bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of liver injury after α-glucosidase inhibitor therapy in advanced chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Kao Chih-Chin , Wu Pei-Chen , Wu Che-Hsiung , Chen Li-kwang , Chen Hsi-Hsien , Wu Mai-Szu , Wu Vin-Cent
Published: January 2016

Although α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are commonly used for controlling postprandial blood glucose, AGIs-induced liver injuries have been reported. However, the relationship between AGIs and liver injuries in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients remains unexplored. In this nationwide case-control study, we recruited 1765 advanced diabetic CKD patients, who received AGIs therapy from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010 as the study sample and 5295 matched controls. Recent and former AGIs users were defined as patients who received the AGIs prescription for 30–60 d and 30–210 d before the event of liver injury. The risk of AGIs-induced liver injury was examined using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model. Liver injury occurred in 3.9% of patients in the study group and 3.3% of patients in the control group. AGIs use did not increase the risk of liver injury in advanced CKD patients (P = 0.19). The stratified analysis indicated no increased risk of liver injury in all AGIs-using subgroups (all P > 0.05). The available evidence supports extending the use of AGIs without increasing the risk of liver injury in patients with advanced CKD. Additional randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our results.
Amrubicin for relapsed small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 803 patients
Authors: Horita Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Masaki , Sato Takashi , Tsukahara Toshinori , Nagakura Hideyuki , Tashiro Ken , Shibata Yuji , Watanabe Hiroki , Nagai Kenjiro , Nakashima Kentaro , Ushio Ryota , Ikeda Misako , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Shinkai Masaharu , Kudo Makoto , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: January 2016

Currently, amrubicin is permitted for relapsed small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) only in Japan. The efficacy and adverse effects of amrubicin as reported by previous studies varied greatly. The inclusion criterion was a prospective study that was able to provide data for efficacy and safety by the AMR single agent regimen as second-line chemotherapy for a patient with SCLC. Binary data were meta-analyzed with the random-model generic inverse variance method. We included nine articles consisted of 803 patients. The pooled three-, six- and nine-month progression-free survival were 63% (95% CI 57–69%, I2 = 53%), 28% (95% CI 21–35%, I2 = 71%) and 10% (95% CI 6–14%, I2 = 41%), respectively. The pooled six-, 12- and 18-month overall survival were 69% (95% CI 61–78%, I2 = 83%), 36% (95% CI 28–44%, I2 = 80%) and 15% (95% CI 8–21%, I2 = 81%), respectively. Amrubicin seemed much more beneficial for Japanese patients. However, compared to the efficacy of topotecan presented in a previous meta-analysis, amrubicin may be a better treatment option than topotecan for both Japanese and Euro-American. Adverse effects by amrubicin were almost exclusively observed to be hematological. Notably, grade III/IV neutropenia incidence was 70% and febrile neutropenia incidence was 12%.
Spatial Abundance and Distribution of Potential Microbes and Functional Genes Associated with Anaerobic Mineralization of Pentachlorophenol in a Cylindrical Reactor
Authors: Li Zhi-Ling , Nan Jun , Huang Cong , Liang Bin , Liu Wen-Zong , Cheng Hao-Yi , Zhang Chunfang , Zhang Dongdong , Kong Deyong , Kanamaru Kyoko , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Wang Ai-Jie , Katayama Arata
Published: January 2016

Functional interplays of microbial activity, genetic diversity and contaminant transformation are poorly understood in reactors for mineralizing halogenated aromatics anaerobically. Here, we investigated abundance and distribution of potential microbes and functional genes associated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) anaerobic mineralization in a continuous-flow cylindrical reactor (15 cm in length). PCP dechlorination and the metabolite (phenol) were observed at segments 0–8 cm from inlet, where key microbes, including potential reductive dechlorinators (Dehalobacter, Sulfurospirillum, Desulfitobacterium and Desulfovibrio spp.) and phenol degraders (Cryptanaerobacter and Syntrophus spp.), as well as putative functional genes, including putative chlorophenol reductive dehalogenase (cprA) and benzoyl-CoA reductase (bamB), were highly enriched simultaneously. Five types of putative cprAs, three types of putative bamBs and seven types of putative nitrogenase reductase (nifHs) were determined, with their copy numbers decreased gradually from inlet to outlet. Distribution of chemicals, bacteria and putative genes confirmed PCP dechlorination and phenol degradation accomplished in segments 0–5 cm and 0–8 cm, respectively, contributing to a high PCP mineralization rate of 3.86 μM d−1. Through long-term incubation, dechlorination, phenol degradation and nitrogen fixation bacteria coexisted and functioned simultaneously near inlet (0–8 cm), verified the feasibility of anaerobic mineralization of halogenated aromatics in the compact reactor containing multiple functional microbes.
Experimental distinction of Autler-Townes splitting from electromagnetically induced transparency using coupled mechanical oscillators system
Authors: Liu Jingliang , Yang Hujiang , Wang Chuan , Xu Kun , Xiao Jinghua
Published: January 2016

Here we experimentally demonstrated the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) effects in mechanical coupled pendulums. The analogue of EIT and ATS has been studied in mechanical systems and the intrinsic physics between these two phenomena are also been discussed. Exploiting the Akaike Information Criterion, we discern the ATS effect from EIT effect in our experimental results.
On Wiener polarity index of bicyclic networks
Authors: Ma Jing , Shi Yongtang , Wang Zhen , Yue Jun
Published: January 2016

