bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sirtuin 1 genetic variation, energy balance and colorectal cancer risk by sex and subsite in the Netherlands Cohort Study
Authors: Simons C. C. J. M. , Schouten L. J. , Godschalk R. W. , van Schooten F. J. , van den Brandt P. A. , Weijenberg M. P.
Published: November 2018

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an energy-sensing protein, which may affect tumorigenesis. We used SIRT1 variants as time-independent indicators of SIRT1 involvement in carcinogenesis and we studied two tagging SIRT1 variants in relation to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We also evaluated known energy balance-related CRC risk factors within SIRT1 genotype strata. The Netherlands Cohort Study includes 120,852 individuals and has 20.3 years follow-up (case-cohort: nsubcohort = 5000; nCRC cases = 4667). At baseline, participants self-reported weight, weight at age 20, height, trouser/skirt size reflecting waist circumference, physical activity, and early life energy restriction. SIRT1 rs12778366 and rs10997870 were genotyped in toenail DNA available for ~75% of the cohort. Sex- and subsite-specific Cox hazard ratios (HRs) showed that the rs12778366 CC versus TT genotype decreased CRC and colon cancer risks in women (HRCRC = 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.94) but not men. Multiplicative interactions were observed between SIRT1 variants and energy balance-related factors in relation to CRC endpoints, but the direction of associations was not always conform expectation nor specific to one genotype stratum. In conclusion, these results support SIRT1 involvement in colon cancer development in women. No conclusions could be made regarding a modifying effect of SIRT1 variants on associations between energy balance-related factors and CRC risk.
Pili mediated intercellular forces shape heterogeneous bacterial microcolonies prior to multicellular differentiation
Authors: Pönisch Wolfram , Eckenrode Kelly B. , Alzurqa Khaled , Nasrollahi Hadi , Weber Christoph , Zaburdaev Vasily , Biais Nicolas
Published: November 2018

Microcolonies are aggregates of a few dozen to a few thousand cells exhibited by many bacteria. The formation of microcolonies is a crucial step towards the formation of more mature bacterial communities known as biofilms, but also marks a significant change in bacterial physiology. Within a microcolony, bacteria forgo a single cell lifestyle for a communal lifestyle hallmarked by high cell density and physical interactions between cells potentially altering their behaviour. It is thus crucial to understand how initially identical single cells start to behave differently while assembling in these tight communities. Here we show that cells in the microcolonies formed by the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) present differential motility behaviors within an hour upon colony formation. Observation of merging microcolonies and tracking of single cells within microcolonies reveal a heterogeneous motility behavior: cells close to the surface of the microcolony exhibit a much higher motility compared to cells towards the center. Numerical simulations of a biophysical model for the microcolonies at the single cell level suggest that the emergence of differential behavior within a multicellular microcolony of otherwise identical cells is of mechanical origin. It could suggest a route toward further bacterial differentiation and ultimately mature biofilms.
Effects of rotation on temperature fluctuations in turbulent thermal convection on a hemisphere
Authors: Meuel T. , Coudert M. , Fischer P. , Bruneau C. H. , Kellay H.
Published: November 2018

Rotation is present in many physical and geophysical systems and its role in determining flow properties and modifying turbulent fluctuations is of crucial importance. Here we focus on the role of rotation on temperature fluctuations in turbulent thermal convection. The system used consists of a rotating half soap bubble heated from below. This system has features, curvature and a quasi two dimensional character, which are reminiscent of atmospheric and planetary systems. Our experiments and numerical simulations show that rotation changes the nature of turbulent fluctuations and a new scaling regime is obtained for the temperature field. This change in the scaling behavior of temperature fluctuations, due to rotation, is put forth by studying the so called second moment of temperature differences across different scales. For high enough rotation rates, these temperature differences display a transition from Bolgiano Obukhov scaling to a new scaling regime. This scaling is at odds with expectations from theory, numerics, and experiments in three dimensions, suggesting that the effects of rotation on turbulent flows depend strongly on geometry and spatial dimension.
Bottle beam generation from a frequency-doubled Nd:YVO4 laser
Authors: Tung J. C. , Ma Y. Y. , Miyamoto K. , Chen Y. F. , Omatsu T.
Published: November 2018

We demonstrate, for the first time, the direct generation of a bottle beam with a well-isolated three-dimensional zero-intensity dark core (high potential barrier) from a compact intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YVO4 laser with a nearly hemispherical cavity. We also numerically calculate the physical properties of the generated bottle beam using a coherent superposition of a series of frequency-locked Laguerre–Gaussian modes.
Structural Studies based on two Lysine Dioxygenases with Distinct Regioselectivity Brings Insights Into Enzyme Specificity within the Clavaminate Synthase-Like Family
Authors: Bastard Karine , Isabet Tatiana , Stura Enrico A. , Legrand Pierre , Zaparucha Anne
Published: November 2018

