bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Baidu Search Engine to Monitor AIDS Epidemics Inform for Targeted intervention of HIV/AIDS in China
Authors: Li Kang , Liu Meiliang , Feng Yi , Ning Chuanyi , Ou Weidong , Sun Jia , Wei Wudi , Liang Hao , Shao Yiming
Published: January 2019

China’s reported cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS increased from over 50000 in 2011 to more than 130000 in 2017, while AIDS related search indices on Baidu from 2.1 million to 3.7 million in the same time periods. In China, people seek AIDS related knowledge from Baidu which one of the world’s largest search engine. We study the relationship of national HIV surveillance data with the Baidu index (BDI) and use it to monitor AIDS epidemic and inform targeted intervention. After screening keywords and making index composition, we used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeling. The most correlated search engine query data was obtained by using ARIMA with external variables (ARIMAX) model for epidemic prediction. A significant correlation between monthly HIV/AIDS report cases and Baidu Composite Index (r = 0.845, P < 0.001) was observed using time series plot. Compared with the ARIMA model based on AIDS surveillance data, the ARIMAX model with Baidu Composite Index had the minimal an Akaike information criterion (AIC, 839.42) and the most exact prediction (MAPE of 6.11%). We showed that there are close correlations of the same trends between BDI and HIV/AIDS reports cases for both increasing and decreasing AIDS epidemic. Therefore, the Baidu search query data may be a good useful indicator for reliably monitoring and predicting HIV/AIDS epidemic in China.
De novo assembly of Agave sisalana transcriptome in response to drought stress provides insight into the tolerance mechanisms
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad Bilal , Ahmad Zarnab , Rashid Bushra , Hassan Sameera , Gregersen Per L. , Leyva Maria De la O. , Nagy Istvan , Asp Torben , Husnain Tayyab
Published: January 2019

Agave, monocotyledonous succulent plants, is endemic to arid regions of North America, exhibiting exceptional tolerance to their xeric environments. They employ various strategies to overcome environmental constraints, such as crassulacean acid metabolism, wax depositions, and protective leaf morphology. Genomic resources of Agave species have received little attention irrespective of their cultural, economic and ecological importance, which so far prevented the understanding of the molecular bases underlying their adaptations to the arid environment. In this study, we aimed to elucidate molecular mechanism(s) using transcriptome sequencing ofA. sisalana. Ade novoapproach was applied to assemble paired-end reads. The expression study unveiled 3,095 differentially expressed unigenes between well-irrigated and drought-stressed leaf samples. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis specified a significant number of abiotic stress responsive genes and pathways involved in processes like hormonal responses, antioxidant activity, response to stress stimuli, wax biosynthesis, and ROS metabolism. We also identified transcripts belonging to several families harboring important drought-responsive genes. Our study provides the first insight into the genomic structure ofA. sisalanaunderlying adaptations to drought stress, thus providing diverse genetic resources for drought tolerance breeding research.
Probabilistic Assessment of Glass Forming Ability Rules for Metallic Glasses Aided by Automated Analysis of Phase Diagrams
Authors: Dasgupta Aparajita , Broderick Scott R. , Mack Connor , Kota Bhargava U. , Subramanian Ramachandran , Setlur Srirangaraj , Govindaraju Venu , Rajan Krishna
Published: January 2019

The use of machine learning techniques to expedite the discovery and development of new materials is an essential step towards the acceleration of a new generation of domain-specific highly functional material systems. In this paper, we use the test case of bulk metallic glasses to highlight the key issues in the field of high throughput predictions and propose a new probabilistic analysis of rules for glass forming ability using rough set theory. This approach has been applied to a broad range of binary alloy compositions in order to predict new metallic glass compositions. Our data driven approach takes into account not only a broad variety of thermodynamic, structural and kinetic based criteria, but also incorporates qualitative and descriptive attributes associated with eutectic points in phase diagrams. For the latter, we demonstrate the use of automated machine learning methods that go far beyond text recognition approaches by also being able to interpret phase diagrams. When combined with structural descriptors, this approach provides the foundations to develop a hierarchical probabilistic predication tool that can rank the feasibility of glass formation.
Illuminating the catalytic core of ectoine synthase through structural and biochemical analysis
Authors: Czech Laura , Höppner Astrid , Kobus Stefanie , Seubert Andreas , Riclea Ramona , Dickschat Jeroen S. , Heider Johann , Smits Sander H. J. , Bremer Erhard
Published: January 2019

Ectoine synthase (EctC) is the signature enzyme for the production of ectoine, a compatible solute and chemical chaperone widely synthesized by bacteria as a cellular defense against the detrimental effects of osmotic stress. EctC catalyzes the last step in ectoine synthesis through cyclo-condensation of the EctA-formed substrate N-gamma-acetyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid via a water elimination reaction. We have biochemically and structurally characterized the EctC enzyme from the thermo-tolerant bacterium Paenibacillus lautus (Pl). EctC is a member of the cupin superfamily and forms dimers, both in solution and in crystals. We obtained high-resolution crystal structures of the (Pl)EctC protein in forms that contain (i) the catalytically important iron, (ii) iron and the substrate N-gamma-acetyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, and (iii) iron and the enzyme reaction product ectoine. These crystal structures lay the framework for a proposal for the EctC-mediated water-elimination reaction mechanism. Residues involved in coordinating the metal, the substrate, or the product within the active site of ectoine synthase are highly conserved among a large group of EctC-type proteins. Collectively, the biochemical, mutational, and structural data reported here yielded detailed insight into the structure-function relationship of the (Pl)EctC enzyme and are relevant for a deeper understanding of the ectoine synthase family as a whole.
Comprehensive Analysis of TCR-β Repertoire in Patients with Neurological Immune-mediated Disorders
Authors: Alves Sousa Alessandra de Paula , Johnson Kory R. , Ohayon Joan , Zhu Jun , Muraro Paolo A. , Jacobson Steven
Published: January 2019

