bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchy of human IgG recognition within the Staphylococcus aureus immunome
Authors: Radke Emily E. , Brown Stuart M. , Pelzek Adam J. , Fulmer Yi , Hernandez David N. , Torres Victor J. , Thomsen Isaac P. , Chiang William K. , Miller Andy O. , Shopsin Bo , Silverman Gregg J.
Published: August 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a range of serious infections associated with significant morbidity, by strains increasingly resistant to antibiotics. However, to date all candidate vaccines have failed to induce protective immune responses in humans. We need a more comprehensive understanding of the antigenic targets important in the context of human infection. To investigate infection-associated immune responses, patients were sampled at initial presentation and during convalescence from three types of clinical infection; skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis (PHO). Reactivity of serum IgG was tested with an array of recombinant proteins, representing over 2,652 in-vitro-translated open reading frames (ORFs) from a community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus USA300 strain. High-level reactivity was demonstrated for 104 proteins with serum IgG in all patient samples. Overall, high-level IgG-reactivity was most commonly directed against a subset of secreted proteins. Although based on limited surveys, we found subsets of S. aureus proteins with differential reactivity with serum samples from patients with different clinical syndromes. Together, our studies have revealed a hierarchy within the diverse proteins of the S. aureus “immunome”, which will help to advance efforts to develop protective immunotherapeutic agents.
Genome wide association study identifies novel potential candidate genes for bovine milk cholesterol content
Authors: Do Duy N. , Schenkel Flavio S. , Miglior Filippo , Zhao Xin , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M.
Published: August 2018

This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with milk cholesterol (CHL) content via a genome wide association study (GWAS). Milk CHL content was determined by gas chromatography and expressed as mg of CHL in 100 g of fat (CHL_fat) or in 100 mg of milk (CHL_milk). GWAS was performed with 1,183 cows and 40,196 SNPs using a univariate linear mixed model. Two and 20 SNPs were significantly associated with CHL_fat and CHL_milk, respectively. The important regions for CHL_fat and CHL_milk were at 41.9 Mb on chromosome (BTA) 17 and 1.6–3.2 Mb on BTA 14, respectively. DGAT1, PTPN1, INSIG1, HEXIM1, SDS, and HTR5A genes, also known to be associated with human plasma CHL phenotypes, were identified as potential candidate genes for bovine milk CHL. Additional new potential candidate genes for milk CHL were RXFP1, FAM198B, TMEM144, CXXC4, MAML2 and CDH13. Enrichment analyses suggested that identified candidate genes participated in cell-cell signaling processes and are key members in tight junction, focal adhesion, Notch signaling and glycerolipid metabolism pathways. Furthermore, identified transcription factors such as PPARD, LXR, and NOTCH1 might be important in the regulation of bovine milk CHL content. The expression of several positional candidate genes (such as DGAT1, INSIG1 and FAM198B) and their correlation with milk CHL content were further confirmed with RNA sequence data from mammary gland tissues. This is the first GWAS on bovine milk CHL. The identified markers and candidate genes need further validation in a larger cohort for use in the selection of cows with desired milk CHL content.
Metabolome and molecular basis for carbohydrate increase and nitrate reduction in burley tobacco seedlings by glycerol through upregulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism
Authors: Li Yafei , Chang Dong , Yang Huijuan , Wang Jing , Shi Hongzhi
Published: August 2018

Burley tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum) is a chlorophyll-deficiency mutant. Nitrate is one precursor of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and is largely accumulated in burley tobacco. To decrease nitrate accumulation in burley tobacco, glycerol, a polyhydric alcohol compound and physiological regulating material, was sprayed and its effects were investigated based on metabolomic technology and molecular biology. The results showed that glucose, glutamine and glutamic acid increased by 2.6, 5.1 and 196, folds, respectively, in tobacco leaves after glycerol application. Nitrate content was significantly decreased by 12–16% and expression of eight genes responsible for carbon and nitrogen metabolism were up-regulated with glycerol applications under both normal and 20% reduced nitrogen levels (P < 0.01). Leaf biomass of plants sprayed with glycerol and 20% nitrogen reduction was equivalent to that of no glycerol control with normal nitrogen application. Carbohydrates biosynthesis, nitrate transport and nitrate assimilation were enhanced in glycerol sprayed burley tobacco seedlings which might contribute to reduced nitrate and increased carbohydrates contents. In conclusion, glyerol spray coupled with 20% nitrogen reduction would be an effective method to reduce nitrate accumulation in burley tobacco.
Author Correction: Soil salinity and matric potential interaction on water use, water use efficiency and yield response factor of bean and wheat
Authors: Khataar Mahnaz , Mohammadi Mohammad Hossien , Shabani Farzin
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Comprehensive analysis of single molecule sequencing-derived complete genome and whole transcriptome of Hyposidra talaca nuclear polyhedrosis virus
Authors: Nguyen Thong T. , Suryamohan Kushal , Kuriakose Boney , Janakiraman Vasantharajan , Reichelt Mike , Chaudhuri Subhra , Guillory Joseph , Divakaran Neethu , Rabins P. E. , Goel Ridhi , Deka Bhabesh , Sarkar Suman , Ekka Preety , Tsai Yu-Chih , Vargas Derek , Santhosh Sam , Mohan Sangeetha , Chin Chen-Shan , Korlach Jonas , Thomas George , Babu Azariah , Seshagiri Somasekar
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Characterization of Mutations in the Mitochondrial Encoded Electron Transport Chain Complexes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Wu Sharon , Akhtari Mojtaba , Alachkar Houda
Published: August 2018

Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a devastating and heterogeneous, hematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of undifferentiated myeloid progenitor cells—blasts. Mutations in certain mitochondrial proteins, such as IDH2 have been shown to contribute to leukemogenesis. However, the role of mutations in mitochondrial-encoded Electron Transport Chain (ETC) genes have thus far not been well elucidated in AML. Here, we use TCGA data to characterize mutations in the ETC genes and their association with clinical outcomes in AML. We found that mitochondrial ETC mutations—in Complex I, III, IV and/or V (ATP Synthase)—were present in 8% of patients with AML and were significantly more frequent in older patients. Patients with ETC mutations had worse overall survival than ETC wild type patients (OS: 9.3 vs 20.1 months; p-value: 0.007). Additionally, mutations in either or both Complex I and IV were associated with TP53 mutations (p-value: 0.009), and among TP53 mutated patients, mutations in either or both Complex I and IV were significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS: 0.85 vs 9.4 months; p-value: 0.008). Elucidation of the mechanisms by which ETC mutations contribute to AML pathogenesis and progression would facilitate the development of novel therapeutic targets.
Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of inflammatory markers in Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonian disorders
Authors: Hall Sara , Janelidze Shorena , Surova Yulia , Widner Håkan , Zetterberg Henrik , Hansson Oskar
Published: August 2018

Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We here investigate levels of inflammatory biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PD and atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD) compared with neurologically healthy controls. We included 131 patients with PD and 27 PD with dementia (PDD), 24 with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 14 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and 50 controls, all part of the Swedish BioFINDER study. CSF was analyzed for CRP, SAA, IL-6, IL-8, YKL-40 and MCP-1 (CCL2) as well as α-synuclein (α-syn), tau, tau phosphorylated at Thr181 (P-tau), Aβ42 and NfL. In this exploratory study, we found higher levels of the inflammatory biomarker SAA in PDD and MSA compared with controls and PD and higher levels of CRP in PDD and MSA compared with PD. YKL-40 was lower in PD compared with controls. There were multiple positive correlations between the inflammatory markers, α-syn and markers of neuroaxonal injury (NfL and tau). In PD, higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers correlated with worse motor function and cognitive impairment. Thus, inflammatory biomarkers were increased in PDD and MSA. Furthermore, inflammatory biomarkers correlated with more severe disease regarding motor symptoms and cognitive impairment in PD, indicating an association between inflammation and more aggressive disease course. However, the results need confirmation in follow-up studies.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic biomarkers in resectable esophageal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Creemers Aafke , Ebbing Eva A. , Pelgrim Thomas C. , Lagarde Sjoerd M. , van Etten-Jamaludin Faridi S. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Hulshof Maarten C. C. M. , Krishnadath Kausilia K. , Meijer Sybren L. , Bijlsma Maarten F. , van Oijen Martijn G. H. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M.
Published: August 2018

Targeted therapy is lagging behind in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). To guide the development of new treatment strategies, we provide an overview of the prognostic biomarkers in resectable EAC treated with curative intent. The Medline, Cochrane and EMBASE databases were systematically searched, focusing on overall survival (OS). The quality of the studies was assessed using a scoring system ranging from 0–7 points based on modified REMARK criteria. To evaluate all identified prognostic biomarkers, the hallmarks of cancer were adapted to fit all biomarkers based on their biological function in EAC, resulting in the features angiogenesis, cell adhesion and extra-cellular matrix remodeling, cell cycle, immune, invasion and metastasis, proliferation, and self-renewal. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived by random effects meta-analyses performed on each hallmarks of cancer feature. Of the 3298 unique articles identified, 84 were included, with a mean quality of 5.9 points (range 3.5–7). The hallmarks of cancer feature ‘immune’ was most significantly associated with worse OS (HR 1.88, (95%CI 1.20–2.93)). Of the 82 unique prognostic biomarkers identified, meta-analyses showed prominent biomarkers, including COX-2, PAK-1, p14ARF, PD-L1, MET, LC3B, IGFBP7 and LGR5, associated to each hallmark of cancer.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of 2D and 3D Cultured Colorectal Cancer Cells: Profiling of Tankyrase Inhibitor XAV939-Induced Proteome
Authors: Kim Young Eun , Jeon Hyo Jin , Kim Dahee , Lee Sun Young , Kim Ki Young , Hong Jongki , Maeng Pil Jae , Kim Kwang-Rok , Kang Dukjin
Published: August 2018

