bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of polyamide 6.10 composites incorporated with microcrystalline cellulose fiber: Effects of fiber loading and impact modifier
Authors: Beg Mohammad Dalour Hossen , Islam Muhammad Remanul , Mamun Abdullah Al , Heim Hans‐Peter , Feldmann Maik , Akindoyo John Olabode
Published: August 2018

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) fiber‐reinforced polyamide 6.10 (PA) composites were prepared in the presence of an impact modifier (IM), exxelor VA1803 (VA), by melt compounding process. Fiber loading was considered from 20 to 30 wt.%, whereas IM was varied from 2.0 to 5.0 wt.%. Composites were characterized by tensile test, impact test, dynamic thermal mechanical analysis (DTMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Composites’ fractured surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, fiber size distribution was also analyzed. Result analyses showed that the fiber incorporation changed the tensile strength (TS) slightly, but the tensile modulus (TM) significantly. The TM was found to be improved by 45% at the amount of fiber loading of 30 wt.%. Moreover, the thermomechanical properties revealed that the storage modulus (SM) and loss modulus (LM) were increased due to the incorporation of MCC, which was improved further by the uses of 5.0 wt.% of VA. The MCC possess high crystallinity index and high crystallite size along with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, the extraordinary benefit of using MCC in PA was evaluated in terms of thermomechanical, structural, and thermal properties in the presence of the impact modifier.
Making the Invisible Visible: Identifying and Articulating Culture in Practice‐Based Evidence
Authors: Abe Jennifer , Grills Cheryl , Ghavami Negin , Xiong Ghia , Davis Carlene , Johnson Carrie
Published: August 2018

This study describes a conceptual tool, labeled the “culture cube,” developed to identify and articulate the cultural underpinnings of prevention and early intervention projects in five priority populations (i.e., African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Latino, Native American, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning), participating in the California Reducing Disparities Project Phase 2 (CRDP Phase 2). The culture cube was developed for evaluation of these practice‐based evidence services (PBEs) for three purposes: (a) to focus attention on revealing and articulating more fully the operative worldview and culturally grounded frameworks underlying PBEs, explicitly identifying the links between cultural beliefs and values, community needs, and intervention design; (b) to guide the methods used to assess and evaluate PBEs so that the outcome indicators and process measures are conceptually consistent, community defined, and culturally centered; and (c) to invite communities to use their own indigenous epistemological frameworks to establish credible evidence. After reviewing the literature in this area and describing the theoretical framework for the culture cube, we describe its development, application, and the response to its use in the initial stages of the California Reducing Disparities Project‐Phase 2.
Splenectomy in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: Indications, histopathological findings and clinical outcomes in a single institutional series of thirty‐nine patients
Authors: Pophali Prateek , Horna Pedro , Lasho Terra L. , Finke Christy M. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Gangat Naseema , Nagorney David , Tefferi Ayalew , Patnaik Mrinal M.
Published: August 2018

In a 28‐year period, 39 (7%) patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) (median age 66 years, 64% male) underwent a splenectomy at our institution. Primary indications for splenectomy were refractory thrombocytopenia (36%), progressive spleen related symptoms (33%), emergent splenectomy for splenic rupture (21%), refractory anemia (8%), and prior to allogeneic stem cell transplant (3%). Eleven (28%) patients had anemia at the time of splenectomy, of which 3 (27%) were autoimmune. The median time to splenectomy from CMML diagnosis was 6 months (0‐40); perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were 43% and 13%, while the median postsplenectomy survival was 25 months (11‐38). Durable remission in spleen related symptoms, thrombocytopenia, complications from splenic rupture, and anemia were achieved in 85%, 50%, 62%, and 21% of patients, respectively. Perioperative morbidity (n = 30) included infections/sepsis in 6 (20%), intraabdominal bleeding in 4 (13%), venous thromboembolism (VTE) in 3 (10%), and acute lung injury in 2 (7%) patients. The median duration of hospital stay was 6 days (1‐25), with 5 deaths occurring secondary to respiratory failure (n = 2), multiorgan dysfunction (n = 2) and hemorrhagic shock (n = 1). There was no difference in overall survival between CMML patients that underwent splenectomy, in comparison to those that did not. Unlike in myelofibrosis, portal hypertension was not an indication for splenectomy and no patients developed post‐splenectomy thrombocytosis. In conclusion, apart from being a lifesaving emergent modality in the event of splenic rupture, splenectomy has an important palliative role in patients with CMML, with significant and durable improvements in spleen related symptoms and refractory cytopenias.
Leukemia in gastrointestinal organs as cause of treatment failure: 378 cases analyzed
Authors: Cunningham Isabel , Worthley Daniel
Published: August 2018

Leukemia growing as tumors in gastrointestinal organs is an under‐investigated cause of treatment failure and death. These present with symptoms often mistaken for common toxicities but may grow large before symptoms. To synthesize experience available only in case reports, 378 were analyzed. Invasive and metastatic behavior typical of solid GI tumors was revealed even when marrow was uninvolved. Within 3 months of diagnosis, 33% had died, 47% within 1 year. Survivals of 4 to 18 years after involvement suggest cure is possible. Evidence is presented that combined local and systemic therapy has successfully treated GI leukemic tumors when identified early.
A comparative study of magnetic resonance imaging on the gray matter and resting‐state function in prodromal and first‐episode schizophrenia
Authors: Lian Nan , Lv Hailong , Guo Wenbing , Shen Yidong , Wu Renlong , Liu Yong , Zhu Furong , Hu Maorong , Ou Jianjun , Zhao Jingping
Published: August 2018

