bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The CD8 T‐cell response during tolerance induction in liver transplantation
Authors: Wong Yik Chun , McCaughan Geoffrey W , Bowen David G , Bertolino Patrick
Published: October 2016

Both experimental and clinical studies have shown that the liver possesses unique tolerogenic properties. Liver allografts can be spontaneously accepted across complete major histocompatibility mismatch in some animal models. In addition, some liver transplant patients can be successfully withdrawn from immunosuppressive medications, developing ‘operational tolerance’. Multiple mechanisms have been shown to be involved in inducing and maintaining alloimmune tolerance associated with liver transplantation. Here, we focus on CD8 T‐cell tolerance in this setting. We first discuss how alloreactive cytotoxic T‐cell responses are generated against allografts, before reviewing how the liver parenchyma, donor passenger leucocytes and the host immune system function together to attenuate alloreactive CD8 T‐cell responses to promote the long‐term survival of liver transplants.
A quantitative analysis of the direct and indirect costs of nitrogen fixation: a model based on Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Inomura Keisuke , Bragg Jason , Follows Michael J
Published: October 2016

Nitrogen fixation is advantageous in microbial competition when bioavailable nitrogen is scarce, but has substantial costs for growth rate and growth efficiency. To quantify these costs, we have developed a model of a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that constrains mass, electron and energy flow at the scale of the individual. When tested and calibrated with laboratory data for the soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii, the model reveals that the direct energetic cost of nitrogen fixation is small relative to the cost of managing intracellular oxygen. It quantifies the costs and benefits of several potential oxygen protection mechanisms present in nature including enhanced respiration (respiratory protection) as well as the production of extracellular polymers as a barrier to O2 diffusion, and increasing cell size. The latter mechanisms lead to higher growth efficiencies relative to respiratory protection alone. This simple, yet mechanistic framework provides a quantitative model of nitrogen fixation, which can be applied in ecological simulations.
Reconstructing a hydrogen-driven microbial metabolic network in Opalinus Clay rock
Authors: Bagnoud Alexandre , Chourey Karuna , Hettich Robert L. , de Bruijn Ino , Andersson Anders F. , Leupin Olivier X. , Schwyn Bernhard , Bernier-Latmani Rizlan
Published: October 2016

The Opalinus Clay formation will host geological nuclear waste repositories in Switzerland. It is expected that gas pressure will build-up due to hydrogen production from steel corrosion, jeopardizing the integrity of the engineered barriers. In an in situ experiment located in the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory, we demonstrate that hydrogen is consumed by microorganisms, fuelling a microbial community. Metagenomic binning and metaproteomic analysis of this deep subsurface community reveals a carbon cycle driven by autotrophic hydrogen oxidizers belonging to novel genera. Necromass is then processed by fermenters, followed by complete oxidation to carbon dioxide by heterotrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria, which closes the cycle. This microbial metabolic web can be integrated in the design of geological repositories to reduce pressure build-up. This study shows that Opalinus Clay harbours the potential for chemolithoautotrophic-based system, and provides a model of microbial carbon cycle in deep subsurface environments where hydrogen and sulfate are present.
Massive and parallel expression profiling using microarrayed single-cell sequencing
Authors: Vickovic Sanja , Ståhl Patrik L. , Salmén Fredrik , Giatrellis Sarantis , Westholm Jakub Orzechowski , Mollbrink Annelie , Navarro José Fernández , Custodio Joaquin , Bienko Magda , Sutton Lesley-Ann , Rosenquist Richard , Frisén Jonas , Lundeberg Joakim
Published: October 2016

Single-cell transcriptome analysis overcomes problems inherently associated with averaging gene expression measurements in bulk analysis. However, single-cell analysis is currently challenging in terms of cost, throughput and robustness. Here, we present a method enabling massive microarray-based barcoding of expression patterns in single cells, termed MASC-seq. This technology enables both imaging and high-throughput single-cell analysis, characterizing thousands of single-cell transcriptomes per day at a low cost (0.13 USD/cell), which is two orders of magnitude less than commercially available systems. Our novel approach provides data in a rapid and simple way. Therefore, MASC-seq has the potential to accelerate the study of subtle clonal dynamics and help provide critical insights into disease development and other biological processes.
CaMKII induces permeability transition through Drp1 phosphorylation during chronic β-AR stimulation
Authors: Xu Shangcheng , Wang Pei , Zhang Huiliang , Gong Guohua , Gutierrez Cortes Nicolas , Zhu Weizhong , Yoon Yisang , Tian Rong , Wang Wang
Published: October 2016

Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is involved in cardiac dysfunction during chronic β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation. The mechanism by which chronic β-AR stimulation leads to mPTP openings is elusive. Here, we show that chronic administration of isoproterenol (ISO) persistently increases the frequency of mPTP openings followed by mitochondrial damage and cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, this effect is mediated by phosphorylation of mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) at a serine 616 (S616) site. Mutating this phosphorylation site or inhibiting Drp1 activity blocks CaMKII- or ISO-induced mPTP opening and myocyte death in vitro and rescues heart hypertrophy in vivo. In human failing hearts, Drp1 phosphorylation at S616 is increased. These results uncover a pathway downstream of chronic β-AR stimulation that links CaMKII, Drp1 and mPTP to bridge cytosolic stress signal with mitochondrial dysfunction in the heart.
cAMP-PKA-CaMKII signaling pathway is involved in aggravated cardiotoxicity during Fuzi and Beimu Combination Treatment of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Zhuang Pengwei , Huang Yingying , Lu Zhiqiang , Yang Zhen , Xu Liman , Sun Fengjiao , Zhang Yanjun , Duan Jinao
Published: October 2016

