bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical and horizontal distribution of phytoplankton around an oceanic archipelago of the Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: De Queiroz Andressa Ribeiro , Flores Montes Manuel , de Castro Melo Pedro Augusto Mendes , da Silva Rodolfo Araújo , Koening Maria Luise
Published: October 2015

The surrounding area of the St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago (SPSPA) (0°55′10″N 29°20′33″W) was investigated in order to verify the physical and chemical influences in species composition and abundance, and the patterns of distribution of phytoplankton in the water column, especially in the thermocline depths. The expedition was held on board the Cruzeiro do Sul Hydro-oceanographic ship, from 21 to 23 July 2010 in two perpendicular and opposite transects. A cylinder-conical net and Niskin bottles were used. Two water masses were identified (Tropical Water and South Atlantic Central Water), and the thermocline depths varied from 40 to 110 m. A total of 128 species of phytoplanktonic organisms were identified, belonging to four phyla. The most conspicuous species was the cyanobacteriaTrichodesmium thiebautii; nevertheless, 22 species were considered new registers for the region. The total phytoplanktonic density (1 × 103to 183 × 103 cells l−1) was low and typical of oligotrophic regions, decreasing slightly with depth. Among the 35 species identified in the vertical distribution, 22 were present in the thermocline depth. The total density ofTrichodesmium thiebautii, Oxytoxum longicepsandProtoperidinium minimumhad significant correlations with the physical and chemical parameters. These data indicate that SPSPA can be associated to an island mass effect in the local oceanic circulation that mainly affects the physical and chemical characteristics of the surrounding waters. Consequently, these interactions influence the phytoplanktonic community, mainly those located at the end of the photic zone and those that are under the influence of thermocline oscillation.
Dual-band-notched antenna for UWB MIMO applications
Authors: Wani Zamir , Kumar Dinesh
Published: October 2015

In this report, a compact antenna system with dual-band-notched characteristics is proposed for ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) applications. Two antenna elements are placed side by side and fed with matched microstrip lines on a substrate with an area of 35 × 30 mm2. Notched characteristics at WiMAX (3.4–3.6 GHz) and WLAN (5.725–5.825 GHz) have been achieved using complementary split ring resonator (SRR) slots etched in both the antenna elements. Electromagnetic isolation between the two elements close to each other is achieved using a ground T-stub and slots etched in the ground plane. Antenna system has been tested and measured results are close to the desired ones. Measured isolation >20 dB is obtained in most of the UWB bands. The proposed antenna system meets the requirements well for MIMO applications.
Alltagswirksamkeit ambulanter Verhaltenstherapie von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Urteil der Eltern in einer universitären Ausbildungsambulanz
Authors: Walter Daniel , Dachs Lydia , Faber Martin , Goletz Hildegard , Görtz-Dorten Anja , Kinnen Claudia , Rademacher Christiane , Schürmann Stephanie , Woitecki Katrin , Metternich-Kaizman Tanja Wolff , Plück Julia , Hautmann Christopher , Ise Elena , Döpfner Manfred
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Wirksamkeit von kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen unter Routinebedingungen ist bislang noch wenig untersucht. Fragestellung: Es wurden Veränderungen psychischer Auffälligkeiten von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Elternurteil während ambulanter Verhaltenstherapie in einer universitären Ausbildungsambulanz untersucht. Die Therapien wurden durchgeführt von Diplom-Psychologen, Pädagogen, Sozialpädagogen und Sozialarbeitern in fortgeschrittener Ausbildung zum Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeuten mit Schwerpunkt Verhaltenstherapie. Alle Therapien wurden im Verhältnis 1:4 supervidiert. Methode: Für 976 Therapien wurden Completeranalysen als Prä-Post-Vergleiche mit Effektstärken auf der Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) berechnet und die klinische Bedeutsamkeit der Veränderungen analysiert–jeweils für die Gesamtgruppe und für die auf der CBCL zu Therapiebeginn klinisch Auffälligen. Zusätzlich wurde die Repräsentativität dieser Analyse für die gesamte Stichprobe überprüft. Ergebnisse: In der Gesamtgruppe fanden sich kleine bis mittlere, in der Gruppe der im Elternurteil auf der CBCL klinisch Auffälligen hauptsächlich große, statistisch signifikante Verminderungen psychischer Auffälligkeiten, die nicht durch Spontanveränderungen oder Regressionseffekte erklärt werden können. Allerdings wurden 1/4 bis 1/3 der Patienten auch nach Therapieende von ihren Eltern weiterhin als klinisch auffällig eingeschätzt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse weisen auf die Wirksamkeit kognitiv-behavioraler Therapie bei psychisch kranken Kindern und Jugendlichen unter Anwendungsbedingungen hin. Aufgrund der mangelnden experimentellen Kontrolle ist die Aussagekraft der Ergebnisse begrenzt.
Water Waves Provide Insight Into Landslides and Avalanche Models
Authors: Shultz David
Published: October 2015

Boussinesq-type gravity waves appear to accurately describe vertical motion in granular flows found in geophysics.
Woody Vines Limit How Much Carbon Tropical Forests Sequester
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: October 2015

Vines called lianas, which store less carbon than trees, are winning the competition for sunlight and water.
An in vitro evaluation of resonant frequency analysis to measure fixed bridge stability
Authors: Omer Khaled , Fox Kathryn , Palermo Deniel , Boyle Liam , Youngson Callum
Published: October 2015

Objectives/Aims:

To determine whether a clinically available resonance frequency analysis (RFA) device (Osstell Mentor), designed to assess implant integration, could identify a single uncemented retainer on fixed–fixed bridges, in vitro.

