bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quasiparticle approach to diffusional atomic scale self-assembly of complex structures: from disorder to complex crystals and double-helix polymers
Authors: Lavrskyi Mykola , Zapolsky Helena , Khachaturyan Armen G
Published: January 2016

A self-organisation is an universal phenomenon in nature and, in particular, is highly important in materials systems. Our goal was to develop a new theory that provides a computationally effective approach to this problem. In this paper a quasiparticle theory of a diffusional self-organisation of atoms in continuum space during the diffusional time scale has been introduced. This became possible due to two novelties, a concept of quasiparticles, fratons, used for a description of dynamic degrees of freedom and model Hamiltonian taking into account a directionality, length and strength of interatomic bonds. To illustrate a predictive power and achievable level of complexity of self-assembled structures, the challenging cases of self-assembling of the diamond, zinc-blende, helix and double-helix structures, from a random atomic distribution, have been successfully modelled. This approach opens a way to model a self-assembling of complex atomic and molecular structures in the atomic scale during diffusional time.
Whole mitochondrial DNA sequencing in Alpine populations and the genetic history of the Neolithic Tyrolean Iceman
Authors: Coia V. , Cipollini G. , Anagnostou P. , Maixner F. , Battaggia C. , Brisighelli F. , Gómez-Carballa A , Destro Bisol G. , Salas A. , Zink A.
Published: January 2016

The Tyrolean Iceman is an extraordinarily well-preserved natural mummy that lived south of the Alpine ridge ~5,200 years before present (ybp), during the Copper Age. Despite studies that have investigated his genetic profile, the relation of the Iceman´s maternal lineage with present-day mitochondrial variation remains elusive. Studies of the Iceman have shown that his mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) belongs to a novel lineage of haplogroup K1 (K1f) not found in extant populations. We analyzed the complete mtDNA sequences of 42 haplogroup K bearing individuals from populations of the Eastern Italian Alps – putatively in genetic continuity with the Tyrolean Iceman—and compared his mitogenome with a large dataset of worldwide K1 sequences. Our results allow a re-definition of the K1 phylogeny and indicate that the K1f haplogroup is absent or rare in present-day populations. We suggest that mtDNA Iceman´s lineage could have disappeared during demographic events starting in Europe from ~5,000 ybp. Based on the comparison of our results with published data, we propose a scenario that could explain the apparent contrast between the phylogeographic features of maternal and paternal lineages of the Tyrolean Iceman within the context of the demographic dynamics happening in Europe from 8,000 ybp.
Anisotropic Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of Highly Oriented Electrodeposited Bi2Te3 Films
Authors: Manzano Cristina V. , Abad Begoña , Muñoz Rojo Miguel , Koh Yee Rui , Hodson Stephen L. , Lopez Martinez Antonio M. , Xu Xianfan , Shakouri Ali , Sands Timothy D. , Borca-Tasciuc Theodorian , Martin-Gonzalez Marisol
Published: January 2016

Highly oriented [1 1 0] Bi2Te3 films were obtained by pulsed electrodeposition. The structure, composition and morphology of these films were characterized. The thermoelectric figure of merit (zT), both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate surface, were determined by measuring the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity in each direction. At 300 K, the in-plane and out-of-plane figure of merits of these Bi2Te3 films were (5.6 ± 1.2)·10−2 and (10.4 ± 2.6)·10−2, respectively.
A CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre/Lox system-based express vaccine development strategy against re-emerging Pseudorabies virus
Authors: Liang Xun , Sun Leqiang , Yu Teng , Pan Yongfei , Wang Dongdong , Hu Xueying , Fu Zhenfang , He Qigai , Cao Gang
Published: January 2016

Virus evolves rapidly to escape vaccine-induced immunity, posing a desperate demand for efficient vaccine development biotechnologies. Here we present an express vaccine development strategy based on CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre/Lox system against re-emerging Pseudorabies virus, which caused the recent devastating swine pseudorabies outbreak in China. By CRISPR/Cas9 system, the virulent genes of the newly isolated strain were simultaneously substituted by marker genes, which were subsequently excised using Cre/Lox system for vaccine safety concern. Notably, single cell FACS technology was applied to further promote virus purification efficiency. The combination of these state-of-art technologies greatly accelerated vaccine development. Finally, vaccination and challenge experiments proved this vaccine candidate’s protective efficacy in pigs and the promise to control current pseudorabies outbreak. This is, to our knowledge, the first successful vaccine development based on gene edit technologies, demonstrating these technologies leap from laboratory to industry. It may pave the way for future express antiviral vaccine development.
Nested Machine Learning Facilitates Increased Sequence Content for Large-Scale Automated High Resolution Melt Genotyping
Authors: Fraley Stephanie I. , Athamanolap Pornpat , Masek Billie J. , Hardick Justin , Carroll Karen C. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Rothman Richard E. , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Wang Tza-Huei , Yang Samuel
Published: January 2016

