bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent recordings of plainchant
Authors: WEBER JEROME F.
Published: March 2016

The latest entry in the traversal of Graduale Novum 1, the AISCGre edition of restitutions of Mass Propers, arrived too late for last year's roundup of new recordings (no. 1 in the list below). It offers the Propers for the eleventh to the fifteenth Sundays in Ordinary Time. The title, ‘Gustate et Videte’, comes from the incipit of the communion for the fourteenth Sunday. The chants are sung in the best semiological interpretation with superb choral tone. The notes are interesting for a wry explanation of the lack of correspondence between the new liturgical calendar and the old. The first four sets of Propers on this disc match the fifth to the eighth Sundays after Pentecost, but the last set come from the tenth Sunday after Pentecost (with the exception of the communion). Because of the imprecatory introit of the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, averte mala inimicis meis . . . disperde illos, this set was passed over. The editors of the 1970 Roman Missal, on second thought, decided, upon reaching the sixteenth Sunday of the Year, to restore the missing chants (except the communion) to that service, while removing the offending lines in favour of another verse from the same psalm. (As the Graduale Triplex shows, the text of the introit escaped the tampering.) At this moment, EOS has three more CDs awaiting issue by three of the directors who have contributed earlier discs to the series. The second volume of Graduale Novum is expected to be published in 2017.
Influence of Educational Attainment on Cognition-Based Intervention Programs for Persons with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Contador Israel , Fernández-Calvo Bernardino , Ramos Francisco , Olazarán Javier
Published: March 2016

Objectives: This research retrospectively analyzed the effect of education on cognitive interventions carried out in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The total sample consisted of 75 patients with mild AD receiving treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. The participants were divided into two groups: cognitive intervention (IG; n=45) and waiting list (WLG; n=30). Patients in the IG received either the Big Brain Academy (n=15) or the Integrated Psychostimulation Program (n=30) during 12 weeks. The influence of education on intervention effect was analyzed comparing mean change scores of the two study groups in the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog), stratified by educational level. The potential effect of age, sex, cognitive status, and type of intervention was examined using post hoc stratification analyses. Results: Higher education was associated with faster cognitive decline in the WLG (effect size=0.51; p<.01). However, cognitive evolution was not influenced by education in the IG (effect size=0.12; p=.42). Conclusions: Our results suggest that cognitive intervention might delay accelerated cognitive decline in higher educated individuals with mild AD. (JINS, 2016, 23, 1–6)
Comparison of UK’s Minor Ailments Scheme and US’s retail clinic model: a narrative review
Authors: Win Aung Z.
Published: March 2016

There is a raising demand for unscheduled care in the United Kingdom. Minor Ailments Schemes (MAS) were introduced to reduce the burden of minor ailments on higher cost settings such as general practices and emergency departments. The number of visits for minor ailments at GPs often declined following the implementation of MAS. Retail clinics in America employ nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who can diagnose and treat minor illness, and minor injuries. Similar to the retail clinics, MAS can merge with walk-in centres. PAs and NPs can take over some primary care workload from pharmacists to prevent the pharmacists from being overwhelmed with all their current duties. MAS can also initiate the development of telehealth service to accommodate the home-bound patients. MAS must continue to change and evolve to meet the current and future demands of health care.
Effect of inbreeding and individual increase in inbreeding on growth in Nilagiri and Sandyno breeds of sheep
Authors: Venkataramanan R. , Subramanian A. , Sivaselvam S.N. , Sivakumar T. , Sreekumar C. , Iyue M.
Published: March 2016

Individual increase in inbreeding coefficients (ΔFi) has been recommended as an alternate measure of inbreeding. It can account for the differences in pedigree knowledge of individual animals and avoids overestimation due to increased number of known generations. The effect of inbreeding (F) and equivalent inbreeding (EF) calculated fromΔFi, on growth traits were studied in Nilagiri and Sandyno flocks of sheep. The study was based on data maintained at the Sheep Breeding Research Station, Sandynallah. The pedigree information and equivalent number of generations were less in Sandyno compared with Nilagiri sheep. The average F and EF for the Nilagiri population were 2.17 and 2.44, respectively and the corresponding values for Sandyno sheep were 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. The trend of inbreeding over years in both the populations indicated that EF was higher during earlier generations when pedigree information was shallow. Among the significant effects of inbreeding, the depression in growth per 1 percent increase in inbreeding ranged from 0.04 kg in weaning weight to 0.10 kg in yearling weight. In general, more traits were affected by inbreeding in Nilagiri sheep, in which greater regression of growth traits was noticed with F compared with EF. Higher values of EF than F in earlier generations in both the populations indicate that EF avoided the potential overestimation of inbreeding coefficient during recent generations. In the Sandyno population, the magnitude of depression noticed among growth traits with significant effects of inbreeding was higher. The differences in response to F and EF noticed in the two populations and possible causes for the trait wise differences in response to F and EF are appropriately discussed.
Nesting-driven multipolar order in CeB6 from photoemission tomography
Authors: Koitzsch A. , Heming N. , Knupfer M. , Büchner B. , Portnichenko P. Y. , Dukhnenko A. V , Shitsevalova N. Y. , Filipov V. B. , Lev L. L. , Strocov V. N. , Ollivier J. , Inosov D. S.
Published: March 2016

