bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large-scale microfluidic gradient arrays reveal axon guidance behaviors in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Bhattacharjee Nirveek , Folch Albert
Published: May 2017

High-throughput quantitative approaches to study axon growth behaviors have remained a challenge. We have developed a 1024-chamber microfluidic gradient generator array that enables large-scale investigations of axon guidance and growth dynamics from individual primary mammalian neurons, which are exposed to gradients of diffusible molecules. Our microfluidic method (a) generates statistically rich data sets, (b) produces a stable, reproducible gradient with negligible shear stresses on the culture surface, (c) is amenable to the long-term culture of primary neurons without any unconventional protocol, and (d) eliminates the confounding influence of cell-secreted factors. Using this platform, we demonstrate that hippocampal axon guidance in response to a netrin-1 gradient is concentration-dependent—attractive at higher concentrations and repulsive at lower concentrations. We also show that the turning of the growth cone depends on the angle of incidence of the gradient. Our study highlights the potential of microfluidic devices in producing large amounts of data from morphogen and chemokine gradients that play essential roles not only in axonal navigation but also in stem cell differentiation, cell migration, and immune response.
Hepatic p63 regulates steatosis via IKKβ/ER stress
Authors: Porteiro Begoña , Fondevila Marcos F. , Delgado Teresa C. , Iglesias Cristina , Imbernon Monica , Iruzubieta Paula , Crespo Javier , Zabala-Letona Amaia , Fernø Johan , González-Terán Bárbara , Matesanz Nuria , Hernández-Cosido Lourdes , Marcos Miguel , Tovar Sulay , Vidal Anxo , Sánchez-Ceinos Julia , Malagon Maria M. , Pombo Celia , Zalvide Juan , Carracedo Arkaitz , Buque Xabier , Dieguez Carlos , Sabio Guadalupe , López Miguel , Aspichueta Patricia , Martínez-Chantar María L. , Nogueiras Ruben
Published: May 2017

p53 family members control several metabolic and cellular functions. The p53 ortholog p63 modulates cellular adaptations to stress and has a major role in cell maintenance and proliferation. Here we show that p63 regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Mice with liver-specific p53 deletion develop steatosis and show increased levels of p63. Down-regulation of p63 attenuates liver steatosis in p53 knockout mice and in diet-induced obese mice, whereas the activation of p63 induces lipid accumulation. Hepatic overexpression of N-terminal transactivation domain TAp63 induces liver steatosis through IKKβ activation and the induction of ER stress, the inhibition of which rescues the liver functions. Expression of TAp63, IKKβ and XBP1s is also increased in livers of obese patients with NAFLD. In cultured human hepatocytes, TAp63 inhibition protects against oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation, whereas TAp63 overexpression promotes lipid storage, an effect reversible by IKKβ silencing. Our findings indicate an unexpected role of the p63/IKKβ/ER stress pathway in lipid metabolism and liver disease.
Signalome-wide assessment of host cell response to hepatitis C virus
Authors: Haqshenas Gholamreza , Wu Jianmin , Simpson Kaylene J. , Daly Roger J. , Netter Hans J. , Baumert Thomas F. , Doerig Christian
Published: May 2017

Host cell signalling during infection with intracellular pathogens remains poorly understood. Here we report on the use of antibody microarray technology to detect variations in the expression levels and phosphorylation status of host cell signalling proteins during hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Following transfection with HCV RNA, the JNK and NF-κB pathways are suppressed, while the JAK/STAT5 pathway is activated; furthermore, components of the apoptosis and cell cycle control machineries are affected in the expression and/or phosphorylation status. RNAi-based hit validation identifies components of the JAK/STAT, NF-κB, MAPK and calcium-induced pathways as modulators of HCV replication. Selective chemical inhibition of one of the identified targets, the JNK activator kinase MAP4K2, does impair HCV replication. Thus this study provides a comprehensive picture of host cell pathway mobilization by HCV and uncovers potential therapeutic targets. The strategy of identifying targets for anti-infective intervention within the host cell signalome can be applied to any intracellular pathogen.
Mapping the orbital structure of impurity bound states in a superconductor
Authors: Choi Deung-Jang , Rubio-Verdú Carmen , de Bruijckere Joeri , Ugeda Miguel M. , Lorente Nicolás , Pascual Jose Ignacio
Published: May 2017

A magnetic atom inside a superconductor locally distorts superconductivity. It scatters Cooper pairs as a potential with broken time-reversal symmetry, leading to localized bound states with subgap excitation energies, named Shiba states. Most conventional approaches regarding Shiba states treat magnetic impurities as point scatterers with isotropic exchange interaction. Here, we show that the number and the shape of Shiba states are correlated to the spin-polarized atomic orbitals of the impurity, hybridized with the superconductor. Using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, we spatially map the five Shiba excitations found on subsurface chromium atoms in Pb(111), resolving their particle and hole components. While particle components resemble d orbitals of embedded Cr atoms, hole components differ strongly from them. Density functional theory simulations correlate the orbital shapes to the magnetic ground state of the atom, and identify scattering channels and interactions, all valuable tools for designing atomic-scale superconducting devices.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Precise determination of graphene functionalization by in situ Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Vecera Philipp , Chacón-Torres Julio C. , Pichler Thomas , Reich Stephanie , Soni Himadri R. , Görling Andreas , Edelthalhammer Konstantin , Peterlik Herwig , Hauke Frank , Hirsch Andreas
Published: May 2017

