bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse distribution of Toxin-Antitoxin II systems in Salmonella enterica serovars
Authors: Di Cesare Andrea , Losasso Carmen , Barco Lisa , Eckert Ester M. , Conficoni Daniele , Sarasini Giulia , Corno Gianluca , Ricci Antonia
Published: June 2016

Type II Toxin-Antitoxin systems (TAs), known for their presence in virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, were recently identified in Salmonella enterica isolates. However, the relationships between the presence of TAs (ccdAB and vapBC) and the epidemiological and genetic features of different non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars are largely unknown, reducing our understanding of the ecological success of different serovars. Salmonella enterica isolates from different sources, belonging to different serovars and epidemiologically unrelated according to ERIC profiles, were investigated for the presence of type II TAs, plasmid content and antibiotic resistance. The results showed the ubiquitous presence of the vapBC gene in all the investigated Salmonella isolates, but a diverse distribution of ccdAB, which was detected in the most widespread Salmonella serovars, only. Analysis of the plasmid toxin ccdB translated sequence of four selected Salmonella isolates showed the presence of the amino acid substitution R99W, known to impede in vitro the lethal effect of CcdB toxin in the absence of its cognate antitoxin CcdA. These findings suggest a direct role of the TAs in promoting adaptability and persistence of the most prevalent Salmonella serovars, thus implying a wider eco-physiological role for these type II TAs.
Wide-field imaging of birefringent synovial fluid crystals using lens-free polarized microscopy for gout diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Lee Seung Yoon Celine , Zhang Yun , Furst Daniel , Fitzgerald John , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: June 2016

Gout is a form of crystal arthropathy where monosodium urate (MSU) crystals deposit and elicit inflammation in a joint. Diagnosis of gout relies on identification of MSU crystals under a compensated polarized light microscope (CPLM) in synovial fluid aspirated from the patient’s joint. The detection of MSU crystals by optical microscopy is enhanced by their birefringent properties. However, CPLM partially suffers from the high-cost and bulkiness of conventional lens-based microscopy and its relatively small field-of-view (FOV) limits the efficiency and accuracy of gout diagnosis. Here we present a lens-free polarized microscope which adopts a novel differential and angle-mismatched polarizing optical design achieving wide-field and high-resolution holographic imaging of birefringent objects with a color contrast similar to that of a standard CPLM. The performance of this computational polarization microscope is validated by imaging MSU crystals made from a gout patient’s tophus and steroid crystals used as negative control. This lens-free polarized microscope, with its wide FOV (>20 mm2), cost-effectiveness and field-portability, can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of gout diagnosis, reduce costs and can be deployed even at the point-of-care and in resource-limited clinical settings.
Human Organotypic Cultured Cardiac Slices: New Platform For High Throughput Preclinical Human Trials
Authors: Kang C. , Qiao Y. , Li G. , Baechle K. , Camelliti P. , Rentschler S. , Efimov I. R.
Published: June 2016

Translation of novel therapies from bench to bedside is hampered by profound disparities between animal and human genetics and physiology. The ability to test for efficacy and cardiotoxicity in a clinically relevant human model system would enable more rapid therapy development. We have developed a preclinical platform for validation of new therapies in human heart tissue using organotypic slices isolated from donor and end-stage failing hearts. A major advantage of the slices when compared with human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes is that native tissue architecture and extracellular matrix are preserved, thereby allowing investigation of multi-cellular physiology in normal or diseased myocardium. To validate this model, we used optical mapping of transmembrane potential and calcium transients. We found that normal human electrophysiology is preserved in slice preparations when compared with intact hearts, including slices obtained from the region of the sinus node. Physiology is maintained in slices during culture, enabling testing the acute and chronic effects of pharmacological, gene, cell, optogenetic, device and other therapies. This methodology offers a powerful high-throughput platform for assessing the physiological response of the human heart to disease and novel putative therapies.
Clinical characterization and outcome of primary bone lymphoma: a retrospective study of 61 Chinese patients
Authors: Zhang XuanYe , Zhu Jun , Song YuQin , Ping LingYan , Zheng Wen
Published: June 2016

Primary bone lymphoma(PBL) is a rare disease. To assess the clinical characteristics, outcome, and prognostic factors of this entity in Chinese population, we retrospectively analyzed 61 PBL patients initially treated in our institution between 1997 and 2014. The median age was 45 years. The most common histological subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (55.7%), followed by T-cell lymphoma (18.0%). All patients underwent systemic chemotherapy as initial treatment while 24 patients (39.3%) were additionally treated with radiotherapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 57 cases with completed follow-up were 52.3% and 40.1%, respectively. In further analysis of the primary bone DLBCL (PB-DLBCL) subgroup, the 5-year OS and PFS rates were 53.0% and 47.0%, and a multivariable analysis revealed that baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and response to initial treatment (complete remission versus no complete remission) were independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. The proportion of T-cell lymphoma is higher in China than in western populations. High baseline ECOG scores (≥2) and unachieved CR in initial therapy were factors for poor PB-DLBCL prognosis. The role of radiotherapy and rituximab in PLB therapy remains to be confirmed in further investigation.
Real-time observations of lithium battery reactions—operando neutron diffraction analysis during practical operation
Authors: Taminato Sou , Yonemura Masao , Shiotani Shinya , Kamiyama Takashi , Torii Shuki , Nagao Miki , Ishikawa Yoshihisa , Mori Kazuhiro , Fukunaga Toshiharu , Onodera Yohei , Naka Takahiro , Morishima Makoto , Ukyo Yoshio , Adipranoto Dyah Sulistyanintyas , Arai Hajime , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Ogumi Zempachi , Suzuki Kota , Hirayama Masaaki , Kanno Ryoji
Published: June 2016

