bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governing Collective Action – The Impetus for University Commons
Authors: Frost Jetta , Hattke Fabian
Published: January 2018

Academic research and education are, more than ever, a collective endeavour. This article discusses how different modes of governance facilitate or obstruct collective action in universities. Based on theories of public goods and the resource-based perspective, we develop the concept of university commons in order to analyse the challenges arising from the governance of collective action. We examine how to effectively balance collegial and managerial governance to create a sustainable portfolio of university commons.
Socio-economic status and maternal BMI are associated with duration of breast-feeding of Norwegian infants
Authors: Bjørset Vilde K , Helle Christine , Hillesund Elisabet R , Øverby Nina C
Published: January 2018

Objective

To explore whether there is an association between socio-economic status and maternal BMI and duration of any breast-feeding/exclusive breast-feeding among Norwegian infants at 4 and 5 months of age in 2016.

Design

Cross-sectional design. Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Data concerning breast-feeding were collected by FFQ.

Setting

Recruitment was done at child health-care centres and through Facebook in 2016. In total, 960 infants/parents registered for participating in the study Early Food for Future Health.

Subjects

A total of 715 infant/mother dyads completed the questionnaire when the child was between 5 and 6 months old.

Results

At 5 months of age, 81·0 % of infants were breast-fed and 16·4 % were exclusively breast-fed. Infants of highly educated mothers had higher odds of being breast-fed at 5 months compared with infants of mothers with less education. Infants of multiparous mothers had higher odds of being exclusively breast-fed for the first 5 months compared with infants of mothers with one child. Infants of mothers with overweight/obesity had reduced odds of both being breast-fed at all and being exclusively breast-fed at 4 months of age compared with infants of mothers with normal BMI.

Conclusions

Our results show that duration of breast-feeding varies with socio-economic status and maternal BMI in Norway. Targeting groups with low socio-economic status and mothers with overweight or obesity is important, as they are less likely to breast-feed according to recommendations.
Reduced Translocation Is Associated with Antagonism of Glyphosate by Glufosinate in Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi) and Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
Authors: Besançon Thierry E. , Penner Donald , Everman Wesley J.
Published: January 2018

Previous reports have underscored antagonism that may result from mixing glyphosate and glufosinate across a wide range of application rates and for various broadleaf and grass weed species, but no investigation has been conducted to characterize glyphosate absorption and translocation when combined with glufosinate. The objectives of this study were to evaluate herbicide efficacy and assess herbicide interaction and physiological response with combinations of glyphosate and glufosinate on common lambsquarters, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail. Greenhouse studies to determine interaction resulted in strong and persistent antagonism between glyphosate at 110 and 220 g ae ha−1and glufosinate at 20 or 40 g ae ha−1in giant foxtail, whereas only transient and reduced antagonism was noted for velvetleaf and common lambsquarters. Combining glyphosate and glufosinate increased the maximum absorption of glyphosate by 9% and 23% in velvetleaf and giant foxtail, respectively, compared with glyphosate alone. In velvetleaf, averaged over time, only 2.6% of the applied radioactivity translocated out of the treated leaf when glufosinate was mixed with glyphosate compared with 9.9% when glyphosate was applied alone. In giant foxtail, 21.6% of the [14C]glyphosate translocated out of the treated leaf when glufosinate was mixed with glyphosate compared with 52.4% when glyphosate was applied alone. Conversely, no change in the radioactive pattern of translocation was noted for common lambsquarters. These results suggest that reduced translocation of glyphosate is the physiological mechanism responsible for the antagonism observed between glyphosate and glufosinate in giant foxtail and, to a lesser extent, in velvetleaf.
Nrf2 antioxidant pathway suppresses Numb-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition during pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Qu Jiao , Zheng Cheng , Zhang Panpan , Zhou Wencheng , Cui Wenhui , Mo Xiaoting , Li Liucheng , Xu Liang , Gao Jian
Published: January 2018

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key progression that promotes pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Numb, a phosphotyrosine-binding domain (PTB) protein, is implicated with EMT. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) constitute an important pathway of antioxidant defense signal for protecting against PF. It remains elusive whether Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and Numb have a potential relationship in EMT-mediated PF. Here, we observed the effects of Nrf2 pathway and Numb on bleomycin(BLM)-induced PF in Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice. Meanwhile, rat type II alveolar epithelial cells line (RLE-6TN) and human epithelial cells line (A549) were both treated with an Nrf2 activator sulforaphane (SFN), or transfected siRNAs of Nrf2 and Numb to unravel roles of Nrf2 pathway, Numb and the link between them on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT. We found BLM-induced lung fibrosis were more severe in Nrf2−/− mice compared to WT mice with reduced expressions of HO-1 and NQO1. Numb was enhanced with down-regulated expressions of Nrf2 in BLM groups and further increased in Nrf2−/− groups. In vitro, given exogenous TGF-β1 on RLE-6TN and A549 up-regulated Numb expressions, accompanied with down-regulations of Nrf2 and its target proteins HO-1 and NQO1. Transfected with Nrf2 and Numb siRNAs further aggravated and relieved the progression of EMT, respectively. Inversely, activating Nrf2 pathway by SFN reduced the expression of Numb and EMT-related protein. Moreover, Numb deficiency by siRNA relieved the protection of activating Nrf2 against EMT. In conclusion, activating Nrf2 antioxidant pathway suppresses EMT during PF via inhibiting the abnormal expression of Numb. These findings provide insight into PF pathogenesis and a basis for novel treatment approaches.
An evolutionary NS1 mutation enhances Zika virus evasion of host interferon induction
Authors: Xia Hongjie , Luo Huanle , Shan Chao , Muruato Antonio E. , Nunes Bruno T. D. , Medeiros Daniele B. A. , Zou Jing , Xie Xuping , Giraldo Maria Isabel , Vasconcelos Pedro F. C. , Weaver Scott C. , Wang Tian , Rajsbaum Ricardo , Shi Pei-Yong
Published: January 2018

