bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nanobody-based tracer targeting DPP6 for non-invasive imaging of human pancreatic endocrine cells
Authors: Balhuizen Alexander , Massa Sam , Mathijs Iris , Turatsinze Jean-Valery , De Vos Jens , Demine Stéphane , Xavier Catarina , Villate Olatz , Millard Isabelle , Egrise Dominique , Capito Carmen , Scharfmann Raphaël , In’t Veld Pieter , Marchetti Piero , Muyldermans Serge , Goldman Serge , Lahoutte Tony , Bouwens Luc , Eizirik Decio L. , Devoogdt Nick
Published: November 2017

There are presently no reliable ways to quantify endocrine cell mass (ECM) in vivo, which prevents an accurate understanding of the progressive beta cell loss in diabetes or following islet transplantation. To address this unmet need, we coupled RNA sequencing of human pancreatic islets to a systems biology approach to identify new biomarkers of the endocrine pancreas. Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 6 (DPP6) was identified as a target whose mRNA expression is at least 25-fold higher in human pancreatic islets as compared to surrounding tissues and is not changed by proinflammatory cytokines. At the protein level, DPP6 localizes only in beta and alpha cells within the pancreas. We next generated a high-affinity camelid single-domain antibody (nanobody) targeting human DPP6. The nanobody was radiolabelled and in vivo SPECT/CT imaging and biodistribution studies were performed in immunodeficient mice that were either transplanted with DPP6-expressing Kelly neuroblastoma cells or insulin-producing human EndoC-βH1 cells. The human DPP6-expressing cells were clearly visualized in both models. In conclusion, we have identified a novel beta and alpha cell biomarker and developed a tracer for in vivo imaging of human insulin secreting cells. This provides a useful tool to non-invasively follow up intramuscularly implanted insulin secreting cells.
Demonstration of measuring sea fog with an SNSPD-based Lidar system
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Chen Yajun , Zhang Labao , Jia Xiaoqing , Feng Zhijun , Wu Ganhua , Yan Xiachao , Zhai Jiquan , Wu Yang , Chen Qi , Zhou Xiaoying , Wang Zhizhong , Zhang Chi , Kang Lin , Chen Jian , Wu Peiheng
Published: November 2017

The monitor of sea fogs become more important with the rapid development of marine activities. Remote sensing through laser is an effective tool for monitoring sea fogs, but still challengeable for large distance. We demonstrated a Long-distance Lidar for sea fog with superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD), which extended the ranging area to a 180-km diameter area. The system, which was verified by using a benchmark distance measurement of a known island, is applied to the Mie scattering weather prediction Lidar system. The fog echo signal distribution in the range of 42.3∼63.5 km and 53.2∼74.2 km was obtained by the Lidar system. Then the fog concentration and the velocity of the fog were deduced from the distribution, which is consistent with the weather prediction. The height of the sea fog is about two hundred meter while the visibility at this height is about 90 km due to the Earth’s radius of curvature. Therefore, the capability of this SNSPD-based Lidar was close to the theoretical limit for sea fog measurements for extremely high signal-to-noise ratio of SNSPD.
The relation between gallstone disease and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Fan Lai lai , Chen Bai hui , Dai Zhi juan
Published: November 2017

Gallstone disease (GD) is a common digestive disorder that shares many risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is an important public health issue that encompasses a large percentage of overall mortality. Several recent studies have suggested an association between GD and CVD, while others have not. In this report, we present a meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the association between GD and CVD. We included eight studies published from 1980 to 2017, including nearly one million participants. The pooled relative risk (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) from the random-effects model associates with GD is 1.23 (95% CI: 1.17–1.30) for fatal and nonfatal CVD events. The pooled RR from the random-effects model of CVD events in female patients with GD is 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16–1.32). In male GD patients, the pooled RR from the random-effects model for CVD is 1.18 (95% CI: 1.06–1.31). Our meta-analysis demonstrates a substantially increased risk of fatal and nonfatal CVD events among patients with a medical history of GD. We suggest that interested investigators should further pursue the subject. In addition, both male and female patients with GD have a risk of CVD, and women have a higher risk than men.
D-Cateslytin, a new antimicrobial peptide with therapeutic potential
Authors: Zaet Abdurraouf , Dartevelle Pauline , Daouad Fadoua , Ehlinger Claire , Quilès Fabienne , Francius Grégory , Boehler Christian , Bergthold Camille , Frisch Benoît , Prévost Gilles , Lavalle Philippe , Schneider Francis , Haïkel Youssef , Metz-Boutigue Marie-Hélène , Marban Céline
Published: November 2017

The rise of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms constitutes an increasingly serious threat to global public health. As a consequence, the efficacy of conventional antimicrobials is rapidly declining, threatening the ability of healthcare professionals to cure common infections. Over the last two decades host defense peptides have been identified as an attractive source of new antimicrobials. In the present study, we characterized the antibacterial and mechanistic properties of D-Cateslytin (D-Ctl), a new epipeptide derived from L-Cateslytin, where all L-amino acids were replaced by D-amino acids. We demonstrated that D-Ctl emerges as a potent, safe and robust peptide antimicrobial with undetectable susceptibility to resistance. Using Escherichia coli as a model, we reveal that D-Ctl targets the bacterial cell wall leading to the permeabilization of the membrane and the death of the bacteria. Overall, D-Ctl offers many assets that make it an attractive candidate for the biopharmaceutical development of new antimicrobials either as a single therapy or as a combination therapy as D-Ctl also has the remarkable property to potentiate several antimicrobials of reference such as cefotaxime, amoxicillin and methicillin.
A temperature sensitive Mycobacterium paragordonae induces enhanced protective immune responses against mycobacterial infections in the mouse model
Authors: Kim Byoung-Jun , Kim Bo-Ram , Kook Yoon-Hoh , Kim Bum-Joon
Published: November 2017

