bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-Mount Adult Ear Skin Imaging Reveals Defective Neuro-Vascular Branching Morphogenesis in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Mouse Models
Authors: Yamazaki Tomoko , Li Wenling , Yang Ling , Li Ping , Cao Haiming , Motegi Sei-ichiro , Udey Mark C. , Bernhard Elise , Nakamura Takahisa , Mukouyama Yoh-suke
Published: January 2018

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy. Though there are multiple methods for diagnosis and analysis of morphological changes of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, three-dimensional high-resolution imaging is necessary to appreciate the pathogenesis with an anatomically recognizable branching morphogenesis and patterning. Here we established a novel technique for whole-mount imaging of adult mouse ear skin to visualize branching morphogenesis and patterning of peripheral nerves and blood vessels. Whole-mount immunostaining of adult mouse ear skin showed that peripheral sensory and sympathetic nerves align with large-diameter blood vessels. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice exhibit defective vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) coverage, while there is no significant change in the amount of peripheral nerves. The leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice, a severe obese and type 2 diabetic mouse model, exhibit defective VSMC coverage and a large increase in the amount of smaller-diameter nerve bundles with myelin sheath and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Interestingly, an increase in the amount of myeloid immune cells was observed in the DIO but not db/db mouse skin. These data suggest that our whole-mount imaging method enables us to investigate the neuro-vascular and neuro-immune phenotypes in the animal models of obesity and diabetes.
Droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation detection with an internal quality control index to determine the quality of DNA
Authors: Kim Sung-Su , Choi Hyun-Jeung , Kim Jin Ju , Kim M. Sun , Lee In-Seon , Byun Bohyun , Jia Lina , Oh Myung Ryurl , Moon Youngho , Park Sarah , Choi Joon-Seok , Chae Seoung Wan , Nam Byung-Ho , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Jihun , Min Byung Soh , Lee Jae Seok , Won Jae-Kyung , Cho Soo Youn , Choi Yoon-La , Shin Young Kee
Published: January 2018

In clinical translational research and molecular in vitro diagnostics, a major challenge in the detection of genetic mutations is overcoming artefactual results caused by the low-quality of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET)-derived DNA (FFPET-DNA). Here, we propose the use of an ‘internal quality control (iQC) index’ as a criterion for judging the minimum quality of DNA for PCR-based analyses. In a pre-clinical study comparing the results from droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation test (ddEGFR test) and qPCR-based EGFR mutation test (cobas EGFR test), iQC index ≥ 0.5 (iQC copies ≥ 500, using 3.3 ng of FFPET-DNA [1,000 genome equivalents]) was established, indicating that more than half of the input DNA was amplifiable. Using this criterion, we conducted a retrospective comparative clinical study of the ddEGFR and cobas EGFR tests for the detection of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) FFPET-DNA samples. Compared with the cobas EGFR test, the ddEGFR test exhibited superior analytical performance and equivalent or higher clinical performance. Furthermore, iQC index is a reliable indicator of the quality of FFPET-DNA and could be used to prevent incorrect diagnoses arising from low-quality samples.
Defining tissue proteomes by systematic literature review
Authors: Hibbert Sarah A. , Ozols Matiss , Griffiths Christopher E. M. , Watson Rachel E. B. , Bell Mike , Sherratt Michael J.
Published: January 2018

Defining protein composition is a key step in understanding the function of both healthy and diseased biological systems. There is currently little consensus between existing published proteomes in tissues such as the aorta, cartilage and organs such as skin. Lack of agreement as to both the number and identity of proteins may be due to issues in protein extraction, sensitivity/specificity of detection and the use of disparate tissue/cell sources. Here, we developed a method combining bioinformatics and systematic review to screen >32M articles from the Web of Science for evidence of proteins in healthy human skin. The resulting Manchester Proteome (www.manchesterproteome.manchester.ac.uk) collates existing evidence which characterises 2,948 skin proteins, 437 unique to our database and 2011 evidenced by both mass spectrometry and immune-based techniques. This approach circumvents the limitations of individual proteomics studies and can be applied to other species, organs, cells or disease-states. Accurate tissue proteomes will aid development of engineered constructs and offer insight into disease treatments by highlighting differences in proteomic composition.
Laboratory Study on Disconnection Events in Comets
Authors: Li Yan-Fei , Li Yu-Tong , Wang Wei-Min , Yuan Da-Wei , Zhu Bao-Jun , Zhong Jia-Yong , Wei Hui-Gang , Li Fang , Han Bo , Zhang Kai , Pei Xiao-Xing , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Jia-Rui , Liu Chang , Liao Guo-Qian , Fang Zhi-Heng , Wang Chen , Wang Xiao-Gang , Sakawa Youichi , Rhee Yong-Joo , Lu Xin , Hua Neng , Zhu Bao-Qiang , Morita Taichi , Kuramitsu Yasuhiro , Huang Xiu-Guang , Fu Si-Zu , Zhu Jian-Qiang , Zhao Gang , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2018

