bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
μCT-Based Analysis of the Solid Phase in Foams: Cell Wall Corrugation and other Microscopic Features
Authors: Pardo-Alonso Samuel , Solórzano Eusebio , Vicente Jerome , Brabant Loes , Dierick Manuel L. , Manke Ingo , Hilger Andr , Laguna Ester , Rodriguez-Perez Miguel Angel
Published: August 2015

This work presents a series of three-dimensional computational methods with the objective of analyzing and quantifying some important structural characteristics in a collection of low-density polyolefin-based foams. First, the solid phase tortuosity, local thickness, and surface curvature, have been determined over the solid phase of the foam. These parameters were used to quantify the presence of wrinkles located at the cell walls of the foams under study. In addition, a novel segmentation technique has been applied to the continuous solid phase. This novel method allows performing a separate analysis of the constituting elements of this phase, that is, cell struts and cell walls. The methodology is based on a solid classification algorithm and evaluates the local topological dissimilarities existing between these elements. Thanks to this method it was possible to perform a separate analysis of curvature, local thickness, and corrugation ratio in the solid constituents that reveals additional differences that were not detected in the first analysis of the continuous structure. The methods developed in this work are applicable to other types of porous materials in fields such as geoscience or biomedicine.
Congenital Malformations Associated With a Single Umbilical Artery in Twin Pregnancies
Authors: Mitchell Sarah E. , Reidy Karen , Da Silva Costa Fabricio , Palma-Dias Ricardo , Cade Thomas J. , Umstad Mark P.
Published: August 2015

A single umbilical artery (SUA) was identified in 1.5% of twin pregnancies. The presence of a SUA in a twin pregnancy was associated with a 50% incidence of fetal anomalies, many of them complex and severe. The embryology and pathophysiological mechanisms associated with a SUA are reviewed. Aneuploidy is relatively common and should be considered, particularly in the presence of associated anomalies. Fetal growth restriction is frequent and preterm delivery is common.
Pubertätsstadium bei Konsumbeginn als Risikofaktor für späteren problematischen Alkoholkonsum: Elterliches Erziehungsverhalten als Schutzfaktor?
Authors: Hohm Erika , Blomeyer Dorothea , Laucht Manfred
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Der frühzeitige Konsumbeginn gilt als gesicherter Risikofaktor für alkoholassoziierte Probleme im Erwachsenenalter. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht eine mögliche protektive Wirkung des elterlichen Erziehungsverhaltens auf diesen Zusammenhang. Methodik: Im Rahmen der Mannheimer Risikokinderstudie wurde bei 287 Jugendlichen (130 Jungen, 157 Mädchen) das Pubertätsstadium bei Alkoholerstkonsum (PUBA) bestimmt. Mit 19, 22, 23 und 25 Jahren wurden Parameter des aktuellen Trinkverhaltens erfasst. Elterliches Erziehungsverhalten (Supervision, Akzeptanz, Autonomiegewährung) wurde im Alter von 15 Jahren erhoben. Ergebnisse: Jugendliche, die während der Pubertät zum ersten Mal Alkohol tranken, konsumierten als junge Erwachsene deutlich mehr Alkohol und wiesen mehr alkoholassoziierte Probleme auf als Jugendliche, deren Erstkonsum in die Zeit der Postpubertät fiel. Dieser Zusammenhang wurde bei pubertären Erstkonsumenten durch eine Autonomie gewährende Erziehung abgepuffert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Rolle des Pubertätsstadiums bei Konsumbeginn als Risikofaktor sowie den moderierenden Einfluss des Erziehungsverhaltens auf den langfristigen Umgang mit Alkohol. Die Bedeutung des Elternverhaltens sollte in Präventionskonzepten stärker betont werden.
Alkoholwerbung und häufiges Rauschtrinken im Jugendalter
Authors: Morgenstern Matthis , Isensee Barbara , Hanewinkel Reiner
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Welchen Einfluss hat der Kontakt mit Werbung auf die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens im Jugendalter? Methode: Beobachtungsstudie mit zwei Messzeitpunkten. 1.491 Schüler/innen aus drei Bundesländern, die keine Alkoholrauscherfahrungen hatten, wurden über einen Zeitraum von 30 Monaten verfolgt. Individuelle Kontakthäufigkeiten zu neun TV-Werbungen für alkoholische Getränke und acht Werbungen für andere Produkte wurden erhoben. Ergebnisparameter der logistischen Regressionen war die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens (> 5-mal fünf oder mehr alkoholische Getränke bei einer Gelegenheit). Ergebnisse: 11 % der weiblichen und 18 % der männlichen Befragten berichteten erstmaliges häufiges Rauschtrinken (p < 0,001). Im Durchschnitt hatten die Jugendlichen 60 % der präsentierten Alkohol- und 73 % der Kontrollwerbungen schon einmal gesehen. Nach Kontrolle einer Vielzahl von Einflussfaktoren des jugendlichen Rauschtrinkens ergab sich für den Einstieg in häufiges Rauschtrinken ein adjustiertes Odds Ratio (OR) von 1,21 [95 % Konfidenzintervall (KI) = 1,08 – 1,36] für je 10 Kontakte mit den Alkoholwerbungen und ein OR von 1,00 [95 % KI = 0,88 – 1,14] für die Kontrollwerbungen. Diskussion: Nach den Ergebnissen der Studie werden Jugendliche durch Werbung erreicht und es zeigte sich ein inhaltspezifischer Effekt: Nur der Kontakt mit Werbungen für alkoholische Getränke, nicht aber der Kontakt mit Werbungen für andere Produkte sagt die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens vorher.
Risikofaktoren für problematischen Substanzkonsum von Jugendlichen – Zur Anwendbarkeit des Communities That Care Schülersurveys auf kommunaler Ebene
Authors: Groeger-Roth Frederick , Frisch Johanna U. , Benit Nils , Soellner Renate
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: „Communities That Care“ (CTC) ist ein strategischer Ansatz, der die kommunale Präventionssteuerung unterstützt. Auf Basis eines Schülersurveys werden anhand der Prävalenz von Risikofaktoren Präventionsbedarfe priorisiert. Für die Bestimmung eines validen Schwellenwertes für die Risikofaktoren wurde der Median + 0.15*median absolute deviation (MAD) vorgeschlagen ( Arthur et al., 2007 ). Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Übertragbarkeit dieser Berechnungsart für Risikofaktoren für problematischen ‚Substanzkonsum‘ hinsichtlich Sensitivität, Spezifität und Kriteriumsvalidität an einer deutschen CTC-Stichprobe überprüft. Zudem wird die Anwendung der Schwellenwerte an einem Praxisbeispiel illustriert. Methodik: Basierend auf einer repräsentativen niedersächsischen CTC-Stichprobe, wurden die Daten von N = 1.423 Schülerinnen und Schülern (52,9 % weiblich) aus den Klassenstufen sechs bis elf im Alter von 12 – 18 Jahren (M = 14,29; SD = 1,74) in die Analysen miteingeschlossen. Ergebnisse: Der verwendete Schwellenwert führte nur teilweise zu einer annehmbaren Balance zwischen Sensitivität und Spezifität. Die Kriteriumsvalidität ist insbesondere für die individuellen Risikofaktoren hoch. Schlussfolgerungen: Der CTC-Schülersurvey ist ein vielversprechendes Instrument für die gezielte Planung und Steuerung von Präventionsmaßnahmen auf kommunaler Ebene. Für die Bestimmung valider Schwellenwerte für Deutschland sind weitere Untersuchungen nötig.
Autoregulatory loop between TGF-β1/miR-411-5p/SPRY4 and MAPK pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma modulates proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Sun M , Huang F , Yu D , Zhang Y , Xu H , Zhang L , Li L , Dong L , Guo L , Wang S
Published: August 2015

