bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion by Select Antioxidants in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells
Authors: Haas Michael J. , Jurado-Flores Marilu , Hammoud Ramadan , Feng Victoria , Gonzales Krista , Onstead-Haas Luisa , D Mooradian Arshag
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Inflammatory and oxidative stress in endothelial cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of premature atherosclerosis in diabetes. To determine whether high-dextrose concentrations induce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were exposed to either 5.5 or 27.5 mM dextrose for 24-hours and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) levels were measured by enzyme immunoassays. To determine the effect of antioxidants on inflammatory cytokine secretion, cells were also treated with α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and the glutathione peroxidase mimetic ebselen. Only the concentration of IL-1β in culture media from cells exposed to 27.5 mM dextrose increased relative to cells maintained in 5.5 mM dextrose. Treatment with α-tocopherol (10, 100, and 1,000 μM) and ascorbic acid (15, 150, and 1,500 μM) at the same time that the dextrose was added reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in culture media from cells maintained at 5.5 mM dextrose but had no effect on IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in cells exposed to 27.5 mM dextrose. However, ebselen treatment reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in cells maintained in either 5.5 or 27.5 mM dextrose. IL-2 and TNF α concentrations in culture media were below the limit of detection under all experimental conditions studied suggesting that these cells may not synthesize detectable quantities of these cytokines. These results suggest that dextrose at certain concentrations may increase IL-1β levels and that antioxidants have differential effects on suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HCAEC.
Powders with small microparticle size from Hedera	helix and Scrophularia nodosa exhibited high	preventive antioxidant activity against H2O2-induced	oxidative stress in mouse primary spleen cells
Authors: Soualeh Nidhal , Stiévenard Aliçia , Baudelaire Elie , Bouayed Jaouad , Soulimani Rachid
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of powder particle size on the cytoprotective and antioxidant activity of Hedera helix (HH) and Scrophularia nodosa (SN), two medicinal plants more commonly known as ivy and figwort, against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in mouse primary spleen cells. Thus, the preventive effects of powders of 3 different granulometric classes (50–100 μm, 100–180 μm and 180–315 μm) and those of the hydroethanolic (HE) extract from HH and SN on oxidative stress were compared by monitoring reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and the activity of enzymatic antioxidants including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results showed that pretreatment with the 3 fine powders from both plants generally offered to H2O2-exposed spleen cells, a protection against oxidative stress, highlighted by a significant decrease of both ROS formation and the level of MDA ( p < 0.001), and a significant increase of GPx activity ( p < 0.05). The two superfine powders (i.e. 50–100 μm and 100–180 μm), at 250 μg/mL, were more effective in modulating all oxidative stress markers studied than both HE extracts ( p < 0.01), and the powder with the highest particular size (i.e., 180–315 μm) ( p < 0.01). Compared to untreated cells, our results suggest that pretreatment with powders, in particular the superfine fractions, has relatively restored the levels of antioxidant-related enzymes including GPx, CAT and SOD. In summary, our results suggest differential effects between the 3 different fine powders studied, with the best cytoprotective and antioxidant activities being in favor of the superfine powders.
Flaxseed supplementation improves anthropometric measurements, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight and obese adults
Authors: Yari Zahra , Rahimlou Mehran , Poustchi Hossein , Hekmatdoost Azita
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with flaxseed on anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight and obese adults.

Methods: Fifty overweight and obese adults with body mass index (BMI) of 30.72 ± 3.31 kg/m2participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to take lifestyle advice or lifestyle advice plus 30 g/day milled flaxseed for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was body weight; secondary outcomes included other anthropometric parameters, lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers.

Results: At the end of the study, the following significant mean differences were seen in flaxseed and control groups, respectively: weight [−9.36 vs. −3.09 kg; P < 0.001], BMI [−3.34 vs. −1.2 kg/m2; P < 0.001], triglycerides [−62.88 vs. −9.85 mg/dL; P < 0.001], total cholesterol [−32.2 vs. −14.95 mg/dL; P = 0.04], homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) [1.25 vs. −0.32; P = 0.024], high sensitive- C reactive protein [−2.2 vs. −1.01 mmol/L; P < 0.001] and tumor necrosis factor-α [−1.34 vs. −0.14 pg/mL; P = 0.005].

Conclusion: These results suggest that flaxseed supplementation in addition to lifestyle modification is significantly superior to lifestyle modification alone for weight loss. More studies with different dosages of flaxseed are needed to find the optimal dosage. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02410668.
Pyrolytic Gaseous Hydrocarbon Generation and the Kinetics of Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Representative Model Compounds With Different Chemical Structures
Authors: Lu Shuangfang , Li Jijun , Xue Haitao , Chen Fangwen , Xu Qingxia , Wang Min , Li Wenbiao , Pang Xiaoting
Published: March 2019

