bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs-1) to anxiolytic-like and social behavior mediated by valproate and Gsk3 inhibition
Authors: Magno Luiz Alexandre Viana , Tenza-Ferrer Helia , Collodetti Mélcar , Nicolau Eduardo de Souza , Khlghatyan Jivan , Del’Guidice Thomas , Romano-Silva Marco Aurélio , Beaulieu Jean Martin
Published: March 2020

Peripheral biomarker and post-mortem brains studies have shown alterations of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs-1) expression in people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. However, its engagement by psychiatric medications and potential contribution to behavioral regulation remains elusive. We investigated the effect on Ncs-1 expression of valproic acid (VPA), a mood stabilizer used for the management of bipolar disorder. Treatment with VPA induced Ncs-1 gene expression in cell line while chronic administration of this drug to mice increased both Ncs-1 protein and mRNA levels in the mouse frontal cortex. Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs), a known biochemical effect of VPA, did not alter the expression of Ncs-1. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition or genetic downregulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk3β) increased Ncs-1 expression, whereas overexpression of a constitutively active Gsk3β had the opposite effect. Moreover, adeno-associated virus-mediated Ncs-1 overexpression in mouse frontal cortex caused responses similar to those elicited by VPA or lithium in tests evaluating social and mood-related behaviors. These findings indicate that VPA increases frontal cortex Ncs-1 gene expression as a result of Gsk3 inhibition. Furthermore, behavioral changes induced by Ncs-1 overexpression support a contribution of this mechanism in the regulation of behavior by VPA and potentially other psychoactive medications inhibiting Gsk3 activity.
Duan-Nai-An, A Yeast Probiotic, Improves Intestinal Mucosa Integrity and Immune Function in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhaxi Yingpai , Meng Xiaoqin , Wang Wenhui , Wang Ling , He Zhuolin , Zhang Xuejing , Pu Wanxia
Published: March 2020

Post-weaning diarrhea commonly occurs in piglets and results in significant economic loss to swine producers. Non-antibiotic measures for managing post-weaning diarrhea are critically needed. Duan-Nai-An, a probiotic produced from the yeast fermentation of egg whites, was previously shown to optimize intestinal flora and reduce the incidence of clinical diarrhea in weaning piglets. To study the effects of Duan-Nai-An on mucosal integrity and immunity in pig intestine, we examined the microstructure and ultrastructure of the intestines of weaned pigs with or without Duan-Nai-An as a feed supplement. The piglets of the Duan-Nai-An-fed group developed intestines with intact columnar epithelia covered by tightly packed microvilli on the apical surface. However, piglets of the control group (no supplement) showed villous atrophy and thinning, microvillus slough, and in the severe cases, damage of intestinal epithelia and exposure of the underlying lamina propria. Moreover, piglets of the Duan-Nai-An-fed group showed apparent plasmocyte hyperplasia, increased lymphoid nodule numbers, well-developed Peyer’s Patchs, and apparent germinal centers. The lymphoid tissues of the control group were far less developed, showing lymph node atrophy, lymphocyte reduction, degeneration, and necrosis. These results indicate that Duan-Nai-An improves the development of the intestinal structures and lymphoid tissues and promotes intestinal health in weaned piglets.
Megakaryocytes contain extranuclear histones and may be a source of platelet-associated histones during sepsis
Authors: Frydman Galit H. , Tessier Shannon N. , Wong Keith H. K. , Vanderburg Charles R. , Fox James G. , Toner Mehmet , Tompkins Ronald G. , Irimia Daniel
Published: March 2020

Histones are typically located within the intracellular compartment, and more specifically, within the nucleus. When histones are located within the extracellular compartment, they change roles and become damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), promoting inflammation and coagulation. Patients with sepsis have increased levels of extracellular histones, which have been shown to correlate with poor prognosis and the development of sepsis-related sequelae, such as end-organ damage. Until now, neutrophils were assumed to be the primary source of circulating histones during sepsis. In this paper, we show that megakaryocytes contain extranuclear histones and transfer histones to their platelet progeny. Upon examination of isolated platelets from patients with sepsis, we identified that patients with sepsis have increased amounts of platelet-associated histones (PAHs), which appear to be correlated with the type of infection. Taken together, these results suggest that megakaryocytes and platelets may be a source of circulating histones during sepsis and should be further explored.
Nomogram for Prediction of Bronchial Mucus Plugs in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia
Authors: Xu Xuefeng , Li Huiwen , Sheng Yuanjian , Wu Lei , Wang Danli , Liu Lingyue , Tong Yu , Chen Zhimin
Published: March 2020

