bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ropeginterferon alpha-2b targets JAK2V617F-positive polycythemia vera cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Verger Emmanuelle , Soret-Dulphy Juliette , Maslah Nabih , Roy Lydia , Rey Jerome , Ghrieb Zineb , Kralovics Robert , Gisslinger Heinz , Grohmann-Izay Barbara , Klade Christoph , Chomienne Christine , Giraudier Stéphane , Cassinat Bruno , Kiladjian Jean-Jacques
Published: October 2018

Polycythemia vera is characterized by the acquisition of the JAK2V617F mutation. Recommended treatments include hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha. Several groups have reported a reduction in the JAK2 mutant allele burden in interferon-treated patients, but significance of this observation is questioned. We characterized the activity of ropeginterferon alpha-2b, a novel form of interferon-alpha recently shown to be safe and efficacious in polycythemia vera. Ropeginterferon was able to inhibit the proliferation of the HEL, UKE-1, and UT-7 JAK2-mutant cell lines while sparing JAK2-wild-type UT-7 and normal CD34+ cells growth. In vitro treatment of erythroid progenitors derived from PV patients showed that ropeginterferon could considerably inhibit the growth of endogenous erythroid colonies, a hallmark of polycythemia vera. Finally, we could study in sequential samples the clonal architecture of erythroid progenitors derived from patients included in a randomized study comparing hydroxyurea to ropeginterferon. After 1 year of treatment with ropeginterferon, the ratio of JAK2-mutated to wild-type colonies grown from bone marrow progenitors was reduced by 64%, compared to 25% in patients receiving hydroxyurea. This study shows that ropeginterferon has a potent targeted activity against JAK2-mutant cells and is able to drastically reduce the proportion of malignant progenitors in patients treated with this drug.
A growing bacterial colony in two dimensions as an active nematic
Authors: Dell’Arciprete D. , Blow M. L. , Brown A. T. , Farrell F. D. C. , Lintuvuori J. S. , McVey A. F. , Marenduzzo D. , Poon W. C. K.
Published: October 2018

How a single bacterium becomes a colony of many thousand cells is important in biomedicine and food safety. Much is known about the molecular and genetic bases of this process, but less about the underlying physical mechanisms. Here we study the growth of single-layer micro-colonies of rod-shapedEscherichiacolibacteria confined to just under the surface of soft agarose by a glass slide. Analysing this system as a liquid crystal, we find that growth-induced activity fragments the colony into microdomains of well-defined size, whilst the associated flow orients it tangentially at the boundary. Topological defect pairs with charges$$\pm {\textstyle{1 \over 2}}$$±12are produced at a constant rate, with the$$+ {\textstyle{1 \over 2}}$$+12defects being propelled to the periphery. Theoretical modelling suggests that these phenomena have different physical origins from similar observations in other extensile active nematics, and a growing bacterial colony belongs to a new universality class, with features reminiscent of the expanding universe.
Compact folded metasurface spectrometer
Authors: Faraji-Dana MohammadSadegh , Arbabi Ehsan , Arbabi Amir , Kamali Seyedeh Mahsa , Kwon Hyounghan , Faraon Andrei
Published: October 2018

An optical design space that can highly benefit from the recent developments in metasurfaces is the folded optics architecture where light is confined between reflective surfaces, and the wavefront is controlled at the reflective interfaces. In this manuscript, we introduce the concept of folded metasurface optics by demonstrating a compact spectrometer made from a 1-mm-thick glass slab with a volume of 7 cubic millimeters. The spectrometer has a resolution of ~1.2 nm, resolving more than 80 spectral points from 760 to 860 nm. The device is composed of three reflective dielectric metasurfaces, all fabricated in a single lithographic step on one side of a substrate, which simultaneously acts as the propagation space for light. The folded metasystem design can be applied to many optical systems, such as optical signal processors, interferometers, hyperspectral imagers, and computational optical systems, significantly reducing their sizes and increasing their mechanical robustness and potential for integration.
MiR-34 inhibits polycomb repressive complex 2 to modulate chaperone expression and promote healthy brain aging
Authors: Kennerdell Jason R. , Liu Nan , Bonini Nancy M.
Published: October 2018

Aging is a prominent risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. Defining gene expression mechanisms affecting healthy brain aging should lead to insight into genes that modulate susceptibility to disease. To define such mechanisms, we have pursued analysis of miR-34 mutants in Drosophila. The miR-34 mutant brain displays a gene expression profile of accelerated aging, and miR-34 upregulation is a potent suppressor of polyglutamine-induced neurodegeneration. We demonstrate that Pcl and Su(z)12, two components of polycomb repressive complex 2, (PRC2), are targets of miR-34, with implications for age-associated processes. Because PRC2 confers the repressive H3K27me3 mark, we hypothesize that miR-34 modulates PRC2 activity to relieve silencing of genes promoting healthful aging. Gene expression profiling of the brains of hypomorphic mutants in Enhancer of zeste (E(z)), the enzymatic methyltransferase component of PRC2, revealed a younger brain transcriptome profile and identified the small heat shock proteins as key genes reduced in expression with age.
Singular sublimation of ice and snow crystals
Authors: Jambon-Puillet Etienne , Shahidzadeh Noushine , Bonn Daniel
Published: October 2018

