bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good Value for Money? Public Investment in ‘Replacement Care’ for Working Carers in England
Authors: Pickard Linda
Published: June 2018

In the context of increasing need for long-term care, the reconciliation of employment and caring is an important social issue. In England, the annual public expenditure costs of unpaid carers leaving employment are approximately £2.9 billion. Previous research shows that provision of paid services to people cared for by working carers, sometimes known as ‘replacement care’, is effective in helping unpaid carers to remain in employment. This study makes an estimate of the public expenditure costs of ‘replacement care’ for working carers in England. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and 2015–16 costs data, the study finds that the public expenditure costs of ‘replacement care’ for working carers are approximately £2.5 billion a year, which is considerably lower than the costs of carers leaving employment. The study concludes that greater public investment in ‘replacement care’ to support working carers in England would represent good value for money.
The effects of the interventions on the DNR designation among cancer patients: A systematic review
Authors: Chen Li-Ting , Hsiao Fei-Hsiu
Published: June 2018

Objective:

The aims of this systematic review were to examine the effects of the overall and the different types of the interventions on the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) designation and the time between DNR and death among cancer patients.

Method:

Data were searched from the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, EMbase, Medline, and Cochrane Library through 2 November 2017. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) randomized control trails, quasi-experimental study, and retrospective observational studies and (2) used outcome indicators of DNR designation rates. The Effective Public Health Practice Project tool was used to assess the overall quality of the included studies.

Result:

The 14 studies with a total of 7,180 participants were included in this review. There were 78.6% (11 of 14) studies that indicated that the interventions could improve the DNR designation rates. Three types of DNR interventions were identified in this review: palliative care unit service, palliative consultation services, and patient-physician communication program. The significant increases of the time between DNR designation and death only occurred in a patient-physician communication program.

Significance of results:

The palliative care unit service provided a continuing care model to reduce unnecessary utilization of healthcare service. The palliative consultation service is a new care model to meet the needs of cancer patients in non-palliative care unit. The share decision-making communication program and physician's compassion attitudes facilitate to make DNR decision early. The individualized DNR program needs to be developed according to the needs of cancer patients.
Diagnostik und Therapie motorischer Phänomene bei Erkrankungen des Schizophrenie-Spektrums
Authors: Walther Sebastian , Stegmayer Katharina
Published: June 2018

Zusammenfassung. Motorische Auffälligkeiten gehören zum klinischen Bild der Schizophrenie-Spektrumsstörungen. Sie können sowohl spontan als auch in Folge der antipsychotischen Pharmakotherapie auftreten. Die vier wichtigsten Symptomgruppen sind abnorme unwillkürliche Bewegungen oder Dyskinesien, Parkinsonsymptome, Katatonie und neurologische Soft Signs. Daneben gibt es eine Reihe anderer Auffälligkeiten, die weniger gut operationalisiert sind. Bei der Ätiologie dieser motorischen Auffälligkeiten geht man von Hirnreifungsstörungen aus, die mit späteren Umwelteinflüssen zusätzlich verstärkt werden können. Obwohl vieles noch unklar ist, gibt es Hinweise auf subtile Störungen des Zusammenspiels zwischen kortikalen und subkortikalen Komponenten des motorischen Systems. Für die vier oben genannten Gruppen existieren klinische Untersuchungen und Skalen, die die Erfassung und die Bestimmung des Schweregrades erleichtern. Die Therapie ist dann notwendig, wenn subjektiver Leidensdruck besteht. Sie bleibt heute noch symptomatisch. Am ehesten muss die antipsychotische Pharmakotherapie evaluiert werden, wobei ein Wechsel auf Clozapin hilfreich sein kann. Aktuell werden spezifische Substanzen gegen tardive Dyskinesien sowie nicht-invasive Hirnstimulationstechniken auf ihre Wirksamkeit bei motorischen Störungen der Schizophrenie getestet.
Epidemiologie, Ätiologie und Behandlung von Patienten mit Psychosen und komorbider Suchterkrankung
Authors: Moggi Franz
Published: June 2018

