bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Two-level’ measurements of processing speed as cognitive markers in the differential diagnosis of DSM-5 mild neurocognitive disorders (NCD)
Authors: Lu Hanna , Chan Sandra S. M. , Lam Linda C. W.
Published: March 2017

Processing speed is an updated diagnostic factor for neurocognitive disorders (NCD) in DSM-5. This study investigated the characteristics of processing speed and their diagnostic values in NCD patients. A flanker test was conducted in 31 adults with NCD due to vascular disease (NCD-vascular), 36 patients with NCD due to Alzheimer’s disease (NCD-AD), and 137 healthy controls. The processing speed was evaluated using two measurements: mean reaction time (RT) and intra-individual variability of RT. Mean RT represents the global processing speed. Intra-individual variability of RT is the short-term fluctuation of RT and consists of two indices, which are intra-individual coefficient of variation of reaction time (ICV-RT) and intra-individual standard deviations (iSD). We observed elevated ICV-RT and iSD in NCD-AD and NCD-vascular patients. Additionally, there was a slowed RT in NCD-AD patients. The intra-individual variability of RT had a moderate power to differentiate NCD subgroups. The mean RT was able to discriminate the NCD-AD from NCD-vascular patients. Our findings highlight the clinical utility of the combined ‘two-level’ measurements of processing speed to distinguish between individuals with different cognitive status. Furthermore, the ‘two-level’ features of processing speed embedded in the psychometric property may also reflect the diverse aetiology underlying certain ‘disease-specific’ neurocognitive disorders.
Surface Pollen Distribution from Alpine Vegetation in Eastern Tibet, China
Authors: Zhang Yun , Kong Zhaochen , Yang Zhenjing , Wang Li , Duan Xiaohong
Published: March 2017

We explore the relationship between modern pollen spectra and vegetation patterns in the Eastern Tibet, China in order to provide information on the representation of pollen taxa and improve the general knowledge of vertical pollen transport. Forty-two modern pollen samples collected in surface soil along two altitudinal transects allowed conclusions on vertical pollen dispersal from the alpine region of Dingqing County, Changdu district in Tibet. Discriminant analyses and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of 24 pollen taxa were used to further discuss the difference of modern pollen spectra in these alpine vegetation zones. The surface pollen assemblage is divided into three pollen zones, such as subalpine shrub meadow, montane coniferous forest and shrub steppe with sparse trees. Altitude and precipitation are two primary factors contributing to changes in surface pollen assemblage from alpine vegetation in the eastern Tibet. Large amounts of spruce pollen at higher elevations above the timberline might be introduced from lower elevations by upslope winds. Therefore, the interpretation of spruce pollen in the fossil record must take into account long distance upward wind transport. Moreover, the destruction of coniferous forest in the study area is well illustrated in the modern pollen rain.
Effects of four kinds of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with different frequency spectrum bands on ovariectomized osteoporosis in mice
Authors: Lei Tao , Li Feijiang , Liang Zhuowen , Tang Chi , Xie Kangning , Wang Pan , Dong Xu , Shan Shuai , Liu Juan , Xu Qiaoling , Luo Erping , Shen Guanghao
Published: March 2017

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) was considered as a non-invasive modality for treatment of osteoporosis while the effects were diverse with EMF parameters in time domain. In present study, we extended analysis of EMF characteristics from time domain to frequency domain, aiming to investigate effects of four kinds of EMF (LP (1–100 Hz), BP (100–3,000 Hz), HP (3,000–50,000 Hz) and AP (1–50,000 Hz)) on ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis (OP) in mice. Forty-eight 3-month-old female BALB/c mice were equally assigned to Sham, OVX, OVX + LP, OVX + BP, OVX + HP and OVX + AP groups (n = 8). After 8-week exposure (3 h/day), LP and BP significantly increased serum bone formation markers and osteogenesis-related gene expressions compared with OVX. Bedsides, LP and BP also slightly increased bone resorption activity compared with OVX, evidenced by increased RANKL/OPG ratio. HP sharply decreased serum bone formation and resporption markers and osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis related gene expressions compared with OVX. AP had accumulative effects of LP, BP and HP, which significantly increased bone formation and decreased bone resporption activity compared with OVX. As a result, LP, BP and HP exposure did not later deterioration of bone mass, microarchitecture and mechanical strength in OVX mice with OP. However, AP stimulation attenuated OVX-induced bone loss.
Event-related potential data from a guess the number brain-computer interface experiment on school children
Authors: Mouček R. , Vařeka L. , Prokop T. , Štěbeták J. , Brůha P.
Published: March 2017

Guess the number is a simple P300-based brain-computer interface experiment. Its aim is to ask the measured participant to pick a number between 1 and 9. Then, he or she is exposed to corresponding visual stimuli and experimenters try to guess the number thought while they are observing event-related potential waveforms on-line. 250 school-age children participated in the experiments that were carried out in elementary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic. Electroencephalographic data from three EEG channels (Fz, Cz, Pz) and stimuli markers were stored. Additional metadata about the participants were collected (gender, age, laterality, the number thought by the participant, the guess of the experimenters, and various interesting additional information). Consequently, we offer the largest publicly available odd-ball paradigm collection of datasets to neuroscientific and brain-computer interface community.
Role of oxygen functional groups in reduced graphene oxide for lubrication
Authors: Gupta Bhavana , Kumar Niranjan , Panda Kalpataru , Kanan Vigneshwaran , Joshi Shailesh , Visoly-Fisher Iris
Published: March 2017