The presence of bronchial mucus plugs (BMP) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) results in delayed clinical and radiographic resolution and long-standing pulmonary sequelae. The predictive factors associated with BMP formation remains poorly defined. Nomograms to predict BMP presence in children with MPP were proposed using a cohort of patients who underwent bronchoscopy intervention at Children’s Hospital in Eastern China. Patients with MPP in an earlier period formed the training cohort (n = 872) for nomogram development, and those thereafter formed the validation cohort (n = 399) to confirmed model’s performance. BMP in children with MPP were found in 196 (22.5%) and 91(22.8%) patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The independent risk factors associated with BMP were age >5years (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.43 to 2.98), higher IL-10 level (>10 ng/L, 2.19; 95% CI 1.46 to 3.28), higher IFN-γ level (>30 ng/L, 1.69; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.54), and presence of complication (3.43; 95% CI 1.45 to 8.09). Incorporating these 4 factors, the nomogram achieved good concordance indexes of 0.771(95% CI, 0.734–0.808) and 0.796 (95% CI, 0.744–0.848) in predicting BMP in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The nomogram achieved an optimal prediction of BMP in children with MPP. Using this model, the risk of BMP formation would be determined, contributing to a rational therapeutic choice.
Electrophysiologically and behaviourally active semiochemicals identified from bed bug refuge substrate
Authors: Weeks E. N. I. , Logan J. G. , Birkett M. A. , Caulfield J. C. , Gezan S. A. , Welham S. J. , Brugman V. A. , Pickett J. A. , Cameron M. M.
Published: March 2020

Bed bugs are pests of public health importance due to their relentless biting habits that can lead to allergies, secondary infections and mental health issues. When not feeding on human blood bed bugs aggregate in refuges close to human hosts. This aggregation behaviour could be exploited to lure bed bugs into traps for surveillance, treatment efficacy monitoring and mass trapping efforts, if the responsible cues are identified. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the bed bug aggregation pheromone. Volatile chemicals were collected from bed bug-exposed papers, which are known to induce aggregation behaviour, by air entrainment. This extract was tested for behavioural and electrophysiological activity using a still-air olfactometer and electroantennography, respectively. Coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG) was used to screen the extract and the GC-EAG-active chemicals, benzaldehyde, hexanal, (E)-2-octenal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, heptanal, (R,S)-1-octen-3-ol, 3-carene, β-phellandrene, (3E,5E)-octadien-2-one, (E)-2-nonenal, 2-decanone, dodecane, nonanoic acid, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate, (E)-2-undecanal and (S)-germacrene D, were identified by GC-mass spectrometry and quantified by GC. Synthetic blends, comprising 6, 16, and 18 compounds, at natural ratios, were then tested in the still-air olfactometer to determine behavioural activity. These aggregation chemicals can be manufactured into a lure that could be used to improve bed bug management.
Janzen-Connell effects shape gene flow patterns and realized fitness in the tropical dioecious tree Spondias purpurea (ANACARDIACEAE)
Authors: Cristóbal-Pérez E. Jacob , Fuchs Eric J. , Olivares-Pinto Ulises , Quesada Mauricio
Published: March 2020

Pollination and seed dispersal patterns determine gene flow within plant populations. In tropical forests, a high proportion of trees are dioecious, insect pollinated and dispersed by vertebrates. Dispersal vectors and density dependent factors may modulate realized gene flow and influence the magnitude of Fine Scale Genetic Structure (FSGS), affecting individual fitness.Spondias purpureais a vertebrate-dispersed, insect-pollinated dioecious tropical tree. We assessed the influence of sex ratio, effective and realized gene flow on genetic diversity, FSGS and individual fitness within a 30 ha plot in the tropical dry forest reserve of Chamela-Cuixmala, Mexico. All individuals within the plot were tagged, geo-referenced and sampled for genetic analysis. We measured dbh and monitored sex expression during two reproductive seasons for all individuals. We collected seeds directly from maternal trees for effective pollen dispersal analysis, and analyzed established seedlings to assess realized pollen and seed dispersal. Nine microsatellite loci were used to describe genetic diversity parameters, FSGS and gene flow patterns among different size classes. A total of 354 individuals were located and classified into three size classes based on their dbh (<10, 10–20, and >20 cm). Population sex ratios were male biased and diametric size distributions differed among sexes, these differences may be the result of precocious male reproduction at early stages. Autocorrelation analyses indicate low FSGS (Fj <0.07) across all size classes. Long realized pollen and seed dispersal and differences among effective and realized gene flow were detected. In our study site low FSGS is associated with high gene flow levels. Effective and realized gene flow indicate a population recruitment curve indicating Janzen-Connell effects and suggesting fitness advantages for long-distance pollen and seed dispersal events.
Heme b distributions through the Atlantic Ocean: evidence for “anemic” phytoplankton populations
Authors: Louropoulou Evangelia , Gledhill Martha , Achterberg Eric P. , Browning Thomas J. , Honey David J. , Schmitz Ruth A. , Tagliabue Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Heme b is an iron-containing cofactor in hemoproteins that participates in the fundamental processes of photosynthesis and respiration in phytoplankton. Heme b concentrations typically decline in waters with low iron concentrations but due to lack of field data, the distribution of heme b in particulate material in the ocean is poorly constrained. Here we report particulate heme b distributions across the Atlantic Ocean (59.9°N to 34.6°S). Heme b concentrations in surface waters ranged from 0.10 to 33.7 pmol L−1 (median = 1.47 pmol L−1, n = 974) and were highest in regions with a high biomass. The ratio of heme b to particulate organic carbon (POC) exhibited a mean value of 0.44 μmol heme b mol−1 POC. We identified the ratio of 0.10 µmol heme b mol−1 POC as the cut-off between heme b replete and heme b deficient (anemic) phytoplankton. By this definition, we observed anemic phytoplankton populations in the Subtropical South Atlantic and Irminger Basin. Comparison of observed and modelled heme b suggested that heme b could account for between 0.17–9.1% of biogenic iron. Our large scale observations of heme b relative to organic matter provide further evidence of the impact of changes in iron supply on phytoplankton iron status across the Atlantic Ocean.
Effect of AlOx protection layer on AgNWs for flexible transparent heater
Authors: Lee Joon-Min , Kim Young-Hoi , Kim Han-Ki , Kim Hye-Jin , Hong Chan-Hwa
Published: March 2020

