bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Changes in Global Motion Coherence: Conflicting Haemodynamic and Perceptual Responses
Authors: Ward Laura McKernan , Morison Gordon , Simmers Anita Jane , Shahani Uma
Published: June 2018

Our aim was to use both behavioural and neuroimaging data to identify indicators of perceptual decline in motion processing. We employed a global motion coherence task and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Healthy adults (n = 72, 18–85) were recruited into the following groups: young (n = 28, mean age = 28), middle-aged (n = 22, mean age = 50), and older adults (n = 23, mean age = 70). Participants were assessed on their motion coherence thresholds at 3 different speeds using a psychophysical design. As expected, we report age group differences in motion processing as demonstrated by higher motion coherence thresholds in older adults. Crucially, we add correlational data showing that global motion perception declines linearly as a function of age. The associated fNIRS recordings provide a clear physiological correlate of global motion perception. The crux of this study lies in the robust linear correlation between age and haemodynamic response for both measures of oxygenation. We hypothesise that there is an increase in neural recruitment, necessitating an increase in metabolic need and blood flow, which presents as a higher oxygenated haemoglobin response. We report age-related changes in motion perception with poorer behavioural performance (high motion coherence thresholds) associated with an increased haemodynamic response.
Acute Exposure to Commonly Ingested Emulsifiers Alters Intestinal Mucus Structure and Transport Properties
Authors: Lock Jaclyn Y. , Carlson Taylor L. , Wang Chia-Ming , Chen Albert , Carrier Rebecca L.
Published: June 2018

The consumption of generally regarded as safe emulsifiers has increased, and has been associated with an increased prevalence of inflammatory bowel and metabolic diseases, as well as an altered microbiome. The mucus barrier, which selectively controls the transport of particulates and microorganisms to the underlying epithelial layer, has been previously shown to be altered by dietary salts and lipids. However, the potential impact of emulsifiers on the protective mucus barrier, its permeability, and associated structural changes are not clear. In this study, we analyzed changes in the mucus barrier to both passively diffusing nanoparticles and actively swimming E. coli upon exposure to two emulsifiers, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate 80 (Tween). When exposed to CMC, mucus pore size decreased, which resulted in significantly slower E. coli speed and particle diffusion rates through mucus. Tween exposure minimally impacted mucus microstructure and particle diffusion, but increased E. coli speed in mucus. Moreover, both emulsifiers appeared to alter mucus amount and thickness in rat intestinal tissue and mucus-producing cell cultures. These results indicate that acute exposure to emulsifiers impacts barrier and structural properties of intestinal mucus, modulating interactions between intestinal lumen contents, microbes, and underlying tissue, which may contribute to development of intestinal inflammation.
Angiogenin and Osteoprotegerin are type II muscle specific myokines protecting pancreatic beta-cells against proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Rutti Sabine , Dusaulcy Rodolphe , Hansen Jakob S. , Howald Cédric , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Pedersen Bente K. , Pinget Michel , Plomgaard Peter , Bouzakri Karim
Published: June 2018

Tissue cross-talk is emerging as a determinant way to coordinate the different organs implicated in glucose homeostasis. Among the inter-organ communication factors, muscle-secreted myokines can modulate the function and survival of pancreatic beta-cells. Using primary human myotubes from soleus, vastus lateralis and triceps brachii muscles, we report here that the impact of myokines on beta-cells depends on fiber types and their metabolic status. We show that Type I and type II primary myotubes present specific mRNA and myokine signatures as well as a different sensitivity to TNF-alpha induced insulin resistance. Finally, we show that angiogenin and osteoprotegerin are triceps specific myokines with beta-cell protective actions against proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that type I and type II muscles could impact insulin secretion and beta-cell mass differentially in type 2 diabetes through specific myokines secretion.
The piecewise parabolic method for elastic-plastic flow in solids
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Cheng , Liu Kun , Bai Jing-Song , Li Ping , Wan Zhen-Hua , Sun De-Jun
Published: June 2018

A numerical technique of high-order piecewise parabolic method in combination of HLLD (”D” denotes Discontinuities) Riemann solver is developed for the numerical simulation of elastic-plastic flow. The introduction of the plastic effect is realized by decomposing the total deformation gradient tensor as the product of elastic and plastic deformation gradient tensors and adding plastic source term to the conservation law model equation with the variable of the elastic deformation gradient tensor. For the solution of the resulting inhomogeneous equation system, a temporal splitting strategy is adopted and a semi-implicit scheme is performed to solve the ODES in the plastic step, which is conducted to account for the contributions from plastic source terms. As seen from the results of test cases involving large deformation and high strain rate, the computational model used can reflect the characteristics of constitutive relation of material under strong impact action and our numerical method can realize the exact simulation of the elastic-plastic behavior of solid material, especially the accurate capture of the elastic-plastic waves. Further, it could also deal with high-speed impact problems with multi-material components, catching material interfaces correctly and keeping the interfaces sharp, when combined with interface tracking technique such as the level-set algorithm.
Optimal neural inference of stimulus intensities
Authors: Monk Travis , Savin Cristina , Lücke Jörg
Published: June 2018