The evaporation (sublimation) of ice and snow has a major impact on global climate, since the amount of ice and snow determines Earth’s albedo. Yet, due to their complex geometry with several sharp regions which are singular for the evaporation, the precise evaporation dynamics of snow and ice crystals remains challenging to predict. Here, we study the sublimation of snowflakes and pointy ice drops. We show that the evaporation rates of water and ice drops are similar; they are both limited by the diffusive transport of the vapour. This allows us to predict ice and snowflake evaporation quantitatively by solving the diffusive free-boundary problem, which correctly predicts the rapid self-similar evolution of sharp edges and points. Beyond providing a conceptual picture to understand the sublimation of ice crystals, our results are more generally applicable to other diffusion problems such as the dissolution of salt crystals or pharmaceuticals.
Complement receptor CD46 co-stimulates optimal human CD8+ T cell effector function via fatty acid metabolism
Authors: Arbore Giuseppina , West Erin E. , Rahman Jubayer , Le Friec Gaelle , Niyonzima Nathalie , Pirooznia Mehdi , Tunc Ilker , Pavlidis Polychronis , Powell Nicholas , Li Yuesheng , Liu Poching , Servais Aude , Couzi Lionel , Fremeaux-Bacchi Veronique , Placais Leo , Ferraro Alastair , Walsh Patrick R. , Kavanagh David , Afzali Behdad , Lavender Paul , Lachmann Helen J. , Kemper Claudia
Published: October 2018

The induction of human CD4+ Th1 cells requires autocrine stimulation of the complement receptor CD46 in direct crosstalk with a CD4+ T cell-intrinsic NLRP3 inflammasome. However, it is unclear whether human cytotoxic CD8+ T cell (CTL) responses also rely on an intrinsic complement-inflammasome axis. Here we show, using CTLs from patients with CD46 deficiency or with constitutively-active NLRP3, that CD46 delivers co-stimulatory signals for optimal CTL activity by augmenting nutrient-influx and fatty acid synthesis. Surprisingly, although CTLs express NLRP3, a canonical NLRP3 inflammasome is not required for normal human CTL activity, as CTLs from patients with hyperactive NLRP3 activity function normally. These findings establish autocrine complement and CD46 activity as integral components of normal human CTL biology, and, since CD46 is only present in humans, emphasize the divergent roles of innate immune sensors between mice and men.
First passage events in biological systems with non-exponential inter-event times
Authors: Castro Mario , López-García Martín , Lythe Grant , Molina-París Carmen
Published: October 2018

It is often possible to model the dynamics of biological systems as a series of discrete transitions between a finite set of observable states (or compartments). When the residence times in each state, or inter-event times more generally, are exponentially distributed, then one can write a set of ordinary differential equations, which accurately describe the evolution of mean quantities. Non-exponential inter-event times can also be experimentally observed, but are more difficult to analyse mathematically. In this paper, we focus on the computation of first passage events and their probabilities in biological systems with non-exponential inter-event times. We show, with three case studies from Molecular Immunology, Virology and Epidemiology, that significant errors are introduced when drawing conclusions based on the assumption that inter-event times are exponentially distributed. Our approach allows these errors to be avoided with the use of phase-type distributions that approximate arbitrarily distributed inter-event times.
Glucocorticoids Induce Stress Oncoproteins Associated with Therapy-Resistance in African American and European American Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Woods-Burnham Leanne , Cajigas-Du Ross Christina K. , Love Arthur , Basu Anamika , Sanchez-Hernandez Evelyn S. , Martinez Shannalee R. , Ortiz-Hernández Greisha L. , Stiel Laura , Durán Alfonso M. , Wilson Colwick , Montgomery Susanne , Roy Sourav , Casiano Carlos A.
Published: October 2018

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is emerging as a key driver of prostate cancer (PCa) progression and therapy resistance in the absence of androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Acting as a bypass mechanism, GR activates AR-regulated genes, although GR-target genes contributing to PCa therapy resistance remain to be identified. Emerging evidence also shows that African American (AA) men, who disproportionately develop aggressive PCa, have hypersensitive GR signaling linked to cumulative stressful life events. Using racially diverse PCa cell lines (MDA-PCa-2b, 22Rv1, PC3, and DU145) we examined the effects of glucocorticoids on the expression of two stress oncoproteins associated with PCa therapy resistance, Clusterin (CLU) and Lens Epithelium-Derived Growth Factor p75 (LEDGF/p75). We observed that glucocorticoids upregulated LEDGF/p75 and CLU in PCa cells. Blockade of GR activation abolished this upregulation. We also detected increased GR transcript expression in AA PCa tissues, compared to European American (EA) tissues, using Oncomine microarray datasets. These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids upregulate the therapy resistance-associated oncoproteins LEDGF/p75 and CLU, and suggest that this effect may be enhanced in AA PCa. This study provides an initial framework for understanding the contribution of glucocorticoid signaling to PCa health disparities.
Improved safety standards are needed to better protect younger children at playgrounds
Authors: Li Xiaogai , Kleiven Svein
Published: October 2018