Complex networks are ubiquitous in biological, physical and social sciences. Network robustness research aims at finding a measure to quantify network robustness. A number of Wiener type indices have recently been incorporated as distance-based descriptors of complex networks. Wiener type indices are known to depend both on the network’s number of nodes and topology. The Wiener polarity index is also related to the cluster coefficient of networks. In this paper, based on some graph transformations, we determine the sharp upper bound of the Wiener polarity index among all bicyclic networks. These bounds help to understand the underlying quantitative graph measures in depth.
Distribution, congruence and hotspots of higher plants in China
Authors: Zhao Lina , Li Jinya , Liu Huiyuan , Qin Haining
Published: January 2016

Identifying biodiversity hotspots has become a central issue in setting up priority protection areas, especially as financial resources for biological diversity conservation are limited. Taking China’s Higher Plants Red List (CHPRL), including Bryophytes, Ferns, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, as the data source, we analyzed the geographic patterns of species richness, endemism and endangerment via data processing at a fine grid-scale with an average edge length of 30 km based on three aspects of richness information: species richness, endemic species richness and threatened species richness. We sought to test the accuracy of hotspots used in identifying conservation priorities with regard to higher plants. Next, we tested the congruence of the three aspects and made a comparison of the similarities and differences between the hotspots described in this paper and those in previous studies. We found that over 90% of threatened species in China are concentrated. While a high spatial congruence is observed among the three measures, there is a low congruence between two different sets of hotspots. Our results suggest that biodiversity information should be considered when identifying biological hotspots. Other factors, such as scales, should be included as well to develop biodiversity conservation plans in accordance with the region’s specific conditions.
Electrical and mechanical switching of ferroelectric polarization in the 70 nm BiFeO3 film
Authors: Chen Liufang , Cheng Zhihao , Xu Wenting , Meng Xiangjian , Yuan Guoliang , Liu Junming , Liu Zhiguo
Published: January 2016

Ferroelectric polarization switching and its domain evolution play a key role on the macroscopic electric properties of ferroelectric or piezoelectric devices. Mechanical switching has been reported recently in ~5 nm BaTiO3 and PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 epitaxial films; however it is still a challenge for a mechanical force to switch polarization of a slightly thicker film in the same way as an electric field. Here, we report that the polarization of a 70 nm BiFeO3 epitaxial film can be completely switched by a mechanical force and its domain evolution is similar to that observed with electrical switching. With the gradual increase of the field/force, new domains nucleate preferentially at domain boundaries, the μm-size domains commonly decompose to a mass of nm-size domains and finally they may reorganize to μm-size domains which undergo 180o polarization switching through multi steps. Importantly, the complete mechanical switching of polarization was also established in the (0 0 1) film with a smooth surface. Furthermore, either upward or downward polarization can be read out nondestructively by a constant current. Our study sheds light on prospective applications of ferroelectrics in the absence of an electric field, such as memory devices and other micro-electromechanical systems.
Tumor necrosis factor-α G-308A (rs1800629) polymorphism and aggressive periodontitis susceptibility: a meta-analysis of 16 case-control studies
Authors: Wei Xue-Mei , Chen Yong-Ji , Wu Lan , Cui Li-Jun , Hu Ding-Wei , Zeng Xian-Tao
Published: January 2016

Association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) G-308A (rs1800629) polymorphism and susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (AgP) were inconsistent, hence we performed this meta-analysis to clarify the association between them using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v2.2 software. 16 case-control studies were searched from the PubMed, Embase and CNKI databases up to February 2, 2015. The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk in A vs. G (OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.04–1.44), AA vs. GG (OR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.11–3.87) and AA vs. AG+GG genetic models (OR = 2.09, 95%CI = 1.13–3.86); however, the non-significantly increased risk was shown in AG vs. GG (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.85–1.32) and AA+AG vs. GG genetic models (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.85–1.31). Cumulative analysis showed that the association changed from non-significant to significant with new studies accumulated and the CIs became more and more narrow, sensitivity analysis indicated results were statistically robust. Stratified analyses of confirmed of HWE, Asians, Caucasians and population-based controls obtained results similar to that of overall analysis. There was no evidence of publication bias. In summary, current evidence demonstrates that TNF-a G-308A polymorphism might be associated with AgP susceptibility, especially in Asians and Caucasians.
DNA methylation dynamics in mouse preimplantation embryos revealed by mass spectrometry
Authors: Okamoto Yoshinori , Yoshida Naoko , Suzuki Toru , Shimozawa Nobuhiro , Asami Maki , Matsuda Tomonari , Kojima Nakao , Perry Anthony C. F. , Takada Tatsuyuki
Published: January 2016

