bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD4 T cell autophagy is integral to memory maintenance
Authors: Murera Diane , Arbogast Florent , Arnold Johan , Bouis Delphine , Muller Sylviane , Gros Frédéric
Published: April 2018

Studies of mice deficient for autophagy in T cells since thymic development, concluded that autophagy is integral to mature T cell homeostasis. Basal survival and functional impairmentsin vivo, limited the use of these models to delineate the role of autophagy during the immune response. We generatedAtg5f/fdistal Lck (dLck)-cre mice, with deletion of autophagy only at a mature stage. In this model, autophagy deficiency impacts CD8+T cell survival but has no influence on CD4+T cell number and short-term activation. Moreover, autophagy in T cells is dispensable during early humoral response but critical for long-term antibody production. Autophagy in CD4+T cells is required to transfer humoral memory as shown by injection of antigen-experienced cells in naive mice. We also observed a selection of autophagy-competent cells in the CD4+T cell memory compartment. We performedin vitrodifferentiation of memory CD4+T cells, to better characterize autophagy-deficient memory cells. We identified mitochondrial and lipid load defects in differentiated memory CD4+T cells, together with a compromised survival, without any collapse of energy production. We then propose that memory CD4+T cells rely on autophagy for their survival to regulate toxic effects of mitochondrial activity and lipid overload.
Myotube elasticity of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model
Authors: Varga Béla , Martin-Fernandez Marta , Hilaire Cécile , Sanchez-Vicente Ana , Areias Julie , Salsac Céline , Cuisinier Frédéric J. G. , Raoul Cédric , Scamps Frédérique , Gergely Csilla
Published: April 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor system leading to generalized paralysis and death of patients. The understanding of early pathogenic mechanisms will help to define early diagnostics criteria that will eventually provide basis for efficient therapeutics. Early symptoms of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness. Therefore, mechanical response of differentiated myotubes from primary cultures of mice, expressing the ALS-causing SOD1
G93A
mutation, was examined by atomic force microscopy. Simultaneous acquisition of topography and cell elasticity of ALS myotubes was performed by force mapping method, compared with healthy myotubes and supplemented with immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR studies. Wild type myotubes reveal a significant difference in elasticity between a narrow and a wide population, consistent with maturation occurring with higher actin expression relative to myosin together with larger myotube width. However, this is not true for SOD1
G93A
expressing myotubes, where a significant shift of thin population towards higher elastic modulus values was observed. We provide evidence that SOD1 mutant induces structural changes that occurs very early in muscle development and well before symptomatic stage of the disease. These findings could significantly contribute to the understanding of the role of skeletal muscle in ALS pathogenesis.
Hidden complexity in the ontogeny of sexual size dimorphism in male-larger beetles
Authors: Vendl Tomáš , Šípek Petr , Kouklík Ondřej , Kratochvíl Lukáš
Published: April 2018

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread among animals, but its developmental mechanisms are not fully undestood. We investigated the proximate causes of SSD in three male-larger and one monomorphic scarab beetles using detailed monitoring of growth in individual instars. Apart from the finding that SSD in all three male-larger species started to develop already in the first larval instar, we generally found a high variability in SSD formation among the species as well as among instars. Overall, sexual differences in developmental time, average growth rate, as well as in the shape of the growth trajectory seem to be the mechanisms responsible for SSD ontogeny in scarab beetles. In the third instar, when the larvae attain most of their mass, the males had a similar or even lower instantaneous growth rate than females and SSD largely developed as a consequence of a longer period of rapid growth in males even in cases when the sexes did not differ in the total duration of this instar. Our results demonstrate that a detailed approach, examining not only the average growth rate and developmental time, but also the shape of the growth trajectory, is necessary to elucidate the complex development of SSD.
Author Correction: Optimised metrics for CRISPR-KO screens with second-generation gRNA libraries
Authors: Ong Swee Hoe , Li Yilong , Koike-Yusa Hiroko , Yusa Kosuke
Published: April 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.
Comprehensive Modeling of Multimode Fiber Sensors for Refractive Index Measurement and Experimental Validation
Authors: Apriyanto Haris , Ravet Gautier , Bernal Olivier D. , Cattoen Michel , Seat Han Cheng , Chavagnac Valérie , Surre Frederic , Sharp James H.
Published: April 2018

We propose and develop a comprehensive model for estimating the refractive index (RI) response over three potential sensing zones in a multimode fiber. The model has been developed based on a combined ray optics, Gaussian beam, and wave optics analysis coupled to the consideration of the injected interrogating lightwave characteristics and validated experimentally through the realization of three sensors with different lengths of stripped cladding sections as the sensing region. The experimental results highly corroborate and validate the simulation output from the model for the three RI sensing zones. The sensors can be employed over a very wide dynamic RI range from 1.316 to over 1.608 at a wavelength of 1550 nm, with the best resolution of 2.2406 × 10−5 RI unit (RIU) obtained in Zone II for a 1-cm sensor length.
Rapid isolation and enrichment of extracellular vesicle preparations using anion exchange chromatography
Authors: Heath Nikki , Grant Lois , De Oliveira Taiana Maia , Rowlinson Rachel , Osteikoetxea Xabier , Dekker Niek , Overman Ross
Published: April 2018

