bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualizing the movement of the amphipathic helix in the respiratory complex I using a nitrile infrared probe and SEIRAS
Authors: Santos Seica Ana Filipa , Schimpf Johannes , Friedrich Thorsten , Hellwig Petra
Published: September 2019

Conformational movements play an important role in enzyme catalysis. Respiratory complex I, an L‐shaped enzyme, connects electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone in its peripheral arm with proton translocation through its membrane arm by a coupling mechanism still under debate. The amphipathic helix across the membrane arm represents a unique structural feature. Here, we demonstrate a new way to study conformational changes by introducing a small and highly flexible nitrile infrared (IR) label to this helix to visualize movement with surface‐enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy. We find that labeled residues K551CL and Y590CL move to a more hydrophobic environment upon NADH reduction of the enzyme, likely as a response to the reorganization of the antiporter‐like subunits in the membrane arm.
Filament Nucleation Tunes Mechanical Memory in Active Polymer Networks
Authors: Yadav Vikrant , Banerjee Deb S. , Tabatabai A. Pasha , Kovar David R. , Kim Taeyoon , Banerjee Shiladitya , Murrell Michael P.
Published: September 2019

Incorporating growth into contemporary material functionality presents a grand challenge in materials design. The F‐actin cytoskeleton is an active polymer network that serves as the mechanical scaffolding for eukaryotic cells, growing and remodeling in order to determine changes in cell shape. Nucleated from the membrane, filaments polymerize and grow into a dense network whose dynamics of assembly and disassembly, or “turnover,” coordinates both fluidity and rigidity. Here, the extent of F‐actin nucleation is varied from a membrane surface in a biomimetic model of the cytoskeleton constructed from purified protein. It is found that nucleation of F‐actin mediates the accumulation and dissipation of polymerization‐induced F‐actin bending energy. At high and low nucleation, bending energies are low and easily relaxed yielding an isotropic material. However, at an intermediate critical nucleation, stresses are not relaxed by turnover and the internal energy accumulates 100‐fold. In this case, high filament curvatures template further assembly of F‐actin, driving the formation and stabilization of vortex‐like topological defects. Thus, nucleation coordinates mechanical and chemical timescales to encode shape memory into active materials.
Biasing Buckling Direction in Shape‐Programmable Hydrogel Sheets with Through‐Thickness Gradients
Authors: Zhou Ying , Duque Carlos M. , Santangelo Christian D. , Hayward Ryan C.
Published: September 2019

A photocrosslinkable poly(N, N′‐diethylacrylamide) copolymer allows for the photolithographic fabrication of hydrogel sheets with nonuniform crosslinking density and swelling ratio. Using this material system, different 3D shapes with nonzero Gaussian curvature K are successfully programmed by prescribing a “metric” defined by in‐plane variations in swelling. However, this methodology does not control the direction of buckling adopted by each positive K feature, and therefore cannot controllably select between different isometric shapes defined by a single metric. Here, by introducing gradients in swelling through the thickness of the gel sheet by tuning the absorption of the UV‐light used for crosslinking, a preferential buckling direction is locally specified for each feature by the direction of UV exposure. By also controlling the strength of coupling between neighboring features, this is shown to be an effective method to program buckling direction of each unit within a canonical corrugated surface shape.
Phase‐Change Materials Based Nanoparticles for Controlled Hypoxia Modulation and Enhanced Phototherapy
Authors: Zhang Shichao , Li Qinzhe , Yang Nan , Shi Yunhao , Ge Wei , Wang Wenjun , Huang Wei , Song Xuejiao , Dong Xiaochen
Published: September 2019

Tumor hypoxia strengthens tumor resistance to different therapies especially oxygen involved strategies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, the thermal responsive phase change materials (PCM) are utilized to coencapsulate ultrasmall manganese dioxide (sMnO2) and organic photosensitizer IR780 to obtain IR780‐sMnO2‐PCM nanoparticles for controlled tumor hypoxia modulation and enhanced phototherapy. The thermal responsive protective PCM layer can not only prevent IR780 from photodegradation, but also immediately release sMnO2 to decompose endogenous H2O2 and generate enough oxygen for PDT under laser irradiation. Owing to the efficient accumulation of IR780‐sMnO2‐PCM nanoparticles in tumor under intravenous injection as revealed by both florescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging, the tumor hypoxia is greatly relieved. Furthermore, in vivo combined photothermal therapy (PTT) and PDT, IR780‐sMnO2‐PCM nanoparticles, compared to IR780‐PCM nanoparticles, exhibit better performance in inhibiting tumor growth. The results highlight the promise of IR780‐sMnO2‐PCM in controlled modulation of tumor hypoxia to overcome current limitations of cancer therapies.
A Conductive/Ferroelectric Hybrid Interlayer for Highly Improved Trapping of Polysulfides in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Shaoqiong , Qin Xianying , Liu Yuanming , Zhang Lihan , Liu Dongqing , Xia Yue , Zhu Hua , Li Baohua , Kang Feiyu
Published: September 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are catching intensive worldwide attention for the outstanding energy density, low‐cost, and nontoxic nature of sulfur. However, the very limited lifespan and rate performance of Li–S systems originating from dissolution and diffusion of long‐chain polysulfides in liquid electrolytes, as well as the intrinsic poor conductivity of sulfur, severely hinder their practical application. Herein, an electrospinning and subsequent dipping and drying method is developed here to fabricate a duplex architecture consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer and BaTiO3 (BTO)‐decorated carbon nanofibers (BTO@CNFs), and it is used as a multifunctional interlayer for Li–S batteries. The 3D interwoven CNFs with conductive pathways for both electrons and ions can enhance the contact between polysulfides with BTO nanoparticles and promote the reuse of inactivated sulfur. Additionally, the ferroelectric BTO nanoparticles adhered on CNFs can realize a highly robust trapping to polysulfides via the extremely polar interaction. Moreover, the surface rGO layer can act as a textural barrier to intercept the shuttling polysulfides. Consequently, the modified Li–S batteries with the rGO/BTO@CNF interlayer deliver superior electrochemical performance of 865 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.3 C and a rate capability of 672 mAh g−1 at 3 C.
Purple to Yellow Silicone Elastomers: Design of a Versatile Sensor for Screening Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Ogliani Elisa , Skov Anne Ladegaard , Brook Michael A.
Published: September 2019

