bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity, Energy Expenditure, and Defense of Body Weight in Melanocortin 4 Receptor-Deficient Male Rats
Authors: Almundarij Tariq I. , Smyers Mark E. , Spriggs Addison , Heemstra Lydia A. , Beltz Lisa , Dyne Eric , Ridenour Caitlyn , Novak Colleen M.
Published: November 2016

Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) variants contribute to human obesity, and rats lacking functional MC4R (Mc4rK314X/K314X) are obese. We investigated the hypothesis that low energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity contribute to this obese phenotype in male rats, and determined whether lack of functional MC4R conferred protection from weight loss during 50% calorie restriction. Though Mc4rK314X/K314X rats showed low brown adipose Ucp1 expression and were less physically active than rats heterozygous for the mutation (Mc4r+/K314X) or wild-type (Mc4r+/+) rats, we found no evidence of lowered EE in Mc4rK314X/K314X rats once body weight was taken into account using covariance. Mc4rK314X/K314X rats had a significantly higher respiratory exchange ratio. Compared to Mc4r+/+ rats, Mc4rK314X/K314X and Mc4r+/K314X rats lost less lean mass during calorie restriction, and less body mass when baseline weight was accounted for. Limited regional overexpression of Mc3r was found in the hypothalamus. Although lower physical activity levels in rats with nonfunctional MC4R did not result in lower total EE during free-fed conditions, rats lacking one or two functional copies of Mc4r showed conservation of mass, particularly lean mass, during energy restriction. This suggests that variants affecting MC4R function may contribute to individual differences in the metabolic response to food restriction.
Promotive effects of bone morphogenetic protein 2 on angiogenesis in hepatocarcinoma via multiple signal pathways
Authors: Zuo Wei-han , Zeng Peng , Chen Xi , Lu Yan-jun , Li An , Wu Jian-bin
Published: November 2016

The effects of Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) on the angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma have not yet been observed and its molecular mechanisms is not clear. We first constructed the recombinant lentivirus vectors expressing small hairpin RNA against BMP-2 gene (LV-SH-BMP2) and the recombinant lentivirus vectors over-expressing BMP-2 (overexpression-LV-BMP2), and then the two recombinant lentivirus vectors were respectively transfected into Hep G2 cells. The Hep G2 cells transfected with LV-SH-BMP2 or overexpression-LV-BMP2 were respectively co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to observe the effects of BMP-2 on HUVECs. The effect of BMP-2 on tumor microvessel density (MVD) was examined. The abilities of proliferation, migration and angiogenesis were significantly inhibited in the HUVECs co-cultured with BMP-2 knockdown Hep G2 (all P < 0.05), but significantly enhanced in the HUVECs co-cultured with BMP-2 overexpression Hep G2 (all P < 0.05). MVD was significantly increased in overexpression-LV-BMP2-transfected Hep G2 tumor, but decreased in LV-SH-BMP2-transfected Hep G2 tumors. The protein expressions of VEGF, p-P38, p-ERK, p-AKT, p-m-TOR were significantly increased after BMP-2 over-expression, or significantly decreased after BMP-2 knockdown (all P < 0.05). These results reveal that BMP-2 can enhance HUVEC proliferation, migration and angiogenesis through P38, ERK and Akt/m-TOR pathway.
Ultrathin Co-O oxide layer-driven perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in a CoO/[Co/Pd]m multilayer matrix upon annealing
Authors: Chung Woo Seong , Yang Seung Mo , Kim Tae Whan , Hong Jin Pyo
Published: November 2016

Ferromagnetic/noble metal multilayer (ML) frames are expected to serve as reliable building blocks in a variety of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) based spintronic devices. However, ultrathin ML matrices are highly susceptible to unintended reduction of electron spin polarization in the as-grown or annealed states and often require a large repeat number. Here, we introduce a simple approach to achieve thermally stable PMA in ultrathin [Co/Pd]3 MLs involving the incorporation of an ultrathin CoO capping layer. The thickness and oxygen content of the CoO layer are critical parameters to achieve enhanced PMA in ultrathin [Co/Pd]3/CoO MLs post-annealed up to 400 °C. An extensive analysis of structural features identified that robust PMA characteristics in [Co/Pd]3/CoO MLs are linked with thermally activated oxygen atom diffusion leading to structural reconfiguration upon annealing. The possible origin of the enhanced PMA in our [Co/Pd]3/CoO ML samples after high-temperature annealing is discussed, thereby enabling their use in future spintronic-related devices.
Plasticity in the olfactory bulb of the maternal mouse is prevented by gestational stress
Authors: Belnoue Laure , Malvaut Sarah , Ladevèze Elodie , Abrous Djoher Nora , Koehl Muriel
Published: November 2016

Maternal stress is associated with an altered mother-infant relationship that endangers offspring development, leading to emotional/behavioral problems. However, little research has investigated the stress-induced alterations of the maternal brain that could underlie such a disruption of mother-infant bonding. Olfactory cues play an extensive role in the coordination of mother-infant interactions, suggesting that motherhood may be associated to enhanced olfactory performances, and that this effect may be abolished by maternal stress. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the impact of motherhood under normal conditions or after gestational stress on olfactory functions in C57BL/6 J mice. We report that gestational stress alters maternal behavior and prevents both mothers’ ability to discriminate pup odors and motherhood-induced enhancement in odor memory. We investigated adult bulbar neurogenesis as a potential mechanism of the enhanced olfactory function in mothers and found that motherhood was associated with an increased complexity of the dendritic tree of newborn neurons. This motherhood-evoked remodeling was totally prevented by gestational stress. Altogether, our results may thus provide insight into the neural changes that could contribute to altered maternal behavior in stressed mothers.
Structural and Functional Connectivity of Default Mode Network underlying the Cognitive Impairment in Late-onset Depression
Authors: Yin Yingying , He Xiaofu , Xu Mingze , Hou Zhenghua , Song Xiaopeng , Sui Yuxiu , Liu Zhi , Jiang Wenhao , Yue Yingying , Zhang Yuqun , Liu Yijun , Yuan Yonggui
Published: November 2016

