bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cartridge based Point-of-Care device for complete blood count
Authors: Abbasi Usama , Chowdhury Prasanta , Subramaniam Sasikala , Jain Prakhar , Muthe Nitin , Sheikh Faisal , Banerjee Subham , Kumaran V.
Published: December 2019

We demonstrate a proprietary lab-on-chip/μ TAS technology platform for a regulatory grade portable instrument for complete blood count (CBC) hematology tests including 3 part differential WBCs, RBCs, platelet and hemoglobin for rapid diagnostics at the point of care in resource-poor settings. Presently, diagnostics based on blood tests are confined to centralized laboratory settings, dependent on large footprint and expensive cytometers or on a microscope, requiring trained laboratory technicians. Consequently, such facilities are not present in rural and semi-urban settings, where there are opportunities and challenges in delivering efficient healthcare infrastructure at an affordable cost in resource-challenged environments. Our proposed design leverages advances in microfluidics and lab-on-chip fabrication techniques to miniaturize the conventional cytometer and bring down the cost significantly. The device can be operated autonomously, without skilled manpower, by primary healthcare professionals in the field and by patients (like glucose self-test devices). The instrument consists of a single-use chip, the size of a credit card, pre-loaded with reagents, in which the sample is loaded, and which is fluidically insulated from the environment. The controller, the size of a toaster, performs the necessary fluid handling and the impedance measurements to deliver the results in minutes.
High-starch diets alter equine faecal microbiota and increase behavioural reactivity
Authors: Bulmer Louise S. , Murray Jo-Anne , Burns Neil M. , Garber Anna , Wemelsfelder Francoise , McEwan Neil R. , Hastie Peter M.
Published: December 2019

Gut microbiota have been associated with health, disease and behaviour in several species and are an important link in gut-brain axis communication. Diet plays a key role in affecting the composition of gut microbiota. In horses, high-starch diets alter the hindgut microbiota. High-starch diets are also associated with increased behavioural reactivity in horses. These changes in microbiota and behaviour may be associated. This study compares the faecal microbiota and behaviour of 10 naïve ponies. A cross-over design was used with experimental groups fed high-starch (HS) or high-fibre (HF) diets. Results showed that ponies were more reactive and less settled when being fed the HS diet compared to the HF diet. Irrespective of diet, the bacterial profile was dominated by two main phyla,Firmicutes, closely followed byBacteroidetes. However, at lower taxonomic levels multivariate analysis of 16SrRNAgene sequencing data showed diet affected faecal microbial community structure. The abundance of 85 OTUs differed significantly related to diet. Correlative relationships exist between dietary induced alterations to faecal microbiota and behaviour. Results demonstrate a clear link between diet, faecal microbial community composition and behaviour. Dietary induced alterations to gut microbiota play a role in affecting the behaviour of the host.
Bone secreted factors induce cellular quiescence in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Yu-Lee Li-Yuan , Lee Yu-Chen , Pan Jing , Lin Song-Chang , Pan Tianhong , Yu Guoyu , Hawke David H. , Pan Bih-Fang , Lin Sue-Hwa
Published: December 2019

Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) undergo a dormant state in the distant metastatic site(s) before becoming overt metastatic diseases. In prostate cancer (PCa), bone metastasis can occur years after prostatectomy, suggesting that bone may provide dormancy-inducing factors. To search for these factors, we prepared conditioned media (CM) from calvariae. Using live-cell imaging, we found that Calvarial-CM treatment increased cellular quiescence in C4-2B4 PCa cells. Mass spectrometry analysis of Calvarial-CM identified 132 secreted factors. Western blot and ELISA analyses confirmed the presence of several factors, including DKK3, BMP1, neogenin and vasorin in the Calvarial-CM. qRT-PCR analysis of total calvariae versus isolated osteoblasts showed that DKK3, BMP1, vasorin and neogenin are mainly expressed by osteoblasts, while MIA, LECT1, NGAL and PEDF are expressed by other calvarial cells. Recombinant human DKK3, BMP1, vasorin, neogenin, MIA and NGAL treatment increased cellular quiescence in both C4-2b and C4-2B4 PCa cells. Mechanistically, DKK3, vasorin and neogenin, but not BMP1, increased dormancy through activating the p38MAPK signaling pathway. Consistently, DKK3, vasorin and neogenin failed to induce dormancy in cells expressing dominant-negative p38αMAPK while BMP1 remained active, suggesting that BMP1 uses an alternative dormancy signaling pathway. Thus, bone secretes multiple dormancy-inducing factors that employ distinct signaling pathways to induce DTC dormancy in bone.
Variable Selection in the Regularized Simultaneous Component Analysis Method for Multi-Source Data Integration
Authors: Gu Zhengguo , Schipper Niek C. de , Van Deun Katrijn
Published: December 2019

Interdisciplinary research often involves analyzing data obtained from different data sources with respect to the same subjects, objects, or experimental units. For example, global positioning systems (GPS) data have been coupled with travel diary data, resulting in a better understanding of traveling behavior. The GPS data and the travel diary data are very different in nature, and, to analyze the two types of data jointly, one often uses data integration techniques, such as the regularized simultaneous component analysis (regularized SCA) method. Regularized SCA is an extension of the (sparse) principle component analysis model to the cases where at least two data blocks are jointly analyzed, which - in order to reveal the joint and unique sources of variation - heavily relies on proper selection of the set of variables (i.e., component loadings) in the components. Regularized SCA requires a proper variable selection method to either identify the optimal values for tuning parameters or stably select variables. By means of two simulation studies with various noise and sparseness levels in simulated data, we compare six variable selection methods, which are cross-validation (CV) with the “one-standard-error” rule, repeated double CV (rdCV), BIC, Bolasso with CV, stability selection, and index of sparseness (IS) - a lesser known (compared to the first five methods) but computationally efficient method. Results show that IS is the best-performing variable selection method.
Selective autophagy, lipophagy and mitophagy, in the Harderian gland along the oestrous cycle: a potential retrieval effect of melatonin
Authors: García-Macia Marina , Santos-Ledo Adrián , Caballero Beatriz , Rubio-González Adrian , de Luxán-Delgado Beatriz , Potes Yaiza , Rodríguez-González Susana Mª. , Boga José Antonio , Coto-Montes Ana
Published: December 2019

Sexual dimorphism has been reported in many processes. However, sexual bias in favour of the use of males is very present in science. One of the main reasons is that the impact of hormones in diverse pathways and processes such as autophagy have not been properly addressed in vivo. The Harderian gland is a perfect model to study autophagic modulation as it exhibits important changes during the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study is to identify the main processes behind Harderian gland differences under oestrous cycle and their modulator. In the present study we show that redox-sensitive transcription factors have an essential role: NF-κB may activate SQSTM1/p62 in oestrus, promoting selective types of autophagy: mitophagy and lipophagy. Nrf2 activation in dioestrus, leads the retrieval phase and restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis. Melatonin’s receptors show higher expression in dioestrus, leading to decreases in pro-inflammatory mediators and enhanced Nrf2 expression. Consequently, autophagy is blocked, and porphyrin release is reduced. All these results point to melatonin as one of the main modulators of the changes in autophagy during the oestrous cycle.
The effect of orbital-lattice coupling on the electrical resistivity of YBaCuFeO5 investigated by X-ray absorption
Authors: Srivastava M. K. , Qiu X.-S. , Chin Y. Y. , Hsieh S. H. , Shao Y. C. , Liang Y.-H. , Lai C.-H. , Du C. H. , Wang H. T. , Chiou J. W. , Lai Y. C. , Tsai H. M. , Pao C. W. , Lin H. J. , Lee J. F. , Asokan K. , Pong W. F.
Published: December 2019

Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption near-edge structures, X-ray linear dichroism (XLD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the valence state, preferred orbital and local atomic structure that significantly affect the electrical and magnetic properties of a single crystal of YBaCuFeO5 (YBCFO). An onset of increase of resistivity at ~180 K, followed by a rapid increase at/below 125 K, is observed. An antiferromagnetic (AFM)-like transition is close to the temperature at which the resistivity starts to increase in the ab-plane and is also observed with strong anisotropy between the ab-plane and the c-axis. The XLD spectra at the Fe L3,2-edge revealed a change in Fe 3d eg holes from the preferential $${\bf{3}}{{\boldsymbol{d}}}_{{{\bf{x}}}^{{\bf{2}}}{\boldsymbol{-}}{{\bf{y}}}^{{\bf{2}}}}$$3dx2−y2 orbital at high temperature (300–150 K) to the $${\bf{3}}{{\boldsymbol{d}}}_{{{\bf{3}}{\bf{z}}}^{{\bf{2}}}{\boldsymbol{-}}{{\bf{r}}}^{{\bf{2}}}}$$3d3z2−r2 orbital at/below 125 K. The analysis of the Fe K-edge EXAFS data of YBCFO further revealed an unusual increase in the Debye-Waller factor of the nearest-neighbor Fe-O bond length at/below 125 K, suggesting phonon-softening behavior, resulting in the breaking of lattice symmetry, particularly in the ab-plane of Fe-related square pyramids. These findings demonstrate a close correlation between electrical resistivity and coupling of the preferred Fe 3d orbital with lattice distortion of a single crystal of YBCFO.
Increased lifespan, decreased mortality, and delayed cognitive decline in osteoarthritis
Authors: Mayburd Anatoly L. , Baranova Ancha
Published: December 2019

In absence of therapies targeting symptomatic dementia, better understanding of the biology underlying a cognitive decline is warranted. Here we present the results of a meta-analysis of the impact of osteoarthritis (OA) on cognitive decline and overall mortality. Across 7 independent datasets obtained in studies of populations in the USA, EU and Australia (NBER, NSHAP, TILDA, NACC, Kaiser Permanente, GRIM BOOKS, OAI, with a total of >7 × 107 profiles), OA cohorts demonstrated higher cognitive scores, later dementia onset as well as longer lifespan and lower age-specific all-cause mortality. Moreover, generalized OA with multiple localizations is associated with more significant reduction of mortality and dementia than a singly localized OA or no arthritis. In OA patients with younger ages, all-cause mortality was disproportionally reduced as compared to that in controls, while exponential term of Gompert’z hazard function was increased, accelerating mortality accrual at later ages. Up to 8–10% of poly-osteoarthritic patients are predicted and observed to reach centenarian lifespan, while in matched non-OA population the same benchmark is reached by less than 1% of patients. These results point at a possibility of life-extending and cognition preserving impacts of OA-conditioned immune system.
Shedding light on melanins within in situ human eye melanocytes using 2-photon microscopy profiling techniques
Authors: Sitiwin Ephrem , Madigan Michele C. , Gratton Enrico , Cherepanoff Svetlana , Conway Robert Max , Whan Renee , Macmillan Alexander
Published: December 2019

