bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma infections in tubal pregnancy
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Yunjiang , Yang Dehong , Xu Changjun , Huang Yajuan , Qing Qing , Li Daizhu , Liao Jing , Ding Yulu , Zhou Jiaoyue , Zhang Jie , Sun Chunyi , Zhou Honglin
Published: November 2019

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is an important factor for tubal pregnancy. However, whether Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) infections are also involved in tubal pregnancy remains unknown. This study is aimed to detect CT, UU, and MH in cervical secretions from patients with tubal pregnancy and control women in early pregnancy, to explore their prevalence rates and drug susceptibilities. Analysis was performed on patients with tubal pregnancy and those requiring termination of early pregnancy at <12 weeks from July 2013 to March 2014. Cervical secretions were tested for UU/MH with a UU/MH isolation and culture kit and for CT antigen by an immunochromatographic assay. Mycoplasma samples were tested for resistance to 12 antibiotics. There were no cases of CT infection detected. Mycoplasma infection rates (single or mixed) were similar in the tubal pregnancy and control groups, but the total rate of infection was higher for tubal pregnancy. All MH samples were sensitive to tetracyclines as well as josamycin and azithromycin. Josamycin and clarithromycin were effective against all UU cultures. Over 50% of the samples tested were resistant to ciprofloxacin.
Amyloid fibrils prepared using an acetylated and methyl amidated peptide model of the α-Synuclein NAC 71–82 amino acid stretch contain an additional cross-β structure also found in prion proteins
Authors: Näsström Thomas , Andersson Per Ola , Lejon Christian , Karlsson Björn C. G.
Published: November 2019

The 71–82 fragment of the non-amyloid-β component (NAC) region of the Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) related protein α-Synuclein, has been reported to be important during protein misfolding. Although reports have demonstrated the importance of this fragment for the aggregation properties of the full-length protein, its exact role in pre-fibrillar oligomerisation, fibrillar growth and morphology has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we provide evidence that fibrils prepared from an acetylated and methyl amidated peptide of the NAC 71–82 amino acid stretch of α-Synuclein are amyloid and contain, in addition to the cross-β structure detected in the full-length protein fibrils, a cross-β structure previously observed in prion proteins. These results shed light on the aggregation propensity of the NAC 71–82 amino acid stretch of the full-length protein but also the roles of the N- and C-terminal domains of α-Synuclein in balancing this aggregation propensity. The results also suggest that early aggregated forms of the capped NAC 71–82 peptide generated structures were stabilised by an anti-parallel and twisted β-sheet motif. Due to its expected toxicity, this β-sheet motif may be a promising molecular target for the development of therapeutic strategies for PD and DLB.
On manufacturing multilayer-like nanostructures using misorientation gradients in PVD films
Authors: Avila Pedro Renato Tavares , da Silva Erenilton Pereira , Rodrigues Alisson Mendes , Aristizabal Katherine , Pineda Fabiola , Coelho Rodrigo Santiago , Garcia Jose Luís , Soldera Flavio , Walczak Magdalena , Pinto Haroldo Cavalcanti
Published: November 2019

Due to their applicability for manufacturing dense, hard and stable coatings, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques, such as High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS), are currently used to deposit transition metal nitrides for tribological applications. Cr-Al-N is one of the most promising ceramic coating systems owing to its remarkable mechanical and tribological properties along with excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability. This work explores the possibility of further improving Cr-Al-N coatings by modulation of its microstructure. Multilayer-like Cr1−xAlxN single films were manufactured using the angular oscillation of the substrate surface during HiPIMS. The sputtering process was accomplished using pulse frequencies ranging from 200 to 500 Hz and the resulting films were evaluated with respect to their hardness, Young’s modulus, residual stresses, deposition rate, crystallite size, crystallographic texture, coating morphology, chemical composition, and surface roughness. The multilayer-like structure, with periodicities ranging from 250 to 550 nm, were found associated with misorientation gradients and small-angle grain boundaries along the columnar grains, rather than mesoscopic chemical modulation of the microstructure. This minute modification of microstructure along with associated compressive residual stresses are concluded to explain the increased hardness ranging from 25 to 30 GPa, which is at least 20% over that expected for a film of the same chemical composition grown by a conventional PVD processing route.
β-catenin regulates the formation of multiple nephron segments in the mouse kidney
Authors: Deacon Patrick , Concodora Charles W. , Chung Eunah , Park Joo-Seop
Published: November 2019

The nephron is composed of distinct segments that perform unique physiological functions. Little is known about how multipotent nephron progenitor cells differentiate into different nephron segments. It is well known that β-catenin signaling regulates the maintenance and commitment of mesenchymal nephron progenitors during kidney development. However, it is not fully understood how it regulates nephron segmentation after nephron progenitors undergo mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. To address this, we performed β-catenin loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies in epithelial nephron progenitors in the mouse kidney. Consistent with a previous report, the formation of the renal corpuscle was defective in the absence of β-catenin. Interestingly, we found that epithelial nephron progenitors lacking β-catenin were able to form presumptive proximal tubules but that they failed to further develop into differentiated proximal tubules, suggesting that β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in proximal tubule development. We also found that epithelial nephron progenitors lacking β-catenin failed to form the distal tubules. Expression of a stable form of β-catenin in epithelial nephron progenitors blocked the proper formation of all nephron segments, suggesting tight regulation of β-catenin signaling during nephron segmentation. This work shows that β-catenin regulates the formation of multiple nephron segments along the proximo-distal axis of the mammalian nephron.
Nanobody-based sandwich reporter system for living cell sensing influenza A virus infection
Authors: Cao Jiali , Zhong Nicole , Wang Guosong , Wang Mingfeng , Zhang Baohui , Fu Baorong , Wang Yingbin , Zhang Tianying , Zhang Yali , Yang Kunyu , Chen Yixin , Yuan Quan , Xia Ningshao
Published: November 2019