Playground-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in children remain a considerable problem world-wide and current safety standards are being questioned due to historical reasons where the injury thresholds had been perpetuated from automobile industry. Here we investigated head injury mechanisms due to falls on playgrounds using a previously developed and validated age-scalable and positionable whole body child model impacted at front, back and side of the head simulating head-first falls from 1.59 meters (m). The results show that a playground material passing the current testing standards (HIC < 1000 and resultant linear acceleration <200 g) resulted in maximum strain in the brain higher than known injury thresholds, thus not offering sufficient protection especially for younger children. The analysis highlights the age dependence of head injuries in children due to playground falls and the youngest have a higher risk of brain injury and skull fracture. Further, the results provide the first biomechanical evidence guiding age-dependent injury thresholds for playground testing standards. The results also have direct implications for novel designs of playground materials for a better protection of children from TBIs. Only making the playground material thicker and more compliant is not sufficient. This study represents the first initiative of using full body human body models of children as a new tool to improve playground testing standards and to better protect the children at playgrounds.
Neck Lymph Node Metastasis as A Poor Prognostic Factor in Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Chen Yen-Hao , Lu Hung-I , Lo Chien-Ming , Wang Yu-Ming , Chou Shang-Yu , Hsiao Chang-Chun , Shih Li-Hsueh , Chen Su-Wei , Li Shau-Hsuan
Published: October 2018

The present study investigated the clinical impact of neck lymph node (LN) metastasis in locally advanced inoperable thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with a curative intent. There were 404 ESCC patients enrolled, including 35 patients with neck LN metastasis and 369 patients without such metastasis. Through the propensity score matching method, 35 patients of the 369 patients without neck LN metastasis were matched to the 35 patients with neck LN metastasis. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were found to be significantly worse in the neck LN metastasis group compared to the full non-neck LN metastasis group (9.8 months versus 5.9 months, P < 0.001, and 18.2 months versus 9.7 months, P = 0.001) and the matched non-neck LN metastasis group (9.9 months versus 5.9 months, P = 0.006, and 19.4 months versus 9.7 months, P = 0.007). In order to determine the difference between neck LN and supraclavicular LN metastasis, seventy patients with supraclavicular LN metastasis were also selected from the 369 patients without neck LN metastasis for comparison. Subsequently, when compared to the ESCC patients with supraclavicular LN metastasis, significantly worse PFS (8.5 months versus 5.9 months, P = 0.026) and OS (17.2 months versus 9.7 months, P = 0.047) were still found in the ESCC patients with neck LN metastasis. Our study indicates that neck LN metastasis is an independent poor prognostic factor for locally advanced inoperable thoracic ESCC patients who have undergone CCRT.
High temperature tribology of polymer derived ceramic composite coatings
Authors: Alvi Sajid Ali , Akhtar Farid
Published: October 2018

Polymer derived ceramic (PDC) composite coatings were deposited on AISI 304 substrates using siloxane based preceramic polymer polymethlysilsquioxane (PMS) and ZrSi2as active filler or Ag as passive filler. The tribological performance of the composite coatings was evaluated at room temperature and moderately high temperatures (150 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C and 400 °C). The composite coatings showed low coefficient of friction (COF), µ, from 0.08 to 0.2 for SiOC-ZrSi2composite coatings, and from 0.02 to 0.3 for SiOC-Ag composite coatings, at room temperature with increasing normal load from 1 to 5 N. High temperature tribology tests showed high COF values from 0.4 to 1 but low wear for SiOC-ZrSi2coating, and low COF from 0.2 to 0.3 for SiOC-Ag coatings at lower temperature ranges. Low load friction tests at room temperature showed negligible wear in SiOC-ZrSi2coatings, suggesting good wear resistant and lubricating properties due to formation of t-ZrO2and carbon. Low COF and high amount of wear was observed in SiOC-Ag composite coatings at room temperature due to high ductility of Ag and smearing of wear debris in the wear track. The coatings and wear tracks were characterized to evaluate the lubrication and wear behavior.
Tolloid-like 1 genetic variants determine fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients with curative antivirals
Authors: Huang Chung-Feng , Yeh Ming-Lun , Huang Ching-I , Lin Zu-Yau , Chen Shinn-Cherng , Huang Jee-Fu , Dai Chia-Yen , Chuang Wan-Long , Chen Jyh-Jou , Yu Ming-Lung
Published: October 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication by antivirals promote fibrosis modification. Whether host genetics determined fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with sustained virological response (SVR) is to be determined. One hundred and fifty-six SVR patients with paired liver biopsy before and after antivirals were enrolled. Host genetic factors including single nucleotide polymorphism rs17047200 of tolloid-like 1(TLL-1) were analyzed for their association with fibrosis modification. The proportions of improved, unchanged and worsening fibrotic stags were 39.1% (n = 61), 39.1% (n = 61), and 21.8% (n = 34), respectively. The rate of annual fibrotic improvement was 0.16 ± 0.79. There was a significant trend of increased fibrotic improvement rate in patients from F01 to F4 (P < 0.001). However, the rate of improvement seemed more limited in cirrhotic patients among those with advanced liver disease. Patients with fibrotic improvement had a significantly higher proportion of TLL-1 rs17047200 AA genotype compared to those without (92.5% vs. 79.3%, p = 0.039). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the TLL-1 rs17047200 AA genotype was the only independent factor associated with fibrosis improvement (odds ratio/95% confidence intervals: 3.2/1.01–10.12, p = 0.047). Compared with TLL-1 rs17047200 non-AA carriers, a significantly higher proportion of fibrosis improvement in AA genotype carriers was observed among patients with F0-2 (33.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.005) but not with F34 (70% vs. 80%, p = 1). We concluded that TLL-1 genetic variants determined fibrotic improvement in CHC with curative antivirals, particularly in patients with mild liver disease.
A generalised framework for detailed classification of swimming paths inside the Morris Water Maze
Authors: Vouros Avgoustinos , Gehring Tiago V. , Szydlowska Kinga , Janusz Artur , Tu Zehai , Croucher Mike , Lukasiuk Katarzyna , Konopka Witold , Sandi Carmen , Vasilaki Eleni
Published: October 2018