High Resolution Melt (HRM) is a versatile and rapid post-PCR DNA analysis technique primarily used to differentiate sequence variants among only a few short amplicons. We recently developed a one-vs-one support vector machine algorithm (OVO SVM) that enables the use of HRM for identifying numerous short amplicon sequences automatically and reliably. Herein, we set out to maximize the discriminating power of HRM + SVM for a single genetic locus by testing longer amplicons harboring significantly more sequence information. Using universal primers that amplify the hypervariable bacterial 16 S rRNA gene as a model system, we found that long amplicons yield more complex HRM curve shapes. We developed a novel nested OVO SVM approach to take advantage of this feature and achieved 100% accuracy in the identification of 37 clinically relevant bacteria in Leave-One-Out-Cross-Validation. A subset of organisms were independently tested. Those from pure culture were identified with high accuracy, while those tested directly from clinical blood bottles displayed more technical variability and reduced accuracy. Our findings demonstrate that long sequences can be accurately and automatically profiled by HRM with a novel nested SVM approach and suggest that clinical sample testing is feasible with further optimization.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: METTL13 is downregulated in bladder carcinoma and suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zhang Guojun , Kong Chuize , Zhan Bo , Dong Xiao , Man Xiaojun
Published: January 2016

The incidence of bladder cancer has increased in the last few decades, thus novel markers for early diagnosis and more efficacious treatment are urgently needed. It found that METTTL13 protein is aberrant expression in variety of human cancers and METTL13 was involved in oncogenic pathways. However, the role of METTL13 has been unexplored in bladder cancer to date. Here, expression of METTL13 was lower in bladder cancer tissue samples and cancer cell lines than in normal bladder tissue and cell lines. METTL13 was downregulated in the late stages of the disease and was maintained at low level throughout the tumor progression process based on tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging. Further research suggested that METTL13 negatively regulates cell proliferation in bladder cancer and reinstates G1/S checkpoint via the coordinated downregulation of CDK6, CDK4 and CCND1, decreased phosphorylation of Rb and subsequent delayed cell cycle progression. Moreover, METTL13-dependent inhibition of bladder cancer cell migration and invasion is mediated by downregulation of FAK (Focal adhesion kinase) phosphorylation, AKT (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene) phosphorylation, β-catenin expression and MMP-9 expression. These integrated efforts have identified METTL13 as a tumor suppressor and might provide promising approaches for bladder cancer treatment and prevention.
Geographic origin and evolutionary history of China’s two predominant HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC
Authors: Feng Yi , Takebe Yutaka , Wei Huamian , He Xiang , Hsi Jenny H. , Li Zhenpeng , Xing Hui , Ruan Yuhua , Yang Yao , Li Fan , Wei Jing , Li Xingguang , Shao Yiming
Published: January 2016

To determine the origin and evolutionary history of two predominant and closely-related circulating recombinant forms (CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC), recombinant structures and phylogenies of 7 unique recombinant forms comprised of subtypes of B’ (Thai B linage) and C (designated URFs_BC) from archival specimens of injection drug users (IDUs) collected in 1996 to 1998 from western Yunnan and 4 circulating recombinant forms with B’/C recombinants recently identified (designated nCRFs_BC) in China were compared with those of CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC. The results showed that 5 of 7 URFs_BC and all the nCRFs_BC shared recombination breakpoints with CRF07_BC and/or CRF08_BC. Yunnan URFs_BC consistently occupied the basal branch positions compared with CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC and nCRFs_BC in phylogenetic trees. The estimated most recent common ancestors (tMRCA) for Yunnan URFs_BC were from ~1987, approximately half a decade earlier than those for CRF07_BC (~1994) and CRF08_BC (~1992). Discrete phylogeographic and spatial diffusion analysis revealed that both CRF07_BC and CRF08 BC came from western Yunnan in the early 1990s. Our results provide compelling evidence for western Yunnan as the geographic origin of CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC, which emerged from a swarm of URFs_BC by a series of recombination events in western Yunnan in the early 1990s.
Water as an agent for the morphology modification of metal oxalate materials on the nanoscale: from sheets to rods
Authors: Kim Minog , Kim YooJin , Kwon WonJong , Yoon Sungho
Published: January 2016

A number of approaches have been used to control the shape of metal oxalates, which often used as precursors for metal oxide nanomaterials. However, attempts to use water as a regulator have not been reported. Here in we report systematic studies on related topics: nanosheets, composed of 1-dimensional [M(C2O4)(EG)] (M = Zn or Co) polymeric structure, could be transformed into nanorods by using water as a shape-shifting agent because water can readily substitute EG ligand, leading alternation of inter-chain hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, heat-treatment of these nanomaterials with diverse morphologies resulted in porous metal oxides with high degrees of shape retention.
Dietary component isorhamnetin is a PPARγ antagonist and ameliorates metabolic disorders induced by diet or leptin deficiency
Authors: Zhang Yu , Gu Ming , Cai Wujie , Yu Lijing , Feng Li , Zhang Lu , Zang Qingqing , Wang Yahui , Wang Dongshan , Chen Hui , Tong Qingchun , Ji Guang , Huang Cheng
Published: January 2016