In this study we characterized the TCR repertoire profiles in patients with chronic progressive inflammatory neurological disorders including HAM/TSP, associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection, and multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the CNS of unknown etiology. We hypothesized that a T-cell receptor (TCR) clonal repertoire ‘signature’ could distinguish HAM/TSP patients from healthy controls, as well as from patients with a more heterogeneous CNS-reactive inflammatory disease such as MS. In this study, we applied an unbiased molecular technique – unique molecular identifier (UMI) library-based strategy to investigate with high accuracy the TCR clonal repertoire by high throughput sequencing (HTS) technology. cDNA-TCR β-chain libraries were sequenced from 2 million peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 14 HAM/TSP patients, 34 MS patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). While HAM/TSP patients showed a higher clonal T-cell expansion compared to MS and HC, increase of the TCR clonal expansion was inversely correlated with the diversity of TCR repertoire in all subjects. In addition, longitudinal analysis of TCR repertoires from HAM/TSP patients demonstrated a correlation of the TCR clonal expansion with HTLV-I proviral load. Surprisingly, MS patients showed a higher diversity of TCR repertoires than other groups. Despite higher TCR clonal expansions in HAM/TSP patients, no disease-specific TCRs were shared among patients. Only non-shared or “private” TCR repertoires was observed. While no clones that shared the same CDR3 amino acid sequences were seen in either HC or MS patients, there was a cluster of related CDR3 amino acid sequences observed for 18 out of 34 MS patients when evaluated by phylogenetic tree analysis. This suggests that a TCR-repertoire signature may be identified in a subset of patients with MS.
Robust in-silico identification of Cancer Cell Lines based on RNA and targeted DNA sequencing data
Authors: Otto Raik , Rössler Jan-Niklas , Sers Christine , Mamlouk Soulafa , Leser Ulf
Published: January 2019

Cancer cell lines (CCL) are an integral part of modern cancer research but are susceptible to misidentification. The increasing popularity of sequencing technologies motivates the in-silico identification of CCLs based on their mutational fingerprint, but care must be taken when identifying heterogeneous data. We recently developed the proof-of-concept Uniquorn 1 method which could reliably identify heterogeneous sequencing data from selected sequencing technologies. Here we present Uniquorn 2, a generic and robust in-silico identification method for CCLs with DNA/RNA-seq and panel-seq information. We benchmarked Uniquorn 2 by cross-identifying 1612 RNA and 3596 panel-sized NGS profiles derived from 1516 CCLs, five repositories, four technologies and three major cancer panel-designs. Our method achieves an accuracy of 96% for RNA-seq and 95% for mixed DNA-seq and RNA-seq identification. Even for a panel of only 94 cancer-related genes, accuracy remains at 82% but decreases when using smaller panels. Uniquorn 2 is freely available as R-Bioconductor-package ‘Uniquorn’.
Quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated by RhlR is regulated by a small RNA PhrD
Authors: Malgaonkar Anuja , Nair Mrinalini
Published: January 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly invasive human pathogen in spite of the absence of classical host specific virulence factors. Virulence factors regulated by quorum sensing (QS) in P. aeruginosa cause acute infections to shift to chronic diseases. Several small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) mediate fine-tuning of bacterial responses to environmental signals and regulate quorum sensing. In this study, we show that the quorum sensing regulator RhlR is positively influenced upon over expression of the Hfq dependent small RNA PhrD in Pseudomonas. RhlR transcripts starting from two of the four different promoters have same sequence predicted to base pair with PhrD. Over expression of PhrD increased RhlR transcript levels and production of the biosurfactant rhamnolipid and the redox active pyocyanin pigment. A rhlR::lacZ translational fusion from one of the four promoters showed 2.5-fold higher expression and, a 9-fold increase in overall rhlR transcription was seen in the wild type when compared to the isogenic phrD disruption mutant. Expression, in an E. coli host background, of a rhlR::lacZ fusion in comparison to a construct that harboured a scrambled interaction region resulted in a 10-fold increase under phrD over expression. The interaction of RhlR-5′UTR with PhrD in E. coli indicated that this regulation could function without the involvement of any Pseudomonas specific proteins. Overall, this study demonstrates that PhrD has a positive effect on RhlR and its associated physiology in P. aeruginosa.
Sad faces increase the heartbeat-associated interoceptive information flow within the salience network: a MEG study
Authors: Kim Jaejoong , Park Hyeong-Dong , Kim Ko Woon , Shin Dong Woo , Lim Sanghyun , Kwon Hyukchan , Kim Min-Young , Kim Kiwoong , Jeong Bumseok
Published: January 2019