Virus–host interactions determine an infection outcome. The Asian lineage of Zika virus (ZIKV), responsible for the recent epidemics, has fixed a mutation in the NS1 gene after 2012 that enhances mosquito infection. Here we report that the same mutation confers NS1 to inhibit interferon-β induction. This mutation enables NS1 binding to TBK1 and reduces TBK1 phosphorylation. Engineering the mutation into a pre-epidemic ZIKV strain debilitates the virus for interferon-β induction; reversing the mutation in an epidemic ZIKV strain invigorates the virus for interferon-β induction; these mutational effects are lost in IRF3-knockout cells. Additionally, ZIKV NS2A, NS2B, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5 can also suppress interferon-β production through targeting distinct components of the RIG-I pathway; however, for these proteins, no antagonistic difference is observed among various ZIKV strains. Our results support the mechanism that ZIKV has accumulated mutation(s) that increases the ability to evade immune response and potentiates infection and epidemics.
Coral-like Co3O4 Decorated N-doped Carbon Particles as active Materials for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Supercapacitor
Authors: Lin Zhichao , Qiao Xiuwen
Published: January 2018

Coral reef has a unique dendritic structure with large specific surface area, rich pore structure, so that it can be attached to a large number of zooxanthellae for gas exchange. Coral reef ecosystems are also known as underwater rainforests. Inspired by this biological structure, we designed and fabricated coral-like Co3O4 decorated N-doped carbon particles (Co3O4/N-CP). The obtained Co3O4/N-CP-900 catalyst shows efficient ORR electrocatalytic performances in an alkaline medium with a positive onset and half-wave potentials of 0.97 and 0.90 V (vs. RHE), as well as a high diffusion-limited current density (5.50 mA cm−2) comparable to that of a Pt/C catalyst (5.15 mA cm−2). It also displays better stability and methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C. In addition, the Co3O4/N-CP-900 electrode has a high specific capacitance of 316.2 F g−1 in 6 M KOH, as well as good rate capabilities and excellent cycle performance. These results are due to large surface area, narrow pore size distribution, high density electrochemical energy conversion and storage activity centers. This method presented here offers an effective path for the development of high performance multi-functional carbon-based materials for ORR and supercapacitor applications.
A Two-Stage Whole-Genome Gene Expression Association Study of Young-Onset Hypertension in Han Chinese Population of Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Kuang-Mao , Yang Hsin-Chou , Pan Wen-Harn
Published: January 2018

Hypertension is an important public health problem in the world. Since the intermediate position of the gene expression between genotype and phenotype makes it suitable to link genotype to phenotype, we carried out a two-stage whole-genome gene expression association study to find differentially expressed genes and pathways for hypertension. In the first stage, 126 cases and 149 controls were used to find out the differentially expressed genes. In the second stage, an independent set of samples (127 cases and 150 controls) was used to validate the results. Additionally, we conducted a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to search for differentially affected pathways. A total of nine genes were implicated in the first stage (Bonferroni-corrected p-value < 0.05). Among these genes, ZRANB1, FAM110A, PREP, ANKRD9 and LAMB2 were also differentially expressed in an existing database of hypertensive mouse model (GSE19817). A total of 16 pathways were identified by the GSEA. ZRANB1 and six pathways identified are related to TNF-α. Three pathways are related to interleukin, one to metabolic syndrome, and one to Hedgehog signaling. Identification of these genes and pathways suggest the importance of 1. inflammation, 2. visceral fat metabolism, and 3. adipocytes and osteocytes homeostasis in hypertension mechanisms and complications.
Publisher Correction: Low dose nitrite improves reoxygenation following renal ischemia in rats
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Flemming Bert , Ladwig-Wiegard Mechthild , Persson Pontus B. , Seeliger Erdmann
Published: January 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
An improved metrics for osteoclast multinucleation
Authors: Verma Santosh K. , Chernomordik Leonid V. , Melikov Kamran
Published: January 2018

Cell-cell fusion is a key stage in development and maintenance of multinucleated cells that resorb bones and form our skeletal muscles and placenta. Here, we focus on osteoclast formation to suggest new ways of unbiased presentation of cell fusion at given conditions that combine empirical cumulative distribution function for the sizes of multinucleated cells with the total number of cell-cell fusion events, which generate these cells.
STM patterned nanowire measurements using photolithographically defined implants in Si(100)
Authors: Ramanayaka A. N. , Kim Hyun-Soo , Tang Ke , Wang X. , Silver R. M. , Stewart M. D. , Pomeroy J. M.
Published: January 2018