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) and Fritillariae Thunbergii bulbus (Beimu) have been widely used clinically to treat cardiopulmonary related diseases in China. However, according to the classic rules of traditional Chinese medicine, Fuzi and Beimu should be prohibited to use as a combination for their incompatibility. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate the paradox on the use of Fuzi and Beimu combination therapy. Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rats were treated with either Fuzi, Beimu, or their combination at different stages of PH. We demonstrated that at the early stage of PH, Fuzi and Beimu combination significantly improved lung function and reduced pulmonary histopathology. However, as the disease progressed, when Fuzi and Beimu combination were used at the late stage of PH, right ventricular chamber dilation was histologically apparent and myocardial apoptosis was significantly increased compared with each drug alone. Western-blotting results indicated that the main chemical ingredient of Beimu could down-regulate the protein phosphorylation levels of Akt and PDE4D, whereas the combination of Fuzi and Beimu could up-regulate PKA and CaMKII signaling pathways. Therefore, we concluded that Fuzi and Beimu combination potentially aggravated the heart injury due to the inhibition of PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis and subsequent synergistic activation of βAR-Gs-PKA/CaMKII signaling pathway.
Chiral Separation by Flows: The Role of Flow Symmetry and Dimensionality
Authors: Ro Sunghan , Yi Juyeon , Kim Yong Woon
Published: October 2016

Separation of enantiomers by flows is a promising chiral resolution method using cost-effective microfluidics. Notwithstanding a number of experimental and numerical studies, a fundamental understanding still remains elusive, and an important question as to whether it is possible to specify common physical properties of flows that induce separation has not been addressed. Here, we study the separation of rigid chiral objects of an arbitrary shape induced by a linear flow field at low Reynolds numbers. Based on a symmetry property under parity inversion, we show that the rate-of-strain field is essential to drift the objects in opposite directions according to chirality. From eigenmode analysis, we also derive an analytic expression for the separation conditions which shows that the flow field should be quasi-two-dimensional for the precise and efficient resolutions of microscopic enantiomers. We demonstrate this prediction by Langevin dynamics simulations with hydrodynamic interactions fully implemented. Finally, we discuss the practical feasibility of the linear flow analysis, considering separations by a vortex flow or an extensional flow under a confining potential.
Enhancement of ferromagnetism by oxygen isotope substitution in strontium ruthenate SrRuO3
Authors: Kawanaka Hirofumi , Aiura Yoshihiro , Hasebe Takayuki , Yokoyama Makoto , Masui Takahiko , Nishihara Yoshikazu , Yanagisawa Takashi
Published: October 2016

The oxygen isotope effect of the ferromagnetic transition in itinerant ferromagnet strontium ruthenate SrRuO3 with a Curie temperature Tc of 160 K is studied. We observed for the first time a shift of ∆Tc ~ 1 K by oxygen isotope substitution of 16O → 18O in SrRuO3 by precise measurements of DC and AC magnetizations. The results surprisingly lead to the noteworthy inverse isotope effect with negative coefficient α = −∂ lnTc/∂ lnM. The Raman spectra indicate that the main vibration frequency of 16O at 363 cm−1 shifts to 341 cm−1 following oxygen isotope substitution 18O. This shift is remarkably consistent with the Debye frequency being proportional to ∝ 1√M where M is the mass of an oxygen atom. The positive isotope shift of ∆Tc can be understood by taking account of the electron-phonon interaction.
In vivo dendritic cell targeting cellular vaccine induces CD4+ Tfh cell-dependent antibody against influenza virus
Authors: Yamasaki Satoru , Shimizu Kanako , Kometani Kohei , Sakurai Maki , Kawamura Masami , Fujii Shin-ichiro
Published: October 2016

An induction of long-term cellular and humoral immunity is for the goal of vaccines, but the combination of antigens and adjuvant remain unclear. Here, we show, using a cellular vaccine carrying foreign protein antigen plus iNKT cell glycolipid antigen, designated as artificial adjuvant vector cells (aAVCs), that mature XCR1− DCs in situ elicit not only ordinal antigen-specific CD4+T cells, but also CD4+ Tfh and germinal center, resulted in inducing long-term antibody production. As a mechanism for leading the long-term antibody production by aAVC, memory CD4+ Tfh cells but not iNKTfh cells played an important role in a Bcl6 dependent manner. To develop it for influenza infection, we established influenza hemagglutinin-carrying aAVC (aAVC-HA) and found that all the mice vaccinated with aAVC-HA were protected from life-threatening influenza infection. Thus, the in vivo DC targeting therapy by aAVC would be useful for protection against viral infection.
Soil microbial C:N ratio is a robust indicator of soil productivity for paddy fields
Authors: Li Yong , Wu Jinshui , Shen Jianlin , Liu Shoulong , Wang Cong , Chen Dan , Huang Tieping , Zhang Jiabao
Published: October 2016