Choroidal melanocytes (HCMs) are melanin-producing cells in the vascular uvea of the human eye (iris, ciliary body and choroid). These cranial neural crest-derived cells migrate to populate a mesodermal microenvironment, and display cellular functions and extracellular interactions that are biologically distinct to skin melanocytes. HCMs (and melanins) are important in normal human eye physiology with roles including photoprotection, regulation of oxidative damage and immune responses. To extend knowledge of cytoplasmic melanins and melanosomes in label-free HCMs, a non-invasive ‘fit-free’ approach, combining 2-photon excitation fluorescence lifetimes and emission spectral imaging with phasor plot segmentation was applied. Intracellular melanin-mapped FLIM phasors showed a linear distribution indicating that HCM melanins are a ratio of two fluorophores, eumelanin and pheomelanin. A quantitative histogram of HCM melanins was generated by identifying the image pixel fraction contributed by phasor clusters mapped to varying eumelanin/pheomelanin ratio. Eumelanin-enriched dark HCM regions mapped to phasors with shorter lifetimes and longer spectral emission (580–625 nm) and pheomelanin-enriched lighter pigmented HCM regions mapped to phasors with longer lifetimes and shorter spectral emission (550–585 nm). Overall, we demonstrated that these methods can identify and quantitatively profile the heterogeneous eumelanins/pheomelanins withinin situHCMs, and visualize melanosome spatial distributions, not previously reported for these cells.
Clinical prognostic scores for patients with thymic epithelial tumors
Authors: Veraar Cecilia , Janik Stefan , Thanner Jürgen , Veraar Clarence , Mouhieddine Mohamed , Schiefer Ana-Iris , Müllauer Leonhard , Dworschak Martin , Klepetko Walter , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan , Moser Bernhard
Published: December 2019

Several inflammation-based prognostic scores emerged in various types of cancer to predict clinical outcomes. So far, no accurate pre-treatment scoring systems exist for patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), comprising thymomas and thymic carcinomas (TCs). Therefore, we sought to test the prognostic value of different clinical composite scores and their components, identify optimal cut-off values for TETs as well as combine predictive components to new suitable prognostic scores. One hundred eighty-four patients with TETs undergoing surgical tumor resection were analyzed. A significant advantage in Freedom-from-Recurrence and/or Cause-specific survival (CSS) was evident for patients with high Advanced-Lung- Cancer-Inflammation-Index, low CRP-Fibrinogen-Score (CFS), low Glasgow-Prognostic-Score (GPS), low high-sensitivity-modified GPS, low TET-adapted GPS (TET-aGPS) and low Systemic-Immune-Inflammation Index. On multivariable analysis high TET-aGPS (HR = 14.9;p = 0.001), incomplete resection status (HR = 13.5;p = 0.001) and TC (HR = 26.0;p = 0.001) were significant independent prognostic factors for worse CSS. The CFS had the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.188) to predict tumor recurrence of all composite scores, comprising CRP (R2 = 0.141) and fibrinogen (R2 = 0.158), the best single factor predictors. Inflammation-based prognostic scores and selected components are suitable to predict survival and/or tumor recurrence in TET patients undergoing primary surgery. Due to excellent long-term survival and frequent tumor recurrence, cut-off values were tailored to increase prognostic power.
Adeno-associated virus capsid protein expression in Escherichia coli and chemically defined capsid assembly
Authors: Le Dinh To , Radukic Marco T. , Müller Kristian M.
Published: December 2019

Research and clinical applications of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) significantly increased in recent years alongside regulatory approvals of rAAV gene therapy products. To date, all rAAV vectors as well as AAV empty capsids are produced in eukaryotic cells. We explored a new route to generate AAV capsids with the aim to analyze capsid assembly in a chemically defined setting and pave the way for new production methods and applications based on AAV virus-like particles (VLPs). We generated these empty capsids by bacterial expression and subsequent concomitant protein refolding and VLP formation. AAV serotype 2 structural protein VP3 was expressed in Escherichia coli. VLPs formed as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and ELISA. Furthermore, VLPs internalized into human HeLa cells. To extend the application range of the VLPs, we tested peptide insertions, at the genetic level, in a surface loop (amino acid position 587) or at the C-terminus of VP3 and these variants also formed VLPs. VLPs developed without assembly-activating protein (AAP), but adding purified recombinant AAP to the refolding process increased capsid yield. Our findings offer a new route to understand AAV assembly biology and open a toolbox for AAV production strategies that might enable capsid display for vaccination and matching of capsids with cargoes at large scale and low cost.
Association of Dog and Cat Ownership with Incident Frailty among Community-Dwelling Elderly Japanese
Authors: Taniguchi Yu , Seino Satoshi , Nishi Mariko , Tomine Yui , Tanaka Izumi , Yokoyama Yuri , Ikeuchi Tomoko , Kitamura Akihiko , Shinkai Shoji
Published: December 2019