Using photolithographically defined implant wires for electrical connections, we demonstrate measurement of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) patterned nanoscale electronic device on Si(100). By eliminating onerous alignment and complex lithography techniques, this approach is accessible to researchers in smaller efforts who may not have access to tools like electron beam lithography. Electrical contact to the nanodevices is achieved by implanting patterned, degenerately doped wires in the substrate using photolithography and commercial low energy ion implantation. We bring several isolated, implanted wires to within the STM scanner’s field of view where the STM can detect and smoothly draw contiguous patterns that directly overlap with implant lines for electrical connections. This overlapping provides a two-dimensional (2D) overlap interface with the 2D electron system, in contrast to many state-of-the-art methods that rely on contacting an exposed edge. After the STM pattern is phosphine dosed and overgrown with silicon, photolithography is then used again to align (≈ 160 μm)2 aluminum contact pads onto (≈ 200 μm)2 implanted areas at the ends of the wires. We present detailed results that optimize the spacing of neighboring wires while maintaining electrical isolation after heating to > 1200 °C, a step required for in situ Si surface preparation.
Deletion of MCP-1 Impedes Pathogenesis of Acid Ceramidase Deficiency
Authors: Yu Fabian P. S. , Dworski Shaalee , Medin Jeffrey A.
Published: January 2018

Farber Disease (FD) is an ultra-rare Lysosomal Storage Disorder caused by deficient acid ceramidase (ACDase) activity. Patients with ACDase deficiency manifest a spectrum of symptoms including formation of nodules, painful joints, and a hoarse voice. Classic FD patients will develop histiocytes in organs and die in childhood. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1; CCL2) is significantly elevated in both FD patients and a mouse model we previously generated. Here, to further study MCP-1 in FD, we created an ACDase;MCP-1 double mutant mouse. We show that deletion of MCP-1 reduced leukocytosis, delayed weight loss, and improved lifespan. Reduced inflammation and fibrosis were observed in livers from double mutant animals. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid analyses revealed a reduction in cellular infiltrates and protein accumulation. Furthermore, reduced sphingolipid accumulation was observed in the lung and liver but not in the brain. The neurological and hematopoietic defects observed in FD mice were maintained. A compensatory cytokine response was found in the double mutants, however, that may contribute to continued signs of inflammation and injury. Taken together, targeting a reduction of MCP-1 opens the door to a better understanding of the mechanistic consequences of ceramide accumulation and may even delay the progression of FD in some organ systems.
Bacillus licheniformis normalize the ileum microbiota of chickens infected with necrotic enteritis
Authors: Xu Shuai , Lin Yicen , Zeng Dong , Zhou Mengjia , Zeng Yan , Wang Hesong , Zhou Yi , Zhu Hui , Pan Kangcheng , Jing Bo , Ni Xueqin
Published: January 2018

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a severe intestinal disease, which can change gut microbiota and result in a high cost for the poultry industry worldwide. However, little is known regarding how the gut microbiota of NE chicken ileum are changed by Bacillus licheniformis. This study was conducted to investigate how ileum microbiota structure was changed by B. licheniformis in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens-induced NE through Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The broilers were randomly separated into four groups: the negative control group (NC), the positive control group (PC), the fishmeal and coccidia group (FC), and the PC group supplied with feed containing B. licheniformis (BL). Compared to the PC and FC, alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the bacterial taxa of the ileum microbiota were more similar in BL and NC. Some genera, which were related to the NE control, became insignificant in BL with NC, such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacteroides, Ruminococcus and Helicobacter. The PICRUSt analysis revealed that a tumour suppressor gene, p53, which was negatively correlated with Helicobacter, was enriched in the BL group. Our findings showed that the ileum microbiota disorder caused by NE in chickens was normalized by dietary B. licheniformis supplementation.
The molecular mechanism of cell cycle arrest in the Bursa of Fabricius in chick exposed to Aflatoxin B
1
Authors: Hu Ping , Zuo Zhicai , Li Hang , Wang Fengyuan , Peng Xi , Fang Jing , Cui Hengmin , Gao Caixia , Song Hetao , Zhou Yi , Chen Zhengli
Published: January 2018

Aflatoxin B1 shows potent hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, genotoxic, immunotoxic potential in humans and many species of animals. The aim of this study was to clarify the underlying mechanism of G0G1 phase and G2M phase arrest of cell cycle in the bursa of Fabricius in broilers exposed to dietary AFB1. 144 one-day-old healthy Cobb broilers were randomly divided into two groups and fed on control diet and 0.6 mg·Kg−1 AFB1 diet for 3 weeks. Histological observation showed that AFB1 induced the increase of nuclear debris and vacuoles in lymphoid follicle of BF. Results of flow cytometry studies showed that bursal cells arrested in G2M phase at 7 days of age and blocked in G0G1 phase at 14 and 21 days of age following exposure to AFB1. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that cell cycle arrested in G2M phase via ATM-Chk2-cdc25-cyclin B/cdc2 pathway, and blocked in G0G1 phase through ATM-Chk2-cdc25-cyclin D/CDK6 pathway and ATM-Chk2-p21-cyclin D/CDK6 route. In a word, our results provided new insights that AFB1 diet induced G2M and G0G1 phase blockage of BF cells in different periods, and different pathways were activated in different arrested cell cycle phase.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling modulates antiviral immune responses: ligand metabolism rather than chemical source is the stronger predictor of outcome
Authors: Boule Lisbeth A. , Burke Catherine G. , Jin Guang-Bi , Lawrence B. Paige
Published: January 2018