Maintaining good soil productivity in rice paddies is important for global food security. Numerous methods have been developed to evaluate paddy soil productivity (PSP), most based on soil physiochemical properties and relatively few on biological indices. Here, we used a long-term dataset from experiments on paddy fields at eight county sites and a short-term dataset from a single field experiment in southern China, and aimed at quantifying relationships between PSP and the ratios of carbon (C) to nutrients (N and P) in soil microbial biomass (SMB). In the long-term dataset, SMB variables generally showed stronger correlations with the relative PSP (rPSP) compared to soil chemical properties. Both correlation and variation partitioning analyses suggested that SMB N, P and C:N ratio were good predictors of rPSP. In the short-term dataset, we found a significant, negative correlation of annual rice yield with SMB C:N (r = −0.99), confirming SMB C:N as a robust indicator for PSP. In treatments of the short-term experiment, soil amendment with biochar lowered SMB C:N and improved PSP, while incorporation of rice straw increased SMB C:N and reduced PSP. We conclude that SMB C:N ratio does not only indicate PSP but also helps to identify management practices that improve PSP.
Optically induced effective mass renormalization: the case of graphite image potential states
Authors: Montagnese M. , Pagliara S. , Galimberti G. , Dal Conte S. , Ferrini G. , van Loosdrecht P. H. M. , Parmigiani F.
Published: October 2016

Many-body interactions with the underlying bulk electrons determine the properties of confined electronic states at the surface of a metal. Using momentum resolved nonlinear photoelectron spectroscopy we show that one can tailor these many-body interactions in graphite, leading to a strong renormalization of the dispersion and linewidth of the image potential state. These observations are interpreted in terms of a basic self-energy model, and may be considered as exemplary for optically induced many-body interactions.
Competing magnetic ground states and their coupling to the crystal lattice in CuFe2Ge2
Authors: May Andrew F. , Calder Stuart , Parker David S. , Sales Brian C. , McGuire Michael A.
Published: October 2016

Identifying and characterizing systems with coupled and competing interactions is central to the development of physical models that can accurately describe and predict emergent behavior in condensed matter systems. This work demonstrates that the metallic compound CuFe2Ge2 has competing magnetic ground states, which are shown to be strongly coupled to the lattice and easily manipulated using temperature and applied magnetic fields. Temperature-dependent magnetization M measurements reveal a ferromagnetic-like onset at 228 (1) K and a broad maximum in M near 180 K. Powder neutron diffraction confirms antiferromagnetic ordering below TN ≈ 175 K, and an incommensurate spin density wave is observed below ≈125 K. Coupled with the small refined moments (0.5–1 μB/Fe), this provides a picture of itinerant magnetism in CuFe2Ge2. The neutron diffraction data also reveal a coexistence of two magnetic phases that further highlights the near-degeneracy of various magnetic states. These results demonstrate that the ground state in CuFe2Ge2 can be easily manipulated by external forces, making it of particular interest for doping, pressure, and further theoretical studies.
Mitogenomes from type specimens, a genotyping tool for morphologically simple species: ten genomes of agar-producing red algae
Authors: Boo Ga Hun , Hughey Jeffery R. , Miller Kathy Ann , Boo Sung Min
Published: October 2016

DNA sequences from type specimens provide independent, objective characters that enhance the value of type specimens and permit the correct application of species names to phylogenetic clades and specimens. We provide mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from archival type specimens of ten species in agar-producing red algal genera Gelidium and Pterocladiella. The genomes contain 43–44 genes, ranging in size from 24,910 to 24,970 bp with highly conserved gene synteny. Low Ka/Ks ratios of apocytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase genes support their utility as markers. Phylogenies of mitogenomes and cox1+rbcL sequences clarified classification at the genus and species levels. Three species formerly in Gelidium and Pterocladia are transferred to Pterocladiella: P. media comb. nov., P. musciformis comb. nov., and P. luxurians comb. and stat. nov. Gelidium sinicola is merged with G. coulteri because they share identical cox1 and rbcL sequences. We describe a new species, Gelidium millariana sp. nov., previously identified as G. isabelae from Australia. We demonstrate that mitogenomes from type specimens provide a new tool for typifying species in the Gelidiales and that there is an urgent need for analyzing mitogenomes from type specimens of red algae and other morphologically simple organisms for insight into their nomenclature, taxonomy and evolution.
Prognostic value of platelet to lymphocyte ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Wencong , Zhang Ping , Qi Jun , Gu Litong , Zang Mingcui , Yao Haochen , Shi Xiaoju , Wang Chunli , Jiang Ying
Published: October 2016

This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic value of platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A comprehensive literature search for relevant studies was performed in Web of science, Embase and Pubmed. A total of nine studies with 2017 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and combined hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were served as effect measures. Pooled results showed that elevated PLR was associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.42–1.88, p = 0.000; I2 = 0.0%, Ph = 0.637) and poor disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.15–1.52, p = 0.000; I2 = 19.3%, Ph = 0.287) in HCC patients. In addition, high PLR was not significantly correlated with the presence of vascular invasion, tumor multifocality, poor tumor grade or high level of serum AFP (>400 ng/ml). In conclusion, elevated PLR indicated a poor prognosis for patients with HCC. PLR may be a reliable, easily-obtained, and low cost biomarker with prognostic potential for HCC.
Chronic Sleep Disruption Alters Gut Microbiota, Induces Systemic and Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Poroyko Valeriy A. , Carreras Alba , Khalyfa Abdelnaby , Khalyfa Ahamed A. , Leone Vanessa , Peris Eduard , Almendros Isaac , Gileles-Hillel Alex , Qiao Zhuanhong , Hubert Nathaniel , Farré Ramon , Chang Eugene B. , Gozal David
Published: October 2016

