bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and intracellular activities of frog skin temporins against Legionella pneumophila and its eukaryotic hosts
Authors: Crépin Alexandre , Jégou Jean-François , André Sonia , Ecale Florine , Croitoru Anastasia , Cantereau Anne , Berjeaud Jean-Marc , Ladram Ali , Verdon Julien
Published: March 2020

Temporin-SHa (SHa) is a small cationic host defence peptide (HDP) produced in skin secretions of the Sahara frog Pelophylax saharicus. This peptide has a broad-spectrum activity, efficiently targeting bacteria, parasites and viruses. Noticeably, SHa has demonstrated an ability to kill Leishmania infantum parasites (amastigotes) within macrophages. Recently, an analog of SHa with an increased net positive charge, named [K3]SHa, has been designed to improve those activities. SHa and [K3]SHa were both shown to exhibit leishmanicidal activity mainly by permeabilization of cell membranes but could also induce apoptotis-like death. Temporins are usually poorly active against Gram-negative bacteria whereas many of these species are of public health interest. Among them, Legionella pneumophila, the etiological agent of Legionnaire’s disease, is of major concern. Indeed, this bacterium adopts an intracellular lifestyle and replicate inside alveolar macrophages likewise inside its numerous protozoan hosts. Despite several authors have studied the antimicrobial activity of many compounds on L. pneumophila released from host cells, nothing is known about activity on intracellular L. pneumophila within their hosts, and subsequently mechanisms of action that could be involved. Here, we showed for the first time that SHa and [K3]SHa were active towards several species of Legionella. Both peptides displayed bactericidal activity and caused a loss of the bacterial envelope integrity leading to a rapid drop in cell viability. Regarding amoebae and THP-1-derived macrophages, SHa was less toxic than [K3]SHa and exhibited low half maximal lethal concentrations (LC50). When used at non-toxic concentration (6.25 µM), SHa killed more than 90% L. pneumophila within amoebae and around 50% within macrophages. Using SHa labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5, we showed an evenly diffusion within cells except in vacuoles. Moreover, SHa was able to enter the nucleus of amoebae and accumulate in the nucleolus. This subcellular localization seemed specific as macrophages nucleoli remained unlabeled. Finally, no modifications in the expression of cytokines and HDPs were recorded when macrophages were treated with 6.25 µM SHa. By combining all data, we showed that temporin-SHa decreases the intracellular L. pneumophila load within amoebae and macrophages without being toxic for eukaryotic cells. This peptide was also able to reach the nucleolus of amoebae but was not capable to penetrate inside vacuoles. These data are in favor of an indirect action of SHa towards intracellular Legionella and make this peptide a promising template for further developments.
Handgrip strength, dynapenia, and mental health in older Koreans
Authors: Noh Hye-Mi , Park Yong Soon
Published: March 2020

This study examined associations between muscle strength and mental health among 2,652 elderly Koreans who participated in the 2015 and 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We measured absolute handgrip strength and calculated handgrip strength relative to body mass index. Dynapenia criteria followed that of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Questionnaires were used to assess mental health indicators including suicidal ideation, depressed mood, and stress status. Among participants, 18.6%, 14.9%, and 6.7% reported stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation, respectively. Dynapenia prevalence was 25.1%. Adjusted odds ratios of stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation for men with dynapenia were 2.15, 2.30, and 2.11, respectively. Significant associations were absent among women. For men, handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength were inversely associated with risk of stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation. For women, handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength were inversely associated with the risk of stress, but not of depressed mood and suicidal ideation. In conclusion, all muscle-strength indices were associated with mental health risks among older men. In older women, low handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength were associated with increased stress. Muscle strength could be a clinical marker of poor mental health in older adults.
Disruption of the kringle 1 domain of prothrombin leads to late onset mortality in zebrafish
Authors: Grzegorski Steven J. , Hu Zhilian , Liu Yang , Yu Xinge , Ferguson Allison C. , Madarati Hasam , Friedmann Alexander P. , Reyon Deepak , Kim Paul Y. , Kretz Colin A. , Joung J. Keith , Shavit Jordan A.
Published: March 2020

The ability to prevent blood loss in response to injury is a conserved function of all vertebrates. Complete deficiency of the central clotting enzyme prothrombin has never been observed in humans and is incompatible with postnatal life in mice, thus limiting the ability to study its role in vivo. Zebrafish are able to tolerate severe hemostatic deficiencies that are lethal in mammals. We have generated a targeted genetic deletion in the kringle 1 domain of zebrafish prothrombin. Homozygous mutant embryos develop normally into the mid-juvenile stage but demonstrate complete mortality by 2 months of age primarily due to internal hemorrhage. Mutants are unable to form occlusive venous and arterial thrombi in response to endothelial injury, a defect that was phenocopied using direct oral anticoagulants. Human prothrombin engineered with the equivalent mutation exhibits a severe reduction in secretion, thrombin generation, and fibrinogen cleavage. Together, these data demonstrate the conserved function of thrombin in zebrafish and provide insight into the role of kringle 1 in prothrombin maturation and activity. Understanding how zebrafish are able to develop normally and survive into early adulthood without thrombin activity will provide important insight into its pleiotropic functions as well as the management of patients with bleeding disorders.
A Systematic Study of the Impact of Estrogens and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators on Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation
Authors: Lafront Camille , Germain Lucas , Weidmann Cindy , Audet-Walsh Étienne
Published: March 2020