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) offers a compelling target to modulate the immune system. AHR agonists alter adaptive immune responses, but the consequences differ across studies. We report here the comparison of four agents representing different sources of AHR ligands in mice infected with influenza A virus (IAV): TCDD, prototype exogenous AHR agonist; PCB126, pollutant with documented human exposure; ITE, novel pharmaceutical; and FICZ, degradation product of tryptophan. All four compounds diminished virus-specific IgM levels and increased the proportion of regulatory T cells. TCDD, PCB126 and ITE, but not FICZ, reduced virus-specific IgG levels and CD8+T cell responses. Similarly, ITE, PCB126, and TCDD reduced Th1 and Tfh cells, whereas FICZ increased their frequency. InCyp1a1-deficient mice, all compounds, including FICZ, reduced the response to IAV. ConditionalAhrknockout mice revealed that all four compounds require AHR within hematopoietic cells. Thus, differences in the immune response to IAV likely reflect variances in quality, magnitude, and duration of AHR signaling. This indicates that binding affinity and metabolism may be stronger predictors of immune effects than a compound’s source of origin, and that harnessing AHR will require finding a balance between dampening immune-mediated pathologies and maintaining sufficient host defenses against infection.
L. plantarum WCFS1 enhances Treg frequencies by activating DCs even in absence of sampling of bacteria in the Peyer Patches
Authors: Bermudez-Brito Miriam , Borghuis Theo , Daniel Catherine , Pot Bruno , de Haan Bart J. , Faas Marijke M. , de Vos Paul
Published: January 2018

Probiotics such as L. plantarum WCFS1 can modulate immune responses in healthy subjects but how this occurs is still largely unknown. Immune-sampling in the Peyer Patches has been suggested to be one of the mechanisms. Here we studied the systemic and intestinal immune effects in combination with a trafficking study through the intestine of a well-established immunomodulating probiotic, i.e. L. plantarum WCFS1. We demonstrate that not more than 2–3 bacteria were sampled and in many animals not any bacterium could be found in the PP. Despite this, L. plantarum was associated with a strong increase in infiltration of regulatory CD103+ DCs and generation of regulatory T cells in the spleen. Also, a reduced splenic T helper cell cytokine response was observed after ex vivo restimulation. L. plantarum enhanced Treg cells and attenuated the T helper 2 response in healthy mice. We demonstrate that, in healthy mice, immune sampling is a rare phenomenon and not required for immunomodulation. Also in absence of any sampling immune activation was found illustrating that host-microbe interaction on the Peyer Patches was enough to induce immunomodulation of DCs and T-cells.
Transaminase levels reflect disease severity in children ventilated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis
Authors: Thorburn Kentigern , Fulton Crawford , King Charlotte , Ramaneswaran Difijah , Alammar Abdulaziz , McNamara Paul S.
Published: January 2018

Bronchiolitis, often caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is the commonest cause of hospitalisation in infancy. Serum transaminases are sometimes raised in children with bronchiolitis. We tested the hypothesis that raised transaminases are associated with increased disease severity in children ventilated for bronchiolitis. Prospective observational cohort study of mechanically ventilated children with community-acquired RSV bronchiolitis. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were measured daily. Children with normal transaminases were compared with those with elevated levels. Over 11 consecutive winters, 556 children with RSV bronchiolitis were mechanically ventilated – 226 had comorbidities and therefore excluded; 313 of remaining 330 were under 2 years age; 305 had early transaminase measurements. 57/305 (19%) had elevated transaminase (AST and/or ALT) levels. For the first time we show that duration of ventilation and length of admission were both significantly longer, and paediatric index of mortality and C-reactive protein higher, in those with elevated AST levels on admission (but not those with elevated ALT levels). Furthermore, transaminase elevations were transient, generally having normalised by seven days following admission. RSV bronchiolitis was more severe in children with early elevated AST levels and could be used early in the illness as a predictor for disease severity.
A lipid-based cell penetrating nano-assembly for RNAi-mediated anti-angiogenic cancer therapy
Authors: Majumder Poulami , Bhunia Sukanya , Chaudhuri Arabinda
Published: January 2018

A tissue infiltrating peptide amphiphile-decorated nano-assembly induces significant mouse tumor growth inhibition via substantial tumor infiltration of encapsulated anti-angiogenic siRNA.
Sodium hypophosphite induced a simultaneous P doping and hollowing process of TiO2 spherical nanostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Chen Jitao , Liu Zhongmin , Wu Yongchuan , Li Yaru , Zhao Jingyu , Zhu Xixi , Na Ping
Published: January 2018

Sodium hypophosphite induced a simultaneous P doping and hollowing process of TiO2 spherical nanostructures and produced P-doped hollow spherical nanostructures via a simple one-step hydrothermal method.
A fluorescent peptidyl substrate for visualizing peptidyl-prolylcis/transisomerase activity in live cells
Authors: Jiang Quan , Li Xiao-Rong , Wang Cheng-Kun , Cheng Juan , Tan Chao , Cui Tian-Tian , Lu Nan-Nan , James Tony D. , Han Feng , Li Xin
Published: January 2018

Imaging active PPIases in live cells with a small molecular probe.
“A bridge over troubled gaps”: up-conversion driven photocatalysis for hydrogen generation and pollutant degradation by near-infrared excitation
Authors: Acosta-Mora P. , Domen K. , Hisatomi T. , Lyu H. , Méndez-Ramos J. , Ruiz-Morales J. C. , Khaidukov N. M.
Published: January 2018

