bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immobilization stress-induced Escherichia coli causes anxiety by inducing NF-κB activation through gut microbiota disturbance
Authors: Jang Hyo-Min , Lee Kyung-Eon , Lee Hae-Ji , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: September 2018

The present study aimed to understand the crosstalk between anxiety and gut microbiota. Exposure of mice to immobilization stress (IS) led to anxiety-like behaviors, increased corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the blood, increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and microglia/monocyte populations in the hippocampus, and suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus. Furthermore, IS exposure increased NF-κB activation and monocyte population in the colon and increased Proteobacteria and Escherichia coli populations in the gut microbiota and fecal and blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels while decreasing the lactobacilli population. Oral administration of the fecal microbiota of mice treated with IS (FIS) or E. coli led to the increased NF-κB activation and monocyte population in the colon. These treatments increased blood corticosterone and LPS levels and anxiety-like behaviors, decreased BDNF expression, and induced NF-κB activation and microglia/monocyte populations in the hippocampus. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS purified from E. coli also led to anxiety and colitis in mice. Oral administration of commensal lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus johnsonii, attenuated IS- or E. coli-induced colitis and anxiety-like behaviors and biomarkers. These findings suggest that exposure to stressors can increase Proteobacteria populations and fecal LPS levels and cause gastrointestinal inflammation, resulting in the deterioration of anxiety through NF-κB activation. However, the amelioration of gastrointestinal inflammation by treatment with probiotics including L. johnsonii can alleviate anxiety.
Large diurnal bottom temperature oscillations around the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago
Authors: Lazure Pascal , Le Cann Bernard , Bezaud Marion
Published: September 2018

Here, we report large, near-daily oscillations of near-bottom temperatures, with ranges of up to 11.5 °C at depths of 30–60 m in September 2011 around the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago (south-eastern Canada). These oscillations were detected on velocity and temperature profiles from moorings in Miquelon Bay and on an array of near-bottom temperature sensors around the archipelago. The oscillations coincided with the seasonal stratification period. In addition to their remarkable range, they exhibited a near-diurnal period centred on the O1 tidal component (~26 h), contrasting with the dominant semi-diurnal sea-level periodicity in the area. They appear to be the manifestation of an internal wave, triggered by the diurnal surface tide and trapped by the bathymetric configuration of the area. We argue that the archipelago is nearly resonant for island-trapped waves at near-diurnal frequencies. Our data demonstrate that these coastal-trapped waves propagate clockwise around the archipelago in roughly two days, and thus approximate an azimuthal, mode 2 pattern. Simplified calculations show that cross-shore motions are bottom-amplified. In addition, bottom friction acts to rotate the axes of the diurnal tidal current ellipses with depth, and this combination of effects explains the large range of observed bottom temperature oscillations.
Detection and characterisation of multiple herpesviruses in free-living Western European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Authors: Hydeskov Helle B. , Dastjerdi Akbar , Hopkins Kevin P. , Ryser-Degiorgis Marie-Pierre , Widén Frederik , Cunningham Andrew A. , Lawson Becki
Published: September 2018

Sporadic cases of herpesvirus-associated disease have been reported in the Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), but there has been little surveillance for, nor any sequence characterisation of, herpesviruses in this species to date. A nested pan-herpesvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a region of the DNA polymerase gene was used to test 129 Western European hedgehogs from across Great Britain, 2011–2016; 59 (46%) of which were PCR-positive. In addition, samples from two previously published cases of fatal herpesvirus infection in E. europaeus, from Sweden and Switzerland, were positive using this PCR. No statistically significant relationship was detected between PCR result and sex, age class, year or season for the British hedgehogs tested. In most PCR-positive animals (19/22) from which liver and brain were tested separately, both were PCR-positive. Sanger sequencing of amplicons from 59 British hedgehogs revealed at least two novel viruses within the Gammaherpesvirinae. Thirteen of these hedgehogs had liver and brain tissues screened for microscopic abnormalities, of which one had non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, but neither intranuclear inclusion bodies nor herpesvirus virions (on electron microscopical examination) were identified. Sequencing of the whole DNA polymerase gene confirmed two genetically different Human alphaherpesvirus 1 viruses in the Swedish and Swiss hedgehogs.
Immobilizing Laccase on Different Species Wood Biochar to Remove the Chlorinated Biphenyl in Wastewater
Authors: Li Na , Xia Qiuyang , Niu Meihong , Ping Qingwei , Xiao Huining
Published: September 2018

Biochars produced from two different wood species over a microwave assisted pyrolysis process were used as novel and green-based supports for immobilizing enzyme, laccase in particular. The results obtained from FT-IR, SEM and BET measurements indicated that Maple biochar with honeycomb structure has higher surface area and pore volume than Spruce biochar; and there exist O-H, C-H, C=O and C=C groups in biochars for potential chemical modification. The best laccase immobilization conditions identified from an orthogonal experiment were pH = 3, laccase concentration 16 g/L and contact time 8 h. Under such conditions, the high immobilization yield (64.2%) and amount (11.14 mg/g) of laccase on Maple biochar were achieved, leading to the significantly improved thermal stability of laccase. Moreover, the immobilized laccase is reusable and enhanced the enzymatic degradation of 4-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobiphenyl (71.4% yield), thus creating a promising and novel type of adsorbent in the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls from wastewater.
Structural robustness of mammalian transcription factor networks reveals plasticity across development
Authors: Caldu-Primo J. L. , Alvarez-Buylla E. R. , Davila-Velderrain J.
Published: September 2018