Five model compounds with representative chemical structures were selected for use in simulation experiments of pyrolytic gas production. The gas production and isotopic fractionation characteristics were observed and analyzed. Then, the factors affecting carbon isotope fractionation during natural gas generation were discussed, and a fractionation model was established and calibrated. We concluded that the final hydrocarbon gas (C1–5) yield of octadecane, octadecylamine, octadecanoic acid, decahydronaphthalene, and 9‐phenylanthracene decreased in turn with the effective hydrogen content. Compared with linear alkanes or alkyl compounds, cycloalkanes have higher thermal stability and generate gas later. The variation in the carbon isotopic composition of natural gas is primarily controlled by the following three factors: (a) the thermal evolution of organic matter results in a gradually heavier isotopic composition for the main gas production stage. (b) Gas inherits the isotopic composition of its parent material, and this effect is evident when the chemical structure and gas generation mechanism between parent materials are similar. (c) The structure of organic matter determines the reaction mechanism of gas generation, which has a significant influence on the range and trend of carbon isotope fractionation in the process of methane generation. An improved chemical kinetic model can accurately characterize carbon isotope fractionation during gas generation.
Indigenous Organic‐Oxidized Fluid Interactions in the Tissint Mars Meteorite
Authors: Jaramillo Elizabeth A. , Royle Samuel H. , Claire Mark W. , Kounaves Samuel P. , Sephton Mark A.
Published: March 2019

The observed fall and rapid recovery of the Tissint Mars meteorite has provided minimally contaminated samples of the Martian surface. We report analyses of Tissint for organic compounds by pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and for soluble salts by ion chromatography. Pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis shows the presence of organic compounds similar to those in the Mars EETA79001 and Nakhla meteorites. The organic profile is dominated by aromatic hydrocarbons, including oxygen and nitrogen‐containing aromatics, and sulfur‐containing species including thiophenes. The soluble salts in Tissint are dominated by sulfate and various oxidation states of chlorine, including perchlorate. The organic compounds and salts in the soils from the Tissint recovery strewn field differ significantly from those found in Tissint suggesting minimal terrestrial contamination. Our results support the hypothesis that the soluble inorganic components of Tissint are most likely a result of indigenous fluid inclusion, thus providing a glimpse into the composition of early Martian fluids.
Global Energy Dynamics During Substorms on 9 March 2008 and 26 February 2008 Using Satellite Observations and the WINDMI Model
Authors: Spencer E. , Srinivas P. , Vadepu S. K.
Published: March 2019

We analyze three substorms that occur on (1) 9 March 2008 05:14 UT, (2) 26 February 2008 04:05 UT, and (3) 26 February 2008 04:55 UT. Using ACE solar wind velocity and interplanetary magnetic field Bz values, we calculate the rectified (southward Bz) solar wind voltage propagated to the magnetosphere. The solar wind conditions for the two events were vastly different, 300 kV for 9 March 2008 substorm, compared to 50 kV for 26 February 2008. The voltage is input to a nonlinear physics‐based model of the magnetosphere called WINDMI. The output is the westward auroral electrojet current which is proportional to the auroral electrojet (AL) index from World Data Center for Geomagnetism Kyoto and the SuperMAG auroral electrojet index (SML). Substorm onset times are obtained from the superMAG substorm database, Pu et al. (2010, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JA014217), Lui (2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JA016078) and synchronized to Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellite data. The timing of onset, model parameters, and intermediate state space variables are analyzed. The model onsets occurred about 5 to 10 min earlier than the reported onsets. Onsets occurred when the geotail current in the WINDMI model reached a critical threshold of 6.2 MA for the 9 March 2008 event, while, in contrast, a critical threshold of 2.1 MA was obtained for the two 26 February 2008 events. The model estimates 1.99 PJ of total energy transfer during the 9 March 2008 event, with 0.95 PJ deposited in the ionosphere. The smaller events on 26 February 2008 resulted in a total energy transfer of 0.37 PJ according to the model, with 0.095 PJ deposited in the ionosphere.
Observation of Electron Density Depletion Due to Maneuver Operation of H‐II Transfer Vehicle
Authors: Okumura T. , Tsujita D. , Tani H. , Daimon Y. , Kobayashi Y. , Nagata T. , Kasai T. , Ohkawa Y. , Okamoto H.
Published: March 2019

The plasma sensor on the sixth H‐II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) measured the depletion of electron density during some maneuver operations for attitude or altitude control. In this paper, we first discuss the on‐orbit observation of electron density depletion during the entire lifetime of the HTV. On‐orbit data showed that both altitude and attitude control maneuvers caused the depletion effect. The geocentric coordinates and universal time were also shown to confirm the depletion effect around the HTV by using other techniques, such as total electron content based on the Global Navigation Satellite System network. In the latter part of the paper, we discuss the cause of the depletion effect based on past literature. To analyze the interaction between thruster plume gas and ionospheric plasma, computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted to analyze the number density distribution of molecules around the HTV. It was found that the combination of charge exchange and dissociative recombination possibly caused the depletion of electron density during altitude control maneuvers, due to neutral particles being ejected from the thrusters and a time delay in the reaction response. During attitude control maneuvers, the electrons of ionospheric plasma were pushed away from the plasma sensor by dense neutral clouds.
A Digital Mayfly Swarm Is Emerging
Authors: Ensign Scott , Arscott David , Hicks Shannon , Aufdenkampe Anthony , Muenz Tara , Jackson John , Bressler David
Published: March 2019

Low-cost, open-source data collectors and a suite of collaborative online tools are making big leaps in the field of watershed monitoring.
Westward Expansion, Technology, and Tornado Fatalities
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: March 2019

By mining records from 1808 to 2017, researchers can now show just how many lives have likely been saved by technology like radar.
Prediction of Weyl semimetal and antiferromagnetic topological insulator phases in Bi2MnSe4
Authors: Chowdhury Sugata , Garrity Kevin F. , Tavazza Francesca
Published: March 2019