Studies on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ ligands have been focused on agonists. However, PPARγ activation may induce obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most challenging medical conditions. Here, we identified that isorhamnetin, a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables and the metabolite of quercetin, is a novel antagonist of PPARγ. Isorhamnetin treatment inhibited the adipocyte differentiation induced by the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, reduced obesity development and ameliorated hepatic steatosis induced by both high-fat diet treatment and leptin deficiency. Our results suggest that dietary supplement of isorhamnetin may be beneficial to prevent obesity and steatosis and PPARγ antagonists may be useful to treat hepatic steatosis.
Cysteine Dioxygenase Type 1 Inhibits Osteogenesis by Regulating Wnt Signaling in Primary Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Deng Peng , Feng Jie , Wang Zheng , Xiang Zichao , Han Xianglong , Bai Ding , Pae Eung-Kwon
Published: January 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells, which can give rise to variety of cell types, including adipocytes and osteoblasts. Previously, we have shown that cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (Cdo1) promoted adipogenesis of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes via interaction with Pparγ. However, the role of Cdo1 in osteogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that expression of Cdo1 was elevated during osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. Interestingly, knockdown of Cdo1 by siRNA led to an increased expression of osteogenic related genes, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and enhanced mineralization. Overexpression of Cdo1 in BMSCs inversely suppressed the osteogenesis. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of Cdo1 impaired Wnt signaling and restricted the Wnt3a induced expression of osteogenic transcriptional factors, such as Runx2 and Dlx5. Collectively, our findings indicate Cdo1 suppresses osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, through a potential mechanism which involves in Wnt signaling reduction concomitantly.
Interplay Between Intracellular Ca2+ Oscillations and Ca2+-stimulated Mitochondrial Metabolism
Authors: Wacquier Benjamin , Combettes Laurent , Van Nhieu Guy Tran , Dupont Geneviève
Published: January 2016

Oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration are a widespread mode of signalling. Oscillatory spikes rely on repetitive exchanges of Ca2+ between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the cytosol, due to the regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. Mitochondria also sequester and release Ca2+, thus affecting Ca2+ signalling. Mitochondrial Ca2+ activates key enzymes involved in ATP synthesis. We propose a new integrative model for Ca2+ signalling and mitochondrial metabolism in electrically non-excitable cells. The model accounts for (1) the phase relationship of the Ca2+ changes in the cytosol, the ER and mitochondria, (2) the dynamics of mitochondrial metabolites in response to cytosolic Ca2+ changes and (3) the impacts of cytosol/mitochondria Ca2+ exchanges and of mitochondrial metabolism on Ca2+ oscillations. Simulations predict that as expected, oscillations are slowed down by decreasing the rate of Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria, but also by decreasing the rate of Ca2+ influx through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU). These predictions were experimentally validated by inhibiting MCU expression. Despite the highly non-linear character of Ca2+ dynamics and mitochondrial metabolism, bioenergetics were found to be robust with respect to changes in frequency and amplitude of Ca2+ oscillations.
NRF2 Is a Key Target for Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss by Reducing Oxidative Damage of Cochlea
Authors: Honkura Yohei , Matsuo Hirotaka , Murakami Shohei , Sakiyama Masayuki , Mizutari Kunio , Shiotani Akihiro , Yamamoto Masayuki , Morita Ichiro , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Kawase Tetsuaki , Katori Yukio , Motohashi Hozumi
Published: January 2016

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common sensorineural hearing deficits. Recent studies have demonstrated that the pathogenesis of NIHL is closely related to ischemia-reperfusion injury of cochlea, which is caused by blood flow decrease and free radical production due to excessive noise. This suggests that protecting the cochlea from oxidative stress is an effective therapeutic approach for NIHL. NRF2 is a transcriptional activator playing an essential role in the defense mechanism against oxidative stress. To clarify the contribution of NRF2 to cochlear protection, we examined Nrf2–/– mice for susceptibility to NIHL. Threshold shifts of the auditory brainstem response at 7 days post-exposure were significantly larger in Nrf2–/– mice than wild-type mice. Treatment with CDDO-Im, a potent NRF2-activating drug, before but not after the noise exposure preserved the integrity of hair cells and improved post-exposure hearing levels in wild-type mice, but not in Nrf2–/– mice. Therefore, NRF2 activation is effective for NIHL prevention. Consistently, a human NRF2 SNP was significantly associated with impaired sensorineural hearing levels in a cohort subjected to occupational noise exposure. Thus, high NRF2 activity is advantageous for cochlear protection from noise-induced injury and NRF2 is a promising target for NIHL prevention.
The proprotein convertase PC1/3 regulates TLR9 trafficking and the associated signaling pathways
Authors: Duhamel M. , Rodet F. , Murgoci A. N. , Desjardins R. , Gagnon H. , Wisztorski M. , Fournier I. , Day R. , Salzet M.
Published: January 2016

Endosomal TLR9 is considered as a potent anti-tumoral therapeutic target. Therefore, it is crucial to decipher the mechanisms controlling its trafficking since it determines TLR9 activation and signalling. At present, the scarcity of molecular information regarding the control of this trafficking and signalling is noticeable. We have recently demonstrated that in macrophages, proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) is a key regulator of TLR4 Myd88-dependent signalling. In the present study, we established that PC1/3 also regulates the endosomal TLR9. Under CpG-ODN challenge, we found that PC1/3 traffics rapidly to co-localize with TLR9 in CpG-ODN-containing endosomes with acidic pH. In PC1/3 knockdown macrophages, compartmentalization of TLR9 was altered and TLR9 clustered in multivesicular bodies (MVB) as demonstrated by co-localization with Rab7. This demonstrates that PC1/3 controls TLR9 trafficking. This clustering of TLR9 in MVB dampened the anti-inflammatory STAT3 signalling pathway while it promoted the pro-inflammatory NF-kB pathway. As a result, macrophages from PC1/3 KO mice and rat PC1/3-KD NR8383 macrophages secreted more pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL6, IL1α and CXCL2. This is indicative of a M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype. Therefore, PC1/3 KD macrophages represent a relevant mean for cell therapy as “Trojan” macrophages.
Revisiting the concept of a symmetric index of agreement for continuous datasets
Authors: Duveiller Gregory , Fasbender Dominique , Meroni Michele
Published: January 2016

