bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial interventions inhibit TGFβ-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and support hybrid cellular phenotypes
Authors: Steinway Steven Nathaniel , Zañudo Jorge Gomez Tejeda , Michel Paul J , Feith David J , Loughran Thomas P , Albert Reka
Published: November 2015

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process hijacked by cancer cells to leave the primary tumor site, invade surrounding tissue and establish distant metastases. A hallmark of EMT is the loss of E-cadherin expression, and one major signal for the induction of EMT is transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), which is dysregulated in up to 40% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to identify network perturbations that suppress TGFβ-driven EMT, with the goal of suppressing invasive properties of cancer cells. We use a systems-level Boolean dynamic model of EMT to systematically screen individual and combination perturbations (inhibition or constitutive activation of up to four nodes). We use a recently developed network control approach to understand the mechanism through which the combinatorial interventions suppress EMT. We test the results of our in silico analysis using siRNA. Our model predicts that targeting key elements of feedback loops in combination with the SMAD complex is more effective than suppressing the SMAD complex alone. We demonstrate experimentally that expression of a majority of these elements is enriched in mesenchymal relative to epithelial phenotype HCC cell lines. An siRNA screen of the predicted combinations confirms that many targeting strategies suppress TGFβ-driven EMT measured by E-cadherin expression and cell migration. Our analysis reveals that some perturbations give rise to hybrid states intermediate to the epithelial and mesenchymal states. Our results indicate that EMT is driven by an interconnected signaling network and many apparently successful single interventions may lead to steady states that are in-between epithelial and mesenchymal states. As these putative hybrid or partial EMT states may retain invasive properties, our results suggest that combinatorial therapies are necessary to fully suppress invasive properties of tumor cells.
Plant-mediated interspecific horizontal transmission of an intracellular symbiont in insects
Authors: Gonella Elena , Pajoro Massimo , Marzorati Massimo , Crotti Elena , Mandrioli Mauro , Pontini Marianna , Bulgari Daniela , Negri Ilaria , Sacchi Luciano , Chouaia Bessem , Daffonchio Daniele , Alma Alberto
Published: November 2015

Intracellular reproductive manipulators, such as Candidatus Cardinium and Wolbachia are vertically transmitted to progeny but rarely show co-speciation with the host. In sap-feeding insects, plant tissues have been proposed as alternative horizontal routes of interspecific transmission, but experimental evidence is limited. Here we report results from experiments that show that Cardinium is horizontally transmitted between different phloem sap-feeding insect species through plants. Quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization experiments indicated that the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus releases Cardinium from its salivary glands during feeding on both artificial media and grapevine leaves. Successional time-course feeding experiments with S. titanus initially fed sugar solutions or small areas of grapevine leaves followed by feeding by the phytoplasma vector Macrosteles quadripunctulatus or the grapevine feeder Empoasca vitis revealed that the symbionts were transmitted to both species. Explaining interspecific horizontal transmission through plants improves our understanding of how symbionts spread, their lifestyle and the symbiont-host intermixed evolutionary pattern.
Magnetic field-dependent shape anisotropy in small patterned films studied using rotating magnetoresistance
Authors: Fan Xiaolong , Zhou Hengan , Rao Jinwei , Zhao Xiaobing , Zhao Jing , Zhang Fengzhen , Xue Desheng
Published: November 2015

Based on the electric rotating magnetoresistance method, the shape anisotropy of a Co microstrip has been systematically investigated. We find that the shape anisotropy is dependent not only on the shape itself, but also on the magnetization distribution controlled by an applied magnetic field. Together with micro-magnetic simulations, we present a visualized picture of how non-uniform magnetization affects the values and polarities of the anisotropy constants "Equation missing" and "Equation missing". From the perspective of potential appliantions, our results are useful in designing and understanding the performance of micro- and nano-scale patterned ferromagnetic units and the related device properties.
Activin A/BMP2 chimera AB235 drives efficient redifferentiation of long term cultured autologous chondrocytes
Authors: Jiménez G. , López-Ruiz E. , Kwiatkowski W. , Montañez E. , Arrebola F. , Carrillo E. , Gray P. C. , Belmonte J. C. Izpisua , Choe S. , Perán M. , Marchal J. A.
Published: November 2015

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) depends on the quality and quantity of implanted cells and is hindered by the fact that chondrocytes cultured for long periods of time undergo dedifferentiation. Here we have developed a reproducible and efficient chondrogenic protocol to redifferentiate chondrocytes isolated from osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We used morphological, histological and immunological analysis together with a RT-PCR detection of collagen I and collagen II gene expression to show that chondrocytes isolated from articular cartilage biopsies of patients and subjected to long-term culture undergo dedifferentiation and that these cells can be redifferentiated following treatment with the chimeric Activin A/BMP2 ligand AB235. Examination of AB235-treated cell pellets in both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that redifferentiated chondrocytes synthesized a cartilage-specific extracellular matrix (ECM), primarily consisting of vertically-orientated collagen fibres and cartilage-specific proteoglycans. AB235-treated cell pellets also integrated into the surrounding subcutaneous tissue following transplantation in mice as demonstrated by their dramatic increase in size while non-treated control pellets disintegrated upon transplantation. Thus, our findings describe an effective protocol for the promotion of redifferentiation of autologous chondrocytes obtained from OA patients and the formation of a cartilage-like ECM that can integrate into the surrounding tissue in vivo.
Broadband All-Polymer Phototransistors with Nanostructured Bulk Heterojunction Layers of NIR-Sensing n-Type and Visible Light-Sensing p-Type Polymers
Authors: Han Hyemi , Nam Sungho , Seo Jooyeok , Lee Chulyeon , Kim Hwajeong , Bradley Donal D. C. , Ha Chang-Sik , Kim Youngkyoo
Published: November 2015

