bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of age and vaccination history on long-term serological responses after symptomatic B. pertussis infection, a high dimensional data analysis
Authors: van Twillert Inonge , Bonačić Marinović Axel A. , Kuipers Betsy , van Gaans-van den Brink Jacqueline A. M. , Sanders Elisabeth A. M. , van Els Cécile A. C. M.
Published: January 2017

Capturing the complexity and waning patterns of co-occurring immunoglobulin (Ig) responses after clinical B. pertussis infection may help understand how the human host gradually loses protection against whooping cough. We applied bi-exponential modelling to characterise and compare B. pertussis specific serological dynamics in a comprehensive database of IgG, IgG subclass and IgA responses to Ptx, FHA, Prn, Fim2/3 and OMV antigens of (ex-) symptomatic pertussis cases across all age groups. The decay model revealed that antigen type and age group were major factors determining differences in levels and kinetics of Ig (sub) classes. IgG-Ptx waned fastest in all age groups, while IgA to Ptx, FHA, Prn and Fim2/3 decreased fast in the younger but remained high in older (ex-) cases, indicating an age-effect. While IgG1 was the main IgG subclass in response to most antigens, IgG2 and IgG3 dominated the anti-OMV response. Moreover, vaccination history plays an important role in post-infection Ig responses, demonstrated by low responsiveness to Fim2/3 in unvaccinated elderly and by elevated IgG4 responses to multiple antigens only in children primed with acellular pertussis vaccine (aP). This work highlights the complexity of the immune response to this re-emerging pathogen and factors determining its Ig quantity and quality.
Dual sources of water overprinting on the low zircon δ18O metamorphic country rocks: Disequilibrium constrained through inverse modelling of partial reequilibration
Authors: Wei Chun-Sheng , Zhao Zi-Fu
Published: January 2017

Since water is only composed of oxygen and hydrogen, δ18O and δ2H values are thus utilized to trace the origin of water(s) and quantify the water-rock interactions. While Triassic high pressure (HP) and ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks across the Dabie-Sulu orogen in central-eastern China have been well documented, postcollisional magmatism driven hydrothermal systems are little known. Here we show that two sources of externally derived water interactions were revealed by oxygen isotopes for the gneissic country rocks intruded by the early Cretaceous postcollisional granitoids. Inverse modellings indicate that the degree of disequilibrium (doD) of meteoric water interactions was more evident than that of magmatic one (−65 ± 1o vs. −20 ± 2°); the partial reequilibration between quartz and alkali feldspar oxygen isotopes with magmatic water was achieved at 340 °C with a water/rock (W/R) ratio of about 1.2 for an open-hydrothermal system; two-stage meteoric water interactions were unraveled with reequilibration temperatures less than 300 °C and W/R ratios around 0.4. The lifetime of fossil magmatic hydrothermal system overprinted on the low zircon δ18O orthogneissic country rocks was estimated to maintain up to 50 thousand years (Kyr) through oxygen exchange modellings. Four-stage isotopic evolutions were proposed for the magmatic water interacted gneiss.
Spatio-temporal analysis of malaria incidence in the Peruvian Amazon Region between 2002 and 2013
Authors: Soto-Calle Veronica , Rosas-Aguirre Angel , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Abatih Emmanuel , DeDeken Redgi , Rodriguez Hugo , Rosanas-Urgell Anna , Gamboa Dionicia , D´Alessandro Umberto , Erhart Annette , Speybroeck Niko
Published: January 2017

Malaria remains a major public health problem in the Peruvian Amazon where the persistence of high-risk transmission areas (hotspots) challenges the current malaria control strategies. This study aimed at identifying significant space-time clusters of malaria incidence in Loreto region 2002–2013 and to determine significant changes across years in relation to the control measures applied. Poisson regression and purely temporal, spatial, and space-time analyses were conducted. Three significantly different periods in terms of annual incidence rates (AIR) were identified, overlapping respectively with the pre-, during, and post- implementation control activities supported by PAMAFRO project. The most likely space-time clusters of malaria incidence for P. vivax and P. falciparum corresponded to the pre- and first two years of the PAMAFRO project and were situated in the northern districts of Loreto, while secondary clusters were identified in eastern and southern districts with the latest onset and the shortest duration of PAMAFRO interventions. Malaria in Loreto was highly heterogeneous at geographical level and over time. Importantly, the excellent achievements obtained during 5 years of intensified control efforts totally vanished in only 2 to 3 years after the end of the program, calling for sustained political and financial commitment for the success of malaria elimination as ultimate goal.
Ribosome profiling-guided depletion of an mRNA increases cell growth rate and protein secretion
Authors: Kallehauge Thomas Beuchert , Li Shangzhong , Pedersen Lasse Ebdrup , Ha Tae Kwang , Ley Daniel , Andersen Mikael Rørdam , Kildegaard Helene Faustrup , Lee Gyun Min , Lewis Nathan E.
Published: January 2017

Recombinant protein production coopts the host cell machinery to provide high protein yields of industrial enzymes or biotherapeutics. However, since protein translation is energetically expensive and tightly controlled, it is unclear if highly expressed recombinant genes are translated as efficiently as host genes. Furthermore, it is unclear how the high expression impacts global translation. Here, we present the first genome-wide view of protein translation in an IgG-producing CHO cell line, measured with ribosome profiling. Through this we found that our recombinant mRNAs were translated as efficiently as the host cell transcriptome, and sequestered up to 15% of the total ribosome occupancy. During cell culture, changes in recombinant mRNA translation were consistent with changes in transcription, demonstrating that transcript levels influence specific productivity. Using this information, we identified the unnecessary resistance marker NeoR to be a highly transcribed and translated gene. Through siRNA knock-down of NeoR, we improved the production- and growth capacity of the host cell. Thus, ribosomal profiling provides valuable insights into translation in CHO cells and can guide efforts to enhance protein production.
Ultrasound prediction of abnormal infant development in hypertensive pregnant women in the second and third trimester
Authors: Shen Guofang , Huang Yajuan , Jiang Lixin , Gu Jinghong , Wang Yaxin , Hu Bing
Published: January 2017

