bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of β‐adrenergic receptors in rat visual cortex expands astrocytic processes and reduces extracellular space volume
Authors: Sherpa Ang Doma , Xiao Fanrong , Joseph Neethu , Aoki Chiye , Hrabetova Sabina
Published: April 2016

Brain extracellular space (ECS) is an interconnected channel that allows diffusion‐mediated transport of signaling molecules, metabolites, and drugs. We tested the hypothesis that β‐adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation impacts extracellular diffusion‐mediated transport of molecules through alterations in the morphology of astrocytes. Two structural parameters of ECS—volume fraction and tortuosity—govern extracellular diffusion. Volume fraction (α) is the volume of ECS relative to the total tissue volume. Tortuosity (λ) is a measure of the hindrance that molecules experience in the ECS, compared to a free medium. The real‐time iontophoretic (RTI) method revealed that treatment of acutely prepared visual cortical slices of adult female rats with a βAR agonist, DL‐isoproterenol (ISO), decreases α significantly, from 0.22 ± 0.03 (mean ± SD) for controls without agonist to 0.18 ± 0.03 with ISO, without altering λ (control: 1.64 ± 0.04; ISO: 1.63 ± 0.04). Electron microscopy revealed that the ISO treatment significantly increased the cytoplasmic area of astrocytic distal endings per unit area of neuropil by 54%. These findings show that norepinephrine decreases α, in part, through an increase in astrocytic volume following βAR activation. Norepinephrine is recognized to be released within the brain during the awake state and increase neurons’ signal‐to‐noise ratio through modulation of neurons’ biophysical properties. Our findings uncover a new mechanism for noradrenergic modulation of neuronal signals. Through astrocytic activation leading to a reduction of α, noradrenergic modulation increases extracellular concentration of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, thereby facilitating neuronal interactions, especially during wakefulness. Synapse 70:307–316, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inside Cover Image, Volume 3, Issue 3
Authors: Gorenflo L. J. , Warner Dennis B.
Published: April 2016

The inside cover image, by Larry Gorenflo and Dennis Warner, is based on the Opinion Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and Water Development: In Search of Long‐term Solutions, DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1142.

image
Multifunctional platinum‐based nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Cheng Qinqin , Liu Yangzhong
Published: April 2016

Platinum‐based anticancer drugs play a central role in current cancer therapy. However, their applicability and efficacy are limited by drug resistance and adverse effects. Nanocarrier‐based platinum drug delivery systems are promising alternatives to circumvent the disadvantages of bare platinum drugs. The various properties of nanoparticle chemistry allow for the trend toward multiple functionality. Nanoparticles preferentially accumulate at the tumor site through passive targeting, and the attachment of tumor targeting moieties further enhances their tumor‐specific localization as well as tumor cell uptake. The introduction of stimuli‐responsive groups into drug delivery systems can further achieve spatially and temporally controlled drug release in response to specific stimuli. Combination therapy strategies have been used to promote synergetic efficacy and overcome the resistance of platinum drugs. The tumor‐localized drug delivery strategies exhibit benefits for preventing local tumor recurrence. In addition, the combination of platinum drugs and imaging agents in one unity allows the cancer diagnostics for real‐time monitoring the distribution of drug‐loaded nanoparticles inside the body and tumor. This review discusses recent scientific advances in multifunctional nanoparticle formulations of platinum drugs, and these designs exhibit new potential of multifunctional nanoparticles for delivering platinum‐based anticancer drugs.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2017, 9:e1410. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1410

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
A Review on Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes
Authors: Moultrie Rebecca R. , Kish‐Doto Julia , Peay Holly , Lewis Megan A.
Published: April 2016

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common genetic causes of infant death. There is presently no cure, but the therapeutic pipeline is promising. Given the prevalence of SMA coupled with the potential for new treatment options, universal carrier screening, and newborn screening, we conducted a literature review of the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes held by the public and non‐geneticist clinicians about various aspects of SMA. We then identify recommendations for targeting additional research, training, and educational efforts to increase awareness. In the limited available literature, we found that the public is generally unfamiliar with SMA but has favorable views of carrier and newborn screening. Clinicians also had limited understanding of SMA. Further research into knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers and the general public will help develop a better understanding of education gaps and inform outreach efforts. These educational efforts are needed to complement the momentum as treatments are being developed and tested. Furthermore, professional societies are proposing routine carrier screening and SMA may achieve newborn screening status, which will change the SMA landscape for genetics professionals and families. Thus, it is important to explore knowledge and attitudes about SMA to allow us to prepare for when SMA attains higher public and clinician recognition.
Parents’ Experiences of Receiving the Initial Positive Newborn Screening (NBS) Result for Cystic Fibrosis and Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Chudleigh Jane , Buckingham Sarah , Dignan Jo , O'Driscoll Sandra , Johnson Kemi , Rees David , Wyatt Hilary , Metcalfe Alison
Published: April 2016

