bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotics may delay the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by restoring the gut microbiota structure and improving intestinal endotoxemia
Authors: Xue Li , He Juntao , Gao Ning , Lu Xiaolan , Li Ming , Wu Xiaokang , Liu Zeshi , Jin Yaofeng , Liu Jiali , Xu Jiru , Geng Yan
Published: March 2017

Gut-derived bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and subsequent hepatic toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation have been recognized to be involved in the onset of diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but little is known about the variation of LPS and TLR4 during the progression of NAFLD. Probiotics were able to inhibit proliferation of harmful bacteria and improve gastrointestinal barrier function. However, it’s unclear whether LPS/TLR4 is involved in the protection effect of probiotics on NAFLD. In this study, we described characteristic of gut microbiota structure in the progression of NAFLD, and we also analyzed the relationship between gut microbiota and LPS/TLR4 in this process. Furthermore, we applied probiotics intervention to investigate the effect of probiotics on gut flora structure, intestinal integrity, serum LPS, liver TLR4 and liver pathology. Our results showed that serum LPS and liver TLR4 were highly increased during progression of NAFLD, with gut flora diversity and gut mircobiological colonization resistance (B/E) declining. Furthermore, probiotics could improve gut microbiota structure and liver pathology. Probiotics could also downregulate serum LPS and liver TLR4. Our results suggested that both gut flora alteration and endotoxemia may be involved in the progression of NAFLD. Probiotics may delay the progression of NAFLD via LPS/TLR4 signaling.
Structural Basis for pH-mediated Regulation of F-actin Severing by Gelsolin Domain 1
Authors: Fan Jing-song , Goh Honzhen , Ding Ke , Xue Bo , Robinson Robert C. , Yang Daiwen
Published: March 2017

Six-domain gelsolin regulates actin structural dynamics through its abilities to sever, cap and uncap F-actin. These activities are modulated by various cellular parameters like Ca2+ and pH. Until now, only the molecular activation mechanism of gelsolin by Ca2+ has been understood relatively well. The fragment comprising the first domain and six residues from the linker region into the second domain has been shown to be similar to the full-length protein in F-actin severing activity in the absence of Ca2+ at pH 5. To understand how this gelsolin fragment is activated for F-actin severing by lowering pH, we solved its NMR structures at both pH 7.3 and 5 in the absence of Ca2+ and measured the pKa values of acidic amino acid residues and histidine residues. The overall structure and dynamics of the fragment are not affected significantly by pH. Nevertheless, local structural changes caused by protonation of His29 and Asp109 result in the activation on lowering the pH, and protonation of His151 directly effects filament binding since it resides in the gelsolin/actin interface. Mutagenesis studies support that His29, Asp109 and His151 play important roles in the pH-dependent severing activity of the gelsolin fragment.
Coumarin-chalcone hybrid instigates DNA damage by minor groove binding and stabilizes p53 through post translational modifications
Authors: Ashraf Raghib , Hamidullah  , Hasanain Mohammad , Pandey Praveen , Maheshwari Mayank , Singh L. Ravithej , Siddiqui M. Quadir , Konwar Rituraj , Sashidhara Koneni V. , Sarkar Jayanta
Published: March 2017

S009-131, a coumarin-chalcone hybrid, had been shown to possess anti-proliferative and anti-tumour effect by triggering apoptosis. In this report, we investigated role of DNA damage signalling pathway in S009-131 induced cancer cell death. Here we show that S009-131 causes DNA damage by potential binding to the minor groove which led to the phosphorylation and activation of ATM and DNA-PK, but not ATR, at earlier time points in order to initiate repair process. S009-131 induced DNA damage response triggered activation of p53 through phosphorylation at its key residues. Pharmacological inhibition of PIKKs abrogated S009-131 induced phosphorylation of p53 at Ser 15. DNA damage induced phosphorylation resulted in reduced proteasomal degradation of p53 by disrupting p53-MDM2 interaction. Additionally, our docking studies revealed that S009-131 might also contribute to increased cellular p53 level by occupying p53 binding pocket of MDM2. Posttranslational modifications of p53 upon S009-131 treatment led to enhanced affinity of p53 towards responsive elements (p53-RE) in the promoter regions of target genes and increased transcriptional efficiency. Together, the results suggest that S009-131 cleaves DNA through minor groove binding and eventually activates PIKKs associated DNA damage response signalling to promote stabilization and enhanced transcriptional activity of p53 through posttranslational modifications at key residues.
Spatial transcriptome analysis provides insights of key gene(s) involved in steroidal saponin biosynthesis in medicinally important herb Trillium govanianum
Authors: Singh Pradeep , Singh Gagandeep , Bhandawat Abhishek , Singh Gopal , Parmar Rajni , Seth Romit , Sharma Ram Kumar
Published: March 2017