Three-dimensional materials with strong spin–orbit coupling and magnetic interactions represent an opportunity to realize a variety of rare and potentially useful topological phases with broken time-reversal symmetry. In this work, we use first principles calculations to show that the recently synthesized material Bi2MnSe4 displays a combination of spin–orbit-induced band inversion, also observed in non-magnetic topological insulator Bi2PbSe4, with magnetic interactions, leading to several topological phases. In bulk form, the ferromagnetic phase of Bi2MnSe4 has symmetry protected band crossings at the Fermi level, leading to either a nodal line or Weyl semimetal, depending on the direction of the spins. Due to the combination of time reversal symmetry plus a partial translation, the ground state layered antiferromagnetic phase is instead an antiferromagnetic topological insulator. The surface of this phase intrinsically breaks time-reversal symmetry, allowing the observation of the half-integer quantum anomalous Hall effect. Furthermore, we show that in thin film form, for sufficiently thick slabs, Bi2MnSe4 becomes a Chern insulator with a band gap of up to 58 meV. This combination of properties in a stoichiometric magnetic material makes Bi2MnSe4 an excellent candidate for displaying robust topological behavior.
Publisher Correction: A database of the coseismic effects following the 30 October 2016 Norcia earthquake in Central Italy
Authors: Villani Fabio , Civico Riccardo , Pucci Stefano , Pizzimenti Luca , Nappi Rosa , De Martini Paolo Marco ,   the Open EMERGEO Working Group, Villani Fabio , Civico Riccardo , Pucci Stefano , Pizzimenti Luca , Nappi Rosa , De Martini Paolo Marco , Agosta F. , Alessio G. , Alfonsi L. , Amanti M. , Amoroso S. , Aringoli D. , Auciello E. , Azzaro R. , Baize S. , Bello S. , Benedetti L. , Bertagnini A. , Binda G. , Bisson M. , Blumetti A. M. , Bonadeo L. , Boncio P. , Bornemann P. , Branca S. , Braun T. , Brozzetti F. , Brunori C. A. , Burrato P. , Caciagli M. , Campobasso C. , Carafa M. , Cinti F. R. , Cirillo D. , Comerci V. , Cucci L. , De Ritis R. , Deiana G. , Del Carlo P. , Del Rio L. , Delorme A. , Di Manna P. , Di Naccio D. , Falconi L. , Falcucci E. , Farabollini P. , Faure Walker J. P. , Ferrarini F. , Ferrario M. F. , Ferry M. , Feuillet N. , Fleury J. , Fracassi U. , Frigerio C. , Galluzzo F. , Gambillara R. , Gaudiosi G. , Goodall H. , Gori S. , Gregory L. C. , Guerrieri L. , Hailemikael S. , Hollingsworth J. , Iezzi F. , Invernizzi C. , Jablonská D. , Jacques E. , Jomard H. , Kastelic V. , Klinger Y. , Lavecchia G. , Leclerc F. , Liberi F. , Lisi A. , Livio F. , Lo Sardo L. , Malet J. P. , Mariucci M. T. , Materazzi M. , Maubant L. , Mazzarini F. , McCaffrey K. J. W. , Michetti A. M. , Mildon Z. K. , Montone P. , Moro M. , Nave R. , Odin M. , Pace B. , Paggi S. , Pagliuca N. , Pambianchi G. , Pantosti D. , Patera A. , Pérouse E. , Pezzo G. , Piccardi L. , Pierantoni P. P. , Pignone M. , Pinzi S. , Pistolesi E. , Point J. , Pousse L. , Pozzi A. , Proposito M. , Puglisi C. , Puliti I. , Ricci T. , Ripamonti L. , Rizza M. , Roberts G. P. , Roncoroni M. , Sapia V. , Saroli M. , Sciarra A. , Scotti O. , Skupinski G. , Smedile A. , Socquet Anne , Tarabusi G. , Tarquini S. , Terrana S. , Tesson J. , Tondi E. , Valentini A. , Vallone R. , Van der Woerd J. , Vannoli P. , Venuti A. , Vittori E. , Volatili T. , Wedmore L. N. J. , Wilkinson M. , Zambrano M.
Published: March 2019

In the original version of the Data Descriptor the surname of author Anne Socquet was misspelled. This has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the Data Descriptor. Some authors were also not appropriately associated with their affiliations in the HTML version, due to formatting errors made by the publisher. This has now been corrected in the HTML version of the Data Descriptor, the affiliations in the PDF were correct from the time of publication.
Green tea extract promotes DNA repair in a yeast model
Authors: Chong Shin Yen , Chiang Hsin-Yi , Chen Tzu-Hung , Liang Yi-Ju , Lo Yi-Chen
Published: March 2019

