bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depressionen bei Kita-Fachpersonal
Authors: Backhaus Olaf , Hampel Petra , Dadaczynski Kevin
Published: October 2018

Zusammenfassung. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden die Auswirkungen arbeitspsychologischer Variablen (Gratifikationskrise und Verausgabungsneigung) auf Depressionen bei Kita-Fachpersonal aus Deutschland (N = 1 933) untersucht. Die Screening-Prävalenz für Depressionen lag bei 49.8 %. Gratifikationskrisen erhöhten die Wahrscheinlichkeit von Depressionen signifikant (OR = 3.73, 95 % CI: 2.66 – 5.25). Ein vergleichbarer Einfluss lässt sich für Verausgabungsneigung auf Depressionen aufzeigen (OR = 4.49, 95 % CI: 3.69 – 5.47). Möglichkeiten zur arbeitsplatzbezogenen Intervention werden aufgezeigt.
Trauma-Related Shame, Sexual Assault Severity, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burdensomeness Among Female Undergraduate Survivors of Sexual Assault
Authors: DeCou Christopher R. , Kaplan Stephanie P. , Spencer Julie , Lynch Shannon M.
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Background and Aim: This study evaluated trauma-related shame as a mediator of the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Method: A total of 164 female undergraduates who reported attempted or completed sexual assault completed self-report measures of sexual assault, trauma-related shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. Results: Using path analysis, trauma-related shame mediated the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness, and between sexual assault severity and thwarted belongingness. Limitations: The findings of this study are limited by the retrospective, self-report, and cross-sectional nature of these data, and do not allow for causal inference. Conclusion: Trauma-related shame warrants additional investigation as a mechanism that explains the association between sexual assault and psychosocial risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior.
Meteorological and Hydrological Drought on the Loess Plateau, China: Evolutionary Characteristics, Impact, and Propagation
Authors: Wu Jingwen , Miao Chiyuan , Zheng Haiyan , Duan Qingyun , Lei Xiaohui , Li Hu
Published: October 2018

Drought is the most recurrent and destructive hazard in arid and semiarid regions and will only become more complex under climate change. It is vital to characterize the various types of drought, to investigate the potential factors affecting different types of drought, and to assess the relationship between drought types. In this study, the Standardized Precipitation Index and the Standardized Runoff Index were used to characterize meteorological and hydrological drought, respectively, to investigate drought characteristics and mechanisms in 17 catchments on the Loess Plateau from 1961 to 2013. Furthermore, the propagation time from meteorological to hydrological drought was explored and the potential factors influencing drought propagation time were investigated. The results indicate that the Loess Plateau has experienced an increased tendency toward both meteorological and hydrological droughts over the period 1961–2013, with hydrological drought more serious than meteorological drought at various drought assessment time scales. Moreover, average drought duration and severity were greater for hydrological drought than meteorological drought. Maximum 5‐day precipitation (Rx5day) was the dominant extreme climate index for explaining variance in meteorological drought at the annual time scale. Owing to the greater complexity underlying hydrological drought, Rx5day, the number of warm days (Tx90p), and the number of warm nights (Tn90p) all contribute to the variance in hydrological drought. Furthermore, the percentage of forested land had a significant positive association (p < 0.001) with propagation time, whereas the percentage of land given over to pasture had a significant negative association (p < 0.001) with propagation time.
Groundwater Controls on Postfire Permafrost Thaw: Water and Energy Balance Effects
Authors: Zipper Samuel C. , Lamontagne‐Hallé Pierrick , McKenzie Jeffrey M. , Rocha Adrian V.
Published: October 2018

Fire frequency and severity are increasing in high‐latitude regions, but the degree to which groundwater flow impacts the response of permafrost to fire remains poorly understood. Here we use the Anaktuvuk River Fire (Alaska, USA) as an example for simulating groundwater‐permafrost interactions following fire. We identify key thermal and hydrologic parameters controlling permafrost response to fire both with and without groundwater flow, and separate the relative influence of changes to the water and energy balances on active layer thickness. Our results show that mineral soil porosity, which influences the bulk subsurface thermal conductivity, is a key parameter controlling active layer response to fire in both the absence and presence of groundwater flow. However, including groundwater flow in models increases the perceived importance of subsurface hydrologic properties, such as the soil permeability, and decreases the perceived importance of subsurface thermal properties, such as the thermal conductivity of soil solids. Furthermore, we demonstrate that changes to the energy balance (increased soil temperature) drive increased active layer thickness following fire, while changes to the water balance (decreased groundwater recharge) lead to reduced landscape‐scale variability in active layer thickness and groundwater discharge to surface water features such as streams. These results indicate that explicit consideration of groundwater flow is critical to understanding how permafrost environments respond to fire.
High-throughput multiplexed fluorescence-activated droplet sorting
Authors: Caen Ouriel , Schütz Simon , Jammalamadaka M. S. Suryateja , Vrignon Jérémy , Nizard Philippe , Schneider Tobias M. , Baret Jean-Christophe , Taly Valérie
Published: October 2018

Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) is one of the most important features provided by droplet-based microfluidics. However, to date, it does not allow to compete with the high-throughput multiplexed sorting capabilities offered by flow cytometery. Here, we demonstrate the use of a dielectrophoretic-based FADS, allowing to sort up to five different droplet populations simultaneously. Our system provides means to select droplets of different phenotypes in a single experimental run to separate initially heterogeneous populations. Our experimental results are rationalized with the help of a numerical model of the actuation of droplets in electric fields providing guidelines for the prediction of sorting designs for upscaled or downscaled microsystems.
Prefrontal expectancy and reinforcement-driven antidepressant placebo effects
Authors: Peciña M. , Heffernan J. , Wilson J. , Zubieta J. K. , Dombrovski A. Y.
Published: October 2018

