bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcription factors regulate GPR91-mediated expression of VEGF in hypoxia-induced retinopathy
Authors: Li Tingting , Hu Jianyan , Gao Fengjuan , Du Xinhua , Chen Yongdong , Wu Qiang
Published: April 2017

Hypoxia is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Our previous studies demonstrated that G protein-coupled receptor 91(GPR91) participated in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in DR. The present study induced OIR model in newborn rats using exposure to alternating 24-hour episodes of 50% and 12% oxygen for 14 days. Treatment with GPR91 shRNA attenuated the retinal avascular area, abnormal neovascularization and pericyte loss. Western blot and qRT-PCR demonstrated that CoCl2 exposure promoted VEGF expression and secretion, activated the ERK1/2 signaling pathways and upregulated C/EBP and AP-1. Knockdown of GPR91 inhibited ERK1/2 activity. GPR91 siRNA transduction and the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 inhibited the increases in C/EBP β, C/EBP δ, c-Fos and HIF-1α. Luciferase reporter assays and a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated that C/EBP β and c-Fos bound the functional transcriptional factor binding site in the region of the VEGF promoter, but not C/EBP δ. Knockdown of C/EBP β and c-Fos using RNAi reduced VEGF expression. Our data suggest that activation of the GPR91-ERK1/2-C/EBP β (c-Fos, HIF-1α) signaling pathway plays a tonic role in regulating VEGF transcription in rat retinal ganglion cells.
New insight into magneto-structural phase transitions in layered TbMn2Ge2-based compounds
Authors: Fang Chunsheng , Li Guoxing , Wang Jianli , Hutchison W. D. , Ren Q. Y. , Deng Zhenyan , Ma Guohong , Dou Shixue , Campbell S. J. , Cheng Zhenxiang
Published: April 2017

The Tb1−xYxMn2Ge2 series (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2) compounds are found to exhibit two magnetic phase transitions with decreasing temperature: from the paramagnetic state to the antiferromagnetic interlayer state at TNinter and from an antiferromagnetic interlayer structure to a collinear ferrimagnetic interlayer structure at TCinter. Compared with the slight change of TNinter (409 K, 410 K and 417 K for x = 0, 0.1 and 0.2 respectively), the replacement of Y for Tb leads to a significant decrease in TCinter from 97.5 K for x = 0 to 74.6 K for x = 0.2. The variation in TCinter can be ascribed to the combination of two effects: (1) chemical pressure and (2) magnetic dilution effect by Y substitution for Tb. Besides, a strong anisotropic magnet-volume effect has been detected around TCinter in all compounds with Δa/a = 0.125%, 0.124% and 0.130% for x = 0, 0.1 and 0.2, respectively while no obvious effect is detected along the c-axis. The maximum magnetic entropy change were found to be −ΔSmax = 9.1 J kg−1 K−1, 11.9 J kg−1 K−1 and 6.3 J kg−1 K−1 with a field change from 0 T to 5 T for x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 respectively.
Natural Scales in Geographical Patterns
Authors: Menezes Telmo , Roth Camille
Published: April 2017

Human mobility is known to be distributed across several orders of magnitude of physical distances, which makes it generally difficult to endogenously find or define typical and meaningful scales. Relevant analyses, from movements to geographical partitions, seem to be relative to some ad-hoc scale, or no scale at all. Relying on geotagged data collected from photo-sharing social media, we apply community detection to movement networks constrained by increasing percentiles of the distance distribution. Using a simple parameter-free discontinuity detection algorithm, we discover clear phase transitions in the community partition space. The detection of these phases constitutes the first objective method of characterising endogenous, natural scales of human movement. Our study covers nine regions, ranging from cities to countries of various sizes and a transnational area. For all regions, the number of natural scales is remarkably low (2 or 3). Further, our results hint at scale-related behaviours rather than scale-related users. The partitions of the natural scales allow us to draw discrete multi-scale geographical boundaries, potentially capable of providing key insights in fields such as epidemiology or cultural contagion where the introduction of spatial boundaries is pivotal.
Crosstalk between signals initiated from TLR4 and cell surface BAFF results in synergistic induction of proinflammatory mediators in THP-1 cells
Authors: Lim Su-Geun , Kim Jae-Kwan , Suk Kyoungho , Lee Won-Ha
Published: April 2017

Cellular response to stimulation is mediated by meshwork of signaling pathways that may share common signaling adaptors. Here, we present data demonstrating that signaling pathways initiated from the membrane-bound form of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) can crosstalk with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signaling for synergistic expression of proinflammatory mediators in the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1. Co-treatment of the cells with BAFF-specific monoclonal antibody and LPS resulted in enhanced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase (MSK)-mediated phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65 subunit (Ser276), which then interacts with CREB binding protein (CBP) for subsequent acetylation. Simultaneously, the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) was enhanced through the combined action of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and MAPK/MSK pathways, and the resulting phospho-CREB interacted with the NF-κB/CBP complex. Transfection of CREB-specific siRNA inhibited the BAFF-mediated enhancing effect indicating that the formation of the CREB/NF-κB/CBP complex is required for the synergistic induction of the proinflammatory genes. These findings indicate that BAFF-mediated reverse signaling can modulate LPS-induced inflammatory activation through regulation of NF-κB and CREB activity and point out the necessity to re-evaluate the role of BAFF in diseases where its expression is high in macrophages.
The crosstalk between Target of Rapamycin (TOR) and Jasmonic Acid (JA) signaling existing in Arabidopsis and cotton
Authors: Song Yun , Zhao Ge , Zhang Xueyan , Li Linxuan , Xiong Fangjie , Zhuo Fengping , Zhang Chaojun , Yang Zuoren , Datla Raju , Ren Maozhi , Li Fuguang
Published: April 2017