The Morris Water Maze is commonly used in behavioural neuroscience for the study of spatial learning with rodents. Over the years, various methods of analysing rodent data collected during this task have been proposed. These methods span from classical performance measurements to more sophisticated categorisation techniques which classify the animal swimming path into behavioural classes known as exploration strategies. Classification techniques provide additional insight into the different types of animal behaviours but still only a limited number of studies utilise them. This is primarily because they depend highly on machine learning knowledge. We have previously demonstrated that the animals implement various strategies and that classifying entire trajectories can lead to the loss of important information. In this work, we have developed a generalised and robust classification methodology to boost classification performance and nullify the need for manual tuning. We have also made available an open-source software based on this methodology.
Marine microalgae commercial production improves sustainability of global fisheries and aquaculture
Authors: Beal Colin M. , Gerber Léda N. , Thongrod Supis , Phromkunthong Wutiporn , Kiron Viswanath , Granados Joe , Archibald Ian , Greene Charles H. , Huntley Mark E.
Published: October 2018

A method is described for saving 30% of the world fish catch by producing fishmeal and fish oil replacement products from marine microalgae, the natural source of proteins and oils in the marine food web. To examine the commercial aspects of such a method, we adapt a model based on results of microalgae production in Hawaii and apply it to Thailand, the world’s fourth largest producer of fishmeal. A model facility of 111 ha would produce 2,750 tonnes yr−1 of protein and 2,330 tonnes yr−1 of algal oil, at a capital cost of $29.3 M. Such a facility would generate $5.5 M in average annual net income over its 30-year lifetime. Deployment of 100 such facilities in Thailand would replace all domestic production of fishmeal, 10% of world production, on ~1.5% of the land now used to cultivate oil palm. Such a global industry would generate ~$6.5 billion in annual net income.
Non-invasive imaging of disrupted protein homeostasis induced by proteasome inhibitor treatment using chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI
Authors: Zhu Yanan , Ramasawmy Rajiv , Johnson Sean Peter , Taylor Valerie , Gibb Alasdair , Pedley R. Barbara , Chattopadhyay Nibedita , Lythgoe Mark F. , Golay Xavier , Bradley Daniel , Walker-Samuel Simon
Published: October 2018

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are now standard of care for several cancers, and noninvasive biomarkers of treatment response are critically required for early patient stratification and treatment personalization. The present study evaluated whether chemical exchange (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide measurements that can be used as the noninvasive biomarkers of proteasome inhibition, alongside diffusion MRI and relaxometry. The sensitivity of human colorectal carcinoma cells to the PI Ixazomib was assessed via in vitro and in vivo dose-response experiments. Acute in vivo response to Ixazomib was assessed at three dosing concentrations, using CEST MRI (amide, amine, hydroxyl signals), diffusion MRI (ADC) and relaxometry (T1, T2). These responses were further evaluated with the known histological markers for Ixazomib and Bradford assay ex vivo. The CEST signal from amides and amines increased in proportion to Ixazomib dose in colorectal cancer xenografts. The cell lines differed in their sensitivity to Ixazomib, which was reflected in the MRI measurements. A mild stimulation in tumor growth was observed at low Ixazomib doses. Our results identify CEST MRI as a promising method for safely and noninvasively monitoring disrupted tumor protein homeostasis induced by proteasome inhibitor treatment, and for stratifying sensitivity between tumor types.
Formation of size-controllable tumour spheroids using a microfluidic pillar array (μFPA) device
Authors: Lim Wanyoung , Hoang Hong-Hoa , You Daeun , Han Jeonghun , Lee Jeong Eon , Kim Sangmin , Park Sungsu
Published: October 2018

We describe a method to generate several hundreds of spheroids using a microfluidic device with pillars.
Determination of pesticides in a flour substrate by chemometric methods using terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Cao Binghua , Li Hui , Fan Mengbao , Wang Wei , Wang Mengyun
Published: October 2018

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy combined with chemometrics is utilized to identify imidacloprid and carbendazim in a flour substrate.
Osteoimmunomodulation, osseointegration, andin vivomechanical integrity of pure Mg coated with HA nanorod/pore-sealed MgO bilayer
Authors: Li Bo , Gao Peng , Zhang Haoqiang , Guo Zheng , Zheng Yufeng , Han Yong
Published: October 2018

A HA-nanorod-patterned coating modulates the immune microenvironment to enhance contact osteogenesis and maintain the long-termin vivointegrity of Mg.
Self-assembly of a Si-based cage by the formation of 24 equivalent covalent bonds
Authors: Holmes Jessica L. , Abrahams Brendan F. , Ahveninen Anna , Boughton Berin A. , Hudson Timothy A. , Robson Richard , Thinagaran Dinaiz
Published: October 2018

A covalent, robust, nano-sized tetrahedral cage containing six silicon centres has been synthesised and structurally characterised.
Strategic use of CuAlO2 as a sustained release catalyst for production of hydrogen from methanol steam reforming
Authors: Qing Shaojun , Hou Xiaoning , Liu Yajie , Li Lindong , Wang Xiang , Gao Zhixian , Fan Weibin
Published: October 2018