The somatic marker hypothesis proposes that the cortical representation of visceral signals is a crucial component of emotional processing. No previous study has investigated the information flow among brain regions that process visceral information during emotional perception. In this magnetoencephalography study of 32 healthy subjects of either sex, heartbeat-evoked responses (HERs), which reflect the cortical processing of heartbeats, were modulated by the perception of a sad face. The modulation effect was localized to the prefrontal cortices, the globus pallidus, and an interoceptive network including the right anterior insula (RAI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (RdACC). Importantly, our Granger causality analysis provides the first evidence for the increased flow of heartbeat information from the RAI to the RdACC during sad face perception. Moreover, using a surrogate R-peak analysis, we have shown that this HER modulation effect was time-locked to heartbeats. These findings advance the understanding of brain-body interactions during emotional processing.
Structural and Electrochemical Kinetic Properties of 0.5Li2MnO3∙0.5LiCoO2 Cathode Materials with Different Li2MnO3 Domain Sizes
Authors: Kaewmala Songyoot , Limphirat Wanwisa , Yordsri Visittapong , Kim Hyunwoo , Muhammad Shoaib , Yoon Won-Sub , Srilomsak Sutham , Limthongkul Pimpa , Meethong Nonglak
Published: January 2019

Lithium rich layered oxide xLi2MnO3∙(1−x)LiMO2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni, etc.) materials are promising cathode materials for next generation lithium ion batteries. However, the understanding of their electrochemical kinetic behaviors is limited. In this work, the phase separation behaviors and electrochemical kinetics of 0.5Li2MnO3∙0.5LiCoO2 materials with various Li2MnO3 domain sizes were studied. Despite having similar morphological, crystal and local atomic structures, materials with various Li2MnO3 domain sizes exhibited different phase separation behavior resulting in disparate lithium ion transport kinetics. For the first few cycles, the 0.5Li2MnO3∙0.5LiCoO2 material with a small Li2MnO3 domain size had higher lithium ion diffusion coefficients due to shorter diffusion path lengths. However, after extended cycles, the 0.5Li2MnO3∙0.5LiCoO2 material with larger Li2MnO3 domain size showed higher lithium ion diffusion coefficients, since the larger Li2MnO3 domain size could retard structural transitions. This leads to fewer structural rearrangements, reduced structural disorders and defects, which allows better lithium ion mobility in the material.
Sex-specific moderation by lifestyle and psychosocial factors on the genetic contributions to adiposity in 112,151 individuals from UK Biobank
Authors: Calvin Catherine M. , Hagenaars Saskia P. , Gallacher John , Harris Sarah E. , Davies Gail , Liewald David C. , Gale Catharine R. , Deary Ian J.
Published: January 2019

Evidence suggests that lifestyle factors, e.g. physical activity, moderate the manifestation of genetic susceptibility to obesity. The present study uses UK Biobank data to investigate interaction between polygenic scores (PGS) for two obesity indicators, and lifestyle and psychosocial factors in the prediction of the two indicators, with attention to sex-specific effects. Analyses were of 112 151 participants (58 914 females; 40 to 73 years) whose genetic data passed quality control. Moderation effects were analysed in linear regression models predicting body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), including interaction terms for PGS and each exposure. Greater physical activity, more education, higher income, moderatevslow alcohol consumption, and low material deprivation were each associated with a relatively lower risk for manifestation of genetic susceptibility to obesity (p < 0.001); the moderating effects of physical activity and alcohol consumption were greater in women than men (three-way interaction: p = 0.009 and p = 0.008, respectively). More income and less neuroticism were related to reduced manifestation of genetic susceptibility to high WHR (p = 0.007; p = 0.003); the effect of income was greater in women (three-way interaction: p = 0.001). Lifestyle and psychosocial factors appear to offset genetic risk for adiposity in mid to late adulthood, with some sex-specific associations.
A VEGF-A/SOX2/SRSF2 network controls VEGFR1 pre-mRNA alternative splicing in lung carcinoma cells
Authors: Abou Faycal Cherine , Gazzeri Sylvie , Eymin Beatrice
Published: January 2019

The splice variantsVEGFR1-i13is a truncated version of the cell membrane-spanning VEGFR1 receptor that is devoid of its transmembrane and tyrosine kinase domains. We recently showed the contribution of sVEGFR1-i13 to the progression and the response of squamous lung carcinoma to anti-angiogenic therapies. In this study, we identify VEGF165, a splice variant of VEGF-A, as a regulator of sVEGFR1-i13 expression in these tumors, and further show that VEGF165cooperates with the transcription factor SOX2 and the splicing factor SRSF2 to control sVEGFR1-i13 expression. We also demonstrate that anti-angiogenic therapies up-regulate sVEGFR1-i13 protein level in squamous lung carcinoma cells by a mechanism involving the VEGF165/SOX2/SRSF2 network. Collectively, our results identify for the first time a signaling network that controlsVEGFR1pre-mRNA alternative splicing in cancer cells.
The Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model (PERSEVERE) Biomarkers Predict Clinical Deterioration and Mortality in Immunocompromised Children Evaluated for Infection
Authors: Jacobs L. , Berrens Z. , Stenson E. K. , Zackoff M. W. , Danziger L. A. , Lahni P. , Wong H. R.
Published: January 2019

Pediatric sepsis and bacterial infection cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, with immunocompromised patients being at particularly high risk of rapid deterioration and death. This study evaluated if PERSEVERE, PERSEVERE-II, or the PERSEVERE biomarkers, can reliably estimate the risk of clinical deterioration and 28-day mortality among immunocompromised pediatric patients. This is a single-center prospective cohort study conducted from July 2016 through September 2017 incorporating 400 episodes of suspected bacterial infection from the inpatient units at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a large, tertiary care children’s hospital. The primary analysis assessed clinical deterioration within 72 hours of evaluation for infection. Secondarily, we assessed 28-day mortality. Clinical deterioration was seen in 15% of subjects. Twenty-eight day mortality was 5%, but significantly higher among critically ill patients. Neither PERSEVERE nor PERSEVERE-II performed well to predict clinical deterioration or 28-day mortality, thus we derived new stratification models using the PERSEVERE biomarkers with both high sensitivity and negative predictive value. In conclusion, we evaluated previously validated biomarker risk models in a novel population of largely non-critically ill immunocompromised pediatric patients, and attempted to stratify patients based on a new outcome metric, clinical deterioration. The new highly predictive models indicate common physiologic pathways to clinical deterioration or death from bacterial infection.
Frequency and Phase Characteristics of Candle Flame Oscillation
Authors: Chen Ting , Guo Xiao , Jia Ji , Xiao Jinghua
Published: January 2019

The combustion of candles exhibits a variety of dynamical behaviors. Binding several candles together will result in flickering of candle flames, which is generally described as a nonlinear oscillator. The impact on the frequency of the flame by several factors, such as the arrangement, the number and the asymmetry of the oscillators, is discussed. Experimental results show that the frequency gradually decreases as the number of candles increases in the case of an isolated oscillator, while alternation between the in-phase and the anti-phase synchronization appears in a coupled system of two oscillators. Moreover, envelopes in the amplitude of the oscillatory luminance are displayed when candles are coupled asymmetrically. Since the coupling between oscillators is dominated by thermal radiation, a “overlapped peaks model” is proposed to phenomenologically explain the relationship between temperature distribution, coupling strength and the collective behavior in coupled system of candle oscillators in both symmetric and asymmetric cases.
Extricating New Physics Scenarios at DUNE with Higher Energy Beams
Authors: Masud Mehedi , Bishai Mary , Mehta Poonam
Published: January 2019

The proposed Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) utilizes a wide-band on-axis tunable muon-(anti)neutrino beam with a baseline of 1300 km to search for CP violation with high precision. Given the long baseline, DUNE is also sensitive to effects due to matter induced non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) which can interfere with the standard three-flavor oscillation paradigm. Hence it is desirable to design strategies to disentangle effects due to NSI from standard oscillations. In this article, we exploit the tunability of the DUNE neutrino beam over a wide-range of energies to devise an experimental strategy for separating oscillation effects due to NSI from the standard three-flavor oscillation scenario. Using χ2 analysis, we obtain an optimal combination of beam tunes and distribution of run times in neutrino and anti-neutrino modes that would enable DUNE to isolate new physics scenarios from the standard. We can distinguish scenarios at 3σ (5σ) level for almost all (~50%) values of δ. To the best of our knowledge, our strategy is entirely new and has not been reported elsewhere.
Macaque monkeys learn by observation in the ghost display condition in the object-in-place task with differential reward to the observer
Authors: Ferrucci Lorenzo , Nougaret Simon , Genovesio Aldo
Published: January 2019

Observational learning has been investigated in monkeys mainly using conspecifics or humans as models to observe. Some studies attempted to clarify the social agent’s role and to test whether non-human primates could learn from observation of a non-social agent, usually mentioned as a ‘ghost display’ condition, but they reported conflicting results. To address this question, we trained three rhesus monkeys in an object-in-place task consisting of the presentation of five subsequent problems composed of two objects, one rewarded and one unrewarded, for six times, or runs. Three types of learning conditions were tested. In the individual learning condition, the monkeys performed the first run, learned from it and improved their performance in the following runs. In the social and non-social learning conditions, they observed respectively a human model and a computer performing the first run and learned by the observation of their successes or errors. In all three conditions, the monkeys themselves received the reward after correct choices only. One-trial learning occurred in all three conditions. The monkeys performed over chance in the second run in all conditions, providing evidence of non-social observational learning with differential reward in macaque monkeys using a “ghost display” condition in a cognitive task.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch is required for B-cell development
Authors: Liu Xiaoling , Zhang Yu , Wei Yinxiang , Wang Zhiding , Zhu Gaizhi , Fang Ying , Zhai Bing , Xu Ruonan , Han Gencheng , Chen Guojiang , Xiao He , Hou Chunmei , Shen Beifen , Li Yan , Ma Ning , Wang Renxi
Published: January 2019

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch interacts with Foxo1 and targets it for ubiquitination and degradation during follicular helper T-cell differentiation, whereas the transcription factor Foxo1 plays a critical role in B-cell development. Thus, we proposed that Itch mediates B-cell differentiation. Unexpectedly, we found that Itch deficiency downregulated Foxo1 expression in B cells. Itch cKO (conditional knock out in B cells) mice had fewer pro-B cells in the bone marrow, more small resting IgM−IgD−B cells in the periphery, and lower B-cell numbers in the lymph nodes through decreased Foxo1-mediated IL-7Rα, RAG, and CD62L expression, respectively. Importantly, Itch deficiency reduced Foxo1 mRNA expression by up-regulating JunB-mediated miR-182. Finally, Foxo1 negatively regulated JunB expression by up-regulating Itch. Thus, we have identified a novel regulatory axis between Itch and Foxo1 in B cells, suggesting that Itch is essential for B-cell development.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 modulates bioengineered tooth morphogenesis
Authors: Oyanagi Toshihito , Takeshita Nobuo , Hara Mamiko , Ikeda Etsuko , Chida Toko , Seki Daisuke , Yoshida Michiko , Seiryu Masahiro , Takano Ikuko , Kimura Seiji , Oshima Masamitsu , Tsuji Takashi , Takano-Yamamoto Teruko
Published: January 2019

