bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation of uracil auxotroph mutants of coral symbiont alga for symbiosis studies
Authors: Ishii Yuu , Maruyama Shinichiro , Fujimura-Kamada Konomi , Kutsuna Natsumaro , Takahashi Shunichi , Kawata Masakado , Minagawa Jun
Published: February 2018

Coral reef ecosystems rely on stable symbiotic relationship between the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium spp. and host cnidarian animals. The collapse of such symbiosis could cause coral ‘bleaching’ and subsequent host death. Despite huge interest on Symbiodinium, lack of mutant strains and readily available genetic tools have hampered molecular research. A major issue was the tolerance to marker antibiotics. Here, we isolated Symbiodinium mutants requiring uracil for growth, and hence, useful in transformation screening. We cultured Symbiodinium spp. cells in the presence of 5-fluoroorotic acid (5FOA), which inhibits the growth of cells expressing URA3 encoding orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase, and isolated cells that require uracil for growth. Sequence analyses and genetic complementation tests using yeast demonstrated that one of the mutant cell lines had a point mutation in URA3, resulting in a splicing error at an unusual exon–intron junction, and consequently, loss of enzyme activity. This mutant could maintain a symbiotic relationship with the model sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida only in sea water containing uracil. Results show that the URA3 mutant will be a useful tool for screening Symbiodinium transformants, both ex and in hospite, as survival in the absence of uracil is possible only upon successful introduction of URA3.
A dual-mode mobile phone microscope using the onboard camera flash and ambient light
Authors: Orth A. , Wilson E. R. , Thompson J. G. , Gibson B. C.
Published: February 2018

Mobile phone microscopes are a natural platform for point-of-care imaging, but current solutions require an externally powered illumination source, thereby adding bulk and cost. We present a mobile phone microscope that uses the internal flash or sunlight as the illumination source, thereby reducing complexity whilst maintaining functionality and performance. The microscope is capable of both brightfield and darkfield imaging modes, enabling microscopic visualisation of samples ranging from plant to mammalian cells. We describe the microscope design principles, assembly process, and demonstrate its imaging capabilities through the visualisation of unlabelled cell nuclei to observing the motility of cattle sperm and zooplankton.
Effects of dipolar interactions on the sensitivity of nonlinear spinor-BEC interterometry
Authors: Tan Qing-Shou , Xie Qiong-Tao , Kuang Le-Man
Published: February 2018

We consider the effects of dipole-dipole interactions on a nonlinear interferometer with spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensates. Compared with the traditional atomic SU(1,1) interferometer, the shot-noise phase sensitivity can be beaten with respect to the input total average number of particles; and the improved sensitivity depends on the effective strength of the dipolar interaction via modifying the trapping geometry. It indicates that the best performance of the interferometer is achieved with highly oblate trap potential. The Bayesian phase estimation strategy is explored to extract the phase information. We show that the Cramér-Rao phase uncertainly bound can saturate, when the ideal dis-entangle scheme is applied. The phase average of the phase sensitivity is also discussed.
Light pollution is greatest within migration passage areas for nocturnally-migrating birds around the world
Authors: Cabrera-Cruz Sergio A. , Smolinsky Jaclyn A. , Buler Jeffrey J.
Published: February 2018

Excessive or misdirected artificial light at night (ALAN) produces light pollution that influences several aspects of the biology and ecology of birds, including disruption of circadian rhythms and disorientation during flight. Many migrating birds traverse large expanses of land twice every year at night when ALAN illuminates the sky. Considering the extensive and increasing encroachment of light pollution around the world, we evaluated the association of the annual mean ALAN intensity over land within the geographic ranges of 298 nocturnally migrating bird species with five factors: phase of annual cycle, mean distance between breeding and non-breeding ranges, range size, global hemisphere of range, and IUCN category of conservation concern. Light pollution within geographic ranges was relatively greater during the migration season, for shorter-distance migrants, for species with smaller ranges, and for species in the western hemisphere. Our results suggest that migratory birds may be subject to the effects of light pollution particularly during migration, the most critical stage in their annual cycle. We hope these results will spur further research on how light pollution affects not only migrating birds, but also other highly mobile animals throughout their annual cycle.
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis reveals important metabolic pathways for arsenic-induced liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Wu Shunhua , Li Jing , Jin Xiang
Published: February 2018

Long-term consumption of sodium arsenite contaminated water can cause endemic arsenic disease. The proteome profile changes of liver fibrosis after exposure to arsenite containing water remain unclear. In this study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were treated with sodium arsenite (iAs3+), using a daily dose of 1.36 mg/kg body weight (medium dose group, M), 2.73 mg/kg body weight (high dose group, H) or deionized water (control group, C). Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) were used to identify the different abundant proteins (DAPs) after arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. A total of 2987 high-quality proteins were detected (95% confident peptides ≥ 2), 608 of which were differentially expressed (fold change > 2 andp < 0.05) in M group and 475 in H group. Moreover, 431 DAPs were found in both M and H groups and used in subsequent bioinformatic analyses. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed 4,709 GO terms could be mapped, among which purine binding, actin filament binding and protein kinase binding were the most enriched terms for molecular function category. In addition, protein-protein interaction analysis showed six clusters of interaction networks. Our data provided new insights into the proteome changes after arsenic-induced liver fibrosis in model rats.
The CaV2α1 EF-hand F helix tyrosine, a highly conserved locus for GPCR inhibition of CaV2 channels
Authors: Dunn Tyler W. , Fan Xiaotang , Ase Ariel R. , Séguéla Philippe , Sossin Wayne S.
Published: February 2018