Iron(II)/α-ketoacid-dependent oxygenases (αKAOs) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of unactivated C-H bonds, mainly through hydroxylation. Among these, those that are active towards amino-acids and their derivatives are grouped in the Clavaminate Synthase Like (CSL) family. CSL enzymes exhibit high regio- and stereoselectivities with strict substrate specificity. This study reports the structural elucidation of two new regiodivergent members, KDO1 and KDO5, active towards lysine, and the structural and computational analysis of the whole family through modelling and classification of active sites. The structures of KDO1 and KDO5 in complex with their ligands show that one exact position in the active site controls the regioselectivity of the reaction. Our results suggest that the substrate specificity and high stereoselectivity typical of this family is linked to a lid that closes up in order to form a sub-pocket around the side chain of the substrate. This dynamic lid is found throughout the family with varying sequence and length and is associated with a conserved stable dimeric interface. Results from this study could be a starting-point for exploring the functional diversity of the CSL family and direct in vitro screening in the search for new enzymatic activities.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) shows adaptation of grass pollen composition
Authors: Diehn Sabrina , Zimmermann Boris , Bağcıoğlu Murat , Seifert Stephan , Kohler Achim , Ohlson Mikael , Fjellheim Siri , Weidner Steffen , Kneipp Janina
Published: November 2018

MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become a widely used tool for the classification of biological samples. The complex chemical composition of pollen grains leads to highly specific, fingerprint-like mass spectra, with respect to the pollen species. Beyond the species-specific composition, the variances in pollen chemistry can be hierarchically structured, including the level of different populations, of environmental conditions or different genotypes. We demonstrate here the sensitivity of MALDI-TOF MS regarding the adaption of the chemical composition of three Poaceae (grass) pollen for different populations of parent plants by analyzing the mass spectra with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Thereby, variances in species, population and specific growth conditions of the plants were observed simultaneously. In particular, the chemical pattern revealed by the MALDI spectra enabled discrimination of the different populations of one species. Specifically, the role of environmental changes and their effect on the pollen chemistry of three different grass species is discussed. Analysis of the group formation within the respective populations showed a varying influence of plant genotype on the classification, depending on the species, and permits conclusions regarding the respective rigidity or plasticity towards environmental changes.
Experiment of GBR for repair of peri-implant alveolar defects in beagle dogs
Authors: Li HuiPing , Zheng JiSi , Zhang Shanyong , Yang Chi , Kwon Yong-Dae , Kim Yong-Jin
Published: November 2018

To guide barrier membrane choice in the treatment of peri-implant alveolar bone defects, we evaluated guided bone regeneration (GBR) using titanium (Ti) mesh or Bio-Gide membrane, independently or in combination, for repair of alveolar bone defects in Beagle dogs. Six months after extraction of the mandibular premolars and first molars from three beagle dogs, we inserted implants assigned into 3 groups and covered with the following membrane combinations: Group A: Implant + Bio-Oss + Ti-mesh, Group B: Implant + Bio-Oss + Bio-Gide, and Group C: Implant + Bio-Oss + Ti-mesh + Bio-Gide. At 6 months, micro-CT revealed that bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) was significantly greater in Group C than the other two groups, while trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) was significantly lower, suggesting improved bone regeneration. The distance between bands of three fluorescent tracking dyes was significantly greater in Group C, indicating faster deposition of new bone. The Bio-Oss particles were ideally integrated with newly deposited bone and bone thickness was significantly larger in Group C. These findings suggest that combination of Bio-Gide membrane and titanium mesh can effectively repair peri-implant alveolar bone defects, achieving enhanced bone regeneration compared to titanium mesh or Bio-Gide alone, and therefore providing a novel treatment concept for clinical implant surgery.
Assessment of coding region variants in Kuwaiti population: implications for medical genetics and population genomics
Authors: John Sumi Elsa , Antony Dinu , Eaaswarkhanth Muthukrishnan , Hebbar Prashantha , Channanath Arshad Mohamed , Thomas Daisy , Devarajan Sriraman , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Al-Mulla Fahd , Alsmadi Osama , Thanaraj Thangavel Alphonse
Published: November 2018

Consanguineous populations of the Arabian Peninsula have been underrepresented in global efforts that catalogue human exome variability. We sequenced 291 whole exomes of unrelated, healthy native Arab individuals from Kuwait to a median coverage of 45X and characterised 170,508 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), of which 21.7% were ‘personal’. Up to 12% of the SNVs were novel and 36% were population-specific. Half of the SNVs were rare and 54% were missense variants. The study complemented the Greater Middle East Variome by way of reporting many additional Arabian exome variants. The study corroborated Kuwaiti population genetic substructures previously derived using genome-wide genotype data and illustrated the genetic relatedness among Kuwaiti population subgroups, Middle Eastern, European and Ashkenazi Jewish populations. The study mapped 112 rare and frequent functional variants relating to pharmacogenomics and disorders (recessive and common) to the phenotypic characteristics of Arab population. Comparative allele frequency data and carrier distributions of known Arab mutations for 23 disorders seen among Arabs, of putative OMIM-listed causal mutations for 12 disorders observed among Arabs but not yet characterized for genetic basis in Arabs, and of 17 additional putative mutations for disorders characterized for genetic basis in Arab populations are presented for testing in future Arab studies.
CD200 facilitates the isolation of corneal epithelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Hayashi Ryuhei , Ishikawa Yuki , Katayama Tomohiko , Quantock Andrew J. , Nishida Kohji
Published: November 2018

