bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Critical Thinking and Overgeneralization in Depression and Eating Disorders: An Experimental Study
Authors: Thew Graham R. , Gregory James D. , Roberts Kate , Rimes Katharine A.
Published: May 2017

Background:Self-critical thinking is common across psychological disorders. This study hypothesized that it may play an important role in ‘overgeneralization’, the process of drawing general implications from an isolated negative experience.Aims:To explore the impact of two experimental tasks designed to elicit self-critical thoughts on the endorsement of general negative self-views of clinical and non-clinical populations.Method:Three groups (depression, eating disorders and non-clinical controls), completed standardized questionnaires and the two tasks. Participants rated their self-critical thinking and general negative self-beliefs before and after each task.Results:Following a failure experience, both clinical groups showed a greater increase in general negative self-views compared with controls, indicating greater overgeneralization. Both habitual and increases in state self-critical thinking were associated with overgeneralization while negative perfectionism was not. Overgeneralization was more strongly associated with post-task reduced mood than self-criticism.Conclusions:Self-critical thinking may be an important factor in the process of overgeneralization, and the increase in general negative self-views may be particularly crucial for lowering of mood.
Juicy Conceptualizations: Increasing Alliance Through Attending to Client Metaphoric Language
Authors: Mathieson Fiona , Jordan Jennifer , Merrick Paul , Stubbe Maria
Published: May 2017

Background:There is increasing interest in the use of metaphor in cognitive behaviour therapy. Experts advocate bringing client metaphors into case conceptualizations, but there is little empirical research to support this.Aims:This study evaluated the effect of training 12 therapists to attend to client metaphors and bring them into case conceptualizations.Method:Pre- and post-training role-played therapy sessions were conducted and video-recorded. Alliance was rated by role play ‘clients’ and an external expert rated the quality of the sessions and of the shared conceptualizations.Results:There were significant increases in some ratings of alliance, based on role play ‘client’ ratings and external ratings of role plays of therapy sessions before and after training. The greater the difference between therapist and ‘client’ on a measure of preference for producing metaphor, the lower the rating of the session by the ‘client’ on theBondfactor score of an alliance measure, the Working Alliance Inventory. This result suggests that working metaphorically may be most effective when the therapist and client have a similar degree of preference for speaking metaphorically.Conclusion:This study provides preliminary support for the idea that attending to client metaphors during conceptualization can be beneficial for alliance.
Dietary salt intake in the Australian population
Authors: Santos Joseph Alvin , Webster Jacqui , Land Mary-Anne , Flood Victoria , Chalmers John , Woodward Mark , Neal Bruce , Petersen Kristina S
Published: May 2017

Objective

To update the estimate of mean salt intake for the Australian population made by the Australian Health Survey (AHS).

Design

A secondary analysis of the data collected in a cross-sectional survey was conducted. Estimates of salt intake were made in Lithgow using the 24 h diet recall methodology employed by the AHS as well as using 24 h urine collections. The data from the Lithgow sample were age- and sex-weighted, to provide estimates of daily salt intake for the Australian population based upon (i) the diet recall data and (ii) the 24 h urine samples.

Setting

Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia.

Subjects

Individuals aged ≥20 years residing in Lithgow and listed on the 2009 federal electoral roll.

Results

Mean (95 % CI) salt intake estimated from the 24 h diet recalls was 6·4 (6·2, 6·7) g/d for the Lithgow population compared with a corresponding figure of 6·2 g/d for the Australian population derived from the AHS. The corresponding estimate of salt intake for Lithgow adults based upon the 24 h urine collections was 9·0 (8·6, 9·4) g/d. When the age- and sex-specific estimates of salt intake obtained from the 24 h urine collections in the Lithgow sample were weighted using Australian census data, estimated salt intake for the Australian population was 9·0 (8·6, 9·5) g/d. Further adjustment for non-urinary Na excretion made the best estimate of daily salt intake for both Lithgow and Australia about 9·9 g/d.

Conclusions

The dietary recall method used by the AHS likely substantially underestimated mean population salt consumption in Australia.
Shifting Winds Write Their History on a New Zealand Lake Bed
Authors: Dunbar Gavin , Vandergoes Marcus , Levy Richard
Published: May 2017

A team of scientists finds a year-by-year record of climate history spanning the past 17,000 years at the bottom of a South Island lake.
Concern About Climate Change Drives Arctic Council Meeting
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2017

Actions taken by ministers at the meeting included an agreement on international Arctic scientific cooperation and adoption of recommendations of a report on the region’s changing state.
Zinc is a potent and specific inhibitor of IFN-λ3 signalling
Authors: Read Scott A. , O’Connor Kate S. , Suppiah Vijay , Ahlenstiel Chantelle L. E. , Obeid Stephanie , Cook Kristina M. , Cunningham Anthony , Douglas Mark W. , Hogg Philip J. , Booth David , George Jacob , Ahlenstiel Golo
Published: May 2017