We indicated high performance and stability transparent heaters based on AlOx covered Ag nanowires. We obtained an AlOx covered Ag nanowire thin film which has a 47 ohm/sq of sheet resistance and 88.1% (substrate included) of transmittance at 600 nm on a flexible substrate. We demonstrate that the thin AlOx layer leads to increased contact area at the junction of Ag nanowires, which contributes to lower sheet resistance and improved adhesion of Ag nanowires. Furthermore, high stability and flexibility of Ag nanowire have been achieved by the AlOx layer. Finally, we fabricated a flexible transparent heater with AlOx covered Ag nanowire, and obtained a temperature of 81 °C within 40 sec at the driven voltage of 7 V with fast response and uniform temperature distribution. Therefore, the AlOx covered Ag nanowire film is a promising candidate for the application of the flexible transparent heaters.
Polyethylenimine based magnetic nanoparticles mediated non-viral CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome editing
Authors: Rohiwal S. S. , Dvorakova N. , Klima J. , Vaskovicova M. , Senigl F. , Slouf M. , Pavlova E. , Stepanek P. , Babuka D. , Benes H. , Ellederova Z. , Stieger K.
Published: March 2020

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas9) system has become a revolutionary tool for gene editing. Since viral delivery systems have significant side effects, and naked DNA delivery is not an option, the nontoxic, non-viral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components would significantly improve future therapeutic delivery. In this study, we aim at characterizing nanoparticles to deliver plasmid DNA encoding for the CRISPR-Cas system in eukaryotic cells in vitro. CRISPR/Cas9 complexed polyethylenimine (PEI) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were generated. We used a stable HEK293 cell line expressing the traffic light reporter (TLR-3) system to evaluate efficient homology- directed repair (HDR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) events following transfection with NPs. MNPs have been synthesized by co-precipitation with the average particle size around 20 nm in diameter. The dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements showed that NPs exhibited narrow size distribution and sufficient colloidal stability. Genome editing events were as efficient as compared to standard lipofectamine transfection. Our approach tested non-viral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 and DNA template to perform HDR and NHEJ in the same assay. We demonstrated that PEI-MNPs is a promising delivery system for plasmids encoding CRISPR/Cas9 and template DNA and thus can improve safety and utility of gene editing.
Accelerated onset of CNS prion disease in mice co-infected with a gastrointestinal helminth pathogen during the preclinical phase
Authors: Donaldson David S. , Bradford Barry M. , Else Kathryn J. , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: March 2020

Prion infections in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause extensive neurodegeneration. Systemic inflammation can affect the progression of some neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, we used the gastrointestinal helminth pathogen Trichuris muris to test the hypothesis that a chronic systemic inflammatory response to a gastrointestinal infection would similarly affect CNS prion disease pathogenesis. Mice were injected with prions directly into the CNS and subsequently orally co-infected with T. muris before the onset of clinical signs. We show that co-infection with a low dose of T. muris that leads to the development of a chronic T helper cell type 1-polarized systemic immune response accelerated the onset of clinical prion disease. In contrast, co-infection with a high dose of T. muris that induces a T helper cell type 2-polarized immune response did not affect prion disease pathogenesis. The reduced survival times in mice co-infected with a low dose of T. muris on d 105 after CNS prion infection coincided with enhanced astrocyte activation in the brain during the preclinical phase. These data aid our understanding of how systemic inflammation may augment the progression of neurodegeneration in the CNS.
Electrophysiological responses to images ranging in motivational salience: Attentional abnormalities associated with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder risk
Authors: Martin Elizabeth A. , Li Lilian Yanqing , Castro Mayan K.
Published: March 2020

Individuals at risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders display abnormalities related to motivational salience, or the ability of stimuli to elicit attention due to associations with rewards or punishments. However, the nature of these abnormalities is unclear because most focus on responses to stimuli from broad “pleasant” and “unpleasant” categories and ignore the variation of motivational salience within these categories. In two groups at risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders—a Social Anhedonia group and a Psychotic-like Experiences group—and a control group, the current study examined event-related potential components sensitive to motivational salience—the Early Posterior Negativity (EPN), reflecting earlier selective attention, and the Late Positive Potential (LPP), reflecting sustained attention. Compared to controls, the Social Anhedonia group showed smaller increases in the EPN in response to erotica and smaller increases in the LPP as the motivational salience of pleasant images increased (exciting<affiliative<erotica). In contrast, the Psychotic-like Experiences group had larger increases in LPP amplitudes as the motivational salience of pleasant images increased. Also, both at-risk groups showed larger increases in the LPP to threatening images but smaller increases to mutilation images. These findings suggest that examining abnormalities beyond those associated with broad categories may be a way to identify mechanisms of dysfunction.
Author Correction: Left atrial dysfunction in sickle cell anemia is associated with diffuse myocardial fibrosis, increased right ventricular pressure and reduced exercise capacity
Authors: Alsaied Tarek , Niss Omar , Tretter Justin T. , Powell Adam W. , Chin Clifford , Fleck Robert J. , Cnota James F. , Malik Punam , Quinn Charles T. , Nagueh Sherif F. , Taylor Michael D. , Mazur Wojciech M.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K-antagonist oral anticoagulants for retinal vascular diseases in patients with atrial fibrillation: Korean cohort study
Authors: Park Se-Jun , Lee Eunyoung , Lee Kihwang , Park Bumhee , Chung Yoo-Ri
Published: March 2020

