bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulfisoxazole inhibits the secretion of small extracellular vesicles by targeting the endothelin receptor A
Authors: Im Eun-Ju , Lee Chan-Hyeong , Moon Pyong-Gon , Rangaswamy Gunassekaran Gowri , Lee Byungheon , Lee Jae Man , Lee Jae-Chul , Jee Jun-Goo , Bae Jong-Sup , Kwon Taeg-Kyu , Kang Keon-Wook , Jeong Myeong-Seon , Lee Joo-Eun , Jung Hyun-Suk , Ro Hyun-Joo , Jun Sangmi , Kang Wonku , Seo Seung-Yong , Cho Young-Eun , Song Byoung-Joon , Baek Moon-Chang
Published: March 2019

Inhibitors of the secretion of cancer exosomes, which promote cancer progression and metastasis, may not only accelerate exosome biology research but also offer therapeutic benefits for cancer patients. Here we identify sulfisoxazole (SFX) as an inhibitor of small extracellular vesicles (sEV) secretion from breast cancer cells through interference with endothelin receptor A (ETA). SFX, an FDA-approved oral antibiotic, showed significant anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in mouse models of breast cancer xenografts, the reduced expression of proteins involved in biogenesis and secretion of sEV, and triggered co-localization of multivesicular endosomes with lysosomes for degradation. We demonstrate the important role of ETA, as target of SFX, by gain- and loss-of-function studies of the ETA protein, through a direct binding assay, and pharmacological and genetic approaches. These findings may provide a foundation for sEV-targeted cancer therapies and the mechanistic studies on sEV biology.
Atomically dispersed nickel–nitrogen–sulfur species anchored on porous carbon nanosheets for efficient water oxidation
Authors: Hou Yang , Qiu Ming , Kim Min Gyu , Liu Pan , Nam Gyutae , Zhang Tao , Zhuang Xiaodong , Yang Bin , Cho Jaephil , Chen Mingwei , Yuan Chris , Lei Lecheng , Feng Xinliang
Published: March 2019

Developing low-cost electrocatalysts to replace precious Ir-based materials is key for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we report atomically dispersed nickel coordinated with nitrogen and sulfur species in porous carbon nanosheets as an electrocatalyst exhibiting excellent activity and durability for OER with a low overpotential of 1.51 V at 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1 in alkaline media. Such electrocatalyst represents the best among all reported transition metal- and/or heteroatom-doped carbon electrocatalysts and is even superior to benchmark Ir/C. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the well-dispersed molecular S|NiNx species act as active sites for catalyzing OER. The atomic structure of S|NiNx centers in the carbon matrix is clearly disclosed by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption spectroscopy together with computational simulations. An integrated photoanode of nanocarbon on a Fe2O3 nanosheet array enables highly active solar-driven oxygen production.
Publisher Correction: Efficient plasmon-hot electron conversion in Ag–CsPbBr3 hybrid nanocrystals
Authors: Huang Xinyu , Li Hongbo , Zhang Chunfeng , Tan Shijing , Chen Zhangzhang , Chen Lan , Lu Zhenda , Wang Xiaoyong , Xiao Min
Published: March 2019

The original version of this Article incorrectly acknowledged Zhangzhang Chen as a corresponding author instead of Chunfeng Zhang. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Role of innate lymphoid cells and dendritic cells in intradermal immunization of the enterovirus antigen
Authors: Fan Shengtao , Liao Yun , Lian Yaru , Jiang Guorun , Jiang Li , Dong Chenhong , Yang Erxia , Wang Lichun , Xu Xingli , Feng Min , Zhang Ying , Li Qihan
Published: March 2019

Enterovirus type 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A 16 (CA16) are the major pathogens of human hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). In our previous study, intramuscular immunization with the inactivated EV71 vaccine elicited effective immunity, while immunization with the inactivated CA16 vaccine did not. In this report, we focused on innate immune responses elicited by inactivated EV71 and CA16 antigens administered intradermally or intramuscularly. The distributions of the EV71 and CA16 antigens administered intradermally or intramuscularly were not obviously different, but the antigens were detected for a shorter period of time when administered intradermally. The expression levels of NF-κB pathway signaling molecules, which were identified as being capable of activating DCs, ILCs, and T cells, were higher in the intradermal group than in the intramuscular group. Antibodies for the EV71 and CA16 antigens colocalized with ILCs and DCs in skin and muscle tissues under fluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, ILC colocalization decreased over time, while DC colocalization increased over time. ELISpot analysis showed that coordination between DCs and ILCs contributed to successful adaptive immunity against vaccine antigens in the skin. EV71 and/or CA16 antigen immunization via the intradermal route was more capable of significantly increasing neutralizing antibody titers and activating specific T cell responses than immunization via the intramuscular route. Furthermore, neonatal mice born to mothers immunized with the EV71 and CA16 antigens were 100% protected against wild-type EV71 or CA16 viral challenge. Together, our results provide new insights into the development of vaccines for HFMD.
Sequential conditioning-stimulation reveals distinct gene- and stimulus-specific effects of Type I and II IFN on human macrophage functions
Authors: Cheng Quen , Behzadi Faraz , Sen Supriya , Ohta Sho , Spreafico Roberto , Teles Rosane , Modlin Robert L. , Hoffmann Alexander
Published: March 2019