Recently, we introduced a temperature sensitive Mycobacterium spp., Mycobacterium paragordonae (Mpg). Here, we checked its potential as a candidate for live vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. Intravenous infections of mice with Mpg led to lower colony forming units (CFUs) compared to infection with BCG, suggesting its usefulness as a live vaccine. The analyses of immune responses indicated that the highly protective immunity elicited by Mpg was dependent on effective dendritic maturation, shift of cytokine patterns and antibody production toward a Th1 phenotype, and enhanced cytotoxic T cell response. Compared to BCG, Mpg showed a more effective protective immune response in the vaccinated mice against challenges with 2 different mycobacterial strains, M. tuberculosis H37Ra or M. abscessus Asan 50594. Our data suggest that a temperature sensitive Mpg may be a potentially powerful candidate vaccine strain to induce enhanced protective immune responses against M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus.
InsuTAG: A novel physiologically relevant predictor for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Thota Rohith N. , Abbott Kylie A. , Ferguson Jessica J. A. , Veysey Martin , Lucock Mark , Niblett Suzanne , King Katrina , Garg Manohar L.
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a novel physiologically relevant marker, InsuTAG (fasting insulin × fasting triglycerides) can predict insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data of 618 participants from the Retirement Health and Lifestyle Study (RHLS) were evaluated for the current study. IR was defined by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) scores. Pearson correlations were used to examine the associations of InsuTAG with HOMA-IR and other markers. Predictions of IR from InsuTAG were evaluated using multiple regression models. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were constructed to measure the sensitivity and specificity of InsuTAG values and to determine the optimum cut-off point for prediction of IR. InsuTAG was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.86; p < 0.0001). InsuTAG is a strong predictor of IR accounting for 65.0% of the variation in HOMA-IR values after adjusting for potential confounders. Areas under the ROC curve showed that InsuTAG (0.93) has higher value than other known lipid markers for predicting IR, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.15% and 86.88%. Prevalence of MetS was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in subjects with InsuTAG values greater than optimal cut-off value of 11.2. Thus, InsuTAG appears to be a potential feasible marker of IR and metabolic syndrome.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Exacerbates OVA-mediated asthma in mice through C5a-C5aR regulating CD4+T cells Immune Responses
Authors: Hu Xinyue , Li Xiaozhao , Hu Chengping , Qin Ling , He Ruoxi , Luo Lisha , Tang Wei , Feng Juntao
Published: November 2017

Asthma exacerbation could be induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the underlying pathogenic mechanism is related to complement activation. Although complement might regulate CD4+T cells immune responses in asthma model, this regulation existed in RSV-induced asthma model remains incompletely characterrized. In this study, we assessed the contribution of C5a-C5aR to CD4+T cell immune responses in RSV-infected asthma mice. Female BALB/C mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) while treated with RSV infection and C5a receptor antagonist (C5aRA) during challenge period. RSV enhanced lung damage, airway hyperresponsiveness, and C5aR expressions in asthma mice, while C5aRA alleviated these pathologic changes. The percentages of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells were increased, while the percentage of Treg cells was decreased in RSV-infected asthma mice compared with asthma mice. IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17A levels have similar trend with Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. Notably, above changes of CD4+T cells and their related cytokines were reversed by C5aRA. Together, the data indicates that RSV infection could apparently increase C5a and C5aR expression in the pathogenesis of RSV-infected asthma mice, meanwhile C5aRA prevents some of the CD4+T cells immune changes that are induced by RSV.
Hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species mediate N-cadherin and SERPINE1 expression, EGFR signalling and motility in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells
Authors: Azimi Iman , Petersen Rosalie M. , Thompson Erik W. , Roberts-Thomson Sarah J. , Monteith Gregory R.
Published: November 2017

One of the hallmarks of the tumour microenvironment is hypoxia resulting from increased oxygen consumption by proliferative cancer cells and altered vasculature. Hypoxic tension initiates various cellular signals and can drive epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process important in cancer progression. In this study, using the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), we show that hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells, selectively regulate hypoxia-induced increases in N-cadherin and SERPINE1, two proteins involved in cell adhesion. Treatment of cells with NAC also attenuated hypoxia-mediated activation of EGFR, but did not have any effect on hypoxia-mediated induction of HIF1α. Exogenous hydrogen peroxide phenocopied the effects of hypoxia on N-cadherin and SERPINE1 expression and EGFR activation, suggesting its possible involvement in these hypoxia-mediated events. Reflective of their effect on cell adhesion proteins and EGFR (associated with migratory phenotypes), NAC also reduced cell migration under hypoxic conditions, a crucial event in metastasis. Our findings suggest a selective role for redox signalling in the regulation of specific components of the responses to hypoxia and induction of EMT in breast cancer cells. This study provides new evidence supporting the potential of targeting ROS as a therapeutic strategy for the control of breast cancer metastasis.
Novel serotonin transporter regulators: Natural aristolane- and nardosinane- types of sesquiterpenoids from Nardostachys chinensis Batal
Authors: Chen Ying-Peng , Ying Shu-Song , Zheng Hong-Hong , Liu Yan-Ting , Wang Zhong-Ping , Zhang Hu , Deng Xu , Wu Yi-Jing , Gao Xiu-Mei , Li Tian-Xiang , Zhu Yan , Xu Yan-Tong , Wu Hong-Hua
Published: November 2017