Among the energy storage devices for applications in electric vehicles and stationary uses, lithium batteries typically deliver high performance. However, there is still a missing link between the engineering developments for large-scale batteries and the fundamental science of each battery component. Elucidating reaction mechanisms under practical operation is crucial for future battery technology. Here, we report an operando diffraction technique that uses high-intensity neutrons to detect reactions in non-equilibrium states driven by high-current operation in commercial 18650 cells. The experimental system comprising a time-of-flight diffractometer with automated Rietveld analysis was developed to collect and analyse diffraction data produced by sequential charge and discharge processes. Furthermore, observations under high current drain revealed inhomogeneous reactions, a structural relaxation after discharge and a shift in the lithium concentration ranges with cycling in the electrode matrix. The technique provides valuable information required for the development of advanced batteries.
Signaling mechanism for modulation by ATP of glycine receptors on rat retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Zhang Ping-Ping , Zhang Gong , Zhou Wei , Weng Shi-Jun , Yang Xiong-Li , Zhong Yong-Mei
Published: June 2016

ATP modulates voltage- and ligand-gated channels in the CNS via the activation of ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors. While P2Y receptors are expressed in retinal neurons, the function of these receptors in the retina is largely unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in rat retinal slice preparations, we demonstrated that ATP suppressed glycine receptor-mediated currents of OFF type ganglion cells (OFF-GCs) dose-dependently and the effect was in part mediated by P2Y1 and P2Y11, but not by P2X. The ATP effect was abolished by intracellular dialysis of a Gq/11 protein inhibitor and phosphatidylinositol (PI)-phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, but not phosphatidylcholine (PC)-PLC inhibitor. The ATP effect was accompanied by an increase in [Ca2+]i through the IP3-sensitive pathway and was blocked by intracellular Ca2+-free solution. Furthermore, the ATP effect was eliminated in the presence of PKC inhibitors. Neither PKA nor PKG system was involved. These results suggest that the ATP-induced suppression may be mediated by a distinct Gq/11/PI-PLC/IP3/Ca2+/PKC signaling pathway, following the activation of P2Y1,11 and other P2Y subtypes. Consistently, ATP suppressed glycine receptor-mediated light-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents of OFF-GCs. These results suggest that ATP may modify the ON-to-OFF crossover inhibition, thus changing action potential patterns of OFF-GCs.
A 23-dB bismuth-doped optical fiber amplifier for a 1700-nm band
Authors: Firstov Sergei V. , Alyshev Sergey V. , Riumkin Konstantin E. , Khopin Vladimir F. , Guryanov Alexey N. , Melkumov Mikhail A. , Dianov Evgeny M.
Published: June 2016

It is now almost twenty-five years since the first Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) was demonstrated. Currently, the EDFA is one of the most important elements widely used in different kinds of fiber-optic communication systems. However, driven by a constantly increasing demand, the network traffic, growing exponentially over decades, will lead to the overload of these systems (“capacity crunch”) because the operation of the EDFA is limited to a spectral region of 1530–1610 nm. It will require a search for new technologies and, in this respect, the development of optical amplifiers for new spectral regions can be a promising approach. Most of fiber-optic amplifiers are created using rare-earth-doped materials. As a result, wide bands in shorter (1150–1530 nm) and longer wavelength (1600–1750 nm) regions with respect to the gain band of Er-doped fibers are still uncovered. Here we report on the development of a novel fiber amplifier operating in a spectral region of 1640–1770 nm pumped by commercially available laser diodes at 1550 nm. This amplifier was realized using bismuth-doped high-germania silicate fibers fabricated by MCVD technique.
Small Glutamine-Rich Tetratricopeptide Repeat-Containing Protein Alpha (SGTA) Ablation Limits Offspring Viability and Growth in Mice
Authors: Philp Lisa K. , Day Tanya K. , Butler Miriam S. , Laven-Law Geraldine , Jindal Shalini , Hickey Theresa E. , Scher Howard I. , Butler Lisa M. , Tilley Wayne D.
Published: June 2016

