bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of commercially comparable nanotherapeutic agent against human disease-causing parasite, Leishmania
Authors: Baranwal Anupriya , Chiranjivi Adarsh Kumar , Kumar Ashutosh , Dubey Vikash Kumar , Chandra Pranjal
Published: June 2018

Nanotherapeutic agents (NTA) play a crucial role in clinical medicine, if their unique properties are well understood and well exploited. In this direction, we report synthesis and characterization of highly potent phytofabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Sechium edule, which served the purpose of both reducing and capping agent. The designed AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, HR-TEM, and TGA techniques. The formation of AgNPs was also confirmed using electrochemistry, which to the best of our knowledge has never been reported before for biosynthesized nanoparticles. The antileishmanial potential of AgNPs was examined on the clinical isolates of Leishmania donovani promastigote cells in an in vitro experimental setting. A dose dependent killing activity of the AgNP was observed with an IC50 value of 51.88 ± 3.51 µg/ml. These results were also compared using commercially available drug, miltefosine. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of AgNP, as antileishmanial agent was proven by testing them against normal mammalian monocyte cell line (U937). The results were statistically analyzed and no significant toxicity of AgNPs on the normal mammalian cells was observed.
Muscle Dysmorphia and its Associated Psychological Features in Three Groups of Recreational Athletes
Authors: Cerea Silvia , Bottesi Gioia , Pacelli Quirico F. , Paoli Antonio , Ghisi Marta
Published: June 2018

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is a psychological disorder characterized by the preoccupation with the idea that one’s body is not lean and muscular. The current study aimed to explore MD behaviours and symptoms in three groups of recreational athletes: bodybuilders (BB; n = 42), strength athletes (SA; n = 61), and fitness practitioners (FP; n = 22). Furthermore, we assessed MD-related psychological features as well as possible psychological predictors of MD among groups. Results highlighted that the BB group reported more beliefs about being smaller and weaker than desired compared to the other groups, whereas individuals in the SA group reported setting higher standards for themselves than the FP group. Lastly, orthorexia nervosa and social anxiety symptoms emerged as predictors of MD symptoms in the BB group. Taken together, our findings suggest that individuals in the BB group are characterized by more MD general symptomatology than those in the other groups; furthermore, only orthorexia nervosa and social anxiety may play a specific role in predicting MD general symptoms in bodybuilders.
Metabolomic and microarray analyses of adipose tissue of dapagliflozin-treated mice, and effects of 3-hydroxybutyrate on induction of adiponectin in adipocytes
Authors: Nishitani Shigeki , Fukuhara Atsunori , Shin Jihoon , Okuno Yosuke , Otsuki Michio , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: June 2018

Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor improves systemic glucose metabolism. To clarify the effect of dapagliflozin, we performed gene expression microarray and metabolomic analyses of murine adipose tissue. Three groups of mice were used; non-diabetic control KK mice (KK), diabetic KKAy mice (KKAy), and KKAy mice treated with dapagliflozin (KKAy + Dapa). Plasma glucose levels were significantly reduced in KKAy + Dapa compared with KKAy. Food consumption was larger in KKAy + Dapa than KKAy, and there were no significant differences in body and adipose tissue weight among the groups. Metabolomic analysis showed higher levels of many intermediate metabolites of the glycolytic pathway and TCA cycle in KKAy than KK, albeit insignificantly. Dapagliflozin partially improved accumulation of glycolytic intermediate metabolites, but not intermediate metabolites of the TCA cycle, compared with KKAy. Interestingly, dapagliflozin increased plasma and adipose 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-HBA) levels. Microarray analysis showed that adipocytokines were downregulated in KKAy compared with KK mice, and upregulated by dapagliflozin. In vitro, 3-HBA induced β-hydroxybutyrylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 and upregulation of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes independent of their acetylation or methylation. Our results suggest that 3-HBA seems to provide protection through epigenetic modifications of adiponectin gene in adipocytes.
Adaptive optimal basis set for BCG artifact removal in simultaneous EEG-fMRI
Authors: Marino Marco , Liu Quanying , Koudelka Vlastimil , Porcaro Camillo , Hlinka Jaroslav , Wenderoth Nicole , Mantini Dante
Published: June 2018

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals recorded during simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are contaminated by strong artifacts. Among these, the ballistocardiographic (BCG) artifact is the most challenging, due to its complex spatio-temporal dynamics associated with ongoing cardiac activity. The presence of BCG residuals in EEG data may hide true, or generate spurious correlations between EEG and fMRI time-courses. Here, we propose an adaptive Optimal Basis Set (aOBS) method for BCG artifact removal. Our method is adaptive, as it can estimate the delay between cardiac activity and BCG occurrence on a beat-to-beat basis. The effective creation of an optimal basis set by principal component analysis (PCA) is therefore ensured by a more accurate alignment of BCG occurrences. Furthermore, aOBS can automatically estimate which components produced by PCA are likely to be BCG artifact-related and therefore need to be removed. The aOBS performance was evaluated on high-density EEG data acquired with simultaneous fMRI in healthy subjects during visual stimulation. As aOBS enables effective reduction of BCG residuals while preserving brain signals, we suggest it may find wide application in simultaneous EEG-fMRI studies.
A Nasal Brush-based Classifier of Asthma Identified by Machine Learning Analysis of Nasal RNA Sequence Data
Authors: Pandey Gaurav , Pandey Om P. , Rogers Angela J. , Ahsen Mehmet E. , Hoffman Gabriel E. , Raby Benjamin A. , Weiss Scott T. , Schadt Eric E. , Bunyavanich Supinda
Published: June 2018