Serotonin transporter (SERT) is a classic target of drug discovery for neuropsychiatric and digestive disorders, and against those disorders, plants of Nardostachys genus have been valued for centuries in the systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic and Unani. Herein, chemical investigation on the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys chinensis Batal. led to the isolation of forty sesquiterpenoids including six new aristolane-type sesquiterpenoids and six new nardosinane-type sesquiterprenoids. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, combined with analyses of circular dichroism and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. To explore natural product scaffolds with SERT regulating activity, a high-content assay for measurement of SERT function in vitro was conducted to evaluate the SERT regulating properties of these isolates. In conclusion, eleven compounds could be potential natural product scaffolds for developing drug candidates targeting SERT. Among which, kanshone C of aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid inhibited SERT most strongly, while desoxo-nachinol A of nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoid instead enhanced SERT potently.
Reconstructing Yeasts Phylogenies and Ancestors from Whole Genome Data
Authors: Feng Bing , Lin Yu , Zhou Lingxi , Guo Yan , Friedman Robert , Xia Ruofan , Hu Fei , Liu Chao , Tang Jijun
Published: November 2017

Phylogenetic studies aim to discover evolutionary relationships and histories. These studies are based on similarities of morphological characters and molecular sequences. Currently, widely accepted phylogenetic approaches are based on multiple sequence alignments, which analyze shared gene datasets and concatenate/coalesce these results to a final phylogeny with maximum support. However, these approaches still have limitations, and often have conflicting results with each other. Reconstructing ancestral genomes helps us understand mechanisms and corresponding consequences of evolution. Most existing genome level phylogeny and ancestor reconstruction methods can only process simplified real genome datasets or simulated datasets with identical genome content, unique genome markers, and limited types of evolutionary events. Here, we provide an alternative way to resolve phylogenetic problems based on analyses of real genome data. We use phylogenetic signals from all types of genome level evolutionary events, and overcome the conflicting issues existing in traditional phylogenetic approaches. Further, we build an automated computational pipeline to reconstruct phylogenies and ancestral genomes for two high-resolution real yeast genome datasets. Comparison results with recent studies and publications show that we reconstruct very accurate and robust phylogenies and ancestors. Finally, we identify and analyze the conserved syntenic blocks among reconstructed ancestral genomes and present yeast species.
1000-Year Quasi-Periodicity of Weak Monsoon Events in Temperate Northeast Asia since the Mid-Holocene
Authors: Jo Kyoung-nam , Yi Sangheon , Lee Jin-Yong , Woo Kyung Sik , Cheng Hai , Edwards Lawrence R. , Kim Sang-Tae
Published: November 2017

The Holocene variability in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) based on speleothem δ18O records has inconsistencies in timing, duration, and expression of millennial-scale events among nearby regions, and even within the same cave. Here, we present another stalagmite δ18O record with multi-decadal time resolution from the temperate Korean Peninsula (KP) for the last 5500 years in order to compare with Holocene millennial-scale EASM events from Southeast Asia. Based on our new stalagmite δ18O record, millennial-scale events since the mid-Holocene were successfully identified in the KP, representing a noticeable cyclic pattern with a periodicity of around 1000 years. We propose that the Holocene millennial-scale events are common hydroclimatic phenomena at least in the East Asian monsoon system. Meanwhile, the shorter periodicity of millennial-scale events than that of the North Atlantic region is likely to decouple the EASM system from the North Atlantic climate system. This observation suggests that weak EASM and North Atlantic Bond events may have been induced independently by direct solar activity (and then possible feedback) and ocean–ice sheet dynamics, respectively, rather than simple propagation from the North Atlantic to the EASM regions.
Identification of a Neurocognitive Mechanism Underpinning Awareness of Chronic Tinnitus
Authors: Trevis Krysta J. , Tailby Chris , Grayden David B. , McLachlan Neil M. , Jackson Graeme D. , Wilson Sarah J.
Published: November 2017

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a common auditory sensation that can become a chronic debilitating health condition with pervasive effects on health and wellbeing, substantive economic burden, and no known cure. Here we investigate if impaired functioning of the cognitive control network that directs attentional focus is a mechanism erroneously maintaining the tinnitus sensation. Fifteen people with chronic tinnitus and 15 healthy controls matched for age and gender from the community performed a cognitively demanding task known to activate the cognitive control network in this functional magnetic resonance imaging study. We identify attenuated activation of a core node of the cognitive control network (the right middle frontal gyrus), and altered baseline connectivity between this node and nodes of the salience and autobiographical memory networks. Our findings indicate that in addition to auditory dysfunction, altered interactions between non-auditory neurocognitive networks maintain chronic tinnitus awareness, revealing new avenues for the identification of effective treatments.
Coevolution of Vertex Weights Resolves Social Dilemma in Spatial Networks
Authors: Shen Chen , Chu Chen , Guo Hao , Shi Lei , Duan Jiangyan
Published: November 2017

