bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of graphene oxide on thermal, electrical, and morphological properties of new achiral polyimide
Authors: Balaji Sadhasivam , Balasubramanian Rukmanikrishnan , Rigana M. Fathima , Sarojadevi Muthusamy
Published: May 2017

In this study, a new diamine N‐[2‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)ethyl]‐3,5‐diaminobenzamide (IEDAB) was synthesized using tryptamine as starting material and characterized by FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Then, it was polymerized with 3,3',4,4'‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) via thermal imidization to produce polyimide (PI). A series PI/GO nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporating different ratios (1, 3, and 5 wt%) of synthesized GO by solution casting method. The synthesized PI was confirmed by Ubbelohde viscometer and FT‐IR spectroscopy. SEM and Raman spectroscopy showed that GO was well dispersed in the PI matrix. XRD patterns indicated the PI and PI/GO nanocomposite films were highly amorphous in nature. The synthesized PI and their nanocomposites show high thermal stability as their T10% weight loss are in the range of 498 to 563°C with 30.6 to 40% of char yield and the glass transition temperatures (Tg s) are in the range of 188 to 262°C. The limited oxygen index (LOI) values increased from 31.4% to 56.0% with increases of 5% GO content in the PI/GO nanocomposite. They have high dielectric constant in the range of 2.6 to 5.1 at 1 MHz and also good mechanical properties with tensile strength of 81 to 116 MPa, elongation at break 5 to 9%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Grafted copolymer micelles with pH triggered charge reversibility for efficient doxorubicin delivery
Authors: Wu Shaohua , Zheng Liuchun , Li Chuncheng , Xiao Yaonan , Huo Shuaidong , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2017

The instability and premature charge reversal at pH 7.4 have become the major limitations of charge‐reversal delivery systems. To address this problem, graft copolymer of poly(butylene succinate)‐g‐cysteamine‐bi‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PBS‐g‐CS‐bi‐PEG, bi = benzoic imine bond) was designed and synthesized through facile thiol‐ene click reaction and subsequent Schiff's base reaction. Then, PBS‐g‐CS‐bi‐PEG and carboxyl‐functionalized polyester of poly(butylene succinate)‐g‐3‐mercaptopropionic acid (PBS‐g‐MPA) co‐assemble in aqueous solution to give PEG shell‐sheddable charge‐reversal micelles with sizes of 85–103 nm and low polydispersity of 0.11–0.12. Interestingly, the PBS‐g‐MPA/CS‐bi‐PEG micelles could sensitively and arbitrarily switch their surface charges between negative and positive status in response to pH fluctuation via reversible protonation and deprotonation of carboxyl and amino groups, which endows the desired stability of co‐assembly micelles either during long‐term storage or under physiological conditions. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into PBS‐g‐MPA/CS‐bi‐PEG micelles with a high drug‐loading content of 10.2% and entrapment efficiency of 68% as a result of electrostatic attraction. In vitro release studies revealed that less than 25% of DOX was released within 24 h in the environment mimicking the physiological condition, whereas up to 81% of DOX was released in 24 h under weak‐acid condition resembling microenvironment in endosome/lysosome. In vitro cytotoxicity study suggested that blank PBS‐g‐MPA/CS‐bi‐PEG micelles possessed excellent biocompatibility, while DOX‐loaded PBS‐g‐MPA/CS‐bi‐PEG micelles showed significant cytotoxicity with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.55–1.67 μg DOX equiv/mL. This study provides a facile and effective approach for the preparation of novel charge‐reversal micelles with switchable charges and excellent biocompatibility, which are highly promising to be used as safe nanocarriers for efficient intracellular drug delivery. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2036–2046
Real‐time simulation of soft tissue deformation and electrocautery procedures in laparoscopic rectal cancer radical surgery
Authors: Sui Yuan , Pan Jun J. , Qin Hong , Liu Hao , Lu Yun
Published: May 2017

Background

Laparoscopic surgery (LS), also referred to as minimally invasive surgery, is a modern surgical technique which is widely applied. The fulcrum effect makes LS a non‐intuitive motor skill with a steep learning curve.

Methods

A hybrid model of tetrahedrons and a multi‐layer triangular mesh are constructed to simulate the deformable behavior of the rectum and surrounding tissues in the Position‐Based Dynamics (PBD) framework. A heat‐conduction based electric‐burn technique is employed to simulate the electrocautery procedure.

Results

The simulator has been applied for laparoscopic rectum cancer surgery training. From the experimental results, trainees can operate in real time with high degrees of stability and fidelity. A preliminary study was performed to evaluate the realism and usefulness.

