bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Western Diet Regulates Hippocampal Microvascular Gene Expression: An Integrated Genomic Analyses in Female Mice
Authors: Nuthikattu Saivageethi , Milenkovic Dragan , Rutledge John , Villablanca Amparo
Published: December 2019

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for dementia, and chronic consumption of a Western Diet (WD) is associated with cognitive impairment. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of microvascular disease in the memory centers of the brain are poorly understood. This pilot study investigated the nutrigenomic pathways by which the WD regulates gene expression in hippocampal brain microvessels of female mice. Five-week-old female low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDL-R−/−) and C57BL/6J wild type (WT) mice were fed a chow or WD for 8 weeks. Metabolics for lipids, glucose and insulin were determined. Differential gene expression, gene networks and pathways, transcription factors, and non-protein coding RNAs were evaluated by genome-wide microarray and bioinformatics analysis of laser captured hippocampal microvessels. The WD resulted in differential expression of 2,412 genes. The majority of differential gene expression was attributable to differential regulation of cell signaling proteins and their transcription factors, approximately 7% was attributable to differential expression of miRNAs, and a lesser proportion was due to other non-protein coding RNAs, primarily long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) not previously described to be modified by the WD in females. Our findings revealed that chronic consumption of the WD resulted in integrated multilevel molecular regulation of the hippocampal microvasculature of female mice and may provide one of the mechanisms underlying vascular dementia.
FANCM suppresses DNA replication stress at ALT telomeres by disrupting TERRA R-loops
Authors: Pan Xiaolei , Chen Yun , Biju Beena , Ahmed Naveed , Kong Joyce , Goldenberg Marti , Huang Judy , Mohan Nandakumar , Klosek Stephanie , Parsa Kian , Guh Chia-Yu , Lu Robert , Pickett Hilda A. , Chu Hsueh-Ping , Zhang Dong
Published: December 2019

Cancer cells maintain their telomeres by either re-activating telomerase or adopting the homologous recombination (HR)-based Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT) pathway. Among the many prominent features of ALT cells, C-circles (CC) formation is considered to be the most specific and quantifiable biomarker of ALT. However, the molecular mechanism behind the initiation and maintenance of CC formation in ALT cells is still largely unknown. We reported previously that depletion of the FANCM complex (FANCM-FAAP24-MHF1&2) in ALT cells induced pronounced replication stress, which primarily takes place at their telomeres. Here, we characterized the changes in ALT associated phenotypes in cells deficient of the FANCM complex. We found that depletion of FAAP24 or FANCM, but not MHF1&2, induces a dramatic increase of CC formation. Most importantly, we identified multiple DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair pathways that stimulate the dramatic increase of CC formation in FANCM deficient cells, including the dissolvase complex (BLM-TOP3A-RMI1/2, or BTR), DNA damage checkpoint kinases (ATR and Chk1), HR proteins (BRCA2, PALB2, and Rad51), as well as proteins involved in Break-Induced Replication (BIR) (POLD1 and POLD3). In addition, FANCD2, another Fanconi Anemia (FA) protein, is also required for CC formation, likely through promoting the recruitment of BLM to the replication stressed ALT telomeres. Finally, we demonstrated that TERRA R-loops accumulate at telomeres in FANCM deficient ALT cells and downregulation of which attenuates the ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs), replication stress and CC formation. Taken together, our data suggest that FANCM prevents replisomes from stalling/collapsing at ALT telomeres by disrupting TERRA R-loops.
Effect of axial length and age on the visual outcome of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane after pars plana vitrectomy
Authors: Minami Sakiko , Shinoda Hajime , Shigeno Yuta , Nagai Norihiro , Kurihara Toshihide , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Sonobe Hideki , Takagi Hitoshi , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: December 2019

We evaluated predictive factors for visual outcomes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Clinical records for 114 eyes (114 patients, mean age: 70.6 years) with iERM treated by PPV between March 2012 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, the mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography improved as early as 1 month after surgery, and further improved until 3 months (P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for the preoperative BCVA showed that older age (B, 0.010; 95% confidence interval, 0.003 to 0.016; P = 0.003) and a shorter axial length (AL; B, −0.059; 95% confidence interval, −0.099 to −0.019; P = 0.005) predicted worse postoperative BCVA. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the postoperative BCVA was worse in eyes with AL < 23.6 mm than in eyes with AL ≥ 23.6 mm (P = 0.037), and in patients aged ≥69 years than in patients aged <69 years (P = 0.024). The findings may help in evaluating surgical indications for each patient to obtain satisfactory outcomes, irrespective of the preoperative BCVA.
Mandibular prognathism attenuates brain blood flow induced by chewing
Authors: Kanzaki Hiroyuki , Wada Satoshi , Kumazawa Masao , Yamada Yuko , Sudo Tomomi , Ozawa Erika , Seko Takuya , Akaike Shun , Murakami Masumi , Oikawa Takashi , Okumura Satoshi , Nakamura Yoshiki , Tomonari Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Mastication is closely related to brain function. Animal experiments have revealed that tooth loss has a negative influence on brain function. Clinical studies also suggest that normal occlusion is an essential factor for favorable brain function. Mandibular prognathism (MP) usually results in occlusal dysfunction. However, the relationship between MP and brain function remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the relationship between MP and brain function by measuring brain blood flow (BBF). Seventeen subjects with normal occlusion (NORM) and 25 patients with MP participated in this study. The number of occlusal contacts were counted. Electromyography of the masseter muscles during clenching was also recorded. BBF was measured with non-invasive functional near-infrared spectroscopy during calculation task and chewing task. The number of the occlusal contacts and masseter muscle activity were lower in MP compared with NORM. The calculation task increased BBF in both groups. The chewing task also increased BBF in the inferior frontal gyrus in both groups, although the increase in MP was smaller than in NORM. We discovered that patients with MP exhibited a smaller increase in BBF at the inferior frontal gyrus during chewing as compared with NORM. As such, MP would negatively affect brain function.
Macrophage-derived HIV-1 carries bioactive TGF-beta
Authors: Arakelyan Anush , Petersen Jennifer D. , Blazkova Jana , Margolis Leonid
Published: December 2019