Quantifying how close two datasets are to each other is a common and necessary undertaking in scientific research. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient r is a widely used measure of the degree of linear dependence between two data series, but it gives no indication of how similar the values of these series are in magnitude. Although a number of indexes have been proposed to compare a dataset with a reference, only few are available to compare two datasets of equivalent (or unknown) reliability. After a brief review and numerical tests of the metrics designed to accomplish this task, this paper shows how an index proposed by Mielke can, with a minor modification, satisfy a series of desired properties, namely to be adimensional, bounded, symmetric, easy to compute and directly interpretable with respect to r. We thus show that this index can be considered as a natural extension to r that downregulates the value of r according to the bias between analysed datasets. The paper also proposes an effective way to disentangle the systematic and the unsystematic contribution to this agreement based on eigen decompositions. The use and value of the index is also illustrated on synthetic and real datasets.
Blueberry Component Pterostilbene Protects Corneal Epithelial Cells from Inflammation via Anti-oxidative Pathway
Authors: Li Jin , Ruzhi Deng  , Hua Xia , Zhang Lili , Lu Fan , Coursey Terry G. , Pflugfelder Stephen C. , Li De-Quan
Published: January 2016

Blueberries have been recognized to possess protective properties from inflammation and various diseases, but not for eye and ocular disorders. This study explores potential benefits of pterostilbene (PS), a natural component of blueberries, in preventing ocular surface inflammation using an in vitro culture model of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to hyperosmotic medium at 450 mOsM. Gene expression was detected by RT-qPCR and protein production or activity was determined by ELISA, zymography, Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using DCFDA kit. The addition of PS significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HCECs exposed to hyperosmotic medium. Pre-treatment with PS (5 to 20 μM) suppressed ROS overproduction in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, PS significantly decreased the levels of oxidative damage biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), aconitase-2 and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Importantly, PS was found to rebalance homeostasis between oxygenases and anti-oxidative enzymes by decreasing cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression and restoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4) during hyperosmotic stress. Our findings demonstrate that PS protects human cornea from hyperosmolarity-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting protective effects of PS on dry eye.
Polarized Raman scattering study of kesterite type Cu2ZnSnS4 single crystals
Authors: Guc Maxim , Levcenko Sergiu , Bodnar Ivan V. , Izquierdo-Roca Victor , Fontane Xavier , Volkova Larisa V. , Arushanov Ernest , Pérez-Rodríguez Alejandro
Published: January 2016

A non-destructive Raman spectroscopy has been widely used as a complimentary method to X-ray diffraction characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films, yet our knowledge of the Raman active fundamental modes in this material is far from complete. Focusing on polarized Raman spectroscopy provides important information about the relationship between Raman modes and CZTS crystal structure. In this framework the zone–center optical phonons of CZTS, which is most usually examined in active layers of the CZTS based solar cells, are studied by polarized resonant and non-resonant Raman spectroscopy in the range from 60 to 500 cm−1 on an oriented single crystal. The phonon mode symmetry of 20 modes from the 27 possible vibrational modes of the kesterite structure is experimentally determined. From in-plane angular dependences of the phonon modes intensities Raman tensor elements are also derived. Whereas a strong intensity enhancement of the polar E and B symmetry modes is induced under resonance conditions, no mode intensity dependence on the incident and scattered light polarization configurations was found in these conditions. Finally, Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relations are applied to estimate the ratios of the static to high-frequency optic dielectric constants parallel and perpendicular to c-optical axis.
Inhibiting the immunoproteasome exacerbates the pathogenesis of systemic Candida albicans infection in mice
Authors: Mundt Sarah , Basler Michael , Buerger Stefanie , Engler Harald , Groettrup Marcus
Published: January 2016

Apart from its role in MHC class I antigen processing, the immunoproteasome has recently been implicated in the modulation of T helper cell differentiation under polarizing conditions in vitro and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases in vivo. In this study, we investigated the influence of LMP7 on T helper cell differentiation in response to the fungus Candida albicans. We observed a strong effect of ONX 0914, an LMP7-selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome, on IFN-γ and IL-17A production by murine splenocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with C. albicans in vitro. Using a murine model of systemic candidiasis, we could confirm reduced generation of IFN-γ- and IL-17A-producing cells in ONX 0914 treated mice in vivo. Interestingly, ONX 0914 treatment resulted in increased susceptibility to systemic candidiasis, which manifested at very early stages of infection. Mice treated with ONX 0914 showed markedly increased kidney and brain fungal burden which resulted in enhanced neutrophil recruitment and immunopathology. Together, these results strongly suggest a role of the immunoproteasome in promoting proinflammatory T helper cells in response to C. albicans but also in affecting the innate antifungal immunity in a T helper cell-independent manner.
The nutritional and hedonic value of food modulate sexual receptivity in Drosophila melanogaster females
Authors: Gorter Jenke A. , Jagadeesh Samyukta , Gahr Christoph , Boonekamp Jelle J. , Levine Joel D. , Billeter Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2016