The influenza epidemic is a huge burden to public health. Current influenza vaccines provide limited protection against new variants due to frequent mutation of the virus. The continual emergence of novel variants necessitates the method rapidly monitoring influenza virus infection in experimental systems. Although several replication-competent reporter viruses carrying fluorescent proteins or small luciferase have been generated in previous studies, visualizing influenza virus infection via such strategy requires reverse genetic modification for each viral strain which is usually time-consuming and inconvenient. Here, we created a novel influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) dependent reporter gene transcription activation module using NP-specific nanobodies. Our results demonstrated the modular design allowed reporter genes (mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and Gaussia luciferase) specifically expressing to detect intracellular NP protein, and therefore acts as a universal biosensor to monitor infection of various influenza A subtypes in living cells. The new system may provide a powerful tool to analyze influenza A infections at the cellular level to facilitate new antiviral drug discovery. Moreover, this approach may easily extend to develop live-cell biosensors for other viruses.
mTOR and autophagy pathways are dysregulated in murine and human models of Schaaf-Yang syndrome
Authors: Crutcher Emeline , Pal Rituraj , Naini Fatemeh , Zhang Ping , Laugsch Magdalena , Kim Jean , Bajic Aleksandar , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: November 2019

MAGEL2 is a maternally imprinted, paternally expressed gene, located in the Prader-Willi region of human chromosome 15. Pathogenic variants in the paternal copy of MAGEL2 cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SHFYNG), a neurodevelopmental disorder related to Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Patients with SHFYNG, like PWS, manifest neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hypogonadism, intellectual disability and sleep apnea. However, individuals with SHFYNG have joint contractures, greater cognitive impairment, and higher prevalence of autism than seen in PWS. Additionally, SHFYNG is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperphagia and obesity than PWS. Previous studies have shown that truncating variants in MAGEL2 lead to SHFYNG. However, the molecular pathways involved in manifestation of the SHFYNG disease phenotype are still unknown. Here we show that a Magel2 null mouse model and fibroblast cell lines from individuals with SHFYNG exhibit increased expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and decreased autophagy. Additionally, we show that SHFYNG induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons exhibit impaired dendrite formation. Alterations in SHFYNG patient fibroblast lines and iPSC-derived neurons are rescued by treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Collectively, our findings identify mTOR as a potential target for the development of pharmacological treatments for SHFYNG.
Prey contaminated with neonicotinoids induces feeding deterrent behavior of a common farmland spider
Authors: Korenko Stanislav , Saska Pavel , Kysilková Kristýna , Řezáč Milan , Heneberg Petr
Published: November 2019

Neonicotinoids are thought to have negligible repellent or anti-feeding effects. Based on our preliminary observations, we hypothesized that the contamination of spider prey with commonly used neonicotinoids has repellent or feeding deterrent effects on spiders. We tested this hypothesis by providing prey treated or not with field-realistic concentrations of neonicotinoids to the spiders and determining the number of (a) killed only and (b) killed and eaten prey. We exposed adult freshly molted and starved Pardosa agrestis, a common agrobiont lycosid species, to flies treated with neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam) at field-realistic concentrations or with distilled water as a control. There were no effects of the exposure of the prey to neonicotinoids on the number of flies captured. However, the spiders consumed less of the prey treated with neonicotinoids compared to the ratio of control prey consumed, which resulted in increased overkilling (i.e., killing without feeding). In female P. agrestis, the overkilling increased from only 2.6% of control flies to 25–45% of neonicotinoid-treated flies. As the spiders avoided consuming the already captured neonicotinoid-treated prey, the sublethal effects of neonicotinoids extend beyond the simple attractivity/deterrence of the prey itself. The present study demonstrated that prey overkilling serves as a physiological response of spiders to the contact with the prey contaminated with agrochemicals. We speculate that primary contact with neonicotinoids during prey capture may play a role in this unexpected behavior.
Long-Term Phytoplankton Dynamics in a Complex Temporal Realm
Authors: Alvarez-Cobelas M. , Rojo C. , Benavent-Corai J.
Published: November 2019

Faced with an environment of accelerated change, the long-term dynamics of biotic communities can be approached to build a consistent and causal picture of the communities’ life. We have undertaken a 25-year monthly-sampling study on the phytoplankton of a meso-oligotrophic lake, paying attention to controlling factors of overall biomass (TB) and taxonomical group biomass (TGBs). Long-term series included decreased trends of TB and TGBs, and multi-scale periodicity. A decadal TB periodicity emerged related to nitrogen concentration and Cryptophytes. Annual periodicities were mainly related to air and water temperature controlling the abundance of Chlorophytes or Dinoflagellates. Intra-annual cycles could arise from autogenic processes. The analysis by periods revealed relevant dynamics (for example, Diatom periodicities), hidden in the analysis of the complete series. These results allow us to establish that: i) two organizational levels of phytoplankton change differently in time scales from months to decades; ii) controlling factors (climate, water physics and chemistry) act at different time scales and on different TGBs, and iii) different combinations of the “taxonomical group-control factor-trend and periodicity” set throughout the studied time explain total biomass dynamics. A holistic approach (multiple complementary analyses) is necessary to disentangle the different actors and relationships that explain non-stationary long-term phytoplankton dynamics.
A Jeffrey Fluid Model for a Porous-walled Channel: Application to Flat Plate Dialyzer
Authors: Kahshan M. , Lu D. , Siddiqui A. M.
Published: November 2019