The clinical advantages of the newborn screening programme (NBS) in the UK are well described in the literature. However, there has been little exploration of the psychosocial impact on the family. This study followed the principles of grounded theory to explore parents’ experiences of receiving the initial positive NBS result for their child with cystic fibrosis (CF) or sickle cell disease (SCD). Semi‐structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 parents (12 mothers and 10 fathers) whose children had been diagnosed with CF or SCD via NBS and were under the age of 1 year at the time of interview. The main themes that arose from the data were; parents previous knowledge of the condition and the NBS programme, the method of delivery and parental reactions to the result, sharing the results with others, the impact on parental relationships and support strategies. Study conclusions indicate that most parents thought initial positive NBS results should be delivered by a health professional with condition specific knowledge, preferably with both parents present. Genetic counselling needs to include a focus on the impact of NBS results on parental relationships. Careful consideration needs to be given to strategies to support parents of babies who have positive NBS results both in terms of the psychological health and to assist them in sharing the diagnosis.
Screening of promising chemotherapeutic candidates from plants extracts
Authors: Kinjo Junei , Nakano Daisuke , Fujioka Toshihiro , Okabe Hikaru
Published: April 2016

Over the course of our studies investigating anti-proliferative properties of compounds originating from plants against human gastric adenocarcinoma (MK-1), human uterine carcinoma (HeLa), murine melanoma (B16F10), and two human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected T-cell lines (MT-1 and MT-2), we have screened 582 extracted samples obtained from a variety of parts from 370 plants. A few extracts showed anti-proliferative activity against all cell lines, but upon further investigation, toxicity toward selected cell lines was recognized. After activity-guided fractionation, isolation of the active principles was achieved. Structure–activity relationship studies identified the components and functionalities responsible for the specific selectivity against each cancer cell line. The effect of polyacetylenes against MK-1 cells was more potent than against HeLa and B16F10 cells. The compound having a 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl group also showed an anti-proliferative effect against B16F10 cells. Some 6-methoxyflavone derivatives and 8-hydroxy furanocoumarins were good inhibitors of HeLa cell growth. The 17 compounds whose EC50 values were less than 1 nM did not show specific cellular selectivity. Because the cytotoxic effect of 24, 25-dihydrowithanolide D toward control cells was observed at a concentration about 100 times higher than those for the cancer cell lines, withanolide was identified as the most promising chemotherapeutic candidate in our experiments.
Detailed Compositional Analysis of Vegetable Oil Metathesis Products Using Microfluidic Switching Multidimensional Gas Chromatography
Authors: Pease B. , Dreyer B. , Pauls R. E.
Published: April 2016

Olefin metathesis provides an attractive and versatile route for the catalytic transformation of triglyceride‐based fats and oils into renewable chemical intermediates. Cross‐metathesis reaction of triglycerides with α‐olefins followed by transesterification leads to a complex array of olefins, fatty acid methyl esters, and fatty acid dimethyl esters. In order to evaluate the commercial value of these mixtures and to optimize process conditions, it is necessary to obtain detailed, quantitative, compositional information. With standard, one‐dimensional, gas chromatographic approaches, complete resolution of all components of interest with short analysis times is difficult to achieve. In this report we describe a rapid, microfluidic, two‐dimensional gas chromatographic methodology suitable for the detailed componential analysis of these complex mixtures. The precision of this method for individual components, as measured by the relative standard deviation, is on the order of 1 % or less, and the recovery of known blends of esters and olefins averaged 100 %.
Peripheral Female Genital Arousal as Assessed by Thermography Following Topical Genital Application of Alprostadil vs Placebo Arousal Gel: A Proof-of-Principle Study Without Visual Sexual Stimulation
Authors: Goldstein Sue W. , Gonzalez Joshua R. , Gagnon Catherine , Goldstein Irwin
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Female sexual arousal disorder is a pathophysiologic state characterized clinically by persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement until completion of sexual activity. Prior clinical experience with alprostadil products for men with erectile dysfunction supports its use in women with female sexual arousal disorder.

Aim

To compare the effect of topical alprostadil with over-the-counter (OTC) lubricant on female genital arousal in the absence of visual sexual stimuli.

Methods

Healthy premenopausal women without sexual dysfunction were recruited from the community to participate in the study. Of 17 women who consented, 10 were enrolled and completed the trial. The mean age of subjects was 32 years (range = 27–43). Study drug or placebo was applied topically to the genitals. Continuous temperature monitoring was performed. Participants completed questionnaires assessing genital sensation, effect, intensity, and duration.

Main Outcome Measures

Change in temperature from baseline in vestibule, clitoris and vulva.

Results

In all 10 subjects, topical alprostadil induced a statistically significant increase in temperature of the vestibule, clitoris, and vulva compared with the OTC lubricant. The most rapid difference in genital temperature between placebo and alprostadil was seen on the vulva, which demonstrated a significant difference at approximately 9 minutes. There was a significant difference in temperature seen for the vestibule and clitoris at 11 and 19 minutes, respectively. Sixty percent of women reported being aware or conscious of genital sensations with topical alprostadil, but not with OTC lubricant. Discordance was noted in 30% of subjects who reported being aware or conscious of genital sensations with the two treatments and 10% who reported not being aware or conscious of genital sensations with either treatment.

