bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes—potential differences by diabetes type and depression scores
Authors: Herder Christian , Schmitt Andreas , Budden Florian , Reimer André , Kulzer Bernhard , Roden Michael , Haak Thomas , Hermanns Norbert
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Subclinical inflammation has been implicated in the development of depression, a common comorbidity of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to characterise the relationships between biomarkers of inflammation and depressive symptoms in T1D and T2D. Biomarkers of inflammation were measured in serum of participants with elevated depressive symptoms and T1D (n = 389, mean age 38 years, diabetes duration 15 ± 11 years) or T2D (n = 204, mean age 56 years, diabetes duration 13 ± 8 years). Subclinical depression was examined using three questionnaires (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression [CES-D], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index [WHO-5]). In T1D, levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) were positively associated with two depression scores (CES-D, PHQ-9), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was positively associated with depression for one score (WHO-5) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, metabolic variables, medication and comorbidities (P = 0.008-0.042). In T2D, IL-18 and IL-1RA were positively associated with depression for two scores (IL-18: PHQ-9, WHO-5; IL-1RA: CES-D, WHO-5), hsCRP was associated with one depression score (PHQ-9), and adiponectin showed an inverse association with one depression score (PHQ-9) after adjustment (P = 0.006–0.048). No associations were found for IL-6 and CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). In conclusion, we observed associations between hsCRP, IL-1RA and depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes. In T2D, there was additional evidence for associations of IL-18 and (inversely) adiponectin with depressive symptoms. The strength of the associations appeared to depend on diabetes type and the method used to asssess depressive symptoms.
Assessing the impact of imperfect adherence to artemether-lumefantrine on malaria treatment outcomes using within-host modelling
Authors: Challenger Joseph D. , Bruxvoort Katia , Ghani Azra C. , Okell Lucy C.
Published: November 2017

Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the most widely-recommended treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria worldwide. Its safety and efficacy have been extensively demonstrated in clinical trials; however, its performance in routine health care settings, where adherence to drug treatment is unsupervised and therefore may be suboptimal, is less well characterised. Here we develop a within-host modelling framework for estimating the effects of sub-optimal adherence to AL treatment on clinical outcomes in malaria patients. Our model incorporates the data on the human immune response to the parasite, and AL’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Utilising individual-level data of adherence to AL in 482 Tanzanian patients as input for our model predicted higher rates of treatment failure than were obtained when adherence was optimal (9% compared to 4%). Our model estimates that the impact of imperfect adherence was worst in children, highlighting the importance of advice to caregivers.
Spatio-temporally separated cortical flows and spindle geometry establish physical asymmetry in fly neural stem cells
Authors: Roubinet Chantal , Tsankova Anna , Pham Tri Thanh , Monnard Arnaud , Caussinus Emmanuel , Affolter Markus , Cabernard Clemens
Published: November 2017

Asymmetric cell division, creating sibling cells with distinct developmental potentials, can be manifested in sibling cell size asymmetry. This form of physical asymmetry occurs in several metazoan cells, but the underlying mechanisms and function are incompletely understood. Here we use Drosophila neural stem cells to elucidate the mechanisms involved in physical asymmetry establishment. We show that Myosin relocalizes to the cleavage furrow via two distinct cortical Myosin flows: at anaphase onset, a polarity induced, basally directed Myosin flow clears Myosin from the apical cortex. Subsequently, mitotic spindle cues establish a Myosin gradient at the lateral neuroblast cortex, necessary to trigger an apically directed flow, removing Actomyosin from the basal cortex. On the basis of the data presented here, we propose that spatiotemporally controlled Myosin flows in conjunction with spindle positioning and spindle asymmetry are key determinants for correct cleavage furrow placement and cortical expansion, thereby establishing physical asymmetry.
Tsg101 chaperone function revealed by HIV-1 assembly inhibitors
Authors: Strickland Madeleine , Ehrlich Lorna S. , Watanabe Susan , Khan Mahfuz , Strub Marie-Paule , Luan Chi-Hao , Powell Michael D. , Leis Jonathan , Tjandra Nico , Carter Carol A.
Published: November 2017

HIV-1 replication requires Tsg101, a component of cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Tsg101 possesses an ubiquitin (Ub) E2 variant (UEV) domain with a pocket that can bind PT/SAP motifs and another pocket that can bind Ub. The PTAP motif in the viral structural precursor polyprotein, Gag, allows the recruitment of Tsg101 and other ESCRTs to virus assembly sites where they mediate budding. It is not known how or even whether the UEV Ub binding function contributes to virus production. Here, we report that disruption of UEV Ub binding by commonly used drugs arrests assembly at an early step distinct from the late stage involving PTAP binding disruption. NMR reveals that the drugs form a covalent adduct near the Ub-binding pocket leading to the disruption of Ub, but not PTAP binding. We conclude that the Ub-binding pocket has a chaperone function involved in bud initiation.
Self-assembling dipeptide antibacterial nanostructures with membrane disrupting activity
Authors: Schnaider Lee , Brahmachari Sayanti , Schmidt Nathan W. , Mensa Bruk , Shaham-Niv Shira , Bychenko Darya , Adler-Abramovich Lihi , Shimon Linda J. W. , Kolusheva Sofiya , DeGrado William F. , Gazit Ehud
Published: November 2017