Creeping motion of a Jeffrey fluid in a small width porous-walled channel is presented with an application to flow in flat plate hemodialyzer. Darcy’s law is used to characterize the fluid leakage through channel walls. Using suitable physical approximations, approximate analytical solution of equations of motion is obtained by employing perturbation method. Expressions for velocity field and the hydrostatic pressure are obtained. Effects of filtration coefficient, the inlet pressure and Jeffrey fluid parameters on the flow characteristics are discussed graphically. The derived results are used to study the flow of filtrate in a flat plat hemodialyzer. Using the derived solutions, theoretical values of the filtration rate and the mean pressure difference in the hemodialyzer are calculated. On comparing the computed results with the available experimental data, a reasonable agreement between the two is found. It is concluded that the presented model can be used to study the hydrodynamical aspects of the fluid flow in a flat plate hemodialyzer.
Bisphenol S rapidly depresses heart function through estrogen receptor-β and decreases phospholamban phosphorylation in a sex-dependent manner
Authors: Ferguson Melissa , Lorenzen-Schmidt Ilka , Pyle W. Glen
Published: November 2019

The health effects of the endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) led to its partial replacement with Bisphenol S (BPS) in several products including food containers, toys, and thermal paper receipts. The acute effects of BPS on myocardial contractility are unknown. We perfused mouse hearts from both sexes for 15 min with physiologically relevant doses of BPS or BPA. In females BPS (1 nM) decreased left ventricular systolic pressure by 5 min, whereas BPA (1 nM) effects were delayed to 10 min. BPS effects in male mice were attenuated. In both sexes ER-β antagonism abolished the effects of BPS. Cardiac myofilament function was not impacted by BPS or BPA in either sex, although there were sex-dependent differences in troponin I phosphorylation. BPS increased phospholamban phosphorylation at S16 only in female hearts, whereas BPA reduced phosphorylation in both sexes. BPA decreased phospholamban phosphorylation at T17 in both sexes while BPS caused dephosphorylation only in females. This is the first study to compare sex differences in the acute myocardial response to physiologically relevant levels of BPS and BPA, and demonstrates a rapid ability of both to depress heart function. This study raises concerns about the safety of BPS as a replacement for BPA.
A high-speed, bright, red fluorescent voltage sensor to detect neural activity
Authors: Beck Connor , Gong Yiyang
Published: November 2019

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have emerged as a technology to optically record neural activity with genetic specificity and millisecond-scale temporal resolution using fluorescence microscopy. GEVIs have demonstrated ultra-fast kinetics and high spike detection fidelity in vivo, but existing red-fluorescent voltage indicators fall short of the response and brightness achieved by green fluorescent protein-based sensors. Furthermore, red-fluorescent GEVIs suffer from incomplete spectral separation from green sensors and blue-light-activated optogenetic actuators. We have developed Ace-mScarlet, a red fluorescent GEVI that fuses Ace2N, a voltage-sensitive inhibitory rhodopsin, with mScarlet, a bright red fluorescent protein (FP). Through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), our sensor detects changes in membrane voltage with high sensitivity and brightness and has kinetics comparable to the fastest green fluorescent sensors. Ace-mScarlet’s red-shifted absorption and emission spectra facilitate virtually complete spectral separation when used in combination with green-fluorescent sensors or with blue-light-sensitive sensors and rhodopsins. This spectral separation enables both simultaneous imaging in two separate wavelength channels and high-fidelity voltage recordings during simultaneous optogenetic perturbation.
Enhanced Surface Properties of Light-Trapping Si Nanowires Using Synergetic Effects of Metal-Assisted and Anisotropic Chemical Etchings
Authors: Jeong Youngsoon , Hong Chanwoo , Jung Yeong Hun , Akter Rashida , Yoon Hana , Yoon Ilsun
Published: November 2019

Metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) has been widely explored for developing silicon (Si)-based energy and optical devices with its benefits for low-cost and large-area fabrication of Si nanostructures of high aspect ratios. Surface structures and properties of Si nanostructures fabricated through MACE are significantly affected by experimental and environmental conditions of etchings. Herein, we showed that surfaces and interfacial energy states of fabricated Si nanowires can be critically affected by oxidants of MACE etching solutions. Surfaces of fabricated Si nanowires are porous and their tips are fully covered with lots of Si nano-sized grains. Strongly increased photoluminescence (PL) intensities, compared to that of the crystalline Si substrate, are observed for MACE-fabricated Si nanowires due to interfacial energy states of Si and SiOx of Si nano-sized grains. These Si grains can be completely removed from the nanowires by an additional etching process of the anisotropic chemical etching (ACE) of Si to taper the nanowires and enhance light trapping of the nanowires. Compared with the MACE-fabricated Si nanowires, ACE-fabricated tapered Si nanowires have similar Raman and PL spectra to those of the crystalline Si substrate, indicating the successful removal of Si grains from the nanowire surfaces by the ACE process.
Blood pressure profile and endothelial function in restless legs syndrome
Authors: Chenini Sofiene , Rassu Anna Laura , Guiraud Lily , Evangelista Elisa , Barateau Lucie , Lopez Regis , Jaussent Isabelle , Dauvilliers Yves
Published: November 2019