Recently there has been a growing interest in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems for drug discovery and development. These 3D culture systems better represent the in vivo cellular environment compared to two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, thereby providing more physiologically reliable information on drug screening and testing. Here we present the quantitative profiling of a drug-induced proteome in 2D- and 3D-cultured colorectal cancer SW480 cells using 2D nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2D-nLC-MS/MS) integrated with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). We identified a total of 4854 shared proteins between 2D- and 3D-cultured SW480 cells and 136/247 differentially expressed proteins (up/down-regulated in 3D compared to 2D). These up/down-regulated proteins were mainly involved in energy metabolism, cell growth, and cell-cell interactions. We also investigated the XAV939 (tankyrase inhibitor)-induced proteome to reveal factors involved in the 3D culture-selective growth inhibitory effect of XAV939 on SW480 cells. We identified novel XAV939-induced proteins, including gelsolin (a possible tumor suppressor) and lactate dehydrogenase A (a key enzyme of glycolysis), which were differentially expressed between 2D- and 3D-cultured SW480 cells. These results provide a promising informative protein dataset to determine the effect of XAV939 on the expression levels of proteins involved in SW480 cell growth.
MARCKS regulates neuritogenesis and interacts with a CDC42 signaling network
Authors: Brudvig J. J. , Cain J. T. , Sears R. M. , Schmidt-Grimminger G. G. , Wittchen E. S. , Adler K. B. , Ghashghaei H. T. , Weimer J. M.
Published: August 2018

Through the process of neuronal differentiation, newly born neurons change from simple, spherical cells to complex, sprawling cells with many highly branched processes. One of the first stages in this process is neurite initiation, wherein cytoskeletal modifications facilitate membrane protrusion and extension from the cell body. Hundreds of actin modulators and microtubule-binding proteins are known to be involved in this process, but relatively little is known about how upstream regulators bring these complex networks together at discrete locations to produce neurites. Here, we show that Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) participates in this process. Marcks−/− cortical neurons extend fewer neurites and have less complex neurite arborization patterns. We use an in vitro proteomics screen to identify MARCKS interactors in developing neurites and characterize an interaction between MARCKS and a CDC42-centered network. While the presence of MARCKS does not affect whole brain levels of activated or total CDC42, we propose that MARCKS is uniquely positioned to regulate CDC42 localization and interactions within specialized cellular compartments, such as nascent neurites.
A comparison of trunk circumference and width indices for hypertension and type 2 diabetes in a large-scale screening: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Bum Ju , Ku Boncho
Published: August 2018

Anthropometric indices determine important risk factors for many chronic diseases. However, to date, no study has simultaneously analyzed the capabilities of trunk circumference and width indices to identify hypertension and type 2 diabetes in a large-scale screening study. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations of hypertension and - diabetes with circumference and width indices measured at the five identical positions (axillary, chest, rib, waist, and pelvic) and to compare the capabilities of circumference and width indices to identify the two diseases. Data were obtained from the Korean Health and Genome Epidemiology Study database. The associations and abilities of the circumference indices to identify diabetes were greater than those for hypertension. Overall, trunk circumference indices displayed stronger associations with and greater abilities to identify hypertension and diabetes than did trunk width indices at the five positions. In the comparative analysis between index pairs of circumference and width in patients with diabetes, significant differences were shown at all five positions and in the adjusted analysis of axillary, chest, rib, and pelvic positions. Therefore, width indices should not be used as an alternative indicator of type 2 diabetes in either men or women, except when measured at the waist.
Stretchable and Washable Strain Sensor Based on Cracking Structure for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Tolvanen Jarkko , Hannu Jari , Jantunen Heli
Published: August 2018

Stretchable and wearable strain sensors have been intensively studied in recent years for applications in human motion monitoring. However, achieving a high-performance strain sensor with high stretchability, ultra-sensitivity, and functionality, such as tunable sensing ranges and sensitivity to various stimuli, has not yet been reported, even though such sensors have great importance for the future applications of wearable electronics. Herein, a novel and versatile strain sensor based on a cracking (silver ink patterned silicone elastomer)-(silver plated nylon structure) (Ag-DS/CF) has been designed and fabricated. The unique structure combined precisely shaped stretchable conductive fabrics and wrinkled Ag-ink pattern to achieve an excellent electrical performance. The Ag-DS/CF could be used to detect both large and subtle human motions and activities, pressure changes, and physical vibrations by achieving high stretchability up to 75%, ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor >104–106), tunable sensing ranges (from 7 to 75%). Excellent durability was demonstrated for human motion monitoring with machine washability. The extremely versatile Ag-DS/CF showed outstanding potential for the future of wearable electronics in real-time monitoring of human health, sports performance, etc.
The DNMT3A R882H mutation does not cause dominant negative effects in purified mixed DNMT3A/R882H complexes
Authors: Emperle Max , Dukatz Michael , Kunert Stefan , Holzer Katharina , Rajavelu Arumugam , Jurkowska Renata Z. , Jeltsch Albert
Published: August 2018

The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A R882H mutation is observed in 25% of all AML patients. DNMT3A is active as tetramer and the R882H mutation is located in one of the subunit/subunit interfaces. Previous work has reported that formation of mixed wildtype/R882H complexes leads to a strong loss of catalytic activity observed in in vitro DNA methylation assays (Russler-Germain et al., 2014, Cancer Cell 25:442–454). To investigate this effect further, we have prepared mixed wildtype/R882H DNMT3A complexes by incubation of individually purified subunits of the DNMT3A catalytic domain and full-length DNMT3A2. In addition, we have used a double affinity tag approach and specifically purified mixed catalytic domain complexes formed after co-expression of R882H and wildtype subunits in E. coli cells. Afterwards, we determined the catalytic activity of the mixed complexes and compared it to that of purified complexes only consisting of one subunit type. In both settings, the expected catalytic activities of mixed R882H/wildtype complexes were observed demonstrating an absence of a dominant negative effect of the R882H mutation in purified DNMT3A enzymes. This result suggests that heterocomplex formation of DNMT3A and R882H is unlikely to cause dominant negative effects in human cells as well. The limitations of this conclusion and its implications are discussed.
Strongly Coupled Morphological Features of Aortic Aneurysms Drive Intraluminal Thrombus
Authors: Bhagavan D. , Di Achille P. , Humphrey J. D.
Published: August 2018