The in vitro induction of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a new strategy for obtaining CE stem/progenitor cells for the surgical reconstruction of a diseased or injured ocular surface. The clinical promise of this strategy is considerable, but if the approaches’ potential is to be realised, robust methods for the purification of iPSC-derived CE lineage cells need to be developed to avoid contamination with other cells that may carry the risk of unwanted side effects, such as tumorigenesis. Experiments conducted here revealed that during CEC isolation, CD200-negative selection using a cell sorter considerably reduced the contamination of the cell population with various non-CECs compared with what could be achieved using TRA-1-60, a conventional negative marker for CECs. Furthermore, CD200-negative sorting did not affect the yield of CECs nor that of their stem/progenitor cells. Single-cell gene expression analysis for CEC sheets obtained using CD200-negative sorting showed that all analysed cells were CE-lineage cells, expressing PAX6, delta-N p63, and E-cadherin. Non-CECs, on the other hand, expressed non-CEC genes such as FGFR1 and RPE65. CD200, thus, represents a robust negative marker for purification of induced CE lineage cells, which is expressed by undifferentiated iPSCs and non-CECs, including iPSC-derived neural and retinal cells.
Induction of intracellular ferritin expression in embryo-derived Ixodes scapularis cell line (ISE6)
Authors: Hernandez Emmanuel Pacia , Kusakisako Kodai , Talactac Melbourne Rio , Galay Remil Linggatong , Yoshii Kentaro , Tanaka Tetsuya
Published: November 2018

Iron is a very important nutrient for cells; however, it could also cause fatal effects because of its capability to trigger oxidative stress. Due to high exposure to iron from their blood diet, ticks make use of several mechanisms to cope up with oxidative stress. One mechanism is iron sequestration by ferritin and its control protein (IRP). Since the IRP activity is dependent on the ferrous iron concentration, we tried to induce intracellular ferritin (FER1) protein expression by exposing Ixodes scapularis embryo-derived cell line (ISE6) to different concentrations of ferrous sulphate at different time points. We were able to induce FER1 protein after exposure to 2 mM of ferrous sulphate for 48 h, as observed in both Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests. This could indicate that the FER1 produced could be a product of the release of IRPs from the FER1 mRNA leading to its translation. The RNA interference of FER1, through the transfection of dsRNA, led to an increase in mortality and decrease in the cellular proliferation of ISE6 cells. Overall, ISE6 cells could be a good tool in further understanding the mechanism of FER1 action, not just in Ixodes ticks but in other tick species as well.
Breakdown-induced conductive channel for III-nitride light-emitting devices
Authors: Han Sang-Hyun , Baek Seung-Hye , Lee Hyun-Jin , Kim Hyunsoo , Lee Sung-Nam
Published: November 2018

III-nitride semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have superior physical properties, such as high thermal stability and brightness, for application to solid-state lighting sources. With the commercialization of GaN-based LEDs, improving LED reliability is important because they can be affected by electrostatic discharge, reverse leakage, and breakdown. However, research on the reverse bias characteristics of GaN-based LEDs is insufficient. We studied the reverse breakdown mechanism and demonstrated that a local breakdown can form a conductive channel in GaN-based LEDs, which can be expanded to a novel planar-type LED structure without an n-contact electrode. Furthermore, we found that this approach can be applied to AC-controllable light-emitting devices without any AC–DC converter.
Exosomes exert cardioprotection in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes via ERK1/2-p38/MAPK signaling
Authors: Gartz Melanie , Darlington Ashley , Afzal Muhammed Zeeshan , Strande Jennifer L.
Published: November 2018

As mediators of intercellular communication, exosomes containing molecular cargo are secreted by cells and taken up by recipient cells to influence cellular phenotype and function. Here we have investigated the effects of exosomes in dystrophin-deficient (Dys) induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs). Our data demonstrate that exosomes secreted from either wild type (WT) or Dys-iCMs protect the Dys-iCM from stress-induced injury by decreasing reactive oxygen species and delaying mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential and decrease cell death. The protective effects of exosomes were dependent on the presence of exosomal surface proteins and activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling. Based on our findings, the acute effects of exosomes on recipient cells can be initiated from exosome membrane proteins and not necessarily their internal cargo.
Affinity to cellulose is a shared property among coiled-coil domains of intermediate filaments and prokaryotic intermediate filament-like proteins
Authors: Söderholm Niklas , Javadi Ala , Flores Isabel Sierra , Flärdh Klas , Sandblad Linda
Published: November 2018

Coiled-coil domains of intermediate filaments (IF) and prokaryotic IF-like proteins enable oligomerisation and filamentation, and no additional function is ascribed to these coiled-coil domains. However, an IF-like protein from Streptomyces reticuli was reported to display cellulose affinity. We demonstrate that cellulose affinity is an intrinsic property of the IF-like proteins FilP and Scy and the coiled-coil protein DivIVA from the genus Streptomyces. Furthermore, IF-like proteins and DivIVA from other prokaryotic species and metazoan IF display cellulose affinity despite having little sequence homology. Cellulose affinity-based purification is utilised to isolate native FilP protein from the whole cell lysate of S. coelicolor. Moreover, cellulose affinity allowed for the isolation of IF and IF-like protein from the whole cell lysate of C. crescentus and a mouse macrophage cell line. The binding to cellulose is mediated by certain combinations of coiled-coil domains, as demornstrated for FilP and lamin. Fusions of target proteins to cellulose-binding coiled-coil domains allowed for cellulose-based protein purification. The data presented show that cellulose affinity is a novel function of certain coiled-coil domains of IF and IF-like proteins from evolutionary diverse species.
Serum Amyloid A3 is required for normal lung development and survival following influenza infection
Authors: Ather Jennifer L. , Dienz Oliver , Boyson Jonathan E. , Anathy Vikas , Amiel Eyal , Poynter Matthew E.
Published: November 2018

Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are a family of acute phase apolipoproteins implicated to directly modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. However, new studies comparing endogenous SAAs and recombinant forms of these proteins have questioned the function of SAA in inflammation and immunity. We generated SAA3 knockout mice to evaluate the contribution of SAA3 to lung development and immune-mediated lung disease. While SAA3 deficiency does not affect the generation of house dust mite-induced allergic asthma, mice lacking SAA3 develop adult-onset obesity, intrinsic airway hyperresponsiveness, increased inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression in the lung, and elevated levels of lung citrullinated proteins. Polyclonally stimulated CD4+T cells from SAA3−/− mice exhibit impaired glycolytic activity, decreased TH2 and TH1 cytokine secretion, and elevated IL-17A production compared to wild type cells. Polyclonally stimulated CD8+T cells from SAA3−/− mice also exhibit impaired glycolytic activity as well as a diminished capacity to produce IL-2 and IFNγ. Finally, SAA3−/− mice demonstrate increased mortality in response to H1N1 influenza infection, along with higher copy number of viral RNAs in the lung, a lack of CD8+T cell IFNγ secretion, and decreased flu-specific antibodies. Our findings indicate that endogenous SAA3 regulates lung development and homeostasis, and is required for protection against H1N1 influenza infection.
Hierarchical Flowerlike 3D nanostructure of Co3O4@MnO2/N-doped Graphene oxide (NGO) hybrid composite for a high-performance supercapacitor
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Karuppasamy K. , Kim Hyun-Seok , Kim Heung Soo , Kim Joo-Hyung
Published: November 2018

The present study investigates the fabrication of hierarchical 3D nanostructures with multi-component metal oxides in the presence of highly-porous graphene and characterized for its applications in high-performance supercapacitors. A hierarchical flowers like 3D nanostructure of Co3O4 @MnO2 on nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (NGO) hybrid composite was synthesized by thermal reduction process at 650 °C in the presence of ammonia and urea. The synthesized Co3O4@MnO2/NGO hybrid composites were studied via Raman, XRD, X-ray XPS, FE-SEM, FE-SEM with EDX, FE-TEM and BET analyses. The electrochemical analysis of Co3O4@MnO2/NGO hybrid composite electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance measurements. The hybrid composite electrode showed significant specific capacitance results of up to 347 F/g at 0.5 A/g and a corresponding energy density of 34.83 Wh kg−1 with better rate performance and excellent long-term cycling stability were achieved for 10,000 cycles. The obtained electrochemical results paved a way to utilize Co3O4@MnO2/NGO composite electrode as a promising electrode material in high performance supercapacitors.
Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Levels are Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in China: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Li Dan-Dan , Xu Tao , Cheng Xin-Qi , Wu Wei , Ye Yi-Cong , Guo Xiu-Zhi , Cheng Qian , Liu Qian , Liu Li , Zhu Guang-Jin , Wu Jie , Qiu Ling
Published: November 2018

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which is mainly derived from the liver, is a sensitive marker of liver cell damage and oxidative stress. More recently, it has been found that increased GGT plasma activity is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data on the relationship between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are lacking in nationally representative samples of the Chinese population. Here, we aim to investigate both the association between GGT and CRFs and CRF clustering. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 22897 adults aged 18 years and older from 2007 to 2011 nationally, which included a plurality of ethnic minorities. The participants were then divided into quartiles of sex-specific serum GGT. From the low to high GGT quartiles, the incidence of each CRF and clustered risk factors increased after adjusting for age, uric acid (UA), ethnicity, drinking, and all other risk factors. Individuals in the upper stratum (>75th percentile) had higher prevalence rates of CRFs than did those in the lower stratum (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the subjects with clustering of 1, 2, or ≥3 CRFs were still more likely to belong to the upper GGT quartiles (75th percentiles) than were those without risk factors (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data highlight that there is an association between higher serum GGT levels and prevalence of CRFs, which tend to cluster with the increase in GGT activity in Chinese adults.
Localising functionalised gold-nanoparticles in murine spinal cords by X-ray fluorescence imaging and background-reduction through spatial filtering for human-sized objects
Authors: Grüner Florian , Blumendorf Florian , Schmutzler Oliver , Staufer Theresa , Bradbury Michelle , Wiesner Ulrich , Rosentreter Tanja , Loers Gabriele , Lutz David , Richter Bernadette , Fischer Markus , Schulz Florian , Steiner Swantje , Warmer Martin , Burkhardt Anja , Meents Alke , Kupinski Matthew , Hoeschen Christoph
Published: November 2018