Trillium govanianum, an endangered medicinal herb native to the Himalaya, is less studied at the molecular level due to the non-availability of genomic resources. To facilitate the basic understanding of the key genes and regulatory mechanism of pharmaceutically important biosynthesis pathways, first spatial transcriptome sequencing of T. govanianum was performed. 151,622,376 (~11.5 Gb) high quality reads obtained using paired-end Illumina sequencing were de novo assembled into 69,174 transcripts. Functional annotation with multiple public databases identified array of genes involved in steroidal saponin biosynthesis and other secondary metabolite pathways including brassinosteroid, carotenoid, diterpenoid, flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, steroid and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, and important TF families (bHLH, MYB related, NAC, FAR1, bZIP, B3 and WRKY). Differentially expressed large number of transcripts, together with CYPs and UGTs suggests involvement of these candidates in tissue specific expression. Combined transcriptome and expression analysis revealed that leaf and fruit tissues are the main site of steroidal saponin biosynthesis. In conclusion, comprehensive genomic dataset created in the current study will serve as a resource for identification of potential candidates for genetic manipulation of targeted bioactive metabolites and also contribute for development of functionally relevant molecular marker resource to expedite molecular breeding and conservation efforts in T. govanianum.
Mitochondrial DNA and trade data support multiple origins of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Brazil
Authors: Tay Wee Tek , Walsh Thomas K. , Downes Sharon , Anderson Craig , Jermiin Lars S. , Wong Thomas K. F. , Piper Melissa C. , Chang Ester Silva , Macedo Isabella Barony , Czepak Cecilia , Behere Gajanan T. , Silvie Pierre , Soria Miguel F. , Frayssinet Marie , Gordon Karl H. J.
Published: March 2017

The Old World bollwormHelicoverpa armigerais now established in Brazil but efforts to identify incursion origin(s) and pathway(s) have met with limited success due to the patchiness of available data. Using international agricultural/horticultural commodity trade data and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochromeb(Cytb) gene markers, we inferred the origins and incursion pathways into Brazil. We detected 20 mtDNA haplotypes from six Brazilian states, eight of which were new to our 97 global COI-Cytbhaplotype database. Direct sequence matches indicated five Brazilian haplotypes had Asian, African, and European origins. We identified 45 parsimoniously informative sites and multiple substitutions per site within the concatenated (945 bp) nucleotide dataset, implying that probabilistic phylogenetic analysis methods are needed. High diversity and signatures of uniquely shared haplotypes with diverse localities combined with the trade data suggested multiple incursions and introduction origins in Brazil. Increasing agricultural/horticultural trade activities between the Old and New Worlds represents a significant biosecurity risk factor. Identifying pest origins will enable resistance profiling that reflects countries of origin to be included when developing a resistance management strategy, while identifying incursion pathways will improve biosecurity protocols and risk analysis at biosecurity hotspots including national ports.
Clinical comparison of patient outcomes following implantation of trifocal or bifocal intraocular lenses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shen Zeren , Lin Yuchen , Zhu Yanan , Liu Xin , Yan Jie , Yao Ke
Published: March 2017

To assess the visual effects of trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) compared to bifocal IOLs in cataract surgery, a meta-analysis of prospective comparative clinical trials (including 4 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohorts) was conducted. The defocus curves showed a better distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (VA) for the trifocal group (MD −0.07; 95% CI, −0.10 to −0.05; p < 0.00001), while the VA outcomes showed no significant difference in distance VA (MD −0.03; 95% CI, −0.06 to 0.01; p = 0.13 for uncorrected distance VA and MD −0.00; 95% CI, −0.01 to 0.01; p = 0.78 for distance-corrected distance VA), near VA (MD −0.01; 95% CI, −0.07 to 0.04; p = 0.68 for uncorrected near VA and MD −0.01; 95% CI, −0.06 to 0.04; p = 0.66 for distance-corrected near VA) or refraction between the two groups. Contrast sensitivity and subjective visual quality yielded less conclusive results. Overall, a patient may achieve better intermediate VA with a trifocal IOL than with a bifocal IOL without any adverse effect on distance or near VA. The findings on contrast sensitivity and subjective visual quality were heterogeneous, with no clear results favoring either option.
Patterns of correlation of facial shape with physiological measurements are more integrated than patterns of correlation with ratings
Authors: Windhager S. , Bookstein F. L. , Millesi E. , Wallner B. , Schaefer K.
Published: March 2017

This article exploits a method recently incorporated in the geometric morphometric toolkit that complements previous approaches to quantifying the facial features associated with specific body characteristics and trait attribution during social perception. The new method differentiates more globally encoded from more locally encoded information by a summary scaling dimension that is estimated by fitting a line to the plot of log bending energy against log variance explained, partial warp by partial warp, for some sample of varying shapes. In the present context these variances come from the regressions of shape on some exogenous cause or effect of form. We work an example involving data from male faces. Here the regression slopes are steepest, and the sums of explained variances over the uniform component, partial warp 1 and partial warp 2 are greatest, for the conventional body mass index, followed by cortisol and, lastly, perceived health. This suggests that physiological characteristics may be represented at larger scale (global patterns), whereas cues in perception are of smaller scale (local patterns). Such a polarity within psychomorphospace, the global versus the focal, now has a metric by which patterns of morphology can be modeled in both biological and psychological studies.
Contemporary crustal movement of southeastern Tibet: Constraints from dense GPS measurements
Authors: Pan Yuanjin , Shen Wen-Bin
Published: March 2017