The sensory neuron ofAplysia californicaparticipates in several forms of presynaptic plasticity including homosynaptic depression, heterosynaptic depression, facilitation and the reversal of depression. The calcium channel triggering neurotransmitter release at most synapses is CaV2, consisting of the pore forming α1 subunit (CaV2α1), and auxiliary CaVβ, and CaVα2δ subunits. To determine the role of the CaV2 channel in presynaptic plasticity inAplysia, we cloned Aplysia CaV2α1, CaVβ, and CaVα2δ and over-expressed the proteins in Aplysia sensory neurons (SN). We show expression of exogenous CaV2α1 in the neurites of culturedAplysiaSN. One proposed mechanism for heterosynaptic depression inAplysiais through inhibition of CaV2. Here, we demonstrate that heterosynaptic depression of the CaV2 calcium current is inhibited when a channel with a Y-F mutation at the conserved Src phosphorylation site is expressed, showing the strong conservation of this mechanism over evolution. We also show that the Y-F mutation reduces heterosynaptic inhibition of neurotransmitter release, highlighting the physiological importance of this mechanism for the regulation of synaptic efficacy. These results also demonstrate our ability to replace endogenous CaV2 channels with recombinant channels allowing future examination of the structure function relationship of CaV2 in the regulation of transmitter release in this system.
Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension is Reduced by Deficiency of P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Hui , Wang Jintao , Venugopal Jessica , Kleiman Kyle , Guo Chiao , Sun Yingxian , Eitzman Daniel T.
Published: February 2018

Identification of inflammatory mediators that regulate the vascular response to vasopressor molecules may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents to treat or prevent hypertensive vascular diseases. Leukocytes have recently been shown to be capable of modifying blood pressure responses to vasopressor molecules. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that deficiency of the leukocyte ligand, Psgl-1, would reduce the pressor response to angiotensin II (Ang II). Mice deficient in Psgl-1 (Psgl-1−/−) along with wild-type (WT) controls were treated for 2 weeks with a continuous infusion of Ang II. No differences in blood pressure between the groups were noted at baseline, however after 5 days of Ang II infusion, systolic blood pressures were higher in WT compared to Psgl-1−/− mice. The pressor response to acute administration of high dose Ang II was also attenuated in Psgl-1−/− compared to WT mice. Chimeric mice with hematopoietic deficiency of Psgl-1 similarly showed a reduced pressor response to Ang II. This effect was associated with reduced plasma interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in Psgl-1−/− mice and the reduced pressor response was restored by administration of recombinant IL-17. In conclusion, hematopoietic deficiency of Psgl-1 attenuates Ang II-induced hypertension, an effect that may be mediated by reduced IL-17.
Substantial Seasonal Contribution of Observed Biogenic Sulfate Particles to Cloud Condensation Nuclei
Authors: Sanchez Kevin J. , Chen Chia-Li , Russell Lynn M. , Betha Raghu , Liu Jun , Price Derek J. , Massoli Paola , Ziemba Luke D. , Crosbie Ewan C. , Moore Richard H. , Müller Markus , Schiller Sven A. , Wisthaler Armin , Lee Alex K. Y. , Quinn Patricia K. , Bates Timothy S. , Porter Jack , Bell Thomas G. , Saltzman Eric S. , Vaillancourt Robert D. , Behrenfeld Mike J.
Published: February 2018

Biogenic sources contribute to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the clean marine atmosphere, but few measurements exist to constrain climate model simulations of their importance. The chemical composition of individual atmospheric aerosol particles showed two types of sulfate-containing particles in clean marine air masses in addition to mass-based Estimated Salt particles. Both types of sulfate particles lack combustion tracers and correlate, for some conditions, to atmospheric or seawater dimethyl sulfide (DMS) concentrations, which means their source was largely biogenic. The first type is identified as New Sulfate because their large sulfate mass fraction (63% sulfate) and association with entrainment conditions means they could have formed by nucleation in the free troposphere. The second type is Added Sulfate particles (38% sulfate), because they are preexisting particles onto which additional sulfate condensed. New Sulfate particles accounted for 31% (7 cm−3) and 33% (36 cm−3) CCN at 0.1% supersaturation in late-autumn and late-spring, respectively, whereas sea spray provided 55% (13 cm−3) in late-autumn but only 4% (4 cm−3) in late-spring. Our results show a clear seasonal difference in the marine CCN budget, which illustrates how important phytoplankton-produced DMS emissions are for CCN in the North Atlantic.
Impaired Cardiac Function in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis by Comparison with Normal Subjects
Authors: Mincu Raluca Ileana , Magda Stefania Lucia , Mihaila Sorina , Florescu Maria , Mihalcea Diana Janina , Velcea Andreea , Chiru Adela , Tiu Cristina , Popescu Bogdan Ovidiu , Cinteza Mircea , Vinereanu Dragos
Published: February 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS), neurologic disease affecting young population, may cause cardiovascular dysfunction, due to autonomous nervous dysfunction, physical invalidity, increased oxidative stress, and systemic inflammatory status. However, cardiovascular function is rarely evaluated in these patients. We assessed left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function by 2D, 3D, tissue Doppler, and speckle tracking echocardiography, and vascular function by remodeling, stiffness, and endothelial dysfunction parameters in patients with MS, compared to control subjects. 103 subjects (35 ± 10 years,70 women) were studied: 67 patients with MS and 36 control subjects. Patients with MS had decreased LV systolic function, confirmed by lower 2D and 3D ejection fraction, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, longitudinal myocardial systolic velocities, and 2D and 3D global longitudinal strain. The RV function was also decreased, as demonstrated by lower fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, longitudinal systolic velocities, and longitudinal strain. Additionally, LV diastolic and left atrial (LA)  function were decreased compared to controls. The parameters of arterial and endothelial function were similar between groups. Patients with MS have impaired biventricular function by comparison with normal subjects, with reduced LA function, but normal arterial and endothelial function. The noninvasive echocardiographic techniques might help to determine patients with MS at risk of developing cardiovascular dysfunction.
Climate variability in the northern and southern Altai Mountains during the past 50 years
Authors: Zhang Dongliang , Yang Yunpeng , Lan Bo
Published: February 2018