Target of rapamycin (TOR) acts as an important regulator of cell growth, development and stress responses in most examined diploid eukaryotes. However, little is known about TOR in tetraploid species such as cotton. Here, we show that TORC1-S6K-RPS6, the major signaling components, are conserved and further expanded in cotton genome. Though the cotton seedlings are insensitive to rapamycin, AZD8055, the second-generation inhibitor of TOR, can significantly suppress the growth in cotton. Global transcriptome analysis revealed that genes associated with jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and transduction were significantly altered in AZD8055 treated cotton seedlings, suggesting the potential crosstalk between TOR and JA signaling. Pharmacological and genetic approaches have been employed to get further insights into the molecular mechanism of the crosstalk between TOR and JA. Combination of AZD8055 with methyl jasmonate can synergistically inhibit cotton growth, and additionally JA levels were significantly increased when cotton seedlings were subjected to AZD8055. JA biosynthetic and signaling mutants including jar1, coi1-2 and myc2-2 displayed TOR inhibitor-resistant phenotypes, whereas COI1 overexpression transgenic lines and jaz10 exhibited sensitivity to AZD8055. Consistently, cotton JAZ can partially rescue TOR-suppressed phenotypes in Arabidopsis. These evidences revealed that the crosstalk between TOR and JA pathway operates in cotton and Arabidopsis.
A semi-synchronous label propagation algorithm with constraints for community detection in complex networks
Authors: Hou Chin Jia , Ratnavelu Kuru
Published: April 2017

Community structure is an important feature of a complex network, where detection of the community structure can shed some light on the properties of such a complex network. Amongst the proposed community detection methods, the label propagation algorithm (LPA) emerges as an effective detection method due to its time efficiency. Despite this advantage in computational time, the performance of LPA is affected by randomness in the algorithm. A modified LPA, called CLPA-GNR, was proposed recently and it succeeded in handling the randomness issues in the LPA. However, it did not remove the tendency for trivial detection in networks with a weak community structure. In this paper, an improved CLPA-GNR is therefore proposed. In the new algorithm, the unassigned and assigned nodes are updated synchronously while the assigned nodes are updated asynchronously. A similarity score, based on the Sørensen-Dice index, is implemented to detect the initial communities and for breaking ties during the propagation process. Constraints are utilised during the label propagation and community merging processes. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on various benchmark and real-world networks. We find that it is able to avoid trivial detection while showing substantial improvement in the quality of detection.
Microbial Biogeography and Core Microbiota of the Rat Digestive Tract
Authors: Li Dongyao , Chen Haiqin , Mao Bingyong , Yang Qin , Zhao Jianxin , Gu Zhennan , Zhang Hao , Chen Yong Q. , Chen Wei
Published: April 2017

As a long-standing biomedical model, rats have been frequently used in studies exploring the correlations between gastrointestinal (GI) bacterial biota and diseases. In the present study, luminal and mucosal samples taken along the longitudinal axis of the rat digestive tract were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based analysis to determine the baseline microbial composition. Results showed that the community diversity increased from the upper to lower GI segments and that the stratification of microbial communities as well as shift of microbial metabolites were driven by biogeographic location. A greater proportion of lactate-producing bacteria (such as Lactobacillus, Turicibacter and Streptococcus) were found in the stomach and small intestine, while anaerobic Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, fermenting carbohydrates and plant aromatic compounds, constituted the bulk of the large-intestinal core microbiota where topologically distinct co-occurrence networks were constructed for the adjacent luminal and mucosal compartments. When comparing the GI microbiota from different hosts, we found that the rat microbial biogeography might represent a new reference, distinct from other murine animals. Our study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the rat GI microbiota landscape for the research community, laying the foundation for better understanding and predicting the disease-related alterations in microbial communities.
A novel tool for monitoring endogenous alpha-synuclein transcription by NanoLuciferase tag insertion at the 3′end using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique
Authors: Basu Sambuddha , Adams Levi , Guhathakurta Subhrangshu , Kim Yoon-Seong
Published: April 2017

α-synuclein (α-SYN) is a major pathologic contributor to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Multiplication of α-SYN encoding gene (SNCA) is correlated with early onset of the disease underlining the significance of its transcriptional regulation. Thus, monitoring endogenous transcription of SNCA is of utmost importance to understand PD pathology. We developed a stable cell line expressing α-SYN endogenously tagged with NanoLuc luciferase reporter using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. This allows efficient measurement of transcriptional activity of α-SYN in its native epigenetic landscape which is not achievable using exogenous transfection-based luciferase reporter assays. The NanoLuc activity faithfully monitored the transcriptional regulation of SNCA following treatment with different drugs known to regulate α-SYN expression; while exogenous promoter-reporter assays failed to reproduce the similar outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing endogenous monitoring of α-SYN transcription, thus making it an efficient drug screening tool that can be used for therapeutic intervention in PD.
Artificial spatiotemporal touch inputs reveal complementary decoding in neocortical neurons
Authors: Oddo Calogero M. , Mazzoni Alberto , Spanne Anton , Enander Jonas M. D. , Mogensen Hannes , Bengtsson Fredrik , Camboni Domenico , Micera Silvestro , Jörntell Henrik
Published: April 2017

