bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of GNSS Global Ionospheric Modeling Augmented by LEO Constellation
Authors: Ren Xiaodong , Zhang Xiaohong , Schmidt Michael , Zhao Zhibo , Chen Jun , Zhang Jincheng , Li Xingxing
Published: December 2019

The Low‐Earth‐Orbiting (LEO) satellite has a fast motion and thus contributes to rapid changes in satellite geometric distribution, which can effectively mitigate multipath effects and offer more available observations. Recently, some studies have investigated LEO‐augmented Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning and navigation. However, the study of LEO‐augmented global ionospheric modeling was not yet available. In this paper, we present the performance and accuracy of global ionospheric model augmented by LEO constellation for the first time. Based on the three kinds of designed LEO constellations with 60, 96, and 192 satellite simulation data, the results show that LEO observations can expand the coverage and increase the density of ionospheric pierce points (IPPs). Meanwhile, the density of IPPs becomes higher with an increasing number of LEO satellites. When the cutoff elevation is set to 40°, the IPP distribution of GNSS+LEO is still better than that of GNSS‐only at 10°. This way the cutoff elevation angle of the GNSS measurements can be increased, since the mapping function error and the multipath effects are reduced. Furthermore, the performances of global ionosphere maps based on the observations of GNSS‐only and GNSS+LEO scenarios are evaluated. Compared with GNSS‐only, the minimum and maximum bias can be reduced from −18.1 to −7.0 total electron content unit and from 12.6 to 6.4 total electron content unit, respectively, and the root‐mean‐square values with LEO constellations of 60, 96, and 192 satellites improve by 35.9%, 46.5%, and 50%, respectively.
Seasonal Variations in Western North Atlantic Remote Marine Aerosol Properties
Authors: Quinn P.K. , Bates T.S. , Coffman D.J. , Upchurch L. , Johnson J.E. , Moore R. , Ziemba L. , Bell T.G. , Saltzman E.S. , Graff J. , Behrenfeld M.J.
Published: December 2019

The impact of ocean ecosystems on marine boundary layer aerosols and clouds has been the subject of much research but remains uncertain. Five experiments were recently conducted in the western North Atlantic to assess if the seasonally recurring phytoplankton bloom affects aerosol properties. These experiments include the second Western Atlantic Climate Study and four North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystem Study cruises. Measurements of unheated and heated number size distributions, cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) concentrations, and aerosol composition were used to identify primary and secondary aerosol components that could be related to the state of the bloom. Only periods of clean marine air, as defined by radon, particle number concentrations, aerosol light absorption coefficient, and back trajectories, were included in the analysis. Nonvolatile material was found to be prevalent in the Aitken mode size range after heating to 230°, likely due to downward mixing from the free troposphere. CCN concentrations at 0.1% supersaturation were best correlated (r2 = 0.73) with accumulation mode nss SO4=. Sea spray aerosol was only correlated with CCN during November when bloom accumulation had not yet occurred and dimethylsulfide concentrations were at a minimum. The fraction of CCN attributable to sea spray aerosol was less than 20% during March, May/June, and September, indicating the limited contribution of sea spray aerosol to the CCN population of the western North Atlantic atmosphere. The strongest link between the plankton bloom and aerosol and cloud properties appears to be due to biogenic non‐sea salt SO4=.
Maternal serum levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy and offspring birth weight
Authors: Wikström Sverre , Lin Ping-I , Lindh Christian H. , Shu Huan , Bornehag Carl-Gustaf
Published: December 2019

Background

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread, bioaccumulating, and persistent and show placental transfer. Emerging research indicates associations between prenatal exposure and low birth weight. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between first trimester exposure to PFASs and birth weight (BW) in the Swedish Environmental, Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy (SELMA) study and examine whether associations differ between girls and boys.

Methods

Eight PFASs were analyzed in maternal serum (median: 10 weeks of pregnancy). Associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and birth outcomes with BW, BW for gestational age, and birth small for gestational age (SGA) were assessed in 1533 infants, adjusted for potential confounders and stratified by sex.

Results

Increased maternal perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) were associated with lower BW, lower BW for gestational age, and SGA birth. Associations were significant only in girls, where prenatal exposure in the upper quartile was associated with a 93–142-g lower BW when compared with that of the lowest quartile exposure. The associations were not mediated by effects on gestational age.

Conclusions

We found associations between prenatal exposure for five different PFASs and birth weight, with more pronounced associations in girls than in boys.
Novel biomarkers for risk stratification of Barrett’s oesophagus associated neoplastic progression–epithelial HMGB1 expression and stromal lymphocytic phenotype
Authors: Porter Ross J. , Murray Graeme I. , Brice Daniel P. , Petty Russell D. , McLean Mairi H.
Published: December 2019

Background

The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is increasing globally. Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) is a pre-malignant condition with no biomarker to risk stratify those at highest risk of dysplasia and malignant transformation.

Methods

Subcellular epithelial protein (HMGB1, p53, RUNX3) expression, alongside expression of CD20, CD4, CD8 and Foxp3 to characterise stromal B lymphocyte, and helper, cytotoxic and regulatory T-lymphocyte cell infiltrate, respectively, was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 218 human tissue samples including normal oesophageal/gastric biopsies (n = 39), BO (non-dysplasia, dysplasia, non-dysplastic background from progressors to dysplasia or cancer, n = 121) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 58).

