bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental proof that multivariate patterns among muscle attachments (entheses) can reflect repetitive muscle use
Authors: Karakostis Fotios Alexandros , Jeffery Nathan , Harvati Katerina
Published: November 2019

Reconstructions of habitual activity in past populations and extinct human groups is a primary goal of paleoanthropological research. Muscle attachment scars (entheses) are widely considered as indicators of habitual activity and many attempts have been made to use them for this purpose. However, their interpretation remains equivocal due to methodological limitations and a paucity of empirical data supporting an interaction between systematic muscle forces and entheseal morphology. We have recently addressed the first issue with precise three-dimensional measuring protocols and rigorous multivariate analysis focusing on the patterns among different entheses rather than comparing each entheseal structure separately. In a previous study, the resulting entheseal correlations reflected synergistic muscle groups that separated individuals according to their lifelong occupational activities. Here we address the second issue by applying this methodology to existing micro-computed tomography data from rats that have undergone muscle stimulation under experimental conditions. In contrast to previous animal studies, we relied on blind analytical procedures across two research institutions and controlled for most factors of interindividual variability. Results demonstrated that the multivariate associations among different entheseal surfaces can directly reflect repetitive muscle recruitment and provide essential information on muscle use.
An adhesive locomotion model for the rock-climbing fish, Beaufortia kweichowensis
Authors: Wang Jinrong , Ji Chen , Wang Wei , Zou Jun , Yang Huayong , Pan Min
Published: November 2019

The rock-climbing fish (Beaufortia kweichowensis) adheres to slippery, fouled surfaces and crawls both forward and backward in torrential streams. During locomotion, two suckers can be distinguished. Here, the general skeletal structure of the rock-climbing fish was determined using microtomography. Friction and adhesion were positively correlated, as were friction and fin ray angle. The unique adhesive locomotion system used by the rock-climbing fish was observed with a high speed camera. This system comprised two anisotropic suckers bearing two paired fins and two girdle muscles. A locomotion model was established based on these results. In this model, the fin states controlled the direction of motion using anisotropic friction, and alternate contractions of the girdle muscles provided propulsion during bidirectional crawling. This adhesive locomotion system was compared with other biological locomotion mechanisms. Based on these comparisons, we hypothesized that this novel system might represent an energy-saving solution for undulatory underwater vertical movement without detaching from the substrate.
Polycystin-1 Regulates Actomyosin Contraction and the Cellular Response to Extracellular Stiffness
Authors: Nigro Elisa Agnese , Distefano Gianfranco , Chiaravalli Marco , Matafora Vittoria , Castelli Maddalena , Pesenti Gritti Angela , Bachi Angela , Boletta Alessandra
Published: November 2019

Polycystin-1 (PC-1) and 2 (PC-2) are the products of the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, which are mutated in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). They form a receptor/channel complex that has been suggested to function as a mechanosensor, possibly activated by ciliary bending in the renal tubule, and resulting in calcium influx. This model has recently been challenged, leaving the question as to which mechanical stimuli activate the polycystins still open. Here, we used a SILAC/Mass-Spec approach to identify intracellular binding partners of tagged-endogenous PC-1 whereby we detected a class of interactors mediating regulation of cellular actomyosin contraction. Accordingly, using gain and loss-of-function cellular systems we found that PC-1 negatively regulates cellular contraction and YAP activation in response to extracellular stiffness. Thus, PC-1 enables cells to sense the rigidity of the extracellular milieu and to respond appropriately. Of note, in an orthologous murine model of PKD we found evidence of increased actomyosin contraction, leading to enhanced YAP nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Finally, we show that inhibition of ROCK-dependent actomyosin contraction by Fasudil reversed YAP activation and significantly improved disease progression, in line with recent studies. Our data suggest a possible direct role of PC-1 as a mechanosensor of extracellular stiffness.
Flexible control of movement in plants
Authors: Guerra Silvia , Peressotti Alessandro , Peressotti Francesca , Bulgheroni Maria , Baccinelli Walter , D’Amico Enrico , Gómez Alejandra , Massaccesi Stefano , Ceccarini Francesco , Castiello Umberto
Published: November 2019

Although plants are essentially sessile in nature, these organisms are very much in tune with their environment and are capable of a variety of movements. This may come as a surprise to many non-botanists, but not to Charles Darwin, who reported that plants do produce movements. Following Darwin’s specific interest on climbing plants, this paper will focus on the attachment mechanisms by the tendrils. We draw attention to an unsolved problem in available literature: whether during the approach phase the tendrils of climbing plants consider the structure of the support they intend to grasp and plan the movement accordingly ahead of time. Here we report the first empirical evidence that this might be the case. The three-dimensional (3D) kinematic analysis of a climbing plant (Pisum sativum L.) demonstrates that the plant not only perceives the support, but it scales the kinematics of tendrils’ aperture according to its thickness. When the same support is represented in two-dimensions (2D), and thus unclimbable, there is no evidence for such scaling. In these circumstances the tendrils’ kinematics resemble those observed for the condition in which no support was offered. We discuss these data in light of the evidence suggesting that plants are equipped with sensory mechanisms able to provide the necessary information to plan and control a movement.
Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly: The Role of Sub-Clinical Isolated Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Krishnappa Darshan , Dykoski Richard , Can Ilknur , Mbai Mackenzie , Anand Inder S. , Florea Viorel , Chandrashekar Y. S. , Li Jian-Ming , Tholakanahalli Venkatakrishna N.
Published: November 2019

