bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor Attenuates Myocardial Remodeling and Improves Infarct Perfusion in Experimental Heart Failure
Authors: Pfau Daniel , Thorn Stephanie L. , Zhang Jiasheng , Mikush Nicole , Renaud Jennifer M. , Klein Ran , deKemp Robert A. , Wu Xiaohong , Hu Xiaoyue , Sinusas Albert J. , Young Lawrence H. , Tirziu Daniela
Published: April 2019

Angiotensin receptor blocker-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) therapy improves the prognosis of heart failure patients. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the biological effects of ARNi with neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril and angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan on myocardial remodeling and cardiac perfusion in experimental heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI). Male Lewis rats (10-weeks old) with confirmed HF were randomized one-week post-MI to treatment with vehicle (water), sacubitril/valsartan or valsartan, as comparator group, for either 1 or 5 weeks. Sacubitril/valsartan for 1-week limited LV contractile dysfunction vs. vehicle and both sacubitril/valsartan and valsartan attenuated progressive LV dilation after 1 and 5 weeks treatment. After 5 weeks, both sacubitril/valsartan and valsartan reduced CTGF expression in the remote myocardium, although only sacubitril/valsartan prevented interstitial fibrosis. In the border zone, sacubitril/valsartan and valsartan reduced hypertrophic markers, but only sacubitril/valsartan reduced cardiomyocyte size and increased VEGFA expression. In the infarct, sacubitril/valsartan induced an early uptake of 99mTc-NC100692 (a radiotracer of angiogenesis) and improved perfusion, as determined by 201Tl microSPECT/CT imaging. In conclusion, ARNi improved global LV function, limited remodeling in the remote and border zones, and increased perfusion to the infarct. Sacubitril/valsartan had more consistent effects than valsartan on LV remodeling in experimental HF.
The exceptional abandonment of metal tools by North American hunter-gatherers, 3000 B.P.
Authors: Bebber Michelle R. , Key Alastair J. M. , Fisch Michael , Meindl Richard S. , Eren Metin I.
Published: April 2019

Most prehistoric societies that experimented with copper as a tool raw material eventually abandoned stone as their primary medium for tool making. However, after thousands of years of experimentation with this metal, North American hunter-gatherers abandoned it and returned to the exclusive use of stone. Why? We experimentally confirmed that replica copper tools are inferior to stone ones when each is sourced in the same manner as their archaeological counterparts and subjected to identical tasks. Why, then, did copper consistently lead to more advanced metallurgy in most other areas of the world? We suggest that it was the unusual level of purity in the North American copper sourced by North American groups, and that naturally occurring alloys yielded sufficiently superior tools to encourage entry into the copper-bronze-iron continuum of tool manufacture in other parts of the world.
Moderate exercise improves function and increases adiponectin in the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy
Authors: Zelikovich Aaron S. , Quattrocelli Mattia , Salamone Isabella M. , Kuntz Nancy L. , McNally Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2019

The loss of dystrophin produces a mechanically fragile sarcolemma, causing muscle membrane disruption and muscle loss. The degree to which exercise alters muscular dystrophy has been evaluated in humans with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and in mouse models including the mdx mouse but with inconsistent findings. We now examined two different levels of exercise, moderate and low intensity, in the mdx mouse model in the DBA2J background. mdx mice at 4–5 months of age were subjected to two different doses of exercise. We found a dose-dependent benefit for low and moderate exercise, defined as 4 m/min or 8 m/min, for 30 minutes three times a week. After six months, exercised mdx mice showed improved tetanic and specific force compared to the sedentary group. We also observed increased respiratory capacity manifesting as greater minute volume, as well as enhanced cardiac function mitigating the decline of fractional shortening that is normally seen. Exercised mdx mice also showed a dose-dependent increase in serum adiponectin with a concomitant reduced adipocyte cross sectional area. These findings identify moderate intensity exercise as a means to improve muscle performance in the mdx DBA2J mice and suggest serum adiponectin as a biomarker for beneficial exercise effect in DMD.
Bacterial communities of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from pepper crops (Capsicum sp.)
Authors: Gallo-Franco Jenny Johana , Duque-Gamboa Diana Nataly , Toro-Perea Nelson
Published: April 2019