Materials and Methods:

All-metal fixed–fixed bridges were cemented to acrylic tooth analogue abutments with simulated periodontal ligaments. Dental stone bases provided 100 or 50% ‘bone support’ groups (n = 50 in each). Control groups had both retainers cemented, whereas the test groups had the ‘premolar’ uncemented, mimicking clinical failure. A RFA device was used to measure bridge stability, expressed as a modified Implant Stability Quotient (Bridge Stability Quotient—BSQ) from a Smartpeg temporarily affixed to the bridge via composite.

Results:

The BSQ recorded at the premolar site in both 100 and 50% support models demonstrated highly statistically significant differences (P <0.003) between the control and test groups. Sensitivity and specificity, area under the curve (receiver operating characteristic), analyses showed moderate test accuracy (0.735) for the 100% support group and good accuracy (0.96) for the 50% support group.

Conclusion:

The investigation suggests that RFA measurements were able to identify, reliably and non-destructively, in vitro, fixed–fixed bridges where the anterior retainer was uncemented. Further clinical research is required to determine whether this technique may allow early diagnosis of failing bridgework.
Early effects of the antineoplastic agent salinomycin on mitochondrial function
Authors: Managò A , Leanza L , Carraretto L , Sassi N , Grancara S , Quintana-Cabrera R , Trimarco V , Toninello A , Scorrano L , Trentin L , Semenzato G , Gulbins E , Zoratti M , Szabò I
Published: October 2015

Salinomycin, isolated from Streptomyces albus, displays antimicrobial activity. Recently, a large-scale screening approach identified salinomycin and nigericin as selective apoptosis inducers of cancer stem cells. Growing evidence suggests that salinomycin is able to kill different types of non-stem tumor cells that usually display resistance to common therapeutic approaches, but the mechanism of action of this molecule is still poorly understood. Since salinomycin has been suggested to act as a K+ ionophore, we explored its impact on mitochondrial bioenergetic performance at an early time point following drug application. In contrast to the K+ ionophore valinomycin, salinomycin induced a rapid hyperpolarization. In addition, mitochondrial matrix acidification and a significant decrease of respiration were observed in intact mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and in cancer stem cell-like HMLE cells within tens of minutes, while increased production of reactive oxygen species was not detected. By comparing the chemical structures and cellular effects of this drug with those of valinomycin (K+ ionophore) and nigericin (K+/H+ exchanger), we conclude that salinomycin mediates K+/H+ exchange across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Compatible with its direct modulation of mitochondrial function, salinomycin was able to induce cell death also in Bax/Bak-less double-knockout MEF cells. Since at the concentration range used in most studies (around 10 μM) salinomycin exerts its effect at the level of mitochondria and alters bioenergetic performance, the specificity of its action on pathologic B cells isolated from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) versus B cells from healthy subjects was investigated. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), proposed to mimic the tumor environment, attenuated the apoptotic effect of salinomycin on B-CLL cells. Apoptosis occurred to a significant extent in healthy B cells as well as in MSCs and human primary fibroblasts. The results indicate that salinomycin, when used above μM concentrations, exerts direct, mitochondrial effects, thus compromising cell survival.
Pur-alpha functionally interacts with FUS carrying ALS-associated mutations
Authors: Di Salvio M , Piccinni V , Gerbino V , Mantoni F , Camerini S , Lenzi J , Rosa A , Chellini L , Loreni F , Carrì M T , Bozzoni I , Cozzolino M , Cestra G
Published: October 2015

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder due to motor neuron loss. Fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein carrying ALS-associated mutations localizes to stress granules and causes their coalescence into larger aggregates. Here we show that Pur-alpha physically interacts with mutated FUS in an RNA-dependent manner. Pur-alpha colocalizes with FUS carrying mutations in stress granules of motoneuronal cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells and that are derived from ALS patients. We observe that both Pur-alpha and mutated FUS upregulate phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha and consistently inhibit global protein synthesis. In vivo expression of Pur-alpha in different Drosophila tissues significatively exacerbates the neurodegeneration caused by mutated FUS. Conversely, the downregulation of Pur-alpha in neurons expressing mutated FUS significatively improves fly climbing activity. All these findings suggest that Pur-alpha, through the control of mRNA translation, might be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS associated with the mutation of FUS, and that an alteration of protein synthesis may be directly implicated in the disease. Finally, in vivo RNAi-mediated ablation of Pur-alpha produced locomotion defects in Drosophila, indicating a pivotal role for this protein in the motoneuronal function.
Impact of the combined loss of BOK, BAX and BAK on the hematopoietic system is slightly more severe than compound loss of BAX and BAK
Authors: Ke F , Grabow S , Kelly G L , Lin A , O’Reilly L A , Strasser A
Published: October 2015

