bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes of immunogenic profiles between a single dose and one booster influenza vaccination in hemodialysis patients – an 18-week, open-label trial
Authors: Chang Yu-Tzu , Wang Jen-Ren , Lin Meng-Te , Wu Chi-Jung , Tsai Ming-Song , Wen-Chi Chiang Lin , Shih Te-En , Kuo Te-Hui , Song Eing-Ju , Sung Junne-Ming
Published: February 2016

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended, but its efficacy in dialysis population is still controversial. Here we aimed to compare the dynamic changes of immune response between various influenza vaccination protocols in hemodialysis patients. A 18-week open label, non-randomized, controlled trial was conducted during 2011–2012. The efficacy between unvaccinated, one- and two-dose regimens were evaluated in 175 hemodialysis patients. Immunogenic profiles were assessed by hemagglutination-inhibition assays. At 3–9 weeks post-vaccination, antibody responses were similar between the one- and two-dose regimens, while the seroprotection rates (antibody titer ≥1:40) for influenza A were 55.6–82.5% in the adult (18–60 years) and 33.3–66.7% in the elderly (>60 years). Meanwhile, the seroprotection rates for influenza B were low (4.0–25.0%). By 18 weeks post-vaccination, the seroprotection rates for influenza A and B declined (0.0–33.3%) in both the adult and elderly receiving one- or two-dose regimens. Of dialysis patients, at most 2.4% developed moderate to severe adverse effects(myalgia and headache) after vaccination. In conclusion, the two-dose regimen could not improve immune responses than the one-dose regimen in hemodialysis patients; meanwhile the induced protective antibodies of both regimens could not be maintained for more than 4 months. Modification of current influenza vaccination strategy in dialysis population should be re-considered.
Induction of virulence factors in Giardia duodenalis independent of host attachment
Authors: Emery Samantha J. , Mirzaei Mehdi , Vuong Daniel , Pascovici Dana , Chick Joel M. , Lacey Ernest , Haynes Paul A.
Published: February 2016

Giardia duodenalis is responsible for the majority of parasitic gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Host-parasite interaction models in vitro provide insights into disease and virulence and help us to understand pathogenesis. Using HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) as a model we have demonstrated that initial sensitisation by host secretions reduces proclivity for trophozoite attachment, while inducing virulence factors. Host soluble factors triggered up-regulation of membrane and secreted proteins, including Tenascins, Cathepsin-B precursor, cystatin and numerous Variant-specific Surface Proteins (VSPs). By comparison, host-cell attached trophozoites up-regulated intracellular pathways for ubiquitination, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification and production of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP). We reason that these results demonstrate early pathogenesis in Giardia involves two independent host-parasite interactions. Motile trophozoites respond to soluble secreted signals, which deter attachment and induce expression of virulence factors. Trophozoites attached to host cells, in contrast, respond by up-regulating intracellular pathways involved in clearance of ROS, thus anticipating the host defence response.
Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanocubes with Ultrahigh Surface Areas for Efficient CO2 Adsorption
Authors: Wei Yong , Li Xiaomin , Zhang Renyuan , Liu Yong , Wang Wenxing , Ling Yun , El-Toni Ahmed Mohamed , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: February 2016

Ultrahigh surface area single-crystals of periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMOs) with uniform cubic or truncated-cubic morphology and organic/inorganic components homogeneously distributed over the whole frameworks have successfully been prepared by a sol-gel surfactant-templating method. By tuning the porous feature and polymerization degree, the surface areas of the obtained PMO nanocubes can reach as high as 2370 m2/g, which is the highest for silica-based mesoporous materials. The ultrahigh surface area of the obtained PMO single crystals is mainly resulted from abundant micropores in the mesoporous frameworks. Furthermore, the diameter of the nanocubes can also be well controlled from 150 to 600 nm. The materials show ultrahigh CO2 adsorption capacity (up to 1.42 mmol/g at 273 K) which is much higher than other porous silica materials and comparable to some carbonaceous materials. The adsorption of CO2 into the PMO nanocubes is mainly in physical interaction, therefore the adsorption-desorption process is highly reversible and the adsorption capacity is much dependent on the surface area of the materials. Moreover, the selectivity is also very high (~11 times to N2) towards CO2 adsorption.
Drosophila screen connects nuclear transport genes to DPR pathology in c9ALS/FTD
Authors: Boeynaems Steven , Bogaert Elke , Michiels Emiel , Gijselinck Ilse , Sieben Anne , Jovičić Ana , De Baets Greet , Scheveneels Wendy , Steyaert Jolien , Cuijt Ivy , Verstrepen Kevin J. , Callaerts Patrick , Rousseau Frederic , Schymkowitz Joost , Cruts Marc , Van Broeckhoven Christine , Van Damme Philip , Gitler Aaron D. , Robberecht Wim , Van Den Bosch Ludo
Published: February 2016

Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 are the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) (c9ALS/FTD). Unconventional translation of these repeats produces dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) that may cause neurodegeneration. We performed a modifier screen in Drosophila and discovered a critical role for importins and exportins, Ran-GTP cycle regulators, nuclear pore components and arginine methylases in mediating DPR toxicity. These findings provide evidence for an important role for nucleocytoplasmic transport in the pathogenic mechanism of c9ALS/FTD.
Biosurfactant as a Promoter of Methane Hydrate Formation: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Arora Amit , Cameotra Swaranjit Singh , Kumar Rajnish , Balomajumder Chandrajit , Singh Anil Kumar , Santhakumari B. , Kumar Pushpendra , Laik Sukumar
Published: February 2016

