bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Following laser induced changes of plant phenylpropanoids by Raman microscopy
Authors: Prats-Mateu Batirtze , Bock Peter , Schroffenegger Martina , Toca-Herrera José Luis , Gierlinger Notburga
Published: August 2018

Raman microscopy is a powerful imaging technique for biological materials providing information about chemistry in context with microstructure. A 532 nm laser is often used as excitation source, because high spatial resolution and signal intensity can be achieved. The latter can be controlled by laser power and integration time, whereby high power and long times give good signal to noise ratio. However, most biological materials absorb in the VIS range and fluorescence masking the signal or even sample degradation might be hindering. Here, we show that on lignified plant cell walls even very short integration times and low laser powers induce a change in the ratio of the lignin bands at 1660 and 1600 cm−1. Time series on lignin model compounds revealed this change only in aromatic molecules with two OH-groups, such as coniferyl alcohol. Therefore, we conclude that monolignols are present in the cell wall and responsible for the observed effect. The solvent selectivity of the changes points to a laser induced polymerization process. The results emphasize how crucial careful adjustment of experimental parameters in Raman imaging of biological materials is and show the potential of time series and repeated imaging to get additional insights (e.g. monolignols).
Maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) of Primary Tumor Predicts Occult Neck Metastasis in Oral Cancer
Authors: Morand Grégoire B. , Vital Domenic G. , Kudura Ken , Werner Jonas , Stoeckli Sandro. J. , Huber Gerhard F. , Huellner Martin W.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictability of occult lymph node metastasis using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the primary tumor on pre-treatment 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography FDG-PET in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients who were clinically node negative (cN0) before surgery. A retrospective analysis of all patients treated at the University Hospital Zurich from 2007 to 2016 for OSCC with available pre-therapeutic FDG-PET was performed. We assessed the correlation of SUVmax of the primary tumors with the presence of occult nodal disease in the neck dissection specimen (pN+). The study included a total of 71 patients. In the nodal negative group (cN0/pN0), the median SUVmax of primary tumors was 9.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 7.4–13.9), while it was 11.4 (IQR 9.9–15.7) in the occult metastatic group (cN0/pN+). The difference was statistically significant (independent samples median test, P = 0.037). In a multivariable model, the only independent predictor of occult metastatic disease for cN0 patients was a SUVmax ≥ 9.5 (P = 0.028). Further, primary tumors with SUVmax ≥ 9.5 had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence (Log rank test, P = 0.020). In conclusion, we showed that higher SUVmax (≥9.5) of the primary tumor is associated with higher occurrence of occult metastatic nodal disease and worse local survival. High SUVmax of the primary tumor may encourage clinicians towards more aggressive treatment.
Y1 receptor deficiency in β-cells leads to increased adiposity and impaired glucose metabolism
Authors: Loh Kim , Shi Yan-Chuan , Bensellam Mohammed , Lee Kailun , Laybutt D. Ross , Herzog Herbert
Published: August 2018

Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is critical for maintaining glucose homeostasis and deregulation of circulating insulin levels is associated with the development of metabolic diseases. While many factors have been implicated in the stimulation of insulin secretion, the mechanisms that subsequently reduce insulin secretion remain largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate that mice with β-cell specific ablation of the Y1 receptor exhibit significantly upregulated serum insulin levels associated with increased body weight and adiposity. Interestingly, when challenged with a high fat diet these β-cell specific Y1-deficient mice also develop hyperglycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance. This is most likely due to enhanced hepatic lipid synthesis, resulting in an increase of lipid accumulation in the liver. Together, our study demonstrates that Y1 receptor signaling negatively regulates insulin release, and pharmacological inhibition of Y1 receptor signalling for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes should be taken into careful consideration.
Expression, purification, and characterization of biologically active full-length Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) Pr78Gag
Authors: Pitchai Fathima Nuzra Nagoor , Ali Lizna , Pillai Vineeta Narayana , Chameettachal Akhil , Ashraf Syed Salman , Mustafa Farah , Marquet Roland , Rizvi Tahir Aziz
Published: August 2018

MPMV precursor polypeptide Pr78Gag orchestrates assembly and packaging of genomic RNA (gRNA) into virus particles. Therefore, we have expressed recombinant full-length Pr78Gag either with or without His6-tag in bacterial as well as eukaryotic cultures and purified the recombinant protein from soluble fractions of the bacterial cultures. The recombinant Pr78Gag protein has the intrinsic ability to assemble in vitro to form virus like particles (VLPs). Consistent with this observation, the recombinant protein could form VLPs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. VLPs formed in eukaryotic cells by recombinant Pr78Gag with or without His6-tag can encapsidate MPMV transfer vector RNA, suggesting that the inclusion of the His6-tag to the full-length Pr78Gag did not interfere with its expression or biological function. This study demonstrates the expression and purification of a biologically active, recombinant Pr78Gag, which should pave the way to study RNA-protein interactions involved in the MPMV gRNA packaging process.
Author Correction: Assembly and Analysis of Unmapped Genome Sequence Reads Reveal Novel Sequence and Variation in Dogs
Authors: Holden Lindsay A. , Arumilli Meharji , Hytönen Marjo K. , Hundi Sruthi , Salojärvi Jarkko , Brown Kim H. , Lohi Hannes
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Particle slip velocity influences inertial focusing of particles in curved microchannels
Authors: Deshpande Saurabh , Tallapragada Phanindra
Published: August 2018