The estrogen signaling pathway has been reported to modulate prostate cancer (PCa) progression through the activity of estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ). Given that selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are used to treat breast cancer, ERs have been proposed as attractive therapeutic targets in PCa. However, many inconsistencies regarding the expression of ERs and the efficacy of SERMs for PCa treatment exist, notably due to the use of ERβ antibodies lacking specificity and treatments with high SERM concentrations leading to off-target effects. To end this confusion, our objective was to study the impact of estrogenic and anti-estrogenic ligands in well-studied in vitro PCa models with appropriate controls, dosages, and ER subtype-specific antibodies. When using physiologically relevant concentrations of nine estrogenic/anti-estrogenic compounds, including five SERMs, we observed no significant modulation of PCa cell proliferation. Using RNA-seq and validated antibodies, we demonstrate that these PCa models do not express ERs. In contrast, RNA-seq from PCa samples from patients have detectable expression of ERα. Overall, our study reveals that commonly used PCa models are inappropriate to study ERs and indicate that usage of alternative models is essential to properly assess the roles of the estrogen signaling pathway in PCa.
Networks and long-range mobility in cities: A study of more than one billion taxi trips in New York City
Authors: Riascos A. P. , Mateos José L.
Published: March 2020

We analyze the massive data set of more than one billion taxi trips in New York City, from January 2009 to December 2015. With these records of seven years, we generate an origin-destination matrix that has information of a vast number of trips. The mobility and flow of taxis can be described as a directed weighted network that connects different zones of high demand for taxis. This network has in and out degrees that follow a stretched exponential and a power law with an exponential cutoff distributions, respectively. Using the origin-destination matrix, we obtain a rank, called "OD rank”, analogous to the page rank of Google, that gives the more relevant places in New York City in terms of taxi trips. We introduced a model that captures the local and global dynamics that agrees with the data. Considering the taxi trips as a proxy of human mobility in cities, it might be possible that the long-range mobility found for New York City would be a general feature in other large cities around the world.
Modelling predictive gender- and gestation-specific weight reference centiles for preterm infants using a population-based cohort study
Authors: Watkins W. John , Farewell Daniel , Banerjee Sujoy , Nasef Hesham , James Anitha , Chakraborty Mallinath
Published: March 2020

We aimed to model longitudinal data to create predictive growth charts for weight in preterm infants from birth till discharge, that took into account the differing growth rates post-birth when compared to in-utero growth and therefore was more representative of the data than the UK1990 reference charts. Data from birth until discharge (or death), was collected and rigorously cleaned for all infants born at <32 weeks of gestation over a 4-year period. Means and standard deviations from the UK1990 reference charts were used to compute standard deviation scores (SDS) for our cohort. 2/3rd of the data was randomly selected and used to create gestation and gender-specific predictive weight centile lines through novel application of mixed modelling methods. The remaining 1/3rd of the data was used to test model fit by comparing expected vs actual weights for the new model with those predicted by the UK1990 model. Data from 1,510 preterm infants was analysed. 1067 of these were used to produce the predictive model. Weekly SDS were significantly lower than predicted throughout hospital stay for all gestation groups when compared with UK1990 data. The test data (n = 539) fitted the new centile lines substantially better than those modelled by the UK1990 centile lines. Mixed modelling of longitudinal data produced new predictive references for weight centiles of preterm infants. A large population-based prospective study is needed to produce representative longitudinal reference growth charts using these methods.
Evidence for subcritical rupture of injection-induced earthquakes
Authors: Orlecka-Sikora Beata , Cielesta Szymon
Published: March 2020

Seismicity induced by geo-engineering operations may be hazardous for people, infrastructure and the environment. The crucial information for assessing induced seismic hazards and related risks is knowledge of the time-dependent strength of rocks and the deformation due to fluid injection. Our studies of seismic and injection data from a geothermal field indicate that pressurized injections lead to rock fracturing at stress levels below the rock toughness, i.e., subcritical fracture growth. We provide a relation between the rate of this subcritical fracture growth and the injection rate. Based on this relation, we estimate the maximum subcritical magnitude. We hypothesize that subcritical fracture growth may be controlled by the amount of stress asymmetry, i.e., the relative values of the principal stresses. We discuss the conditions under which the subcritical fracturing regime can transform to a critical state and critical rupture may occur. We present the possibility of using these results in the operational reservoir to manage seismic hazards.
Retinal biomarkers and pharmacological targets for Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome 7
Authors: Romano Giovanni Luca , Platania Chiara Bianca Maria , Leggio Gian Marco , Torrisi Sebastiano Alfio , Giunta Salvatore , Salomone Salvatore , Purrello Michele , Ragusa Marco , Barbagallo Cristina , Giblin Frank J. , Mastrogiacomo Rosa , Managò Francesca , Cammalleri Maurizio , Papaleo Francesco , Drago Filippo , Bucolo Claudio
Published: March 2020

Deletion of dystrobrevin binding protein 1 has been linked to Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 7 (HPS-7), a rare disease characterized by oculocutaneous albinism and retinal dysfunction. We studied dysbindin-1 null mutant mice (Dys−/−) to shed light on retinal neurodevelopment defects in HPS-7. We analyzed the expression of a focused set of miRNAs in retina of wild type (WT), Dys+/− and Dys−/− mice. We also investigated the retinal function of these mice through electroretinography (ERG). We found that miR-101-3p, miR-137, miR-186-5p, miR-326, miR-382-5p and miR-876-5p were up-regulated in Dys−/−mice retina. Dys−/− mice showed significant increased b-wave in ERG, compared to WT mice. Bioinformatic analysis highlighted that dysregulated miRNAs target synaptic plasticity and dopaminergic signaling pathways, affecting retinal functions of Dys−/− mice. Overall, the data indicate potential mechanisms in retinal neurodevelopment of Dys−/− mice, which may have translational significance in HSP-7 patients, both in terms of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and novel pharmacological targets.
Theileria parasites subvert E2F signaling to stimulate leukocyte proliferation
Authors: Tretina Kyle , Haidar Malak , Madsen-Bouterse Sally A. , Sakura Takaya , Mfarrej Sara , Fry Lindsay , Chaussepied Marie , Pain Arnab , Knowles Donald P. , Nene Vishvanath M. , Ginsberg Doron , Daubenberger Claudia A. , Bishop Richard P. , Langsley Gordon , Silva Joana C.
Published: March 2020

