bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Winter spawning of Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni in the Ross Sea region
Authors: Parker Steven J. , Stevens Darren W. , Ghigliotti Laura , La Mesa Mario , Di Blasi Davide , Vacchi Marino
Published: August 2019

A survey of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) was conducted in the northern Ross Sea region during the winter of 2016 to document the timing and location of spawning activity, to collect biological information about reproductive status during the spawning season and to look for temporal signals in biological data from D. mawsoni that may indicate a spawning migration of mature toothfish from the continental slope region to the northern Ross Sea region. The 58 day survey showed that spawning of D. mawsoni began on some seamounts by early July. No changes were detected between winter and summer in length, age, sex ratio or condition factor distributions for D. mawsoni in the northern Ross Sea as hypothesized following a spawning migration from the slope to the northern Ross Sea region. These results suggest that the distribution of D. mawsoni in the Ross Sea is mainly accomplished through ontogenetic migration and not annual return spawning migrations.
Intervening with Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up to decrease disrupted parenting behavior and attachment disorganization: The role of parental withdrawal
Authors: Yarger Heather A. , Bronfman Elisa , Carlson Elizabeth , Dozier Mary
Published: August 2019

This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC; Dozier, Bick, & Bernard, 2011) in reducing disrupted parenting behavior (affective communication errors, role/boundary confusion, fearful/disoriented, intrusive/negativity, and withdrawal) and its association with disorganized attachment. Participants were 105 mother–child dyads randomized to receive either ABC or a control intervention (a 10-session home-visiting intervention focused on improving children's cognitive abilities, gross and fine motor abilities, and language development). At the time of study enrollment, mothers were approximately 26.7 years old (SD = 7.8) and predominantly Black or African American (73.9%). At the first follow-up visit, children were approximately 20.7 months old (SD = 6.3) and most were identified as Black or African American (61.9%). Fifty-two percent of children were male (n = 55). Assessments of disrupted parenting behavior and child attachment quality were assessed approximately 7 months postintervention (SD = 5.8). A one-way analysis of variance revealed that parents who received ABC demonstrated lower levels of parental withdrawal than parents who received the control condition. A structural equation model revealed a significant indirect effect of intervention group on attachment quality through lower levels of parental withdrawal. Results add to the efficacy of the ABC intervention and identified parental withdrawal as a mediator of change.
A meta-analytic review of parenting interventions in foster care and adoption
Authors: Schoemaker Nikita K. , Wentholt Wilma G. M. , Goemans Anouk , Vermeer Harriet J. , Juffer Femmie , Alink Lenneke R. A.
Published: August 2019

Foster and adoptive parents often face challenges while taking care of children who, due to their adverse early life experiences, are at risk of developing insecure attachment relationships, behavior problems, and stress dysregulation. Several intervention programs have been developed to help foster and adoptive parents to overcome these challenges. In the current study, a series of eight meta-analyses were performed to examine the effectiveness of these intervention programs on four parent outcomes (sensitive parenting,k= 11,N= 684; dysfunctional discipline,k= 4,N= 239; parenting knowledge and attitudes,k= 7,N= 535; parenting stress,k= 18,N= 1,306), three child outcomes (attachment security,k= 6,N= 395; behavior problems,k= 33,N= 2,661; diurnal cortisol levels,k= 3,N= 261), and placement disruption (k= 7,N= 1,100). Results show positive effects for the four parent outcomes and child behavior problems, but not for attachment security, child diurnal cortisol levels, or placement disruption. Indirect effects on child outcomes may be delayed, and therefore long-term follow-up studies are needed to examine the effects of parenting interventions on children.
The Influence of Plankton Community Structure on Sinking Velocity and Remineralization Rate of Marine Aggregates
Authors: Bach L. T. , Stange P. , Taucher J. , Achterberg E. P. , Algueró‐Muñiz M. , Horn H. , Esposito M. , Riebesell U.
Published: August 2019

Gravitational sinking of photosynthetically fixed particulate organic carbon (POC) constitutes a key component of the biological carbon pump. The fraction of POC leaving the surface ocean depends on POC sinking velocity (SV) and remineralization rate (Cremin), both of which depend on plankton community structure. However, the key drivers in plankton communities controlling SV and Cremin are poorly constrained. In fall 2014, we conducted a 6‐week mesocosm experiment in the subtropical NE Atlantic Ocean to study the influence of plankton community structure on SV and Cremin. Oligotrophic conditions prevailed for the first 3 weeks, until nutrient‐rich deep water injected into all mesocosms stimulated diatom blooms. SV declined steadily over the course of the experiment due to decreasing CaCO3 ballast and—according to an optical proxy proposed herein—due to increasing aggregate porosity mostly during an aggregation event after the diatom bloom. Furthermore, SV was positively correlated with the contribution of picophytoplankton to the total phytoplankton biomass. Cremin was highest during a Synechococcus bloom under oligotrophic conditions and in some mesocosms during the diatom bloom after the deep water addition, while it was particularly low during harmful algal blooms. The temporal changes were considerably larger in Cremin (max. fifteenfold) than in SV (max. threefold). Accordingly, estimated POC transfer efficiency to 1,000 m was mainly dependent on how the plankton community structure affected Cremin. Our approach revealed key players and interactions in the plankton food web influencing POC export efficiency thereby improving our mechanistic understanding of the biological carbon pump.
Seasonal Variations in Iceberg Freshwater Flux in Sermilik Fjord, Southeast Greenland From Sentinel‐2 Imagery
Authors: Moyer A. N. , Sutherland D. A. , Nienow P. W. , Sole A. J.
Published: August 2019

