colocalized with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Maternal separation (MS) in rats contributes to visceral hypersensitivity via elevated expression of 5-HT in the DRN. Intracerebroventricular injection of nesfatin-1 activates DRN 5-HT neurons. In this study, A model of visceral hypersensitivity was developed by subjecting rats to MS. Colorectal distension was used to detect visceral sensitivity, which was evaluated by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores and electromyogram (EMG) magnitude. MS rats exhibited higher AWR scores and EMG magnitude compared with controls. The numbers of nesfatin-1- and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH, the rate-limiting enzyme for 5-HT synthesis)-positive cells in the DRN were significantly elevated accordingly. Visceral hypersensitivity was significantly alleviated in MS rats treated with intra-DRN administration of anti-nesfatin-1/NUCB2, accompanied by decreased expression of 5-HT and TPH in the DRN, compared with the vehicle-treated group. In contrast, intra-DRN administration of nesfatin-1 into normal adult rats induced visceral hypersensitivity, which correlated with elevated expression of 5-HT and TPH in the DRN. In conclusion, Nesfatin-1 has critical effects on visceral hypersensitivity; the underlying mechanisms might be related to the activation of DRN 5-HT neurons.
A memristive plasticity model of voltage-based STDP suitable for recurrent bidirectional neural networks in the hippocampus
Authors: Diederich Nick , Bartsch Thorsten , Kohlstedt Hermann , Ziegler Martin
Published: June 2018

Memristive systems have gained considerable attention in the field of neuromorphic engineering, because they allow the emulation of synaptic functionality in solid state nano-physical systems. In this study, we show that memristive behavior provides a broad working framework for the phenomenological modelling of cellular synaptic mechanisms. In particular, we seek to understand how close a memristive system can account for the biological realism. The basic characteristics of memristive systems, i.e. voltage and memory behavior, are used to derive a voltage-based plasticity rule. We show that this model is suitable to account for a variety of electrophysiology plasticity data. Furthermore, we incorporate the plasticity model into an all-to-all connecting network scheme. Motivated by the auto-associative CA3 network of the hippocampus, we show that the implemented network allows the discrimination and processing of mnemonic pattern information, i.e. the formation of functional bidirectional connections resulting in the formation of local receptive fields. Since the presented plasticity model can be applied to real memristive devices as well, the presented theoretical framework can support both, the design of appropriate memristive devices for neuromorphic computing and the development of complex neuromorphic networks, which account for the specific advantage of memristive devices.
Gene expression profiling of periodontitis-affected gingival tissue by spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Lundmark Anna , Gerasimcik Natalija , Båge Tove , Jemt Anders , Mollbrink Annelie , Salmén Fredrik , Lundeberg Joakim , Yucel-Lindberg Tülay
Published: June 2018

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontium, leading ultimately to tooth loss. In order to characterize the gene expression of periodontitis-affected gingival tissue, we have here simultaneously quantified and localized gene expression in periodontal tissue using spatial transcriptomics, combining RNA sequencing with histological analysis. Our analyses revealed distinct clusters of gene expression, which were identified to correspond to epithelium, inflamed areas of connective tissue, and non-inflamed areas of connective tissue. Moreover, 92 genes were identified as significantly up-regulated in inflamed areas of the gingival connective tissue compared to non-inflamed tissue. Among these, immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide 5 (IGLL5), signal sequence receptor subunit 4 (SSR4), marginal zone B and B1 cell specific protein (MZB1), and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) were the four most highly up-regulated genes. These genes were also verified as significantly higher expressed in gingival tissue of patients with periodontitis compared to healthy controls, using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the protein expressions of up-regulated genes were verified in gingival biopsies by immunohistochemistry. In summary, in this study, we report distinct gene expression signatures within periodontitis-affected gingival tissue, as well as specific genes that are up-regulated in inflamed areas compared to non-inflamed areas of gingival tissue. The results obtained from this study may add novel information on the genes and cell types contributing to pathogenesis of the chronic inflammatory disease periodontitis.
Finite-size correction scheme for supercell calculations in Dirac-point two-dimensional materials
Authors: Rocha C. G. , Rocha A. R. , Venezuela P. , Garcia J. H. , Ferreira M. S.
Published: June 2018

