bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise and yoga improve neurocognitive function in women with early psychosis
Authors: Lin Jingxia , Chan Sherry KW , Lee Edwin HM , Chang Wing Chung , Tse Michael , Su Wayne Weizhong , Sham Pak , Hui Christy LM , Joe Glen , Chan Cecilia LW , Khong P L , So Kwok Fai , Honer William G , Chen Eric YH
Published: December 2015

Impairments of attention and memory are evident in early psychosis, and are associated with functional disability. In a group of stable, medicated women patients, we aimed to determine whether participating in aerobic exercise or yoga improved cognitive impairments and clinical symptoms. A total of 140 female patients were recruited, and 124 received the allocated intervention in a randomized controlled study of 12 weeks of yoga or aerobic exercise compared with a waitlist group. The primary outcomes were cognitive functions including memory and attention. Secondary outcome measures were the severity of psychotic and depressive symptoms, and hippocampal volume. Data from 124 patients were included in the final analysis based on the intention-to-treat principle. Both yoga and aerobic exercise groups demonstrated significant improvements in working memory (P<0.01) with moderate to large effect sizes compared with the waitlist control group. The yoga group showed additional benefits in verbal acquisition (P<0.01) and attention (P=0.01). Both types of exercise improved overall and depressive symptoms (all P⩽0.01) after 12 weeks. Small increases in hippocampal volume were observed in the aerobic exercise group compared with waitlist (P=0.01). Both types of exercise improved working memory in early psychosis patients, with yoga having a larger effect on verbal acquisition and attention than aerobic exercise. The application of yoga and aerobic exercise as adjunctive treatments for early psychosis merits serious consideration. This study was supported by the Small Research Funding of the University of Hong Kong (201007176229), and RGC funding (C00240/762412) by the Authority of Research, Hong Kong.
A global map of hemispheric influenza vaccine recommendations based on local patterns of viral circulation
Authors: Alonso Wladimir J. , Yu Christine , Viboud Cecile , Richard Stephanie A. , Schuck-Paim Cynthia , Simonsen Lone , Mello Wyller A. , Miller Mark A.
Published: December 2015

Both the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere annual WHO influenza vaccine recommendations are designed to ensure vaccine delivery before the winter-time peak of viral circulation in each hemisphere. However, influenza seasonal patterns are highly diverse in tropical countries and may be out of phase with the WHO recommendations for their respective hemisphere. We modelled the peak timing of influenza activity for 125 countries using laboratory-based surveillance data from the WHO’s FLUNET database and compared it with the influenza hemispheric recommendations in place. Influenza vaccine recommendations for respectively 25% and 39% of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere countries were out of phase with peak influenza circulation in their corresponding hemisphere (62% and 53%, respectively, when the analysis was limited to the 52 countries in the tropical belt). These results indicate that routine influenza immunization efforts should be closely tailored to local patterns of viral circulation, rather than a country’s hemispheric position.
Selective targeting of nuclear receptor FXR by avermectin analogues with therapeutic effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jin Lihua , Wang Rui , Zhu Yanlin , Zheng Weili , Han Yaping , Guo Fusheng , Ye Frank Bin , Li Yong
Published: December 2015

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a predictive factor of death from many diseases. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is an ideal target for NAFLD drug development due to its crucial roles in lipid metabolism. The aim of this work is to examine the molecular mechanisms and functional roles of FXR modulation by avermectin analogues in regulating metabolic syndromes like NAFLD. We found that among avermectin analogues studied, the analogues that can bind and activate FXR are effective in regulating metabolic parameters tested, including reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, lowering serum cholesterol and glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity, in a FXR dependent manner. Mechanistically, the avermectin analogues that interact with FXR exhibited features as partial agonists, with distinctive properties in modulating coregulator recruitment. Structural features critical for avermectin analogues to selectively bind to FXR were also revealed. This study indicated that in addition to antiparasitic activity, avermectin analogues are promising drug candidates to treat metabolism syndrome including NAFLD by directly targeting FXR. Additionally, the structural features that discriminate the selective binding of FXR by avermectin analogues may provide a unique safe approach to design drugs targeting FXR signaling.
RBFOX3/NeuN is Required for Hippocampal Circuit Balance and Function
Authors: Wang Han-Ying , Hsieh Pei-Fen , Huang De-Fong , Chin Pey-Shyuan , Chou Chih-Hsuan , Tung Chun-Che , Chen Shin-Yuan , Lee Li-Jen , Gau Susan Shur-Fen , Huang Hsien-Sung
Published: December 2015

RBFOX3 mutations are linked to epilepsy and cognitive impairments, but the underlying pathophysiology of these disorders is poorly understood. Here we report replication of human symptoms in a mouse model with disrupted Rbfox3. Rbfox3 knockout mice displayed increased seizure susceptibility and decreased anxiety-related behaviors. Focusing on hippocampal phenotypes, we found Rbfox3 knockout mice showed increased expression of plasticity genes Egr4 and Arc and the synaptic transmission and plasticity were defective in the mutant perforant pathway. The mutant dentate granules cells exhibited an increased frequency, but normal amplitude, of excitatory synaptic events and this change was associated with an increase in the neurotransmitter release probability and dendritic spine density. Together, our results demonstrate anatomical and functional abnormality in Rbfox3 knockout mice and may provide mechanistic insights for RBFOX3-related human brain disorders.
Discovery and characterization of novel inhibitors of the sodium-coupled citrate transporter (NaCT or SLC13A5)
Authors: Huard Kim , Brown Janice , Jones Jessica C. , Cabral Shawn , Futatsugi Kentaro , Gorgoglione Matthew , Lanba Adhiraj , Vera Nicholas B. , Zhu Yimin , Yan Qingyun , Zhou Yingjiang , Vernochet Cecile , Riccardi Keith , Wolford Angela , Pirman David , Niosi Mark , Aspnes Gary , Herr Michael , Genung Nathan E. , Magee Thomas V. , Uccello Daniel P. , Loria Paula , Di Li , Gosset James R. , Hepworth David , Rolph Timothy , Pfefferkorn Jeffrey A. , Erion Derek M.
Published: December 2015

