bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 exerts neuroprotective effects in an ex vivo model of mild hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Longoni Aline , Kolling Janaina , dos Santos Tiago M. , dos Santos João Paulo , da Silva Jussemara Souza , Pettenuzzo Letícia , Gonçalves Carlos‐Alberto , de Assis Adriano M. , Quincozes‐Santos André , Wyse Angela T.S.
Published: December 2015

Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been detected in patients with various neurodegenerative conditions. Studies of brain tissue have revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia may impair energy metabolism, resulting in neuronal damage. In addition, new evidence has indicated that vitamin D plays crucial roles in brain development, brain metabolism and neuroprotection. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of 1,25‐dihydroxivitamin D3 (calcitriol) in cerebral cortex slices that were incubated with a mild concentration of Hcy. Cerebral cortex slices from adult rats were first pre‐treated for 30 min with one of three different concentrations of calcitriol (50 nM, 100 nM and 250 nM), followed by Hcy for 1 h to promote cellular dysfunction. Hcy caused changes in bioenergetics parameters (e.g., respiratory chain enzymes) and mitochondrial functions by inducing changes in mitochondrial mass and swelling. Here, we used flow cytometry to analyze neurons that were double‐labelled with Propidium Iodide (PI) and found that Hcy induced an increase in NeuN+/PI cells but did not affect GFAP+/Pi cells. Hcy also induced oxidative stress by increasing reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation and protein damage and reducing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, CAT and GPx). Calcitriol (50 nM) prevented these alterations by increasing the level of the vitamin D receptor. Our findings suggest that using calcitriol may be a therapeutic strategy for treating the cerebral complications caused by Hcy.
The black and the red: Shanks & Tilley's programme for a radical archaeology
Authors: Kristiansen Kristian
Published: December 2015

Prominent in the new literature of a ‘post-processual’, ‘critical’ or ‘radical’ archaeology are a pair of books, conveniently colour-coded as one black and one red, written by Michael Shanks 6. Christopher Tilley, and both published in 1987. The ‘black book’, from Cambridge University Press, has a stark cover mostly of solid black; the cover of the ‘red book’, from Polity Press, is a more cheerful crimson, though its picture, a 19th-century Comedy of death, is a despairing image of dismal decay.

Kristian Kristiansen, of the Center for Research in the Humanities, University of Copenhagen, reviews here the black and the red, and the post-modern vision of archaeology they amount to.
Imposed magnetic field and hot electron propagation in inertial fusion hohlraums
Authors: Strozzi David J. , Perkins L. J. , Marinak M. M. , Larson D. J. , Koning J. M. , Logan B. G.
Published: December 2015

The effects of an imposed, axial magnetic field $B_{z0}$ on hydrodynamics and energetic electrons in inertial confinement fusion indirect-drive hohlraums are studied. We present simulations from the radiation-hydrodynamics code HYDRA of a low-adiabat ignition design for the National Ignition Facility, with and without $B_{z0}=70~\text{T}$. The field’s main hydrodynamic effect is to significantly reduce electron thermal conduction perpendicular to the field. This results in hotter and less dense plasma on the equator between the capsule and hohlraum wall. The inner laser beams experience less inverse bremsstrahlung absorption before reaching the wall. The X-ray drive is thus stronger from the equator with the imposed field. We study superthermal, or ‘hot’, electron dynamics with the particle-in-cell code ZUMA, using plasma conditions from HYDRA. During the early-time laser picket, hot electrons based on two-plasmon decay in the laser entrance hole (Regan et al., Phys. Plasmas, vol. 17(2), 2010, 020703) are guided to the capsule by a 70 T field. Twelve times more energy deposits in the deuterium–tritium fuel. For plasma conditions early in peak laser power, we present mono-energetic test-case studies with ZUMA  as well as sources based on inner-beam stimulated Raman scattering. The effect of the field on deuterium–tritium deposition depends strongly on the source location, namely whether hot electrons are generated on field lines that connect to the capsule.
The cost and utilization of psychotherapy in Community-bases Mental Health Services. A multicentre study in five Italian areas
Authors: Chiappelli Marco , Grigoletti Laura , Albanese Paolo , Taras Maria Antonietta , Tulli Paola , Grassi Aldrigo ,   Gruppo I-Psycost
Published: December 2015

Aims— To investigate the prevalence of psychotherapy intervention in five Italian Centres for Mental Health. Analysing sociodemographic characteristics, geographical differences, frequencies of psychotherapy interventions, and the costs of these interventions.Methods— Five Italian Community—based Psychiatric Services collected data from 1250 patients during October 2002. Socio—demographic and clinical characteristics and GAF scores were collected at baseline. All psychiatric contacts during the following six months were recorded and categorised into 24 service contact categories. A comparison between patients who received or did not receive psychotherapy was made.Results— The socio—demographic characteristics of patients are very similar to those found in previous studies; there is a great difference in the number of psychotherapy treatments between the five areas. Psychotherapy patients use different services compared to the other patients, and their care cost less.Conclusions— This study provides a description of the provision of psychotherapy by Italian Mental Health Services. Further research is required into this topic.

