bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greater Microbial Translocation and Vulnerability to Metabolic Disease in Healthy Aged Female Monkeys
Authors: Wilson Quentin N. , Wells Magan , Davis Ashley T. , Sherrill Christina , Tsilimigras Matthew C. B. , Jones Roshonda B. , Fodor Anthony A. , Kavanagh Kylie
Published: July 2018

Monkeys demonstrate gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction (leaky gut) as evidenced by higher biomarkers of microbial translocation (MT) and inflammation with ageing despite equivalent health status, and lifelong diet and environmental conditions. We evaluated colonic structural, microbiomic and functional changes in old female vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabeus) and how age-related leaky gut alters responses to Western diet. We additionally assessed serum bovine immunoglobulin therapy to lower MT burden. MT was increased in old monkeys despite comparable histological appearance of the ascending colon. Microbiome profiles from 16S sequencing did not show large differences by age grouping, but there was evidence for higher mucosal bacterial loads using qPCR. Innate immune responses were increased in old monkeys consistent with higher MT burdens. Western diet challenge led to elevations in glycemic and hepatic biochemistry values only in old monkeys, and immunoglobulin therapy was not effective in reducing MT markers or improving metabolic health. We interpret these findings to suggest that ageing may lead to lower control over colonization at the mucosal surface, and reduced clearance of pathogens resulting in MT and inflammation. Leaky gut in ageing, which is not readily rescued by innate immune support with immunoglobulin, primes the liver for negative consequences of high fat, high sugar diets.
Immunophenotyping and transcriptional profiling of in vitro cultured human adipose tissue derived stem cells
Authors: Mieczkowska Alina , Schumacher Adriana , Filipowicz Natalia , Wardowska Anna , Zieliński Maciej , Madanecki Piotr , Nowicka Ewa , Langa Paulina , Deptuła Milena , Zieliński Jacek , Kondej Karolina , Renkielska Alicja , Buckley Patrick G. , Crossman David K. , Crowley Michael R. , Czupryn Artur , Mucha Piotr , Sachadyn Paweł , Janus Łukasz , Skowron Piotr , Rodziewicz-Motowidło Sylwia , Cichorek Mirosława , Pikuła Michał , Piotrowski Arkadiusz
Published: July 2018

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have become an important research model in regenerative medicine. However, there are controversies regarding the impact of prolonged cell culture on the ASCs phenotype and their differentiation potential. Hence, we studied 10 clinical ASCs replicates from plastic and oncological surgery patients, in six-passage FBS supplemented cultures. We quantified basic mesenchymal cell surface marker transcripts and the encoded proteins after each passage. In parallel, we investigated the differentiation potential of ASCs into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes. We further determined the effects of FBS supplementation and subsequent deprivation on the whole transcriptome by comprehensive mRNA and miRNA sequencing. Our results show that ASCs maintain differentiation potential and consistent profile of key mesenchymal markers, with apparent expression of distinct isoforms, in long-term cultures. No significant differences were observed between plastic and oncological surgery cohorts. ASCs in FBS supplemented primary cultures are almost committed to mesenchymal lineages as they express key epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes including early mesenchymal markers. Furthermore, combined mRNA/miRNA expression profiling strongly supports a modulatory role for the miR-30 family in the commitment process to mesenchymal lineages. Finally, we propose improvements to existing qPCR based assays that address alternative isoform expression of mesenchymal markers.
Analysis of naturally occurring mutations in the human uptake transporter NaCT important for bone and brain development and energy metabolism
Authors: Selch Stefan , Chafai Anja , Sticht Heinrich , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Fromm Martin F. , König Jörg
Published: July 2018

The human uptake transporter NaCT is important for human brain development, brain function and energy metabolism and mediates the uptake of citrate and other intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle from blood into neurons and hepatocytes. Mutations in the SLC13A5 gene encoding NaCT are associated with epileptic encephalopathy. To gain more insights into the transport mechanisms we analyzed the functional consequences of mutations in the SLC13A5 gene on NaCT-mediated transport function. Using HEK293 cells expressing wild-type and eight mutated NaCT proteins, we investigated the mRNA and protein amount as well as the protein localization of all NaCT variants. Furthermore, the impact on NaCT-mediated citrate uptake was measured. In addition, a structural model of the transport pore was generated to rationalize the consequences of the mutations on a structural basis. We demonstrated that all proteins were synthesized with an identical molecular weight as the wild-type transporter but several mutations (NaCTp.G219R, −p.G219E, −p.T227M, −p.L420P and −p.L488P) lead to a complete loss of NaCT-mediated citrate transport. This loss of transport activity can be explained on the basis of the developed structural model. This model may help in the further elucidation of the transport mechanism of this important uptake transporter.
Endoscopic Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets in Experimental Colitis in Rats
Authors: Pak Sehyung , Hwang Sung Wook , Shim In Kyong , Bae Sang Mun , Ryu Yeon- Mi , Kim Han-Byul , Do Eun-ju , Son Hye-Nam , Choi Eun-ji , Park Sun-ha , Kim Sang-Yeob , Park Sang Hyoung , Ye Byong Duk , Yang Suk-Kyun , Kanai Nobuo , Maeda Masanori , Okano Teruo , Yang Dong-Hoon , Byeon Jeong-Sik , Myung Seung-Jae
Published: July 2018