Accuratein vivolocalisation of minimal amounts of functionalised gold-nanoparticles, enablinge.g. early-tumour diagnostics and pharmacokinetic tracking studies, requires a precision imaging system offering very high sensitivity, temporal and spatial resolution, large depth penetration, and arbitrarily long serial measurements. X-ray fluorescence imaging could offer such capabilities; however, its utilisation forhuman-sized scales is hampered by a high intrinsic background level. Here we measure and model this anisotropic background and present a spatial filtering scheme for background reduction enabling the localisation of nanoparticle-amounts as reported fromsmall-animal tumour models. As a basic application study towards precision pharmacokinetics, we demonstrate specific localisation to sites of disease by adapting gold-nanoparticles with small targeting ligands in murine spinal cord injury models, at record sensitivity levels using sub-mm resolution. Both studies contribute to the future use of molecularly-targeted gold-nanoparticles as next-generation clinical diagnostic and pharmacokinetic tools.
Distinct patterns of variation in the distribution of knee pain
Authors: Boudreau Shellie A. , Royo Albert Cid , Matthews Mark , Graven-Nielsen Thomas , Kamavuako Ernest N. , Slabaugh Greg , Thorborg Kristian , Vicenzino Bill , Rathleff Michael Skovdal
Published: November 2018

The patient’s expression of pain using digital-body maps expands analytic opportunities for exploring the spatial variation of bodily pain. A common knee pain condition in adolescents and adults is patellofemoral pain (PFP) and recently PFP was shown to be characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of pain. Whether there are important patterns in these distributions remains unclear. This pioneering study assesses the spatial variation of pain using principal component analysis and a clustering approach. Detailed digital-body maps of knee pain were drawn by 299 PFP patients of mixed sex, age, and pain severity. Three pain distribution patterns emerged resembling an Anchor, Hook, and an Ovate shape on and around the patella. The variations in pain distribution were independent of sex, age, and pain intensity. Bilateral pain associated with a longer duration of pain and the majority characterized by the Hook and Ovate pain distributions. Bilateral and/or symmetrical pain between the left and right knees may represent symptoms associated with longstanding PFP. The distinct patterns of pain location and area suggest specific underlying structures cannot be ruled out as important drivers, although central neuronal mechanisms possibly exemplified by the symmetrical representation of pain may play a role in individuals with longstanding symptoms.
Higher primate-like direct corticomotoneuronal connections are transiently formed in a juvenile subprimate mammal
Authors: Murabe Naoyuki , Mori Takuma , Fukuda Satoshi , Isoo Noriko , Ohno Takae , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Yoshimura Yumiko , Sakurai Masaki
Published: November 2018

The corticospinal (CS) tract emerged and evolved in mammals, and is essentially involved in voluntary movement. Over its phylogenesis, CS innervation gradually invaded to the ventral spinal cord, eventually making direct connections with spinal motoneurons (MNs) in higher primates. Despite its importance, our knowledge of the origin of the direct CS-MN connections is limited; in fact, there is controversy as to whether these connections occur in subprimate mammals, such as rodents. Here we studied the retrograde transsynaptic connection between cortical neurons and MNs in mice by labeling the cells with recombinant rabies virus. On postnatal day 14 (P14), we found that CS neurons make direct connections with cervical MNs innervating the forearm muscles. Direct connections were also detected electrophysiologically in whole cell recordings from identified MNs retrogradely-labeled from their target muscles and optogenetic CS stimulation. In contrast, few, if any, lumbar MNs innervating hindlimbs showed direct connections on P18. Moreover, the direct CS-MN connections observed on P14 were later eliminated. The transient CS-MN cells were distributed predominantly in the M1 and S1 areas. These findings provide insight into the ontogeny and phylogeny of the CS projection and appear to settle the controversy about direct CS-MN connections in subprimate mammals.
Amino acid modified [70] fullerene derivatives with high radical scavenging activity as promising bodyguards for chemotherapy protection
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhen Mingming , Guan Mirong , Yu Tong , Ma Liang , Li Wei , Zheng Jiasheng , Shu Chunying , Wang Chunru
Published: November 2018

Despite the great efforts for tumor therapy in the last decades, currently chemotherapy induced toxicity remains a formidable problem for cancer patients, and it usually prohibits the cancer therapy from successful completion due to severe side effects. In general, the main side effects of chemotherapeutic agents are from the as-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) that not only harm the tumor cells but also damage the patients’ organs. Here we report the application of amino acid derivatives of fullerene (AADF) in the chemotherapy which strongly scavenge the excess ROS to protect the tested mice against the chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Two amino acids, i.e., L-lysine and β-alanine were separately employed to chemically modify C70 fullerene, and L-lysine derivative of fullerene (C70-Lys) exhibits superior radical scavenging activity to β-alanine derivative of C70 (C70-Ala). As expected, C70-Lys show much better protective effect than C70-Ala against the chemotherapy injuries in vivo, which is verified by various histopathological, haematological examinations and antioxidative enzyme studies. Moreover, the L-glutathione level is increased and the cytochrome P-450 2E1 expression is inhibited. They are potentially developed as promising bodyguards for chemotherapy protection.
Differential responses of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration to nitrogen addition and precipitation changes in a Tibetan alpine steppe
Authors: Li Changbin , Peng Yunfeng , Nie Xiuqing , Yang Yuanhe , Yang Lucun , Li Fei , Fang Kai , Xiao Yuanming , Zhou Guoying
Published: November 2018