Amyloid infiltration of the atrium is described in patients with valvular heart disease and is associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation(AF) while amyloid deposits in the ventricles is increasingly being diagnosed in patients with HFpEF. The role of amyloid deposits in patients with AF without valvular heart disease, which represents the most common form of AF globally, is undefined. In this study, we sought to assess the prevalence of sub-clinical isolated cardiac amyloidosis (ICA) at autopsy and the odds of AF in these patients. A total of 1083 patients were included in the study and 3.1% of patients were found to have asymptomatic ICA. Patients with ICA were older and had a higher odds of AF independent of age and CHA2DS2VASc score. Amongst patients with AF, those with ICA were more likely to have persistent forms of AF and had a lower sinus rhythm P-wave amplitude. Further studies are required to further define this entity, identify imaging modalities to aid in antemortem diagnosis of ICA and to establish the optimal management strategies in these patients.
Insulin enhancement of the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents in colorectal cancer is linked with downregulating PIK3CA and GRB2
Authors: Agrawal Siddarth , Woźniak Marta , Łuc Mateusz , Makuch Sebastian , Pielka Ewa , Agrawal Anil Kumar , Wietrzyk Joanna , Banach Joanna , Gamian Andrzej , Pizon Monika , Ziółkowski Piotr
Published: November 2019

The present state of cancer chemotherapy is unsatisfactory. New anticancer drugs that marginally improve the survival of patients continue to be developed at an unsustainably high cost. The study aimed to elucidate the effects of insulin (INS), an inexpensive drug with a convincing safety profile, on the susceptibility of colon cancer to chemotherapeutic agents: 5-fluorouracil (FU), oxaliplatin (OXA), irinotecan (IRI), cyclophosphamide (CPA) and docetaxel (DOC). To examine the effects of insulin on cell viability and apoptosis, we performed an in vitro analysis on colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and SW480. To verify the results, we performed in vivo analysis on mice bearing MC38 colon tumors. To assess the underlying mechanism of the therapy, we examined the mRNA expression of pathways related to the signaling downstream of insulin receptors (INSR). Moreover, we performed Western blotting to confirm expression patterns derived from the genetic analysis. For the quantification of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood, we used the maintrac method. The results of our study show that insulin-pretreated colon cancer cells are significantly more susceptible to commonly used chemotherapeutics. The apoptosis ratio was also enhanced when INS was administered complementary to the examined drugs. The in vivo study showed that the combination of INS and FU resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth and reduction of the number of circulating tumor cells. This combination caused a significant downregulation of the key signaling substrates downstream of INSR. The results indicate that the downregulation of PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha), which plays a critical role in cell signaling and GRB2 (growth factor receptor-bound protein 2), a regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation may be responsible for the sensitizing effect of INS. These findings were confirmed at protein levels by Western blotting. In conclusion, these results suggest that INS might be potentially applied to clinical use to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs. The findings may become a platform for the future development of new and inexpensive strategies for the clinical chemotherapy of tumors.
Adjusting ventilator settings to relieve dyspnoea modifies brain activity in critically ill patients: an electroencephalogram pilot study
Authors: Raux Mathieu , Navarro-Sune Xavier , Wattiez Nicolas , Kindler Felix , Le Corre Marine , Decavele Maxens , Demiri Suela , Demoule Alexandre , Chavez Mario , Similowski Thomas
Published: November 2019

Dyspnoea is frequent and distressing in patients receiving mechanical ventilation, but it is often not properly evaluated by caregivers. Electroencephalographic signatures of dyspnoea have been identified experimentally in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that adjusting ventilator settings to relieve dyspnoea in MV patients would induce EEG changes. This was a first-of-its-kind observational study in a convenience population of 12 dyspnoeic, mechanically ventilated patients for whom a decision to adjust the ventilator settings was taken by the physician in charge (adjustments of pressure support, slope, or trigger). Pre- and post-ventilator adjustment electroencephalogram recordings were processed using covariance matrix statistical classifiers and pre-inspiratory potentials. The pre-ventilator adjustment median dyspnoea visual analogue scale was 3.0 (interquartile range: 2.5–4.0; minimum-maximum: 1–5) and decreased by (median) 3.0 post-ventilator adjustment. Statistical classifiers adequately detected electroencephalographic changes in 8 cases (area under the curve ≥0.7). Previously present pre-inspiratory potentials disappeared in 7 cases post-ventilator adjustment. Dyspnoea improvement was consistent with electroencephalographic changes in 9 cases. Adjusting ventilator settings to relieve dyspnoea produced detectable changes in brain activity. This paves the way for studies aimed at determining whether monitoring respiratory-related electroencephalographic activity can improve outcomes in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation.
Multifold pressure-induced increase of electric conductivity in LiFe0.75V0.10PO4 glass
Authors: Baranowski Piotr , Starzonek Szymon , Drozd-Rzoska Aleksandra , Rzoska Sylwester J. , Bockowski Michal , Keblinski Pawel , Pietrzak Tomasz K. , Garbarczyk Jerzy E.
Published: November 2019

