bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel copy number variation of POMGNT1 associated with muscle-eye-brain disease detected by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Fu Xiaona , Yang Haipo , Jiao Hui , Wang Shuo , Liu Aijie , Li Xiaoqing , Xiao Jiangxi , Yang Yanling , Wu Xiru , Xiong Hui
Published: July 2017

The protein O-mannose beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGNT1) gene is one of 18 genes involved in the pathogenesis of α-dystroglycanopathies(α-DGPs) such as muscle–eye–brain disease (MEB). Our study aimed to retrospectively analyze and characterize the clinical and genetic features of three MEB patients with POMGNT1 mutations. One female and two male patients from three unrelated families were diagnosed with MEB, manifesting hypotonia at birth, mental retardation, structural brain defects, and ocular malformations. The novel missense mutations c.296 T > C and c.794 G > C were revealed in patient 2 and patient 3 respectively by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Further NGS data analysis revealed that all three patients had the same novel copy number variations (CNV) g.6668-8257del, which was homozygous in patient 1 and heterozygous in patients 2 and 3. By long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing, it was shown that the two breakpoints of the CNV localized to two AluY elements and displayed 42-bp of microhomology. The CNV was confirmed as a founder mutation by haplotype analysis. Our study indicated that NGS is a clinically useful method of detecting α-DGPs genes -related CNV, and the CNV is likely to be caused by Alu-Alu recombination or from a single ancestor bearing the deletion chromosome.
CACNA1C polymorphisms Impact Cognitive Recovery in Patients with Bipolar Disorder in a Six-week Open-label Trial
Authors: Lin Kangguang , Xu Guiyun , Shi Lingling , Lu Weicong , Guan Lijie , Ouyang Huiyi , Chen Kun , Dang Yamei , Zhou Libing , So Kwok-Fai
Published: July 2017

Cognitive impairments in bipolar patients deteriorate as the disorder progresses. Little is known about whether genetic risks impact cognitive recovery during the course from depression to remission. In this six-week open-label trial, we shed light on the impacts of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) gene on cognitive recovery in 192 bipolar patients suffering a major depressive episode (MDE). The primary outcome measures were changes in a battery of neuropsychological tests following 6-week treatment. Carriers with rs10466907 GT genotype did not significantly improve their executive function total scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test after six weeks of treatment compared to the TT genotypes (β = −0.944, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = −1.482–−0.405). Moreover, during a MDE carriers with rs58619945 GG and GA genotypes performed significantly worse than those with AA genotype on the categories completed (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001), total errors (p = 0.039 and p = 0.009), and random errors (p = 0.055 and p = 0.014, respectively). Our data suggest that the tested CACNA1C SNPs may have impacts on cognitive recovery from depression.
Characterization and diversity of phages infecting Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida
Authors: Vincent Antony T. , Paquet Valérie E. , Bernatchez Alex , Tremblay Denise M. , Moineau Sylvain , Charette Steve J.
Published: July 2017

Phages infecting Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, the causative agent of the fish disease furunculosis, have been isolated for decades but very few of them have been characterized. Here, the host range of 12 virulent phages, including three isolated in the present study, was evaluated against a panel of 65 A. salmonicida isolates, including representatives of the psychrophilic subspecies salmonicida, smithia, masoucida, and the mesophilic subspecies pectinolytica. This bacterial set also included three isolates from India suspected of being members of a new subspecies. Our results allowed to elucidate a lytic dichotomy based on the lifestyle of A. salmonicida (mesophilic or psychrophilic) and more generally, on phage types (lysotypes) for the subspecies salmonicida. The genomic analyses of the 12 phages from this study with those available in GenBank led us to propose an A. salmonicida phage pan-virome. Our comparative genomic analyses also suggest that some phage genes were under positive selection and A. salmonicida phage genomes having a discrepancy in GC% compared to the host genome encode tRNA genes to likely overpass the bias in codon usage. Finally, we propose a new classification scheme for A. salmonicida phages.
3D reconstruction of laser projective point with projection invariant generated from five points on 2D target
Authors: Xu Guan , Yuan Jing , Li Xiaotao , Su Jian
Published: July 2017

Vision measurement on the basis of structured light plays a significant role in the optical inspection research. The 2D target fixed with a line laser projector is designed to realize the transformations among the world coordinate system, the camera coordinate system and the image coordinate system. The laser projective point and five non-collinear points that are randomly selected from the target are adopted to construct a projection invariant. The closed form solutions of the 3D laser points are solved by the homogeneous linear equations generated from the projection invariants. The optimization function is created by the parameterized re-projection errors of the laser points and the target points in the image coordinate system. Furthermore, the nonlinear optimization solutions of the world coordinates of the projection points, the camera parameters and the lens distortion coefficients are contributed by minimizing the optimization function. The accuracy of the 3D reconstruction is evaluated by comparing the displacements of the reconstructed laser points with the actual displacements. The effects of the image quantity, the lens distortion and the noises are investigated in the experiments, which demonstrate that the reconstruction approach is effective to contribute the accurate test in the measurement system.
Non-peptide guided auto-secretion of recombinant proteins by super-folder green fluorescent protein in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Tang Rongxing , Zhu Dewu , Wang Wenfeng , Yi Li , Ma Lixin
Published: July 2017