In natural data, the class and intensity of stimuli are correlated. Current machine learning algorithms ignore this ubiquitous statistical property of stimuli, usually by requiring normalized inputs. From a biological perspective, it remains unclear how neural circuits may account for these dependencies in inference and learning. Here, we use a probabilistic framework to model class-specific intensity variations, and we derive approximate inference and online learning rules which reflect common hallmarks of neural computation. Concretely, we show that a neural circuit equipped with specific forms of synaptic and intrinsic plasticity (IP) can learn the class-specific features and intensities of stimuli simultaneously. Our model provides a normative interpretation of IP as a critical part of sensory learning and predicts that neurons can represent nontrivial input statistics in their excitabilities. Computationally, our approach yields improved statistical representations for realistic datasets in the visual and auditory domains. In particular, we demonstrate the utility of the model in estimating the contrastive stress of speech.
Collagen Fingerprinting and the Earliest Marine Mammal Hunting in North America
Authors: Hofman Courtney A. , Rick Torben C. , Erlandson Jon M. , Reeder-Myers Leslie , Welch Andreanna J. , Buckley Michael
Published: June 2018

The submersion of Late Pleistocene shorelines and poor organic preservation at many early archaeological sites obscure the earliest effects of humans on coastal resources in the Americas. We used collagen fingerprinting to identify bone fragments from middens at four California Channel Island sites that are among the oldest coastal sites in the Americas (~12,500-8,500 cal BP). We document Paleocoastal human predation of at least three marine mammal families/species, including northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), eared seals (Otariidae), and sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Otariids and elephant seals are abundant today along the Pacific Coast of North America, but elephant seals are rare in late Holocene (<1500 cal BP) archaeological sites. Our data support the hypotheses that: (1) marine mammals helped fuel the peopling of the Americas; (2) humans affected marine mammal biogeography millennia before the devastation caused by the historic fur and oil trade; and (3) the current abundance and distribution of recovering pinniped populations on the California Channel Islands may mirror a pre-human baseline.
Quasi-Periodic Patterns of Neural Activity improve Classification of Alzheimer’s Disease in Mice
Authors: Belloy Michaël E. , Shah Disha , Abbas Anzar , Kashyap Amrit , Roßner Steffen , Van der Linden Annemie , Keilholz Shella D. , Keliris Georgios A. , Verhoye Marleen
Published: June 2018

Resting state (rs)fMRI allows measurement of brain functional connectivity and has identified default mode (DMN) and task positive (TPN) network disruptions as promising biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Quasi-periodic patterns (QPPs) of neural activity describe recurring spatiotemporal patterns that display DMN with TPN anti-correlation. We reasoned that QPPs could provide new insights into AD network dysfunction and improve disease diagnosis. We therefore used rsfMRI to investigate QPPs in old TG2576 mice, a model of amyloidosis, and age-matched controls. Multiple QPPs were determined and compared across groups. Using linear regression, we removed their contribution from the functional scans and assessed how they reflected functional connectivity. Lastly, we used elastic net regression to determine if QPPs improved disease classification. We present three prominent findings: (1) Compared to controls, TG2576 mice were marked by opposing neural dynamics in which DMN areas were anti-correlated and displayed diminished anti-correlation with the TPN. (2) QPPs reflected lowered DMN functional connectivity in TG2576 mice and revealed significantly decreased DMN-TPN anti-correlations. (3) QPP-derived measures significantly improved classification compared to conventional functional connectivity measures. Altogether, our findings provide insight into the neural dynamics of aberrant network connectivity in AD and indicate that QPPs might serve as a translational diagnostic tool.
Enteric Species F Human Adenoviruses use Laminin-Binding Integrins as Co-Receptors for Infection of Ht-29 Cells
Authors: Rajan Anandi , Persson B. David , Frängsmyr Lars , Olofsson Annelie , Sandblad Linda , Heino Jyrki , Takada Yoshikazu , Mould A. Paul , Schnapp Lynn M. , Gall Jason , Arnberg Niklas
Published: June 2018

The enteric species F human adenovirus types 40 and 41 (HAdV-40 and -41) are the third most common cause of infantile gastroenteritis in the world. Knowledge about HAdV-40 and -41 cellular infection is assumed to be fundamentally different from that of other HAdVs since HAdV-40 and -41 penton bases lack the αV-integrin-interacting RGD motif. This motif is used by other HAdVs mainly for internalization and endosomal escape. We hypothesised that the penton bases of HAdV-40 and -41 interact with integrins independently of the RGD motif. HAdV-41 transduction of a library of rodent cells expressing specific human integrin subunits pointed to the use of laminin-binding α2-, α3- and α6-containing integrins as well as other integrins as candidate co-receptors. Specific laminins prevented internalisation and infection, and recombinant, soluble HAdV-41 penton base proteins prevented infection of human intestinal HT-29 cells. Surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrated that HAdV-40 and -41 penton base proteins bind to α6-containing integrins with an affinity similar to that of previously characterised penton base:integrin interactions. With these results, we propose that laminin-binding integrins are co-receptors for HAdV-40 and -41.
3D Maps of Mineral Composition and Hydroxyapatite Orientation in Fossil Bone Samples Obtained by X-ray Diffraction Computed Tomography
Authors: Mürer Fredrik K. , Sanchez Sophie , Álvarez-Murga Michelle , Di Michiel Marco , Pfeiffer Franz , Bech Martin , Breiby Dag W.
Published: June 2018