Insects harbor a wide variety of microorganisms that form complex and changing communities and play an important role in the biology and evolution of their hosts. Aphids have been used as model organisms to study microorganism-insect interactions. Almost all aphids are infected with the obligate endosymbiontBuchnera aphidicolaand can host different bacteria that allow them to acquire traits of agronomic importance, such as resistance to high temperatures and/or defense against natural enemies. However, the bacterial communities of most aphid species remain poorly characterized. In this study, we used high-throughput DNA sequencing to characterize the bacterial communities ofAphis gossypiiandMyzus persicaefrom two cultivable pepper species,Capsicum frutescens(Tabasco variety) andC.annuum(Cayenne variety), in four localities of southwestern Colombia. In addition, we evaluated the dynamics ofA.gossypii-associated microorganisms on a seasonal basis. Our results show that the bacterial communities ofA.gossypiiandM.persicaeare dominated by the primary endosymbiontB.aphidicola, while the presence of the facultative symbiontArsenophonussp. was only detected in oneA.gossypiipopulation from cayenne pepper. In addition to these two known symbionts, eight bacterial OTUs were identified that presented a frequency of 1% or more in at least one of the analyzed populations. The results show that the bacterial communities of aphids associated with pepper crops appears to be structured according to the host aphid species and the geographical location, while no differences were observed in the diversity of bacteria between host plants. Finally, the diversity and abundance of theA.gossypiibacterial community was variable among the four sampling points evaluated over the year and showed a relation with the aphid’s population dynamics. This study represents the first approach to the knowledge of the bacterial community present in chili pepper aphids from Colombia. Nevertheless, more in-depth studies, including replicates, are required to confirm the patterns observed in the microbial communities of aphids from pepper crops.
Association of white blood cell count with breast cancer burden varies according to menopausal status, body mass index, and hormone receptor status: a case-control study
Authors: Park Byoungjin , Lee Hye Sun , Lee Ji Won , Park Seho
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that among Korean women has a peak incidence in the perimenopausal period. The full epidemiological characteristics of breast cancer in Korean women are not yet properly understood. We investigated whether white blood cell (WBC) is related to breast cancer burden according to estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status in the context of body mass index and menopausal status. We conducted a large case-control study and compared WBC counts between patients with breast cancer (N = 4,402) and propensity score-matched controls (N = 4,402) selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We stratified the study sample by ER/PR status, menopausal status, and body mass index and assessed the association between WBC count and breast cancer burden using multinomial logistic regression. Compared with controls, non-obese patients with ER+/PR+ breast cancer had significantly higher WBC counts regardless of menopausal status (OR 1.293 95% CI 1.139–1.363, p < 0.001 in premenopausal and OR 1.049 95% CI 1.019–1.295, p = 0.023 in postmenopausal). There was no relationship between WBC count and ER+/PR+ breast cancer among premenopausal obese women. Furthermore, premenopausal non-obese women and postmenopausal obese women with ER+/PR+ breast cancer had higher WBC counts than those with ER−/PR− breast cancer. Further larger-scale prospective cohort studies are warranted to determine these associations in the future.
Articular cartilage and meniscus reveal higher friction in swing phase than in stance phase under dynamic gait conditions
Authors: Warnecke Daniela , Meßemer Maxi , de Roy Luisa , Stein Svenja , Gentilini Cristina , Walker Robert , Skaer Nick , Ignatius Anita , Dürselen Lutz
Published: April 2019

Most previous studies investigated the remarkably low and complex friction properties of meniscus and cartilage under constant loading and motion conditions. However, both load and relative velocity within the knee joint vary considerably during physiological activities. Hence, the question arises how friction of both tissues is affected by physiological testing conditions occurring during gait. As friction properties are of major importance for meniscal replacement devices, the influence of these simulated physiological testing conditions was additionally tested for a potential meniscal implant biomaterial. Using a dynamic friction testing device, three different friction tests were conducted to investigate the influence of either just varying the motion conditions or the normal load and also to replicate the physiological gait conditions. It could be shown for the first time that the friction coefficient during swing phase was statistically higher than during stance phase when varying both loading and motion conditions according to the physiological gait pattern. Further, the friction properties of the exemplary biomaterial were also higher, when tested under dynamic gait parameters compared to static conditions, which may suggest that static conditions can underestimate the friction coefficient rather than reflecting the in vivo performance.
The possibility to make choices modulates feature-based effects of reward
Authors: Heuer Anna , Wolf Christian , Schütz Alexander C. , Schubö Anna
Published: April 2019

When making decisions, humans can maximize the positive outcome of their actions by choosing the option associated with the highest reward. We have recently shown that choices modulate effects of reward via a bias in spatial attention: Locations associated with a lower reward are anticipatorily suppressed, as indicated by delayed responses to low-reward targets and increased parieto-occipital alpha power. Here, we investigated whether this inhibition also occurs when reward is not coupled to location but to a nonspatial feature (color). We analyzed reaction times to single targets associated with a low or high reward as a function of whether a second trial type, choice-trials, were interleaved. In choice-trials, participants could choose either one of two targets to obtain the associated reward. Indeed, responses to low-reward targets were slower when choice-trials were present, magnifying the influence of reward, and this delay was more pronounced in trials immediately following a choice. No corresponding changes in parieto-occipital alpha power were observed, but the behavioral findings suggest that choices modulate a reward-related bias in feature-based attention in a similar manner as for spatial attention, and support the idea that reward primarily affects behaviour when it is of immediate relevance.
Ability of bifidobacteria to metabolize chitin-glucan and its impact on the gut microbiota
Authors: Alessandri Giulia , Milani Christian , Duranti Sabrina , Mancabelli Leonardo , Ranjanoro Thibaut , Modica Salvatore , Carnevali Luca , Statello Rosario , Bottacini Francesca , Turroni Francesca , Ossiprandi Maria Cristina , Sgoifo Andrea , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: April 2019

Chitin-glucan (CG) represents a natural carbohydrate source for certain microbial inhabitants of the human gut and may act as a prebiotic for a number of bacterial taxa. However, the bifidogenic activity of this substrate is still unknown. In the current study, we evaluated the ability of chitin-glucan to influence growth of 100 bifidobacterial strains belonging to those species commonly identified within the bifidobacterial communities residing in the infant and adult human gut. Such analyses were coupled with transcriptome experiments directed to explore the transcriptional effects of CG on Bifidobacterium breve 2L, which was shown to elicit the highest growth performance on this natural polysaccharide. In addition, an in vivo trial involving a rat model revealed how the colonization efficiency of this bifidobacterial strain was enhanced when the animals were fed with a diet containing CG. Altogether our analyses indicate that CG is a valuable novel prebiotic compound that may be added to the human diet in order to re-establish/reinforce bifidobacteria colonization in the mammalian gut.
Quantitative Variation in m.3243A > G Mutation Produce Discrete Changes in Energy Metabolism
Authors: McMillan Ryan P. , Stewart Sidney , Budnick James A. , Caswell Clayton C. , Hulver Matthew W. , Mukherjee Konark , Srivastava Sarika
Published: April 2019