Asthma is a common, under-diagnosed disease affecting all ages. We sought to identify a nasal brush-based classifier of mild/moderate asthma. 190 subjects with mild/moderate asthma and controls underwent nasal brushing and RNA sequencing of nasal samples. A machine learning-based pipeline identified an asthma classifier consisting of 90 genes interpreted via an L2-regularized logistic regression classification model. This classifier performed with strong predictive value and sensitivity across eight test sets, including (1) a test set of independent asthmatic and control subjects profiled by RNA sequencing (positive and negative predictive values of 1.00 and 0.96, respectively; AUC of 0.994), (2) two independent case-control cohorts of asthma profiled by microarray, and (3) five cohorts with other respiratory conditions (allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, cystic fibrosis, smoking), where the classifier had a low to zero misclassification rate. Following validation in large, prospective cohorts, this classifier could be developed into a nasal biomarker of asthma.
Vertical and horizontal biogeographic patterns and major factors affecting bacterial communities in the open South China Sea
Authors: Li Yi , Sun Lin-Lin , Sun Mei-Ling , Su Hai-Nan , Zhang Xi-Ying , Xie Bin-Bin , Chen Xiu-Lan , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Qin Qi-Long
Published: June 2018

Microorganisms display diverse biogeographic patterns in the three-dimensional contiguous seawater. The distance-decay relationship, the change in species composition similarity between different communities over a geographic distance, is a commonly observed biogeographic pattern. To study biogeographic patterns and the corresponding driving forces, the bacterial distance-decay patterns along the horizontal and vertical dimensions in the South China Sea (SCS) were investigated through the sequencing of partial 16 S rRNA gene regions. Along the horizontal geographical distances (up to ~1000 km), no significant distance-decay pattern in community compositions was observed in any of the tested seawater layers. However, vertical depths (up to ~4 km) had strong effects on bacterial community variation, which was apparently governed by dispersal barriers due to limited water mass mixing. In addition, community variations in the vertical direction were strongly correlated with the prominent variation of environmental factors. Apparently, the changes in bacterial community compositions along vertical distances were much greater than those along horizontal distances. The results showed that the distance-decay relationship in bacterial communities at the medium spatial scale was associated with vertical depth rather than with horizontal distance, even though the horizontal distance is much larger than the vertical distance in the open SCS.
Swarming motility and biofilm formation of Paenibacillus larvae, the etiological agent of American Foulbrood of honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Fünfhaus Anne , Göbel Josefine , Ebeling Julia , Knispel Henriette , Garcia-Gonzalez Eva , Genersch Elke
Published: June 2018

American Foulbrood is a worldwide distributed, fatal disease of the brood of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera). The causative agent of this fatal brood disease is the Gram-positive, spore-forming bacteriumPaenibacillus larvae, which can be classified into four different genotypes (ERIC I-IV), with ERIC I and II being the ones isolated from contemporary AFB outbreaks.P. larvaeis a peritrichously flagellated bacterium and, hence, we hypothesized thatP. larvaeis capable of coordinated and cooperative multicellular behaviors like swarming motility and biofilm formation. In order to analyze these behaviors ofP. larvae, we firstly established appropriate functional assays. Using these assays we demonstrated thatP. larvaeERIC II, but notP. larvaeERIC I, was capable of swarming. Swarming motility was hampered in aP. larvaeERIC II-mutant lacking production of paenilarvin, an iturin-like lipopeptide exclusively expressed by this genotype. Both genotypes were able to form free floating biofilm aggregates loosely attached to the walls of the culture wells. Visualizing the biofilms by Congo red and thioflavin S staining suggested structural differences between the biofilms formed. Biofilm formation was shown to be independent from paenilarvin production because the paenilarvin deficient mutant was comparably able to form a biofilm.
Photoacoustic Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy with Tumor-Targeting HA-FeOOH@PPy Nanorods
Authors: Phan Thi Tuong Vy , Bui Nhat Quang , Cho Soon-Woo , Bharathiraja Subramaniyan , Manivasagan Panchanathan , Moorthy Madhappan Santha , Mondal Sudip , Kim Chang-Seok , Oh Junghwan
Published: June 2018

Cancer theragnosis agents with both cancer diagnosis and therapy abilities would be the next generation of cancer treatment. Recently, nanomaterials with strong absorption in near-infrared (NIR) region have been explored as promising cancer theragnosis agents for bio-imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT). Herein, we reported the synthesis and application of a novel multifunctional theranostic nanoagent based on hyaluronan (HA)-coated FeOOH@polypyrrole (FeOOH@PPy) nanorods (HA-FeOOH@PPy NRs) for photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided PTT. The nanoparticles were intentionally designed with rod-like shape and conjugated with tumor-targeting ligands to enhance the accumulation and achieve the entire tumor distribution of nanoparticles. The prepared HA-FeOOH@PPy NRs showed excellent biocompatible and physiological stabilities in different media. Importantly, HA-FeOOH@PPy NRs exhibited strong NIR absorbance, remarkable photothermal conversion capability, and conversion stability. Furthermore, HA-FeOOH@PPy NRs could act as strong contrast agents to enhance PAI, conducting accurate locating of cancerous tissue, as well as precise guidance for PTT. The in vitro and in vivo photothermal anticancer activity results of the designed nanoparticles evidenced their promising potential in cancer treatment. The tumor-bearing mice completely recovered after 17 days of PTT treatment without obvious side effects. Thus, our work highlights the great potential of using HA-FeOOH@PPy NRs as a theranostic nanoplatform for cancer imaging-guided therapy.
A systematic evaluation of the biocompatibility of cucurbit[7]uril in mice
Authors: Zhang Xiangjun , Xu Xiaoqiu , Li Shengke , Wang Lian-Hui , Zhang Jianxiang , Wang Ruibing
Published: June 2018