It is very difficult to predict the future development possibility of schizophrenia through the clinical symptoms of the high‐risk cases. Therefore, how to determine the possibility of developing into schizophrenia individuals before the onset of the diseases are particularly important. The study investigated cerebral gray matter volume differences and resting‐state functional connections among patients with psychosis risk syndrome (PRS), patients with first‐episode schizophrenic (FES), and healthy controls (HC), aiming to provide scientific clinical evidence for schizophrenia early identification and intervention. A total of 19 PRS patients, 18 FES patients, and 29 HC were recruited. Gray matter volume and amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during resting‐state functional studies were measured. Comparison of gray matter volumes showed that PRS and FES groups had common reduced gray matter volume in the right caudate. PRS and FES patients showed altered connectivity mainly in the semantic processing‐related brain areas. fALFF analysis found that PRF and FES patients had significant differences in fALFF values of the brain region mainly located in the subcortical network, visual recognition network, and auditory network. In addition, PRF individuals had a higher fALFF value and a lower fALFF value in the anterior wedge of the cerebral network than the HC group. Gray matter volume loss between related brain areas might appear prior to illness onset. Similar fALFF values occurred in PRS and FES groups indicated that multiple brain regions of neuronal activity abnormalities and unconventional neural network mechanism have been existed in PRS patients.
Maintenance of bone mass despite estrogen depletion in female common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Saltzman Wendy , Abbott David H. , Binkley Neil , Colman Ricki J.
Published: August 2018

Estrogen depletion leads to bone loss in almost all mammals with frequent regular ovarian cycles. However, subordinate adult female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) undergo socially induced anovulation and hypoestrogenism without clinically apparent adverse skeletal consequences. Thus, we speculated that this non human primate might have evolved a mechanism to avoid estrogen‐depletion bone loss. To test this possibility, we performed three experiments in which lumbar‐spine (L5‐L6) bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry: (i) cross‐sectionally in 13 long‐term ovariectomized animals and 12 age‐ and weight‐matched controls undergoing ovulatory cycles; (ii) longitudinally in 12 animals prior to, 3–4 and 6–7 months following ovariectomy (ovx), and six controls; and (iii) cross‐sectionally in nine anovulatory subordinate and nine dominant females. In Experiments 1 and 3, plasma estradiol and estrone concentrations were measured and uterine dimensions were obtained by ultrasound in a subset of animals as a marker of functional estrogen depletion. Estrogen levels, uterine trans‐fundus width, and uterine dorso‐ventral diameter were lower in ovariectomized and subordinate females than in those undergoing ovulatory cycles. However, no differences were found in L5‐L6 BMC or BMD. These results indicate that estrogen depletion, whether surgically or socially induced, is not associated with lower bone mass in female common marmosets. Thus, this species may possess unique adaptations to avoid bone loss associated with estrogen depletion.
Fragmentation dynamics and loss of area of potential occupancy within the distribution limits of the endangered crested capuchin monkey (Sapajus robustus)
Authors: Mota Flavio M. M. , Leite Manoel R. , Martins Waldney P.
Published: August 2018

Habitat loss is one of the main threats to biodiversity. Fragmentation resulting from this process may restrict available habitat for primates, limiting their persistence in a given region. In this study, we aimed to quantify deforestation and fragmentation by identifying forest remnants capable of maintaining populations of the endangered crested capuchin monkey (Sapajus robustus) within its distributional limits in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais, Brazil. We used Landsat images from 1985 to 2010 to generate three time‐interval mosaics classified by natural and non‐natural vegetation. We then calculated the size of the forest remnants and the distance of each fragment of natural vegetation to its nearest neighbor. Between the first (1985–1990) and second (1995–2000) mosaics there was a vegetation loss of 41.4%, and between the second and third (2005–2010) mosaics there was a natural vegetation gain of 1%. The third mosaic showed smaller and more isolated fragments in comparison to the first mosaic. Across the three periods, Bahia was the state with the highest rate of deforestation. While Espírito Santo had fewer identified forest remnants, it retained the most natural vegetation within these small fragments. The landscape within the currently recognized distributional limits of the crested capuchin monkey is dominated by agriculture and livestock. Both decreasing fragment size and increasing species isolation by distance between fragments can negatively affect primate populations, increasing their risk of extinction. Isolation makes it difficult for migration and recolonization events to occur. Therefore, habitat restoration should be prioritized to reduce isolation between populations. Our findings may serve as a resource for future conservation efforts and management of the crested capuchin monkey.
Effects of aggressive temperament on endogenous oxytocin levels in adult titi monkeys
Authors: Witczak Lynea R. , Ferrer Emilio , Bales Karen L.
Published: August 2018