Declaration of Interest:None.
The role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport industry
Authors: Ratten Vanessa , Babiak Kathy
Published: December 2015

This introduction to the special issue of the Journal of Management & Organization on social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport industry frames the key issues sport businesses, corporate partners, and related nonprofit organizations grapple with to ensure that both the organizations and the social causes which are being addressed benefit in some way. The importance of social responsibility is first examined in the context of corporations and sports. The increasing importance of social issues to sport-related industries and the role of strategic philanthropy is discussed. Next, the connection between social responsibility and philanthropic endeavors is addressed in terms of social entrepreneurship. Finally, the article concludes by highlighting the increased significance of sport in society and how the articles in this special issue contribute to a better understanding of the role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in sport.
Molecular mechanism by which acyclic retinoid induces nuclear localization of transglutaminase 2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Shrestha R , Tatsukawa H , Shrestha R , Ishibashi N , Matsuura T , Kagechika H , Kose S , Hitomi K , Imamoto N , Kojima S
Published: December 2015

Nuclear accumulation of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an important step in TG2-dependent cell death. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for nuclear translocation of TG2 are still poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that acyclic retinoid (ACR) induced nuclear accumulation of TG2 in JHH-7 cells, a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) leading to their apoptosis. We further demonstrated molecular mechanism in nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking of TG2 and an effect of ACR on it. We identified a novel 14-amino acid nuclear localization signal (NLS) 466AEKEETGMAMRIRV479 in the ‘C’ domain and a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) 657LHMGLHKL664 in the ‘D’ domain that allowed TG2 to shuttle between the nuclear and cytosolic milieu. Increased nuclear import of GAPDH myc-HIS fused with the identified NLS was observed, confirming its nuclear import ability. Leptomycin B, an inhibitor of exportin-1 as well as point mutation of all leucine residues to glutamine residues in the NES of TG2 demolished its nuclear export. TG2 formed a trimeric complex with importin-α and importin-β independently from transamidase activity which strongly suggested the involvement of a NLS-based translocation of TG2 to the nucleus. ACR accelerated the formation of the trimeric complex and that may be at least in part responsible for enhanced nuclear localization of TG2 in HCC cells treated with ACR.
Loss of serum response factor induces microRNA-mediated apoptosis in intestinal smooth muscle cells
Authors: Park C , Lee M Y , Slivano O J , Park P J , Ha S , Berent R M , Fuchs R , Collins N C , Yu T J , Syn H , Park J K , Horiguchi K , Miano J M , Sanders K M , Ro S
Published: December 2015

Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor known to mediate phenotypic plasticity in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Despite the critical role of this protein in mediating intestinal injury response, little is known about the mechanism through which SRF alters SMC behavior. Here, we provide compelling evidence for the involvement of SRF-dependent microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of SMC apoptosis. We generated SMC-restricted Srf inducible knockout (KO) mice and observed both severe degeneration of SMCs and a significant decrease in the expression of apoptosis-associated miRNAs. The absence of these miRNAs was associated with overexpression of apoptotic proteins, and we observed a high level of SMC death and myopathy in the intestinal muscle layers. These data provide a compelling new model that implicates SMC degeneration via anti-apoptotic miRNA deficiency caused by lack of SRF in gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Target engagement and drug residence time can be observed in living cells with BRET
Authors: Robers Matthew B. , Dart Melanie L. , Woodroofe Carolyn C. , Zimprich Chad A. , Kirkland Thomas A. , Machleidt Thomas , Kupcho Kevin R. , Levin Sergiy , Hartnett James R. , Zimmerman Kristopher , Niles Andrew L. , Ohana Rachel Friedman , Daniels Danette L. , Slater Michael , Wood Monika G. , Cong Mei , Cheng Yi-Qiang , Wood Keith V.
Published: December 2015

The therapeutic action of drugs is predicated on their physical engagement with cellular targets. Here we describe a broadly applicable method using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) to reveal the binding characteristics of a drug with selected targets within intact cells. Cell-permeable fluorescent tracers are used in a competitive binding format to quantify drug engagement with the target proteins fused to Nanoluc luciferase. The approach enabled us to profile isozyme-specific engagement and binding kinetics for a panel of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Our analysis was directed particularly to the clinically approved prodrug FK228 (Istodax/Romidepsin) because of its unique and largely unexplained mechanism of sustained intracellular action. Analysis of the binding kinetics by BRET revealed remarkably long intracellular residence times for FK228 at HDAC1, explaining the protracted intracellular behaviour of this prodrug. Our results demonstrate a novel application of BRET for assessing target engagement within the complex milieu of the intracellular environment.
Asymmetric ring structure of Vps4 required for ESCRT-III disassembly
Authors: Caillat Christophe , Macheboeuf Pauline , Wu Yuanfei , McCarthy Andrew A. , Boeri-Erba Elisabetta , Effantin Gregory , Göttlinger Heinrich G. , Weissenhorn Winfried , Renesto Patricia
Published: December 2015

The vacuolar protein sorting 4 AAA–ATPase (Vps4) recycles endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT-III) polymers from cellular membranes. Here we present a 3.6-Å X-ray structure of ring-shaped Vps4 from Metallosphera sedula (MsVps4), seen as an asymmetric pseudohexamer. Conserved key interface residues are shown to be important for MsVps4 assembly, ATPase activity in vitro, ESCRT-III disassembly in vitro and HIV-1 budding. ADP binding leads to conformational changes within the protomer, which might propagate within the ring structure. All ATP-binding sites are accessible and the pseudohexamer binds six ATP with micromolar affinity in vitro. In contrast, ADP occupies one high-affinity and five low-affinity binding sites in vitro, consistent with conformational asymmetry induced on ATP hydrolysis. The structure represents a snapshot of an assembled Vps4 conformation and provides insight into the molecular motions the ring structure undergoes in a concerted action to couple ATP hydrolysis to ESCRT-III substrate disassembly.
Comprehensive analysis of antibody recognition in convalescent humans from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection
Authors: Zuo Teng , Sun Jianfeng , Wang Guiqin , Jiang Liwei , Zuo Yanan , Li Danyang , Shi Xuanling , Liu Xi , Fan Shilong , Ren Huanhuan , Hu Hongxing , Sun Lina , Zhou Boping , Liang Mifang , Zhou Paul , Wang Xinquan , Zhang Linqi
Published: December 2015