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are solid non-stoichiometric compounds often regarded as a next generation energy source. Successful commercialization of NGH is curtailed by lack of efficient and safe technology for generation, dissociation, storage and transportation. The present work studied the influence of environment compatible biosurfactant on gas hydrate formation. Biosurfactant was produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain A11 and was characterized as rhamnolipids. Purified rhamnolipids reduced the surface tension of water from 72 mN/m to 36 mN/m with Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of 70 mg/l. Use of 1000 ppm rhamnolipids solution in C type silica gel bed system increased methane hydrate formation rate by 42.97% and reduced the induction time of hydrate formation by 22.63% as compared to water saturated C type silica gel. Presence of rhamnolipids also shifted methane hydrate formation temperature to higher values relative to the system without biosurfactant. Results from thermodynamic and kinetic studies suggest that rhamnolipids can be applied as environment friendly methane hydrate promoter.
Plasma EGFR T790M ctDNA status is associated with clinical outcome in advanced NSCLC patients with acquired EGFR-TKI resistance
Authors: Zheng D. , Ye X. , Zhang M. Z. , Sun Y. , Wang J. Y. , Ni J. , Zhang H. P. , Zhang L. , Luo J. , Zhang J. , Tang L. , Su B. , Chen G. , Zhu G. , Gu Y. , Xu J. F.
Published: February 2016

EGFR T790M mutation occurs in half of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired EGFR-TKI (TKI) resistance, based on tumor re-biopsies using an invasive clinical procedure. Here, we dynamically monitored T790M mutation in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using serial plasma samples from NSCLC patients receiving TKI through Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) method and the associations between overall survival (OS) starting from initial TKI treatment and the T790M ctDNA status detected in plasma were analyzed. Among 318 patients, 117 who acquired TKI resistance were eligible for the analysis. T790M ctDNA was detected in the plasma of 55/117 (47%) patients. Almost half of the T790M ctDNA positive patients were identified at a median time of 2.2 months prior to clinically progressive disease (PD). Furthermore, within the patients receiving TKI treatment at 2nd line or later, the T790M ctDNA positive group had significantly shorter OS than the negative group (median OS: 26.9 months versus NA, P = 0.0489). Our study demonstrates the feasibility of monitoring EGFR mutation dynamics in serial plasma samples from NSCLC patients receiving TKI therapy. T790M ctDNA can be detected in plasma before and after PD as a poor prognostic factor.
A meta-analysis of leaf gas exchange and water status responses to drought
Authors: Yan Weiming , Zhong Yangquanwei , Shangguan Zhouping
Published: February 2016

Drought is considered to be one of the most devastating natural hazards, and it is predicted to become increasingly frequent and severe in the future. Understanding the plant gas exchange and water status response to drought is very important with regard to future climate change. We conducted a meta-analysis based on studies of plants worldwide and aimed to determine the changes in gas exchange and water status under different drought intensities (mild, moderate and severe), different photosynthetic pathways (C3 and C4) and growth forms (herbs, shrubs, trees and lianas). Our results were as follows: 1) drought negatively impacted gas exchange and water status, and stomatal conductance (gs) decreased more than other physiological traits and declined to the greatest extent in shrubs and C3 plants. Furthermore, C4 plants had an advantage compared to C3 plants under the same drought conditions. 2) The decrease in gs mainly reduced the transpiration rate (Tr), and gs could explain 55% of the decrease in the photosynthesis (A) and 74% of the decline in Tr. 3). Finally, gas exchange showed a close relationship with the leaf water status. Our study provides comprehensive information about the changes in plant gas exchange and water status under drought.
Oxidation-Induced Degradable Nanogels for Iron Chelation
Authors: Liu Zhi , Wang Yan , Purro Max , Xiong May P.
Published: February 2016

Iron overload can increase cellular oxidative stress levels due to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); untreated, it can be extremely destructive to organs and fatal to patients. Since elevated oxidative stress levels are inherent to the condition in such patients, oxidation-induced degradable nanogels for iron chelation were rationally designed by simultaneously polymerizing oxidation-sensitive host-guest crosslinkers between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and ferrocene (Fc) and iron chelating moieties composed of deferoxamine (DFO) into the final gel scaffold in reverse emulsion reaction chambers. UV-Vis absorption and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to verify iron chelating capability of nanogels. These materials can degrade into smaller chelating fragments at rates proportional to the level of oxidative stress present. Conjugating DFO reduces the cytotoxicity of the chelator in the macrophage cells. Importantly, the nanogel can effectively reduce cellular ferritin expression in iron overloaded cells and regulate intracellular iron levels at the same time, which is important for maintaining a homeostatic level of this critical metal in cells.
Salusin-β as a powerful endogenous antidipsogenic neuropeptide
Authors: Suzuki-Kemuriyama Noriko , Nakano-Tateno Tae , Tani Yuji , Hirata Yukio , Shichiri Masayoshi
Published: February 2016

Salusin-β is an endogenous parasympathomimetic peptide, predominantly localized to the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary. Subcutaneously administered salusin-β (50 nmol/mouse) significantly increased water intake but did not affect locomotor activity or food intake. The salusin-β-induced increase in water intake was completely abrogated by pretreatment with muscarinic antagonist, atropine sulphate. In contrast, intracerebroventricular injection of salusin-β, at lower doses (10–100 fmol/mouse) caused a long-lasting decrease in water intake and locomotor activity throughout the entire dark phase of the diurnal cycle. Pre-injection of intracerebroventricular anti-salusin-β IgG completely abrogated the central salusin-β mediated suppression of water intake and locomotor activity. These results demonstrate contrasting actions of salusin-β in the control of water intake via the central and peripheral systems and highlight it as a potent endogenous antidipsogenic neuropeptide.
Distribution of the type III DNA methyltransferases modA, modB and modD among Neisseria meningitidis genotypes: implications for gene regulation and virulence
Authors: Tan Aimee , Hill Dorothea M. C. , Harrison Odile B. , Srikhanta Yogitha N. , Jennings Michael P. , Maiden Martin C. J. , Seib Kate L.
Published: February 2016