Accumulating evidence from studies of human–animal interaction highlights the physiological, psychological, and social benefits for older owners of dogs and cats. This longitudinal study examined whether experience of dog/cat ownership protects against incident frailty in a population of community-dwelling older Japanese. Among 7881 non-frail community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older who completed a mail survey in 2016, 6,197 (mean [SD] age, 73.6 [5.3] years; 53.6% women) were reevaluated in a 2018 follow-up survey. Frailty was assessed with the Kaigo-Yobo Checklist. Incident frailty was defined as a score of four or higher in the follow-up survey. Overall, 870 (14.0%) were current dog/cat owners, 1878 (30.3%) were past owners and 3449 (55.7%) were never owners. During the 2-year follow-up period, 918 (14.8%) developed incident frailty. Mixed-effects logistic regression models showed that the odds ratio for incident frailty among dog/cat owners, as compared with never owners, current owners were 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–1.09) and past owner were 0.84 (0.71–0.98), after controlling for important confounders at baseline. In stratified analysis, the risk of incident frailty was lower for past dog owners than for cat owners. Longer experience of caring for a dog requires physical activity and increases time outdoors spent dog walking and thus may have an important role in maintaining physical and social function and reducing frailty risk among older adults.
Refinement of evolutionary medicine predictions based on clinical evidence for the manifestations of Mendelian diseases
Authors: Šimčíková Daniela , Heneberg Petr
Published: December 2019

Prediction methods have become an integral part of biomedical and biotechnological research. However, their clinical interpretations are largely based on biochemical or molecular data, but not clinical data. Here, we focus on improving the reliability and clinical applicability of prediction algorithms. We assembled and curated two large non-overlapping large databases of clinical phenotypes. These phenotypes were caused by missense variations in 44 and 63 genes associated with Mendelian diseases. We used these databases to establish and validate the model, allowing us to improve the predictions obtained from EVmutation, SNAP2 and PoPMuSiC 2.1. The predictions of clinical effects suffered from a lack of specificity, which appears to be the common constraint of all recently used prediction methods, although predictions mediated by these methods are associated with nearly absolute sensitivity. We introduced evidence-based tailoring of the default settings of the prediction methods; this tailoring substantially improved the prediction outcomes. Additionally, the comparisons of the clinically observed and theoretical variations led to the identification of large previously unreported pools of variations that were under negative selection during molecular evolution. The evolutionary variation analysis approach described here is the first to enable the highly specific identification of likely disease-causing missense variations that have not yet been associated with any clinical phenotype.
Control of the polarization direction of isolated attosecond pulses using inhomogeneous two-color fields
Authors: Njoroge Stephen Maina , Yuan Hua , Dickson Kinyua , Zhang Qingbin , Lan Pengfei
Published: December 2019

We theoretically demonstrate the control of the polarization direction of isolated attosecond pulses (IAPs) with inhomogeneous two-color fields synthesized by an 800-nm fundamental pulse and a 2000-nm control pulse having crossed linear polarizations. The results show that by using the temporally and spatially shaped field, the high-order harmonic generation (HHG) process can be efficiently controlled. An ultra-broad supercontinuum ranging from 150th to 400th harmonics which covers the water window region is generated. Such a supercontinuum supports the generation of a 64-as linearly polarized IAP, whose polarization direction is at about 45° with respect to the x axis. Moreover, we analyze the influence of the inhomogeneity parameters and the relative angle of the fundamental and control pulses on the IAP generation. It is shown that the polarization direction of the IAP can rotate in a wide range approximately from 8° to 90° relative to the x axis when the inhomogeneity parameters and the relative angle vary.
An Efficient hybrid filter-wrapper metaheuristic-based gene selection method for high dimensional datasets
Authors: Pirgazi Jamshid , Alimoradi Mohsen , Esmaeili Abharian Tahereh , Olyaee Mohammad Hossein
Published: December 2019

Feature selection problem is one of the most significant issues in data classification. The purpose of feature selection is selection of the least number of features in order to increase accuracy and decrease the cost of data classification. In recent years, due to appearance of high-dimensional datasets with low number of samples, classification models have encountered over-fitting problem. Therefore, the need for feature selection methods that are used to remove the extensions and irrelevant features is felt. Recently, although, various methods have been proposed for selecting the optimal subset of features with high precision, these methods have encountered some problems such as instability, high convergence time, selection of a semi-optimal solution as the final result. In other words, they have not been able to fully extract the effective features. In this paper, a hybrid method based on the IWSSr method and Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA) is proposed to select effective features in a large-scale gene dataset. The proposed algorithm is implemented in two phases: filtering and wrapping. In the filter phase, the Relief method is used for weighting features. Then, in the wrapping phase, by using the SFLA and the IWSSr algorithms, the search for effective features in a feature-rich area is performed. The proposed method is evaluated by using some standard gene expression datasets. The experimental results approve that the proposed approach in comparison to similar methods, has been achieved a more compact set of features along with high accuracy. The source code and testing datasets are available at https://github.com/jimy2020/SFLA_IWSSr-Feature-Selection.
The influence of multi-layered varnishes on moisture protection and vibrational properties of violin wood
Authors: Lämmlein Sarah L. , Mannes David , Van Damme Bart , Schwarze Francis W. M. R. , Burgert Ingo
Published: December 2019

Violin varnishes are known to affect both moisture absorption and vibrational properties of violin wood. However, traditional multi-layered varnish systems suffer from substantial wear as a result of intensive use, which calls for deeper understanding of the specific impact of individual layers. Using sophisticated in-situ neutron imaging and vibrational modal analysis, we show how wood sorption and vibrational behavior of tonewood depend on the build-up of the varnish system. The results demonstrate the protective effect of complete coatings and emphasize that strongly worn regions cannot accomplish the function as an effective moisture barrier, which might pose a risk for frequently played or aged string instruments. Furthermore, the build-up of the varnish system affects the vibrational properties of the tonewood, influencing its final sound quality. This delicate interplay should be considered both for the handling of antique and aged violins and for the production of modern high-quality instruments.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and cell sorting of living bacteria
Authors: Batani Giampiero , Bayer Kristina , Böge Julia , Hentschel Ute , Thomas Torsten
Published: December 2019