Protein secretion in Escherichia coli is usually led by a signal peptide that targets the protein to specific secretory pathways. In this study, we demonstrated that the superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) could be served as a non-signal peptide to guide protein auto-secretion in E. coli. This auto-secretion was characterized as a three-step process through the sub-cellular localization analysis: inner membrane trans-location followed by anchoring at outer membrane, and then being released into culture media. We further determined that the beta-barrel structure and net negative charges of sfGFP played important roles in its auto-extracellular secretion property. Using sfGFP as a carrier, heterologous proteins ranging from peptide to complex protein, including antibacterial peptide PG4, endo-beta-N-acethylglucosamindase H (Endo H), human arginase-1 (ARG1), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) were all successfully expressed and secreted extracellularly when fused to the carboxyl end of sfGFP. Besides facilitating the extracellular secretion, sfGFP fusion proteins can also be correctly folded and formed the active complex protein structure, including the trimetric human ARG1 and homo-hexametric GAD. This is the first report that sfGFP can guide the secretion of recombinant proteins out of the cells from cytoplasm in E. coli without affecting their conformation and function.
Combinatorial metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for efficient mineralization of 1,2,3-trichloropropane
Authors: Gong Ting , Xu Xiaoqing , Che You , Liu Ruihua , Gao Weixia , Zhao Fengjie , Yu Huilei , Liang Jingnan , Xu Ping , Song Cunjiang , Yang Chao
Published: July 2017

An industrial waste, 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), is toxic and extremely recalcitrant to biodegradation. To date, no natural TCP degraders able to mineralize TCP aerobically have been isolated. In this work, we engineered a biosafety Pseudomonas putida strain KT2440 for aerobic mineralization of TCP by implantation of a synthetic biodegradation pathway into the chromosome and further improved TCP mineralization using combinatorial engineering strategies. Initially, a synthetic pathway composed of haloalkane dehalogenase, haloalcohol dehalogenase and epoxide hydrolase was functionally assembled for the conversion of TCP into glycerol in P. putida KT2440. Then, the growth lag-phase of using glycerol as a growth precursor was eliminated by deleting the glpR gene, significantly enhancing the flux of carbon through the pathway. Subsequently, we improved the oxygen sequestering capacity of this strain through the heterologous expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin, which makes this strain able to mineralize TCP under oxygen-limited conditions. Lastly, we further improved intracellular energy charge (ATP/ADP ratio) and reducing power (NADPH/NADP+ ratio) by deleting flagella-related genes in the genome of P. putida KT2440. The resulting strain (named KTU-TGVF) could efficiently utilize TCP as the sole source of carbon for growth. Degradation studies in a bioreactor highlight the value of this engineered strain for TCP bioremediation.
Association of handgrip strength with hospitalization, cardiovascular events, and mortality in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hamasaki Hidetaka , Kawashima Yu , Katsuyama Hisayuki , Sako Akahito , Goto Atsushi , Yanai Hidekatsu
Published: July 2017

Handgrip strength is useful for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. We examined the associations of handgrip strength with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, and hospitalization in patients with type 2 diabetes. From April 2013 to December 2015, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine patients with type 2 diabetes whose handgrip strength was measured at our hospital. All patients were followed up until May 2016. A total of 1,282 patients (63.8 ± 13.9 years) were enrolled and followed up for 2.36 ± 0.73 years. During the follow-up period, 20 patients (1.6%) died, 14 (1.1%) experienced cardiovascular events, and 556 (43.4%) were admitted to our hospital for any diseases. Multiple regression analyses revealed that handgrip strength was favorably associated with abdominal obesity and renal function. Moreover, Cox proportional hazard analyses with adjustment for potential confounding variables revealed that handgrip strength was significantly associated with occurrence of CVD events and hospitalization in all subjects. In addition, handgrip strength was significantly associated with mortality and hospitalization in men and with hospitalization in women. Handgrip strength could be a prognostic indicator for health as well as a diagnostic marker of skeletal muscle mass loss in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improving Urban Stormwater Runoff Quality by Nutrient Removal through Floating Treatment Wetlands and Vegetation Harvest
Authors: Xu Bing , Wang Xue , Liu Jia , Wu Jiaqiang , Zhao Yongjun , Cao Weixing
Published: July 2017

Two floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) in experimental tanks were compared in terms of their effectiveness on removing nutrients. The results showed that the FTWs were dominated by emergent wetland plants and were constructed to remove nutrients from simulated urban stormwater. Iris pseudacorus and Thalia dealbata wetland systems were effective in reducing the nutrient. T. dealbata FTWs showed higher nutrient removal performance than I. pseudacorus FTWs. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) removal rates in water by T. dealbata FTWs were 3.95 ± 0.19 and 0.15 ± 0.01 g/m2/day, respectively. For I. pseudacorus FTWs, the TN and TP removal rates were 3.07 ± 0.15 and 0.14 ± 0.01 g/m2/day, respectively. The maximum absolute growth rate for T. dealbata corresponded directly with the maximum mean nutrient removal efficiency during the 5th stage. At harvest, N and P uptak of T. dealbata was 23.354 ± 1.366 g and 1.489 ± 0.077 g per plant, respectively, approximate twice as high as by I. pseudacorus.
Excitation-dependent fluorescence from atomic/molecular layer deposited sodium-uracil thin films
Authors: Pale Ville , Giedraityte Zivile , Chen Xi , Lopez-Acevedo Olga , Tittonen Ilkka , Karppinen Maarit
Published: July 2017

Atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) offers unique possibilities in the fabrication of inorganic-organic thin films with novel functionalities. Especially, incorporating nucleobases in the thin-film structures could open new avenues in the development of bio-electronic and photonic devices. Here we report an intense blue and widely excitation-dependent fluorescence in the visible region for ALD/MLD fabricated sodium-uracil thin films, where the crystalline network is formed from hydrogen-bonded uracil molecules linked via Na atoms. The excitation-dependent fluorescence is caused by the red-edge excitation shift (REES) effect taking place in the red-edge of the absorption spectrum, where the spectral relaxation occurs in continuous manner as demonstrated by the time-resolved measurements.
Endocannabinoid Modulation of Stimulus-Specific Adaptation in Inferior Colliculus Neurons of the Rat
Authors: Valdés-Baizabal C. , Parras G. G. , Ayala Y. A. , Malmierca M. S.
Published: July 2017

Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are widely distributed in the brain, including the inferior colliculus (IC). Here, we aim to study whether endocannabinoids influence a specific type of neuronal adaptation, namely, stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) found in some IC neurons. SSA is important because it has been found as early as the level of the midbrain and therefore it may be a neuronal correlate of early indices of deviance detection. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated a direct link between SSA and MMN, that is widely used as an outcome measure in a variety of human neurodegenerative disorders. SSA is considered a form of short-term plasticity, and CBRs have been shown to play a role in short-term neural plasticity. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that endocannabinoids may play a role in the generation or modulation of SSA. We recorded single units in the IC under an oddball paradigm stimulation. The results demonstrate that cannabinoid agonists lead to a reduction in the neuronal adaptation. This change is due to a differential increase of the neuronal firing rate to the standard tone alone. Furthermore, we show that the effect is mediated by the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1). Thus, cannabinoid agonists down-modulate SSA in IC neurons.
Improving satellite-based PM2.5 estimates in China using Gaussian processes modeling in a Bayesian hierarchical setting
Authors: Yu Wenxi , Liu Yang , Ma Zongwei , Bi Jun
Published: July 2017

Using satellite-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements and statistical models to estimate ground-level PM2.5 is a promising way to fill the areas that are not covered by ground PM2.5 monitors. The statistical models used in previous studies are primarily Linear Mixed Effects (LME) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models. In this study, we developed a new regression model between PM2.5 and AOD using Gaussian processes in a Bayesian hierarchical setting. Gaussian processes model the stochastic nature of the spatial random effects, where the mean surface and the covariance function is specified. The spatial stochastic process is incorporated under the Bayesian hierarchical framework to explain the variation of PM2.5 concentrations together with other factors, such as AOD, spatial and non-spatial random effects. We evaluate the results of our model and compare them with those of other, conventional statistical models (GWR and LME) by within-sample model fitting and out-of-sample validation (cross validation, CV). The results show that our model possesses a CV result (R2 = 0.81) that reflects higher accuracy than that of GWR and LME (0.74 and 0.48, respectively). Our results indicate that Gaussian process models have the potential to improve the accuracy of satellite-based PM2.5 estimates.
Machine Learning-Assisted Network Inference Approach to Identify a New Class of Genes that Coordinate the Functionality of Cancer Networks
Authors: Ghanat Bari Mehrab , Ung Choong Yong , Zhang Cheng , Zhu Shizhen , Li Hu
Published: July 2017

Emerging evidence indicates the existence of a new class of cancer genes that act as “signal linkers” coordinating oncogenic signals between mutated and differentially expressed genes. While frequently mutated oncogenes and differentially expressed genes, which we term Class I cancer genes, are readily detected by most analytical tools, the new class of cancer-related genes, i.e., Class II, escape detection because they are neither mutated nor differentially expressed. Given this hypothesis, we developed a Machine Learning-Assisted Network Inference (MALANI) algorithm, which assesses all genes regardless of expression or mutational status in the context of cancer etiology. We used 8807 expression arrays, corresponding to 9 cancer types, to build more than 2 × 108 Support Vector Machine (SVM) models for reconstructing a cancer network. We found that ~3% of ~19,000 not differentially expressed genes are Class II cancer gene candidates. Some Class II genes that we found, such as SLC19A1 and ATAD3B, have been recently reported to associate with cancer outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first study that utilizes both machine learning and network biology approaches to uncover Class II cancer genes in coordinating functionality in cancer networks and will illuminate our understanding of how genes are modulated in a tissue-specific network contribute to tumorigenesis and therapy development.
HPV prevalence in the foreskins of asymptomatic healthy infants and children: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Bora , Lee Sang Wook , Kim Dae In , Kim Jae Heon
Published: July 2017