Macrophages orchestrate immune responses by sensing and responding to pathogen-associated molecules. These responses are modulated by prior conditioning with cytokines such as interferons (IFNs). Type I and II IFN have opposing functions in many biological scenarios, yet macrophages directly stimulated with Type I or II IFN activate highly overlapping gene expression programs. We hypothesized that a sequential conditioning-stimulation approach would reveal with greater specificity the differential effects of Type I and II IFN on human macrophages. By first conditioning with IFN then stimulating with toll-like receptor ligands and cytokines, followed by genome-wide RNA-seq analysis, we identified 713 genes whose expression was unaffected by IFN alone but showed potentiated or diminished responses to a stimulus after conditioning. For example, responses to the cytokine TNF were restricted by Type II IFN conditioning but potentiated by Type I IFN conditioning. We observed that the effects of IFN were not uniformly pro- or anti-inflammatory, but highly gene-specific and stimulus-specific. By assessing expression levels of key signal transducers and characterizing chromatin accessibility by ATAC-seq, we identify the likely molecular mechanisms underlying Type I and Type II-specific effects, distinguishing between modulation of cytoplasmic signaling networks and the nuclear epigenome that synergistically regulate macrophage immune responses.
A facile approach to calculating superconducting transition temperatures in the bismuth solid phases
Authors: Rodríguez Isaías , Hinojosa-Romero David , Valladares Alexander , Valladares Renela M. , Valladares Ariel A.
Published: March 2019

All solid phases of bismuth under pressure, but one, have been experimentally found to superconduct. From Bi-I to Bi-V, avoiding Bi-IV, they become superconductors and perhaps Bi-IV may also become superconductive. To investigate the influence of the electronic properties N(E) and the vibrational properties F(ω) on their superconductivity we have ab initio calculated them for the corresponding experimental crystalline structures, and using a BCS approach have been able to determine their critical temperatures Tc obtaining results close to experiment: For Bi-I (The Wyckoff Phase) we predicted a transition temperature of less than 1.3 mK and a year later a Tc of 0.5 mK was measured; for Bi-II Tc is 3.9 K measured and 3.6 K calculated; Bi-III has a measured Tc of 7 K and 6.5 K calculated for the structure reported by Chen et al., and for Bi-V Tc ~ 8 K measured and 6.8 K calculated. Bi-IV has not been found to be a superconductor, but we have recently predicted a Tc of 4.25 K.
Prioritization of potential vaccine targets using comparative proteomics and designing of the chimeric multi-epitope vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Solanki Vandana , Tiwari Monalisa , Tiwari Vishvanath
Published: March 2019

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the worldwide health problems involved in elevated mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is important to find a therapeutic for this pathogen. In the present study, we have designed a chimeric vaccine against P. aeruginosa with the help of comparative proteomics and reverse vaccinology approaches. Using comparative subtractive proteomic analysis of 1,191 proteomes of P. aeruginosa, a total of twenty unique non-redundant proteomes were selected. In these proteomes, fifteen outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of P. aeruginosa were selected based on the basis of hydrophilicity, non-secretory nature, low transmembrane helix (<1), essentiality, virulence, pathway association, antigenic, and protein-protein network analysis. Reverse vaccinology approach was used to identify antigenic and immunogenic MHC class I, MHC class II and B cell epitopes present in the selected OMPs that can enhance T cell and B cell mediated immunogenicity. The selected epitopes were shortlisted based on their allergenicity, toxicity potentials, solubility, and hydrophilicity analysis. Immunogenic peptides were used to design a multi-epitope vaccine construct. Immune-modulating adjuvants and PADRE (Pan HLA-DR epitopes) sequence were added with epitopes sequence to enhance the immunogenicity. All the epitopes, adjuvants and PADRE sequence were joined by linkers. The designed vaccine constructs (VT1, VT2, VT3, and VT4) were analyzed by their physiochemical properties using different tools. Selected chimeric vaccine constructs (VT1, VT3, and VT4) were further shortlisted by their docking score with different HLA alleles. The final selected VT4 construct was docked with TLR4/MD2 complex and confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation studies. The final vaccine VT-4 construct was in-silico cloned in pET28a. Therefore, the designed construct VT4 may be studied to control the interaction of P. aeruginosa with host and infection caused by P. aeruginosa.
A proof-of-concept study for the design of a VLP-based combinatorial HPV and placental malaria vaccine
Authors: Janitzek Christoph M. , Peabody Julianne , Thrane Susan , H. R. Carlsen Philip , G. Theander Thor , Salanti Ali , Chackerian Bryce , A. Nielsen Morten , Sander Adam F.
Published: March 2019

In Africa, cervical cancer and placental malaria (PM) are a major public health concern. There is currently no available PM vaccine and the marketed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are prohibitively expensive. The idea of a combinatorial HPV and PM vaccine is attractive because the target population for vaccination against both diseases, adolescent girls, would be overlapping in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here we demonstrate proof-of-concept for a combinatorial vaccine utilizing the AP205 capsid-based virus-like particle (VLP) designed to simultaneously display two clinically relevant antigens (the HPV RG1 epitope and the VAR2CSA PM antigen). Three distinct combinatorial VLPs were produced displaying one, two or five concatenated RG1 epitopes without obstructing the VLP’s capacity to form. Co-display of VAR2CSA was achieved through a split-protein Tag/Catcher interaction without hampering the vaccine stability. Vaccination with the combinatorial vaccine(s) was able to reduce HPV infection in vivo and induce anti-VAR2CSA IgG antibodies, which inhibited binding between native VAR2CSA expressed on infected red blood cells and chondroitin sulfate A in an in vitro binding-inhibition assay. These results show that the Tag/Catcher AP205 VLP system can be exploited to make a combinatorial vaccine capable of eliciting antibodies with dual specificity.
Hybrid 3D ranging and velocity tracking system combining multi-view cameras and simple LiDAR
Authors: Radwell Neal , Selyem Adam , Mertens Lena , Edgar Matthew P. , Padgett Miles J.
Published: March 2019