Functionalized and fully characterized graphene-based lubricant additives are potential 2D materials for energy-efficient tribological applications in machine elements, especially at macroscopic contacts. Two different reduced graphene oxide (rGO) derivatives, terminated by hydroxyl and epoxy-hydroxyl groups, were prepared and blended with two different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for tribological investigation. Epoxy-hydroxyl-terminated rGO dispersed in PEG showed significantly smaller values of the friction coefficient. In this condition, PEG chains intercalate between the functionalized graphene sheets, and shear can take place between the PEG and rGO sheets. However, the friction coefficient was unaffected when hydroxyl-terminated rGO was coupled with PEG. This can be explained by the strong coupling between graphene sheets through hydroxyl units, causing the interaction of PEG with the rGO to be non- effective for lubrication. On the other hand, antiwear properties of hydroxyl-terminated rGO were significantly enhanced compared to epoxy-hydroxyl functionalized rGO due to the integrity of graphene sheet clusters.
Acute and chronic mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency differentially regulate lysosomal biogenesis
Authors: Fernández-Mosquera Lorena , Diogo Cátia V. , Yambire King Faisal , Santos Gabriela L. , Luna Sánchez Marta , Bénit Paule , Rustin Pierre , Lopez Luis Carlos , Milosevic Ira , Raimundo Nuno
Published: March 2017

Mitochondria are key cellular signaling platforms, affecting fundamental processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation and death. However, it remains unclear how mitochondrial signaling affects other organelles, particularly lysosomes. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) impairments elicit a stress signaling pathway that regulates lysosomal biogenesis via the microphtalmia transcription factor family. Interestingly, the effect of mitochondrial stress over lysosomal biogenesis depends on the timeframe of the stress elicited: while RC inhibition with rotenone or uncoupling with CCCP initially triggers lysosomal biogenesis, the effect peaks after few hours and returns to baseline. Long-term RC inhibition by long-term treatment with rotenone, or patient mutations in fibroblasts and in a mouse model result in repression of lysosomal biogenesis. The induction of lysosomal biogenesis by short-term mitochondrial stress is dependent on TFEB and MITF, requires AMPK signaling and is independent of calcineurin signaling. These results reveal an integrated view of how mitochondrial signaling affects lysosomes, which is essential to fully comprehend the consequences of mitochondrial malfunction, particularly in the context of mitochondrial diseases.
Heterologous protein-DNA interactions lead to biased allelic expression of circadian clock genes in interspecific hybrids
Authors: Ng Danny W-K. , Chen Helen H. Y. , Chen Z. Jeffrey
Published: March 2017

Genomic interactions in allopolyploids create expression variation of homoeologous alleles through protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. However, the molecular basis for this is largely unknown. Here we investigated the protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions among homoeologous transcription factors in the circadian-clock feedback loop, consisting of CCA1 HIKING EXPEDITION (CHE), CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1), and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1), plus the interaction with a chromatin factor, HISTONE DEACETYLASE1 (HD1). In the allotetraploids formed between A. thaliana (At) and Arabidopsis arenosa (Aa), AtCCA1 is expressed at lower levels than AaCCA1, which could alter clock output traits. The reduced AtCCA1 expressions in the allotetraploids are consistent with the biochemical data that AaCHE showed preferential binding to the AtCCA1 promoter, in which AaCHE interacts with a higher affinity to AtHD1 than AtCHE. AaCHE also showed a higher affinity to TOC1 than AtCHE, consistent with the effect of TOC1 on repressing CCA1. Thus, stronger AaCHE-TOC1 and AaCHE-AtHD1 interactions reduce AtCC1 allelic expression. Our current data suggest a biochemical basis for protein interactions in trans with a preference to the cis-acting elements in heterologous combinations to reduce AtCCA1 expression, while altered CCA1 expression has been shown to affect metabolic and biomass heterosis in interspecific hybrids or allotetraploids.
Differential roles of caspase-1 and caspase-11 in infection and inflammation
Authors: Man Si Ming , Karki Rajendra , Briard Benoit , Burton Amanda , Gingras Sebastien , Pelletier Stephane , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi
Published: March 2017

Caspase-1, also known as interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-converting enzyme (ICE), regulates antimicrobial host defense, tissue repair, tumorigenesis, metabolism and membrane biogenesis. On activation within an inflammasome complex, caspase-1 induces pyroptosis and converts pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 into their biologically active forms. “ICE−/−” or “Casp1−/−” mice generated using 129 embryonic stem cells carry a 129-associated inactivating passenger mutation on thecaspase-11locus, essentially making them deficient in both caspase-1 and caspase-11. The overlapping and unique functions of caspase-1 and caspase-11 are difficult to unravel without additional genetic tools. Here, we generated caspase-1–deficient mouse (Casp1Null) on the C57BL/6 J background that expressed caspase-11.Casp1Nullcells did not release IL-1β and IL-18 in response to NLRC4 activatorsSalmonellaTyphimurium and flagellin, canonical or non-canonical NLRP3 activators LPS and ATP,Escherichia coli, Citrobacter rodentiumand transfection of LPS, AIM2 activatorsFrancisella novicida, mouse cytomegalovirus and DNA, and the infectious agentsListeria monocytogenesandAspergillus fumigatus. We further demonstrated that caspase-1 and caspase-11 differentially contributed to the host defense againstA. fumigatusinfection and to endotoxemia.
Oral chromium picolinate impedes hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerosis and inhibits proatherogenic protein TSP-1 expression in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Ganguly Rituparna , Sahu Soumyadip , Ohanyan Vahagn , Haney Rebecca , Chavez Ronaldo J. , Shah Shivani , Yalamanchili Siri , Raman Priya
Published: March 2017