Investigations of the mechanisms of touch perception and decoding has been hampered by difficulties in achieving invariant patterns of skin sensor activation. To obtain reproducible spatiotemporal patterns of activation of sensory afferents, we used an artificial fingertip equipped with an array of neuromorphic sensors. The artificial fingertip was used to transduce real-world haptic stimuli into spatiotemporal patterns of spikes. These spike patterns were delivered to the skin afferents of the second digit of rats via an array of stimulation electrodes. Combined with low-noise intra- and extracellular recordings from neocortical neurons in vivo, this approach provided a previously inaccessible high resolution analysis of the representation of tactile information in the neocortical neuronal circuitry. The results indicate high information content in individual neurons and reveal multiple novel neuronal tactile coding features such as heterogeneous and complementary spatiotemporal input selectivity also between neighboring neurons. Such neuronal heterogeneity and complementariness can potentially support a very high decoding capacity in a limited population of neurons. Our results also indicate a potential neuroprosthetic approach to communicate with the brain at a very high resolution and provide a potential novel solution for evaluating the degree or state of neurological disease in animal models.
640-Gbit/s fast physical random number generation using a broadband chaotic semiconductor laser
Authors: Zhang Limeng , Pan Biwei , Chen Guangcan , Guo Lu , Lu Dan , Zhao Lingjuan , Wang Wei
Published: April 2017

An ultra-fast physical random number generator is demonstrated utilizing a photonic integrated device based broadband chaotic source with a simple post data processing method. The compact chaotic source is implemented by using a monolithic integrated dual-mode amplified feedback laser (AFL) with self-injection, where a robust chaotic signal with RF frequency coverage of above 50 GHz and flatness of ±3.6 dB is generated. By using 4-least significant bits (LSBs) retaining from the 8-bit digitization of the chaotic waveform, random sequences with a bit-rate up to 640 Gbit/s (160 GS/s × 4 bits) are realized. The generated random bits have passed each of the fifteen NIST statistics tests (NIST SP800-22), indicating its randomness for practical applications.
A randomized controlled trial of an ambulatory approach versus the hospital-based approach in managing suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Hui David S. , Ng Susanna S. , To Kin-Wang , Ko Fanny W. , Ngai Jenny , Chan Ken K. P. , Yip Wing-Ho , Chan Tat-On , Yiu Karen , Tam Wilson W. S.
Published: April 2017

Comparisons of home-based versus hospital-based approach in managing patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome(OSAS). A prospective, controlled CPAP parallel study of new referrals with suspected OSAS randomized into group A) home-based or B) hospital-based approach. Following detection of AHI ≥ 15/hr by Embletta sleep study (group A) or polysomnography (group B), patients received CPAP for 3 months after an overnight autoCPAP titration at home or in hospital respectively. Modified intention-to-treat analysis of those with AHI ≥ 15/hr on CPAP (n = 86 vs 86) showed no difference in Epworth sleepiness score, the primary endpoint, but greater improvement in Sleep-Apnoea-Quality-of-Life-Index[difference 0.3,(95%CI 0.02, 0.6), p = 0.033] at 3 months in group A. The mean costs for the patients in group A and group B were HK$8479(989) and HK$22,248(2407) respectively. The mean difference between groups was HK$-13,769(USD 1770 equivalent) per patient with 95% CI. (−14324, −13213), p < 0.001. The waiting time of patients with AHI ≥ 15/hr who were started on CPAP treatment from the first clinic consultation to the diagnostic sleep test, autoCPAP titration, and CPAP treatment was 189.6, 148.8 and 145.0 days shorter in group A than group B respectively. Home-based approach is non-inferior to hospital-based approach in managing patients with suspected OSAS, with shorter waiting time, and substantial cost savings.
Disulfide Bond Formation and N-Glycosylation Modulate Protein-Protein Interactions in GPI-Transamidase (GPIT)
Authors: Yi Lina , Bozkurt Gunes , Li Qiubai , Lo Stanley , Menon Anant K. , Wu Hao
Published: April 2017

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) transamidase (GPIT), the enzyme that attaches GPI anchors to proteins as they enter the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, is a membrane-bound hetero-pentameric complex consisting of Gpi8, Gpi16, Gaa1, Gpi17 and Gab1. Here, we expressed and purified the luminal domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) Gpi8 using different expression systems, and examined its interaction with insect cell expressed luminal domain of S. cerevisiae Gpi16. We found that the N-terminal caspase-like domain of Gpi8 forms a disulfide-linked dimer, which is strengthened by N-glycosylation. The non-core domain of Gpi8 following the caspase-like domain inhibits this dimerization. In contrast to the previously reported disulfide linkage between Gpi8 and Gpi16 in human and trypanosome GPIT, our data show that the luminal domains of S. cerevisiae Gpi8 and S. cerevisiae Gpi16 do not interact directly, nor do they form a disulfide bond in the intact S. cerevisiae GPIT. Our data suggest that subunit interactions within the GPIT complex from different species may vary, a feature that should be taken into account in future structural and functional studies.
Biotemplating pores with size and shape diversity for Li-oxygen Battery Cathodes
Authors: Oh Dahyun , Ozgit-Akgun Cagla , Akca Esin , Thompson Leslie E. , Tadesse Loza F. , Kim Ho-Cheol , Demirci Gökhan , Miller Robert D. , Maune Hareem
Published: April 2017