Infected T cells and macrophages are the main producers of HIV-1 in infected individuals. Upon release from infected cells, HIV-1 incorporates various cellular membrane proteins, some of which are specific for these cells. However, the functions of cell-encoded proteins in virions remain largely unknown. We performed flow virometry to identify, in plasma of HIV-infected individuals, macrophage- and T-cell-derived HIV-1 virions, using cell-specific markers CD36 and CD27, respectively. Using four different methods, we demonstrated that CD36 on virions binds the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) through a ligand, thrombospondin one (TSP-1). Flow virometry of individual virions showed that TGF-β was present on CD36+ virions (average, 28.2% ± 6.6% (n = 3)) but not on CD27+ virions (average, 1% ± 0.1% (n = 3)). TGF-β molecules present on captured CD36+ virions were biologically active, as evaluated with a reporter cell line. Delivery of TGF-β on HIV virions to HIV target cells may affect them, playing a significant role in viral pathogenesis.
A Hybrid Process for Printing Pure and High Conductivity Nanocrystalline Copper and Nickel on Flexible Polymeric Substrates
Authors: Bhuiyan Md Emran Hossain , Behroozfar Ali , Daryadel Soheil , Moreno Salvador , Morsali Seyedreza , Minary-Jolandan Majid
Published: December 2019

Printing functional devices on flexible substrates requires printing of high conductivity metallic patterns. To prevent deformation and damage of the polymeric substrate, the processing (printing) and post-processing (annealing) temperature of the metal patterns must be lower than the glass transition temperature of the substrate. Here, a hybrid process including deposition of a sacrificial blanket thin film, followed by room environment nozzle-based electrodeposition, and subsequent etching of the blanket film is demonstrated to print pure and nanocrystalline metallic (Ni and Cu) patterns on flexible substrates (PI and PET). Microscopy and spectroscopy showed that the printed metal is nanocrystalline, solid with no porosity and with low impurities. Electrical resistivity close to the bulk (~2-time) was obtained without any thermal annealing. Mechanical characterization confirmed excellent cyclic strength of the deposited metal, with limited degradation under high cyclic flexure. Several devices including radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, heater, strain gauge, and temperature sensor are demonstrated.
The Catenulida flatworm can express genes from its microbiome or from the DNA it ingests
Authors: Rosa Marcos Trindade , Loreto Elgion L. S.
Published: December 2019

Stenostomum are tiny planarians of the phylum Platyhelminthes that reproduce asexually. We transfected these worms using plasmids containing a gfp reporter gene. Here we show that they can express genes present in plasmids carried by bacteria and those that are encoded by naked DNA, such as plasmids or PCR fragments, transfected by electroporation; they can also express genes taken up during feeding. The microbiome associated with worm maintenance was evaluated, and the results indicated that when a plasmid is maintained in the microbiome, gfp gene expression is stable. When genes originate from naked DNA or bacteria not maintained in the microbiome, GFP expression is transient. Therefore, changes in the microbiome can modify the ability of worms to express foreign genes. In stable GFP-expressing worms, NSG showed that the gfp gene was maintained in the plasmid and was not integrated into the chromosome. These results suggest that, at least for some organisms such as flatworms, the expression of genes provided by the microbiome or the environment can be considered among the potential sources of phenotypic plasticity, which can have implications for evolvability.
Oral Microbiome in Patients with Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qian , Rao Yuting , Guo Xiaobing , Liu Na , Liu Shuxiu , Wen Peipei , Li Shuang , Li Yuan
Published: December 2019