Zusammenfassung. Als vor über 25 Jahren systematisch mit der wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung der Wirksamkeit von Behandlungen für Patienten mit einer Komorbidität von Psychose und Sucht begonnen wurde, bezeichneten einzelne Autoren deren Therapie als eine «mission impossible». Rund die Hälfte aller Personen mit einer Psychose aus dem schizophrenen Formenkreis entwickeln im Laufe ihres Lebens eine Substanzkonsumstörung, davon etwa ein Drittel eine komorbide Alkoholkonsumstörung und etwa ein Viertel eine komorbide Substanzkonsumstörung mit anderen Suchtmitteln. Es gibt kein allgemein gültiges Ätiologiemodell zur Erklärung über den Zusammenhang zwischen Psychose und Sucht. Erwartungswidrig fand das Selbstmedikationsmodell empirisch kaum Bestätigung, während das psychologische Affektregulationsmodell, das Vulnerabilitäts-Stress-Modell einer spezifischen Sensitivität auf Suchtmittel bei Prädisposition einer Psychose oder das neurobiologische Gemeinsame-Faktoren-Modell einer Dysfunktion des Dopaminhaushalts im mesocorticolimbischen Belohnungssystem, die primär zur Abhängigkeitserkrankung prädisponiert, empirische Unterstützung finden. Die Studien zur psychosozial-psychotherapeutischen und pharmakologischen Behandlung von Patienten mit Psychose und Sucht sind in den Patienten-, Störungs-, Behandlungs-, Settings- und Ergebnisvariablen derart heterogen, dass kaum zwei vergleichbare Untersuchungen zu finden sind, um wissenschaftlich gesicherte Aussagen zur Wirksamkeit verschiedener Therapien machen zu können. Erfolgversprechend scheinen sogenannte integrative Behandlungsprogramme zu sein, die psycho- und pharmakotherapeutische Interventionen zur Behandlung der psychotischen Erkrankung und der Substanzkonsumstörung kohärent zusammenfügen und flexibel auf die individuellen Patientenbedürfnisse abgestimmt werden können. In der Regel werden diese Interventionen zur selben Zeit, im selben Setting und durch dieselben Therapeuten durchgeführt. Erfolgreiche integrative Behandlungsprogramme enthalten meist motivationsfördernde Interventionen, störungsspezifische kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Interventionen, Suchtmittelkonsum reduzierende Interventionen wie Rückfallprävention oder Kontingenzmanagement und / oder Familieninterventionen. Sie kombinieren diese Therapieverfahren am besten mit Antipsychotika zweiter Generation, gegebenenfalls mit einer Medikation zur Verringerung des Suchtmittelkonsums. Wenn auch keine «mission impossible» so bleibt die Behandlung von Patienten mit Psychose und Sucht eine komplexe Herausforderung für Forschung und Klinik.
Negativsymptome der Schizophrenie – ein Überblick
Authors: Klaus Federica , Kaiser Stefan , Kirschner Matthias
Published: June 2018

Zusammenfassung. Negativsymptome der Schizophrenie umfassen die Symptomgruppen der Apathie (Antriebsminderung, Verlust von Freude und sozialer Rückzug) und des reduzierten Ausdrucks (Sprachverarmung und Affektverflachung). Negativsymptome sind von grosser Relevanz für den Erkrankungsverlauf, da sie die Lebensqualität und das Funktionsniveau im Alltag stark beeinträchtigen. In diagnostischer Hinsicht empfiehlt sich die Unterscheidung in primäre Negativsymptome (als integraler Bestandteil der Schizophrenie) und sekundäre Negativsymptome (als Folge von Positivsymptomen, einer komorbiden Depression, dämpfenden Nebenwirkungen von Antipsychotika, substanzinduziert oder Umgebungsbedingt). Neben der Beschreibung der verschiedenen Aspekte der Negativsymptome erläutert die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit die Pathophysiologie und die aktuellen Empfehlungen zu Diagnostik und Therapie, basierend auf dem Konzept der primären und sekundären Negativsymptome.
Subthalamic theta activity: a novel human subcortical biomarker for obsessive compulsive disorder
Authors: Rappel Pnina , Marmor Odeya , Bick Atira S , Arkadir David , Linetsky Eduard , Castrioto Anna , Tamir Idit , Freedman Sara A. , Mevorach Tomer , Gilad Moran , Bergman Hagai , Israel Zvi , Eitan Renana
Published: June 2018

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and serious psychiatric disorder. Although subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been studied as a treatment for OCD patients the underlying mechanism of this treatment and the optimal method of stimulation are unknown. To study the neural basis of subthalamic nucleus DBS in OCD patients we used a novel, implantable DBS system with long-term local field potential sensing capability. We focus our analysis on two patients with OCD who experienced severe treatment-resistant symptoms and were implanted with subthalamic nucleus DBS systems. We studied them for a year at rest and during provocation of OCD symptoms (46 recording sessions) and compared them to four Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients implanted with subthalamic nucleus DBS systems (69 recording sessions). We show that the dorsal (motor) area of the subthalamic nucleus in OCD patients displays a beta (25–35 Hz) oscillatory activity similar to PD patients whereas the ventral (limbic-cognitive) area of the subthalamic nucleus displays distinct theta (6.5–8 Hz) oscillatory activity only in OCD patients. The subthalamic nucleus theta oscillatory activity decreases with provocation of OCD symptoms and is inversely correlated with symptoms severity over time. We conclude that beta oscillations at the dorsal subthalamic nucleus in OCD patients challenge their pathophysiologic association with movement disorders. Furthermore, theta oscillations at the ventral subthalamic nucleus in OCD patients suggest a new physiological target for OCD therapy as well as a promising input signal for future emotional-cognitive closed-loop DBS.
The photosystem I assembly apparatus consisting of Ycf3–Y3IP1 and Ycf4 modules
Authors: Nellaepalli Sreedhar , Ozawa Shin-Ichiro , Kuroda Hiroshi , Takahashi Yuichiro
Published: June 2018

In oxygenic photosynthesis, light energy is converted into redox energy by two photosystems (PSI and PSII). PSI forms one of the largest multiprotein complexes in thylakoid membranes consisting of a core complex, peripheral light-harvesting complexes (LHCIs) and cofactors. Although the high-resolution structure of the PSI–LHCI complex has been determined, the assembly process remains unclear due to the rapid nature of the assembly process. Here we show that two conserved chloroplast-encoded auxiliary factors, Ycf3 and Ycf4, form modules that mediate PSI assembly. The first module consists of the tetratricopeptide repeat protein Ycf3 and its interacting partner, Y3IP1, and mainly facilitates the assembly of reaction center subunits. The second module consists of oligomeric Ycf4 and facilitates the integration of peripheral PSI subunits and LHCIs into the PSI reaction center subcomplex. We reveal that these two modules are major mediators of the PSI–LHCI assembly process.
Accelerating the discovery of insensitive high-energy-density materials by a materials genome approach
Authors: Wang Yi , Liu Yuji , Song Siwei , Yang Zhijian , Qi Xiujuan , Wang Kangcai , Liu Yu , Zhang Qinghua , Tian Yong
Published: June 2018