Citrate is a key regulatory metabolic intermediate as it facilitates the integration of the glycolysis and lipid synthesis pathways. Inhibition of hepatic extracellular citrate uptake, by blocking the sodium-coupled citrate transporter (NaCT or SLC13A5), has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach to treat metabolic disorders. NaCT transports citrate from the blood into the cell coupled to the transport of sodium ions. The studies herein report the identification and characterization of a novel small dicarboxylate molecule (compound 2) capable of selectively and potently inhibiting citrate transport through NaCT, both in vitro and in vivo. Binding and transport experiments indicate that 2 specifically binds NaCT in a competitive and stereosensitive manner and is recognized as a substrate for transport by NaCT. The favorable pharmacokinetic properties of 2 permitted in vivo experiments to evaluate the effect of inhibiting hepatic citrate uptake on metabolic endpoints.
Cooperative nutrient accumulation sustains growth of mammalian cells
Authors: Son Sungmin , Stevens Mark M. , Chao Hui Xiao , Thoreen Carson , Hosios Aaron M. , Schweitzer Lawrence D. , Weng Yaochung , Wood Kris , Sabatini David , Vander Heiden Matthew G. , Manalis Scott
Published: December 2015

The coordination of metabolic processes to allow increased nutrient uptake and utilization for macromolecular synthesis is central for cell growth. Although studies of bulk cell populations have revealed important metabolic and signaling requirements that impact cell growth on long time scales, whether the same regulation influences short-term cell growth remains an open question. Here we investigate cell growth by monitoring mass accumulation of mammalian cells while rapidly depleting particular nutrients. Within minutes following the depletion of glucose or glutamine, we observe a growth reduction that is larger than the mass accumulation rate of the nutrient. This indicates that if one particular nutrient is depleted, the cell rapidly adjusts the amount that other nutrients are accumulated, which is consistent with cooperative nutrient accumulation. Population measurements of nutrient sensing pathways involving mTOR, AKT, ERK, PKA, MST1, or AMPK, or pro-survival pathways involving autophagy suggest that they do not mediate this growth reduction. Furthermore, the protein synthesis rate does not change proportionally to the mass accumulation rate over these time scales, suggesting that intracellular metabolic pools buffer the growth response. Our findings demonstrate that cell growth can be regulated over much shorter time scales than previously appreciated.
Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery of CC Chemokine Binding Fc Fusion Proteins to Target Acute Vascular Inflammation In Vivo
Authors: McNeill Eileen , Iqbal Asif J. , White Gemma E. , Patel Jyoti , Greaves David R. , Channon Keith M.
Published: December 2015

Blockade of CC chemokines is an attractive yet under utilized therapeutic strategy. We report the in vivo pharmacokinetics of a broad-spectrum vaccinia virus CC chemokine binding protein (35 K) fused to human IgG1 Fc. We demonstrate that the in vivo efficacy of the protein can be interrogated using hydrodynamic gene delivery of a standard mammalian expression plasmid. High plasma levels of the 35 K-Fc protein are maintained for at least 14 days post gene transfer, with the protein still detectable at 5 weeks. We confirm that the protein has biological activity in acute inflammation, causing a significant reduction in monocyte recruitment during zymosan induced peritonitis. The ability of 35 K-Fc to block more complex pathologies is demonstrated using aortic digests to assess angiotensin II mediated leukocyte recruitment to the aorta. Angiotensin II causes upregulation of mCCL2 in the aorta causing the accumulation of CCR2+ cells. Peak monocyte recruitment to the aorta occurs within 3 days and this process is CC chemokine dependent, being significantly reduced by hydrodynamic delivery of 35 K-Fc.
Enhanced adaptive focusing through semi-transparent media
Authors: Di Battista Diego , Zacharakis Giannis , Leonetti Marco
Published: December 2015

Adaptive optics can focus light through opaque media by compensating the random phase delay acquired while crossing a scattering curtain. The technique is commonly exploited in many fields, including astrophysics, microscopy, biomedicine and biology. A turbid lens has the capability of producing foci with a resolution higher than conventional optics, however it has a fundamental limit: to obtain a sharp focus one has to introduce a strongly scattering medium in the optical path. Indeed a tight focusing needs strong scattering and, as a consequence, high resolution focusing is obtained only for weakly transmitting samples. Here we describe a novel method allowing to obtain highly concentrated optical spots even by introducing a minimum amount of scattering in the beam path with semi-transparent materials. By filtering the pseudo-ballistic components of the transmitted beam we are able to experimentally overcome the limits of the adaptive focus resolution, gathering light on a spot with a diameter which is one third of the original speckle correlation function.
Improved In vivo Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice using X-Ray Dark-Field Radiography
Authors: Yaroshenko Andre , Hellbach Katharina , Yildirim Ali Önder , Conlon Thomas M. , Fernandez Isis Enlil , Bech Martin , Velroyen Astrid , Meinel Felix G. , Auweter Sigrid , Reiser Maximilian , Eickelberg Oliver , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: December 2015