To investigate the oral microflora of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), saliva samples were collected from 20 patients with ESCC and 21 healthy controls. The V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA was amplified and sequenced by the Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform. The final sequences were used for OTU analysis. Alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that the bacterial diversity and richness of the ESCC group were lower than those of the control group, while the variability of the ESCC group was higher than that of the control group. According to the Metastats difference analysis and LEfSe analysis, the high risk of ESCC may be related to Actinomyces and Atopobium, while the healthy control group is closely related to Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas (the analysis was performed at the genus level). The establishment of the relationship between oral microbiota and risk of ESCC may lead to significant advances in understanding the aetiology of cancer and may open a new research paradigm for cancer prevention.
Prognostic role of ABO blood group and Rhesus factor in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Oral Alihan , Sahin Tolga
Published: December 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. There are many factors in the etiology of HCC such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol, obesity, smoking and aflatoxin. Many types of cancer are assumed to be associated with ABO blood group and Rhesus factor (RH). In this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between tumor characteristics and overall survival (OS), ABO blood group and RH factor in patients with HCC. A total of 507 patients with chronic liver disease (252 patients with HCC and 255 patients without HCC) were included in the study. All demographic, clinic and laboratory (biochemical parameters and blood type) features were collected retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 54.50 ± 9.30. There was no significant difference in both ABO groups and RH factors between the two groups. We found that vascular invasion rate of the tumor was higher in the B blood group and multicentric localization of tumor was significantly higer in patients with positive RH but there was no difference between OS in ABO and RH blood groups. In addition, the tumor was less multicentric in the AB blood group. Blood groups and RH factor can be used to predict the prognosis in cirrhotic patients with HCC.
Molecular stratification within triple-negative breast cancer subtypes
Authors: Wang Dong-Yu , Jiang Zhe , Ben-David Yaacov , Woodgett James R. , Zacksenhaus Eldad
Published: December 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been subdivided into six distinct subgroups: basal-like 1 (BL1), basal-like 2 (BL2), mesenchymal (M), mesenchymal stem–like (MSL), immunomodulatory (IM), and luminal androgen receptor (LAR). We recently identified a subgroup of TNBC with loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN and five specific microRNAs that exhibits exceedingly poor clinical outcome and contains TP53 mutation, RB1 loss and high MYC and WNT signalling. Here, show that these PTEN-low/miRNA-low lesions cluster with BL1 TNBC. These tumors exhibited high RhoA signalling and were significantly stratified on the basis of PTEN-low/RhoA-signalling-high with hazard ratios (HRs) of 8.2 (P = 0.0009) and 4.87 (P = 0.033) in training and test cohorts, respectively. For BL2 TNBC, we identified AKT1 copy gain/high mRNA expression as surrogate for poor prognosis (HR = 3.9; P = 0.02 and HR = 6.1; P = 0.0032). In IM, programmed cell death 1 (PD1) was elevated and predictive of poor prognosis (HR = 5.3; P = 0.01 and HR = 3.5; P < 0.004). Additional alterations, albeit without prognostic power, characterized each subtype including high E2F2 and TGFβ signalling and CXCL8 expression in BL2, high IFNα and IFNγ signalling and CTLA4 expression in IM, and high EGFR signalling in MSL, and may be targeted for therapy. This study identified PTEN-low/RhoA-signalling-high, and high AKT1 and PD1 expression as potent prognostications for BL1, BL2 and IM subtypes with survival differences of over 14, 2.75 and 10.5 years, respectively. This intrinsic heterogeneity could be exploited to prioritize patients for precision medicine.
Low skeletal muscle area as a prognostic marker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in elderly patients admitted to ICU
Authors: Zhi Jiehua , Shan Qing , Liang Lanyu , Liu Han , Huang Hua
Published: December 2019

Low L3 skeletal muscle area (SMA), which is assessed on computed tomography (CT) images, has been reported to indicate poor clinical outcomes of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The dorsal muscle group area at the T12 vertebral level (T12DMA) was used as an alternative to L3 SMA. This study aimed to investigate whether T12DMA could be used as a predictor of in-hospital mortality and long-term survival in elderly patients with COPD admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This single-center retrospective case–control study was performed by analyzing the clinical information and measuring T12DMA on chest CT images of elderly patients with COPD admitted to the ICU between May 2013 and May 2018. This study included 136 patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that T12DMA, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, invasive mechanical ventilation, and systemic steroid therapy were independent risk factors for predicting the hospital mortality. The median survival was significantly higher in the high-T12DMA group (214 days) than in the low-T12DMA group (32 days).
The FTO gene polymorphism rs9939609 is associated with obesity and disability in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Al-Serri Ahmad , Alroughani Raed , Al-Temaimi Rabeah A.
Published: December 2019

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for multiple diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Polymorphisms in the fat-mass obesity (FTO) gene have been consistently found to be associated with obesity, and recently found to increase the risk of developing MS. We therefore assessed the common FTO gene polymorphism (rs9939609) in relation to obesity, risk of developing MS and its disability in a cohort of MS patients. A cohort of 200 MS patients (135 females and 65 males) were genotyped for the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism. Using both logistic and linear regression we assessed the relationship between the variant and the selected phenotypes under both an additive and recessive genetic models. The A-allele was found to be associated with being overweight/obese in MS patients (OR = 2.48 (95% CI 1.17–5.29); p = 0.01). In addition, The A-allele was also found to be associated with increased MS disability (β = 0.48 (95% CI 0.03–0.92); p = 0.03). However, no association was found with risk of developing MS (p > 0.05). Moreover, our association with obesity is consistent with previous reports, whereas the association with disability is novel and warrants further investigation on the role of FTO in disease progression.
A synergic approach for nutrient recovery and biodiesel production by the cultivation of microalga species in the fertilizer plant wastewater
Authors: Ambat Indu , Bec Sabina , Peltomaa Elina , Srivastava Varsha , Ojala Anne , Sillanpää Mika
Published: December 2019