Food and sex often go hand in hand because of the nutritional cost of reproduction. For Drosophila melanogaster females, this relationship is especially intimate because their offspring develop on food. Since yeast and sugars are important nutritional pillars for Drosophila, availability of these foods should inform female reproductive behaviours. Yet mechanisms coupling food and sex are poorly understood. Here we show that yeast increases female sexual receptivity through interaction between its protein content and its odorous fermentation product acetic acid, sensed by the Ionotropic odorant receptor neuron Ir75a. A similar interaction between nutritional and hedonic value applies to sugars where taste and caloric value only increase sexual receptivity when combined. Integration of nutritional and sensory values would ensure that there are sufficient internal nutrients for egg production as well as sufficient environmental nutrients for offspring survival. These findings provide mechanisms through which females may maximize reproductive output in changing environments.
Transcription factor NFAT1 controls allergic contact hypersensitivity through regulation of activation induced cell death program
Authors: Kwon Ho-Keun , Kim Gi-Cheon , Hwang Ji Sun , Kim Young , Chae Chang-Suk , Nam Jong Hee , Jun Chang-Duk , Rudra Dipayan , Surh Charles D. , Im Sin-Hyeog
Published: January 2016

Allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is an inflammatory skin disease mediated by allergen specific T cells. In this study, we investigated the role of transcription factor NFAT1 in the pathogenesis of contact hypersensitivity. NFAT1 knock out (KO) mice spontaneously developed CHS-like skin inflammation in old age. Healthy young NFAT1 KO mice displayed enhanced susceptibility to hapten-induced CHS. Both CD4+and CD8+T cells from NFAT1 KO mice displayed hyper-activated properties and produced significantly enhanced levels of inflammatory T helper 1(Th1)/Th17 type cytokines. NFAT1 KO T cells were more resistant to activation induced cell death (AICD) and regulatory T cells derived from these mice showed a partial defect in their suppressor activity. NFAT1 KO T cells displayed a reduced expression of apoptosis associated BCL-2/BH3 family members. Ectopic expression of NFAT1 restored the AICD defect in NFAT1 KO T cells and increased AICD in normal T cells. Recipient Rag2−/−mice transferred with NFAT1 KO T cells showed more severe CHS sensitivity due to a defect in activation induced hapten-reactive T cell apoptosis. Collectively, our results suggest the NFAT1 plays a pivotal role as a genetic switch in CD4+/CD8+T cell tolerance by regulating AICD process in the T cell mediated skin inflammation.
Magnetic phase separation in double layer ruthenates Ca3(Ru1−xTix)2O7
Authors: Peng Jin , Liu J. Y. , Hu J. , Mao Z. Q. , Zhang F. M. , Wu X. S.
Published: January 2016

A phase transition from metallic AFM-b antiferromagnetic state to Mott insulating G-type antiferromagnetic (G-AFM) state was found in Ca3(Ru1−xTix)2O7 at about x = 0.03 in our previous work. In the present, we focused on the study of the magnetic transition near the critical composition through detailed magnetization measurements. There is no intermediate magnetic phases between the AFM-b and G-AFM states, which is in contrasted to manganites where a similar magnetic phase transition takes place through the presence of several intermediate magnetic phases. The AFM-b-to-G-AFM transition in Ca3(Ru1−xTix)2O7 happens through a phase separation process in the 2–5% Ti range, whereas similar magnetic transitions in manganites are tuned by 50–70% chemical substitutions. We discussed the possible origin of such an unusual magnetic transition and compared with that in manganites.
Mechanistic understanding of MeHg-Se antagonism in soil-rice systems: the key role of antagonism in soil
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Dang Fei , Evans R. Douglas , Zhong Huan , Zhao Jiating , Zhou Dongmei
Published: January 2016

Methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation in rice has great implications for human health. Here, effects of selenium (Se) on MeHg availability to rice are explored by growing rice under soil or foliar fertilization with Se. Results indicate that soil amendment with Se could reduce MeHg levels in soil and grain (maximally 73%). In contrast, foliar fertilization with Se enhanced plant Se levels (3–12 folds) without affecting grain MeHg concentrations. This evidence, along with the distinct distribution of MeHg and Se within the plant, demonstrate for the first time that Se-induced reduction in soil MeHg levels (i.e., MeHg-Se antagonism in soil) rather than MeHg-Se interactions within the plant might be the key process triggering the decreased grain MeHg levels under Se amendment. The reduction in soil MeHg concentrations could be mainly attributed to the formation of Hg-Se complexes (detected by TEM-EDX and XANES) and thus reduced microbial MeHg production. Moreover, selenite and selenate were equally effective in reducing soil MeHg concentrations, possibly because of rapid changes in Se speciation. The dominant role of Se-induced reduction in soil MeHg levels, which has been largely underestimated previously, together with the possible mechanisms advance our mechanistic understanding about MeHg dynamics in soil-rice systems.
Harnessing click detectors for the genuine characterization of light states
Authors: Heilmann René , Sperling Jan , Perez-Leija Armando , Gräfe Markus , Heinrich Matthias , Nolte Stefan , Vogel Werner , Szameit Alexander
Published: January 2016

The key requirement for harnessing the quantum properties of light is the capability to detect and count individual photons. Of particular interest are photon-number-resolving detectors, which allow one to determine whether a state of light is classical or genuinely quantum. Existing schemes for addressing this challenge rely on a proportional conversion of photons to electrons. As such, they are capable of correctly characterizing small photon fluxes, yet are limited by uncertainties in the conversion rate. In this work, we employ a divide-and-conquer approach to infallibly discerning non-classicality of states of light. This is achieved by transforming the incident fields into uniform spatial distributions that readily lend themselves for characterization by standard on-off detectors. Since the exact statistics of the light stream in multiplexed on-off detectors are click statistics, our technique is freely scalable to accommodate–in principle–arbitrarily large photon fluxes. Our experiments pave the way towards genuine integrated photon-number-resolving detection for advanced on-chip photonic quantum networks.
A New Raman Metric for the Characterisation of Graphene oxide and its Derivatives
Authors: King Alice A. K. , Davies Benjamin R. , Noorbehesht Nikan , Newman Peter , Church Tamara L. , Harris Andrew T. , Razal Joselito M. , Minett Andrew I.
Published: January 2016