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequently comorbid with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases; however this relationship and underlying mechanisms remain controversial. After clinical evaluation, 84 drug-free patients with primary RLS (53 women; mean age 55.1 ± 12.3 years) and 76 controls (47 women; mean age 52.2 ± 15.3 years) underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and polysomnographic monitoring, and peripheral arterial tonometry to assess endothelial function for 61 patients and 69 controls. Hypertension was diagnosed in 11.9% of patients with RLS based on office measurement, and in 46.4% on the 24 h recording, with nighttime hypertension, two times more frequent than daytime hypertension. Periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS), markers of sleep fragmentation, and systolic and mean BP non-dipping profile were more frequent among patients. BP non-dipping status was associated with older age, later RLS onset and diagnosis, RLS severity and higher sleep fragmentation. The mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP values, the frequency of hypertension and the endothelial function were comparable between groups. However, both systolic and diastolic BP trajectories over a 24-hour period differed between groups. In conclusion, patients with RLS exhibit a 24-hour BP deregulation with increased frequency of systolic non-dipping profiles that could worsen the risk for CVD morbidity and mortality.
Decreased integrity of exercise-induced plasma cell free nuclear DNA – negative association with the increased oxidants production by circulating phagocytes
Authors: Stawski Robert , Walczak Konrad , Perdas Ewelina , Wlodarczyk Anna , Sarniak Agata , Kosielski Piotr , Meissner Pawel , Budlewski Tomasz , Padula Gianluca , Nowak Dariusz
Published: November 2019

Strenuous exercise increases circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) and stimulates blood phagocytes to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may induce DNA strand breaks. We tested whether: (A) elevated cfDNA in response to three repeated bouts of exhaustive exercise has decreased integrity; (B) each bout of exercise increases luminol enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence (LBCL) as a measure of ROS production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Eleven men performed three treadmill exercise tests to exhaustion separated by 72 hours of resting. Pre- and post-exercise concentrations and integrity of cf nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (cf n-DNA, cf mt-DNA) and resting (r) and fMLP (n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine)-stimulated LBCL were determined. Each bout increased concentrations of cf n-DNA by more than 10-times which was accompanied by about 2-times elevated post-exercise rLBCL and fMLP-LBCL. Post-exercise cf n-DNA integrity (integrity index, I229/97) decreased after the first (0.59 ± 0.19 vs. 0.48 ± 0.18) and second (0.53 ± 0.14 vs. 0.44 ± 0.17) bout of exercise. There were negative correlations between I229/97 and rLBCL (ƍ = –0.37), and I229/97 and fMLP-LBCL (ƍ = –0.40) – analysis of pooled pre- and post-exercise data (n = 66). cf mt- DNA integrity (I218/78) did not alter in response to exercise. This suggests an involvement of phagocyte ROS in cf n-DNA strand breaks in response to exhaustive exercise.
High-Density Electromyography Provides New Insights into the Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon in Individuals with Low Back Pain
Authors: Murillo Carlos , Martinez-Valdes Eduardo , Heneghan Nicola R. , Liew Bernard , Rushton Alison , Sanderson Andy , Falla Deborah
Published: November 2019

Recent research using high-density electromyography (HDEMG) has provided a more precise understanding of the behaviour of the paraspinal muscles in people with low back pain (LBP); but so far, HDEMG has not been used to investigate the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP). To evaluate this, HDEMG signals were detected with grids of electrodes (13 × 5) placed bilaterally over the lumbar paraspinal muscles in individuals with and without LBP as they performed repetitions of full trunk flexion. The root mean square of the HDEMG signals was computed to generate the average normalized amplitude; and the spatial FRP onset was determined and expressed as percentage of trunk flexion. Smoothing spline analysis of variance models and the contrast cycle difference approach using the Bayesian interpretation were used to determine statistical inference. All pain-free controls and 64.3% of the individuals with LBP exhibited the FRP. Individuals with LBP and the FRP exhibited a delay of its onset compared to pain-free controls (significant mean difference of 13.3% of trunk flexion).  They also showed reduced normalized amplitude compared to those without the FRP, but still greater than pain-free controls (significant mean difference of 27.4% and 11.6% respectively). This study provides novel insights into changes in lumbar muscle behavior in individuals with LBP.
A specific fungal transcription factor controls effector gene expression and orchestrates the establishment of the necrotrophic pathogen lifestyle on wheat
Authors: Jones Darcy A. B. , John Evan , Rybak Kasia , Phan Huyen T. T. , Singh Karam B. , Lin Shao-Yu , Solomon Peter S. , Oliver Richard P. , Tan Kar-Chun
Published: November 2019

The fungus Parastagonospora nodorum infects wheat through the use of necrotrophic effector (NE) proteins that cause host-specific tissue necrosis. The Zn2Cys6 transcription factor PnPf2 positively regulates NE gene expression and is required for virulence on wheat. Little is known about other downstream targets of PnPf2. We compared the transcriptomes of the P. nodorum wildtype and a strain deleted in PnPf2 (pf2-69) during in vitro growth and host infection to further elucidate targets of PnPf2 signalling. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed (DE) genes revealed that genes associated with plant cell wall degradation and proteolysis were enriched in down-regulated DE gene sets in pf2-69 compared to SN15. In contrast, genes associated with redox control, nutrient and ion transport were up-regulated in the mutant. Further analysis of the DE gene set revealed that PnPf2 positively regulates twelve genes that encode effector-like proteins. Two of these genes encode proteins with homology to previously characterised effectors in other fungal phytopathogens. In addition to modulating effector gene expression, PnPf2 may play a broader role in the establishment of a necrotrophic lifestyle by orchestrating the expression of genes associated with plant cell wall degradation and nutrient assimilation.
A simple and flexible high-throughput method for the study of cardiomyocyte proliferation
Authors: Neininger Abigail C. , Long J. Hunter , Baillargeon Sophie M. , Burnette Dylan T.
Published: November 2019