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have important roles in physiology, pathology, and more recently have been identified as efficient carriers of therapeutic cargoes. For efficient study of EVs, a single-step, rapid and scalable isolation strategy is necessary. Chromatography techniques are widely used for isolation of biological material for clinical applications and as EVs have a net negative charge, anion exchange chromatography (AIEX) is a strong candidate for column based EV isolation. We isolated EVs by AIEX and compared them to EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation (UC) and tangential flow filtration (TFF). EVs isolated by AIEX had comparable yield, EV marker presence, size and morphology to those isolated by UC and had decreased protein and debris contamination as compared to TFF purified EVs. An improved AIEX protocol allowing for higher flow rates and step elution isolated 2.4*1011 EVs from 1 litre of cell culture supernatant within 3 hours and removed multiple contaminating proteins. Importantly AIEX isolated EVs from different cell lines including HEK293T, H1299, HCT116 and Expi293F cells. The AIEX protocol described here can be used to isolate and enrich intact EVs in a rapid and scalable manner and shows great promise for further use in the field for both research and clinical purposes.
Author Correction: Understanding the effect of wet etching on damage resistance of surface scratches
Authors: Da Costa Fernandes Benoit , Pfiffer Mathilde , Cormont Philippe , Dussauze Marc , Bousquet Bruno , Fargin Evelyne , Neauport Jerome
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: New noninvasive index for predicting liver fibrosis in Asian patients with chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Wang Hung-Wei , Peng Cheng-Yuan , Lai Hsueh-Chou , Su Wen-Pang , Lin Chia-Hsin , Chuang Po-Heng , Chen Sheng-Hung , Chen Ching-Hsiang , Hsu Wei-Fan , Huang Guan-Tarn
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
An Automatic Diagnosis Method of Facial Acne Vulgaris Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Shen Xiaolei , Zhang Jiachi , Yan Chenjun , Zhou Hong
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we present a new automatic diagnosis method for facial acne vulgaris which is based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). To overcome the shortcomings of previous methods which were the inability to classify enough types of acne vulgaris. The core of our method is to extract features of images based on CNNs and achieve classification by classifier. A binary-classifier of skin-and-non-skin is used to detect skin area and a seven-classifier is used to achieve the classification task of facial acne vulgaris and healthy skin. In the experiments, we compare the effectiveness of our CNN and the VGG16 neural network which is pre-trained on the ImageNet data set. We use a ROC curve to evaluate the performance of binary-classifier and use a normalized confusion matrix to evaluate the performance of seven-classifier. The results of our experiments show that the pre-trained VGG16 neural network is effective in extracting features from facial acne vulgaris images. And the features are very useful for the follow-up classifiers. Finally, we try applying the classifiers both based on the pre-trained VGG16 neural network to assist doctors in facial acne vulgaris diagnosis.
Reproduction method for dried biomodels composed of poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogels
Authors: Shimizu Yasutomo , Putra Narendra Kurnia , Ohta Makoto
Published: April 2018

Models mimicking the realistic geometries and mechanical properties of human tissue are requiring ever-better materials. Biomodels made of poly (vinyl alcohol) are particularly in demand, as they can be used to realistically reproduce the characteristics of blood vessels. The reproducibility of biomodels can be altered due to dehydration that is observed after long periods of usage. In order to improve their usability, one should consider the method used to reproduce them; however, few studies have reported a method reproduce biomodels. This study proposes a novel reproduction method for biomodels that allows them to quickly and easily reproduce their geometric and mechanical properties. Specimens of the dried biomodels were reformed through immersion in temperature-controlled water. Our results show that water at 35 °C can be effective to reproduce both the geometric and mechanical properties of the specimens. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that water immersion can reform the crystal structure of the pre-dried specimens, and images obtained using micro-computed tomography acquisition show that the geometry of the specimens can be reformed by water immersion without introducing any defects. These results indicate that the proposed method can lead to high reproducibility of both the original geometric and mechanical properties of the dried biomodels.
Sorbent Film-Coated Passive Samplers for Explosives Vapour Detection Part A: Materials Optimisation and Integration with Analytical Technologies
Authors: McEneff Gillian L. , Murphy Bronagh , Webb Tony , Wood Dan , Irlam Rachel , Mills Jim , Green David , Barron Leon P.
Published: April 2018

A new thin-film passive sampler is presented as a low resource dependent and discrete continuous monitoring solution for explosives-related vapours. Using 15 mid-high vapour pressure explosives-related compounds as probes, combinations of four thermally stable substrates and six film-based sorbents were evaluated. Meta-aramid and phenylene oxide-based materials showed the best recoveries from small voids (~70%). Analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-high resolution accurate mass spectrometry which also enabled tentative identification of new targets from the acquired data. Preliminary uptake kinetics experiments revealed plateau concentrations on the device were reached between 3–5 days. Compounds used in improvised explosive devices, such as triacetone triperoxide, were detected within 1 hour and were stably retained by the sampler for up to 7 days. Sampler performance was consistent for 22 months after manufacture. Lastly, its direct integration with currently in-service explosives screening equipment including ion mobility spectrometry and thermal desorption mass spectrometry is presented. Following exposure to several open environments and targeted interferences, sampler performance was subsequently assessed and potential interferences identified. High-security building and area monitoring for concealed explosives using such cost-effective and discrete passive samplers can add extra assurance to search routines while minimising any additional burden on personnel or everyday site operation.
Duplication and diversification of lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLK) genes in soybean
Authors: Liu Ping-Li , Huang Yuan , Shi Peng-Hao , Yu Meng , Xie Jian-Bo , Xie LuLu
Published: April 2018

Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Although genome-wide studies of LecRLKs have been performed in several species, a comprehensive analysis including evolutionary, structural and functional analysis has not been carried out in soybean (Glycine max). In this study, we identified 185 putative LecRLK genes in the soybean genome, including 123 G-type, 60 L-type and 2 C-type LecRLK genes. Tandem duplication and segmental duplication appear to be the main mechanisms of gene expansion in the soybean LecRLK (GmLecRLK) gene family. According to our phylogenetic analysis, G-type and L-type GmLecRLK genes can be organized into fourteen and eight subfamilies, respectively. The subfamilies within the G-type GmLecRLKs differ from each other in gene structure and/or protein domains and motifs, which indicates that the subfamilies have diverged. The evolution of L-type GmLecRLKs has been more conservative: most genes retain the same gene structures and nearly the same protein domain and motif architectures. Furthermore, the expression profiles of G-type and L-type GmLecRLK genes show evidence of functional redundancy and divergence within each group. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and function of soybean LecRLKs and provide a framework for further functional investigation of them.
The corticosteroid compounds prednisolone and vamorolone do not alter the nociception phenotype and exacerbate liver injury in sickle cell mice
Authors: Almeida Luis E. F. , Damsker Jesse M. , Albani Sarah , Afsar Nina , Kamimura Sayuri , Pratt Drew , Kleiner David E. , Quezado Martha , Gordish-Dressman Heather , Quezado Zenaide M. N.
Published: April 2018

Clinicians often hesitate prescribing corticosteroids to treat corticosteroid-responsive conditions in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients because their use can be associated with complications (increased hospital readmission, rebound pain, strokes, avascular necrosis, acute chest syndrome). Consequently, SCD patients may receive suboptimal treatment for corticosteroid-responsive conditions. We conducted a preclinical trial of dissociative (vamorolone) and conventional (prednisolone) corticosteroid compounds to evaluate their effects on nociception phenotype, inflammation, and organ dysfunction in SCD mice. Prednisolone and vamorolone had no significant effects on nociception phenotype or anemia in homozygous mice. Conversely, prednisolone and vamorolone significantly decreased white blood cell counts and hepatic inflammation. Interestingly, the effects of vamorolone were milder than those of prednisolone, as vamorolone yielded less attenuation of hepatic inflammation compared to prednisolone. Compared to controls and heterozygotes, homozygotes had significant liver necrosis, which was significantly exacerbated by prednisolone and vamorolone despite decreased hepatic inflammation. These hepatic histopathologic changes were associated with increases in transaminases and alkaline phosphatase. Together, these results suggest that, even in the setting of decreasing hepatic inflammation, prednisolone and vamorolone were associated with significant hepatic toxicity in SCD mice. These findings raise the possibility that hepatic function deterioration could occur with the use of corticosteroids (conventional and dissociative) in SCD.
Dynamic transcriptomic analysis of Ischemic Injury in a Porcine Pre-Clinical Model mimicking Donors Deceased after Circulatory Death
Authors: Giraud Sebastien , Steichen Clara , Allain Geraldine , Couturier Pierre , Labourdette Delphine , Lamarre Sophie , Ameteau Virginie , Tillet Solenne , Hannaert Patrick , Thuillier Raphael , Hauet Thierry
Published: April 2018

Due to organ shortage, clinicians are prone to consider alternative type of organ donors among them donors deceased after circulatory death (DCD). However, especially using these organs which are more prone to graft dysfunction, there is a need to better understand mechanistic events ocuring during ischemia phase and leading to ischemia/reperfusion injuries (IRI). The aim of this study is to provide a dynamic transcriptomic analysis of preclinical porcine model kidneys subjected to ischemic stress mimicking DCD donor. We compared cortex and corticomedullary junction (CMJ) tissues from porcine kidneys submitted to 60 min warm ischemia (WI) followed by 0, 6 or 24 hours of cold storage in University of Wisconsin solution versus control non-ischemic kidneys (n = 5 per group). 29 cortex genes and 113 CMJ genes were significantly up or down-regulated after WI versus healthy kidneys, and up to 400 genes were regulated after WI followed by 6 or 24 hours of cold storage (p < 0.05). Functionnal enrichment analysis (home selected gene kinetic classification, Gene-ontology-biological processes and Gene-ontology-molecular-function) revealed relevant genes implication during WI and cold storage. We uncovered targets which we will further validate as biomarkers and new therapeutic targets to optimize graft kidney quality before transplantation and improve whole transplantation outcome.
Generalized concurrence in boson sampling
Authors: Chin Seungbeom , Huh Joonsuk
Published: April 2018