As one of the most water-soluble members in the macrocyclic cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family, CB[7] has attracted increasing attention in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. Despite extensive studies regarding the potential use of CB[7] for biomedical applications, its full safety and toxicity profile in a clinically relevant model is still lacking. Herein we report the full biocompatibility profile of CB[7], administered orally, peritoneally or intravenously in mice, respectively. Body-weight changes showed no significant differences among various groups of mice after they were administered with CB[7] at a single dose of 5 g/kg orally, 500 mg/kg peritoneally and 150 mg/kg intravenously, respectively. Hematology tests, as well as hepatic and renal function biochemical markers tests, of the blood collected from these mice sacrificed 21 days after CB[7] administration all exhibited normal ranges of values that were comparable with those of the control group. Moreover, histopathological analysis on the sections of major organs (including the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys) and gastrointestinal tissues revealed no detectable injuries and inflammatory cells infiltration. Taken together, these results suggest an excellent biocompatibility profile of CB[7] in mice, which provide important foundations for further investigations and even clinical applications of CB[7] in biomedical areas.
Combined effects of body position and sleep status on the cardiorespiratory stability of near-term infants
Authors: Oishi Yoshihisa , Ohta Hidenobu , Hirose Takako , Nakaya Sachiko , Tsuchiya Keiji , Nakagawa Machiko , Kusakawa Isao , Sato Toshihiro , Obonai Toshimasa , Nishida Hiroshi , Yoda Hitoshi
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of body position (prone, supine and lateral) together with sleep status (wake and sleep) on the cardiorespiratory stability of near-term infants. A total of 53 infants (gestational age at birth 33.2 ± 3.5 weeks; birth weight 1,682 ± 521 g; gestational age at recording 38.6 ± 2.1 weeks; weight at recording: 2,273 ± 393 g) were monitored for 24 hours for clinically significant apnea (>15 seconds), bradycardia (<100 bpm), and oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) in alternating body positions (prone, supine and lateral) by cardiorespiratory monitors and 3-orthogonal-axis accelerometers. Sleep status of the infants was also continuously monitored by actigraphs. No apnea was observed. During wake, severe bradycardia was most frequently observed in the lateral position while, during sleep, severe bradycardia was most frequently observed in the supine position. Desaturation was most frequently observed in the supine and lateral positions during both wake and sleep. Our study suggests that the cardiorespiratory stability of infants is significantly compromised by both body position and sleep status. During both wake and sleep, prone position induces the most stable cardiorespiratory functions of near-term infants.
Comparative analysis of the Liriomyza chinensis mitochondrial genome with other Agromyzids reveals conserved genome features
Authors: Chen Jing-Yun , Chang Ya-Wen , Zheng Si-Zhu , Lu Ming-Xing , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: June 2018

Liriomyza chinensis is a serious pest of onions in many countries, especially in East Asia. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of this species and compared it with five other Agromyzidae species. The L. chinensis mitogenome is a double-stranded 16,175 bp circular molecule with an A + T content of 78.3%. It contains 37 genes and a control region as do the sequenced Liriomyza species. The mitogenomes of L. chinensis and other Agromyzidae species showed a clear bias in nucleotide composition with a positive AT-skew. Most PCGs used standard ATN as start codons, and TAN as termination codons. The tRNAs exhibited the typical clover-leaf structure, except for tRNASer(AGN) and the two rRNA genes are conserved with those of other Agromyzids. The L. chinensis mitogenome control region included several conserved regions, including a poly-T, two (TA)n and one poly-A stretch, which are considered important replication and transcription. The 13 PCGs were used to study the phylogeny of L. chinensis and five related Agromyzids. Analysis by maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and genetic distance suggest congruent phylogenetic relationships in Liriomyza spp. and provide a useful supplement to taxonomic classification by morphology.
Cancer Drug Response Profile scan (CDRscan): A Deep Learning Model That Predicts Drug Effectiveness from Cancer Genomic Signature
Authors: Chang Yoosup , Park Hyejin , Yang Hyun-Jin , Lee Seungju , Lee Kwee-Yum , Kim Tae Soon , Jung Jongsun , Shin Jae-Min
Published: June 2018

