bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical multistability and Fano line-shape control via mode coupling in whispering-gallery-mode microresonator optomechanics
Authors: Zhang Suzhen , Li Jiahua , Yu Rong , Wang Wei , Wu Ying
Published: January 2017

We study a three-mode (i.e., a clockwise mode, a counterclockwise mode, and a mechanical mode) coherent coupling regime of the optical whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonator optomechanical system by considering a pair of counterpropagating modes in a general case. The WGM microresonator is coherently driven by a strong control laser field and a relatively weak probe laser field via a tapered fiber. The system parameters utilized to explore this process correspond to experimentally demonstrated values in the WGM microresonator optomechanical systems. By properly adjusting the coupling rate of these two counterpropagating modes in the WGM microresonator, the steady-state displacement behaviors of the mechanical oscillation and the normalized power transmission and reflection spectra of the output fields are analyzed in detail. It is found that the mode coupling plays a crucial role in rich line-shape structures. Some interesting phenomena of the system, including optical multistability and sharp asymmetric Fano-shape optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT), can be generated with a large degree of control and tunability. Our obtained results in this study can be used for designing efficient all-optical switching and high-sensitivity sensor.
Densely packed aluminum-silver nanohelices as an ultra-thin perfect light absorber
Authors: Jen Yi-Jun , Huang Yu-Jie , Liu Wei-Chih , Lin Yueh Weng
Published: January 2017

Metals have been formed into nanostructures to absorb light with high efficiency through surface plasmon resonances. An ultra-thin plasmonic structure that exhibits strong absorption over wide ranges of wavelengths and angles of incidence is sought. In this work, a nearly perfect plasmonic nanostructure is fabricated using glancing angle deposition. The difference between the morphologies of obliquely deposited aluminum and silver nanohelices is exploited to form a novel three-dimensional structure, which is an aluminum-silver nanohelix array on a pattern-free substrate. With a thickness of only 470 nm, densely distributed nanohelices support rod-to-rod localized surface plasmons for broadband and polarization-independent light extinction. The extinctance remains high over wavelengths from 400 nm to 2000 nm and angles of incidence from 0° to 70°.
MESL: Proposal for a Non-volatile Cascadable Magneto-Electric Spin Logic
Authors: Jaiswal Akhilesh , Roy Kaushik
Published: January 2017

In the quest for novel, scalable and energy-efficient computing technologies, many non-charge based logic devices are being explored. Recent advances in multi-ferroic materials have paved the way for electric field induced low energy and fast switching of nano-magnets using the magneto-electric (ME) effect. In this paper, we propose a voltage driven logic-device based on the ME induced switching of nano-magnets. We further demonstrate that the proposed logic-device, which exhibits decoupled read and write paths, can be used to construct a complete logic family including XNOR, NAND and NOR gates. The proposed logic family shows good scalability with a quadratic dependence of switching energy with respect to the switching voltage. Further, the proposed logic-device has better robustness against the effect of thermal noise as compared to the conventional current driven switching of nano-magnets. A device-to-circuit level coupled simulation framework, including magnetization dynamics and electron transport model, has been developed for analyzing the present proposal. Using our simulation framework, we present energy and delay results for the proposed Magneto-Electric Spin Logic (MESL) gates.
Metabolic heterogeneity of activated beige/brite adipocytes in inguinal adipose tissue
Authors: Lee Yun-Hee , Kim Sang-Nam , Kwon Hyun-Jung , Granneman James G.
Published: January 2017

Sustained β3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) activation simultaneously upregulates fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in mouse brown, beige, and white adipose tissues; however, the cellular basis of this dual regulation is not known. Treatment of mice with the ADRB3 agonist CL316,243 (CL) increased expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) protein within the same cells in classic brown and white adipose tissues. Surprisingly, in inguinal adipose tissue, CL-upregulated FASN and MCAD in distinct cell populations: high MCAD expression occurred in multilocular adipocytes that co-expressed UCP1+, whereas high FASN expression occurred in paucilocular adipocytes lacking detectable UCP1. Genetic tracing with UCP1-cre, however, indicated nearly half of adipocytes with a history of UCP1 expression expressed high levels of FASN without current expression of UCP1. Global transcriptomic analysis of FACS-isolated adipocytes confirmed the presence of distinct anabolic and catabolic phenotypes, and identified differential expression of transcriptional pathways known to regulate lipid synthesis and oxidation. Surprisingly, paternally-expressed genes of the non-classical gene imprinted network were strikingly enriched in anabolic phenotypes, suggesting possible involvement in maintaining the balance of metabolic phenotypes. The results indicate that metabolic heterogeneity is a distinct property of activated beige/brite adipocytes that might be under epigenetic control.
Surface roughness effects on aluminium-based ultraviolet plasmonic nanolasers
Authors: Chung Yi-Cheng , Cheng Pi-Ju , Chou Yu-Hsun , Chou Bo-Tsun , Hong Kuo-Bin , Shih Jheng-Hong , Lin Sheng-Di , Lu Tien-Chang , Lin Tzy-Rong
Published: January 2017