In realistic social system, the role or influence of each individual varies and adaptively changes in time in the population. Inspired by this fact, we thus consider a new coevolution setup of game strategy and vertex weight on a square lattice. In detail, we model the structured population on a square lattice, on which the role or influence of each individual is depicted by vertex weight, and the prisoner’s dilemma game has been applied to describe the social dilemma of pairwise interactions of players. Through numerical simulation, we conclude that our coevolution setup can promote the evolution of cooperation effectively. Especially, there exists a moderate value of δ for each ε that can warrant an optimal resolution of social dilemma. For a further understanding of these results, we find that intermediate value of δ enables the strongest heterogeneous distribution of vertex weight. We hope our coevolution setup of vertex weight will provide new insight for the future research.
Influences of anthropogenic land use on microbial community structure and functional potentials of stream benthic biofilms
Authors: Qu Xiaodong , Ren Ze , Zhang Haiping , Zhang Min , Zhang Yuhang , Liu Xiaobo , Peng Wenqi
Published: November 2017

Stream ecosystems are the primary receivers of nutrient and organic carbon exported from terrestrial ecosystems and are profoundly influenced by the land use of the surrounding landscape. The aquatic impacts of anthropogenic land use are often first observed in stream benthic biofilms. We studied the benthic biofilms in streams flowing through forest (upstream) and anthropogenic land use (downstream) areas in southwestern China. The results showed that anthropogenic land use increased nutrient and organic carbon in both stream water and benthic biofilms, which are closely related to the differences in the microbial communities. The taxonomic dissimilarity of the communities was significantly correlated with the functional gene dissimilarity, and the upstream sites had more distinct functional genes. Network analysis showed that upstream sites had more highly connected microbial networks. Furthermore, downstream sites had higher relative abundances of anammox and denitrification suggesting stronger nitrogen removal than upstream sites. Increased nutrients in both the stream water and biofilms caused by anthropogenic land use had severe impacts on the nitrogen cycle in stream ecosystems. Downstream sites also had stronger carbon metabolism than upstream sites. This study provides insights into the influences of anthropogenic land use on microbial community structure and functions of stream benthic biofilms.
Atropine augments cardiac contractility by inhibiting cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 4
Authors: Perera Ruwan K. , Fischer Thomas H. , Wagner Michael , Dewenter Matthias , Vettel Christiane , Bork Nadja I. , Maier Lars S. , Conti Marco , Wess Juergen , El-Armouche Ali , Hasenfuß Gerd , Nikolaev Viacheslav O.
Published: November 2017

Atropine is a clinically relevant anticholinergic drug, which blocks inhibitory effects of the parasympathetic neurotransmitter acetylcholine on heart rate leading to tachycardia. However, many cardiac effects of atropine cannot be adequately explained solely by its antagonism at muscarinic receptors. In isolated mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes expressing a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based cAMP biosensor, we confirmed that atropine inhibited acetylcholine-induced decreases in cAMP. Unexpectedly, even in the absence of acetylcholine, after G-protein inactivation with pertussis toxin or in myocytes from M2- or M1/3-muscarinic receptor knockout mice, atropine increased cAMP levels that were pre-elevated with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. Using the FRET approach and in vitro phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity assays, we show that atropine acts as an allosteric PDE type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. In human atrial myocardium and in both intact wildtype and M2 or M1/3-receptor knockout mouse Langendorff hearts, atropine led to increased contractility and heart rates, respectively. In vivo, the atropine-dependent prolongation of heart rate increase was blunted in PDE4D but not in wildtype or PDE4B knockout mice. We propose that inhibition of PDE4 by atropine accounts, at least in part, for the induction of tachycardia and the arrhythmogenic potency of this drug.
Surgical Management and Prognostic Prediction of Adenocarcinoma of Jejunum and Ileum
Authors: Xie Xin , Zhou Zhangjian , Song Yongchun , Dang Chengxue , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2017

We conducted a retrospective study based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database to establish a novel nomogram prognostic prediction system and to estimate the association between overall survival and prognostic factors, as well as to explore surgical treatment strategies for adenocarcinoma of the jejunum and ileum. A total of 883 patients from the SEER database were included in this study. Eight potential prognostic factors were included in a nomogram model and discriminatory power and accuracy were examined using the Harrell’s C-index and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) index. In comparison with the AJCC TNM staging system, the nomogram prediction system was more accurate and homogeneous (Harrell’s C-index, 0.731 vs. 0.667; AIC index, 4852.9 vs. 4913.723). For surgical management, resection of more than 12 local lymph nodes could improve the likelihood of survival. This study demonstrates that our nomogram model is more accurate and homogeneous than the traditional AJCC TNM staging system, and proper surgical strategies for mesenteric lymphadenectomy improve overall survival.
Immunohistochemical Detection of Propionibacterium acnes in the Retinal Granulomas in Patients with Ocular Sarcoidosis
Authors: Nagata Kenji , Eishi Yoshinobu , Uchida Keisuke , Yoneda Kazuhito , Hatanaka Hiroki , Yasuhara Toru , Nagata Maho , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: November 2017