The Holocene drying trend in the northern Altai Mountains and the wetting trend in the southern Altai Mountains inferred from the paleoclimatic studies indicated it is needed to understand the modern climatic characters in this region. However, a detailed analysis of modern climate variations in the northern and southern Altai Mountains is lacking. Here, we investigate the monthly temperature and monthly precipitation data from seventeen meteorological stations during 1966–2015 in the northern and southern Altai. The result shows that temperature increases significantly in the northern (0.42 °C/10 yr) and in the southern (0.54 °C/10 yr). The precipitation decreases insignificantly (−1.41 mm/10 yr) in the northern, whereas it increases significantly (8.89 mm/10 yr) in the southern. The out-of-phase relationship of precipitation changes is also recorded at different time-scales (i.e., season, year, multi-decades, centennial and millennial scales), indicating the Altai Mountains are an important climatic boundary. Based on the analysis of modern atmosphere circulation, the decreased precipitation in the northern corresponds to the decreasing contribution of ‘Northern meridional and Stationary anticyclone’ and ‘Northern meridional and East zonal’ circulation and the increased precipitation in the southern are associated with the increasing contribution of ‘West zonal and Southern meridional’ circulation.
Molecular subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Di Fede Giuseppe , Catania Marcella , Maderna Emanuela , Ghidoni Roberta , Benussi Luisa , Tonoli Elisa , Giaccone Giorgio , Moda Fabio , Paterlini Anna , Campagnani Ilaria , Sorrentino Stefano , Colombo Laura , Kubis Adriana , Bistaffa Edoardo , Ghetti Bernardino , Tagliavini Fabrizio
Published: February 2018

Protein misfolding and aggregation is a central feature of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in which assemblies of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides accumulate in the brain in the form of parenchymal and/or vascular amyloid. A widely accepted concept is that AD is characterized by distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotypes. Recent studies revealed that Aβ assemblies might have structural differences among AD brains and that such pleomorphic assemblies can correlate with distinct disease phenotypes. We found that in both sporadic and inherited forms of AD, amyloid aggregates differ in the biochemical composition of Aβ species. These differences affect the physicochemical properties of Aβ assemblies including aggregation kinetics, resistance to degradation by proteases and seeding ability. Aβ-amyloidosis can be induced and propagated in animal models by inoculation of brain extracts containing aggregated Aβ. We found that brain homogenates from AD patients with different molecular profiles of Aβ are able to induce distinct patterns of Aβ-amyloidosis when injected into mice. Overall these data suggest that the assembly of mixtures of Aβ peptides into different Aβ seeds leads to the formation of distinct subtypes of amyloid having distinctive physicochemical and biological properties which result in the generation of distinct AD molecular subgroups.
Greater corneal nerve loss at the inferior whorl is related to the presence of diabetic neuropathy and painful diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Kalteniece Alise , Ferdousi Maryam , Petropoulos Ioannis , Azmi Shazli , Adam Safwaan , Fadavi Hassan , Marshall Andrew , Boulton Andrew J. M. , Efron Nathan , Faber Catharina G. , Lauria Giuseppe , Soran Handrean , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: February 2018

We assessed whether a measure of more distal corneal nerve fibre loss at the inferior whorl(IW) region is better than proximal measures of central corneal nerve damage in relation to the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN), painful DPN and quality of life(QoL). Participants underwent detailed assessment of neuropathy, QoL using the SF36 questionnaire, pain visual analogue score(VAS), and corneal confocal microscopy(CCM). Corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD) and length (CNFL) at the central cornea and inferior whorl length (IWL) and average(ANFL) and total(TNFL) nerve fibre length were compared in patients with and without DPN and between patients with and without painful DPN and in relation to QoL. All CCM parameters were significantly reduced, but IWL was reduced ~three-fold greater than CNFL in patients with and without DPN compared to controls. IWL(p = 0.001), ANFL(p = 0.01) and TNFL(p = 0.02) were significantly lower in patients with painful compared to painless DPN. The VAS score correlated with IWL(r = −0.36, P = 0.004), ANFL(r = −0.32, P = 0.01) and TNFL(r = −0.32, P = 0.01) and QoL correlated with CNFL(r = 0.35, P = 0.01) and IWL(r = 0.4, P = 0.004). Corneal nerve fibre damage is more prominent at the IW, lower in patients with painful compared to painless neuropathy and relates to their QoL. IWL may provide additional clinical utility for CCM in patients with DPN.
Human Pressures on Natural Reserves in Yunnan Province and Management Implications
Authors: Qiu Cheng , Hu Jinming , Yang Feiling , Liu Feng , Li Xinwang
Published: February 2018