In the era of precision medicine, cancer therapy can be tailored to an individual patient based on the genomic profile of a tumour. Despite the ever-increasing abundance of cancer genomic data, linking mutation profiles to drug efficacy remains a challenge. Herein, we report Cancer Drug Response profile scan (CDRscan) a novel deep learning model that predicts anticancer drug responsiveness based on a large-scale drug screening assay data encompassing genomic profiles of 787 human cancer cell lines and structural profiles of 244 drugs. CDRscan employs a two-step convolution architecture, where the genomic mutational fingerprints of cell lines and the molecular fingerprints of drugs are processed individually, then merged by ‘virtual docking’, an in silico modelling of drug treatment. Analysis of the goodness-of-fit between observed and predicted drug response revealed a high prediction accuracy of CDRscan (R2 > 0.84; AUROC > 0.98). We applied CDRscan to 1,487 approved drugs and identified 14 oncology and 23 non-oncology drugs having new potential cancer indications. This, to our knowledge, is the first-time application of a deep learning model in predicting the feasibility of drug repurposing. By further clinical validation, CDRscan is expected to allow selection of the most effective anticancer drugs for the genomic profile of the individual patient.
Genetic diversity and transmissibility of imported Plasmodium vivax in Qatar and three countries of origin
Authors: Abdelraheem Mohammed H. , Bansal Devendra , Idris Mohammed A. , Mukhtar Moawia M. , Hamid Muzamil M. Abdel , Imam Zainb S. , Getachew Sisay , Sehgal Rakesh , Kaur Hargobinder , Gadalla Amal H. , Al-Hamidhi Salam , Al-Hashami Zainab , Al-Jabri Ali , Sultan Ali A. , Babiker Hamza A.
Published: June 2018

Malaria control program in the Arabian Peninsula, backed by adequate logistical support, has interrupted transmission with exception of limited sites in Saudi Arabia and sporadic outbreaks in Oman. However, sustained influx of imported malaria represents a direct threat to the above success. Here we examined the extent of genetic diversity among imported P. vivax in Qatar, and its ability to produce gametocytes, compared to parasites in main sites of imported cases, the Indian subcontinent (india) and East Africa (Sudan and Ethiopia). High diversity was seen among imported P. vivax in Qatar, comparable to parasites in the Indian subcontinent and East Africa. Limited genetic differentiation was seen among imported P. vivax, which overlapped with parasites in India, but differentiated from that in Sudan and Ethiopia. Parasite density among imported cases, ranged widely between 26.25–7985934.1 Pv18S rRNA copies/µl blood, with a high prevalence of infections carried gametocytes detectable by qRT-PCR. Parasitaemia was a stronger predictor for P. vivax gametocytes density (r = 0.211, P = 0.04). The extensive diversity of imported P. vivax and its ability to produce gametocytes represent a major threat for re-introduction of malaria in Qatar. The genetic relatedness between P. vivax reported in Qatar and those in India suggest that elimination strategy should target flow and dispersal of imported malaria into the region.
Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Plays a Critical Role in Long-term Motility Dysfunction after Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Lin You-Min , Fu Yu , Hegde Shrilakshmi , Tang Yanbo , Radhakrishnan Ravi , Shi Xuan-Zheng
Published: June 2018

Motility dysfunction is present not only during bowel obstruction (BO), but after obstruction is resolved. Previous studies found that lumen distension associated mechano-transcription of COX-2 and production of PGE2 in gut smooth muscle cells (SMC) account for motility dysfunction during obstruction. We hypothesized that PGE2 may exert autocrine effect in SMC to induce microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), which contributes to motility dysfunction after obstruction is resolved. Partial colon obstruction was induced in rats with an obstruction band, which was released 7 days later. Rats were further studied in the post-BO state. Circular muscle contractility of the mid colon (previously distended during obstruction) remained suppressed, and colon transit was impaired in the post-BO state. The COX-2, mPGES-1, and PGE2 levels were all increased in the distended bowel during obstruction. However, after obstruction was resolved, COX-2 expression returned to normal, whereas mPGES-1 and PGE2 levels remained increased. Expression of mPGES-1 in colon SMC was inducible by stretch or PGE2. Administration of mPGES-1 inhibitor Cay 10526 either before or after the release of obstruction normalized PGE2 levels and improved motility in the post-BO rats. In conclusion, mPGES-1 plays a critical role in the continuous suppression of motor function in the post-BO state.
Exploring the role of unnatural amino acids in antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Oliva Rosario , Chino Marco , Pane Katia , Pistorio Valeria , De Santis Augusta , Pizzo Elio , D’Errico Gerardino , Pavone Vincenzo , Lombardi Angela , Del Vecchio Pompea , Notomista Eugenio , Nastri Flavia , Petraccone Luigi
Published: June 2018

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are a promising alternative to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, which have developed resistance to all the commonly used antimicrobial, and therefore represent a serious threat to human health. One of the major drawbacks of CAMPs is their sensitivity to proteases, which drastically limits their half-life. Here we describe the design and synthesis of three nine-residue CAMPs, which showed high stability in serum and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. As for all peptides a very low selectivity between bacterial and eukaryotic cells was observed, we performed a detailed biophysical characterization of the interaction of one of these peptides with liposomes mimicking bacterial and eukaryotic membranes. Our results show a surface binding on the DPPC/DPPG vesicles, coupled with lipid domain formation, and, above a threshold concentration, a deep insertion into the bilayer hydrophobic core. On the contrary, mainly surface binding of the peptide on the DPPC bilayer was observed. These observed differences in the peptide interaction with the two model membranes suggest a divergence in the mechanisms responsible for the antimicrobial activity and for the observed high toxicity toward mammalian cell lines. These results could represent an important contribution to unravel some open and unresolved issues in the development of synthetic CAMPs.
Potent block of potassium channels by MEK inhibitor U0126 in primary cultures and brain slices
Authors: Wang Jin-Zhao , Long Cheng , Li Kai-Yuan , Xu Hua-Tai , Yuan Li-Lian , Wu Gang-Yi
Published: June 2018