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 3243A > G tRNALeu(UUR) heteroplasmic mutation (m.3243A > G) exhibits clinically heterogeneous phenotypes. While the high mtDNA heteroplasmy exceeding a critical threshold causes mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis with stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, the low mtDNA heteroplasmy causes maternally inherited diabetes with or without deafness (MIDD) syndrome. How quantitative differences in mtDNA heteroplasmy produces distinct pathological states has remained elusive. Here we show that despite striking similarities in the energy metabolic gene expression signature, the mitochondrial bioenergetics, biogenesis and fuel catabolic functions are distinct in cells harboring low or high levels of the m.3243 A > G mutation compared to wild type cells. We further demonstrate that the low heteroplasmic mutant cells exhibit a coordinate induction of transcriptional regulators of the mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose and fatty acid metabolism pathways that lack in near homoplasmic mutant cells compared to wild type cells. Altogether, these results shed new biological insights on the potential mechanisms by which low mtDNA heteroplasmy may progressively cause diabetes mellitus.
Yield stability analysis reveals sources of large-scale nitrogen loss from the US Midwest
Authors: Basso Bruno , Shuai Guanyuan , Zhang Jinshui , Robertson G. Philip
Published: April 2019

Loss of reactive nitrogen (N) from agricultural fields in the U.S. Midwest is a principal cause of the persistent hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. We used eight years of high resolution satellite imagery, field boundaries, crop data layers, and yield stability classes to estimate the proportion of N fertilizer removed in harvest (NUE) versus left as surplus N in 8 million corn (Zea mays) fields at subfield resolutions of 30 × 30 m (0.09 ha) across 30 million ha of 10 Midwest states. On average, 26% of subfields in the region could be classified as stable low yield, 28% as unstable (low yield some years, high others), and 46% as stable high yield. NUE varied from 48% in stable low yield areas to 88% in stable high yield areas. We estimate regional average N losses of 1.12 (0.64–1.67) Tg N y−1from stable and unstable low yield areas, corresponding to USD 485 (267–702) million dollars of fertilizer value, 79 (45–113) TJ of energy, and greenhouse gas emissions of 6.8 (3.4–10.1) MMT CO2equivalents. Matching N fertilizer rates to crop yield stability classes could reduce regional reactive N losses substantially with no impact on crop yields, thereby enhancing the sustainability of corn-based cropping systems.
Combination of eribulin plus AKT inhibitor evokes synergistic cytotoxicity in soft tissue sarcoma cells
Authors: Hayasaka Naotaka , Takada Kohichi , Nakamura Hajime , Arihara Yohei , Kawano Yutaka , Osuga Takahiro , Murase Kazuyuki , Kikuchi Shohei , Iyama Satoshi , Emori Makoto , Sugita Shintaro , Hasegawa Tadashi , Takasawa Akira , Miyanishi Koji , Kobune Masayoshi , Kato Junji
Published: April 2019

An activated AKT pathway underlies the pathogenesis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), with over-expressed phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) correlating with a poor prognosis in a subset of STS cases. Recently, eribulin, a microtubule dynamics inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy and is approved in patients with advanced/metastatic liposarcoma and breast cancer. However, mechanisms of eribulin resistance and/or insensitivity remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that an increased p-AKT level was associated with eribulin resistance in STS cells. We found a combination of eribulin with the AKT inhibitor, MK-2206, synergistically inhibited STS cell growth in vivo as well as in vitro. Mechanistically, eribulin plus MK-2206 induced G1 or G2/M arrest by down-regulating cyclin-dependent kinases, cyclins and cdc2, followed by caspase-dependent apoptosis in STS cells. Our findings demonstrate the significance of p-AKT signaling for eribulin-resistance in STS cells and provide a rationale for the development of an AKT inhibitor in combination with eribulin to treat patients with STS.
Engineering preferentially-aligned nitrogen-vacancy centre ensembles in CVD grown diamond
Authors: Osterkamp Christian , Mangold Martin , Lang Johannes , Balasubramanian Priyadharshini , Teraji Tokuyuki , Naydenov Boris , Jelezko Fedor
Published: April 2019

Here we report a method for improving the magnetic field sensitivity of an ensemble of Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centres in 12C-enriched diamond aligned along the [111] crystal axis. The preferentially-aligned NV centres are fabricated by a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) process and their concentration is quantitatively determined by analysing the confocal microscopy images. We further observe that annealing the samples at high temperature (1500 °C) in vacuum leads to a conversion of substitutional nitrogen into NV centres. This treatment also increases the coherence time of the NV centres electron spins up to 40 μs, which corresponds to enhancement of the sensitivity by a factor of three. However, this procedure also leads to a loss of the preferential alignment by 34%.
Improving the stability of the TetR/Pip-OFF mycobacterial repressible promoter system
Authors: Boldrin Francesca , Anoosheh Saber , Serafini Agnese , Cioetto Mazzabò Laura , Palù Giorgio , Provvedi Roberta , Manganelli Riccardo
Published: April 2019