We systematically investigate the effects of surface roughness on the characteristics of ultraviolet zinc oxide plasmonic nanolasers fabricated on aluminium films with two different degrees of surface roughness. We demonstrate that the effective dielectric functions of aluminium interfaces with distinct roughness can be analysed from reflectivity measurements. By considering the scattering losses, including Rayleigh scattering, electron scattering, and grain boundary scattering, we adopt the modified Drude-Lorentz model to describe the scattering effect caused by surface roughness and obtain the effective dielectric functions of different Al samples. The sample with higher surface roughness induces more electron scattering and light scattering for SPP modes, leading to a higher threshold gain for the plasmonic nanolaser. By considering the pumping efficiency, our theoretical analysis shows that diminishing the detrimental optical losses caused by the roughness of the metallic interface could effectively lower (~33.1%) the pumping threshold of the plasmonic nanolasers, which is consistent with the experimental results.
Methamphetamine and Ovarian Steroid Responsive Cells in the Posteriodorsal Medial Amygdala are Required for Methamphetamine-enhanced Proceptive Behaviors
Authors: Williams Katrina M. , Mong Jessica A.
Published: January 2017

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a psychomotor stimulant strongly associated with increases in sexual drive and impulse in both men and women. These changes in sexual motivation have a greater impact on women due to their likelihood of facing the greater burden of unplanned pregnancies, as well as increased risk for psychiatric co-morbidities such as depression. We have previously established a rodent model of Meth-induced increases in sexual motivation. Using this model, we have identified the posteriodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) via excitotoxic lesion studies as a necessary nucleus in Meth-facilitated female sexual motivation. While lesion studies give us insight into key nuclei that may be targets of Meth action, such an approach does not give insight into the identity of the specific MePD neurons or neural circuitry involved in Meth-induced increases in proceptive behaviors. Using the DAUN02 inactivation method, a recently established technique for removing behaviorally relevant cell populations, we present evidence that the ovarian steroid/Meth responsive cells in the MePD are necessary for Meth-induced facilitation of proceptive behaviors. These findings form the basis for future work that will allow for the classification of neuronal subtypes involved in the MePD’s modulation of proceptive behavior as well as a stronger understanding of the neurocircuitry of female sexual motivation.
Interactome of E. piscicida and grouper liver proteins reveals strategies of bacterial infection and host immune response
Authors: Li Hui , Zhu Qing-feng , Peng Xuan-xian , Peng Bo
Published: January 2017

The occurrence of infectious diseases is related to heterogeneous protein interactions between a host and a microbe. Therefore, elucidating the host-pathogen interplay is essential. We previously revealed the protein interactome between Edwardsiella piscicida and fish gill cells, and the present study identified the protein interactome between E. piscicida and E. drummondhayi liver cells. E. drummondhayi liver cells and bacterial pull-down approaches were used to identify E. piscicida outer membrane proteins that bind to liver cells and fish liver cell proteins that interact with bacterial cells, respectively. Eight bacterial proteins and 11 fish proteins were characterized. Heterogeneous protein-protein interactions between these bacterial cells and fish liver cells were investigated through far-Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. A network was constructed based on 42 heterogeneous protein-protein interactions between seven bacterial proteins and 10 fish proteins. A comparison of the new interactome with the previously reported interactome showed that four bacterial proteins overlapped, whereas all of the identified fish proteins were new, suggesting a difference between bacterial tricks for evading host immunity and the host strategy for combating bacterial infection. Furthermore, these bacterial proteins were found to regulate the expression of host innate immune-related proteins. These findings indicate that the interactome contributes to bacterial infection and host immunity.
Urinary iodine: comparison of a simple method for its determination in microplates with measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Haap Michael , Roth Heinz Jürgen , Huber Thomas , Dittmann Helmut , Wahl Richard
Published: January 2017

The aim of our study was to develop and validate an inexpensive, rapid, easy to use quantitative method to determine urinary iodine without major procurement costs for equipment. The rationale behind introducing this method is the increasing demand for urinary iodine assessments. Our study included 103 patients (76 female, 27 male), age (arithmetic mean) 52 ± 17.3 years. Urinary iodine was determined in microplates by a modification of the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. The results were compared with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for iodine, considered as reference method. Geometric mean of urinary iodine determined by the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction method was 62.69 μg/l (95% confidence interval 53.16–73.92) whereas by the ICP-MS method it was 65.53 μg/l (95% confidence interval 54.77–78.41). Passing-Bablok regression equations for both methods gave y = 3.374 + 0.873x (y: Sandell-Kolthoff method, x: ICP-MS). Spearman´s correlation coefficient was 0.981, indicating a very high degree of agreement between the two methods. Bland-Altman plots showed no significant systematic difference between the two methods. The modified Sandell-Kolthoff method using microtiter plate technique presented here is a simple, inexpensive semi-automated method to determine urinary iodine with very little toxic waste. Comparison with the ICP-MS-technique yielded a good agreement between the two methods.
Aminosilane-Assisted Electrodeposition of Gold Nanodendrites and Their Catalytic Properties
Authors: Hau Nga Yu , Yang Peixian , Liu Chang , Wang Jian , Lee Po-Heng , Feng Shien-Ping
Published: January 2017