The objective was to assess the sensitivities and accuracies of Doppler ultrasound parameters in the second and third trimester of hypertensive pregnancies in determining perinatal outcomes. 1,054 pregnancies were retrospectively categorized into three groups (healthy pregnancies (HP, n = 988), pregnancies of hypertensive women (HypP, n = 30) and high-risk hypertension pregnancies (HRHypP, n = 36), depending on gestational hypertension as well as fetal birth weights and pregnancy outcomes. Systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) of the bilateral uterine artery, umbilical artery and vein as well as venous flow velocity data were monitored by Doppler ultrasound. At 20–27 and 28–32 gestational weeks, uterine artery PIs and RIs were significantly higher in the HRHypP group than in the HP and HypP patients. At gestational weeks 20–27 and 28–32 left plus right PI data with cut-off values of 2.35 and 1.73 indicated a risk of stillbirth, premature pregnancy termination and a birth weight of less than 2,500 g with sensitivities of 94.4% and 93.1% as well as specificities of 95.2% and 90.1%, respectively.
Fluctuations in Evolutionary Integration Allow for Big Brains and Disparate Faces
Authors: Evans Kory M. , Waltz Brandon T. , Tagliacollo Victor A. , Sidlauskas Brian L. , Albert James S.
Published: January 2017

In theory, evolutionary modularity allows anatomical structures to respond differently to selective regimes, thus promoting morphological diversification. These differences can then influence the rate and direction of phenotypic evolution among structures. Here we use geometric morphometrics and phenotypic matrix statistics to compare rates of craniofacial evolution and estimate evolvability in the face and braincase modules of a clade of teleost fishes (Gymnotiformes) and a clade of mammals (Carnivora), both of which exhibit substantial craniofacial diversity. We find that the face and braincase regions of both clades display different degrees of integration. We find that the face and braincase evolve at similar rates in Gymnotiformes and the reverse in Carnivora with the braincase evolving twice as fast as the face. Estimates of evolvability and constraints in these modules suggest differential responses to selection arising from fluctuations in phylogenetic integration, thus influencing differential rates of skull-shape evolution in these two clades.
Visualization of the role of host heme on the virulence of the heme auxotroph Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Joubert Laetitia , Dagieu Jean-Baptiste , Fernandez Annabelle , Derré-Bobillot Aurélie , Borezée-Durant Elise , Fleurot Isabelle , Gruss Alexandra , Lechardeur Delphine
Published: January 2017

Heme is essential for several cellular key functions but is also toxic. Whereas most bacterial pathogens utilize heme as a metabolic cofactor and iron source, the impact of host heme during bacterial infection remains elusive. The opportunist pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae does not synthesize heme but still uses it to activate a respiration metabolism. Concomitantly, heme toxicity is mainly controlled by the HrtBA efflux transporter. Here we investigate how S. agalactiae manages heme toxicity versus benefits in the living host. Using bioluminescent bacteria and heme-responsive reporters for in vivo imaging, we show that the capacity of S. agalactiae to overcome heme toxicity is required for successful infection, particularly in blood-rich organs. Host heme is simultaneously required, as visualized by a generalized infection defect of a respiration-negative mutant. In S. agalactiae, HrtBA expression responds to an intracellular heme signal via activation of the two-component system HssRS. A hssRS promoter-driven intracellular luminescent heme sensor was designed to identify host compartments that supply S. agalactiae with heme. S. agalactiae acquires heme in heart, kidneys, and liver, but not in the brain. We conclude that S. agalactiae response to heme is organ-dependent, and its efflux may be particularly relevant in late stages of infection.
Spatio-temporal coordination among functional residues in protein
Authors: Dutta Sutapa , Ghosh Mahua , Chakrabarti J.
Published: January 2017

The microscopic basis of communication among the functional sites in bio-macromolecules is a fundamental challenge in uncovering their functions. We study the communication through temporal cross-correlation among the binding sites. We illustrate via Molecular Dynamics simulations the properties of the temporal cross-correlation between the dihedrals of a small protein, ubiquitin which participates in protein degradation in eukaryotes. We show that the dihedral angles of the residues possess non-trivial temporal cross-correlations with asymmetry with respect to exchange of the dihedrals, having peaks at low frequencies with time scales in nano-seconds and an algebraic tail with a universal exponent for large frequencies. We show the existence of path for temporally correlated degrees of freedom among the functional residues. We explain the qualitative features of the cross-correlations through a general mathematical model. The generality of our analysis suggests that temporal cross-correlation functions may provide convenient theoretical framework to understand bio-molecular functions on microscopic basis.
On-line Ammonia Sensor and Invisible Security Ink by Fluorescent Zwitterionic Spirocyclic Meisenheimer Complex
Authors: Das Tanmay , Pramanik Apurba , Haldar Debasish
Published: January 2017