Using sustained release catalysis, CuAlO2 catalyst demonstrates excellent catalytic performance for methanol steam reforming and can be completely regenerated.
New insight into the effect of mass transfer on the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles
Authors: Besenhard Maximilian O. , Baber Razwan , LaGrow Alec P. , Mazzei Luca , Thanh Nguyen T. K. , Gavriilidis Asterios
Published: October 2018

Silver and gold nanoparticles were prepared using constant reactant concentrations and temperatures, but different process conditions to alter the mass transfer during synthesis.
Vectorial imaging of the photodissociation of 2-bromobutane oriented via hexapolar state selection
Authors: Nakamura Masaaki , Palazzetti Federico , Tsai Po-Yu , Yang Shiun-Jr , Lin King-Chuen , Kasai Toshio , Che Dock-Chil , Lombardi Andrea , Aquilanti Vincenzo
Published: October 2018

Molecular orientation techniques are becoming available in the study of elementary chemical processes, in order to highlight those structural and dynamical properties that would be concealed by random rotational motions.
Optical Kerr effect spectroscopy of CS2 in monocationic and dicationic ionic liquids: insights into the intermolecular interactions in ionic liquids
Authors: Gurung Eshan , Meng Dujuan , Xue Lianjie , Tamas George , Lynden-Bell Ruth M. , Quitevis Edward L.
Published: October 2018

The intermolecular dynamics of CS2 are higher in frequency in dicationic than in monocationic IL solution because of confinement effects.
Near interface ionic transport in oxygen vacancy stabilized cubic zirconium oxide thin films
Authors: Raza Mohsin , Sanna Simone , dos Santos Gómez Lucia , Gautron Eric , El Mel Abdel Aziz , Pryds Nini , Snyders Rony , Konstantinidis Stéphanos , Esposito Vincenzo
Published: October 2018

The cubic phase of pure zirconia (ZrO2) is stabilized in dense thin films through a controlled introduction of oxygen vacancies (O defects) by cold-plasma-based sputtering deposition.
Organic crystalline materials in flexible electronics
Authors: Wang Yu , Sun Lingjie , Wang Cong , Yang Fangxu , Ren Xiaochen , Zhang Xiaotao , Dong Huanli , Hu Wenping
Published: October 2018

Highly ordered organic crystalline materials provide an ideal platform for next-generation flexible electronics.
Polyoxometalate catalysts with co-substituted VO2+and transition metals and their catalytic performance for the oxidation of isobutane
Authors: Liu Yanchun , He Jingfang , Chu Wenling , Yang Weishen
Published: October 2018

The catalytic activity for the oxidation of isobutane is significantly improved by the synergistic effect between VO2+and Cu2+co-doped into the secondary structure of HPCs.
Characterization of pepsin from rabbit gastric extract, its action on β-casein and the effects of lipids on proteolysis
Authors: Sams Laura , Amara Sawsan , Mansuelle Pascal , Puppo Rémy , Lebrun Régine , Paume Julie , Giallo Jacqueline , Carrière Frédéric
Published: October 2018

Rabbit gastric extract (RGE) is a source of gastric enzymes forin vitrodigestion studies that contains both gastric lipase and pepsin. β-Casein was used here as a model protein for testing the pepsin activity of RGE.
Microfluidic-based solid phase extraction of cell free DNA
Authors: Campos Camila D. M. , Gamage Sachindra S. T. , Jackson Joshua M. , Witek Malgorzata A. , Park Daniel S. , Murphy Michael C. , Godwin Andrew K. , Soper Steven A.
Published: October 2018

Plastic microfluidic device for the efficient isolation (>90% recovery) of cell free DNA from plasma for molecular profiling.
Copper-induced cell death and the protective role of glutathione: the implication of impaired protein folding rather than oxidative stress
Authors: Saporito-Magriñá Christian Martín , Musacco-Sebio Rosario Natalia , Andrieux Geoffroy , Kook Lucas , Orrego Manuel Tomás , Tuttolomondo María Victoria , Desimone Martín Federico , Boerries Melanie , Borner Christoph , Repetto Marisa Gabriela
Published: October 2018

Intracellular mechanisms of copper cytotoxicity.
Identifying macrophage enrichment in atherosclerotic plaques by targeting dual-modal US imaging/MRI based on biodegradable Fe-doped hollow silica nanospheres conjugated with anti-CD68 antibody
Authors: Ji Ri , Li Xiaoyu , Zhou Chun , Tian Qiwei , Li Chang , Xia Shujun , Wang Ronghui , Feng Yun , Zhan Weiwei
Published: October 2018

Anti-CD68 receptor-targeted Fe-doped hollow silica nanoparticles were fabricated as a dual-modal US/MRI contrast agent for identifying macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques.
Field enhancement of MoS2: visualization of the enhancement and effect of the number of layers
Authors: Sakamoto Masanori , Saitow Ken-ichi
Published: October 2018

Field enhancement is investigated by spectroscopy, microscopy, and calculations at the same position. The enhancement factor and mechanism change with the thickness.
Photoredox-catalyzed indirect acyl radical generation from thioesters
Authors: Norman Alexander R. , Yousif Martina N. , McErlean Christopher S. P.
Published: October 2018