The origin of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) remains controversial. However, specific microRNAs (miRNAs) are downregulated in RMS and it is possible that re-expression of these miRNAs may lead to differentiation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to block differentiation of RMS. We therefore analyzed miRNA microarrays of RMS cell lines with or without TGF-β1 knockdown and identified a novel anti-oncogene miR-411-5p. Re-expression of miR-411-5p inhibited RMS cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Using a luciferase reporting system and sequence analysis, the potential target of miR-411-5p was identified as sprouty homolog 4 (SPRY4), which inhibits protein kinase Cα-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), especially p38MAPK phosphorylation. These results revealed an inverse correlation between TGF-β1/SPRY4 and miR-411-5p levels. SPRY4 small interfering RNA and miR-411-5p both activated p38MAPK phosphorylation and also promoted apoptosis and myogenic differentiation, indicated by increased caspase-3, myosin heavy chain, and myosin expression. SPRY4 and miR-411 mRNA levels correlated with TGF-β1 expression levels in RMS tissues, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1, SPRY4, and phosphorylated p38MAPK proteins. Overall, these results indicate that miR-411-5p acts as an RMS differentiation-inducing miRNA prompting p38MAPK activation via directly downregulating SPRY4. These results establish an autoregulatory loop between TGF-β1/miR-411-5p/SPRY4 and MAPK in RMS, which governs the switch between proliferation and differentiation.
Low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission and lasing from colloidal nanocrystals of caesium lead halide perovskites
Authors: Yakunin Sergii , Protesescu Loredana , Krieg Franziska , Bodnarchuk Maryna I. , Nedelcu Georgian , Humer Markus , De Luca Gabriele , Fiebig Manfred , Heiss Wolfgang , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: August 2015

Metal halide semiconductors with perovskite crystal structures have recently emerged as highly promising optoelectronic materials. Despite the recent surge of reports on microcrystalline, thin-film and bulk single-crystalline metal halides, very little is known about the photophysics of metal halides in the form of uniform, size-tunable nanocrystals. Here we report low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission and lasing from ∼10 nm monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals of caesium lead halide perovskites CsPbX3 (X=Cl, Br or I, or mixed Cl/Br and Br/I systems). We find that room-temperature optical amplification can be obtained in the entire visible spectral range (440–700 nm) with low pump thresholds down to 5±1 μJ cm−2 and high values of modal net gain of at least 450±30 cm−1. Two kinds of lasing modes are successfully observed: whispering-gallery-mode lasing using silica microspheres as high-finesse resonators, conformally coated with CsPbX3 nanocrystals and random lasing in films of CsPbX3 nanocrystals.
Nek2 activation of Kif24 ensures cilium disassembly during the cell cycle
Authors: Kim Sehyun , Lee Kwanwoo , Choi Jung-Hwan , Ringstad Niels , Dynlacht Brian David
Published: August 2015

Many proteins are known to promote ciliogenesis, but mechanisms that promote primary cilia disassembly before mitosis are largely unknown. Here we identify a mechanism that favours cilium disassembly and maintains the disassembled state. We show that co-localization of the S/G2 phase kinase, Nek2 and Kif24 triggers Kif24 phosphorylation, inhibiting cilia formation. We show that Kif24, a microtubule depolymerizing kinesin, is phosphorylated by Nek2, which stimulates its activity and prevents the outgrowth of cilia in proliferating cells, independent of Aurora A and HDAC6. Our data also suggest that cilium assembly and disassembly are in dynamic equilibrium, but Nek2 and Kif24 can shift the balance toward disassembly. Further, Nek2 and Kif24 are overexpressed in breast cancer cells, and ablation of these proteins restores ciliation in these cells, thereby reducing proliferation. Thus, Kif24 is a physiological substrate of Nek2, which regulates cilia disassembly through a concerted mechanism involving Kif24-mediated microtubule depolymerization.
Use of exotic plants to control Spartina alterniflora invasion and promote mangrove restoration
Authors: Zhou Ting , Liu Shuchao , Feng Zhili , Liu Gang , Gan Qian , Peng Shaolin
Published: August 2015

