bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ancient Precipitation Reveals Clues About Mountains and Climate
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: September 2019

By studying the chemical signatures of 300-million-year-old precipitation, researchers find evidence that the supercontinent Pangea contained peaks as tall as the European Alps.
Repetitive negative thinking in daily life and functional connectivity among default mode, fronto-parietal, and salience networks
Authors: Lydon-Staley D. M. , Kuehner C. , Zamoscik V. , Huffziger S. , Kirsch P. , Bassett D. S.
Published: September 2019

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a maladaptive response to sadness and a transdiagnostic risk-factor. A critical challenge hampering attempts to promote more adaptive responses to sadness is that the between-person characteristics associated with the tendency for RNT remain uncharacterized. From the perspective of the impaired disengagement hypothesis, we examine between-person differences in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional networks underlying cognitive conflict signaling, self-referential thought, and cognitive flexibility, and the association between sadness and RNT in daily life. We pair functional magnetic resonance imaging with ambulatory assessments deployed 10 times per day over 4 consecutive days measuring momentary sadness and RNT from 58 participants (40 female, mean age = 36.69 years; 29 remitted from a lifetime episode of Major Depression) in a multilevel model. We show that RNT increases following sadness for participants with higher than average between-network connectivity of the default mode network and the fronto-parietal network. We also show that RNT increases following increases in sadness for participants with lower than average between-network connectivity of the fronto-parietal network and the salience network. We also find that flexibility of the salience network’s pattern of connections with brain regions is protective against increases in RNT following sadness. Our findings highlight the importance of functional brain networks implicated in cognitive conflict signaling, self-referential thought, and cognitive flexibility for understanding maladaptive responses to sadness in daily life and provide support for the impaired disengagement hypothesis of RNT.
Epigenetic re-wiring of breast cancer by pharmacological targeting of C-terminal binding protein
Authors: Byun Jung S. , Park Samson , Yi Dae Ik , Shin Jee-Hye , Hernandez Sara Gil , Hewitt Stephen M. , Nicklaus Marc C. , Peach Megan L. , Guasch Laura , Tang Binwu , Wakefield Lalage M. , Yan Tingfen , Caban Ambar , Jones Alana , Kabbout Mohamed , Vohra Nasreen , Nápoles Anna María , Singhal Sandeep , Yancey Ryan , De Siervi Adriana , Gardner Kevin
Published: September 2019

The C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) is an NADH-dependent dimeric family of nuclear proteins that scaffold interactions between transcriptional regulators and chromatin-modifying complexes. Its association with poor survival in several cancers implicates CtBP as a promising target for pharmacological intervention. We employed computer-assisted drug design to search for CtBP inhibitors, using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling and docking. Functional screening of these drugs identified 4 compounds with low toxicity and high water solubility. Micro molar concentrations of these CtBP inhibitors produces significant de-repression of epigenetically silenced pro-epithelial genes, preferentially in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. This epigenetic reprogramming occurs through eviction of CtBP from gene promoters; disrupted recruitment of chromatin-modifying protein complexes containing LSD1, and HDAC1; and re-wiring of activating histone marks at targeted genes. In functional assays, CtBP inhibition disrupts CtBP dimerization, decreases cell migration, abolishes cellular invasion, and improves DNA repair. Combinatorial use of CtBP inhibitors with the LSD1 inhibitor pargyline has synergistic influence. Finally, integrated correlation of gene expression in breast cancer patients with nuclear levels of CtBP1 and LSD1, reveals new potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. These findings implicate a broad role for this class of compounds in strategies for epigenetically targeted therapeutic intervention.
The mechanism of the premetastatic niche facilitating colorectal cancer liver metastasis generated from myeloid-derived suppressor cells induced by the S1PR1–STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Lin Qi , Ren Li , Jian Mi , Xu Pingping , Li Jun , Zheng Peng , Feng Qingyang , Yang Liangliang , Ji Meilin , Wei Ye , Xu Jianmin
Published: September 2019

The tumor-derived factors involved in the expansion and accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in metastatic dissemination of colorectal cancer (CRC) to the liver has not been studied. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in human colorectal tumors. IL-6 and interferon-γ were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tumor growth, invasion, and migration were evaluated by MTT, transwell, and wound healing assays, respectively. Subcutaneous tumor-bearing and CRC liver metastasis (CRLM) nude mouse models were constructed. The percentage of MDSCs was measured using multicolor flow cytometry. Western blot assay was used to evaluate S1PR1 and p-STAT3 expression in MDSCs after separation from the liver and tumor by magnetic antibody. T-cell suppression assay was detected by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE). Aberrant co-expressed S1PR1 and p-STAT3 was correlated with metachronous liver metastasis and poor prognosis in CRC. A mutual activation loop between S1PR1 and STAT3 can enhance CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. The expression of p-STAT3 and its downstream proteins can be regulated by S1PR1. p-STAT3 was the dependent signaling pathway of S1PR1 in the promotion of cell growth and liver metastasis in CRC. The level of IL-6 and the associated MDSCs stimulated by the S1PR1–STAT3 correlated with the number of liver metastatic nodes in the CRLM mouse models and patients. Increased CD14+HLA-DR−/low MDSCs from CRLM patients inhibited autologous T-cell proliferation and predict poor prognosis. The S1PR1–STAT3–IL-6–MDSCs axis operates in both tumor cells and MDSCs involved in the promotion of growth and liver metastasis in CRC. MDSCs induced by S1PR1–STAT3 in CRC cells formed the premetastatic niche in the liver can promote organ-specific metastasis.
Rethinking the ethical principles of genomic medicine services
Authors: Johnson Stephanie B. , Slade Ingrid , Giubilini Alberto , Graham Mackenzie
Published: September 2019