Whether hydroxyapatite (HA) orientation in fossilised bone samples can be non-destructively retrieved and used to determine the arrangement of the bone matrix and the location of muscle attachments (entheses), is a question of high relevance to palaeontology, as it facilitates a detailed understanding of the (micro-)anatomy of extinct species with no damage to the precious fossil specimens. Here, we report studies of two fossil bone samples, specifically the tibia of a 300-million-year-old tetrapod,Discosauriscus austriacus, and the humerus of a 370-million-year-old lobe-finned fish,Eusthenopteron foordi, using XRD-CT – a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and computed tomography (CT). Reconstructed 3D images showing the spatial mineral distributions and the local orientation of HA were obtained. ForDiscosauriscus austriacus, details of the muscle attachments could be discerned. ForEusthenopteron foordi, the gross details of the preferred orientation of HA were deduced using three tomographic datasets obtained with orthogonally oriented rotation axes. For both samples, the HA in the bone matrix exhibited preferred orientation, with the unit cellc-axis of the HA crystallites tending to be parallel with the bone surface. In summary, we have demonstrated that XRD-CT combined with an intuitive reconstruction procedure is becoming a powerful tool for studying palaeontological samples.
Striatonigral neurons divide into two distinct morphological-physiological phenotypes after chronic L-DOPA treatment in parkinsonian rats
Authors: Fieblinger T. , Zanetti L. , Sebastianutto I. , Breger L. S. , Quintino L. , Lockowandt M. , Lundberg C. , Cenci M. A.
Published: June 2018

Dendritic regression of striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here we investigate how chronic dopamine denervation and dopamine replacement with L-DOPA affect the morphology and physiology of direct pathway SPNs (dSPNS) in the rat striatum. We used a lentiviral vector optimized for retrograde labeling (FuG-B-GFP) to identify dSPNs in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. Changes in morphology and physiology of dSPNs were assessed through a combination of patch-clamp recordings and two photon microscopy. The 6-OHDA lesion caused a significant reduction in dSPN dendritic complexity. Following chronic L-DOPA treatment, dSPNs segregated into two equal-sized clusters. One group (here called “cluster-1”), showed sustained dendritic atrophy and a partially normalized electrophysiological phenotype. The other one (“cluster-2”) exhibited dendritic regrowth and a strong reduction of intrinsic excitability. Interestingly, FosB/∆FosB induction by L-DOPA treatment occurred preferentially in cluster-2 dSPNs. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of retrograde FuG-B-GFP labeling to study dSPNs in the rat and reveals, for the first time, that a subgroup of dSPNs shows dendritic sprouting in response to chronic L-DOPA treatment. Investigating the mechanisms and significance of this response will greatly improve our understanding of the adaptations induced by dopamine replacement therapy in PD.
Pirfenidone decreases mesothelioma cell proliferation and migration via inhibition of ERK and AKT and regulates mesothelioma tumor microenvironment in vivo
Authors: Li Chang , Rezov Veronika , Joensuu Emmi , Vartiainen Ville , Rönty Mikko , Yin Miao , Myllärniemi Marjukka , Koli Katri
Published: June 2018

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. It is characterized by prominent extracellular matrix, mesenchymal tumor cell phenotypes and chemoresistance. In this study, the ability of pirfenidone to alter mesothelioma cell proliferation and migration as well as mesothelioma tumor microenvironment was evaluated. Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic drug used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has also anti-proliferative activities. Mesothelioma cell proliferation was decreased by pirfenidone alone or in combination with cisplatin. Pirfenidone also decreased significantly Transwell migration/invasion and 3D collagen invasion. This was associated with increased BMP pathway activity, decreased GREM1 expression and downregulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT/mTOR signaling. The canonical Smad-mediated TGF-β signaling was not affected by pirfenidone. However, pirfenidone blocked TGF-β induced upregulation of ERK and AKT pathways. Treatment of mice harboring mesothelioma xenografts with pirfenidone alone did not reduce tumor proliferation in vivo. However, pirfenidone modified the tumor microenvironment by reducing the expression of extracellular matrix associated genes. In addition, GREM1 expression was downregulated by pirfenidone in vivo. By reducing two major upregulated pathways in mesothelioma and by targeting tumor cells and the microenvironment pirfenidone may present a novel anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer adjuvant therapy for mesothelioma.
Transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation of the human primary motor cortex
Authors: Legon Wynn , Bansal Priya , Tyshynsky Roman , Ai Leo , Mueller Jerel K.
Published: June 2018

Transcranial focused ultrasound is an emerging form of non-invasive neuromodulation that uses acoustic energy to affect neuronal excitability. The effect of ultrasound on human motor cortical excitability and behavior is currently unknown. We apply ultrasound to the primary motor cortex in humans using a novel simultaneous transcranial ultrasound and magnetic stimulation paradigm that allows for concurrent and concentric ultrasound stimulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This allows for non-invasive inspection of the effect of ultrasound on motor neuronal excitability using the motor evoked potential (MEP). We test the effect of ultrasound on single pulse MEP recruitment curves and paired pulse protocols including short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). In addition, we test the effect of ultrasound to motor cortex on a stimulus response reaction time task. Results show ultrasound inhibits the amplitude of single-pulse MEPs and attenuates intracortical facilitation but does not affect intracortical inhibition. Ultrasound also reduces reaction time on a simple stimulus response task. This is the first report of the effect of ultrasound on human motor cortical excitability and motor behavior and confirms previous results in the somatosensory cortex that ultrasound results in effective neuronal inhibition that confers a performance advantage.
Antibody responses to α-Gal in African children vary with age and site and are associated with malaria protection
Authors: Aguilar Ruth , Ubillos Itziar , Vidal Marta , Balanza Núria , Crespo Núria , Jiménez Alfons , Nhabomba Augusto , Jairoce Chenjerai , Dosoo David , Gyan Ben , Ayestaran Aintzane , Sanz Hèctor , Campo Joseph J. , Gómez-Pérez Gloria P. , Izquierdo Luis , Dobaño Carlota
Published: June 2018