The combination of wastewater treatment and biodiesel production using algal cultivation was studied in the present work. The two main goals of the work were achieved by the cultivation of freshwater microalgae such as Chlamydomonas sp., Scenedesmus ecornis, and Scenedesmus communis in two different dilutions of fertilizer plant wastewater (FWWD1 and FWWD2) collected from Yara Suomi Oy, Finland. The growth pattern of different algal species in FWWD1 and FWWD2 was observed. The effect of pH on biomass concentration, lipid content, biomass productivity, and lipid productivity by all three algal species in FWWD1 and FWWD2 were monitored. The maximum biomass concentration and productivity were observed in FWWD1 at pH7.5 for Chlamydomonas sp. and at pH 8.5 for S. ecornis and S. communis. The maximum lipid content was detected in Chlamydomonas sp at pH5.5, followed by S. ecornis and then S. communis at pH 7.5 in FWWD2 obtained after co-solvent extraction method. The most significant removal percentage of COD by all algal species were observed in FWWD1, whereas the highest removal percentage of TN and TP were detected in FWWD2, respectively. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) characterization of each algal species in FWWD1 and FWWD2 at their optimum pH was investigated to determine the quality of obtained biodiesel.
Using CRISPR-Cas9 to generate semi-dwarf rice lines in elite landraces
Authors: Hu Xingming , Cui Yongtao , Dong Guojun , Feng Anhui , Wang Danying , Zhao Chunyan , Zhang Yu , Hu Jiang , Zeng Dali , Guo Longbiao , Qian Qian
Published: December 2019

Genetic erosion refers to the loss of genetic variation in a crop. In China, only a few original landraces of rice (Oryza sativa) were used in breeding and these became the primary genetic background of modern varieties. Expanding the genetic diversity among Chinese rice varieties and cultivating high-yielding and high-quality varieties with resistance to different biotic and abiotic stresses is critical. Here, we used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein9(Cas9) genome editing system to edit Semi-Dwarf1 (SD1) in the elite landraces Kasalath and TeTePu (TTP), which contain many desired agronomic traits such as tolerance to low phosphorous and broad-spectrum resistance to several diseases and insects. Mutations of SD1 confer shorter plant height for better resistance to lodging. Field trials demonstrated that the yield of the new Kasalath and TTP mutant lines was better than that of the wild type under modern cultivation and that the lines maintained the same desirable agronomic characteristics as their wild-type progenitors. Our results showed that breeding using available landraces in combination with genomic data of different landraces and gene-editing techniques is an effective way to relieve genetic erosion in modern rice varieties.
Influence of dietary protein content on the chemico-physical profile of dry-cured hams produced by pigs of two breeds
Authors: Carcò Giuseppe , Schiavon Stefano , Casiraghi Ernestina , Grassi Silvia , Sturaro Enrico , Dalla Bona Mirco , Novelli Enrico , Gallo Luigi
Published: December 2019

The use of low-protein (LP) feeds is a good strategy to reduce the environmental release of N compounds, but their influence on the quality of the products must be considered. This study explored the influence of LP diet and two pig breeds (BR) with different lean growth ability on the quality traits of dry-cured hams. We analysed 40 left dry-cured hams from pigs of two BR [Duroc-Danbred crosses (Danbred) and Duroc × Large White crosses (Anas)] fed either conventional (147 to 132 g/kg, crude protein) or LP diet. The LP had a crude protein content reduced by 20% with respect to the conventional. The differences in ham quality resulting from protein reduction were small, with a decrease of the protein and an increase of the lipid content of the ham slice in Anas, but not in Danbred (BR × Diet interaction; P = 0.043). Therefore, the use of LP would be feasible and sustainable, without detrimental effects on products. It was found the pig genotypes with different potentials for lean growth may affect the initial ham weight, fat cover and seasoning losses of hams, but they appear to affect little other chemical, physical and textural quality traits of the dry-cured hams.
Unaltered intravenous prion disease pathogenesis in the temporary absence of marginal zone B cells
Authors: Bradford Barry M. , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: December 2019

Prion diseases are a unique, infectious, neurodegenerative disorders that can affect animals and humans. Data from mouse transmissions show that efficient infection of the host after intravenous (IV) prion exposure is dependent upon the early accumulation and amplification of the prions on stromal follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the B cell follicles. How infectious prions are initially conveyed from the blood-stream to the FDC in the spleen is uncertain. Addressing this issue is important as susceptibility to peripheral prion infections can be reduced by treatments that prevent the early accumulation of prions upon FDC. The marginal zone (MZ) in the spleen contains specialized subsets of B cells and macrophages that are positioned to continuously monitor the blood-stream and remove pathogens, toxins and apoptotic cells. The continual shuttling of MZ B cells between the MZ and the B-cell follicle enables them to efficiently capture and deliver blood-borne antigens and antigen-containing immune complexes to splenic FDC. We tested the hypothesis that MZ B cells also play a role in the initial shuttling of prions from the blood-stream to FDC. MZ B cells were temporarily depleted from the MZ by antibody-mediated blocking of integrin function. We show that depletion of MZ B cells around the time of IV prion exposure did not affect the early accumulation of blood-borne prions upon splenic FDC or reduce susceptibility to IV prion infection. In conclusion, our data suggest that the initial delivery of blood-borne prions to FDC in the spleen occurs independently of MZ B cells.
Tuning rotation axes of single molecular rotors by a combination of single-atom manipulation and single-molecule chemistry
Authors: Wu Tianhao , Liu Liwei , Zhang Yajie , Wang Yifan , Shen Ziyong , Li Na , Berndt Richard , Hou Shimin , Wang Yongfeng
Published: December 2019

Tin-phthalocyanine acts as a molecular rotor on the Ag(111) surface with four different rotational axes from the center to the periphery of the molecule.
Copper-catalysed three-component carboiodination of arynes: expeditious synthesis ofo-alkynyl aryl iodides
Authors: Cao Wenxuan , Niu Sheng-Li , Shuai Li , Xiao Qing
Published: December 2019