Neisseria meningitidis is a human-specific bacterium that varies in invasive potential. All meningococci are carried in the nasopharynx, and most genotypes are very infrequently associated with invasive meningococcal disease; however, those belonging to the ‘hyperinvasive lineages’ are more frequently associated with sepsis or meningitis. Genome content is highly conserved between carriage and disease isolates, and differential gene expression has been proposed as a major determinant of the hyperinvasive phenotype. Three phase variable DNA methyltransferases (ModA, ModB and ModD), which mediate epigenetic regulation of distinct phase variable regulons (phasevarions), have been identified in N. meningitidis. Each mod gene has distinct alleles, defined by their Mod DNA recognition domain, and these target and methylate different DNA sequences, thereby regulating distinct gene sets. Here 211 meningococcal carriage and >1,400 disease isolates were surveyed for the distribution of meningococcal mod alleles. While modA11-12 and modB1-2 were found in most isolates, rarer alleles (e.g., modA15, modB4, modD1-6) were specific to particular genotypes as defined by clonal complex. This suggests that phase variable Mod proteins may be associated with distinct phenotypes and hence invasive potential of N. meningitidis strains.
Preparation of Au-polydopamine functionalized carbon encapsulated Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposites and their application for ultrasensitive detection of carcino-embryonic antigen
Authors: Ji Lei , Yan Tao , Li Yan , Gao Jian , Wang Qi , Hu Lihua , Wu Dan , Wei Qin , Du Bin
Published: February 2016

A novel carbon encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in two-dimensional (2D) porous graphitic carbon nanocomposites (Fe3O4@C@PGC nanocomposites) were synthesized by situ synthesis strategy, which provided a sensor platform owing to a large aspect ratio and porous structure. Polydopamine (PDA) were modified on the surface of Fe3O4@C@PGC nanocomposites through self-polymerization of dopamine, acting as both the reductant and template for one-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The prepared Au/PDA/Fe3O4@C@PGC nanocomposites show ferromagnetic features, extremely excellent electron transfer, large specific surface area and excellent dispersing property. These are conducive to the electrochemical signal output and the immobilization of antibody. In this work, a highly label-free sensitive magnetic immunosensor was developed based on Au/PDA/Fe3O4@C@PGC nanocomposites for the detection of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA). The magnetic glassy carbon electrode was used to fix the Au/PDA/Fe3O4@C@PGC nanocomposites with the help of magnetic force. Under the optimal conditions, the immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.001 ng/mL–20.0 ng/mL), a low detection limit (0.33 pg/mL), good reproducibility, selectivity and acceptable stability. The proposed sensing strategy may provide a potential application in the detection of other cancer biomarkers.
Room temperature spin valve effect in NiFe/WS2/Co junctions
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Zahir , Iqbal Muhammad Waqas , Siddique Salma , Khan Muhammad Farooq , Ramay Shahid Mahmood
Published: February 2016

The two-dimensional (2D) layered electronic materials of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been recently proposed as an emerging canddiate for spintronic applications. Here, we report the exfoliated single layer WS2-intelayer based spin valve effect in NiFe/WS2/Co junction from room temperature to 4.2 K. The ratio of relative magnetoresistance in spin valve effect increases from 0.18% at room temperature to 0.47% at 4.2 K. We observed that the junction resistance decreases monotonically as temperature is lowered. These results revealed that semiconducting WS2 thin film works as a metallic conducting interlayer between NiFe and Co electrodes.
Glacial lake drainage in Patagonia (13-8 kyr) and response of the adjacent Pacific Ocean
Authors: Glasser Neil F. , Jansson Krister N. , Duller Geoffrey A. T. , Singarayer Joy , Holloway Max , Harrison Stephan
Published: February 2016

Large freshwater lakes formed in North America and Europe during deglaciation following the Last Glacial Maximum. Rapid drainage of these lakes into the Oceans resulted in abrupt perturbations in climate, including the Younger Dryas and 8.2 kyr cooling events. In the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere major glacial lakes also formed and drained during deglaciation but little is known about the magnitude, organization and timing of these drainage events and their effect on regional climate. We use 16 new single-grain optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates to define three stages of rapid glacial lake drainage in the Lago General Carrera/Lago Buenos Aires and Lago Cohrane/Pueyrredón basins of Patagonia and provide the first assessment of the effects of lake drainage on the Pacific Ocean. Lake drainage occurred between 13 and 8 kyr ago and was initially gradual eastward into the Atlantic, then subsequently reorganized westward into the Pacific as new drainage routes opened up during Patagonian Ice Sheet deglaciation. Coupled ocean-atmosphere model experiments using HadCM3 with an imposed freshwater surface “hosing” to simulate glacial lake drainage suggest that a negative salinity anomaly was advected south around Cape Horn, resulting in brief but significant impacts on coastal ocean vertical mixing and regional climate.
Spontaneous and strong multi-layer graphene n-doping on soda-lime glass and its application in graphene-semiconductor junctions
Authors: Dissanayake D. M. N. M. , Ashraf A. , Dwyer D. , Kisslinger K. , Zhang L. , Pang Y. , Efstathiadis H. , Eisaman M. D.
Published: February 2016

