Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Alzheimers Dis 2021 Apr 3. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Background: Circadian rhythm disturbance is commonly observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In mammals, these rhythms are orchestrated by the superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Our previous study in the Tg2576 AD mouse model suggests that inflammatory responses, most likely manifested by low GABA production, may be one of the underlying perpetrators for the changes in circadian rhythmicity and sleep disturbance in AD. Read More

Inorg Chem 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Univ Brest, CNRS, CEMCA, 6 Avenue Le Gorgeu, C.S. 93837-29238 Brest Cedex 3, France.

Two new mononuclear Fe(II) polymorphs, [(CH)N][Fe(pyC-OEt)(NCS)] () and [(CH)N][Fe(pyC-OEt)(NCS)] () (pyC-OEt = tris(pyridin-2-yl)ethoxymethane), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, by magnetic and photomagnetic measurements, and by detailed variable-temperature infrared spectroscopy. The molecular structure, in both complexes, is composed of the same anionic [Fe(pyC-OEt)(NCS)] complex (two units for and one unit for ) generated by coordination to the Fe(II) metal center of one tridentate pyC-OEt tripodal ligand and three terminal κ-SCN coligands. Magnetic studies revealed that polymorph displays a high-spin (HS) state over the entire studied temperature range (300-10 K), while complex exhibits an abrupt and complete spin crossover (SCO) transition at ca. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2021 26;8:668387. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.

Circadian rhythms have a considerable impact on the daily physiology of the heart, and their disruption causes pathology. Several studies have revealed that circadian disruption impaired cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI); however, the underlying brain-heart mechanisms remain unknown. We aim to discuss whether circadian disruption facilitates cardiac remodeling after MI by activating sympathetic nervous system. Read More

Front Microbiol 2021 25;12:655994. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain.

Most methicillin resistant (MRSA) isolates harboring gene belong to clonal complex CC130. This lineage has traditionally been regarded as animal-associated as it lacks the human specific immune evasion cluster (IEC), and has been recovered from a broad range of animal hosts. Nevertheless, sporadic -MRSA human infections have been reported, with evidence of zoonotic transmission in some cases. Read More

Pancreatology 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Surgery, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Current guidelines discourage surgery for serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) of the pancreas, because of their benign character, slow growth, and excellent prognosis. Nevertheless, SCN continue to contribute up to 30% of resected cystic pancreatic lesions worldwide.

Methods: Spectrum of indications and outcomes of surgery were analysed in a retrospective series of 133 SCN at a single high-volume center in Germany between 2004 and 2019. Read More

J Affect Disord 2021 Mar 31;288:23-30. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: Although previous studies have revealed that dysfunctional brain organization is associated with internet gamingdisorder (IGD), the neuroanatomical basis that underlies IGD remains elusive. In this work, we aimed to investigate gray matter (GM) volume alterations and structural covariance patterns in relation to IGD severity.

Methods: Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from two hundred and thirty young adults encompassing a wide range of IGD severity. Read More

Front Neurosci 2021 23;15:659974. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the central circadian clock of mammals. It is responsible for communicating temporal information to peripheral oscillators via humoral and endocrine signaling, ultimately controlling overt rhythms such as sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and locomotor activity. Given the heterogeneity and complexity of the SCN, its genesis is tightly regulated by countless intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Read More

J Chem Phys 2021 Apr;154(13):134502

Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.

Using ultrafast two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR), a vibrational probe (thiocyanate, SCN) was used to investigate the hydrogen bonding network of the protic ionic liquid ethyl-ammonium nitrate (EAN) in comparison to HO. The 2D-IR experiments were performed in both parallel (⟨ZZZZ⟩) and perpendicular (⟨ZZXX⟩) polarizations at room temperature. In EAN, the non-Gaussian lineshape in the FTIR spectrum of SCN suggests two sub-ensembles. Read More

Chronobiol Int 2021 Apr 8:1-12. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA.