A copper-catalysed three-component reaction of arynes, terminal alkynes, and NIS provides an expeditious approach too-alkynyl aryl iodides.
Interactions of a multifunctional di-triazole derivative with Alzheimer's Aβ42monomer and Aβ42protofibril: a systematic molecular dynamics study
Authors: Kaur Anupamjeet , Shuaib Suniba , Goyal Deepti , Goyal Bhupesh
Published: December 2019

The molecular dynamics simulations results highlighted that the multi-target-directed ligand6nstabilizes the native α-helix conformation of the Aβ42monomer and induces a sizable destabilization in the Aβ42protofibril structure.
Strain effects on Co,N co-decorated graphyne catalysts for overall water splitting electrocatalysis
Authors: Gao Xiaoping , Zhou Yanan , Tan Yujia , Liu Shiqiang , Cheng Zhiwen , Shen Zhemin
Published: December 2019

The electrocatalytic activity of the Co@N1-GY catalyst can be directly optimized by lattice strain and achieves ideal HER performance under tensile strain of 0.5% and the minimum OER overpotential of 0.33 V under 3% biaxial tensile strain.
Ion–ion interactions enhance aluminum solubility in alkaline suspensions of nano-gibbsite (α-Al(OH)3) with sodium nitrite/nitrate
Authors: Dembowski Mateusz , Snyder Michelle M. , Delegard Calvin H. , Reynolds Jacob G. , Graham Trent R. , Wang Hsiu-Wen , Leavy Ian I. , Baum Steven R. , Qafoku Odeta , Fountain Matthew S. , Rosso Kevin M. , Clark Sue B. , Pearce Carolyn I.
Published: December 2019

Addition of NaNO2 and/or NaNO3 to the α-Al(OH)3–NaOH–H2O system leads to significant enhancement of α-Al(OH)3 solubility.
Charge fluctuations from molecular simulations in the constant-potential ensemble
Authors: Scalfi Laura , Limmer David T. , Coretti Alessandro , Bonella Sara , Madden Paul A. , Salanne Mathieu , Rotenberg Benjamin
Published: December 2019

Statistical mechanics of constant-potential molecular simulations yields a new fluctuation–dissipation relation for the differential capacitance.
Combination of intercalation and surface modification in layered zirconium phosphates: investigation of surface stability and reactivity
Authors: Cruz Eduardo , Broker Edward J. , Mosby Brian M.
Published: December 2019

The combination of intercalation and surface modification was used to prepare heterofunctional ZrP by two synthetic pathways. The resulting materials were used to investigate the impact of the interlayer contents on the surface chemistry of ZrP.
Slow magnetic relaxation in CoII–LnIII heterodinuclear complexes achieved through a functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical
Authors: Xi Lu , Sun Juan , Wang Kang , Lu Jiao , Jing Pei , Li Licun
Published: December 2019

Five nitronyl nitroxide biradical-CoII–LnIII heterodinuclear complexes were achieved and the DyCo derivative displayed visible temperature/frequency-dependent χ′′ peaks, indicating the SMM behavior.
Improvement of the O2 storage/release rate of YMnO3 nanoparticles synthesized by the polymerized complex method
Authors: Asakura Yusuke , Miyake Amiko , Otomo Mayu , Yin Shu
Published: December 2019

YMnO3 nanoparticles synthesized by the polymerized complex method exhibited a high O2 storage/release rate because of high O2 diffusion induced by their small size.
Printed recyclable and self-poled polymer piezoelectric generators through single-walled carbon nanotube templating
Authors: Shepelin Nick A. , Sherrell Peter C. , Goudeli Eirini , Skountzos Emmanuel N. , Lussini Vanessa C. , Dicinoski Greg W. , Shapter Joseph G. , Ellis Amanda V.
Published: December 2019

High-performance, unpoled and recyclable piezoelectric generators are produced by combining dipole templatingviasingle-walled carbon nanotubes with shear-induced polarisationvia3D printing of fluoropolymers.
Complex epigenetic patterns in cerebellum generated after developmental exposure to trichloroethylene and/or high fat diet in autoimmune-prone mice
Authors: Blossom Sarah J. , Melnyk Stepan B. , Simmen Frank A.
Published: December 2019

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an environmental contaminant associated with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders and neurotoxicity.
NiS2 nanoparticles anchored on open carbon nanohelmets as an advanced anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yang D. D. , Zhao M. , Zhang R. D. , Zhang Y. , Yang C. C. , Jiang Q.
Published: December 2019

The hybrid material of NiS2 nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanohelmets (NiS2/CNHs) shows excellent electrochemical performance in Li-ion batteries.
Nickel(ii) and nickel(0) complexes as precursors of nickel nanoparticles for the catalytic hydrogenation of benzonitrile
Authors: Rodríguez Alejandro A. , Garduño Jorge A. , García Juventino J.
Published: December 2019

The use of nickel(ii) and nickel(0) complexes as precursors of nickel nanoparticles with catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of benzonitrile is reported.
Natural tripeptide capped pH-sensitive gold nanoparticles for efficacious doxorubicin delivery both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Kumar Krishan , Moitra Parikshit , Bashir Mohsin , Kondaiah Paturu , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: December 2019

AuNPs capped with a natural pH-responsive short tripeptide sequence are presented herein for the successful delivery of doxorubicin both in vitro and in vivo. Efficacy of the system has also been evaluated in drug resistant cancer cell line.
A 42-metal Yb(iii) nanowheel with NIR luminescent response to anions
Authors: Shi Dongliang , Yang Xiaoping , Xiao Zhiyin , Liu Xiaoming , Chen Hongfen , Ma Yanan , Schipper Desmond , Jones Richard A.
Published: December 2019

