bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teotihuacan: Ritual Economy, Exchange, and Urbanization Processes in Classic Period Mesoamerica
Authors: Filini Agapi
Published: January 2015

Social networks and networking are highly dynamic processes within an urban setting. The archaeological site of Teotihuacan in the Basin of Mexico was the greatest urban center in Mesoamerica during the Classic period (C.E. 150–650). The dissemination of a new ideology related to major fertility and militaristic concepts served as an agent of social cohesion within Teotihuacan and throughout its interaction sphere. As a result, the Teotihuacan exchange network expanded onto an unprecedentedly vast area, and the ever‐increasing demand for ritual artifacts associated with this new ideology intensified exchange and the development of a highly complex economy. Specialized workshops produced thousands of artifacts laden with ritual symbolism that traveled all over Mesoamerica. The study of specific classes of artifacts reveals their importance in the local fabric. Ideology and its ritual economy had an impact on the configuration of the architectural landscape of the city itself with a high population density, sacred planning, and ethnic barrios. The Teotihuacan state developed successfully certain strategies that were able to sustain a metropolis of more than 200 thousand inhabitants for half a millennium.
The Conflation of Participatory Budgeting and Public–Private Partnerships in Porto Alegre, Brazil: The Construction of a Working‐Class Mall for Street Hawkers
Authors: Pimentel Walker Ana Paula
Published: January 2015

This article addresses the political transition of Porto Alegre's Participatory Budget from a mechanism of restraining and managing some of the harshest manifestations of neoliberal urbanization to a promoter of profit‐driven urban development. The most emblematic instance of the transition is the public–private partnership for the construction and management by a developer of a marketplace to relocate downtown street hawkers to an enclosed building. The article describes not only how the mayoŕs office was able to approve, as part of the downtown revitalization project, the relocation of street hawkers into a working‐class popular shopping mall but also how the executive branch succeeded in transforming a public–private partnership into an elected participatory budget demand. Furthermore, I demonstrate how neoliberal programs of public–private partnerships undermine more redistributive participatory practices, such as the participatory budget, by combining their mechanisms with the older practices rather than eliminating the rival planning tool. This article provides an analysis of local class interests and strategies regarding the issue of street hawking in Porto Alegre by contrasting models of participatory planning. I argue that social classes with an investment in the urban question are key actors in developing hybrid models of neoliberal urbanization.
From Informal Settlements to Formality: A Resettlement Group's Adaptation to a Newly Planned Community in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Authors: DeMoss‐Norman Tiwanna
Published: January 2015

This article discusses the dilemmas that individuals faced after relocating from periurban informal settlements to a new housing development community. In 1999, the Coega Development Corporation collaborated with city officials in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to create a housing community called Wells Estate for people who were living in informal settlements, displaced by the construction of a new economic development project. Several years after their forced resettlement, Wells Estate residents still faced many challenges adjusting to their new location. Some residents stated that the sense of community, openness, and social trust that they had experienced in their previous residence was lost when they moved to their new homes. Also, some residents mentioned how reciprocity and the sharing of resources, which were common practices in their informal settlements, had been dramatically altered in the new community. By using the community of Wells Estate and its creation as a case study, this article explores how the forced displacement and relocation of individuals may affect social cohesion, trust, and community involvement among people relocated from informal settlements. This research aims to address whether a transition from informality to formal housing can have detrimental consequences on community sentiment and social cohesion.
Stabilizing MoS2 Nanosheets through SnO2 Nanocrystal Decoration for High‐Performance Gas Sensing in Air
Authors: Cui Shumao , Wen Zhenhai , Huang Xingkang , Chang Jingbo , Chen Junhong
Published: January 2015

The unique properties of MoS2 nanosheets make them a promising candidate for high‐performance room temperature sensing. However, the properties of pristine MoS2 nanosheets are strongly influenced by the significant adsorption of oxygen in an air environment, which leads to instability of the MoS2 sensing device, and all sensing results on MoS2 reported to date were exclusively obtained in an inert atmosphere. This significantly limits the practical sensor application of MoS2 in an air environment. Herein, a novel nanohybrid of SnO2 nanocrystal (NC)‐decorated crumpled MoS2 nanosheet (MoS2/SnO2) and its exciting air‐stable property for room temperature sensing of NO2 are reported. Interestingly, the SnO2 NCs serve as strong p‐type dopants for MoS2, leading to p‐type channels in the MoS2 nanosheets. The SnO2 NCs also significantly enhance the stability of MoS2 nanosheets in dry air. As a result, unlike other MoS2 sensors operated in an inert gas (e.g. N2), the nanohybrids exhibit high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and repeatability to NO2 under a practical dry air environment. This work suggests that NC decoration significantly tunes the properties of MoS2 nanosheets for various applications.
Enrichment of Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells Facilitates Transduction for Stem Cell Gene Therapy
Authors: Baldwin Kismet , Urbinati Fabrizia , Romero Zulema , Campo-Fernandez Beatriz , Kaufman Michael L. , Cooper Aaron R. , Masiuk Katelyn , Hollis Roger P. , Kohn Donald B.
Published: January 2015