Cardiac muscle cells lack regenerative capacity in postnatal mammals. A concerted effort has been made in the field to determine regulators of cardiomyocyte proliferation and identify therapeutic strategies to induce division, with the ultimate goal of regenerating heart tissue after a myocardial infarct. We sought to optimize a high throughput screening protocol to facilitate this effort. We developed a straight-forward high throughput screen with simple readouts to identify small molecules that modulate cardiomyocyte proliferation. We identify human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiCMs) as a model system for such a screen, as a very small subset of hiCMs have the potential to proliferate. The ability of hiCMs to proliferate is density-dependent, and cell density has no effect on the outcome of proliferation: cytokinesis or binucleation. Screening a compound library revealed many regulators of proliferation and cell death. We provide a comprehensive and flexible screening procedure and cellular phenotype information for each compound. We then provide an example of steps to follow after this screen is performed, using three of the identified small molecules at various concentrations, further implicating their target kinases in cardiomyocyte proliferation. This screening platform is flexible and cost-effective, opening the field of cardiovascular cell biology to laboratories without substantial funding or specialized training, thus diversifying this scientific community.
Histone acetylation orchestrates wound-induced transcriptional activation and cellular reprogramming in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rymen Bart , Kawamura Ayako , Lambolez Alice , Inagaki Soichi , Takebayashi Arika , Iwase Akira , Sakamoto Yuki , Sako Kaori , Favero David S. , Ikeuchi Momoko , Suzuki Takamasa , Seki Motoaki , Kakutani Tetsuji , Roudier François , Sugimoto Keiko
Published: November 2019

Plant somatic cells reprogram and regenerate new tissues or organs when they are severely damaged. These physiological processes are associated with dynamic transcriptional responses but how chromatin-based regulation contributes to wound-induced gene expression changes and subsequent cellular reprogramming remains unknown. In this study we investigate the temporal dynamics of the histone modifications H3K9/14ac, H3K27ac, H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H3K36me3, and analyze their correlation with gene expression at early time points after wounding. We show that a majority of the few thousand genes rapidly induced by wounding are marked with H3K9/14ac and H3K27ac before and/or shortly after wounding, and these include key wound-inducible reprogramming genes such asWIND1,ERF113/RAP2.6 LandLBD16. Our data further demonstrate that inhibition of GNAT-MYST-mediated histone acetylation strongly blocks wound-induced transcriptional activation as well as callus formation at wound sites. This study thus uncovered a key epigenetic mechanism that underlies wound-induced cellular reprogramming in plants.
Hemodynamic loads distinctively impact the secretory profile of biomaterial-activated macrophages – implications forin situvascular tissue engineering
Authors: Wissing Tamar B. , van Haaften Eline E. , Koch Suzanne E. , Ippel Bastiaan D. , Kurniawan Nicholas A. , Bouten Carlijn V. C. , Smits Anthal I. P. M.
Published: November 2019

Macrophages play a governing role in material-driven tissue regeneration. Here we show that the paracrine signals of macrophages to direct tissue regeneration and scaffold degradation are dependent on hemodynamic loads.
Engineering microglia as intraoperative optical imaging agent vehicles potentially for fluorescence-guided surgery in gliomas
Authors: Guo Ling , Zhang Xiaochen , Wei Runxiu , Li Gaojie , Sun Bingzhi , Zhang Hongbo , Liu Dan , Wang Cuifeng , Feng Min
Published: November 2019

Carotid artery injection of DiDBV2-Fe into glioblastoma-bearing mice and rats potentially for fluorescence-guided tumor surgery leads to significant accumulation and retention by the brain tumors.
Sustained protein therapeutics enabled by self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels for non-invasive bone regeneration
Authors: Zhang Yuanhao , Chen Mingjiao , Dai Zhaobo , Cao Hongliang , Li Jin , Zhang Weian
Published: November 2019

The self-healing nanocomposite hydrogel for sustained release of BMP-2 to enhance bone regeneration.
Side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol to produce styrene: an overview
Authors: Hong Zhe , Xiong Chuanfang , Zhao Guoqing , Zhu Zhirong
Published: November 2019

Styrene is a key building-block chemical for the production of polymers with significant application value.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of lithium-ion conductivity in Li2LaNbTiO7
Authors: Fanah Selorm Joy , Yu Ming , Ramezanipour Farshid
Published: November 2019

Li-ion conductivity in Li2LaNbTiO7 and its Li-deficient analogue has been investigated. Neutron diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and density functional theory have been utilized to study these Ruddlesden-Popper oxides.
Construction of heterostructured g-C3N4/ZnO/cellulose and its antibacterial activity: experimental and theoretical investigations
Authors: Zhao Si-Wei , Zheng Ming , Sun Hui-Liang , Li Shu-Jun , Pan Qing-Jiang , Guo Yuan-Ru
Published: November 2019

A ternary composite is fabricated via a facile method. The chemically interfacial coupling is revealed, which improves the spatial separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and leads to superior good antibacterial activity.
Selective ion separation by capacitive deionization (CDI) based technologies: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Zuo Kuichang , Zhang Xiaori , Zhang Changyong , Liang Peng
Published: November 2019