Modern electronic structure calculations are predominantly implemented within the super cell representation in which unit cells are periodically arranged in space. Even in the case of non-crystalline materials, defect-embedded unit cells are commonly used to describe doped structures. However, this type of computation becomes prohibitively demanding when convergence rates are sufficiently slow and may require calculations with very large unit cells. Here we show that a hitherto unexplored feature displayed by several 2D materials may be used to achieve convergence in formation- and adsorption-energy calculations with relatively small unit-cell sizes. The generality of our method is illustrated with Density Functional Theory calculations for different 2D hosts doped with different impurities, all of which providing accuracy levels that would otherwise require enormously large unit cells. This approach provides an efficient route to calculating the physical properties of 2D systems in general but is particularly suitable for Dirac-point materials doped with impurities that break their sublattice symmetry.
Chemicals and microbes in bioaerosols from reaction tanks of six wastewater treatment plants: survival factors, generation sources, and mechanisms
Authors: Wang Yanjie , Lan Huachun , Li Lin , Yang Kaixiong , Qu Jiuhui , Liu Junxin
Published: June 2018

Sampling was conducted from biochemical reaction tanks of six municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Yangtze River and Zhujiang deltas and the Jing-Jin-Ji region to assess their morphology, level, and composition. Morphological observations suggested that particles were scattered amorphously with C, O, and Si as the major elements. Bioaerosols are composed of spatially varying levels of microorganisms and chemicals. As the sampling height increased, the level of the components in the bioaerosols decreased. Wastewater in the biochemical reaction tanks was identified as an important source of bioaerosols using SourceTracker analysis. The aerosolization of film drops produced by bursting of bubbles was the main reason for the generation of bioaerosols. Increasing the aeration rate of water may promote bioaerosol generation. Relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and solar illumination influenced the survival of bioaerosols. Large particle sedimentation and wind diffusion significantly decreased the atmospheric aerosol concentration. When the sampling point height increased from 0.1 m to 3.0 m, the concentrations of the microorganisms and total suspended particles decreased by 23.71% and 38.74%, respectively. Considerable attention should be paid to the control of total suspended particles and microorganisms in bioaerosols.
Viscoelastic optical nonlocality of low-loss epsilon-near-zero nanofilms
Authors: de Ceglia Domenico , Scalora Michael , Vincenti Maria A. , Campione Salvatore , Kelley Kyle , Runnerstrom Evan L. , Maria Jon-Paul , Keeler Gordon A. , Luk Ting S.
Published: June 2018

Optical nonlocalities are elusive and hardly observable in traditional plasmonic materials like noble and alkali metals. Here we report experimental observation of viscoelastic nonlocalities in the infrared optical response of epsilon-near-zero nanofilms made of low-loss doped cadmium-oxide. The nonlocality is detectable thanks to the low damping rate of conduction electrons and the virtual absence of interband transitions at infrared wavelengths. We describe the motion of conduction electrons using a hydrodynamic model for a viscoelastic fluid, and find excellent agreement with experimental results. The electrons’ elasticity blue-shifts the infrared plasmonic resonance associated with the main epsilon-near-zero mode, and triggers the onset of higher-order resonances due to the excitation of electron-pressure modes above the bulk plasma frequency. We also provide evidence of the existence of nonlocal damping, i.e., viscosity, in the motion of optically-excited conduction electrons using a combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry data and predictions based on the viscoelastic hydrodynamic model.
The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat reduces fibrogenesis and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Schwabl Philipp , Brusilovskaya Ksenia , Supper Paul , Bauer David , Königshofer Philipp , Riedl Florian , Hayden Hubert , Fuchs Claudia Daniela , Stift Judith , Oberhuber Georg , Aschauer Stefan , Bonderman Diana , Gnad Thorsten , Pfeifer Alexander , Uschner Frank Erhard , Trebicka Jonel , Rohr-Udilova Nataliya , Podesser Bruno Karl , Peck-Radosavljevic Markus , Trauner Michael , Reiberger Thomas
Published: June 2018