To identify the association between the functional and structural changes of default mode network (DMN) underlying the cognitive impairment in Late-onset depression (LOD), 32 LOD patients and 39 normal controls were recruited and underwent resting-state fMRI, DTI scans, and cognitive assessments. Seed-based correlation analysis was conducted to explore the functional connectivity (FC) of the DMN. Deterministic tractography between FC-impaired regions was performed to examine the structural connectivity (SC). Partial correlation analyses were employed to evaluate the cognitive association of those altered FC and SC. Compared with controls, LOD patients showed decreased FC between DMN and the cingulo-opercular network (CON), as well as the thalamus. Decreased FA and increased RD of these fiber tracts connecting DMN with CON were found in LOD patient. The DMN-CON FC and the FA, RD of the fiber tracts were both significantly correlated with the cognitive performance. Therefore, the cognitive impairment in LOD might be associated with the decreased FC between the DMN and the CON, which probably resulted from the demyelination of the white matter.
Revisiting the fear of snakes in children: the role of aposematic signalling
Authors: Souchet Jérémie , Aubret Fabien
Published: November 2016

Why humans fear snakes is an old, yet unresolved debate. Its innate origin from evolutionary causes is debated against the powerful influence early experience, culture, media and religion may have on people’s aversion to snakes. Here we show that the aversion to snakes in human beings may have been mistaken for an aversion to aposematic signals that are commonly displayed by snakes. A total of 635 children were asked to rate single item images as “nice” or “mean”. Snakes, pets and smiley emoticon items were not rated as “mean” unless they displayed subtle aposematic signals in the form of triangular (rather than round) shapes. Another 722 children were shown images featuring two items and asked which item was “nice” and which item was “mean”. This context dependent comparison triggered even sharper responses to aposematic signals. We hypothesise that early primates evolved an aversion for aposematic signals in the form of potentially harmful triangular shapes such as teeth, claws or spikes, not for snakes per se. Further, we hypothesise that this adaptation was in turn exploited by snakes in their anti-predatory threat display as a triangular head or dorsal zig-zag pattern, and is currently the basis for efficient international road-danger signalling.
Visualising Berry phase and diabolical points in a quantum exciton-polariton billiard
Authors: Estrecho E. , Gao T. , Brodbeck S. , Kamp M. , Schneider C. , Höfling S. , Truscott A. G. , Ostrovskaya E. A.
Published: November 2016

Diabolical points (spectral degeneracies) can naturally occur in spectra of two-dimensional quantum systems and classical wave resonators due to simple symmetries. Geometric Berry phase is associated with these spectral degeneracies. Here, we demonstrate a diabolical point and the corresponding Berry phase in the spectrum of hybrid light-matter quasiparticles—exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. It is well known that sufficiently strong optical pumping can drive exciton-polaritons to quantum degeneracy, whereby they form a macroscopically populated quantum coherent state similar to a Bose-Einstein condensate. By pumping a microcavity with a spatially structured light beam, we create a two-dimensional quantum billiard for the exciton-polariton condensate and demonstrate a diabolical point in the spectrum of the billiard eigenstates. The fully reconfigurable geometry of the potential walls controlled by the optical pump enables a striking experimental visualization of the Berry phase associated with the diabolical point. The Berry phase is observed and measured by direct imaging of the macroscopic exciton-polariton probability densities.
A Facile Methodology for Engineering the Morphology of CsPbX3 Perovskite Nanocrystals under Ambient Condition
Authors: Seth Sudipta , Samanta Anunay
Published: November 2016

A facile and highly reproducible room temperature, open atmosphere synthesis of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals of six different morphologies is reported just by varying the solvent, ligand and reaction time. Sequential evolution of the quantum dots, nanoplates and nanobars in one medium and nanocubes, nanorods and nanowires in another medium is demonstrated. These perovskite nanoparticles are shown to be of excellent crystalline quality with high fluorescence quantum yield. A mechanism of the formation of nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes is proposed. Considering the key role of morphology in nanotechnology, this simple method of fabrication of a wide range of high quality nanocrystals of different shapes and sizes of all-inorganic lead halide perovskites, whose potential is already demonstrated in light emitting and photovoltaic applications, is likely to help widening the scope and utility of these materials in optoelectronic devices.
Amplification of resonant field enhancement by plasmonic lattice coupling in metallic slit arrays
Authors: Klarskov Pernille , Tarekegne Abebe T. , Iwaszczuk Krzysztof , Zhang X.-C. , Jepsen Peter Uhd
Published: November 2016