We investigated the impact of high pressure and high-temperature annealing on lithium-vanadium-iron-phosphate (LiFe0.75V0.10PO4) glass materials, proposed for the use in cathodes for high-performance batteries. The treatment was carried out below the glass transition temperature (Tg≈ 483 °C) atP = 1 GPa pressure, in an argon atmosphere. It led to the multifold electrical conductivity increase. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measurements before and after the process revealed the strong DC-conductivity increase across the whole studied frequency range by two orders of magnitude. The phenomenon is explained using Mott’s theory of polaron hopping in disordered solids containing transition metal oxides. The pressure evolution of the glass transition temperature and the crystallisation temperature aboveTgis shown.
Dietary short-chain fatty acid intake improves the hepatic metabolic condition via FFAR3
Authors: Shimizu Hidenori , Masujima Yuki , Ushiroda Chihiro , Mizushima Rina , Taira Satsuki , Ohue-Kitano Ryuji , Kimura Ikuo
Published: November 2019

Fermented foods represent a significant portion of human diets with several beneficial effects. Foods produced by bacterial fermentation are enriched in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are functional products of dietary fibers via gut microbial fermentation. In addition to energy sources, SCFAs also act as signaling molecules via G-protein coupled receptors such as FFAR2 and FFAR3. Hence, dietary SCFAs in fermented foods may have a direct influence on metabolic functions. However, the detailed mechanism by dietary SCFAs remains unclear. Here, we show that dietary SCFAs protected against high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice in parallel with increased plasma SCFAs without changing cecal SCFA or gut microbial composition. Dietary SCFAs suppressed hepatic weight and lipid synthesis. These effects were abolished in FFAR3-deficient mice but not FFAR2-deficient. Thus, SCFAs supplementation improved hepatic metabolic functions via FFAR3 without influencing intestinal environment. These findings could help to promote the development of functional foods using SCFAs.
Time-coursed transcriptome analysis identifies key expressional regulation in growth cessation and dormancy induced by short days in Paulownia
Authors: Wang Jiayuan , Wang Hongyan , Deng Tao , Liu Zhen , Wang Xuewen
Published: November 2019

Maintaining the viability of the apical shoot is critical for continued vertical growth in plants. Terminal shoot of tree species Paulownia cannot regrow in subsequent years. The short day (SD) treatment leads to apical growth cessation and dormancy. To understand the molecular basis of this, we further conducted global RNA-Seq based transcriptomic analysis in apical shoots to check regulation of gene expression. We obtained ~219 million paired-end 125-bp Illumina reads from five time-courses and de novo assembled them to yield 49,054 unigenes. Compared with the untreated control, we identified 1540 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which were found to involve in 116 metabolic pathways. Expression of 87% of DEGs exhibited switch-on or switch-off pattern, indicating key roles in growth cessation. Most DEGs were enriched in the biological process of gene ontology categories and at later treatment stages. The pathways of auxin and circadian network were most affected and the expression of associated DEGs was characterised. During SD induction, auxin genes IAA, ARF and SAURs were down-regulated and circadian genes including PIF3 and PRR5 were up-regulated. PEPC in photosynthesis was constitutively upregulated, suggesting a still high CO2 concentrating activity; however, the converting CO2 to G3P in the Calvin cycle is low, supported by reduced expression of GAPDH encoding the catalysing enzyme for this step. This indicates a de-coupling point in the carbon fixation. The results help elucidate the molecular mechanisms for SD inducing dormancy and cessation in apical shoots.
Distribution of aquaporins and sodium transporters in the gastrointestinal tract of a desert hare, Lepus yarkandensis
Authors: Zhang Jianping , Li Shuwei , Deng Fang , Baikeli Buheliqihan , Yu Weijiang , Liu Guoquan
Published: November 2019

Lepus yarkandensis is a desert hare of the Tarim Basin in western China, and it has strong adaptability to arid environments. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water channel proteins that facilitate transmembrane water transport. Gastrointestinal tract AQPs are involved in fluid absorption in the small intestine and colon. This study aimed to determine the distribution of AQPs and sodium transporters in the gastrointestinal tract of L. yarkandensis and to compare the expression of these proteins with that in Oryctolagus cuniculus. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyse the cellular distribution of these proteins, and the acquired images were analysed with IpWin32 software. Our results revealed that AQP1 was located in the colonic epithelium, central lacteal cells, fundic gland parietal cells, and capillary endothelial cells; AQP3 was located in the colonic epithelium, small intestinal villus epithelium, gastric pit and fundic gland; AQP4 was located in the fundic gland, small intestinal gland and colonic epithelium; and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and Na+-K+-ATPase were located in the epithelial cells, respectively. The higher expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, ENaC and Na+-K+-ATPase in the colon of L. yarkandensis compared to those in O. cuniculus suggested that L. yarkandensis has a higher capacity for faecal dehydration.
Strongly confined localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) bands of Pt, AgPt, AgAuPt nanoparticles
Authors: Sui Mao , Kunwar Sundar , Pandey Puran , Lee Jihoon
Published: November 2019