In cirrhotic patients, portal hypertension (PHT) deteriorates survival, yet treatment options are limited. A major contributor to increased intrahepatic vasoconstriction in PHT is dysfunctional nitric-oxide signaling. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is the receptor of nitric-oxide and can be stimulated by riociguat. Riociguat is approved for pulmonary hypertension but has not been studied in liver cirrhosis. In this study we assessed the effects of riociguat on PHT and liver fibrosis in cholestatic (bile duct ligation, BDL) and toxic (carbon-tetrachloride, CCl4) rat models. In cirrhotic livers sGC expression was upregulated. In BDL rats, riociguat reduced liver fibrosis and decreased portal pressure without affecting systemic hemodynamics. In an early BDL disease stage, riociguat decreased bile duct proliferation, improved sinusoidal vascular dysfunction and inhibited angiogenesis. In advanced BDL riociguat exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. In CCl4 rats the beneficial effects of riociguat treatment were less pronounced and confined to an early disease stage. Similarly, in patients with cholestatic cirrhosis and PHT nitrates (that induce sGC activity) decreased portal pressure more effectively than in patients with non-cholestatic etiology. We also found an improvement of transaminases in patients with pulmonary hypertension receiving riociguat. Our findings support the clinical development of sGC stimulators in patients with cirrhotic PHT.
Subjective decision threshold for accurate visual detection performance in rats
Authors: Osako Yuma , Sakurai Yoshio , Hirokawa Junya
Published: June 2018

The dissociation between a subjective-criterion performance and forced performance in a sensory detection can provide critical insights into the neural correlates of sensory awareness. Here, we established a behavioral task for rats to test their spatial-visual cue detection ability, using a two alternative choice task with and without a third choice option where animals get rewards only in the objective absence of a visual cue. In the trials without the third option, spatial choice accuracy decreased from near perfect to near chance levels as the visual cue brightness decreased. In contrast, with the third option, the rats exhibited >90% spatial choice accuracy regardless of the cue brightness. The rats chose the third choice option less frequently when the cue was brighter, suggesting that rats have a generalized strategy to make spatial choices only when their internal detection criterion is met. Interestingly, even when the animals chose the third option, they could still significantly and correctly choose the direction of the visual stimuli if they were forced. Our data suggest that the rats’ variable detection performance with identical set of stimuli is derived from stochastic processing of visual signals with a certain internal detection threshold rather than general motivational threshold.
Jagged-1 induced molecular alterations in HPV associated invasive squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the human uterine cervix
Authors: Tripathi Richa , Rath Gayatri , Hussain Showket , Jawanjal Poonam , Bandil Kapil , Sharma Vishwas , Bharadwaj Mausumi , Mehrotra Ravi
Published: June 2018

The majority of cervical cancer (CC) cases are attributable to HPV infection. Altered Notch pathway signals and HPV are believed to modify clinicopathogenesis of CC, however, the involvement of each molecular player and its mechanism is still not known. Jagged-1 (JAG1) is one of the ligands that induce Notch pathway. The involvement of JAG1 in the modulation of a disease condition is not very clear. Hence, this study aims to study the role of JAG1 in HPV-16/18 associated different histological sub-types of CC, especially ADC. 40 non-neoplastic cervical tissues, 30 precancer and 118 tumor specimens (total 188 tissue biopsies) were studied for the expression of the JAG1 protein through immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and for HPV infection. Two folds increase of cytoplasmic (Mean ± S.E, 3.67 ± 0.33; p = 0.0001) and nuclear (3.70 ± 0.38, p = 0.0001) JAG1 expression was identified in normal (N) vs precancer and three folds cytoplasmic (4.44 ± 0.17, p = 0.0001) and nuclear (4.64 ± 0.17; p = 0.0001) in N vs. ISCC. Total 85% of ADC patients were found to be infected with HPV, which were 100% infected with HPV-16. These findings suggest the complex synergistic interplay between JAG1 and HPV in regulating clinicopathological progression of CC through its deregulation.
Dynamic features of water molecules in superconcentrated aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Han Sungho
Published: June 2018