Finding new high-energy-density materials with desired properties has been intensely-pursued in recent decades. However, the contradictory relationship between high energy and low mechanical sensitivity makes the innovation of insensitive high-energy-density materials an enormous challenge. Here, we show how a materials genome approach can be used to accelerate the discovery of new insensitive high-energy explosives by identification of “genetic” features, rapid molecular design, and screening, as well as experimental synthesis of a target molecule, 2,4,6-triamino-5-nitropyrimidine-1,3-dioxide. This as-synthesized energetic compound exhibits a graphite-like layered crystal structure with a high measured density of 1.95 g cm−3, high thermal decomposition temperature of 284 °C, high detonation velocity of 9169 m s−1, and extremely low mechanical sensitivities (impact sensitivity, >60 J and friction sensitivity, >360 N). Besides the considered system of six-member aromatic and hetero-aromatic rings, this materials genome approach can also be applicable to the development of new high-performing energetic materials.
Author Correction: N-Alkylation of functionalized amines with alcohols using a copper–gold mixed photocatalytic system
Authors: Wang Lyu-Ming , Morioka Yuna , Jenkinson Kellie , Wheatley Andrew E. H. , Saito Susumu , Naka Hiroshi
Published: June 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Inflammatory cytokines and biofilm production sustain Staphylococcus aureus outgrowth and persistence: a pivotal interplay in the pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Di Domenico E. G. , Cavallo I. , Bordignon V. , Prignano G. , Sperduti I. , Gurtner A. , Trento E. , Toma L. , Pimpinelli F. , Capitanio B. , Ensoli F.
Published: June 2018

Individuals with Atopic dermatitis (AD) are highly susceptible toStaphylococcus aureuscolonization. However, the mechanisms driving this process as well as the impact ofS. aureusin AD pathogenesis are still incompletely understood. In this study, we analysed the role of biofilm in sustainingS. aureuschronic persistence and its impact on AD severity. Further we explored whether key inflammatory cytokines overexpressed in AD might provide a selective advantage toS. aureus. Results show that the strength of biofilm production byS. aureuscorrelated with the severity of the skin lesion, being significantly higher (P < 0.01) in patients with a more severe form of the disease as compared to those individuals with mild AD. Additionally, interleukin (IL)-β and interferon γ (IFN-γ), but not interleukin (IL)-6, induced a concentration-dependent increase ofS. aureusgrowth. This effect was not observed with coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from the skin of AD patients. These findings indicate that inflammatory cytokines such as IL1-β and IFN-γ, can selectively promoteS. aureusoutgrowth, thus subverting the composition of the healthy skin microbiome. Moreover, biofilm production byS. aureusplays a relevant role in further supporting chronic colonization and disease severity, while providing an increased tolerance to antimicrobials.
Revisiting the recent European droughts from a long-term perspective
Authors: Hanel Martin , Rakovec Oldřich , Markonis Yannis , Máca Petr , Samaniego Luis , Kyselý Jan , Kumar Rohini
Published: June 2018

Early 21st-century droughts in Europe have been broadly regarded as exceptionally severe, substantially affecting a wide range of socio-economic sectors. These extreme events were linked mainly to increases in temperature and record-breaking heatwaves that have been influencing Europe since 2000, in combination with a lack of precipitation during the summer months. Drought propagated through all respective compartments of the hydrological cycle, involving low runoff and prolonged soil moisture deficits. What if these recent droughts are not as extreme as previously thought? Using reconstructed droughts over the last 250 years, we show that although the 2003 and 2015 droughts may be regarded as the most extreme droughts driven by precipitation deficits during the vegetation period, their spatial extent and severity at a long-term European scale are less uncommon. This conclusion is evident in our concurrent investigation of three major drought types – meteorological (precipitation), agricultural (soil moisture) and hydrological (grid-scale runoff) droughts. Additionally, unprecedented drying trends for soil moisture and corresponding increases in the frequency of agricultural droughts are also observed, reflecting the recurring periods of high temperatures. Since intense and extended meteorological droughts may reemerge in the future, our study highlights concerns regarding the impacts of such extreme events when combined with persistent decrease in European soil moisture.
Sequential Application of Discrete Topographical Patterns Enhances Derivation of Functional Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Tan Kenneth K. B. , Lim Wallie Wee Meng , Chai Chou , Kukumberg Marek , Lim Kah Leong , Goh Eyleen L. K. , Yim Evelyn K. F.
Published: June 2018