U0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis (2-aminophenylthio) butadiene), a widely used mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, was found to accelerate voltage-gated K+ channel (KV) inactivation in heterologous cells expressing several types of KV. The goal of this study was to examine whether U0126 at a concentration thought to specifically inhibit MEK signaling also inhibits KV in native neurons of primary cultures or brain slices. U0126 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of both the transient (IA) and sustained (IDR) components of K+ currents in hippocampal neurons. U0126 also exhibited much higher potency on the IA and IDR than the classical KV blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). Consistent with its inhibitory effect on KV, U0126 broadened action potential duration, profoundly affected the repolarizing phase, and dramatically reduced firing frequency in response to current pulse injections. Despite the potent and reversible action of U0126 on Kv channels, PD98059, a structurally-unrelated MEK inhibitor, did not induce such an effect, suggesting U0126 may act independently of MEK inhibition. Together, these results raise cautions for using U0126 as a specific inhibitor for studying MEK signaling in neurons; on the other hand, further studies on the blocking mechanisms of U0126 as a potent inhibitor of KV may provide useful insights into the structure-function relationship of KV in general.
Wafer scale BN on sapphire substrates for improved graphene transport
Authors: Vangala Shivashankar , Siegel Gene , Prusnick Timothy , Snure Michael
Published: June 2018

Wafer scale (2”) BN grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire was examined as a weakly interacting dielectric substrate for graphene, demonstrating improved transport properties over conventional sapphire and SiO2/Si substrates. Chemical vapor deposition grown graphene was transferred to BN/sapphire substrates for evaluation of more than 30 samples using Raman and Hall effects measurements. A more than 2x increase in Hall mobility and 10x reduction in sheet carrier density was measured for graphene on BN/sapphire compared to sapphire substrates. Through control of the MOCVD process, BN films with roughness ranging from <0.1 nm to >1 nm were grown and used to study the effects of substrate roughness on graphene transport. Arrays of graphene field effect transistors were fabricated on 2” BN/sapphire substrates demonstrating scalability and device performance enhancement.
Effects of Natural Hirudin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Preventing Deep Venous Thrombosis in Aged Patients with Intertrochanteric Fracture
Authors: Zhang Zhengdong , Li Zheng , Li Jun , Liu Lei
Published: June 2018

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of natural hirudin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention of perioperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture. From June 2014 to June 2017, 96 patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were randomly divided into two groups. For DVT prevention, 45 patients were treated with oral natural hirudin and subcutaneous LMWH-calcium (test group) and 51 patients were treated with subcutaneous LMWH-calcium (control group). The mean intraoperative bleeding, wound drainage and incisional hematoma were higher in the test group, with no significant differences between the groups. There were significant differences in distal intramuscular venous thrombosis (P = 0.043). Both activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and prothrombin time (PT) lengthened in both groups postoperatively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups two weeks postoperatively. D-dimer were significantly different and platelet count (PLT) did not differ between groups two weeks postoperatively. In elderly patients with unilateral intertrochanteric fracture after PFNA on anticoagulant therapy, the combination of natural hirudin and LMWH was more effective than that of LMWH-calcium alone, with no significant difference with regard to safety.
Evolutionary histories of coxsackievirus B5 and swine vesicular disease virus reconstructed by phylodynamic and sequence variation analyses
Authors: Huang Hui-Wen , Chu Pei-Huan , Pan Chu-Hsiang , Wang Chu-Feng , Lin Chien-Ching , Lu Po-Liang , Chen Yao-Shen , Shi Yong-Ying , Su Hui-Ju , Chou Li-Chiu , Lin Yi-Ying , Lee Hsiao-Fen , Chen Bao-Chen , Huang Tsi-Shu , Tyan Yu-Chang , Chuang Chih-Hung , Yen Yung-Chang , Chu Pei-Yu
Published: June 2018

Coxsackievirus (CV)-B5 is a common human enterovirus reported worldwide; swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) is a porcine variant of CV-B5. To clarify the transmission dynamics and molecular basis of host switching between CV-B5 and SVDV, we analysed and compared the VP1 and partial 3Dpol gene regions of these two viruses. Spatiotemporal dynamics of viral transmission were estimated using a Bayesian statistical inference framework. The detected selection events were used to analyse the key molecules associated with host switching. Analyses of VP1 sequences revealed six CV-B5 genotypes (A1–A4 and B1–B2) and three SVDV genotypes (I–III). Analyses of partial 3Dpol revealed five clusters (A–E). The genotypes evolved sequentially over different periods, albeit with some overlap. The major hub of CV-B5 transmission was in China whereas the major hubs of SVDV transmission were in Italy. Network analysis based on deduced amino acid sequences showed a diverse extension of the VP1 structural protein, whereas most sequences were clustered into two haplotypes in the partial 3Dpol region. Residue 178 of VP1 showed four epistatic interactions with residues known to play essential roles in viral host tropism, cell entry, and viral decoating.
Carotid vulnerable plaques are associated with circulating leukocytes in acute ischemic stroke patients: an clinical study based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Li Zhaojun , Bai Yun , Li Wanbin , Gao Feng , Kuang Yi , Du Lianfang , Luo Xianghong
Published: June 2018