Scanning our surroundings has become one of the key challenges in automation. Effective and efficient position, distance and velocity sensing is key to accurate decision making in automated applications from robotics to driverless cars. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has become a key tool in these 3D sensing applications, where the time-of-flight (TOF) of photons is used to recover distance information. These systems typically rely on scanning of a laser spot to recover position information. Here we demonstrate a hybrid LiDAR approach which combines a multi-view camera system for position and distance information, and a simple (scanless) LiDAR system for velocity tracking and depth accuracy. We show that we are able to combine data from the two component systems to provide a compound image of a scene with position, depth and velocity data at more than 1 frame per second with depth accuracy of 2.5 cm or better. This hybrid approach avoids the bulk and expense of scanning systems while adding velocity information. We hope that this approach will offer a simpler, more robust alternative to 3D scanning systems for autonomous vehicles.
Modulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor suppresses age-related basal forebrain cholinergic neuron degeneration
Authors: Xie Youmei , Meeker Rick B. , Massa Stephen M. , Longo Frank M.
Published: March 2019

Age-related degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) is linked to cognitive impairment. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has been proposed to mediate neuronal degeneration in aging. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that modifying p75NTR function would prevent or reverse aging-related neuronal degeneration using LM11A-31, a small molecule p75NTR modulator that downregulates degenerative and upregulates trophic receptor-associated signaling. Morphological analysis in mice showed loss of BFCN area detectable by 18 months of age. Oral administration of LM11A-31 from age 15 to 18 months resulted in a dose-related preservation of BFCN area and one month of treatment from 17 to 18 months also preserved cell area. To evaluate reversal of established neuronal atrophy, animals were treated from 21 to 25 months of age. Treatment was associated with an increase of cell size to a mean area larger than that observed at 18 months, accompanied by increases in mean MS/VDB neurite length, as well as increased cholinergic fiber density and synaptophysin pre-synaptic marker levels in the hippocampus. These findings support the idea that modulation of p75NTR activity can prevent and potentially reverse age-associated BFCN degeneration. Moreover, this may be achieved therapeutically with orally bioavailable agents such as LM11A-31.
The ups and downs of a canopy-forming seaweed over a span of more than one century
Authors: Blanfuné Aurélie , Boudouresque Charles François , Verlaque Marc , Thibaut Thierry
Published: March 2019

Canopy-forming seaweeds constitute marine forests that deliver ecosystem services. The worldwide range shift, sharp decline or loss of many of these forests, caused by the cumulative impact of increasing human pressure and climate change, have been widely documented. Contrasting examples, reflecting higher than expected resilience, have been more rarely reported. Here, we took the opportunity of having at our disposal a two-century suite of documents (herbarium vouchers, articles) and a ~120-year observation period, dealing with a long-lived brown seaweed, Cystoseira mediterranea, along a well-explored Mediterranean coastline in the Gulf of Lions, to depict the fate of its populations. In addition, we provided baselines for future surveys, with a high degree of accuracy. The northernmost population, scattered on rare suitable substrates, gradually declined and has been extinct since the 1980s. The length of shore occupied by the southern population showed a long-term decline trend, with two sharp minima followed by partial recovery. The causes of the decline differ between sites and periods: coastal development, pollution, competition with mussels, heatwaves and exceptional storms. Overall, the Gulf of Lions populations reflects long-lasting resilience, higher than expected, and a health status that is better than that reported for many other canopy-forming seaweeds.
Influence of p53 Isoform Expression on Survival in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Bischof Katharina , Knappskog Stian , Hjelle Sigrun M. , Stefansson Ingunn , Woie Kathrine , Salvesen Helga B. , Gjertsen Bjorn T. , Bjorge Line
Published: March 2019

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is characterised by alterations in the p53 pathway. The expression levels of p53 isoforms have been shown to be associated with patient survival in several cancers. This study examined the predictive and prognostic effects of the expression levels of TP53 pre-mRNA splicing isoforms and TP53 mutations in tumour tissues in 40 chemotherapy responders and 29 non-responders with HGSOC. The mRNA expression levels from total p53, and total Δ133p53, p53β, p53γ isoforms were determined by RT-qPCR, and TP53 mutation status by targeted massive parallel sequencing. The results from these analyses were correlated with the clinical outcome parameters. No differential expression of p53 isoforms could be detected between the chemosensitive and chemoresistant subgroups. In a multivariate Cox regression model, high levels of total Δ133p53 were found to be an independent prognosticator for improved overall survival (HR = 0.422, p = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.207–0.861) and reached borderline significance for progression-free survival (HR = 0.569, p = 0.061, 95% CI: 0.315–1.027). TP53 mutations resulting in loss of function or located at known hotspots were predictive of tumour characteristics and disease progression. These findings suggest that total Δ133p53 mRNA can be a biomarker for survival in HGSOC.
Effects of propofol on the inflammatory response during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Roh Go Un , Song Young , Park Junbeom , Ki Yu Min , Han Dong Woo
Published: March 2019

