bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Role for Nuclear Actin in HDAC 1 and 2 Regulation
Authors: Serebryannyy Leonid A. , Cruz Christina M. , de Lanerolle Primal
Published: June 2016

Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) are known to remove acetyl groups from histone tails. This liberates positive charges on the histone tail and allows for tighter winding of DNA, preventing transcription factor binding and gene activation. Although the functions of HDAC proteins are becoming apparent both biochemically and clinically, how this class of proteins is regulated remains poorly understood. We identified a novel interaction between nuclear actin and HDAC 1 and HDAC 2. Nuclear actin has been previously shown to interact with a growing list of nuclear proteins including chromatin remodeling complexes, transcription factors and RNA polymerases. We find that monomeric actin is able to bind the class I HDAC complex. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of actin in HeLa nuclear extracts was able to suppress overall HDAC function. Conversely, polymerizing nuclear actin increased HDAC activity and decreased histone acetylation. Moreover, the interaction between class I HDACs and nuclear actin was found to be activity dependent. Together, our data suggest nuclear actin is able to regulate HDAC 1 and 2 activity.
Amber Light (590 nm) Induces the Breakdown of Lipid Droplets through Autophagy-Related Lysosomal Degradation in Differentiated Adipocytes
Authors: Choi Min Sik , Kim Hyoung-June , Ham Mira , Choi Dong-Hwa , Lee Tae Ryong , Shin Dong Wook
Published: June 2016

Lipolysis in the adipocytes provides free fatty acids for other tissues in response to the energy demand. With the rapid increase in obesity-related diseases, finding novel stimuli or mechanisms that regulate lipid metabolism becomes important. We examined the effects of visible light (410, 457, 505, 530, 590, and 660 nm) irradiation on lipolysis regulation in adipocytes differentiated from human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Interestingly, 590 nm (amber) light irradiation significantly reduced the concentration of lipid droplets (LDs). We further investigated the lipolytic signaling pathways that are involved in 590 nm light irradiation-induced breakdown of LDs. Immunoblot analysis revealed that 590 nm light irradiation-induced phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was insufficient to promote reduction of LDs. We observed that 590 nm light irradiation decreased the expression of perilipin 1. We found that 590 nm light irradiation, but not 505 nm, induced conversion of LC3 I to LC3 II, a representative autophagic marker. We further demonstrated that the lysosomal inhibitors leupeptin/NH4Cl inhibited 590 nm light irradiation-induced reduction of LDs in differentiated adipocytes. Our data suggest that 590 nm light irradiation-induced LD breakdown is partially mediated by autophagy-related lysosomal degradation, and can be applied in clinical settings to reduce obesity.
Visualising the strain distribution in suspended two-dimensional materials under local deformation
Authors: Elibol Kenan , Bayer Bernhard C. , Hummel Stefan , Kotakoski Jani , Argentero Giacomo , Meyer Jannik C.
Published: June 2016

We demonstrate the use of combined simultaneous atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laterally resolved Raman spectroscopy to study the strain distribution around highly localised deformations in suspended two-dimensional materials. Using the AFM tip as a nanoindentation probe, we induce localised strain in suspended few-layer graphene, which we adopt as a two-dimensional membrane model system. Concurrently, we visualise the strain distribution under and around the AFM tip in situ using hyperspectral Raman mapping via the strain-dependent frequency shifts of the few-layer graphene’s G and 2D Raman bands. Thereby we show how the contact of the nm-sized scanning probe tip results in a two-dimensional strain field with μm dimensions in the suspended membrane. Our combined AFM/Raman approach thus adds to the critically required instrumental toolbox towards nanoscale strain engineering of two-dimensional materials.
Mitigating wildfire carbon loss in managed northern peatlands through restoration
Authors: Granath Gustaf , Moore Paul A. , Lukenbach Maxwell C. , Waddington James M.
Published: June 2016