A fundamental question in linear optical quantum computing is to understand the origin of the quantum supremacy in the physical system. It is found that the multimode linear optical transition amplitudes are calculated through the permanents of transition operator matrices, which is a hard problem for classical simulations (boson sampling problem). We can understand this problem by considering a quantum measure that directly determines the runtime for computing the transition amplitudes. In this paper, we suggest a quantum measure named “Fock state concurrence sum” C
S
, which is the summation over all the members of “the generalized Fock state concurrence” (a measure analogous to the generalized concurrences of entanglement and coherence). By introducing generalized algorithms for computing the transition amplitudes of the Fock state boson sampling with an arbitrary number of photons per mode, we show that the minimal classical runtime for all the known algorithms directly depends on C
S
. Therefore, we can state that the Fock state concurrence sum C
S
behaves as a collective measure that controls the computational complexity of Fock state BS. We expect that our observation on the role of the Fock state concurrence in the generalized algorithm for permanents would provide a unified viewpoint to interpret the quantum computing power of linear optics.
Tomato UV-B receptor SlUVR8 mediates plant acclimation to UV-B radiation and enhances fruit chloroplast development via regulating SlGLK2
Authors: Li Huirong , Li Yuxiang , Deng Heng , Sun Xiaochun , Wang Anquan , Tang Xiaofeng , Gao Yongfeng , Zhang Ning , Wang Lihuan , Yang Shuzhang , Liu Yongsheng , Wang Songhu
Published: April 2018

Plants utilize energy from sunlight to perform photosynthesis in chloroplast, an organelle that could be damaged by solar UV radiation. The ultraviolet-B (UV-B) photoreceptor UVR8 is required for UV-B perception and signal transduction. However, little is known about how UVR8 influence chloroplast development under UV-B radiation. Here, we characterized tomato UVR8 gene (SlUVR8) and our results indicated that SlUVR8 facilitate plant acclimation to UV-B stress by orchestrating expression of the UVB-responsive genes (HY5 and CHS) and accumulating UV-absorptive compounds. In addition, we also discovered that SlUVR8 promotes fruit chloroplast development through enhancing accumulation of transcription factor GOLDEN2-LIKE2 (SlGLK2) which determines chloroplast and chlorophyll levels. Furthermore, UV-B radiation could increase expression of SlGLK2 and its target genes in fruits and leaves. SlUVR8 is required for UVB-induced SlGLK2 expression. Together, our work not only identified the conserved functions of SlUVR8 gene in response to UV-B stress, but also uncovered a novel role that SlUVR8 could boost chloroplast development by accumulating SlGLK2 proteins.
A murine model of atopic dermatitis can be generated by painting the dorsal skin with hapten twice 14 days apart
Authors: Kitamura Ayaka , Takata Ryohei , Aizawa Shin , Watanabe Hajime , Wada Tadashi
Published: April 2018

Drug development involves pharmacometric experiments in animals. Such experiments should limit animal pain and stress. Conventional murine models of atopic dermatitis (AD) used in drug development are generated by weekly painting of hapten on dorsal skin for 5 weeks. The present study aimed to develop a protocol that involves less animal distress. The experiments focused on serum total IgE levels, which are a marker of AD. The conventional protocol induced ever rising IgE levels. Experiments with extended intervals between sensitizations showed that IgE peaked ~5 days after the second sensitization, after which it returned to the control level within 12–19 days. An additional third sensitization on day 28 further increased the serum IgE level. In the 4–5 days after the second sensitization, the dorsal skin exhibited typical AD-like lesions with edema, scabs, epithelial-cell hypertrophy, marked mast-cell and lymphocyte infiltration of dermis, and increased IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-17A, IFN-γ and TNF-α expression. Thus, two 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene sensitizations yield a murine AD model in less than 20 days. This study shows that animal model protocols used in drug development can be fine-tuned so that they remain effective yet cause animals less stress and pain.
Compositional characteristics of human peripheral TRBV pseudogene rearrangements
Authors: Shi Bin , Ma Long , He Xiaoyan , Wu Peipei , Wang Peng , Wang Xiaomei , Ma Rui , Yao Xinsheng
Published: April 2018

The diversity of the T cell receptor (TCR) complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) repertoire is the result of random combinations, insertions and deletions during recombination of the germline V, D and J gene fragments. During evolution, some human TCR beta chain variable (TRBV) pseudogenes have been retained. Many previous studies have focused on functional TRBV genes, while little attention has been given to TRBV pseudogenes. To describe the compositional characteristics of TRBV pseudogene rearrangements, we compared and analysed TRBV pseudogenes, TRBV open reading frames (ORFs) and functional TRBV genes via high-throughput sequencing of DNA obtained from the peripheral blood of 4 healthy volunteers and 4 patients. Our results revealed several differences in J and D gene usage. The V deletion distribution profile of the pseudogenes was significantly different from that of the ORFs and functional genes. In addition, arginine, lysine and cysteine were more frequently used in putative CDR3 pseudogene rearrangements, while functional rearrangements used more leucine. This study presents a comprehensive description of the compositional characteristics of peripheral TRBV pseudogene rearrangements, which will provide a reference for further research on TRBV pseudogenes.
Global warming hiatus contributed to the increased occurrence of intense tropical cyclones in the coastal regions along East Asia
Authors: Zhao Jiuwei , Zhan Ruifen , Wang Yuqing
Published: April 2018