A promising alternative route for the synthesis of three-dimensional Au dendrites was developed by direct electrodeposition from a solution of HAuCl4 containing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS). Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry were used to study the interaction of APTS in electrolyte. The effect of APTS on the formation of the hierarchical structure of Au dendrites was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk electrode, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance. The growth directions of the trunks and branches of the Au dendrites can be controlled by sweep-potential electrodeposition to obtain more regular structures. The efficacy of as-synthesised Au dendrites was demonstrated in the enhanced electro-catalytic activity to methanol electro-oxidation and the high sensitivity of glucose detection, which have potential applications in direct-methanol fuel cells and non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose biosensors, respectively.
Conformational transition of FGFR kinase activation revealed by site-specific unnatural amino acid reporter and single molecule FRET
Authors: Perdios Louis , Lowe Alan R. , Saladino Giorgio , Bunney Tom D. , Thiyagarajan Nethaji , Alexandrov Yuriy , Dunsby Christopher , French Paul M. W. , Chin Jason W. , Gervasio Francesco Luigi , Tate Edward W. , Katan Matilda
Published: January 2017

Protein kinases share significant structural similarity; however, structural features alone are insufficient to explain their diverse functions. Thus, bridging the gap between static structure and function requires a more detailed understanding of their dynamic properties. For example, kinase activation may occur via a switch-like mechanism or by shifting a dynamic equilibrium between inactive and active states. Here, we utilize a combination of FRET and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to probe the activation mechanism of the kinase domain of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR). Using genetically-encoded, site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids in regions essential for activation, followed by specific labeling with fluorescent moieties, we generated a novel class of FRET-based reporter to monitor conformational differences corresponding to states sampled by non phosphorylated/inactive and phosphorylated/active forms of the kinase. Single molecule FRET analysis in vitro, combined with MD simulations, shows that for FGFR kinase, there are populations of inactive and active states separated by a high free energy barrier resulting in switch-like activation. Compared to recent studies, these findings support diversity in features of kinases that impact on their activation mechanisms. The properties of these FRET-based constructs will also allow further studies of kinase dynamics as well as applications in vivo.
Microvasculature remodeling in the mouse lower gut during inflammaging
Authors: Jeong Jae-Ho , Kim KwangSoo , Lim Daejin , Kim Kun-Hee , Kim Hyung-Seok , Lee Sungsu , Song Joo-Hye , Moon Byoung-Gon , Choy Hyon E. , Park Sang Chul
Published: January 2017

Inflammaging is defined as low-grade, chronic, systemic inflammation in aging, in the absence of overt infection. Age-associated deterioration of gastrointestinal function could be ascribed to the inflammaging, although evidence is yet to emerge. Here we show that microvessels in aging mouse intestine were progressively deprived of supportive structures, microvessel-associated pericytes and adherens junction protein vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and became leaky. This alteration was ascribed to up-regulation of angiopoetin-2 in microvascular endothelial cells. Up-regulation of the angiopoietin-2 was by TNF-α, originated from M2-like residential CD206+ macrophages, proportion of which increases as animal ages. It was concluded that antigenic burdens encountered in intestine throughout life create the condition of chronic stage of inflammation, which accumulates M2-like macrophages expressing TNF-α. The TNF-α induces vascular leakage to facilitate recruitment of immune cells into intestine under the chronic inflammatory setting.
Identification of genetic susceptibility loci for intestinal Behçet’s disease
Authors: Kim Seung Won , Jung Yoon Suk , Ahn Jae Bum , Shin Eun-Soon , Jang Hui Won , Lee Hyun Jung , Il Kim Tae , Kim Do Young , Bang Dongsik , Kim Won Ho , Cheon Jae Hee
Published: January 2017

Several recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified susceptibility loci/genes for Behçet’s disease (BD). However, no study has specifically investigated the genetic susceptibility loci associated with intestinal involvement in BD. We aimed to identify distinctive genetic susceptibility loci/genes associated with intestinal involvement in BD and determine their roles in intestinal inflammation as well as their interactions with genes involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). GWAS and validation studies showed intestinal BD-specific associations with an NAALADL2 gene locus (rs3914501, P = 3.8 × 10−4) and a YIPF7 gene locus (rs6838327, P = 3.5 × 10−4). Validation, haplotype, and pathway analyses showed distinct genetic architectures between intestinal BD and BD without intestinal involvement. Furthermore, network analysis revealed shared pathogenic pathways between intestinal BD and IBD. Gene functional analyses indicated that down-regulation of NAALADL2 and YIPF7 expression was associated with exacerbating intestinal inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide new insights into intestinal BD-specific genetic variations, which represents a distinct pathway from BD without intestinal involvement. Functional consequences of the intestinal BD-specific NAALADL2 and YIPF7 expression patterns proved a suggestive association with intestinal inflammation risk, which warrants further validation.
Analysis of the Global Warming Potential of Biogenic CO2 Emission in Life Cycle Assessments
Authors: Liu Weiguo , Zhang Zhonghui , Xie Xinfeng , Yu Zhen , von Gadow Klaus , Xu Junming , Zhao Shanshan , Yang Yuchun
Published: January 2017

