bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrosative stress defences of the enterohepatic pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pullorum
Authors: Parente Margarida R. , Forte Elena , Falabella Micol , Boneca Ivo G. , Teixeira Miguel , Giuffrè Alessandro , Saraiva Lígia M.
Published: August 2017

Helicobacter pullorum is an avian bacterium that causes gastroenteritis, intestinal bowel and hepatobiliary diseases in humans. Although H. pullorum has been shown to activate the mammalian innate immunity with release of nitric oxide (NO), the proteins that afford protection against NO and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) remain unknown. Here several protein candidates of H. pullorum, namely a truncated (TrHb) and a single domain haemoglobin (SdHb), and three peroxiredoxin-like proteins (Prx1, Prx2 and Prx3) were investigated. We report that the two haemoglobin genes are induced by RNS, and that SdHb confers resistance to nitrosative stress both in vitro and in macrophages. For peroxiredoxins, the prx2 and prx3 expression is enhanced by peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Mutation of prx1 does not alter the resistance to these stresses, while the single ∆prx2 and double ∆prx1∆prx2 mutants have decreased viability. To corroborate the physiological data, the biochemical analysis of the five recombinant enzymes was done, namely by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. It is shown that H. pullorum SdHb reacts with NO much more quickly than TrHb, and that the three Prxs react promptly with peroxynitrite, Prx3 displaying the highest reactivity. Altogether, the results unveil SdHb and Prx3 as major protective systems of H. pullorum against nitrosative stress.
Direct comparison of methionine restriction with leucine restriction on the metabolic health of C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Lees Emma K. , Banks Ruth , Cook Chelsea , Hill Sophie , Morrice Nicola , Grant Louise , Mody Nimesh , Delibegovic Mirela
Published: August 2017

The effects of methionine restriction (MR) in rodents are well established; it leads to decreased body and fat mass, improved glucose homeostasis and extended lifespan, despite increased energy intake. Leucine restriction (LR) replicates some, but not all, of these effects of MR. To determine any differences in metabolic effects between MR and LR, this study compared 8 weeks of MR (80% restriction), LR (80% restriction) and control diet in 10-month-old C57BL/6J male mice. Body composition, food intake and glucose homeostasis were measured throughout the study and biochemical analyses of white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver were performed. MR and LR decreased body and fat mass, increased food intake, elevated lipid cycling in WAT and improved whole-body glucose metabolism and hepatic insulin sensitivity in comparison to the control diet. MR produced more substantial effects than LR on body mass and glucose homeostasis and reduced hepatic lipogenic gene expression, which was absent with the LR diet. This could be a result of amino acid-specific pathways in the liver responsible for FGF21 stimulation (causing varied levels of FGF21 induction) and Akt activation. In summary, LR is effective at improving metabolic health; however, MR produces stronger effects, suggesting they activate distinct signalling pathways.
Origin of the emergence of higher T
c than bulk in iron chalcogenide thin films
Authors: Seo Sehun , Kang Jong-Hoon , Oh Myeong Jun , Jeong Il-Seok , Jiang Jianyi , Gu Genda , Lee Jung-Woo , Lee Jongmin , Noh Heesung , Liu Mengchao , Gao Peng , Hellstrom Eric E. , Lee Joo-Hyoung , Jo Youn Jung , Eom Chang-Beom , Lee Sanghan
Published: August 2017

Fabrication of epitaxial FeSexTe1−x thin films using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) enables improving their superconducting transition temperature (Tc) by more than ~40% than their bulk Tc. Intriguingly, Tc enhancement in FeSexTe1−x thin films has been observed on various substrates and with different Se content, x. To date, various mechanisms for Tc enhancement have been reported, but they remain controversial in universally explaining the Tc improvement in the FeSexTe1−x films. In this report, we demonstrate that the controversies over the mechanism of Tc enhancement are due to the abnormal changes in the chalcogen ratio (Se:Te) during the film growth and that the previously reported Tc enhancement in FeSe0.5Te0.5 thin films is caused by a remarkable increase of Se content. Although our FeSexTe1−x thin films were fabricated via PLD using a Fe0.94Se0.45Te0.55 target, the precisely measured composition indicates a Se-rich FeSexTe1−x (0.6 < x < 0.8) as ascertained through accurate compositional analysis by both wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). We suggest that the origin of the abnormal composition change is the difference in the thermodynamic properties of ternary FeSexTe1−x, based on first principle calculations.
Serological Response Predicts Normalization of Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities at Six Months after Treatment in HIV-Negative Neurosyphilis Patients
Authors: Xiao Yao , Tong Man-Li , Lin Li-Rong , Liu Li-Li , Gao Kun , Chen Mei-Jun , Zhang Hui-Lin , Zheng Wei-Hong , Li Shu-Lian , Lin Hui-Ling , Lin Zhi-Feng , Yang Tian-Ci , Niu Jian-Jun
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to determine whether a serological response could predict the normalization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities at 6 months after treatment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative neurosyphilis patients. A total of 123 neurosyphilis patients were recruited at baseline, 58 of these patients undergoing treatment, repeated CSF examinations and serological tests for syphilis at 6 months after treatment were included in the follow-up study. Before treatment, the CSF rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer, CSF Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) titer, CSF leukocyte count, and CSF protein concentration were correlated with both serum RPR and TPPA titers. At 6 months after treatment, 28 and nine patients achieved serological responses of RPR and TPPA tests, respectively. The sensitivities of the serological response of RPR and TPPA tests for identifying the normalization of CSF abnormalities were 60.0∼83.3% and 17.1~22.2%, respectively; and 75.0∼91.3% of patients showing serological response of RPR test also achieved CSF normalization, suggesting that the serological response could predict CSF normalization to some degree. Particularly, in patients with ≥8-fold decreases in the serum RPR titer, the CSF RPR, CSF leukocyte count, and CSF protein concentration had normalized, and follow-up lumbar puncture could be reduced considering the resolution of neurological symptoms.
All-plasmonic Optical Phased Array Integrated on a Thin-film Platform
Authors: Zeng Yuan-Song , Qu Shi-Wei , Chen Bao-Jie , Chan Chi Hou
Published: August 2017