In coastal China, the exotic invasive Spartina alterniflora is preventing the establishment of native mangroves. The use of exotic species, control of exotic plant invasion and restoration of native plant communities are timely research issues. We used exotic Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham and S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. to control invasive Spartina alterniflora Loisel through replacement control for five years, which concurrently promoted the restoration of native mangroves. This process includes three stages. I: In a mangrove area invaded by S. alterniflora, exotic S. apetala and S. caseolaris grew rapidly due to their relatively fast-growing character and an allelopathic effect. II: Fast-growing S. apetala and S. caseolaris eradicate S. alterniflora through shading and allelopathy. III: The growth of native mangrove was promoted because exotic plant seedlings cannot regenerate in the understory shade, whereas native mesophytic mangrove plants seedlings can grow; when the area experiences extreme low temperatures in winter or at other times, S. apetala dies and native mangrove species grow to restore the communities. This model has important implications for addressing the worldwide problems of “how to implement the ecological control of invasion using exotic species” and “how to concurrently promote native community restoration during the control of exotic invasion”.
Function does not follow form in gene regulatory circuits
Authors: Payne Joshua L. , Wagner Andreas
Published: August 2015

Gene regulatory circuits are to the cell what arithmetic logic units are to the chip: fundamental components of information processing that map an input onto an output. Gene regulatory circuits come in many different forms, distinct structural configurations that determine who regulates whom. Studies that have focused on the gene expression patterns (functions) of circuits with a given structure (form) have examined just a few structures or gene expression patterns. Here, we use a computational model to exhaustively characterize the gene expression patterns of nearly 17 million three-gene circuits in order to systematically explore the relationship between circuit form and function. Three main conclusions emerge. First, function does not follow form. A circuit of any one structure can have between twelve and nearly thirty thousand distinct gene expression patterns. Second and conversely, form does not follow function. Most gene expression patterns can be realized by more than one circuit structure. And third, multifunctionality severely constrains circuit form. The number of circuit structures able to drive multiple gene expression patterns decreases rapidly with the number of these patterns. These results indicate that it is generally not possible to infer circuit function from circuit form, or vice versa.
Human cell dedifferentiation in mesenchymal condensates through controlled autophagy
Authors: Pennock Rebecca , Bray Elen , Pryor Paul , James Sally , McKeegan Paul , Sturmey Roger , Genever Paul
Published: August 2015

Tissue and whole organ regeneration is a dramatic biological response to injury that occurs across different plant and animal phyla. It frequently requires the dedifferentiation of mature cells to a condensed mesenchymal blastema, from which replacement tissues develop. Human somatic cells cannot regenerate in this way and differentiation is considered irreversible under normal developmental conditions. Here, we sought to establish in vitro conditions to mimic blastema formation by generating different three-dimensional (3D) condensates of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). We identified specific 3D growth environments that were sufficient to dedifferentiate aged human MSCs to an early mesendoderm-like state with reversal of age-associated cell hypertrophy and restoration of organized tissue regenerating capacity in vivo. An optimal auophagic response was required to promote cytoplasmic remodeling, mitochondrial regression and a bioenergetic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic metabolism. Our evidence suggests that human cell dedifferentiation can be achieved through autonomously controlled autophagic flux.
Lattice-distortion Induced Magnetic Transition from Low-temperature Antiferromagnetism to High-temperature Ferrimagnetism in Double Perovskites A2FeOsO6 (A = Ca, Sr)
Authors: Hou Y. S. , Xiang H. J. , Gong X. G.
Published: August 2015

High-temperature insulating ferrimagnetism is investigated in order to further reveal its physical mechanisms, as well as identify potentially important scientific and practical applications relative to spintronics. For example, double perovskites such as Sr2FeOsO6 and Ca2FeOsO6 are shown to have puzzling magnetic properties. The former is a low-temperature antiferromagnet while the latter is a high-temperature insulating ferrimagnet. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms, we have investigated the frustrated magnetism of A2FeOsO6 by employing density functional theory and maximally-localized Wannier functions. We find lattice distortion enhances the antiferromagnetic nearest-neighboring Fe-O-Os interaction, however weakens the antiferromagnetic interactions via the Os-O-O-Os and Fe-O-Os-O-Fe paths, so is therefore responsible for the magnetic transition from the low-temperature antiferromagnetism to the high-temperature ferrimagnetism as the decrease of the A2+ ion radii. Also discussed is the 5d3-3d5 superexchange. We propose that such superexchange is intrinsically antiferromagnetic instead of ferromagnetic as previously thought. Our work clearly illustrates the magnetic frustration can be effectively relieved by lattice distortion, thus paving the way for tuning of complex magnetism in yet other 3d–5d (4d) double perovskites.
Patient- and therapy-related factors associated with the incidence of xerostomia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving parotid-sparing helical tomotherapy
Authors: Lee Tsair-Fwu , Liou Ming-Hsiang , Ting Hui-Min , Chang Liyun , Lee Hsiao-Yi , Wan Leung Stephen , Huang Chih-Jen , Chao Pei-Ju
Published: August 2015

