bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pax 6 Controls Neural Crest Potential of Limbal Niche Cells to Support Self-Renewal of Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells
Authors: Chen Szu-Yu , Cheng Anny M. S. , Zhang Yuan , Zhu Ying-Ting , He Hua , Mahabole Megha , Tseng Scheffer C. G.
Published: July 2019

On ocular surface, corneal epithelial stem cells (SC) reside in limbus between cornea and conjunctiva. Pax6, an evolutionally conserved transcription factor essential for eye development, is expressed in post-natal corneal and limbal epithelia progenitors (LEPC) but not in underlying stroma. Because Pax6 is transiently expressed in developing corneal stroma and a subset of limbal and corneal stromal progenitors, we examined the role of Pax6 in limbal niche cells (LNC) in maintaining the phenotype of neural crest (NC) progenitors to support LEPC. Our results showed that nuclear Pax6 staining was found in freshly isolated LNC but not corneal stromal cells. Serial passaged LNC resulted in gradual loss of nuclear Pax6 (46 kDa) staining and neural crest progenitor status defined by the expression of embryonic SCs and NC markers, neurosphere formation, and differentiation into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Gain of function of 46 kDa Pax6 in late-passaged LNC resulted in nuclear Pax6 staining and promotion of the aforementioned NC progenitor status. In an in vitro reunion assay, early passaged LNC and late passaged LNC with overexpression of Pax6 inhibited the expression of corneal epithelial differentiation marker and promoted holoclone by LEPC. Therefore, expression of nuclear 46 kDa Pax6 in LNC plays an important developmental role in maintaining NC progenitor status to support self-renewal of corneal epithelial SCs in the limbal niche.
Selection of reference genes for flowering pathway analysis in the masting plants, Celmisia lyallii and Chionochloa pallens, under variable environmental conditions
Authors: Samarth  , Jameson Paula E.
Published: July 2019

Mast flowering is characterised by mass synchronised flowering at irregular intervals over a wide geographical area. An understanding of the molecular drivers of mast flowering requires expression analysis of key developmentally regulated gene(s). Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR is the gold standard technique used to assess expression of target gene(s) and to validate high-throughput sequencing data. Selection and validation of appropriate reference gene(s), used as normalisation factors in transcript abundance analysis, is an essential step to avoid ambiguous expression results. Eight candidate reference genes were assessed to select the best internal normalisation factors in naturally growing masting plantsChionochloa pallensandCelmisia lyallii. Statistical packages geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, ΔCtand RefFinder were used to determine the expression stability in plants translocated to different altitudes and sampled across the season.GAPDHandPP2ainCelmisiaandExPandTHPinChionochloawere found to be the best pairs of reference genes for normalisation of the gene expression data. Our study revealed environmentally-induced changes in reference gene expression, information that will be utilised as we investigate flowering phenology of masting plants under global climatic change.
Sorption, persistence, and leaching of the allelochemical umbelliferone in soils treated with nanoengineered sorbents
Authors: Real Miguel , Gámiz Beatriz , López-Cabeza Rocío , Celis Rafael
Published: July 2019

Coumarins represent an important family of allelochemicals with fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, nematicidal, and herbicidal properties. Like for other allelochemicals, the short persistence of coumarins in soils can reduce their biological activity and hamper their application as environmentally friendly agrochemicals. We evaluated the sorption of the coumarin umbelliferone by eight soils and six sorbent materials, and then selected two nanoengineered sorbents, hexadecyltrimethylammonium-modified Arizona montmorillonite (SA-HDTMA) and olive-mill waste biochar (BC), to assess the effect of their addition to two distinct soils on umbelliferone sorption, persistence, and leaching. Umbelliferone was sorbed to a greater extent by the acid soils (A1-A2, Kd > 4.0 L kg−1) than by the alkaline soils (B1-B6, Kd < 0.5 L kg−1). The addition of BC and SA-HDTMA at a rate of 4% to alkaline soil (B2) increased the umbelliferone sorption Kd value from 0.3 to 1.6–2.0 L kg−1, whereas their addition to acid soil (A1) increased the Kd value from 4.6 to 12.2–19.0 L kg−1. Incubation experiments showed that BC had more impact than SA-HDTMA on the persistence of umbelliferone in the soils, increasing its half-life from 0.3-2.5 to 1.2–14.4 days, depending on the soil. Furthermore, the addition of BC to the top 0–5 cm of soil columns reduced leaching of umbelliferone and led to accumulation of umbelliferone residues in the top 0–5 cm soil layer. The addition of nanoengineered materials, such as organoclays and biochars, could thus be a suitable strategy to increase the persistence and reduce the mobility of coumarins in the rhizosphere with the aim of prolonging their biological activity.
Respiratory influence on cerebrospinal fluid flow – a computational study based on long-term intracranial pressure measurements
Authors: Vinje Vegard , Ringstad Geir , Lindstrøm Erika Kristina , Valnes Lars Magnus , Rognes Marie E. , Eide Per Kristian , Mardal Kent-Andre
Published: July 2019