Scalable and low-cost doping of graphene could improve technologies in a wide range of fields such as microelectronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. While achieving strong p-doping is relatively straightforward, non-electrostatic approaches to n-dope graphene, such as chemical doping, have yielded electron densities of 9.5 × 1012e/cm2 or below. Furthermore, chemical doping is susceptible to degradation and can adversely affect intrinsic graphene’s properties. Here we demonstrate strong (1.33 × 1013e/cm2), robust, and spontaneous graphene n-doping on a soda-lime-glass substrate via surface-transfer doping from Na without any external chemical, high-temperature, or vacuum processes. Remarkably, the n-doping reaches 2.11 × 1013e/cm2 when graphene is transferred onto a p-type copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) semiconductor that itself has been deposited onto soda-lime-glass, via surface-transfer doping from Na atoms that diffuse to the CIGS surface. Using this effect, we demonstrate an n-graphene/p-semiconductor Schottky junction with ideality factor of 1.21 and strong photo-response. The ability to achieve strong and persistent graphene n-doping on low-cost, industry-standard materials paves the way toward an entirely new class of graphene-based devices such as photodetectors, photovoltaics, sensors, batteries, and supercapacitors.
MpUL-multi: Software for Calculation of Amyloid Fibril Mass per Unit Length from TB-TEM Images
Authors: Iadanza Matthew G. , Jackson Matthew P. , Radford Sheena E. , Ranson Neil A.
Published: February 2016

Structure determination for amyloid fibrils presents many challenges due to the high variability exhibited by fibrils and heterogeneous morphologies present, even in single samples. Mass per unit length (MPL) estimates can be used to differentiate amyloid fibril morphologies and provide orthogonal evidence for helical symmetry parameters determined by other methods. In addition, MPL data can provide insight on the arrangement of subunits in a fibril, especially for more complex fibrils assembled with multiple parallel copies of the asymmetric unit or multiple twisted protofilaments. By detecting only scattered electrons, which serve as a relative measure of total scattering and therefore protein mass, dark field imaging gives an approximation of the total mass of protein present in any given length of fibril. When compared with a standard of known MPL, such as Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), MPL of the fibrils in question can be determined. The program suite MpUL-multi was written for rapid semi-automated processing of TB-TEM dark field data acquired using this method. A graphical user interface allows for simple designation of fibrils and standards. A second program averages intensities from multiple TMV molecules for accurate standard determination, makes multiple measurements along a given fibril and calculates the MPL.
Overfeeding during a critical postnatal period exacerbates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to immune challenge: a role for adrenal melanocortin 2 receptors
Authors: Cai Guohui , Ziko Ilvana , Barwood Joanne , Soch Alita , Sominsky Luba , Molero Juan C. , Spencer Sarah J.
Published: February 2016

Early life diet can critically program hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. We have previously shown rats that are overfed as neonates have exacerbated pro-inflammatory responses to immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in part by altering HPA axis responses, but how this occurs is unknown. Here we examined neonatal overfeeding-induced changes in gene expression in each step of the HPA axis. We saw no differences in glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptor expression in key regions responsible for glucocorticoid negative feedback to the brain and no differences in expression of key HPA axis regulatory genes in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus or pituitary. On the other hand, expression of the adrenal melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) is elevated after LPS in control rats, but significantly less so in the neonatally overfed. The in vitro adrenal response to ACTH is also dampened in these rats, while the in vivo response to ACTH does not resolve as efficiently as it does in controls. These data suggest neonatal diet affects the efficiency of the adrenally-mediated response to LPS, potentially influencing how neonatally overfed rats combat bacterial infection.
Using contrast patterns between true complexes and random subgraphs in PPI networks to predict unknown protein complexes
Authors: Liu Quanzhong , Song Jiangning , Li Jinyan
Published: February 2016

Most protein complex detection methods utilize unsupervised techniques to cluster densely connected nodes in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, in spite of the fact that many true complexes are not dense subgraphs. Supervised methods have been proposed recently, but they do not answer why a group of proteins are predicted as a complex, and they have not investigated how to detect new complexes of one species by training the model on the PPI data of another species. We propose a novel supervised method to address these issues. The key idea is to discover emerging patterns (EPs), a type of contrast pattern, which can clearly distinguish true complexes from random subgraphs in a PPI network. An integrative score of EPs is defined to measure how likely a subgraph of proteins can form a complex. New complexes thus can grow from our seed proteins by iteratively updating this score. The performance of our method is tested on eight benchmark PPI datasets and compared with seven unsupervised methods, two supervised and one semi-supervised methods under five standards to assess the quality of the predicted complexes. The results show that in most cases our method achieved a better performance, sometimes significantly.
Origin of colossal dielectric permittivity of rutile Ti0.9In0.05Nb0.05O2: single crystal and polycrystalline
Authors: Song Yongli , Wang Xianjie , Sui Yu , Liu Ziyi , Zhang Yu , Zhan Hongsheng , Song Bingqian , Liu Zhiguo , Lv Zhe , Tao Lei , Tang Jinke
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we investigated the dielectric properties of (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics. Both of them showed colossal, up to 104, dielectric permittivity at room temperature. The single crystal sample showed one dielectric relaxation process with a large dielectric loss. The voltage-dependence of dielectric permittivity and the impedance spectrum suggest that the high dielectric permittivity of single crystal originated from the surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC). The impedance spectroscopy at different temperature confirmed that the (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 polycrystalline ceramic had semiconductor grains and insulating grain boundaries and that the activation energies were calculated to be 0.052 eV and 0.35 eV for grain and grain boundary, respectively. The dielectric behavior and impedance spectrum of the polycrystalline ceramic sample indicated that the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mode made a major contribution to the high ceramic dielectric permittivity, instead of the electron-pinned defect-dipoles.
The fate of fertilizer nitrogen in a high nitrate accumulated agricultural soil
Authors: Quan Zhi , Huang Bin , Lu Caiyan , Shi Yi , Chen Xin , Zhang Haiyang , Fang Yunting
Published: February 2016