The ongoing collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate brings up N-S crustal shortening and thickening of the Tibet Plateau, but its dynamic mechanisms remain controversial yet. As one of the most tectonically active regions of the world, South-Eastern Tibet (SET) has been greatly paid attention to by many geoscientists. Here we present the latest three-dimensional GPS velocity field to constrain the present-day tectonic process of SET, which may highlight the complex vertical crustal deformation. Improved data processing strategies are adopted to enhance the strain patterns throughout SET. The crustal uplifting and subsidence are dominated by regional deep tectonic dynamic processes. Results show that the Gongga Shan is uplifting with 1–1.5 mm/yr. Nevertheless, an anomalous crustal uplifting of ~8.7 mm/yr and negative horizontal dilation rates of 40–50 nstrain/yr throughout the Longmenshan structure reveal that this structure is caused by the intracontinental subduction of the Yangtze Craton. The Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang fault is a major active sinistral strike-slip fault which strikes essentially and consistently with the maximum shear strain rates. These observations suggest that the upper crustal deformation is closely related with the regulation and coupling of deep material.
Sex-related alterations of gut microbiota composition in the BTBR mouse model of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Coretti Lorena , Cristiano Claudia , Florio Ermanno , Scala Giovanni , Lama Adriano , Keller Simona , Cuomo Mariella , Russo Roberto , Pero Raffaela , Paciello Orlando , Mattace Raso Giuseppina , Meli Rosaria , Cocozza Sergio , Calignano Antonio , Chiariotti Lorenzo , Lembo Francesca
Published: March 2017

Alterations of microbiota-gut-brain axis have been invoked in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mouse models could represent an excellent tool to understand how gut dysbiosis and related alterations may contribute to autistic phenotype. In this study we paralleled gut microbiota (GM) profiles, behavioral characteristics, intestinal integrity and immunological features of colon tissues in BTBR T + tf/J (BTBR) inbred mice, a well established animal model of ASD. Sex differences, up to date poorly investigated in animal models, were specifically addressed. Results showed that BTBR mice of both sexes presented a marked intestinal dysbiosis, alterations of behavior, gut permeability and immunological state with respect to prosocial C57BL/6j (C57) strain. Noticeably, sex-related differences were clearly detected. We identified Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Sutterella, Dehalobacterium and Oscillospira genera as key drivers of sex-specific gut microbiota profiles associated with selected pathological traits. Taken together, our findings indicate that alteration of GM in BTBR mice shows relevant sex-associated differences and supports the use of BTBR mouse model to dissect autism associated microbiota-gut-brain axis alteration.
Touch and Hearing Mediate Osseoperception
Authors: Clemente Francesco , Håkansson Bo , Cipriani Christian , Wessberg Johan , Kulbacka-Ortiz Katarzyna , Brånemark Rickard , Fredén Jansson Karl-Johan , Ortiz-Catalan Max
Published: March 2017

Osseoperception is the sensation arising from the mechanical stimulation of a bone-anchored prosthesis. Here we show that not only touch, but also hearing is involved in this phenomenon. Using mechanical vibrations ranging from 0.1 to 6 kHz, we performed four psychophysical measures (perception threshold, sensation discrimination, frequency discrimination and reaction time) on 12 upper and lower limb amputees and found that subjects: consistently reported perceiving a sound when the stimulus was delivered at frequencies equal to or above 400 Hz; were able to discriminate frequency differences between stimuli delivered at high stimulation frequencies (~1500 Hz); improved their reaction time for bimodal stimuli (i.e. when both vibration and sound were perceived). Our results demonstrate that osseoperception is a multisensory perception, which can explain the improved environment perception of bone-anchored prosthesis users. This phenomenon might be exploited in novel prosthetic devices to enhance their control, thus ultimately improving the amputees’ quality of life.
Frugivore-Mediated Selection in A Habitat Transformation Scenario
Authors: Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Medel Rodrigo
Published: March 2017

Plant-animal interactions are strong drivers of phenotypic evolution. However, the extent to which anthropogenic habitat transformation creates new selective scenarios for plant-animal interactions is a little explored subject. We examined the effects of native forest replacement by exotic Eucalyptus trees on the frugivore-mediated phenotypic selection coefficients imposed by the relict marsupial Dromiciops gliroides upon traits involved in frugivore attraction and germination success of the mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus (Loranthaceae). We found significant gradients for seed weight and sugar content along the native - transformed habitat gradient. While selection for larger seed weight was more relevant in native habitats, fruits with intermediate sugar content were promoted in transformed habitats. The spatial habitat structure and microclimate features such as the degree of sunlight received influenced the natural selection processes, as they correlated with the phenotypic traits analysed. The response of this plant-frugivore interaction to human disturbance seemed to be context-dependent, in which extremely transformed habitats would offer new opportunities for natural selection on dispersal-related traits. Even in recent transformation events like this, human disturbance acts as a strong contemporary evolution driver.
Two-photon dual imaging platform for in vivo monitoring cellular oxidative stress in liver injury
Authors: Wang Haolu , Zhang Run , Bridle Kim R. , Jayachandran Aparna , Thomas James A. , Zhang Wenzhu , Yuan Jingli , Xu Zhi Ping , Crawford Darrell H. G. , Liang Xiaowen , Liu Xin , Roberts Michael S.
Published: March 2017

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, which has been reported as an early unifying event in the development and progression of various diseases and as a direct and mechanistic indicator of treatment response. However, highly reactive and short-lived nature of ROS and antioxidant limited conventional detection agents, which are influenced by many interfering factors. Here, we present a two-photon sensing platform for in vivo dual imaging of oxidative stress at the single cell-level resolution. This sensing platform consists of three probes, which combine the turn-on fluorescent transition-metal complex with different specific responsive groups for glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl). By combining fluorescence intensity imaging and fluorescence lifetime imaging, these probes totally remove any possibility of crosstalk from in vivo environmental or instrumental factors, and enable accurate localization and measurement of the changes in ROS and GSH within the liver. This precedes changes in conventional biochemical and histological assessments in two distinct experimental murine models of liver injury. The ability to monitor real-time cellular oxidative stress with dual-modality imaging has significant implications for high-accurate, spatially configured and quantitative assessment of metabolic status and drug response.
Formation mechanism of fivefold deformation twins in a face-centered cubic alloy
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Huang Siling , Chen Leilei , Zhu Zhanwei , Guo Dongming
Published: March 2017