Current theories suggest that waste solutes are cleared from the brain via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, driven by pressure pulsations of possibly both cardiac and respiratory origin. In this study, we explored the importance of respiratory versus cardiac pressure gradients for CSF flow within one of the main conduits of the brain, the cerebral aqueduct. We obtained overnight intracranial pressure measurements from two different locations in 10 idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients. The resulting pressure gradients were analyzed with respect to cardiac and respiratory frequencies and amplitudes (182,000 cardiac and 48,000 respiratory cycles). Pressure gradients were used to compute CSF flow in simplified and patient-specific models of the aqueduct. The average ratio between cardiac over respiratory flow volume was 0.21 ± 0.09, even though the corresponding ratio between the pressure gradient amplitudes was 2.85 ± 1.06. The cardiac cycle was 0.25 ± 0.04 times the length of the respiratory cycle, allowing the respiratory pressure gradient to build considerable momentum despite its small magnitude. No significant differences in pressure gradient pulsations were found in the sleeping versus awake state. Pressure gradients underlying CSF flow in the cerebral aqueduct are dominated by cardiac pulsations, but induce CSF flow volumes dominated by respiration.
Uncovering biomarker genes with enriched classification potential from Hallmark gene sets
Authors: Targonski Colin A. , Shearer Courtney A. , Shealy Benjamin T. , Smith Melissa C. , Feltus F. Alex
Published: July 2019

Given the complex relationship between gene expression and phenotypic outcomes, computationally efficient approaches are needed to sift through large high-dimensional datasets in order to identify biologically relevant biomarkers. In this report, we describe a method of identifying the most salient biomarker genes in a dataset, which we call “candidate genes”, by evaluating the ability of gene combinations to classify samples from a dataset, which we call “classification potential”. Our algorithm, Gene Oracle, uses a neural network to test user defined gene sets for polygenic classification potential and then uses a combinatorial approach to further decompose selected gene sets into candidate and non-candidate biomarker genes. We tested this algorithm on curated gene sets from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) quantified in RNAseq gene expression matrices obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data repositories. First, we identified which MSigDB Hallmark subsets have significant classification potential for both the TCGA and GTEx datasets. Then, we identified the most discriminatory candidate biomarker genes in each Hallmark gene set and provide evidence that the improved biomarker potential of these genes may be due to reduced functional complexity.
Contrasting microbial community responses to salinization and straw amendment in a semiarid bare soil and its wheat rhizosphere
Authors: Szoboszlay Márton , Näther Astrid , Liu Bei , Carrillo Angel , Castellanos Thelma , Smalla Kornelia , Jia Zhongjun , Tebbe Christoph C.
Published: July 2019

Soil salinization is a major constraint of agriculture in semiarid ecosystems. In this study soil microcosms were applied to evaluate the impact of a lower- and higher-level salinization treatment of a pristine scrubland soil on the abundance ofBacteria,Archaea, andFungi, and on prokaryotic diversity in bare soil and the rhizosphere of wheat assessed by qPCR and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Furthermore, the impact of soil straw amendment as a salt-stress alleviation strategy was studied. While the low-level salinity stimulated plant growth, the seedlings did not survive under the higher-level salinity unless the soil was amended with straw. Without the straw amendment, salinization had only minor effects on the microbial community in bare soil. On the other hand, it decreased prokaryotic diversity in the rhizosphere of wheat, but the straw amendment was effective in mitigating this effect. The straw however, was not a significant nutrient source for the rhizosphere microbiota but more likely acted indirectly by ameliorating the salinity stress on the plant. Members ofProteobacteria,Actinobacteria, andFirmicuteswere abundant among the bacteria that reacted to soil salinization and the straw amendment but showed inconsistent responses indicating the large physiological diversity within these phyla.
Circulation of a novel strain of dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) in stranded cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mira Francesco , Rubio-Guerri Consuelo , Purpari Giuseppa , Puleio Roberto , Caracappa Giulia , Gucciardi Francesca , Russotto Laura , Loria Guido Ruggero , Guercio Annalisa
Published: July 2019

Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) has been responsible for several outbreaks of systemic infection and has resulted in cetacean strandings in the Mediterranean. In August-October 2016, seven striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded on the Sicilian coastline (Italy) tested positive for DMV. Tissue samples from brain, lung, pulmonary lymph nodes, heart, spleen, liver, stomach, intestine, kidneys and urinary bladder, as well as blowhole swabs, were collected during necropsy for molecular diagnostics and pathology studies. Extracted tissue RNA was screened for DMV by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some tissues exhibited microscopic lesions that were consistent with DMV infection on histopathological and immunohistochemical grounds. Conventional reverse transcription PCR to target partial nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein genes yielded sequences used to genetically characterize the associated DMV strain. DMV RNA was detected by both PCR assays in all tested tissues of the seven dolphins, which suggests systemic infections, but was absent from another dolphin stranded on the Sicilian coastline during the same period. The partial phosphoprotein and nucleoprotein gene sequences from the positive dolphins were 99.7% and 99.5% identical, respectively, to the DMV sequences recently observed in cetaceans stranded on the Spanish Mediterranean. Our study suggests that this DMV strain is circulating in the Mediterranean.
Effects of Composite LED Light on Root Growth and Antioxidant Capacity of Cunninghamia lanceolata Tissue Culture Seedlings
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Liang Yuyao , Yang Mei
Published: July 2019