Owing to the recent progress in regenerative medicine technology, clinical trials that harnessed the regeneration and immune modulation potentiality of stem cells for treating IBD have shown promising results. We investigated the feasibility and utility of intraluminal endoscopic transplantation of rat MSC sheets in murine models of experimental colitis for targeted delivery of stem cells to lesions. We isolated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) from EGFP-transgenic rats and fabricated the cells in sheet forms using temperature-responsive culture dishes. The MSC sheets were endoscopically transplanted to the inflamed area in electrocoagulation and DNBS colitis model. The effect of the transplantation was verified using endoscopic scoring and histological analysis. In the electrocoagulation model, the AD-MSC group showed significantly decreased ulcer size in the transplanted regions. In the DNBS colitis model, the AD-MSC group showed decreased inflammation and colitis in the transplanted regions. Histologic analysis showed that the MSC sheets had successfully attached to the inflamed mucosa in both the electrocoagulation and DNBS colitis model. Our results show that endoscopic transplantation of MSC sheets could be a new effective mode of stem cell therapy for IBD treatment.
Influence of the long-range ordering of gold-coated Si nanowires on SERS
Authors: Cara Eleonora , Mandrile Luisa , Ferrarese Lupi Federico , Giovannozzi Andrea Mario , Dialameh Masoud , Portesi Chiara , Sparnacci Katia , De Leo Natascia , Rossi Andrea Mario , Boarino Luca
Published: July 2018

Controlling the location and the distribution of hot spots is a crucial aspect in the fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates for bio-analytical applications. The choice of a suitable method to tailor the dimensions and the position of plasmonic nanostructures becomes fundamental to provide SERS substrates with significant signal enhancement, homogeneity and reproducibility. In the present work, we studied the influence of the long-range ordering of different flexible gold-coated Si nanowires arrays on the SERS activity. The substrates are made by nanosphere lithography and metal-assisted chemical etching. The degree of order is quantitatively evaluated through the correlation length (ξ) as a function of the nanosphere spin-coating speed. Our findings showed a linear increase of the SERS signal for increasing values of ξ, coherently with a more ordered and dense distribution of hot spots on the surface. The substrate with the largest ξ of 1100 nm showed an enhancement factor of 2.6 · 103 and remarkable homogeneity over square-millimetres area. The variability of the signal across the substrate was also investigated by means of a 2D chemical imaging approach and a standard methodology for its practical calculation is proposed for a coherent comparison among the data reported in literature.
Transcriptional alterations during proliferation and lignification in Phyllostachys nigra cells
Authors: Ogita Shinjiro , Nomura Taiji , Kato Yasuo , Uehara-Yamaguchi Yukiko , Inoue Komaki , Yoshida Takuhiro , Sakurai Tetsuya , Shinozaki Kazuo , Mochida Keiichi
Published: July 2018

Highly-lignified culms of bamboo show distinctive anatomical and mechanical properties compared with the culms of other grass species. A cell culture system for Phyllostachys nigra has enabled investigating the alterations in cellular states associated with secondary cell wall formation during its proliferation and lignification in woody bamboos. To reveal transcriptional changes related to lignification in bamboo, we analyzed transcriptome in P. nigra cells treated with the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and the synthetic cytokinin benzylaminopurine (BA) by RNA-seq analysis. We found that some genes putatively involved in cell wall biogenesis and cell division were up-regulated in response to the 2,4-D treatment, and the induction of lignification by the BA treatment was correlated with up-regulation of genes involved in the shikimate pathway. We also found that genes encoding MYB transcription factors (TFs) show correlated expression patterns with those encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), suggesting that MYB TFs presumably regulate secondary cell wall formation in the bamboo cells. These findings suggest that cytokinin signaling may regulate lignification in P. nigra cells through coordinated transcriptional regulation and metabolic alterations. Our results have also produced a useful resource for better understanding of secondary cell wall formation in bamboo plants.
Effect of Thrombin-Induced MCP-1 and MMP-3 Production Via PAR1 Expression in Murine Intervertebral Discs
Authors: Takayama Yoshihiro , Ando Takashi , Ichikawa Jiro , Haro Hirotaka
Published: July 2018

Structural changes in nucleus pulposus cells induce intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration as a consequence of cytokine generation, biochemical products, and changes in the local environment. We have previously shown that inflammatory cytokines induce murine IVD (mIVD) angiogenesis and macrophage migration. Although the physiological roles of thrombin, a known proinflammatory factor, are documented, its relationship to IVD degeneration remains largely unexplored. Thrombin mediates cellular responses via the activation of protease-activated receptors such as PAR1 which has been studied in numerous cell types, but not extensively in IVD cells. This study was designed to investigate the endogenous expression of thrombin, tissue factor, and PAR1 in cultured coccygeal mIVDs. Thrombin exclusively induced MCP-1 via the MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT pathways. MCP-1 produced by mIVDs induced macrophage migration and thrombin treatment increased MMP-3 production to induce mIVD degeneration. These effects of thrombin on mIVDs were abrogated by a PAR1 inhibitor and suggest that thrombin may be a novel factor capable of stimulating cytokine activity implicated in the regulation several aspects of mIVDs. Mechanisms governing mIVDs, which are regulated by thrombin/PAR1 signaling, require elucidation if our understanding of IVD degenerative mechanisms is to advance.
Fields of a Bessel-Bessel light bullet of arbitrary order in an under-dense plasma
Authors: Salamin Yousef I.
Published: July 2018