Network biology aims to understand cell behavior through the analysis of underlying complex biomolecular networks. Inference of condition-specific interaction networks from epigenomic data enables the characterization of the structural plasticity that regulatory networks can acquire in different tissues of the same organism. From this perspective, uncovering specific patterns of variation by comparing network structure among tissues could provide insights into systems-level mechanisms underlying cell behavior. Following this idea, here we propose an empirical framework to analyze mammalian tissue-specific networks, focusing on characterizing and contrasting their structure and behavior in response to perturbations. We structurally represent the state of the cell/tissue by condition specific transcription factor networks generated using DNase-seq chromatin accessibility data, and we profile their systems behavior in terms of the structural robustness against random and directed perturbations. Using this framework, we unveil the structural heterogeneity existing among tissues at different levels of differentiation. We uncover a novel and conserved systems property of regulatory networks underlying embryonic stem cells (ESCs): in contrast to terminally differentiated tissues, the promiscuous regulatory connectivity of ESCs produces a globally homogeneous network resulting in increased structural robustness. We show that this property is associated with a more permissive, less restrictive chromatin accesibility state in ESCs. Possible biological consequences of this property are discussed.
A new Eocene anagalid (Mammalia: Euarchontoglires) from Mongolia and its implications for the group’s phylogeny and dispersal
Authors: López-Torres Sergi , Fostowicz-Frelik Łucja
Published: September 2018

Anagalidae are extinct primitive Euarchontoglires from Asia, regarded as relatively closely related to basal Glires. So far, the group has been reported only from China and stratigraphically spans from the early Paleocene to the latest Eocene/earliest Oligocene. Anagalids are characterized by a relatively full dental formula featuring slightly enlarged semi-procumbent incisors, prominent canines, and tall cheek teeth with usually heavily worn crowns, indicative of an abrasive diet. Here we report a new genus and species from the late Eocene Ergilin Dzo Formation in southern Mongolia. The first non-Chinese anagalid is also the northernmost record of the family. Zofiagale ergilinensis gen. and sp.nov. is remarkable for its relatively small size (comparable only to the Paleocene genera Huaiyangale and Stenanagale), lack of P1, and molariform teeth showing almost no wear, suggesting a different diet than most Anagalidae. Furthermore, its molars display a strong buccal cingulum, a character in anagalids shared only with Wanogale. Our phylogenetic analysis of representatives of all anagalid genera based on 82 dental characters places Anagale and Anaptogale as the most basal lineages and clusters Zofiagale gen. nov. together with Qipania and Hsiuannania. These results suggest three independent northward dispersal events within the family in the late Eocene.
Impact of timing of surgery in elderly hip fracture patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Klestil Thomas , Röder Christoph , Stotter Christoph , Winkler Birgit , Nehrer Stefan , Lutz Martin , Klerings Irma , Wagner Gernot , Gartlehner Gerald , Nussbaumer-Streit Barbara
Published: September 2018

We aimed to assess the impact of timing of surgery in elderly patients with acute hip fracture on morbidity and mortality. We systematically searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and trial registries from 01/1997 to 05/2017, as well as reference lists of relevant reviews, archives of orthopaedic conferences, and contacted experts. Eligible studies had to be randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies, including patients 60 years or older with acute hip fracture. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility, abstracted data, and critically appraised study quality. We conducted meta-analyses using the generic inverse variance model. We included 28 prospective observational studies reporting data of 31,242 patients. Patients operated on within 48 hours had a 20% lower risk of dying within 12 months (risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.97). No statistical significant different mortality risk was observed when comparing patients operated on within or after 24 hours (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–1.01). Adjusted data demonstrated fewer complications (8% vs. 17%) in patients who had early surgery, and increasing risk for pressure ulcers with increased time of delay in another study. Early hip surgery within 48 hours was associated with lower mortality risk and fewer perioperative complications.
Shape transformable bifurcated stents
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Lee Yong-Gu
Published: September 2018

Non-invasive delivery of artificial implants, stents or devices in patients is vital for rapid and successful recovery. Unfortunately, because the delivery passage is often narrower than the size of the delivered object, a compromise between the shape that is effective at the targeted location and a thin form that allows smooth unobstructed travel to the destination is needed. We address this problem through two key technologies: 3D printing and shape memory polymers (SMPs). 3D printing can produce patient-customizable objects, and SMPs can change their initially formed shape to the final desired shape through external stimulation. Using these two technologies, we examine the design and fabrication of bifurcated stents. This study presents a mock-up where blood vessels are fabricated using moulded silicon, which supports the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results reveal that a bifurcated stent with a kirigami structure can smoothly travel inside a vessel without being obstructed by branched parts. We believe that this work can improve the success rate of stent insertion operations in medicine.
Epitopes identified in GAPDH from Clostridium difficile recognized as common antigens with potential autoimmunizing properties
Authors: Razim Agnieszka , Pacyga Katarzyna , Aptekorz Małgorzata , Martirosian Gayane , Szuba Andrzej , Pawlak-Adamska Edyta , Brzychczy-Włoch Monika , Myc Andrzej , Gamian Andrzej , Górska Sabina
Published: September 2018