Coordination of oxytocin (OT) activity and partner interactions is important for the facilitation and maintenance of monogamous pair bonds. We used coppery titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus) to identify the effects of male aggressive temperament on OT activity, affiliative partner‐directed behaviors, aggressive partner‐directed behaviors, anxiety‐related behaviors, and hormone‐behavior interactions. We used a mirror technique, simulating an intruder in the home territory of pairs to elicit behavioral responses, and quantified behaviors using an established ethogram. Plasma concentrations of OT (pg/ml) were quantified using enzyme immunoassay. We used general linear mixed models to predict 1) percent change in OT as a function of aggression score, and 2) percent change in behaviors as a function of aggression, OT, and OT by aggression interactions. High‐aggressive males exhibited a significant drop in OT concentration relative to control when exposed to the front of the mirror (β = −0.22, SE = 0.10, t = −2.20, p = 0.04). High‐aggressive males spent significantly less time in contact with their mates (β = −1.35, SE = 0.60, t = −2.26, p = 0.04) and lip‐smacked less (β = −1.02, SE = 0.44, t = −2.32, p = 0.03) relative to control. We also saw a trend toward an interaction effect between OT and proximity such that High‐aggressive males displaying a drop in OT exhibited a smaller percent increase in social proximity (β = 6.80, SE = 3.48, t = 1.96, p = 0.07). Males exhibiting a decrease in OT also trended toward back‐arching and tail‐lashing less in response to the mirror (β = 4.53, SE = 2.5, t = 1.82, p = 0.09). To our knowledge, this is the first empirical study to examine interactions between OT and temperament in adult monogamous primates. Future studies should incorporate measures of pair‐mate interactions and early‐life experience to further understand variation in responses to social stressors and their effects on pair bonding.
Perfluorinated Covalent Triazine Framework Derived Hybrids for the Highly Selective Electroconversion of Carbon Dioxide into Methane
Authors: Wang Yuanshuang , Chen Junxiang , Wang Genxiang , Li Yan , Wen Zhenhai
Published: August 2018

Developing cost‐effective electrocatalysts for high‐selectivity CO2 electroreduction remains challenging. We herein report a perfluorinated covalent triazine framework (CTF) electrocatalyst that displays very high selectivity in the electroreduction of CO2 to CH4 with a faradaic efficiency of 99.3 % in aqueous electrolyte. Systematic characterization and electrochemical studies, in combination with density functional theory calculations, demonstrate that the presence of both nitrogen and fluorine in the CTF provides a unique pathway that is inaccessible with the individual components for CO2 electroreduction.
Räumliche Trennung der Konformere eines Dipeptids
Authors: Teschmit Nicole , Horke Daniel A. , Küpper Jochen
Published: August 2018

Die Abbildung isolierter Moleküle mit atomarer Auflösung, z. B. in Experimenten zur kohärenten Röntgenbeugung an Freie‐Elektronen‐Lasern, benötigt Molekülstrahlen identischer Moleküle mit hoher Dichte. Allerdings besetzen selbst Biomoleküle in kalten Molekülstrahlen typischerweise mehrere Konformerzustände. Hier wird die Produktion von sehr kalten (Trot≈2.3 K) Molekülstrahlen aus intakten Dipeptiden demonstriert, in denen anschließend die einzelnen besetzten Konformerzustände räumlich getrennt werden. Dies wird durch die Kombination von Überschallexpansion mit Laserdesorptionsverdampfung und elektrostatischer Ablenkung in starken inhomogenen Feldern erreicht. Dies ist die erste Demonstration von konformerselektierten und rotationskalten Molekülstrahlen von Peptiden und ermöglicht in Zukunft die Untersuchung von konformerspezifischer Chemie durch nicht‐Konformer‐spezifische Techniken. Des Weiteren ist dies ein Meilenstein, um direkte Strukturabbildungen von isolierten biologischen Molekülen mit atomarer Auflösung mittels ultraschneller Beugungsexperimente zu ermöglichen.
Über die Leerlaufspannung von Biobrennstoffzellen: Nernstverschiebung bei pseudokapazitiven Elektroden
Authors: Conzuelo Felipe , Marković Nikola , Ruff Adrian , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

Ein besonderes Augenmerk bei der Entwicklung von Biobrennstoffzellen liegt im Erreichen von herausragenden Kennzahlen, wie extreme Langlebigkeit, hohe Maximalleistung oder hohe Leerlaufspannung. Dabei werden für Biobrennstoffzellen, die ein pseudokapazitives Element in Form immobilisierter Redoxmediatoren aufweisen, wie sie z. B. in Redoxpolymer/Enzymelektroden vorhanden sind, in der Praxis erhöhte Leerlaufspannungen beobachtet, die sich deutlich von den theoretisch zu erwartenden Werten unterscheiden. Obwohl dieser Effekt in der Literatur dokumentiert ist, wurde dem genauen Verständnis dieses Phänomens wenig oder kaum Beachtung geschenkt und als inhärenter Bestandteil des zu Grunde liegenden Systems akzeptiert. Dieser Beitrag zeigt, dass dieser Effekt auf einer Nernstverschiebung des Elektrodenpotentials beruht, der durch das Eintreten der biokatalytischen Umsetzung eines entsprechenden Substrats durch den Biokatalysator, bei Abwesenheit oder bei nur geringem Stromflusses induziert wird. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass durch die Verwendung von auf der Elektrodenoberfläche immobilisierten Redoxmediatoren, eine entsprechende Biobrennstoffzelle eine deutlich höhere Leerlaufspannung aufweist, die auf einer durch die Enzymreaktion induzierten Ladungsspeicherung innerhalb der Redoxpolymermatrix, beruht. Somit ergibt sich ein völlig neuer Gesichtspunkt für das Design und die Evaluierung von auf pseudokapazitiven Elementen basierenden (Bio‐)Brennstoffzellen.
FLP‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Silyl Enol Ethers
Authors: Khan Imtiaz , Reed‐Berendt Benjamin G. , Melen Rebecca L. , Morrill Louis C.
Published: August 2018