The verification of a successful covalent functionalization of graphene and related carbon allotropes can easily be carried out by Raman spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the unequivocal assignment and resolution of individual lattice modes associated with the covalent binding of addends was elusive up to now. Here we present an in situ Raman study of a controlled functionalization of potassium intercalated graphite, revealing several new bands appearing in the D-region of the spectrum. The evolution of these bands with increasing degree of functionalization from low to moderate levels provides a basis for the deconvolution of the different components towards quantifying the extent of functionalization. By complementary DFT calculations we were able to identify the vibrational changes in the close proximity of the addend bearing lattice carbon atoms and to assign them to specific Raman modes. The experimental in situ observation of the developing functionalization along with the reoxidation of the intercalated graphite represents an important step towards an improved understanding of the chemistry of graphene.
Magnetoelectrical control of nonreciprocal microwave response in a multiferroic helimagnet
Authors: Iguchi Y. , Nii Y. , Onose Y.
Published: May 2017

The control of physical properties by external fields is essential in many contemporary technologies. For example, conductance can be controlled by a gate electric field in a field effect transistor, which is a main component of integrated circuits. Optical phenomena induced by an electric field such as electroluminescence and electrochromism are useful for display and other technologies. Control of microwave propagation is also important for future wireless communication technology. Microwave properties in solids are dominated mostly by magnetic excitations, which cannot be easily controlled by an electric field. One solution to this problem is to use magnetically induced ferroelectrics (multiferroics). Here we show that microwave nonreciprocity, that is, different refractive indices for microwaves propagating in opposite directions, could be reversed by an external electric field in a multiferroic helimagnet Ba2Mg2Fe12O22. This approach offers an avenue for the electrical control of microwave properties.
Dynamic molecular oxygen production in cometary comae
Authors: Yao Yunxi , Giapis Konstantinos P.
Published: May 2017

Abundant molecular oxygen was discovered in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Its origin was ascribed to primordial gaseous O2 incorporated into the nucleus during the comet’s formation. This thesis was put forward after discounting several O2 production mechanisms in comets, including photolysis and radiolysis of water, solar wind–surface interactions and gas-phase collisions. Here we report an original Eley–Rideal reaction mechanism, which permits direct O2 formation in single collisions of energetic water ions with oxidized cometary surface analogues. The reaction proceeds by H2O+ abstracting a surface O-atom, then forming an excited precursor state, which dissociates to produce O2−. Subsequent photo-detachment leads to molecular O2, whose presence in the coma may thus be linked directly to water molecules and their interaction with the solar wind. This abiotic O2 production mechanism is consistent with reported trends in the 67P coma and raises awareness of the role of energetic negative ions in comets.
Liraglutide reduces body weight by upregulation of adenylate cyclase 3
Authors: Li Z , Liang Y , Xia N , Lai Y , Pan H , Zhou S , Jiang F , He Y
Published: May 2017

Objective:

According to recent studies, adenylate cyclase 3 (AC3) is associated with obesity. Liraglutide reduces blood glucose levels and body weight (BW). We performed a 2 × 2 factorial experiment to study the relationships among AC3, liraglutide and obesity and to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the physiological effects of liraglutide on obesity.

Methods:

A high-fat diet was used to induce obesity in C57BL/6J mice. Both the normal and obese mice were treated with liraglutide (1 mg kg−1) or saline twice daily for 8 weeks. The hepatic levels of the AC3 and glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1R) mRNAs and proteins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The serum AC3 levels were detected using a rat/mouse AC3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results:

The administration of liraglutide significantly decreased the BW in obese mice and normal control mice. The BW of obese mice exhibited a more obvious decrease. Hepatic AC3 mRNA and protein levels and serum AC3 levels were significantly reduced in obese mice compared with those in normal control mice. The administration of liraglutide significantly increased the hepatic expression of the AC3 and GLP-1R mRNAs and proteins and serum AC3 levels. The hepatic expression of the AC3 mRNA and protein and serum AC3 levels were negatively correlated with BW loss in the liraglutide-treated group. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for these comparisons are r=−0.448, P=0.048; r=−0.478, P=0.046; and r=−0.909, P=0.000, respectively.

Conclusions:

Based on our research, liraglutide reduces BW, possibly by increasing the expression of AC3.
Eating glutinous brown rice twice a day for 8 weeks improves glycemic control in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakayama T , Nagai Y , Uehara Y , Nakamura Y , Ishii S , Kato H , Tanaka Y
Published: May 2017

Objective:

We recently reported that eating glutinous brown rice (GBR) for 1 day improved the whole-day glucose profile and postprandial plasma glucose level compared with eating white rice (WR) or standard brown rice. However, it was unknown whether eating GBR could maintain improvement of glycemic control for a longer period. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of GBR intake for 8 weeks on glycemic control in outpatients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

This was an open-label randomized crossover study in outpatients with type 2 diabetes. Among the 18 subjects registered in this study, 2 were excluded from analysis. After a 1-week observation period while eating WR twice a day, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups. One group ate GBR as a staple food twice a day for 8 weeks and then switched to WR for the next 8 weeks, while the other group ate WR first and then switched to GBR. A mixed meal tolerance test was performed at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks of dietary intervention to evaluate plasma glucose and serum C-peptide.

