bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic implications of soluble programmed death-ligand 1 and its dynamics during chemotherapy in unresectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Park Hyunkyung , Bang Ju-Hee , Nam Ah-Rong , Eun Park Ji , Hua Jin Mei , Bang Yung-Jue , Oh Do-Youn
Published: July 2019

In pancreatic cancer, acquiring a sufficient amount of tumor tissue is an obstacle. The soluble form of PD-L1 (sPD-L1) may have immunosuppressive activity. Here, we evaluated the prognostic implications of sPD-L1 in unresectable pancreatic cancer. We prospectively enrolled 60 patients treated with first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. We collected blood samples at diagnosis, first response assessment and disease progression. Serum sPD-L1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The median sPD-L1 level was 1.7 ng/mL (range, 0.4–5.7 ng/mL). Patients with low sPD-L1 level (<4.6 ng/mL) at diagnosis showed better overall survival (OS) than those with high sPD-L1 level (P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis identified sPD-L1 and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as independent prognostic factors for OS. During chemotherapy, more patients achieved complete response (CR)/partial response (PR) as their best response when sPD-L1 was decreased at the first response assessment (P = 0.038). In the patients who achieved CR/PR as their best response, sPD-L1 was significantly higher at the time of disease progression than at the first response assessment (P = 0.025). In conclusion, the sPD-L1 level at diagnosis exhibits a prognostic value in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, sPD-L1 dynamics correlate with disease course and could be used to understand various changes in the tumor microenvironment during chemotherapy.
Uncovering missed indels by leveraging unmapped reads
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Shabbir , Wu Xiaowei , Zhang Liqing
Published: July 2019

In current practice, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) applications start with mapping/aligning short reads to the reference genome, with the aim of identifying genetic variants. Although existing alignment tools have shown great accuracy in mapping short reads to the reference genome, a significant number of short reads still remain unmapped and are often excluded from downstream analyses thereby causing nonnegligible information loss in the subsequent variant calling procedure. This paper describes Genesis-indel, a computational pipeline that explores the unmapped reads to identify novel indels that are initially missed in the original procedure. Genesis-indel is applied to the unmapped reads of 30 breast cancer patients from TCGA. Results show that the unmapped reads are conserved between the two subtypes of breast cancer investigated in this study and might contribute to the divergence between the subtypes. Genesis-indel identifies 72,997 novel high-quality indels previously not found, among which 16,141 have not been annotated in the widely used mutation database. Statistical analysis of these indels shows significant enrichment of indels residing in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Functional annotation further reveals that these indels are strongly correlated with pathways of cancer and can have high to moderate impact on protein functions. Additionally, some of the indels overlap with the genes that do not have any indel mutations called from the originally mapped reads but have been shown to contribute to the tumorigenesis in multiple carcinomas, further emphasizing the importance of rescuing indels hidden in the unmapped reads in cancer and disease studies.
Considerations related to the use of short neuropeptide promoters in viral vectors targeting hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Kakava-Georgiadou N. , Bullich-Vilarrubias C. , Zwartkruis M. M. , Luijendijk M. C. M , Garner K. M. , Adan R. A. H.
Published: July 2019

Targeting specific neuronal cell types is a major challenge for unraveling their function and utilizing specific cells for gene therapy strategies. Viral vector tools are widely used to target specific cells or circuits for these purposes. Here, we use viral vectors with short promoters of neuropeptide genes to target distinct neuronal populations in the hypothalamus of rats and mice. We show that lowering the amount of genomic copies is effective in increasing specificity of a melanin-concentrating hormone promoter. However, since too low titers reduce transduction efficacy, there is an optimal titer for achieving high specificity and sufficient efficacy. Other previously identified neuropeptide promoters as those for oxytocin and orexin require further sequence optimization to increase target specificity. We conclude that promoter-driven viral vectors should be used with caution in order to target cells specifically.
1H NMR-MS-based heterocovariance as a drug discovery tool for fishing bioactive compounds out of a complex mixture of structural analogues
Authors: Grienke Ulrike , Foster Paul A. , Zwirchmayr Julia , Tahir Ammar , Rollinger Judith M. , Mikros Emmanuel
Published: July 2019

Chemometric methods and correlation of spectroscopic or spectrometric data with bioactivity results are known to improve dereplication in classical bio-guided isolation approaches. However, in drug discovery from natural sources the isolation of bioactive constituents from a crude extract containing close structural analogues remains a significant challenge. This study is a 1H NMR-MS workflow named ELINA (Eliciting Nature’s Activities) which is based on statistical heterocovariance analysis (HetCA) of 1H NMR spectra detecting chemical features that are positively (“hot”) or negatively (“cold”) correlated with bioactivity prior to any isolation. ELINA is exemplified in the discovery of steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibiting lanostane triterpenes (LTTs) from a complex extract of the polypore fungus Fomitopsis pinicola.
Increased Antiangiogenic Effect by Blocking CCL2-dependent Macrophages in a Rodent Glioblastoma Model: Correlation Study with Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion MRI
Authors: Cho Hye Rim , Kumari Nisha , Thi Vu Hien , Kim Hyeonjin , Park Chul-Kee , Choi Seung Hong
Published: July 2019

When glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, it commonly exhibits tumor progression due to the development of resistance, which results in a dismal survival rate. GBM tumors contain a large number of monocytes/macrophages, which have been shown to be resistant to the effects of bevacizumab. It has been reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote resistance to bevacizumab treatment. Therefore, it is important to target TAMs in the GBM microenvironment. TAMs, which depend on chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) for differentiation and survival, induce the expression of proangiogenic factors such as VEGF. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-MR imaging is an advanced technique that provides information on tumor blood volume and can potentially predict the response to several treatments, including anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab, in human GBM. In this study, we used a CCL2 inhibitor, mNOX-E36, to suppress the recruitment of TAMs in a CCL2-expressing rat GBM model and investigated the effect of combination therapy with bevacizumab using DSC-MR imaging. We demonstrated that the inhibition of CCL2 blocked macrophage recruitment and angiogenesis, which resulted in decreased tumor volume and blood volume in CCL2-expressing GBM in a rat model. Our results provide direct evidence that CCL2 expression can increase the resistance to bevacizumab, which can be assessed noninvasively with the DSC-MR imaging technique. This study shows that the suppression of CCL2 can play an important role in increasing the efficacy of anti-angiogenic treatment in GBM by inhibiting the recruitment of CCL2-dependent macrophages.
Colicin Z, a structurally and functionally novel colicin type that selectively kills enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella strains
Authors: Micenková Lenka , Bosák Juraj , Kucera Jiri , Hrala Matěj , Dolejšová Tereza , Šedo Ondrej , Linke Dirk , Fišer Radovan , Šmajs David
Published: July 2019

Colicin production in Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains represents an important trait with regard to microbial survival and competition in the complex intestinal environment. A novel colicin type, colicin Z (26.3 kDa), was described as a product of an original producer, extraintestinal E. coli B1356 strain, isolated from the anorectal abscess of a 17 years-old man. The 4,007 bp plasmid (pColZ) was completely sequenced and colicin Z activity (cza) and colicin Z immunity (czi) genes were identified. The cza and czi genes are transcribed in opposite directions and encode for 237 and 151 amino acid-long proteins, respectively. Colicin Z shows a narrow inhibitory spectrum, being active only against enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and Shigella strains via CjrC receptor recognition and CjrB- and ExbB-, ExbD-mediated colicin translocation. All tested EIEC and Shigella strains isolated between the years 1958–2010 were sensitive to colicin Z. The lethal effect of colicin Z was found to be directed against cell wall peptidoglycan (PG) resulting in PG degradation, as revealed by experiments with Remazol Brilliant Blue-stained purified peptidoglycans and with MALDI-TOF MS analyses of treated PG. Colicin Z represents a new class of colicins that is structurally and functionally distinct from previously studied colicin types.
Five main phases of landscape degradation revealed by a dynamic mesoscale model analysing the splitting, shrinking, and disappearing of habitat patches
Authors: Kun Ádám , Oborny Beáta , Dieckmann Ulf
Published: July 2019

The ecological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation have been intensively studied on a broad, landscape-wide scale, but have less been investigated on the finer scale of individual habitat patches, especially when considering dynamic turnovers in the habitability of sites. We study changes to individual patches from the perspective of the inhabitant organisms requiring a minimum area for survival. With patches given by contiguous assemblages of discrete habitat sites, the removal of a single site necessarily causes one of the following three elementary local events in the affected patch: splitting into two or more pieces, shrinkage without splitting, or complete disappearance. We investigate the probabilities of these events and the effective size of the habitat removed by them from the population’s living area as the habitat landscape gradually transitions from pristine to totally destroyed. On this basis, we report the following findings. First, we distinguish four transitions delimiting five main phases of landscape degradation: (1) when there is only a little habitat loss, the most frequent event is the shrinkage of the spanning patch; (2) with more habitat loss, splitting becomes significant; (3) splitting peaks; (4) the remaining patches shrink; and (5) finally, they gradually disappear. Second, organisms that require large patches are especially sensitive to phase 3. This phase emerges at a value of habitat loss that is well above the percolation threshold. Third, the effective habitat loss caused by the removal of a single habitat site can be several times higher than the actual habitat loss. For organisms requiring only small patches, this amplification of losses is highest during phase 4 of the landscape degradation, whereas for organisms requiring large patches, it peaks during phase 3.
Quantifying Microsecond Exchange in Large Protein Complexes with Accelerated Relaxation Dispersion Experiments in the Solid State
Authors: Öster Carl , Kosol Simone , Lewandowski Józef R.
Published: July 2019

Solid state NMR is a powerful method to obtain information on the structure and dynamics of protein complexes that, due to solubility and size limitations, cannot be achieved by other methods. Here, we present an approach that allows the quantification of microsecond conformational exchange in large protein complexes by using a paramagnetic agent to accelerate 15N R1ρ relaxation dispersion measurements and overcome sensitivity limitations. The method is validated on crystalline GB1 and then applied to a >300 kDa precipitated complex of GB1 with full length human immunoglobulin G (IgG). The addition of a paramagnetic agent increased the signal to noise ratio per time unit by a factor of 5, which allowed full relaxation dispersion curves to be recorded on a sample containing less than 50 μg of labelled material in 5 and 10 days on 850 and 700 MHz spectrometers, respectively. We discover a similar exchange process across the β-sheet in GB1 in crystals and in complex with IgG. However, the slow motion observed for a number of residues in the α-helix of crystalline GB1 is not detected in the complex.
In-parallel resonators to increase the absorption of subwavelength acoustic absorbers in the mid-frequency range
Authors: Aurégan Yves , Farooqui Maaz
Published: July 2019