Selective ion extraction from aqueous solution is of great significance for water purification as well as resource recovery.
Effects of extruded whole-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) based diets on calcium absorption and bone health of growing Wistar rats
Authors: Galán María Gimena , Weisstaub Adriana , Zuleta Angela , Drago Silvina Rosa
Published: November 2019

Sorghum is a valuable cereal due to its antioxidant health-promoting properties. However, whole grain sorghum contains phytates and phenolics which can act as anti-nutrients, decreasing calcium bioavailability and affecting bone mineralization.
Catalytic activity boost of CeO2/Co3O4 nanospheres derived from CeCo-glycolate via yolk–shell structural evolution
Authors: Feng Xilan , Liu Dapeng , Li Wang , Jin Xin , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Yu
Published: November 2019

CeO2/Co3O4 hybrid nanospheres have been successfully prepared via thermal decomposition of CeCo-glycolate precursors.
Metal–organic framework templated fabrication of Cu7S4@Ni(OH)2 core–shell nanoarrays for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhao Shihang , Yu Xianbo , Li Yanli , Chen Hongmei , Han Lei
Published: November 2019

Core–cell Cu7S4@Ni(OH)2 nanorod arrays were fabricated by using metal–organic frameworks as templates, and showed high specific capacitance, superior rate capacity and excellent cycling stability for supercapacitors.
Graphene quantum dots for energy storage and conversion: from fabrication to applications
Authors: Liu Qianwen , Sun Jianhan , Gao Kun , Chen Nan , Sun Xiaotong , Ti Dan , Bai Congcong , Cui Ranran , Qu Liangti
Published: November 2019

We summarized the progress in the synthesis, doping and modification strategies of GQDs and the development and application of GQDs in energy storage and conversion devices.
Selective assembly of N1- and N2-alkylated 1,2,3-triazoles via copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of alkynyl carboxylic acids with ethers and azidotrimethylsilane
Authors: Bao Pengli , Meng Na , Lv Yufen , Yue Huilan , Li Jiang-Sheng , Wei Wei
Published: November 2019

An efficient and regiocontrolled method for the synthesis of various N1- and N2 alkylated 1,2,3-triazoles via copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of alkynyl carboxylic acids with ethers and azidotrimethylsilane.
An FBG magnetic sensor for oil flow monitoring in sandstone core
Authors: Samavati Alireza , Samavati Zahra , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Yahya N. , Othman M. H. D. , Rahman M. A. , Bakar M. A. A. , Koo K. N. , Salebi M. F. , Amiri Iraj Sadegh
Published: November 2019

Monitoring the oil movement using a non-contact optical fiber probe during enhanced oil recovery is a novel technique to increase the efficiency of the process by distinguishing the oil position in the reservoir.
Seed-mediated synthesis of Au@PtCu nanostars with rich twin defects as efficient and stable electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Bian Ting , Sun Biao , Luo Sai , Huang Long , Su Shan , Meng Chunfeng , Su Shichuan , Yuan Aihua , Zhang Hui
Published: November 2019

We present a seed-mediated approach to generate Au@PtCu nanostars with a five-fold twinned structure. The Au@PtCu nanostars exhibited better electrocatalytic properties in terms of activity and stability toward MOR relative to commercial Pt/C.
Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of two dimensional NdN: an ab initio study
Authors: Aravindh S. Assa , Roqan Iman S.
Published: November 2019

We found that the peculiar magnetic properties of rare earth nitrides (RENs), mainly NdN films, make them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Reorientation dynamics and ion diffusivity of neat dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate probed by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Wiedemann Christoph , Hempel Günter , Bordusa Frank
Published: November 2019

Liquid and HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy at two magnetic field strengths was employed to investigate the dynamics of ([C1C1IM][(CH3)2PO4]).
Mo, Co co-doped NiS bulks supported on Ni foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in alkaline media
Authors: Wu Caiyun , Du Yunmei , Fu Yunlei , Feng Di , Li Hui , Xiao Zhenyu , Liu Yanru , Yang Yu , Wang Lei
Published: November 2019

In this study, a composite of Mo, Co co-doped NiS bulks grown on an Ni foam (Mo,Co-NiS/NF) was synthesized as a bi-functional electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) using a simple method.
Building microsphere–nanosheet structures in N-doped carbon to improve its performance in the oxygen reduction reaction and vanadium redox flow batteries
Authors: Huang Baobing , Liu Yuchuan , Xia Miao , Qiu Jiugen , Xie Zailai
Published: November 2019

Presented here is a facile, sustainable and green method for the synthesis of N-doped carbon microspheres/nanosheets via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of the selected bioprecursor guanosine.
Electrospun core–sheath PAN@PPY nanofibers decorated with ZnO: photo-induced water decontamination enhanced by a semiconducting support
Authors: Capilli Gabriele , Calza Paola , Minero Claudio , Cerruti Marta
Published: November 2019

A flexible mat of semiconducting polypyrrole nanofibers increases ZnO photocatalytic efficiency through heterojunctions that promote separation of photoinduced charge carriers.
Chondroitin sulfate-polydopamine modified polyethylene terephthalate with extracellular matrix-mimetic immunoregulatory functions for osseointegration
Authors: Li Ya-Min , Wu Jing-Yao , Jiang Jia , Dong Shi-Kui , Chen Yun-Su , He Hong-Yan , Liu Chang-Sheng , Zhao Jin-Zhong
Published: November 2019