Clostridium difficile (CD) infections are a growing threat due to the strain resistance to antibiotic treatment and the emergence of hypervirulent strains. One solution to this problem is the search for new vaccine antigens, preferably surface-localized that will be recognized by antibodies at an early stage of colonization. The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of novel immunoreactive surface proteins (epitopes) as potential vaccine antigens. Such approach might be tough to pursue since pathogens have acquired strategies to subvert adaptive immune response to produce humoral response against non-essential proteins for their survival. In this study CD surface proteins were isolated, immunoreactive proteins identified and mapped to select potential epitopes. The results of the study exclude the use of CD glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a vaccine antigen, especially as a whole protein. Sequences P9 (201AAGNIVPNTTGAAKAI218) and P10 (224KGKLDGAAQRVPVVTG241) recognized by patients sera are conserved and widespread among CD strains. They show cross-reactivity with sera of people suffering from other bacterial infections and are recognized by sera of autoimmune disease patients. Our study documents that special care in analyzing the sequence of new epitope should be taken to avoid side effects prior to consider it as a vaccine antigen.
Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees
Authors: Stamets Paul E. , Naeger Nicholas L. , Evans Jay D. , Han Jennifer O. , Hopkins Brandon K. , Lopez Dawn , Moershel Henry M. , Nally Regan , Sumerlin David , Taylor Alex W. , Carris Lori M. , Sheppard Walter S.
Published: September 2018

Waves of highly infectious viruses sweeping through global honey bee populations have contributed to recent declines in honey bee health. Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. We tested extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species known to have antiviral properties. Extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner. In field trials, colonies fed Ganoderma resinaceum extract exhibited a 79-fold reduction in DWV and a 45,000-fold reduction in LSV compared to control colonies. These findings indicate honey bees may gain health benefits from fungi and their antimicrobial compounds.
Effects of Unusual Gate Current on the Electrical Properties of Oxide Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Lee Jinwon , Lim Keon-Hee , Kim Youn Sang
Published: September 2018

The wide research and development on oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) have led to considerable changes in mainstream technology in various electronic applications. Up to now, much research has been focusing on enhancing the performance of oxide TFTs and simplifying fabricating process. At the stage of research and development in the oxide TFT, unexpectedly high gate current phenomena have been continuously reported by several groups, but the origins have not been yet studied in detail. The unusual gate current interferes with the conductance of the oxide TFT, which makes it difficult to interpret the performance of the TFT. Here we present the origin and control factors of the unconventional gate currents flow in the oxide TFT. The gate current is due to the conduction of electrons through trap sites in insulators, and the current is sophisticatedly controlled by the structural factors of TFT. Furthermore, the gate current flows only in one direction due to the charge state of the oxide semiconductor at the interface with the insulator. We also demonstrate that the vertical current path functions as a diode unit can protect the TFT from unintended gate electrostatic shock.
Super-resolution ultrasound imaging method for microvasculature in vivo with a high temporal accuracy
Authors: Yu Jaesok , Lavery Linda , Kim Kang
Published: September 2018

Traditional ultrasound imaging techniques are limited in spatial resolution to visualize angiogenic vasa vasorum that is considered as an important marker for atherosclerotic plaque progression and vulnerability. The recently introduced super-resolution imaging technique based on microbubble center localization has shown potential to achieve unprecedented high spatial resolution beyond the acoustic diffraction limit. However, a major drawback of the current super-resolution imaging approach is low temporal resolution because it requires a large number of imaging frames. In this study, a new imaging sequence and signal processing approach for super-resolution ultrasound imaging are presented to improve temporal resolution by employing deconvolution and spatio-temporal-interframe-correlation based data acquisition. In vivo feasibility of the developed technology is demonstrated and evaluated in imaging vasa vasorum in the rabbit atherosclerosis model. The proposed method not only identifies a tiny vessel with a diameter of 41 μm, 5 times higher spatial resolution than the acoustic diffraction limit at 7.7 MHz, but also significantly improves temporal resolution that allows for imaging vessels over cardiac motion.
Asymmetric-Fluidic-Reservoirs Induced High Rectification Nanofluidic Diode
Authors: Nandigana Vishal V. R. , Jo Kyoo , Timperman Aaron , Aluru Narayana R.
Published: September 2018