Multi-metallic alloy nanoparticles (NPs) can enable the advanced applications in the energy, biology, electronics, optics and catalysis due to their multi-functionality, wide tunable range and electronic heterogeneity. In this work, various mono-, bi- and tri-metallic nanostructures composed of Ag, Au and Pt are demonstrated on transparent c-plane sapphire (0001) substrates and the corresponding morphological and optical characteristics are thoroughly investigated. The resulting Pt and AuPt NPs in this study demonstrate much enhanced LSPR responses as compared to the pure Pt NPs from the previous studies, which was contributed by the synergistic effect of Au and Pt and improved surface morphology. These results are sharply distinct in terms of surface morphology and elemental variability from those obtained by the dewetting of monometallic Ag, Au and Pt films under the similar growth conditions, which is due to the distinct dewetting kinetics of the bi-layer and tri-layer films. These NPs exhibit strongly enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) bands in the UV-VIS wavelengths such as dipolar, quadrupolar, multipolar and higher order resonance modes depending upon the size and elemental composition of NPs. The LSPR bands are much stronger with the high Ag content and gradually attenuated with the Ag sublimation. Furthermore, the VIS region LSPR bands are readily blue shifted along with the reduction of NP size. The Ag/Pt bi-layers and Ag/Au/Pt tri-layers are systematically dewetted and transformed into various AgPt and AgAuPt nanostructures such as networked, elongated and semispherical configurations by means of enhanced surface diffusion, intermixing and energy minimization along with the temperature control. The sublimation of Ag atoms plays a significant role in the structural and elemental composition of NPs such that more isolated and semispherical Pt and AuPt NPs are evolved from the AgPt and AgAuPt NPs respectively.
Activation of PXR by alantolactone ameliorates DSS-induced experimental colitis via suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Ren Yijing , Yue Bei , Ren Gaiyan , Yu Zhilun , Luo Xiaoping , Sun Aning , Zhang Jingjing , Han Mengqing , Wang Zhengtao , Dou Wei
Published: November 2019

Alantolactone (ALA) is a sesquiterpene lactone with potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effect of ALA on intestinal inflammation remains largely unknown. The present study demonstrated that ALA significantly ameliorated the clinical symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice colitis as determined by body weight loss, diarrhea, colon shortening, inflammatory infiltration and histological injury. In mice exposed to DSS, ALA treatment significantly lowered pro-inflammatory mediators, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. In vitro, ALA inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and dose-dependently activated human/mouse pregnane X receptor (PXR), a key regulator gene in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. However, the pocket occluding mutants of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of hPXR, abrogated ALA-mediated activation of the receptor. Overexpression of hPXR inhibited NF-κB-reporter activity and in this setting, ALA further enhanced the hPXR-mediated inhibition of NF-κB-reporter activity. Furthermore, silencing hPXR gene demonstrated the necessity for hPXR in downregulation of NF-κB activation by ALA. Finally, molecular docking studies confirmed the binding affinity between hPXR-LBD and ALA. Collectively, the current study indicates a beneficial effect of ALA on experimental IBD possibly via PXR-mediated suppression of the NF-κB inflammatory signaling.
Monitoring LC3- or GABARAP-positive autophagic membranes using modified RavZ-based probes
Authors: Park Sang-Won , Jeon Pureum , Jun Yong-Woo , Park Ju-Hui , Lee Seung-Hwan , Lee Sangkyu , Lee Jin-A. , Jang Deok-Jin
Published: November 2019

Xenophagy is a selective lysosomal degradation pathway for invading pathogens in host cells. However, invading bacteria also develop survival mechanisms to inhibit host autophagy. RavZ is a protein secreted by Legionella that irreversibly delipidates mammalian autophagy-related protein 8 (mATG8) on autophagic membranes in host cells via efficient autophagic membrane targeting. In this study, we leveraged the autophagic membrane-targeting mechanism of RavZ and generated a new autophagosome probe by replacing the catalytic domain of RavZ with GFP. This probe is efficiently localized to mATG8-positive autophagic membranes via a synergistic combination between mATG8 protein-binding mediated by the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs and phosphoinositide-3-phosphate (PI3P) binding mediated by the membrane-targeting (MT) domain. Furthermore, the membrane association activity of this new probe with an MT domain was more efficient than that of probes with a hydrophobic domain that were previously used in LIR-based autophagosome sensors. Finally, by substituting the LIR motifs of RavZ with selective LIR motifs from Fyco1 or ULK2, we developed new probes for detecting LC3A/B- or GABARAP subfamily-positive autophagic membranes, respectively. We propose that these new RavZ-based sensors will be useful for monitoring and studying the function of mATG8-positive autophagic membranes in different cellular contexts for autophagy research.
Integrative analysis of clinical and bioinformatics databases to identify anticancer properties of digoxin
Authors: Yokoyama Satoshi , Sugimoto Yasuhiro , Nakagawa Chihiro , Hosomi Kouichi , Takada Mitsutaka
Published: November 2019

Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, inhibit Na+/K+-ATPases and cause secondary activation of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers. Preclinical investigations have suggested that digoxin may have anticancer properties. In order to clarify the functional mechanisms of digoxin in cancer, we performed an integrative analysis of clinical and bioinformatics databases. The US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japan Medical Data Center claims database were used as clinical databases to evaluate reporting odds ratios and adjusted sequence ratios, respectively. The BaseSpace Correlation Engine and Connectivity Map bioinformatics databases were used to investigate molecular pathways related to digoxin anticancer mechanisms. Clinical database analyses suggested an inverse association between digoxin and four cancers: gastric, colon, prostate and haematological malignancy. The bioinformatics database analysis suggested digoxin may exert an anticancer effect via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and apoptotic caspase cascade pathways. Our integrative analysis revealed the possibility of digoxin as a drug repositioning candidate for cancers.
Energy dissipation evaluation of temperature swing adsorption (TSA) cycle based on thermodynamic entropy insights
Authors: Li Shuangjun , Deng Shuai , Zhao Li , Xu Weicong , Yuan Xiangzhou , Guo Zhihao , Du Zhenyu
Published: November 2019