Ammonia is not only a highly important gas for civilization but also contribute significantly for climate change and human health hazard. Highly sensitive ammonia sensor has been developed from a fluorescent zwitterionic spirocyclic Meisenheimer complex. Moreover, formation of this Meisenheimer complex can also be utilized for selective as well as naked eye instant detection of nitro aromatic explosive picric acid. The presence of a quaternary nitrogen atom directly attached to the spiro carbon is the unique feature of this Meisenheimer complex. This excellent photoluminescent (PL) Meisenheimer complex has two distinct stimuli responsive sites. One is sensitive towards acid while the other one is towards the base. These two positions can be modulated by adding one equivalent acid and one equivalent base to result two new products which are non fluorescent. One of these two non fluorescent species was found very exciting because of its UV/Vis transparency. Utilizing this concept we have fabricated an on-line sensor for measuring ammonia in dry or humid and condensing sewer air. The sensor was robust against ambient temperature and humidity variation. We have also developed an invisible ink from this Meisenheimer complex, with potential application for security purpose.
Urinary proteomics can define distinct diagnostic inflammatory arthritis subgroups
Authors: Siebert Stefan , Porter Duncan , Paterson Caron , Hampson Rosie , Gaya Daniel , Latosinska Agnieszka , Mischak Harald , Schanstra Joost , Mullen William , McInnes Iain
Published: January 2017

Current diagnostic tests applied to inflammatory arthritis lack the necessary specificity to appropriately categorise patients. There is a need for novel approaches to classify patients with these conditions. Herein we explored whether urinary proteomic biomarkers specific for different forms of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), osteoarthritis (OA)) or chronic inflammatory conditions (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) can be identified. Fifty subjects per group with RA, PsA, OA or IBD and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. Two-thirds of these populations were randomly selected to serve as a training set, while the remaining one-third was reserved for validation. Sequential comparison of one group to the other four enabled identification of multiple urinary peptides significantly associated with discrete pathological conditions. Classifiers for the five groups were developed and subsequently tested blind in the validation test set. Upon unblinding, the classifiers demonstrated excellent performance, with an area under the curve between 0.90 and 0.97 per group. Identification of the peptide markers pointed to dysregulation of collagen synthesis and inflammation, but also novel inflammatory markers. We conclude that urinary peptide signatures can reliably differentiate between chronic arthropathies and inflammatory conditions with discrete pathogenesis.
Prebiotic galactooligosaccharides activate mucin and pectic galactan utilization pathways in the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Authors: Lammerts van Bueren Alicia , Mulder Marieke , Leeuwen Sander van , Dijkhuizen Lubbert
Published: January 2017

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotic carbohydrates that impart changes in the gut bacterial composition of formula-fed infants to more closely resemble that of breast-fed infants. Consuming human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) provides specific bacterial strains with an advantage for colonizing the infant intestine. These same effects are seen in infants after GOS consumption, however GOS are very complex mixtures and the underlying molecular mechanisms of how GOS mimic HMOs are relatively unknown. Here we studied the effects of GOS utilization on a prominent gut symbiont, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, which has been previously shown to consume HMOs via mucin O-glycan degradation pathways. We show that several pathways for targeting O-mucin glycans are activated in B. thetaiotaomicron by GOS, as well as the galactan utilization sytem. Characterization of the endo-galactanase from this system identified activity on various longer GOS substrates while a subset of GOS compounds were identified as potential activators of mucin glycan metabolism in B. thetaiotaomicron. Our results show that GOS functions as an inducer of mucin-glycan pathways while providing a nutrient source in the form of β-(1 → 4)-galactan. These metabolic features of GOS mixtures may serve to explain the beneficial effects that are seen for GOS supplemented infant formula.
Low Temperature CO oxidation over Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Decorating Internal Structures of a Mesoporous Alumina
Authors: Kim Il Hee , Seo Hyun Ook , Park Eun Ji , Han Sang Wook , Kim Young Dok
Published: January 2017

Using a chemical vapor deposition method with regulated sample temperatures under ambient pressure conditions, we were able to fully decorate the internal structure of a mesoporous Al2O3 bead (~1 mm in particle diameter) with iron oxide nanoparticles (with a mean lateral size of less than 1 nm). The iron oxide-decorated Al2O3 showed a high CO oxidation reactivity, even at room temperature. Very little deactivation of the CO oxidation activity was observed with increasing reaction time at ~100 °C. Additionally, this catalyst showed high CO oxidation activity, even after annealing at ~900 °C under atmospheric conditions (i.e., the structure of the catalysts could be maintained under very harsh treatment conditions). We show that our catalysts have potential for application as oxidation catalysts in industrial processes due to the simplicity of their fabrication process as well as the high and stable catalytic performance.
Iron Oxide Films Prepared by Rapid Thermal Processing for Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Wickman B. , Bastos Fanta A. , Burrows A. , Hellman A. , Wagner J. B. , Iandolo B.
Published: January 2017

Hematite is a promising and extensively investigated material for various photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes for energy conversion and storage, in particular for oxidation reactions. Thermal treatments during synthesis of hematite are found to affect the performance of hematite electrodes considerably. Herein, we present hematite thin films fabricated via one-step oxidation of Fe by rapid thermal processing (RTP). In particular, we investigate the effect of oxidation temperature on the PEC properties of hematite. Films prepared at 750 °C show the highest activity towards water oxidation. These films show the largest average grain size and the highest charge carrier density, as determined from electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy analysis. We believe that the fast processing enabled by RTP makes this technique a preferred method for investigation of novel materials and architectures, potentially also on nanostructured electrodes, where retaining high surface area is crucial to maximize performance.
A Comprehensive Numerical Model for Simulating Fluid Transport in Nanopores
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Yu Wei , Sepehrnoori Kamy , Di Yuan
Published: January 2017