Small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein α (SGTA) has been implicated as a co-chaperone and regulator of androgen and growth hormone receptor (AR, GHR) signalling. We investigated the functional consequences of partial and full Sgta ablation in vivo using Cre-lox Sgta-null mice. Sgta+/− breeders generated viable Sgta−/− offspring, but at less than Mendelian expectancy. Sgta−/− breeders were subfertile with small litters and higher neonatal death (P < 0.02). Body size was significantly and proportionately smaller in male and female Sgta−/− (vs WT, Sgta+/−P < 0.001) from d19. Serum IGF-1 levels were genotype- and sex-dependent. Food intake, muscle and bone mass and adiposity were unchanged in Sgta−/−. Vital and sex organs had normal relative weight, morphology and histology, although certain androgen-sensitive measures such as penis and preputial size and testis descent, were greater in Sgta−/−. Expression of AR and its targets remained largely unchanged, although AR localisation was genotype- and tissue-dependent. Generally expression of other TPR-containing proteins was unchanged. In conclusion, this thorough investigation of SGTA-null mutation reports a mild phenotype of reduced body size. The model’s full potential likely will be realised by genetic crosses with other models to interrogate the role of SGTA in the many diseases in which it has been implicated.
Ablation of MCL1 expression by virally induced microRNA-29 reverses chemoresistance in human osteosarcomas
Authors: Osaki Shuhei , Tazawa Hiroshi , Hasei Joe , Yamakawa Yasuaki , Omori Toshinori , Sugiu Kazuhisa , Komatsubara Tadashi , Fujiwara Tomohiro , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Kunisada Toshiyuki , Yoshida Aki , Urata Yasuo , Kagawa Shunsuke , Ozaki Toshifumi , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: June 2016

Osteosarcoma is a rare disease diagnosed as malignant bone tumor. It is generally refractory to chemotherapy, which contributes to its poor prognosis. The reversal of chemoresistance is a major clinical challenge to improve the prognostic outcome of osteosarcoma patients. We developed a tumor-specific replication-competent oncolytic adenovirus, OBP-301 (telomelysin) and assessed its synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin and doxorubicin) using human osteosarcoma cell lines and a xenograft tumor model. The molecular mechanism underlying the chemosensitizing effect of OBP-301 was evaluated in aspects of apoptosis induction. OBP-301 inhibits anti-apoptotic myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) expression, which in turn leads to chemosensitization in human osteosarcoma cells. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of MCL1 expression sensitized human osteosarcoma cells to common chemotherapeutic agents. We also found that upregulation of microRNA-29 targeting MCL1 via virally induced transcriptional factor E2F-1 activation was critical for the enhancement of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Telomerase-specific oncolytic adenovirus synergistically suppressed the viability of human osteosarcoma cells in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. The combination treatment also significantly inhibited tumor growth, as compared to monotherapy, in an osteosarcoma xenograft tumor model. Our data suggest that replicative virus-mediated tumor-specific MCL1 ablation may be a promising strategy to attenuate chemoresistance in osteosarcoma patients.
Proteome analysis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing B0/W148 cluster
Authors: Bespyatykh Julia , Shitikov Egor , Butenko Ivan , Altukhov Ilya , Alexeev Dmitry , Mokrousov Igor , Dogonadze Marine , Zhuravlev Viacheslav , Yablonsky Peter , Ilina Elena , Govorun Vadim
Published: June 2016

Beijing B0/W148, a “successful” clone of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is widespread in the Russian Federation and some countries of the former Soviet Union. Here, we used label-free gel-LC-MS/MS shotgun proteomics to discover features of Beijing B0/W148 strains that could explain their success. Qualitative and quantitative proteome analyses of Beijing B0/W148 strains allowed us to identify 1,868 proteins, including 266 that were differentially abundant compared with the control strain H37Rv. To predict the biological effects of the observed differences in protein abundances, we performed Gene Ontology analysis together with analysis of protein-DNA interactions using a gene regulatory network. Our results demonstrate that Beijing B0/W148 strains have increased levels of enzymes responsible for long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, along with a coincident decrease in the abundance of proteins responsible for their degradation. Together with high levels of HsaA (Rv3570c) protein, involved in steroid degradation, these findings provide a possible explanation for the increased transmissibility of Beijing B0/W148 strains and their survival in host macrophages. Among other, we confirmed a very low level of the SseA (Rv3283) protein in Beijing B0/W148 characteristic for all «modern» Beijing strains, which could lead to increased DNA oxidative damage, accumulation of mutations and potentially facilitate the development of drug resistance.
Cold acclimation wholly reorganizes the Drosophila melanogaster transcriptome and metabolome
Authors: MacMillan Heath A. , Knee Jose M. , Dennis Alice B. , Udaka Hiroko , Marshall Katie E. , Merritt Thomas J. S. , Sinclair Brent J.
Published: June 2016

Cold tolerance is a key determinant of insect distribution and abundance, and thermal acclimation can strongly influence organismal stress tolerance phenotypes, particularly in small ectotherms likeDrosophila. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that confer such impressive plasticity. Here, we use high-throughput mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to compare the transcriptomes and metabolomes ofD. melanogasteracclimated as adults to warm (rearing) (21.5 °C) or cold conditions (6 °C). Cold acclimation improved cold tolerance and led to extensive biological reorganization: almost one third of the transcriptome and nearly half of the metabolome were differentially regulated. There was overlap in the metabolic pathways identified via transcriptomics and metabolomics, with proline and glutathione metabolism being the most strongly-supported metabolic pathways associated with increased cold tolerance. We discuss several new targets in the study of insect cold tolerance (e.g. dopamine signaling and Na+-driven transport), but many previously identified candidate genes and pathways (e.g. heat shock proteins, Ca2+signaling, and ROS detoxification) were also identified in the present study, and our results are thus consistent with and extend the current understanding of the mechanisms of insect chilling tolerance.
Expansion of amphibian intronless interferons revises the paradigm for interferon evolution and functional diversity
Authors: Sang Yongming , Liu Qinfang , Lee Jinhwa , Ma Wenjun , McVey D. Scott , Blecha Frank
Published: June 2016