Lambda interferons (IFNL, IFN-λ) are pro-inflammatory cytokines important in acute and chronic viral infection. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 within the IFNL gene locus predict hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance, as well as inflammation and fibrosis progression in viral and non-viral liver disease. The underlying mechanism, however, is not defined. Here we show that the rs12979860 CC genotype correlates with increased hepatic metallothionein expression through increased systemic zinc levels. Zinc interferes with IFN-λ3 binding to IFNL receptor 1 (IFNLR1), resulting in decreased antiviral activity and increased viral replication (HCV, influenza) in vitro. HCV patients with high zinc levels have low hepatocyte antiviral and inflammatory gene expression and high viral loads, confirming the inhibitory role of zinc in vivo. We provide the first evidence that zinc can act as a potent and specific inhibitor of IFN-λ3 signalling and highlight its potential as a target of therapeutic intervention for IFN-λ3-mediated chronic disease.
The cohesin-like RecN protein stimulates RecA-mediated recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks
Authors: Uranga Lee A. , Reyes Emigdio D. , Patidar Praveen L. , Redman Lindsay N. , Lusetti Shelley L.
Published: May 2017

RecN is a cohesin-like protein involved in DNA double-strand break repair in bacteria. The RecA recombinase functions to mediate repair via homologous DNA strand invasion to form D-loops. Here we provide evidence that the RecN protein stimulates the DNA strand invasion step of RecA-mediated recombinational DNA repair. The intermolecular DNA tethering activity of RecN protein described previously cannot fully explain this novel activity since stimulation of RecA function is species-specific and requires RecN ATP hydrolysis. Further, DNA-bound RecA protein increases the rate of ATP hydrolysis catalysed by RecN during the DNA pairing reaction. DNA-dependent RecN ATPase kinetics are affected by RecA protein in a manner suggesting a specific order of protein–DNA assembly, with RecN acting after RecA binds DNA. We present a model for RecN function that includes presynaptic stimulation of the bacterial repair pathway perhaps by contributing to the RecA homology search before ternary complex formation.
Picocyanobacteria and deep-ocean fluorescent dissolved organic matter share similar optical properties
Authors: Zhao Zhao , Gonsior Michael , Luek Jenna , Timko Stephen , Ianiri Hope , Hertkorn Norbert , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Fang Xiaoting , Zeng Qinglu , Jiao Nianzhi , Chen Feng
Published: May 2017

Marine chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and its related fluorescent components (FDOM), which are widely distributed but highly photobleached in the surface ocean, are critical in regulating light attenuation in the ocean. However, the origins of marine FDOM are still under investigation. Here we show that cultured picocyanobacteria, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, release FDOM that closely match the typical fluorescent signals found in oceanic environments. Picocyanobacterial FDOM also shows comparable apparent fluorescent quantum yields and undergoes similar photo-degradation behaviour when compared with deep-ocean FDOM, further strengthening the similarity between them. Ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal abundant nitrogen-containing compounds in Synechococcus DOM, which may originate from degradation products of the fluorescent phycobilin pigments. Given the importance of picocyanobacteria in the global carbon cycle, our results indicate that picocyanobacteria are likely to be important sources of marine autochthonous FDOM, which may accumulate in the deep ocean.
Global perturbation of organic carbon cycling by river damming
Authors: Maavara Taylor , Lauerwald Ronny , Regnier Pierre , Van Cappellen Philippe
Published: May 2017

The damming of rivers represents one of the most far-reaching human modifications of the flows of water and associated matter from land to sea. Dam reservoirs are hotspots of sediment accumulation, primary productivity (P) and carbon mineralization (R) along the river continuum. Here we show that for the period 1970–2030, global carbon mineralization in reservoirs exceeds carbon fixation (P<R); the global P/R ratio, however, varies significantly, from 0.20 to 0.58 because of the changing age distribution of dams. We further estimate that at the start of the twenty-first century, in-reservoir burial plus mineralization eliminated 4.0±0.9 Tmol per year (48±11 Tg C per year) or 13% of total organic carbon (OC) carried by rivers to the oceans. Because of the ongoing boom in dam building, in particular in emerging economies, this value could rise to 6.9±1.5 Tmol per year (83±18 Tg C per year) or 19% by 2030.
Tetrahelical structural family adopted by AGCGA-rich regulatory DNA regions
Authors: Kocman Vojč , Plavec Janez
Published: May 2017

Here we describe AGCGA-quadruplexes, an unexpected addition to the well-known tetrahelical families, G-quadruplexes and i-motifs, that have been a focus of intense research due to their potential biological impact in G- and C-rich DNA regions, respectively. High-resolution structures determined by solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrate that AGCGA-quadruplexes comprise four 5′-AGCGA-3′ tracts and are stabilized by G-A and G-C base pairs forming GAGA- and GCGC-quartets, respectively. Residues in the core of the structure are connected with edge-type loops. Sequences of alternating 5′-AGCGA-3′ and 5′-GGG-3′ repeats could be expected to form G-quadruplexes, but are shown herein to form AGCGA-quadruplexes instead. Unique structural features of AGCGA-quadruplexes together with lower sensitivity to cation and pH variation imply their potential biological relevance in regulatory regions of genes responsible for basic cellular processes that are related to neurological disorders, cancer and abnormalities in bone and cartilage development.
Behavioural individuality in clonal fish arises despite near-identical rearing conditions
Authors: Bierbach David , Laskowski Kate L. , Wolf Max
Published: May 2017