Chronic sleep fragmentation (SF) commonly occurs in human populations, and although it does not involve circadian shifts or sleep deprivation, it markedly alters feeding behaviors ultimately promoting obesity and insulin resistance. These symptoms are known to be related to the host gut microbiota. Mice were exposed to SF for 4 weeks and then allowed to recover for 2 weeks. Taxonomic profiles of fecal microbiota were obtained prospectively, and conventionalization experiments were performed in germ-free mice. Adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and inflammation, as well as circulating measures of inflammation, were assayed. Effect of fecal water on colonic epithelial permeability was also examined. Chronic SF-induced increased food intake and reversible gut microbiota changes characterized by the preferential growth of highly fermentative members of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae and a decrease of Lactobacillaceae families. These lead to systemic and visceral white adipose tissue inflammation in addition to altered insulin sensitivity in mice, most likely via enhanced colonic epithelium barrier disruption. Conventionalization of germ-free mice with SF-derived microbiota confirmed these findings. Thus, SF-induced metabolic alterations may be mediated, in part, by concurrent changes in gut microbiota, thereby opening the way for gut microbiome-targeted therapeutics aimed at reducing the major end-organ morbidities of chronic SF.
Clinical and genetic analyses reveal novel pathogenic ABCA4 mutations in Stargardt disease families
Authors: Lin Bing , Cai Xue-Bi , Zheng Zhi-Li , Huang Xiu-Feng , Liu Xiao-Ling , Qu Jia , Jin Zi-Bing
Published: October 2016

Stargardt disease (STGD1) is a juvenile macular degeneration predominantly inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, characterized by decreased central vision in the first 2 decades of life. The condition has a genetic basis due to mutation in the ABCA4 gene, and arises from the deposition of lipofuscin-like substance in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with secondary photoreceptor cell death. In this study, we describe the clinical and genetic features of Stargardt patients from four unrelated Chinese cohorts. The targeted exome sequencing (TES) was carried out in four clinically confirmed patients and their family members using a gene panel comprising 164 known causative inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) genes. Genetic analysis revealed eight ABCA4 mutations in all of the four pedigrees, including six mutations in coding exons and two mutations in adjacent intronic areas. All the affected individuals showed typical manifestations consistent with the disease phenotype. We disclose two novel ABCA4 mutations in Chinese patients with STGD disease, which will expand the existing spectrum of disease-causing variants and will further aid in the future mutation screening and genetic counseling, as well as in the understanding of phenotypic and genotypic correlations.
Fabrication of a silver particle-integrated silicone polymer-covered metal stent against sludge and biofilm formation and stent-induced tissue inflammation
Authors: Lee Tae Hoon , Jang Bong Seok , Jung Min Kyo , Pack Chan Gi , Choi Jun-Ho , Park Do Hyun
Published: October 2016

To reduce tissue or tumor ingrowth, covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been developed. The effectiveness of covered SEMSs may be attenuated by sludge or stone formation or by stent clogging due to the formation of biofilm on the covering membrane. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a silicone membrane containing silver particles (Ag-P) would prevent sludge and biofilm formation on the covered SEMS. In vitro, the Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer-covered membrane exhibited sustained antibacterial activity, and there was no definite release of silver ions from the Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer membrane at any time point. Using a porcine stent model, in vivo analysis demonstrated that the Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer-covered SEMS reduced the thickness of the biofilm and the quantity of sludge formed, compared with a conventional silicone-covered SEMS. In vivo, the release of silver ions from an Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer-covered SEMS was not detected in porcine serum. The Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer-covered SEMS also resulted in significantly less stent-related bile duct and subepithelium tissue inflammation than a conventional silicone polymer-covered SEMS. Therefore, the Ag-P-integrated silicone polymer-covered SEMS reduced sludge and biofilm formation and stent-induced pathological changes in tissue. This novel SEMS may prolong the stent patency in clinical application.
Selective detection of viable seed-borne Acidovorax citrulli by real-time PCR with propidium monoazide
Authors: Tian Qian , Feng Jian-jun , Hu Jie , Zhao Wen-jun
Published: October 2016

In recent years, use of the DNA-intercalating dye propidium monoazide (PMA) in real-time PCR has been reported as a novel method to detect viable bacteria in different types of samples, such as food, environmental, and microbiological samples. In this study, viable cells of Acidovorax citrulli, the causal agent of bacterial seedling blight and fruit blotch, were selectively detected and differentiated from dead cells by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction amplification after the bacterial solution was treated with the DNA-binding dye PMA. The primers and TaqMan probe were based on the A. citrulli genome (Aave_1909, Gene ID: 4669443) and were highly specific for A. citrulli. The detection threshold of this assay was 103 colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) in pure cell suspensions containing viable and dead cells and infected watermelon seeds. Application of this assay enables the selective detection of viable cells of A. citrulli and facilitates monitoring of the pathogen in watermelon and melon seeds.
Label-free enumeration, collection and downstream cytological and cytogenetic analysis of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Dhar Manjima , Pao Edward , Renier Corinne , Go Derek E. , Che James , Montoya Rosita , Conrad Rachel , Matsumoto Melissa , Heirich Kyra , Triboulet Melanie , Rao Jianyu , Jeffrey Stefanie S. , Garon Edward B. , Goldman Jonathan , Rao Nagesh P. , Kulkarni Rajan , Sollier-Christen Elodie , Di Carlo Dino
Published: October 2016