Tightly regulated gene expression systems are powerful tools to study essential genes and characterize potential drug targets. In a past work we reported the construction of a very stringent and versatile repressible promoter system for Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on two different repressors (TetR/Pip-OFF system). This system, causing the repression of the target gene in response to anhydrotetracycline (ATc), has been successfully used in several laboratories to characterize essential genes in different mycobacterial species both in vitro and in vivo. One of the limits of this system was its instability, leading to the selection of mutants in which the expression of the target gene was no longer repressible. In this paper we demonstrated that the instability was mainly due either to the loss of the integrative plasmid carrying the genes encoding the two repressors, or to the selection of a frameshift mutation in the gene encoding the repressors Pip. To solve these problems, we (i) constructed a new integrative vector in which the gene encoding the integrase was deleted to increase its stability, and (ii) developed a new integrative vector carrying the gene encoding Pip to introduce a second copy of this gene in the chromosome. The use of these new tools was shown to reduce drastically the selection of escape mutants.
Probing the photovoltaic properties of Ga-doped CdS–Cu2S core–shell heterostructured nanowire devices
Authors: Lu Ming-Yen , Hong Meng-Hsiang , Ruan Yen-Min , Lu Ming-Pei
Published: April 2019

In this study Ga-doped cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires (NWs) were grown through chemical vapor deposition.
Two-dimensional computational method for generating planar electrode patterns with enhanced volumetric electric fields and its application to continuous dielectrophoretic bacterial capture
Authors: Han Chang-Ho , Ha Hyun Wook , Jang Jaesung
Published: April 2019

Novel method for generating planar electrode patterns with enhanced dielectrophoretic bacterial capture.
Multiscale additive manufacturing of polymers using 3D photo-printable self-assembling ionic liquid monomers
Authors: Ndefru Bineh G. , Ringstrand Bryan S. , Diouf Sokhna I.-Y. , Seifert Sönke , Leal Juan H. , Semelsberger Troy A. , Dreier Timothy A. , Firestone Millicent A.
Published: April 2019

Combining bottom-up self-assembly with top-down 3D photoprinting affords a low cost approach for the introduction of nanoscale features into a build with low resolution features.
Structural characterization of centipede oligopeptides and capability detection in human small cell lung carcinoma: inducing apoptosis
Authors: Zhao JingQuan , Yang Jianmei , Hao Zerui , An Yulin , Zhang Mingqiang , Liu Jie , Ren Rongrong , Lin Dianjie
Published: April 2019

SSMO-5 mediated the lung cancer cells apoptosis by activating the caspases and regulating the interaction of p53/MDM2.
The interaction of dietary flavonoids with xanthine oxidase in vitro: molecular property-binding affinity relationship aspects
Authors: Yuan Mengmeng , Liu Yi , Xiao Aiping , Leng Juan , Liao Liping , Ma Lei , Liu Liangliang
Published: April 2019

The molecular property–affinity relationships between flavonoids and xanthine oxidase were investigated through comparing binding constants obtained via fluorescence quenching measurements.
Effect of Sb content on anisotropic magnetoresistance in a (Ga, Mn)(As, Sb) ferromagnetic semiconductor thin film
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Chen Jing , Deng Jiajun , Che Jiantao , Hu Bing , Cheng Xin
Published: April 2019

The effect of Sb content on the in-plane anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) of the quaternary ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga, Mn)(As, Sb) was investigated.
Effects of mycorrhizae and water conditions on perennial ryegrass growth in rare earth tailings
Authors: Yang Qiao , Zhao Zhongqiu , Bai Zhongke , Hou Hong , Yuan Ye , Guo Anning , Li Yufeng
Published: April 2019

Mycorrhizal symbioses, which include plant roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), can significantly enhance plant resistance and promote the absorption of soil nutrients by plants.
Dual-purpose zinc and silicon complexes of 1,2,3-triazole group substituted phthalocyanine photosensitizers: synthesis and evaluation of photophysical, singlet oxygen generation, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties
Authors: Güzel Emre
Published: April 2019

Evaluation of dual-purpose zinc and silicon phthalocyanine complexes on photophysical, singlet oxygen generation, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties.
A tranilast and BMP-2 based functional bilayer membrane is effective for the prevention of epidural fibrosis during spinal lamina reconstruction
Authors: Han Chen , Li Xunlin , Zhou Tangjun , Chen Chen , Zhang Kai , Yang Shengbing , Wang Xin , Tian Haijun , Zhao Changqing , Zhao Jie
Published: April 2019

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a common complication of lumbar surgery.
Strong interfacial coupling effects of ferroelectric polarization with two-dimensional electron gas in BaTiO3/MgO/AlGaN/GaN/Si heterostructures
Authors: Li Guanjie , Li Xiaomin , Zhao Junliang , Zhu Qiuxiang , Chen Yongbo
Published: April 2019

Strong interfacial coupling between ferroelectric polarization and 2DEG is demonstrated in BTO/MgO/AlGaN/GaN/Si with a large threshold voltage for E-mode HEMT devices.
Buffer layer-less fabrication of a high-mobility transparent oxide semiconductor, La-doped BaSnO3
Authors: Sanchela Anup V. , Wei Mian , Lee Joonhyuk , Kim Gowoon , Jeen Hyoungjeen , Feng Bin , Ikuhara Yuichi , Cho Hai Jun , Ohta Hiromichi
Published: April 2019

Hall mobility of La-doped BaSnO3 films was improved without any buffer layers if the films are grown under O3 atmospheres.
Cancer cell–nanomaterial interface: role of geometry and surface charge of nanocomposites in the capture efficiency and cell viability
Authors: He Yishu , Qin Jingwen , Wu Shengming , Yang Haocheng , Wen Huiyun , Wang Yilong
Published: April 2019