Synthetic porogens provide an easy way to create porous structures, but their usage is limited due to synthetic difficulties, process complexities and prohibitive costs. Here we investigate the use of bacteria, sustainable and naturally abundant materials, as a pore template. The bacteria require no chemical synthesis, come in variable sizes and shapes, degrade easier and are approximately a million times cheaper than conventional porogens. We fabricate free standing porous multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films using cultured, harmless bacteria as porogens, and demonstrate substantial Li-oxygen battery performance improvement by porosity control. Pore volume as well as shape in the cathodes were easily tuned to improve oxygen evolution efficiency by 30% and double the full discharge capacity in repeated cycles compared to the compact MWCNT electrode films. The interconnected pores produced by the templates greatly improve the accessibility of reactants allowing the achievement of 4,942 W/kg (8,649 Wh/kg) at 2 A/ge (1.7 mA/cm2).
iTRAQ-based Proteomic Analysis of Porcine Kidney Epithelial PK15 cells Infected with Pseudorabies virus
Authors: Yang Songbai , Pei Yue , Zhao Ayong
Published: April 2017

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the most important pathogens of swine, resulting in severe economic losses to the pig industry. To improve our understanding of the host responses to PRV infection, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to quantitatively identify the differentially expressed cellular proteins in PRV-infected PK15 cells. In total, relative quantitative data were identified for 4333 proteins in PRV and mock- infected PK15 cells, among which 466 cellular proteins were differentially expressed, including 234 upregulated proteins and 232 downregulated proteins. Bioinformatics analysis disclosed that most of these differentially expressed proteins were involved in metabolic processes, cellular growth and proliferation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, cell adhesion and cytoskeleton. Moreover, expression levels of four representative proteins, beta-catenin, STAT1, GRB2 and PCNA, were further confirmed by western blot analysis. This is the first attempt to analyze the protein profile of PRV-infected PK15 cells using iTRAQ technology, and our findings may provide valuable information to help understand the host response to PRV infection.
Effect of Vitamin D Replacement on Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Darwish Hala , Haddad Ribal , Osman Sahar , Ghassan Stephanie , Yamout Bassem , Tamim Hani , Khoury Samia
Published: April 2017

Multiple Sclerosis is associated with deficient serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) level and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to evaluate cognitive performance in MS patients with deficient 25 (OH)D (<25 ng/ml) compared to patients with sufficient levels (>35 ng/ml), then to evaluate the change in cognitive performance after 3 months of vitamin D3 oral replacement. Eighty-eight MS patients with relapsing remitting and clinically isolated type of MS, older than 18 years treated with interferon beta were enrolled. Cognitive testing was performed at baseline and at 3 months using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop, Symbol Digit Modalities (SDMT) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT-R). Serum 25 (OH)D was measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Vitamin D3 replacement improved the MS patients’ cognitive performance after 3 months on the MoCA and BVMT-Delayed Recall (DR). Sufficient serum 25 (OH)D level predicted better cognitive performance on the BVMT-DR at baseline (β: 1.74, p: <0.008) and 3 months (β: 1.93, p: <0.01) after adjusting for all measured confounding variables. Vitamin D3 replacement could improve cognitive performance in MS patients and make a significant difference in the patient’s quality of life.
Efficient multiuser quantum cryptography network based on entanglement
Authors: Xue Peng , Wang Kunkun , Wang Xiaoping
Published: April 2017

We present an efficient quantum key distribution protocol with a certain entangled state to solve a special cryptographic task. Also, we provide a proof of security of this protocol by generalizing the proof of modified of Lo-Chau scheme. Based on this two-user scheme, a quantum cryptography network protocol is proposed without any quantum memory.
A UPF0118 family protein with uncharacterized function from the moderate halophile Halobacillus andaensis represents a novel class of Na+(Li+)/H+ antiporter
Authors: Dong Ping , Wang Lidan , Song Na , Yang Lina , Chen Jin , Yan Mingxue , Chen Huiwen , Zhang Rui , Li Jincheng , Abdel-motaal Heba , Jiang Juquan
Published: April 2017

In this study, genomic DNA was screened from Halobacillus andaensis NEAU-ST10-40T by selection in Escherichia coli KNabc lacking three major Na+/H+ antiporters. One gene designated upf0118 exhibiting Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport activity was finally cloned. Protein alignment showed that UPF0118 shares the highest identity of 81.5% with an unannotated gene encoding a protein with uncharacterized protein function belonging to UPF0118 family from H. kuroshimensis, but shares no identity with all known specific Na+(Li+)/H+ antiporter genes or genes with Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport activity. Growth test, western blot and Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport assay revealed that UPF0118 as a transmembrane protein exhibits pH-dependent Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport activity. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that UPF0118 clustered with all its homologs belonging to UPF0118 family at a wide range of 22–82% identities with the bootstrap value of 92%, which was significantly distant with all known specific single-gene Na+(Li+)/H+ antiporters and single-gene proteins with the Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport activity. Taken together, we propose that UPF0118 should represent a novel class of Na+(Li+)/H+ antiporter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the functional analysis of a protein with uncharacterized protein function as a representative of UPF0118 family containing the domain of unknown function, DUF20.
Structural basis for a novel type of cytokinin-activating protein
Authors: Seo Hogyun , Kim Kyung-Jin
Published: April 2017