We present evidence of NIR-to-UV-VIS photon conversion for degradation of organic dyes and hydrogen and oxygen evolution.
Cobalt-to-vanadium charge transfer in polyoxometalate water oxidation catalysts revealed by 2p3d resonant inelastic X-ray scattering
Authors: Liu Boyang , Glass Elliot N. , Wang Ru-Pan , Cui Yi-Tao , Harada Yoshihisa , Huang Di-Jing , Schuppler Stefan , Hill Craig L. , de Groot Frank M. F.
Published: January 2018

2p3d RIXS spectra reveal electronic structures ofCo4V2WOC, which offers insights into its enhanced catalytic activity thanCo4P2WOC.
Molecular dynamics investigations of cello-oligosaccharide recognition by Cel9G–CBM3c from Clostridium cellulovorans
Authors: Li Penghui , Zhang Chunchun , Xu Dingguo
Published: January 2018

This molecular dynamics simulation addressed a cellulose polysaccharide recognized by a multi-domain cellulase, namely, Cel9G.
Osmotic contribution to the flow-driven tube formation of copper–phosphate and copper–silicate chemical gardens
Authors: Rauscher Evelin , Schuszter Gábor , Bohner Bíborka , Tóth Ágota , Horváth Dezső
Published: January 2018

A flow-driven technique allowing osmosis reveals the capacities of gradient-applying methods to form membranes with tailor-made inner and smoother outer surfaces.
Enhancement of tunneling current in phosphorene tunnel field effect transistors by surface defects
Authors: Lu Juan , Fan Zhi-Qiang , Gong Jian , Chen Jie-Zhi , ManduLa Huhe , Zhang Yan-Yang , Yang Shen-Yuan , Jiang Xiang-Wei
Published: January 2018

The effects of the staggered double vacancies, hydrogen (H), 3d transition metals, for example cobalt, and semiconductor covalent atoms, for example, germanium, nitrogen, phosphorus (P) and silicon adsorption on the transport properties of monolayer phosphorene were studied using density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function formalism.
DFT study of In2O3-catalyzed methanol synthesis from CO2 and CO hydrogenation on the defective site
Authors: Dou Maobin , Zhang Minhua , Chen Yifei , Yu Yingzhe
Published: January 2018

The activity of CO hydrogenation is higher than that of CO2 hydrogenation on the defective In2O3 surface.
Dual-responsive recurrent self-assembly of a supramolecular polymer based on the host–guest complexation interaction between β-cyclodextrin and azobenzene
Authors: Shen Ping , Qiu Liyan
Published: January 2018

A novel supramolecular polymer PAE-g-Azo@β-CD-PEG was constructed, which significantly displayed pH- and photo-dual-responsive recurrent self-assembly behaviors.
Correction: Rate constants, processivity, and productive binding ratio of chitinase A revealed by single-molecule analysis
Authors: Nakamura Akihiko , Tasaki Tomoyuki , Okuni Yasuko , Song Chihong , Murata Kazuyoshi , Kozai Toshiya , Hara Mayu , Sugimoto Hayuki , Suzuki Kazushi , Watanabe Takeshi , Uchihashi Takayuki , Noji Hiroyuki , Iino Ryota
Published: January 2018

Correction for ‘Rate constants, processivity, and productive binding ratio of chitinase A revealed by single-molecule analysis’ by Akihiko Nakamura et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7cp04606e.
Correction: A durable monolithic polymer foam for efficient solar steam generation
Authors: Chen Qiaomei , Pei Zhiqiang , Xu Yanshuang , Li Zhen , Yang Yang , Wei Yen , Ji Yan
Published: January 2018

Correction for ‘A durable monolithic polymer foam for efficient solar steam generation’ by Qiaomei Chen et al., Chem. Sci., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7sc02967e.
miR-422a inhibits osteosarcoma proliferation by targeting BCL2L2 and KRAS
Authors: Zhang Hao , He Qian-Yun , Wang Guang-Chao , Tong Da-Ke , Wang Ren-Kai , Ding Wen-Bin , Li Cheng , Wei Qiang , Ding Chen , Liu Pei-Zhao , Cui Hao-Chen , Zhang Xin , Li Di , Tang Hao , Ji Fang
Published: January 2018

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. However, the underlying mechanism of osteosarcoma carcinogenesis and progression remains unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the expression profile of miRNAs in osteosarcoma tissues and the adjacent normal tissues. We found that the expression of miR-422a was down-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. In addition, we observed significantly elevated levels of repressive H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 and decreased active H3K4me3 on the promote region of miR-422a in osteosarcoma cells and clinical samples. Furthermore, up-regulation of miR-422a exhibited both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects by inhibiting osteosarcoma cell growth and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. We also found that miR-422a targeted BCL2L2 and KRAS and negatively regulated their protein expression. Furthermore, restoration of miR-422a and knockdown of BCL2L2 and KRAS promoted apoptosis and induce cell cycle arrest in osteosarcoma cells. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that miR-422a may serve as a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma via inhibiting BCL2L2 and KRAS translation both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, miR-422a could be developed as a novel therapeutic target in osteosarcoma.
Pourquoi le riz étuvé local est-il peu disponible sur les marchés urbains du Bénin ?
Authors: Todomé Laurenda , Lejars Caroline , Lançon Frédéric , Hamimaz Rachid
Published: January 2018