The acoustic effects of in-parallel resonators is compared to the behavior of a classical single degree of freedom resonator for which the resistance and the mass are in series. In-parallel resonators serve to enhance the acoustic absorption for mid-frequencies thereby extending the active frequency range of perfect acoustic absorbers. Two implementations of these in-parallel absorbers are presented and investigated experimentally as well as numerically. In the first demonstration, the resistance is a perforated plate with a wiremesh and the oscillating mass is the air that fills a tube passing through the plate. The second implementation consists of a thin flexible beam that oscillates and where the resistance is due to the micro-slit resulting from the cutting of the beam.
InGaP electron spectrometer for high temperature environments
Authors: Butera S. , Lioliou G. , Zhao S. , Whitaker M. D. C. , Krysa A. B. , Barnett A. M.
Published: July 2019

In this work, a 200 μm diameter InGaP (GaInP) p+-i-n+ mesa photodiode was studied across the temperature range 100 °C to 20 °C for the development of a temperature-tolerant electron spectrometer. The depletion layer thickness of the InGaP device was 5 μm. The performance of the InGaP detector was analysed under dark conditions and then under the illumination of a 183 MBq 63Ni radioisotope beta particle source. The InGaP photodiode was connected to a custom-made low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifier to realise a particle counting electron spectrometer. Beta spectra were collected at temperatures up to 100 °C with the InGaP device reverse biased at 5 V. The spectrum accumulated at 20 °C was compared with the spectrum predicted using Monte Carlo simulations; good agreement was found between the predicted and experimental spectra. The work is of importance for the development of electron spectrometers that can be used for planetary and space science missions to environments of high temperature or extreme radiation (e.g. Mercury, Jupiter’s moon Europa, near-Sun comets), as well as terrestrial applications.
Ru(II)-thymine complex causes DNA damage and apoptotic cell death in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells mediated by JNK/p38/ERK1/2 via a p53-independent signaling
Authors: Silva Suellen L. R. , Baliza Ingrid R. S. , Dias Rosane B. , Sales Caroline B. S. , Rocha Clarissa A. Gurgel , Soares Milena B. P. , Correa Rodrigo S. , Batista Alzir A. , Bezerra Daniel P.
Published: July 2019

Ru(II)-thymine complex [Ru(PPh3)2(Thy)(bipy)]PF6 (where PPh3 = triphenylphosphine, Thy = thyminate and bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) is a potent cytotoxic agent with ability to bind to DNA, inducing caspase-mediated apoptosis in leukemia cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the cell death induction by Ru(II)-thymine complex in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells, as well as its effect in xenograft tumor model. The Ru(II)-thymine complex increased significantly the percentage of apoptotic HCT116 cells. Co-treatment with a JNK/SAPK inhibitor, p38 MAPK inhibitor and MEK inhibitor, which inhibit the activation of ERK1/2, caused a marked reduction of the percentage of complex-induced apoptotic cells. Moreover, the Ru(II)-thymine complex induced an increase in phospho-JNK2 (T183/Y185), phospho-p38α (T180/Y182) and phospho-ERK1 (T202/Y204) levels in HCT116 cells. Treatment with the Ru(II)-thymine complex increased significantly the phospho-histone H2AX (S139) expression, a DNA damage marker. The expression of phospho-p53 (S15) and MDM2 were not changed, and the co-treatment with a p53 inhibitor (cyclic pifithrin-α) did not reduce the complex-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells, indicating that the Ru(II)-thymine complex induces DNA damage-mediated apoptosis by JNK/p38/ERK1/2 via a p53-independent signaling. The Ru(II)-thymine complex (1 and 2 mg/kg/day) also inhibited HCT116 cell growth in a xenograft model, reducing the tumor mass at 32.6–40.1%. Altogether, indicate that the Ru(II)-thymine complex is a promising anti-colon cancer drug candidate.
A comprehensive study on genome-wide coexpression network of KHDRBS1/Sam68 reveals its cancer and patient-specific association
Authors: Sumithra B. , Saxena Urmila , Das Asim Bikas
Published: July 2019

Human KHDRBS1/Sam68 is an oncogenic splicing factor involved in signal transduction and pre-mRNA splicing. We explored the molecular mechanism of KHDRBS1 to be a prognostic marker in four different cancers. Within specific cancer, including kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), acute myeloid leukemia (LAML), and ovarian cancer (OV), KHDRBS1 expression is heterogeneous and patient specific. In KIRP and LUAD, higher expression of KHDRBS1 affects the patient survival, but not in LAML and OV. Genome-wide coexpression analysis reveals genes and transcripts which are coexpressed with KHDRBS1 in KIRP and LUAD, form the functional modules which are majorly involved in cancer-specific events. However, in case of LAML and OV, such modules are absent. Irrespective of the higher expression of KHDRBS1, the significant divergence of its biological roles and prognostic value is due to its cancer-specific interaction partners and correlation networks. We conclude that rewiring of KHDRBS1 interactions in cancer is directly associated with patient prognosis.
Quantitative analysis of nasal transcripts reveals potential biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kim Hyojung , Kang Seok-Jae , Jo Young Mi , Kim Min Song , Lee Yunjong , Cho Seok-Hyun , Kim Hee-Tae
Published: July 2019