An existence of ions dissolved in water has significant effects on bulk properties of water. Superconcentrated conditions have been recently proposed to provide a new concept of lithium ion batteries in order to overcome limitations for practical applications. In those conditions, water would undergo significant changes in structure and dynamics compared to its bulk properties. However, little is known about water in superconcentrated aqueous electrolytes. Here we study the properties of water in aqueous electrolytes with various salt concentrations via molecular dynamics simulations. We find that new dynamic features of water arise in the limit of an extremely high salt concentration. In particular, we observe a decoupled temporal character of water molecules exhibiting a subdiffusive translation and a diffusive rotation in the superconcentrated condition. Furthermore, we find that the rotational dynamics for each principal axis of a water molecule differently responds to the salt concentration, resulting in an occurrence of anisotropy in the rotation as the salt concentration increases. The superconcentrated environments also invoke new features in the hydrogen-bonding characteristics of water such as an emergence of two time scales in the hydrogen bond dynamics of water with respect to the salt concentration.
Influenza viral vectors expressing two kinds of HA proteins for bivalent vaccines against clade 2.3.4.4 and clade 2.3.2.1 H5 HPAIVs
Authors: Hou Guangyu , Li Jinping , Wang Yan , Wang Suchun , Peng Cheng , Yu Xiaohui , Jin Jihui , Jiang Wenming
Published: June 2018

The H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) in China pose a serious challenge to public health and the poultry industry. In this study, we constructed a replication-competent recombinant influenza A virus of clade 2.3.4.4 Н5N1 expressing the clade 2.3.2.1 H5 HA1 protein from a tricistronic NS segment. We used a truncated NS1 protein of 73 amino acids combined with a heterologous dimerization domain to increase protein stability. H5 HA1 and nuclear export information were fused in frame with a truncated NS1 open reading frame, separated by 2A self-processing sites. The resulting PR8-H5-NS1(73)H5 stably expressed clade 2.3.4.4 H5 HA and clade 2.3.2.1 H5 HA1 proteins and exhibited similar in vitro growth kinetics as the parental PR8-2344H5 virus. PR8-H5-NS1(73)H5 induced specific hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody against clade 2.3.4.4 H5 that was comparable to that of the combination vaccine of PR8-2344H5 and PR8-2321H5. HI antibody titers were significantly lower against clade 2.3.2.1 H5 virus than with the combination vaccine. PR8-H5-NS1(73)H5 completely protected chickens from both clade 2.3.4.4 and clade 2.3.2.1 H5 HPAIVs challenge. Our results suggested that PR8-H5-NS1(73)H5 was highly immunogenic and efficacious against both clade 2.3.4.4 and clade 2.3.2.1 H5 HPAIVs in chickens.
Single-system based discriminative optical sensors: different strategies and versatile applications
Authors: Fan Junmei , Ding Liping
Published: June 2018

Single-system based optical sensors can realize discrimination through multi-wavelength cross-reactive responses by different strategies.
Rapid determination of histamine in fish by thin-layer chromatography-image analysis method using diazotized visualization reagent prepared withp-nitroaniline
Authors: Yu Hui , Zhuang Daina , Hu Xingjuan , Zhang Shuang , He Zhiyong , Zeng Maomao , Fang Xubo , Chen Jie , Chen Xiaoe
Published: June 2018

A novel analytical method for rapid determination of histamine in fish involves methanol extraction, manual spotting, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for less than 15 min, visualization by diazotizedp-nitroaniline reagent, and quantitation by image analysis using the ImageJ software.
Direct online quantitation of 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenyl butanoic acid for total microcystin analysis by condensed phase membrane introduction tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Duncan Kyle D. , Beach Daniel G. , Wright Elliott J. , Barsby Todd , Gill Chris G. , Krogh Erik T.
Published: June 2018