Interferons (IFNs) are key cytokines identified in vertebrates and evolutionary dominance of intronless IFN genes in amniotes is a signature event in IFN evolution. For the first time, we show that the emergence and expansion of intronless IFN genes is evident in amphibians, shown by 24–37 intronless IFN genes in each frog species. Amphibian IFNs represent a molecular complex more complicated than those in other vertebrate species, which revises the established model of IFN evolution to facilitate re-inspection of IFN molecular and functional diversity. We identified these intronless amphibian IFNs and their intron-containing progenitors and functionally characterized constitutive and inductive expression and antimicrobial roles in infections caused by zoonotic pathogens, such as influenza viruses and Listeria monocytogenes. Amphibians, therefore, may serve as overlooked vectors/hosts for zoonotic pathogens and the amphibian IFN system provides a model to study IFN evolution in molecular and functional diversity in coping with dramatic environmental changes during terrestrial adaption.
Nitrogen deposition may enhance soil carbon storage via change of soil respiration dynamic during a spring freeze-thaw cycle period
Authors: Yan Guoyong , Xing Yajuan , Xu Lijian , Wang Jianyu , Meng Wei , Wang Qinggui , Yu Jinghua , Zhang Zhi , Wang Zhidong , Jiang Siling , Liu Boqi , Han Shijie
Published: June 2016

As crucial terrestrial ecosystems, temperate forests play an important role in global soil carbon dioxide flux and this process can be sensitive to atmospheric nitrogen deposition. It is often reported that the nitrogen addition induces a change in soil carbon dioxide emission in growing season. However, the important effects of interactions between nitrogen deposition and the freeze-thaw-cycle have never been investigated. Here we show nitrogen deposition delays spikes of soil respiration and weaken soil respiration. We found the nitrogen addition, time and nitrogen addition×time exerted the negative impact on the soil respiration of spring freeze-thaw periods due to delay of spikes and inhibition of soil respiration (p < 0.001). The values of soil respiration were decreased by 6% (low-nitrogen), 39% (medium-nitrogen) and 36% (high-nitrogen) compared with the control. And the decrease values of soil respiration under medium- and high-nitrogen treatments during spring freeze-thaw-cycle period in temperate forest would be approximately equivalent to 1% of global annual C emissions. Therefore, we show interactions between nitrogen deposition and freeze-thaw-cycle in temperate forest ecosystems are important to predict global carbon emissions and sequestrations. We anticipate our finding to be a starting point for more sophisticated prediction of soil respirations in temperate forests ecosystems.
Divergent Evolutionary Pattern of Sugar Transporter Genes is Associated with the Difference in Sugar Accumulation between Grasses and Eudicots
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Hui , Ma Baiquan , Owiti Albert , Korban Schuyler S. , Han Yuepeng
Published: June 2016

Sugars play a variety of roles in plants, and their accumulation in seeds and/or surrounding pericarp tissues is distinctly different between grasses and eudicots. However, little is known about the evolutionary pattern of genes involved in sugar accumulation in these two major groups of flowering plants. Here, we compared evolutionary rates, gene duplication, and selective patterns of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport between grasses and eudicots using six grass species and seven eudicot species as materials. Overall, sugar transporter genes exhibit divergent evolutionary patterns, whereas, sugar metabolism genes showing similar evolutionary pattern between monocots and eudicots. Sugar transporter genes have higher frequencies of recent duplication in eudicots than in grasses and their patterns of evolutionary rate are different. Evidence for divergent selection of these two groups of flowering plants is also observed in sugar transporter genes, wherein, these genes have undergone positive selection in eudicots, but not in grasses. Taken together, these findings suggest that sugar transporter genes rather than sugar metabolism genes play important roles in sugar accumulation in plants, and that divergent evolutionary patterns of sugar transporter genes are associated with the difference of sugar accumulation in storage tissues of grasses and eudicots.
Humoral response against host-mimetic homologous epitopes of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Cossu Davide , Yokoyama Kazumasa , Sechi Leonardo Antonio , Otsubo Shigeru , Tomizawa Yuji , Momotani Eiichi , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: June 2016

Several works have demonstrated the existence of a link between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and MS in Italy. In this study, we analyzed the serology of MAP in a Japanese population while looking at several markers of MAP. Fifty MS patients, 12 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients, 30 other neurological disorders (OND) patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were tested using ELISA for the presence of IgG antibodies toward immunodominant epitopes MAP_0106c121-132, homologues MBP85-98, homologues IRF5424-432, MAP_402718-32, and MAP_2694295-303. MAP-positive patients were also analyzed in relation to their clinical/demographic characteristics. Amongst all peptides, only antibodies against MAP_2694295-303 were more prevalent in MS patients (30%), as compared to OND patients (3%) (p = 0.009; area under roc curve (AUC) = 0.61) and HCs (2%) (p = 0.0004; AUC = 0.65) and in CIS patients (25%) compared to HCs (p = 0.023; AUC = 0.55). Logistic regression analysis showed a higher frequency of anti-MAP_2694295-303 antibodies in the sera of oligoclonal bands positive MS patients (p = 0.2; OR = 2, 95%CI: 0.55–7.7). These findings support the view that MAP could act as a risk factor or a triggering agent of MS in some Japanese patients with a genetic susceptibility to the mycobacterium.
A block copolymer containing PEG and histamine-like segments: well-defined functions for gene delivery
Authors: Li Junbo , Zhao Jianlong , Gao Jiayu , Liang Ju , Wu Wenlan , Liang Lijuan
Published: June 2016