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) oftentimes develop olfactory dysfunction in their early stages, converting the nasal environment into a useful source of potential biomarkers. Here we determined the possible application of nasal fluid cells for PD biomarker identification. Thirty PD patients and 13 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Messenger RNA levels of selected PD-related genes were monitored through real-time quantitative PCR. Target gene transcripts can be efficiently amplified from the cDNA library from human nasal fluid cell pellets. And subsequent analysis showed both a marked downregulation of parkin transcripts and an upregulation of AIMP2 in PD patients when compared to controls (cutoff value = 1.753 for with 84.2% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity; 0.359 for parkin with 76.7% sensitivity and 76.9 specificity). Moreover, alteration pattern of parkin and AIMP2 in PD was distinct from another neurodegenerative disease, multiple system atrophy. Analysis in both the early and late stages of PD cases reported that parkin levels inversely correlated with PD stages. Our results validate the practical value of easily accessible nasal fluid cells and the utility of both AIMP2 and parkin as potential biomarkers for PD diagnosis.
Water uptake by indoor surface films
Authors: Schwartz-Narbonne Heather , Donaldson D. James
Published: July 2019

Indoor surfaces provide a plentiful and varied substrate on which multiphase reactions can occur which can be important to the chemical makeup of the indoor environment. Here, we attempt to characterise real indoor surface films via water uptake behaviour and ionic composition. We show that water uptake by indoor films is different than that observed outdoors, and can vary according to room use, building characteristics, and season. Similarly, preliminary investigation into the ionic composition of the films showed that they varied according to the room in which they were collected. This study highlights the importance of different types of soiling to multiphase chemistry, especially those reactions controlled by relative humidity or adsorbed water.
Structural basis for broad substrate specificity of UDP-glucose 4-epimerase in the human milk oligosaccharide catabolic pathway of Bifidobacterium longum
Authors: Nam Young-Woo , Nishimoto Mamoru , Arakawa Takatoshi , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Fushinobu Shinya
Published: July 2019

Infant gut-associated bifidobacteria has a metabolic pathway that specifically utilizes lacto-N-biose I (Gal-β1,3-GlcNAc) and galacto-N-biose (Gal-β1,3-GalNAc) from human milk and mucin glycans. UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (GalE) from Bifidobacterium longum (bGalE) catalyzes epimerization reactions of UDP-Gal into UDP-Glc and UDP-GalNAc into UDP-GlcNAc with the same level of activity that is required to send galacto-hexoses into glycolysis. Here, we determined the crystal structures of bGalE in three ternary complex forms: NAD+/UDP, NAD+/UDP-GlcNAc, and NAD+/UDP-Glc. The broad specificity of bGalE was explained by structural features of the binding pocket for the N-acetyl or C2 hydroxy group of the substrate. Asn200 is located in a pocket of the C2 group, and its side chain adopts different conformations in the complex structures with UDP-Glc and UDP-GlcNAc. On the other side, Cys299 forms a large pocket for the C5 sugar ring atom. The flexible C2 pocket and the large C5 pocket of bGalE are suitable for accommodating both the hydroxy and N-acetyl groups of the substrate during sugar ring rotation in the catalytic cycle. The substrate specificity and active site structure of bGalE were distinct from those of Esherichia coli GalE but similar to those of human GalE.
Differential homotypic and heterotypic interactions of antigen 43 (Ag43) variants in autotransporter-mediated bacterial autoaggregation
Authors: Ageorges Valentin , Schiavone Marion , Jubelin Grégory , Caccia Nelly , Ruiz Philippe , Chafsey Ingrid , Bailly Xavier , Dague Etienne , Leroy Sabine , Paxman Jason , Heras Begoña , Chaucheyras-Durand Frédérique , Rossiter Amanda E. , Henderson Ian R. , Desvaux Mickaël
Published: July 2019

Antigen 43 (Ag43) is a cell-surface exposed protein of Escherichia coli secreted by the Type V, subtype a, secretion system (T5aSS) and belonging to the family of self-associating autotransporters (SAATs). These modular proteins, comprising a cleavable N-terminal signal peptide, a surface-exposed central passenger and an outer membrane C-terminal translocator, self-recognise in a Velcro-like handshake mechanism. A phylogenetic network analysis focusing on the passenger revealed for the first time that they actually distribute into four distinct classes, namely C1, C2, C3 and C4. Structural alignment and modelling analyses demonstrated these classes arose from shuffling of two different subdomains within the Ag43 passengers. Functional analyses revealed that homotypic interactions occur for all Ag43 classes but significant differences in the sedimentation kinetics and aggregation state were present when Ag43C3 was expressed. In contrast, heterotypic interaction occurred in a very limited number of cases. Single cell-force spectroscopy demonstrated the importance of specific as well as nonspecific interactions in mediating Ag43-Ag43 recognition. We propose that structural differences in the subdomains of the Ag43 classes account for different autoaggregation dynamics and propensities to co-interact.
A Tri-fusion Reporter Mouse Reveals Tissue-Specific FGF1B Promoter Activity in vivo
Authors: Liu Shan-Wen , Hsu Ching-Han , Chen Mei-Ru , Chiu Ing-Ming , Lin Kurt M.
Published: July 2019

