bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNAH11 variants and its association with congenital heart disease and heterotaxy syndrome
Authors: Liu Sida , Chen Weicheng , Zhan Yongkun , Li Shuolin , Ma Xiaojing , Ma Duan , Sheng Wei , Huang Guoying
Published: April 2019

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common types of birth defects, affecting approximately 1% of live births and remaining the leading cause of mortality. CHD patients often show a higher incidence of heterotaxy syndrome. However, the exact aetiology of CHD and heterotaxy syndrome remains unclear. In this study, targeted sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to analyze the exonic regions of 37 primary ciliary dysfunction (PCD)- related candidate genes in 42 CHD patients with heterotaxy syndrome. Variants affecting protein-coding regions were filtered according to databases of known variants and predicted in silico using functional prediction program. Thirty-four potential disease-causing heterozygous variants in 11 genes were identified in the 19 CHD patients with heterotaxy syndrome (45.2%, 19/42). The DNAH11 gene showed the highest mutation rate (16.7%; 14 of 84 alleles) among the CHD patients with heterotaxy. Fisher’s exact test revealed a significant association of DNAH11 variants with CHD and heterotaxy (P = 0.0001). In families, six different compound heterozygous variants of DNAH11 were validated in family 1-5031 (p.W802X/p.M282I), family 2-5045 (p.T3460K/p.G4425S), family 3-5065 (p.G447R/p.L1157R), family 4-5130 (p.I2262T/p.D3800H), family 5-5707 (p.S1823fs/p.F2759L/p.R4395X) and family 6-5062 (p.D3610V/p.I243V). These findings suggest that the DNAH11 variants are significantly associated with CHD and heterotaxy syndrome and that compound heterozygous DNAH11 variants may be the common genetic cause of the development of familial CHD and heterotaxy syndrome.
UPF1 inhibits the hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting long non-coding RNA UCA1
Authors: Zhou Yongli , Li Yandong , Wang Na , Li Xiuying , Zheng Jianyun , Ge Liqiao
Published: April 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related death worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism underlying HCC carcinogenesis remains to be further elucidated. Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) is a RNA/DNA-dependent ATPase and ATP-dependent RNA helicase. Here, we explored the expression and function of UPF1 in HCC. In this study, we demonstrated that UPF1 expression was significantly reduced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. And further functional assays revealed that knockdown of UPF1 promoted HCC cells growth and invasion. Furthermore, we found that UPF1 could bind to long non-coding RNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) and was negatively correlated with UCA1. UCA1 expression also affected HCC growth and invasion. Knockdown of UCA1 ameliorated the effect of UPF1 knock down on HCC growth and invasion. Knockdown of UPF1 enhances glycolysis in HCC. Taken together, our results provided new insights for finding novel therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
Besnoitia besnoiti infection alters both endogenous cholesterol de novo synthesis and exogenous LDL uptake in host endothelial cells
Authors: Silva Liliana M. R. , Lütjohann Dieter , Hamid Penny , Velasquez Zahady D. , Kerner Katharina , Larrazabal Camilo , Failing Klaus , Hermosilla Carlos , Taubert Anja
Published: April 2019

Besnoitia besnoiti, an apicomplexan parasite of cattle being considered as emergent in Europe, replicates fast in host endothelial cells during acute infection and is in considerable need for energy, lipids and other building blocks for offspring formation. Apicomplexa are generally considered as defective in cholesterol synthesis and have to scavenge cholesterol from their host cells for successful replication. Therefore, we here analysed the influence of B. besnoiti on host cellular endogenous cholesterol synthesis and on sterol uptake from exogenous sources. GC-MS-based profiling of cholesterol-related sterols revealed enhanced cholesterol synthesis rates in B. besnoiti-infected cells. Accordingly, lovastatin and zaragozic acid treatments diminished tachyzoite production.  Moreover, increased lipid droplet contents and enhanced cholesterol esterification was detected and inhibition of the latter significantly blocked parasite proliferation. Furthermore, artificial increase of host cellular lipid droplet disposability boosted parasite proliferation. Interestingly, lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 expression was upregulated in infected endothelial hostcells, whilst low density lipoproteins (LDL) receptor was not affected by parasite infection. However, exogenous supplementations with non-modified and acetylated LDL both boosted B. besnoiti proliferation. Overall, current data show that B. besnoiti simultaneously exploits both, endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis and cholesterol uptake from exogenous sources, during asexual replication.
An Integrated Chemical Proteomics Approach for Quantitative Profiling of Intracellular ADP-Ribosylation
Authors: Kalesh Karunakaran , Lukauskas Saulius , Borg Aaron J. , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Ayyappan Vinay , Leung Anthony K. L. , Haskard Dorian O. , DiMaggio Peter A.
Published: April 2019

