bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the time-varying generation rate of acetic acid from an all-purpose floor cleaner
Authors: Arnold Susan , Ramachandran Gurumurthy , Kaup Hannah , Servadio Joseph
Published: May 2019

Understanding the relationship between consumer product use and risk of adverse health outcomes facilitates appropriate risk management and product stewardship. A preferred method for estimating the systemic and respiratory tract exposure and dose tailored to cleaning products use has been proposed, refining previously issued exposure guidance. Consistent with other exposure and risk-assessment frameworks, it is dependent upon high-quality exposure determinant data that also serve as model inputs. However, as publicly available exposure determinant data are scarce, the risk assessor is left with the option of estimating determinants such as the generation rate or employing empirical methods to estimate them. When the exposure scenario involves a chemical mixture, estimating the generation rate may not be feasible. We present an approach for estimating the time-varying generation rate of an aqueous acetic acid mixture representative of the base formulation for many consumer and DIY cleaning products that was previously assessed in a screening-level assessment. The approach involved measuring the evaporation rate for a reasonable worst-case scenario under controlled conditions. Knowing the mass applied, a time-varying generation rate was estimated. To evaluate its portability, a field study was conducted in a home where measurements were collected in an all-purpose room with the exterior door open (Room 1) and closed (Room 2), and a bathroom (Room 3) using a portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer. Acetic acid concentrations were modeled using two common indoor air models, the Well Mixed Room model. Measured and modeled acetic acid concentrations were compared, with the WMR 95% confidence intervals encompassing measured concentrations for all three rooms, supporting the utility of the approach used and portability of the generation rate derived from it.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate signalling drives an angiogenic transcriptional programme in diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Lupino Lauren , Perry Tracey , Margielewska Sandra , Hollows Robert , Ibrahim Maha , Care Matthew , Allegood Jeremy , Tooze Reuben , Sabbadini Roger , Reynolds Gary , Bicknell Roy , Rudzki Zbigniew , Lin Hock Ye , Zanetto Ulises , Wei Wenbin , Simmons William , Spiegel Sarah , Woodman Ciaran B. J. , Rowe Martin , Vrzalikova Katerina , Murray Paul G.
Published: May 2019

Although the over-expression of angiogenic factors is reported in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the poor response to anti-VEGF drugs observed in clinical trials suggests that angiogenesis in these tumours might be driven by VEGF-independent pathways. We show that sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), which generates the potent bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is over-expressed in DLBCL. A meta-analysis of over 2000 cases revealed that genes correlated with SPHK1 mRNA expression in DLBCL were significantly enriched for tumour angiogenesis meta-signature genes; an effect evident in both major cell of origin (COO) and stromal subtypes. Moreover, we found that S1P induces angiogenic signalling and a gene expression programme that is present within the tumour vasculature of SPHK1-expressing DLBCL. Importantly, S1PR1 functional antagonists, including Siponimod, and the S1P neutralising antibody, Sphingomab, inhibited S1P signalling in DLBCL cells in vitro. Furthermore, Siponimod, also reduced angiogenesis and tumour growth in an S1P-producing mouse model of angiogenic DLBCL. Our data define a potential role for S1P signalling in driving an angiogenic gene expression programme in the tumour vasculature of DLBCL and suggest novel opportunities to target S1P-mediated angiogenesis in patients with DLBCL.
Impaired autophagic degradation of lncRNA ARHGAP5-AS1 promotes chemoresistance in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhu Liyuan , Zhu Yiran , Han Shuting , Chen Miaoqin , Song Ping , Dai Dongjun , Xu Wenxia , Jiang Tingting , Feng Lifeng , Shin Vivian Y. , Wang Xian , Jin Hongchuan
Published: May 2019

Chemoresistance remains the uppermost disincentive for cancer treatment on account of many genetic and epigenetic alterations. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging players in promoting cancer initiation and progression. However, the regulation and function in chemoresistance are largely unknown. Herein, we identified ARHGAP5-AS1 as a lncRNA upregulated in chemoresistant gastric cancer cells and its knockdown reversed chemoresistance. Meanwhile, high ARHGAP5-AS1 expression was associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Intriguingly, its abundance is affected by autophagy and SQSTM1 is responsible for transporting ARHGAP5-AS1 to autophagosomes. Inhibition of autophagy in chemoresistant cells, thus, resulted in the upregulation of ARHGAP5-AS1. In turn, it activated the transcription of ARHGAP5 in the nucleus by directly interacting with ARHGAP5 promoter. Interestingly, ARHGAP5-AS1 also stabilized ARHGAP5 mRNA in the cytoplasm by recruiting METTL3 to stimulate m6A modification of ARHGAP5 mRNA. As a result, ARHGAP5 was upregulated to promote chemoresistance and its upregulation was also associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer. In summary, impaired autophagic degradation of lncRNA ARHGAP5-AS1 in chemoresistant cancer cells promoted chemoresistance. It can activate the transcription of ARHGAP5 in the nucleus and stimulate m6A modification of ARHGAP5 mRNA to stabilize ARHGAP5 mRNA in the cytoplasm by recruiting METTL3. Therefore, targeting ARHGAP5-AS1/ARHGAP5 axis might be a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance in gastric cancer.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: FABP4 contributes to renal interstitial fibrosis via mediating inflammation and lipid metabolism
Authors: Qiao Yujie , Liu Liping , Yin Lianhong , Xu Lina , Tang Zeyao , Qi Yan , Mao Zhang , Zhao Yanyan , Ma Xiaodong , Peng Jinyong
Published: May 2019

Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a subtype of fatty acid-binding protein family, shows critical roles in metabolism and inflammation. However, its roles on regulating renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) remain unclear. In this work, LPS-stimulated in vitro models on NRK-52E and NRK-49F cells, and in vivo UUO models in rats and mice were established. The results showed that comparing with control groups or sham groups, the expression levels of α-SMA, COL1A, COL3A, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated cells or UUO animals were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the levels of TC, TG, and free fatty acid were also significantly increased as well as the obvious lipid droplets, and the serum levels of BUN, Cr were significantly increased with large amounts of collagen deposition in renal tissues. Further investigation showed that compared with control groups or sham groups, the expression levels of FABP4 in LPS-stimulated cells and UUO animals were significantly increased, resulting in down- regulating the expression levels of PPARγ, upregulating the levels of p65 and ICAM-1, and decreasing the expression levels of ACADM, ACADL, SCP-2, CPT1, EHHADH, and ACOX1. To deeply explore the mechanism of FABP4 in RIF, FABP4 siRNA and inhibitor interfered cell models, and UUO model on FABP4 knockout (KO) mice were used. The results showed that the expression levels of α-SMA, COL1A, and COL3A were significantly decreased, the deposition of lipid droplets decreased, and the contents of TC, TG, and free fatty acids were significantly decreased after gene silencing. Meanwhile, the expression levels of PPAR-γ, ACADM, ACADL, SCP-2, CPT1, EHHADH, and ACOX1 were upregulated, the levels of p65 and ICAM-1 were downregulated, and the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased. Our results supported that FABP4 contributed to RIF via promoting inflammation and lipid metabolism, which should be considered as one new drug target to treat RIF.
TRPV4-induced inflammatory response is involved in neuronal death in pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy in mice
Authors: Wang Zhouqing , Zhou Li , An Dong , Xu Weixing , Wu Chunfeng , Sha Sha , Li Yingchun , Zhu Yichao , Chen Aidong , Du Yimei , Chen Lei , Chen Ling
Published: May 2019

Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) induces neuronal injury. TRPV4 activation enhances inflammatory response and promotes the proinflammatory cytokine release in various types of tissue and cells. Hyperneuroinflammation contributes to neuronal damage in epilepsy. Herein, we examined the contribution of neuroinflammation to TRPV4-induced neurotoxicity and its involvement in the inflammation and neuronal damage in pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy in mice. Icv. injection of TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A (GSK1016790A-injected mice) increased ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) protein levels and Iba-1-positive (Iba-1+) and GFAP-positive (GFAP+) cells in hippocampi, which indicated TRPV4-induced microglial cell and astrocyte activation. The protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome components NLRP3, apoptosis-related spotted protein (ASC) and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (caspase-1) were increased in GSK1016790A-injected mice, which indicated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. GSK1016790A also increased proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 protein levels, which were blocked by caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-cmk. GSK1016790A-induced neuronal death was attenuated by Ac-YVAD-cmk. Icv. injection of TRPV4-specific antagonist HC-067047 markedly increased the number of surviving cells 3 d post status epilepticus in pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy in mice (pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, PISE). HC-067047 also markedly blocked the increase in Iba-1 and GFAP protein levels, as well as Iba-1+ and GFAP+ cells 3 d post-PISE. Finally, the increased protein levels of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 as well as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were markedly blocked by HC-067047. We conclude that TRPV4-induced neuronal death is mediated at least partially by enhancing the neuroinflammatory response, and this action is involved in neuronal injury following status epilepticus.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 1-mediated phosphorylation of SET at serine 7 is essential for its oncogenic activity
Authors: Yin Ling , Zeng Yongji , Xiao Yi , Chen Yuanhong , Shen Hong , Dong Jixin
Published: May 2019

SE translocation (SET), an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), plays important roles in mitosis and possesses oncogenic activity in several types of cancer. However, little is known regarding its regulation. Here we reveal a novel phosphorylation site of SET isoform 1, and we have determined its biological significance in tumorigenesis. We found that the mitotic kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) phosphorylates SET isoform 1 in vitro and in vivo at serine 7 during antitubulin drug-induced mitotic arrest and normal mitosis. SET deletion resulted in massive multipolar spindles, chromosome misalignment and missegregation, and centrosome amplification during mitosis. Moreover, mitotic phosphorylation of SET isoform 1 is required for cell migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumorigenesis in xenograft animal models. We further documented that SET phosphorylation affects Akt activity. Collectively, our findings suggest that SET isoform 1 promotes oncogenesis in a mitotic phosphorylation-dependent manner.
Kappa chain maturation helps drive rapid development of an infant HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody lineage
Authors: Simonich Cassandra A. , Doepker Laura , Ralph Duncan , Williams James A. , Dhar Amrit , Yaffe Zak , Gentles Lauren , Small Christopher T. , Oliver Brian , Vigdorovich Vladimir , Mangala Prasad Vidya , Nduati Ruth , Sather D. Noah , Lee Kelly K. , Matsen IV Frederick A. , Overbaugh Julie
Published: May 2019