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) is a minimally invasive procedure; however, some amount of surgical trauma that can trigger systemic inflammation remains. Moreover, pneumoperitoneum during RALRP induces ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Propofol, an anesthetic, is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the present study, we compared the effects of propofol with those of desflurane on inflammation and IRI during RALRP via measurements of different biomarkers and evaluation of perioperative renal function. Fifty patients were randomized to receive either desflurane (n = 25) or propofol (n = 25) with remifentanil during RALRP. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, and nitric oxide were measured 10 min after anesthesia induction (T1), 100 min after carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation (T2), and 10 min after CO2 deflation (T3). Perioperative urine outputs and the serum creatinine level at 24 h after surgery were also recorded. We found that IL-6 levels at T2 and T3 were higher than those at T1 in both groups, although the increases were significant attenuated only in the propofol group. The other parameters showed no differences among the three time points in both groups. The intraoperative urine output was significantly higher in the propofol group than in the desflurane group, while the creatinine level showed no significant changes in either group. Our findings suggest that propofol can not only attenuate the inflammatory response during and after pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing RALRP but also prevent oliguria during pneumoperitoneum.
FOXS1 is regulated by GLI1 and miR-125a-5p and promotes cell proliferation and EMT in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Sen , Ran Longke , Zhang Wanfeng , Leng Xue , Wang Kexin , Liu Geli , Song Jing , Wang Yujing , Zhang Xianqin , Wang Yitao , Zhang Lian , Ma Yan , Liu Kun , Li Haiyu , Zhang Wei , Qin Guijun , Song Fangzhou
Published: March 2019

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer death. Identification of key molecular signaling pathways involved in gastric carcinogenesis and progression facilitates early GC diagnosis and the development of targeted therapies for advanced GC patients. Emerging evidence has revealed a close correlation between forkhead box (FOX) proteins and cancer development. However, the prognostic significance of forkhead box S1 (FOXS1) in patients with GC and the function of FOXS1 in GC progression remain undefined. In this study, we found that upregulation of FOXS1 was frequently detected in GC tissues and strongly correlated with an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Functional assays confirmed that FOXS1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and colony numbers, with induction of cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, whereas forced expression of FOXS1 had the opposite effect. Additionally, forced expression of FOXS1 accelerated tumor growth in vivo and increased cell migration and invasion through promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the core promoter region of FOXS1 was identified at nucleotides −660~ +1, and NFKB1 indirectly bind the motif on FOXS1 promoters and inhibit FOXS1 expression. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the FOXS1 gene was most abundantly enriched in the hedgehog signaling pathway and that GLI1 expression was significantly correlated with FOXS1 expression in GC. GLI1 directly bound to the promoter motif of FOXS1 and significantly decreased FOXS1 expression. Finally, we found that miR-125a-5p repressed FOXS1 expression at the translational level by binding to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of FOXS1. Together, these results suggest that FOXS1 can promote GC development and could be exploited as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for GC.
Capturing spontaneous activity in the medial prefrontal cortex using near-infrared spectroscopy and its application to schizophrenia
Authors: Hosomi Fumiharu , Yanagi Masaya , Kawakubo Yoshihiro , Tsujii Noa , Ozaki Satoshi , Shirakawa Osamu
Published: March 2019

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an optimal imaging modality used to examine spontaneous brain activity because it can quietly measure blood flow changes with less physical restriction during the resting state. Here, NIRS was used at rest to measure spontaneous activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a main locus of default mode network. Consistent with previous fMRI studies, magnitude of the spontaneous activity in this region declined with increasing age in healthy subjects. The magnitude reduced in the mPFC of patients with schizophrenia. Additionally, in the mPFC of patients with schizophrenia, the spontaneous activity did not show any age-related decline; the activity was already low in younger patients. Further analysis using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations confirmed the reduction of spontaneous activity in the mPFC of patients with schizophrenia, consistent with the findings of fMRI studies. Our findings demonstrate the ability of NIRS to evaluate the spontaneous activity in the mPFC of patients with schizophrenia, particularly younger patients. Considering the safety and ease of the NIRS measurements, the current NIRS study of the resting-state activity indicates its utility for clinical applications to schizophrenia, which may facilitate chronological assessment of larger cohorts of patients with schizophrenia in further studies.
Renal size and cardiovascular risk in prepubertal children
Authors: Lizarraga-Mollinedo Esther , Martínez-Calcerrada Jose-Maria , Padrós-Fornieles Cristina , Mas-Pares Berta , Xargay-Torrent Silvia , Riera-Pérez Elena , Prats-Puig Anna , Carreras-Badosa Gemma , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes , Bassols Judit , López-Bermejo Abel
Published: March 2019

Renal size is an important parameter for the evaluation and diagnosis of kidney disease and has been associated with several cardiovascular risk factors in patients with kidney failure. These results are however discordant and studies in healthy children are lacking. We aimed to study the association between renal size (length and volume) and cardiovascular risk parameters in healthy children. Clinical, analytical and ultrasound parameters [renal length, renal volume, perirenal fat and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)] were determined in 515 healthy prepubertal children (176 lean, 208 overweight and 131 obese). Renal length and volume associated significantly and positively with several anthropometric and cardiovascular risk parameters including cIMT and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (all p < 0.001). Renal length and volume associated with cIMT and SBP in all study subgroups, but these associations were predominant in obese children, in whom these associations were independent after adjusting for age, gender and BSA (all p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses in the study subjects as a whole, renal length was an independent predictor of cIMT (β = 0.310, p < 0.0001) and SBP (β = 0.116, p = 0.03). Renal size associates with cIMT and SBP, independent of other well-established cardiovascular risk factors, and may represent helpful parameters for the early assessment of cardiovascular risk in children.
Megahertz non-contact luminescence decay time cryothermometry by means of ultrafast PbI2 scintillator
Authors: Mykhaylyk V. B. , Kraus H. , Bobb L. , Gamernyk R. , Koronski K.
Published: March 2019