Increasing evidence suggests thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a potent proatherogenic matricellular protein, as a putative link between hyperglycemia and atherosclerotic complications in diabetes. We previously reported that the micronutrient chromium picolinate (CrP), with long-standing cardiovascular benefits, inhibits TSP-1 expression in glucose-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells in vitro. Here, we investigated the atheroprotective action of orally administered CrP in type 1 diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice and elucidated the role of TSP-1 in this process. CrP decreased lipid burden and neointimal thickness in aortic root lesions of hyperglycemic ApoE−/− mice; also, smooth muscle cell (SMC), macrophage and leukocyte abundance was prevented coupled with reduced cell proliferation. Attenuated lesion progression was accompanied with inhibition of hyperglycemia-induced TSP-1 expression and reduced protein O-glycosylation following CrP treatment; also, PCNA and vimentin (SMC synthetic marker) expression were reduced while SM-MHC (SMC contractile marker) levels were increased. To confirm a direct role of TSP-1 in diabetic atherosclerosis, hyperglycemic TSP-1−/−/ApoE−/− double knockout mice were compared with age-matched hyperglycemic ApoE−/− littermates. Lack of TSP-1 prevented lesion formation in hyperglycemic ApoE−/− mice, mimicking the atheroprotective phenotype of CrP-treated mice. These results suggest that therapeutic TSP-1 inhibition may have important atheroprotective potential in diabetic vascular disease.
Rattusin structure reveals a novel defensin scaffold formed by intermolecular disulfide exchanges
Authors: Min Hye Jung , Yun Hyosuk , Ji Sehyeon , Rajasekaran Ganesan , Kim Jae Il , Kim Jeong-Sun , Shin Song Yub , Lee Chul Won
Published: March 2017

Defensin peptides are essential for innate immunity in humans and other living systems, as they provide protection against infectious pathogens and regulate the immune response. Here, we report the solution structure of rattusin (RTSN), an α-defensin-related peptide, which revealed a novel C2-symmetric disulfide-linked dimeric structure. RTSN was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and refolded by air oxidation in vitro. Dimerization of the refolded RTSN (r-RTSN) resulted from five intermolecular disulfide (SS) bond exchanges formed by ten cysteines within two protomer chains. The SS bond pairings of r-RTSN were determined by mass analysis of peptide fragments cleaved by trypsin digestion. In addition to mass analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments for a C15S mutant and r-RTSN confirmed that the intermolecular SS bond structure of r-RTSN showed an I-V’, II-IV’, III-III’, IV-II’, V-I’ arrangement. The overall structure of r-RTSN exhibited a cylindrical array, similar to that of β-sandwich folds, with a highly basic surface. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy results suggest that r-RTSN exerts bactericidal activity by damaging membrane integrity. Collectively, these results provide a novel structural scaffold for designing highly potent peptide-based antibiotics suitable for use under various physiological conditions.
Gut metagenomic analysis reveals prominent roles of Lactobacillus and cecal microbiota in chicken feed efficiency
Authors: Yan Wei , Sun Congjiao , Yuan Jingwei , Yang Ning
Published: March 2017

Interactions between the host and gut microbiota can affect gut metabolism. In this study, the individual performances of 252 hens were recorded to evaluate feed efficiency. Hens with contrasting feed efficiencies (14 birds per group) were selected to investigate their duodenal, cecal and fecal microbial composition by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene V4 region. The results showed that the microbial community in the cecum was quite different from those in the duodenum and feces. The highest biodiversity and all differentially abundant taxa between the different efficiency groups were observed in the cecal microbial community with false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05. Of these differentially abundant cecal microbes, Lactobacillus accounted for a greater proportion than the others. The abundances of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia were significantly higher while that of Faecalibacterium was lower (FDR < 0.05) in the better feed efficiency (BFE) group. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis revealed that the functions relating to glycometabolism and amino acid metabolism were enriched in the cecal microbiota of the BFE group. These results indicated the prominent role of cecal microbiota in the feed efficiency of chickens and suggested plausible uses of Lactobacillus to improve the feed efficiency of host.
Prognosis and value of preoperative radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal signet-ring cell carcinoma
Authors: Ling Chun-Run , Wang Rui , Wang Mo-Jin , Ping Jie , Zhuang Wen
Published: March 2017