Clinical genome and exome sequencing is currently used in only a small fraction of patients, yet large scale genomic initiatives are becoming more embedded in clinical services. This paper examines the ethical principles that should guide regulatory processes regarding consent and data sharing in this context. We argue that a genomic dataset administered by the health system carries substantial societal benefits, and that the collective nature of this initiative means that at least those patients who benefit from genome sequencing have an ethical obligation to share their health information. This obligation is grounded in considerations of fairness. Furthermore, we argue that the use of genomic data for the advancement of medical knowledge should be permitted without explicit consent and that international and other bodies should be granted access to these data, provided certain conditions are satisfied.
The impact origin and evolution of Chryse Planitia on Mars revealed by buried craters
Authors: Pan Lu , Quantin-Nataf Cathy , Breton Sylvain , Michaut Chloé
Published: September 2019

Large impacts are one of the most important processes shaping a planet’s surface. On Mars, the early formation of the Martian crust and the lack of large impact basins (only four unambiguously identified: Hellas, Argyre, Utopia, and Isidis) indicates that a large part of early records of Mars’ impact history is missing. Here we show, in Chryse Planitia, the scarcity of buried impact craters in a near-circular area could be explained by a pre-existing topographic depression with more intense resurfacing. Spatially correlated with positive Bouguer anomaly, this near-circular region with a diameter of ~1090 km likely originated from an impact. This proposed large impact basin must have been quickly relaxed or buried after its formation more than 4.0 billion years ago and heavily modified by subsequent resurfacing events. We anticipate our study to open a new window to unravelling the buried records of early Martian bombardment record.
Admixture between old lineages facilitated contemporary ecological speciation in Lake Constance stickleback
Authors: Marques David A. , Lucek Kay , Sousa Vitor C. , Excoffier Laurent , Seehausen Ole
Published: September 2019

Ecological speciation can sometimes rapidly generate reproductively isolated populations coexisting in sympatry, but the origin of genetic variation permitting this is rarely known. We previously explored the genomics of very recent ecological speciation into lake and stream ecotypes in stickleback from Lake Constance. Here, we reconstruct the origin of alleles underlying ecological speciation by combining demographic modelling on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, phenotypic data and mitochondrial sequence data in the wider European biogeographical context. We find that parallel differentiation between lake and stream ecotypes across replicate lake-stream ecotones resulted from recent secondary contact and admixture between old East and West European lineages. Unexpectedly, West European alleles that introgressed across the hybrid zone at the western end of the lake, were recruited to genomic islands of differentiation between ecotypes at the eastern end of the lake. Our results highlight an overlooked outcome of secondary contact: ecological speciation facilitated by admixture variation.
Perfect proton selectivity in ion transport through two-dimensional crystals
Authors: Mogg L. , Zhang S. , Hao G.-P. , Gopinadhan K. , Barry D. , Liu B. L. , Cheng H. M. , Geim A. K. , Lozada-Hidalgo M.
Published: September 2019

Defect-free monolayers of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride are surprisingly permeable to thermal protons, despite being completely impenetrable to all gases. It remains untested whether small ions can permeate through the two-dimensional crystals. Here we show that mechanically exfoliated graphene and hexagonal boron nitride exhibit perfect Nernst selectivity such that only protons can permeate through, with no detectable flow of counterions. In the experiments, we use suspended monolayers that have few, if any, atomic-scale defects, as shown by gas permeation tests, and place them to separate reservoirs filled with hydrochloric acid solutions. Protons account for all the electrical current and chloride ions are blocked. This result corroborates the previous conclusion that thermal protons can pierce defect-free two-dimensional crystals. Besides the importance for theoretical developments, our results are also of interest for research on various separation technologies based on two-dimensional materials.
Flexible organic light-emitting diodes for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
Authors: Lian Cheng , Piksa Marta , Yoshida Kou , Persheyev Saydulla , Pawlik Krzysztof J. , Matczyszyn Katarzyna , Samuel Ifor D. W.
Published: September 2019