Regenerative therapy to replace missing teeth is a critical area of research. Functional bioengineered teeth have been produced by the organ germ method using mouse tooth germ cells. However, these bioengineered teeth are significantly smaller in size and exhibit an abnormal crown shape when compared with natural teeth. The proper sizes and shapes of teeth contribute to their normal function. Therefore, a method is needed to control the morphology of bioengineered teeth. Here, we investigated whether insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) can regulate the sizes and shapes of bioengineered teeth, and assessed underlying mechanisms of such regulation. IGF1 treatment significantly increased the size of bioengineered tooth germs, while preserving normal tooth histology. IGF1-treated bioengineered teeth, which were developed from bioengineered tooth germs in subrenal capsules and jawbones, showed increased sizes and cusp numbers. IGF1 increased the number of fibroblast growth factor (Fgf4)-expressing enamel knots in bioengineered tooth germs and enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells. This study is the first to reveal that IGF1 increases the sizes and cusp numbers of bioengineered teeth via the induction of enamel knot formation, as well as the proliferation and differentiation of dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells.
Evaluating analgesic efficacy and administration route following craniotomy in mice using the grimace scale
Authors: Cho Chulmin , Michailidis Vassilia , Lecker Irene , Collymore Chereen , Hanwell David , Loka Mary , Danesh Matthew , Pham Christine , Urban Paige , Bonin Robert P. , Martin Loren J.
Published: January 2019

Most research laboratories abide by guidelines and mandates set by their research institution regarding the administration of analgesics to control pain during the postoperative period. Unfortunately, measuring pain originating from the head is difficult, making adequate decisions regarding pain control following stereotaxic surgery problematic. In addition, most postsurgical analgesia protocols require multiple injections over several days, which may cause stress and distress during a critical recovery period. Here we sought to (1) assess the degree of postoperative pain following craniotomy in mice, (2) compare the efficacy of three common rodent analgesics (carprofen, meloxicam and buprenorphine) for reducing this pain and (3) determine whether the route of administration (injected or self-administered through the drinking supply) influenced pain relief post-craniotomy. Using the mouse grimace scale (MGS), we found that injectable analgesics were significantly more effective at relieving post-craniotomy pain, however, both routes of administration decreased pain scores in the first 24 h postsurgery. Specifically, buprenorphine administered independently of administration route was the most effective at reducing MGS scores, however, female mice showed greater sensitivity to carprofen when administered through the water supply. Although it is necessary to provide laboratory animals with analgesics after an invasive procedure, there remains a gap in the literature regarding the degree of craniotomy-related pain in rodents and the efficacy of alternative routes of administration. Our study highlights the limitations of administering drugs through the drinking supply, even at doses that are considered to be higher than those currently recommended by most research institutions for treating pain of mild to moderate severity.
Astragaloside IV inhibits glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of podocytes through autophagy enhancement via the SIRT–NF-κB p65 axis
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Gao Yanbin , Tian Nianxiu , Wang Tao , Shi Yimin , Xu Jiayi , Wu Bingjie
Published: January 2019