We investigated the prevalence of retinal vascular occlusion and intraocular bleeding and compare their risks in patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy, either with non-vitamin K-antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) or warfarin. We performed a cohort study (January 2015 to April 2018) in 281,970 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) using health claims in the nationwide database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service of Korea. A Cox-proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for retinal vascular occlusion or intraocular bleeding. The HR of retinal vascular occlusion was estimated to 1.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–1.86) for NOAC users compared to that with warfarin users. Among the various types of NOACs, all NOACs showed higher risk of retinal vascular occlusion than did warfarin. For intraocular bleeding, the HR was estimated to be 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75–0.98) for NOAC users compared with that with warfarin users. The risk of retinal vascular occlusion was higher in NOAC users than in warfarin users, while the risk of intraocular bleeding was lower with NOAC therapy. NOACs were not found to be as effective as warfarin for retinal vascular occlusion, but safe in terms of intraocular bleeding.
A new radiological classification for the risk assessment of anterior skull base injury in endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Abdullah Baharudin , Chew Shiun Chuen , Aziz Mohd Ezane , Shukri Norasnieda Md , Husain Salina , Joshua Sng Weirong , Wang De Yun , Snidvongs Kornkiat
Published: March 2020

Keros and Gera classifications are widely used to assess the risk of skull base injury during endoscopic sinus surgery. Although, both classifications are useful preoperatively to stratify risk of patients going for surgery, it is not practical to measure the respective lengths during surgery. In this study, we aimed to propose a new radiological classification (Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (TMS)) to assess the anatomical risk of anterior skull base injury using the orbital floor (OF) as a reference. A total of 150 computed tomography images of paranasal sinuses (300 sides) were reviewed. The TMS classification was categorized into 3 types by measuring OF to cribriform plate and OF to ethmoid roof. Most patients were classified as TMS type 1, Keros type 2 and Gera class II, followed by patients classified as TMS type 3, Keros type 1 and Gera class 1. TMS has significant correlation with Keros classification (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between Keros and Gera classifications (p = 0.33) and between TMS and Gera classifications (p = 0.80). The TMS classification has potential to be used for risk assessment of skull base injury among patients undergoing ESS. It serves as an additional assessment besides the Keros and Gera classifications.
High frequency regeneration of plants via callus-mediated organogenesis from cotyledon and hypocotyl cultures in a multipurpose tropical tree (Neolamarkia Cadamba)
Authors: Huang Hao , Wei Ying , Zhai Yongjin , Ouyang Kunxi , Chen Xiaoyang , Bai Longhua
Published: March 2020

In this works, a simple, efficient and repeatable protocol was developed for in vitro regeneration via callus-mediated organogenesis of Neolamarkia Cadamba using cotyledonary petioles and hypocotyls. Effects of basal medium, plant growth regulators, the types and age of explant on the formation of adventitious buds/shoots were studied. Meanwhile, histological analysis for early ontogenic stages and genetic stability assessment by flow cytometry were investigated. Our investigation demonstrated that, compared with 6-benzyladenine (BA), N6-(2-isopentenyl) adenine (2-ip), Thidiazuron (TDZ) was the optimal cytokinin for buds/shoots induction on cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. Douglas-fir and sugar pine medium (DCR) supplemented with 22.7 μM TDZ and 0.27 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was most effective on bud induction, with the highest bud-induction rate and numbers of buds on cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. The available shoot per explant hit 35.2 when the induced callus sub-cultured to a medium without TDZ. It was found that TDZ could promote induction of the callus and the buds, however, continuous exposure beyond 4 weeks of supplemented high concentration (exceed 11.35 μM), TDZ was harmful to the proliferation and growth of buds/shoots. DCR appeared more efficiency than Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), Woody Plant medium (WPM), anther culture of cereal crops medium (N6) on bud induction. Age of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants in 20-day to 25-day was most beneficial to adventitious buds/shoots formation. Histological investigation confirmed that the buds originated from the wounded incisions of cotyledonary petiole and hypocotyl fragments, with callus formation. The regeneration plantlets were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse, yielded above 95% survival rate in field, exhibited normal morphology and growth characteristics. The analysis of flow cytometry on N. cadamba indicated no variation in the ploidy levels between the regenerated plantlets and the donor trees. The developed procedure can be used for mass production, germplasm exchange and transgenic studies to improve the resistance of the species via Agrobacterium-mediated.
Polymer Capsules with Tunable Shell Thickness Synthesized via Janus-to-core shell Transition of Biphasic Droplets Produced in a Microfluidic Flow-Focusing Device
Authors: Xu Siyuan , Nisisako Takasi
Published: March 2020