The formation mechanism considers fivefold deformation twins originating from the grain boundaries in a nanocrystalline material, resulting in that fivefold deformation twins derived from a single crystal have not been reported by molecular dynamics simulations. In this study, fivefold deformation twins are observed in a single crystal of face-centered cubic (fcc) alloy. A new formation mechanism is proposed for fivefold deformation twins in a single crystal. A partial dislocation is emitted from the incoherent twin boundaries (ITBs) with high energy, generating a stacking fault along {111} plane, and resulting in the nucleating and growing of a twin by the successive emission of partials. A node is fixed at the intersecting center of the four different slip {111} planes. With increasing stress under the indentation, ITBs come into being close to the node, leading to the emission of a partial from the node. This generates a stacking fault along a {111} plane, nucleating and growing a twin by the continuous emission of the partials. This process repeats until the formation of fivefold deformation twins.
Enteric glial cells counteract Clostridium difficile Toxin B through a NADPH oxidase/ROS/JNK/caspase-3 axis, without involving mitochondrial pathways
Authors: Macchioni Lara , Davidescu Magdalena , Fettucciari Katia , Petricciuolo Maya , Gatticchi Leonardo , Gioè Davide , Villanacci Vincenzo , Bellini Massimo , Marconi Pierfrancesco , Roberti Rita , Bassotti Gabrio , Corazzi Lanfranco
Published: March 2017

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are components of the intestinal epithelial barrier essential for regulating the enteric nervous system. Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated colitis, toxin B (TcdB) being the major virulence factor, due to its ability to breach the intestinal epithelial barrier and to act on other cell types. Here we investigated TcdB effects on EGCs and the activated molecular mechanisms. Already at 2 hours, TcdB triggered ROS formation originating from NADPH-oxidase, as demonstrated by their reduction in the presence of the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor ML171. Although EGCs mitochondria support almost completely the cellular ATP need, TcdB exerted weak effects on EGCs in terms of ATP and mitochondrial functionality, mitochondrial ROS production occurring as a late event. ROS activated the JNK signalling and overexpression of the proapoptotic Bim not followed by cytochrome c or AIF release to activate the downstream apoptotic cascade. EGCs underwent DNA fragmentation through activation of the ROS/JNK/caspase-3 axis, evidenced by the ability of ML171, N-acetylcysteine, and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 to inhibit caspase-3 or to contrast apoptosis. Therefore, TcdB aggressiveness towards EGCs is mainly restricted to the cytosolic compartment, which represents a peculiar feature, since TcdB primarily influences mitochondria in other cellular types.
Photonic transistor and router using a single quantum-dot-confined spin in a single-sided optical microcavity
Authors: Hu C. Y.
Published: March 2017

The future Internet is very likely the mixture of all-optical Internet with low power consumption and quantum Internet with absolute security guaranteed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Photons would be used for processing, routing and com-munication of data, and photonic transistor using a weak light to control a strong light is the core component as an optical analogue to the electronic transistor that forms the basis of modern electronics. In sharp contrast to previous all-optical tran-sistors which are all based on optical nonlinearities, here I introduce a novel design for a high-gain and high-speed (up to terahertz) photonic transistor and its counterpart in the quantum limit, i.e., single-photon transistor based on a linear optical effect: giant Faraday rotation induced by a single electronic spin in a single-sided optical microcavity. A single-photon or classical optical pulse as the gate sets the spin state via projective measurement and controls the polarization of a strong light to open/block the photonic channel. Due to the duality as quantum gate for quantum information processing and transistor for optical information processing, this versatile spin-cavity quantum transistor provides a solid-state platform ideal for all-optical networks and quantum networks.
Development of a multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella spp. and Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Liu Ningwei , Zou Dayang , Dong Derong , Yang Zhan , Ao Da , Liu Wei , Huang Liuyu
Published: March 2017

Rapid detection of food-borne pathogens is important in the food industry, to monitor and prevent the spread of these pathogens through contaminated food products. We therefore established a multiplex real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to simultaneously detect and distinguish Salmonella spp. and Vibrio parahaemolyticus DNA in a single reaction. Two target sequences, one specific for Salmonella and the other specific for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were amplified by specific LAMP primers in the same reaction tube. After amplification at 65 °C for 60 min, the amplified products were subjected to melting curve analysis and thus could be distinguished based on the different melting temperatures (Tm values) of the two specifically amplified products. The specificity of the multiplex LAMP assay was evaluated using 19 known bacterial strains, including one V. parahaemolyticus and seven Salmonella spp. strains. The multiplex LAMP showed 100% inclusivity and exclusivity, and a detection limit similar to that of multiplex PCR. In addition, we observed and corrected preferential amplification induced by what we call LAMP selection in the multiplex LAMP reaction. In conclusion, our assay was rapid, specific, and quantitative, making it a useful tool for the food industry.
Neural Crest Cells Contribute an Astrocyte-like Glial Population to the Spleen
Authors: Barlow-Anacker Amanda J. , Fu Ming , Erickson Christopher S. , Bertocchini Federica , Gosain Ankush
Published: March 2017

