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Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2018 Dec 11;46(5-6):371-384. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Functional MR Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna,

Background: Bright light treatment is a therapeutic intervention mainly used to treat sleep and circadian disturbances in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Recently, a handful of studies also focused on the effect on cognition and behavior. Conflicting findings are reported in the literature, and no definite conclusions have been drawn about its specific therapeutic effect. Read More

Audiol Neurootol 2018 Dec 11;23(5):285-289. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Neuro-Otology Unit, Division of Brain Sciences, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United

Gaze stabilization during head movements is provided by the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). Clinical assessment of this reflex is performed using the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT). To date, the influence of different fixation distances on VOR gain using the vHIT has not been explored. Read More

Phys Med Biol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Instituto de Fisica Corpuscular, Universidad de Valencia, Edificio Institutos de Paterna, Apartado de Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Valencia, SPAIN.

Sensitivity and spatial resolution are the main parameters to maximize in the performance of a PET scanner. For this purpose, detectors consisting of a combination of continuous crystals optically coupled to segmented photodetectors have been employed. With the use of continuous crystals the sensitivity is increased with respect to the pixelated crystals. Read More

J Phys Condens Matter 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Valles, SPAIN.

An odd-symmetry magnetic response of multiferroic composites comprising ultrathin Co layers on Pt electrode (20 nm) on PMN-PT (011) piezoelectric substrates is observed upon electrical poling of the PMN-PT substrates: The magnetic easy axis of the Co rotates by 90 degrees in-plane between oppositely poled ferroelectric states, mimicking the signature of a surface polarization charge driven effect, which however can be excluded from the presence of the thick Pt interlayer. The origin for this unexpected behavior is as an odd symmetry piezoelectric response of the PMN-PT substrate, as indicated by X-ray diffraction with applied poling, in combination with conventional magnetoelastic coupling. Ferroelectric characterization reveals corresponding features, possibly related to an unswitchable polarization component. Read More

J Colloid Interface Sci 2018 Dec 3;538:462-473. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China. Electronic address:

It is still a challenging work to realize the universality of photocatalytic materials for unselective removing various organic pollutants in water. Here a surface dual-doped Cu/Cl-g-CN photocatalyst is firstly prepared, which exhibits much more superior photocatalytic performance for degrading multifarious persistent organic pollutants including tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl), o-chlorophenol, bisphenol A and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole in water than pure g-CN. The high-efficiency and unselective photocatalytic degradation performance derives from the surface dual-doped effect of Cu/Cl elements on g-CN, which results in the extended visible light harvest range, elevated CB potential and improved the separation efficiency of charge carriers. Read More

Bioresour Technol 2018 Nov 29;274:361-370. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.

The influence of light and temperature on microalgae kinetics has been assessed extensively and many models have been developed. However, limited attention has been paid to the influence of light and temperature on microalgae respiration and growth under conditions inducing (strong) photoinhibition and no clear consensus has been made on which model to use. Based on experimental data collected using a combined respirometer-titrimeter, a previously developed microalgae model (Decostere et al. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2018 Dec 3;657:169-178. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shuangqing Road 18, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China. Electronic address:

We investigated the effects of elevated ozone (O) concentration on leaf nitrogen (N), a key determinant of plant photosynthesis, with two clones of poplar grown in open-top chambers. We focus on the difference between mass-based leaf N concentration (N) and area-based one (N) in their responses to elevated O, and the allocation of N to different leaf components: photosynthetic apparatus, cell walls, and others under elevated O level. Our results showed that elevated O significantly increased N, but reduced N and leaf mass per area (LMA). Read More

Sci Total Environ 2018 Dec 4;657:136-145. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Finite mesophyll conductance (g) reduces the rate of CO diffusion from the leaf intercellular space to the chloroplast and constitutes a major limitation of photosynthesis in trees. While it is well established that g is decreased by stressors such as drought and high temperature, few studies have investigated if the phytotoxic air pollutant ozone (O) affects g. We quantified the relative importance of three different types of limitations of photosynthesis in poplar trees exposed to elevated O: decreases in stomatal conductance, g and biochemical photosynthetic capacity. Read More