Understanding the mechanism of protective antibody recognition against highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H5N1 in humans is critical for the development of effective therapies and vaccines. Here we report the crystal structure of three H5-specific human monoclonal antibodies bound to the globular head of hemagglutinin (HA) with distinct epitope specificities, neutralization potencies and breadth. A structural and functional analysis of these epitopes combined with those reported elsewhere identifies four major vulnerable sites on the globular head of H5N1 HA. Chimeric and vulnerable site-specific mutant pseudoviruses are generated to delineate broad neutralization specificities of convalescent sera from two individuals who recovered from the infection with H5N1 virus. Our results show that the four vulnerable sites on the globular head rather than the stem region are the major neutralizing targets, suggesting that during natural H5N1 infection neutralizing antibodies against the globular head work in concert to provide protective antibody-mediated immunity.
Mica Nanoparticle, STB-HO Eliminates the Human Breast Carcinoma Cells by Regulating the Interaction of Tumor with its Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Kang Tae-Wook , Kim Hyung-Sik , Lee Byung-Chul , Shin Tae-Hoon , Choi Soon Won , Kim Yoon-Jin , Lee Hwa-Yong , Jung Yeon-Kwon , Seo Kwang-Won , Kang Kyung-Sun
Published: December 2015

Mica, an aluminosilicate mineral, has been proven to possess anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects. However, its efficacy and mechanisms in treating various types of tumor are less verified and the mechanistic link between anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects has not been elucidated. We sought to investigate the therapeutic effect of STB-HO (mica nanoparticles) against one of the most prevalent cancers, the breast cancer. STB-HO was orally administered into MCF-7 xenograft model or directly added to culture media and tumor growth was monitored. STB-HO administration exhibited significant suppressive effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells in vivo, whereas STB-HO did not affect the proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro. To address this discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro results, we investigated the effects of STB-HO treatment on the interaction of MCF-7 cells with macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells, which constitute the cellular composition of tumor microenvironment. Importantly, STB-HO not only increased the susceptibility of MCF-7 cells to immune cells, but also stimulated the immunocytes to eliminate cancer cells. In conclusion, our study highlights the possible role of STB-HO in the suppression of MCF-7 cell growth via the regulation of interactions between tumor cells and anti-tumor immune cells.
The isolation and characterization of CTC subsets related to breast cancer dormancy
Authors: Vishnoi Monika , Peddibhotla Sirisha , Yin Wei , T. Scamardo Antonio , George Goldy C. , Hong David S. , Marchetti Dario
Published: December 2015

Uncovering CTCs phenotypes offer the promise to dissect their heterogeneity related to metastatic competence. CTC survival rates are highly variable and this can lead to many questions as yet unexplored properties of CTCs responsible for invasion and metastasis vs dormancy. We isolated CTC subsets from peripheral blood of patients diagnosed with or without breast cancer brain metastasis. CTC subsets were selected for EpCAM negativity but positivity for CD44+/CD24− stem cell signature; along with combinatorial expression of uPAR and int β1, two markers directly implicated in breast cancer dormancy mechanisms. CTC subsets were cultured in vitro generating 3D CTC tumorspheres which were interrogated for biomarker profiling and biological characteristics. We identified proliferative and invasive properties of 3D CTC tumorspheres distinctive upon uPAR/int β1 combinatorial expression. The molecular characterization of uPAR/int β1 CTC subsets may enhance abilities to prospectively identify patients who may be at high risk of developing BCBM.
Incorporating Contact Network Structure in Cluster Randomized Trials
Authors: Staples Patrick C. , Ogburn Elizabeth L. , Onnela Jukka-Pekka
Published: December 2015

Whenever possible, the efficacy of a new treatment is investigated by randomly assigning some individuals to a treatment and others to control and comparing the outcomes between the two groups. Often, when the treatment aims to slow an infectious disease, clusters of individuals are assigned to each treatment arm. The structure of interactions within and between clusters can reduce the power of the trial, i.e. the probability of correctly detecting a real treatment effect. We investigate the relationships among power, within-cluster structure, cross-contamination via between-cluster mixing and infectivity by simulating an infectious process on a collection of clusters. We demonstrate that compared to simulation-based methods, current formula-based power calculations may be conservative for low levels of between-cluster mixing, but failing to account for moderate or high amounts can result in severely underpowered studies. Power also depends on within-cluster network structure for certain kinds of infectious spreading. Infections that spread opportunistically through highly connected individuals have unpredictable infectious breakouts, making it harder to distinguish between random variation and real treatment effects. Our approach can be used before conducting a trial to assess power using network information and we demonstrate how empirical data can inform the extent of between-cluster mixing.
Differential evolution of a CXCR4-using HIV-1 strain in CCR5wt/wt and CCR5∆32/∆32 hosts revealed by longitudinal deep sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction
Authors: Le Anh Q. , Taylor Jeremy , Dong Winnie , McCloskey Rosemary , Woods Conan , Danroth Ryan , Hayashi Kanna , Milloy M.-J. , Poon Art F. Y. , Brumme Zabrina L.
Published: December 2015