The analysis of status and major sources of human pressures on natural reserves (NRs) is important for optimizing their management. This study selected population density, gross domestic product (GDP) density and areal percentage of human land use to reveal the human pressures of national and provincial NRs (NNRs and PNRs) in Yunnan Province, China. We calculated three types of internal and external human pressure index (HPI) and comprehensive HPI (CHPI) for NRs. Human pressures on most of NRs were slight and light, indicating that most of NRs were well protected. Human pressures on PNRs were higher than on NNRs; with respect to five types of NRs, geological relict NRs were facing the highest human pressures, followed by wetland ecosystem NRs. Land use and population density were the main human pressures on these NRs. Yunnan Province should put the highest emphasis on three NNRs and two Ramsar site PNRs with severe CHPI, secondly pay attention to eight conservation-oriented PNRs with extreme or severe CHPI. It’s urgent for Yunnan to implement scientific policies and measures to reduce land use and population density pressures of NRs, especially with severe and extreme CHPI, by transforming internal land use and/or implementing residents’ eco-migration.
Initial meconium microbiome in Chinese neonates delivered naturally or by cesarean section
Authors: Shi Yi-Chao , Guo He , Chen Jing , Sun Gang , Ren Rong-Rong , Guo Ming-Zhou , Peng Li-Hua , Yang Yun-Sheng
Published: February 2018

Previous studies have revealed significant differences in microbiome compositions between infants delivered via cesarean section (C-section) and natural vaginal birth. However, the importance of the delivery mode in the first days of life remains unclear. Importantly, this stage is minimally affected by infant feeding. Here, we used a metagenomic sequencing technique to characterize the meconium microbiome from the feces of a Chinese cohort of vaginally and C-section-delivered infants, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) newborns, during the first 24 h after birth. Meconium microbiome diversity was higher in vaginally delivered infants than that in C-section-delivered infants. Propionibacterium species were most abundant in the vaginally delivered infants, whereas the C-section group had high levels of Bacillus licheniformis. The two IVF newborns delivered by C-section harbored microbial communities similar to the vaginal microbiome in terms of taxonomic composition. Metabolic functions of the C-section group suffered more from the influence of the dominant group (B. licheniformis), whereas the vaginal group was more homogeneous, with a metabolism dominated by multi-microbes. Moreover, different modes of delivery affected the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) prevalence. These findings provide novel information for the development of strategies to guide a healthy mode of delivery and promote the formation of healthy microbiota.
Nanodiamonds for device applications: An investigation of the properties of boron-doped detonation nanodiamonds
Authors: Afandi Abdulkareem , Howkins Ashley , Boyd Ian W. , Jackman Richard B.
Published: February 2018

The inclusion of boron within nanodiamonds to create semiconducting properties would create a new class of applications in the field of nanodiamond electronics. Theoretical studies have differed in their conclusions as to whether nm-scale NDs would support a stable substitutional boron state, or whether such a state would be unstable, with boron instead aggregating or attaching to edge structures. In the present study detonation-derived NDs with purposefully added boron during the detonation process have been studied with a wide range of experimental techniques. The DNDs are of ~4 nm in size, and have been studied with CL, PL, Raman and IR spectroscopies, AFM and HR-TEM and electrically measured with impedance spectroscopy; it is apparent that the B-DNDs studied here do indeed support substitutional boron species and hence will be acting as semiconducting diamond nanoparticles. Evidence for moderate doping levels in some particles (~1017 B cm−3), is found alongside the observation that some particles are heavily doped (~1020 B cm−3) and likely to be quasi-metallic in character. The current study has therefore shown that substitutional boron doping in nm NDs is in fact possible, opening-up the path to a whole host of new applications for this interesting class of nano-particles.
Structural heterogeneity of the rat pulmonary vein myocardium: consequences on intracellular calcium dynamics and arrhythmogenic potential
Authors: Pasqualin C. , Yu A. , Malécot C. O. , Gannier F. , Cognard C. , Godin-Ribuot D. , Morand J. , Bredeloux P. , Maupoil V.
Published: February 2018

Mechanisms underlying ectopic activity in the pulmonary vein (PV) which triggers paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are unknown. Although several studies have suggested that calcium signalling might be involved in these arrhythmias, little is known about calcium cycling in PV cardiomyocytes (CM). We found that individual PV CM showed a wide range of transverse tubular incidence and organization, going from their virtual absence, as described in atrial CM, to well transversally organised tubular systems, like in ventricular CM. These different types of CM were found in groups scattered throughout the tissue. The variability of the tubular system was associated with cell to cell heterogeneity of calcium channel (Cav1.2) localisation and, thereby, of Cav1.2-Ryanodine receptor coupling. This was responsible for multiple forms of PV CM calcium transient. Spontaneous calcium sparks and waves were not only more abundant in PV CM than in LA CM but also associated with a higher depolarising current. In conclusion, compared with either the atrium or the ventricle, PV myocardium presents marked structural and functional heterogeneity.
The characteristics of positive and confusing hand X-ray signs in diagnosing Kashin–Beck Disease in children in China
Authors: Song Quan-Quan , Liu Hui , Lian Wei , Wang Yue , Sun Li-Yan , Gao Mei , Liu Yun-Qi , Deng Hong-Xia , Deng Qing , Liu Ning , Yu Jun
Published: February 2018