Since a large amount of nanopores exist in tight oil reservoirs, fluid transport in nanopores is complex due to large capillary pressure. Recent studies only focus on the effect of nanopore confinement on single-well performance with simple planar fractures in tight oil reservoirs. Its impacts on multi-well performance with complex fracture geometries have not been reported. In this study, a numerical model was developed to investigate the effect of confined phase behavior on cumulative oil and gas production of four horizontal wells with different fracture geometries. Its pore sizes were divided into five regions based on nanopore size distribution. Then, fluid properties were evaluated under different levels of capillary pressure using Peng-Robinson equation of state. Afterwards, an efficient approach of Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM) was applied to explicitly model hydraulic and natural fractures in the reservoirs. Finally, three fracture geometries, i.e. non-planar hydraulic fractures, non-planar hydraulic fractures with one set natural fractures, and non-planar hydraulic fractures with two sets natural fractures, are evaluated. The multi-well performance with confined phase behavior is analyzed with permeabilities of 0.01 md and 0.1 md. This work improves the analysis of capillarity effect on multi-well performance with complex fracture geometries in tight oil reservoirs.
Quantifying the relative contributions of different solute carriers to aggregate substrate transport
Authors: Taslimifar Mehdi , Oparija Lalita , Verrey Francois , Kurtcuoglu Vartan , Olgac Ufuk , Makrides Victoria
Published: January 2017

Determining the contributions of different transporter species to overall cellular transport is fundamental for understanding the physiological regulation of solutes. We calculated the relative activities of Solute Carrier (SLC) transporters using the Michaelis-Menten equation and global fitting to estimate the normalized maximum transport rate for each transporter (Vmax). Data input were the normalized measured uptake of the essential neutral amino acid (AA) L-leucine (Leu) from concentration-dependence assays performed using Xenopus laevis oocytes. Our methodology was verified by calculating Leu and L-phenylalanine (Phe) data in the presence of competitive substrates and/or inhibitors. Among 9 potentially expressed endogenous X. laevis oocyte Leu transporter species, activities of only the uniporters SLC43A2/LAT4 (and/or SLC43A1/LAT3) and the sodium symporter SLC6A19/B0AT1 were required to account for total uptake. Furthermore, Leu and Phe uptake by heterologously expressed human SLC6A14/ATB0,+ and SLC43A2/LAT4 was accurately calculated. This versatile systems biology approach is useful for analyses where the kinetics of each active protein species can be represented by the Hill equation. Furthermore, its applicable even in the absence of protein expression data. It could potentially be applied, for example, to quantify drug transporter activities in target cells to improve specificity.
Epigenetic regulation of Plasmodium falciparum clonally variant gene expression during development in Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Gómez-Díaz Elena , Yerbanga Rakiswendé S. , Lefèvre Thierry , Cohuet Anna , Rowley M. Jordan , Ouedraogo Jean Bosco , Corces Victor G.
Published: January 2017

P. falciparumphenotypic plasticity is linked to the variant expression of clonal multigene families such as thevargenes. We have examined changes in transcription and histone modifications that occur during sporogonic development ofP. falciparumin the mosquito host. Allvargenes are silenced or transcribed at low levels in blood stages (gametocyte/ring) of the parasite in the human host. After infection of mosquitoes, a singlevargene is selected for expression in the oocyst, and transcription of this gene increases dramatically in the sporozoite. The same PF3D7_1255200vargene was activated in 4 different experimental infections. Transcription of thisvargene during parasite development in the mosquito correlates with the presence of low levels of H3K9me3 at the binding site for the PF3D7_1466400 AP2 transcription factor. This chromatin state in the sporozoite also correlates with the expression of an antisense long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that has previously been shown to promotevargene transcription during the intraerythrocytic cyclein vitro. Expression of both the sense protein-coding transcript and the antisense lncRNA increase dramatically in sporozoites. The findings suggest a complex process for the activation of a single particularvargene that involves AP2 transcription factors and lncRNAs.
MicroRNA-19b is a potential biomarker of increased myocardial collagen cross-linking in patients with aortic stenosis and heart failure
Authors: Beaumont Javier , López Begoña , Ravassa Susana , Hermida Nerea , San José Gorka , Gallego Idoia , Valencia Félix , Gómez-Doblas Juan José , de Teresa Eduardo , Díez Javier , González Arantxa
Published: January 2017