HIV-infected infants develop broadly neutralizing plasma responses with more rapid kinetics than adults, suggesting the ontogeny of infant responses could better inform a path to achievable vaccine targets. Here we reconstruct the developmental lineage of BF520.1, an infant-derived HIV-specific broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb), using computational methods developed specifically for this purpose. We find that the BF520.1 inferred naive precursor binds HIV Env. We also show that heterologous cross-clade neutralizing activity evolved in the infant within six months of infection and that, ultimately, only 2% SHM is needed to achieve the full breadth of the mature antibody. Mutagenesis and structural analyses reveal that, for this infant bnAb, substitutions in the kappa chain were critical for activity, particularly in CDRL1. Overall, the developmental pathway of this infant antibody includes features distinct from adult antibodies, including several that may be amenable to better vaccine responses.
miR-155 harnesses Phf19 to potentiate cancer immunotherapy through epigenetic reprogramming of CD8+ T cell fate
Authors: Ji Yun , Fioravanti Jessica , Zhu Wei , Wang Hongjun , Wu Tuoqi , Hu Jinhui , Lacey Neal E. , Gautam Sanjivan , Le Gall John B. , Yang Xia , Hocker James D. , Escobar Thelma M. , He Shan , Dell’Orso Stefania , Hawk Nga V. , Kapoor Veena , Telford William G. , Di Croce Luciano , Muljo Stefan A. , Zhang Yi , Sartorelli Vittorio , Gattinoni Luca
Published: May 2019

T cell senescence and exhaustion are major barriers to successful cancer immunotherapy. Here we show that miR-155 increases CD8+ T cell antitumor function by restraining T cell senescence and functional exhaustion through epigenetic silencing of drivers of terminal differentiation. miR-155 enhances Polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) activity indirectly by promoting the expression of the PRC2-associated factor Phf19 through downregulation of the Akt inhibitor, Ship1. Phf19 orchestrates a transcriptional program extensively shared with miR-155 to restrain T cell senescence and sustain CD8+ T cell antitumor responses. These effects rely on Phf19 histone-binding capacity, which is critical for the recruitment of PRC2 to the target chromatin. These findings establish the miR-155–Phf19–PRC2 as a pivotal axis regulating CD8+ T cell differentiation, thereby paving new ways for potentiating cancer immunotherapy through epigenetic reprogramming of CD8+ T cell fate.
Preclinical safety study of a combined therapeutic bone wound dressing for osteoarticular regeneration
Authors: Keller Laetitia , Pijnenburg Luc , Idoux-Gillet Ysia , Bornert Fabien , Benameur Laila , Tabrizian Maryam , Auvray Pierrick , Rosset Philippe , María Gonzalo-Daganzo Rosa , Gómez Barrena Enrique , Gentile Luca , Benkirane-Jessel Nadia
Published: May 2019

The extended life expectancy and the raise of accidental trauma call for an increase of osteoarticular surgical procedures. Arthroplasty, the main clinical option to treat osteoarticular lesions, has limitations and drawbacks. In this manuscript, we test the preclinical safety of the innovative implant ARTiCAR for the treatment of osteoarticular lesions. Thanks to the combination of two advanced therapy medicinal products, a polymeric nanofibrous bone wound dressing and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, the ARTiCAR promotes both subchondral bone and cartilage regeneration. In this work, the ARTiCAR shows 1) the feasibility in treating osteochondral defects in a large animal model, 2) the possibility to monitor non-invasively the healing process and 3) the overall safety in two animal models under GLP preclinical standards. Our data indicate the preclinical safety of ARTiCAR according to the international regulatory guidelines; the ARTiCAR could therefore undergo phase I clinical trial.
Host diet and evolutionary history explain different aspects of gut microbiome diversity among vertebrate clades
Authors: Youngblut Nicholas D. , Reischer Georg H. , Walters William , Schuster Nathalie , Walzer Chris , Stalder Gabrielle , Ley Ruth E. , Farnleitner Andreas H.
Published: May 2019

Multiple factors modulate microbial community assembly in the vertebrate gut, though studies disagree as to their relative contribution. One cause may be a reliance on captive animals, which can have very different gut microbiomes compared to their wild counterparts. To resolve this disagreement, we analyze a new, large, and highly diverse animal distal gut 16 S rRNA microbiome dataset, which comprises 80% wild animals and includes members of Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, and Actinopterygii. We decouple the effects of host evolutionary history and diet on gut microbiome diversity and show that each factor modulates different aspects of diversity. Moreover, we resolve particular microbial taxa associated with host phylogeny or diet and show that Mammalia have a stronger signal of cophylogeny. Finally, we find that environmental filtering and microbe-microbe interactions differ among host clades. These findings provide a robust assessment of the processes driving microbial community assembly in the vertebrate intestine.
Evaluation of lipid oxidation mechanisms in beverages and cosmetics via analysis of lipid hydroperoxide isomers
Authors: Ito Junya , Komuro Marina , Parida Isabella Supardi , Shimizu Naoki , Kato Shunji , Meguro Yasuhiro , Ogura Yusuke , Kuwahara Shigefumi , Miyazawa Teruo , Nakagawa Kiyotaka
Published: May 2019