Bacterial infection and the growth of antibiotic resistance is a serious problem that leads to patient suffering, death and increased costs of healthcare. To address this problem, we propose using flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as light sources for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to kill bacteria. PDT involves the use of light and a photosensitizer to generate reactive oxygen species that kill neighbouring cells. We have developed flexible top-emitting OLEDs with the ability to tune the emission peak from 669 to 737 nm to match the photosensitizer, together with high irradiance, low driving voltage, long operational lifetime and adequate shelf-life. These features enable OLEDs to be the ideal candidate for ambulatory PDT light sources. A detailed study of OLED–PDT for killing Staphylococcus aureus was performed. The results show that our OLEDs in combination with the photosensitizer methylene blue, can kill more than 99% of bacteria. This indicates a huge potential for using OLEDs to treat bacterial infections.
EEG dynamics reveal a dissociation between storage and selective attention within working memory
Authors: Günseli Eren , Fahrenfort Johannes Jacobus , van Moorselaar Dirk , Daoultzis Konstantinos Christos , Meeter Martijn , Olivers Christian N. L.
Published: September 2019

Selective attention plays a prominent role in prioritizing information in working memory (WM), improving performance for attended representations. However, it remains unclear whether unattended WM representations suffer from information loss. Here we tested the hypothesis that within WM, selectively attending to an item and stopping storing other items are independent mechanisms. We recorded EEG while participants performed a WM recall task in which the item most likely to be tested was cued retrospectively during retention. By manipulating retro-cue reliability (i.e., the ratio of valid to invalid cue trials), we varied the incentive to retain non-cued items. Storage and selective attention in WM were measured during the retention interval by contralateral delay activity (CDA) and contralateral alpha power suppression, respectively. Soon after highly reliable cues, the cued item was attended, and non-cued items suffered information loss. However, for less reliable cues, initially the cued item was attended, but unattended items were kept in WM. Later during the delay, previously unattended items suffered information loss despite now attention being reallocated to their locations, presumably to strengthen their weakening traces. These results show that storage and attention in WM are distinct processes that can behave differently depending on the relative importance of representations.
Overexpression of VIRE2-INTERACTING PROTEIN2 in Arabidopsis regulates genes involved in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation and abiotic stresses
Authors: Raman Vidhyavathi , Anand Ajith , Vasudevan Balaji , Morsy Mustafa R. , Pant Bikram D. , Lee Hee-Kyung , Tang Yuhong , Mysore Kirankumar S.
Published: September 2019

Arabidopsis VIRE2-INTERACTING PROTEIN2 (VIP2) was previously described as a protein with a NOT domain, and Arabidopsis vip2 mutants are recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated root transformation. Here we show that VIP2 is a transcription regulator and the C-terminal NOT2 domain of VIP2 interacts with VirE2. Interestingly, AtVIP2 overexpressor lines in Arabidopsis did not show an improvement in Agrobacterium-mediated stable root transformation, but the transcriptome analysis identified 1,634 differentially expressed genes compared to wild-type. These differentially expressed genes belonged to various functional categories such as membrane proteins, circadian rhythm, signaling, response to stimulus, regulation of plant hypersensitive response, sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor activity and transcription regulatory region binding. In addition to regulating genes involved in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, AtVIP2 overexpressor line showed differential expression of genes involved in abiotic stresses. The majority of the genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) response pathway, containing the Abscisic Acid Responsive Element (ABRE) element within their promoters, were down-regulated in AtVIP2 overexpressor lines. Consistent with this observation, AtVIP2 overexpressor lines were more susceptible to ABA and other abiotic stresses. Based on the above findings, we hypothesize that VIP2 not only plays a role in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation but also acts as a general transcriptional regulator in plants.
Low-pressure-responsive heat-storage ceramics for automobiles
Authors: Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Tokoro Hiroko , Nakagawa Kosuke , Yoshikiyo Marie , Jia Fangda , Namai Asuka
Published: September 2019

The accumulated heat energy of a heat-storage material is typically released over time. If a heat-storage material could preserve its accumulated heat energy for a prolonged period, the applicability of such materials would be expanded greatly. Herein we report a newly fabricated heat-storage material that can store latent heat energy for a long period and release the heat energy upon demand by applying an extremely low pressure. This material is a block-type lambda trititanium pentoxide (block-type λ-Ti3O5). The block-type λ-phase accumulates a large heat energy of 237 kJ L−1 and exhibits a pressure-induced phase transition to beta trititanium pentoxide. The pressure-induced phase transition occurs by applying only several tens of bars, and half of the fraction transforms by 7 MPa (70 bar). Such a low-pressure-responsive heat-storage ceramic is effective to reuse excessive heat in automobiles or waste heat at industrial factories.
Rapid Detection of Genetic Engineering, Structural Variation, and Antimicrobial Resistance Markers in Bacterial Biothreat Pathogens by Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Gargis Amy S. , Cherney Blake , Conley Andrew B. , McLaughlin Heather P. , Sue David
Published: September 2019

Widespread release of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) or Yersinia pestis (plague) would prompt a public health emergency. During an exposure event, high-quality whole genome sequencing (WGS) can identify genetic engineering, including the introduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Here, we developed rapid WGS laboratory and bioinformatics workflows using a long-read nanopore sequencer (MinION) for Y. pestis (6.5 h) and B. anthracis (8.5 h) and sequenced strains with different AMR profiles. Both salt-precipitation and silica-membrane extracted DNA were suitable for MinION WGS using both rapid and field library preparation methods. In replicate experiments, nanopore quality metrics were defined for genome assembly and mutation analysis. AMR markers were correctly detected and >99% coverage of chromosomes and plasmids was achieved using 100,000 raw sequencing reads. While chromosomes and large and small plasmids were accurately assembled, including novel multimeric forms of the Y. pestis virulence plasmid, pPCP1, MinION reads were error-prone, particularly in homopolymer regions. MinION sequencing holds promise as a practical, front-line strategy for on-site pathogen characterization to speed the public health response during a biothreat emergency.
Association between social asymmetry and depression in older adults: A phone Call Detail Records analysis
Authors: Aubourg Timothée , Demongeot Jacques , Renard Félix , Provost Hervé , Vuillerme Nicolas
Published: September 2019