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease with a median life expectancy of 4–5 years after initial diagnosis. Early diagnosis and accurate monitoring of IPF are limited by a lack of sensitive imaging techniques that are able to visualize early fibrotic changes at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface. Here, we report a new x-ray imaging approach that directly visualizes the air-tissue interfaces in mice in vivo. This imaging method is based on the detection of small-angle x-ray scattering that occurs at the air-tissue interfaces in the lung. Small-angle scattering is detected with a Talbot-Lau interferometer, which provides the so-called x-ray dark-field signal. Using this imaging modality, we demonstrate-for the first time-the quantification of early pathogenic changes and their correlation with histological changes, as assessed by stereological morphometry. The presented radiography method is significantly more sensitive in detecting morphological changes compared with conventional x-ray imaging and exhibits a significantly lower radiation dose than conventional x-ray CT. As a result of the improved imaging sensitivity, this new imaging modality could be used in future to reduce the number of animals required for pulmonary research studies.
Aldioxa improves delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric compliance, pathophysiologic mechanisms of functional dyspepsia
Authors: Asano Teita , Aida Shuji , Suemasu Shintaro , Tahara Kayoko , Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Mizushima Tohru
Published: December 2015

Delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric accommodation (decreased gastric compliance) play important roles in functional dyspepsia (FD). Here we screen for a clinically used drug with an ability to improve delayed gastric emptying in rats. Oral administration of aldioxa (dihydroxyaluminum allantoinate) partially improved clonidine- or restraint stress-induced delayed gastric emptying. Administration of allantoin, but not aluminium hydroxide, restored the gastric emptying. Both aldioxa and allantoin inhibited clonidine binding to the α-2 adrenergic receptor, suggesting that antagonistic activity of the allantoin moiety of aldioxa on this receptor is involved in the restoration of gastric emptying activity. Aldioxa or aluminium hydroxide but not allantoin restored gastric compliance with restraint stress, suggesting that aluminium hydroxide moiety is involved in this restoration. We propose that aldioxa is a candidate drug for FD, because its safety in humans has already been confirmed and its ameliorating effect on both of delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric compliance are confirmed here.
Causal Inference and Explaining Away in a Spiking Network
Authors: Moreno-Bote Rubén , Drugowitsch Jan
Published: December 2015

While the brain uses spiking neurons for communication, theoretical research on brain computations has mostly focused on non-spiking networks. The nature of spike-based algorithms that achieve complex computations, such as object probabilistic inference, is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that a family of high-dimensional quadratic optimization problems with non-negativity constraints can be solved exactly and efficiently by a network of spiking neurons. The network naturally imposes the non-negativity of causal contributions that is fundamental to causal inference and uses simple operations, such as linear synapses with realistic time constants and neural spike generation and reset non-linearities. The network infers the set of most likely causes from an observation using explaining away, which is dynamically implemented by spike-based, tuned inhibition. The algorithm performs remarkably well even when the network intrinsically generates variable spike trains, the timing of spikes is scrambled by external sources of noise, or the network is mistuned. This type of network might underlie tasks such as odor identification and classification.
Formation of Enhanced Uniform Chiral Fields in Symmetric Dimer Nanostructures
Authors: Tian Xiaorui , Fang Yurui , Sun Mengtao
Published: December 2015

Chiral fields with large optical chirality are very important in chiral molecules analysis, sensing and other measurements. Plasmonic nanostructures have been proposed to realize such super chiral fields for enhancing weak chiral signals. However, most of them cannot provide uniform chiral near-fields close to the structures, which makes these nanostructures not so efficient for applications. Plasmonic helical nanostructures and blocked squares have been proved to provide uniform chiral near-fields, but structure fabrication is a challenge. In this paper, we show that very simple plasmonic dimer structures can provide uniform chiral fields in the gaps with large enhancement of both near electric fields and chiral fields under linearly polarized light illumination with polarization off the dimer axis at dipole resonance. An analytical dipole model is utilized to explain this behavior theoretically. 30 times of volume averaged chiral field enhancement is gotten in the whole gap. Chiral fields with opposite handedness can be obtained simply by changing the polarization to the other side of the dimer axis. It is especially useful in Raman optical activity measurement and chiral sensing of small quantity of chiral molecule.
Water filling and electric field-induced enhancement in the mechanical property of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ye H. F. , Zheng Y. G. , Zhang Z. Q. , Chen Z. , Zhang H. W.
Published: December 2015

The effects of water filling and electric field on the mechanical property of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are investigated with molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation results indicate that the water filling and electric field could enhance the elastic modulus but reduce the Poisson’s ratio of the CNTs. As for the buckling behaviors, a significant enhancement could be observed in the yield stress and average post-buckling stress of the CNTs. In particular, the enhancement in the yield stress induced by the water filling and electric field could be even higher than that resulted from the solid filling. Moreover, a transition mechanism from the rod instability to shell buckling is shown to explain the nonmonotonic variation of yield stress and the critical diameter can be tuned through filling the water molecules and applying the electric field. The present findings provide a valuable route for the optimized design and application of the nanoscale functional devices based on the water-filled CNTs.
Complexity of Heart Rate Variability Can Predict Stroke-In-Evolution in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Chen Chih-Hao , Huang Pei-Wen , Tang Sung-Chun , Shieh Jiann-Shing , Lai Dar-Ming , Wu An-Yu , Jeng Jiann-Shing
Published: December 2015