Rare individuals homozygous for a naturally-occurring 32 base pair deletion in the CCR5 gene (CCR5∆32/∆32) are resistant to infection by CCR5-using (“R5”) HIV-1 strains but remain susceptible to less common CXCR4-using (“X4”) strains. The evolutionary dynamics of X4 infections however, remain incompletely understood. We identified two individuals, one CCR5wt/wt and one CCR5∆32/∆32, within the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study who were infected with a genetically similar X4 HIV-1 strain. While early-stage plasma viral loads were comparable in the two individuals (~4.5–5 log10 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml), CD4 counts in the CCR5wt/wt individual reached a nadir of <20 CD4 cells/mm3 within 17 months but remained >250 cells/mm3 in the CCR5∆32/∆32 individual. Ancestral phylogenetic reconstructions using longitudinal envelope-V3 deep sequences suggested that both individuals were infected by a single transmitted/founder (T/F) X4 virus that differed at only one V3 site (codon 24). While substantial within-host HIV-1 V3 diversification was observed in plasma and PBMC in both individuals, the CCR5wt/wt individual’s HIV-1 population gradually reverted from 100% X4 to ~60% R5 over ~4 years whereas the CCR5∆32/∆32 individual’s remained consistently X4. Our observations illuminate early dynamics of X4 HIV-1 infections and underscore the influence of CCR5 genotype on HIV-1 V3 evolution.
Assimilation of the seabird and ship drift data in the north-eastern sea of Japan into an operational ocean nowcast/forecast system
Authors: Miyazawa Yasumasa , Guo Xinyu , Varlamov Sergey M. , Miyama Toru , Yoda Ken , Sato Katsufumi , Kano Toshiyuki , Sato Keiji
Published: December 2015

At the present time, ocean current is being operationally monitored mainly by combined use of numerical ocean nowcast/forecast models and satellite remote sensing data. Improvement in the accuracy of the ocean current nowcast/forecast requires additional measurements with higher spatial and temporal resolution as expected from the current observation network. Here we show feasibility of assimilating high-resolution seabird and ship drift data into an operational ocean forecast system. Data assimilation of geostrophic current contained in the observed drift leads to refinement in the gyre mode events of the Tsugaru warm current in the north-eastern sea of Japan represented by the model. Fitting the observed drift to the model depends on ability of the drift representing geostrophic current compared to that representing directly wind driven components. A preferable horizontal scale of 50 km indicated for the seabird drift data assimilation implies their capability of capturing eddies with smaller horizontal scale than the minimum scale of 100 km resolved by the satellite altimetry. The present study actually demonstrates that transdisciplinary approaches combining bio-/ship- logging and numerical modeling could be effective for enhancement in monitoring the ocean current.
Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-mRNA co-expression patterns identifies immune-associated lncRNA biomarkers in ovarian cancer malignant progression
Authors: Guo Qiuyan , Cheng Yan , Liang Tian , He Yanan , Ren Chengcheng , Sun Liyuan , Zhang Guangmei
Published: December 2015

Ovarian cancer (OV) is the most common and lethal gynecological tumor with a poor prognosis for women; however, the regulatory roles of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ovarian malignant progression are insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated the expression patterns of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the high-throughput molecular profiles of 399 OV patients and constructed a functional lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network across OV malignant progression. We found that two protective lncRNAs, RP11-284N8.3.1 and AC104699.1.1, were not only differentially expressed throughout the progression of malignant OV but were also independently predictive of the survival of patients with different OV stages. A functional analysis of the two lncRNAs predicted their roles in immune system activation and other anti-tumor processes in the OV microenvironment. Integrating these two lncRNAs into an OV risk model was able to significantly stratify patients into different risk groups. Overall, our analysis effectively provides insights into the lncRNA association with malignant OV progression. The two-lncRNA signature is a candidate biomarker for the prognosis of patients with OV and may enable a more accurate prediction of survival.
Laser-tuned whispering gallery modes in a solid-core microstructured optical fibre integrated with magnetic fluids
Authors: Lin Wei , Zhang Hao , Liu Bo , Song Binbin , Li Yuetao , Yang Chengkun , Liu Yange
Published: December 2015

A laser-assisted tuning method of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) in a cylindrical microresonator based on magnetic-fluids-infiltrated microstructured optical fibres (MFIMOFs, where MF and MOF respectively refer to magnetic fluid and microstructured optical fibre) is proposed, experimentally demonstrated and theoretically analysed in detail. The MFIMOF is prepared by infiltrating the air-hole array of the MOF using capillary action effect. A fibre-coupling system is set up for the proposed MFIMOF-based microresonator to acquire an extinction ratio up to 25 dB and a Q-factor as large as 4.0 × 104. For the MF-infiltrated MOF, the light propagating in the fibre core region would rapidly spread out and would be absorbed by the MF-rod array cladding to induce significant thermal effect. This has been exploited to achieve a WGM resonance wavelength sensitivity of 0.034 nm/mW, which is ~20 times higher than it counterpart without MF infiltration. The wavelength response of the resonance dips exhibit linear power dependence and owing to such desirable merits as ease of fabrication, high sensitivity and laser-assisted tunability, the proposed optical tuning approach of WGMs in the MFIMOF would find promising applications in the areas of optical filtering, sensing and signal processing, as well as future all-optical networking systems.
Aluminium alloyed iron-silicide/silicon solar cells: A simple approach for low cost environmental-friendly photovoltaic technology
Authors: Kumar Dalapati Goutam , Masudy-Panah Saeid , Kumar Avishek , Cheh Tan Cheng , Ru Tan Hui , Chi Dongzhi
Published: December 2015