Nonlinear spectroscopic investigation in the terahertz (THz) range requires significant field strength of the light fields. It is still a challenge to obtain the required field strengths in free space from table-top laser systems at sufficiently high repetition rates to enable quantitative nonlinear spectroscopy. It is well known that local enhancement of the THz field can be obtained for instance in narrow apertures in metallic films. Here we show by simulation, analytical modelling and experiment that the achievable field enhancement in a two-dimensional array of slits with micrometer dimensions in a metallic film can be increased by at least 60% compared to the enhancement in an isolated slit. The additional enhancement is obtained by optimized plasmonic coupling between the lattice modes and the resonance of the individual slits. Our results indicate a viable route to sensitive schemes for THz spectroscopy with slit arrays manufactured by standard UV photolithography, with local field strengths in the multi-ten-MV/cm range at kHz repetition rates, and tens of kV/cm at oscillator repetition rates.
LukMF′ is the major secreted leukocidin of bovine Staphylococcus aureus and is produced in vivo during bovine mastitis
Authors: Vrieling Manouk , Boerhout Eveline M. , van Wigcheren Glenn F. , Koymans Kirsten J. , Mols-Vorstermans Tanja G. , de Haas Carla J. C. , Aerts Piet C. , Daemen Ineke J. J. M. , van Kessel Kok P. M. , Koets Ad P. , Rutten Victor P. M. G. , Nuijten Piet J.M. , van Strijp Jos A. G. , Benedictus Lindert
Published: November 2016

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human and animal pathogen and a common cause of mastitis in cattle. S. aureus secretes several leukocidins that target bovine neutrophils, crucial effector cells in the defence against bacterial pathogens. In this study, we investigated the role of staphylococcal leukocidins in the pathogenesis of bovine S. aureus disease. We show that LukAB, in contrast to the γ-hemolysins, LukED, and LukMF′, was unable to kill bovine neutrophils, and identified CXCR2 as a bovine receptor for HlgAB and LukED. Furthermore, we assessed functional leukocidin secretion by bovine mastitis isolates and observed that, although leukocidin production was strain dependent, LukMF′ was most abundantly secreted and the major toxin killing bovine neutrophils. To determine the role of LukMF′ in bovine mastitis, cattle were challenged with high (S1444) or intermediate (S1449, S1463) LukMF′-producing isolates. Only animals infected with S1444 developed severe clinical symptoms. Importantly, LukM was produced in vivo during the course of infection and levels in milk were associated with the severity of mastitis. Altogether, these findings underline the importance of LukMF′ as a virulence factor and support the development of therapeutic approaches targeting LukMF′ to control S. aureus mastitis in cattle.
Reconstructing Networks from Profit Sequences in Evolutionary Games via a Multiobjective Optimization Approach with Lasso Initialization
Authors: Wu Kai , Liu Jing , Wang Shuai
Published: November 2016

Evolutionary games (EG) model a common type of interactions in various complex, networked, natural and social systems. Given such a system with only profit sequences being available, reconstructing the interacting structure of EG networks is fundamental to understand and control its collective dynamics. Existing approaches used to handle this problem, such as the lasso, a convex optimization method, need a user-defined constant to control the tradeoff between the natural sparsity of networks and measurement error (the difference between observed data and simulated data). However, a shortcoming of these approaches is that it is not easy to determine these key parameters which can maximize the performance. In contrast to these approaches, we first model the EG network reconstruction problem as a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP), and then develop a framework which involves multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), followed by solution selection based on knee regions, termed as MOEANet, to solve this MOP. We also design an effective initialization operator based on the lasso for MOEA. We apply the proposed method to reconstruct various types of synthetic and real-world networks, and the results show that our approach is effective to avoid the above parameter selecting problem and can reconstruct EG networks with high accuracy.
Time-lapse 3-D measurements of a glucose biosensor in multicellular spheroids by light sheet fluorescence microscopy in commercial 96-well plates
Authors: Maioli Vincent , Chennell George , Sparks Hugh , Lana Tobia , Kumar Sunil , Carling David , Sardini Alessandro , Dunsby Chris
Published: November 2016

Light sheet fluorescence microscopy has previously been demonstrated on a commercially available inverted fluorescence microscope frame using the method of oblique plane microscopy (OPM). In this paper, OPM is adapted to allow time-lapse 3-D imaging of 3-D biological cultures in commercially available glass-bottomed 96-well plates using a stage-scanning OPM approach (ssOPM). Time-lapse 3-D imaging of multicellular spheroids expressing a glucose Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor is demonstrated in 16 fields of view with image acquisition at 10 minute intervals. As a proof-of-principle, the ssOPM system is also used to acquire a dose response curve with the concentration of glucose in the culture medium being varied across 42 wells of a 96-well plate with the whole acquisition taking 9 min. The 3-D image data enable the FRET ratio to be measured as a function of distance from the surface of the spheroid. Overall, the results demonstrate the capability of the OPM system to measure spatio-temporal changes in FRET ratio in 3-D in multicellular spheroids over time in a multi-well plate format.
Expedited Holonomic Quantum Computation via Net Zero-Energy-Cost Control in Decoherence-Free Subspace
Authors: Pyshkin P. V. , Luo Da-Wei , Jing Jun , You J. Q. , Wu Lian-Ao
Published: November 2016

Holonomic quantum computation (HQC) may not show its full potential in quantum speedup due to the prerequisite of a long coherent runtime imposed by the adiabatic condition. Here we show that the conventional HQC can be dramatically accelerated by using external control fields, of which the effectiveness is exclusively determined by the integral of the control fields in the time domain. This control scheme can be realized with net zero energy cost and it is fault-tolerant against fluctuation and noise, significantly relaxing the experimental constraints. We demonstrate how to realize the scheme via decoherence-free subspaces. In this way we unify quantum robustness merits of this fault-tolerant control scheme, the conventional HQC and decoherence-free subspace, and propose anexpeditedholonomic quantum computation protocol.
MC5r and A2Ar Deficiencies During Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis Identifies Distinct T cell Polarization Programs and a Biphasic Regulatory Response
Authors: Lee Darren J. , Preble Janine , Lee Stacey , Foster C. Stephen , Taylor Andrew W.
Published: November 2016

