bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual attention modulates the asymmetric influence of each cerebral hemisphere on spatial perception
Authors: Wang Meijian , Wang Xiuhai , Xue Lingyan , Huang Dan , Chen Yao
Published: January 2016

Although the allocation of brain functions across the two cerebral hemispheres has aroused public interest over the past century, asymmetric interhemispheric cooperation under attentional modulation has been scarcely investigated. An example of interhemispheric cooperation is visual spatial perception. During this process, visual information from each hemisphere is integrated because each half of the visual field predominantly projects to the contralateral visual cortex. Both egocentric and allocentric coordinates can be employed for visual spatial representation, but they activate different areas in primate cerebral hemispheres. Recent studies have determined that egocentric representation affects the reaction time of allocentric perception; furthermore, this influence is asymmetric between the two visual hemifields. The egocentric-allocentric incompatibility effect and its asymmetry between the two hemispheres can produce this phenomenon. Using an allocentric position judgment task, we found that this incompatibility effect was reduced and its asymmetry was eliminated on an attentional task rather than a neutral task. Visual attention might activate cortical areas that process conflicting information, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and balance the asymmetry between the two hemispheres. Attention may enhance and balance this interhemispheric cooperation because this imbalance may also be caused by the asymmetric cooperation of each hemisphere in spatial perception.
Endothelial cell dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy in the STOX1 model of preeclampsia
Authors: Ducat Aurélien , Doridot Ludivine , Calicchio Rosamaria , Méhats Celine , Vilotte Jean-Luc , Castille Johann , Barbaux Sandrine , Couderc Betty , Jacques Sébastien , Letourneur Franck , Buffat Christophe , Le Grand Fabien , Laissue Paul , Miralles Francisco , Vaiman Daniel
Published: January 2016

Preeclampsia is a disease of pregnancy involving systemic endothelial dysfunction. However, cardiovascular consequences of preeclampsia are difficult to analyze in humans. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the cardiovascular dysfunction induced by preeclampsia by examining the endothelium of mice suffering of severe preeclampsia induced by STOX1 overexpression. Using Next Generation Sequencing on endothelial cells of mice carrying either transgenic or control embryos, we discovered significant alterations of gene networks involved in inflammation, cell cycle and cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, the heart of the preeclamptic mice revealed cardiac hypertrophy associated with histological anomalies. Bioinformatics comparison of the networks of modified genes in the endothelial cells of the preeclamptic mice and HUVECs exposed to plasma from preeclamptic women identified striking similarities. The cardiovascular alterations in the pregnant mice are comparable to those endured by the cardiovascular system of preeclamptic women. The STOX1 mice could help to better understand the endothelial dysfunction in the context of preeclampsia and guide the search for efficient therapies able to protect the maternal endothelium during the disease and its aftermath.
Larval cases of caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) affinity in Early Permian marine environments of Gondwana
Authors: Mouro Lucas D. , Zatoń Michał , Fernandes Antonio C.S. , Waichel Breno L.
Published: January 2016

Caddisflies (Trichoptera) are small, cosmopolitan insects closely related to the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Most caddisflies construct protective cases during their larval development. Although the earliest recognisable caddisflies date back to the early Mesozoic (Early and Middle Triassic), being particularly numerous and diverse during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, the first records of their larval case constructions are known exclusively from much younger, Early to Middle Jurassic non-marine deposits in the northern hemisphere. Here we present fossils from the Early Permian (Asselian–Sakmarian) marine deposits of Brazil which have strong morphological and compositional similarity to larval cases of caddisflies. If they are, which is very probable, these finds not only push back the fossil record of true caddisflies, but also indicate that their larvae constructed cases at the very beginning of their evolution in marine environments. Since modern caddisflies that construct larval cases in marine environments are only known from eastern Australia and New Zealand, we suggest that this marine ecology may have first evolved in western Gondwana during the Early Permian and later spread across southern Pangea.
The parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator, ES-62 and its drug-like small molecule analogues exhibit therapeutic potential in a model of chronic asthma
Authors: Coltherd J. C. , Rodgers D. T. , Lawrie R. E. , Al-Riyami L. , Suckling C. J. , Harnett W. , Harnett M. M.
Published: January 2016

Chronic asthma is associated with persistent lung inflammation and long-term remodelling of the airways that have proved refractory to conventional treatments such as steroids, despite their efficacy in controlling acute airway contraction and bronchial inflammation. As its recent dramatic increase in industrialised countries has not been mirrored in developing regions, it has been suggested that helminth infection may protect humans against developing asthma. Consistent with this, ES-62, an immunomodulator secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae, can prevent pathology associated with chronic asthma (cellular infiltration of the lungs, particularly neutrophils and mast cells, mucus hyper-production and airway thickening) in an experimental mouse model. Importantly, ES-62 can act even after airway remodelling has been established, arresting pathogenesis and ameliorating the inflammatory flares resulting from repeated exposure to allergen that are a debilitating feature of severe chronic asthma. Moreover, two chemical analogues of ES-62, 11a and 12b mimic its therapeutic actions in restoring levels of regulatory B cells and suppressing neutrophil and mast cell responses. These studies therefore provide a platform for developing ES-62-based drugs, with compounds 11a and 12b representing the first step in the development of a novel class of drugs to combat the hitherto intractable disorder of chronic asthma.
DNA supercoiling, a critical signal regulating the basal expression of the lac operon in Escherichia coli
Authors: Fulcrand Geraldine , Dages Samantha , Zhi Xiaoduo , Chapagain Prem , Gerstman Bernard S. , Dunlap David , Leng Fenfei
Published: January 2016