The etiology of sarcoidosis is still obscure; however, Mycobacteria and Propionibacterium acnes are considered the most implicated etiological agent for sarcoidosis. To investigate whether P. acnes is an etiological agent for sarcoid uveitis, we analyzed the frequency of P. acnes detected within the biopsied retinas from patients with ocular sarcoidosis by immunohistochemistry with a P. acnes-specific monoclonal antibody (PAB antibody). Eleven patients (12 eyes) with sarcoid uveitis were enrolled in this study. Eight patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, two patients with non-sarcoid uveitis, and two patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma were enrolled as controls. In the sarcoidosis group, granulomas were mainly observed in the inner retinal layer filled with CD4+ cells and CD68+ cells, indicating the Th1 immune response. P. acnes, identified as round bodies that reacted with the PAB antibody, were present in 10/12 samples (83%) from 9/11 patients (82%) with sarcoidosis. These round bodies were scattered within the retinal granulomas mainly in the inner retinal layer. In the control group, no round bodies were detected. Our results suggested that P. acnes could be associated with sarcoid uveitis. We hypothesize that sarcoid granulomas may be formed by a Th1 immune response to P. acnes hematogenously transmitted to the retina.
Phenylalanine and derivatives as versatile low-molecular-weight gelators: design, structure and tailored function
Authors: Das Tanmay , Häring Marleen , Haldar Debasish , Díaz Díaz David
Published: November 2017

Phenylalanine (Phe) is an essential amino acid classified as neutral and nonpolar due to the hydrophobic nature of the benzyl side chain.
Formation of a spiro compound via coupling of a cyclopentadienyl ligand with a diene moiety of titanacyclopentadiene
Authors: Bando Masayoshi , Mizukami Yuki , Nakajima Kiyohiko , Song Zhiyi , Takahashi Tamotsu
Published: November 2017

The treatment of titanacyclopentadienes with bismuth(iii) chloride gave spiro compounds in moderate yields.
Characterization of ammonia binding to the second coordination shell of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II
Authors: Mandal Manoj , Askerka Mikhail , Banerjee Gourab , Amin Muhammed , Brudvig Gary W. , Batista Victor S. , Gunner M. R.
Published: November 2017

The second-shell ammonia binding sites near the oxygen-evolving complex are characterized by Continuum Electrostatic/Monte Carlo (MCCE), QM/MM and DFT calculations and experimental measurements.
Monocorevs.multicore magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: uptake by glioblastoma cells and efficiency for magnetic hyperthermia
Authors: Hemery Gauvin , Genevois Coralie , Couillaud Franck , Lacomme Sabrina , Gontier Etienne , Ibarboure Emmanuel , Lecommandoux Sébastien , Garanger Elisabeth , Sandre Olivier
Published: November 2017

PEGylated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesised with the aim to provide proof of concept results of remote cancer cell killing by magnetic fluid hyperthermia.
Reversible colour changes of mixed films composed of 4,4′-bis[bis(4-methylphenyl)amino]azobenzene and organic acids in response to exhaled breath
Authors: Kitamura Yuya , Ichikawa Ryoji , Nakano Hideyuki
Published: November 2017

Mixed films of the title aminoazobenzene with a few different conventional organic acids exhibited drastic and reversible colour changes when exposed to exhaled breath.
Functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) membrane: progress and challenges
Authors: Sianipar Merry , Kim Seung Hyun , Khoiruddin Khoiruddin , Iskandar Ferry , Wenten I Gede
Published: November 2017

Various approaches have been investigated to functionalize CNT for achieving a high dispersion of CNT as well as high compatibility between CNT and polymer matrix which lead to improvement of membrane properties and performances.
Zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) hydrogels incorporated with angiogenic peptides promote differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Kao Chung-Wei , Cheng Po-Hsiu , Wu Po-Ting , Wang Shih-Wen , Chen I.-Chun , Cheng Nai-Chen , Yang Kai-Chiang , Yu Jiashing
Published: November 2017

The superhydrophilic and ultralow biofouling properties as well as the resistance to foreign-body reaction make zwitterionic polymer promising in biomedical applications.
An Fe3O4@P4VP@FeCl3 core–shell heterogeneous catalyst for aerobic oxidation of alcohols and benzylic oxidation reaction
Authors: Li Ruilian , Zhao Jian , Yang Fengxia , Zhang Yingchao , Ramella Daniele , Peng Yu , Luan Yi
Published: November 2017

A novel Fe3O4@P4VP@FeCl3 core–shell catalyst has been developed through coordination interaction between P4VP and FeCl3, which was utilized in selective oxidation of alcohols using molecular oxygen as the oxidant.
Hematite nanoparticle clusters with remarkably high magnetization synthesized from water-treatment waste by one-step “sharp high-temperature dehydration”
Authors: Novoselova L. Yu.
Published: November 2017

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticle clusters with an exceptionally high magnetization of 51 emu g−1 were synthesized for the first time. This material was prepared from water-treatment waste by a new “sharp high-temperature dehydration” process.
Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA dual damage induced by 2-(2′-quinolyl)benzimidazole copper complexes with potential anticancer activity
Authors: Zhao Jin'an , Zhi Shuangcheng , Yu Huaibin , Mao Ruina , Hu Jiyong , Song Wei , Zhang Junshuai
Published: November 2017

Complex 2 can induce nuclear and mitochondrial dual damage in HCT116 cells and can also induce apoptosis.
Effects of optical-inert ions on upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing properties of ScVO4:10%Yb3+/2%Er3+ nano/micro-particles
Authors: Li Peng , Guo Linna , Liang Chenxi , Li Tiesheng , Chen Penglei , Liu Minghua , Wu Yangjie
Published: November 2017

One Stone Two Birds: optically inert ions, especially Li+/Gd3+ co-doping improved upconversion luminescence and temperature sensitivity of ScVO4:10%Yb3+/2%Er3+ phosphor.
Comparative evaluations on phenolic antioxidants of nine adulterants and anti-inflammation of four alternatives with their original herb Erycibe schmidtii
Authors: Xue Qiang , Fan Hang , Li Ke , Yang Lingguang , Sun Liwei , Liu Yujun
Published: November 2017