We report ‘broadband light-sensing’ all-polymer phototransistors with the nanostructured bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layers of visible (VIS) light-sensing electron-donating (p-type) polymer and near infrared (NIR) light-sensing electron-accepting (n-type) polymer. Poly[{2,5-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-3,6-bis-(thien-2-yl)-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-diyl}-co-{2,2′-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)]-5,5′-diyl}] (PEHTPPD-BT), which is synthesized via Suzuki coupling and employed as the n-type polymer, shows strong optical absorption in the NIR region (up to 1100 nm) in the presence of weak absorption in the VIS range (400 ~ 600 nm). To strengthen the VIS absorption, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is introduced as the p-type polymer. All-polymer phototransistors with the BHJ (P3HT:PEHTPPD-BT) layers, featuring a peculiar nano-domain morphology, exhibit typical p-type transistor characteristics and efficiently detect broadband (VIS ~ NIR) lights. The maximum corrected responsivity (without contribution of dark current) reaches up to 85 ~ 88% (VIS) and 26 ~ 40% (NIR) of theoretical responsivity. The charge separation process between P3HT and PEHTPPD-BT components in the highest occupied molecular orbital is proposed as a major working mechanism for the effective NIR sensing.
Intrinsic challenges in ancient microbiome reconstruction using 16S rRNA gene amplification
Authors: Ziesemer Kirsten A. , Mann Allison E. , Sankaranarayanan Krithivasan , Schroeder Hannes , Ozga Andrew T. , Brandt Bernd W. , Zaura Egija , Waters-Rist Andrea , Hoogland Menno , Salazar-García Domingo C. , Aldenderfer Mark , Speller Camilla , Hendy Jessica , Weston Darlene A. , MacDonald Sandy J. , Thomas Gavin H. , Collins Matthew J. , Lewis Cecil M. , Hofman Corinne , Warinner Christina
Published: November 2015

To date, characterization of ancient oral (dental calculus) and gut (coprolite) microbiota has been primarily accomplished through a metataxonomic approach involving targeted amplification of one or more variable regions in the 16S rRNA gene. Specifically, the V3 region (E. coli 341–534) of this gene has been suggested as an excellent candidate for ancient DNA amplification and microbial community reconstruction. However, in practice this metataxonomic approach often produces highly skewed taxonomic frequency data. In this study, we use non-targeted (shotgun metagenomics) sequencing methods to better understand skewed microbial profiles observed in four ancient dental calculus specimens previously analyzed by amplicon sequencing. Through comparisons of microbial taxonomic counts from paired amplicon (V3 U341F/534R) and shotgun sequencing datasets, we demonstrate that extensive length polymorphisms in the V3 region are a consistent and major cause of differential amplification leading to taxonomic bias in ancient microbiome reconstructions based on amplicon sequencing. We conclude that systematic amplification bias confounds attempts to accurately reconstruct microbiome taxonomic profiles from 16S rRNA V3 amplicon data generated using universal primers. Because in silico analysis indicates that alternative 16S rRNA hypervariable regions will present similar challenges, we advocate for the use of a shotgun metagenomics approach in ancient microbiome reconstructions.
Phonon limited superconducting correlations in metallic nanograins
Authors: Croitoru M. D. , Shanenko A. A. , Vagov A. , Milošević M. V. , Axt V. M. , Peeters F. M.
Published: November 2015

Conventional superconductivity is inevitably suppressed in ultra-small metallic grains for characteristic sizes smaller than the Anderson limit. Experiments have shown that above the Anderson limit the critical temperature may be either enhanced or reduced when decreasing the particle size, depending on the superconducting material. In addition, there is experimental evidence that whether an enhancement or a reduction is found depends on the strength of the electron-phonon interaction in the bulk. We reveal how the strength of the e-ph interaction interplays with the quantum-size effect and theoretically obtain the critical temperature of the superconducting nanograins in excellent agreement with experimental data. We demonstrate that strong e-ph scattering smears the peak structure in the electronic density-of-states of a metallic grain and enhances the electron mass and thereby limits the highest Tc achievable by quantum confinement.
Primary Tumor Resection Is Associated with Improved Survival in Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: An Instrumental Variable Analysis
Authors: Xu Hong , Xia Zuguang , Jia Xiaoyan , Chen Kai , Li Dapeng , Dai Yun , Tao Min , Mao Yixiang
Published: November 2015

Primary tumor resection (PTR) is recommended for patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) who present with symptoms related to their primary tumor. However, the survival benefit of PTR for asymptomatic patients is controversial. We investigated the change in PTR rates and the contribution of PTR to survival in patients with unresectable stage IV CRC over the past two decades in the United States. Clinicopathological factors and long-term survival were compared for 44 514 patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IV CRC from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2010, who had or had not undergone PTR. Multivariable Cox regression and the instrumental variable method were used to identify independent factors for survival. Of the 44 514 patients with unresectable stage IV CRC, 27 931 (62.7%) had undergone PTR. The annual rate of PTR decreased from 74.4% to 50.2% diagnosed in 1988 and 2010 and the median overall survival increased for both PTR and non-PTR patients. Instrumental variable analyses revealed that PTR was associated with better overall, cancer-specific and other-cause survival of patients with unresectable stage IV CRC.
Magnesium homeostasis in colon carcinoma LoVo cells sensitive or resistant to doxorubicin
Authors: Castiglioni Sara , Cazzaniga Alessandra , Trapani Valentina , Cappadone Concettina , Farruggia Giovanna , Merolle Lucia , Wolf Federica I. , Iotti Stefano , Maier Jeanette A M
Published: November 2015