Green tea polyphenols may protect cells from UV damage through antioxidant activities and by stimulating the removal of damaged or cross-linked DNA. Recently, DNA repair pathways have been predicted as possible targets of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-initiated signaling. However, whether and how green tea polyphenols can promote nucleotide excision repair and homologous recombination in diverse organisms requires further investigation. In this report, we used the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model to investigate the effects of green tea extract on DNA repair pathways. We first showed that green tea extract increased the survival rate and decreased the frequency of mutations in yeast exposed to UVB-irradiation. Furthermore, green tea extract increased the expression of homologous recombination genes, RFA1, RAD51 and RAD52, and nucleotide excision repair genes, RAD4 and RAD14. Importantly, we further used a specific strand invasion assay to show that green tea extract promotes homologous recombination at double-strand breaks. Thus, green tea extract acts to preserve genome stability by activating DNA repair pathways in yeast. Because homologous recombination repair is highly conserved in yeast and humans, this study demonstrates yeast may be a useful platform for future research to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the bioactive compounds in DNA repair.
p38α deficiency restrains liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy triggering oxidative stress and liver injury
Authors: Rius-Pérez Sergio , Tormos Ana M. , Pérez Salvador , Finamor Isabela , Rada Patricia , Valverde Ángela M. , Nebreda Angel R. , Sastre Juan , Taléns-Visconti Raquel
Published: March 2019

p38α MAPK negatively regulates the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle transitions. However, liver-specific p38α deficiency impairs cytokinesis and reduces hepatocyte proliferation during cirrhosis and aging in mice. In this work, we have studied how p38α down-regulation affects hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy, focusing on mitotic progression, cytokinesis and oxidative stress. We found that p38α deficiency triggered up-regulation of cyclins A1, B1, B2, and D1 under basal conditions and after hepatectomy. Moreover, p38α-deficient hepatocytes showed enhanced binucleation and increased levels of phospho-histone H3 but impaired phosphorylation of MNK1 after hepatectomy. The recovery of liver mass was transiently delayed in mice with p38α-deficient hepatocytes vs wild type mice. We also found that p38α deficiency caused glutathione oxidation in the liver, increased plasma aminotransferases and lactate dehydrogenase activities, and decreased plasma protein levels after hepatectomy. Interestingly, p38α silencing in isolated hepatocytes markedly decreased phospho-MNK1 levels, and silencing of either p38α or Mnk1 enhanced binucleation of hepatocytes in culture. In conclusion, p38α deficiency impairs mitotic progression in hepatocytes and restrains the recovery of liver mass after partial hepatectomy. Our results also indicate that p38α regulates cytokinesis by activating MNK1 and redox modulation.
Dynamics of temperature-actuated droplets within microfluidics
Authors: Khater Asmaa , Mohammadi Mehdi , Mohamad Abdulmajeed , Nezhad Amir Sanati
Published: March 2019

Characterizing the thermal behavior of dispersed droplets within microfluidic channels is crucial for different applications in lab-on-a-chip. In this paper, the physics of droplets volume during their transport over a heater is studied experimentally and numerically. The response of droplets to external heating is examined at temperature ranges of 25–90 °C and at different flow rates of the dispersed phase respect to the continuous flow. The results present a reliable prediction of the droplet volume and stability when heating is applied to the droplets at the downstream channel in a quite far distance from the droplets’ ejection orifice. Increasing the ratio of flow rate resulted in larger droplets; for instance, the flow ratio of 0.25 produced drops with 40% larger diameter than the flow rate of 0.1. For every 10 °C increase in temperature of the droplets, the droplet diameter increased by about 5.7% and 4.2% for pure oil and oil with a surfactant, respectively. Also, the droplets showed a degree of instability during their transport over the heater at higher temperatures. Adding SPAN 20 surfactant improved the stability of the droplets at temperatures higher than 60 °C. The experimentally validated numerical model helped for systemic analysis of the influence of key temperature-dependence parameters (e.g. surface tension, density and viscosity of both phases) on controlling the volume and stability of droplets. Our findings supported to develop highly functional systems with a predetermined droplets performance under high temperatures up to 90 °C. This report provides a preliminary basis for enhancing the performance of droplet microfluidic systems for digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), continuous flow digital loop-mediated isothermal PCR (LAMP), and droplet-based antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Connectivity and free-surface effects in polymer glasses
Authors: Lappala Anna , Sefton Luke , Fenimore Paul W. , Terentjev Eugene M.
Published: March 2019

The glass transition is one of the few unsolved problems in condensed matter physics: agreement on the cause of the slowing down of structural relaxation in glass-forming liquids is lacking. Glasses are amorphous solids, which do not possess the long-range crystalline order, yet display arrested dynamics and the shear elastic modulus characteristic of equilibrium elasticity. It has been suggested that due to the influence of intramolecular interactions and chain connectivity, the nature of the glass transition in polymers and in standard glass-formers is fundamentally different. Here, we discuss the role of connectivity in polymer glasses, demonstrating that although covalent bonding promotes glass formation, bonding sequentiality that defines a polymer chain is not critical in the bulk: glassy dynamics is purely a result of the number of connections per particle, independently of how these connections are formed, agreeing with the classical Phillips-Thorpe topological constraint theory. We show that bonding sequentiality does play an important role in the surface effects of the glass, highlighting a major difference between polymeric and colloidal glasses. Further, we identify the heterogenous dynamics of model coarse-grained polymer chains both in ‘bulk’ and near the free surface, and demonstrate characteristic domain patterns in local displacement and connectivity.
Cellulose elementary fibril orientation in the spruce S1-2 transition layer
Authors: Reza Mehedi , Bertinetto Carlo , Kesari Kavindra Kumar , Engelhardt Peter , Ruokolainen Janne , Vuorinen Tapani
Published: March 2019