Peptide-based supramolecular assemblies are a promising class of nanomaterials with important biomedical applications, specifically in drug delivery and tissue regeneration. However, the intrinsic antibacterial capabilities of these assemblies have been largely overlooked. The recent identification of common characteristics shared by antibacterial and self-assembling peptides provides a paradigm shift towards development of antibacterial agents. Here we present the antibacterial activity of self-assembled diphenylalanine, which emerges as the minimal model for antibacterial supramolecular polymers. The diphenylalanine nano-assemblies completely inhibit bacterial growth, trigger upregulation of stress-response regulons, induce substantial disruption to bacterial morphology, and cause membrane permeation and depolarization. We demonstrate the specificity of these membrane interactions and the development of antibacterial materials by integration of the peptide assemblies into tissue scaffolds. This study provides important insights into the significance of the interplay between self-assembly and antimicrobial activity and establishes innovative design principles toward the development of antimicrobial agents and materials.
Pumilio-dependent localization of mRNAs at the cell front coordinates multiple pathways required for chemotaxis
Authors: Hotz Manuel , Nelson W. James
Published: November 2017

Chemotaxis is a specialized form of directed cell migration important for normal development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. In the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, four signaling pathways act synergistically to maintain directional cell migration. However, it is unknown how these pathways are coordinated in space and time to achieve persistent chemotaxis. Here, we show that the mRNAs and proteins of these four chemotaxis pathways and actin are preferentially enriched at the cell front during dynamic cell migration, which requires the Pumilio-related RNA-binding protein Puf118. Significantly, disruption of the Pumilio-binding sequence in chemotaxis pathway mRNAs, or mislocalization of Puf118 and its target mRNAs to the cell rear perturbs efficient chemotaxis in shallow cAMP gradients, without affecting the abundance of the mRNAs or encoded proteins. Thus, the polarized localization of Puf118-bound mRNAs coordinates the distribution of different chemotaxis pathway proteins in time and space, leading to cell polarization and persistent chemotaxis.
Supramolecular networks stabilise and functionalise black phosphorus
Authors: Korolkov Vladimir V. , Timokhin Ivan G. , Haubrichs Rolf , Smith Emily F. , Yang Lixu , Yang Sihai , Champness Neil R. , Schröder Martin , Beton Peter H.
Published: November 2017

The limited stability of the surface of black phosphorus (BP) under atmospheric conditions is a significant constraint on the exploitation of this layered material and its few layer analogue, phosphorene, as an optoelectronic material. Here we show that supramolecular networks stabilised by hydrogen bonding can be formed on BP, and that these monolayer-thick films can passivate the BP surface and inhibit oxidation under ambient conditions. The supramolecular layers are formed by solution deposition and we use atomic force microscopy to obtain images of the BP surface and hexagonal supramolecular networks of trimesic acid and melamine cyanurate (CA.M) under ambient conditions. The CA.M network is aligned with rows of phosphorus atoms and forms large domains which passivate the BP surface for more than a month, and also provides a stable supramolecular platform for the sequential deposition of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene to form supramolecular heterostructures.
Is nano safe in foods? Establishing the factors impacting the gastrointestinal fate and toxicity of organic and inorganic food-grade nanoparticles
Authors: McClements David Julian , Xiao Hang
Published: November 2017

Nanotechnology offers the food industry a number of new approaches for improving the quality, shelf life, safety, and healthiness of foods. Nevertheless, there is concern from consumers, regulatory agencies, and the food industry about potential adverse effects (toxicity) associated with the application of nanotechnology in foods. In particular, there is concern about the direct incorporation of engineered nanoparticles into foods, such as those used as delivery systems for colors, flavors, preservatives, nutrients, and nutraceuticals, or those used to modify the optical, rheological, or flow properties of foods or food packaging. This review article summarizes the application of both inorganic (silver, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and zinc oxide) and organic (lipid, protein, and carbohydrate) nanoparticles in foods, highlights the most important nanoparticle characteristics that influence their behavior, discusses the importance of food matrix and gastrointestinal tract effects on nanoparticle properties, emphasizes potential toxicity mechanisms of different food-grade nanoparticles, and stresses important areas where research is still needed. The authors note that nanoparticles are already present in many natural and processed foods, and that new kinds of nanoparticles may be utilized as functional ingredients by the food industry in the future. Many of these nanoparticles are unlikely to have adverse affects on human health, but there is evidence that some of them could have harmful effects and that future studies are required.
Cortisol responses enhance negative valence perception for ambiguous facial expressions
Authors: Brown Catherine C. , Raio Candace M. , Neta Maital
Published: November 2017

Stress exposure elicits a prolonged neuroendocrine response, marked by cortisol release, which can influence important forms of affective decision-making. Identifying how stress reactivity shapes subjective biases in decisions about emotional ambiguity (i.e., valence bias) provides insight into the role stress plays in basic affective processing for healthy and clinical populations alike. Here, we sought to examine how stress reactivity affects valence decisions about emotional ambiguity. Given that stress prioritizes automatic emotional processing which, in the context of valence bias, is associated with increased negativity, we tested how individual differences in acute stress responses influence valence bias and how this decision process evolves over time. Participants provided baseline ratings of clear (happy, angry) and ambiguous (surprised) facial expressions, then re-rated similar stimuli after undergoing an acute stress or control manipulation a week later; salivary cortisol was measured throughout to assay stress reactivity. Elevations in cortisol were associated with more negative ratings of surprised faces, and with more direct response trajectories toward negative ratings (i.e., less response competition). These effects were selectively driven by the stress group, evidencing that increased stress reactivity is associated with a stronger negativity bias during ambiguous affective decision-making.
Liprotides kill cancer cells by disrupting the plasma membrane
Authors: Frislev Henriette S. , Boye Theresa Louise , Nylandsted Jesper , Otzen Daniel
Published: November 2017