Biomass is generally believed to be carbon neutral. However, recent studies have challenged the carbon neutrality hypothesis by introducing metric indicators to assess the global warming potential of biogenic CO2 (GWPbio). In this study we calculated the GWPbio factors using a forest growth model and radiative forcing effects with a time horizon of 100 years and applied the factors to five life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies of bioproducts. The forest carbon change was also accounted for in the LCA studies. GWPbio factors ranged from 0.13–0.32, indicating that biomass could be an attractive energy resource when compared with fossil fuels. As expected, short rotation and fast-growing biomass plantations produced low GWPbio. Long-lived wood products also allowed more regrowth of biomass to be accounted as absorption of the CO2 emission from biomass combustion. The LCA case studies showed that the total life cycle GHG emissions were closely related to GWPbio and energy conversion efficiency. By considering the GWPbio factors and the forest carbon change, the production of ethanol and bio-power appeared to have higher GHG emissions than petroleum-derived diesel at the highest GWPbio.
Expression of acetylcholinesterase 1 is associated with brood rearing status in the honey bee, Apis mellifera
Authors: Kim Young Ho , Kim Ju Hyeon , Kim Kyungmun , Lee Si Hyeock
Published: January 2017

Acetylcholinesterase 1 (AmAChE1) of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, has been suggested to have non-neuronal functions. A systematic expression profiling of AmAChE1 over a year-long cycle on a monthly basis revealed that AmAChE1 was predominantly expressed in both head and abdomen during the winter months and was moderately expressed during the rainy summer months. Interestingly, AmAChE1 expression was inhibited when bees were stimulated for brood rearing by placing overwintering beehives in strawberry greenhouses with a pollen diet, whereas it resumed when the beehives were moved back to the cold field, thereby suppressing brood rearing. In early spring, pollen diet supplementation accelerated the induction of brood-rearing activity and the inhibition of AmAChE1 expression. When active beehives were placed in a screen tent in late spring, thereby artificially suppressing brood-rearing activity, AmAChE1 was highly expressed. In contrast, AmAChE1 expression was inhibited when beehives were allowed to restore brood rearing by removing the screen, supporting the hypothesis that brood rearing status is a main factor in the regulation of AmAChE1 expression. Since brood rearing status is influenced by various stress factors, including temperature and diet shortage, our finding discreetly suggests that AmAChE1 is likely involved in the stress response or stress management.
Improved cold tolerance in Elymus nutans by exogenous application of melatonin may involve ABA-dependent and ABA-independent pathways
Authors: Fu Juanjuan , Wu Ye , Miao Yanjun , Xu Yamei , Zhao Enhua , Wang Jin , Sun Huaien , Liu Qian , Xue Yongwei , Xu Yuefei , Hu Tianming
Published: January 2017

Melatonin is an important secondary messenger that plays a central role in plant growth, as well as abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. However, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms of melatonin-mediated cold tolerance, especially interactions between melatonin and other key molecules in the plant stress response, remain unknown. Here, the interrelation between melatonin and abscisic acid (ABA) was investigated in two genotypes of Elymus nutans Griseb., the cold-tolerant Damxung (DX) and the cold-sensitive Gannan (GN) under cold stress. Pre-treatment with exogenous melatonin or ABA alleviated oxidative injury via scavenging ROS, while enhancing both antioxidant enzyme activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents. Treatment of fluridone, an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor caused membrane lipid peroxidation and lowered melatonin-induced antioxidant defense responses. It is worth noting that cold stress significantly induced both endogenous melatonin and ABA levels in both genotypes. Application of melatonin increased ABA production, while fluridone significantly suppressed melatonin-induced ABA accumulation. ABA and fluridone pre-treatments failed to affect the endogenous melatonin concentration. Moreover, exogenous melatonin up-regulated the expression of cold-responsive genes in an ABA-independent manner. These results indicate that both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent pathways may contribute to melatonin-induced cold tolerance in E. nutans.
Comparative analysis of DNA methylome and transcriptome of skeletal muscle in lean-, obese-, and mini-type pigs
Authors: Yang Yalan , Liang Guoming , Niu Guanglin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhou Rong , Wang Yanfang , Mu Yulian , Tang Zhonglin , Li Kui
Published: January 2017

DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in biological processes by affecting gene expression. However, how DNA methylation mediates phenotype difference of skeletal muscle between lean-, obese-, and mini-type pigs remains unclear. We systematically carried out comparative analysis of skeletal muscle by integrating analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation, mRNA, lncRNA and miRNA profiles in three different pig breeds (obese-type Tongcheng, lean-type Landrace, and mini-type Wuzhishan pigs). We found that the differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were significantly associated with lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and muscle development. Among the identified DMGs, 253 genes were related to body-size and obesity. A set of lncRNAs and mRNAs including UCP3, FHL1, ANK1, HDAC4, and HDAC5 exhibited inversely changed DNA methylation and expression level; these genes were associated with oxidation reduction, fatty acid metabolism and cell proliferation. Gene regulatory networks involved in phenotypic variation of skeletal muscle were related to lipid metabolism, cellular movement, skeletal muscle development, and the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. DNA methylation potentially influences the propensity for obesity and body size by affecting gene expression in skeletal muscle. Our findings provide an abundant information of epigenome and transcriptome that will be useful for animal breeding and biomedical research.
Peripheral blood circular RNA hsa_circ_0124644 can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of coronary artery disease
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhou , Li Xuejie , Gao Chuanyu , Jian Dongdong , Hao Peiyuan , Rao Lixin , Li Muwei
Published: January 2017