Some heavy fermion materials show so-called hidden-order phases which are invisible to many characterization techniques and whose microscopic origin remained controversial for decades. Among such hidden-order compounds, CeB6 is of model character due to its simple electronic configuration and crystal structure. Apart from more conventional antiferromagnetism, it shows an elusive phase at low temperatures, which is commonly associated with multipolar order. Here we show that this phase roots in a Fermi surface instability. This conclusion is based on a full 3D tomographic sampling of the electronic structure by angle-resolved photoemission and comparison with inelastic neutron scattering data. The hidden order is mediated by itinerant electrons. Our measurements will serve as a paradigm for the investigation of hidden-order phases in f-electron systems, but also generally for situations where the itinerant electrons drive orbital or spin order.
A test-retest dataset for assessing long-term reliability of brain morphology and resting-state brain activity
Authors: Huang Lijie , Huang Taicheng , Zhen Zonglei , Liu Jia
Published: March 2016

We present a test-retest dataset for evaluation of long-term reliability of measures from structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI and rfMRI) scans. The repeated scan dataset was collected from 61 healthy adults in two sessions using highly similar imaging parameters at an interval of 103–189 days. However, as the imaging parameters were not completely identical, the reliability estimated from this dataset shall reflect the lower bounds of the true reliability of sMRI/rfMRI measures. Furthermore, in conjunction with other test-retest datasets, our dataset may help explore the impact of different imaging parameters on reliability of sMRI/rfMRI measures, which is especially critical for assessing datasets collected from multiple centers. In addition, intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured for each participant using Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices. The data can thus be used for purposes other than assessing reliability of sMRI/rfMRI alone. For example, data from each single session could be used to associate structural and functional measures of the brain with the IQ metrics to explore brain-IQ association.
Genome-scale DNA methylome and transcriptome profiling of human neutrophils
Authors: Chatterjee Aniruddha , Stockwell Peter A. , Rodger Euan J. , Morison Ian M.
Published: March 2016

Methylation of DNA molecules is a key mechanism associated with human disease, altered gene expression and phenotype. Using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) technology we have analysed DNA methylation patterns in healthy individuals and identified genes showing significant inter-individual variation. Further, using whole genome transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) on the same individuals we showed a local and specific relationship of exon inclusion and variable DNA methylation pattern. For RRBS, 363 million, 100-bp reads were generated from 13 samples using Illumina GAII and HiSeq2000 platforms. Here we also present additional RRBS data for a female pair of monozygotic twins that was not described in our original publication. Further, We performed RNA-Seq on four of these individuals, generating 174 million, 51-bp high quality reads on an Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. The current data set could be exploited as a comprehensive resource for understanding the nature and mechanism of variable phenotypic traits and altered disease susceptibility due to variable DNA methylation and gene expression patterns in healthy individuals.
Assessment of red blood cell deformability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy by dual optical tweezers stretching technique
Authors: Agrawal Rupesh , Smart Thomas , Nobre-Cardoso João , Richards Christopher , Bhatnagar Rhythm , Tufail Adnan , Shima David , H. Jones Phil , Pavesio Carlos
Published: March 2016

A pilot cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the role of red blood cells (RBC) deformability in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without and with diabetic retinopathy (DR) using a dual optical tweezers stretching technique. A dual optical tweezers was made by splitting and recombining a single Nd:YAG laser beam. RBCs were trapped directly (i.e., without microbead handles) in the dual optical tweezers where they were observed to adopt a “side-on” orientation. RBC initial and final lengths after stretching were measured by digital video microscopy and a Deformability index (DI) calculated. Blood from 8 healthy controls, 5 T2DM and 7 DR patients with respective mean age of 52.4yrs, 51.6 yrs and 52 yrs was analysed. Initial average length of RBCs for control group was 8.45 ± 0.25 μm, 8.68 ± 0.49 μm for DM RBCs and 8.82 ± 0.32 μm for DR RBCs (p < 0.001). The DI for control group was 0.0698 ± 0.0224 and that for DM RBCs was 0.0645 ± 0.03 and 0.0635 ± 0.028 (p < 0.001) for DR group. DI was inversely related to basal length of RBCs (p = 0.02). DI of RBC from DM and DR patients was significantly lower in comparison with normal healthy controls. A dual optical tweezers method can hence be reliably used to assess RBC deformability.
Deep Learning in Label-free Cell Classification
Authors: Chen Claire Lifan , Mahjoubfar Ata , Tai Li-Chia , Blaby Ian K. , Huang Allen , Niazi Kayvan Reza , Jalali Bahram
Published: March 2016