The special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) on global warming of 1.5 °C marks a critical point in climate negotiations, which emphasizes the importance to control the CO2 level in the atmosphere. The current technology cluster of CO2 capture is still energy-intensive which results in a substantial increase in costs, thus the efficient conversion among various forms of energy is the major topic of research. Considering that most of the existing research are primarily based on the viewpoint of energy conservation on a specific case study, the results thus could not be efficiently generalized as a condensed mechanism of energy dissipation. In this work, the entropy generation evaluation of a 4-step temperature swing adsorption (TSA) process was presented as a sample. The values and contribution distributions of various entropy generation in the thermodynamic cycle were calculated to evaluate the major energy dissipation. The results on contribution distribution of entropy generation and heat required were compared, the entropy generation distribution contributed by heat transfer decreases from 63.27% to 53.72% with internal heat recovery (IHR) method integrated. Thus the entropy generation saving potential of IHR method could be proved.
Klarite as a label-free SERS-based assay: a promising approach for atmospheric bioaerosol detection
Authors: Tahir Muhammad Ali , Zhang Xinlian , Cheng Hanyun , Xu Dong , Feng Yiqing , Sui Guodong , Fu Hongbo , Valev Ventsislav K. , Zhang Liwu , Chen Jianmin
Published: November 2019

We present a SERS-based Klarite interface for the rapid and culture-free detection and quantification of atmospheric bioaerosols in the real-world environment.
The ICT-based fluorescence and colorimetric dual sensing of endogenous hypochlorite in living cells, bacteria, and zebrafish
Authors: He Xiaojun , Xu Chuchu , Xiong Wei , Qian Yuna , Fan Jinyi , Ding Feng , Deng Hui , Chen Hong , Shen Jianliang
Published: November 2019

This work demonstrates a novel chemosensor, SPTPA, that exhibits fluorescence and colorimetric dual sensing of hypochlorite with an ICT ON strategy.
The NH4F-induced morphology control of hierarchical CoO@MnO2 core–shell arrays for high performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Sun Yin , Zhang Junjie , Sun Xiannian , Huang Naibao
Published: November 2019

High-performance hierarchical CoO@MnO2 core–shell arrays with controllable morphology were fabricated by a facile two-step hydrothermal method.
Dynamic water bridging and proton transfer at a surface carboxylate cluster of photosystem II
Authors: Kemmler Lukas , Ibrahim Mohamed , Dobbek Holger , Zouni Athina , Bondar Ana-Nicoleta
Published: November 2019

A hydrogen-bond cluster at a negatively-charged protein interface with a bound protein and long-lived waters might be a proton storage site.
Hybrid PDI/BiOCl heterojunction with enhanced interfacial charge transfer for a full-spectrum photocatalytic degradation of pollutants
Authors: Gao Xiaoming , Gao Kailong , Li Xibao , Shang Yanyan , Fu Feng
Published: November 2019

The strong interaction between BiOCl and PDI preferentially formed. Owing to the strongly coupled heterojunction interface and conjugated structure of PDI, a rapid interfacial charge transfer was allowed from PDI to BiOCl across the interface.
Correction: Confined Co9S8 into a defective carbon matrix as a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries
Authors: Meng Lu , Zhang Ling , Jiang Hongliang , Zhu Yihua , Li Chunzhong
Published: November 2019

Correction for ‘Confined Co9S8 into a defective carbon matrix as a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries’ by Lu Meng et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2019, 9, 5757–5762.
A new procedure for titanium separation in geological samples for 49Ti/47Ti ratio measurement by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: He Xinyue , Ma Jinlong , Wei Gangjian , Zhang Le , Wang Zhibing , Wang Qiaoshan
Published: November 2019

Separating Ti from matrix elements with Ln-spec and AG50W-X12 resins.
Rapid chelator-free radiolabeling of quantum dots for in vivo imaging
Authors: Tang Tang , Wei Yushuang , Yang Qinglin , Yang Ying , Sailor Michael J. , Pang Hong-Bo
Published: November 2019

Quantum dots enable a rapid, efficient and stable radiolabeling through chelator-free cation exchange, and improve PET imaging of solid tumors.
A facile method for the synthesis of dihydroquinoline-azide from the Lewis acid-catalyzed reaction of alkylidenecyclopropanes with TMSN3
Authors: Chen Mintao , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: November 2019

A facile method for the cascade azidation of alkylidenecyclopropanes catalyzed by In(OTf)3is developed, affording azido compounds in moderate to good yields.
Linear PVA–DTPA–Gd conjugate for magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Xu Weibing , Lin Zhiyan , Li Guichen , Long Haitao , Du Mingyuan , Fu Guorui , Pu Lumei
Published: November 2019

In this study, we report the preparation and characterization of the PVA–DTPA–Gd conjugate as a potential MRI contrast agent (CA).
Injectable drug-loaded polysaccharide hybrid hydrogels for hemostasis
Authors: Cao Jinying , Xiao Ling , Shi Xiaowen
Published: November 2019

A levofloxacin loaded CMC-GEL/OSA hydrogel was synthesized that exhibited good antibacterial properties, 84.2% shortened hemostatic time and 82.2% reduced blood loss.
Modified melamine-formaldehyde resins improve tensile strength along with antifouling and flame retardancy in impregnation of cellulose paper
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Afreen Shagufta , Yu Xiao , Dong Chaohong , Kong Qingshan
Published: November 2019