The nanomaterial–cell interface plays an important role in biodetection and therapy. The experimental results in this study indicated that the magnetic nanocomposites with strong positive surface charge but different geometry interacted with cancer cells in different ways, leading to various cell capture efficiency and cytotoxicity.
ABaSbQ3 (A = Li, Na; Q = S, Se): diverse arrangement modes of isolated SbQ3 ligands regulating the magnitudes of birefringences
Authors: Abudurusuli Ailijiang , Wu Kui , Tudi Abudukadi , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: April 2019

The interrelation of arrangement modes of isolated SbQ3 ligands on structures and birefringences has been systematically studied in series of chalcogenides.
Visible-light-mediated guest trapping in a photosensitizing porous coordination network: metal-free C–C bond-forming modification of metal–organic frameworks for aqueous-phase herbicide adsorption
Authors: Yang Yong , Che Jinxin , Wang Biao , Wu Yizhe , Chen Binhui , Gao Liang , Dong Xiaowu , Zhao Jinhao
Published: April 2019

Metal-free visible-light-mediated C–C bond-forming modification of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for aqueous-phase herbicide adsorption.
Magic spot nucleotides: tunable target-specific chemoenzymatic synthesis
Authors: Haas Thomas M. , Ebensperger Paul , Eisenbeis Verena B. , Nopper Christoph , Dürr Tobias , Jork Nikolaus , Steck Nicole , Jessen-Trefzer Claudia , Jessen Henning J.
Published: April 2019

A tunable chemoenzymatic strategy provides access to magic spot nucleotides and analogues in gram-scale.
Electrocatalytic N2-to-NH3 conversion with high faradaic efficiency enabled using a Bi nanosheet array
Authors: Zhang Rong , Ji Lei , Kong Wenhan , Wang Huanbo , Zhao Runbo , Chen Hongyu , Li Tingshuai , Li Baihai , Luo Yonglan , Sun Xuping
Published: April 2019

A Bi nanosheet array on Cu foil (Bi NS/CF) is efficient and stable for electrocatalytic N2 reduction. In 0.1 M HCl, it shows a high faradaic efficiency of 10.26% at −0.50 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode.
Synthesis and controllable self-assembly of 3D amphiphilic organoplatinum(ii) metallacages in water
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Chenwei , Long Renhua , Cao Yufeng , Fan Dongli , Cen Moupan , Cao Leyu , Chen Yanmei , Yao Yong
Published: April 2019

A 3D amphiphilic supramolecular coordination metallacycle M1 was designed and fabricated using a new method called “coordination driven self-assembly”. It can self-assemble into well-defined vesicles and further assemble into nanofibres and hybrid vesicles. Importantly, the hybrid vesicles can be applied in photocatalysis in water.
Graphene oxide catalyzed ketone α-alkylation with alkenes: enhancement of graphene oxide activity by hydrogen bonding
Authors: Meng Guangrong , Patel Mehulkumar , Luo Feixiang , Li Qingdong , Flach Carol , Mendelsohn Richard , Garfunkel Eric , He Huixin , Szostak Michal
Published: April 2019

The first ketone-alkylation using olefins and alcohols as simple alkylating agents catalyzed by graphene oxide is reported. Extensive studies of the graphene surface suggest a pathway involving dual activation of both coupling partners.
Molybdenum and rhenium disulfide synthesis via high-pressure carbonate melt
Authors: Anenburg Michael
Published: April 2019

A new method is shown for the crystallisation of molybdenum and rhenium disulfide from high pressure liquid carbonate flux. Crystal size ranges from 10s to 100s of micrometres.
Role of the carbon source in the transformation of amorphous carbon to graphene during rapid thermal processing
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Zhou Yong , Xu Xiaowei , Wang Aiying , Lee Kwang-Ryeol
Published: April 2019

A fast transfer-free synthesis of a graphene structure can be successfully achieved by Ni-catalysed transformation of amorphous carbon (a-C) during rapid thermal processing, but the role of the a-C structure in the a-C-to-graphene transformation is still unclear.
Glucose-induced fabrication of Bi/α-FeC2O4·2H2O heterojunctions: a bifunctional catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic and Fenton oxidation efficiency
Authors: Li Kai , Liang Yujun , Yang Jian , Yang Gui , Zhang Hang , Wang Kun , Xu Rui , Xie Xianjun
Published: April 2019

A series of novel bifunctional heterojunctions with outstanding photocatalytic and Fenton oxidation activities were synthesized via a one-pot solvothermal method in which glucose served as a reductant and carbon source.
Strong stacking interactions of metal–chelate rings are caused by substantial electrostatic component
Authors: Malenov Dušan P. , Zarić Snežana D.
Published: April 2019

Stacking interactions of metal–chelate rings are strong due to very strong electrostatic energy component.
Design and investigation of photoactivatable platinum(iv) prodrug complexes of cisplatin
Authors: Lee Violet Eng Yee , Chin Chee Fei , Ang Wee Han
Published: April 2019

Platinum(iv) prodrug complexes releases cisplatin upon UV-activation via dissociation of axial aromatic carboxylate ligands.
Computational design of species with ultrashort Be–Be distances using planar hexacoordinate carbon structures as the templates
Authors: Zhao Tao-Tao , Zhao Xue-Feng , Bian Jian-Hong , Tong Wen-Yan , Jin Bo , Wang Xiaotai , Yuan Caixia , Wu Yan-Bo
Published: April 2019