Optical phased arrays have been demonstrated to enable a variety of applications ranging from high-speed on-chip communications to vertical surface emitting lasers. Despite the prosperities of the researches on optical phased arrays, presently, the reported designs of optical phased arrays are based on silicon photonics while plasmonic-based optical phased arrays have not been demonstrated yet. In this paper, a passive plasmonic optical phased array is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The beam of the proposed plasmonic optical phased array is steerable in the far-field area and a high directivity can be achieved. In addition, radio frequency phased array theory is demonstrated to be applicable to the description of the coupling conditions of the delocalized surface plasmons in optical phased arrays and thus the gap between the phased arrays at two distinctly different wavelengths can be bridged. The potential applications of the proposed plasmonic phased arrays include on-chip optical wireless nanolinks, optical interconnections and integrated plasmonic lasers.
Multi-mode humidity sensing with water-soluble copper phthalocyanine for increased sensitivity and dynamic range
Authors: Muckley Eric S. , Jacobs Christopher B. , Vidal Keith , Lavrik Nickolay V. , Sumpter Bobby G. , Ivanov Ilia N.
Published: August 2017

Aqueous solubility of copper phthalocyanine-3,4′,4″,4″′-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (CuPcTs) enables fabrication of flexible electronic devices by low cost inkjet printing. We (1) investigate water adsorption kinetics on CuPcTs for better understanding the effects of relative humidity (RH) on hydrophilic phthalocyanines, and (2) assess CuPcTs as a humidity-sensing material. Reaction models show that H2O undergoes 2-site adsorption which can be represented by a pair of sequentially-occurring pseudo-first order reactions. Using high frequency (300–700 THz) and low frequency (1–8 MHz) dielectric spectroscopy combined with gravimetric measurements and principal component analysis, we observe that significant opto-electrical changes in CuPcTs occur at RH ≈ 60%. The results suggest that rapid H2O adsorption takes place at hydrophilic sulfonyl/salt groups on domain surfaces at low RH, while slow adsorption and diffusion of H2O into CuPcTs crystallites leads to a mixed CuPcTs-H2O phase at RH > 60%, resulting in high frequency dielectric screening of the film by water and dissociation of Na+ from CuPc(SO3−)4 ions. The CuPcTs-H2O interaction can be tracked using a combination of gravimetric, optical, and electrical sensing modes, enabling accurate ( ± 2.5%) sensing in the ~0–95% RH range with a detection limit of less than 0.1% RH.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cell Therapy Enhances Recovery in an Ischemic Stroke Pig Model
Authors: Baker Emily W. , Platt Simon R. , Lau Vivian W. , Grace Harrison E. , Holmes Shannon P. , Wang Liya , Duberstein Kylee Jo , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Kinder Holly A. , Stice Steve L. , Hess David C. , Mao Hui , West Franklin D.
Published: August 2017

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (iNSCs) have significant potential as an autologous, multifunctional cell therapy for stroke, which is the primary cause of long term disability in the United States and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Here we show that iNSC transplantation improves recovery through neuroprotective, regenerative, and cell replacement mechanisms in a novel ischemic pig stroke model. Longitudinal multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following iNSC therapy demonstrated reduced changes in white matter integrity, cerebral blood perfusion, and brain metabolism in the infarcted tissue. The observed tissue level recovery strongly correlated with decreased immune response, enhanced neuronal protection, and increased neurogenesis. iNSCs differentiated into neurons and oligodendrocytes with indication of long term integration. The robust recovery response to iNSC therapy in a translational pig stroke model with increased predictive potential strongly supports that iNSCs may be the critically needed therapeutic for human stroke patients.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Decaisnea insignis: Genome Organization, Genomic Resources and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Li Bin , Lin Furong , Huang Ping , Guo Wenying , Zheng Yongqi
Published: August 2017

Decaisnea insignis is a wild resource plant and is used as an ornamental, medicinal, and fruit plant. High-throughput sequencing of chloroplast genomes has provided insight into the overall evolutionary dynamics of chloroplast genomes and has enhanced our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within plant families. In the present study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of D. insignis and used the data to assess its genomic resources. The D. insignis chloroplast genome is 158,683 bp in length and includes a pair of inverted repeats of 26,167 bp that are separated by small and large single copy regions of 19,162 bp and 87,187 bp, respectively. We identified 83 simple sequence repeats and 18 pairs of large repeats. Most simple-sequence repeats were located in the noncoding sections of the large single-copy/small single-copy region and exhibited a high A/T content. The D. insignis chloroplast genome bias was skewed towards A/T on the basis of codon usage. A phylogenetic tree based on 82 protein-coding genes of 33 angiosperms showed that D. insignis was clustered with Akebia in Lardizabalaceae. Overall, the results of this study will contribute to better understanding the evolution, molecular biology and genetic improvement of D. insignis.
Resolution Agonist 15-epi-Lipoxin A4 Programs Early Activation of Resolving Phase in Post-Myocardial Infarction Healing
Authors: Kain Vasundhara , Liu Fei , Kozlovskaya Veronika , Ingle Kevin. A. , Bolisetty Subhashini , Agarwal Anupam , Khedkar Santosh , Prabhu Sumanth D. , Kharlampieva Eugenia , Halade Ganesh V.
Published: August 2017