Understanding of lipid oxidation mechanisms (e.g., auto-oxidation and photo-oxidation) in foods and cosmetics is deemed essential to maintain the quality of such products. In this study, the oxidation mechanisms in foods and cosmetics were evaluated through analysis of linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LAOOH) and linoleic acid ethyl ester hydroperoxide (ELAOOH) isomers. Based on our previous method for analysis of LAOOH isomers, in this study, we developed a new HPLC-MS/MS method that enables analysis of ELAOOH isomers. The HPLC-MS/MS methods to analyze LAOOH and ELOOH isomers were applied to food (liquor) and cosmetic (skin cream) samples. As a result, LAOOH and ELAOOH isomers specific to photo-oxidation, and ELAOOH isomers characteristic to auto-oxidation were detected in some marketed liquor samples, suggesting that lipid oxidation of marketed liquor proceeds by both photo- and auto-oxidation during the manufacturing process and/or sales. In contrast, because only LAOOH and ELAOOH isomers specific to auto-oxidation were detected in skin cream stored under dark at different temperatures (−5 °C–40 °C) for different periods (2–15 months), auto-oxidation was considered to be the major oxidation mechanism in such samples. Therefore, our HPLC-MS/MS methods appear to be powerful tools to elucidate lipid oxidation mechanisms in food and cosmetic products.
Contribution of frustules and mucilage trails to the mobility of diatom Navicula sp.
Authors: Chen Lei , Weng Ding , Du Chuan , Wang Jiadao , Cao Shan
Published: May 2019

The secreted mucilage trails of the diatom Navicula sp. in the process of motility were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectra etc. Contrary to previous studies, force measurement was taken directly on the mucilage trails of live cells using the method of in situ force mapping by AFM. The retraction force curve presented an increased tip-substrate peak and a small saw-tooth pattern tip-mucilage peak. Especially, same measurements on various substrates with different surface energy revealed that the mucilage trails actually functioned as a medium increasing the adhesive force between the diatom and substrates, which is crucial to diatom’s adhesion and locomotion. In addition, the mechanical properties of mucilage trails were quite different from mucilage strands in the maximum adhesive force and the maximum polymer extension length. Raman spectra indicated the difference in compositions that both of the two kinds of mucilages had proteins and polysaccharide, but the mucilage strands contained some other components with C=O, —CH2— and —CH3 asymmetric and symmetric stretches. This research hammers out more precise information about mucilage trails which would be useful in terms of diatom motility and biofouling prevention.
Structural and free energy landscape of novel mutations in ribosomal protein S1 (rpsA) associated with pyrazinamide resistance
Authors: Khan Muhammad Tahir , Khan Abbas , Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Wang Yanjie , Akhtar Khalid , Malik Shaukat Iqbal , Wei Dong-Qing
Published: May 2019

Resistance to key first-line drugs is a major hurdle to achieve the global end tuberculosis (TB) targets. A prodrug, pyrazinamide (PZA) is the only drug, effective in latent TB, recommended in drug resistance and susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates. The prodrug conversion into active form, pyrazinoic acid (POA), required the activity of pncA gene encoded pyrazinamidase (PZase). Although pncA mutations have been commonly associated with PZA resistance but a small number of resistance cases have been associated with mutationss in RpsA protein. Here in this study a total of 69 PZA resistance isolates have been sequenced for pncA mutations. However, samples that were found PZA resistant but pncA wild type (pncAWT), have been sequenced for rpsA and panD genes mutation. We repeated a drug susceptibility testing according to the WHO guidelines on 18 pncAWT MTB isolates. The rpsA and panD genes were sequenced. Out of total 69 PZA resistant isolates, 51 harbored 36 mutations in pncA gene (GeneBank Accession No. MH46111) while, fifteen different mutations including seven novel, were detected in the fourth S1 domain of RpsA known as C-terminal (MtRpsACTD) end. We did not detect any mutations in panD gene. Among the rpsA mutations, we investigated the molecular mechanism of resistance behind mutations, D342N, D343N, A344P, and I351F, present in the MtRpsACTD through molecular dynamic simulations (MD). WT showed a good drug binding affinity as compared to mutants (MTs), D342N, D343N, A344P, and I351F. Binding pocket volume, stability, and fluctuations have been altered whereas the total energy, protein folding, and geometric shape analysis further explored a significant variation between WT and MTs. In conclusion, mutations in MtRpsACTD might be involved to alter the RpsA activity, resulting in drug resistance. Such molecular mechanism behind resistance may provide a better insight into the resistance mechanism to achieve the global TB control targets.
Hydroboration of terminal olefins with pinacolborane catalyzed by new 2-iminopyrrolyl iron(ii) complexes
Authors: Cruz Tiago F. C. , Pereira Laura C. J. , Waerenborgh João C. , Veiros Luís F. , Gomes Pedro T.
Published: May 2019

New Fe(ii) mono(2-iminopyrrolyl) complexes catalyze the hydroboration of terminal olefins with pinacolborane via a borane oxidative addition pathway.
Hypoglycemic effects of wheat bran alkyresorcinols in high-fat/high-sucrose diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic male mice and protection of pancreatic β cells
Authors: Tu Jie , Liu Guanhui , Cao Xitao , Zhu Shuyun , Li Qiang , Ji Gengsheng , Han Yanhui , Xiao Hang
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the hypoglycemic effects of wheat bran alkyresorcinols were investigated in type 2 diabetes mellitus mice induced by a high-fat/high-sucrose diet combined with low dose streptozotocin.
Diastereoselective synthesis of bis(α-aminophosphonates) by lipase catalytic promiscuity
Authors: Aissa Rim , Guezane-Lakoud Samia , Kolodziej Emilie , Toffano Martial , Aribi-Zouioueche Louisa
Published: May 2019