We used the 12th generation of the Cunninghamia (C.) lanceolata tissue culture seedlings, and white light emitting diode (LED) light as control (CK). We applied five composite LED light treatments, red-blue 4:1, 8:1 (4R1B and 8R1B), red-blue-purple 8:1:1 (8R1B1P), and red-blue-purple-green 6:1:1:1, 8:1:1:1 (6R1B1P1G and 8R1B1P1G), to study the effects of light quality on root growth characteristics and antioxidant capacity of C. lanceolata tissue culture seedlings. The results showed that: (1) rooting rate, average root number, root length, root surface area, and root activity were higher with 6R1B1P1G and 8R1B1P1G treatments compared to 4R1B, 8R1B, 8R1B1P and CK treatments; and the root growth parameters under the 8R1B1P1G treatment were as high as 95.50% for rooting rate, 4.63 per plant of the average number of root, 5.95 cm root length, 1.92 cm2 surface area, and 145.56 ng/(g·h) root activity, respectively. (2) The composite lights of 4R1B, 8R1B, 8R1B1P, 6R1B1P1G, and 8R1B1P1G are beneficial for the accumulation of soluble sugar content (SSC) and soluble protein content (SPC), but not conducive for the increase of free proline content (FPC); the plants under 6R1B1P1G and 8R1B1P1G treatments had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity and lower malondialdehyde (MDA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. (3) Redundancy analysis showed that POD activity positively correlated with root activity; SPC, SOD and CAT activities positively correlated with root growth parameters; while SSC, MDA content, APX and PPO activities negatively correlated with root growth parameters. These results suggest that the responses of root growth and antioxidant capacity of the C. lanceolata tissue culture seedlings to different light qualities vary. The relationship between root growth parameters and antioxidant capacity was closely related. Red-blue-purple-green was the most suitable composite light quality for root growth of C. lanceolata tissue culture seedlings, and 8:1:1:1 was the optimal ratio, under which the rooting rate, root activity and root growth of tissue culture seedlings peaked.
Synchronised nesting aggregations are associated with enhanced capacity for extended embryonic arrest in olive ridley sea turtles
Authors: Williamson Sean A. , Evans Roger G. , Robinson Nathan J. , Reina Richard D.
Published: July 2019

Sea turtle species in the genusLepidochelysexhibit an unusual behavioural polymorphism, nesting in both aggregations and solitarily. Aggregated nesting events, termed ‘arribadas’, involve hundreds of thousands of females congregating at a single nesting beach over a few days to oviposit their eggs. Aggregate and solitary nesting behaviours are associated with distinct inter-nesting intervals, three and four weeks for non-arribada and arribada nesters respectively. Consequently, embryos are maintained in pre-ovipositional embryonic arrest in the hypoxic oviduct for different lengths of time depending on the mother’s reproductive behaviour. However, sea turtle embryos are limited in their capacity to remain in arrest and will subsequently die if held in hypoxia too long. Here, we tested whether embryos oviposited during arribada or non-arribada nesting differ in their capacity to be maintained in pre-ovipositional arrest. Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) eggs from eight clutches (four from each nesting tactic) were divided among seven treatments after oviposition; normoxia (control; 21% O2), or hypoxia (1% O2) for 3, 3.5, 4, 8, 15 or 30 days, before being returned to normoxia. Arribada eggs were capable of extending pre-ovipositional arrest for longer, with some eggs from the 8- and 15-day hypoxia treatment still hatching while no non-arribada eggs hatched after more than four days in hypoxia. This difference in embryonic capacity to survive extended periods of arrest may be an important mechanism facilitating arribada behaviour by allowing longer inter-nesting intervals. Our finding provides an intriguing insight into the physiological mechanisms that are integral to this unique mass-nesting behaviour.
Free-hand gas identification based on transfer function ratios without gas flow control
Authors: Imamura Gaku , Shiba Kota , Yoshikawa Genki , Washio Takashi
Published: July 2019

Gas identification is one of the most important functions of a gas sensor system. To identify gas species from sensing signals without gas flow control such as pumps or mass flow controllers, it is necessary to extract decisive dynamic features from complex sensing signals due to uncontrolled airflow. For that purpose, various analysis methods using system identification techniques have been proposed, whereas a method that is not affected by a gas input pattern has been demanded to enhance the robustness of gas identification. Here we develop a novel gas identification protocol based on a transfer function ratio (TFR) that is intrinsically independent of a gas input pattern. By combining the protocol with MEMS-based sensors—Membrane-type Surface stress Sensors (MSS), we have realized gas identification with a free-hand measurement, in which one can simply hold a small sensor chip near samples. From sensing signals obtained through the free-hand measurement, we have developed highly accurate machine learning models that can identify odors of spices and herbs as well as solvent vapors. Since no bulky gas flow control units are required, this protocol will expand the applicability of gas sensors to portable electronics, leading to practical artificial olfaction.
MicroRNA-214 targets PTK6 to inhibit tumorigenic potential and increase drug sensitivity of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Cagle Patrice , Niture Suryakant , Srivastava Anvesha , Ramalinga Malathi , Aqeel Rasha , Rios-Colon Leslimar , Chimeh Uchechukwu , Suy Simeng , Collins Sean P. , Dahiya Rajvir , Kumar Deepak
Published: July 2019

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men with African American men disproportionally suffering from the burden of this disease. Biomarkers that could discriminate indolent from aggressive and drug resistance disease are lacking. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that affect numerous physiological and pathological processes, including cancer development and have been suggested as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In the present study, we investigated the role of miR-214 on prostate cancer cell survival/migration/invasion, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. miR-214 was differentially expressed between Caucasian and African American prostate cancer cells. Importantly, miR-214 overexpression in prostate cancer cells induced apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation and colony forming ability. miR-214 expression in prostate cancer cells also inhibited cell migration and 3D spheroid invasion. Mechanistically, miR-214 inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation by targeting protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6). Restoration of PTK6 expression attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-214 on cell proliferation. Moreover, simultaneous inhibition of PTK6 by ibrutinib and miR-214 significantly reduced cell proliferation/survival. Our data indicates that miR-214 could act as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer and could potentially be utilized as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
Adverse perinatal outcomes for obese women are influenced by the presence of comorbid diabetes and hypertensive disorders
Authors: Aubry Evelyne M. , Oelhafen Stephan , Fankhauser Niklaus , Raio Luigi , Cignacco Eva L.
Published: July 2019