Replacing the planar hexacoordinate carbon in CX3M3+species with the Be2moiety leads to isoelectronic species with ultrashort Be–Be distances.
Solvent effects in palladium catalysed cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Sherwood James , Clark James H. , Fairlamb Ian J. S. , Slattery John M.
Published: April 2019

A review of the solvent effects that control the productivity of cross-coupling reactions, and suggested safer alternative solvents.
A serotonin-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel for multifunctional hemostatic adhesives inspired by a platelet coagulation mediator
Authors: An Soohwan , Jeon Eun Je , Jeon Jihoon , Cho Seung-Woo
Published: April 2019

Serotonin-conjugated hyaluronic acid hydrogel inspired by platelet coagulation provides a multifunctional hemostatic adhesive mediating highly effective hemostasis and preventing abnormal tissue adhesion.
Characterization and identification of selected metal-binding biomolecules from hepatic and gill cytosols of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman, 1928) using various techniques of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry
Authors: Krasnići Nesrete , Dragun Zrinka , Kazazić Snježana , Muharemović Hasan , Erk Marijana , Jordanova Maja , Rebok Katerina , Kostov Vasil
Published: April 2019

Metals play crucial physiological roles, but they can also cause irreparable toxic effects through binding to important cellular biomolecules in aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the exact molecular masses and to identify several selected metal-binding biomolecules in hepatic and gill cytosols of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman, 1928). Methods applied for the achievement of this goal were SEC-AEC-HPLC for two-dimensional separation of cytosolic biomolecules, HR ICP-MS for metal measurements, and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS and LC-MS/MS) for biomolecule mass determination and identification. The analyzed biomolecules included: Fe-binding biomolecules, which were identified as hemoglobin subunit β in the liver (molecular masses of ∼15 kDa), and hemoglobin subunits α and β in the gills (molecular masses of ∼11 kDa, ∼13 kDa and ∼15 kDa); heat-stable Cd-binding biomolecules, which were identified as MT isoforms MT-I and MT-II (molecular mass of ∼6.0 kDa in both liver and gills, and an additional 4.9 kDa isoform in the gills); and heat-stable Mo-binding biomolecules of molecular masses equal to 3.3 kDa (in the gills) and 8.5 kDa (in the liver). An important finding of this study was the obvious presence of different isoforms of the same biomolecules in the liver and gills. This was, among others, manifested through the absence of Zn binding to MTs only in the gills, indicating that the same type of biomolecule can be responsible for different functions in different organs. Thus, for better understanding of metal behaviour in aquatic organisms, it is crucial to identify cellular metal-binding biomolecules and their functions.
Suppression of the environmental risks of lead in cropland soil using biomass ash and its modified product
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Zhou Zhuangwei , Zhang Yujie , Chen Ningyi , Kang Jingyan , Liu Guijian , Hosmane Narayan S. , Wu Aiguo
Published: April 2019

Biomass ash and its modified product have great potential as useful amendments to suppress the environmental risks of lead in soil.
Patterning polymer-filled nanoparticle films via leaching-enabled capillary rise infiltration (LeCaRI)
Authors: Venkatesh R. Bharath , Han Syung Hun , Lee Daeyeon
Published: April 2019

Leaching-enabled capillary rise infiltration is a versatile method to pattern polymer-filled nanoparticle films by leaching mobile species from an elastomer network into nanoparticle packings.
Photochromism of supramolecular assemblies based on benzenecarboxylate donors and viologen acceptors
Authors: Liu Jin-jian , Li Jing , Zhao Guo-zheng
Published: April 2019

Similar viologen acceptors, a regular change in donor moieties and photochromism provide an ideal model for elucidating D–A matching rules.
Multifunctional BiF3:Ln3+ (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm)/Yb3+ nanoparticles: an investigation on the emission color tuning, thermosensitivity, and bioimaging
Authors: Yan Xinxin , Li Tiesheng , Guo Linna , Li Honglei , Chen Penglei , Liu Minghua
Published: April 2019

Multifunctional BiF3:Ln3+(Ln = Ho, Er, Tm)/Yb3+ UCLNPs presented better performances in dual-wavelength synergy, thermosensitivity, emission color tuning, and bioimaging.
Retracted Article: Fabrication of hollow CoS1.097 prisms toward supercapactior performance
Authors: Zhang Ruili , Yang Yuntao , Yang Ping
Published: April 2019

Hollow CoS1.097 prisms were prepared by prismatic Co-precursors using thioacetamide as sulfidation treatment reagent. Hollow CoS1.097 prisms revealed ideal electrochemical performance.
Enzyme immobilisation on poly-l-lysine-containing calcium phosphate particles for highly sensitive glucose detection
Authors: Kojima Suzuka , Nagata Fukue , Inagaki Masahiko , Kugimiya Shinichi , Kato Katsuya
Published: April 2019

The as-synthesised poly-l-lysine-containing HAp with high enzyme stability could be a candidate for a glucose sensor with high sensitivity.
Fluorination and chlorination effects on quinoxalineimides as an electron-deficient building block for n-channel organic semiconductors
Authors: Hasegawa Tsukasa , Ashizawa Minoru , Kawauchi Susumu , Masunaga Hiroyasu , Ohta Noboru , Matsumoto Hidetoshi
Published: April 2019