This study analyzed the potential associations of 7 myocardial fibrosis-related microRNAs with the quality of the collagen network (e.g., the degree of collagen fibril cross-linking or CCL) and the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) responsible for CCL in 28 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) of whom 46% had a diagnosis of chronic heart failure (HF). MicroRNA expression was analyzed in myocardial and blood samples. From the studied microRNAs only miR-19b presented a direct correlation (p < 0.05) between serum and myocardium. Compared to controls both myocardial and serum miR-19b were reduced (p < 0.01) in AS patients. In addition, miR-19b was reduced in the myocardium (p < 0.01) and serum (p < 0.05) of patients with HF compared to patients without HF. Myocardial and serum miR-19b were inversely correlated (p < 0.05) with LOX, CCL and LV stiffness in AS patients. In in vitro studies miR-19b inhibition increased (p < 0.05) connective tissue growth factor protein and LOX protein expression in human fibroblasts. In conclusion, decreased miR-19b may be involved in myocardial LOX up-regulation and excessive CCL, and consequently increased LV stiffness in AS patients, namely in those with HF. Serum miR-19b can be a biomarker of these alterations of the myocardial collagen network in AS patients, particularly in patients with HF.
Intraarterial route increases the risk of cerebral lesions after mesenchymal cell administration in animal model of ischemia
Authors: Argibay Bárbara , Trekker Jesse , Himmelreich Uwe , Beiras Andrés , Topete Antonio , Taboada Pablo , Pérez-Mato María , Vieites-Prado Alba , Iglesias-Rey Ramón , Rivas José , Planas Anna M. , Sobrino Tomás , Castillo José , Campos Francisco
Published: January 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising clinical therapy for ischemic stroke. However, critical parameters, such as the most effective administration route, remain unclear. Intravenous (i.v.) and intraarterial (i.a.) delivery routes have yielded varied outcomes across studies, potentially due to the unknown MSCs distribution. We investigated whether MSCs reached the brain following i.a. or i.v. administration after transient cerebral ischemia in rats, and evaluated the therapeutic effects of both routes. MSCs were labeled with dextran-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cell tracking, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistological analysis. MSCs were found in the brain following i.a. but not i.v. administration. However, the i.a. route increased the risk of cerebral lesions and did not improve functional recovery. The i.v. delivery is safe but MCS do not reach the brain tissue, implying that treatment benefits observed for this route are not attributable to brain MCS engrafting after stroke.
Differential susceptibility and maturation of thymocyte subsets during Salmonella Typhimurium infection: insights on the roles of glucocorticoids and Interferon-gamma
Authors: Majumdar Shamik , Deobagkar-Lele Mukta , Adiga Vasista , Raghavan Abinaya , Wadhwa Nitin , Ahmed Syed Moiz , Rananaware Supriya Rajendra , Chakraborty Subhashish , Joy Omana , Nandi Dipankar
Published: January 2017

The thymus is known to atrophy during infections; however, a systematic study of changes in thymocyte subpopulations has not been performed. This aspect was investigated, using multi-color flow cytometry, during oral infection of mice withSalmonellaTyphimurium (S. Typhimurium). The major highlights are: First, a block in the developmental pathway of CD4−CD8−double negative (DN) thymocytes is observed. Second, CD4+CD8+double positive (DP) thymocytes, mainly in the DP1 (CD5loCD3lo) and DP2 (CD5hiCD3int), but not DP3 (CD5intCD3hi), subsets are reduced. Third, single positive (SP) thymocytes are more resistant to depletion but their maturation is delayed, leading to accumulation of CD24hiCD3hiSP. Kinetic studies during infection demonstrated differences in sensitivity of thymic subpopulations: Immature single positive (ISP) > DP1, DP2 > DN3, DN4 > DN2 > CD4+ > CD8+. Upon infection, glucocorticoids (GC), inflammatory cytokines, e.g. Ifnγ, etc are induced, which enhance thymocyte death. Treatment with RU486, the GC receptor antagonist, increases the survival of most thymic subsets during infection. Studies withIfnγ−/−mice demonstrated that endogenous Ifnγ produced during infection enhances the depletion of DN2-DN4 subsets, promotes the accumulation of DP3 and delays the maturation of SP thymocytes. The implications of these observations on host cellular responses during infections are discussed.
Role of molecular conformations in rubrene polycrystalline films growth from vacuum deposition at various substrate temperatures
Authors: Lin Ku-Yen , Wang Yan-Jun , Chen Ko-Lun , Ho Ching-Yuan , Yang Chun-Chuen , Shen Ji-Lin , Chiu Kuan-Cheng
Published: January 2017

We report on the optical and structural characterization of rubrene polycrystalline films fabricated from vacuum deposition with various substrate temperatures (Tsub). Depending on Tsub, the role of twisted and planar rubrene conformational isomers on the properties of rubrene films is focused. The temperature (T)-dependent inverse optical transmission (IOT) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were performed on these rubrene films. The origins of these IOT and PL peaks are explained in terms of the features from twisted and planar rubrene molecules and of the band characteristics from rubrene molecular solid films. Here, two rarely reported weak-peaks at 2.431 and 2.605 eV were observed from IOT spectra, which are associated with planar rubrene. Besides, the T-dependence of optical bandgap deduced from IOT spectra is discussed with respect to Tsub. Together with IOT and PL spectra, for Tsub > 170 °C, the changes in surface morphology and unit cell volume were observed for the first time, and are attributed to the isomeric transformation from twisted to planar rubrenes during the deposition processes. Furthermore, a unified schematic diagram in terms of Frenkel exciton recombination is suggested to explain the origins of the dominant PL peaks performed on these rubrene films at 15 K.
High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid attenuated matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 expression via CD44 in tendinopathy
Authors: Wu Po-Ting , Kuo Li-Chieh , Su Fong-Chin , Chen Shih-Yao , Hsu Tai-I , Li Chung-Yi , Tsai Kuen-Jer , Jou I-Ming
Published: January 2017

Evidence indicates that hyaluronic acid (HA) mitigates tendinopathy, but the effect of molecular weight is unclear. We investigated the effects of different concentrations and different molecular weights of HA (350 kDa, 1500 kDa, and 3000 kDa) on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -3 expression in IL-1β-stimulated rat tenocytes, and on their dynamic expression in peritendinous effusion from patients with long head of biceps (LHB) tendinopathy after high-molecular-weight (HMW)-HA treatments. Reverse transcription PCR, real-time PCR, and ELISA were used to determine MMP-1 and -3expression. Because CD44 was clearly expressed in the plasma membranes of cultured tenocytes, OX-50, a CD44 antagonist, was used to inhibit CD44 to evaluate the HA mechanism. HA (3000 kDa) significantly (p < 0.001) downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1 and -3 in IL-1β-stimulated tenocytes. Its attenuating effects were dose-dependent (p < 0.01). In OX-50-pretreated cells, the mRNA expression of CD44 was not significantly altered, but the mRNA expression of MMP-1 and -3 was significantly upregulated. Visual analogue scale scores were significantly lower, and MMP-1 and -3 expression was significantly (p < 0.05) lower one month posttreatment. HMW-HA attenuated tendinopathy by downregulating MMP-1 and -3 expression. Inhibiting CD44 blocked the effects of HMW-HA.
Order of magnitude increase in photocatalytic rate for hierarchically porous anatase thin films synthesized from zinc titanate coatings
Authors: Platt Nathanya J. , Kaye Karl M. , Limburn Gregory J. , Cosham Samuel D. , Kulak Alexander N. , Palgrave Robert G. , Hyett Geoffrey
Published: January 2017