This work demonstrates the fabrication of silicide/silicon based solar cell towards the development of low cost and environmental friendly photovoltaic technology. A heterostructure solar cells using metallic alpha phase (α-phase) aluminum alloyed iron silicide (FeSi(Al)) on n-type silicon is fabricated with an efficiency of 0.8%. The fabricated device has an open circuit voltage and fill-factor of 240 mV and 60%, respectively. Performance of the device was improved by about 7 fold to 5.1% through the interface engineering. The α-phase FeSi(Al)/silicon solar cell devices have promising photovoltaic characteristic with an open circuit voltage, short-circuit current and a fill factor (FF) of 425 mV, 18.5 mA/cm2 and 64%, respectively. The significant improvement of α-phase FeSi(Al)/n-Si solar cells is due to the formation p+−n homojunction through the formation of re-grown crystalline silicon layer (~5–10 nm) at the silicide/silicon interface. Thickness of the regrown silicon layer is crucial for the silicide/silicon based photovoltaic devices. Performance of the α-FeSi(Al)/n-Si solar cells significantly depends on the thickness of α-FeSi(Al) layer and process temperature during the device fabrication. This study will open up new opportunities for the Si based photovoltaic technology using a simple, sustainable and los cost method.
Anti-sense DNA d(GGCCCC)n expansions in C9ORF72 form i-motifs and protonated hairpins
Authors: Kovanda Anja , Zalar Matja , Šket Primož , Plavec Janez , Rogelj Boris
Published: December 2015

The G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation (HREM) in C9ORF72, represents the most common mutation associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Three main disease mechanisms have been proposed to date: C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, RNA toxicity and accumulation of dipeptide repeat proteins. Pure GC content of the HREM potentially enables the formation of various non-B DNA structures such as G-quadruplexes and i-motifs. These structures are proposed to act as promoters and regulatory elements affecting replication, transcription and translation of the surrounding region. G-quadruplexes have already been shown on the G-rich sense DNA and RNA strands (G4C2)n, the structure of the anti-sense (G2C4)n strand remains unresolved. Similar C-rich sequences may, under acidic conditions, form i-motifs consisting of two parallel duplexes in a head to tail orientation held together by hemi-protonated C+-C pairs. We show that d(G2C4)n repeats do form i-motif and protonated hairpins even under near-physiological conditions. Rather than forming a DNA duplex, i-motifs persist even in the presence of the sense strand. This preferential formation of G-quadruplex and i-motif/hairpin structures over duplex DNA, may explain HREM replicational and transcriptional instability. Furthermore, i-motifs/hairpins can represent a novel pharmacological target for C9ORF72 associated ALS and FTLD.
Carbon materials for the electrooxidation of nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides toward cytosine methylation detection: a review
Authors: Brotons Ariadna , Vidal-Iglesias Francisco J. , Solla-Gullón José , Iniesta Jesús
Published: December 2015

The application of different carbon materials such as graphite, glassy carbon, boron-doped diamond, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes and graphene for the electrooxidation of DNA-related molecules toward cytosine methylation electroanalytical monitoring is reviewed.
Gold-catalyzed construction of two adjacent quaternary stereocenters via sequential C–H functionalization and aldol annulation
Authors: Yu Zhunzhun , Qiu Haile , Liu Lu , Zhang Junliang
Published: December 2015

A novel gold-catalyzed intermolecular C–H functionalization and aldol cyclization for the construction of two adjacent quaternary centers is presented.
Stabilization of a two-coordinate, acyclic diaminosilylene (ADASi): completion of the series of isolable diaminotetrylenes, :E(NR2)2(E = group 14 element)
Authors: Hadlington Terrance J. , Abdalla Joseph A. B. , Tirfoin Rémi , Aldridge Simon , Jones Cameron
Published: December 2015

An extremely bulky boryl-amide ligand, [N(SiMe3){B(DAB)}]−(TBoN; DAB = (DipNCH)2, Dip = C6H3Pri2-2,6), has been developed and utilised in the preparation of the first isolable, two-coordinate acyclic diaminosilylene (ADASi),viz.:Si(TBoN)2.
Using the C–O stretch to unravel the nature of hydrogen bonding in low-temperature solid methanol–water condensates
Authors: Dawes Anita , Mason Nigel John , Fraser Helen Jane
Published: December 2015

The C–O stretch of CH3OH is highly sensitive to the interaction between CH3OH and H2O showing a progressive change in profile as a function of CH3OH/H2O mixing ratio, R.
A computationally efficient double hybrid density functional based on the random phase approximation
Authors: Grimme Stefan , Steinmetz Marc
Published: December 2015

A new double hybrid density functional (PWRB95) based on GGA orbitals and RPA is presented and its performance is investigated compared to standard DFT and wavefunction methods.
Design of porous C@Fe3O4hybrid nanotubes with excellent microwave absorption
Authors: Meng Fanbin , Wei Wei , Chen Xiangnan , Xu Xiaoling , Jiang Man , Jun Lu , Wang Yong , Zhou Zuowan
Published: December 2015

Porous hybridizing nanotubes with a structure of amorphous carbon interspersed with Fe3O4were fabricated and demonstrate excellent microwave absorption.
A highly effective and stable CuZn0.3MgxAlOycatalyst for the manufacture of chirall-phenylalaninol: the role of Mg and its hydrotalcite-like precursor
Authors: Shi Zhangping , Zhang Shuangshuang , Xiao Xiuzhen , Mao Dongsen , Lu Guanzhong
Published: December 2015

A highly effective and stable CuZn0.3Mg0.1AlOycatalyst derived from a Cu-rich hydrotalcite-like precursor was prepared for the catalytic hydrogenation ofl-phenylalanine methyl ester tol-phenylalaninol with ~100% ee selectivity.
Catalytic dehydrogenation of isobutane over a Ga2O3/ZnO interface: reaction routes and mechanism
Authors: Wang Guowei , Li Chunyi , Shan Honghong
Published: December 2015

In this work, physical mixtures of ZnO and Ga2O3, even with a small amount of Ga2O3, were found to exhibit greatly enhanced catalytic performance for isobutane dehydrogenation compared to their individual components, namely solely ZnO or Ga2O3.
Examining the antimicrobial activity and toxicity to animal cells of different types of CO-releasing molecules
Authors: Nobre Lígia S. , Jeremias Hélia , Romão Carlos C. , Saraiva Lígia M.
Published: December 2015

Transition metal carbonyl complexes used as CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) for biological and therapeutic applications may exhibit interesting antimicrobial activity.
N-Nitrosamine-{cis-Re[CO]2}2+ cobalamin conjugates as mixed CO/NO-releasing molecules
Authors: Santoro Giuseppe , Beltrami Ruben , Kottelat Emmanuel , Blacque Olivier , Bogdanova Anna Yu. , Zobi Fabio
Published: December 2015

Mixed CO/NO-releasing molecules were prepared by conjugation of the 17-electron rhenium dicarbonyl cis-[Re(CO)2Br4]2− complex to N-nitrosamine modified cyanocobalamin (B12) bio-vectors.
Broad temperature plateau for high ZTs in heavily doped p-type SnSe single crystals
Authors: Peng Kunling , Lu Xu , Zhan Heng , Hui Si , Tang Xiaodan , Wang Guiwen , Dai Jiyan , Uher Ctirad , Wang Guoyu , Zhou Xiaoyuan
Published: December 2015

The increased number of carrier pockets near the Fermi level and the optimized carrier concentration in doped SnSe single crystal can lead to a high averageZTave∼ 1.2 from 300 K to 800 K and a peakZTmaxvalue in excess of 2.0 at 800 K along the crystallographicb-axis.
Emerging investigators series: pyrolysis removes common microconstituents triclocarban, triclosan, and nonylphenol from biosolids
Authors: Ross J. J. , Zitomer D. H. , Miller T. R. , Weirich C. A. , McNamara P. J.
Published: December 2015

Pyrolysis could be used as a biosolids processing step that reduces the amount of organic microconstituents discharged to the environment with residual biosolids.
A uniform porous multilayer-junction thin film for enhanced gas-sensing performance
Authors: Zhang Ping-Ping , Zhang Hui , Sun Xu-Hui
Published: December 2015

Highly-uniform In2O3/CuO bilayer and multilayer porous thin films were successfully fabricated using a self-assembled soft template and a simple sputtering deposition technique.
Theoretical insights into a potential lead-free hybrid perovskite: substituting Pb2+with Ge2+
Authors: Sun Ping-Ping , Li Quan-Song , Yang Li-Na , Li Ze-Sheng
Published: December 2015

The electronic properties of MAGeI3are comparable to MAPbI3, and it can act as a new lead-free perovskite candidate.
In situ clicking methylglyoxal for hierarchical self-assembly of nanotubes in supramolecular hydrogel
Authors: Liu Shuang , Luo Yufeng , Liang Gaolin
Published: December 2015

A precursor o-phenylenediamine-Phe-Phe-OH was employed to “click” react with toxic methylglyoxal for hierarchical self-assembly of nanotubes in supramolecular hydrogel.
Carbohydrates in diversity-oriented synthesis: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Lenci E. , Menchi G. , Trabocchi A.
Published: December 2015

Carbohydrates are attractive building blocks for diversity-oriented synthesis due to their stereochemical diversity and high density of polar functional groups.
Synthesis of photoresponsive polymeric propesticide micelles based on PEG for the controlled release of a herbicide
Authors: Ding Kaikai , Shi Liyan , Zhang Ling , Zeng Tian , Yin Yihua , Yi Ying
Published: December 2015

A novel amphiphilic polymer–pesticide conjugate was synthesized which can selfassemble into photoresponsive micelles in aqueous solutions for a controlled release of the herbicide.
Assembled 3D electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution: WSe2 layers anchored on graphene sheets
Authors: Liu Zhengqing , Zhao Hongyang , Li Na , Zhang Yi , Zhang Xinyu , Du Yaping
Published: December 2015

A 3D WSe2/rGO hybrid nanocomposite was constructed using a one step colloidal synthesis approach, and it exhibited excellent HER performance.
Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation behaviors of rhodamine dyes on surface-fluorinated TiO2 under visible irradiation
Authors: Guo Jing , Yuan Shaojun , Jiang Wei , Yue Hairong , Cui Zhe , Liang Bin
Published: December 2015

Surface-fluorinated TiO2 (F-TiO2) particles was synthesized by a simple fluorosilanization method to serve as a visible-light photocatalyst for rapid degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes.
De novo design of stereochemically-bent sixteen-residue β-hairpin as a hydrolase mimic
Authors: Goyal Bhupesh , Patel Kirti , Srivastava Kinshuk Raj , Durani Susheel
Published: December 2015