Following fertilization in mammals, paternal genomic 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5 mC) content is thought to decrease via oxidation to 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5 hmC). This reciprocal model of demethylation and hydroxymethylation is inferred from indirect, non-quantitative methods. We here report direct quantification of genomic 5 mC and 5 hmC in mouse embryos by small scale liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (SMM). Profiles of absolute 5 mC levels in embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were almost identical. By 10 h after fertilization, 5 mC levels had declined by ~40%, consistent with active genomic DNA demethylation. Levels of 5 mC in androgenotes (containing only a paternal genome) and parthenogenotes (containing only a maternal genome) underwent active 5 mC loss in the first 6 h, showing that both parental genomes can undergo demethylation independently. We found no evidence for net loss of 5 mC 10–48 h after fertilization, implying that any passive ‘demethylation’ following DNA replication was balanced by active 5 mC maintenance methylation. However, levels of 5 mC declined during development after 48 h, to 1% (measured as a fraction of G-residues) in blastocysts (~96 h). 5 hmC levels were consistently low (<0.2% of G-residues) throughout development in normal diploid embryos. This work directly quantifies the dynamics of global genomic DNA modification in mouse preimplantation embryos, suggesting that SMM will be applicable to other biomedical situations with limiting sample sizes.
Network-Based Comparative Analysis of Arabidopsis Immune Responses to Golovinomyces orontii and Botrytis cinerea Infections
Authors: Jiang Zhenhong , Dong Xiaobao , Zhang Ziding
Published: January 2016

A comprehensive exploration of common and specific plant responses to biotrophs and necrotrophs is necessary for a better understanding of plant immunity. Here, we compared the Arabidopsis defense responses evoked by the biotrophic fungus Golovinomyces orontii and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea through integrative network analysis. Two time-course transcriptional datasets were integrated with an Arabidopsis protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to construct a G. orontii conditional PPI sub-network (gCPIN) and a B. cinerea conditional PPI sub-network (bCPIN). We found that hubs in gCPIN and bCPIN played important roles in disease resistance. Hubs in bCPIN evolved faster than hubs in gCPIN, indicating the different selection pressures imposed on plants by different pathogens. By analyzing the common network from gCPIN and bCPIN, we identified two network components in which the genes were heavily involved in defense and development, respectively. The co-expression relationships between interacting proteins connecting the two components were different under G. orontii and B. cinerea infection conditions. Closer inspection revealed that auxin-related genes were overrepresented in the interactions connecting these two components, suggesting a critical role of auxin signaling in regulating the different co-expression relationships. Our work may provide new insights into plant defense responses against pathogens with different lifestyles.
Reconstruction of atmospheric soot history in inland regions from lake sediments over the past 150 years
Authors: Han Y. M. , Wei C. , Huang R.-J. , Bandowe B. A. M. , Ho S. S. H. , Cao J. J. , Jin Z. D. , Xu B. Q. , Gao S. P. , Tie X. X. , An Z. S. , Wilcke W.
Published: January 2016

Historical reconstruction of atmospheric black carbon (BC, in the form of char and soot) is still constrained for inland areas. Here we determined and compared the past 150-yr records of BC and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediments from two representative lakes, Huguangyan (HGY) and Chaohu (CH), in eastern China. HGY only receives atmospheric deposition while CH is influenced by riverine input. BC, char and soot have similar vertical concentration profiles as PACs in both lakes. Abrupt increases in concentrations and mass accumulation rates (MARs) of soot have mainly occurred since ~1950, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, when energy usage changed to more fossil fuel contributions reflected by the variations in the concentration ratios of char/soot and individual PACs. In HGY, soot MARs increased by ~7.7 times in the period 1980–2012 relative to the period 1850–1950. Similar increases (~6.7 times) were observed in CH. The increase in soot MARs is also in line with the emission inventory records in the literature and the fact that the submicrometer-sized soot particles can be dispersed regionally. The study provides an alternative method to reconstruct the atmospheric soot history in populated inland areas.
Does oral exposure to cadmium and lead mediate susceptibility to colitis? The dark-and-bright sides of heavy metals in gut ecology
Authors: Breton Jérôme , Daniel Catherine , Vignal Cécile , Body-Malapel Mathilde , Garat Anne , Plé Coline , Foligné Benoît
Published: January 2016

Although the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are known environmental health concerns, their long-term impacts on gut ecology and susceptibility to gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases have not been extensively investigated. We sought to determine whether subchronic oral exposure to Cd or Pb is a risk factor for the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mice were exposed to various doses of CdCl2 or PbCl2 in drinking water for 1, 4 or 6 weeks prior to infection with Salmonella, the induction of colitis with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In human cell-based models, exposure to Cd and Pb is associated with reduced transepithelial electric resistance and changes in bacteria-induced cytokine responses. Although 1- and 6-week exposures did not have clear effects on the response to Salmonella infectious challenges, 1-week short-term treatments with CdCl2 tended to enhance intestinal inflammation in mice. Unexpectedly, subchronic exposure to Cd and (to a lesser extent) Pb significantly mitigated some of the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis and reduced the severity of TNBS colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The possible adaptive and immunosuppressive mechanisms by which heavy metals might reduce intestinal inflammation are explored and discussed.
A burrowing frog from the late Paleocene of Mongolia uncovers a deep history of spadefoot toads (Pelobatoidea) in East Asia
Authors: Chen Jianye , Bever Gaberiel S. , Yi Hong-Yu , Norell Mark A.
Published: January 2016