Size based separation and identification of particles in microfluidics through purely hydrodynamic means has gained significant interest due to a number of possible biomedical applications. Curved micro-channels, particularly spiral micro-channels with rectangular cross-section and the dynamics of particles in such channels have been extensively researched to achieve size based separation of particles. In this paper we present evidence that sheds new light on the dynamics of particles in such curved channels; that a unique particle slip velocity is associated with the focusing positions in the cross sections, which leads to a balance of forces. Our experiments therefore imply that the forces acting on the particle lead to convergence to an attractor in both the physical space (the cross section of the channel) and the slip velocity space.
An Integrated Local Classification Model of Predicting Drug-Drug Interactions via Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence
Authors: Shi Jian-Yu , Shang Xue-Qun , Gao Ke , Zhang Shao-Wu , Yiu Siu-Ming
Published: August 2018

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may trigger adverse drug reactions, which endanger the patients. DDI identification before making clinical medications is critical but bears a high cost in clinics. Computational approaches, including global model-based and local model based, are able to screen DDI candidates among a large number of drug pairs by utilizing preliminary characteristics of drugs (e.g. drug chemical structure). However, global model-based approaches are usually slow and don’t consider the topological structure of DDI network, while local model-based approaches have the degree-induced bias that a new drug tends to link to the drug having many DDI. All of them lack an effective ensemble method to combine results from multiple predictors. To address the first two issues, we propose a local classification-based model (LCM), which considers the topology of DDI network and has the relaxation of the degree-induced bias. Furthermore, we design a novel supervised fusion rule based on the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence (LCM-DS), which aggregates the results from multiple LCMs. To make the final prediction, LCM-DS integrates three aspects from multiple classifiers, including the posterior probabilities output by individual classifiers, the proximity between their instance decision profiles and their reference profiles, as well as the quality of their reference profiles. Last, the substantial comparison with three state-of-the-art approaches demonstrates the effectiveness of our LCM, and the comparison with both individual LCM implementations and classical fusion algorithms exhibits the superiority of our LCM-DS.
Thermal and impact histories of 25143 Itokawa recorded in Hayabusa particles
Authors: Terada K. , Sano Y. , Takahata N. , Ishida A. , Tsuchiyama A. , Nakamura T. , Noguchi T. , Karouji Y. , Uesugi M. , Yada T. , Nakabayashi M. , Fukuda K. , Nagahara H.
Published: August 2018

Understanding the origin and evolution of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is an issue of scientific interest and practical importance because NEAs are potentially hazardous to the Earth. However, when and how NEAs formed and their evolutionary history remain enigmas. Here, we report the U-Pb systematics of Itokawa particles for the first time. Ion microprobe analyses of seven phosphate grains from a single particle provide an isochron age of 4.64 ± 0.18 billion years (1σ). This ancient phosphate age is thought to represent the thermal metamorphism of Itokawa’s parent body, which is identical to that of typical LL chondrites. In addition, the incorporation of other particles suggests that a significant shock event might have occurred 1.51 ± 0.85 billion years ago (1σ), which is significantly different from the shock ages of 4.2 billion years of the majority of shocked LL chondrites and similar to that of the Chelyabinsk meteorite. Combining these data with recent Ar-Ar studies on particles from a different landing site, we conclude that a globally intense impact, possibly a catastrophic event, occurred ca. 1.4 Ga ago. This conclusion enables us to establish constraints on the timescale of asteroid disruption frequency, the validity of the crater chronology and the mean lifetime of small NEAs.
Direct compression of 170-fs 50-cycle pulses down to 1.5 cycles with 70% transmission
Authors: Jeong Young-Gyun , Piccoli Riccardo , Ferachou Denis , Cardin Vincent , Chini Michael , Hädrich Steffen , Limpert Jens , Morandotti Roberto , Légaré François , Schmidt Bruno E. , Razzari Luca
Published: August 2018

We present a straightforward route for extreme pulse compression, which relies on moderately driving self-phase modulation (SPM) over an extended propagation distance. This avoids that other detrimental nonlinear mechanisms take over and deteriorate the SPM process. The long propagation is obtained by means of a hollow-core fiber (HCF), up to 6 m in length. This concept is potentially scalable to TW pulse peak powers at kW average power level. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate 33-fold pulse compression of a 1 mJ, 6 kHz, 170 fs Yb laser down to 5.1 fs (1.5 cycles at 1030 nm), by employing a single HCF and subsequent chirped mirrors with an overall transmission of 70%.
Course and characteristics of work disability 3 years before and after lumbar spine decompression surgery– a national population-based study
Authors: Dorner Thomas E. , Helgesson Magnus , Nilsson Kerstin , Pazarlis Konstantinos A. , Ropponen Annina , Svedberg Pia , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor
Published: August 2018