Stepwise design of sixteen-residue β-hairpin as a hydrolase mimic involving fold design by stereochemical mutation followed by inverse-design of sequence.
Fe/N co-doped carbon microspheres as a high performance electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Cheng Pengpeng , Li Shuoshuo , Li Ruchun , Yan Jing , Yu Wendan , Shao Xiaofeng , Hu Zhaoxia , Yuan Dingsheng
Published: December 2015

NCMS-Fe with the high specific area, high nitrogen content are synthesized by using glycine as carbon and nitrogen precursor, showing high catalytic activity and four-electron selectivity for ORR in alkaline medium.
TiO2 nanocrystals – assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of steroid hormones, amino acids and saccharides. Validation and comparison of methods
Authors: Popović I. , Nešić M. , Vranješ M. , Šaponjić Z. , Petković M.
Published: December 2015

The possibilities for the application of various TiO2 nanocrystals for substrate-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric quantitative analysis of steroid hormones, amino acids and saccharides is presented in this work.
Catalytic CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid over carbon nanotube-graphene supported PdNi alloy catalysts
Authors: Nguyen Lan Thi Mai , Park Hunmin , Banu Marimuthu , Kim Jae Yul , Youn Duck Hyun , Magesh Ganesan , Kim Won Yong , Lee Jae Sung
Published: December 2015

Pure formic acid was produced via CO2 hydrogenation over a heterogeneous PdNi alloy catalyst on carbon nanotube-graphene support in water solvent without a base additive.
Superior relaxation of stresses and self-healing behavior of epoxy-amine coatings
Authors: Villani Maurizio , Deshmukh Yogesh S. , Camlibel Caghan , Esteves A. Catarina C. , de With Gijsbertus
Published: December 2015

Introducing hydrogen bonds via amide motif incorporation in cross-linked epoxy coatings enhances local network mobility and ensures ability to relax mechanical stresses, possibly leading failure, preemptively without changes in modulus and adhesion.
Chemiresistive gas sensor for the sensitive detection of nitrogen dioxide based on nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets
Authors: Shaik Mahabul , Rao V. K. , Gupta Manish , Murthy K. S. R. C. , Jain Rajeev
Published: December 2015

Nitrogen doped graphene nanosheet coated interdigitated electrodes for sensitive detection of NO2gas at room temperature.
Characterization of cathode from LiNixMn2−xO4 nanofibers by electrospinning for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Ding Xianan , Liu Guicheng , Gao Zhan , Xu Guofeng , Wang Xindong
Published: December 2015

Ni substituted LiMn2O4 nanofiber cathode materials (LiNixMn2−xO4, x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) have been prepared by a combination of electrospinning and sol–gel techniques.
Trace Fe3+ mediated synthesis of LiFePO4 micro/nanostructures towards improved electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Hu Lei , Zhang Tianwen , Liang Jianwen , Zhu Yongchun , Zhang Kailong , Qian Yitai
Published: December 2015

A trace Fe3+ mediated solvothermal process has been developed to synthesize LiFePO4 micro/nanostructures, which demonstrate superior electrochemical properties as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries.
Tuning cell surface charge in E. coli with conjugated oligoelectrolytes
Authors: Catania Chelsea , Thomas Alexander W. , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: December 2015

Conjugated oligoelectrolytes intercalate into and associate with membranes, thereby changing the surface charge of microbes, as determined by zeta potential measurements.
New nanocomposites for SERS studies of living cells and mitochondria
Authors: Sarycheva A. S. , Brazhe N. A. , Baizhumanov A. A. , Nikelshparg E. I. , Semenova A. A. , Garshev A. V. , Baranchikov A. E. , Ivanov V. K. , Maksimov G. V. , Sosnovtseva O. , Goodilin E. A.
Published: December 2015

SERS studies of intact erythrocytes and functional mitochondria are demonstrated for the first time using silver–silica beads prepared by aerosol pyrolysis with aqueous diamminesilver(i) hydroxide as a source of silver nanoparticles for SiO2 microspheres.
Combined Néel and Brown rotational Langevin dynamics in magnetic particle imaging, sensing, and therapy
Authors: Reeves Daniel B. , Weaver John B.
Published: December 2015

Magnetic nanoparticles have been studied intensely because of their possible uses in biomedical applications. Biosensing using the rotational freedom of particles has been used to detect biomarkers for cancer, hyperthermia therapy has been used to treat tumors, and magnetic particle imaging is a promising new imaging modality that can spatially resolve the concentration of nanoparticles. There are two mechanisms by which the magnetization of a nanoparticle can rotate, a fact that poses a challenge for applications that rely on precisely one mechanism. The challenge is exacerbated by the high sensitivity of the dominant mechanism to applied fields. Here, we demonstrate stochastic Langevin equation simulations for the combined rotation in magnetic nanoparticles exposed to oscillating applied fields typical to these applications to both highlight the existing relevant theory and quantify which mechanism should occur in various parameter ranges.
Surface roughening and scaling behavior of vacuum-deposited SnCl2Pc organic thin films on different substrates
Authors: Obaidulla Sk. Md. , Giri P. K.
Published: December 2015