The Lonely Guy (LOG) protein has been identified as a crucial enzyme involved in the production of cytokinins, which are important phytohormones, in plants and plant-interacting organisms. However, C. glutamicum has an isoform (Cg1261) of LOG that contains an extended N-terminal region compared to those of known LOGs, and this type of isoforms are also found in a variety of organisms. Nevertheless, these proteins are considered as lysine decarboxylases, without their functional characterization. To investigate the function of Cg1261, we determined its crystal structure at a resolution of 1.95 Å. Unlike known dimeric LOGs, Cg1261 was found to form a hexamer. The overall shape of the hexamer resembles a trillium flower, in which a twisted dimer constitutes each petal. The dimeric petal is well superposed with known LOG dimers, and its active site conformation is similar to those of LOG dimers, suggesting that the hexameric LOG-like protein also acts as a LOG. Biochemical and in vivo cytokinin production studies on Cg1261 confirms that Cg1261 functions as a cytokinin-activating protein. Phylogenetic tree analysis using 123 LOG-like proteins suggest that the LOG-like proteins can be categorized to the dimeric type-I LOG and the hexameric type-II LOG.
Stress and adolescent hippocampal neurogenesis: diet and exercise as cognitive modulators
Authors: Hueston C M , Cryan J F , Nolan Y M
Published: April 2017

Adolescence is a critical period for brain maturation. Deciphering how disturbances to the central nervous system at this time affect structure, function and behavioural outputs is important to better understand any long-lasting effects. Hippocampal neurogenesis occurs during development and continues throughout life. In adulthood, integration of these new cells into the hippocampus is important for emotional behaviour, cognitive function and neural plasticity. During the adolescent period, maturation of the hippocampus and heightened levels of hippocampal neurogenesis are observed, making alterations to neurogenesis at this time particularly consequential. As stress negatively affects hippocampal neurogenesis, and adolescence is a particularly stressful time of life, it is important to investigate the impact of stressor exposure at this time on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Adolescence may represent not only a time for which stress can have long-lasting effects, but is also a critical period during which interventions, such as exercise and diet, could ameliorate stress-induced changes to hippocampal function. In addition, intervention at this time may also promote life-long behavioural changes that would aid in fostering increased hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. This review addresses both the acute and long-term stress-induced alterations to hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition during the adolescent period, as well as changes to the stress response and pubertal hormones at this time which may result in differential effects than are observed in adulthood. We hypothesise that adolescence may represent an optimal time for healthy lifestyle changes to have a positive and long-lasting impact on hippocampal neurogenesis, and to protect against stress-induced deficits. We conclude that future research into the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of the adolescent hippocampus to stress, exercise and diet and the consequent effect on cognition may provide insight into why adolescence may be a vital period for correct conditioning of future hippocampal function.
Corticolimbic hyper-response to emotion and glutamatergic function in people with high schizotypy: a multimodal fMRI-MRS study
Authors: Modinos G , McLaughlin A , Egerton A , McMullen K , Kumari V , Barker G J , Keysers C , Williams S C R
Published: April 2017

Animal models and human neuroimaging studies suggest that altered levels of glutamatergic metabolites within a corticolimbic circuit have a major role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Rodent models propose that prefrontal glutamate dysfunction could lead to amygdala hyper-response to environmental stress and underlie hippocampal overdrive in schizophrenia. Here we determine whether changes in brain glutamate are present in individuals with high schizotypy (HS), which refers to the presence of schizophrenia-like characteristics in healthy individuals, and whether glutamate levels are related to altered corticolimbic response to emotion. Twenty-one healthy HS subjects and 22 healthy subjects with low schizotypy (LS) were selected based on their Oxford and Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences rating. Glutamate levels were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, followed by a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan to measure corticolimbic response during emotional processing. fMRI results and fMRI × glutamate interactions were considered significant after voxel-wise P<0.05 family-wise error correction. While viewing emotional pictures, HS individuals showed greater activation than did subjects with LS in the caudate, and marginally in the ACC, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and putamen. Although no between-group differences were found in glutamate concentrations, within the HS group ACC glutamate was negatively correlated with striatal activation (left: z=4.30, P=0.004 and right: z=4.12 P=0.008 caudate; left putamen: z=3.89, P=0.018) and marginally with MPFC (z=3.55, P=0.052) and amygdala (left: z=2.88, P=0.062; right: z=2.79, P=0.079), correlations that were not present in LS subjects. These findings provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence that brain glutamate levels are associated with hyper-responsivity in brain regions thought to be critical in the pathophysiology of psychosis.
Refinement of insulator-based dielectrophoresis
Authors: Crowther Claire V. , Hayes Mark A.
Published: April 2017

The development of a new insulator for higher resolution separations using dielectrophoresis.
Protein self-assembly following in situ expression in artificial and mammalian cells
Authors: Migas Urszula M. , Quinn Michelle K. , McManus Jennifer J.
Published: April 2017

The importance of in vitro measurements in explaining the mechanisms underlying protein self-assembly in physiologically relevant conditions has been demonstrated in solution and in artificial and mammalian cells.
Croconato-bridged copper(ii) complexes: synthesis, structure and magnetic characterization
Authors: Massoud Salah S. , Williams Gabrielle F. , Louka Febee R. , Henary Maher M. , Herchel Radovan , Trávníček Zdeněk , Fischer Roland C. , Mautner Franz A.
Published: April 2017