We investigated the incidence of moderate to severe patient-reported xerostomia among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) and identified patient- and therapy-related factors associated with acute and chronic xerostomia toxicity. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models were developed using quality-of-life questionnaire datasets from 67 patients with NPC. For acute toxicity, the dosimetric factors of the mean doses to the ipsilateral submandibular gland (Dis) and the contralateral submandibular gland (Dcs) were selected as the first two significant predictors. For chronic toxicity, four predictive factors were selected: age, mean dose to the oral cavity (Doc), education and T stage. The substantial sparing data can be used to avoid xerostomia toxicity. We suggest that the tolerance values corresponded to a 20% incidence of complications (TD20) for Dis = 39.0 Gy, Dcs = 38.4 Gy and Doc = 32.5 Gy, respectively, when mean doses to the parotid glands met the QUANTEC 25 Gy sparing guidelines. To avoid patient-reported xerostomia toxicity, the mean doses to the parotid gland, submandibular gland and oral cavity have to meet the sparing tolerance, although there is also a need to take inherent patient characteristics into consideration.
Doubling Power Output of Starch Biobattery Treated by the Most Thermostable Isoamylase from an Archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii
Authors: Cheng Kun , Zhang Fei , Sun Fangfang , Chen Hongge , Percival Zhang Y-H
Published: August 2015

Biobattery, a kind of enzymatic fuel cells, can convert organic compounds (e.g., glucose, starch) to electricity in a closed system without moving parts. Inspired by natural starch metabolism catalyzed by starch phosphorylase, isoamylase is essential to debranch alpha-1,6-glycosidic bonds of starch, yielding linear amylodextrin – the best fuel for sugar-powered biobattery. However, there is no thermostable isoamylase stable enough for simultaneous starch gelatinization and enzymatic hydrolysis, different from the case of thermostable alpha-amylase. A putative isoamylase gene was mined from megagenomic database. The open reading frame ST0928 from a hyperthermophilic archaeron Sulfolobus tokodaii was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant protein was easily purified by heat precipitation at 80 oC for 30 min. This enzyme was characterized and required Mg2+ as an activator. This enzyme was the most stable isoamylase reported with a half lifetime of 200 min at 90 oC in the presence of 0.5 mM MgCl2, suitable for simultaneous starch gelatinization and isoamylase hydrolysis. The cuvett-based air-breathing biobattery powered by isoamylase-treated starch exhibited nearly doubled power outputs than that powered by the same concentration starch solution, suggesting more glucose 1-phosphate generated.
TGF-βl Suppresses Inflammation in Cell Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Yang Huilin , Cao Cheng , Wu Chunshen , Yuan Chenxi , Gu Qiaoli , Shi Qing , Zou Jun
Published: August 2015

Recent studies suggest that cell therapy may be an effective way to repair intervertebral disc degeneration. As a strong immune suppressor, TGF-β1 has been shown to inhibit inflammation respond effectively. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of TGF-β1 during bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy for disc degeneration. In vitro assays demonstrated that co-culturing of nucleus pulposus cells with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells resulted in significantly higher levels of TGF-βl secretion. This increase inhibited IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB activation, detected by western blot analysis. Meanwhile, in a rabbit model, MRI analysis revealed significant recovery of signal intensity in the degenerative discs of rabbits receiving cells transplantation, than receiving cells treated with a TGF-β1 inhibitor or saline. These findings indicated that enhanced TGF-β1 production recovered the degeneration of intervertebral disc. And also immunohistochemical staining detected enhanced collagen II expression in the rabbits treated with cell transplantation. However, the NF-κB positive cells were significantly less than other two control groups. Thus, cell therapy promoted TGF-β1 expression in nucleus pulposus, leading to anti-inflammatory effects via the inhibition of NF-κB and the amelioration of disc degradation due to increased expression of collagen II and aggrecan in degenerative intervertebral disc.
Quantitative analysis of recombination between YFP and CFP genes of FRET biosensors introduced by lentiviral or retroviral gene transfer
Authors: Komatsubara Akira T. , Matsuda Michiyuki , Aoki Kazuhiro
Published: August 2015

Biosensors based on the principle of Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) have been developed to visualize spatio-temporal dynamics of signalling molecules in living cells. Many of them adopt a backbone of intramolecular FRET biosensor with a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as donor and acceptor, respectively. However, there remains the difficulty of establishing cells stably expressing FRET biosensors with a YFP and CFP pair by lentiviral or retroviral gene transfer, due to the high incidence of recombination between YFP and CFP genes. To address this, we examined the effects of codon-diversification of YFP on the recombination of FRET biosensors introduced by lentivirus or retrovirus. The YFP gene that was fully codon-optimized to E.coli evaded the recombination in lentiviral or retroviral gene transfer, but the partially codon-diversified YFP did not. Further, the length of spacer between YFP and CFP genes clearly affected recombination efficiency, suggesting that the intramolecular template switching occurred in the reverse-transcription process. The simple mathematical model reproduced the experimental data sufficiently, yielding a recombination rate of 0.002–0.005 per base. Together, these results show that the codon-diversified YFP is a useful tool for expressing FRET biosensors by lentiviral or retroviral gene transfer.
Biogeography of Nocardiopsis strains from hypersaline environments of Yunnan and Xinjiang Provinces, western China
Authors: He Song-Tao , Zhi Xiao-Yang , Jiang Hongchen , Yang Ling-Ling , Wu Jin-Yuan , Zhang Yong-Guang , Hozzein Wael N. , Li Wen-Jun
Published: August 2015