Results

There is a dynamic subcellular epithelial expression of HMGB1 (loss of nuclear, emergence of cytoplasmic), associated with epithelial p53 expression and differential immune cell phenotype in oesophageal neoplastic progression. We identify a protein signature and lymphocyte infiltrate in non-dysplastic BO when progressive disease (dysplasia or adenocarcinoma) is present but not histologically represented in the biopsied field. There is a dynamic stromal lymphocytic infiltrate in oesophageal neoplastic progression.

Conclusions

This data reveals novel insights into the microenvironment of BO and progression towards cancer and identifies a novel high-risk biomarker of disease progression to aid surveillance strategies to identify early progression and impact future incidence of oesophageal cancer.
Large Igneous Province thermogenic greenhouse gas flux could have initiated Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum climate change
Authors: Jones Stephen M. , Hoggett Murray , Greene Sarah E. , Dunkley Jones Tom
Published: December 2019

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are associated with the largest climate perturbations in Earth’s history. The North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP) and Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) constitute an exemplar of this association. As yet we have no means to reconstruct the pacing of LIP greenhouse gas emissions for comparison with climate records at millennial resolution. Here, we calculate carbon-based greenhouse gas fluxes associated with the NAIP at sub-millennial resolution by linking measurements of the mantle convection process that generated NAIP magma with observations of the individual geological structures that controlled gas emissions in a Monte Carlo framework. These simulations predict peak emissions flux of 0.2–0.5 PgC yr–1 and show that the NAIP could have initiated PETM climate change. This is the first predictive model of carbon emissions flux from any proposed PETM carbon source that is directly constrained by observations of the geological structures that controlled the emissions.
Probing the edge-related properties of atomically thin MoS2 at nanoscale
Authors: Huang Teng-Xiang , Cong Xin , Wu Si-Si , Lin Kai-Qiang , Yao Xu , He Yu-Han , Wu Jiang-Bin , Bao Yi-Fan , Huang Sheng-Chao , Wang Xiang , Tan Ping-Heng , Ren Bin
Published: December 2019

Defects can induce drastic changes of the electronic properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides and influence their applications. It is still a great challenge to characterize small defects and correlate their structures with properties. Here, we show that tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) can obtain distinctly different Raman features of edge defects in atomically thin MoS2, which allows us to probe their unique electronic properties and identify defect types (e.g., armchair and zigzag edges) in ambient. We observed an edge-induced Raman peak (396 cm−1) activated by the double resonance Raman scattering (DRRS) process and revealed electron–phonon interaction in edges. We further visualize the edge-induced band bending region by using this DRRS peak and electronic transition region using the electron density-sensitive Raman peak at 406 cm−1. The power of TERS demonstrated in MoS2 can also be extended to other 2D materials, which may guide the defect engineering for desired properties.
Diverse protein assembly driven by metal and chelating amino acids with selectivity and tunability
Authors: Yang Minwoo , Song Woon Ju
Published: December 2019

Proteins are versatile natural building blocks with highly complex and multifunctional architectures, and self-assembled protein structures have been created by the introduction of covalent, noncovalent, or metal-coordination bonding. Here, we report the robust, selective, and reversible metal coordination properties of unnatural chelating amino acids as the sufficient and dominant driving force for diverse protein self-assembly. Bipyridine-alanine is genetically incorporated into a D3 homohexamer. Depending on the position of the unnatural amino acid, 1-directional, crystalline and noncrystalline 2-directional, combinatory, and hierarchical architectures are effectively created upon the addition of metal ions. The length and shape of the structures is tunable by altering conditions related to thermodynamics and kinetics of metal-coordination and subsequent reactions. The crystalline 1-directional and 2-directional biomaterials retain their native enzymatic activities with increased thermal stability, suggesting that introducing chelating ligands provides a specific chemical basis to synthesize diverse protein-based functional materials while retaining their native structures and functions.
Metabolomics analysis of human acute graft-versus-host disease reveals changes in host and microbiota-derived metabolites
Authors: Michonneau David , Latis Eleonora , Curis Emmanuel , Dubouchet Laetitia , Ramamoorthy Sivapriya , Ingram Brian , de Latour Régis Peffault , Robin Marie , de Fontbrune Flore Sicre , Chevret Sylvie , Rogge Lars , Socié Gérard
Published: December 2019

Despite improvement in clinical management, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still hampered by high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly due to graft versus host disease (GvHD). Recently, it has been demonstrated that the allogeneic immune response might be influenced by external factors such as tissues microenvironment or host microbiota. Here we used high throughput metabolomics to analyze two cohorts of genotypically HLA-identical related recipient and donor pairs. Metabolomic profiles markedly differ between recipients and donors. At the onset of acute GvHD, in addition to host-derived metabolites, we identify significant variation in microbiota-derived metabolites, especially in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands, bile acids and plasmalogens. Altogether, our findings support that the allogeneic immune response during acute GvHD might be influenced by bile acids and by the decreased production of AhR ligands by microbiota that could limit indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase induction and influence allogeneic T cell reactivity.
Molecular insight into RNA polymerase I promoter recognition and promoter melting
Authors: Sadian Yashar , Baudin Florence , Tafur Lucas , Murciano Brice , Wetzel Rene , Weis Felix , Müller Christoph W.
Published: December 2019