Results:

None of the subjects failed to complete the study because of disliking the taste of GBR. Hemoglobin A1c (7.5–7.2%, P=0.014) and glycoalbumin (20.4–19.4%, P=0.029) both decreased significantly when the patients were eating GBR. Additionally, the 30-min postprandial plasma glucose level (194–172 mg dl−1, P=0.031) and the incremental area under the concentration vs time curve of serum C-peptide (31.3–22.1 ng min ml−1, P=0.023) during the mixed meal tolerance test were also decreased significantly by intake of GBR. In contrast, there were no changes of glycemic control during the WR period.

Conclusions:

We confirmed that GBR was well tolerated for 8 weeks and improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Membrane-bound β-catenin degradation is enhanced by ETS2-mediated Siah1 induction in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric cancer cells
Authors: Das L , Kokate S B , Dixit P , Rath S , Rout N , Singh S P , Crowe S E , Bhattacharyya A
Published: May 2017

β-catenin has two different cellular functions: intercellular adhesion and transcriptional activity. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah1 causes ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the cytosolic β-catenin and therefore, impairs nuclear translocation and oncogenic function of β-catenin. However, the effect of Siah1 on the cell membrane bound β-catenin has not been studied. In this study, we identified that the carcinogenic bacterium H. pylori increased ETS2 transcription factor-mediated Siah1 protein expression in gastric cancer cells (GCCs) MKN45, AGS and Kato III. Siah1 protein level was also noticeably higher in gastric adenocarcinoma biopsy samples as compared to non-cancerous gastric epithelia. Siah1 knockdown significantly decreased invasiveness and migration of H. pylori-infected GCCs. Although, Siah1 could not increase degradation of the cytosolic β-catenin and its nuclear translocation, it enhanced degradation of the membrane-bound β-catenin in the infected GCCs. This loss of membrane-bound pool of β-catenin was not associated with the proteasomal degradation of E-cadherin. Thus, this work delineated the role of Siah1 in increasing invasiveness of H. pylori-infected GCCs.
NSAIDs Use and Reduced Metastasis in Cancer Patients: results from a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiaoping , Xu Zhi , Li Haoseng
Published: May 2017

This meta-analysis investigated the relationship between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and lymph node/distant metastasis. Relevant sources were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Studies that reported the odds ratio (OR)/risk ratio (RR)/hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of interested outcomes were included. Pooled effect estimates were obtained by using random- or fixed-effect model depending on the heterogeneity across these studies. Sixteen studies involving 202780 participants, including prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients, were included. Compared with the reference, generally patients exposed to NSAIDs at pre- and post-diagnosis experienced a significantly reduced risk of distant metastasis (RR 0.708, 95% CI 0.586–0.856 and RR: 0.484, 95% CI: 0.393–0.595, respectively), including prostate cancer (pre-diagnostic use: RR = 0.874, 95% CI, 0.787–0.97; post-diagnostic use: RR = 0.482, 95% CI 0.359–0.647), and breast cancer (pre-diagnostic use: RR = 0.644, 95% CI 0.565–0.735; post-diagnostic use: RR = 0.485, 95% CI 0.362–0.651). However, lymph node metastasis was weakly related with pre-diagnostic use of NSAIDs (RR = 0.949, 95% CI 0.914–0.985). NSAIDs are related to a significantly reduced risk of metastasis development, regardless of pre-diagnostic or post-diagnostic use. However, NSAIDs and lymph node metastasis are weakly associated. Our finding suggested a novel metastasis management.
Plasmonic Purcell effect reveals obliquely ordered phosphorescent emitters in Organic LEDs
Authors: Mac Ciarnain R. , Michaelis D. , Wehlus T. , Rausch A. F. , Wehrmeister S. , Schmidt T. D. , Brütting W. , Danz N. , Bräuer A. , Tünnermann A.
Published: May 2017

The non-isotropic alignment of molecules can increase the interaction efficiency with propagating light fields. This applies to both emissive and absorptive systems and can be exploited for achieving unprecedented efficiencies of organic opto-electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes. Optical analysis has revealed certain phosphorescent emitters to align spontaneously in an advantageous orientation. Unfortunately, established approaches only determine an average orientation because emission patterns solely depend on the second moments of the transition dipole vector distribution. In order to resolve further details of such a distribution, additional differences in the emission characteristics of parallel and perpendicularly oriented emitters need to be introduced. A thin metal layer near the emitters introduces plasmon mediated losses mostly for perpendicular emitters. Then, analyzing the emission at different polarizations allows one to measure emission lifetimes of mostly parallel or mostly perpendicular oriented emitters. This should alter the transient emission when observing the temporal phosphorescence decay under different directions and/or polarizations. The angular width of the orientation distribution can be derived from the degree of such lifetime splitting. Our results suggest a narrow but obliquely oriented molecular ensemble of Ir(MDQ)2(acac) doped into the α-NPD host inside an Organic LED stack.
Development of an inducible mouse model of iRFP713 to track recombinase activity and tumour development in vivo
Authors: Hock Andreas K. , Cheung Eric C. , Humpton Timothy J. , Monteverde Tiziana , Paulus-Hock Viola , Lee Pearl , McGhee Ewan , Scopelliti Alessandro , Murphy Daniel J. , Strathdee Douglas , Blyth Karen , Vousden Karen H.
Published: May 2017