Considerable theoretical and experimental work has lately been focused on waves localized in time and space. In optics, waves of that nature are often referred to as light bullets. The most fascinating feature of light bullets is their propagation without appreciable distortion by diffraction or dispersion. Here, analytic expressions for the fields of an ultra-short, tightly-focused and arbitrary-order Bessel pulse are derived and discussed. Propagation in an under-dense plasma, responding linearly to the fields of the pulse, is assumed throughout. The derivation stems from wave equations satisfied by the vector and scalar potentials, themselves following from the appropriate Maxwell equations and linked by the Lorentz gauge. It is demonstrated that the fields represent well a pulse of axial extension, L, and waist radius at focus, w0, both of the order of the central wavelength λ0. As an example, to lowest approximation, the pulse of order l = 2 is shown to propagate undistorted for many centimeters, in vacuum as well as in the plasma. As such, the pulse behaves like a “light bullet” and is termed a “Bessel-Bessel bullet of arbitrary order”. The field expressions will help to better understand light bullets and open up avenues for their utility in potential applications.
Genome-wide atlas of alternative polyadenylation in the forage legume red clover
Authors: Chakrabarti Manohar , Dinkins Randy D. , Hunt Arthur G.
Published: July 2018

Studies on prevalence and significance of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in plants have been so far limited mostly to the model plants. Here, a genome-wide analysis of APA was carried out in different tissue types in the non-model forage legume red clover (Trifolium pratense L). A profile of poly(A) sites in different tissue types was generated using so-called ‘poly(A)-tag sequencing’ (PATseq) approach. Our analysis revealed tissue-wise dynamics of usage of poly(A) sites located at different genomic locations. We also identified poly(A) sites and underlying genes displaying APA in different tissues. Functional categories enriched in groups of genes manifesting APA between tissue types were determined. Analysis of spatial expression of genes encoding different poly(A) factors showed significant differential expression of genes encoding orthologs of FIP1(V) and PCFS4, suggesting that these two factors may play a role in regulating spatial APA in red clover. Our analysis also revealed a high degree of conservation in diverse plant species of APA events in mRNAs encoding two key polyadenylation factors, CPSF30 and FIP1(V). Together with our previously reported study of spatial gene expression in red clover, this study will provide a comprehensive account of transcriptome dynamics in this non-model forage legume.
Associations of unconventional natural gas development with depression symptoms and disordered sleep in Pennsylvania
Authors: Casey Joan A. , Wilcox Holly C. , Hirsch Annemarie G. , Pollak Jonathan , Schwartz Brian S.
Published: July 2018

Environmental and community factors may influence the development or course of depression and sleep problems. We evaluated the association of unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) with depression symptoms and disordered sleep diagnoses using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and electronic health record data among Geisinger adult primary care patients in Pennsylvania. Participants received a retrospective metric for UNGD at their residence (very low, low, medium, and high) that incorporated dates and durations of well development, distance from patient homes to wells, and well characteristics. Analyses included 4,762 participants with no (62%), mild (23%), moderate (10%), and moderately severe or severe (5%) depression symptoms in 2014–2015 and 3,868 disordered sleep diagnoses between 2009–2015. We observed associations between living closer to more and bigger wells and depression symptoms, but not disordered sleep diagnoses in models weighted to account for sampling design and participation. High UNGD (vs. very low) was associated with depression symptoms in an adjusted negative binomial model (exponentiated coefficient = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.34). High and low UNGD (vs. very low) were associated with depression symptoms (vs. none) in an adjusted multinomial logistic model. Our findings suggest that UNGD may be associated with adverse mental health in Pennsylvania.
Evaluation and validation of HPV real-time PCR assay for the detection of HPV DNA in oral cytobrush and FFPE samples
Authors: Harlé Alexandre , Guillet Julie , Thomas Jacques , Sastre-Garau Xavier , Rouyer Marie , Ramacci Carole , Gilson Pauline , Dubois Cindy , Dolivet Gilles , Leroux Agnès , Salleron Julia , Merlin Jean-Louis
Published: July 2018

Specific HPV genotypes have been recognized as risk factors inducing head and neck cancers (HNC). The aim of this study was to validate a real-time PCR assay to detect accurately High Risk HPV DNA in Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) and oral cytobrush samples and compare the results with conventional PCR. Repeatability, reproducibility and limit of detection of Cobas assay were estimated for oral cytobrush and FFPE samples of patients with HNC. 53 samples of patients with a HNC were then used for assay comparison with conventional PCR. Finally, 26 samples of patients with anogenital neoplasia cancer were analyzed as control and assays comparison. Among the 53 samples of patients with HNC, 12 (26.7%) were HPV positive, 33 (73.3%) were HPV negative and 8 (15.1%) were non contributive with the Cobas assay. Among the 26 samples of patients with anogenital neoplasia, 15 (57.7%) were HPV positive and 11 were HPV negative (42.3%). One sample was found with an HPV 16 and HPV 18 co-infection. Only 3 samples were found with discrepant results. Cobas assay was found suitable for routine HPV detection with a very good repeatability and reproducibility for all HPV genotypes (CV < 0.6% and <0.4% respectively). Sensitivity and specificity for Cobas assay were 91.7% [61.5%;99.8%] and 96.9% [83.8%;99.9%] respectively. Ten nanograms of DNA were sufficient for the detection of HPV 16, HPV 18 and HPV in FFPE and oral cytobrush samples. Cobas assay was found comparable to conventional PCR and can detect accurately and rapidly HPV DNA in FFPE and oral cytobrush samples for the management of HNC and other types of HPV-associated neoplasia.
The provenance of nephrite in China based on multi-spectral imaging technology and gray-level co-occurrence matrix
Authors: Chen Dian , Pan Ming , Huang Wei , Luo Wugan , Wang Changsui
Published: July 2018