Fossils are indispensible in understanding the evolutionary origins of the modern fauna. Crown-group spadefoot toads (Anura: Pelobatoidea) are the best-known fossorial frog clade to inhabit arid environments, with species utilizing a characteristic bony spade on their foot for burrowing. Endemic to the Northern Hemisphere, they are distributed across the Holarctic except East Asia. Here we report a rare fossil of a crown-group spadefoot toad from the late Paleocene of Mongolia. The phylogenetic analysis using both morphological and molecular information recovered this Asian fossil inside the modern North American pelobatoid clade Scaphiopodidae. The presence of a spade and the phylogenetic position of the new fossil frog strongly support its burrowing behavior. The late Paleocene age and other information suggestive of a mild climate cast doubt on the conventional assertion that burrowing evolved as an adaptation to aridity in spadefoot toads. Temporally and geographically, the new fossil provides the earliest record of Scaphiopodidae worldwide and the only member of the group in Asia. Quantitative biogeographic analysis suggests that Scaphiopodidae, despite originating in North America, dispersed into East Asia via Beringia in the Early Cenozoic. The absence of spadefoot toads in East Asia today is a result of extinction.
Electrochemical hydrogen sulfide biosensors
Authors: Xu Tailin , Scafa Nikki , Xu Li-Ping , Zhou Shufeng , Abdullah Al-Ghanem Khalid , Mahboob Shahid , Fugetsu Bunshi , Zhang Xueji
Published: January 2016

Biological application of electrochemical hydrogen sulfide sensors.
A stability-indicating QTRAP LC-MS/MS method for identification and structural characterization of degradation products of indapamide
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , Nassar Mohamed W. I. , Sharaf El-Din Mohie M. K. , Mohamad Ahmad A. A. , Kaddah Mohamed M. Y.
Published: January 2016

A selective and sensitive stability-indicating LC-MS/MS method, operated in ESI and quadrupole linear ion trap (QTRAP) modes, has been developed for the identification and structural characterization of stressed degradation products of indapamide.
Chemically modified inulin microparticles serving dual function as a protein antigen delivery vehicle and immunostimulatory adjuvant
Authors: Gallovic Matthew D. , Montjoy Douglas G. , Collier Michael A. , Do Clement , Wyslouzil Barbara E. , Bachelder Eric M. , Ainslie Kristy M.
Published: January 2016

An immunostimulatory, acid-sensitive biopolymer (acetalated inulin) was synthesized and fabricated into antigen-loaded microparticles which then passively targeted antigen-presenting cells.
One-step ligand exchange and switching from hydrophobic to water-stable hydrophilic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles by mechanochemical milling
Authors: Korpany Katalin V. , Mottillo Cristina , Bachelder Jill , Cross Shoronia N. , Dong Pengcheng , Trudel Simon , Friščić Tomislav , Blum Amy Szuchmacher
Published: January 2016

Mechanochemistry permits rapid solvent-free exchange of surface ligands on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), enabling control of surface properties.
The bioinspired design of a reagent allows the functionalization of Cα–H of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds via the Baylis–Hillman chemistry under ambient conditions
Authors: Singh Palwinder , Kumar Arun , Kaur Sukhmeet , Kaur Jagroop , Singh Harpreet
Published: January 2016

A rationally designed reagent capable of affecting alkylation at Cα of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is reported.
SENSI: signal enhancement by spectral integration for the analysis of metabolic mixtures
Authors: Misawa Takuma , Komatsu Takanori , Date Yasuhiro , Kikuchi Jun
Published: January 2016

The method provided here can overcome the low S/N problem in 13C NMR by the integration of plural spectra to increase the resolution based on non-bucketing analysis without measurements.
Base–acid hybrid water electrolysis
Authors: Chen Long , Dong Xiaoli , Wang Fei , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: January 2016

A base–acid hybrid electrolytic system was developed with a low onset voltage of 0.78 V for water electrolysis.
The interplay of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and room temperature organic phosphorescence in sterically-constrained donor–acceptor charge-transfer molecules
Authors: Ward Jonathan S. , Nobuyasu Roberto S. , Batsanov Andrei S. , Data Przemyslaw , Monkman Andrew P. , Dias Fernando B. , Bryce Martin R.
Published: January 2016

Molecular engineering of phenothiazine–dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide molecules is reported.
Ion flow in a zeolitic imidazolate framework results in ionic diode phenomena
Authors: Madrid Elena , Buckingham Mark A. , Stone James M. , Rogers Adrian T. , Gee William J. , Burrows Andrew D. , Raithby Paul R. , Celorrio Veronica , Fermin David J. , Marken Frank
Published: January 2016

Ionic transport and ‘ionic diode’ phenomena in a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) are investigated by directly growing the framework as an asymmetric plug in a poly-ethylene-terephthalate (PET) film.
Heptanickel(ii) double-cubane core in wells-dawson heteropolytungstate, [Ni7(OH)6(H2O)6(P2W15O56)2]16−
Authors: Bassil Bassem S. , Xiang Yixian , Haider Ali , Hurtado Jaime , Novitchi Ghenadie , Powell Annie K. , Bossoh A. Martin , Mbomekallé Israël M. , de Oliveira Pedro , Kortz Ulrich
Published: January 2016

We have prepared a ferromagnetic heptanickel(ii)-hydroxo core with a rare double-cubane arrangement inside a 30-tungsto-4-phosphate host, leading to a discrete, solution-stable assembly.
Iron-catalyzed synthesis of arylsulfinates through radical coupling reaction
Authors: Zhang Weixi , Luo Meiming
Published: January 2016

A novel iron-catalyzed synthesis of arylsulfinates from diaryliodonium salts and rongalite through radical coupling reaction is described. Desired products can be prepared in good yields in air at room temperature in 20 minutes without the need for any ligands and additives.
Synthesis of calcium phosphate crystals with thin nacreous structure
Authors: Chen Song , Grandfield Kathryn , Yu Shun , Engqvist Håkan , Xia Wei
Published: January 2016

