bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First occurrence of the moray eel Gymnothorax prolatus Sasaki & Amaoka, 1991 (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) from the northern Indian Ocean
Authors: Mohapatra Anil , Ray Dipanjan , Smith David G.
Published: July 2015

Gymnothorax prolatusis recorded for the first time from the Indian Ocean on the basis of four specimens collected in the Bay of Bengal off India and one from the Arabian Sea off Pakistan. These records extend the range of the species from Taiwan to the north-western Indian Ocean.
Parallel-coupled stub-loaded resonator bandpass filter with ultra-wideband passband on multilayer liquid crystal polymer substrates
Authors: Almorqi S. , Shaman H. , Alamoudi A.
Published: July 2015

A multilayer bandpass filter with ultra-wideband passband is presented in this paper. The filter is designed to have a very wide passband with a fractional bandwidth of about 180% at a center frequency of 10.5 GHz. The filter consists of two sections of parallel-coupled lines loaded at the center with short-circuited stub. Each of the coupled line sections and short-circuited stubs is designed to be a quarter-wavelength long at the desired center frequency. As a result, the filter exhibited a selective filtering characteristic equivalent to a five-pole Chebyshev filter with a very low insertion loss. The proposed filter is realized and fabricated using multilayer liquid crystal polymer substrate. The design is successfully realized in theory and verified by full-wave electromagnetic simulation of the full layout and the experiment where excellent agreement is obtained.
Childhood adversity and psychosis: generalised or specific effects?
Authors: Longden E. , Sampson M. , Read J.
Published: July 2015

Background.

This study examines relationships between childhood adversity and the presence of characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia. It was hypothesised that total adversity exposures would be significantly higher in individuals exhibiting these symptoms relative to patients without. Recent proposals that differential associations exist between specific psychotic symptoms and specific adversities was also tested, namely: sexual abuse and hallucinations, physical abuse and delusions, and fostering/adoption and delusions.

Method.

Data were collected through auditing 251 randomly selected medical records, drawn from adult patients in New Zealand community mental health centres. Information was extracted on presence and subtype of psychotic symptoms and exposure to ten types of childhood adversity, including five types of abuse and neglect.

Results.

Adversity exposure was significantly higher in patients experiencing hallucinations in general, voice hearing, command hallucinations, visions, delusions in general, paranoid delusions and negative symptoms than in patients without these symptoms. There was no difference in adversity exposure in patients with and without tactile/olfactory hallucinations, grandiose delusions or thought disorder. Indication of a dose–response relationship was detected, in that total number of adversities significantly predicted total number of psychotic symptoms. Although fostering/adoption was associated with paranoid delusions, the hypothesised specificity between sexual abuse and hallucinations, and physical abuse and delusions, was not found. The two adversities showing the largest number of associations with psychotic symptoms were poverty and being fostered/adopted.

Conclusions.

The current data are consistent with a model of global and cumulative adversity, in which multiple exposures may intensify psychosis risk beyond the impact of single events. Implications for clinical intervention are discussed.
Crystal structure of Bax bound to the BH3 peptide of Bim identifies important contacts for interaction
Authors: Robin A Y , Krishna Kumar K , Westphal D , Wardak A Z , Thompson G V , Dewson G , Colman P M , Czabotar P E
Published: July 2015

The BH3-only protein Bim is a potent direct activator of the proapoptotic effector protein Bax, but the structural basis for its activity has remained poorly defined. Here we describe the crystal structure of the BimBH3 peptide bound to BaxΔC26 and structure-based mutagenesis studies. Similar to BidBH3, the BimBH3 peptide binds into the cognate surface groove of Bax using the conserved hydrophobic BH3 residues h1–h4. However, the structure and mutagenesis data show that Bim is less reliant compared with Bid on its ‘h0’ residues for activating Bax and that a single amino-acid difference between Bim and Bid encodes a fivefold difference in Bax-binding potency. Similar to the structures of BidBH3 and BaxBH3 bound to BaxΔC21, the structure of the BimBH3 complex with BaxΔC displays a cavity surrounded by Bax α1, α2, α5 and α8. Our results are consistent with a model in which binding of an activator BH3 domain to the Bax groove initiates separation of its core (α2–α5) and latch (α6–α8) domains, enabling its subsequent dimerisation and the permeabilisation of the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Loss of apoptosis-inducing factor critically affects MIA40 function
Authors: Meyer K , Buettner S , Ghezzi D , Zeviani M , Bano D , Nicotera P
Published: July 2015

Mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) influences the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system and can be recruited as a mediator of cell death. Pathogenic mutations in the AIFM1 gene cause severe human diseases. Clinical manifestations include inherited peripheral neuropathies, prenatal cerebral abnormalities and progressive mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. In humans, rodents and invertebrates, AIF deficiency results in loss of respiratory complexes and, therefore, impaired OXPHOS. The molecular mechanisms underlying AIF-induced mitochondrial dysfunction remain elusive. Here we show that AIF physically interacts with the oxidoreductase CHCHD4/MIA40. In patient-derived fibroblasts as well as in tissues and glia cells from Harlequin (Hq) mutant mice, AIF deficiency correlates with decreased MIA40 protein levels, without affecting mRNA transcription. Importantly, MIA40 overexpression counteracts loss of respiratory subunits in Hq cells. Together, our findings suggest that MIA40 reduction contributes to the effects of AIF deficiency on OXPHOS, as it may impact on the correct assembly and maintenance of the respiratory subunits. This may be relevant for the development of new therapeutic approaches for AIF-related mitochondrial disorders.
miR-612 negatively regulates colorectal cancer growth and metastasis by targeting AKT2
Authors: Sheng L , He P , Yang X , Zhou M , Feng Q
Published: July 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a particularly high incidence in developed countries. Distant metastasis and recurrence are the main causes of CRC-related deaths. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the serum make them potential biomarkers for cancers, as reported in serum or tumor tissues from CRC patients. In this study, we found that miR-612 expression was significantly lower in CRC tissues or cells compared with peritumor tissues or normal cells, and lower in metastatic CRC specimens compared with non-metastatic specimens, whereas AKT2 exhibited opposite trend. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays showed that miR-612 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and migration in vitro by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell assays. Further analysis revealed that miR-612 directly suppressed AKT2, which in turn inhibited the downstream epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related signaling pathway. These results were additionally validated in vivo by tumorigenesis and liver metastasis experiments. The results of this study suggested a critical role of miR-612 in the development of CRC.
Genome-wide burden of deleterious coding variants increased in schizophrenia
Authors: Loohuis Loes M. Olde , Vorstman Jacob A. S. , Ori Anil P. , Staats Kim A. , Wang Tina , Richards Alexander L. , Leonenko Ganna , Walters James T. , DeYoung Joseph ,   GROUP consortium, Kahn René S. , Linszen Don , Os Jim van , Wiersma Durk , Bruggeman Richard , Cahn Wiepke , Haan Lieuwe de , Krabbendam Lydia , Myin-Germeys Inez , Cantor Rita M. , Ophoff Roel A.
Published: July 2015

Schizophrenia is a common complex disorder with polygenic inheritance. Here we show that by using an approach that compares the individual loads of rare variants in 1,042 schizophrenia cases and 961 controls, schizophrenia cases carry an increased burden of deleterious mutations. At a genome-wide level, our results implicate non-synonymous, splice site as well as stop-altering single-nucleotide variations occurring at minor allele frequency of ≥0.01% in the population. In an independent replication sample of 5,585 schizophrenia cases and 8,103 controls of European ancestry we confirm an enrichment in cases of the alleles identified in our study. In addition, the genes implicated by the increased burden of rare coding variants highlight the involvement of neurodevelopment in the aetiology of schizophrenia.
Telomeric G-quadruplexes are a substrate and site of localization for human telomerase
Authors: Moye Aaron L. , Porter Karina C. , Cohen Scott B. , Phan Tram , Zyner Katherine G. , Sasaki Natsuki , Lovrecz George O. , Beck Jennifer L. , Bryan Tracy M.
Published: July 2015

It has been hypothesized that G-quadruplexes can sequester the 3′ end of the telomere and prevent it from being extended by telomerase. Here we purify and characterize stable, conformationally homogenous human telomeric G-quadruplexes, and demonstrate that human telomerase is able to extend parallel, intermolecular conformations in vitro. These G-quadruplexes align correctly with the RNA template of telomerase, demonstrating that at least partial G-quadruplex resolution is required. A highly purified preparation of human telomerase retains this extension ability, establishing that the core telomerase enzyme complex is sufficient for partial G-quadruplex resolution and extension. The parallel-specific G-quadruplex ligand N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) causes an increase in telomeric G-quadruplexes, and we show that telomerase colocalizes with a subset of telomeric G-quadruplexes in vivo. The ability of telomerase to partially unwind, extend and localize to these structures implies that parallel telomeric G-quadruplexes may play an important biological role.
TD-60 links RalA GTPase function to the CPC in mitosis
Authors: Papini Diana , Langemeyer Lars , Abad Maria A. , Kerr Alastair , Samejima Itaru , Eyers Patrick A. , Jeyaprakash A. Arockia , Higgins Jonathan M. G. , Barr Francis A. , Earnshaw William C.
Published: July 2015

TD-60 (also known as RCC2) is a highly conserved protein that structurally resembles the Ran guanine exchange factor (GEF) RCC1, but has not previously been shown to have GEF activity. TD-60 has a typical chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) distribution in mitotic cells, but associates with integrin complexes and is involved in cell motility during interphase. Here we show that TD-60 exhibits GEF activity, in vitro and in cells, for the small GTPase RalA. TD-60 or RalA depletion causes spindle abnormalities in prometaphase associated with abnormal centromeric accumulation of CPC components. TD-60 and RalA apparently work together to contribute to the regulation of kinetochore–microtubule interactions in early mitosis. Importantly, several mitotic phenotypes caused by TD-60 depletion are reverted by the expression of a GTP-locked mutant, RalA (Q72L). The demonstration that a small GTPase participates in the regulation of the CPC reveals a level of mitotic regulation not suspected in previous studies.
Two routes to senescence revealed by real-time analysis of telomerase-negative single lineages
Authors: Xu Zhou , Fallet Emilie , Paoletti Camille , Fehrmann Steffen , Charvin Gilles , Teixeira Maria Teresa
Published: July 2015