Realtime in situ temperature monitoring in difficult experimental conditions or inaccessible environments is critical for many applications. Non-contact luminescence decay time thermometry is often the method of choice for such applications due to a favorable combination of sensitivity, accuracy and robustness. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of an ultrafast PbI2 scintillator for temperature determination, using the time structure of X-ray radiation, produced by a synchrotron. The decay kinetics of the scintillations was measured over the 8–107 K temperature range using monochromatic pulsed X-ray excitation. It is found that lead iodide exhibits a very fast and intense scintillation response due to excitons and donor-acceptor pairs, with the fast decay component varying between 0.08 and 0.5 ns – a feature that can be readily exploited for temperature monitoring. The observed temperature dependence of the decay time is discussed in terms of two possible mechanisms of thermal quenching – transition over activation barrier and phonon-assisted escape. It is concluded that the latter provides a better fit to the experimental results and is consistent with the model of luminescence processes in PbI2. We evaluated the sensitivity and estimated the accuracy of the temperature determination as ca. ±6 K at 107 K, improving to ±1.4 K at 8 K. The results of this study prove the feasibility of temperature monitoring, using ultrafast scintillation of PbI2 excited by X-ray pulses from a synchrotron, thus enabling non-contact in-situ cryothermometry with megahertz sampling rate.
Single injection of sustained-release prostacyclin analog ONO-1301-MS ameliorates hypoxic toxicity in the murine model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Tada Satoru , Okuno Tatsusada , Shimizu Mikito , Sakai Yoshiki , Sumi-Akamaru Hisae , Kinoshita Makoto , Yamashita Kazuya , Sanda Eri , Choong Chi-Jing , Namba Akiko , Sasaki Tsutomu , Koda Toru , Takata Kazushiro , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki , Nakatsuji Yuji , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: March 2019

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by several pathologies including oxidative stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and glutamate toxicity. Although multiple reports suggest that ischemia and hypoxia in the spinal cord plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ALS, the precise role of hypoxia in disease progression remains unknown. In this study, we detected higher expression levels of Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), a key regulator of cellular responses to hypoxia, in the spinal cord of ALS patients and in the transgenic mice overexpressing the familial ALS-associated G93A SOD1 mutation (mSOD1G93A mice) compared to controls. Single subcutaneous administration of sustained-release prostacyclin analog ONO-1301-MS to mSOD1G93A mice abrogated the expression of HIF-1α in their spinal cords, as well as erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both of which are downstream to HIF-1α. Furthermore, ONO-1301-MS increased the level of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ATP production in the spinal cords of mSOD1G93A mice. At late disease stages, the motor function and the survival of motor neurons of ONO-1301-MS-treated mSOD1G93A mice was significantly improved compared to vehicle-treated mSOD1G93A mice. Our data suggest that vasodilator therapy modulating local blood flow in the spinal cord has beneficial effects against ALS disease progression.
Mendelian randomisation analyses find pulmonary factors mediate the effect of height on coronary artery disease
Authors: Marouli Eirini , Del Greco M. Fabiola , Astley Christina M. , Yang Jian , Ahmad Shafqat , Berndt Sonja I. , Caulfield Mark J. , Evangelou Evangelos , McKnight Barbara , Medina-Gomez Carolina , van Vliet-Ostaptchouk Jana V. , Warren Helen R. , Zhu Zhihong , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Loos Ruth J. F. , Kutalik Zoltan , Deloukas Panos
Published: March 2019

There is evidence that lower height is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is not clear though whether these associations are causal, direct or mediated by other factors. Here we show that one standard deviation higher genetically determined height (~6.5 cm) is causally associated with a 16% decrease in CAD risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.80–0.87). This causal association remains after performing sensitivity analyses relaxing pleiotropy assumptions. The causal effect of height on CAD risk is reduced by 1–3% after adjustment for potential mediators (lipids, blood pressure, glycaemic traits, body mass index, socio-economic status). In contrast, our data suggest that lung function (measured by forced expiratory volume [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]) is a mediator of the effect of height on CAD. We observe no direct causal effect of height on the risk of T2D.
A template-free and low temperature method for the synthesis of mesoporous magnesium phosphate with uniform pore structure and high surface area
Authors: Hövelmann Jörn , Stawski Tomasz M. , Besselink Rogier , Freeman Helen M. , Dietmann Karen M. , Mayanna Sathish , Pauw Brian R. , Benning Liane G.
Published: March 2019

Thermal decomposition of crystalline struvite provides an efficient and well controllable method for the synthesis of mesoporous phosphates.
High thermoelectric power-factor composites based on flexible three-dimensional graphene and polyaniline
Authors: Hsieh Yu-Yun , Zhang Yu , Zhang Lu , Fang Yanbo , Kanakaraaj Sathya Narayan , Bahk Je-Hyeong , Shanov Vesselin
Published: March 2019