Intracellular pathogens have evolved intricate mechanisms to subvert host cell signaling pathways and ensure their own propagation. A lineage of the protozoan parasite genus Theileria infects bovine leukocytes and induces their uncontrolled proliferation causing a leukemia-like disease. Given the importance of E2F transcription factors in mammalian cell cycle regulation, we investigated the role of E2F signaling in Theileria-induced host cell proliferation. Using comparative genomics and surface plasmon resonance, we identified parasite-derived peptides that have the sequence-specific ability to increase E2F signaling by binding E2F negative regulator Retinoblastoma-1 (RB). Using these peptides as a tool to probe host E2F signaling, we show that the disruption of RB complexes ex vivo leads to activation of E2F-driven transcription and increased leukocyte proliferation in an infection-dependent manner. This result is consistent with existing models and, together, they support a critical role of E2F signaling for Theileria-induced host cell proliferation, and its potential direct manipulation by one or more parasite proteins.
Evaluation of the Effect of Ciprofloxacin and Vancomycin on Mechanical Properties of PMMA Cement; a Preliminary Study on Molecular Weight
Authors: Gandomkarzadeh Marzieh , Moghimi Hamid Reza , Mahboubi Arash
Published: March 2020

Antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) is commonly used in joint replacement therapy for prevention and treatment of bone infection and mechanical properties of the cement is still an important issue. The effects of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin was investigated on mechanical characterization of PMMA bone cement. Different properties of cement containing (0, 2.5, 5 and 10% W/W) antibiotics, including compressive and bending properties, microstructural, porosity and density were evaluated. Both antibiotics significantly reduced the density values and mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength and modulus) in all groups in comparison to control over first two weeks (p < 0.05). This reduction was due to increased porosity upon antibiotic addition (3.05 and 3.67% for ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, respectively) in comparison to control (2.08%) (p < 0.001) and exposure to aqueous medium. Vancomycin as antibiotic with higher molecular weight (MW = 1485) had significant effect on compressive strength reduction of the cement at high amount compared to ciprofloxacin (MW = 367) (P < 0.01), there was no difference between two antibiotics at lower concentrations (P > 0.05). The effect of antibiotic loading is both molecular weight and drug content dependent. The time is also an important parameter and the second week is the probably optimum time to study mechanical behavior of ALBC.
Very-long-chain fatty acid metabolic capacity of 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 12 (HSD17B12) promotes replication of hepatitis C virus and related flaviviruses
Authors: Mohamed Bassim , Mazeaud Clément , Baril Martin , Poirier Donald , Sow Aïssatou Aïcha , Chatel-Chaix Laurent , Titorenko Vladimir , Lamarre Daniel
Published: March 2020

Flaviviridae infections represent a major global health burden. By deciphering mechanistic aspects of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-host interactions, one could discover common strategy for inhibiting the replication of related flaviviruses. By elucidating the HCV interactome, we identified the 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 12 (HSD17B12) as a human hub of the very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis pathway and core interactor. Here we show that HSD17B12 knockdown (KD) impairs HCV replication and reduces virion production. Mechanistically, depletion of HSD17B12 induces alterations in VLCFA-containing lipid species and a drastic reduction of lipid droplets (LDs) that play a critical role in virus assembly. Oleic acid supplementation rescues viral RNA replication and production of infectious particles in HSD17B12 depleted cells, supporting a specific role of VLCFA in HCV life cycle. Furthermore, the small-molecule HSD17B12 inhibitor, INH-12, significantly reduces replication and infectious particle production of HCV as well as dengue virus and Zika virus revealing a conserved requirement across Flaviviridae virus family. Overall, the data provide a strong rationale for the advanced evaluation of HSD17B12 inhibition as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral strategy for the treatment of Flaviviridae infections.
Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived tenocyte-like cells promote the regeneration of injured tendons in mice
Authors: Komura Shingo , Satake Takashi , Goto Atsushi , Aoki Hitomi , Shibata Hirofumi , Ito Kenji , Hirakawa Akihiro , Yamada Yasuhiro , Akiyama Haruhiko
Published: March 2020

Tendons are dense fibrous structures that attach muscles to bones. Healing of tendon injuries is a clinical challenge owing to poor regenerative potential and scarring. Here, we created reporter mice that express EGFP, driven by the promoter of the tendon-specific Scleraxis (Scx) transcription-factor gene; we then generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from these mice. Utilising these fluorescently labelled iPSCs, we developed a tenogenic differentiation protocol. The iPSC-derived EGFP-positive cells exhibited elevated expression of tendon-specific genes, including Scx, Mohawk, Tenomodulin, and Fibromodulin, indicating that they have tenocyte-like properties. Finally, we demonstrated that these cells promoted tendon regeneration in mice after transplantation into injured tendons reducing scar formation via paracrine effect. Our data demonstrate that the tenogenic differentiation protocol successfully provided functional cells from iPSCs. We propose that pluripotent stem cell-based therapy using this protocol will provide an effective therapeutic approach for tendon injuries.
A facile template-free strategy for synthesizing hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanospheres
Authors: Jee Chanhyuk , Kang Kyung Seok , Bae Ji-Hong , Jung Hyo Jin , Lim WonBin , Kim Byeong Joo , Huh PilHo
Published: March 2020