Despite the development of several cultivation methods, the rate of discovery of microorganisms that are yet-to-be cultivated outpaces the rate of isolating and cultivating novel species in the laboratory. Furthermore, no current cultivation technique is capable of selectively isolating and cultivating specific bacterial taxa or phylogenetic groups independently of morphological or physiological properties. Here, we developed a new method to isolate living bacteria solely based on their 16S rRNA gene sequence. We showed that bacteria can survive a modified version of the standard fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure, in which fixation is omitted and other factors, such as centrifugation and buffers, are optimized. We also demonstrated that labelled DNA probes can be introduced into living bacterial cells by means of chemical transformation and that specific hybridization occurs. This new method, which we call live-FISH, was then combined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to sort specific taxonomic groups of bacteria from a mock and natural bacterial communities and subsequently culture them. Live-FISH represents the first attempt to systematically optimize conditions known to affect cell viability during FISH and then to sort bacterial cells surviving the procedure. No sophisticated probe design is required, making live-FISH a straightforward method to be potentially used in combination with other single-cell techniques and for the isolation and cultivation of new microorganisms.
Neonatal obstructive nephropathy induces necroptosis and necroinflammation
Authors: Popper Bastian , Rammer Marian Theodor , Gasparitsch Mojca , Singer Teresa , Keller Ursula , Döring Yvonne , Lange-Sperandio Bärbel
Published: December 2019

Urinary tract obstruction during kidney development causes tubular apoptosis, tubular necrosis, and interstitial inflammation. Necroptosis is a subtype of programmed necrosis mediated by the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) and the pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). Necrosis induces inflammation and stimulates cell death in an autoamplification loop named necroinflammation. Here, we studied necroptosis and necroinflammation in obstructive nephropathy induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in neonatal C57Bl/6J mice. Ureteral obstruction induced tubular dilatation, tubular basement membrane thickening, cast formation, and increased expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Morphological investigations showed either apoptotic or necrotic cells in the tubular compartment. Biochemical analysis revealed increased caspase-8 activity and upregulation of RIPK3 as well as phosphorylated-MLKL in UUO-kidneys. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, INF-γ, TNF-α) were upregulated following UUO. Taken together we show that necroptosis and necroinflammation are accompanied phenomena in neonatal kidneys with obstruction. These findings may help to develop novel strategies to treat congenital obstructive nephropathy.
Testosterone propionate activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway in ageing rats and ameliorated the age-related changes in liver
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Cui Rui , Kang Yunxiao , Qi Chunxiao , Ji Xiaoming , Zhang Tianyun , Guo Qiqing , Cui Huixian , Shi Geming
Published: December 2019

The present study aimed to evaluate the protective efficacy of testosterone propionate (TP) on age-related liver changes via activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway in aged rats. Aged rats received subcutaneous injections of TP (2 mg/kg/d, 84 days). Oxidative stress parameters and the expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), Kelch-like ECH associating protein-1 (Keap1), Nrf2, haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in liver tissues were examined to check whether the Nrf2-ARE pathway was involved in the age-related changes in liver. Our results showed that TP supplementation alleviated liver morphology, liver function and liver fibrosis; improved oxidative stress parameters; and increased the expression of STAT5b, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 and decreased the expression of Keap1 in the liver tissues of aged rats. These results suggested that TP increased the expression of STAT5b, and then activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway and promoted antioxidant mechanisms in aged rats. These findings may provide new therapeutic uses for TP in patients with age-related liver changes.
Surface Detection of THC Attributable to Vaporizer Use in the Indoor Environment
Authors: Sempio Cristina , Lindley Emily , Klawitter Jost , Christians Uwe , Bowler Russell P. , Adgate John L. , Allshouse William , Awdziejczyk Lauren , Fischer Sarah , Bainbridge Jacquelyn , Vandyke Mike , Netsanet Rahwa , Crume Tessa , Kinney Gregory L.
Published: December 2019

The number of cannabis users increased up to 188 million users worldwide in 2017. Smoking and vaping are the most common consumption routes with formation of side-stream smoke/vapor and secondhand exposure to cannabinoids has been described in the literature. External contamination of hair by cannabis smoke has been studied but there are no studies on third-hand cannabis exposure due to deposition of smoke or vapor on surfaces. We tested whether cannabinoids could be detected on surfaces and objects in a room where cannabis is vaporized. Surface samples were collected using isopropanol imbued non-woven wipes from hard surfaces and objects. Each surface was swabbed three times with standardized swabbing protocol including three different patterns. Samples were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS/MS in combination with online extraction. THC was detected on 6 samples out of the 15 collected in the study room at quantifiable levels ranging 348–4882 ng/m2. Negative control samples collected from areas outside the study room were all negative. We demonstrated that surfaces exposed to side-stream cannabis vapor are positive for THC at quantifiable levels. This study represents a first step in understanding how side-stream cannabis vapor deposits in the environment and potentially results in a tertiary exposure for users and non-users.
Bio-Inspired Active Skins for Surface Morphing
Authors: Park Yujin , Vella Gianmarco , Loh Kenneth J.
Published: December 2019