Placebo responses in depression exemplify how expectancies and appraisals impact mood. Cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying these responses are still poorly understood, partly due to the difficulty of simulating antidepressant effects and manipulating mood experimentally. To address these challenges, we developed an acute antidepressant placebo experiment involving the intravenous administration of a “fast-acting antidepressant” and a trial-by-trial sham fMRI “neurofeedback” manipulation, purporting to reveal mood-relevant neural responses. Twenty volunteers with major depression underwent this experiment while rating their expected and actual mood improvement. Mixed-effects analyses of trial-by-trial ratings revealed that the “drug” infusion cues induced higher expectancies of mood improvement, while both the “drug” infusion cue and the sham neurofeedback induced a reported mood improvement. Neurofeedback of greater magnitude, compared to lower magnitude, recruited the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC). Individuals with greater lPFC responses to neurofeedback displayed: (1) greater effect of previous mood improvement on expectancy ratings and (2) greater effect of sham neurofeedback on mood improvement. Behavioral antidepressant placebo effects were additionally moderated by changes in peripheral β-endorphin plasma levels and depressive symptomatology. These data demonstrate the feasibility of trial-by-trial manipulation of antidepressant placebo-associated expectancies and their reinforcement. We provide initial insights into the role of the lPFC in the interplay between placebo-induced expectancies and mood, as well as preliminary evidence for the role of the opioid system in antidepressant placebo effects.
Positive feedback loop between mitochondrial fission and Notch signaling promotes survivin-mediated survival of TNBC cells
Authors: Chen Li , Zhang Jing , Lyu Zhuomin , Chen Yibing , Ji Xiaoying , Cao Haiyan , Jin Mingpeng , Zhu Jianjun , Yang Jin , Ling Rui , Xing Jinliang , Ren Tingting , Lyu Yonggang
Published: October 2018

Mitochondrial morphology is remodeled by continuous dynamic cycles of fission and fusion. Emerging data have shown that the disturbance of balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion is involved in the progression of several types of neoplasms. However, the status of mitochondrial dynamics and its potential biological roles in breast cancer (BC), particularly in triple negative BC (TNBC) are not fully clear. Here, we reported that the mitochondrial fission was significantly increased in BC tissues, especially in the TNBC tissues, when compared with that in the corresponding peritumor tissues. Meanwhile, our data showed that Drp1 was upregulated, while Mfn1 was downregulated in TNBC. Moreover, elevated mitochondrial fission was associated with poorer prognosis in TNBC patients. Mitochondrial fission promoted the survival of TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we identified a positive feedback loop between mitochondrial fission and Notch signaling pathway in TNBC cells, as proved by the experimental evidence that the activation of Notch signaling enhanced Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission in turn promoted the activation of Notch signaling, which ultimately promoted the cell survival of TNBC via increasing survivin expression level. Inhibition of either Notch1 or Drp1 significantly impaired the activation of the other, leading to the suppression of TNBC cell survival and proliferation. Collectively, our data reveal a novel mechanism that the positive feedback loop between mitochondrial fission and Notch signaling promotes the survival, proliferation and apoptotic resistance of TNBC cells via increasing survivin expression and thus favors cancer progression.
Complex assembly from planar and twisted π-conjugated molecules towards alloy helices and core-shell structures
Authors: Lei Yilong , Sun Yanqiu , Zhang Yi , Zhang Hongyang , Zhang Haihua , Meng Zhengong , Wong Wai-Yeung , Yao Jiannian , Fu Hongbing
Published: October 2018

Integrating together two dissimilar π-conjugated molecules into controlled complex topological configurations remains a largely unsolved problem owing to the diversity of organic species and their respective different assembly features. Here, we find that two structurally similar organic semiconductors, 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (BA) and 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)naphthacene (BN), co-assemble into two-component helices by control of the growth kinetics as well as the molar ratio of BA/BN. The helical superstructures made of planar and twisted bis(phenylethynyl) derivatives can be regarded as (BA)x(BN)1−x alloys, which are formed due to compatible structural relationship between BA and BN. Moreover, epitaxial growth of (BA)x(BN)1−x alloy layer on the surface of BA tube to form BA@(BA)x(BN)1−x core-shell structure is also achieved via a solute exchange process. The precise control over composition and morphology towards organic alloy helices and core-shell microstructures opens a door for understanding the complex co-assembly features of two or more different material partners with similar structures.
Incompatibility of the circadian protein BMAL1 and HNF4α in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fekry Baharan , Ribas-Latre Aleix , Baumgartner Corrine , Deans Jonathan R. , Kwok Christopher , Patel Pooja , Fu Loning , Berdeaux Rebecca , Sun Kai , Kolonin Mikhail G. , Wang Sidney H. , Yoo Seung-Hee , Sladek Frances M. , Eckel-Mahan Kristin
Published: October 2018