Erycibe schmidtiiis widely used as folk medicine in China for treatments of various inflammations.
Gaseous-phase flame retardant behavior of a multi-phosphaphenanthrene compound in a polycarbonate composite
Authors: Qiu Yong , Liu Zhen , Qian Lijun , Hao Jianwei
Published: November 2017

The gaseous-phase dominating mechanism of the multi-phosphaphenanthrene compound TDBA suppressed the combustion of PC materials with excellent anti-ignition and self-extinguishing abilities.
Antimicrobial polyketides from Trichoderma koningiopsis QA-3, an endophytic fungus obtained from the medicinal plant Artemisia argyi
Authors: Shi Xiao-Shan , Wang Dun-Jia , Li Xiao-Ming , Li Hong-Lei , Meng Ling-Hong , Li Xin , Pi Yan , Zhou Xing-Wang , Wang Bin-Gui
Published: November 2017

Five new and two known antimicrobial polyketides were identified from endophytic Trichoderma koningiopsis QA-3.
Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed remote C5-selective C–H sulfonylation of quinolines via insertion of sulfur dioxide
Authors: Wang Kai , Wang Guodong , Duan Guiyun , Xia Chengcai
Published: November 2017

A cobalt(ii)-catalyzed reaction for highly selective C5-sulfonylation of quinolines via insertion of sulfur dioxide is developed, leading to diverse sulfonated quinolines in moderate to good yields.
Bubble propagation on a rail: a concept for sorting bubbles by size
Authors: Franco-Gómez Andrés , Thompson Alice B. , Hazel Andrew L. , Juel Anne
Published: November 2017

We propose a novel method to sort bubbles according to size, which relies on a subtle interaction between viscous and surface tension forces acting on a geometrically confined bubble.
Universal behaviour of the glass and the jamming transitions in finite dimensions for hard spheres
Authors: Coniglio Antonio , Pica Ciamarra Massimo , Aste Tomaso
Published: November 2017

We investigate the glass and the jamming transitions of hard spheres in finite dimensionsd, through a revised cell theory, that combines the free volume and the Random First Order Theory (RFOT).
Poly(acrylic acid) interpolymer complexes
Authors: Swift Thomas , Seaton Colin C. , Rimmer Stephen
Published: November 2017

Interpolymer complexation of poly(acrylic acid) with other systems via hydrogen bonding only occurs below a critical pH dependent on solvation effects.
A large-scale water-harvesting device with β-Al(OH)3 microcone arrays by simple hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Cho Handong , Park Byungrak , Kim Moonsu , Lee Sangmin , Hwang Woonbong
Published: November 2017

Here we report a novel approach to fabricate conical microstructures on aluminum substrates using a cost-effective and scalable hydrothermal synthesis method.
Large area photoelectrodes based on hybrids of CNT fibres and ALD-grown TiO2
Authors: Moya A. , Kemnade N. , Osorio M. R. , Cherevan A. , Granados D. , Eder D. , Vilatela J. J.
Published: November 2017

Hybridisation is a powerful strategy towards the synthesis of next generation multifunctional materials for environmental and sustainable energy applications.
Base-resistant adsorbents prepared using diamino group-grafted mesoporous silica uniformly coated with zirconia
Authors: Okamoto Masaki , Satake Haruka , Seki Hiroyuki
Published: November 2017

Diamino group-grafted mesoporous silicas uniformly coated with zirconia are base-resistant adsorbents for copper(ii) ions dissolved in basic solutions.
Hierarchical Ni/NiTiO3 derived from NiTi LDHs: a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Dong Chenlong , Liu Xiangye , Wang Xin , Yuan Xiaotao , Xu Ziwan , Dong Wujie , Riaz Muhammad Sohial , Li Guobao , Huang Fuqiang
Published: November 2017

Ni/NiTiO3 manifests remarkable catalytic performance for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions.
Improved interfacial H2O supply by surface hydroxyl groups for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution
Authors: Cai Lejuan , Lin Ziyuan , Wang Mengye , Pan Feng , Chen Jiewei , Wang Yi , Shen Xinpeng , Chai Yang
Published: November 2017

Surface hydroxyl groups play a positive role in facilitating interfacial water supply, which is beneficial to boost HER kinetics.
A directly coupled dual emitting core based molecular design of thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters
Authors: Park Hee-Jun , Han Si Hyun , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: November 2017

New green thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials built on a directly coupled dual emitting core based backbone structure were designed, synthesized, and applied as green dopants in TADF devices.
Piezoelectric poly(lactide) stereocomplexes with a cholinium organic ionic plastic crystal
Authors: Barbosa P. , Campos J. , Turygin A. , Shur V. Y. , Kholkin A. , Barros-Timmons A. , Figueiredo F. M.
Published: November 2017

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) stereocomplex (SC) crystallites produced at room temperature directly from high molecular weight PLLA by incorporation of choline dihydrogen phosphate ([Ch][DHP]) can display intrinsic piezoelectricity.
Conducting ink based on cellulose nanocrystals and polyaniline for flexographical printing
Authors: Latonen R.-M. , Määttänen A. , Ihalainen P. , Xu W. , Pesonen M. , Nurmi M. , Xu C.
Published: November 2017