Well-acclimatized nitrifiers in high-nitrate agricultural soils can quickly nitrify NH4+ into NO3− subject to leaching and denitrifying loss. A 120-day incubation experiment was conducted using a greenhouse soil to explore the fates of applied fertilizer N entering into seven soil N pools and to examine if green manure (as ryegrass) co-application can increase immobilization of the applied N into relatively stable N pools and thereby reduce NO3− accumulation and loss. We found that 87–92% of the applied 15N-labelled NH4+ was rapidly recovered as NO3− since day 3 and only 2–4% as microbial biomass and soil organic matter (SOM), while ryegrass co-application significantly decreased its recovery as NO3− but enhanced its recovery as SOM (17%) at the end of incubation. The trade-off relationship between 15N recoveries in microbial biomass and SOM indicated that ryegrass co-application stabilized newly immobilized N via initial microbial uptake and later breakdown. Nevertheless, ryegrass application didn’t decrease soil total NO3− accumulation due to its own decay. Our results suggest that green manure co-application can increase immobilization of applied N into stable organic N via microbial turnover, but the quantity and quality of green manure should be well considered to reduce N release from itself.
Integrated microRNA-mRNA analyses reveal OPLL specific microRNA regulatory network using high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Xu Chen , Chen Yu , Zhang Hao , Chen Yuanyuan , Shen Xiaolong , Shi Changgui , Liu Yang , Yuan Wen
Published: February 2016

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a genetic disorder which involves pathological heterotopic ossification of the spinal ligaments. Although studies have identified several genes that correlated with OPLL, the underlying regulation network is far from clear. Through small RNA sequencing, we compared the microRNA expressions of primary posterior longitudinal ligament cells form OPLL patients with normal patients (PLL) and identified 218 dysregulated miRNAs (FDR < 0.01). Furthermore, assessing the miRNA profiling data of multiple cell types, we found these dysregulated miRNAs were mostly OPLL specific. In order to decipher the regulation network of these OPLL specific miRNAs, we integrated mRNA expression profiling data with miRNA sequencing data. Through computational approaches, we showed the pivotal roles of these OPLL specific miRNAs in heterotopic ossification of longitudinal ligament by discovering highly correlated miRNA/mRNA pairs that associated with skeletal system development, collagen fibril organization, and extracellular matrix organization. The results of which provide strong evidence that the miRNA regulatory networks we established may indeed play vital roles in OPLL onset and progression. To date, this is the first systematic analysis of the micronome in OPLL, and thus may provide valuable resources in finding novel treatment and diagnostic targets of OPLL.
Prediction of treatment efficacy for prostate cancer using a mathematical model
Authors: Peng Huiming , Zhao Weiling , Tan Hua , Ji Zhiwei , Li Jingsong , Li King , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: February 2016

Prostate immune system plays a critical role in the regulation of prostate cancer development regarding androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and/or immunotherapy (vaccination). In this study, we developed a mathematical model to explore the interactions between prostate tumor and immune microenvironment. This model was used to predict treatment outcomes for prostate cancer with ADT, vaccination, Treg depletion and/or IL-2 neutralization. Animal data were used to guide construction, parameter selection, and validation of our model. Our analysis shows that Treg depletion and/or IL-2 neutralization can effectively improve the treatment efficacy of combined therapy with ADT and vaccination. Treg depletion has a higher synergetic effect than that from IL-2 neutralization. This study highlights a potential therapeutic strategy in effectively managing prostate tumor growth and provides a framework of systems biology approach in studying tumor-related immune mechanism and consequent selection of therapeutic regimens.
Single Molecule Microscopy Reveals an Increased Hyaluronan Diffusion Rate in Synovial Fluid from Knees Affected by Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kohlhof Hendrik , Gravius Sascha , Kohl Sandro , Ahmad Sufian S. , Randau Thomas , Schmolders Jan , Rommelspacher Yorck , Friedrich Max , Kaminski Tim P.
Published: February 2016

Osteoarthritis is a common and progressive joint disorder. Despite its widespread, in clinical practice only late phases of osteoarthritis that are characterized by severe joint damage are routinely detected. Since osteoarthritis cannot be cured but relatively well managed, an early diagnosis and thereby early onset of disease management would lower the burden of osteoarthritis. Here we evaluated if biophysical parameters of small synovial fluid samples extracted by single molecule microscopy can be linked to joint damage. In healthy synovial fluid (ICRS-score < 1) hyaluronan showed a slower diffusion (2.2 μm2/s, N = 5) than in samples from patients with joint damage (ICRS-score > 2) (4.5 μm2/s, N = 16). More strikingly, the diffusion coefficient of hyaluronan in healthy synovial fluid was on average 30% slower than expected by sample viscosity. This effect was diminished or missing in samples from patients with joint damage. Since single molecule microscopy needs only microliters of synovial fluid to extract the viscosity and the specific diffusion coefficient of hyaluronan this method could be of use as diagnostic tool for osteoarthritis.
Combined Effect of Free Nitrous Acid Pretreatment and Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate on Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production from Waste Activated Sludge
Authors: Zhao Jianwei , Liu Yiwen , Ni Bingjie , Wang Qilin , Wang Dongbo , Yang Qi , Sun Yingjie , Zeng Guangming , Li Xiaoming
Published: February 2016