Inflammatory activity plays a central role in the development of carotid rupture-vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, which is one of the major contributors to acute ischemic stroke. Our objective was to characterize carotid intraplaque neovascularizations (INP) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and evaluate plaque burden through exploring the relationship between INP and cell count of peripheral leukocytes. Sixty-two patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) were enrolled in this study. CEUS was performed to characterize the carotid artery plaques. The correlations between the CEUS imaging features of carotid plaques and leukocyte counts were investigated. The results showed that the characteristic parameters derived from CEUS, including peak of time-intensity curve (TIC-P), mean of time-intensity curve (TIC-M), peak (FC-P), sharpness (FC-S) and area under the curve (FC-AUC) compared with the control group, were all increased in the stroke group. TIC-P, TIC-M and FC-P were negatively related to lymphocytes, respectively. FC-S and FC-AUC were positively correlated with neutrophils, respectively. Our study indicated carotid INP was closely related to the peripheral leukocytes count. CEUS may serve as a useful tool to predict vulnerability of plaque.
Leptin Promotes Allergic Airway Inflammation through Targeting the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway
Authors: Zheng Handong , Wu Dandan , Wu Xiang , Zhang Xing , Zhou Qin , Luo Yan , Yang Xin , Chock Cameron J. , Liu Meilian , Yang Xuexian O.
Published: June 2018

Allergic asthma and obesity are major public health problems in the world. Recent Meta-analysis studies implicated a positive relationship between serum leptin, which is elevated in obese individuals, and the risk of asthma. However, it is not well understood how obesity-associated elevation of leptin increases the risk of asthma. In the current study, we have found that leptin induces the unfolded protein response factor XBP1s in an mTOR- and MAPK-dependent manner in pro-allergic TH2 cells; in vivo, mice fed with high fat diet had increased serum leptin as observed in human obese population and exacerbated asthmatic symptoms, associated with increased XBP1s expression in splenic CD4+ T cells. XBP1s is required for leptin-mediated pro-allergic TH2 cell survival and cytokine production. Our results reveal a previously unappreciated insight that obesity-associated hyperleptinemia contributes to enhanced pro-allergic lymphocyte responses through induction of XBP1s, leading to exacerbation of allergic asthma.
Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane vesicles in oral mucosal transmission of HIV
Authors: Dong Xin-Hong , Ho Meng-Hsuan , Liu Bindong , Hildreth James , Dash Chandravanu , Goodwin J. Shawn , Balasubramaniam Muthukumar , Chen Chin-Ho , Xie Hua
Published: June 2018

The association between mucosal microbiota and HIV-1 infection has garnered great attention in the field of HIV-1 research. Previously, we reported a receptor-independent HIV-1 entry into epithelial cells mediated by a Gram-negative invasive bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Here, we present evidence showing that P. gingivalis outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) promote mucosal transmission of HIV-1. We demonstrated, using the Dynabeads technology, a specific interaction between HIV-1 and P. gingivalis OMVs which led to an OMV-dependent viral entry into oral epithelial cells. HIV-1 was detected in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) after a 20 minute exposure to the HIV-vesicle complexes. After entry, most of the complexes appeared to dissociate, HIV-1 was reverse-transcribed, and viral DNA was integrated into the genome of HOKs. Meanwhile, some of the complexes exited the original host and re-entered neighboring HOKs and permissive cells of HIV-1. Moreover, P. gingivalis vesicles enhanced HIV-1 infection of MT4 cells at low infecting doses that are not able to establish an efficient infection alone. These findings suggest that invasive bacteria and their OMVs with ability to interact with HIV-1 may serve as a vehicle to translocate HIV through the mucosa, establish mucosal transmission of HIV-1, and enhance HIV-1 infectivity.
Transcriptome analysis highlights nuclear control of chloroplast development in the shoot apex
Authors: Dalal Vijay , Dagan Shlomi , Friedlander Gilgi , Aviv Elinor , Bock Ralph , Charuvi Dana , Reich Ziv , Adam Zach
Published: June 2018

In dicots, the key developmental process by which immature plastids differentiate into photosynthetically competent chloroplasts commences in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), within the shoot apex. Using laser-capture microdissection and single-cell RNA sequencing methodology, we studied the changes in the transcriptome along the chloroplast developmental pathway in the shoot apex of tomato seedlings. The analysis revealed the presence of transcripts for different chloroplast functions already in the stem cell-containing region of the SAM. Thereafter, an en masse up-regulation of genes encoding for various proteins occurs, including chloroplast ribosomal proteins and proteins involved in photosynthesis, photoprotection and detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The results highlight transcriptional events that operate during chloroplast biogenesis, leading to the rapid establishment of photosynthetic competence.
Threatening levels of cumulative stress due to hydroclimatic extremes in the 21st century
Authors: Giorgi Filippo , Coppola Erika , Raffaele Francesca
Published: June 2018

Hydroclimatic extremes, such as very intense precipitation and drought, are expected to increase with global warming, with their cumulative effects potentially posing severe threats for human and natural systems. We introduce a new metric of potential cumulative stress due to hydroclimatic extremes, the Cumulative Hydroclimatic Stress index (CHS), expressed in “equivalent reference stress years (ERSY)” (i.e., the mean annual stress during a present day reference period). The CHS is calculated for wet and dry extremes in an ensemble of 21st century Global Climate Model projections under the RCP8.5 and RCP2.6 greenhouse gas scenarios. Under the high-end RCP8.5 scenario, by 2100, increases in wet and dry extremes add ~155 ERSY averaged over global land areas (~125 for wet and ~30 for dry extremes), with wet hotspots (>250 added ERSY) throughout regions of Asia, Eastern Africa and the Americas, and dry hotspots (>100 added ERSY) throughout Central and South America, Europe, West Africa, and coastal Australia. Inclusion of population exposure in the stress index definition generates a maximum total (dry + wet) potential stress level exceeding 400 added ERSY over Africa, North America, and Australia, which are thus projected to be extremely vulnerable to increases in hydroclimatic extremes. Under the RCP2.6 scenario, which is close to the 2 °C global warming stabilization target set in the Paris agreement, the total hydroclimatic stress is considerably reduced.
Dynamical equilibration across a quenched phase transition in a trapped quantum gas
Authors: Liu I.-K. , Donadello S. , Lamporesi G. , Ferrari G. , Gou S.-C. , Dalfovo F. , Proukakis N. P.
Published: June 2018

