bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol use effects on adolescent brain development revealed by simultaneously removing confounding factors, identifying morphometric patterns, and classifying individuals
Authors: Park Sang Hyun , Zhang Yong , Kwon Dongjin , Zhao Qingyu , Zahr Natalie M. , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Sullivan Edith V. , Pohl Kilian M.
Published: May 2018

Group analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics frequently employs generalized additive models (GAM) to remove contributions of confounding factors before identifying cohort specific characteristics. For example, the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) used such an approach to identify effects of alcohol misuse on the developing brain. Here, we hypothesized that considering confounding factors before group analysis removes information relevant for distinguishing adolescents with drinking history from those without. To test this hypothesis, we introduce a machine-learning model that identifies cohort-specific, neuromorphometric patterns by simultaneously training a GAM and generic classifier on macrostructural MRI and microstructural diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and compare it to more traditional group analysis and machine-learning approaches. Using a baseline NCANDA MR dataset (N = 705), the proposed machine learning approach identified a pattern of eight brain regions unique to adolescents who misuse alcohol. Classifying high-drinking adolescents was more accurate with that pattern than using regions identified with alternative approaches. The findings of the joint model approach thus were (1) impartial to confounding factors; (2) relevant to drinking behaviors; and (3) in concurrence with the alcohol literature.
Blockade of HMGB1 Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy in Mice
Authors: Chen Xiaochen , Ma Jin , Kwan Tony , Stribos Elisabeth G. D. , Messchendorp A. Lianne , Loh Yik W. , Wang Xiaoyu , Paul Moumita , Cunningham Eithne C. , Habib Miriam , Alexander Ian E. , Sharland Alexandra F. , Chadban Steven J. , Wu Huiling
Published: May 2018

Activation of TLR2 or TLR4 by endogenous ligands such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) may mediate inflammation causing diabetic kidney injury. We determined whether blockade of HMGB1 signaling by: (1) supra-physiological production of endogenous secretory Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (esRAGE), a receptor for HMGB1; (2) administration of HMGB1 A Box, a specific competitive antagonist, would inhibit development of streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy (DN). Wild-type diabetic mice developed albuminuria, glomerular injuries, interstitial fibrosis and renal inflammation. Using an adeno-associated virus vector, systemic over-expression of esRAGE afforded significant protection from all parameters. No protection was achieved by a control vector which expressed human serum albumin. Administration of A Box was similarly protective against development of DN. To determine the mechanism(s) of protection, we found that whilst deficiency of TLR2, TLR4 or RAGE afforded partial protection from development of DN, over-expression of esRAGE provided additional protection in TLR2−/−, modest protection against podocyte damage only in TLR4−/− and no protection in RAGE−/− diabetic mice, suggesting the protection provided by esRAGE was primarily through interruption of RAGE and TLR4 pathways. We conclude that strategies to block the interaction between HMGB1 and its receptors may be effective in preventing the development of DN.
Oleuropein aglycone stabilizes the monomeric α-synuclein and favours the growth of non-toxic aggregates
Authors: Palazzi Luana , Bruzzone Elena , Bisello Giovanni , Leri Manuela , Stefani Massimo , Bucciantini Monica , Polverino de Laureto Patrizia
Published: May 2018

α-synuclein plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD); its deposits are found as amyloid fibrils in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the histopathological hallmarks of PD. Amyloid fibrillation is a progressive polymerization path starting from peptide/protein misfolding and proceeding through the transient growth of oligomeric intermediates widely considered as the most toxic species. Consequently, a promising approach of intervention against PD might be preventing α-synuclein build-up, misfolding and aggregation. A possible strategy involves the use of small molecules able to slow down the aggregation process or to alter oligomer conformation favouring the growth of non-pathogenic species. Here, we show that oleuropein aglycone (OleA), the main olive oil polyphenol, exhibits anti-amyloidogenic powerin vitroby interacting with, and stabilizing, α-synuclein monomers thus hampering the growth of on-pathway oligomers and favouring the growth of stable and harmless aggregates with no tendency to evolve into other cytotoxic amyloids. We investigated the molecular basis of such interference by both biophysical techniques and limited proteolysis; aggregate morphology was monitored by electron microscopy. We also found that OleA reduces the cytotoxicity of α-synuclein aggregates by hindering their binding to cell membrane components and preventing the resulting oxidative damage to cells.
Evaluation of psychological stress in confined environments using salivary, skin, and facial image parameters
Authors: Egawa Mariko , Haze Shinichiro , Gozu Yoko , Hosoi Junichi , Onodera Tomoko , Tojo Yosuke , Katsuyama Masako , Hara Yusuke , Katagiri Chika , Inoue Natsuhiko , Furukawa Satoshi , Suzuki Go
Published: May 2018

Detecting the influence of psychological stress is particularly important in prolonged space missions. In this study, we determined potential markers of psychological stress in a confined environment. We examined 23 Japanese subjects staying for 2 weeks in a confined facility at Tsukuba Space Center, measuring salivary, skin, and facial image parameters. Saliva was collected at four points in a single day to detect diurnal variation. Increases in salivary cortisol were detected after waking up on the 4th and 11th days, and at 15:30 on the 1st and in the second half of the stay. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sebum content of the skin were higher compared with outside the facility on the 4th and 1st days respectively. Increased IL-1β in the stripped stratum corneum was observed on the 14th day, and 7 days after leaving. Differences in facial expression symmetry at the time of facial expression changes were observed on 11th and 14th days. Thus, we detected a transition of psychological stress using salivary cortisol profiles and skin physiological parameters. The results also suggested that IL-1β in the stripped stratum corneum and facial expression symmetry are possible novel markers for conveniently detecting psychological stress.
Leucine/glutamine and v-ATPase/lysosomal acidification via mTORC1 activation are required for position-dependent regeneration
Authors: Takayama Kazuya , Muto Akihiko , Kikuchi Yutaka
Published: May 2018