The NIR luminescence sensing responses of a 42-metal lanthanide nanowheel [Yb42L14(OH)28(OAc)84] to anions, especially to fluoride, were investigated.
A split-type structure of Ag nanoparticles and Al2O3@Ag@Si nanocone arrays: an ingenious strategy for SERS-based detection
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zheng Chunxue , Zhang Peng , Huang Zhulin , Zhu Chuhong , Wang Xiujuan , Hu Xiaoye , Yan Jian
Published: December 2019

A split-type nanostructure based on an ordered array and Ag nanoparticles was fabricated as an SERS substrate with high-density SERS hot spots, which exhibited excellent detection signal reproducibility and chemical stability.
Rational synthesis of highly efficient ultra-narrow red-emitting carbon quantum dots for NIR-II two-photon bioimaging
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Gou Huilin , Huang Xin , Zhang Guiyang , Xi Kai , Jia Xudong
Published: December 2019

Ultra-narrow red-emitting carbon quantum dots with a high PLQY are rationally synthesized for NIR-II triggered two-photon bioimaging.
Non-aqueous solution-processed phosphorene by controlled low-potential electrochemical exfoliation and thin film preparation
Authors: Kovalska Evgeniya , Luxa Jan , Hartman Tomáš , Antonatos Nikolas , Shaban Polina , Oparin Egor , Zhukova Maria , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: December 2019

Low-potential anhydrous electrochemistry is an extremely effective method for the preparation of high-quality few-layer phosphorene in high yield.
Tandem addition/cyclization for synthesis of 2-aroyl benzofurans and 2-aroyl indoles by carbopalladation of nitriles
Authors: Gong Julin , Hu Kun , Shao Yinlin , Li Renhao , Zhang Yetong , Hu Maolin , Chen Jiuxi
Published: December 2019

Pd-Catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-(2-acylphenoxy)acetonitriles or 2-((2-benzoylphenyl)amino)acetonitrile with arylboronic acids for the synthesis of 2-aroyl benzofurans and 2-aroyl indoles.
Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly[(4-vinylphenyl)dimethylsilane]viaatom transfer radical polymerization and its in-chain functionalization
Authors: Chavan Vijay , Seo Kwang Su , Wesdemiotis Chrys , Quirk Roderic P.
Published: December 2019

Methyl methacrylate was successfully copolymerized with (4-vinylphenyl)dimethylsilane in tolueneviaATRP in the presence of a silyl hydride group and the copolymer was subjected to in-chain functionalization by hydrosilation.
Immobilizing partial denitrification biomass and redox mediators to integrate with the anammox process for nitrogen removal
Authors: He Chuan , Wei Li'e , Lai Faying , Zhou Chunhuo , Ni Guorong , Hu Jianmin , Yin Xin
Published: December 2019

In this study, immobilizing partial denitrification biomass and redox mediators to integrate with the anammox process for nitrogen removal was investigated.
Global metabolomic profiling of trastuzumab resistant gastric cancer cells reveals major metabolic pathways and metabolic signatures based on UHPLC-Q exactive-MS/MS
Authors: Liu Wenhu , Wang Qiang , Chang Jinxia
Published: December 2019

Resistance mechanism exploration has become an urgent need owing to the widespread trastuzumab resistance in gastric cancer.
The custom making of hierarchical micro/nanoscaled titanium phosphate coatings and their formation mechanism analysis
Authors: Cai Bianyun , Jiang Nan , Tan Peijie , Hou Yi , Li Yubao , Zhang Li , Zhu Songsong
Published: December 2019

In this study, a series of hierarchical micro/nanoscaled titanium phosphate (TiP) coatings possessing various surface morphologies were successfully fabricated on titanium (Ti) discs.
Human periodontal ligament stem cells on calcium phosphate scaffold delivering platelet lysate to enhance bone regeneration
Authors: Zhao Zeqing , Liu Jin , Weir Michael D. , Zhang Ning , Zhang Li , Xie Xianju , Zhang Charles , Zhang Ke , Bai Yuxing , Xu Hockin H. K.
Published: December 2019

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) are promising for tissue engineering applications but have received relatively little attention.
An eco-friendly imprinted polymer based on graphene quantum dots for fluorescent detection of p-nitroaniline
Authors: Cai Lei , Zhang Zhaohui , Xiao Haimei , Chen Shan , Fu Jinli
Published: December 2019

An eco-friendly fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer anchored on the surface of graphene quantum dots (GQDs@MIP) was developed with an efficient sol–gel polymerization for highly sensitive and selective determination of p-nitroaniline (p-NA).
Rhodopseudomonas palustris-based conversion of organic acids to hydrogen using plasmonic nanoparticles and near-infrared light
Authors: Craven John , Sultan Mansoor A. , Sarma Rupam , Wilson Sarah , Meeks Noah , Kim Doo Young , Hastings J. Todd , Bhattacharyya Dibakar
Published: December 2019

The simultaneous elimination of organic waste and the production of clean fuels will have an immense impact on both the society and the industrial manufacturing sector.
Hydrothermal preparation of a platinum-loaded sulphated nanozirconia catalyst for the effective conversion of waste low density polyethylene into gasoline-range hydrocarbons
Authors: Utami Maisari , Trisunaryanti Wega , Shida Kenji , Tsushida Masayuki , Kawakita Hidetaka , Ohto Keisuke , Wijaya Karna , Tominaga Masato
Published: December 2019