While the use of bioluminescent proteins for molecular imaging is a powerful technology to further our understanding of complex processes, fluorescent labeling with visible light fluorescent proteins such as GFP and RFP suffers from poor tissue penetration and high background autofluorescence. To overcome these limitations, we generated an inducible knock-in mouse model of iRFP713. This model was used to assess Cre activity in a Rosa Cre–ER background and quantify Cre activity upon different tamoxifen treatments in several organs. We also show that iRFP can be readily detected in 3D organoid cultures, FACS analysis and in vivo tumour models. Taken together we demonstrate that iRFP713 is a progressive step in in vivo imaging and analysis that widens the optical imaging window to the near-infrared spectrum, thereby allowing deeper tissue penetration, quicker image acquisition without the need to inject substrates and a better signal to background ratio in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs).
Phylogeographical structure and demographic expansion in the endemic alpine stream salamander (Hynobiidae: Batrachuperus) of the Qinling Mountains
Authors: Huang Zu-Shi , Yu Feng-Lan , Gong Hui-Sheng , Song Yan-Ling , Zeng Zhi-Gao , Zhang Qiong
Published: May 2017

The Qinling Mountains of China provide an excellent study area for assessing the effect of Pleistocene climatic oscillations and paleogeological events on intraspecific diversification. To assess genetic diversity of an endemic stream salamander, Batrachuperus tibetanus, for its conservation, a phylogeographical survey was performed based on mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The mitochondrial data revealed three lineages of B. tibetanus in the Qinling Mountains. A lineage present in the northwestern Qinling Mountains groups with the Tibet lineage of B. tibetanus, and the remaining Qinling populations are eastern and western lineages that separated ~3–4 million years ago (Ma). The eastern and western Qinling lineage delineation is supported by three morphological variables (snout length, eye diameter and axilla-groin length). The divergence of the two major lineages was likely caused by orogenesis of the Qinling Mountains during the late Cenozoic, and the two lineages were subsequently affected at different levels by Pleistocene climatic oscillations showing different signals of demographic expansion. A large suitable area of B. tibetanus through the Qinling Mountains since the last glacial maximum (LGM) indicated the adaptation of this species to the climatic changes. However, low genetic diversity within populations indicate the urgency of preserving the vulnerable populations and endemic lineages.
Controllability of complex networks with unilateral inputs
Authors: Lindmark Gustav , Altafini Claudio
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study the problem of controlling complex networks with unilateral controls, i.e., controls which can assume only positive or negative values, not both. Given a complex network represented by the adjacency matrix A, an algorithm is developed that constructs an input matrix B such that the resulting system (A, B) is controllable with a near minimal number of unilateral control inputs. This is made possible by a reformulation of classical conditions for controllability that casts the minimal unilateral input selection problem into well known optimization problems. We identify network properties that make unilateral controllability relatively easy to achieve as compared to unrestricted controllability. The analysis of the network topology for instance allows us to establish theoretical bounds on the minimal number of controls required. For various categories of random networks as well as for a number of real-world networks these lower bounds are often achieved by our heuristics.
Optimisation of a Novel Spiral-Inducing Bypass Graft Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Ruiz-Soler Andres , Kabinejadian Foad , Slevin Mark A. , Bartolo Paulo J. , Keshmiri Amir
Published: May 2017

Graft failure is currently a major concern for medical practitioners in treating Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). It is now widely accepted that unfavourable haemodynamic conditions play an essential role in the formation and development of intimal hyperplasia, which is the main cause of graft failure. This paper uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to conduct a parametric study to enhance the design and performance of a novel prosthetic graft, which utilises internal ridge(s) to induce spiral flow. This design is primarily based on the identification of the blood flow as spiral in the whole arterial system and is believed to improve the graft longevity and patency rates at distal graft anastomoses. Four different design parameters were assessed in this work and the trailing edge orientation of the ridge was identified as the most important parameter to induce physiological swirling flow, while the height of the ridge also significantly contributed to the enhanced performance of this type of graft. Building on these conclusions, an enhanced configuration of spiral graft is proposed and compared against conventional and spiral grafts to reaffirm its potential benefits.
A role for core planar polarity proteins in cell contact-mediated orientation of planar cell division across the mammalian embryonic skin
Authors: Oozeer Fazal , Yates Laura L. , Dean Charlotte , Formstone Caroline J.
Published: May 2017

The question of how cell division orientation is determined is fundamentally important for understanding tissue and organ shape in both healthy or disease conditions. Here we provide evidence for cell contact-dependent orientation of planar cell division in the mammalian embryonic skin. We propose a model where the core planar polarity proteins Celsr1 and Frizzled-6 (Fz6) communicate the long axis orientation of interphase basal cells to neighbouring basal mitoses so that they align their horizontal division plane along the same axis. The underlying mechanism requires a direct, cell surface, planar polarised cue, which we posit depends upon variant post-translational forms of Celsr1 protein coupled to Fz6. Our hypothesis has parallels with contact-mediated division orientation in early C. elegans embryos suggesting functional conservation between the adhesion-GPCRs Celsr1 and Latrophilin-1. We propose that linking planar cell division plane with interphase neighbour long axis geometry reinforces axial bias in skin spreading around the mouse embryo body.
No evidence of inbreeding depression in a Tasmanian devil insurance population despite significant variation in inbreeding
Authors: Gooley Rebecca , Hogg Carolyn J. , Belov Katherine , Grueber Catherine E.
Published: May 2017