In eukaryotes, telomeres cap chromosome ends to maintain genomic stability. Failure to maintain telomeres leads to their progressive erosion and eventually triggers replicative senescence, a pathway that protects against unrestricted cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms underlying the variability and dynamics of this pathway are still elusive. Here we use a microfluidics-based live-cell imaging assay to investigate replicative senescence in individual Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell lineages following telomerase inactivation. We characterize two mechanistically distinct routes to senescence. Most lineages undergo an abrupt and irreversible switch from a replicative to an arrested state, consistent with telomeres reaching a critically short length. In contrast, other lineages experience frequent and stochastic reversible arrests, consistent with the repair of accidental telomere damage by Pol32, a subunit of polymerase δ required for break-induced replication and for post-senescence survival. Thus, at the single-cell level, replicative senescence comprises both deterministic cell fates and chaotic cell division dynamics.
The range and nature of non-motor symptoms in drug-naive Parkinson’s disease patients: a state-of-the-art systematic review
Authors: Zis Panagiotis , Erro Roberto , Walton Courtney C , Sauerbier Anna , Chaudhuri Kallol Ray
Published: July 2015

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are a key component of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A range of NMS, most notably impaired sense of smell, sleep dysfunction, and dysautonomia are present from the ‘pre-motor’ phase to the final palliative stage. Theories as to the pathogenesis of PD such as those proposed by Braak and others also support the occurrence of NMS in PD years before motor symptoms start. However, research addressing the range and nature of NMS in PD has been confounded by the fact that many NMS arise as part of drug-related side effects. Thus, drug-naive PD (DNPD) patients provide an ideal population to study the differences in the presentation of NMS. The aim of this paper is therefore to systematically review all the available studies of NMS in DNPD patients. We believe this is the first review of its kind. The current review confirms the increasing research being conducted into NMS in DNPD patients as well as the necessity for further investigation into less-studied NMS, such as pain. Moreover, the data confirms non-motor heterogeneity among PD patients, and, therefore, further research into the concept of non-motor subtyping is encouraged. The review suggests that the clinical assessment of NMS should be integral to any assessment of PD in clinical and research settings.
Suggestions for health information technology trials for respiratory disorders in low- and middle-income country settings: what can we learn from trials in high-income country settings?
Authors: Chavannes Niels H , Du Puy Robert S , Bai Chunxue
Published: July 2015

Health Information Technology (HIT) is sometimes seen as a silver bullet for human resource, medical and economic challenges facing health systems. The evidence supporting widespread use of HIT is, however, still patchy and inconsistent. In this Perspective piece, we seek to interpret and draw key lessons from a selection of illustrative trials in developed countries with robust health-care settings in respiratory medicine that failed to demonstrate effectiveness, and offer suggestions to maximise the chances of success in subsequent HIT deployments. Particularly low- and middle-income countries, with relatively weak health infrastructures and limited health care, propose considerable room for improvement. Early experiences of studying HIT thus far in high-income country settings suggest that this process should preferably begin with trials of low-cost, well-established technologies in patient groups with a moderate burden of disease while carefully evaluating patient safety.
Agriculture intensifies soil moisture decline in Northern China
Authors: Liu Yaling , Pan Zhihua , Zhuang Qianlai , Miralles Diego G. , Teuling Adriaan J. , Zhang Tonglin , An Pingli , Dong Zhiqiang , Zhang Jingting , He Di , Wang Liwei , Pan Xuebiao , Bai Wei , Niyogi Dev
Published: July 2015

Northern China is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Agricultural activities have intensified since the 1980s to provide food security to the country. However, this intensification has likely contributed to an increasing scarcity in water resources, which may in turn be endangering food security. Based onin-situmeasurements of soil moisture collected in agricultural plots during 1983–2012, we find that topsoil (0–50 cm) volumetric water content during the growing season has declined significantly (p < 0.01), with a trend of −0.011 to −0.015 m3m−3per decade. Observed discharge declines for the three large river basins are consistent with the effects of agricultural intensification, although other factors (e.g. dam constructions) likely have contributed to these trends. Practices like fertilizer application have favoured biomass growth and increased transpiration rates, thus reducing available soil water. In addition, the rapid proliferation of water-expensive crops (e.g., maize) and the expansion of the area dedicated to food production have also contributed to soil drying. Adoption of alternative agricultural practices that can meet the immediate food demand without compromising future water resources seem critical for the sustainability of the food production system.
China’s rising hydropower demand challenges water sector
Authors: Liu Junguo , Zhao Dandan , Gerbens-Leenes P. W. , Guan Dabo
Published: July 2015

Demand for hydropower is increasing, yet the water footprints (WFs) of reservoirs and hydropower and their contributions to water scarcity, are poorly understood. Here, we calculate reservoir WFs (freshwater that evaporates from reservoirs) and hydropower WFs (the WF of hydroelectricity) in China based on data from 875 representative reservoirs (209 with power plants). In 2010, the reservoir WF totaled 27.9 × 109 m3 (Gm3), or 22% of China’s total water consumption. Ignoring the reservoir WF seriously underestimates human water appropriation. The reservoir WF associated with industrial, domestic and agricultural WFs caused water scarcity in 6 of the 10 major Chinese river basins from 2 to 12 months annually. The hydropower WF was 6.6 Gm3 yr−1 or 3.6 m3 of water to produce a GJ (109 J) of electricity. Hydropower is a water intensive energy carrier. As a response to global climate change, the Chinese government has promoted a further increase in hydropower energy by 70% by 2020 compared to 2012. This energy policy imposes pressure on available freshwater resources and increases water scarcity. The water-energy nexus requires strategic and coordinated implementations of hydropower development among geographical regions, as well as trade-off analysis between rising energy demand and water use sustainability.
Wedge hybrid plasmonic THz waveguide with long propagation length and ultra-small deep-subwavelength mode area
Authors: Gui Chengcheng , Wang Jian
Published: July 2015