Uniform distribution of strong π–π interfaces between PANI and graphene across the whole macrostructure enhances the thermoelectric properties of hybrid thermoelectric nanocomposites.
A photochemical route to a square planar, ruthenium(iv)-bis(imide)
Authors: Aldrich Kelly E. , Odom Aaron L.
Published: March 2019

A square planar Ru(iv) bis(imide) can be synthesized by photolysis of a tetrazene starting material.
Electronic structures and transport properties of SnS–SnSe nanoribbon lateral heterostructures
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhou Yuhao , Luo Zhuang , Guo Yandong , Rao Dewei , Yan Xiaohong
Published: March 2019

Zigzag lateral heterostructures of 2D group-IV monochalcogenides have an interesting negative differential resistive effect, independent of the ribbon width.
Impact of terminal substituents on the electronic, vibrational and optical properties of thiophene–phenylene co-oligomers
Authors: Sosorev Andrey Yu. , Nuraliev Muzaffar K. , Feldman Elizaveta V. , Maslennikov Dmitry R. , Borshchev Oleg V. , Skorotetcky Maxim S. , Surin Nikolay M. , Kazantsev Maxim S. , Ponomarenko Sergei A. , Paraschuk Dmitry Yu.
Published: March 2019

Two main factors governing the effect of terminal substituents on the properties of thiophene–phenylene co-oligomers are revealed.
Palladium NPs supported on sulfonic acid functionalized metal–organic frameworks as catalysts for biomass cascade reactions
Authors: Zhang Xibo , Chen Luning , Li Yongjian , Li Huiqi , Xie Zhaoxiong , Kuang Qin , Zheng Lansun
Published: March 2019

Pd nanoparticles supported on –SO3H functionalized MIL-101 matrices were designed and synthesized as hydrogenation/esterification multifunctional catalysts for biomass cascade reactions.
Models of the iron-only hydrogenase enzyme: structure, electrochemistry and catalytic activity of Fe2(CO)3(μ-dithiolate)(μ,κ1,κ2-triphos)
Authors: Unwin David G. , Ghosh Shishir , Ridley Faith , Richmond Michael G. , Holt Katherine B. , Hogarth Graeme
Published: March 2019

A series of Fe2(triphos)(CO)3(μ-dithiolate) complexes have been prepared and studied as models of the diiron centre in [FeFe]-hydrogenases.
Di-tert-butylcatecholate derivatives of titanocene
Authors: Petrov Pavel A. , Sukhikh Taisiya S. , Nadolinny Vladimir A. , Bogomyakov Artem S. , Laricheva Yuliya A. , Piskunov Alexandr V.
Published: March 2019

Titanocene dichloride reacts with sodium 3,5-di-tert-butyl-catecholate to give the mixed-valence binuclear Ti(iii,iv) complex Cp2Ti(μ-Cat35)2TiCp.
Achievement of silver-directed enhanced photophysical properties of gold nanoclusters
Authors: Jana Jayasmita , Aditya Teresa , Pal Tarasankar
Published: March 2019

Silver-induced enhanced fluorescence of gold nanoclusters through a facile green synthesis.
Multi-layer-stacked Co9S8 micro/nanostructure directly anchoring on carbon cloth as a flexible electrode in supercapacitors
Authors: Zhou Yongqiang , Li Nian , Sun Lidong , Yu Xinling , Liu Cui , Yang Liang , Zhang Shudong , Wang Zhenyang
Published: March 2019

A flexible Co9S8/CC electrode with excellent specific capacitance and cyclic stability due to its special multi-layer-stacked micro/nanostructures.
Advances in lead-free double perovskite nanocrystals, engineering band-gaps and enhancing stability through composition tunability
Authors: Khalfin Sasha , Bekenstein Yehonadav
Published: March 2019

In this topical review, we have focused on the recent advances made in the studies of lead-free perovskites in the bulk form and as nanocrystals. We highlight how nanocrystals can serve as model systems to explore the schemes of cationic exchange, doping and alloying for engineering the electronic structure of double perovskites.
Using hydrogen isotope incorporation as a tool to unravel the surfaces of hydrogen-treated nanodiamonds
Authors: Nehlig Emilie , Garcia-Argote Sébastien , Feuillastre Sophie , Moskura Mélanie , Charpentier Thibault , Schleguel Michel , Girard Hugues A. , Arnault Jean-Charles , Pieters Grégory
Published: March 2019

We report a robust method for the labelling of detonation nanodiamonds with hydrogen isotopes and demonstrate the usefulness of isotope incorporation in investigating the surface chemistry of such nanomaterials.
Study on a polymerizable visible light initiator for fabrication of biosafety materials
Authors: Huang Xing , Zhang Yuxi , Shi Mengquan , Zhang Yunlong , Zhao Yuxia
Published: March 2019

A polymerizable visible light photoinitiator was synthesized and showed great potential in fabrication of biosafety materials and two-photon polymerization.
Controlled phase evolution from Cu0.33Co0.67S2 to Cu3Co6S8 hexagonal nanosheets as oxygen evolution reaction catalysts
Authors: Feng Jingjing , Meng Yu , Lian Zixuan , Fang Liang , Long Ziyao , Li Yongtao , Song Yun
Published: March 2019

Developing cheap and efficient transition metal-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays the key role in large-scale implementation of hydrogen production.
Discovery of methylpyrimidine ring-fused diterpenoid analogs as a novel testosterone synthesis promoter
Authors: Bai Jie , Xie Jia , Wang Li-Ting , Xing Yajing , Jiang Qian-Ru , Yang Fan , Tang Jie , Yi Zhengfang , Qiu Wen-Wei
Published: March 2019