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) assembles with core factor (CF) and Rrn3 on the rDNA core promoter for transcription initiation. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of closed, intermediate and open Pol I initiation complexes from 2.7 to 3.7 Å resolution to visualize Pol I promoter melting and to structurally and biochemically characterize the recognition mechanism of Pol I promoter DNA. In the closed complex, double-stranded DNA runs outside the DNA-binding cleft. Rotation of CF and upstream DNA with respect to Pol I and Rrn3 results in the spontaneous loading and opening of the promoter followed by cleft closure and positioning of the Pol I A49 tandem winged helix domain (tWH) onto DNA. Conformational rearrangement of A49 tWH leads to a clash with Rrn3 to initiate complex disassembly and promoter escape. Comprehensive insight into the Pol I transcription initiation cycle allows comparisons with promoter opening by Pol II and Pol III.
Genomic and transcriptomic insights into molecular basis of sexually dimorphic nuptial spines in Leptobrachium leishanense
Authors: Li Jun , Yu Haiyan , Wang Wenxia , Fu Chao , Zhang Wei , Han Fengming , Wu Hua
Published: December 2019

Sexually dimorphic (SD) traits are important in sexual selection and species survival, yet the molecular basis remains elusive, especially in amphibians where SD traits have evolved repeatedly. We focus on the Leishan moustache toad (Leptobrachium leishanense), in which males develop nuptial spines on their maxillary skin. Here we report a 3.5 Gb genome assembly with a contig N50 of 1.93 Mb. We find a specific expansion of the intermediate filament gene family including numerous keratin genes. Within these genes, a cluster of duplicated hair keratin genes exhibits male-biased and maxillary skin-specific expression, suggesting a role in developing nuptial spines. We identify a module of coexpressed genes significantly associated with spine formation. In addition, we find several hormones likely to be involved in regulating spine development. This study not only presents a high-quality anuran genome but also provides a reference for studying skin-derived SD traits in amphibians.
Coherent electrical readout of defect spins in silicon carbide by photo-ionization at ambient conditions
Authors: Niethammer Matthias , Widmann Matthias , Rendler Torsten , Morioka Naoya , Chen Yu-Chen , Stöhr Rainer , Hassan Jawad Ul , Onoda Shinobu , Ohshima Takeshi , Lee Sang-Yun , Mukherjee Amlan , Isoya Junichi , Son Nguyen Tien , Wrachtrup Jörg
Published: December 2019

Quantum technology relies on proper hardware, enabling coherent quantum state control as well as efficient quantum state readout. In this regard, wide-bandgap semiconductors are an emerging material platform with scalable wafer fabrication methods, hosting several promising spin-active point defects. Conventional readout protocols for defect spins rely on fluorescence detection and are limited by a low photon collection efficiency. Here, we demonstrate a photo-electrical detection technique for electron spins of silicon vacancy ensembles in the 4H polytype of silicon carbide (SiC). Further, we show coherent spin state control, proving that this electrical readout technique enables detection of coherent spin motion. Our readout works at ambient conditions, while other electrical readout approaches are often limited to low temperatures or high magnetic fields. Considering the excellent maturity of SiC electronics with the outstanding coherence properties of SiC defects, the approach presented here holds promises for scalability of future SiC quantum devices.
Cryo-EM structure of the human MLL1 core complex bound to the nucleosome
Authors: Park Sang Ho , Ayoub Alex , Lee Young-Tae , Xu Jing , Kim Hanseong , Zheng Wei , Zhang Biao , Sha Liang , An Sojin , Zhang Yang , Cianfrocco Michael A. , Su Min , Dou Yali , Cho Uhn-Soo
Published: December 2019

Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) family histone methyltransferases are enzymes that deposit histone H3 Lys4 (K4) mono-/di-/tri-methylation and regulate gene expression in mammals. Despite extensive structural and biochemical studies, the molecular mechanisms whereby the MLL complexes recognize histone H3K4 within nucleosome core particles (NCPs) remain unclear. Here we report the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the NCP-bound human MLL1 core complex. We show that the MLL1 core complex anchors to the NCP via the conserved RbBP5 and ASH2L, which interact extensively with nucleosomal DNA and the surface close to the N-terminal tail of histone H4. Concurrent interactions of RbBP5 and ASH2L with the NCP uniquely align the catalytic MLL1SET domain at the nucleosome dyad, thereby facilitating symmetrical access to both H3K4 substrates within the NCP. Our study sheds light on how the MLL1 complex engages chromatin and how chromatin binding promotes MLL1 tri-methylation activity.
Examining multiple cellular pathways at once using multiplex hextuple luciferase assaying
Authors: Sarrion-Perdigones Alejandro , Chang Lyra , Gonzalez Yezabel , Gallego-Flores Tatiana , Young Damian W. , Venken Koen J. T.
Published: December 2019