When comets interacting with solar wind, straight and narrow plasma tails will be often formed. The most remarkable phenomenon of the plasma tails is the disconnection event, in which a plasma tail is uprooted from the comet’s head and moves away from the comet. In this paper, the interaction process between a comet and solar wind is simulated by using a laser-driven plasma cloud to hit a cylinder obstacle. A disconnected plasma tail is observed behind the obstacle by optical shadowgraphy and interferometry. Our particle-in-cell simulations show that the difference in thermal velocity between ions and electrons induces an electrostatic field behind the obstacle. This field can lead to the convergence of ions to the central region, resulting in a disconnected plasma tail. This electrostatic-field-induced model may be a possible explanation for the disconnection events of cometary tails.
Publisher Correction: Molecular mechanisms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy linked to mutations in human myelin protein P2
Authors: Ruskamo Salla , Nieminen Tuomo , Kristiansen Cecilie K. , Vatne Guro H. , Baumann Anne , Hallin Erik I. , Raasakka Arne , Joensuu Päivi , Bergmann Ulrich , Vattulainen Ilpo , Kursula Petri
Published: January 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Skeletal Characterization of the Fgfr3 Mouse Model of Achondroplasia Using Micro-CT and MRI Volumetric Imaging
Authors: Shazeeb Mohammed Salman , Cox Megan K. , Gupta Anurag , Tang Wen , Singh Kuldeep , Pryce Cynthia T. , Fogle Robert , Mu Ying , Weber William D. , Bangari Dinesh S. , Ying Xiaoyou , Sabbagh Yves
Published: January 2018

Achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, affects more than a quarter million people worldwide and remains an unmet medical need. Achondroplasia is caused by mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene which results in over-activation of the receptor, interfering with normal skeletal development leading to disproportional short stature. Multiple mouse models have been generated to study achondroplasia. The characterization of these preclinical models has been primarily done with 2D measurements. In this study, we explored the transgenic model expressing mouse Fgfr3 containing the achondroplasia mutation G380R under the Col2 promoter (Ach). Survival and growth rate of the Ach mice were reduced compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. Axial skeletal defects and abnormalities of the sternebrae and vertebrae were observed in the Ach mice. Further evaluation of the Ach mouse model was performed by developing 3D parameters from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 3-week-old mice showed greater differences between the Ach and WT groups compared to the 6-week-old mice for all parameters. Deeper understanding of skeletal abnormalities of this model will help guide future studies for evaluating novel and effective therapeutic approaches for the treatment of achondroplasia.
Predictions through evidence accumulation over time
Authors: Darriba Álvaro , Waszak Florian
Published: January 2018

It has been proposed that the brain specializes in predicting future states of the environment. These predictions are probabilistic, and must be continuously updated on the basis of their mismatch with actual evidence. Although electrophysiological data disclose neural activity patterns in relation to predictive processes, little is known about how this activity supports prediction build-up through evidence accumulation. Here we addressed this gap. Participants were required to make moment-by-moment predictions about stimuli presented in sequences in which gathering evidence from previous items as they were presented was either possible or not. Two event-related potentials (ERP), a frontocentral P2 and a central P3, were sensitive to information accumulation throughout the sequence. Time-frequency (TF) analyses revealed that prediction build-up process also modulated centrally distributed theta activity, and that alpha power was suppressed in anticipation to fully predictable stimuli. Results are in agreement with the notion of predictions as probability distributions and highlight the ability of observers to extract those probabilities in a changing environment and to adjust their predictions consequently.
Probabilistic data integration identifies reliable gametocyte-specific proteins and transcripts in malaria parasites
Authors: Meerstein-Kessel Lisette , van der Lee Robin , Stone Will , Lanke Kjerstin , Baker David A. , Alano Pietro , Silvestrini Francesco , Janse Chris J. , Khan Shahid M. , van de Vegte-Bolmer Marga , Graumans Wouter , Siebelink-Stoter Rianne , Kooij Taco W. A. , Marti Matthias , Drakeley Chris , Campo Joseph J. , van Dam Teunis J. P. , Sauerwein Robert , Bousema Teun , Huynen Martijn A.
Published: January 2018

Plasmodium gametocytes are the sexual forms of the malaria parasite essential for transmission to mosquitoes. To better understand how gametocytes differ from asexual blood-stage parasites, we performed a systematic analysis of available ‘omics data for P. falciparum and other Plasmodium species. 18 transcriptomic and proteomic data sets were evaluated for the presence of curated “gold standards” of 41 gametocyte-specific versus 46 non-gametocyte genes and integrated using Bayesian probabilities, resulting in gametocyte-specificity scores for all P. falciparum genes. To illustrate the utility of the gametocyte score, we explored newly predicted gametocyte-specific genes as potential biomarkers of gametocyte carriage and exposure. We analyzed the humoral immune response in field samples against 30 novel gametocyte-specific antigens and found five antigens to be differentially recognized by gametocyte carriers as compared to malaria-infected individuals without detectable gametocytes. We also validated the gametocyte-specificity of 15 identified gametocyte transcripts on culture material and samples from naturally infected individuals, resulting in eight transcripts that were >1000-fold higher expressed in gametocytes compared to asexual parasites and whose transcript abundance allowed gametocyte detection in naturally infected individuals. Our integrated genome-wide gametocyte-specificity scores provide a comprehensive resource to identify targets and monitor P. falciparum gametocytemia.
New anti-inflammatory guaianes from the Atlantic hydrotherm-derived fungus Graphostroma sp. MCCC 3A00421
Authors: Niu Siwen , Xie Chun-Lan , Xia Jin-Mei , Luo Zhu-Hua , Shao Zongze , Yang Xian-Wen
Published: January 2018