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have a great potential as indicators of metastatic disease that may help physicians improve cancer prognostication, treatment and patient outcomes. Heterogeneous marker expression as well as the complexity of current antibody-based isolation and analysis systems highlights the need for alternative methods. In this work, we use a microfluidic Vortex device that can selectively isolate potential tumor cells from blood independent of cell surface expression. This system was adapted to interface with three protein-marker-free analysis techniques: (i) an in-flow automated image processing system to enumerate cells released, (ii) cytological analysis using Papanicolaou (Pap) staining and (iii) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) targeting the ALK rearrangement. In-flow counting enables a rapid assessment of the cancer-associated large circulating cells in a sample within minutes to determine whether standard downstream assays such as cytological and cytogenetic analyses that are more time consuming and costly are warranted. Using our platform integrated with these workflows, we analyzed 32 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 22 breast cancer patient samples, yielding 60 to 100% of the cancer patients with a cell count over the healthy threshold, depending on the detection method used: respectively 77.8% for automated, 60–100% for cytology, and 80% for immunostaining based enumeration.
Correction: Corrigendum: Following a potential epileptogenic insult, prolonged high rates of nonlinear dynamical regimes of intermittency type is the hallmark of epileptogenesis
Authors: Rizzi Massimo , Weissberg Itai , Milikovsky Dan Z. , Friedman Alon
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 31129; published online: 04 August 2016; updated: 14 October 2016
Materials for Tissue Engineering and 3D Cell Culture
Authors: Langford Caitlin R. , Cameron Neil R.
Published: October 2016

Tissue engineering, an area of intense interest from academic, clinical, and commercial perspectives, involves regrowing tissue and/or organs using biological materials most commonly obtained from the patient or from a donor. In most cases, successful tissue engineering requires the use of a scaffold to guide the formation of the new tissue. This work reviews some of the common methods used to prepare polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering and, more broadly, for the culture of cells in 3D. Scaffolds require, amongst other parameters, an interconnected network of holes (pores) to allow cells to grow into the materials, and to provide effective nutrient access and waste removal. The use of fabrication methods including electrospinning, thermally induced phase separation, emulsion templating and the so-called ‘breath figure’ approach, to achieve such an interconnected pore network is discussed. Each method is described in some detail and examples of polymers that can be used with each one are given. The use of additives to improve the physical/mechanical properties of the scaffolds and to enhance their biological response is also discussed. In each case, examples of the use of each scaffold type in tissue engineering applications are presented.
A high-throughput BIA-MPA method for the simultaneous determination of amiloride and furosemide
Authors: Pereira P. F. , da Silva W. P. , Marra M. C. , Muñoz R. A. A. , Richter E. M.
Published: October 2016

In this work, a simple and fast batch injection analysis system with multiple pulse amperometric detection (BIA-MPA) was developed for the simultaneous determination of amiloride (AMD) and furosemide (FMD).
Halochromism and protonation-induced assembly of a benzo[g]indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivative
Authors: Black Hayden T. , Pelse Ian , Wolfe Rylan M. W. , Reynolds John R.
Published: October 2016

A new halochromic compound is reported with pronounced UV/Vis spectral responses that depend on the extent of protonation and on the counter-ion structure.
Correction: Fluorescent vesicles formed by simple surfactants induced by oppositely-charged carbon quantum dots
Authors: Sun Xiaofeng , Zhang Qinghong , Yin Keyang , Zhou Shengju , Li Hongguang
Published: October 2016

Correction for ‘Fluorescent vesicles formed by simple surfactants induced by oppositely-charged carbon quantum dots’ by Xiaofeng Sun et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 12024–12027.
Fishing, trapping and killing of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in potable water
Authors: Dasgupta Saumyadeb , Gunda Naga Siva Kumar , Mitra Sushanta K.
Published: October 2016

An innovative process of effective ‘fishing, trapping and killing’ ofEscherichia coli(E. coli) in contaminated water samples using paper strips is proposed here.
Mulberry water extract regulates the osteoblast/osteoclast balance in an ovariectomic rat model
Authors: Jao Hsing-Yu , Hsu Jeng-Dong , Lee Yi-Ru , Lo Chien-Sheng , Lee Huei-Jane
Published: October 2016

Mulberry has favorable antioxidant ability.
Compound K derived from ginseng: neuroprotection and cognitive improvement
Authors: Oh Jisun , Kim Jong-Sang
Published: October 2016

The evidence for the neuroprotective and cognitive effects of compound K, a metabolite biotransformed from ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc, is reviewed here.
Halide ion-driven self-assembly of Zn(ii) compounds derived from an asymmetrical hydrazone building block: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Afkhami Farhad Akbari , Jena Himanshu Sekhar , Nematollahi Parisa , Esrafili Mehdi D. , Garczarek Piotr , Van Hecke Kristof , Servati Gargari Masoumeh , Kirillov Alexander M.
Published: October 2016