Iceberg discharge is estimated to account for up to 50% of the freshwater flux delivered to glacial fjords. The amount, timing, and location of iceberg melting impacts fjord‐water circulation and heat budget, with implications for glacier dynamics, nutrient cycling, and fjord productivity. We use Sentinel‐2 imagery to examine seasonal variations in freshwater flux from open‐water icebergs in Sermilik Fjord, Greenland during summer and fall of 2017–2018. Using iceberg velocities derived from visual‐tracking and changes in total iceberg volume with distance down‐fjord from Helheim Glacier, we estimate maximum average two‐month full‐fjord iceberg‐derived freshwater fluxes of ~1,060 ± 615, 1,270 ± 735, 1,200 ± 700, 3,410 ± 1,975, and 1,150 ± 670 m3/s for May–June, June–July, July–August, August–September, and September–November, respectively. Fluxes decrease with distance down‐fjord, and on average, 86–91% of iceberg volume is lost before reaching the fjord mouth. This method provides a simple, invaluable tool for monitoring seasonal and interannual iceberg freshwater fluxes across a range of Greenlandic fjords.
Contrasting Influence of Gobi and Taklimakan Deserts on the Dust Aerosols in Western North America
Authors: Liu Lin , Guo Jianping , Gong Hainan , Li Zhanqing , Chen Wen , Wu Renguang , Wang Lin , Xu Hui , Li Jian , Chen Dandan , Zhai Panmao
Published: August 2019

The dust generated in East Asia influences the western North America (WNA) through its trans‐Pacific transport. This study investigates the distinct contribution between two main dust sources in East Asia on this remote influence based on Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 data set. Results show that the dust generated in Gobi desert (GD) exerts a larger influence on the WNA compared to those in Taklimakan desert (TD). This difference is attributed to the different terrain and background winds in GD and TD. The GD is relatively flat and dominated by westerlies throughout the troposphere, which facilitates the trans‐Pacific transport of dust to WNA. However, the TD is located in the Tarim Basin and dominated by easterly wind in the lower troposphere. The uplifted dust is largely redeposited in TD. Moreover, the influence of GD on dust in WNA experiences decadal change around 1999, which is related to intrinsic change of dust loading in GD.
Clozapine-dependent inhibition of EGF/neuregulin receptor (ErbB) kinases
Authors: Kobayashi Yutaro , Iwakura Yuriko , Sotoyama Hidekazu , Kitayama Eiko , Takei Nobuyuki , Someya Toshiyuki , Nawa Hiroyuki
Published: August 2019

Clozapine is an antipsychotic agent prescribed to psychotic patients exhibiting tolerance and/or resistance to the conventional antipsychotic medications that mainly drive monoamine antagonism. As the pharmacological fundamentals of its unique antipsychotic profile have been unrevealed, here, we attempted to obtain hints at this question. Here, we found that clozapine directly acts on ErbB kinases to downregulate epidermal growth factor (EGF)/neuregulin signaling. In cultured cell lines and cortical neurons, EGF-triggered ErbB1 phosphorylation was diminished by 30 μM clozapine, but not haloperidol, risperidone, or olanzapine. The neuregulin-1-triggered ErbB4 phosphorylation was attenuated by 10 μM clozapine and 30 μM haloperidol. We assumed that clozapine may directly interact with the ErbB tyrosine kinases and affect their enzyme activity. To test this assumption, we performed in vitro kinase assays using recombinant truncated ErbB kinases. Clozapine (3–30 μM) significantly decreased the enzyme activity of the truncated ErbB1, B2, and B4 kinases. Acute in vivo administration of clozapine (20 mg/kg) to adult rats significantly suppressed the basal phosphorylation levels of ErbB4 in the brain, although we failed to detect effects on basal ErbB1 phosphorylation. Altogether with the previous findings that quinazoline inhibitors for ErbB kinases harbor antipsychotic potential in animal models for schizophrenia, our present observations suggest the possibility that the micromolar concentrations of clozapine can attenuate the activity of ErbB receptor kinases, which might illustrate a part of its unique antipsychotic psychopharmacology.
Macrophages exposed to HIV viral protein disrupt lung epithelial cell integrity and mitochondrial bioenergetics via exosomal microRNA shuttling
Authors: Yuan Zhihong , Petree Jessica R. , Lee F. Eun-Hyung , Fan Xian , Salaita Khalid , Guidot David M. , Sadikot Ruxana T.
Published: August 2019

Antiretroviral therapy extends survival but does not eliminate HIV from its cellular reservoirs. Between immune and stromal cells in the tissue microenvironment, a dynamic intercellular communication might influence host viral immune responses via intercellular transfer of extracellular vehicles (EVs) (microvesicles, exosome, or apoptotic bodies). It is increasingly recognized that HIV-infected macrophage-secreted nucleotide-rich exosomes might play a critical role in mediating communication between macrophages and other structural cells; however, molecular mechanisms underlying cell–cell crosstalk remain unknown. Here we show that HIV-1-infected macrophages and HIV-1 proteins Tat or gp120-treated macrophages express high levels of microRNAs, including miR-23a and miR-27a. Identical miRNAs expression patterns were detected in macrophage-secreted exosomes isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HIV transgenic rats. Tat-treated macrophage-derived exosomal miR-23a attenuated posttranscriptional modulation of key tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) 3′-UTR in epithelial cells. In parallel, exosomal miR-27a released from Tat-treated macrophages altered the mitochondrial bioenergetics of recipient lung epithelial cells by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), while simultaneously stimulating glycolysis. Together, exosomal miRNAs shuttle from macrophages to epithelial cells and thereby explain in part HIV-mediated lung epithelial barrier dysfunction. These studies suggest that targeting miRNAs may be of therapeutic value to enhance lung health in HIV.
The effect of fluoxetine on astrocyte autophagy flux and injured mitochondria clearance in a mouse model of depression
Authors: Shu Xiaodong , Sun Yiming , Sun Xiyang , Zhou Yuanzhang , Bian Yaqi , Shu Zhaoma , Ding Jianhua , Lu Ming , Hu Gang
Published: August 2019