Nine new guaianes (graphostromanes A–I, 1–9) were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Graphostroma sp. MCCC 3A00421, along with four known ones (10–13). The relative configurations were established mainly by detailed analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data, while the absolute configurations were assigned using the X-ray crystallography and modified Mosher’s method. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Graphostromanes F (6) showed remarkable inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 14.2 μM, which was even stronger than that of aminoguanidine, a positive control with an IC50 value of 23.4 μM.
Green tea extract attenuates LPS-induced retinal inflammation in rats
Authors: Ren Jia Lin , Yu Qiu Xiao , Liang Wei Cheng , Leung Pui Ying , Ng Tsz Kin , Chu Wai Kit , Pang Chi Pui , Chan Sun On
Published: January 2018

Inflammation is in a wide spectrum of retinal diseases, causing irreversible blindness and visual impairment. We have previously demonstrated that Green Tea Extract (GTE) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent for anterior uveitis. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of GTE on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced retinal inflammation in rats and explored the underlying mechanism. Adult rats were injected with LPS and GTE was administered intra-gastrically at 2, 8, 26 and 32 hours post-injection. Staining of whole-mount retina showed that the number of activated microglia cells was significantly increased at 48 hours post-injection, which was suppressed after GTE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Activation of astrocytes and Müller glia in the retina was also suppressed after GTE treatment. Meanwhile, GTE reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in retina and vitreous humor. These anti-inflammatory effects were associated with a reduced phosphorylation of STAT3 and NF-κB in the retina. Furthermore, the surface receptor of EGCG, 67LR, was localized on the neurons and glia in the retina. These findings demonstrate that GTE is an effective agent in suppressing LPS-induced retinal inflammation, probably through its potent anti-oxidative property and a receptor-mediated action on transcription factors that regulate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Combination of high-fat/high-fructose diet and low-dose streptozotocin to model long-term type-2 diabetes complications
Authors: Barrière David André , Noll Christophe , Roussy Geneviève , Lizotte Farah , Kessai Anissa , Kirby Karyn , Belleville Karine , Beaudet Nicolas , Longpré Jean-Michel , Carpentier André C. , Geraldes Pedro , Sarret Philippe
Published: January 2018

The epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is fueled by added fructose consumption. Here, we thus combined high-fat/high-fructose diet, with multiple low-dose injections of streptozotocin (HF/HF/Stz) to emulate the long-term complications of T2DM. HF/HF/Stz rats, monitored over 56 weeks, exhibited metabolic dysfunctions associated with the different stages of the T2DM disease progression in humans: an early prediabetic phase characterized by an hyperinsulinemic period with modest dysglycemia, followed by a late stage of T2DM with frank hyperglycemia, normalization of insulinemia, marked dyslipidemia, hepatic fibrosis and pancreatic β-cell failure. Histopathological analyses combined to [18F]-FDG PET imaging further demonstrated the presence of several end-organ long-term complications, including reduction in myocardial glucose utilization, renal dysfunction as well as microvascular neuropathy and retinopathy. We also provide for the first time a comprehensive µ-PET whole brain imaging of the changes in glucose metabolic activity within discrete cerebral regions in HF/HF/Stz diabetic rats. Altogether, we developed and characterized a unique non-genetic preclinical model of T2DM adapted to the current diet and lifestyle that recapitulates the major metabolic features of the disease progression, from insulin resistance to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and closely mimicking the target-organ damage occurring in type 2 diabetic patients at advanced stages.
Strain effects on rotational property in nanoscale rotation system
Authors: Huang Jianzhang , Han Qiang
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a study of strain effects on nanoscale rotation system consists of double-walls carbon nanotube and graphene. It is found that the strain effects can be a real-time controlling method for nano actuator system. The strain effects on rotational property as well as the effect mechanism is studied systematically through molecular dynamics simulations, and it obtains valuable conclusions for engineering application of rotational property management of nanoscale rotation system. It founds that the strain effects tune the rotational property by influencing the intertube supporting effect and friction effect of double-walls carbon nanotube, which are two critical factors of rotational performance. The mechanism of strain effects on rotational property is investigated in theoretical level based on analytical model established through lattice dynamics theory. This work suggests great potentials of strain effects for nanoscale real-time control, and provides new ideas for design and application of real-time controllable nanoscale rotation system.
Gastropod shell size and architecture influence the applicability of methods used to estimate internal volume
Authors: Ragagnin Marilia Nagata , Gorman Daniel , McCarthy Ian Donald , Sant’Anna Bruno Sampaio , de Castro Cláudio Campi , Turra Alexander
Published: January 2018

Obtaining accurate and reproducible estimates of internal shell volume is a vital requirement for studies into the ecology of a range of shell-occupying organisms, including hermit crabs. Shell internal volume is usually estimated by filling the shell cavity with water or sand, however, there has been no systematic assessment of the reliability of these methods and moreover no comparison with modern alternatives, e.g., computed tomography (CT). This study undertakes the first assessment of the measurement reproducibility of three contrasting approaches across a spectrum of shell architectures and sizes. While our results suggested a certain level of variability inherent for all methods, we conclude that a single measure using sand/water is likely to be sufficient for the majority of studies. However, care must be taken as precision may decline with increasing shell size and structural complexity. CT provided less variation between repeat measures but volume estimates were consistently lower compared to sand/water and will need methodological improvements before it can be used as an alternative. CT indicated volume may be also underestimated using sand/water due to the presence of air spaces visible in filled shells scanned by CT. Lastly, we encourage authors to clearly describe how volume estimates were obtained.
Vitamin E inhibits the UVAI induction of “light” and “dark” cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, and oxidatively generated DNA damage, in keratinocytes
Authors: Delinasios George J. , Karbaschi Mahsa , Cooke Marcus S. , Young Antony R.
Published: January 2018