Three croconato-bridged Cu(ii) complexes were synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized.
Development and characterization of promising Cremophor EL-stabilized o/w nanoemulsions containing short-chain alcohols as a cosurfactant
Authors: Zeng Liya , Xin Xin , Zhang Yalin
Published: April 2017

Nanoemulsions have attracted much attention due to their wide application in commercial industries such as pharmaceutics, food, beverages and skin care.
Recent advances in boronic acid-based optical chemosensors
Authors: Wu Xin , Chen Xuan-Xuan , Jiang Yun-Bao
Published: April 2017

This minireview highlights the developments in optical chemosensors from 2014 to 2016 that utilise the boronic acid interaction with polyols or Lewis bases.
One-pot synthesis of thiazino[2,3,4-hi]indole derivatives through a tandem oxidative coupling/heteroannulation process
Authors: Mao Xi , Tong Tao , Fan Senbao , Fang Liting , Wu Jingyi , Wang Xiaoxia , Kang Honglan , Lv Xin
Published: April 2017

A novel and expedient one-pot synthesis of thiazino[2,3,4-hi]indole derivatives was developed through a tandem oxidative coupling/heteroannulation process.
Selective purification and chemical labeling of a target protein on ruthenium photocatalyst-functionalized affinity beads
Authors: Tsushima Michihiko , Sato Shinichi , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: April 2017

Simultaneous selective purification and chemical labeling of a target protein were achieved on the surface of affinity beads functionalized with a ruthenium photocatalyst and a ligand in a protein mixture.
Enhanced CO2 uptake by intramolecular proton transfer reactions in amino-functionalized pyridine-based ILs
Authors: Pan Mingguang , Vijayaraghavan R. , Zhou Fengling , Kar Mega , Li Haoran , Wang Congmin , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: April 2017

This work presents a new strategy for the promotion of CO2 uptake by an intramolecular proton transfer reaction in amino functionalized hydroxypyridine based anions.
Photo-cleavable analog of BAPTA for the fast and efficient release of Ca2+
Authors: Sutton Mariia V. , McKinley Matthew , Kulasekharan Revathy , Popik Vladimir V.
Published: April 2017

NQMP-BAPTA, a new photo-cleavable calcium-selective chelator has a high affinity towards Ca2+ions (K= 2.5 × 106M−1), but efficiently (Φ= 0.63) releases calcium ions upon irradiation.
From oxidative degradation to direct oxidation: size regimes in the consecutive reaction of cationic tantalum clusters with dioxygen
Authors: Eckhard J. F. , Neuwirth D. , Tschurl M. , Heiz U.
Published: April 2017

Cationic tantalum clusters (Ta9–12+) are reacted with molecular oxygen under multi-collision conditions in the gas phase in order to analyze the reaction kinetics.
ZnS/ZnO@CNT and ZnS@CNT nanocomposites by gas phase conversion of ZnO@CNT. A systematic study of their photocatalytic properties
Authors: Okeil Sherif , Krausmann Jan , Dönges Inga , Pfleger Sandra , Engstler Jörg , Schneider Jörg J.
Published: April 2017

ZnS nanoparticles have been synthesized on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes by gas-phase conversion of ZnO nanoparticles which have been tethered on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
Bio-inspired CO2reduction by a rhenium tricarbonyl bipyridine-based catalyst appended to amino acids and peptidic platforms: incorporating proton relays and hydrogen-bonding functional groups
Authors: Chabolla S. A. , Machan C. W. , Yin J. , Dellamary E. A. , Sahu S. , Gianneschi N. C. , Gilson M. K. , Tezcan F. A. , Kubiak C. P.
Published: April 2017

Herein, we report a new approach to bio-inspired catalyst design. The molecular catalyst employed in these studies is based on the robust and selective Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl-type (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) homogeneous catalysts, which have been extensively studied for their ability to reduce CO2electrochemically or photochemically in the presence of a photosensitizer. These catalysts can be highly active photocatalysts in their own right. In this work, the bipyridine ligand was modified with amino acids and synthetic peptides. These results build on earlier findings wherein the bipyridine ligand was functionalized with amide groups to promote dimer formation and CO2reduction by an alternate bimolecular mechanism at lower overpotential (ca.250 mV) than the more commonly observed unimolecular process. The bio-inspired catalysts were designed to allow for the incorporation of proton relays to support reduction of CO2to CO and H2O. The coupling of amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine led to the formation of two structurally similar Re catalyst/peptide catalysts for comparison of proton transport during catalysis. This article reports the synthesis and characterization of novel catalyst/peptide hybrids by molecular dynamics (MD simulations of structural dynamics), NMR studies of solution phase structures, and electrochemical studies to measure the activities of new bio-inspired catalysts in the reduction of CO2.
Direct one-pot conversion of monosaccharides into high-yield 2,5-dimethylfuran over a multifunctional Pd/Zr-based metal–organic framework@sulfonated graphene oxide catalyst
Authors: Insyani Rizki , Verma Deepak , Kim Seung Min , Kim Jaehoon
Published: April 2017