Le riz étuvé local, par ses valeurs nutritionnelles meilleures que celles du riz blanc, est une alternative intéressante pour infléchir la dépendance du Bénin au riz blanc importé. Depuis la crise rizicole de 2008, des efforts ont été consentis pour augmenter la production, améliorer la qualité et faciliter l’accès du riz étuvé local aux marchés urbains. Pourtant, en 2016, ce riz reste quasi introuvable sur les marchés de Cotonou, principale ville du Bénin. Conduit sur un échantillon de 210 acteurs, cet article utilise le paradigme Structure-Comportement-Performance pour identifier les principales raisons de l’indisponibilité du riz étuvé local sur les marchés de Cotonou. Nos résultats indiquent que le riz étuvé local ne représente que 3 % de l’offre de riz, soit cinq fois moins que le riz étuvé importé. La méconnaissance des valeurs nutritionnelles du riz étuvé local par les ménages, son prix supérieur à celui du riz étuvé importé et son indisponibilité tout au long de l’année et chez tous les commerçants sont les principales raisons de la faible demande. Avec des sensibilisations (séances de sensibilisation, des panneaux et spots publicitaires) sur les valeurs nutritionnelles du riz étuvé local, les consommateurs urbains pourraient modifier leur comportement en faveur du riz étuvé local. Cependant, étant donné que le riz étuvé est également importé, nos résultats suggèrent qu’une étude plus fine soit réalisée sur les critères de choix du riz étuvé afin d’éviter la dépendance du Bénin au riz étuvé importé.
Squaramide-Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael/Cyclization Cascade Reaction of Unsaturated Thiazolidinones and 3-Isothiocyanato Oxindoles: Synthesis of New Bispirocyclic Heterocycles
Authors: Du Da-Ming , Song Yong-Xing
Published: January 2018

A highly efficient method for the construction of oxindole-pyrrolidone-thiazolidinone bispirocyclic heterocycles bearing three contiguous chiral centers including two quaternary one via a Michael/cyclization cascade reaction has been developed. Using bifunctional cinchona-derived squaramide as catalyst, the reactions of 3-isothio­cyanato oxindoles with unsaturated thiazolidinone derivatives proceeded smoothly under mild reaction conditions to afford a series of complex chiral oxindole-pyrrolidone-thiazolidinone bispirocyclic heterocycles in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr, >99% ee).
Clinical Application of Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in Stroke
Authors: Murray Joseph , Pisegna Jessica
Published: January 2018

This article aims to review the use of laryngoscopy to assess swallowing function in the stroke population. Since its inception in 1988, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) has become an established procedure with distinct objective findings and practical applications, enabling many to choose it as the primary instrumental tool in evaluating poststroke dysphagia. In this article, we outline the decision-making process of when to use FEES. We highlight considerations for the acute stroke patient and visual signs that guide decision making during a FEES, such as secretions, swallowing frequency, and pharyngeal squeeze elicitation. The application of the ice chip protocol for stroke patients who have been nil per os is discussed, along with common observable events on FEES performed on stroke patients like a delay, penetration/aspiration, and bolus retention. Finally, we briefly review testing interventions and follow-up readiness with FEES.
Current Status of Arterial Revascularization for the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia in Infrainguinal Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Velioglu Yusuf , Cayir Mustafa , Kumtepe Gencehan , Gurbuz Orcun , Yuksel Ahmet
Published: January 2018

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that may result in limb loss and even death; thus, the fast and proper treatment should be employed as earlier as possible to prevent these catastrophic consequences. Arterial revascularization is almost always an indispensable treatment option for CLI. Although both endovascular and surgical revascularization procedures have an important role, nowadays, the hybrid revascularization as a combination of these revascularization procedures has also gained increasing popularity in the treatment of patients with CLI. This review provides an update on the arterial revascularization strategies for the treatment of CLI.
Expanded Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Retrochiasmatic Craniopharyngioma
Authors: Davanzo Justin , Goyal Neerav , Zacharia Brad
Published: January 2018

This video abstract demonstrates the use of the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach for the resection of a retrochiasmatic craniopharyngioma. These tumors are notoriously difficult to treat, and many approaches have been tried to facilitate safe and effective resection. The endoscopic endonasal approach has been increasingly utilized for selected sellar/suprasellar pathology. We present the case of a 39-year-old man who was found to have a cystic, partially calcified suprasellar mass consistent with a craniopharyngioma. To facilitate robust skull base repair, a vascularized nasoseptal flap was harvested. A wide sphenoidotomy was performed and the sella and tuberculum were exposed. After the dural opening and arachnoid dissection, the stalk was identified, merging seamlessly with the tumor capsule. The lesion was then internally debulked with the use of an ultrasonic aspirator. The capsule was then dissected off of the optic chiasm, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The cavity was inspected with an angled endoscope to ensure complete resection. A multilayered reconstruction was performed using autologous fascia lata, the previously harvested nasoseptal flap, and dural sealant. Postoperatively, the patient did have expected panhypopituitarism but remained neurologically intact and had improvement in his vision. In conclusion, this video demonstrates how an expanded endonasal approach can be used to safely resect a craniopharyngioma, even when in close proximity to delicate structures such as the optic chiasm.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/tahjHmrXhc4.
Nierenmanifestationen bei Amyloidose und Sarkoidose
Authors: Beimler Jörg , Zeier Martin
Published: January 2018