Neural crest cells (NCC) are multi-potent cells of ectodermal origin that colonize diverse organs, including the gastrointestinal tract to form the enteric nervous system (ENS) and hematopoietic organs (bone marrow, thymus) where they participate in lymphocyte trafficking. Recent studies have implicated the spleen as an anatomic site for integration of inflammatory signals from the intestine with efferent neural inputs. We have previously observed alterations in splenic lymphocyte subsets in animals with defective migration of NCC that model Hirschsprung’s disease, leading us to hypothesize that there may be a direct cellular contribution of NCC to the spleen. Here, we demonstrate that NCC colonize the spleen during embryogenesis and persist into adulthood. Splenic NCC display markers indicating a glial lineage and are arranged anatomically adjacent to blood vessels, pericytes and nerves, suggesting an astrocyte-like phenotype. Finally, we identify similar neural-crest derived cells in both the avian and non-human primate spleen, showing evolutionary conservation of these cells.
Systemic inflammation enhances stimulant-induced striatal dopamine elevation
Authors: Petrulli J R , Kalish B , Nabulsi N B , Huang Y , Hannestad J , Morris E D
Published: March 2017

Changes in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system are implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric conditions including addiction, depression and schizophrenia. Dysfunction of the neuroimmune system is often comorbid with such conditions and affects similar areas of the brain. The goal of this study was to use positron emission tomography with the dopamine D2 antagonist tracer, 11C-raclopride, to explore the effect of acute immune activation on striatal DA levels. DA transmission was modulated by an oral methylphenidate (MP) challenge in order to reliably elicit DA elevation. Elevation in DA concentration due to MP was estimated via change in 11C-raclopride binding potential from the baseline scan. Prior to the post-MP scan, subjects were pre-treated with either the immune activator lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or placebo (PBO) in a cross-over design. Immune activation was confirmed by measuring tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 concentration in plasma. Eight healthy subjects were scanned four times each to determine the MP-induced DA elevation under both LPS and PBO pre-treatment conditions. MP-induced DA elevation in the striatum was significantly greater (P<0.01) after LPS pre-treatment compared to PBO pre-treatment. Seven of eight subjects responded similarly. This effect was observed in the caudate and putamen (P<0.02), but was not present in ventral striatum. DA elevation induced by MP was significantly greater when subjects were pre-treated with LPS compared to PBO. The amplification of stimulant-induced DA signaling in the presence of systemic inflammation may have important implications for our understanding of addiction and other diseases of DA dysfunction.
Diagnosis and body mass index effects on hippocampal volumes and neurochemistry in bipolar disorder
Authors: Bond D J , Silveira L E , MacMillan E L , Torres I J , Lang D J , Su W , Honer W G , Lam R W , Yatham L N
Published: March 2017

We previously reported that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with greater hippocampal glutamate+glutamine in people with bipolar disorder (BD), but not in non-BD healthy comparator subjects (HSs). In the current report, we extend these findings by examining the impact of BD diagnosis and BMI on hippocampal volumes and the concentrations of several additional neurochemicals in 57 early-stage BD patients and 31 HSs. Using 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured bilateral hippocampal volumes and the hippocampal concentrations of four neurochemicals relevant to BD: N-acetylaspartate+N-acteylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), creatine+phosphocreatine (Cre), myoinositol (Ins) and glycerophosphocholine+phosphatidylcholine (Cho). We used multivariate factorial analysis of covariance to investigate the impact of diagnosis (patient vs HS) and BMI category (normal weight vs overweight/obese) on these variables. We found a main effect of diagnosis on hippocampal volumes, with patients having smaller hippocampi than HSs. There was no association between BMI and hippocampal volumes. We found diagnosis and BMI effects on hippocampal neurochemistry, with patients having lower Cre, Ins and Cho, and overweight/obese subjects having higher levels of these chemicals. In patient-only models that controlled for clinical and treatment variables, we detected an additional association between higher BMI and lower tNAA that was absent in HSs. To our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the relative contributions of BD diagnosis and BMI to hippocampal volumes, and only the second to investigate their contributions to hippocampal chemistry. It provides further evidence that diagnosis and elevated BMI both impact limbic brain areas relevant to BD.
Electroconvulsive therapy modulates plasma pigment epithelium-derived factor in depression: a proteomics study
Authors: Ryan K M , Glaviano A , O'Donovan S M , Kolshus E , Dunne R , Kavanagh A , Jelovac A , Noone M , Tucker G M , Dunn M J , McLoughlin D M
Published: March 2017