As well known, signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare histological subtype of colorectal adenocarcinoma, which has been associated with poor prognosis and resistant to non-surgery therapy compared with common adenocarcinoma. In this study, we assessed the effect of preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) for locally advanced rectal SRCC in a large patient group from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER, 1988–2011) database. SRCC was found in 0.9% (n = 622) rectal cancer (RC) patients in our study. In the PRT setting, SRCC had significantly worse cancer-specific survival than mucinous adenocarcinoma and nonmucinous adenocarcinoma patients (log-rank, P < 0.001). In terms of SRCC, stage III RC patients benefited from PRT (log-rank, P < 0.001) while stage II did not (P = 0.095). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that PRT was an independent benefit factor in stage III rectal SRCC patients (HR, 0.611; 95% CI, 0.407–0.919; P = 0.018). In conclusion, SRCC was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in stage III RC patients, but not in stage II. In the PRT setting of locally advanced RC, SRCC patients had significantly worse prognosis. PRT was an independent prognostic factor associated with improved survival in stage III rectal SRCC.
III-nitride core–shell nanorod array on quartz substrates
Authors: Bae Si-Young , Min Jung-Wook , Hwang Hyeong-Yong , Lekhal Kaddour , Lee Ho-Jun , Jho Young-Dahl , Lee Dong-Seon , Lee Yong-Tak , Ikarashi Nobuyuki , Honda Yoshio , Amano Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

We report the fabrication of near-vertically elongated GaN nanorods on quartz substrates. To control the preferred orientation and length of individual GaN nanorods, we combined molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with pulsed-mode metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The MBE-grown buffer layer was composed of GaN nanograins exhibiting an ordered surface and preferred orientation along the surface normal direction. Position-controlled growth of the GaN nanorods was achieved by selective-area growth using MOCVD. Simultaneously, the GaN nanorods were elongated by the pulsed-mode growth. The microstructural and optical properties of both GaN nanorods and InGaN/GaN core–shell nanorods were then investigated. The nanorods were highly crystalline and the core–shell structures exhibited optical emission properties, indicating the feasibility of fabricating III-nitride nano-optoelectronic devices on amorphous substrates.
Thermal Resistance Variations of Fly Ash Geopolymers: Foaming Responses
Authors: Cheng-Yong Heah , Yun-Ming Liew , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri , Hussin Kamarudin
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a comparative study of the characteristic of unfoamed and foamed geopolymers after exposure to elevated temperatures (200–800 °C). Unfoamed geopolymers were produced with Class F fly ash and sodium hydroxide and liquid sodium silicate. Porous geopolymers were prepared by foaming with hydrogen peroxide. Unfoamed geopolymers possessed excellent strength of 44.2 MPa and degraded 34% to 15 MPa in foamed geopolymers. The strength of unfoamed geopolymers decreased to 5 MPa with increasing temperature up to 800 °C. Foamed geopolymers behaved differently whereby they deteriorated to 3 MPa at 400 °C and increased up to 11 MPa at 800 °C. Even so, the geopolymers could withstand high temperature without any disintegration and spalling up to 800 °C. The formation of crystalline phases at higher temperature was observed deteriorating the strength of unfoamed geopolymers but enhance the strength of foamed geopolymers. In comparison, foamed geopolymer had better thermal resistance than unfoamed geopolymers as pores provide rooms to counteract the internal damage.
Sexual epigenetics: gender-specific methylation of a gene in the sex determining region of Populus balsamifera
Authors: Bräutigam Katharina , Soolanayakanahally Raju , Champigny Marc , Mansfield Shawn , Douglas Carl , Campbell Malcolm M. , Cronk Quentin
Published: March 2017

Methylation has frequently been implicated in gender determination in plants. The recent discovery of the sex determining region (SDR) of balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera, pinpointed 13 genes with differentiated X and Y copies. We tested these genes for differential methylation using whole methylome sequencing of xylem tissue of multiple individuals grown under field conditions in two common gardens. The only SDR gene to show a marked pattern of gender-specific methylation is PbRR9, a member of the two component response regulator (type-A) gene family, involved in cytokinin signalling. It is an ortholog of Arabidopsis genes ARR16 and ARR17. The strongest patterns of differential methylation (mostly male-biased) are found in the putative promoter and the first intron. The 4th intron is strongly methylated in both sexes and the 5th intron is unmethylated in both sexes. Using a statistical learning algorithm we find that it is possible accurately to assign trees to gender using genome-wide methylation patterns alone. The strongest predictor is the region coincident with PbRR9, showing that this gene stands out against all genes in the genome in having the strongest sex-specific methylation pattern. We propose the hypothesis that PbRR9 has a direct, epigenetically mediated, role in poplar sex determination.
PJA2 ubiquitinates the HIV-1 Tat protein with atypical chain linkages to activate viral transcription
Authors: Faust Tyler B. , Li Yang , Jang Gwendolyn M. , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Yang Shumin , Weiss Amit , Krogan Nevan J. , Frankel Alan D.
Published: March 2017

Transcription complexes that assemble at the HIV-1 promoter efficiently initiate transcription but generate paused RNA polymerase II downstream from the start site. The virally encoded Tat protein hijacks positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to phosphorylate and activate this paused polymerase. In addition, Tat undergoes a series of reversible post-translational modifications that regulate distinct steps of the transcription cycle. To identify additional functionally important Tat cofactors, we performed RNAi knockdowns of sixteen previously identified Tat interactors and found that a novel E3 ligase, PJA2, ubiquitinates Tat in a non-degradative manner and specifically regulates the step of HIV transcription elongation. Interestingly, several different lysine residues in Tat can function as ubiquitin acceptor sites, and variable combinations of these lysines support both full transcriptional activity and viral replication. Further, the polyubiquitin chain conjugated to Tat by PJA2 can itself be assembled through variable ubiquitin lysine linkages. Importantly, proper ubiquitin chain assembly by PJA2 requires that Tat first binds its P-TEFb cofactor. These results highlight that both the Tat substrate and ubiquitin modification have plastic site usage, and this plasticity is likely another way in which the virus exploits the host molecular machinery to expand its limited genetic repertoire.
Time- and dose dependent actions of cardiotonic steroids on transcriptome and intracellular content of Na+ and K+: a comparative analysis
Authors: Klimanova Elizaveta A. , Tverskoi Artem M. , Koltsova Svetlana V. , Sidorenko Svetlana V. , Lopina Olga D. , Tremblay Johanne , Hamet Pavel , Kapilevich Leonid V. , Orlov Sergei N.
Published: March 2017