Conclusions

This prototype simulator has been tested and verified by colorectal surgeons through a pilot study. They believed both the visual and the haptic performance of the simulation are realistic and helpful to enhance laparoscopic skills.
Determining intervention thresholds that change output behavior patterns
Authors: Walrave Bob
Published: May 2017

This paper details a semi‐automated method that can calculate intervention thresholds—that is, the minimum required intervention sizes, over a given timeframe, that result in a desired change in a system's output behavior pattern. The method exploits key differences in atomic behavior profiles that exist between classifiable pre‐ and post‐intervention behavior patterns. An automated process of systematic adjustment of the intervention variable, while monitoring the key difference, identifies the intervention thresholds. The results, in turn, can be studied and presented in intervention threshold graphs in combination with final runtime graphs. Overall, this method allows modelers to move beyond ad hoc experimentation and develop a better understanding of intervention dynamics. This article presents an application of the method to the well‐known World 3 model, which helps demonstrate both the procedure and its benefits. © 2017 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society
Luminescent Strategies for Label‐Free G‐Quadruplex‐Based Enzyme Activity Sensing
Authors: Ma Dik‐Lung , Dong Zhen‐Zhen , Vellaisamy Kasipandi , Cheung Ka‐Man , Yang Guanjun , Leung Chung‐Hang
Published: May 2017

By catalyzing highly specific and tightly controlled chemical reactions, enzymes are essential to maintaining normal cellular physiology. However, aberrant enzymatic activity can be linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Therefore, the unusual activity of particular enzymes can represent testable biomarkers for the diagnosis or screening of certain diseases. In recent years, G‐quadruplex‐based platforms have attracted wide attention for the monitoring of enzymatic activities. In this Personal Account, we discuss our group's works on the development of G‐quadruplex‐based sensing system for enzyme activities by using mainly iridium(III) complexes as luminescent label‐free probes. These studies showcase the versatility of the G‐quadruplex for developing assays for a variety of different enzymes.
Phase II study of lanreotide autogel in Japanese patients with unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Ito Tetsuhide , Honma Yoshitaka , Hijioka Susumu , Kudo Atsushi , Fukutomi Akira , Nozaki Akira , Kimura Yasutoshi , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Isayama Hiroyuki , Komoto Izumi , Hisamatsu Seiichi , Nakajima Akihiro , Shimatsu Akira
Published: May 2017

Background Lanreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analog with demonstrated efficacy against enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in the phase III (CLARINET) study. Materials and Methods In this single-arm study, Japanese patients with grade (G) 1/G2 NET received lanreotide (120 mg/4 weeks) for 48 weeks. Those who completed the study were enrolled in a long-term extension study. The primary endpoint was the clinical benefit rate (CBR) defined as a complete response, partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD) over 24-weeks. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), safety, and pharmacokinetics. Results Thirty-two patients were recruited at 10 sites. The full analysis set (FAS) comprised 28 patients. Primary tumors were located in pancreas (12 patients), foregut (non-pancreas, lung; 1), midgut (2), hindgut (8), and unknown (5). Four patients had gastrinoma of the functional NET, and 3 had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. In the FAS, 39.3% had progressive disease at baseline. The CBR at 24 weeks was 64.3% (95% confidence interval; CI: 44.1–81.4), and median PFS was 36.3 weeks (95% CI: 24.1–53.1). PR was confirmed in 1 patient at 60 weeks during the extension study (ORR: 3.6%). Frequent adverse events related to lanreotide included injection site induration (28.1%), faeces pale (18.8%), flatulence (12.5%), and diabetes mellitus (12.5%). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of lanreotide in this study indicated its usefulness as a treatment option for Japanese NET patients. Trial registration: JapicCTI-132,375, JapicCTI-142,698.
Effect of Thermal Stability of Alkanolamide on Oil/Water Interfacial Tensions
Authors: Guo Yongjun , Pu DI , Feng Rusen , Xiong Yachun
Published: May 2017

In order to investigate the effect of thermal stability of alkanolamide on oil/water interfacial tensions (IFT), lauric diethanolamide (LDEA) was synthesized. The effects of temperature and standing time on the composition and oil/water IFT was studied in detail. The results showed that the changes in composition and oil/water IFT at the same conditions were essentially in agreement. The best standing temperature range was from 30 to 60 °C with a standing time of more than 10 days. The inherent cause of thermal stability on oil/water IFT was revealed through structure characterization and composition analysis with FTIR spectrometry and GC–MS spectrometry. It was found that the composition's change of mixed LDEA systems disturbed the hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance, which influenced the ability to reduce the interfacial tension.
Evaluación ex-post de franquicia tributaria SENCE para capacitación laboral y su efecto sobre empresas chilenas
Authors: Mardones Cristian , Sepúlveda Luis
Published: May 2017

Este estudio analiza el impacto sobre una muestra de empresas chilenas que han utilizado la franquicia tributaria SENCE para capacitar a sus trabajadores. El impacto del programa se evalúa con el método cuasi-experimental de datos de panel utilizando la primera, segunda y tercera rondas de la Encuesta Longitudinal de Empresas, realizada por el Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile. A pesar de que diversos estudios previos muestran efectos positivos y estadísticamente significativos sobre los trabajadores capacitados en términos de empleabilidad y/o remuneraciones, los resultados de este estudio muestran que no ocurre necesariamente lo mismo a nivel de empresas, ya que no existen impactos significativos sobre las ventas ni crecimiento de las ventas, pero se observa un incremento en las ventas por empleado y la contratación de trabajadores de producción calificados.
The Lords of Tetzcoco
Authors: Benton Bradley
Published: May 2017