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a master regulator of liver-specific gene expression with potent tumor suppressor activity, yet many liver tumors express HNF4α. This study reveals that P1-HNF4α, the predominant isoform expressed in the adult liver, inhibits expression of tumor promoting genes in a circadian manner. In contrast, an additional isoform of HNF4α, driven by an alternative promoter (P2-HNF4α), is induced in HNF4α-positive human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). P2-HNF4α represses the circadian clock gene ARNTL (BMAL1), which is robustly expressed in healthy hepatocytes, and causes nuclear to cytoplasmic re-localization of P1-HNF4α. We reveal mechanisms underlying the incompatibility of BMAL1 and P2-HNF4α in HCC, and demonstrate that forced expression of BMAL1 in HNF4α-positive HCC prevents the growth of tumors in vivo. These data suggest that manipulation of the circadian clock in HNF4α-positive HCC could be a tractable strategy to inhibit tumor growth and progression in the liver.
Nanodiamond autophagy inhibitor allosterically improves the arsenical-based therapy of solid tumors
Authors: Cui Zhifen , Zhang Yu , Xia Kai , Yan Qinglong , Kong Huating , Zhang Jichao , Zuo Xiaolei , Shi Jiye , Wang Lihua , Zhu Ying , Fan Chunhai
Published: October 2018

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a successful chemotherapeutic drug for blood cancers via selective induction of apoptosis; however its efficacy in solid tumors is limited. Here we repurpose nanodiamonds (NDs) as a safe and potent autophagic inhibitor to allosterically improve the therapeutic efficacy of ATO-based treatment in solid tumors. We find that NDs and ATO are physically separate and functionally target different cellular pathways (autophagy vs. apoptosis); whereas their metabolic coupling in human liver carcinoma cells remarkably enhances programmed cell death. Combination therapy in liver tumor mice model results in ~91% carcinoma decrease as compared with ~28% without NDs. Treated mice show 100% survival rate in 150 days with greatly reduced advanced liver carcinoma-associated symptoms, and ~80% of post-therapy mice survive for over 20 weeks. Our work presents a novel strategy to harness the power of nanoparticles to broaden the scope of ATO-based therapy and more generally to fight solid tumors.
Dimethyl fumarate is an allosteric covalent inhibitor of the p90 ribosomal S6 kinases
Authors: Andersen Jacob Lauwring , Gesser Borbala , Funder Erik Daa , Nielsen Christine Juul Fælled , Gotfred-Rasmussen Helle , Rasmussen Mads Kirchheiner , Toth Rachel , Gothelf Kurt Vesterager , Arthur J. Simon C. , Iversen Lars , Nissen Poul
Published: October 2018

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been applied for decades in the treatment of psoriasis and now also multiple sclerosis. However, the mechanism of action has remained obscure and involves high dose over long time of this small, reactive compound implicating many potential targets. Based on a 1.9 Å resolution crystal structure of the C-terminal kinase domain of the mouse p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinase 2 (RSK2) inhibited by DMF we describe a central binding site in RSKs and the closely related Mitogen and Stress-activated Kinases (MSKs). DMF reacts covalently as a Michael acceptor to a conserved cysteine residue in the αF-helix of RSK/MSKs. Binding of DMF prevents the activation loop of the kinase from engaging substrate, and stabilizes an auto-inhibitory αL-helix, thus pointing to an effective, allosteric mechanism of kinase inhibition. The biochemical and cell biological characteristics of DMF inhibition of RSK/MSKs are consistent with the clinical protocols of DMF treatment.
Engineering the breaking of time-reversal symmetry in gate-tunable hybrid ferromagnet/topological insulator heterostructures
Authors: Lee Joon Sue , Richardella Anthony , Fraleigh Robert D. , Liu Chao-xing , Zhao Weiwei , Samarth Nitin
Published: October 2018

Studying the influence of broken time-reversal symmetry on topological materials is an important fundamental problem of current interest in condensed matter physics and its understanding could also provide a route toward proof-of-concept spintronic devices that exploit spin-textured topological states. Here we develop a new model quantum material for studying the effect of breaking time-reversal symmetry: a hybrid heterostructure wherein a ferromagnetic semiconductor Ga1−xMnxAs, with an out-of-plane component of magnetization, is cleanly interfaced with a topological insulator (Bi,Sb)2(Te,Se)3 by molecular beam epitaxy. Lateral electrical transport in this bilayer is dominated by conduction through (Bi,Sb)2(Te,Se)3 whose conductivity is a few orders of magnitude higher than that of highly resistive Ga1−xMnxAs. Electrical transport measurements in a top-gated heterostructure device reveal a crossover from weak antilocalization to weak localization as the temperature is lowered or as the chemical potential approaches the Dirac point. This is accompanied by a systematic emergence of an anomalous Hall effect. These results are interpreted in terms of the opening of a gap at the Dirac point due to exchange coupling between the topological insulator surface state and the ferromagnetic ordering in Ga1−xMnxAs. The experiments described here show that well-developed III–V ferromagnetic semiconductors could serve as valuable components of artificially designed quantum materials aimed at exploring the interplay between magnetism and topological phenomena.
AMPK-dependent phosphorylation of cingulin reversibly regulates its binding to actin filaments and microtubules
Authors: Yano Tomoki , Torisawa Takayuki , Oiwa Kazuhiro , Tsukita Sachiko
Published: October 2018