Although multiple hypotheses had been proposed to clarify the causes of depression, the accurate pathogenesis and effective treatment of depression still need to be solved. Pathological change of astrocytes has been recognized to play a pivotal role in depression. Fluoxetine is the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, however, the underlying mechanisms of fluoxetine are incompletely excavated. Emerging evidence shows that fluoxetine promotes autophagic processes in tumor cells. However, whether astrocytic autophagy gets involved in the cytoprotection of fluoxetine on astrocytes in depression treatment remains unexplored. Here we prepared chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced mouse model and treated mice with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) for 4 weeks to determine the correlation between proautophagic effect of fluoxetine and astrocyte protection in depression. Primary hippocampal astrocytes were cultured to investigate the potential mechanism of fluoxetine in regulating astrocyte autophagy. We found that fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) treatment promoted autophagosome formation and increased clearance of injured mitochondria, consequently protected astrocytes in CMS model mice. Fluoxetine (10 μM) could also promote the autophagic flux unblocked via enhancing fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes in primary astrocytes. Moreover, fluoxetine promoted mitophagy by increased colocalization of autophagosomes and mitochondria, eliminating damaged mitochondria in corticosterone-treated astrocytes. Further in vitro study showed that p53 presence is required for fluoxetine activated autophagy flux and fluoxetine promotes astrocytic autophagy in a p53-dependent mechanism. Collectively, this work gives us insights into a novel approach to treat depression depending on astrocytes, and provides a promising molecular target for the development of antidepressant drugs besides regulating neurotransmitters.
Ultrafast long-range spin-funneling in solution-processed Ruddlesden–Popper halide perovskites
Authors: Giovanni David , Lim Jia Wei Melvin , Yuan Zhongcheng , Lim Swee Sien , Righetto Marcello , Qing Jian , Zhang Qiannan , Dewi Herlina Arianita , Gao Feng , Mhaisalkar Subodh Gautam , Mathews Nripan , Sum Tze Chien
Published: August 2019

Room-temperature spin-based electronics is the vision of spintronics. Presently, there are few suitable material systems. Herein, we reveal that solution-processed mixed-phase Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite thin-films transcend the challenges of phonon momentum-scattering that limits spin-transfer in conventional semiconductors. This highly disordered system exhibits a remarkable efficient ultrafast funneling of photoexcited spin-polarized excitons from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) phases at room temperature. We attribute this efficient exciton relaxation pathway towards the lower energy states to originate from the energy transfer mediated by intermediate states. This process bypasses the omnipresent phonon momentum-scattering in typical semiconductors with stringent band dispersion, which causes the loss of spin information during thermalization. Film engineering using graded 2D/3D perovskites allows unidirectional out-of-plane spin-funneling over a thickness of ~600 nm. Our findings reveal an intriguing family of solution-processed perovskites with extraordinary spin-preserving energy transport properties that could reinvigorate the concepts of spin-information transfer.
Location determination of metal nanoparticles relative to a metal-organic framework
Authors: Chen Yu-Zhen , Gu Bingchuan , Uchida Takeyuki , Liu Jiandang , Liu Xianchun , Ye Bang-Jiao , Xu Qiang , Jiang Hai-Long
Published: August 2019

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied in recent decades, while investigations on the location of guest metal NPs relative to host MOF particles remain challenging and very rare. In this work, we have developed several characterization techniques, including high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) tomography, hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), which are able to determine the specific location of metal NPs relative to the MOF particle. The fine PdCu NPs confined inside MIL-101 exhibit excellent catalytic activity, absolute selectivity and satisfied recyclability in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in pure water. As far as we know, the determination for the location of metal NPs relative to MOF particles and pore structure information of metal NPs/MOF composites by 129Xe NMR and PAS techniques has not yet been reported.
New periodic-chaotic attractors in slow-fast Duffing system with periodic parametric excitation
Authors: Li Xianghong , Shen Yongjun , Sun Jian-Qiao , Yang Shaopu
Published: August 2019

A new type of responses called as periodic-chaotic motion is found by numerical simulations in a Duffing oscillator with a slowly periodically parametric excitation. The periodic-chaotic motion is an attractor, and simultaneously possesses the feature of periodic and chaotic oscillations, which is a new addition to the rich nonlinear motions of the Duffing system including equlibria, periodic responses, quasi-periodic oscillations and chaos. In the current slow-fast Duffing system, we find three new attractors in the form of periodic-chaotic motions. These are called the fixed-point chaotic attractor, the fixed-point strange nonchaotic attractor, and the critical behavior with the maximum Lyapunov exponent fluctuating around zero. The system periodically switches between one attractor with a fixed single-well potential and the other with time-varying two-well potentials in every period of excitation. This behavior is apparently the mechanism to generate the periodic-chaotic motion.
Genome-wide identification and evolutionary analysis of TGA transcription factors in soybean
Authors: Ullah Ihteram , Magdy Mahmoud , Wang Lixiang , Liu Mengyu , Li Xia
Published: August 2019