Herein we report the first catalytic transfer hydrogenation of silyl enol ethers. This metal free approach employs tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) as a commercially available FLP catalyst system and naturally occurring γ‐terpinene as a dihydrogen surrogate. A variety of silyl enol ethers undergo efficient hydrogenation, with the reduced products isolated in excellent yields (29 examples, 82 % average yield).
Light‐Driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation of Fatty Acids
Authors: Huijbers Mieke M. E. , Zhang Wuyuan , Tonin Fabio , Hollmann Frank
Published: August 2018

The photoenzymatic decarboxylation of fatty acids to alkanes is proposed as an alternative approach for the synthesis of biodiesel. By using a recently discovered photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis NC64A (CvFAP) we demonstrate the irreversible preparation of alkanes from fatty acids and triglycerides. Several fatty acids and their triglycerides are converted by CvFAP in near‐quantitative yield and exclusive selectivity upon illumination with blue light. Very promising turnover numbers of up to 8000 were achieved in this proof‐of‐concept study.
Biological evaluation of a novel amino acid‐based macrocyclic Mn(III) and Fe(III) complexes
Authors: Joel C. , Biju Bennie R. , Daniel Abraham S. , Iyyam Pillai S. , Theodore David S.
Published: August 2018

A new tetradentate ligand 4‐benzylidine‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)hepta‐1,6‐diene‐3,5‐bis(2‐imino‐3‐phenylpropanoic acid) of the type N2O2 has been synthesized from curcumin derived non‐enolisable diketone and L‐phenylalanine and complexed with Mn(III) and Fe(III) metal ions. The non‐enolisable curcumin was obtained by Knoevenagel condensation. The synthesized ligand and complexes (MnL & FeL) were characterized by various spectral techniques. Using absorption and emission spectral techniques CT‐DNA and BSA binding studies has been carried out. The absorption and emission spectral tools reveal the intercalative mode of binding between the CT‐DNA and the metal complexes. The fluorescence of BSA was quenched around 340 nm by the metal complexes followed by static quenching mechanism. The emission spectra of BSA were recorded at three different temperatures. The binding sites, mode of binding, binding energy and the donor‐acceptor distance on the basis of Forster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) were calculated. The binding site of the metal complexes with CT‐DNA and BSA has been discussed by molecular docking studies in order to substantiate the experimental results.
The autism spectrum phenotype in ADNP syndrome
Authors: Arnett Anne B. , Rhoads Candace L. , Hoekzema Kendra , Turner Tychele N. , Gerdts Jennifer , Wallace Arianne S. , Bedrosian‐Sermone Sandra , Eichler Evan E. , Bernier Raphael A.
Published: August 2018

Pathogenic disruptions to the activity‐dependent neuroprotector homeobox (ADNP) gene are among the most common heterozygous genetic mutations associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Individuals with ADNP disruptions share a constellation of medical and psychiatric features, including ASD, intellectual disability (ID), dysmorphic features, and hypotonia. However, the profile of ASD symptoms associated with ADNP may differ from that of individuals with another ASD‐associated single gene disruption or with ASD without a known genetic cause. The current study examined the ASD phenotype in a sample of representative youth with ADNP disruptions. Participants (N = 116, ages 4–22 years) included a cohort with ADNP mutations (n = 11) and three comparison groups with either a mutation to CHD8 (n = 11), a mutation to another ASD‐associated gene (other mutation; n = 53), or ASD with no known genetic etiology (idiopathic ASD; n = 41). As expected, individuals with ADNP disruptions had higher rates of ID but less severe social affect symptoms compared to the CHD8 and Idiopathic ASD groups. In addition, verbal intelligence explained more variance in social impairment in the ADNP group compared to CHD8, other mutation, and idiopathic ASD comparison groups. Restricted and repetitive behaviors in the ADNP group were characterized by high levels of stereotyped motor behaviors, whereas the idiopathic ASD group showed high levels of restricted interests. Taken together, these results underscore the role of ADNP in cognitive functioning and suggest that social impairments in ADNP syndrome are consistent with severity of verbal deficits. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1300–1310. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Disruptions to the ADNP gene (i.e., ADNP syndrome) have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This article describes intellectual disability, mild social difficulties, and severe repetitive motor movements in a group of 11 youth with ADNP Syndrome. We found lower rates of ASD than previously reported. Verbal skills explained individual variability in social impairment. This pattern suggests that the ADNP gene is primarily associated with learning and memory, and level of social difficulties is consistent with level of verbal impairment.
The role of reduced expression of fragile X mental retardation protein in neurons and increased expression in astrocytes in idiopathic and syndromic autism (duplications 15q11.2‐q13)
Authors: Wegiel Jarek , Brown W. Ted , La Fauci Giuseppe , Adayev Tatyana , Kascsak Richard , Kascsak Regina , Flory Michael , Kaczmarski Wojciech , Kuchna Izabela , Nowicki Krzysztof , Martinez‐Cerdeno Veronica , Wisniewski Thomas , Wegiel Jerzy
Published: August 2018