The provenance of nephrite is the basis for the research, restoration and collection of nephrite artifacts.
A competitive immunoassay for zearalenone with integrated poly(dimethysiloxane) based microarray assay
Authors: Li Li , Ren Shuai , Shao Manyu , De Saeger Sarah , Song Suquan , Yan Liping
Published: July 2018

Development and application of an integrated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (iPDMS) based microarray assay for zearalenone.
Multiple pathways for C–H cleavage in cationic Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation without carboxylate assistance: a computational study
Authors: Xie Peipei , Guo Wei , Chen Dimei , Xia Yuanzhi
Published: July 2018

Multiple pathways for C–H cleavage was uncovered in cationic Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H functionalization with different heteroatom-containing species as possible proton acceptors.
Water oxidation by a manganese–potassium cluster: Mn oxide as a kinetically dominant “true” catalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Mousazade Younes , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Chernev Petko , Bikas Rahman , Bagheri Robabeh , Song Zhenlun , Lis Tadeusz , Dau Holger , Najafpour Mohammad Mahdi
Published: July 2018

Herein, a manganese–potassium cluster was investigated for electrochemical water oxidation to find the true, kinetically dominant, catalyst.
A multifunctional and recyclable terbium(iii) coordination polymer: displaying highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ and CrVI anions, and picric acid in aqueous media
Authors: Yang Yang , Song Xuerui , Xu Cong , Wang Yingzhe , Zhang Guolin , Liu Weisheng
Published: July 2018

A multifunctional Tb-CP (1) as a recyclable luminescent probe to detect Fe3+ and CrVI anions, and picric acid in aqueous media.
Synthesis and reactivity of an N-triphos Mo(0) dinitrogen complex
Authors: Apps Samantha L. , White Andrew J. P. , Miller Philip W. , Long Nicholas J.
Published: July 2018

N-Triphos/Mo(0)-dinitrogen reactivity: hydrogenation; Lewis acid addition; and alkali metal mediated ligand rearrangement.
Iron(iii)porphyrin electrocatalyzed enantioselective carbon-chloride bond cleavage of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs): combined experimental investigation and theoretical calculations
Authors: Liang Xu , Li Minzhi , Mack John , Lobb Kevin , Zhu Weihua
Published: July 2018

Enantioselective electrocatalysis of α-, β-, γ- and δ-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) by tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-Fe(iii)porphyrin is described.
Recent progress on sodium ion batteries: potential high-performance anodes
Authors: Li Li , Zheng Yang , Zhang Shilin , Yang Jianping , Shao Zongping , Guo Zaiping
Published: July 2018

Recent research progresses on high performance anode materials for high-energy sodium-ion batteries are comprehensively summarized.
Synthesis cost dictates the commercial viability of lead sulfide and perovskite quantum dot photovoltaics
Authors: Jean Joel , Xiao Justin , Nick Robert , Moody Nicole , Nasilowski Michel , Bawendi Moungi , Bulović Vladimir
Published: July 2018

A Monte Carlo analysis shows that the present cost of synthesizing colloidal quantum dots (QDs) is prohibitively high for photovoltaic (PV) applications.
Metal oxide nanoparticles alter peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) physiological response and reduce nutritional quality: a life cycle study
Authors: Rui Mengmeng , Ma Chuanxin , White Jason C. , Hao Yi , Wang Yaoyao , Tang Xinlian , Yang Jie , Jiang Fuping , Ali Arbab , Rui Yukui , Cao Weidong , Chen Guangcai , Xing Baoshan
Published: July 2018

We investigate the effects of metal oxide NPs, Fe2O3, CuO, and TiO2, on peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) in a full life cycle study.
Exploring adsorption of neutral aromatic pollutants onto graphene nanomaterialsviamolecular dynamics simulations and theoretical linear solvation energy relationships
Authors: Wang Ya , Comer Jeffrey , Chen Zhongfang , Chen Jingwen , Gumbart James C.
Published: July 2018

TLSER models were developed for the first time to predict the adsorption equilibrium coefficients onto graphene and graphene oxide nanosheets.
High performance strain sensor based on buckypaper for full-range detection of human motions
Authors: Li Chengwei , Zhang Dongmei , Deng Chenghao , Wang Peng , Hu Yunping , Bin Yuezhen , Fan Zeng , Pan Lujun
Published: July 2018