Behavioural individuality is thought to be caused by differences in genes and/or environmental conditions. Therefore, if these sources of variation are removed, individuals are predicted to develop similar phenotypes lacking repeatable individual variation. Moreover, even among genetically identical individuals, direct social interactions are predicted to be a powerful factor shaping the development of individuality. We use tightly controlled ontogenetic experiments with clonal fish, the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), to test whether near-identical rearing conditions and lack of social contact dampen individuality. In sharp contrast to our predictions, we find that (i) substantial individual variation in behaviour emerges among genetically identical individuals isolated directly after birth into highly standardized environments and (ii) increasing levels of social experience during ontogeny do not affect levels of individual behavioural variation. In contrast to the current research paradigm, which focuses on genes and/or environmental drivers, our findings suggest that individuality might be an inevitable and potentially unpredictable outcome of development.
Tailoring spin defects in diamond by lattice charging
Authors: Fávaro de Oliveira Felipe , Antonov Denis , Wang Ya , Neumann Philipp , Momenzadeh Seyed Ali , Häußermann Timo , Pasquarelli Alberto , Denisenko Andrej , Wrachtrup Jörg
Published: May 2017

Atomic-size spin defects in solids are unique quantum systems. Most applications require nanometre positioning accuracy, which is typically achieved by low-energy ion implantation. A drawback of this technique is the significant residual lattice damage, which degrades the performance of spins in quantum applications. Here we show that the charge state of implantation-induced defects drastically influences the formation of lattice defects during thermal annealing. Charging of vacancies at, for example, nitrogen implantation sites suppresses the formation of vacancy complexes, resulting in tenfold-improved spin coherence times and twofold-improved formation yield of nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond. This is achieved by confining implantation defects into the space-charge layer of free carriers generated by a boron-doped diamond structure. By combining these results with numerical calculations, we arrive at a quantitative understanding of the formation and dynamics of the implanted spin defects. These results could improve engineering of quantum devices using solid-state systems.
Optimizing radiotherapy protocols using computer automata to model tumour cell death as a function of oxygen diffusion processes
Authors: Paul-Gilloteaux Perrine , Potiron Vincent , Delpon Grégory , Supiot Stéphane , Chiavassa Sophie , Paris François , Costes Sylvain V.
Published: May 2017

The concept of hypofractionation is gaining momentum in radiation oncology centres, enabled by recent advances in radiotherapy apparatus. The gain of efficacy of this innovative treatment must be defined. We present a computer model based on translational murine data for in silico testing and optimization of various radiotherapy protocols with respect to tumour resistance and the microenvironment heterogeneity. This model combines automata approaches with image processing algorithms to simulate the cellular response of tumours exposed to ionizing radiation, modelling the alteration of oxygen permeabilization in blood vessels against repeated doses, and introducing mitotic catastrophe (as opposed to arbitrary delayed cell-death) as a means of modelling radiation-induced cell death. Published data describing cell death in vitro as well as tumour oxygenation in vivo are used to inform parameters. Our model is validated by comparing simulations to in vivo data obtained from the radiation treatment of mice transplanted with human prostate tumours. We then predict the efficacy of untested hypofractionation protocols, hypothesizing that tumour control can be optimized by adjusting daily radiation dosage as a function of the degree of hypoxia in the tumour environment. Further biological refinement of this tool will permit the rapid development of more sophisticated strategies for radiotherapy.
Fipronil-induced enantioselective developmental toxicity to zebrafish embryo-larvae involves changes in DNA methylation
Authors: Qian Yi , Wang Cui , Wang Jinghua , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhou Zhiqiang , Zhao Meirong , Lu Chensheng
Published: May 2017

Enantioselectivity in the aquatic toxicity of chiral pesticides has been widely investigated, while the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Thus far, few studies has focused on genomic expression related to selective toxicity in chiral pesticide, nor on epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation. Here, we used fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide, as a model chemical to probe its enantioselective toxicity in embryo development. Our results showed that S-(+)-fipronil caused severer developmental toxicity in embryos. The MeDIP-Seq analysis demonstrated that S-(+)-fipronil dysregulated a higher level of genomic DNA methylation than R-(−)-fipronil. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that S-(+)-fipronil caused more differentially methylated genes that are involved in developmental processes. Compared with R-(−)-fipronil, S-(+)-fipronil significantly disrupted 7 signaling pathways (i.e., mitogen-activated protein kinases, tight junctions, focal adhesion, transforming growth factor-β, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and the hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways) by hyper-methylation of developmentally related genes, which further induced the downregulation of those genes. Together, these data suggest that differences in DNA methylation may partly explain the enantioselectivity of fipronil to zebrafish embryos. The application of epigenetics to investigate the enantioselective toxicity mechanism of chiral chemicals would provide a further understanding of their stereoselectivity biological effects.
Caffeic Acid Attenuates Diabetic Kidney Disease via Modulation of Autophagy in a High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rat
Authors: Matboli Marwa , Eissa Sanaa , Ibrahim Doaa , Hegazy Marwa G. A. , Imam Shalabia S. , Habib Eman K.
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diabetic nephropathy effect of Caffeic acid and to prove our hypothesis for its mechanism of action that it may occur by reactivation of autophagy pathway via suppression of autophagy regulatory miRNAs. In vivo, high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced (HFD-STZ) diabetic rats were treated with Caffeic acid once per day for 12 weeks before and after development of diabetic nephropathy. Blood and urine biochemical parameters, autophagy transcripts and their epigenetic regulators together with renal tissue morphology were investigated. In diabetic rats, Caffeic acid intake, caused improvement in albumin excretion,blood glucose, reduced renal mesangial matrix extension with increased vacuolation and reappearance of autophagosomes. Meanwhile, it resulted in autophagy genes up-regulation [RB 1-inducible coiled coil protein (RB1CC1), Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3(MAP1LC3B), Autophagy related gene (ATG-12),] with simultaneous reduction in their epigenetic regulators; miRNA-133b, −342 and 30a, respectively. These above mentioned effects were more significant in the diabetic nephropathy Caffeic treated rats than in the prophylactic group. Based on our results we postulated that caffeic acid modulates autophagy pathway through inhibition of autophagy regulatory miRNAs, that could explain its curative properties against diabetic kidney disease.
The long non-coding RNA LINC00152 is essential for cell cycle progression through mitosis in HeLa cells
Authors: Nötzold Linda , Frank Lukas , Gandhi Minakshi , Polycarpou-Schwarz Maria , Groß Matthias , Gunkel Manuel , Beil Nina , Erfle Holger , Harder Nathalie , Rohr Karl , Trendel Jakob , Krijgsveld Jeroen , Longerich Thomas , Schirmacher Peter , Boutros Michael , Erhardt Sylvia , Diederichs Sven
Published: May 2017