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by extracellular deposition of fibrils. Among the most common forms of systemic amyloidosis with renal involvement are AL-amyloidosis based on plasma cell dyscrasia and AA-amyloidosis in chronic inflammatory diseases. Depending on the affected renal compartment, the clinical appearance of renal amyloidosis varies. The pattern of renal amyloid deposition can be glomerular, interstitial, tubular or even vascular. Renal amyloid deposits are detected by renal biopsy. Patients with glomerular deposits typically show severe nephrotic syndrome with volume overload. Patients with predominantly tubulo-interstitial or vascular deposits typically exhibit lower proteinuria and progressive renal impairment. Treatment strategies for renal amyloidosis are primarily based on the treatment of the underlying disease including chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation in AL-amyloidosis or treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases in AA-amyloidosis. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is the most common renal lesion occurring in sarcoidosis. Therapy of granulomatous interstitial nephritis is mainly based on the use of glucocorticoids.
Nierenbeteiligung bei ANCA-assoziierten Vaskulitiden
Authors: Haubitz Marion
Published: January 2018

In patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis renal involvement is frequently seen and the severity of renal manifestation is very important for therapeutic strategies and prognosis. Clinically rapid loss of renal function, nephritic sediment and proteinuria in a non-nephrotic range are characterizing a focal segmental necrotizing pauci-immune glomerulonephritis with extrarenal proliferations. Induction treatment depends on the severity of manifestations. With a normal renal function methotrexate can be used in combination with steroids. In patients with organ threatening involvement but creatinine below 500 µmol/l cyclophosphamide pulses or Rituximab should be used together with steroids, initially with i. v. pulses. Rituximab is more effective in PR3-ANCA vasculitis and should be used in relapsing disease, in young patients to avoid gonadal toxicity and in patients with an increased risk of malignancies. In patients on dialysis or with creatinine > 500 µmol/l plasma exchange should be added. Maintenance treatment (mainly with azathioprine) is necessary as at least 50 % of the patients develop relapses. Rituximab seems more effective, however it is not approved for maintenance treatment and no long-term data are available. Adjuvant treatment, long-term side effects and the increased incidence of cardiovascular events have to be included in the follow-up of vasculitis patients. In end-stage renal disease patients relapses occur but are more difficult to diagnose and treat with higher incidence of infections. Transplantation should be offered as patient and transplant survival is good.
Letrozole vs. Placebo Pretreatment in the Medical Management of First Trimester Missed Miscarriage: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Torky Haitham A. , Marie Heba , ElDesouky ElSayed , Gebreel Samy , Raslan Osama , Moussa Asem A. , Ahmad Ali M. , Zain Eman , Mohsen Mohamed N.
Published: January 2018

Introduction Misoprostol is used for the medical management of miscarriage as it is more effective in the early stages of pregnancy. Letrozole has an anti-estrogen effect and is used
for the pretreatment of miscarriage with misoprostol.

Aim The aim of this study was compare the efficacy and safety of letrozole with placebo pretreatment in the medical management of first trimester missed miscarriage.

Design This was a prospective randomized case-control study.

Patients and Methods Four hundred and thirty-eight women were randomly divided into two groups of 219; the placebo group received placebo tablets twice daily for 3 days, followed by
800 micrograms of misoprostol vaginally on the fourth day of enrolment, while the letrozole group received letrozole 10 mg twice daily for three days followed by 800 micrograms misoprostol
administered vaginally. Symptoms and side effects were recorded, and the women advised to return to hospital if they experienced severe pain or bleeding or intolerable side effects and to
report to hospital for a check-up one week after misoprostol administration. Ultrasound was done seven days after misoprostol administration to monitor outcomes. Surgical evacuation was
carried out if medical management failed.

Results There were significant differences between the two groups, with better outcomes found for the letrozole group in terms of rates of complete miscarriage, onset of vaginal
bleeding, and interval between induction and onset of expulsion (p < 0.001). A higher rate of nausea and vomiting was reported for the letrozole group (p = 0.002). Differences between
groups with regard to pre- and post-termination hemoglobin levels, fever, severe pain and severe bleeding needing evacuation were not statistically significant.

Conclusion Adding letrozole to misoprostol improves the success rate and decreases the interval between induction and expulsion in cases of first trimester miscarriage; however,
nausea and vomiting is higher with letrozole.
Klinische und soziodemografische Unterschiede zwischen Patienten mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund in einer Psychiatrischen Institutsambulanz
Authors: Brandl Eva , Dietrich Nora , Mell Nicoleta , Winkler Johanna , Gutwinski Stefan , Bretz Joachim , Schouler-Ocak Meryam
Published: January 2018

Ziel der Studie Die Untersuchung diente einem besseren Verständnis soziodemografischer und klinischer Unterschiede zwischen psychiatrischen Patientinnen und Patienten mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund.

Methodik Soziodemografische und klinische Daten zu Diagnosen, Psychopharmaka, Behandlungsdauer und subjektive Symptombelastung (SCL-14) wurden an 423 Personen erhoben.

Ergebnisse Es bestanden signifikante Unterschiede bezüglich demografischer Faktoren. Personen mit Migrationshintergrund gaben eine höhere Symptombelastung an.