Northern peatlands can emit large amounts of carbon and harmful smoke pollution during a wildfire. Of particular concern are drained and mined peatlands, where management practices destabilize an array of ecohydrological feedbacks, moss traits and peat properties that moderate water and carbon losses in natural peatlands. Our results demonstrate that drained and mined peatlands in Canada and northern Europe can experience catastrophic deep burns (>200 t C ha−1 emitted) under current weather conditions. Furthermore, climate change will cause greater water losses in these peatlands and subject even deeper peat layers to wildfire combustion. However, the rewetting of drained peatlands and the restoration of mined peatlands can effectively lower the risk of these deep burns, especially if a new peat moss layer successfully establishes and raises peat moisture content. We argue that restoration efforts are a necessary measure to mitigate the risk of carbon loss in managed peatlands under climate change.
A theoretical estimate for nucleotide sugar demand towards Chinese Hamster Ovary cellular glycosylation
Authors: del Val Ioscani Jimenez , Polizzi Karen M. , Kontoravdi Cleo
Published: June 2016

Glycosylation greatly influences the safety and efficacy of many of the highest-selling recombinant therapeutic proteins (rTPs). In order to define optimal cell culture feeding strategies that control rTP glycosylation, it is necessary to know how nucleotide sugars (NSs) are consumed towards host cell and rTP glycosylation. Here, we present a theoretical framework that integrates the reported glycoproteome of CHO cells, the number of N-linked and O-GalNAc glycosylation sites on individual host cell proteins (HCPs), and the carbohydrate content of CHO glycosphingolipids to estimate the demand of NSs towards CHO cell glycosylation. We have identified the most abundant N-linked and O-GalNAc CHO glycoproteins, obtained the weighted frequency of N-linked and O-GalNAc glycosites across the CHO cell proteome, and have derived stoichiometric coefficients for NS consumption towards CHO cell glycosylation. By combining the obtained stoichiometric coefficients with previously reported data for specific growth and productivity of CHO cells, we observe that the demand of NSs towards glycosylation is significant and, thus, is required to better understand the burden of glycosylation on cellular metabolism. The estimated demand of NSs towards CHO cell glycosylation can be used to rationally design feeding strategies that ensure optimal and consistent rTP glycosylation.
Focused ultrasound-enhanced intranasal brain delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Chen Hong , Yang Georgiana Zong Xin , Getachew Hoheteberhan , Acosta Camilo , Sierra Sánchez Carlos , Konofagou Elisa E.
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to unveil the potential mechanism of focused ultrasound (FUS)-enhanced intranasal (IN) brain drug delivery and assess its feasibility in the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Delivery outcomes of fluorescently-labeled dextrans to mouse brains by IN administration either before or after FUS sonication were compared to evaluate whether FUS enhances IN delivery by active pumping or passive diffusion. Fluorescence imaging of brain slices found that IN administration followed by FUS sonication achieved significantly higher delivery than IN administration only, while pre-treatment by FUS sonication followed by IN administration was not significantly different from IN administration only. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a promising neurotrophic factor for the treatment of many central nervous system diseases, was delivered by IN followed by FUS to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique and compared with the established FUS technique where drugs are injected intravenously. Immunohistochemistry staining of BDNF revealed that FUS-enhanced IN delivery achieved similar locally enhanced delivery as the established FUS technique. This study suggested that FUS enhances IN brain drug delivery by FUS-induced active pumping of the drug and demonstrated that FUS-enhanced IN delivery is a promising technique for noninvasive and localized delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain.
Physiological and molecular evidence of differential short-term heat tolerance in Mediterranean seagrasses
Authors: Marín-Guirao Lazaro , Ruiz Juan M. , Dattolo Emanuela , Garcia-Munoz Rocio , Procaccini Gabriele
Published: June 2016