In animal regeneration, control of position-dependent cell proliferation is crucial for the complete restoration of patterned appendages in terms of both, shape and size. However, detailed mechanisms of this process are largely unknown. In this study, we identified leucine/glutamine and v-ATPase/lysosomal acidification, via mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation, as effectors of amputation plane-dependent zebrafish caudal fin regeneration. mTORC1 activation, which functions in cell proliferation, was regulated by lysosomal acidification possibly via v-ATPase activity at 3 h post amputation (hpa). Inhibition of lysosomal acidification resulted in reduced growth factor-related gene expression and suppression of blastema formation at 24 and 48 hpa, respectively. Along the proximal-distal axis, position-dependent lysosomal acidification and mTORC1 activation were observed from 3 hpa. We also report that Slc7a5 (L-type amino acid transporter), whose gene expression is position-dependent, is necessary for mTORC1 activation upstream of lysosomal acidification during fin regeneration. Furthermore, treatment with leucine and glutamine, for both proximal and distal fin stumps, led to an up-regulation in cell proliferation via mTORC1 activation, indicating that leucine/glutamine signaling possesses the ability to change the position-dependent regeneration. Our findings reveal that leucine/glutamine and v-ATPase/lysosomal acidification via mTORC1 activation are required for position-dependent zebrafish fin regeneration.
Amblyopia, Strabismus and Refractive Errors in Congenital Ptosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yijie , Xu Yufeng , Liu Xi , Lou Lixia , Ye Juan
Published: May 2018

Congenital ptosis may be associated with abnormalities of visual development and function, including amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors. However, the prevalence estimates of these abnormalities vary widely. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors in congenital ptosis. Cochrane, Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched by July 2017. We used random/fixed effects models based on a proportion approach to estimate the prevalence. Heterogeneity would be considered signifcant if the p values less than 0.1 and/or I2 greater than 50%. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression analyses and sensitivity analyses were utilized to explore the potential sources of it. A total of 24 studies selected from 3,633 references were included. The highest prevalence was revealed for myopia with 30.2% (95%CI 3.0–69.8%), followed by 22.7% (95%CI 18.5–27.8%) for amblyopia, 22.2% (95%CI 7.8–63.1%) for astigmatism, 19.6% (95%CI 16.5–23.2%) for strabismus, 17.3% (95% CI 13.1–22.9%) for anisometropia and 4.0% for hyperopia (95%CI 1.8–7.1%). Significant heterogeneity was identified across most estimates. Our findings suggest that amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors in congenital ptosis are present in much higher percentage. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with congenital ptosis.
Fluorescent impurity emitter in toluene and its photon emission properties
Authors: Trinh Cong Tai , Lee Jiwon , Lee Kwang-Geol
Published: May 2018

Single fluorescent emitters like colloidal quantum dots or single molecules are usually prepared in solutions and spin-coated onto cover glasses for studying. Toluene has been a widely used solvent in such studies. Here, we report on a fluorescent impurity emitter contained in toluene and its optical properties. The emission spectra of the single emitters show multiple peaks with the main peak varying from 2.03 eV (610 nm) to 2.14 eV (580 nm) and a red-shifted side peak with an average separation of 167 meV from the main peak. The emitted photons show a strong anti-bunching with a fluorescence lifetime of a few nanoseconds. They show very fast blinking behavior which cannot be properly detected by time-trajectory of photoluminescence intensity. An analysis based on the second-order correlation functions reveals that a three-level model can explain our measurements well and that the blinking transition time ranges only a few tens of microseconds. This single emitter in toluene is clearly distinguished from the fluorescent centers in the cover glass by their respective emission spectra. The single emitters in the cover glass also exhibit fast blinking behavior. These background emitters should be carefully identified and distinguished while studying the single fluorescent emitters.
A novel concept for dynamic adjustment of auditory space
Authors: Lingner A. , Pecka M. , Leibold C. , Grothe B.
Published: May 2018

Traditionally, the auditory system is thought to serve reliable sound localization. Stimulus-history driven feedback circuits in the early binaural pathway, however, contradict this canonical concept and raise questions about their functional significance. Here we show that stimulus-history dependent changes in absolute space perception are poorly captured by the traditional labeled-line and hemispheric-difference models of auditory space coding. We therefore developed a new decoding model incorporating recent electrophysiological findings in which sound location is initially computed in both brain hemispheres independently and combined to yield a hemispherically balanced code. This model closely captures the observed absolute localization errors caused by stimulus history, and furthermore predicts a selective dilation and compression of perceptional space. These model predictions are confirmed by improvement and degradation of spatial resolution in human listeners. Thus, dynamic perception of auditory space facilitates focal sound source segregation at the expense of absolute sound localization, questioning existing concepts of spatial hearing.
The Usage of Exon-Exon Splice Junctions for the Detection of Alternative Splicing using the REIDS model
Authors: Van Moerbeke Marijke , Kasim Adetayo , Shkedy Ziv
Published: May 2018