Raman spectroscopy is among the primary techniques for the characterisation of graphene materials, as it provides insights into the quality of measured graphenes including their structure and conductivity as well as the presence of dopants. However, our ability to draw conclusions based on such spectra is limited by a lack of understanding regarding the origins of the peaks. Consequently, traditional characterisation techniques, which estimate the quality of the graphene material using the intensity ratio between the D and the G peaks, are unreliable for both GO and rGO. Herein we reanalyse the Raman spectra of graphenes and show that traditional methods rely upon an apparent G peak which is in fact a superposition of the G and D’ peaks. We use this understanding to develop a new Raman characterisation method for graphenes that considers the D’ peak by using its overtone the 2D’. We demonstrate the superiority and consistency of this method for calculating the oxygen content of graphenes and use the relationship between the D’ peak and graphene quality to define three regimes. This has important implications for purification techniques because, once GO is reduced beyond a critical threshold, further reduction offers limited gain in conductivity.
Mumps virus-induced innate immune responses in mouse Sertoli and Leydig cells
Authors: Wu Han , Shi Lili , Wang Qing , Cheng Lijing , Zhao Xiang , Chen Qiaoyuan , Jiang Qian , Feng Min , Li Qihan , Han Daishu
Published: January 2016

Mumps virus (MuV) infection frequently causes orchitis and impairs male fertility. However, the mechanisms underlying the innate immune responses to MuV infection in the testis have yet to be investigated. This study showed that MuV induced innate immune responses in mouse Sertoli and Leydig cells through TLR2 and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling, which result in the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, CXCL10 and type 1 interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β). By contrast, MuV did not induce the cytokine production in male germ cells. In response to MuV infection, Sertoli cells produced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines but lower levels of type 1 IFNs than Leydig cells did. The MuV-induced cytokine production by Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly reduced by the knockout of TLR2 or the knockdown of RIG-I signaling. The local injection of MuV into the testis triggered the testicular innate immune responses in vivo. Moreover, MuV infection suppressed testosterone synthesis by Leydig cells. This is the first study examining the innate immune responses to MuV infection in testicular cells. The results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the MuV-induced innate immune responses in the testis.
A novel zinc(ii) and hydrogen sulphate selective fluorescent “turn-on” chemosensor based on isonicotiamide: INHIBIT type's logic gate and application in cancer cell imaging
Authors: Tayade Kundan , Bondhopadhyay Banashree , Keshav Karunesh , Sahoo Suban K. , Basu Anupam , Singh Jasmider , Singh Narinder , Nehete Dileep T. , Kuwar Anil
Published: January 2016

We have developed a novel isonicotiamide-based fluorescent “turn-on” chemosensor 1 for the selective detection of Zn2+ and HSO4−.
Exonuclease I-aided homogeneous electrochemical strategy for organophosphorus pesticide detection based on enzyme inhibition integrated with a DNA conformational switch
Authors: Wang Xiuzhong , Dong Shanshan , Hou Ting , Liu Lei , Liu Xiaojuan , Li Feng
Published: January 2016

A homogeneous electrochemical strategy for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and configuration change of hairpin DNA probes was developed.
Pesticide analysis using nanoceria-coated paper-based devices as a detection platform
Authors: Nouanthavong Souksanh , Nacapricha Duangjai , Henry Charles S. , Sameenoi Yupaporn
Published: January 2016

A simple, low-cost, and rapid detection of organophosphate pesticides using a paper-based device coated with nanoceria.
Genetically anchored fluorescent probes for subcellular specific imaging of hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Chen Jianwei , Zhao Mingkun , Jiang Xiqian , Sizovs Antons , Wang Meng C. , Provost Christopher R. , Huang Jia , Wang Jin
Published: January 2016

Imaging hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the subcellular resolution will greatly improve the understanding of functions of this signaling molecule.
Multiple detection of single nucleotide polymorphism by microarray-based resonance light scattering assay with enlarged gold nanoparticle probes
Authors: Gao Jiaxue , Ma Lan , Lei Zhen , Wang Zhenxin
Published: January 2016

A gold nanoparticle enlargement assisted DNA microarray-based RLS assay has been developed for multiplexed detection of single nucleotide polymorphism with high sensitivity.
A fluorescent molecular capsule with a flexible polyaromatic shell for the detection of monoterpene compounds in water
Authors: Suzuki Akira , Kondo Kei , Sei Yoshihisa , Akita Munetaka , Yoshizawa Michito
Published: January 2016

A new molecular capsule composed of U-shaped polyaromatic amphiphiles was synthesized and acts as a fluorescent supramolecular probe for recognizing various monoterpenes in water.
Rational design and diversity-oriented synthesis of peptoid-based selective HDAC6 inhibitors
Authors: Diedrich D. , Hamacher A. , Gertzen C. G. W. , Alves Avelar L. A. , Reiss G. J. , Kurz T. , Gohlke H. , Kassack M. U. , Hansen F. K.
Published: January 2016

A mini library of selective HDAC6 inhibitors with peptoid-based cap groups was synthesized using an efficient multicomponent approach.
Rectangular Co3O4 with micro-/nanoarchitectures: charge-driven PDDA-assisted synthesis and excellent lithium storage performance
Authors: Wang Bin , Tang Yuanyuan , Lu Xiao-Ying , Fung Sau Long , Wong King Yan , Au Wai Kuen , Wu Pengfei
Published: January 2016