Antioxidants play a key role in counteracting the adverse effects of oxidative stress in human organisms. Thus, there is a huge demand for the development of smart and convenient assays for the evaluation of antioxidant activity of synthetic and natural compounds, food samples, plant extracts, etc. The design of a solid‐state, flexible, and portable format of the traditional in vitro 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical test is reported. For the first time, purple DPPH radicals are physically immobilized into a silicone matrix by means of a facile and rapid process. The working principle of the resulting sensor is based on the colorimetric process that is associated with the redox reaction of DPPH radicals with antioxidants. When an antioxidant reacts with the sensor, a color change from purple to yellow can be perceived by the naked eye. The response of the sensor is investigated qualitatively and quantitatively toward food samples and selected antioxidants of different natures, and solubilized in different media. It is demonstrated that the DPPH silicone sensor is highly versatile and can be used as a ready‐to‐use sensor for direct colorimetric detection of antioxidants.
Stereodivergent Synthesis of 3‐Hydroxyprolines and 3‐Hydroxypipecolic Acids via Ketoreductase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Reduction
Authors: Prier Christopher K. , Lo Michael M.‐C. , Li Hongming , Yasuda Nobuyoshi
Published: September 2019

We report a practical enzymatic approach for the stereoselective synthesis of hydroxylated cyclic amino acids. Using ketoreductases, cyclic ketoesters are converted with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity to all isomers of 3‐hydroxyproline and 3‐hydroxypipecolic acid via a dynamic kinetic reduction reaction. This work highlights the ability of enzymes to provide solutions to challenges in stereoselective synthesis.

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Exploring London Dispersion and Solvent Interactions at Alkyl–Alkyl Interfaces Using Azobenzene Switches
Authors: Strauss Marcel A. , Wegner Hermann A.
Published: September 2019

Interactions on the molecular level control structure as well as function. Especially interfaces between innocent alkyl groups are hardly studied although they are of great importance in larger systems. Herein, London dispersion in conjunction with solvent interactions between linear alkyl chains was examined with an azobenzene‐based experimental setup. Alkyl chains in all meta positions of the azobenzene core were systematically elongated, and the change in rate for the thermally induced Z→E isomerization in n‐decane was determined. The stability of the Z‐isomer increased with longer chains and reached a maximum for n‐butyl groups. Further elongation led to faster isomerization. The origin of the intramolecular interactions was elaborated by various techniques, including 1H NOESY NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that there are additional long‐range interactions between n‐alkyl chains with the opposite phenyl core in the Z‐state. These interactions are most likely dominated by attractive London dispersion. This work provides rare insight into the stabilizing contributions of highly flexible groups in an intra‐ as well as an intermolecular setting.
Halloysite Nanoclay/Biopolymers Composite Materials in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Naumenko Ekaterina , Fakhrullin Rawil
Published: September 2019

Biocompatible materials for the fabrication of tissue substitutes are crucially important in the advancement of modern medicinal biotechnology. These materials, to serve their function, should be similar in physical, chemical, biological, and structural properties to native tissues which they are aimed to mimic. The porosity of artificial scaffolds is essential for normal nutrient transmission to cells, gas diffusion, and cell attachment and proliferation. Nanoscale inorganic additives and dopants are widely used to improve the functional properties of the polymer materials for tissue engineering. Among these inorganic dopants, halloysite nanotubes are arguably the most perspective candidates because of their biocompatibility and functional properties allowing to enhance significantly the mechanical and chemical stability of tissue engineering scaffolds. Here, this vibrant field of biotechnology for regenerative medicine is overviewed.
Microbial Production of Hydrogen by Mixed Culture Technologies: A Review
Authors: Wang Shaojie , Zhang Ting , Bao Meidan , Su Haijia , Xu Ping
Published: September 2019