Microcystins (MCs) are a potent class of hepatotoxins produced by several species of cyanobacteria, which have been responsible for illness and death in livestock and humans.
Study of the occurrence of tropane alkaloids in animal feed using LC-HRMS
Authors: Romera-Torres Ana , Romero-González Roberto , Martínez Vidal José Luis , Frenich Antonia Garrido
Published: June 2018

The consumption of animal products is rapidly increasing and, therefore, the use of feedstuffs in farms is in demand in developing countries.
Probing the electric double-layer capacitance in a Keggin-type polyoxometalate ionic liquid gated graphene transistor
Authors: George Lijin , Shakeela K. , Rao G. Ranga , Jaiswal Manu
Published: June 2018

Graphene is used as a platform to unravel the interfacial ionic assembly in a complex ionic liquid system.
Sequential evaporation of water molecules from protonated water clusters: measurement of the velocity distributions of the evaporated molecules and statistical analysis
Authors: Berthias F. , Feketeová L. , Abdoul-Carime H. , Calvo F. , Farizon B. , Farizon M. , Märk T. D.
Published: June 2018

Sequential evaporation of water molecules from protonated water clusters explored via measurements of the velocity distribution of the evaporated molecules.
Facile synthesis of highly-dispersed Pt/CeO2 by a spontaneous surface redox chemical reaction for CO oxidation
Authors: Cao Fangxian , Zhang Sai , Gao Wei , Cao Tian , Qu Yongquan
Published: June 2018

A highly-dispersed Pt/CeO2 catalyst synthesized through a spontaneous surface redox reaction between metal ions and Ce(OH)3/CeO2 nanorods delivers high CO oxidation activity.
Highly luminescent lanthanide complexes sensitised by tertiary amide-linked carbostyril antennae
Authors: Kovacs Daniel , Phipps Dulcie , Orthaber Andreas , Borbas K. Eszter
Published: June 2018

The replacement of the secondary amide linker that carries the sensitizing carbostyril antenna with a tertiary amide in luminescent Eu and Tb complexes dramatically increases the lanthanide emission quantum yields.
Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of the utilization of bio-oil components for the production of three chemicals
Authors: Zheng Ji-Lu , Zhu Ya-Hong , Zhu Ming-Qiang , Sun Guo-Tao , Sun Run-Cang
Published: June 2018

Bio-based chemicals have gained more widespread attention than bio-fuels because of the decline in crude oil prices.
A theoretical study of new representatives of closed- and open-circle benzofuran and benzocyclopentadienone oligomers
Authors: Karaush Nataliya N. , Baryshnikov Gleb V. , Ågren Hans , Minaev Boris F.
Published: June 2018

Strain energies for oxa[n]circulene species relative to the unstrained tetraoxa[8]circulene.
Synthesis and polymerization of a new hydantoin monomer with three halogen binding sites for developing highly antibacterial surfaces
Authors: Rai Rajani Kant , Jayakrishnan A.
Published: June 2018

Novel three halogen capturing hydantoin monomer-based copolymers were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial properties.
Synthetic biology strategies toward heterologous phytochemical production
Authors: Kotopka Benjamin J. , Li Yanran , Smolke Christina D.
Published: June 2018

This review summarizes the recent progress in heterologous phytochemical biosynthetic pathway reconstitution in plant, bacteria, and yeast, with a focus on the synthetic biology strategies applied in these engineering efforts.
Three-dimensional angiography fused with CT/MRI for multimodal imaging of nanoparticles based on Ba4Yb3F17:Lu3+,Gd3+
Authors: Ma Sihan , Zhang Jiaxin , Xia Shibo , Yin Wenyan , Qin Yanxia , Lei Runhong , Kong Jianglong , Mei Linqiang , Li Juan , Xin Gengmei , Li Gongping
Published: June 2018