Following myocardial infarction (MI), overactive inflammation remodels the left ventricle (LV) leading to heart failure coinciding with reduced levels of 15-epi-Lipoxin A4 (15-epi LXA4). However, the role of 15-epi LXA4 in post-MI acute inflammatory response and resolving phase is unclear. We hypothesize that liposomal fusion of 15-epi-LXA4 (Lipo-15-epi-LXA4) or free 15-epi-LXA4 will expedite the resolving phase in post-MI inflammation. 8 to 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to permanent coronary artery ligation. Lipo-15-epi-LXA4 or 15-epi-LXA4 (1 µg/kg/day) was injected 3 hours post-MI for (d)1 or continued daily till d5. 15-epi-LXA4 activated formyl peptide receptor (FPR2) and GPR120 on alternative macrophages but inhibited GPR40 on classical macrophages in-vitro. The 15-epi-LXA4 injected mice displayed reduced LV and lung mass to body weight ratios and improved ejection fraction at d5 post-MI. In the acute phase of inflammation-(d1), 15-epi-LXA4 primes neutrophil infiltration with a robust increase of Ccl2 and FPR2 expression. During the resolving phase-(d5), 15-epi-LXA4 initiated rapid neutrophils clearance with persistent activation of FPR2 in LV. Compared to MI-control, 15-epi-LXA4 injected mice showed reduced renal inflammation along with decreased levels of ngal and plasma creatinine. In summary, 15-epi-LXA4 initiates the resolving phase early to discontinue inflammation post-MI, thereby reducing LV dysfunction.
Noninvasive oscillometric cardiac output determination in the intensive care unit – comparison with invasive transpulmonary thermodilution
Authors: Reshetnik Alexander , Compton Friederike , Schölzel Anna , Tölle Markus , Zidek Walter , Giet Markus van der
Published: August 2017

Assessment of the cardiac output (CO) is usually performed with invasive techniques requiring specialized equipment in the intensive care unit (ICU). With TEL-O-GRAPH (TG), CO can be derived from the oscillometrically obtained brachial pulse wave during the measurement of brachial blood pressure. CO and stroke volume (SV) determinations with TG were compared with transpulmonary thermodilution measurements with the PICCO system (PICCO) in 38 haemodynamically unstable ICU patients with a total of 84 comparison measurements performed. SV (33.3 ± 9.0 ml/m2 vs. 44.3 ± 14.4 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and CO (2.7 ± 0.5 l/min/m2 vs. 3.8 ± 1.2 l/min/m2, p < 0.001) were underestimated significantly with TG and oscillometric brachial systolic blood pressure (BP) was significantly lower and diastolic BP significantly higher than invasive femoral artery pressure. A linear correlation was found between CO dimension and CO underestimation with TG. Correct tracking of CO changes with a fluid challenge was possible in 69.5% of measurements. Oscillometric noninvasive CO is possible in the ICU, but accuracy and precision of this new method are lacking. Implementation of a correction factor accounting for the linear increase in CO underestimation observed with increasing CO could improve CO assessment with TG in haemodynamically unstable patients.
Enhanced antitumor effect on intrapulmonary tumors of docetaxel lung-targeted liposomes in a rabbit model of VX2 orthotopic lung cancer
Authors: Wang LiJuan , Li Rui , Che KeKe , Liu ZhongHong , Xiang ShiFeng , Li MengYa , Yu Yu
Published: August 2017

Allergic reactions and severe systemic toxicity are two major challenges for the clinical application of docetaxel (DTX) for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We developed a novel lung-targeted DTX-loaded liposome (DTX-LP), an efficient drug delivery system, with a patented DBaumNC technology to overcome these deficiencies. In the present study, we describe the targeting activity, tumor inhibition rate (TIR), survival, pathology, tumor apoptosis and metabolism of DTX after intravenous injection of DTX-LP compared to the DTX injection (DTX-IN) formulation based on the VX2 orthotopic lung cancer rabbit model. Biodistribution studies revealed the highest accumulation in lung and tumor within 12 h after the injection of DTX-LP. The increased TIR indicates that the growth of tumor was slowed. Pathology tests demonstrated that DTX-LP can reduce metastasis and toxicity to non-targeted organs, leading to greatly extended survival time and improved survival of tumor-bearing rabbits. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed that DTX-LP is highly efficacious in tumor tissue, leading to a significant increase of tumor apoptosis and decrease of proliferation and angiogenesis. The results from this study demonstrate the increased intrapulmonary tumor targeting activity, enhanced antitumor effect and reduced toxicity of DTX-LP compared to DTX-IN and highlight its clinical prospects for NSCLC therapy.
Novel Rbfox2 isoforms associated with alternative exon usage in rat cortex and suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Partridge L. M. M. , Carter D. A.
Published: August 2017