We present a novel design of wedge hybrid plasmonic terahertz (THz) waveguide consisting of a silicon (Si) nanowire cylinder above a triangular gold wedge with surrounded high-density polyethylene as cladding. It features long propagation length and ultra-small deep-subwavelength mode confinement. The mode properties of wedge hybrid plasmonic THz waveguide are comprehensively characterized in terms of propagation length (L), normalized mode area (Aeff /A0), figure of merit (FoM) and chromatic dispersion (D). The designed wedge hybrid plasmonic THz waveguide enables an ultra-small deep-subwavelength mode area which is more than one-order of magnitude smaller compared to previous rectangular one. When choosing the diameter of Si nanowire cylinder, a smaller diameter (e.g. 10 μm) is preferred to achieve longer L and higher FoM, while a larger diameter (e.g. 60 μm) is favorable to obtain smaller Aeff /A0 and higher FoM. We further study the impacts of possible practical fabrication errors on the mode properties. The simulated results of propagation length and normalized mode area show that the proposed wedge hybrid plasmonic THz waveguide is tolerant to practical fabrication errors in geometry parameters such as misalignment in the horizontal direction, variation of wedge tip angle and variation of wedge tip curvature radius.
CAR-Engineered NK Cells Targeting Wild-Type EGFR and EGFRvIII Enhance Killing of Glioblastoma and Patient-Derived Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Authors: Han Jianfeng , Chu Jianhong , Keung Chan Wing , Zhang Jianying , Wang Youwei , Cohen Justus B. , Victor Aaron , Meisen Walter H. , Kim Sung-hak , Grandi Paola , Wang Qi-En , He Xiaoming , Nakano Ichiro , Chiocca E. Antonio , Glorioso III Joseph C. , Kaur Balveen , Caligiuri Michael A. , Yu Jianhua
Published: July 2015

Glioblastoma (GB) remains the most aggressive primary brain malignancy. Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune cells has emerged as a promising anti-cancer approach, yet the potential utility of CAR-engineered natural killer (NK) cells to treat GB has not been explored. Tumors from approximately 50% of GB patients express wild-type EGFR (wtEGFR) and in fewer cases express both wtEGFR and the mutant form EGFRvIII; however, previously reported CAR T cell studies only focus on targeting EGFRvIII. Here we explore whether both wtEGFR and EGFRvIII can be effectively targeted by CAR-redirected NK cells to treat GB. We transduced human NK cell lines NK-92 and NKL and primary NK cells with a lentiviral construct harboring a second generation CAR targeting both wtEGFR and EGFRvIII and evaluated the anti-GB efficacy of EGFR-CAR-modified NK cells. EGFR-CAR-engineered NK cells displayed enhanced cytolytic capability and IFN-γ production when co-cultured with GB cells or patient-derived GB stem cells in an EGFR-dependent manner. In two orthotopic GB xenograft mouse models, intracranial administration of NK-92-EGFR-CAR cells resulted in efficient suppression of tumor growth and significantly prolonged the tumor-bearing mice survival. These findings support intracranial administration of NK-92-EGFR-CAR cells represents a promising clinical strategy to treat GB.
Galangin attenuates airway remodelling by inhibiting TGF-β1-mediated ROS generation and MAPK/Akt phosphorylation in asthma
Authors: Liu Ya-Nan , Zha Wang-Jian , Ma Yuan , Chen Fei-Fei , Zhu Wen , Ge Ai , Zeng Xiao-Ning , Huang Mao
Published: July 2015

Galangin, a natural flavonol, has attracted much attention for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. However, its role in the regulation of airway remodelling in asthma has not been explored. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of galangin on chronic inflammation and airway remodelling and to investigate the underlying mechanisms both in vivo and in vitro. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitised mice were administered with galangin 30 min before challenge. Our results showed that severe inflammatory responses and airway remodelling occurred in OVA-induced mice. Treatment with galangin markedly attenuated the leakage of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and decreased the level of OVA-specific IgE in serum. Galangin significantly inhibited goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition and α-SMA expression. Lowered level of TGF-β1 and suppressed expression of VEGF and MMP-9 were observed in BALF or lung tissue, implying that galangin has an optimal anti-remodelling effect in vivo. Consistently, the TGF-β1-induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells was reduced by galangin in vitro, which might be due to the alleviation of ROS levels and inhibition of MAPK pathway. Taken together, the present findings highlight a novel role for galangin as a promising anti-remodelling agent in asthma, which likely involves the TGF-β1-ROS-MAPK pathway.
Regulation of mTOR Signaling by Semaphorin 3F-Neuropilin 2 Interactions In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Nakayama Hironao , Bruneau Sarah , Kochupurakkal Nora , Coma Silvia , Briscoe David M. , Klagsbrun Michael
Published: July 2015

Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) provides neuronal guidance cues via its ability to bind neuropilin 2 (NRP2) and Plexin A family molecules. Recent studies indicate that SEMA3F has biological effects in other cell types, however its mechanism(s) of function is poorly understood. Here, we analyze SEMA3F-NRP2 signaling responses in human endothelial, T cell and tumor cells using phosphokinase arrays, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses. Consistently, SEMA3F inhibits PI-3K and Akt activity and responses are associated with the disruption of mTOR/rictor assembly and mTOR-dependent activation of the RhoA GTPase. We also find that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as mTOR-inducible cellular activation responses and cytoskeleton stability are inhibited by SEMA3F-NRP2 interactions in vitro. In vivo, local and systemic overproduction of SEMA3F reduces tumor growth in NRP2-expressing xenografts. Taken together, SEMA3F regulates mTOR signaling in diverse human cell types, suggesting that it has broad therapeutic implications.
Building an organic computing device with multiple interconnected brains
Authors: Pais-Vieira Miguel , Chiuffa Gabriela , Lebedev Mikhail , Yadav Amol , Nicolelis Miguel A. L.
Published: July 2015