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), is associated with a high prevalence of autism. The deficit of FMRP reported in idiopathic autism suggests a mechanistic overlap between FXS and autism. The overall goal of this study is to detect neuropathological commonalities of FMRP deficits in the brains of people with idiopathic autism and with syndromic autism caused by dup15q11.2‐q13 (dup15). This study tests the hypothesis based on our preliminary data that both idiopathic and syndromic autism are associated with brain region‐specific deficits of neuronal FMRP and structural changes of the affected neurons. This immunocytochemical study revealed neuronal FMRP deficits and shrinkage of deficient neurons in the cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, and cerebellum in subjects with idiopathic and dup(15)/autism. Neuronal FMRP deficit coexists with surprising infiltration of the brains of autistic children and adults with FMRP‐positive astrocytes known to be typical only for the fetal and short postnatal periods. In the examined autistic subjects, these astrocytes selectively infiltrate the border between white and gray matter in the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, the molecular layer of the cortex, part of the amygdala and thalamus, central cerebellar white matter, and dentate nucleus. Astrocyte pathology results in an additional local loss of FMRP in neurons and their shrinkage. Neuronal deficit of FMRP and shrinkage of affected neurons in structures free of FMRP‐positive astrocytes and regions infiltrated with FMRP‐expressing astrocytes appear to reflect mechanistic, neuropathological, and functional commonalities of FMRP abnormalities in FXS and autism spectrum disorder.Autism Res2018, 11: 1316–1331. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay summary

Immunocytochemistry reveals a deficit of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in neurons of cortical and subcortical brain structures but increased FMRP expression in astrocytes infiltrating gray and white matter. The detected shrinkage of FMRP‐deficient neurons may provide a mechanistic explanation of reported neuronal structural and functional changes in autism. This study contributes to growing evidence of mechanistic commonalities between fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
To achieve self‐assembled collagen mimetic fibrils using designed peptides
Authors: Strawn Rebecca , Chen FangFang , Jeet Haven Parminder , Wong Sam , Park‐Arias Anne , De Leeuw Monique , Xu Yujia
Published: August 2018

It has proven challenging to obtain collagen‐mimetic fibrils by protein design. We recently reported the self‐assembly of a mini‐fibril showing a 35 nm, D‐period like, axially repeating structure using the designed triple helix Col108. Peptide Col108 was made by bacterial expression using a synthetic gene; its triple helix domain consists of three pseudo‐identical units of amino acid sequence arranged in tandem. It was postulated that the 35 nm d‐period of Col108 mini‐fibrils originates from the periodicity of the Col108 primary structure. A mutual staggering of one sequence unit of the associating Col108 triple helices can maximize the inter‐helical interactions and produce the observed 35 nm d‐period. Based on this unit‐staggered model, a triple helix consisting of only two sequence units is expected to have the potential to form the same d‐periodic mini‐fibrils. Indeed, when such a peptide, peptide 2U108, was made it was found to self‐assemble into mini‐fibrils having the same d‐period of 35 nm. In contrast, no d‐periodic mini‐fibrils were observed for peptide 1U108, which does not have long‐range repeating sequences in its primary structure. The findings of the periodic mini‐fibrils of Col108 and 2U108 suggest a way forward to create collagen‐mimetic fibrils for biomedical and industrial applications.
Long noncoding RNA HOXB13‐AS1 regulates HOXB13 gene methylation by interacting with EZH2 in glioma
Authors: Xiong Yu , Kuang Wei , Lu Shigang , Guo Hua , Wu Miaojing , Ye Minhua , Wu Lei
Published: August 2018

Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been implicated in human diseases, in particular, cancers. In this study, we determined the expression of an lncRNA, HOXB13‐AS1, involving in glioma. We showed that HOXB13‐AS1 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and cells and was negatively correlated with its surrounding gene HOXB13 levels. Functional experiments in vitro and in vivo revealed that high level of HOXB13‐AS1 increased cell proliferation and tumor growth by promoting cell cycle progression. Conversely, knockdown of HOXB13‐AS1 resulted in decreased cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistically, we showed that HOXB13‐AS1 overexpression increased DNMT3B‐mediated methylation of adjacent gene HOXB13 promoter by binding with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) using bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), epigenetically suppressing HOXB13 expression. Additionally, the interaction between HOXB13‐AS1 and HOXB13 was validated by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays using antibody against to EZH2. Taken together, our study indicated that HOXB13‐AS1 could regulate HOXB13 gene expression by methylation HOXB13 promoter and acts as an epigenetic oncogenic in glioma.
Cancer stem cell‐like characteristics and telomerase activity of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma radioresistant cell line CNE‐2R
Authors: Chen Kai‐Hua , Guo Ya , Li Ling , Qu Song , Zhao Wei , Lu Qi‐Teng , Mo Qi‐Yan , Yu Bin‐Bin , Zhou Lei , Lin Guo‐Xiang , Sun Yong‐Chu , Zhu Xiao‐Dong
Published: August 2018

The radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) may be related to cancer stem cells (CSCs), and the characteristics of CSCs may be maintained by telomerase activity. In this study, we explored the CSC‐like characteristics and telomerase activity of the NPC radioresistant cell line CNE‐2R. This work provides a foundation for future studies on stem cell‐targeted therapies by targeting the radioresistance of NPC. The expression of stem cell‐related genes/proteins and the hTERT gene/protein in CNE‐2R and its parent radiosensitive cell line CNE‐2 were detected using qPCR/Western Blot. Label‐retaining cells (LRCs) were detected through immunocytochemistry, and telomerase activity was detected using a PCR‐ELISA kit. CD133 expression was detected with flow cytometry. CNE‐2R‐CD133+ and CNE‐2R‐CD133− cells were separated with magnetic‐activated cell sorting. The proliferation and tumorigenesis capacities of CNE‐2R‐CD133+, CNE‐2R‐CD133−, and CNE‐2R cells were compared with a CCK‐8 assay, sphere formation assay, and an in vivo experiment. Our results showed that the expression of stem cell‐related genes and the hTERT gene in CNE‐2R cells was higher than those in CNE‐2 cells. Similarly, the expression of stem cell‐related proteins and the hTERT protein in CNE‐2R cells was markedly higher than those in CNE‐2 cells. The proportion of LRCs in CNE‐2R and CNE‐2 cells was (3.10 ± 0.63%) vs (0.40 ± 0.35%; P < 0.001), respectively. Telomerase activity in CNE‐2R cells was remarkably higher than that in CNE‐2 cells. Flow cytometry suggested that the CD133 positive rates in CNE‐2R and CNE‐2 cells were (2.49 ± 0.56%) vs (0.76 ± 0.25%; P = 0.008), respectively. Meanwhile, the proliferation capacity, tumorigenesis capacity, and telomerase activity of CNE‐2R‐CD133+ cells were notably higher than those of CNE‐2R‐CD133− and CNE‐2R cells. Collectively, CNE‐2R displayed CSC‐like characteristics; our results also showed that CNE‐2R cells, especially the sorted CSCs, had high telomerase activity levels.
A visual simulation of ocean floating wind power system
Authors: Wang Lin , Kim Hyuncheol , Kim Imgyu , Han Soonhung
Published: August 2018

The development of ocean floating wind power has been burgeoning in recent years because of its low cost and high efficiency. To facilitate effectiveness, 3D visualization using virtual reality and augmented reality technologies has been applied to many operating systems. However, most of the existing 3D motion visualizations are “pseudo” visualization, and there are a few realistic visualization systems that base the motion of ocean floating wind power on simulation and experiment results. Therefore, in this paper, we conducted research related to the design for a realistic motion visualization system based on numerical simulation data using a commercial game engine (Unity 3D). In our system, the six‐degree‐of‐freedom motion (Surge, Sway, Heave, Roll, Pitch, and Yaw) is simulated and visualized based on numerical analysis results of two hydrodynamics simulation softwares, which can illuminate the nuance between simulation results and experiment results and give us a “real‐time” visual experience about motion in each direction. Meanwhile, comprehensive sea environment conditions, such as wind, rain, water, sound, and cloudiness, are also visualized in Unity 3D.
Magnetization Blocking in Fe2IIIDy2III Molecular Magnets: Ab Initio Calculations and EPR Spectroscopy
Authors: Vieru Veacheslav , Ungur Liviu , Cemortan Valeriu , Sukhanov Andrey , Baniodeh Amer , Anson Christopher E. , Powell Annie K. , Voronkova Violeta , Chibotaru Liviu F.
Published: August 2018

The magnetism and magnetization blocking of a series of [Fe2Dy2(OH)2(teaH)2(RC6H4COO)6] complexes was investigated, in which teaH3=triethanolamine and R=meta‐CN (1), para‐CN (2), meta‐CH3 (3), para‐NO2 (4) and para‐CH3 (5), by combining ab initio calculations and EPR measurements. The results of broken‐symmetry DFT calculations show that in all compounds the Fe–Fe exchange interaction is antiferromagnetic and stronger by far than the Fe–Dy and Dy–Dy interactions. As a result, the lowest two exchange doublets probed by EPR spectroscopy mostly originate from the Ising interaction of the dysprosium ions in all compounds. A correct quantitative description of the splitting of these two doublets requires, however, an explicit account of the Fe–Dy and Fe–Fe interactions. Due to the inversion symmetry of the complexes, the doublets under consideration are described by a collinear Ising exchange interaction. This picture is also supported by the EPR spectra, which could be simulated with parameters close to those extracted from the calculations. The magneto‐structural analysis shows an increase of the antiferromagnetic Fe–Fe exchange interaction with increasing Fe‐O‐Fe angle and Fe–Fe distance. For the Dy–Fe interaction, the opposite tendency is observed, that is, a decrease of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling with increasing Dy‐O‐Fe angle and Dy–Fe distance. The transversal g factors extracted from the ab initio calculations have values in the range of 0.01–0.2, testifying to the lack of high axiality of the ground state of the dysprosium ions. This explains the lack/poor single‐molecule magnetic behavior of this series of compounds at the investigated temperatures of a few Kelvin. Due to a very small gap (fractions of a wavenumber) between the ground and first‐excited exchange doublet, relaxation takes place by magnetic moment reversal at individual dysprosium sites in the considered temperature domain.
Photoinduced C—C Bond Cleavage and Oxidation of Cycloketoxime Esters
Authors: Zhao Binlin , Tan Hui , Chen Cheng , Jiao Ning , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: August 2018