Recent studies demonstrated that in addition to Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) affect diverse intracellular signaling pathways. This study examines the relative impact of [Na+]i/[K+]i-mediated and -independent signaling in transcriptomic changes triggered by the endogenous CTSs ouabain and marinobufagenin (MBG) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We noted that prolongation of incubation increased the apparent affinity for ouabain estimated by the loss of [K+]i and gain of [Na+]i. Six hour exposure of HUVEC to 100 and 3,000 nM ouabain resulted in elevation of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio by ~15 and 80-fold and differential expression of 258 and 2185 transcripts, respectively. Neither [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio nor transcriptome were affected by 6-h incubation with 30 nM ouabain. The 96-h incubation with 3 nM ouabain or 30 nM MBG elevated the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio by ~14 and 3-fold and led to differential expression of 880 and 484 transcripts, respectively. These parameters were not changed after 96-h incubation with 1 nM ouabain or 10 nM MBG. Thus, our results demonstrate that elevation of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio is an obligatory step for transcriptomic changes evoked by CTS in HUVEC. The molecular origin of upstream [Na+]i/[K+]i sensors involved in transcription regulation should be identified in forthcoming studies.
Association of high normal HbA1c and TSH levels with the risk of CHD: a 10-year cohort study and SVM analysis
Authors: Li Hui , Cui Ying , Zhu Yanan , Yan Haiying , Xu Wenge
Published: March 2017

This study aimed to determine the association between the clinical reference range of serum glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and thyrotropin (TSH) and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in non-diabetic and euthyroid patients. We examined baseline HbA1c and TSH in 538 healthy participants, and then analyzed the associations and potential value of these indicators for predicting CHD using Cox proportional hazard and support vector machine analyses. During the median follow-up of 120 months, 39 participants later developed CHD. The baseline HbA1c and TSH within the reference range were positively associated with CHD risk. No correlation and interaction were found between the baseline HbA1c and TSH for the development of CHD. Disease event-free survival varied among participants with different baseline HbA1c quintiles, whereas disease event-free survival was similar for different TSH tertiles. The combination of these baselines showed sensitivity of 87.2%, specificity of 92.7%, and accuracy of 92.3% for identifying the participants who will later develop CHD. Relatively high but clinically normal HbA1c and TSH levels may increase the risk of CHD. Therefore, the combination of these indicators can serve as a biomarker for identifying healthy individuals from those who would later develop CHD.
Immune involvement in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia: a meta-analysis on postmortem brain studies
Authors: van Kesteren C F M G , Gremmels H , de Witte L D , Hol E M , Van Gool A R , Falkai P G , Kahn R S , Sommer I E C
Published: March 2017

Although the precise pathogenesis of schizophrenia is unknown, genetic, biomarker and imaging studies suggest involvement of the immune system. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating factors related to the immune system in postmortem brains of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Forty-one studies were included, reporting on 783 patients and 762 controls. We divided these studies into those investigating histological alterations of cellular composition and those assessing molecular parameters; meta-analyses were performed on both categories. Our pooled estimate on cellular level showed a significant increase in the density of microglia (P=0.0028) in the brains of schizophrenia patients compared with controls, albeit with substantial heterogeneity between studies. Meta-regression on brain regions demonstrated this increase was most consistently observed in the temporal cortex. Densities of macroglia (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) did not differ significantly between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The results of postmortem histology are paralleled on the molecular level, where we observed an overall increase in expression of proinflammatory genes on transcript and protein level (P=0.0052) in patients, while anti-inflammatory gene expression levels were not different between schizophrenia and controls. The results of this meta-analysis strengthen the hypothesis that components of the immune system are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
From the configurational preference of dihydroceramide desaturase-1 towards Δ6-unsaturated substrates to the discovery of a new inhibitor
Authors: Pou Ana , Abad José-Luís , Ordóñez Yadira F. , Garrido Maria , Casas Josefina , Fabriàs Gemma , Delgado Antonio
Published: March 2017

The configurational preference of Des1 towards a Δ6-unsaturated dihydroceramide analog unveils a potent Des1 inhibitor.
A copper nickel mixed oxide hole selective layer for Au-free transparent cuprous oxide photocathodes
Authors: Son Min-Kyu , Steier Ludmilla , Schreier Marcel , Mayer Matthew T. , Luo Jingshan , Grätzel Michael
Published: March 2017

CuO/NiO hole selective layer: one step closer to fully earth abundant, low-cost and efficient Cu2O photocathodes for H2production.
Controllable gold-capped nanoporous anodic alumina chip for label-free, specific detection of bacterial cells
Authors: Kim Do-Kyun , Kim Dong Min , Yoo Seung Min , Lee Sang Yup
Published: March 2017