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the peripheral blood of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and the potential use of circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers of CAD. We first analysed peripheral blood circRNAs of 12 CAD patients and 12 control individuals by RNA microarray and found that 22 circRNAs were differentially expressed between these two groups: 12 were upregulated, and 10 were downregulated. Then, we selected 5 circRNAs as candidate biomarkers under stricter screening criteria and verified them in another group of subjects consisting of 30 control individuals and 30 CAD patients with different SYNTAX scores. These 5 circRNAs were all remarkably increased in the CAD group. Hsa_circ_0124644 had the largest area under the curve (AUC). We tested hsa_circ_0124644 in an independent cohort consisting of 115 control individuals and 137 CAD patients. After we included the risk factors for CAD, the AUC slightly increased from 0.769 (95% confidence interval = [0.710–0.827], P < 0.001) to 0.804 ([0.751–0.857], P < 0.001), and when combined with hsa_circ_0098964, the diagnostic value slightly increased. Taken together, our results suggest that hsa_circ_0124644 can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of CAD.
The cellular magnetic response and biocompatibility of biogenic zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Moise Sandhya , Céspedes Eva , Soukup Dalibor , Byrne James M. , El Haj Alicia J. , Telling Neil D.
Published: January 2017

The magnetic moment and anisotropy of magnetite nanoparticles can be optimised by doping with transition metal cations, enabling their properties to be tuned for different biomedical applications. In this study, we assessed the suitability of bacterially synthesized zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications. To do this we measured cellular viability and activity in primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and human osteosarcoma-derived cells. Using AC susceptibility we studied doping induced changes in the magnetic response of the nanoparticles both as stable aqueous suspensions and when associated with cells. Our findings show that the magnetic response of the particles was altered after cellular interaction with a reduction in their mobility. In particular, the strongest AC susceptibility signal measured in vitro was from cells containing high-moment zinc-doped particles, whilst no signal was observed in cells containing the high-anisotropy cobalt-doped particles. For both particle types we found that the moderate dopant levels required for optimum magnetic properties did not alter their cytotoxicity or affect osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells. Thus, despite the known cytotoxicity of cobalt and zinc ions, these results suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles can be doped to sufficiently tailor their magnetic properties without compromising cellular biocompatibility.
In situ degradation of antibiotic residues in medical intravenous infusion bottles using high energy electron beam irradiation
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Lele , Zhang Guilong , Pang Tao , Zhang Xin , Cai Dongqing , Wu Zhengyan
Published: January 2017

This study reported an immediate approach for the degradation of three antibiotic (amoxicillin, ofloxacin, and cefradine) residues in medical intravenous infusion bottles (MIIBs) using high energy electron beam (HEEB) irradiation. The effects of irradiation doses, initial concentrations, initial pH, and scavengers of active radicals on the degradation of three antibiotic residues (ARs) were investigated, and the results displayed that 97.02%, 97.61% and 96.87% of amoxicillin, ofloxacin, and cefradine residues could be degraded in situ through HEEB irradiation respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis demonstrated that ARs were mainly decomposed into inorganic ions and alkanes. Typically, the detailed degradation mechanism of ARs was also investigated, and the dominant active particle inducing the degradation of antibiotics during the HEEB irradiation process was demonstrated to be hydroxyl radical.
Effects of Elevated β-Estradiol Levels on the Functional Morphology of the Testis - New Insights
Authors: Leavy Myles , Trottmann Matthias , Liedl Bernhard , Reese Sven , Stief Christian , Freitag Benjamin , Baugh John , Spagnoli Giulio , Kölle Sabine
Published: January 2017

Elevated estradiol levels are correlated with male infertility. Causes of hyperestrogenism include diseases of the adrenal cortex, testis or medications affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. The aim of our study was to elucidate the effects of estradiol treatment on testicular cellular morphology and function, with reference to the treatment regimen received. Testes samples (n = 9) were obtained post-orchiectomy from male-to-female transsexuals within the age range of 26–52 years. Each patient had a minimum of 1–6 years estradiol treatment. For comparison, additional samples were obtained from microscopically unaltered testicular tissue surrounding tumors (n = 7). The tissues obtained were investigated by stereomicroscopy, histochemistry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry. Our studies revealed that estradiol treatment significantly decreased the diameter of the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.05) and induced fatty degeneration in the surrounding connective tissue. An increase in collagen fiber synthesis in the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the seminiferous tubules was also induced. Spermatogenesis was impaired resulting in mainly spermatogonia being present. Sertoli cells revealed diminished expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Both Sertoli and Leydig cells showed morphological alterations and glycoprotein accumulations. These results demonstrate that increased estradiol levels drastically impact the human testis.
Building a genetic risk model for bipolar disorder from genome-wide association data with random forest algorithm
Authors: Chuang Li-Chung , Kuo Po-Hsiu
Published: January 2017