Transgenic mice harboring imaging reporters take full advantage of imaging technologies in studies using living mice. Here, we established a tri-fusion multimodal reporter gene containing fragments from firefly luciferase, enhanced green fluorescent protein, and herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase and generated tri-fusion reporter Tg mice. Fibroblast growth factor type 1 (FGF1), a multifunctional mitogen to a wide range of tissues, regulates proliferation of neural stem cells of the brain, where FGF1 expression is initiated through activation of the FGF1B (F1B) promoter. The reporter mouse under the control of the human F1B promoter enables visualization in vivo where F1B activity is elevated, including tissues not only in the brain but also in the nasopharynx, skull, spine, and testes, particularly in Leydig cells. Treating Tg mice with the alkylating agent busulfan, which is known to eradicate Leydig cells and disrupt spermatogenesis in mice, eliminated the reporter signals. Restoring Leydig cells recovered reporter expression, indicating that the reporter can be used as a surrogate marker for Leydig cells. The F1B tri-fusion reporter mouse model can be utilized in longitudinal monitoring of the health status of the male reproductive system, such as in studies exploring the toxicity of chemicals to spermatogenesis.
Potential population level impact on tuberculosis incidence of using an mRNA expression signature correlate-of-risk test to target tuberculosis preventive therapy
Authors: Sumner Tom , Scriba Thomas J. , Penn-Nicholson Adam , Hatherill Mark , White Richard G.
Published: July 2019

Achieving the WHO End-Tuberculosis (TB) targets requires approaches to prevent progression to TB among individuals with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection. Effective preventive therapy (PT) exists, but current tests have low specificity for identifying who, among those infected, is at risk of developing TB. Using mathematical models, we assessed the potential population-level impact on TB incidence of using a new more specific mRNA expression signature (COR) to target PT among HIV-uninfected adults in South Africa. We compared the results to the use of the existing interferon-γ release assay (IGRA). With annual screening coverage of 30% COR-targeted PT could reduce TB incidence in 2035 by 20% (95% CI 15–27). With the same coverage, IGRA-targeted PT could reduce TB incidence by 39% (31–48) but would require greater use of PT resulting in a higher number needed to treat per TB case averted (COR: 49 (29–77); IGRA: 84 (59–123)). The relative differences between COR and IGRA were not sensitive to screening coverage. COR-targeted PT could contribute to reducing total TB burden in high incidence countries like South Africa by allowing more efficient targeting of treatment. To maximise impact, COR-like tests may be best utilised in the highest burden regions, or sub-populations, within these countries.
Antimicrobial Materials—An Overview
Authors: Mahira Shaheen , Jain Anjali , Khan Wahid , Domb Abraham J.
Published: July 2019

Infectious disease management has become an increasing challenge in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, microbial infections are a top concern. Pathogenic microorganisms are of main concern in hospitals and other healthcare locations, as they affect the optimal functioning of medical devices, surgical devices, bone cements, etc. Combatting microbial infections has become a serious health concern and major challenging issue due to antimicrobial resistance or multidrug resistance and has become an important research field in science and medicine. Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon where microorganisms acquire or innately possess resistance to antimicrobial agents. New materials offer a promising antimicrobial strategy as they can kill or inhibit microbial growth on their surface or within the surrounding environment with superior efficacy, low toxicity and minimized environmental problems. The present chapter focuses on classification of antimicrobial materials, surface modification and design requirements, their mode of action, antimicrobial evaluation tests and clinical status.
A label-free fluorescence method for actin detection based on DNA-templated silver nanoclusters
Authors: Chen Mingjian , Ma Changbei , Yan Ying
Published: July 2019

A facile fluorescence method has been developed for the detection of actin based on an enzyme-responsive DNA-silver nanocluster probe.
Slowing down lipolysis significantly enhances the oral absorption of intact solid lipid nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Zhou , Fan Wufa , Wang Luting , He Haisheng , Lv Yongjiu , Qi Jianping , Lu Yi , Wu Wei
Published: July 2019

Incorporation of orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, into the matrix of solid lipid nanoparticles slows down lipolysis significantly and thereby enhances gastrointestinal survival rate and oral absorption of intact particles.
Hollow CoSe2 nanocages derived from metal–organic frameworks as efficient non-precious metal co-catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Kim Eun Hwa , Reddy D. Amaranatha , Lee Hwan , Jeong Seonghyun , Kumar D. Praveen , Song Jae Kyu , Lim Manho , Kim Tae Kyu
Published: July 2019

Hollow structured CoSe2 nanocages are developed as efficient co-catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen productions.
A novel Fe-free photo-electro-Fenton-like system for enhanced ciprofloxacin degradation: bifunctional Z-scheme WO3/g-C3N4
Authors: Bai Xiaoyu , Li Yi , Xie Liangbo , Liu Xiaohui , Zhan Sihui , Hu Wenping
Published: July 2019

Antibiotics accumulate because of their extensive use and difficult degradation, which can lead to the formation of novel antibiotic resistant genes and bacteria, which can cause damage to human health and the ecological environment.
Protective effects of trans-2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside on liver fibrosis and renal injury induced by CCl4via down-regulating p-ERK1/2 and p-Smad1/2
Authors: Long Tao , Wang Liwen , Yang Yiwen , Yuan Li , Zhao Hui , Chang Chia-Che , Yang Guliang , Ho Chi-Tang , Li Shiming
Published: July 2019

Both as a food and an herbal plant, Polygonum multiflorum (PM) has long been used in food and prescriptions for several centuries in Southeast Asia.
Fucoxanthin modulates cecal and fecal microbiota differently based on diet
Authors: Guo Bingbing , Yang Bo , Pang Xiaoyang , Chen Tianpeng , Chen Feng , Cheng Ka-Wing
Published: July 2019