ADP-ribosylation is integral to a diverse range of cellular processes such as DNA repair, chromatin regulation and RNA processing. However, proteome-wide investigation of its cellular functions has been limited due to numerous technical challenges including the complexity of the poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) chains, low abundance of the modification and lack of sensitive enrichment methods. We herein show that an adenosine analogue with a terminal alkyne functionality at position 2 of the adenine (2-alkyne adenosine or 2YnAd) is suitable for selective enrichment, fluorescence detection and mass spectrometry proteomics analysis of the candidate ADP-ribosylome in mammalian cells. Although similar labelling profiles were observed via fluorescence imaging for 2YnAd and 6YnAd, a previously reported clickable NAD+ precursor, quantitative mass spectrometry analysis of the two probes in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells revealed a significant increase in protein coverage of the 2YnAd probe. To facilitate global enrichment of ADP-ribosylated proteins, we developed a dual metabolic labelling approach that involves simultaneous treatment of live cells with both 2YnAd and 6YnAd. By combining this dual metabolic labelling strategy with highly sensitive tandem mass tag (TMT) isobaric mass spectrometry and hierarchical Bayesian analysis, we have quantified the responses of thousands of endogenous proteins to clinical PARP inhibitors Olaparib and Rucaparib.
Temperature-dependent increase in the calcium sensitivity and acceleration of activation of ANO6 chloride channel variants
Authors: Lin Haiyue , Jun Ikhyun , Woo Joo Han , Lee Min Goo , Kim Sung Joon , Nam Joo Hyun
Published: April 2019

Anoctamin-6 (ANO6) belongs to a family of calcium (Ca2+)-activated chloride channels (CaCCs), with three splicing variants (V1, V2, and V5) showing plasma membrane expression. Unlike other CaCCs, ANO6 requires a non-physiological intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i > 1 μM) and several minutes for full activation under a whole-cell patch clamp. Therefore, its physiological role as an ion channel is uncertain and it is more commonly considered a Ca2+-dependent phospholipid scramblase. Here, we demonstrate that physiological temperature (37 °C) increases ANO6 Ca2+ sensitivity under a whole-cell patch clamp; V1 was activated by 1 μM [Ca2+]i, whereas V2 and V5 were activated by 300 nM [Ca2+]i. Increasing the temperature to 42 °C led to activation of all ANO6 variants by 100 nM [Ca2+]i. The delay time for activation of the three variants was significantly shortened at 37 °C. Notably, the temperature-dependent Ca2+-sensitisation of ANO6 became insignificant under inside-out patch clamp, suggesting critical roles of unknown cytosolic factors. Unlike channel activity, 27 °C but not 37 °C (physiological temperature) induced the scramblase activity of ANO6 at submicromolar [Ca2+]i (300 nM), irrespective of variant type. Our results reveal a physiological ion conducting property of ANO6 at 37 °C and suggest that ANO6 channel function acts separately from its scramblase activity.
Competitive non-SELEX for the selective and rapid enrichment of DNA aptamers and its use in electrochemical aptasensor
Authors: Kushwaha Ankita , Takamura Yuzuru , Nishigaki Koichi , Biyani Manish
Published: April 2019

The SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) method has been used successfully since 1990, but work is still required to obtain highly specific aptamers. Here, we present a novel approach called ‘Competitive non-SELEX’ (and termed as ‘SELCOS’ (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by COmpetitive Selection)) for readily obtaining aptamers that can discriminate between highly similar targets. This approach is based on the theoretical background presented here, in which under the co-presence of two similar targets, a specific binding type can be enriched more than a nonspecifically binding one during repetitive steps of partitioning with no PCR amplification between them. This principle was experimentally confirmed by the selection experiment for influenza virus subtype-specific DNA aptamers. Namely, the selection products (pools of DNA aptamers) obtained by SELCOS were subjected to a DEPSOR-mode electrochemical sensor, enabling the method to select subtype-specific aptamer pools. From the clonal analysis of these pools, only a few rounds of in vitro selection were sufficient to achieve the surprisingly rapid enrichment of a small number of aptamers with high selectivity, which could be attributed to the SELCOS principle and the given selection pressure program. The subtype-specific aptamers obtained in this manner had a high affinity (e.g., KD = 82 pM for H1N1; 88 pM for H3N2) and negligible cross-reactivity. By making the H1N1-specific DNA aptamer a sensor unit of the DEPSOR electrochemical detector, an influenza virus subtype-specific and portable detector was readily constructed, indicating how close it is to the field application goal.
Efficacy of vector control tools against malaria-infected mosquitoes
Authors: Mulatier Margaux , Camara Soromane , Koffi Alphonsine , Carrasco David , Porciani Angélique , Chandre Fabrice , Moiroux Nicolas , Lefevre Thierry , Dabiré Roch , Assi Serge , Ahoua Alou Ludovic Phamien , Dormont Laurent , Pennetier Cédric , Cohuet Anna
Published: April 2019

Within mosquito vector populations, infectious mosquitoes are the ones completing the transmission of pathogens to susceptible hosts and they are, consequently, of great epidemiological interest. Mosquito infection by malaria parasites has been shown to affect several traits of mosquito physiology and behavior, and could interplay with the efficacy of control tools. In this study, we evaluated, in pyrethroid resistant Anopheles gambiae, the effect of mosquito infection with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum on the efficacy of nets treated with either the insecticide deltamethrin or the repellent DEET, measuring (i) mosquito success to pass through the net, (ii) blood-feeding on a host and (iii) chemicals-induced mortality. Infection of mosquitoes at non-infectious stage did not affect their success to pass through the net, to blood-feed, nor chemicals-induced mortality. At infectious stage, depending on replicates, infected mosquitoes had higher mortality rates than uninfected mosquitoes, with stronger effect in presence of DEET. This data evidenced a cost of infection on mosquito survival at transmissible stages of infection, which could have significant consequences for both malaria epidemiology and vector control. This stresses the need for understanding the combined effects of insecticide resistance and infection on the efficacy on control tools.
Western corn rootworm pyrethroid resistance confirmed by aerial application simulations of commercial insecticides
Authors: Souza Dariane , Vieira Bruno C. , Fritz Bradley K. , Hoffmann Wesley C. , Peterson Julie A. , Kruger Greg R. , Meinke Lance J.
Published: April 2019