Neoplastic cells accumulate magnesium, an event which provides selective advantages and is frequently associated with TRPM7overexpression. Little is known about magnesium homeostasis in drug-resistant cancer cells. Therefore, we used the colon cancer LoVo cell model and compared doxorubicin-resistant to sensitive cells. In resistant cells the concentration of total magnesium is higher while its influx capacity is lower than in sensitive cells. Accordingly, resistant cells express lower amounts of the TRPM6 and 7, both involved in magnesium transport. While decreased TRPM6 levels are due to transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional events are involved in reducing the amounts of TRPM7. Indeed, the calpain inhibitor calpeptin markedly increases the levels of TRPM7 in resistant cells. In doxorubicin-sensitive cells, silencing TRPM7 shifts the phenotype to one more similar to resistant cells, since in these cells silencing TRPM7 significantly decreases the influx of magnesium, increases its intracellular concentration and increases resistance to doxorubicin. On the other hand, calpain inhibition upregulates TRPM7, decreases intracellular magnesium and enhances the sensitivity to doxorubicin of resistant LoVo cells. We conclude that in LoVo cells drug resistance is associated with alteration of magnesium homeostasis through modulation of TRPM7. Our data suggest that TRPM7 expression may be an additional undisclosed player in chemoresistance.
Optimization of human mesenchymal stem cell manufacturing: the effects of animal/xeno-free media
Authors: Oikonomopoulos Angelos , van Deen Welmoed K. , Manansala Aida-Rae , Lacey Precious N. , Tomakili Tamera A. , Ziman Alyssa , Hommes Daniel W.
Published: November 2015

Due to their immunosuppressive properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been evaluated for the treatment of immunological diseases. However, the animal-derived growth supplements utilized for MSC manufacturing may lead to clinical complications. Characterization of alternative media formulations is imperative for MSC therapeutic application. Human BMMSC and AdMSC were expanded in media supplemented with either human platelet lysates (HPL), serum-free media/xeno-free FDA-approved culture medium (SFM/XF), or fetal bovine serum (FBS) and the effects on their properties were investigated. The immunophenotype of resting and IFN-γ primed BMMSC and AdMSC remained unaltered in all media. Both HPL and SFM/XF increased the proliferation of BMMSC and AdMSC. Expansion of BMMSC and AdMSC in HPL increased their differentiation, compared to SFM/XF and FBS. Resting BMMSC and AdMSC, expanded in FBS or SFM/XF, demonstrated potent immunosuppressive properties in both non-primed and IFN-γ primed conditions, whereas HPL-expanded MSC exhibited diminished immunosuppressive properties. Finally, IFN-γ primed BMMSC and AdMSC expanded in SFM/XF and HPL expressed attenuated levels of IDO-1 compared to FBS. Herein, we provide strong evidence supporting the use of the FDA-approved SFM/XF medium, in contrast to the HPL medium, for the expansion of MSC towards therapeutic applications.
Evidence for surprise minimization over value maximization in choice behavior
Authors: Schwartenbeck Philipp , FitzGerald Thomas H. B. , Mathys Christoph , Dolan Ray , Kronbichler Martin , Friston Karl
Published: November 2015

Classical economic models are predicated on the idea that the ultimate aim of choice is to maximize utility or reward. In contrast, an alternative perspective highlights the fact that adaptive behavior requires agents’ to model their environment and minimize surprise about the states they frequent. We propose that choice behavior can be more accurately accounted for by surprise minimization compared to reward or utility maximization alone. Minimizing surprise makes a prediction at variance with expected utility models; namely, that in addition to attaining valuable states, agents attempt to maximize the entropy over outcomes and thus ‘keep their options open’. We tested this prediction using a simple binary choice paradigm and show that human decision-making is better explained by surprise minimization compared to utility maximization. Furthermore, we replicated this entropy-seeking behavior in a control task with no explicit utilities. These findings highlight a limitation of purely economic motivations in explaining choice behavior and instead emphasize the importance of belief-based motivations.
Absence of DAB2IP promotes cancer stem cell like signatures and indicates poor survival outcome in colorectal cancer
Authors: Min Jiang , Liu Liang , Li Xiaolan , Jiang Jianwu , Wang Jingtao , Zhang Bo , Cao Dengyi , Yu Dongdong , Tao Deding , Hu Junbo , Gong Jianping , Xie Daxing
Published: November 2015

Metastasis is a critical factor for the high mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC), but its mechanism is not completely understood. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to play a key role in metastasis and also increases the cancer stem cell (CSC) feature that facilitates metastatic colonization. In this study, we investigated the biological roles of DAB2IP regulating EMT and stem cell–like features in human CRC. We demonstrate that DAB2IP suppresses NF-κB-mediated EMT and CSC features in CRC cells. In DAB2IP knockout mice, we discovered the hyperplasia in colonic epithelium which aberrantly represents the mesenchymal feature and NF-κB pathway activation. In clinic CRC tissue, we also reveal that reduced DAB2IP can enrich the CD133+ subpopulation. DAB2IP expression was inversely correlated with tumor differentiation and metastasis and patients with lower DAB2IP expression had shorter overall survival time. Taken together, our study demonstrates that DAB2IP inhibits NF-κB-inducing EMT and CSC to suppress the CRC progression and also suggests that DAB2IP is a beneficial prediction factor for CRC patient prognosis.
Identification of neurotoxic cytokines by profiling Alzheimer’s disease tissues and neuron culture viability screening
Authors: Wood Levi B. , Winslow Ashley R. , Proctor Elizabeth A. , McGuone Declan , Mordes Daniel A. , Frosch Matthew P. , Hyman Bradley T. , Lauffenburger Douglas A. , Haigis Kevin M.
Published: November 2015