Mechanical metamaterials that leverage precise geometrical designs and imperfections to induce unique material behavior have garnered significant attention. This study proposes a Bio-Inspired Active Skin (BIAS) as a new class of instability-induced morphable structures, where selective out-of-plane material deformations can be pre-programmed during design and activated by in-plane strains. The deformation mechanism of a unit cell geometrical design is analyzed to identify how the introduction of hinge-like notches or instabilities, versus their pristine counterparts, can pave way for controlling bulk BIAS behavior. Two-dimensional arrays of repeating unit cells were fabricated, with notches implemented at key locations throughout the structure, to harvest the instability-induced surface features for applications such as camouflage, surface morphing, and soft robotic grippers.
Polarization in social media assists influencers to become more influential: analysis and two inoculation strategies
Authors: Garibay Ivan , Mantzaris Alexander V. , Rajabi Amirarsalan , Taylor Cameron E.
Published: December 2019

This work explores simulations of polarized discussions from a general and theoretical premise. Specifically the question of whether a plausible avenue exists for a subgroup in an online social network to find a disagreement beneficial and what that benefit could be. A methodological framework is proposed which represents key factors that drives social media engagement including the iterative accumulation of influence and the dynamics for the asymmetric treatment of messages during a disagreement. It is shown that prior to a polarization event a trend towards a more uniform distribution of relative influence is achieved which is then reversed by the polarization event. The reasons for this reversal are discussed and how it has a plausible analogue in real world systems. A pair of inoculation strategies are proposed which aim at returning the trend towards uniform influence across users while refraining from violating user privacy (by remaining topic agnostic) and from user removal operations.
Sodium Channel Nav1.5 Controls Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasiveness in Breast Cancer Cells Through its Regulation by the Salt-Inducible Kinase-1
Authors: Gradek Frédéric , Lopez-Charcas Osbaldo , Chadet Stéphanie , Poisson Lucile , Ouldamer Lobna , Goupille Caroline , Jourdan Marie-Lise , Chevalier Stéphan , Moussata Driffa , Besson Pierre , Roger Sébastien
Published: December 2019

Loss of epithelial polarity and gain in invasiveness by carcinoma cells are critical events in the aggressive progression of cancers and depend on phenotypic transition programs such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Many studies have reported the aberrant expression of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) in carcinomas and specifically the NaV1.5 isoform, encoded by the SCN5A gene, in breast cancer. NaV1.5 activity, through an entry of sodium ions, in breast cancer cells is associated with increased invasiveness, but its participation to the EMT has to be clarified. In this study, we show that reducing the expression of NaV1.5 in highly aggressive human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells reverted the mesenchymal phenotype, reduced cancer cell invasiveness and the expression of the EMT-promoting transcription factor SNAI1. The heterologous expression of NaV1.5 in weakly invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced their expression of both SNAI1 and ZEB1 and increased their invasive capacities. In MCF-7 cells the stimulation with the EMT-activator signal TGF-β1 increased the expression of SCN5A. Moreover, the reduction of the salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) expression promoted NaV1.5-dependent invasiveness and expression of EMT-associated transcription factor SNAI1. Altogether, these results indicated a prominent role of SIK1 in regulating NaV1.5-dependent EMT and invasiveness.
Synthetic gel structures in soils for sustainable potato farming
Authors: Smagin Andrey , Sadovnikova Nadezhda , Smagina Marina
Published: December 2019

Anti-pathogenic protection of potatoes remains one of the most pressing problems of sustainable agronomy and plant protection. For this purpose, we propose to use a new type of synthetic hydrogels filled with amphiphilic recipients (dispersed peat, humates) and modern plant protection products. We assumed that the introduction of swollen gel structures into the rhizosphere of potatoes will allow us: to optimize the water supply and productivity of potatoes; to protect the fertile layer and potato tubers from the main pathogens; to fix modern plant protection products in the rhizosphere, keeping them from leaching and entering the environment. Preliminary laboratory experiments tested the anti-microbial activity of gel structures, as well as their water retention, dispersity and hydraulic conductivity with subsequent computer modeling of the water exchange and root uptake in the system of “soil-gel-potato”. Field trials were carried out in humid (European Russia) and arid (Uzbekistan) conditions under the atmospheric precipitation and irrigation on different soils and potato varieties with instrumental monitoring of environment, potato growth and quality. All experimental results confirmed the high efficiency of water-accumulative and plant protective synthetic gel structures. Their usage sufficiently (up to 6–15 t/hct) increases the potato yield with 1.3–2 times water saving, complete retention of agrochemicals in the rizosphere, and its actually total protection against major potato pathogens, including late blight (Phytophthora infestans).
Stretchable Graphene Thin Film Enabled Yarn Sensors with Tunable Piezoresistivity for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Bai Mingxuan , Zhai Yujiang , Liu Fu , Wang Yanan , Luo Sida
Published: December 2019