The true HPV prevalence in the foreskins of infants and children has been little documented, but reporting on this prevalence is of great importance given its impact on the rationale for treating asymptomatic boys. We searched multiple databases from 1960 to 2016 for observational or prospective studies that reported on HPV prevalence in foreskins. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to pool for HPV prevalence in the foreskins of infants and children. Eight studies, with a total of 556 infants and children with phimosis, were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled overall prevalence of general HPV, high-risk HPV, low-risk HPV, HPV 16/18, HPV 16, and HPV 18 were 17.3 (95%CI: 0.8–46.3), 12.1 (95% CI: 0.9–31.5), 2.4 (95% CI: 0.0–11.2), 4.8 (95% CI: 0.0–16.8), 1.7 (95% CI: 0.0–5.1), and 0 (95% CI: 0–0.5), respectively. The estimated HPV prevalence in foreskins was not zero among infants and children, which implies HPV transmission other than by sexual contact. Considering that high-risk HPV is detected in asymptomatic infants and children, future studies are warranted to determine whether preventive treatments in asymptomatic infants and children could be effective in preventing persistence or transmission of high-risk HPV.
Removal of Copper (II) by Biochar Mediated by Dissolved Organic Matter
Authors: He Pinjing , Yu Qinfang , Zhang Hua , Shao Liming , Lü Fan
Published: July 2017

The effects of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on Cu2+ adsorption on biochar were investigated, with mechanisms confirmed by excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. HA loading enhanced Cu2+ adsorption on biochar, with the maximum enhancement of 55.0% occurring at an HA loading of 100 mg-C/L. The adsorbed HA introduced many additional functional groups to biochar, thus enhancing Cu2+ adsorption, which decreased at HA concentrations >100 mg-C/L due to self-association of HA at high loading concentrations. In contrast, FA loading caused no enhancement on Cu2+ adsorption on biochar. FA was adsorbed through H-bonding with the functional groups of biochar, which set up a competition with Cu2+ for adsorption on biochar. The functional groups occupied by adsorbed FA were offset by the newly introduced functional groups of FA, thus there was no net increase in the amount of Cu2+ adsorption upon FA loading. These findings imply that, because of the enhanced adsorption of HA-loaded biochar, the amount of Cu2+ immobilized would increase by 28.2% for mature compost and 31.9% for fresh compost if there exist interaction between biochar and HA compared with the amounts immobilized by non-interactive HA and biochar.
Assessment of imprinting- and genetic variation-dependent monoallelic expression using reciprocal allele descendants between human family trios
Authors: Chuang Trees-Juen , Tseng Yu-Hsiang , Chen Chia-Ying , Wang Yi-Da
Published: July 2017

Genomic imprinting is an important epigenetic process that silences one of the parentally-inherited alleles of a gene and thereby exhibits allelic-specific expression (ASE). Detection of human imprinting events is hampered by the infeasibility of the reciprocal mating system in humans and the removal of ASE events arising from non-imprinting factors. Here, we describe a pipeline with the pattern of reciprocal allele descendants (RADs) through genotyping and transcriptome sequencing data across independent parent-offspring trios to discriminate between varied types of ASE (e.g., imprinting, genetic variation-dependent ASE, and random monoallelic expression (RME)). We show that the vast majority of ASE events are due to sequence-dependent genetic variant, which are evolutionarily conserved and may themselves play a cis-regulatory role. Particularly, 74% of non-RAD ASE events, even though they exhibit ASE biases toward the same parentally-inherited allele across different individuals, are derived from genetic variation but not imprinting. We further show that the RME effect may affect the effectiveness of the population-based method for detecting imprinting events and our pipeline can help to distinguish between these two ASE types. Taken together, this study provides a good indicator for categorization of different types of ASE, opening up this widespread and complex mechanism for comprehensive characterization.
Polymeric hydrophilic ionic liquids used to modify magnetic nanoparticles for the highly selective enrichment of N-linked glycopeptides
Authors: Jiao Fenglong , Gao Fangyuan , Wang Heping , Deng Yulin , Zhang Yangjun , Qian Xiaohong , Zhang Yukui
Published: July 2017

The low abundance of glycopeptides in biological samples makes it necessary to enrich them before further analysis. In this study, the polymeric hydrophilic ionic liquid-modified magnetic (Fe3O4@MPS@PMAC) nanoparticles were synthesized via a one-step reflux-precipitation polymerization. Owing to the excellent hydrophilicity and strong electrostatic interaction toward glycopeptides of the polymerized hydrophilic ionic liquid, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAC), the synthesized Fe3O4@MPS@PMAC nanoparticles exhibited outstanding performance in glycopeptide enrichment with high detection sensitivity (10 fmol), large binding capacity (100 μg mg−1) and satisfied enrichment recovery (approximately 82%). Furthermore, the newly developed Fe3O4@MPS@PMAC nanoparticles were applied for the glycopeptide enrichment of HeLa exosome proteins. A total of 1274 glycopeptides from 536 glycoproteins were identified in three replicate analyses of 50 μg of HeLa exosome proteins. These results demonstrate the potential of Fe3O4@MPS@PMAC nanoparticles for both glycoproteomic analysis and exosome research.
A facile method of transforming FGD gypsum to α-CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and KCl in glycerol-water solution
Authors: Guan Qingjun , Sun Wei , Hu Yuehua , Yin Zhigang , Guan Changping
Published: July 2017