Free nitrous acid (FNA) serving as a pretreatment is an effective approach to accelerate sludge disintegration. Also, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), a type of surfactants, has been determined at significant levels in sewage sludge, which thereby affects the characteristics of sludge. Both FNA pretreatment and sludge SDBS levels can affect short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generation from sludge anaerobic fermentation. To date, however, the combined effect of FNA pretreatment and SDBS presence on SCFA production as well as the corresponding mechanisms have never been documented. This work therefore aims to provide such support. Experimental results showed that the combination of FNA and SDBS treatment not only improved SCFA accumulation but also shortened the fermentation time. The maximal SCFA accumulation of 334.5 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/g volatile suspended solids (VSS) was achieved at 1.54 mg FNA/L treatment and 0.02 g/g dry sludge, which was respectively 1.79-fold and 1.41-fold of that from FNA treatment and sludge containing SDBS alone. Mechanism investigations revealed that the combined FNA pretreatment and SDBS accelerated solubilization, hydrolysis, and acidification steps but inhibited the methanogenesis. All those observations were in agreement with SCFA enhancement.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-10 (FGF-10) Mobilizes Lung-resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Protects Against Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Tong Lin , Zhou Jian , Rong Linyi , Seeley Eric J. , Pan Jue , Zhu Xiaodan , Liu Jie , Wang Qin , Tang Xinjun , Qu Jieming , Bai Chunxue , Song Yuanlin
Published: February 2016

FGF-10 can prevent or reduce lung specific inflammation due to traumatic or infectious lung injury. However, the exact mechanisms are poorly characterized. Additionally, the effect of FGF-10 on lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) has not been studied. To better characterize the effect of FGF-10 on LR-MSCs, FGF-10 was intratracheally delivered into the lungs of rats. Three days after instillation, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and plastic-adherent cells were cultured, characterized and then delivered therapeutically to rats after LPS intratracheal instillation. Immunophenotyping analysis of FGF-10 mobilized and cultured cells revealed expression of the MSC markers CD29, CD73, CD90, and CD105, and the absence of the hematopoietic lineage markers CD34 and CD45. Multipotency of these cells was demonstrated by their capacity to differentiate into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Delivery of LR-MSCs into the lungs after LPS injury reduced the inflammatory response as evidenced by decreased wet-to-dry ratio, reduced neutrophil and leukocyte recruitment and decreased inflammatory cytokines compared to control rats. Lastly, direct delivery of FGF-10 in the lungs of rats led to an increase of LR-MSCs in the treated lungs, suggesting that the protective effect of FGF-10 might be mediated, in part, by the mobilization of LR-MSCs in lungs.
Estimation of methylglyoxal in cow milk – an accurate electrochemical response time based approach
Authors: Ramachandra Bhat Lakshmishri , Vedantham Srinivasan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari , Nesakumar Noel , Balaguru Rayappan John Bosco
Published: February 2016

An electrochemical biosensor based on a glyoxalase 1 modified platinum electrode with a ceria nano-interface was developed and shown to be a promising tool for the analysis of methylglyoxal in cow milk.
Surface modification of strontium-doped porous bioactive ceramic scaffolds via poly(DOPA) coating and immobilizing silk fibroin for excellent angiogenic and osteogenic properties
Authors: Wang Xu , Gu Zhipeng , Jiang Bo , Li Li , Yu Xixun
Published: February 2016

For bioceramic scaffolds employed in clinical applications, excellent bioactivity and tenacity were of great importance.
Cell resistant zwitterionic polyelectrolyte coating promotes bacterial attachment: an adhesion contradiction
Authors: Martinez Jessica S. , Kelly Kristopher D. , Ghoussoub Yara E. , Delgado Jose D. , Keller III Thomas C. S. , Schlenoff Joseph B.
Published: February 2016

Polymers of various architectures with zwitterionic functionality have recently been shown to effectively suppress nonspecific fouling of surfaces by proteins and prokaryotic (bacteria) or eukaryotic (mammalian) cells as well as other microorganisms and environmental contaminants.
Water-soluble poly(2,7-dibenzosilole) as an ultra-bright fluorescent label for antibody-based flow cytometry
Authors: Wang Xin , Hu Yi-Zhen , Chen Aimei , Wu Yexin , Aggeler Robert , Low Quentin , Kang Hee Chol , Gee Kyle R.
Published: February 2016

Water-soluble PEGylated dibenzosilole-based fluorescent polymers were prepared, and the conjugated antibody showed significantly enhanced signal and sensitivity in flow cytometry.
Evaporation-induced self-structuring of organised silica nanohybrid films through cooperative physical and chemical interactions
Authors: Cojocariu Ana M. , Cattoën Xavier , Le Parc Rozenn , Maurin David , Blanc Christophe , Dieudonné Philippe , Bantignies Jean-Louis , Wong Chi Man Michel , Bartlett John R.
Published: February 2016

Evaporation-induced self-structuring was developed as a novel approach for producing organised films using varied sol–gel precursors by exploiting cooperative physical and chemical interactions under far-from-equilibrium conditions.
Alcohols at the aqueous surface: chain length and isomer effects
Authors: Walz M.-M. , Werner J. , Ekholm V. , Prisle N. L. , Öhrwall G. , Björneholm O.
Published: February 2016