Bone 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Lower skeletal muscle density, indicating greater infiltration of adipose tissue into muscles, is associated with higher fracture risk in older adults. We aimed to determine whether mid-calf muscle density is associated with falls risk and bone health in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: 2214 community-dwelling men and women who participated in the Healthy Ageing Initiative (Sweden) study at age 70 were included in this analysis. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands; MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

During the millions of years of evolution, photosynthetic organisms have adapted to almost all terrestrial and aquatic habitats, although some environments are obviously more suitable for photosynthesis than others. Photosynthetic organisms living in low-light conditions require on the one hand a large light-harvesting apparatus to absorb as many photons as possible. On the other hand, the excitation trapping time scales with the size of the light-harvesting system, and the longer the distance over which the formed excitations have to be transferred, the larger the probability to lose excitations. Read More

Chem Rec 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.

Recently, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) employing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have aroused huge attention in both academia and industry. Compared with fluorescent and phosphorescent materials, TADF materials can theoretically capture 100 % excitons without incorporating noble metals, making them effective emitters and hosts for OLEDs simultaneously. Here, in this review, our recent works on mechanisms and materials of high performance TADF-sensitized phosphorescent (TSP) OLEDs, TADF-sensitized fluorescent (TSF) OLEDs and TADF-sensitized TADF (TST) OLEDs are summarized. Read More

Clin Exp Allergy 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Angioedema is a rare adverse effect of the commonly used angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and is reported to occur with a prevalence of 0.1 - 0.7%. Read More

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Shandong Normal University, No.88 Wenhua East Road, Jinan, CHINA.

Long afterglow materials can store and release light energy after illumination. Here, a brick-like, micron-sized Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ long afterglow material is used for hydrogen production via the photocatalytic reforming of methanol under round-the-clock conditions for the first time, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 5.18%. Read More

Adv Mater 2018 Dec 9:e1803377. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.

The welding and sintering of nanomaterials is usually achieved at high temperatures and high pressures. Here, it is found that merging of metal nanoparticles occurs under ambient conditions in an aqueous solution via protein bonding. It is discovered that the silver nanoparticles from the in situ reduction of silver ammonium ions by glucose undergo confined nucleation and growth and are bound by ultrathin amyloid-like β-sheet stacking of lysozyme. Read More

Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Background: Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ( H-MRS) studies have demonstrated abnormal levels of a variety of neurometabolites in inpatients/outpatients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) following acute alcohol withdrawal relative to healthy controls. In contrast, few studies have compared neurometabolite levels between less severe, treatment-naïve AUD individuals and light drinkers or related them to recent alcohol consumption. The present study compared neurometabolite levels between treatment-naïve AUD and LD individuals. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

University School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16C, Dwarka, New, Delhi-110078, India.

In flowering plants LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1)/TERMINAL FLOWER 2 (TFL2) is known to interact with polycomb group (PcG) and non-PcG proteins and control developmental programs. LHP1/TFL2 is an ancient protein and has been characterized in the early-divergent plant Physcomitrella patens. However, interacting partners of PpLHP1 other than the chromomethylase PpCMT have not been identified to date. Read More

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 771 Ferst Dr., NW, 3100K, Molecular Science & Engineering Bldg., 30332, Atlanta, UNITED STATES.

The past decade has witnessed rapid advances in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as it is metal-free and affords highly stable hydrogen (H2) generation. Notably, density functional theory calculations show that C-substitution for N in g-C3N4 can increase Π-electron availability and in turn significantly increase the photocatalytic H2 generation. However, creating such C-incorporated g-C3N4 has proven challenging owing to the higher electronegativity of N over C. Read More

Chemistry 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, CHINA.

The ABX3-type halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have been a hot topic recently due to their fascinating optoelectronic properties. It has been demonstrated that A-site ion has an impact on the photophysical and chemical properties, such as optical bandgap and chemical stability. The pursuit of halide perovskite materials with diversified A-site species would deepen the understanding on the structure-property relationship of the perovskite family. Read More

Adv Mater 2018 Dec 9:e1804710. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China.

The ever-increasing anthropogenic consumption of fossil fuels and the resulting large emission of CO have led to a severe energy crisis and climate change. Photocatalytic reduction of CO into fuels using solar energy is considered as a promising way to address these two problems. In particular, photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of CO can integrate and optimize the advantages of both photocatalysis and electrocatalysis for improved conversion efficiency and selectivity. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.