With its high energy content and clean combustion, hydrogen is recognized as a renewable clean energy source with enormous potential. Biological hydrogen production is a promising alternative with significant advantages over conventional petroleum‐derived chemical processes. Sustainable hydrogen production from renewable resources such as cassava, wastewater, and other agricultural waste is economically feasible for industrial applications. So far, the major bottlenecks in large‐scale biological hydrogen production are the low production rate and yield. This review discusses the various factors that affect the metabolic pathways of dark hydrogen production, and highlights the state‐of‐the‐art development of mixed culture technology. The aim of this review is to provide suggestions for the future directions of mixed culture technology, as well as by‐product valorization in dark fermentation.
Glucose release from lentil flours digested in vitro: The role of particle size
Authors: Kathirvel Priya , Yamazaki Yuka , Zhu Wenxi , Luhovyy Bohdan L.
Published: September 2019

Background and objectives

Regular intake of pulses has been shown to offer numerous health benefits, including improved glycemic control. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro carbohydrate digestion rate of raw, baked, and moist‐heat cooked lentil flours of varying particle sizes: coarse (710–1,190 μm), regular (355–710 μm), fine (180–355 μm), very fine (80–180 μm), and superfine (<80 μm) over 180 min using the Englyst method.

Findings

There was an effect of particle size (p < .05), time (p < .05), and a particle size‐by‐time interaction (p < .05) on glucose release in raw, baked, and moist‐heat cooked lentils flours digested in vitro over 180 min. The magnitude of glucose release was lower for the coarse compared to finer grinds (p < .05) in raw, baked, and moist‐heat cooked samples and could be attributed to the lower starch damage, lower amounts of available carbohydrates, and higher amounts of resistant starch.

Conclusions

The larger particle size of lentil flour is associated with reduced glucose release upon simulated gastrointestinal digestion which was partially retained after baking or moist‐heat cooking.

Significance and novelty

This is the first study demonstrating that lentil flours varying in their average particle sizes have distinct content of resistant and available carbohydrates that may predict their glycemic properties.
Ethylene Oligomerization over SiO2−Al2O3 Supported Ni2P Catalyst
Authors: Shin Mi , Suh Young‐Woong
Published: September 2019

Silica‐alumina supported Ni2P catalysts with a co‐catalyst LiAlH4 exhibited a higher reaction rate and improved productivity for ethylene oligomerization to higher olefins owing to the phosphorus and oxygen surrounding nickel. This catalyst system possesses characteristics of active homogeneous and heterogeneous Ni‐containing catalysts previously reported for ethylene oligomerization.
Biodegradable Conducting Polymer Coating to Mitigate Early Stage Degradation of Magnesium in Simulated Biological Fluid: An Electrochemical Mechanistic Study
Authors: Jamali Sina S. , Moulton Simon E. , Zhao Yue , Gambhir Sanjeev , Forsyth Maria , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: September 2019

The application of a biodegradable conducting polymer coating based on a polythiophene composite (PTC) to mitigate degradation of magnesium in an in vitro environment is reported. The rationale behind the study is to advance a bioactive coating to control the rapid early stage degradation of the magnesium and prevent inflammatory reactions and physiological complications, while, in the long term, the coating degrades, followed by the full degradation of the magnesium implant. The conducting polymer in this study is deposited on a bioabsorbable medical grade magnesium alloy, AZNd, through layer‐by‐layer deposition, and the degradation behavior in simulated biological fluid is studied electrochemically. The possibility of a synergistic effect by combining praseodymium conversion coating together with the conducting polymer coating in protecting magnesium is also examined. Results show that the highest level of corrosion mitigation is afforded by the combination of praseodymium conversion and the conducting polymer coating layers. Electrochemical models are advanced to explain the electroactivity of the conducting polymer across the film as well as at the interface with electrolyte and substrate. Based on the physical and electrochemical evidence, the barrier effect is proposed as the main protection mechanism.
The Origin of High Activity of Amorphous MoS2 in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wu Longfei , Longo Alessandro , Dzade Nelson Y. , Sharma Akhil , Hendrix Marco M. R. M. , Bol Ageeth A. , de Leeuw Nora H. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Hofmann Jan P.
Published: September 2019

Invited for this month′s cover is a collaborative research effort involving experiments by L. Wu, A. Sharma, M. Hendrix, A. A. Bol, E. Hensen, and J. P. Hofmann (Eindhoven University of Technology) as well as A. Longo (European Synchrotron ESRF), and theoretical modelling from N. Dzade and N. De Leeuw (Utrecht and Cardiff Universities). The Communication itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201901811.
Vascular plant species of the Kingdom of Tonga by vegetation type, species origin, growth form, and dispersal mechanism
Authors: Fall Patricia L. , Drezner Taly Dawn
Published: September 2019