Self-assembly of Zn(ii) compounds is influenced by a counter ion and non-covalent interactions.
A novel strategy for enhancing the electrospun PVDF support layer of thin-film composite forward osmosis membranes
Authors: Obaid M. , Mohamed Hend Omar , Yasin Ahmed S. , Fadali Olfat A. , Khalil Khalil Abdelrazek , Kim Taewoo , Barakat Nasser A. M.
Published: October 2016

A simple and novel treatment methodology is introduced to produce PVDF-based thin-film composite forward osmosis (TFC-FO) electrospun membranes for enhanced desalination performance.
Polyethyleneimine-stabilized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with hyaluronic acid for targeted drug delivery
Authors: Kong Lijun , Mu Zezhong , Yu Yuan , Zhang Lixia , Hu Jinxia
Published: October 2016

Preparation of polyethyleneimine stabilized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with hyaluronic acid for targeted drug delivery.
Facile synthesis of ultrathin, undersized MoS2/graphene for lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Chen Lu , Yang Yaqing , Gao Yang , Tronganh Nguyen , Chen Fang , Lu Mengna , Jiang Yong , Jiao Zheng , Zhao Bing
Published: October 2016

Ultrathin (∼5 layers), undersized (130–160 nm in size) MoS2/graphene composites are fabricated by a facile acetic acid assisted hydrothermal route.
Development of an α-linolenic acid containing a soft nanocarrier for oral delivery-part II: buccoadhesive gel
Authors: Singh Mahendra , Kanoujia Jovita , Singh Pooja , Parashar Poonam , Arya Malti , Tripathi Chandra Bhushan , Sinha Vivek R. , Saraf Shubhini A.
Published: October 2016

Development and evaluation of a novel buccoadhesive gel containing microemulsion to enhance the permeation and bioavailability of simvastatin.
ATR-FTIR and multivariate analysis as a screening tool for cervical cancer in women from northeast Brazil: a biospectroscopic approach
Authors: Neves Ana C. O. , Silva Priscila P. , Morais Camilo L. M. , Miranda Cleine G. , Crispim Janaina C. O. , Lima Kássio M. G.
Published: October 2016

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide and the third in Brazil.
Effect of Mn promoter on Rh/tungsten carbide on product distributions of alcohols and hydrocarbons by CO hydrogenation
Authors: Da Won Ba , Ham Hyeongwon , Cho Jae Min , Lee Jong-Bae , Kim Chul-Ung , Roh Hyun-Seog , Moon Dong Ju , Bae Jong Wook
Published: October 2016

Roles of Mn promoter on Rh-impregnated mesoporous tungsten carbides (WxC) have been investigated for direct synthesis of mixed alcohols by CO hydrogenation of syngas.
Membrane permeabilization by conjugated oligoelectrolytes accelerates whole-cell catalysis
Authors: Catania Chelsea , Ajo-Franklin Caroline M. , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: October 2016

Conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COE) increase outer membrane permeability inEscherichia coli,improve transport of small molecules through the cell envelope and thus accelerate whole-cell catalysis.
A new fluorescent probe based on quinoline for detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ with “off–on–off” response in aqueous solution
Authors: Dai Yanpeng , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Peng , Fu Jiaxin , Yao Kun , Xu Kuoxi
Published: October 2016

A new quinoline-based fluorescent probe has been designed and synthesized. It showed highly selective relay recognition of Al3+ and Fe3+via a fluorescence “off–on–off” mechanism by central metal displacement.
A copper-based sorbent with oxygen-vacancy defects from mechanochemical reduction for carbon disulfide absorption
Authors: Chen Haipeng , Zhou Shixue , Han Zongying , Jiang Yaoyao , Yu Hao , Zhou Xinpei , Jiang Ruiqian , Liu Xiaojing , Li Xinyuan
Published: October 2016

Mechanochemical reduction of CuO can generate Ovacdefects on the particle surface and they act as trapping sites for CS2absorption.
A flexible ternary oxide based solid-state supercapacitor with excellent rate capability
Authors: Boruah Buddha Deka , Misra Abha
Published: October 2016

A porous vanadium doped-zinc–nickel–cobalt ternary oxide (VZnNiCo) nanostructure is presented for a high performance flexible supercapacitor (SC).
Click modified amphiphilic graft copolymeric micelles of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) for combinatorial delivery of doxorubicin and plk-1 siRNA in cancer therapy
Authors: Aji Alex M. R. , Veeranarayanan Srivani , Poulose Aby Cheruvathoor , Nehate Chetan , Kumar D. Sakthi , Koul Veena
Published: October 2016

Co-delivery of drug and siRNA using cationic polymeric micelles.
Single-order laser high harmonics in XUV for ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy of molecular wavepacket dynamics
Authors: Fushitani Mizuho , Hishikawa Akiyoshi
Published: October 2016