HAMLET (human α-lactalbumin made lethal to tumour cells) is a complex of α-lactalbumin (aLA) and oleic acid (OA) which kills transformed cells, while leaving fully differentiated cells largely unaffected. Other protein-lipid complexes show similar anti-cancer potential. We call such complexes liprotides. The cellular impact of liprotides, while intensely investigated, remains unresolved. To address this, we report on the cell-killing mechanisms of liprotides prepared by incubating aLA with OA for 1 h at 20 or 80 °C (lip20 and lip80, respectively). The liprotides showed similar cytotoxicity against MCF7 cells, though lip80 acts more slowly, possibly due to intermolecular disulphide bonds formed during preparation. Liprotides are known to increase the fluidity of a membrane and transfer OA to vesicles, prompting us to focus on the effect of liprotides on the cell membrane. Extracellular Ca2+ influx is important for activation of the plasma membrane repair system, and we found that removal of Ca2+ from the medium enhanced the liprotides’ killing effect. Liprotide cytotoxicity was also increased by knockdown of Annexin A6 (ANXA6), a protein involved in plasma membrane repair. We conclude that MCF7 cells counteract liprotide-induced membrane permeabilization by activating their plasma membrane repair system, which is triggered by extracellular Ca2+ and involves ANXA6.
Gas sensors boosted by two-dimensional h-BN enabled transfer on thin substrate foils: towards wearable and portable applications
Authors: Ayari Taha , Bishop Chris , Jordan Matthew B. , Sundaram Suresh , Li Xin , Alam Saiful , ElGmili Youssef , Patriarche Gilles , Voss Paul L. , Salvestrini Jean Paul , Ougazzaden Abdallah
Published: November 2017

The transfer of GaN based gas sensors to foreign substrates provides a pathway to enhance sensor performance, lower the cost and extend the applications to wearable, mobile or disposable systems. The main keys to unlocking this pathway is to grow and fabricate the sensors on large h-BN surface and to transfer them to the flexible substrate without any degradation of the performances. In this work, we develop a new generation of AlGaN/GaN gas sensors with boosted performances on a low cost flexible substrate. We fabricate 2-inch wafer scale AlGaN/GaN gas sensors on sacrificial two-dimensional (2D) nano-layered h-BN without any delamination or cracks and subsequently transfer sensors to an acrylic surface on metallic foil. This technique results in a modification of relevant device properties, leading to a doubling of the sensitivity to NO2 gas and a response time that is more than 6 times faster than before transfer. This new approach for GaN-based sensor design opens new avenues for sensor improvement via transfer to more suitable substrates, and is promising for next-generation wearable and portable opto-electronic devices.
Large-scale in vitro production, refolding and dimerization of PsbS in different microenvironments
Authors: Krishnan Maithili , Moolenaar Geri F. , Gupta Karthick Babu Sai Sankar , Goosen Nora , Pandit Anjali
Published: November 2017

Plants adapt to fluctuating light conditions by a process called non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), where membrane protein PsbS plays a crucial role and transforms a change in the pH-gradient across the thylakoid membrane under excess light conditions into a photoprotective state, leading to de-excitation of antenna chlorophylls. The PsbS activation mechanism is elusive and has been proposed to involve a monomerization step and protonation of specific residues. To elucidate its function, it is essential to produce PsbS in large quantities, stabilize PsbS in a membrane-mimicking environment and analyze its pH-dependent conformational structure. We present an approach for large-scale in-vitro production and spectroscopic characterization of PsbS under controlled, non-crystalline conditions. We produced PsbS of the moss Physcomitrella patens in milligram quantities in E. coli, refolded PsbS in several detergent types and analyzed its conformation at neutral and low pH by Dynamic Light Scattering and NMR spectroscopy. Our results reveal that at both pH conditions, PsbS exist as dimers or in apparent monomer-dimer equilibria. Lowering of the pH induces conformational changes, destabilizes the dimer state and shifts the equilibria towards the monomeric form. In vivo, a similar response upon thylakoid lumen acidification may tune PsbS activity in a gradual manner.
Clinical Parameters and Gut Microbiome Changes Before and After Surgery in Thoracic Aortic Dissection in Patients with Gastrointestinal Complications
Authors: Zheng Shuai , Shao Shulin , Qiao Zhiyu , Chen Xue , Piao Chunmei , Yu Ying , Gao Feng , Zhang Jie , Du Jie
Published: November 2017