A facile method to transform flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) to α- calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH) whiskers with high aspect ratios mediated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and KCl in glycerol-water solutions was studied. Addition of KCl facilitated the dissolution of calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH) and created a much higher supersaturation, which could come into being a larger driving force for the phase transformation from DH to α-HH. CTAB as the crystal modifier can significantly promoted 1-D growth of α-HH whiskers along the c axis and the presence of 0.25% CTAB (by weight of FGD gypsum) resulted in the increase of the average aspect ratio of α-HH whiskers from 28.9 to 188.4, which might be attributed to the preferential adsorption of C16H33(CH3)3N+ on the negative side facets of α-HH crystal.
Pediatric Sarcoma Data Forms a Unique Cluster Measured via the Earth Mover’s Distance
Authors: Chen Yongxin , Cruz Filemon Dela , Sandhu Romeil , Kung Andrew L. , Mundi Prabhjot , Deasy Joseph O. , Tannenbaum Allen
Published: July 2017

In this note, we combined pediatric sarcoma data from Columbia University with adult sarcoma data collected from TCGA, in order to see if one can automatically discern a unique pediatric cluster in the combined data set. Using a novel clustering pipeline based on optimal transport theory, this turned out to be the case. The overall methodology may find uses for the classification of data from other biological networking problems.
Fabrication of a protein microarray by fluorous-fluorous interactions
Authors: Li Ben-Yuan , Juang Duane S. , Adak Avijit K. , Hwang Kuo-Chu , Lin Chun-Cheng
Published: July 2017

Fluorous-modified surfaces have emerged as a powerful tool for the immobilization of fluorous-tagged biomolecules based on their specificity and the strength of fluorous-fluorous interactions. To fabricate a fluorous-based protein microarray, we designed two strategies for site-specific modification of proteins with a fluorous tag: attaching the fluorous tag to the C-termini of expressed proteins by native chemical ligation (NCL) or to the Fc domain of antibodies through boronic acid (BA)-diol interactions. The perfluoro-tagged proteins could be easily purified by fluorous-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and immobilized on a fluorous chip with minimal non-specific adsorption. Importantly, proteins immobilized on the solid support through non-covalent fluorous-fluorous interactions were sufficiently stable to withstand continuous washing. We believe that this fluorous-fluorous immobilization strategy will be a highly valuable tool in protein microarray fabrication.
Hyperbolic-polaritons-enabled dark-field lens for sensitive detection
Authors: Shen Lian , Wang Huaping , Li Rujiang , Xu Zhiwei , Chen Hongsheng
Published: July 2017

Sensitive detection of features in a nanostructure may sometimes be puzzled in the presence of significant background noise. In this regard, background suppression and super-resolution are substantively important for detecting weakly scattering nanoscale features. Here, we present a lens design, termed hyperbolic-polaritons-enabled dark-field lens (HPEDL), which has the ability to accomplish straightforward sensitive detection. This HPEDL structure consists of type I and type II hyperbolic media that support high-k field waves via hyperbolic polaritons (HPs). We show that the cone-like characteristics of the HPs could be manipulated while the influence of the low-k field waves would be removed. Numerical simulations demonstrate that this proposed structure can successfully realize straightforward sensitive detection by modifying its thickness under the phase compensation condition. Besides, the minimum resolvable length and angular-dependent performance for sensitive detection are also demonstrated by simulations. Remarkably, these findings are very promising for propelling nanophotonics technologies and constitute a further important step towards practical applications of optical microscopy.
All-laser-micromachining of ridge waveguides in LiNbO3 crystal for mid-infrared band applications
Authors: Li Lingqi , Nie Weijie , Li Ziqi , Lu Qingming , Romero Carolina , Vázquez de Aldana Javier R. , Chen Feng
Published: July 2017

The femtosecond laser micromachining of transparent optical materials offers a powerful and feasible solution to fabricate versatile photonic components towards diverse applications. In this work, we report on a new design and fabrication of ridge waveguides in LiNbO3 crystal operating at the mid-infrared (MIR) band by all-femtosecond-laser microfabrication. The ridges consist of laser-ablated sidewalls and laser-written bottom low-index cladding tracks, which are constructed for horizontal and longitudinal light confinement, respectively. The ridge waveguides are found to support good guidance at wavelength of 4 μm. By applying this configuration, Y-branch waveguiding structures (1 × 2 beam splitters) have been produced, which reach splitting ratios of ∼1:1 at 4 μm. This work paves a simple and feasible way to construct novel ridge waveguide devices in dielectrics through all-femtosecond-laser micro-processing.
Structural and functional identification of vasculogenic mimicry in vitro
Authors: Racordon Dusan , Valdivia Andrés , Mingo Gabriel , Erices Rafaela , Aravena Raúl , Santoro Felice , Bravo Maria Loreto , Ramirez Carolina , Gonzalez Pamela , Sandoval Alejandra , González Alfonso , Retamal Claudio , Kogan Marcelo J. , Kato Sumie , Cuello Mauricio A. , Osorio German , Nualart Francisco , Alvares Pedro , Gago-Arias Araceli , Fabri Daniella , Espinoza Ignacio , Sanchez Beatriz , Corvalán Alejandro H. , Pinto Mauricio P. , Owen Gareth I.
Published: July 2017