A gold-capped nanostructured PAA sensor that uses aptamers detected bacterial cells in a quantitative manner with high specificities on a single chip.
Durable antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric based on thiol–epoxy click chemistry
Authors: Yu Dan , Xu Lijin , Hu Yi , Li Yani , Wang Wei
Published: March 2017

This research proposes a method based on thiol–epoxy click chemistry to achieve durable antibacterial properties on cotton fabrics.
Evaluating the development of chemistry undergraduate researchers’ scientific thinking skills using performance-data: first findings from the performance assessment of undergraduate research (PURE) instrument
Authors: Harsh Joseph , Esteb John J. , Maltese Adam V.
Published: March 2017

National calls in science, technology, engineering, and technology education reform efforts have advanced the wide-scale engagement of students in undergraduate research for the preparation of a workforce and citizenry able to attend to the challenges of the 21st century. Awareness of the potential benefits and costs of these experiences has led to an emerging literature base outlining gains in participants’ cognitive, affective, and conative domains to support the impact of undergraduate research for students of all backgrounds; however, the majority of this work has relied on self-report data limiting inferences to the causal effects on student learning. As part of a larger project on apprentice-like undergraduate research experiences (UREs) in the physical sciences, the present exploratory study complemented indirect self-report data with direct performance data to assess the development of chemistry students’ scientific thinking skills over a research experience. Performance data were collected using the Performance assessment of Undergraduate Research Experiences (PURE) instrument, a validated tool designed to assess changes in chemistry students’ analytical and data driven decision-making skills through open-response tasks situated in real-world problems from primary literature. Twenty-four summer research students in chemistry (46% women; 50% 1st/2nd year students; 42% first time URE participant) from seven colleges and universities provided baseline and post-intervention performance data. Differences in pre/post-response task correctness provided a direct measure of individual changes in student competencies. Early study findings indicate the positive contributions of UREs to student's competencies in the areas of problem-solving, experimental design and the use of research techniques, data analysis and the interpretation of results, and the evaluation of primary literature. Survey data were also collected on students’ self-skill ratings to allow comparisons between perceived and demonstrated competencies, which were found to be weakly correlated. This work begins to offer direct evidence to the effect of UREs on student learning progressions as well as the potential use of performance test data in evaluating the success of research training interventions designed to improve scientific thinking skills.
Photomediated oxime ligation as a bioorthogonal tool for spatiotemporally-controlled hydrogel formation and modification
Authors: Farahani Payam E. , Adelmund Steven M. , Shadish Jared A. , DeForest Cole A.
Published: March 2017

Biocompatible, synthetic hydrogels were formed and modified by photomediated oxime ligation with full spatiotemporal control.
Metal–organic frameworks for the removal of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents
Authors: Bobbitt N. Scott , Mendonca Matthew L. , Howarth Ashlee J. , Islamoglu Timur , Hupp Joseph T. , Farha Omar K. , Snurr Randall Q.
Published: March 2017

Toxic gases can be captured or degraded by metal–organic frameworks.
Multifunctional supported bimetallic catalysts for a cascade reaction with hydrogen auto transfer: synthesis of 4-phenylbutan-2-ones from 4-methoxybenzyl alcohols
Authors: Morad Moataz , Nowicka Ewa , Douthwaite Mark , Iqbal Sarwat , Miedziak Peter , Edwards Jennifer K. , Brett Gemma L. , He Qian , Morgan David , Alshammari Hamed , Bethell Donald , Knight David W. , Sankar Meenakshisundaram , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: March 2017

One pot synthesis of Raspberry Ketone Methyl Ether using a multifunctional AuPd supported on MgO catalyst.
Stem cell therapies for ischemic stroke: current animal models, clinical trials and biomaterials
Authors: Chan Hugh H. , Wathen Connor A. , Ni Ming , Zhuo Shuangmu
Published: March 2017

We report the facilitation of stem cell therapy in stroke by tissue engineering and applications of biomaterials.
Heavy-metal pollution alters dissolved organic matter released by bloom-forming Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Wu Haiming , Lin Li , Shen Guangzhu , Li Ming
Published: March 2017

The risk of heavy metals to aquatic ecosystems was paid much attention in recent years, however, the knowledge on effects of heavy metals on dissolved organic matter (DOM) released byMicrocystiswas quite poor, especially in eutrophic lakes.
Comparatively studying the local atomic structures of metallic glasses upon cyclic-loading by computer simulations
Authors: Yang M. H. , Li J. H. , Liu B. X.
Published: March 2017

Through a variety of local structural analysis methods, it is revealed that the NixZr100–xMGs exhibit a combination of the icosahedral-, fcc- and hcp-like configurations, while the icosahedra or distorted icosahedra cover a dominant fraction.
Modulating Cu+ distribution on the surface of Ce-doped CuO composite oxides for SO2-resistant NH3-selective catalytic reduction of NO
Authors: Xing Mengmeng , Sun Qian , Zeng Chun , Wang Huize , Zhao Dan , Zhang Ning , Hong Sanguo
Published: March 2017

Ce dopping in CuO crystalline led to the distinguished existence and modulated distribution of Cu+ on the surface of samples, which was responsible for the outstanding SO2-resistant NH3-SCR-NO performance.
Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of promising 7-arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates and their halogenated amino compounds for treating Gram-negative bacterial infections
Authors: Novais Juliana S. , Campos Vinicius R. , Silva Ana Carolina J. A. , de Souza Maria C. B. V. , Ferreira Vitor F. , Keller Vitor G. L. , Ferreira Matheus O. , Dias Flaviana R. F. , Vitorino Maíra I. , Sathler Plínio C. , Santana Marcos V. , Resende Jackson A. L. C. , Castro Helena C. , Cunha Anna C.
Published: March 2017

