bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential regulation of microRNA-15a by radiation affects angiogenesis and tumor growth via modulation of acid sphingomyelinase
Authors: Rana Shushan , Espinosa-Diez Cristina , Ruhl Rebecca , Chatterjee Namita , Hudson Clayton , Fraile-Bethencourt Eugenia , Agarwal Anupriya , Khou Sokchea , Thomas Charles R. , Anand Sudarshan
Published: March 2020

Activation of acid sphingomyelinase (SMPD1) and the generation of ceramide is a critical regulator of apoptosis in response to cellular stress including radiation. Endothelial SMPD1 has been shown to regulate tumor responses to radiation therapy. We show here that the SMPD1 gene is regulated by a microRNA (miR), miR-15a, in endothelial cells (ECs). Standard low dose radiation (2 Gy) upregulates miR-15a and decreases SMPD1 levels. In contrast, high dose radiation (10 Gy and above) decreases miR-15a and increases SMPD1. Ectopic expression of miR-15a decreases both mRNA and protein levels of SMPD1. Mimicking the effects of high dose radiation with a miR-15a inhibitor decreases cell proliferation and increases active Caspase-3 & 7. Mechanistically, inhibition of miR-15a increases inflammatory cytokines, activates caspase-1 inflammasome and increases Gasdermin D, an effector of pyroptosis. Importantly, both systemic and vascular-targeted delivery of miR-15a inhibitor decreases angiogenesis and tumor growth in a CT26 murine colorectal carcinoma model. Taken together, our findings highlight a novel role for miR mediated regulation of SMPD1 during radiation responses and establish proof-of-concept that this pathway can be targeted with a miR inhibitor.
Convolutional neural network for classification of two-dimensional array images generated from clinical information may support diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fukae Jun , Isobe Masato , Hattori Toshiyuki , Fujieda Yuichiro , Kono Michihiro , Abe Nobuya , Kitano Akemi , Narita Akihiro , Henmi Mihoko , Sakamoto Fumihiko , Aoki Yuko , Ito Takeya , Mitsuzaki Akio , Matsuhashi Megumi , Shimizu Masato , Tanimura Kazuhide , Sutherland Kenneth , Kamishima Tamotsu , Atsumi Tatsuya , Koike Takao
Published: March 2020

This research aimed to study the application of deep learning to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Definite criteria or direct markers for diagnosing RA are lacking. Rheumatologists diagnose RA according to an integrated assessment based on scientific evidence and clinical experience. Our novel idea was to convert various clinical information from patients into simple two-dimensional images and then use them to fine-tune a convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify RA or nonRA. We semi-quantitatively converted each type of clinical information to four coloured square images and arranged them as one image for each patient. One rheumatologist modified each patient’s clinical information to increase learning data. In total, 1037 images (252 RA, 785 nonRA) were used to fine-tune a pretrained CNN with transfer learning. For clinical data (10 RA, 40 nonRA), which were independent of the learning data and were used as testing data, we compared the classification ability of the fine-tuned CNN with that of three expert rheumatologists. Our simple system could potentially support RA diagnosis and therefore might be useful for screening RA in both specialised hospitals and general clinics. This study paves the way to enabling deep learning in the diagnosis of RA.
Leukocyte telomere length as a diagnostic biomarker for anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Udomsinprasert Wanvisa , Chanhom Noppadol , Suvichapanich Supharat , Wattanapokayakit Sukanya , Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Chantratita Wasun , Jittikoon Jiraphun
Published: March 2020

Despite being relatively rare, anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (ATDILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure and a major reason for treatment discontinuation, because of no specific and selective markers for ATDILI. Herein, this study aimed to investigate whether telomere length, a biological indicator of age-related diseases, is associated with ATDILI outcomes and could serve as an early ATDILI biomarker. Relative telomere length (RTL) in blood leukocyte of 100 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, 49 tuberculosis patients with ATDILI, and 53 tuberculosis patients with non-ATDILI was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Both tuberculosis patients with and without ATDILI had significantly shorter RTL than healthy controls. Compared with tuberculosis patients with non-ATDILI, RTL in those with ATDILI was significantly increased. Longer RTL was found to be significantly associated with increased susceptibility to ATDILI. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that an increment in RTL was independently correlated with elevated values of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase assessed within 60 days after anti-tuberculosis treatment. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated that longer RTL was associated with elevated rates of hepatotoxicity in tuberculosis patients. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis unveiled a diagnostic accuracy of RTL as a novel indicator for ATDILI progression (AUC = 0.73), which yielded more sensitive and specific values than traditional liver biomarkers including serum enzyme activities of aminotransferases measured within 7 days after treatment with anti-tuberculosis regimens. Collectively, aberrant RTL in blood leukocyte would reflect hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tuberculosis agents and might have a potential biomarker for early ATDILI progression.
Species identity and diversity effects on invasion resistance of tropical freshwater plant communities
Authors: Petruzzella Antonella , da S. S. R. Rodrigues Tauany A. , van Leeuwen Casper H. A. , de Assis Esteves Francisco , Figueiredo-Barros Marcos Paulo , Bakker Elisabeth S.
Published: March 2020

Biotic resistance mediated by native plant diversity has long been hypothesized to reduce the success of invading plant species in terrestrial systems in temperate regions. However, still little is known about the mechanisms driving invasion patterns in other biomes or latitudes. We help to fill this gap by investigating how native plant community presence and diversity, and the presence of native phylogenetically closely related species to an invader, would affect invader Hydrilla verticillata establishment success in tropical freshwater submerged plant communities. The presence of a native community suppressed the growth of H. verticillata, but did not prevent its colonisation. Invader growth was negatively affected by native plant productivity, but independent of native species richness and phylogenetic relatedness to the invader. Native plant production was not related to native species richness in our study. We show that resistance in these tropical aquatic submerged plant communities is mainly driven by the presence and biomass of a native community independent of native species diversity. Our study illustrates that resistance provided by these tropical freshwater submerged plant communities to invasive species contrasts to resistance described for other ecosystems. This emphasizes the need to include understudied systems when predicting patterns of species invasiveness and ecosystem invasibility across biomes.
Analysis of mitochondrial m1A/G RNA modification reveals links to nuclear genetic variants and associated disease processes
Authors: Ali Aminah Tasnim , Idaghdour Youssef , Hodgkinson Alan
Published: March 2020

RNA modifications affect the stability and function of RNA species, regulating important downstream processes. Modification levels are often dynamic, varying between tissues and individuals, although it is not always clear what modulates this or what impact it has on biological systems. Here, we quantify variation in m1A/G RNA modification levels at functionally important positions in the human mitochondrial genome across 11,552 samples from 39 tissue/cell types and find that modification levels are associated with mitochondrial transcript processing. We identify links between mitochondrial RNA modification levels and genetic variants in the nuclear genome, including a missense mutation in LONP1, and find that genetic variants within MRPP3 and TRMT61B are associated with RNA modification levels across a large number of tissues. Genetic variants linked to RNA modification levels are associated with multiple disease/disease-related phenotypes, including blood pressure, breast cancer and psoriasis, suggesting a role for mitochondrial RNA modification in complex disease.
Quality by Design (QbD) approach for the development of a rapid UHPLC method for simultaneous determination of aglycone and glycoside forms of isoflavones in dietary supplements
Authors: Lasić Kornelija , Mornar Ana , Nigović Biljana
Published: March 2020

Systematic development of a UHPLC method by QbD approach as performed for simultaneous determination of aglycone (genistein, daidzein, biochanin A and formononetin) and glycoside (genistin, daidzin, sissotrin, ononin) forms of isoflavones.
Multielectron C–H photoactivation with an Sb(v) oxo corrole
Authors: Lemon Christopher M. , Maher Andrew G. , Mazzotti Anthony R. , Powers David C. , Gonzalez Miguel I. , Nocera Daniel G.
Published: March 2020

An Sb(v) bis-μ-oxo corrole dimer performs photochemical multielectron C–H activation, oxidising toluene to benzaldehyde in a four-electron process.
Lipid vesicle composition influences the incorporation and fluorescence properties of the lipophilic sulphonated carbocyanine dye SP-DiO
Authors: Lubart Quentin , Hannestad Jonas K. , Pace Hudson , Fjällborg Daniel , Westerlund Fredrik , Esbjörner Elin K. , Bally Marta
Published: March 2020

Lipid membrane composition influences insertion efficiency and photophysical properties of lipophilic membrane-inserting dyes.
When is the Bell–Evans–Polanyi principle fulfilled in Diels–Alder reactions of fullerenes?
Authors: Pla Paula , Wang Yang , Alcamí Manuel
Published: March 2020

We present a theoretical study on the thermodynamic and kinetic reactivity of Diels–Alder cycloadditions to several empty fullerenes in order to investigate the relationship between reaction energies and energy barriers.
Modulation of protein–graphene oxide interactions with varying degrees of oxidation
Authors: Malik Shahid A. , Mohanta Zinia , Srivastava Chandan , Atreya Hanudatta S.
Published: March 2020

The dynamic interaction of ubiquitin with graphene oxide can be modulated by changing the oxidation degree of graphene oxide.
Developing a new colorimetric bioassay for iodide determination based on gold supported iridium peroxidase catalysts
Authors: Amourizi Fereshteh , Dashtian Kheibar , Ghaedi Mehrorang
Published: March 2020

A schematic sketch of the colorimetric bioassay for iodide determination based on gold supported iridium peroxidase catalysts.
Enhancing the antivirus activity of chimeric canine interferon with ricin subunit B by using nanoparticle formulations
Authors: Sun Chengbiao , Dong Mingxin , Song Yucong , Zhang Jianxu , Wang Yan , Chang Ying , Yu Haotian , Xu Na , Xie Zhigang , Liu Wensen
Published: March 2020

Despite interferon alpha having a broad spectrum of antiviral activity and strong antiproliferative activity, its applications are severely limited due to the intrinsic properties of proteins, such as poor stability and short serum half-life.
Removing interference-based effects from infrared spectra – interference fringes re-revisited
Authors: Mayerhöfer Thomas G. , Pahlow Susanne , Hübner Uwe , Popp Jürgen
Published: March 2020

Substantial refractive index mismatches between substrate and layers lead to undulating baselines and changes of band intensity, shape and position. For proper spectrum interpretation, all of these effects must be removed.
An automated preloaded pipet tip SPE method for the accurate quantification of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from tea
Authors: Stuppner Stefan , Hussain Shah , Märk Bernhard , Gjerde Douglas , Rainer Matthias , Jakschitz Thomas , Bonn Günther K.
Published: March 2020

An automated polystyrene-divinyl benzene (PS-DVB) based standard preloaded-pipet tip-SPE method was developed for the prompt and precise quantification of contaminants in plant extracts using the example of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
3D-printed microfluidic device with in-line amperometric detection that also enables multi-modal detection
Authors: Hayter Elizabeth A. , Castiaux Andre D. , Martin R. Scott
Published: March 2020

A 3D-printed microfluidic device with amperometric detection employs a parallel-opposed electrode configuration, with threaded electrodes being in contact with the flow stream. This makes downstream detection of ATPviachemiluminescence possible.
A promising p-type Co–ZnFe2O4 nanorod film as a photocathode for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Lan Yayao , Liu Zhifeng , Guo Zhengang , Ruan Mengnan , Li Xifei
Published: March 2020

A p-type Co–ZnFe2O4 film with a one-dimensional (1D) rod-like morphology is fabricated for the first time on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) through a hydrothermal reaction and sintering treatment.
Acridine orange as a coreactant for efficient electrogenerated chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii) and its use in selective and sensitive detection of thiourea
Authors: Saqib Muhammad , Bashir Shahida , Kitte Shimeles Addisu , Li Haijuan , Jin Yongdong
Published: March 2020

We introduced a novel coreactant for efficient anodic electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+ and applied it for the sensitive detection of thiourea for the first time.
Initiating ribosomal peptide synthesis with exotic building blocks
Authors: Tsiamantas Christos , Rogers Joseph M. , Suga Hiroaki
Published: March 2020

This highlight describes the breadth of building blocks now known to be accepted by the ribosome initiation machinery, from subtle methionine analogues to large exotic non-proteinogenic structures.
Highly selective hydrosilylation of equilibrating allylic azides
Authors: Liu Ruzhang , Wei Zhen , Wang Juan , Liu Yongmei , Xue Huaiguo
Published: March 2020

Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation of equilibrating allylic azides provides 3-azidopropansilanes with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance.
Atomically thin TiO2 nanosheets synthesized using liquid metal chemistry
Authors: Alkathiri Turki , Dhar Nripen , Jannat Azmira , Syed Nitu , Mohiuddin Md , Alsaif Manal M. Y. A. , Datta Robi S. , Messalea Kibret A. , Zhang Bao Yue , Khan Muhammad Waqas , Elbourne Aaron , Pillai Naresh , Ou Jian Zhen , Zavabeti Ali , Daeneke Torben
Published: March 2020

The library of two-dimensional materials is limited since many transition metal compounds are not stratified and can thus not be easily isolated as nanosheets. Liquid metal-based synthesis provides a new approach to overcome this limitation.
A supramolecular hydrogel derived from a simple organic salt capable of proton conduction
Authors: Chakraborty Poulami , Das Bikash , Pal Pulak , Datta Subhadeep , Bera Sourabh , Dastidar Parthasarathi
Published: March 2020

The supramolecular hydrogel of a simple organic salt derived from a primary amine and a mono-sulfonic acid displayed a proton conductivity of 1.2 × 10−4S cm−1.
Modulation of an intermediate layer between NiCoP and Ni foam substrate in a microwire array electrode for enhancing the hydrogen-evolution reaction
Authors: Guo Dan , Chen Huayu , Tian Hanmin , Ouyang Shuxin , Wang Jianbo , Lv Jun
Published: March 2020

A strategy involving modulating the intermediate layer of an electrode was developed to promote the electrocatalysis kinetics of the electrode and therefore enhance its performance.
Ring-opening iodination and bromination of unstrained cycloalkanols through β-scission of alkoxy radicals
Authors: Shi Jiang-Ling , Wang Yuankai , Wang Zixuan , Dou Bowen , Wang Jianbo
Published: March 2020

Ring-opening iodination or bromination of unstrained cycloalkanols with NaI or NaBr and PhI(OAc)2under visible light irradiation is developed.
Correction: Evaporation-driven manipulation of nanoscale brickwork structures for the design of 1D, 2D, and 3D microarrays of rectangular building blocks
Authors: Imai Hiroaki , Matsumoto Riho , Takasaki Mihiro , Tsukiyama Keishi , Sawano Keisuke , Nakagawa Yoshitaka
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Evaporation-driven manipulation of nanoscale brickwork structures for the design of 1D, 2D, and 3D microarrays of rectangular building blocks’ by Hiroaki Imai et al., CrystEngComm, 2019, 21, 6905–6914.
Optical properties of hydrothermally synthesised and thermally annealed ZnO/ZnO2 composites
Authors: Rodrigues Joana , Medeiros Sloany , Vilarinho Paula M. , Costa M. Elisabete V. , Monteiro Teresa
Published: March 2020

ZnO/ZnO2 composites synthesised via a hydrothermal approach revealed a high surface area (90 m2 g−1) and a photoluminescence signal strongly dependent on the measurement atmosphere.
Electronic conductivity of polymer electrolytes: electronic charge transport properties of LiTFSI-doped PEO
Authors: Unge Mikael , Gudla Harish , Zhang Chao , Brandell Daniel
Published: March 2020

Electronic conduction in polymer electrolytes in batteries will be of importance when it is made very thin. We calculate electronic charge transport properties from first principles, e.g. it is shown that the band gap of PEO with LiTFSI can reduce to 0.6 eV.
Selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived compounds under mild conditions
Authors: Chen Lu , van Muyden Antoine P. , Cui Xinjiang , Laurenczy Gabor , Dyson Paul J.
Published: March 2020

A key challenge in the production of lignin-derived chemicals is to reduce the energy intensive processes used in their production.
Rationally designed Ni2P/Ni/C as a positive electrode for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Yanchao , Xiong Shanshan , Weng Shuting , Wang Juan , Wang Jing , Lin Hongjun , Jiao Yang , Chen Jianrong
Published: March 2020

Ni2P/Ni/C is fabricated a simple simultaneous carbonization and phosphidation process. It displays exceptional rate performance with excellent cycling ability, mainly resulting from accelerated charge transfer ability and stable porous structure.
Sensitive and selective colorimetric probe for fluoride detection based on the interaction between 3-aminophenylboronic acid and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) modified gold nanoparticles
Authors: Jayeoye Titilope John , Rujiralai Thitima
Published: March 2020

APBA was conjugated on DSP@AuNP to form stable APBA–DSP@AuNP, exhibiting high selectivity towards fluoride against other anions and glucose.
Improving efficiency and stability of colorful perovskite solar cells with two-dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Liu Zhou , Wu Longlong , Wang Xiao , Xu Qiaofei , Hu Youdi , Meng Ke , Chen Gang
Published: March 2020

The electron transport layers for perovskite solar cells show two-dimensional photonic crystal structures and vivid structural colors.
Impact of covalent functionalization by diazonium chemistry on the electronic properties of graphene on SiC
Authors: Ambrosio G. , Brown A. , Daukiya L. , Drera G. , Di Santo G. , Petaccia L. , De Feyter S. , Sangaletti L. , Pagliara S.
Published: March 2020

Photoemission experiments show that the covalent functionalization of graphene on SiC, by TMeOP units, induces a slight increase of the n-type doping of graphene.
In situ monitoring of the electrochemically induced phase transition of thermodynamically metastable 1T-MoS2 at nanoscale
Authors: Huang Junxiao , Pan Xuelei , Liao Xiaobin , Yan Mengyu , Dunn Bruce , Luo Wen , Mai Liqiang
Published: March 2020

A new phase transition of 1T-MoS2 during the electrochemical treatment was discovered and in situ monitored.
Synthesis and evaluation ofNα,Nε-diacetyl-l-lysine-inositol conjugates as cancer-selective probes for metabolic engineering of GPIs and GPI-anchored proteins
Authors: Jaiswal Mohit , Zhu Sanyong , Jiang Wenjie , Guo Zhongwu
Published: March 2020

This study has established a new strategy and new molecular tools for selective metabolic labeling of inositol on cancer cells, which should be useful for cancer targeting and study of GPI-anchored proteins.
Recent advances in two-photon absorbing probes based on a functionalized dipolar naphthalene platform
Authors: An Jong Min , Kim Sung Hyun , Kim Dokyoung
Published: March 2020

Recently reported two-photon fluorescent probes based on a functionalized dipolar naphthalene platform (FDNP) are summarized.
Anammox and partial denitrification coupling: a review
Authors: You Qing-Guo , Wang Jian-Hui , Qi Gao-Xiang , Zhou Yue-Ming , Guo Zhi-Wei , Shen Yu , Gao Xu
Published: March 2020

As a new wastewater biological nitrogen removal process, anammox and partial denitrification coupling not only plays a significant role in the nitrogen cycle, but also holds high engineering application value.
A green self-assembled organic supermolecule as an effective flame retardant for epoxy resin
Authors: Sui Yanlong , Qu Lijie , Dai Xueyan , Li Peihong , Zhang Jinrui , Luo Shuai , Zhang Chunling
Published: March 2020

In this study, a green organic supermolecule as an effective flame retardant for epoxy resin was prepared.
Molecular simulations of gas transport in hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber and ethylene–propylene–diene rubber
Authors: Tan JingHua , Chen Chenliang , Liu Yiwu , Wu Juying , Wu Ding , Zhang Xiang , He Xiaoye , She Zhihong , He Ren , Zhang Hailiang
Published: March 2020

Diffusion and sorption of five gases (H2, N2, O2, CO2, CH4) in HNBR and EPDM were explored by MD and GCMC simulations.
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by co-catalyst-free TiO2/C bulk heterostructures synthesized under mild conditions
Authors: Imparato Claudio , Iervolino Giuseppina , Fantauzzi Marzia , Koral Can , Macyk Wojciech , Kobielusz Marcin , D'Errico Gerardino , Rea Ilaria , Di Girolamo Rocco , De Stefano Luca , Andreone Antonello , Vaiano Vincenzo , Rossi Antonella , Aronne Antonio
Published: March 2020

Defective TiO2/C bulk heterostructures exhibit visible light photoresponsivity and remarkable H2evolution rates under both UV and visible light irradiation.
Perfect cubic La-doped boron clusters La6&[La@B24]+/0as the embryos of low-dimensional lanthanide boride nanomaterials
Authors: Lu Xiao-Qin , Ao Mei-Zhen , Tian Xin-Xin , Zan Wen-Yan , Mu Yue-Wen , Li Si-Dian
Published: March 2020

Perfect cubic clustersOhLa6&[La@B24]+/0are predicted at first-principles levels to be the embryos of 1D La10B32, 2D La3B10, and 3D LaB6lanthanide boride nanomaterials in a bottom-up approach.
Correction: Multi-scale microporous silica microcapsules from gas-in water-in oil emulsions
Authors: Toprakcioglu Zenon , Hakala Tuuli A. , Levin Aviad , Becker Christian F. W. , Bernandes Gonçalo J. L. , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Multi-scale microporous silica microcapsules from gas-in water-in oil emulsions’ by Zenon Toprakcioglu et al., Soft Matter, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02274k.
Temperature-invariant superelastic, fatigue resistant, and binary-network structured silica nanofibrous aerogels for thermal superinsulation
Authors: Dou Lvye , Cheng Xiaota , Zhang Xinxin , Si Yang , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: March 2020

Binary-network structured silica nanofibrous aerogels with temperature-invariant superelasticity and fatigue resistance are fabricated for thermal superinsulation.
Green and stable processing of organic light-emitting diodes from aqueous nanodispersions
Authors: Ribeiro Anielen H. , Fakih Ahmed , van der Zee Bas , Veith Lothar , Glaser Gunnar , Kunz Alexander , Landfester Katharina , Blom Paul W. M. , Michels Jasper J.
Published: March 2020

Robust method to process of OLEDs from water to avoid the use of hazardous solvents.
Recent advances in understanding prodrug transport through the SLC15 family of proton-coupled transporters
Authors: Minhas Gurdeep S. , Newstead Simon
Published: March 2020

Solute carrier (SLC) transporters play important roles in regulating the movement of small molecules and ions across cellular membranes. In mammals, they play an important role in regulating the uptake of nutrients and vitamins from the diet, and in controlling the distribution of their metabolic intermediates within the cell. Several SLC families also play an important role in drug transport and strategies are being developed to hijack SLC transporters to control and regulate drug transport within the body. Through the addition of amino acid and peptide moieties several novel antiviral and anticancer agents have been developed that hijack the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters, PepT1 (SCL15A1) and PepT2 (SLC15A2), for improved intestinal absorption and renal retention in the body. A major goal is to understand the rationale behind these successes and expand the library of prodrug molecules that utilise SLC transporters. Recent co-crystal structures of prokaryotic homologues of the human PepT1 and PepT2 transporters have shed important new insights into the mechanism of prodrug recognition. Here, I will review recent developments in our understanding of ligand recognition and binding promiscuity within the SLC15 family, and discuss current models for prodrug recognition.
Signal-regulated oxidation of proteins via MICAL
Authors: Ortegón Salas Clara , Schneider Katharina , Lillig Christopher Horst , Gellert Manuela
Published: March 2020

Processing of and responding to various signals is an essential cellular function that influences survival, homeostasis, development, and cell death. Extra- or intracellular signals are perceived via specific receptors and transduced in a particular signalling pathway that results in a precise response. Reversible post-translational redox modifications of cysteinyl and methionyl residues have been characterised in countless signal transduction pathways. Due to the low reactivity of most sulfur-containing amino acid side chains with hydrogen peroxide, for instance, and also to ensure specificity, redox signalling requires catalysis, just like phosphorylation signalling requires kinases and phosphatases. While reducing enzymes of both cysteinyl- and methionyl-derivates have been characterised in great detail before, the discovery and characterisation of MICAL proteins evinced the first examples of specific oxidases in signal transduction. This article provides an overview of the functions of MICAL proteins in the redox regulation of cellular functions.
Mitochondrial hyperfusion: a friend or a foe
Authors: Das Rajdeep , Chakrabarti Oishee
Published: March 2020

The cellular mitochondrial population undergoes repeated cycles of fission and fusion to maintain its integrity, as well as overall cellular homeostasis. While equilibrium usually exists between the fission–fusion dynamics, their rates are influenced by organellar and cellular metabolic and pathogenic conditions. Under conditions of cellular stress, there is a disruption of this fission and fusion balance and mitochondria undergo either increased fusion, forming a hyperfused meshwork or excessive fission to counteract stress and remove damaged mitochondria via mitophagy. While some previous reports suggest that hyperfusion is initiated to ameliorate cellular stress, recent studies show its negative impact on cellular health in disease conditions. The exact mechanism of mitochondrial hyperfusion and its role in maintaining cellular health and homeostasis, however, remain unclear. In this review, we aim to highlight the different aspects of mitochondrial hyperfusion in either promoting or mitigating stress and also its role in immunity and diseases.
Latest advances in STAT signaling and function in adipocytes
Authors: Burrell Jasmine A. , Boudreau Anik , Stephens Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2020

Adipocytes and adipose tissue are not inert and make substantial contributions to systemic metabolism by influencing energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and lipid storage. In addition to well-studied hormones such as insulin, there are numerous hormones, cytokines, and growth factors that modulate adipose tissue function. Many endocrine mediators utilize the JAK–STAT pathway to mediate dozens of biological processes, including inflammation and immune responses. JAKs and STATs can modulate both adipocyte development and mature adipocyte function. Of the seven STAT family members, four STATs are expressed in adipocytes and regulated during adipogenesis (STATs 1, 3, 5A, and 5B). These STATs have been shown to play influential roles in adipose tissue development and function. STAT6, in contrast, is highly expressed in both preadipocytes and mature adipocytes, but is not considered to play a major role in regulating adipose tissue function. This review will summarize the latest research that pertains to the functions of STATs in adipocytes and adipose tissue.
Self DNA perpetuates IPF lung fibroblast senescence in a cGAS-dependent manner
Authors: Schuliga Michael , Read Jane , Blokland Kaj E.C. , Waters David W. , Burgess Janette , Prêle Cecilia , Mutsaers Steven E. , Jaffar Jade , Westall Glen , Reid Andrew , James Allen , Grainge Christopher , Knight Darryl A.
Published: March 2020

Senescence and mitochondrial stress are mutually reinforcing age-related processes that contribute to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); a lethal disease that manifests primarily in the elderly. Whilst evidence is accumulating that GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is crucial in perpetuating senescence by binding damaged DNA released into the cytosol, its role in IPF is not known. The present study examines the contributions of cGAS and self DNA to the senescence of lung fibroblasts from IPF patients (IPF-LFs) and age-matched controls (Ctrl-LFs). cGAS immunoreactivity was observed in regions of fibrosis associated with fibroblasts in lung tissue of IPF patients. Pharmacological inhibition of cGAS or its knockdown by silencing RNA (siRNA) diminished the escalation of IPF-LF senescence in culture over 7 days as measured by decreased p21 and p16 expression, histone 2AXγ phosphorylation and/or IL-6 production (P < 0.05, n = 5–8). The targeting of cGAS also attenuated etoposide-induced senescence in Ctrl-LFs (P < 0.05, n = 5–8). Levels of mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) detected by qPCR in the cytosol and medium of IPF-LFs or senescence-induced Ctrl-LFs were higher than Ctrl-LFs at baseline (P < 0.05, n = 5–7). The addition of DNAse I (100 U/ml) deaccelerated IPF-LF senescence (P < 0.05, n = 5), whereas ectopic mDNA or the induction of endogenous mDNA release augmented Ctrl-LF senescence in a cGAS-dependent manner (P < 0.05, n = 5). In conclusion, we provide evidence that cGAS reinforces lung fibroblast senescence involving damaged self DNA. The targeting of cGAS to supress senescent-like responses may have potential important therapeutic implications in the treatment of IPF.
Modulation of microglial phenotypes improves sepsis-induced hippocampus-dependent cognitive impairments and decreases brain inflammation in an animal model of sepsis
Authors: Michels Monique , Abatti Mariane , Vieira Andriele , Ávila Pricila , Goulart Amanda Indalécio , Borges Heloisa , Córneo Emily , Dominguini Diogo , Barichello Tatiana , Dal-Pizzol Felipe
Published: March 2020

Background: In order to modulate microglial phenotypes in vivo, M1 microglia were depleted by administration of gadolinium chloride and the expression of M2 microglia was induced by IL-4 administration in an animal model of sepsis to better characterize the role of microglial phenotypes in sepsis-induced brain dysfunction. Methods: Wistar rats were submitted to sham or cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) and treated with IL-4 or GdCl3. Animals were submitted to behavioral tests 10 days after surgery. In a separated cohort of animals at 24 h, 3 and 10 days after surgery, hippocampus was removed and cytokine levels, M1/M2 markers and CKIP-1 levels were determined. Results: Modulation of microglia by IL-4 and GdCl3 was associated with an improvement in long-term cognitive impairment. When treated with IL-4 and GdCl3, the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines was apparent in almost all analyzed time points. Additionally, CD11b and iNOS were increased after CLP at all time points, and both IL-4 and GdCl3 treatments were able to reverse this. There was a significant decrease in CD11b gene expression in the CLP+GdCl3 group. IL-4 treatment was able to decrease iNOS expression after sepsis. Furthermore, there was an increase of CKIP-1 in the hippocampus of GdCl3 and IL-4 treated animals 10 days after CLP induction. Conclusions: GdCl3 and IL-4 are able to manipulate microglial phenotype in an animal models of sepsis, by increasing the polarization toward an M2 phenotype IL-4 and GdCl3 treatment was associated with decreased brain inflammation and functional recovery.
Measure What You Treat: Using Language Sample Analysis for Grammatical Outcome Measures in Children With Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Gallagher John F. , Hoover Jill R.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Language sample analysis (LSA) is commonly used to monitor progress for children with language disorders (Pavelko et al., 2016). For children with grammar goals, pediatric speech-language pathologists report mean length of utterance (MLU) and type–token ratio (TTR) as the two LSA measures most commonly used (Finestack & Satterlund, 2018). For focused grammatical intervention, these measures may be ineffective in capturing treatment growth. In this clinical focus article, we provide a preliminary comparison of four measures that could be considered as progress monitoring tools following intervention for one finiteness marker.

Method

Pre- and posttreatment spontaneous language samples from six children with developmental language disorder who underwent treatment for the third-person singular
–s
(
–3s
) morpheme were analyzed qualitatively. Four measures are reported: MLU, TTR, percent accuracy of
–3s
, and Tense and Agreement Productivity score of
–3s
(cf. Hadley & Short, 2005).

Results

Increases were most common across participants in measures that examined use of the treatment target (i.e., percent accuracy and Tense and Agreement Productivity score of
–3s
). Changes in MLU were not always congruent with measures of the treatment target. Change was mostly not appreciable for TTR.