PEG-b-PAMPImB with well-defined functions, including high colloidal stability, effective DNA condensation and buffering capacity, self-assembles with pDNA for lower toxicity and higher efficient gene transfection.
A multi-stacked hyperporous silicon flake for highly active solar hydrogen production
Authors: Jang Youn Jeong , Ryu Jaegeon , Hong Dongki , Park Soojin , Lee Jae Sung
Published: June 2016

3D multi-stacked Si flakes have been successfully fabricatedviathe selective chemical reduction of natural clay on the strength of an inherently negative catalyst. Their solar-driven hydrogen production performance scored as the highest Si-based photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution with superior stability.
Catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-artalbic acid
Authors: Kobayashi Toyoharu , Shioi Ryuta , Ushie Ai , Abe Hideki , Ito Hisanaka
Published: June 2016

The first total synthesis of (+)-artalbic acid has been accomplished using asymmetric allylation of an acetoacetate derivative with a phase-transfer catalyst.
Oxygen–iron interaction in liquid lead–bismuth eutectic alloy
Authors: Aerts A. , Gavrilov S. , Manfredi G. , Marino A. , Rosseel K. , Lim J.
Published: June 2016

Iron released in steel corrosion is a key impurity in reactions with dissolved oxygen in liquid lead–bismuth eutectic alloys.
Lattice thermal conductivity in layered BiCuSeO
Authors: Kumar S. , Schwingenschlögl U.
Published: June 2016

We quantify and explain the low lattice thermal conductivity in layered BiCuSeO (the oxide with the highest known figure of merit).
A heterojunction photocatalyst composed of zinc rhodium oxide, single crystal-derived bismuth vanadium oxide, and silver for overall pure-water splitting under visible light up to 740 nm
Authors: Kobayashi Ryoya , Takashima Toshihiro , Tanigawa Satoshi , Takeuchi Shugo , Ohtani Bunsho , Irie Hiroshi
Published: June 2016

We have prepared a solid-state heterojunction photocatalyst, which can split pure water under red light up to 740 nm.
Disk to dual ring deposition transformation in evaporating nanofluid droplets from substrate cooling to heating
Authors: Zhong Xin , Duan Fei
Published: June 2016

Substrate temperature strongly influences the nanoparticle deposition patterns changing from a disk to a dual ring in sessile droplet evaporation.
Visible light driven hydrogen evolution with a noble metal free CuGa2In3S8 nanoparticle system in water
Authors: Kandiel Tarek A. , Hutton Georgina A. M. , Reisner Erwin
Published: June 2016

Visible light irradiation of CGIS nanoparticles with a Ni salt displayed superior sacrificial H2 evolution activity than when employing the precious metals Pt, Rh and Ru.
Upconversion luminescence of lanthanide-doped mixed CaMoO4–CaWO4 micro-/nano-materials
Authors: Liu Jing , Kaczmarek Anna M. , Billet Jonas , Van Driessche Isabel , Van Deun Rik
Published: June 2016

The synthesis and characterization of Er3+,Yb3+ doped mixed CaMoO4–CaWO4 micro-/nano-upconversion materials is presented in this paper. The relative intensities of the green and red emission bands can be enhanced by heat treatment or through Gd3+ co-doping.
Quantum chemical modeling of magnetically bistable metal coordination compounds. Synchronization of spin crossover, valence tautomerism and charge transfer induced spin transition mechanisms
Authors: Minkin V. I. , Starikova A. A. , Starikov A. G.
Published: June 2016

Heterometallic complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione exhibiting unprecedented dynamic behaviour due to synchronized thermally induced intramolecular rearrangements were computationally studied.
Unveiling the adsorption mechanism of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 with high efficiency for removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Xie Zhiqiang , Wang Zhuqing , Feng Xuhui , Wang Ying , Wu Aiguo
Published: June 2016

Here we experimentally unveil the adsorption mechanism of Cu2+ by using zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) for its application in heavy metal wastewater treatment.
Antimony oxofluorides – a synthesis concept that yields phase pure samples and single crystals
Authors: Ali Sk Imran , Johnsson Mats
Published: June 2016

Single crystals of the new isostructural compounds Sb3O4F and Y0.5Sb2.5O4F and the two previously known compounds M-SbOF and α-Sb3O2F5were successfully grown by a hydrothermal technique at 230 °C.
Anion directed structural diversity in zinc complexes with conformationally flexible quinazoline ligand: structural, spectral and theoretical studies
Authors: Dwivedi Nidhi , Panja Sumit Kumar , Monika Monika , Saha Satyen , Sunkari Sailaja S.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we report the synthesis, and structure of four new complexes of conformationally flexible 6-chloro-4-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinazoline ligand (L) with Zn(ii). Significance of ring twisting on supramolecular assembly and photophysical properties have also been highlighted.
Enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated branched allylic compounds via Ir-catalyzed allylations of functionalized fluorinated methylene derivatives
Authors: Zhang Hongbo , Chen Jiteng , Zhao Xiao-Ming
Published: June 2016