Recently, we proposed that Brainets, i.e. networks formed by multiple animal brains, cooperating and exchanging information in real time through direct brain-to-brain interfaces, could provide the core of a new type of computing device: an organic computer. Here, we describe the first experimental demonstration of such a Brainet, built by interconnecting four adult rat brains. Brainets worked by concurrently recording the extracellular electrical activity generated by populations of cortical neurons distributed across multiple rats chronically implanted with multi-electrode arrays. Cortical neuronal activity was recorded and analyzed in real time and then delivered to the somatosensory cortices of other animals that participated in the Brainet using intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). Using this approach, different Brainet architectures solved a number of useful computational problems, such as discrete classification, image processing, storage and retrieval of tactile information and even weather forecasting. Brainets consistently performed at the same or higher levels than single rats in these tasks. Based on these findings, we propose that Brainets could be used to investigate animal social behaviors as well as a test bed for exploring the properties and potential applications of organic computers.
Plasma Free Amino Acid Profiles Predict Four-Year Risk of Developing Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Dyslipidemia and Hypertension in Japanese Population
Authors: Yamakado Minoru , Nagao Kenji , Imaizumi Akira , Tani Mizuki , Toda Akiko , Tanaka Takayuki , Jinzu Hiroko , Miyano Hiroshi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Daimon Takashi , Horimoto Katsuhisa , Ishizaka Yuko
Published: July 2015

Plasma free amino acid (PFAA) profile is highlighted in its association with visceral obesity and hyperinsulinemia and future diabetes. Indeed PFAA profiling potentially can evaluate individuals’ future risks of developing lifestyle-related diseases, in addition to diabetes. However, few studies have been performed especially in Asian populations, about the optimal combination of PFAAs for evaluating health risks. We quantified PFAA levels in 3,701 Japanese subjects and determined visceral fat area (VFA) and two-hour post-challenge insulin (Ins120 min) values in 865 and 1,160 subjects, respectively. Then, models between PFAA levels and the VFA or Ins120 min values were constructed by multiple linear regression analysis with variable selection. Finally, a cohort study of 2,984 subjects to examine capabilities of the obtained models for predicting four-year risk of developing new-onset lifestyle-related diseases was conducted. The correlation coefficients of the obtained PFAA models against VFA or Ins120 min were higher than single PFAA level. Our models work well for future risk prediction. Even after adjusting for commonly accepted multiple risk factors, these models can predict future development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia. PFAA profiles confer independent and differing contributions to increasing the lifestyle-related disease risks in addition to the currently known factors in a general Japanese population.
Large-scale Direct Targeting for Drug Repositioning and Discovery
Authors: Zheng Chunli , Guo Zihu , Huang Chao , Wu Ziyin , Li Yan , Chen Xuetong , Fu Yingxue , Ru Jinlong , Ali Shar Piar , Wang Yuan , Wang Yonghua
Published: July 2015

A system-level identification of drug-target direct interactions is vital to drug repositioning and discovery. However, the biological means on a large scale remains challenging and expensive even nowadays. The available computational models mainly focus on predicting indirect interactions or direct interactions on a small scale. To address these problems, in this work, a novel algorithm termed weighted ensemble similarity (WES) has been developed to identify drug direct targets based on a large-scale of 98,327 drug-target relationships. WES includes: (1) identifying the key ligand structural features that are highly-related to the pharmacological properties in a framework of ensemble; (2) determining a drug’s affiliation of a target by evaluation of the overall similarity (ensemble) rather than a single ligand judgment; and (3) integrating the standardized ensemble similarities (Z score) by Bayesian network and multi-variate kernel approach to make predictions. All these lead WES to predict drug direct targets with external and experimental test accuracies of 70% and 71%, respectively. This shows that the WES method provides a potential in silico model for drug repositioning and discovery.
Antibacterial property of Ag nanoparticle-impregnated N-doped titania films under visible light
Authors: Wong Ming-Show , Chen Chun-Wei , Hsieh Chia-Chun , Hung Shih-Che , Sun Der-Shan , Chang Hsin-Hou
Published: July 2015

Photocatalysts produce free radicals upon receiving light energy; thus, they possess antibacterial properties. Silver (Ag) is an antibacterial material that disrupts bacterial physiology. Our previous study reported that the high antibacterial property of silver nanoparticles on the surfaces of visible light-responsive nitrogen-doped TiO2 photocatalysts [TiO2(N)] could be further enhanced by visible light illumination. However, the major limitation of this Ag-TiO2 composite material is its durability; the antibacterial property decreased markedly after repeated use. To overcome this limitation, we developed TiO2(N)/Ag/TiO2(N) sandwich films in which the silver is embedded between two TiO2(N) layers. Various characteristics, including silver and nitrogen amounts, were examined in the composite materials. Various analyses, including electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum and methylene blue degradation rate analyses, were performed. The antibacterial properties of the composite materials were investigated. Here we revealed that the antibacterial durability of these thin films is substantially improved in both the dark and visible light, by which bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii, could be efficiently eliminated. This study demonstrated a feasible approach to improve the visible-light responsiveness and durability of antibacterial materials that contain silver nanoparticles impregnated in TiO2(N) films.
Magnetic anisotropy, unusual hysteresis and putative “up-up-down” magnetic structure in EuTAl4Si2 (T = Rh and Ir)
Authors: Maurya Arvind , Thamizhavel A. , Dhar S. K. , Bonville P.
Published: July 2015

We present detailed investigations on single crystals of quaternary EuRhAl4Si2 and EuIrAl4Si2. The two compounds order antiferromagnetically at TN1 = 11.7 and 14.7 K, respectively, each undergoing two magnetic transitions. The magnetic properties in the ordered state present a large anisotropy despite Eu2+being an S-state ion for which the single-ion anisotropy is expected to be weak. Two features in the magnetization measured along the c-axis are prominent. At 1.8 K, a ferromagnetic-like jump occurs at very low field to a value one third of the saturation magnetization (1/3 M0) followed by a wide plateau up to 2 T for Rh and 4 T for Ir-compound. At this field value, a sharp hysteretic spin-flop transition occurs to a fully saturated state (M0). Surprisingly, the magnetization does not return to origin when the field is reduced to zero in the return cycle, as expected in an antiferromagnet. Instead, a remnant magnetization 1/3 M0 is observed and the magnetic loop around the origin shows hysteresis. This suggests that the zero field magnetic structure has a ferromagnetic component and we present a model with up to third neighbor exchange and dipolar interaction which reproduces the magnetization curves and hints to an “up-up-down” magnetic structure in zero field.
Current-induced Orbital and Spin Magnetizations in Crystals with Helical Structure
Authors: Yoda Taiki , Yokoyama Takehito , Murakami Shuichi
Published: July 2015

We theoretically show that in a crystal with a helical lattice structure, orbital and spin magnetizations along a helical axis are induced by an electric current along the helical axis. We propose a simple tight-binding model for calculations and the results can be generalized to any helical crystals. The induced magnetizations are opposite for right-handed and left-handed helices. The current-induced spin magnetization along the helical axis comes from a radial spin texture on the Fermi surface. This is in sharp contrast to Rashba systems where the induced spin magnetization is perpendicular to the applied current.
Practical Considerations on the Multi-layer Mirrors for Superluminal Ring Laser Gyroscopes
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Yuan Baolun
Published: July 2015

We have created a simple model to analyze the restrictions on superluminal ring laser gyroscopes arising from the absorption of coating materials. For a ring laser gyroscope with a cavity length of 15 cm, the scale factor enhancement is nearly impossible due to absorption from the high dispersion mirror. In order to obtain a practical superluminal ring laser gyroscope, the extinction coefficient of coating materials should be less than 1E-10, which is a challenge at present.
Neuropsychological Performance in Polyconsumer Men Under Treatment. Influence of Age of Onset of Substance Use
Authors: Capella Maria del Mar , Benaiges Irina , Adan Ana
Published: July 2015

Neurocognition is a key factor in the development and maintenance of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). However, there are still several aspects that need to be studied in this area. In this study, we elucidate the influence of age of onset of substance use (OSU) on the clinical course and neuropsychological performance of substance use disorder (SUD) patients, as well as to explore the influence of years of education, duration of drug use and premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ) on the cognitive results obtained. An exhaustive neuropsychological battery was used to assess different cognitive domains in 80 male polyconsumers, 41 with earlier OSU (16 years or before: OSU ≤ 16) and 39 with later OSU (17 years or later: OSU ≥ 17). The patients were under treatment with at least 4 months of abstinence confirmed by urinalysis. The OSU ≤ 16 group presented a worse clinical state, as well as a lower premorbid IQ and worse performance in processing speed, visual perception and planning skills. The duration of drug use may account for the differences in planning and processing speed. In this work we discuss the premorbid or acquired nature of the cognitive deficits found.
Functional Roles of Aromatic Residues and Helices of Papiliocin in its Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Activities
Authors: Lee Eunjung , Kim Jin-Kyoung , Jeon Dasom , Jeong Ki-Woong , Shin Areum , Kim Yangmee
Published: July 2015

A cecropin-like peptide, papiliocin, isolated from the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus, possesses high selectivity against gram-negative bacteria. Since Trp2 and Phe5 are highly conserved residues in cecropin-like peptides, we investigated the role of Trp2 and Phe5 in antibacterial activity. Substitution of Trp2 and Phe5 in papiliocin with Ala (papiliocin-2A and papiliocin-5A) revealed that Trp2 is a key residue in its antibacterial activities. In order to understand the structural requirements for papiliocin function and to design shorter, but more potent, peptide antibiotics, we designed papiliocin constructs, PapN (residues Arg1-Ala22 from the N-terminal amphipathic helix). PapN exhibited significant broad-spectrum antibacterial activities without cytotoxicity. Bactericidal kinetics of peptides against E.coli showed that papiliocin completely and rapidly killed E.coli in less than 10 minutes at 2× MIC concentration, while papiliocin-2A and papiliocin-5A killed four times more slowly than papiliocin. The PapN series peptides permeabilized bacterial membranes less effectively than papiliocin, showing no antibacterial activities in an hour. The results imply that the Trp2 and Phe5 in the amphipathic N-terminal helix are important in the rapid permeabilization of the gram-negative bacterial membrane. The hydrophobic C-terminal residues permeabilize the hydrophobic bacterial cell membrane synergistically with these aromatic residues, providing selectivity against gram-negative bacteria.
Greatly Enhancing Catalytic Activity of Graphene by Doping the Underlying Metal Substrate
Authors: Guo Na , Xi Yongjie , Liu Shuanglong , Zhang Chun
Published: July 2015