Fucoxanthin supplementation to NCD or HFD significantly reduced the bodyweight gain in mice likely through its capability to differentially modulate cecal and fecal microbiota based on diet.
Engineering highly effective antimicrobial selenium nanoparticles through control of particle size
Authors: Huang Tao , Holden James A. , Heath Daniel E. , O'Brien-Simpson Neil M. , O'Connor Andrea J.
Published: July 2019

Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are a promising antibacterial agent to address the challenge of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In this work, the antibacterial activity of the spherical Se NPs was shown to be strongly size dependent.
Novel networked wicker-like PtFe nanowires with branch-rich exteriors for efficient electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Yangping , Gao Fei , Song Tongxin , Wang Cheng , Chen Chunyan , Du Yukou
Published: July 2019

We efficiently constructed a kind of novel networked wicker-like interconnected PtFe NWs catalyst with branch-rich exteriors. The composition-optimized Pt3Fe NWs show much enhanced catalytic performance towards the EOR and MOR.
Fabrication and sensing application of a silver nanoshell array structure by a micro-flow injection method
Authors: Cao Wen , Deng Cai Song , Pan Ting Ting , Hao Hui , Wang Ming
Published: July 2019

Two-dimensional periodic metallic spherical shell array structure with controllable geometric parameters was fabricated on the target substrate by microsphere template and magnetron sputtering.
Retracted Article: A versatile strategy for alternately arranging the foam ratio layers of multilayer graphene/thermoplastic polyurethane composite foams towards lightweight and broadband electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Wang Chaozhi , Li Jiang , Guo Shaoyun
Published: July 2019

A broadband electromagnetic wave (EW) absorbing material should possess both wider effective absorption bandwidth and lower minimum reflection loss, depending on good impedance matching between the absorber and air and strong attenuation of EW.
Structural elaboration of dicyanopyrazine: towards push–pull molecules with tailored photoredox activity
Authors: Hloušková Zuzana , Klikar Milan , Pytela Oldřich , Almonasy Numan , Růžička Aleš , Jandová Veronika , Bureš Filip
Published: July 2019

X-shaped push–pull molecules based on dicyanopyrazine were designed, synthesized and experimentally/theoretically investigated. They proved to be tunable photoredox catalysts in selected chemical transformations.
Fluorescent probes towards selective cathepsin B detection and visualization in cancer cells and patient samples
Authors: Poreba Marcin , Groborz Katarzyna , Vizovisek Matej , Maruggi Marco , Turk Dusan , Turk Boris , Powis Garth , Drag Marcin , Salvesen Guy S.
Published: July 2019

Highly selective fluorescent activity-based probe for the visualization of cathepsin B in cancer cells.
A conceptual framework for the development of iridium(iii) complex-based electrogenerated chemiluminescence labels
Authors: Chen Lifen , Hayne David J. , Doeven Egan H. , Agugiaro Johnny , Wilson David J. D. , Henderson Luke C. , Connell Timothy U. , Nai Yi Heng , Alexander Richard , Carrara Serena , Hogan Conor F. , Donnelly Paul S. , Francis Paul S.
Published: July 2019

A new strategy to create iridium(iii)-based ECL labels reveals limitations of conventional approaches.
Systematic exploration of the mechanical properties of 13 621 inorganic compounds
Authors: Chibani Siwar , Coudert François-Xavier
Published: July 2019

Exploring elastic properties of 13 621 crystals highlights how rare auxeticity and negative linear compressibility are.
Unravelling the conductance path through single-porphyrin junctions
Authors: El Abbassi Maria , Zwick Patrick , Rates Alfredo , Stefani Davide , Prescimone Alessandro , Mayor Marcel , van der Zant Herre S. J. , Dulić Diana
Published: July 2019

By studying transport through seven structurally related porphyrin derivatives with a machine learning algorithm we could identify and distinguish three different electronic paths.
Visible-light harvesting pyrene-based MOFs as efficient ROS generators
Authors: Zhang Yingmu , Pang Jiandong , Li Jialuo , Yang Xinyu , Feng Mingbao , Cai Peiyu , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: July 2019

K-region substituted pyrene-based MOFs for ROS generation upon direct visible-light irradiation.
Selective access to either a doubly boron-doped tetrabenzopentacene or an oxadiborepin from the same precursor
Authors: Radtke Julian , Schickedanz Kai , Bamberg Marcel , Menduti Luigi , Schollmeyer Dieter , Bolte Michael , Lerner Hans-Wolfram , Wagner Matthias
Published: July 2019

Depending on the solvent, a brominated arylborane gave the multiple heliceneB2-TBPA(pyridine) or the oxadiborepinODBE(THF) after intramolecular Yamamoto coupling.
Tailoring cations in a perovskite cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells with high performance
Authors: Xu Xi , Wang Huiqiang , Fronzi Marco , Wang Xianfen , Bi Lei , Traversa Enrico
Published: July 2019

Tailoring cathode materials with cations enables an improved hydration ability and proton migration, leading to a high fuel cell performance.
Intercalation pseudocapacitance in a NASICON-structured Na2CrTi(PO4)3@carbon nanocomposite: towards high-rate and long-lifespan sodium-ion-based energy storage
Authors: Wang Dongxue , Wei Zhixuan , Lin Yunxiang , Chen Nan , Gao Yu , Chen Gang , Song Li , Du Fei
Published: July 2019