Despite decompression surgery being a widespread intervention for patients with dorsopathies (i.e. back pain) affecting the lumbar spine, the scientific knowledge on patterns and characteristics of work disability before and after the surgery is limited. Sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) were examined three years before and after surgery in 8558 patients aged 25–60 years who underwent lumbar spine decompression surgery in Sweden. They were compared to individuals with diagnosed dorsopathies but no surgery and individuals from the general population as matched comparison groups. According to Group Based Trajectory models, in patients with decompression surgery, 39% had low levels of SA/DP during the entire study period and 15% started with low levels of SA/DP, which increased in the year before, and declined to almost zero in the second year after surgery. Three trajectory groups (12%, 17%, and 18%) started at different levels of SA/DP, which increased in the years before, and declined in the third year after surgery. The trajectory groups in the comparison groups showed lower levels of work disability. Sex, education, and the use of antidepressants and analgesics the year before surgery played an important role to explain the variance of trajectory groups in patients with surgery.
Intestinal regulation of suppression of tumorigenicity 14 (ST14) and serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type -1 (SPINT1) by transcription factor CDX2
Authors: Danielsen E. Thomas , Olsen Anders Krüger , Coskun Mehmet , Nonboe Annika W. , Larsen Sylvester , Dahlgaard Katja , Bennett Eric Paul , Mitchelmore Cathy , Vogel Lotte Katrine , Troelsen Jesper Thorvald
Published: August 2018

The type II membrane-anchored serine protease, matriptase, encoded by suppression of tumorgenicity-14 (ST14) regulates the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier in concert with its inhibitor, HAI-1 encoded by serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type -1 (SPINT1). The balance of the protease/inhibitor gene expression ratio is vital in preventing the oncogenic potential of matriptase. The intestinal cell lineage is regulated by a transcriptional regulatory network where the tumor suppressor, Caudal homeobox 2 (CDX2) is considered to be an intestinal master transcription factor. In this study, we show that CDX2 has a dual function in regulating both ST14 and SPINT1, gene expression in intestinal cells. We find that CDX2 is not required for the basal ST14 and SPINT1 gene expression; however changes in CDX2 expression affects the ST14/SPINT1 mRNA ratio. Exploring CDX2 ChIP-seq data from intestinal cell lines, we identified genomic CDX2-enriched enhancer elements for both ST14 and SPINT1, which regulate their corresponding gene promoter activity. We show that CDX2 displays both repressive and enhancing regulatory abilities in a cell specific manner. Together, these data reveal new insight into transcriptional mechanisms controlling the intestinal matriptase/inhibitor balance.
Next-generation amplicon sequencing identifies genetically diverse human astroviruses, including recombinant strains, in environmental waters
Authors: Hata Akihiko , Kitajima Masaaki , Haramoto Eiji , Lee Suntae , Ihara Masaru , Gerba Charles P. , Tanaka Hiroaki
Published: August 2018

Human astroviruses are associated with gastroenteritis and known to contaminate water environments. Three different genetic clades of astroviruses are known to infect humans and each clade consists of diverse strains. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of astrovirus strains in water samples in different geographical locations, i.e., influent and effluent wastewater samples (n = 24 each) in Arizona, U.S., and groundwater (n = 37) and river water (n = 14) samples collected in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, using next-generation amplicon sequencing. Astrovirus strains including rare types (types 6 and 7 classical human astroviruses), emerging type (type 5 VA-astroviruses), and putative recombinants were identified. Feline astrovirus strains were collaterally identified and recombination between human and feline astroviruses was suggested. Classical- and VA-astroviruses seemed to be prevalent during cooler months, while MLB-astroviruses were identified only during warmer months. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of next-generation amplicon sequencing for identification and characterization of genetically diverse astrovirus strains in environmental water.
First evidence of the presence and activity of archaeal C3 group members in an Atlantic intertidal mudflat
Authors: Lavergne Céline , Hugoni Mylène , Dupuy Christine , Agogué Hélène
Published: August 2018

The phylogenetic assignment of archaeal communities is constantly evolving, and the recent discovery of new phyla that grouped into superphyla has provided novel insights into archaeal ecology and evolution in ecosystems. In intertidal sediments, archaea are known to be involved in key functional processes such as organic matter turnover, but the ecological relevance of the rarest archaeal groups is poorly investigated, due partly to the lack of cultivated members. The high resolution of microbial diversity provided by high-throughput sequencing technologies now allows the rare biosphere to be described. In this work, we focused on the archaeal C3 group, showing that this phylum is not only present (at the DNA level) independently of sediment depth but also active (at the RNA level) in specific sediment niches depending on vertical physicochemical gradients. Moreover, we highlight the ambiguous phylogenetic affiliation of this group, indicating the need of further research to get new insights into the role of the C3 group.
Reversine inhibits Colon Carcinoma Cell Migration by Targeting JNK1
Authors: Jemaà Mohamed , Abassi Yasmin , Kifagi Chamseddine , Fezai Myriam , Daams Renée , Lang Florian , Massoumi Ramin
Published: August 2018

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Metastasis is the leading reason for the resultant mortality of these patients. Accordingly, development and characterization of novel anti-cancer drugs limiting colorectal tumor cell dissemination and metastasis are needed. In this study, we found that the small molecule Reversine reduces the migration potential of human colon carcinoma cells in vitro. A coupled kinase assay with bio-informatics approach identified the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) cascade as the main pathway inhibited by Reversine. Knockdown experiments and pharmacological inhibition identified JNK1 but not JNK2, as a downstream effector target in cancer cell migration. Xenograft experiments confirm the effect of JNK inhibition in the metastatic potential of colon cancer cells. These results highlight the impact of individual JNK isoforms in cancer cell metastasis and propose Reversine as a novel anti-cancer molecule for treatment of colon cancer patients.
Transition processes of a static multilevel atom in the cosmic string spacetime with a conducting plane boundary
Authors: Cai Huabing , Ren Zhongzhou
Published: August 2018