Graphene-based solid-state catalysis represents a new direction in applications of graphene and has attracted a lot of interests recently. However, the difficulty in fine control and large-scale production of previously proposed graphene catalysts greatly limits their industrial applications. Here we present a novel way to enhance the catalytic activity of graphene, which is highly efficient yet easy to fabricate and control. By first-principles calculations, we show that when the underlying metal substrate is doped with impurities, the catalytic activity of the supported graphene can be drastically enhanced. Graphene supported on a Fe/Ni(111) surface is chosen as a model catalyst and the chemical reaction of CO oxidation is used to probe the catalytic activity of graphene. When the underlying Fe/Ni(111) substrate is impurity free, the graphene is catalytically inactive. When a Zn atom is doped into the substrate, the catalytic activity of the supported graphene is greatly enhanced and the reaction barrier of the catalyzed CO oxidation is reduced to less than 0.5 eV. Intriguing reaction mechanism of catalyzed CO oxidation is revealed. These studies suggest a new class of graphene-based catalysts and pave the way for future applications of graphene in solid-state catalysis.
Amorphous Sb2S3 embedded in graphite: a high-rate, long-life anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Yubao , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: July 2015

A new design strategy for stable and high-rate sodium-ion battery anodes is presented.
Fast and catalyst-free hydrazone ligation via ortho-halo-substituted benzaldehydes for protein C-terminal labeling at neutral pH
Authors: Xu Yang , Xu Ling , Xia Yuan , Guan Chao-Jian , Guo Qing-Xiang , Fu Yao , Wang Chen , Li Yi-Ming
Published: July 2015

Rapid and catalyst-free hydrazone ligation reaction between ortho-halobenzaldehyde derivatives and peptide/protein hydrazides was observed at neutral pH and room temperature.
Activation of boryl-, borylene and metalloborylene complexes by isonitriles
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Ewing William C. , Ferkinghoff Katharina , Hermann Alexander , Kramer Thomas , Shang Rong , Siedler Eva , Werner Christine
Published: July 2015

One or several isonitriles can insert into metalloboryl and metalloborylene complexes to afford cyclic or spiro compounds with bonding controlled by the electron count at the metal and in the ring.
Light-driven nitrile imine-mediated tetrazole–ene cycloaddition as a versatile platform for fullerene conjugation
Authors: Sugawara Yuuki , Jasinski Nils , Kaupp Michael , Welle Alexander , Zydziak Nicolas , Blasco Eva , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: July 2015

An efficient methodology for modular fullerene functionalization via the photo induced nitrile imine-mediated tetrazole–ene cycloaddition (NITEC) is introduced.
Crystal shape engineering of anatase TiO2 and its biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Shuang , Huang Nian , Jin Yong Mei , Zhang Hui Qing , Su Yong Hua , Yang Hua Gui
Published: July 2015

We highlight the crystal shape engineering of anatase TiO2 from thermodynamics, kinetics and bio-inspired perspectives and its success in biomedical applications.
Hydrogen spillover on Rh/TiO2: the FTIR study of donated electrons, co-adsorbed CO and H/D exchange
Authors: Panayotov D. , Ivanova E. , Mihaylov M. , Chakarova K. , Spassov T. , Hadjiivanov K.
Published: July 2015

Hydrogen spillover on Rh/TiO2: molecular H2dissociates on nanocrystalline Rh; the produced H atoms spillover onto the titania thus protonating the semiconductor, while donating electrons to shallow trap (ST) states and the conduction band (CB) of TiO2.
Zeolite membranes – a review and comparison with MOFs
Authors: Rangnekar N. , Mittal N. , Elyassi B. , Caro J. , Tsapatsis M.
Published: July 2015

The latest developments in zeolite and MOF membranes are reviewed, with an emphasis on synthesis techniques. Industrial applications, hydrothermal stability, polymer-supported and mixed matrix membranes are some of the aspects discussed.
Growth characteristics of Ti-based fumaric acid hybrid thin films by molecular layer deposition
Authors: Cao Yan-Qiang , Zhu Lin , Li Xin , Cao Zheng-Yi , Wu Di , Li Ai-Dong
Published: July 2015

Ti-based fumaric acid hybrid thin films were successfully prepared using inorganic TiCl4 and organic fumaric acid as precursors by molecular layer deposition (MLD).
Pathways for degradation of plastic polymers floating in the marine environment
Authors: Gewert Berit , Plassmann Merle M. , MacLeod Matthew
Published: July 2015

Different factors can initiate degradation of plastic polymers floating in the marine environment.
A microengineered pathophysiological model of early-stage breast cancer
Authors: Choi Yoonseok , Hyun Eunjeh , Seo Jeongyun , Blundell Cassidy , Kim Hee Chan , Lee Eunhee , Lee Su Hyun , Moon Aree , Moon Woo Kyung , Huh Dongeun
Published: July 2015

We report a microengineered cell culture platform that reconstitutes the 3D architecture and microenvironment of early-stage breast cancer.
Vortex chain formation in regions of ion concentration polarization
Authors: Hanasoge Srinivas , Diez Francisco J.
Published: July 2015

Primary, secondary and tertiary vortices generated inside an ion concentration polarization (ICP) region all rotating in the same direction.
A cyclically actuated electrolytic drug delivery device
Authors: Yi Ying , Buttner Ulrich , Foulds Ian G.
Published: July 2015