The recent global warming hiatus (GWH) was characterized by a La Niña–like cooling in the tropical Eastern Pacific accompanied with the Indian Ocean and the tropical Atlantic Ocean warming. Here we show that the recent GWH contributed significantly to the increased occurrence of intense tropical cyclones in the coastal regions along East Asia since 1998. The GWH associated sea surface temperature anomalies triggered a pair of anomalous cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations and equatorial easterly anomalies over the Northwest Pacific, which favored TC genesis and intensification over the western Northwest Pacific but suppressed TC genesis and intensification over the southeastern Northwest Pacific due to increased vertical wind shear and anticyclonic circulation anomalies. Results from atmospheric general circulation model experiments demonstrate that the Pacific La Niña–like cooling dominated the Indian Ocean and the tropical Atlantic Ocean warming in contributing to the observed GWH-related anomalous atmospheric circulation over the Northwest Pacific.
Co-exposure to benzo[a]pyrene and ethanol induces a pathological progression of liver steatosis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Bucher Simon , Tête Arnaud , Podechard Normand , Liamin Marie , Le Guillou Dounia , Chevanne Martine , Coulouarn Cédric , Imran Muhammad , Gallais Isabelle , Fernier Morgane , Hamdaoui Quentin , Robin Marie-Anne , Sergent Odile , Fromenty Bernard , Lagadic-Gossmann Dominique
Published: April 2018

Hepatic steatosis (i.e. lipid accumulation) and steatohepatitis have been related to diverse etiologic factors, including alcohol, obesity, environmental pollutants. However, no study has so far analyzed how these different factors might interplay regarding the progression of liver diseases. The impact of the co-exposure to the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and the lifestyle-related hepatotoxicant ethanol, was thus tested on in vitro models of steatosis (human HepaRG cell line; hybrid human/rat WIF-B9 cell line), and on an in vivo model (obese zebrafish larvae). Steatosis was induced prior to chronic treatments (14, 5 or 7 days for HepaRG, WIF-B9 or zebrafish, respectively). Toxicity and inflammation were analyzed in all models; the impact of steatosis and ethanol towards B[a]P metabolism was studied in HepaRG cells. Cytotoxicity and expression of inflammation markers upon co-exposure were increased in all steatotic models, compared to non steatotic counterparts. A change of B[a]P metabolism with a decrease in detoxification was detected in HepaRG cells under these conditions. A prior steatosis therefore enhanced the toxicity of B[a]P/ethanol co-exposure in vitro and in vivo; such a co-exposure might favor the appearance of a steatohepatitis-like state, with the development of inflammation. These deleterious effects could be partly explained by B[a]P metabolism alterations.
Synthetic 9-cis-beta-carotene inhibits photoreceptor degeneration in cultures of eye cups from rpe65rd12 mouse model of retinoid cycle defect
Authors: Sher Ifat , Tzameret Adi , Peri-Chen Sara , Edelshtain Victoria , Ioffe Michael , Sayer Alon , Buzhansky Ludmila , Gazit Ehud , Rotenstreich Ygal
Published: April 2018

The retinoid cycle enzymes regenerate the visual chromophore 11-cis retinal to enable vision. Mutations in the genes encoding the proteins of the retinoid cycle are the leading cause for recessively inherited retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, congenital cone-rod dystrophy and fundus albipunctatus. Currently there is no treatment for these blinding diseases. In previous studies we demonstrated that oral treatment with the 9-cis-β-carotene rich Dunaliella Bardawil algae powder significantly improved visual and retinal functions in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and fundus albipunctatus. Here we developed a convenient and economical synthetic route for biologically active 9-cis-β-carotene from inexpensive building materials and demonstrated that the molecule is stable for at least one month. Synthetic 9-cis-β-carotene rescued cone photoreceptors from degeneration in eye cup cultures of mice with a retinoid cycle genetic defect. This study suggests that synthetic 9-cis-β-carotene may serve as an effective treatment for retinal dystrophies involving the retinoid cycle.
Cardiovascular markers of inflammation and serum lipid levels in HIV-infected patients with undetectable viremia
Authors: Višković Klaudija , Židovec Lepej Snježana , Gorenec Ana , Grgić Ivana , Lukas Davorka , Zekan Šime , Dragobratović Anja , Trupković Maja , Begovac Josip
Published: April 2018

Patients successfully treated for HIV infection still have an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which might be related not only to traditional risks, but also to inflammation and dyslipidemia. We examined the relationship of serum lipid levels with plasma biomarkers of inflammation using a composite inflammatory burden score (IBS) based on individual (>75thpercentile) measurements from the following seven markers: CD40L, tPA, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, hCRP and P-selectin. IBS was categorized as 0 (none of the biomarkers >75thpercentile), 1, 2 and 3 or more scores. Correlations between the IBS and lipid parameters were examined by ordered logistic regression proportional odds models to estimate the odds of more elevated biomarkers. 181 male patients with undetectable HIV-viremia were included into the study. In the multivariate model, a one-unit increase (mmol/L) of total cholesterol and triglycerides was associated with a 1.41-fold (95% CI, 1.13–1.76) and 1.37-fold (95% CI, 1.18–1.60) increased odds of having a greater IBS, respectively. Those with an IBS score ≥1 compared to none had 2.14 (95% CI, 1.43–3.20) higher odds of having a one-unit increased total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. In successfully treated HIV-infected persons dyslipidemia was associated with inflammation.
Involvement of AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) in Regulation of Cell Membrane Potential in a Gastric Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Zhu Lin , Yu Xiao-jian , Xing Sheng , Jin Feng , Yang Wei-Jun
Published: April 2018