Transcriptome diversity in adult neurons is partly mediated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs), including the RBFOX factors. RBFOX3/NeuN, a neuronal maturity marker, is strangely depleted in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons, and may be compensated by a change in Rbfox2 expression. In this study, we found no superficial changes in Rbfox2 expression in the SCN, but mRNA population analysis revealed a distinct SCN transcript profile that includes multiple novel Rbfox2 isoforms. Of eleven isoforms in SCN and cerebral cortex that exhibit exon variation across two protein domains, we found a 3-fold higher abundance of a novel (‘−12–40’) C-terminal domain (CTD)-variant in the SCN. This isoform embraces an alternative reading frame that imparts a 50% change in CTD protein sequence, and functional impairment of exon 7 exclusion activity in a RBFOX2-target, the L-type calcium channel gene, Cacna1c. We have also demonstrated functional correlates in SCN gene transcripts; inclusion of Cacna1c exon 7, and also exclusion of both NMDA receptor gene Grin1 exon 4, and Enah exon 12, all consistent with a change in SCN RBFOX activity. The demonstrated regional diversity of Rbfox2 in adult brain highlights the functional adaptability of this RBP, enabling neuronal specialization, and potentially responding to disease-related neuronal dysfunction.
A novel chiral stationary phase LC-MS/MS method to evaluate oxidation mechanisms of edible oils
Authors: Ito Junya , Shimizu Naoki , Kobayashi Eri , Hanzawa Yasuhiko , Otoki Yurika , Kato Shunji , Hirokawa Takafumi , Kuwahara Shigefumi , Miyazawa Teruo , Nakagawa Kiyotaka
Published: August 2017

The elucidation of lipid oxidation mechanisms of food is vital. In certain lipids, characteristic lipid hydroperoxide isomers are formed by different oxidation mechanisms (i.e., photo-oxidation or auto-oxidation). For example, linoleic acid is photo-oxidized to 13-9Z, 11E-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (HPODE), 12-9Z,13E-HPODE, 10-8E,12Z-HPODE and 9-10E,12Z-HPODE, whereas 13-9Z, 11E-HPODE, 13-9E,11E-HPODE, 9-10E,12Z-HPODE and 9-10E,12E-HPODE are formed by auto-oxidation. Therefore, we considered that oxidation mechanisms could be evaluated by analyzing these characteristic positional and cis/trans lipid hydroperoxide isomers. In this study, we developed a novel chiral stationary phase LC-MS/MS (CSP-LC-MS/MS) method to analyze the positional and cis/trans isomers of HPODE, with the use of a chiral column and sodium ion. Also, as an application of the method, either light-exposed or heated edible oils were treated with lipase to hydrolyze triacylglycerols. The resultant fatty acids including HPODE isomers were analyzed with the developed method. As a result, HPODE isomers characteristic to photo-oxidation were certainly detected in light-exposed edible oils. On the other hand, in heated edible oils, the HPODE isomers characteristic to auto-oxidation were largely increased. Thus, the combination of the developed CSP-LC-MS/MS method with lipase proves to be a powerful tool to evaluate the involvement and mechanisms of lipid oxidation in the process of food deterioration.
Millennial-scale northern Hemisphere Atlantic-Pacific climate teleconnections in the earliest Middle Pleistocene
Authors: Hyodo Masayuki , Bradák Balázs , Okada Makoto , Katoh Shigehiro , Kitaba Ikuko , Dettman David L. , Hayashi Hiroki , Kumazawa Koyo , Hirose Kotaro , Kazaoka Osamu , Shikoku Kizuku , Kitamura Akihisa
Published: August 2017

Suborbital-scale climate variations, possibly caused by solar activity, are observed in the Holocene and last-glacial climates. Recently published bicentennial-resolution paleoceanic environmental records reveal millennial-scale high-amplitude oscillations postdating the last geomagnetic reversal in the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 19 interglacial. These oscillations, together with decoupling of post-reversal warming from maximum sea-level highstand in mid-latitudes, are key features for understanding the climate system of MIS 19 and the following Middle Pleistocene. It is unclear whether the oscillations are synchronous, or have the same driver as Holocene cycles. Here we present a high resolution record of western North Pacific submarine anoxia and sea surface bioproductivity from the Chiba Section, central Japan. The record reveals many oxic events in MIS 19, coincident with cold intervals, or with combined cold and sea-level fall events. This allows detailed correlations with paleoceanic records from the mid-latitude North Atlantic and Osaka Bay, southwest Japan. We find that the millennial-scale oscillations are synchronous between East and West hemispheres. In addition, during the two warmest intervals, bioproductivity follows the same pattern of change modulated by bicentennial cycles that are possibly related to solar activity.
XWL-1-48 exerts antitumor activity via targeting topoisomerase II and enhancing degradation of Mdm2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yajie , Sun Hua , Xiao Zhiyan , Zhang Dan , Bao Xiuqi , Wei Ning
Published: August 2017

A novel podophyllotoxin derivative, XWL-1-48, was synthesized as an oral topoisomerase II inhibitor. kDNA decatenation assay indicated that XWL-1-48 significantly inhibited topoisomerase II activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of XWL-1-48 is more potent than its congener GL331 and the IC50 values are from 0.34 ± 0.21 to 3.54 ± 0.54 µM in 10 cancer cell lines including KBV200 cells with P-gp overexpression. Noticeably, XWL-1-48 exerted potent antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. Further studies demonstrated that treatment of XWL-1-48 induced γ-H2AX and p-ATM expression, and further triggered DNA damage response through activation of ATM-p53-p21 and ATM-Chk2-Cdc25A pathways. Targeted inhibition of ATM by siRNA attenuated the ability of XWL-1-48 on inducing DNA damage. XWL-1-48 significantly suppressed Cyclin A and p-Cdk2 (Thr160) expression, increased p-Cdk2 (Thr14), led to inactivation of Cyclin A/Cdk2 complex, arrested cell cycle at S phase. Finally, XWL-1-48 elevated the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 and induced Fas and FasL, initiated mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathway. Meanwhile, XWL-1-48 evidently enhanced degradation of Mdm2, blocked PI3K/Akt/Mdm2 pathway and suppressed HCC cell survival. Thus, XWL-1-48 may be a promising orally topoisomerase II inhibitor for treatment of HCC.
Dysfunction of the circadian transcriptional factor CLOCK in mice resists chemical carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis
Authors: Hashikawa Ken-ichi , Katamune Chiharu , Kusunose Naoki , Matsunaga Naoya , Koyanagi Satoru , Ohdo Shigehiro
Published: August 2017