The genus Nocardiopsis is a widespread group within the phylum Actinobacteria and has been isolated from various salty environments worldwide. However, little is known about whether biogeography affects Nocardiopsis distribution in various hypersaline environments. Such information is essential for understanding the ecology of Nocardiopsis. Here we analyzed 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB and sodA genes of 78 Nocardiopsis strains isolated from hypersaline environments in Yunnan and Xinjiang Provinces of western China. The obtained Nocardiopsis strains were classified into five operational taxonomic units, each comprising location-specific phylo- and genotypes. Statistical analyses showed that spatial distance and environmental factors substantially influenced Nocardiopsis distribution in hypersaline environments: the former had stronger influence at large spatial scales, whereas the latter was more influential at small spatial scales.
Nematic Liquid Crystal on a Two Dimensional Hexagonal Lattice and its Application
Authors: Arslan Shehzad Muhammad , Hoang Tien Dung , Waqas Iqbal M , Eom Jonghwa , Park J. H. , Hwang Chanyong , Seo Yongho
Published: August 2015

We have studied the alignment of liquid crystal adsorbed onto graphene and hexagonal boron nitride by using a polarized optical microscope. From the experimental data, it was found that there were 6 different alignment orientations of the liquid crystal molecules on a single crystal substrate. This result has never been reported and is quite different from other previous results. As the hexagonal lattice has a threefold rotational symmetry, three different alignment orientations were expected, but our result seems counter-intuitive. We explain this result considering the bending of the tail of the liquid crystal molecules. Using this anchoring effect with six accurate discrete angles, a novel non-volatile display can be developed with micron-scale pixel size, due to the molecular level accuracy of the alignment.
Chirped pulse Raman amplification in warm plasma: towards controlling saturation
Authors: Yang X. , Vieux G. , Brunetti E. , Ersfeld B. , Farmer J. P. , Hur M. S. , Issac R. C. , Raj G. , Wiggins S. M. , Welsh G. H. , Yoffe S. R. , Jaroszynski D. A.
Published: August 2015

Stimulated Raman backscattering in plasma is potentially an efficient method of amplifying laser pulses to reach exawatt powers because plasma is fully broken down and withstands extremely high electric fields. Plasma also has unique nonlinear optical properties that allow simultaneous compression of optical pulses to ultra-short durations. However, current measured efficiencies are limited to several percent. Here we investigate Raman amplification of short duration seed pulses with different chirp rates using a chirped pump pulse in a preformed plasma waveguide. We identify electron trapping and wavebreaking as the main saturation mechanisms, which lead to spectral broadening and gain saturation when the seed reaches several millijoules for durations of 10’s – 100’s fs for 250 ps, 800 nm chirped pump pulses. We show that this prevents access to the nonlinear regime and limits the efficiency and interpret the experimental results using slowly-varying-amplitude, current-averaged particle-in-cell simulations. We also propose methods for achieving higher efficiencies.
Synchronous primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma: analysis of 41 cases treated in a single institution
Authors: Li Xuyan , Lin Suiling , Zhang Yuling , Wang Hongbiao
Published: August 2015

The present study investigated the treatment and survival outcomes of patients with synchronous primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. The medical records of 10,783 patients with primary esophageal squamous cancer treated at our institution between 1995 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The incidence was 0.38% (41/10,783). Of these 41 patients, 26 underwent curative surgery, ten received palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy and five received no treatment. The median OS of the surgery, palliative-therapy and treatment-free groups was 17.1, 9.0 and 3.8 months, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year OS rates for the surgery group were 77%, 45%, 33% and 19%, respectively. No significant differences in median OS were observed between the surgery group and the historical cohort of isolated esophageal cancer (n = 186) (17.1 vs. 21.0 months, P = 0.061) or isolated gastric cancer (n = 51) (17.1 vs. 28.9 months, P = 0.875), or between the palliative-therapy group and its corresponding historical cohort (n = 30) (9.0 vs. 8.3 months, P = 0.862). The survival outcomes of patients with synchronous primary esophageal squamous and gastric cancers were not worse than those of patients with isolated esophageal cancer or isolated gastric cancer.
Realizing up-conversion fluorescence tuning in lanthanide-doped nanocrystals by femtosecond pulse shaping method
Authors: Zhang Shian , Yao Yunhua , Shuwu Xu , Liu Pei , Ding Jingxin , Jia Tianqing , Qiu Jianrong , Sun Zhenrong
Published: August 2015

The ability to tune color output of nanomaterials is very important for their applications in laser, optoelectronic device, color display and multiplexed biolabeling. Here we first propose a femtosecond pulse shaping technique to realize the up-conversion fluorescence tuning in lanthanide-doped nanocrystals dispersed in the glass. The multiple subpulse formation by a square phase modulation can create different excitation pathways for various up-conversion fluorescence generations. By properly controlling these excitation pathways, the multicolor up-conversion fluorescence can be finely tuned. This color tuning by the femtosecond pulse shaping technique is realized in single material by single-color laser field, which is highly desirable for further applications of the lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. This femtosecond pulse shaping technique opens an opportunity to tune the color output in the lanthanide-doped nanocrystals, which may bring a new revolution in the control of luminescence properties of nanomaterials.
Generation of clonal zebrafish line by androgenesis without egg irradiation
Authors: Hou Jilun , Fujimoto Takafumi , Saito Taiju , Yamaha Etsuro , Arai Katsutoshi
Published: August 2015