Optimal integration between the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) graft and host bone is a prerequisite to obtain a satisfactory outcome after graft implantation for ligament reconstruction.
On the interaction between up-converting NaYF4:Er3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles and Rose Bengal molecules constrained within the double core of multifunctional nanocarriers
Authors: Wawrzyńczyk Dominika , Cichy Bartłomiej , Zaręba Jan K. , Bazylińska Urszula
Published: November 2019

The detailed analysis of interaction between up-converting nanoparticles and Rose Bengal photosensitizer allows for better understanding of energy transfer mechanisms with regards to more efficient near infrared triggered photodynamic therapy.
Reversibly/irreversibly stimuli-responsive inks based on N-heteroacene liquids
Authors: Isoda Kyosuke , Matsubara Miwa , Ikenaga Ayumi , Akiyama Yuichi , Mutoh Yuichiro
Published: November 2019

These liquid materials can be applied into reversibly/irreversibly stimuli-responsive inks for security.
A VLT/FLAMES survey for massive binaries in Westerlund 1
Authors: Clark J. S. , Ritchie B. W. , Negueruela I.
Published: November 2019

Context. The formation, properties, and evolution of massive stars remain subject to considerable theoretical and observational uncertainty. This impacts on fields as diverse as galactic feedback, the production of cosmic rays, and the nature of the progenitors of both electromagnetic and gravitational wave transients.

Aims. The young massive clusters many such stars reside within provide a unique laboratory for addressing these issues. In this work we provide a comprehensive stellar census of Westerlund 1 in order to to underpin such efforts.

Methods. We employed optical spectroscopy of a large sample of early-type stars to determine cluster membership for photometrically-identified candidates, characterise their spectral type, and identify new candidate spectroscopic binaries.

Results. Sixty nine new members of Westerlund 1 are identified via I-band spectroscopy. Together with previous observations, they illustrate a smooth and continuous morphological sequence from late-O giant through to OB supergiant. Subsequently, the progression bifurcates, with one branch yielding mid-B to late-F hypergiants, and cool supergiants, and the other massive blue stragglers prior to a diverse population of H-depleted WRs. We identify a substantial population of O-type stars with very broad Paschen series lines, a morphology that is directly comparable to known binaries in the cluster. In a few cases additional low-resolution R-band spectroscopy is available, revealing double-lined He I profiles and confirming binarity for these objects; suggesting a correspondingly high binary fraction amongst relatively unevolved cluster members.

Conclusions. Our current census remains incomplete, but indicates that Westerlund 1 contains at least 166 stars with initial masses estimated to lie between ∼25 M⊙ and ∼50 M⊙, with more massive stars already lost to supernova. Our data is consistent with the cluster being co-eval, although binary interaction is clearly required to yield the observed stellar population, which is characterised by a uniquely rich cohort of hypergiants ranging from spectral type O to F, with both mass-stripped primaries and rejuvenated secondaries or merger products present. Future observations of Wd1 and similar stellar aggregates hold out the prospect of characterising both single- and binary- evolutionary channels for massive stars and determining their relative contributions. This in turn will permit the physical properties of such objects at the point of core-collapse to be predicted, which is of direct relevance for understanding the formation of relativistic remnants such as the magnetars associated with Wd1 and other young massive clusters.
Früherkennung der Alzheimer-Krankheit mit Biomarkern der Bildgebung oder aus dem Liquor
Authors: Grimmer Timo
Published: November 2019

Seit kurzem ist es möglich, die Alzheimer-Krankheit als die häufigste Ursache demenzieller Syndrome anhand von Biomarkern unabhängig von der klinischen Symptomatik zu diagnostizieren. Gerade die Biomarker, die die Amyloid-Pathologie anzeigen, werden bereits Jahre vor Auftreten der ersten klinischen Symptome positiv; werden zusätzlich die Biomarker der Tau-Pathologie und der Neurodegeneration positiv, erhöht sich die diagnostische Spezifität und die Wahrscheinlichkeit klinischer Verschlechterung im kürzeren Verlauf. Es wird die Güte der Biomarker für die Früherkennung der Alzheimer-Krankheit und für die Prognose des klinischen Verlaufs dargestellt.

Die Alzheimer-Biomarker erlauben die Früherkennung der Alzheimer-Krankheit, bevor sich ein demenzielles Syndrom entwickelt. Damit können Patienten identifiziert werden, bei denen Interventionen zur Verzögerung des Fortschreitens der klinischen Symptomatik und des Verhinderns der Demenz erprobt werden.
Einfluss von Lebensstil auf kognitiven Abbau und Demenz
Authors: Rodriguez Francisca S. , Ross Sabrina , Spilski Jan
Published: November 2019

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Da aktuell keine Wunderpille gegen Demenz in Sicht ist, bieten gerade nicht pharmakologische Interventionen vielversprechende Möglichkeiten in der Prävention und Versorgung. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, die Evidenzlage zum Einfluss des Lebensstils auf die kognitive Gesundheit im höheren Lebensalter zu eruieren.

Material und Methoden In der Datenbank ‚Pubmed‘ wurde nach systematischen Literaturübersichten und Metaanalysen zu kognitiven Aktivitäten, körperlicher Bewegung, sozialen Aktivitäten, Musik, Kunst, Meditation, Religion und Umgang mit Tieren gesucht.

Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass kognitive, körperliche und soziale Aktivität zu besserer kognitiver Leistungsfähigkeit, selbst bei Personen mit Demenz, und geringerem Demenzrisiko führen können. Tanzen, Meditation, religiöse Aktivitäten und Kunst scheinen ebenso protektiv zu wirken. Die Evidenzlage zu Musik und Tiertherapie ist nicht aussagekräftig.