We present applications of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) single-order laser harmonics to gas-phase ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy. Ultrashort XUV pulses at 80 nm are obtained as the 5th order harmonics of the fundamental laser at 400 nm by using Xe or Kr as the nonlinear medium and separated from other harmonic orders by using an indium foil. The single-order laser harmonics is applied for real-time probing of vibrational wavepacket dynamics of I2 molecules in the bound and dissociating low-lying electronic states and electronic-vibrational wavepacket dynamics of highly excited Rydberg N2 molecules.
Promiscuous pollination of Australia’s baobab, the boab, Adansonia gregorii
Authors: Groffen Jordy , Rethus Gary , Pettigrew Jack
Published: October 2016

Australia’s native baobab, Adansonia gregorii (F.Muell., Malvaceae: Bombacoideae) is the only baobab outside the African continent. Baobabs of the African continent have shades either of red, orange and yellow coloured flowers and are pollinated by insects, especially by hawkmoths of the Sphingidae family, or have white flowers and are pollinated by small mammals (e.g. bats and lemurs). In contrast, the Australian baobab, with white, erected flowers, was found to be mostly pollinated by hawkmoths. It is possible that for this white-flowered species, small mammals play a role in pollination. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify major pollinators of the Australian baobab. Motion cameras were used in December 2013 and ground observations were performed in the flowering season of 2015–2016 to observe (potential) pollinators. Results show observations of hawkmoths and other insects, birds and sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) pollinating the flowers. The major pollinator found in this study was, however, the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto): it was observed foraging in groups and consuming the anthers of the Australian baobab flowers. Pollination by megabats, as the black flying fox, could have played an important role in the evolution of the white, erect flower of Australian baobabs.
Traditional ecological knowledge, shifting baselines, and conservation of Fijian molluscs
Authors: Bao Karen , Drew Joshua
Published: October 2016

Understanding a region’s ecological history is crucial in formulating conservation plans. In the absence of conventional datasets, historical data and traditional ecological knowledge of local communities can elucidate trends over time and help set goals for preservation and restoration. These methods can contribute to the conservation of biologically and culturally significant species, including coral reef molluscs, in the South Pacific, which have experienced intensified threats such as overfishing and habitat degradation in recent decades. Through fisher interviews in a small coastal community in Fiji, we investigate changes in distribution, biomass, and human perception of common mollusc populations in a Fijian reef. We found evidence of a decline in mollusc populations, but only older fishers with more fishing experience perceived this decline, suggesting a shift in baseline perceptions of biodiversity.
Spatiotemporal expression profile of proteases and immunological, angiogenic, hormonal and apoptotic mediators in rat placenta before and during intrauterine trophoblast migration
Authors: Silva Juneo F. , Ocarino Natália M. , Serakides Rogéria
Published: October 2016

The gene and/or protein expression of proteases and immunological, angiogenic, hormonal and apoptotic mediators was evaluated in rat placenta before and during intrauterine trophoblast migration. The depth of interstitial and endovascular intrauterine trophoblast invasion and the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk1), interferon (IFN)-γ, migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; also known as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2) were evaluated. In addition, the expression of the Vegf, Flk1, placental growth factor (Pigf), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1), placental lactogen 1 (Pl1), proliferin-related protein (rPlf), placental leptin (Lep), Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2), Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4), Infg, Mif, tumour necrosis factor-α (Tnf), interleukin-10 (Il10), Nos2, caspase 3 (Casp3), Bax, Bcl2, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (Mmp2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Mmp9) genes was determined by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. At 10 days gestation, gene expression of Tlr2, Tlr4, Tnf, Infg, Il10, Casp3, Pigf, sFlt1 and Lep (P < 0.05) were higher than at 14 and/or 19 days of gestation. The beginning of intrauterine trophoblast invasion, i.e., at 14 days of gestation, coincided with higher gene and/or protein expression of MMP9, VEGF, Flk1, NOS2, MIF, BAX and rPlf compared to days 10 and 19 (P < 0.05). In contrast, gene expression of Mmp2 and Pl1 was higher at the end of trophoblast invasion compared to 10 and 14 days of gestation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, before intrauterine trophoblast migration, expression of TLRs and immunological and pro-apoptotic mediators is higher, whereas the beginning of trophoblast migration is characterised by higher expression of the pro-angiogenic factors NOS2 and MMP9. In contrast, MMP2 and PL1 expression is higher at the end of intrauterine trophoblast migration.
Chinese language teachers’ instructional contexts, knowledge, and challenges in teaching students with special needs
Authors: Wang Wenxia , Kuo Nai-Cheng
Published: October 2016

Guided by Shulman’s (1987) concept of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), this study investigates pre-service and new Chinese language teachers’ instructional contexts, their PCK, and their challenges in teaching Chinese to students with disabilities in public K-12 schools in two Midwestern states in the United States. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a survey. The study finds that Chinese language teachers are teaching in very complicated and difficult contexts for students with disabilities, and they are facing tremendous challenges, which may have contributed to their lack of PCK and seriously undermined their confidence and instruction as well. Therefore, more assistance and support are needed for public K-12 Chinese teachers in the U.S. inclusive classroom to promote more sustained development of Chinese education. Since there has been little research on this aspect of K-12 Chinese education in the United States, this study may help prompt more discussion on the topic in our field.
Pragmatics information in selected Business Chinese (BC) textbooks in the U.S.
Authors: Li Shuai
Published: October 2016