The aim of this research is to compile a database of vascular plants found in the Kingdom of Tonga in western Polynesia, a phyto‐geographic subregion of the South Pacific. The Tongan islands are spread over ~600,000 km2 of the Pacific Ocean between 15–23° S latitude and 173–177° W longitude. The archipelago is comprised of 171 islands with an aggregate land area of about 720 km2. Since there is no comprehensive or updated flora for Tonga, we use 143 published sources to compile a database for 1,020 plant species, of which more than 450 are indigenous to these islands. Tonga is noteworthy for its low proportion of endemics, accounting for <5% of the indigenous species and <2% of the total plant species. Our database documents species presence in Tonga as a whole, and more specifically on 11 Tongan islands or island groups. We have assembled ecological information for each plant species according to growth form, vegetation type, origin (endemic, indigenous, and introduced species), and dispersal mechanisms. We include introduced species in our database because they represent over half of the plant species growing in Tonga. Species origins reflect human alteration of Tongan ecosystems in which endemic and indigenous species represent pre‐human vegetation and introduced species indicate plants brought by either Polynesian or European settlers. For example, on Tongatapu, the largest and longest occupied island, more than half the plants are introduced, whereas on the sparsely populated, more remote islands, 70–90% of the species are indigenous. Dispersal mechanisms, which may include more than one mechanism per species, are documented in over 100 publications. Our database provides information on the whole suite of plant dispersal mechanisms over entire communities or island groups in Tonga. Plant species dispersal differs across environmental variables, including island geology, topography, vegetation type, and species origin. The older limestone islands have more bird, water, and human‐dispersed plants, while the youngest volcanic islands have the most wind‐dispersed species. Our database documents plant species endemism, introductions, vegetation types and dispersal mechanisms that reveal key biogeographic dynamics of the Tongan archipelago in the South Pacific. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication, presentation, or teaching activities. There are no copyright restrictions.
Human monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells impair B‐cell phenotype and function in vitro
Authors: Jaufmann Jennifer , Lelis Felipe J.N. , Teschner Annkathrin C. , Fromm Katja , Rieber Nikolaus , Hartl Dominik , Beer‐Hammer Sandra
Published: September 2019

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key regulators of immunity that initially have been defined by their ability to potently suppress T‐cell responses. Recent studies collectively demonstrate that the suppressive activity of MDSCs is not limited to T cells, but rather affects a broad range of immune cell subsets. However, relatively few studies have assessed the impact of MDSCs on B cells, particularly in the human context. Here, we report that human monocytic MDSCs (M‐MDSCs) significantly interfere with human B‐cell proliferation and function in vitro. We further show that the inhibition occurs independent of direct cell‐contact and involves the expression of suppressive mediators such as indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase (IDO), arginase‐1 (Arg1), and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, our studies demonstrate that the suppression of B cells by M‐MDSCs is paralleled by a skewing in B‐cell phenotype and gene expression signatures. M‐MDSCs induced the downregulation of key surface markers on activated B cells, including IgM, HLA‐DR, CD80, CD86, TACI, and CD95. Concurrently, M‐MDSCs but not conventional monocytes elicited alterations in the transcription of genes involved in apoptosis induction, class‐switch regulation, and B‐cell differentiation and function. In summary, this study expands our understanding of the regulatory role of M‐MDSCs for human B‐cell responses.
Enhanced Electrochemical Determination of Catechol and Hydroquinone Based on Pd Nanoparticles/Poly(Taurine) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Koçak Çağrı Ceylan , Koçak Süleyman
Published: September 2019

Here, Pd nanoparticles and poly(taurine) film was prepared on the glassy carbon electrode surface (Pd/Poly(TAU)/GCE) by the rapid electrochemical technique. The proposed composite surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS). Enhanced electron transfer ability and higher electroactive surface area were achieved at Pd/Poly(TAU)/GCE as compared to the bare GCE and polymer film electrode. The new and highly stable Pd/Poly(TAU)/GCE was employed for the individual and simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol which were environmentally toxic. Under the optimized conditions, HQ and CC were individually determined by using the differantial pulse voltammetry in the linear ranges of 0.008–100 μM and 0.001–100 μM with the detection limits of (LOD) 2.1 nM and 0.68 nM, respectively. In case of simultaneous determination, LODs were found as 10 nM and 0.88 nM for HQ and CC, respectively. The content of both analytes in the real sample analysis was evaluated in the river water and tap water successfully.
Characterization of in vitro neural functional connectivity on a neurofluidic device
Authors: Shen Xuefei , Wu Jiaxi , Wang Zhengfei , Chen Tao
Published: September 2019

Understanding the mechanism of functional connectivity in neural system is of great benefit to lot of researches and applications. Microfluidics and microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been frequently utilized for in vitro neural cultures study. However, there are few studies on the functional connectivity of neural cultures grown on a microfluidic chip. It is intriguing to unveil the influences of microfluidic structures on in vitro neuronal networks from the perspective of functional connectivity. Hence, in the present study, a device was established, which comprised a microfluidic chamber for cell growth and a MEA substrate for recording the electrophysiological response of the neuronal networks. The network topology, neural firing rate, neural bursting rate and network burst frequency were adopted as representative characteristics for neuronal networks analysis. Functional connectivity was estimated by means of cross‐covariance analysis and graph theory. The results demonstrated that the functional connectivity of the in vitro neuronal networks formed in the microchannel has been apparently reinforced, corresponding to improve neuronal network density and increased small‐worldness.
Trade‐Off between Exciton Dissociation and Carrier Recombination and Dielectric Properties in Y6‐Sensitized Nonfullerene Ternary Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Duan Leiping , Zhang Yu , Yi Haimang , Haque Faiazul , Deng Rong , Guan Huilan , Zou Yingping , Uddin Ashraf
Published: September 2019