The formation of an equilibrium state from an uncorrelated thermal one through the dynamical crossing of a phase transition is a central question of quantum many-body physics. During such crossing, the system breaks its symmetry by establishing numerous uncorrelated regions separated by spontaneously generated defects, whose emergence obeys a universal scaling law with quench duration. The ensuing re-equilibrating or “coarse-graining” stage is governed by the evolution and interactions of such defects under system-specific and external constraints. We perform a detailed numerical characterisation of the entire non-equilibrium process associated with the Bose–Einstein condensation phase transition in a three-dimensional gas of ultracold atoms, addressing subtle issues and demonstrating the quench-induced decoupling of condensate atom number and coherence growth during the re-equilibration process. Our findings agree, in a statistical sense, with experimental observations made at the later stages of the quench, and provide valuable information and useful dynamical visualisations in currently experimentally inaccessible regimes.
Freshwater macroinvertebrate samples from a water quality monitoring network in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Escribano Nora , Oscoz Javier , Galicia David , Cancellario Tommaso , Durán Concha , Navarro Patricia , Ariño Arturo H.
Published: June 2018

This dataset gathers information about the macroinvertatebrate samples and environmental variables collected on rivers of the Ebro River Basin (NE Iberian Peninsula), the second largest catchment in the Iberian Peninsula. The collection is composed of 1,776 sampling events carried out between 2005 and 2015 at more than 400 sampling sites. This dataset is part of a monitoring network set up by the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation, the official body entrusted with the care of the basin, to fulfill the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive. Biological indices based on the freshwater macroinvertebrate communities were used to evaluate the ecological status of the water bodies within the basin. Samples were qualitatively screened for all occurring taxa. Then, all individuals from all taxa in a quantitative subsample of each sample were counted. Biological indices were calculated to estimate water quality at each sampling site. All samples are kept at the Museum of Zoology of the University of Navarra.
A novel magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube-based magnetic solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for the determination of four phenoxy carboxylic acid herbicides in food crops by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Yuan Xucan , Liu Chu , Zhao Jing , Zhao Pengfei , Zhao Longshan
Published: June 2018

A method involving MSPE-DLLME coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS was developed for the determination of four phenoxy carboxylic acid herbicides in food crops.
Feasibility of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction to determine Ca, Mg, K, and Na in biodiesel by atomic spectrometry
Authors: Nogueira da Silva Kássia Roberta , Greco Anderson dos Santos , Corazza Marcela Zanetti , Raposo Jorge Luiz
Published: June 2018

A DLLME sample preparation procedure was proposed and successfully applied to extract Ca, Mg, K, and Na from renewable biodiesel sources followed by atomic spectrometric determination.
Advancement of analytical modes in a multichannel, microfluidic droplet-based sample chopper employing phase-locked detection
Authors: Negou Jean T. , Hu Juan , Li Xiangpeng , Easley Christopher J.
Published: June 2018

Multichannel droplet-based microfluidic sample chopper (μChopper) allows continuous calibration, nanoliter sampling, and protein quantification in human serum.
Strain and defect engineering on phase transition of monolayer black phosphorene
Authors: Chen Yan , Shi Xiaoyang , Li Mingjia , Liu Yilun , Xiao Hang , Chen Xi
Published: June 2018

Under biaxial strain, SW-2 defect can move inward the phase boundary of α-P and β-P remarkably and promote the phase transition from α-P to β-P, serving as an excellent ‘phase transition catalyzer’.
A mean-field theory on the differential capacitance of asymmetric ionic liquid electrolytes. II. Accounts of ionic interactions
Authors: Yin Li , Huang Yike , Chen Houxian , Yan Tianying
Published: June 2018

A size-asymmetric mean-field theory with ionic interactions is developed for the electric double layer of room temperature ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes, based on the previous work on non-interacting ions (Y. Han et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 2014, 26, 284103).
Evaluating the component contribution to nonlinear optical performances using stable [Ni4O4] cuboidal clusters as models
Authors: Hao Zhi-Min , Chao Meng-Yao , Liu Yan , Song Ying-Lin , Yang Jun-Yi , Ding Lifeng , Zhang Wen-Hua , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: June 2018

Cuboidal [Ni4O4]-based clusters are systematically studied with the purpose of evaluating the component contribution to the overall nonlinear optical performances.
Tunable morphologies, multicolor properties and applications of RE3+ doped NaY(MoO4)2 nanocrystals via a facile ligand-assisted reprecipitation process
Authors: Ding Yang , Liu Jie , Zeng Ming , Wang Xishu , Shi Junli , Wang Weili , Miao Yanru , Yu Xibin
Published: June 2018

Rare earth (RE3+)-doped NaY(MoO4)2 nanocrystals are efficient materials for realizing multicolor emission, which plays an important role in displays, W-LEDs, solar cells and biolabeling.
Rapid flame doping of Co to WS2 for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Shi Xinjian , Fields Meredith , Park Joonsuk , McEnaney Joshua M. , Yan Hongping , Zhang Yirui , Tsai Charlie , Jaramillo Thomas F. , Sinclair Robert , Nørskov Jens K. , Zheng Xiaolin
Published: June 2018