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced DNA damage has acute, and long-term adverse effects in the skin. This damage arises directly by absorption of UVR, and indirectly via photosensitization reactions. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of vitamin E on UVAI-induced DNA damage in keratinocytes in vitro. Incubation with vitamin E before UVAI exposure decreased the formation of oxidized purines (with a decrease in intracellular oxidizing species), and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD). A possible sunscreening effect was excluded when similar results were obtained following vitamin E addition after UVAI exposure. Our data showed that DNA damage by UVA-induced photosensitization reactions can be inhibited by the introduction of vitamin E either pre- or post-irradiation, for both oxidized purines and CPD (including so-called “dark” CPDs). These data validate the evidence that some CPD are induced by UVAI initially via photosensitization, and some via chemoexcitation, and support the evidence that vitamin E can intervene in this pathway to prevent CPD formation in keratinocytes. We propose the inclusion of similar agents into topical sunscreens and aftersun preparations which, for the latter in particular, represents a means to mitigate on-going DNA damage formation, even after sun exposure has ended.
Association between arsenic metabolism gene polymorphisms and arsenic-induced skin lesions in individuals exposed to high-dose inorganic arsenic in northwest China
Authors: Luo Lanrong , Li Yuanyuan , Gao Yanhui , Zhao Lijun , Feng Hongqi , Wei Wei , Qiu Chuanying , He Qian , Zhang Yanting , Fu Songbo , Sun Dianjun
Published: January 2018

Individuals in a given environment contaminated with arsenic have different susceptibilities to disease, which may be related to arsenic metabolism, age, gender, genetics and other factors. This study recruited 850 subjects, including 331 cases and 519 controls, from populations exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water in northwest China. Genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscanTM kit. The results indicated that subjects who carried at least one C allele for GSTO1 rs11191979 polymorphism, at least one A allele for GSTO1 rs2164624, at least one A allele for GSTO1 rs4925, the AG genotype for GSTO2 rs156697, the AG genotype or at least one G allele for GSTO2 rs2297235 or the GG genotype or at least one G allele for PNP rs3790064 had an increased risk of arsenic-related skin lesions. In addition, the haplotype CT between rs4925 and rs11191979 appeared to confer a high risk of arsenic-included skin lesions (OR = 1.377, 95% CI = 1.03–1.84), as did the haplotype GCG among rs156697, rs157077 and rs2297235 (OR = 2.197, 95% CI = 1.08–4.44). The results showed that the variants of GSTO1, GSTO2 and PNP render the susceptible toward developing arsenic-induced skin lesions in individuals exposed to high-dose inorganic arsenic in northwest China.
On the efficiency of nature-inspired metaheuristics in expensive global optimization with limited budget
Authors: Sergeyev Ya. D. , Kvasov D. E. , Mukhametzhanov M. S.
Published: January 2018

Global optimization problems where evaluation of the objective function is an expensive operation arise frequently in engineering, decision making, optimal control, etc. There exist two huge but almost completely disjoint communities (they have different journals, different conferences, different test functions, etc.) solving these problems: a broad community of practitioners using stochastic nature-inspired metaheuristics and people from academia studying deterministic mathematical programming methods. In order to bridge the gap between these communities we propose a visual technique for a systematic comparison of global optimization algorithms having different nature. Results of more than 800,000 runs on 800 randomly generated tests show that both stochastic nature-inspired metaheuristics and deterministic global optimization methods are competitive and surpass one another in dependence on the available budget of function evaluations.
Heat Transfer Enhancement During Water and Hydrocarbon Condensation on Lubricant Infused Surfaces
Authors: Preston Daniel J. , Lu Zhengmao , Song Youngsup , Zhao Yajing , Wilke Kyle L. , Antao Dion S. , Louis Marcel , Wang Evelyn N.
Published: January 2018

Vapor condensation is routinely used as an effective means of transferring heat or separating fluids. Dropwise condensation, where discrete droplets form on the condenser surface, offers a potential improvement in heat transfer of up to an order of magnitude compared to filmwise condensation, where a liquid film covers the surface. Low surface tension fluid condensates such as hydrocarbons pose a unique challenge since typical hydrophobic condenser coatings used to promote dropwise condensation of water often do not repel fluids with lower surface tensions. Recent work has shown that lubricant infused surfaces (LIS) can promote droplet formation of hydrocarbons. In this work, we confirm the effectiveness of LIS in promoting dropwise condensation by providing experimental measurements of heat transfer performance during hydrocarbon condensation on a LIS, which enhances heat transfer by ≈450% compared to an uncoated surface. We also explored improvement through removal of noncondensable gases and highlighted a failure mechanism whereby shedding droplets depleted the lubricant over time. Enhanced condensation heat transfer for low surface tension fluids on LIS presents the opportunity for significant energy savings in natural gas processing as well as improvements in thermal management, heating and cooling, and power generation.
Single-pixel imaging with Morlet wavelet correlated random patterns
Authors: Czajkowski Krzysztof M. , Pastuszczak Anna , Kotyński Rafał
Published: January 2018