We investigate the transition processes of a static multilevel atom in interaction with a fluctuating vacuum quantum electromagnetic field in the cosmic string spacetime in the presence of an infinite, perfectly conducting plane. Using the formalism proposed by DDC, we find that the presence of the boundary modifies both vacuum fluctuations and radiation reaction contributions to the atomic spontaneous emission rate. Our results indicate that the total decay rate and the boundary-induced contribution both depend upon the atom-string distance, the atom-plate separation, the extent of the polar angle deficit induced by the string, and the atomic polarization direction. By adjusting these parameters, the atomic decay rate can be either enhanced or weakened significantly by the boundary. Moreover, the presence of the boundary can distinguish certain polarization directions that bring about the same decay rate in the case of a free cosmic string spacetime. Theoretically, our work suggests a more flexible means to adjust and control the radiative processes of atoms.
Estimation of elevated intracranial pressure in infants with hydroce-phalus by using transcranial Doppler velocimetry with fontanel compression
Authors: Yoshizuka Teiko , Kinoshita Masahiro , Iwata Sachiko , Tsuda Kennosuke , Kato Takenori , Saikusa Mamoru , Shindou Ryota , Hara Naoko , Harada Eimei , Takashima Sachio , Takeshige Nobuyuki , Saitoh Shinji , Yamashita Yushiro , Iwata Osuke
Published: August 2018

For infants with acute progressive hydrocephalus, invasive drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is performed until a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt can be inserted. Surrogate markers of intracranial pressure (ICP) may help optimise the timing of invasive procedures. To assess whether RI with/without fontanel compression helps distinguish between infants with normal (<5 cmH2O), mild (5–11 cmH2O), and moderate (>11 cmH2O) ICP elevation, 74 ICP measures before/after CSF removal and 148 related Doppler measures of the middle cerebral artery were assessed. Higher RI was associated with fontanel compression, elevated ICP, and their interaction (all p < 0.001). Without compression, differences in RI were observed between normal and moderate (p < 0.001) and between mild and moderate ICP elevation (p = 0.033). With compression, differences in RI were observed for all pairwise comparisons among normal, mild, and moderate ICP elevation (all p < 0.001). Without compression, areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for prediction of mild and moderate ICP elevation were 0.664 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.538–0.791; p = 0.020) and 0.727 (95% CI, 0.582–0.872; p = 0.004), respectively, which improved to 0.806 (95% CI, 0.703–0.910; p < 0.001) and 0.814 (95% CI, 0.707–0.921; p < 0.001), respectively, with compression. RI with fontanel compression provides improved discrimination of infants with absent, mild, and moderate ICP elevation.
A nano-silicate material with exceptional capacity for CO2 capture and storage at room temperature
Authors: Cavalcanti Leide P. , Kalantzopoulos Georgios N. , Eckert Juergen , Knudsen Kenneth D. , Fossum Jon Otto
Published: August 2018

In order to mitigate climate change driven by the observed high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, many micro and nano-porous materials are being investigated for CO2 selectivity, capture and storage (CCS) purposes, including zeolites, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), functionalized polymers, activated carbons and nano-silicate clay minerals. Key properties include availability, non-toxicity, low cost, stability, energy of adsorption/desorption, sorbent regeneration, sorption kinetics and CO2 storage capacity. Here, we address the crucial point of the volumetric capture and storage capacity for CO2 in a low cost material which is natural, non-toxic, and stable. We show that the nano-silicate Nickel Fluorohectorite is able to capture 0.79 metric tons of CO2 per m3 of host material - one of the highest capacities ever achieved - and we compare volumetric and gravimetric capacity of the best CO2 sorbent materials reported to date. Our results suggest that the high capture capacity of this fluorohectorite clay is strongly coupled to the type and valence of the interlayer cation (here Ni2+) and the high charge density, which is almost twice that of montmorillonite, resulting in the highest reported CO2 uptake among clay minerals.
Serotonin depletion causes valproate-responsive manic-like condition and increased hippocampal neuroplasticity that are reversed by stress
Authors: Maddaloni Giacomo , Migliarini Sara , Napolitano Francesco , Giorgi Andrea , Nazzi Serena , Biasci Daniele , De Felice Alessia , Gritti Marta , Cavaccini Anna , Galbusera Alberto , Franceschi Sara , Lessi Francesca , Ferla Marco La , Aretini Paolo , Mazzanti Chiara Maria , Tonini Raffaella , Gozzi Alessandro , Usiello Alessandro , Pasqualetti Massimo
Published: August 2018