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics based on the amyloid hypothesis have shown minimal efficacy in patients, suggesting that the activity of amyloid beta (Aβ) represents only one aspect of AD pathogenesis. Since neuroinflammation is thought to play an important role in AD, we hypothesized that cytokines may play a direct role in promoting neuronal death. Here, we profiled cytokine expression in a small cohort of human AD and control brain tissues. We identified AD-associated cytokines using partial least squares regression to correlate cytokine expression with quantified pathologic disease state and then used neuron cultures to test whether cytokines up-regulated in AD tissues could affect neuronal viability. This analysis identified cytokines that were associated with the pathological severity. Of the top correlates, only TNF-α reduced viability in neuron culture when applied alone. VEGF also reduced viability when applied together with Aβ, which was surprising because VEGF has been viewed as a neuro-protective protein. We found that this synthetic pro-death effect of VEGF in the context of Aβ was commensurate with VEGFR-dependent changes in multiple signaling pathways that govern cell fate. Our findings suggest that profiling of tissues combined with a culture-based screening approach can successfully identify new mechanisms driving neuronal death.
Carbon-Encapsulated Co3O4 Nanoparticles as Anode Materials with Super Lithium Storage Performance
Authors: Leng Xuning , Wei Sufeng , Jiang Zhonghao , Lian Jianshe , Wang Guoyong , Jiang Qing
Published: November 2015

A high-performance anode material for lithium storage was successfully synthesized by glucose as carbon source and cobalt nitrate as Co3O4 precursor with the assistance of sodium chloride surface as a template to reduce the carbon sheet thickness. Ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles were homogeneously embedded in ultrathin porous graphitic carbon in this material. The carbon sheets, which have large specific surface area, high electronic conductivity and outstanding mechanical flexibility, are very effective to keep the stability of Co3O4 nanoparticales which has a large capacity. As a consequence, a very high reversible capacity of up to 1413 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles, a high rate capability (845, 560, 461 and 345 mA h g−1 at 5, 10, 15 and 20 C, respectively, 1 C = 1 A g−1) and a superior cycling performance at an ultrahigh rate (760 mA h g−1 at 5 C after 1000 cycles) are achieved by this lithium-ion-battery anode material.
Visualization of polymer relaxation in viscoelastic turbulent micro-channel flow
Authors: Tai Jiayan , Lim Chun Ping , Lam Yee Cheong
Published: November 2015

In micro-channels, the flow of viscous liquids e.g. water, is laminar due to the low Reynolds number in miniaturized dimensions. An aqueous solution becomes viscoelastic with a minute amount of polymer additives; its flow behavior can become drastically different and turbulent. However, the molecules are typically invisible. Here we have developed a novel visualization technique to examine the extension and relaxation of polymer molecules at high flow velocities in a viscoelastic turbulent flow. Using high speed videography to observe the fluorescein labeled molecules, we show that viscoelastic turbulence is caused by the sporadic, non-uniform release of energy by the polymer molecules. This developed technique allows the examination of a viscoelastic liquid at the molecular level and demonstrates the inhomogeneity of viscoelastic liquids as a result of molecular aggregation. It paves the way for a deeper understanding of viscoelastic turbulence and could provide some insights on the high Weissenberg number problem. In addition, the technique may serve as a useful tool for the investigations of polymer drag reduction.
TMEM16A/ANO1 is differentially expressed in HPV-negative versus HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through promoter methylation
Authors: Dixit Ronak , Kemp Carolyn , Kulich Scott , Seethala Raja , Chiosea Simion , Ling Shizhang , Ha Patrick K. , Duvvuri Umamaheswar
Published: November 2015

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a variety of causes. Recently, the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been implicated in the rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer and has led to variety of studies exploring the differences between HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC. The calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, including HNSCC, but whether or not it plays different roles in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TMEM16A is preferentially overexpressed in HPV-negative HNSCC and that this overexpression of TMEM16A is associated with decreased patient survival. We also show that TMEM16A expression is decreased in HPV-positive HNSCC at the DNA, RNA and protein levels in patient samples as well as cell lines. We demonstrate that the lower levels of TMEM16A expression in HPV-positive tumors can be attributed to both a combination of copy number alteration and promoter methylation at the DNA level. Additionally, our cellular data show that HPV-negative cell lines are more dependent on TMEM16A for survival than HPV-positive cell lines. Therefore, we suspect that the down-regulation of TMEM16A in HPV-positive HNSCC makes TMEM16A a poor therapeutic target in HPV-positive HNSCC, but a potentially useful target in HPV-negative HNSCC.
Elevated levels of endothelial-derived microparticles and serum CXCL9 and SCGF-β are associated with unstable asymptomatic carotid plaques.
Authors: Schiro Andrew , Wilkinson Fiona L. , Weston Ria , Smyth J. Vincent , Serracino-Inglott Ferdinand , Alexander M. Yvonne
Published: November 2015