It is well established that BAX and BAK play crucial, overlapping roles in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Gene targeted mice lacking both BAX and BAK have previously been generated, but the majority of these animals died perinatally. BOK is a poorly studied relative of BAX and BAK that shares extensive amino acid sequence homology to both proteins, but its function remains largely unclear to date. To determine whether BOK plays an overlapping role with BAX and BAK, we utilized a hematopoietic reconstitution model where lethally irradiated wild type mice were transplanted withBok−/−Bax−/−Bak−/−triple knockout (TKO) fetal liver cells, and compared alongside mice reconstituted with aBax−/−Bak−/−double knockout (DKO) hematopoietic compartment. We report here that mice with a TKO and DKO hematopoietic system died at a similar rate and much earlier than control animals, mostly due to severe autoimmune pathology. Both TKO and DKO reconstituted mice also had altered frequencies of various leukocyte subsets in the thymus, bone marrow and spleen, displayed leukocyte infiltrates and autoimmune pathology in multiple tissues, as well as elevated levels of anti-nuclear autoantibodies. Interestingly, the additional deletion of BOK (on top of BAX and BAK loss) led to a further increase in peripheral blood lymphocytes, as well as enhanced lymphoid infiltration in some organs. These findings suggest that BOK may have some functions that are redundant with BAX and BAK in the hematopoietic system.
Dynamic control of light emission faster than the lifetime limit using VO2 phase-change
Authors: Cueff Sébastien , Li Dongfang , Zhou You , Wong Franklin J. , Kurvits Jonathan A. , Ramanathan Shriram , Zia Rashid
Published: October 2015

Modulation is a cornerstone of optical communication, and as such, governs the overall speed of data transmission. Currently, the two main strategies for modulating light are direct modulation of the excited emitter population (for example, using semiconductor lasers) and external optical modulation (for example, using Mach–Zehnder interferometers or ring resonators). However, recent advances in nanophotonics offer an alternative approach to control spontaneous emission through modifications to the local density of optical states. Here, by leveraging the phase-change of a vanadium dioxide nanolayer, we demonstrate broadband all-optical direct modulation of 1.5 μm emission from trivalent erbium ions more than three orders of magnitude faster than their excited state lifetime. This proof-of-concept demonstration shows how integration with phase-change materials can transform widespread phosphorescent materials into high-speed optical sources that can be integrated in monolithic nanoscale devices for both free-space and on-chip communication.
Erratum: RTN1 mediates progression of kidney disease by inducing ER stress
Authors: Fan Ying , Xiao Wenzhen , Li Zhengzhe , Li Xuezhu , Chuang Peter Y. , Jim Belinda , Zhang Weijia , Wei Chengguo , Wang Niansong , Jia Weiping , Xiong Huabao , Lee Kyung , He John C.
Published: October 2015

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 7841 (2015); Published: 31 July 2015; Updated: 22 October 2015. The original version of the Supplementary Information attached to this Article did not contain Supplementary Tables 1–7. The HTML has now been updated to include a corrected version of the Supplementary Information.
Largest known Mesozoic multituberculate from Eurasia and implications for multituberculate evolution and biology
Authors: Xu Li , Zhang Xingliao , Pu Hanyong , Jia Songhai , Zhang Jiming , Lü Junchang , Meng Jin
Published: October 2015

A new multituberculate, Yubaartar zhongyuanensis gen. and sp. nov., is reported from the Upper Cretaceous of Luanchuan County, Henan Province, China. The holotype of the new taxon is a partial skeleton with nearly complete cranium and associated lower jaws with in situ dentitions. The new species is the southern-most record of a Late Cretaceous multituberculate from outside of the Mongolian Plateau in Asia and represents the largest known Mesozoic multituberculate from Eurasia. The new specimen displays some intriguing features previously unknown in multituberculates, such as the first evidence of replacement of the ultimate upper premolar and a unique paleopathological case in Mesozoic mammals in which the animal with a severely broken right tibia could heal and survive in natural condition. The phylogenetic analysis based on craniodental characters places Yubaartar as the immediate outgroup of Taeniolabidoidea, a group consisting of a North American clade and an Asian clade. This relationship indicates at least a faunal interchange of multituberculates before the K-Pg transition. The new evidence further supports the hypothesis that disparity in dental complexity, which relates to animal diets, increased with generic richness and disparity in body size and that an adaptive shift towards increased herbivory across the K-Pg transitional interval.
Aberrant Autophagic Response in The Muscle of A Knock-in Mouse Model of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Rusmini Paola , Polanco Maria Josefa , Cristofani Riccardo , Cicardi Maria Elena , Meroni Marco , Galbiati Mariarita , Piccolella Margherita , Messi Elio , Giorgetti Elisa , Lieberman Andrew P. , Milioto Carmelo , Rocchi Anna , Aggarwal Tanya , Pennuto Maria , Crippa Valeria , Poletti Angelo
Published: October 2015

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is characterized by loss of motoneurons and sensory neurons, accompanied by atrophy of muscle cells. SBMA is due to an androgen receptor containing a polyglutamine tract (ARpolyQ) that misfolds and aggregates, thereby perturbing the protein quality control (PQC) system. Using SBMA AR113Q mice we analyzed proteotoxic stress-induced alterations of HSPB8-mediated PQC machinery promoting clearance of misfolded proteins by autophagy. In muscle of symptomatic AR113Q male mice, we found expression upregulation of Pax-7, myogenin, E2-ubiquitin ligase UBE2Q1 and acetylcholine receptor (AchR), but not of MyoD and of two E3-ligases (MuRF-1 and Cullin3). TGFβ1 and PGC-1α were also robustly upregulated. We also found a dramatic perturbation of the autophagic response, with upregulation of most autophagic markers (Beclin-1, ATG10, p62/SQSTM1, LC3) and of the HSPB8-mediated PQC response. Both HSPB8 and its co-chaperone BAG3 were robustly upregulated together with other specific HSPB8 interactors (HSPB2 and HSPB3). Notably, the BAG3:BAG1 ratio increased in muscle suggesting preferential misfolded proteins routing to autophagy rather than to proteasome. Thus, mutant ARpolyQ induces a potent autophagic response in muscle cells. Alteration in HSPB8-based PQC machinery may represent muscle-specific biomarkers useful to assess SBMA progression in mice and patients in response to pharmacological treatments.
TORC2: a novel target for treating age-associated memory impairment
Authors: Johnson Jennifer L. , Huang Wei , Roman Gregg , Costa-Mattioli Mauro
Published: October 2015