In this work we described the synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of 7-arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates derivatives that exhibited remarkable activity against two Gram-negative strains of clinical importance.
Conductive biofoams of wheat gluten containing carbon nanotubes, carbon black or reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Wu Qiong , Sundborg Henrik , Andersson Richard L. , Peuvot Kevin , Guex Léonard , Nilsson Fritjof , Hedenqvist Mikael S. , Olsson Richard T.
Published: March 2017

Conductive biofoams made from glycerol-plasticized wheat gluten (WGG) are presented as a potential substitute in electrical applications for conductive polymer foams from crude oil.
A spiro-centered thermopolymerizable fluorinated macromonomer: synthesis and conversion to the high performance polymer
Authors: Wang Yuanqiang , Luo Yijie , Jin Kaikai , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: March 2017

A new spiro-centered thermopolymerizable fluorinated macromonomer is reported here.
Bioremoval of Cu2+ from CMP wastewater by a novel copper-resistant bacterium Cupriavidus gilardii CR3: characteristics and mechanisms
Authors: Yang Yushuang , Hu Mingzhong , Zhou Dandan , Fan Wei , Wang Xiaoyu , Huo Mingxin
Published: March 2017

Bacteria of the genus Cupriavidus are known for the ability of resistance to various heavy metals and metal-binding capability.
Systematic analysis of structural and activity relationships between conventional hierarchical and analog series-based scaffolds
Authors: Stumpfe Dagmar , Dimova Dilyana , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Three pairs of compounds (left) belonging to three different analog series that differ in their biological activity share a single conventional hierarchical scaffold (BM, middle) but have distinct ‘analog series-based’ (ASB) scaffold (right).
Investigation of Heck coupling on 6-bromo[2,3-d]thienopyrimidines for construction of new EGFR inhibitor lead structures
Authors: Bysting F. , Bugge S. , Sundby E. , Hoff B. H.
Published: March 2017

With the aim of identifying new lead structures for EGFR inhibition, a study of palladium catalysed Heck coupling between (R)-6-bromo-N-(1-phenylethyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine and various acrylates was performed.
Bose–Einstein oscillators and the excitation mechanism of free excitons in 2D layered organic–inorganic perovskites
Authors: Peng Bo , Li Jian , Li Qi , Li Yue , Zhu Hai , Zhang Li , Wang Xin , Bi Lei , Lu Haipeng , Xie Jianliang , Deng Longjiang , Xu Qinghua , Loh Kianping
Published: March 2017

Bose–Einstein oscillators contribute to the anomalous temperature variation of the free-exciton emission energy in 2D layered CH3(CH2)3NH3PbI4perovskite, in which coherent two-photon absorption results in the two-photon photoluminescence.
Singlet oxygen generation properties of an inclusion complex of cyclic free-base porphyrin dimer and fullerene C60
Authors: Ooyama Yousuke , Enoki Toshiaki , Ohshita Joji , Kamimura Takuya , Ozako Shuwa , Koide Taro , Tani Fumito
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate that a cyclic free-base porphyrin dimer and its inclusion complex with fullerene C60 possess the ability to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) under visible light irradiation.
Computational design of cobalt-free mixed proton–electron conductors for solid oxide electrochemical cells
Authors: Muñoz-García Ana Belén , Tuccillo Mariarosaria , Pavone Michele
Published: March 2017

Proton-conducting solid-oxide electrolyzer and fuel cells (PC-SOECs/FCs) with new oxide-based electrodes represent viable, green technologies for H2 production and conversion.
Effective calcium doping at the B-site of BaFeO3−δ perovskite: towards low-cost and high-performance oxygen permeation membranes
Authors: Lu Yao , Zhao Hailei , Li Kui , Du Xuefei , Ma Yanhui , Chang Xiwang , Chen Ning , Zheng Kun , Świerczek Konrad
Published: March 2017

A highly efficient and cost-effective strategy for doping Ca at the B-site of BaFeO3−δ was demonstrated to enhance oxygen permeability.
Phycocyanin-based nanocarrier as a new nanoplatform for efficient overcoming of cancer drug resistance
Authors: Huang Yanyu , He Lizhen , Song Zhenhuan , Chan Leung , He Jintao , Huang Wei , Zhou Binwei , Chen Tianfeng
Published: March 2017

The rational design of a novel phycocyanin-based nanosystem with bio-responsive properties to achieve prolonged blood circulation and overcome drug resistance without causing systemic toxicity.
Enhancement in the thermoelectric performance of colusites Cu26A2E6S32(A = Nb, Ta; E = Sn, Ge) using E-site non-stoichiometry
Authors: Bouyrie Yohan , Ohta Michihiro , Suekuni Koichiro , Kikuchi Yuta , Jood Priyanka , Yamamoto Atsushi , Takabatake Toshiro
Published: March 2017

The thermoelectric performance of colusite materials Cu26A2E6S32(A = Nb, Ta; E = Sn, Ge) has been successfully enhanced using E-site non stoichiometry. Value ofZTnear unity is achieved at 670 K.
Electrically/infrared actuated shape memory composites based on a bio-based polyester blend and graphene nanoplatelets and their excellent self-driven ability
Authors: Zhang Zhi-xing , Dou Jia-xin , He Jie-hao , Xiao Chen-xi , Shen Lin-yun , Yang Jing-hui , Wang Yong , Zhou Zuo-wan
Published: March 2017