We synthesized a series of methylpyrimidine ring-fused diterpenoid analogs, among them, compound 17 is a potent agent in promoting testosterone production in Leydig TM3 cells.
Merging catalyst-free synthesis and iodine catalysis: one-pot synthesis of dihydrofuropyrimidines and spirodihydrofuropyrimidine pyrazolones
Authors: Zheng Ya-Yun , Feng Kai-Xiang , Xia Ai-Bao , Liu Jie , Tang Cheng-Ke , Zhou Zhan-Yu , Xu Dan-Qian
Published: March 2019

A new and efficient one-pot strategy combining catalyst-free synthesis and iodine catalysis has been developed for the synthesis of dihydrofuropyrimidines and spirodihydrofuropyrimidine pyrazolones.
Correction: Role of enhanced solubility in esterification of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid with ethylene glycol at reduced temperatures: energy efficient synthesis of poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)
Authors: Joshi Anup S. , Alipourasiabi Niloofar , Kim Yong-Wah , Coleman Maria R. , Lawrence Joseph G.
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘Role of enhanced solubility in esterification of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid with ethylene glycol at reduced temperatures: energy efficient synthesis of poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)’ by Anup S. Joshi et al., React. Chem. Eng., 2018, 3, 447–453.
NIR-II light-modulated thermosensitive hydrogel for light-triggered cisplatin release and repeatable chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Ruan Changping , Liu Chanjuan , Hu Hailu , Guo Xiao-Lu , Jiang Bang-Ping , Liang Hong , Shen Xing-Can
Published: March 2019

An injectable, NIR-II light-modulated thermosensitive hydrogel is synthesized through supramolecular self-assembly for light-triggered cisplatin release and repeated chemo-photothermal therapy.
Microbelt–void–microbelt-structured SnO2@C as an advanced electrode with outstanding rate capability and high reversibility
Authors: Xie Wenhe , Wang Qishang , Xu Junqi , Yu Yang , Zhao Ru , Li Na , Li Menghui , Du Yifan , Peng Shanglong , Cao Guozhong
Published: March 2019

Microbelt–void–microbelt-structured SnO2@C was prepared for the first time, and it was found that both the conversion reaction and alloying reaction are highly reversible when it is applied as a battery anode for LIBs.
Ionic liquid pre-intercalated MXene films for ionogel-based flexible micro-supercapacitors with high volumetric energy density
Authors: Zheng Shuanghao , Zhang Chuanfang (John) , Zhou Feng , Dong Yanfeng , Shi Xiaoyu , Nicolosi Valeria , Wu Zhong-Shuai , Bao Xinhe
Published: March 2019

Ionogel-based flexible micro-supercapacitors are constructed based on interdigital microelectrodes of ionic liquid pre-intercalated MXene compact films.
Highly fluorescent anthracene derivative as a non-fullerene acceptor in OSCs with small non-radiative energy loss of 0.22 eV and high PCEs of over 13%
Authors: Yao Chao , Liu Bin , Zhu Yanan , Hong Ling , Miao Jingsheng , Hou Jianhui , He Feng , Meng Hong
Published: March 2019

Herein, we designed and synthesized a highly fluorescent non-fullerene acceptor (ANT-4F) based on an anthracene (ANT) core.
A red lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe for carboxylesterase detection and bioimaging
Authors: Zhou Hui , Tang Jinbao , Zhang Jie , Chen Bochao , Kan Jianfei , Zhang Weifen , Zhou Jin , Ma Huimin
Published: March 2019

A red lysosome-targeting probe for carboxylesterase activity has been successfully applied in complex biological samples.
Matrix assisted antibacterial activity of polymer conjugates with pendant antibiotics, and bioactive and biopassive moieties
Authors: Mukherjee Ishita , Ghosh Anwesha , Bhadury Punyasloke , De Priyadarsi
Published: March 2019

We report the comparative antibacterial activity of a polymer–antibiotic conjugate with coupled bioactive (cationic) and biopassive (zwitterionic) functionalities against several biofilm and nonbiofilm forming bacterial species in both liquid and solid matrices.
Thermally activated delayed fluorescence vs. room temperature phosphorescence by conformation control of organic single molecules
Authors: Data Przemyslaw , Okazaki Masato , Minakata Satoshi , Takeda Youhei
Published: March 2019

The time-resolved photophysical analysis of a multi-color-changing mechanochromic luminescent compound has been disclosed, which reveals distinct different emission paths to boost TADF and RTP of the emitter depending on its molecular conformations.
Unraveling the role of the MOV10 RNA helicase during influenza A virus infection
Authors: Villalón-Letelier Fernando , Reading Patrick C.
Published: March 2019

Moloney leukemia virus 10 (MOV10) is an interferon-inducible RNA helicase that has been implicated in a broad range of cellular functions, including modulating the replication of a diverse range of viruses. However, the mechanisms by which MOV10 promotes or inhibits the replication of particular viruses have not been well defined. A recent paper published in the Biochemical Journal by Li et al. [Biochem. J. (2019) 476, 467–481] provides insight regarding the mechanisms by which MOV10 restricts influenza A virus (IAV) infection in host cells. First, the authors confirm that MOV10 binds to the viral nucleoprotein (NP) and sequesters the viral ribonucleoprotein complex in cytoplasmic granules called processing (P)-bodies, thus inhibiting IAV replication. Second, they demonstrate that the non-structural (NS)1 protein of IAV can act as an antagonist of MOV10, inhibiting the association of MOV10 with NP and promoting MOV10 degradation through the lysosomal pathway. Further research will determine if cellular RNA helicases such as MOV10 represent suitable targets for the development of novel anti-IAV therapies.
CyPhyR: a cyber‐physical analysis tool for measuring and enabling resiliency in microgrids
Authors: Venkataramanan Venkatesh , Hahn Adam , Srivastava Anurag
Published: March 2019