Both autophagy and podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are critical factors in glomerular diseases that involve proteinuria and fibrosis. Here, we sought to determine whether plant-derived saponin astragaloside IV (AS-IV) was able to reverse renal fibrosis and improve renal function through regulation of autophagy and podocyte EMT. Cultured immortalized mouse podocytes and KK-Ay mice models of diabetes were exposed to AS-IV. Western blotting, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and histochemistry were used to analyze markers of autophagy and podocyte EMT. We observed that AS-IV inhibited glucose-induced podocyte EMT and enhanced autophagy by decreasing NF-κB subunit p65 acetylation as well as increasing Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) expression. Treatment of the cells and animal models with a SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was able to reverse these effects. The SIRT1 activator SRT1720 was also found to decrease p65 acetylation and enhance autophagy in glucose-induced podocyte EMT. Additionally, further treatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine was able to reverse the effects of AS-IV on podocyte EMT, while the autophagy activator rapamycin or the NF-κB pathway inhibitor ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) were able to reverse glucose-induced podocyte EMT. Notably, both renal fibrosis and renal function in diabetic KK-Ay mice were improved after treatment with AS-IV. These findings support AS-IV as a renoprotective agent that likely exerts its effects on podocyte EMT through modulation of the SIRT1–NF-κB pathway and autophagy activation. Further studies are required to clarify the role of AS-IV as a potential therapeutic agent in glomerular diseases.
Ultrasonic versus conventional gap arthroplasty for the release of ankylosis of temporomandibular joint: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Jia Tingting , Wang Li , Chen Youbai , Zhao Rui , Zhu Liang , Xing Lejun , Rao Naman , Zhang Jie , Zhang Qixu , August Meredith , Han Yan , Zhang Haizhong
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of ultrasonic surgery to the conventional bone cutting technique using bur and saw for the release of ankylosis of temporomandibular joint. We conducted a prospective cohort study on 25 patients with 38 ankylotic joints at Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 01, 2012 to March 01, 2016. Patients were followed up at least 2 years postoperatively. The primary outcome was the intraoperative blood loss per joint. The secondary outcome was the long-term (≥2 years) improvement of maximum mouth opening. The blood loss was significantly reduced in the ultrasonic group compared to the conventional group (107.3 ± 62.3 ml vs. 186.3 ± 92.6 ml, P = 0.019). The long-term improvements of maximum mouth opening were substantial and stable in both groups (33.5 ± 4.8 mm in the ultrasonic group vs. 29.2 ± 6 mm in the conventional group, P = 0.06). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a significant association between blood loss and technique used (coefficient: 66.3, 95% confidence interval: 22.1,110.4, P = 0.006). The ultrasonic surgery was associated with less intraoperative blood loss when compared to the conventional method for the release of ankylosis of temporomandibular joint while providing a stable and comparable long-term improvement of maximum mouth opening.
Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 (TREX1) expression correlates with cervical cancer cells growth in vitro and disease progression in vivo
Authors: Prati Bruna , da Silva Abjaude Walason , Termini Lara , Morale Mirian , Herbster Suellen , Longatto-Filho Adhemar , Nunes Rafaella Almeida Lima , Córdoba Camacho Lizeth Carolina , Rabelo-Santos Silvia Helena , Zeferino Luiz Carlos , Aguayo Francisco , Boccardo Enrique
Published: January 2019

Alterations in specific DNA damage repair mechanisms in the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been described in different experimental models. However, the global effect of HPV on the expression of genes involved in these pathways has not been analyzed in detail. In the present study, we compared the expression profile of 135 genes involved in DNA damage repair among primary human keratinocytes (PHK), HPV-positive (SiHa and HeLa) and HPV-negative (C33A) cervical cancer derived cell lines. We identified 9 genes which expression pattern distinguishes HPV-positive tumor cell lines from C33A. Moreover, we observed that Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 (TREX1) expression is upregulated exclusively in HPV-transformed cell lines and PHK expressing HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes. We demonstrated that TREX1 silencing greatly affects tumor cells clonogenic and anchorage independent growth potential. We showed that this effect is associated with p53 upregulation, accumulation of subG1 cells, and requires the expression of E7 from high-risk HPV types. Finally, we observed an increase in TREX1 levels in precancerous lesions, squamous carcinomas and adenocarcinomas clinical samples. Altogether, our results indicate that TREX1 upregulation is important for cervical tumor cells growth and may contribute with tumor establishment and progression.
The Three Dimensional Spatial Structure of Antarctic Krill Schools in the Laboratory
Authors: Murphy David W. , Olsen Daniel , Kanagawa Marleen , King Rob , Kawaguchi So , Osborn Jon , Webster Donald R. , Yen Jeannette
Published: January 2019

Animal positions within moving groups may reflect multiple motivations including saving energy and sensing neighbors. These motivations have been proposed for schools of Antarctic krill, but little is known about their three-dimensional structure. Stereophotogrammetric images of Antarctic krill schooling in the laboratory are used to determine statistical distributions of swimming speed, nearest neighbor distance, and three-dimensional nearest neighbor positions. The krill schools swim at speeds of two body lengths per second at nearest neighbor distances of one body length and reach similarly high levels of organization as fish schools. The nearest neighbor position distribution is highly anisotropic and shows that Antarctic krill prefer to swim in the propulsion jet of their anterior neighbor. This position promotes communication and coordination among schoolmates via hydrodynamic signals within the pulsed jet created by the metachronal stroking of the neighboring krill’s pleopods. The hydrodynamic communication channel therefore plays a large role in structuring the school. Further, Antarctic krill avoid having a nearest neighbor directly overhead, possibly to avoid blockage of overhead light needed for orientation. Other factors, including the elongated body shape of Antarctic krill and potential energy savings, also may help determine the three dimensional spatial structure of tightly packed krill schools.
Field-free Magnetization Switching by Utilizing the Spin Hall Effect and Interlayer Exchange Coupling of Iridium
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhou Bing , Zhu Jian-Gang
Published: January 2019

Magnetization switching by spin-orbit torque (SOT) via spin Hall effect represents as a competitive alternative to that by spin-transfer torque (STT) used for magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), as it doesn’t require high-density current to go through the tunnel junction. For perpendicular MRAM, however, SOT driven switching of the free layer requires an external in-plane field, which poses limitation for viability in practical applications. Here we demonstrate field-free magnetization switching of a perpendicular magnet by utilizing an Iridium (Ir) layer. The Ir layer not only provides SOTs via spin Hall effect, but also induce interlayer exchange coupling with an in-plane magnetic layer that eliminates the need for the external field. Such dual functions of the Ir layer allows future build-up of magnetoresistive stacks for memory and logic applications. Experimental observations show that the SOT driven field-free magnetization reversal is characterized as domain nucleation and expansion. Micromagnetic modeling is carried out to provide in-depth understanding of the perpendicular magnetization reversal process in the presence of an in-plane exchange coupling field.
Two-dimensional Layered Materials for High-performance Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Meng Xiangbo , Li Jianlin
Published: January 2019