Cytoskeletal organization is essential for the precise morphogenesis of cells, tissues, and organs. Cytoskeletons, bound to scaffolding proteins, regulate the apical junction complex (AJC), which is composed of tight and adherens junctions, and located at the apical side of epithelial cell sheets. Cingulin is a tight junction-associated protein that binds to both actin filaments and microtubules. However, how cingulin binds to microtubules and whether cingulin can bind to actin and microtubules simultaneously are unclear. Here we examined the mechanisms behind cingulin’s cytoskeleton-binding properties. First, using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we detected cingulin at microtubule cross points. We then found the interdomain interactions in cingulin molecules. Notably, we found that this interaction was regulated by AMPK-dependent phosphorylation and changed cingulin’s conformation and binding properties to actin filaments and microtubules. Finally, we found that the AMPK-regulated cingulin properties regulated the barrier functions of epithelial cell sheets. We propose that the cellular metabolic state, which involves AMPK, can contribute to the organization and maintenance of epithelial tissues through cingulin’s tight junction/cytoskeleton regulation.
Effects of circadian misalignment on sleep in mice
Authors: Hasan Sibah , Foster Russell G. , Vyazovskiy Vladyslav V. , Peirson Stuart N.
Published: October 2018

Circadian rhythms and sleep-wake history determine sleep duration and intensity, and influence subsequent waking. Previous studies have shown that T cycles - light-dark (LD) cycles differing from 24 h - lead to acute changes in the daily amount and distribution of waking and sleep. However, little is known about the long-term effects of T cycles. Here we performed continuous 10 day recording of electroencephalography (EEG), locomotor activity and core body temperature in C57BL/6 mice under a T20 cycle, to investigate spontaneous sleep and waking at baseline compared with when the circadian clock was misaligned and then re-aligned with respect to the external LD cycle. We found that the rhythmic distribution of sleep was abolished during misalignment, while the time course of EEG slow wave activity (1–4 Hz) was inverted compared to baseline. Although the typical light-dark distribution of NREM sleep was re-instated when animals were re-aligned, slow wave activity during NREM sleep showed an atypical increase in the dark phase, suggesting a long-term effect of T cycles on sleep intensity. Our data show that circadian misalignment results in previously uncharacterised long-term effects on sleep, which may have important consequences for behaviour.
Intense spectrally broad-band twin beams from poled nonlinear crystals
Authors: Peřina Jan
Published: October 2018

Properties of intense twin beams generated in parametric down-conversion in periodically poled LiNbO3 crystals and their chirped variants by intense pump fields are analyzed along the model of intense parametric down-conversion that allows for pump depletion and uses the dual spatio-spectral Schmidt modes. Spectral and spatial intensity auto- and cross-correlation functions are determined as they depend on the pump power. Temporal correlations in intense twin beams at the fs time scale are investigated using the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer and the process of sum-frequency generation.
Sexual conflict and the Trivers-Willard hypothesis: Females prefer daughters and males prefer sons
Authors: Lynch Robert , Wasielewski Helen , Cronk Lee
Published: October 2018

Because parental care is expected to depend on the fitness returns generated by each unit of investment, it should be sensitive to both offspring condition and parental ability to invest. The Trivers-Willard Hypothesis (TWH) predicts that parents who are in good condition will bias investment towards sons, while parents who are in poor condition will bias investment towards daughters because high-quality sons are expected to out-reproduce high quality daughters, while low-quality daughters are expected to out-reproduce low quality sons. We report results from an online experiment testing the Trivers-Willard effect by measuring implicit and explicit psychological preferences and behaviorally implied preferences for sons or daughters both as a function of their social and economic status and in the aftermath of a priming task designed to make participants feel wealthy or poor. We find only limited support for predictions derived from the TWH and instead find that women have strong preferences for girls and men have preferences for boys.
Cellulose defibrillation and functionalization by plasma in liquid treatment
Authors: Vizireanu Sorin , Panaitescu Denis Mihaela , Nicolae Cristian Andi , Frone Adriana Nicoleta , Chiulan Ioana , Ionita Maria Daniela , Satulu Veronica , Carpen Lavinia Gabriela , Petrescu Simona , Birjega Ruxandra , Dinescu Gheorghe
Published: October 2018

Submerged liquid plasma (SLP) is a new and promising method to modify powder materials. Up to now, this technique has been mostly applied to carbonaceous materials, however, SLP shows great potential as a low-cost and environmental-friendly method to modify cellulose. In this work we demonstrate the modification of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by applying the SLP combined with ultrasonication treatments. The plasma generated either in an inert (argon) or reactive (argon: oxygen or argon:nitrogen) gas was used in MCC dispersions in water or acetonitrile:water mixtures. An enhanced defibrillation of MCC has been observed following the application of SLP. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy have been applied to investigate the surface functionalization of MCC with oxygen or nitrogen moieties. Depending on the plasma treatment applied, poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) composites fabricated with the plasma modified cellulose fibers showed better thermal stability and mechanical properties than pristine PHB. This submerged liquid plasma processing method offers a unique approach for the activation of cellulose for defibrillation and functionalization, aiming towards an improved reinforcing ability of biopolymers.
CD32 Expression is not Associated to HIV-DNA content in CD4 cell subsets of individuals with Different Levels of HIV Control
Authors: García Marcial , Navarrete-Muñoz María Angeles , Ligos José M , Cabello Alfonso , Restrepo Clara , López-Bernaldo Juan Carlos , de la Hera Francisco Javier , Barros Carlos , Montoya María , Fernández-Guerrero Manuel , Estrada Vicente , Górgolas Miguel , Benito José M , Rallón Norma
Published: October 2018

A recent study has pointed out to CD32a as a potential biomarker of HIV-persistent CD4 cells. We have characterized the level and phenotype of CD32+ cells contained in different subsets of CD4 T-cells and its potential correlation with level of total HIV-DNA in thirty HIV patients (10 typical progressors naïve for cART, 10 cART-suppressed patients, and 10 elite controllers). Total HIV-DNA was quantified in different subsets of CD4 T-cells: Trm and pTfh cells. Level and immunephenotype of CD32+ cells were analyzed in these same subsets by flow cytometry. CD32 expression in Trm and pTfh subsets was similar in the different groups, and there was no significant correlation between the level of total HIV-DNA and the level of CD32 expression in these subsets. However, total HIV-DNA level was correlated with expression of CD127 (rho = −0.46, p = 0.043) and of CCR6 (rho = −0.418, p = 0.027) on CD32+ cells. Our results do not support CD32 as a biomarker of total HIV-DNA content. However, analyzing the expression of certain markers by CD32+ cells could improve the utility of this marker in the clinical setting, prompting the necessity of further studies to both validate our results and to explore the potential utility of certain markers expressed by CD32+ cells.
Mechano-synthesized orange TiO2 shows significant photocatalysis under visible light
Authors: Saitow Ken-ichi , Wang Yufeng , Takahashi Shintaro
Published: October 2018

Nitrogen and carbon co-doped TiO2 particles with a brilliant yellow-orange color were produced mechanochemically by high-energy ball milling as one-pot synthesis. This facile synthesis required only grinding TiO2 with melamine at room temperature. Using monochoromatic lights with the same intensity in visible and UV, the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 particles was accurately evaluated with respect to the degradation of an aqueous dye (methylene blue) solution. The activities under visible light (450 and 500 nm) were, respectively, 4 and 2 times higher than that of the unmilled TiO2 under UV light (377 nm), corresponding to 9 and 5 times higher than the UV under the solar light condition. The properties and structure of the co-doped TiO2 particles before and after milling were analyzed using eight experimental methods. As a result, it was found that the nitrogen replaced as an oxygen site in milled TiO2 has the highest concertation (2.3%) in the past studies and the structure of milled TiO2 is composed of a polymorphism of four different solid phases of TiO2, gives significant higher photocatalytic activity at visible light than that of UV light. A good repeatability of the photocatalyst was investigated by the number of cycles for the decomposition reaction of the aquesous dye solution.
Plasma androgen receptor and serum chromogranin A in advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Conteduca Vincenza , Scarpi Emanuela , Salvi Samanta , Casadio Valentina , Lolli Cristian , Gurioli Giorgia , Schepisi Giuseppe , Wetterskog Daniel , Farolfi Alberto , Menna Cecilia , De Lisi Delia , Burgio Salvatore Luca , Beltran Himisha , Attard Gerhardt , De Giorgi Ugo
Published: October 2018

Recently, mixed forms between adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) have emerged that are characterized by persistent androgen receptor (AR)-signalling and elevated chromogranin A (CgA) levels. The main aim of this study was to analyze castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide, assessing progression-free/overall survival (PFS/OS) in association with circulating AR and CgA. AR aberrations were analyzed by droplet digital PCR in pre-treatment plasma samples collected from two biomarker protocols [197 patients from a retrospective study (REC 2192/2013) and 59 from a prospective trial (REC 6798/2015)]. We subdivided patients into three groups according to CgA by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In the primary cohort, plasma AR gain and mutations (p.L702H/p.T878A) were detected in 78 (39.6%) and 16 (8.1%) patients, respectively. We observed a significantly worse PFS/OS in patients with higher-CgA than in patients with normal-CgA, especially those with no AR-aberrations. Multivariable analysis showed AR gain, higher-CgA and LDH levels as independent predictors of PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.50–3.12, p < 0.0001, HR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.06–2.84, p = 0.026, and HR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.45–3.13, p = 0.0001, respectively) and OS (HR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.57, p = 0.008, HR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.13–6.20, p < 0.0001, and HR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.54–3.48, p < 0.0001, respectively). These data were confirmed in the secondary cohort. Pre-treatment CgA detection could be useful to identify these mixed tumors and would seem to have a prognostic role, especially in AR-normal patients. This association needs further evaluation in larger prospective cohorts.
Towards high-bandwidth organic photodetection based on pure active layer polarization
Authors: Reissig Louisa , Dalgleish Simon , Awaga Kunio
Published: October 2018

Organic photodetectors offer distinct advantages over their inorganic analogues, most notably through optical transparency and flexibility, yet their figures-of-merit still lag behind those of inorganic devices, and optimization strategies generally encounter a trade-off between device responsivity and bandwidth. Here we propose a novel photodetector architecture in which an organic photoactive semiconductor layer (S) is sandwiched between two thick insulating layers (I) that separate the semiconductor from the metallic contacts (M). In this architecture a differential photocurrent response is generated purely from the polarization of the active layer under illumination. Especially for an asymmetric MISIM design, where one insulating layer is a high-k ionic liquid IIL and the other a low-k polymer dielectric Ip, the responsivity/bandwidth trade-off is broken, since the role of the IIL in efficient charge separation is maintained, while the total device capacitance is reduced according to Ip. Thus the benefits of single insulating layer differential photodetectors (MISM) using either IIL or Ip are combined in a single device. Further improvements in device performance are also demonstrated by decreasing the series resistance of the photoactive layer through semiconductor:metal blending and by operation under strong background light.
Left ventricular outflow obstruction predicts increase in systolic pressure gradients and blood residence time after transcatheter mitral valve replacement
Authors: De Vecchi Adelaide , Marlevi David , Nordsletten David A. , Ntalas Ioannis , Leipsic Jonathon , Bapat Vinayak , Rajani Ronak , Niederer Steven A.
Published: October 2018