Inbreeding depression occurs when inbred individuals experience reduced fitness as a result of reduced genome-wide heterozygosity. The Tasmanian devil faces extinction due to a contagious cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). An insurance metapopulation was established in 2006 to ensure the survival of the species and to be used as a source population for re-wilding and genetic rescue. The emergence of DFTD and the rapid decline of wild devil populations have rendered the species at risk of inbreeding depression. We used 33 microsatellite loci to (1) reconstruct a pedigree for the insurance population and (2) estimate genome-wide heterozygosity for 200 individuals. Using heterozygosity-fitness correlations, we investigated the effect of heterozygosity on six diverse fitness measures (ulna length, asymmetry, weight-at-weaning, testes volume, reproductive success and survival). Despite statistically significant evidence of variation in individual inbreeding in this population, we found no associations between inbreeding and any of our six fitness measurements. We propose that the benign environment in captivity may decrease the intensity of inbreeding depression, relative to the stressful conditions in the wild. Future work will need to measure fitness of released animals to facilitate translation of this data to the broader conservation management of the species in its native range.
Incidence and predictors of HBV relapse after cessation of nucleoside analogues in HBeAg-negative patients with HBsAg ≤ 200 IU/mL
Authors: Yao Chih-Chien , Hung Chao-Hung , Hu Tsung-Hui , Lu Sheng-Nan , Wang Jing-Hung , Lee Chung-Mo , Chen Chien-Hung
Published: May 2017

The predictors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse and HBsAg loss after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) in HBeAg-negative patients with end-of-treatment HBsAg ≤ 200 IU/mL remains unclear. The study recruited 119 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who achieved end-of-treatment HBsAg ≤ 200 IU/mL, were treated with lamivudine (n = 34) and entecavir (n = 85). The 5-year rates of post-treatment virological relapse, clinical relapse, and HBsAg loss at 60 months were 39.4%, 27.6%, and 45.9%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that HBV DNA at entry and end-of-treatment HBsAg levels were independent predictors of virolgical and clinical relapse. HBV genotype C and end-of-treatment HBsAg were independent factors of HBsAg loss. Patients with a combination of end-of-treatment HBsAg < 50 IU/mL and HBV DNA < 2 × 105 IU/mL at entry experienced the lowest virological and clinical relapse rates (5% and 0% at 60 months, respectively). In contract, patients with a combination of end-of-treatment HBsAg ≥ 50 IU/mL and HBV DNA ≥ 2 × 105 IU/mL at entry experienced high virological and clinical relapse (80.7% and 71.5% at 60 months, respectively). No patients experienced hepatic decompensation when clinical relapse occurred after timely retreatment. A combination of HBV DNA levels at entry and end-of-treatment HBsAg levels was useful for predicting the post-treatment HBV relapse in HBeAg-negative patients with HBsAg ≤ 200 IU/mL.
Novel Algorithms for Improved Sensitivity in Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
Authors: Johansson L. F. , de Boer E. N. , de Weerd H. A. , van Dijk F. , Elferink M. G. , Schuring-Blom G. H. , Suijkerbuijk R. F. , Sinke R. J. , te Meerman G. J. , Sijmons R. H. , Swertz M. A. , Sikkema-Raddatz B.
Published: May 2017

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma, which is a mixture of maternal DNA and a low percentage of fetal DNA, can detect fetal aneuploidies using massively parallel sequencing. Because of the low percentage of fetal DNA, methods with high sensitivity and precision are required. However, sequencing variation lowers sensitivity and hampers detection of trisomy samples. Therefore, we have developed three algorithms to improve sensitivity and specificity: the chi-squared-based variation reduction (χ2VR), the regression-based Z-score (RBZ) and the Match QC score. The χ2VR reduces variability in sequence read counts per chromosome between samples, the RBZ allows for more precise trisomy prediction, and the Match QC score shows if the control group used is representative for a specific sample. We compared the performance of χ2VR to that of existing variation reduction algorithms (peak and GC correction) and that of RBZ to trisomy prediction algorithms (standard Z-score, normalized chromosome value and median-absolute-deviation-based Z-score). χ2VR and the RBZ both reduce variability more than existing methods, and thereby increase the sensitivity of the NIPT analysis. We found the optimal combination of algorithms was to use both GC correction and χ2VR for pre-processing and to use RBZ as the trisomy prediction method.
Examining the efficacy of intravenous administration of predatory bacteria in rats
Authors: Shatzkes Kenneth , Singleton Eric , Tang Chi , Zuena Michael , Shukla Sean , Gupta Shilpi , Dharani Sonal , Rinaggio Joseph , Kadouri Daniel E. , Connell Nancy D.
Published: May 2017

The proteobacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are obligate predators of Gram-negative bacteria, and have been proposed to be used to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The ability of predatory bacteria to reduce bacterial burden in vivo within the lungs of rats has been demonstrated, but it was unknown if predatory bacteria can attenuate systemic bacterial burden administered intravenously. In this study, we first assessed the safety of intravenous inoculation of predatory bacteria in rats. No rat morbidity or adverse histopathology of various organs due to predatory bacteria administration was observed. An increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα and KC/GRO) was observed at two hours post-inoculation; however, cytokines returned to baseline levels by 18 hours. Furthermore, bacterial dissemination analysis demonstrated that predatory bacteria were efficiently cleared from the host by 20 days post-injection. To determine whether predatory bacteria could reduce bacterial burden in vivo, Klebsiella pneumoniae was injected into the tail veins of rats and followed with multiple doses of predatory bacteria over 16 or 24 hours. Predatory bacteria were unable to significantly reduce K. pneumoniae burden in the blood or prevent dissemination to other organs. The results suggest that predatory bacteria may not be effective for treatment of acute blood infections.
Non-Targeted Effects Models Predict Significantly Higher Mars Mission Cancer Risk than Targeted Effects Models
Authors: Cucinotta Francis A. , Cacao Eliedonna
Published: May 2017