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy for sickle cell disease has the potential to treat this illness without the major immunological complications associated with allogeneic transplantation. However, transduction efficiency by β-globin lentiviral vectors using CD34-enriched cell populations is suboptimal and large vector production batches may be needed for clinical trials. Transducing a cell population more enriched for HSC could greatly reduce vector needs and, potentially, increase transduction efficiency. CD34+/CD38− cells, comprising ∼1%–3% of all CD34+ cells, were isolated from healthy cord blood CD34+ cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing an antisickling form of beta-globin (CCL-βAS3-FB). Isolated CD34+/CD38− cells were able to generate progeny over an extended period of long-term culture (LTC) compared to the CD34+ cells and required up to 40-fold less vector for transduction compared to bulk CD34+ preparations containing an equivalent number of CD34+/CD38− cells. Transduction of isolated CD34+/CD38− cells was comparable to CD34+ cells measured by quantitative PCR at day 14 with reduced vector needs, and average vector copy/cell remained higher over time for LTC initiated from CD34+/38− cells. Following in vitro erythroid differentiation, HBBAS3 mRNA expression was similar in cultures derived from CD34+/CD38− cells or unfractionated CD34+ cells. In vivo studies showed equivalent engraftment of transduced CD34+/CD38− cells when transplanted in competition with 100-fold more CD34+/CD38+ cells. This work provides initial evidence for the beneficial effects from isolating human CD34+/CD38− cells to use significantly less vector and potentially improve transduction for HSC gene therapy. Stem Cells  2015;33:1532–1542
Why camera traps fail to detect a semi‐aquatic mammal: Activation devices as possible cause
Authors: Lerone Laura , Carpaneto Giuseppe M. , Loy Anna
Published: January 2015

Camera‐trapping represents a powerful tool in wildlife research, particularly when dealing with elusive and rare species such as otters (Lutra spp.). Nevertheless, detection problems arise when trying to detect otters with camera traps. We hypothesized that the temperature difference between the otter emerging from the water and the environment was too low to be detected by the standard passive infrared sensors (PIR). During June–September of 2010 and 2011 in the Sangro River basin in central Italy, we designed and tested a new pressure trigger and compared its effectiveness with that of the standard PIR. Results are encouraging and suggest that the new trigger could be able to detect otters and other semi‐aquatic mammals. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Evaluation of Content and Accessibility of Hand Fellowship Websites
Authors: Silvestre Jason , Guzman Javier Z. , Abbatematteo Joseph M. , Chang Benjamin , Levin L. Scott
Published: January 2015

Background

Graduates of general, orthopedic, and plastic surgery residencies utilize web-based resources when applying for hand fellowship training. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accessibility and content of hand fellowship websites (HFWs).

Methods

Websites of accredited hand surgery fellowships were eligible for study inclusion. HFWs were evaluated for comprehensiveness in the domains of education and recruitment. Website content was correlated with program characteristics via Fisher exact tests.

Results

Fifteen plastic, 65 orthopedic, and 1 general surgery hand fellowships were analyzed. Seventy-four hand fellowships maintained an HFW (91 %). HFWs were not found for 3 plastic and 4 orthopedic hand programs (20 versus 6 %, p= 0.118). HFWs provided only half of all analyzed content (54 %—education and 49 %—recruitment). Orthopedic programs had more education content than plastic surgery programs (55 versus 44 %, p=0.030). Programs in the South had more education content than programs in the Northeast (63 versus 47 %, p=0.001), but not more than programs in the West (54 %) or Midwest (55 %). Larger programs with more fellows had greater education content than those with only one fellow (57 versus 49 %, p=0.042). Programs affiliated with top-ranked medical schools had less education content than lower-ranked schools (48 versus 56 %, p=0.045). No differences existed in recruitment content between programs.

Conclusions

Most hand surgery fellowships lack readily accessible and comprehensive websites. The paucity of online content suggests HFWs are underutilized as educational resources and future opportunity may exist to optimize these tools.
Activation of protein phosphatase 2A tumor suppressor as potential treatment of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chien Wenwen , Sun Qiao-Yang , Lee Kian Leong , Ding Ling-Wen , Wuensche Peer , Torres-Fernandez Lucia A. , Tan Siew Zhuan , Tokatly Itay , Zaiden Norazean , Poellinger Lorenz , Mori Seiichi , Yang Henry , Tyner Jeffrey W. , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: January 2015

We utilized three tiers of screening to identify novel therapeutic agents for pancreatic cancers. First, we analyzed 14 pancreatic cancer cell lines against a panel of 66 small‐molecule kinase inhibitors and dasatinib was the most potent. Second, we performed RNA expression analysis on 3 dasatinib‐resistant and 3 dasatinib–sensitive pancreatic cancer cell lines to profile their gene expression. Third, gene profiling data was integrated with the Connectivity Map database to search for potential drugs. Thioridazine was one of the top ranking small molecules with highly negative enrichment. Thioridazine and its family members of phenothiazine including penfluridol caused pancreatic cancer cell death and affected protein expression levels of molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and multiple kinase activities. This family of drugs causes activation of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). The drug FTY‐720 (activator of PP2A) induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Silencing catalytic unit of PP2A rendered pancreatic cancer cells resistant to penfluridol. Our observations suggest potential therapeutic use of penfluridol or similar agent associated with activation of PP2A in pancreatic cancers.
One-dimensional capillary jumps
Authors: Argentina M. , Cohen A. , Bouret Y. , Fraysse N. , Raufaste C.
Published: January 2015