Designing nanosized multi-modality contrast agents for high-resolution imaging is challenging since most agents are only useful for single-mode imaging.
Prewetting dichloromethane induced aqueous solution adhered on Cassie superhydrophobic substrates to fabricate efficient fog-harvesting materials inspired by Namib Desert beetles and mussels
Authors: Zhu Hai , Duan Ruilin , Wang Xudong , Yang Juliang , Wang Jinhua , Huang Yu , Xia Fan
Published: June 2018

Inspired by Namib Desert beetles and mussels, highly-efficient fog-harvesting materials were fabricated.
Syntheses of 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate-containing block copolymers via RAFT polymerization using a universal chain transfer agent
Authors: Banerjee Sanjib , Guerre Marc , Améduri Bruno , Ladmiral Vincent
Published: June 2018

2-(Trifluoromethyl)acrylate-containing block copolymers were synthesized via RAFT polymerization using a universal CTA.
Cobalt-catalyzed directed ortho-methylation of arenes with methyl tosylate
Authors: Sun Qiao , Yoshikai Naohiko
Published: June 2018

A cobalt catalyst enables directed ortho-methylation of arenes using readily available methyl tosylate as well as its deuterated analogue.
Dysohonin A, a meroditerpenoid incorporating a 6,15,6-fused heterotricyclic ring system from Dysoxylum hongkongense
Authors: Zhao Jin-Xin , Liu Cui-Ping , Zhang Meng-Meng , Li Jia , Yue Jian-Min
Published: June 2018

Dysohonin A (1), a meroditerpenoid incorporating an unprecedented architecture, along with three new biogenetically related meroditerpenoids as PTP1B inhibitors were reported in this paper.
Anticyanobacterial effect ofl-lysine onMicrocystis aeruginosa
Authors: Tian Lili , Chen Meng , Ren Chongyang , Wang Yiying , Li Li
Published: June 2018

l-lysine had an anticyanobacterial effect onMicrocystis aeruginosa, which involved growth inhibition, physiological and metabolic disturbance, and cell membrane damage.
Evolution of molecular composition of polycarbosilane and its effect on spinnability
Authors: Guodong Wang , Yongcai Song , Yongqiang Li
Published: June 2018

The molecular composition of polycarbosilane (PCS) and its evolution in the synthesis process, as well as the contribution of each component to the spinnability, were explored.
Efficient solar-driven conversion of nitrogen to ammonia in pure waterviahydrogenated bismuth oxybromide
Authors: Bi Yuanqing , Wang Yu , Dong Xiaoli , Zheng Nan , Ma Hongchao , Zhang Xiufang
Published: June 2018

Samples of H-BiOBr use water as reactant which demonstrates efficient nitrogen fixation under sunlight.
Synergy of carbon and nitrogen removal of a co-culture of two aerobic denitrifying bacterial strains, Acinetobacter sp. GA and Pseudomonas sp. GP
Authors: Guo Yan , Yang Ruili , Zhang Zhaoji , Wang Xiaojun , Ye Xin , Chen Shaohua
Published: June 2018

Two newly isolated aerobic denitrifying bacterial strains (Acinetobacter sp. GA and Pseudomonas sp. GP) were co-cultured to investigate the synergy of carbon and nitrogen removal of different functional bacteria.
Lac water extract inhibits IFN-γ signaling through JAK2-STAT1-IRF1 axis in human melanoma
Authors: Li Luhui , Yokoyama Satoru , Han Na , Hayakawa Yoshihiro
Published: June 2018

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the host defense of infectious diseases and in immune surveillance during tumor development.
Preparation of MoS2-based polydopamine-modified core–shell nanocomposites with elevated adsorption performances
Authors: Sun Shuxin , Jiao Tifeng , Xing Ruirui , Li Jinghong , Zhou Jingxin , Zhang Lexin , Peng Qiuming
Published: June 2018