Naturally-acquired antibody responses to malaria parasites are not only directed to protein antigens but also to carbohydrates on the surface ofPlasmodiumprotozoa. Immunoglobulin M responses to α-galactose (α-Gal) (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R)-containing glycoconjugates have been associated with protection fromP. falciparuminfection and, as a result, these molecules are under consideration as vaccine targets; however there are limited field studies in endemic populations. We assessed a wide breadth of isotype and subclass antibody response to α-Gal in children from Mozambique (South East Africa) and Ghana (West Africa) by quantitative suspension array technology. We showed that anti-α-Gal IgM, IgG and IgG1–4levels vary mainly depending on the age of the child, and also differ in magnitude in the two sites. At an individual level, the intensity of malaria exposure toP. falciparumand maternally-transferred antibodies affected the magnitude of α-Gal responses. There was evidence for a possible protective role of anti-α-Gal IgG3 and IgG4 antibodies. However, the most consistent findings were that the magnitude of IgM responses to α-Gal was associated with protection against clinical malaria over a one-year follow up period, especially in the first months of life, while IgG levels correlated with malaria risk.
Neandertal fire-making technology inferred from microwear analysis
Authors: Sorensen A. C. , Claud E. , Soressi M.
Published: June 2018

Fire use appears to have been relatively common among Neandertals in the Middle Palaeolithic. However, the means by which Neandertals procured their fire—either through the collection of natural fire, or by producing it themselves using tools—is still a matter of debate. We present here the first direct artefactual evidence for regular, systematic fire production by Neandertals. From archaeological layers attributed to late Mousterian industries at multiple sites throughout France, primarily to the Mousterian of Acheulean Tradition (MTA) technoculture (ca. 50,000 years BP), we identify using microwear analysis dozens of late Middle Palaeolithic bifacial tools that exhibit macroscopic and microscopic traces suggesting repeated percussion and/or forceful abrasion with a hard mineral material. Both the locations and nature of the polish and associated striations are comparable to those obtained experimentally by obliquely percussing fragments of pyrite (FeS2) against the flat/convex sides of a biface to make fire. The striations within these discrete use zones are always oriented roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool, allowing us to rule out taphonomic origins for these traces. We therefore suggest that the occasional use of bifaces as ‘strike-a-lights’ was a technocultural feature shared among the late Neandertals in France.
Characterization of the second- and third-harmonic optical susceptibilities of atomically thin tungsten diselenide
Authors: Rosa Henrique G. , Ho Yi Wei , Verzhbitskiy Ivan , Rodrigues Manuel J. F. L. , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Eda Goki , Pereira Vitor M. , Gomes José C. V.
Published: June 2018

We report the first detailed characterization of the sheet third-harmonic optical susceptibility, χ(3)s, of tungsten diselenide (WSe2). With a home-built multiphoton microscope setup developed to study harmonics generation, we map the second and third-harmonic intensities as a function of position in the sample, pump power and polarization angle, for single- and few-layers flakes of WSe2. We register a value of |χ(3)s| ≈ 0.9 × 10−28 m3 V−2 at a fundamental excitation frequency of ℏω = 0.8 eV, which is comparable in magnitude to the third-harmonic susceptibility of other group-VI transition metal dichalcogenides. The simultaneously recorded sheet second-harmonic susceptibility is found to be |χ(2)s| ≈ 0.7 × 10−19 m2 V−1 in very good agreement on the order of magnitude with recent reports for WSe2, which asserts the robustness of our values for |χ(3)s|.
Adolescent social stress increases anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Caruso M. J. , Seemiller L. R. , Fetherston T. B. , Miller C. N. , Reiss D. E. , Cavigelli S. A. , Kamens H. M.
Published: June 2018

Exposure to social stress is an important risk factor for comorbid affective disorders and problem alcohol use. To better understand mechanisms involved in social stress-induced affective disorder and alcohol use co-morbidity, we studied the effects of adolescent social stress on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and binge-like ethanol consumption. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic variable social stress (CVSS) or control conditions throughout adolescence (postnatal days, PND, 25–59) and then tested for anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and a novel open field environment, or depression-like behavior using the forced swim test on PND 64–66. Mice were then tested for binge-like ethanol consumption using the Drinking-in-the-Dark model. Male and female mice exposed to adolescent CVSS had increased adult anxiety-like behavior and increased locomotor adaptation to a novel environment. Further, CVSS mice consumed significantly more ethanol, but not saccharin, than controls. Despite group differences in both anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption, there was no relationship between these outcomes within individual mice. These data suggest that exposure to adolescent social stress is an important risk factor for later alcohol use and affective behaviors, but that social stress does not necessarily dictate co-morbidity of these outcomes.
A new genus and tribe of freshwater mussel (Unionidae) from Southeast Asia
Authors: Bolotov Ivan N. , Pfeiffer John M. , Konopleva Ekaterina S. , Vikhrev Ilya V. , Kondakov Alexander V. , Aksenova Olga V. , Gofarov Mikhail Yu. , Tumpeesuwan Sakboworn , Win Than
Published: June 2018