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) describes a process by which cancer cells establish an alternative perfusion pathway in an endothelial cell-free manner. Despite its strong correlation with reduced patient survival, controversy still surrounds the existence of an in vitro model of VM. Furthermore, many studies that claim to demonstrate VM fail to provide solid evidence of true hollow channels, raising concerns as to whether actual VM is actually being examined. Herein, we provide a standardized in vitro assay that recreates the formation of functional hollow channels using ovarian cancer cell lines, cancer spheres and primary cultures derived from ovarian cancer ascites. X-ray microtomography 3D-reconstruction, fluorescence confocal microscopy and dye microinjection conclusively confirm the existence of functional glycoprotein-rich lined tubular structures in vitro and demonstrate that many of structures reported in the literature may not represent VM. This assay may be useful to design and test future VM-blocking anticancer therapies.
The phenotypic variability of HK1-associated retinal dystrophy
Authors: Yuan Zhisheng , Li Baiyu , Xu Mingchu , Chang Emmanuel Y. , Li Huajin , Yang Lizhu , Wu Shijing , Soens Zachry T. , Li Yumei , Wong Lee-Jun C. , Lewis Richard A. , Sui Ruifang , Chen Rui
Published: July 2017

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of Mendelian disorders primarily affecting photoreceptor cells. The same IRD-causing variant may lead to different retinal symptoms, demonstrating pleiotropic phenotype traits influenced by both underlying genetic and environmental factors. In the present study, we identified four unrelated IRD families with the HK1 p.E851K variant, which was previously reported to cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and described their detailed clinical phenotypes. Interestingly, we found that in addition to RP, this particular variant can also cause dominant macular dystrophy and cone-rod dystrophy, which primarily affect cone photoreceptors instead of rods. Our results identified pleiotropic effects for an IRD-causing variant and provide more insights into the involvement of a hexokinase in retinal pathogenesis.
CVD graphene as an electrochemical sensing platform for simultaneous detection of biomolecules
Authors: Wang Xiaodan , Gao Delan , Li Mingji , Li Hongji , Li Cuiping , Wu Xiaoguo , Yang Baohe
Published: July 2017

The development of electrochemical biosensors for the simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), tryptophan (Trp), and nitrite ($${{\rm{NO}}}_{2}^{-}$$NO2−) in human serum is reported in this work. Free-standing graphene nanosheets were fabricated on Ta wire using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. CVD graphene, which here served as a sensing platform, provided a highly sensitive and selective option, with detection limits of AA, DA, UA, Trp, and$${{\rm{NO}}}_{2}^{-}$$NO2−of 1.58, 0.06, 0.09, 0.10, and 6.45 μM (S/N = 3), respectively. The high selectivity of the electrode is here explained by a relationship between the bandgap energy of analyte and the Fermi level of graphene. The high sensitivity in the oxidation current was determined by analyzing the influence of the high surface area and chemical structure of free-standing graphene nanosheets on analyte adsorption capacity. This finding strongly indicates that the CVD graphene electrode can be used as a biosensor to detect five analytes in human serum.
Performance measurement of intraoperative systolic arterial pressure to predict in-hospital mortality in adult liver transplantation
Authors: Lee Hyung-Chul , Ryu Ho-Geol , Jung Chul-Woo
Published: July 2017

Profound hypotension during liver transplantation is aggressively treated with vasopressors thus frequently unrevealed in a retrospective study. The relationship between concealed intraoperative hypotension and in-hospital mortality after liver transplantation was evaluated using performance measurement (PM) of systolic arterial pressure (SAP). Median performance error (MDPE), median absolute performance error (MDAPE), and wobble of SAP were calculated using preoperative SAP as the reference value, and prereperfusion and postreperfusion SAPs as measured values. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using 6 PM parameters and 36 traditional SAP-derived parameters to predict in-hospital mortality. In-hospital mortality was 3.9% (22/569 cases). Prereperfusion MDAPE and postreperfusion wobble were the only significant SAP-derived predictors of in-hospital mortality. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of prediction model was 0.769 (95% confidence interval 0.732–0.803, P < 0.001; sensitivity = 55%, specificity = 94%). Severe hypotension during liver transplantation is concealed by proactive vasopressor treatment thus traditional measures of hypotension generally fail to detect the masked hypotension in retrospective analysis. PM analysis of intraoperative SAP including prereperfusion MDAPE and postreperfusion wobble is most likely to detect treated and therefore concealed hypotension, and was able to independently and quantitatively predict in-hospital mortality after liver transplantation with high diagnostic specificity.
Selection of reference genes for expression analysis using RT-qPCR in the dissemination system of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3 h (HvAV-3h)
Authors: Chen Zi-Shu , Han Ning-Ning , Li Jian-Hong , Huang Guo-Hua , Wan Hu
Published: July 2017

Ascoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that mainly infect noctuid larvae, and are transmitted by the parasitoid wasp Microplitis similis Lyle. Ascovirus-parasitoids wasp-noctuid insects constitute the dissemination system. Selection of suitable reference genes for the dissemination system could play an important role in elucidating the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of ascovirus. Unfortunately, such studies on potential reference genes in the dissemination system of ascoviruses are lacking. In the present study, we evaluated 11 candidate reference genes: β-actin1 (ACT1), β-actin2 (ACT2), elongation factor 1 (EF1), elongation factor 2 (EF2), ribosomal protein L10 (L10), ribosomal protein L17A (L17A), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 28S ribosome (28S), Tubulin (TUB) and 18S ribosome (18S). The samples were originally from various virus concentrations and points-in-time of experimental treatments using RefFinder and four algorithms. The results showed that EF1 was the most stable internal gene in S. exigua and M. similis and that EF2 was the most stable in the IOZCAS-Spex-II-A cell line, and the stability of reference genes were confirmed via the expression levels of two inhibitor of apoptosis-like (iap-like) genes from Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3 h (HvAV-3h). This study provides a crucial basis for future research that explores the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ascoviruses.
Quantifying Crustal Thickness in Continental Collisional Belts: Global Perspective and a Geologic Application
Authors: Hu Fangyang , Ducea Mihai N. , Liu Shuwen , Chapman James B.
Published: July 2017