About one-third of acute stroke patients may experience stroke-in-evolution, which is often associated with a worse outcome. Recently, we showed that multiscale entropy (MSE), a non-linear method for analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), is an early outcome predictor in non-atrial fibrillation (non-AF) stroke patients. We aimed to further investigate MSE as a predictor of SIE. We included 90 non-AF ischemic stroke patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Nineteen (21.1%) patients met the criteria of SIE, which was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥2 points within 3 days of admission. The MSE of HRV was analyzed from 1-hour continuous ECG signals during the first 24 hours of admission. The complexity index was defined as the area under the MSE curve. Compared with patients without SIE, those with SIE had a significantly lower complexity index value (21.3 ± 8.5 vs 26.5 ± 7.7, P = 0.012). After adjustment for clinical variables, patients with higher complexity index values were significantly less likely to have SIE (odds ratio = 0.897, 95% confidence interval 0.818–0.983, P = 0.020). In summary, early assessment of HRV by MSE can be a potential predictor of SIE in ICU-admitted non-AF ischemic stroke patients.
Enabling High Efficiency Nanoplasmonics with Novel Nanoantenna Architectures
Authors: Cohen Moshik , Shavit Reuven , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: December 2015

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are propagating excitations that arise from coupling of light with collective electron oscillations. Characterized by high field intensity and nanometric dimensions, SPPs fashion rapid expansion of interest from fundamental and applicative perspectives. However, high metallic losses at optical frequencies still make nanoplasmonics impractical when high absolute efficiency is paramount, with major challenge is efficient plasmon generation in deep nanoscale. Here we introduce the Plantenna, the first reported nanodevice with the potential of addressing these limitations utilizing novel plasmonic architecture. The Plantenna has simple 2D structure, ultracompact dimensions and is fabricated on Silicon chip for future CMOS integration. We design the Plantenna to feed channel (20 nm × 20 nm) nanoplasmonic waveguides, achieving 52% coupling efficiency with Plantenna dimensions of λ3/17,000. We theoretically and experimentally show that the Plantenna enormously outperforms dipole couplers, achieving 28 dB higher efficiency with broad polarization diversity and huge local field enhancement. Our findings confirm the Plantenna as enabling device for high efficiency plasmonic technologies such as quantum nanoplasmonics, molecular strong coupling and plasmon nanolasers.
Astronomical and Hydrological Perspective of Mountain Impacts on the Asian Summer Monsoon
Authors: He Bian , Wu Guoxiong , Liu Yimin , Bao Qing
Published: December 2015

The Asian summer monsoon has great socioeconomic impacts. Understanding how the huge Tibetan and Iranian Plateaus affect the Asian summer monsoon is of great scientific value and has far-reaching significance for sustainable global development. One hypothesis considers the plateaus to be a shield for monsoon development in India by blocking cold-dry northerly intrusion into the tropics. Based on astronomical radiation analysis and numerical modeling, here we show that in winter the plateaus cannot block such a northerly intrusion; while in summer the daily solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere and at the surface and the surface potential temperature to the north of the Tibetan Plateau, are higher than their counterparts to its south and such plateau shielding is not needed. By virtue of hydrological analysis, we show that the high energy near the surface required for continental monsoon development is maintained mainly by high water vapor content. Results based on potential vorticity–potential temperature diagnosis further demonstrate that it is the pumping of water vapor from sea to land due to the thermal effects of the plateaus that breeds the Asian continental monsoon.
A Linear Dose-Response Relationship between Fasting Plasma Glucose and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Jianguo , Xiong Lijuan , Li Jiaoyuan , Cao Heng , Jiang Wen , Liu Bo , Chen Xueqin , Liu Cheng , Liu Ke , Wang Guobin , Cai Kailin
Published: December 2015

For many years, the question of whether hyperglycaemia, a manifestation of prediabetes, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, is a risk factor for colorectal cancer has been intensely studied. In fact, even after the conclusion of several prospective studies, the topic is still controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the dose-response relationship between blood glucose concentration and the incidence of colorectal cancer. A linear (P = 0.303 for non-linearity) dose-response relationship was observed between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and colorectal cancer risk without significant heterogeneity. The relative risk (RR) for colorectal cancer per 20 mg/dL increase in FPG was 1.015 (95% CI: 1.012–1.019,P = 0.000). In subgroup analyses, the pooled RRs for colon cancer (CC) and rectal cancer (RC) studies were 1.035 (95% CI 1.008–1.062,P = 0.011) and 1.031 (95% CI: 0.189–5.628,P = 0.972), respectively; in the analysis comparing men and women, the pooled RRs were 1.016 (95% CI: 1.012–1.020,P = 0.000) and 1.011 (95% CI: 0.995–1.027,P = 0.164), respectively. Sensitivity analyses using two methods showed similar results. In conclusion, there is a significant linear dose-response relationship between FPG and the incidence risk of colorectal cancer. For people with diabetes or prediabetes, controlling blood glucose might be useful to prevent colorectal cancer.
In vitro and in vivo screening for novel essential cell-envelope proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Fernández-Piñar Regina , Lo Sciuto Alessandra , Rossi Alice , Ranucci Serena , Bragonzi Alessandra , Imperi Francesco
Published: December 2015