Single-pixel imaging is an indirect imaging technique which utilizes simplified optical hardware and advanced computational methods. It offers novel solutions for hyper-spectral imaging, polarimetric imaging, three-dimensional imaging, holographic imaging, optical encryption and imaging through scattering media. The main limitations for its use come from relatively high measurement and reconstruction times. In this paper we propose to reduce the required signal acquisition time by using a novel sampling scheme based on a random selection of Morlet wavelets convolved with white noise. While such functions exhibit random properties, they are locally determined by Morlet wavelet parameters. The proposed method is equivalent to random sampling of the properly selected part of the feature space, which maps the measured images accurately both in the spatial and spatial frequency domains. We compare both numerically and experimentally the image quality obtained with our sampling protocol against widely-used sampling with Walsh-Hadamard or noiselet functions. The results show considerable improvement over the former methods, enabling single-pixel imaging at low compression rates on the order of a few percent.
Dietary fatty acids sex-specifically modulate guinea pig postnatal development via cortisol concentrations
Authors: Nemeth Matthias , Millesi Eva , Schuster Daniela , Quint Ruth , Wagner Karl-Heinz , Wallner Bernard
Published: January 2018

Early ontogenetic periods and postnatal maturation in organisms are sex-specifically sensitive to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activities, related glucocorticoid secretions, and their effects on energy balance and homeostasis. Dietary polyunsaturated (PUFAs) and saturated (SFAs) fatty acids potentially play a major role in this context because PUFAs positively affect HPA-axis functions and a shift towards SFAs may impair body homeostasis. Here we show that dietary PUFAs positively affect postnatal body mass gain and diminish negative glucocorticoid-effects on structural growth rates in male guinea pigs. In contrast, SFAs increased glucocorticoid concentrations, which positively affected testes size and testosterone concentrations in males, but limited their body mass gain and first year survival rate. No distinct diet-related effects were detectable on female growth rates. These results highlight the importance of PUFAs in balancing body homeostasis during male’s juvenile development, which clearly derived from a sex-specific energetic advantage of dietary PUFA intakes compared to SFAs.
Putative sex pheromone of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, breaks down into an attractant
Authors: Zanardi Odimar Z. , Volpe Haroldo X. L. , Favaris Arodi P. , Silva Weliton D. , Luvizotto Rejane A. G. , Magnani Rodrigo F. , Esperança Victoria , Delfino Jennifer Y. , de Freitas Renato , Miranda Marcelo P. , Parra José Roberto P. , Bento José Mauricio S. , Leal Walter S.
Published: January 2018

Under laboratory conditions, mating activity in Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) started 4 days after emergence, peaked at day 7, and showed a clear window of activity starting 8 h into the photophase and extending through the first hour of the scotophase. We confirmed that ACP males are attracted to emanations from conspecific females. Traps loaded with a candidate compound enriched with female extract, lignoceryl acetate (24Ac), at various doses were active only after being deployed for several weeks in the field, suggesting that a degradation product, not the test compound, was the active ingredient(s). Lignocerol, a possible product of 24Ac degradation, was not active, whereas acetic acid, another possible degradation product, was found in the airborne volatile collections from lures matured under field conditions and detected in higher amounts in volatiles collected from females at the peak of mating activity than in male samples. Acetic acid elicited dose-dependent electroantennographic responses and attracted ACP males, but not females, in Y-type and 4-way olfactometers. Field tests showed that acetic acid-baited traps captured significantly more males than control traps. Surprisingly, captures of females in acetic acid-baited traps were also higher than in control traps, possibly because of physical stimuli emitted by captured males.
Landmark detection in 2D bioimages for geometric morphometrics: a multi-resolution tree-based approach
Authors: Vandaele Rémy , Aceto Jessica , Muller Marc , Péronnet Frédérique , Debat Vincent , Wang Ching-Wei , Huang Cheng-Ta , Jodogne Sébastien , Martinive Philippe , Geurts Pierre , Marée Raphaël
Published: January 2018

The detection of anatomical landmarks in bioimages is a necessary but tedious step for geometric morphometrics studies in many research domains. We propose variants of a multi-resolution tree-based approach to speed-up the detection of landmarks in bioimages. We extensively evaluate our method variants on three different datasets (cephalometric, zebrafish, and drosophila images). We identify the key method parameters (notably the multi-resolution) and report results with respect to human ground truths and existing methods. Our method achieves recognition performances competitive with current existing approaches while being generic and fast. The algorithms are integrated in the open-source Cytomine software and we provide parameter configuration guidelines so that they can be easily exploited by end-users. Finally, datasets are readily available through a Cytomine server to foster future research.
Scaffold-free generation of uniform adipose spheroids for metabolism research and drug discovery
Authors: Klingelhutz Aloysius J. , Gourronc Francoise A. , Chaly Anna , Wadkins David A. , Burand Anthony J. , Markan Kathleen R. , Idiga Sharon O. , Wu Meng , Potthoff Matthew J. , Ankrum James A.
Published: January 2018