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder attributed to death of mesencephalic dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Pluripotent stem cells have great potential in the study for this late-onset disease, but acquirement of cells that are robust in quantity and quality is still technically demanding. Biophysical cues have been shown to direct stem cell fate, but the effect of different topographies in the lineage commitment and subsequent maturation stages of cells have been less examined. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we applied topographical patterns sequentially during differentiation stages and examined their ability to influence derivation yield and functionality of regionalized subtype-specific DA neurons. Gratings showed higher yield of DA neurons and may be beneficial for initial lineage commitment. Cells derived on pillars in the terminal differentiation stage have increased neuronal complexity, and were more capable of firing repetitive action potentials, showing that pillars yielded better network formation and functionality. Our topography platform can be applied to patient-derived iPSCs as well, and that cells harbouring LRRK2 mutation were more functionally mature when optimal topographies were applied sequentially. This will hopefully accelerate development of robust cell models that will provide novel insights into discovering new therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s Disease.
A uniform cloning platform for mycobacterial genetics and protein production
Authors: Arnold Fabian M. , Hohl Michael , Remm Sille , Koliwer-Brandl Hendrik , Adenau Sophia , Chusri Sasitorn , Sander Peter , Hilbi Hubert , Seeger Markus A.
Published: June 2018

Molecular research on mycobacteria relies on a multitude of tools for the genetic manipulation of these clinically important bacteria. However, a uniform set of vectors allowing for standardized cloning procedures is not available. Here, we developed a versatile series of mycobacterial vectors for gene deletion, complementation and protein production and purification. The vectors are compatible with fragment exchange (FX) cloning, a recently developed high-throughput cloning principle taking advantage of the type IIS restriction enzyme SapI and its capacity to generate sticky trinucleotide ends outside of its recognition sequence. FX cloning allows for the efficient cloning into an entry vector and the facile transfer of the sequenced insert into a variety of destination vectors. We generated a set of mycobacterial expression vectors spanning a wide range of expression strengths, tagging variants and selection markers to rapidly screen for the optimal expression construct in order to purify membrane proteins from the model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis. Further, we generated a series of suicide vectors containing two counterselection markers and used them to delete twenty genes encoding for potential drug efflux pumps in M. smegmatis. The vectors will further facilitate genetic and biochemical research on various mycobacterial species.
Localization and density of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia in gingival and subgingival granulation tissues affected by chronic or aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Rajakaruna G. Amodini , Negi Mariko , Uchida Keisuke , Sekine Masaki , Furukawa Asuka , Ito Takashi , Kobayashi Daisuke , Suzuki Yoshimi , Akashi Takumi , Umeda Makoto , Meinzer Walter , Izumi Yuichi , Eishi Yoshinobu
Published: June 2018

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia have been thought to be associated with periodontitis; however comprehensive histopathological localization of bacteria in affected human periodontal tissues is not well documented. In the present study, we examined formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gingival and subgingival granulation tissues from 71 patients with chronic periodontitis and 11 patients with aggressive periodontitis, using immunohistochemistry with novel monoclonal antibodies specific to P. gingivalis or T. forsythia, together with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for each bacterial DNA. Immunohistochemisty revealed both bacterial species extracellularly, as aggregates or within bacterial plaque, and intracellularly in stromal inflammatory cells, squamous epithelium, and capillary endothelium of granulation tissue. Combined analysis with the results from polymerase chain reaction suggested that localization and density of T. forsythia is closely associated with those of P. gingivalis, and that bacterial density is a factor responsible for the cell-invasiveness and tissue-invasiveness of these periodontal bacteria. Detection of these bacteria in the capillary endothelium in some samples suggested possible bacterial translocation into the systemic circulation from inflamed gingival and subgingival granulation tissues. Immunohistochemistry with the novel antibodies showed high specificity and sensitivity, and can be used to locate these periodontal bacteria in routinely-used formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human tissue sections from systemic locations.
Emissions from thaw ponds largely offset the carbon sink of northern permafrost wetlands
Authors: Kuhn McKenzie , Lundin Erik J. , Giesler Reiner , Johansson Margareta , Karlsson Jan
Published: June 2018

Northern regions have received considerable attention not only because the effects of climate change are amplified at high latitudes but also because this region holds vast amounts of carbon (C) stored in permafrost. These carbon stocks are vulnerable to warming temperatures and increased permafrost thaw and the breakdown and release of soil C in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The majority of research has focused on quantifying and upscaling the effects of thaw on CO2 and CH4 emissions from terrestrial systems. However, small ponds formed in permafrost wetlands following thawing have been recognized as hotspots for C emissions. Here, we examined the importance of small ponds for C fluxes in two permafrost wetland ecosystems in northern Sweden. Detailed flux estimates of thaw ponds during the growing season show that ponds emit, on average (±SD), 279 ± 415 and 7 ± 11 mmol C m−2 d−1 of CO2 and CH4, respectively. Importantly, addition of pond emissions to the total C budget of the wetland decreases the C sink by ~39%. Our results emphasize the need for integrated research linking C cycling on land and in water in order to make correct assessments of contemporary C balances.
A novel broad specificity fucosidase capable of core α1-6 fucose release from N-glycans labeled with urea-linked fluorescent dyes
Authors: Vainauskas Saulius , Kirk Charlotte H. , Petralia Laudine , Guthrie Ellen P. , McLeod Elizabeth , Bielik Alicia , Luebbers Alex , Foster Jeremy M. , Hokke Cornelis H. , Rudd Pauline M. , Shi Xiaofeng , Taron Christopher H.
Published: June 2018