Schlussfolgerung Die Daten verdeutlichen die großen Unterschiede zwischen Personen mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund bezüglich soziodemografischer und klinischer Faktoren, was in der psychiatrischen Behandlung von Personen mit Migrationshintergrund berücksichtigt werden sollte.
Smoking Decreases Endometrial Thickness in IVF/ICSI Patients
Authors: Heger Anna , Sator Michael , Walch Katharina , Pietrowski Detlef
Published: January 2018

Introduction Smoking is a serious problem for the health care system. Many of the compounds identified in cigarette smoke have toxic effects on the fertility of both females and males. The purpose of this study was to determine whether smoking affects clinical factors during IVF/ICSI therapy in a single-center reproductive unit.

Material and Methods In a retrospective study of 200 IVF/ICSI cycles, endometrial thickness and the outcome of IVF/ICSI therapy were analyzed.

Results Endometrial thickness was significantly lower in smoking patients than in non-smoking patients (10.4 ± 1.5 mm vs. 11.6 ± 1.8 mm). Age was significantly higher in women who failed to conceive. The total dose of gonadotropins administered was significantly lower in pregnant patients and the highest pregnancy rate was achieved with an rFSH protocol. BMI and number of cigarettes smoked did not influence treatment outcomes in this study.

Conclusion We showed that smoking has a negative effect on endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer. This may help to further explain the detrimental influence of tobacco smoke on implantation and pregnancy rates during assisted reproduction therapy.
Noncommutative mapping from the symplectic formalism
Authors: De Andrade M. A. , Neves C.
Published: January 2018

Bopp’s shifts will be generalized through a symplectic formalism. A special procedure, like “diagonalization,” which drives the completely deformed symplectic matrix to the standard symplectic form was found as suggested by Faddeev-Jackiw. Consequently, the correspondent transformation matrix guides the mapping from commutative to noncommutative (NC) phase-space coordinates. Bopp’s shifts may be directly generalized from this mapping. In this context, all the NC and scale parameters, introduced into the brackets, will be lifted to the Hamiltonian. Well-known results, obtained using ⋆-product, will be reproduced without considering that the NC parameters are small (≪1). Besides, it will be shown that different choices for NC algebra among the symplectic variables generate distinct dynamical systems, in which they may not even connect with each other, and that some of them can preserve, break, or restore the symmetry of the system. Further, we will also discuss the charge and mass rescaling in a simple model.
A unified method of detecting core-periphery structure and community structure in networks
Authors: Xiang Bing-Bing , Bao Zhong-Kui , Ma Chuang , Zhang Xingyi , Chen Han-Shuang , Zhang Hai-Feng
Published: January 2018

The core-periphery structure and the community structure are two typical meso-scale structures in complex networks. Although community detection has been extensively investigated from different perspectives, the definition and the detection of the core-periphery structure have not received much attention. Furthermore, the detection problems of the core-periphery and community structure were separately investigated. In this paper, we develop a unified framework to simultaneously detect the core-periphery structure and community structure in complex networks. Moreover, there are several extra advantages of our algorithm: our method can detect not only single but also multiple pairs of core-periphery structures; the overlapping nodes belonging to different communities can be identified; different scales of core-periphery structures can be detected by adjusting the size of the core. The good performance of the method has been validated on synthetic and real complex networks. So, we provide a basic framework to detect the two typical meso-scale structures: the core-periphery structure and the community structure.
Helicon plasma ion temperature measurements and observed ion cyclotron heating in proto-MPEX
Authors: Beers C. J. , Goulding R. H. , Isler R. C. , Martin E. H. , Biewer T. M. , Caneses J. F. , Caughman J. B. O. , Kafle N. , Rapp J.
Published: January 2018

The Prototype-Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (Proto-MPEX) linear plasma device is a test bed for exploring and developing plasma source concepts to be employed in the future steady-state linear device Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) that will study plasma-material interactions for the nuclear fusion program. The concept foresees using a helicon plasma source supplemented with electron and ion heating systems to reach necessary plasma conditions. In this paper, we discuss ion temperature measurements obtained from Doppler broadening of spectral lines from argon ion test particles. Plasmas produced with helicon heating alone have average ion temperatures downstream of the Helicon antenna in the range of 3 ± 1 eV; ion temperature increases to 10 ± 3 eV are observed with the addition of ion cyclotron heating (ICH). The temperatures are higher at the edge than the center of the plasma either with or without ICH. This type of profile is observed with electrons as well. A one-dimensional RF antenna model is used to show where heating of the plasma is expected.
An experimental platform for real-time measurement of the deformation of nuclear fuel rod claddings submitted to thermal transients
Authors: Gallais L. , Burla R. , Martin F. , Richaud J. C. , Volle G. , Pontillon M. , Capdevila H. , Pontillon Y.
Published: January 2018

We report on experimental development and qualification of a system developed to detect and quantify the deformations of the cladding surface of nuclear fuel pellet assemblies submitted to heat transient conditions. The system consists of an optical instrument, based on 2 wavelengths speckle interferometry, associated with an induction furnace and a model pellet assembly used to simulate the radial thermal gradient experienced by fuel pellets in pressurized water reactors. We describe the concept, implementation, and first results obtained with this system. We particularly demonstrate that the optical system is able to provide real time measurements of the cladding surface shape during the heat transients from ambient to high temperatures (up to a cladding surface temperature of 600 °C) with micrometric resolution.