Sensitive simultaneous assessment of multiple signaling pathways within the same cells requires orthogonal reporters that can assay over large dynamic ranges. Luciferases are such genetically encoded candidates due to their sensitivity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. We expand luciferase multiplexing in post-lysis endpoint luciferase assays from two to six. Light emissions are distinguished by a combination of distinct substrates and emission spectra deconvolution. All six luciferase reporter units are stitched together into one plasmid facilitating delivery of all reporter units through a process we termed solotransfection, minimizing experimental errors. We engineer a multiplex hextuple luciferase assay to probe pathway fluxes through five transcriptional response elements against a control constitutive promoter. We can monitor effects of siRNA, ligand, and chemical compound treatments on their target pathways along with the four other probed cellular pathways. We demonstrate the effectiveness and adaptiveness of multiplex luciferase assaying, and its broad application across different research fields.
Reactivity mapping of nanoscale defect chemistry under electrochemical reaction conditions
Authors: Pfisterer Jonas H. K. , Baghernejad Masoud , Giuzio Giovanni , Domke Katrin F.
Published: December 2019

Electrocatalysts often show increased conversion at nanoscale chemical or topographic surface inhomogeneities, resulting in spatially heterogeneous reactivity. Identifying reacting species locally with nanometer precision during chemical conversion is one of the biggest quests in electrochemical surface science to advance (electro)catalysis and related fields. Here, we demonstrate that electrochemical tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy can be used for combined topography and reactivity imaging of electro-active surface sites under reaction conditions. We map the electrochemical oxidation of Au nanodefects, a showcase energy conversion and corrosion reaction, with a chemical spatial sensitivity of about 10 nm. The results indicate the reversible, concurrent formation of spatially separated Au2O3 and Au2O species at defect-terrace and protrusion sites on the defect, respectively. Active-site chemical nano-imaging under realistic working conditions is expected to be pivotal in a broad range of disciplines where quasi-atomistic reactivity understanding could enable strategic engineering of active sites to rationally tune (electro)chemical device properties.
Modulation of Indian monsoon by water vapor and cloud feedback over the past 22,000 years
Authors: Jalihal Chetankumar , Srinivasan Jayaraman , Chakraborty Arindam
Published: December 2019

To predict how monsoons will evolve in the 21st century, we need to understand how they have changed in the past. In paleoclimate literature, the major focus has been on the role of solar forcing on monsoons but not on the amplification by feedbacks internal to the climate system. Here we have used the results from a transient climate simulation to show that feedbacks amplify the effect of change in insolation on the Indian summer monsoon. We show that during the deglacial (22 ka to 10 ka) monsoons were predominantly influenced by rising water vapor due to increasing sea surface temperature, whereas in the Holocene (10 ka to 0 ka) cloud feedback was more important. These results are consistent with another transient simulation, thus increasing confidence despite potential model biases. We have demonstrated that insolation drives monsoon through different pathways during cold and warm periods, thereby highlighting the changing role of internal factors.
The small molecule inhibitor anle145c thermodynamically traps human islet amyloid peptide in the form of non-cytotoxic oligomers
Authors: Saravanan Manikam S. , Ryazanov Sergey , Leonov Andrei , Nicolai Janine , Praest Patrique , Giese Armin , Winter Roland , Khemtemourian Lucie , Griesinger Christian , Killian J. Antoinette
Published: December 2019

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with aggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) into cytotoxic amyloid species. Here we tested the effect of a diphenylpyrazole (DPP)-derived small molecule inhibitor, anle145c, on cytotoxicity and on aggregation properties of hIAPP. We demonstrate that incubation of hIAPP with the inhibitor yields ~10 nm-sized non-toxic oligomers, independent of the initial aggregation state of hIAPP. This suggests that anle145c has a special mode of action in which anle145c-stabilized oligomers act as a thermodynamic sink for the preferred aggregation state of hIAPP and anle145c. We also demonstrate that the inhibitor acts in a very efficient manner, with sub-stoichiometric concentrations of anle145c being sufficient to (i) inhibit hIAPP-induced death of INS-1E cells, (ii) prevent hIAPP fibril formation in solution, and (iii) convert preformed hIAPP fibrils into non-toxic oligomers. Together, these results indicate that anle145c is a promising candidate for inhibition of amyloid formation in T2DM.
A microemulsion high-performance liquid chromatography (MELC) method for the separation and determination of hydrolyzed tenuifolin in Radix Polygalae
Authors: Yan Hui , Zheng Zhuan-Di , Wu Hong-Fei , Liu Xiao-Chuang , Zhou An
Published: December 2019

Tenuifolin was used as a reliable chemical marker for the quality control of Radix Polygalae. The determination of tenuifolin is challenging because the analyte molecule lacks a suitable chromophore. The aim of this study was to establish a microemulsion high-performance liquid chromatography (MELC) method which is robust and sensitive, and can separate and determine tenuifolin in Radix Polygalae using an oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion mobile phase. The separations were performed on a C18 (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) column at 25 °C using a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and an ultraviolet detection wavelength of 210 nm. The microemulsion mobile phase comprised 2.8% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 7.0% (v/v) n-butanol, 0.8% (v/v) n-octane and 0.1% (v/v) aqueous orthophosphate buffer (H3PO4). The linearity analysis of tenuifolin showed a correlation coefficient of 0.9923 in the concentration range of 48.00–960.00 µg/mL. The accuracy of the method based on three concentration levels ranged from 96.23% to 99.28%; the limit of detection (LOD) was 2.34 µg/mL, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 6.76 µg/mL. The results of our study indicated that the optimized MELC method was sensitive and robust, and can be widely applied for the separation and determination of tenuifolin in Radix Polygalae.
Immunomodulatory effect of Syphacia obvelata in treatment of experimental DSS-induced colitis in mouse model
Authors: Taghipour Niloofar , Mosaffa Nariman , Aghdaei Hamid Asadzadeh , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Weinstock Joel V. , Shahnavaz Sarira , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2019