Exoglycosidases are often used for detailed characterization of glycan structures. Bovine kidney α-fucosidase is commonly used to determine the presence of core α1-6 fucose on N-glycans, an important modification of glycoproteins. Recently, several studies have reported that removal of core α1-6-linked fucose from N-glycans labeled with the reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide carbamate fluorescent labels 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidylcarbamate (AQC) and RapiFluor-MS is severely impeded. We report here the cloning, expression and biochemical characterization of an α-fucosidase from Omnitrophica bacterium (termed fucosidase O). We show that fucosidase O can efficiently remove α1-6- and α1-3-linked core fucose from N-glycans. Additionally, we demonstrate that fucosidase O is able to efficiently hydrolyze core α1-6-linked fucose from N-glycans labeled with any of the existing NHS-carbamate activated fluorescent dyes.
Impact of specific functional groups in flavonoids on the modulation of platelet activation
Authors: Ravishankar Divyashree , Salamah Maryam , Akimbaev Angela , Williams Harry F. , Albadawi Dina A. I. , Vaiyapuri Rajendran , Greco Francesca , Osborn Helen M. I. , Vaiyapuri Sakthivel
Published: June 2018

Flavonoids exert innumerable beneficial effects on cardiovascular health including the reduction of platelet activation, and thereby, thrombosis. Hence, flavonoids are deemed to be a molecular template for the design of novel therapeutic agents for various diseases including thrombotic conditions. However, the structure-activity relationships of flavonoids with platelets is not fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to advance the current knowledge on structure-activity relationships of flavonoids through a systematic analysis of structurally-related flavones. Here, we investigated a panel of 16 synthetic flavones containing hydroxy or methoxy groups at C-7,8 positions on the A-ring, with a phenyl group or its bioisosteres as the B-ring, along with their thio analogues possessing a sulfur molecule at the 4th carbon position of the C-ring. The antiplatelet efficacies of these compounds were analysed using human isolated platelets upon activation with cross-linked collagen-related peptide by optical aggregometry. The results demonstrate that the hydroxyl groups in flavonoids are important for optimum platelet inhibitory activities. In addition, the 4-C=O and B ring phenyl groups are less critical for the antiplatelet activity of these flavonoids. This structure-activity relationship of flavonoids with the modulation of platelet function may guide the design, optimisation and development of flavonoid scaffolds as antiplatelet agents.
Exon Junction Complexes can have distinct functional flavours to regulate specific splicing events
Authors: Wang Zhen , Ballut Lionel , Barbosa Isabelle , Le Hir Hervé
Published: June 2018

The exon junction complex (EJC) deposited on spliced mRNAs, plays a central role in the post-transcriptional gene regulation and specific gene expression. The EJC core complex is associated with multiple peripheral factors involved in various post-splicing events. Here, using recombinant complex reconstitution and transcriptome-wide analysis, we showed that the EJC peripheral protein complexes ASAP and PSAP form distinct complexes with the EJC core and can confer to EJCs distinct alternative splicing regulatory activities. This study provides the first evidence that different EJCs can have distinct functions, illuminating EJC-dependent gene regulation.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase SMURF1 regulates cell-fate specification and outflow tract septation during mammalian heart development
Authors: Koefoed K. , Skat-Rørdam J. , Andersen P. , Warzecha C. B. , Pye M. , Andersen T. A. , Ajbro K. D. , Bendsen E. , Narimatsu M. , Vilhardt F. , Pedersen L. B. , Wrana J. L. , Anderson R. H. , Møllgård K. , Christensen S. T. , Larsen L. A.
Published: June 2018

Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1) is a HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a critical role in vertebrate development by regulating planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling and convergent extension (CE). Here we show that SMURF1 is involved in mammalian heart development. We find that SMURF1 is highly expressed in outflow tract cushion mesenchyme and Smurf1−/− mouse embryos show delayed outflow tract septation. SMURF1 is expressed in smooth muscle cells of the coronary arteries and great vessels. Thickness of the aortic smooth muscle cell layer is reduced in Smurf1−/− mouse embryos. We show that SMURF1 is a negative regulator of cardiomyogenesis and a positive regulator of smooth muscle cell and cardiac fibroblast differentiation, indicating that SMURF1 is important for cell-type specification during heart development. Finally, we provide evidence that SMURF1 localizes at the primary cilium where it may regulate bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, which controls the initial phase of cardiomyocyte differentiation. In summary, our results demonstrate that SMURF1 is a critical regulator of outflow tract septation and cell-type specification during heart development, and that these effects may in part be mediated via control of cilium-associated BMP signaling.
Cooperative light scattering from helical-phase-imprinted atomic rings
Authors: Jen H. H. , Chang M.-S. , Chen Y.-C.
Published: June 2018

We theoretically investigate the light scattering of super- and subradiant states of an atomic ring prepared by single excitation with a photon which carries an orbital angular momentum (OAM). For excitations with linear polarizations, the helical phase imprinted (HPI) atomic ring presents a discrete C4 rotational symmetry when number of atoms N = 4n with integers n, while for circular polarizations with arbitrary N, the continuous and C
N
symmetries emerge for the super- and subradiant modes, respectively. The HPI superradiant modes predominantly scatter photons in the forward-backward direction, and the forward scattering can be further enhanced as atomic rings are stacked along the excitation direction. The HPI subradiant modes then preferentially scatter photons in the transversal directions, and when rings are stacked concentrically and on a plane, crossover from sub- to superradiance is observed which leads to splitting and localization of the far-field scattering patterns in the polar angle. The HPI super- and subradiant states are thus detectable through measuring the far-field radiation patterns, which further allow quantum storage and detection of a single photon with an OAM.
Generation of three-dimensional optical cusp beams with ultrathin metasurfaces
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Zhang Yuchao , Gao Jie , Yang Xiaodong
Published: June 2018