A one-pot conversion of monosaccharides (fructose and glucose) into high-yield 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) is demonstrated over a multifunctional catalyst obtained by loading Pd on UiO-66@ sulfonated GO (Pd/UiO-66@SGO).
Rapid and productive extraction of high purity cellulose material via selective depolymerization of the lignin-carbohydrate complex at mild conditions
Authors: Yang Jiming , Lu Xingmei , Liu Xiaomin , Xu Junli , Zhou Qing , Zhang Suojiang
Published: April 2017

Rapid extraction of a high yield and purity cellulose from cornstalk at relatively low temperatures in a remarkably short time based on the [Bmim]Cl–AS (i.e. amino sulfonic acid (AS)) solvent system is reported.
Polycyclic heteroaromatic hydrocarbons containing a benzoisoindole core
Authors: Richter Marcus , Schellhammer Karl Sebastian , Machata Peter , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Popov Alexey , Ortmann Frank , Berger Reinhard , Müllen Klaus , Feng Xinliang
Published: April 2017

By the combination of 9a-azaphenalene and a perpendicularly oriented acene, we have synthesized three derivatives of a series of novel, fully-conjugated nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Simultaneous quantification of coenzyme A and its salvage pathway intermediates in in vitro and whole cell-sourced samples
Authors: Goosen R. , Strauss E.
Published: April 2017

A method for the quantitative analysis of CoA and its thiolated precursors was developed, addressing the analytical shortcomings of previous methods. Its utility was showcased by analysis ofin vitroenzyme reactions and samples extracted from various bacterial strains.
Influence of tungsten on the NH3-SCR activity of MnWOx/TiO2 catalysts
Authors: Peng Lu , Huan Li , Huayan Liu , Yinfei Chen , Zekai Zhang
Published: April 2017

A series of bulk MnWOx and supported MnWOx/TiO2 catalysts with MnWO4 structure were prepared via self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), co-precipitation and impregnation methods.
Preparation of cellulose nanofibers coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) crystals and their application in composite films
Authors: Uchida Tetsuya , Iwaguro Fumiaki , Yanai Risa , Dodo Haruka
Published: April 2017

A preparation of CeNFs coated with PVA crystals was used to change the surface properties of the CeNFs in a way that would inhibit the aggregation of CeNFs, leading to the improvement of the dispersibility of CeNFs in composites.
Synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymers of isotactic polystyrene-block-isotactic poly(p-hydroxystyrene) using a titanium complex with an [OSSO]-type bis(phenolate) ligand and sequential monomer addition
Authors: Zhou QiHua , Liang HuaQing , Wei WanChu , Meng ChunFeng , Long YongJiang , Zhu FangMing
Published: April 2017

A novel amphiphilic diblock copolymer of iPS-b-iP(p-HOS) is prepared resulting from the hydrolysis of iPS-b-iP(p-TBDMSOS) synthesized by sequential monomer addition with [OSSO]-type titanium complex 1/MAO.
Super-stable non-woven fabric-based membrane as a high-efficiency oil/water separator in full pH range
Authors: Diao Zhongwei , Wang Lei , Yu Peng , Feng He , Zhao Li , Zhou Wei , Fu Honggang
Published: April 2017

A polystyrene coated non-woven fabric hybrid membrane with superoleophilicity has been synthesized by a facile polymerization reaction for high-efficiency separation of oils in harsh environments.
Fabrication of a silica/titania hollow nanorod and its electroresponsive activity
Authors: Yoon Chang-Min , Noh Jungchul , Jang Yoonsun , Jang Jyongsik
Published: April 2017

In this study, a 1D oriented hollow SiO2/TiO2 (HST) rod-like material was successfully fabricated via a sequential combination of sol–gel use, TiO2 incorporation, and a sonication-mediated etching and redeposition method.
Influence of support on the catalytic properties of Pt–Sn–K/θ-Al2O3 for propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Shi Yu , Li Xianru , Rong Xin , Gu Bin , Wei Huangzhao , Sun Chenglin
Published: April 2017

The correlation between the physicochemical parameters of the catalysts and the dehydrogenation performance of propane was established.
Enhanced fluorescence properties of terbium complex/poly-l-lactic acid superfine fibers sensitized by the LSPR effect of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Wen Shipeng , Zhang Guiming , Zhang Rong , Zhang Liqun , Liu Li
Published: April 2017

Due to the LSPR effect of Ag-NPs, the fluorescence intensity, quantum efficiency of Tb-complex in the composite fibers were improved.
Compositional engineering of the pi-conjugated small molecular VOPcPhO : Alq3 complex to boost humidity sensing
Authors: Fatima Noshin , Aziz Fakhra , Ahmad Zubair , Najeeb M. A. , Azmeer M. I. , Karimov Kh. S. , Ahmed M. M. , Basheer S. , Shakoor R. A. , Sulaiman K.
Published: April 2017

This study exhibits a solution-processed organic semiconductor humidity sensor based on vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (VOPcPhO), tris-(8-hydroxy-quinoline)aluminum (Alq3), and their composites.
One pot synthesis of unusual meso-dipyrrinyl corrole
Authors: Krishna Kandala Laxman Vamshi , Kaur Tejinder , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: April 2017

One-pot synthesis of unusual meso-dipyrrinyl corrole by condensation of meso-free dipyrromethane with pentafluorobenzaldehyde under acid catalysed conditions is described.
Multicomponent (Mo, Ni) metal sulfide and selenide microspheres with empty nanovoids as anode materials for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Park Jin-Sung , Chan Kang Yun
Published: April 2017