This study presents a tool to study the cyber‐physical resiliency (CyPhyR) of critical energy infrastructure system, in particular the effect of cyber attacks on the microgrid's resiliency. The developed tool enables measuring resiliency using data from cyber and physical systems and suggests control decisions for resilient planning and operation of the microgrid. The microgrid resiliency is formulated based on graph theory based indices and cyber‐power system characteristics. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System based metric called the Cyber Asset Impact Potential is developed and used in the planning phase, and another metric, Cyber Impact Severity is introduced to study the system performance in the operational phase. The information from these two phases is provided to the operator to make informed and proactive decisions to ensure the resilient operation of the microgrid. The performance of the developed tool has been tested using comprehensive real‐time cyber‐power testbed for a Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions microgrid test system.
Broadband continuous mode power amplifier with on‐board harmonic injection
Authors: Mary Asha Latha Yericharla , Rawat Karun , Helaoui Mohamed , Ghannouchi Fadhel M.
Published: March 2019

This study presents the design of a broadband continuous mode power amplifier (PA) with an active harmonic injection (HI). Since the injected harmonic signal is generated on‐board using a frequency doubler, this design has a single radio frequency input. The generated second harmonic is injected at the drain terminal of a gallium nitride high‐electron‐mobility transistor used in designing continuous class B/J PA. A design space in terms of amplitude and phase of the injected harmonic signal is analysed to obtain the loads that operate the PA in the continuous class B/J mode at the current generator reference plane. The proposed design strategy is verified by designing a prototype with a frequency doubler and a PA using 10 and 15 W gallium nitride high‐electron‐mobility transistors, respectively. The measured drain efficiency of 60.04–70.96% and output power of 40.17–42.6 dBm is obtained from 1 to 1.9 GHz. This corresponds to a broadband operation of 900 MHz with 62% fractional bandwidth. The designed HI–PA is also tested with a 20 MHz long‐term evolution signal whose corresponding adjacent channel power ratio is better than −47.76 dBc in the overall band after applying digital predistortion.
Investigating the effect of handoff algorithms on the performance of CBTC systems using physics‐based propagation models
Authors: Sood Neeraj , Baroudi Sami , Zhang Xingqi , Liebeherr Jörg , Sarris Costas D.
Published: March 2019

The performance of communication‐based train control (CBTC) systems, in terms of frequency of handoffs [changing association from one access point (AP) to another] and duration of service interruptions, strongly depends on the employed handoff algorithm. In this study, the received signal strength used for the calculation of these metrics is generated by a custom vector parabolic equation (VPE) solver explicitly developed to achieve high accuracy in complex tunnel environments. The authors demonstrate that VPE is as effective and accurate as measurements in estimating the performance of CBTC systems. Additionally, they present a methodology for selecting a handoff algorithm that most enhances the performance of a CBTC system, where APs have already been deployed. The impact of handoff algorithms on system performance is investigated by considering multiple system configurations in a 5 km, curved, rectangular tunnel. A multiple‐attribute decision making approach is presented to rank handoff algorithms based on their performance. To validate this proposed simulation‐based framework, a CBTC system deployed in the London Underground is presented, where measurement‐based ranking is compared against the one derived using VPE simulations.
Compact high‐power millimetre wave sources driven by pseudospark‐sourced electron beams
Authors: Yin Huabi , Zhang Liang , Xie Jie , Ronald Kevin , He Wenlong , Shu Guoxiang , Zhao Junping , Yin Yong , Chen Xiaodong , Alfadhl Yasir , Phelps Alan D.R. , Cross Adrian W.
Published: March 2019

This article presents the demonstration of several compact millimetre wave sources driven both by a pencil or sheet electron beam from a pseudospark (PS) discharge. The millimetre wave sources include two pencil beam extended interaction oscillators (EIO) in W‐band (75–110 GHz), two sheet beam EIOs in W‐ and G‐bands, two pencil beam backward wave oscillators (BWO) in W‐ and G‐bands, and one pencil beam Cherenkov maser in Ka‐band. These devices can generate up to kilowatts of output power, which are very attractive for many important applications.
Analysis of the input impedance of the rectifier and design of LCC compensation network of the dynamic wireless power transfer system
Authors: Li Shufan , Guo Yanjie , Tao Chengxuan , Li Fang , Wang Lifang , Bo Qiang
Published: March 2019

A design method of line commutated converter (LCC) compensation network for the dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) system based on a complex impedance model (Z‐model) of the input impedance of the rectifier is proposed in this study. The continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) of the rectifier are analysed to calculate the equivalent input impedance of the rectifier. Based on the proposed model of the input impedance of the rectifier, a design method of LCC compensation network for the DWPT system is presented. Simulation results prove that the Z‐model of the rectifier is more accurate than the prevailing resistive model. Experiments show that the DWPT system with the designed LCC network meets the requirement of the average output power with an average DC–DC efficiency over 93%.