Tetzcoco was one of the most important cities of the pre-Hispanic Aztec Empire. When the Spaniards arrived in 1519, the indigenous hereditary nobles that governed Tetzcoco faced both opportunities and challenges, and were forced to adapt from the very moment of contact. This book examines how the city's nobility navigated this tumultuous period of conquest and colonialism, and negotiated a place for themselves under Spanish rule. While Tetzcoco's native nobles experienced a remarkable degree of continuity with the pre-contact period, especially in the first few decades after conquest, various forces and issues, such as changing access to economic resources, interethnic marriage, and intra-familial conflict, transformed Tetzcoco's ruling family into colonial subjects by the century's end.
Atmospheric Evolution on Inhabited and Lifeless Worlds
Authors: Catling David C. , Kasting James F.
Published: May 2017

As the search for Earth-like exoplanets gathers pace, in order to understand them, we need comprehensive theories for how planetary atmospheres form and evolve. Written by two well-known planetary scientists, this text explains the physical and chemical principles of atmospheric evolution and planetary atmospheres, in the context of how atmospheric composition and climate determine a planet's habitability. The authors survey our current understanding of the atmospheric evolution and climate on Earth, on other rocky planets within our Solar System, and on planets far beyond. Incorporating a rigorous mathematical treatment, they cover the concepts and equations governing a range of topics, including atmospheric chemistry, thermodynamics, radiative transfer, and atmospheric dynamics, and provide an integrated view of planetary atmospheres and their evolution. This interdisciplinary text is an invaluable one-stop resource for graduate-level students and researchers working across the fields of atmospheric science, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology, and astronomy.
Rights and Retrenchment
Authors: Burbank Stephen B. , Farhang Sean
Published: May 2017

This groundbreaking book contributes to an emerging literature that examines responses to the rights revolution that unfolded in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Using original archival evidence and data, Stephen B. Burbank and Sean Farhang identify the origins of the counterrevolution against private enforcement of federal law in the first Reagan Administration. They then measure the counterrevolution's trajectory in the elected branches, court rulemaking, and the Supreme Court, evaluate its success in those different lawmaking sites, and test key elements of their argument. Finally, the authors leverage an institutional perspective to explain a striking variation in their results: although the counterrevolution largely failed in more democratic lawmaking sites, in a long series of cases little noticed by the public, an increasingly conservative and ideologically polarized Supreme Court has transformed federal law, making it less friendly, if not hostile, to the enforcement of rights through lawsuits.
Thomas Hardy and Animals
Authors: West Anna
Published: May 2017

Thomas Hardy and Animals examines the human and nonhuman animals who walk and crawl and fly across and around the pages of Hardy's novels. Animals abound in his writings, yet little scholarly attention has been paid to them so far. This book fills this gap in Hardy studies, bringing an important author within range of a new and developing area of critical inquiry. It considers the way Hardy's representations of animals challenged ideas of human-animal boundaries debated by the Victorian scientific and philosophical communities. In moments of encounter between humans and animals, Hardy questions boundaries based on ideas of moral sense or moral agency, language and reason, the possession of a face, and the capacity to suffer and perceive pain. Through an emphasis on embodied encounters, his writings call for an extension of empathy to others, human or nonhuman. In this accessible book Anna West offers a new approach to Hardy criticism.
The Mystics of al-Andalus
Authors: Casewit Yousef
Published: May 2017

The twelfth century CE was a watershed moment for mysticism in the Muslim West. In al-Andalus, the pioneers of this mystical tradition, the Mu'tabirun or 'Contemplators', championed a synthesis between Muslim scriptural sources and Neoplatonic cosmology. Ibn Barrajān of Seville was most responsible for shaping this new intellectual approach, and is the focus of Yousef Casewit's book. Ibn Barrajān's extensive commentaries on the divine names and the Qur'an stress the significance of God's signs in nature, the Arabic bible as a means of interpreting the Qur'an, and the mystical crossing from the visible to the unseen. With an examination of the understudied writings of both Ibn Barrajān and his contemporaries, Ibn al-'Arif and Ibn Qasi, as well as the wider socio-political and scholarly context in al-Andalus, this book will appeal to researchers of the medieval Islamic world and the history of mysticism and Sufism in the Muslim West.
A 2D pixel detector for very high-rate X- and gamma-ray spectroscopy and imaging
Authors: Nygård Einar , Malakhov Nail , Weilhammer Peter , Dorholt Ole , Røhne Ole M. , Nagano Terumasa , Yamamoto Koei
Published: May 2017

A new methodology for very high-speed, energy-dispersive detection of X-ray fluorescence is being developed. The underlying reasoning behind it, as well as early results from the evaluation of the first prototype, is presented.
Prehospital Interventions During Mass-Casualty Events in Afghanistan: A Case Analysis
Authors: Schauer Steven G. , April Michael D. , Simon Erica , Maddry Joseph K. , Carter Robert , Delorenzo Robert A.
Published: May 2017

Background

Mass-casualty (MASCAL) events are known to occur in the combat setting. There are very limited data at this time from the Joint Theater (Iraq and Afghanistan) wars specific to MASCAL events. The purpose of this report was to provide preliminary data for the development of prehospital planning and guidelines.