New bis(α-aminophosphonates) were directly prepared with high diastereoselectivity by lipase catalytic promiscuity in the presence of immobilizedCandida antarcticalipase.
Functionalization of polyacrylamide for nanotrapping positively charged biomolecules
Authors: Davydova Nadejda , Rodriguez Xavier R. , Blázquez Carlos , Gómez Andrés , Perevyazko Igor , Guasch Judith , Sergeev Vladimir , Laukhina Elena , Ratera Imma , Veciana Jaume
Published: May 2019

Engineering new materials which are capable of trapping biomolecules in nanoscale quantities, is crucial in order to achieve earlier diagnostics in different diseases.
Radiation-grafted cation-exchange membranes: an initial ex situ feasibility study into their potential use in reverse electrodialysis
Authors: Willson Terry R. , Hamerton Ian , Varcoe John R. , Bance-Soualhi Rachida
Published: May 2019

A low resistance bis(vinylphenyl)ethane-crosslinked radiation-grafted cation-exchange membrane can achieve a permselectivity of >90%.
New insights into the breathing phenomenon in ZIF-4
Authors: Gandara-Loe Jesus , Missyul Alexander , Fauth François , Daemen Luke L. , Cheng Yongqiang Q. , Ramirez-Cuesta Anibal J. , Ravikovitch Peter I. , Silvestre-Albero Joaquin
Published: May 2019

The pufferfish effect in ZIF-4: synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction studies under operando conditions confirm that ZIF-4 experiences a breathing phenomenon above ∼30 kPa associated with a large expansion in the unit cell volume (∼8–9%). The presence of an expanded-pore (N2) ZIF-4 structure is predicted by molecular simulations.
Facile, one-pot, in aqua synthesis of catalytically competent gold nanoparticles using pyrogallol[4]arene as the sole reagent
Authors: Adhikari Laxmi , Larm Nathaniel E. , Wagle Durgesh V. , Atwood Jerry L. , Baker Gary A.
Published: May 2019

Rapid and facile synthesis of macrocycle-capped gold nanoparticles employing pyrogallol[4]arenes as a dual-role reducing and stabilizing agent.
A general and practical Ni-catalyzed C–H perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes
Authors: Zhang Shaoke , Rotta-Loria Nicolas , Weniger Florian , Rabeah Jabor , Neumann Helfried , Taeschler Christoph , Beller Matthias
Published: May 2019

A direct perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes using the air- and moisture-stable complex (dppf)Ni(o-tol)Cl was developed (23 examples) which allows for the synthesis of various fluorinated products and tolerates sensitive functional groups including aldehydes, free amino groups and several heterocycles.
Direct oxidative dearomatization of indoles: access to structurally diverse 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones
Authors: Liu Xigong , Yan Xue , Tang Yingde , Jiang Cheng-Shi , Yu Jin-Hai , Wang Kaiming , Zhang Hua
Published: May 2019

Described is an efficient oxidative dearomatization of indoles with TEMPO oxoammonium salt and a broad range of nucleophiles.
A zinc(ii) metal–organic framework with high affinity for CO2 based on triazole and tetrazolyl benzene carboxylic acid
Authors: Sheng Donghai , Zhang Ying , Han Yang , Xu Guang , Song Qingxiang , Hu Yanping , Liu Xiangyun , Shan Dongming , Cheng Achao
Published: May 2019

A new metal–organic framework {[Zn2(Htzba)2(dmtrz)]·(CH3)2NH}n (1) has already been solvothermally synthesized that exhibits a high CO2 uptake capacity.
Sequential and recyclable sensing of Fe3+ and ascorbic acid in water with a terbium(iii)-based metal–organic framework
Authors: Wu Ke-Yang , Qin Liang , Fan Cheng , Cai Shao-Lan , Zhang Ting-Ting , Chen Wen-Hua , Tang Xiao-Yan , Chen Jin-Xiang
Published: May 2019

A 3D Tb(iii)-based metal–organic framework has been synthesized as a luminescent sensor for the selective and reversible detection of Fe3+ and ascorbic acid in water. Such sensing event showed good potential in biologically relevant applications.
Phosphine-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles as P,C- and P,N-ligands for photoluminescent coinage metal complexes
Authors: Seifert Tim P. , Bestgen Sebastian , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Lebedkin Sergei , Krämer Felix , Fengler Christian , Gamer Michael T. , Kappes Manfred M. , Roesky Peter W.
Published: May 2019

A series of homo- and hetero-polynuclear coinage metal complexes based on a phosphine-substituted 1,2,3-triazole system was synthesized.
Photo-induced charge separation in hydroxycoumarins on TiO2 and F–TiO2
Authors: Gao Yunlong , Lockart Molly , Kispert Lowell D. , Bowman Michael K.
Published: May 2019

Efficiency of charge separation in a dye on a semiconductor increases when the dye acts as a H-bond donor.
Studies of hysteresis and quantum tunnelling of the magnetisation in dysprosium(iii) single molecule magnets
Authors: Ortu Fabrizio , Reta Daniel , Ding You-Song , Goodwin Conrad A. P. , Gregson Matthew P. , McInnes Eric J. L. , Winpenny Richard E. P. , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Liddle Stephen T. , Mills David P. , Chilton Nicholas F.
Published: May 2019

We report a study of quantum tunneling of the magnetisation in three Dy(iii) single-molecule magnets.
Editorial Perspectives: could water fingerprinting help with community-wide health assessment?
Authors: Kasprzyk-Hordern Barbara
Published: May 2019

Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern discusses the potential of urban water fingerprinting for public health diagnostics in this ‘Editorial Perspective’ for Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology.
Doping of epitaxial graphene by direct incorporation of nickel adatoms
Authors: Carnevali Virginia , Patera Laerte L. , Prandini Gianluca , Jugovac Matteo , Modesti Silvio , Comelli Giovanni , Peressi Maria , Africh Cristina
Published: May 2019

Ni adatoms incorporated in epitaxial graphene during growth on Ni(111) are identified by scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations.
Visible-light-induced decarboxylative sulfonylation of cinnamic acids with sodium sulfinates by using Merrifield resin supported Rose Bengal as a catalyst
Authors: Li Pinhua , Wang Guan-Wu
Published: May 2019

An efficient resin-supported RB catalyst was prepared for the visible-light-induced decarboxylative sulfonylation of cinnamic acids with sodium sulfinates.
Structural phase transition and dielectric anisotropy properties of a lead-free organic–inorganic hybrid
Authors: Yang Tao , Teng Bing , Han Shiguo , Li Maofan , Xu Zhiyun , Li Yaobin , Liu Yi , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: May 2019

We presented a new inorganic–organic hybrid compound, which exhibits phase transition and dielectric anisotropy properties.
Influence of multiple environmental factors on the quality and flavor of watermelon juice
Authors: Liu Ye , Song Huanlu , Yang Xiao , He Congcong
Published: May 2019

Environmental factors (heat, pH, oxygen, light) can induce significant quality changes in watermelon juice during processing.
Probing the glass transition in reversible cross-linked polymer composites
Authors: Peng Yong-jin , Cai Chen-ting , Wang Chang-jun , Zuo Zhong-fu , Liu Xue-zheng
Published: May 2019

Understanding the nature of glass transition is still a great challenge.
Computational characterization of the structural and mechanical properties of nanoporous titania
Authors: Xu Ziwei , Zhang Li , Wang Lin , Zuo Jie , Yang Mingli
Published: May 2019

Nanoporous titania is one of the most commonly used biomaterials with good biocompatibility and mechanical strength.
Correction: Large-scale and fast synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatite powder by a microwave-hydrothermal method
Authors: Cai Zhengwei , Wang Xinyu , Zhang Zongrui , Han Yingchao , Luo Jing , Huang Mingzheng , Zhang BoWen , Hou Yuanjing
Published: May 2019

Correction for ‘Large-scale and fast synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatite powder by a microwave-hydrothermal method’ by Zhengwei Cai et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 13623–13630.
H-Bond donor parameters for cations
Authors: Pike Sarah J. , Lavagnini Ennio , Varley Lisa M. , Cook Joanne L. , Hunter Christopher A.
Published: May 2019

Parameters that provide a quantitative description of the free energy of interaction of cations with any H-bond acceptor in any solvent have been experimentally determined.
Identification of potential sialic acid binding proteins on cell membranes by proximity chemical labeling
Authors: Li Qiongyu , Xie Yixuan , Xu Gege , Lebrilla Carlito B.
Published: May 2019

A “protein oxidation of sialic acid environments” (POSE) mapping tool is developed for sialic acid binding protein discovery.
Temperature-dependent interchromophoric interaction in a fluorescent pyrene-based metal–organic framework
Authors: Gładysiak Andrzej , Nguyen Tu N. , Bounds Richard , Zacharia Anna , Itskos Grigorios , Reimer Jeffrey A. , Stylianou Kyriakos C.
Published: May 2019

Variable temperature experiments revealed that the fluorescent emission colour of the pyrene-basedSION-7changes from blue at 80 K to yellow-green at 450 K.
Measuring proteins in H2O with 2D-IR spectroscopy
Authors: Hume Samantha , Hithell Gordon , Greetham Gregory M. , Donaldson Paul M. , Towrie Michael , Parker Anthony W. , Baker Matthew J. , Hunt Neil T.
Published: May 2019

2D-IR spectroscopy is used to measure protein amide I bands in water, avoiding the need for deuteration. We show that H/D exchange affects protein vibrational relaxation dynamics and that the ability to perform 2D-IR in water enables blood serum protein analysis.
In situ growth of perovskite stacking layers for high-efficiency carbon-based hole conductor free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Jianhua , Zhou Qisen , Thein Nan Kyi , Tian Lei , Jia Donglin , Johansson Erik M. J. , Zhang Xiaoliang
Published: May 2019

An additional perovskite stacking layer is in situ grown on the top of a perovskite layer forming a perovskite stacking structure to improve the interfacial properties at the perovskite/carbon electrode interface.
Exploration of the sodium ion ordered transfer mechanism in a MoSe2@Graphene composite for superior rate and lifespan performance
Authors: Fan Hai-Ning , Zhang Qi , Gu Qin-Fen , Li Yang , Luo Wen-Bin , Liu Hua-Kun
Published: May 2019

A combination of a sodium ion storage mechanism and an ordered transfer mechanism is proposed in different voltage windows.
MXene Ti3C2Tx for phase change composite with superior photothermal storage capability
Authors: Fan Xiaoqiao , Liu Lu , Jin Xin , Wang Wentao , Zhang Shufen , Tang Bingtao
Published: May 2019