Analyzing social interactions on a passive and non-invasive way through the use of phone call detail records (CDRs) is now recognized as a promising approach in health monitoring. However, deeper investigations are required to confirm its relevance in social interaction modeling. Particularly, no clear consensus exists in the use of the direction parameter characterizing the directed nature of interactions in CDRs. In the present work, we specifically investigate, in a 26-older-adults population over 12 months, whether and how this parameter could be used in CDRs analysis. We then evaluate its added-value for depression assessment regarding the Geriatric Depression Scale score assessed within our population during the study. The results show the existence of three clusters of phone call activity named (1) proactive, (2) interactive, and (3) reactive. Then, we introduce the notion of asymmetry that synthesizes these activities. We find significant correlations between asymmetry and the depressive state assessed in the older individual. Particularly, (1) reactive users are more depressed than the others, and (2) not depressed older adults tend to be proactive. Taken together, the present findings suggest the phone’s potential to be used as a social sensor containing relevant health-related insights when the direction parameter is considered.
Selenium maintains cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis and preserves germination rates of maize pollen under H2O2-induced oxidative stress
Authors: Del Pino Alberto Marco , Guiducci Marcello , D’Amato Roberto , Di Michele Alessandro , Tosti Giacomo , Datti Alessandro , Palmerini Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2019

Selenium (Se) displays antioxidant properties that can be exploited, in plants, to counteract abiotic stresses caused by overly-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we show that fertigation of maize crops with sodium selenate effectively protects pollen against oxidative stress. Pollen isolated from Se-treated plants (Se1) and untreated controls (Se0) was incubated in vitro with H2O2 to produce oxidative challenge. Given the impact of ROS on Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+-dependent signaling, cytosolic Ca2+ was measured to monitor cellular perturbations. We found that H2O2 disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis in Se0 pollen only, while Se1 samples were preserved. The same trend was observed when Se0 samples were treated with sodium selenate or Se-methionine, which recapitulated in vitro the protective capacity of Se-fertigation. Furthermore, we found that germination rates were much better retained in Se1 as compared to Se0 (46% vs 8%, respectively) after exposure to 20 mM H2O2. The same was observed with Se0 pollen treated with Se-methionine, which is the organic form of Se into which most fertigated sodium selenate converts in the plant. These results, together, show a close correlation between ROS, Ca2+ homeostasis and pollen fertility, and provide strong evidence that Se-fertigation is an excellent approach to preserve or enhance agricultural productivity.
Temporal changes in transcriptome profile provide insights of White Spot Syndrome Virus infection in Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Peruzza Luca , Shekhar M. S. , Kumar K. Vinaya , Swathi A. , Karthic K. , Hauton Chris , Vijayan K. K.
Published: September 2019

Shrimp aquaculture is severely affected by WSSV. Despite an increasing effort to understand host/virus interaction by characterizing changes in gene expression (GE) following WSSV infection, the majority of published studies have focussed on a single time-point, providing limited insight on the development of host-pathogen interaction over the infection cycle. Using RNA-seq, we contrasted GE in gills of Litopenaeus vannamei at 1.5, 18 and 56 hours-post-infection (hpi), between WSSV-challenged and control shrimps. Time course analysis revealed 5097 differentially expressed genes: 63 DEGs were viral genes and their expression in WSSV group either peaked at 18 hpi (and decreased at 56 hpi) or increased linearly up to 56 hpi, suggesting a different role played by these genes during the course of infection. The remaining DEGs showed that WSSV altered the expression of metabolic, immune, apoptotic and cytoskeletal genes and was able to inhibit NF-κB and JAK/STAT pathways. Interestingly, GE changes were not consistent through the course of infection but were dynamic with time, suggesting the complexity of host-pathogen interaction. These data offer novel insights into the cellular functions that are affected during the course of infection and ultimately provide a valuable resource towards our understanding of the host-pathogen dynamics and its variation with time.
Accelerated degradation of cFLIPL and sensitization of the TRAIL DISC-mediated apoptotic cascade by pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from Rubia philippinensis
Authors: Lee So-Ra , Quan Khong Trong , Byun Hee Sun , Park InWha , Kang Kidong , Piao Xuezhe , Ju Eunjin , Ro Hyunju , Na MinKyun , Hur Gang Min
Published: September 2019