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are released from dysfunctional endothelial cells. We hypothesised that patients with unstable carotid plaque have higher levels of circulating microparticles compared to patients with stable plaques and may correlate with serum markers of plaque instability and inflammation. Circulating EMPs, platelet MPs (PMPs) and inflammatory markers were measured in healthy controls and patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. EMP/PMPs were quantified using flow cytometry. Bioplex assays profiled systemic inflammatory and bone-related proteins. Immunohistological analysis detailed the contribution of differentially-regulated systemic markers to plaque pathology. Alizarin red staining showed calcification. EMPs and PMPs were significantly higher in patients with carotid stenosis (≥70%) compared to controls, with no differences between asymptomatic vs symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients with unstable plaques exhibited higher levels of EMPs, CXCL9 and SCGF-β compared to those with stable plaques. CXCL9 and SCGF-β were detected within all plaques, suggesting a contribution to both localised and systemic inflammation. Osteopontin and osteoprotegerin were significantly elevated in the symptomatic vs asymptomatic group, while osteocalcin was higher in asymptomatic patients with stable plaque. All plaques exhibited calcification, which was significantly greater in asymptomatic patients. This may impact on plaque stability. These data could be important in identifying patients at most benefit from intervention.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Defining high-risk patients who may benefit before concurrent chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Du Xiao-Jing , Tang Ling-Long , Chen Lei , Mao Yan-Ping , Guo Rui , Liu Xu , Sun Ying , Zeng Mu-Sheng , Kang Tie-Bang , Shao Jian-Yong , Lin Ai-Hua , Ma Jun
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to create a prognostic model for distant metastasis in patients with locally advanced NPC who accept concurrent chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (CCRT) to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). A total of 881 patients with newly-diagnosed, non-disseminated, biopsy-proven locoregionally advanced NPC were retrospectively reviewed; 411 (46.7%) accepted CCRT and 470 (53.3%) accepted NACT followed by CCRT. Multivariate analysis demonstrated N2–3 disease, plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA > 4000 copies/mL, serum albumin ≤46 g/L and platelet count >300 k/cc were independent prognostic factors for distant metastasis in the CCRT group. Using these four factors, a prognostic model was developed, as follows: 1) low-risk group: 0–1 risk factors; and 2) high-risk group: 2–4 risk factors. In the high-risk group, patients who accepted NACT + CCRT had significantly higher distant metastasis-free survival and progression-free survival rates than the CCRT group (P = 0.001; P = 0.011). This simple prognostic model for distant metastasis in locoregionally advanced NPC may facilitate with the selection of high-risk patients who may benefit from NACT prior to CCRT.
Topology of a G-quadruplex DNA formed by C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats associated with ALS and FTD
Authors: Zhou Bo , Liu Changdong , Geng Yanyan , Zhu Guang
Published: November 2015

Abnormal expansions of an intronic hexanucleotide GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat of the C9orf72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Previous studies suggested that the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE), either as DNA or the transcribed RNA, can fold into G-quadruplexes with distinct structures. These structural polymorphisms lead to abortive transcripts and contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD. Using circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we analyzed the structures of C9orf72 HRE DNA with various G4C2 repeats. They exhibited diverse G-quadruplex folds in potassium ions. Furthermore, we determined the topology of a G-quadruplex formed by d(G4C2)4. It favors a monomeric fold and forms a chair-type G-quadruplex with a four-layer antiparallel G-tetra core and three edgewise loops, which is distinct from known structures of chair-type G-quadruplexes. Our findings highlight the conformational heterogeneity of C9orf72 HRE DNA and may lay the necessary structural basis for designing small molecules for the modulation of ALS/FTD pathogenesis.
Electromagnetic Initiation and Propagation of Bipolar Radiofrequency Tissue Reactions via Invasive Non-Insulated Microneedle Electrodes
Authors: Na Jongju , Zheng Zhenlong , Dannaker Christopher , Lee Sang Eun , Kang Jin-Soo , Cho Sung Bin
Published: November 2015

Radiofrequency (RF) energy can be emitted into the skin, either non- or invasively, via a monopolar mode that utilizes an active electrode and a grounded electrode or via a bipolar mode that employs two active electrodes. In this experimental study of RF tissue reactions, bipolar RF energy was emitted in vivo to micropig skin at varying microneedle penetration depths, signal amplitudes and conduction times. Immediately after RF treatment, skin samples exhibited RF-induced coagulation columns of thermal injury, separately generated around each microneedle in the dermis. In ex vivo bovine liver tissue, the thermal coagulation columns were found to be concentrated maximally around the pointed tips of each electrode. After a RF conduction time of 2 seconds, the individual areas of thermal coagulation began to converge with neighboring RF-induced coagulation columns; the convergence of coagulation columns was found to start from the tips of neighboring electrodes.
Time-Domain Filtering of Metasurfaces
Authors: Wakatsuchi Hiroki
Published: November 2015

In general electromagnetic response of each material to a continuous wave does not vary in time domain if the frequency component remains the same. Recently, it turned out that integrating several circuit elements including schottky diodes with periodically metallised surfaces, or the so-called metasurfaces, leads to selectively absorbing specific types of waveforms or pulse widths even at the same frequency. These waveform-selective metasurfaces effectively showed different absorbing performances for different widths of pulsed sine waves by gradually varying their electromagnetic responses in time domain. Here we study time-filtering effects of such circuit-based metasurfaces illuminated by continuous sine waves. Moreover, we introduce extra circuit elements to these structures to enhance the time-domain control capability. These time-varying properties are expected to give us another degree of freedom to control electromagnetic waves and thus contribute to developing new kinds of electromagnetic applications and technologies, e.g. time-windowing wireless communications and waveform conversion.
Analysis of pre-miR-29b binding conditions to amino acids by using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor
Authors: Pereira Patrícia , Cruz Carla , Queiroz João A. , Figueiras Ana , Sousa Fani
Published: November 2015

The aim of this work was to provide binding information between the recombinant pre-miR-29b and l-arginine/l-lysine by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and circular dichroism (CD).
Quartz crystal microbalance based biosensors for detecting highly metastatic breast cancer cells via their transferrin receptors
Authors: Atay Seda , Pişkin Kevser , Yılmaz Fatma , Çakır Canan , Yavuz Handan , Denizli Adil
Published: November 2015