We present compiled geochemical data of young (mostly Pliocene-present) intermediate magmatic rocks from continental collisional belts and correlations between their whole-rock Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and modern crustal thickness. These correlations, which are similar to those obtained from subduction-related magmatic arcs, confirm that geochemistry can be used to track changes of crustal thickness changes in ancient collisional belts. Using these results, we investigate temporal variations of crustal thickness in the Qinling Orogenic Belt in mainland China. Our results suggest that crustal thickness remained constant in the North Qinling Belt (~45–55 km) during the Triassic to Jurassic but fluctuates in the South Qinling Belt, corresponding to independently determined tectonic changes. In the South Qinling Belt, crustal thickening began at ~240 Ma and culminated with 60–70-km-thick crust at ~215 Ma. Then crustal thickness decreased to ~45 km at ~200 Ma and remained the same to the present. We propose that coupled use of Sr/Y and La/Yb is a feasible method for reconstructing crustal thickness through time in continental collisional belts. The combination of the empirical relationship in this study with that from subduction-related arcs can provide the crustal thickness evolution of an orogen from oceanic subduction to continental collision.
Estrone biodegradation in laboratory-scale systems designed for total nitrogen removal from wastewater
Authors: Peterson Kira N. , Tan David T. , Bezares-Cruz Juan C. , Novak Paige J.
Published: July 2017

Effective estrone biodegradation occurred under anammox conditions, suggesting that low-energy nitrogen removal processes can also effectively remove estrone.
Rapid identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Dioscorea opposita Thunb peel extract by enzyme functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles coupled with HPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Songsong , Wu Dandan , Li Huan , Zhu Jinhua , Hu Weiping , Lu Minghua , Liu Xiuhua
Published: July 2017

Two α-glucosidase inhibitors identified as 2,4-dimethoxy-6,7-dihydroxyphenanthrene and batatasin I were conveniently extracted from Dioscorea opposita Thunb peel extract using αG-MNPs.
Synthesis and molecular docking studies of xanthone attached amino acids as potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents
Authors: Chen Xing , Leng Jing , Rakesh K. P. , Darshini N. , Shubhavathi T. , Vivek H. K. , Mallesha N. , Qin Hua-Li
Published: July 2017

A series of novel xanthone conjugated amino acids were synthesised and characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods.
Superior acidic catalytic activity and stability of Fe-doped HTaWO6 nanotubes
Authors: Liu He , Zhang Haitao , Fei Linfeng , Ma Hongbin , Zhao Guoying , Mak CheeLeung , Zhang Xixiang , Zhang Suojiang
Published: July 2017

This paper provides a facile approach to obtain Fe-doped HTaWO6 nanotubes with superior acidic catalytic activity and thermal stability.
Static and dynamic hidden symmetries of icosahedral viral capsids
Authors: Rochal Sergey B. , Konevtsova Olga V. , Lorman Vladimir L.
Published: July 2017

Relationship between two types of hidden symmetries in icosahedral viral capsids.
Side-by-side observation of the interfacial improvement of vertical graphene-coated silicon nanocone anodes for lithium-ion batteries by patterning technology
Authors: Wang Chao , Luo Fei , Lu Hao , Liu Bonan , Chu Geng , Quan Baogang , Li Junjie , Gu Changzhi , Li Hong , Chen Liquan
Published: July 2017

The patterning technology is innovatively employed for demonstrating the influence of vertical graphene coating on silicon nanocone anodes.
Single wearable sensing energy device based on photoelectric biofuel cells for simultaneous analysis of perspiration and illuminance
Authors: Yu You , Zhai Junfeng , Xia Yong , Dong Shaojun
Published: July 2017

Wearable electronics are essential for the construction of epidermal energy supply and portable healthcare devices.
Fullerenol nanoparticles suppress RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting differentiation and maturation
Authors: Geng Huan , Chang Ya-Nan , Bai Xue , Liu Shuitao , Yuan Qing , Gu Weihong , Li Juan , Chen Kui , Xing Gengyan , Xing Gengmei
Published: July 2017

Fullerenol nanoparticles cross the cellular membrane, and inhibit osteoclastic differentiation of BMMs and blockage of fusion of pre-osteoclasts into osteoclasts.
Novel inorganic perovskite quantum dots for photocatalysis
Authors: Gao Ge , Xi Qiaoyue , Zhou Hua , Zhao Yongxia , Wu Cunqi , Wang Lidan , Guo Pengran , Xu Jingwei
Published: July 2017

Uniform CsPbX3 quantum dots were synthesized via an emulsion fabrication and demulsion method at room temperature. The as-prepared CsPbX3 QDs exhibit high synthetic yield and highly uniform morphology, as well as excellent photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of MO.
Enhancing the free corrosion dealloying rate with a catalytically driven reaction
Authors: Deng Ziling , Detsi Eric
Published: July 2017