Autoantigen-specific regulatory immunity emerges in the spleen of mice recovering from experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a murine model for human autoimmune uveoretinitis. This regulatory immunity provides induced tolerance to ocular autoantigen, and requires melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5r) expression on antigen presenting cells with adenosine 2 A receptor (A2Ar) expression on T cells. During EAU it is not well understood what roles MC5r and A2Ar have on promoting regulatory immunity. Cytokine profile analysis during EAU revealed MC5r and A2Ar each mediate distinct T cell responses, and are responsible for a functional regulatory immune response in the spleen. A2Ar stimulation at EAU onset did not augment this regulatory response, nor bypass the MC5r requirement to induce regulatory immunity. The importance of this pathway in human autoimmune uveitis was assayed. PBMC from uveitis patients were assayed for MC5r expression on monocytes and A2Ar on T cells, and comparison between uveitis patients and healthy controls had no significant difference. The importance for MC5r and A2Ar expression in EAU to promote the induction of protective regulatory immunity, and the expression of MC5r and A2Ar on human immune cells, suggests that it may be possible to utilize the melanocortin-adenosinergic pathways to induce protective immunity in uveitic patients.
Disorder and dephasing as control knobs for light transport in optical fiber cavity networks
Authors: Viciani Silvia , Gherardini Stefano , Lima Manuela , Bellini Marco , Caruso Filippo
Published: November 2016

Transport phenomena represent a very interdisciplinary topic with applications in many fields of science, such as physics, chemistry, and biology. In this context, the possibility to design a perfectly controllable experimental setup, where to tune and optimize its dynamics parameters, is a challenging but very relevant task to emulate, for instance, the transmission of energy in light harvesting processes. Here, we experimentally build a scalable and controllable transport emulator based on optical fiber cavity networks where the system noise parameters can be finely tuned while maximizing the transfer efficiency. In particular, we demonstrate that disorder and dephasing noise are two control knobs allowing one to play with constructive and destructive interference to optimize the transport paths towards an exit site. These optical setups, on one side, mimic the transport dynamics in natural photosynthetic organisms and, on the other, are very promising platforms to artificially design optimal nanoscale structures for novel, more efficient, clean energy technologies.
A GdAlO3 Perovskite Oxide Electrolyte-Based NOx Solid-State Sensor
Authors: Xiao Yihong , Wang Dongmei , Cai Guohui , Zheng Yong , Zhong Fulan
Published: November 2016

NOx is a notorious emission from motor vehicles and chemical factories as the precursor of acid rain and photochemical smog. Although zirconia-based NOx sensors have been developed and showed high sensitivity and selectivity at a high temperature of above 800 °C, they fail to show good performance, and even don’t work at the typical work temperature window of the automotive engine (<500 °C). It still is a formidable challenge for development of mild-temperature NOx detector or sensor. Herein, a novel amperometric solid-state NOx sensor was developed using perovskite-type oxide Gd1−xCaxAlO3−δ(GCA) as the electrolyte and NiO as the sensing electrode. NOx sensing properties of the device were investigated at the temperature region of 400–500 °C. The response current value at −300 mV was almost linearly proportional to the NOx concentration between 300 and 500 ppm at 500 °C. At such a temperature, the optimal sensor gave the highest NO2 sensitivity of 20.15 nA/ppm, and the maximum response current value reached 5.57 μA. Furthermore, a 90% response and 90% recover time to 500 ppm NO2 were about 119 and 92 s, respectively. The excellent selectivity and stability towards NOx sensing showed the potential application of the sensor in motor vehicles.
Can long-term dentine bonding created in real life be forecasted by parameters established in the laboratory?
Authors: Rêgo Heleine M. C. , Alves Thaís S. , Bresciani Eduardo , Niu Li-na , Tay Franklin R. , Pucci César R.
Published: November 2016

Tooth-coloured plastic dental fillings secured by adhesives to tooth structures are widely used to fix decayed teeth. Whereas laboratory tests demonstrate rapid deterioration of the ability of the adhesives to stick to dentine, clinical studies show that these fillings are relatively durable. This discrepancy suggests that the parameters used for simulating bond degradation in the laboratory setting do not correlate well with clinical outcomes. The present study examined the long-term tensile bond strength of resin composite fillings performed in real life and under different laboratory-simulated bonding conditions to identify parameters that may be used to forecast the durability of adhesive bonds created in dentine. Fillings placed in vivo were subjected to different periods of intraoral function. In vitro specimens were bonded based on whether simulated pulpal pressure (SPP) or thermomechanical cycling was implemented, and how long the completed fillings were stored in water. Thermomechanical cycling used in combination with long-term water ageing are useful in forecasting the decline in strength of resin-dentine bonds created in vivo. These parameters should be adopted for future evaluations. Conversely, the use of SPP does not appear to be a significant parameter in the simulation of long-term clinical deterioration of bond integrity.
Amino acid substitutions V63I or A37S/I61T/V63I/V100A in the PA N-terminal domain increase the virulence of H7N7 influenza A virus
Authors: Hu Meng , Chu Hin , Zhang Ke , Singh Kailash , Li Cun , Yuan Shuofeng , Chow Billy K. C. , Song Wenjun , Zhou Jie , Zheng Bo-Jian
Published: November 2016