Conclusions

For preschool-aged children with developmental language disorder, MLU and TTR may not be effective as the sole outcome measures following treatment of
–3s.
Our six case studies highlight the benefit of measuring the treated skill as discretely as possible and with multiple measures. More research is needed into the use of LSA for outcome measures in children with language disorders.
Robust control for master–slave manipulator system avoiding obstacle collision under restricted working space
Authors: Cruz‐Ortiz David , Chairez Isaac , Poznyak Alexander
Published: March 2020

The aim of this work is to design a robust output‐based controller for a robotic manipulator (RM) with a master–slave configuration (MSC). The trajectories of the slave robot manipulator (SRM) must fulfil two types of constraints. The first corresponds to the boundaries of the obstacles placed in the given workspace. The second is related to the boundaries of the workspace. The controller must ensure the collision avoidance of the obstacles and the end‐effector of the SRM should remain inside of the workspace. The proposed controller satisfies a state feedback structure with time‐varying gains. The time‐variable gains include an integral compensation that guarantees the collision avoidance with the obstacle satisfying the boundary of the workspace, which is the main contribution of this study. The solution of a matrix inequality characterises the zone of convergence and the suboptimal control gains. A set of numerical simulations using a MSC based on a couple of two‐link RMs illustrates the advantages obtained with the proposed method. Also, a set of experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Sensor attack detection for cyber‐physical systems based on frequency domain partition
Authors: Gu Cao‐Yuan , Zhu Jun‐Wei , Zhang Wen‐An , Yu Li
Published: March 2020

This study is concerned with the attack detection (AD) problems in finite frequency domain for cyber‐physical systems with sensor attack. The frequency domain is divided into three frequency domains of low, medium and high, multiple AD filters are designed to work simultaneously. The attack detectionAD problem is transformed into a multi‐objective optimisation schemes for each finite frequency domain. Finally, the experimental results of networked motion control system are given to verify the effectiveness and superiority of proposed method.
Model‐free adaptive fault‐tolerant control for subway trains with speed and traction/braking force constraints
Authors: Wang Haojun , Hou Zhongsheng
Published: March 2020

This study investigates the subway train fault‐tolerant control problem for the actuator fault with constraints of speed and traction/braking force. The complex subway train dynamics is first transformed into a compact form dynamic linearization data model with the help of the concept pseudo‐partial derivative (PPD) proposed under the framework of model‐free adaptive control. By using the approximation of the uncertainty fault with radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), then a model‐free adaptive fault‐tolerant control (MFAFTC) scheme is designed by only using saturated input/output data of a subway train. The proposed MFAFTC scheme consists of two data driven on‐line learning updating algorithms for RBFNN‐weights and PPD, and its convergence is strictly proved by rigorous theoretical analysis, and whose correctness and effectiveness are further verified by a numerical simulation.
H‐WordNet: a holistic convolutional neural network approach for handwritten word recognition
Authors: Das Dibyasundar , Nayak Deepak Ranjan , Dash Ratnakar , Majhi Banshidhar , Zhang Yu‐Dong
Published: March 2020

Segmentation of handwritten words into isolated characters and their recognition are challenging due to the presence of high variability and cursiveness in Indian scripts. The complex shapes and availability of numerous atomic character classes, compound characters, modifiers, ascendants, and descendants make the recognition task even more difficult. A holistic approach effectively tackles such issues by avoiding the character‐level segmentation and the earlier holistic methods have been mostly developed using multi‐stage machine learning architecture. In this study, a deep convolutional neural network‐based holistic method termed ‘H‐WordNet’ is proposed for handwritten word recognition. The H‐WordNet model includes merely four convolutional layers and one fully connected layer to effectively classify the word images', which lead to a significant reduction in parameters. The efficacy of different pooling operations with the proposed model is investigated. The main purpose of this study is to avoid the need for handcrafted feature extraction and obtain a more stable and generalised system for word recognition. The proposed model is evaluated using a standard handwritten Bangla word database (CMATERdb2.1.2), which contains 18000 Bangla word images of 120 different categories and it obtained a higher recognition accuracy of 96.17% when compared to recent state‐of‐the‐art methods.
GNSS real‐time instantaneous velocimetry based on moving‐window polynomial modelling
Authors: Zhang Laihong , Chang Guobin , Chen Chao , Zhang Siyu , Zhu Ting
Published: March 2020

The instantaneous kinematic velocity obtained by using a stand‐alone global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver has attracted increasing attention, and has significant for numerous applications. Using the time difference carrier phase (TDCP) measurements, or the displacements they produced, we propose two real‐time instantaneous velocity determination methods based on the moving‐window polynomial model. The two methods are called the observation‐domain and the coordinate‐domain, correspondingly. In the calculation process, the Cholesky update method is utilized to improve numerical efficiency. The proposed methods are a finite impulse in nature, and hence are robust against modeling uncertainties, such as temporal outlying measurements, inaccurate information of noise statistics. Two vehicle‐mounted experiments were performed to verify the performance of the coordinate‐domain and observation‐domain methods. The reference velocities used to evaluate the accuracy of velocity estimates are chosen as GNSS/INS smoothing solution and high‐rate RTK solution in these two experiments, respectively. The results show that the coordinate‐domain and observation‐domain methods were comparable in performance, both better than that of the Nonlinear Tracking Differentiator (NTD) method. Specifically, the improvement in terms of root mean square of the proposed methods, compared with the NTD, can be 29.3–40.3% and 6.25–16.4% in the two experiments, respectively.
Theoretical studies of energy levels and transition data for Zr III
Authors: Rynkun P. , Gaigalas G. , Jönsson P.
Published: March 2020

Aims. We seek to present accurate and extensive transition data for the Zr III ion. These data are useful in many astrophysical applications.