The high sensitivity of the QCM sensor is combined with selectivity of receptor–ligand interactions to construct a biosensor which would discriminate breast cancer cells with high metastatic power from those of low or no metastatic potential to develop a simple, fast and efficient system to be used in breast cancer diagnosis.
Forensic electrochemistry: simultaneous voltammetric detection of MDMA and its fatal counterpart “Dr Death” (PMA)
Authors: Cumba Loanda R. , Smith Jamie P. , Zuway Khaled Y. , Sutcliffe Oliver B. , do Carmo Devaney R. , Banks Craig E.
Published: November 2015

For the first time MDMA and PMA are simultaneously detected using electrochemical techniques.
Nine members of a family of nine-membered cyclic coordination clusters; Fe6Ln3 wheels (Ln = Gd to Lu and Y)
Authors: Kühne Irina A. , Mereacre Valeriu , Anson Christopher E. , Powell Annie K.
Published: November 2015

We report a family of isostructural nonanuclear FeIII–LnIII cyclic coordination clusters, [FeIII6LnIII3(μ-OMe)9(vanox)6 (benzoate)6], with a planar core structure built up from three [Fe2Ln] units to give a giant Ln3 triangle embedded into an Fe6 ring.
Catalytic C–F bond activation of geminal difluorocyclopropanes by nickel(i) complexes via a radical mechanism
Authors: Wenz Jan , Rettenmeier Christoph A. , Wadepohl Hubert , Gade Lutz H.
Published: November 2015

Nickel(ii) fluorido complexes bearing NNN-pincer ligands were found to be catalysts in the hydrodefluorination of geminal difluorocyclopropanes which undergo ring-opening to form the corresponding monofluoroalkenes in good yield and high Z-selectivities.
Design and synthesis of fluorescence-labeled nucleotide with a cleavable azo linker for DNA sequencing
Authors: Tan Lianjiang , Liu Yazhi , Yang Qinglai , Li Xiaowei , Wu Xin-Yan , Gong Bing , Shen Yu-Mei , Shao Zhifeng
Published: November 2015

A 3′-OH unblocked nucleotide analogue with cleavable azo linker was synthesized as a potential reversible terminator for DNA sequencing.
Visualisation of single atom dynamics in water gas shift reaction for hydrogen generation
Authors: Gai Pratibha L. , Yoshida Kenta , Ward Michael R. , Walsh Michael , Baker Richard T. , van de Water Leon , Watson Mike J. , Boyes Edward D.
Published: November 2015

In situ real time single atom resolution observations of dynamic water gas shift catalysts in CO + water (WGS) environments.
DMSO/iodine-catalyzed oxidative C–Se/C–S bond formation: a regioselective synthesis of unsymmetrical chalcogenides with nitrogen- or oxygen-containing arenes
Authors: Saba Sumbal , Rafique Jamal , Braga Antonio L.
Published: November 2015

A convenient metal-free and solvent-free iodine-catalyzed regioselective greener protocol to access different types of unsymmetrical chalcogenides with nitrogen- or oxygen-containing arenes through oxidative C–Se/C–S formation via direct C(sp2)–H bond activation was developed.
Synthesis and magnetism of ε-Fe3N submicrorods for magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Xiaobai , Wang Wei , Lei Xiang , Yang Hua
Published: November 2015

Fe3N submicrorods with desirable magnetic properties were prepared with excellent MRI properties.
A lead–porphyrin metal–organic framework: gas adsorption properties and electrocatalytic activity for water oxidation
Authors: Dai Fangna , Fan Weidong , Bi Jiahui , Jiang Peng , Liu Dandan , Zhang Xirui , Lin Huan , Gong Chuanfang , Wang Rongming , Zhang Liangliang , Sun Daofeng
Published: November 2015

A 3D non-interpenetrating porous metal–organic framework shows electrocatalytic activity for water oxidation in alkaline solution.
Assessing the effects of model Maillard compound intake on iron, copper and zinc retention and tissue delivery in adult rats
Authors: Roncero-Ramos Irene , Pastoriza Silvia , Navarro M. Pilar , Delgado-Andrade Cristina
Published: November 2015

The behaviour of dietary Maillard reaction compounds (MRP) as metal chelating polymers can alter mineral absorption and/or retention.
Microencapsulation of probiotics in hydrogel particles: enhancing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LM0230 viability using calcium alginate beads
Authors: Yeung Timothy W. , Arroyo-Maya Izlia J. , McClements David J. , Sela David A.
Published: November 2015

Encapsulation in alginate improved the viability of lactococcal probiotics.
The human gut microbial ecology associated with overweight and obesity determines ellagic acid metabolism
Authors: Selma María V. , Romo-Vaquero María , García-Villalba Rocío , González-Sarrías Antonio , Tomás-Barberán Francisco A. , Espín Juan C.
Published: November 2015

We recently identified three metabotypes (0, A and B) that depend on the metabolic profile of urolithins produced from polyphenol ellagic acid (EA).
A diet enriched with Mugil cephalus processed roes modulates the tissue lipid profile in healthy rats: a biochemical and chemometric assessment
Authors: Rosa A. , Atzeri A. , Putzu D. , Scano P.
Published: November 2015

The effect of a diet enriched with mullet bottarga on the lipid profile (total lipids, total cholesterol, unsaturated fatty acids, α-tocopherol, and hydroperoxides) of plasma, liver, kidney, brain, and perirenal adipose tissues of healthy rats was investigated.
Self-activation for activated carbon from biomass: theory and parameters
Authors: Xia Changlei , Shi Sheldon Q.
Published: November 2015

Self-activation is a process taking advantage of the gases emitted from the pyrolysis of biomass to activate the converted carbon.
Stiff substrates enhance monocytic cell capture through E-selectin but not P-selectin
Authors: MacKay Joanna L. , Hammer Daniel A.
Published: November 2015

To investigate whether vascular stiffening could alter immune cell attachment, monocytic cells were perfused across soft or stiff hydrogels coated with endothelial adhesion proteins.
New inductively coupled plasma for atomic spectrometry: the microwave-sustained, inductively coupled, atmospheric-pressure plasma (MICAP)
Authors: Schwartz Andrew J. , Cheung Yan , Jevtic Jovan , Pikelja Velibor , Menon Ashok , Ray Steven J. , Hieftje Gary M.
Published: November 2015

A novel inductively coupled plasma (ICP), termed the microwave-sustained, inductively coupled, atmospheric-pressure plasma (MICAP), has been developed that operates at microwave frequency (2.45 GHz).
Ca6BaP4O17:Eu2+,Gd3+: a yellow emitting long-lasting phosphor with high brightness and long afterglow duration
Authors: Guo Haijie , Wang Yuhua , Chen Wenbo , Zeng Wei , Li Gen , Li Yanyan
Published: November 2015

A brand new LLP material Ca6BaP4O17:Eu2+,Gd3+ exhibits about 0.21 cd m−2 initial LLP intensity and a 19 h afterglow.
A high performance, visible to mid-infrared photodetector based on graphene nanoribbons passivated with HfO2
Authors: Yu Xuechao , Dong Zhaogang , Liu Yanping , Liu Tao , Tao Jin , Zeng Yongquan , Yang Joel K. W. , Wang Qi Jie
Published: November 2015

Graphene has drawn tremendous attention as a promising candidate for electronic and optoelectronic applications owing to its extraordinary properties, such as broadband absorption and ultrahigh mobility.
[1,4]-sigmatropic rearrangement of chiral nitrones and their utilization in the synthesis of new iminosugars
Authors: Malinowski Maciej , Rowicki Tomasz , Guzik Patrycja , Gryszel Maciej , Łapczyński Sebastian , Wielechowska Monika , Czerwińska Karolina , Madura Izabela , Sas Wojciech
Published: November 2015

A new mechanism of nitrone epimerizationvia[1,4]-sigmatropic rearrangement was proposed and a set of epimeric iminosugars was synthesized.
Gold-catalyzed cyclization and cycloisomerization of yne-tethered ynamide: the significance of a masked enol-equivalent of an amide
Authors: Nayak Sanatan , Prabagar B. , Sahoo Akhila K.
Published: November 2015

The enol-equivalent of an amide: a tool useful to construct novel N-heterocycles.
The phase transition behavior of poly(butylene adipate) in the nanoporous anodic alumina oxide
Authors: Mi Ce , Zhou Jiandong , Ren Zhongjie , Li Huihui , Sun Xiaoli , Yan Shouke
Published: November 2015

PBA nanotubes with different diameters have been prepared.
Fluorescent nanoassemblies between tetraphenylethenes and sulfonatocalixarenes: a systematic study of calixarene-induced aggregation
Authors: Liu Yan-Cen , Wang Yu-Ying , Tian Han-Wen , Liu Yu , Guo Dong-Sheng
Published: November 2015

We demonstrated a systematic study of calixarene-induced aggregation (CIA) that how and to what extent the structures of hosts and guests affect the assembly behavior by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Synthesis and characterization of metal-containing poly(siloxane-urethane) crosslinked structures derived from siloxane diols and ferrocene diisocyanate
Authors: Dascalu Mihaela , Musteata Valentina E. , Vacareanu Loredana , Racles Carmen , Cazacu Maria
Published: November 2015

Ferrocene, siloxane and polyurethane moieties were combined for the first time in cross-linked materials with interesting electric and electro-chemical behavior.
Highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury ions based on up-conversion FRET from NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanophosphors to CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Cui Shaobo , Xu Sai , Song Hongwei , Xu Wen , Chen Xu , Zhou Donglei , Yin Ze , Han Wei
Published: November 2015

The detection of Hg2+ has attracted considerable attention because of the serious health and environmental problems caused by it.
Rapid template-free synthesis of an air-stable hierarchical copper nanoassembly and its use as a reusable catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , Das Rituparna , Chowdhury Ipsita Hazra , Bhanja Piyali , Naskar Milan Kanti
Published: November 2015

A hierarchical copper nanoassembly was synthesized by solvothermal treatment at 150 °C for 2 h in the absence of any templating agents, and exhibited excellent air-stability, antioxidative properties and catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Catalytic oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols over a novel TCPP/Zn–Fe2O4@ZnO catalyst
Authors: Heidari-Golafzani Mahdi , Rabbani Mahboubeh , Rahimi Rahmatollah , Azad Alireza
Published: November 2015

The catalytic activity of TCPP/Zn–Fe2O4@ZnO as a recyclable and high efficiency heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using H2O2as a green oxidant under reflux conditions in CH3CN was investigated.
Blend membranes of quaternized poly(vinylbenzyl chloride-co-styrene) and quaternized polysulfone for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Liao Xiaofeng , Gong Yujiao , Liu Yi , Zuo Danying , Zhang Hongwei
Published: November 2015

The blend AEM consisting of 60% P(VBC-co-St) and 40% CMPSF showed improved alkaline solution stability.
Preparation of polyaniline grafted graphene oxide–WO3 nanocomposite and its application as a chromium(iii) chemi-sensor
Authors: Khan Anish , Parwaz Khan Aftab Aslam , Rahman Mohammed M. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Alamry Khalid A.
Published: November 2015