In flows where the ratio of inertia to gravity varies strongly, large variations in the fluid thickness appear and hydraulic jumps arise, as depicted by Rayleigh. We report a new family of hydraulic jumps, where the capillary effects dominate the gravitational acceleration. The Bond number – which measures the importance of gravitational body forces compared to surface tension – must be small in order to observe such objects using capillarity as a driving force. For water, the typical length should be smaller than 3 mm. Nevertheless, for such small scales, solid boundaries induce viscous stresses, which dominate inertia, and capillary jumps should not be described by the inertial shock wave theory that one would deduce from Bélanger or Rayleigh for hydraulic jumps. In order to get rid of viscous shears, we consider Plateau borders, which are the microchannels defined by the merging of three films inside liquid foams, and we show that capillary jumps propagate along these deformable conduits. We derive a simple model that predicts the velocity, geometry and shape of such fronts. A strong analogy with Rayleigh’s description is pointed out. In addition, we carried out experiments on a single Plateau border generated with soap films to observe and characterize these capillary jumps. Our theoretical predictions agree remarkably well with the experimental measurements.
Effect of enclosure height on the structure and stability of shear layers induced by differential rotation
Authors: Vo Tony , Montabone Luca , Sheard Gregory J.
Published: January 2015

The structure and stability of Stewartson shear layers with different heights are investigated numerically via axisymmetric simulation and linear stability analysis, and a validation of the quasi-two-dimensional model is performed. The shear layers are generated in a rotating cylindrical tank with circular disks located at the lid and base imposing a differential rotation. The axisymmetric model captures both the thick and thin nested Stewartson layers, which are scaled by the Ekman number ($\mathit{E}\,$) as $\mathit{E}\,^{1/4}$ and $\mathit{E}\,^{1/3}$ respectively. In contrast, the quasi-two-dimensional model only captures the $\mathit{E}\,^{1/4}$ layer as the axial velocity required to invoke the $\mathit{E}\,^{1/3}$ layer is excluded. A direct comparison between the axisymmetric base flows and their linear stability in these two models is examined here for the first time. The base flows of the two models exhibit similar flow features at low Rossby numbers ($\mathit{Ro}$), with differences evident at larger $\mathit{Ro}$ where depth-dependent features are revealed by the axisymmetric model. Despite this, the quasi-two-dimensional model demonstrates excellent agreement with the axisymmetric model in terms of the shear-layer thickness and predicted stability. A study of various aspect ratios reveals that a Reynolds number based on the theoretical Ekman layer thickness is able to describe the transition of a base flow that is reflectively symmetric about the mid-plane to a symmetry-broken state. Additionally, the shear-layer thicknesses scale closely to the expected ${\it\delta}_{vel}\propto A\mathit{E}\,^{1/4}$ and ${\it\delta}_{vort}\propto A\mathit{E}\,^{1/3}$ for shear layers that are not affected by the confinement ($A\mathit{E}\,^{1/4}\lesssim 0.34$ in this system, the ratio of tank height to shear-layer radius). The linear stability analysis reveals that the ratio of Stewartson layer radius to thickness should be greater than $45$ for the stability of the flow to be independent of aspect ratio. Thus, for sufficiently small $A\mathit{E}\,^{1/4}$ and $A\mathit{E}\,^{1/3}$, the flow characteristics remain similar and the linear stability of the flow can be described universally when the azimuthal wavelength is scaled against $A$. The analysis also recovers an asymptotic scaling for the normalized azimuthal wavelength which suggests that ${\it\lambda}_{{\it\theta},c}^{\ast }\propto (|\mathit{Ro}|/\mathit{E}\,^{2})^{-1/5}$ for geometry-independent shear layers at marginal stability.
On bounds and non-existence in the problem of steady waves with vorticity
Authors: Kozlov V. , Kuznetsov N. , Lokharu E.
Published: January 2015

For the problem describing steady gravity waves with vorticity on a two-dimensional unidirectional flow of finite depth the following results are obtained. (i) Bounds are found for the free-surface profile and for Bernoulli’s constant. (ii) If only one parallel shear flow exists for a given value of Bernoulli’s constant, then there are no wave solutions provided the vorticity distribution is subject to a certain condition.
Macrophage peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ deficiency delays skin wound healing through impairing apoptotic cell clearance in mice
Authors: Chen H , Shi R , Luo B , Yang X , Qiu L , Xiong J , Jiang M , Liu Y , Zhang Z , Wu Y
Published: January 2015

Skin wound macrophages are key regulators of skin repair and their dysfunction causes chronic, non-healing skin wounds. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) regulates pleiotropic functions of macrophages, but its contribution in skin wound healing is poorly defined. We observed that macrophage PPARγ expression was upregulated during skin wound healing. Furthermore, macrophage PPARγ deficiency (PPARγ-knock out (KO)) mice exhibited impaired skin wound healing with reduced collagen deposition, angiogenesis and granulation formation. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression in wounds of PPARγ-KO mice was significantly increased and local restoration of TNF-α reversed the healing deficit in PPARγ-KO mice. Wound macrophages produced higher levels of TNF-α in PPARγ-KO mice compared with control. In vitro, the higher production of TNF-α by PPARγ-KO macrophages was associated with impaired apoptotic cell clearance. Correspondingly, increased apoptotic cell accumulation was found in skin wound of PPARγ-KO mice. Mechanically, peritoneal and skin wound macrophages expressed lower levels of various phagocytosis-related molecules. In addition, PPARγ agonist accelerated wound healing and reduced local TNF-α expression and wound apoptotic cells accumulation in wild type but not PPARγ-KO mice. Therefore, PPARγ has a pivotal role in controlling wound macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells to ensure efficient skin wound healing, suggesting a potential new therapeutic target for skin wound healing.
Targeting heat-shock protein 90 with ganetespib for molecularly targeted therapy of gastric cancer
Authors: Liu H , Lu J , Hua Y , Zhang P , Liang Z , Ruan L , Lian C , Shi H , Chen K , Tu Z
Published: January 2015