Maternal obesity often occurs together with comorbid diabetes and hypertensive disorders. All three conditions are independently associated with negative perinatal outcomes. Our objective was to determine the risk and burden of adverse perinatal outcome that could be attributed to maternal obesity in combination with a comorbid status. We analyzed data from 324′664 singleton deliveries in Switzerland between 2005 and 2016. For the association of maternal obesity in the presence or absence of comorbidities with various perinatal outcomes, we estimated adjusted relative risk (RR) using multivariable regression modeling and determined the multivariable-adjusted attributable fraction of the population (AFp). Obesity was a main predictor for macrosomia, fracture of the clavicle, failure to progress in labor and prolonged labor. By stratifying women based on comorbidities, we identified significantly increased risk for preterm birth and early neonatal death only for women diagnosed with a comorbidity. However, various other outcomes were independently associated with either obesity or comorbidities. The AFp showed greatest reduction in comorbidities (15.4/15.0/13.2%), in macrosomia (6.3%) and in shoulder dystocia (4.8%) if all women were to become non-obese. We suggest that comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertensive disorders should be considered when relating maternal obesity to adverse perinatal outcomes.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Organic-Inorganic Bismuth-Based Perovskite Films for Solar Cell Application
Authors: Sanders S. , Stümmler D. , Pfeiffer P. , Ackermann N. , Simkus G. , Heuken M. , Baumann P. K. , Vescan A. , Kalisch H.
Published: July 2019

Perovskite solar cells have shown a rapid increase of performance and overcome the threshold of 20% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The main issues hampering commercialization are the lack of deposition methods for large areas, missing long-term device stability and the toxicity of the commonly used Pb-based compounds. In this work, we present a novel chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for Pb-free air-stable methylammonium bismuth iodide (MBI) layers, which enables large-area production employing close-coupled showerhead technology. We demonstrate the influence of precursor rates on the layer morphology as well as on the optical and crystallographic properties. The impact of substrate temperature and layer thickness on the morphology of MBI crystallites is discussed. We obtain smooth layers with lateral crystallite sizes up to 500 nm. Moreover, the application of CVD-processed MBI layers in non-inverted perovskite solar cells is presented.
Methane-fuelled biofilms predominantly composed of methanotrophic ANME-1 in Arctic gas hydrate-related sediments
Authors: Gründger Friederike , Carrier Vincent , Svenning Mette M. , Panieri Giuliana , Vonnahme Tobias R. , Klasek Scott , Niemann Helge
Published: July 2019

Sedimentary biofilms comprising microbial communities mediating the anaerobic oxidation of methane are rare. Here, we describe two biofilm communities discovered in sediment cores recovered from Arctic cold seep sites (gas hydrate pingos) in the north-western Barents Sea, characterized by steady methane fluxes. We found macroscopically visible biofilms in pockets in the sediment matrix at the depth of the sulphate-methane-transition zone. 16S rRNA gene surveys revealed that the microbial community in one of the two biofilms comprised exclusively of putative anaerobic methanotrophic archaea of which ANME-1 was the sole archaeal taxon. The bacterial community consisted of relatives of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) belonging to uncultured Desulfobacteraceae clustering into SEEP-SRB1 (i.e. the typical SRB associated to ANME-1), and members of the atribacterial JS1 clade. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrates that this biofilm is composed of multicellular strands and patches of ANME-1 that are loosely associated with SRB cells, but not tightly connected in aggregates. Our discovery of methanotrophic biofilms in sediment pockets closely associated with methane seeps constitutes a hitherto overlooked and potentially widespread sink for methane and sulphate in marine sediments.
Selective cytotoxicity and antifungal properties of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with imidazole-4-acetate anion or 1-allylimidazole
Authors: Gałczyńska Katarzyna , Ciepluch Karol , Madej Łukasz , Kurdziel Krystyna , Maciejewska Barbara , Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna , Węgierek-Ciuk Aneta , Lankoff Anna , Arabski Michał
Published: July 2019

The physicochemical properties of metal complexes determine their potential applications as antitumor agents. In this study, the antitumor properties of mononuclear cobalt(II) and copper(II) coordination compounds (stoichiometry: [Co(iaa)2(H2O)2]·H2O (iaa = imidazole-4-acetate anion), [Co(1-allim)6](NO3)2 (1-allim = 1-allylimidazole), [Cu(iaa)2H2O] and [Cu(1-allim)4(NO3)2]) and their ligands have been evaluated on human lung carcinoma A549 cells and normal bronchial BEAS-2B cells. Designing the chemical structure of new antitumor agents the possible interactions with macromolecules such as DNA or proteins should be take into account. PCR gene tlr4 product served as DNA model, whereas lysozyme and phage-derived endolysin (both peptidoglycan degrading enzymes) were applied as protein/enzyme model. The interactions were analysed using PCR-HRM and circular dichroism, FT-IR, spectrophotometry, respectively. Additionally, the antimicrobial properties of the complexes at a non-cytotoxic concentration were analyzed against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans strains. The results obtained in this study showed the selective cytotoxicity of metal complexes, mainly [Cu(1-allim)4(NO3)2] towards tumor cells. From all tested compounds, only [Co(iaa)2(H2O)2].H2O non-covalently interacts with DNA. Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes did not affect the secondary conformation of tested proteins but modified the hydrolytic activity of enzymes (lysozyme and endolysin). Moreover, only [Co(iaa)2(H2O)2].H2O exhibited the antifungal properties. In conclusion, Co(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes bearing two imidazole-4-acetate ligands seemed to be promising antitumor and antifungal agents for future drug design and application.
Waterborne Polyurethanes as a New and Promising Class of Kinetic Inhibitors for Methane Hydrate Formation
Authors: Farhadian Abdolreza , Kudbanov Arman , Varfolomeev Mikhail A. , Dalmazzone Didier
Published: July 2019