Methods

Cases were identified using the Department of Defense (DoD; Virginia USA) Trauma Registry (DoDTR) and the Prehospital Trauma Registry (PHTR). These cases were identified as part of a research study evaluating Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines. Cases that were designated as or associated with denoted MASCAL events were included.

Data

Fifty subjects were identified during the course of this project. Explosives were the most common cause of injuries. There was a wide range of vital signs. Tourniquet placement and pressure dressings were the most common interventions, followed by analgesia administration. Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) was the most common parenteral analgesic drug administered. Most were evacuated as “routine.” Follow-up data were available for 36 of the subjects and 97% were discharged alive.

Conclusions

The most common prehospital interventions were tourniquet and pressure dressing hemorrhage control, along with pain medication administration. Larger data sets are needed to guide development of MASCAL in-theater clinical practice guidelines.

SchauerSG, AprilMD, SimonE, MaddryJK, CarterR III, DelorenzoRA. Prehospital interventions during mass-casualty events in Afghanistan: a case analysis. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(4):465–468.
Agency. A response to Sørensen and Ribeiro
Authors: Lindstrøm Torill Christine
Published: May 2017

While agreeing to openness to other world views, the underlying premise of ‘otherness’ in ‘the other’ is questioned. It is argued that individual, intercultural and intra-cultural differences run criss-cross throughout the anthroposphere. The often convoluted language in symmetrical, Latourian and New Materialist directions in archaeology is criticized. One questions what their significant new contributions to archaeological research are. The importance of refined differentiations regarding agency and effects, and the living and the non-living, is maintained. Latour's claim of a universal dichotomization in Western thinking (both academic and common) is interrogated, and empirical proofs demanded. The concepts of ‘dichotomy’ and ‘binary thinking’ are discussed. The assumed political and ethical sequelae and implications of adherence to one or another theoretical position and research methodology are questioned. Ecological awareness can be acquired from various positions. In general, political correctness in academia is criticized.
Wernicke encephalopathy without delirium in patients with cancer
Authors: Onishi Hideki , Ishida Mayumi , Tanahashi Iori , Takahashi Takao , Taji Yoshitada , Ikebuchi Kenji , Furuya Daisuke , Akechi Tatsuo
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Several reports of WE in cancer patients are known. WE is sometimes overlooked because most patients do not exhibit its typical symptoms (e.g., delirium, ataxia, ocular palsy). If delirium is not present, a diagnosis of WE is difficult because delirium is the hallmark symptom of WE.

Method:

Taken from a series on WE in cancer, we report two patients who developed WE without delirium during periodic psycho-oncology outpatient visits.

Results:

Case 1. A 61-year-old woman with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who was periodically attending a psycho-oncology outpatient clinic developed an unsteady gait. WE was suspected because she also developed appetite loss for two weeks, and we could find no other laboratory findings to explain her unsteady gait. Our diagnosis was supported by abnormal serum thiamine and disappearance of the gait disturbance after intravenous thiamine administration. Case 2. A 50-year-old woman with breast carcinoma with bone metastasis developed an unsteady gait. WE was suspected because she also developed loss of appetite for two weeks, and no other laboratory findings could explain her unsteady gait. The diagnosis was supported by abnormal serum thiamine and disappearance of the gait disturbance after administration of intravenous thiamine.

Significance of Results:

Our report emphasizes the importance of being aware of WE, even when patients do not present with delirium. The presence of loss of appetite for more than two weeks may be the key to a diagnosis of WE.
Re-defining the yam (Dioscorea spp.) core collection using morphological traits
Authors: Girma Gezahegn , Bhattacharjee Ranjana , Lopez-Montes Antonio , Gueye Badara , Ofodile Sam , Franco Jorge , Abberton Michael
Published: May 2017

Development of core collection representing the diversity in the entire germplasm creates a better access and enhanced utilization of the main collection thus allowing rapid evaluation in crop improvement programs. Core collections are dynamic in nature and needs revisiting when additional germplasm and information becomes available. In the current study, an attempt was made to re-define the previously developed yam (Dioscorea spp) core collection using 56 morphological traits. Information on additional acquired germplasm and presence of duplicates or mislabelled accessions in the entire collection was also used. The re-defined core collection consisted of 843 accessions and represented about 20% of the entire collection. It included six Dioscorea species, of which accessions of Dioscorea rotundata are in the majority (73.54%) followed by Dioscorea alata (21.35%), Dioscorea bulbifera (1.66%), Dioscorea cayenensis (1.42%), Dioscorea dumetorum (1.42%) and Dioscorea esculenta (0.59%). The Shannon weaver diversity index and principal component analysis revealed the maximum diversity captured in the core from the base collection. This re-defined core collection is more valuable than the original core since it represents true-to-type accessions ensuring reliability for enhanced utilization of germplasm in yam improvement programs.
Honoring Earth and Space Scientists
Authors:   AGU
Published: May 2017

Remembering AGU members and others who have passed away.
Redesigning the QA binding site of Photosystem II allows reduction of exogenous quinones
Authors: Fu Han-Yi , Picot Daniel , Choquet Yves , Longatte Guillaume , Sayegh Adnan , Delacotte Jérôme , Guille-Collignon Manon , Lemaître Frédéric , Rappaport Fabrice , Wollman Francis-André
Published: May 2017