The PA N-terminal domain (PA-Nter) is essential for viral transcription and replication. Here we identified PA-Nter substitutions A37S, I61T, V63I and V100A in recently emerged avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) with potential effect on virus pathogenicity and/or host adaptation. We introduced the identified PA-Nter substitutions into avian H7N7 IAV by reverse genetics. Our results showed that single substitution V63I and combined substitutions, I61T/V63I and A37S/I61T/V63I/V100A (Mfour), significantly increased virus growth capacity in mammalian cells. Meanwhile, these substitutions conferred higher virus transcription/replication capacity by producing more mRNA, cRNA and vRNA. Consistently, the polymerase activity and the endonuclease activity were enhanced by these PA-Nter substitutions. Notably, substitutions V63I and Mfour strongly increased virus replication and virulence in mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the PA-Nter substitutions V63I and Mfour enhanced IAV pathogenicity through modification of the polymerase activity and the endonuclease activity, which added to the evolving knowledge of IAV virulence determinants.
CXCR4/CXCL12 axis counteracts hematopoietic stem cell exhaustion through selective protection against oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Dépond Mallorie , He Liang , Foudi Adlen , Kwarteng Edward Owusu , Lauret Evelyne , Plo Isabelle , Desterke Christophe , Dessen Philippe , Fujii Nobutaka , Opolon Paule , Herault Olivier , Solary Eric , Vainchenker William , Joulin Virginie , Louache Fawzia , Wittner Monika
Published: November 2016

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo self-renewal to maintain hematopoietic homeostasis for lifetime, which is regulated by the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 are critical factors supporting quiescence and BM retention of HSCs. Here, we report an unknown function of CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in the protection of HSCs against oxidative stress. Disruption of CXCR4 receptor in mice leads to increased endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in p38 MAPK activation, increased DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis leading to marked reduction in HSC repopulating potential. Increased ROS levels are directly responsible for exhaustion of the HSC pool and are not linked to loss of quiescence of CXCR4-deficient HSCs. Furthermore, we report that CXCL12 has a direct rescue effect on oxidative stress-induced HSC damage at the mitochondrial level. These data highlight the importance of CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in the regulation of lifespan of HSCs by limiting ROS generation and genotoxic stress.
Conspecific Leaf Litter-Mediated Effect of Conspecific Adult Neighborhood on Early-Stage Seedling Survival in A Subtropical Forest
Authors: Liu Heming , Shen Guochun , Ma Zunping , Yang Qingsong , Xia Jianyang , Fang Xiaofeng , Wang Xihua
Published: November 2016

Conspecific adults have strong negative effect on the survival of nearby early-stage seedlings and thus can promote species coexistence by providing space for the regeneration of heterospecifics. The leaf litter fall from the conspecific adults, and it could mediate this conspecific negative adult effect. However, field evidence for such effect of conspecific leaf litter remains absent. In this study, we used generalized linear mixed models to assess the effects of conspecific leaf litter on the early-stage seedling survival of four dominant species (Machilus leptophylla, Litsea elongate, Acer pubinerve and Distylium myricoides) in early-stage seedlings in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China. Our results consistently showed that the conspecific leaf litter of three species negatively affected the seedling survival. Meanwhile, the traditional conspecific adult neighborhood indices failed to detect this negative conspecific adult effect. Our study revealed that the accumulation of conspecific leaf litter around adults can largely reduce the survival rate of nearby seedlings. Ignoring it could result in underestimation of the importance of negative density dependence and negative species interactions in the natural forest communities.
Sigma-1 Receptor Agonism Promotes Mechanical Allodynia After Priming the Nociceptive System with Capsaicin
Authors: Entrena J. M. , Sánchez-Fernández C. , Nieto F. R. , González-Cano R. , Yeste S. , Cobos E. J. , Baeyens J. M.
Published: November 2016

Sigma-1 receptor antagonists promote antinociception in several models of pain, but the effects of sigma-1 agonists on nociception (particularly when the nociceptive system is primed) are not so well characterized; therefore we evaluated the effects of sigma-1 agonists on pain under different experimental conditions. The systemic administration of the selective sigma-1 agonists (+)-pentazocine and PRE-084, as well as the nonselective sigma-1 agonist carbetapentane (used clinically as an antitussive drug), did not alter sensitivity to mechanical stimulation under baseline conditions. However, they greatly promoted secondary mechanical allodynia after priming the nociceptive system with capsaicin. These effects of sigma-1 agonists were consistent in terms potency with the affinities of these drugs for sigma-1 receptors, were reversed by sigma-1 antagonists, and were not observed in sigma-1 knockout mice, indicating that they are sigma-1-mediated. Repeated systemic treatment with PRE-084 induced proallodynic effects even 24 h after treatment completion, but only after the nociceptive system was primed. However, neither the presence of this drug in the organism nor changes in sigma-1 receptor expression in areas involved in pain processing explains its long-term effects, suggesting that sustained sigma-1 agonism induces plastic changes in the nociceptive system that promote nociception.
A holistic approach to dissecting SPARC family protein complexity reveals FSTL-1 as an inhibitor of pancreatic cancer cell growth
Authors: Viloria Katrina , Munasinghe Amanda , Asher Sharan , Bogyere Roberto , Jones Lucy , Hill Natasha J.
Published: November 2016