Zinc titanate films are converted into porous anatase showing a 12-fold increase in rate compared to non-porous titania films.
A rich medium-chain triacylglycerol diet benefits adiposity but has adverse effects on the markers of hepatic lipogenesis and beta-oxidation
Authors: Chamma Carolina Maria de Oliveira , Bargut Thereza Cristina Lonzetti , Mandarim-de-Lacerda Carlos Alberto , Aguila Marcia Barbosa
Published: January 2017

We investigated the increasing amounts of medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) in the diet on hepatic lipid metabolism.
Exploration and analysis of drug modes of action through feature integration
Authors: Xin Mingyuan , Fan Jun , Liu Mingyao , Jiang Zhenran
Published: January 2017

Identifying drug modes of action (MoA) is of paramount importance for having a good grasp of drug indications in clinical tests.
Synthesis and anticancer activity of benzoselenophene and heteroaromatic derivatives of 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]benzo[e]indol-4-one (CBI)
Authors: Mhetre Amol B. , Lee Hangeun , Yang Heekyoung , Lee Kyoungmin , Nam Do-Hyun , Lim Dongyeol
Published: January 2017

Novel benzoselenophene analogs of duocarmycin were prepared. The anticancer activity of the butyramide analog of benzoselenophene was 120 times more potent than the corresponding indole analog.
A molecular electron density theory study of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of nitrones with ketenes
Authors: Ríos-Gutiérrez Mar , Darù Andrea , Tejero Tomás , Domingo Luis R. , Merino Pedro
Published: January 2017

Thezw-type 32CA reactions of nitrones with ketenes are controlled by the nucleophilic character of the nitrone and the electrophilic character of the ketene. They are chemo- and regio-selective and the use of electrophilic ketenes changes the mechanism from one-step to two-step.
Highly branched unsaturated polyethylenes achievable using strained imino-cyclopenta[b]pyridyl-nickel precatalysts
Authors: Zhang Youfu , Huang Chuanbing , Wang Xinxin , Mahmood Qaiser , Hao Xiang , Hu Xinquan , Guo Cun-Yue , Solan Gregory A. , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: January 2017

Highly branched and unsaturated PEs with narrow PDIs have been obtained using nickel catalysts that display high activities, rapid regeneration of active species and high rates of chain isomerization.
The para-fluoro-thiol ligation in water
Authors: Turgut Hatice , Schmidt Aaron C. , Wadhwani Parvesh , Welle Alexander , Müller Rouven , Delaittre Guillaume
Published: January 2017

The para-fluoro-thiol ligation is performed for the first time in aqueous medium and shown to be controlled by pH. Solution kinetics in various conditions of pH, temperature, and concentration are reported, together with an application for the modification of a polymeric tissue culture dish with a peptide.
Optical sensing of aqueous boron based on polymeric hydroxytriphenylene derivatives
Authors: Areias L. R. P. , da Costa A. P. , Alves S. P. C. , Baleizão C. , Farinha J. P. S.
Published: January 2017

A new water soluble off–on polymeric fluorescent boron sensor, with ppb sensitivity, and reusability.
Development of scalable and versatile nanomaterial libraries for nanosafety studies: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) capped metal oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Briffa S. M. , Lynch I. , Trouillet V. , Bruns M. , Hapiuk D. , Liu J. , Palmer R. E. , Valsami-Jones E.
Published: January 2017

A simple synthesis protocol produced a library of PVP-capped metal oxide nanomaterials with systematically varied properties for hypothesis-driven nano(eco)toxicological studies.
Electronic structure, magnetism and optical properties of orthorhombic GdFeO3 from first principles
Authors: Zhu Xu-Hui , Xiao Xiang-Bo , Chen Xiang-Rong , Liu Bang-Gui
Published: January 2017

The electronic structure, magnetism and optical properties of orthorhombic GdFeO3 are investigated in terms of density-functional-theory calculations..
Fe3O4@SiO2 supported aza-crown ether complex cation ionic liquids: preparation and applications in organic reactions
Authors: Li Dandan , Wang Jinyuan , Chen Fengjuan , Jing Huanwang
Published: January 2017

A series of aza-crown ether ionic liquids supported on magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell particles were designed, synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, TEM, TG and FT-IR.
VEGF-loaded biomimetic scaffolds: a promising approach to improve angiogenesis and osteogenesis in an ischemic environment
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Hai , Zhou Gang , Zhang Jing , Su Xinlin , Huang Zhifeng , Li Qiang , Wu Zhihong , Qiu Guixing
Published: January 2017

This study provides a promising approach to improve angiogenesis and osteogenesis in an ischemic environment.
Preparation and CO2 adsorption properties of porous carbon from camphor leaves by hydrothermal carbonization and sequential potassium hydroxide activation
Authors: Guangzhi Yang , Jinyu Ye , Yuhua Yan , Zhihong Tang , DengGuang Yu , Junhe Yang
Published: January 2017