Generation of clonal zebrafish will facilitate large-scale genetic screening and help us to overcome other biological and biotechnological challenges due to their isogenecity. However, protocols for the development of clonal lines have not been optimized. Here, we sought to develop a novel method for generation of clonal zebrafish by androgenesis induced by cold shock. Androgenetic zebrafish doubled haploids (DHs) were induced by cold shock of just-fertilized eggs and the eggs were then heat shocked to double the chromosome set. The yield rate of putative DHs relative to the total number of eggs used was 1.10% ± 0.19%. Microsatellite genotyping of the putative DHs using 30 loci that covered all 25 linkage groups detected no heterozygous loci, confirming the homozygosity of the DHs. Thus, a clonal line was established from sperm of a DH through a second cycle of cold-shock androgenesis and heat-shock chromosome doubling, followed by genetic verification of the isogenic rate confirming the presence of identical DNA fingerprints by using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. In addition, our data provided important insights into the cytological mechanisms of cold-shock–induced androgenesis.
Ductal activation of oncogenic KRAS alone induces sarcomatoid phenotype
Authors: Fu Yong , Cruz-Monserrate Zobeida , Helen Lin H. , Chung Yiyin , Ji Baoan , Lin Szu-min , Vonderfecht Steven , Logsdon Craig D. , Li Chien-Feng , Ann David K.
Published: August 2015

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon, but aggressive malignant tumor with a high mortality rate. Herein, we reported the detection of somatic KRAS A146T and Q61H mutations in 2 out of 4 (50%) sarcomatoid SDC variants. Transgenic mice carrying the human oncogenic KRASG12V, which spatiotemporal activation by tamoxifen (TAM)-inducible Cre recombinase Ela-CreERT in the submandibular gland (SMG) ductal cells, was established and characterized. Visible carcinoma was detected as early as day-15 following oncogenic KRASG12V induction alone and these tumors proliferate rapidly with a median survival of 28-days accompanied with histological reminiscences to human sarcomatoid SDC variants. Moreover, these tumors were resistant to cetuximab treatment despite augmented EGFR signaling, attesting its malignancy. Our findings suggest that LGL-KRasG12V;Ela-CreERT transgenic mice could serve as a useful preclinical model for investigating underlying mechanisms and developing potential therapies.
In silico mechanistic analysis of IRF3 inactivation and high-risk HPV E6 species-dependent drug response
Authors: Shah Masaud , Anwar Muhammad Ayaz , Park Seolhee , Jafri Syyada Samra , Choi Sangdun
Published: August 2015

The high-risk human papillomavirus E6 (hrHPV E6) protein has been widely studied due to its implication in cervical cancer. In response to viral threat, activated kinases phosphorylate the IRF3 autoinhibitory domain, inducing type1 interferon production. HPV circumvents the antiviral response through the possible E6 interaction with IRF3 and abrogates p53’s apoptotic activity by recruiting E6-associated protein. However, the molecular mechanism of IRF3 inactivation by hrHPV E6 has not yet been delineated. Therefore, we explored this mechanism through in silico examination of protein-protein and protein-ligand docking, binding energy differences and computational alanine mutagenesis. Our results suggested that the LxxLL motifs of IRF3 binds within the hydrophobic pocket of E6, precluding Ser-patch phosphorylation, necessary for IRF3 activation and interferon induction. This model was further supported by molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, protein-ligand docking and drug resistance modeling revealed that the polar patches in the pocket of E6, which are crucial for complex stability and ligand binding, are inconsistent among hrHPV species. Such variabilities pose a risk of treatment failure owing to point mutations that might render drugs ineffective and allude to multi-drug therapy. Overall, this study reveals a novel perspective of innate immune suppression in HPV infections and suggests a plausible therapeutic intervention.
Visual detection of nucleic acids based on Mie scattering and the magnetophoretic effect
Authors: Zhao Zichen , Chen Shan , Ho John Kin Lim , Chieng Ching-Chang , Chen Ting-Hsuan
Published: August 2015

Visual detection of nucleic acid biomarkers by magnetically attracted microparticles that change solution turbidity via Mia scattering.
Determination of inorganic anions in oilfield water using capillary electrophoresis with indirect fluorescence detection
Authors: Pei Lei , Schmidt Kenneth J. , Crabtree H. John , Lucy Charles A.
Published: August 2015

Analysis of high salinity oilfield water presents challenges. Here we develop a method for determination of bromide, chloride, nitrate and sulfate using 8-hydroxypyrene trisulfonic acid as an indirect fluorescence probe.
Wood chemotaxonomy via ESI-MS profiles of phytochemical markers: the challenging case of African versus Brazilian mahogany woods
Authors: Fasciotti Maíra , Alberici Rosana M. , Cabral Elaine C. , Cunha Valnei S. , Silva Paulo R. M. , Daroda Romeu J. , Eberlin Marcos N.
Published: August 2015

Chemotaxonomy via direct infusion ESI-MS was proposed as a rapid and simple method to differentiate the Brazilian and African mahogany, which has been used for Amazon reforestation.
Simple and rapid determination of loratadine in pharmaceuticals using square-wave voltammetry and a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode
Authors: Eisele Ana Paula Pires , Sartori Elen Romão
Published: August 2015

A new voltammetric method was developed for the determination of loratadine in pharmaceuticals using a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode.
A fluorescent probe for thiols based on strong nucleophilic attack of sulfhydryl and its bioimaging
Authors: Li Jianfang , Yin Caixia , Huo Fangjun , Chao Jianbin , Zhang Yongbin , Niu Lixi
Published: August 2015

The sensor that displayed selectivity for copper ions, as evidenced by a green fluorescence to colorless change, was characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy and its potential application to bioimaging was also illustrated.
A7RC peptide modified paclitaxel liposomes dually target breast cancer
Authors: Cao Jingyan , Wang Ran , Gao Ning , Li Minghui , Tian Xuyu , Yang Weili , Ruan Ying , Zhou Chunlan , Wang Guangtian , Liu Xiaoying , Tang Shukun , Yu Yan , Liu Ying , Sun Guangyu , Peng Haisheng , Wang Qun
Published: August 2015