A novel structural reorganization of cycloketoxime esters beyond the traditional Beckmann rearrangement process has been established to build cyano‐containing ketones in the presence of photocatalyst. This novel transformation is remarkable with selective C—C bond cleavage and an oxidation process enabled by DMSO used as the solvent, oxidant, and oxygen source avoiding acid, base and toxic cyanide salts as the cyano source. Further applications in late‐stage modification of complex and chiral molecules have also been reported.
Computational Prediction of Carbohydrate‐Binding Proteins and Binding Sites
Authors: Zhao Huiying , Taherzadeh Ghazaleh , Zhou Yaoqi , Yang Yuedong
Published: August 2018

Protein‐carbohydrate interaction is essential for biological systems, and carbohydrate‐binding proteins (CBPs) are important targets when designing antiviral and anticancer drugs. Due to the high cost and difficulty associated with experimental approaches, many computational methods have been developed as complementary approaches to predict CBPs or carbohydrate‐binding sites. However, most of these computational methods are not publicly available. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of related studies and demonstrate our two recently developed bioinformatics methods. The method SPOT‐CBP is a template‐based method for detecting CBPs based on structure through structural homology search combined with a knowledge‐based scoring function. This method can yield model complex structure in addition to accurate prediction of CBPs. Furthermore, it has been observed that similarly accurate predictions can be made using structures from homology modeling, which has significantly expanded its applicability. The other method, SPRINT‐CBH, is a de novo approach that predicts binding residues directly from protein sequences by using sequence information and predicted structural properties. This approach does not need structurally similar templates and thus is not limited by the current database of known protein‐carbohydrate complex structures. These two complementary methods are available at https://sparks‐lab.org. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Current State of Microbicide Development
Authors: Traore Yannick L. , Chen Yufei , Ho Emmanuel A.
Published: August 2018

Efforts in developing an effective vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been challenging as HIV strains are highly variable and exhibit extraordinary mutability. Despite condom usage and pre‐exposure prophylaxis as excellent prevention strategies, lack of accessibility in some developing countries and low adherence due to sociocultural factors continue to act as barriers in reducing the HIV epidemic. Microbicides are topical therapies developed to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during intercourse. Microbicides applied vaginally or rectally are intended to prevent HIV infection at the site of transmission by either inhibiting its entry into immune cells or prevent viral replication. This review will summarize some of the current state‐of‐the‐art microbicide formulations that are in preclinical and clinical stages of development and discuss some of the challenges associated with microbicide development.
Water‐Deactivated Polyelectrolyte Hydrogel Electrolytes for Flexible High‐Voltage Supercapacitors
Authors: Wei Junjie , Zhou Jie , Su Shasha , Jiang Jinhua , Feng Jing , Wang Qigang
Published: August 2018

With the boom of flexible electronic products and wearable devices, flexible energy storage devices, for example, supercapacitors with high performance, are attracting increasing interest. A flexible water‐deactivated polyelectrolyte hydrogel electrolyte with good mechanical properties and high ionic conductivity was prepared by using an anionic polymer, carboxy methyl cellulose, and a cationic monomer, methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride. It was then applied in a supercapacitor with flexible activated carbon electrodes. This flexible supercapacitor possesses a high operating voltage of 2.1 V owing to the low electrochemical activity for water within the hydrogel as a result of the ‘molecular cages’ effect and hydrophilic interactions between functional groups and surrounding water molecules. Furthermore, this supercapacitor exhibits good flexibility and tailorability. As the first example of water‐deactivated polyelectrolyte hydrogel electrolytes in applications involving flexible high‐voltage supercapacitors, this work provides a platform for the design of energy storage devices with high energy density for flexible and wearable electronic devices.
Design and analysis of a simple predictive power controller for a 1.0‐kV single‐phase NPC PWM rectifier
Authors: Lahooti Eshkevari Alireza , Mosallanejad Ali , Sepasian Mohammad Sadegh
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a 1‐kV single‐phase neutral point clamped (NPC) PWM rectifier with a simple predictive power controller (PPC). It includes the three‐level NPC converter and a simplified PPC. This system achieved to feature multi‐level converters and the ability to provide high voltage gain, and a control with accurate and straightforward predictive strategy without the need of PLL and PI controller. It also takes advantages of a digital delay compensator unit, a user‐friendly single‐phase three‐level space vector modulation (SVM) with neutral point balancing, and bidirectional active and reactive power flow. The proposed rectifier provides low input current harmonic distortion (THD < 2%), input sinusoidal current waveforms, zero or desired reactive power flow, fast dynamic response (=5 cycles), high stability, high efficiency, and the lower DC voltage ripple (<6%). Simulations have been carried out for a 1 kV/20 kW rectifier under different conditions. In this analysis, various practical conditions have been investigated and discussed in details. Furthermore, the proposed system was compared with the other literature and conventional methods.
Flow cytometric detection of most proteins in the cell surface proteome is unaffected by trypsin treatment
Authors: Donnenberg Vera S. , Corselli Mirko , Normolle Daniel P. , Meyer E. Michael , Donnenberg Albert D.
Published: August 2018