Membrane potential (Vmem) is a key bioelectric property of non-excitable cells that plays important roles in regulating cell proliferation. However, the regulation of Vmem itself remains largely unexplored. We found that, under nutrient starvation, during which cell division is inhibited, MKN45 gastric cancer cells were in a hyperpolarized state associated with a high intracellular chloride concentration. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity increased, and expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) decreased, in nutrient-starved cells. Furthermore, the increase in intracellular chloride concentration level and Vmem hyperpolarization in nutrient-starved cells was suppressed by inhibition of AMPK activity. Intracellular chloride concentrations and hyperpolarization increased after over-activation of AMPK using the specific activator AICAR or suppression of CFTR activity using specific inhibitor GlyH-101. Under these conditions, proliferation of MKN45 cells was inhibited. These results reveal that AMPK controls the dynamic change in Vmem by regulating CFTR and influencing the intracellular chloride concentration, which in turn influences cell-cycle progression. These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying cell-cycle arrest regulated by AMPK and CFTR.
Genotype B of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor is Related with Gastric Cancer Lesions
Authors: Hernandez Eric G. , Partida-Rodriguez Oswaldo , Camorlinga-Ponce Margarita , Nieves-Ramirez Miriam , Ramos-Vega Irma , Torres Javier , Perez-Rodriguez Martha
Published: April 2018

NK cells are important in innate immunity for their capacity to kill infected or cancer cells. The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are a family of polymorphic genes with inhibitory and activating functions. The main driving force for gastric cancer (GC) development is a chronic response, which causes an increase of NK cells in the gastric mucosa. The aim of this work was to study polymorphisms in KIR genes in patients with either GC or non-atrophic gastritis (NAG). We studied 242 patients (130 with NAG and 112 with GC) and contrasted with 146 asymptomatic individuals. We analyzed diversity in the content and localization of KIR genes in the different clinical groups studied. Four activating and one inhibitory genes were associated with GC: 2DS1 (OR 3.41), 2DS3 (OR 4.66), 2DS5 (OR 2.25), 3DS1 (OR 3.35) and 2DL5 (OR 3.6). The following were also found as risk factors for GC: Bx genotype (OR 4.2), Bx-Bx centromere-telomere (OR 2.55), cA01|cB03 (OR 36.39) and tB01|tB01 (OR 7.55) gene content and three B motifs (OR 10.9). Polymorphisms in KIR genes were associated with GC and suggest that mutated NK cells may contribute to GC development by increasing gastric mucosa inflammation, leading to constant tissue damage.
Epidemiology and survival outcomes of mucinous adenocarcinomas: A SEER population-based study
Authors: Xie Guang-Dong , Liu Yi-Rong , Jiang Yi-Zhou , Shao Zhi-Ming
Published: April 2018

To investigate the epidemiology, demographics and survival of mucinous adenocarcinomas (MACs), we identified 80,758 MAC patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The reported incidence of MACs ebbed and flowed over time; however, a significant increase in reported annual age-adjusted incidences of MACs in the appendix, lung and bronchus was observed from 1981 to 2014. The demographics and outcomes of MACs differed by anatomic sites. MACs of the stomach had the largest percentage of poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumors (41.2%), while MACs of the appendix and pancreas were associated with more advanced tumor stage (P < 0.001). MACs of the pancreas, lung and bronchus and stomach showed worse survival than other sites, despite localized, regional or distant stage (P < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analysis, site, tumor grade, tumor stage, regional nodes, sex, race, surgery and year of diagnosis were identified as independent prognostic factors of cancer-specific survival. In conclusion, the incidence of MACs of certain specific sites, such as the appendix, lung and bronchus, is rapidly increasing. We also revealed a series of prognostic factors of MACs, including tumor sites, tumor grade and tumor stage, which may improve the current understanding of the clinical and biological patterns of MACs.
Handheld skin printer: in situ formation of planar biomaterials and tissues
Authors: Hakimi Navid , Cheng Richard , Leng Lian , Sotoudehfar Mohammad , Ba Phoenix Qing , Bakhtyar Nazihah , Amini-Nik Saeid , Jeschke Marc G. , Günther Axel
Published: April 2018

We demonstrate in situ formation of biomaterial and skin tissue sheets for application in vitro, and in murine and porcine wound models.
Conservation of the conformational dynamics and ligand binding within M49 enzyme family
Authors: Kazazić Saša , Karačić Zrinka , Sabljić Igor , Agić Dejan , Tomin Marko , Abramić Marija , Dadlez Michal , Tomić Antonija , Tomić Sanja
Published: April 2018

The hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was employed to investigate conformational dynamics and ligand binding within the M49 family (dipeptidyl peptidase III family).
Determining electrospun morphology from the properties of protein–polymer solutions
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xi Shixia , Han Yingchun , Liu Lunyang , Dong Bo , Zhang Zhijie , Chen Quan , Min Weihong , Huang Qingrong , Li Yunqi , Liu Jingsheng
Published: April 2018

Integrating natural macromolecules, e.g. proteins, is a progressive trend in the fabrication of biocompatible sub-micrometer fibers with tunable diameters using the electrospinning technique.
In vitroandex vivomeasurement of the biophysical properties of blood using microfluidic platforms and animal models
Authors: Kang Yang Jun , Lee Sang-Joon
Published: April 2018

Several techniques for thein vitroandex vivomeasurement of hemorheological properties using microfluidic platforms and animal models were reviewed.
The defect evolution in homoepitaxial AlN layers grown by high-temperature metal–organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Jiang Ke , Sun Xiaojuan , Ben Jianwei , Jia Yuping , Liu Henan , Wang Yong , Wu You , Kai Cuihong , Li Dabing
Published: April 2018

The defect evolution in homoepitaxial AlN grown by high-temperature metal–organic chemical vapor deposition on AlN/sapphire templates was studied.
A computational exploration of CO2 reduction via CO dimerization on mixed-valence copper oxide surface
Authors: Chang Chun-Chih , Li Elise Y. , Tsai Ming-Kang
Published: April 2018

The electron-localization function plots of OCCO adsorbed on Ov–CuO(111), Ov–Cu4O3(202) and Cu2O(111) surfaces.
Hydrogen bonds of the imidazolium rings of ionic liquids with DMSO studied by NMR, soft X-ray spectroscopy, and SANS
Authors: Takamuku Toshiyuki , Tokuda Takumi , Uchida Takahiro , Sonoda Kazuya , Marekha Bogdan A. , Idrissi Abdenacer , Takahashi Osamu , Horikawa Yuka , Matsumura Junya , Tokushima Takashi , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Kawano Masahiro , Sadakane Koichiro , Iwase Hiroki
Published: April 2018

The three sites of [Cnmim]+ are fully hydrogen-bonded with DMSO, leading to homogeneous mixing.
Phonons, phase transitions and thermal expansion in LiAlO2: an ab initio density functional study
Authors: Singh Baltej , Gupta M. K. , Mittal R. , Chaplot S. L.
Published: April 2018

Ab initio calculation of Gibbs free energy, including phonon entropy, is used to determine the stability of various phases of LiAlO2.
Mechanistic insights into catalytic CO2 hydrogenation using Mn(i)-complexes with pendant oxygen ligands
Authors: Das Shubhajit , Pati Swapan K.
Published: April 2018

Hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid catalysed by Mn(i)-complexes with pendant oxygen ligands.
Mn(i) organometallics containing the iPr2P(CH2)2PiPr2 ligand for the catalytic hydration of aromatic nitriles
Authors: Garduño Jorge A. , Arévalo Alma , Flores-Alamo Marcos , García Juventino J.
Published: April 2018

The first example of a homogeneous hydration of aromatic nitriles catalyzed by manganese molecular compounds is reported.
Interaction of Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ counter cations with RNA
Authors: Kolev Stefan K. , Petkov Petko St. , Rangelov Miroslav A. , Trifonov Dimitar V. , Milenov Teodor I. , Vayssilov Georgi N.
Published: April 2018

Data on the location of alkaline and alkaline earth ions at RNA from crystallography, spectroscopy and computational modeling are reviewed.
Delivery of coumarin-containing all-trans retinoic acid derivatives via targeted nanoparticles encapsulating indocyanine green for chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy of breast cancer
Authors: Jiao Jia , Wu Hongshuai , Chen Fanghui , Chen Renjie , Sun Baiwang , Wang Mingliang
Published: April 2018

Development of chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy with nanoplatforms offers a promising strategy for effective cancer treatment.
Beyond geminal diesters: increasing the scope of metal-mediated vinylcyclopropane annulations while decreasing pre-activation
Authors: Brownsey Duncan K. , Gorobets Evgueni , Derksen Darren J.
Published: April 2018

This review covers the transition metal mediated annulation chemistry of vinylcyclopropanes with an emphasis on non-donor–acceptor examples, and where pertinent, examples of natural product syntheses are shown.
Utilization of phosphate rock as a sole source of phosphorus for uranium biomineralization mediated by Penicillium funiculosum
Authors: Hu Nan , Li Ke , Sui Yang , Ding Dexin , Dai Zhongran , Li Dianxin , Wang Nieying , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2018

In this work, uranium(vi) biomineralization by soluble ortho-phosphate from decomposition of the phosphate rock powder, a cheap and readily available material, was studied in detail.
Hypercrosslinked porous polymers hybridized with graphene oxide for water treatment: dye adsorption and degradation
Authors: Huang Yipeng , Ruan Guihua , Ruan Yuji , Zhang Wenjuan , Li Xianxian , Du Fuyou , Hu Cunjie , Li Jianping
Published: April 2018

We report the synthesis of graphene oxide hybridized polymeric high internal phase emulsions and their applications in adsorption and photocatalysis.
Alginate oligosaccharide enhances intestinal integrity of weaned pigs through altering intestinal inflammatory responses and antioxidant status
Authors: Wan Jin , Zhang Jiao , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , Huang Zhiqing , Mao Xiangbing , Zheng Ping , Yu Jie , He Jun
Published: April 2018

Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS), prepared from depolymerised alginate, a natural polysaccharide occurring in the cell walls of brown algae, provides beneficial effects for intestinal health.
Synergistic effect of anions and cations in additives for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Haijuan , Hou Meihui , Xia Yingdong , Wei Qilin , Wang Ze , Cheng Yingchun , Chen Yonghua , Huang Wei
Published: April 2018

