bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 Mediates Progesterone-Induced Suppression of Oocyte Meiotic Prophase I and Primordial Folliculogenesis
Authors: Guo Meng , Zhang Cheng , Wang Yan , Feng Lizhao , Wang Zhengpin , Niu Wanbo , Du Xiaoyan , Tang Wang , Li Yuna , Wang Chao , Chen Zhenwen
Published: November 2016

Well-timed progression of primordial folliculogenesis is essential for mammalian female fertility. Progesterone (P4) inhibits primordial follicle formation under physiological conditions; however, P4 receptor that mediates this effect and its underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we used anin vitroorgan culture system to show that progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) mediated P4-induced inhibition of oocyte meiotic prophase I and primordial follicle formation. We found that membrane-impermeable BSA-conjugated P4 inhibited primordial follicle formation similar to that by P4. Interestingly, PGRMC1 and its partner serpine1 mRNA-binding protein 1 were highly expressed in oocytes in perinatal ovaries. Inhibition or RNA interference of PGRMC1 abolished the suppressive effect of P4 on follicle formation. Furthermore, P4-PGRMC1 interaction blocked oocyte meiotic progression and decreased intra-oocyte cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in perinatal ovaries. cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP reversed P4–PGRMC1 interaction-induced inhibition of meiotic progression and follicle formation. Thus, our results indicated that PGRMC1 mediated P4-induced suppression of oocyte meiotic progression and primordial folliculogenesis by decreasing intra-oocyte cAMP levels.
Treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy by photodynamic therapy, aflibercept and dexamethasone triple therapy
Authors: Ho Mary , Woo Donald C. F. , Chan Vesta C. K. , Young Alvin L. , Brelen Marten E.
Published: November 2016

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is a relatively common type of degenerative macular disease among the Chinese population. This study aims to describe the therapeutic responses to combination therapy with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal aflibercept and intravitreal dexamethasone in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. A prospective series of 17 eyes of 13 patients suffering from treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculoapathy were recruited. All cases received triple therapy with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal aflibercept and intravitreal dexamethasone and one year outcomes were reported. The baseline visual acuity was 0.65logMAR +/− 0.38 (Snellen 20/80 to 20/100). The visual acuity at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and one year after treatment were significantly improved to 0.522logMAR+/− 0.365 (P < 0.04) (Snellen 20/70), 0.363logMAR+/−0.382 (Snellen 20/50;P < 0.001), 0.377logMAR +/− 0.440 (Snellen 20/50;p = 0.005), and 0.35logMAR +/− 0.407 (Snellen 20/40;P < 0.001), respectively. The baseline central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) was 394.7 +/− 70.6 μm. CFT at 6 months and 1 year after treatment were significantly reduced to 259 +/− 54 μm (p = 0.004) and 271 +/− 49.7 μm(p = 0.016), respectively. Triple therapy with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal aflibercept and intravitreal dexamethasone is an effective treatment for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. The majority of cases responded well with significant responses observed as early as 1 week after initiation of therapy.
The host genetic background defines diverse immune-reactivity and susceptibility to chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infection
Authors: Spagnuolo Lorenza , De Simone Maura , Lorè Nicola Ivan , De Fino Ida , Basso Veronica , Mondino Anna , Cigana Cristina , Bragonzi Alessandra
Published: November 2016

Patients with P. aeruginosa airways infection show markedly variable clinical phenotypes likely influenced by genetic backgrounds. Here, we investigated the cellular events involved in resistance and susceptibility to P. aeruginosa chronic infection using genetically distinct inbred mouse strains. As for patients, different murine genotypes revealed variable susceptibility to infection. When directly compared, resistant C3H/HeOuJ and susceptible A/J strains revealed distinct immune responsiveness to the pathogen. In C3H/HeOuJ resistant mice, IL17-producing cells rapidly and transiently infiltrated the infected lung, and this was paralleled by the acute accumulation of alveolar macrophages, bacterial clearance and resolution of infection. In contrast, A/J susceptible mice revealed a more delayed and prolonged lung infiltration by IL17+ and IFNγ+ cells, persistence of innate inflammatory cells and establishment of chronic infection. We conclude that the host genetic background confers diverse immunoreactivity to P. aeruginosa and IL17-producing cells might contribute to the progress of chronic lung infection.
Design and Characterisation of Metallic Glassy Alloys of High Neutron Shielding Capability
Authors: Khong J. C. , Daisenberger D. , Burca G. , Kockelmann W. , Tremsin A. S. , Mi J.
Published: November 2016

This paper reports the design, making and characterisation of a series of Fe-based bulk metallic glass alloys with the aim of achieving the combined properties of high neutron absorption capability and sufficient glass forming ability. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function methods were used to characterise the crystalline or amorphous states of the samples. Neutron transmission and macroscopic attenuation coefficients of the designed alloys were measured using energy resolved neutron imaging method and the very recently developed microchannel plate detector. The study found that the newly designed alloy (Fe48Cr15Mo14C15B6Gd2 with a glass forming ability of Ø5.8 mm) has the highest neutron absorption capability among all Fe-based bulk metallic glasses so far reported. It is a promising material for neutron shielding applications.
Observations of severe and lethal coalitionary attacks in wild mountain gorillas
Authors: Rosenbaum Stacy , Vecellio Veronica , Stoinski Tara
Published: November 2016

In humans and chimpanzees, most intraspecific killing occurs during coalitionary intergroup conflict. In the closely related genusGorilla,such behavior has not been described. We report three cases of multi-male, multi-female wild mountain gorilla (G. beringei) groups attacking extra-group males. The behavior was strikingly similar to reports in chimpanzees, but was never observed in gorillas until after a demographic transition left ~25% of the population living in large social groups with multiple (3+) males. Resource competition is generally considered a motivator of great apes’ (including humans) violent intergroup conflict, but mountain gorillas are non-territorial herbivores with low feeding competition. While adult male gorillas have a defensible resource (i.e. females) and nursing/pregnant females are likely motivated to drive off potentially infanticidal intruders, the participation of others (e.g. juveniles, sub-adults, cycling females) is harder to explain. We speculate that the potential for severe group disruption when current alpha males are severely injured or killed may provide sufficient motivation when the costs to participants are low. These observations suggest that the gorilla population’s recent increase in multi-male groups facilitated the emergence of such behavior, and indicates social structure is a key predictor of coalitionary aggression even in the absence of meaningful resource stress.
Unconscious processing of facial attractiveness: invisible attractive faces orient visual attention
Authors: Hung Shao-Min , Nieh Chih-Hsuan , Hsieh Po-Jang
Published: November 2016

Past research has proven human’s extraordinary ability to extract information from a face in the blink of an eye, including its emotion, gaze direction, and attractiveness. However, it remains elusive whether facial attractiveness can be processed and influences our behaviors in the complete absence of conscious awareness. Here we demonstrate unconscious processing of facial attractiveness with three distinct approaches. In Experiment 1, the time taken for faces to break interocular suppression was measured. The results showed that attractive faces enjoyed the privilege of breaking suppression and reaching consciousness earlier. In Experiment 2, we further showed that attractive faces had lower visibility thresholds, again suggesting that facial attractiveness could be processed more easily to reach consciousness. Crucially, in Experiment 3, a significant decrease of accuracy on an orientation discrimination task subsequent to an invisible attractive face showed that attractive faces, albeit suppressed and invisible, still exerted an effect by orienting attention. Taken together, for the first time, we show that facial attractiveness can be processed in the complete absence of consciousness, and an unconscious attractive face is still capable of directing our attention.
Large-scale identification of human protein function using topological features of interaction network
Authors: Li Zhanchao , Liu Zhiqing , Zhong Wenqian , Huang Menghua , Wu Na , Xie Yun , Dai Zong , Zou Xiaoyong
Published: November 2016

The annotation of protein function is a vital step to elucidate the essence of life at a molecular level, and it is also meritorious in biomedical and pharmaceutical industry. Developments of sequencing technology result in constant expansion of the gap between the number of the known sequences and their functions. Therefore, it is indispensable to develop a computational method for the annotation of protein function. Herein, a novel method is proposed to identify protein function based on the weighted human protein-protein interaction network and graph theory. The network topology features with local and global information are presented to characterise proteins. The minimum redundancy maximum relevance algorithm is used to select 227 optimized feature subsets and support vector machine technique is utilized to build the prediction models. The performance of current method is assessed through 10-fold cross-validation test, and the range of accuracies is from 67.63% to 100%. Comparing with other annotation methods, the proposed way possesses a 50% improvement in the predictive accuracy. Generally, such network topology features provide insights into the relationship between protein functions and network architectures. The source code of Matlab is freely available on request from the authors.
Inhibition of connexin 43 prevents trauma-induced heterotopic ossification
Authors: Tu Bing , Liu Shen , Liu Guangwang , Li Zhiwei , Sun Yangbai , Fan Cunyi
Published: November 2016

Heterotopic ossification (HO) can result from traumatic injury, surgery or genetic diseases. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of connexin 43 (Cx43) is critical for the development and recurrence of traumatic HO in patients. Inhibition of Cx43 by shRNA substantially suppressed the osteogenic differentiation of MC-3T3 cells and the expression of osteogenic genes. We employed a tenotomy mouse model to explore the hypothesis that Cx43 is vital to the development of HO. Inhibition of Cx43 by a specific shRNA decreased extraskeletal bone formation in vivo. In addition, we demonstrated that ERK signaling activated by Cx43 plays an important role in promoting HO. ERK signaling was highly activated in HO tissue collected from patient and mouse models. Importantly, de novo soft tissue HO was significantly attenuated in mice treated with U0126. Inhibition of Cx43 and ERK led to decreased expressions of Runx2, BSP and Col-1 in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, HO patients with low Cx43 expression or ERK activation had a lower risk of recurrence after the lesions were surgically removed. Our findings indicate that Cx43 promotes trauma-induced HO formation by activating the ERK pathway and enhances the expression of osteogenic markers.
Fabrication of Multscale Fractal-Like Structures by Controlling Fluid Interface Instability
Authors: Islam Tanveer ul , Gandhi Prasanna S.
Published: November 2016

Nature, in quest for the best designs has shaped its vital systems into fractal geometries. Effectual way of spontaneous fabrication of scalable, ordered fractal-like structures by controlling Saffman-Taylor instability in a lifted Hele-Shaw cell is deployed here. In lifted Hele-Shaw cell uncontrolled penetration of low-viscosity fluid into its high-viscosity counterpart is known to develop irregular, non-repeatable, normally short-lived, branched patterns. We propose and characterize experimentally anisotropies in a form of spatially distributed pits on the cell plates to control initiation and further penetration of non-splitting fingers. The proposed control over shielding mechanism yields recipes for fabrication of families of ordered fractal-like patterns of multiple generations. As an example, we demonstrate and characterize fabrication of a Cayley tree fractal-like pattern. The patterns, in addition, are retained permanently by employing UV/thermally curable fluids. The proposed technique thus establishes solid foundation for bio-mimicking natural structures spanning multiple-scales for scientific and engineering use.
Liquid Supercoolability and Synthesis Kinetics of Quinary Refractory High-entropy Alloy
Authors: Wang W. L. , Hu L. , Yang S. J. , Wang A. , Wang L. , Wei B.
Published: November 2016

The high-entropy configuration of equiatomic multicomponent alloys opens an effective access to the development of advanced materials. Here we report the synthesis of a new quinary refractory WMoTaNbZr high-entropy alloy under electrostatic levitation condition. It showed a high liquidus temperature of 2686 K and achieved a maximum supercooling of 640 K (0.24 TL) at molten state. The containerless measurements revealed a linear increasing tendency for both its liquid state density and the specific heat to emissivity ratio versus alloy supercooling. A high-entropy body-centered cubic (HEB) phase dominated its phase constitution despite the formation of a negligible amount of solid solution (Zr) phase. The dendritic growth of HEB phase always governed the crystallization process, attained a fastest growth velocity of 13.5 m/s and displayed a power function relation to alloy supercooling. The high speed videographic research of recalescence phenomenon indicated Johnson-Mehl-Avrami type transition kinetics for its rapid solidification process. As supercooling increases, the microstructures of primary HEB phase were refined conspicuously and exhibited an obvious solute trapping effect of the segregative Zr component. Meanwhile, the Vickers hardness of HEB phase displayed the rising tendency with supercooling.
Ku70 Serine 155 mediates Aurora B inhibition and activation of the DNA damage response
Authors: Fell Victoria L. , Walden Elizabeth A. , Hoffer Sarah M. , Rogers Stephanie R. , Aitken Amelia S. , Salemi Louisa M. , Schild-Poulter Caroline
Published: November 2016

The Ku heterodimer (Ku70/Ku80) is the central DNA binding component of the classical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway that repairs DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), serving as the scaffold for the formation of the NHEJ complex. Here we show that Ku70 is phosphorylated on Serine 155 in response to DNA damage. Expression of Ku70 bearing a S155 phosphomimetic substitution (Ku70 S155D) in Ku70-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) triggered cell cycle arrest at multiple checkpoints and altered expression of several cell cycle regulators in absence of DNA damage. Cells expressing Ku70 S155D exhibited a constitutive DNA damage response, including ATM activation, H2AX phosphorylation and 53BP1 foci formation. Ku70 S155D was found to interact with Aurora B and to have an inhibitory effect on Aurora B kinase activity. Lastly, we demonstrate that Ku and Aurora B interact following ionizing radiation treatment and that Aurora B inhibition in response to DNA damage is dependent upon Ku70 S155 phosphorylation. This uncovers a new pathway where Ku may relay signaling to Aurora B to enforce cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage.
A novel ENU-induced ankyrin-1 mutation impairs parasite invasion and increases erythrocyte clearance during malaria infection in mice
Authors: Huang Hong Ming , Bauer Denis C. , Lelliott Patrick M. , Greth Andreas , McMorran Brendan J. , Foote Simon J. , Burgio Gaetan
Published: November 2016

Genetic defects in various red blood cell (RBC) cytoskeletal proteins have been long associated with changes in susceptibility towards malaria infection. In particular, while ankyrin (Ank-1) mutations account for approximately 50% of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) cases, an association with malaria is not well-established, and conflicting evidence has been reported. We describe a novel N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced ankyrin mutation MRI61689 that gives rise to two different ankyrin transcripts: one with an introduced splice acceptor site resulting a frameshift, the other with a skipped exon. Ank-1(MRI61689/+) mice exhibit an HS-like phenotype including reduction in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), increased osmotic fragility and reduced RBC deformability. They were also found to be resistant to rodent malaria Plasmodium chabaudi infection. Parasites in Ank-1(MRI61689/+) erythrocytes grew normally, but red cells showed resistance to merozoite invasion. Uninfected Ank-1(MRI61689/+) erythrocytes were also more likely to be cleared from circulation during infection; the “bystander effect”. This increased clearance is a novel resistance mechanism which was not observed in previous ankyrin mouse models. We propose that this bystander effect is due to reduced deformability of Ank-1(MRI61689/+) erythrocytes. This paper highlights the complex roles ankyrin plays in mediating malaria resistance.
Renal Artery Vasodilation May Be An Indicator of Successful Sympathetic Nerve Damage During Renal Denervation Procedure
Authors: Chen Weijie , Du Huaan , Lu Jiayi , Ling Zhiyu , Long Yi , Xu Yanping , Xiao Peilin , Gyawali Laxman , Woo Kamsang , Yin Yuehui , Zrenner Bernhard
Published: November 2016

Autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining and regulating vessel tension. Renal denervation (RDN) may induce renal artery vasodilation by damaging renal sympathetic fibers. We conducted this animal study to evaluate whether renal artery vasodilation could be a direct indicator of successful RDN. Twenty-eight Chinese Kunming dogs were randomly assigned into three groups and underwent RDN utilizing temperature-controlled catheter (group A, n = 11) or saline-irrigated catheter (group B, n = 11) or sham procedure (group C, n = 6). Renal angiography, blood pressure (BP) and renal artery vasodilation measurements were performed at baseline, 30-minute, 1-month, and 3-month after interventions. Plasma norepinephrine concentrations were tested at baseline and 3-month after intervention. Results showed that, in addition to significant BP reduction, RDN induced significant renal artery vasodilation. Correlation analyses showed that the induced renal artery vasodilation positively correlated with SBP reduction and plasma norepinephrine reduction over 3 months after ablation. Post hoc analyses showed that saline-irrigated catheter was superior to TC catheter in renal artery vasodilation, especially for the acute dilatation of renal artery at 30-minute after RDN. In conclusion, renal artery vasodilation, induced by RDN, may be a possible indicator of successful renal nerve damage and a predictor of blood pressure response to RDN.
Stage-dependent stoichiometric homeostasis and responses of nutrient resorption in Amaranthus mangostanus to nitrogen and phosphorus addition
Authors: Peng Huiyuan , Chen Yahan , Yan Zhengbing , Han Wenxuan
Published: November 2016

Stoichiometric homeostasis is the ability of plants remaining their element composition relatively stable regardless of changes in nutrient availability, via various physiological mechanisms. Nutrient resorption is one of such key mechanisms, but whether and how nitrogen and phosphorus homeostasis and resorption in plants would change with growth-stages under variable nutrient supply was unclear. A nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer addition experiment was conducted to evaluate the dynamics of N and P homeostasis and resorption efficiency during different growth-stages of Amaranthus mangostanus in a greenhouse. The homeostasis regulation coefficient of green-leaf P varied significantly, while that of green-leaf N maintained relatively stable across growth stages. Moreover, homeostasis regulation coefficient of N was higher at seedling stage but lower at flowering stage than that of P at corresponding stages, suggesting that the growth of A. mangostanus may switch from being more N- to P-limited from vegetative to reproductive stage. N resorption efficiency (NRE) was higher and P resorption efficiency (PRE) was lower at flowering than seed-filling stage. The nutrient dynamics displayed here suggested contrasting nutrient homeostasis and resorption responses of plants to environmental nutrient availability across growth stages. These findings can improve the understanding of nutrition maintenance mechanism of plants during their growth.
The Adhesive System and Anisotropic Shear Force of Guizhou Gastromyzontidae
Authors: Zou Jun , Wang Jinrong , Ji Chen
Published: November 2016

The Guizhou gastromyzontidae (Beaufortia kweichowensis) can adhere to slippery and fouled surfaces in torrential streams. A unique adhesive system utilized by the fish was observed by microscope and CLSM as an attachment disc sealed by a round belt of micro bubbles. The system is effective in wet or underwater environments and can resist a normal pulling force up to 1000 times the fish’s weight. Moreover, a mechanism for passive anisotropic shear force was observed. The shear forces of the fish under different conditions were measured, showing that passive shear force plays an important role in wet environments. The adhesive system of the fish was compared with other biological adhesion principles, from which we obtained potential values for the system that refer to the unique micro sealing and enhanced adhesion in a wet environment.
The genesis of adiabatic shear bands
Authors: Landau P. , Osovski S. , Venkert A. , Gärtnerová V. , Rittel D.
Published: November 2016

Adiabatic shear banding (ASB) is a unique dynamic failure mechanism that results in an unpredicted catastrophic failure due to a concentrated shear deformation mode. It is universally considered as a material or structural instability and as such, ASB is hardly controllable or predictable to some extent. ASB is modeled on the premise of stability analyses. The leading paradigm is that a competition between strain (rate) hardening and thermal softening determines the onset of the failure. It was recently shown that microstructural softening transformations, such as dynamic recrystallization, are responsible for adiabatic shear failure. These are dictated by the stored energy of cold work, so that energy considerations can be used to macroscopically model the failure mechanism. The initial mechanisms that lead to final failure are still unknown, as well as the ASB formation mechanism(s). Most of all - is ASB an abrupt instability or rather a gradual transition as would be dictated by microstructural evolutions? This paper reports thorough microstructural characterizations that clearly show the gradual character of the phenomenon, best described as a nucleation and growth failure mechanism, and not as an abrupt instability as previously thought. These observations are coupled to a simple numerical model that illustrates them.
Investigating the effect of AS03 adjuvant on the plasma cell repertoire following pH1N1 influenza vaccination
Authors: Galson J. D. , Trück J. , Kelly D. F. , van der Most R.
Published: November 2016

Influenza pandemics require rapid deployment of effective vaccines for control. Adjuvants such as AS03 improve vaccine immunogenicity, but this mechanism is poorly understood. We used high-throughput B cell receptor sequencing of plasma cells produced following AS03-adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted 2009 pandemic H1N1 vaccination, as well as pre-pandemic seasonal influenza vaccination to elucidate the effect of the adjuvant on the humoral immune response. By analyzing mutation levels, it was possible to distinguish sequences from cells that were recently activated from naïve B cells from those that were activated by memory recall. We show that the adjuvant functions through two mechanisms. First, the adjuvant stimulates increased activation of naïve B cells, thus reducing immune interference with previous vaccine responses. Second, the adjuvant is able to increase the adaptability of the recalled cells to give improved specificity to the new vaccine antigen. We thus show how AS03 enhances pH1N1 immune responses, and reduces immune interference.
A competing-risk-based score for predicting twenty-year risk of incident diabetes: the Beijing Longitudinal Study of Ageing study
Authors: Liu Xiangtong , Chen Zhenghong , Fine Jason Peter , Liu Long , Wang Anxin , Guo Jin , Tao Lixin , Mahara Gehendra , Yang Kun , Zhang Jie , Tian Sijia , Li Haibin , Liu Kuo , Luo Yanxia , Zhang Feng , Tang Zhe , Guo Xiuhua
Published: November 2016

Few risk tools have been proposed to quantify the long-term risk of diabetes among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China. The present study aimed to develop a risk tool to estimate the 20-year risk of developing diabetes while incorporating competing risks. A three-stage stratification random-clustering sampling procedure was conducted to ensure the representativeness of the Beijing elderly. We prospectively followed 1857 community residents aged 55 years and above who were free of diabetes at baseline examination. Sub-distribution hazards models were used to adjust for the competing risks of non-diabetes death. The cumulative incidence function of twenty-year diabetes event rates was 11.60% after adjusting for the competing risks of non-diabetes death. Age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, health status, and physical activity were selected to form the score. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.76 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.72–0.80), and the optimism-corrected AUC was 0.78 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.69–0.87) after internal validation by bootstrapping. The calibration plot showed that the actual diabetes risk was similar to the predicted risk. The cut-off value of the risk score was 19 points, marking mark the difference between low-risk and high-risk patients, which exhibited a sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of 0.65.
Neutrophil extracellular traps are indirectly triggered by lipopolysaccharide and contribute to acute lung injury
Authors: Liu Shuai , Su Xiaoli , Pan Pinhua , Zhang Lemeng , Hu Yongbin , Tan Hongyi , Wu Dongdong , Liu Ben , Li Haitao , Li Haosi , Li Yi , Dai Minhui , Li Yuanyuan , Hu Chengping , Tsung Allan
Published: November 2016

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) facilitate the extracellular killing of pathogens. However, excessive NETs formation and poor degradation are associated with exacerbated immune responses and tissue injury. In this study, we investigated the role of NETs in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated acute lung injury (ALI) and assessed the use of DNase I, for the treatment of ALI. Additionally, we focused on the controversial issue of whether LPS directly induces NETs release in vitro. NETs formation was detected in murine ALI tissue in vivo and was associated with increased NETs markers, citrullinated-histone H3 tissue levels and NET-DNA levels in BALF. Treatment with DNase I significantly degraded NETs and reduced citrullinated-histone H3 levels, which protected against ALI and ameliorated pulmonary oedema and total protein in BALF. In addition, DNase I significantly reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels in plasma and BALF. In vitro, LPS-activated platelets rather than LPS alone efficiently induced NETs release. In conclusion, NETs formed during LPS-induced ALI, caused organ damage and initiated the inflammatory response. NETs degradation by DNase I promoted NET-protein clearance and protected against ALI in mice; thus, DNase I may be a new potential adjuvant for ALI therapy. Specifically, LPS induced NETs formation in an indirect manner via platelets activation.
X-ray Scintillation in Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals
Authors: Birowosuto M. D. , Cortecchia D. , Drozdowski W. , Brylew K. , Lachmanski W. , Bruno A. , Soci C.
Published: November 2016

Current technologies for X-ray detection rely on scintillation from expensive inorganic crystals grown at high-temperature, which so far has hindered the development of large-area scintillator arrays. Thanks to the presence of heavy atoms, solution-grown hybrid lead halide perovskite single crystals exhibit short X-ray absorption length and excellent detection efficiency. Here we compare X-ray scintillator characteristics of three-dimensional (3D) MAPbI3 and MAPbBr3 and two-dimensional (2D) (EDBE)PbCl4 hybrid perovskite crystals. X-ray excited thermoluminescence measurements indicate the absence of deep traps and a very small density of shallow trap states, which lessens after-glow effects. All perovskite single crystals exhibit high X-ray excited luminescence yields of >120,000 photons/MeV at low temperature. Although thermal quenching is significant at room temperature, the large exciton binding energy of 2D (EDBE)PbCl4 significantly reduces thermal effects compared to 3D perovskites, and moderate light yield of 9,000 photons/MeV can be achieved even at room temperature. This highlights the potential of 2D metal halide perovskites for large-area and low-cost scintillator devices for medical, security and scientific applications.
Regulation of Ebola virus VP40 matrix protein by SUMO
Authors: Baz-Martínez Maite , El Motiam Ahmed , Ruibal Paula , Condezo Gabriela N. , de la Cruz-Herrera Carlos F. , Lang Valerie , Collado Manuel , San Martín Carmen , Rodríguez Manuel S. , Muñoz-Fontela Cesar , Rivas Carmen
Published: November 2016

The matrix protein of Ebola virus (EBOV) VP40 regulates viral budding, nucleocapsid recruitment, virus structure and stability, viral genome replication and transcription, and has an intrinsic ability to form virus-like particles. The elucidation of the regulation of VP40 functions is essential to identify mechanisms to inhibit viral replication and spread. Post-translational modifications of proteins with ubiquitin-like family members are common mechanisms for the regulation of host and virus multifunctional proteins. Thus far, no SUMOylation of VP40 has been described. Here we demonstrate that VP40 is modified by SUMO and that SUMO is included into the viral like particles (VLPs). We demonstrate that lysine residue 326 in VP40 is involved in SUMOylation, and by analyzing a mutant in this residue we show that SUMO conjugation regulates the stability of VP40 and the incorporation of SUMO into the VLPs. Our study indicates for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that EBOV hijacks the cellular SUMOylation system in order to modify its own proteins. Modulation of the VP40-SUMO interaction may represent a novel target for the therapy of Ebola virus infection.
Angle-independent VO2 Thin Film on Glass Fiber Cloth as a Soft-Smart-Mirror (SSM)
Authors: Cai Nianjin , Zhang Wang , Wang Wanlin , Zhu Yuchen , Zada Imran , Gu Jiajun , Liu Qinglei , Su Huilan , Guo Cuiping , Zhang Zhijian , Zhang Jianzhong , Wu Liping , Zhang Di
Published: November 2016

Designing materials with a negative feedback function is beneficial for achieving temperature regulation inside a greenhouse. VO2 has been studied extensively because of its low insulator-to-metal transition temperature (IMT). In this study, reflection changes during a VO2 phase transition were investigated. Glass fiber cloth was used as a substrate, as it is stable and soft. A VO2 thin film on a glass fiber cloth whose surface contained 96% V4+ and 4% V5+ was prepared using an inorganic sol-gels method. The insulator-to-metal transition temperature was decreased by 38 °C, which was observed from the reflection curve detected using an angle-resolved spectrometer. This decrease in IMT occurred mainly because of the presence of V5+, which causes destabilization of the monoclinic phase of VO2. When the greenhouse temperature was increased from 30 °C to 40 °C, the reflected intensity of VO2 on glass fiber cloth decreased by 22% for the wavelength range of 400 nm to 800 nm. In addition, the angle-independent property of the VO2 thin film was observed using an angle-resolved spectrometer. Owing to its thermo-reflective properties, the thin film can serve as a soft-smart-mirror (SSM) inside a greenhouse to stabilize the temperature, playing a negative feedback role.
Continuous exposure to non-lethal doses of sodium iodate induces retinal pigment epithelial cell dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yu , Ng Tsz Kin , Brelén Mårten Erik , Wu Di , Wang Jian Xiong , Chan Kwok Ping , Yung Jasmine Sum Yee , Cao Di , Wang Yumeng , Zhang Shaodan , Chan Sun On , Pang Chi Pui
Published: November 2016

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), is the major cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment in elderly population. We previously established a RPE degeneration model using an acute high dose sodium iodate to induce oxidative stress. Here we report findings on a prolonged treatment of low doses of sodium iodate on human RPE cells (ARPE-19). RPE cells were treated continuously with low doses (2–10 mM) of sodium iodate for 5 days. Low doses (2–5 mM) of sodium iodate did not reduce RPE cell viability, which is contrasting to cell apoptosis in 10 mM treatment. These low doses are sufficient to retard RPE cell migration and reduced expression of cell junction protein ZO-1. Phagocytotic activity of RPE cells was attenuated by sodium iodate dose-dependently. Sodium iodate also increased expression of FGF-2, but suppressed expression of IL-8, PDGF, TIMP-2 and VEGF. Furthermore, HTRA1 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition marker proteins were downregulated, whereas PERK and LC3B-II proteins were upregulated after sodium iodate treatment. These results suggested that prolonged exposure to non-lethal doses of oxidative stress induces RPE cell dysfunctions that resemble conditions in AMD. This model can be used for future drug/treatment investigation on AMD.
Evolutionarily conserved odorant receptor function questions ecological context of octenol role in mosquitoes
Authors: Dekel Amir , Pitts Ronald J. , Yakir Esther , Bohbot Jonathan D.
Published: November 2016

Olfaction is a key insect adaptation to a wide range of habitats. In the last thirty years, the detection of octenol by blood-feeding insects has been primarily understood in the context of animal host-seeking. The recent discovery of a conserved octenol receptor gene in the strictly nectar-feeding elephant mosquitoToxorhynchites amboinensis (TaOr8) suggests a different biological role. Here, we show that TaOR8 is a functional ortholog of its counterparts in blood-feeding mosquitoes displaying selectivity towards the (R)-enantiomer of octenol and susceptibility to the insect repellent DEET. These findings suggest that while the function of OR8 has been maintained throughout mosquito evolution, the context in which this receptor is operating has diverged in blood and nectar-feeding mosquitoes.
Recent advances in well-defined, late transition metal complexes that make and/or break C–N, C–O and C–S bonds
Authors: Desnoyer Addison N. , Love Jennifer A.
Published: November 2016