The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a prototype of multi-drug resistant opportunistic pathogens for which novel therapeutic options are urgently required. In order to identify new candidates as potential drug targets, we combined large-scale transposon mutagenesis data analysis and bioinformatics predictions to retrieve a set of putative essential genes which are conserved in P. aeruginosa and predicted to encode cell envelope or secreted proteins. By generating unmarked deletion or conditional mutants, we confirmed the in vitro essentiality of two periplasmic proteins, LptH and LolA, responsible for lipopolysaccharide and lipoproteins transport to the outer membrane respectively and confirmed that they are important for cell envelope stability. LptH was also found to be essential for P. aeruginosa ability to cause infection in different animal models. Conversely, LolA-depleted cells appeared only partially impaired in pathogenicity, indicating that this protein likely plays a less relevant role during bacterial infection. Finally, we ruled out any involvement of the other six proteins under investigation in P. aeruginosa growth, cell envelope stability and virulence. Besides proposing LptH as a very promising drug target in P. aeruginosa, this study confirms the importance of in vitro and in vivo validation of potential essential genes identified through random transposon mutagenesis.
Id4 Marks Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Mouse Testis
Authors: Sun Feng , Xu Qing , Zhao Danfeng , Degui Chen Charlie
Published: December 2015

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a classic adult stems cell–dependent process, supported by the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). However, the identification of SSCs and elucidation of their behaviors in undisturbed testis has long been a big challenge. Here, we generated a knock-in mouse model, Id4-2A-CreERT2-2A-tdTomato, which allowed us to mark Id4-expressing (Id4+) cells at different time pointsin situand track their behaviors across distinct developmental stages during steady-state and regenerating spermatogenesis. We found that Id4+cells continue to produce spermatogonia, spermatocytes and sperm in mouse testis, showing they are capable of self-renewal and have differentiation potential. Consistent with these findings, ablation of Id4+cells in mice results in a loss of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, developmental fate mapping reveals that Id4+SSCs originate from neonate Id4+gonocytes. Therefore, our results indicate that Id4 marks spermatogonial stem cells in the mouse testis.
MiR-181b regulates cisplatin chemosensitivity and metastasis by targeting TGFβR1/Smad signaling pathway in NSCLC
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Chen Xuesong , Meng Qingwei , Jing Hu , Lu Hailing , Yang Yanmei , Cai Li , Zhao Yanbin
Published: December 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as important post-transcriptional regulators involved in various biological and pathological processes of cells, but their underlying mechanisms in chemosensitivity and metastasis have not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to identify miR-181b and its mechanism in the chemosensitivity and metastasis of NSCLC. We found that miR-181b expression levels were lower in A549/DDP cells compared with A549 cells. Functional assays showed that the overexpression of miR-181b inhibited proliferation, enhanced chemosensitivity to DDP, attenuated migration and metastatic ability in NSCLC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. TGFβR1 was subsequently identified as a novel functional target of miR-181b. TGFβR1 knockdown revealed similar effects as that of ectopic miR-181b expression, whereas overexpression of TGFβR1 rescued the function of miR-181b-mediated growth, chemosensitivity and metastasis in NSCLC cells. In addition, miR-181b could inactivate the TGFβR1/Smad signaling pathway. We also observed that decreased miR-181b expression and increased TGFβR1 expression were significantly associated with chemosensitivity to DDP and tumor metastasis in NSCLC patients. Consequently, miR-181b functions as a tumor suppressor and has an important role in proliferation, chemosensitivity to DDP and metastasis of NSCLC by targeting TGFβR1/Smad signaling pathway.
Soil recovery across a chronosequence of restored wetlands in the Florida Everglades
Authors: Wang Qibing , Li Yuncong , Zhang Min
Published: December 2015

The restoration project in the Hole-in-the-Donut of Everglades National Park in Florida, USA is to reestablish native wetlands by complete removal of the invasive plants and the associated soil. However, there is little information available about changes in properties of the newly formed Marl soils in restored wetlands. In this study, we measured soil physicochemical properties, soil enzymatic activities and stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) in plants and soil organic carbon (SOC) in an undisturbed natural wetland (UNW) and three wetlands restored respectively in 1989, 1996 and 1999 (WR89, WR96 and WR99). The older restored wetlands (WR89 and WR96) are characterized by greater SOC and mineral nitrogen. The values of soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities in the four wetlands follow the order: UNW > WR89 > WR96 > WR99 and are consistent with changes in vegetation coverage. The principal component analysis shows that dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities are the vital variables contributing to the soil of UNW. The similar δ13C values of SOC and plants in the restored wetlands suggest the formation of SOC during restoration is mainly derived from the associated plants. These results indicate that the newly restored soils develop toward the soil in the UNW with time since restoration.
Prediction and Characterisation of the System Effects of Aristolochic Acid: A Novel Joint Network Analysis towards Therapeutic and Toxicological Mechanisms
Authors: Nie Wenna , Lv Yana , Yan Leyu , Chen Xi , Lv Haitao
Published: December 2015