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAAD) is one of the most common types of aortic diseases. Although surgery remains the main method of treatment, the high rate of postoperative gastrointestinal complications significantly influences the effects of surgery and the recovery process. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying this disease remain unclear. To address these problems, we examined changes in the gut microbiota in 40 thoracic aortic dissection patients with abdominal complications after surgery. Levels of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophile granulocytes (NE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher in all patients after surgery. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, were also higher after surgery. A metagenome analysis revealed that levels of Oscillibacter, Anaerotruncus, Alistipes, and Clostridium difficile were higher after the operation. The abundance of functional genes, such as the spermidine/putrescine transport system permease protein, the flagellar motor switch protein, and branched-chain amino acid transport system proteins, was also higher post-surgery. These changes likely contribute to diarrhea, bloating, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other abdominal complications after surgery, and our research opens up new treatment possibilities for patients suffering from abdominal complications after surgical treatment.
Experimental throughfall reduction barely affects soil carbon dynamics in a warm-temperate oak forest, central China
Authors: Lu Haibo , Liu Shirong , Wang Hui , Luan Junwei , Schindlbacher Andreas , Liu Yanchun , Wang Yi
Published: November 2017

Changing precipitation patterns could affect soil carbon (C) cycling in China’s forests. A throughfall reduction (TFR) experiment was conducted in a warm-temperate oak forest in central China to examine effects of reduced precipitation on total soil respiration (SR), heterotrophic soil respiration (HR), autotrophic soil respiration (AR), soil microbial biomass, and fine root biomass from 2013 to 2016. Rain-out shelters, excluding ~50% of throughfall, were applied between May and September, thereby simulating a ~30% reduction in annual precipitation. Although soil moisture was significantly reduced during TFR, microbial biomass and HR remained unaffected. SR, AR, as well as fine root biomass increased during TFR in a comparable dry year, but remained unaffected during all other years. Annual rates of SR, HR, and AR were all unaffected by TFR. Our results indicate that a mild, steady, reduction in growing season precipitation does not affect soil organic matter decomposition in the oak forest ecosystem studied. Low SR rates during a natural dry-spell indicate that SR can be significantly decreased under more severe drought than imposed by the TFR treatment. Our data suggest a low soil moisture threshold of about 10 vol% for SR in the studied soil.
Radiological Investigation of High Background Radiation Areas
Authors: Mubarak Fawzia , Fayez-Hassan M. , Mansour N. A. , Salah Ahmed Talaat , Ali Abdallah
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we used the Hyper-Pure Germanium (HPGe) detector to measure 30 samples which are collected from north of Nile Delta near Rosetta beach in Egypt. The activity of primordial radionuclides, such as 238U, 235U, 232Th, and 40K was estimated. Concentrations ranged between 36.5–177.4, 50–397.5 and 56.1–168.9 Bq.kg−1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. Activity concentration of 235U and the variation in uranium isotopic ratio 235U/238U was calculated. External hazard indices (Hex) (or radium equivalent activity Raeq), activity concentration indices (I), alpha index (Iα), absorbed outdoor gamma dose rate (Dout), effective outdoor gamma dose rate (Eout) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) due to different samples are estimated. External hazard indices (Hex) are ranged between 0.32–2.04, radium equivalent activity (Raeq) are ranged between 118.67–753.91, the activity concentration indices (I) are 0.42–2.61, and alpha index (Iα) are 0.18–0.89. External hazard indices (Hex) in some samples more than unity then it exceeds the upper limit of exposure. Also, the radium equivalent activities (Raeq) are higher than the exemption limits (370 Bq.kg−1).
Inhibition of Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinease suppresses formation and progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Yu Jing , Liu Rui , Huang Jianhua , Wang lixin , Wang Wei
Published: November 2017

Accumulating evidence suggests an important role of Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinease (PI3K) pathway in inflammatory cells infiltration. Given  the essential role of inflammatory cells infiltration during the formation and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), to investigate the possibility of preventing AAA formation and progression via targeting PI3K is anticipated. Here, experimental AAAs was created in rats by transient intraluminal porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion into the infrarenal aorta firstly. AAAs rats were administrated with vehicle or Wortmannin during the period of day 0 to day 28 after PPE infusion. The aortic diameter of rats treated with Wortmannin was significantly smaller than those treated with vehicle. Meanwhile, Elastin destruction score and SMC destruction score were significantly decreased in rats treated with Wortmannin. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly reduced in rats treated with Wortmannin. Finally, the mRNA expression of PI3K and protein expression of pAKT in human abdominal aneurismal aorta tissues was elevated as compare to normal aorta. Our study revealed that PI3K inhibitor suppresses experimental AAAs formation and progression, through mechanisms likely related to impairing inflammation cells infiltration and median elastin degradation. These findings indicated that PI3K inhibitor may hold substantial translation value for AAA diseases.
Martensite phase stress and the strengthening mechanism in TRIP steel by neutron diffraction
Authors: Harjo Stefanus , Tsuchida Noriyuki , Abe Jun , Gong Wu
Published: November 2017