A Pt/nano ZrO2–SO4 bifunctional metal–acid catalyst was synthesized using a hydrothermal process.
Amphiphilic copolymer self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles for construction of magnetically responsive photonic crystals based on steric hindrance
Authors: Shang Meng , Ni Xinjiong , Xu Jiasheng , Cao Yuhua
Published: December 2019

One-step self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles with amphiphilic copolymer for construction of magnetically responsive photonic crystals based on steric hindrance.
A high-efficiency salamo-based copper(ii) complex double-channel fluorescent probe
Authors: Wei Zhi-Li , Wang Lan , Guo Shuang-Zhu , Zhang Yang , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: December 2019

A highly sensitive and selective salamo-based copper(ii) complex probe, L-Cu2+, was synthesized; it could be used for the detection of S2− by UV and fluorescence spectroscopies. And it also could detect S2− in gas molecules.
Microfluidic device performing on flow study of serial cell–cell interactions of two cell populations
Authors: Duchamp Margaux , Dahoun Thamani , Vaillier Clarisse , Arnaud Marion , Bobisse Sara , Coukos George , Harari Alexandre , Renaud Philippe
Published: December 2019

In this study we present a novel microfluidic hydrodynamic trapping device to probe the cell–cell interaction between all cell samples of two distinct populations.
Visible-light-induced intramolecular charge transfer in the radical spirocyclisation of indole-tethered ynones
Authors: Ho Hon Eong , Pagano Angela , Rossi-Ashton James A. , Donald James R. , Epton Ryan G. , Churchill Jonathan C. , James Michael J. , O'Brien Peter , Taylor Richard J. K. , Unsworth William P.
Published: December 2019

Indole-tethered ynones form an intramolecular electron donor–acceptor complex that can undergo visible-light-induced charge transfer to promote thiyl radical generation from thiols.
Nonlinear microrheology of active Brownian suspensions
Authors: Burkholder Eric W. , Brady John F.
Published: December 2019

The nonlinear rheological properties of active suspensions are studied via microrheology: tracking the motion of a colloidal probe particle in order to measure the viscoelastic response of the embedding material.
Synergy of co-sensitizers in a copper bipyridyl redox system for efficient and cost-effective dye-sensitized solar cells in solar and ambient light
Authors: Tanaka Ellie , Michaels Hannes , Freitag Marina , Robertson Neil
Published: December 2019

Co-sensitization can reduce the cost of a dye-sensitized solar cell, while maintaining high efficiency: up to 29% in ambient light.
Neighboring effect induced by V and Cr doping in FeCoP nanoarrays for the hydrogen evolution reaction with Pt-like performance
Authors: Xiong Laifei , Wang Bin , Cai Hairui , Yang Tao , Wang Liqun , Yang Shengchun
Published: December 2019

A ternary FeCoP nanoarray was used as a model catalyst to study the effect of doping 3d transition metals on its Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) performance through density functional theory (DFT) and experiments.
Enhanced photodynamic therapy based on an amphiphilic branched copolymer with pendant vinyl groups for simultaneous GSH depletion and Ce6 release
Authors: Cao Hongliang , Zhong Sheng , Wang Qiusheng , Chen Chao , Tian Jia , Zhang Weian
Published: December 2019

An amphiphilic branched copolymer with pendent vinyl groups was synthesized to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy through “thio–ene“ click reaction for simultaneous GSH depletion and Ce6 release.
The synergistic effect of Co/Ni in ultrathin metal–organic framework nanosheets for the prominent optimization of non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose detection
Authors: Zou Haihan , Tian Dongyan , Lv Chao , Wu Songmei , Lu Guanxuan , Guo Yifan , Liu Yubin , Yu Yu , Ding Kejian
Published: December 2019

Co–Ni ultrathin metal organic framework nanosheets exhibited extremely high sensitivity, wide linear range, low detection limit and excellent selectivity as a glucose sensing electrode material.
Key host parameters for long lifetimes in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes: bond dissociation energy in triplet excited state
Authors: Yang Chang Yoon , Kang Sunwoo , Jeong Hyein , Jang Ho Jin , Lee Yoonkyoo , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: December 2019

Key parameters of the host for long lifetimes in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes were investigated by synthesizing three isomeric hosts with a carbazolylcarbazole hole transport moiety and a benzonitrile electron transport moiety.
In situ planar photoalignment of liquid crystals: two-step interfacial modifications through light–matter interactions actuated by linearly polarized UV-light
Authors: Nasrollahi Aboozar , Kumar Vineet , Lee Myong-Hoon , Kang Shin-Woong
Published: December 2019

Photopolymerizable, photoisomerizable, photodimerizable and photoluminescent dichroic chromophores are deliberately designed and used for comprehending the sequential realization of the polyimide-free in situ photoalignment of liquid crystals.
Superconductivity in predicted two dimensional XB6 (X = Ga, In)
Authors: Yan Luo , Bo Tao , Liu Peng-Fei , Zhou Liujiang , Zhang Junrong , Tang Ming-Hua , Xiao Yong-Guang , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: December 2019

Two dimensional superconductors are demonstrated in our predicted rect-, hex-GaB6, rect- and hex-InB6 systems, with superconducting transition temperatures of 1.67, 14.02, 7.77 and 4.83 K, respectively.
Image patch prior learning based on random neighbourhood resampling for image denoising
Authors: Ji Jian , Wei Jiajie , Fan Guoliang , Bai Mengqi , Huang Jingjing , Miao Qiguang
Published: December 2019