A high-performance strain sensor based on buckypaper has been fabricated and studied.
The role of Li+ in the upconversion emission enhancement of (YYbEr)2O3 nanoparticles
Authors: Debasu Mengistie L. , Riedl Jesse C. , Rocha J. , Carlos Luís D.
Published: July 2018

Li+-doped (Y0.97−xYb0.02Er0.01Lix)2O3 nanoparticles, x = 0.000–0.123, are prepared by a solid-state reaction; Li+-induced upconversion enhancement is quantitatively assessed.
Pyridinic-N-dominated carbon frameworks with porous tungsten trioxide nano-lamellae as a promising bi-functional catalyst for Li–oxygen batteries
Authors: Liu Tie , Zhang Xiuhui , Huang Tao , Yu Aishui
Published: July 2018

Pyridinic-N-dominated carbon frameworks with porous tungsten oxide lamellae as a promising bi-functional catalyst were prepared and applied into Li–oxygen batteries.
Ultra-low power Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 based ferroelectric tunnel junction synapses for hardware neural network applications
Authors: Chen Lin , Wang Tian-Yu , Dai Ya-Wei , Cha Ming-Yang , Zhu Hao , Sun Qing-Qing , Ding Shi-Jin , Zhou Peng , Chua Leon , Zhang David Wei
Published: July 2018

Brain-inspired neuromorphic computing has shown great promise beyond the conventional Boolean logic.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H allylation of indoles with allyl alcohols via β-hydroxide elimination
Authors: Wu Xiaowei , Ji Haitao
Published: July 2018

An efficient Rh(iii)-catalyzed direct dehydrative C–H allylation of indoles with allyl alcohols under oxidant-free conditions has been developed, which favors an uncommon β-hydroxide elimination pathway rather than a β-hydride elimination pathway.
(−)-Cytisine: Access to a stereochemically defined and functionally flexible piperidine scaffold
Authors: Niwetmarin Worawat , Rego Campello Hugo , Sparkes Hazel A. , Aggarwal Varinder K. , Gallagher Timothy
Published: July 2018

Cytisine undergoes ready fragmentation to provide a highly flexible (and “privileged”) piperidine scaffold capable of exploring a diversity of chemical space.
Enantioselective Mannich reaction between rhodanines and isatin-derived ketimines to construct vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters
Authors: Xu Han , Kang Tian-Chen , Sha Feng , Wu Xin-Yan
Published: July 2018

Rhodanines have been firstly employed in enantioselective Mannich reaction to construct 3-amino-2-oxindoles containing vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters.
Alternative formation of amides and β-enaminones from aroyl chlorides using the TiCl4-trialkylamine reagent system
Authors: Leggio Antonella , Comandè Alessandra , Belsito Emilia Lucia , Greco Marianna , Lo Feudo Lucia , Liguori Angelo
Published: July 2018

Synthesis of amides and β-enaminones by the reaction of aroyl chlorides with the TiCl4–NR3reagent system.
Porous Fe–N-codoped carbon microspheres: an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Xianghong , Sun Xu , Ren Xiang , Wu Dan , Kuang Xuan , Ma Hongmin , Yan Tao , Wei Qin
Published: July 2018

Porous Fe–N-codoped carbon microspheres act as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for ORR.
An ultrasensitive flow cytometric immunoassay based on bead surface-initiated template-free DNA extension
Authors: Zhu Liping , Chen Desheng , Lu Xiaohui , Qi Yan , He Pan , Liu Chenghui , Li Zhengping
Published: July 2018

An ultrasensitive flow cytometric immunoassay (TdT-FCI) is developed based on bead surface-initiated template-free DNA extension.
Controlled formation of chitosan particles by a clock reaction
Authors: Panzarasa Guido , Osypova Alina , Sicher Alba , Bruinink Arie , Dufresne Eric R.
Published: July 2018

Directed self-assembly of chitosan as tunable-size particles is achieved in the time domain by means of the formaldehyde clock reaction.
Activation mechanisms of the Hippo kinase signaling cascade
Authors: Bae Sung Jun , Luo Xuelian
Published: July 2018

First discovered two decades ago through genetic screens in Drosophila, the Hippo pathway has been shown to be conserved in metazoans and controls organ size and tissue homeostasis through regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to aberrant tissue growth and tumorigenesis. Extensive studies in Drosophila and mammals have identified the core components of Hippo signaling, which form a central kinase cascade to ultimately control gene expression. Here, we review recent structural, biochemical, and cellular studies that have revealed intricate phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms in regulating the formation and activation of the core kinase complex in the Hippo pathway. These studies have established the dimerization-mediated activation of the Hippo kinase (mammalian Ste20-like 1 and 2 (MST1/2) in mammals), the dynamic scaffolding and allosteric roles of adaptor proteins in downstream kinase activation, and the importance of multisite linker autophosphorylation by Hippo and MST1/2 in fine-tuning the signaling strength and robustness of the Hippo pathway. We highlight the gaps in our knowledge in this field that will require further mechanistic studies.
LncRNA MALAT1 up-regulates VEGF-A and ANGPT2 to promote angiogenesis in brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen–glucose deprivation via targettingmiR-145
Authors: Ren Lanfen , Wei Chunxia , Li Kui , Lu Zuneng
Published: July 2018