The western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) (WCR) is a major insect pest of corn (Zea mays L.) in the United States (US) and is highly adaptable to multiple management tactics. A low level of WCR field-evolved resistance to pyrethroid insecticides has been confirmed in the US western Corn Belt by laboratory dose-response bioassays. Further investigation has identified detoxification enzymes as a potential part of the WCR resistance mechanism, which could affect the performance of insecticides that are structurally related to pyrethroids, such as organophosphates. Thus, the responses of pyrethroid-resistant and -susceptible WCR populations to the commonly used pyrethroid bifenthrin and organophosphate dimethoate were compared in active ingredient bioassays. Results revealed a relatively low level of WCR resistance to both active ingredients. Therefore, a simulated aerial application bioassay technique was developed to evaluate how the estimated resistance levels would affect performance of registered rates of formulated products. The simulated aerial application technique confirmed pyrethroid resistance to formulated rates of bifenthrin whereas formulated dimethoate provided optimal control. Results suggest that the relationship between levels of resistance observed in dose-response bioassays and actual efficacy of formulated product needs to be further explored to understand the practical implications of resistance.
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein F Mediates Insulin Inhibition of Bcl2-Modifying Factor Expression and Tubulopathy in Diabetic Kidney
Authors: Ghosh Anindya , Zhao Shuiling , Lo Chao-Sheng , Maachi Hasna , Chenier Isabelle , Lateef Muhammad Abdul , Abdo Shaaban , Filep Janos G. , Ingelfinger Julie R. , Zhang Shao-Ling , Chan John S. D.
Published: April 2019

We investigated the molecular mechanism(s) by which insulin prevents Bcl2-modifying factor (Bmf)-induced renal proximal tubular cell (RPTC) apoptosis and loss in diabetic mice. Transgenic mice (Tg) mice specifically overexpressing human BMF in RPTCs and non-Tg littermates were studied at 10 to 20 weeks of age. Non-diabetic littermates, diabetic Akita mice +/− insulin implant, Akita Tg mice specifically overexpressing heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNP F) in their RPTCs and immortalized rat renal proximal tubular cells (IRPTCs) were also studied. BMF-Tg mice exhibited higher systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, RPTC apoptosis and urinary RPTCs than non-Tg mice. Insulin treatment in Akita mice and Akita mice overexpressing hnRNP F suppressed Bmf expression and RPTC apoptosis. In hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic wild type mice, renal Bmf expression was down-regulated with up-regulation of hnRNP F. In vitro, insulin inhibited high glucose-stimulation of Bmf expression, predominantly via p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Transfection of p44/42 MAPK or hnRNP F small interfering RNA (siRNA) prevented insulin inhibition of Bmf expression. HnRNP F inhibited Bmf transcription via hnRNP F-responsive element in the Bmf promoter. Our results demonstrate that hnRNP F suppression of Bmf transcription is an important mechanism by which insulin protects RPTCs from apoptosis in diabetes.
HMGB1 promotes hair growth via the modulation of prostaglandin metabolism
Authors: Hwang Ji-Hye , Chu Howard , Ahn Yuri , Kim Jino , Kim Do-Young
Published: April 2019

Unexpected hair growth can occur after tissue injury. The pathogenic mechanism for this phenomenon is unknown but is likely related to inflammatory mediators. One such mediator is high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein that is released from cell nuclei after tissue damage. To elucidate the effect of HMGB1 on hair growth and understand its mechanism of action, we evaluated the effect of HMGB1 treatment on hair shaft elongation and on mRNA and protein expression in cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). HMGB1 enhanced hair shaft elongation in an ex vivo hair organ culture. In hDPCs, HMGB1 treatment significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of prostagladin E synthases. HMGB1 also stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion from hDPCs. Finally, blocking the receptor for advanced glycation end-products, a canonical HMGB1 receptor, inhibited HMGB1-induced PGE2 production and hair shaft elongation. Our results suggest that HMGB1 promotes hair growth via PGE2 secretion from hDPCs. This mechanism can explain the paradoxical phenomenon of trauma-induced hair growth. Thus, HGMB1 can be a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of alopecia.
Targeting GPER1 to suppress autophagy as a male-specific therapeutic strategy for iron-induced striatal injury
Authors: Chen Tzu-Yun , Lin Chih-Lung , Wang Li-Fang , Tsai Ke-Li , Lin Jun-Yu , Hsu Chin
Published: April 2019