A genetic risk score could be beneficial in assisting clinical diagnosis for complex diseases with high heritability. With large-scale genome-wide association (GWA) data, the current study constructed a genetic risk model with a machine learning approach for bipolar disorder (BPD). The GWA dataset of BPD from the Genetic Association Information Network was used as the training data for model construction, and the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program (STEP) GWA data were used as the validation dataset. A random forest algorithm was applied for pre-filtered markers, and variable importance indices were assessed. 289 candidate markers were selected by random forest procedures with good discriminability; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.944 (0.935–0.953) in the training set and 0.702 (0.681–0.723) in the STEP dataset. Using a score with the cutoff of 184, the sensitivity and specificity for BPD was 0.777 and 0.854, respectively. Pathway analyses revealed important biological pathways for identified genes. In conclusion, the present study identified informative genetic markers to differentiate BPD from healthy controls with acceptable discriminability in the validation dataset. In the future, diagnosis classification can be further improved by assessing more comprehensive clinical risk factors and jointly analysing them with genetic data in large samples.
Latitude affects Morningness-Eveningness: evidence for the environment hypothesis based on a systematic review
Authors: Randler Christoph , Rahafar Arash
Published: January 2017

Morningness-eveningness (M/E) is an individual trait related to a person’s sleep-wake cycle and preference for morning or evening hours. The “environment hypothesis” suggests that M/E is dependent on environmental factors, such as latitude, mean average temperature and photoperiod. We here analyzed a large number of datasets to assess this effect based on a systematic review. Data were from a total of 87 datasets and 35,589 individuals based on 28 countries. Partial correlations correcting for age revealed significant relationships between M/E and latitude, mean yearly temperature, photoperiod and sunset. Evening orientation was related to higher latitude, longer days and later sunset. Morning orientation was related to higher average temperatures. Percentage of females and sunrise time had no significant influence. These variables (sunset, temperature, photoperiod) were then input in a general linear model. The full model showed an influence of age and of sunset on CSM scores, but not of photoperiod and average temperature. Sunset, therefore, seems to be the most important statistical predictor for the observed latitudinal gradient.
Calpain-dependent disruption of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport in ALS motor neurons
Authors: Yamashita Takenari , Aizawa Hitoshi , Teramoto Sayaka , Akamatsu Megumi , Kwak Shin
Published: January 2017

Nuclear dysfunction in motor neurons has been hypothesized to be a principal cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is disrupted in dying motor neurons in a mechanistic ALS mouse model (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) conditional knockout (AR2) mice) and in ALS patients. We showed that nucleoporins (Nups) that constituted the NPC were cleaved by activated calpain via a Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated mechanism in dying motor neurons lacking ADAR2 expression in AR2 mice. In these neurons, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport was disrupted, and the level of the transcript elongation enzyme RNA polymerase II phosphorylated at Ser2 was significantly decreased. Analogous changes were observed in motor neurons lacking ADAR2 immunoreactivity in sporadic ALS patients. Therefore, calpain-dependent NPC disruption may participate in ALS pathogenesis, and inhibiting Ca2+-mediated cell death signals may be a therapeutic strategy for ALS.
Hippocampal encoding of interoceptive context during fear conditioning
Authors: Yoo S-W , Bae M , Tovar-y-Romo L B , Haughey N J
Published: January 2017

Rodent models of auditory fear conditioning are often used to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Conditioning and extinction memories are influenced by contextual cues, and the reinstatement of conditioned fear occurs when the conditioning stimulus is presented in a context different from the extinction context. Although it has been proposed that internal state is a feature of context that could influence extinction, contributions of interoception to conditioning have not been experimentally addressed. Here we use ethanol (EtOH) to show that interoceptive cues are encoded through the hippocampus by mechanisms that involve increased phosphorylation of GluR1 on serine 845, and biophysical alterations in neuronal membranes that facilitate stabilization of surface-located calcium-permeable n-2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) into membrane microdomains. Conflicting interoceptive cues during extinction and fear relapse testing resulted in a failure to consolidate extinction that was reversed by the administration of AMPAR antagonists immediately following the retrieval cue.
Antidepressant responsiveness in adulthood is permanently impaired after neonatal destruction of the neurogenic pool
Authors: Yu S , Zutshi I , Stoffel R , Zhang J , Ventura-Silva A P , Sousa N , Costa P S , Holsboer F , Patchev A , Almeida O F X
Published: January 2017

The dynamic turnover of hippocampal neurons is implicated in the regulation of cognitive and affective behavior. Extending our previous demonstration that administration of dexamethasone (ND) to neonatal rats depletes the resident population of neural precursor cells (NPC) and restrains the size of the neurogenic regions, we now show that the adverse effects of ND persist into adulthood. Specifically, ND impairs repletion of the neurogenic pool and neurogenesis; ND also compromises cognitive performance, the ability to actively adapt to an acute stressor and, the efficacy of glucocorticoid (GC) negative feedback. Interestingly, although ND depletes the neurogenic pool, it does not permanently abolish the proliferative machinery of the residual NPC population; however, ND increases the susceptibility of hippocampal granule neurons to apoptosis. Although the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLX) reverses the latter phenomenon, it does not replenish the NPC pool. Treatment of ND-treated adult rats with FLX also improves GC negative feedback, albeit without rescuing the deleterious effects of ND on behavior. In summary, ND leads to protracted disruption of mental functions, some of which are resistant to antidepressant interventions. We conclude that manipulation of the NPC pool during early life may jeopardize the therapeutic potential of antidepressants in adulthood.
Neural substrates of cue reactivity and craving in gambling disorder
Authors: Limbrick-Oldfield E H , Mick I , Cocks R E , McGonigle J , Sharman S P , Goldstone A P , Stokes P R A , Waldman A , Erritzoe D , Bowden-Jones H , Nutt D , Lingford-Hughes A , Clark L
Published: January 2017