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability around the world. Angiogenesis is supposed to protect brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) from oxidative and ischemic stress. Previous studies indicated that interaction between metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and miR-145 was involved in myocardial ischemia reperfusion, suggesting MALAT1 and miR-145 were also mediated with the progress of angiogenesis and cell migration in oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced BMECs. The present study aimed to investigate the functional roles of MALAT1 in regulating miR-145 and its downstream pro-angiogenesis factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and Angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) during the progress of angiogenesis in OGD-induced BMECs. An in vitro OGD model was employed in mouse BMECs to mimic brain hypoxic and ischemic conditions; MTT was used to determine cell viability. qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-MALAT1 and miR-145 under OGD conditions; in vitro tube formation assay was used to investigate angiogenic effect of MALAT1 and miR-145. The relationship between lncRNA-MALAT1/miR-145 and miR-145/VEGF-A/ANGPT2 was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot, and direct binding was assessed using dual luciferase assay. Results showed that the levels of lncRNA-MALAT1 and miR-145 were up-regulated in OGD-induced BMECs. miR-145 functioned as an anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic factor in OGD treated BMECs via down-regulating VEGF-A and ANGPT2 directly. While lncRNA-MALAT1 enhanced the expressions of VEGF-A and ANGPT2 by targetting miR-145 to promote angiogenesis and proliferation of BMECs under OGD conditions. Our present study revealed the inhibitory functions of miR-145 on angiogenesis through direct targetting on VEGF-A and ANGPT2 for the first time and proved the protective role of lncRNA-MALAT1 for BMECs under OGD conditions through the direct regulation of miR-145.
Gene expression data analysis identifies multiple deregulated pathways in patients with asthma
Authors: Alrashoudi Reem H. , Crane Isabel J. , Wilson Heather M. , Al-Alwan Monther , Alajez Nehad M.
Published: July 2018

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with airway hyper-responsiveness. Although a number of studies have investigated asthma at the molecular level, the molecular immune signatures associated with asthma severity or with the response to corticosteroids are still being unraveled. The present study integrated four asthma-related gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus and identified immune-gene signatures associated with asthma development, severity, or response to treatment. Normal and mild asthmatic patients clustered separately from the severe asthma group, suggesting substantial progression-related changes in gene expression. Pathway analysis of up-regulated severe asthma-related genes identified multiple cellular processes, such as polymorphism, T-cell development, and transforming growth factor-β signaling. Comparing gene expression profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage cells in response to corticosteroid treatment, showed substantial reductions in genes related to the inflammatory response, including tumor necrosis factor signaling in the corticosteroid sensitive versus resistant patients, suggesting a defective immune response to corticosteroids. The data highlight the multifactorial nature of asthma, but revealed no significant overlap with the gene expression profiles from different datasets interrogated in current studies. The presented profile suggests that genes involved in asthma progression are different from those involved in the response to corticosteroids and this could affect the clinical management of different groups of patients with asthma.
Evaluation of serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels as a biomarker of poor short-term prognosis in ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhu Yan-yan , Zhang Jian-long , Liu Li , Han Yingbo , Ge Xiaomin , Zhao Shuai
Published: July 2018

The aim was to investigate the relationship between retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels and short-term functional outcome, and to determine its possible role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In a prospective observational study, 299 first-ever AIS who were admitted to our hospital were included. Serum levels of RBP4 were assayed and severity of stroke was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission. The prognostic value of RBP4 to predict the poor outcome within 3 months was compared with the NIHSS and with other known outcome predictors. The median age of the included patients was 66 (interquartile range (IQR): 55–77) years and 155 (51.8%) were women. A poor functional outcome was found in 88 patients (29.4%), and significantly higher RBP4 values were found in poor outcomes rather than good outcomes patients (P<0.001). The poor outcomes distribution across the RBP4 quartiles ranged between 9.3% (first quartile) and 60.8% (fourth quartile). In multivariate models comparing the second(Q2), third, and fourth quartiles against the first quartile of the RBP4, RBP4 in Q3 and Q4 were associated with poor functional outcome, and increased risk of poor functional outcome by 144% (OR: 2.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–5.03) and 602% (7.02; 3.11–12.24), respectively. Interestingly, RBP4 improved the NIHSS score (area under the curve (AUC) of the combined model, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.85; P<0.001). The data showed that elevated serum levels of RBP4 at admission were associated with severity and prognosis of AIS, suggesting that vitamin A metabolism or impaired insulin signaling could be involved.
Modulation of the renin–angiotensin system in white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle: focus on exercise training
Authors: Frantz Eliete Dalla Corte , Prodel Eliza , Braz Igor Dutra , Giori Isabele Gomes , Bargut Thereza Cristina Lonzetti , Magliano D’Angelo Carlo , Nobrega Antonio Claudio Lucas
Published: July 2018