The functional outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in young male patients are poor than in premenopausal women. After ICH, ferrous iron accumulation causes a higher level of oxidative injury associated with autophagic cell death in striatum of male mice than in females. In rodent model of ferrous citrate (FC)-infusion that simulates iron accumulation after ICH, female endogenous estradiol (E2) suppresses autophagy via estrogen receptor α (ERα) and contributes to less injury severity. Moreover, E2 implantation diminished the FC-induced autophagic cell death and injury in males, whose ERα in the striatum is less than females. Since, no sex difference of ERβ was observed in striatum, we delineated whether ERα and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) mediate the suppressions of FC-induced autophagy and oxidative injury by E2 in a sex-dimorphic manner. The results showed that the ratio of constitutive GPER1 to ERα in striatum is higher in males than in females. The GPER1 and ERα predominantly mediated suppressive effects of E2 on FC-induced autophagy in males and antioxidant effect of E2 in females, respectively. This finding opens the prospect of a male-specific therapeutic strategy targeting GPER1 for autophagy suppression in patients suffering from iron overload after hemorrhage.
Testing relationship recognition in wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula)
Authors: Lee Victoria E. , McIvor Guillam E. , Thornton Alex
Published: April 2019

According to the social intelligence hypothesis, understanding the challenges faced by social animals is key to understanding the evolution of cognition. In structured social groups, recognising the relationships of others is often important for predicting the outcomes of interactions. Third-party relationship recognition has been widely investigated in primates, but studies of other species are limited. Furthermore, few studies test for third-party relationship recognition in the wild, where cognitive abilities are deployed in response to natural socio-ecological pressures. Here, we used playback experiments to investigate whether wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula)track changes in their own relationships and the relationships of others. Females were presented with ‘infidelity simulations’: playbacks of their male partner copulating with a neighbouring female, and their male neighbour copulating with another female, against a congruent control. Our results showed substantial inter-individual variation in responses, but females did not respond more strongly to infidelity playbacks, indicating that jackdaws may not attend and/or respond to relationship information in this experimental context. Our results highlight the need for further study of relationship recognition and other cognitive traits that facilitate group-living in the wild, particularly in non-primates and in a wider range of social systems.
Transcriptomic profiling identifies novel mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of the cytochrome P450 (Cyp)3a11 gene
Authors: Taneja Guncha , Maity Suman , Jiang Weiwu , Moorthy Bhagavatula , Coarfa Cristian , Ghose Romi
Published: April 2019

Cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the human liver, and a functional impairment of this enzyme leads to unanticipated adverse reactions and therapeutic failures; these reactions result in the early termination of drug development or the withdrawal of drugs from the market. The transcriptional regulation mechanism of the Cyp3a gene is not fully understood and requires a thorough investigation. We mapped the transcriptome of the Cyp3a gene in a mouse model. The Cyp3a gene was induced using the mPXR activator pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) and was subsequently downregulated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our objective was to identify the transcription factors (TFs), epigenetic modulators and molecular pathways that are enriched or repressed by PCN and LPS based on a gene set enrichment analysis. Our analysis shows that 113 genes were significantly upregulated (by at least 1.5-fold) with PCN treatment, and that 834 genes were significantly downregulated (by at least 1.5-fold) with LPS treatment. Additionally, the targets of the 536 transcription factors were enriched by a combined treatment of PCN and LPS, and among these, 285 were found to have binding sites on Cyp3a11. Moreover, the repressed targets of the epigenetic markers HDAC1, HDAC3 and EZH2 were further suppressed by LPS treatment and were enhanced by PCN treatment. By identifying and contrasting the transcriptional regulators that are altered by PCN and LPS, our study provides novel insights into the transcriptional regulation of CYP3A in the liver.
Microwave plasma-assisted silicon nanoparticles: cytotoxic, molecular, and numerical responses against cancer cells
Authors: Wahab Rizwan , Khan Farheen , Gupta Anoop , Wiggers Hartmut , Saquib Quaiser , Faisal Mohammad , Ansari Sabiha Mahmood
Published: April 2019

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), which have a special place in material science due to their strong luminescent property and wide applicability in various physicochemical arenas synthesised via a microwave plasma-assisted process using an argon–silane mixture.
A general method to fabricate MoO3/C composites and porous C for asymmetric solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Jiang Yu , Yan Xuemin , Cheng Yapeng , Zhang Yan , Xiao Wei , Gan Lu , Tang Haolin
Published: April 2019

The obtained MCs electrode exhibits remarkable electrochemical performance in both aqueous and all-solid systems (220.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with porous C as the positive electrode), certifying its excellent potential in supercapacitors.
Efficient aerobic oxidative desulfurization over Co–Mo–O bimetallic oxide catalysts
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhang Jinhao , Yang Huawei , Dong Yilin , Liu Yu , Yang Lixia , Wei Donglei , Wang Wenxiang , Bai Liangjiu , Chen Hou
Published: April 2019

Co–Mo–O bimetallic oxides were prepared as efficient catalysts for aerobic oxidative desulfurization with oxygen in air as the oxidant.
Alkali-induced 3D crinkled porous Ti3C2 MXene architectures coupled with NiCoP bimetallic phosphide nanoparticles as anodes for high-performance sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Danyang , Zhao Ruizheng , Dong Shihua , Miao Xianguang , Zhang Zhiwei , Wang Chengxiang , Yin Longwei
Published: April 2019