Pragmatic competence, the ability to conduct socially appropriate communication, plays an important role in influencing the success of business communication. This study examined the availability of explicit pragmatics information and related exercises in eight Business Chinese (BC) textbooks used in the U.S. institutions of higher education. The quantitative and qualitative findings showed that only a few textbooks explicitly listed pragmatics as a learning objective. Meanwhile, while explicit pragmatics information was provided in the BC textbooks, substantial variations were found across different subcategories of pragmatic features as well as across textbooks; moreover, the quantity of explicit pragmatics information and the ways of presenting and practicing various pragmatic features, as afforded by these textbooks, may not allow full-fledged development of pragmatic competence among learners.
Familiarity, comprehension and use of Indian English only
Authors: Nayak Srishti , Singh Inder , Caldwell-Harris Catherine
Published: October 2016

Indian English only (IndE-only), e.g. “I’ll meet you here only”, is rejected as poor English by many IndE speakers. In the present study, we used a mixed method to investigate familiarity, comprehension and use of IndE-only in 20 L1 IndE speakers in the US. Participants completed a psycholinguistic task comprising syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic judgments of IndE, standard English, and grammatically or semantically odd control sentences. L1 IndE speakers’ task performance was compared to a control group of 33 American English speakers. Results showed that IndE speakers were familiar with syntactic aspects of IndE-only consistent with the literature, and were able to extract significantly more information about implicatures and conversational contexts compared to the control group. L1 IndE speakers were also interviewed about their attitudes towards IndE and IndE-only. Qualitative results indicated that despite some stigmatization, mostly in the written form, IndE-only exemplifies the emerging identity of L1 IndE.
“This hair-style called as ‘duck tail’”
Authors: Koch Christopher , Lange Claudia , Leuckert Sven
Published: October 2016

This paper focuses on the ‘intrusiveas’-construction in complex-transitive verb complementation which was so far only attested for Indian English. Our data show that ‘intrusiveas’ is a common feature in South Asian Englishes generally, albeit to different degrees. Comparing the South Asian data with data from Learner Englishes allows to test several hypotheses concerning the origin of ‘intrusiveas’; the most robust correlation within the data points to redundancy as a motivating factor for both ESL and EFL contexts.
Detecting innovations in a parsed corpus of learner English
Authors: Schneider Gerold , Gilquin Gaëtanelle
Published: October 2016

In research on L2 English, recent corpus-based studies indicate that some non-standard forms are shared by indigenized (ESL) and foreign (EFL) varieties of English, which challenges the idea of a clear dichotomy between innovation and error. We present a data-driven large-scale method to detect innovations, test it on verb + preposition structures (including phrasal verbs) and adjective + preposition structures, and describe similarities and differences between EFL and ESL. We use a dependency-parsed version of the International Corpus of Learner English to automatically extract potential innovations, defined as patterns of overuse compared to the British National Corpus as reference corpus. We measure overuse by means of collocation measures like O/E or T-score, and compare our results with similar results for ESL. In both quantitative and qualitative analyses, we detect similarities between the two varieties (e.g. discuss about) and dissimilarities (e.g. accuse for, only distinctive for EFL). We report more verb/adjective + preposition combinations than previous studies and discuss the roles of analogy and transfer.
In case ofinnovation
Authors: Edwards Alison , Lange Rutger-Jan
Published: October 2016

This paper addresses the equivalence often drawn between labels such asESL,New EnglishesandOuter Circleon the one hand, and betweenEFL,Learner EnglishesandExpanding Circleon the other. It argues that this mapping takes insufficient account of both intra-varietal variation and inter-varietal similarities. We compare the two non-native varietal types with each other and with native English on the basis of ‘user’ data from the International Corpus of English and the Corpus of Dutch English, focusing on three-word clusters in academic writing. Quantitative analyses reveal no clear grouping per circle, but rather a regional East Africa grouping. Case studies of four specific clusters (in case of,due to the,the fact thatandthe other hand) mostly show a native/non-native divide. Characteristics of both ESL and EFL, including innovative processes as well as learner strategies, are shown to be at play in the Outer and Expanding Circle alike. The findings are consistent with the notion of neither a strict divide between varietal types, nor a continuum.
The sliding scales of repentance
Authors: Cheng Martha Sylvia
Published: October 2016

This paper investigates the apologies of four US politicians whose marital infidelities were made public. The paper notes the variations in the use of religious language, representations of the transgressions, and metadiscourse. These variations can be calibrated to political ethos, the nature of the transgression, and the amount of repair work required. Thus, generic qualities of the personal political apology are best interpreted as existing on a sliding scale relative to the situation.
“Death penalty for Down’s syndrome”
Authors: Lewinski Piotr
Published: October 2016

In axiological argumentation that refers to issues concerning matters of ethics, politics, or aesthetics, a warrant is derived from a general axiological base, which consists of propositions that are accepted by a particular social group. Such a warrant is supported by ideology, understood as a relatively well organised set of evaluative propositions (justified within frames of the given system). In axiological argumentation beliefs are represented by cultural objects that serve as the arguments. Cultural objects are universals, which have a culturally developed interpretation. Without proper recognition of the interpretant, the correct reading of the sign and its appraisal is impossible. The main purpose of this article is to show how ideological objects constitute the base of the discourse. In analysis of chosen texts I will demonstrate, how at every stage of argumentation arguers exploit the topic and interactive potential of argumentation.