Soil respiration (Rs) is an important source of atmospheric CO2flux and is sensitive to changes in soil nutrient and water contents. Despite extensive studies on the effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and changes in precipitation (P) on Rs, few studies have taken into account the effects of interactions between these factors on Rs of alpine grasslands. To address these questions, we investigated the effects of N addition (10 g N m−2yr−1), changes in precipitation (±50% precipitation), and their interaction on soil respiration and its components, including heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra),in a Tibetan alpine steppe during three consecutive growing seasons. We found that Rs differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Specifically, decreased precipitation led to a significant reduction in Rs during the last two years, whereas N addition minimally impacted Rs. Another important finding was that soil respiration components differed in their response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Nitrogen addition significantly enhanced Ra, whereas Rh was not altered in response to N addition. By contrast, the precipitation regime led to marked changes in Rh, but exhibited marginally significant effects on Ra. Therefore, our findings highlighted that soil respiration differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes mainly due to the different responses of soil respiration components to these factors. Therefore, carbon dynamics should take soil respiration components into account under global change scenarios.
The prebiotic inulin modulates gut microbiota but does not ameliorate atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice
Authors: Hoving Lisa R. , Katiraei Saeed , Pronk Amanda , Heijink Marieke , Vonk Kelly K. D. , Amghar-el Bouazzaoui Fatiha , Vermeulen Rosalie , Drinkwaard Lizette , Giera Martin , van Harmelen Vanessa , Willems van Dijk Ko
Published: November 2018

Gut microbiota have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Since the prebiotic inulin is thought to beneficially affect gut microbiota, we aimed to determine the effect of inulin supplementation on atherosclerosis development in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP (E3L.CETP) mice. Female E3L.CETP mice were fed a western-type diet containing 0.1% or 0.5% cholesterol with or without 10% inulin. The effects of inulin were determined on: microbiota composition, cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, plasma lipid levels, atherosclerosis development, hepatic morphology and hepatic inflammation. Inulin with 0.5% dietary cholesterol increased specific bacterial genera and elevated levels of cecal SCFAs, but did not affect plasma cholesterol levels or atherosclerosis development. Surprisingly, inulin resulted in mild hepatic inflammation as shown by increased expression of inflammation markers. However, these effects were not accompanied by increased hepatic macrophage number. Analogously, inulin induced mild steatosis and increased hepatocyte size, but did not affect hepatic triglyceride content. Inulin with 0.1% dietary cholesterol did not affect hepatic morphology, nor hepatic expression of inflammation markers. Overall, inulin did not reduce hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis development in E3L.CETP mice despite showing clear prebiotic activity, but resulted in manifestations of hepatic inflammation when combined with a high percentage of dietary cholesterol.
Variation of mechanical and thermal properties in sustainable graphene oxide/epoxy composites
Authors: Zhao Hongran , Ding Jiheng , Yu Haibin
Published: November 2018

In this work, the functional graphene oxide (bGO) was facilely synthesized through a grafted reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and bio-based bis-furan di-epoxide (BFDE). The structure of bGO was confirmed by FTIR spectra and Raman spectra. The properties of polymer composite materials depend on the distribution of the nanofiller in the matrix and due to the presence of polymer chains our bGO sheets exhibit a better dispersibility in solvents and polymer matrix, which provides a potential opportunity for the preparation of BFDE composites with excellent performance. Bio-based BFDE composites containing 0.05–0.5 wt.% of bGO exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties. The addition of just 0.5 wt% such bGO to an BFDE causes 80%, 49%, 21%, 69% and 97% enhancement in tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, critical stress intensity factor and critical strain energy release rate, respectively. The thermal decomposition temperature Td of bGO/BFDE composites was increased about ~17 °C compared to blank BFDE sample. In addition, we found that introducing unmodified GO to epoxy matrix lead to an insignificant increase of the thermal property of the resulting GO/BFDE composites. The enhanced mechanical properties and thermal properties of bGO/BFDE composites could be attributed to strong interfacial interactions and high affinity between bGO and epoxy matrix.
Origin and age of the causative mutations in KLC2, IMPA1, MED25 and WNT7A unravelled through Brazilian admixed populations
Authors: de Farias Allysson Allan , Nunes Kelly , Lemes Renan Barbosa , Moura Ronald , Fernandes Gustavo Ribeiro , Melo Uirá Souto , Zatz Mayana , Kok Fernando , Santos Silvana
Published: November 2018

The mutation age and local ancestry of chromosomal segments harbouring mutations associated with autosomal recessive (AR) disorders in Brazilian admixed populations remain unknown; additionally, inbreeding levels for these affected individuals continue to be estimated based on genealogical information. Here, we calculated inbreeding levels using a runs of homozygosity approach, mutation age and local ancestry to infer the origin of each chromosomal segments containing disorder-causing mutations in KLC2, IMPA1, MED25 and WNT7A. Genotyped data were generated from 18 patients affected by AR diseases and combined to the 1000 genome project (1KGP) and Simons genome diversity project (SGDP) databases to infer local ancestry. We found a major European contribution for mutated haplotypes with recent mutation age and inbreeding values found only in Native American and Middle East individuals. These results contribute to identifying the origin of and to understanding how these diseases are maintained and spread in Brazilian and world populations.
Relationship between aqueous humor cytokine level changes and retinal vascular changes after intravitreal aflibercept for diabetic macular edema
Authors: Mastropasqua Rodolfo , D’Aloisio Rossella , Di Nicola Marta , Di Martino Giuseppe , Lamolinara Alessia , Di Antonio Luca , Tognetto Daniele , Toto Lisa
Published: November 2018