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for severe depression, yet its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Peripheral blood proteomic analyses may offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of ECT. Patients with a major depressive episode were recruited as part of the EFFECT-Dep trial (enhancing the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy in severe depression; ISRCTN23577151) along with healthy controls. As a discovery-phase study, patient plasma pre-/post-ECT (n=30) was analyzed using 2-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Identified proteins were selected for confirmation studies using immunodetection methods. Samples from a separate group of patients (pre-/post-ECT; n=57) and matched healthy controls (n=43) were then used to validate confirmed changes. Target protein mRNA levels were also assessed in rat brain and blood following electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS), the animal model of ECT. We found that ECT significantly altered 121 protein spots with 36 proteins identified by mass spectrometry. Confirmation studies identified a post-ECT increase (P<0.01) in the antiangiogenic and neuroprotective mediator pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Validation work showed an increase (P<0.001) in plasma PEDF in depressed patients compared with the controls that was further increased post-ECT (P=0.03). PEDF levels were not associated with mood scores. Chronic, but not acute, ECS increased PEDF mRNA in rat hippocampus (P=0.02) and dentate gyrus (P=0.03). This study identified alterations in blood levels of PEDF in depressed patients and further alterations following ECT, as well as in an animal model of ECT. These findings implicate PEDF in the biological response to ECT for depression.
N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed synthesis of spirocyclopentene-oxindoles from bromoenals
Authors: Zhang Zhao-Fei , Chen Kun-Quan , Zhang Chun-Lin , Ye Song
Published: March 2017

Spirocyclopentene-oxindoles were synthesized in good yields with good diastereo- and enantioselectivitiesviathe N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed reaction of bromoenals and oxindoles.
N-Tosylhydrazones: versatile synthons in the construction of cyclic compounds
Authors: Xia Ying , Wang Jianbo
Published: March 2017

N-Tosylhydrazones have been extensively explored as versatile building blocks in the construction of various cyclic compounds.
Preparation and characterization of metastable trigonal layered MSb2O6 phases (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mg) and considerations on FeSb2O6
Authors: Nikulin A. Yu. , Zvereva E. A. , Nalbandyan V. B. , Shukaev I. L. , Kurbakov A. I. , Kuchugura M. D. , Raganyan G. V. , Popov Yu. V. , Ivanchenko V. D. , Vasiliev A. N.
Published: March 2017

New forms of MSb2O6 (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mg) have been prepared by ion exchange.
Sequential fractionation of feruloylated hemicelluloses and oligosaccharides from wheat bran using subcritical water and xylanolytic enzymes
Authors: Ruthes Andrea C. , Martínez-Abad Antonio , Tan Hwei-Ting , Bulone Vincent , Vilaplana Francisco
Published: March 2017

Sequential combination of subcritical water and xylanolytic enzymes release bioactive hemicelluloses and oligosaccharides from wheat bran with antioxidant activity.
Trace element analyses of carbonates using portable and micro-X-ray fluorescence: performance and optimization of measurement parameters and strategies
Authors: de Winter Niels J. , Sinnesael Matthias , Makarona Christina , Vansteenberge Stef , Claeys Philippe
Published: March 2017

New criteria for choosing measurement strategies and assessing data quality allow better comparison of XRF results.
Electrochemical synthesis of MnO2porous nanowires for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor
Authors: Song Juan , Li Huihua , Li Sizhe , Zhu Hongli , Ge You , Wang Shu , Feng Xiaomiao , Liu Yuge
Published: March 2017

MnO2porous nanowires with excellent electrochemical performance were preparedviaa simple electrodeposition method.
Ti3C2MXenes modified with in situ grown carbon nanotubes for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties
Authors: Li Xinliang , Yin Xiaowei , Han Meikang , Song Changqing , Xu Hailong , Hou Zexin , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei
Published: March 2017

Ti3C2TxMXenes modified within situgrown carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are fabricatedviaa simple catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.
A dual-colored ratiometric-fluorescent oligonucleotide probe for the detection of human telomerase RNA in cell extracts
Authors: Ning Dianhua , He Changtian , Liu Zhengjie , Liu Cui , Wu Qilong , Zhao TingTing , Liu Renyong
Published: March 2017

A dual-colored ratiometric-fluorescent oligonucleotide probe is designed for the detection of human telomerase RNA (hTR) in cell extracts.
A novel chemiluminescent immunochromatographic assay strip for rapid detection of mercury ions
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Liu Fengquan , Shao Qian , Yin Zhengrong , Wang Limin , Fu Zhifeng
Published: March 2017

A chemiluminescent immunochromatographic assay strip for rapid detection of Hg2+ was developed by using an anti-Hg2+ monoclonal antibody that could directly recognize Hg2+.
Preparation of an iron porphyrin-based polymer monolithic column via atom transfer radical polymerization for the separation of proteins and small molecules
Authors: Wei Zhen , Zhang Doudou , Li Cheng , Bai Ligai , Liu Haiyan , Yan Hongyuan
Published: March 2017

An iron porphyrin-based polymer monolithic column was prepared via ATRP for the separation of proteins from bio-matrices and small molecules.
A combination strategy using two novel cerium-based nanocomposite affinity probes for the selective enrichment of mono- and multi-phosphopeptides in mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Long Xing-yu , Zhang Zi-jin , Li Jia-yuan , Sheng Dong , Lian Hong-zhen
Published: March 2017

The sequential enrichment of mono- and multi-phosphopeptides was successfully achieved using two novel Ce-based nanocomposite affinity probes.
Pyreneacyl sulfides as a visible light-induced versatile ligation platform
Authors: Tuten Bryan T. , Menzel Jan P. , Pahnke Kai , Blinco James P. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: March 2017

We report a visible light responsive moiety capable of generating highly reactive thioaldehydes.
Towards a fragment-based approach in gelator design: halogen effects leading to thixotropic, mouldable and self-healing systems in aryl-triazolyl amino acid-based gelators!
Authors: Srivastava Bhartendu K. , Manheri Muraleedharan K.
Published: March 2017