A7RC enhanced the accumulation of paclitaxel liposomes in a neuropilin-1 high expressing breast cancer mouse model and inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and visible-light irradiation: a new metal- and additive-free photochemical process for the synthesis of indoles and oxindoles
Authors: da Silva Gustavo Piva , Ali Akbar , da Silva Rodrigo César , Jiang Hao , Paixão Márcio W.
Published: August 2015

A combined tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and visible-light-promoted intramolecular reductive cyclization protocol for the synthesis of indoles and oxindoles has been developed.
Rh(iii)-catalyzed chelation-assisted intermolecular carbenoid functionalization of α-imino Csp3–H bonds
Authors: Chen Xun , Xie Ying , Xiao Xinsheng , Li Guoqiang , Deng Yuanfu , Jiang Huanfeng , Zeng Wei
Published: August 2015

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed cross-coupling/cyclization cascade of α-imino Csp3–H bonds with donor/acceptor α-acyl diazocarbonyl compounds has been developed.
Supramolecular features in the engineering of 3d metal complexes with phenyl-substituted imidazoles as ligands: the case of copper(ii)
Authors: Kounavi Konstantina A. , Kitos Alexandros A. , Moushi Eleni E. , Manos Manolis J. , Papatriantafyllopoulou Constantina , Tasiopoulos Anastasios J. , Perlepes Spyros P. , Nastopoulos Vassilios
Published: August 2015

Interesting packing features are present in eleven Cu(ii) complexes with phenyl-substituted imidazoles.
Reduction and transformation of fluorinated graphene induced by ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Ren Mengmeng , Wang Xu , Dong Changshuai , Li Baoyin , Liu Yang , Chen Teng , Wu Peng , Cheng Zheng , Liu Xiangyang
Published: August 2015

Ultraviolet irradiation is used for the first time to study its effect on fluorinated graphene (FG). It causes reduction and transformation of FG.
Thermal luminescence quenching of amine-functionalized silicon quantum dots: a pH and wavelength-dependent study
Authors: Chatterjee Surajit , Mukherjee Tushar Kanti
Published: August 2015

The influence of temperature on the PL properties of silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) as a function of pH and excitation wavelength has been investigated to understand the role of surface amine groups and the bandgap of allylamine-capped Si QDs.
Comparison of the coupling of ethylene with acetate species and ethylene dehydrogenation on Pd–Au(100): a density functional study
Authors: Huang Yanping , Dong Xiuqin , Hao Qiufeng , Yu Yingzhe , Zhang Minhua
Published: August 2015

In this work, two key reactions in vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) synthesis, i.e., the coupling of ethylene with acetate species and ethylene dehydrogenation, on three different Pd–Au(100) surface configurations were studied.
Theoretical characterization of first and second generation Grubbs catalysts in styrene cross-metathesis reactions: insights from conceptual DFT
Authors: Paredes-Gil Katherine , Jaque Pablo
Published: August 2015

Reorganization energy and DFT-based reactivity descriptors revealed important issues regarding the performance of Grubbs catalysts.
Highly dispersed Cu nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of the biofuel 2-methylfuran
Authors: Dong Fang , Ding Guoqiang , Zheng Hongyan , Xiang Xiaoming , Chen Linfeng , Zhu Yulei , Li Yongwang
Published: August 2015

An AE-Cu/SiO2 catalyst obtained a 95.5% yield for 2-methylfuran due to the cooperative contribution of Cu nanoparticles, Cu+ species and acid sites.
Preparation and characterization of PtIr alloy dendritic nanostructures with superior electrochemical activity and stability in oxygen reduction and ethanol oxidation reactions
Authors: Lee Young-Woo , Hwang Eui-Tak , Kwak Da-Hee , Park Kyung-Won
Published: August 2015

PtIr alloy dendritic nanostructures with high surface area exhibit superior electrocatalytic properties in ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.
In vitro evaluation of the effects of protein–polyphenol–polysaccharide interactions on (+)-catechin and cyanidin-3-glucoside bioaccessibility
Authors: Oliveira Ana , Pintado Manuela
Published: August 2015

The bioaccessibility of cyanidin-3-glucoside and (+)-catechin in model solutions when β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and pectin/chitosan are present was investigated using anin vitromodel simulating gastrointestinal conditions.
Synthesis and characterization of novel nanosilica molybdic acid and its first catalytic application in the synthesis of new and known pyranocoumarins
Authors: Karami Bahador , Kiani Mahtab , Hosseini S. Jafar , Bahrami Mehrangiz
Published: August 2015

Nanosilica molybdic acid as an effective and environmentally safe heterogeneous catalyst has been developed for the synthesis of pyranocoumarins.
Experimental and computational insights into the nature of weak intermolecular interactions in trifluoromethyl-substituted isomeric crystalline N-methyl-N-phenylbenzamides
Authors: Panini Piyush , Chopra Deepak
Published: August 2015

The nature and role of weak interactions, involving fluorine in crystallineN-methyl-N-phenylbenzamides, have been studied in the absence of strong H-bonds.
A novel process of alcohol promoted polymerization of aniline to form a nanofibrous, fluorescent and highly crystalline polyaniline salt
Authors: Gottam Ramesh , Srinivasan Palaniappan
Published: August 2015

Use of acid was replaced by alcohol in the polymerization of aniline to a highly crystalline, nanofibrous, fluorescent and conducting polyaniline salt.
van der Waals force-induced loading of proangiogenic nanoparticles on microbubbles for enhanced neovascularization
Authors: Chen Jinrong , Lee Min Kyung , Qin Ellen , Misra Sanjay , Kong Hyunjoon
Published: August 2015