Alternative gene splicing is a common phenomenon in which a single gene gives rise to multiple transcript isoforms. The process is strictly guided and involves a multitude of proteins and regulatory complexes. Unfortunately, aberrant splicing events have been linked to genetic disorders. Therefore, understanding mechanisms of alternative splicing regulation and differences in splicing events between diseased and healthy tissues is crucial in advancing personalized medicine and drug developments. We propose a linear mixed model, Random Effects for the Identification of Differential Splicing (REIDS), for the identification of alternative splicing events using Human Transcriptome Arrays (HTA). For each exon, a splicing score is calculated based on two scores, an exon score and an array score. The junction information is used to rank the identified exons from strongly confident to less confident candidates for alternative splicing. The design of junctions was also discussed to highlight the complexity of exon-exon and exon-junction interactions. Based on a list of Rt-PCR validated probe sets, REIDS outperforms AltAnalyze and iGems in the % recall rate.
Short-term increase in discs’ apparent diffusion is associated with pain and mobility improvements after spinal mobilization for low back pain
Authors: Thiry Paul , Reumont François , Brismée Jean-Michel , Dierick Frédéric
Published: May 2018

Pain perception, trunk mobility and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) within all lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) were collected before and shortly after posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilizations in 16 adults with acute low back pain. Using a pragmatic approach, a trained orthopaedic manual physical therapist applied PA mobilizations to the participants’ spine, in accordance with his examination findings. ADCall was computed from diffusion maps as the mean of anterior (ADCant), middle (ADCmid), and posterior (ADCpost) portions of the IVD. After mobilization, pain ratings and trunk mobility were significantly improved and a significant increase in ADCall values was observed. The greatest ADCall changes were observed at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels and were mainly explained by changes in ADCant and ADCpost, respectively. No significant changes in ADC were observed at L5-S1 level. The reduction in pain and largest changes in ADC observed at the periphery of the hyperintense IVD region suggest that increased peripheral random motion of water molecules is implicated in the IVD nociceptive response modulation. Additionally, ADC changes were observed at remote IVD anatomical levels that did not coincide with the PA spinal mobilization application level.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Activating Repair Schwann Cells
Authors: Ko Kyeong Ryang , Lee Junghun , Lee Deokho , Nho Boram , Kim Sunyoung
Published: May 2018

During the peripheral nerve regeneration process, a variety of neurotrophic factors play roles in nerve repair by acting on neuronal or non-neuronal cells. In this report, we investigated the role(s) of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, c-met, in peripheral nerve regeneration. When mice were subjected to sciatic nerve injury, the HGF protein level was highly increased at the injured and distal sites. The level of both total and phosphorylated c-met was also highly upregulated, but almost exclusively in Schwann cells (SCs) distal from the injury site. When mice were treated with a c-met inhibitor, PHA-665752, myelin thickness and axon regrowth were decreased indicating that re-myelination was hindered. HGF promoted the migration and proliferation of cultured SCs, and also induced the expression of various genes such as GDNF and LIF, presumably by activating ERK pathways. Furthermore, exogenous supply of HGF around the injury site, by intramuscular injection of a plasmid DNA expressing human HGF, enhanced the myelin thickness and axon diameter in injured nerves. Taken together, our results indicate that HGF and c-met play important roles in Schwann cell-mediated nerve repair, and also that HGF gene transfer may provide a useful tool for treating peripheral neuropathy.
Novel Dual-band Band-Pass Filters Based on Surface Plasmon Polariton-like Propagation Induced by Structural Dispersion of Substrate Integrated Waveguide
Authors: Cselyuszka Norbert , Sakotic Zarko , Kitic Goran , Crnojevic-Bengin Vesna , Jankovic Nikolina
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we present two novel dual-band bandpass filters based on surface plasmon polariton-like (SPP-like) propagation induced by structural dispersion of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). Both filters are realized as a three-layer SIW where each layer represents a sub-SIW structure with intrinsic effective permittivity that depends on its width and filling dielectric material. The layers are designed to have effective permittivities of opposite signs in certain frequency ranges, which enables SPP-like propagation to occur at their interfaces. Since three layers can provide two distinct SPP-like propagations, the filters exhibit dual-band behaviour. A detailed theoretical and numerical analysis and numerical optimization have been used to design the filters, which were afterwards fabricated using standard printed circuit board technology. The independent choice of geometrical parameters of sub-SIWs and/or the corresponding dielectric materials provide a great freedom to arbitrarily position the passbands in the spectrum, which is a significant advantage of the proposed filters. At the same time, they meet the requirements for low-cost low-profile configuration since they are realized as SIW structures, as well as for excellent in-band characteristics and selectivity which is confirmed by the measurement results.
Phospholipid homeostasis, membrane tenacity and survival of Mtb in lipid rich conditions is determined by MmpL11 function
Authors: Bothra Ankur , Arumugam Prabhakar , Panchal Vipul , Menon Dilip , Srivastava Sonali , Shankaran Deepthi , Nandy Ananya , Jaisinghani Neetika , Singh Archana , Gokhale Rajesh S. , Gandotra Sheetal , Rao Vivek
Published: May 2018

The mycobacterial cell wall is a chemically complex array of molecular entities that dictate the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Biosynthesis and maintenance of this dynamic entity in mycobacterial physiology is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate a requirement for M. tuberculosis MmpL11 in the maintenance of the cell wall architecture and stability in response to surface stress. In the presence of a detergent like Tyloxapol, a mmpL11 deletion mutant suffered from a severe growth attenuation as a result of altered membrane polarity, permeability and severe architectural damages. This mutant failed to tolerate permissible concentrations of cis-fatty acids suggesting its increased sensitivity to surface stress, evident as smaller colonies of the mutant outgrown from lipid rich macrophage cultures. Additionally, loss of MmpL11 led to an altered cellular fatty acid flux in the mutant: reduced incorporation into membrane cardiolipin was associated with an increased flux into the cellular triglyceride pool. This increase in storage lipids like triacyl glycerol (TAG) was associated with the altered metabolic state of higher dormancy-associated gene expression and decreased sensitivity to frontline TB drugs. This study provides a detailed mechanistic insight into the function of mmpL11 in stress adaptation of mycobacteria.
Impact of genetics on third molar agenesis
Authors: Trakinienė Giedrė , Šidlauskas Antanas , Andriuškevičiūtė Irena , Šalomskienė Loreta , Švalkauskienė Vilma , Smailienė Dalia , Trakinis Tomas
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of heritability on third molar agenesis in twins. The study sample consisted of 284 same sex twins (172 monozygotic and 112 dizygotic), whose mean ages were 19.7 ± 4.3 and 18.9 ± 4.8 years, respectively. The monozygotic group consisted of 36.3% males and 63.7% females, while the dizygotic group consisted of 50.1% males and 49.9% females. The zygosity of the twins was established using 15 specific DNA markers. The prevalence of third molar agenesis in monozygotic twins was 19.6%, which was higher than in the dizygotic twins group (15.50%) (p = 0.004). In both groups, third molar agenesis was more frequent in the maxilla than in the mandible (p = 0.000). Agenesis of the maxillary third molars was mostly affected by additive genetic factors (62–63%), with the common environment and the specific environment accounting for up to 25% and 13%, respectively. In contrast, agenesis of the lower third molars was associated with a higher additive genetic determination (81–83%), with the specific environment accounting for 17% to 19%. The study’s conclusion is that the formation of the third molars follicle is strongly controlled by additive genetic factors.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-uninfected, rituximab treated non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients
Authors: Wei Kai-Che , Sy Chenglen , Wu Shang-Yin , Chuang Tzu-Jung , Huang Wei-Chun , Lai Ping-Chin
Published: May 2018

Rituximab is associated with a higher incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia infection. Pneumocystis prophylaxis is advised in many immunocompromised populations treated with rituximab. However, the beneficial effect of pneumocystis prophylaxis in HIV-uninfected, rituximab-treated non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients has not been assessed. Thus, we conducted this retrospective study to explore pneumocystis infection in HIV-uninfected NHL patients who received at least three courses of chemotherapy without haematopoietic stem cell transplantation using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients who had rituximab-based chemotherapy were included in the experimental (rituximab) group, while the rest of the patients who did not receive any rituximab-based chemotherapy throughout the study period formed the control group. The prevalence rate of pneumocystis infection in the rituximab group (N = 7,554) was significantly higher than that in the control group (N = 4,604) (2.95% vs. 1.32%). The onset of pneumocystis infection occurred between 6 and 16 weeks after chemotherapy. Patients who had pneumocystis prophylaxis, whether or not they had a pneumocystis infection later in their treatment course, had significantly better first-year survival rates (73% vs. 38%). Regular pneumocystis prophylaxis should be considered in this group of patients.
Re-entrant bimodality in spheroidal chiral swimmers in shear flow
Authors: Nili Hossein , Naji Ali
Published: May 2018

We use a continuum model to report on the behavior of a dilute suspension of chiral swimmers subject to externally imposed shear in a planar channel. Swimmer orientation in response to the imposed shear can be characterized by two distinct phases of behavior, corresponding to unimodal or bimodal distribution functions for swimmer orientation along the channel. These phases indicate the occurrence (or not) of a population splitting phenomenon changing the swimming direction of a macroscopic fraction of active particles to the exact opposite of that dictated by the imposed flow. We present a detailed quantitative analysis elucidating the complexities added to the population splitting behavior of swimmers when they are chiral. In particular, the transition from unimodal to bimodal and vice versa are shown to display a re-entrant behavior across the parameter space spanned by varying the chiral angular speed. We also present the notable effects of particle aspect ratio and self-propulsion speed on system phase behavior and discuss potential implications of our results in applications such as swimmer separation/sorting.
Use of porous membranes in tissue barrier and co-culture models
Authors: Chung Henry H. , Mireles Marcela , Kwarta Bradley J. , Gaborski Thomas R.
Published: May 2018

A tutorial review of different porous membranes utilized in tissue barrier and co-culture models with a focus on experimental design and control.
Tunable laser interference lithography preparation of plasmonic nanoparticle arrays tailored for SERS
Authors: Gisbert Quilis Nestor , Lequeux Médéric , Venugopalan Priyamvada , Khan Imran , Knoll Wolfgang , Boujday Souhir , Lamy de la Chapelle Marc , Dostalek Jakub
Published: May 2018

The facile preparation of arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles over a square centimeter surface area is reported.
Extreme downsizing in the surfactant-free synthesis of spin-crossover nanoparticles in a microfluidic flow-focusing junction
Authors: González-Estefan Juan H. , Gonidec Mathieu , Daro Nathalie , Marchivie Mathieu , Chastanet Guillaume
Published: May 2018

A new surfactant-free, flow-focusing droplet microfluidic approach was developed as an important alternative to existing synthesis techniques for the preparation of spin crossover nanoparticles.
Green and rapid mechanosynthesis of high-porosity NU- and UiO-type metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Fidelli Athena M. , Karadeniz Bahar , Howarth Ashlee J. , Huskić Igor , Germann Luzia S. , Halasz Ivan , Etter Martin , Moon Su-Young , Dinnebier Robert E. , Stilinović Vladimir , Farha Omar K. , Friščić Tomislav , Užarević Krunoslav
Published: May 2018

Dodecanuclear zirconium precursor enables a rapid and efficient mechanochemical synthesis of advanced MOFs NU-901 and UiO-67 with surface areas of up to 2250 m2 g−1.
Synergistic host–guest hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions in the complexation between endo-functionalized molecular tube and strongly hydrophilic guest molecules in aqueous solution
Authors: Paul Rabindranath , Paul Sandip
Published: May 2018

Molecular dynamics simulation study of the recognition of hydrophilic molecules by an endo-functionalized molecular tube in aqueous solution.
Size effects on rhodium nanoparticles related to hydrogen-storage capability
Authors: Song Chulho , Yang Anli , Sakata Osami , Kumara L. S. R. , Hiroi Satoshi , Cui Yi-Tao , Kusada Kohei , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: May 2018

The smallest Rh NPs have the largest structural disorder and volume fraction of cavities and so exhibit excellent hydrogen-storage capacity.
Effect of chemical structure on the subglass relaxation dynamics of biobased polyesters as revealed by dielectric spectroscopy: 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid vs. trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid
Authors: Genovese L. , Soccio M. , Lotti N. , Munari A. , Szymczyk A. , Paszkiewicz S. , Linares A. , Nogales A. , Ezquerra T. A.
Published: May 2018

Subglass dynamics in biobased polyesters as a function of ring chemical structure.
Effect of oscillation dynamics on long-range electron transfer in a helical peptide monolayer
Authors: Matsushita Daisuke , Uji Hirotaka , Kimura Shunsaku
Published: May 2018

Electron transfer (ET) reactions via helical peptides composed of –(Aib-Pro)n– were studied in self-assembled monolayers and compared with –(Ala-Aib)n– peptides.
Thermodiffusion of repulsive charged nanoparticles – the interplay between single-particle and thermoelectric contributions
Authors: Cabreira Gomes R. , Ferreira da Silva A. , Kouyaté M. , Demouchy G. , Mériguet G. , Aquino R. , Dubois E. , Nakamae S. , Roger M. , Depeyrot J. , Perzynski R.
Published: May 2018

Thermodiffusion of different ferrite nanoparticles, ∼10 nm in diameter, is explored by forced Rayleigh scattering in tailor-made aqueous dispersions stabilized by electrosteric interparticle interactions.
Molecular and dissociative O2 adsorption on the Cu2O(111) surface
Authors: Yu Xiaohu , Zhao Caibin , Zhang Tianlei , Liu Zhong
Published: May 2018

Dissociative O2 is preferred on the reconstructed Cu2O(111) surface thermodynamically at high coverage.
A strategy for the synthesis of VN@C and VC@C core–shell composites with hierarchically porous structures and large specific surface areas for high performance symmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yifu , Zheng Jiqi , Jing Xuyang , Meng Changgong
Published: May 2018

A novel strategy for the fabrication of VN@C and VC@C was developed by the thermal treatment with H2V3O8@C under N2and Ar atmospheres. VN@C SSC device exhibited better electrochemical performance than VC@C SSC device.
Topological speciation of actinide–transferrin complexes by capillary isoelectric focusing coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: evidence of the non-closure of the lobes
Authors: Brulfert Florian , Aupiais Jean
Published: May 2018

Speciation of plutonium–transferrin complexes by capillary isoelectric focusing coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Stable Fe(ii)-based coordination polymers: synthesis, structural diversity and catalytic applications in homo-coupling reactions
Authors: Wu Qiong , Han Yanbing , Shao Zhichao , Li Junxia , Hou Hongwei
Published: May 2018

Three new stable Fe(ii)-coordination polymers are synthesized and successfully used to catalyze homo-coupling reactions in a cost-effective manner.
Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) beverage consumption improves biomarkers for inflammation but not glucose- or lipid-metabolism in individuals with metabolic syndrome in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kim Hyemee , Simbo Sunday Y. , Fang Chuo , McAlister Lilly , Roque Andrea , Banerjee Nivedita , Talcott Stephen T. , Zhao Hongwei , Kreider Richard B. , Mertens-Talcott Susanne U.
Published: May 2018

Açaí beverage consumption may reduce biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome.
Discovery of novel picolinamide-based derivatives as novel VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors: synthesis,in vitrobiological evaluation and molecular docking
Authors: Sun Wuji , Fang Shubiao , Yan Hong
Published: May 2018

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis, and inhibition of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy.
Photocurrent modulation under dual excitation in individual GaN nanowires
Authors: Yadav Shivesh , Deb Swarup , Gupta Kantimay Das , Dhar Subhabrata
Published: May 2018