SPARC is a matricellular protein that is involved in both pancreatic cancer and diabetes. It belongs to a wider family of proteins that share structural and functional similarities. Relatively little is known about this extended family, but evidence of regulatory interactions suggests the importance of a holistic approach to their study. We show that Hevin, SPOCKs, and SMOCs are strongly expressed within islets, ducts, and blood vessels, suggesting important roles for these proteins in the normal pancreas, while FSTL-1 expression is localised to the stromal compartment reminiscent of SPARC. In direct contrast to SPARC, however, FSTL-1 expression is reduced in pancreatic cancer. Consistent with this, FSTL-1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. The complexity of SPARC family proteins is further revealed by the detection of multiple cell-type specific isoforms that arise due to a combination of post-translational modification and alternative splicing. Identification of splice variants lacking a signal peptide suggests the existence of novel intracellular isoforms. This study underlines the importance of addressing the complexity of the SPARC family and provides a new framework to explain their controversial and contradictory effects. We also demonstrate for the first time that FSTL-1 suppresses pancreatic cancer cell growth.
Two novel mutations in PRPF3 causing autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Zhong Zilin , Yan Min , Sun Wan , Wu Zehua , Han Liyun , Zhou Zheng , Zheng Fang , Chen Jianjun
Published: November 2016

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous set of hereditary eye diseases, characterized by selective death of photoreceptor cells in the retina, resulting in progressive visual impairment. Approximately 20–40% of RP cases are autosomal dominant RP (ADRP). In this study, a Chinese ADRP family previously localized to the region between D1S2819 and D1S2635 was sequenced via whole-exome sequencing and a variant c.1345C > G (p.R449G) was identified in PRPF3. The Sanger sequencing was performed in probands of additional 95 Chinese ADRP families to investigate the contribution of PRPF3 to ADRP in Chinese population and another variant c.1532A > C (p.H511P) was detected in one family. These two variants, co-segregate with RP in two families respectively and both variants are predicted to be pathological. This is the first report about the spectrum of PRPF3 mutations in Chinese population, leading to the identification of two novel PRPF3 mutations. Only three clustered mutations in PRPF3 have been identified so far in several populations and all are in exon 11. Our study expands the spectrum of PRPF3 mutations in RP. We also demonstrate that PRPF3 mutations are responsible for 2.08% of ADRP families in this cohort indicating that PRPF3 mutations might be relatively rare in Chinese ADRP patients.
Neil3 induced neurogenesis protects against prion disease during the clinical phase
Authors: Jalland Clara M. O. , Scheffler Katja , Benestad Sylvie L. , Moldal Torfinn , Ersdal Cecilie , Gunnes Gjermund , Suganthan Rajikala , Bjørås Magnar , Tranulis Michael A.
Published: November 2016

Base excision repair (BER) is the major pathway for repair of oxidative DNA damage. Mice with genetic knockout of the BER enzyme Neil3 display compromised neurogenesis in the sub-ventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and sub-granular layer of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. To elucidate the impact of oxidative DNA damage-induced neurogenesis on prion disease we applied the experimental prion disease model on Neil3-deficient mice. The incubation period for the disease was similar in both wild type and Neil3−/− mice and the overall neuropathology appeared unaffected by Neil3 function. However, disease in the Neil3−/− mice was of shorter clinical duration. We observed a mildly reduced astrogliosis in the hippocampus and striatum in the Neil3-deficient mice. Brain expression levels of neuronal progenitor markers, nestin (Nestin), sex determining region Box 2 (Sox2), Class III beta-tubulin (Tuj1) decreased towards end-stage prion disease whereas doublecortin (Dcx) levels were less affected. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN), a marker for mature neurons declined during prion disease and more pronounced in the Neil3−/− group. Microglial activation was prominent and appeared unaffected by loss of Neil3. Our data suggest that neurogenesis induced by Neil3 repair of oxidative DNA damage protects against prion disease during the clinical phase.
Slowing down light using a dendritic cell cluster metasurface waveguide
Authors: Fang Z. H. , Chen H. , Yang F. S. , Luo C. R. , Zhao X. P.
Published: November 2016

Slowing down or even stopping light is the first task to realising optical information transmission and storage. Theoretical studies have revealed that metamaterials can slow down or even stop light; however, the difficulty of preparing metamaterials that operate in visible light hinders progress in the research of slowing or stopping light. Metasurfaces provide a new opportunity to make progress in such research. In this paper, we propose a dendritic cell cluster metasurface consisting of dendritic structures. The simulation results show that dendritic structure can realise abnormal reflection and refraction effects. Single- and double-layer dendritic metasurfaces that respond in visible light were prepared by electrochemical deposition. Abnormal Goos-Hänchen (GH) shifts were experimentally obtained. The rainbow trapping effect was observed in a waveguide constructed using the dendritic metasurface sample. The incident white light was separated into seven colours ranging from blue to red light. The measured transmission energy in the waveguide showed that the energy escaping from the waveguide was zero at the resonant frequency of the sample under a certain amount of incident light. The proposed metasurface has a simple preparation process, functions in visible light, and can be readily extended to the infrared band and communication wavelengths.
A Retrospective Analysis on Two-week Short-course Pre-operative Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Resectable Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Shi Chen , Zhou Hao , Li Xiaofan , Cai Yong
Published: November 2016