A photoredox-catalyzed method for the indirect generation of acyl radicals from stable thioesters is described.
Mechanochemical fabrication and properties of CL-20/RDX nano co/mixed crystals
Authors: Song Xiaolan , Wang Yi , Zhao Shanshan , Li Fengsheng
Published: October 2018

A nano CL-20/RDX co/mixed crystal explosive with mean size of 141.6 nm is prepared by mechanical milling method. Its structure is characterized and thermal decomposition is investigated. Additionally, its impact, friction and thermal sensitivities are tested.
Homoduplex to i-motif structural switch exhibited by a cytosine rich strand of the MYH7 heavy chain β gene promoter at physiological pH
Authors: Singh Anju , Kukreti Shrikant
Published: October 2018

Genomic locations such as promoter, exon, intron, telomeric and non-telomeric regions are rich in GC-rich sequences with the potential to form G- and C-tetraplexes on both strands independently.
Pyrolytic behavior of a zero-valent iron biochar composite and its Cu(ii) removal mechanism
Authors: Yu Changjiang , Zhang Dashuai , Dong Xinyu , Lin Qiang
Published: October 2018

The Cu(ii) removal mechanism on ZBC8-3 involved the reduction of Cu(ii) by Fe0 to produce Cu0 and Cu2O, while CC, C–O–, –O–H formed a complex with Cu(ii).
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with wrinkled structure as the matrix of myristic acid for the preparation of a promising new shape-stabilized phase change material via simple method
Authors: Chen Dian , Chen Yan , Guo Xiuwang , Tao Wenwen , Wang Jinbao , Gao Shufeng , Gao Junkai
Published: October 2018

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle with wrinkled structure as the matrix of myristic acid for the preparation of a promising new shape-stabilized phase change material via simple method.
Electronic and thermal spin effect of molecular nanowires between graphene electrodes
Authors: Deng X. Q. , Sheng R. Q.
Published: October 2018

Spin transport properties of molecule bridging in ZGNR electrodes with three connecting linkages were investigated systematically, including dangling, heptagon, and pentagon-linkages.
Size effect studies in catalysis: a simple surfactant-free synthesis of sub 3 nm Pd nanocatalysts supported on carbon
Authors: Quinson Jonathan , Simonsen Søren B. , Kuhn Luise Theil , Kunz Sebastian , Arenz Matthias
Published: October 2018

A simple surfactant-free synthesis of sub 3 nm carbon-supported Pd nanocatalysts is introduced to study size effects in catalysis.
Internally extended growth of core–shell NH2-MIL-101(Al)@ZIF-8 nanoflowers for the simultaneous detection and removal of Cu(ii)
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Jing , Ren Xinyi , Zhang Wentao , Zhang Tianshu , Liu Xinnan , Du Ting , Li Tao , Wang Jianlong
Published: October 2018

This study establishes a smart core–shell NH2-MIL-101(Al)@ZIF-8 nanoflower adsorbent for the simultaneous detection and removal of Cu(ii) from aqueous solution.
Identifying the origin and contribution of pseudocapacitive sodium ion storage in tungsten disulphide nanosheets for application in sodium-ion capacitors
Authors: Ding Chunxia , Huang Ting , Tao Yaping , Tan Deming , Zhang Yin , Wang Faxing , Yu Feng , Xie Qingji
Published: October 2018

The pseudocapacitive Na ion storage behaviour of WS2 nanosheets was systematically investigated by various ex/in situ experimental analyses and theoretical calculations.
Efficient polysulfide barrier of a graphene aerogel–carbon nanofibers–Ni network for high-energy-density lithium–sulfur batteries with ultrahigh sulfur content
Authors: Zhang Yongzheng , Wang Ruochen , Tang Weiqiang , Zhan Liang , Zhao Shuangliang , Kang Qi , Wang Yanli , Yang Shubin
Published: October 2018

The GA–CNFs–Ni modified separator endows the “double high” sulfur cathode (5–10 mg cm−2, 90%) with a stable reversible capacity and superior rate performance.
Potential of one-dimensional blue phosphorene nanotubes as a water splitting photocatalyst
Authors: Ju Lin , Dai Ying , Wei Wei , Liang Yan , Huang Baibiao
Published: October 2018

Zigzag BPNTs (diameter ≥ 8 Å) with remarkable photochemical properties are promising candidates as photocatalysts for OER in Z-scheme systems.
Creation of three-dimensional structures by direct ink writing with kaolin suspensions
Authors: Sun Qinglei , Yang Zizhou , Cheng Hao , Peng Yang , Huang Yanqin , Chen Mingxiang
Published: October 2018

Three-layer structures of the dried letters into the Huazhong University of Science and Technology “H, U, S and T” shapes.
Photoluminescence in m-carborane–anthracene triads: a combined experimental and computational study
Authors: Chaari Mahdi , Kelemen Zsolt , Planas José Giner , Teixidor Francesc , Choquesillo-Lazarte Duane , Ben Salah Abdelhamid , Viñas Clara , Núñez Rosario
Published: October 2018

m-Carborane has demonstrated to be a perfect platform to boost the fluorescence properties of anthracene, giving rise to high fluorescence quantum yields in solution and also retaining fluorescence emission in the aggregate state.
Molecule-based monochromatic and polychromatic OLEDs with wet-process feasibility
Authors: Jou Jwo-Huei , Sahoo Snehasis , Dubey Deepak Kumar , Yadav Rohit Ashok Kumar , Swayamprabha Sujith Sudheendran , Chavhan Sudam Dhudaku
Published: October 2018