Nanoparticles emerged as carriers of promising diagnostic and therapeutic molecules due to their unique size, injectability, and potential to sustainably release molecular cargos.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles, combining antioxidant and UV shielding properties, prevent UV-induced cell damage and mutagenesis
Authors: Caputo Fanny , De Nicola Milena , Sienkiewicz Andrzej , Giovanetti Anna , Bejarano Ignacio , Licoccia Silvia , Traversa Enrico , Ghibelli Lina
Published: August 2015

CeO2 nanoparticles may provide trouble-free sun protection.
Effect of surface energy on size-dependent deformation twinning of defect-free Au nanowires
Authors: Hwang Byungil , Kang Mijeong , Lee Subin , Weinberger Christopher R. , Loya Phillip , Lou Jun , Oh Sang Ho , Kim Bongsoo , Han Seung Min
Published: August 2015

In this study, we report the size-dependent transition of deformation twinning studied usingin situSEM/TEM tensile testing of defect-free [110] Au nanowires/ribbons with controlled geometry.
pH-Responsive and selective protein adsorption on an amino acid-based zwitterionic polymer surface
Authors: Fujii Shota , Kido Makoto , Sato Masanao , Higaki Yuji , Hirai Tomoyasu , Ohta Noboru , Kojio Ken , Takahara Atsushi
Published: August 2015

An amphiphilic polymer bearing glutamic acid in the polymer side chain was used as a surface modifier to produce an amino acid-based zwitterionic surface with pH-responsive and selective protein properties.
Model-based design of the polymer microstructure: bridging the gap between polymer chemistry and engineering
Authors: D'hooge Dagmar R. , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Derboven Pieter , Reyniers Marie-Françoise , Marin Guy B.
Published: August 2015

A state-of-the-art review is presented on model-based design for next-generation polymer synthesis and modification.
A new comonomer design for enhancing the pH-triggered LCST shift of thermosensitive polymers
Authors: Zhang Hu , Marmin Thomas , Cuierrier Étienne , Soldera Armand , Dory Yves , Zhao Yue
Published: August 2015

A rational comonomer design leads to a large pH-induced LCST shift.
Hydrogenation-induced large-gap quantum-spin-Hall insulator states in a germanium–tin dumbbell structure
Authors: Chen Xin , Li Linyang , Zhao Mingwen
Published: August 2015

The germanium–tin dumbbell structure, Sn6Ge4H4 has large topological nontrivial band gaps.
Stereoselective synthesis of functionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) via highly diastereoselective Ugi three-component reactions (U3CRs) with chiral 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (DHIQs)
Authors: Ramanivas T. , Gayatri G. , Priyanka D. , Nayak V. L. , Singarapu K. K. , Srivastava A. K.
Published: August 2015

A highly diastereoselective Ugi three-component reaction (U3CR) of chiral 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines has been developed to synthesize enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs).
Oxidation behavior of plasma-sprayed stabilized zirconia/Al coated polymer matrix composites
Authors: Huang Wenzhi , Cheng Haifeng , Zhou Yongjiang
Published: August 2015

Stabilized zirconia/Al coatings were deposited on polymer matrix composites (PMCs)viaplasma spraying, and exhibited good thermal oxidation resistance.
A microfluidic neuronal platform for neuron axotomy and controlled regenerative studies
Authors: Tong Ziqiu , Segura-Feliu Miriam , Seira Oscar , Homs-Corbera Antoni , Del Río José Antonio , Samitier Josep
Published: August 2015

We have presented here a simple microfluidic approach to model mechanical and synchronized axotomy of a large number of axons to study axonal regeneration, and to facilitate rapid screening and discovery of novel pharmaceutical compounds.
Odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells induced by silicate-based bioceramics via activation of P38/MEPE pathway
Authors: Zhang Xiaomeng , Wu Chengtie , Chang Jiang , Sun Jiao
Published: August 2015

Ca7Si2P2O16bioceramic significantly enhanced odontogenic protein expression (ALP activity and staining) of hDPCs.
Treatment of azo dye (Acid Orange ii) wastewater by pulsed high-voltage hybrid gas–liquid discharge
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Zhang Xiaying , Liu Ying , Ma Yuepeng , Lu Shuaijun , Zhang Wei , Ren Zhongqi
Published: August 2015

Pulsed high-voltage electrical discharge was used in treating azo dye (Acid Orange ii, AO7) wastewater.
Sol–gel based simonkolleite nanopetals with SnO2 nanoparticles in graphite-like amorphous carbon as an efficient and reusable photocatalyst
Authors: Pal Moumita , Bera Susanta , Jana Sunirmal
Published: August 2015

Sol–gel based simonkolleite nanopetals/SnO2 nanoparticles embedded in graphite-like amorphous carbon is described as a photocatalyst towards degradation of rhodamine 6G dye under UV illumination.
Biotic oxidation of polyethylene using a bio-surfactant produced by B. licheniformis: a novel technique
Authors: Mukherjee Shritama , Chaudhuri Uttam Ray , Kundu Patit P.
Published: August 2015

Polyethylene was incubated with a bio-surfactant producing bacteriumB. licheniformisfor 2 months in a suitable media for biotic oxidation by the bio-surfactant.
l-Asparagine-assisted synthesis of flower-like β-Bi2O3 and its photocatalytic performance for the degradation of 4-phenylphenol under visible-light irradiation
Authors: Xiao Xin , Tu Shunheng , Zheng Chunxia , Zhong Huan , Zuo Xiaoxi , Nan Junmin
Published: August 2015

By introducing l-asparagine as a ligand, a flower-like precursor of Bi2O3 was prepared by a simple reflux process under atmospheric pressure. β-Bi2O3 was then conveniently obtained by decomposing the precursor and stabilized in a temperature range from room temperature to 420 °C due to the surface-coordination effects of CO32− derived from l-asparagine.