Over 75% of abdominal aortic aneurysms harbor an intraluminal thrombus, and increasing evidence suggests that biologically active thrombus contributes to the natural history of these potentially lethal lesions. Thrombus formation depends on the local hemodynamics, which in turn depends on morphological features of the aneurysm and near vasculature. We previously presented a hemodynamically motivated “thrombus formation potential” that predicts where and when thrombus might form. Herein, we combine detailed studies of the three-dimensional hemodynamics with methods of sparse grid collocation and interpolation via kriging to examine roles of five key morphological features of aneurysms on thrombus formation: lesion diameter, axial position, length, curvature, and renal artery position. Computational simulations suggest that maximum diameter is a key determinant of thrombogenicity, but other morphological features modulate this dependence. More distally located lesions tend to have a higher thrombus formation potential and shorter lesions tend to have a higher potential than longer lesions, given the same aneurysmal dilatation. Finally, movement of vortical structures through the infrarenal aorta and lesion can significantly affect thrombogenicity. Formation of intraluminal thrombus within an evolving abdominal aortic aneurysm thus depends on coupled morphological features, not all intuitive, and computational simulations can be useful for predicting thrombogenesis.
Velocity distributions in trapped and mobilized non-wetting phase ganglia in porous media
Authors: Zarikos I. , Terzis A. , Hassanizadeh S. M. , Weigand B.
Published: August 2018

Understanding the mobilisation of trapped globules of non-wetting phase during two-phase flow has been the aim of numerous studies. However, the driving forces for the mobilisation of the trapped phases are still not well understood. Also, there is little information about what happens within a globule before, at the onset and during mobilization. In this work, we used micro-particle tracking velocimetry in a micro-fluidic model in order to visualise the velocity distributions inside the trapped phase globules prior and during mobilisation. Therefore, time-averaged and instantaneous velocity vectors have been determined using fluorescent microscopy. As a porous medium, we used a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-model with a well-defined pore structure, where drainage and imbibition experiments were conducted. Three different geometries of trapped non-wetting globules, namely droplets, blobs and ganglia were investigated. We observed internal circulations inside the trapped phase globules, leading to the formation of vortices. The direction of circulating flow within a globule is dictated by the drag force exerted on it by the flowing wetting phase. This is illustrated by calculating and analyzing the drag force (per unit area) along fluid-fluid interfaces. In the case of droplets and blobs, only one vortex is formed. The flow field within a ganglion is much more complex and more vortices can be formed. The circulation velocities are largest at the fluid-fluid interfaces, along which the wetting phase flows and decreases towards the middle of the globule. The circulation velocities increased proportionally with the increase of wetting phase average velocity (or capillary number). The vortices remain stable as long as the globules are trapped, start to change at the onset of mobilization and disappear during the movement of globules. They reappear when the globules get stranded. Droplets are less prone to mobilization; blobs get mobilised in whole; while ganglia may get ruptured and get mobilised only partially.
Machine learning identified an Alzheimer’s disease-related FDG-PET pattern which is also expressed in Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia
Authors: Katako Audrey , Shelton Paul , Goertzen Andrew L. , Levin Daniel , Bybel Bohdan , Aljuaid Maram , Yoon Hyun Jin , Kang Do Young , Kim Seok Min , Lee Chong Sik , Ko Ji Hyun
Published: August 2018

Utilizing the publicly available neuroimaging database enabled by Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; http://adni.loni.usc.edu/), we have compared the performance of automated classification algorithms that differentiate AD vs. normal subjects using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). General linear model, scaled subprofile modeling and support vector machines were examined. Among the tested classification methods, support vector machine with Iterative Single Data Algorithm produced the best performance, i.e., sensitivity (0.84) × specificity (0.95), by 10-fold cross-validation. We have applied the same classification algorithm to four different datasets from ADNI, Health Science Centre (Winnipeg, Canada), Dong-A University Hospital (Busan, S. Korea) and Asan Medical Centre (Seoul, S. Korea). Our data analyses confirmed that the support vector machine with Iterative Single Data Algorithm showed the best performance in prediction of future development of AD from the prodromal stage (mild cognitive impairment), and that it was also sensitive to other types of dementia such as Parkinson’s Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and that perfusion imaging using single photon emission computed tomography may achieve a similar accuracy to that of FDG-PET.
Pixelated Metasurface for Dual-Band and Multi-Polarization Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ghaderi Bagher , Nayyeri Vahid , Soleimani Mohammad , Ramahi Omar M.
Published: August 2018