Wet-process enables organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) to be made cost-effectively via a continuous process, such as roll-to-roll manufacturing.
Multiphasic effect of vinyl pyrrolidone polymers on amyloidogenesis, from macromolecular crowding to inhibition
Authors: Berwick Richard , Vaux David J. , Jean Létitia
Published: October 2018

Deposition of misfolded amyloid polypeptides, associated with cell death, is the hallmark of many degenerative diseases (e.g. type II diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease). In vivo, cellular and extracellular spaces are occupied by a high volume fraction of macromolecules. The resulting macromolecular crowding energetically affects reactions. Amyloidogenesis can either be promoted by macromolecular crowding through the excluded volume effect or inhibited due to a viscosity increase reducing kinetics. Macromolecular crowding can be mimicked in vitro by the addition of non-specific polymers, e.g. Ficoll, dextran and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), the latter being rarely used to study amyloid systems. We investigated the effect of PVP on amyloidogenesis of full-length human islet amyloid polypeptide (involved in type II diabetes) using fibrillisation and surface activity assays, ELISA, immunoblot and microscale thermophoresis. We demonstrate that high molecular mass PVP360 promotes amyloidogenesis due to volume exclusion and increase in effective amyloidogenic monomer concentration, like other crowders, but without the confounding effects of viscosity and surface activity. Interestingly, we also show that low molecular mass PVP10 has unique inhibitory properties as inhibition of fibril elongation occurs mainly in the bulk solution and is due to PVP10 directly and strongly interacting with amyloid species rather than the increase in viscosity typically associated with macromolecular crowding. In vivo, amyloidogenesis might be affected by the properties and proximity of endogenous macromolecular crowders, which could contribute to changes in associated pathogenesis. More generally, the PVP10 molecular backbone could be used to design small compounds as potential inhibitors of toxic species formation.
Comment on Tauriainen et al.: Serum, liver and bile sitosterol and sitostanol in obese patients with and without NAFLD
Authors: Plat Jogchum , Baumgartner Sabine , Houben Tom , Vreugdenhil Anita C.E. , Mensink Ronald P. , Lütjohann Dieter , Shiri-Sverdlov Ronit
Published: October 2018

This short article provides a comment on the recent article by Tauriainen et al. [Bioscience Reports (2018) 38, BSR20171274 https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20171274]
Mitochondrial diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondrial protein import
Authors: Jackson Thomas Daniel , Palmer Catherine Sarah , Stojanovski Diana
Published: October 2018

Mitochondria are essential organelles which perform complex and varied functions within eukaryotic cells. Maintenance of mitochondrial health and functionality is thus a key cellular priority and relies on the organelle's extensive proteome. The mitochondrial proteome is largely encoded by nuclear genes, and mitochondrial proteins must be sorted to the correct mitochondrial sub-compartment post-translationally. This essential process is carried out by multimeric and dynamic translocation and sorting machineries, which can be found in all four mitochondrial compartments. Interestingly, advances in the diagnosis of genetic disease have revealed that mutations in various components of the human import machinery can cause mitochondrial disease, a heterogenous and often severe collection of disorders associated with energy generation defects and a multisystem presentation often affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Here, we review our current understanding of mitochondrial protein import systems in human cells and the molecular basis of mitochondrial diseases caused by defects in these pathways.
Measuring microtubule dynamics
Authors: Zwetsloot Alexander James , Tut Gokhan , Straube Anne
Published: October 2018

Microtubules are key players in cellular self-organization, acting as structural scaffolds, cellular highways, force generators and signalling platforms. Microtubules are polar filaments that undergo dynamic instability, i.e. transition between phases of growth and shrinkage. This allows microtubules to explore the inner space of the cell, generate pushing and pulling forces and remodel themselves into arrays with different geometry and function such as the mitotic spindle. To do this, eukaryotic cells employ an arsenal of regulatory proteins to control microtubule dynamics spatially and temporally. Plants and microorganisms have developed secondary metabolites that perturb microtubule dynamics, many of which are in active use as cancer chemotherapeutics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we summarize the methods used to visualize microtubules and to measure the parameters of dynamic instability to study both microtubule regulatory proteins and the action of small molecules interfering with microtubule assembly and/or disassembly.
Microbial production and metabolic engineering of chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate
Authors: Cimini Donatella , Restaino Odile Francesca , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: October 2018

Several commercial uses and potential novel applications have recently been described for chondroitin sulfate (CS). However, the currently applied animal extractive procedure has a high environmental impact, which may become more profound especially in relation to the forecasted expansion of the CS market for applications as a food supplement, pharmaceutical ingredient, and biopolymer in materials for regenerative medicine. This issue, together with religious and consumer concerns, has prompted the good manufacturing practice (GMP) of chondroitin and CS. This is achievable by combining the design of metabolically engineered microorganisms and tailor-made fermentation processes with semi-synthetic or enzyme-based approaches. The final target is to obtain molecules with specific sulfation patterns that resemble those occurring in natural products and improve the sulfation motif or introduce specific substitutions, such as fucosylation, to tune the biological function. The frontier that is currently triggering attention is related to evaluating the bioactivity of unsulfated chondroitin. Due to recent advancements in the field, a brief survey of the most recent patent and research literature is discussed here.
Molecular mechanisms of III-B CRISPR–Cas systems in archaea
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lin Jinzhong , Feng Mingxia , She Qunxin
Published: October 2018