Two TRIP-aided multiphase steels with different carbon contents (0.2 and 0.4 mass%) were analyzed in situ during tensile deformation by time-of-flight neutron diffraction to clarify the deformation induced martensitic transformation behavior and its role on the strengthening mechanism. The difference in the carbon content affected mainly the difference in the phase fractions before deformation, where the higher carbon content increased the phase fraction of retained austenite (γ). However, the changes in the relative fraction of martensitic transformation with respect to the applied strain were found to be similar in both steels since the carbon concentrations in γ were similar regardless of different carbon contents. The phase stress of martensite was found much larger than that of γ or bainitic ferrite since the martensite was generated at the beginning of plastic deformation. Stress contributions to the flow stress were evaluated by multiplying the phase stresses and their phase fractions. The stress contribution from martensite was observed increasing during plastic deformation while that from bainitic ferrite hardly changing and that from γ decreasing.
LPPtiger software for lipidome-specific prediction and identification of oxidized phospholipids from LC-MS datasets
Authors: Ni Zhixu , Angelidou Georgia , Hoffmann Ralf , Fedorova Maria
Published: November 2017

Oxidized phospholipids (oxPLs) have been recently recognized as important mediators of various and often controversial cellular functions and stress responses. Due to the low concentrationsin vivo, oxPL detection is mostly performed by targeted mass spectrometry. Although significantly improving the sensitivity, this approach does not provide a comprehensive view on oxPLs required for understanding oxPL functional activities. While capable of providing information on the diversity of oxPLs, the main challenge of untargeted lipidomics is the absence of bioinformatics tools to support high-throughput identification of previously unconsidered, oxidized lipids. Here, we present LPPtiger, an open-source software tool for oxPL identification from data-dependent LC-MS datasets. LPPtiger combines three unique algorithms to predict oxidized lipidome, generate oxPL spectra libraries, and identify oxPLs from tandem MS data using parallel processing and a multi-scoring identification workflow.
Axion dark matter detection by laser induced fluorescence in rare-earth doped materials
Authors: Braggio Caterina , Carugno Giovanni , Chiossi Federico , Lieto Alberto Di , Guarise Marco , Maddaloni Pasquale , Ortolan Antonello , Ruoso Giuseppe , Santamaria Luigi , Tasseva Jordanka , Tonelli Mauro
Published: November 2017

We present a detection scheme to search for QCD axion dark matter, that is based on a direct interaction between axions and electrons explicitly predicted by DFSZ axion models. The local axion dark matter field shall drive transitions between Zeeman-split atomic levels separated by the axion rest mass energy m
a
c2. Axion-related excitations are then detected with an upconversion scheme involving a pump laser that converts the absorbed axion energy (~hundreds of μeV) to visible or infrared photons, where single photon detection is an established technique. The proposed scheme involves rare-earth ions doped into solid-state crystalline materials, and the optical transitions take place between energy levels of 4f
N
electron configuration. Beyond discussing theoretical aspects and requirements to achieve a cosmologically relevant sensitivity, especially in terms of spectroscopic material properties, we experimentally investigate backgrounds due to the pump laser at temperatures in the range 1.9 − 4.2 K. Our results rule out excitation of the upper Zeeman component of the ground state by laser-related heating effects, and are of some help in optimizing activated material parameters to suppress the multiphonon-assisted Stokes fluorescence.
Structure constrained by metadata in networks of chess players
Authors: Almeira Nahuel , Schaigorodsky Ana L. , Perotti Juan I. , Billoni Orlando V.
Published: November 2017

Chess is an emblematic sport that stands out because of its age, popularity and complexity. It has served to study human behavior from the perspective of a wide number of disciplines, from cognitive skills such as memory and learning, to aspects like innovation and decision-making. Given that an extensive documentation of chess games played throughout history is available, it is possible to perform detailed and statistically significant studies about this sport. Here we use one of the most extensive chess databases in the world to construct two networks of chess players. One of the networks includes games that were played over-the-board and the other contains games played on the Internet. We study the main topological characteristics of the networks, such as degree distribution and correlations, transitivity and community structure. We complement the structural analysis by incorporating players’ level of play as node metadata. Although both networks are topologically different, we show that in both cases players gather in communities according to their expertise and that an emergent rich-club structure, composed by the top-rated players, is also present.
Establishment and phenotyping of disease model cells created by cell-resealing technique
Authors: Kano Fumi , Noguchi Yoshiyuki , Murata Masayuki
Published: November 2017

Cell-based assays are growing in importance for screening drugs and investigating their mechanisms of action. Most of the assays use so-called “normal” cell strain because it is difficult to produce cell lines in which the disease conditions are reproduced. In this study, we used a cell-resealing technique, which reversibly permeabilizes the plasma membrane, to develop diabetic (Db) model hepatocytes into which cytosol from diabetic mouse liver had been introduced. Db model hepatocytes showed several disease-specific phenotypes, namely disturbance of insulin-induced repression of gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose secretion. Quantitative image analysis and principal component analysis revealed that the ratio of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) to Akt was the best index to describe the difference between wild-type and Db model hepatocytes. By performing image-based drug screening, we found pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, increased the pAkt/Akt ratio, which in turn ameliorated the insulin-induced transcriptional repression of the gluconeogenic gene phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1. The disease-specific model cells coupled with image-based quantitative analysis should be useful for drug development, enabling the reconstitution of disease conditions at the cellular level and the discovery of disease-specific markers.
Study on the characteristics of future precipitation in response to external changes over arid and humid basins
Authors: Xue Lianqing , Zhu Boli , Yang Changbing , Wei Guanghui , Meng Xianyong , Long Aihua , Yang Guang
Published: November 2017