Benefiting from the intercalation pseudocapacitance property and structural stability of NASICON-type Na2CrTi(PO4)3@C, the [Active carbon|| Na2CrTi(PO4)3@C] hybrid ion capacitor delivers high energy density as well as superior power density.
Reversible modulation of photoenergy in Sm-doped (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 transparent ceramics via photochromic behavior
Authors: Lin Jinfeng , Zhou Yang , Lu Qiling , Wu Xiao , Lin Cong , Lin Tengfei , Xue Kan-Hao , Miao Xiangshui , Sa Baisheng , Sun Zhimei
Published: July 2019

Due to the color centers induced by Na/K volatilization and Sm-doping, Sm-doped KNN transparent ceramics exhibit photochromism and reversible modulations of transmittance/luminescence intensities.
Synthesis of three-dimensional free-standing WSe2/C hybrid nanofibers as anodes for high-capacity lithium/sodium ion batteries
Authors: Li Jing , Han Shaobo , Zhang Junwei , Xiang Junxiang , Zhu Xingqun , Liu Ping , Li Xuefeng , Feng Chao , Xiang Bin , Gu Meng
Published: July 2019

A flexible three-dimensional WSe2/C nanofiber was reported and investigated by the in situ TEM, which finally exhibited high reversible cycling capability and ultra-long lifespan up to 10 000 cycles at ultrahigh rate.
ZnO nanoconfined 3D porous carbon composite microspheres to stabilize lithium nucleation/growth for high-performance lithium metal anodes
Authors: Tang Linsheng , Zhang Rui , Zhang Xinyue , Zhao Naiqin , Shi Chunsheng , Liu Enzuo , Ma Liying , Luo Jiayan , He Chunnian
Published: July 2019

The lithiophilic nucleation seed is confined by the carbon layer to improve the cycling performance of the lithium metal anode.
p–n tungsten oxide homojunctions for Vis-NIR light-enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chang Bin , Ai Zizheng , Shi Dong , Zhong Yueyao , Zhang Kang , Shao Yongliang , Zhang Lei , Shen Jianxing , Wu Yongzhong , Hao Xiaopeng
Published: July 2019

A novel p–n tungsten oxide homojunction was built by synchronous tuning of oxygen vacancies and phosphorus-doping. Under Vis-NIR light irradiation, this electrocatalytic system exhibited glorious alkaline hydrogen evolution activity.
Excellent energy storage density and charge–discharge performance of a novel Bi0.2Sr0.7TiO3–BiFeO3 thin film
Authors: Song Baijie , Wu Shuanghao , Li Feng , Chen Pan , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei
Published: July 2019

A novel Bi0.2Sr0.7TiO3–BiFeO3 thin film prepared by sol–gel/spin coating possesses ultrahigh energy storage density, good thermal stability and excellent charge–discharge performance.
Association between interleukin-21 gene rs6822844 polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility
Authors: Ren Kewei , Tang Jilei , Nong Luming , Shen Nan , Li Xiaolong
Published: July 2019

Controversial results concerning the association between a polymorphism rs6822844 in the interleukin (IL) 21 (IL-21) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have existed. A meta-analysis to confirm above relationships is necessary to be performed immediately. We conducted a search in the PubMed database, covering all papers published up to 20 October 2018. Overall, six case–control studies with 3244 cases and 3431 healthy controls were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of this association. Publication bias was assessed with both Egger’s and Begg’s tests. After calculation, we found that IL-21 rs6822844 polymorphism could decrease RA risk in overall genetic models (allelic contrast: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.62–0.97, P=0.024; TG versus GG: OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50–0.92, P=0.013, and dominant genetic model: OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55–0.94, P=0.016). Similarly, stratified analysis by race, source of control, significantly decreased association was found in Asians, Caucasians and hospital-based (HB) control source. Finally, in the subgroup analysis of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) status, poorly decreased relationship was detected between IL-21 rs6822844 polymorphism and RF negative and ACPA positive RA risk, respectively. No obvious evidence of publication bias was detected in overall analysis. In summary, our study indicated that IL-21 rs6822844 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased RA susceptibility.
Long noncoding RNA-MEG3 contributes to myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury through suppression of miR-7-5p expression
Authors: Zou Liyuan , Ma Xiaokun , Lin Shuo , Wu Bingyuan , Chen Yang , Peng Chaoquan
Published: July 2019

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) plays an important role in protection of ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in brain and liver. However, role of MEG3 in myocardial I/R injury remains unclear. Here, the role of MEG3 in protection of myocardial I/R injury and its association with microRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) was investigated using rat cardiac I/R model and myocardial I/R cell model. Our results showed that MEG3 was significantly up-regulated and miR-7-5p was significantly down-regulated after I/R. Following I/R, the levels of intact PARP and intact caspase-3 were reduced, while the cleaved fragments of PARP and caspase-3 were increased. TUNEL assay showed an increase in cardiomyocyte apoptosis after I/R. The levels of I/R-induced creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were inhibited by knockdown of MEG3 (siMEG3). SiMEG3 increased cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis after I/R. In contrast, overexpression of MEG3 increased the I/R-induced CK and LDH activities and cell apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation. The dual-luciferase reporter system showed a direct binding of MEG3 to miR-7-5p. The level of miR-7-5p was negatively associated with the change in levels of MEG3 in H9c2 cells. The levels of intact RARP1 and caspase-3 were significantly increased by knockdown of MEG3. Co-transfection of miR-7-5p inhibitor with siMEG3 activates CK and LDH, significantly decreased cell proliferation, increased cell apoptosis, and decreased intact poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and caspase-3. In summary, down-regulation of MEG3 protects myocardial cells against I/R-induced apoptosis through miR-7-5p/PARP1 pathway, which might provide a new therapeutic target for treatment of myocardial I/R injury.
Genetic polymorphism and transcriptional regulation of CREBBP gene in patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Zhao Haifeng , Kan Yutian , Wang Xinyuan , Chen Leiyuan , Ge Peng , Qian Zhengzi
Published: July 2019