Cue reactivity is an established procedure in addictions research for examining the subjective experience and neural basis of craving. This experiment sought to quantify cue-related brain responses in gambling disorder using personally tailored cues in conjunction with subjective craving, as well as a comparison with appetitive non-gambling stimuli. Participants with gambling disorder (n=19) attending treatment and 19 controls viewed personally tailored blocks of gambling-related cues, as well as neutral cues and highly appetitive (food) images during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan performed ~2–3 h after a usual meal. fMRI analysis examined cue-related brain activity, cue-related changes in connectivity and associations with block-by-block craving ratings. Craving ratings in the participants with gambling disorder increased following gambling cues compared with non-gambling cues. fMRI analysis revealed group differences in left insula and anterior cingulate cortex, with the gambling disorder group showing greater reactivity to the gambling cues, but no differences to the food cues. In participants with gambling disorder, craving to gamble correlated positively with gambling cue-related activity in the bilateral insula and ventral striatum, and negatively with functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and the medial prefrontal cortex. Gambling cues, but not food cues, elicit increased brain responses in reward-related circuitry in individuals with gambling disorder (compared with controls), providing support for the incentive sensitization theory of addiction. Activity in the insula co-varied with craving intensity, and may be a target for interventions.
Variability of 128 schizophrenia-associated gene variants across distinct ethnic populations
Authors: Ohi K , Shimada T , Yasuyama T , Uehara T , Kawasaki Y
Published: January 2017

Schizophrenia is a common polygenetic disease affecting 0.5–1% of individuals across distinct ethnic populations. PGC-II, the largest genome-wide association study investigating genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, previously identified 128 independent schizophrenia-associated genetic variants (GVs). The current study examined the genetic variability of GVs across ethnic populations. To assess the genetic variability across populations, the 'variability indices' (VIs) of the 128 schizophrenia-associated GVs were calculated. We used 2504 genomes from the 1000 Genomes Project taken from 26 worldwide healthy samples comprising five major ethnicities: East Asian (EAS: n=504), European (EUR: n=503), African (AFR: n=661), American (AMR: n=347) and South Asian (SAS: n=489). The GV with the lowest variability was rs36068923 (VI=1.07). The minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were 0.189, 0.192, 0.256, 0.183 and 0.194 for EAS, EUR, AFR, AMR and SAS, respectively. The GV with the highest variability was rs7432375 (VI=9.46). The MAFs were 0.791, 0.435, 0.041, 0.594 and 0.508 for EAS, EUR, AFR, AMR and SAS, respectively. When we focused on the EAS and EUR population, the allele frequencies of 86 GVs significantly differed between the EAS and EUR (P<3.91 × 10−4). The GV with the highest variability was rs4330281 (P=1.55 × 10−138). The MAFs were 0.023 and 0.519 for the EAS and EUR, respectively. The GV with the lowest variability was rs2332700 (P=9.80 × 10−1). The MAFs were similar between these populations (that is, 0.246 and 0.247 for the EAS and EUR, respectively). Interestingly, the mean allele frequencies of the GVs did not significantly differ between these populations (P>0.05). Although genetic heterogeneities were observed in the schizophrenia-associated GVs across ethnic groups, the combination of these GVs might increase the risk of schizophrenia.
PALMA, an improved algorithm for DOSY signal processing
Authors: Cherni Afef , Chouzenoux Emilie , Delsuc Marc-André
Published: January 2017

NMR is a tool of choice for the measurement of diffusion coefficients of species in solution.
hYKL-40 cancer biomarker electroanalysis in serum samples and model cell lysates: capacitive immunosensing compared with enzyme label immunosorbent assays (ELISA)
Authors: Chaocharoen W. , Schulte A. , Suginta W.
Published: January 2017

The first electrochemical analysis of molecular cancer biomarker hYKL-40in blood serum samples of breast and brain tumor patientsviacapacitive immunosensing.
Quantification of the sources and composition of particulate matter by field-deployable mass spectrometry: implications for air quality and public health
Authors: Hayes Patrick L.
Published: January 2017

Aerosol mass spectrometry has become an indispensable technique for characterizing the chemistry of one of the world's deadliest air pollutants.
HPLC based single-step kinetic assay to screen the activity of DNAzymes
Authors: Hoefer F. , Marquardt K. , Schmidts T. , Domann E. , Runkel F.
Published: January 2017

DNAzymes are a new class of biosensors and pharmaceuticals whose mode-of-action is to cleave RNA.
Bismuth-catalyzed allylation of para-quinone methides
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Pei , Dong Nan , Li Xin
Published: January 2017

An efficient 1,6-allylation addition of para-quinone methides with allylboronic acid pinacol ester was developed with 0.5–5 mol% bismuth(iii) triflate.
Biofunctional metal–phenolic films from dietary flavonoids
Authors: Bertleff-Zieschang Nadja , Rahim Md. Arifur , Ju Yi , Braunger Julia A. , Suma Tomoya , Dai Yunlu , Pan Shuaijun , Cavalieri Francesca , Caruso Frank
Published: January 2017