Gastric cancer (GC) remains the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) has become an attractive therapeutic target in treating cancers, because of its abnormally high expression in cancers. Several successful cases of HSP90 inhibitors capable of inhibiting GC inspired us to try ganetespib, a clinically promising and actively investigated second-generation HSP90 inhibitor in GC treatment. In our study, we show that ganetespib markedly reduced the growth of MGC-803 and also significantly inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 and MKN-28 in a dose-dependent manner. It induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in all three cell lines, together with the related markers affected significantly. Mechanistically, ganetespib caused pronounced decrease of expression of classic HSP90 client proteins. Specifically, it greatly affected epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling cascades by markedly decreasing the levels of total EGFR and EGFR on cell membranes. EGFR knockdown also induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis accompanied with a decrease of several EGFR downstream proteins. These results strongly support that EGFR signaling greatly contributes to the ganetespib inhibitory effects. Besides, we found that the responses of GC cell lines to ganetespib correlated well with their EGFR expression levels: MGC-803, as well as AGS and BGC-803, with higher EGFR expression responded to ganetespib better, whereas SGC-7901 and MKN-28 with lower EGFR levels were much less sensitive to ganetespib. Although SGC-7901 and MKN-28 were not very sensitive to ganetespib, ganetespib worked synergistically with radiation and cisplatin in killing them. Importantly, ganetespib significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumorsin vivoas a single agent or in combination with cisplatin. Results of hematoxylin/eosin staining, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling) assays, and immunohistochemistry staining of phosphorylated cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (pCDK1), EGFR and Ki-67 revealed significant differences in ganetespib-treated tumors. Collectively, our data suggest that ganetespib, as a new potent treatment option, can be used for the molecularly targeted therapy of GC patients according to their expression profiles of EGFR.
Germ cell-specific Atg7 knockout results in primary ovarian insufficiency in female mice
Authors: Song Z-H , Yu H-Y , Wang P , Mao G-K , Liu W-X , Li M-N , Wang H-N , Shang Y-L , Liu C , Xu Z-L , Sun Q-Y , Li W
Published: January 2015

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common cause of infertility in around 1–2% of women aged <40 years. However, the mechanisms that cause POI are still poorly understood. Here we showed that germ cell-specific knockout of an essential autophagy induction gene Atg7 led to subfertility in female mice. The subfertility of Atg7 deletion females was caused by severe ovarian follicle loss, which is very similar to human POI patients. Further investigation revealed that germ cell-specific Atg7 knockout resulted in germ cell over-loss at the neonatal transition period. In addition, our in vitro studies also demonstrated that autophagy could protect oocytes from over-loss by apoptosis in neonatal ovaries under the starvation condition. Taken together, our results uncover a new role for autophagy in the regulation of ovarian primordial follicle reservation and hint that autophagy-related genes might be potential pathogenic genes to POI of women.
Glutathione transferases P1/P2 regulate the timing of signaling pathway activations and cell cycle progression during mouse liver regeneration
Authors: Pajaud J , Ribault C , Ben Mosbah I , Rauch C , Henderson C , Bellaud P , Aninat C , Loyer P , Morel F , Corlu A
Published: January 2015

Glutathione transferases (GST) are phase II enzymes catalyzing the detoxification of endogenous noxious compounds and xenobiotics. They also regulate phosphorylation activities of MAPKinases in a catalytic-independent manner. Previous studies have demonstrated the regulation of JNK-dependent pathway by GSTP1/2. Considering the crucial role of JNK in the early steps of the hepatocyte cell cycle, we sought to determine whether GSTP1/2 were essential for hepatocyte proliferation following partial hepatectomy (PH). Using a conventional double knockout mouse model for the Gstp1 and Gstp2 genes, we found that the lack of GSTP1/P2 reduced the rate of DNA replication and mitotic index during the first wave of hepatocyte proliferation. The lowered proliferation was associated with the decrease in TNFalpha and IL-6 plasma concentrations, reduced hepatic HGF expression and delayed and/or altered activation of STAT3, JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In addition, the expression and/or activation of cell cycle regulators such as Cyclin D1, CDK4, E2F1 and MCM7 was postponed demonstrating that the absence of GSTP1/2 delayed the entry into and progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle and impaired the synchrony of proliferation in hepatocytes following PH. Furthermore, while JNK and its downstream targets c-Jun and ATF2 were activated during the early steps of the liver regeneration in wild-type animals, the constitutively active JNK found in the quiescent liver of Gstp1/2 knockout mice underwent a decrease in its activity after PH. Transient induction of antioxidant enzymes and nitric oxide synthase were also delayed or repressed during the regenerative response. Altogether our results demonstrate that GSTP1/2 are a critical regulators of hepatocyte proliferation in the initial phases of liver regeneration.
Dose-dependent effects of selenite (Se4+) on arsenite (As3+)-induced apoptosis and differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Wang S , Geng Z , Shi N , Li X , Wang Z
Published: January 2015

To enhance the therapeutic effects and decrease the adverse effects of arsenic on the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, we investigated the co-effects of selenite (Se4+) and arsenite (As3+) on the apoptosis and differentiation of NB4 cells and primary APL cells. A 1.0-μM concentration of Se4+ prevented the cells from undergoing As3+-induced apoptosis by inhibiting As3+ uptake, eliminating As3+-generated reactive oxygen species, and repressing the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway. However, 4.0 μM Se4+ exerted synergistic effects with As3+ on cell apoptosis by promoting As3+ uptake, downregulating nuclear factor-кB, and activating caspase-3. In addition to apoptosis, 1.0 and 3.2 μM Se4+ showed contrasting effects on As3+-induced differentiation in NB4 cells and primary APL cells. The 3.2 μM Se4+ enhanced As3+-induced differentiation by promoting the degradation of promyelocytic leukemia protein–retinoic acid receptor-α (PML–RARα) oncoprotein, but 1.0 μM Se4+ did not have this effect. Based on mechanistic studies, Se4+, which is similar to As3+, might bind directly to Zn2+-binding sites of the PML RING domain, thus controlling the fate of PML–RARα oncoprotein.
The role of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 in digestive system cancers
Authors: Zhao J , Du F , Shen G , Zheng F , Xu B
Published: January 2015