New core–shell MoS2–PDA nanocomposites are prepared via mussel-inspired chemistry and a simple interfacial self-assembly process, demonstrating potential applications in wastewater treatment and self-assembled core–shell composite materials.
Facile and scalable synthesis of sub-micrometer electrolyte particles for solid acid fuel cells
Authors: Lohmann-Richters F. P. , Odenwald C. , Kickelbick G. , Abel B. , Varga Á.
Published: June 2018

Stable sub-micrometer CsH2PO4 electrolyte particles for application in solid acid fuel cells are precipitated in a facile, scalable way.
Atomic oxygen effects on silvered polyimide films and their surface modification by poly(siloxane amic acid) ammonium salts
Authors: Chunbo Wang , Liaoliao Li , Haifu Jiang , Dongbo Tian , Wei Qin , Changwei Liu , Xiaogang Zhao , Chunhai Chen , Daming Wang
Published: June 2018

Poly(siloxane amic acid) ammonium salt with good AO resistance was synthesized, and used to protect silvered polyimide films from AO erosion.
1,3,4-Thiadiazol derivative functionalized-Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites as a fluorescent probe for detection of Hg2+ in water samples
Authors: Mir Noshin , Jalilian Sara , Karimi Pouya , Nejati-Yazdinejad Massoud , Khammarnia Somaye
Published: June 2018

VBYT-Fe3O4@SiO2 fluorescent probe was designed for sensitive detection of mercury in water samples.
Ameliorative effect of biofabricated ZnO nanoparticles of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. on dermal wounds via removal of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Singh Deepika , Yadav Pankajkumar , Verma Amita
Published: June 2018

The curative efficacy of a green synthesized zinc oxide nano-ointment on wound healing was investigated.
A practically simple, catalyst free and scalable synthesis of N-substituted ureas in water
Authors: Tiwari Lata , Kumar Varun , Kumar Bhuvesh , Mahajan Dinesh
Published: June 2018

A wide range of amines can be converted to N-substituted ureas using KOCN and aq. HCl without heating, organic solvent or catalyst.
One-pot preparation of MnOximpregnated cotton fibers for methylene blue dye removal
Authors: Wang Jing , Kou Lidong , Huang Zuohua , Zhao Liang
Published: June 2018

Mn-X@BCF, prepared by one-pot sono-assisted KMnO4reduction, could remove methylene blue efficiently by a proposed adsorption-partial oxidation mechanism.
Expanding the synthesizable multisubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes via 6,7-thienobenzynes generated from o-silylaryl triflate-type precursors
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Kuribara Tomoko , Morita Takamoto , Matsuzawa Tsubasa , Morimoto Kazushi , Kobayashi Takuya , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: June 2018

Various multisubstituted benzothiophenes, including those with various heteroatom substituents and EP4 antagonist analogs, have been prepared easily via 6,7-thienobenzynes generated from o-silylaryl triflate-type precursors.
Large-scale synthesis and luminescence of GdPO4 hollow microspheres
Authors: Gao Yu , Qiu Yongkun , Wang Xin , Bi Yanfeng , Zhao Guiyan , Ding Fu , Sun Yaguang , Xu Zhenhe
Published: June 2018

GdPO4 hollow microspheres were synthesized by using a novel multi-step route for the first time with polystyrene (PS) spheres as the template, followed by the combination of a facile homogeneous precipitation method, an ion-exchange process, and a calcination process.
Low cost and stable quinoxaline-based hole-transporting materials with a D–A–D molecular configuration for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wu Yongzhen , Zhang Weiwei , Li Erpeng , Shen Chao , Jiang Huiyun , Tian He , Zhu Wei-Hong
Published: June 2018

Molecular hole-transporting materials containing a weak electron acceptor core can simultaneously improve the stability and photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells.
Revitalizing the concept of bond order through delocalization measures in real space
Authors: Outeiral Carlos , Vincent Mark A. , Martín Pendás Ángel , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: June 2018