The simulation abilities of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models to the arid basin (the Tarim River Basin, TRB) and humid basin (the Yangtze River Basin, YRB) were evaluated, determining the response of precipitation to external changes over typical basins. Our study shows that the future temporal and spatial variation characteristics of precipitation are different in different regions with the CMIP5. The annual and seasonal changes in precipitation were analyzed for the RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 during 2021~2100 compared to those during 1961~2005. Precipitation shows an increasing trend in the TRB, but which decreases and then increases in the YRB, with a turning point in the middle of twenty-first Century. The ranges in annual precipitation increase with the increase in the scenario emissions in the future. Note that the Tarim River Basin is more vulnerable to the impact of emissions, especially for annual or spring and winter precipitation. Based on the uncertainty of CMIP5 data, the links between future precipitation changes and the elevation and relief amplitude were evaluated. The change of precipitation decreases with elevation, relief amplitude in the TRB, while it increases with elevation but decreases with relief amplitude in the YRB.
Novel method for rapid fluorescence in-situ hybridization of ALK rearrangement using non-contact alternating current electric field mixing
Authors: Fujishima Satoshi , Imai Kazuhiro , Nakamura Ryuta , Nanjo Hiroshi , Saito Yoshitaro , Saito Hajime , Terata Kaori , Sato Yusuke , Motoyama Satoru , Akagami Yoichi , Minamiya Yoshihiro
Published: November 2017

Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene and anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (EML4-ALK) rearrangement is a key driver mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although Break-Apart ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a reliable diagnostic method for detecting ALK gene rearrangement, it is too costly and time-consuming for use as a routine screening test. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical utility of a novel rapid FISH (RaFISH) method developed to facilitate hybridization. RaFISH takes advantage of the non-contact mixing effect of an alternating current (AC) electric field. Eighty-five specimens were used from patients diagnosed with NSCLC identified immunohistochemically as ALK 0, (1/2+) or (3+). With RaFISH, the ALK test was completed within 4.5 h, as compared to 20 h needed for the standard FISH. Although RaFISH produced results more promptly, the staining and accuracy of the ALK evaluation with RaFISH was equal to the standard. We found 97.6% agreement between FISH and RaFISH based on the status of the ALK signals. These results suggest RaFISH could be used as a clinical tool to promptly determine ALK status.
Band Gap Engineering of Hexagonal SnSe2 Nanostructured Thin Films for Infra-Red Photodetection
Authors: Mukhokosi Emma P. , Krupanidhi Saluru B. , Nanda Karuna K.
Published: November 2017

We, for the first time, provide the experimental demonstration on the band gap engineering of layered hexagonal SnSe2 nanostructured thin films by varying the thickness. For 50 nm thick film, the band gap is ~2.04 eV similar to that of monolayer, whereas the band gap is approximately ~1.2 eV similar to that of bulk for the 1200 nm thick film. The variation of the band gap is consistent with the the theoretically predicted layer-dependent band gap of SnSe2. Interestingly, the 400–1200 nm thick films were sensitiveto 1064 nm laser iradiation and the sensitivity increases almost exponentiallly with thickness, while films with 50–140 nm thick are insensitive which is due to the fact that the band gap of thinner films is greater than the energy corresponding to 1064 nm. Over all, our results establish the possibility of engineering the band gap of SnSe2 layered structures by simply controlling the thickness of the film to absorb a wide range of electromagnetic radiation from infra-red to visible range.
A Solution-Processable, Nanostructured, and Conductive Graphene/Polyaniline Hybrid Coating for Metal-Corrosion Protection and Monitoring
Authors: Kim Saerona , Le Thanh-Hai , Park Chul Soon , Park Geunsu , Kim Kyung Ho , Kim Semin , Kwon Oh Seok , Lim Gyun Taek , Yoon Hyeonseok
Published: November 2017

A smart and effective anticorrosive coating consisting of alternating graphene and polyaniline (PANI) layers was developed using top-down solution processing. Graphite was exfoliated using sonication assisted by polyaniline to produce a nanostructured, conductive graphene/polyaniline hybrid (GPn) in large quantities (>0.5 L of 6 wt% solution in a single laboratory-scale process). The GPn was coated on copper and exhibited excellent anticorrosion protection efficiencies of 46.6% and 68.4% under electrochemical polarization in 1 M sulfuric acid and 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solutions, chosen as chemical and seawater models, respectively. Impedance measurements were performed in the two corrosive solutions, with the variation in charge transfer resistance (Rct) over time indicating that the GPn acted as an efficient physical and chemical barrier preventing corrosive species from reaching the copper surface. The GPn-coated copper was composed of many PANI-coated graphene planes stacked parallel to the copper surface. PANI exhibits redox-based conductivity, which was facilitated by the high conductivity of graphene. Additionally, the GPn surface was found to be hydrophobic. These properties combined effectively to protect the copper metal against corrosion. We expect that the GPn can be further applied for developing smart anticorrosive coating layers capable of monitoring the status of metals.
A spot laser modulated resistance switching effect observed on n-type Mn-doped ZnO/SiO2/Si structure
Authors: Lu Jing , Tu Xinglong , Yin Guilin , Wang Hui , He Dannong
Published: November 2017