Cancer risk is an important concern for galactic cosmic ray (GCR) exposures, which consist of a wide-energy range of protons, heavy ions and secondary radiation produced in shielding and tissues. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factors for surrogate cancer endpoints in cell culture models and tumor induction in mice vary considerable, including significant variations for different tissues and mouse strains. Many studies suggest non-targeted effects (NTE) occur for low doses of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, leading to deviation from the linear dose response model used in radiation protection. Using the mouse Harderian gland tumor experiment, the only extensive data-set for dose response modelling with a variety of particle types (>4), for the first-time a particle track structure model of tumor prevalence is used to investigate the effects of NTEs in predictions of chronic GCR exposure risk. The NTE model led to a predicted risk 2-fold higher compared to a targeted effects model. The scarcity of data with animal models for tissues that dominate human radiation cancer risk, including lung, colon, breast, liver, and stomach, suggest that studies of NTEs in other tissues are urgently needed prior to long-term space missions outside the protection of the Earth’s geomagnetic sphere.
Oral administration of trace element magnesium significantly improving the cognition and locomotion in hepatic encephalopathy rats
Authors: Li Ying , Ji Chang Xue , Mei Li Hong , Qiang Jin Wei , Ju Shuai
Published: May 2017

The therapeutic effects of iron, zinc and magnesium trace elements, as well as rifaximin were investigated and compared in HE rats. In this study, HE rats were treated with either ferrous sulfate (HE-Fe, 30 mg/kg/day), zinc sulfate (HE-Zn, 30 mg/kg/day), magnesium sulfate (HE-Mg, 50 mg/kg/day) or rifaximin (HE-Rf, 50 mg/kg/day), which was mixed with water and administered orally for 61 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) and open-field tests were used to evaluate cognitive and locomotor function. The blood ammonia levels before and after administration of the glutamine challenge test, manganese concentration and glutamine synthetase (GS) activity were measured. Significantly longer MWM escape latencies, less locomotor activity, higher blood ammonia levels, higher brain manganese concentrations and higher GS activity were observed in HE rats. However, HE-Mg and HE-Rf rats had significantly shorter MWM escape latencies, increased locomotor activity, lower blood ammonia, lower brain manganese concentrations and lower GS activity. Partial improvements were observed in HE-Fe and HE-Zn rats. The results indicated that oral administration of magnesium can significantly improve the cognitive and locomotor functions in HE rats by reducing the brain manganese concentration and regulating GS activity.
Quantitative Succinyl-Proteome Profiling of Camellia sinensis cv. ‘Anji Baicha’ During Periodic Albinism
Authors: Xu Yan-Xia , Shen Chen-Jia , Ma Jian-Qiang , Chen Wei , Mao Juan , Zhou Yan-Yan , Chen Liang
Published: May 2017

Lysine succinylation is a novel dynamic and evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates various biological processes. ‘Anji Baicha’ is an albino tea variety that exhibits temperature-based variability of leaf colour and amino acid concentrations. However, the mechanism underlying albinism in ‘Anji Baicha’ has not been investigated at the level of succinylation. Here, we identify 3530 lysine succinylation sites mapped to 2132 proteins in ‘Anji Baicha’, representing the first extensive data on the lysine succinylome in the tea plant. Eleven conserved succinylation motifs were enriched among the identified succinylated peptides. The protein-protein interaction maps were visualized using Cytoscape software. Comparison across three typical developmental stages of ‘Anji Baicha’ revealed that proteins exhibiting differential succinylation levels were primarily involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation, biosynthesis of amino acids and porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, suggesting that these succinylated proteins are involved in ‘Anji Baicha’ leaf colour variability. These results not only deepen our understanding of the mechanism underlying ‘Anji Baicha’ albinism and the regulatory role of succinylation in the tea plant but also provide new insight into molecular breeding for leaf colour variety.
Correction: Corrigendum: Hexagonal Boron Nitride Tunnel Barriers Grown on Graphite by High Temperature Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Cho Yong-Jin , Summerfield Alex , Davies Andrew , Cheng Tin S. , Smith Emily F. , Mellor Christopher J. , Khlobystov Andrei N. , Foxon C. Thomas , Eaves Laurence , Beton Peter H. , Novikov Sergei V.
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 34474; published online: 29 September 2016; updated: 08 May 2017. As the authors of references 25 and 26 also employed plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy for the synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride films, the authors would like to make the following changesto the Introduction section of their Article:
Evaluating interest in acids–bases: development of an acid–base interest scale (ABIS) and assessment of pre-service science teachers' interest
Authors: Çiçek Ö. , Ilhan N.
Published: May 2017