Image patch priors become a popular tool for image denoising. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is remarkably effective in modelling natural image patches. However, GMM prior learning using the expectation maximisation (EM) algorithm is sensitive to the initialisation, often leading to low convergence rate of parameter estimation. In this study, a novel sampling method called random neighbourhood resampling (RNR) is proposed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of parameter estimation. An enhanced GMM (EGMM) learning algorithm is further developed by incorporating RNR into the EM algorithm to initialise and update the GMM prior. The learned EGMM prior is applied in the expected patch log‐likelihood (EPLL) framework for image denoising. The effectiveness and performance of the proposed RNR and EGMM algorithm are demonstrated via extensive experimental results comparing with the state‐of‐the‐art image denoising methods, the experimental results show the higher PSNR result of the denoised images using the proposed method. Meanwhile, the authors verified that the proposed method can efficiently reduce the time of image denoising compared with the basic EPLL method.
Kernel‐based Bayesian clustering of computed tomography images for lung nodule segmentation
Authors: Rajan Baby Yadhu , Ramayyan Sumathy Vinod Kumar
Published: December 2019

Lung nodule segmentation is an interesting research topic, and it serves as an effective solution for the diagnosis of Lung cancer. The existing methods of lung nodule segmentation suffer from accuracy issues due to the heterogeneity of the nodules in the lungs and the presence of visual deviations in the nodules. Thus, there is a requirement for an effective lung nodule segmentation, which assists the physicians in making accurate decisions. Accordingly, this study proposes a lung nodule segmentation process based on the kernel‐based Bayesian fuzzy clustering (BFC), which is the integration of kernel functions in the BFC. Initially, the input computed tomography image is pre‐processed for ensuring the effective segmentation, and the lobes are identified using the adaptive thresholding strategy. Then, the dominant areas in the lobes are identified using a scale‐invariant feature transform descriptor, and the significant nodules are extracted using the grid‐based segmentation. Finally, the lung nodules are segmented using the proposed kernel‐based BFC. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative database, and it acquires the accuracy, sensitivity, and false positive rate of 0.955, 0.999, and 0.025, respectively.
CapsNet topology to classify tumours from brain images and comparative evaluation
Authors: Goceri Evgin
Published: December 2019

Visual evaluation of many magnetic resonance images is a difficult task. Therefore,computer‐assisted brain tumor classification techniques have been proposed.These techniques have several drawbacks or limitations. Capsule based neuralnetworks are new approaches that can preserve spatial relationships of learnedfeatures using dynamic routing algorithm. By this way, not only performance oftumor recognition increases but also sampling efficiency and generalisationcapability improves. Therefore, in this work, a Capsule Network (CapsNet) isused to achieve fully automated classification of tumors from brain magneticresonance images. In this work, prevalent three types of tumors (pituitary,glioma and meningioma) have been handled. The main contributions in this paperare as follows: 1) A comprehensive review on CapsNet based methods is presented.2) A new CapsNet topology is designed by using a Sobolev gradient‐basedoptimisation, expectation‐maximisation based dynamic routing and tumor boundaryinformation. 3) The network topology is applied to categorise three types ofbrain tumors. 4) Comparative evaluations of the results obtained by othermethods are performed. According to the experimental results, the proposedCapsNet based technique can achieve extraction of desired features from imagedata sets and provides tumor classification automatically with 92.65%accuracy.
Adaptive frequency median filter for the salt and pepper denoising problem
Authors: Erkan Uğur , Enginoğlu Serdar , Thanh Dang N.H. , Hieu Le Minh
Published: December 2019

In this article, the authors propose an adaptive frequency median filter (AFMF) to remove the salt and pepper noise. AFMF uses the same adaptive condition of adaptive median filter (AMF). However, AFMF employs frequency median to restore grey values of the corrupted pixels instead of the median of AMF. The frequency median can exclude noisy pixels from evaluating a grey value of the centre pixel of the considered window, and it focuses on the uniqueness of grey values. Hence, the frequency median produces a grey value closer to the original grey value than the one by the median of AMF. Therefore, AFMF outperforms AMF. In experiments, the authors tested the proposed method on a variety of natural images of the MATLAB library, as well as the TESTIMAGES data set. Additionally, they also compared the denoising results of AFMF to the ones of other state‐of‐the‐art denoising methods. The results showed that AFMF denoises more effectively than other methods.
Structure tensor‐based SIFT algorithm for SAR image registration
Authors: S Divya , Paul Sourabh , Pati Umesh Chandra
Published: December 2019

The scale‐invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm is the most widely used feature extraction as well as a feature matching method in remote sensing image registration. However, the performance of this algorithm is affected by the influence of speckle noise in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. It reduces the number of correct matches as well as the correct matching rate in SAR image registration. Moreover, SAR image registration is considered to be a challenging task as the images generally have significant geometric as well as intensity variations. To address these problems, a structure tensor‐based SIFT algorithm is proposed to register the SAR images. At first, the tensor diffusion technique is used to construct the scale layers. Then, the features are extracted in the scale layers. Finally, feature matching is performed between the input SAR images and correct matches are identified. The proposed method can increase the number of correct matches as well as position accuracy in registration. Experiments have been conducted on five SAR image pairs to verify the effectiveness of the method.