The chronic disruption of circadian rhythms has been implicated in the risk of cancer development in humans and laboratory animals. The gene product CLOCK is a core molecular component of the circadian oscillator, so that mice with a mutated Clock gene (Clk/Clk) exhibit abnormal rhythms in various physiological processes. However, we demonstrated here that Clk/Clk mice resisted chemical carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis by suppressing epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-mediated proliferation signals. The repetitive application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) to skin on the back resulted in the significant development of tumors in wild-type mice, whereas chemically-induced tumorigenesis was alleviated in Clk/Clk mice. Although the degree of DMBA-induced DNA damage was not significantly different between wild-type and Clk/Clk mice, EGF receptor-mediated Ras activation was not detected in DMBA-treated Clk/Clk mice. Genetic and biochemical experiments revealed that the suppression of EGF receptor-mediated signal transduction in DMBA-treated Clk/Clk mice was associated with the expression of the cellular senescence factor p16INK4a. These results suggest an uncovered role for CLOCK in the development of chemical carcinogen-induced primary tumors and offers new preventive strategies.
Perioperative statin administration with decreased risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation, but not acute kidney injury or myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhen-Han Li , Rui Shi , Dan Chen , Xiao-Li Zhou , Qing-Chen Wu , Bo Feng
Published: August 2017

A controversy effect of perioperative statin use for preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery still remains. We thus performed current systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate effects of statin in cardiac surgery. 22 RCTs involving 5243 patients were included. Meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials with 3995 participants suggested that perioperative statin use could decrease the risk of POAF (relative risk [RR] 0.69, 95%CI 0.56 to 0.86, P = 0.001), with a moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 65.7%, P
H
 < 0.001). And the beneficial effect was found only in patients receiving coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), but not in patients undergoing valve surgery. However, perioperative statin use was not associated with lower risks of AKI (RR 0.98, 95%CI 0.70 to 1.35, P = 0.884, I2 = 33.9%, P
H
 = 0.157) or myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 0.84, 95%CI 0.58 to 1.23, P = 0.380, I2 = 0%, P
H
 = 0.765), and even an increased trend of AKI was observed in patients with valve surgery. Perioperative statin use could decrease the inflammation response with no impact on clinical outcomes. In conclusion, perioperative statin use is useful in preventing POAF, particularly in patients with CABG, and ameliorate inflammation, while it has no effect on AKI and MI after cardiac surgery.
MRI and Additive Manufacturing of Nasal Alar Constructs for Patient-specific Reconstruction
Authors: Visscher Dafydd O. , van Eijnatten Maureen , Liberton Niels P. T. J. , Wolff Jan , Hofman Mark B. M. , Helder Marco N. , Don Griot J. Peter W. , Zuijlen Paul P. M. van
Published: August 2017

Surgical reconstruction of cartilaginous defects remains a major challenge. In the current study, we aimed to identify an imaging strategy for the development of patient-specific constructs that aid in the reconstruction of nasal deformities. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed on a human cadaver head to find the optimal MRI sequence for nasal cartilage. This sequence was subsequently used on a volunteer. Images of both were assessed by three independent researchers to determine measurement error and total segmentation time. Three dimensionally (3D) reconstructed alar cartilage was then additively manufactured. Validity was assessed by comparing manually segmented MR images to the gold standard (micro-CT). Manual segmentation allowed delineation of the nasal cartilages. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was acceptable in the cadaver (coefficient of variation 4.6–12.5%), but less in the volunteer (coefficient of variation 0.6–21.9%). Segmentation times did not differ between observers (cadaver P = 0.36; volunteer P = 0.6). The lateral crus of the alar cartilage was consistently identified by all observers, whereas part of the medial crus was consistently missed. This study suggests that MRI is a feasible imaging modality for the development of 3D alar constructs for patient-specific reconstruction.
Shift of bacterial community structure along different coastal reclamation histories in Jiangsu, Eastern China
Authors: Hua Jianfeng , Feng Youzhi , Jiang Qian , Bao Xuewen , Yin Yunlong
Published: August 2017

Tideland reclamation has drastic effects on coastal ecosystem involved in soil microorganisms. However, the knowledge regarding temporal variations of microbial community along reclamation chronosequence and their environmental variable predictor is still poorly known. Using Illumina sequencing, we qualified bacterial community composition in soils collected from one tideland and four reclamation stages, i.e. 2-year, 7-year, 19-year and 39-year in Jiangsu, Eastern China. Across all samples, the dominant groups were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidete, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi. Reclamation activity and its histories greatly altered bacterial community structure, and only 0.28% of phylotypes were shared by five soils. Specially, some typical marine bacteria (Gaetulibacter, Alcanivorax …) disappeared in reclamation soils, while other groups (Niabella, Flavisolibacter…) were gradually eminent. Generally, bacterial diversity and richness increased with reclamation histories. Bacterial community was correlated with most of soil physico-chemical properties. Amongst, mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) was detected as a primary factor predicting bacterial community composition. Together, our results indicated that effects of reclamation on bacterial community varied with diked histories, and MWD was a major factor predicting bacterial community during progressive reclamation. These findings offer predicting case study for understanding the impact of reclamation and its histories on microbial community in a coastal ecosystem.
Preparation of TiO2-coated barite composite pigments by the hydrophobic aggregation method and their structure and properties
Authors: Sun Sijia , Ding Hao , Zhou Hong
Published: August 2017