A simple replacement of a H atom by Br transformed non-gelating aryl triazolyl amino acid benzyl ester to a versatile gelator, which formed shape-persistent, self-healing and mouldable gels.
Tunable differentiation of tertiary C–H bonds in intramolecular transition metal-catalyzed nitrene transfer reactions
Authors: Corbin Joshua R. , Schomaker Jennifer M.
Published: March 2017

Metal-catalyzed nitrene transfer reactions are an appealing and efficient strategy for accessing tetrasubstituted amines through the direct amination of tertiary C–H bonds.
Multi-functional, thiophenol-based surface chemistry for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Sun Fang , Galvan Daniel D. , Jain Priyesh , Yu Qiuming
Published: March 2017

This article highlights the recent advances of thiophenol-based surface chemistry for the applications in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
Regioselective hydrosilylation of epoxides catalysed by nickel(ii) hydrido complexes
Authors: Wenz Jan , Wadepohl Hubert , Gade Lutz H.
Published: March 2017

Bench-stable nickel fluoride complexes bearing NNN pincer ligands have been employed as precursors for the regioselective hydrosilylation of epoxides at room temperature.
KOtBu-Catalyzed lithiation of PMDTA and the direct functionalization of bridged alkenes under mild conditions
Authors: Wang Yuntao , Liu Jialin , Huang Lin , Zhu Ranran , Huang Xueyan , Moir Ross , Huang Jianhui
Published: March 2017

A practical preparation of the reagent PMDTALi using a super base system under mild conditions has been developed.
Perovskite-type La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3 with uniform dispersion on N-doped reduced graphene oxide as an efficient bi-functional Li–O2 battery cathode
Authors: Cheng Junfang , Jiang Yuexing , Zhang Ming , Zou Lu , Huang Yizhen , Wang Ziling , Chi Bo , Pu Jian , Li Jian
Published: March 2017

A composite cathode including N-rGO with homogeneously dispersed perovskite La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3 on the surface is studied.
Sodium–carboxylate contact ion pair formation induces stabilization of palmitic acid monolayers at high pH
Authors: Adams Ellen M. , Wellen Bethany A. , Thiraux Raphael , Reddy Sandeep K. , Vidalis Andrew S. , Paesani Francesco , Allen Heather C.
Published: March 2017

Theory and experiments show that ion-pair formation drives adsorption of deprotonated fatty acids to the interface.
NMR probing and visualization of correlated structural fluctuations in intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Kurzbach Dennis , Beier Andreas , Vanas Agathe , Flamm Andrea G. , Platzer Gerald , Schwarz Thomas C. , Konrat Robert
Published: March 2017

A novel statistical analysis of paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) and paramagnetic relaxation interference (PRI) based nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data is proposed based on the computation of correlation matrices.
Temperature profiles and heat fluxes observed in molecular dynamics simulations of force-driven liquid flows
Authors: Ghorbanian Jafar , Beskok Ali
Published: March 2017

This paper concentrates on the unconventional temperature profiles and heat fluxes observed in non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of force-driven liquid flows in nano-channels.
Effect of cation off-stoichiometry on optical absorption in epitaxial LaFeO3 films
Authors: Scafetta Mark D. , May Steven J.
Published: March 2017

The effect of A- and B-site cation deficiency on the optical absorption spectrum is presented for a series of LaFeO3−δ epitaxial films providing insights into the relationship between defect chemistry and electronic structure in this semiconducting perovskite oxide.
Investigating the optical properties of BOIMPY dyes using ab initio tools
Authors: Le Guennic Boris , Scalmani Giovanni , Frisch Michael J. , Laurent Adèle D. , Jacquemin Denis
Published: March 2017

Using a computational approach combining Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) and second-order Coupled Cluster (CC2) approaches, we investigate the spectral properties of a large panel of BOIMPY dyes.
Influence of cations in lithium and magnesium polysulphide solutions: dependence of the solvent chemistry
Authors: Bieker Georg , Wellmann Julia , Kolek Martin , Jalkanen Kirsi , Winter Martin , Bieker Peter
Published: March 2017

The disproportionation and dissociation equilibria of chemically prepared “Li2S8” and “MgS8” solutions are studied in a variety of solvents.
Correction: Vibrational dynamics and solvatochromism of the label SCN in various solvents and hemoglobin by time dependent IR and 2D-IR spectroscopy
Authors: van Wilderen Luuk J. G. W. , Kern-Michler Daniela , Müller-Werkmeister Henrike M. , Bredenbeck Jens
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘Vibrational dynamics and solvatochromism of the label SCN in various solvents and hemoglobin by time dependent IR and 2D-IR spectroscopy’ by Luuk J. G. W. van Wilderen et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 19643–19653.
Non-equilibrium supramolecular polymerization
Authors: Sorrenti Alessandro , Leira-Iglesias Jorge , Markvoort Albert J. , de Greef Tom F. A. , Hermans Thomas M.
Published: March 2017

Supramolecular polymers can reside in four distinct thermodynamic states. The preparation protocol and mechanistic insights allow to identify each one of them. Going beyond equilibrium polymerization is an exciting new direction in the field of supramolecular chemistry.
Molecular recognition of an acyl–enzyme intermediate on the lipase B from Candida antarctica
Authors: Toledo María V. , Llerena Suster Carlos R. , Ferreira María L. , Collins Sebastián E. , Briand Laura E.
Published: March 2017