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have emerged as a promising renewable energy generation technology in past decades. However, the deep understanding of the details in exciton dissociation and carrier recombination in ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) is still lacking. Herein, a novel ternary OSC based on a PTB7‐Th:Y6:ITIC blend with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) enhancement of 29% is reported. A trade‐off is surprisingly found to exist between the exciton dissociation and carrier recombination process. The addition of nonfullerene acceptor Y6 in the ternary blend is found to create an efficient exciton dissociation process but accelerates the free carrier recombination process. Dielectric properties are also studied for ternary OSCs. The addition of Y6 into the binary blend is found to tune down the dielectric constant of the active layer and as a result accelerates the carrier recombination. The best performance is obtained for PTB7‐Th:Y6(5 wt%):ITIC(95 wt%)‐based ternary devices. In addition to its balanced charge carrier mobility and efficient charge extraction process, PTB7‐Th:Y6(5 wt%):ITIC(95 wt%)‐based ternary devices reach a balance in the trade‐off between the exciton dissociation and carrier recombination process and thus achieve the highest short‐circuit current density (Jsc) value.
Association between perinatal anemia and postpartum depression: A prospective cohort study of Japanese women
Authors: Maeda Yuto , Ogawa Kohei , Morisaki Naho , Tachibana Yoshiyuki , Horikawa Reiko , Sago Haruhiko
Published: September 2019

Objective

To clarify the association between postpartum depression (PPD) and anemia in each stage of pregnancy as well as in the postpartum period.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted between May 2010 and November 2013 at a tertiary hospital in Japan. In total, 1128 women were assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at postpartum week 4 and a blood test was performed in the second trimester (24–28 weeks of gestation), third trimester (35–36 weeks of gestation), and postpartum week 1. The primary outcome was PPD, defined as an EPDS score of 9 or higher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to elucidate the association between anemia and PPD for each period. Additionally, trend analysis was conducted to determine if there was a linear association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and PPD.

Results

Postpartum anemia was significantly associated with increased PPD risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.17–2.26) whereas anemia in the second and third trimesters was not. Similarly, a significant inverse association was observed between the quintiles of maternal hemoglobin levels in the puerperium and the PPD risk (P value for trend 0.004).

Conclusion

Postpartum anemia was associated with an increased risk of PPD.
“Reading Is Important,” but “I Don't Read”: Undergraduates’ Experiences With Academic Reading
Authors: Gorzycki Meg , Desa Geoffrey , Howard Pamela J. , Allen Diane D.
Published: September 2019

Qualitative data analysis from open‐ended comments written by 206 undergraduates illustrates student attitudes, beliefs, and practices that reveal an academic reading paradox. Consistently, undergraduates report that reading is valuable, yet their noncompliance with reading assignments suggests otherwise. Undergraduates report that they achieve their academic goals with little reading and that they perceive reading as too voluminous and irrelevant to class outcomes. The data highlight a misalignment between conventional academic expectations that undergraduates will read in scholarly ways and their actual academic reading practice. Qualitative analysis illustrates that students do not experience academic reading as a venue for scholarly engagement in disciplinary discourse. Whereas the academic reading literature proposes that students develop along a continuum from novice to expert reader, findings suggest that the undergraduate experience of academic reading is not representative of that continuum.
Acupuncture induces adenosine in fibroblasts through energy metabolism and promotes proliferation by activating MAPK signaling pathway via adenosine3 receptor
Authors: Qu Fei , Cui Yanru , Zeng Jie , Zhang Mingyue , Qiu Shaying , Huang Xiaoting , Chen Aishe
Published: September 2019

Acupuncture has many advantages in the treatment of certain diseases as opposed to drug therapy. Besides, adenosine has been revealed to affect cellular progression including proliferation. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the mechanism involving acupuncture stress and adenosine in fibroblast proliferation. The fibroblasts from fascia tissues of the acupoint area (Zusanli) were stimulated by different levels of stress, different concentrations of adenosine, and agonist or antagonist of A3 receptor (A3R) to investigate the effect of stress stimulation, adenosine, and adenosine‐A3R inhibition on fibroblasts. Then, the fibroblasts were treated with stress stimulation of 200 kPa or/and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) blocker. We revealed that stress stimulation and the binding of adenosine and A3R promoted fibroblast proliferation in the fascial tissue, increased the expression of immune‐related factors, adenosine and A3R, and activated the MAPK signaling pathway. MAPK signaling pathway also directly affected the expression of adenosine, A3R, and immune‐related factors. Stress stimulation and adenosine treatment upregulated A3R expression, and then activated the MAPK signaling pathway, which could in turn upregulate expression of adenosine, A3R and immune‐related factors, and promote cell proliferation. Adenosine is shown to form a positive feedback loop with the MAPK signaling pathway. Collectively, stress stimulation in vitro induces the increase of adenosine in fibroblasts through the energy metabolism and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway through A3R, ultimately promoting fibroblast proliferation.
Human leukocytes differentially express endocannabinoid-glycerol lipases and hydrolyze 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol and its metabolites from the 15-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways
Authors: Turcotte Caroline , Dumais Élizabeth , Archambault Anne-Sophie , Martin Cyril , Blanchet Marie-Renée , Bissonnette Élyse , Boulet Louis-Philippe , Laviolette Michel , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Flamand Nicolas
Published: September 2019