Hypoxia is an all but ubiquitous phenomenon in cancers. Two known hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), HIF-1α and HIF-2α, primarily mediate the transcriptional response to hypoxia. Despite the high homology between HIF-1α and HIF-2α, emerging evidence suggests differences between both molecules in terms of transcriptional targets as well as impact on multiple physiological pathways and tumorigenesis. To date, much progress has been made toward understanding the roles of HIF-2α in digestive system cancers. Indeed, HIF-2α has been shown to regulate multiple aspects of digestive system cancers, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis, metabolism, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. These findings make HIF-2α a critical regulator of this malignant phenotype. Here we summarize the function of HIF-2 during cancer development as well as its contribution to tumorigenesis in digestive system malignancies.
Reduced cerebrospinal fluid ethanolamine concentration in major depressive disorder
Authors: Ogawa Shintaro , Hattori Kotaro , Sasayama Daimei , Yokota Yuki , Matsumura Ryo , Matsuo Junko , Ota Miho , Hori Hiroaki , Teraishi Toshiya , Yoshida Sumiko , Noda Takamasa , Ohashi Yoshiaki , Sato Hajime , Higuchi Teruhiko , Motohashi Nobutaka , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

Amino acids play key roles in the function of the central nervous system and their alterations are implicated in psychiatric disorders. In the search for a biomarker for major depressive disorder (MDD), we used high-performance liquid chromatography to measure amino acids and related molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 52 patients with MDD (42 depressed and 10 remitted; DSM-IV) and 54 matched controls. Significant differences were found in four amino acid concentrations between the depressed patients and controls. After Bonferroni correction, only ethanolamine (EA) levels remained significantly reduced in depressed patients (nominal P = 0.0000011). A substantial proportion of the depressed patients (40.5%) showed abnormally low CSF EA levels (<12.1 μM) (P = 0.000033; OR = 11.6, 95% CI: 3.1–43.2). When patients with low EA and those with high EA levels were compared, the former had higher scores for overall depression severity (P = 0.0033) and ‘Somatic Anxiety’ symptoms (P = 0.00026). In unmedicated subjects, CSF EA levels showed a significant positive correlation with levels of homovanillic acid (P = 0.0030) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (P = 0.019). To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that patients with MDD have significantly lower CSF EA concentrations compared with control subjects. CSF EA could be a state-dependent biomarker for a subtype of MDD.
Biological interaction of living cells with COSAN-based synthetic vesicles
Authors: Tarrés Màrius , Canetta Elisabetta , Paul Eleanor , Forbes Jordan , Azzouni Karima , Viñas Clara , Teixidor Francesc , Harwood Adrian J.
Published: January 2015

Cobaltabisdicarbollide (COSAN) [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]−, is a complex boron-based anion that has the unusual property of self-assembly into membranes and vesicles. These membranes have similar dimensions to biological membranes found in cells and previously COSAN has been shown to pass through synthetic lipid membranes and those of living cells without causing breakdown of membrane barrier properties. Here, we investigate the interaction of this inorganic membrane system with living cells. We show that COSAN has no immediate effect on cell viability and cells fully recover when COSAN is removed following exposure for hours to days. COSAN elicits a range of cell biological effects, including altered cell morphology, inhibition of cell growth and, in some cases, apoptosis. These observations reveal a new biology at the interface between inorganic, synthetic COSAN membranes and naturally occurring biological membranes.
qPMS9: An Efficient Algorithm for Quorum Planted Motif Search
Authors: Nicolae Marius , Rajasekaran Sanguthevar
Published: January 2015

Discovering patterns in biological sequences is a crucial problem. For example, the identification of patterns in DNA sequences has resulted in the determination of open reading frames, identification of gene promoter elements, intron/exon splicing sites and SH RNAs, location of RNA degradation signals, identification of alternative splicing sites, etc. In protein sequences, patterns have led to domain identification, location of protease cleavage sites, identification of signal peptides, protein interactions, determination of protein degradation elements, identification of protein trafficking elements, discovery of short functional motifs, etc. In this paper we focus on the identification of an important class of patterns, namely, motifs. We study the (ℓ, d) motif search problem or Planted Motif Search (PMS). PMS receives as input n strings and two integers ℓ and d. It returns all sequences M of length ℓ that occur in each input string, where each occurrence differs from M in at most d positions. Another formulation is quorum PMS (qPMS), where the motif appears in at least q% of the strings. We introduce qPMS9, a parallel exact qPMS algorithm that offers significant runtime improvements on DNA and protein datasets. qPMS9 solves the challenging DNA (ℓ, d)-instances (28, 12) and (30, 13). The source code is available at https://code.google.com/p/qpms9/.
Within-visit blood pressure variability is associated with prediabetes and diabetes
Authors: Okada Rieko , Yasuda Yoshinari , Tsushita Kazuyo , Wakai Kenji , Hamajima Nobuyuki , Matsuo Seiichi
Published: January 2015