Polyaniline-grafted-GO@WO3 was prepared and deposited on a Ag electrode with conducting binders to give a sensor with a fast selective response for Cr3+ in the liquid phase. The sensitivity and detection limit are ∼4.4251 mA mM−1 cm−2 and 0.031 ± 0.010 nM.
Selective removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions by an activated carbon-based multicarboxyl adsorbent
Authors: Zhang Libo , Liu Yuhang , Wang Shixing , Liu Bingguo , Peng Jinhui
Published: November 2015

An activated carbon-based multicarboxyl adsorbent has been synthesized for selective removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions.
Preparation and enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of a p–n heterojunction CuFe2O4/WO3 nanocomposite film
Authors: Liu Yang , He Haizhou , Li Jie , Li Wenzhang , Yang Yahui , Li Yaomin , Chen Qiyuan
Published: November 2015

CuFe2O4 was loaded on the surface of a WO3 film to form a p–n heterojunction photoanode with a better performance than WO3.
All-organic non-percolative dielectric composites with enhanced electromechanical actuating performances by controlling molecular interaction
Authors: Yang Dan , Huang Shuo , Wu Yibo , Ruan Mengnan , Li Shuxin , Shang Yuwei , Cui Xiuguo , Zhou Jiaxin , Guo Wenli , Zhang Liqun
Published: November 2015

An all-organic non-percolative dielectric elastomer with enhanced electromechanical actuating performances was fabricated by controlling molecular interaction.
Synthesis of a crosslinked polymer with a benzyl(triphenyl)phosphonium ionic liquid moiety and its catalytic activity
Authors: Liang Xuezheng
Published: November 2015

A novel crosslinked polymer with a benzyl(triphenyl)phosphonium ionic liquid moiety was synthesized from triphenylphosphine and p-xylylene dichloride.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of the multiple constituents of Shuanghua Baihe tablets in healthy subjects
Authors: Liu Ruijuan , Wu Yao , Cheng Minlu , Gu Pan , Zheng Lu , Liu Yujie , Ma Pengcheng , Ding Li
Published: November 2015

It is the first clinical study to investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of the multiple constituents of Shuanghua Baihe tablets in humans by LC-MS/MS.
Cobalt-porphyrin/dansyl piperazine complex coated filter paper for “turn on” fluorescence sensing of ammonia gas
Authors: Lin Fu-Wen , Xu Xiao-Ling , Wu Jian , Wan Ling-Shu , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: November 2015

Cobalt-porphyrin/dansyl piperazine-coated filter papers, as a series of “turn on” fluorescence sensors, show high sensitivity and fast response to ammonia gas.
Thermal conductivity reduction in three dimensional graphene-based nanofoam
Authors: Thiyagarajan Pradheep , Yan Zhong , Yoon Jong-Chul , Oh Min-Wook , Jang Ji-Hyun
Published: November 2015

This work investigates the thermoelectric properties of a three dimensional nanofoam of few layer graphene (3D-NFG) decorated with holes having diameters of several tens of nanometers.
In situ viscosity measurement of confined liquids
Authors: Ponjavic A. , Dench J. , Morgan N. , Wong J. S. S.
Published: November 2015

Viscosity heterogeneity in a thin glycerol film (170 nm) at high pressure was observed with fluorescence lifetime measurements.
Fragmentation of supported gold nanoparticles@agarose film by thiols and the role of their synergy in efficient catalysis
Authors: Gogoi Neelam , Chowdhury Devasish
Published: November 2015

A non-conventional fragmentation of supported gold nanoparticles@agarose film by thiols through a prompt electron transfer is demonstrated. The film also shows catalysis of p-nitrophenol reduction in only ∼20 to 30 s.
Controllable hydrothermal-assisted synthesis of mesoporous Co3O4nanosheets
Authors: Hu Xiulan , Huang Huihong , Zhang Jianbo , Shi Junjun , Zhu Shoufeng , Su Nan
Published: November 2015

Mesoporous Co3O4nanosheets were fabricated through a simple hydrothermal process with subsequent heat treatment. The results of capacitive characteristics clarify the mesoporous Co3O4nanosheets have potential applications in supercapacitors.
Direct methylation of N-methylaniline with CO2/H2 catalyzed by gold nanoparticles supported on alumina
Authors: Tang Gao , Bao Hong-Liang , Jin Chan , Zhong Xin-Hua , Du Xian-Long
Published: November 2015

Small gold nanoparticles (∼3 nm) loaded onto various supports have been prepared by a deposition–precipitation method and studied for direct methylation of N-methylaniline with CO2/H2.
In situ mechanochemical synthesis of nitrones followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition: a catalyst-free, “green” route to cis-fused chromano[4,3-c]isoxazoles
Authors: Bhutia Zigmee T. , P. Geethika , Malik Anurag , Kumar Vikash , Chatterjee Amrita , Roy Biswajit Gopal , Banerjee Mainak
Published: November 2015

An efficient, catalyst free mechanochemical route to cis-fused chromano[4,3-c]isoxazoles has been developed via a simple mortar-pestle grinding method.
Twisted biaryl-amines as novel host materials for green-emissive phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs)
Authors: Jhulki Samik , Ghosh Avijit , Chow Tahsin J. , Moorthy Jarugu Narasimha
Published: November 2015

Insertion of rigid biaryl moieties between two phenyl rings of CBP leads to host materials with improved thermal stabilities (Tgs ∼111–148 °C) and high triplet energies (2.63–2.83 eV) to permit their application as host materials for green phosphor, i.e., Ir(ppy)3.