Aristolochic acid (AA) is the major active component of medicinal plants from the Aristolochiaceae family of flowering plants widely utilized for medicinal purposes. However, the molecular mechanisms of AA systems effects remain poorly understood. Here, we employed a joint network analysis that combines network pharmacology, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) database, biological processes analysis and functional annotation analysis to explore system effects. Firstly, we selected 15 protein targets (14 genes) in the PubChem database as the potential target genes and used PPI knowledge to incorporate these genes into an AA-specific gene network that contains 129 genes. Secondly, we performed biological processes analysis for these AA-related targets using ClueGO, some of new targeted genes were randomly selected and experimentally verified by employing the Quantitative Real-Time PCR assay for targeting the systems effects of AA in HK-2 cells with observed dependency of concentration. Thirdly, the pathway-based functional enrichment analysis was manipulated using WebGestalt to identify the mostly significant pathways associated with AA. At last, we built an AA target pathway network of significant pathways to predict the system effects. Taken together, this joint network analysis revealed that the systematic regulatory effects of AA on multidimensional pathways involving both therapeutic action and toxicity.
A plasma cytokine and angiogenic factor (CAF) analysis for selection of bevacizumab therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Bai Long , Wang Feng , Zhang Dong-sheng , Li Cong , Jin Ying , Wang De-shen , Chen Dong-liang , Qiu Miao-zhen , Luo Hui-yan , Wang Zhi-qiang , Li Yu-hong , Wang Feng-hua , Xu Rui-hua
Published: December 2015

This study intends to identify biomarkers that could refine the selection of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) for bevacizumab treatment. Pretreatment 36 plasma cytokines and angiogenic factors (CAFs) were first measured by protein microarray analysis in patients who received first-line bevacizumab-containing therapies (discovery cohort, n = 64) and further evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients treated on regimens with or without bevacizumab (validation cohort, n = 186). Factor levels were correlated with clinical outcomes, predictive values were assessed using a treatment by marker interaction term in the Cox model. Patients with lower pretreatment levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or VEGF-A121 gain much more benefit from bevacizumab treatment as measured by progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) levels negatively correlated with PFS and response rate following bevacizumab (all adjusted interaction P < 0.05). A baseline CAF signature combining these three markers has greater predictive ability than individual markers. Signature-negative patients showed impaired survival following bevacizumab treatment (PFS, 7.3 vs 7.0 months; hazard ratio [HR] 1.03; OS, 29.9 vs 21.1 months, HR 1.33) compared with signature-positive patients (PFS, 6.5 vs 11.9 months, HR 0.52; OS, 28.0 vs 55.3 months, HR 0.67). These promising results warrant further prospective studies.
Application of electronic tongues in food processing
Authors: Wadehra Akanksha , Patil Prasad Subhash
Published: December 2015

This review describes the basic principles and applications of electronic tongues (e-tongues) in the food industry.
Furan oxidation based cross-linking: a new approach for the study and targeting of nucleic acid and protein interactions
Authors: Carrette L. L. G. , Gyssels E. , De Laet N. , Madder A.
Published: December 2015

The coming of age story of furan oxidation cross-linking.
Structural and mechanistic insight into substrate binding from the conformational dynamics in apo and substrate-bound DapE enzyme
Authors: Dutta Debodyuti , Mishra Sabyashachi
Published: December 2015

Conformational dynamics induced by substrate binding in DapE enzyme.
Unravelling transition metal-catalyzed terpenic alcohol esterification: a straightforward process for the synthesis of fragrances
Authors: da Silva M. J. , Ayala D. A. M.
Published: December 2015

Iron nitrate, a simple and commercially available Lewis acid, catalyzes terpenic alcohol esterification with acetic acid, achieving high conversion and ester selectivity.
Colorimetric detection of fluoride ions by anthraimidazoledione based sensors in the presence of Cu(ii) ions
Authors: Sarkar Amrita , Bhattacharyya Sudipta , Mukherjee Arindam
Published: December 2015

A thioimidazole bearing anthraimidazoledione detects fluoride selectively in the presence of Cu2+with a detection limit of 0.04 ppm. The results show that the change of thioimidazole to imidazole leads to no detection.
Coordination chemistry and applications of versatile 4,5-diazafluorene derivatives
Authors: Annibale Vincent T. , Song Datong
Published: December 2015

This review article highlights the versatile nature of 4,5-diazafluorene derivatives as ligands, and details some recent advances made using this ligand family.
Dramatically enhanced reversibility of Li2O in SnO2-based electrodes: the effect of nanostructure on high initial reversible capacity
Authors: Hu Renzong , Chen Dongchang , Waller Gordon , Ouyang Yunpeng , Chen Yu , Zhao Bote , Rainwater Ben , Yang Chenghao , Zhu Min , Liu Meilin
Published: December 2015

Suppressing the Sn coarsening in the Li2O matrix enabled highly reversible conversion between Li2O and SnO2 and an initial Coulombic efficiency of ∼95.5% was achieved.
Ultrasensitive sensing of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate based on the synergistic effect of amino and hydroxyl groups of a molecularly imprinted poly(o-aminophenol) film
Authors: Ma Xiuling , Liu Jiaxiang , Wu Dan , Wang Lihua , Zhang Zhangjing , Xiang Shengchang
Published: December 2015

The ultrasensitive sensing of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate was achieved by the synergistic effect of amino and hydroxyl groups in an imprinted poly(o-aminophenol) film.
Synthesis, characterization and application of γ-MnO2/graphene oxide for the selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds
Authors: Kadam Mahesh M. , Dhopte Kiran B. , Jha Neetu , Gaikar Vilas G. , Nemade Parag R.
Published: December 2015

Selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols to corresponding aldehydes catalyzed by a sub-stoichiometric amount of novel γ-MnO2/GO nanocomposites giving over 90% yield.
Carbon quantum dots decorated Cu2S nanowire arrays for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Li Ming , Zhao Renjie , Su Yanjie , Yang Zhi , Zhang Yafei
Published: December 2015

The photoelectrochemical performance of Cu2S nanowire arrays (NWAs) has been demonstrated to be greatly enhanced by dipping-assembly of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) on the surfaces of Cu2S NWAs.
Exciton delocalization and hot hole extraction in CdSe QDs and CdSe/ZnS type 1 core shell QDs sensitized with newly synthesized thiols
Authors: Singhal Pallavi , Ghorpade Prashant V. , Shankarling Ganapati S. , Singhal Nancy , Jha Sanjay K. , Tripathi Raj M. , Ghosh Hirendra N.
Published: December 2015

The present work describes ultrafast thermalized and hot hole transfer processes from photo-excited CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and CdSe/ZnS core–shell QDs (CSQDs) to newly synthesized thiols.
Identification of gallic acid based glycoconjugates as a novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors
Authors: Upadhyaya Kapil , Hamidullah Hamidullah , Singh Kartikey , Arun Ashutosh , Shukla Mahendra , Srivastava Neetika , Ashraf Raghib , Sharma Abhisheak , Mahar Rohit , Shukla Sanjeev K. , Sarkar Jayanta , Ramachandran Ravishankar , Lal Jawahar , Konwar Rituraj , Tripathi Rama Pati
Published: December 2015

A novel class of gallic acid based glycoconjugates were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents.
N-Succinimidyl 3-((4-(4-[18F]fluorobutyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-5-(guanidinomethyl)benzoate ([18F]SFBTMGMB): a residualizing label for 18F-labeling of internalizing biomolecules
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ganesan , McDougald Darryl , Choi Jaeyeon , Pruszynski Marek , Koumarianou Eftychia , Zhou Zhengyuan , Zalutsky Michael R.
Published: December 2015

A nanobody 5F7 was labeled with 18F using [18F]RL-I, a residualizing label, with the preservation of affinity and immunoreactivity to HER2.
Pd(0)-catalyzed domino C–N coupling/hydroamination/C–H arylation reactions: efficient synthesis and photophysical properties of azaindolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines
Authors: Ngo Thang Ngoc , Janert Frank , Ehlers Peter , Hoang Do Huy , Dang Tuan Thanh , Villinger Alexander , Lochbrunner Stefan , Langer Peter
Published: December 2015

A series of new 7- and 4-azaindolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines were synthesized by a domino Pd(0)-catalyzed reaction, which involves three sequential steps: C–N coupling, hydroamination, and intramolecular C–H arylation.
Controllable synthesis of Ag@TiO2 heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activities under UV and visible excitation
Authors: Zhang Fanli , Cheng Zhiqiang , Cui Liying , Duan Tingting , Anan Ahmed , Zhang Chunfeng , Kang Lijuan
Published: December 2015

The proposed mechanism of photo-generated charge separation and migration process in the Ag/TiO2 nanoheterostructures under UV light.
A graphene/nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber composite as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Juan , Zhang Zhian , Zhao Xingxing
Published: December 2015

A graphene/N-doped porous carbon nanofiber (RGO/NPC) composite was designed as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). A microstructure of fine and uniform N-doped porous carbon nanofibers decorated on 2D RGO sheets was obtained.
Contrasting effects of nanoparticle–protein attraction on amyloid aggregation
Authors: Radic Slaven , Davis Thomas P. , Ke Pu Chun , Ding Feng
Published: December 2015

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been experimentally found to either promote or inhibit amyloid aggregation of proteins, but the molecular mechanisms for such complex behaviors remain unknown.
In situ Rheo-GISANS of triblock copolymers: gelation and shear effects on quasi-crystalline structures at interfaces
Authors: Newby Gemma E. , Watkins Erik B. , Merino Daniel Hermida , Staniec Paul A. , Bikondoa Oier
Published: December 2015

The behaviour of polymeric systems at surfaces and under flow is very important in many applications, from drug delivery to lubrication. Here, we have studied the thermotropic phases formed by a model tri-block copolymer usingin situRheo-GISANS.
Photon assisted conducting atomic force microscopy study of nanostructured additives in P3HT:PCBM
Authors: Sahare Sanjay , Veldurthi Naresh , Datar Suwarna , Bhave Tejashree
Published: December 2015

P3HT:PCBM demonstrates an enhanced current with additives (Ag NPs and Gr ). Continuous conducting paths attribute the Gr additives with an order of higher magnitude than the Ag NPs. The results are consistent and were studied using photon assisted conducting microscopy.
A Nd-containing coordination ploymer: syntheses, crystal structure and application as a nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Qian Wei , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Shudong , Guo Shaohui , Lu Yongjun , Lin Hui , Zheng De
Published: December 2015

This coordination polymer can increase the overall crystallization rate and decrease the spherulite size of iPP.
Ultralow friction regime from the in situ production of a richer fullerene-like nanostructured carbon in sliding contact
Authors: Wang Yongfu , Guo Junmeng , Zhang Junyan , Qin Yong
Published: December 2015