Calcium phospate crystals with a thin nacreous structure were synthesized and characterized.
Persistence of C–H⋯π(chelate ring) interactions in the crystal structures of Pd(S2COR)2. The utility of Pd(S2COR)2as precursors for palladium sulphide materials
Authors: Tan Yee Seng , Halim Siti Nadiah Abdul , Molloy Kieran C. , Sudlow Anna L. , Otero-de-la-Roza A. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2016

The influence of C–H⋯π(PdS2C) interactions in the molecular packing of Pd(S2COR)2increases as the steric bulk ofRincreases.
Electron work function: a novel probe for toughness
Authors: Hua Guomin , Li Dongyang
Published: January 2016

Fracture toughness of transition metals can be correlated to the electron work function. Within the range where the electron work function is smaller than 4.6 eV, the fracture toughness increases with the electron work function. However, if the electron work function exceeds 4.6 eV, the fracture toughness decreases with an increase in electron work function.
Molecular mechanism investigation of the neutralization of cadmium toxicity by transferrin
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Jinhu , Song Wei , Yang Xinping , Zong Wansong , Liu Rutao
Published: January 2016

Molecular docking results of the CdCl2–transferrin complex: the preferred binding sites in transferrin are labelled as sites H1–H4 and E1–E16.
Electron delocalization and electron density of small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in singlet excited states
Authors: Estévez-Fregoso Mar , Hernández-Trujillo Jesús
Published: January 2016

Electron delocalization allows us to study the similarity and aromaticity of PAHs in excited states, and can be correlated with the excitation energies.
Three distinct open-pore morphologies from a single particle-filled polymer blend
Authors: Domenech Trystan , Yang Junyi , Heidlebaugh Samantha , Velankar Sachin S.
Published: January 2016

Ternary mixtures composed of polyisobutylene, polyethylene oxide and silica particles yield three types of open-pore morphologies depending on the mixture composition. These structures have distinct size-scale and entirely different mechanisms of structural stabilization.
Self-propelled two dimensional polymer multilayer plate micromotors
Authors: Gai Meiyu , Frueh Johannes , Hu Narisu , Si Tieyan , Sukhorukov Gleb B. , He Qiang
Published: January 2016

This communication sheds light on the production method and motion patterns of autonomous moving bubble propelled two dimensional micro-plate motors.
Smart fluorescent probes for imaging macrophage activity
Authors: Fernández Antonio , Vendrell Marc
Published: January 2016

Smart fluorescent probes for macrophage activity make use of a broad range of chemical architectures to target different molecular targets.
Induced phosphorescence from Pt → Ag and Ag(i)⋯Ag(i) metallophilic interactions in benzenedithiolatodiimine-Pt2/Ag2 clusters: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation
Authors: Moussa Jamal , Chamoreau Lise Marie , Gullo Maria Pia , Degli Esposti Alessandra , Barbieri Andrea , Amouri Hani
Published: January 2016

We report the synthesis and luminescence properties of a novel platinum(ii)–silver(i) cluster exhibiting supramolecular donor–acceptor dative Pt → Ag bonds as well as d10⋯d10 argentophilic interactions.
Effect of tri- and tetravalent metal doping on the electrochemical properties of lanthanum tungstate proton conductors
Authors: Porras-Vázquez J. M. , dos Santos-Gómez L. , Marrero-López D. , Slater P. R. , Masó N. , Magrasó A. , Losilla Enrique R.
Published: January 2016

Metal doping on lanthanum tungstates at W2 site was confirmed by TOF-NPD. TGA and EIS demonstrated proton conductivity.
The Kirkendall effect towards oxynitride nanotubes with improved visible light driven conversion of CO2 into CH4
Authors: Zhou P. , Gao H. L. , Yan S. C. , Zou Z. G.
Published: January 2016

ZnGaNO nanotubes can be obtained via the Kirkendall effect, exhibiting the high photocatalytic performance due to the short carrier diffusion distance and less crystal defects.
Ln(iii)-complexes of a DOTA analogue with an ethylenediamine pendant arm as pH-responsive PARACEST contrast agents
Authors: Krchová T. , Gálisová A. , Jirák D. , Hermann P. , Kotek J.
Published: January 2016

New contrast agents useful for pH determination (in the biologically relevant pH range) by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using magnetization transfer ratio approach are presented.
Chiral metal nanoparticles encapsulated by a chiral phosphine cavitand with the tetrakis-BINAP moiety: their remarkable stability toward ligand exchange and thermal racemization
Authors: Nishimura Ryo , Yasutake Ryo , Yamada Shota , Sawai Koji , Noura Kazuki , Nakahodo Tsukasa , Fujihara Hisashi
Published: January 2016

A chiral phosphine cavitand1induced the formation of chiral metal (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Pt, and Au) nanoparticles (NPs). The ligand1of the chiral metal NPs prevents both thermal racemization and ligand exchange with a thiol.
Nitrite accumulation in a denitrifying biocathode microbial fuel cell
Authors: Srinivasan Varun , Weinrich Jacob , Butler Caitlyn
Published: January 2016

This study presents the conditions of nitrite accumulation in MFC biocathodes through batch experiments and derives kinetic parameters with an Activated Sludge Model with an integration of the Nernst–Monod model and Indirect Coupling of Electrons (ASM–NICE).
Chemotherapeutic response to cisplatin-like drugs in human breast cancer cells probed by vibrational microspectroscopy
Authors: Batista de Carvalho A. L. M. , Pilling M. , Gardner P. , Doherty J. , Cinque G. , Wehbe K. , Kelley C. , Batista de Carvalho L. A. E. , Marques M. P. M.
Published: January 2016

Studies of drug–cell interactions in cancer model systems are essential in the preclinical stage of rational drug design, which relies on a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying cytotoxic activity and biological effects, at a molecular level. This study aimed at applying complementary vibrational spectroscopy methods to evaluate the cellular impact of two Pt(ii) and Pd(ii) dinuclear chelates with spermine (Pt2Spm and Pd2Spm), using cisplatin (cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2) as a reference compound. Their effects on cellular metabolism were monitored in a human triple-negative metastatic breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) by Raman and synchrotron-radiation infrared microspectroscopies, for different drug concentrations (2–8 μM) at 48 h exposure. Multivariate data analysis was applied (unsupervised PCA), unveiling drug- and concentration-dependent effects: apart from discrimination between control and drug-treated cells, a clear separation was obtained for the different agents studied – mononuclear vs. polynuclear, and Pt(ii) vs. Pd(ii). Spectral biomarkers of drug action were identified, as well as the cellular response to the chemotherapeutic insult. The main effect of the tested compounds was found to be on DNA, lipids and proteins, the Pd(ii) agent having a more significant impact on proteins while its Pt(ii) homologue affected the cellular lipid content at lower concentrations, which suggests the occurrence of distinct and unconventional pathways of cytotoxicity for these dinuclear polyamine complexes. Raman and FTIR microspectroscopies were confirmed as powerful non-invasive techniques to obtain unique spectral signatures of the biochemical impact and physiological reaction of cells to anticancer agents.
Dietary protein intake and human health
Authors: Wu Guoyao
Published: January 2016

A protein consists of amino acids (AA) linked by peptide bonds.
Capillary plexuses are vulnerable to neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Boneschansker Leo , Inoue Yoshitaka , Oklu Rahmi , Irimia Daniel
Published: January 2016

We show that the trapping of neutrophil-derived chromatin fibres at the entrance of microchannel networks in vitro can result in the formation of disproportionately large areas with no RBC traffic.
Detection in LA-ICPMS: construction and performance evaluation of decision rules
Authors: Ulianov Alex , Müntener Othmar , Schaltegger Urs , Bussy François
Published: January 2016

The theory of tests for the equality of two Poisson means is reviewed, with a special emphasis on the detection of LA-ICPMS signals in the presence of a very weak, Poisson distributed background noise.
Characterizing the optimal flux space of genome-scale metabolic reconstructions through modified latin-hypercube sampling
Authors: Chaudhary Neha , Tøndel Kristin , Bhatnagar Rakesh , Martins dos Santos Vítor A. P. , Puchałka Jacek
Published: January 2016

Sampling of the optimal flux space using modified LHS gives a more uniform coverage than Monte-Carlo Sampling. Analysis of the flux data shows that majority of variation in the flux distribution pattern within the space arises due to the presence of few alternate pathways.
Integrative bioinformatics and proteomics-based discovery of an eEF2K inhibitor (cefatrizine) with ER stress modulation in breast cancer cells
Authors: Yao Zhiqiang , Li Juntang , Liu Zhongyu , Zheng Lu , Fan Naijun , Zhang Ying , Jia Nan , Lv Jingjing , Liu Ningning , Zhu Xiaoshan , Du Jiangbo , Lv Ci , Xie Feng , Liu Yigang , Wang Xingke , Fei Zhou , Gao Chunfang
Published: January 2016

eEF2K, a unique calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, may regulate ER stress in cancer.
A structural, spectroscopic and theoretical study of an o-vanillin Schiff base derivative involved in enol-imine and keto-amine tautomerism
Authors: Pis-Diez Reinaldo , Echeverría Gustavo A. , Piro Oscar E. , Jios Jorge L. , Parajón-Costa Beatriz S.
Published: January 2016

The potassium salt of the Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and taurine is involved in enol-imine (I) and keto-amine (II) tautomerism. Both tautomeric forms coexist in the crystal and they are stabilized by strong O–H⋯N and O⋯H–N intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
Synthesis and characterization of simple cost-effective trans-A2BC porphyrins with various donor groups for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Sankar Muniappan , Sudhakar Vediappan , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam
Published: January 2016

Zn(ii) porphyrin dyes have been synthesized in three steps and exhibited power conversion efficiencies of 2.1 to 4.2% which depend on the electron donating ability of the R group.
A simple, phosphine free, reusable Pd(ii)–2,2′-dihydroxybenzophenone–SBA-15 catalyst for arylation and hydrogenation reactions of alkenes
Authors: Lazar Anish , Vinod Chathakudath P. , Singh Anand Pal
Published: January 2016

An efficient, phosphine and co-catalyst free Pd(ii)–DHBP@SBA-15 catalyst for arylation and hydrogenation reactions of alkenes was synthesized and characterized.
Reactive extraction of gallic acid with tri-n-caprylylamine
Authors: Athankar Kanti Kumar , Wasewar Kailas L. , Varma Mahesh N. , Shende Diwakar Z.
Published: January 2016

Optimisation of process parameters for reactive extraction of gallic acid from aqueous solution using a response surface method.
Ionic liquid mediated deposition of ruthenium mirrors on glass under multiphase conditions
Authors: Giusti Alice , Bellè Alessandro , Benedetti Alvise , Canton Patrizia , Perosa Alvise , Selva Maurizio
Published: January 2016

Stable mirrors of Ru nanoparticles are deposited on borosilicate glass by an ionic liquid and a metal coordinating agent.
Dendrosome mediated topical gene silencing by PLK-1 specific siRNA: implication in treatment of skin cancer in mouse model
Authors: Sherwani Mohd. Asif , Tufail Saba , Khan Aijaz Ahmed , Owais Mohammad
Published: January 2016

Topical application of PLK-1 siRNA bearing dendrosomes on DMBA induced skin papillomas in mice exhibit potent anti-cancer effect. The treatment leads to reduced number and sizes of papillomas.
Combining a flow reactor with spray dryer to allow the preparation of food-grade quality sodium 2-polyhydroxyalkyl-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylates with a low environmental impact
Authors: Novo Olalla , Balcells Mercè , Canela-Garayoa Ramon , Eras Jordi
Published: January 2016

The 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TCA) and 2-substituted 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids (2S-TCAs) are used as additive prodrugs of cysteine and glutathione in agronomy and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
A new polythiophene-driven coating method on an inorganic INT/IF-WS2 nanomaterial surface
Authors: Raichman D. , Ben-Shabat Binyamini R. , Lellouche J.-P.
Published: January 2016

Inorganic nanotubes and fullerene nanoparticles of tungsten disulfide (INTs-WS2 and IFs-WS2, respectively) are practically inert, hindering their usefulness in both research and commercial applications.
The influence of polyethylene glycol on the synthesis and activity of MoP for the hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene
Authors: Liu Xiaomeng , Ren Lili
Published: January 2016

We investigated the effect of PEG on the catalytic activity of MoP for the hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene, and found that when the average molecular mass of PEG was 8000, the MoP catalyst gave the highest activity.
Phytosteroids and triterpenoids with potent cytotoxicities from the leaves of Chisocheton cumingianus
Authors: Huang Shan-Shan , Jian Kai-Li , Li Rui-Jun , Kong Ling-Yi , Yang Ming-Hua
Published: January 2016

Six new phytosteroids and three new triterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Chisocheton cumingianus, and chisopanoid E (5) displayed potent cytotoxicity towards MCF-7 mainly by inducing apoptosis.
A simple quantitative estimate of the number of functional groups on the surfaces of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Vu Ngoc Quynh Bui , Choi Myung-Soo , Kim Woo-Jae
Published: January 2016

We develop a quantitative analytical method to estimate the number of functional groups on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) surfaces by simply measuring the Raman features of functionalized SWNTs.
Study on nonlinear refractive properties of KDP and DKDP crystals
Authors: Wang Duanliang , Li Tingbin , Wang Shenglai , Wang Jiyang , Wang Zhengping , Xu Xinguang , Zhang Fang
Published: January 2016

The nonlinear refractive index n2 is an important parameter for the nonlinear optical properties of a medium. Especially for the anisotropic media, the nonlinear refractive index is closely related with the direction.
Base-mediated isocyanide-based three-component reactions: divergent synthesis of spiro-substituted furans and pyrroles
Authors: Wang Hai-Ying , Bao Ming , Jiang Bo , Li Liang
Published: January 2016

A facile base-mediated isocyanide-based three-component cycloaddition protocol for the chemoselective preparation of functionalized spiro-substituted furans and pyrroles derivatives has been designed.
Effects of electron donating/withdrawing groups in the 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde on the synthesis of neutral cubanes with a NiII4O4core: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties
Authors: Rudbari Hadi Amiri , Lloret Francisco , Khorshidifard Mahsa , Bruno Giuseppe , Julve Miguel
Published: January 2016

This work reports synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of two tetranuclear cubane-like nickel(ii) complexes of formula [Ni4(CH3O)4(L)4(CH3OH)4].
A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for the selective detection of cyanide anions in aqueous media and living cells
Authors: Sun Xueyi , Wang Yu , Deng Xiahe , Zhang Junfang , Zhang Zhao
Published: January 2016

Based on the internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism, a novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe was developed for highly selective and sensitive detection of cyanide ion in aqueous media.
Oxygen content, cobalt oxide exsolution and defect structure of the double perovskite PrBaCo2O6−δ
Authors: Tsvetkov D. S. , Ivanov I. L. , Malyshkin D. A. , Zuev A. Yu.
Published: January 2016

Cobalt oxide exsolution as a result of reduction of A-site understoichiometric double perovskite Pr1−xBa1−xCo2O6−γ was found.
Enhanced electric displacement induces large energy density in polymer nanocomposites containing core–shell structured BaTiO3@TiO2 nanofibers
Authors: Lin Xiang , Hu Penghao , Jia Zhuye , Gao Shengmin
Published: January 2016

Interfacial polarization contributes significantly to the electric displacement of polymer nanocomposites and results in large energy density.
Synthesis of copper nanoparticles within the interlayer space of titania nanosheet transparent films
Authors: Sasaki Kazuhisa , Matsubara Kazuki , Kawamura Shiori , Saito Kenji , Yagi Masayuki , Norimatsu Wataru , Sasai Ryo , Yui Tatsuto
Published: January 2016

We report the first in situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) within the interlayer space of inorganic layered semiconductor (titania nanosheets; TNSs) transparent films.
Correction: Bipyridine complexes of E3+ (E = P, As, Sb, Bi): strong Lewis acids, sources of E(OTf)3 and synthons for EI and EV cations
Authors: Chitnis Saurabh S. , Robertson Alasdair P. M. , Burford Neil , Patrick Brian O. , McDonald Robert , Ferguson Michael J.
Published: January 2016