In the present study, we aim to examine the relationship between genetic polymorphism and transcriptional expression of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREBBP) and the risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Two hundred and fifty healthy individuals and 248 DLBCL patients participated in the present study. The CREBBP rs3025684 polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The mRNA expression of CREBBP was tested by the real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The allele A frequency of CREBBP rs3025684 in DLBCL patients was obviously higher than that of controls (P=0.01). No significant difference was detected between CREBBP rs3025684 polymorphism and clinical characteristics of DLBCL patients when subgrouped according to different parameters. The results demonstrated that the allele A of CREBBP rs3025684 increased the susceptibility to DLBCL (P=0.004), with a worse overall survival (OS) rate (P=0.002), a worse progression-free survival (PFS) rate (P=0.033) and poor prognosis (P=0.003) in DLCBL patients. Furthermore, the expression of CREBBP mRNA was considerably decreased in DLBCL patients as compared with controls (P<0.001), and the expression in patients with GG genotype was up-regulated in comparison with patients with GA and AA genotype (P=0.016 and P=0.001, respectively). However, no statistical differences were found in OS (P=0.201) and PFS (P=0.353) between the lower CREBBP mRNA level subgroup and higher CREBBP mRNA level subgroup. These data suggested that the CREBBP gene may be an important prognostic factor in DLBCL patients and perform an essential function in the development of DLBCL.
Study on energy conservation and carbon emission reduction design of timber structure building
Authors: Yue Miao , Li Wenxian , Cheng Xinling , Chen Yujie , Xu Liu , Shi Yanshuai
Published: July 2019

Replacing traditional building materials with renewable and sustainable materials such as timber can control environmental pollution such as energy consumption and carbon emission in the whole life cycle of a building, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. How to design timber structure building better is the focus of this study. This study takes timber structure building as the research object, evaluates the building energy consumption and CO2 emission with the whole life cycle concept. The comparative ecological advantages of timber structure building are obtained by comparing and analysing the brick‐concrete structure building with equivalent thermal performance. Then by analysing the different spaces of timber structure building design, the design suggestions of energy saving and carbon reduction such as reducing the platform area appropriately and increasing the number of building floors are proposed when designing timber structure buildings.
Multi‐path suppression algorithm for through‐the‐wall imaging
Authors: Zhao Yikun , Yang Wenfu , Li Yinchuan , Xiang Yin , Ding Zegang
Published: July 2019

Through‐the‐wall radar has been used in rescue missions, behind‐the‐wall targets detection, surveillance and reconnaissance etc. However, through‐the‐wall radar encounters two major problems in complex environment. One is that the refraction of the unknown wall would distort the through‐the‐wall image. The other is that the multi‐reflection between wall and walls as well as wall and targets would lead to a lot of fake targets. To solve these problems, a multi‐path suppression algorithm is proposed in this study. The simulation results show that proposed algorithm can automatically estimate the thickness and dielectric parameter of the unknown wall and give an undistort image, and remove the fake targets due to the multi‐path effect.
Data block processing structure for airship‐borne passive bistatic radar
Authors: Xu Feng , Liu Xin , Liu Li , Wang Chao , Wang YiFei
Published: July 2019

Serious ground clutter is of significant influence for target detection in an airship‐borne passive bistatic radar (ABPBR) using frequency modulated broadcasting signals. The authors propose a data segment processing scheme to recover the direct signal from multi‐path clutter and suppress the multi‐path in the surveillance channel in an ABPBR. Super exponential (SE) equaliser and sample matrix inversion algorithm are exploited to recover the transmitted signal and suppress the serious multi‐path interference, respectively. It is shown that the proposed algorithms can accomplish the target detection task effectively by computer simulations.
Fast and robust adaptive beamforming method based on complex‐valued RBF neural network
Authors: Li Yuqing , Yang Xiaopeng , Liu Feifeng
Published: July 2019

The adaptive beamforming is one of the key techniques for array signal processing. However, the matrix inversion operation in the existing methods will cost a large amount of computational complexity, which results in poor real‐time processing ability. In order to reduce the amount of computational cost, a fast and robust adaptive beamforming method based on complex‐valued radial basis function (CRBF) neural network is proposed. In the proposed method, the CRBF neural network is established, thus the direct matrix inversion is avoided by the nonlinear mapping processing from the array covariance matrix to the adaptive weight vector, and therefore the calculation speed of adaptive weight vectors is increased. Based on the simulation results, the proposed method is verified that the speed of adaptive beamforming is increased compared with sample matrix inversion (SMI) algorithm method and an improved performance is achieved compared with that of conventional real‐valued RBF neural network beamformer.