We demonstrate a novel nanofluidic diode that produces rectification factors in excess of 1000. The nanofluidic diode consists of ion permselective nanopores that connect two reservoirs of different diameters- a micropore reservoir and a macropore reservoir. On the application of +100 V to the micropore, a low OFF state current is observed. The OFF state is caused by formation of the ion depleted zone in the micropore because the anions are prevented from entering the nanopores from the micropore and the cations are depleted in this region to maintain charge neutrality. On the application of −100 V, we observe a high ON state current. The ON state is caused by formation of the ion enriched zone in the microchannel because the anions cannot pass through the nanopores and accumulate in the microchannel. To maintain charge neutrality the cations also become enriched in the microchannel. The ratio of ON state current to the OFF state current gives the rectification of current. Here, plasma oxidation is used to achieve a nanopore with a large wall surface charge density of σn = −55 mC/m2 which yields a rectification of current on the order of 3500 that is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than those reported thus far. In contrast to the other nanofluidic diodes, this nanofluidic diode does not introduce asymmetry to the nanopore, but asymmetry is produced by having the nanopores join a micropore and a macropore. Introduction of asymmetry into the fluidic reservoirs which the nanopores connect is quite simple. Hence, the nanofluidic diode is easy to scale up to industrial level.
Important contributions of sea-salt aerosols to atmospheric bromine cycle in the Antarctic coasts
Authors: Hara Keiichiro , Osada Kazuo , Yabuki Masanori , Takashima Hisahiro , Theys Nicolas , Yamanouchi Takashi
Published: September 2018

Polar sunrise activates reactive bromine (BrOx) cycle on the Antarctic coasts. BrOx chemistry relates to depletion of O3 and Hg in polar regions. Earlier studies have indicated “blowing snow” as a source of atmospheric BrOx. However, surface O3 depletion and BrO enhancement occurs rarely under blowing snow conditions at Syowa Station, Antarctica. Therefore, trigger processes for BrOx activation other than the heterogeneous reactions on blowing snow particles must be considered. Results of this study show that enhancement of sea-salt aerosols (SSA) and heterogeneous reactions on SSA are the main key processes for atmospheric BrOx cycle activation. Blowing snow had Br− enrichment, in contrast to strong Br− depletion in SSA. In-situ aerosol measurements and satellite BrO measurements demonstrated clearly that a BrO plume appeared simultaneously in SSA enhancement near the surface. Results show that surface O3 depletion at Syowa Station occurred in aerosol enhancement because of SSA dispersion during the polar sunrise. Amounts of depleted Br− from SSA were matched well to the tropospheric vertical column density of BrO and BrOx concentrations found in earlier work. Our results indicate that SSA enhancement by strong winds engenders activation of atmospheric BrOx cycles via heterogeneous reactions on SSA.
Oxidative DNA damage induced by ROS-modulating agents with the ability to target DNA: A comparison of the biological characteristics of citrus pectin and apple pectin
Authors: Salehi Fahimeh , Behboudi Hossein , Kavoosi Gholamreza , Ardestani Sussan K.
Published: September 2018

DNA targeting anticancer agents have been very successful in clinic, especially, when used in combinatorial therapy. But unfortunately, they often exhibit high levels of toxicity towards normal cells. Hence, much effort has been put into finding agents with more selectivity, and less toxicity. Pectins are natural polysaccharides, and beneficial nutritional fibers that have attracted attentions due to their antitumor properties. However, their molecular targets, and mechanism of action are widely unknown. Here, we have reported that citrus pectin (CP) and apple pectin (AP) selectively suppress viability in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T47D human Breast cancer cells, while non-toxic to L929 normal cells. Upon CP, and AP treatments, cancer cells’ ROS content increased rapidly, and led to the collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential which functions upstream of the caspase-dependent apoptosis. CP and AP treated cancer cells were also arrested at the S and G1 or G2/M phases of the cell cycle, respectively. Furthermore, mRNA expression of Galectin-3 (a multi-functional lectin involved in cell adhesion, cell cycle, and apoptosis) reduced in both CP and AP treated cells. Growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells by CP, and AP was concomitant with DNA damage (oxidation, and strand breaks). In this context, in an effort to clarify the mechanism of action, we showed that CP, and AP are able to interact with DNA. The strength and mode of DNA binding were established by spectroscopy techniques. We demonstrated that CP, and AP bind to dsDNA by intercalation, and groove binding/partial intercalation, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CP, and AP induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells by increasing the release of ROS, which may be related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and direct interactions with DNA. Our data indicate that these compounds may be potentially useful in cancer treatment.
Effects of aging on timing of hibernation and reproduction
Authors: Bieber Claudia , Turbill Christopher , Ruf Thomas
Published: September 2018

Small hibernators are long-lived for their size because seasonal dormancy greatly reduces predation risk. Thus, within a year, hibernators switch between states of contrasting mortality risk (active season versus hibernation), making them interesting species for testing the predictions of life-history theory. Accordingly, we hypothesized that, with advancing age and hence diminishing reproductive potential, hibernators should increasingly accept the higher predation risk associated with activity to increase the likelihood of current reproductive success. For edible dormice (Glis glis) we show that age strongly affects hibernation/activity patterns, and that this occurs via two pathways: (i) with increasing age, dormice are more likely to reproduce, which delays the onset of hibernation, and (ii) age directly advances emergence from hibernation in spring. We conclude that hibernation has to be viewed not merely as an energy saving strategy under harsh climatic conditions, but as an age-affected life-history trait that is flexibly used to maximize fitness.
Neogene fluvial landscape evolution in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert
Authors: Ritter Benedikt , Stuart Finlay M. , Binnie Steven A. , Gerdes Axel , Wennrich Volker , Dunai Tibor J.
Published: September 2018

Dating of extensive alluvial fan surfaces and fluvial features in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert, Chile, using cosmogenic nuclides provides unrivalled insights about the onset and variability of aridity. The predominantly hyperarid conditions help to preserve the traces of episodic climatic and/or slow tectonic change. Utilizing single clast exposure dating with cosmogenic 10Be and 21Ne, we determine the termination of episodes of enhanced fluvial erosion and deposition occurring at ~19, ~14, ~9.5 Ma; large scale fluvial modification of the landscape had ceased by ~2–3 Ma. The presence of clasts that record pre-Miocene exposure ages (~28 Ma and ~34 Ma) require stagnant landscape development during the Oligocene. Our data implies an early onset of (hyper-) aridity in the core region of the Atacama Desert, interrupted by wetter but probably still arid periods. The apparent conflict with interpretation that favour a later onset of (hyper-) aridity can be reconciled when the climatic gradients within the Atacama Desert are considered.
The multi-level and multi-dimensional quantum wavelet packet transforms
Authors: Li Hai-Sheng , Fan Ping , Xia Hai-ying , Song Shuxiang , He Xiangjian
Published: September 2018

The classical wavelet packet transform has been widely applied in the information processing field. It implies that the quantum wavelet packet transform (QWPT) can play an important role in quantum information processing. In this paper, we design quantum circuits of a generalized tensor product (GTP) and a perfect shuffle permutation (PSP). Next, we propose multi-level and multi-dimensional (1D, 2D and 3D) QWPTs, including a Haar QWPT (HQWPT), a D4 QWPT (DQWPT) based on the periodization extension and their inverse transforms for the first time, and prove the correctness based on the GTP and PSP. Furthermore, we analyze the quantum costs and the time complexities of our proposed QWPTs and obtain precise results. The time complexities of HQWPTs is at most 6 on 2n elements, which illustrates high-efficiency of the proposed QWPTs. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the proposed QWPTs are correct and effective.
Accurate Risk Assessment of Patients with Pathologic T3aN0M0 Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Oh Jong Jin , Lee Jung Keun , Do Song Byung , Lee Hakmin , Lee Sangchul , Byun Seok-Soo , Lee Sang Eun , Hong Sung Kyu
Published: September 2018

To develop a more precise risk-stratification system by investigating the prognostic impact of tumor growth within fatty tissues surrounding the kidney and/or renal vein. We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 211 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of T3aN0M0RCC among 4,483 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients from February 1988 to December 2015 according to the number of T3a pathologies—extrarenal fat invasion (EFI) and/or renal venous invasion (RVI). During a mean follow-up duration of 38.8 months, the patients with both pathologies (EFI + RVI) had lower recurrence free survival (RFS) rate than those with only a single pathology (p = 0.001). Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, the presence of both factors was shown to be an independent predictor of RFS (HR = 1.964, p = 0.032); cancer specific survival rate was not different among patients with EFI and/or RVI. Patients with pathologic T3aN0M0 RCC presenting with both EFI and RVI were at an increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy. Therefore, pathologic T3a RCC could be sub-divided into those with favorable and unfavorable disease according to presence of EFI and/or RVI pathologies.
Habitual tool use innovated by free-living New Zealand kea
Authors: Goodman Matthew , Hayward Thomas , Hunt Gavin R.
Published: September 2018

The emergence of flexible tool use is rare in the animal kingdom and thought to be largely constrained by either cognitive ability or ecological factors. That mostly birds with a high level of intelligence innovate tool use in captivity is consistent with the former hypothesis. We report here the first documented case of habitual tool use innovated in the wild by a bird species only known to have used tools in captivity. Trap-boxes containing food-bait and snap-trap(s) were installed in the remote Murchison Mountains, New Zealand, from 2002 to catch introduced stoats. Kea tampered with the trap-boxes in various ways. Over approximately 2.5 years, sticks were found inserted into at least 227 different trap-boxes that were up to 27 km apart. Video footage confirmed that the stick insertion was kea tool use. Trap-boxes are unlikely to have provided the only possibility for kea tool use in their habitat given their extractive foraging and skilled object manipulation. We argue that they instead greatly facilitated the opportunity for tool use, thus increasing the chance that kea would invent the behaviour. The innovation of tool use by kea in response to facilitation provides rare field support for the cognitive constraints hypothesis.
Designing a facile low cost synthesis strategy for the Na–V–S–O systems, NaV(SO4)2, Na3V(SO4)3 and Na2VO(SO4)2
Authors: Driscoll L. L. , Wright A. J. , Slater P. R.
Published: September 2018

A schematic summarising the facile synthesis of Na–V–S–O phases.
UV/visible light active CuCrO2 nanoparticle–SnO2 nanofiber p–n heterostructured photocatalysts for photocatalytic applications
Authors: Dursun Sami , Kaya Ismail Cihan , Kalem Volkan , Akyildiz Hasan
Published: September 2018

p–n heterostructured photocatalysts consisting of hydrothermally derived CuCrO2 nanoparticles and electrospun SnO2 nanofibers were successfully prepared for the first time.
The effects and the potential mechanism of environmental transformation of metal nanoparticles on their toxicity in organisms
Authors: Zhang Jie , Guo Wenli , Li Qingqing , Wang Zhe , Liu Sijin
Published: September 2018

The influence of environmental transformation on the toxicity of metal nanoparticles and possible mechanisms are recapitulated and discussed.
Assessment of land occupation of municipal wastewater treatment plants in China
Authors: He Yan , Zhu Yishuang , Chen Jinghan , Huang Minsheng , Wang Guohua , Zou Weiguo , Wang Pan , Zhou Gongming
Published: September 2018

The tense deficiency of available land resources is becoming one of the bottlenecks in dealing with wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) management issues.
Roasting improves the hypoglycemic effects of a large-leaf yellow tea infusion by enhancing the levels of epimerized catechins that inhibit α-glucosidase
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zhang Liang , Meng Qilu , Wang Yijun , Long Piaopiao , Ho Chi-Tang , Cui Chuanjian , Cao Luting , Li Daxiang , Wan Xiaochun
Published: September 2018

Teas contain bioactive polyphenols, such as (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is not stable during the processing of tea.
Determination of antimony concentrations in widely used plastic objects by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
Authors: Lazic Violeta , Filella Montserrat , Turner Andrew
Published: September 2018

In this study, the feasibility of measuring the Sb content in different plastic materials by laser induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) is explored.
Are octahedral clusters missing on the carbon energy landscape?
Authors: Lazauskas Tomas , Sokol Alexey A. , Woodley Scott M.
Published: September 2018

A computational discovery of a new structural form of carbon competitive with fullerenes at the small size end of the nanoscale.
Rational design of C2N-based type-II heterojunctions for overall photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Zhang Xu , Chen An , Zhang Zihe , Jiao Menggai , Zhou Zhen
Published: September 2018

We screened 2D monolayers to explore the materials which could be used to fabricate type-II heterojunctions with C2N monolayers to further improve their photocatalytic performance.
BSA-bioinspired gold nanorods loaded with immunoadjuvant for the treatment of melanoma by combined photothermal therapy and immunotherapy
Authors: Zhou Benqing , Song Jun , Wang Meng , Wang Xin , Wang Jielin , Howard Eric W. , Zhou Feifan , Qu Junle , Chen Wei R.
Published: September 2018

BSA-bioinspired, immunoadjuvant-loaded gold nanorods for synergetic cancer photothermal therapy and immunotherapy.
Strategies for the selective loading of patchy worm-like micelles with functional nanoparticles
Authors: Schöbel Judith , Hils Christian , Weckwerth Anne , Schlenk Mathias , Bojer Carina , Stuart Marc C. A. , Breu Josef , Förster Stephan , Greiner Andreas , Karg Matthias , Schmalz Holger
Published: September 2018

Patchy micelles are efficient templates for the regio-selective incorporation of nanoparticles, allowing the construction of tailor-made binary hybrids.
Regioselective N-1 and C-2 diacylation of 3-substituted indoles with arylglyoxal hydrates for the synthesis of indolyl diketones
Authors: Pan Dalong , Chu Jinpeng , Gao Xianrui , Wang Cuiping , Meng Qingtao , Chi Haijun , Dong Yan , Duan Chunying , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: September 2018

A highly regioselective N-1 and C-2 diacylation of 3-substituted indoles with arylglyoxal hydrates to afford N-1 and C-2 indolyl diketones in moderate to good yields is described.
Reticular control of interpenetration in a complex metal–organic framework
Authors: Nguyen Trang T. M. , Le Hung M. , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki , Nguyen Ha L.
Published: September 2018

A new method based on reticular chemistry is presented to control the interpenetrated structure of complex MOFs.
Atomic structure of boron resolved using machine learning and global sampling
Authors: Huang Si-Da , Shang Cheng , Kang Pei-Lin , Liu Zhi-Pan
Published: September 2018

Here, by combining machine learning with the latest stochastic surface walking (SSW) global optimization, we explore for the first time the potential energy surface of β-B.
A review of magnesiothermic reduction of silica to porous silicon for lithium-ion battery applications and beyond
Authors: Entwistle Jake , Rennie Anthony , Patwardhan Siddharth
Published: September 2018

We reviewed magnesiothermic reduction of silica – a scalable route to porous silicon for battery electrodes – and identify the topics for future research.
Adjusting the yolk–shell structure of carbon spheres to boost the capacitive K+ storage ability
Authors: Zhang Hehe , He Hanna , Luan Jingyi , Huang Xiaobing , Tang Yougen , Wang Haiyan
Published: September 2018

Carbon materials continue to be a focus of rapid innovative application in potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) owing to their abundant resources.
Rapid bioinspired mineralization using cell membrane nanofragments and alkaline milieu
Authors: Hara Emilio Satoshi , Okada Masahiro , Kuboki Takuo , Nakano Takayoshi , Matsumoto Takuya
Published: September 2018