The first systematic study of gradient cobalt doping to the basal plane of WS2.
How the formation of interfacial charge causes hysteresis in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Weber Stefan A. L. , Hermes Ilka M. , Turren-Cruz Silver-Hamill , Gort Christopher , Bergmann Victor W. , Gilson Laurent , Hagfeldt Anders , Graetzel Michael , Tress Wolfgang , Berger Rüdiger
Published: June 2018

In this study, we use time-resolved Kelvin probe force microscopy to investigate current–voltage hysteresis in a hybrid lead-halide perovskite solar cell.
Single-cell membrane drug delivery using porous pen nanodeposition
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Yu Jing , Monemian Esfahani Amir , Seiffert-Sinha Kristina , Xi Ning , Lee Ilsoon , Sinha Animesh A. , Chen Liangliang , Sun Zhiyong , Yang Ruiguo , Dong Lixin
Published: June 2018

A large amount of protein molecules were deposited onto the membrane of a single cell using a porous pen nanodeposition method to induce intercellular signaling.
Plasmon-enhanced versatile optical nonlinearities in a Au–Ag–Au multi-segmental hybrid structure
Authors: Yao Lin-Hua , Zhang Jun-Pei , Dai Hong-Wei , Wang Ming-Shan , Zhang Lu-Man , Wang Xia , Han Jun-Bo
Published: June 2018

A Au–Ag–Au hybrid structure has significant enhancements in several nonlinear optical processes which is much better than Au and Ag samples.
Targeted imaging of the lysosome and endoplasmic reticulum and their pH monitoring with surface regulated carbon dots
Authors: E Shuang , Mao Quan-Xing , Yuan Xiao-Li , Kong Xiao-Lei , Chen Xu-Wei , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: June 2018

Amine group functionalized CDs (ACDs) and laurylamine functionalized CDs (LCDs) are prepared and adopted for the targeted imaging of lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum, attributed to their individual surface chemistries and cellular uptake pathways.
Synthesis of comb-shaped DNA using a non-nucleosidic branching phosphoramidite
Authors: Ellipilli Satheesh , Phillips John D. , Heemstra Jennifer M.
Published: June 2018

Asymmetrically-protected branching unit enables synthesis of comb-shaped DNAs for imaging and diagnostics applications.
Oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl and non-fluorinated alcoholsviathe merger of oxoammonium cations and photoredox catalysis
Authors: Pistritto Vincent A. , Paolillo Joshua M. , Bisset Kathryn A. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: June 2018

The merger of oxoammonium cation mediated oxidation with visible-light photoredox catalysis is demonstrated in the oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl and non-fluorinated alcohols.
Synthetic antibody protein mimics of infliximab by molecular scaffolding on novel CycloTriVeratrilene (CTV) derivatives
Authors: Longin Ondřej , Hezwani Mohammed , van de Langemheen Helmus , Liskamp Rob M. J.
Published: June 2018

Downsizing of antibodies: molecular construction of chemo-synthetic antibodies of infliximab by scaffolding of three CDR loops yields synthetic antibodies binding hTNFα.
Polymer-based nanocomposites for heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solution: a review
Authors: Zhao Guixia , Huang Xiubing , Tang Zhenwu , Huang Qifei , Niu Fenglei , Wang Xiangke
Published: June 2018

A review of versatile polymer-based composites containing different functional organic and/or inorganic counterparts for the removal of hazardous metal ions from wastewater solutions.
Tumor pH and intracellular reduction responsive polypeptide nanomedicine with a sheddable PEG corona and a disulfide-cross-linked core
Authors: Ding Yue , Du Chang , Qian Jiwen , Zhou Linzhu , Su Yue , Zhang Rong , Dong Chang-Ming
Published: June 2018

To overcome the tumor and cellular barriers in cancer chemotherapy, a new class of polypeptide copolymer nanoparticles with a sheddable PEG corona and a dynamic disulfide bond cross-linked core was fabricated for intracellular pHe and reduction triggered cytotoxicity.
Ultrathin porous nanosheet-assembled hollow cobalt nickel oxide microspheres with optimized compositions for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhao Jun , Wang Xiao-Ru , Wang Xiao-Jing , Li Yu-Pei , Yang Xiao-dong , Li Guo-Dong , Li Fa-Tang
Published: June 2018

Hollow nanosheet-assembled cobalt nickel oxide microspheres were prepared via a facile “self-template” route, serving as an efficient and stable catalyst for the OER.
Control of intramolecular excimer emission in luminophore-integrated ionic POSSs possessing flexible side-chains
Authors: Narikiyo Hayato , Gon Masayuki , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: June 2018

Unique optical properties of polycyclic aromatics-modified POSSs through ionic linkers are reported.
Facile synthesis of wavy carbon nanowires via activation-enabled reconstruction and their applications towards nanoparticles separation and catalysis
Authors: Li Fengting , Yao Chenxue , Zheng Yiqun , Hou Shifeng
Published: June 2018

This work addresses a niche and facile synthesis of wavy carbon nanowires and their applications in nanoparticles separation and catalysis.
WS2/g-C3N4 composite as an efficient heterojunction photocatalyst for biocatalyzed artificial photosynthesis
Authors: Zeng Peng , Ji Xiaoyuan , Su Zhiguo , Zhang Songping
Published: June 2018

A heterogeneous WS2/g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst was prepared by a facile ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal method.