When screening for Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) in children, hand X-ray examination is the most important measure. However, there is high rate of misdiagnosis because of confusing X-ray signs. We studied the characteristics of positive and confusing hand X-ray signs. Clinical and radiological examinations were conducted in all 7- to 12-year-olds in selected villages from some KBD and non-KBD areas. We analysed the radiological and epidemiological characteristics of the X-ray signs of KBD and the confusing signs. Images from 3,193 children were valid. No cases of KBD were found. Seventeen children (0.53%) had X-ray signs positive for KBD. The confusing X-ray signs included closure reaction of metaphysis-epiphysis (CRME, 14.28%), thumb variation (0.22%), little finger variation (8.89%), the second metacarpal-phalangeal variation (0.13%) and cystic change (3.85%). The onset of CRME in children occurred earlier in girls (9) than in boys (10). The onset occurred earlier in KBD areas (9) than in non-KBD areas (10). The onset occurred earlier in Han children (9) than in Tibetan children (11). In summary, KBD was effectively controlled in all investigated KBD endemic villages, and the age range should be adjusted to 7- to 11-year-olds in Han children to reduce the misdiagnosis rates in KBD surveillance.
Self-assembled Collagen-Fibrin Hydrogel Reinforces Tissue Engineered Adventitia Vessels Seeded with Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Patel Bijal , Xu Zhengfan , Pinnock Cameron B. , Kabbani Loay S. , Lam Mai T.
Published: February 2018

Efforts for tissue engineering vascular grafts focuses on the tunica media and intima, although the tunica adventitia serves as the primary structural support for blood vessels. In surgery, during endarterectomies, surgeons can strip the vessel, leaving the adventitia as the main strength layer to close the vessel. Here, we adapted our recently developed technique of forming vascular tissue rings then stacking the rings into a tubular structure, to accommodate human fibroblasts to create adventitia vessels in 8 days. Collagen production and fibril cross-linking was augmented with TGF-β and ascorbic acid, significantly increasing tensile strength to 57.8 ± 3.07 kPa (p = 0.008). Collagen type I gel was added to the base fibrin hydrogel to further increase strength. Groups were: Fibrin only; 0.7 mg/ml COL; 1.7 mg/ml COL; and 2.2 mg/ml COL. The 0.7 mg/ml collagen rings resulted in the highest tensile strength at 77.0 ± 18.1 kPa (p = 0.015). Culture periods of 1–2 weeks resulted in an increase in extracellular matrix deposition and significantly higher failure strength but not ultimate tensile strength. Histological analysis showed the 0.7 mg/ml COL group had significantly more, mature collagen. Thus, a hydrogel of 0.7 mg/ml collagen in fibrin was ideal for creating and strengthening engineered adventitia vessels.
Photoconductivity of acid exfoliated and flash-light-processed MoS2 films
Authors: Zhang Renyun , Hummelgård Magnus , Forsberg Viviane , Andersson Henrik , Engholm Magnus , Öhlund Thomas , Olsen Martin , Örtegren Jonas , Olin Håkan
Published: February 2018

MoS2 has been studied intensively during recent years as a semiconducting material in several fields, including optoelectronics, for applications such as solar cells and phototransistors. The photoresponse mechanisms of MoS2 have been discussed but are not fully understood, especially the phenomenon in which the photocurrent slowly increases. Here, we report on a study of the photoresponse flash-light-processed MoS2 films of different thicknesses and areas. The photoresponse of such films under different light intensities and bias voltages was measured, showing significant current changes with a quick response followed by a slow one upon exposure to pulsed light. Our in-depth study suggested that the slow response was due to the photothermal effect that heats the MoS2; this hypothesis was supported by the resistivity change at different temperatures. The results obtained from MoS2 films with various thicknesses indicated that the minority-carrier diffusion length was 1.36 µm. This study explained the mechanism of the slow response of the MoS2 film and determined the effective thickness of MoS2 for a photoresponse to occur. The method used here for fabricating MoS2 films could be used for fabricating optoelectronic devices due to its simplicity.
Identification of novel prognosis-related genes associated with cancer using integrative network analysis
Authors: Wee YongKiat , Liu Yining , Lu Jiachun , Li Xiaoyan , Zhao Min
Published: February 2018

Prognosis identifies the seriousness and the chances of survival of a cancer patient. However, it remains a challenge to identify the key cancer genes in prognostic studies. In this study, we collected 2064 genes that were related to prognostic studies by using gene expression measurements curated from published literatures. Among them, 1820 genes were associated with copy number variations (CNVs). The further functional enrichment on 889 genes with frequent copy number gains (CNGs) revealed that these genes were significantly associated with cancer pathways including regulation of cell cycle, cell differentiation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. We further conducted integrative analyses of CNV and their target genes expression using the data from matched tumour samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Ultimately, 95 key prognosis-related genes were extracted, with concordant CNG events and increased up-regulation in at least 300 tumour samples. These genes, and the number of samples in which they were found, included: ACTL6A (399), ATP6V1C1 (425), EBAG9 (412), FADD (308), MTDH (377), and SENP5 (304). This study provides the first observation of CNV in prognosis-related genes across pan-cancer. The systematic concordance between CNG and up-regulation of gene expression in these novel prognosis-related genes may indicate their prognostic significance.
High sensitization efficiency and energy transfer routes for population inversion at low pump intensity in Er organic complexes for IR amplification
Authors: Hu J. X. , Karamshuk S. , Gorbaciova J. , Ye H. Q. , Lu H. , Zhang Y. P. , Zheng Y. X. , Liang X. , Hernández I. , Wyatt P. B. , Gillin W. P.
Published: February 2018