Plant-derived lignans have numerous biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Screening of purified constituents ofRubia philippinensisfrom human glioblastoma cells resistant to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has suggested that the lignan pinoresinol was a highly active TRAIL sensitizer. Here we show that treatment with nontoxic doses of pinoresinol in combination with TRAIL induced rapid apoptosis and caspase activation in many types of glioblastoma cells, but not in normal astrocytes. Analyses of apoptotic signaling events revealed that pinoresinol enhanced the formation of TRAIL-mediated death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and complete processing of procaspase-8 within the DISC in glioblastoma cells, in which caspase-8 was inactivated. Mechanistically, pinoresinol downregulated the expression of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIPL) and survivin through proteasome-mediated degradation, without affecting death receptors or downstream intracellular apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, the sensitization of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by pinoresinol strictly depended on the expression level of cFLIPL, which was regulated throughde novoprotein synthesis, rather than by NF-κB or p53 signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that pinoresinol facilitates DISC-mediated caspase-8 activation by targeting cFLIPLin an early event in apoptotic signaling, which provides a potential therapeutic module for TRAIL-based chemotherapy.
Pattern of access to cafeteria-style diet determines fat mass and degree of spatial memory impairments in rats
Authors: Kendig Michael D. , Westbrook R. Frederick , Morris Margaret J.
Published: September 2019

Repeated ‘cycling’ between healthy and unhealthy eating is increasingly common but the effects of such cycling on cognitive function are unknown. Here we tested the effects of cycling between chow and a cafeteria diet (CAF) rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates on fat mass and place recognition memory in rats. Rats fed the chow diet (control group) were compared with groups fed CAF for either: 3 consecutive days per week followed by 4 days of chow, (3CAF:4CHOW group); 5 consecutive days per week followed by 2 days of chow (5CAF:2CHOW group); or 7 days per week (7CAF group). Total days of exposure to CAF were matched between the latter groups by staggering the introduction of CAF diet. After 16–18 days of CAF, spatial recognition memory was significantly worse in the 7CAF group relative to controls. After 23–25 days of CAF, both the 7CAF and 5CAF:2CHOW groups, but not the 3CAF:4CHOW group, were impaired relative to controls, mirroring changes in fat mass measured by EchoMRI. CAF feeding did not affect object recognition memory or total exploration time. These results indicate that even when matching total exposure, the pattern of access to unhealthy diets impairs spatial memory in a graded fashion.
NMR Microcoils for On-line Reaction Monitoring
Authors: Gomez M. V. , Velders A. H.
Published: September 2019

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most important and powerful analytical tools available to the scientific community, and to synthetic chemists in particular. Standard, commercially available, high-field NMR spectrometers (running from 4.7 to 23.5 T, corresponding to 200, respectively 1000 MHz 1H Larmor frequency) have their radiofrequency antennas incorporated in probe heads that allow measuring samples in 5 mm tubes. Commercial probe heads that allow on-flow monitoring of reactions are based on, typically 5 mm, saddle coil designs, but these require relatively large amounts of material and/or have poor filling factors and correspondingly poor mass sensitivity. In 1994 Sweedler and co-workers launched the field of microcoil NMR spectroscopy, and the past two decades have seen several groups starting to fabricate their own small-volume probe-heads. Here we provide an overview of the different types of NMR microcoils that haven been developed to measure volumes in the lower microliter and (sub-)nanoliter scale, and then focus on the main geometries of microcoils exploited for use in reaction monitoring as solenoids, planar spiral, and stripline coils. Several examples are presented of on-flow and stationary reaction monitoring with such microcoils. The rapid progress in the field promises that many more groups will enter the field of NMR microcoil reaction monitoring in the coming years.
A colourimetric vacuum air-pressure indicator
Authors: Yusufu Dilidaer , Mills Andrew
Published: September 2019

A CO2-based vacuum air pressure indicator is described and demonstrated for vacuum-packaged rice.
The use of a personal glucose meter for detecting procalcitonin through glucose encapsulated within liposomes
Authors: Alshawawreh Fida'a , Lisi Fabio , Ariotti Nicholas , Bakthavathsalam Padmavathy , Benedetti Tania , Tilley Richard D. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: September 2019

A glucose meter-based immunosensing platform that allows the quantification of procalcitonin in whole blood samples at clinically-relevant concentrations.
Manganese neurotoxicity: nano-oxide compensates for ion-damage in mammals
Authors: Adhikari Aniruddha , Das Monojit , Mondal Susmita , Darbar Soumendra , Das Anjan Kumar , Bhattacharya Siddhartha Sankar , Pal Debasish , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: September 2019

Here, we have shown that citrate functionalized Mn3O4nanoparticles can ameliorate Mn-induced neurotoxicity (Parkinson's-like syndrome) through the chelation of excess Mn ions and subsequent reduction of oxidative damage.
Thermodynamics and molecular mechanism of the formation of the cocrystals of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and glutaric acid
Authors: Yang Jinyue , Hong Baohong , Wang Na , Li Xin , Huang Xin , Bao Ying , Xie Chuang , Hao Hongxun
Published: September 2019

The thermodynamics and molecular mechanism of the formation of a new cocrystal of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and glutaric acid were investigated.
Carbon sp chains in diamond nanocavities
Authors: Delodovici Francesco , Choi Daniel S. , Al Fahim Mohamed , Burchfield Larry A. , Manini Nicola
Published: September 2019

