bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the decision making chemicals used for bacterial growth
Authors: Ashino Kazuha , Sugano Kenta , Amagasa Toshiyuki , Ying Bei-Wen
Published: May 2019

Predicting the contribution of media components to bacterial growth was first initiated by introducing machine learning to high-throughput growth assays. A total of 1336 temporal growth records corresponding to 225 different media, which were composed of 13 chemical components, were generated. The growth rate and saturated density of each growth curve were automatically calculated with the newly developed data processing program. To identify the decision making factors related to growth among the 13 chemicals, big datasets linking the growth parameters to the chemical combinations were subjected to decision tree learning. The results showed that the only carbon source, glucose, determined bacterial growth, but it was not the first priority. Instead, the top decision making chemicals in relation to the growth rate and saturated density were ammonium and ferric ions, respectively. Three chemical components (NH4+, Mg2+ and glucose) commonly appeared in the decision trees of the growth rate and saturated density, but they exhibited different mechanisms. The concentration ranges for fast growth and high density were overlapped for glucose but distinguished for NH4+ and Mg2+. The results suggested that these chemicals were crucial in determining the growth speed and growth maximum in either a universal use or a trade-off manner. This differentiation might reflect the diversity in the resource allocation mechanisms for growth priority depending on the environmental restrictions. This study provides a representative example for clarifying the contribution of the environment to population dynamics through an innovative viewpoint of employing modern data science within traditional microbiology to obtain novel findings.
Polymorphisms of ADME-related genes and their implications for drug safety and efficacy in Amazonian Amerindians
Authors: Rodrigues Juliana Carla Gomes , Fernandes Marianne Rodrigues , Guerreiro João Farias , da Silva Artur Luiz da Costa , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea , Santos Sidney , Santos Ney Pereira Carneiro dos
Published: May 2019

The variation in the allelic frequencies of polymorphic pharmacogenes among different ethnic groups may be responsible for severe adverse reactions to or altered efficacy of a wide variety of drugs. Amazonian Amerindian populations have a unique genetic profile that may have a fundamental on the efficacy and safety of certain drugs. The genetic characteristics of these populations are poorly known, which can negatively impact the systematic application of treatments guided by pharmacogenomic guidelines. We investigated the diversity of 32 polymorphisms in genes responsible for drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) in Amazonian Amerindians, and compared the findings with populations from other continents available in the 1000 Genomes database. We found significantly different (P ≤ 1.56E-03) allelic frequencies and genotype distributions in many study markers in comparison with African, European, American and Asian populations. Based on FST values, the Amerindian population was also the most distinct (mean FST = 0.09917). These data highlight the unique genetic profile of the indigenous population from the Brazilian Amazon region, which is potentially important from a pharmacogenetic viewpoint. Understanding the diversity of ADME- related genetic markers is crucial to the implementation of individualized pharmacogenomic treatment protocols in Amerindian populations, as well as populations with a high degree of admixture with this ethnic group, such as the general Brazilian population.
Salmonella enterica persister cells form unstable small colony variants after in vitro exposure to ciprofloxacin
Authors: Drescher Samara Paula Mattiello , Gallo Stephanie Wagner , Ferreira Pedro Maria Abreu , Ferreira Carlos Alexandre Sanchez , Oliveira Sílvia Dias de
Published: May 2019

Persistence phenotype and small colony variants (SCVs) can be part of a bacterial bet-hedging strategy for survival under environmental stresses, such as antimicrobial exposure. These phenotypes are of particular concern in persistent and relapsing infections, since cells resume to normal growth after cessation of the stressful condition. In this context, we found persisters and unstable SCVs as phenotypic variants of Salmonella enterica that were able to survive ciprofloxacin exposure. A high heterogeneity in persister levels was observed among S. enterica isolates grown under planktonic and biofilm conditions and exposed to ciprofloxacin or ceftazidime, which may indicate persistence as a non-multidrug-tolerant phenotype. Nevertheless, a comparable variability was not found in the formation of SCVs among the isolates. Indeed, similar proportions of SCV in relation to normal colony phenotype (NCP) were maintained even after three successive cycles of ciprofloxacin exposure testing colonies from both origins (SCV or NCP). Additionally, we found filamentous and dividing cells in the same scanning electron microscopy images from both SCV and NCP. These findings lead us to hypothesize that besides variability among isolates, a single isolate may generate distinct populations of persisters, where cells growing under distinct conditions may adopt different and perhaps complementary survival strategies.
PA-X antagonises MAVS-dependent accumulation of early type I interferon messenger RNAs during influenza A virus infection
Authors: Rigby Rachel E. , Wise Helen M. , Smith Nikki , Digard Paul , Rehwinkel Jan
Published: May 2019

The sensing of viral nucleic acids by the innate immune system activates a potent antiviral response in the infected cell, a key component of which is the expression of genes encoding type I interferons (IFNs). Many viruses counteract this response by blocking the activation of host nucleic acid sensors. The evolutionarily conserved influenza A virus (IAV) protein PA-X has been implicated in suppressing the host response to infection, including the expression of type I IFNs. Here, we characterise this further using a PA-X-deficient virus of the mouse-adapted PR8 strain to study activation of the innate immune response in a mouse model of the early response to viral infection. We show that levels of Ifna4 and Ifnb1 mRNAs in the lungs of infected mice were elevated in the absence of PA-X and that this was completely dependent on MAVS. This therefore suggests a role for PA-X in preventing the accumulation of early type I IFN mRNAs in the lung during IAV infection.
Understanding the survival of Zika virus in a vector interconnected sexual contact network
Authors: Ferdousi Tanvir , Cohnstaedt Lee W. , McVey D. S. , Scoglio Caterina M.
Published: May 2019

The recent outbreaks of the insect-vectored Zika virus have demonstrated its potential to be sexually transmitted, which complicates modeling and our understanding of disease dynamics. Autochthonous outbreaks in the US mainland may be a consequence of both modes of transmission, which affect the outbreak size, duration, and virus persistence. We propose a novel individual-based interconnected network model that incorporates both insect-vectored and sexual transmission of this pathogen. This model interconnects a homogeneous mosquito vector population with a heterogeneous human host contact network. The model incorporates the seasonal variation of mosquito abundance and characterizes host dynamics based on age group and gender in order to produce realistic projections. We use a sexual contact network which is generated on the basis of real world sexual behavior data. Our findings suggest that for a high relative transmissibility of asymptomatic hosts, Zika virus shows a high probability of sustaining in the human population for up to 3 months without the presence of mosquito vectors. Zika outbreaks are strongly affected by the large proportion of asymptomatic individuals and their relative transmissibility. The outbreak size is also affected by the time of the year when the pathogen is introduced. Although sexual transmission has a relatively low contribution in determining the epidemic size, it plays a role in sustaining the epidemic and creating potential endemic scenarios.
Identification of spore-forming bacteria isolated from contaminated Lowenstein Jensen media and effectiveness of Vancomycin to reduce Mycobacterial culture contamination in Burkina-Faso
Authors: Kaboré Antoinette , Tranchot-Diallo Juliette , Hien Hervé , Zouré Ousséni , Zingué Dezémon , Sanou Adama , Gomgnimbou Michel Kireopori , Daneau Géraldine , Ouédraogo Georges Anicet , Méda Nicolas , Sangaré Lassana
Published: May 2019

The type of commensal microorganisms can influence the efficiency of sputum decontamination for TB diagnosis. A basic characterization of contaminants from LJ contaminated media showed that Gram positive Spore Forming Bacteria (SFB) were the major contaminants. This study aims to identify the species of this contaminants and to evaluate the effectiveness of VCNT at 10 µg of vancomycin to reduce mycobacterial culture contamination mainly linked to SFB. Fifty-three SFB isolated between February 2016 and May 2017 were used. The effectiveness of LJ with VCNT at 10 µg of Vancomycin were evaluated with sputum collected in the same period. SFB had been stored at −20 °C and identified after subculture onto 5% sheep blood Columbia agar and incubated at 37 °C during 24 h. Bacteria cells and isolated colonies were described. API 50CH/B was performed and MALDI-TOF MS was used for external quality control. Thirty- five (66%) isolates representing 4 genera (Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevisbacillus and Lysinibacillus) including 10 species were identified. The most important species were Bacillus cereus (30%) and Bacillus licheniformis (21%). Eighteen (34%) isolates were non-reactive Bacillus. The overall contamination rate on LJ with VCNT at 10 µg of vancomycin was statistically lower than which without VCNT (18.7% versus 43.8%) (p = 0.01). The most important SFB identified were B. cereus and B. licheniformis. Almost all identified strains were similar to those currently isolated in fermented traditional food suggesting in part food related contaminants. VCNT containing 10 µg of vancomycin is a good alternative method to reduce mycobacterial culture contamination.
Vibrio cholerae derived outer membrane vesicles modulate the inflammatory response of human intestinal epithelial cells by inducing microRNA-146a
Authors: Bitar Aziz , Aung Kyaw Min , Wai Sun Nyunt , Hammarström Marie-Louise
Published: May 2019

The small intestinal epithelium ofVibrio choleraeinfected patients expresses the immunomodulatory microRNAs miR-146a and miR-155 at acute stage of disease.V.choleraerelease outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that serve as vehicles for translocation of virulence factors includingV.choleraecytolysin (VCC). The aim was to investigate whether OMVs, with and/or without VCC-cargo could be responsible for induction of microRNAs in intestinal epithelial cells and thereby contribute to immunomodulation. Polarized tight monolayers of T84 cells were challenged with OMVs of wildtype and a VCC deletion mutant of the non-O1/non-O139 (NOVC)V.choleraestrain V:5/04 and with soluble VCC. OMVs, with and without VCC-cargo, caused significantly increased levels of miR-146a. Increase was seen already after 2 hours challenge with OMVs and persisted after 12 hours. Challenge with soluble VCC caused significant increases in interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), CCL20, IL-1β, and IRAK2 mRNA levels while challenge with OMVs did not cause increases in expression levels of any of these mRNAs. These results suggest thatV.choleraebacteria release OMVs that induce miR-146a in order to pave the way for colonization by reducing the strength of an epithelial innate immune defence reaction and also preventing inflammation in the mucosa that factors like VCC can evoke.
The role of insulin sensitivity and intranasally applied insulin on olfactory perception
Authors: Edwin Thanarajah Sharmili , Hoffstall Vera , Rigoux Lionel , Hanssen Ruth , Brüning Jens C. , Tittgemeyer Marc
Published: May 2019

Olfactory perception determines food selection behavior depending on energy homeostasis and nutritional status. The mechanisms, however, by which metabolic signals in turn regulate olfactory perception remain largely unclear. Given the evidence for direct insulin action on olfactory neurons, we tested olfactory performance (olfactory threshold, olfactory discrimination) in 36 subjects of normal- and overweight after administration of three different insulin doses (40 I.U., 100 I.U., 160 I.U.) or corresponding placebo volume in a within-subject design. Poor peripheral insulin sensitivity as quantified by HOMA-IR in baseline condition and increases in systemic insulin levels reactive to intranasal administration predicted poor olfactory performance. In contrast, intranasal insulin enhanced odor perception with a dose-dependent improvement of olfactory threshold. These findings indicate a new diametric impact of insulin on olfactory perception depending on peripheral or central availability.
Α Quantum Pattern Recognition Method for Improving Pairwise Sequence Alignment
Authors: Prousalis Konstantinos , Konofaos Nikos
Published: May 2019

Quantum pattern recognition techniques have recently raised attention as potential candidates in analyzing vast amount of data. The necessity to obtain faster ways to process data is imperative where data generation is rapid. The ever-growing size of sequence databases caused by the development of high throughput sequencing is unprecedented. Current alignment methods have blossomed overnight but there is still the need for more efficient methods that preserve accuracy in high levels. In this work, a complex method is proposed to treat the alignment problem better than its classical counterparts by means of quantum computation. The basic principal of the standard dot-plot method is combined with a quantum algorithm, giving insight into the effect of quantum pattern recognition on pairwise alignment. The central feature of quantum algorithmic -quantum parallelism- and the diffraction patterns of x-rays are synthesized to provide a clever array indexing structure on the growing sequence databases. A completely different approach is considered in contrast to contemporary conventional aligners and a variety of competitive classical counterparts are classified and organized in order to compare with the quantum setting. The proposed method seems to exhibit high alignment quality and prevail among the others in terms of time and space complexity.
Common functional alterations identified in blood transcriptome of autoimmune cholestatic liver and inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Ostrowski Jerzy , Goryca Krzysztof , Lazowska Izabella , Rogowska Agnieszka , Paziewska Agnieszka , Dabrowska Michalina , Ambrozkiewicz Filip , Karczmarski Jakub , Balabas Aneta , Kluska Anna , Piatkowska Magdalena , Zeber-Lubecka Natalia , Kulecka Maria , Habior Andrzej , Mikula Michal ,   The Polish PBC study Group, Walewska-Zielecka Bozena , Krawczyk Marek , Cichoz-Lach Halina , Milkiewicz Piotr , Kowalik Agnieszka , Mucha Krzysztof , Raczynska Joanna , Musialik Joanna , Boryczka Grzegorz , Wasilewicz Michal , Ciecko-Michalska Irena , Ferenc Malgorzata , Janiak Maria , Kanikowska Alina , Stankiewicz Rafal , Hartleb Marek , Mach Tomasz , Grzymislawski Marian , Raszeja-Wyszomirska Joanna , Wunsch Ewa , Bobinski Tomasz ,   The Polish IBD study Group, Kierkus Jaroslaw , Socha Piotr , Lodyga Michal , Klopocka Maria , Iwanczak Barbara , Bak-Drabik Katarzyna , Walkowiak Jaroslaw , Radwan Piotr , Grzybowska-Chlebowczyk Urszula , Korczowski Bartosz , Starzynska Teresa
Published: May 2019

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are heterogeneous chronic autoimmune diseases that may share underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Herein, we compared simultaneously analyzed blood transcriptomes from patients with PBC, PSC, and IBD. Microarray-based measurements were conducted using RNA isolated from whole blood samples from 90, 45, 95 and 93 patients with PBC, PSC, CD, and UC, respectively, and 47 healthy controls. Expression levels of selected transcripts were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcribed PCR using an independent cohort of 292, 71 and 727 patients with PBC, PSC, and IBD, respectively. Of 4026, 2650 and 4967 probe sets differentially expressed (adjusted p-value < 0.05) in samples from patients with PBC, PSC, and IBD, respectively, compared with healthy controls, 1946 were common to all three comparisons. Functional analyses indicated that most terms enriched for genes differentially expressed in PBC, PSC, and IBD patients compared with healthy controls were related to mitochondrial function, the vesicle endomembrane system, and GTPase-mediated processes. This study indicates that microarray-based profiling of blood gene expression supports research into the molecular mechanisms underlying disease, rather than being useful for selection of diagnostic biomarkers for use in clinical practice.
Magnonic Floquet Quantum Spin Hall Insulator in Bilayer Collinear Antiferromagnets
Authors: Owerre S. A.
Published: May 2019

We study irradiated two-dimensional insulating bilayer honeycomb ferromagnets and antiferromagnets coupled antiferromagnetically with a zero net magnetization. The former is realized in the recently synthesized bilayer honeycomb chromium triiodide CrI3. In both systems, we show that circularly-polarized electric field breaks time-reversal symmetry and induces a dynamical Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in each honeycomb layer. However, the resulting bilayer antiferromagnetic system still preserves a combination of time-reversal and space-inversion ($${\bf{P}}{\bf{T}}$$
P
T
) symmetry. We show that the magnon topology of the bilayer antiferromagnetic system is characterized by a $${{\bf{Z}}}_{{\bf{2}}}$$

Z

2

Floquet topological invariant. Therefore, the system realizes a magnonic Floquet quantum spin Hall insulator with spin filtered magnon edge states. This leads to a non-vanishing Floquet magnon spin Nernst effect, whereas the Floquet magnon thermal Hall effect vanishes due to $${\bf{P}}{\bf{T}}$$
P
T
symmetry. We study the rich $${{\bf{Z}}}_{{\bf{2}}}$$

Z

2

Floquet topological magnon phase diagram of the system as a function of the light amplitudes and polarizations. We further discuss the great impact of the results on future experimental realizations.
Differential regulation of host plant adaptive genes in Pieris butterflies exposed to a range of glucosinolate profiles in their host plants
Authors: Okamura Yu , Sato Ai , Tsuzuki Natsumi , Sawada Yuji , Hirai Masami Yokota , Heidel-Fischer Hanna , Reichelt Michael , Murakami Masashi , Vogel Heiko
Published: May 2019

Specialist herbivores have often evolved highly sophisticated mechanisms to counteract defenses mediated by major plant secondary-metabolites. Plant species of the herbivore host range often display high chemical diversity and it is not well understood how specialist herbivores respond to this chemical diversity. Pieris larvae overcome toxic products from glucosinolate hydrolysis, the major chemical defense of their Brassicaceae hosts, by expressing nitrile-specifier proteins (NSP) in their gut. Furthermore, Pieris butterflies possess so-called major allergen (MA) proteins, which are multi-domain variants of a single domain major allergen (SDMA) protein expressed in the guts of Lepidopteran larvae. Here we show that Pieris larvae fine-tune NSP and MA gene expression depending on the glucosinolate profiles of their Brassicaceae hosts. Although the role of MA is not yet fully understood, the expression levels of NSP and MA in larvae that fed on plants whose glucosinolate composition varied was dramatically changed, whereas levels of SDMA expression remained unchanged. In addition, we found a similar regulation pattern among these genes in larvae feeding on Arabidopsis mutants with different glucosinolate profiles. Our results demonstrate that Pieris larvae appear to use different host plant adaptive genes to overcome a wide range of glucosinolate profiles in their host plants.
Galanin is a potent modulator of cytokine and chemokine expression in human macrophages
Authors: Koller Andreas , Brunner Susanne Maria , Bianchini Rodolfo , Ramspacher Andrea , Emberger Michael , Sternberg Felix , Schlager Sandra , Kofler Barbara
Published: May 2019

The regulatory peptide galanin is broadly distributed in the central- and peripheral nervous systems as well as in non-neuronal tissues, where it exerts its diverse physiological functions via three G-protein-coupled receptors (GAL1-3-R). Regulatory peptides are important mediators of the cross-communication between the nervous- and immune systems and have emerged as a focus of new therapeutics for a variety of inflammatory diseases. Studies on inflammatory animal models and immune cells revealed both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions of galanin. Here, we probed specific immune-related functions of the galanin system and found galanin and GAL1-R and GAL2-R mRNA to be expressed in a range of human immune cells. In particular, macrophages displayed differentiation- and polarization-dependent expression of galanin and its receptors. Exposure to exogenous galanin affected the cytokine/chemokine expression profile of macrophages differently, depending on their differentiation and polarization, and mainly modulated the expression of chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5 and CXCL8) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10 and IL-1Ra), especially in type-1 macrophages. Cytokine/chemokine expression levels in interferon-gamma- and lipopolysaccharide-polarized macrophages were upregulated whereas in unpolarized macrophages they were downregulated upon galanin treatment for 20 hours. This study illuminates the regulation of important cytokines/chemokines in macrophages by galanin, depending on specific cell activation.
Graphene Quantum Dots Decorated Gold-Polyaniline Nanowire for Impedimetric Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Authors: Ganganboina Akhilesh Babu , Doong Ruey-An
Published: May 2019

A label-free impedimetric immunosensor based on N, S-graphene quantum dots@Au-polyaniline (N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI) nanowires was fabricated for the quantitative detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The N, S-GQDs and Au-PANI were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal pyrolysis and interfacial polymerization, respectively. Subsequently, 2–9 nm N, S-GQDs are successfully decorated onto 30–50 nm Au-PANI nanowires by Au-thiol linkage to serve as the bifunctional probe for amplifying the electrochemical activity as well as anchoring anti-CEA. The N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI nanowires are excellent conducting materials to accelerate the electron transfer, while the formation of CEA antibody-antigen bioconjugates after the addition of CEA significantly increase the charge transfer resistance, and subsequently provides a highly stable and label-free immunoassay platform for the impedimetric detection of CEA. The label-free immunosensor exhibits a wide linear range from 0.5 to 1000 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 0.01 ng mL−1. The N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI based immunosensor also shows high selectivity and stability over other cancer makers and amino acids. Moreover, this promising platform is successfully applied to the detection of CEA in human serum samples with excellent recovery of (96.0 ± 2.6)–(103 ± 3.8)%. These results clearly demonstrate a newly developed highly efficient and label-free impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of CEA using N, S-GQDs@Au-PANI nanowires as the biosensing probe, which can pave the gateway for the fabrication of high performance and robust impedimetric immunosensor to detect cancer makers in early stage of cancer diagnosis and therapy.
A survey for ketamine abuse and its relation to the lower urinary tract symptoms in Taiwan
Authors: Li Chiao-Ching , Wu Sheng-Tang , Cha Tai-Lung , Sun Guang-Huan , Yu Dah-Shyong , Meng En
Published: May 2019

We aimed to explore the correlation between ketamine abuse and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and epidemiology of ketamine cystitis. Questionnaire records of ketamine abusers, such as sex, age, and details of using ketamine, including consumption method, amount, duration of ketamine use, and LUTS, were obtained from two private rehabilitation centers. We analyzed these factors and established a severity forecasting module. One hundred and six ketamine abusers completed the questionnaires. LUTS showed an onset time of 24.67 ± 26.36 months among ketamine abusers. Overactive bladder symptom score, international prostate symptom score-storage, interstitial cystitis symptom index, interstitial cystitis problem index, and visual analogue scale score were 5.25 ± 4.43, 5.95 ± 5.72, 10.96 ± 6.66, 9.73 ± 5.82, and 2.55 ± 3.18, respectively. All symptom scores were positively correlated with the duration of ketamine abuse. Ketamine snorting was significantly correlated with all symptom scores compared to smoking. Hydrodistention, intravesical hyaluronic acid instillation, intravesical injection with botulinum toxin, and hyperbaric-oxygen therapy showed better effect than oral treatment. Ketamine can induce severe storage symptoms, such as frequency or nocturia depending on the duration of abuse. Ketamine snorting may cause worse LUTS than smoking. Combining ketamine and other substances may exacerbate LUTS. Intravesical therapy may lead to better outcomes than oral treatment.
Relationship between the positions of cytoplasmic granulation and the oocytes developmental potential in human
Authors: Yi Xiao-fang , Xi Hong-Lin , Zhang Si-Lin , Yang Jing
Published: May 2019

To evaluate the relationship between the positions of cytoplasmic granulation and the oocytes developmental potential in human, we detected the developmental potentials of oocytes with centrally located cytoplasmic granulation (CLCG). The patients’ age, body mass index (BMI), Infertility duration, follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) levels, average stimulate ovulation days, gonadotropin (GN) total dose, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, high quality embryo rate, embryo utilization rate and pregnancy rate were analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant difference on patients’ age, BMI, infertility duration, FSH levels, average stimulate ovulation days, GN total dose, pregnancy rate and birth rate between CLCG group and control group in patients with BMI < 24 (P > 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and high quality embryo rate in patients with BMI < 24 (P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate was low in both groups, but 35 and 15 healthy fetuses were born in each group. We also found that the central granulated area size did not affect fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo utilization rate, and high quality embryo rate (P > 0.05). These results suggested CLCG might be a normal morphology of oocyte. The oocytes from patients with or without CLCG had no significant difference in their developmental potentials. The patients who transferred CLCG embryos had successful delivery. The developmental potentials of oocytes with different CLCG grades had no obvious differences.
Support Morphology-dependent Activity of Nanocatalysts
Authors: Kumar S. , Varma R. S. , Zboril R. , Gawande M. B.
Published: May 2019

The morphology-dependent catalytic performance of various supported metal nanocatalysts (Au, Pd, Pt, Co, Cu and Ru) deposited on oxide supports (cerium oxide and zinc oxide) with varying morphologies are discussed. The support morphology-dependent activity for important industrial reactions such as carbon monoxide oxidation, ammonia synthesis, the water–gas shift reaction, methanol steam reforming, and so forth is discerned. The nanoscale synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their deposition on nanosupports (CeO2 and ZnO) with diverse morphologies imparts unique properties to nanocatalysts owing to the distinctive metal-support interactions. Most of the nanocatalysts display diverse metal-support interactions because of the different planes exposed on their surface. Furthermore, the stability and uniform distribution of the metal nanoparticles is contingent on the morphology of the support. Consequently, it is imperative to tailor the morphology of the support, exposing active planes on the surface and exploiting the selective deposition of metal nanoparticles on these planes to enhance the catalytic activity of nanocatalysts. This chapter focuses on the fundamental understanding of the vital relationship between the support morphology and the ensuing catalyst reactivity, providing a new direction to the design and development of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts.
Biphasic biocatalysis using a CO2-switchable Pickering emulsion
Authors: Yu Shijie , Zhang Duyan , Jiang Jianzhong , Cui Zhenggang , Xia Wenshui , Binks Bernard P. , Yang Hengquan
Published: May 2019

Biphasic biocatalyses were performed in a CO2/N2-switchable Pickering emulsion, in which demulsification and recycling of enzymes can be realized via a N2/CO2 trigger.
Inhibition of G9a promoted 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced gastric cancer cell apoptosisviaROS/JNK signaling pathwayin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Lou Haizhou , Pan Hongming , Huang Zhijian , Wang Zonglin , Wang Dimin
Published: May 2019

A histone methyltransferase G9a, encoded by euchromatic histone-lysineN-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2), is up-regulated in various cancers, and is involved in their poor prognosis.
Sensitive detection of antibiotics using aptamer conformation cooperated enzyme-assisted SERS technology
Authors: Fang Qianqian , Li Yingying , Miao Xinxing , Zhang Yiqiu , Yan Jun , Yu Tainrong , Liu Jian
Published: May 2019

Serious healthcare concerns have been raised on the issue of antibiotic residues after overuse, especially by accumulation in the human body through food webs.
Effective systemic siRNA delivery using dual-layer protected long-circulating nanohydrogel containing an inorganic core
Authors: Yin Yue , Lee Min Sang , Lee Jung Eun , Lim Su Yeon , Kim E Seul , Jeong Jaeback , Kim Dahwun , Kim Jaeyun , Lee Doo Sung , Jeong Ji Hoon
Published: May 2019

PEG-dex-dopa nanohydrogel containing a CaP/siRNA core could achieve extended circulation with reduced RES accumulation, resulting in increased tumor accumulation.
Sugar-powered nanoantimicrobials for combating bacterial biofilms
Authors: Li Min , Kang En-Tang , Chua Kim Lee , Neoh Koon Gee
Published: May 2019

Sugar-modified cyclodextrin complexed with quorum sensing inhibitor and antibiotics showed enhanced efficacy in preventing and eradicating bacterial biofilms.
A consecutive process for C–C and C–N bond formation with high enantio-and diastereo-control: direct reductive amination of chiral ketones using hydrogenation catalysts
Authors: Gilbert Sophie H. , Viseur Virginie , Clarke Matthew L.
Published: May 2019

A Rh catalyst derived from tri-(2-furyl)phosphine enables the direct reductive amination of 1,3-substituted ketones to occur in high yield and diastereoselectivity.
Precise ricin A-chain delivery by Golgi-targeting carbon dots
Authors: Li Chun Hong , Li Rong Sheng , Li Chun Mei , Huang Cheng Zhi , Zhen Shu Jun
Published: May 2019

The as-prepared CDs–RTA conjugates exhibit enhanced internalization, improved stability against enzymatic digestion and an increased location rate of RTA to the ER, and thus much more RTA could translocate to the cytosol and ribosome to exert toxic effects.
A Golgi-targeted off–on fluorescent probe for real-time monitoring of pH changes in vivo
Authors: Fan Li , Wang Xiaodong , Ge Jinyin , Li Feng , Zhang Caihong , Lin Bo , Shuang Shaomin , Dong Chuan
Published: May 2019

A Golgi-targeted small-molecular fluorescent probe RSG has been rationally designed for real-time monitoring of Golgi pH changes in vivo.
Temperature-sensitive protein expression in protocells
Authors: Jia Haiyang , Heymann Michael , Härtel Tobias , Kai Lei , Schwille Petra
Published: May 2019

We engineered a synthetic temperature regulation toolbox to enable protocells to sense and respond to heat, utilizing RNA thermometers.
A facile liquid/liquid interface method to synthesize graphyne analogs
Authors: Song Yuwei , Li Xiaodong , Yang Ze , Wang Jing , Liu Chunyue , Xie Chipeng , Wang Huanlei , Huang Changshui
Published: May 2019

A novel interfacial synthetic approach for preparing varieties of gauze-like graphyne analogs.
Gas sensing properties of buckled bismuthene predicted by first-principles calculations
Authors: Pan Wenfeng , Qi Ning , Zhao Bin , Chang Sheng , Ye Shizhuo , Chen Zhiquan
Published: May 2019

An investigation of the transport and optical properties of buckled bismuthene with different adsorbed gas molecules.
Valuable structure-size relationships for tadpole-shaped single-chain nanoparticles with long and short flexible tails unveiled
Authors: Asenjo-Sanz Isabel , Verde-Sesto Ester , Pomposo José A.
Published: May 2019

Tadpole-shaped single-chain nanoparticles (TSCNPs) are useful soft building blocks for nanotechnology composed of a flexible polymer chain tethered to an intramolecularly folded single-chain nanoparticle.
A new electrochemical cell with a uniformly accessible electrode to study fast catalytic reactions
Authors: Fadel Mariam , Daurelle Jean-Vincent , Fourmond Vincent , Vicente Jérôme
Published: May 2019

The electrochemical study of fast catalytic reactions is limited by mass transport using the conventional electrochemical cell with a rotating disk electrode (RDE).
Structural and functional role of anions in electrochemical water oxidation probed by arsenate incorporation into cobalt-oxide materials
Authors: Villalobos Javier , González-Flores Diego , Klingan Katharina , Chernev Petko , Kubella Paul , Urcuyo Roberto , Pasquini Chiara , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Smith Rodney D. L. , Montero Mavis L. , Dau Holger
Published: May 2019

Arsenate ions are incorporated in amorphous cobalt oxide catalysts at the periphery of the lattice or substituting cobalt ions.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of perovskite NaNbO3 by oxygen vacancy engineering
Authors: Yang Bian , Bian Jihong , Wang Lei , Wang Jianwei , Du Yaping , Wang Zhiguang , Wu Chao , Yang Yaodong
Published: May 2019

Oxygen vacancy engineering can improve the photocatalytic activity of perovskite NaNbO3.
Effect of coordination anion substitutions on relaxation dynamics of defect dicubane Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters
Authors: Ke Hongshan , Wei Wen , Yang Yongsheng , Zhang Jun , Zhang Yi-Quan , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping
Published: May 2019

We showcase the coordination anion substitution effect on the relaxation dynamics of defect dicubane Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters.
Metal–ligand cooperative C–O bond cleavage of propargylic alcohol with protic pyrazole complexes of ruthenium
Authors: Tashima Naoto , Ohta Satomi , Kuwata Shigeki
Published: May 2019

Protic pyrazole–ruthenium complexes promoted the C–O and C–H bond cleavage of a propargylic alcohol through metal–ligand cooperation.
Recent advances in hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived oxygenates over heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Kim Soosan , Kwon Eilhann E. , Kim Yong Tae , Jung Sungyup , Kim Hyung Ju , Huber George W. , Lee Jechan
Published: May 2019

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) using heterogeneous catalysts has received considerable attention as a way of converting biomass-derived oxygenates into renewable fuels and chemicals.
Superbat: battery-like supercapacitor utilized by graphene foam and zinc oxide (ZnO) electrodes induced by structural defects
Authors: Kasap Sibel , Kaya Ismet I. , Repp Sergej , Erdem Emre
Published: May 2019

The current work presents a hybrid type of energy storage device composed of both graphene foam and zinc oxide electrodes, which exhibits both the electrochemical performance of a supercapacitor with a relatively higher power density, and a battery with a relatively higher energy density as compared to each individual component as single devices.
pH-Dependent photocatalytic performance of modified bismuth vanadate by bismuth ferrite
Authors: Tayebi Meysam , Tayyebi Ahmad , Soltani Tayyebeh , Lee Byeong-Kyu
Published: May 2019

The photoelectrochemical performance of bismuth vanadate (BVO) improved by a thin layer of bismuth ferrite (BFO).
Preparation and properties of ZnO/sodium alginate bi-layered hydrogel films as novel wound dressings
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Jinqing , Wang Rui , Yuan Peilin , Fan Zengjie , Yang Shengrong
Published: May 2019

As one kind of natural material, alginate has been widely investigated and used in the biomedical field.
Hydrogen bonded dimers of ketocoumarin in the solid state and alcohol:water binary solvent: fluorescence spectroscopy, crystal structure and DFT investigation
Authors: Ramamurthy Kannan , Malar E. J. Padma , Selvaraju Chellappan
Published: May 2019

Fluorescence emission spectrum of ketocoumarin dimers in an alcohol:water binary mixture and the solid state.
Ligand cleavage enables formation of 1,2-ethanedithiol capped colloidal quantum dot solids
Authors: Fan James Z. , La Croix Andrew D. , Yang Zhenyu , Howard Emma , Quintero-Bermudez Rafael , Levina Larissa , Jenkinson Nicole M. , Spear Nathan J. , Li Yiying , Ouellette Olivier , Lu Zheng-Hong , Sargent Edward H. , Macdonald Janet E.
Published: May 2019

An alternative method to producing PbS QD films via a base-catalyzed ligand reaction is introduced.
Organic photoredox catalytic decarboxylative cross-coupling of gem-difluoroalkenes with unactivated carboxylic acids
Authors: Yang Hui , Tian Chao , Qiu Dongsheng , Tian Haitao , An Guanghui , Li Guangming
Published: May 2019

The first redox neutral decarboxylative alkylation of gem-difluoroalkenes via C–F bond activation enabled by organic photoredox catalysis has been developed.
Preparation, identification and molecular docking study of novel osteoblast proliferation-promoting peptides from yak (Bos grunniens) bones
Authors: Ye Mengliang , Jia Wei , Zhang Chunhui , Shen Qingshan , Zhu Lingyu , Wang Lisha
Published: May 2019

A new perspective for research on functional active components investigation and action mechanism of yak bones.
Effects of membrane thickness on the performance of ionic polymer–metal composite actuators
Authors: Oh Chungik , Kim Suran , Kim Hongjun , Park Gun , Kim Jaegyu , Ryu Jeongjae , Li Panpan , Lee Sunghwan , No Kwangsoo , Hong Seungbum
Published: May 2019

We report the effects of Nafion thickness on the performance of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuators.
Broadband NIR photostimulated luminescence nanoprobes based on CaS:Eu2+,Sm3+ nanocrystals
Authors: Gao Yu , Li Renfu , Zheng Wei , Shang Xiaoying , Wei Jiaojiao , Zhang Meiran , Xu Jin , You Wenwu , Chen Zhuo , Chen Xueyuan
Published: May 2019

A broadband NIR photostimulated luminescence nanoprobe with an ultralow power density threshold is developed based on CaS:Eu2+,Sm3+ nanocrystals.
(C6H5NH3)BiI4: a lead-free perovskite with >330 days humidity stability for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Li Xiao-Lei , Gao Li-Li , Ding Bin , Chu Qian-Qian , Li Zhen , Yang Guan-Jun
Published: May 2019

A novel Bi-based perovskite exhibits >330 days humidity stability, which is the longest moisture stability reported for lead-free perovskites so far.
Improving the photovoltaic performance by employing alkyl chains perpendicular to the π-conjugated plane of an organic dye in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Chen Hongjin , Lyu Guangyu , Yue Youfeng , Wang Tingwei , Li Dong-Ping , Shi Heng , Xing Jieni , Shao Junyan , Zhang Rui , Liu Jian
Published: May 2019

We demonstrate that employing alkyl chains perpendicular to the π-conjugated plane is a promising strategy to construct efficient sensitizers for DSSCs.
Carbon quantum dots: an emerging material for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Yuan Ting , Meng Ting , He Ping , Shi YuXin , Li Yunchao , Li Xiaohong , Fan Louzhen , Yang Shihe
Published: May 2019

An overview of the synthesis, optical properties, luminescence mechanism, and optoelectronic applications of CQDs is presented.
Evaluation of myocardial injury induced by different ablation approaches (radiofrequency ablation versus cryoablation) in atrial flutter patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Qing , Li XingSan , Xu Ge
Published: May 2019

Background: To evaluate myocardial injury in Atrial flutter (AFL) patients undergoing Radiofrequency ablation (RF) and cryoablation (CRYO) treatments.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases. All relevant clinical trials (up to October 2018) on myocardial injury in AFL patients were retrieved and subsequent results analyzed with a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model.

Results: A total of eight clinical trials with a sample size of 644 patients, were identified and incorporated in the present study. The results indicated no significant differences in creatine kinase (CK) levels (mean difference (MD) = 62.74, P=0.46; 4–6 h and MD = 30.73, P=0.49; 12–24 h after ablation), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB) levels (MD = 17.32, P=0.25; 12–24 h post-ablation), troponinI (TnI) levels (MD = 0.12, P=0.08; 6 h after ablation), and troponin T (TnT) levels (MD = 0.30, P=0.08; 4–6 h post-ablation) between the two treatment approaches. However, patients receiving CRYO xhibited higher levels of CK (MD = 179.54, P=0.04; tested immediately after the procedure), CK-MB (MD = 10.08, P=0.004) 4–6 h after ablation, and TnT (MD = 0.19, P=0.002) tested the next morning. Moreover, those patients had a significantly reduced pain perception (odds ratio (OR) = 0.05, P=0.04) compared with those in the RF group.

Conclusion: These results indicate that CRYO in comparison with RF significantly increases myocardial injury in AFL patients. Additionally, it decreases pain perception during the procedure. Further large-sampled studies are needed to support these findings.
Mucin O-glycosylating enzyme GALNT2 facilitates the malignant character of glioma by activating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis
Authors: Sun Zhongzheng , Xue Hao , Wei Yan , Wang Chaochao , Yu Rui , Wang Chengwei , Wang Shaobo , Xu Jianye , Qian Mingyu , Meng Qinghu , Li Gang
Published: May 2019

N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 (GALNT2), the enzyme that regulates the initial step of mucin O-glycosylation, has been reported to play a role in influencing the malignancy of various cancers. However, the mechanism through which it influences gliomas is still unknown. In the current study, the Cox proportional hazards model was used to select genes. Data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of clinical specimens showed that increased GALNT2 expression levels were associated with an unfavorable prognosis and a higher tumor grade in human gliomas. Then, GALNT2 knockdown and overexpression were performed in glioma cell lines and verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Functional assays demonstrated that GALNT2 was closely related to glioma cell proliferation, cycle transition, migration and invasion. Western blot analysis and lectin pull-down assays indicated that GALNT2 knockdown decreased the level of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the expression of the Tn antigen on EGFR and affected the expression levels of p21, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), cyclinD1, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) through the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. GALNT2 overexpression had the opposite effects. In vivo, the growth of orthotopic glioma xenografts in nude mice was distinctly inhibited by the expression of GALNT2 shRNA, and the tumors with GALNT2 shRNA exhibited less aggressiveness and reduced expression of Ki67 and MMP2. Overall, GALNT2 facilitates the malignant characteristics of glioma by influencing the O-glycosylation and phosphorylation of EGFR and the subsequent downstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis. Therefore, GALNT2 may serve as a novel biomarker and a potential target for future therapy of glioma.
Tomography‐based multi‐distance near‐infrared spectroscopy for measuring muscle oxygen saturation in real‐time
Authors: Choi JongKwan , Han IlTaek
Published: May 2019

Measuring muscle fatigue during exercise is crucial for effective sports training. Muscle oxygen saturation change through hemodynamics measurement is generally used to measure muscle performance as well as accumulated fatigue. The authors proposed a novel measuring device using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure hemodynamics non‐invasively via an optical source and receiver. They designed an eight‐channel NIRS patch, driven by NIRS application‐specific integrated circuit, and validated the measuring performance with the thigh muscles of healthy subjects during isometric exercise. Tomography results showed significant differences in oxy‐haemoglobin levels between muscle contraction and relaxation.
Deeper Siamese network with multi‐level feature fusion for real‐time visual tracking
Authors: Yang Kang , Song Huihui , Zhang Kaihua , Fan Jiaqing
Published: May 2019

In recent years, using Siamese network (SiamN) for visual tracking has witnessed a great success in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Nevertheless, most SiamN‐based trackers employ shallow network such as AlexNet to extract the top‐layer features as target representation that are less discriminative, usually leading to tracking performance degeneration when suffering from large deformation and similar distractors. A straightforward idea to address this issue is to replace the backbone network of SiamN with deeper ResNet. However, this cannot boost performance much due to the low resolution of high‐level feature maps with useful spatial details losing. To address this issue, the authors propose a lightweight yet effective feature agglomeration module (FAM) to adaptively fuse low‐level and high‐level features for robust tracking. Specifically, they first develop a generalised non‐local attention module to enhance the discriminative capability of high‐level semantic features. Then, they design an inception‐like module to enhance the representative power of low‐level features with more spatial details. Both types of features are then adaptively fused in the FAM to complement their characteristics. Extensive evaluations on OTB‐2015 and VOT2017 challenge demonstrate that the proposed tracker consistently achieves favourable performance against several state‐of‐the‐art trackers and runs at 50 fps.
Broadband transition from a high‐isolation transmission line to microstrip line
Authors: Guo Fangzhou , Xia Lei , Wu Qingzhi , Xu Ruimin
Published: May 2019

A broadband transition from a novel high‐isolation quasi‐TEM transmission line (TL) to microstrip line is presented. The proposed design exploits a gradual transition to ensure electric field transformation and impedance matching between two types of TLs. The prototype is designed using back‐to‐back configuration and fabricated. The measurement reveals maximum insertion loss of 1.4 dB and return loss better than 15 dB from 0.5 to 20 GHz.
NCRC to improve linearity and sensitivity for RuO2 urea biosensor sensing measurement
Authors: Kuo Po‐Yu , Lian Ze‐Lin
Published: May 2019

A novel noise‐cancelling readout circuit (NCRC) is proposed to improve the linearity and sensitivity of traditional voltage–time (V–T) measurement system for ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) urea biosensor. To reduce the non‐ideal effect related to traditional V–T measurement system that negatively threatened by the impact of power line noise, this NCRC adopts a new power line noise elimination scheme. Moreover, by employing the Twin‐T notch filter and the Sallen–Key low‐pass filter, the proposed NCRC can increase the linearity by 161% while retaining the sensitivity at an average level than V–T measurement system. A new NCRC for measuring the linearity and sensitivity of RuO2 urea biosensor is implemented by a real circuit board. The experimental results show that the proposed NCRC can achieve 0.956 linearity and 1.22 mV/(mg/dl) average sensitivity.