A highly conducting water-based ink composed of cellulose nanocrystals and polyaniline was prepared for flexographical printing by the emulsion polymerization approach.
Tuning the organic microcrystal laser wavelength of ESIPT-active compounds via controlling the excited enol* and keto* emissions
Authors: Li Jinbiao , Wu Yishi , Xu Zhenzhen , Liao Qing , Zhang Haihua , Zhang Yi , Xiao Lu , Yao Jiannian , Fu Hongbing
Published: November 2017

We tuned the solid-state luminescence of ESIPT-active compounds by controlling the excited keto* and enol* emissions.
Uric acid promotes oxidative stress and enhances vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Song Chengfu , Zhao Xiangdong
Published: November 2017

In patients with cerebral infarction (CI), elevated serum uric acid (UA) level may exacerbate the occurrence and development of carotid atherosclerosis (AS). Our study intended to explore the underlying mechanism. We enrolled 86 patients with CI, and divided them into four groups: Non-AS, AS-mild, AS-moderate, and AS-severe groups; the levels of UA and oxidative stress-related factors in serum were detected. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to stimulate CI in rats, and different doses of UA were administrated. The levels of oxidative stress-related factors in serum were detected. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe the morphological alterations, and the apoptotic cell death detection kit was used to detect apoptotic cells. Increased UA concentration and enhanced oxidative stress were found in AS patients. H&E staining results showed that UA treatment exacerbated morphological damage in rats with MCAO, promoted oxidative stress, and enhanced vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in rats with MCAO.
GLP-1 response to sequential mixed meals: influence of insulin resistance
Authors: Rebelos Eleni , Astiarraga Brenno , Bizzotto Roberto , Mari Andrea , Manca Maria Laura , Gonzalez Alex , Mendez Armando , Martinez Claudia A. , Hurwitz Barry E. , Ferrannini Ele
Published: November 2017

Previous work has shown that potentiation of insulin release is impaired in non-diabetic insulin resistance; we tested the hypothesis that this defect may be related to altered glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release. On consecutive days, 82 non-diabetic individuals, classified as insulin sensitive (IS, n=41) or insulin resistant (IR, n=41) by the euglycaemic clamp, were given two sequential mixed meals with standard (75 g, LCD) or double (150 g, HCD) carbohydrate content. Plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and GLP-1 concentrations were measured; β-cell function (glucose sensitivity and potentiation) was resolved by mathematical modelling. Fasting GLP-1 levels were higher in IR than IS (by 15%, P=0.006), and reciprocally related to insulin sensitivity after adjustment for sex, age, fat mass, fasting glucose or insulin concentrations. Mean postprandial GLP-1 responses were tightly correlated with fasting GLP-1, were higher for the second than the first meal, and higher in IR than IS subjects but only with LCD. In contrast, incremental GLP-1 responses were higher during (i) the second than the first meal, (ii) on HCD than LCD, and (iii) significantly smaller in IR than IS independently of meal and load. Potentiation of insulin release was markedly reduced in IR vs IS across meal and carbohydrate loading. In the whole dataset, incremental GLP-1 was directly related to potentiation, and both were inversely related to mean NEFA concentrations. We conclude that (a) raised GLP-1 tone may be inherently linked with a reduced GLP-1 response and (b) defective post-meal GLP-1 response may be one mechanism for impaired potentiation of insulin release in insulin resistance.
Qubit state detection and enhancement by quantum thermal noise
Authors: Gillard N. , Belin E. , Chapeau‐Blondeau F.
Published: November 2017

The task fundamental to quantum communication and coding is considered which consists of detecting between two possible states of a noisy qubit, with a performance assessed by the overall probability of detection error. The detection process operates in the presence of decoherence represented by a quantum thermal noise at an arbitrary temperature. With uneven prior probabilities of the two states, as the noise temperature is increased, non‐monotonic evolutions are reported for the performance, which does not uniformly degrade. Regimes are found where higher noise temperatures are more favourable to detection, with relation to stochastic resonance effects where noise reveals beneficial to information processing.
Turning wingbeat sounds into spectrum images for acoustic insect classification
Authors: Zhang Chongsheng , Wang Pengyou , Guo Hui , Fan Gaojuan , Chen Ke , Kämäräinen Joni‐Kristian
Published: November 2017

A novel acoustic insect classifier on deep convolutional feature of frequency spectrum images generated by their wingbeat sounds is introduced. By visualising insect wingbeat sound, the proposed method is the first attempt to convert time‐series acoustic signal processing to image recognition, which has recently gained significant improvement with convolutional neural networks. Experiments show the better accuracy of the proposed method on the public UCR flying insect datasets compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
On‐chip dual‐phase charge‐transfer relaxation oscillator with comparator offset cancellation
Authors: Ma Yanzhao , Cui Kai , Fang Song , Fan Xiaoya
Published: November 2017

An on‐chip 23 kHz dual‐phase relaxation oscillator is presented. Charge‐transfer and comparator offset cancellation techniques have been proposed to achieve low power and high temperature stability. The circuit has been designed with 0.18 μm CMOS process. The oscillator has achieved an ultra‐low power of 130 nW, a supply voltage sensitivity of 0.8%/V over 1.2–1.8 V, and a temperature coefficient of 30 ppm/°C over to .
Efficient antenna allocation algorithms in millimetre wave wireless communications
Authors: Li Chao , He Shibo , Shi Zhiguo , Chen Jiming
Published: November 2017