We obtained hydrophobic barite (BaSO4) and rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles (as raw materials) by organic surface modification. Subsequently, TiO2-coated barite composite pigments were prepared via the hydrophobic aggregation of heterogeneous particles in a water medium. The pigment properties of the TiO2-coated barite composite pigments were characterized and evaluated by determining their hiding power, oil absorption value and whiteness. The optical properties were determined by obtaining their UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and using the CIE-L*a*b* method. The morphology and bonding properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results show the similarity between the composite pigment and pure rutile TiO2: when the mass ratio of rutile TiO2 in the composite pigment was 60%, the hiding power of the TiO2-coated barite composite pigment was 90.81% of that of pure rutile TiO2. Moreover, the surfaces of the barite particles were uniformly and firmly coated by TiO2, with a hydrophobic association occurring between the hydrophobic carbon chains on the surfaces of barite and TiO2 particles.
Source apportionment of VOCs and their impacts on surface ozone in an industry city of Baoji, Northwestern China
Authors: Xue Yonggang , Ho Steven Sai Hang , Huang Yu , Li Bowei , Wang Liqin , Dai Wenting , Cao Junji , Lee Shuncheng
Published: August 2017

Level of surface ozone (O3) has been increasing continuously in China in recent years, while its contributors and formation pathways are less understood. In this study, distributions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the roles on O3 pollution have been investigated in a typical industrial city of Baoji in Northwestern China by means of monitoring of their concentrations and other trace gases. The air samples have been collected at three sites according to urban function area. Concentration of VOCs in Weibin site, which near to industrial zone, was higher than most of other cities in China, and the ambient VOCs were dominated by aromatics and alkenes. The temporal variations of VOCs and O3 coincided with the surface wind, implying that the formation of O3 was impacted by both exports of plumes upwind and local photochemical reactions. Result of source apportionment indicated that industrial emission, vehicular exhaust, and solvent evaporation were three major pollution origins. Alkenes and aromatics contributed to the largest fractions of photochemical reactivity, suggesting the strong influences from industrial and traffic sectors. The study presents the characteristic VOCs and other factors in the contribution of O3 formation in China.
Abiotic Synthesis with the C-C Bond Formation in Ethanol from CO2 over (Cu,M)(O,S) Catalysts with M = Ni, Sn, and Co
Authors: Chen Xiaoyun , Abdullah Hairus , Kuo Dong-Hau , Huang Hsiu-Ni , Fang Cheng-Chung
Published: August 2017

We demonstrate copper-based (Cu,M)(O,S) oxysulfide catalysts with M = Ni, Sn, and Co for the abiotic chemical synthesis of ethanol (EtOH) with the C-C bond formation by passing carbon dioxide (CO2) through an aqueous dispersion bath at ambient environment. (Cu,Ni)(O,S) with 12.1% anion vacancies had the best EtOH yield, followed by (Cu,Sn)(O,S) and (Cu,Co)(O,S). The ethanol yield with 0.2 g (Cu,Ni)(O,S) catalyst over a span of 20 h achieved 5.2 mg. The ethanol yield is inversely proportional to the amount of anion vacancy. The kinetic mechanism for converting the dissolved CO2 into the C2 oxygenate is proposed. Molecular interaction, pinning, and bond weakening with anion vacancy of highly strained catalyst, the electron hopping at Cu+/Cu2+ sites, and the reaction orientation of hydrocarbon intermediates are the three critical issues in order to make the ambient chemical conversion of inorganic CO2 to organic EtOH with the C-C bond formation in water realized. On the other hand, Cu(O,S) with the highest amount of 22.7% anion vacancies did not produce ethanol due to its strain energy relaxation opposing to the pinning and weakening of O-H and C-O bonds.
A New Chimeric Natriuretic Peptide, CNAAC, for the Treatment of Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Zhang Shu-Miao , Zhao Hong-Lin , Gu Xiao-Ming , Li Juan , Feng Na , Wang Yue-Min , Fan Rong , Chen Wen-Sheng , Pei Jian-Ming
Published: August 2017

An innovative natriuretic peptide analog named CNAAC (structurally consisting of the C-terminus and ring of ANP and the N-terminus of CNP) that has been shown to exhibit potent vasodilatory, diuretic, and hypotensive effects in our previous study was evaluated for the treatment of left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction. The temporal relaxation effect and metabolic status of CNAAC were determined. A myocardial ischemic model was established. Rats were randomly divided into Sham, MI, MI-ANP, MI-CNP, MI-VNP, and MI-CNAAC groups. Humoral factors were measured; echocardiography and hemodynamics methods were employed to assess the cardiac function at the fourth week after modeling. The results showed that CNAAC had a potent relaxant effect and longer duration of action than ANP, CNP, or VNP. The stability of CNAAC in blood was higher than other three NPs. Four weeks of NP administration ameliorated diastolic and systolic dysfunction, the hypertrophic index, myocardial fibrosis, and infarct size; it also restored the abnormal changes in humoral factors. These results demonstrate that CNAAC has a potent cardioprotective effect against left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction. The results may lay the foundation for the clinical application of this newly designed NP chimera in the treatment and prevention of heart failure.
Increased cross-modal functional connectivity in cochlear implant users
Authors: Chen Ling-Chia , Puschmann Sebastian , Debener Stefan
Published: August 2017