A dual-band and polarization-independent electromagnetic energy harvester composed of an array of pixelated unit cells is proposed. The pixelated unit cell is basically a dual-band resonator loaded with two resistors which model the input impedance of a power combining circuit in a complete harvesting system. To design the unit cell, a topology optimization approach based on pixelization of the surface of the unit cell and application of a binary optimization algorithm is used. The optimization goal is set to maximize harvesting efficiency at 2.45 GHz and 6 GHz. In our design, full symmetry of the unit cell is considered to achieve insensitivity to the polarization of the incident wave. Once, the unit cell is designed, as a proof of the concept, a metasurface harvester composed of 9 × 9 pixelated cells is designed. The full-wave electromagnetic simulation results demonstrate that the proposed metasurface absorbs the incident electromagnetic wave energy with nearly unity efficiency at both frequencies of interest and irrespective the polarization of the incident field while simultaneously delivering the absorbed power to the loads. To validate the simulations, the metasurface harvester is fabricated and tested in an anechoic chamber. A strong agreement between the simulation results and measurements is observed.
Sphingosine Kinases promote IL-17 expression in human T lymphocytes
Authors: Barra Giusi , Lepore Alessio , Gagliardi Miriam , Somma Domenico , Matarazzo Maria Rosaria , Costabile Francesca , Pasquale Giuseppe , Mazzoni Alessio , Gallo Carmela , Nuzzo Genoveffa , Annunziato Francesco , Fontana Angelo , Leonardi Antonio , De Palma Raffaele
Published: August 2018

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) has a role in many cellular processes. S1P is involved in cell growth and apoptosis, regulation of cell trafficking, production of cytokines and chemokines. The kinases SphK1 and SphK2 (SphKs) phosphorilate Sphingosine (Sph) to S1P and several phosphatases revert S1P to sphingosine, thus assuring a balanced pool that can be depleted by a Sphingosine lyase in hexadecenal compounds and aldehydes. There are evidences that SphK1 and 2 may per se control cellular processes. Here, we report that Sph kinases regulate IL-17 expression in human T cells. SphKs inhibition impairs the production of IL-17, while their overexpression up-regulates expression of the cytokine through acetylation of IL-17 promoter. SphKs were up-regulated also in PBMCs of patients affected by IL-17 related diseases. Thus, S1P/S1P kinases axis is a mechanism likely to promote IL-17 expression in human T cells, representing a possible therapeutic target in human inflammatory diseases.
Computational and neural signatures of pre and post-sensory expectation bias in inferior temporal cortex
Authors: Dunovan Kyle , Wheeler Mark E.
Published: August 2018

As we gather noisy sensory information from the environment, prior knowledge about the likely cause(s) of sensory input can be leveraged to facilitate perceptual judgments. Here, we investigated the computational and neural manifestation of cued expectations in human subjects as they performed a probabilistic face/house discrimination task in which face and house stimuli were preceded by informative or neutral cues. Drift-diffusion modeling of behavioral data showed that cued expectations biased both the baseline (pre-sensory) and drift-rate (post-sensory) of evidence accumulation. By employing a catch-trial functional MRI design we were able to isolate neural signatures of expectation during pre- and post-sensory stages of decision processing in face- and house-selective areas of inferior temporal cortex (ITC). Cue-evoked timecourses were modulated by cues in a manner consistent with a pre-sensory prediction signal that scaled with probability. Sensory-evoked timecourses resembled a prediction-error signal, greater in magnitude for surprising than expected stimuli. Individual differences in baseline and drift-rate biases showed a clear mapping onto pre- and post-sensory fMRI activity in ITC. These findings highlight the specificity of perceptual expectations and provide new insight into the convergence of top-down and bottom-up signals in ITC and their distinct interactions prior to and during sensory processing.
Hemolymph protein profiles of subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes challenged with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Zeng Yuan , Hu Xing Ping , Cao Guanqun , Suh Sang-Jin
Published: August 2018

When the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes is fed heat-killed methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the termite produces proteins with antibacterial activity against the inducer pathogen in its hemolymph. We used a proteomic approach to characterize the alterations in protein profiles caused by the inducer bacterium in the hemolymph of the termite. Nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified a total of 221 proteins and approximately 70% of these proteins could be associated with biological processes and molecular functions. Challenges with these human pathogens induced a total of 57 proteins (35 in MRSA-challenged, 16 in P. aeruginosa-challenged, and 6 shared by both treatments) and suppressed 13 proteins by both pathogens. Quasi-Poisson likelihood modeling with false discovery rate adjustment identified a total of 18 and 40 proteins that were differentially expressed at least 2.5-fold in response to MRSA and P. aeruginosa-challenge, respectively. We selected 7 differentially expressed proteins and verified their gene expression levels via quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Our findings provide an initial insight into a putative termite immune response against MRSA and P. aeruginosa-challenge.
Gel with silver and ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles produced with Amanita muscaria extract: physicochemical characterization, microstructure analysis and anticancer properties
Authors: Ivashchenko Olena , Przysiecka Łucja , Peplińska Barbara , Jarek Marcin , Coy Emerson , Jurga Stefan
Published: August 2018