The use of a synergistic additive NH4SCN in constructing organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite films improves the quality of perovskite films, enhances the stability, and promotes the device efficiency.
Rapid experimental optimization of organic tandem solar cells: 200 absorber layer thickness combinations on a 4×4 cm2 substrate
Authors: Glaser Konstantin , Beu Patrick , Bahro Daniel , Sprau Christian , Pütz Andreas , Colsmann Alexander
Published: April 2018

The spatially resolved characterization of organic tandem solar cells comprising two absorber layers with orthogonal thickness gradients produces the optimum layer thickness combination.
A top-down synthesis of wurtzite Cu2SnS3 nanocrystals for efficient photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Sun Weijun , Ye Yangwei , You Yu , Xu Jun
Published: April 2018

Wurtzite Cu2SnS3 nanocrystals are synthesized through a green hydrothermal method based on a top-down strategy and are further demonstrated as a promising sensitizer for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Ultrafine nickel nanocatalyst-engineering of an organic layered double hydroxide towards a super-efficient fire-safe epoxy resin via interfacial catalysis
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhang Junhao , Dufosse François , Wang De-Yi
Published: April 2018

An ultrafine Ni(OH)2 nanocatalyst was surface-assembled on the organically modified layered double hydroxide (LDH-DBS) to prepare nanohybrid LDH-DBS@Ni(OH)2. A mere 3 wt% of LDH-DBS@Ni(OH)2 imparted epoxy resin with UL-94 V-0 rating and a 60.6% reduction of peak heat release rate due to the interfacial catalysis.
Synergetic optimization of electronic and thermal transport for high-performance thermoelectric GeSe–AgSbTe2 alloy
Authors: Yan Mingtao , Tan Xiaojian , Huang Zhiwei , Liu Guoqiang , Jiang Peng , Bao Xinhe
Published: April 2018

Via alloying with AgSbTe2, the thermoelectric performance of GeSe is dramatically improved by carrier concentration optimization and thermal conductivity suppression.
Research progress on vanadium-based cathode materials for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Qinghong , Xu Jiantie , Zhang Wenchao , Mao Minglei , Wei Zengxi , Wang Lei , Cui Chunyu , Zhu Yuxuan , Ma Jianmin
Published: April 2018

In this review, we mainly overview the structures, synthesis methods and the morphology control of vanadium-based electrode materials for sodium ion batteries. In addition, the major issues, emerging challenges and some perspectives on the development of V based electrode materials for sodium ion batteries are also discussed.
An interwoven MoO3@CNT scaffold interlayer for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Luo Laiyan , Qin Xianying , Wu Junxiong , Liang Gemeng , Li Qing , Liu Ming , Kang Feiyu , Chen Guohua , Li Baohua
Published: April 2018

An interwoven MoO3@CNT interlayer improves the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries via powerful bonding interaction between MoO3 and polysulfides.
Enhanced multidimensional field embedding method by potential fields for hyperspectral image classification and visualisation
Authors: Ozcan C. , Ersoy O.
Published: April 2018

Multidimensional field embedding methods have been demonstrated to effectively characterise spectral signatures in hyperspectral images. However, high‐dimensional data composed of a number of classes presents challenges to the existing embedding methods. This Letter proposes an enhanced multidimensional field embedding algorithm based on the force field formulation. The comparative performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated in the classification and visualisation of commonly used hyperspectral images. Experimental results demonstrate its superiority over previously used field embedding techniques.
Neural network‐based multivariable fixed‐time terminal sliding mode control for re‐entry vehicles
Authors: Wang Xiao , Guo Jie , Tang Shengjing
Published: April 2018

This study develops a neural network (NN)‐based multivariable fixed‐time terminal sliding mode control (MFTTSMC) strategy for re‐entry vehicles (RVs) with uncertainties. A coupled MFTTSMC scheme is designed for the attitude system on the basis of feedback linearisation. A saturation function is introduced to avoid the singularity problem. Adaptive NNs are employed to approximate the uncertainties in RVs, thus alleviating chattering without sacrificing robustness. The whole closed‐loop system is proven to be bounded and tracking errors are fixed‐time stable. Simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Modified Manchester modulation format for high‐speed optical transmission systems
Authors: Idowu Oluwajobi Festus , Dong‐Nhat Nguyen , Malekmohammadi Amin
Published: April 2018

A novel advanced modulation format based on Manchester signalling is proposed and assessed for high‐speed optical communication systems. The new advanced modulation format known as modified Manchester derived from the combination of Manchester and vestigial sideband (VSB) techniques. Its performance assessed and compared in terms of spectral efficiency, chromatic dispersion tolerance and receiver sensitivity against conventional Manchester, return‐to‐zero (RZ) and non‐RZ (NRZ) (with the same spectral width). The optimisation of the optical filter that performed the VSB filtering on the Manchester signal and its detuning frequency results in the compression of the spectral width of the Manchester signal and thereby enhanced the spectral efficiency of the modified Manchester to about 31.3%. This results in the improvement of dispersion tolerance to ∼140 ps/nm. In comparison with conventional modulation formats, the proposed system can improve the dispersion tolerance by three times more than conventional Manchester, which is 44 ps/nm, and twice more than NRZ, which is 51.8 ps/nm and has a better dispersion tolerance of 31 ps/nm than RZ with dispersion tolerance of 109 ps/nm at a bit‐error‐rate of 10−9. The improvement in the proposed modulation performance achieved without utilisation of any dispersion compensation module or electronic equalisation.