Label-free cell analysis is essential to personalized genomics, cancer diagnostics, and drug development as it avoids adverse effects of staining reagents on cellular viability and cell signaling. However, currently available label-free cell assays mostly rely only on a single feature and lack sufficient differentiation. Also, the sample size analyzed by these assays is limited due to their low throughput. Here, we integrate feature extraction and deep learning with high-throughput quantitative imaging enabled by photonic time stretch, achieving record high accuracy in label-free cell classification. Our system captures quantitative optical phase and intensity images and extracts multiple biophysical features of individual cells. These biophysical measurements form a hyperdimensional feature space in which supervised learning is performed for cell classification. We compare various learning algorithms including artificial neural network, support vector machine, logistic regression, and a novel deep learning pipeline, which adopts global optimization of receiver operating characteristics. As a validation of the enhanced sensitivity and specificity of our system, we show classification of white blood T-cells against colon cancer cells, as well as lipid accumulating algal strains for biofuel production. This system opens up a new path to data-driven phenotypic diagnosis and better understanding of the heterogeneous gene expressions in cells.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: MicroRNA-454 regulates stromal cell derived factor-1 in the control of the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fan Yue , Xu Li-Li , Shi Chen-Ye , Wei Wei , Wang Dan-Song , Cai Ding-Fang
Published: March 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant carcinoma with an extremely high lethality. We recently reported that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) targets quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 to facilitate PDAC cell growth and invasion. Here, we analyzed the control of another HIF-1 target, stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1), in PDAC cells. We detected significantly more CD68+ macrophages in the PDAC, compared to normal human pancreas (NT). Since macrophages are recruited to the tissue through their expression of CXCR4 in response to SDF-1, we thus examined the SDF-1 levels in the PDAC specimens. Surprisingly, the SDF-1 protein but not mRNA significantly increased in PDAC, compared to NT. Moreover, a SDF-1-targeting microRNA, miR-454, was found to decrease in PDAC. Promoter luciferase assay confirmed that bindings of miR-454 to 3′-UTR of SDF-1 mRNAs inhibited SDF-1 protein translation. Co-culture of bone marrow derived macrophages and miR-454-modified PDAC cells in a transwell migration experiment showed that macrophages migrated less towards miR-454-overexpressing PDAC cells and migrated more towards miR-454-depleted cells. Implanted miR-454-depleted PDAC cells grew significantly faster than control, while implanted miR-454-overexpressing PDAC cells grew significantly slower than control. Together, our data suggest that miR-454 may regulate SDF-1 in the control of the growth of PDAC.
Is there an optimal basis to maximise optical information transfer?
Authors: Chen Mingzhou , Dholakia Kishan , Mazilu Michael
Published: March 2016

We establish the concept of the density of the optical degrees of freedom that may be applied to any photonics based system. As a key example of this versatile approach we explore information transfer using optical communication. We demonstrate both experimentally, theoretically and numerically that the use of a basis set with fields containing optical vortices does not increase the telecommunication capacity of an optical system.
Interface Engineering to Create a Strong Spin Filter Contact to Silicon
Authors: Caspers C. , Gloskovskii A. , Gorgoi M. , Besson C. , Luysberg M. , Rushchanskii K. Z. , Ležaić M. , Fadley C. S. , Drube W. , Müller M.
Published: March 2016

Integrating epitaxial and ferromagnetic Europium Oxide (EuO) directly on silicon is a perfect route to enrich silicon nanotechnology with spin filter functionality. To date, the inherent chemical reactivity between EuO and Si has prevented a heteroepitaxial integration without significant contaminations of the interface with Eu silicides and Si oxides. We present a solution to this long-standing problem by applying two complementary passivation techniques for the reactive EuO/Si interface: (i) an in situ hydrogen-Si (001) passivation and (ii) the application of oxygen-protective Eu monolayers–without using any additional buffer layers. By careful chemical depth profiling of the oxide-semiconductor interface via hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, we show how to systematically minimize both Eu silicide and Si oxide formation to the sub-monolayer regime–and how to ultimately interface-engineer chemically clean, heteroepitaxial and ferromagnetic EuO/Si (001) in order to create a strong spin filter contact to silicon.
Dioxins reformation and destruction in secondary copper smelting fly ash under ball milling
Authors: Cagnetta Giovanni , Hassan Mohammed Mansour , Huang Jun , Yu Gang , Weber Roland
Published: March 2016

Secondary copper recovery is attracting increasing interest because of the growth of copper containing waste including e-waste. The pyrometallurgical treatment in smelters is widely utilized, but it is known to produce waste fluxes containing a number of toxic pollutants due to the large amount of copper involved, which catalyses the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (“dioxins”). Dioxins are generated in secondary copper smelters on fly ash as their major source, resulting in highly contaminated residues. In order to assess the toxicity of this waste, an analysis of dioxin-like compounds was carried out. High levels were detected (79,090 ng TEQ kg−1) in the ash, above the Basel Convention low POPs content (15,000 ng TEQ kg−1) highlighting the hazardousness of this waste. Experimental tests of high energy ball milling with calcium oxide and silica were executed to assess its effectiveness to detoxify such fly ash. Mechanochemical treatment obtained 76% dioxins reduction in 4 h, but longer milling time induced a partial de novo formation of dioxins catalysed by copper. Nevertheless, after 12 h treatment the dioxin content was substantially decreased (85% reduction) and the copper, thanks to the phenomena of incorporation and amorphization that occur during milling, was almost inactivated.
Acute stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells with cigarette smoke extract affects their migration, differentiation and paracrine potential
Authors: Wahl Elizabeth A. , Schenck Thilo L. , Machens Hans-Günther , Egaña J. Tomás
Published: March 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to play a key role in tissue regeneration, while smoking cigarettes is described to impair it. This work focuses on the effect cigarette smoke extract (CSE) has on the migration, differentiation and paracrine potential of human adipose derived MSCs (AdMSCs). To mimic native conditions in vitro, AdMSCs were cultured in either monolayer or three-dimensional pellet cultures. While constant exposure to high concentrations of CSE had lethal effects on AdMSCs, lower concentrations of CSE impaired cell migration when compared to control conditions. The secretion of key interleukins was downregulated when CSE was exposed to the cells at low concentrations. Moreover, in this work AdMSCs were exposed to CSE while simultaneously being induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes to determine the effect of CSE on the cells potential to differentiate. While adipogenic differentiation showed no significant variation, AdMSCs exposed to osteogenic and chondrogenic supplements showed both early and late genetic level variation when acutely exposed to low concentrations of CSE. Our results indicate that even a small amount of cigarette smoke can have detrimental effects on the regenerative potential of MSCs.
Selenium Augments microRNA Directed Reprogramming of Fibroblasts to Cardiomyocytes via Nanog
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Hodgkinson Conrad P , Lu Kefeng , Payne Alan J , Pratt Richard E , Dzau Victor J
Published: March 2016