In recent years, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) research has identified essential roles of these transcripts in virtually all physiological cellular processes including tumorigenesis, but their functions and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we performed a high-throughput siRNA screen targeting 638 lncRNAs deregulated in cancer entities to analyse their impact on cell division by using time-lapse microscopy. We identified 26 lncRNAs affecting cell morphology and cell cycle including LINC00152. This transcript was ubiquitously expressed in many human cell lines and its RNA levels were significantly upregulated in lung, liver and breast cancer tissues. A comprehensive sequence analysis of LINC00152 revealed a highly similar paralog annotated as MIR4435-2HG and several splice variants of both transcripts. The shortest and most abundant isoform preferentially localized to the cytoplasm. Cells depleted of LINC00152 arrested in prometaphase of mitosis and showed reduced cell viability. In RNA affinity purification (RAP) studies, LINC00152 interacted with a network of proteins that were associated with M phase of the cell cycle. In summary, we provide new insights into the properties and biological function of LINC00152 suggesting that this transcript is crucial for cell cycle progression through mitosis and thus, could act as a non-coding oncogene.
Effects of hMASP-2 on the formation of BCG infection-induced granuloma in the lungs of BALB/c mice
Authors: Xu Xiaoying , Lu Xiaoling , Dong Xingfang , Luo Yanping , Wang Qian , Liu Xun , Fu Jie , Zhang Yuan , Zhu Bingdong , Ma Xingming
Published: May 2017

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affects the functions of the lung and causes high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. MASP-2 is an executioner enzyme, which plays an essential role in the activation of lectin pathway. In our previous studies, the MASP-2 played a dual role in promoting the progress of lesions in BCG-infected rabbit skin models. However, the really effects of MASP-2 on tuberculosis are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MASP-2 in granuloma formation with BCG-infected mice. Compared to the control group, rAd-hMASP-2 treated group showed increasing in survival rate of BCG-infected mice (P = 0.042), and decreasing of bacteria loads (P = 0.005) in the lung tissue. MASP-2 displayed a protective efficacy in BCG-infected mice, which promoted the activation and recruitment of macrophages and lymphocytes to the granuloma. Moreover, the data obtained from the ELISA and RT-PCR demonstrated that mRNA expression for IL-6, CCL12, CCL2 and cytokines of IFN-γ, TNF-α in lung were significantly elevated by treatment of rAd-hMASP-2. Those findings provided an evidence that MASP-2 may be as a newly immunomodulatory in targeting granuloma formation, which displayed a potential protective role in control of tuberculosis.
Tea-induced improvement of endothelial function in humans: No role for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Authors: Lorenz Mario , Rauhut Franziska , Hofer Christine , Gwosc Stefanie , Müller Eda , Praeger Damaris , Zimmermann Benno F. , Wernecke Klaus-Dieter , Baumann Gert , Stangl Karl , Stangl Verena
Published: May 2017

Consumption of tea is inversely associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the active compound(s) responsible for the protective effects of tea are unknown. Although many favorable cardiovascular effects in vitro are mediated by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), its contribution to the beneficial effects of tea in vivo remains unresolved. In a randomised crossover study, a single dose of 200 mg EGCG was applied in three different formulas (as green tea beverage, green tea extract (GTE), and isolated EGCG) to 50 healthy men. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelial-independent nitro-mediated dilation (NMD) was measured before and two hours after ingestion. Plasma levels of tea compounds were determined after each intervention and correlated with FMD. FMD significantly improved after consumption of green tea containing 200 mg EGCG (p < 0.01). However, GTE and EGCG had no significant effect on FMD. NMD did not significantly differ between interventions. EGCG plasma levels were highest after administration of EGCG and lowest after consumption of green tea. Plasma levels of caffeine increased after green tea consumption. The results show that EGCG is most likely not involved in improvement of flow-mediated dilation by green tea. Instead, other tea compounds, metabolites or combinations thereof may play a role.
Discrete photoelectrodes with dyes having different absorption wavelengths for efficient cobalt-based tandem dye-sensitised solar cells
Authors: Ho Phuong , Thogiti Suresh , Lee Yong Hui , Kim Jae Hong
Published: May 2017