Memory decline is one of the greatest health threats of the twenty-first century. Because of the widespread increase in life expectancy, 20 percent of the global population will be over 60 in 2050 and the problems caused by age-related memory loss will be dramatically aggravated. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this inevitable process are not well understood. Here we show that the activity of the recently discovered mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 2 (mTORC2) declines with age in the brain of both fruit flies and rodents and that the loss of mTORC2-mediated actin polymerization contributes to age-associated memory loss. Intriguingly, treatment with a small molecule that activates mTORC2 (A-443654) reverses long-term memory (LTM) deficits in both aged mice and flies. In addition, we found that pharmacologically boosting either mTORC2 or actin polymerization enhances LTM. In contrast to the current approaches to enhance memory that have primarily targeted the regulation of gene expression (epigenetic, transcriptional and translational), our data points to a novel, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for restoring memory that is dependent on structural plasticity. These insights into the molecular basis of age-related memory loss may hold promise for new treatments for cognitive disorders.
Defective mitochondrial fission augments NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Park Sangjun , Won Ji-Hee , Hwang Inhwa , Hong Sujeong , Lee Heung Kyu , Yu Je-Wook
Published: October 2015

Despite the fact that deregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory or metabolic disorders, the underlying mechanism by which NLRP3 inflammasome signaling is initiated or potentiated remains poorly understood. Much attention is being paid to mitochondria as a regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but little is known about the role of mitochondrial dynamics for the inflammasome pathway. Here, we present evidence that aberrant mitochondrial elongation caused by the knockdown of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) lead to a marked increase in NLRP3-dependent caspase-1 activation and interleukin-1-beta secretion in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Conversely, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, a chemical inducer of mitochondrial fission, clearly attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. Augmented activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by mitochondrial elongation is not resulted from the increased mitochondrial damages of Drp1-knockdown cells. Notably, enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in Drp1-knockdown macrophages is implicated in the potentiation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, possibly via mediating mitochondrial localization of NLRP3 to facilitate the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome. Taken together, our results provide a molecular insight into the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in potentiating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to aberrant inflammation.
Personality and morphological traits affect pigeon survival from raptor attacks
Authors: Santos Carlos D. , Cramer Julia F. , Pârâu Liviu G. , Miranda Ana C. , Wikelski Martin , Dechmann Dina K. N.
Published: October 2015

Personality traits have recently been shown to impact fitness in different animal species, potentially making them similarly relevant drivers as morphological and life history traits along the evolutionary pathways of organisms. Predation is a major force of natural selection through its deterministic effects on individual survival, but how predation pressure has helped to shape personality trait selection, especially in free-ranging animals, remains poorly understood. We used high-precision GPS tracking to follow whole flocks of homing pigeons (Columba livia) with known personalities and morphology during homing flights where they were severely predated by raptors. This allowed us to determine how the personality and morphology traits of pigeons may affect their risk of being predated by raptors. Our survival model showed that individual pigeons, which were more tolerant to human approach, slower to escape from a confined environment, more resistant to human handling, with larger tarsi and with lighter plumage, were more likely to be predated by raptors. We provide rare empirical evidence that the personality of prey influences their risk of being predated under free-ranging circumstances.
Comprehensive microRNA profiling in acetaminophen toxicity identifies novel circulating biomarkers for human liver and kidney injury
Authors: Vliegenthart A. D. B. , Shaffer J. M. , Clarke J. I. , Peeters L. E. J. , Caporali A. , Bateman D. N. , Wood D. M. , Dargan P. I. , Craig D. G. , Moore J. K. , Thompson A. I. , Henderson N. C. , Webb D. J. , Sharkey J. , Antoine D. J. , Park B. K. , Bailey M. A. , Lader E. , Simpson K. J. , Dear J. W.
Published: October 2015

Our objective was to identify microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers of drug-induced liver and kidney injury by profiling the circulating miRNome in patients with acetaminophen overdose. Plasma miRNAs were quantified in age- and sex-matched overdose patients with (N = 27) and without (N = 27) organ injury (APAP-TOX and APAP-no TOX, respectively). Classifier miRNAs were tested in a separate cohort (N = 81). miRNA specificity was determined in non-acetaminophen liver injury and murine models. Sensitivity was tested by stratification of patients at hospital presentation (N = 67). From 1809 miRNAs, 75 were 3-fold or more increased and 46 were 3-fold or more decreased with APAP-TOX. A 16 miRNA classifier model accurately diagnosed APAP-TOX in the test cohort. In humans, the miRNAs with the largest increase (miR-122-5p, miR-885-5p, miR-151a-3p) and the highest rank in the classifier model (miR-382-5p) accurately reported non-acetaminophen liver injury and were unaffected by kidney injury. miR-122-5p was more sensitive than ALT for reporting liver injury at hospital presentation, especially combined with miR-483-3p. A miRNA panel was associated with human kidney dysfunction. In mice, miR-122-5p, miR-151a-3p and miR-382-5p specifically reported APAP toxicity - being unaffected by drug-induced kidney injury. Profiling of acetaminophen toxicity identified multiple miRNAs that report acute liver injury and potential biomarkers of drug-induced kidney injury.
Metabolomics reveals metabolic changes in male reproductive cells exposed to thirdhand smoke
Authors: Xu Bo , Chen Minjian , Yao Mengmeng , Ji Xiaoli , Mao Zhilei , Tang Wei , Qiao Shanlei , Schick Suzaynn F. , Mao Jian-Hua , Hang Bo , Xia Yankai
Published: October 2015