Dealloying of a Ag–Al alloy by free corrosion is significantly faster when the alloy is supported on a Pt foil catalyst than when it is unsupported.
“The phactalysts”: carbon nanotube/TiO2composites as phototropic actuators for wireless remote triggering of chemical reactions and catalysis
Authors: Vassalini Irene , Alessandri Ivano
Published: July 2017

A new concept of a reconfigurable smart catalyst was developed from the synergistic combination of polycarbonate/carbon nanotube bimorph photoactuators and TiO2.
Amphiphilic dendrons with a pyrene functional group at the focal point: synthesis, self-assembly and generation-dependent DNA condensation
Authors: Han Yi , Zhu Bo , Chen Ying , Bo Zhishan , Chen Yulan
Published: July 2017

Dendritic amphiphiles with a dual-functional pyrene as a fluorescent probe and hydrophobe at the focal point exhibited generation-dependent self-assembly and DNA condensation.
Phase transformations of vanadium recovery from refractory stone coal by novel NaOH molten roasting and water leaching technology
Authors: Cai Zhenlei , Zhang Yimin
Published: July 2017

Phase transformations of vanadium-containing muscovite from refractory stone coal was revealed during novel NaOH molten roasting and water leaching process.
Fabrication of In2O3/ZnO@Ag nanowire ternary composites with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Liu Hairui , Hu Chunjie , Zhai Haifa , Yang Jien , Liu Xuguang , Jia Husheng
Published: July 2017

Well-dispersed In2O3/ZnO nanoparticles covered Ag nanowires ternary component was synthesized by a facile co-precipitation process and exhibited excellent visible light photocatalytic performance.
Influence of molecular interplay on the HPAM/UR rheological properties in an aqueous solution
Authors: Cai Shuwei , Zhao Hongguo , Li Tianxiang , He Xianru , Wang Xin , Rodrigues Alisson M. , Zhang Rui
Published: July 2017

Herein, the interaction between partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and urea (UR) in an aqueous solution was characterizedviadifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and two-dimension correlation spectra (2DCOS).
Theoretical study on the reaction of triallyl isocyanurate in the UV radiation cross-linking of polyethylene
Authors: Zhao Hong , Chen Junqi , Zhang Hui , Shang Yan , Wang Xuan , Han Baozhong , Li Zesheng
Published: July 2017

Herein, a theoretical investigation on the reaction potential energy surface information of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) in the UV radiation cross-linking process of polyethylene is conducted at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level for the production of high voltage cable insulation materials.
Optical-signal-enhancing metasurface platforms for fluorescent molecules at water-transparent near-infrared wavelengths
Authors: Kurosawa Hiroyuki , Iwanaga Masanobu
Published: July 2017

We report efficient sensing platforms to obtain artificially enhanced optical signals from near-infrared fluorescent molecules with emitting wavelengths in 1.1 μm range. Prominent enhancement was experimentally achieved.
Improved electromechanical properties of brominated butyl rubber filled with modified barium titanate
Authors: Ruan Mengnan , Yang Dan , Guo Wenli , Huang Shuo , Wu Yibo , Wang Hao , Wang Huaming , Zhang Liqun
Published: July 2017

Barium titanate (BT) particles, BT-KH570 particles, and polar plasticizer tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) were added into BIIR matrix to form a dielectric elastomer composite, which had a high dielectric constant, good mechanical properties, and large actuated strain.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with gold nanorods for the simultaneous quantification of nitramine energetic materials
Authors: Guven Burcu , Eryilmaz Merve , Üzer Ayşem , Boyaci Ismail Hakki , Tamer Uğur , Apak Reşat
Published: July 2017

A nanosensing method based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy was proposed for simultaneous quantification of nitramine compounds, HMX and RDX.
Superhydrophobic surfaces with fluorinated cellulose nanofiber assemblies for oil–water separation
Authors: Bashar M. Mahbubul , Zhu Huie , Yamamoto Shunsuke , Mitsuishi Masaya
Published: July 2017

Fluorinated cellulose nanofiber assemblies exhibit high oil–water separation efficiency and recyclability (at least 50 times) for practical applications.
Xylitol based phase selective organogelators for potential oil spillage recovery
Authors: Kesava Raju Chinthalapati Siva , Pramanik Bhaskar , Ravishankar Raman , Chalapathi Rao Peddy Venkat , Sriganesh Gandham
Published: July 2017

Xylitol based cost effective and easily synthesizable phase selective gelators were developed for strong gelation ability for different crude oils, wide range of refinery products and reported for their potential application in oil spillage recovery.
Preparation of Janus nanoparticles from block copolymer thin films using triazolinedione chemistry
Authors: Poggi Elio , Ouvry Wolfgang , Ernould Bruno , Bourgeois Jean-Pierre , Chattopadhyay Subrata , Du Prez Filip , Gohy J.-F.
Published: July 2017

A nanostructured thin film obtained from a polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer was used as a template to produce Janus-type nanoparticles via triazolinedione-ene click chemistry.
Epoxidation of 1-octene under harsh tail-end conditions in a flow reactor I: a comparative study of crystallinevs.amorphous catalysts
Authors: Aigner Martina , Grosso-Giordano Nicolás Andrés , Okrut Alexander , Zones Stacey , Katz Alexander
Published: July 2017

The crystalline Ti-UCB-4 epoxidation catalyst is more active, selective, and stable than the amorphous Ti–SiO2.