We report the modulation of current through individual GaN nanowires by dual [above-bandgap (ABG) and sub-bandgap (SBG)] photo-exposure.
Panchromatic ternary organic solar cells with 9.44% efficiency incorporating porphyrin-based donors
Authors: Vartanian Maida , de la Cruz Pilar , Biswas Subhayan , Sharma Ganesh D. , Langa Fernando
Published: May 2018

A ternary solar cell with two porphyrin-based donors is prepared achieving a high PCE of 9.44% when solvent vapor annealing is applied.
Chiral NHC-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine imines with α-chloroaldehydes for the synthesis of bicyclic pyrazolidinones
Authors: Yang Limin , Lv Yunbo , Wang Fei , Zhong Guofu
Published: May 2018

An NHC-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine imines and α-chloroaldehydes was developed for the synthesis of chiral bicyclic pyrazolidinone derivatives.
Poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) as a versatile platform towards thermoresponsive copolymers
Authors: Jerca Florica Adriana , Jerca Valentin Victor , Anghelache Alina Maria , Vuluga Dumitru Mircea , Hoogenboom Richard
Published: May 2018

Thermoresponsive (co)polymers with LCST behavior based on a well-defined PiPOx scaffold showing high versatility in tuning up the TCP as well as the interval of response.
Coordinative chain transfer copolymerization of ethylene and styrene using an ansa-bis(fluorenyl) neodymium complex and dialkylmagnesium
Authors: Nzahou Ottou Winnie , Norsic Sébastien , Poradowski Marie-Noëlle , Perrin Lionel , D'Agosto Franck , Boisson Christophe
Published: May 2018

Coordinative chain transfer copolymerization of ethylene and styrene was successfully achieved using an ansa-bisfluorenyl neodymium complex, dialkylmagnesium as a chain transfer agent and di-n-butylether as a co-solvent.
Uncovering the action mechanism of polydatinvianetwork pharmacological target prediction
Authors: Pan Boyu , Ren Yuanyuan , Liu Liren
Published: May 2018

Polydatin (PD), a small natural compound originally extracted fromPolygonum cuspidatum, exerts distinct biological functions in a variety of diseases.
Aryl transition metal chemical warheads for protein bioconjugation
Authors: Bisseret Philippe , Abdelkafi Hajer , Blanchard Nicolas
Published: May 2018

Bioorthogonal organometallic chemistry using aryl transition metal reagents as coupling partners is a burgeoning field that holds great promise notably for the study of proteins.
A diagrammatic analysis of the variational perturbation method for classical fluids
Authors: Lue Leo
Published: May 2018

The statistical mechanics of classical fluids can be approached from the particle perspective, where the focus is on the positions of the particles, or from the field perspective, where the focus is on the form of the interaction fields generated by the particles. These two perspectives can be combined through the variational perturbation method.
Sonocrystallization of conjugated polymers with ultrasound fields
Authors: Xi Yuyin , Li David S. , Newbloom Greg M. , Tatum Wesley K. , O’Donnell Matthew , Luscombe Christine K. , Pozzo Lilo D.
Published: May 2018

Possible mechanism of sonocrystallization of conjugated polymers is based on nucleation sites formation during bubble collapse under acoustic field.
Removal of muscle artefacts from few‐channel EEG recordings based on multivariate empirical mode decomposition and independent vector analysis
Authors: Xu Xueyuan , Chen Xun , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2018

Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings are often contaminated by muscle artefacts. To address the problem, various methods have been proposed to suppress muscle artefacts from either multichannel or single‐channel EEG recordings. However, there exist few studies for muscle artefact removal from few‐channel EEG recordings. An effective solution for the few‐channel situation by combining multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) with independent vector analysis (IVA), termed as MEMD‐IVA, is proposed. The proposed method consists of two steps. MEMD is first utilised to decompose a few‐channel EEG recording into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and then IVA is applied on the IMFs to separate sources related to muscle activity. The performance of the proposed method on simulated and real‐life data is evaluated. The results demonstrated that MEMD‐IVA outperforms other possible existing methods in a few‐channel situation.
New reward and penalty scheme for electric distribution utilities employing load‐based reliability indices
Authors: Wang Bo , Camacho Jorge Alexis , Pulliam Gary Michael , Etemadi Amir Hossein , Dehghanian Payman
Published: May 2018

Electric distribution utilities are required to continuously deliver reliable electric power to their customers. Regulatory utility commissions often practise reward and penalty schemes to regulate reliability performance of utility companies annually with respect to a desired performance targets. However, the conventional regulation procedures are commonly found based on the customer‐based standard reliability indices, which are not able to discern the service characteristics behind the electric meters and, hence, fail to holistically characterise the actual impact of electricity interruption. This study proposes a new method to evaluate the load‐based reliability indices in power distribution systems using advanced metering infrastructure data. Furthermore, the authors introduce a reward/penalty regulation scheme for utility regulators to provide a reliability oversight using the proposed load‐based reliability metrics. The new load‐based reliability metric and the reward/penalty scheme proposed bring about superior advantages as the distribution grids become further complex with a high penetration of distributed energy resources and enabled microgrid flexibilities. Numerical analyses on different settings with and without microgrid considerations reveal the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach in real‐world scenarios.
Decomposition method for coordinated planning of distributed generation and distribution network
Authors: Wu Zhi , Liu Yafei , Gu Wei , Zhou Jingjing , Li Junjie , Liu Pengxiang
Published: May 2018