Previous studies have reported increased cross-modal auditory and visual cortical activation in cochlear implant (CI) users, suggesting cross-modal reorganization of both visual and auditory cortices in CI users as a consequence of sensory deprivation and restoration. How these processes affect the functional connectivity of the auditory and visual system in CI users is however unknown. We here investigated task-induced intra-modal functional connectivity between hemispheres for both visual and auditory cortices and cross-modal functional connectivity between visual and auditory cortices using functional near infrared spectroscopy in post-lingually deaf CI users and age-matched normal hearing controls. Compared to controls, CI users exhibited decreased intra-modal functional connectivity between hemispheres and increased cross-modal functional connectivity between visual and left auditory cortices for both visual and auditory stimulus processing. Importantly, the difference between cross-modal functional connectivity for visual and for auditory stimuli correlated with speech recognition outcome in CI users. Higher cross-modal connectivity for auditory than for visual stimuli was associated with better speech recognition abilities, pointing to a new pattern of functional reorganization that is related to successful hearing restoration with a CI.
Real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells at different environmental pH
Authors: Morishima Hiromitsu , Washio Jumpei , Kitamura Jun , Shinohara Yuta , Takahashi Tetsu , Takahashi Nobuhiro
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to establish a real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of cells and the effects of microenvironmental pH on their metabolism. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2, HSC-3) and normal (HaCaT) cells were used. Their acid-producing activity from glucose, glutamine, and glutamate was monitored at various pH values using a pH stat system. Their production of lactic acid and ammonia was also measured. The acid-producing activity was monitored successfully. Both the cancer and normal cells produced acids from glucose, glutamine, and glutamate. All of the cells decreased their acid-producing activity as the environmental pH fell, but in glucose-derived acid-producing activity the cancer cells were more acid-tolerant than HaCaT cells. In the cancer cells, the proportion of lactic acid among all acids produced from glucose at the acidic environment tended to be higher than that in HaCaT cells. All of the cells produced ammonia from glutamine, while only HaCaT cells produced ammonia from glutamate. We established a real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of cells. Our results suggest that the cancer cells possess acid-tolerant glucose metabolism with a tendency of metabolic shift to lactic acid production at acidic pH and they metabolise glutamate without ammonia production.
Correction: Corrigendum: IL-33/ST2 immune responses to respiratory bacteria in pediatric asthma
Authors: Hentschke Isabella , Graser Anna , Melichar Volker O. , Kiefer Alexander , Zimmermann Theodor , Kroß Bettina , Haag Patricia , Xepapadaki Paraskevi , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Bogdan Christian , Finotto Susetta
Published: August 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43426; published online: 06 March 2017; updated: 24 August 2017. This Article contains an error in the Author Information section, where the following statement was omitted: “The present work was performed in fulfilment of the requirements for obtaining the degree “Dr.
A highly crystalline oriented metal–organic framework thin film with an inorganic pillar
Authors: Watanabe Yuki , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Otsubo Kazuya , Sakata Osami , Fujiwara Akihiko , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2017

A crystalline oriented metal–organic framework thin film with an anionic inorganic pillar ligand was fabricated for the first time.
Acceptor-type hydroxide graphite intercalation compounds electrochemically formed in high ionic strength solutions
Authors: Miyazaki Kohei , Iizuka Asuka , Mikata Koji , Fukutsuka Tomokazu , Abe Takeshi
Published: August 2017

The intercalation of hydroxide ions (OH−) into graphite formed graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) in high ionic strength solutions.
A methyl pivalate based electrolyte for non-aqueous lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Li Taoran , Wang Zhiqun , Yuan Huanhuan , Li Lei , Yang Jun
Published: August 2017

A methyl pivalate (MP) based electrolyte was for the first time reported for non-aqueous lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries.
Nickel-catalyzed direct C–H trifluoroethylation of heteroarenes with trifluoroethyl iodide
Authors: Yan Sheng-Yi , Zhang Zhuo-Zhuo , Shi Bing-Feng
Published: August 2017

A nickel-catalyzed direct C–H trifluoroethylation of electron-rich heteroarenes with trifluoroethyl iodide has been reported.
A bodipy based hydroxylamine sensor
Authors: Sedgwick Adam C. , Chapman Robert S. L. , Gardiner Jordan E. , Peacock Lucy R. , Kim Gyoungmi , Yoon Juyoung , Bull Steven D. , James Tony D.
Published: August 2017

With this research we have developed a bodipy based system as the first “turn-on” fluorescence system for the detection hydroxylamine.
Quantitative interpretation of impedance spectroscopy data on porous LSM electrodes using X-ray computed tomography and Bayesian model-based analysis
Authors: Brunello Giuseppe F. , Epting William K. , de Silva Juwana , Salvador Paul A. , Litster Shawn , Finklea Harry O. , Lee Yueh-Lin , Gerdes Kirk R. , Mebane David S.
Published: August 2017

With Bayesian calibration the uncertainty of the temperature dependence of the TPR current can be obtained.
Enhanced intermediate-temperature CO2splitting using nonstoichiometric ceria and ceria–zirconia
Authors: Zhao Zhenlong , Uddi Mruthunjaya , Tsvetkov Nikolai , Yildiz Bilge , Ghoniem Ahmed F.
Published: August 2017