A novel composite PCM was facilely synthesized, which exhibited enhanced absorption peaks at visible and near-infrared region, and the photothermal conversion and storage efficiency was outstanding under simulated and actual sunlight irradiation.
Identification of endogenous migratory MSC-like cells and their interaction with the implant materials guiding osteochondral defect repair
Authors: Chen Yafang , Ma Mengcheng , Cao Hongfu , Wang Yuxiang , Xu Yang , Teng Yingying , Sun Yong , Liang Jie , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: May 2019

Abundant BMSCs and MSC-like cells move up to the defect area and interact with the implant materials, guiding the osteochondral defect repair.
Low-temperature cross-linking of polyethyleneimine ethoxylated using silane coupling agents to obtain stable electron injection layers in solution-processed organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Ohisa Satoru , Takashima Dai , Chiba Takayuki , Kido Junji
Published: May 2019

Cross-linking of polyethyleneimine ethoxylated using silane coupling agents improved the stability of organic light-emitting devices.
In situ boost and reversible modulation of dual-mode photoluminescence under an electric field in a tape-casting-based Er-doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3 laminar ceramic
Authors: Lin Jinfeng , Lu Qiling , Wu Xiao , Sun Hailing , Lin Cong , Lin Tengfei , Xue Kan-Hao , Miao Xiangshui , Sa Baisheng , Sun Zhimei
Published: May 2019

Er-doping in KNN brings local inhomogenous chemical bonding environment and in situ electric field-induced reversible modulations of dual-mode PL.
An enhanced energy migration strategy in upconverting nanocrystals: color-tuning with high quantum yield
Authors: Hudry Damien , Busko Dmitry , Popescu Radian , Gerthsen Dagmar , Howard Ian A. , Richards Bryce S.
Published: May 2019

An innovative energy migration strategy is described for efficient color-control in upconverting nanocrystals through the modification of geometrical parameters only.
A thermally stable narrow-band green-emitting phosphor MgAl2O4:Mn2+for wide color gamut backlight display application
Authors: Song E. H. , Zhou Y. Y. , Wei Y. , Han X. X. , Tao Z. R. , Qiu R. L. , Xia Z. G. , Zhang Q. Y.
Published: May 2019

A stable narrow-band green phosphor MgAl2O4:Mn2+peaking at 525 nm with a full-width at half-maximum of 35 nm and a quantum efficiency of 45% upon 450 nm blue-light excitation is demonstrated, and which has good promising for wide color gamut backlight display.
Strong thickness-dependent quantum confinement in all-inorganic perovskite Cs2PbI4with a Ruddlesden–Popper structure
Authors: Ding Yu-Feng , Zhao Qian-Qi , Yu Zhuo-Liang , Zhao Yu-Qing , Liu Biao , He Peng-Bin , Zhou Hong , Li KenLi , Yin Shuang-Feng , Cai Meng-Qiu
Published: May 2019

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) organic–inorganic perovskites have been attracting considerable attention because of their unique performance and enhanced stability for photovoltaic solar cells or photoluminescent devices.
Biochemical and structural investigation of taurine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase from Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense
Authors: Li Mengya , Wei Yifeng , Yin Jinyu , Lin Lianyun , Zhou Yan , Hua Gaoqun , Cao Peng , Ang Ee Lui , Zhao Huimin , Yuchi Zhiguang , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2019

Taurine aminotransferases catalyze the first step in taurine catabolism in many taurine-degrading bacteria and play an important role in bacterial taurine metabolism in the mammalian gut. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterization of a new taurine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase from the human gut bacterium Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense (BkToa). Biochemical assays revealed high specificity of BkToa for 2-oxoglutarate as the amine acceptor. The crystal structure of BkToa in complex with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and glutamate was determined at 2.7 Å resolution. The enzyme forms a homodimer, with each monomer exhibiting a typical type I PLP-enzyme fold and conserved PLP-coordinating residues interacting with the PLP molecule. Two glutamate molecules are bound in sites near the predicted active site and they may occupy a path for substrate entry and product release. Molecular docking reveals a role for active site residues Trp21 and Arg156, conserved in Toa enzymes studied to date, in interacting with the sulfonate group of taurine. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the close homologs of BkToa are also present in other anaerobic gut bacteria.
Vascular biomedicine in an era of chronic disease and multimorbidity
Authors: Currie Gemma , Delles Christian
Published: May 2019

It is increasingly common that patients present with more than one disease and that diseases are chronic in nature. Cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, heart failure and stroke, renal diseases and cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes are prime examples of chronic diseases which pose major challenges in contemporary healthcare provision. The complex features of multimorbidity call for precision medicine approaches that take comorbidity and chronicity into account. The research basis of chronic disease and multimorbidity, however, is currently in its infancy. This applies to all domains including basic, translational and clinical science. In this article we call for development of new models, smarter use of existing models and better characterisation of vascular and cardiovascular phenotypes in studies not directly related to cardiovascular diseases. This has the potential to further improve the quality of translational research, papers in journals such as Clinical Science and ultimately translate into better patient care.
Pspan: A New Tool for Assessing Pitch Temporal Processing and Patterning Capacity
Authors: Weaver Aurora J. , DiGiovanni Jeffrey J. , Ries Dennis T.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether merging the clinical pitch pattern test procedure with psychoacoustic adaptive methods would create a new tool feasible to capture individual differences in pitch temporal processing and patterning capacity of children and adults.

Method

Sixty-six individuals, young children (ages 10–12 years,
n
= 22), older children (ages 13–15 years,
n
= 23), and adults (ages 18–33 years,
n
= 21), were recruited and assigned to subgroups based on reported duration (years) of instrumental music instruction. Additional background information was collected in order to assess if the pitch temporal processing and patterning span developed, the Pspan, was sensitive to individual differences across participants.