We provide definitive experimental evidences, and show that the richer sp2-bonded carbon atoms compared to the starting FL-C:H film evolve towards richer FL structures.
Cobalt(iii) complexes with tridentate hydrazone ligands: protonation state and hydrogen bond competition
Authors: Vrdoljak Višnja , Pavlović Gordana , Hrenar Tomica , Rubčić Mirta , Siega Patrizia , Dreos Renata , Cindrić Marina
Published: December 2015

Differently protonated ligands in [Co(HL)(L)] are stabilizedviasupramolecular assembling through O–H⋯O/N and N–H⋯N/O hydrogen bonding. Channels spreading either in each space dimension or predominantly in one direction are formed.
In vitro drug controlled-release behavior of an electrospun modified poly(lactic acid)/bacitracin drug delivery system
Authors: Yao Junyan , Zhang Shijie , Li Wudan , Du Zhi , Li Yujie
Published: December 2015

BAC-loaded electrospun uniaxial and coaxial fibers were achieved with different drug release patterns whose carrier materials were PLLA and PLLA/PLL.
Effects of representative quantum dots on microorganisms and phytoplankton: a comparative study
Authors: Yan Zhengyu , Chen Jiao , Xiao An , Shu Juan , Chen Jianqiu
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we put forward more effective and convenient approaches to prepare three kinds of high-quality CQDs. Then we assessed their effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Microcystis aeruginosa.
Hes1 inhibitor isolated by target protein oriented natural products isolation (TPO-NAPI) of differentiation activators of neural stem cells
Authors: Arai Midori A. , Ishikawa Naoki , Tanaka Mitsuha , Uemura Kenji , Sugimitsu Noriko , Suganami Akiko , Tamura Yutaka , Koyano Takashi , Kowithayakorn Thaworn , Ishibashi Masami
Published: December 2015

Hes1 dimer inhibitor, agalloside (2), which can accelerate the differentiation of neural stem cells was isolated by using Hes1-immobilized beads.
Rh(iii)-catalyzed diastereoselective C–H bond addition/cyclization cascade of enone tethered aldehydes
Authors: Boerth Jeffrey A. , Ellman Jonathan A.
Published: December 2015

Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade addition of C–H bonds across alkene and carbonyl π-bonds to form two new σ C–C bonds is accomplished.
Boosting the performance of planar heterojunction perovskite solar cell by controlling the precursor purity of perovskite materials
Authors: Chang Jingjing , Zhu Hai , Li Bichen , Isikgor Furkan Halis , Hao Yue , Xu Qinghua , Ouyang Jianyong
Published: December 2015

Perovskite solar cells using highly pure PbI2exhibit an efficiency higher than that with low purity PbI2by 30–40%.
Understanding the contribution of surface roughness and hydrophobic modification of silica nanoparticles to enhanced therapeutic protein delivery
Authors: Niu Yuting , Yu Meihua , Meka Anand , Liu Yang , Zhang Jun , Yang Yannan , Yu Chengzhong
Published: December 2015

The contribution of the surface roughness and hydrophobic modification of silica nanoparticles to enhanced therapeutic protein delivery, including adsorption, sustained release, cellular uptake and endo/lysosomal escape.
Ginsenoside nanoparticle: a new green drug delivery system
Authors: Dai Lin , Liu Kefeng , Si Chuanling , Wang Luying , Liu Jing , He Jing , Lei Jiandu
Published: December 2015

Ginsenoside Rb1 is shown to self-assemble with anticancer drugs to form stable nanoparticles, which have greater anticancer effectsin vitroandin vivothan the free drugs.
Highly luminescent and photostable near-infrared fluorescent polymer dots for long-term tumor cell tracking in vivo
Authors: Xiong Liqin , Guo Yixiao , Zhang Yimin , Cao Fengwen
Published: December 2015

Near-infrared-emitting polymer dots were prepared and used as fluorescent nanoprobes for in vitro HeLa cell labeling and in vivo long-term HeLa tumor tracking. The prepared NIR polymer dots showed no obvious effect on the tumor growth, and exhibited durable brightness, long-term photostability and high sensitivity.
Graphene nanosheets/BaTiO3 ceramics as highly efficient electromagnetic interference shielding materials in the X-band
Authors: Yuchang Qing , Qinlong Wen , Fa Luo , Wancheng Zhou , Dongmei Zhu
Published: December 2015

Graphene nanosheets filled BaTiO3 ceramics with high-performance EMI shielding effectiveness, greater than 40 dB in the X-band at 1.5 mm thickness, were prepared via pressureless sintering.
Identification of novel members of the bacterial azoreductase family in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Crescente Vincenzo , Holland Sinead M. , Kashyap Sapna , Polycarpou Elena , Sim Edith , Ryan Ali
Published: December 2015

Azoreductases are a family of diverse enzymes found in many pathogenic bacteria as well as distant homologues being present in eukarya. In addition to having azoreductase activity, these enzymes are also suggested to have NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) activity which leads to a proposed role in plant pathogenesis. Azoreductases have also been suggested to play a role in the mammalian pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In view of the importance of P. aeruginosa as a pathogen, we therefore characterized recombinant enzymes following expression of a group of putative azoreductase genes from P. aeruginosa expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzymes include members of the arsenic-resistance protein H (ArsH), tryptophan repressor-binding protein A (WrbA), modulator of drug activity B (MdaB) and YieF families. The ArsH, MdaB and YieF family members all show azoreductase and NQO activities. In contrast, WrbA is the first enzyme to show NQO activity but does not reduce any of the 11 azo compounds tested under a wide range of conditions. These studies will allow further investigation of the possible role of these enzymes in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa.