bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population structure and genetic differentiation of tea green leafhopper, Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii, in China based on microsatellite markers
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Fuping , Qiao Li , Dietrich Christopher H. , Matsumura Masaya , Qin Daozheng
Published: February 2019

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda, is one of the dominant pests in major tea production regions of East Asia. Recent morphological studies have revealed variation in the male genitalic structures within and among populations. However, the genetic structure of this pest remains poorly understood. This study explores the genetic diversity and population structure of this pest in nineteen populations from the four main Chinese tea production areas using microsatellite markers, with one Japanese population also examined. The results show low to moderate levels of genetic differentiation with populations grouped into four clusters, i.e. the Jiangbei group, the Southwest group 1, the Southwest group 2 and the South China group. Populations from China have a close phylogenetic relationship but show significant isolation by distance. Lower genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of E. (M.) onukii were found in the Kagoshima population of Japan. Evidence for genetic bottlenecks was detected in the South China and Jiangnan populations. Population expansion was found in the Southwest, Jiangbei and Kagoshima populations. This is the most extensive study of the population genetics of this species and contributes to our understanding of its origin and evolutionary history.
Differential expression and regulation of the non-integrin 37/67-kDa laminin receptor on peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy individuals and patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kane Barry A. , An Hongyan , Rajasekariah Poornima , McNeil H. Patrick , Bryant Katherine , Tedla Nicodemus
Published: February 2019

The non-integrin 37/67-kDa laminin receptor (LAMR1) is a complex protein with diverse functions. LAMR1 is widely expressed in epithelial cells and recently it was reported on neutrophils and a subset of activated T cells. Ligation of LAMR1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) downregulated LPS-induced TNFα production, suggesting immune functions. However, its expression on primary monocytes remain unknown. Interestingly, LAMR1 mRNA is downregulated in PBMC of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and low gene expression is an independent predictor of poor response to anti-TNFα treatment, suggesting a role in RA pathogenesis. We found LAMR1 was constitutively expressed on all peripheral blood monocytes and a subset of B cells from healthy individuals and patients with RA and it was abundantly present in synovial tissue of patients with RA. On monocytes and synovial tissue lower levels of LAMR1 expression tended to correlate with increased disease activity scores.In vitrotreatment of monocytes with IFNγ or IL-10 up-regulated surface LAMR1 in healthy individuals and patients with RA with greater effects observed in healthy individuals. Importantly, treatment with IFNγ significantly increased specific binding of monocytes to laminin-1. TNFα and IL-1β caused marginal downregulation of LAMR1 in patients but effects in controls were variable. Taken together, constitutively expressed LAMR1 on monocytes is differentially regulated by pro-inflammatory and immune-regulatory cytokines suggesting LAMR1 may regulate the threshold and amplitude of their activation and migration. Decreased levels in patients with RA may indicate loss of this potentially critical homeostatic regulation thereby contributing to the excessive inflammation.
OptiPharm: An evolutionary algorithm to compare shape similarity
Authors: Puertas-Martín S. , Redondo J. L. , Ortigosa P. M. , Pérez-Sánchez H.
Published: February 2019

Virtual Screening (VS) methods can drastically accelerate global drug discovery processes. Among the most widely used VS approaches, Shape Similarity Methods compare in detail the global shape of a query molecule against a large database of potential drug compounds. Even so, the databases are so enormously large that, in order to save time, the current VS methods are not exhaustive, but they are mainly local optimizers that can easily be entrapped in local optima. It means that they discard promising compounds or yield erroneous signals. In this work, we propose the use of efficient global optimization techniques, as a way to increase the quality of the provided solutions. In particular, we introduce OptiPharm, which is a parameterizable metaheuristic that improves prediction accuracy and offers greater computational performance than WEGA, a Gaussian-based shape similarity method. OptiPharm includes mechanisms to balance between exploration and exploitation to quickly identify regions in the search space with high-quality solutions and avoid wasting time in non-promising areas. OptiPharm is available upon request via email.
Pancreatic adenocarcinomas with mature blood vessels have better overall survival
Authors: Katsuta Eriko , Qi Qianya , Peng Xuan , Hochwald Steven N. , Yan Li , Takabe Kazuaki
Published: February 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known for its hypovascularity. Bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic drug, added to standard chemotherapy demonstrated no improvement in outcome for PDAC. Therefore, we hypothesized that increased vascularity may be associated with improved outcomes in PDAC possibly due to better delivery of tumor specific immune cells. To test this hypothesis, PDAC patients were classified into either high or low CD31 expression groups utilizing mRNA expression from RNA-sequence data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pancreatic cancer cohort. High expression of CD31, which indicates presence of more vascular endothelial cells, was associated with significantly better OS (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that residual tumor (R1, 2; p = 0.026) and CD31 low expression (p = 0.007) were the only independent predictors that negatively impacted OS. Vascular stability as well as immune response related pathways were significantly upregulated in the CD31 high expressing tumors. Furthermore, there were higher proportions of anti-cancer immune cells infiltration, including activated memory CD4+ T cells (p = 0.038), CD8+ T cells (p = 0.027), gamma-delta T cells (p < 0.001) as well as naïve B cells (p = 0.006), whereas lower proportions of regulatory T cell fractions (p = 0.009), which induce an immune tolerant microenvironment, in the CD31 high expressing tumors. These findings imply that stable vessels supply anti-cancer immune cells, which are at least partially responsible for better OS in the CD31 high expressing tumors. In conclusion, CD31 high expressing PDACs have better OS, which may be due to stable vessels that supply anti-cancer immune cells.
Behavioural oscillations in visual orientation discrimination reveal distinct modulation rates for both sensitivity and response bias
Authors: Zhang Huihui , Morrone Maria Concetta , Alais David
Published: February 2019