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a relatively common consequence of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). Although LVOT obstruction is associated with heart failure and adverse remodelling, its effects upon left ventricular hemodynamics remain poorly characterised. This study uses validated computational models to identify the LVOT obstruction degree that causes significant changes in ventricular hemodynamics after TMVR. Seven TMVR patients underwent personalised flow simulations based on pre-procedural imaging data. Different virtual valve configurations were simulated in each case, for a total of 32 simulations, and the resulting obstruction degree was correlated with pressure gradients and flow residence times. These simulations identified a threshold LVOT obstruction degree of 35%, beyond which significant deterioration of systolic function was observed. The mean increase from baseline (pre-TMVR) in the peak systolic pressure gradient rose from 5.7% to 30.1% above this threshold value. The average blood volume staying inside the ventricle for more than two cycles also increased from 4.4% to 57.5% for obstruction degrees above 35%, while the flow entering and leaving the ventricle within one cycle decreased by 13.9%. These results demonstrate the unique ability of modelling to predict the hemodynamic consequences of TMVR and to assist in the clinical decision-making process.
Matured Hop-Derived Bitter Components in Beer Improve Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Through Activation of the Vagus Nerve
Authors: Ayabe Tatsuhiro , Ohya Rena , Taniguchi Yoshimasa , Shindo Kazutoshi , Kondo Keiji , Ano Yasuhisa
Published: October 2018

Improving and maintaining memory function is effective in preventing cognitive decline and dementia. Previously, we demonstrated that iso-α-acids, the hop-derived bitter components in beer, prevent cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. In this report, we investigated the effects of matured hop bitter acids (MHBA) containing components of oxides derived from α- and β-acids, and structurally similar to iso-α-acids, on cognitive function using behavioral pharmacological procedures. MHBA and the representative components of MHBA, 4′-hydroxyallohumulinone (HAH) and 4′-hydroxy-cis-alloisohumulone (HAIH) improved spatial working memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia mice. MHBA also enhanced episodic memory in the novel object recognition test (NORT). The administration of MHBA increased the amount of norepinephrine (NE) and NE release into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in hippocampus. The MHBA activity in improving memory function was attenuated by treatment with a β-adrenergic receptor inhibitor. In addition, vagotomized mice did not display the memory improvement induced by MHBA. Together, our results suggest that MHBA improves memory function via stimulation of the vagus nerve and enhancement of NE release in the hippocampus. Vagus nerve activation by the intake of food materials including MHBA may be a safe and effective approach for improving cognitive function.
Early Post-Transplant Torquetenovirus Viremia Predicts Cytomegalovirus Reactivations In Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Maggi Fabrizio , Focosi Daniele , Statzu Maura , Bianco Gabriele , Costa Cristina , Macera Lisa , Spezia Pietro Giorgio , Medici Chiara , Albert Eliseo , Navarro David , Scagnolari Carolina , Pistello Mauro , Cavallo Rossana , Antonelli Guido
Published: October 2018

Monitoring the human virome has been recently suggested as a promising and novel area of research for identifying new biomarkers which would help physicians in the management of transplant patients. Imbalance of the immune system in transplant recipients has a significant impact on replication of Torquetenovirus (TTV), the most representative and abundant virus of human virome. TTV kinetic was studied by real-time PCR in 280 liver or kidney transplant recipients who underwent different drug regimens to maintain immunosuppression. During one-year post-transplant follow-up, TTV viremia fluctuated irrespective of transplanted organ type but consistent with the immunosuppression regimen. TTV kinetic in patients who manifested cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation within the first four months post-transplant differed from that observed in patients who did not experience CMV complications. Importantly, plasma TTV load measured between day 0 and 10 post-transplant was significantly higher in CMV DNA positive than in CMV DNA negative patients. TTV viremia above 3.45 log DNA copies/ml within the first 10 days post-transplant correlates with higher propensity to CMV reactivation following transplantation. This study provides further evidence for using early post-transplant TTV viremia to predict CMV reactivation in liver or kidney transplant recipients.
Src kinase phosphorylates Notch1 to inhibit MAML binding
Authors: LaFoya Bryce , Munroe Jordan A. , Pu Xinzhu , Albig Allan R.
Published: October 2018

Notch signaling is a form of intercellular communication which plays pivotal roles at various stages in development and disease. Previous findings have hinted that integrins and extracellular matrix may regulate Notch signaling, although a mechanistic basis for this interaction had not been identified. Here, we reveal that the regulation of Notch by integrins and extracellular matrix is carried out by Src family kinases (SFKs) working downstream of integrins. We identify a physical interaction between the SFK member, c-Src, and the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) that is enhanced by β3 integrin and the integrin binding ECM protein, MAGP2. Our results demonstrate that c-Src directly phosphorylates the NICD at specific tyrosine residues and that mutation of these phosphorylation sites increases Notch responsive transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we also find that phosphorylation of the NICD by SFKs attenuates Notch mediated transcription by decreasing recruitment of MAML to the Notch co-transcriptional complex. Finally, we also find that SFK activity decreases NICD half-life. Collectively, our results provide important mechanistic data that underlie the emerging role of Notch as a general sensor and responder to extracellular signals.
Cheetahs discriminate familiar and unfamiliar human voices
Authors: Leroux Maël , Hetem Robyn Shelia , Hausberger Martine , Lemasson Alban
Published: October 2018