Introduction of the functionalized monofluorinated methylenes into the allylic fragment under Ir catalysis gave the fluorinated branched allyl products in good to high yields with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities.
Reduced graphene oxide/gold nanoparticle aerogel for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Cao Xinjiang , Yan Shancheng , Hu Feihu , Wang Junhua , Wan Yiming , Sun Bo , Xiao Zhongdang
Published: June 2016

Fabrication of reduced graphene oxide/gold nanoparticle aerogel for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Bright dual-mode green emission and temperature sensing properties in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped MgWO4 phosphor
Authors: Chai Xiaona , Li Jun , Zhang Ying , Wang Xusheng , Li Yanxia , Yao Xi
Published: June 2016

The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped MgWO4 phosphor exhibited green UC and DC emission at excited by of 980 nm (a) and 379 nm (b) light, respectively.
Photodeformable microspheres from an azo molecule containing a 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol core and cinnamate peripheral groups
Authors: Tang Bo , Zhou Yuqi , Xiong Zhiyuan , Wang Xiaogong
Published: June 2016

Microspheres formed from an azo molecule containing an 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol core and cinnamate peripheral groups are fabricated by the solvent-induced self-assembly in an aqueous dispersion to demonstrate a much faster photoinduced deformation.
Computational study of the binding orientation and affinity of PPARγ agonists: inclusion of ligand-induced fit by cross-docking
Authors: Muñoz-Gutierrez Camila , Adasme-Carreño Francisco , Fuentes Eduardo , Palomo Iván , Caballero Julio
Published: June 2016

A cross-docking study for describing differential binding energies of PPARγ and agonists was successful after the inclusion of protein flexibility through the use of several crystal receptor conformations.
A thermo-responsive dual-crosslinked hydrogel with ultrahigh mechanical strength
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Sun Linfeng , Yang Biao , Zhang Yanan , Zhu Shujie
Published: June 2016

A thermal-responsive hydrogel with ultrahigh mechanical strength was engineered by a covalently cross-linked and an ionic coordinated network.
Highly water-resistant carbon nanotube supported PdCl2–CuCl2 catalysts for low temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Zhou Fanyun , Du Xuexun , Yu Jun , Mao Dongsen , Lu Guanzhong
Published: June 2016

PdCl2–CuCl2/CNT was prepared by the two-step impregnation method, and the effects of the Pd and Cu loadings on its physicochemical properties and catalytic performance for low-temperature CO oxidation in the presence of H2O were investigated.
A highly selective ratiometric fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of hypochlorous acid and its bioimaging applications
Authors: Shu Wei , Jia Pan , Chen Xingzhu , Li Xueyan , Huo Yanru , Liu Fang , Wang Zuokai , Liu Caiyun , Zhu Baocun , Yan Liangguo , Du Bin
Published: June 2016

A rapid-response, highly selective and ratiometric fluorescent probe was synthesized to sensitively detect HOCl in living cells.
Biomass chitin-derived honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped carbon/graphene nanosheet networks for applications in efficient oxygen reduction and robust lithium storage
Authors: Wang Bo , Li Songmei , Wu Xiaoyu , Liu Jianhua , Chen Jing
Published: June 2016

A 3D honeycomb-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet/graphene nanonetwork films for efficient oxygen reduction and highly reversible lithium storage.
Three-dimensional MoSx(1 < x < 2) nanosheets decorated graphene aerogel for lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Li Liangyu , Chen Chunguang , Su Junming , Kuang Peng , Zhang Congcong , Yao Yu , Huang Tao , Yu Aishui
Published: June 2016

MoSx/graphene aerogels with a 3D architecture were synthesized using a hydrothermal and freeze-drying method and were further applied in Li–O2batteries as a potential oxygen cathode.
Long-term exposure of K562 cells to benzene metabolites inhibited erythroid differentiation and elevated methylation in erythroid specific genes
Authors: Tang K. Y. , Yu C. H. , Jiang L. , Gong M. , Liu W. J. , Wang Y. , Cui N. X. , Song W. , Sun Y. , Yi Z. C.
Published: June 2016

We demonstrate that long-term and low-dose exposure to benzene metabolites inhibits hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, in which DNA methylation plays a role through depressing erythroid specific genes.
The end of the road for the tryptophan depletion concept in pregnancy and infection
Authors: Badawy Abdulla A.-B. , Namboodiri Aryan M.A. , Moffett John R.
Published: June 2016

We hypothesize that: (1) L-tryptophan (Trp) is greatly utilized and not depleted in pregnancy; (2) fetal tolerance is achieved in part through immunosuppressive kynurenine (Kyn) metabolites produced by the flux of plasma free (non-albumin-bound) Trp down the Kyn pathway; (3) the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in infection is not related to limitation of an essential amino acid, but is rather associated with stress responses and the production of Kyn metabolites that regulate the activities of antigen presenting cells and T-cells, as well as increased NAD+ synthesis in IDO-expressing cells; (4) Trp depletion is not a host defence mechanism, but is a consequence of Trp utilization. We recommend that future studies in normal and abnormal pregnancies and in patients with infections or cancer should include measurements of plasma free Trp, determinants of Trp binding (albumin and non-esterified fatty acids), total Trp, determinants of activities of the Trp-degrading enzymes Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) (cortisol) and IDO (cytokines) and levels of Kyn metabolites. We also hypothesize that abnormal pregnancies and failure to combat infections or cancer may be associated with excessive Trp metabolism that can lead to pathological immunosuppression by excessive production of Kyn metabolites. Mounting evidence from many laboratories indicates that Trp metabolites are key regulators of immune cell behaviour, whereas Trp depletion is an indicator of extensive utilization of this key amino acid.
Use of biosensors for the detection of marine toxins
Authors: McPartlin Daniel A. , Lochhead Michael J. , Connell Laurie B. , Doucette Gregory J. , O'Kennedy Richard J.
Published: June 2016