Abnormal hippocampal neural plasticity has been implicated in behavioural abnormalities and complex neuropsychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder (BD). However, the determinants of this neural alteration remain unknown. This work tests the hypothesis that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is a key determinant of hippocampal neuroplasticity, and its absence leads to maladaptive behaviour relevant for BD. Depletion of brain 5-HT in Tph2 mutant mice resulted in reduced behavioural despair, reduced anxiety, marked aggression and lower habituation in novel environments, reminiscent of bipolar-associated manic behaviour. Treatment with valproate produced a substantial improvement of the mania-like behavioural phenotypes displayed by Tph2 mutants. Brain-wide fMRI mapping in mutants revealed functional hippocampal hyperactivity in which we also observed dramatically increased neuroplasticity. Importantly, remarkable correspondence between the transcriptomic profile of the Tph2 mutant hippocampus and neurons from bipolar disorder patients was observed. Chronic stress reversed the emotional phenotype and the hippocampal transcriptional landscape of Tph2 mutants. These changes were associated with inappropriate activation of transcriptional adaptive response to stress as assessed by gene set enrichment analyses in the hippocampus of Tph2 mutant mice. These findings delineate 5-HT as a critical determinant in BD associated maladaptive emotional responses and aberrant hippocampal neuroplasticity, and support the use of Tph2−/− mice as a new research tool for mechanistic and therapeutic research in bipolar disorder.
The age-regulated zinc finger factor ZNF367 is a new modulator of neuroblast proliferation during embryonic neurogenesis
Authors: Naef Valentina , Monticelli Sara , Corsinovi Debora , Mazzetto Maria Teresa , Cellerino Alessandro , Ori Michela
Published: August 2018

Global population aging is one of the major social and economic challenges of contemporary society. During aging the progressive decline in physiological functions has serious consequences for all organs including brain. The age-related incidence of neurodegenerative diseases coincides with the sharp decline of the amount and functionality of adult neural stem cells. Recently, we identified a short list of brain age-regulated genes by means of next-generation sequencing. Among them znf367 codes for a transcription factor that represents a central node in gene co-regulation networks during aging, but whose function in the central nervous system (CNS), is completely unknown. As proof of concept, we analysed the role of znf367 during Xenopus laevis neurogenesis. By means of a gene loss of function approach limited to the CNS, we suggested that znf367 might act as a key controller of the neuroblast cell cycle, particularly in the progression of mitosis and spindle checkpoint. A candidate gene approach based on a weighted-gene co-expression network analysis, revealed fancd2 and ska3 as possible targets of znf367. The age-related decline of znf367 correlated well with its role during embryonic neurogenesis, opening new lines of investigation also in adult neurogenesis to improved maintenance and even repair of neuronal function.
Positive/Negative Allosteric Modulation Switching in an Umami Taste Receptor (T1R1/T1R3) by a Natural Flavor Compound, Methional
Authors: Toda Yasuka , Nakagita Tomoya , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Yamashita Yuki , Nakajima Ayako , Narukawa Masataka , Ishimaru Yoshiro , Uchida Riichiro , Misaka Takumi
Published: August 2018

Taste is a vital sensation for vertebrates, enabling the detection of nutritionally important substances or potential toxins. A heteromeric complex of two class C GPCRs, T1R1 and T1R3, was identified as the umami (savory) taste receptor. Amino acids and 5′-ribonucleotides are well known to be natural ligands for human T1R1/T1R3. In this study, we reveal that methional, which is a familiar flavor component in foods, is an allosteric modulator of T1R1/T1R3. Receptor expression experiments showed that methional served as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of human T1R1/T1R3 and functioned as a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of mouse T1R1/T1R3. Although amino acids and 5′-ribonucleotides bound to the extracellular domain of T1R1, the use of interspecies chimeric receptors demonstrated that methional interacted with the transmembrane domain of T1R1. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling showed that methional could potentially bind at two distinct sites in the transmembrane domain of T1R1 and that the amino acid residues in the bottom of the allosteric pocket engendered the switch between the PAM and NAM modes, which could contribute to switching the binding position of methional. These results may be applicable for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand recognition by other class C GPCRs.
Development of heme protein based oxygen sensing indicators
Authors: Nomata Jiro , Hisabori Toru
Published: August 2018

Oxygen is essential for aerobic life and is required for various oxygen-dependent biochemical reactions. In addition, oxygen plays important roles in multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Thus, to investigate oxygen homeostasis in living cells, we developed a genetically encoded oxygen sensor protein using the oxygen sensor domain of bacterial phosphodiesterase direct oxygen sensor protein (DosP), which was connected to yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) using an optimized antiparallel coiled-coil linker. The resulting ANA-Y (Anaerobic/aerobic sensing yellow fluorescence protein) was highly sensitive to oxygen and had a half saturation concentration of 18 μM. The ANA-Y reacts with dissolved oxygen within 10 s and the resulting increases in fluorescence are reversed with decreases in oxygen concentrations. This sensitivity of the ANA-Y enabled direct determinations of initial photosynthetic oxygen production by cyanobacteria. ANA-Y exhibits reversible fluorescence change of donor YFP following reversible absorbance change of acceptor DosH, and the operating mechanism of this ANA-Y could be used to develop various protein sensor probes for intracellular signaling molecules using natural sensor proteins.
CT textural analysis of gastric cancer: correlations with immunohistochemical biomarkers
Authors: Liu Shunli , Shi Hua , Ji Changfeng , Guan Wenxian , Chen Ling , Sun Yingshi , Tang Lei , Guan Yue , Li Weifeng , Ge Yun , He Jian , Liu Song , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: August 2018