Strategies to harness photosynthesis from living organisms to generate electrical power have long been considered, yet efficiency remains low. Here, we aimed to reroute photosynthetic electron flow in photosynthetic organisms without compromising their phototrophic properties. We show that 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone (DMBQ) can be used as an electron mediator to assess the efficiency of mutations designed to engineer a novel electron donation pathway downstream of the primary electron acceptor QAof Photosystem (PS) II in the green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii. Through the use of structural prediction studies and a screen of site-directed PSII mutants we show that modifying the environment of the QAsite increases the reduction rate of DMBQ. Truncating the C-terminus of the PsbT subunit protruding in the stroma provides evidence that shortening the distance between QAand DMBQ leads to sustained electron transfer to DMBQ, as confirmed by chronoamperometry, consistent with a bypass of the natural QA°−to QBpathway.
Observation of dynamic atom-atom correlation in liquid helium in real space
Authors: Dmowski W. , Diallo S. O. , Lokshin K. , Ehlers G. , Ferré G. , Boronat J. , Egami T.
Published: May 2017

Liquid4He becomes superfluid and flows without resistance below temperature 2.17 K. Superfluidity has been a subject of intense studies and notable advances were made in elucidating the phenomenon by experiment and theory. Nevertheless, details of the microscopic state, including dynamic atom–atom correlations in the superfluid state, are not fully understood. Here using a technique of neutron dynamic pair-density function (DPDF) analysis we show that4He atoms in the Bose–Einstein condensate have environment significantly different from uncondensed atoms, with the interatomic distance larger than the average by about 10%, whereas the average structure changes little through the superfluid transition. DPDF peak not seen in the snap-shot pair-density function is found at 2.3 Å, and is interpreted in terms of atomic tunnelling. The real space picture of dynamic atom–atom correlations presented here reveal characteristics of atomic dynamics not recognized so far, compelling yet another look at the phenomenon.
Effect of nonlinear and noncollinear transformation strain pathways in phase-field modeling of nucleation and growth during martensite transformation
Authors: Zhao Pengyang , Shen Chen , Li Ju , Wang Yunzhi
Published: May 2017

The phase-field microelasticity theory has exhibited great capacities in studying elasticity and its effects on microstructure evolution due to various structural and chemical non-uniformities (impurities and defects) in solids. However, the usually adopted linear and/or collinear coupling between eigen transformation strain tensors and order parameters in phase-field microelasticity have excluded many nonlinear transformation pathways that have been revealed in many atomistic calculations. Here we extend phase-field microelasticity by adopting general nonlinear and noncollinear eigen transformation strain paths, which allows for the incorporation of complex transformation pathways and provides a multiscale modeling scheme linking atomistic mechanisms with overall kinetics to better describe solid-state phase transformations. Our case study on a generic cubic to tetragonal martensitic transformation shows that nonlinear transformation pathways can significantly alter the nucleation and growth rates, as well as the configuration and activation energy of the critical nuclei. It is also found that for a pure-shear martensitic transformation, depending on the actual transformation pathway, the nuclei and austenite/martensite interfaces can have nonzero far-field hydrostatic stress and may thus interact with other crystalline defects such as point defects and/or background tension/compression field in a more profound way than what is expected from a linear transformation pathway. Further significance is discussed on the implication of vacancy clustering at austenite/martensite interfaces and segregation at coherent precipitate/matrix interfaces.
Src-homology protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 agonist, SC-43, reduces liver fibrosis
Authors: Su Tung-Hung , Shiau Chung-Wai , Jao Ping , Yang Nian-Jie , Tai Wei-Tien , Liu Chun-Jen , Tseng Tai-Chung , Yang Hung-Chih , Liu Chen-Hua , Huang Kai-Wen , Hu Ting-Chen , Huang Yu-Jen , Wu Yao-Ming , Chen Li-Ju , Chen Pei-Jer , Chen Ding-Shinn , Chen Kuen-Feng , Kao Jia-Horng
Published: May 2017

This study aimed to investigate the role of src-homology protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1)–signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in liver fibrogenesis and the anti-fibrotic effect of SHP-1 agonist. The antifibrotic activity of SC-43, a sorafenib derivative with an enhanced SHP-1 activity, was evaluated in two fibrosis mouse models by carbon tetrachloride induction and bile duct ligation. Rat, human, and primary mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used for mechanistic investigations. The results showed that SHP-1 protein primarily localized in fibrotic areas of human and mouse livers. SC-43 treatment reduced the activated HSCs and thus effectively prevented and regressed liver fibrosis in both fibrosis mouse models and improved mouse survival. In vitro studies revealed that SC-43 promoted HSC apoptosis, increased the SHP-1 activity and inhibited phospho-STAT3. The enhanced SHP-1 activity in HSCs significantly inhibited HSC proliferation, whereas SHP-1 inhibition rescued SC-43-induced HSC apoptosis. Furthermore, SC-43 interacted with the N-SH2 domain of SHP-1 to enhance the activity of SHP-1 as its antifibrotic mechanism. In conclusion, the SHP-1–STAT3 pathway is crucial in fibrogenesis. SC-43 significantly ameliorates liver fibrosis through SHP-1 upregulation. A SHP-1-targeted antifibrotic therapy may represent a druggable strategy for antifibrotic drug discovery.
Novel mutations in ADSL for Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency identified by the combination of Trio-WES and constantly updated guidelines
Authors: Mao Xiao , Li Kai , Tang Beisha , Luo Yang , Ding Dongxue , Zhao Yuwen , Wang Chunrong , Zhou Xiaoting , Liu Zhenhua , Zhang Yuan , Wang Puzhi , Xu Qian , Sun Qiying , Xia Kun , Yan Xinxiang , Jiang Hong , Lu Shen , Guo Jifeng
Published: May 2017