Chemical transformations that result in either the formation or cleavage of carbon–heteroatom bonds are among the most important processes in the chemical sciences.
NMR based metabolomic approach revealed cyclophosphamide-induced systematic alterations in a rat model
Authors: Qu Tingli , Wang Erbing , Li Aiping , Du GuanHua , Li Zhenyu , Qin Xuemei
Published: November 2016

A 1H NMR based metabolomics approach combined with biochemical assay had been employed to study the toxicity of CY.
pH-sensitive drug release of star-shaped micelles with OEG brush corona
Authors: Zhao Sijie , Yang Huiru , Zuo Cai , Sun Lu , Ma Liwei , Wei Hua
Published: November 2016

We presented herein pH-mediated drug release behaviors from a generally recognized “pH-insensitive” star-shaped PCL-POEGMA micelles, which were attributed primarily to the hydrophilic corona of OEG brushes.
One-pot synthesis of FeCo alloy and iron borate composite nanorods with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties
Authors: Li Xueai , Li Mingjie , Wang Haiyan
Published: November 2016

FeCo alloy and iron borate composites with homogeneous morphologies of the nanorods were successfully synthesized by heat treatments on iron oxide and Co–B composites.
Preparation of magnetic metal organic framework composites for the extraction of neonicotinoid insecticides from environmental water samples
Authors: Cao Xiaolin , Liu Guangyang , She Yongxin , Jiang Zejun , Jin Fen , Jin Maojun , Du Pengfei , Zhao Fengnian , Zhang Yanxin , Wang Jing
Published: November 2016

The process of fabrication of Fe3O4/MOF-199 composites and adsorbing pesticides.
Surface modification of polymers with bis(arylcarbene)s from bis(aryldiazomethane)s: preparation, dyeing and characterization
Authors: Yang Pengfei , Moloney Mark G.
Published: November 2016

Modification of polymer beads by a series of bis(arylcarbene) provides materials with different surface chemical characteristics, and a subsequent dyeing process generates colored polymers with a variety of surface functional groups.
Curcumin inhibits the Al(iii) and Zn(ii) induced amyloid fibrillation of β-lactoglobulin in vitro
Authors: Pal Sampa , Maity Sanhita , Sardar Subrata , Parvej Hasan , Das Niloy , Chakraborty Jishnu , Chandra Halder Umesh
Published: November 2016

Accumulation of ordered protein aggregates (or amyloids) is responsible for several neurodegenerative diseases.
Facile construction of nanoscale laminated Na3V2(PO4)3for a high-performance sodium ion battery cathode
Authors: Zheng Qiong , Liu Wanqiu , Li Xianfeng , Zhang Hongzhang , Feng Kai , Zhang Huamin
Published: November 2016

A facile and economic construction of nanoscale laminated Na3V2(PO4)3for a high-performance sodium ion battery cathode is proposed.
Insights into the working mechanism of cathode interlayers in polymer solar cells via [(C8H17)4N]4[SiW12O40]
Authors: Chen Youchun , Wang Shan , Xue Lingwei , Zhang Zhiguo , Li Haolong , Wu Lixin , Wang Yue , Li Fenghong , Zhang Fengling , Li Yongfang
Published: November 2016

A PCE of 10.1% is achieved in polymer solar cells with [(C8H17)4N]4[SiW12O40] as a cathode interlayer due to an interfacial dipole and doping.
Metal-based superoxide dismutase and catalase mimics reduce oxidative stress biomarkers and extend life span of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ribeiro Thales de P. , Fonseca Fernanda L. , de Carvalho Mariana D.C. , Godinho Rodrigo M. da C. , de Almeida Fernando Pereira , Saint'Pierre Tatiana D. , Rey Nicolás A. , Fernandes Christiane , Horn Adolfo , Pereira Marcos D.
Published: November 2016

Aging is a natural process characterized by several biological changes. In this context, oxidative stress appears as a key factor that leads cells and organisms to severe dysfunctions and diseases. To cope with reactive oxygen species and oxidative-related damage, there has been increased use of superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase (CAT) biomimetic compounds. Recently, we have shown that three metal-based compounds {[Fe(HPClNOL)Cl2]NO3, [Cu(HPClNOL)(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 and Mn(HPClNOL)(Cl)2}, harboring in vitro SOD and/or CAT activities, were critical for protection of yeast cells against oxidative stress. In this work, treating Saccharomyces cerevisiae with these SOD/CAT mimics (25.0 µM/1 h), we highlight the pivotal role of these compounds to extend the life span of yeast during chronological aging. Evaluating lipid and protein oxidation of aged cells, it becomes evident that these mimics extend the life expectancy of yeast mainly due to the reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers. In addition, the treatment of yeast cells with these mimics regulated the amounts of lipid droplet occurrence, consistent with the requirement and protection of lipids for cell integrity during aging. Concerning SOD/CAT mimics uptake, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we add new evidence that these complexes, besides being bioabsorbed by S. cerevisiae cells, can also affect metal homeostasis. Finally, our work presents a new application for these SOD/CAT mimics, which demonstrate a great potential to be employed as antiaging agents. Taken together, these promising results prompt future studies concerning the relevance of administration of these molecules against the emerging aging-related diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's.
Narrow ridge GaSb‐based cascade diode lasers fabricated by methane–hydrogen reactive ion etching
Authors: Wang M. , Hosoda T. , Shterengas L. , Kipshidze G. , Hwang D.J. , Belenky G.
Published: November 2016