We have recently shown that a combination of microRNAs, miR combo, can directly reprogram cardiac fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. However, direct reprogramming strategies are inefficient and slow. Moving towards the eventual goal of clinical application it is necessary to develop new methodologies to overcome these limitations. Here, we report the identification of a specific media composition, reprogramming media (RM), which augmented the effect of miR combo by 5–15-fold depending upon the cardiac marker tested. RM alone was sufficient to strongly induce cardiac gene and protein expression in neonatal tail-tip as well as cardiac fibroblasts. Expression of pluripotency markers Nanog, Oct4, Sox2 and Klf4 was significantly enhanced by RM, with miR combo augmenting the effect further. Knockdown of Nanog by siRNA inhibited the effect of RM on cardiac gene expression. Removal of insulin-transferrin-selenium completely inhibited the effect of reprogramming media upon cardiac gene expression and the addition of selenium to standard culture media recapitulated the effects of RM. Moreover, selenium enhanced the reprogramming efficiency of miR combo.
Controlled synthesis of Ni/CuOx/Ni nanowires by electrochemical deposition with self-compliance bipolar resistive switching
Authors: Park Kyuhyun , Lee Jang-Sik
Published: March 2016

We demonstrate synthesis of Ni/CuOx/Ni nanowires (NWs) by electrochemical deposition on anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. AAO with pore diameter of ~70 nm and pore length of ~50 μm was used as the template for synthesis of NWs. After deposition of Au as the seed layer, NWs with a structure of Ni/CuOx/Ni were grown with a length of ~12 μm. The lengths of 1st Ni, CuOx, and 2nd Ni were ~4.5 μm, ~3 μm, and ~4.5 μm, respectively. The Ni/CuOx/Ni device exhibits bipolar resistive switching behavior with self-compliance characteristics. Due to the spatial restriction of the current path in NW the Ni/CuOx/Ni NW devices are thought to exhibit self-compliance behaviour. Ni/CuOx/Ni NWs showed bipolar resistive changes possibly due to conducting filaments that are induced by oxygen vacancies. The reliability of the devices was confirmed by data retention measurement. The NW-based resistive switching memory has applications in highly scalable memory devices and neuromorphic devices.
Association between chronic stress-induced structural abnormalities in Ranvier nodes and reduced oligodendrocyte activity in major depression
Authors: Miyata Shingo , Taniguchi Manabu , Koyama Yoshihisa , Shimizu Shoko , Tanaka Takashi , Yasuno Fumihiko , Yamamoto Akihide , Iida Hidehiro , Kudo Takashi , Katayama Taiichi , Tohyama Masaya
Published: March 2016

Repeated stressful events are associated with the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). We previously showed oligodendrocyte (OL)-specific activation of the serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK)1 cascade, increased expression of axon-myelin adhesion molecules and elaboration of the oligodendrocytic arbor in the corpus callosum of chronically stressed mice. In the current study, we demonstrate that the nodes and paranodes of Ranvier in the corpus callosum were narrower in these mice. Chronic stress also led to diffuse redistribution of Caspr and Kv 1.1 and decreased the activity in white matter, suggesting a link between morphological changes in OLs and inhibition of axonal activity. OL primary cultures subjected to chronic stress resulted in SGK1 activation and translocation to the nucleus, where it inhibited the transcription of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Furthermore, the cAMP level and membrane potential of OLs were reduced by chronic stress exposure. We showed by diffusion tensor imaging that the corpus callosum of patients with MDD exhibited reduced fractional anisotropy, reflecting compromised white matter integrity possibly caused by axonal damage. Our findings suggest that chronic stress disrupts the organization of the nodes of Ranvier by suppressing mGluR activation in OLs and that specific white matter abnormalities are closely associated with MDD onset.
The isotype ZnO/SiC heterojunction prepared by molecular beam epitaxy – A chemical inert interface with significant band discontinuities
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Lin Nanying , Li Yaping , Wang Xiaodan , Wang Huiqiong , Kang Junyong , Wilks Regan , Bär Marcus , Mu Rui
Published: March 2016

ZnO/SiC heterojunctions show great potential for various optoelectronic applications (e.g., ultraviolet light emitting diodes, photodetectors and solar cells). However, the lack of a detailed understanding of the ZnO/SiC interface prevents an efficient and rapid optimization of these devices. Here, intrinsic (but inherently n-type) ZnO were deposited via molecular beam epitaxy on n–type 6H-SiC single crystalline substrates. The chemical and electronic structure of the ZnO/SiC interfaces were characterized by ultraviolet/x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy. In contrast to the ZnO/SiC interface prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, no willemite-like zinc silicate interface species is present at the MBE-ZnO/SiC interface. Furthermore, the valence band offset at the abrupt ZnO/SiC interface is experimentally determined to be (1.2 ± 0.3) eV, suggesting a conduction band offset of approximately 0.8 eV, thus explaining the reported excellent rectifying characteristics of isotype ZnO/SiC heterojunctions. These insights lead to a better comprehension of the ZnO/SiC interface and show that the choice of deposition route might offer a powerful means to tailor the chemical and electronic structures of the ZnO/SiC interface, which can eventually be utilized to optimize related devices.
Dissection and integration of the autophagy signaling network initiated by bluetongue virus infection: crucial candidates ERK1/2, Akt and AMPK
Authors: Lv Shuang , Xu Qing-Yuan , Sun En-Cheng , Zhang Ji-Kai , Wu Dong-Lai
Published: March 2016