In this work, a spot laser modulated resistance switching (RS) effect is firstly observed on n-type Mn-doped ZnO/SiO2/Si structure by growing n-type Mn-doped ZnO film on Si wafer covered with a 1.2 nm native SiO2, which has a resistivity in the range of 50–80 Ω∙cm. The I–V curve obtained in dark condition evidences the structure a rectifying junction, which is further confirmed by placing external bias. Compared to the resistance state modulated by electric field only in dark (without illumination), the switching voltage driving the resistance state of the structure from one state to the other, shows clear shift under a spot laser illumination. Remarkably, the switching voltage shift shows a dual dependence on the illumination position and power of the spot laser. We ascribe this dual dependence to the electric filed produced by the redistribution of photo-generated carriers, which enhance the internal barrier of the hetero-junction. A complete theoretical analysis based on junction current and diffusion equation is presented. The dependence of the switching voltage on spot laser illumination makes the n-type Mn-doped ZnO/SiO2/Si structure sensitive to light, which thus allows for the integration of an extra functionality in the ZnO-based photoelectric device.
A Microdevice Platform Recapitulating Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironments
Authors: Ando Yuta , Ta Hoang P. , Yen Daniel P. , Lee Sang-Sin , Raola Sneha , Shen Keyue
Published: November 2017

Hypoxia plays a central role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy. We have engineered a microdevice platform to recapitulate the intratumor oxygen gradients that drive the heterogeneous hypoxic landscapes in solid tumors. Our design features a “tumor section”-like culture by incorporating a cell layer between two diffusion barriers, where an oxygen gradient is established by cellular metabolism and physical constraints. We confirmed the oxygen gradient by numerical simulation and imaging-based oxygen sensor measurement. We also demonstrated spatially-resolved hypoxic signaling in cancer cells through immunostaining, gene expression assay, and hypoxia-targeted drug treatment. Our platform can accurately generate and control oxygen gradients, eliminates complex microfluidic handling, allows for incorporation of additional tumor components, and is compatible with high-content imaging and high-throughput applications. It is well suited for understanding hypoxia-mediated mechanisms in cancer disease and other biological processes, and discovery of new therapeutics.
Targeted mitochondrial therapy using MitoQ shows equivalent renoprotection to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition but no combined synergy in diabetes
Authors: Ward Micheal S. , Flemming Nicole B. , Gallo Linda A. , Fotheringham Amelia K. , McCarthy Domenica A. , Zhuang Aowen , Tang Peter H. , Borg Danielle J. , Shaw Hannah , Harvie Benjamin , Briskey David R. , Roberts Llion A. , Plan Manuel R. , Murphy Michael P. , Hodson Mark P. , Forbes Josephine M.
Published: November 2017

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a pathological mediator of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Our objective was to test the mitochondrially targeted agent, MitoQ, alone and in combination with first line therapy for DKD. Intervention therapies (i) vehicle (D); (ii) MitoQ (DMitoQ;0.6 mg/kg/day); (iii) Ramipril (DRam;3 mg/kg/day) or (iv) combination (DCoAd) were administered to male diabeticdb/dbmice for 12 weeks (n = 11–13/group). Non-diabetic (C)db/mmice were followed concurrently. No therapy altered glycaemic control or body weight. By the study end, both monotherapies improved renal function, decreasing glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria. All therapies prevented tubulointerstitial collagen deposition, but glomerular mesangial expansion was unaffected. Renal cortical concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP, cAMP, creatinine phosphate and ATP:AMP ratio were increased by diabetes and mostly decreased with therapy. A higher creatine phosphate:ATP ratio in diabetic kidney cortices, suggested a decrease in ATP consumption. Diabetes elevated glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and oxidised (NAD+ and NADP+) and reduced (NADH) nicotinamide dinucleotides, which therapy decreased generally. Diabetes increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption (OCR) at complex II-IV. MitoQ further increased OCR but decreased ATP, suggesting mitochondrial uncoupling as its mechanism of action. MitoQ showed renoprotection equivalent to ramipril but no synergistic benefits of combining these agents were shown.
Structure and photoluminescence properties of red-emitting apatite-type phosphor NaY9(SiO4)6O2:Sm3+ with excellent quantum efficiency and thermal stability for solid-state lighting
Authors: Mei Lefu , Liu Haikun , Liao Libing , Zhang Yuanyuan , Kumar R. Vasant
Published: November 2017

A novel red-emitting phosphor NaY9(SiO4)6O2:Sm3+ (NYS:Sm3+) was synthesized and the X-ray diffraction and high-resolution TEM testified that the NYS compound belongs to the apatite structure which crystallized in a hexagonal unit cell with space group P63/m. The novel phosphor boasts of such three advantageous properties as perfect compatible match with the commercial UV chips, 73.2% quantum efficiency and 90.9% thermal stability at 150 °C. Details are as follows. NYS:Sm3+ phosphor showed obvious absorption in the UV regions centered at 407 nm, which can be perfectly compatible with the commercial UV chips. The property investigations showed that NYS:Sm3+ phosphor emitted reddish emission with CIE coordination of (0.563, 0.417). The optimum quenching concentration of Sm3+ in NYS phosphor was about 10%mol, and the corresponding concentration quenching mechanism was verified to be the electric dipole–dipole interaction. Upon excitation at 407 nm, the composition-optimized NYS:0.10Sm3+ exhibited a high quantum efficiency of 73.2%, and its luminescence intensity at 150 °C decreased simply to 90.9% of the initial value at room temperature. All of the results indicated that NYS:Sm3+ is a promising candidate as a reddish-emitting UV convertible phosphor for application in white light emitting diodes (w-LEDs).
DNA methylation regulates TMEM16A/ANO1 expression through multiple CpG islands in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Finegersh Andrey , Kulich Scott , Guo Theresa , Favorov Alexander V. , Fertig Elana J. , Danilova Ludmila V. , Gaykalova Daria A. , Califano Joseph A. , Duvvuri Umamaheswar
Published: November 2017