A facile, new and promising technique based on waterborne polymers for designing and synthesizing kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) has been proposed to prevent methane hydrate formation. This topic is challenging subject in flow assurance problems in gas and oilfields. Proposed technique helps to get KHIs with required number and distance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups in molecule and good solubility in water. The performance of these new KHIs was investigated by high pressure micro-differential scanning calorimeter (HP-μDSC) and high-pressure autoclave cell. The results demonstrated the high performance of these inhibitors in delay the induction time (10–20 times) and reduce the hydrate growth rate (3 times). Also they did not increase hydrate dissociation temperature in comparison with pure water and show thermodynamic inhibition as well. Inhibition effect of synthesized polymers is improved with the increase of concentration significantly. Since this is the first report of the use of waterborne polymers as kinetic hydrate inhibitor, we expect that KHIs based on waterborne-based polymers can be a prospective option for preventing methane hydrate formation.
Synergistic mechanisms of Sanghuang–Danshen phytochemicals on postprandial vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects: A network biology approach based on a clinical trial
Authors: Lim Yeni , Hwang Woochang , Kim Ji Yeon , Lee Choong Hwan , Kim Yong-Jae , Lee Doheon , Kwon Oran
Published: July 2019

With the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the use of botanicals for vascular endothelial dysfunction has intensified. Here, we explored the synergistic mechanisms of Sanghuang–Danshen (SD) phytochemicals on the homeostatic protection against high-fat-induced vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects, using a network biology approach, based on a randomised crossover clinical trial. Seventeen differential markers identified in blood samples taken at 0, 3 and 6 h post-treatment, together with 12SD phytochemicals, were mapped onto the network platform, termed the context-oriented directed associations. The resulting vascular sub-networks illustrated associations between 10 phytochemicals with 32 targets implicated in 143 metabolic/signalling pathways. The three key events included adhesion molecule production (ellagic acid, fumaric acid and cryptotanshinone; VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and PLA2G2A; fatty acid metabolism), platelet activation (ellagic acid, protocatechuic acid and tanshinone IIA; VEGFA, APAF1 and ATF3; mTOR, p53, Rap1 and VEGF signalling pathways) and endothelial inflammation (all phytochemicals, except cryptotanshinone; 29 targets, including TP53 and CASP3; MAPK and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways, among others). Our collective findings demonstrate a potential of SD to protect unintended risks of vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects, providing a deeper understanding of the complicated synergistic mechanisms of signature phytochemicals in SD.
Silica nanoparticles produced by explosive flash vaporization during earthquakes
Authors: Amagai Takashi , Okamoto Atsushi , Niibe Takamasa , Hirano Nobuo , Motomiya Kenichi , Tsuchiya Noriyoshi
Published: July 2019

Hydrothermal activity in the crust results in the precipitation of large volumes of silica and often involves the formation of ore deposits, the shaping of geothermal systems, and recurring earthquakes. Pore fluid pressures fluctuate between lithostatic and hydrostatic, depending on seismic activity, and some models suggest the possibility of flash vaporization, given that fluid pressures can drop to the level of vapour at fault jogs during seismic slip. The phase changes of water could create extremely high supersaturations of silica, but the mechanisms of quartz vein formation under such extreme conditions remain unclear. Here we describe flash experiments conducted with silica-saturated solutions under conditions ranging from subcritical to supercritical. We found that amorphous silica is produced instantaneously as spherical nano- to micron-scale particles via nucleation and aggregation during the evaporation of water droplets. The nanoparticles are transformed to microcrystalline quartz very rapidly by dissolution and precipitation in hydrothermal solutions, with this process requiring less than one day under supercritical conditions because of the huge surface areas involved. We suggest that such short-lived silica nanoparticles have significant impacts on the dynamic changes in mechanical behaviour and hydrology of hydrothermal systems in volcanic areas.
An Electrical Model of Hydrocephalus Shunt Incorporating the CSF Dynamics
Authors: Baghbani R.
Published: July 2019

The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain ventricles and subarachnoid space is known as hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a result of disturbances in the secretion or absorption process of CSF. A hydrocephalus shunt is an effective method for the treatment of hydrocephalus. In this paper, at first, the procedures of secretion, circulation, and absorption of CSF are studied and subsequently, the mathematical relations governing the pressures in different interacting compartments of the brain are considered. A mechanical-electrical model is suggested based on the brain physiology and blood circulation. In the proposed model, hydrocephalus is modeled with an incremental resistance (Ro) and hydrocephalus shunt, which is a low resistance path to drain the accumulated CSF in the brain ventricles, is modeled with a resistance in series with a diode. At the end, the simulation results are shown. The simulation results can be used to predict the shunt efficiency in reducing CSF pressure and before a real shunt implementation surgery is carried out in a patient’s body.
Retracted Article: MiR-148a agomir based targeting of c-Met and Her-3 is able to attenuate EGFR-T790M mutation driven gefitinib and erlotinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Chen Guimin , Ye Lei , Han Yufei , Han Ping
Published: July 2019