Hydroxymethyl-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT-OH) nanospheres self-assembled using physical blowing method, which continually used a syringe, were successfully formed through aqueous solution polymerization under the oxidative initiators. The effect of blowing on the morphological properties of PEDOT-OH was precisely evaluated based on the different amount of initiator. The concentration of ammonium persulfate might be a driving force in the self-assembly process to create the PEDOT-OH nanospheres. The electrical and electrochemical properties of the resulting nanospheres were also characterized using four-point probe and cyclic voltammetry.
Radioguided surgery with β− radiation in pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: a feasibility study
Authors: Collamati Francesco , Maccora Daria , Alfieri Sergio , Bocci Valerio , Cartoni Antonella , Collarino Angela , Simoni Micol De , Fischetti Marta , Fratoddi Ilaria , Giordano Alessandro , Mancini-Terracciano Carlo , Mirabelli Riccardo , Morganti Silvio , Quero Giuseppe , Rotili Dante , Scotognella Teresa , Solfaroli Camillocci Elena , Traini Giacomo , Venditti Iole , Faccini Riccardo
Published: March 2020

The possibility to use β− decaying isotopes for radioguided surgery (RGS) has been recently proposed, and first promising tests on ex-vivo samples of Meningioma and intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) have been published. This paper reports a study of the uptake of 68Ga-DOTATOC in pancreatic NETs (pNETs) in order to assess the feasibility of a new RGS approach using 90Y-DOTATOC. Tumor and healthy pancreas uptakes were estimated from 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans of 30 patients with pNETs. From the obtained SUVs (Standardised Uptake Value) and TNRs (Tumor Non tumor Ratio), an analysis algorithm relying on a Monte Carlo simulation of the detector has been applied to evaluate the performances of the proposed technique. Almost all considered patients resulted to be compatible with the application of β−-RGS assuming to administer 1.5 MBq/kg of activity of 90Y-DOTATOC 24 h before surgery, and a sampling time of few seconds. In just 2 cases the technique would have required a mildly increased amount of activity or of sampling time. Despite a high physiological uptake of 68Ga-DOTATOC in the healthy pancreas, the proposed RGS technique promises to be effective. This approach allows RGS to find application also in pancreatic diseases, where traditional techniques are not viable.
Disparities in travel times between car and transit: Spatiotemporal patterns in cities
Authors: Liao Yuan , Gil Jorge , Pereira Rafael H. M. , Yeh Sonia , Verendel Vilhelm
Published: March 2020

Cities worldwide are pursuing policies to reduce car use and prioritise public transit (PT) as a means to tackle congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The increase of PT ridership is constrained by many aspects; among them, travel time and the built environment are considered the most critical factors in the choice of travel mode. We propose a data fusion framework including real-time traffic data, transit data, and travel demand estimated using Twitter data to compare the travel time by car and PT in four cities (São Paulo, Brazil; Stockholm, Sweden; Sydney, Australia; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands) at high spatial and temporal resolutions. We use real-world data to make realistic estimates of travel time by car and by PT and compare their performance by time of day and by travel distance across cities. Our results suggest that using PT takes on average 1.4–2.6 times longer than driving a car. The share of area where travel time favours PT over car use is very small: 0.62% (0.65%), 0.44% (0.48%), 1.10% (1.22%) and 1.16% (1.19%) for the daily average (and during peak hours) for São Paulo, Sydney, Stockholm, and Amsterdam, respectively. The travel time disparity, as quantified by the travel time ratio $$R$$R (PT travel time divided by the car travel time), varies widely during an average weekday, by location and time of day. A systematic comparison between these two modes shows that the average travel time disparity is surprisingly similar across cities: $$R < 1$$R<1 for travel distances less than 3 km, then increases rapidly but quickly stabilises at around 2. This study contributes to providing a more realistic performance evaluation that helps future studies further explore what city characteristics as well as urban and transport policies make public transport more attractive, and to create a more sustainable future for cities.
Dynamics of ColicinE2 production and release determine the competitive success of a toxin-producing bacterial population
Authors: Weiß Anna S. , Götz Alexandra , Opitz Madeleine
Published: March 2020