We investigated the associations between within-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study subjects included 17,795 people aged 40–74 years who underwent health check-ups in Aichi Prefecture, Japan and completed two blood pressure measurements. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to the difference of systolic blood pressure (ΔSBP), namely, low-BPV (≤10 mmHg), moderate-BPV (11–20 mmHg) and high-BPV (>20 mmHg). Subjects were also divided into three categories as those without prediabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] < 5.7%), prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7–6.4%) and diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or under treatment for diabetes). The proportion of prediabetes and diabetes were significantly higher in subjects with high-BPV than in those with low-BPV after adjusting for age, sex and mean SBP (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] was 1.16 [1.01–1.33] for prediabetes and 1.33 [1.06–1.66] for diabetes). Other CVD risk factors were not associated with high-BPV after the adjustment. In conclusion, increased within-visit BPV was significantly associated with the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, independent of mean SBP, in a large general population. Therefore, assessing BPV in a single visit may help to identify subjects at increased risk of impaired glycemic control.
Nanorod-constructed porous Co3O4 nanowires: highly sensitive sensors for the detection of hydrazine
Authors: Zhang Jie , Gao Wenbin , Dou Meiling , Wang Feng , Liu Jingjun , Li Zhilin , Ji Jing
Published: January 2015

Porous Co3O4 nanowires (NWs) constructed from interconnected nanorod units were synthesized, and exhibited a highly sensitive, reliable, and reproducible sensing performance for hydrazine detection.
Comparative analysis of monoclonal antibody N-glycosylation using stable isotope labelling and UPLC-fluorescence-MS
Authors: Millán Martín Silvia , Delporte Cédric , Farrell Amy , Navas Iglesias Natalia , McLoughlin Niaobh , Bones Jonathan
Published: January 2015

A twoplex method using12C6and13C6stable isotope analogies of 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-AA) is described for LC-fluorescence-MS based quantitative and comparative analysis ofN-glycans present on monoclonal antibodies.
A label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of kanamycin in milk
Authors: Zhou Nandi , Luo Jibao , Zhang Juan , You Yuanding , Tian Yaping
Published: January 2015

Kanamycin is detected based on the conformational change of the aptamer attached to the electrode surface and the corresponding SWV current change in [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−solution.
Spectrophotometric determination of cyclamate in artificial sweeteners and beverages after ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction
Authors: Hashemi Mahdi , Zohrabi Parvin , Abdolhosseini Sana
Published: January 2015

A new method has been developed for the determination of cyclamate using an ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAE-ME) procedure coupled with UV-Vis spectrophotometry.
Crystallization-induced red emission of a facilely synthesized biodegradable indigo derivative
Authors: Yang Cangjie , Trinh Quang Thang , Wang Xiaochen , Tang Yuxin , Wang Kai , Huang Shuo , Chen Xiaodong , Mushrif Samir H. , Wang Mingfeng
Published: January 2015

A new crystallization-induced red-emitting luminogen based on a biodegradable indigo derivative forms well-defined microcrystals in tetrahydrofuran–water mixtures upon ultrasonication.
Selective colorimetric NO(g) detection based on the use of modified gold nanoparticles using click chemistry
Authors: Martí Almudena , Costero Ana M. , Gaviña Pablo , Parra Margarita
Published: January 2015

A new colorimetric probe for the detection of NO(g) based on the use of functionalized gold nanoparticles is described. The sensing protocol is based on a click reaction catalized by Cu(i) which is generated in situ from the reduction of Cu(ii) by NO(g).
Copper-catalyzed intermolecular and regioselective aminofluorination of styrenes: facile access to β-fluoro-N-protected phenethylamines
Authors: Saavedra-Olavarría Jorge , Arteaga Gean C. , López Jhon J. , Pérez Edwin G.
Published: January 2015

A copper-catalyzed regio- and intermolecular aminofluorination of styrenes has been developed.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa activates the quorum sensing LuxR response regulator through secretion of 2-aminoacetophenone
Authors: Kviatkovski I. , Chernin L. , Yarnitzky T. , Frumin I. , Sobel N. , Helman Y.
Published: January 2015

Specific activation of the LuxR quorum-sensing response regulator by the volatile compound 2-aminoacetophenone, produced by the bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosa.
Disorder engineering of undoped TiO2nanotube arrays for highly efficient solar-driven oxygen evolution
Authors: Salari M. , Aboutalebi S. H. , Aghassi A. , Wagner P. , Mozer A. J. , Wallace G. G.
Published: January 2015

Fine-tuning of the bandgap structure of undoped highly ordered TiO2nanotube arrays for efficient photo-electrochemical water oxidation.
Extensive theoretical studies on two new members of the FOX-7 family: 5-(dinitromethylene)-1,4-dinitramino-tetrazole and 1,1′-dinitro-4,4′-diamino-5,5′-bitetrazole as energetic compounds
Authors: He Piao , Zhang Jian-Guo , Wang Kun , Yin Xin , Jin Xin , Zhang Tong-Lai
Published: January 2015

A combination of the tetrazole with an insensitive fragment of FOX-7 makes two novel compounds DNAT and DNABT very promising energetic materials.
Artificially maturated [FeFe] hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: a HYSCORE and ENDOR study of a non-natural H-cluster
Authors: Adamska-Venkatesh Agnieszka , Simmons Trevor R. , Siebel Judith F. , Artero Vincent , Fontecave Marc , Reijerse Edward , Lubitz Wolfgang
Published: January 2015