2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) is an endocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Blocking 2-AG hydrolysis to enhance CB2 signaling has proven effective in mouse models of inflammation. However, the expression of 2-AG lipases has never been thoroughly investigated in human leukocytes. Herein, we investigated the expression of seven 2-AG hydrolases by human blood leukocytes and alveolar macrophages (AMs) and found the following protein expression pattern: monoacylglycerol (MAG lipase; eosinophils, AMs, monocytes), carboxylesterase (CES1; monocytes, AMs), palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT1; AMs), α/β-hydrolase domain (ABHD6; mainly AMs), ABHD12 (all), ABHD16A (all), and LYPLA2 (lysophospholipase 2; monocytes, lymphocytes, AMs). We next found that all leukocytes could hydrolyze 2-AG and its metabolites derived from cyclooxygenase-2 (prostaglandin E2-glycerol [PGE2-G]) and the 15-lipoxygenase (15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoyl-glycerol [15-HETE-G]). Neutrophils and eosinophils were consistently better at hydrolyzing 2-AG and its metabolites than monocytes and lymphocytes. Moreover, the efficacy of leukocytes to hydrolyze 2-AG and its metabolites was 2-AG ≥ 15-HETE-G >> PGE2-G for each leukocyte. Using the inhibitors methylarachidonoyl-fluorophosphonate (MAFP), 4-nitrophenyl-4-(dibenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl(hydroxy)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (JZL184), Palmostatin B, 4′-carbamoylbiphenyl-4-yl methyl(3-(pyridin-4-yl)benzyl)carbamate, N-methyl-N-[[3-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]methyl]-4′-(aminocarbonyl)[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl ester carbamic acid (WWL70), 4′-[[[methyl[[3-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]methyl]amino]carbonyl]oxy]-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester (WWL113), tetrahydrolipstatin, and ML349, we could not pinpoint a specific hydrolase responsible for the hydrolysis of 2-AG, PGE2-G, and 15-HETE-G by these leukocytes. Furthermore, JZL184, a selective MAG lipase inhibitor, blocked the hydrolysis of 2-AG, PGE2-G, and 15-HETE-G by neutrophils and the hydrolysis of PGE2-G and 15-HETE-G by lymphocytes, two cell types with limited/no MAG lipase. Using an activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) probe to label hydrolases in leukocytes, we found that they express many MAFP-sensitive hydrolases and an unknown JZL184-sensitive hydrolase of ∼52 kDa. Altogether, our results indicate that human leukocytes are experts at hydrolyzing 2-AG and its metabolites via multiple lipases and probably via a yet-to-be characterized 52 kDa hydrolase. Blocking 2-AG hydrolysis in humans will likely abrogate the ability of human leukocytes to degrade 2-AG and its metabolites and increase their anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.
Does Low Body Mass Index Predict Mortality in Asian Hospitalized Patients?
Authors: Xue Zhigang , Yu Jianchun , Higashikuchi Takashi , Compher Charlene
Published: September 2019

Background

Studies on malnutrition suggest low body mass index (BMI) may be associated with poor clinical outcomes. We investigated published data to identify whether low BMI could predict short‐term and long‐term clinical outcomes in Asian hospitalized patients.

Methods

A search was conducted in the PubMed database including terms “body mass index” or “BMI” or “malnutrition” or “undernutrition” AND “Asia” or “Asian” AND “outcome” or “complication” or “mortality” or “survival” or “ICU” for publications in English in the past 10 years. Papers with data and clinical outcomes from Asian hospitalized patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 and sample size >50 were included. Forest plots were constructed to determine the odds of hospital complications, hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, and 5‐year mortality in patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 vs BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2.

Results

Twenty‐three studies were included, 16 of which were analyzed for the association between low BMI and clinical outcomes. The prevalence of BMI <18.5 kg/m2 varied from 3% to 48% in different disease settings and Asian areas. Patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 had significantly higher ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.84–2.01), higher hospital mortality (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 2.42–2.55), and higher 5‐year mortality (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.08–3.63). Complications during hospital stay were significantly higher in patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.65–2.40).

Conclusions

Low BMI defined as <18.5 kg/m2 may predict worse short‐term and longer‐term outcomes in Asian hospitalized patients.
CD147 self‐regulates matrix metalloproteinase‐2 release in gingival fibroblasts after coculturing with U937 monocytic cells
Authors: Lai Tat‐Ming , Kuo Po‐Jan , Lin Chi‐Yu , Chin Yu‐Tang , Lin Hsiao‐Lun , Chiu Hsien‐Chung , Fu Martin M.J. , Fu Earl
Published: September 2019

Background

Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that functions as an inducer of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in fibroblasts. Synergistically enhanced MMP‐2 expression was recently observed in the coculture of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and U937 human monocytic cells; however, the responsible mechanisms have not yet been fully established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the release of soluble CD147 in HGFs after coculturing with U937 cells and its functional effect on the enhancement of MMP‐2 expression in HGFs.

Methods

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the amount of CD147 protein in media, whereas real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the mRNA levels of CD147 and MMP‐2 in HGFs and U937 cells. The enzyme activities of MMP‐2 released from cells were examined by zymography. Transwell coculturing and conditioned media treatments were selected to rule out the effect of direct contact of HGFs and U937 cells.