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and benzoguanamine (BG) modified melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins were used to prepare high-pressure laminates (HPLs) and the improved tensile strength, flame retardancy and antifouling properties were investigated.
Unique aqueous self-assembly behavior of a thermoresponsive diblock copolymer
Authors: Byard Sarah J. , O'Brien Cate T. , Derry Matthew J. , Williams Mark , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Blanazs Adam , Armes Steven P.
Published: November 2019

A new amphiphilic diblock copolymer prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly forms spheres, worms, vesicles or lamellae in aqueous solution on adjusting the temperature.
Aqueous microdroplets containing only ketones or aldehydes undergo Dakin and Baeyer–Villiger reactions
Authors: Gao Dan , Jin Feng , Lee Jae Kyoo , Zare Richard N.
Published: November 2019

The Dakin and Baeyer–Villiger (BV) oxidation reactions require addition of peroxides as oxidants and an acid or a base as a catalyst.
Enhanced stability and stacking dependent magnetic/electronic properties of 2D monolayer FeTiO3 on a Ti2CO2 substrate
Authors: Jin Cui , Shang Jing , Tang Xiao , Tan Xin , Smith Sean C. , Niu Chengwang , Dai Ying , Kou Liangzhi
Published: November 2019

With large magnetic moments, complete spin-polarization, high TC, and tunable magnetism characters, 2D FeTiO3/Ti2CO2 is proposed as an ideal material for high-performance spintronics.
A high-performance non-fullerene electron acceptor with bisalkylthiothiophene π-bridges for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Wang Zhaolong , Huang Kunxiang , Chen Xianjie , Xu Yating , Xu Zheng , He Tian , Yin Shouchun , Qiu Huayu , Li Miaomiao , Zhang Qian
Published: November 2019

A non-fullerene acceptor IDT2ST-4F bearing a bisalkylthiothiophene unit as the π-bridge was designed and synthesized, and its photovoltaic performance was investigated.
SIW cavity‐backed self‐diplexing leaky‐wave antenna
Authors: Shi Shujie , Qian Zuping , Cao Wenquan
Published: November 2019

A novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity‐backed self‐diplexing leaky‐wave antenna (LWA) is presented. The proposed design consists of 16 SIW cavity‐backed slot elements. The SIW cavity‐backed slot element can be fed by two separate ports to resonate at two different frequencies and offer good intrinsic isolation between two input ports. The proposed element is a typical self‐diplexing antenna. By lining up these cavity‐backed slot elements in a column, serial feeding the lower parts and the upper parts of these cavities separately, the SIW cavity‐backed self‐diplexing LWA can be achieved. The upper part of the proposed antenna works in 11–13.9 GHz with beam scanning from −5° to 39°. Meanwhile, the lower part works in 7.1–9.4 GHz with beam scanning from −43° to 56°. The isolation between two input ports is better than 20 dB. The measured results of the fabricated antenna prototype verify the simulation analysis.
Genetic algorithm‐based multiple moving target reaching using a fleet of sailboats
Authors: Christophe Viel , Ulysse Vaultier , Jian Wan , Luc Jaulin
Published: November 2019

This study addresses the problem of Dynamic Travelling Salesman Problem for a multi‐agent system using a fleet of sailboats. A genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed, which attributes to each agent a varying number of targets to be collected. GA allows obtaining a suboptimal solution in the shortest time possible. Moreover, this study adapts it to the specific problem involving a fleet of sailboats, which is a challenging task with comparison to autonomous underwater vehicles or motorised vehicles in terms of the propulsion. Therein motors can be flexibly controlled while sailboat movements are constrained by available wind direction and speed. Thus the method takes into account wind conditions at various locations of the sailboat. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Epidemiologische Entwicklung der außerklinischen Beatmung: Eine rasant zunehmende Herausforderung für die ambulante und stationäre Patientenversorgung
Authors: Karagiannidis C. , Strassmann S. , Callegari J. , Kochanek M. , Janssens U. , Windisch W.
Published: November 2019

Hintergrund Die außerklinische Beatmung erfährt in Deutschland eine rasante Entwicklung. Patienten mit chronischer respiratorischer Insuffizienz werden in deutlich zunehmender Zahl nichtinvasiv oder invasiv in einem häuslichen Setting beatmet. Diese Patienten müssen im Rahmen von Kontrolluntersuchungen oder Akut-Problemen immer wieder stationär behandelt werden. Die für die Steuerung des Gesundheitswesens wichtige Entwicklung der stationären Behandlungsfälle ist bislang ebenso unbekannt wie die Morbidität und Krankenhaussterblichkeit der häuslich beatmeten Patienten.

Methode Von 2006 – 2016 wurden alle stationären Aufnahmen analysiert, bei denen eine Langzeit-Abhängigkeit vom Respirator (mindestens 3 Monate) bestand (Daten des Deutschen Statistischen Bundesamtes).

Ergebnisse Es zeigte sich eine exponentielle Zunahme von stationären Behandlungsfällen, wobei 2006 noch 24 845 Patienten stationär behandelt werden mussten, im Jahr 2016 hingegen 86 117 Patienten. Im gleichen Zeitraum zeigte sich eine Abnahme der Krankenhaussterblichkeit von 13,2 % (2006) auf 5,7 % (2016). Im Jahr 2016 wurden zudem 47 % der Patienten auf einer Intensiv-, Weaning- oder Überwachungsstation behandelt. Es bestand eine Vielzahl von internistischen und neurologischen Komorbiditäten, welche in Verbindung mit der chronischen respiratorischen Insuffizienz die große Patientenkohorte als schwer krankes Patientenkollektiv charakterisierte. Führende Diagnosen waren die COPD mit 58 % und eine Vielzahl kardiologischer Diagnosen. Auffällig viele Patienten (24 %) zeigten eine Einschränkung der Nierenfunktion bis hin zur Dialysepflichtigkeit.