Combination therapy remains one of the most promising and intensively developed direction in cancer treatment. This study is aimed to combine and investigate the anticancer properties of silver nanoparticles (NPs) and Amanita muscaria mushroom in gel formulation. For this, hyaluronic acid was used as gel-forming agent, whereas Amanita muscaria extract was used as capping agent during silver and ultrasmall iron oxide (MAg) NPs synthesis. Amanita muscaria compounds formed NP’s surface layer and contributed anticancer properties, whereas silver NPs contributed anticancer, fluorescence and photoactive properties to the gel. Physicochemical characterization included X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopies (SEM, cryo-SEM, TEM, confocal fluorescence), spectrofluorometric method, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques, energy dispersive (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies, zeta-potential and rheological measurements. Microstructure analysis of hyaluronic acid/MAg NPs gel was performed by cryo-SEM technique. We showed that hyaluronic acid is a perfect gel-forming agent from both biomedical and technological points of view. It is well-mixed with MAg NPs forming stable gel formulation; high homogeneity of hyaluronic acid/MAg NPs gel was shown by SEM EDS elemental mapping. Microstructure of the gel was found to be highly ordered and consisted of domains from perforated parallel tubular structures. This finding expanded our understanding of gels and broke the stereotype of gel structure as chaotic network of fibers. Cytotoxicity studies performed on 2D and 3D HeLa cell cultures pointed to a high potential of hyaluronic acid/MAg NPs gel for local treatment of cancer. Cell response was found to be significantly different for 2D and 3D cell cultures that was related to their different cytoarhitecture and gene expression. Thus, the results of the cellular spheroids viability showed that they were significantly more resistant to the cytotoxic action of MAg NPs and their gel formulation than 2D cell culture. Hyaluronic acid used as gelling agent in gel formulation was found to increase an effectiveness of active components (MAg NPs, Amanita muscaria extract) probably improving their transport inside HeLa spheroids.
Liposomes can both enhance or reduce drugs penetration through the skin
Authors: Peralta Ma. F. , Guzmán Ma. L. , Pérez A. P. , Apezteguia G. A. , Fórmica Ma. L. , Romero E. L. , Olivera Ma. E. , Carrer D. C.
Published: August 2018

The adequate formulation of topical vehicles to treat skin diseases is particularly complex. A desirable formulation should enhance the accumulation of the active drugs in the target tissue (the skin), while avoiding the penetration enhancement to be so large that the drugs reach the systemic circulation in toxic amounts. We have evaluated the transcutaneous penetration of three drugs chosen for their widely variable physicochemical properties: Amphotericin B, Imiquimod and Indole. We incorporated the drugs in fluid or ultra-flexible liposomes. Ultra-flexible liposomes produced enhancement of drug penetration into/through human skin in all cases in comparison with fluid liposomes without detergent, regardless of drug molecular weight. At the same time, our results indicate that liposomes can impede the transcutaneous penetration of molecules, in particular small ones.
Author Correction: Large T1 contrast enhancement using superparamagnetic nanoparticles in ultra-low field MRI
Authors: Yin Xiaolu , Russek Stephen E. , Zabow Gary , Sun Fan , Mohapatra Jeotikanta , Keenan Kathryn E. , Boss Michael A. , Zeng Hao , Liu J. Ping , Viert Alexandrea , Liou Sy-Hwang , Moreland John
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Quantitative analysis of soil nutrition based on FT-NIR spectroscopy integrated with BP neural deep learning
Authors: Chen Huazhou , Liu Zhenyao , Gu Jie , Ai Wu , Wen Jiangbei , Cai Ken
Published: August 2018

The algorithmic scheme of the BPN-DL framework (details of eachHkare presented in the hexagonal box).
Spiral Eu(iii) coordination polymers with circularly polarized luminescence
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuchika , Miura Yui , Kitagawa Yuichi , Wada Satoshi , Nakanishi Takayuki , Fushimi Koji , Seki Tomohiro , Ito Hajime , Iwasa Takeshi , Taketsugu Tetsuya , Gon Masayuki , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki , Hattori Shingo , Karasawa Masanobu , Ishii Kazuyuki
Published: August 2018

A spiral-type chiral Eu(iii) coordination polymer showed strong luminescence, effective CD and CPL properties compared with a mono-nuclear chiral Eu(iii) complex in the solid state.
A multi-signal mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for real-time visualization of cysteine metabolism in living cells and animals
Authors: Yang Xiaopeng , Liu Wenya , Tang Jun , Li Ping , Weng Haibo , Ye Yong , Xian Ming , Tang Bo , Zhao Yufen
Published: August 2018

A multi-signal mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe (NIR-Cys) for simultaneous detection of Cys and its metabolite, SO2, has been developed.
Pathway driven self-assembly and living supramolecular polymerization in an amyloid-inspired peptide amphiphile
Authors: Singh Ashmeet , Joseph Jojo P. , Gupta Deepika , Sarkar Indranil , Pal Asish
Published: August 2018

Temperature dependent stepwise self-assembly and seeded supramolecular polymerization of a peptide amphiphile form metastable nanoparticles to single nanofibers or twisted bundles, to render a mechanically tunable hydrogel.
A novel red phosphor of Mn4+ion-doped oxyfluoroniobate BaNbOF5for warm WLED applications
Authors: Dong Xinlong , Pan Yuexiao , Li Dong , Lian Hongzhou , Lin Jun
Published: August 2018