Organic erbium complexes have long been of interest due to their potential for using the strong absorption into the organic to sensitise the erbium emission. Despite this interest there is remarkably little quantitative information on how effective the approach is and the discussion of the energy transfer mechanism is generally vague. Here we accurately quantify the sensitisation as a function of excitation pump density and model it using a rate equation approach. As a result, we can calculate the degree of population inversion for the erbium ions as a function of the pump intensity. We demonstrate that even when we increase the erbium concentration in the films from ~10 to ~80% we find a relatively small decrease in the sensitisation which we attribute to the large (>20 Å) Förster radius for the sensitisation process. We show that we can obtain population inversion in our films at very low pump powers ~600 mW/cm2. The calculated Förster radius for the organic erbium complexes suggests design rules for energy transfer between antennas and erbium ions in molecular systems and hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles.
Self-calibrating d-scan: measuring ultrashort laser pulses on-target using an arbitrary pulse compressor
Authors: Alonso Benjamín , Sola Íñigo J. , Crespo Helder
Published: February 2018

In most applications of ultrashort pulse lasers, temporal compressors are used to achieve a desired pulse duration in a target or sample, and precise temporal characterization is important. The dispersion-scan (d-scan) pulse characterization technique usually involves using glass wedges to impart variable, well-defined amounts of dispersion to the pulses, while measuring the spectrum of a nonlinear signal produced by those pulses. This works very well for broadband few-cycle pulses, but longer, narrower bandwidth pulses are much more difficult to measure this way. Here we demonstrate the concept of self-calibrating d-scan, which extends the applicability of the d-scan technique to pulses of arbitrary duration, enabling their complete measurement without prior knowledge of the introduced dispersion. In particular, we show that the pulse compressors already employed in chirped pulse amplification (CPA) systems can be used to simultaneously compress and measure the temporal profile of the output pulses on-target in a simple way, without the need of additional diagnostics or calibrations, while at the same time calibrating the often-unknown differential dispersion of the compressor itself. We demonstrate the technique through simulations and experiments under known conditions. Finally, we apply it to the measurement and compression of 27.5 fs pulses from a CPA laser.
Imaging genotyping of functional signaling pathways in lung squamous cell carcinoma using a radiomics approach
Authors: Bak So Hyeon , Park Hyunjin , Lee Ho Yun , Kim Youngwook , Kim Hyung-Lae , Jung Sin-Ho , Kim Hyeseung , Kim Jonghoon , Park Keunchil
Published: February 2018

Imaging features can be useful for identifying distinct genomic differences and have predictive power for certain phenotypes attributed to genomic mutations. We aimed to identify predictive imaging biomarkers that underpin genomic alterations and clinical outcomes in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) using a radiomics approach. In 57 patients with lung SQCC who underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT) and whole-exome DNA sequencing, 63 quantitative imaging features were extracted from CT and 73 clinicoradiological features including imaging features were classified into 8 categories: clinical, global, histogram-based, lung cancer-specific, shape, local, regional, and emphysema. Mutational profiles for core signaling pathways of lung SQCC were classified into five categories: redox stress, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and chromatin remodelers. Range and right lung volume was significantly associated with alternation of apoptosis and proliferation pathway (p = 0.03, and p = 0.03). Energy was associated with the redox stress pathway (p = 0.06). None of the clinicoradiological features showed any significant association with the alteration of differentiation and chromatin remodelers pathway. This study showed that radiomic features indicating five different functional pathways of lung SQCC were different form one another. Radiomics approaches to lung SQCC have the potential to noninvasively predict alterations in core signaling pathways and clinical outcome.
Relevance of electrical current distribution to the forced flow and grain refinement in solidified Al-Si hypoeutectic alloy
Authors: Zhang Y. H. , Xu Y. Y. , Ye C. Y. , Sheng C. , Sun J. , Wang G. , Miao X. C. , Song C. J. , Zhai Q. J.
Published: February 2018

Significant grain refinement in cast metals can be achieved through the application of electric currents during the solidification process. The present paper investigates the distribution of electric currents on the grain size of solidified Al-7wt.%Si alloy under the application of electric current with constant parameters flowing through two parallel electrodes into the melt within a cylindrical mould. The distribution of electric current was controlled by applying an electrical insulation material coating, boron nitride (NB), to the sidewall of the electrodes. Experimental results showed that the employment of these insulated electrodes can reduce grain size in comparison with the reference case of electrodes without BN coating. Flow measurements were performed in Ga-20wt.%In-12wt.%Sn liquid metal. Higher intensity forced flow occurred when the sidewall of the electrodes was insulated. In order to understand the underlying mechanism behind the stronger forced flow, corresponding numerical simulations were performed to reveal the distributions of the electric current, magnetic field, Lorentz force, and the resultant forced flow. The results achieved indicate that the mechanism of grain refinement driven by electric current is dendrite fragmentation induced by forced flow. In addition, a novel approach to enhance the grain refinement without additional input of current energy was developed.
Reversible 90-Degree Rotation of Fe Magnetic Moment Using Hydrogen
Authors: Hsu Chuan-Che , Chang Po-Chun , Chen Yi-Hua , Liu Chak-Ming , Wu Chun-Te , Yen Hung-Wei , Lin Wen-Chin
Published: February 2018