Structural, electronic and thermodynamic characterization of novel carbon allotropes mixing sp and sp3hybridizations, by means of computational methods.
Theoretical insight into the origin of the electrochemical promotion of ethylene oxidation on ruthenium oxide
Authors: Hajar Yasmine M. , Treps Laureline , Michel Carine , Baranova Elena A. , Steinmann Stephan N.
Published: September 2019

In EPOC the adsorption energies of the reactants and products are modified by applying an electrochemical potential to the catalyst. DFT computations unveil that the C–C and O–O bond dissociation are accelerated under positive and negative potential, respectively.
The reductive deaminative conversion of nitriles to alcohols usingpara-formaldehyde in aqueous solution
Authors: Tavakoli Ghazal , Prechtl Martin H. G.
Published: September 2019

We report herein, for the first time, the application ofpara-formaldehyde (pFA) to the reductive deamination of both aliphatic and aromatic nitriles in aqueous solution under transfer hydrogenation conditions.
Facile synthesis of impurity-free iron single atom catalysts for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction and active-site identification
Authors: He Qian , Meng Yuying , Zhang Hao , Zhang Ying , Chen Hongyu , Xiao Huajian , He Xiaohui , Wu Mingmei , Ji Hongbing
Published: September 2019

A precursor-dilution strategy is developed to prepare an impurity-free Fe single atom catalyst with superior oxygen reduction reaction catalytic performance.
Copper(ii) complexes with tridentate Schiff base-like ligands: solid state and solution structures and anticancer activity
Authors: Dankhoff Katja , Gold Madeleine , Kober Luisa , Schmitt Florian , Pfeifer Lena , Dürrmann Andreas , Kostrhunova Hana , Rothemund Matthias , Brabec Viktor , Schobert Rainer , Weber Birgit
Published: September 2019

We report 15 new Cu(ii) complexes with tridentateNNOβ-acylenamino ligands derived from 2-picolylamine and bearing up to three alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, or (pseudo)halide substituents.
Macroporous sulfur polymers from a sodium chloride porogen—a low cost, versatile remediation material
Authors: Petcher Samuel , Parker Douglas J. , Hasell Tom
Published: September 2019

Sulfur has an affinity for Hg. By polymerising and crosslinking elemental sulfur with dienes, it can be formed into a stable polymer. A salt template method to create porosity in these polymers is reported, and shown to improve the Hg capture.
Merrifield resin-supported quinone as an efficient biomimetic catalyst for metal-free, base-free, chemoselective synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhang Yilin , Zeng Wei , Duan Zheng-Chao , Sang Xinxin , Wang Dawei
Published: September 2019

Metal-free, base-free, biomimetic, and chemoselective synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines was developed for the first time under mild conditions.
Robust chemical bonding of PMMA microfluidic devices to porous PETE membranes for reliable cytotoxicity testing of drugs
Authors: Nguyen Thao , Jung Su Hyun , Lee Min Seok , Park Tae-Eun , Ahn Suk-kyun , Kang Joo H.
Published: September 2019

A GLYMO-based method enables robust fabrication of PMMA–PETE cell-culturing microfluidic devices, which permits more precise cytotoxicity response to lipophilic drugs.
Phenotyping of the thrashing forces exerted by partially immobilizedC. elegansusing elastomeric micropillar arrays
Authors: Sofela Samuel , Sahloul Sarah , Stubbs Christopher , Orozaliev Ajymurat , Refai Fathima Shaffra , Esmaeel Abdelhady Mostafa , Fahs Hala , Abdelgawad Mohamed Omar , Gunsalus Kristin C. , Song Yong-Ak
Published: September 2019

A microfluidic force assay chip was used to quantify the relative changes in the thrashing force ofC. elegansupon exposure to various external stimuli.
Recent advances in ruthenium-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Bae Seo-Yoon , Mahmood Javeed , Jeon In-Yup , Baek Jong-Beom
Published: September 2019

Exploration of electrocatalysts for clean and sustainable hydrogen generation from water splitting has received huge attention due to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution.
Increasing enzyme-like activity by in situ anchoring of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles on keratin–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers
Authors: Cao Tiantian , Zheng Jing , Xu Jingli , Alharbi Njud S. , Hayat Tasawar , Zhang Min
Published: September 2019

Herein, we propose a facile strategy of rapid assembly of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles within three dimensional (3D) keratin–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (keratin-NF@Ag3PO4), which can be used for colorimetric detection of UA.
Facile polymerization method for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and related polymers using iodine vapour
Authors: Gupta Sonal , Patra Asit
Published: September 2019

A simple polymerization at room temperature using iodine vapour for preparation of PEDOT and PProDOT and their soluble derivatives in neat form.
PAMAM dendrimers with a porphyrin core as highly selective binders of Li+ in an alkaline mixture. A spectroscopic study
Authors: Militello M. Paula , Hernández Ramírez Raquel E. , Lijanova Irina V. , Previtali Carlos M. , Bertolotti Sonia G. , Arbeloa Ernesto M.
Published: September 2019

The selectivity of porphyrin-PAMAM dendrimers toward lithium in an alkaline mixture at the submicromolar levels is promising for sensing applications.
Expeditious diastereoselective synthesis of medium ring heterocycle-fused chromenes via tandem 8/9-endo-dig and 8-exo-dig hydroalkoxylation-formal-[4 + 2] cycloaddition
Authors: Gharpure Santosh J. , Nanda Santosh K. , Fartade Dipak J.
Published: September 2019

The first examples of highly diastereoselective tandem 8/9-endo-dig and 8-exo-dig hydroalkoxylation-formal-[4 + 2] cycloaddition are described for the synthesis of medium ring heterocycle-fused chromenes.
Flower-like Bi2S3 nanostructures as highly efficient anodes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kumari Pooja , Awasthi Kamlendra , Agarwal Shivani , Ichikawa Takayuki , Kumar Manoj , Jain Ankur
Published: September 2019

Bi2S3 with a hydride based solid electrolyte (LiBH4) was demonstrated to exhibit high capacity Li-storage for the first time. Nano Bi2S3 aids the better cyclic performance than commercially available bulk Bi2S3 with a very low capacity decay.
Formation and dissociation of synthetic hetero-double-helix complex in aqueous solutions: significant effect of water content on dynamics of structural change
Authors: Sawato Tsukasa , Yuzawa Ryosuke , Kobayashi Higashi , Saito Nozomi , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: September 2019

Significant structural changes by small change in water content from 30 to 33%.
Retracted Article: Long noncoding RNA HOTAIR promotes cell apoptosis by sponging miR-221 in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhou Fan , Xie Sanping , Li Juan , Duan Shujie
Published: September 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurological disorder that is detrimental to the health of older people worldwide.
Synthesis and bioevaluation of thienopyrimidines bearing a pyrazoline unit as selective PI3Kα inhibitors
Authors: Lai Luogen , Wang Qinqin , Zhang Binliang , Xiao Zhen , Yang Zunhua , Yang Qi , Luo Zixin , Zhu Wufu , Xu Shan
Published: September 2019

A series of thienopyrimidines containing a pyrazoline unit (4a–d, 7a–d and 13a–l) were designed and synthesized. The compound 13f showed the best activity with the IC50 of 0.92 μM against PI3Kα.
A teacher perspective on Scrum methodology in secondary chemistry education
Authors: Vogelzang Johannes , Admiraal Wilfried F. , Van Driel Jan H.
Published: September 2019

Scrum methodology is a novel framework for teaching intended to scaffold students' learning process when they work on complex, real-world tasks. It is originally a project management framework frequently used in business and industry to manage projects. Scrum methodology is increasingly used in educational contexts. Yet, it is also a rather complex framework and more insight in how teachers understand and implement Scrum methodology is needed. Twelve teachers attended a professional development program and simultaneously implemented Scrum methodology in their chemistry lessons. Teachers' didactical expertise and pedagogical expertise appeared to play a key role during the implementation process, whereas teachers' subject matter expertise, and other factors such as teaching context, teaching experience and personal biography seemed to be less important. Didactical and pedagogical expertise enhances teaching with Scrum: it supports the implementation as well as increases its effectiveness, independently of teaching context, experience and personal biography. This would mean Scrum methodology offers possibilities for teachers to enhance and enrich their teaching practice.
Chemical communication in spatially organized protocell colonies and protocell/living cell micro-arrays
Authors: Wang Xuejing , Tian Liangfei , Du Hang , Li Mei , Mu Wei , Drinkwater Bruce W. , Han Xiaojun , Mann Stephen
Published: September 2019

Arrays of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with controllable geometries and occupancies are prepared by acoustic trapping and used to implement chemical signaling in protocell colonies and protocell/living cell consortia.
Chicken fat for catalysis: a scaffold is as important for molecular complexes for energy transformations as it is for enzymes in catalytic function
Authors: Laureanti Joseph A. , O'Hagan Molly , Shaw Wendy J.
Published: September 2019

The outer coordination sphere, sometimes called chicken fat, is essential to achieving the best catalytic performance for energy transductions.
A new PEGDA/CNF aerogel-wet hydrogel scaffold fabricated by a two-step method
Authors: Sun Dong , Liu Wangyu , Tang Aimin , Guo Fengjing , Xie Weigui
Published: September 2019

The scaffold is one of the most important components in tissue engineering.
Mechanofluorochromism, polymorphism and thermochromism of novel D–π–A piperidin-1-yl-substitued isoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Chen Yating , Zhang Xinyu , Wang Mengzhu , Peng Jingqing , Zhou Yunbing , Huang Xiaobo , Gao Wenxia , Liu Miaochang , Wu Huayue
Published: September 2019

Two novel D–π–A isoquinoline derivatives using triphenylamine/9-phenyl-9H-carbazole as an electron donor were found to exhibit polymorphic, thermochromic, and/or mechanofluorochromic activities.
MicroRNA-202 inhibits cell migration and invasion through targeting FGF2 and inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ping , Xing Tianrong , Wang Qingdong , Liu Ai , Liu Haiping , Hu Yuhong , Ji Yanjia , Song Ying , Wang Dongwei
Published: September 2019