The ability of helminth parasite infections to manipulate the immune system of their host towards T regulatory responses has been proposed to suppress the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and therapeutic effect of Syphacia obvelata in the treatment of experimental DSS -induced colitis. 50 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups: healthy uninfected controls, DSS colitis, receiving only S. obv, preventive (S. obv + DSS) and therapeutic group (DSS + S.obv). Colitis intensity was investigated by measuring body weight changes, stool consistency/bleeding and colon length. To evaluate the immune responses induced by this nematode, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ and expressing of FoxP3+ T cells were measured in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches cells. Mice in preventive and therapeutic groups treated with S. obv egg significantly ameliorated the severity of the DSS colitis, indicated by the reduced disease manifestations, improved histopathological scores correlated with the up regulation of Treg responses and down regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. S. obv can prevention and reverse on-going murine DSS colitis. The data suggest that induction of Tregs and change in cytokine profiles during helminthic therapies were responsible for reversed inflammatory events in IBD.
Expression of XBP1s in peritoneal mesothelial cells is critical for inflammation-induced peritoneal fibrosis
Authors: Liu An , Song Qiong , Zheng Yong , Xu Guoshuang , Huang Chen , Sun Shiren , He Lijie , Zhao Lijuan , Zhou Meilan
Published: December 2019

Intraperitoneal inflammation is the most important determinant of peritoneal fibrosis in patients with long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). Spliced x-box binding protein-1 (XBP1s), a major proximal effector of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling, plays an indispensable role in inflammation. Our study demonstrated that the inflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) dose- and time-dependently induced XBP1s upregulation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion, as well as the expression of the fibrotic marker fibronectin. However, these effects were prevented by the IRE1 endonuclease inhibitor STF083010 since it time-dependently reduced IL-1β-induced Xbp1 mRNA splicing, XBP1s protein expression, inflammatory factor IL-6 secretion and the expression of the fibrotic marker fibronectin in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). The overexpression and knockdown of XBP1s in HPMCs had a similar effect on fibronectin expression. In a rat model of peritoneal inflammation, STF083010 significantly attenuated chlorhexidine digluconate-induced XBP1s and α-smooth muscle actin expression, as well as fibrotic tissue proliferation, in the peritoneum. Our results suggest that XBP1s is a strong pathogenic factor that mediates inflammation-induced peritoneal fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis.
Altered microRNA and target gene expression related to Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Grunert Marcel , Appelt Sandra , Dunkel Ilona , Berger Felix , Sperling Silke R.
Published: December 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in guiding development and maintaining function of the human heart. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to various congenital heart diseases including Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), which represents the most common cyanotic heart malformation in humans. Several studies have identified dysregulated miRNAs in right ventricular (RV) tissues of TOF patients. In this study, we profiled genome-wide the whole transcriptome and analyzed the relationship of miRNAs and mRNAs of RV tissues of a homogeneous group of 22 non-syndromic TOF patients. Observed profiles were compared to profiles obtained from right and left ventricular tissue of normal hearts. To reduce the commonly observed large list of predicted target genes of dysregulated miRNAs, we applied a stringent target prediction pipeline integrating probabilities for miRNA-mRNA interaction. The final list of disease-related miRNA-mRNA pairs comprises novel as well as known miRNAs including miR-1 and miR-133, which are essential to cardiac development and function by regulating KCNJ2, FBN2, SLC38A3 and TNNI1. Overall, our study provides additional insights into post-transcriptional gene regulation of malformed hearts of TOF patients.
A novel and green nanoparticle formation approach to forming low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles to improve curcumin’s bioaccessibility
Authors: Ubeyitogullari Ali , Ciftci Ozan N.
Published: December 2019

Health-promoting effects of curcumin are well-known; however, curcumin has a very low bioavailability due to its crystalline structure. The main objective of this study was to develop a novel green nanoparticle formation method to generate low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin. Nanoporous starch aerogels (NSAs) (surface area of 60 m2/g, pore size of 20 nm, density of 0.11 g/cm3, and porosity of 93%) were employed as a mold to produce curcumin nanoparticles with the help of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). The average particle size of the curcumin nanoparticles was 66 nm. Impregnation into NSAs decreased the crystallinity of curcumin and did not create any chemical bonding between curcumin nanoparticles and the NSA matrix. The highest impregnation capacity was 224.2 mg curcumin/g NSA. Curcumin nanoparticles significantly enhanced the bioaccessibility of curcumin by 173-fold when compared to the original curcumin. The concentration of curcumin in the bioaccessible fraction was improved from 0.003 to 0.125 mg/mL by impregnation of curcumin into NSAs (42-fold). This is a novel approach to produce food grade curcumin nanoparticles with reduced crystallinity and maximize the utilization of curcumin due to increased bioaccessibility.
Engineering of self-rectifying filamentary resistive switching in LiNbO3 single crystalline thin film via strain doping
Authors: You Tiangui , Huang Kai , Zhao Xiaomeng , Yi Ailun , Chen Chen , Ren Wei , Jin Tingting , Lin Jiajie , Shuai Yao , Luo Wenbo , Zhou Min , Yu Wenjie , Ou Xin
Published: December 2019