MiR-148a inhibits NSCLC progression.
Rapid paper diagnostic for plasma fibrinogen concentration
Authors: Bialkower Marek , McLiesh Heather , Manderson Clare A. , Tabor Rico F. , Garnier Gil
Published: July 2019

Fibrinogen is one of the first proteins to be depleted in heavily bleeding patients. In this study, we have developed a new paper-based diagnostic to quantify the fibrinogen concentration in blood at room temperature.
Preparation of a novel electrochemical sensor for phosphate detection based on a molybdenum blue modified poly(vinyl chloride) coated pencil graphite electrode
Authors: Arvas Melih Besir , Gorduk Ozge , Gencten Metin , Sahin Yucel
Published: July 2019

Molybdenum blue was electrodeposited on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) by cyclic voltammetry and it was used in the detection of phosphate ions for the first time in the literature.
Covalent conjugation of bioactive peptides to graphene oxide for biomedical applications
Authors: Eckhart Karoline E. , Holt Brian D. , Laurencin Michaela G. , Sydlik Stefanie A.
Published: July 2019

Peptide–graphene conjugates have the cytocompatibility, electrical, and mechanical properties of graphene with the cell instructive properties of the peptide.
Connecting a carbonyl and a π-conjugated group through a p-phenylene linker by (5+1) benzene ring formation
Authors: Morofuji Tatsuya , Kinoshita Hanae , Kano Naokazu
Published: July 2019

A benzene ring was formed to connect a carbonyl group of various methyl ketones with a π-conjugated group through a p-phenylene linker.
4′-Guanidinium-modified siRNA: a molecular tool to control RNAi activity through RISC priming and selective antisense strand loading
Authors: Nawale Ganesh N. , Bahadorikhalili Saeed , Sengupta Pallabi , Kadekar Sandeep , Chatterjee Subhrangsu , Varghese Oommen P.
Published: July 2019

We present synthesis, biochemical, biophysical and computational evaluation of 4′ gunanidino modified siRNA.
Probing stress induced phase transformation in aspirin polymorphs using Raman spectroscopy enabled nanoindentation
Authors: Manimunda Praveena , Syed Asif S. A. , Mishra Manish Kumar
Published: July 2019

The variations in Raman bands at different indentation loads provide a reliable understanding of structural modifications during phase transformation in aspirin polymorphs.
Synthesis of porous coordination polymers using carbon dioxide as a direct source
Authors: Kadota Kentaro , Duong Nghia Tuan , Nishiyama Yusuke , Sivaniah Easan , Horike Satoshi
Published: July 2019

Porous coordination polymers are synthesized from carbon dioxide and metal borohydrides under mild conditions.
Improving the performance of lead acetate-based perovskite solar cells via solvent vapor annealing
Authors: Guo Zhongli , Zhuang Jia , Ma Zhu , Xia Haoran , Yi Jing , Zhou Weiya , Lu Honglin , Xiang Yan , Li Haimin
Published: July 2019

The perovskite layers with large grain size and less pinhole were achieved by adding DMF during the thermal annealing process.
A new insight into the mechanism of low-temperature Au-assisted growth of InAs nanowires
Authors: Koryakin Alexander A. , Kukushkin Sergey A. , Kotlyar Konstantin P. , Ubyivovk Evgenii D. , Reznik Rodion R. , Cirlin George E.
Published: July 2019

We propose a new insight into the mechanism of low-temperature Au-assisted growth of InAs nanowires. The nanowire MBE growth was achieved at temperature of 270 °C on silicon substrates and was described theoretically via vapor–solid–solid mechanism.
On the formation of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium: untangling the chemical complexity of carbon monoxide–hydrocarbon containing ice analogues exposed to ionizing radiation via a combined infrared and reflectron time-of-flight analysis
Authors: Abplanalp Matthew J. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: July 2019

The isomer specific detection of complex organic molecules from irradiated carbon monoxide–hydrocarbon ices and their yields have been elucidated.
Semiclassical versus quantum-mechanical vibronic approach in the analysis of the functional characteristics of molecular quantum cellular automata
Authors: Palii Andrew , Rybakov Andrey , Aldoshin Sergey , Tsukerblat Boris
Published: July 2019

In the context of the decisive role that vibronic interactions play in the functioning of molecular quantum cellular automata, we give a comparative analysis of the two alternative vibronic approaches to evaluate the key functional characteristics of molecular cells.
The effect of the magnitude and direction of the dipoles of organic cations on the electronic structure of hybrid halide perovskites
Authors: Maheshwari Sudeep , Patwardhan Sameer , Schatz George C. , Renaud Nicolas , Grozema Ferdinand C.
Published: July 2019

This work unravels the effect of orientation of the dipoles of organic cations on the electronic structure of hybrid halide perovskites.
Fabrication of surface hydroxyl modified g-C3N4with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity
Authors: Li Zizhen , Meng Xiangchao , Zhang Zisheng
Published: July 2019

Photocatalytic activity of C3N4in the decomposition of phenolic compounds in water was significantly improved with hydroxyl surface modification.
Formation of nanocluster {Dy12} containing Dy-exclusive vertex-sharing [Dy4(μ3-OH)4] cubanes via simultaneous multitemplate guided and step-by-step assembly
Authors: Ma Xiong-Feng , Wang Hai-Ling , Zhu Zhong-Hong , Li Bo , Mo Kai-Qiang , Zou Hua-Hong , Liang Fu-Pei
Published: July 2019