Ketoprofen and serine form an acyl–enzyme intermediate species that vibrates at 1756 cm−1 in the infrared spectra.
A p-nitroaniline redox-active solid-state electrolyte for battery-like electrochemical capacitive energy storage combined with an asymmetric supercapacitor based on metal oxide functionalized β-polytype porous silicon carbide electrodes
Authors: Kim Myeongjin , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Jooheon
Published: March 2017

A unique redox active flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor with ultra-high capacitance and energy density was fabricated.
Synthesis and structures of lithium alkoxytris(dimethylphenylsilyl)borates
Authors: Tsurusaki Akihiro , Yoshida Keisuke , Kyushin Soichiro
Published: March 2017

The X-ray crystallography showed that the structures of the silyl-substituted borates are affected by the alkoxy groups.
Halogen-dependent photoinduced electron transfer and chromism of three protonated nicotinohydrazide halozincates
Authors: Shen Jun-Ju , Wang Feng , Yu Tan-Lai , Zhang Fu-Qiang , Tian Lu , Fu Yun-Long
Published: March 2017

Using protonated nicotinohydrazide (HNH2+) as moderate electron acceptor, three isostructural halozincates, [HNH][ZnX4]·H2O (X = I (1), Br (2), Cl (3)), have been synthesized and exhibit halogen-dependent photoinduced electron transfer and chromic properties.
Large d–d luminescence energy variations in square-planar bis(dithiocarbamate) platinum(ii) and palladium(ii) complexes with near-identical MS4 motifs: a variable-pressure study
Authors: Poirier Stéphanie , Rahmani Feriel , Reber Christian
Published: March 2017

A surprising variation of luminescence maxima occurs for crystalline dithiocarbamate platinum(ii) complexes with very similar square-planar coordination geometries but different peripheral substituents R, R′.
Polyoxotungstate incorporating organotriphosphonate ligands and lanthanide ions: syntheses, characterization, magnetism and photoluminescence properties
Authors: Ban Ran , Sun Xiaopeng , Wang Jiawei , Ma Pengtao , Zhang Chao , Niu Jingyang , Wang Jingping
Published: March 2017

Four structurally intriguing lanthanide-containing organophosphonate-functionalized POTs have been established. The magnetic properties and photoluminescence properties have been researched.
Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-generation activity of carbon/g-C3N4nanocomposites prepared by two-step thermal treatment
Authors: Xu Quanlong , Jiang Chuanjia , Cheng Bei , Yu Jiaguo
Published: March 2017

Brown carbon/g-C3N4nanocomposites synthesized by two-step calcination exhibited a wide visible light response range and improved photocatalytic H2-generation performance.
The electrochemical discrimination of pinene enantiomers by a cyclodextrin metal–organic framework
Authors: Deng Cheng-Hua , Li Tao , Chen Jing-Huo , Ma Jian-Gong , Cheng Peng
Published: March 2017

Four pinene isomers were successfully recognized and enantiomeric discriminated via an electrochemical method using a chiral gamma-cyclodextrin metal–organic framework as a sensor.
Metal-like electrical conductivity in LaxSr2−xTiMoO6oxides for high temperature thermoelectric power generation
Authors: Saxena Mandvi , Maiti Tanmoy
Published: March 2017

Increasing electrical conductivity in oxides, which are inherently insulators, can be a potential route in developing oxide-based thermoelectric power generators with higher energy conversion efficiency.
UiO-66 derived Ru/ZrO2@C as a highly stable catalyst for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Cao Wenxiu , Luo Wenhao , Ge Hongguang , Su Yang , Wang Aiqin , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2017

A self-prepared 0.85 wt% Ru/ZrO2@C catalyst shows an excellent stability for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone upon catalyst reuse experiments.
Selective hydrogenation of N-heterocyclic compounds using Ru nanocatalysts in ionic liquids
Authors: Konnerth Hannelore , Prechtl Martin H. G.
Published: March 2017

N-Heterocyclic compounds have been tested in the selective hydrogenation catalysed by small 1–3 nm sized Ru nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in various imidazolium based ionic liquids (ILs).
Highly efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural with carbohydrates over renewable cyclopentanone-based acidic resin
Authors: Tang Hao , Li Ning , Chen Fang , Li Guangyi , Wang Aiqin , Cong Yu , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2017

A sulfated cyclopentanone-formaldehyde condensate was found to be an effective and reusable catalyst for the dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
A whole-procedure solvent-free route to CO2-based waterborne polyurethane by an elevated-temperature dispersing strategy
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang Hongming , Miao Yuyang , Qiao Lijun , Wang Xianhong
Published: March 2017

Whole-procedure solvent-free preparation of CO2-WPU was accomplished by direct dispersion of the prepolymer at an elevated temperature.
Selenium enriched dietary supplement rapid screening method using XRF and DART-HRAM-MS for label verification
Authors: Hanley T. A. , Kubachka K. , Taylor A. M. , Kern S. E.
Published: March 2017

Labelled selenium ingredients in dietary supplements can be assessed quickly, in under an hour, using a combination of XRF and DART-HRAM-MS.
Microfluidic neural probes: in vivo tools for advancing neuroscience
Authors: Sim Joo Yong , Haney Matthew P. , Park Sung Il , McCall Jordan G. , Jeong Jae-Woong
Published: March 2017

This review discusses recent advances in microfluidic neural probe systems, which hold immense potential asin vivotools for manipulating neural circuits in complex nervous systems.