The tight organization of major wood cell wall polymers limits the swellability, solubility and reactivity of cellulose fibers during the production of regenerated textile fibers, nanocellulose, bioethanol, and many other value-added products. However, the ultrastructural assembly of cellulose elementary fibrils (EF) and matrix materials in one of the outer layers, i.e. S1-2 transition layer of wood cell wall, is far from being understood. Here, single-axis electron tomography on ultrathin spruce sections was applied to observe the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the S1-2 layer. The nanoscale geometries of the EFs were further quantitatively modeled through mathematical fitting of the tomographic subvolumes by suitable parametric space curves. The results showed that crisscross, bundled and parallel EF organizations are all present in this layer; the former two exhibit a denser structure. Several quantitative measures such as distances and angles were obtained for the analyzed structures. The result obtained in this study suggests that the S1-2 transition layer differs in structure than the principal cell wall layers. The structural differences and its possible role in wood cell wall have been discussed. These results will enhance our understanding of the swellability, accessibility and solubility of woody biomass for its conversion into the aforementioned value-added products.
Silver nanowires with optimized silica coating as versatile plasmonic resonators
Authors: Rothe Martin , Zhao Yuhang , Kewes Günter , Kochovski Zdravko , Sigle Wilfried , van Aken Peter A. , Koch Christoph , Ballauff Matthias , Lu Yan , Benson Oliver
Published: March 2019

Metal nanoparticles are the most frequently used nanostructures in plasmonics. However, besides nanoparticles, metal nanowires feature several advantages for applications. Their elongation offers a larger interaction volume, their resonances can reach higher quality factors, and their mode structure provides better coupling into integrated hybrid dielectric-plasmonic circuits. It is crucial though, to control the distance of the wire to a supporting substrate, to another metal layer or to active materials with sub-nanometer precision. A dielectric coating can be utilized for distance control, but it must not degrade the plasmonic properties. In this paper, we introduce a controlled synthesis and coating approach for silver nanowires to fulfill these demands. We synthesize and characterize silver nanowires of around 70 nm in diameter. These nanowires are coated with nm-sized silica shells using a modified Stöber method to achieve a homogeneous and smooth surface quality. We use transmission electron microscopy, dark-field microscopy and electron-energy loss spectroscopy to study morphology and plasmonic resonances of individual nanowires and quantify the influence of the silica coating. Thorough numerical simulations support the experimental findings showing that the coating does not deteriorate the plasmonic properties and thus introduce silver nanowires as usable building blocks for integrated hybrid plasmonic systems.
Responsive Cells for rhEGF bioassay Obtained through Screening of a CRISPR/Cas9 Library
Authors: Qin Xi , Yao Wenrong , Shi Xinchang , Liu Lan , Huang Fang , Ding Youxue , Zhou Yong , Yu Lei , Jia Chuncui , Li Shanhu , Rao Chunming , Wang Junzhi
Published: March 2019

Bioassay of recombinant protein products is important tests to ensure protein effectiveness. Some recombinant protein products have no cells used in their bioassay but instead use animal models, while others have no suitable method. Here, we developed a method to obtain responsive cells used in bioassay of proteins. After screening of a CRISPR/Cas9 library, we obtained a responsive cell line that grew faster in the presence of rhEGF (recombinant human epidermal growth factor) than that of control cells. We used this cell line for bioassay of rhEGF. This cell line, compared with the control cells, had a 2 day shorter operation time and had lower interference. The responsive cell line is more suitable for use in bioassay of rhEGF.
Novel synthesis of topological insulator based nanostructures (Bi2Te3) demonstrating high performance photodetection
Authors: Sharma Alka , Senguttuvan T. D. , Ojha V. N. , Husale Sudhir
Published: March 2019

The rapid progress in 2D material research has triggered the growth of various quantum nanostructures- nanosheets, nanowires, nanoribbons, nanocrystals and the exotic nature originating through 2D heterostructures has extended the synthesis of hybrid materials beyond the conventional approaches. Here we introduce simple, one step confined thin melting approach to form nanostructures of TI (topological insulator) materials, their hybrid heterostructures with other novel 2D materials and their scalable growth. The substrate and temperature dependent growth is investigated on insulating, superconducting, metallic, semiconducting and ferromagnetic materials. The temperature dependent synthesis enables the growth of single, few quintuples to nanosheets and nanocrystals. The density of nanostructure growth is seen more on fabricated patterns or textured substrates. The fabricated nanostructure based devices show the broadband photodetection from ultraviolet to near infrared and exhibit high photoresponsivity. Ultimately, this unique synthesis process will give easy access to fabricate devices on user friendly substrates, study nanostructures and scalable growth will enable their future technology applications.
Resting-state abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A meta-analysis
Authors: Lau Way K. W. , Leung Mei-Kei , Lau Benson W. M.
Published: March 2019

The gold standard for clinical assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) relies on assessing behavior via semi-structured play-based interviews and parent interviews. Although these methods show good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ASD cases, behavioral assessments alone may hinder the identification of asymptomatic at-risk group. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) could be an appropriate approach to produce objective neural markers to supplement behavioral assessments due to its non-invasive and task-free nature. Previous neuroimaging studies reported inconsistent resting-state abnormalities in ASD, which may be explained by small sample sizes and phenotypic heterogeneity in ASD subjects, and/or the use of different analytical methods across studies. The current study aims to investigate the local resting-state abnormalities of ASD regardless of subject age, IQ, gender, disease severity and methodological differences, using activation likelihood estimation (ALE). MEDLINE/PubMed databases were searched for whole-brain rs-fMRI studies on ASD published until Feb 2018. Eight experiments involving 424 subjects were included in the ALE meta-analysis. We demonstrate two ASD-related resting-state findings: local underconnectivity in the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and in the right medial paracentral lobule. This study contributes to uncovering a consistent pattern of resting-state local abnormalities that may serve as potential neurobiological markers for ASD.
Natural Source-Based Graphene as Sensitising Agents for Air Quality Monitoring
Authors: Parvizi R. , Azad S. , Dashtian K. , Ghaedi M. , Heidari H.
Published: March 2019