Conclusion

Topical alprostadil administered to healthy premenopausal women induced statistically significant, sustained increases in genital temperatures of the vestibule, clitoris, and vulva within 20 minutes compared with OTC lubricant.
Serum levels of SOD and risk of autism spectrum disorder: A case‐control study
Authors: Wang Lixuan , Jia Jianpu , Zhang Junling , Li Kuo
Published: April 2016

Background

Autism is a severe developmental disorder with poorly understood etiology. This study examined the clinical significance of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, a marker of oxidative stress, in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically‐developing children between the ages of 2 and 6 years.

Methods

Ninety‐six children diagnosed with ASD and 96 sex and age matched typically‐developing children were assessed for serum levels of SOD at admission. S0D were assayed by colorimetry, and severity of ASD was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) Score. The influence of serum SOD levels on ASD was performed by conditional logistic regression analysis, which allows adjustment for confounding factors.

Results

The median serum SOD levels were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in children with ASD as compared to typically‐developing children [146 (IQR: 133–165) U/ml and 180 (168–199) U/ml, respectively]. Levels of SOD increased with decreasing severity of ASD as defined by the CARS score (r = −0.432, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for all other possible covariates, SOD remained can be seen as an independent indictor of ASD with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.955 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.942–0.969; P < 0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cutoff value of serum level of SOD as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of ASD was projected to be 160U/ml, which yielded a sensitivity of 84.7% and a specificity of 71.4%, with the area under the curve at 0.811 (95%CI, 0.747–0.874).

Conclusions

Our data suggests that the decreased serum SOD levels could be implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of autism in Chinese children and can be used as an independent risk indicator of ASD.
Mass flow rate measurement of thermal creep flow from transitional to slip flow regime
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroki , Perrier Pierre , Ho Minh Tuan , Méolans J. Gilbert , Niimi Tomohide , Graur Irina
Published: April 2016

Measurements of the thermal creep flow through a single rectangular microchannel connected to two tanks maintained initially at the same pressure, but at different temperatures, are carried out for five noble gas species, over a large range of pressure and for two temperature differences between the tanks. The time-dependent pressure variations in both cold and hot tanks are investigated, and the temperature-driven (thermal creep) mass flow rate between two tanks is calculated from these data for the rarefaction parameter ranging from the transitional to slip flow regime. The measured mass flow rate is compared with the numerical solution of the S-model kinetic equation, and they show good agreement. A novel approximate expression to calculate the temperature-driven mass flow rate in the transitional and slip flow regimes is proposed. This expression provides results in good agreement with the measured values of the mass flow rate. In the slip flow regime, the thermal slip coefficient is calculated by employing the previously reported methodology, and the influence of the nature of the gas on this coefficient is investigated. The measured values of the thermal slip coefficient agree well with the values available in the literature, indicating that this coefficient is independent of the shape of a channel.
Meningococcal disease epidemiology in Australia 10 years after implementation of a national conjugate meningococcal C immunization programme
Authors: LAWRENCE G. L. , WANG H. , LAHRA M. , BOOY R. , McINTYRE P. B.
Published: April 2016

Australia implemented conjugate meningococcal C immunization in 2003 with a single scheduled dose at age 12 months and catch-up for individuals aged 2–19 years. Several countries have recently added one or more booster doses to their programmes to maintain disease control. Australian disease surveillance and vaccine coverage data were used to assess longer term vaccine coverage and impact on invasive serogroup C disease incidence and mortality, and review vaccine failures. Coverage was 93% in 1-year-olds and 70% for catch-up cohorts. In 10 years, after adjusting for changes in diagnostic practices, population invasive serogroup C incidence declined 96% (95% confidence interval 94–98) to 0·4 and 0·6 cases/million in vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts, respectively. Only three serogroup C deaths occurred in 2010–2012vs.68 in 2000–2002. Four (<1/million doses) confirmed vaccine failures were identified in 10 years with no increasing trend. Despite published evidence of waning antibody over time, an ongoing single dose of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in the second year of life following widespread catch-up has resulted in near elimination of serogroup C disease in all age groups without evidence of vaccine failures in the first decade since introduction. Concurrently, serogroup B incidence declined independently by 55%.
Cops on Film: Hollywood’s Depiction of Law Enforcement in Popular Films, 1984–2014
Authors: Pautz Michelle C.
Published: April 2016

With numerous recent incidents in which law-enforcement officers played a role in the deaths of citizens, there is a renewed focus on cops and their actions. Part of that discussion is related to the nation’s preconceived notions of cops and where those ideas might originate. Popular culture contributes to those images; this study explores one source of those images: film. More specifically, it investigates the image of law enforcement on the silver screen from 1984 through 2014. With a sample of 34 films and more than 200 cop characters, this study finds a mixed general depiction of law enforcement in movies but a positive depiction of individual cop characters. The prevalent descriptor of those characters was good, hard-working, and competent law-enforcement officers. This exploratory study informs broader discussions about the images of cops found in popular culture.
Kreativpädagogisches Übergangsmanagement
Authors: Schindele Ina-Maria
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Vorgestellt werden Hintergründe, Methodik und Ergebnisse meiner vorliegenden Masterarbeit ( Schindele, 2013 ). Diese widmete sich der Konzeption, Durchführung und Evaluation eines Unterrichtsprojektes mit intermedialen, kunsttherapeutischen und kreativpädagogischen Methoden. Ziel des Projektes war es, Jugendliche in ihrem Erleben von Veränderung, auf der Suche nach Zukunftsorientierung zu begleiten bzw. zu unterstützen. Als theoretische Grundlagen wurden insb. entwicklungspsychologische Modelle zur Identitätsentwicklung, sowie anthropologische und phänomenologisch-orientierte Modelle zum Verständnis der Zukunftsentwicklung verwendet. Die Ergebnisse der formativen Evaluation belegen, dass bereits ein kurzes (10-stündiges), kunsttherapeutisch ausgerichtetes Projekt für Jugendliche hilfreich ist und sie bei der aktiven Bewältigung von Entwicklungsaufgaben in Veränderungsprozessen unterstützen kann.
Volcanic Lightning Could Aid Hazard Response During Eruptions
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: April 2016