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is a new term for the toxins in cigarette smoke that linger in the environment long after the cigarettes are extinguished. The effects of THS exposure on male reproduction have not yet been studied. In this study, metabolic changes in male germ cell lines (GC-2 and TM-4) were analyzed after THS treatment for 24 h. THS-loaded chromatography paper samples were generated in a laboratory chamber system and extracted in DMEM. At a paper: DMEM ratio of 50 μg/ml, cell viability in both cell lines was normal, as measured by the MTT assay and markers of cytotoxicity, cell cycle, apoptosis and ROS production were normal as measured by quantitative immunofluorescence. Metabolomic analysis was performed on methanol extracts of GC-2 and TM-4 cells. Glutathione metabolism in GC-2 cells and nucleic acid and ammonia metabolism in TM-4 cells, was changed significantly by THS treatment. RT-PCR analyses of mRNA for enzyme genes Gss and Ggt in GC-2 cells and TK, SMS and Glna in TM-4 cells reinforced these findings, showing changes in the levels of enzymes involved in the relevant pathways. In conclusion, exposure to THS at very low concentrations caused distinct metabolic changes in two different types of male reproductive cell lines.
Graft revascularization is essential for non-invasive monitoring of transplanted islets with radiolabeled exendin
Authors: Eter Wael A. , Bos Desirée , Frielink Cathelijne , Boerman Otto C. , Brom Maarten , Gotthardt Martin
Published: October 2015

Islet transplantation is a novel promising strategy to cure type 1 diabetes. However, the long-term outcome is still poor, because both function and survival of the transplant decline over-time. Non-invasive imaging methods have the potential to enable monitoring of islet survival after transplantation and the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on transplantation outcome. 111In-labeled exendin-3 is a promising tracer to visualize native and transplanted islets by SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). In the present study, we hypothesized that islet microvasculature plays an important role determining the uptake of exendin-3 in islets when monitoring transplant survival. We observed 111In-exendin-3 accumulation in the transplant as early as three days after transplantation and an increase in the uptake up to three weeks post-transplantation. Islet-revascularization correlated with the increase in 111In-exendin-3 uptake, whereas fully re-established islet vasculature coincided with a stabilized uptake of the radiotracer in the transplant. Here, we demonstrate the importance of islet vasculature for in vivo delivery of radiotracers to transplanted islets and we demonstrate that optimal and stable uptake of exendin four weeks after transplantation opens the possibility for long-term monitoring of islet survival by SPECT imaging.
Complex folding and misfolding effects of deer-specific amino acid substitutions in the β2-α2 loop of murine prion protein
Authors: Agarwal Sonya , Döring Kristina , Gierusz Leszek A. , Iyer Pooja , Lane Fiona M. , Graham James F. , Goldmann Wilfred , Pinheiro Teresa J. T. , Gill Andrew C.
Published: October 2015

The β2–α2 loop of PrPC is a key modulator of disease-associated prion protein misfolding. Amino acids that differentiate mouse (Ser169, Asn173) and deer (Asn169, Thr173) PrPC appear to confer dramatically different structural properties in this region and it has been suggested that amino acid sequences associated with structural rigidity of the loop also confer susceptibility to prion disease. Using mouse recombinant PrP, we show that mutating residue 173 from Asn to Thr alters protein stability and misfolding only subtly, whilst changing Ser to Asn at codon 169 causes instability in the protein, promotes oligomer formation and dramatically potentiates fibril formation. The doubly mutated protein exhibits more complex folding and misfolding behaviour than either single mutant, suggestive of differential effects of the β2–α2 loop sequence on both protein stability and on specific misfolding pathways. Molecular dynamics simulation of protein structure suggests a key role for the solvent accessibility of Tyr168 in promoting molecular interactions that may lead to prion protein misfolding. Thus, we conclude that ‘rigidity’ in the β2–α2 loop region of the normal conformer of PrP has less effect on misfolding than other sequence-related effects in this region.
Zebrafish Models for Human Acute Organophosphorus Poisoning
Authors: Faria Melissa , Garcia-Reyero Natàlia , Padrós Francesc , Babin Patrick J. , Sebastián David , Cachot Jérôme , Prats Eva , Arick Mark , Rial Eduardo , Knoll-Gellida Anja , Mathieu Guilaine , Le Bihanic Florane , Escalon B. Lynn , Zorzano Antonio , Soares Amadeu M. V. M , Raldúa Demetrio
Published: October 2015

Terrorist use of organophosphorus-based nerve agents and toxic industrial chemicals against civilian populations constitutes a real threat, as demonstrated by the terrorist attacks in Japan in the 1990 s or, even more recently, in the Syrian civil war. Thus, development of more effective countermeasures against acute organophosphorus poisoning is urgently needed. Here, we have generated and validated zebrafish models for mild, moderate and severe acute organophosphorus poisoning by exposing zebrafish larvae to different concentrations of the prototypic organophosphorus compound chlorpyrifos-oxon. Our results show that zebrafish models mimic most of the pathophysiological mechanisms behind this toxidrome in humans, including acetylcholinesterase inhibition, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation and calcium dysregulation as well as inflammatory and immune responses. The suitability of the zebrafish larvae to in vivo high-throughput screenings of small molecule libraries makes these models a valuable tool for identifying new drugs for multifunctional drug therapy against acute organophosphorus poisoning.
Chromium exposure and incidence of metabolic syndrome among American young adults over a 23-year follow-up: the CARDIA Trace Element Study
Authors: Bai Jianling , Xun Pengcheng , Morris Steve , Jacobs David R. , Liu Kiang , He Ka
Published: October 2015