Flow cytometry is often performed on adherent cells or solid tissues that have been released from their growth substrate or disaggregated by enzymatic digestion. Although detection of strongly expressed cell surface proteins following such procedures indicates that many survive treatment with proteolytic enzymes, applications such as cell surface proteomics involve assessment of the expression of more than 200 proteins and it is important to know how to interpret negative results. To address this problem, we performed flow cytometry‐based cell surface proteomic analysis on two non‐adherent cell lines, THP1 and K562, after mock and authentic trypsin treatment, according to a widely used protocol to remove adherent cells (0.25% trypsin, 2.21 mM EDTA, 37°C, 5 min). In a single screening experiment, we examined the effect of treatment on mean fluorescence intensity and on the percent of positive cells and determined the false negative rate. Of 164 determinations that were ≥20% positive after mock treatment, 13 (7.9%) were <20% positive after trypsin treatment. Four proteins were chosen for time‐course studies (performed in triplicate), confirming initial sensitivity results but revealing significant variability in the magnitude of the trypsin effect. When trypsin sensitivity of individual proteins was examined as a function of the number of predicted high probability extracellular trypsin cleavage sites, we found that the markers that yielded false negatives all had high numbers of sites (>30), but even so, the majority of proteins with high numbers of trypsin sites could still be detected after mild trypsin treatment. We conclude that the great majority of cell surface proteins can be detected after mild trypsin treatment, but that negative results should not be over‐interpreted, due to the possibility of false negatives.
A comparative analysis of metabarcoding and morphology‐based identification of benthic communities across different regional seas
Authors: Cahill Abigail E. , Pearman John K. , Borja Angel , Carugati Laura , Carvalho Susana , Danovaro Roberto , Dashfield Sarah , David Romain , Féral Jean‐Pierre , Olenin Sergej , Šiaulys Andrius , Somerfield Paul J. , Trayanova Antoaneta , Uyarra Maria C. , Chenuil Anne
Published: August 2018

In a world of declining biodiversity, monitoring is becoming crucial. Molecular methods, such as metabarcoding, have the potential to rapidly expand our knowledge of biodiversity, supporting assessment, management, and conservation. In the marine environment, where hard substrata are more difficult to access than soft bottoms for quantitative ecological studies, Artificial Substrate Units (ASUs) allow for standardized sampling. We deployed ASUs within five regional seas (Baltic Sea, Northeast Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and Red Sea) for 12–26 months to measure the diversity and community composition of macroinvertebrates. We identified invertebrates using a traditional approach based on morphological characters, and by metabarcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. We compared community composition and diversity metrics obtained using the two methods. Diversity was significantly correlated between data types. Metabarcoding of ASUs allowed for robust comparisons of community composition and diversity, but not all groups were successfully sequenced. All locations were significantly different in taxonomic composition as measured with both kinds of data. We recovered previously known regional biogeographical patterns in both datasets (e.g., low species diversity in the Black and Baltic Seas, affinity between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean). We conclude that the two approaches provide complementary information and that metabarcoding shows great promise for marine monitoring. However, until its pitfalls are addressed, the use of metabarcoding in monitoring of rocky benthic assemblages should be used in addition to classical approaches rather than instead of them.
Local factors associated with on‐host flea distributions on prairie dog colonies
Authors: Russell Robin E. , Abbott Rachel C. , Tripp Daniel W. , Rocke Tonie E.
Published: August 2018

Outbreaks of plague, a flea‐vectored bacterial disease, occur periodically in prairie dog populations in the western United States. In order to understand the conditions that are conducive to plague outbreaks and potentially predict spatial and temporal variations in risk, it is important to understand the factors associated with flea abundance and distribution that may lead to plague outbreaks. We collected and identified 20,041 fleas from 6,542 individual prairie dogs of four different species over a 4‐year period along a latitudinal gradient from Texas to Montana. We assessed local climate and other factors associated with flea prevalence and abundance, as well as the incidence of plague outbreaks. Oropsylla hirsuta, a prairie dog specialist flea, and Pulex simulans, a generalist flea species, were the most common fleas found on our pairs. High elevation pairs in Wyoming and Utah had distinct flea communities compared with the rest of the study pairs. The incidence of prairie dogs with Yersinia pestis detections in fleas was low (n = 64 prairie dogs with positive fleas out of 5,024 samples from 4,218 individual prairie dogs). The results of our regression models indicate that many factors are associated with the presence of fleas. In general, flea abundance (number of fleas on hosts) is higher during plague outbreaks, lower when prairie dogs are more abundant, and reaches peak levels when climate and weather variables are at intermediate levels. Changing climate conditions will likely affect aspects of both flea and host communities, including population densities and species composition, which may lead to changes in plague dynamics. Our results support the hypothesis that local conditions, including host, vector, and environmental factors, influence the likelihood of plague outbreaks, and that predicting changes to plague dynamics under climate change scenarios will have to consider both host and vector responses to local factors.