Domestic species can make the distinction between several human sub-groups, especially between familiar and unfamiliar persons. The Domestication hypothesis assumes that such advanced cognitive skills were driven by domestication itself. However, such capacities have been shown in wild species as well, highlighting the potential role of early experience and proximity with humans. Nevertheless, few studies have been focusing on the use of acoustic cues in wild species and more comparative studies are necessary to better understand this ability. Cheetah is a vocal, semi-social species, often hand raised when captive, making it therefore a good candidate for studying the ability to perceive differences in human voices. In this study, we used playback experiments to investigate whether cheetahs are able to distinguish between the voices of their familiar caretakers and visitors. We found that cheetahs showed a higher visual attention, changed activity more often and faster when the voice was familiar than when it was unfamiliar. This study is the first evidence that wild felids are able to discriminate human voices and could support the idea that early experience and proximity to humans are at least as important as domestication when it comes to the ability to recognize humans.
Predicting Tumor Sensitivity to Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Robert Beaulah Mary , Dakshinamoorthy Muralidharan , Ganapathyagraharam Ramamoorthy Brindha , Dhandapani Muthu , Thangaiyan Radhiga , Muthusamy Ganesan , Nirmal R. Madhavan , Prasad Nagarajan Rajendra
Published: October 2018

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) patients respond poorly to chemotherapy. We analyzed the expression of 11 drug response-related genes in 31 OSCC biopsies, collected prior to any treatment, using custom-designed PCR array. Further, we investigated the drug response pattern of selected anticancer drugs by BH3 (Bcl2 Homology-3) profiling in the primary cells isolated from OSCC tissues. Then, we correlated the results of drug-response gene expression pattern with apoptotic priming to predict tumor response to chemotherapy. The best performing drug (BPD) and response differences (RD) between the drugs were identified using statistical methods to select the best choice of drug in a personalized manner. Based on the correlation, we classified OSCC tumors as sensitive (13 tumors), moderately responsive (16 tumors) or resistant (2 tumors) to chemotherapy. We found that up-regulation of genes linked with drug resistance facilitates survival of tumor samples, which was revealed by the percentage of apoptotic priming. Moreover, we found that paclitaxel-induced 40–45% apoptotic priming compared to other drugs. Average response difference (RD) analysis showed that 80% of tumors responded well to paclitaxel as compared to other drugs studied. Therefore, gene expression analysis with BH3 profiling reveals drug sensitivity that could be translated for drug selection before treatment.
AIE active piperazine appended naphthalimide-BODIPYs: photophysical properties and applications in live cell lysosomal tracking
Authors: Dwivedi Bhupendra Kumar , Singh Roop Shikha , Ali Afsar , Sharma Vinay , Mobin Shaikh M. , Pandey Daya Shankar
Published: October 2018

Piperazine appended naphthalimide-BODIPYs (NPB1–NPB4) exhibiting solvatochromism, aggregation-induced emission, and high selectivity towards lysosomal pH in living cells have been described.
Generation and conversion of an N-heterocyclic carbene on Pt(111)
Authors: Zeng Yang , Zhang Tianchi , Narouz Mina R. , Crudden Cathleen M. , McBreen Peter H.
Published: October 2018

Conversion of the surface NHC to another surface carbene through isopropyl C–H bond activation ca. 400 K.
Recent advances in the sulfonylation of C–H bonds with the insertion of sulfur dioxide
Authors: Qiu Guanyinsheng , Zhou Kaida , Wu Jie
Published: October 2018

Recent advances in the sulfonylation of C–H bonds with the insertion of sulfur dioxide are summarized. C–H bond sulfonylation under transition metal catalysis or through a radical process has been developed. In some cases, the sulfonylation can be performed under catalyst- and additive-free conditions, or can be facilitated by visible light irradiation. The efficiency is also studied by merging the radical process and metal catalysis.
Lock-in spin structures and ferrimagnetism in polar Ni2−xCoxScSbO6 oxides
Authors: Ji Kun-lang , Solana-Madruga Elena , Arevalo-Lopez Angel M. , Manuel Pascal , Ritter Clemens , Senyshyn Anatoliy , Attfield J. Paul
Published: October 2018

Long-period lock-in spin structures are discovered in Ni2−xCoxScSbO6 solid solutions which offer possibilities for multiferroic properties.
Shock wave propagation, plasticity, and void collapse in open-cell nanoporous Ta
Authors: Tang J. F. , Xiao J. C. , Deng L. , Li W. , Zhang X. M. , Wang L. , Xiao S. F. , Deng H. Q. , Hu W. Y.
Published: October 2018

We systematically investigate the wave propagation, plasticity and void collapse, as well as the effects of porosity, specific surface area and impact velocity, in a set of open-cell nanoporous Ta, during shock compression,viaperforming large-scale non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations.
Acidic processing of fly ash: chemical characterization, morphology, and immersion freezing
Authors: Losey Delanie J. , Sihvonen Sarah K. , Veghte Daniel P. , Chong Esther , Freedman Miriam Arak
Published: October 2018

The ice nucleation activity of fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, depends on its composition.
Momordica charantiaextracts protect against inhibition of endothelial angiogenesis by advanced glycation endproductsin vitro
Authors: Aljohi Ali , Matou-Nasri Sabine , Liu Donghui , Al-Khafaji Nadia , Slevin Mark , Ahmed Nessar
Published: October 2018