The charge-driven hydrothermal strategy is successfully applied to the synthesis of two dimensional (2D) rectangular Co3O4 with micro-/nanoarchitectures, which demonstrate excellent lithium storage performance for batteries.
Preparation of graphene oxide and polymer-like quantum dots and their one- and two-photon induced fluorescence properties
Authors: Huang Jia Jia , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu
Published: January 2016

Highly fluorescent N-doped graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) and polymer-like quantum dots (PQDs) were developed by one-step microwave assisted pyrolysis.
Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of M(N2)n+ (M = Y, La, Ce; n = 7–8) in the gas phase
Authors: Xie Hua , Shi Lei , Xing Xiaopeng , Tang Zichao
Published: January 2016

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and theoretical calculation reveal the coexistence of two isomers in the seven-coordinate M(N2)7+ and eight-coordinate M(N2)8+ complexes, respectively.
ZnO nanorod/porous silicon nanowire hybrid structures as highly-sensitive NO2 gas sensors at room temperature
Authors: Liao Jiecui , Li Zhengcao , Wang Guojing , Chen Chienhua , Lv Shasha , Li Mingyang
Published: January 2016

The obtained hybrid structures (ZnO nanorod/porous silicon nanowires) could be applied as highly sensitive NO2 gas sensors at room temperature.
Oligothiophene wires: impact of torsional conformation on the electronic structure
Authors: Kislitsyn D. A. , Taber B. N. , Gervasi C. F. , Zhang L. , Mannsfeld S. C. B. , Prell J. S. , Briseno A. L. , Nazin G. V.
Published: January 2016

Different torsional conformations of alkyl-substituted oligothiophenes show nearly identical progressions of particle-in-a-box-like electronic orbitals.
A computational investigation on the substrate preference of ten-eleven-translocation 2 (TET2)
Authors: Lu Junyan , Hu Lulu , Cheng Jingdong , Fang Dong , Wang Chen , Yu Kunqian , Jiang Hualiang , Cui Qiang , Xu Yanhui , Luo Cheng
Published: January 2016

Computational modelling reveals the key step and atomic details for the substrate preference of TET2.
The donor OH stretching–libration dynamics of hydrogen-bonded methanol dimers in cryogenic matrices
Authors: Heger M. , Andersen J. , Suhm M. A. , Wugt Larsen R.
Published: January 2016

FTIR spectra of the methanol dimer trapped in neon matrices are presented.
Laser-driven phase transitions in aqueous colloidal gold nanoparticles under high pressure: picosecond pump–probe study
Authors: Hashimoto Shuichi , Katayama Tetsuro , Setoura Kenji , Strasser Michael , Uwada Takayuki , Miyasaka Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

Pulsed-laser illumination of aqueous gold colloids under high pressure enables evaporation from liquid droplets surrounded by a supercritical water layer.
Fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for the detection of humidity or water content
Authors: Jung Hyo Sung , Verwilst Peter , Kim Won Young , Kim Jong Seung
Published: January 2016

Recent advances in the field of fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for water content/humidity are described.
Strain-induced helical chirality in polyaromatic systems
Authors: Rickhaus Michel , Mayor Marcel , Juríček Michal
Published: January 2016

Design principles to induce helical chirality in polyaromatic structures as an interplay of various forces are analysed to categorise known examples from the literature into three main classes: helicenes (left), twistacenes (middle) and bannisters (right).
A novel copper(ii)–lanthanum(iii) metal organic framework as a selective catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of benzylic hydrocarbons and cycloalkenes
Authors: Cancino P. , Vega A. , Santiago-Portillo Andrea , Navalon Sergio , Alvaro Mercedes , Aguirre P. , Spodine E. , García Hermenegildo
Published: January 2016

The synthesis and catalytic activity of a novel heteronuclear CuIIand LaIIImetal organic framework (MOF) having pyridinedicarboxylic acid (CuLa-MOF) is reported.
Synthesis of silanol-rich long-life polysilsesquioxane liquids by cosolvent-free hydrolytic polycondensation of organotrimethoxysilanes followed by aging
Authors: Sakuragi Arata , Igarashi Yuta , Kajihara Koichi , Kanamura Kiyoshi
Published: January 2016

Silanol-rich polysilsesquioxane liquids with long-term viscosity stability are formed in a facile manner from organotrimethoxysilane–water binary systems via aging.
Drug delivery function of carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin modified upconversion nanoparticles for adamantine phthalocyanine and their NIR-triggered cancer treatment
Authors: Wang Ao , Jin Weiwei , Chen Enyi , Zhou Jiahong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shaohua
Published: January 2016

In this manuscript COOH-β-CD was used to connect UCNPs and Ad-ZnPc. The system has a strong NIR light triggered PDT activity toward cancer cells.
Electroactive edge site-enriched nickel–cobalt sulfide into graphene frameworks for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Juan , Yu Chang , Fan Xiaoming , Liang Suxia , Li Shaofeng , Huang Huawei , Ling Zheng , Hao Ce , Qiu Jieshan
Published: January 2016

The integrated hybrid architectures composed of edge site-enriched nickel–cobalt sulfide (Ni–Co–S) nanoparticles and graphene as advanced materials for asymmetric supercapacitors are configured, delivering a superb rate capability.
Design of anaerobic membrane bioreactors for the valorization of dilute organic carbon waste streams
Authors: Shoener Brian D. , Zhong Cheng , Greiner Anthony D. , O. Khunjar Wendell , Hong Pei-Ying , Guest Jeremy S.
Published: January 2016