Overactivation of the renin–angiotensin (Ang) system (RAS) increases the classical arm (Ang-converting enzyme (ACE)/Ang II/Ang type 1 receptor (AT1R)) to the detriment of the protective arm (ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas receptor (MasR)). The components of the RAS are present locally in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle, which act co-operatively, through specific mediators, in response to pathophysiological changes. In WAT, up-regulation of the classical arm promotes lipogenesis and reduces lipolysis and adipogenesis, leading to adipocyte hypertrophy and lipid storage, which are related to insulin resistance and increased inflammation. In skeletal muscle, the classical arm promotes protein degradation and increases the inflammatory status and oxidative stress, leading to muscle wasting. Conversely, the protective arm plays a counter-regulatory role by opposing the effect of Ang II. The accumulation of adipose tissue and muscle mass loss is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, which could be related, in part, to overactivation of the RAS. On the other hand, exercise training (ExT) shifts the balance of the RAS towards the protective arm, promoting the inhibition of the classical arm in parallel with the stimulation of the protective arm. Thus, fat mobilization and maintenance of muscle mass and function are facilitated. However, the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced changes in the RAS remain unclear. In this review, we present the RAS as a key mechanism of WAT and skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, we discuss the interaction between the RAS and exercise and the possible underlying mechanisms of the health-related aspects of ExT.
A phylogenetic approach to chemical tagging
Authors: Blanco-Cuaresma Sergi , Fraix-Burnet Didier
Published: July 2018

Context. The chemical tagging technique is a promising approach to reconstructing the history of the Galaxy by only using stellar chemical abundances. Multiple studies have undertaken this analysis and they have raised several challenges.

Aims. Using a sample of open cluster stars, we wish to address two issues: minimize chemical abundance differences whose origin is linked to the evolutionary stage of the stars and not their original composition and evaluate a phylogenetic approach to group stars based on their chemical composition.

Methods. We derived differential chemical abundances for 207 stars, belonging to 34 open clusters, using the Sun as reference star (classical approach) and a dwarf plus a giant star from the open cluster M 67 as reference (new approach). These abundances were then used to perform two phylogenetic analyses: cladistics (maximum parsimony) and neighbor joining, together with a partitioning unsupervised classification analysis with k-means. The resulting groupings were finally confronted to the true open cluster memberships of the stars.

Results. We successfully reconstruct most of the original open clusters when carefully selecting a subset of the abundances derived differentially with respect to M 67. We find a set of eight chemical elements that yield the best result and discuss the possible reasons for these elements to be good tracers of the history of the Galaxy.

Conclusions. Our study shows that unraveling the history of the Galaxy by only using stellar chemical abundances is greatly improved provided that i) we perform a differential spectroscopic analysis with respect to an open cluster instead of the Sun, ii) select the chemical elements that are good tracers of the history of the Galaxy, and iii) use tools that are adapted to detect evolutionary tracks such as phylogenetic approaches.
Duty cycle of the radio galaxy B2 0258+35
Authors: Brienza M. , Morganti R. , Murgia M. , Vilchez N. , Adebahr B. , Carretti E. , Concu R. , Govoni F. , Harwood J. , Intema H. , Loi F. , Melis A. , Paladino R. , Poppi S. , Shulevski A. , Vacca V. , Valente G.
Published: July 2018

Context. Radio loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) are episodic in nature, cycling through periods of activity and quiescence. The study of this duty cycle has recently gained new relevance because of the importance of AGN feedback for galaxy evolution.

Aims. In this work we investigate the duty cycle of the radio galaxy B2 0258+35, which was previously suggested to be a restarted radio galaxy based on its morphology. The radio source consists of a pair of kpc-scale jets embedded in two large-scale lobes (∼240 kpc) with relaxed shape and very low surface brightness, which resemble remnants of a past AGN activity.

Methods. We have combined new LOFAR data at 145 MHz and new Sardinia Radio Telescope data at 6600 MHz with available WSRT data at 1400 MHz to investigate the spectral properties of the outer lobes and derive their age.

Results. Interestingly, the spectrum of both the outer northern and southern lobes is not ultra-steep as expected for an old ageing plasma with spectral index values equal to α1451400= 0.48 ± 0.11 and α14006600= 0.69 ± 0.20 in the outer northern lobe, and α1451400= 0.73 ± 0.07 in the outer southern lobe. Moreover, despite the wide frequency coverage available for the outer northern lobe (145–6600 MHz), we do not identify a significant spectral curvature (SPC ≃ 0.2 ± 0.2).

Conclusions. While mechanisms such as in-situ particle reacceleration, mixing or compression can temporarily play a role in preventing the spectrum from steepening, in no case seem the outer lobes to be compatible with being very old remnants of past activity as previously suggested (with age ≳ 80 Myr). We conclude that either the large-scale lobes are still fuelled by the nuclear engine or the jets have switched off no more than a few tens of Myr ago, allowing us to observe both the inner and outer structure simultaneously. Our study shows the importance of combining morphological and spectral properties to reliably classify the evolutionary stage of low surface brightness, diffuse emission that low frequency observations are revealing around a growing number of radio sources.
Cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots Reduces Cytokeratin CK1/10 Expression in Keratinocytes by Activation of Peptidyl-prolyl-cis-trans-isomerase FKBP1A
Authors: Esch Stefan , König Simone , Bopp Bertan , Jose Joachim , Brandt Simone , Hensel Andreas
Published: July 2018