A pn-tandem dye-sensitised solar cell (pn-DSSC) employing a set of sensitisers with complementary absorption spectra and a less-corrosive cobalt-based electrolyte is presented. We applied three organic sensitisers (denoted C343, DCBZ, and SQ) featuring different absorption wavelengths for the p-DSSC, while keeping the n-DSSC sensitiser (denoted DCA10CN2) constant. Characterisation of the Co+2/+3-based DSSC devices revealed that SQ dye, with a longer absorption wavelength, showed broader spectra and increased photocurrent activity in the visible and near-infrared region compared to the other two devices with C343 and DCBZ in the pn-DSSCs. As a result, the short-circuit current density increased significantly to 4.00 mA cm−2, and the devices displayed overall power conversion efficiencies of as high as 1.41%, which is comparable to that of the best pn-DSSCs in the literature. Our results demonstrate that complementary absorption between the two photoelectrodes is important for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of pn-DSSCs.
Revealing chemical processes and kinetics of drug action within single living cells via plasmonic Raman probes
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , Guan Qi-Yuan , Meng Gang , Chang Xiao-Feng , Wei Ji-Wu , Wang Peng , Kang Bin , Xu Jing-Juan , Chen Hong-Yuan
Published: May 2017

Better understanding the drug action within cells may extend our knowledge on drug action mechanisms and promote new drugs discovery. Herein, we studied the processes of drug induced chemical changes on proteins and nucleic acids in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells via time-resolved plasmonic-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PERS) in combination with principal component analysis (PCA). Using three popular chemotherapy drugs (fluorouracil, cisplatin and camptothecin) as models, chemical changes during drug action process were clearly discriminated. Reaction kinetics related to protein denaturation, conformational modification, DNA damage and their associated biomolecular events were calculated. Through rate constants and reaction delay times, the different action modes of these drugs could be distinguished. These results may provide vital insights into understanding the chemical reactions associated with drug-cell interactions.
Preparation, characterization and pharmacokinetics of cyadox nanosuspension
Authors: Sattar Adeel , Chen Dongmei , Jiang Lishun , Pan Yuanhu , Tao Yanfei , Huang Lingli , Liu Zhenli , Xie Shuyu , Yuan Zonghui
Published: May 2017

An increase in number of newly developed synthetic drugs displays bioavailability constraints because of poor water solubility. Nanosuspensions formulation may help to overwhelm these problems by increasing dissolution velocity and saturation solubility. In the present study, cyadox (Cyx) nanosuspension was successfully prepared by recrystallization based on acid–base neutralization combined with high pressure homogenization method using Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) as stabilizer. The nanosuspension had uniform particle distribution, excellent sedimentation rate and redispersibility. The nanosuspension significantly improved the solubility, dissolution and bioavailability. The saturation solubility of Cyx nanocrystal was higher than that of bulk Cyx and released the total drug in very short time. Further, pharmacokinetics of Cyx nanosuspension and normal suspension following oral administration was investigated in beagle dogs. Nanosuspension improved the bioavailability of Cyx which could be beneficial for intestinal bacterial infection in animals. Maximum concentration and area under concentration time curve were increased with particles size reduction which might give rise to pronounce fluctuations in plasma concentration and more intensified antibacterial effects. The terminal half-life and mean resident time of Cyx nanosuspension had also increased compared to normal Cyx suspension. In conclusion, nanosuspensions may be a suitable delivery approach to increase the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Surface PEGylation of Mesoporous Silica Nanorods (MSNR): Effect on loading, release, and delivery of mitoxantrone in hypoxic cancer cells
Authors: Wani Amit , Savithra Galbokka H. Layan , Abyad Ayat , Kanvinde Shrey , Li Jing , Brock Stephanie , Oupický David
Published: May 2017

Mesoporous silica nanomaterials show great potential to deliver chemotherapeutics for cancer treatment. The key challenges in the development of injectable mesoporous silica formulations are colloidal instability, hemolysis and inefficient drug loading and release. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PEGylation of mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNR) on hemolysis, colloidal stability, mitoxantrone (MTX) loading, in vitro MTX release, and cellular MTX delivery under hypoxic conditions. We found that PEGylation prevented dose-dependent hemolysis in the concentrations studied (0–10 mg/ml) and improved colloidal stability of MSNR. A negative effect of PEGylation on MTX loading was observed but PEGylated MSNR (PMSNR) demonstrated increased MTX release compared to non-PEGylated particles. Under hypoxic conditions, a decrease in the IC50 of MTX and MTX-loaded MSNR was observed when compared to normoxic conditions. These results showed that MSNR could deliver the chemotherapeutic agent, MTX to tumor cells and induce effective cell killing. However, the effect of PEGylation needs to be carefully studied due to the observed adverse effect on drug loading.
Inhibition of PI3K suppresses propagation of drug-tolerant cancer cell subpopulations enriched by 5-fluorouracil
Authors: Ishida Kaoru , Ito Chie , Ohmori Yukimi , Kume Kohei , Sato Kei A. , Koizumi Yuka , Konta Akari , Iwaya Takeshi , Nukatsuka Mamoru , Kobunai Takashi , Takechi Teiji , Nishizuka Satoshi S.
Published: May 2017