Unique-structured MoS2–Ni9S8–C, MoSe2–NiSe–C, MoS2–Ni9S8, and MoSe2–NiSe–NiSe2 composite microspheres were prepared by pilot-scale spray drying and a subsequent post-treatment process.
Deformation mechanisms in high-efficiency thermoelectric layered Zintl compounds
Authors: Li Guodong , Aydemir Umut , Wood Max , An Qi , Goddard III William A. , Zhai Pengcheng , Zhang Qingjie , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: April 2017

We use DFT to determine the deformation mechanism of Mg3Sb2, and propose a substitution strategy to enhance its mechanical strength.
Time‐shifted excess loop delay compensation DAC for 2‐Ts delay in CT‐ΔΣ ADCs
Authors: Han C. , Maghari N.
Published: April 2017

This Letter proposes a new two‐sample excess loop delay compensation in continuous‐time delta‐sigma modulators using time‐shifted differentiated digital‐to‐analogue converter (DAC). This is done by using the information inherently available but ignored in the conventional methods, and therefore no additional hardware is required. Simulation results and mathematical analysis are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed structure.
Low Complexity BF scheme for downlink MISO‐NOMA systems
Authors: Cai Wenbo , Jin Ye
Published: April 2017

In this study, the authors investigate the user selection (US), beamforming (BF) and power allocation (PA) problems for the downlink multiple‐input–single‐output‐based non‐orthogonal multiple‐access system. For the US problem, they matched the BF and PA schemes with different US schemes to achieve the best spectral efficiency performance. For the BF and PA problems, they derive a non‐normalised BF scheme to accomplish the BF and PA problems jointly. The non‐normalised BF scheme requires much lower computational complexity than the duality BF scheme. According to their simulation results, the non‐normalised BF scheme can achieve the same or better spectral efficiency performance than the duality BF scheme. When the number of users sharing the same time–frequency resource is large, both the duality BF scheme and the singular value decomposition (SVD)‐based BF scheme cannot obtain spectral efficiency advantage over the OMA scheme. However, the non‐normalised BF scheme can maintain the advantage over the OMA scheme.
A new axiomatization of a class of equal surplus division values for TU games
Authors: Hu Xun-Feng , Li Deng-Feng
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we propose a variation of weak covariance named as non-singleton covariance, requiring that changing the worth of a non-singleton coalition in a TU game affects the payoffs of all players equally. We establish that this covariance is characteristic for the convex combinations of the equal division value and the equal surplus division value, together with efficiency and a one-parameterized axiom treating a particular kind of players specially. As special cases, parallel axiomatizations of the two values are also provided.
A Highly Selective Amidation of Azoxybenzenes with Sulfonamides via Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C–H Activation
Authors: Li Hongji , Deng Hong
Published: April 2017

A new amidation of azoxybenzenes with sulfonamides catalyzed by a rhodium(III) salt has been developed. This sulfonamidation proceeds efficiently under mild reaction conditions to generate new C–N bonds through C–H bond activation and functionalization, affording the corresponding 2-sulfonamidoazoxybenzenes in good yields with high regioselectivity.
Synthesis of Chromenoimidazoles, Annulated with an Azaindole Moiety, through a Base-Promoted Domino Reaction of Cyano­methyl Quaternary Salts
Authors: Voskressensky Leonid , Storozhenko Olga , Festa Alexey , Novikov Roman , Varlamov Alexey
Published: April 2017

The reactivity of N-cyanomethyl quaternary salts of 4-, 5- and 7-azaindoles towards salicylic aldehydes has been studied. The interaction of azaindolium salts with salicylic aldehydes proceeds as a base-promoted domino reaction, giving the corresponding chromenoimidazopyrrolopyridines. In the case of the 7-(cyanomethyl)-7-azaindolium salt, the reaction was found to be more sensitive, but the use of the 1-methyl-substituted salt allowed the synthesis of the desired compounds, incorporating the heterocyclic core of isogranulatimide C, a marine natural product.
Influence of Patient-Level Factors on Mode of Delivery among Operative Vaginal Delivery Candidates in Modern Practice
Authors: Gonzalez Christina , Allshouse Amanda , Henry Erick , Esplin Sean , Metz Torri
Published: April 2017

Objective We aimed to evaluate which patient-level factors influence mode of delivery among candidates for operative vaginal delivery.

Study Design Cross-sectional study of candidates for operative vaginal delivery from 18 hospitals over 8 years. Probabilities of mode of delivery were estimated using hierarchical logistic modeling adjusting for clustering within physician and hospital.

Results Total 3,771 (64%) women delivered with forceps, 1,474 (25%) vacuums, and 665 (11%) cesareans. Odds of forceps versus vacuum were higher with induction (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.76–2.65), nulliparity (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.59–2.66), epidural (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.19–3.56), maternal indication (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.02), older maternal age (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.31 per 5 years), and longer second stage (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20 per hour).

Odds of cesarean versus operative vaginal delivery were higher with maternal indication (OR = 9.0, 95% CI: 7.23–11.20), a perinatologist (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.09–5.78), longer second stage (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.65–1.93 per hour), older gestational age (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20 per week), and longer labor (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04 per hour).

Conclusion Patient-level factors influence the decision to proceed with an operative vaginal delivery and the choice of instrument, thereby emphasizing the importance of maintaining availability of both forceps and vacuums.