The abilities to fabricate wafer scale single crystalline oxide thin films on metallic substrates and to locally engineer their resistive switching characteristics not only contribute to the fundamental investigations of the resistive switching mechanism but also promote the practical applications of resistive switching devices. Here, wafer scale LiNbO3(LNO) single crystalline thin films are fabricated on Pt/SiO2/LNO substrates by ion slicing with wafer bonding. The lattice strain of the LNO single crystalline thin films can be tuned by He implantation as indicated by XRD measurements. After He implantation, the LNO single crystalline thin films show self-rectifying filamentary resistive switching behaviors, which is interpreted by a model that the local conductive filaments only connect/disconnect with the bottom interface while the top interface maintains the Schottky contact. Thanks to the homogeneous distribution of defects in single crystalline thin films, highly reproducible and uniform self-rectifying resistive switching with large on/off ratio over four order of magnitude was achieved. Multilevel resistive switching can be obtained by varying the compliance current or by using different magnitude of writing voltage.
Plasma activity of Thioredoxin Reductase as a Novel Biomarker in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Peng Wei , Zhou Zhaofei , Zhong Yuejiao , Sun Yan , Wang Yajing , Zhu Zili , Jiao Wenxuan , Bai Man , Sun Jing , Lu Jianwei , Yin Hanwei
Published: December 2019

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading malignancies around the world. Identification of novel and efficient biomarkers for GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency could improve the therapeutic strategy in future clinical application. This study aims to evaluate the levels of plasma thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in GC patients to confirm its validity and efficacy in GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency. 923 cases were enrolled in the current study. In the group of GC patients before clinical intervention, plasma TrxR activity [9.09 (7.96, 10.45) U/mL] was significantly higher than in healthy controls [3.69 (2.38, 5.32) U/mL]. The threshold of TrxR activity for GC diagnosis was set at 7.34 U/mL with a sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 97.9%. In GC patients after chemotherapy, plasma TrxR activity was remarkably higher in patients with progressive disease or uncontrolled condition [10.07 (8.19, 11.02) U/mL] compared with patients with complete or partial response [7.12 (6.08, 8.37) U/mL] in response to chemotherapy. TrxR activity displayed the higher efficiency to distinguish between GC patients with two distinct clinical outcomes than carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Moreover, combination of TrxR, CEA, CA72-4 and CA19-9 was demonstrated to be more effective in both GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency than was each biomarker individually. Together, plasma TrxR activity was identified as a novel and efficient biomarker of GC, both in diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic efficiency in response to chemotherapy.
TiCrN-TiAlN-TiAlSiN-TiAlSiCN multi-layers utilized to increase tillage tools useful lifetime
Authors: Sharifi Malvajerdi Shahab , Sharifi Malvajerdi Ahmad , Ghanaatshoar Majid , Habibi Morteza , Jahdi Hassan
Published: December 2019

For the first time, a hard wear-resistant multi-layer of TiCrN-TiAlN-TiAlSiN-TiAlSiCN was deposited on carbon steel CK45-based tillage tools to increase their useful lifetime. The layers were deposited by using an arc-PVD method without post-annealing procedures. XRD and EDX data indicated that TiCrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN, and TiAlSiCN formed individually and as a multi-layer of high-quality crystalline layers with mostly cubic structures. The studies on the multi-layers coating morphology, roughness and hardness gave reasonable results as a roughness of 35 nm and a hardness of 32.2 GPa. The coated sweep duck blade tillage tools were tested on the field along with a soil bin to obtain their wear behavior at different traveling distances. The draft force of all blades showed promising results. As the coated layers were worn off, their draft force increased. In comparison with single-layer coatings, the multi-layer structure demonstrated an increase in the useful lifetime of the blades.
Routine free thyroxine reference intervals are suboptimal for monitoring children on thyroxine replacement therapy and target intervals need to be assay-specific
Authors: Wheeler Elizabeth , Choy Kay Weng , Chin Lit Kim , Wijeratne Nilika , McNeil Alan , Yen Tina , Matthews Susan , Deam David , Lu Zhong , Loh Tze Ping , Doery James , Bergman Philip
Published: December 2019

Central hypothyroidism is a condition where there is (qualitatively or quantitatively) TSH deficiency, leading to reduced thyroid hormone production. In such patients, serum TSH does not accurately reflect the adequacy of thyroxine replacement, as the log-linear relationship between thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) is lost. We aimed to prospectively determine the optimal physiological FT4 treatment range for children treated for primary hypothyroidism, based on their serum TSH concentrations. This information could be used to guide optimal therapy for all children on thyroxine replacement, including those with central hypothyroidism. In total, sixty children (median age: 11 years, range: 11 months to 18 years) were recruited over 21 months. They were prescribed a stable dose of thyroxine for at least 6–8 weeks prior to a thyroid function test that consisted of serum TSH, FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) measurements. The serum sample for the thyroid function tests was collected before ingestion of the daily dose, i.e. the trough concentration, and measured using Beckman Coulter UniCel DxI 800 instrument, Siemens Advia Centaur, Roche Cobas, Abbott Architect, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros 5600 (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ) platforms. The FT4 and FT3 reference intervals showed significant inter-method difference. The lower limit of the FT4 reference intervals were generally shifted mildly higher when the TSH concentration of the children were restricted from 0.5–5.0 mIU/L to 0.5–2.5 mIU/L. By contrast, the upper limit of the FT3 and FT4 reference intervals were relatively stable for the different TSH concentrations. Assay-specific target ranges for optimal thyroxine therapy are required until FT4 assay standardisation is realised.
An Ag–TiO2–reduced graphene oxide hybrid film for electrochemical detection of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine as an oxidative DNA damage biomarker
Authors: Jirjees Dhulkefl Ayad , Atacan Keziban , Bas Salih Zeki , Ozmen Mustafa
Published: December 2019