Adipose tissue dysfunction is critical to the development of type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases. While monolayer cell culture has been useful for studying fat biology, 2D culture often does not reflect the complexity of fat tissue. Animal models are also problematic in that they are expensive, time consuming, and may not completely recapitulate human biology because of species variation. To address these problems, we have developed a scaffold-free method to generate 3D adipose spheroids from primary or immortal human or mouse pre-adipocytes. Pre-adipocytes self-organize into spheroids in hanging drops and upon transfer to low attachment plates, can be maintained in long-term cultures. Upon exposure to differentiation cues, the cells mature into adipocytes, accumulating large lipid droplets that expand with time. The 3D spheroids express and secrete higher levels of adiponectin compared to 2D culture and respond to stress, either culture-related or toxin-associated, by secreting pro-inflammatory adipokines. In addition, 3D spheroids derived from brown adipose tissue (BAT) retain expression of BAT markers better than 2D cultures derived from the same tissue. Thus, this model can be used to study both the maturation of pre-adipocytes or the function of mature adipocytes in a 3D culture environment.
Artificial intelligence powers digital medicine
Authors: Fogel Alexander L. , Kvedar Joseph C.
Published: January 2018

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently surpassed human performance in several domains, and there is great hope that in healthcare, AI may allow for better prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. While many fear that AI will disrupt jobs and the physician–patient relationship, we believe that AI can eliminate many repetitive tasks to clear the way for human-to-human bonding and the application of emotional intelligence and judgment. We review several recent studies of AI applications in healthcare that provide a view of a future where healthcare delivery is a more unified, human experience.
Oxidative radical divergent Si-incorporation: facile access to Si-containing heterocycles
Authors: Yang Yuan , Song Ren-Jie , Li Yang , Ouyang Xuan-Hui , Li Jin-Heng , He De-Liang
Published: January 2018

Oxidative radical cleavage of Si–H/silyl C(sp3)–H bonds, dual Si–H bonds and Si–H/Si–Si bonds toward Si-heterocycles is presented.
Artificial light-harvesting supramolecular polymeric nanoparticles formed by pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interaction
Authors: Sun Cai-Li , Peng Hui-Qing , Niu Li-Ya , Chen Yu-Zhe , Wu Li-Zhu , Tung Chen-Ho , Yang Qing-Zheng
Published: January 2018

Water-dispersible artificial light-harvesting supramolecular polymeric nanoparticles (LHSPNPs) were prepared from bispillar[5]arene (bisP5A) and anthracene-derived guest molecules (GD and GA).
Hollow shell-in-shell Ni3S4@Co9S8 tubes derived from core–shell Ni-MOF-74@Co-MOF-74 as efficient faradaic electrodes
Authors: Li Hui , Yue Fan , Xie Hongtao , Yang Chao , Zhang Yi , Zhang Liugen , Wang Jide
Published: January 2018

Unique shell-in-shell hierarchical structures fabricated through transition from core–shell MOFs would have great potential for hybrid supercapacitor applications.
Three-dimensional printing of ellipsoidal structures using Mercury
Authors: Brown Matthew L. , Van Wieren Ken , Tailor Hamel N. , Hartling David , Jean Anthony , Merbouh Nabyl
Published: January 2018

A simple method of 3D printing ellipsoidal crystal structure models from X-ray diffraction data using CCDC Mercury.
Impact of Nb vacancies and p-type doping of the NbCoSn–NbCoSb half-Heusler thermoelectrics
Authors: Ferluccio Daniella A. , Smith Ronald I. , Buckman Jim , Bos Jan-Willem G.
Published: January 2018

Nb vacancies maintain a semiconducting electron count and cause strong mass fluctuation phonon scattering enabling good thermoelectric performance.
Guanidinium/ammonium competition and proton transfer in the interaction of the amino acid arginine with the tetracarboxylic 18-crown-6 ionophore
Authors: Avilés-Moreno Juan Ramón , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos , Martínez-Haya Bruno
Published: January 2018

The binding of arginine by the 18-crown-6 tetracarboxylic ionophore relies on extensive host–guest redistribution of electronic charge and proton transfer.
Photophysics and peripheral ring size dependent aggregate emission of cross-conjugated enediynes: applications to white light emission and vapor sensing
Authors: Singh Anuja , Pati Avik Kumar , Mishra Ashok Kumar
Published: January 2018

Photophysical understanding of organic fluorophores with π-conjugated scaffolds is crucial as such dyes are central to optoelectronic applications.
Unraveling the mechanical behaviour of hydrazine borane (NH2–NH2–BH3)
Authors: Yot Pascal G. , Yadav Vibhav , Ould Amara Salem , Itiè Jean-Paul , Demirci Umit B. , Maurin Guillaume
Published: January 2018

The structural behaviour of hydrazine borane was explored under mechanical stimulus. The compressibility of this solid was established to be relatively low and highly anisotropic. The mechanical response was correlated to the pressure-induced changes of its crystal structure in terms of intra- and inter-molecular bond lengths and angles parameters.
Black TiO2−x with stable surface oxygen vacancies as the support of efficient gold catalysts for water-gas shift reaction
Authors: Li Lei , Song Li , Zhu Longfeng , Yan Zheng , Cao Xuebo
Published: January 2018

H2-etching engineered oxygen vacancies on black TiO2−x to enhance the hot-electron flow and water-gas shift catalytic performance of Au catalysts.
Emerging investigator series: geochemistry of trace elements associated with Fe and Mn nodules in the sediment of limed boreal lakes
Authors: Couture Raoul-Marie , Hindar Atle , Rognerud Sigurd
Published: January 2018