Lightning and ash plume dynamics reflected eruption behavior and signaled the onset of fast-moving rock and gas flows during the 2015 eruption of Chile's Calbuco volcano.
Laser spectroscopic probing of coexisting superfluid and insulating states of an atomic Bose–Hubbard system
Authors: Kato Shinya , Inaba Kensuke , Sugawa Seiji , Shibata Kosuke , Yamamoto Ryuta , Yamashita Makoto , Takahashi Yoshiro
Published: April 2016

A system of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice has been regarded as an ideal quantum simulator for a Hubbard model with extremely high controllability of the system parameters. While making use of the controllability, a comprehensive measurement across the weakly to strongly interacting regimes in the Hubbard model to discuss the quantum many-body state is still limited. Here we observe a great change in the excitation energy spectra across the two regimes in an atomic Bose–Hubbard system by using a spectroscopic technique, which can resolve the site occupancy in the lattice. By quantitatively comparing the observed spectra and numerical simulations based on sum rule relations and a binary fluid treatment under a finite temperature Gutzwiller approximation, we show that the spectra reflect the coexistence of a delocalized superfluid state and a localized insulating state across the two regimes.
Molecular requirements for the inter-subunit interaction and kinetochore recruitment of SKAP and Astrin
Authors: Friese Alexandra , Faesen Alex C. , Huis in ‘t Veld Pim J. , Fischböck Josef , Prumbaum Daniel , Petrovic Arsen , Raunser Stefan , Herzog Franz , Musacchio Andrea
Published: April 2016

Accurate chromosome segregation during cell division is crucial for propagating life and protects from cellular transformation. The SKAP:Astrin heterodimer localizes to spindle microtubules and to mature microtubule–kinetochore attachments during mitosis. Depletion of either subunit disrupts spindle structure and destabilizes kinetochore–microtubule attachments. Here, we identify molecular requirements for the inter-subunit interaction of SKAP and Astrin, and discuss requirements for their kinetochore recruitment. We also identify and characterize a microtubule-binding domain in SKAP, distinct from the SXIP motif that mediates end binding (EB) protein binding and plus end tracking, and show that it stimulates the growth-rate of microtubules, possibly through a direct interaction with tubulin. Mutations targeting this microtubule-binding domain impair microtubule plus-end tracking but not kinetochore targeting, and recapitulate many effects observed during depletion of SKAP. Collectively, our studies represent the first thorough mechanistic analysis of SKAP and Astrin, and significantly advance our functional understanding of these important mitotic proteins.
Monochromatic X-Ray Induced Novel Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanostructure for Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Bharti Amardeep , Bhardwaj Richa , Agrawal Ashish K. , Goyal Navdeep , Gautam Sanjeev
Published: April 2016

It has been universally delineated that the plasmonic metal nanoparticles can enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic cell by increasing the probability of energetic solar photons capturing phenomena using localized surface plasmonic resonance response. In this paper, we developed a novel in-situ simple approach to synthesize noble plasmonic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) from aqueous poly-vinyl-pyrrolidone solution of metal salt using radiolysis of water via synchrotron monochromatic X-ray irradiation without any chemical reducing agent. X-ray irradiation of water produces hydrated electrons "Equation missing", superoxide "Equation missing" and atom radicals "Equation missing", which triggers the reaction and reduces metal salt. X-ray radiolysis based synthesis provides the control over the reaction and prevent the formation of secondary products as occurs in case of chemical reduction route. In the previous studies, synchrotron “white” X-rays had been examined for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, but that technique limits only upto the material synthesis while in this work we explored the role of “monochromatic” X-rays for the production of bulk amount of nanoparticles which would also provide the feasibility of in-situ characterization. Transmission electron micrographs show that the synthesized AgNP appears spherical with diameter of 2–6 nm and is in agreement with the size estimation from uv-vis spectra by “Mie theory”.
Nanocarbon synthesis by high-temperature oxidation of nanoparticles
Authors: Nomura Ken-ichi , Kalia Rajiv K. , Li Ying , Nakano Aiichiro , Rajak Pankaj , Sheng Chunyang , Shimamura Kohei , Shimojo Fuyuki , Vashishta Priya
Published: April 2016

High-temperature oxidation of silicon-carbide nanoparticles (nSiC) underlies a wide range of technologies from high-power electronic switches for efficient electrical grid and thermal protection of space vehicles to self-healing ceramic nanocomposites. Here, multimillion-atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations validated by ab initio quantum molecular dynamics simulations predict unexpected condensation of large graphene flakes during high-temperature oxidation of nSiC. Initial oxidation produces a molten silica shell that acts as an autocatalytic ‘nanoreactor’ by actively transporting oxygen reactants while protecting the nanocarbon product from harsh oxidizing environment. Percolation transition produces porous nanocarbon with fractal geometry, which consists of mostly sp2 carbons with pentagonal and heptagonal defects. This work suggests a simple synthetic pathway to high surface-area, low-density nanocarbon with numerous energy, biomedical and mechanical-metamaterial applications, including the reinforcement of self-healing composites.
A putative nitroreductase from the DosR regulon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via TLR2 signaling pathway
Authors: Peddireddy Vidyullatha , Doddam Sankara Narayana , Qureshi Insaf A. , Yerra Priyadarshini , Ahmed Niyaz
Published: April 2016

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a global encumbrance and it is estimated that nearly one third population of the world acts as a reservoir for this pathogen without any symptoms. In this study, we attempted to characterise one of the genes of DosR regulon, Rv3131, a FMN binding nitroreductase domain containing protein, for its ability to alter cytokine profile, an essential feature of M. tuberculosis latency. Recombinant Rv3131 stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a time and dose dependent manner. In silico analyses using docking and simulations indicated that Rv3131 could strongly interact with TLR2 via a non-covalent bonding which was further confirmed using cell based colorimetric assay. In THP-1 cells treated with Rv3131 protein, a significant upsurge in the surface expression, overall induction and expression of mRNA of TLR2 was observed when analysed by flow cytometry, western blotting and real time PCR, respectively. Activation of TLR2 by Rv3131 resulted in the phosphorylation of NF- κβ. Results of this study indicate a strong immunogenic capability of Rv3131 elicited via the activation of TLR2 signalling pathway. Therefore, it can be surmised that cytokine secretion induced by Rv3131 might contribute to establishment of M. tuberculosis in the granulomas.
Temporal correlations in neuronal avalanche occurrence
Authors: Lombardi F. , Herrmann H. J. , Plenz D. , de Arcangelis L.
Published: April 2016

Ongoing cortical activity consists of sequences of synchronized bursts, named neuronal avalanches, whose size and duration are power law distributed. These features have been observed in a variety of systems and conditions, at all spatial scales, supporting scale invariance, universality and therefore criticality. However, the mechanisms leading to burst triggering, as well as the relationship between bursts and quiescence, are still unclear. The analysis of temporal correlations constitutes a major step towards a deeper understanding of burst dynamics. Here, we investigate the relation between avalanche sizes and quiet times, as well as between sizes of consecutive avalanches recorded in cortex slice cultures. We show that quiet times depend on the size of preceding avalanches and, at the same time, influence the size of the following one. Moreover we evidence that sizes of consecutive avalanches are correlated. In particular, we show that an avalanche tends to be larger or smaller than the following one for short or long time separation, respectively. Our analysis represents the first attempt to provide a quantitative estimate of correlations between activity and quiescence in the framework of neuronal avalanches and will help to enlighten the mechanisms underlying spontaneous activity.
miRs-134 and -370 function as tumor suppressors in colorectal cancer by independently suppressing EGFR and PI3K signalling
Authors: El-Daly Sherien M. , Abba Mohammed L. , Patil Nitin , Allgayer Heike
Published: April 2016

Growth factor receptor signalling plays a central and critical role in colorectal cancer. Most importantly, the EGFR signalling cascade involving PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways are particularly relevant, since they are commonly activated in several cancer entities, including colorectal cancer. In this study, we show that miRs-134 and -370 are both capable of regulating these pathways by targeting EGFR and PIK3CA. In three different colorectal cancer cell lines (DLD1, HCT-116 and RKO), suppression of EGFR and PIK3CA through the enhanced expression of miR-134 or -370 led to a suppression of the key molecules of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-134 or -370 resulted in a significant reduction of cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and in-vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Concurrent experiments with small interfering RNAs targeting the prime targets show that our selected miRNAs exert a greater functional influence and affect more downstream molecules than is seen with silencing of the individual proteins. Taken together, these data indicate that miRs-134 and -370 are potential tumour suppressor miRNAs and could play a fundamental role in suppressing colorectal cancer tumorigenesis through their ability to co-ordinately regulate EGFR signalling cascade by independently targeting EGFR and PIK3CA.
UvHOG1 is important for hyphal growth and stress responses in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Zheng Dawei , Wang Yi , Han Yu , Xu Jin-Rong , Wang Chenfang
Published: April 2016

Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is one of the most important diseases of rice worldwide. Although its genome has been sequenced, to date there is no report on targeted gene deletion in U. virens and no molecular studies on genetic mechanisms regulating the infection processes of this destructive pathogen. In this study, we attempted to generate knockout mutants of the ortholog of yeast HOG1 MAP kinase gene in U. virens. One Uvhog1 deletion mutant was identified after screening over 600 hygromycin-resistant transformants generated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The Uvhog1 mutant was reduced in growth rate and conidiation but had increased sensitivities to SDS, Congo red and hyperosmotic stress. Deletion of UvHOG1 resulted in reduced expression of the stress response-related genes UvATF1 and UvSKN7. In the Uvhog1 mutant, NaCl treatment failed to stimulate the accumulation of sorbitol and glycerol. In addition, the Uvhog1 mutant had reduced toxicity on shoot growth in rice seed germination assays. Overall, as the first report of targeted gene deletion mutant in U. virens, our results showed that UvHOG1 likely has conserved roles in regulating stress responses, hyphal growth and possibly secondary metabolism.
Metal-free carbonaceous electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for water splitting
Authors: Xu You , Kraft Markus , Xu Rong
Published: April 2016

This tutorial review focuses on the recent progress in the development of metal-free carbonaceous electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for hydrogen and/or oxygen evolution from water.
Pelargonidin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via a mitochondria mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway in HT29 cells
Authors: Karthi N. , Kalaiyarasu T. , Kandakumar S. , Mariyappan P. , Manju V.
Published: April 2016

Pelargonidin (PE) is an anticancer anthocyanidin that is abundant in berries.
One-step fabrication of a transparent and conductive TiOx/Ag nanowire hybrid thin film with high robustness
Authors: Li Shenjie , Chen Yanyan , Huang Lijian , Pan Daocheng
Published: April 2016

A TiOx/Ag nanowire (NW) hybrid thin film with a sheet resistance of 10.4 Ω □−1 and an average transmission of 83% has been successfully fabricated by a one-step solution deposition approach.
Rapid and enzyme-free nucleic acid detection based on exponential hairpin assembly in complex biological fluids
Authors: Ma Cuiping , Zhang Menghua , Chen Shan , Liang Chao , Shi Chao
Published: April 2016

Herein, we have developed a rapid and enzyme-free nucleic acid amplification detection method that combined the exponential self-assembly of four DNA hairpins and the FRET pair Cy3 and Cy5.
Halogen bonding ofN-bromosuccinimide by grinding
Authors: Mavračić Juraj , Cinčić Dominik , Kaitner Branko
Published: April 2016

Two halogen bonded cocrystals ofN-bromosuccinimide and 4,4′-bipyridine, with stoichiometric ratios 1 : 1 and 2 : 1, have been synthesized and characterized. We present the first mechanochemical cocrystallization ofN-bromosuccinimide.
Phase stability of the nanolaminates V2Ga2C and (Mo1−xVx)2Ga2C from first-principles calculations
Authors: Thore A. , Dahlqvist M. , Alling B. , Rosen J.
Published: April 2016

We here use first-principles calculations to investigate the phase stability of the hypothetical laminated material V2Ga2C and the related alloy (Mo1−xVx)2Ga2C, the latter for a potential parent material for synthesis of (Mo1−xVx)2C, a new two-dimensional material in the family of so called MXenes.
Induced europium CPL for the selective signalling of phosphorylated amino-acids and O-phosphorylated hexapeptides
Authors: Neil Emily R. , Fox Mark A. , Pal Robert , Parker David
Published: April 2016

Circularly polarised luminescence signals selectively the binding of a range of chiral phosphorylated molecules.
Autophagy is involved in regulating VEGF during high-glucose-induced podocyte injury
Authors: Miaomiao Wei , Chunhua Liu , Xiaochen Zhang , Xiaoniao Chen , Hongli Lin , Zhuo Yang
Published: April 2016

Podocytes are the major sites of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in kidneys.
Novel associative nanoparticles grafted with hydrophobically modified zwitterionic polymer brushes for the rheological control of aqueous polymer gel fluids
Authors: Yang Taeseung , Choi Sang Koo , Lee Yea Ram , Cho Yoonki , Kim Jin Woong
Published: April 2016

Novel associative nanoparticles (ANPs) are synthesized by grafting poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-stearyl methacrylate) polymer brushes on silica nanoparticles by using surface-mediated living radical polymerization.
Light-responsive AIE nanoparticles with cytosolic drug release to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells
Authors: Yuan Youyong , Xu Shidang , Zhang Chong-Jing , Liu Bin
Published: April 2016

A photo-active amphiphilic polymer containing a photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics was developed for light-responsive cytosolic drug release to overcome drug resistance.
A facile method to prepare reduced graphene oxide with nano-porous structure as electrode material for high performance capacitor
Authors: Yang Nian , Xu Xiaoyang , Li Lingzhi , Na Heya , Wang Huan , Wang Xuefang , Xing Fubao , Gao Jianping
Published: April 2016

Reduced graphene oxide (M-rGO) with enhanced electrochemical performance has been prepared. Electrochemical analyses show that the M-rGO has a maximum capacitance of 577.4 F g−1 at 1 mV s−1 with excellent rate performance.
DFT simulations of7Li solid state NMR spectral parameters and Li+ion migration barriers in Li2ZrO3
Authors: Ferreira Ary R. , Reuter Karsten , Scheurer Christoph
Published: April 2016

Energy barriers for Li+migration in Li2ZrO3as well as GIPAW NMR isotropic spectral parameters for7Li were computed, aiming to provide guidance for the interpretation and prediction of spectra of more complex systems like materials for LIBs.
Bifunctional Brønsted–Lewis solid acid as a recyclable catalyst for conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and its hydrophobicity effect
Authors: Wang Xuepeng , Zhang Haijuan , Ma Jingzhong , Ma Zhong-Hua
Published: April 2016