Coupling NiCoP bimetallic phosphide nanoparticles with alkali-induced 3D crinkled Ti3C2 effectively enhances the structural stability and improved reaction kinetics of anodes for SIBs.
Brown carbon in the continental outflow to the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Bikkina Srinivas , Sarin Manmohan
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we synthesize the size distribution and optical properties of the atmospheric water-soluble fraction of light-absorbing organic carbon (brown carbon; BrC) in the continental outflow from the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in South Asia to the North Indian Ocean.
Potential effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on spermatogenesis and sperm quality in rodents
Authors: Chen Min-Chun , Lin Jer-An , Lin Hsin-Tang , Chen Sheng-Yi , Yen Gow-Chin
Published: April 2019

High intake of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) impairs spermatogenesis and sperm quality in rodents.
Unexpected therapeutic effects of cisplatin
Authors: Raudenska Martina , Balvan Jan , Fojtu Michaela , Gumulec Jaromir , Masarik Michal
Published: April 2019

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that is clinically approved to fight both carcinomas and sarcomas. It has relatively high efficiency in treating ovarian cancers and metastatic testicular cancers. It is generally accepted that the major mechanism of cisplatin anti-cancer action is DNA damage. However, cisplatin is also effective in metastatic cancers and should, therefore, affect slow-cycling cancer stem cells in some way. In this review, we focused on the alternative effects of cisplatin that can support a good therapeutic response. First, attention was paid to the effects of cisplatin at the cellular level such as changes in intracellular pH and cellular mechanical properties. Alternative cellular targets of cisplatin, and the effects of cisplatin on cancer cell metabolism and ER stress were also discussed. Furthermore, the impacts of cisplatin on the tumor microenvironment and in the whole organism context were reviewed. In this review, we try to reveal possible causes of the unexpected effectiveness of this anti-cancer drug.
An investigation of solid-state nanopores on label-free metal-ion signalling via the transition of RNA-cleavage DNAzyme and the hybridization chain reaction
Authors: Wu Ruiping , Zhu Zhentong , Xu Xiaolong , Yu Chunmiao , Li Bingling
Published: April 2019

We developed a label-free strategy enabling solid-state nanopores for small-species detection via the transition of huge DNA assembly products.
Superbase-promoted selective carbon–carbon bond cleavage driven by aromatization
Authors: Liu Can , Zhu Xianjin , Han Yongzhen , Yang Haijun , Zhu Changjin , Fu Hua
Published: April 2019

A novel selective carbon–carbon single bond cleavage has been disclosed through the copper-catalyzed reaction of 1-alkyl-3-alkylindolin-2-imine hydrochlorides with substituted 1-(bromomethyl)-2-iodobenzenes leading to fused N-heterocycles.
Carboxylated pillar[n]arene (n= 5–7) host molecules: high affinity and selective binding in water
Authors: Liu Yamin , Zhou Fang , Yang Fan , Ma Da
Published: April 2019

A systematic study of host–guest chemistry for water-soluble pillar[n]arenes in water.
MoOx-modified bimetallic alloy nanoparticles for highly efficient hydrogen production from hydrous hydrazine
Authors: Yao Qilu , He Meng , Hong Xiaoling , Zhang Xiaoliang , Lu Zhang-Hui
Published: April 2019

MoOx-doped NiM (M = Pt, Rh, Ir, Ru, Au, and Ag) catalysts exhibit higher catalytic performances toward the decomposition of hydrazine in aqueous solution as compared to those of pure NiM NPs.
Intramolecular cyclization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via a silver mediated/palladium catalyzed C–H activation strategy
Authors: Saha Debasmita , Kharbanda Anupreet , Essien Nkeseobong , Zhang Lingtian , Cooper Rose , Basak Debasish , Kendrick Samantha , Frett Brendan , Li Hong-yu
Published: April 2019

Intramolecular cyclization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been developed via a C–H activation strategy to reach new chemical-space for drug discovery.
Synthesis and antiproliferative activities of OSW-1 analogues bearing 2-acylamino-xylose residues
Authors: Sun Lijun , Wang Ruina , Wang Xiaobo , Dang Yongjun , Li Wei , Yu Biao
Published: April 2019

We synthesized 38 OSW-1 analogues with 2-acylamino xylose residues and found that the antitumor activities could be greatly enhanced.
Pd nanoparticle supported reduced graphene oxide and its excellent catalytic activity for the Ullmann C–C coupling reaction in a green solvent
Authors: Rana Surjyakanta , Bidita Varadwaj G. Bishwa , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B.
Published: April 2019

An efficient and easy route to synthesize reduced graphene oxide with well dispersed palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (Pd(0)-RGO) is described.
Ferromagnetic and excellent microwave absorbing properties of CoNi microspheres and heterogeneous Co/Ni nanocrystallines
Authors: Wang Zhongzhu , Yang Wei , Lv Qingrong , Liu Shiqiao , Fang Zhi
Published: April 2019

CoNi microspheres with different diameters and heterogeneous Co/Ni nanocrystallines were synthesized via changing hydrothermal reaction parameters.
UO22+-mediated ring contraction of pyrihexaphyrin: synthesis of a contracted expanded porphyrin-uranyl complex
Authors: Brewster James T. , Root Harrison D. , Mangel Daniel , Samia Adam , Zafar Hadiqa , Sedgwick Adam C. , Lynch Vincent M. , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: April 2019