ANO1 is a calcium-activated chloride channel that is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other cancers. While ANO1 expression negatively correlates with survival in several cancers, its epigenetic regulation is poorly understood. We analyzed HNSCC samples from TCGA and a separate dataset of HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) samples to identify differentially methylated regions. E6 and E7 transfected normal oral keratinocytes (NOK) were used to induce hypermethylation of the ANO1 promoter. We found three CpG islands that correlated with ANO1 expression, including two positively correlated with expression. Using two HNSCC datasets with differential expression of ANO1, we showed hypermethylation of positively correlated CpG islands potentiates ANO1 expression. E7 but not E6 transfection of NOK cells led to hypermethylation of a positively correlated CpG island without a change in ANO1 expression. ANO1 promoter methylation was also correlated with patient survival. Our results are the first to show the contribution of positively correlated CpG’s for regulating gene expression in HNSCC. Hypermethylation of the ANO1 promoter was strongly correlated with but not sufficient to increase ANO1 expression, suggesting methylation of positively correlated CpG’s likely serves as an adjunct to other mechanisms of ANO1 activation.
Screening of novel RGD peptides to modify nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Ge Liang , You Xinru , Huang Keqing , Kang Yang , Chen Yuejian , Zhu Ying , Ren Yuan , Zhang Yuan , Wu Jun , Qian Hai
Published: November 2017

New targeted RGD peptides obtained by solid phase synthesis (SPPS) were successfully screened by Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) and used for the building of the 6-O-carboxymethyl chitosan based carrier with an active target on the surface.
Correction: The physics and chemistry of graphene-on-surfaces
Authors: Zhao Guoke , Li Xinming , Huang Meirong , Zhen Zhen , Zhong Yujia , Chen Qiao , Zhao Xuanliang , He Yijia , Hu Ruirui , Yang Tingting , Zhang Rujing , Li Changli , Kong Jing , Xu Jian-Bin , Ruoff Rodney S. , Zhu Hongwei
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘The physics and chemistry of graphene-on-surfaces’ by Guoke Zhao, Xinming Li, Meirong Huang et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017, 46, 4417–4449.
Magnetic properties of Ln2CoGe4O12 and LnBCoGe4O12 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er; B = Sc, Lu)
Authors: Xu Diming , Avdeev Maxim , Battle Peter D. , Ryan D. H.
Published: November 2017

Paramagnets, spin glasses and antiferromagnets are all found in a series of isostructural cobalt-containing germanates.
Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution with a cobalt complex
Authors: Shi Hua-Tian , Li Xiu-Xiu , Wu Fang-Hui , Yu Wei-Bin
Published: November 2017

A new cobalt complex based on an azo-compound was utilized as an electrocatalyst for water oxidation to produce oxygen under basic conditions.
Understanding the microbiological, organic and inorganic contaminant removal capacity of ceramic water filters doped with different silver nanoparticles
Authors: Sullivan R. K. , Erickson M. , Oyanedel-Craver V. A.
Published: November 2017

Pathogen removal efficacy of ceramic water filters (CWF) impregnated with silver nanoparticles (nAg) has been well studied, however scarce information is available about the impact of nAg surface functionalization and removal of inorganic and organic pollutants.
Probing the biotransformation of hematite nanoparticles and magnetite formation mediated by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 at the molecular scale
Authors: Luo Hong-Wei , Zhang Xin , Chen Jie-Jie , Yu Han-Qing , Sheng Guo-Ping
Published: November 2017

Biogenic magnetite formation would occur through hematite nanoparticle reduction induced by S. oneidensis MR-1.
Functionalized graphene sheets for intracellular controlled release of therapeutic agents
Authors: Tu Zhaoxu , Wycisk Virginia , Cheng Chong , Chen Wei , Adeli Mohsen , Haag Rainer
Published: November 2017

The relationship between the functionalities of graphene-based nanocarriers and their intracellular drug release characteristics was carefully investigated in this paper.
Analysis of optimal crosslink density and platelet size insensitivity in graphene-based artificial nacres
Authors: Wu Kaijin , Song Zhaoqiang , He Linghui , Ni Yong
Published: November 2017

We analyzed the optimal crosslink density and platelet size insensitivity reported in graphene-based artificial nacres through a hybrid model.
Ag+, Fe3+and Zn2+-intercalated cadmium(ii)-metal–organic frameworks for enhanced daylight photocatalysis
Authors: Surib Nur Atiqah , Sim Lan Ching , Leong Kah Hon , Kuila Aneek , Saravanan Pichiah , Lo Kong Mun , Ibrahim Shaliza , Bahnemann Detlef , Jang Min
Published: November 2017

A new generation MOF photocatalyst capable of harvesting day light was fabricated by intercalating chosen metal ions onto a Cd(ii) metal–organic framework.