Quantum mechanical bond orders are obtained from integration of the exchange–correlation density between topological atoms.
Spray printing of self-assembled porous structures for high power battery electrodes
Authors: Lee Sang Ho , Mahadevegowda Amoghavarsha , Huang Chun , Evans Jack D. , Grant Patrick S.
Published: June 2018

Self-assembled porous structures were manufactured directly onto current collectors based on layer-by-layer spray printing of TiO2(B) nanotubes. The through-thickness porous channels in the electrode structures enabled the efficient penetration of the liquid Li-ion electrolyte into the resulting coral-like electrode, leading to an improvement in thickness-dependent power capability.
Ultrathin two-dimensional cobalt–organic framework nanosheets for high-performance electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Xu Yuxia , Li Bing , Zheng Shasha , Wu Ping , Zhan Jingyi , Xue Huaiguo , Xu Qiang , Pang Huan
Published: June 2018

Two-dimensional cobalt–organic frameworks with abundant metal sites have been successfully prepared and directly adopted as efficient OER catalysts.
Realization of n-type and enhanced thermoelectric performance of p-type BiCuSeO by controlled iron incorporation
Authors: Pan Lin , Lang Yudong , Zhao Lei , Berardan David , Amzallag Emilie , Xu Chao , Gu Yufei , Chen Changchun , Zhao Li-Dong , Shen Xiadong , Lyu Yinong , Lu Chunhua , Wang Yifeng
Published: June 2018

Fe-doping enables n-type BiCuSeO and improves the performances of p-type BiCuSeO.
The recent progress of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical batteries
Authors: Wu Jingxia , Pan Zhiyong , Zhang Ye , Wang Bingjie , Peng Huisheng
Published: June 2018

Nitrogen-doping represents a general and effective method in adjusting the physical and chemical properties of carbon nanomaterials. The recent progress in the synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials and their applications in batteries are carefully discussed with a focus on their electrochemical properties.
Hierarchical nanocomposites of graphene oxide and PEGylated protoporphyrin as carriers to load doxorubicin hydrochloride for trimodal synergistic therapy
Authors: Su Ting , Cheng Furong , Yan Jianqin , Cao Jun , Luo Kui , Pu Yuji , He Bin
Published: June 2018

We report a supramolecular hierarchical nanocomposite for combination photodynamic, photothermal, and chemotherapy.
Anion directing self-assembly of 2D and 3D water-stable silver(i) cation metal organic frameworks and their applications in real-time discriminating cysteine and DNA detection
Authors: Wang Xin Rui , Du Jing , Huang Zhuo , Liu Kun , Liu Yuan Yuan , Huo Jian Zhong , Liu Zhong Yi , Dong Xiao Yu , Chen Li Li , Ding Bin
Published: June 2018

Two water-stable silver(i) cation metal organic frameworks (MOFs), namely 2D MOF {[Ag(L)2]BF4}n (1) and 3D MOF {[Ag3(L)3]·(H2O)·(CF3SO3)3}n (2) (L = 1-(4-aminobenzyl)-1,2,4-triazole), have been prepared.
Two-photon absorbing 8-hydroxy-benzo[g]coumarins with giant Stokes shifts: an environment-insensitive dye platform for probing biomolecules
Authors: Sarkar Sourav , Santra Mithun , Singha Subhankar , Jun Yong Woong , Reo Ye Jin , Kim Hye Rim , Ahn Kyo Han
Published: June 2018

An 8-hydroxybenzo[g]coumarin derivative with two-photon absorptivity and a large Stokes shift has been highlighted as an environment insensitive dye platform.
Subphthalocyanine-cored star-shaped electron acceptors with perylene diimide wings for non-fullerene solar cells
Authors: Hang Hao , Zhang Zijian , Wu Xiaofu , Chen Yonghong , Li Hua , Wang Weijie , Tong Hui , Wang Lixiang
Published: June 2018

Two star-shaped electron acceptors with different linkages between the subphthalocyanine core and perylene diimide wings exhibit different molecular geometries, optical properties, energy levels and stacking behaviors, leading to different photovoltaic performances.