A new mixed hexaphyrin, pyrihexaphyrin (0.1.0.0.1.0) (1), was preparedviaan acid catalyzed cyclization between 5,5′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde) (2) and terpyrrole (3).
Ultrahigh room temperature electrocaloric response in lead-free bulk ceramicsviatape casting
Authors: Du Hongliang , Chang Yunfei , Li Chunwang , Hu Qingyuan , Pang Jing , Sun Yuan , Weyland Florian , Novak Nikola , Jin Li
Published: April 2019

An ultrahigh room temperature adiabatic temperature change (∼1.6 K) was realized in a BaTiO3-based bulk ceramic prepared by the tape casting technique, which makes a giant step-forward for electrocaloric refrigeration.
Tetrandrine inhibits colon carcinoma HT-29 cells growth via the Bcl-2/Caspase 3/PARP pathway and G1/S phase
Authors: Li JiaNan , Wang QiuHong , Wang ZhiBin , Cui Na , Yang BingYou , Niu WenYing , Kuang HaiXue
Published: April 2019

Tetrandrine (Tet) bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from Stephania tetrandra and other related species of Menispermaceae. It has been demonstrated to have positive therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease, hypertension, silicosis, autoimmune diseases. In recent years, some reports have shown that Tet has anticancer activity in human cancers. To explore the pharmacological activity and mechanism of Tet on colon cancer and its unique advantages as a natural product. In the present study, analyses of the cell cycle, apoptosis, targets prediction, molecular docking, and alterations in protein levels were performed to elucidate how Tet functions in colon cancer. We found that Tet robustly induced arrest at the G1 phase in colon cancer cell line HT-29. It induced HT-29 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, analysis of protein expression levels in HT-29 cells showed down-regulation of Bcl-2, pro-caspase 3, pro-caspase 8, PARP, cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK 4), and up-regulation of Bax, active caspase 3, and active caspase 8. These results indicate that Tet induces apoptosis of colon cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway and caspase family pathway. Molecular docking showed interaction effects and binding energy. Comparing with the CDK4 inhibitors ribociclib and palbociclib, the docking energy is similar to the docked amino acid residues. Therefore, we conclude that Tet and the CCND1/CDK4 compound could form hydrogen bonds and a stable compound structure, which can inhibit colon cancer cells proliferation by regulating CCND1/CDK4 compound and its downstream proteins phosphorylated Rb (p-Rb). In summary, Tet may be a potential drug for colon cancer therapy.
NSD2 silencing alleviates pulmonary arterial hypertension by inhibiting trehalose metabolism and autophagy
Authors: Zhou Xue-liang , Liu Zhi-bo , Zhu Rong-rong , Huang Huang , Xu Qi-rong , Xu Hua , Zeng Liang , Li Yun-yun , Huang Cha-hua , Wu Qi-cai , Liu Ji-chun
Published: April 2019

Nuclear receptor binding SET domain 2 (NSD2)-mediated metabolic reprogramming has been demonstrated to regulate oncogenesis via catalyzing the methylation of histones. The present study aimed to investigate the role of NSD2-mediated metabolic abnormality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat model was established and infected with adeno-associated virus carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting NSD2. Hemodynamic parameters, ventricular function, and pathology were evaluated by microcatheter, echocardiography, and histological analysis. Metabolomics changes in lung tissue were analyzed by LC–MS. The results showed that silencing of NSD2 effectively ameliorated MCT-induced PAH and right ventricle dysfunction, and partially reversed pathological remodeling of pulmonary artery and right ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, the silencing of NSD2 markedly reduced the di-methylation level of H3K36 (H3K36me2 level) and inhibited autophagy in pulmonary artery. Non-targeted LC–MS based metabolomics analysis indicated that trehalose showed the most significant change in lung tissue. NSD2-regulated trehalose mainly affected ABC transporters, mineral absorption, protein digestion and absorption, metabolic pathways, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In conclusion, we reveal a new role of NSD2 in the pathogenesis of PAH related to the regulation of trehalose metabolism and autophagy via increasing the H3K36me2 level. NSD2 is a promising target for PAH therapy.
Effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases: an updated focus on West Nile virus in humans
Authors: Paz Shlomit
Published: April 2019

One of the main impacts of climate change on health is the influence on vector-borne diseases (VBDs). During the last few years, yearly outbreaks of the West Nile virus (WNV) have occurred in many locations, providing evidence of ongoing transmission. Currently, it is the most widely distributed arbovirus in the world. Increases in ambient temperature have impacts on WNV transmission. Indeed, clear associations were found between warm conditions and WNV outbreaks in various areas. The impact of changes in rainfall patterns on the incidence of the disease is influenced by the amount of precipitation (increased rainfall, floods or droughts), depending on the local conditions and the differences in the ecology and sensitivity of the species of mosquito. Predictions indicate that for WNV, increased warming will result in latitudinal and altitudinal expansions of regions climatically suitable for transmission, particularly along the current edges of its transmission areas. Extension of the transmission season is also predicted. As models show that the current climate change trends are expected to continue, it is important to reinforce WNV control efforts and increase the resilience of population health. For a better preparedness, any assessment of future transmission of WNV should consider the impacts of the changing climate.
Listening Difficulties in Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: More Than a Problem of Audibility
Authors: McLaughlin Susan A. , Thorne John C. , Jirikowic Tracy , Waddington Tiffany , Lee Adrian K. C. , Astley Hemingway Susan J.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Data from standardized caregiver questionnaires indicate that children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) frequently exhibit atypical auditory behaviors, including reduced responsivity to spoken stimuli. Another body of evidence suggests that prenatal alcohol exposure may result in auditory dysfunction involving loss of audibility (i.e., hearing loss) and/or impaired processing of clearly audible, “suprathreshold” sounds necessary for sound-in-noise listening. Yet, the nexus between atypical auditory behavior and underlying auditory dysfunction in children with FASDs remains largely unexplored.