The freshwater mussel genus Oxynaia Haas, 1911 is thought to be comprised of two geographically disjunct and morphologically variable species groups but the monophyly of this taxon has yet to be tested in any modern cladistic sense. This generic hypothesis has important systematic and biogeographic implications as Oxynaia is the type genus of the currently recognized tribe Oxynaiini (Parreysiinae) and is one of the few genera thought to cross several biogeographically important barriers in Southeast Asia. Morphological and molecular data clearly demonstrate that Oxynaia is not monophyletic, and the type species and its allies (O. jourdyi group) belong to the Unioninae, and more specifically as members of the genus Nodularia Conrad, 1853. Therefore, neither Oxynaiasyn. nov. nor Oxynaiini Starobogatov, 1970 are applicable to the Parreysiinae and in the absence of an available name, Indochinellagen. nov. and Indochinellini trib. nov. are described. Several combinations are proposed as follows: Indochinella pugio (Benson, 1862) gen. et comb. nov., Nodularia jourdyi (Morlet, 1886) comb. res., N. gladiator (Ancey, 1881) comb. res., N. diespiter (Mabille, 1887) comb. res. and N. micheloti (Morlet, 1886) comb. res. Finally, we provide an updated freshwater biogeographic division of Southeast Asia.
Global assessment of early warning signs that temperature could undergo regime shifts
Authors: Chevalier Mathieu , Grenouillet Gaël
Published: June 2018

Climate change metrics have been used to quantify the exposure of geographic areas to different facets of change and relate these facets to different threats and opportunities for biodiversity at a global scale. In parallel, a suite of indicators have been developed to detect approaching transitions between alternative stable states in ecological systems at a local scale. Here, we explore whether particular geographic areas over the world display evidence for upcoming critical transitions in the temperature regime using five Early Warning Indicators (EWIs) commonly used in the literature. Although all EWIs revealed strong spatial variations regarding the likelihood of approaching transitions we found differences regarding the strength and the distribution of trends across the world, suggesting either that different mechanisms might be at play or that EWIs differ in their ability to detect approaching transitions. Nonetheless, a composite EWI, constructed from individual EWIs, showed congruent trends in several areas and highlighted variations across latitudes, between marine and terrestrial systems and among ecoregions within systems. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear, our results suggest that some areas over the world might change toward an alternative temperature regime in the future with potential implications for the organisms inhabiting these areas.
SSPIM: a beam shaping toolbox for structured selective plane illumination microscopy
Authors: Aakhte Mostafa , Akhlaghi Ehsan A. , Müller H.-Arno J.
Published: June 2018

Selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) represents a preferred method in dynamic tissue imaging, because it combines high spatiotemporal resolution with low phototoxicity. The OpenSPIM system was developed to provide an accessible and flexible microscope set-up for non-specialist users. Here, we report Structured SPIM (SSPIM), which offers an open-source, user-friendly and compact toolbox for beam shaping to be applied within the OpenSPIM platform. SSPIM is able to generate digital patterns for a wide range of illumination beams including static and spherical Gaussian beams, Bessel beams and Airy beams by controlling the pattern of a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). In addition, SSPIM can produce patterns for structured illumination including incoherent and coherent array beams and tiling for all types of the supported beams. We describe the workflow of the toolbox and demonstrate its application by comparing experimental data with simulation results for a wide range of illumination beams. Finally, the capability of SSPIM is investigated by 3D imaging of Drosophila embryos using scanned Gaussian, Bessel and array beams. SSPIM provides an accessible toolbox to generate and optimize the desired beam patterns and helps adapting the OpenSPIM system towards a wider range of biological samples.
Synergy of Physico-chemical and Biological Experiments for Developing a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor
Authors: Singh Palwinder , Kaur Jagroop , Kaur Harpreet , Kaur Anudeep , Bhatti Rajbir
Published: June 2018

The physiological consequences of COX-2 overexpression in the development of cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases have made this enzyme a promising therapeutic target. Herein, COX-2 active site was analyzed and new molecules were designed. We identified a highly potent molecule (S)-3a with IC50 value and the selectivity for COX-2 0.6 nM and 1666, respectively. The MTD of (S)-3a was 2000 mg kg−1 and its pharmacokinetic studies in rat showed t1/2 7.5 h. This compound reversed acetic acid induced analgesia and carragennan induced inflammation by 50% and 25% in rat when used at a dose 10 mg kg−1. Mechanistically, it was found that compound (S)-3a inhibits COX-2. Overall, the combination of physico-chemical and biological experiments facilitated the development of a new lead molecule to anti-inflammatory drug.
Higher dialysate calcium concentration is associated with incident myocardial infarction among diabetic patients with low bone turnover: a longitudinal study
Authors: Tagawa Miho , Hamano Takayuki , Sueta Shinichi , Ogata Satoshi , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: June 2018