Correction for ‘Bipyridine complexes of E3+ (E = P, As, Sb, Bi): strong Lewis acids, sources of E(OTf)3 and synthons for EI and EV cations’ by Saurabh S. Chitnis et al., Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 6545–6555.
Interfacial charge rearrangement and intermolecular interactions: Density-functional theory study of free-base porphine adsorbed on Ag(111) and Cu(111)
Authors: Müller Moritz , Diller Katharina , Maurer Reinhard J. , Reuter Karsten
Published: January 2016

We employ dispersion-corrected density-functional theory to study the adsorption of tetrapyrrole 2H-porphine (2H-P) at Cu(111) and Ag(111). Various contributions to adsorbate-substrate and adsorbate-adsorbate interactions are systematically extracted to analyze the self-assembly behavior of this basic building block to porphyrin-based metal-organic nanostructures. This analysis reveals a surprising importance of substrate-mediated van der Waals interactions between 2H-P molecules, in contrast to negligible direct dispersive interactions. The resulting net repulsive interactions rationalize the experimentally observed tendency for single molecule adsorption.
Barium depletion in hollow cathode emitters
Authors: Polk James E. , Mikellides Ioannis G. , Capece Angela M. , Katz Ira
Published: January 2016

Dispenser hollow cathodes rely on a consumable supply of Ba released by BaO-CaO-Al2O3 source material in the pores of a tungsten matrix to maintain a low work function surface. The examination of cathode emitters from long duration tests shows deposits of tungsten at the downstream end that appear to block the flow of Ba from the interior. In addition, a numerical model of Ba transport in the cathode plasma indicates that the Ba partial pressure in the insert may exceed the equilibrium vapor pressure of the dominant Ba-producing reaction, and it was postulated previously that this would suppress Ba loss in the upstream part of the emitter. New measurements of the Ba depletion depth from a cathode insert operated for 8200 h reveal that Ba loss is confined to a narrow region near the downstream end, confirming this hypothesis. The Ba transport model was modified to predict the depletion depth with time. A comparison of the calculated and measured depletion depths gives excellent qualitative agreement, and quantitative agreement was obtained assuming an insert temperature 70 °C lower than measured beginning-of-life values.
Photoconductivities from band states and a dissipative electron dynamics:
Si(111) without and with adsorbed Ag clusters
Authors: Vazhappilly Tijo , Noether Celeste O. , Micha David A.
Published: January 2016

A new general computational procedure is presented to obtain photoconductivities starting from atomic structures, combining ab initio electronic energy band states with populations from density matrix theory, and implemented for a specific set of materials based on Si crystalline slabs and their nanostructured surfaces without and with adsorbed Ag clusters. The procedure accounts for charge mobility in semiconductors in photoexcited states, and specifically electron and hole photomobilities at Si(111) surfaces with and without adsorbed Ag clusters using ab initio energy bands and orbitals generated from a generalized gradient functional, however with excited energy levels modified to provide correct bandgaps. Photoexcited state populations for each band and carrier type were generated using steady state solution of a reduced density matrix which includes dissipative medium effects. The present calculations provide photoexcited electronic populations and photoinduced mobilities resulting from applied electric fields and obtained from the change of driven electron energies with their electronic momentum. Extensive results for Si slabs with 8 layers, without and with adsorbed Ag clusters, show that the metal adsorbates lead to substantial increases in the photomobility and photoconductivity of electrons and holes.
Slender-ribbon theory
Authors: Koens Lyndon , Lauga Eric
Published: January 2016

Ribbons are long narrow strips possessing three distinct material length scales (thickness, width, and length) which allow them to produce unique shapes unobtainable by wires or filaments. For example, when a ribbon has half a twist and is bent into a circle it produces a Möbius strip. Significant effort has gone into determining the structural shapes of ribbons but less is know about their behavior in viscous fluids. In this paper, we determine, asymptotically, the leading-order hydrodynamic behavior of a slender ribbon in Stokes flows. The derivation, reminiscent of slender-body theory for filaments, assumes that the length of the ribbon is much larger than its width, which itself is much larger than its thickness. The final result is an integral equation for the force density on a mathematical ruled surface, termed as the ribbon plane, located inside the ribbon. A numerical implementation of our derivation shows good agreement with the known hydrodynamics of long flat ellipsoids and successfully captures the swimming behavior of artificial microscopic swimmers recently explored experimentally. We also study the asymptotic behavior of a ribbon bent into a helix, that of a twisted ellipsoid, and we investigate how accurately the hydrodynamics of a ribbon can be effectively captured by that of a slender filament. Our asymptotic results provide the fundamental framework necessary to predict the behavior of slender ribbons at low Reynolds numbers in a variety of biological and engineering problems.
Decay rates to viscous contact waves for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Ma Shixiang , Wang Jing
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we study the large-time asymptotic behavior of contact wave for the Cauchy problem of one-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations with zero viscosity. When the Riemann problem for the Euler system admits a contact discontinuity solution, we can construct a contact wave, which approximates the contact discontinuity on any finite-time interval for small heat conduction and then runs away from it for large time, and proves that it is nonlinearly stable provided that the strength of the contact discontinuity and the perturbation of the initial data are suitably small.