The formation of high-nuclearity clusters of lanthanide usually involved many complicated self-assembly processes. Thus, tracking the formation process is extremely difficult and research on the assembly mechanism is very rare.
Mono- and bimetallic pentacoordinate silicon complexes of a chelating bis(catecholimine) ligand
Authors: Do Thomas H. , Brown Seth N.
Published: July 2019

A xanthenediamine-based bis(iminocatecholate) occupies trans sites in square pyramidal silicon adducts and binds univalent ions in a lower N2O3 pocket.
Glutamic acid supplementation reduces body fat weight in finishing pigs when provided solely or in combination with arginine and it is associated with colonic propionate and butyrate concentrations
Authors: Hu Chengjun , Li Fengna , Duan Yehui , Yin Yulong , Kong Xiangfeng
Published: July 2019

Changes in the composition of gut microbiota have been proposed as possible causes of obesity.
The impact of nanoparticle shape on cellular internalisation and transport: what do the different analysis methods tell us?
Authors: Wang Wenqian , Gaus Katharina , Tilley Richard D. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: July 2019

This focus article looks at how nanoparticle shape affects cellular internalisation of nanoparticles and what different analysis methods can tell us.
Lipid nanoparticles – Metvan: revealing a novel way to deliver a vanadium compound to bone cancer cells
Authors: Cacicedo M. L. , Ruiz M. C. , Scioli-Montoto S. , Ruiz M. E. , Fernández M. A. , Torres-Sanchez R. M. , Baran E. J. , Castro G. R. , León I. E.
Published: July 2019

A new Metvan-NLC compound was developed to improve Metvan's biopharmaceutical profile and antitumor efficacy.
Layered coating of ultraflexible graphene-based electrodes for high-performance in-plane quasi-solid-state micro-supercapacitors
Authors: Du Jingwei , Mu Xuemei , Zhao Yirong , Zhang Yaxiong , Zhang Shengming , Huang Baoyu , Sheng Yingzhuo , Xie Yizhu , Zhang Zhenxing , Xie Erqing
Published: July 2019

Ultraflexible graphene films reduced by HI serve as isolated structural units to fabricate micro-supercapacitors.
Synthesis of thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoline derivatives via base-promoted cascade bicyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isothiocyanates with propargylamines
Authors: Miao Jiankang , Sang Xiaoyan , Wang Yi , Deng Shufeng , Hao Wenyan
Published: July 2019

A highly efficient base-promoted cascade bicyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isothiocyanates with propargylamines for constructing thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolines has been demonstrated.
N-Thiocyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide: a new electrophilic thiocyanating reagent with enhanced reactivity
Authors: Li Chengqiu , Long Pingliang , Wu Haopeng , Yin Hongquan , Chen Fu-Xue
Published: July 2019

N-Thiocyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide: a new electrophilic thiocyanating reagent was readily prepared and exhibited enhanced reactivity with a wide scope of substrates.
Unlocking high capacities of graphite anodes for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Carboni Marco , Naylor Andrew J. , Valvo Mario , Younesi Reza
Published: July 2019

Ball-milling of graphite results in graphene layer exfoliation and defect formation, leading to enhanced performance as a K-ion battery anode.
Nonlocal effects on the structural transition of gold clusters from planar to three-dimensional geometries
Authors: Wu Ping , Liu Qingxiu , Chen Gang
Published: July 2019

Nonlocal effects may be important for determining the 2D–3D structural transitions of anionic, neutral, and cationic gold clusters.
Control of graphene aerogel self-assembly in strongly acidic solution via solution polarity tuning
Authors: Huang Jinhui , Huang Xue , He Ming , Zhang Buning , Feng Guangzhu , Yin Guoqiang , Cui Yingde
Published: July 2019

Possible self-assembly mechanism and deformability of graphene aerogels prepared in water (a) and ethanol solution (b).
Enantioselective Michael reaction of anthrone catalyzed by chiral tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine derivatives
Authors: Genc Hayriye Nevin
Published: July 2019

A highly enantioselective Michael addition reaction of anthrone with nitroalkenes by chiral tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine catalysts was investigated as a novel topic.
Size dependent anti-invasiveness of silver nanoparticles in lung cancer cells
Authors: Que Yu Mei , Fan Xiao Qing , Lin Xiao Juan , Jiang Xiao Li , Hu Ping Ping , Tong Xiao Yong , Tan Qun You
Published: July 2019

Size-dependent anti-invasiveness effect of AgNPs was determined using A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. The 13 nm AgNPs can significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of A549 cells and induce the elevated level of ROS and NF-κB directed cell apoptosis.
Synthesis and appraisal of a hydroxyapatite/pectin hybrid material for zinc removal from water
Authors: Ni Pan , Fox John T.
Published: July 2019

This work investigated a simple method to modify hydroxyapatite and pectin to form an efficient zinc sorbent.
Tuning two-electron transfer in terpyridine-based platinum(ii) pincer complexes
Authors: Kuyuldar Seher , Burda Clemens , Connick William B.
Published: July 2019

Square planar Pt(ii) terpyridine complexes with pincer ligands undergo two-electron oxidation and variation in the ligand substituents allows for tuning of the two-electron oxidation process over a 260 mV range.
Unravelling the practical solar charging performance limits of redox flow batteries based on a single photon device system
Authors: Bae Dowon , Faasse Gerrit M. , Kanellos Gerasimos , Smith Wilson A.
Published: July 2019