To validate that a two-week short-course pre-operative radiotherapy regimen is feasible, safe, and effective for the management of elderly patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), we retrospectively analyzed 99 radiotherapy-naive patients ≥70 years of age with LARC. Patients received pelvic radiation therapy (3D-CRT 30Gy/10f/2w) followed by TME surgery; some patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was OS, while the secondary endpoints were DFS, safety and response rate. The median follow-up time was 5.1 years. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 58.3% and 51.2%, respectively. The completion rate of radiotherapy (RT) was 99.0% (98 of 99). Grade 3 acute adverse events, which resulted from RT, occurred in only 1 patient (1.0%). In addition, no grade 4 acute adverse events induced by RT were observed. All 99 patients (100%) were able to undergo R0 surgical resection, and 68.6% of the patients received sphincter-sparing surgery. The rate of occurrence of clinically relevant post-operative complications was 12.1%. Three patients (3.0%) achieved pathologic complete responses, and forty-three patients (43.4%) achieved pathologic partial responses. The rates of T-downsizing and N-downstaging were 30.3% and 55.7%, respectively. Therefore, we believe that a two-week short-course pre-operative radiotherapy is feasible in elderly patients with resectable LARC.
Circulating periostin in relation to insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among overweight and obese subjects
Authors: Yang Zhen , Zhang Hongmei , Niu Yixin , Zhang Weiwei , Zhu Lingfei , Li Xiaoyong , Lu Shuai , Fan Jiangao , Li Xiaoying , Ning Guang , Qin Li , Su Qing
Published: November 2016

Recent study showed periostin play a pivotal role in abnormal liver triglyceride (TG) accumulation and in the development of obesity-related liver fat accumulation. However, little is known regarding whether periostin plays a key role in the heightened prevalence of NAFLD and other metabolic phenotypes among large-scale populations. A cross-sectional sample of 8850 subjects aged 40 yr or older from China were evaluated in this study. Serum periostin was measured by ELISA methods. The diagnosis of NAFLD by liver ultrasonic examination. Among overweight and obese subjects, NAFLD subjects had higher serum periostin levels than those without NAFLD (126.75 ng/ml vs. 75.96 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Periostin was associated with a higher risk for NAFLD (OR 1.75 for each SD increase in periostin, 95% CI 1.04–3.37, p < 0.001) among overweight and obese subjects after confounder adjustment. Furthermore, periostin levels among overweight and obese subjects were correlated with aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.102, p = 0.004), alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.108, p = 0.003), waist circumference (r = 0.111, p = 0.002), homeostasis model assessment index-insulin resistance (r = 0.154, p < 0.001) and fasting plasma insulin (r = 0.098, p = 0.006), TG (r = 0.117, p = 0.001). Elevated circulating periostin level was associated with an increased risk of having NAFLD and insulin resistance among overweight and obese individuals.
From Quasi-Planar B56 to Penta-Ring Tubular Ca©B56: Prediction of Metal-Stabilized Ca©B56 as the Embryo of Metal-Doped Boron α-Nanotubes
Authors: Tian Wen-Juan , Chen Qiang , Tian Xin-Xin , Mu Yue-Wen , Lu Hai-Gang , Li Si-Dian
Published: November 2016

Motifs of planar metalloborophenes, cage-like metalloborospherenes, and metal-centered double-ring tubular boron species have been reported. Based on extensive first-principles theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of doping the quasi-planar C2v B56 (A-1) with an alkaline-earth metal to produce the penta-ring tubular Ca©B56 (B-1) which is the most stable isomer of the system obtained and can be viewed as the embryo of metal-doped (4,0) boron α-nanotube Ca©BNT(4,0) (C-1). Ca©BNT(4,0) (C-1) can be constructed by rolling up the most stable boron α-sheet and is predicted to be metallic in nature. Detailed bonding analyses show that the highly stable planar C2v B56 (A-1) is the boron analog of circumbiphenyl (C38H16) in π-bonding, while the 3D aromatic C4v Ca©B56 (B-1) possesses a perfect delocalized π system over the σ-skeleton on the tube surface. The IR and Raman spectra of C4v Ca©B56 (B-1) and photoelectron spectrum of its monoanion C4v Ca©B56− are computationally simulated to facilitate their spectroscopic characterizations.
A modified electrode using carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid for a simultaneous hazardous textile dye sensor
Authors: Rezaei B. , Khosropour H. , Ensafi A. A.
Published: November 2016

A simultaneous, sensitive and low-cost electrochemical sensor for acid blue 29 (AB 29) and mordant yellow 10 (MY 10) determination.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of β-carotene and α-tocopherol from pumpkin: a Box–Behnken design for extraction variables
Authors: Wang Xiudong , Wang Chen , Zha Xianjun , Mei Yanan , Xia Jingxin , Jiao Zhen
Published: November 2016

In this study, supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide was applied to achieve a successful extraction of both β-carotene and α-tocopherol from pumpkin.
Green and highly efficient synthesis of perylene and naphthalene bisimides in nothing but water
Authors: Baumgartner Bettina , Svirkova Anastasiya , Bintinger Johannes , Hametner Christian , Marchetti-Deschmann Martina , Unterlass Miriam M.
Published: November 2016

A green one-pot hydrothermal route quantitatively generates high-purity fluorescence bisimide dyes without the need for catalysts or organic solvents.
Fluoroalkyl-modified naphthodithiophene diimides
Authors: Fan Wei , Liu Chunming , Li Yan , Wang Zhaohui
Published: November 2016

Two kinds of fluoroalkyl-modified naphthodithiophene diimides (NDTI), namely α-modified NDTI and N-modified NDTI, are designed and synthesized. Single-crystal transistors based on them show electron mobilities of 0.065 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.59 cm2 V−1 s−1 under ambient conditions.
Multiphase transition of supramolecular metallogels triggered by temperature
Authors: Jiang Bo , Chen Li-Jun , Yin Guang-Qiang , Wang Yu-Xuan , Zheng Wei , Xu Lin , Yang Hai-Bo
Published: November 2016

Multiphase transition: a new class of supramolecular alkynylplatinum(ii) metallogels, which displayed reversible multiphase transition induced by temperature, were successfully constructed.
Palladium-mediated in situ synthesis of an anticancer agent
Authors: Indrigo Eugenio , Clavadetscher Jessica , Chankeshwara Sunay V. , Lilienkampf Annamaria , Bradley Mark
Published: November 2016

Biocompatible heterogeneous Pd(0) catalysts were used in a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction to synthesise an anticancer agent in situ, leading to apoptosis of prostate cancer cells.
A helical naphthopyran dopant for photoresponsive cholesteric liquid crystals
Authors: Kim Yuna , Frigoli Michel , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Tamaoki Nobuyuki
Published: November 2016

Photoisomerization of helical naphthopyran in cholesteric liquid crystals exhibited huge helical twisting power switching of over 90% resulting in significantly efficient rotational motion of micro-sized objects.
Structure and infrared spectra of hydrocarbon interstellar dust analogs
Authors: Molpeceres Germán , Timón Vicente , Jiménez-Redondo Miguel , Escribano Rafael , Maté Belén , Tanarro Isabel , Herrero Víctor J.
Published: November 2016

DFT calculations and comparison with laboratory IR spectra help clarify the structure of carbonaceous interstellar dust.
Influence of the lanthanide(iii) ion in {[Cu3Ln2(oda)6(H2O)6]·nH2O}n(LnIII: La, Gd, Yb) catalysts on the heterogeneous oxidation of olefins
Authors: Cancino P. , Paredes-García V. , Aliaga C. , Aguirre P. , Aravena D. , Spodine E.
Published: November 2016

{[Cu3Ln2(oda)6(H2O)6]·nH2O}n(LnIII: La, Gd, Yb; odaH2: oxydiacetic acid) are reported as reusable heterogeneous catalysts in the oxidation of olefins.
Correction: An adamantane-based COF: stability, adsorption capability, and behaviour as a catalyst and support for Pd and Au for the hydrogenation of nitrostyrene
Authors: Trandafir M. M. , Pop L. , Hădade N. D. , Florea M. , Neațu F. , Teodorescu C. M. , Duraki B. , van Bokhoven J. A. , Grosu I. , Pârvulescu Vasile I. , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘An adamantane-based COF: stability, adsorption capability, and behaviour as a catalyst and support for Pd and Au for the hydrogenation of nitrostyrene’ by M. M. Trandafir et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2016, 6, 8344–8354.
The protective effects of Cichorium glandulosum seed and cynarin against cyclophosphamide and its metabolite acrolein-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Tong Jing , Mo Qi-Gui , Ma Bing-Xin , Ge Lan-Lan , Zhou Gao , Wang You-Wei
Published: November 2016

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely utilized chemotherapy drug.
A revised mechanism for the α-ketoacid hydroxylamine amide forming ligations
Authors: Patil Mahendra
Published: November 2016

The α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine amide-forming (KAHA) ligation reactions were investigated using computational methods to provide improved insights on the mechanism of these reactions.
Incorporation of large guest molecules into liposomes via chemical reactions in lipid membranes
Authors: Tsuchiya Yuki , Sugikawa Kouta , Ueda Masafumi , Ikeda Atsushi
Published: November 2016

Stable lipid-membrane-incorporated fullerene derivatives with large substituent(s) were prepared by Diels–Alder reactions in lipid membranes.
Post-polymerization functionalization of poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(β-6-heptenolactone) diblock copolymers to tune properties and self-assembly
Authors: Raycraft Brooke M. , MacDonald Jarret P. , McIntosh James T. , Shaver Michael P. , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: November 2016

Copolymers were synthesized and functionalized with a variety of moieties to tune self-assembly and install drugs or fluorescent dyes.
One-pot synthesis of inorganic nanoparticle vesicles via surface-initiated polymerization-induced self-assembly
Authors: Zheng Yang , Huang Yucheng , Abbas Zaid M. , Benicewicz Brian C.
Published: November 2016

The first case of surface-initiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (SI-PISA) of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) into single-walled vesicles is reported.
Copper photoredox catalysts for polymerization upon near UV or visible light: structure/reactivity/efficiency relationships and use in LED projector 3D printing resins
Authors: Al Mousawi Assi , Kermagoret Anthony , Versace Davy-Louis , Toufaily Joumana , Hamieh Tayssir , Graff Bernadette , Dumur Frederic , Gigmes Didier , Fouassier Jean Pierre , Lalevée Jacques
Published: November 2016

Copper complexes are synthesized and evaluated as new photoredox catalysts/photoinitiators.
Instantaneous formation of polyoxometalate-based cerium vanadium oxide gels
Authors: Seliverstov Andrey , Rangus Mojca , Hartmann Martin , Mitchell Scott G. , Streb Carsten
Published: November 2016

The instantaneous formation of cerium vanadium oxide gels starting from polyoxovanadates is reported together with their application in pollutant removal and controlled acid release.
Hünlich base derivatives as photo-responsive Λ-shaped hinges
Authors: Kazem-Rostami Masoud , Moghanian Amirhossein
Published: November 2016

The azo derivatives of the Hünlich base are introduced as a set of molecular switches with unique shapes and properties.