Cryptotanshinone (CTS) (1 µM) from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza exerts a strong influence on the terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line, primary natural human keratinocytes) and downregulates the expression of differentiation-specific cytokeratins CK1 and CK10 on protein and gene level. Other differentiation specific proteins as involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin, and transglutaminase were not affected to a higher extent. CTS (1 µM) did not influence the cell viability and the proliferation of keratinocytes. Using a combination of drug affinity response target stability assay in combination with a proteomic approach and multivariate statistics for target elucidation, peptidyl-prolyl-cis-trans-isomerase FKBP1A (known target of inhibitors such as tacrolimus or rapamycin) was addressed as potential molecular target of CTS. The interaction of CTS with FKBP1A was additionally shown by thermal shift and enzymatic activity assays. Interestingly, CTS served as an activator of FKBP1A, which led to a reduced activity of the TGFβ receptor pathway and therefore to a diminished CK1 and CK10 expression. The combination of the FKBP1A activator CTS with the inhibitor tacrolimus neutralized the effects of both compounds. From these data, a potential dermatological use of CTS and CTS-containing plant extracts (e.g., hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of S. miltiorrhiza) for keratinopathic ichthyosis, a disease characterized by overexpression of CK1 and CK10, is discussed. This study displays an experimental strategy for combining phytochemical aspects on active natural products with systematic identification of molecular targets on gene, protein, and cell level.
Syntheses and Redox Chemistry of Antiaromatic Core-Modified Isophlorinoids
Authors: Anand Venkataramanarao , Panchal Santosh , Reddy Baddigam
Published: July 2018

During the attempted total synthesis of chlorophyll, Woodward hypothesized the formation of tetrapyrrolic 20π isophlorin as a transient antiaromatic intermediate which provides a plausible template to synthesize stable antiaromatic molecules. Despite its structural similarity with the 18π aromatic porphyrin, it significantly differs in its electronic and chemical properties. However, due to its unstable nature under ambient conditions it immediately gets oxidized to stable 18π aromatic porphyrin. Similar macrocyclic structures with β-substituted heterocycles, such as furan/thiophene/selenophene, have been synthesized, which undergo facile oxidation to yield the 18π porphyrin dication. Attempts to synthesize stable tetrapyrrolic isophlorin and its metal complex have remained unaccomplished till date. Strategies to synthesize stable core-modified 20π isophlorin and its confused isophlorin derivative have met with considerable success. Predominantly, they are synthesized by replacing three or four pyrroles with furan/thiophene. The 20π systems either with four furan units or with a ‘pair’ of furan and thiophene units were sufficiently stable enough to resist oxidation towards the corresponding porphyrin dication. The 20π isophlorins displayed noncovalent interactions with the curved π surface of fullerene which predominantly rises due to van der Waals attraction between the dissimilar π systems. This antiaromatic isophlorin-fullerene complexes were obtained and successfully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Replacing only three pyrroles by furan rings yielded the first stable pyrrole derivative of antiaromatic 20π isophlorin, which can be reversibly oxidized to 18π aromatic porphyrin without deprotonating the inner pyrrole NH. In addition, replacing all the pyrrole units of N-confused porphyrin with thiophene yielded the first derivative of confused isophlorin. Further, its two-electron oxidation led to the formation of 18π aromatic cation with enhanced aromaticity. The structure and electronic properties of the oxidized and neutral species were unambiguously determined from a combination of spectroscopic techniques, X-ray crystallography, and computational methods. These studies reveal that antiaromatic systems like isophlorin and its confused isophlorin derivative can be stabilized under ambient conditions and they offer potential to explore the chemistry of 4nπ systems. This Account focuses of recent advances in 20π antiaromatic isophlorins, confused isophlorins, and nocorroles along with their redox chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Stable 20π Isophlorins

2.1 Furan-/Thiophene-Based Isophlorins

2.2 Pyrrole Isophlorins

3 Confused Isophlorins

3.1 Isophlorin-Fullerene

3.2 meso-meso-Bridged Tetraoxaisophlorin Dimer

4. Norcorroles

5. Conclusion and Outlook
Nitrile Hydration Reaction Using Copper Iodide/Cesium Carbonate/DBU in Nitromethane–Water
Authors: Yoshimatsu Mitsuhiro , Kuwabara Jun , Sawada Yoshiharu
Published: July 2018

The catalytic nitrile hydration (amide formation) in a copper iodide/cesium carbonate/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene/nitromethane–water system is described. The protocol is robust and reliable; it can be applied to a broad range of substrates with high chemoselectivity.
Heterogeneous Iron-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes under Water-Gas Shift Reaction Conditions
Authors: Beller Matthias , Ryabchuk Pavel , Junge Kathrin
Published: July 2018

Reduction of various nitroarenes in the presence of heterogeneous iron oxide-based catalyst Fe2O3/NGr@C under water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) conditions has been demonstrated. The catalytic material is prepared in a straightforward manner via deposition/pyrolysis of iron-phenanthroline complex on carbon support. It shows high chemoselectivity towards the reduction of nitroarenes in the presence of other reducible and/or poisoning-capable functional groups. Hydrogenation is achieved using CO/H2O as a hydrogen source. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the presence of triethylamine additive has a significant positive effect on the rate of reduction.
Short Enantioselective Formal Synthesis of (–)-Platencin
Authors: Stoltz Brian , Defieber Christian , Mohr Justin , Grabovyi Gennadii
Published: July 2018

A short enantioselective formal synthesis of the antibiotic natural product platencin is reported. Key steps in the synthesis include enantioselective decarboxylation alkylation, aldehyde/olefin radical cyclization, and regioselective aldol cyclization.