Alcohol isomers at the water–vapor interface were studied to determine free energies of adsorption, surface concentrations and enrichment factors.
Alloy oxidation as a route to chemically active nanocomposites of gold atoms in a reducible oxide matrix
Authors: Sutter P. , Tenney S. A. , Ivars-Barcelo F. , Wu L. , Zhu Y. , Sutter E.
Published: February 2016

Oxidation of Au–Sn alloys produces nanocomposites of atomically dispersed gold embedded in amorphous Sn-oxide, showing exceptional properties in oxidation reactions.
Synthesis of indoles and tryptophan derivatives via photoinduced nitrene C–H insertion
Authors: Junk Lukas , Kazmaier Uli
Published: February 2016

Functionalized indoles and tryptophans can be obtained from stannylated alkenes ando-iodoanilinesviaStille coupling.
Protective effect of trillin against ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in an animal model
Authors: Chen Tong , Jiang Wenjiao , Zhang Huixin , You Xintong , Liu Manling , Wang Linna , Xiang Pengjun , Xu Lijie , Zheng Dongseng , Zhang Xuejiao , Ji Hui , Hao Kun , Yan Tianhua
Published: February 2016

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate gastroprotective effect of trillin on mucosal lesions induced by ethanol.
Heteroleptic lanthanide amide complexes bearing carbon-bridged bis(phenolate) ligands: synthesis, structure and their application in the polymerization of ε-caprolactone
Authors: Zhou Yan-Xu , Zhao Jing , Peng Ling , Wang Yu-Long , Tao Xian , Shen Ying-Zhong
Published: February 2016

A convenient method for the synthesis of anionic lanthanide amide complexes bearing carbon-bridged bis(phenolate) ligands is described and the catalytic activity of the complexes in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was studied.
In vitro human gastro-intestinal enzyme digestibility of globulin isolate from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis var. tenera) kernel meal and the bioactivity of the digest
Authors: Tapal Arun , Vegarud Gerd E. , Sreedhara Ashoka , Hegde Prajna , Inamdar Shashikala , Tiku Purnima Kaul
Published: February 2016

Theex vivohydrolysate of oil palm kernel globulin isolate exhibit bioactivity.
Introduction of a new ionic liquid solid acid based on clay as an efficient, recyclable and thermally stable catalyst for organic transformations
Authors: Beigbaghlou Somayyeh Sarvi , Marjani Katayoun , Habibi Azizollah , Atghia Seyyed Vahid
Published: February 2016

Ammonium hydrogen sulfate based ionic liquid immobilized on Na+–montmorillonite (AHS@MMT) was preparedviaanchoring ammonium hydrogen sulfate propyltriethoxysilane onto sodium montmorillonite by covalent bonds.
Ultrafast excited state dynamics of [Cr(CO)4(bpy)]: revealing the relaxation between triplet charge-transfer states
Authors: Ma Fei , Jarenmark Martin , Hedström Svante , Persson Petter , Nordlander Ebbe , Yartsev Arkady
Published: February 2016

Ultrafast excited state dynamics of [Cr(CO)4(bpy)] upon metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (1MLCT) transition have been studied by pump-probe absorption spectroscopy and DFT calculation.
A controlled, template-free, and hydrothermal synthesis route to sphere-like α-Fe2O3nanostructures for textile dye removal
Authors: Nassar Mostafa Y. , Ahmed Ibrahim S. , Mohamed Talaat Y. , Khatab Mai
Published: February 2016

Iron carbonate nanospheres were synthesizedviahydrothermal treatment of aqueous solutions of iron sulfate, ascorbic acid and ammonium carbonate with a molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 3, respectively, at 140 °C for 1.5 h.
Precise determination of the nanoparticle concentration and ligand density of engineered water-soluble HgSe fluorescent nanoparticles
Authors: Bouzas-Ramos Diego , Menéndez-Miranda Mario , Costa-Fernández José M. , Encinar Jorge Ruiz , Sanz-Medel Alfredo
Published: February 2016

Fluorescent HgSe NPs were synthesized and water-stabilized. Full characterization, including ligand density and nanoparticle concentration, makes them ideal candidates as standards to investigate HgSe NPs metabolism and toxicity.
Sorptive removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue R from aqueous solution by diethylenetriamine functionalized magnetic macro-reticular hybrid material
Authors: Elwakeel K. Z. , El-Bindary A. A. , Ismail A. , Morshidy A. M.
Published: February 2016

Chitosan, glycidyl methacrylate (synthetic polymer) and magnetite are combined to produce novel magnetic macro-reticular hybrid synthetic–natural materials which are shown to be effective sorbents for RBBR ions.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using microvial insert thermal desorption for the determination of BTEX in edible oils
Authors: Cacho Juan Ignacio , Campillo Natalia , Viñas Pilar , Hernández-Córdoba Manuel
Published: February 2016

A rapid analytical procedure for BTEX determination involving minimum sample handling.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on porous silicon membranes decorated with Ag nanoparticles integrated in elastomeric microfluidic chips
Authors: Novara Chiara , Lamberti Andrea , Chiadò Alessandro , Virga Alessandro , Rivolo Paola , Geobaldo Francesco , Giorgis Fabrizio
Published: February 2016

An elastomeric microfluidic chip integrating SERS active silver-coated porous silicon membranes is developed, which performs label free and calibrated SERS analysis in a multi-analyte configuration.
Field-induced ferromagnetism due to magneto-striction in 1-D helical chains
Authors: Shaw Bikash Kumar , Das Mithun , Bhattacharyya Anik , Ghosh Biswa Nath , Roy Susmita , Mandal Prabhat , Rissanen Kari , Chattopadhyay Shouvik , Saha Shyamal Kumar
Published: February 2016