Drug-tolerant cancer cell subpopulations are responsible for relapse after chemotherapy. By continuously exposing the gastric cancer cell line MKN45 to 5-FU for >100 passages, we established a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-tolerant line, MKN45/5FU. Orthotopic xenografts of MKN45/5FU cells in the stomach of nude mice revealed that these cells had a high potential to metastasize to sites such as the liver. Levels of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) increased both in 5-FU-tolerant subpopulations according to the 5-FU dose, and in gastric submucosal orthotopic xenografts of MKN45/5FU cells. Sequential administration of 5-FU and a PI3K inhibitor, GDC-0941, targeted the downstream ribosomal S6 kinase phosphorylation to significantly suppress 5-FU-tolerant subpopulations and tumor propagation of orthotopic MKN45/5FU xenografts. These results suggest that administration of 5-FU followed by GDC-0941 may suppress disease relapse after 5-FU-based gastric cancer chemotherapy.
Intravenous Thrombolysis in Chinese Patients with Different Subtype of Mild Stroke: Thrombolysis in Patients with Mild Stroke
Authors: Chen Weiqi , Pan Yuesong , Zhao Xingquan , Liu Liping , Li Hao , Liao Xiaoling , Wang Chunjuan , Wang Yilong , Wang Yongjun
Published: May 2017

Thrombolysis treatment for patients with mild stroke is controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate whether patients with mild stroke or its specific etiologic subtype might benefit from rt-PA therapy. Data were derived from two cohorts of patients with and without rt-PA treatment: (1) the Thrombolysis Implementation and Monitor of Acute Ischemic Stroke in China (TIMS-China) and (2) the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR) database. Patients with mild stroke (defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤5) receiving the rt-PA therapy and without rt-PA therapy were matched in 1:2 for age, sex, stroke severity and etiologic subtype. A total of 134 rt-PA-treated patients were matched to 249 non-rt-PA-treated patients in the study. Among them, 104 (76%) rt-PA-treated patients with mild stroke had good outcome after 3 months compared with 173 (69.5%) non-rt-PA-treated matching cases (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–2.43; P = 0.12). Compared with non-rt-PA-treated group, rt-PA-treated patients had good outcome after 3 months in those with stroke subtype of large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) (80.5% vs 65.1%; OR, 2.19; 95%CI, 1.14–4.21; P = 0.02). For patients with mild stroke, intravenous rt-PA treatment may be effective. Patients with stroke subtype of LAA might benefit more from rt-PA treatment.
Epigenetic priming restores the HLA class-I antigen processing machinery expression in Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Ritter Cathrin , Fan Kaiji , Paschen Annette , Reker Hardrup Sine , Ferrone Soldano , Nghiem Paul , Ugurel Selma , Schrama David , Becker Jürgen C.
Published: May 2017

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive, yet highly immunogenic skin cancer. The latter is due to its viral or UV-associated carcinogenesis. For tumor progression MCC has to escape the host’s immuno-surveillance, e.g. by loss of HLA class-I expression. Indeed, a reduced HLA class-I expression was observed in MCC tumor tissues and MCC cell lines. This reduced HLA class-I surface expression is caused by an impaired expression of key components of the antigen processing machinery (APM), including LMP2 and LMP7 as well as TAP1 and TAP2. Notably, experimental provisions of HLA class-I binding peptides restored HLA class-I surface expression on MCC cells. Silencing of the HLA class-I APM is due to histone deacetylation as inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) not only induced acetylation of histones in the respective promoter regions but also re-expression of APM components. Thus, HDAC inhibition restored HLA class-I surface expression in vitro and in a mouse xenotransplantation model. In contrast to re-induction of HLA class-I by interferons, HDAC inhibitors did not interfere with the expression of immuno-dominant viral proteins. In summary, restoration of HLA class-I expression on MCC cells by epigenetic priming is an attractive approach to enhance therapies boosting adaptive immune responses.
Fabrication of cerebral aneurysm simulator with a desktop 3D printer
Authors: Liu Yu , Gao Qing , Du Song , Chen ZiChen , Fu JianZhong , Chen Bing , Liu ZhenJie , He Yong
Published: May 2017

Now, more and more patients are suffering cerebral aneurysm. However, long training time limits the rapid growth of cerebrovascular neurosurgeons. Here we developed a novel cerebral aneurysm simulator which can be better represented the dynamic bulging process of cerebral aneurysm The proposed simulator features the integration of a hollow elastic vascular model, a skull model and a brain model, which can be affordably fabricated at the clinic (Fab@Clinic), under $25.00 each with the help of a low-cost desktop 3D printer. Moreover, the clinical blood flow and pulsation pressure similar to the human can be well simulated, which can be used to train the neurosurgical residents how to clip aneurysms more effectively.
Nanotechnologies in Food: What, Why and How?
Authors: Chaudhry Qasim , Watkins Richard , Castle Laurence
Published: May 2017

This first chapter sets the scene for subsequent chapters on various aspects of nanotechnologies in food written by acknowledged experts in their respective fields. It describes and defines the relevant materials, products and applications of nanotechnologies and highlights the distinctive chemical and physical attributes of nanomaterials that make them so attractive for applications in the food sector. This chapter presents an overview of the outlook for the applications of nanotechnologies in food and opens up a discussion on the different issues that have arisen from such applications. It highlights both the anticipated benefits and concerns, emphasizing that public perception and the ultimate acceptance or rejection of nanotech food products hinges on what benefits they may bring, to whom, and whether they may pose a risk to consumers. In this regard, it discusses the question of whether the novel chemical and physical attributes of some nanomaterials may also give rise to hitherto unrecognized health hazards. It also touches on the current frameworks for risk assessment and the regulation of nanotechnologies in food.
Supplement Delivery at the Nanoscale
Authors: Chuacharoen Thanida , Sabliov Cristina M.
Published: May 2017