The gain of function in genes and gene families is a continuous process and is a key factor in understanding gene and genome evolution in plants. TGACG-Binding (TGA) transcription factors (TFs) have long been known for their essential roles in plant defence inArabidopsis, but their roles in legume symbiosis are yet to be explored. Here, we identified a total of 25TGA(namedGmTGA1-GmTGA25) genes in soybean. Through phylogenetic analysis, we discovered a clade of GmTGA proteins that appear to be legume-specific. Among them, two GmTGAs were unique by possessing the autophagy sequence in their proteins, while the third one was an orphan gene in soybean.GmTGAs were structurally different fromAtTGAs, and their expression patterns also differed with the dominant expression ofAtTGAs andGmTGAs in aerial and underground parts, respectively. Moreover, twenty-fiveGmTGAsshowed a strong correlation among the gene expression in roots, nodules, and root hairs. The qRT-PCR analysis results revealed that among 15 testedGmTGAs, six were induced and four were suppressed by rhizobia inoculation, while 11 of theseGmTGAswere induced by high nitrate. Our findings suggested the important roles ofGmTGAsin symbiotic nodulation and in response to nitrogen availability in soybean.
(5R)-5-Hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) induces substantial epigenetic mediated immune response network changes in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Guo Shicheng , Liu Jia , Jiang Ting , Lee Dungyang , Wang Rongsheng , Zhou Xinpeng , Jin Yehua , Shen Yi , Wang Yan , Bai Fengmin , Ding Qin , Wang Grace , Zhang Jianyong , Zhou Xiaodong , Schrodi Steven J. , He Dongyi
Published: August 2019

Tripterygium is a traditional Chinese medicine that has widely been used in the treatment of rheumatic disease. (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) is an extracted compound from Tripterygium, which has been shown to have lower cytotoxicity and relatively higher immunosuppressive activity when compared to Tripterygium. However, our understanding of LLDT-8-induced epigenomic impact and overall regulatory changes in key cell types remains limited. Doing so will provide critically important mechanistic information about how LLDT-8 wields its immunosuppressive activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of LLDT-8 on transcriptome including mRNAs and long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) by a custom genome-wide microarray assay. Significant differential expressed genes were validated by QPCR. Our work shows that 394 genes (281 down- and 113 up-regulated) were significantly differentially expressed in FLS responding to the treatment of LLDT-8. KEGG pathway analysis showed 20 pathways were significantly enriched and the most significantly enriched pathways were relevant to Immune reaction, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (P = 4.61 × 10−13), chemokine signaling pathway (P = 1.01 × 10−5) and TNF signaling pathway (P = 2.79 × 10−4). Furthermore, we identified 618 highly negatively correlated lncRNA-mRNA pairs from the selected significantly differential lncRNA and mRNA including 27 cis-regulated and 591 trans-regulated lncRNA-mRNAs modules. KEGG and GO based function analysis to differential lncRNA also shown the enrichment of immune response. Finally, lncRNA-transcription factor (TF) and lncRNA-TF-mRNA co-expression network were constructed with high specific network characteristics, indicating LLDT-8 would influence the expression network within the whole FLS cells. The results indicated that the LLDT-8 would mainly influence the FLS cells systemically and specially in the process of immune related pathways.
14-3-3 signal adaptor and scaffold proteins mediate GPCR trafficking
Authors: Yuan Luwa , Barbash Shahar , Kongsamut Sathapana , Eishingdrelo Alex , Sakmar Thomas P. , Eishingdrelo Haifeng
Published: August 2019

Receptor trafficking is pivotal for the temporal and spatial control of GPCR signaling and is regulated by multiple cellular proteins. We provide evidence that GPCRs interact with 14-3-3 signal adaptor/scaffold proteins and that this interaction regulates receptor trafficking in two ways. We found GPCR/14-3-3 interaction signals can be agonist-induced or agonist-inhibited. Some GPCRs associate with 14-3-3 proteins at the cell membrane and agonist treatments result in disrupted GPCR/14-3-3 interaction signals. The diminished GPCR/14-3-3 interaction signals are temporally correlated with increased GPCR/β-arrestin interaction signals in response to agonist treatment. Other GPCRs showed agonist-induced GPCR/14-3-3 interaction signal increases that occur later than agonist-induced GPCR/β-arrestin interaction signals, indicating that GPCR/14-3-3 interaction occurred after receptor endocytosis. These two types of GPCR/14-3-3 interaction patterns correlate with different receptor trafficking patterns. In addition, the bioinformatic analysis predicts that approximately 90% of GPCRs contain at least one putative 14-3-3 binding motif, suggesting GPCR/14-3-3 association could be a general phenomenon. Based on these results and collective evidence, we propose a working model whereby 14-3-3 serves as a sorting factor to regulate receptor trafficking.
Establishment of an RNA polymerase II-driven reverse genetics system for Nipah virus strains from Malaysia and Bangladesh
Authors: Griffin Bryan D. , Leung Anders , Chan Mable , Warner Bryce M. , Ranadheera Charlene , Tierney Kevin , Audet Jonathan , Frost Kathy L. , Safronetz David , Embury-Hyatt Carissa , Booth Stephanie A. , Kobasa Darwyn
Published: August 2019