Students are more likely to be successful in topics they are interested in than others. This study aims to develop an Acid–Base Interest Scale (ABIS) and subsequently evaluate the interest of pre-service science teachers in acids–bases according to gender, years at the university, type of high school the pre-service science teachers attended, and their relative success in the module General Chemistry II. Upon careful consideration of validity and reliability for the development of the ABIS, data were collected from 453 pre-service science teachers. The five-point Likert-type ABIS consisted of 26 items and entailed three factors (“Individual Interest”, “Interest in Theoretical Information”, and “Interest related to Daily Life”). Cronbach's alpha coefficient representing the reliability of the ABIS was 0.894. Once the reliability of the ABIS was ascertained, it was administered to 982 pre-service science teachers in eight public universities in Turkey. Of the potential determinants evaluated, gender and years at the university were found to be statistically significant, whereas the type of high school the pre-service science teachers attended and the grade achieved in module General Chemistry II failed to be statistically significant.
Theoretical insights into the mechanism of ferroptosis suppression via inactivation of a lipid peroxide radical by liproxstatin-1
Authors: Sheng Xiehuang , Shan Chao , Liu Jianbiao , Yang Jintong , Sun Bin , Chen Dezhan
Published: May 2017

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death caused by the accumulation of membrane lipid peroxidation products, which is involved in various pathological conditions of the brain, kidneys, liver and heart.
Study of antiradical mechanisms with dihydroxybenzenes using reaction force and reaction electronic flux
Authors: Ortega-Moo Cristina , Durán Rocio , Herrera Bárbara , Gutiérrez-Oliva Soledad , Toro-Labbé Alejandro , Vargas Rubicelia
Published: May 2017

Phenolic compounds represent an important category of antioxidants, DFT reactivity indexes proved that the substitution of electron donating groups in dihydroxybenzenes, favor the spontaneity of the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism.
Evaluation of electronic polarization energy in oligoacene molecular crystals using the solvated supermolecular approach
Authors: Xu Tao , Wang Wenliang , Yin Shiwei , Wang Yun
Published: May 2017

The solvated supermolecular approach, i.e., block-localized wave function coupled with polarizable continuum model (BLW/PCM), was proposed to calculate molecular ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA) in the solid phase, and related electronic polarization.
Magnetically recyclable Cu-BTC@Fe3O4 composite-catalyzed C(aryl)–S–P bond formation using aniline, P(O)H compounds and sulfur powder
Authors: Wang Liang , Yang Sen , Chen Le , Yuan Sheng , Chen Qun , He Ming-Yang , Zhang Zhi-Hui
Published: May 2017

A magnetically recyclable Cu-BTC@Fe3O4-catalyzed synthesis of S-aryl phosphorothioates using aniline as the aryl source and sulfur powder as the sulfur source has been developed.
The discovery of half-sandwich iridium complexes containing lidocaine and (pyren-1-yl)ethynyl derivatives of phenylcyanamide ligands for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Tabrizi Leila
Published: May 2017

The new design of two cyclopentadienyl iridium(iii) complexes with (pyren-1-yl)ethynyl derivatives of phenylcyanamide and lidocaine ligands, have been studied for photodynamic therapy.
Magneto-structural correlations in a family of di-alkoxo bridged chromium dimers
Authors: Fraser Hector W. L. , Nichol Gary S. , Velmurugan Gunasekaran , Rajaraman Gopalan , Brechin Euan K.
Published: May 2017

A series of di-alkoxo bridged Cr(iii) dimers have been synthesised using pyridine alcohol ligands.
Mild-temperature hydrodeoxygenation of vanillin over porous nitrogen-doped carbon black supported nickel nanoparticles
Authors: Nie Renfeng , Yang Huanhuan , Zhang Haifu , Yu Xiaolong , Lu Xinhuan , Zhou Dan , Xia Qinghua
Published: May 2017

N-doped carbon black (NCB) supported Ni NPs exhibited higher activity than most Ni-based catalysts for selective HDO of vanillin at mild conditions, ascribing to higher reducibility, lower oxidation state of Ni NPs and enhanced spillover hydrogen of Ni to NCB.
At-line monitoring of continuous casting sequences of steel using discriminant function analysis and dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Ruiz J. , Delgado T. , Cabalín L. M. , Laserna J. J.
Published: May 2017

Among the several controlling routines utilized in the steelmaking process, analytical operations during continuous casting are especially demanding due to the extreme environment of steel plants and the crude conditions of the steel surface at the exit of the casting system.
Differential flap dynamics in l,d-transpeptidase2 from mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed by molecular dynamics
Authors: Fakhar Zeynab , Govender Thavendran , Maguire Glenn E. M. , Lamichhane Gyanu , Walker Ross C. , Kruger Hendrik G. , Honarparvar Bahareh
Published: May 2017

The implications of inhibitor binding on the flap dynamics in l,d-transpeptidase2 from mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Ionic liquid brush as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly for the tosylation of phenols and alcohols in neat water
Authors: Feng Simin , Li Jing , Wei Junfa
Published: May 2017

An efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly-ionic liquid brush was developed for tosylation of phenols and alcohols in neat water.
Nanogel-loading a triarylboron-based AIE fluorophore to achieve ratiometric sensing for hydrogen peroxide and sequential response for pH
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhang Chenghua , Dong Jun , Zhu Jiang , Shen Chengyi , Yang Guoqiang , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: May 2017

By loading TNPB on nanogel (NG-TNPB), we achieved a ratiometric sensing for H2O2 and sequential response to pH.
Exploitation of new structurally diverse d-glucuronamide-containing N-glycosyl compounds: synthesis and anticancer potential
Authors: Xavier Nuno M. , Porcheron Alexandre , Batista Daniela , Jorda Radek , Řezníčková Eva , Kryštof Vladimír , Oliveira M. Conceição
Published: May 2017