A novel red phosphor composed of Mn4+-activated oxyfluoroniobate BaNbOF5was obtained at room temperature in air. The as-prepared phosphor showed a broad and intense absorption in the blue-light region and a bright red luminescence with a color purity of 97.7%.
Strain-driven carrier-type switching of surface two-dimensional electron and hole gases in a KTaO3 thin film
Authors: Zhang Xue-Jing , Liu Bang-Gui
Published: August 2018

With increasing compressive in-plane strain, the carrier concentrations of the surface 2D carrier gases decrease down to zero and then appears a new pair of surface 2D electron and hole gases with opposite carrier types.
Catalytic aromatization of acetone as a model compound for biomass-derived oil under a methane environment
Authors: Austin Danielle , Wang Aiguo , Harrhy Jonathan H. , Mao Xiaohui , Zeng Hongbo , Song Hua
Published: August 2018

The upgrading of acetone as a biomass-derived liquid into valuable chemicals could lead to a cost-effective and sustainable replacement for petroleum-derived products.
A novel mesoionic carbene based highly fluorescent Pd(ii) complex as an endoplasmic reticulum tracker in live cells
Authors: Verma Sanjay K. , Kumari Pratibha , Ansari Shagufi Naz , Ansari Mohd Ovais , Deori Dondinath , Mobin Shaikh M.
Published: August 2018

Synthesis of new organometallic MIC based mononuclear Pd(ii) complex 1, specifically target ER of live cells and have fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) property.
Palladium alkyl complexes with a formazanate ligand: synthesis, structure and reactivity
Authors: Milocco Francesca , de Vries Folkert , Dall'Anese Anna , Rosar Vera , Zangrando Ennio , Otten Edwin , Milani Barbara
Published: August 2018

The synthesis of formazanate palladium complexes is reported. Ligand-based redox-reactions and insertions of unsaturated substrates into the Pd–CH3 bond are studied.
Downregulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling with allicin for ameliorating the progression of osteoarthritis:in vitroandvivostudies
Authors: Qian Yu-Qin , Feng Zhen-Hua , Li Xiao-Bin , Hu Zhi-Chao , Xuan Jiang-Wei , Wang Xiang-yang , Xu Hai-Chao , Chen Jiao-Xiang
Published: August 2018

A schematic illustration of the potential protective effects of allicin on osteoarthritis development.
Searching for a high efficiency and environmental benign reagent to leach ion-adsorption rare earths based on the zeta potential of clay particles
Authors: Yang Lifen , Wang Dashan , Li Cuicui , Sun Yuanyuan , Zhou Xuezhen , Li Yongxiu
Published: August 2018

Aluminum sulfate is the best reagent for highly efficient and environmentally benign leaching of IAREs because of its specific adsorption towards CPs.
Correction: Catalytic conversion of biomass derivatives to lactic acid with increased selectivity in an aqueous tin(ii) chloride/choline chloride system
Authors: Bayu Asep , Yoshida Akihiro , Karnjanakom Surachai , Kusakabe Katsuki , Hao Xiaogang , Prakoso Tirto , Abudula Abuliti , Guan Guoqing
Published: August 2018

Correction for ‘Catalytic conversion of biomass derivatives to lactic acid with increased selectivity in an aqueous tin(ii) chloride/choline chloride system’ by Asep Bayu et al., Green Chem., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8gc01022f.
Molecular signature of polyoxometalates in electron transport of silicon-based molecular junctions
Authors: Laurans Maxime , Dalla Francesca Kevin , Volatron Florence , Izzet Guillaume , Guerin David , Vuillaume Dominique , Lenfant Stéphane , Proust Anna
Published: August 2018

The tunnel energy barriers of two polyoxometalate-based molecular junctions were found to depend on the nature of the metal W/Mo.
Nanoscale electromechanical properties of template-assisted hierarchical self-assembled cellulose nanofibers
Authors: Calahorra Yonatan , Datta Anuja , Famelton James , Kam Doron , Shoseyov Oded , Kar-Narayan Sohini
Published: August 2018

Hierarchical self-assembled cellulose nanofibers, fabricated using a template-wetting process, are shown to exhibit distinct shear piezoelectricity, paving the way towards engineered nanofibers with tailor-made electromechanical properties.
Facile synthesis and fundamental properties of an N-methylguanidine-bridged nucleic acid (GuNA[NMe])
Authors: Horie Naohiro , Kumagai Shinji , Kotobuki Yutaro , Yamaguchi Takao , Obika Satoshi
Published: August 2018

The GuNA[NMe]-modified oligonucleotides exhibited excellent duplex-forming ability towards the complementary single-stranded DNA and RNA, and showed robust enzymatic stability.
Temperature-controlled sequential Suzuki–Miyaura reactions for preparing unsymmetrical terphenyls
Authors: Li Xinmin , Liu Chun , Wang Lei , Ye Qing , Jin Xin , Jin Zilin
Published: August 2018

Temperature-controlled chemo-selective Suzuki–Miyaura reactions for the synthesis of unsymmetrical terphenyls.
Preparation of homoallylic amines via a three-component coupling process
Authors: Ou Xiaoxu , Labes Ricardo , Battilocchio Claudio , Ley Steven V.
Published: August 2018