Verapamil is the first-line preventive medication for cluster headache, an excruciating disorder with strong circadian features. Whereas second- and third-line preventives include known circadian modulators, such as melatonin, corticosteroids, and lithium, the circadian effects of verapamil are poorly understood. Here, we characterize the circadian features of verapamil using both in vitro and in vivo models. Read More

Endocrinology 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Centre for Neuroendocrinology & Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Coordination of ovulation and behavior is critical to reproductive success in many species. During the female estrous cycle, the preovulatory gonadotropin surge occurs when ovarian follicles reach maturity and, in rodents, begins just before the daily onset of activity, ensuring ovulation coincides with sex behavior. Timing of the surge relies on projections from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the locus of the central circadian clock, to hypothalamic circuits that regulate gonadotropin secretion. Read More

J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

Introduction: The key factors participating in angiogenesis include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs), particularly VEGFR2. Angiogenesis suppression comprises the blocking of the VEGFR2 binding site by the monoclonal antibody ramucirumab (RAM). Our study focused on RAM radiolabelling with zirconium-89 along with subsequent in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation. Read More

Plant Genome 2021 Apr 5:e20091. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China.

Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are valuable genetic resources for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of complex agronomic traits especially suitable for minor effect QTL. Here, 162 BC F -BC F CSSLs derived from crossing two susceptible parent lines, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. Read More

Front Chem 2021 19;9:598228. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

School of Metalhurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China.

The electrochemical treatment of wastewater is widely used for cleaning due to its efficiency. In this paper, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical systems were used to treat cyanide wastewater. The effect of the applied voltage and the material of the main electrode on the removal of various ions and the characteristics of chemical reactions were mainly studied. Read More

J Pediatr Nurs 2021 Mar 31;61:84-89. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Queen's University, 76 Stuart St, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2V7, Canada.

Purpose: To assess the impact of a rooming-in program for babies at risk of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in one community hospital centre, in Belleville, Ontario.

Design And Methods: This retrospective chart review was conducted at Belleville General Hospital. The hospital developed a rooming-in program for newborns at risk of NAS in July 2015. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2021 Mar 23;57(3). Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan 15355, Gyeong-Gi Do, Korea.

Investigations on the clinical impact of supraclavicular lymph node (SCN) involvement in stage IIIC non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain scarce. We evaluated the oncological outcomes of definitive radiochemotherapy and the clinical significance of SCN involvement. Between November 2009 and June 2019, a total of 40 patients with N3-positivity and NSCLC were evaluated. Read More

Nano Lett 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.

Electrical breakdown is a critical problem in electronics. In molecular electronics, it becomes more problematic because ultrathin molecular monolayers have delicate and defective structures and exhibit intrinsically low breakdown voltages, which limit device performances. Here, we show that interstitially mixed self-assembled monolayers (imSAMs) remarkably enhance electrical stability of molecular-scale electronic devices without deteriorating function and reliability. Read More

Ann Hematol 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) develops via altered hemodynamics and acute kidney injury, but conventional screening tests remain normal until advanced stages. Early diagnostic biomarkers are needed so that preventive measures can be taken. This study evaluates the role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a biomarker of SCN in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Read More

Neural Netw 2021 Mar 18;140:237-246. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

College of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. Electronic address:

To adapt to the reality of limited computing resources of various terminal devices in industrial applications, a randomized neural network called stochastic configuration network (SCN), which can conduct effective training without GPU, was proposed. SCN uses a supervisory random mechanism to assign its input weights and hidden biases, which makes it more stable than other randomized algorithms but also leads to time-consuming model training. To alleviate this problem, we propose a novel bidirectional SCN algorithm (BSCN) in this paper, which divides the way of adding hidden nodes into two modes: forward learning and backward learning. Read More

J Pineal Res 2021 Apr 1:e12735. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK.

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells convey intrinsic, melanopsin-based, photoreceptive signals alongside those produced by rods and cones to the suprachaismatic nucleus (SCN) circadian clock. To date, experimental data suggest that melanopsin plays a more significant role in measuring ambient light intensity than cone photoreception. Such studies have overwhelmingly used diffuse light stimuli, whereas light intensity in the world around us varies across space and time. Read More

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021 Apr 1. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Institute of Physics, CAS, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Zhongguancun South Third Street 8, Haidian District, 100190, Beijing, CHINA.