Diskussion Die rasante Zunahme der außerklinischen Beatmung hat wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung der Krankenhauslandschaft in Deutschland. Der exponentielle Anstieg der sehr pflegeintensiven Patienten stellt das Gesundheitssystem vor extreme Herausforderungen und erfordert eine gesundheitspolitische Diskussion über die Grenzen des Systems.
Transitioning to whole-body SPECT/CT in prostate cancer staging: a new concept for a better imaging workflow
Authors: Weissinger Matthias , Kupferschläger Jürgen , La Fougère Christian , Dittmann Helmut , Fiz Francesco
Published: November 2019

Aim Whole-body bone scan (BS) is the clinical standard in detecting bone metastases in prostate cancer patients. Additional SPECT/CT has allowed to significantly increase its diagnostic accuracy. However, performing both planar and additional SPECT/CT prolongs the total examination time and lowers patient throughput. In this study we aim to assess the diagnostic performance of a SPECT/CT-only protocol compared to the traditional procedure that is BS with a facultative SPECT/CT in case of unclear findings.

Methods 50 patients with high-risk prostate cancer and suspected bone metastases were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients received a whole-body Tc-99m-DPD BS followed by a 3 field-of-view (FOV) SPECT/CT (GE Discovery 670 Pro®) covering an area from the vertex to the mid-femur. Metastatic lesions were evaluated visually on BS and SPECT/CT and correlated to PSA-levels.

Results Detection rate was up to 50 % higher in SPECT/CT than in BS (n = 2829 vs. n = 1942; p < 0.001), but 31/1942 (1.5 %) lesions detected on BS were located out of the SPECT/CT field-of-view. In our analysis a PSA-level of > 80 µg/l could be defined as a cut-off-value for metastatic spread beyond mid-thigh, as no patient with PSA< 80 µg/l had localizations outside the SPECT/CT field-of-view (AUCPSA = 0.95, p < 0.001 sensitivity: 100 %, specificity: 77 %, NPV: 100 %, PPV: 67 %). The SPECT/CT-only protocol did not prolong acquisition time significantly as compared to BS.

Conclusions In patients with high-risk prostate cancer presenting with PSA < 80 µg/l and absent clinical symptoms, vertex to mid-thighs 3-FOV-SPECT/CT was representative for the entire skeletal system and was able to detect more lesions than planar acquisition. This procedure did not prolong patient handling time significantly.
Synthesis of Bioderived Cinnolines and Their Flow-Based Conversion into 1,4-Dihydrocinnoline Derivatives
Authors: Devlin Jonathan , Clogher Richard , Baumann Marcus
Published: November 2019

Starting from phenylhydrazine and glucose, a versatile cinnoline scaffold was obtained on a multigram scale and further derivatized. A simple continuous-flow hydrogenation process permits the conversion of selected cinnolines into their 1,4-dihydrocinnoline counterparts. These products are generated in high yields and high purities with residence times of less than one minute and, along with their cinnoline precursors, are expected to serve as valuable heterocyclic building blocks for future medicinal chemistry programs.
Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children with Specific Learning Disorder-Mixed Type: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sahu Anamika , Patil Vaibhav , Sagar Rajesh , Bhargava Rachna
Published: November 2019

Background Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition which frequently exhibits with comorbidities of other disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, anxiety, and depression. SLD with any comorbidity may affect the expression and severity of the SLD and may make its management difficult. Thus, the present cross-sectional study was planned to examine the psychiatric comorbidities among children with SLD.

Materials and Methods The sample consisted of 41 patients aged between 7 and 12 years with a diagnosis of SLD-mixed type. Clinical and psychological assessment included the following tests for behavioral, anxiety, mood, and interpersonal problems: child behavior checklist, Mini-international Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID), and Conner’s 3 Parent Short form-45.

Results The mean age of the participants was 9.8 years (standard deviation [SD] = 1.5). About 75.6% of participants were male, and their mean years of education was 5 years (SD = 1.5). Twenty-four percent of children had a history of delayed developmental milestones. Among comorbidities of SLD, association with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/ADHD has been found to be significant along with difficulties in executive function, peer relation, and aggression.

Conclusion Children with SLD are likely to exhibit signs of ADHD/ADD and dysfunction in executive function, peer relation, and aggression. The management of comorbid conditions is recommended along with remediation of learning problem to overall educational and behavioral achievements and development of child.
Clinical and Etiological Characteristics of Epilepsy in the Elderly: A Hospital-Based Study from a Tertiary Care Referral Center of Niamey, Niger
Authors: Assadeck Hamid , Toudou-Daouda Moussa , Mamadou Zakaria , Moussa-Konate Mahadi , Hassane-Djibo Fatimata , Douma-Maiga Dijbo
Published: November 2019

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the management of epilepsy in the elderly at a tertiary referral center in Niger to obtain a comprehensive understanding to determine the intrahospital deficiencies to improve and to make recommendations in terms to improve the management of epilepsy in the elderly in Niger.

Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective study at the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of the National Hospital of Niamey (Niger) over a period of 5 years from May 2013 to May 2018, collecting all cases of patients aged 60 years or over diagnosed with epilepsy by neurologists. From the registers of consultation, we collected and analyzed for each patient the demographic, clinical, etiological, and therapeutic data, as well as the outcomes during follow-up visits.