Irradiation (IR) can be used to treat cancer by inducing complex and irreparable DNA damage in the cancer cells, which may lead to their apoptotic death. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of this DNA damage. Here, the non-small-cell lung cancer cell line A549 was treated with either X-ray or carbon ion combined with bleomycin (BLM). Read More

J Prosthodont 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics, Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of background color on shade reproduction using CAD/CAM zirconia and lithium disilicate ceramics.

Materials And Methods: A plastic tooth was prepared for an all-ceramic crown, scanned, and tooth shaped light background dies were manufactured. Full contour crowns were milled from translucent zirconia (ZT) and low translucency lithium disilicates (E [LT]). Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe the histopathologic findings and clinical presentation of arachnoid cysts (ACs) within the human temporal bone.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Methods: An analysis of all medical records of patients diagnosed with an AC was performed. Read More

Adv Healthc Mater 2018 Dec 7:e1801234. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA.

Macrophages are a predominant immune cell population that drive inflammatory responses and exhibit transitions in phenotype and function during tissue remodeling in disease and repair. Thus, engineering an immunomodulatory biomaterial has significant implications for resolving inflammation. Here, a biomimetic and photoresponsive hyaluronan (HA) hydrogel nanocomposite with tunable 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion sites for dynamic macrophage immunomodulation is engineered. Read More

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 West Yangqiao Road, CHINA.

K2TiF6:Mn4+ is a highly efficient narrow-band emission red phosphor with promising applications in white LEDs and wide-gamut displays. Nevertheless, the poor moisture-resistant property of this material hinders its further commercialization. Herein, we introduce a convenient reverse cation exchange strategy to construct a core-shell structured K2TiF6:Mn4+@K2TiF6 phosphor. Read More

Chem Asian J 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

CNRS-University de Strasbourg, Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS), Strasbourg, FRANCE.

Novel fused-thiophene discotic liquid crystals were designed and easily synthesized by Suzuki coupling and FeCl3 oxidized tandem cyclo-dehydrogenation reactions, including homo- and cross-coupling reactions. The resulting hexagonal and rectangular columnar mesomorphic supramolecular structures formed were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Charge carrier transport properties in the mesophases of two of the synthesized fused-thiophene discogens were measured by transient photocurrent time-of-flight (TOF) technique, revealing fast hole transport values in the range of 10-3 to 10-2 cm2 V-1s-1, thus demonstrating potential applications in electronic devices. Read More

Chemistry 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

University of Manchester, School of Chemistry, Oxford Rd, M13 9PL, Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM.

A light-mediated Truce-Smiles arylative rearrangement is described that proceeds in the absence of any photocatalyst. The protocol creates two C-C bonds from simple starting materials, with the installation of an aryl ring and a difluoroacetate moiety across unactivated alkenes. The reaction likely proceeds via a radical mechanism, utilizing a light mediated reduction of ethyl bromodifluoroacetate by N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) to set up intermolecular addition to an unactivated alkene, followed by the Truce-Smiles rearrangement. Read More

Adv Mater 2018 Dec 9:e1806761. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.

The highly oxidative operating conditions of rechargeable zinc-air batteries causes significant carbon-support corrosion of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts. Here, a new strategy for the catalyst support design focusing on oxygen vacancy (OV)-rich, low-bandgap semiconductor is proposed. The OVs promote the electrical conductivity of the oxide support, and at the same time offer a strong metal-support interaction (SMSI), which enables the catalysts to have small metal size, high catalytic activity, and high stability. Read More

Med Phys 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110.

Purpose: To investigate the spectral response of the EBT3 radiochromic films to different beam qualities for radiation therapy dosimetry. Dose, dose rate, and inter-batch dependencies on the spectral response of the films are investigated as well.

Methods: Pieces of EBT3 films placed between layers of solid water phantoms were irradiated with 6 and 15 MV photon beams, 6 and 10 MV-FFF photon beams, and 6 and 20 MeV electron beams at dose levels between 0. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Anesthesiology, Quzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou, China.

Peripheral inflammation in male C57BL/6 mice was induced by intraplantar injection of 20 μL complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the left hind paw. Mice were randomly divided into three groups: Sham, CFA, and propofol+CFA. Mechanical allodynia was assessed by von Frey analysis, and heat hyperalgesia was detected by exposure of the plantar surface to a beam of radiant heat. Read More

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

University at Albany, SUNY, Chemistry, 1400 Washington Ave, 12222, Albany, UNITED STATES.