[Pd/Fe]2 multilayers were deposited on a flat MgO(001) to study the effect of hydrogen on magnetic interlayer coupling. Complex magnetic hysteresis behavior, including single, double, and triple loops, were measured as a function of the azimuthal angle in a longitudinal and transverse direction. With a combination of a 2-fold magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) in the bottom-Fe and a 4-fold MAE in the top-Fe, the complex magnetic hysteresis behavior could be clearly explained. Two well-split hysteresis loops with almost zero Kerr remanence were measured by choosing a suitable Pd thickness and applying the magnetic field perpendicular to the easy axis of the bottom-Fe. The split double loops originated from the 90°-rotation of the top-Fe moment. On exposure to a hydrogen gas atmosphere, the separation of the two minor loops increased, indicating that Pd-hydride formation enhanced the ferromagnetic coupling between the two Fe layers. Based on these observations, we proposed that, by applying a suitable constant magnetic field, the top-Fe moment could undergo reversible 90°-rotation following hydrogen exposure. The results suggest that the Pd space layer used for mediating the magnetic interlayer coupling is sensitive to hydrogen, and therefore, the multilayer system can function as a giant magnetoresistance-type sensor suitable for hydrogen gas.
Nonylphenol aggravates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high sucrose-high fat diet-treated rats
Authors: Yu Jie , Yang Xuesong , Yang Xuefeng , Yang Mengxue , Wang Pan , Yang Yu , Yang Jing , Li Wenmei , Xu Jie
Published: February 2018

Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) contributes to the pathogenesis of many metabolic disorders. Here, we have analyzed the effect of the EED-nonylphenol (NP) on the promotion of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats fed high sucrose-high fat diet (HSHFD). Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: controls fed a normal diet (C-ND); HSHFD-fed controls (C-HSHFD); and rats fed a HSHFD combined with NP at doses of 0.02 μg/kg/day (NP-L-HSHFD), 0.2 μg/kg/day (NP-M-HSHFD), and 2 μg/kg/day (NP-H-HSHFD). Subchronic exposure to NP coupled with HSHFD increased daily water and food intake (p < 0.05), hepatic echogenicity and oblique liver diameter (p < 0.05), and plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). Combined exposure to NP and HSHFD induced macrovesicular steatosis with dilation and congestion of the central vein, liver inflammatory cell infiltration, and expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism, SREBP-1C, FAS, and Ucp2. These results demonstrate that NP aggravates NAFLD in HSHFD-treated rats by up-regulating lipogenic genes, and that HSHFD increases the toxic effects of NP. Thus subchronic NP exposure may lead to NAFLD, especially when combined with a high-sucrose/high-fat diet.
Dataset of human medial temporal lobe single neuron activity during declarative memory encoding and recognition
Authors: Faraut Mailys C. M. , Carlson April A. , Sullivan Shannon , Tudusciuc Oana , Ross Ian , Reed Chrystal M. , Chung Jeffrey M. , Mamelak Adam N , Rutishauser Ueli
Published: February 2018

We present a dataset of 1,576 single neurons recorded from the human amygdala and hippocampus in 65 sessions from 42 patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for localization of epileptic seizures. Subjects performed a recognition memory task with pictures as stimuli. Subjects were asked to identify whether they had seen a particular image the first time (‘new’) or second time (‘old’) on a 1–6 confidence scale. This comprehensive dataset includes the spike times of all neurons and their extracellular waveforms, behavior, electrode locations determined from post-operative MRI scans, demographics, and the stimuli shown. As technical validation, we provide spike sorting quality metrics and assessment of tuning of cells to verify the presence of visually-and memory selective cells. We also provide analysis code that reproduces key scientific findings published previously on a smaller version of this dataset. Together, this large dataset will facilitate the investigation of the neural mechanism of declarative memory by providing a substantial number of hard to obtain human single-neuron recordings during a well characterized behavioral task.
Single cell RNA sequencing of stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Daniszewski Maciej , Senabouth Anne , Nguyen Quan H. , Crombie Duncan E. , Lukowski Samuel W. , Kulkarni Tejal , Sluch Valentin M. , Jabbari Jafar S. , Chamling Xitiz , Zack Donald J. , Pébay Alice , Powell Joseph E. , Hewitt Alex W.
Published: February 2018

We used single cell sequencing technology to characterize the transcriptomes of 1,174 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at the single cell level. The human embryonic stem cell line BRN3B-mCherry (A81-H7), was differentiated to RGCs using a guided differentiation approach. Cells were harvested at day 36 and prepared for single cell RNA sequencing. Our data indicates the presence of three distinct subpopulations of cells, with various degrees of maturity. One cluster of 288 cells showed increased expression of genes involved in axon guidance together with semaphorin interactions, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and ECM proteoglycans, suggestive of a more mature RGC phenotype.
The Brain/MINDS 3D digital marmoset brain atlas
Authors: Woodward Alexander , Hashikawa Tsutomu , Maeda Masahide , Kaneko Takaaki , Hikishima Keigo , Iriki Atsushi , Okano Hideyuki , Yamaguchi Yoko
Published: February 2018