To investigate the ability of CT texture analysis to assess and predict the expression statuses of E-cadherin, Ki67, VEGFR2 and EGFR in gastric cancers, the enhanced CT images of 139 patients with gastric cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The region of interest was manually drawn along the margin of the lesion on the largest slice in the arterial and venous phases, which yielded a series of texture parameters. Our results showed that the standard deviation, width, entropy, entropy (H), correlation and contrast from the arterial and venous phases were significantly correlated with the E-cadherin expression level in gastric cancers (all P < 0.05). The skewness from the arterial phase and the mean and autocorrelation from the venous phase were negatively correlated with the Ki67 expression level in gastric cancers (all P < 0.05). The width, entropy and contrast from the venous phase were positively correlated with the VEGFR2 expression level in gastric cancers (all P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the texture features and EGFR expression level. CT texture analysis, which had areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) ranging from 0.612 to 0.715, holds promise in predicting E-cadherin, Ki67 and VEGFR2 expression levels in gastric cancers.
Exercise prevents impaired autophagy and proteostasis in a model of neurogenic myopathy
Authors: Campos Juliane C. , Baehr Leslie M. , Gomes Kátia M. S. , Bechara Luiz R. G. , Voltarelli Vanessa A. , Bozi Luiz H. M. , Ribeiro Márcio A. C. , Ferreira Nikolas D. , Moreira José B. N. , Brum Patricia C. , Bodine Sue C. , Ferreira Julio C. B.
Published: August 2018

Increased proteolytic activity has been widely associated with skeletal muscle atrophy. However, elevated proteolysis is also critical for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis by disposing cytotoxic proteins and non-functioning organelles. We recently demonstrated that exercise activates autophagy and re-establishes proteostasis in cardiac diseases. Here, we characterized the impact of exercise on skeletal muscle autophagy and proteostasis in a model of neurogenic myopathy induced by sciatic nerve constriction in rats. Neurogenic myopathy, characterized by progressive atrophy and impaired contractility, was paralleled by accumulation of autophagy-related markers and loss of acute responsiveness to both colchicine and chloroquine. These changes were correlated with elevated levels of damaged proteins, chaperones and pro-apoptotic markers compared to control animals. Sustained autophagy inhibition using chloroquine in rats (50 mg.kg−1.day−1) or muscle-specific deletion of Atg7 in mice was sufficient to impair muscle contractility in control but not in neurogenic myopathy, suggesting that dysfunctional autophagy is critical in skeletal muscle pathophysiology. Finally, 4 weeks of aerobic exercise training (moderate treadmill running, 5x/week, 1 h/day) prior to neurogenic myopathy improved skeletal muscle autophagic flux and proteostasis. These changes were followed by spared muscle mass and better contractility properties. Taken together, our findings suggest the potential value of exercise in maintaining skeletal muscle proteostasis and slowing down the progression of neurogenic myopathy.
Standardising the chromatographic denoising procedure
Authors: Kumar Keshav
Published: August 2018

The present work standardizes the chromatographic denoising procedure by comparing Wavelet analysis, chemometrics techniques and Savitzky–Golay (SG) algorithm.
Osseointegration of ultrafine-grained titanium with a hydrophilic nano-patterned surface: anin vivoexamination in miniature pigs
Authors: Chappuis Vivianne , Maestre Laura , Bürki Alexander , Barré Sébastien , Buser Daniel , Zysset Philippe , Bosshardt Dieter
Published: August 2018

Ultrafine-grained titanium has great potential as a future strategy for the development of small diameter implants to enable less invasive treatment concepts, reduce patient morbidity and may also lower the costs of patient care.
Rh nanoparticles from thiolate dimers: selective and reusable hydrogenation catalysts in ionic liquids
Authors: Serrano-Maldonado A. , Rozenel S. S. , Jimenez-Santiago J. L. , Guerrero-Ríos I. , Martin E.
Published: August 2018

Thiolate-capped RhNPs in imidazolium-based ionic liquids were synthesized from [Rh(μ-SR)(COD)]2dimmers under H2pressure without external addition of ligand stabilizers, preserving thiolate integrity on the nanoparticle surface. This nanoparticulated systems showed a remarkable selectivity that led to their application in theone potreductiveN-alkylation to produce amines.
Controlled synthesis of Co3O4@NiMoO4 core–shell nanorod arrays for efficient water splitting
Authors: Du Xiaoqiang , Li Nai , Zhang Xiaoshuang
Published: August 2018

We reported for the first time the development of Co3O4@NiMoO4 nanorod arrays on nickel foam (Co3O4@NiMoO4/NF) as a robust Earth-abundant electrocatalyst for water splitting.
Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromic smart windows with a high optical modulation, quick response and long cycle life
Authors: Zhang Shengliang , Cao Sheng , Zhang Tianran , Fisher Adrian , Lee Jim Yang
Published: August 2018

An Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromic smart window featuring simultaneously a high optical modulation, fast response and long cycle life.
Licochalcone A attenuates glioma cell growthin vitroandin vivothrough cell cycle arrest
Authors: Lu Wan Jung , Wu Gong Jhe , Chen Ray Jade , Chang Chao Chien , Lien Li Ming , Chiu Ching Chuan , Tseng Mei Fang , Huang Li Ting , Lin Kuan Hung
Published: August 2018

Licochalcone A (LA), an active ingredient of licorice, has multiple biological activities, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
Automated screening ofC. elegansneurodegeneration mutants enabled by microfluidics and image analysis algorithms
Authors: de Carlos Cáceres Ivan , Porto Daniel A. , Gallotta Ivan , Santonicola Pamela , Rodríguez-Cordero Josue , Di Schiavi Elia , Lu Hang
Published: August 2018