This work, focusing on an implantable drug delivery system, presents the first prototype electrolytic pump that combines a catalytic reformer and a cyclically actuated mode.
Self-assembled perylene bisimide J-aggregates as promising cathode modifiers for highly efficient inverted polymer solar cells
Authors: Xie Zengqi , Xiao Biao , He Zhicai , Zhang Wenqiang , Wu Xiaoyan , Wu Hongbin , Würthner Frank , Wang Chao , Xie Fangyan , Liu Linlin , Ma Yuguang , Wong Wai-Yeung , Cao Yong
Published: July 2015

The J-aggregates of perylene bisimide are successfully applied as cathode interlayers in inverted photovoltaic devices to afford very high power conversion efficiency (PCE).
Homoleptic phosphino copper(i) complexes with in vitro and in vivo dual cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activity
Authors: Gandin V. , Trenti A. , Porchia M. , Tisato F. , Giorgetti M. , Zanusso I. , Trevisi L. , Marzano C.
Published: July 2015

A series of homoleptic phosphino copper(i) complexes inhibit cancer cell growth and angiogenesis in cultured cells and in animal models.
Engineering high-performance Pd core–MgO porous shell nanocatalysts via heterogeneous gas-phase synthesis
Authors: Singh Vidyadhar , Cassidy Cathal , Abild-Pedersen Frank , Kim Jeong-Hwan , Aranishi Kengo , Kumar Sushant , Lal Chhagan , Gspan Christian , Grogger Werner , Sowwan Mukhles
Published: July 2015

The porous MgO shell inhibited the sintering/coalescence of the Pd nanoparticles, while preserving their catalytic activity.
Hybrid van der Waals heterostructures of zero-dimensional and two-dimensional materials
Authors: Zheng Zhikun , Zhang Xianghui , Neumann Christof , Emmrich Daniel , Winter Andreas , Vieker Henning , Liu Wei , Lensen Marga , Gölzhäuser Armin , Turchanin Andrey
Published: July 2015

A viable route to integrate zero-dimensional and one-dimensional materials into mechanically stable van der Waals heterostructures is demonstrated.
Synthesis and evaluation of 2-ethynyl-adenosine-5′-triphosphate as a chemical reporter for protein AMPylation
Authors: Creech Christa , Kanaujia Mukul , Causey Corey P.
Published: July 2015

2-Ethynyl-adenosine-5′-triphosphate is a chemical reporter for AMPylation that enables visualization of modified protein substrates.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of hybrid acridine-HSP90 ligand conjugates as telomerase inhibitors
Authors: Roe S. , Gunaratnam M. , Spiteri C. , Sharma P. , Alharthy R. D. , Neidle S. , Moses J. E.
Published: July 2015

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of bifunctional acridine-HSP90 inhibitor ligands as telomerase inhibitors is herein described.
Hybridization of PDMS based cyanate ester and DGEBA for radiation resistant and microelectronics applications
Authors: Ariraman Mathivathanan , Sasikumar Ramachandran , Alagar Muthukaruppan
Published: July 2015

Cyanate ester terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OCN) was synthesized and is copolymerized with DGEBA (1 : 1 and 2 : 1 ratios) through the formation of oxazoline ring to obtain a thermally stable and flexible hybrid PDMS–DGEBA polymer matrix.
A magnetic nanoparticle catalyzed eco-friendly synthesis of cyanohydrins in a deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Azizi Najmedin , Rahimi Zahra , Alipour Masoumeh
Published: July 2015

A short and highly efficient synthesis of cyanohydrins in a recyclable and biodegradable magnetic deep eutectic solvent is described.
Modeling of spherical silver nanoparticles in silicone-based nanocomposites for marine antifouling
Authors: Selim Mohamed S. , El-Safty Sherif A. , El-Sockary Maher A. , Hashem Ahmed I. , Abo Elenien Ossama M. , EL-Saeed Ashraf M. , Fatthallah Nesreen A.
Published: July 2015

A non-toxic foul-release model of silicone/spherical AgNP hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, and marine fouling release performance.
Embedded atom model for the liquid U–10Zr alloy based on density functional theory calculations
Authors: Wang Ning , Jiang Tao , Yang Yanqiu , Tian Jie , Hu Sheng , Peng Shuming , Yan Liuming
Published: July 2015

The self-diffusion in liquid U–10Zr alloy obeyed the Arrhenius activation process; the linear correlation coefficient was about 0.98.
Fabrication of highly sensitive ethanol sensor based on doped nanostructure materials using tiny chips
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: July 2015

Doped CuO–Fe2O3 nanocubes (NCs) are prepared via a facile wet-chemical process using active reactant precursors with reducing agents in high pH medium (pH > 10).
Electrochemically depositing titanium(iii) ions at liquid tin in a NaCl–KCl melt
Authors: Jiao Handong , Wang Junxiang , Zhang Long , Zhang Ke , Jiao Shuqiang
Published: July 2015

The electrochemical behavior of titanium ions at a liquid tin cathode has been investigated in a NaCl–KCl melt at 1023 K.
A graphene titanium dioxide nanocomposite (GTNC): one pot green synthesis and its application in a solid rocket propellant
Authors: Dey Abhijit , Nangare Vinit , More Priyesh V. , Shafeeuulla Khan Md Abdul , Khanna Pawan K. , Sikder Arun Kanti , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: July 2015

A green process was developed for a graphene–titanium dioxide nanocomposite (GTNC) synthesis by dispersing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and graphene nano-sheets (GNSs) in ethanolviaultrasonication followed by microwave irradiation.