Whole-exome sequencing (WES), one of the next-generation sequencing (NGS), has become a powerful tool to identify exonic variants. Investigating causality of the sequence variants in human disease becomes an important part in NGS for the research and clinical applications. Recently, important guidelines on them have been published and will keep on updating. In our study, two Chinese families, with the clinical diagnosis of “Epilepsy”, which presented with seizures, psychomotor retardation, hypotonia and etc. features, were sequenced by Trio-WES (including the proband and the unaffected parents), and a standard interpretation of the identified variants was performed referring to the recently updated guidelines. Finally, we identified three novel mutations (c.71 C > T, p.P24L; c.1387-1389delGAG, p.E463-; c.134 G > A, p.W45*; NM_000026) in ADSL in the two Chinese families, and confirmed them as the causal variants to the disease-Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency. Previous reported specific therapy was also introduced to the patients after our refined molecular diagnosis, however, the effect was very limited success. In summary, our study demonstrated the power and advantages of WES in exploring the etiology of human disease. Using the constantly updated guidelines to conduct the WES study and to interpret the sequence variants are a necessary strategy to make the molecular diagnosis and to guide the individualized treatment of human disease.
Dendritic cells provide a therapeutic target for synthetic small molecule analogues of the parasitic worm product, ES-62
Authors: Lumb Felicity E. , Doonan James , Bell Kara S. , Pineda Miguel A. , Corbet Marlene , Suckling Colin J. , Harnett Margaret M. , Harnett William
Published: May 2017

ES-62, a glycoprotein secreted by the parasitic filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, subverts host immune responses towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine (PC). The PC dictates that ES-62 exhibits protection in murine models of inflammatory disease and hence a library of drug-like PC-based small molecule analogues (SMAs) was synthesised. Four sulfone-containing SMAs termed 11a, 11e, 11i and 12b were found to reduce mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibit NF-κB p65 activation, and suppress LPS-induced up-regulation of CD40 and CD86. Active SMAs also resulted in a DC phenotype that exhibited reduced capacity to prime antigen (Ag)-specific IFN-γ production during co-culture with naïve transgenic TCR DO.11.10 T cells in vitro and reduced their ability, following adoptive transfer, to prime the expansion of Ag-specific T lymphocytes, specifically TH17 cells, in vivo. Consistent with this, mice receiving DCs treated with SMAs exhibited significantly reduced severity of collagen-induced arthritis and this was accompanied by a significant reduction in IL-17+ cells in the draining lymph nodes. Collectively, these studies indicate that drug-like compounds that target DCs can be designed from parasitic worm products and demonstrate the potential for ES-62 SMA-based DC therapy in inflammatory disease.
Magnetic field tuning of an excitonic insulator between the weak and strong coupling regimes in quantum limit graphite
Authors: Zhu Z. , McDonald R. D. , Shekhter A. , Ramshaw B. J. , Modic K. A. , Balakirev F. F. , Harrison N.
Published: May 2017

The excitonic insulator phase has long been predicted to form in proximity to a band gap opening in the underlying band structure. The character of the pairing is conjectured to crossover from weak (BCS-like) to strong coupling (BEC-like) as the underlying band structure is tuned from the metallic to the insulating side of the gap opening. Here we report the high-magnetic field phase diagram of graphite to exhibit just such a crossover. By way of comprehensive angle-resolved magnetoresistance measurements, we demonstrate that the underlying band gap opening occurs inside the magnetic field-induced phase, paving the way for a systematic study of the BCS-BEC-like crossover by means of conventional condensed matter probes.
Operando SXRD study of the structure and growth process of Cu2S ultra-thin films
Authors: Giaccherini Andrea , Cinotti Serena , Guerri Annalisa , Carlà Francesco , Montegrossi Giordano , Vizza Francesco , Lavacchi Alessandro , Felici Roberto , Di Benedetto Francesco , Innocenti Massimo
Published: May 2017