Bone formationin vivooccurs in alkaline environment, which determines the optimal pKaof phosphatases, the optimal amount of calcium for mineral precipitation, and the spherical shape of initial minerals. Manipulation of environmental pH forin vitrosynthesis of bone-like tissue, showed a markedly rapid mineralization with nanofragments and alkaline milieu.
Y-box proteins combine versatile cold shock domains and arginine-rich motifs (ARMs) for pleiotropic functions in RNA biology
Authors: Kleene Kenneth C.
Published: September 2018

Y-box proteins are single-strand DNA- and RNA-binding proteins distinguished by a conserved cold shock domain (CSD) and a variable C-terminal domain organized into alternating short modules rich in basic or acidic amino acids. A huge literature depicts Y-box proteins as highly abundant, staggeringly versatile proteins that interact with all mRNAs and function in most forms of mRNA-specific regulation. The mechanisms by which Y-box proteins recognize mRNAs are unclear, because their CSDs bind a jumble of diverse elements, and the basic modules in the C-terminal domain are considered to bind nonspecifically to phosphates in the RNA backbone. A survey of vertebrate Y-box proteins clarifies the confusing names for Y-box proteins, their domains, and RNA-binding motifs, and identifies several novel conserved sequences: first, the CSD is flanked by linkers that extend its binding surface or regulate co-operative binding of the CSD and N-terminal and C-terminal domains to proteins and RNA. Second, the basic modules in the C-terminal domain are bona fide arginine-rich motifs (ARMs), because arginine is the predominant amino acid and comprises 99% of basic residues. Third, conserved differences in AA (amino acid) sequences between isoforms probably affect RNA-binding specificity. C-terminal ARMs connect with many studies, demonstrating that ARMs avidly bind sites containing specific RNA structures. ARMs crystallize insights into the under-appreciated contributions of the C-terminal domain to site-specific binding by Y-box proteins and difficulties in identifying site-specific binding by the C-terminal domain. Validated structural biology techniques are available to elucidate the mechanisms by which YBXprot (Y-box element-binding protein) CSDs and ARMs identify targets.
Systemic angiotensin II does not increase cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in normal conscious sheep
Authors: Charles Christopher J. , Jardine David L. , Rademaker Miriam T. , Richards A. Mark
Published: September 2018

While it is well established that centrally injected angiotensin II (Ang II) has potent actions on sympathetic nervous activity (SNA), it is less clear whether peripheral Ang II can immediately stimulate SNA. In particular, the contribution of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (CSNA) to the acute pressor response is unknown. We therefore examined the effect of incremental doses of intravenous Ang II (3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 ng/kg/min each for 30 min) on CSNA in eight conscious sheep. Ang II infusions progressively increased plasma Ang II up to 50 pmol/l above control levels in dose-dependent fashion (P<0.001). This was associated with the expected increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) above control levels from <10 mmHg at lower doses up to 23 mmHg at the highest dose (P<0.001). Heart rate and cardiac output fell progressively with each incremental Ang II infusion achieving significance at higher doses (P<0.001). There was no significant change in plasma catecholamines. At no dose did Ang II increase any of the CSNA parameters measured. Rather, CSNA burst frequency (P<0.001), burst incidence, (P=0.002), and burst area (P=0.004) progressively decreased achieving significance during the three highest doses. In conclusion, Ang II infused at physiologically relevant doses increased MAP in association with a reciprocal decrease in CSNA presumably via baroreceptor-mediated pathways. The present study provides no evidence that even low-dose systemic Ang II stimulates sympathetic traffic directed to the heart, in normal conscious sheep.
FGFR2 gene polymorphism rs2981582 is associated with non-functioning pituitary adenomas in Chinese Han population: a case–control study
Authors: Zhu Bin , Wang Juan , Qin Lingling , Wang Lei , Zheng Yanfei , Zhang Lei , Wang Wei
Published: September 2018

The association of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2) polymorphism rs2981582 with breast cancer has been extensively studied, whereas the role of this polymorphism in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) has not been elucidated. We thus investigated a potential association of rs2981582 with NFPA. A total of 79 patients and 142 healthy control participants were enrolled in our study. DNA of the participants was extracted from peripheral blood samples and genotyped by using the MassARRAY method. We found that the AA genotype was associated with a higher risk of developing NFPA (OR = 1.743, 95%CI: 1.151–2.64, P=0.008). After adjusting for risk factors, significant difference was still observed between the two groups (OR = 1.862, 95%CI: 1.172–2.957, P=0.008). Moreover, under the assumptions of the recessive model (OR = 3.051, 95%CI: 1.403–6.635, P=0.005) and the additive model (AG: OR = 0.329, 95%CI: 0.144–0.755, P=0.009; AA: OR = 0.326, 95%CI: 0.141–0.757, P=0.009), rs2981582 was associated with an increased risk of NFPA. Our results proved that FGFR2 rs2981582 AA genotype was associated with a higher risk of NFPA. The recessive model and additive model also showed increased the risk of NFPA.
Metabolic engineering of capsular polysaccharides
Authors: Williams Asher , Linhardt Robert J. , Koffas Mattheos A.G.
Published: September 2018