Method

To investigate atypical auditory behaviors in FASDs and explore their potential physiological bases, we examined clinical data from 325 children diagnosed with FASDs at the University of Washington using the FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code. Atypical behaviors reported on the “auditory filtering” domain of the Short Sensory Profile were assessed to document their prevalence across FASD diagnoses and explore their relationship to reported hearing loss and/or central nervous system measures of cognition, attention, and language function that may indicate suprathreshold processing deficits.

Results

Atypical auditory behavior was reported among 80% of children with FASDs, a prevalence that did not vary by FASD diagnostic severity or hearing status but was positively correlated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In contrast, hearing loss was documented in the clinical records of 40% of children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS; a diagnosis on the fetal alcohol spectrum characterized by central nervous system dysfunction, facial dysmorphia, and growth deficiency), 16-fold more prevalent than for those with less severe FASDs (2.4%). Reported hearing loss was significantly associated with physical features characteristic of FAS.

Conclusion

Children with FAS but not other FASDs may be at a particular risk for hearing loss. However, listening difficulties in the absence of hearing loss—presumably related to suprathreshold processing deficits—are prevalent across the entire fetal alcohol spectrum. The nature and impact of both listening difficulties and hearing loss in FASDs warrant further investigation.
Studying a novel method for mitigation of the adverse impacts of SFCL on transmission line distance protection
Authors: Barzegar‐Bafrooei Mohammad Reza , Akbari Foroud Asghar
Published: April 2019

In the situation where the superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is installed at the downstream of voltage transformer, the apparent impedance seen by the conventional distance relay changes significantly. In this study, a novel method is proposed to improve the performance of distance protection in the presence of SFCL. The calculated apparent impedance is corrected using the information of the appeared voltage among SFCL terminals during fault conditions. The proposed approach is immune to the impedance characteristic of SFCL during fault conditions. Hence, it is independent of SFCL topology and is able to be applied to different fault current limiting concepts. Moreover, the proposed method has the flexibility so that the sensitivity is kept even if SFCL is not picked up. For verification, three types of SFCL involving the saturated iron‐core type SFCL, hybrid type SFCL, and transformer isolated bridge type SFCL are modelled in PSCAD/EMTDC software. Then, the assessments are carried out for factors such as fault type and fault location. The results show the accuracy and simplicity of the proposed approach while keeping the original setting of the protective zone.
Pearson type VII distribution‐based robust Kalman filter under outliers interference
Authors: Peng Yun , Pan‐long Wu , Shan He
Published: April 2019

In this study, the authors focus on state estimation in a linear discrete time system where measurements are uncertain due to possible outliers. A novel robust Kalman filter based on the Pearson type VII (PTV) distribution is proposed by using the variational Bayesian (VB) method and tested in a target tracking example. To judge whether the measurement is an outlier, a judgement factor that follows the beta‐Bernoulli distribution is introduced in the measurement modelling. In addition, the outlier noise is approximated by the PTV distribution considering the heavy tail characteristic and it is jointly estimated with the judgement factor and state using the VB method. The simulation results show that the proposed filter has better estimation accuracy than most existing robust filters.
Design of spectrally compatible waveform with constant modulus for colocated multiple‐input multiple‐output radar
Authors: Wang Xinhai , Zhang Gong , Zhang Yu , Wang Qixia , Leung Henry
Published: April 2019

This study investigates the problem of designing unimodular waveform with spectral compatibility for multiple‐input multiple‐output radar in the presence of multiple targets and the signal‐dependent interferences. A new approach is proposed to optimise the spectrally compatible radar waveform subject to not only the constant modulus constraint and the similarity constraint but also the signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) requirements for targets, aiming at suppressing the radar energy in some space‐frequency areas occupied by other cooperative communication systems. However, the formulated optimisation problem is NP‐hard because of the existence of the non‐convex constraints. Based on the dual ascent framework, the authors develop an iterative algorithm to solve this challenging problem. The receive filter is obtained at the beginning of each iteration with the off‐the‐shelf technique and an innovative method termed phase‐only dual ascent method is proposed to get the desired waveform. Additionally, they analyse the performance of the waveforms designed under the global SINR constraint and the local SINR constraint, respectively. Moreover, the convergence of the proposed algorithm is discussed concretely. Finally, the numerical simulations are provided to show the validity of the proposed approach.
Green synthesis and characterisation of ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye and kinetic study
Authors: Taghavi Fardood Saeid , Moradnia Farzaneh , Ramazani Ali
Published: April 2019