Droplet microfluidics has enabled the synthesis of polymeric particles with controlled sizes, shell thickness, and morphologies. Here, we report the Janus to core-shell structural evolution of biphasic droplets formed in a microfluidic flow-focusing device (MFFD) for the synthesis of polymer microcapsules with oil core/thickness-tunable shell via off-chip photo- and thermally induced polymerization. First, nanoliter-sized biphasic Janus droplets comprising an acrylate monomer and silicone oil were generated in a co-flowing aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution in an MFFD on a glass chip. Immediately following their break-off, the produced Janus droplets started to change their geometry from Janus to core-shell structure comprising a single silicone-oil core and an acrylate-monomer shell by the minimization of interfacial energy. Thus, we could produce monodisperse core-shell drops with average diameters of 105–325 μm, coefficient of variation (CV) values of 1.0–4.5%, and shell thickness of 1–67 μm. Subsequently, these drops were synthesized to fabricate polymeric microcapsules with tunable shell thickness via photo- and thermally induced polymerization. By increasing the concentration of the photo- and thermal initiator, we successfully produced thinner and ultra-thin shell (800 nm thickness) microcapsules. The surface structure of resulting particles was smooth in photopolymerization and porous in thermal polymerization.
Formation of complex hydrocarbon systems from methane at the upper mantle thermobaric conditions
Authors: Serovaiskii Aleksandr , Kutcherov Vladimir
Published: March 2020

The existence of methane in the Earth’s mantle does not cause any doubt, however, its possible chemical transformation under the mantle thermobaric conditions is not enough known. Investigation of methane at the upper mantle thermobaric conditions, using diamond anvil cells, demonstrated the possible formation of ethane, propane and n-butane from methane, however, theoretical calculations of methane behaviour at extreme temperature and pressure predicted also heavier hydrocarbons. We experimentally investigated the chemical transformations of methane at the upper mantle thermobaric conditions, corresponding to the depth of 70–80 km (850–1000 K, 2.5 GPa), using “Toroid”-type Large reactive volume device and gas chromatography. The experimental results demonstrated the formation of the complex hydrocarbon mixture up to C7 with linear, branched and cycled structures and benzene. Unsaturated hydrocarbons were detected on the trace level in the products mixture. The increasing of exposure time leaded to growth of heavier components in the product systems. The data obtained suggest possible existence of complex hydrocarbon mixtures at the upper mantle thermobaric conditions and provide a new insight on the possible pathways of the hydrocarbons synthesis from methane in the upper mantle.
Seaweed Porphyra yezoensis polysaccharides with different molecular weights inhibit hydroxyapatite damage and osteoblast differentiation of A7R5 cells
Authors: Huang Ling-Hong , Liu Hong , Chen Jia-Yun , Sun Xin-Yuan , Yao Zhi-hui , Han Jin , Ouyang Jian-Ming
Published: March 2020

Porphyra yezoensis polysaccharide could effectively reduce the cell damage and osteogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by hydroxyapatite crystals.
Nanoscalein silicoclassification of ligand functionalised surfaces for protein adsorption resistance
Authors: Penna Matthew , Yarovsky Irene
Published: March 2020

Non-specific protein adsorption represents a challenge for the design of efficient and safe nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Anin silicomethod is presented to design ligands imparting protein resistance to functional surfaces.
Electronic and plasmonic phenomena at nonstoichiometric grain boundaries in metallic SrNbO3
Authors: Song Dongsheng , Wan Dongyang , Wu Hong-Hui , Xue Deqing , Ning Shoucong , Wu Ming , Venkatesan Thirumalai , Pennycook Stephen J.
Published: March 2020

Electronic structure and plasmonic properties are studied for Nb-rich non-stoichiometric GBs in metallic SrNbO3.
Nickel iron phosphide ultrathin nanosheets anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanoflake arrays as a bifunctional catalyst for efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Bian Jialin , Song Zeyi , Li Xianglin , Zhang Yuzhong , Cheng Chuanwei
Published: March 2020

An efficient and durable bifunctional catalyst of NiFeP ultrathin nanosheets anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanoflake arrays is designed for overall water splitting.
One-stop radiotherapeutic targeting of primary and distant osteosarcoma to inhibit cancer progression and metastasis using 2DG-grafted graphene quantum dots
Authors: Tung Fu-I. , Zheng Lu-Jun , Hou Kai-Ting , Chiang Chih-Sheng , Chen Ming-Hong , Liu Tse-Ying
Published: March 2020

2-Amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose-grafted graphene quantum dots are non-metal radiosensitizers for achieving a simultaneous therapeutic effect on primary and distant osteosarcoma in X-Ray treatment.
The development and validation of an HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of eriocitrin in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Li Luya , Feng Rui , Feng Xue , Chen Yuting , Liu Xin , Sun Wenjing , Zhang Lantong
Published: March 2020

Eriocitrin is one of the major active constituents of lemon fruit, and it possesses strong antioxidant, lipid-lowering, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities and has long been used in food, beverages and wine.
General synthesis of hierarchical sheet/plate-like M-BDC (M = Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zr) metal–organic frameworks for electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensing
Authors: Gumilar Gilang , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Henzie Joel , Chatterjee Sauvik , Na Jongbeom , Yuliarto Brian , Nugraha Nugraha , Patah Aep , Bhaumik Asim , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: March 2020