Flavonoid films: dietary flavonoids assemble into biofunctional films and capsules in a one-step process via metal coordination. The antioxidant property of the parent flavonoid is enhanced when assembled into a film and can be reused over multiple cycles.
Biopolymer-chitosan based supramolecular hydrogels as solid state electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Cao Lujie , Yang Mingyang , Wu Dong , Lyu Fucong , Sun Zhifang , Zhong Xiongwei , Pan Hui , Liu Hongtao , Lu Zhouguang
Published: January 2017

A novel biopolymer-chitosan based supramolecular hydrogel type solid state electrolyte was prepared and demonstrated high ionic conductivity, and excellent thermal stability, mouldability, and flexibility.
Novel surfactant-directed synthesis of ultra-thin palladium nanosheets as efficient electrocatalysts for glycerol oxidation
Authors: Xu Dongdong , Liu Ying , Zhao Shulin , Lu Yanan , Han Min , Bao Jianchun
Published: January 2017

Ultra-thin palladium nanosheets with (110)-exposed planes were produced by confined growth inside the lamellar micelles of novel designed surfactants with a long carbon chain.
Two-state reactivity in C–H activation by a four-coordinate iron(0) complex
Authors: Hickey Anne K. , Lutz Sean A. , Chen Chun-Hsing , Smith Jeremy M.
Published: January 2017

The ground state structure of [Ph2B(tBuIm)2Fe(CO)2]− is trigonal pyramidal (S = 1), with a thermally accessible square planar (S = 0) geometry.
A two-channel responsive fluorescent probe with AIE characteristics and its application for selective imaging of superoxide anions in living cells
Authors: Gao Xiaoying , Feng Guangxue , Manghnani Purnima Naresh , Hu Fang , Jiang Nan , Liu Jianzhao , Liu Bin , Sun Jing Zhi , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2017

A red-to-green two-channel responsive and AIE-active fluorescent probe was developed to selectively detect superoxide anions in living cells.
Direct coordination of a germanium(ii) dicationic center to transition metals
Authors: Raut Ravindra K. , Majumdar Moumita
Published: January 2017

A group 14 E(ii) dicationic center effortlessly coordinates to transition metal centers, demonstrating as an efficient cationic ligand.
Accessing alternative reaction pathways of the intermolecular condensation between homo-propargyl alcohols and terminal alkynes through divergent gold catalysis
Authors: Smith Courtney A. , Motika Stephen E. , Wojtas Lukasz , Shi Xiaodong
Published: January 2017

An intermolecular condensation of alkynols and terminal alkynes is reported.
Harnessing ester bond chemistry for protein ligation
Authors: Young P. G. , Yosaatmadja Y. , Harris P. W. R. , Leung I. K. H. , Baker E. N. , Squire C. J.
Published: January 2017

A breakthrough combination of ester bond ligation and hydrolysis allows the assembly and disassembly of engineered protein nano-constructions.
Effect of electron spectral diffusion on static dynamic nuclear polarization at 7 Tesla
Authors: Leavesley Alisa , Shimon Daphna , Siaw Ting Ann , Feintuch Akiva , Goldfarb Daniella , Vega Shimon , Kaminker Ilia , Han Songi
Published: January 2017

Systematic investigation of DNP profiles at high radical concentrations and 7 T show that electron spectral diffusion directly impacts DNP processes.
ESR study of atomic hydrogen and tritium in solid T2and T2:H2matrices below 1 K
Authors: Sheludiakov S. , Ahokas J. , Järvinen J. , Lehtonen L. , Vainio O. , Vasiliev S. , Lee D. M. , Khmelenko V. V.
Published: January 2017

We studied record-high concentrations of H and T atoms (0.33% and 0.6%) in molecular hydrogen matrices at temperature 150 mK.
Two-dimensional C12Mn2/C12Cr2 as a room-temperature half metal/antiferromagnetic semiconductor: a systematic study
Authors: Lin Zheng-Zhe
Published: January 2017

Two-dimensional C12Mn2/C12Cr2 as a half metal/antiferromagnetic semiconductor with high Curie/Néel temperature.
Internal dynamics in helical molecules studied by X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations
Authors: Dračínský Martin , Storch Jan , Církva Vladimír , Císařová Ivana , Sýkora Jan
Published: January 2017

Unexpected flexibility of helical molecules is observed both in solution and solid phases.
Molecular conformation of DPPC phospholipid Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers studied by heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy
Authors: Takeshita Naoki , Okuno Masanari , Ishibashi Taka-aki
Published: January 2017

Heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy was used to investigate molecular structures of DPPC monolayers on water (Langmuir monolayer) and monolayers on a fused silica substrate (Langmuir-Blodgett [LB] monolayer).
Correcting the record: the dimers and trimers of trans-N-methylacetamide
Authors: Forsting Thomas , Gottschalk Hannes C. , Hartwig Beppo , Mons Michel , Suhm Martin A.
Published: January 2017

Raman jet spectroscopy reveals threeN-methylacetamide molecules organizing into a ring structure, previously overlooked in computations.