We present the theoretical model reflecting experimental parameters, such that we can highlight critical parameters that merit the most attention in further studies towards the practical realisation of solar-rechargeable redox flow batteries (SRFBs).
The solute mechanical properties impact on the drying of dairy and model colloidal systems
Authors: Le Floch-Fouéré Cécile , Lanotte Luca , Jeantet Romain , Pauchard Ludovic
Published: July 2019

The impact of solute properties on the morphological characteristics of evaporating droplets is investigated through the analysis of drying stages and final crack pattern of biological samples (WPI, whey protein) and model silica dispersions (TM50).
Measurement of the force between uncharged colloidal particles trapped at a flat air/water interface
Authors: Carrasco-Fadanelli Virginia , Castillo Rolando
Published: July 2019

Measurement of the force between colloidal particles trapped at a flat air/water interface using optical tweezers.
Facile catalyst-free synthesis, exchanging, and hydrolysis of an acetal motif for dynamic covalent networks
Authors: Li Qiong , Ma Songqi , Wang Sheng , Yuan Wangchao , Xu Xiwei , Wang Binbo , Huang Kaifeng , Zhu Jin
Published: July 2019

This work highlights the exploitation of an acetal motif to build dynamic covalent networks.
Atomic layer deposited photocatalysts: comprehensive review on viable fabrication routes and reactor design approaches for photo-mediated redox reactions
Authors: Eswar N. K. R. , Singh Satyapaul A. , Heo Jaeyeong
Published: July 2019

The potential synthesis approaches in fabricating a photocatalyst using atomic layer deposition.
An interfacial electron transfer relay center for accelerating the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiaoyan , Huang Bolong , Li Jing , Wang Erkang
Published: July 2019

The pinned C sites in the interfacial region coordinate fast electron transfer between adsorbates and interface regions for efficient HER performance.
A multi-shelled V2O3/C composite with an overall coupled carbon scaffold enabling ultrafast and stable lithium/sodium storage
Authors: Li Yutong , Zhang Su , Wang Shitong , Leng Jin , Jiang Caihua , Ren Xiaowei , Zhang Zhongtai , Yang Yong , Tang Zilong
Published: July 2019

A multi-shelled V2O3/C with an overall carbon scaffold coupled on the V2O3 thin shells enables ultrafast and stable lithium/sodium storage.
C3N4-digested 3D construction of hierarchical metallic phase MoS2 nanostructures
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Tang Jing , Guo Tong , Zhang Shuaihua , Xia Wei , Tan Haibo , Bando Yoshio , Wang Xin , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: July 2019

Metallic MoS2 with a controllable hierarchical spherical structure has been achieved via a hydrothermal strategy by using the carbon nitride nanospheres as a self-sacrificed template.
PdPt bimetallic nanowires with efficient oxidase mimic activity for the colorimetric detection of acid phosphatase in acidic media
Authors: Jin Lihua , Sun Yanan , Shi Lulu , Li Cong , Shen Yehua
Published: July 2019

PdPt bimetallic alloy nanowires (Pd/Pt NWs) were found to exhibit excellent oxidase-like activity and can be applied to sensitively detect the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) in acidic media.
Generation of full-color and switchable circularly polarized luminescence from nonchiral dyes assembled in cholesteric cellulose films
Authors: He Jintao , Bian Kaiqiang , Li Na , Piao Guangzhe
Published: July 2019

The generation of full-color and switchable circularly polarized luminescence from nonchiral dyes assembled in cholesteric cellulose films.
Strain to alter the covalency and superconductivity in transition metal diborides
Authors: Zhai Huanchen , Munoz Francisco , Alexandrova Anastassia N.
Published: July 2019

Among layered metal diborides, MB2, only MgB2 is a superconductor. However, a strategically applied mechanical stress that removes metal–boron covalency can turn ScB2 into a superconductor with the same mechanism.
A facile strategy for the synthesis of water-soluble fluorescent nonconjugated polymer dots and their application in tetracycline detection
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhang Yang , Lyu Tiantian , Wang Ying , Yang Xudong , Wu Xiaodan
Published: July 2019

Fluorescent non-conjugated polymer dots prepared from polyethyleneimine and l-ascorbic acid via the Maillard reaction were used as tetracycline detection probes.
Environmental stability of bismuthene: oxidation mechanism and structural stability of 2D pnictogens
Authors: Kistanov Andrey A. , Khadiullin Salavat Kh. , Zhou Kun , Dmitriev Sergey V. , Korznikova Elena A.
Published: July 2019

Structural stability of bismuthene may originate from an acceptor role of water molecules on it.
High common‐mode suppression balanced bandpass filter using isosceles right‐angled triangular resonator
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Chen Chang , Chen Weidong
Published: July 2019

A balanced bandpass filter with high common‐mode (CM) suppression using isosceles right‐angled triangular (RAT) resonator is proposed in this Letter. The two high order orthogonal modes (TM210Z and TM200Z) are generated in the two overlapped isosceles RAT resonators under differential‐mode (DM) and CM excitation, respectively. In this structure, TM210Z mode will be transmitted and TM200Z mode will be blocked. Furthermore, four via‐holes are introduced to disturb TM210Z mode while TM200Z mode is unaffected, in order to shift the DM passband to the position of CM suppression. The designed balanced bandpass filter operating at 6.12 GHz with 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 5% is fabricated and measured. The measured and simulated results match very well with each other validating the feasibility of the proposed design concept.