Natural carbon powder has been used as a precursor to prepare two main types of sensitising agents of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles (N-CNPs) and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots coupled to nanosheets (N-GQDs-NSs) by using simple treatments of chemical oxidation and centrifugation separation. Characterization based on FTIR, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, AFM, UV-Vis and FL, revealed successful doping carbon nanoparticle with nitrogen with an average plane dimension of 50 nm and relatively smooth surface. The versatility of the prepared samples as sensitising agents was developed and established by exploiting its ability for detection of volatile organic compounds via simple optical fibre based sensing configuration. The comparative experimental studies on the proposed sensor performance indicate fast response achieved at a few tens of seconds and excellent repeatability in exposure to the methanol vapour. The low limit of detection of 4.3, 4.9 and 10.5 ppm was obtained in exposure to the methanol, ethanol and propanol vapours, respectively, in the atmosphere condition. This study gives insights into the chemical/physical mechanism of an enhanced economic optical fibre based gas sensor and illustrates it for diverse sensing applications, especially for chemical vapour remote detection and future air quality monitoring.
Construction of a high-density linkage map and QTL mapping for important agronomic traits in Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw.
Authors: Tang Yan-Qiong , Xia Zhi-Qiang , Ding Ze-Ting , Ding Ya-Cao , Liu Zhu , Ma Xiang , Liu Jin-Ping
Published: March 2019

Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. is an economically important pasture and forage legume in tropical regions of the world. Genetic improvement of the crop can be enhanced through marker-assisted breeding. However, neither single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers nor SNP-based genetic linkage map has been previously reported. In this study, a high-quality genetic linkage map of 2572 SNP markers for S. guianensis is generated using amplified-fragment single nucleotide polymorphism and methylation (AFSM) approach. The genetic map has 10 linkage groups (LGs), which spanned 2226.6 cM, with an average genetic distance of 0.87 cM between adjacent markers. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for important agronomic traits such as yield-related and nutritional or quality-related traits was performed using F2 progeny of a cross between a male-sterile female parent TPRC1979 and male parent TPRCR273 with contrasting phenotypes for morphological and physiological traits. A total of 30 QTLs for 8 yield-related traits and 18 QTLs for 4 nutritional or quality-related traits are mapped on the linkage map. Both the high-quality genetic linkage map and the QTL mapping for important agronomic traits described here will provide valuable genetic resources for marker-assisted selection for S. guianensis.
The relationship between psychophysical body categorization performance and male body dissatisfaction
Authors: Talbot Daniel , Smith Evelyn , Cass John
Published: March 2019

The present study compared the predictive relationship between various psychophysical indices of body categorization performance (Point of Subjective Equivalence(PSE),Just Noticeable Difference(JND) andReaction Time(RT)) and male body dissatisfaction (Male Body Attitudes Scale(MBAS)) and eating disorder symptoms (Eating disorders examination questionnaire(EDE-Q)), with performance on a validated figure rating scale (Visual Body Scale for Men(VBSM)). Body Mass Index, body fat percentage, and fat free mass index were also measured. PSE was not as sensitive in predicting body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms as the VBSM. JND and average RT were found to be sensitive predictors of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms across the 82 male participants. JND proved to be a better indicator of weight concern than the VBSM-M. Whilst the body categorization task offers new insights into the way body images may be processed by males with different levels of body dissatisfaction, the VBSM and the conventional self-report measures are likely to be clinically more efficacious at measuring body dissatisfaction.
Direct Analysis of Incorporation of an Anticancer Drug into DNA at Single-Molecule Resolution
Authors: Ohshiro Takahito , Komoto Yuuki , Konno Masamitsu , Koseki Jun , Asai Ayumu , Ishii Hideshi , Taniguchi Masateru
Published: March 2019

Identifying positions at which anticancer drug molecules incorporate into DNA is essential to define mechanisms underlying their activity, but current methodologies cannot yet achieve this. The thymidine fluorine substitution product trifluridine (FTD) is a DNA-damaging anticancer agent thought to incorporate into thymine positions in DNA. This mechanism, however, has not been directly confirmed. Here, we report a means to detect FTD in a single-stranded oligonucleotide using a method to distinguish single molecules by differences in electrical conductance. Entire sequences of 21-base single-stranded DNAs with and without incorporated drug were determined based on single-molecule conductances of the drug and four deoxynucleosides, the first direct observation of its kind. This methodology may foster rapid development of more effective anticancer drugs.
Local resources of polyribosomes and SER promote synapse enlargement and spine clustering after long-term potentiation in adult rat hippocampus
Authors: Chirillo Michael A. , Waters Mikayla S. , Lindsey Laurence F. , Bourne Jennifer N. , Harris Kristen M.
Published: March 2019