Combined experimental and modeling study of CO2splitting on CeO2and Ce0.5Zr0.5O2reveals the critical role of CO32−adsorbate for the splitting chemistry.
Correction: Supported two- and three-dimensional vanadium oxide species on the surface of β-SiC
Authors: Carrero Carlos A. , Burt Samuel P. , Huang Fangying , Venegas Juan M. , Love Alyssa M. , Mueller Philipp , Zhu Hao , Grant Joseph T. , Mathison Ricardo , Hanrahan Michael P. , Rossini Aaron , Ball Madelyn , Dumesic James , Hermans Ive
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Supported two- and three-dimensional vanadium oxide species on the surface of β-SiC’ by Carlos A. Carrero et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7cy01036b.
I2-Mediated oxidative bicyclization of 4-pentenamines to prolinol carbamates with CO2 incorporating oxyamination of the CC bond
Authors: Wang Sheng , Zhang Xiaowei , Cao Chengyao , Chen Chao , Xi Chanjuan
Published: August 2017

A metal-free oxyamination reaction of alkenes with ambient CO2 has been reported. This reaction provided a feasible approach to prepare prolinol carbamates with high efficiency under mild conditions.
Welcome to the fifth special issue dedicated to young analytical scientists in JAAS!
Authors: Pisonero Jorge
Published: August 2017

Guest Editor Jorge Pisonero introduces the fifth JAAS issue dedicated to young analytical scientists.
Negative hyperconjugation effect on the reactivity of phosphoramide mustard derivatives as a DNA alkylating agent: theoretical and experimental insights
Authors: Bonsaii Mahyar , Gholivand Khodayar , Khosravi Morteza , Abdi Khosrou
Published: August 2017

In this work we suggest new factors affecting the reactivity of compounds similar to cyclophosphamide; as their reactivity mainly relies on the frontier molecular orbitals, the factors causing changes in the frontier molecular orbitals, alter the reactivity of these compounds too.
Orientation dependent interlayer stacking structure in bilayer MoS2domains
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Sawada Hidetaka , Allen Christopher S. , Kirkland Angus I. , Warner Jamie H.
Published: August 2017

We have studied the atomic structure of small secondary domains that nucleate on monolayer MoS2grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), which form the basis of bilayer MoS2.
Mesoporous ZnO nanocapsules for the induction of enhanced antigen-specific immunological responses
Authors: Afroz Sumbul , Medhi Himadri , Maity Somedutta , Minhas Gillipsie , Battu Srikanth , Giddaluru Jeevan , Kumar Koushi , Paik Pradip , Khan Nooruddin
Published: August 2017

Herein, we have designed novel mesoporous ZnO (mZnO) nanocapsules with a size of ∼12 nm and loaded them with Ova protein. In vivo studies in mice highlight the potency of the antigen loaded mZnO nanocapsules as an efficient adjuvant and vaccine delivery vehicle.
Mechanisms and applications of terahertz metamaterial sensing: a review
Authors: Xu Wendao , Xie Lijuan , Ying Yibin
Published: August 2017

THz sensing using different types of metamaterials, including metasurfaces, metamaterial absorbers, metallic meshes and guided spoof plasmon structures.
Hollow Co2P nanoflowers assembled from nanorods for ultralong cycle-life supercapacitors
Authors: Cheng Ming , Fan Hongsheng , Xu Yingying , Wang Rongming , Zhang Xixiang
Published: August 2017

Hollow Co2P nanoflowers composed of nanorods have been prepared via a one-step method; they exhibit an ultralong cycle life in supercapacitor applications.
Mechanochemical synthesis of high coercivity Nd2(Fe,Co)14B magnetic particles
Authors: Zhong Y. , Chaudhary V. , Tan X. , Parmar H. , Ramanujan R. V.
Published: August 2017

A novel mechanochemical method is used to synthesise Nd2(Fe,Co)14B particles with a high coercivity of 12.4 kOe.
Molecular conformations of DNA targets captured by model nanoarrays
Authors: Hao X. , Josephs E. A. , Gu Q. , Ye T.
Published: August 2017

We generated nanoarrays with tailored surface functionalities and morphologies to probe how single DNA molecules interact with surface heterogeneities.
Precisely tunable thickness of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Hong Yuanzhi , Li Changsheng , Li Di , Fang Zhenyuan , Luo Bifu , Yan Xu , Shen Hongqiang , Mao Baodong , Shi Weidong
Published: August 2017

Herein, we reported a thick-tunable strategy to straightforwardly fabricate GCN nanosheets with different thicknesses for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
3D coffee stains
Authors: Dogru Itir Bakis , Kosak Soz Cagla , Press Daniel Aaron , Melikov Rustamzhon , Begar Efe , Conkar Deniz , Firat Karalar Elif Nur , Yilgor Emel , Yilgor Iskender , Nizamoglu Sedat
Published: August 2017

The transition from 2D to 3D coffee stains was demonstrated and the 3D coffee stains enabled the construction of all-protein lasers.
Electron-accepting π-conjugated species with 1,8-naphthalic anhydride or diketophosphanyl units
Authors: Sánchez Sergio , Woo Alva Yuen Yiu , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: August 2017

The synthesis and characterization of a series of 3- or 4-substituted 1,8-naphthalic anhydride compounds, and their organophosphorus analogues, bearing a cyclic diketophosphanyl moiety, are reported.
NHC-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyran-4-carbonitriles bearing all-carbon quaternary centers
Authors: Wu Qiuju , Li Chengcheng , Wang Weihong , Wang Hongling , Pan Dingwu , Zheng Pengcheng
Published: August 2017

A LiCl assisted, carbene-catalyzed oxidative reaction for the synthesis of dihydropyran-4-carbonitriles bearing all-carbon quaternary centers was developed.
Transition-metal-free radical tri-/difluoromethylation of N,N-dialkylhydrazones with sodium sulfinates
Authors: Xu Xiao , Liu Feng
Published: August 2017

An operationally simple and scalable protocol has been developed for radical tri-/difluoromethylation of N,N-dialkylhydrazones under transition-metal-free conditions.