The synthesis of novel d-glucuronamide-based N-glycosyl derivatives is described. An N-dodecyl-containing N9-glycosylpurine displayed anticancer effects with single-digit micromolar GI50 values.
Push–pull type meso-ester substituted BODIPY near-infrared dyes as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Ni Yong , Kannadorai Ravi Kumar , Yu Sidney W.-K. , Chang Young-Tae , Wu Jishan
Published: May 2017

Push–pull meso-ester BODIPYs with intense NIR absorption and good photo-stability were used for in vitro and in vivo photoacoustic imaging.
Preparation of mechanoresponsive hairy particles using polymeric surfactants in emulsion polymerization
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Yuyu , Liu Yibin , Sijbesma Rint P. , Heuts Johan P. A. , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: May 2017

We demonstrate that particles synthesized by emulsion polymerization using mechanophore-containing PS46-b-PAA142 as stabilizers can be mechanically activated, which further opens up ways for the application of polymer mechanochemistry in aqueous systems.
One-pot blue-light triggered tough interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) using CuAAC and methacrylate reactions
Authors: Shete Abhishek U. , Kloxin Christopher J.
Published: May 2017

An IPN is generated rapidly under blue-light in a one-pot scheme, forming a glassy and transparent material. The IPN exhibits high toughness and shape memory attributes.
Determination and correlation of regioselectivity and dead dormant species from head addition in acrylate RAFT polymerization
Authors: Guo Ruiwei , Yao Yuan , Bai Shaoling , Wang Yaqi , Shi Zhipeng , Zhang Jianhua
Published: May 2017

The dead dormant species from head addition in a RAFT process can be separated and quantified by combining chain-extension and GPEC.
Enhanced photocatalytic removal of NO over titania/hydroxyapatite (TiO2/HAp) composites with improved adsorption and charge mobility ability
Authors: Yao Jie , Zhang Yufei , Wang Yawen , Chen Meijuan , Huang Yu , Cao Junji , Ho Wingkei , Lee Shun Cheng
Published: May 2017

A 75% TiO2/HAp composite photocatalyst with excellent NO removal efficiency was successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic improvement mechanism was investigated systematically.
Cycling stability of Li metal in a mixed carbonate–ionic liquid electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries
Authors: Kim Ju-Sik , Choi Hongsoo , Lee Je-Nam , Kang Hyorang , Im Dongmin , Kim Hyunseok
Published: May 2017

Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) containing a poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (POEM) coating layer significantly suppresses the reduction of the ionic liquid and of solvent molecules on Li metal anode in the Pyr14TFSI/carbonate electrolyte.
Maleic anhydride–allylpolyethoxy carboxylate copolymer as an effective and environmentally benign inhibitor for calcium carbonate in industrial cooling systems
Authors: Liu Guangqing , Xue Mengwei , Liu Qinpu , Yang Hui , Yang Jingjing , Zhou Yuming
Published: May 2017

For the control of calcium carbonate scales, a novel environmentally friendly type of scale inhibitor MLn was synthesized.
Facile preparation of in situ coated Ti3C2Tx/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4composites and their electromagnetic performance
Authors: Li Youbing , Zhou Xiaobing , Wang Jing , Deng Qihuang , Li Mian , Du Shiyu , Han Young-Hwan , Lee Jaehyung , Huang Qing
Published: May 2017

Novel accordion structure Ti3C2–Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4composites with nice electromagnetic wave absorption properties.
Self-assembled chiral phosphorus nanotubes from phosphorene: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Pan Douxing , Wang Tzu-Chiang , Wang Chao , Guo Wei , Yao Yugui
Published: May 2017

Phosphorous nanotubes with predefined chiralities would be important in electronic devices. Here, we provide a novel and feasible approach for the fine controlled synthesis of chiral phosphorus nanotubes from phosphorene nanoribbons, theoretically.
Apparatus for efficient utilization of isotopically-labeled gases in pulse transient studies of heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase reactions
Authors: Brush Adrianna , McDonald Shallaco , Dupré Robin , Kota Shruti , Mullen Gregory M. , Buddie Mullins C.
Published: May 2017

Transient techniques, such as steady state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA), are powerful methods for determining various mechanistic and kinetic insights into heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase reactions.
A study on the nature of the thermal decomposition of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite, CH3NH3PbI3: an attempt to rationalise contradictory experimental results
Authors: Latini Alessandro , Gigli Guido , Ciccioli Andrea
Published: May 2017

Thermal decomposition of methylammonium lead triiodide was determined to proceed through two different pathways driven by thermodynamics vs. kinetics competition.
Synergistic mediation of sulfur conversion in lithium–sulfur batteries by a Gerber tree-like interlayer with multiple components
Authors: Fan Chao-Ying , Liu Si-Yu , Li Huan-Huan , Shi Yan-Hong , Wang Han-Chi , Wang Hai-Feng , Sun Hai-Zhu , Wu Xing-Long , Zhang Jing-Ping
Published: May 2017

A Gerber tree-like interlayer consisting of metal Co as catalyst and TiO2and Co3O4nanocrystals as chemical adsorbents embedded into porous carbon synergistically regulates sulfur conversion for the full immobilization of polysulfides.