With recent development on renewable energy and distributed generation (DG), distribution system expansion planning (DSEP) problem is facing more challenges. This study proposed a multistage coordinate planning model to minimise the present value of construction cost and operating cost over the planning horizon. Installation of DGs, static var generators, and expansion of distribution network were considered simultaneously. The proposed model is a large‐scale mixed‐integer second‐order conic programming (MISOCP) problem containing large amounts of constraints and variables. The MISOCP can be decomposed into: (i) the master problem which determines the construction plan, (ii) and many subproblems which optimise the operating states under different network configurations and different load levels. A modified Benders decomposition method was applied to generate valid cuts from subproblems with integer variables. Results of the proposed decomposition method were compared with those obtained by commercial software on a 24‐node distribution system. Numerical experiments showed that the proposed method can solve the integrated DSEP problem efficiently.
A multi-component model for observed astrophysical neutrinos
Authors: Palladino Andrea , Winter Walter
Published: May 2018

Aims. We investigated the origin of observed astrophysical neutrinos.

Methods. We propose a multi-component model for the observed diffuse neutrino flux. The model includes residual atmospheric backgrounds, a Galactic contribution (e.g., from cosmic ray interactions with gas), an extragalactic contribution from pp interactions (e.g., from starburst galaxies), and a hard extragalactic contribution from photo-hadronic interactions at the highest energies (e.g., from tidal disruption events or active galactic nuclei).

Results. We demonstrate that this model can address the key problems of astrophysical neutrino data, such as the different observed spectral indices in the high-energy starting and through-going muon samples, a possible anisotropy due to Galactic events, the non-observation of point sources, and the constraint from the extragalactic diffuse gamma-ray background. Furthermore, the recently observed muon track with a reconstructed muon energy of 4.5 PeV might be interpreted as evidence for the extragalactic photo-hadronic contribution. We perform the analysis based on the observed events instead of the unfolded fluxes by computing the probability distributions for the event type and reconstructed neutrino energy. As a consequence, we give the probability of each of these astrophysical components on an event-to-event basis.
The perturbed sublimation rim of the dust disk around the post-AGB binary IRAS08544-4431
Authors: Kluska J. , Hillen M. , Van Winckel H. , Manick R. , Min M. , Regibo S. , Royer P.
Published: May 2018

Context. Post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) binaries are surrounded by stable dusty and gaseous disks similar to the ones around young stellar objects. Whereas, significant effort has been spent on modeling observations of disks around young stellar objects, the disks around post-AGB binaries have received significantly less attention, even though they pose significant constraints on theories of disk physics and binary evolution.

Aims. We want to examine the structure of and phenomena at play in circumbinary disks around post-AGB stars. We continue the analysis of our near-infrared interferometric image of the inner rim of the circumbinary disk around IRAS08544-4431. We want to understand the physics governing this inner disk rim.

Methods. We use a radiative transfer model of a dusty disk to reproduce simultaneously the photometry as well as the near-infrared interferometric dataset on IRAS08544-4431. The model assumes hydrostatic equilibrium and takes dust settling self-consistently into account.

Results. The best-fit radiative transfer model shows excellent agreement with the spectral energy distribution up to millimeter wavelengths as well as with the PIONIER visibility data. It requires a rounded inner rim structure, starting at a radius of 8.25 au. However, the model does not fully reproduce the detected over-resolved flux nor the azimuthal flux distribution of the inner rim. While the asymmetric inner disk rim structure is likely to be the consequence of disk-binary interactions, the origin of the additional over-resolved flux remains unclear.

Conclusions. As in young stellar objects, the disk inner rim of IRAS08544-4431 is ruled by dust sublimation physics. Additional observations are needed to understand the origin of the extended flux and the azimuthal perturbation at the inner rim of the disk.
Schlaganfallprophylaxe
Authors: Kleinecke Caroline , Zintl Konstantin , Kögler Kai , Schnupp Steffen , Brachmann Johannes
Published: May 2018

Vorhofflimmern (VHF) ist weltweit die häufigste Herzrhythmusstörung. 20–30 % aller ischämischen Schlaganfälle sind auf kardioembolische Ereignisse infolge VHF zurückzuführen. Goldstand zur Schlaganfallprophylaxe bei VHF bleibt nach wie vor die orale Antikoagulation (OAK). Hier hat sich in den letzten Jahren bei geeigneten Patienten eine Überlegenheit der nicht nicht-Vitamin-K-abhängigen oralen Antikoagulanzien (NOAK) gegenüber den Vitamin-K-Antagonisten (VKA) gezeigt. Bei lebenslanger Einnahme birgt die OAK jedoch das Risiko von Blutungskomplikationen. Zudem zeigt die Realität, dass etwa ein Drittel der Patienten mit eindeutiger Indikation für eine OAK, diese aus diversen Gründen wie vergangene Blutungsereignisse, Sturzneigung oder Incompliance nicht erhält. Der interventionelle Vorhofohrverschluss hat sich in den letzten Jahren in der Praxis als Alternative zur Schlaganfallprophylaxe bei VHF etabliert. Aktuelle Studien zeigen, dass diese Maßnahme verglichen mit den VKA einen ähnlichen Schutz vor Schlaganfall bietet – bei weniger Blutungskomplikationen im Langzeitverlauf. Darüber hinaus konnte die initial relativ hohe periprozedurale Komplikationsrate in den letzten Jahren deutlich gesenkt werden. Durch Innovationen im Bereich von Bildgebung, Okkludertypen und Schleusenmaterial ist für die Zukunft mit einer noch höheren Sicherheit des Eingriffs zu rechnen. Ein direkter Vergleich zwischen NOAK und dem interventionellen Vorhofohrverschluss steht noch aus. Daher wird von den Leitlinien empfohlen, den Verschluss des linken Vorhofohrs nur bei Patienten mit eindeutiger Kontraindikation gegen eine OAK in Erwägung zu ziehen (Empfehlungsgrad IIb, Evidenzgrad B).
Einfluss einer OSA-Therapie auf etabliertes polyphasisches Schlafverhalten
Authors: Kerl J. , Dellweg D.
Published: May 2018