Synapse clustering facilitates circuit integration, learning, and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of mature neurons produces synapse enlargement balanced by fewer spines, raising the question of how clusters form despite this homeostatic regulation of total synaptic weight. Three-dimensional reconstruction from serial section electron microscopy (3DEM) revealed the shapes and distributions of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and polyribosomes, subcellular resources important for synapse enlargement and spine outgrowth. Compared to control stimulation, synapses were enlarged two hours after LTP on resource-rich spines containing polyribosomes (4% larger than control) or SER (15% larger). SER in spines shifted from a single tubule to complex spine apparatus after LTP. Negligible synapse enlargement (0.6%) occurred on resource-poor spines lacking SER and polyribosomes. Dendrites were divided into discrete synaptic clusters surrounded by asynaptic segments. Spine density was lowest in clusters having only resource-poor spines, especially following LTP. In contrast, resource-rich spines preserved neighboring resource-poor spines and formed larger clusters with elevated total synaptic weight following LTP. These clusters also had more shaft SER branches, which could sequester cargo locally to support synapse growth and spinogenesis. Thus, resources appear to be redistributed to synaptic clusters with LTP-related synapse enlargement while homeostatic regulation suppressed spine outgrowth in resource-poor synaptic clusters.
TACCO, a Database Connecting Transcriptome Alterations, Pathway Alterations and Clinical Outcomes in Cancers
Authors: Chou Po-Hao , Liao Wei-Chao , Tsai Kuo-Wang , Chen Ku-Chung , Yu Jau-Song , Chen Ting-Wen
Published: March 2019

Because of innumerable cancer sequencing projects, abundant transcriptome expression profiles together with survival data are available from the same patients. Although some expression signatures for prognosis or pathologic staging have been identified from these data, systematically discovering such kind of expression signatures remains a challenge. To address this, we developed TACCO (Transcriptome Alterations in CanCer Omnibus), a database for identifying differentially expressed genes and altered pathways in cancer. TACCO also reveals miRNA cooperative regulations and supports construction of models for prognosis. The resulting signatures have great potential for patient stratification and treatment decision-making in future clinical applications. TACCO is freely available athttp://tacco.life.nctu.edu.tw/.
Development of a bioassay to detect T-cell-activating impurities for T-cell-dependent bispecific antibodies
Authors: Lee Ho Young , Contreras Edward , Register Ames C. , Wu Qiang , Abadie Kathleen , Garcia Khristofer , Wong Pin Yee , Jiang Guoying
Published: March 2019

T-cell-dependent bispecific antibodies (TDBs) are promising cancer immunotherapies that recruit a patient’s T cells to kill cancer cells. There are increasing numbers of TBDs in clinical trials, demonstrating their widely recognized therapeutic potential. Due to the fact that TDBs engage and activate T cells via an anti-CD3 (aCD3) arm, aCD3 homodimer (aCD3 HD) and high-molecular-weight species (HMWS) are product-related impurities that pose a potential safety risk by triggering off-target T-cell activation through bivalent engagement and dimerization of T-cell receptors (TCRs). To monitor and control the level of unspecific T-cell activation, we developed a sensitive and quantitative T-cell-activation assay, which can detect aCD3 HD in TDB drug product by exploiting its ability to activate T cells in the absence of target cells. This assay providesin-vivo-relevant off-target T-cell-activation readout. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that this assay can serve as a platform assay for detecting T-cell-activating impurities across a broad spectrum of aCD3 bispecific molecules. It therefore has the potential to significantly benefit many T-cell-recruiting bispecific programs.
Comparison of the bioavailability of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in a B[a]P-contaminated soil using the different addition approaches
Authors: Ye Xinxin , Ma Jingjing , Wei Junling , Sun Kai , Xiong Qizhong
Published: March 2019

Determination of the bioavailability of the hydrophobic organic contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is extremely important for assessing its environmental risk. The effect of addition manner of B[a]P on the bioavailability and toxicity of B[a]P in soil remains unclear. In this study, soil samples, spiked with B[a]P by one-time or multiple-time additions, were tested to investigate the available fraction of B[a]P in soils, the uptake of B[a]P by red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities in earthworm coelomocytes at different periods. Results showed that the available fraction of B[a]P in soils and the amount of B[a]P assimilated by earthworms declined sharply from 1 d to 28 d during the incubation period and then decreased slowly from 28 to 56 d in both the one-time and the multiple-time addition tests. The available fraction of B[a]P in soils and its uptake by earthworms were significantly lower in multiple-time addition samples than those in one-time addition samples, a finding which was consistent with the SOD and POD activities in earthworms during the whole 56-d incubation period. These variations in the characteristics of the two addition treatments may be due to the differences in the way the B[a]P aged in the soil. These results indicated that the addition method was an important factor influencing the bioavailability of organic contaminants in soils.
Towards a gamete matching platform: using immunogenetics and artificial intelligence to predict recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Mora-Sánchez Aldo , Aguilar-Salvador Daniel-Isui , Nowak Izabela
Published: March 2019