The evolution of surface morphology and scaling behavior of tin (IV) phthalocyanine dichloride (SnCl2Pc) thin films grown on Si(100) and glass substrates have been studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and height-height correlation function analysis. X-ray diffraction measurement confirms the crystalline nature of the SnCl2Pc thin film on glass substrate, while no crystallographic ordering is present for the film grown on Si substrate. The growth exponent β is found to be much larger for the film on glass substrate (0.48 ± 0.07) as compared to that on Si substrate (0.21 ± 0.08), which may be due to the high step-edge barrier, so-called Ehrlich-Schwöbel barrier, resulting in the upward dominant growth on glass substrate. From the 2D fast Fourier transform of AFM images and derived scaling exponents, we conclude that the surface evolution follows a mound like growth. These results imply the superiority of glass substrate over the Si substrate for the growth of device quality SnCl2Pc thin film.
Adaptability and potential for treatment of placental functions to improve embryonic development and postnatal health
Authors: Cross James C.
Published: December 2015

For an organ that is so critical for life in eutherian mammals, the placenta hardly gets the attention that it deserves. The placenta does a series of remarkable things, including implanting the embryo in the uterus, negotiating with the mother for nutrients but also protecting her health during pregnancy, helping establish normal metabolic and cardiovascular function for life postnatally (developmental programming) and initiating changes that prepare the mother to care for and suckle her young after birth. Different lines of evidence in experimental animals suggest that the development and function of the placenta are adaptable. This means that some of the changes observed in pathological pregnancies may represent attempts to mitigate the impact of fetal growth and development. Key and emerging concepts are reviewed here concerning how we may view the placenta diagnostically and therapeutically in pregnancy complications, focusing on information from experimental studies in mice, sheep and cattle, as well as association studies from humans. Hundreds of different genes have been shown to underlie normal placental development and function, some of which have promise as tractable targets for intervention in pregnancies at risk for poor fetal growth.
Determinant molecular markers for peri-gastrulating bovine embryo development
Authors: Hue Isabelle
Published: December 2015

Peri-gastrulation defines the time frame between blastocyst formation and implantation that also corresponds in cattle to elongation, pregnancy recognition and uterine secretion. Optimally, this developmental window prepares the conceptus for implantation, placenta formation and fetal development. However, this is a highly sensitive period, as evidenced by the incidence of embryo loss or early post-implantation mortality after AI, embryo transfer or somatic cell nuclear transfer. Elongation markers have often been used within this time frame to assess developmental defects or delays, originating either from the embryo, the uterus or the dam. Comparatively, gastrulation markers have not received great attention, although elongation and gastrulation are linked by reciprocal interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. To make this clearer, this peri-gastrulating period is described herein with a focus on its main developmental landmarks, and the resilience of the landmarks in the face of biotechnologies is questioned.
10 EFFECT OF ESTRADIOL BENZOATE OR hCG ON DAY 22 AFTER TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON THE CORPUS LUTEUM SIZE, PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATION, AND PREGNANCY RATE IN RESYNCHRONIZED BEEF HEIFERS
Authors: Borges J. B. S. , Neri H. L. D. , Almeida M. R. , Silva E. P. , Bilha A.
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to compare the effects of 2 inducers of new follicular wave [oestradiol benzoate (EB) or hCG] administrated at onset of resynchronization protocols initiated 22 days after the first timed AI (TAI) of beef heifers. We evaluated the effect of treatments on corpus luteum (CL) development, serum progesterone (P4) concentrations, and pregnancy rates. A total of 467 grazing Brangus heifers, with 24- to 26-months, 320 ± 10 kg of body weight, and 3.2 ± 0.5 body condition score, were utilised. The resynchronization protocol began 22 days after the first TAI (Day 22). Heifers were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: EB (n = 199), hCG (n = 101), or control untreated (n = 167). The EB- and hCG-treated heifers received an intravaginal P4 device (Procliclar, 0.75 g of P4; Hertape, Brazil) and an IM treatment with 1 mg of EB (Benzoato HC, Hertape) or 1000 IU of hCG (Vetecor 5000, Hertape), respectively. On Day 30, P4 device was removed, and the pregnancy diagnosis was performed. At this time heifers had the CL area (cm2) determined by ultrasound and seric P4 concentration evaluated by chemiluminescence assay. The assay sensitivity was 0.1 ng mL–1, and the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 7.9 and 10.6%, respectively. Nonpregnant heifers after the first TAI (EB = 97, hCG = 36) received intramuscularly 150 μg of sodium cloprostenol (Veteglan Luteolítico, Hertape) and 1 mg of oestradiol cypionate (Cipionato HC, Hertape). The second TAI was performed 48 to 52 h after the P4 device removal. On Day 62, heifers were submitted to a second pregnancy diagnosis. No effect of the body condition score (P = 0.28) was observed on the first and second pregnancy per AI. Pregnancy rates after the first TAI were higher (P = 0.03) on hCG-treated heifers (64.4%) than EB (51.3%) or the control group (58.7%). The EB group determined greater (P = 0.04) pregnancy rate after the second TAI (49.5%) than the hCG group (22.2%). The cumulative pregnancy rates were similar (P = 0.46) between groups [EB (72.4%) and hCG (68.3%)]; however, both were greater (P < 0.05) than the control group (58.6%). Heifers treated with hCG (3.42 ± 0.76) presented greater CL area at Day 30 (P < 0.05) than the EB (2.44 ± 0.57) and control (2.61 ± 0.61) groups. The treatment with hCG 22 days after TAI determined greater (12.43 ± 3.48; P < 0.05) serum P4 concentrations on Day 30 than the EB (6.92 ± 3.04) and control (7.29 ± 2.45) groups. Therefore, the use of hCG at the beginning of resynchronization protocol 22 days after the TAI increased pregnancy rate following the first TAI. However, the use of 1 mg of EB determined greater pregnancy rate after the second TAI, and no detrimental effects on CL development, P4 concentration, and on first TAI pre-established pregnancy.