In this work, porous carbons were prepared from camphor leaves (CL) by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and sequential potassium hydroxide activation.
Catalytic decomposition of N2O over Rh/Zn–Al2O3 catalysts
Authors: Huang Chengyun , Ma Zhen , Miao Changxi , Yue Yinghong , Hua Weiming , Gao Zi
Published: January 2017

Promoted oxygen adsorption–desorption properties of smaller Rh2O3 nanoparticles supported on Zn-modified γ-Al2O3 result in a superior activity for N2O decomposition.
Revealing the three-dimensional filler structure in a rubber matrix based on fluorescein modified layered double hydroxides
Authors: Lv Weiyang , Du Miao , Xiao Jianliang , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: January 2017

A facile fluorescent labeling method was developed to track the filler structural evolution in a rubber matrix, which could be helpful in understanding the Payne effect in the filled compounds.
Comparative analysis of stability and biological activities of violacein and starch capped silver nanoparticles
Authors: Arif Sania , Batool Aamina , Khalid Nauman , Ahmed Iftikhar , Janjua Hussnain Ahmed
Published: January 2017

This study highlights the synthesis of starch and violacein capped AgNPs through reducing agents. The violacein capped AgNPs are more stable than starch capped AgNPs and have more potent antimicrobial activities in comparison to starch capped AgNPs.
Characterization of Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella protothecoides using multi-pixel photon counters in a 3D focusing optofluidic system
Authors: Vander Wiel Jonathan B. , Mikulicz Jonathan D. , Boysen Michael R. , Hashemi Niloofar , Kalgren Patrick , Nauman Levi M. , Baetzold Seth J. , Powell Gabrielle G. , He Qing , Hashemi Nicole Nastaran
Published: January 2017

A new type of multi-pixel photon counter was employed to miniaturize the device, lower its power consumption, and make it insensitive to magnetic fields.
ZrO2 nanofibers/activated carbon composite as a novel and effective electrode material for the enhancement of capacitive deionization performance
Authors: Yasin Ahmed S. , Obaid M. , Mohamed Ibrahim M. A. , Yousef Ahmed , Barakat Nasser A. M.
Published: January 2017

Among the various forms of carbon materials, activated carbon still possesses the maximum attention as an optimum commercially available, cheap, and effective electrode material for the capacitive deionization desalination process.
Persistent luminescence in the self-activated K2Zr(BO3)2
Authors: Ju Guifang , Hu Yihua , Chen Li , Jin Yahong , Li Yang
Published: January 2017

This study reports a cyan emitting self-activated persistent phosphor K2Zr(BO3)2.
Aβ1–42 C-terminus fragment derived peptides prevent the self-assembly of the parent peptide
Authors: Bansal Sunil , Maurya Indresh Kumar , Shenmar Kitika , Yadav Nitin , Thota Chaitanya Kumar , Kumar Vinod , Tikoo Kulbhushan , Chauhan Virander Singh , Jain Rahul
Published: January 2017

A series of peptides derived from the C-terminus fragment (Aβ38–42) of Aβ showed significant to complete reduction in Aβ-induced toxicity.
Peptide nucleic acid-ionic self-complementary peptide conjugates: highly efficient DNA condensers with specific condensing mechanism
Authors: Cao Meiwen , Zhao Wenjing , Zhou Peng , Xie Zilong , Sun Yawei , Xu Hai
Published: January 2017

Peptide nucleic acid-ionic self-complementary peptide conjugates can induce efficient DNA condensation via base-pairing interaction and peptide association.
Bacterial iron-oxide nanowires from biofilm waste as a new adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from water
Authors: Andjelkovic Ivan , Azari Sara , Erkelens Mason , Forward Peter , Lambert Martin F. , Losic Dusan
Published: January 2017

Biofilm waste material generated by the bacteria in the groundwater pipelines was found is composed of amorphous twisted iron-oxide nanowires which are shown to have considerable adsorption properties for removal As(iii) and As(v) ions from waters.
Automated melting curve analysis in droplet microfluidics for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genotyping
Authors: Liu F.-W. , Ding S.-T. , Lin E.-C. , Lu Y.-W. , Jang J.-S. R.
Published: January 2017

An integrated microchip platform with automated analysis capability for DNA melting curves is developed for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping applications.
Preparation, characterization and catalytic performance of HPW/aEVM catalyst on oxidative desulfurization
Authors: Huang Pengcheng , Luo Guangqin , Kang Lihua , Zhu Mingyuan , Dai Bin
Published: January 2017

Expanded vermiculite (EVM) was prepared, treated with acid (aEVM) and incorporated with H3PW12O40 (HPW) by an ordinary impregnation method.
Ring opening polymerization of lactides and lactones by multimetallic alkyl zinc complexes derived from the acids Ph2C(X)CO2H (X = OH, NH2)
Authors: Al-Khafaji Yahya F. , Elsegood Mark R. J. , Frese Josef W. A. , Redshaw Carl
Published: January 2017

The reaction of the dialkylzinc reagents with acids 2,2-Ph2C(X)(CO2H), where X = NH2, OH, i.e. 2,2′-diphenylglycine (dpgH) or benzilic acid (benzH2), in toluene at reflux afforded the tetra-nuclear ring complexes [RZn(dpg)]4, where R = Me, Et, 2-CF3C6H4, and 2,4,6-F3C6H2
F-TiO2/P(VDF-HFP) hybrid films with enhanced dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss
Authors: Yu Enjie , Zhang Qilong , Xu Nuoxin , Yang Hui
Published: January 2017