In this work, ZnMn2O4 spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesised by tragacanth gel through the easy and inexpensive novel sol–gel method. This technique has many strong points such as facile, economical, non‐toxic and quickness in comparison with other methods. The zinc manganite nanoparticles were characterised by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of spinel tetragonal structure of ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles with a crystallite size of 14 nm. The degradation of Congo red dye by synthesised nanoparticles was studied using employing UV–Vis spectroscopy. The ZnMn2O4 NPs expressed high photocatalytic activity for degradation of Congo red dye at room temperature in aqueous solution so that 96% of Congo red was degraded in 15 min. The spinel ZnMn2O4 photocatalyst provided total organic carbon removal as 45.2% in 15 min. The spinel ZnMn2O4 NPs reusability was examined by administering the degradation of Congo red dye with the spent catalyst and it was considered that the photocatalyst did not exhibit any significant reduction in its activity even after three cycles.
NGTS-5b: a highly inflated planet offering insights into the sub-Jovian desert
Authors: Eigmüller Philipp , Chaushev Alexander , Gillen Edward , Smith Alexis , Nielsen Louise D. , Turner Oliver , Csizmadia Szilard , Smalley Barry , Bayliss Daniel , Belardi Claudia , Bouchy François , Burleigh Matthew R. , Cabrera Juan , Casewell Sarah L. , Chazelas Bruno , Cooke Benjamin F. , Erikson Anders , Gänsicke Boris T. , Günther Maximilian N. , Goad Michael R. , Grange Andrew , Jackman James A. G. , Jenkins James S. , McCormac James , Moyano Maximiliano , Pollacco Don , Poppenhaeger Katja , Queloz Didier , Raynard Liam , Rauer Heike , Udry Stéphane , Walker Simon. R. , Watson Christopher A. , West Richard G. , Wheatley Peter J.
Published: April 2019

Context. Planetary population analysis gives us insight into formation and evolution processes. For short-period planets, the sub-Jovian desert has been discussed in recent years with regard to the planet population in the mass/period and radius/period parameter space without taking stellar parameters into account. The Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) is optimised for detecting planets in this regime, which allows for further analysis of the sub-Jovian desert.

Aims. With high-precision photometric surveys (e.g. with NGTS and TESS), which aim to detect short period planets especially around M/K-type host stars, stellar parameters need to be accounted for when empirical data are compared to model predictions. Presenting a newly discovered planet at the boundary of the sub-Jovian desert, we analyse its bulk properties and use it to show the properties of exoplanets that border the sub-Jovian desert.

Methods. Using NGTS light curve and spectroscopic follow-up observations, we confirm the planetary nature of planet NGTS-5b and determine its mass. Using exoplanet archives, we set the planet in context with other discoveries.

Results. NGTS-5b is a short-period planet with an orbital period of 3.3569866 ± 0.0000026 days. With a mass of 0.229 ± 0.037 MJup and a radius of 1.136 ± 0.023 RJup, it is highly inflated. Its mass places it at the upper boundary of the sub-Jovian desert. Because the host is a K2 dwarf, we need to account for the stellar parameters when NGTS-5b is analysed with regard to planet populations.

Conclusions. With red-sensitive surveys (e.g. with NGTS and TESS), we expect many more planets around late-type stars to be detected. An empirical analysis of the sub-Jovian desert should therefore take stellar parameters into account.
Light-curve models of black hole – neutron star mergers: steps towards a multi-messenger parameter estimation
Authors: Barbieri C. , Salafia O. S. , Perego A. , Colpi M. , Ghirlanda G.
Published: April 2019

In the new era of gravitational wave (GW) and multi-messenger astrophysics, the detection of a GW signal from the coalescence of a black hole – neutron star (BHNS) binary remains a highly anticipated discovery. This system is expected to be within reach of the second generation of ground-based detectors. In this context, we develop a series of versatile semi-analytical models to predict the properties of all the electromagnetic (EM) counterparts of BHNS mergers. We include the nuclear-decay-powered kilonova emission, its radio remnant, the prompt emission from the jet, and the related afterglow. The properties of these counterparts depend upon those of the outflows that result from the partial disruption of the NS during the merger and from the accretion disc around the remnant, which are necessary ingredients for transient EM emission to accompany the GW signal. We therefore define ways to relate the properties of these outflows to those of the progenitor binary, establishing a link between the binary parameters and the counterpart properties. From the resulting model, we anticipate the variety of light curves that can emerge after a BHNS coalescence from the radio up to gamma-rays. These light curves feature universal traits that are the imprint of the dynamics of the emitting outflows, but at the same time, they show a clear dependence on the BH mass and spin, but with a high degree of degeneracy. The latter can be deduced by a joint GW – EM analysis. In this paper, we perform a proof-of-concept multi-messenger parameter estimation of a BHNS merger with an associated kilonova to determine how the information from the EM counterpart can complement that from the GW signal. Our results indicate that the observation and modelling of the kilonova can help to break the degeneracies in the GW parameter space, leading to better constraints on the BH spin, for example.
Couleur de la peau chez l’homme : de nouvelles surprises
Authors: Jordan Bertrand
Published: April 2019

Careful GWAS analysis of a group of mixed-ancestry Latino-American individuals reveals the role of a new “light” variant of the MSFD12 gene which appears to originate in some of the Asian populations that migrated into the Americas 15,000 years ago. This indicates convergent evolution of sparsely pigmented skin at high latitudes, and highlights the interest of performing GWAS studies in non-European populations.