Nipah virus (NiV) has emerged as a highly lethal zoonotic paramyxovirus that is capable of causing a febrile encephalitis and/or respiratory disease in humans for which no vaccines or licensed treatments are currently available. There are two genetically and geographically distinct lineages of NiV: NiV-Malaysia (NiV-M), the strain that caused the initial outbreak in Malaysia, and NiV-Bangladesh (NiV-B), the strain that has been implicated in subsequent outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. NiV-B appears to be both more lethal and have a greater propensity for person-to-person transmission than NiV-M. Here we describe the generation and characterization of stable RNA polymerase II-driven infectious cDNA clones of NiV-M and NiV-B. In vitro, reverse genetics-derived NiV-M and NiV-B were indistinguishable from a wildtype isolate of NiV-M, and both viruses were pathogenic in the Syrian hamster model of NiV infection. We also describe recombinant NiV-M and NiV-B with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inserted between the G and L genes that enable rapid and sensitive detection of NiV infection in vitro. This panel of molecular clones will enable studies to investigate the virologic determinants of henipavirus pathogenesis, including the pathogenic differences between NiV-M and NiV-B, and the high-throughput screening of candidate therapeutics.
Inhibition of snake venom induced sterile inflammation and PLA2 activity by Titanium dioxide Nanoparticles in experimental animals
Authors: Chakrabartty Shubhro , Alam Md. Iqbal , Bhagat Saumya , Alam Aftab , Dhyani Neha , Khan Gausal A. , Alam M. Sarwar
Published: August 2019

Sterile inflammation (SI) is an essential process in response to snakebite and injury. The venom induced pathophysiological response to sterile inflammation results into many harmful and deleterious effects that ultimately leads to death. The available treatment for snakebite is antiserum which does not provide enough protection against venom-induced pathophysiological changes like haemorrhage, necrosis, nephrotoxicity and often develop hypersensitive reactions. In order to overcome these hindrances, scientists around the globe are searching for an alternative therapy to provide better treatment to the snake envenomation patients. In the present study TiO2(Titanium dioxide)-NPs (Nanoparticles) has been assessed for antisnake venom activity and its potential to be used as an antidote. In this study, the synthesis of TiO2-NPs arrays has been demonstrated on p-type Silicon Si < 100 > substrate (∼30 ohm-cm) and the surface topography has been detected by Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The TiO2-NPs successfully neutralized theDaboia russeliivenom (DRV) andNaja kaouthiavenom (NKV)-induced lethal activity. Viper venom induced haemorrhagic, coagulant and anticoagulant activities were effectively neutralized both inin-vitroandin vivostudies. The cobra and viper venoms-induced sterile inflammatory molecules (IL-6, HMGB1, HSP70, HSP90, S100B and vWF) were effectively neutralised by the TiO2-NPs in experimental animals.
Effects of PM2.5 on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Body Fat Mass of the Elderly in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chi-Hsien , Huang Li-Ying , Lee Kang-Yun , Wu Chih-Da , Chiang Hung-Che , Chen Bing-Yu , Chin Wei-Shan , Pan Shih-Chun , Guo Yue Leon
Published: August 2019

Loss of skeletal muscle mass is common with aging and can cause morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The effects of particulate air pollution on skeletal muscle mass is not known. The study aims to assess the chronic effects of ambient fine particulates (PM2.5) on the body composition of the elderly. From October 2015 to November 2016, a cross-sectional survey on 530 elderly (age > = 65 years) was conducted in the Taipei Basin, Taiwan. The body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 120). One year exposure to air pollution was estimated using the Kriging method at the participant’s residence. Multiple linear regression analysis, after adjustments for demographics and co-pollutants, was used to examine the effects of PM2.5 on body composition indices and force of handgrip. Changes in body composition for an interquartile (1.4 μm/m3) increase in PM2.5 concentration included a 0.4 kg (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.31, −0.58; p < 0.0001) decrease in skeletal muscle mass (2.0%) and a 0.7 kg (95% CI: 0.47, 0.91; p < 0.0001) increase in body fat mass (3.6%). While PM2.5 reduced fat free mass in the upper extremities and trunk, but not in the lower extremities, it increased body fat mass in the three parts. There was no significant effect of PM2.5 on handgrip force. Higher physical activity (versus lower than median) was associated with less detrimental effect of PM2.5 on skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass (p values for interaction term: 0.009 and 0.013, respectively). Long-term PM2.5 exposure is associated with decreased skeletal muscle mass and increased body fat mass in the elderly, which can be ameliorated by physical activity.
Allostatic adaptation and personalized physiological trade-offs in the circadian regulation of the HPA axis: A mathematical modeling approach
Authors: Rao Rohit , Androulakis Ioannis P.
Published: August 2019

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis orchestrates the physiological response to unpredictable acute stressors. Moreover, the HPA axis exhibits prominent circadian activity and synchronizes peripheral circadian clocks to daily environmental cycles, thereby promoting homeostasis. Persistent disruption of homeostatic glucocorticoid circadian rhythmicity due to chronic stress exposure is correlated with the incidence of various pathological conditions including depression, diabetes and cancer. Allostatic habituation of the HPA axis, such that glucocorticoid levels retain homeostatic levels upon chronic exposure to stress, can therefore confer fitness advantages by preventing the sustained dysregulation of glucocorticoid-responsive signaling pathways. However, such allostatic adaptation results in a physiological cost (allostatic load) that might impair the homeostatic stress-responsive and synchronizing functions of the HPA axis. We use mathematical modeling to characterize specific chronic stress-induced allostatic adaptations in the HPA network. We predict the existence of multiple individualized regulatory strategies enabling the maintenance of homeostatic glucocorticoid rhythms, while allowing for flexible HPA response characteristics. We show that this regulatory variability produces a trade-off between the stress-responsive and time-keeping properties of the HPA axis. Finally, allostatic regulatory adaptations are predicted to cause a time-of-day dependent sensitization of the acute stress response and impair the entrainability of the HPA axis.
Hedgehog Interacting Protein (Hhip) Regulates Insulin Secretion in Mice Fed High Fat Diets
Authors: Nchienzia Henry , Liao Min-Chun , Zhao Xin-Ping , Chang Shiao-Ying , Lo Chao-Sheng , Chenier Isabelle , Ingelfinger Julie R. , Chan John S. D. , Zhang Shao-Ling
Published: August 2019