Under high magnetic field and at lower temperature orthogonality of d-orbitals of Cu(ii) centers increases significantly due to contraction of lattice parameters giving rise to long range ferromagnetic ordering in the helical chain.
Water-based, heat-assisted preparation of water-repellent cotton fabrics using graft copolymers
Authors: Grozea Claudia M. , Huang Shuaishuai , Liu Guojun
Published: February 2016

A simple, practical, environmentally-friendly method to prepare repellent coated cotton fabrics.
Effects of monomer rigidity on the microstructures and properties of polyimide aerogels cross-linked with low cost aminosilane
Authors: Wu Shuai , Du Ai , Huang Shangming , Sun Wei , Zu Gouqing , Xiang Youlai , Li Conghang , Zhou Bin
Published: February 2016

Polyimide aerogels were formed from polyamide acid oligomers cross-linked by Si–O–Si network structures, which were derived from hydrolysis and condensation reactions of low cost bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl) amine (BTMSPA)viaabsorbed water.
Piezoresistive effect of p-type single crystalline 3C–SiC on (111) plane
Authors: Dao Dzung Viet , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Qamar Afzaal , Dinh Toan
Published: February 2016

This paper presents for the first time the effect of strain on the electrical conductivity of p-type single crystalline 3C–SiC grown on a Si (111) substrate.
Highly selective catalytic trans-hydroboration of alkynes mediated by borenium cations and B(C6F5)3
Authors: McGough John S. , Butler Samuel M. , Cade Ian A. , Ingleson Michael J.
Published: February 2016

Transition metal free alkyne trans-hydroboration is achieved using strong boron electrophiles in the presence of a B–H moiety.
Dynamic covalent synthesis of aryleneethynylene cages through alkyne metathesis: dimer, tetramer, or interlocked complex?
Authors: Wang Qi , Yu Chao , Zhang Chenxi , Long Hai , Azarnoush Setareh , Jin Yinghua , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2016

A modular dynamic covalent approach towards rigid aryleneethynylene covalent organic polyhedrons (COPs) and the mechanistic features were explored.
Influence of material stretchability on the equilibrium shape of a Möbius band
Authors: Kleiman David M. , Hinz Denis F. , Takato Yoichi , Fried Eliot
Published: February 2016

We use a two-dimensional discrete, lattice-based model to show that Möbius bands made with stretchable materials are less likely to crease or tear.
Healing by the Joule effect of electrically conductive poly(ester-urethane)/carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Willocq B. , Bose R. K. , Khelifa F. , Garcia S. J. , Dubois Ph. , Raquez J.-M.
Published: February 2016

Recent demands for polymers with autonomous self-healing properties are being constantly raised due to the need for high-performance and reliable materials.
Transition-metal-nitride-based thin films as novel energy harvesting materials
Authors: Eklund Per , Kerdsongpanya Sit , Alling Björn
Published: February 2016

We review experimental and theoretical research on ScN- and CrN-based transition-metal nitride materials for thermoelectrics, drawing parallels with piezoelectricity.
Colloidal metal halide perovskite nanocrystals: synthesis, characterization, and applications
Authors: Bai Sai , Yuan Zhongcheng , Gao Feng
Published: February 2016

In this Highlight, we review recent developments in colloidal perovskite nanocrystals, including the chemical synthesis, characterization and optoelectronic applications.
A long lifetime switch-on iridium(iii) chemosensor for the visualization of cysteine in live zebrafish
Authors: Mao Zhifeng , Wang Modi , Liu Jinbiao , Liu Li-Juan , Lee Simon Ming-Yuen , Leung Chung-Hang , Ma Dik-Lung
Published: February 2016

A long lifetime iridium(iii) complex chemosensor1for cysteine detection has been synthesized.
Hydrogel microstructure live-cell array for multiplexed analyses of cancer stem cells, tumor heterogeneity and differential drug response at single-element resolution
Authors: Afrimzon E. , Botchkina G. , Zurgil N. , Shafran Y. , Sobolev M. , Moshkov S. , Ravid-Hermesh O. , Ojima I. , Deutsch M.
Published: February 2016

High optical quality hydrogel array of nanoliter-volume micro-chambers for concomitant generation and multiplex analyses of numerous cancer stem cell spheroids.
2,3-Di-O-picolinyl building blocks as glycosyl donors with switchable stereoselectivity
Authors: Yasomanee Jagodige P. , Parameswar Archana R. , Pornsuriyasak Papapida , Rath Nigam P. , Demchenko Alexei V.
Published: February 2016

Coordination of 2,3-di-O-picolinyl protected glycosyl donors with PdBr2 allows to “switch” the stereoselectivity of glycosylations from β- to α-.
Synthetic studies towards putative yuremamine using an iterative C(sp3)–H arylation strategy
Authors: Calvert Matthew B. , Sperry Jonathan
Published: February 2016

An overview of synthetic efforts toward the initially proposed structure of yuremamine using iterative C(sp3)–H arylations is described.
Design and evaluation of multifunctional antibacterial ion-doped β-dicalcium silicate cements favorable for root canal sealing
Authors: Zhang Feng , Yang Xianyan , Zhuang Chen , Wang Lin , Gu Xin-Hua , Shen Zheng , Xu Sanzhong , Gao Changyou , Gou Zhongru
Published: February 2016

Cu or Zn-doping dicalcium silicate-based cements exhibit multifunctional physiochemical and biological performances and meet some challenging criteria in root canal treatment.