The development of visible-light-mediated allylation of unactivated sp3 C-H bonds is reported. The remote allylation was directed by the amidyl radical, which was generated by photocatalytic fragmentation of a pre-functionalized amide precursor. Both aromatic and aliphatic amide derivatives could successfully deliver the remote C-H allylation products in good yields. Read More

Adv Mater 2018 Dec 9:e1806386. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Haidian district, Beijing, 100084, China.

Muscles and joints make highly coordinated motion, which can be partly mimicked to drive robots or facilitate activities. However, most cases primarily employ actuators enabling simple deformations. Therefore, a mature artificial motor system requires many actuators assembled with jointed structures to accomplish complex motions, posing limitations and challenges to the fabrication, integration, and applicability of the system. Read More

J Sep Sci 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Analytical Technology, SABIC Technology Center, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

A new non-aqueous HPLC method for the quantitative determination of mold release agent pentaerythritol tetrastearate in polycarbonate matrix has been developed and validated. The analyte calibration curve was linear over range of 0.05 - 0. Read More

Photochem Photobiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Photoactive molecules enable much of modern biology and biochemistry - a vast library of fluorescent chromophores is used to track and label cellular structures and macromolecules. However, photochemistry is better-known to the synthetic or physical organic chemist as a "light switch" that turns on unusual excited-state reactivity, isomerization, or dynamic adjustment of structure. This review details a rapidly growing approach to bio-photochemistry that uses low-energy near-IR wavelengths not only for imaging, but for close spatial control over chemical switching events in biosystems. Read More

Chemistry 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Shaanxi Normal University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, CHINA.

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally 2'-O-methylated at the 3'-terminal, so they cannot be efficiently detected by traditional target-triggered polymerization reactions. Herein, a simple but robust enzyme-free sensing strategy is developed for plant miRNA analysis by using dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique to monitor the click chemical ligation-amplified crosslinking of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Combining the enzyme-free cycling chemical ligation-mediated signal amplification, and the intrinsic outstanding ability of DLS for discriminating the extremely low level of particle aggregation in a large pool of monodisperse AuNPs, high sensitivity is achieved and as low as 78. Read More

Chem Asian J 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

UNITED STATES.

Recently, metastable-state photoacids have been widely used to control proton transfer in numerous chemical and biological processes as well as applications with visible light. Generally, substituent groups have great influence on photochemical properties of molecules, which will further affect their applications. Yet, substituent effect on the metastable-state photoacid has not been studied systematically. Read More

J Sci Food Agric 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, P. R. China.

Background: The effects of Ginkgo biloba seed exopleura extract (GSEE) and chitosan (CH) coating on the preservation of ginkgo seeds were investigated.

Results: Results showed that chitosan could alleviate the decay rate, and that CH combined with GSEE treatment (CH-GSEE) further inhibited the development of seed decay due to the additional antifungal activity of GSEE. The nutrient contents, including water, starch, and soluble protein, were maintained by both CH-GSEE and CH treatment. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Center for Computational Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.

Many quantitative traits are composites of other traits that contribute differentially to genetic variation. QTL mapping of these composite traits can benefit by incorporating the mechanistic process of how their formation is mediated by the underlying components. We propose a dissection model by which to map these interconnected components traits under a joint likelihood setting. Read More

Chemistry 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LATVIA.

Aiming to develop all-organic bipolar semiconductors with high charge mobility and efficient E-type fluorescence (so-called TADF) as environmentally-friendly light-emitting materials for optoelectronic applications, four noble metals-free dyes with linear and V-shapes were designed using accepting pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile and donating carbazole units. Exploiting donor-acceptor design strategy and using moieties with different donating and accepting abilities, TADF emitters with wide variety of molecular weights were synthesized for getting optimum combination of charge-transporting and fluorescent properties in one TADF molecule. Depending on molecule structures, different TADF emitters capable of emitting in the range from 453 to 550 nm with photoluminescence quantum yields up to 98% for the solutions in oxygen-free toluene were obtained. Read More

Physiol Plant 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Unidad de Fisiología Vegetal. Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

High-mountain areas provide excellent opportunities to study the effects of combined abiotic stresses on plant physiology given their variety of steep ecological gradients, low anthropogenic disturbance, and remarkable levels of taxonomic diversity. Efficient photoprotective and antioxidant scavenging mechanisms are vital for survival in high-mountain plants, having its altitudinal and seasonal variations determined by environmental or ontogenetic factors such as the decrease in mean temperatures and water availability. A number of stress indicators have been described in order to rapidly assess plant fitness in high-mountain environments. Read More

J Phycol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Natural Sciences, University of Virginia's College at Wise, Wise, Virginia, 24293, USA.