Electrochemical Atomic Layer Deposition (E-ALD) technique has demonstrated to be a suitable process for growing compound semiconductors, by alternating the under-potential deposition (UPD) of the metallic element with the UPD of the non-metallic element. The cycle can be repeated several times to build up films with sub-micrometric thickness. We show that it is possible to grow, by E-ALD, Cu2S ultra-thin films on Ag(111) with high structural quality. They show a well ordered layered crystal structure made on alternating pseudohexagonal layers in lower coordination. As reported in literature for minerals in the Cu-S compositional field, these are based on CuS3 triangular groups, with layers occupied by highly mobile Cu ions. This structural model is closely related to the one of the low chalcocite. The domain size of such films is more than 1000 Å in lateral size and extends with a high crystallinity in the vertical growth direction up to more than 10 nm. E-ALD process results in the growth of highly ordered and almost unstrained ultra-thin films. This growth can lead to the design of semiconductors with optimal transport proprieties by an appropriate doping of the intra metallic layer. The present study enables E-ALD as an efficient synthetic route for the growth of semiconducting heterostructures with tailored properties.
Adaptation to dietary conditions by trehalose metabolism in Drosophila
Authors: Yasugi Tetsuo , Yamada Takayuki , Nishimura Takashi
Published: May 2017

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that serves as the main sugar component of haemolymph in insects. Trehalose hydrolysis enzyme, called trehalase, is highly conserved from bacteria to humans. However, our understanding of the physiological role of trehalase remains incomplete. Here, we analyze the phenotypes of several Trehalase (Treh) loss-of-function alleles in a comparative manner in Drosophila. The previously reported mutant phenotype of Treh affecting neuroepithelial stem cell maintenance and differentiation in the optic lobe is caused by second-site alleles in addition to Treh. We further report that the survival rate of Treh null mutants is significantly influenced by dietary conditions. Treh mutant larvae are lethal not only on a low-sugar diet but also under low-protein diet conditions. A reduction in adaptation ability under poor food conditions in Treh mutants is mainly caused by the overaccumulation of trehalose rather than the loss of Treh, because the additional loss of Tps1 mitigates the lethal effect of Treh mutants. These results demonstrate that proper trehalose metabolism plays a critical role in adaptation under various environmental conditions.
Duration of motherhood has incremental effects on mothers’ neural processing of infant vocal cues: a neuroimaging study of women
Authors: Parsons Christine E. , Young Katherine S. , Petersen Mikkel V. , Jegindoe Elmholdt Else-Marie , Vuust Peter , Stein Alan , Kringelbach Morten L.
Published: May 2017

The transition to motherhood, and the resultant experience of caregiving, may change the way women respond to affective, infant signals in their environments. Nonhuman animal studies have robustly demonstrated that mothers process both infant and other salient signals differently from nonmothers. Here, we investigated how women with and without young infants respond to vocalisations from infants and adults (both crying and neutral). We examined mothers with infants ranging in age (1–14 months) to examine the effects of duration of maternal experience. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that mothers showed greater activity than nonmothers to vocalisations from adults or infants in a range of cortical regions implicated in the processing of affective auditory cues. This main effect of maternal status suggests a general difference in vocalisation processing across infant and adult sounds. We found that a longer duration of motherhood, and therefore more experience with an infant, was associated with greater infant-specific activity in key parental brain regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. We suggest that these incremental differences in neural activity in the maternal brain reflect the building of parental capacity over time. This is consistent with conceptualizations of caregiving as a dynamic, learning process in humans.
Highly Efficient Solid-State Near-infrared Organic Light-Emitting Diodes incorporating A-D-A Dyes based on α,β-unsubstituted “BODIPY” Moieties
Authors: Zampetti Andrea , Minotto Alessandro , Squeo Benedetta Maria , Gregoriou Vasilis G. , Allard Sybille , Scherf Ullrich , Chochos Christos L. , Cacialli Franco
Published: May 2017

We take advantage of a recent breakthrough in the synthesis of α,β-unfunctionalised 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) moieties, which we symmetrically conjugate with oligothienyls in an unexpectedly stable form, and produce a “metal-free” A-D-A (acceptor-donor-acceptor) oligomer emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) thanks to delocalisation of the BODIPY low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) over the oligothienyl moieties, as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT). We are able to retain a PL efficiency of 20% in the solid state (vs. 30% in dilute solutions) by incorporating such a dye in a wider gap polyfluorene matrix and demonstrate organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) emitting at 720 nm. We achieve external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) up to 1.1%, the highest value achieved so far by a “metal-free” NIR-OLED not intentionally benefitting from triplet-triplet annihilation. Our work demonstrates for the first time the promise of A-D-A type dyes for NIR OLEDs applications thereby paving the way for further optimisation.
In vivo and in vitro ageing results in accumulation of de novo copy number variations in bulls
Authors: Revay Tamas , Oluwole Olutobi , Kroetsch Tom , King W. Allan
Published: May 2017

We have identified de novo copy number variations (CNVs) generated in bulls as they age. Blood samples from eight bulls were collected and SNP arrayed in a prospective design over 30 months allowing us to differentiate de novo CNVs from constant CNVs that are present throughout the sampling period. Quite remarkably, the total number of CNVs doubled over the 30-month period, as we observed an almost equal number of de novo and constant CNVs (107 and 111, respectively, i.e. 49% and 51%). Twice as many de novo CNVs emerged during the second half of the sampling schedule as in the first part. It suggests a dynamic generation of de novo CNVs in the bovine genome that becomes more frequent as the age of the animal progresses. In a second experiment de novo CNVs were detected through in vitro ageing of bovine fibroblasts by sampling passage #5, #15 and #25. De novo CNVs also became more frequent, but the proportion of them was only ~25% of the total number of CNVs (21 out of 85). Temporal generation of de novo CNVs resulted in increasing genome coverage. Genes and quantitative trait loci overlapping de novo CNVs were further investigated for ageing related functions.
Thermally induced micro-motion by inflection in optical potential
Authors: Šiler Martin , Jákl Petr , Brzobohatý Oto , Ryabov Artem , Filip Radim , Zemánek Pavel
Published: May 2017