Recently, many mircroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the development and progression of cancer have been reported to regulate cell growth and metastasis, including microRNA-202 (miR-202). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effect of miR-202 on endometrial carcinoma (EC) cell migration and invasion. First, qRT-PCR showed that miR-202 was down-regulated in EC tissues, which was associated with poor prognosis in EC patients. Functionally, transwell assay indicated that miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion in EC cells. In addition, miR-202 also blocked epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) through suppressing N-cadherin and Vimentin expressions and promoting E-cadherin expression. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a direct target gene for miR-202 in EC cells. Furthermore, up-regulation of FGF2 attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-202 on cell migration and invasion in EC. Besides that, miR-202 inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by suppressing β-catenin expression in EC. In conclusion, miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion by targeting FGF2 and inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in EC.
CHIMPS: physical properties of molecular clumps across the inner Galaxy
Authors: Rigby A. J. , Moore T. J. T. , Eden D. J. , Urquhart J. S. , Ragan S. E. , Peretto N. , Plume R. , Thompson M. A. , Currie M. J. , Park G.
Published: September 2019

The latest generation of high-angular-resolution unbiased Galactic plane surveys in molecular-gas tracers are enabling the interiors of molecular clouds to be studied across a range of environments. The CO Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey (CHIMPS) simultaneously mapped a sector of the inner Galactic plane, within 27.8° ≲ ℓ ≲ 46.2° and |b|≤ 0°.5, in 13CO (3–2) and C18O (3–2) at an angular resolution of 15 arcsec. The combination of the CHIMPS data with 12CO (3–2) data from the CO High Resolution Survey (COHRS) has enabled us to perform a voxel-by-voxel local-thermodynamic-equilibrium (LTE) analysis, determining the excitation temperature, optical depth, and column density of 13CO at each ℓ, b, v position. Distances to discrete sources identified by FELLWALKER in the 13CO (3–2) emission maps were determined, allowing the calculation of numerous physical properties of the sources, and we present the first source catalogues in this paper. We find that, in terms of size and density, the CHIMPS sources represent an intermediate population between large-scale molecular clouds identified by CO and dense clumps seen in thermal dust continuum emission, and therefore represent the bulk transition from the diffuse to the dense phase of molecular gas. We do not find any significant systematic variations in the masses, column densities, virial parameters, mean excitation temperature, or the turbulent pressure over the range of Galactocentric distance probed, but we do find a shallow increase in the mean volume density with increasing Galactocentric distance. We find that inter-arm clumps have significantly narrower linewidths, and lower virial parameters and excitation temperatures than clumps located in spiral arms. When considering the most reliable distance-limited subsamples, the largest variations occur on the clump-to-clump scale, echoing similar recent studies that suggest that the star-forming process is largely insensitive to the Galactic-scale environment, at least within the inner disc.
Fragmentation and filaments at the onset of star and cluster formation
Authors: Lin Y. , Csengeri T. , Wyrowski F. , Urquhart J. S. , Schuller F. , Weiss A. , Menten K. M.
Published: September 2019

Context. The structure formation of the dense interstellar material and the fragmentation of clumps into cores is a fundamental step for understanding how stars and stellar clusters form.

Aims. We aim to establish a statistical view of clump fragmentation at subparsec scales based on a large sample of massive clumps selected from the ATLASGAL survey.

Methods. We used the APEX/SABOCA camera at 350 μm to image clumps at a resolution of 8.″5, corresponding to physical scales of < 0.2 pc at a distance < 5 kpc. The majority of the sample consists of massive clumps that are weak or in absorption at 24 μm. We resolved spherical and filamentary structures and identified the population of compact sources. Complemented with archival Herschel data, we derived the physical properties, such as dust temperature, mass, and bolometric luminosity of clumps and cores. We used association with mid-infrared 22−24 μm and 70 μm point sources to determine the star formation activity of the cores. We then statistically assessed their physical properties and the fragmentation characteristics of massive clumps.

Results. We detect emission at 350 μm toward all targets and find that it typically exhibits a filamentary (-like) morphology and hosts a population of compact sources. Using Gaussclumps, we identify 1120 compact sources and derive the physical parameters and star formation activity for 971 of these, 874 of which are associated with 444 clumps. We find a moderate correlation between the clump fragmentation levels with the clump gas density and the predicted number of fragments with a pure Jeans fragmentation scenario. We find a strong correlation between the mass of the most massive fragment and the total clump mass, suggesting that self-gravity may play an important role in the small-scale structure formation of the clumps. Finally, due to the improved angular resolution compared to ATLASGAL, we are able to identify 27 massive quiescent cores with Mcore >  100 M⊙ within 5 kpc; these are massive enough to be self-gravitating, but do not yet show any sign of star formation. This sample therefore comprises promising candidates of massive prestellar cores or deeply embedded high-mass protostars.

Conclusions. The submillimeter observations of the massive clumps that are weak or completely dark at 24 μm reveal rich filamentary structures and an embedded population of compact cores. The maximum core mass is likely determined by the self-gravity of the clump. The rarity of massive prestellar core candidates implies short collapse timescales for dense structures.