Methods. We used the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock and relativistic configuration interaction (RCI) methods, which are implemented in the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package GRASP2018. The transverse-photon (Breit) interaction, vacuum polarization, and self-energy corrections are included in the RCI computations.

Results. Energy spectra were calculated for the 88 lowest states in the Zr III ion. The root-mean-square deviation obtained in this study for computed energy spectra from the experimental data is 450 cm−1. Electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), and electric quadrupole (E2) transition data, line strengths, weighted oscillator strengths, and transition rates are computed between the above states together with the corresponding lifetimes. The computed transition rates are smaller than the experimental rates and the disagreement for weaker transitions is much larger than the experimental error bars. The computed lifetimes agree with available experimental values within the experimental uncertainties.
Stellar populations across galaxy bars in the MUSE TIMER project
Authors: Neumann Justus , Fragkoudi Francesca , Pérez Isabel , Gadotti Dimitri A. , Falcón-Barroso Jesús , Sánchez-Blázquez Patricia , Bittner Adrian , Husemann Bernd , Gómez Facundo A. , Grand Robert J. J. , Donohoe-Keyes Charlotte E. , Kim Taehyun , de Lorenzo-Cáceres Adriana , Martig Marie , Méndez-Abreu Jairo , Pakmor Rüdiger , Seidel Marja K. , van de Ven Glenn
Published: March 2020

Stellar populations in barred galaxies save an imprint of the influence of the bar on the host galaxy’s evolution. We present a detailed analysis of star formation histories (SFHs) and chemical enrichment of stellar populations in nine nearby barred galaxies from the TIMER project. We used integral field observations with the MUSE instrument to derive unprecedented spatially resolved maps of stellar ages, metallicities, [Mg/Fe] abundances, and SFHs, as well as Hαas a tracer of ongoing star formation. We find a characteristic V-shaped signature in the SFH that is perpendicular to the bar major axis, which supports the scenario where intermediate-age stars (∼2 − 6 Gyr) are trapped on more elongated orbits shaping a thinner part of the bar, while older stars (> 8 Gyr) are trapped on less elongated orbits shaping a rounder and thicker part of the bar. We compare our data to state-of-the-art cosmological magneto-hydrodynamical simulations of barred galaxies and show that such V-shaped SFHs arise naturally due to the dynamical influence of the bar on stellar populations with different ages and kinematic properties. Additionally, we find an excess of very young stars (< 2 Gyr) on the edges of the bars, predominantly on the leading side, thus confirming typical star formation patterns in bars. Furthermore, mass-weighted age and metallicity gradients are slightly shallower along the bar than in the disc, which is likely due to orbital mixing in the bar. Finally, we find that bars are mostly more metal-rich and less [Mg/Fe]-enhanced than the surrounding discs. We interpret this as a signature that the bar quenches star formation in the inner region of discs, usually referred to as star formation deserts. We discuss these results and their implications on two different scenarios of bar formation and evolution.
Thermal instabilities: Fragmentation and field misalignment of filament fine structure
Authors: Claes N. , Keppens R. , Xia C.
Published: March 2020

Context. Prominences show a surprising amount of fine structure and it is widely believed that their threads, as seen in Hα observations, provide indirect information concerning magnetic field topology. Both prominence and coronal rain condensations most likely originate from thermal instabilities in the solar corona. It is still not understood how non-linear instability evolution shapes the observed fine structure of prominences. Investigating this requires multidimensional, high-resolution simulations to resolve all emerging substructure in great detail.

Aims. We investigate the spontaneous emergence and evolution of fine structure in high-density condensations formed through the process of thermal instability under typical solar coronal conditions. Our study reveals intricate multidimensional processes that occur through in situ condensations in a representative coronal volume in a low plasma beta regime.

Methods. We quantified slow wave eigenfunctions used as perturbations and discuss under which conditions the thermal mode is unstable when anisotropic thermal conduction effects are included. We performed 2D and 3D numerical simulations of interacting slow magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave modes when all relevant non-adiabatic effects are included. Multiple levels of adaptive mesh refinement achieve a high resolution near regions with high density, thereby resolving any emerging fine structure automatically. Our study employs a local periodic coronal region traversed by damped slow waves inspired by the presence of such waves observed in actual coronal magnetic structures.

Results. We show that the interaction of multiple slow MHD wave modes in a regime unstable to the thermal mode leads to thermal instability. This initially forms pancake-like structures almost orthogonal to the local magnetic field, while low-pressure induced inflows of matter generate rebound shocks. This is succeeded by the rapid disruption of these pancake sheets through thin-shell instabilities evolving naturally from minute ram pressure imbalances. This eventually creates high-density blobs accompanied by thread-like features from shear flow effects. The further evolution of the blobs follows the magnetic field lines, such that a dynamical realignment with the background magnetic field appears. However, the emerging thread-like features are not at all field-aligned, implying only a very weak link between fine structure orientation and magnetic field topology.

Conclusions. As seen in our synthetic Hα views, threads formed by non-linear thermal instability evolution do not strictly outline magnetic field structure and this finding has far-reaching implications for field topology interpretations based on Hα observations.