Studies suggest that chromium deficiency is associated with elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, circulating insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased proportion of lean body mass. However, data directly relating chromium levels to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk are lacking. A total of 3,648 American adults from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, aged 20–32 years, were prospectively examined for the incidence of MetS and its five components from 1987–88 to 2010–11. Baseline toenail chromium levels were measured with instrumental neutron-activation analysis. Incident MetS was defined by the NCEP-ATP III criteria. During the 23-year follow-up, 878 incident MetS cases were identified. Baseline toenail chromium was inversely associated with incidence of MetS as well as its blood lipid components. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of MetS comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles of toenail chromium levels was 0.80 (0.66–0.98; Plinear trend = 0.006). The adjusted HRs were 0.82 (0.68–0.98; Ptrend = 0.045) for having abnormal triglycerides levels and 0.75 (0.64–0.88; Ptrend  = 0.030) for having abnormal HDL cholesterol levels. Toenail chromium levels were inversely and longitudinally associated with incidence of MetS in American young adults. This inverse association was mainly explained by its relation to blood lipids.
Stepwise work hardening induced by individual grain boundary in Cu bicrystal micropillars
Authors: Li L. L. , Zhang Z. J. , Tan J. , Jiang C. B. , Qu R. T. , Zhang P. , Yang J. B. , Zhang Z. F.
Published: October 2015

Vast experiments have demonstrated that the external specimen size makes a large difference in the deformation behavior of crystalline materials. However, as one important kind of internal planar defects, the role of grain boundary (GB) in small scales needs to be clarified in light of the scarce and inconsistent experimental results at present. Through compression of Cu bicrystal and its counterpart monocrystal micropillars, it is found that, in contrast to the monocrystals, the bicrystals are characterized by work hardening with discrete strain bursts. Interestingly, the stress rise between two adjacent strain bursts of the bicrystals increases with the decrease of specimen size. The results suggest that GBs play a critical role in the work hardening of materials in small scales, which may provide important implications to further understand the general work hardening behaviors of materials in the future.
Evolution of the dense packings of spherotetrahedral particles: from ideal tetrahedra to spheres
Authors: Jin Weiwei , Lu Peng , Li Shuixiang
Published: October 2015

Particle shape plays a crucial role in determining packing characteristics. Real particles in nature usually have rounded corners. In this work, we systematically investigate the rounded corner effect on the dense packings of spherotetrahedral particles. The evolution of dense packing structure as the particle shape continuously deforms from a regular tetrahedron to a sphere is investigated, starting both from the regular tetrahedron and the sphere packings. The dimer crystal and the quasicrystal approximant are used as initial configurations, as well as the two densest sphere packing structures. We characterize the evolution of spherotetrahedron packings from the ideal tetrahedron (s = 0) to the sphere (s = 1) via a single roundness parameter s. The evolution can be partitioned into seven regions according to the shape variation of the packing unit cell. Interestingly, a peak of the packing density Φ is first observed at s ≈ 0.16 in the Φ-s curves where the tetrahedra have small rounded corners. The maximum density of the deformed quasicrystal approximant family (Φ ≈ 0.8763) is slightly larger than that of the deformed dimer crystal family (Φ ≈ 0.8704) and both of them exceed the densest known packing of ideal tetrahedra (Φ ≈ 0.8563).
Correction: Corrigendum: Quantifying the Antiviral Effect of IFN on HIV-1 Replication in Cell Culture
Authors: Ikeda Hiroki , Godinho-Santos Ana , Rato Sylvie , Vanwalscappel Bénédicte , Clavel François , Aihara Kazuyuki , Iwami Shingo , Mammano Fabrizio
Published: October 2015

Type-I interferons (IFNs) induce the expression of hundreds of cellular genes, some of which have direct antiviral activities. Although IFNs restrict different steps of HIV replication cycle, their dominant antiviral effect remains unclear. We first quantified the inhibition of HIV replication by IFN in tissue culture, using viruses with different tropism and growth kinetics. By combining experimental and mathematical analyses, we determined quantitative estimates for key parameters of HIV replication and inhibition, and demonstrate that IFN mainly inhibits de novo infection (33% and 47% for a X4- and a R5-strain, respectively), rather than virus production (15% and 6% for the X4 and R5 strains, respectively). This finding is in agreement with patient-derived data analyses.
Cyclic enaminones. Part I: stereocontrolled synthesis using diastereoselective and catalytic asymmetric methods
Authors: Chattopadhyay Amit Kumar , Hanessian Stephen
Published: October 2015

Here, we summarize three approaches for stereoselective syntheses of cyclic enaminones and their functionalized derivatives. These include chiral substrates (chirons) as starting materials, syntheses employing non-catalytic (stoichiometric) reagents, and catalytic asymmetric methods.
Cyclic enaminones. Part II: applications as versatile intermediates in alkaloid synthesis
Authors: Chattopadhyay Amit Kumar , Hanessian Stephen
Published: October 2015

Among many other strategies, the enaminone approach is an important strategy to construct and diversify the azacyclic core in various alkaloids syntheses. In this brief review we discuss the application of cyclic enaminones as building blocks, as well as potential intermediates in the total synthesis of selected alkaloids.
Expanding the light absorption of poly(3-hexylthiophene) by end-functionalization with π-extended porphyrins
Authors: Chevrier Michèle , Richeter Sébastien , Coulembier Olivier , Surin Mathieu , Mehdi Ahmad , Lazzaroni Roberto , Evans Rachel C. , Dubois Philippe , Clément Sébastien
Published: October 2015