Perception is modulated by ongoing brain oscillations. Psychophysical studies show a voluntary action can synchronize oscillations, producing rhythmical fluctuations of visual contrast sensitivity. We used signal detection to examine whether voluntary action could also synchronize oscillations in decision criterion, and whether that was due to the oscillations of perceptual bias or of motor bias. Trials started with a voluntary button-press. After variable time lags, a grating at threshold contrast was presented briefly and participants discriminated its orientation (45° or −45°) with a mouse-click. Two groups of participants completed the experiment with opposite mappings between grating orientations and response buttons. We calculated sensitivity and criterion in the 800 ms period following the button press. To test for oscillations, we fitted first-order Fourier series to these time series. Alpha oscillations occurred in both sensitivity and criterion at different frequencies: ~8 Hz (sensitivity) and ~10 Hz (criterion). Sensitivity oscillations had the same phase for both stimulus-response mappings. Criterion oscillations, however, showed a strong anti-phase relationship when the two groups were compared, suggesting a motor bias rather than perceptual bias. Our findings suggest two roles for alpha oscillations: in sensitivity, reflecting rhythmic attentional inhibition, and in criterion, indicating dynamic motor-related anticipation or preparation.
Assessing and Reporting Household Chemicals as a Novel Tool to Mitigate Pesticide Residues in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Authors: Amir Rai Muhammad , Randhawa Muhammad Atif , Nadeem Muhammad , Ahmed Anwaar , Ahmad Asif , Khan Moazzam Rafiq , Khan Muhammad Asif , Kausar Rukhsana
Published: February 2019

Non-selective use of pesticide to increase productivity leaves residues on crops. These pesticides after consumption have a detrimental effect on human health and their intake can lead to various diseases such as kidney damage, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, circulatory and reproductive problems. The recent study was designed to assess the effects of household processing treatments such as acidic solutions (acidic acid and citric acid), alkaline solutions (sodium chloride and sodium carbonate) and biological solutions (radish, ginger, garlic, and lemon extracts) were evaluated for their efficiency for removal of pesticides in spinach by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The results showed that pesticide residues were sharply reduced when spinach was exposed to washing treatments. The results showed that the greatest reduction of deltamethrin, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and endosulfan with 10% acetic acid was (79.68 ± 0.81%), (89.99 ± 0.12%), (94.21 ± 0.02%) and (70.32 ± 0.25%), respectively of tested washing solutions. The acidic solutions were more effective than alkaline and biological extracts in the removal of pesticide residues. The average reduction in various washing solutions ranged from 10.21 to 79.68%, 22.60 to 89.48%, 22.95 to 94-21% and 11.24–70.32% for the removal of deltamethrin, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and endosulfan, respectively.
3-ketodihydrosphingosine reductase mutation induces steatosis and hepatic injury in zebrafish
Authors: Park Ki-Hoon , Ye Zhi-wei , Zhang Jie , Hammad Samar M. , Townsend Danyelle M. , Rockey Don C. , Kim Seok-Hyung
Published: February 2019

3-ketodihydrosphingosine reductase (KDSR) is the key enzyme in the de novo sphingolipid synthesis. We identified a novel missense kdsrI105R mutation in zebrafish that led to a loss of function, and resulted in progression of hepatomegaly to steatosis, then hepatic injury phenotype. Lipidomics analysis of the kdsrI105R mutant revealed compensatory activation of the sphingolipid salvage pathway, resulting in significant accumulation of sphingolipids including ceramides, sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Ultrastructural analysis revealed swollen mitochondria with cristae damage in the kdsrI105R mutant hepatocytes, which can be a cause of hepatic injury in the mutant. We found elevated sphingosine kinase 2 (sphk2) expression in the kdsrI105R mutant. Genetic interaction analysis with the kdsrI105R and the sphk2wc1 mutants showed that sphk2 depletion suppressed liver defects observed in the kdsrI105R mutant, suggesting that liver defects were mediated by S1P accumulation. Further, both oxidative stress and ER stress were completely suppressed by deletion of sphk2 in kdsrI105R mutants, linking these two processes mechanistically to hepatic injury in the kdsrI105R mutants. Importantly, we found that the heterozygous mutation in kdsr induced predisposed liver injury in adult zebrafish. These data point to kdsr as a novel genetic risk factor for hepatic injury.
Tailoring modal properties of inhibited-coupling guiding fibers by cladding modification
Authors: Osório Jonas H. , Chafer Matthieu , Debord Benoît , Giovanardi Fabio , Cordier Martin , Maurel Martin , Delahaye Frédéric , Amrani Foued , Vincetti Luca , Gérôme Frédéric , Benabid Fetah
Published: February 2019

Understanding cladding properties is crucial for designing microstructured optical fibers. This is particularly acute for Inhibited-Coupling guiding fibers because of the reliance of their core guidance on the core and cladding mode-field overlap integral. Consequently, careful planning of the fiber cladding parameters allows obtaining fibers with optimized characteristics such as low loss and broad transmission bandwidth. In this manuscript, we report on how one can tailor the modal properties of hollow-core photonic crystal fibers by adequately modifying the fiber cladding. We show that the alteration of the position of the tubular fibers cladding tubes can alter the loss hierarchy of the modes in these fibers, and exhibit salient polarization propriety. In this context, we present two fibers with different cladding structures which favor propagation of higher order core modes – namely LP11 and LP21 modes. Additionally, we provide discussions on mode transformations in these fibers and show that one can obtain uncommon intensity and polarization profiles at the fiber output. This allows the fiber to act as a mode intensity and polarization shaper. We envisage this novel concept can be useful for a variety of applications such as hollow core fiber based atom optics, atom-surface physics, sensing and nonlinear optics.
Skeletal determinants of tail length are different between macaque species groups
Authors: Wakamori Hikaru , Hamada Yuzuru
Published: February 2019

Macaques (genus Macaca) are known to have wide variation in tail length. Within each species group tail length varies, which could be associated with a phylogenetic trend seen in caudal vertebral morphology. We compared numbers and lengths of caudal vertebrae in species of the fascicularis group, M. assamensis (sinica group), M. nemestrina (silenus group), and those obtained from reports for an additional 11 species. Our results suggest different trends in number and lengths. The caudal vertebral length profiles revealed upward convex patterns for macaques with relative tail lengths of ≥15%, and flat to decreasing for those with relative tail lengths of ≤12%. They varied between species groups in terms of the lengths of proximal vertebrae, position and length of the longest vertebra, numbers and lengths of distal vertebrae, and total number of vertebrae. In silenus and sinica group, the vertebral length is the major skeletal determinant of tail length. On the other hand, the vertebral number is the skeletal determinant of tail length in the fascicularis group. Tail length variation among species groups are caused by different mechanisms which reflect the evolutionary history of macaques.
Uniform magnetic force impact on water based nanofluid thermal behavior in a porous enclosure with ellipse shaped obstacle
Authors: Sheikholeslami M. , Shah Zahir , Shafee Ahmad , Khan Ilyas , Tlili Iskander
Published: February 2019

In the present research, aluminum oxide- water (Al2O3-H2O) nanofluid free convection due to magnetic forces through a permeable cubic domain with ellipse shaped obstacle has been reported. Lattice Boltzmann approach is involved to depict the impacts of magnetic, buoyancy forces and permeability on nanoparticles migration. To predict properties of Al2O3- water nanofluid, Brownian motion impact has been involved. Outcomes revels that considering higher magnetic forces results in greater conduction mechanism. Permeability can enhance the temperature gradient.
Activity-induced MEMRI cannot detect functional brain anomalies in the APPxPS1-Ki mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Androuin Alexandre , Abada Yah-se , Ly Myriam , Santin Mathieu , Petiet Alexandra , Epelbaum Stéphane , Bertrand Anne , Delatour Benoît
Published: February 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Aside neuropathological lesions, abnormal neuronal activity and brain metabolism are part of the core symptoms of the disease. Activity-induced Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MEMRI) has been proposed as a powerful approach to visualize evoked brain activity in rodents. Here, we evaluated the relevance of MEMRI in measuring neuronal (dys-)function in the APPxPS1 knocked-in (KI) mouse model of AD. Brain anomalies were firstly demonstrated in APPxPS1-Ki mice using cognitive testing (memory impairment) and histological mapping of immediate early gene products (decreased density of fos-positive neurons). Paradoxically, MEMRI analyses were not able to confirm the occurrence of neuronal hypoactivities in vivo. We then performed a neuropathological analysis that highlighted an abnormal increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in APPxPS1-Ki mice. We hypothesized that diffuse weakening of the BBB results in an uncontrolled diffusion of the MR contrast agent and a lack of correlation between manganese accumulation and neuronal activity. These results bring to light a limitation of the activity-induced MEMRI approach when applied to the APPxPS1-Ki mouse model as well as other mouse models harboring a compromised BBB.
Confining vertical conducting filament for reliable resistive switching by using a Au-probe tip as the top electrode for epitaxial brownmillerite oxide memristive device
Authors: Nallagatla Venkata Raveendra , Jo Janghyun , Acharya Susant Kumar , Kim Miyoung , Jung Chang Uk
Published: February 2019

We had discovered novel resistance switching phenomena in SrCoOx epitaxial thin films. We have interpreted the results in terms of the topotactic phase transformation between their insulating brownmillerite phase and the conducting perovskite phase and the existence of a rather vertical conducting filament due to its inherent layered structure. However, the rough interface observed between the SrCoOx and the Au top electrode (area ~10000 μm2) was assumed to result in the observed fluctuation in key switching parameters. In order to verify the effect of rough interface on the switching performance in the SrCoOx device, in this work, we studied the resistive switching properties of a SrCoOx device by placing a Au-coated tip (end area ~0.5 μm2) directly on the film surface as the top electrode. The resulting device displayed much improved endurance and showed high uniformity in key switching parameters as compared to the device having a large top electrode area. A simulation result confirmed that the Au-coated tip provides a local confinement of the electrical field, resulting in confinement of oxygen ion distribution and therefore localization of the conducting filament. By minimizing other free and uncontrollable parameters, the designed experiment here provides the most direct and isolated evidence that the rough interface between electrode and ReRAM matrix is detrimental for the reproducibility of resistivity switching phenomena.
Cu Transport by the Extended Family of CcoA-like Transporters (CalT) in Proteobacteria
Authors: Zhang Yang , Blaby-Haas Crysten E. , Steimle Stefan , Verissimo Andreia F. , Garcia-Angulo Victor A. , Koch Hans-Georg , Daldal Fevzi , Khalfaoui-Hassani Bahia
Published: February 2019

Comparative genomic studies of the bacterial MFS-type copper importer CcoA, required for cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidase (cbb3-Cox) biogenesis, revealed a widespread CcoA-like transporters (CalT) family, containing the conserved CcoA Cu-binding MxxxM and HxxxM motifs. Surprisingly, this family also included the RfnT-like proteins, earlier suggested to transport riboflavin. However, presence of the Cu-binding motifs in these proteins raised the possibility that they might be Cu transporters. To test this hypothesis, the genomic context of the corresponding genes was examined, and three of such genes from Ochrobactrum anthropi, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Agrobacterium tumefaciens were expressed in Escherichia coli (ΔribB) and Rhodobacter capsulatus (ΔccoA) mutants. Copper and riboflavin uptake abilities of these strains were compared with those expressing R. capsulatus CcoA and Rhizobium leguminosarum RibN as bona fide copper and riboflavin importers, respectively. Overall data demonstrated that the “RfnT-like” CalT proteins are unable to efficiently transport riboflavin, but they import copper like CcoA. Nevertheless, even though expressed and membrane-localized in a R. capsulatus mutant lacking CcoA, these transporters were unable to accumulate Cu or complement for cbb3-Cox defect. This lack of functional exchangeability between the different subfamilies of CalT homologs suggests that MFS-type bacterial copper importers might be species-specific.
A distinctive DNA methylation pattern in insufficient sleep
Authors: Lahtinen Alexandra , Puttonen Sampsa , Vanttola Päivi , Viitasalo Katriina , Sulkava Sonja , Pervjakova Natalia , Joensuu Anni , Salo Perttu , Toivola Auli , Härmä Mikko , Milani Lili , Perola Markus , Paunio Tiina
Published: February 2019

Short sleep duration or insomnia may lead to an increased risk of various psychiatric and cardio-metabolic conditions. Since DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, studies of differentially methylated positions (DMPs) might be valuable for understanding the mechanisms underlying insomnia. We performed a cross-sectional genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in relation to self-reported insufficient sleep in individuals from a community-based sample (79 men, aged 39.3 ± 7.3), and in relation to shift work disorder in an occupational cohort (26 men, aged 44.9 ± 9.0). The analysis of DNA methylation data revealed that genes corresponding to selected DMPs form a distinctive pathway: “Nervous System Development” (FDR P value < 0.05). We found that 78% of the DMPs were hypomethylated in cases in both cohorts, suggesting that insufficient sleep may be associated with loss of DNA methylation. A karyoplot revealed clusters of DMPs at various chromosomal regions, including 12 DMPs on chromosome 17, previously associated with Smith-Magenis syndrome, a rare condition comprising disturbed sleep and inverse circadian rhythm. Our findings give novel insights into the DNA methylation patterns associated with sleep loss, possibly modifying processes related to neuroplasticity and neurodegeneration. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the observed associations.
Usefulness of continuous probability distributions of rates for modelling radionuclide biokinetics in humans and animals
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Dadachova Ekaterina
Published: February 2019

Modelling the biokinetics of radionuclide excretion or retention is important in nuclear medicine and following accidental/malicious radioactivity releases. Sums of discrete exponential decay rates are often used, but we hypothesized that continuous probability distributions (CPD) of decay rates can describe the data more parsimoniously and robustly. We tested this hypothesis on diverse human and animal data sets involving various radionuclides (including plutonium, strontium, caesium) measured in the laboratory and in regions contaminated by the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear accidents. We used four models on each data set: mono-exponential (ME) with one discrete decay rate, bi-exponential (BE) with two rates, gamma-exponential (GE) with a Gamma distribution of stretched-exponential rates, and power-decay (PD) with a Gamma distribution of power-decay rates. Information-theoretic model selection suggested that radionuclide biokinetics, e.g. for plutonium in humans, are often better described by CPD models like GE and PD, than by discrete rates (ME and BE). Extrapolation of models fitted to data at short times to longer times was frequently more robust for CPD formalisms. We suggest that using a set of several CPD and discrete-rate models, and comparing them by information-theoretic methods, is a promising strategy to enhance the analysis of radionuclide excretion and retention kinetics.
Effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress induced prenatal stress on neurodevelopment of neonates: Role of GSK-3β
Authors: Fatima Mahino , Srivastav Saurabh , Ahmad Mir Hilal , Mondal Amal Chandra
Published: February 2019

Prenatal stress (PNS) has gained attention with regard to its impact on hippocampal neurogenesis in neonates which serves as a risk factor for postnatal neurodevelopmental deficits. Evidences from animal models have suggested that depression responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its hormonal response via cortisol, is responsible for critical neurodevelopmental deficits in the offspring which is transduced due to gestational stress. But knowledge in the area of assessing the effects of maternal chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on neurogenesis and expression of some key signaling molecules in the offsprings are limited. We have used Wistar rats to induce PNS in offsprings by maternal CUMS during pregnancy. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus were assessed for biomarkers of oxidative stress, neurogenesis, neurodevelopmental signaling molecules and DNA damage in the male Wister offsprings. Our investigations resulted in sufficient evidences which prove how maternal psychological stress has widespread effect on the fetal outcomes via major physiological alteration in the antioxidant levels, neurogenesis, signaling molecules and DNA damage. PNS leads to the upregulation of GSK-3β which in turn inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of sonic hedgehog (SHH), β-catenin, Notch and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The study explored multifaceted signaling molecules especially, GSK-3β responsible for crosstalks between different neurodevelopmental molecules like SHH, Notch, BDNF and β-catenin affecting neurodevelopment of the offsprings due to PNS.
Vertical Feedback Mechanism of Winter Arctic Amplification and Sea Ice Loss
Authors: Kim Kwang-Yul , Kim Ji-Young , Kim Jinju , Yeo Saerim , Na Hanna , Hamlington Benjamin D. , Leben Robert R.
Published: February 2019

Sea ice reduction is accelerating in the Barents and Kara Seas. Several mechanisms are proposed to explain the accelerated loss of Arctic sea ice, which remains to be controversial. In the present study, detailed physical mechanism of sea ice reduction in winter (December–February) is identified from the daily ERA interim reanalysis data. Downward longwave radiation is an essential element for sea ice reduction, but can primarily be sustained by excessive upward heat flux from the sea surface exposed to air in the region of sea ice loss. The increased turbulent heat flux is used to increase air temperature and specific humidity in the lower troposphere, which in turn increases downward longwave radiation. This feedback process is clearly observed in the Barents and Kara Seas in the reanalysis data. A quantitative assessment reveals that this feedback process is being amplified at the rate of ~8.9% every year during 1979–2016. Availability of excessive heat flux is necessary for the maintenance of this feedback process; a similar mechanism of sea ice loss is expected to take place over the sea-ice covered polar region, when sea ice is not fully recovered in winter.
Venus nightside surface temperature
Authors: Singh D.
Published: February 2019

First global map of Venus nightside surface temperature using Akatsuki infrared measurements reveals hot Venus surface with an average surface temperature of about 698 K. Surface temperatures do not show any significant variation with changing latitudes because only a small amount (~2.5%) of solar energy reaches the surface. Surface temperatures are relatively colder at higher altitude regions as compared to lower altitude regions. However, the major temperature variation on Venus surface is governed by various lithospheric heat transport mechanisms. On a global scale, surface temperatures show a spatial variation of about 230 K.
Synchronized Orchestration of miR-99b and let-7g Positively Regulates Rotavirus Infection by Modulating Autophagy
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Urbi , Chanda Shampa , Patra Upayan , Mukherjee Arpita , Rana Santanu , Mukherjee Anupam , Chawla-Sarkar Mamta
Published: February 2019

Rotavirus (RV), the major etiological agent of viral gastroenteritis in young children, kills over 200 thousand infants each year. In spite of available vaccines, rotaviral diarrhoea is still a major problem in developing countries of Asia and Africa. Therefore, the studies on RV infection and host antiviral responses are warranted. The active correlation between virus infection and activation of autophagy machinery and positive influence of autophagy on RV replication have been documented recently. Previous study from our group showed dysregulation of several cellular miRNAs during RV infection, though their significance remained largely unknown. Since cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the control of several fundamental biological processes including stress response and autophagy, we focused on two miRNAs, miR-99b and let-7g, and analyzed their function to gain insight into the miRNA-autophagy crosstalk during RV infection. This study shows that RV suppresses let-7g expression but enhances miR-99b that in turn augment major autophagy regulators. Ectopic expression of let-7g and knockdown of miR-99b resulted in inhibition of autophagy, hence, reduction of RV replication. Overall, our study highlights new mechanistic insights for understanding the role of miRNAs in modulating RV infection and possibility of using RNA interference as an antiviral therapeutic target.
Interleukin-13 receptor α2 is a novel marker and potential therapeutic target for human melanoma
Authors: Okamoto Hayato , Yoshimatsu Yasuhiro , Tomizawa Taishi , Kunita Akiko , Takayama Rina , Morikawa Teppei , Komura Daisuke , Takahashi Kazuki , Oshima Tsukasa , Sato Moegi , Komai Mao , Podyma-Inoue Katarzyna A. , Uchida Hiroaki , Hamada Hirofumi , Fujiu Katsuhito , Ishikawa Shumpei , Fukayama Masashi , Fukuhara Takeshi , Watabe Tetsuro
Published: February 2019

Malignant melanoma is one of the untreatable cancers in which conventional therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, are hardly effective. Therefore, identification of novel therapeutic targets involved in melanoma progression is urgently needed for developing effective therapeutic methods. Overexpression of interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL13Rα2) is observed in several cancer types including glioma and pancreatic cancer. Although IL13Rα2 is implicated in the progression of various types of cancer, its expression and roles in the malignant melanoma have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we showed that IL13Rα2 was expressed in approximately 7.5% melanoma patients. While IL13Rα2 expression in human melanoma cells decreased their proliferation in vitro, it promoted in vivo tumour growth and angiogenesis in melanoma xenograft mouse model. We also found that the expression of amphiregulin, a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, was correlated with IL13Rα2 expression in cultured melanoma cells, xenograft tumour tissues and melanoma clinical samples. Furthermore, expression of amphiregulin promoted tumour growth, implicating causal relationship between the expression of IL13Rα2 and amphiregulin. These results suggest that IL13Rα2 enhances tumorigenicity by inducing angiogenesis in malignant melanoma, and serves as a potential therapeutic target of malignant melanoma.
N-formylation of amines using methanol as a potential formyl carrier by a reusable chromium catalyst
Authors: Yu Han , Wu Zhikang , Wei Zheyu , Zhai Yongyan , Ru Shi , Zhao Qixin , Wang Jingjing , Han Sheng , Wei Yongge
Published: February 2019