Results

The protein and mRNA expression of CD147 in HGFs were enhanced after transwell coculturing with U937 cells and exposure to U937‐conditioned medium. MMP‐2 enzyme activities in HGFs were also significantly increased by the coculturing methods. Administration of exogenous CD147 enhanced MMP‐2 expression in HGFs, whereas treatment with cyclosporine‐A, which inhibited CD147 expression, reduced U937‐enhanced MMP‐2 expression in HGFs.

Conclusions

CD147 can interact with fibroblasts to stimulate the expression of MMPs associated with periodontal extracellular matrix degradation. This study has demonstrated that CD147 released from fibroblasts might play a role in monocyte‐enhanced MMP‐2 expression in HGFs.
Carbonized silk fibers for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples
Authors: Ji Xiangping , Sun Min , Li Chunying , Han Sen , Guo Wenjuan , Feng Juanjuan
Published: September 2019

Silk fibers were carbonized to develop a biomass carbon material as an adsorbent for solid‐phase microextraction. The surface structure of the carbonized silk fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the graphitization degree was determined by Raman spectrometry. After carbonization under high temperature, the orderliness and structural regularity of carbon atoms on silk fibers were promoted. Extraction tube packed with carbonized silk fibers was prepared for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. Coupled with high performance liquid chromatography, it exhibited good extraction performance for hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Main parameters including sampling volume, sampling rate, methanol content in sample, and desorption time were systematically investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the analysis method was established and it exhibited wide linear range (0.016–20 μg/L) with good linearity (correlation coefficient ≥ 0.9947), low limits of detection (0.005–0.050 μg/L), and high enrichment factors (1189–2775). Relative standard deviations (n = 3) for intraday (≤3.3%) and interday (≤9.6%) tests indicated that the extraction material had satisfactory repeatability. Finally, the analytical method was successfully applied to detect trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples, demonstrating its satisfactory practicability.
Core‐shell structured magnetic mesoporous carbon nanospheres derived from metal‐polyphenol coordination polymer‐coated Fe3O4 and its application in the enrichment of phthalates from water samples
Authors: Xue Shan , Wang Yiyu , Wu Dan , Shen Jiwei , Wei Yinmao , Wang Chaozhan
Published: September 2019

In this work, core‐shell structured magnetic mesoporous carbon nanospheres were fabricated from the carbonization of metal‐polyphenol coordination polymer‐coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The preparation method is simple, fast, versatile, and easy to scale up. Magnetic mesoporous carbon nanospheres exhibit a high specific surface area, high superparamagnetism, and high adsorption efficiencies for phthalates. Four phthalates were extracted from aqueous solutions by using magnetic mesoporous carbon nanospheres via magnetic solid phase extraction. Subsequent analysis was performed by using high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The analytical method has good linearity in the concentration range of 1–200 ng/mL for diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and dicyclohexyl phthalate, and 3–200 ng/mL for dipropyl phthalate. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.10–0.62 ng/mL. Compared with previous methods, this method has a lower detection limit, wider linearity range, and faster adsorption and desorption rates. The results indicate that magnetic mesoporous carbon nanospheres are suitable for the enrichment of hydrophobic substances from aqueous solutions.
A collaborative approach to bridging the gap between wildlife managers and researchers
Authors: Merkle Jerod A. , Anderson Neil J. , Baxley Danna L. , Chopp Matthew , Gigliotti Laura C. , Gude Justin A. , Harms Tyler M. , Johnson Heather E. , Merrill Evelyn H. , Mitchell Michael S. , Mong Tony W. , Nelson Jerry , Norton Andrew S. , Sheriff Michael J. , Tomasik Eric , VanBeek Kelly R.
Published: September 2019

Although most wildlife professionals agree that science should inform wildlife management decisions, disconnect still exists between researchers and managers. If researchers are not striving to incorporate their findings into management decisions, support for research programs by managers can wane. If managers are not using research findings to inform management decisions, those decisions may be less effective or more vulnerable to legal challenges. Both of these situations can have negative consequences for wildlife conservation. We outline a collaborative research‐management approach to bridging the gap between wildlife managers and researchers. We describe differences in perspectives, perceptions, and priorities between managers and researchers; outline how and why the divide between researchers and managers has likely occurred and continues to grow; and present specific strategies and recommendations to foster stronger collaborations between managers and researchers. We advocate increased synergy between managers and researchers based on a shared vision of conservation and a collaborative structure that rewards researchers and managers. Most importantly, we suggest that relationships and communication between managers and researchers must be established early in research development and decision‐making processes, fostering the trust needed for collaboration. Institutions and agencies can facilitate these relationships by creating opportunities and incentives for integrating collaborative research into management decisions. We suggest this approach will strengthen ties between researchers and managers, increase relevance of research to management decisions, promote effectiveness of management decisions, reduce legal challenges, and ultimately produce positive, tangible, and lasting effects on wildlife conservation. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Recognizing consumerism as an “illness of an empty soul”: A catholic morality perspective
Authors: Azevedo António
Published: September 2019