The degree of Allele sharing of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes has been linked with recurrent miscarriage (RM). However, no clear genetic markers of RM have yet been identified, possibly because of the complexity of interactions between paternal and maternal genes during embryo development. We propose a methodology to analyse HLA haplotypes from couples either with histories of successful pregnancies or RM. This article describes a method of RM genetic-risk calculation. The proposed HLA representation techniques allowed us to create an algorithm (IMMATCH) to retrospectively predict RM with an AUC = 0.71 (p = 0.0035) thanks to high-resolution typing and the use of linear algebra on peptide binding affinity data. The algorithm features an adjustable threshold to increase either sensitivity or specificity, allowing a sensitivity of 86%. Combining immunogenetics with artificial intelligence could create personalised tools to better understand the genetic causes of unexplained infertility and a gamete matching platform that could increase pregnancy success rates.
Stable iridium(iv) complexes supported by tetradentate salen ligands. Synthesis, structures and reactivity
Authors: Lee Chi Lun , Wu Liangliang , Huang Jie-Sheng , Che Chi-Ming
Published: March 2019

Here we report the synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of mononuclear trans-dichloroiridium(iv)–salen complexes and their catalytic properties for intramolecular C–H amination of aryl azides.
Emerging porous materials in confined spaces: from chromatographic applications to flow chemistry
Authors: Zhang Jianyong , Chen Junxing , Peng Sheng , Peng Shuyin , Zhang Zizhe , Tong Yexiang , Miller Philip W. , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: March 2019

Porous materials confined within capillary columns/microfluidic devices are discussed, and progress in chromatographic and membrane separations and catalysis is reviewed.
Safer bio-based solvents to replace toluene and tetrahydrofuran for the biocatalyzed synthesis of polyesters
Authors: Pellis Alessandro , Byrne Fergal P. , Sherwood James , Vastano Marco , Comerford James W. , Farmer Thomas J.
Published: March 2019

Biocatalyzed synthesis of aliphatic and furan-based polyesters in safer, bio-derived solvents for the substitution of toluene and tetrahydrofuran.
Heteroatom-doped core/shell carbonaceous framework materials: synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties
Authors: Zhou Yutao , Huang Qianye , Low Chee Tong John , Walton Richard I. , McNally Tony , Wan Chaoying
Published: March 2019

Multiple heteroatom-doped core/shell carbonaceous framework materials showed a rapid charge–discharge capacity and excellent cycling stability, demonstrating great potential for anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Microenvironment control of porphyrin binding, organization, and function in peptide nanofiber assemblies
Authors: Solomon Lee A. , Wood Anna R. , Sykes Matthew E. , Diroll Benjamin T. , Wiederrecht Gary P. , Schaller Richard D. , Fry H. Christopher
Published: March 2019

To take peptide materials from predominantly structural to functional assemblies, variations in cofactor binding sites must be engineered and controlled.
Indocyanine green-modified hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles loading doxorubicin for fluorescence-guided tri-modal combination therapy of cancer
Authors: Yang Ruihao , Hou Mengmeng , Gao Ya , Zhang Lei , Xu Zhigang , Kang Yuejun , Xue Peng
Published: March 2019

Hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles were exploited for high dose drug loading and multimodal tumor theranostics.
Monitoring the trans-membrane transport of single fluorescent silicon nanoparticles based on the force tracing technique
Authors: Wang Ruixia , Yang Xudong , Leng Deji , Zhang Qingrong , Lu Denghua , Zhou Siyuan , Yang Yu , Yang Guocheng , Shan Yuping
Published: March 2019

Based on the force tracing technique, the dynamic trans-membrane transport process of single SiNPs in living cells was monitored.
Rational design and synthesis of yellow-light emitting triazole fluorophores with AIE and mechanochromic properties
Authors: Lai Qi , Liu Qing , Zhao Kai , Shan Chuan , Wojtas Lukasz , Zheng Qingchuan , Shi Xiaodong , Song Zhiguang
Published: March 2019

The EDG/EWG modified NATs were successfully developed as a new class of organic solid fluorophores with tunable emission from the blue to yellow light region.
The plasma assisted preparation of Fe-MOFs with high adsorption capacity
Authors: Tao Xumei , Sun Chao , Han Yuanyuan , Huang Liang , Xu Dongyan
Published: March 2019

The plasma preparation of MOF-235
Understanding methane/carbon dioxide partitioning in clay nano- and meso-pores with constant reservoir composition molecular dynamics modeling
Authors: Loganathan Narasimhan , Bowers Geoffrey M. , Ngouana Wakou Brice F. , Kalinichev Andrey G. , Kirkpatrick R. James , Yazaydin A. Ozgur
Published: March 2019

CRC-MD simulations show that nanopores in shales bounded by clay minerals have a strong preference for CO2 relative to CH4.
Green biorefinery technologies based on waste biomass
Authors: Clark James H.
Published: March 2019

This themed issue includes a collection of articles on green biorefinery technologies based on waste biomass.
Gold nanoclusters for controlled insulin release and glucose regulation in diabetes
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Wu Mingxin , Dai Wubin , Li Yinping , Wang Xin , Tan Di , Yang Zhilu , Liu Sheng , Xue Longjian , Lei Yifeng
Published: March 2019

Gold nanoclusters (GNCs) release insulin to reduce high blood glucose in diabetes.
The shielding effects of a C60 cage on the magnetic moments of transition metal atoms inside the corner holes of Si(111)-(7 × 7)
Authors: Shao Xiji , Li Lin , Shi Xingqiang , Ma Yaping , Wu Xuefeng , Wang Kedong
Published: March 2019

Transition metal atoms which are encapsulated in a C60 cage can maintain their magnetic moments.