Poly(3-hexylthiophene)s end-functionalized with π-extended porphyrins show a broad absorption profile up to 700 nm and a fibrillar microstructure tuned by the porphyrin molar ratio.
Copper-catalyzed silylation of p-quinone methides: new entry to dibenzylic silanes
Authors: López Aurora , Parra Alejandro , Jarava-Barrera Carlos , Tortosa Mariola
Published: October 2015

An efficient and general copper(i)-catalyzed silylation of p-quinone-methides is described. Non-symmetric dibenzylic silanes are obtained in high yields under mild reaction conditions. These compounds can be used as bench-stable benzylic carbanion precursors.
Phenylsilane as a safe, versatile alternative to hydrogen for the synthesis of actinide hydrides
Authors: Pagano Justin K. , Dorhout Jacquelyn M. , Waterman Rory , Czerwinski Kenneth R. , Kiplinger Jaqueline L.
Published: October 2015

The thorium and uranium dihydride dimer complexes [(C5Me5)2An(H)(μ-H)]2 (An = Th, U) have been easily prepared using phenylsilane, which is an efficient and safer alternative to hydrogen gas.
Synthesis of linear [5]catenanes via olefin metathesis dimerization of pseudorotaxanes composed of a [2]catenane and a secondary ammonium salt
Authors: Iwamoto Hajime , Tafuku Shinji , Sato Yoshihiko , Takizawa Wataru , Katagiri Wataru , Tayama Eiji , Hasegawa Eietsu , Fukazawa Yoshimasa , Haino Takeharu
Published: October 2015

[5]Catenanes were synthesized by olefin metathesis dimerization.
Structural transition and superconductivity in hydrothermally synthesized FeX (X = S, Se)
Authors: Pachmayr U. , Fehn N. , Johrendt D.
Published: October 2015

Superconductivity in iron chalcogenides FeX(X= S, Se) depends on the synthesis route and is tied to different crystal structures.
High-yield halide-free synthesis of biocompatible Au nanoplates
Authors: Wang Guoqing , Tao Shengyang , Liu Yiding , Guo Lei , Qin Guohui , Ijiro Kuniharu , Maeda Mizuo , Yin Yadong
Published: October 2015

We communicate an unconventional synthesis of Au nanoplates with high yield and excellent reproducibility through polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted H2O2 reduction.
Protonation of silylenol ether via excited state proton transfer catalysis
Authors: Das Anjan , Banerjee Tanmay , Hanson Kenneth
Published: October 2015

Excited state proton transfer is used to photocatalytically protonate silylenol ether by both direct and sensitized excitation.
Conjugated porous polymers as precursors for electrocatalysts and storage electrode materials
Authors: Bhosale Manik E. , Illathvalappil Rajith , Kurungot Sreekumar , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam
Published: October 2015

Conjugated porous polymers were used as precursors to prepare nitrogen and sulphur doped carbon atoms, which were then used for oxygen reduction and energy storage.
A planarized 9-phenylanthracene: a simple electron-donating building block for fluorescent materials
Authors: Iwahara Hideaki , Kushida Tomokatsu , Yamaguchi Shigehiro
Published: October 2015

Planarization of 9-phenylanthracene with two methylene tethers increases its electron-donating character and furnishes intense fluorescence.
Croconaine rotaxane for acid activated photothermal heating and ratiometric photoacoustic imaging of acidic pH
Authors: Guha Samit , Shaw Gillian Karen , Mitcham Trevor M. , Bouchard Richard R. , Smith Bradley D.
Published: October 2015

A pH sensitive, near-infrared croconaine rotaxane dye enables acid activated laser heating and ratiometric photoacoustic imaging of acidic pH.
Modification of the crystal structure of Sr2−xBaxSi(O,N)4: Eu2+ phosphors to improve their luminescence properties
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Hua Youjie , Ma Hongping , Deng Degang , Xu Shiqing
Published: October 2015

A series of Sr1.98−xBaxSi(O,N)4: 0.02Eu2+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) phosphors were synthesized. We anticipate that these materials can be used as green or red phosphors in white light emitting diodes.
Ultra-small mesoporous silica nanoparticles as efficient carriers for pH responsive releases of anti-cancer drugs
Authors: Zheng Haoquan , Tai Cheuk-Wai , Su Jie , Zou Xiaodong , Gao Feifei
Published: October 2015

A pH-responsive drug delivery systemviamesoporous silica nanoparticles as carriers can be achieved based on electrostatic interactions between drug molecules and carriers, when the isoelectric point of the drug molecule is high.
Effect of molecular characteristics on the formation of nitrosamines during chlor(am)ination of phenylurea herbicides
Authors: Chen Wei-Hsiang , Yang Ya-Ciao , Wang Ya-Hong , Li Chi-Min , Lin Kun-Yi , Lou Jie-Chung
Published: October 2015

The environmental impacts of phenylurea herbicides are critical to know given their high loadings as non-point source pollutants and typical environmental scenarios (e.g., at neutral pH or in the presence of inorganic nitrogen), resulting in more efficient nitrosamine formation.
Enhancement of nucleation of protein crystals on nano-wrinkled surfaces
Authors: Bommineni Praveen K. , Punnathanam Sudeep N.
Published: October 2015