This work reports the general fabrication of hierarchical sheet/plate-like M-BDC MOFs for electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensing.
Kinetics of colloidal particle deposition in microfluidic systems under temperature gradients: experiment and modelling
Authors: Yan Zhibin , Huang Xiaoyang , Shui Lingling , Yang Chun
Published: March 2020

The colloidal particle deposition in microchannels is significantly affected by the collective effects of the temperature gradient and the bulk solution temperature during the two deposition steps: the particle transport and the particle attachment.
Viscoelastic interfaces comprising of cellulose nanocrystals and lauroyl ethyl arginate for enhanced foam stability
Authors: Czakaj Agnieszka , Kannan Aadithya , Wiśniewska Agnieszka , Grześ Gabriela , Krzan Marcel , Warszyński Piotr , Fuller Gerald G.
Published: March 2020

At submillimolar concentrations of lauroyl ethyl arginate, cellulose nanocrystals aggregate and form elongated fibres. This interfacial assembly efficiently stabilises foams.
Unravelling the water oxidation mechanism on NaTaO3-based photocatalysts
Authors: Ding Qian , Liu Yang , Chen Tao , Wang Xiaoyu , Feng Zhaochi , Wang Xiuli , Dupuis Michel , Li Can
Published: March 2020

A lattice-oxygen evolved, three-step two-site mechanism is proposed for photocatalytic water oxidation on NaTaO3-based photocatalysts.
Anti-vascular nano agents: a promising approach for cancer treatment
Authors: Chen Dapeng , Qu Xinyu , Shao Jinjun , Wang Wenjun , Dong Xiaochen
Published: March 2020

This review will provide an understanding of recent advances of anti-vascular nano agents (AVNAs), help define the mechanism of anti-vascular based cancer therapy and discuss the challenges and opportunities of AVNAs for clinical translations.
Synchrotron radiation μ X-ray diffraction in transmission geometry for investigating the penetration depth of conservation treatments on cultural heritage stone materials
Authors: Possenti Elena , Conti Claudia , Gatta G. Diego , Merlini Marco , Realini Marco , Colombo Chiara
Published: March 2020

SR-μTXRD allows studying the position and penetration depth within the stone matrix of crystalline phases formed after inorganic conservation treatments.
Facile fabrication of N/S/P tri-doped carbon dots for tetracycline detection by an internal filtering effect of a two-way matching strategy
Authors: Gao Zideng , Liu Mingyang , Xu Ke , Tang Menglei , Lin Xiaowen , Hu Shuwen , Ren Xueqin
Published: March 2020

We prepared carbon dots (CD) co-doped with nitrogen, phosphorous, and sulfur via a facile ultrasound-assisted method; the resultant carbon dots can be used to selectively detect the antibiotic tetracycline by the IFE of a two-way matching strategy.
Hierarchical porous and hydrophilic metal–organic frameworks with enhanced enzyme activity
Authors: Li Hui , Lu Xuedong , Lu Qiuhao , Liu Yi , Cao Xun , Lu Yuanyuan , He Xun , Chen Kequan , Ouyang Pingkai , Tan Weimin
Published: March 2020

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for enzyme encapsulation induced biomimetic mineralization are commonly microporous and hydrophobic, which result in a rather high mass transfer resistance of the reactants and restrain the enzyme catalytic activity.
The role of oxygen vacancies of ABO3 perovskite oxides in the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Ji Qianqian , Bi Lei , Zhang Jintao , Cao Haijie , Zhao X. S.
Published: March 2020

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important electrochemical reactions in energy conversion and storage technologies, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries.
Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating Fe/Zn nanoparticles as a persulfate activator for sulfamethoxazole degradation: role of encapsulated bimetallic nanoparticles and nonradical reaction
Authors: Yanan Shang , Xing Xu , Yue Qinyan , Gao Baoyu , Li Yanwei
Published: March 2020

In this work, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) encapsulating Zn and Fe bimetallic nanoparticles (FeZn@NC) were synthesized through a one-pot pyrolytic strategy.
The impact of monochloramines and dichloramines on reverse osmosis membranes in wastewater potable reuse process trains: a pilot-scale study
Authors: Lee Hye-Jin , Halali Mohamad Amin , Sarathy Siva , de Lannoy Charles-François
Published: March 2020

Dichloramine has a strong oxidative effect on polyamide RO membranes, causing oxidative hydrogen bond breakage of the polyamide rejection layer.
Girinimbine from curry leaves promotes gastro protection against ethanol induced peptic ulcers and improves healingviaregulation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms
Authors: Mohan Syam , Hobani Yahya Hasan , Shaheen Emad , Abou-Elhamd Alaa Sayed , abdelhaleem Aymen , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim
Published: March 2020

Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) are a leafy spice used in Indian cookery for its fragrant aroma.
Cream roll-inspired advanced MnS/C composite for sodium-ion batteries: encapsulating MnS cream into hollow N,S-co-doped carbon rolls
Authors: Li Gaojie , Chen Kongyao , Wang Yanjie , Wang Zhuo , Chen Xueli , Cui Siwen , Wu Zijie , Soutis Constantinos , Chen Weihua , Mi Liwei
Published: March 2020

Cream roll-like MnS/C is prepared simply and delivers 447.0 mA h g−1 after 1400 cycles, and 319.8 mA h g−1 at 10 000 mA g−1 for SIBs.
Nitrogen-doped polymer nanofibers decorated with Co nanoparticles for uniform lithium nucleation/growth in lithium metal batteries
Authors: Shu Miao , Li Xing , Duan Liqiang , Zhu Mengting , Xin Xing
Published: March 2020