GaSb‐based type‐I quantum wells cascade diode lasers with nearly diffraction limited output beam were fabricated using methane–hydrogen dry etching plasma process. Rapid thermal annealing was shown to be a necessary step to reverse the effect of hydrogen plasma on conductivity of AlGaAsSb cladding alloy. Annealed two‐step narrow ridge lasers confined both optical field and current in lateral direction and demonstrated operating voltage, threshold current density and slope efficiency comparable to those of reference wide ridge devices.
Sliding mode control with sigmoid function for the motion tracking control of the piezo‐actuated stages
Authors: Xu Rui , Zhou Miaolei
Published: November 2016

A Bouc–Wen model is presented and identified based on the bat‐inspired algorithm to describe the hysteresis of the piezo‐actuated stage. Based on the established Bouc–Wen model, a sliding mode controller is proposed to suppress the hysteresis non‐linearity of the piezo‐actuated stages. In order to solve the buffeting problem in the process of control, the sign function is replaced by the sigmoid function. Experiment is performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed sliding mode controller, and the results show that the maximum error of the motion tracking control of the piezo‐actuated stage is 0.3264 μm.
Sustainable energy system planning for the management of MGs: a case study in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Hejeejo Rashid , Qiu Jing , Brinsmead Thomas S. , Reedman Luke J.
Published: November 2016

Microgrids (MGs) and their enabling technologies (e.g. small‐scale renewable energy generation, energy storage systems, demand response, and information and communication systems) have attracted increasing attention in the past few years as they are expected to play an important role in future sustainable energy systems. There is a significant research gap in how to plan and manage energy systems with growing numbers of MGs. In this study, an energy system expansion planning (EP) model is used to investigate the quantitative impacts of MGs on energy system sustainability. The EP design problem is formulated as a multi‐objective optimisation problem with a range of technical constraints such as AC power flow, reliability, and power quality constraints, as well as including variable and fixed costs. Several case studies are undertaken on electricity networks in New South Wales, Australia. The results confirm that MGs can significantly improve a system's efficiency. However, this efficiency improvement is influenced by factors such as the ratio of the MG participation, the network topology, and other specific power system constraints.
Facile synthesis of nickel oxide thin film on nickel foam for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Lielong
Published: November 2016

In this study, nickel oxide (NiO) thin films are deposited on three‐dimensional nickel foam by a facile two‐step method for application in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). These NiO films on Ni foam are tested as Li‐ion batteries anodes. The rough NiO thin film with the shortest deposition time (3 min) shows the best Li‐ion battery performance. A high specific capacity of 917 mAh g−1 is achieved at a charge–discharge current of 0.5 C and even after 100 cycles, a capacity of 838 mAh g−1 is still retained. The electrode also shows a good rate capability. This study shows that NiO electrode prepared with this method can be a promising candidate for LIBs anodes materials.
Magnetically recyclable Fe3+/TiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposites towards degradation of direct blue 71 under visible‐light irradiation
Authors: Fallah Shojaei Abdollah , Shams‐Nateri Ali , Ghomashpasand Maryam
Published: November 2016

Fe3+/TiO2@Fe3O4 magnetic nanocompsites with 0.1–1 at% of Fe3+ content were synthesised by sol–gel method. The surface morphology, structure and crystalline phase of the nanocomposite were characterised by using XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, BET, Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and VSM techniques. Photocatalytic activity experiments confirmed that as‐prepared nanocomposite had good photodegradating behaviour to Direct Blue 71 under visible‐light irradiation. 99.6% decomposition of dye was achieved within 50 min in the presence of the prepared photocatalyst. The nanocomposite could be easily recovered from the reaction solution by using a permanent magnetic bar and its photocatalytic activity remained 90% after five cycles of repetitious reusing. Then 0.5% Fe3+/TiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite can be used as highly efficient reusable catalysts.
The potential of asteroseismology for probing the core chemical stratification in white dwarf stars
Authors: Giammichele N. , Charpinet S. , Brassard P. , Fontaine G.
Published: November 2016

Context. The details of the C/O core structure in white dwarf stars has mostly remained inaccessible to the technique of asteroseismology, despite several attempts carried out in the past.

Aims. We aim to re-assess the potential of asteroseismology for probing the chemical stratification in white dwarf cores, in light of new highly efficient tools recently developed for that purpose.

Methods. Using the forward modeling approach and a new parameterization for the core chemical stratification in ZZ Ceti stars, we tested several situations typical of the usually limited constraints available, such as small numbers of observed independent modes, to carry out asteroseismology of these stars.

Results. We find that, even with a limited number of modes, the core chemical stratification (in particular, the location of the steep chemical transitions expected in the oxygen profile) can be determined quite precisely due to the significant sensitivity of some confined modes to partial reflexion (trapping) effects. These effects are similar to the well known trapping induced by the shallower chemical transitions at the edge of the core and at the bottom of the H-rich envelope. We also find that success to unravel the core structure depends on the information content of the available seismic data. In some cases, it may not be possible to isolate a unique, well-defined seismic solution and the problem remains degenerate.

Conclusions. Our results establish that constraining the core chemical stratification in white dwarf stars based solely on asteroseismology is possible, an opportunity that we have begun to exploit.