Three fluorinated or chlorinated quinoxalineimide units (QI-1F, QI-2F, and QI-2Cl) have been designed and developed.
Synthesis and reduction chemistry of mixed-Lewis-base-stabilised chloroborylenes
Authors: Arrowsmith Merle , Schweizer Julia I. , Heinz Myron , Härterich Marcel , Krummenacher Ivo , Holthausen Max C. , Braunschweig Holger
Published: April 2019

Mixed-base-stabilised chloroborylenes are easily accessed by twofold reduction of a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene-supported trichloroborane in the presence of a second Lewis base, thus enabling fine-tuning of the electronic properties of the electron-rich borylene centre.
Pt-embedded in monolayer g-C3N4as a promising single-atom electrocatalyst for ammonia synthesis
Authors: Yin Hui , Li Shu-Long , Gan Li-Yong , Wang Ping
Published: April 2019

An SAC Pt/g-C3N4enables significant deviation from the scaling between the energetics of *N2H and *NH2, promising for ambient electrochemical NH3synthesis.
Hybridizing anions towards fast diffusion kinetics for tri-ion batteries with significantly improved rate capability and cycling life
Authors: Shin Kyungsoo , Zhang Fan , Ou Xuewu , Wu Nanzhong , Lee Chun-Sing , Tang Yongbing
Published: April 2019

We develop a new aluminum graphite tri-ion (Li+/PF6−/BF4−) battery configuration (AGTIB) using an anion-hybridization strategy with fast diffusion kinetics. The AGTIB has a high rate performance with a 90.5 mA h g−1 capacity at 15C and good cycling stability for over 500 cycles at 5C.
A tumor responsive self healing prodrug hydrogel enables synergistic action of doxorubicin and miltefosine for focal combination chemotherapy
Authors: Balakrishnan Biji , Joshi Nitin , Thorat Ketan , Kaur Shahdeep , Chandan Rajeet , Banerjee Rinti
Published: April 2019

Targeted therapy that facilitates the on-site, on-demand action of drug combinations is a promising approach for combination chemotherapy.
Blue organic light-emitting diodes: current status, challenges, and future outlook
Authors: Lee Jiun-Haw , Chen Chia-Hsun , Lee Pei-Hsi , Lin Hung-Yi , Leung Man-kit , Chiu Tien-Lung , Lin Chi-Feng
Published: April 2019

Emission mechanisms for OLEDs and their characteristics.
Photoelectrochemical response to glutathione in Au-decorated ZnO nanorod array
Authors: Dong Xiuxiu , Xu Chunxiang , Yang Chi , Chen Feng , Manohari A. Gowri , Zhu Zhu , Zhang Wei , Wang Ru , You Daotong , Chen Jinping
Published: April 2019

Photoelectrochemical behavior of Au NPs–ZnO nanorod array for glutathione detection.
RbSbSO4Cl2: an excellent sulfate nonlinear optical material generated due to the synergistic effect of three asymmetric chromophores
Authors: He Fangfang , Deng Yalan , Zhao Xiaoyu , Huang Ling , Gao Daojiang , Bi Jian , Wang Xin , Zou Guohong
Published: April 2019

RbSbSO4Cl2exhibits a strong SHG response originating from the synergistic effect of three coexisting constituting asymmetric chromophores.
The effect of HMGB1 on the clinicopathological and prognostic features of cervical cancer
Authors: Li Pan , Xu Mengfei , Cai Hongbing , Thapa Niresh , He Can , Song Ziye
Published: April 2019

Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among women in less-developed regions. Because of the poor survivorship of patients with advanced disease, finding new biomarkers for prognostic prediction is of great importance. In the current study, mRNA datasets (GSE9750 and GSE63514) were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus and was used to identify differentially expressed genes. The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) were investigated using bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HMGB1 was performed on 239 cases of cervical cancer samples to investigate its possible correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes. A preliminary validation has been made to explore the possible correlation factors with HMGB1 that promote migration of cervical cancer cells. Bioinformatics analysis showed that adherens junction was significant for both P-value and enrichment scores, which was consistent with the clinical study. The underlying molecular mechanisms might be the interaction among HMGB1, RAC1, and CDC42. HMGB1 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, parametrial infiltration, the depth of cervical stromal invasion, and FIGO stage (P=0.003, 0.019, 0.013, and 0.003, respectively). FIGO stage, lymph mode metastasis, and HMGB1 expression were independent predictors of a poorer prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. Knockdown of HMGB1 inhibits migration of Siha and C33A cells in vitro. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression of RAC1 and CDC42 was positively correlated with HMGB1. HMGB1 is a useful prognostic indicator and a potential biomarker of cervical cancer. RAC1 and CDC42 may be involved in the progression of cervical cancer migration induced by HMGB1.
miR-517a is up-regulated in glioma and promotes glioma tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Du Cheng-li , Peng Fei , Liu Ke-qin
Published: April 2019

miR-517a has been reported to act as an oncogenic miRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer. However, the roles and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-517a in glioma remain unclear. In the present study, the expression of miR-517a in clinical glioma tissues and glioma cell lines was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Transfected with knockdown or forced expression of miR-517a, the effects of miR-517a on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected through in vitro and in vivo tumorigenesis assays. Here, we report that miR-517a expression was up-regulated in glioma tissues when compared with normal brain tissues, and up-regulation of miR-517a level is tightly correlated with the status of pathology classification of glioma. A functional assay found that overexpression of miR-517a in glioma cells markedly promoted or suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, respectively. Moreover, we revealed that the knockdown of miR-517a dramatically suppressed glioma cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that knockdown of miR-517a significantly induced apoptosis. Therefore, miR–517a acts an oncogenic miRNA that promotes tumor progression in glioma, and thus may become a promising therapeutic candidate for glioma.
Effects of ANRIL variants on the risk of ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Cheng , Liu Junzhi , Wei Jun , Yang Shoujun
Published: April 2019