A three-component synthesis of homoallylic amines is described.
Synthesis of indole-fused heteroacenes by cascade cyclisation involving rhodium(ii)-catalysed intramolecular C–H amination
Authors: Matsuda Takanori , Ito Hirotaka
Published: August 2018

Indole-fused heteroacenes have been synthesised from cascade cyclisation of 2-[(2-azidophenyl)ethynyl]anilines and -phenols in a catalytic manner under redox-neutral conditions.
A rapid cell-permeating turn-on probe for sensitive and selective detection of sulfite in living cells
Authors: Xu Jing , Zheng Da-Jun , Su Mi-Mi , Chen Yan-Chi , Jiao Qing-Cai , Yang Yu-Shun , Zhu Hai-Liang
Published: August 2018

A rapid cell-permeating probeNJUXJ-1was introduced for sensitive and selective detection of sulfite in living cells.
Molecular modulation of fluorene-dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide-based conjugated polymers for enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation under visible light
Authors: Dai Chunhui , Gong Xuezhong , Zhu Xianglin , Xue Can , Liu Bin
Published: August 2018

Three conjugated polymers (CPs) bearing a common fluorene-dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide backbone were designed and synthesized for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation upon visible-light irradiation (>420 nm).
Convenient approach to polyoxygenated dibenzo[c,e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines from donor–acceptor cyclopropanes
Authors: Boichenko Maksim A. , Ivanova Olga A. , Andreev Ivan A. , Chagarovskiy Alexey O. , Levina Irina I. , Rybakov Victor B. , Skvortsov Dmitriy A. , Trushkov Igor V.
Published: August 2018

A convenient approach to polyoxygenated tetrahydrodibenzo[c,e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines from the donor–acceptor cyclopropanes has been developed.
Microbial transformations of 4′-methylchalcones as an efficient method of obtaining novel alcohol and dihydrochalcone derivatives with antimicrobial activity
Authors: Kozłowska Joanna , Potaniec Bartłomiej , Żarowska Barbara , Anioł Mirosław
Published: August 2018

Biotransformations of 4′-methylchalcones using whole cells of bacteria allowed to obtain dihydrochalcones and alcohol with high isolated yields. The antimicrobial activity of all derivatives was evaluated against selected bacteria and fungi strains.
Fabrication of TiO2 on porous g-C3N4 by ALD for improved solar-driven hydrogen evolution
Authors: Liu Wei-Szu , Wang Li-Chen , Chin Tzu-Kang , Yen Yin-Cheng , Perng Tsong-Pyng
Published: August 2018

Schematic of Pt-loaded TiO2@P-g-C3N4 2D/2D heterojunction structure and the proposed mechanism of charge transfer for photocatalytic H2 evolution.
Micro-supercapacitors based on oriented coordination polymer thin films for AC line-filtering
Authors: Hua Weiwei , Xiu Jingwei , Xiu Fei , Zhang Zepu , Liu Juqing , Lai Linfei , Huang Wei
Published: August 2018

Micro-supercapacitors exhibiting excellent AC line-filtering with oriented coordination polymer thin-film electrodes are fabricated based on a substrate-independent electrode fabrication strategy.
Anion exchange in inorganic perovskite nanocrystal polymer composites
Authors: Sygletou Maria , Kyriazi Maria-Eleni , Kanaras Antonios G. , Stratakis Emmanuel
Published: August 2018

We demonstrate a facile, low-cost and room-temperature method of anion exchange in cesium lead bromide nanocrystals (CsPbBr3 NCs), embedded into a polymer matrix.
Three-dimensional low-defect carbon nanotube/nitrogen-doped graphene hybrid aerogel-supported Pt nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts toward the methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Yan Minmin , Jiang Quanguo , Zhang Tao , Wang Jiayu , Yang Lu , Lu Zhiyong , He Haiyan , Fu Yongsheng , Wang Xin , Huang Huajie
Published: August 2018

A self-assembly approach is developed for the synthesis of highly-active Pt on 3D low-defect CNT/N-doped graphene aerogels.
A facile dynamic crosslinked healable poly(oxime-urethane) elastomer with high elastic recovery and recyclability
Authors: Fu Daihua , Pu Wuli , Wang Zhanhua , Lu Xili , Sun Shaojie , Yu Changjiang , Xia Hesheng
Published: August 2018

Catalyst-free and colorless transparent healable and recyclable poly(oxime-urethane) elastomers were developed with scaling-up capability using low-cost and commercially available compounds.
How to realize the spin-Seebeck effect with a high spin figure of merit in magnetic boron–nitrogen nanoribbon and nanotube structures?
Authors: Wu Dan-Dan , Fu Hua-Hua , Liu Qing-Bo , Wu Ruqian
Published: August 2018

The spin-Seebeck effect (SSE) has been regarded as one of the core topics in spin caloritronics.
Improving carrier extraction in a PbSe quantum dot solar cell by introducing a solution-processed antimony-doped SnO2 buffer layer
Authors: Chen Zihan , Zhang Zhilong , Yang Jianfeng , Chen Weijian , Teh Zhi Li , Wang Dian , Yuan Lin , Zhang Jianbing , Stride John A. , Conibeer Gavin J. , Patterson Robert J. , Huang Shujuan
Published: August 2018

The antimony-doped tin oxide buffer layer greatly improve the extraction of carriers in a PbSe QD solar cell.