Escherichia coli lacrepressor (LacI) is a paradigmatic transcriptional factor that controls the expression oflacZYAin thelacoperon. This tetrameric protein specifically binds to theO1,O2andO3operators of thelacoperon and forms a DNA loop to repress transcription from the adjacentlacpromoter. In this article, we demonstrate that upon binding to theO1andO2operators at their native positions LacI constrains three (−) supercoils within the 401-bp DNA loop of thelacpromoter and forms a topological barrier. The stability of LacI-mediated DNA topological barriers is directly proportional to its DNA binding affinity. However, we find that DNA supercoiling modulates the basal expression from thelacoperon inE. coli. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that LacI functions as a topological barrier to constrain free, unconstrained (−) supercoils within the 401-bp DNA loop of thelacpromoter. These constrained (−) supercoils enhance LacI’s DNA-binding affinity and thereby the repression of the promoter. Thus, LacI binding is superhelically modulated to control the expression oflacZYAin thelac operonunder varying growth conditions.
Modular structure of brain functional networks: breaking the resolution limit by Surprise
Authors: Nicolini Carlo , Bifone Angelo
Published: January 2016

The modular organization of brain networks has been widely investigated using graph theoretical approaches. Recently, it has been demonstrated that graph partitioning methods based on the maximization of global fitness functions, like Newman’s Modularity, suffer from a resolution limit, as they fail to detect modules that are smaller than a scale determined by the size of the entire network. Here we explore the effects of this limitation on the study of brain connectivity networks. We demonstrate that the resolution limit prevents detection of important details of the brain modular structure, thus hampering the ability to appreciate differences between networks and to assess the topological roles of nodes. We show that Surprise, a recently proposed fitness function based on probability theory, does not suffer from these limitations. Surprise maximization in brain co-activation and functional connectivity resting state networks reveals the presence of a rich structure of heterogeneously distributed modules and differences in networks’ partitions that are undetectable by resolution-limited methods. Moreover, Surprise leads to a more accurate identification of the network’s connector hubs, the elements that integrate the brain modules into a cohesive structure.
Experimental Model for Successful Liver Cell Therapy by Lenti TTR-YapERT2 Transduced Hepatocytes with Tamoxifen Control of Yap Subcellular Location
Authors: Yovchev Mladen , Jaber Fadi L. , Lu Zhonglei , Patel Shachi , Locker Joseph , Rogler Leslie E. , Murray John W. , Sudol Marius , Dabeva Mariana D. , Zhu Liang , Shafritz David A.
Published: January 2016

Liver repopulation by transplanted hepatocytes has not been achieved previously in a normal liver microenvironment. Here we report that adult rat hepatocytes transduced ex vivo with a lentivirus expressing a human YapERT2 fusion protein (hYapERT2) under control of the hepatocyte-specific transthyretin (TTR) promoter repopulate normal rat liver in a tamoxifen-dependent manner. Transplanted hepatocytes expand very slowly but progressively to produce 10% repopulation at 6 months, showing clusters of mature hepatocytes that are fully integrated into hepatic parenchyma, with no evidence for dedifferentiation, dysplasia or malignant transformation. Thus, we have developed the first vector designed to regulate the growth control properties of Yap that renders it capable of producing effective cell therapy. The level of liver repopulation achieved has significant translational implications, as it is 2-3x the level required to cure many monogenic disorders of liver function that have no underlying hepatic pathology and is potentially applicable to diseases of other tissues and organs.
Accurate quantification of creatinine in serum by coupling a measurement standard to extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Keke , Li Ming , Li Hongmei , Li Mengwan , Jiang You , Fang Xiang
Published: January 2016

Ambient ionization (AI) techniques have been widely used in chemistry, medicine, material science, environmental science, forensic science. AI takes advantage of direct desorption/ionization of chemicals in raw samples under ambient environmental conditions with minimal or no sample preparation. However, its quantitative accuracy is restricted by matrix effects during the ionization process. To improve the quantitative accuracy of AI, a matrix reference material, which is a particular form of measurement standard, was coupled to an AI technique in this study. Consequently the analyte concentration in a complex matrix can be easily quantified with high accuracy. As a demonstration, this novel method was applied for the accurate quantification of creatinine in serum by using extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) mass spectrometry. Over the concentration range investigated (0.166 ~ 1.617 μg/mL), a calibration curve was obtained with a satisfactory linearity (R2 = 0.994) and acceptable relative standard deviations (RSD) of 4.6 ~ 8.0% (n = 6). Finally, the creatinine concentration value of a serum sample was determined to be 36.18 ± 1.08 μg/mL, which is in excellent agreement with the certified value of 35.16 ± 0.39 μg/mL.
One-Minute Room-Temperature Transfer-Free Production of Mono- and Few-Layer Polycrystalline Graphene on Various Substrates
Authors: Jiang Shenglin , Zeng Yike , Zhou Wenli , Miao Xiangshui , Yu Yan
Published: January 2016

Graphene deposited on various substrates has attracted the attention of the scientific and technical communities for use in a wide range of applications. Graphene on substrates is commonly produced by two types of methods, namely, methods that require a transfer step and transfer-free methods. Compared with methods that require a transfer step, transfer-free methods have a simpler procedure and a lower cost. Thus, transfer-free methods have considerable potential to meet the industrial and commercial demands of production methods. However, some limitations of the current transfer-free methods must be overcome, such as the high temperatures encountered during production, the relatively long manufacturing times, incompatibilities for both rigid and flexible substrates and an inability to extend the process to other two-dimensional (2-D) atomic crystals. In this work, a room-temperature rubbing method is developed for the rapid transfer-free production of defect-free polycrystalline graphene on rigid and flexible substrates. Starting with inexpensive commercially obtained graphite powder, mono- and few-layer graphene can be fabricated directly on various substrates, with an average production time of less than one minute (from raw graphite to graphene on the substrate). Importantly, this method can be extended to other 2-D atomic crystals.
Joint Effects of Intraocular Pressure and Myopia on Risk of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study
Authors: Tham Yih-Chung , Aung Tin , Fan Qiao , Saw Seang-Mei , Siantar Rosalynn Grace , Wong Tien Y. , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: January 2016

We examined the joint effects of intraocular pressure (IOP) and myopia on the risk of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a multi-ethnic Asian population. A total of 9,422 participants (18,469 eyes) in the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study were included. Of them, 213 subjects (273 eyes) had POAG. All participants underwent standardised examinations. The independent and joint effects of IOP and myopia on POAG were examined using logistic regression models. Generalised estimating equation models were used to account for correlation between eyes. Higher IOP, longer axial length and more negative spherical equivalent were independently associated with POAG, after adjusting for relevant covariates (all P ≤ 0.005). Significant interaction between IOP and myopia on POAG was observed (P interaction = 0.025). Eyes with moderate-to-high myopia (<−3.0 dioptres) with high IOP (≥20 mmHg) were 4.27 times (95% CI, 2.10–8.69) likely to have POAG, compared to eyes without myopia (>−0.5 dioptres) and with IOP <20 mmHg. Eyes with AL of ≥25.5 mm and high IOP (≥20 mmHg) were 16.22 times (95% CI, 7.73 to 34.03) likely to have POAG, compared to eyes with shorter AL (<23.5 mm) and lower IOP (<20 mmHg). These findings may provide additional insights into the pathophysiology of POAG and are particularly relevant for Asian populations.
Hyperuniform disordered terahertz quantum cascade laser
Authors: Degl’Innocenti R. , Shah Y. D. , Masini L. , Ronzani A. , Pitanti A. , Ren Y. , Jessop D. S. , Tredicucci A. , Beere H. E. , Ritchie D. A.
Published: January 2016

Laser cavities have been realized in various different photonic systems. One of the forefront research fields regards the investigation of the physics of amplifying random optical media. The random laser is a fascinating concept because, further to the fundamental research investigating light transport into complex media, it allows us to obtain non-conventional spectral distribution and angular beam emission patterns not achievable with conventional approaches. Even more intriguing is the possibility to engineera priorithe optical properties of a disordered distribution in an amplifying medium. We demonstrate here the realization of a terahertz quantum cascade laser in an isotropic hyperuniform disordered distribution exhibiting unique features, such as the presence of a photonic band gap, low threshold current density, unconventional angular emission and optical bistability.
Novel Methods of Determining Urinary Calculi Composition: Petrographic Thin Sectioning of Calculi and Nanoscale Flow Cytometry Urinalysis
Authors: Gavin Carson T , Ali Sohrab N , Tailly Thomas , Olvera-Posada Daniel , Alenezi Husain , Power Nicholas E , Hou Jinqiang , St. Amant Andre H , Luyt Leonard G , Wood Stephen , Wu Charles , Razvi Hassan , Leong Hon S
Published: January 2016

Accurate determination of urinary stone composition has significant bearing on understanding pathophysiology, choosing treatment modalities and preventing recurrence. A need exists for improved methods to determine stone composition. Urine of 31 patients with known renal calculi was examined with nanoscale flow cytometry and the calculi collected during surgery subsequently underwent petrographic thin sectioning with polarized and fluorescent microscopy. Fluorescently labeled bisphosphonate probes (Alendronate-fluorescein/Alendronate-Cy5) were developed for nanoscale flow cytometry to enumerate nanocrystals that bound the fluorescent probes. Petrographic sections of stones were also imaged by fluorescent and polarized light microscopy with composition analysis correlated to alendronate +ve nanocrystal counts in corresponding urine samples. Urine samples from patients with Ca2+ and Mg2+ based calculi exhibited the highest alendronate +ve nanocrystal counts, ranging from 100–1000 nm in diameter. This novel urine based assay was in agreement with composition determined by petrographic thin sections with Alendronate probes. In some cases, high alendronate +ve nanocrystal counts indicated a Ca2+ or Mg2+ composition, as confirmed by petrographic analysis, overturning initial spectrophotometric diagnosis of stone composition. The combination of nanoscale flow cytometry and petrographic thin sections offer an alternative means for determining stone composition. Nanoscale flow cytometry of alendronate +ve nanocrystals alone may provide a high-throughput means of evaluating stone burden.
Functionalized mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds for enhanced bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Zhang Xingdi , Zeng Deliang , Li Nan , Wen Jin , Jiang Xinquan , Liu Changsheng , Li Yongsheng
Published: January 2016

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), which possesses excellent bioactivity, biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, has played an important role in bone tissue regeneration. However, it is difficult to prepare MBG scaffolds with high compressive strength for applications in bone regeneration; this difficulty has greatly hindered its development and use. To solve this problem, a simple powder processing technique has been successfully developed to fabricate a novel type of MBG scaffold (MBGS). Furthermore, amino or carboxylic groups could be successfully grafted onto MBGSs (denoted as N-MBGS and C-MBGS, respectively) through a post-grafting process. It was revealed that both MBGS and the functionalized MBGSs could significantly promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bMSCs. Due to its positively charged surface, N-MBGS presented the highest in vitro osteogenic capability of the three samples. Moreover, in vivo testing results demonstrated that N-MBGS could promote higher levels of bone regeneration compared with MBGS and C-MBGS. In addition to its surface characteristics, it is believed that the decreased degradation rate of N-MBGS plays a vital role in promoting bone regeneration. These findings indicate that MBGSs are promising materials with potential practical applications in bone regeneration, which can be successfully fabricated by combining a powder processing technique and post-grafting process.
Attentional biases to faces expressing disgust in children with autism spectrum disorders: an exploratory study
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhang Peng , Fu Li , Maes Joseph H. R.
Published: January 2016

Previous studies on attentional bias towards emotional faces in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) provided mixed results. This might be due to differences in the examined attentional bias components and emotional expressions. This study assessed three bias components, hypervigilance, disengagement and avoidance, using faces with a disgust, happy, or neutral expression in a dot-probe and external cuing task in 18 children with ASD and 21 typically developing (TD) children. The children with ASD initially displayed hypervigilance towards the disgust faces, followed by a general tendency to avoid looking back at the spatial location at which any face, irrespective of its emotional expression, had been presented. These results highlight the importance of differentiating between attentional bias components in research on ASD.
Identification of a novel family of carbohydrate-binding modules with broad ligand specificity
Authors: Duan Cheng-Jie , Feng Yu-Liang , Cao Qi-Long , Huang Ming-Yue , Feng Jia-Xun
Published: January 2016

Most enzymes that act on carbohydrates include non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) that recognize and target carbohydrates. CBMs bring their appended catalytic modules into close proximity with the target substrate and increase the hydrolytic rate of enzymes acting on insoluble substrates. We previously identified a novel CBM (CBMC5614-1) at the C-terminus of endoglucanase C5614-1 from an uncultured microorganism present in buffalo rumen. In the present study, that the functional region of CBMC5614-1 involved in ligand binding was localized to 134 amino acids. Two representative homologs of CBMC5614-1, sharing the same ligand binding profile, targeted a range of β-linked polysaccharides that adopt very different conformations. Targeted substrates included soluble and insoluble cellulose, β-1,3/1,4-mixed linked glucans, xylan and mannan. Mutagenesis revealed that three conserved aromatic residues (Trp-380, Tyr-411 and Trp-423) play an important role in ligand recognition and targeting. These results suggest that CBMC5614-1 and its homologs form a novel CBM family (CBM72) with a broad ligand-binding specificity. CBM72 members can provide new insight into CBM-ligand interactions and may have potential in protein engineering and biocatalysis.
Establishment of a novel in vitro model of stratified epithelial wound healing with barrier function
Authors: Gonzalez-Andrades Miguel , Alonso-Pastor Luis , Mauris Jérôme , Cruzat Andrea , Dohlman Claes H. , Argüeso Pablo
Published: January 2016

The repair of wounds through collective movement of epithelial cells is a fundamental process in multicellular organisms. In stratified epithelia such as the cornea and skin, healing occurs in three steps that include a latent, migratory and reconstruction phases. Several simple and inexpensive assays have been developed to study the biology of cell migration in vitro. However, these assays are mostly based on monolayer systems that fail to reproduce the differentiation processes associated to multilayered systems. Here, we describe a straightforward in vitro wound assay to evaluate the healing and restoration of barrier function in stratified human corneal epithelial cells. In this assay, circular punch injuries lead to the collective migration of the epithelium as coherent sheets. The closure of the wound was associated with the restoration of the transcellular barrier and the re-establishment of apical intercellular junctions. Altogether, this new model of wound healing provides an important research tool to study the mechanisms leading to barrier function in stratified epithelia and may facilitate the development of future therapeutic applications.
DL-3-n-butylphthalide delays the onset and progression of diabetic cataract by inhibiting oxidative stress in rat diabetic model
Authors: Wang Fuxu , Ma Jia , Han Fei , Guo Xiujin , Meng Li , Sun Yufeng , Jin Cheng , Duan Huijun , Li Hang , Peng Ying
Published: January 2016

DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a therapeutic drug used for ischemic stroke treatment. Here, we investigated the impact of NBP on the development of rat diabetic cataract induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). NBP was then administrated by oral gavage for nine weeks. Cataract development was monitored through ophthalmoscope inspections. The levels of blood glucose and serum reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-Hydroxydeovexyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured. Total and soluble protein and oxidative stress parameters, such as 2, 4- dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNP), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and MDA in the lenses were determined by Western blot and thiobarbituric acid analyses. The expressions of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream antioxidant enzymes, thioredoxin (TRX), Catalase and nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. We showed that NBP treatment significantly improved the cataract scores, the levels of DNP, 4-HNE and MDA in the lens compared to the non-treated groups. NBP also enhanced the expressions of Nrf2, TRX and catalase in the lens of diabetic rats. In addition, NBP treatment also decreased levels of blood glucose, serum MDA and 8-OHdG. These results suggested that NBP treatment significantly delayed the onset and progression of diabetic cataract by inhibiting the oxidative stresses.
Endothelial Cords Promote Tumor Initial Growth prior to Vascular Function through a Paracrine Mechanism
Authors: Zhao Chengjian , Zhang Wei , Zhao Yuwei , Yang Yun , Luo Hui , Ji Gaili , Dong E , Deng Hongxing , Lin Shuo , Wei Yuquan , Yang Hanshuo
Published: January 2016

The angiogenic switch is an important oncogenic step that determines whether microtumors remain dormant or progresses further. It has been generally perceived that the primary function of this tumorgenic event is to supply oxygen and nutrients through blood circulation. Using in vivo imaging of zebrafish and mouse tumor models, we showed that endothelial cords aggressively penetrated into microtumors and remained non-circulatory for several days before undergoing vascular blood perfusion. Unexpectedly, we found that initial tumor growth in both models was significantly reduced if endothelial cords were removed by blocking VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling or using a vascular deficient zebrafish mutant. It was further shown that soluble factors including IL-8, secreted by endothelial cells (ECs) were responsible for stimulating tumor cells proliferation. These findings establish that tumor angiogenesis play a much earlier and broader role in promoting tumor growth, which is independent of vascular circulation. Understanding this novel mechanism of angiogenic tumor progression offers new entry points for cancer therapeutics.
DNA co-methylation modules in postmortem prefrontal cortex tissues of European Australians with alcohol use disorders
Authors: Wang Fan , Xu Hongqin , Zhao Hongyu , Gelernter Joel , Zhang Huiping
Published: January 2016

DNA methylome alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may contribute to risk for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). We examined postmortem PFC DNA methylomes of 16 male and seven female pairs of AUD and control subjects using Illumina’s HumanMethylation450 BeadChip assays. In male AUD subjects, 1,812 CpGs (1,099 genes) were differentially methylated (9.5 × 10−9 ≤ Pnominal ≤ 7.2 × 10−4, q < 0.05). In females, no CpGs were associated with AUDs after multiple testing correction (q > 0.05). Twenty-one AUD-associated co-methylation modules were identified in males by co-methylation analysis. The 1,812 CpGs were over-presented by two AUD-associated co-methylation modules (Mturquoise: 1,048 CpGs/683 genes; Mblue: 429 CpGs/304 genes) (Phyper ≤ 0.001). Biological processes enriched for genes in these two modules included neural development and transcriptional regulation. Genes mapped by CpGs in these two modules were enriched in genome-wide association study-identified genes with variants associated with four substance dependence phenotypes or five psychiatric disorders. Additionally, 106 of the 1,812 CpGs were mapped to 93 genes (e.g., AUD-associated genes GRIK3, GRIN2C and GABRA1) with differential expression in postmortem PFC of male AUD subjects. Our study demonstrates that DNA methylation alterations in the PFC are associated with (and might result in) increased risk of AUDs and there was a complex DNA methylation-gene expression relationship.
Ruthenium(II) Complexes with 2-Phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline Derivatives that Strongly Combat Cisplatin-Resistant Tumor Cells
Authors: Zeng Leli , Chen Yu , Liu Jiangping , Huang Huaiyi , Guan Ruilin , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: January 2016

Cisplatin was the first metal-based therapeutic agent approved for the treatment of human cancers, but its clinical activity is greatly limited by tumor drug resistance. This work utilized the parent complex [Ru(phen)2(PIP)]2+ (1) to develop three Ru(II) complexes (2–4) with different positional modifications. These compounds exhibited similar or superior cytotoxicities compared to cisplatin in HeLa, A549 and multidrug-resistant (A549R) tumor cell lines. Complex 4, the most potent member of the series, was highly active against A549R cancer cells (IC50 = 0.8 μM). This complex exhibited 178-fold better activity than cisplatin (IC50 = 142.5 μM) in A549R cells. 3D multicellular A549R tumor spheroids were also used to confirm the high proliferative and cytotoxic activity of complex 4. Complex 4 had the greatest cellular uptake and had a tendency to accumulate in the mitochondria of A549R cells. Further mechanistic studies showed that complex 4 induced A549R cell apoptosis via inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), elevated intracellular ROS levels, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell cycle arrest, making it an outstanding candidate for overcoming cisplatin resistance.
Stabilizing Off-pathway Oligomers by Polyphenol Nanoassemblies for IAPP Aggregation Inhibition
Authors: Nedumpully-Govindan Praveen , Kakinen Aleksandr , Pilkington Emily H. , Davis Thomas P. , Chun Ke Pu , Ding Feng
Published: January 2016

Experimental studies have shown that many naturally occurring polyphenols have inhibitory effect on the aggregation of several proteins. Here, we use discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) simulations and high-throughput dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments to study the anti-aggregation effects of two polyphenols, curcumin and resveratrol, on the aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin). Our DMD simulations suggest that the aggregation inhibition is caused by stabilization of small molecular weight IAPP off-pathway oligomers by the polyphenols. Our analysis indicates that IAPP-polyphenol hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking combined with hydrophobic interactions are responsible for the stabilization of oligomers. The presence of small oligomers is confirmed with DLS measurements in which nanometer-sized oligomers are found to be stable for up to 7.5 hours, the time frame within which IAPP aggregates in the absence of polyphenols. Our study offers a general anti-aggregation mechanism for polyphenols and further provides a computational framework for the future design of anti-amyloid aggregation therapeutics.
Teratocarcinomas Arising from Allogeneic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Tissue Constructs Provoked Host Immune Rejection in Mice
Authors: Kawamura Ai , Miyagawa Shigeru , Fukushima Satsuki , Kawamura Takuji , Kashiyama Noriyuki , Ito Emiko , Watabe Tadashi , Masuda Shigeo , Toda Koichi , Hatazawa Jun , Morii Eiichi , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: January 2016

Transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissue constructs is a promising regenerative treatment for cardiac failure: however, its tumourigenic potential is concerning. We hypothesised that the tumourigenic potential may be eliminated by the host immune response after allogeneic cell transplantation. Scaffold-free iPSC-derived cardaic tissue sheets of C57BL/6 mouse origin were transplanted into the cardiac surface of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice and allogeneic BALB/c mice with or without tacrolimus injection. Syngeneic mice and tacrolimus-injected immunosuppressed allogeneic mice formed teratocarcinomas with identical phenotypes, characteristic and time courses, as assessed by imaging tools including 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. In contrast, temporarily immunosuppressed allogeneic mice, following cessation of tacrolimus injection displayed diminished progression of the teratocarcinoma, accompanied by an accumulation of CD4/CD8-positive T cells and finally achieved complete elimination of the teratocarcinoma. Our results indicated that malignant teratocarcinomas arising from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissue constructs provoked T cell-related host immune rejection to arrest tumour growth in murine allogeneic transplantation models.
Single-Cell Electrical Phenotyping Enabling the Classification of Mouse Tumor Samples
Authors: Zhao Yang , Jiang Mei , Chen Deyong , Zhao Xiaoting , Xue Chengcheng , Hao Rui , Yue Wentao , Wang Junbo , Chen Jian
Published: January 2016

Single-cell electrical phenotyping (e.g., specific membrane capacitance (Cm) and cytoplasm conductivity (σp)) has long been regarded as potential label-free biophysical markers in tumor status evaluation. However, previous studies only reported the differentiation of tumor cell lines without classifying real tumor samples using cellular electrical properties. In this study, two types of mouse tumor models were constructed by injecting two types of tumor cell lines (A549 and H1299), respectively. Then tumor portions were retrieved for immunohistochemistry studies and single-cell electrical phenotyping based on home-developed microfluidic platforms. Immunohistochemistry results of tumor samples confirmed the adenocarcinoma and large-cell carcinoma characteristics for A549 and H1299 based tumor samples, respectively. Meanwhile, cellular Cm and σp were characterized as 2.25 ± 0.50 μF/cm2 and 0.96 ± 0.20 S/m for A549 based tumor samples (ncell = 1336, Mouse I, II, III) and 1.76 ± 0.54 μF/cm2 and 1.35 ± 0.28 S/m for H1299 based tumor samples (ncell = 1442, Mouse IV, V, VI). Significant differences in Cm and σp were observed between these two types of tumor samples, validating the feasibility of using Cm and σp for mouse tumor classification.
ABO blood groups' antigen–antibody interactions studied using SERS spectroscopy: towards blood typing
Authors: Kamińska Agnieszka , Kowalska Aneta , Albrycht Paweł , Witkowska Evelin , Waluk Jacek
Published: January 2016

SERS spectroscopy associated with principal component and linear discriminate analysis as a fast and reliable method for antigen–antibody interactions study and its potential application in blood typing.
Zeolite Y nanosheet assembled palladium catalysts with high catalytic activity and selectivity in the vinylation of thiophenes
Authors: Fu Wenqian , Feng Yu , Fang Zhongxue , Chen Qun , Tang Ting , Yu Quanyong , Tang Tiandi
Published: January 2016

Zeolite Y nanosheets with a micro–meso–macroporous structure were synthesized, and applied in the assembly of a Pd catalyst (Pd/NS-Y) for direct vinylation of thiophenes with high activity and selectivity, as compared to Pd(OAc)2, Pd(NO3)2, and Pd(PPh3)4 catalysts.
Addition of silylated nucleophiles to α-oxoketenes
Authors: Dudognon Yohan , Presset Marc , Rodriguez Jean , Coquerel Yoann , Bugaut Xavier , Constantieux Thierry
Published: January 2016

A general evaluation of silylated nucleophiles to intercept transient α-oxoketenes generated by microwave-assisted Wolff rearrangement of 2-diazo-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is presented.
Staircase patterns of nuclear fluxes during coherent tunneling in excited doublets of symmetric double well potentials
Authors: Liu ChunMei , Manz Jörn , Yang Yonggang
Published: January 2016

Step-by-step flux for one-by-one transfers of the lobes of the density, from the reactant (left) to the product (right) in the excited tunneling doublet.
The role of terminations and coordination atoms on the pseudocapacitance of titanium carbonitride monolayers
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Cheng Chuan , Fang Peilin , Tang Bin , Zhang Jindou , Huang Guoming , Cong Xin , Zhang Bao , Ji Xiao , Miao Ling
Published: January 2016

The oxygen terminated titanium atoms coordinated with nitrogen atoms in TI3CNTx would have priority in storing charge.
Free volumes and gas transport in polymers: amine-modified epoxy resins as a case study
Authors: Patil Pushkar N. , Roilo David , Brusa Roberto S. , Miotello Antonio , Aghion Stefano , Ferragut Rafael , Checchetto Riccardo
Published: January 2016

Fractional free volume and its temperature evolution evaluated using only experimental data allow describing gas diffusivity in the framework of free volume theory.
Bi-template assisted synthesis of mesoporous manganese oxide nanostructures: Tuning properties for efficient CO oxidation
Authors: Roy Mouni , Basak Somjyoti , Naskar Milan Kanti
Published: January 2016

Bi-template assisted synthesis of mesoporous manganese oxide catalysts with tuned morphology, crystal structure, and textural properties for use in efficient catalysis of CO oxidation.
Synergistic incorporation of hybrid heterobimetal–nitrogen atoms into carbon structures for superior oxygen electroreduction performance
Authors: Lee Young-Woo , An Geon-Hyoung , Lee Seul , Hong John , Kim Byung-Sung , Lee Juwon , Kwak Da-Hee , Ahn Hyo-Jin , Huh Wansoo , Cha Seung Nam , Park Kyung-Won , Sohn Jung Inn , Kim Jong Min
Published: January 2016

A hybrid heterobimetal–nitrogen-doped carbon structure exhibits good electrochemical properties in ORR.
Interaction of Gd-DTPA with phosphate and phosphite: toward the reaction intermediate in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
Authors: Gao Song , George Simon J. , Zhou Zhao-Hui
Published: January 2016

A commercially used gadolinium based contrast agent Gd-DTPA was substituted by phosphate and phosphite to form K6[Gd2(DTPA)2(HPO4)]·10H2O and K6[Gd2(DTPA)2(HPO3)]·7H2O respectively. Their analogous lanthanum complies are compared. These results are related to NSF formation.
A novel samarium(ii) complex bearing a dianionic bis(phenolate) cyclam ligand: synthesis, structure and electron-transfer reactions
Authors: Maria Leonor , Soares Marina , Santos Isabel C. , Sousa Vânia R. , Mora Elsa , Marçalo Joaquim , Luzyanin Konstantin V.
Published: January 2016

A novel divalent samarium complex anchored on a dianionic bis(phenolate) ligand is reported and reactivity studies demonstrate that it is highly effective in inducing single-electron transfer processes.
Ethylene oligomerization studies by nickel(ii) complexes chelated by (amino)pyridine ligands: experimental and density functional theory studies
Authors: Nyamato George S. , Ojwach Stephen O. , Akerman Matthew P.
Published: January 2016

Activation of (amino)pyridine nickel(ii) complexes 1–4 with either EtAlCl2 or methylaluminoxane (MAO), produced active ethylene oligomerization catalysts to afford mostly butenes and hexenes and octenes as minor products.
Graphene oxide: a promising carbocatalyst for the regioselective thiocyanation of aromatic amines, phenols, anisols and enolizable ketones by hydrogen peroxide/KSCN in water
Authors: Khalili Dariush
Published: January 2016

Graphene oxide as a heterogeneous carbocatalyst catalyzes the direct thiocyanation of a variety of arenes and enolizable carbonyl compounds.
Unique marine derived cyanobacterial biosynthetic genes for chemical diversity
Authors: Kleigrewe Karin , Gerwick Lena , Sherman David H. , Gerwick William H.
Published: January 2016

Cyanobacteria are a prolific source of structurally unique and biologically active natural products that derive from intriguing biochemical pathways.
The total synthesis of calcium atorvastatin
Authors: Dias Luiz C. , Vieira Adriano S. , Barreiro Eliezer J.
Published: January 2016

A practical and convergent asymmetric route to calcium atorvastatin (1) is reported.
Glutathione modified carbon-dots: from aggregation-induced emission enhancement properties to a “turn-on” sensing of temperature/Fe3+ ions in cells
Authors: Wang Chuanxi , Jiang Kaili , Xu Zhenzhu , Lin Huihui , Zhang Chi
Published: January 2016

Glutathione stabilized carbon dots show good dispersion, high fluorescence and aggregation-induced emission enhancement properties which could be used as a “turn-on” chemosensor for detecting temperature and Fe3+ in aqueous solution and cells.
A label-free biosensor for selective detection of DNA and Pb2+ based on a G-quadruplex
Authors: Hou Ruipeng , Niu Xiaoqing , Cui Fengling
Published: January 2016

Schematic representation of the DNA and Pb2+ detection method.
New solution-processable carbazole derivatives as deep blue emitters for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Reig Marta , Bubniene Giedre , Cambarau Werther , Jankauskas Vygintas , Getautis Vytautas , Palomares Emilio , Martínez-Ferrero Eugenia , Velasco Dolores
Published: January 2016

Triple bonds as π-spacers in deep blue carbazole-based emitters for non-doped organic light-emitting diodes.
In vivo SAR and STR analyses of alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides identify 1-hydroxymethyl-8-hydroxy-β-carboline as a novel natural angiogenesis inhibitor
Authors: Gong Guiyi , Lin Qinghua , Xu Jian , Ye Feng , Jiang Lingling , Liu Wenyuan , He Ming-Fang , Feng Feng , Qu Wei , Xie Ning
Published: January 2016

Twenty alkaloids were obtained from the anti-angiogenic fraction ofPicrasma quassioidesand their SAR/STR were studies by a zebrafish model. We had identified3as an angiogenesis inhibitor and confirmedin vitro.
Air-expansion induced hierarchically porous carbonaceous aerogels from biomass materials with superior lithium storage properties
Authors: Han Pei , Yang Bo , Qiu Zhaozheng , You Yajie , Jiang Jing , Liu Jianhong , Xu Jian , Fan Haosen , Zhu Caizhen
Published: January 2016

We developed a novel air-expansion method for the preparation of porous carbonaceous aerogels with hierarchically macroporous, mesoporous and microporous structures from rice.
Surface co-modification of TiO2 with N doping and Ag loading for enhanced visible-light photoactivity
Authors: Sun Mingxuan , Fang Yalin , Sun Shanfu , Wang Ying
Published: January 2016

A composite of N-doped TiO2 with Ag loading (Ag/N-TiO2) was successfully synthesized by a facile in situ calcination process using titanium nitride (TiN) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the starting materials.
Quantum tunneling of magnetization in GaN:Mn nanoparticles
Authors: Xu Yongsheng , Yao Binbin , Cui Qiliang
Published: January 2016

GaN:Mn nanoparticles with quantum tunneling of magnetization were synthesized successfully by DC arc discharge plasma without any catalyst or template.
Formation of larger-area graphene from small GO sheets in the presence of basic divalent sulfide species and its use in biomass conversion
Authors: Wang Xuyan , Su Kunmei , Li Zhenhuan , Cheng Bowen
Published: January 2016

Basic divalent sulfide species exhibit unique chemical activity in that they react with organic matter and function as a redox reagent.
Adsorption of polygalacturonic acid on crosslinked polystyrene spheres with cationic polyelectrolyte
Authors: Xiao He , He Beihai , Li Junrong
Published: January 2016

In a papermaking system, severe drawbacks on machine runnability and paper quality occur even as water consumption is not decreased due to a build-up of dissolved and colloidal substances (DCS) in the whitewater.
Synthesis and optoelectronic characteristics of 20 nm diameter silver nanowires for highly transparent electrode films
Authors: Lee Eun-Jong , Kim Yong-Hoe , Hwang Do Kyung , Choi Won Kook , Kim Jin-Yeol
Published: January 2016

We demonstrate the polyol synthesis of ultrathin Ag nanowires with diameters of 20 nm and an aspect ratio as high as ∼1000 under high-pressure conditions.
Co-delivery of paclitaxel and indocyanine green by PEGylated graphene oxide: a potential integrated nanoplatform for tumor theranostics
Authors: Zhang Chao , Lu Tan , Tao Jingang , Wan Guang , Zhao Hongxing
Published: January 2016

The schematic of the present NGO-PEG–ICG/PTX for tumor theranostics that integrates fluorescence imaging and chemotherapy.
The hierarchical porosity of a three-dimensional graphene electrode for binder-free and high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Chang Jun-He , Hung Yu-Han , Luo Xu-Feng , Huang Chi-Hsien , Jung Sungmi , Chang Jeng-Kuei , Kong Jing , Su Ching-Yuan
Published: January 2016

We report the hierarchical porosity of a 3D graphene electrode for binder-free supercapacitors composed of the submicrometer porosity of graphene self-assembled by nanopores of graphene flakes, which shows superior high electrochemical performance.
A pH-sensitive prodrug micelle self-assembled from multi-doxorubicin-tailed polyethylene glycol for cancer therapy
Authors: Li Jingguo , Zhang Lu , Lin Yujie , Xiao Hong , Zuo Mingxiang , Cheng Du , Shuai Xintao
Published: January 2016

A novel tetra-doxorubicin-tailed polyethylene glycol via benzoic-imine bond linkage was synthesized and self-assembled to a pH-sensitive prodrug micelle.
Characterizing high school chemistry teachers' use of assessment data via latent class analysis
Authors: Harshman Jordan , Yezierski Ellen
Published: January 2016

In this study, which builds on a previous qualitative study and literature review, high school chemistry teachers' characteristics regarding the design of chemistry formative assessments and interpretation of results for instructional improvement are identified. The Adaptive Chemistry Assessment Survey for Teachers (ACAST) was designed to elicit these characteristics in both generic formative assessment prompts and chemistry-specific prompts. Two adaptive scenarios, one in gases and one in stoichiometry, required teachers to design and interpret responses to formative assessments as they would in their own classrooms. A national sample of 340 high school chemistry teachers completed the ACAST.Vialatent class analysis of the responses, it was discovered that a relatively small number of teachers demonstrated limitations in aligning items with chemistry learning goals. However, the majority of teachers responded in ways consistent with a limited consideration of how item design affects interpretation. Details of these characteristics are discussed. It was also found that these characteristics were largely independent of demographics such as teaching experience, chemistry degree, and teacher education. Lastly, evidence was provided regarding the content- and topic-specificity of the characteristics by comparing responses from generic formative assessment prompts to chemistry-specific prompts.
A novel synthesis of carbon nanotubes directly from an indecomposable solid carbon source for electrochemical applications
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Mu Shichun , Zhang Bowei , Tao Lu , Huang Shifei , Huang Yizhong , Gao Faming , Zhao Yufeng
Published: January 2016

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are firstly synthesized through a novel low cost self-vaporized chemical vapor deposition (SCVD) technique, which represents a novel approach toward large scale production of CNTs.
Rational utilization of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds to achieve desirable electron transporting materials with high mobility and high triplet energy
Authors: Yin Xiaojun , Chen Dongcheng , Peng Qiming , Xiang Yepeng , Xie Guohua , Zhu Zece , Zhong Cheng , Li Feng , Su Shijian , Yang Chuluo
Published: January 2016

New pyrimidine-containing triazine-cored compounds showed high ET and high μe by utilizing intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.