The discovery of graphene has opened an unexplored area of two-dimensional (2D) layer-structured materials. Since then, there have been five groups of 2D layered materials reported, including Xenes, MXenes, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), nitrides, and organic materials. These layered materials exhibit exceptional physical and chemical properties, and offer great opportunities for addressing real challenges. In this chapter, we focus on introducing updated applications of the many 2D materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Following the introductory section, in the second part we discuss graphene anodes, graphene-based composite anodes, and graphene-based composite cathodes in LIBs. In the third section, we introduce the most recent studies on new anodes using 2D materials beyond graphene in LIBs, including Xenes, MXenes, and TMCs. Finally, we summarize the chapter and provide an outlook on the future research of LIBs.
Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as Potential Hybrid Ferroelectric Materials
Authors: Sun Y. , Cheng Y. , Zeng K. Y.
Published: January 2019

This chapter presents new findings of intrinsic and induced ferroelectricity in Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with a polar system, capable of forming an electronic structure in an asymmetric lattice. Multiple experimental techniques and simulation methods are reviewed in detail. The characteristics of ferroelectrics such as discontinuity in temperature-dependent dielectric constant, polarization hysteresis loops, etc. have been observed from several MOF large crystals and crystalline powders. A relationship between polarization and bond polarity for MOFs has been established. In addition, we emphasize the significance of mechanical strength of MOFs in real applications. This chapter reviews MOF materials for energy storage and utilization, aiming to provide an insight into the design of novel MOF-based ferroelectrics.
Nickel phosphide polymorphs with an active (001) surface as excellent catalysts for water splitting
Authors: Jung Chan Su , Park Kidong , Lee Yeron , Kwak In Hye , Kwon Ik Seon , Kim Jundong , Seo Jaemin , Ahn Jae-Pyoung , Park Jeunghee
Published: January 2019

We report the temperature-controlled synthesis of two nickel phosphide polymorphs, Ni2P and Ni5P4, by phosphorization of Ni foil or foams using phosphine gas, and their excellent catalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction.
Hypoglycemic potential of whole green tea: water-soluble green tea polysaccharides combined with green tea extract delays digestibility and intestinal glucose transport of rice starch
Authors: Chung Jin-Oh , Yoo So-Hee , Lee Yeong-Eun , Shin Kwang-Soon , Yoo Soo-Jin , Park Si-Hyun , Park Tae-Sik , Shim Soon-Mi
Published: January 2019

Green tea is being studied extensively for its postprandial hypoglycemic effect due to its abundant catechins.
Structure–immunomodulatory activity relationships of Hedysarum polysaccharides extracted by a method involving a complex enzyme combined with ultrasonication
Authors: Yang Xiuyan , Xue Zhiyuan , Fang Yaoyao , Liu Xiaohua , Yang Yafei , Shi Gengen , Feng Shilan , Zhao Lianggong
Published: January 2019

Hedysarum polysaccharides extracted by a method involving extraction combined with modification had strong immunomodulatory effect, especially HPS-MC (80%).
Protective effects of a novel probiotic strain,Lactococcus lactisML2018, in colitis:in vivoandin vitroevidence
Authors: Liu Meiling , Zhang Xiuxia , Hao Yunpeng , Ding Jinhua , Shen Jing , Xue Ziyu , Qi Wei , Li Zhongyuan , Song Yajian , Zhang Tongcun , Wang Nan
Published: January 2019

Multiple articles have confirmed that an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota is closely related to aberrant immune responses of the intestines and to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).
A comparative model combining carbon atomic and molecular emissions based on partial least squares and support vector regression correction for carbon analysis in coal using LIBS
Authors: Dong Meirong , Wei Liping , Lu Jidong , Li Wenbin , Lu Shengzi , Li Shishi , Liu Chunyi , Yoo Jong H.
Published: January 2019

This paper proposed an innovation model combining carbon atomic and molecular emissions based on support vector regression correction for quantitative analysis of carbon in coal using LIBS.
Rationally synthesized coumarin based pyrazolines ameliorate carrageenan induced inflammation through COX-2/pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibition
Authors: Chandel Priyanka , Kumar Anoop , Singla Nishu , Kumar Anshul , Singh Gagandeep , Gill Rupinder Kaur
Published: January 2019

In the present work, coumarin based pyrazolines (7a–g) have been synthesized and investigated for their in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory potential.
Efficient full-colour organic light-emitting diodes based on donor–acceptor electroluminescent materials with a reduced singlet–triplet splitting energy gap
Authors: Jayabharathi Jayaraman , Ramya Ramaiyan , Thanikachalam Venugopal , Jeeva Palanivel , Sarojpurani Elayaperumal
Published: January 2019

The Cz-DEPVI device showed high efficiencies of L: 13955 cd m−2, ηex: 4.90%, ηc: 6.0 cd A−1, ηp: 5.4 lm W−1 and CIE coordinates of (0.15, 0.06) at 2.8 V.
Electrocatalytic water oxidation over AlFe2B2
Authors: Mann Dallas K. , Xu Junyuan , Mordvinova Natalia E. , Yannello Vincent , Ziouani Yasmine , González-Ballesteros Noelia , Sousa Juliana P. S. , Lebedev Oleg I. , Kolen'ko Yury V. , Shatruk Michael
Published: January 2019