Results Of the 4,576 patients of all ages seen during the period of our study, we included 62 patients aged 60 years or over diagnosed with epilepsy with a hospital frequency of 1.35%. The mean age of patients was 65.82 ± 5.72 years (range: 60 and 83 years) with a predominance of the male sex (sex ratio at 1.6). Patients aged 60 to 64 years were the most represented (43.5%). Generalized tonic–clonic seizures were the most frequent (41.9%), followed by focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (25.8%). All patients underwent electroencephalogram. Only 30 patients (48.4%) underwent brain imaging, and mainly brain computed tomography scan. The etiologies included poststroke epilepsy (25.8%), brain tumors (3.2%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (3.2%), and cerebral meningioma (1.6%). We found 41 cases (66.1%) of epilepsy without definite etiology and with an incomplete workup. Carbamazepine and phenobarbital were the only two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used.

Conclusion The present study shows limited access to newer generation AEDs and diagnostic tests of epilepsy in Niger. Considerable efforts should be made to facilitate for people living with epilepsy the accessibility to diagnostic tests and the newer generation AEDs to improve the quality of epilepsy management in Niger.
Thermal conductivity of crystalline AlN and the influence of atomic-scale defects
Authors: Xu Runjie Lily , Muñoz Rojo Miguel , Islam S. M. , Sood Aditya , Vareskic Bozo , Katre Ankita , Mingo Natalio , Goodson Kenneth E. , Xing Huili Grace , Jena Debdeep , Pop Eric
Published: November 2019

Aluminum nitride (AlN) plays a key role in modern power electronics and deep-ultraviolet photonics, where an understanding of its thermal properties is essential. Here, we measure the thermal conductivity of crystalline AlN by the 3ω method, finding that it ranges from 674 ± 56 Wm−1 K−1 at 100 K to 186 ± 7 Wm−1 K−1 at 400 K, with a value of 237 ± 6 Wm−1 K−1 at room temperature. We compare these data with analytical models and first-principles calculations, taking into account atomic-scale defects (O, Si, C impurities, and Al vacancies). We find that Al vacancies play the greatest role in reducing thermal conductivity because of the largest mass-difference scattering. Modeling also reveals that 10% of heat conduction is contributed by phonons with long mean free paths (MFPs), over ∼7 μm at room temperature, and 50% by phonons with MFPs over ∼0.3 μm. Consequently, the effective thermal conductivity of AlN is strongly reduced in submicrometer thin films or devices due to phonon-boundary scattering.
Unusual electric field-induced optical behaviors in cesium lead bromide perovskites
Authors: Xia Siyang , Wang Ziming , Ren Yinjuan , Gu Zhiyuan , Wang Yue
Published: November 2019

The electric field effect on the optical properties of semiconductors is important in terms of both fundamental physics and technological applications. Here, we explored the optical behavior of cesium halide perovskites under a varied electric field (F). We revealed the intrinsically distinct photoluminescence (PL) spectral evolution between the quantum-confined perovskites and the bulk phase, indicating the different carrier recombination behaviors under F. Strong PL quenching along with significant broadening of emission linewidths was observed. Notably, the CsPbBr3 colloidal quantum dots and nanoplatelets exhibit an unusual field-induced bandgap increase, which is attributed to the weakened orbital coupling between the Pb 6s and Br 4p states with the increase in F. These results could advance their application potential in optoelectronics.
Strain-driven lattice distortion and the resultant magnetic properties of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 superlattices
Authors: Chen Liming , Zhang Chunchen , Chen Yequan , Chen Yongda , Niu Wei , Wang Peng , Du Jun , Xu Yongbing , Zhang Rong , Wang Xuefeng
Published: November 2019

We report on the artificial manipulation of interfacial magnetism in the superlattices (SLs) of ([La0.7Sr0.3MnO3]30/[BaTiO3]25)n (1 ≤ n ≤ 10) fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The thicker 30 uc-La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and 25 uc-BaTiO3 layers are designed as a single period of SLs in order to eliminate the interaction between two adjacent interfaces that could contribute to a polar phase transition and the corresponding magnetism. We use aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy to demonstrate that epitaxial-strain-driven lattice distortion renders the emergence of divalent Mn at the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 interfaces. The saturated magnetization decreases and the magnetic easy axis becomes more in-plane inclined as the interfacial strain of the SLs increases.
Precision locking CW laser to ultrastable optical frequency comb by feed-forward method
Authors: Shao X. D. , Han H. N. , Su Y. B. , Wang H. B. , Zhang Z. Y. , Fang S. B. , Chang G. Q. , Wei Z. Y.
Published: November 2019

We locked a 1064 nm continuous wave (CW) laser to a Yb:fiber optical frequency comb stabilized to an ultrastable 972 nm CW laser with the feed-forward method. Consequently, the stability and coherent properties of the ultrastable laser are precisely transferred to the 1064 nm CW laser through the frequency comb’s connection. The relative linewidth of the frequency-stabilized 1064 nm CW laser is narrowed to 1.14 mHz, and the stability reaches 1.5 × 10−17/s at the optical wavelength of 1064 nm. The phase noise characterization in the 1 mHz–10 MHz range is presented to indicate that feed-forward locking a CW laser to an ultrastable comb will offer a potential technique for many important applications, such as optical frequency synthesis and gravitational wave detection.