Increasing occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the ocean are a major concern for countries around the globe, and with strong links between HABs and climate change and eutrophication, the occurrences are only set to increase. Of particular concern with regard to HABs is the presence of toxin-producing algae. Six major marine biotoxin groups are associated with HABs. Ingestion of such toxins via contaminated shellfish, fish, or other potential vectors, can lead to intoxication syndromes with moderate to severe symptoms, including death in extreme cases. There are also major economic implications associated with the diverse effects of marine biotoxins and HABs. Thus, effective monitoring programmes are required to manage and mitigate their detrimental global effect. However, currently legislated detection methods are labour-intensive, expensive and relatively slow. The growing field of biosensor diagnostic devices is an exciting area that has the potential to produce robust, easy-to-use, cost-effective, rapid and accurate detection methods for marine biotoxins and HABs. This review discusses recently developed biosensor assays that target marine biotoxins and their microbial producers, both in harvested fish/shellfish samples and in the open ocean. The effective deployment of such biosensor platforms could address the pressing need for improved monitoring of HABs and marine biotoxins, and could help to reduce their global economic impact.
Electrochemical biosensors and nanobiosensors
Authors: Hammond Jules L. , Formisano Nello , Estrela Pedro , Carrara Sandro , Tkac Jan
Published: June 2016

Electrochemical techniques have great promise for low-cost miniaturised easy-to-use portable devices for a wide range of applications–in particular, medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring. Different techniques can be used for biosensing, with amperometric devices taking the central role due to their widespread application in glucose monitoring. In fact, glucose biosensing takes an approximately 70% share of the biosensor market due to the need for diabetic patients to monitor their sugar levels several times a day, making it an appealing commercial market.

In this review, we present the basic principles of electrochemical biosensor devices. A description of the different generations of glucose sensors is used to describe in some detail the operation of amperometric sensors and how the introduction of mediators can enhance the performance of the sensors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a technique being increasingly used in devices due to its ability to detect variations in resistance and capacitance upon binding events. Novel advances in electrochemical sensors, due to the use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, are presented as well as future directions that the field is taking.
Biologically sensitive field-effect transistors: from ISFETs to NanoFETs
Authors: Pachauri Vivek , Ingebrandt Sven
Published: June 2016

Biologically sensitive field-effect transistors (BioFETs) are one of the most abundant classes of electronic sensors for biomolecular detection. Most of the time these sensors are realized as classical ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) having non-metallized gate dielectrics facing an electrolyte solution. In ISFETs, a semiconductor material is used as the active transducer element covered by a gate dielectric layer which is electronically sensitive to the (bio-)chemical changes that occur on its surface. This review will provide a brief overview of the history of ISFET biosensors with general operation concepts and sensing mechanisms. We also discuss silicon nanowire-based ISFETs (SiNW FETs) as the modern nanoscale version of classical ISFETs, as well as strategies to functionalize them with biologically sensitive layers. We include in our discussion other ISFET types based on nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, metal oxides and so on. The latest examples of highly sensitive label-free detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules using SiNW FETs and single-cell recordings for drug screening and other applications of ISFETs will be highlighted. Finally, we suggest new device platforms and newly developed, miniaturized read-out tools with multichannel potentiometric and impedimetric measurement capabilities for future biomedical applications.
Optical biosensors
Authors: Damborský Pavel , Švitel Juraj , Katrlík Jaroslav
Published: June 2016

Optical biosensors represent the most common type of biosensor. Here we provide a brief classification, a description of underlying principles of operation and their bioanalytical applications. The main focus is placed on the most widely used optical biosensors which are surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors including SPR imaging and localized SPR. In addition, other optical biosensor systems are described, such as evanescent wave fluorescence and bioluminescent optical fibre biosensors, as well as interferometric, ellipsometric and reflectometric interference spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensors. The optical biosensors discussed here allow the sensitive and selective detection of a wide range of analytes including viruses, toxins, drugs, antibodies, tumour biomarkers and tumour cells.
Lateral flow assays
Authors: Koczula Katarzyna M. , Gallotta Andrea
Published: June 2016