A novel polydivinylbenzene polymeric material containing water-tolerant SO2NHSO2C4F9 with 2 equivalents of Cr(iii) was explored as a catalyst of the one-pot conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a biphasic system.
Enhancing the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by modifying TiO2 photoanodes with exfoliated graphene sheets
Authors: Ding Hui , Zhang Sam , Juan Pi-Chun , Liu Ting-Yu , Du Zhao-Fu , Zhao Dong-Liang
Published: April 2016

Exfoliated graphene sheets are obtained using a simple liquid phase sonication and used to achieve higher electrical conductivity and faster electron transfer in dye sensitized solar cell photoanode.
One step fabrication of polymeric ratchet structures of diverse tilting angles
Authors: Kang Seong Min , Yoon Hyunsik
Published: April 2016

A novel method to fabricate asymmetric ratchet-like micro structures with various tilting angles is presented by controlling the light transmission pathway with double-layered Lucius prism arrays.
One pot synthesis of phenanthridines using a palladium-catalyzed cyclization of aromatic ketoximes with aryl iodides via Beckmann rearrangement
Authors: Raju Gajula , Guguloth Vijayacharan , Satyanarayana Battu
Published: April 2016

The catalytic reaction of ketoximes with aryl iodidesviaa Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2, Ag2O and ZnBr2gave substituted phenanthridines in good to excellent yield.
Preparation, characterization and enhanced performance of functional crosslinked membranes using poly(vinyl alcohol) as macromolecular crosslinker for fuel cells
Authors: Xu Jingmei , Ni Hongzhe , Luo Xueyan , Wang Zhe , Zhang Huixuan
Published: April 2016

The cross-linking structures and introduced PVA effectively blocked the transmission channel of methanol and inhibited the infiltration of methanol.
Factors affecting cycling life of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Makimura Yoshinari , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Nonaka Takamasa , Nishimura Yusaku F. , Uyama Takeshi , Okuda Chikaaki , Itou Yuichi , Takeuchi Yoji
Published: April 2016

Factors affecting the cycling life of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2(NCA) with graphite were examined in terms of the rechargeable capacity and polarization of NCA derivatives of LizNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2−δ(0.8 ≤z≤ 1.05).
Massive Ag migration through metal/ceramic nano-multilayers: an interplay between temperature, stress-relaxation and oxygen-enhanced mass transport
Authors: Chiodi Mirco , Cancellieri Claudia , Moszner Frank , Andrzejczuk Mariusz , Janczak-Rusch Jolanta , Jeurgens Lars P. H.
Published: April 2016

Phase stability and microstructural evolution of nano-multilayers (NMLs) during thermal treatments have attracted increasing attention in several technological fields.
Interaction of in-line twin synthetic jets with a separated flow
Authors: Wen Xin , Tang Hui , Duan Fei
Published: April 2016

An experimental investigation is carried out in a water tunnel to investigate the interaction of in-line twin synthetic jets (SJs) with a separated laminar boundary layer over inclined plates. The flow structures induced by the in-line twin SJs at four phase differences and their resulting flow separation delay are examined using dye visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. It is found that, in most of the cases, the heads of hairpin vortices that are produced from the upstream SJ actuator do not change too much, and the vortex legs are highly stretched by the separated shear layer. An exception is the case with 90° phase difference where the combined vortex head appears as a reversed letter “S” and the combined vortex legs are high enough to escape from the influence of the separated flow. Compared to the single SJ, the twin SJs generally exert greater influence on the separated flow regardless of the phase difference. The PIV results in the mid-span plane reveal that the periodic passage of vortex structures influences the separated flow significantly, causing the flapping of the upper edge of the reversed flow region that contributes to the flow separation delay. The delay of separation is also demonstrated by a streak of forward flow protrusion in the wall-parallel PIV results. It is found that the streak varies a lot at different phase differences. Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis is also conducted and two major types of energetic flow structures in the SJ controlled flow are identified: a strip of back-and-forth fluctuation along the upper edge of the reversed flow, and the vortex structures produced by the twin SJs. It is found that the fluctuation strip is most energetic in the single SJ case and the case with 270° phase difference, whereas the convective mode pair is most energetic in the case with 90° phase difference.
Observation of quasi-coherent edge fluctuations in Ohmic plasmas on National Spherical Torus Experiment
Authors: Banerjee Santanu , Diallo A. , Zweben S. J.
Published: April 2016

A quasi-coherent edge density mode with frequency fmode ∼ 40 kHz is observed in Ohmic plasmas in National Spherical Torus Experiment using the gas puff imaging diagnostic. This mode is located predominantly just inside the separatrix, with a maximum fluctuation amplitude significantly higher than that of the broadband turbulence in the same frequency range. The quasi-coherent mode has a poloidal wavelength λpol ∼ 16 cm and a poloidal phase velocity of Vpol ∼ 4.9 ± 0.3 km s−1 in the electron diamagnetic direction, which are similar to the characteristics expected from a linear drift-wave-like mode in the edge. This is the first observation of a quasi-coherent edge mode in an Ohmic diverted tokamak, and so may be useful for validating tokamak edge turbulence codes.
Two-component integrable generalizations of Burgers equations with nondiagonal linearity
Authors: Talati Daryoush , Turhan Refi̇k
Published: April 2016