Results

The evaluation of the Pspan task as a scale indicated good parallel reliability across runs assessed by Cronbach's alpha, and scores were normally distributed. Between-subjects analysis of variance indicated main effects for both age groups and music groups recruited for the study. A multiple regression analysis with the Pspan scores as the dependent variable found that 3 measures of music instruction, age in years, and paternal education were predictive of enhanced temporal processing and patterning capacity for pitch input.

Conclusions

The outcomes suggest that the Pspan task is a time-efficient data collection tool that is sensitive to the duration of instrumental music instruction, maturation, and paternal education. In addition, results indicate that the task is sensitive to age-related auditory temporal processing and patterning performance changes during adolescence when children are 10–15 years old.
Two to Tango or the More the Merrier? A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Group Size in Aphasia Conversation Treatment on Standardized Tests
Authors: DeDe Gayle , Hoover Elizabeth , Maas Edwin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Group conversation treatment has the potential to improve communication and reduce social isolation for people with aphasia. This project examined how 2 conflicting hypotheses—treatment dosage and group dynamics—affect treatment outcomes.

Method

Forty-eight participants with chronic aphasia were randomly assigned to either a dyad, a large group, or a delayed control group. Conversation group treatment was provided for an hour, twice per week, for 10 weeks. Individual goals were developed by each participant and addressed in the context of thematically oriented conversation treatment. Standardized testing across language domains was completed pretreatment (Time 1), posttreatment (Time 2), at a 6-week maintenance point (Time 3), and at 11-month follow-up for the experimental groups.

Results

Treatment groups showed greater changes on standardized measures than the control group posttreatment. Dyads showed the most changes on measures of language impairment, whereas changes on the self-reported functional communication measure (Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure) and connected speech task only showed significant changes in the large group.

Conclusions

This randomized controlled trial on conversation treatment indicated that both treatment groups—but not the delayed control group—showed significant changes on standardized tests. Hence, conversation treatment is associated with changes in measures of language impairment and quality of life. Dyads showed the most changes on measures of language impairment, whereas changes on the functional communication measure (Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure) and discourse production only showed significant changes in the large group. Thus, group size may be associated with effects on different types of outcome measures.
Model matching and fault‐tolerant control of switched asynchronous sequential machines with transient faults
Authors: Yang Jung‐Min , Kwak Seong Woo
Published: May 2019

Switched asynchronous sequential machines (ASMs) are endowed with inherent fault‐tolerance capability. This study presents model matching and fault‐tolerant control of switched ASMs based on corrective control theory. The objective is to design a corrective controller that matches the stable‐state behaviour of the closed‐loop system to that of a reference model while overcoming all transient faults infiltrating into the machine. In particular, the proposed control scheme can invalidate not only transient faults causing unauthorised state transitions in single submachine, but also those ones invoking unwanted switching operations between submachines. The existence condition and design procedure for a fault‐tolerant corrective controller is addressed in the framework of corrective control. For experimental verification, the proposed scheme is applied to the read‐only memory controller for on‐board computers implemented on a field programmable gate array system.
Three‐dimensional fusion of clustered and classified features for enhancement of liver and lesions from abdominal radiology images
Authors: P Sreeja , S Hariharan
Published: May 2019

Medical images usually are of low contrast in nature and have poor visual perception capability. Image enhancement techniques can improve significant features such as edge, texture and contrast which are helpful for further processing. This study discusses an image fusion‐based enhancement scheme suitable for enhancing liver and lesions from abdominal radiology images. Apart from other fusion techniques, feature‐based fusion is employed. The pixel‐wise features selected are intensity values, gradient magnitude and local homogeneity. These pixel‐wise features are clustered and classified using fuzzy C means (FCMs) and support vector machine (SVM), respectively. FCM clusters pixel‐wise features into foreground and background, edge and non‐edge as well as homogeneous and non‐homogeneous regions. These two classes are applied for training and testing the SVM. The classifier output is transformed into images and the pixel‐wise features of these images are fused to form a new image. Another important aspect of this scheme is the fusion of pixel‐wise features in three dimensions to form a new image. The resulting image is an RGB image having better visual perception capacity having both enhancement in edge and texture. Pixel level multi‐dimensional fusion is capable of enhancing the maximum relevant information.
Fatigue driving detection model based on multi‐feature fusion and semi‐supervised active learning
Authors: Li Xu , Hong Lin , Wang Jian‐chun , Liu Xiang
Published: May 2019

Fatigue driving is one of the main factors of traffic accidents and there are many research efforts focusing on fatigue driving detection. With the extensive use of on‐board sensors, a huge number of unlabelled driving data can be easily collected, however, it is a costly and laborious work to annotate semantic labels for these data manually, posing some difficulties to detect fatigue driving with these data. In this work, the authors propose a novel fatigue driving detection model based on multi‐feature fusion and semi‐supervised active learning. In the authors’ model, the steering features of the vehicle and the facial features of the driver are fused to improve the accuracy and stability of the model. Semi‐supervised active learning algorithm allows us to make semantic labels for only a small number of data that can be propagated to the rest data, and help us establish an efficient fatigue driving detection model with automatic label propagation. Some experiments are conducted to validate their model, the results show that the accuracy is 86.25%, which proves the effectiveness of the fatigue driving detection model.