With rising concerns about sustainable practices, environmental complications, and declining resources, metabolic engineers are transforming microorganisms into cellular factories for producing capsular polysaccharides (CPSs). This review provides an overview of strategies employed for the metabolic engineering of heparosan, chondroitin, hyaluronan, and polysialic acid — four CPSs that are of interest for manufacturing a variety of biomedical applications. Methods described include the exploitation of wild-type and engineered native CPS producers, as well as genetically engineered heterologous hosts developed through the improvement of naturally existing pathways or newly (de novo) designed ones. The implementation of methodologies like gene knockout, promoter engineering, and gene expression level control has resulted in multiple-fold improvements in CPS fermentation titers compared with wild-type strains, and substantial increases in productivity, reaching as high as 100% in some cases. Optimization of these biotechnological processes can permit the adoption of industrially competitive engineered microorganisms to replace traditional sources that are generally toxic, unreliable, and inconsistent in product quality.
Chemical and biological methods for probing the structure and functions of polysialic acids
Authors: Goswami Surbhi , Parashar Shubham , Dwivedi Vandita , Shajahan Asif , Sampathkumar Srinivasa-Gopalan
Published: September 2018

Owing to its poly-anionic charge and large hydrodynamic volume, polysialic acid (polySia) attached to neural cell adhesion molecule regulates axon–axon and axon–substratum interactions and signalling, particularly, in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Expression of polySia is spatiotemporally regulated by the action of two polysialyl transferases, namely ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV. PolySia expression peaks during late embryonic and early post-natal period and maintained at a steady state in adulthood in neurogenic niche of the brain. Aberrant polySia expression is associated with neurological disorders and brain tumours. Investigations on the structure and functions, over the past four decades, have shed light on the physiology of polySia. This review focuses on the biological, biochemical, and chemical tools available for polySia engineering. Genetic knockouts, endo-neuraminidases that cleave polySia, antibodies, exogenous expression, and neuroblastoma cells have provided deep insights into the ability of polySia to guide migration of neuronal precursors in neonatal brain development, neuronal clustering, axonal pathway guidance, and axonal targeting. Advent of metabolic sialic acid engineering using ManNAc analogues has enabled reversible and dose-dependent modulation polySia in vitro and ex vivo. In vivo, ManNAc analogues readily engineer the sialoglycans in peripheral tissues, but show no effect in the brain. A recently developed carbohydrate-neuroactive hybrid strategy enables a non-invasive access to the brain in living animals across the blood–brain barrier. A combination of recent advances in CNS drugs and imaging with ManNAc analogues for polySia modulation would pave novel avenues for understanding intricacies of brain development and tackling the challenges of neurological disorders.
Single‐network ADP for near optimal control of continuous‐time zero‐sum games without using initial stabilising control laws
Authors: Mu Chaoxu , Wang Ke
Published: September 2018

This study establishes an approximate optimal critic learning algorithm based on single‐network adaptive dynamic programming aiming at solutions to continuous‐time two‐player zero‐sum games in the absence of initial stabilising control policies. Single‐network means one critic neural network, which is utilised to derive the saddle‐point equilibrium of a zero‐sum differential game by approximately learning the value function. First, the authors elaborate mathematically two‐player zero‐sum game problems and analyse the similarity of the zero‐sum game problem between linear and non‐linear systems. Then, this adaptive learning scheme is implemented as a critic structure that derives control and disturbance policies by learning the optimal value, and a novel weight tuning law involving a stable operator is proposed to ensure convergence and stability. Moreover, the uniform ultimate bounded stability of the whole system is rigorously proved by Lyapunov theory. Finally, reasonable simulation results are provided to confirm the effectiveness of the improved approximate optimal control technique in solving equations for a complex linear system and a non‐linear system.
Hybrid feature selection approach for power transformer fault diagnosis based on support vector machine and genetic algorithm
Authors: Kari Tusongjiang , Gao Wensheng , Zhao Dongbo , Abiderexiti Kaherjiang , Mo Wenxiong , Wang Yong , Luan Le
Published: September 2018

To further improve fault diagnosis accuracy, a new hybrid feature selection approach combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) and support vector machine (SVM) is presented in this study. Adaptive synthetic technique and arctangent transformation method are adopted to improve the statistical property of the training set (IEC TC10 dataset). Five filter methods based on different evaluation metrics are employed to rank 48 input features derived from dissolved gas analysis (DGA). Then, feature combination methods are applied to aggregate feature ranks and form a lower‐dimension candidate feature subset. The GA–SVM model is implemented to optimise parameters and select optimal feature subsets. 5‐fold cross‐validation accuracy of the GA‐SVM is used to evaluate fault diagnosis capability of feature subsets and finally, a novel subset is determined as the optimal feature subset. Accuracy comparison manifests the superiority of the optimal feature subsets over that of conventional approaches. Besides, generalisation and robustness of the optimal subset are validated by testing DGA samples from the local power utility. Results indicate that the optimal feature subset obtained by the proposed method can significantly improve the accuracies of power transformer fault diagnosis.