EPR studies combined with selective isotope labeling provide insight into the electronic structure of the H-cluster in semi-artificial [FeFe] hydrogenase.
The binding and insertion of imidazolium-based ionic surfactants into lipid bilayers: the effects of the surfactant size and salt concentration
Authors: Lee Hwankyu , Jeon Tae-Joon
Published: January 2015

Imidazolium-based ionic surfactants with hydrocarbon tails of different sizes were simulated with lipid bilayers at different salt concentrations.
Adsorption and corrosion inhibition effect of Schiff base molecules on the mild steel surface in 1 M HCl medium: a combined experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Saha Sourav Kr. , Dutta Alokdut , Ghosh Pritam , Sukul Dipankar , Banerjee Priyabrata
Published: January 2015

On mild steel surface in 1 M HCl medium corrosion inhibition performances of three Schiff base inhibitors (L1, L2and L3) are investigated both experimentally and theoretically (DFT and MD simulation studies).
Unveiling the non-covalent interactions of molecular homodimers by dispersion-corrected DFT calculations and collision-induced broadening of ro-vibrational transitions: application to (CH2F2)2 and (SO2)2
Authors: Tasinato Nicola , Grimme Stefan
Published: January 2015

(CH2F2)2 and (SO2)2 are investigated using DFT-D3 computations, and experimental dissociation energies are determined by TDL-IR spectroscopy. DFT-D3 dramatically improves over uncorrected DFT.
Designing flexible energy and memory storage materials using cellulose modified graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Kafy Abdullahil , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Kim Hyun-Chan , Akther Asma , Kim Jaehwan
Published: January 2015

The demand for flexible energy storage devices is ever increasing, and several polymer nanocomposites are widely used to fabricate them.
Using lanthanide ions in molecular bioimaging
Authors: Amoroso Angelo J. , Pope Simon J. A.
Published: January 2015

This review presents an accessible discussion of the application of trivalent lanthanide ions in both optical and magnetic resonance imaging.
Enhanced performance in NOx reduction by NH3 over a mesoporous Ce–Ti–MoOx catalyst stabilized by a carbon template
Authors: Zhang Qiulin , Liu Xin , Ning Ping , Song Zhongxian , Li Hao , Gu Junjie
Published: January 2015

The mesopore Ce–Ti–MoOx catalyst stabilized by an in situ formed carbon template showed more than 90% NOx conversion at 175–425 °C for SCR of NOx with NH3. Increasing temperature in the presence of carbon template contributed to the narrow mesoporous distribution and excellent low-temperature SCR activity.
Recent advances in metal free- and late transition metal-catalysed hydroamination of unactivated alkenes
Authors: Bernoud Elise , Lepori Clément , Mellah Mohamed , Schulz Emmanuelle , Hannedouche Jérôme
Published: January 2015

This Perspective article outlines some of the recent advancements in the development of (chiral) metal-free and late transition metal catalysts for hydroamination of unactivated alkenes.
The catalytic performance of metal complexes immobilized on SBA-15 in the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with different metals (Ti, Al, Zn and Mg) and immobilization procedures
Authors: Pérez Yolanda , del Hierro Isabel , Zazo Lydia , Fernández-Galán Rafael , Fajardo Mariano
Published: January 2015

A family of heterogeneous catalysts has been prepared by employing different strategies.
Formation, reactivity and redox properties of carbon- and sulfur-bridged diiron complexes derived from dibenzothienyl Schiff bases: effect of N,N- and N,P-chelating moieties
Authors: Santo Kiyokazu , Hirotsu Masakazu , Kinoshita Isamu
Published: January 2015

Redox properties of C,S-bridged diiron complexes were controlled by using dibenzothienyl Schiff base precursors with an N,N- or N,P-chelating moiety.
The phenanthroimidazole-based dizinc(ii) complex as a fluorescent probe for the pyrophosphate ion as generated in polymerase chain reactions and pyrosequencing
Authors: Anbu Sellamuthu , Kamalraj Subban , Paul Anup , Jayabaskaran Chelliah , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: January 2015

The phenanthroimidazole-based dizinc(II) complex is an efficient fluorescent probe for the pyrophosphate ion (PPi) in water with a very low detection limit, and also used to detect PPi released from DNA polymerization chain reaction.
Complexation of Eu(iii) with Cucurbit[n]uril, n = 5 and 7: A Thermodynamic and Structural Study
Authors: Rawat Neetika , Kar Aishwarya , Bhattacharyya A. , Rao Ankita , Nayak S. K. , Nayak C. , Jha S. N. , Bhattacharyya D. , Tomar B. S.
Published: January 2015

An investigation of Eu(iii) CBn complexes in solution using calorimetry, TRFS, EXAFS and DFT calculations shows the presence of Eu(iii) in different binding modes depending on the cavity size of CBn and the stoichiometry of the complex.
Architectural control of urea in supramolecular 1D strontium vanadium oxide chains
Authors: Schwarz Benjamin , Streb Carsten
Published: January 2015

The critical effects of small organic ligands such as urea on the assembly of 1D strontium vanadium oxide chains using the principles of molecular self-assembly are discussed.
Upconversion improvement by the reduction of Na+-vacancies in Mn2+ doped hexagonal NaYbF4:Er3+ nanoparticles
Authors: Tian Dongping , Gao Dangli , Chong Bo , Liu Xuanzuo
Published: January 2015

A method of Mn2+ doping for the simultaneous control of lattice defects and luminescence output in β-NaYbF4:Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles with a fixed composition of both host and dopants of Ln3+ is demonstrated.
Multiple deprotonation of primary aromatic diamines by LiAlH4
Authors: Less Robert J. , Allen Lucy K. , Steiner Alexander , Wright Dominic S.
Published: January 2015