Two-component second- and third-order Burgers type systems with nondiagonal constant matrix of leading order terms are classified for higher symmetries. New integrable systems are obtained. Master symmetries of the obtained symmetry integrable systems, and bi-Poisson structures of those that also possess conservation laws, are given.
Intrinsic and extrinsic effects on the ferroelectric switching of thin poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) copolymer films
Authors: Mai Manfang , Ke Shanming , Lin Peng , Zeng Xierong
Published: April 2016

In this paper, intrinsic and extrinsic factors dependent switching process in P(VDF-TrFE) thin films is investigated through time domain polarization measurements. The thinning-induced increase of switching time is observed for samples below 80 nm due to the surface oxide layer. For thinner samples the switchable polarization decreases with decreasing temperature since domain pinning prevails. Switching is faster using metal electrode with higher work function, which can be attributed to the lower depolarization field. Furthermore, the switching time increases with increasing the waiting time and increasing the pulse width of the prepolarization pulse caused by imprint effect.
Electrode effects in dielectric spectroscopy measurements on (Nb+In) co-doped TiO2
Authors: Crandles D. A. , Yee S. M. M. , Savinov M. , Nuzhnyy D. , Petzelt J. , Kamba S. , Prokeš J.
Published: April 2016

Recently, several papers reported the discovery of giant permittivity and low dielectric loss in (Nb+In) co-doped TiO2. A series of tests was performed which included the measurement of the frequency dependence of the dielectric permittivity and alternating current (ac) conductivity of co-doped (Nb+In)TiO2 as a function of electrode type, sample thickness, and temperature. The data suggest that the measurements are strongly affected by the electrodes. The consistency between four-contact van der Pauw direct current conductivity measurements and bulk conductivity values extracted from two-contact ac conductivity measurements suggest that the values of colossal permittivity are, at least in part, a result of Schottky barrier depletion widths that depend on electrode type and temperature.
Decomposition and tunability of expression noise in the presence of coupled feedbacks
Authors: Liu Peijiang , Yuan Zhanjiang , Wang Haohua , Zhou Tianshou
Published: April 2016

Expression noise results in cell-to-cell variability in expression levels, and feedback regulation may complicate the tracing of sources of this noise. Using a representative model of gene expression with feedbacks, we analytically show that the expression noise (or the total noise) is decomposed into three parts: feedback-dependent promoter noise determined by a continuous approximation, birth-death noise determined by a simple Poisson process, and correlation noise induced by feedbacks. We clarify confused relationships between feedback and noise in previous studies, by showing that feedback-regulated noisy sources have different contributions to the total noise in different cases of promoter switching (it is an essential reason resulting in confusions). More importantly, we find that there is a tradeoff between response time and expression noise. In addition, we show that in contrast to single feedbacks, coupled positive and negative feedbacks can perform better in tuning expression noise, controlling expression levels, and maintaining response time. The overall analysis implies that living organisms would utilize coupled positive and negative feedbacks for better survival in complex and fluctuating environments.
Gap plasmon resonator arrays for unidirectional launching and shaping of surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Lei Zeyu , Yang Tian
Published: April 2016

We report the design and experimental realization of a type of miniaturized device for efficient unidirectional launching and shaping of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Each device consists of an array of evenly spaced gap plasmon resonators with varying dimensions. Particle swarm optimization is used to achieve a theoretical two-dimensional launching efficiency of about 51%, under the normal illumination of a 5-μm waist Gaussian beam at 780 nm. By modifying the wavefront of the SPPs, unidirectional SPPs with focused, Bessel, and Airy profiles are launched and imaged with leakage radiation microscopy.
Examining the impacts of red deer hind body condition score and pasture forage mass on calf weaning weight
Authors: Stevens D. R. , Thompson B. R. , Asher G. W. , Scott I. C.
Published: April 2016

The effect of pre-calving hind body condition and the interaction with pasture forage mass during lactation on calf growth and intake to weaning were investigated. Two-hundred and forty red deer hinds (Cervus elaphus scoticus × hippelaphus) of average body condition score (BCS) 3.5 were subjected to either ad libitum or restricted feeding for the 4 weeks before the expected start of calving (31 October) to create hinds of low (2.5) or high (3.5) BCS. The hinds were then grazed continuously on pasture of either low (<1200 kg DM/ha) or high (>2400 kg DM/ha) forage mass during lactation (29 October–25 March). In a 2 × 2 crossover design liveweight, liveweight gain and pasture intake were measured in both hinds and calves. Low hind body condition score (BCS 2.5) at the onset of lactation resulted in low calf weaning weight (46.9 kg) when forage mass was low, but not when forage mass was high (57.3 kg). High BCS (3.5) in hinds resulted in intermediate calf weaning weight when on low forage mass (51.2 kg) and high calf weaning weight when forage mass was high (56.6 kg). Both BCS and forage mass influenced calculated total milk production.