This is a longitudinal study on 53,560 hemodialysis patients from the Japan Renal Data Registry. Predictor was D[Ca] ≥3.0 vs 2.5 mEq/L. Outcomes were the first CV events during 1-year observation period. Association of D[Ca] with CV events and effect modifications were tested using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was a significant effect modifier for association of higher D[Ca] and myocardial infarction (MI) (OR: 1.26 (1.03–1.55) among DM and 0.86 (0.72–1.03) among non-DM, p for interaction <0.01). The effect size was not affected by further adjustment for serum albumin-corrected Ca or intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, but was attenuated by adjustment for intradialytic change in serum Ca concentration (ΔCa) (1.16 [0.89–1.51]). Among DM, D[Ca] ≥3.0 mEq/L was significantly associated with MI in the first tertile of corrected Ca or iPTH ≤60 pg/ml (p for interaction 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). In conclusion, higher D[Ca] was associated with incident MI in DM, especially with low serum Ca or iPTH levels. Attenuation of the effect size by adjustment for ΔCa and stratified analyses suggest that larger Ca influx during dialysis with higher D[Ca] in patients suggestive of low bone turnover leads to vascular calcification and subsequent MI in DM.
High Magnesium Corrosion Rate has an Effect on Osteoclast and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Role During Bone Remodelling
Authors: Maradze Diana , Musson David , Zheng Yufeng , Cornish Jillian , Lewis Mark , Liu Yang
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding on the collective cellular effects of magnesium (Mg) corrosion products on the behaviour of cells responsible for bone formation and remodelling. The response of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoclast cells to both soluble (Mg ions) and insoluble (granule) corrosion products were recapitulated in vitro by controlling the concentration of the corrosion products. Clearance of corrosion granules by MSCs was also inspected by TEM analysis at sub-cellular level. The effect of Mg corrosion products varied depending on the state of differentiation of cells, concentration and length of exposure. The presence of the corrosion products significantly altered the cells’ metabolic and proliferative activities, which further affected cell fusion/differentiation. While cells tolerated higher than physiological range of Mg concentration (16 mM), concentrations below 10 mM were beneficial for cell growth. Furthermore, MSCs were shown to contribute to the clearance of intercellular corrosion granules, whilst high concentrations of corrosion products negatively impacted on osteoclast progenitor cell number and mature osteoclast cell function.
Correction: Corrigendum: Diabetic cornea wounds produce significantly weaker electric signals that may contribute to impaired healing
Authors: Shen Yunyun , Pfluger Trisha , Ferreira Fernando , Liang Jiebing , Navedo Manuel F. , Zeng Qunli , Reid Brian , Zhao Min
Published: June 2018

Scientific Reports 6; Article number: 26525; published online: 10 June 2016; updated 27 June 2018 The Acknowledgements section in this Article is incomplete. “This work was supported by NIH EY019101 to M.Z. This study was supported in part by an Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness,Inc.
Production of H2S – The l-cysteine/CSE-CBS-MST/H2S System
Authors: Zhu Yi Zhun
Published: June 2018

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a bioactive gasotransmitter, is produced endogenously primarily by three enzymes, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST). This chapter comprehensively reviews the characteristics, mechanisms, and potential regulation of H2S generation by the CSE/CBS/MST system. The production of polysulfide, the predominant form of H2S storage in vivo, is also discussed. In addition, exogenous H2S donors designed for mammalian cells are summarized and classified.
Production and Signaling Functions of Ammonia in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Meng Ziqiang , Wang Rui
Published: June 2018

Ammonia (NH3) as a free gaseous molecule is produced in mammalian cells via an array of metabolic pathways. Its importance as a metabolic product and a fundamental element in the make-up of macromolecules has been recognized, but its participation and contribution to cellular signaling processes have been largely overlooked. This chapter discusses the endogenous generation, metabolism, and biological functions of gaseous ammonia under physiological and pathological conditions, such as hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy. The role of ammonia as a gasotransmitter is specially examined, considering its unique and different properties from those of other gasotransmitters.
Recent developments in the synthesis and applications of graphene-family materials functionalized with cyclodextrins
Authors: Kasprzak Artur , Poplawska Magdalena
Published: June 2018

Recent developments in the chemistry and applications of graphene-family materials functionalized with cyclodextrins are discussed.
Iron(ii) and cobalt(ii) complexes based on anionic phenanthroline-imidazolate ligands: reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations
Authors: Abhervé Alexandre , Benmansour Samia , Gómez-García Carlos José , Avarvari Narcis
Published: June 2018

Among the series of FeIIand CoIIcomplexes based on phenanthroline-imidazolate ligands, the FeIIcomplex (H9O4)[Fe(PIMP)3]·(C4H10O)2(H2O) (1a) exhibits reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations by solvent uptake/release.
One-step surfactant-free synthesis of KSc2F7 microcrystals: controllable phases, rich morphologies and multicolor down conversion luminescence properties
Authors: Xiong Jie , Yu Jie , Zhang Yufeng , Xia Wenpeng , Hu Shanshan , Zhang Yanfei , Yang Jun
Published: June 2018

The obtained products show controlled phases and abundant morphologies with the increase of fluoride ion concentration.
DFT investigation on the adsorption of munition compounds on α-Fe2O3: similarity and differences with α-Al2O3
Authors: Jenness Glen R. , Seiter Jennifer , Shukla Manoj K.
Published: June 2018

Arid environments have long been a testing and training ground for novel munitions.
Correction: Neutron diffraction studies on the thermal expansion and anomalous mechanics in the perovskite-type [C(ND2)3]Me2+(DCOO)3 [Me = Cu, Mn, Co]
Authors: Viswanathan M.
Published: June 2018

Correction for ‘Neutron diffraction studies on the thermal expansion and anomalous mechanics in the perovskite-type [C(ND2)3]Me2+(DCOO)3 [Me = Cu, Mn, Co]’ by M. Viswanathan et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8cp01245h.
Harnessing electrostatic catalysis in single molecule, electrochemical and chemical systems: a rapidly growing experimental tool box
Authors: Ciampi Simone , Darwish Nadim , Aitken Heather M. , Díez-Pérez Ismael , Coote Michelle L.
Published: June 2018