Schlussfolgerung Der Lebensstil kann ein wichtiger Behandlungsfaktor sein, der zur Stabilisierung der kognitiven Fähigkeiten beiträgt und schon frühzeitig als Prävention in die Behandlung einbezogen werden kann. Es empfiehlt sich dringend, Möglichkeiten zu eruieren, um dies zu ermöglichen.
Medizinische Maßnahmen zur Demenzprävention
Authors: Adler Georg
Published: November 2019

Körperliche Erkrankungen wie arterielle Hypertonie, Typ-2-Diabetes-mellitus, Hyperhomozysteinämie und Hypercholesterinämie sind mit einem erhöhten Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Alzheimer-Demenz verbunden. Sie treten gehäuft bei Personen auf, die an Demenzprävention interessiert sind. Ein Nutzen der Behandlung dieser Risikofaktoren zur Demenzprävention erscheint wahrscheinlich, ist aber unterschiedlich gut belegt. Die Wirksamkeit der einzelnen Risikofaktoren und der präventive Nutzen ihrer Behandlung hängt vermutlich von verschiedenen Merkmalen der betreffenden Person ab, z. B. Geschlecht, Alter, medizinische Vorgeschichte und Apolipoprotein E-Genotyp. Daher sollten sinnvolle Präventionsempfehlungen im Sinne einer personalisierten Medizin diese Variablen berücksichtigen.
Präventionsansätze zur Reduktion von Konsumrisiken in der Berliner Partyszene
Authors: Helbig Jonas , Ernst Felicitas , Viohl Leonard , Roediger Lukas , Köhler Stephan , Ströhle Andreas , Romanczuk-Seiferth Nina , Heinz Andreas , Betzler Felix
Published: November 2019

Ziel der Studie Untersuchung des Konsumverhaltens der Berliner Partyszene und Identifizierung gewünschter Hilfsangebote zur Reduktion von Konsumrisiken.

Methoden Erfassung quantitativer (Fragebogen, N = 877) und qualitativer (Interviews, N = 20) Daten.

Ergebnisse Der Konsum von Substanzen war weit verbreitet (insbesondere Alkohol, Cannabis, Amphetamin, MDMA, Kokain, Ketamin) und mehrheitlich riskant. Als Hilfsangebote gewünscht wurden von den Befragten vor allem Beratungsangebote und Drug Checking.

Schlussfolgerung Ein Ausbau von Hilfsangeboten ist notwendig und innerhalb der Zielgruppe erwünscht.
Kognitive Trainings zur Demenzprävention
Authors: Marczak Agnies
Published: November 2019

Angesicht der Fülle und Heterogenität des Angebots an kognitiven Trainings stellt sich die Frage nach der Wirksamkeit dieser Verfahren. Da vermehrt computergestützte Trainings Anwendung finden, wurden für diese Arbeit Untersuchungen, die diese Form der Darbietung getestet haben, ausgewählt. Die Wirksamkeitsprüfung bei Personen mit Demenz zeigte keine signifikanten Effekte, jedoch geben die Studien Hinweise auf die mögliche Wirksamkeit alternativer Trainings, z. B. unter Anwendung von virtueller Realität, die bei dementen Probanden bessere Ergebnisse im Vergleich zu traditionellen Verfahren erzielt hat. Bei Personen mit einer leichten kognitiven Beeinträchtigung zeigten sich in einigen Untersuchungen kleine bis moderate Effekte, jedoch ist die Studienlage widersprüchlich. Bei kognitiv gesunden Personen sind die Effekte im kleinen und moderaten Bereich, die Studienlage ist hierbei homogener. Bei der Art des Trainings zeigte sich zusätzlich, dass ein Gruppentraining einem Einzeltraining überlegen ist, und dass die Wirksamkeit bei 1- bis 3-mal Trainingseinheiten in der Woche gegeben ist. Möglicherweise spielen dabei motivationale Parameter eine Rolle. Zusammenfassend können kognitive Trainings bei kognitiv Gesunden und bei Personen mit einer leichten kognitiven Beeinträchtigung zur Erhaltung der geistigen Leistungsfähigkeit empfohlen werden.
Wie bewerten Führungskräfte den Einsatz von psychiatrieerfahrenen Genesungsbegleitern?
Authors: Aretz Tobias , Jungbauer Johannes
Published: November 2019

Anliegen Die Perspektive des Personalmanagements auf die Peer-Arbeit in psychiatrischen Einrichtungen sollte untersucht werden.

Methode In einer qualitativen Interviewstudie wurden elf Führungskräfte psychiatrischer Institutionen befragt, die Genesungsbegleiter beschäftigen.

Ergebnisse Die Befragten zogen eine insgesamt positive Bilanz hinsichtlich des Einsatzes von Genesungsbegleitern. Peer-Support wurde als besonderes Qualitätsmerkmal einer psychiatrischen Einrichtung beschrieben. Darüber hinaus wurden Verbesserungen im Hinblick auf ein positiveres therapeutisches Klima geschildert. Aufgrund ihrer Erfahrungen benannten die Führungskräfte eine Reihe von Aufgaben des Change Managements, z. B. im Hinblick auf die Vorbereitung der Organisation, Personalauswahl und -finanzierung, Tätigkeitsbeschreibungen und die Integration der Genesungsbegleiter im Team.

Diskussion Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die spezifischen Vorteile von Peer-Support für die Weiterentwicklung der psychiatrischen Praxis. Einige Implikationen für das Personalmanagement werden diskutiert.