1D graphene based flexible sensors as wearable electronics have recently attracted considerable attentions because of lightweight, high extensibility, easy to wind and weave, and superior sensitivity. In this research, we established a facile and low-cost strategy to construct graphene thin film enabled yarn sensors (GYS) by combining the process of graphene oxide (GO) coating and reducing on polyester (PE) wound spandex yarns. According to systematic processing-property relationship study, a key finding of this work discovers that the degree of resistance recovery as well as gauge sensitivity of GYS can be well controlled and modulated by a pre-stretch treatment. Specifically, as the level of pre-stretch increases from 0 to 60%, the deformable range of sensor that guarantees full resistance recovery prolongs evidently from 0% to ~50%. Meanwhile, the gauge factor of GYS is tunable in the range from 6.40 to 12.06. To understand the pre-stretch process dependent sensing performance, SEM analysis was assisted to evidence the growing size of micro-cracks determining dominantly the behavior of electron transport. Lastly, to take better advantage of GYS, a new wearing mode was demonstrated by direct winding the yarn sensor on varied portions of human body for monitoring different body movements and muscle contracting & relaxing.
Publisher Correction: Atomistic mechanisms underlying the activation of the G protein-coupled sweet receptor heterodimer by sugar alcohol recognition
Authors: Mahalapbutr Panupong , Darai Nitchakan , Panman Wanwisa , Opasmahakul Aunchan , Kungwan Nawee , Hannongbua Supot , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada
Published: December 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A phenylenediamine-based carbon dot-modified silica stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography
Authors: Yang Yali , Zhang Haijuan , Chen Jia , Li Zhan , Zhao Liang , Qiu Hongdeng
Published: December 2019

Red emitting carbon dots derived from p-phenylenediamine were successfully grafted onto the surface of porous silica spheres which served as a new stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography with enhanced selectivity.
A microfluidic organotypic device for culture of mammalian intestinesex vivo
Authors: Richardson Alec , Schwerdtfeger Luke A. , Eaton Diana , Mclean Ian , Henry Charles S. , Tobet Stuart A.
Published: December 2019

A microfluidic organotypic device that maintains mouse colon explants for up to 72 h in a physiologically relevant environment is reported. The device is easy to assemble and maintains physiologically accurate oxygen concentrations across the tissue.
A novel naphthyridine tetramer that recognizes tandem G–G mismatches by the formation of an interhelical complex
Authors: Lu Yihuan , Dohno Chikara , Nakatani Kazuhiko
Published: December 2019

A novel naphthyridine tetramer, p-NCTB, was reported to bind two distal CGGG/CGGG via noncovalent binding forming inter- and intrastrand complexes.
Defect formation-induced tunable evolution of oxygen functional groups for sodium storage in porous graphene
Authors: Ye Jianqi , Zhao Hanqing , Kang Mengmeng , Song Wei , Kong Qingqiang , Chen Chengmeng , Wu Rui , Mi Jie , Li Zhong
Published: December 2019

Defects were engineered in order to induce the evolution of oxygen functional groups, and the ring defects were responsible for the distribution of groups with CO bonds.
Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut–Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence
Authors: Kondo Masaru , Wathsala H. D. P. , Sako Makoto , Hanatani Yutaro , Ishikawa Kazunori , Hara Satoshi , Takaai Takayuki , Washio Takashi , Takizawa Shinobu , Sasai Hiroaki
Published: December 2019

A highly atom-economical enantioselective Rauhut–Currier and [3+2] annulation has been established by flow system and machine-learning-assisted exploration of suitable conditions.
Relay Rh(ii)/Pd(0) dual catalysis: synthesis of α-quaternary β-keto-esters via a [1,2]-sigmatropic rearrangement/allylic alkylation cascade of α-diazo tertiary alcohols
Authors: Wang Xian-Xu , Huang Xiao-Yan , Lei Sen-Hao , Yang Fang , Gao Jin-Ming , Ji Kegong , Chen Zi-Sheng
Published: December 2019

Rhodium and palladium catalysts cooperated efficiently to promote domino [1,2]-sigmatropic rearrangement/allylic alkylation of α-diazo tertiary alcohols to access α-quaternary β-keto-esters.
Multiscale landscape of molecular mechanism of SIRT1 activation by STACs
Authors: Liu Fei , Yang Na
Published: December 2019

SIRT1 is a NAD-dependent deacetylase. By monitoring dynamics, transitions including less stable and more stable states of SIRT1 were captured and a multiscale landscape for the mechanism of SIRT1 activation by sirtuin activating compound is proposed.
Immobilization of TBBPA on pyrogenic carbon subjected to natural organic matter under freeze–thawing conditions: insights into surface functionalization, coverage processes and binding affinity
Authors: Shen Jian , Huang Gordon , An Chunjiang , Yao Yao , Xin Xiaying , Rosendahl Scott
Published: December 2019

This study explored the surface changes of geometric structure, functional groups, and site-energy distribution of long-term environmental effects of pyrogenic carbon.
In situsequential U–Pb age and Sm–Nd systematics measurements of natural LREE-enriched minerals using single laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Chao , Yang Yue-Heng , Xie Lie-Wen , Wu Shi-Tou , Wang Hao , Yang Jin-Hui , Wu Fu-Yuan
Published: December 2019

In the present work, we describe a sequential U–Pb and Sm–Nd systematics measurement from natural LREE-enriched minerals using Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS coupled with a 193 nm excimer laser in a single shot.
Interface limited hole extraction from methylammonium lead iodide films
Authors: Blaszczyk Oskar , Krishnan Jagadamma Lethy , Ruseckas Arvydas , Sajjad Muhammad T. , Zhang Yiwei , Samuel Ifor D. W.
Published: December 2019