Tiny “lithiophilic” Co nanoparticles on a 3D matrix induce the uniform nucleation/growth of Li.
Substrate induced strain for on-surface transformation and synthesis
Authors: Su Jie , Wu Xinbang , Song Shaotang , Telychko Mykola , Lu Jiong
Published: March 2020

The substrate-induced strain is a promising alternative for on-surface transformation and synthesis of atomically-precise novel functional nanomaterials.
Temperature/near-infrared light-responsive conductive hydrogels for controlled drug release and real-time monitoring
Authors: Zhu Yuting , Zeng Qian , Zhang Qiang , Li Kai , Shi Xiaoli , Liang Feng , Han Dong
Published: March 2020

A multifunctional hybrid hydrogel with dual thermo- and near-infrared light responsiveness for controlled drug release and real-time monitoring.
Understanding how intrinsic micro-pores affect the dielectric properties of polymers: an approach to synthesize ultra-low dielectric polymers with bulky tetrahedral units as cores
Authors: Fang Linxuan , Zhou Junfeng , He Chunqing , Tao Yangqing , Wang Caiyun , Dai Menglu , Wang Haoyang , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: March 2020

Two fluoro-containing low dielectric polymers have been successfully prepared based on thermo-crosslinkable trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomers with bulky tetrahedral units (adamantane and spirobifluorene).
A remote nonconjugated electron effect in insertion polymerization with α-diimine nickel and palladium species
Authors: Li Shuaikang , Xu Guoyong , Dai Shengyu
Published: March 2020

The remote nonconjugated electronic perturbations exert great influence on ethylene polymerization.
In situ construction of a MOF-derived carbon-encapsulated LiCoO2 heterostructure as a superior cathode for elevated-voltage lithium storage: from experimental to theoretical study
Authors: Lin Jia , Zeng Chenghui , Chen Yueying , Lin Xiaoming , Xu Chao , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: March 2020

A strategy is proposed for a surface-modified LiCoO2 heterostructure by in situ MOF-derived carbon coating to achieve a distinguished performance for elevated-voltage lithium storage.
Reversible gas capture using a ferroelectric switch and 2D molecule multiferroics on the In2Se3 monolayer
Authors: Tang Xiao , Shang Jing , Gu Yuantong , Du Aijun , Kou Liangzhi
Published: March 2020

Reversible gas capture and release controlled by ferroelectric switching.
An organic-based aqueous hybrid flow battery with high power and long cycle life: a tetrapyridophenazine/ferrocyanide system
Authors: Zhang Yang , Cao Jianyu , Chen Zhidong , Xu Juan , Yu Chengzhong
Published: March 2020

A redox-active organic molecule, tetrapyridophenazine, is utilized to fabricate an aqueous hybrid flow battery with high power and long cycle life.
Cucurbit[7]uril-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for imaging-guided cancer therapy
Authors: Yue Ludan , Sun Chen , Kwong Cheryl H. T. , Wang Ruibing
Published: March 2020

Cucurbit[7]uril-anchored Fe3O4 nanoparticles allowed facile surface functionalization and MRI-guided targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy.
Facile liquid-phase exfoliated few-layer GeP nanosheets and their optoelectronic device applications
Authors: Li Chao , Guo Jia , Zhang Yue , Kang Jianlong , Huang Weichun , Zhai Tianyou , Zhang Han
Published: March 2020

This article reports on the fabrication, photodetection and stability of a series of 2D GeP nanosheet based PEC-type photodetectors by a facile LPE method.
Natural products and phytochemical nanoformulations targeting mitochondria in oncotherapy: an updated review on resveratrol
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Milad , Javanmardi Sara , Moradi-Ozarlou Masoumeh , Mohammadinejad Reza , Farkhondeh Tahereh , Samarghandian Saeed , Garg Manoj
Published: March 2020

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles with two distinct membranes, known as an outer mitochondrial membrane and inner cell membrane. Originally, mitochondria have been derived from bacteria. The main function of mitochondria is the production of ATP. However, this important organelle indirectly protects cells by consuming oxygen in the route of energy generation. It has been found that mitochondria are actively involved in the induction of the intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. So, there have been efforts to sustain mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibit its dysfunction. Notably, due to the potential role of mitochondria in the stimulation of apoptosis, this organelle is a promising target in cancer therapy. Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol that exhibits significant pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. The anti-tumor activity of resveratrol may be a consequence of its effect on mitochondria. Multiple studies have investigated the relationship between resveratrol and mitochondria, and it has been demonstrated that resveratrol is able to significantly enhance the concentration of reactive oxygen species, leading to the mitochondrial dysfunction and consequently, apoptosis induction. A number of signaling pathways such as sirtuin and NF-κB may contribute to the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by resveratrol. Besides, resveratrol shifts cellular metabolism from glycolysis into mitochondrial respiration to induce cellular death in cancer cells. In the present review, we discuss the possible interactions between resveratrol and mitochondria, and its potential application in cancer therapy.
Combined perception, control, and learning for teleoperation: key technologies, applications, and challenges
Authors: Luo Jing , He Wei , Yang Chenguang
Published: March 2020