Background : Several studies investigated the relationship between antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) variants and the risk of ischemic stroke (IS), yet whether ANRIL variants are associated with IS remain controversial. Therefore, we performed the present study to obtain a more conclusive result. Methods: Literature retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Medline and Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Eighteen studies were enrolled for analyses. Pooled overall analyses showed that rs2383206 (recessive model: P=0.002, OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.08–1.38; allele model: P=0.003, OR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.84–0.96) and rs10757274 (allele model: P=0.006, OR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.86–0.97) variants were significantly associated with an increased risk of IS. Further subgroup analyses by ethnicity revealed that rs2383206, rs10757274 and rs10757278 variants were all significantly correlated with an increased risk of IS in Asians. Additionally, rs10757278 polymorphism was also significantly correlated with an increased risk of IS in Caucasians. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that rs2383206, rs10757274 and rs10757278 variants may impact individual susceptibility to IS in Asians. Moreover, rs10757278 polymorphism may also impact individual susceptibility to IS in Caucasians.
B-cell dynamics during experimental endotoxemia in humans
Authors: Brinkhoff Alexandra , Zeng Ye , Sieberichs Annette , Dolff Sebastian , Shilei Xu , Sun Ming , Engler Harald , Benson Sven , Korth Johannes , Schedlowski Manfred , Kribben Andreas , Witzke Oliver , Wilde Benjamin
Published: April 2019

Recently, B cells with regulatory functions suppressing T-cell immunity were identified. Inflammation in the context of sepsis is characterized by a profound immune dysfunction increasing the patient’s risk for additional infections. The impact of endotoxemia on B-cell dynamics, regulatory B cells (Breg) and its contribution to immune dysfunction is unknown. It is the aim of the present study to characterize the dynamics of the B-cell compartment and Breg in an experimental human endotoxemia model.

In this randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study, 20 healthy males received an intravenous injection of endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 0.8 ng/kg body weight) or placebo (saline 0.9%) on two otherwise identical study days. B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at baseline and repeatedly up to 72 h after endotoxin/placebo injection.

Absolute CD19+ B cells counts showed a significant decrease 3 h after endotoxin injection. Memory B cells were partially depleted from the circulation; the total number of Breg was significantly diminished 3 h after LPS challenge. Production of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 (IL-10) by Breg was unaltered after LPS challenge. Systemic B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels were significantly increased with a maximum after 24 h and remained increased up to 72 h post-injection.

Endotoxemia causes a transient depletion of memory B cells and Breg from the circulation. However, the functional capacity of B cells to produce IL-10 is not impaired.
Long non-coding RNA SNHG16 affects cell proliferation and predicts a poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer via sponging miR-200a-3p
Authors: Li Yanling , Lu Ying , Chen Yanglong
Published: April 2019

Previous study has explored that SNHG16, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), mediated cell growth and proliferation. Yet, the role of SNHG16 in human colorectal cancer (CRC) still remains to be explored. Therefore, we conducted the present study to explore the functions of SNHG16 in CRC. In the present study, SNHG16 was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Gain- and loss-of-function of SNHG16 further presented that SNHG16 promoted the progression of CRC cells, including proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further, in vivo study also revealed that overexpression of SNHG16 could promote tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that SNHG16 was a direct target of miR-200a-3p. MiR-200a-3p was inversely correlated with SNHG16 expression in CRC tissues. In brief, the above results elucidate the important role of SNHG16 in CRC tumorigenesis, suggesting that SNHG16 might be quite vital for the diagnosis and development of CRC.
Resveratrol attenuates inflammation environment-induced nucleus pulposus cell senescence in vitro
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Lin Feixiang , Wu Yaohong , Liu Ning , Wang Jun , Chen Rongchun , Lu Zhijun
Published: April 2019

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a disease identified as an inflammation response-participated pathological process. As a classical cellular feature, disc cell senescence is reported to be closely related with disc cell senescence. Resveratrol has a protective role against inflammation in some cells. However, its biological effects on disc cells remain largely unclear. The present study was aimed to study the effects of resveratrol on disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cell senescence in an inflammation environment. Isolated NP cells were cultured in cultured medium with (control group) or without (inflammation group) inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-1β for 14 days. Resveratrol was added along with the NP cells treated with inflammatory cytokines to investigate its effects. NP cell senescence was analyzed by senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, cell proliferation, G0/1 cell cycle arrest, telomerase activity, gene/protein expression of senescence markers (p16 and p53) and NP matrix biosynthesis. In addition, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also analyzed. Compared with the control group, inflammation group significantly increased SA-β-Gal activity and ROS content, decreased cell proliferation and telomerase activity, promoted G0/1 cell cycle arrest, up-regulated gene/protein expression of senescence markers (p16 and p53) and matrix catabolism enzymes (MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4), and down-regulated gene/protein expression of NP matrix macromolecules (aggrecan and collagen II). However, resveratrol partly reversed the effects of inflammatory cytokine on these cell senescence-associated parameters. Together, resveratrol was effective to suppress cell senescence in an inflammatory environment. The present study shows new knowledge on how to retard inflammation response-initiated disc degeneration.