Momordica charantiaextracts protect against advanced glycation endproduct-induced anti-angiogenisisin vitro.
Transformation of carbon-supported Pt–Ni octahedral electrocatalysts into cubes: toward stable electrocatalysis
Authors: Shviro Meital , Gocyla Martin , Schierholz Roland , Tempel Hermann , Kungl Hans , Eichel Rüdiger-A. , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E.
Published: October 2018

The degradation pathway of C-supported Pt–Ni core–shell octahedra and theirin situtransformation into cubes is revealed.
Correction: Green synthesis of bacterial mediated anti-proliferative gold nanoparticles: inducing mitotic arrest (G2/M phase) and apoptosis (intrinsic pathway)
Authors: Ganesh Kumar C. , Poornachandra Y. , Chandrasekhar Cheemalamarri
Published: October 2018

Correction for ‘Green synthesis of bacterial mediated anti-proliferative gold nanoparticles: inducing mitotic arrest (G2/M phase) and apoptosis (intrinsic pathway)’ by C. Ganesh Kumar et al., Nanoscale, 2015, 7, 18738–18750.
Growth inhibition ofMicrocystic aeruginosaby metal–organic frameworks: effect of variety, metal ion and organic ligand
Authors: Fan Gongduan , Hong Liang , Zheng Xiaomei , Zhou Jinjin , Zhan Jiajun , Chen Zhong , Liu Siyuan
Published: October 2018

MOFs have been applied in the inactivation ofMicrocystic aeruginosa. The algal suppression by MOFs depends on the presence of different metal ions and organic ligands.
Antibacterial properties of electrospun Ti3C2Tz(MXene)/chitosan nanofibers
Authors: Mayerberger Elisa A. , Street Reva M. , McDaniel Riki M. , Barsoum Michel W. , Schauer Caroline L.
Published: October 2018

Electrospun natural polymeric bandages are highly desirable due to their low-cost, biodegradability, non-toxicity and antimicrobial properties.
Cost effective synthesis of p-type Zn-doped MgAgSb by planetary ball-milling with enhanced thermoelectric properties
Authors: Zheng Yanyan , Liu Chengyan , Miao Lei , Lin Hong , Gao Jie , Wang Xiaoyang , Chen Junliang , Wu Shaohai , Li Xin , Cai Huanfu
Published: October 2018

Zn doped MgAgSb with improved purity and thermoelectric performance was synthesized via common planetary ball milling and spark plasma sintering.
Isolation of inorganic molecular chains from rod-like bulk V2Se9 crystal by liquid exfoliation
Authors: Chae Sudong , Siddiqa Akhtar J. , Kim Bum Jun , Oh Seungbae , Choi Kyung Hwan , Lee Keun Ho , Kim Hyo Yeol , Yu Hak Ki , Choi Jae-Young
Published: October 2018

We studied the optimum dispersion solvent for bulk V2Se9 material, which can be used as a new one-dimensional (1D) material, to separate into 1D chain units.
Preparation, characterization, and luminescence properties of double perovskite SrLaMgSbO6:Mn4+ far-red emitting phosphors for indoor plant growth lighting
Authors: Sun Liangling , Liang Jia , Devakumar Balaji , Sun Qi , Wang Shaoying , Li Bin , Huang Xiaoyong
Published: October 2018

Novel far-red emitting double perovskite SrLaMgSbO6:Mn4+ phosphors were prepared and their photoluminescence properties were studied for applications in indoor plant growth lighting.
Tunable transport and optoelectronic properties of monolayer black phosphorus by grafting PdCl2quantum dots
Authors: Sun Cuicui , Wang Yuxiu , Jiang Yingjie , Yang Zhao-Di , Zhang Guiling , Hu Yangyang
Published: October 2018

The photoelectric properties of the coordination functionalized monolayer black phosphorus by PdCl2quantum dots are revealed for the first time.
Evaluation of xylooligosaccharide production from residual hemicelluloses of dissolving pulp by acid and enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Cao Xuefei , Zhang Ruochen , Xiao Lin , Yuan Tongqi , Shi Quentin , Sun Runcang
Published: October 2018

The hemicelluloses extracted from dissolving pulp were applied to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) by acid and enzymatic hydrolysis.
Facile chemoenzymatic synthesis of a novel stable mimic of NAD+
Authors: Dai Zhefu , Zhang Xiao-Nan , Nasertorabi Fariborz , Cheng Qinqin , Pei Hua , Louie Stan G. , Stevens Raymond C. , Zhang Yong
Published: October 2018

S-NAD+, a novel stable NAD+mimic from facile chemoenzymatic synthesis, provides a unique and important tool for studying NAD+-dependent enzymes.
Correction: Ligand design for Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation: an unsymmetrical cyclopentadienyl group enables a regioselective synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones
Authors: Hyster Todd K. , Dalton Derek M. , Rovis Tomislav
Published: October 2018

Correction for ‘Ligand design for Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation: an unsymmetrical cyclopentadienyl group enables a regioselective synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones’ by Todd K. Hyster et al., Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 254–258.
Silicon monophosphide as a possible lithium battery anode material
Authors: Reinhold R. , Mikhailova D. , Gemming T. , Missyul A. B. , Nowka C. , Kaskel S. , Giebeler L.
Published: October 2018

We herein present pioneering studies regarding SiP as a promising electrode material for lithium ion batteries.