Ziel der Arbeit Die Studie untersucht die Prävalenz polyphasischen Schlafverhaltens (PSV) bei Schlafapnoe (OSA)-Patienten. Bei Einstellung auf OSA-Therapie wurde bei PSV-Patienten das resultierende Schlafverhalten untersucht.

Methodik Schlafzeiten in 24 Stunden wurden bei OSA-Erstaufnahmen per Fragebogen erfasst (n = 163). Polyphasische Patienten wurden bzgl. der Therapiewirkung auf das Schlafverhalten nachuntersucht. Zusätzlich wurden andere Patienten per Telemonitoring auf polyphasische Gerätenutzung untersucht (n = 487).

Ergebnisse 39,6 % der Patienten hatten PSV. Unter Therapie resultierte 97,0 % monophasische und 3,0 % biphasische Gerätenutzung. 81,8 % wurden unter Therapie monophasisch. 15,2 % hatten erhaltenes biphasisches Schlafverhalten ohne Therapie beim Tagschlaf, während 3,0 % das Gerät auch am Tag nutzten. Im Telemonitoring zeigten 2,9 % polyphasische Gerätenutzung.

Schlussfolgerung Die Prävalenz von PSV bei OSA ist mit 39,6 % höher als in der Normalbevölkerung. Dies ist zu 81,8 % rückläufig unter OSA-Therapie. Bei erhaltenem biphasischem Schlafverhalten wird Tagschlaf überwiegend ohne Gerät absolviert. Polyphasische Gerätenutzung beträgt 2,9 % (Telemonitoring) bzw. 3,0 % der Kontrollpatienten.
Fokussierte Ultraschallanwendungen in der Anästhesiologie
Authors: Siebers Christian , Schwartz Lisa , Nebelsiek Tim , Scheiermann Patrick
Published: May 2018

Der Einsatz von Ultraschalltechnologie in der Anästhesiologie hat in den letzten Jahren erheblich zugenommen und beschränkt sich nicht mehr nur auf die
perioperative ultraschallgesteuerte Anlage von Nervenblockaden oder zentralen Venenkathetern, sondern umfasst mittlerweile auch die prä- und innerklinische
Notfallversorgung sowie die postoperative Nachbetreuung auf der Intensivstation. Die Sonografie wird dabei bettseitig im Sinne eines Point-of-Care-Verfahrens
vor allem für die Beurteilung von Herz, Lunge und Abdomen eingesetzt. Charakteristischerweise kommt Ultraschall hier als diagnostisches und therapeutisches
Werkzeug fokussiert – das heißt, mit einer klar definierten qualitativen Fragestellung, die idealerweise mit ja oder nein zu beantworten ist – zum Einsatz. Für
Befunde, die einer weiteren Abklärung oder komplexeren Intervention bedürfen, kann der jeweilige Spezialist (z. B. Kardiologe, Radiologe, Gastroenterologe)
hinzugezogen werden. Da die Bedeutung der Sonografie im Bereich der Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin für Assistenten in Weiterbildung und Fachärzte
voraussichtlich auch in Zukunft weiter zunehmen wird, ist die fundierte Ausbildung in der Ultraschallanwendung für das Fachgebiet von zentraler Bedeutung.
Does GastroPlus Support Similarity and Dissimilarity Factors of in vitro-in vivo Prediction in Biowaiver Studies? A Lower Strength Amlodipine As a Model Drug
Authors: Zaid Abdel , Shraim Naser , Radwan Asmaa , Jaradat Nidal , Hirzallah Samah , Issa Ibrahim , Khraim Aya
Published: May 2018

Background Many generic pharmaceutical products are currently available on the market place worldwide. Recently, there is a growing concern on the quality and efficacy of generic products. However, health care professionals such as physicians and pharmacists are in difficult situations to choose among alternatives.

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the in silico technique (Gastro Plus®) in the biowaiver study and whether similarity and dissimilarity factors (f
2 and f
1 respectively) are effective in this regard.

Method The concentration of amlodipine in the sample was calculated by comparing the absorbance of the sample with that of a previously prepared amlodipine standard solution using validated HPLC method. The dissolution profile for each product (brand and generics) was constructed. The similarity (f2) and dissimilarity (f
1) factors were calculated for the generic product according to equation 1 and 2. GastroPlus™ software (version 9.0, Simulations Plus Inc., Lancaster, CA, USA) was used to predict the absorption profiles of amlodipine from the generic product Amlovasc® and the reference Norvasc®.

Conclusion These results may provide a rationale for the interchangeability between the RLD and generic version based on in vitro release profiles in silico technique especially in a lower strength dose drug.