Cusp beams are one type of complex structured beams with unique multiple self-accelerating channels and needle-like field structures owning great potentials to advance applications such as particle micromanipulation and super-resolution imaging. The traditional method to generate optical catastrophe is based on cumbrous reflective diffraction optical elements, which makes optical system complicated and hinders the nanophotonics integration. Here we design geometric phase based ultrathin plasmonic metasurfaces made of nanoslit antennas to produce three-dimensional (3D) optical cusp beams with variable numbers of self-accelerating channels in a broadband wavelength range. The entire beam propagation profiles of the cusp beams generated from the metasurfaces are mapped theoretically and experimentally. The special self-accelerating behavior and caustics concentration property of the cups beams are also demonstrated. Our results provide great potentials for promoting metasurface-enabled compact photonic devices used in wide applications of light-matter interactions.
Applicability of Downscaling Land Surface Temperature by Using Normalized Difference Sand Index
Authors: Pan Xin , Zhu Xi , Yang Yingbao , Cao Chen , Zhang Xize , Shan Liangliang
Published: June 2018

Land surface temperature (LST) in coarse spatial resolution derived from thermal infrared satellite images has limited use in many remote sensing applications. In this study, we improve our previous approach (multiple remote-sensing index approach of random forest) to downscale LST derived from Landsat 8 and MODIS in an arid oasis - desert ecotone of Zhangye city by designing a normalized difference sand index (NDSI), by the removal of land cover datasets and by the input of SAVI, NDBI and NDWI to downscale LST. Our result demonstrates that NDSI can determine the characteristic of the desert region, and that the distribution of downscaled LST matches those of oasis-desert ecosystems. Relative to the ground observation of HiWATER, our approach also produces relatively satisfactory downscaling results at July 21 (2013), with R2 and root-mean-square error of 0.99 and 1.25 K, respectively. Compared with other methods, our approach demonstrates higher accuracy and minimization of the retrieved Landsat 8 LST in the desert region. Optimal availability occurs in the vegetation and desert region. Our approach is suitable to LST downscaling in all seasons, especially in spring and summer. The model can further be applied in middle-high and middle-low spatial resolutions. The usefulness of the model is relatively satisfactory in the humid region (Nanjing city) but less accurate in the arid region.
Pharmacological treatment with galectin-1 protects against renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Carlos Carla P. , Silva Analice A. , Gil Cristiane D. , Oliani Sonia M.
Published: June 2018

Galectin-1 protein (GAL-1) has important anti-inflammatory properties, but related pharmacologic approaches to effectively treat or prevent renal ischaemia and reperfusion injury are highly limited. Here, we investigated the effect of GAL-1 in a renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury rat model and an in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation model with a proximal renal tubular epithelial cell line. In vivo, pretreatment with GAL-1 attenuated the renal parameters changed by ischaemia-reperfusion/hypoxia-reoxygenation, with recovery of renal function, protecting against influx of leukocytes, cell death and oxidative stress. Ischaemia-reperfusion/hypoxia-reoxygenation was also associated with increased renal endogenous expression of GAL-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) plus augmented levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 and decreased anti-inflammatory IL-10 in urine, all of which were abrogated by GAL-1 treatment. In vitro studies demonstrated renal tubular epithelial cells as an important source of GAL-1 during hypoxia-reoxygenation and confirmed the protective effects of exogenous GAL-1 through downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine release by proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. Collectively, our findings confirm the important anti-inflammatory role of GAL-1 in kidney ischaemia and reperfusion injury and indicate its promising use as a therapeutic approach.
The Sound Produced by a Dripping Tap is Driven by Resonant Oscillations of an Entrapped Air Bubble
Authors: Phillips Samuel , Agarwal Anurag , Jordan Peter
Published: June 2018

This paper details an investigation into the characteristic ‘plink’ sound produced by water droplets impacting a liquid surface, such as those falling from a dripping tap. Modern high-speed video and audio capture techniques have been applied to this problem for the first time. Previous literature investigating the underwater sound produced has been validated, with the key sound producing feature both above and below the water confirmed to be the entrainment of a small underwater air bubble. Recorded sound frequencies have been shown to align with the theoretical natural oscillation frequency of the entrained bubble, confirming this to be the driver of the characteristic ‘plink’ sound. For the first time these oscillations of the entrained bubble have been directly observed on video footage. An investigation into the effect of underwater reverberation showed that the airborne sound field is not simply the underwater field propagating through the water-air interface, as had previously been assumed. An alternative hypothesis is that the oscillating bubble induces oscillations of the water surface itself, giving a more efficient mechanism by which the underwater bubble drives the airborne sound field. A model for this new hypothesis produces good agreement with experimental data.
Stratification Modelling of Key Bacterial Taxa Driven by Metabolic Dynamics in Meromictic Lakes
Authors: Zhu Kaicheng , Lauro Federico M. , Su Haibin
Published: June 2018

In meromictic lakes, the water column is stratified into distinguishable steady layers with different physico-chemical properties. The bottom portion, known as monimolimnion, has been studied for the functional stratification of microbial populations. Recent experiments have reported the profiles of bacterial and nutrient spatial distributions, but quantitative understanding is invoked to unravel the underlying mechanism of maintaining the discrete spatial organization. Here a reaction-diffusion model is developed to highlight the spatial pattern coupled with the light-driven metabolism of bacteria, which is resilient to a wide range of dynamical correlation between bacterial and nutrient species at the molecular level. Particularly, exact analytical solutions of the system are presented together with numerical results, in a good agreement with measurements in Ace lake and Rogoznica lake. Furthermore, one quantitative prediction is reported here on the dynamics of the seasonal stratification patterns in Ace lake. The active role played by the bacterial metabolism at microscale clearly shapes the biogeochemistry landscape of lake-wide ecology at macroscale.
New plasma preparation approach to enrich metabolome coverage in untargeted metabolomics: plasma protein bound hydrophobic metabolite release with proteinase K
Authors: Wawrzyniak Renata , Kosnowska Anna , Macioszek Szymon , Bartoszewski Rafał , Jan Markuszewski Michał
Published: June 2018

Plasma untargeted metabolomics is a common method for evaluation of the mechanisms underlying human pathologies and identification of novel biomarkers. The plasma proteins provide the environment for transport of hydrophobic metabolites. The current sample preparation protocol relies on the immediate precipitation of proteins and thus leads to co-precipitation of a significant fraction of hydrophobic metabolites. Here we present a new simple procedure that overcomes the co-precipitation problem and improves metabolome coverage. Introducing an additional step preceding the protein precipitation, namely limited digestion with proteinase K, allows release of associated metabolites through the relaxation of the native proteins tertiary structure. The modified protocol allows clear detection of hydrophobic metabolites including fatty acids and phospholipids. Considering the potential involvement of the hydrophobic metabolites in human cardiovascular and cancer diseases, the method may constitute a novel approach in plasma untargeted metabolomics.
Process Intensification of Enzymatic Biotransformation Processes
Authors: Weatherley Laurence R. , Gangu Aravind Satya , Scurto Aaron M. , Petera Jerzy
Published: June 2018

This chapter provides a short review of the field of enzymatic biotransformation and its application to chemical reactions and products of industrial relevance. Specifically, the important role of process intensification in the application of biotransformation technology is reviewed. Biotransformation covers a wide range of chemical and biochemical processes, including biocatalysis, fermentation processes, and biologically based waste treatment processes. We focus, here, mostly on biocatalytic reactions, processes, and related separations. The relevance of enzymatic biotransformation to green chemistry is also analyzed and discussed. Since many enzymatically catalyzed reactions are slow and have challenging separation requirements, the nexus between enzymatic biotransformation and process intensification technology is particularly important. Here, we summarize process intensification as an equipment technology, catalyst, reagent, solvent, or chemical pathway which enables product synthesis at a higher rate, in a smaller volume, generating less waste, and consuming less energy than the conventional alternative. Examples of process intensification research which we have successfully applied to enzymatic biotransformations are described. These include extractive whole cell biotransformation involving the benzylic chiral hydroxylation of naphthalene in the presence of an ionic liquid solvent. A second example is the lipolytic hydrolysis of a triglyceride ester using a microbial lipase. Performance of microbial lipase on different polymeric supports is briefly considered, showing the reduction in reaction kinetics when the enzyme is immobilized compared with deployment in free solution. Finally, the intensification of the lipolytic hydrolysis of a triglyceride ester in the presence of an electrical field using enzyme in free solution is described. A summary is presented of the mathematical modeling capability which has been demonstrated for evaluation of reactor design options.
Stereoselective synthesis of 3-spiropiperidino indoleninesviaSN2-type ring opening of activated aziridines with 1H-indoles/Pd-catalyzed spirocyclization with propargyl carbonates
Authors: Pradhan Sajan , Shahi Chandan Kumar , Bhattacharyya Aditya , Ghorai Manas K.
Published: June 2018

A novel synthetic route to 3-spiropiperidino indoleninesviaLewis acid catalyzed SN2-type ring opening of activated aziridines with 1H-indoles followed by Pd-catalyzed spirocyclization with propargyl carbonates in high yields (up to 88%) with excellent diastereo- and enantiospecificity (dr >99 : 1; ee up to >99) is reported.
Predictability of the onset of spiking and bursting in complex chemical reactions
Authors: Beims Marcus W. , Gallas Jason A. C.
Published: June 2018

For three complex chemical reactions displaying intricate dynamics, we assess the effectiveness of a recently proposed quantitative method to forecast bursting and large spikes, both extreme events.
Supported gold–nickel nano-alloy as a highly efficient catalyst in levulinic acid hydrogenation with formic acid as an internal hydrogen source
Authors: Ruppert Agnieszka M. , Jędrzejczyk Marcin , Potrzebowska Natalia , Kaźmierczak Kamila , Brzezińska Magdalena , Sneka-Płatek Olga , Sautet Philippe , Keller Nicolas , Michel Carine , Grams Jacek
Published: June 2018

The surface Au–Ni nano-alloy was very efficiently used for the first time for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid with formic acid as an internal hydrogen source.
Synthesis of a hierarchically porous niobium phosphate monolith by a sol–gel method for fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Gao Da-Ming , Zhao Bohan , Liu Haichao , Morisato Kei , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , He Zhiyong , Zeng Maomao , Wu Huaping , Chen Jie , Nakanishi Kazuki
Published: June 2018