Electrically/infrared actuated shape memory composites and their self-driven ability were realized for the PCL/PU blends by incorporating GNP particles.
Growth and carrier-transport performance of a poly(3-hexylthiophene)/1,2,3,4-bis(p-methylbenzylidene) sorbitol hybrid shish-kebab nanostructure
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Yuan Nana , Ding Shang , Wang Danhui , Li Lin , Hu Wenping , Bo Zhishan , Zhou Jianjun , Huo Hong
Published: March 2017

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/1,2,3,4-bis(p-methylbenzylidene) sorbitol (MDBS) hybrid shish-kebab nanostructures were prepared by spin-coating their hot o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) solutions.
Dynamic Assessment of Narratives: Efficient, Accurate Identification of Language Impairment in Bilingual Students
Authors: Petersen Douglas B. , Chanthongthip Helen , Ukrainetz Teresa A. , Spencer Trina D. , Steeve Roger W.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study investigated the classification accuracy of a concentrated English narrative dynamic assessment (DA) for identifying language impairment (LI).

Method

Forty-two Spanish–English bilingual kindergarten to third-grade children (10 LI and 32 with no LI) were administered two 25-min DA test–teach–test sessions. Pre- and posttest narrative retells were scored in real time. Using a structured intervention approach, examiners taught children missing story grammar elements and subordination. A posttest was administered using a parallel story.

Results

Four classification predictors were analyzed: posttest scores, gain scores, modifiability ratings, and teaching duration. Discriminant function analysis indicated that an overall modifiability rating was the best classifier, with 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity after 1 DA session and 100% sensitivity and specificity after 2 sessions. Any 2 combinations of posttest scores, modifiability ratings, and teaching duration for just 1 session resulted in sensitivity and specificity rates over 90%. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to identify clinically usable cutoff points. Post hoc exploration indicated that similar results could be obtained after only one 5–10-min teaching cycle, potentially further abbreviating the DA process.

Conclusion

Concentrated English narrative DA results in high classification accuracy for bilingual children with and without LI. This efficient version of DA is amenable to clinical use.
Impact of Successful Choanal Atresia Repair on the Nasal Mucosa: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Elsheikh Ezzeddin , El-Anwar Mohammad , Abdel-aziz Hesham
Published: March 2017

Introduction The main histological features of the nasal mucosa in choanal atresia are distorted cilia, marked increase of mucous submucosal glands associated with marked reduction of goblet cell density, and lymphocytic cellular infiltration.

Objective To study the nasal mucosal changes in cases of choanal atresia after successful repair compared with pre-repair mucosal histological features.

Methods Tissue samples were taken from the inferior turbinate of 3 patients (1 bilateral and 2 unilateral) who were successfully operated. Then, the biopsies were subjected to histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies. After that, the results were compared with pre-repair findings in the choanal atresia side and in the normal side.

Results Four biopsies (4 repaired choanal atresia sides) of the mucosa of the inferior turbinate revealed that 1 patient (who had a bilateral choanal atresia repaired), after achieving a patent choana for 8 months, had not completely recovered a normal nasal mucosa. The other 2 patients, after 18 and 23 months of achieving a patent choana, showed normal nasal cavities.

Conclusion The main histological features of the nasal mucosa in choanal atresia could be reversed by surgery, making the patients regain their choanal patency, with their mucosae changing back to normal gradually with time.
Lower bound of assortativity coefficient in scale-free networks
Authors: Yang Dan , Pan Liming , Zhou Tao
Published: March 2017

The degree-degree correlation is important in understanding the structural organization of a network and dynamics upon a network. Such correlation is usually measured by the assortativity coefficient r, with natural bounds r∈[−1,1]. For scale-free networks with power-law degree distribution p(k)∼k−γ, we analytically obtain the lower bound of assortativity coefficient in the limit of large network size, which is not −1 but dependent on the power-law exponent γ. This work challenges the validation of the assortativity coefficient in heterogeneous networks, suggesting that one cannot judge whether a network is positively or negatively correlated just by looking at its assortativity coefficient alone.
Cryogenic photoluminescence imaging system for nanoscale positioning of single quantum emitters
Authors: Liu Jin , Davanço Marcelo I. , Sapienza Luca , Konthasinghe Kumarasiri , De Miranda Cardoso José Vinícius , Song Jin Dong , Badolato Antonio , Srinivasan Kartik
Published: March 2017

We report a photoluminescence imaging system for locating single quantum emitters with respect to alignment features. Samples are interrogated in a 4 K closed-cycle cryostat by a high numerical aperture (NA = 0.9, 100× magnification) objective that sits within the cryostat, enabling high efficiency collection of emitted photons without image distortions due to the cryostat windows. The locations of single InAs/GaAs quantum dots within a >50 μm × 50 μm field of view are determined with ≈4.5 nm uncertainty (one standard deviation) in a 1 s long acquisition. The uncertainty is determined through a combination of a maximum likelihood estimate for localizing the quantum dot emission, and a cross correlation method for determining the alignment mark center. This location technique can be an important step in the high-throughput creation of nanophotonic devices that rely upon the interaction of highly confined optical modes with single quantum emitters.