Besides widely-used surface passivation, engineering the film crystallization is an important and more fundamental route to improve the performance of all-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Herein, we have developed a urea-ammonium thiocyanate (UAT) molten salt modification strategy to fully release and exploit coordination activities of SCN- to deposit high-quality CsPbI3 film for efficient and stable all-inorganic solar cells. The UAT is derived by the hydrogen bond interactions between urea and NH4+ from NH4SCN. Read More

Gut 2021 Mar 30. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Objective: The impact of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on microbiota engraftment in patients with metabolic syndrome is uncertain. We aimed to study whether combining FMT with lifestyle modification could enhance the engraftment of favourable microbiota in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 61 obese subjects with T2DM were randomly assigned to three parallel groups: FMT plus lifestyle intervention (LSI), FMT alone, or sham transplantation plus LSI every 4 weeks for up to week 12. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2021 Mar 27;753:135852. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Psychology Department, 293 Farm Lane, Giltner Room 108, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Neuroscience Program, 293 Farm Lane, Giltner Room 108, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.

Testosterone (T) exerts anxiolytic effects through functional androgen receptors (ARs) in rodents. T treatment of castrated mice reduces anxiety-like behavior in wild-type (WT) males, but not males with a spontaneous mutation that renders AR dysfunctional (testicular feminization mutation, Tfm). Using Cre-LoxP technology we created males carrying induced dysfunctional AR allele (induced TFM; iTfm) to determine the brain regions responsible for T-induced anxiolysis. Read More

J Neuropsychol 2021 Mar 27. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder of childhood onset that is characterized by the occurrence of motor and vocal tics. TS is associated with cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuit [CSTC] dysfunction and hyper-excitability of cortical limbic and motor regions that are thought to lead to the occurrence of tics. Individuals with TS often report that their tics are preceded by 'premonitory sensory/urge phenomena' (PU) that are described as uncomfortable bodily sensations that precede the execution of a tic and are experienced as a strong urge for motor discharge. Read More

Syst Rev 2021 Mar 26;10(1):83. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 1-198 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350 83 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada.

Background: Frailty is a known risk factor for an array of adverse outcomes including more frequent and prolonged health services use and high health care costs. Aging of the population has implications for care provision across the care continuum, particularly for people living with frailty. Despite known risks associated with frailty, there has been limited research on care pathways that address the needs of persons living with frailty. Read More

Nature 2021 Mar 24. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Systemic insulin sensitivity shows a diurnal rhythm with a peak upon waking. The molecular mechanism that underlies this temporal pattern is unclear. Here we show that the nuclear receptors REV-ERB-α and REV-ERB-β (referred to here as 'REV-ERB') in the GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acid-producing) neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) (SCN neurons) control the diurnal rhythm of insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production in mice, without affecting diurnal eating or locomotor behaviours during regular light-dark cycles. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021 Mar 22. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Radiology, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, 200434, China.

Objectives: To develop and validate a nomogram for the preoperative prediction of pancreatic serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) based on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of 227 patients with SCN and MCN were analyzed. Each patient underwent MDCT and surgical resection. Read More

Front Plant Sci 2021 3;12:628491. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Desarrollo y Evolución de Plantas, Departamento de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.

The root stem cell niche (SCN) of consists of the quiescent center (QC) cells and the surrounding initial stem cells that produce progeny to replenish all the tissues of the root. The QC cells divide rather slowly relative to the initials, yet most root tissues can be formed from these cells, depending on the requirements of the plant. Hormones are fundamental cues that link such needs with the cell proliferation and differentiation dynamics at the root SCN. Read More

Exp Mech 2021 Jan 11;61(1):131-146. Epub 2020 Aug 11.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.

Background: The mechanical stimulus (i.e. stress or stretch) for growth occurring in the pressure-overloaded left ventricle (LV) is not exactly known. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021 Mar 20. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) comprise of a diverse array of pancreatic cysts, including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), serous cystic neoplasms (SCN), cystic neuroendocrine tumors (cNET), and many others. Increasing use of cross-sectional imaging has resulted in greater numbers of PCNs discovered incidentally. The overall risk of malignancy is low, but can vary considerably between different classes of PCNs. Read More

Inorg Chem 2021 Apr 18;60(7):4385-4396. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Centre for Nanoscience, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63121-4499, United States.

The five new copper(I) complexes [Cu(μ-Cl)(κ-PCP)] (), [Cu(μ-Br)(κ-PCP)] (), [Cu(μ-I)(κ-PCP)] (), [Cu(μ-CN)(κ-PCP)] (), and [Cu(μ-SCN)(κ-PCP)]·CHCl () bearing a 1,3-bis[(di--butylphosphino)methyl]benzene ligand were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically, and the molecular structures of , , and were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Structural studies for and revealed their binuclear structures with Cu···Cu separations of 2.609(3) and 2. Read More