We present a new 3D digital brain atlas of the non-human primate, common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), with MRI and coregistered Nissl histology data. To the best of our knowledge this is the first comprehensive digital 3D brain atlas of the common marmoset having normalized multi-modal data, cortical and sub-cortical segmentation, and in a common file format (NIfTI). The atlas can be registered to new data, is useful for connectomics, functional studies, simulation and as a reference. The atlas was based on previously published work but we provide several critical improvements to make this release valuable for researchers. Nissl histology images were processed to remove illumination and shape artifacts and then normalized to the MRI data. Brain region segmentation is provided for both hemispheres. The data is in the NIfTI format making it easy to integrate into neuroscience pipelines, whereas the previous atlas was in an inaccessible file format. We also provide cortical, mid-cortical and white matter boundary segmentations useful for visualization and analysis.
Mobile diagnostics: next-generation technologies forin vitrodiagnostics
Authors: Shin Joonchul , Chakravarty Sudesna , Choi Wooseok , Lee Kyungyeon , Han Dongsik , Hwang Hyundoo , Choi Jaekyu , Jung Hyo-Il
Published: February 2018

The emergence of a wide range of applications of smartphones along with advances in ‘liquid biopsy’ has significantly propelled medical research particularly in the field ofin vitrodiagnostics (IVD).
Engineering oligonucleotide-based peroxidase mimetics for the colorimetric assay of S1 nuclease
Authors: He Chuan , Zhang Jinli , Li Wei , Fu Yan
Published: February 2018

DNA–Cu(ii) complexes lose their peroxidase-like activities after the cleavage of DNA scaffolds by S1 nuclease.
Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) of discrete sample areas without heat damage
Authors: Newsome G. Asher , Kayama Ikumi , Brogdon-Grantham Shannon A.
Published: February 2018

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) analyzes intact object surfaces by exposing them to a stream of heated gas.
Detection of phytocannabinoids from buccal swabs by headspace solid phase microextraction – gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Franklin Tiffany , Perry Lauren , Shih Wei-Chuan , Yu Jorn
Published: February 2018

Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), which is a solvent-free extraction technique, was configured with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect phytocannabinoids from buccal swabs.
Growth of mixed-halide perovskite single crystals
Authors: Wang Wanfu , Su Jing , Zhang Lei , Lei Yong , Wang Di , Lu Di , Bai Yu
Published: February 2018

The graph shows the mixed-halide crystals of CH3NH3PbI3−xBrx and CH3NH3PbBr3−yCly grown by the ITC method using mixed organic solvents.
Comparative studies on conventional and solvent-free synthesis toward hydrazones: application of PXRD and chemometric data analysis in mechanochemical reaction monitoring
Authors: Pisk Jana , Hrenar Tomica , Rubčić Mirta , Pavlović Gordana , Damjanović Vladimir , Lovrić Jasna , Cindrić Marina , Vrdoljak Višnja
Published: February 2018

We describe the implementation of chemometric analysis for mechanochemical synthesis monitoring.
Assessing AMBER force fields for protein folding in an implicit solvent
Authors: Shao Qiang , Zhu Weiliang
Published: February 2018

MD simulations quantitatively assess the availability and limitation of six recently developed AMBER force fields in reproducing protein native structures and measuring folding thermodynamics under implicit solvent conditions.
Magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complexes with triglyme and asymmetric homologues: phase behavior, coordination structures and melting point reduction
Authors: Hashimoto Kei , Suzuki Soma , Thomas Morgan L. , Mandai Toshihiko , Tsuzuki Seiji , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: February 2018

Structural and thermal properties of equimolar Mg salt and triglyme/asymmetric homologue mixtures were investigated to decrease the melting point.
Site-specific binding of a water molecule to the sulfa drugs sulfamethoxazole and sulfisoxazole: a laser-desorption isomer-specific UV and IR study
Authors: Uhlemann Thomas , Seidel Sebastian , Müller Christian W.
Published: February 2018

Using isomer-specific IR spectroscopy, we show that sulfamethoxazole and sulfisoxazole exhibit distinct site specificities for binding a water molecule.
New hydrogen-rich ammonium metal borohydrides, NH4[M(BH4)4], M = Y, Sc, Al, as potential H2sources
Authors: Starobrat A. , Jaroń T. , Grochala W.
Published: February 2018

Three derivatives of ammonium borohydride have been prepared and characterized in order to stabilize this second most hydrogen-rich compound.
Mono- and dinuclear tetraphosphabutadiene ferrate anions
Authors: Chakraborty Uttam , Leitl Julia , Mühldorf Bernd , Bodensteiner Michael , Pelties Stefan , Wolf Robert
Published: February 2018

Anionic tetraphosphido complexes are accessible by reacting white phosphorus with low-valent cyclopentadienyliron species prepared by alkali metal reduction (Ar = C6H4-4-Et, 18-c-6 = [18]crown-6).
The role and fate of capping ligands in colloidally prepared metal nanoparticle catalysts
Authors: Rossi Liane M. , Fiorio Jhonatan L. , Garcia Marco A. S. , Ferraz Camila P.
Published: February 2018

In this Perspective article, we highlight emerging opportunities for the rational design of catalysts upon the choice, exchange, partial removal or pyrolysis of ligands.