Aqueous waste organics are an abundant resource generated continuously by industry and human metabolism.
Speciation of vanadium in urban, industrial and volcanic soils by a modified Tessier method
Authors: Orecchio Santino , Amorello Diana , Barreca Salvatore , Pettignano Alberto
Published: January 2016

Vanadium (V) concentrations in industrial, urban and volcanic soils were sequentially extracted using a modified Tessier's method.
Regional air quality in Leipzig, Germany: detailed source apportionment of size-resolved aerosol particles and comparison with the year 2000
Authors: van Pinxteren D. , Fomba K. W. , Spindler G. , Müller K. , Poulain L. , Iinuma Y. , Löschau G. , Hausmann A. , Herrmann H.
Published: January 2016

A detailed source apportionment of size-resolved aerosol particles in the area of Leipzig, Germany, was performed. Sampling took place at four sites (traffic, traffic/residential, urban background, regional background) in parallel during summer 2013 and the winters 2013/14/15. Twenty-one samples were taken per season with a 5-stage Berner impactor and analysed for particulate mass, inorganic ions, organic and elemental carbon, water-soluble organic carbon, trace metals, and a wide range of organic species. The compositional data were used to estimate source contributions to particulate matter (PM) in quasi-ultrafine (up to 140 nm), accumulation mode, and coarse size ranges using Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) receptor modelling. Traffic (exhaust and general traffic emissions), coal combustion, biomass combustion, photochemistry, general secondary formation, cooking, fungal spores, urban dust, fresh sea/road salt, and aged sea salt were all found to contribute to different extents to observed PM concentrations. PMF derived estimates agreed reasonably with estimates from established macrotracer approaches. Quasi-ultrafine PM originated mainly from traffic (20–50%) and photochemistry (30–50%) in summer, while it was dominated by solid fuel (mainly biomass) combustion in winter (50–70%). Tentatively identified cooking aerosol contributed up to 36% on average at the residential site. For accumulation mode particles, two secondary sources typically contributed 40–90% to particle mass. In winter, biomass and coal combustion contributions were up to ca. 25% and 45%, respectively. Main sources of coarse particles were diverse and included nearly all PMF-resolved ones depending on season and air mass origin. For PM10, traffic (typically 20–40% at kerbside sites), secondary formation (30–60%), biomass combustion (10–15% in winter), and coal combustion (30–40% in winter with eastern air mass inflow) were the main quantified sources. At the residential site, contributions from biomass combustion derived up to 60% from local emissions. Coal combustion as a significant source was only present during eastern air mass inflow and showed very similar concentrations at all sites, indicating the importance of trans-boundary air pollution transport in the study area. Overall, nearly half of the PM10 mass was attributed to urban sources by a simple subtractive approach with highest reduction potentials of up to 80% for local (urban) mitigation measures in ultrafine and coarse particles. Local increments of elemental carbon have decreased by about 50% as compared to the year 2000, corroborating results from a former study on the positive effects of a low emission zone, implemented in Leipzig in 2011.
Colorimetric β-lactamase inhibitor assay with double catalyzed signal amplification
Authors: Chen Chen , Lv Jun , Chen Wanyi , Xiang Yang , Zhang Juan
Published: January 2016

A simple and effective AuNP-based colorimetric method with both β-lactamase and Cu(ii) catalyzed signal amplification.
A reversible fluorescent chemosensor for the rapid sensing of CN− in water: utilization of the intramolecular charge transfer blocking
Authors: Wei Tai-Bao , Zhu Yuan-Rong , Li Hui , Yan Guo-Tao , Lin Qi , Yao Hong , Zhang You-Ming
Published: January 2016

A reversible fluorescent sensor combines naphthyridine groups as signaling subunits and the presence of the active hydrogen of the primary amine confers the recognition capacity toward cyanide ions in water.
Catalytic activity of silicon carbide nanotubes and nanosheets for oxidation of CO: a DFT study
Authors: Nematollahi Parisa , Esrafili Mehdi D.
Published: January 2016

The use of SiC nanosheets and nanotubes as active metal-free catalysts is recommended for the oxidation of CO.
Superabsorbent enhanced-catalytic core/shell nanocomposites hydrogels for efficient water decolorization
Authors: Morsi Rania E. , Elsalamony Radwa A.
Published: January 2016

In-situ inverse-emulsion polymerization and crosslinking of acrylamide in presence of metal oxides nanoparticles producing core/shell hydrogel nanocomposites for water decolorization.
Precise and reversible band gap tuning in single-layer MoSe2 by uniaxial strain
Authors: Island Joshua O. , Kuc Agnieszka , Diependaal Erik H. , Bratschitsch Rudolf , van der Zant Herre S. J. , Heine Thomas , Castellanos-Gomez Andres
Published: January 2016

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the change in band gap of monolayer MoSe2 with uniform, uniaxial strain.
Multivalency in the recognition and antagonism of a HIV TAR RNA–TAT assembly using an aminoglycoside benzimidazole scaffold
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Ranjan Nihar , Kellish Patrick , Gong Changjun , Watkins Derrick , Arya Dev P.
Published: January 2016

Recognition of RNA by high-affinity binding small molecules is crucial for expanding existing approaches in RNA recognition, and for the development of novel RNA binding drugs.