Formamides represent an abundant class of compounds in organic synthesis. They can be made efficiently by the direct catalytic coupling of methanol with amines in the presence of metal-based catalysts. However, these catalysts require complicated organic ligands, susceptible to oxidative self-degradation, restricting their practical applications. Here, we describe an inorganic ligand-supported chromium (III) catalyst, (NH4)3[CrMo6O18(OH)6], which consists of a central chromium (III) single-atomic core supported by a cycle-shaped inorganic ligand consisting of six MoVIO6octahedra, shows excellent activity and selectivity. Various primary amines and secondary amines are successfully transformed into the corresponding formamides under mild conditions, and the formylation of primary diamines is also achieved. The chromium catalyst can be reused several times with little loss of the activity. Mechanistic insight is provided based on the observation of an intermediate and control experiments.
Catalytic hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives using copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene complexes
Authors: Zimmermann Birte M. , Kobosil Sarah C. K. , Teichert Johannes F.
Published: February 2019

A simple and air-stable copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene complex enables the catalytic hydrogenation of enoates and enamides, hitherto unreactive substrates employing homogeneous copper catalysis and H2 as a terminal reducing agent.
Temperature dependent specific ion effects in mixed salt environments on a thermoresponsive poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) brush
Authors: Johnson Edwin C. , Murdoch Timothy J. , Gresham Isaac J. , Humphreys Ben A. , Prescott Stuart W. , Nelson Andrew , Webber Grant B. , Wanless Erica J.
Published: February 2019

The temperature induced swelling/collapse transition of poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) brushes has been investigated in electrolyte solutions comprised of multiple anions.
Spectroscopic characterisation of centropolyindanes
Authors: Parker Stewart F. , Zhong Lisha , Harig Marco , Kuck Dietmar
Published: February 2019

Fused indanes of increasing complexity have been investigated by inelastic neutron scattering, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, supported by DFT calculations.
Phenothiazines and phenoxazines: as electron transfer mediators for ferritin iron release
Authors: Koochana Prashanth Kumar , Mohanty Abhinav , Subhadarshanee Biswamaitree , Satpati Suresh , Naskar Rajat , Dixit Anshuman , Behera Rabindra K.
Published: February 2019

Redox active phenothiazine and phenoxazine dyes facilitate ferritin iron release by acting as electron transfer (ET) mediators following Marcus theory.
Biliverdin–copper complex at physiological pH
Authors: Dimitrijević Milena S. , Bogdanović Pristov Jelena , Žižić Milan , Stanković Dalibor M. , Bajuk-Bogdanović Danica , Stanić Marina , Spasić Snežana , Hagen Wilfred , Spasojević Ivan
Published: February 2019

In physiological settings, biliverdin and Cu2+build a paramagnetic complex with formal structure: radical cation/Cu1+or radical anion/Cu3+.
Copper(ii) self-assembled clusters of bis((pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)alkanes. Unusual rearrangement of ligands under reaction conditions
Authors: Gusev Alexey , Nemec Ivan , Herchel Radovan , Shul'gin Victor , Ryush Irina , Kiskin Michail , Efimov Nickolay , Ugolkova Elena , Minin Vadim , Lyssenko Konstantin , Eremenko Igor , Linert Wolfgang
Published: February 2019

Structure and magnetic data of new Cu(ii) complexes on the bispyridyltriazolylalkanes basis are described.
NOx− anion recognition by bimetallic cryptates: selectivity for nitrite over nitrate
Authors: Chattopadhyay Taraknath , B. S. Anju , Gupta Shourya , S. Ananya , Bertke Jeffery A. , Kundu Subrata
Published: February 2019

Anion-π and metal–ligand coordinate bonding interactions lead to nitrite anion recognition by bimetallic cryptates.
Effects of probiotic supplementation on the regulation of blood lipid levels in overweight or obese subjects: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Shoumeng , Tian Zhenwei , Li Meng , Li Bo , Cui Weiwei
Published: February 2019

Obesity is a risk factor for many deadly diseases.
Calcium hypophosphite mediated deiodination in water: mechanistic insights and applications in large scale syntheses of d-quinovose and d-rhamnose
Authors: Song Zejin , Meng Lingkui , Xiao Ying , Zhao Xiang , Fang Jing , Zeng Jing , Wan Qian
Published: February 2019

A practical and green synthesis of d-quinovose and d-rhamnose was achieved based on the mechanistic studies of hypophosphite mediated deiodination.
A novel method to extract important features from laser induced breakdown spectroscopy data: application to determine heavy metals in mulberries
Authors: Huang Lingxia , Meng Liuwei , Yang Liang , Wang Jingyu , Li Shaojia , He Yong , Wu Di
Published: February 2019