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a complex double-stranded segmented RNA virus, has been found to initiate cellular autophagy for its own benefit. Here, with a view to understanding the underlying mechanisms, we first systematically dissected the exact signaling network in BTV-induced autophagy. We found that the activity of mTOR, a crucial pivot, was inhibited by BTV1 infection, subsequently leading to downstream p70S6K suppression and autophagy initiation. We then explored the upstream regulators of mTOR and analyzed their activities via a series of assays. We found BTV1-induced autophagy to be independent of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. However, the BTV1-induced inhibition of PI3K/Akt was found to be partially responsible for mTOR inactivation and subsequent autophagy initiation. Furthermore, we found unexpectedly that AMPK seemed to play a more important role in BTV1-induced autophagy. Elevated [Ca2+]cyto-mediated activation of CaMKKβ exactly managed the activation of AMPK, which then positively regulated autophagy through suppressing mTOR. We must emphasize that TSC2 is a fatal mediator between upstream Akt or AMPK and downstream mTOR through its phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggested that the BTV1-induced inhibition of the Akt-TSC2-mTOR pathway and the upregulation of the AMPK-TSC2-mTOR pathway both contributed to autophagy initiation and further favored virus replication.
Triggered self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Ye L. , Pearson T. , Cordeau Y. , Mefford O. T. , Crawford T. M.
Published: March 2016

Colloidal magnetic nanoparticles are candidates for application in biology, medicine and nanomanufac-turing. Understanding how these particles interact collectively in fluids, especially how they assemble and aggregate under external magnetic fields, is critical for high quality, safe, and reliable deployment of these particles. Here, by applying magnetic forces that vary strongly over the same length scale as the colloidal stabilizing force and then varying this colloidal repulsion, we can trigger self-assembly of these nanoparticles into parallel line patterns on the surface of a disk drive medium. Localized within nanometers of the medium surface, this effect is strongly dependent on the ionic properties of the colloidal fluid but at a level too small to cause bulk colloidal aggregation. We use real-time optical diffraction to monitor the dynamics of self-assembly, detecting local colloidal changes with greatly enhanced sensitivity compared with conventional light scattering. Simulations predict the triggering but not the dynamics, especially at short measurement times. Beyond using spatially-varying magnetic forces to balance interactions and drive assembly in magnetic nanoparticles, future measurements leveraging the sensitivity of this approach could identify novel colloidal effects that impact real-world applications of these nanoparticles.
A cationic tetrapyrrole inhibits toxic activities of the cellular prion protein
Authors: Massignan Tania , Cimini Sara , Stincardini Claudia , Cerovic Milica , Vanni Ilaria , Elezgarai Saioa R. , Moreno Jorge , Stravalaci Matteo , Negro Alessandro , Sangiovanni Valeria , Restelli Elena , Riccardi Geraldina , Gobbi Marco , Castilla Joaquín , Borsello Tiziana , Nonno Romolo , Biasini Emiliano
Published: March 2016

Prion diseases are rare neurodegenerative conditions associated with the conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into PrPSc, a self-replicating isoform (prion) that accumulates in the central nervous system of affected individuals. The structure of PrPSc is poorly defined and likely to be heterogeneous, as suggested by the existence of different prion strains. The latter represents a relevant problem for therapy in prion diseases, as some potent anti-prion compounds have shown strain-specificity. Designing therapeutics that target PrPC may provide an opportunity to overcome these problems. PrPC ligands may theoretically inhibit the replication of multiple prion strains, by acting on the common substrate of any prion replication reaction. Here, we characterized the properties of a cationic tetrapyrrole [Fe(III)-TMPyP], which was previously shown to bind PrPC and inhibit the replication of a mouse prion strain. We report that the compound is active against multiple prion strains in vitro and in cells. Interestingly, we also find that Fe(III)-TMPyP inhibits several PrPC-related toxic activities, including the channel-forming ability of a PrP mutant and the PrPC-dependent synaptotoxicity of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers, which are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. These results demonstrate that molecules binding to PrPC may produce a dual effect of blocking prion replication and inhibiting PrPC-mediated toxicity.
Suppression of Spry1 inhibits triple-negative breast cancer malignancy by decreasing EGF/EGFR mediated mesenchymal phenotype
Authors: He Qing , Jing Hongyu , Liaw Lucy , Gower Lindsey , Vary Calvin , Hua Shucheng , Yang Xuehui
Published: March 2016