Hedgehog interacting protein (Hhip) is essential for islet formation and beta-cell proliferation during pancreatic development; abnormally elevated Hhip expression has been linked to human pancreatitis. Here, we investigate the role of Hhip in modulating insulin secretion in adult Hhip mice (Hhip +/− vs. Hhip+/+) fed high fat diets (HFD). Both sexes of HFD-Hhip +/+ mice developed impaired glucose intolerance, that was only ameliorated in male HFD-Hhip +/− mice that had high levels of circulating plasma insulin, but not in female HFD-Hhip +/− mice. HFD stimulated Hhip gene expression, mainly in beta cells. Male HFD-Hhip +/+ mice had more large islets in which insulin content was reduced; islet architecture was disordered; and markers of oxidative stress (8-OHdG and Nox 2) were increased. In contrast, male HFD-Hhip +/− mice had more small islets with increased beta cell proliferation, enhanced GSIS, less oxidative stress and preserved islet integrity. In vitro, recombinant Hhip increased Nox2 and NADPH activity and decreased insulin-positive beta cells. siRNA-Hhip increased GSIS and abolished the stimulation of sodium palmitate (PA)-BSA on Nox2 gene expression. We conclude that pancreatic Hhip gene inhibits insulin secretion by altering islet integrity and promoting Nox2 gene expression in beta cells in response to HDF-mediated beta cell dysfunction, a novel finding.
Ultrathin Planar Metasurface-based Acoustic Energy Harvester with Deep Subwavelength Thickness and Mechanical Rigidity
Authors: Jin Meng , Liang Bin , Yang Jing , Yang Jun , Cheng Jian-chun
Published: August 2019

Despite the growing attentions dedicated to the harvesting of acoustic energy that is a clean and renewable yet usually wasted energy source, the long wavelength of airborne sound still poses fundamental limits on the miniaturization of harvester devices and hinders practical applications. Here we present an ultrathin and planar acoustic energy harvester with rigidity. We propose a distinctive metasurface-based mechanism that reduces the effective wavelength to produce extraordinarily strong local energy within deep-subwavelength dimension and enable high-efficiently harvesting energy of incident airborne sound with considerably long wavelength. Our design idea is implemented by a foldy-structured metasurface capable of confining low-frequency energy within narrow channel at resonance, with a piezoelectric plate judiciously placed to converse acoustic to electric energy. The resulting device is downscaled to as thin as λ/63 while keeping flat shape and mechanical rigidity. We analytically derive the effective acoustical parameter of the unit cell, and verify the theoretical predictions via numerical simulations which shows the generation of the maximum output power at the prescribed working frequency. Our design with compactness and rigidity makes an important step towards the miniaturization and integration of acoustic energy harvesters and may have far-reaching implication in diverse applications ranging from microelectronic device design to wireless and self-powered active sensing.
The Heider balance and the looking-glass self: modelling dynamics of social relations
Authors: Krawczyk Małgorzata J. , Wołoszyn Maciej , Gronek Piotr , Kułakowski Krzysztof , Mucha Janusz
Published: August 2019

We consider the dynamics of interpersonal relations which leads to balanced states in a fully connected network. Here this approach is applied to directed networks with asymmetric relations, and it is generalized to include self-evaluation of actors, according to the ‘looking-glass self’ theory. A new index of self-acceptance is proposed: the relation of an actor to him/herself is positive, if the majority of his/her positive relations to others are reciprocated. Sets of stable configurations of relations are obtained under the dynamics, where the self-evaluation of some actors is negative. Within each set all configurations have the same structure.
Human thioredoxin, a damage-associated molecular pattern and Malassezia-crossreactive autoallergen, modulates immune responses via the C-type lectin receptors Dectin-1 and Dectin-2
Authors: Roesner L. M. , Ernst M. , Chen W. , Begemann G. , Kienlin P. , Raulf M. K. , Lepenies B. , Werfel T.
Published: August 2019

Human thioredoxin (hTrx), which can be secreted from cells upon stress, functions in allergic skin inflammation as a T cell antigen due to homology and cross-reactivity with the fungal allergen Mala s13 of the skin-colonizing yeast Malassezia sympodialis. Recent studies have shown that cell wall polysaccharides of Malassezia are detected by the immune system via the C-type lectin receptors Dectin-1 and Dectin-2, which are expressed on myeloid cells. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate a putative interaction between Dectin-1, Dectin-2 and the allergens Mala s13 and hTrx. Stimulation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells or macrophages with Mala s13 or hTrx resulted in remarkable secretion of IL-1β and IL-23. Blocking experiments suggest that hTrx induces IL-23 by Dectin-1 binding and IL-1β by binding to either Dectin-1 or Dectin-2. Regarding Mala s13, Dectin-1 appears to be involved in IL-1β signaling. Interference of Syk kinase function was performed to investigate downstream signaling, which led to diminished hTrx responses. In our experiments, we observed rapid internalization of Mala s13 and hTrx upon cell contact and we were able to confirm direct interaction with Dectin-1 as well as Dectin-2 applying a fusion protein screening platform. We hypothesize that this cytokine response may result in a Th2/Th17-polarizing milieu, which may play a key role during the allergic sensitization in the skin, where allergen presentation to T cells is accompanied by microbial colonization and skin inflammation.
CIRDES: an efficient genome-wide method for in vivo RNA–RNA interactome analysis
Authors: Li Yao-Ting , Zhou Nan , Deng Wei-Xi , Zeng Xue-Zhen , Wang Xiao-Juan , Peng Jing-Wen , Yang Bing , Wang Yan-Jie , Liao Jian-You , Yin Dong
Published: August 2019

Complex RNA–RNA interactions underlie fundamental biological processes.
Fluorescent fibrous mats assembled with self-propagating probes for visual sensing of hydrogen peroxide and choline
Authors: Zhao Long , Zhang Zhanlin , Chen Maohua , Liu Yuan , Wang Tao , Li Xiaohong
Published: August 2019

Challenges remain in the facile, rapid and sensitive detection of substances at ultralow levels.
Facile synthesis of metal–organic framework-derived SiW12@Co3O4and its peroxidase-like activity in colorimetric assay
Authors: Shi Wei , E Shuang , Wang Meng-Meng , Li Tian-Ze , Yang Ting , Liu Shao-Rong , Chen Ming-Li , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: August 2019

Metal–organic frameworks-derived SiW12@Co3O4with a highly inherent peroxidase-like activity and excellent stability was synthesized. A SiW12@Co3O4-based method was successfully developed for H2O2and one-pot glucose detection.
A quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer for dry microparticle analysis
Authors: Özdemir Abdil , Lin Jung-Lee , Gülfen Mustafa , Hsiao Chun-Jen , Chen Chung-Hsuan
Published: August 2019

In this work, we report a new design of a charge detection quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QIT-MS) for the analysis of micro-sized dry inorganic and bioparticles including red blood cells (RBCs) and different sizes of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Sustainable fabrication of green luminescent sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots for rapid visual detection of hemoglobin
Authors: Tran Hai Linh , Doong Ruey-an
Published: August 2019

The sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots (S-GQDs) with stable green fluorescence were successfully synthesized in the presence of glucose and mercaptosuccinic acid for rapid and sensitive detection of hemoglobin (Hb).
Photoswitchable peptides for spatiotemporal control of biological functions
Authors: Albert Lea , Vázquez Olalla
Published: August 2019

Bioactive photoswitchable peptides as excellent optochemical tools for cellular processes.
Cu-Catalyzed cyanoalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes with unactivated alkyl bromides
Authors: Wang Chao , Shang Qinyu , Qi Rupeng , Chai Hongli , Wang Hongying , Guo Mengzhun , Xu Zhaoqing
Published: August 2019

We here report the photoinduced Cu-catalyzed cyanoalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes by using alkyl bromides as alkylation reagents.
Formation of a thin and continuous MOF membrane with 2-D MOF nanosheets as seeds via layer-by-layer growth
Authors: Ma Yingnan , Dong Zhaopeng , You Meng , Zhang Yufeng , Feng Xianshe , Ma Xiaohua , Meng Jianqiang
Published: August 2019

A thin MOF film on a polymer support with 2-D MOF nanosheets as seeds via layer-by-layer seeding growth shows excellent gas molecular sieving performance.
Highly sensitive and selective mercury sensor based on mismatched base pairing with dioxT
Authors: Han Ji Hoon , Hirashima Shingo , Park Soyoung , Sugiyama Hiroshi
Published: August 2019

A highly selective and sensitive sensor for mercury was designed based on a new fluorescent nucleobase, dioxT.
Crystallographic characterization of ethylammonium salts of tetracyanopyridine (TCPy) and fluorescence determination of the degree of substitution of the amino nitrogen atom thereof
Authors: Ershov Oleg V. , Chunikhin Sergey S. , Ievlev Mikhail Yu. , Belikov Mikhail Yu. , Tafeenko Viktor A.
Published: August 2019

Luminescence determination of the substitution degree of the amino nitrogen atom using ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and tetraethylammonium has been shown.
Location controlled symmetry reduction: paradigm of an open metalloporphyrin framework based on the tetracarboxy porphyrin linker
Authors: Tripuramallu Bharat Kumar , Titi Hatem M. , Goswami Soumyabrata , Phukan Nithi
Published: August 2019

The change in position of coordinating groups on symmetrical tetracarboxy porphyrin leads to novel class of reduced symmetry linker, which lay down pathway to obtain versatile coordination architectures to trap geometrically variant guest molecules.
High thermoelectric performance of Ag doped SnTe polycrystalline bulks via the synergistic manipulation of electrical and thermal transport
Authors: Zhao Lanling , Wang Jun , Li Jichao , Liu Jian , Wang Chunlei , Wang Jiyang , Wang Xiaolin
Published: August 2019

Ag substitution could effectively modify the electronic structures and thermoelectric performance for SnTe compounds especially at high temperatures.
Highly conformal deposition of ultrathin cobalt acetate on a bismuth vanadate nanostructure for solar water splitting
Authors: Vo Truong-Giang , Liu Hsin-Man , Chiang Chia-Ying
Published: August 2019

In this work, the effect of photochemically modifying nanoporous bismuth vanadate in Co2+ solution in acetate buffer (abbreviated as Co–Ac) on water oxidation was thoroughly studied.
Pb10O4(BO3)3I3: a new noncentrosymmetric oxyborate iodide synthesized by the straightforward hydrothermal method
Authors: Zhou Jinjie , Wu Hongping , Yu Hongwei , Hu Zhanggui , Wu Yicheng
Published: August 2019

A new first reported oxyborate iodide Pb10O4(BO3)3I3has been synthesized by a straightforward hydrothermal method.
Biochar particle aggregation in soil pore water: the influence of ionic strength and interactions with pyrene
Authors: Castan Stephanie , Sigmund Gabriel , Hüffer Thorsten , Hofmann Thilo
Published: August 2019

Adsorption of pyrene to biochar surfaces in a solution with low CaCl2 concentrations results in charge neutralization and promotes biochar aggregation.
High-flux nanofiltration membranes tailored by bio-inspired co-deposition of hydrophilic g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced selectivity towards organics and salts
Authors: Ye Wenyuan , Liu Hongwei , Lin Fang , Lin Jiuyang , Zhao Shuaifei , Yang Shishi , Hou Jingwei , Zhou Shungui , Van der Bruggen Bart
Published: August 2019

NF membranes functionalized through bio-deposition of g-C3N4 nanosheets have enhanced water permeability, dye retention and salt transmission, showing great potential for sustainable treatment of highly saline textile wastewater.
Nickel-catalyzed intelligent reductive transformation of the aldehyde group using hydrogen
Authors: Tong Xinli , Guo Pengfei , Liao Shengyun , Xue Song , Zhang Haigang
Published: August 2019

A highly efficient and catalytic valorization of lignin-derived aldehydes to produce value-added chemicals has been developed using a Ni-based catalyst under H2 atmosphere.
Electrochemical oxidative cyclization of activated alkynes with diselenides or disulfides: access to functionalized coumarins or quinolinones
Authors: Hua Jiawei , Fang Zheng , Xu Jia , Bian Mixue , Liu ChengKou , He Wei , Zhu Ning , Yang Zhao , Guo Kai
Published: August 2019

A direct electrochemical oxidative cyclization of activated alkynes with diselenides or disulfides toward functionalized coumarins and quinolinones has been developed.
Mass-producible microporous silicon membranes for specific leukocyte subset isolation, immunophenotyping, and personalized immunomodulatory drug screening in vitro
Authors: Stephens Andrew , Nidetz Robert , Mesyngier Nicolas , Chung Meng Ting , Song Yujing , Fu Jianping , Kurabayashi Katsuo
Published: August 2019

Si micromachining processes were used to create a mass-producible immunophenotyping microfluidic device which can isolate and stimulate specific leukocyte populations, enabling measurement of secreted cytokines on-chip via a no-wash immunoassay.
A one-stop microfluidic-based lung cancer organoid culture platform for testing drug sensitivity
Authors: Jung Da Jung , Shin Tae Hoon , Kim Minsuh , Sung Chang Ohk , Jang Se Jin , Jeong Gi Seok
Published: August 2019

Microfluidic devices as translational research tools offers opportunities to aid in reliable medical decision making and to develop customized patient care through predictive modeling of drug sensitivity in patient-derived cancer organoids.
Biodegradable microcontainers – towards real life applications of microfabricated systems for oral drug delivery
Authors: Abid Zarmeena , Strindberg Sophie , Javed Madeeha M. , Mazzoni Chiara , Vaut Lukas , Nielsen Line Hagner , Gundlach Carsten , Petersen Ritika Singh , Müllertz Anette , Boisen Anja , Keller Stephan S.
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate the first complete study on fabrication of biodegradable microcontainers including their evaluation in vitro and in vivo.
Multiplexed electrochemical and SERS dual-mode detection of stroke biomarkers: rapid screening with high sensitivity
Authors: Sun Jingyi , Zhao Yi , Hou Yajun , Li Hanxia , Yang Mingfeng , Wang Ying , Sun Baoliang
Published: August 2019

In this work, a real-time assay for a highly sensitive, label-free, multiplexed electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) detection of stroke biomarkers by neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100-β protein was developed using lateral flow devices.
Band-gap tunable thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline derivatives as non-fullerene acceptors in organic photovoltaic cells processed from low toxic ethanol/anisole mixtures
Authors: Costa Cristiana , Farinhas Joana , Velho Mariana F. G. , Avó João , Matos Manuel , Galvão Adelino M. , Charas Ana
Published: August 2019

New non-fullerene acceptors were combined with a new polythiophene donor and processed from solvent mixtures of low toxicity in organic photovoltaic cells.
Self-assembly of collagen bundles and enhanced piezoelectricity induced by chemical crosslinking
Authors: Nair Malavika , Calahorra Yonatan , Kar-Narayan Sohini , Best Serena M. , Cameron Ruth E.
Published: August 2019

The choice of crosslinking is shown to enhance the piezoelectric response of a collagen construct. In particular, EDC-NHS crosslinking induces the self-assembly of collagen bundles which present a localised piezoelectric response.
Strong-field nonlinear optical properties of monolayer black phosphorus
Authors: Chen Zi-Yu , Qin Rui
Published: August 2019

First-principles studies demonstrate two-dimensional black phosphorus exhibiting remarkable strong-field extreme nonlinear optical properties.
A mechanism exploration of stereodivergent coupling of aldehydes and alkynes catalyzed synergistically by rhodium and amine
Authors: Wei Hao-Ran , Xing Yang-Yang , Liu Jian-Biao , Wang Wen-Juan , Huang Fang , Sun Chuan-Zhi , Chen De-Zhan
Published: August 2019

The stereodivergent coupling of alkynes and aldehydes with a synergistic catalyst approach using rhodium and amine.
Electrocatalytic oxidation of water by the immobilized [CuII(l-ala)(Phen)(H2O)]+complex on a self-assembled NCS−modified gold electrode
Authors: Mahanta Abhinandan , Barman Koushik , Jasimuddin Sk
Published: August 2019

Copper(ii) complex [CuII(l-ala)(Phen)(H2O)]+(l-ala =l-phenylalanine, phen = phenanthroline) was immobilized over a self-assembled NCS−modified gold electrode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of water.