The aim of this work was to investigate the changes in aqueous humor cytokine levels after intravitreal injection of aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME) and to evaluate the relationship between cytokines modifications and central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal/choroidal vascular changes using structural and functional optical coherence tomography (OCT). Aqueous concentrations of 38 cytokines were measured via multiplex bead assay. In addition, spectral domain OCT and OCT angiography with SSADA software (XR Avanti® AngioVue) were performed at baseline and after intravitreal injections. VEGF, IL-6, IL-5, IL-1β, Eotaxin, GRO, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-1RA, Flt-3L and IP-10 showed a statistically significant decrease through the follow-up (p < 0.05; p < 0.001), while Fraktalkine and GM-CSF significantly increased (p < 0.05). Best corrected visual acuity significantly increased and CMT significantly decreased during follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013). Superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus density significantly increased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014). A positive relation was found between GRO, VEGF, Fraktalkine, IP-10, IL-12p70 aqueous humor levels and CMT (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). Aflibercept is a primary anti-VEGF treatment producing a decrease of DME due to the reduction of vascular permeability, nevertheless other inflammatory cytokines showed modification after aflibercept intravitreal injections probably related to edema modification or to an interaction of aflibercept with other inflammatory cytokines.
Reflecting health: smart mirrors for personalized medicine
Authors: Miotto Riccardo , Danieletto Matteo , Scelza Jerome R. , Kidd Brian A. , Dudley Joel T.
Published: November 2018

Inexpensive embedded computing and the related Internet of Things technologies enable the recent development of smart products that can respond to human needs and improve everyday tasks in an attempt to make traditional environments more “intelligent”. Several projects have augmented mirrors for a range of smarter applications in automobiles and homes. The opportunity to apply smart mirror technology to healthcare to predict and to monitor aspects of health and disease is a natural but mostly underdeveloped idea. We envision that smart mirrors comprising a combination of intelligent hardware and software could identify subtle, yet clinically relevant changes in physique and appearance. Similarly, a smart mirror could record and evaluate body position and motion to identify posture and movement issues, as well as offer feedback for corrective actions. Successful development and implementation of smart mirrors for healthcare applications will require overcoming new challenges in engineering, machine learning, computer vision, and biomedical research. This paper examines the potential uses of smart mirrors in healthcare and explores how this technology might benefit users in various medical environments. We also provide a brief description of the state-of-the-art, including a functional prototype concept developed by our group, and highlight the directions to make this device more mainstream in health-related applications.
Applications of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy for interrogating catalytic systems
Authors: Spencer Jacob , Folli Andrea , Richards Emma , Murphy Damien M.
Published: November 2018

Species bearing unpaired electrons, including paramagnetic redox metal centres, surface defect centres, reactive oxygen species, adsorbed radical anions, are often involved in catalytic reactions. These species can be readily and thoroughly interrogated using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, providing information on the identity, chemical composition and even the dynamics of the centres themselves, thereby helping to elucidate the involvement of the radicals in the reaction cycles. This review will summarise and highlight the applications of EPR in heterogeneous, homogeneous, photocatalytic and microporous materials, all of which are of vital importance to the field of catalysis.
Self-sterilizing antibacterial silver-loaded microneedles
Authors: González García Laura E. , MacGregor Melanie N. , Visalakshan Rahul Madathiparambil , Ninan Neethu , Cavallaro Alex A. , Trinidad Abigail D. , Zhao Yunpeng , Hayball A John D. , Vasilev Krasimir
Published: November 2018

Here we report the development of slef-sterilizing dissolving microneedles, a promising vehicle for vaccine and drug delivery.
A naphthoimidazolium-cholesterol derivative as a ratiometric fluorescence based chemosensor for the chiral recognition of carboxylates
Authors: Zhang Xin , Ko Gyeongju , Joung Joonyoung F. , Li Meng , Jeong Yerin , Swamy K. M. K. , Lee Dayoung , Liu Yifan , Lee Songyi , Park Sungnam , James Tony D. , Yoon Juyoung
Published: November 2018

We report a naphthoimidazolium-cholesterol derivative (NI-chol 1) as a fluorescence based chemosensor for chiral recognition via imidazolium (C–H)+–anion binding.
Drawing on biology to inspire molecular design: a redox-responsive MRI probe based on Gd(iii)-nicotinamide
Authors: Harris Michael , Kolanowski Jacek L. , O’Neill Edward S. , Henoumont Céline , Laurent Sophie , Parac-Vogt Tatjana N. , New Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2018

A novel, reversible redox-active MRI probe, GdNR1, has been developed based on the biologically-inspired nicotinimidium redox switch.
Delithiation/lithiation behaviors of three polymorphs of LiVOPO4
Authors: He Guang , Kan Wang Hay , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: November 2018

The behaviors of the three polymorphs of LiVOPO4 upon delithiation/lithiation are brought out clearly, which is critical to understand their performance in lithium-ion batteries.
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging for vascular visualization and fungal detection in plants
Authors: Deng Guanjun , Cheung Felix Man Ho , Sun Zhihong , Peng Xinghua , Li Sanpeng , Gong Ping , Cai Lintao
Published: November 2018