Sprouty (Spry) proteins have been implicated in cancer progression, but their role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of lethal and aggressive breast cancer, is unknown. Here, we reported that Spry1 is significantly expressed in TNBC specimen and MDA-MB-231 cells. To understand Spry1 regulation of signaling events controlling breast cancer phenotype, we used lentiviral delivery of human Spry1 shRNAs to suppress Spry1 expression in MDA-MB-231, an established TNBC cell line. Spry1 knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells displayed an epithelial phenotype with increased membrane E-cadherin expression. Knockdown of Spry1 impaired MDA-MB-231 cell migration, Matrigel invasion, and anchorage-dependent and -independent growth. Tumor xenografts originating from Spry1 knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells grew slower, had increased E-cadherin expression, and yielded fewer lung metastases compared to control. Furthermore, suppressing Spry1 in MDA-MB-231 cells impaired the induction of Snail and Slug expression by EGF, and this effect was associated with increased EGFR degradation and decreased EGFR/Grb2/Shp2/Gab1 signaling complex formation. The same phenotype was also observed in the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-157. Together, our results show that unlike in some tumors, where Spry may mediate tumor suppression, Spry1 plays a selective role in at least a subset of TNBC to promote the malignant phenotype via enhancing EGF-mediated mesenchymal phenotype.
Impulsivity-based thrifty eating phenotype and the protective role of n-3 PUFAs intake in adolescents
Authors: Reis R S , Dalle Molle R , Machado T D , Mucellini A B , Rodrigues D M , Bortoluzzi A , Bigonha S M , Toazza R , Salum G A , Minuzzi L , Buchweitz A , Franco A R , Pelúzio M C G , Manfro G G , Silveira P P
Published: March 2016

The goal of the present study was to investigate whether intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects brain responses to palatable foods and whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain) serum levels moderate the association between IUGR and brain and behavioral responses to palatable foods. Brain responses to palatable foods were investigated using a functional magnetic resonance imaging task in which participants were shown palatable foods, neutral foods and non-food items. Serum DHA was quantified in blood samples, and birth weight ratio (BWR) was used as a proxy for IUGR. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used to evaluate eating behaviors. In the contrast palatable food > neutral items, we found an activation in the right superior frontal gyrus with BWR as the most important predictor; the lower the BWR (indicative of IUGR), the greater the activation of this region involved in impulse control/decision making facing the viewing of palatable food pictures versus neutral items. At the behavioral level, a general linear model predicting external eating using the DEBQ showed a significant interaction between DHA and IUGR status; in IUGR individuals, the higher the serum DHA, the lower is external eating. In conclusion, we suggest that IUGR moderates brain responses when facing stimuli related to palatable foods, activating an area related to impulse control. Moreover, higher intake of n-3 PUFAs can protect IUGR individuals from developing inappropriate eating behaviors, the putative mechanism of protection would involve decreasing intake in response to external food cues in adolescents/young adults.
Meta-analysis and meta-regression of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for major depressive disorder
Authors: Mocking R J T , Harmsen I , Assies J , Koeter M W J , Ruhé H G , Schene A H
Published: March 2016

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been proposed as (adjuvant) treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present meta-analysis, we pooled randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on depressive symptoms in MDD. Moreover, we performed meta-regression to test whether supplementation effects depended on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid dose, their ratio, study duration, participants’ age, percentage antidepressant users, baseline MDD symptom severity, publication year and study quality. To limit heterogeneity, we only included studies in adult patients with MDD assessed using standardized clinical interviews, and excluded studies that specifically studied perinatal/perimenopausal or comorbid MDD. Our PubMED/EMBASE search resulted in 1955 articles, from which we included 13 studies providing 1233 participants. After taking potential publication bias into account, meta-analysis showed an overall beneficial effect of omega-3 PUFAs on depressive symptoms in MDD (standardized mean difference=0.398 (0.114–0.682), P=0.006, random-effects model). As an explanation for significant heterogeneity (I2=73.36, P<0.001), meta-regression showed that higher EPA dose (β=0.00037 (0.00009–0.00065), P=0.009), higher percentage antidepressant users (β=0.0058 (0.00017–0.01144), P=0.044) and earlier publication year (β=−0.0735 (−0.143 to 0.004), P=0.04) were significantly associated with better outcome for PUFA supplementation. Additional sensitivity analyses were performed. In conclusion, present meta-analysis suggested a beneficial overall effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in MDD patients, especially for higher doses of EPA and in participants taking antidepressants. Future precision medicine trials should establish whether possible interactions between EPA and antidepressants could provide targets to improve antidepressant response and its prediction. Furthermore, potential long-term biochemical side effects of high-dosed add-on EPA supplementation should be carefully monitored.
Metal–metal chalcogenide molecular precursors to binary, ternary, and quaternary metal chalcogenide thin films for electronic devices
Authors: Zhang Ruihong , Cho Seonghyuk , Lim Daw Gen , Hu Xianyi , Stach Eric A. , Handwerker Carol A. , Agrawal Rakesh
Published: March 2016

Bulk metals and metal chalcogenides are found to dissolve in primary amine–dithiol solvent mixtures at ambient conditions.
Physicochemical, morphological and cellular uptake properties of lutein nanodispersions prepared by using surfactants with different stabilizing mechanisms
Authors: Tan Tai Boon , Chu Wern Cui , Yussof Nor Shariffa , Abas Faridah , Mirhosseini Hamed , Cheah Yoke Kqueen , Nehdi Imededdine Arbi , Tan Chin Ping
Published: March 2016

To clearly understand how surfactants with different stabilizing mechanisms could affect the important characteristics of a lutein nanodispersion.
Iron(ii) spin crossover complexes with diaminonaphthalene-based Schiff base-like ligands: 1D coordination polymers
Authors: Lochenie Charles , Gebauer Andreas , Klimm Ottokar , Puchtler Florian , Weber Birgit
Published: March 2016

Iron(ii) spin crossover coordination polymers with diaminonaphthalene derived Schiff base-like ligands were synthesised, and their magnetic and structural properties were analysed. Rigid bridging ligands having up to 40 K wide hysteresis loops were observed.
Oxaazamacrocycles incorporating the quinoline moiety: synthesis and the study of their binding properties towards metal cations
Authors: Abel Anton S. , Averin Alexei D. , Beletskaya Irina P.
Published: March 2016

Nitrogen- and oxygen-containing macrocycles with an endocyclic quinoline moiety synthesized via Pd(0)-catalyzed amination were found to be prospective fluorescent chemosensors for Cu(ii).
Ln3+ post-functionalized metal–organic frameworks for color tunable emission and highly sensitive sensing of toxic anions and small molecules
Authors: Hao Ji-Na , Yan Bing
Published: March 2016

Ln3+-functionalized MOFs with tunable color and white-light emission were fabricated and developed as luminescent sensors for anions and small molecules.
Electrical and electrochemical properties of graphene modulated through surface functionalization
Authors: Jain Rini , Mishra Satyendra
Published: March 2016

The present work emphasizes a variety of electrical and electrochemical properties of graphite nano-materials (GNMs) with respect to their extent of functionalization.
Electrospun nanofibrous polyethylenimine mat: a potential adsorbent for the removal of chromate and arsenate from drinking water
Authors: Ma Yao , Zhang Bowu , Ma Hongjuan , Yu Ming , Li Linfan , Li Jingye
Published: March 2016

A nanofibrous adsorbent for sub-ppm level chromate and arsenate removal from drinking water has been fabricated via an electrospinning technique.
Facile synthesis of copper doped carbon dots and their application as a “turn-off” fluorescent probe in the detection of Fe3+ ions
Authors: Xu Quan , Wei Jianfei , Wang Jinglin , Liu Yao , Li Neng , Chen Yusheng , Gao Chun , Zhang Wenwen , Sreeprased Theruvakkattil Sreenivasan
Published: March 2016

Cu-doped carbon dots were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method and used as a “turn-off” fluorescent probe in the detection of Fe3+ ions.
Biomaterial strategies for controlling stem cell fate via morphogen sequestration
Authors: Hettiaratchi M. H. , Guldberg R. E. , McDevitt T. C.
Published: March 2016

This review explores the role of protein sequestration in the stem cell niche and how it has inspired the design of biomaterials that exploit natural protein sequestration to influence stem cell fate.
Tunable luminescence and white light emission of mixed lanthanide–organic frameworks based on polycarboxylate ligands
Authors: Wu Jiawei , Zhang Huabin , Du Shaowu
Published: March 2016

This review highlights the luminescence tuning and white light emission of aromatic polycarboxylate-based mixed Ln-MOFs by changing the relative concentration of the constituent Ln3+ ions or the excitation wavelength.
Immunoassay for tumor markers in human serum based on Si nanoparticles and SiC@Ag SERS-active substrate
Authors: Zhou Lu , Zhou Jun , Feng Zhao , Wang Fuyan , Xie Shushen , Bu Shizhong
Published: March 2016

An immunoassay protocol is described to detect tumor markers in human serum based on a sandwich structure consisting of nano-Si immune probes and SiC@Ag SERS-active immune substrate.
Production and characterization of a single-chain Fab fragment for the detection of O,O-diethyl organophosphorus pesticides
Authors: Rao M. F. , Li Y. J. , Dong J. X. , Wu W. J. , Xu Z. L. , Sun Y. M. , Wang H.
Published: March 2016

A recombinant antibody of scFab was developed with improved affinity towards target antigens and with long-term stability in storage.
Controlling embedment and surface chemistry of nanoclusters in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Coupry D. E. , Butson J. , Petkov P. S. , Saunders M. , O'Donnell K. , Kim H. , Buckley C. , Addicoat M. , Heine T. , Szilágyi P. Á.
Published: March 2016

A combined theoretical and experimental approach demonstrates that nanocluster embedment into the pores of metal–organic frameworks (MOF) may be influenced by the chemical functionalisation of the MOF.
Supramolecular micelle-based nucleoapzymes for the catalytic oxidation of dopamine to aminochrome
Authors: Albada H. Bauke , de Vries Jan Willem , Liu Qing , Golub Eyal , Klement Niels , Herrmann Andreas , Willner Itamar
Published: March 2016

Lipidated DNAzymes or a lipidated Cu(ii)-complex and lipidated aptamer sequences form supramolecular assemblies of micellar nucleoapzymes for the enhanced oxidation of dopamine to aminochrome.
The controlled synthesis of polyglucose in one-dimensional coordination nanochannels
Authors: Kobayashi Yuichiro , Horie Yuki , Honjo Kayako , Uemura Takashi , Kitagawa Susumu
Published: March 2016

Ring-opening polymerization of 1,6-anhydro-β-d-glucose in one-dimensional nanochannels of a porous coordination polymer gave a quasi-linear polyglucose without cross-linking.
Continuous flow Negishi cross-couplings employing silica-supported Pd-PEPPSI–IPr precatalyst
Authors: Price Gregory A. , Bogdan Andrew R. , Aguirre Ana L. , Iwai Toshiyuki , Djuric Stevan W. , Organ Michael G.
Published: March 2016

The synthesis of a triethoxysilyl functionalisedPd-PEPPSI–IPrcomplex preparedviaazide–alkyne cycloaddition is described.
Anisotropic surface functionalization of Au nanorods driven by molecular architecture and curvature effects
Authors: Solveyra Estefania Gonzalez , Tagliazucchi Mario , Szleifer Igal
Published: March 2016

This work suggests a novel strategy to coat the caps and body of Au-nanorods (Au-NRs) with end-grafted polymer layers of different compositions by taking advantage of the different curvature of these two regions. A molecular theory was used to theoretically investigate the effect of local curvature and molecular architecture (intramolecular connectivity of the monomers) on the adsorption of polymer mixtures on cylindrical (Au-NR body) and spherical (Au-NR caps) surfaces. The adsorption process was systematically studied as a function of the backbone length, number and position of branches, quality of the solvent and total number of monomers of the polymer molecules in the mixture. The balance between repulsive forces and polymer–surface and polymer–polymer attractions governs the amount and composition of the adsorbed layer. This balance is in turn modulated by the architecture of the polymers, the curvature of the surface and the competition between the different polymers in the mixture for the available area. As a result, the equilibrium composition of the polymer layer on spheres and cylinders of the same radius differs, and in turn departs from that of the bulk solution. Curvature plays a major role: the available volume at a given distance from the surface is larger for spherical surfaces than for cylindrical ones, therefore the surface density of the bulkier (more branched) polymer in the mixture is larger on the Au-NR caps than on the Au-NR body. These results suggest that the combination of curvature at the nanoscale and tailored molecular architecture can confer anisotropic nanoparticles with spatially enriched domains and, therefore, lead to nanoconstructs with directional chemical interactions.
Transport and uptake effects of marine complex lipid liposomes in small intestinal epithelial cell models
Authors: Du Lei , Yang Yu-Hong , Xu Jie , Wang Yu-Ming , Xue Chang-Hu , Kurihara Hideyuki , Takahashi Koretaro
Published: March 2016

Transport and uptake effects of marine complex lipid liposomes in Caco-2 and M cell monolayer models.
A mild preparation of alkynes from alkenyl triflates
Authors: Yang Xiaowen , Wu Dimin , Lu Zhaohong , Sun Hongbin , Li Ang
Published: March 2016

We report herein a protocol for preparing alkynes from alkenyl triflates at ambient temperature with LiCl as a promoter.
CoS2nanoparticles–graphene hybrid as a cathode catalyst for aprotic Li–O2batteries
Authors: Lyu Zhiyang , Zhang Jian , Wang Liangjun , Yuan Kaidi , Luan Yanping , Xiao Peng , Chen Wei
Published: March 2016

A CoS2nanoparticles–graphene hybrid was first used as a cathode catalyst for aprotic Li–O2batteries, exhibiting low discharge/charge overpotentials and a high rate capability.
Novel bismuth compounds: synthesis, characterization and biological activity against human adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Arda M. , Ozturk I. I. , Banti C. N. , Kourkoumelis N. , Manoli M. , Tasiopoulos A. J. , Hadjikakou S. K.
Published: March 2016

Novel bismuth(iii) halide compounds were synthesized. Molecules with lower H-all atoms inter-molecular interactions tend to exhibit the higher activity against MCF-7 and HeLa cells.
Iridium and rhodium “PNP” aminodiphosphine complexes used as catalysts in the oxidation of styrene
Authors: Naicker Dunesha , Friedrich Holger B. , Pansuriya Pramod B.
Published: March 2016

New Ir and Rh “PNP” aminodiphosphine complexes are effective catalysts in styrene oxidation withtert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. The Ir catalysts were more active than the Rh catalysts with high yields to benzaldehyde in comparison to styrene oxide.
A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of alkynone by carbonylative Sonogashira coupling using CHCl3as the CO source
Authors: Sun Guanglong , Lei Min , Hu Lihong
Published: March 2016

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of alkynones by a Pd-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reaction starting from aryl iodide, terminal alkyne and chloroform (CHCl3) as the CO source is described.
Graphitic-C3N4 quantum dots modified carbon nanotubes as a novel support material for a low Pt loading fuel cell catalyst
Authors: Li Cun-Zhi , Wang Zhen-Bo , Sui Xu-Lei , Zhang Li-Mei , Gu Da-Ming
Published: March 2016

A novel graphitic-C3N4 quantum dot modified carbon nanotube composite supported PtRu catalyst is prepared by π–π stacking. The enhanced catalytic performance of the catalyst is due to the better dispersion of PtRu NPs and the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI).
In situ formation of gold nanoparticles on magnetic halloysite nanotubes via polydopamine chemistry for highly effective and recyclable catalysis
Authors: Wei Qiangbing , Shi Ruirong , Lu Dedai , Lei Ziqiang
Published: March 2016

A simple and green approach to fabricate magnetic halloysite nanotubes supported Au nanoparticles composite from bio-inspired polydopamine chemistry was demonstrated for highly effective and recyclable catalysis.
Catalytic cross-benzoin/Michael/acetalization cascade for asymmetric synthesis of trifluoromethylated γ-butyrolactones
Authors: He Xiang-Hong , Yang Lei , Huang Wei , Zhao Qian , Pan Xiao-Li , Jiang Dao-Feng , Yang Ming-Cheng , Peng Cheng , Han Bo
Published: March 2016

A sequential NHC-amine catalytic cascade reaction has been developed. This approach incorporates a highly chemoselective intermolecular cross-benzoin reaction and a highly regioselective Michael-acetalization cascade.