We report on the geochemical legacy of the liming of acidified lakes in Norway. We document the occurrence of Fe–Mn nodules and the diagenetic redistribution of trace-elements at the sediment–water interface of limed boreal lakes.
Fabrication of a SnO2–graphene nanocomposite based electrode for sensitive monitoring of an anti-tuberculosis agent in human fluids
Authors: Rajesh Kuppusamy , Santhanalakshmi Jayadevan
Published: January 2018

For electrochemical oxidation of INH on a SnO2–Gr/GC electrode the voltammetric signal was observed at various electrolyte pH values.
Low-fouling PES membranes fabricatedvia in situcopolymerization mediated surface zwitterionicalization
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zheng Junzhi , Wang Xin , Lu Xinwu , Zhu Jing , He Chunju
Published: January 2018

PEGylated and zwitterionic PES membranes were fabricated during membrane formation, showing superior antifouling and anticoagulant properties.
Correction: AACVD of Cu2−xS, In2S3 and CuInS2 thin films from [Cu(iBu2PS2)(PPh3)2] and [In(iBu2PS2)3] as single source precursors
Authors: Nawaz Sajid , Malik Abdul Qadeer , Mehmood Rana Farhat , Murtaza Ghulam , Alghamdi Yousef G. , Malik Mohammad Azad
Published: January 2018

Correction for ‘AACVD of Cu2−xS, In2S3 and CuInS2 thin films from [Cu(iBu2PS2)(PPh3)2] and [In(iBu2PS2)3] as single source precursors’ by Sajid N. Malik et al., New J. Chem., 2015, 39, 4047–4054.
An ultra-small NiFe2O4hollow particle/graphene hybrid: fabrication and electromagnetic wave absorption property
Authors: Yan Feng , Guo Dong , Zhang Shen , Li Chunyan , Zhu Chunling , Zhang Xitian , Chen Yujin
Published: January 2018

Ultra-small NiFe2O4hollow particles, with the diameter and wall thickness of only 6 and 1.8 nm, respectively, were anchored on a graphene surface, showing an excellent electromagnetic wave absorption property.
A computational exploration of the crystal energy and charge-carrier mobility landscapes of the chiral [6]helicene molecule
Authors: Rice Beth , LeBlanc Luc M. , Otero-de-la-Roza Alberto , Fuchter Matthew J. , Johnson Erin R. , Nelson Jenny , Jelfs Kim E.
Published: January 2018

The structure–property relationship between molecular packing and charge-carrier mobility is explored for the chiral [6]helicene molecule.
FeMoO4nanorod array: a highly active 3D anode for water oxidation under alkaline conditions
Authors: Gou Ying , Liu Qin , Liu Zhiang , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping , Hu Jianming
Published: January 2018

As a durable water oxidation electrocatalyst, an FeMoO4nanorod array on nickel foam (FeMoO4/NF) shows superior catalytic activity offering a geometrical catalytic current density of 50 mA cm−2at an overpotential of only 293 mV in 1.0 M KOH.
Ion specific effects on the immobilisation of charged gold nanoparticles on metal surfaces
Authors: Kaulen C. , Simon U.
Published: January 2018

Different monovalent cations influence the immobilisation of carboxylic acid and amine terminated gold nanoparticles.
Strain-tunable electronic and optical properties of BC3monolayer
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wu Zhi-Feng , Gao Peng-Fei , Fang Dang-Qi , Zhang Er-Hu , Zhang Sheng-Li
Published: January 2018

The BC3monolayer holds great promise in the applications of nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices due to its good structural stability, moderate and tunable band gap, and strain-controllable optical properties.
A non-linear flow model for the flow behavior of water inrush induced by the karst collapse column
Authors: Hou Xian'gang , Shi Wenhao , Yang Tianhong
Published: January 2018

A non-linear flow model that couples three flow types is built based on flow transition to investigate the flow behavior of water inrush induced by KCC.
Physiologically stable F127-GO supramolecular hydrogel with sustained drug release characteristic for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy
Authors: Li Bingxia , Zhang Luna , Zhang Zichen , Gao Ruoqing , Li Hongmei , Dong Zhipeng , Wang Qiyan , Zhou Qingfa , Wang Yue
Published: January 2018

The F127-GO-DOX supramolecular hydrogel system with sustained drug release characteristic for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy.
Approaching completely continuous centimeter-scale graphene by copolymer-assisted transfer
Authors: Karmakar Arka , Vandrevala Farah , Gollier Florian , Philip Mahima Ann , Shahi Simran , Einarsson Erik
Published: January 2018

We show that adding a copolymer layer atop PMMA prior to transfer results in nearly (99.8%) continuous cm-scale graphene.
A catalytic highly enantioselective allene approach to oxazolines
Authors: Luo Hongwen , Yang Zheng , Lin Weilong , Zheng Yangguangyan , Ma Shengming
Published: January 2018

A completely different approach for the asymmetric construction of oxazoline derivatives with an excellent enantioselectivity via the palladium-catalyzed coupling-cyclization of N-(buta-2,3-dienyl)amides with aryl iodides has been reported.
A tetramer micelle: the smallest aggregation number corresponding to the vertex number of regular polyhedra in platonic micelles
Authors: Fujii Shota , Takahashi Rintaro , Ha Lee Ji , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: January 2018