Here, a notably sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on an Ag–TiO2–rGO hybrid nanomaterial modified SPE was developed for 8-OHdG detection, which is a significant DNA biomarker due to one of the main products of oxidative DNA damage.
Iodine and iodate determination by a new spectrophotometric method usingN,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, validated in veterinary supplements and table salt
Authors: Araya Michael , García Samantha , Pizarro Sebastián
Published: December 2019

A new spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of iodate through thein situproduction of iodine.
Application ofin vitrobioassays for water quality monitoring in three drinking water treatment plants using different treatment processes including biological treatment, nanofiltration and ozonation coupled with disinfection
Authors: Neale Peta A. , Feliers Cedric , Glauch Lisa , König Maria , Lecarpentier Caroline , Schlichting Rita , Thibert Sylvie , Escher Beate I.
Published: December 2019

In vitrobioassays indicative of different modes of action demonstrate the high quality of produced drinking water.
Stability andin vitrodigestion study of curcumin-encapsulated in different milled cellulose particle stabilized Pickering emulsions
Authors: Lu Xuanxuan , Huang Qingrong
Published: December 2019

Figurein vitrolipolysis of curcumin encapsulated Pickering emulsions stabilized by milled cellulose.
Solanum nigrumpolyphenols reduce body weight and body fat by affecting adipocyte and lipid metabolism
Authors: Peng Chiung-Huei , Cheng Jia-Jen , Yu Meng-Hsun , Chung Dai-Jung , Huang Chien-Ning , Wang Chau-Jong
Published: December 2019

Obesity, being overweight and deposition of body fat are critically associated with metabolic disorders.
Towards the evaluation of defects in MoS2 using cryogenic photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Verhagen Tim , Guerra Valentino L. P. , Haider Golam , Kalbac Martin , Vejpravova Jana
Published: December 2019

Electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides are strongly influenced by defects. Cryogenic photoluminescence spectroscopy is a superb tool for characterization of the nature and density of these defects.
Oxometalate and phosphine ligand co-protected silver nanoclusters: Ag28(dppb)6(MO4)4 and Ag32(dppb)12(MO4)4(NO3)4
Authors: Duan Guang-Xiong , Han Jun , Yang Bao-Zhu , Xie Yun-Peng , Lu Xing
Published: December 2019

Three unprecedented silver nanoclusters, including Ag28(dppb)6(MoO4)4, Ag28(dppb)6(WO4)4 and Ag32(dppb)12(MoO4)4(NO3)4, each of which consists of a two-shell Ag4@Ag24 core protected by oxometalate and dppb ligands have been synthesized. These clusters are 20-electron “superatoms”.
Wound dressings functionalized with silver nanoparticles: promises and pitfalls
Authors: Kalantari Katayoon , Mostafavi Ebrahim , Afifi Amalina M. , Izadiyan Zahra , Jahangirian Hossein , Rafiee-Moghaddam Roshanak , Webster Thomas J.
Published: December 2019

Infections are the main reason why most people die from burns and diabetic wounds.
In situ preparation of Ru–N-doped template-free mesoporous carbons as a transparent counter electrode for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Aftabuzzaman M. , Kim Chang Ki , Zhou Haoran , Kim Hwan Kyu
Published: December 2019

Ru–N-doped template-free mesoporous carbons were prepared as transparent counter electrode for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells by in situ stabilization and carbonization of poly(butyl acrylate)-b-polyacrylonitrile block copolymer and Ru(acac)2.
Monoaurated vs. diaurated intermediates: causality or independence?
Authors: Anania Mariarosa , Jašíková Lucie , Zelenka Jan , Shcherbachenko Elena , Jašík Juraj , Roithová Jana
Published: December 2019

Reaction kinetics and detected α-gold ketone intermediates reveal that gold-mediated hydration of alkynes does not rely on dual activation.
The peeling behavior of compliant cylindrical shells in adhesive contact with a planar rigid substrate
Authors: Yuan Xuebo , Wang Youshan
Published: December 2019

Using the energy-variational method and atomistic simulations, we theoretically and numerically investigate the adhesion-peeling behavior of cylindrical shells attached to the rigid substrate by considering the full-range vdW interactions.
Stability dependence of local structural heterogeneities of stable amorphous solids
Authors: Shakerpoor Alireza , Flenner Elijah , Szamel Grzegorz
Published: December 2019

We show that the distribution of the local elastic constants narrows with increasing stability for a model glass former, but the local elasticity is spatially uncorrelated.
Future searches for free and bound n → n̅ transformations
Authors: Young Albert , Barrow Joshua
Published: December 2019