We found that heptamethine dye IR-820 showed distinct emission peaks in both the NIR-Ia and NIR-Ib windows.
All-solution-processed perovskite light-emitting diodes with all metal oxide transport layers
Authors: Liu Lin , Wang Zhibin , Sun Wenda , Zhang Jin , Hu Siqian , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed , Tan Zhan’ao
Published: November 2018

Stable all-solution-processed perovskite light-emitting diodes with all metal oxide transport layers were successfully realized based on an ITO/NiOx/CsPbBr3/ZnMgO/Al conventional device structure.
Controlled release of agrochemicals and heavy metal ion capture dual-functional redox-responsive hydrogel for soil remediation
Authors: Hou Xiaobang , Li Yuchen , Pan Yuanfeng , Jin Yongcan , Xiao Huining
Published: November 2018

A novel redox-responsive hydrogel for controlled release of agrochemicals and heavy metal ion capture was prepared, benefiting plant growth and soil remediation synchronously.
Use of an NIR-light-responsive CO nanodonor to improve the EPR effect in photothermal cancer treatment
Authors: Wang Chongchong , Li Yanqing , Shi Xianqing , Zhou Jiahong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shaohua
Published: November 2018

A NIR-light-responsive CO nanodonor (PdNS-CO) was prepared to improve the EPR effect of CO and enhance its anticancer activity.
Reaction of porphyrin-based surface-anchored metal–organic frameworks caused by prolonged illumination
Authors: Adams Michael , Baroni Nicolò , Oldenburg Michael , Kraffert Felix , Behrends Jan , MacQueen Rowan W. , Haldar Ritesh , Busko Dmitry , Turshatov Andrey , Emandi Ganapathi , Senge Mathias O. , Wöll Christof , Lips Klaus , Richards Bryce S. , Howard Ian A.
Published: November 2018

Upon prolonged illumination photoproducts are created in porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks that limit the triplet exciton lifetime by charge-transfer quenching.
Phase transformation in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks under compressive loading
Authors: Zhang Jin
Published: November 2018

We report a novel phase transformation in 2D COFs under compression, which greatly alters the material properties of 2D COFs.
Electronic structure and optical properties of novel monolayer gallium nitride and boron phosphide heterobilayers
Authors: Mogulkoc A. , Mogulkoc Y. , Modarresi M. , Alkan B.
Published: November 2018

An external electric field modifies the electronic structure, charge distribution and energy band gap in the heterobilayer of gallium nitride/boron phosphide.
Water induces the same crown shapes as Li+ or Na+ in 15-crown-5 ether: a broadband rotational study
Authors: López Juan C. , Pérez Cristóbal , Blanco Susana , Shubert V. Alvin , Temelso Berhane , Shields George C. , Schnell Melanie
Published: November 2018

Complexation with water reduces the structural landscape of 15-crown-5 ether to the two forms observed for Li+ or Na+ complexes.
Tuning the electronic properties of van der Waals heterostructures composed of black phosphorus and graphitic SiC
Authors: Tang Kewei , Qi Weihong , Li Yejun , Wang Tianran
Published: November 2018

This study presents a new van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure composed of monolayer black phosphorus (BP) and monolayer graphitic SiC (g-SiC).
Theoretical evaluation of thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane for plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of silicon nitride: the important role of surface hydrogen
Authors: Hartmann Gregory , Ventzek Peter L. G. , Iwao Toshihiko , Ishibashi Kiyotaka , Hwang Gyeong S.
Published: November 2018

High hydrogen content on the N-rich surface, rendering primary and secondary amine groups, appears to be largely responsible for the facile thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane.
Development of organic semiconducting materials for deep-tissue optical imaging, phototherapy and photoactivation
Authors: Li Jingchao , Pu Kanyi
Published: November 2018

Recent progress in developing organic semiconducting materials (OSMs) for deep-tissue optical imaging, cancer phototherapy and biological photoactivation is summarized.
New catalytic materials for energy and chemistry in transition
Authors: Čejka Jiří , Nachtigall Petr , Centi Gabriele
Published: November 2018

Guest editors Jiří Čejka, Petr Nachtigall and Gabriele Centi introduce theNew catalytic materials for an energy and chemistry transitionthemed issue ofChemical Society Reviews.
Comparative study of the strongest solid Lewis acids known: ACF andHS-AlF3
Authors: Calvo Beatriz , Marshall Clara Patricia , Krahl Thoralf , Kröhnert Jutta , Trunschke Annette , Scholz Gudrun , Braun Thomas , Kemnitz Erhard
Published: November 2018

Aluminium chlorofluoride (ACF) and high-surface aluminium fluoride (HS-AlF3) can be considered as solid superacids based on several surface characterization techniques presented here.
A temperature-triggered triplex bistable switch in a hybrid multifunctional material: [(CH2)4N(CH2)4]2[MnBr4]
Authors: Xu Li , Gao Ji-Xing , Chen Xiao-Gang , Hua Xiu-Ni , Liao Wei-Qiang
Published: November 2018

[ASN]2[MnBr4] is a novel multifunctional-material-integrated compound, which simultaneously exhibits prominent dielectric/NLO/fluorescent triple switching triggered by the thermal/electric/optical signal.