The release of toxins is one mechanism used by bacterial species to establish dominance over competitors, but how the dynamics of toxin expression determine the competitive success of a toxin-producing population is largely unknown. Here, we investigate how the expression dynamics of ColicinE2 – a toxic bacteriocin – affect competition between toxin-producing and toxin-sensitive strains of Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that, in addition to genetic modifications in the toxin expression system, alterations of the growth medium can be used to modulate the timing of toxin production and the amount of toxin released. Thus cells that release the toxin at later times can accumulate more colicin. In experiments, we found that delaying toxin release does not significantly alter competition outcome. However, our theoretical analysis allowed us to assess the relative contributions of release time and toxin level to the competitive success of the producer strain, that might counteract each other in experiments. The results reveal that the importance of delaying toxin release lies in increasing the toxin amount. This is a more effective strategy for the toxin-producing strain than prompt discharge of the colicin. In summary, our study shows how the toxin release dynamics influence the competitive success of the toxin-producing bacterial population.
Author Correction: Effect of carnosine supplementation on the plasma lipidome in overweight and obese adults: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Baye Estifanos , Ukropec Jozef , de Courten Maximilian P. J. , Vallova Silvia , Krumpolec Patrik , Kurdiova Timea , Aldini Giancarlo , Ukropcova Barbara , de Courten Barbora
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: All-optical implementation of collision-based evolutions of open quantum systems
Authors: Cuevas Álvaro , Geraldi Andrea , Liorni Carlo , Bonavena Luís Diego , De Pasquale Antonella , Sciarrino Fabio , Giovannetti Vittorio , Mataloni Paolo
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Chronic IL-1β-induced inflammation regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition memory phenotypes via epigenetic modifications in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Rui , Ong Stephanie L. , Tran Linh M. , Jing Zhe , Liu Bin , Park Stacy J. , Huang Zi Ling , Walser Tonya C. , Heinrich Eileen L. , Lee Gina , Salehi-Rad Ramin , Crosson William P. , Pagano Paul C. , Paul Manash K. , Xu Shili , Herschman Harvey , Krysan Kostyantyn , Dubinett Steven
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Trastuzumab targeted micellar delivery of docetaxel using dendron–polymer conjugates
Authors: Sumer Bolu Burcu , Golba Bianka , Sanyal Amitav , Sanyal Rana
Published: March 2020

Incorporation of a therapeutic antibody into nanosized drug delivery systems can improve their target specificity.
Stabilization of indocyanine green dye in polymeric micelles for NIR-II fluorescence imaging and cancer treatment
Authors: Yeroslavsky Gil , Umezawa Masakazu , Okubo Kyohei , Nigoghossian Karina , Thi Kim Dung Doan , Miyata Keiji , Kamimura Masao , Soga Kohei
Published: March 2020

Encapsulation of ICG and IR-1061 in PCL–PEG micelles producing agents with increased stability of ICG and tunable PTT and PDT activity. The micelles are also useful for NIR imaging and NIR nanothermometry.
Steroidal supramolecular metallogels
Authors: Kuosmanen Riikka , Rissanen Kari , Sievänen Elina
Published: March 2020

Steroidal supramolecular metallogels combine the properties of steroids with metal ions resulting in multi-responsive systems possessing many potential applications.
Colloidal bimetallic platinum–ruthenium nanoparticles in ordered mesoporous carbon films as highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Sachse René , Bernsmeier Denis , Schmack Roman , Häusler Ines , Hertwig Andreas , Kraffert Katrin , Nissen Jörg , Kraehnert Ralph
Published: March 2020

Ordered mesoporous carbon films with high surface area, good electrical conductivity and an improved distribution of NPs with tunable composition show high electrocatalytic activity in HER.
Crosslinked fluoropolymers exhibiting superior high-temperature energy density and charge–discharge efficiency
Authors: Li He , Gadinski Matthew R. , Huang Yuqi , Ren Lulu , Zhou Yao , Ai Ding , Han Zhubing , Yao Bin , Wang Qing
Published: March 2020

Superior high-temperature discharged energy densities in comparison to those of the current dielectric polymers have been demonstrated in the crosslinked fluoropolymers.
Transforming energy using quantum dots
Authors: Lu Haipeng , Huang Zhiyuan , Martinez Marissa S. , Johnson Justin C. , Luther Joseph M. , Beard Matthew C.
Published: March 2020

Optical energy can be transformed into electricity, photons, and chemical bonds using colloidal quantum dots as the scaffold.
Direct C(sp3)–H acyloxylation of indolin-3-ones with carboxylic acids catalysed by KI
Authors: Zhao Yong-Long , Tang Yong-Qin , Fei Xing-Hai , Yang Fen-Fen , Cao Zhuo-Xian , Duan Dong-Zhu , Zhao Qing-Jie , Yang Yuan-Yong , Zhou Meng , He Bin
Published: March 2020

The first KI-catalyzed direct acyloxylation of indolin-3-ones with carboxylic acids has been developed using 30% aq. H2O2 as a green oxidant at room temperature. Moreover, mechanism studies indicated that a radical oxidation process may be involved for this transformation.
SpinChem™: rapid element purification from biological and geological matrices via centrifugation for MC-ICP-MS isotope analyses – a case study with Zn
Authors: Mahan Brandon M. , Wu Fei , Dosseto Anthony , Chung Roger , Schaefer Bruce , Turner Simon
Published: March 2020

SpinChem™ ion exchange chromatography (IEC) for subsequent MC-ICP-MS isotope analyses – revolutionizing sample throughput in isotope geochemistry, literally.
Promoting water-splitting in Janus bipolar ion-exchange resin wafers for electrodeionization
Authors: Jordan Matthew L. , Valentino Lauren , Nazyrynbekova Nargiza , Palakkal Varada Menon , Kole Subarna , Bhattacharya Deepra , Lin Yupo J. , Arges Christopher G.
Published: March 2020

Electrochemical separation processes are undergoing a renaissance as the range of applications continue to expand because they offer opportunities for increased energy efficiency and sustainability in comparison to conventional separation technology.
Mass spectrometric analysis of core fucosylation and sequence variation in a human–camelid monoclonal antibody
Authors: Donald Lynda J. , Spearman Maureen , Mishra Neha , Komatsu Emy , Butler Michael , Perreault Hélène
Published: March 2020