A fully automated high-throughput screen usingC. elegansto investigate genetic mechanisms affecting spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Novel organophosphorus aminopyrimidines as unique structural DNA-targeting membrane active inhibitors towards drug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Li Di , Bheemanaboina Rammohan R. Yadav , Battini Narsaiah , Tangadanchu Vijai Kumar Reddy , Fang Xian-Fu , Zhou Cheng-He
Published: August 2018

Molecular modeling of organophosphorus aminopyrimidine and the possible antibacterial mechanism.
Valley-contrasting optics of interlayer excitons in Mo- and W-based bulk transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Arora Ashish , Deilmann Thorsten , Marauhn Philipp , Drüppel Matthias , Schneider Robert , Molas Maciej R. , Vaclavkova Diana , Michaelis de Vasconcellos Steffen , Rohlfing Michael , Potemski Marek , Bratschitsch Rudolf
Published: August 2018

Understanding the optical properties of interlayer excitons in bulk transition metal dichalcogenides.
Smoothening of wrinkles in CVD-grown hexagonal boron nitride films
Authors: Lin Jinjun , Tay Roland Yingjie , Li Hongling , Jing Lin , Tsang Siu Hon , Wang Hong , Zhu Minmin , McCulloch Dougal G. , Teo Edwin Hang Tong
Published: August 2018

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an ideal substrate for two-dimensional (2D) materials because of its unique electrically insulating nature, atomic smoothness and low density of dangling bonds.
Ligand-free iron-based electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Wang Jirong , Tian Mengying , Li Shaoqiao , Wang Rui , Du Feipeng , Xue Zhigang
Published: August 2018

This article reports the iron-catalyzed ligand-free eATRP.
Decoration of polyfluorene-wrapped carbon nanotube thin films via strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition
Authors: Fong Darryl , Andrews Grace M. , McNelles Stuart A. , Adronov Alex
Published: August 2018

Latently reactive polymer–SWNT complexes were prepared by coating SWNTs with polyfluorene containing azide moieties in the side chain, allowing spatially resolved decoration of nanotube thin films with various functionalities.
Highly efficient desymmetrization of cyclopropenes to azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes with five continuous stereogenic centers by copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloadditions
Authors: Yuan Yang , Zheng Zhan-Jiang , Ye Fei , Ma Jun-Han , Xu Zheng , Bai Xing-Feng , Li Li , Xu Li-Wen
Published: August 2018

An unprecedented copper-catalyzed desymmetrization/cycloaddition reaction of 1,1-disubstituted cyclopropenes provides an efficient access to azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes bearing five continuous carbon-stereogenic centers.
Refractive index sensing using the metal layer in DVD-R discs
Authors: Sun Yuan , Sun Shaowei , Wu Meng , Gao Shumei , Cao Jianjun
Published: August 2018

Here, we introduce an extremely simple and low cost method to fabricate metal gratings by peeling off the metal layer from a DVD-R disc.
Influence of organic phase change materials on the physical and mechanical properties of HDPE and PP polymers
Authors: Chalkia Vasiliki , Tachos Nikolaos , Pandis Pavlos K. , Giannakas Aris , Koukou Maria K. , Vrachopoulos Michalis Gr. , Coelho Luis , Ladavos Athanasios , Stathopoulos Vassilis N.
Published: August 2018

Organic PCMs affect HDPE and PP mechanical properties. HDPE strength is remarkably partly restored by the homogeneous distribution of absorbed PCM.
One-step synthesis of amino-functionalized up-converting NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles forin vitrocell imaging
Authors: Mancic Lidija , Djukic-Vukovic Aleksandra , Dinic Ivana , Nikolic Marko G. , Rabasovic Mihailo D. , Krmpot Aleksandar J. , Costa Antonio M. L. M. , Marinkovic Bojan A. , Mojovic Ljiljana , Milosevic Olivera
Published: August 2018

The emerging up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer a wide range of biotechnology applications, from biomarkers and deep tissue imaging, to single molecule tracking and drug delivery.
Combined systems pharmacology and fecal metabonomics to study the biomarkers and therapeutic mechanism of type 2 diabetic nephropathy treated with Astragalus and Leech
Authors: Chen Ruiqun , Liao Chengbin , Guo Qian , Wu Lirong , Zhang Lei , Wang Xiufeng
Published: August 2018

In our study, systems pharmacology was used to predict the molecular targets of Astragalus and Leech, and explore the therapeutic mechanism of type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) treated with Astragalus and Leech.
Evaluation of a novel low-carbon to nitrogen- and temperature-tolerant simultaneously nitrifying–denitrifying bacterium and its use in the treatment of river water
Authors: Jin Peng , Chen Yinyan , Zheng Zhanwang , Du Qizhen
Published: August 2018

A novel simultaneous nitrification and denitrification Klebsiella sp. exhibits high nitrogen removal efficiency under low-temperature and low C/N wastewater.
Multiplex real-time PCR assay combined with rolling circle amplification (MPRP) using universal primers for non-invasive detection of tumor-related mutations
Authors: Gong Jian , Li Yishuai , Lin Ting , Feng Xiaoyan , Chu Li
Published: August 2018