A new method is proposed to determine charge diffusion coefficient and transfer velocity to extraction layers. Hole diffusion coefficient in MAPbI3 is constant between 1016 – 1017 cm−3, a hallmark of band transport but overall extraction is interface limited.
Complexation and fluorescence behavior of proflavin with chemically engineered amine capped carbon nanodots and its subsequent release into DNA environments
Authors: Sengupta Chaitrali , Maity Arnab Kumar , Chakraborty Swatadipta , Mitra Rajib Kumar
Published: December 2019

Amine capped carbon dots are prepared by pyrolysis of citric acid. Probable excited-state interactions between PF and CNDs have been studied. A controlled release of PF into ctDNA by CNDs shows their utility as an efficient drug delivery agent.
Synthesis of tetrahydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indolesvia[3+3] annulation of nitroallylic acetates with indoline-2-thiones
Authors: Basu Pallabita , Hazra Chiranjit , Baiju Thekke V. , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: December 2019

[3+3] annulation of 1,3-binucleophilic indolin-2-thione with 1,3-bielectrophilic nitroallylic acetateviaan SN2-reaction-6-endo-trigcyclization takes place with high regio- and stereoselectivity to afford tetrahydrothiopyranoindoles.
The immobilizing polysulfide mechanism of cadmium-doping carbon aerogels via a microtemplate for high performance Li–S batteries
Authors: Ma Li , Li Xueliang , Gao Wei , Zhang Xingchi , Xu Pei , Shu Yizhen , Ye Jinjin , Zheng Baocheng , Ding Yunsheng
Published: December 2019

We develop a novel microtemplate strategy to prepare unique carbon aerogels. The designed cathode materials present excellent electrochemical performance.
A polypyrrole-adorned, self-supported, pseudocapacitive zinc vanadium oxide nanoflower and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide-based asymmetric supercapacitor device for power density applications
Authors: Halder Lopamudra , Kumar Das Amit , Maitra Anirban , Bera Aswini , Paria Sarbaranjan , Karan Sumanta Kumar , Si Suman Kumar , Ojha Suparna , De Anurima , Khatua Bhanu Bhusan
Published: December 2019

Herein, a distinctive approach has been implemented for exploiting a typical battery material zinc vanadium oxide (ZV) as a supercapacitor electrode material.
Structural phase transformation from SnS2/reduced graphene oxide to SnS/sulfur-doped graphene and its lithium storage properties
Authors: Jiang Yong , Ding Yanwei , Chen Fang , Wang Zhixuan , Xu Yi , Huang Shoushuang , Chen Zhiwen , Zhao Bing , Zhang Jiujun
Published: December 2019

Structural phase transition from SnS2/reduced graphene oxide (SnS2/rGO) to SnS/sulfur-doped graphene (SnS/S-GNS) is demonstrated by both molecular simulation and experimental observations.
Accelerated polysulfide conversion on hierarchical porous vanadium–nitrogen–carbon for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Fan Yining , Ma Feng , Liang Jiashun , Chen Xian , Miao Zhengpei , Duan Shuo , Wang Liang , Wang Tanyuan , Han Jiantao , Cao Ruiguo , Jiao Shuhong , Li Qing
Published: December 2019

Hierarchical porous V–N–C with V–Nx sites demonstrates enhanced catalytic activity for polysulfide conversion, and thus shows excellent performance in Li–S batteries.
Surface-grafted polyacrylonitrile brushes with aggregation-induced emission properties
Authors: Kopeć Maciej , Pikiel Marcin , Vancso G. Julius
Published: December 2019

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) brushes were grafted from silicon wafers by photoinduced ATRP and shown to exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
Anticancer activity of ruthenium and osmium cyclometalated compounds: identification of ABCB1 and EGFR as resistance mechanisms
Authors: Licona Cynthia , Delhorme Jean-Baptiste , Riegel Gilles , Vidimar Vania , Cerón-Camacho Ricardo , Boff Bastien , Venkatasamy Aina , Tomasetto Catherine , da Silva Figueiredo Celestino Gomes Priscila , Rognan Didier , Freund Jean-Noel , Le Lagadec Ronan , Pfeffer Michel , Gross Isabelle , Mellitzer Georg , Gaiddon Christian
Published: December 2019

Switching from ruthenium to osmium reduces sensitivity towards ABCB1 resistance for cyclometalated anticancer drugs.
Synthesis of xanthone derivatives and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma potency evaluation: induced apoptosis
Authors: Liu Jie , Bao Hui , Wang Huailing , Luo Qiang , Zuo Jianhong , Liu Zhigang , Qiu Shuqi , Sun Xizhuo , Liu Xiaoyu
Published: December 2019

Twenty-one xanthone derivatives (XDs) were synthesized by a microwave-assisted technique.
Largely enhanced thermal conductivity and thermal stability of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites via BN/CNT synergy
Authors: Guo Yiyou , Cao Changlin , Luo Fubin , Huang Baoquan , Xiao Liren , Qian Qingrong , Chen Qinghua
Published: December 2019

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synergistically assist boron nitride microsheets (BNs) to form a more continuous and effective thermal conduction path.
Diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens and their nitric oxide production inhibitory activity
Authors: Wen Chumao , Chen Su , Yuan Fang , Liu Xiangming , Song Fajun , Mei Zhinan , Yang Xiaofei , Yang Guangzhong
Published: December 2019

Six previously undescribed ent-kaurane diterpenoids, including two 6,7-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoids (1–2), four 7,20-epoxy-ent-kaurane diterpenoids (3–6) were isolated from I. rubescens.