Electrostatic catalysis, once considered theoretical daydreaming, is poised to enter mainstream chemistry, with viable platforms including single molecule experiments, electrified interfaces and pH-switchable charges.
Improved durability of Co3O4 particles supported on SmMn2O5 for methane combustion
Authors: Feng Zijian , Du Chun , Chen Yongjie , Lang Yun , Zhao Yunkun , Cho Kyeongjae , Chen Rong , Shan Bin
Published: June 2018

To eliminate the aggregation of Co3O4 in the methane combustion process at high temperature, a thermally stable mullite structure, SmMn2O5 (SMO), was utilized as a support to improve the catalytic durability of Co3O4 particles.
Increasing the ion-exchange capacity of MFI zeolites by introducing Zn to aluminosilicate frameworks
Authors: Koike Natsume , Iyoki Kenta , Wang Bangda , Yanaba Yutaka , Elangovan Shanmugam Palani , Itabashi Keiji , Chaikittisilp Watcharop , Okubo Tatsuya
Published: June 2018

Zn(ii) is incorporated into the zeolitic framework to improve the ion-exchange capacity of MFI zeolites beyond the aluminosilicates.
Insertion of CS2into the Mg–H bond: synthesis and structural characterization of the magnesium dithioformate complex, [TismPriBenz]Mg(κ2-S2CH)
Authors: Rauch Michael , Parkin Gerard
Published: June 2018

Insertion of CS2into the Mg–H bond of [TismPriBenz]MgH affords [TismPriBenz]Mg(κ2-S2CH), the first structurally characterized magnesium dithioformate compound.
Preliminary studies on the impact of in situ oil sand extraction methods on the movement of water soluble organics and inorganics by a pilot scale test
Authors: Wang Xiaomeng , Kasperski Kim , Cook Amanda , Ilko Adrian
Published: June 2018

Pilot scale tests on the impact of the elevated temperatures and pressures of in situ thermal operation on groundwater chemistry.
An efficient copper catalyzed 3D mesoporous aluminosilicate for the synthesis of dibenzodiazonines in the Ullmann cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Veerabagu Udayakumar , Jaikumar Gowsika , Arumugam Pandurangan , Shanmugam Sabarathinam , Fushen Lu
Published: June 2018

CuO distribution in the aluminosilicate framework and acidic sites play a multifunctional role in the reaction. 13H-Dibenzo[1,4]diazonine has been synthesized by using a 6 wt% CuO/Al-KIT-6 catalyst using ethanol as solvent.
Implementation of a logic gate by chemically induced nitrogen and oxygen rich C-dots for the selective detection of fluoride ions
Authors: Kainth Shagun , Mehta Akansha , Mishra Amit , Basu Soumen
Published: June 2018

The widespread pollution of fluoride ions in the environment badly affects the ecological system due to their high toxicity, mobility and the difficulty of their degradation.
Fabrication of planar heterojunction CsPbBr2I perovskite solar cells using ZnO as an electron transport layer and improved solar energy conversion efficiency
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Adhikari Tham , Sher Muhammad , Revaprasadu Neerish , Khalid Waqas , Akhtar Javeed , Nunzi Jean-Michel
Published: June 2018

Inorganic cesium lead bromoiodide based planar perovskite solar cells with ZnO electron transport layers are deposited using one step spin coating.
Towards molecular electronic devices based on ‘all-carbon’ wires
Authors: Moneo Andrea , González-Orive Alejandro , Bock Sören , Fenero Marta , Herrer I. Lucía , Milan David C. , Lorenzoni Matteo , Nichols Richard J. , Cea Pilar , Perez-Murano Francesc , Low Paul J. , Martin Santiago
Published: June 2018

Molecular electronic devices based on linear ‘all-carbon’ wires attached to gold electrodes through C–Au contacts formed via in situ desilylation of trimethylsilyl end groups.
T-Nb2O5 nanoparticle enabled pseudocapacitance with fast Li-ion intercalation
Authors: Kong Lingping , Liu Xiaoteng , Wei Jinjia , Wang Steven , Xu Ben Bin , Long Donghui , Chen Fei
Published: June 2018

Orthorhombic Nb2O5 (T-Nb2O5) nanocrystallites are successfully fabricated through an evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) method guided by a commercialised triblock copolymer – Pluronic F127.
Synthesis of N-arylsulfonamides via Fe-promoted reaction of sulfonyl halides with nitroarenes in an aqueous medium
Authors: Jiang Jun , Zeng Sheng , Chen De , Cheng Chaozhihui , Deng Wei , Xiang Jiannan
Published: June 2018

A fascinating Fe-promoted protocol for the synthesis of N-arylsulfonamides has been developed. Starting from commercially available nitroarenes and sulfonyl chlorides, moderate to excellent yields of the corresponding N-arylsulfonamides can be obtained. In particular, Fe dust was the sole reductant in the transformation and it can be easily performed on a large scale.
Lasso peptides: chemical approaches and structural elucidation
Authors: Martin-Gómez Helena , Tulla-Puche Judit
Published: June 2018

The diverse functionality and the extraordinary stability of lasso peptides make these molecules attractive scaffolds for drug discovery. The ability to generate lasso peptides chemically remains a challenging endeavor.
Acyclic and cyclic imines and their metal complexes: recent progress in biomaterials and corrosion applications
Authors: Al Zoubi Wail , Mohamed Saad Gomaa , Al-Hamdani Abbas Ali Salih , Mahendradhany Agastya Prastita , Ko Young Gun
Published: June 2018