Catholics personalist authors have been always concerned about consumerism, which is considered a radical dissatisfaction that compulsively tries to fill the emptiness of the inner self. It is a form of idolatry where malls are modern cathedrals. What are the antecedents and consequences of this moral approach, inducing consumers’ engagement in anti‐consumption behaviors? This conceptual paper updates the literature review about this research topic, acknowledging the thoughts written in encyclical letters of three Popes of Catholic Church: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. This paper also proposes a new model of ethical decision‐making model that aims to describe the implications of recognizing consumerism as a moral/spiritual issue according to the Catholic Church teaching. This paper provides useful insights into the influence of Catholic teaching on the adoption of anti‐consumption behaviors.
Anti‐TNF‐α therapy alters the gut microbiota in proteoglycan‐induced ankylosing spondylitis in mice
Authors: Liu Bin , Yang Lianjun , Cui Zhifei , Zheng Junchi , Huang Jincheng , Zhao Qinghao , Su Zhihai , Wang Min , Zhang Weicong , Liu Jinshi , Wang Tingxuan , Li Qingchu , Lu Hai
Published: September 2019

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, progressive disease, and its treatment is relevant to the gut microbiota. Anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (anti‐TNF‐α) therapy alters the gut microbiota in many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. However, little is known about the effect of TNF‐α blocker treatment on the gut microbiota in ankylosing spondylitis. Herein, the effect of a TNF‐α blocker on the gut microbiota in proteoglycan‐induced arthritis was investigated. Proteoglycan‐induced mice were treated with an rhTNFR:Fc solution of etanercept (5 µg/g) for 4 weeks. rhTNFR:Fc treatment attenuated the arthritis incidence and severity of arthritis in the proteoglycan‐induced mice and decreased inflammation in the ankle joints and ameliorated ileal tissue destruction. Moreover, high gut permeability occurred, and zonula occludens‐1 and occludin protein levels were reduced in proteoglycan‐induced mice. These levels were significantly restored by the administration of rhTNFR:Fc. The serum TNF‐α and IL‐17 levels were also decreased. In addition, flora analysis via 16S rDNA high‐throughput sequencing revealed that rhTNFR:Fc treatment restored the gut microbiota composition to a composition similar to that in control mice. In conclusion, anti‐TNF‐α therapy attenuated proteoglycan‐induced arthritis progression and modulated the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function. These results provide new insights for anti‐TNF‐α therapy strategies via regulating the gut microbiota in ankylosing spondylitis.
Composite MRA: statistical approach to generate an MR angiogram from multiple contrasts
Authors: Kim Dahan , Edjlali Myriam , Turski Patrick , Johnson Kevin M.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To develop a method to use information from multiple MRI contrasts to produce a composite angiogram with reduced sequence‐specific artifacts and improved vessel depiction.

Methods

Bayesian posterior vessel probability was determined as a function of black blood (BB), contrast enhanced angiography (CE‐MRA), and phase‐contrast MRA (PC‐MRA) intensities from training subjects (N = 4). To generate composite angiogram in evaluation subjects (N = 12), the voxel‐wise vessel probabilities were weighted with a confidence measure and combined as a weighted product to yield angiogram intensity. For 23 internal carotid artery (ICA) segments (N = 23) from evaluation subjects, segmentation accuracy of composite MRA was evaluated and compared against CE‐MRA using dice similarity coefficient (DSC).

Results

The composite MRA suppressed venous contaminations in CE‐MRA, reduced flow artifacts, and velocity aliasing seen in PC‐MRA and removed signal ambiguities in BB images. For ICA segmentations, the composite MRA improved segmentation over CE‐MRA per DSC (0.908 ± 0.037 vs. 0.765 ± 0.079). Compared with CE‐MRA, the composite MRA showed conservative changes in vessel appearance to small threshold changes. However, small vessels that are sensitive to registration errors or visible only weakly in CE‐MRA were susceptible to poor depiction in composite MRA.

Conclusion

By dynamically weighting vessel information from multiple contrasts and extracting their complementary information, the composite MRA produces reduced sequence‐specific artifacts and improved vessel contrast. It is a promising technique for semi‐automatic segmentation of vessels that are hard to segment because of artifacts.
Bariatric Surgery Leads to Short‐Term Effects on Sweet Taste Sensitivity and Hedonic Evaluation of Fatty Food Stimuli
Authors: Nielsen Mette S. , Andersen Ida Ninett S.K. , Lange Belinda , Ritz Christian , le Roux Carel W. , Schmidt Julie B. , Sjödin Anders , Bredie Wender L.P.
Published: September 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on sweet taste sensitivity and the hedonic evaluation of sweet, savory, and fatty food stimuli as well as associations with weight loss and food preferences assessed at a buffet meal test.

Methods

The detection and recognition threshold for sweet taste and the hedonic rating of sweet, savory, and fatty food stimuli were assessed before and after a preoperative diet‐induced weight loss and 6 weeks, 6 months, and 18 months after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (n = 29).

Results

The detection threshold for sweet taste decreased after the diet‐induced weight loss and 6 weeks after RYGB (both P ≤ 0.03). The hedonic rating of high‐fat food stimuli decreased 6 weeks after RYGB and SG (all P ≤ 0.02). Changes in the hedonic rating of high‐fat food stimuli were associated with increased preferences for high‐fat foods at the buffet meal (P = 0.03) and tended to be associated with weight loss (P = 0.05). No changes were detected for sweet and savory food stimuli.

Conclusions

RYGB increased sweet taste sensitivity; however, this effect was already seen after the diet‐induced weight‐loss. RYGB and SG decreased the hedonic evaluation of high‐fat food stimuli, but this effect did not translate into decreased preferences for high‐fat food.