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are the technology behind low-cost, simple, rapid and portable detection devices popular in biomedicine, agriculture, food and environmental sciences. This review presents an overview of the principle of the method and the critical components of the assay, focusing on lateral flow immunoassays. This type of assay has recently attracted considerable interest because of its potential to provide instantaneous diagnosis directly to patients. The range and interpretation of results and parameters used for evaluation of the assay will also be discussed. The main advantages and disadvantages of LFAs will be summarized and relevant future improvements to testing devices and strategies will be proposed. Finally, the major recent advances and future diagnostic applications in the LFA field will be explored.
Effect of fast electrons on the stability of resistive interchange modes in the TJ-II stellarator
Authors: García L. , Ochando M. A. , Carreras B. A. , Carralero D. , Hidalgo C. , van Milligen B. Ph.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we report on electromagnetic phenomena in low-β plasmas at the TJ-II stellarator, controlled by external heating. To understand the observations qualitatively, we introduce a simple modification of the standard resistive MHD equations, to include the potential impact of fast electrons on instabilities. The dominant instabilities of the modeling regime are resistive interchange modes, and calculations are performed in a configuration with similar characteristics as the TJ-II stellarator. The main effect of the trapping of fast electrons by magnetic islands induced by MHD instabilities is to increase the magnetic component of the fluctuations, changing the character of the instability to tearing-like and modifying the frequency of the modes. These effects seem to be consistent with some of the experimental observations.
The Effect of Starvation on The Susceptibility of House Flies to Pyrethrum Sprays
Authors: Kerr RW
Published: June 2016

When houseflies (Musca domestica L.) are reared for use in fly spray tests,their susceptibility to pyrethrum sprays is not affected by starvation for shortperiods (which, in complete darkness, may exceed 12 hours), provided they aregiven access to food for a sufficient time, immediately prior to testing, to ensurethat all have had a recent feed when sprayed.
The Estimation of Cytochrome C Oxidase in Animal Tissues
Authors: Quinlan-Watson TAF , Dewey DW
Published: June 2016

Method for the stimation of cytochrom, c oxidase are dependent eitherupon the change which occurs in the absorption spectrum of cytochrome c whenit is oxidized by cytochrome oxidase (Altschul, Abrams, and Hogness 1939;Albaum, Tepperman and Bodansky 1946a, 1946b), or upon the absorption ofgaseous oxyen by, a !!ysten. which consists essentially of a preparation of cytochromeoX~,�Jase in the. pz:esence of a large excess of reduced cytochrome c. Ineither case, it is the rate of oxidation of reduced cytochrome c which is es~imated;in the former by spectrophotometric measurement of the rate of change in lighttransmission . at two different wllyelengths; and, in the latter by manometricestimation of the rate of oxygen uptake (Keilin and Hartree 1938; Stotz 1939;Schneider and Potter 1943). The rate of oxidation of the reduced cytochrome c . , ,"is proportional, under. certain, conditions, to the amount of cytochrome oxidasepresent, apd so. can be used as a measure of ~he activity' of cytochrome oxidase .itself.
A New Technique for Studying Vapour–liquid Equilibria of Multi-Component Systems
Authors: Vallana Federico M. Ferrero , Holland Lynette A. M. , Seddon Kenneth R.
Published: June 2016

A Fourier transform infrared gas-phase method is described herein and capable of deriving the vapour pressure of each pure component of a poorly volatile mixture and determining the relative vapour phase composition for each system. The performance of the present method has been validated using two standards (naphthalene and ferrocene), and a Raoult’s plot surface of a ternary system is reported as proof-of-principle. This technique is ideal for studying solutions comprising two, three, or more organic compounds dissolved in ionic liquids as they have no measurable vapour pressures.
The Importance of the Pauli Exchange-Type Repulsions and Hyperconjugative Interactions on the Conformational Properties of Halocarbonyl Isocyanates and Halocarbonyl Azides
Authors: Behrouz Athena , Nori-Shargh Davood
Published: June 2016

To gain further insight into the origin of the anomeric relationships in planar open-chain (acyclic) compounds, we examined the effects of the hyperconjugative generalized anomeric effect (HC-GAE), Pauli exchange-type repulsion (PETR), the electrostatic model associated with the dipole–dipole interactions (EM-DDI), and the attractive electrostatic interactions (AEI) between the natural atomic charges (NACs) on the conformational properties of halocarbonyl isocyanates [halogen = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3)] and halocarbonyl azides [halogen = F (4), Cl (5), Br (6)] by means of G3MP2, CCSD, MP2, and B3LYP methods with the 6–311+G** basis set on all atoms and natural bond orbital interpretation. Importantly, the deletions of the through bond LPN3→σ*C2–X6 hyperconjugative interactions from the Fock matrices of the cis- and trans-conformations lead to the increase of the cis-conformations’ stability compared with their corresponding trans-conformations going from compound 1 to 3 and from compound 4 to 6, revealing the determining effects on the conformational preferences in compounds 1–3 and 4–6. Essentially, the effects of the through space (LPN3→σ*C4–O5 and LPNα→π*Nβ=Nω, respectively) hyperconjugative interactions on the conformational preferences in the isocyanate (1–3) and azide compounds (4–6) are negligible. The EM-DDI fails to account for the conformational preferences in compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6. Therefore, the generalized anomeric relationships in compounds 1–3 and 4–6 result from the cooperative effects of the HC-GAE and PETR. The variations of the AEIs revealed their opposite effects on the trend observed for the conformational preferences in compounds 1–3 and 4–6. Contrary to the usual assumption, the much larger barrier heights of the rotation around the C2–N3 bonds in the azide compounds (4–6) compared with those in the isocyanate compounds (1–3) result from the exchange components and have no hyperconjugative origin.