ESI-MS fucosylation studies on an intact EG2-hFc monoclonal antibody reveal the presence of fucose on both Fc N-glycans.
3.3 nm-sized TiO2/carbon hybrid spheres endowed with pseudocapacitance-dominated superhigh-rate Li-ion and Na-ion storage
Authors: Luo Hao , Chen Yuxi , Huang Jing , Chen Zhanglong , Xia Xiaohong , Li Jin , Liu Hongbo
Published: March 2020

Decreasing the particle size of nanoscaled battery materials will induce amazing enhancement effects on their charging rates, which holds a promise to overcome the common bottleneck of the low charging rates of batteries.
Bioactive multiple-bent MWCNTs for sensitive and reliable electrochemical detection of picomolar-level C-reactive proteins
Authors: Jang Yeongseok , Kim Hyojae , Yang Seung Yun , Jung Jinmu , Oh Jonghyun
Published: March 2020

Multiple-bent MWCNTs with highly sensitive electrochemical impedance were introduced for the ultrasensitive and reliable detection of CRP.
Carbon dots with tunable dual emissions: from the mechanism to the specific imaging of endoplasmic reticulum polarity
Authors: Shuang E. , Mao Quan-Xing , Wang Jian-Hua , Chen Xu-Wei
Published: March 2020

Regulating the fluorescence of carbon dots (CDs) is important but highly challenging. This work develops a facile approach to fabricate CDs with tunable dual-emission by modulating the polymerization and carbonization processes of precursors.
Fractions of arsenic and selenium in fly ash by ultrasound-assisted sequential extraction
Authors: He Kai-Qiang , Yuan Chun-Gang , Shi Meng-Dan , Jiang Yang-Hong , Yu Su-Juan
Published: March 2020

Fast ultrasound-assisted sequential extraction methods were developed for As and Se fractions in fly ash.
Enhanced delivery of melatonin loaded nanostructured lipid carriers duringin vitrofertilization: NLC formulation, optimization and IVF efficacy
Authors: Noori Siahdasht Fatemeh , Farhadian Nafiseh , Karimi Mohammad , Hafizi Leili
Published: March 2020

In this study, the potential of melatonin hormone loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (Mel-NLCs) in thein vitrofertilization (IVF) environment is investigated by measuring the appropriate IVF parameters on the oocytes of mice.
Efficiency enhancement of small molecule organic solar cells using hexapropyltruxene as an interface layer
Authors: Ye Hanyang , Kesava Sameer Vajjala , Hardigree Josué F. Martínez , Brown Roisin E. , Mazzotta Giulio , Warren Ross , Skabara Peter J. , Riede Moritz
Published: March 2020

The effect of a thin layer of hexapropyltruxene inserted at the interface between the electron donor boron subphthalocyanine chloride (SubPc) and its underlying hole contact in planar heterojunction solar cells was investigated.
Green synthesis of reduced Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets with enhanced conductivity, oxidation stability, and SERS activity
Authors: Limbu Tej B. , Chitara Basant , Orlando Jason D. , Garcia Cervantes Martha Y. , Kumari Shalini , Li Qi , Tang Yongan , Yan Fei
Published: March 2020

Surface engineering of ultrathin MXene nanosheets vial-ascorbic acid treatment under ambient conditions makes them more appealing for practical applications.
A method for the statistical evaluation of the fluorescence intensity of single blinking quantum dots using a confocal fluorescence microscope
Authors: Hong Zheng-Yuan , Liu Shu-Lin , Pang Dai-Wen
Published: March 2020

We presented a convenient method for statistically evaluating the fluorescence intensity of a large number of single blinking quantum dots.
Intact NMR spectroscopy: slow high-resolution magic angle spinning chemical shift imaging
Authors: Lucas-Torres Covadonga , Wong Alan
Published: March 2020

A slow sample spinning strategy was implemented and evaluated as a highly informative NMR profiling approach for intact specimens, with high quality data and feasibility.
Silver nanocube coupling with a nanoporous silver film for dual-molecule recognition based ultrasensitive SERS detection of dopamine
Authors: Lu Dechan , Fan Min , Cai Rongyuan , Huang Zufang , You Ruiyun , Huang Luqiang , Feng Shangyuan , Lu Yudong
Published: March 2020

Dopamine (DA) is one of the catecholamine neurotransmitters used for the treatment of neural disorders.
Reversible redox-responsive 1H/19F MRI molecular probes
Authors: Chen Hongming , Tang Xiaoxue , Gong Xuanqing , Chen Dongxia , Li Ao , Sun Chengjie , Lin Hongyu , Gao Jinhao
Published: March 2020

The redox-responsive manganese(ii)/(iii) complexes serve as a pair of reversible probes for 1H MRI and 19F MRI of biological redox species.
CuSO4-Catalyzed dual annulation to synthesize O, S or N-containing tetracyclic heteroacenes
Authors: Shan Xiang-Huan , Yang Bo , Qu Jian-Ping , Kang Yan-Biao
Published: March 2020

In this work, CuSO4 is utilized as a practical redox catalyst for tandem dual annulation in the synthesis of indole-fused tetracyclic heteroacenes, which are important skeletons in both medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry.
Correction: Isomer-specific cryogenic ion vibrational spectroscopy of the D2 tagged Cs+(HNO3)(H2O)n=0–2 complexes: ion-driven enhancement of the acidic H-bond to water
Authors: Mitra Sayoni , Duong Chinh H. , McCaslin Laura M. , Gerber R. Benny , Johnson Mark A.
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Isomer-specific cryogenic ion vibrational spectroscopy of the D2 tagged Cs+(HNO3)(H2O)n=0–2 complexes: ion-driven enhancement of the acidic H-bond to water’ by Sayoni Mitra et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/c9cp06689f.
Fundamentals of single particle analysis in biomatrices by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Metarapi Dino , van Elteren Johannes T.
Published: March 2020