Nitzschia palea is a common freshwater diatom used as a bioindicator because of its tolerance of polluted waterways. There is also evidence it may be the tertiary endosymbiont within the "dinotom" dinoflagellate Durinskia baltica. A putative strain of N. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

Promoted proliferation and associated suppression of apoptosis at various stages of myeloid differentiation are well-known features of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but understanding of the molecular processes involved remains limited. As a crucial circadian agent, neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (NPAS2) is widely recognized as a promising predictor of clinical outcome in various malignancies. Nevertheless, the understanding of its influence on AML is insufficient. Read More

Macromol Rapid Commun 2018 Dec 7:e1800713. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg, 10, Germany.

A reversible polymer photoacid with a thermal on/off switch at physiological temperature able to trigger a large pH modulation of its environment is prepared. Light is used to control the acidity of the solution. Additionally, the temperature could be used to modulate the photoacid efficiency, practically turning on and off the ability of the polymer to produce protons. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Physiology, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China.

Plumbagin (PL), an active naphthoquinone compound, has been demonstrated to be a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying anticancer mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SMMC-7721 cell line was studied in an in vitro model. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Center for Statistical Genetics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

As overfertilization leads to environmental concerns and the cost of N-fertilizer increases, the issue of how to select crop cultivars that can produce high yield on N-deficient lands has become crucially important. However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms by which crops respond to environmental changes induced by N signaling. Here, we dissected the genetic architecture of N-induced phenotypic plasticity in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Read More

Clin Cardiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Cardiology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou (HEGP), Paris, France.

Background: Guidelines recommend using risk stratification tools in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to assist decision making. The TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (TRS-2P) has been recently developed to characterize long term risk in patients with MI.

Hypothesis: We aimed to assess the TRS-2P in the FAST-MI registries. Read More

Physiol Plant 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 5 12843, Prague, Czech Republic.

Rate of photosynthesis and related plant carbohydrate status are crucial factors affecting plant vigour. Sugars providing carbon and energy sources serve also as important signalling molecules governing plant growth and development through a complex regulatory network. These facts are often neglected when mixotrophic cultivation of plants in vitro is used, where artificial exogenous sugar supply hinders studies of metabolism as well as sugar-driven developmental processes. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate if long term formaldehyde inhalation may effect periodontal membrane and alveolar bone loss leading to periodontitis. the negative effects of formaldehyde was described using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) and Osteonectin antibodies involved in the extracellular matrix and angiogenetic development.

Materials And Methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):7928-7937

Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the influences of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-21 and downstream Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway on myocardial apoptosis induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

Materials And Methods: Recombinant adeno-associated virus rAAV9-ZsGreen-pre-miR-21 and blank control virus were constructed. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into S1 group (open chest only), S2 group (transfection with blank virus + open chest), I/R1 group (transfection with blank virus + 6 d of myocardial I/R), and I/R2 group (transfection with miR-21 + 6 d of myocardial I/R). Read More

Exp Suppl 2018 ;110:99-123

University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

Fluorescent-based visualization techniques have long been used to monitor biological activity. This chapter explores the delivery of reporter genes as a means to assay and track activity in biological systems. Bioluminescence is the production of light due to biochemical processes. Read More

Nanoscale Res Lett 2018 Dec 7;13(1):400. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, and School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.

Based on first-principle calculations, the stability, electronic structure, optical absorption, and modulated electronic properties by different interlayer distances or by external electric fields of bilayer α-GeTe are systemically investigated. Results show that van der Waals (vdW) bilayer α-GeTe has an indirect band structure with the gap value of 0.610 eV, and α-GeTe has attractively efficient light harvesting. Read More