Self-assembly flower-like TiO2 particles (F-TiO2) were synthesized as fillers and the resulting F-TiO2/P(VDF-HFP) composites exhibited enhanced dielectric properties.
Band-tunable photodetectors based on graphene/alloyed ZnxCd1−xS film hybrids
Authors: Huang Fan , Ouyang Sheng , Jia Feixiang , Cai Caoyuan , Xu Zhihao , Wu Congjun , Ma Yang , Wang Min
Published: January 2017

We have achieved band-tunable photodetectors based on graphene/alloyed ZnxCd1–xS film hybrids with cut-off edge in spectra response gradually changed from 410 nm to 580 nm.
A covalent triazine framework-based heterogenized Al–Co bimetallic catalyst for the ring-expansion carbonylation of epoxide to β-lactone
Authors: Rajendiran Senkuttuvan , Natarajan Prakash , Yoon Sungho
Published: January 2017

The recyclable and heterogenized catalyst [bpy-CTF-AI(OTf)2][Co(CO)4] (bpy = bipyridine) efficiently converts propylene oxide into β-butyrolactone with high selectivity.
Solvothermal synthesis of magnetic CoFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites for highly efficient dye removal in wastewater
Authors: Yin Wenzhu , Hao Shuo , Cao Huaqiang
Published: January 2017

Magnetic CoFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites were fabricated via a solvothermal process and used as environmentally-friendly adsorbents for the adsorption of organic dyes.
Removal of NaCl from saltwater solutions using micro/mesoporous carbon sheets derived from watermelon peel via deionization capacitors
Authors: Zhao Shanshan , Yan Tingting , Wang Zhuo , Zhang Jianping , Shi Liyi , Zhang Dengsong
Published: January 2017

Micro/mesoporous carbon sheets derived from watermelon peel were demonstrated as highly efficient electrodes for flow-through deionization capacitors.
A low-cost and water resistant biomass adhesive derived from the hydrolysate of leather waste
Authors: Zhou Jianfei , Xu Teng , Wang Xiaoling , Liu Chang , Liao Xuepin , Huang Xin , Shi Bi
Published: January 2017

A low-cost and water resistant biomass adhesive was prepared by using collagen hydrolysate extracted from leather wastes as the starting material and silane coupling agent as the crosslinking agent.
Wentinoids A–F, six new isopimarane diterpenoids from Aspergillus wentii SD-310, a deep-sea sediment derived fungus
Authors: Li Xin , Li Xiao-Dong , Li Xiao-Ming , Xu Gang-Ming , Liu Yang , Wang Bin-Gui
Published: January 2017

Wentinoids A–F (1–6), presented as the first examples of isopimarane analogues from the fungus Aspergillus wentii, were isolated and identified.
Magnetic modification of GaSe monolayer by absorption of single Fe atom
Authors: Lu Yihong , Ke Congming , Fu Mingming , Lin Wei , Zhang Chunmiao , Chen Ting , Li Heng , Kang Junyong , Wu Zhiming , Wu Yaping
Published: January 2017

Fe adsorbed GaSe monolayers are studied systematically using density functional theory. A strong orbit coupling effect between Fe and the vicinal Ga and Se atoms results in a half-metallicity with a 100% spin polarization.
Spatial summation of the short-term plasticity of a pair of organic heterogeneous junctions
Authors: Chang C. T. , Zeng F. , Li J. X. , Dong W. S. , Hu Y. D. , Li G. Q.
Published: January 2017

Short-term plasticity of a pair of organic heterogeneous junctions could be linearly summed from those of the two sources.
Creativity in chemistry class and in general – German student teachers’ views
Authors: Semmler Luzie , Pietzner Verena
Published: January 2017

Creativity has become an increasingly important competence in today's rapidly changing times, especially for school graduates who strive for pursuing a technical or scientific career. But creativity has not been integrated in the lessons or curricula of STEM subjects. To successfully integrate it in the classroom, it is important to investigate teachers’ and student teachers’ views on creativity. A study with seventeen German student teachers, studying chemistry on a Master's degree, is already carried out using a new research instrument that includes the creation of concept maps and filling out a questionnaire. The implementation of this study, the analysis and evaluation of the data and a comparison with literature data are described in this article. One result of this study is that the methods are an adequate approach to investigate views and knowledge about creativity. Regarding this, all of the students already had conceptions, views and an understanding about creativity in general and in the context of chemistry education, although they did not get input on the topic. Furthermore, almost all of the students had a positive attitude towards creativity and its integration in chemistry lessons. However, also uncertainties like the definition of creativity could be identified.
Reduced graphene oxide intercalated Co2C or Co4N nanoparticles as an efficient and durable fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction
Authors: Meganathan Mayilvel Dinesh , Mao Shun , Huang Taizhong , Sun Guoxin
Published: January 2017

Co2C or Co4N nanoparticles embedded on reduced graphene oxide are efficient and durable catalysts for oxygen reduction in alkaline fuel cells.
Industrially weavable metal/cotton yarn air electrodes for highly flexible and stable wire-shaped Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Lin Xiujing , Kang Qi , Zhang Ziqiang , Liu Ruiqing , Li Yi , Huang Zhendong , Feng Xiaomiao , Ma Yanwen , Huang Wei
Published: January 2017

Flexible freestanding cathodes for Li–O2 batteries were fabricated massively by dyeing industrially weavable metal/cotton yarns with an active material ink.
Efficient CO2-removal using novel mixed-matrix membranes with modified TiO2nanoparticles
Authors: Shamsabadi Ahmad Arabi , Seidi Farzad , Salehi Ehsan , Nozari Mohammad , Rahimpour Ahmad , Soroush Masoud
Published: January 2017

The significant improvement in the CO2-removal performance of Pebax-1657 when it is embedded with TiO2nanoparticles and chemically modified.