Reaction of LiAlH4with 1,2-phenylenediamine (1H4) in THF gives [{Al(1H2)}2{Al(1H)2}2][Li(THF)2]4, containing the largest aluminate of its type so far reported.
A pair of dinuclear Re(i) enantiomers: synthesis, crystal structures, chiroptical and ferroelectric properties
Authors: Li Xi-Li , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xue-Li , Kang Jia-Long , Wang Ai-Ling , Zhou Liming , Fang Shaoming
Published: January 2015

A pair of dinuclear Re(i) enantiomers have been successfully synthesized, representing the first example of polynuclear Re(i) complexes with ferroelectric properties and possessing a multifunctional feature combining chirality, NLO-activity and ferroelectricity within one molecule.
Te4Se2O6 macrocycle stabilizing triangular planar and tetrahedral anions
Authors: Srungavruksham Nagarjuna Kumar , Baskar Viswanathan
Published: January 2015

The anion exchange reactions of Cl-macrocycle 1a with anions of varying geometry (NO3− trigonal planar, ClO4− and BF4− tetrahedral) have been investigated to yield macrocycles 2–4. Solid state molecular structures of these macrocycles are also retained in solution.
A phosphomide based PNP ligand, 2,6-{Ph2PC(O)}2(C5H3N), showing PP, PNP and PNO coordination modes
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Kashid Vitthalrao S. , Reddi Yernaidu , Mague Joel T. , Sunoj Raghavan B. , Balakrishna Maravanji S.
Published: January 2015

Coordination chemistry of a versatile phosphomide ligand, 2,6-{Ph2PC(O)}2(C5H3N), is described.
Direct synthesis of Pd nanoparticles on alginic acid and seaweed supports
Authors: Parker Helen L. , Dodson Jennifer R. , Budarin Vitaly L. , Clark James H. , Hunt Andrew J.
Published: January 2015

The synthesis of Pd catalysts using biosorption onto alginic acid and seaweed supports for application as catalysts in coupling reactions.
A versatile valving toolkit for automating fluidic operations in paper microfluidic devices
Authors: Toley Bhushan J. , Wang Jessica A. , Gupta Mayuri , Buser Joshua R. , Lafleur Lisa K. , Lutz Barry R. , Fu Elain , Yager Paul
Published: January 2015

A versatile, powerless, valving and automation toolkit for paper microfluidic devices that uses absorbent expanding elements as actuators is presented.
Ship-in-a-bottle femtosecond laser integration of optofluidic microlens arrays with center-pass units enabling coupling-free parallel cell counting with a 100% success rate
Authors: Wu Dong , Niu Li-Gang , Wu Si-Zhu , Xu Jian , Midorikawa Katsumi , Sugioka Koji
Published: January 2015

Optimal design and fabrication of novel devices for high-performance optofluidic applications is a key issue for the development of advanced lab-on-a-chip systems.
O-Benzoyl pyridine aldoxime and amidoxime derivatives: novel efficient DNA photo-cleavage agents
Authors: Karamtzioti Paraskevi , Papastergiou Asterios , Stefanakis John G. , Koumbis Alexandros E. , Anastasiou Ioanna , Koffa Maria , Fylaktakidou Konstantina C.
Published: January 2015

Pyridine oxime esters are effective DNA photocleavers, causing single-/double-stranded DNA cleavage at concentrations as low as 1 μM.
The CO gas sensing properties of direct-patternable SnO2 films containing graphene or Ag nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Hyuncheol , Park Chang-Sun , Kang Kyung-Mun , Hong Min-Hee , Choi Yong-June , Park Hyung-Ho
Published: January 2015

The CO gas sensing properties of direct-patternable SnO2 composite thin films were more effectively improved by the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles than graphene.
Control of nanoparticle formation using the constrained dewetting of polymer brushes
Authors: Lee Thomas , Hendy Shaun C. , Neto Chiara
Published: January 2015

We propose a method for the preparation of functional surface nanoparticle arrays using the self-assembly of polymer brushes.
Fabrication of a multi-charge generable poly(phenyl isocyanide)-block-poly(3-hexylthiophene) rod–rod conjugated copolymer
Authors: Li Wei , He Ya-Guang , Shi Sheng-Yu , Liu Na , Zhu Yuan-Yuan , Ding Yun-Sheng , Yin Jun , Wu Zong-Quan
Published: January 2015

A facile construction of diverse polymeric nanostructures was reported by simple quaternization reaction and UV irradiation starting from the same rod-rod conjugated PPI(-DMAENBA)-b-P3HT) diblock copolymers, which were prepared by sequential living copolymerization of PI and 3HT in one-pot.
A green route to water-soluble polyaniline for photothermal therapy catalyzed by iron phosphates peroxidase mimic
Authors: Li Leilei , Liang Kaixuan , Hua Zhentao , Zou Min , Chen Kezheng , Wang Wei
Published: January 2015

Water-soluble polyaniline showing the photothermal effect was synthesized via a green route using iron phosphates peroxidase mimic as a catalyst.
Tailoring functionality through synthetic strategy in heterolanthanide assemblies
Authors: Artizzu Flavia , Quochi Francesco , Serpe Angela , Sessini Elisa , Deplano Paola
Published: January 2015

Three classes of heterolanthanide assemblies, multi-dimensional frameworks (A), discrete polynuclear molecules (B) and preformed coordinated units connected by a linker (C), are discussed. Potential functionalities arising from the distance-dependent coexistence or interplay of the physical properties are pointed out.