Recently, a considerable research interest has grown up in the millimetre wave wireless system as the most promising technologies in the next generation communication. Since high‐frequency channels of the millimetre wave are easily attenuated in space, beamforming technology relying on the massive multi‐input‐multi‐output system is introduced to transmit the millimetre wave in a very narrow directional beam, so as to greatly improve the transmit efficiency. Then a challenging problem lies in that how to optimise the overall throughput by allocating the antenna resources to different mobile users in the massive MIMO antenna system. In this study, the authors handle such a difficult problem in two different cases. They first begin with the one‐direction case, i.e. all sub‐arrays are deployed in several parallel rows along the edge of a rectangle antenna array. They decompose the problem and solve it gradually. Then they generalise the authors' result to the two‐dimensional case, where the sub‐arrays can be deployed in orthogonal directions. They apply the similar scheme, decompose the problem and solve each sub‐problem progressively. Both NP‐hard problems are solved with time efficient approximation algorithms. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms in different cases.
Optimal design of a linear transverse‐flux machine with mutually coupled windings for force ripple reduction
Authors: Du Jinhua , Lu Pan , Liang Deliang
Published: November 2017

This study presents a design method of a linear transverse‐flux machine with mutually coupled windings aiming at the force ripple optimisation. Considering the three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic flux in the proposed machine, a mathematic model based on Maxwell stress tensors is developed to facilitate the optimisation, so that the objectives depending on the selected design parameters can be analytically calculated. In order to reduce the optimisation time of the complex machine, mostly influential design parameters are evaluated by the Taguchi method first. Furthermore, the selected parameters are optimised with the human group optimisation algorithm. The main purpose of the algorithm is to attain the desired electromagnetic force with the minimum force ripple coefficient under the restriction of the overall volume. The proposed optimisation has been applied for a case study, and the final design is compared with that optimised by the genetic algorithm. The results show that the optimal machine design obtained by the proposed method has the lower force ripple coefficient, which is also verified by the 3D finite‐element method and experiments.
Microwave attenuation in kraft recovery boiler
Authors: Korhonen Ilkka , Ahola Jero
Published: November 2017

The authors' research group is developing a mobile sensor for operation inside combustion chambers of big industrial power plants. The aim of developing the ball‐formed sensor is to measure process information inside big combustion chambers (heat power over 100 MW), hopefully mainly from places which cannot be reached by ordinary measurement equipment outside the chamber. The sensor ball needs means for communication during operation. In order to provide a reliable communication link through the extreme harsh conditions, one must clarify the basic phenomena inside combustors, especially electromagnetic noise and attenuation. According to measurements, attenuation at frequency band 2–18 GHz is ∼10 dB/m.
Analysis of the microstrip‐grid array antenna and proposal of a new high‐gain, low‐complexity and planar long‐range WiFi antenna
Authors: Assimonis Stylianos D. , Samaras Theodoros , Fusco Vincent
Published: November 2017

This study presents a systematic numerical analysis of the microstrip‐grid antenna aiming not only to explore the antenna performance limits in terms of frequency impedance bandwidth and maximum gain, but also to use this analysis as a starting point for further optimisation. The obtained antenna has dimensions and at 2.41 GHz, has a maximum gain of 15.4 dB, which is very close to the directivity of an ideal, lossless aperture antenna with the same dimensions, at the same frequency. Measurements have shown that the antenna operates from 2.38 to 2.51 GHz (i.e. across the WiFi‐band with a 5.32% frequency bandwidth relative to ), with maximum radiation efficiency 98.2%, while the latter remains over than 91% for the whole WiFi‐band, and finally has a measured half‐power beamwidth of 18.5 and 34.5° in the horizontal and vertical planes, respectively. Thus, the antenna is suitable candidate for long‐range WiFi links.
Synthesis design of filtering wideband differential phase shifters on multimode resonators with controllable same insertion loss bandwidth
Authors: Lyu Yun‐Peng , Zhu Lei , Cheng Chong‐Hu
Published: November 2017

A new class of wideband differential phase shifters employing two distinctive multimode resonators both in main and reference lines is presented. Compared with their counterparts, the proposed phase shifter firstly can achieve wideband phase shift and good filtering function with controllable same insertion loss (IL) bandwidth in main and reference lines as required. To design two phase‐shifting elements with design indices (phase‐shift value, return loss, and operating bandwidth), an effective synthesis method is presented and sets of design curves are graphically demonstrated. Prototype phase shifters are then fabricated and measured. Finally, the design approach is validated experimentally. It is shown that the proposed phase shifters achieve 90° ± 2.3° and 45° ± 2.0° over the prescribed band 2.26–3.72 GHz (48%) and 2.04–4.03 GHz (66%). The good frequency selectivity with the same IL bandwidth is obtained and out‐of‐band rejection is >30.2 and 26.4 dB up to 7.0 GHz.
Fabrication and characterisation of Cu2 O nanorods array by anodic oxidation method
Authors: Lv Yanqun , Shi Baozhu , Su Xiaofa , Li Yunhui , Sun Jing , Shao Jing , Tian Lecheng , Ding Juan
Published: November 2017

Cuprous oxide (Cu2 O) nanorods array was successfully fabricated on copper substrate by the anodic oxidation method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the fabricated Cu2 O nanorods grew vertically from the substrate. The Cu2 O nanorods had an approximately average diameter and length of 40 and 400 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the photoelectric output property of Cu2 O nanorods array as a photoanode was investigated.