AlFe2B2 pre-catalyst produces a nanocrystalline Fe3O4 shell in alkaline media. The system acts as a remarkably stable water oxidation electrocatalyst.
From nano-balls to nano-bowls
Authors: Brake Helena , Peresypkina Eugenia , Heindl Claudia , Virovets Alexander V. , Kremer Werner , Scheer Manfred
Published: January 2019

Depending on the reaction conditions, either guest or host truncation is observed upon self-assembly of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)], [(CpCr)2(η5-As5)] and copper halides.
Cell migration on microposts with surface coating and confinement
Authors: Hui Jianan , Pang Stella W.
Published: January 2019

Understanding cell migration in a 3D microenvironment is essential as most cells encounter complex 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) in vivo. Although interactions between cells and ECM have been studied previously on 2D surfaces, cell migration studies in 3D environment are still limited. To investigate cell migration under various degrees of confinements and coating conditions, 3D platforms with micropost arrays and controlled fibronectin (FN) protein coating were developed. MC3T3-E1 cells spread and contacted the top surface of microposts if FN was coated on top. When FN was coated all over the microposts, cells were trapped between microposts with 3 μm spacing and barely moved. As the spacing between microposts increased from 3 to 5 μm, cells became elongated with limited cell movement of 0.18 μm/min, slower than the cell migration speed of 0.40 μm/min when cells moved on top. When cells were trapped in between the microposts, cell nuclei were distorted and actin filaments formed along the sidewalls of microposts. With the addition of a top cover to introduce cell confinement, the cell migration speed was 0.23 and 0.84 μm/min when the channel height was reduced from 20 to 10 μm, respectively. Cell traction force was monitored at on the top and bottom microposts with 10 μm channel height. These results show that the MC3T3-E1 cell morphology, migration speed, and movement position were affected by surface coating and physical confinement, which will provide significant insights for in vivo cell migration within a 3D ECM.
Optimal sensor placement for multi‐source AOA localisation with distance‐dependent noise model
Authors: Hamdollahzadeh Mohammad , Amiri Rouhollah , Behnia Fereidoon
Published: January 2019

In this study, the optimal sensor placement problem for multi‐source angle of arrival localisation is investigated. The authors adopt the A‐optimality criterion, maximising the trace of Fisher information matrix, to determine the optimal sensor‐target geometry under distance‐dependent Gaussian noise model. A recursive representation of the Cramer‐Rao lower bound is derived to recast the sensor placement problem into a sequential method, obtaining the optimal sensor geometries in a step by step manner. Note that the state‐of‐the‐art methods are highly sensitive to the source location changes such that they should be relocated by any later changes in target geometries, which is practically impossible in systems with stationary receivers (such as radars). The proposed sequential method can circumvent this drawback by changing only one flexible sensor position rather than the whole geometry of the sensors. Numerical simulations are included to corroborate the theoretical results and determine the cost of such flexibility and robustness on the localisation performance.
Assessment of DBA-L Pressure Vessel Design Method by a Cylindrical Vessel with Hemispherical Ends
Authors: Xincheng Ren , Li Hongjun , Huang Xun
Published: January 2019

Stress categorization is an essential procedure in Design by Analysis (DBA) pressure vessel design methods based on elastic analysis in ASME and EN code. It was difficult to implement especially around structural discontinuities. A new elastic analysis, DBA-L, was proposed recently to avoid stress categorization. A model of the cylindrical pressure vessel with spherical end is used to check the validity of this method by comparing with other design methods based on stress categorization procedures and elastic-plastic stress analysis from ASME and EN code. The results indicate that the DBA-L is an economic and explicit method, and can be used an alternative method to stress categorization.
Review on the Evaluation of Casing Damage Level in Oil and Gas Field
Authors: Zhou Fangcheng , Wang Tao , Ma Changqing , Lei Pengfei , Zhang Xinyi , Ding Qingxin
Published: January 2019

The casing damage is a common problem encountered in the oil and gas field, and the casing damage will cause huge losses to the economic benefits of the oil and gas field. Grading the damage degree of the casing damage well can provide theoretical support for the oilfield workover operation and save the cost of workover. The casing damage classification has a strong guiding significance for the economic evaluation of the casing damage repair and the development of appropriate workover technology. After a review research on domestic and foreigner papers on the study of casing damage classification, it can be found that there is no mature theory and method for casing damage classification. After analyzing the entire workover process, the concept of the damage repair evaluation expert system is proposed to complete the entire workover process, evaluate the cost, and help the oil and gas field to obtain the best benefits.
Experimental Study on the Valve Gap in the Gasoline Engine
Authors: Dong Fan , Lei Chong , Yang Xiao Yu , Wang Shao Feng , Ruan Cong
Published: January 2019

The influences of the installations of the camshaft support, and timing system and the heat release on the valve gap of the gasoline engine were analyzed in the present. The experiments were carried out on 50 4-cylinder 4-stroke gasoline engines, and the results indicate that to tighten the camshaft support has a great impact on valve gap, the indicated mean there was an obvious deformation in cylinder head after the camshaft support was tightened. The timing system also has a significant influence on the valve gap because it produces a downward force to the camshaft, leading to a smaller valve gap near the timing system and a bigger valve gap on the other side. It was also found that with the increase of temperature the valve gap was 0.1 mm larger than that in the normal state.