Sulfonatocalix[4]arene-based amphiphiles form monodisperse tetramer micelles whose aggregation number is the smallest corresponding to the vertex number of regular polyhedra.
An electrochemically neutralized energy-assisted low-cost acid-alkaline electrolyzer for energy-saving electrolysis hydrogen generation
Authors: Li Yan , Chen Junxiang , Cai Pingwei , Wen Zhenhai
Published: January 2018

The ability to reduce the energy consumed and the cost in water splitting is crucial for the generation of hydrogen, which can be stored and then oxidized to deliver clean, abundant, and sustainable energy with the regeneration of water.
Generation of mucin gel particles with self-degradable and -releasable properties
Authors: Fukui Yuuka , Fukuda Megumi , Fujimoto Keiji
Published: January 2018

Preparation of nano-sized particles via assembly of mucins and incorporation of lysozymes made it possible to gradually degrade mucin particles upon enzymatic cleavage of mucin molecules, facilitating the release of incorporated substances including lysozyme.
Phase equilibria in metastable regime in the (C8H12NO)2[ZnCl4] ferroelectric system
Authors: Mezzadri F. , Mahbouli Rhouma N. , Delmonte D. , Cabassi R. , Loukil M. , Calestani G.
Published: January 2018

(C8H12NO)2[ZnCl4] is a hybrid organic–inorganic compound displaying ferroelectric properties and polymorphism, with phase transitions taking place in the metastable regime.
A novel electrically controllable volatile memory device based on few-layer black phosphorus
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Yu Zhizhou , Zhang Lei , Zheng Xiaohong , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang , Wang Jian
Published: January 2018

Exploiting the unique property of two dimensional material black phosphorus (BP), we theoretically propose a novel volatile memory device based on pure few-layer BP from atomic first principles calculations.
A new phase of the two-dimensional ReS2 sheet with tunable magnetism
Authors: Sun Zhongti , Lv Haifeng , Zhuo Zhiwen , Jalil Abdul , Zhang Wenhua , Wu Xiaojun , Yang Jinlong
Published: January 2018

A new trimer phase of 2D ReS2 with tunable magnetism is reported by using first-principles calculations.
Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12) activates integrins by direct binding to an allosteric ligand-binding site (site 2) of integrins without CXCR4
Authors: Fujita Masaaki , Davari Parastoo , Takada Yoko K. , Takada Yoshikazu
Published: January 2018

Leukocyte arrest on the endothelial cell surface during leukocyte extravasation is induced by rapid integrin activation by chemokines. We recently reported that fractalkine induces integrin activation without its receptor CX3CR1 through binding to the allosteric site (site 2) of integrins. Peptides from site 2 bound to fractalkine and suppressed integrin activation by fractalkine. We hypothesized that this is not limited to membrane-bound fractalkine. We studied whether stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), another chemokine that plays a critical role in leukocyte arrest, activates integrins through binding to site 2. We describe here that (1) SDF1 activated soluble integrin αvβ3 in cell-free conditions, suggesting that SDF1 can activate αvβ3 without CXCR4; (2) site 2 peptide bound to SDF1, suggesting that SDF1 binds to site 2; (3) SDF1 activated integrins αvβ3, α4β1, and α5β1 on CHO cells (CXCR4-negative) and site 2 peptide suppressed the activation; (4) A CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 did not affect the site 2-mediated integrin activation by SDF1; (5) Cell-surface integrins were fully activated in 1 min (much faster than activation of soluble αvβ3) and the activation lasted at least for 1 h. We propose that the binding of SDF1 to cell-surface proteoglycan facilitates the allosteric activation process; (6) Mutations in the predicted site 2-binding site in SDF1 suppressed integrin activation. These results suggest that SDF1 (e.g. presented on proteoglycans) can rapidly activate integrins in an allosteric manner by binding to site 2 in the absence of CXCR4. The allosteric integrin activation by SDF1 is a novel target for drug discovery.
Scattering linear polarization of late-type active stars
Authors: Yakobchuk T. M. , Berdyugina S. V.
Published: January 2018

Context. Many active stars are covered in spots, much more so than the Sun, as indicated by spectroscopic and photometric observations. It has been predicted that star spots induce non-zero intrinsic linear polarization by breaking the visible stellar disk symmetry. Although small, this effect might be useful for star spot studies, and it is particularly significant for a future polarimetric atmosphere characterization of exoplanets orbiting active host stars.

Aims. Using models for a center-to-limb variation of the intensity and polarization in presence of continuum scattering and adopting a simplified two-temperature photosphere model, we aim to estimate the intrinsic linear polarization for late-type stars of different gravity, effective temperature, and spottedness.

Methods. We developed a code that simulates various spot configurations or uses arbitrary surface maps, performs numerical disk integration, and builds Stokes parameter phase curves for a star over a rotation period for a selected wavelength. It allows estimating minimum and maximum polarization values for a given set of stellar parameters and spot coverages.

Results. Based on assumptions about photosphere-to-spot temperature contrasts and spot size distributions, we calculate the linear polarization for late-type stars with Teff = 3500 K–6000 K, log g = 1.0–5.0, using the plane-parallel and spherical atmosphere models. Employing random spot surface distribution, we analyze the relation between spot coverage and polarization and determine the influence of different input parameters on results. Furthermore, we consider spot configurations with polar spots and active latitudes and longitudes.