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems provide the adaptive antiviral immunity against invasive genetic elements in archaea and bacteria. These immune systems are divided into at least six different types, among which Type III CRISPR–Cas systems show several distinct antiviral activities as demonstrated from the investigation of bacterial III-A and archaeal III-B systems in the past decade. First, although initial experiments suggested that III-A systems provided DNA interference activity, whereas III-B system was active only in RNA interference, these immune systems were subsequently found to mediate the transcription-dependent DNA interference and the dual DNA/RNA interference. Second, their ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes show target RNA (tgRNA) cleavage by a ruler mechanism and RNA-activated indiscriminate single-stranded DNA cleavage, the latter of which is subjected to spatiotemporal regulation such that the DNase activity occurs only at the right place in the right time. Third, RNPs of Type III systems catalyse the synthesis of cyclic oligoadenylates (cOAs) that function as second messengers to activate Csm6 and Csx1, both of which are potent Cas accessory RNases after activation. To date, Type III CRISPR systems are the only known antiviral immunity that utilizes multiple interference mechanisms for antiviral defence.
Performance analysis of FSO/CDMA system based on binary symmetric wiretap channel
Authors: Ji Jianhua , Chen Xuemei , Huang Qian
Published: October 2018

Transmission reliability, security, and efficiency are of great importance to free space optical (FSO) communication. For the first time, the authors obtain optimal parameters for the FSO/code division multiple access (CDMA) system taking into account the transmission reliability, security, and efficiency simultaneously. By establishing the eavesdropping model of the FSO/CDMA binary symmetric wiretap channel (BSWC), the performance of physical‐layer security and reliability are evaluated simultaneously. Intercept probability is derived for FSO/CDMA BSWC, considering atmospheric attenuation, atmospheric turbulence, shot noise, thermal noise, background noise and multiple access interference (MAI). The effects of transmission distance, code length, transmission power and a number of interfering users on the physical‐layer security and reliability are discussed. It is shown that, in order to meet the legitimate user's reliability and security simultaneously, the number of interfering users and code length must be in a certain interval. Furthermore, the maximum spectral efficiency can be obtained by selecting the transmission rate. These results open a new way of researching the FSO/CDMA system, where security, reliability, and spectral efficiency should be taken into account simultaneously.
PPM‐ and GMSK‐based hybrid modulation technique for optical wireless communication cellular backhaul channel
Authors: Sahoo Pritam K. , Prajapati Yogendra K. , Tripathi Rajeev
Published: October 2018

In this study, a hybrid modulation technique called PPM–GMSK, based on the pulse position modulation (PPM) and phase‐sampled Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) technique, is investigated by considering log‐normal and gamma–gamma turbulence as the channel‐fading statistics. The analytical bit error rate (BER) and outage probability of the proposed hybrid modulation are derived. The results show that the hybrid modulation technique is an efficient technique to improve the performance of optical wireless communication for a cellular backhaul channel. Compared to 2‐PPM and minimum shift keying (MSK), the proposed hybrid scheme has a less BER and a reduced amount of outage probability. Moreover, to achieve a reliable voice communication at 2 Gbps bit rate and BER of under a weak turbulence effect, the PPM–GMSK has a coverage distance of about 3 km, whereas for PPM and MSK it is 2.6 and 2.4 km, respectively.
Energy efficient ultra‐dense networks (UDNs) based on joint optimisation evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Salem Ahmed Abdelaziz , El‐Rabaie Sayed , Shokair Mona
Published: October 2018

In future cellular 5G, the network operators have recognised the spectrum scarcity as one of the major problems. Therefore, expanding or even re‐utilising the current bandwidth requires an advanced technique to accommodate the enormous communicating devices. In this paper, energy efficiency (EE) maximization is jointly carried out with respect to the following design parameters: base station density, number of users, number of attached antennas, and power control coefficient based on analytical channel estimates and feasible pilot reuse. Although dense network performance is restricted to the accumulation of both user and inter‐cell interferences, the reasons of mutual selection among the optimal design parameters will be clearly discussed to discover their effects on mitigating interference. Simulation results validate that the diversity of the design parameters achieves the maximum EE given a predefined quality of service constraints. Also, the study of hardware distortion will expose the relevant influence on the optimised EE. Moreover, the results will be extended to study the energy consumption in terms of optimised design variables. Finally, our results will be confirmed through a fair comparison with the alternating optimisation based on Monte Carlo simulation, wherein, our proposal shows a reality and fast convergence.
Constrained control approach for monotone systems: application to tumour chemotherapy
Authors: Agahi Hamed , Yazdanpanah Mohamad J.
Published: October 2018

Monotone systems are dynamical systems whose solutions preserve an ordering relative to the initial data. This study develops a set‐point regulation approach for a certain class of systems subject to input and state constraints which leads to closed‐loop strongly monotone systems. The proposed method gives static output feedback controllers that guarantee the convergence of generic bounded solutions to the desired set‐point, satisfy the constraints and preserve the control performance under the input saturation. Although such a set‐point regulation problem is too challenging for general non‐linear systems, the proposed approach finds some well‐organised controllers that satisfy the mentioned control objectives. To investigate the applicability of the proposed control technique, the authors exploit a model of cancer tumour growth in an unhealthy tissue. The medication (control) intends to take solutions to the healthy state through a constrained chemotherapy protocol. The authors present a full dynamical analysis for this system.