Recent technological progress in a precise control of optically trapped objects allows much broader ventures to unexplored territory of thermal motion in non-linear potentials. In this work, we exploit an experimental set-up of holographic optical tweezers to experimentally investigate Brownian motion of a micro-particle near the inflection point of the cubic optical potential. We present two complementary views on the non-linear Brownian motion. On an ensemble of stochastic trajectories, we simultaneously determine (i) the detailed short-time position statistics and (ii) the long-distance first-passage time statistics. We evaluate specific statistical moment ratios demonstrating strongly non-linear stochastic dynamics. This is a crucial step towards a possible massive exploitation of the broad class of complex non-linear stochastic effects with objects of more complex structure and shape including living ones.
Development of Frequency Based Taste Receptors Using Bioinspired Glucose Nanobiosensor
Authors: TermehYousefi Amin , Tateno Katsumi , Bagheri Samira , Tanaka Hirofumi
Published: May 2017

A method to fabricate a bioinspired nanobiosensor using electronic-based artificial taste receptors for glucose diagnosis is presented. Fabricated bioinspired glucose nanobiosensor designated based on an artificial taste bud including an amperometric glucose biosensor and taste bud-inspired circuits. In fact, the design of the taste bud-inspired circuits was inspired by the signal-processing mechanism of taste nerves which involves two layers. The first, known as a type II cell, detects the glucose by glucose oxidase and transduces the current signal obtained for the pulse pattern is conducted to the second layer, called type III cell, to induce synchronisation of the neural spiking activity. The oscillation results of fabricated bioinspired glucose nanobiosensor confirmed an increase in the frequency of the output pulse as a function of the glucose concentration. At high glucose concentrations, the bioinspired glucose nanobiosensor showed a pulse train of alternating short and long interpulse intervals. A computational analysis performed to validate the hypothesis, which was successfully reproduced the alternating behaviour of bioinspired glucose our nanobiosensor by increasing the output frequency and alternation of pulse intervals according to the reduction in the resistivity of the biosensor.
Identification and activation of TLR4-mediated signalling pathways by alginate-derived guluronate oligosaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Fang Weishan , Bi Decheng , Zheng Ruijin , Cai Nan , Xu Hong , Zhou Rui , Lu Jun , Wan Min , Xu Xu
Published: May 2017

Alginate, a natural acidic polysaccharide extracted from marine brown seaweeds, is composed of different blocks of β-(1, 4)-D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer α-(1, 4)-L-guluronate (G). Alginate-derived guluronate oligosaccharide (GOS) readily activates macrophages. However, to understand its role in immune responses, further studies are needed to characterize GOS transport and signalling. Our results show that GOS is recognized by and upregulates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on RAW264.7 macrophages, followed by its endocytosis via TLR4. Increased expression of TLR4 and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) results in Akt phosphorylation and subsequent activation of both nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Moreover, GOS stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); notably, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation depends on TLR4 initiation. All these events contribute to the production of inflammatory mediators, either together or separately. Our findings also reveal that GOS induces cytoskeleton remodelling in RAW264.7 cells and promotes macrophage proliferation in mice ascites, both of which improve innate immunity. Conclusively, our investigation demonstrates that GOS, which is dependent on TLR4, is taken up by macrophages and stimulates TLR4/Akt/NF-κB, TLR4/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signalling pathways and exerts impressive immuno-stimulatory activity.
Intrabasin Variability of East Pacific Tropical Cyclones During ENSO Regulated by Central American Gap Winds
Authors: Fu Dan , Chang Ping , Patricola Christina M.
Published: May 2017

Hurricane Patricia in 2015 was the strongest Pacific hurricane to make landfall in Mexico. Although Patricia fortuitously spared major cities, it reminded us of the threat tropical cyclones (TCs) pose in the eastern North Pacific (ENP) and the importance of improving our understanding and prediction of ENP TCs. Patricia’s intensity and the active 2015 ENP hurricane season have been partially attributed to the strong El Niño in 2015, however there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of the relationship between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and ENP TCs. Here, we demonstrate that ENSO drives intrabasin variability of ENP TCs, with enhanced (reduced) TC frequency in the western portion of the ENP during El Niño (La Niña), but reduced (enhanced) TC frequency in the eastern nearshore area, where landfalling TCs preferentially form. This intrabasin difference is primarily driven by the Central American Gap Winds (CAGW), which intensify (weaken) during El Niño (La Niña), producing low-level anticyclonic (cyclonic) relative vorticity anomalies and thus an unfavorable (favorable) environment for TC genesis. These findings shed new light on the dynamics linking ENP TC activity to ENSO, and highlight the importance of improving CAGW representation in models to make skillful seasonal forecasts of ENP TCs.