The synthesis of high quality protein crystals is essential for determining their structure. Hence the development of strategies to facilitate the nucleation of protein crystals is of prime importance. Recently, Ghatak and Ghatak [Langmuir 2013, 29, 4373] reported heterogeneous nucleation of protein crystals on nano-wrinkled surfaces. Through a series of experiments on different proteins, they were able to obtain high quality protein crystals even at low protein concentrations and sometimes without the addition of a precipitant. In this study, the mechanism of protein crystal nucleation on nano-wrinkled surfaces is studied through Monte Carlo simulations. The wrinkled surface is modeled by a sinusoidal surface. Free-energy barriers for heterogeneous crystal nucleation on flat and wrinkled surfaces are computed and compared. The study reveals that the enhancement of nucleation is closely related to the two step nucleation process seen during protein crystallization. There is an enhancement of protein concentration near the trough of the sinusoidal surface which aids in nucleation. However, the high curvature at the trough acts as a deterrent to crystal nucleus formation. Hence, significant lowering of the free-energy barrier is seen only if the increase in the protein concentration at the trough is very high.
In vivo detection of samarium by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis: a comparison between experiment and Monte-Carlo simulation
Authors: Gräfe James L. , Chettle David R. , McNeill Fiona E.
Published: October 2015

Building on previous simulation and experimental work on in vivo detection of gadolinium via PGNAA, we extend this work to incorporate the detection of samarium.
Preparing non-volatile resistive switching memories by tuning the content of Au@air@TiO2-h yolk–shell microspheres in a poly(3-hexylthiophene) layer
Authors: Wang Peng , Liu Quan , Zhang Chun-Yu , Jiang Jun , Wang Li-Hua , Chen Dong-Yun , Xu Qing-Feng , Lu Jian-Mei
Published: October 2015

Organic/inorganic hybrid (Au@air@TiO2-h/P3HT) memory devices showed variable memory performance when tuning the microspheres content.
Interface engineering: broadband light and low temperature gas detection abilities using a nano-heterojunction device
Authors: Chang Chien-Min , Hsu Ching-Han , Liu Yi-Wei , Chien Tzu-Chiao , Sung Chun-Han , Yeh Ping-Hung
Published: October 2015

Using the interface defect, band bending and nano-contact effects, broadband light and low temperature gas detection abilities can be achieved with a nano-heterojunction device.
Ni-catalyzed reductive addition of alkyl halides to isocyanides
Authors: Wang Bo , Dai Yijing , Tong Weiqi , Gong Hegui
Published: October 2015

This work emphasizes Ni-catalyzed reductive trapping of secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals with both aryl isocyanides affording 6-alkylated phenanthridine in good yields. The employment of carbene ligands represents the examples of generation of alkyl radicals from the halide precursors under Ni-catalyzed reductive conditions.
Tuning of hydrogen peroxide-responsive polymeric micelles of biodegradable triblock polycarbonates as a potential drug delivery platform with ratiometric fluorescence signaling
Authors: Fu Ying-Hua , Chen Chun-Yen , Chen Chao-Tsen
Published: October 2015

Two micelles of amphiphilic triblock polycarbonates with different H2O2-reactive core-forming blocks manifest disparate H2O2-induced disaggregation behaviors of micelles.
One-pot direct synthesis route to self-assembled highly ordered Zn-decorated mesoporous aluminium oxide toward efficient and sustainable metathesis heterogeneous catalyst design
Authors: Abidli Abdelnasser
Published: October 2015

Zn-modified well-ordered mesoporous alumina successfully synthesizedviaone-pot process and evaluated as support for rhenium-based catalyst for methyl oleate self-metathesis.
Thermal degradation behavior of a flame retardant melamine derivative hyperbranched polyimide with different terminal groups
Authors: Othman Muhammad Bisyrul Hafi , Ahmad Zulkifli , Osman Hasnah , Omar Mohd Firdaus , Akil Hazizan Md
Published: October 2015

The non-isothermal kinetic degradation behaviour of hyperbranched polyimide series containing s-triazine rings has been contributed by an effects of different terminal groups. The solid state mechanism proposed is one-dimensional diffusions.
Catalytic combustion of soot over Ce and Co substituted three-dimensionally ordered macroporous La1−xCexFe1−yCoyO3 perovskite catalysts
Authors: Feng Nengjie , Wu Yang , Meng Jie , Chen Chong , Wang Lei , Wan Hui , Guan Guofeng
Published: October 2015

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) La1−xCexFe1−yCoyO3 (x = 0–0.4, y = 0–0.6) perovskite catalysts were successfully prepared by colloidal crystal templating method and employed for soot combustion.
Facile one-pot preparation of an imidazolium embedded C8 hybrid monolith using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane for capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhang Niu , Zhang Lu , Qiao Xiaoqiang , Wang Yongli , Yan Hongyuan , Bai Ligai
Published: October 2015

In this study, a novel imidazolium embedded C8 hybrid monolithic column based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was developed.
Direct electrochemical deposition of polyaniline nanowire array on reduced graphene oxide modified graphite electrode for direct electron transfer biocatalysis
Authors: Xia Lin , Xia Jianfei , Wang Zonghua
Published: October 2015

Direct electron transfer biocatalysis was achieved via electrochemically produced ordered PANI nanowire array on reduced graphene oxide modified graphite electrodes.
Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dots as effective electron acceptors for hybrid solar cells with a broad spectral response
Authors: Zhou Xun , Meng Weili , Dong Chao , Liu Changwen , Qiu Zeliang , Qi Juanjuan , Chen Junwei , Wang Mingtai
Published: October 2015

Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dots are synthesized by a facile solvothermal technique and used as a novel effective acceptor material for polymer-based hybrid solar cells with a broad spectral response.