Teleoperation provides a promising way for human–robot collaboration in the unknown or unstructured environments to perform a cooperative task. It enables humans to complete a task at a remote side and combines both the human's intelligence and the robots’ capabilities in a collaborative task. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct cross researches in terms of robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, and mechatronics. This study covers the state‐of‐the‐arts research in terms of perception, control, and learning. In this review, key technologies about information perception mechanism, control algorithms, human–robot interface, and robot learning strategies for teleoperation are introduced. Then, a comprehensive survey is summarised in representative applications in teleoperation, and the existing challenges and potential directions of the development are discussed.
Orthogonal random projection for tensor completion
Authors: Feng Yali , Zhou Guoxu
Published: March 2020

The low‐rank tensor completion problem, which aims to recover the missing data from partially observable data. However, most of the existing tensor completion algorithms based on Tucker decomposition cannot avoid using singular value decomposition (SVD) operation to calculate the Tucker factors, so they are not suitable for the completion of large‐scale data. To solve this problem, they propose a new faster tensor completion algorithm, which uses the method of random projection to project the unfolding matrix of each mode of the tensor into the low‐dimensional subspace, and then obtain the Tucker factors by the orthogonal decomposition. Their method can effectively avoid the high computational cost of SVD operation. The results of the synthetic data experiments and real data experiments verify the effectiveness and feasibility of their method.
Cost‐effective clamping capacitor boost converter with high voltage gain
Authors: Zeng Yangbin , Li Hong , Wang Wencai , Zhang Bo , Zheng Trillion Q.
Published: March 2020

In renewable energy generation systems, the DC–DC converter with high voltage gain is indispensable, which is used to convert the low output voltage of photovoltaic (PV) cells and fuel cells to the high DC bus voltage. In this study, a cost‐effective clamping capacitor boost (CCB) converter with high voltage gain is proposed. In the basis of the conventional boost converter, a clamping capacitor cell with two capacitors and two diodes is embedded. Then, the voltage gain of the proposed CCB converter can be doubled compared with the conventional boost converter. Further, unlike the switched capacitor high voltage gain converter, there is no large current spikes on the capacitors in the proposed CCB converter, which can reduce the current stresses and the costs of capacitors a lot. The operation principles and characteristics of the proposed CCB converter are analysed in detail and verified by simulation. Finally, a 450 W prototype is implemented to validate the performances and advantages of the proposed CCB converter. The proposed CCB converter provides a cost‐effective choice for high voltage gain converters in the renewable energy generation system with PV cells.
Hysteretic behavior of spatially coupled phase-oscillators
Authors: Fehér Eszter , Havasi-Tóth Balázs , Kalmár-Nagy Tamás
Published: March 2020

Motivated by phenomena related to biological systems such as the synchronously flashing swarms of fireflies, we investigate a network of phase oscillators evolving under the generalized Kuramoto model with inertia. A distance-dependent, spatial coupling between the oscillators is considered. Zeroth and first order kernel functions with finite kernel radii were chosen to investigate the effect of local interactions. The hysteretic dynamics of the synchronization depending on the coupling parameter was analyzed for different kernel radii. Numerical investigations demonstrate that (1) locally locked clusters develop for small coupling strength values, (2) the hysteretic behavior vanishes for small kernel radii, (3) the ratio of the kernel radius and the maximal distance between the oscillators characterizes the behavior of the network.
Efficiency of cancer treatments:in silico experiments
Authors: Piretto Elena , Delitala Marcello , Ferraro Mario
Published: March 2020

Despite the advances in the formulation of different therapies to fight cancer, the design of successful protocols is still a challenging problem. In order to provide some indications on the effectiveness of medical treatments, results fromin silicoexperiments are presented based on a mathematical model comprising two cancer populations competing for resources and with different susceptibilities to the action of therapies. The focus is on the outcome of protocols in which the total dose can be administered with different time distributions. An efficiency index is proposed to quantify the effectiveness of different protocols. Simulations show that a standard dose chemotherapy is effective when the sensitive clone has a marked competitive advantage, whereas its outcome is much worse when a resistant clone emerges; obviously combinations of immune and chemotherapy work better. These results, in accord with previous finding reported in the literature, stress the importance to take into account competitive interactions among cancer clones to decide which therapeutic strategy should be adopted. However, it is not just the efficiency that changes in these different configurations of clonal composition and therapy timing. A general rule seems to emerge: when evolutionary pressures are strong, the best protocols entail and early starting of the treatment, whereas, on the contrary, when interactions among clones are weak, therapy should start later. Finally the model has been adapted to investigate the relative efficiency of different protocols, by using data reported in literature regarding experiments with breast cancer cells.
Multidimensional play operators with arbitraryBVinputs
Authors: Recupero Vincenzo
Published: March 2020

In this paper we provide an integral variational formulation for a vector play operator where the inputs are allowed to be arbitrary functions with (pointwise) bounded variation, not necessarily left or right continuous. We prove that this problem admits a unique solution, and we show that in the left continuous and right continuous cases it reduces to the well known existing formulations.
Preisach based storage devices and global optimizers
Authors: Mayergoyz Isaak D. , Korman Can E.
Published: March 2020

The Preisach model of hysteresis admits simple device realizations. It is suggested in the paper that these realizations can be utilized as unique data storage devices as well as analog global optimizers.