Baryon number violation, a key, non-perturbative prediction of the Standard Model (SM) via electroweak instantons (sphalerons), has never been definitively observed. However, its relationship to baryogenesis is obscure, and, within the context of the SM, seems to require fine tuning and complex dynamics to occur mere instants after the chaos of the Big Bang began. Post-sphaleron baryogenesis (PSB), a SM extension first proposed by Babu et al. in 2006, seems to compellingly quell many of these theoretical conundrums while effectively predicting the baryon abundance, and simultaneously offering a tantalizing experimental observable: neutron–antineutron transformations (n → n̅). This rare event, a phenomena similar to meson oscillations, can be thought of as a form of dinucleon decay, and is hypothesized to occur for both the free and bound neutron; what's more, within the context of PSB, there exits an upper limit on the free neutron transformation rate. The subject of the relatedness of the free and bound rates promises a wealth of exciting nuclear and high-energy physics, and the complimentary nature of both types of experimental searches argues for their mutual necessity. In this paper, we briefly discuss the physics of the transformation, and our groups' plans to search for this critically important phenomena using both the free and bound neutron.
Localization and geometrization in plasmon resonances and geometric structures of Neumann-Poincaré eigenfunctions
Authors: Blåsten Emilia , Li Hongjie , Liu Hongyu , Wang Yuliang
Published: December 2019

This paper reports some interesting discoveries about the localization and geometrization phenomenon in plasmon resonances and the intrinsic geometric structures of Neumann-Poincaré eigenfunctions. It is known that plasmon resonance generically occurs in the quasi-static regime where the size of the plasmonic inclusion is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength. In this paper, we show that the global smallness condition on the plasmonic inclusion can be replaced by a local high-curvature condition, and the plasmon resonance occurs locally near the high-curvature point of the plasmonic inclusion. We link this phenomenon with the geometric structures of the Neumann-Poincaré (NP) eigenfunctions. The spectrum of the Neumann-Poincaré operator has received significant attentions in the literature. We show that the Neumann-Poincaré eigenfunctions possess some intrinsic geometric structures near the high-curvature points. We mainly rely on numerics to present our findings. For a particular case when the domain is an ellipse, we can provide the analytic results based on the explicit solutions.
Update Mammakarzinom 2019 Teil 5 – diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderungen neuer personalisierter Therapien bei Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Mammakarzinom
Authors: Welslau Manfred , Hartkopf Andreas D. , Müller Volkmar , Wöckel Achim , Lux Michael P. , Janni Wolfgang , Ettl Johannes , Lüftner Diana , Belleville Erik , Schütz Florian , Fasching Peter A. , Kolberg Hans-Christian , Nabieva Naiba , Overkamp Friedrich , Taran Florin-Andrei , Brucker Sara Y. , Wallwiener Markus , Tesch Hans , Schneeweiss Andreas , Fehm Tanja N.
Published: December 2019

Beim fortgeschrittenen Mammakarzinom sind in den letzten Jahren deutliche Fortschritte erzielt worden, fast alle auf dem Gebiet der zielgerichteten Therapie. Pertuzumab und Trastuzumab-Emtansin (T-DM1) konnten beim HER2-positiven Mammakarzinom eingeführt werden. Nun sind weitere Anti-HER2-Therapien in der Entwicklung (z. B. Margetuximab, DS-8201a, Pyrotinib), die weitere Resistenzmechanismen im HER2-Signalweg überwinden können. Auf dem Gebiet des hormonrezeptorpositiven Mammakarzinoms wurden in der Vergangenheit ein mTOR-Inhibitor und CDK4/6-Inhibitoren eingeführt. Nun steht die Einführung des ersten PI3K-Inhibitors bevor, die eine genetische Testung des Tumors auf eine Mutation im Gen PIK3CA mit sich bringen wird. Beim tripel-negativen Mammakarzinom gibt es ebenfalls deutliche Fortschritte: Durch Kombination von Chemo- mit Immuntherapie konnte ein Vorteil für das Gesamtüberleben in einer Subgruppe (Immunzellen PD-L1-positiv) gezeigt werden. Die PARP-Inhibitor-Therapie für HER2-negative Patientinnen mit einer Keimbahnmutation in BRCA1 oder BRCA2 war ebenfalls in einer Subgruppe mit einem verbesserten Gesamtüberleben assoziiert. Diese vielversprechenden, neuen Studienergebnisse werden in dieser Übersichtsarbeit zusammengefasst.
Tumefactive Demyelination Associated with Bilateral Optic Neuritis in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Kumar Chetan
Published: December 2019

Tumefactive demyelination is an uncommon neurological disorder mimicking tumors. It is one of the rare varieties of demyelinating disorders, often causing diagnostic dilemma among neuroscientists. The literature tells us about approaching these patients added by peculiar neuroimaging findings. Neuromyelitis optica is an immune mediated inflammatory clinical disorder, typically involving optic nerves bilaterally and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. With the revelation of aquaporin four channels, its distribution in the brain and related antibody, the concept of neuromyelitis optica spectra disorders has been evolved. In this case report, our intention is to present a young female who presented with bilateral vision loss with tumor-like mass lesion in cerebral cortex. Such an association of bilateral optic neuropathy involving chiasmatic region, suggestive of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with tumefactive demyelination is rarely reported in the literature.