The contemporary development applications on scientific areas of acyclic and cyclic Schiff bases and their complexes.
Antimicrobial synergy of cationic grafted poly(para-phenylene ethynylene) and poly(para-phenylene vinylene) compounds with UV or metal ions against Enterococcus faecium
Authors: McBrearty Jordan , Barker David , Damavandi Mona , Wilson-Nieuwenhuis Joels , Pilkington Lisa I. , Dempsey-Hibbert Nina , Slate Anthony J. , Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: June 2018

The rise in multidrug resistant bacteria is an area of growing concern and it is essential to identify new biocidal agents.
Novel Eu3+-activated Ba2Y5B5O17 red-emitting phosphors for white LEDs: high color purity, high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability
Authors: Annadurai G. , Devakumar Balaji , Guo Heng , Vijayakumar R. , Li Bin , Sun Liangling , Huang Xiaoyong , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: June 2018

A novel Ba2Y5B5O17:Eu3+ red-emitting phosphor with high color purity, high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability was developed.
Complex calcium carbonate/polymer microparticles as carriers for aminoglycoside antibiotics
Authors: Racovita Stefania , Vasiliu Ana-Lavinia , Bele Adrian , Schwarz Dana , Steinbach Christine , Boldt Regine , Schwarz Simona , Mihai Marcela
Published: June 2018

Self-assembled microparticles of CaCO3 and pectin/polyelectrolyte complexes as carriers for streptomycin and kanamycin sulfates by transformation into calcium phosphates.
A multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase from Tripterygium regelii that produces both α- and β-amyrin
Authors: Lu Yun , Zhou Jiawei , Hu Tianyuan , Zhang Yifeng , Su Ping , Wang Jiadian , Gao Wei , Huang Luqi
Published: June 2018

A multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase was cloned from Tripterygium regelii and identified as a mixed-amyrin synthase, which can produce both α- and β-amyrin.
Visible light assisted photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye and electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid using a BiVO4/FeVO4 heterojunction composite
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Munir , Khan Sadaf Bashir , Shad Naveed Akthar , Amin Nasir , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: June 2018

A highly pure BiVO4/FeVO4 heterojunction nanocomposite photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The simple and economical manufacturing process allows easier industrial scale-up and the results contribute to the design of more effective photocatalysts.
How can infra-red excitation both accelerate and slow charge transfer in the same molecule?
Authors: Ma Zheng , Lin Zhiwei , Lawrence Candace M. , Rubtsov Igor V. , Antoniou Panayiotis , Skourtis Spiros S. , Zhang Peng , Beratan David N.
Published: June 2018

A UV-IR-Vis 3-pulse study of infra-red induced changes to electron transfer (ET) rates in a donor–bridge–acceptor species finds that charge-separation rates are slowed, while charge-recombination rates are accelerated as a result of IR excitation during the reaction.
Facile conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using a high surface area magnetically separable Ni/NiO catalyst
Authors: Singh Hari , Iyengar Nishant , Yadav Rajkumar , Rai Aditya , Sinha Anil K.
Published: June 2018

A study on the conversion of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) and methyl levulinate (ML) has been done using a high surface area Ni/NiO catalyst.
Drying mediated orientation and assembly structure of amphiphilic Janus particles
Authors: Miller Kyle , Tsyrenova Ayuna , Anthony Stephen M. , Qin Shiyi , Yong Xin , Jiang Shan
Published: June 2018

Amphiphilic Janus particles dried on a hydrophilic substrate, forming a coating of fractal clusters with the hydrophobic side facing air.
Local measurements of the mean interstellar polarization at high Galactic latitudes
Authors: Skalidis R. , Panopoulou G. V. , Tassis K. , Pavlidou V. , Blinov D. , Komis I. , Liodakis I.
Published: June 2018

Very little information exists concerning the properties of the interstellar medium (ISM)-induced starlight polarization at high Galactic latitudes. Future optopolarimetric surveys promise to fill this gap. We conduct a small-scale pathfinding survey designed to identify the average polarization properties of the diffuse ISM locally, at regions with the lowest dust content. We perform deep optopolarimetric surveys within three ~15′× 15′ regions located atb> 48° using the RoboPol polarimeter. The observed samples of stars are photometrically complete to ~16 mag in theR-band. The selected regions exhibit low total reddening compared to the majority of high-latitude sightlines. We measure the level of systematic uncertainty for all observing epochs and find it to be 0.1% in fractional linear polarization,p. The majority of individual stellar measurements have low signal-to-noise ratios. However, our survey strategy enables us to locate the mean fractional linear polarizationpmeanin each of the three regions. The region with lowest dust content yieldspmean= (0.054 ± 0.038)%, not significantly different from zero. We find significant detections for the remaining two regions of:pmean= (0.113 ± 0.036)% andpmean= (0.208 ± 0.044)%. Using a Bayesian approach, we provide upper limits on the intrinsic spread of the small-scale distributions ofqandu. At the detectedpmeanlevels, the determination of the systematic uncertainty is critical for the reliability of the measurements. We verify the significance of our detections with statistical tests, accounting for all sources of uncertainty. Using publicly available HI emission data, we identify the velocity components that most likely account for the observedpmeanand find their morphologies to be misaligned with the orientation of the mean polarization at a spatial resolution of 10′. We find indications that the standard upper envelope ofpwith reddening underestimates the maximumpat very lowE(B–V) (≤0.01 mag).