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data generally contain abundant “fingerprint” variables.
Binding and inhibitory effect of the food colorants Sunset Yellow and Ponceau 4R on amyloid fibrillation of lysozyme
Authors: Millan Sabera , Satish Lakkoji , Bera Krishnendu , Sahoo Harekrushna
Published: February 2019

Amyloid fibrillogenesis of proteins is known to be the root cause of a large number of diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease, spongiform encephalopathy, amyloid polyneuropathy, type-II diabetes,etc.
A silver(i)-catalyzed cascade bicyclization strategy for synthesis of 5H-benzo[d]tetrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazines
Authors: Miao Jiankang , Zhang Yahui , Sang Xiaoyan , Hao Wenyan
Published: February 2019

An efficient method for the synthesis of 5H-benzo[d]tetrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazinesviathe silver(i)-catalyzed tandem bicyclization ofo-alkynylphenyl isothiocyanates and sodium azide has been developed.
Synthesis of novel conjugated polymers based on benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]-bis([1,2,3]triazole) for applications in organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Yeh Yao-Ming , Huang Chiao-Hui , Peng Shih-Hao , Chang Chia-Chih , Hsu Chain-Shu
Published: February 2019

New conjugated polymers based on 4,8-bis(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-2,6-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-2H-benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]- bis([1,2,3]triazole)-6-ium-5-ide (BTBBTa) displayed the highest hole mobility of 0.21 cm2V−1s−1.
An efficient, mild and metal freel-proline catalyzed construction of fused pyrimidines under microwave conditions in water
Authors: Kaurav Manvendra S. , Sahu Pramod K. , Sahu Praveen K. , Messali Mouslim , Almutairi Saud M. , Sahu Puran L. , Agarwal Dau D.
Published: February 2019

One-pot condensation of 4-hydroxy coumarins, aldehydes and urea/thiourea to build C–C and C–N bonds is described.
An ultrasonic method for the synthesis, control and optimization of CdS/TiO2 core–shell nanocomposites
Authors: Alizadeh Sajad , Fallah Narges , Nikazar Manochehr
Published: February 2019

In this study, an ultrasonic method was utilized in combination with microemulsion to synthesize CdS/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles and control their particle size and ultimately optimize the influential parameters.
Control of the dual emission from a thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter containing phenothiazine units in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Marghad Ikbal , Bencheikh Fatima , Wang Chao , Manolikakes Sophia , Rérat Alice , Gosmini Corinne , Kim Dae hyeon , Ribierre Jean-Charles , Adachi Chihaya
Published: February 2019

A novel TADF emitter showing dual emission is synthesized and applied to OLEDs with an external quantum efficiency of 11.5%.
Diffusion-limited dissolution of calcium carbonate in a hydrogel
Authors: Turani-i-Belloto Alexandre , Meunier Nathan , Lopez Paola , Leng Jacques
Published: February 2019

The dissolution process is limited by the diffusion of the acid in the hydrogel which leads to sharp dissolution fronts.
Na2Ru1−xMnxO3 as the cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Xiang , Guo Shaohua , Qiu Feilong , Wang Linlin , Ishida Masayoshi , Zhou Haoshen
Published: February 2019

A suitable Mn doping (x = 0.1) enhances the kinetics and structural stability of Na2RuO3, generating a superior electrochemical performance.
Air stable high-spin blatter diradicals: non-Kekulé versus Kekulé structures
Authors: Hu Xiaoguang , Zhao Lei , Chen Hanjiao , Ding Yousong , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Miao Mao-sheng , Zheng Yonghao
Published: February 2019

1,2,4-Benzotriazinyl based stable diradicals possess singlet ground states and small singlet–triplet energy gaps with a thermal accessible triplet excited state.
On the effect of atomic layer deposited Al2O3 on the environmental degradation of hybrid perovskite probed by positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Koushik Dibyashree , Naziris Frideriki , Melskens Jimmy , Nusteling Amber , Zardetto Valerio , Schut Henk , Kessels Wilhelmus M. M. , Eijt Stephan W. H. , Creatore Mariadriana
Published: February 2019

Doppler broadening-positron annihilation spectroscopy (DB-PAS) provides insights into the structural degradation of pristine and ALD Al2O3 capped CH3NH3PbI3−xClx under ambient air exposure.
Vacuum-assisted annealing method for high efficiency printable large-area polymer solar cell modules
Authors: Zhao Wenchao , Zhang Yun , Zhang Shaoqing , Li Sunsun , He Chang , Hou Jianhui
Published: February 2019

We demonstrated that by being annealed under an easily attainable vacuum, the blade coated active layer showed almost the same phase separation morphology and photovoltaic performance as did a spin-coated device.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) inhibits steroidogenesis and induces mitochondria-ROS mediated apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Tripathi Anima , Pandey Vivek , Sahu Alakh N. , Singh Alok , Dubey Pawan K.
Published: February 2019

Increased oxidative stress (OS) due to ubiquitous exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) can affect the quality of oocytes by inducing apoptosis and hampering granulosa cell mediated steroidogenesis.
Incorporation of a rhodamine B conjugated polymer for nanoparticle trafficking both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhu Yan-Hua , Wang Ji-Long , Zhang Hou-Bing , Khan Malik Ihsanullah , Du Xiao-Jiao , Wang Jun
Published: February 2019