This chapter covers nanodelivery systems developed specifically for use in the food industry. The different types of nanodelivery system are described, including the techniques and materials used to synthesize these particles, and their particular advantages and disadvantages. The release mechanisms of bioactives from nanodelivery systems are covered, as well as the interaction of the nanocarriers with foods and the impact of gastrointestinal conditions on the stability, functionality, and bioavailability of the nanoscale delivery systems and the delivered load. The biological fate of these nanomaterials during absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion is discussed, and some information on the bioavailability of the nanodelivered bioactive, in relation to consumer safety, is also included.
Nanotechnology in Food Packaging
Authors: Ntim Susana Addo , Noonan Gregory O.
Published: May 2017

Food packaging is an integral component of the global food supply chain, protecting food from dirt, chemical contaminants and microorganisms, and helping to maintain food quality during transport and storage. Much of this packaging relies on modern polymeric materials, which have been developed to help control the exposure of products to light, oxygen and moisture. These have the benefits of being lightweight, cost-effective, reusable, recyclable and resistant to chemical and physical damage. Although traditional polymeric materials can fulfill many of these requirements, efforts continue to maintain or improve packaging performance while reducing the use of raw materials, waste and costs. The use of nanotechnology to produce nanocomposite materials has great promise to improve the characteristics of food packaging, but many of the products are still in their infancy. Only a relatively small number of nanoenabled products have entered the market and many, but not all, occupy niche markets. This chapter briefly describes the areas where nanomaterials have been used in research and commercial products to improve mechanical and barrier properties and to create active and intelligent packaging materials. It also addresses the regulation of nanomaterials in food contact applications and migration when evaluating the safety of these materials.
Nanotechnologies in Food: The Knowns, Unknowns, and Unknown Unknowns
Authors: Chaudhry Qasim , Watkins Richard , Castle Laurence
Published: May 2017

This concluding chapter draws upon the discussions presented in the preceding chapters on different aspects of nanotechnology applications for food. It looks at the various issues emanating from technology derived materials, products, and applications and analyses objectively the current knowledge gaps and potential benefits, risks, and regulation. It concludes that the application of nanotechnologies could bring a number of subtle, but far-reaching, new developments to the whole food sector and benefits to the consumer in the form of innovative, healthy, and tasteful food products. It also stresses that a distinction needs to be made between ‘soft’ (soluble, degradable) and ‘hard’ (insoluble, persistent) nanomaterials. It argues that although applications using hard nanomaterials need detailed case by case safety evaluations, the use of soft food nanostructures does not require extensive safety testing. The chapter also wraps up the discussion on consumer attitudes towards new technologies in food and discusses how some of the nanotechnology applications are likely to be viewed by consumers. Drawing on the assessment of regulatory frameworks, the chapter presents suggestions for a way forward. It emphasizes that many of the new developments may be regulated through the food industry’s own best practices and self-regulation and that there is a need for public engagement to build confidence, trust, and acceptance of the new technological developments.
Investigation of the tribochemical interactions of a tungsten-doped diamond-like carbon coating (W-DLC) with formulated palm trimethylolpropane ester (TMP) and polyalphaolefin (PAO)
Authors: Zahid Rehan , Haji Hassan Masjuki Bin , Alabdulkarem Abdullah , Varman Mahendra , Mufti Riaz Ahmad , Kalam Md. Abul , Binti Mohd Zulkifli Nurin Wahidah , Gulzar Mubashir , Lee Tom
Published: May 2017

Modern day industrial applications involve rigorous operating conditions, which include high temperature, heavy applied loads, and starved lubrication conditions.
Post-digestion stabilization of osmium enables quantification by ICP-MS in cell culture and tissue
Authors: Klose Matthias H. M. , Hejl Michaela , Heffeter Petra , Jakupec Michael A. , Meier-Menches Samuel M. , Berger Walter , Keppler Bernhard K.
Published: May 2017

Sample preparation procedures were adapted to reliably quantify an orally active osmium anticancer compound in the organs of treated mice and in cellular accumulation experiments by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
Electrochemiluminescence behavior of AgNCs and its application in immunosensors based on PANI/PPy-Ag dendrite-modified electrode
Authors: Zhang Lina , Wang Yanhu , Shen Lei , Yu Jinghua , Ge Shenguang , Yan Mei
Published: May 2017

An ECL immunosensor on ITO substrate decorated with PANI/PPy-Ag dendrite based on the electrochemiluminescent behavior of AgNCs was presented.
Micropatterned macroporous structures in microfluidic devices for viral separation from whole blood
Authors: Surawathanawises Krissada , Wiedorn Victoria , Cheng Xuanhong
Published: May 2017

Microfluid devices containing hierarchical features are designed to capture viruses from biological samples.
m-Cresol purple functionalized surface enhanced Raman scattering paper chips for highly sensitive detection of pH in the neutral pH range
Authors: Zou Xinxin , Wang Yunqing , Liu Wanhui , Chen Lingxin
Published: May 2017

m-Cresol purple functionalized SERS chips for sensitive detection of pH in the neutral pH range relying on the SERS to SERRS mechanism.
A sensitive method to determine melatonin in saliva by automated online in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with stable isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ishizaki Atsushi , Uemura Akiko , Kataoka Hiroyuki
Published: May 2017