The MPRP system for SNP discrimination was developed, which showed high specificity and sensitivity for multiplex detection of tumor-related mutations.
The coordination chemistry of CmIII, AmIII, and AcIIIin nitrate solutions: an actinide L3-edge EXAFS study
Authors: Ferrier Maryline G. , Stein Benjamin W. , Bone Sharon E. , Cary Samantha K. , Ditter Alexander S. , Kozimor Stosh A. , Lezama Pacheco Juan S. , Mocko Veronika , Seidler Gerald T.
Published: August 2018

CmIII,AmIII, and AcIIIhave been characterized by solution L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy as a function of nitric acid concentration. This enabled the first experimental determination of Cm and Ac nitrate distances.
Fluorogenic thiazole orange TOTFO probes stabilise parallel DNA triplexes at pH 7 and above
Authors: Walsh Sarah , El-Sagheer Afaf Helmy , Brown Tom
Published: August 2018

Multiple additions of thiazole orange forms TOTFO probes stable for dsDNA detection and also expands the triplex target range.
Facile and systematic access to the least-coordinating WCA [(RFO)3Al–F–Al(ORF)3]− and its more Lewis-basic brother [F–Al(ORF)3]− (RF = C(CF3)3)
Authors: Martens Arthur , Weis Philippe , Krummer Michael Christian , Kreuzer Marvin , Meierhöfer Andreas , Meier Stefan C. , Bohnenberger Jan , Scherer Harald , Riddlestone Ian , Krossing Ingo
Published: August 2018

The least-coordinating anion [(RFO)3Al–F–Al(ORF)3]− and its more Lewis-basic brother [F–Al(ORF)3]− (RF = C(CF3)3).
A homogeneous grain-controlled ScSZ functional layer for high performance low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Hong Soonwook , Son Jonghyun , Lim Yonghyun , Yang Hwichul , Prinz Fritz B. , Kim Young-Beom
Published: August 2018

Scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) is employed as a cathodic functional layer onto yttria-stabilized zirconia based fuel cell systems for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.
Highly flexible, foldable and stretchable Ni–Co layered double hydroxide/polyaniline/bacterial cellulose electrodes for high-performance all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Wu Heng , Zhang Yani , Yuan Wenyu , Zhao Yingxin , Luo Shaohong , Yuan Xiaowen , Zheng Lianxi , Cheng Laifei
Published: August 2018

NiCo-LDH/PANI/BC exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, high tensile strength and outstanding electrochemical stability during bending and stretching.
Aluminum enhances photochemical charge separation in strontium titanate nanocrystal photocatalysts for overall water splitting
Authors: Zhao Zeqiong , Willard Emma J. , Li Hui , Wu Zongkai , Castro Ricardo H. R. , Osterloh Frank E.
Published: August 2018

Photovoltage and overall water splitting activity of nanocrystals of aluminium-doped SrTiO3 correlate with aluminum content.
Orthographic Fast-Mapping Across Time in 5- and 6-Year-Old Children
Authors: Henbest Victoria S. , Apel Kenn
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the orthographic fast-mapping abilities of 5- and 6-year-old children across time to determine (a) growth in the ability to quickly acquire mental images of written words, (b) the effect of words' statistical regularities on the learning of written word images across time, (c) whether the statistical regularities of words impact children's eye movements during an orthographic fast-mapping task, and (d) the relation among written word learning and future literacy skills.

Method

Twenty-eight 5- and 6-year-old children viewed and listened to 12 short stories while their eye movements were recorded across 2 time points (approximately 3 months apart). At each time point, objects in the stories represented 12 novel pseudowords differing in their phonotactic and orthotactic probabilities. After viewing each story, the children were asked to spell and identify the target pseudowords; they also completed a battery of literacy measures.

Results

The children were able to quickly acquire mental orthographic representations of the novel written pseudowords as evidenced by their ability to identify and spell the target pseudowords after viewing the stories. This ability was related to future literacy performance and significantly improved over time. Performance on the orthographic fast-mapping tasks and the children's eye movements at Time 2 were influenced by the words' linguistic properties.

Conclusions

This study adds to accumulating evidence that orthographic fast-mapping is largely influenced by the orthotactic probabilities of words. These findings, taken together with those from previous investigations, provide a rich amount of evidence indicating that children are statistical learners when developing their orthographic knowledge.
Parameters determination and dynamic modelling of line‐start permanent‐magnet synchronous motor with a composite solid rotor
Authors: Yan Bo , Wang Xiuhe , Yang Yubo
Published: August 2018

A line‐start permanent‐magnet synchronous motor (LSPMSM) with an author‐designed composite solid rotor has been proven to enjoy high capabilities of starting and synchronisation. In this study, the improved LSPMSM is further researched by an investigation on parameters reflecting the motor intrinsic properties, i.e. the rotor impedance, magnetising inductance, and permanent‐magnet flux linkage. According to the investigation, it is found that not all these focused parameters constant, but rather exhibit different values under changing slips. A 2D finite‐element‐method (FEM) covering rotor end effects is applied to obtain the values of the slip‐related parameters. The determined parameters pave the path for establishing a dynamic model to predict the steady‐state and transient motor performances. The model completes operation in several seconds but yields result nearly identical to those derived from the 3D FEM. The short calculation period and acceptable results accuracy validate the qualification of the presented model.