A method to stably label and quantitatively detect self-assembled nanoparticles by the incorporation of rhodamine B-conjugated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL–RhoB).
Rapid nickel(ii)-promoted cysteine S-arylation with arylboronic acids
Authors: Hanaya Kengo , Ohata Jun , Miller Mary K. , Mangubat-Medina Alicia E. , Swierczynski Michael J. , Yang David C. , Rosenthal Reece M. , Popp Brian V. , Ball Zachary T.
Published: February 2019

Nickel salts catalyze fast cysteine arylation with 2-nitroarylboronic acids. The process uses cheap, readily-available reagents and allows introduction of diverse chemical handles.
Gallic acid influence on bovine serum albumin thermal stability
Authors: Precupas Aurica , Leonties Anca Ruxandra , Neacsu Andreea , Sandu Romica , Popa Vlad Tudor
Published: February 2019

A thermoanalytical approach reveals the dual action of GA on BSA thermal stability.
MOF/PAN nanofiber-derived N-doped porous carbon materials with excellent electrochemical activity for the simultaneous determination of catechol and hydroquinone
Authors: Zhang Mengxin , Li Meishan , Wu Wangui , Chen Junkun , Ma Xiuling , Zhang Zhangjing , Xiang Shengchang
Published: February 2019

In this work, the obtained C-ZIF-67/PAN via one-step pyrolysis of hybrid ZIF-67/PAN nanofibers were used to fabricate electrochemical sensor for the determination of benzenediol isomer.
Functional analysis of the biochemical activity of mammalian phosphatidylinositol 5 phosphate 4-kinase enzymes
Authors: Mathre Swarna , Reddy K. Balasankara , Ramya Visvanathan , Krishnan Harini , Ghosh Avishek , Raghu Padinjat
Published: February 2019

Phosphatidylinositol 5 phosphate 4-kinase (PIP4K) are enzymes that catalyse the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PI5P) to generate PI(4,5)P2. Mammalian genomes contain three genes, PIP4K2Α, 2B and 2C and murine knockouts for these suggested important physiological roles in vivo. The proteins encoded by PIP4K2A, 2B and 2C show widely varying specific activities in vitro; PIP4K2A is highly active and PIP4K2C 2000-times less active, and the relationship between this biochemical activity and in vivo function is unknown. By contrast, the Drosophila genome encodes a single PIP4K (dPIP4K) that shows high specific activity in vitro and loss of this enzyme results in reduced salivary gland cell size in vivo. We find that the kinase activity of dPIP4K is essential for normal salivary gland cell size in vivo. Despite their highly divergent specific activity, we find that all three mammalian PIP4K isoforms are able to enhance salivary gland cell size in the Drosophila PIP4K null mutant implying a lack of correlation between in vitro activity measurements and in vivo function. Further, the kinase activity of PIP4K2C, reported to be almost inactive in vitro, is required for in vivo function. Our findings suggest the existence of unidentified factors that regulate PIP4K enzyme activity in vivo.
Service and Learning at a Residential Parenting Program for Incarcerated Mothers: Speech-Language Pathology Student Outcomes and Maternal Perspectives
Authors: Pace Amy E. , Krings Kate , Dunlap Julie , Nehilla Lauren
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This article reports preliminary outcomes from a service-learning (SL) experience for graduate students in the Speech-Language Pathology program with incarcerated mothers who reside with their infants at a residential parenting program. We present an ecological model to serve as a framework for interpreting the impact of the experience on student learning and maternal perceptions.

Method

Graduate speech-language pathology students (totaln= 30) participated in an SL project, called thePartnership for Healthy Parenting. With faculty guidance, students implemented parent education and child development workshops designed to foster secure attachment relationships, enhance the quality of mother–child interactions, and promote communication and language development. Students completed self-report scales measuring civic attitudes and self-efficacy before participating; they also provided written reflections about their experience that were analyzed qualitatively. Mothers completed voluntary feedback surveys after each workshop.

Results

Student reflections revealed a variety of perceived positive learning outcomes related to personal attitudes and beliefs about their role as a clinician, family-centered practices in early intervention, and knowledge about the population of interest. Feedback surveys administered to mothers who attended the workshops indicated satisfaction relating to the value of the services provided.

Conclusions

SL programs may benefit students, faculty, communities, higher education institutions, and the relationships among all these stakeholders. Results, limitations, and implications for strengthening university–community collaborations in the field of communication disorders are discussed.
Ellipsometry as an express method for determining the pore parameters of ion-track SiO2templates on a silicon substrate
Authors: Bundyukova Victoria , Kaniukov Egor , Shumskaya Alena , Smirnov Andrey , Kravchenko Maksim , Yakimchuk Dzmitry
Published: February 2019

Due to the effective development of ion-track technology, it became possible to produce porous templates with large areas, which are of interest for mass production of nanostructures. Given that the template parameters often define properties of the resulting nanostructures and nanosystems, a reliable method for non-destructive testing is needed for a rapid control of template parameters. Such method could be ellipsometry, allowing for a single measurement to collect statistical information from a large area and to save time for certification. In order to adapt the ellipsometry method for controlling the parameters of ion-track patterns, the first studies of SiO2/Si templates with low porosity were carried out. Using the standard model of the interaction of a polarized light beam with a layered structure of silicon oxide on silicon, the basic parameters of the pores were determined by means of mathematical transformations and subsequently compared with the results of scanning electron microscopy.