This paper, in conjunction with our developed online app, offers fundamental insights and practical guidelines for LA-SP-ICPMS in biomatrices.
Mechanochemical synthesis of highly porous materials
Authors: Szczęśniak Barbara , Borysiuk Sylwia , Choma Jerzy , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: March 2020

Mechanochemistry became a powerful and popular method for the preparation of various porous materials.
Perpendicularly aligned nanodomains on versatile substrates via rapid thermal annealing assisted by liquid crystalline ordering in block copolymer films
Authors: Qu Ting , Guan Song , Zheng Xiaoxiong , Chen Aihua
Published: March 2020

The highly ordered perpendicularly aligned cylindrical and lamellar microdomains within block copolymer (BCP) films have important applications in diverse fields.
Thiazole-substituted non-symmetrical metallophthalocyanines: synthesis, characterization, electrochemical and heavy metal ion sensing properties
Authors: Beduoğlu Ayk , Sevim Altuğ Mert , Koca Atıf , Altındal Ahmet , Altuntaş Bayır Zehra
Published: March 2020

Novel non-symmetrical metallophthalocyanines with a thiazole functional group were prepared. Their redox properties and heavy metal ion sensing performances were fully investigated.
A multifunctional separator based on scandium oxide nanocrystal decorated carbon nanotubes for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Xu Jun , Zhang Qi , Liang Xin , Yan Jian , Liu Jiaqin , Wu Yucheng
Published: March 2020

Rare earth oxides, for example scandium oxide, may open up a new prospect towards the development of advanced Li–S batteries and other energy storage systems.
Rational construction of a triple emission molecular imprinting sensor for accurate naked-eye detection of folic acid
Authors: Yang Qian , Li Chuyao , Li Jinhua , Wang Xiaoyan , Arabi Maryam , Peng Hailong , Xiong Hua , Chen Lingxin
Published: March 2020

A triple emission molecularly imprinted polymer sensor was rationally constructed for accurate naked-eye detection of folic acid with a fluorescence colorimetric method.
Eu3+-based luminescence ratiometric thermometry
Authors: Li Leipeng , Zhou Yuan , Qin Feng , Miao Jipeng , Zheng Yangdong , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: March 2020

We show that more sensitive luminescence ratiometric thermometry can be achieved using a hypersensitive Eu3+ transition.
Fog collection on a superhydrophobic/hydrophilic composite spine surface
Authors: An Qier , Wang Jinshu , Zhao Feng , Wang Lei
Published: March 2020

The fog collection phenomenon on the superhydrophobic/hydrophilic composite spine structure.
Preparation and electrochemical properties of nanostructured porous spherical NiCo2O4materials
Authors: Li Chunyang , Liu Yan , Li Guojun , Ren Ruiming
Published: March 2020

Porous NiCo2O4microspheres with a micro–nano structure, prepared by the spray drying method, have excellent cycle stability and 100% capacitance retention.
Zinc–iron silicate for heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of acrylic acid: efficiency and mechanism
Authors: Liu Yue , Shen Jimin , Zhao Laiqun , Wang Weiqiang , Gong Weijin , Zheng Fanfan
Published: March 2020

Zinc–iron silicate was synthesized, and exhibited high activity and stability for catalytic ozonation under semi-continuous conditions.
Three pairs of luminescent coordination polymers based on CoII and CdII clusters for the detection of antibiotics, pesticides and chiral nitro aromatic compounds
Authors: Zhang Li-Qing , Wang Xiu-Wen , Gu Lei , Yu Ying-Hui , Gao Jin-Sheng
Published: March 2020

Three pairs of luminescent coordination polymers based on (R/S)-H2cna and (1R,2R/1S,2S)-H3cpba for the detection of antibiotics, pesticides and chiral nitro aromatic compounds.
LC-MS/MS determination of avanafil and its metabolites in rat plasma and brain: pharmacokinetic study after oral administration and transdermal film application
Authors: Kammoun Ahmed K. , Khedr Alaa , Ahmed Osama A. A.
Published: March 2020

A pioneering bioanalytical LC-MS/MS method was developed for monitoring avanafil and its metabolites in rat plasma and brain after oral administration and transdermal application.
Benzimidazolium salts prevent and disrupt methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Authors: Tessier Jérémie , Schmitzer Andreea R.
Published: March 2020

Benzimidazolium salts impair biofilm and bacterial membrane structural integrity.
Stability of 2H- and 1T-MoS2 in the presence of aqueous oxidants and its protection by a carbon shell
Authors: Marks Randal , Schranck Andrew , Stillwell Roy , Doudrick Kyle
Published: March 2020

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is emerging as a catalyst for energy and environmental applications.
Systematic exploration of different E3 ubiquitin ligases: an approach towards potent and selective CDK6 degraders
Authors: Steinebach Christian , Ng Yuen Lam Dora , Sosič Izidor , Lee Chih-Shia , Chen Sirui , Lindner Stefanie , Vu Lan Phuong , Bricelj Aleša , Haschemi Reza , Monschke Marius , Steinwarz Elisabeth , Wagner Karl G. , Bendas Gerd , Luo Ji , Gütschow Michael , Krönke Jan
Published: March 2020

Cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) is an important regulator of the cell cycle. Together with CDK4, it phosphorylates and inactivates retinoblastoma (Rb) protein.
Thermodynamic consequences of Tyr to Trp mutations in the cation–π-mediated binding of trimethyllysine by the HP1 chromodomain
Authors: Krone Mackenzie W. , Albanese Katherine I. , Leighton Gage O. , He Cyndi Qixin , Lee Ga Young , Garcia-Borràs Marc , Guseman Alex J. , Williams David C. , Houk K. N. , Brustad Eric M. , Waters Marcey L.
Published: March 2020

In this work, we experimentally validate that tryptophan provides the strongest cation–π binding interaction among aromatic amino acids and also lend insight into the importance of residue identity in trimethyllysine recognition by reader proteins.
Exploring the properties of Ag5–TiO2 interfaces: stable surface polaron formation, UV-Vis optical response, and CO2 photoactivation
Authors: López-Caballero Patricia , Ramallo-López José M. , Giovanetti Lisandro J. , Buceta David , Miret-Artés Salvador , López-Quintela M. Arturo , Requejo Félix G. , de Lara-Castells María Pilar
Published: March 2020

Ag5-induced formation of surface polarons at the Ag5–TiO2 interface enables to reveal a general polarization phenomenon.
A combined SECM and electrochemical AFM approach to probe interfacial processes affecting molecular reactivity at redox flow battery electrodes
Authors: Watkins Tylan S. , Sarbapalli Dipobrato , Counihan Michael J. , Danis Andrew S. , Zhang Jingjing , Zhang Lu , Zavadil Kevin R. , Rodríguez-López Joaquín
Published: March 2020

Understanding interfacial reaction mechanisms of redoxmers at redox flow battery model carbon electrodes using insightful electrochemical scanning probe techniques enables new strategies for high-performance energy storage.
Engineering the valence state of ZIF-67 by Cu2O for efficient nonenzymatic glucose detection
Authors: Yang Nian , Guo Kailu , Zhang Yanwen , Xu Cailing
Published: March 2020

The valence state regulation of Co-based electrocatalysts is extremely important and greatly challenging to enhance the electrochemical performance toward glucose oxidation.
Modified Ti3C2nanosheets as peroxidase mimetics for use in colorimetric detection and immunoassays
Authors: Wu Xiaoju , Chen Tongming , Chen Yuan , Yang Guowei
Published: March 2020

Ti3C2 nanosheets possess intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and are applied to colorimetric detection and immunoassay.
Tunable photoluminescence in Sb3+-doped zero-dimensional hybrid metal halides with intrinsic and extrinsic self-trapped excitons
Authors: Zhou Jun , Li Mingze , Molokeev Maxim S. , Sun Jiayue , Xu Denghui , Xia Zhiguo
Published: March 2020

Dopants in luminescent metal halides provide an alternative way for photoluminescence tuning towards versatile optical applications.
Scratching the surface: native mass spectrometry of peripheral membrane protein complexes
Authors: Sahin Cagla , Reid Deseree J. , Marty Michael T. , Landreh Michael
Published: March 2020

A growing number of integral membrane proteins have been shown to tune their activity by selectively interacting with specific lipids. The ability to regulate biological functions via lipid interactions extends to the diverse group of proteins that associate only peripherally with the lipid bilayer. However, the structural basis of these interactions remains challenging to study due to their transient and promiscuous nature. Recently, native mass spectrometry has come into focus as a new tool to investigate lipid interactions in membrane proteins. Here, we outline how the native MS strategies developed for integral membrane proteins can be applied to generate insights into the structure and function of peripheral membrane proteins. Specifically, native MS studies of proteins in complex with detergent-solubilized lipids, bound to lipid nanodiscs, and released from native-like lipid vesicles all shed new light on the role of lipid interactions. The unique ability of native MS to capture and interrogate protein–protein, protein–ligand, and protein–lipid interactions opens exciting new avenues for the study of peripheral membrane protein biology.
Imposing boundary‐aware prior into CNNs‐based medical image segmentation
Authors: Liu Cong , Ma Longhua , Jin Xiance , Si Wen
Published: March 2020

While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have become the first choice for the medical image segmentation, they still lack the critical ingredient of incorporating priors, such as smoothness and boundary shapes. The authors tackle the limitation by developing a novel prior that is boundary‐aware in two ways: promoting smoothness without blurring object boundaries and punishing prediction errors according to boundary shapes. They bring the boundary‐aware property into effect by weighting the prediction gradients and errors with the distance map. Their prior differs from previous approaches that either over‐smooth boundaries or tend to produce rough boundaries. They evaluate their prior alongside the cross‐entropy (CE) on a cardiac MRI dataset. Compared to CE alone, their prior improves the Dice score by 1.5% and Hausdorff distance by 53%. It also yielded a faster and more stable learning process.
Repetitively pulsed gas discharges: memory effect and discharge mode transition
Authors: Zhao Zheng , Li Jiangtao
Published: March 2020

Repetitively pulsed gas volume and dielectric surface discharges have gained growing attention because of peculiar and exciting physics phenomena, high efficiency, high reactivity, and potential to obtain conventionally unachievable plasma properties. Nevertheless, incomplete understanding of fundamental mechanisms renders the repetitively pulsed discharge far less predictable and controllable, where the inherent memory effect and the discharge mode transition are universal challenges. In this topical review, the authors will explore the macroscopic characteristics of the gas gap breakdown and the surface flashover, state‐of‐the‐art mechanisms and dominant agents of discharge memory effects, operation regimes and transitions of the discharge mode, and how waveform parameters affect the pulsed discharge properties. Challenges and potential approaches for further understanding the memory effect and the discharge mode transition in the repetitively pulsed discharge are discussed.