Melatonin (MLT) plays important roles in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and has many beneficial effects on health. A simple, rapid, and sensitive method was developed for the determination of MLT in human saliva by automated online in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with stable isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Enzyme-free fluorescence sensing of catechins in green tea using bifunctional graphene quantum dots
Authors: Sun Jian , He Yuezhen , Wang Lun
Published: May 2017

The fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) provide an amusing nanoplatform, which integrates unique optical properties of quantum dots and prominent electronic properties of carbon materials.
Recent progress in the biomedical applications of polydopamine nanostructures
Authors: Batul Rahila , Tamanna Tasnuva , Khaliq Abdul , Yu Aimin
Published: May 2017

An overview of polydopamine derived nanostructures; PDA NPs, capsules, core-shell nanostructures and PDA coatings as well as their application in various biomedical fields.
Boron difluoride hemicurcuminoid as an efficient far red to near-infrared emitter: toward OLEDs and laser dyes
Authors: D'Aléo A. , Sazzad M. H. , Kim D. H. , Choi E. Y. , Wu J. W. , Canard G. , Fages F. , Ribierre J.-C. , Adachi C.
Published: May 2017

One hemicurcuminoid boron difluoride derivative is used in efficient far red/NIR OLEDs and exhibits low amplified spontaneous emission thresholds.
High performance solution-processable tetrathienoacene (TTAR) based small molecules for organic field effect transistors (OFETs)
Authors: Vegiraju Sureshraju , Huang Deng-Yi , Priyanka Pragya , Li Yo-Shan , Luo Xian-Lun , Hong Shao-Huan , Ni Jen-Shyang , Tung Shih-Huang , Wang Chien-Lung , Lien Wei-Chieh , Yau Shueh Lin , Liu Cheng-Liang , Chen Ming-Chou
Published: May 2017

DDTT-TTARexhibits the highest mobility of 0.81 cm2V−1s−1.
Rh(iii)-Catalyzed bilateral cyclization of aldehydes with nitrosos toward unsymmetrical acridines proceeding with C–H functionalization enabled by a transient directing group
Authors: Hu Weiming , Zheng Qingheng , Sun Song , Cheng Jiang
Published: May 2017

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed bilateral cyclization was developed for the efficient construction of acridines proceeding with C–H functionalization byin situformation and removal of a transient directing group.
Molecular dynamic heterogeneity in relation to free volume and relaxation dynamics in organic glass-formers: oligomeric cis-1,4-poly(isoprene)
Authors: Švajdlenková H. , Arrese-Igor S. , Nógellová Z. , Alegría A. , Bartoš J.
Published: May 2017

Herein, a combined study of the molecular rotation dynamics and free volume in cis-1,4-poly(isoprene) using two external probing techniques via ESR and PALS together with relaxation dynamics of the host medium via BDS is presented.
Tuning the Seebeck effect in C60-based hybrid thermoelectric devices through temperature-dependent surface polarization and thermally-modulated interface dipoles
Authors: Liu Yuchun , Xu Ling , Zhao Chen , Shao Ming , Hu Bin
Published: May 2017

Tuning the Seebeck effect through polarization and interface dipoles.
Photoinduced excitation and charge transfer processes of organic dyes with siloxane anchoring groups: a combined spectroscopic and computational study
Authors: Castellucci Elena , Monini Marco , Bessi Matteo , Iagatti Alessandro , Bussotti Laura , Sinicropi Adalgisa , Calamante Massimo , Zani Lorenzo , Basosi Riccardo , Reginato Gianna , Mordini Alessandro , Foggi Paolo , Di Donato Mariangela
Published: May 2017

New dyes for DSSCs applications have been characterized.
New insights into the chemistry of ionic alkylorganic carbonates: a computational study
Authors: Assaf Khaleel I. , Qaroush Abdussalam K. , Eftaiha Ala'a F.
Published: May 2017

A library of hydrogenated, perfluorinated aliphatic and aromatic alcohols are selected together with a combination of superbases and metal hydrides to understand the thermodynamics of the binary mixtures once serving as sorbents for the capture of CO2via ionic organic alkylcarbonate formation.
Influence of the nature and environment of manganese in Mn-BEA zeolites on NO conversion in selective catalytic reduction with ammonia
Authors: Baran R. , Valentin L. , Krafft J.-M. , Grzybek T. , Glatzel P. , Dzwigaj S.
Published: May 2017

Manganese-containing BEA zeolites, MnxSiBEA (x= 1–4 wt%) and Mn(I.E.)AlBEA, were prepared by a two-step post-synthesis method and a conventional wet ion-exchange, respectively, and applied as catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia (NH3-SCR).
Isolated alkali cation complexes of the antibiotic ionophore nonactin: correlation with crystalline structures
Authors: Avilés-Moreno Juan Ramón , Gámez Francisco , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos , Martínez-Haya Bruno
Published: May 2017

The stabilization of the nonactin–Na+ complex in a S4 or C2 conformation constitutes a challenging benchmark for experimental and modelling methods.
Vibrational optical activity as probe for intermolecular interactions
Authors: Merten Christian
Published: May 2017

A detailed VCD spectroscopic analysis of well-selected chiral model systems can give valuable and unprecedented insights into intermolecular interactions such as solvation or reactant–substrate binding in catalysis.