A new type of niobium phosphate (NbP) with a hierarchically porous structure was synthesised via a sol–gel method accompanied by phase separation and effectively acted as a solid acid for fructose dehydration to HMF.
3D cell electrorotation and imaging for measuring multiple cellular biophysical properties
Authors: Huang Liang , Zhao Peng , Wang Wenhui
Published: June 2018

A novel electrorotation-on-chip (EOC) platform that is used for 3D cell imaging and measuring multiple cellular biophysical properties.
Copper-related toxicity in replicating and dormantMycobacterium tuberculosiscaused by 1-hydroxy-5-R-pyridine-2(1H)-thiones
Authors: Salina Elena G. , Huszár Stanislav , Zemanová Júlia , Keruchenko Jan , Riabova Olga , Kazakova Elena , Grigorov Artyom , Azhikina Tatyana , Kaprelyants Arseny , Mikušová Katarína , Makarov Vadim
Published: June 2018

1-Hydroxy-5-R-pyridine-2(1H)-thiones are novel copper-dependentM. tuberculosisinhibitors that provide intracellular accumulation of toxic concentrations of copper.
Development of a new emulsification microextraction method based on solidification of settled organic drop: application of a novel ultra-hydrophobic tailor-made deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Nedaei Maryam , Zarei Ali Reza , Ghorbanian Sohrab Ali
Published: June 2018

In this research, a new microextraction method based on the solidification of settled organic drop (SSOD) was developed by coupling a novel tailor-made ultra-hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) with effervescence assisted emulsification microextraction.
A CO2-tunable plasmonic nanosensor based on the interfacial assembly of gold nanoparticles on diblock copolymers grafted from gold surfaces
Authors: Chen Huaxiang , Wang Yuliang , Li Xiaolai , Liang Benliang , Dong Shaohua , You Tingting , Yin Penggang
Published: June 2018

A CO2-tunable plasmonic nanosensor: just by passing CO2 and N2 through a water solution alternately, the swelling–shrinking states of PDEAEMA brushes can be tuned, and reversible switching of SERS signals can be obtained.
Frontier challenges in doping quantum dots: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Makkar Mahima , Viswanatha Ranjani
Published: June 2018

We discuss state-of-the-art doping strategies for colloidal quantum dots, their principle, advantages and challenges in implementing the strategies.
A self-forming nanocomposite concept for ZnO-based thermoelectrics
Authors: Zakharchuk Kiryl V. , Widenmeyer Marc , Alikin Denis O. , Xie Wenjie , Populoh Sascha , Mikhalev Sergey M. , Tselev Alexander , Frade Jorge R. , Weidenkaff Anke , Kovalevsky Andrei V.
Published: June 2018

A thermoelectric nanocomposite concept is based on a controllable interplay between exsolution of the nanophases and modification of the host matrix.
Silica-core perfluorinated polymer-shell composite nanoparticles for highly stable and efficient superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Sohn Eun-Ho , Kang Hong Suk , Bom Jeong-Cheol , Ha Jong-Wook , Lee Soo-Bok , Park In Jun
Published: June 2018

Self-assembly of newly synthesized silica-core/polyperfluoroalkyl acrylate-shell nanoparticles led to outstanding and stable superhydrophobic performance.
Direct synthesis of three-dimensional MWW zeolite with cyclohexylamine as an organic structure-directing agent
Authors: Chu Weifeng , Li Xiujie , Liu Shenglin , Zhu Xiangxue , Xie Sujuan , Chen Fucun , Wang Yanan , Xin Wenjie , Xu Longya
Published: June 2018

MCM-49 zeolite with a three-dimensional MWW framework was directly synthesized using low-toxicity and cost-effective cyclohexylamine (CHA) as an organic structure-directing agent under hydrothermal conditions.
Biowaste crab shell-extracted chitin nanofiber-based superior piezoelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Hoque Nur Amin , Thakur Pradip , Biswas Prosenjit , Saikh Md. Minarul , Roy Swagata , Bagchi Biswajoy , Das Sukhen , Ray Partha Pratim
Published: June 2018

A simple, cost-effective and environment-friendly biowaste crab shell-extracted chitin nanofiber-based superior piezoelectric nanogenerator was fabricated in this study.
Conductive silk–polypyrrole composite scaffolds with bioinspired nanotopographic cues for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Tsui Jonathan H. , Ostrovsky-Snider Nicholas A. , Yama David M. P. , Donohue Jordan D. , Choi Jong Seob , Chavanachat Rakchanok , Larson Jesse D. , Murphy Amanda R. , Kim Deok-Ho
Published: June 2018

Imparting electroconductive and nanotopographical cues to biodegradable silk–fibroin films enhanced the maturation of cultured human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
An axisymmetric heptacyclic lactam unit for efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Hu Wei , Zhang Zhiquan , Xu Yongzhuo , Cao Jiamin , Liu Shungang , Tang Zilong , Zhao Bin , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2018

An axisymmetric heptacyclic lactam unit TD3 has been developed and its D–A copolymer PThTD3 exhibited a decent PCE of 7.25%.
Unsymmetrical starburst triarylamines: synthesis, properties, and characteristics of OFETs
Authors: Dheepika Ramachandran , Sonalin Srinita , Imran Predhanekar Mohamed , Nagarajan Samuthira
Published: June 2018

New triarylamines with high mobility have been identified for p-channel OFET applications: their high ON/OFF ratio proves them to be a promising candidate for circuits and switches.