The increase in extreme heat events associated to global warming threatens seagrass ecosystems, likely by affecting key plant physiological processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Understanding species’ ability to acclimate to warming is crucial to better predict their future trends. Here, we study tolerance to warming in two key Mediterranean seagrasses, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa. Stress responses of shallow and deep plants were followed during and after short-term heat exposure in mesocosms by coupling photo-physiological measures with analysis of expression of photosynthesis and stress-related genes. Contrasting tolerance and capacity to heat acclimation were shown by shallow and deep P. oceanica ecotypes. While shallow plants acclimated through respiratory homeostasis and activation of photo-protective mechanisms, deep ones experienced photosynthetic injury and impaired carbon balance. This suggests that P. oceanica ecotypes are thermally adapted to local conditions and that Mediterranean warming will likely diversely affect deep and shallow meadow stands. On the other hand, contrasting mechanisms of heat-acclimation were adopted by the two species. P. oceanica regulates photosynthesis and respiration at the level of control plants while C. nodosa balances both processes at enhanced rates. These acclimation discrepancies are discussed in relation to inherent attributes of the two species.
On the energy scale involved in the metal to insulator transition of quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12: infrared spectroscopy and ab-initio calculations
Authors: Brière B. , Kalinko A. , Yamada I. , Roy P. , Brubach J. B. , Sopracase R. , Zaghrioui M. , Phuoc V. Ta
Published: June 2016

Optical measurements were carried out by infrared spectroscopy on AA′3B4O12 A-site ordered quadruple perovskite EuCu3Fe4O12 (microscopic sample) as function of temperature. At 240 K (=TMI), EuCu3Fe4O12 undergoes a very abrupt metal to insulator transition, a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition and an isostructural transformation with an abrupt large volume expansion. Above TMI, optical conductivity reveals a bad metal behavior and below TMI, an insulating phase with an optical gap of 125 meV is observed. As temperature is decreased, a large and abrupt spectral weight transfer toward an energy scale larger than 1 eV is detected. Concurrently, electronic structure calculations for both high and low temperature phases were compared to the optical conductivity results giving a precise pattern of the transition. Density of states and computed optical conductivity analysis identified Cu3dxy, Fe3d and O2p orbitals as principal actors of the spectral weight transfer. The present work constitutes a first step to shed light on EuCu3Fe4O12 electronic properties with optical measurements and ab-initio calculations.
Mice that lack the C-terminal region of Reelin exhibit behavioral abnormalities related to neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Sakai Kaori , Shoji Hirotaka , Kohno Takao , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Hattori Mitsuharu
Published: June 2016

The secreted glycoprotein Reelin is believed to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders. The highly basic C-terminal region (CTR) of Reelin is necessary for efficient activation of its downstream signaling and the brain structure of knock-in mice that lack the CTR (ΔC-KI mice) is impaired. Here, we performed a comprehensive behavioral test battery on ΔC-KI mice, in order to evaluate the effects of partial loss-of-function of Reelin on brain functions. The ΔC-KI mice were hyperactive and exhibited reduced anxiety-like and social behaviors. The working memory in ΔC-KI mice was impaired in a T-maze test. There was little difference in spatial reference memory, depression-like behavior, prepulse inhibition, or fear memory between ΔC-KI and wild-type mice. These results suggest that CTR-dependent Reelin functions are required for some specific normal brain functions and that ΔC-KI mice recapitulate some aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
Encoding of mechanical nociception differs in the adult and infant brain
Authors: Fabrizi Lorenzo , Verriotis Madeleine , Williams Gemma , Lee Amy , Meek Judith , Olhede Sofia , Fitzgerald Maria
Published: June 2016

Newborn human infants display robust pain behaviour and specific cortical activity following noxious skin stimulation, but it is not known whether brain processing of nociceptive information differs in infants and adults. Imaging studies have emphasised the overlap between infant and adult brain connectome architecture, but electrophysiological analysis of infant brain nociceptive networks can provide further understanding of the functional postnatal development of pain perception. Here we hypothesise that the human infant brain encodes noxious information with different neuronal patterns compared to adults. To test this we compared EEG responses to the same time-locked noxious skin lance in infants aged 0–19 days (n = 18, clinically required) and adults aged 23–48 years (n = 21). Time-frequency analysis revealed that while some features of adult nociceptive network activity are present in infants at longer latencies, including beta-gamma oscillations, infants display a distinct, long latency, noxious evoked 18-fold energy increase in the fast delta band (2–4 Hz) that is absent in adults. The differences in activity between infants and adults have a widespread topographic distribution across the brain. These data support our hypothesis and indicate important postnatal changes in the encoding of mechanical pain in the human brain.
Intramolecular trimerization, a novel strategy for making multispecific antibodies with controlled orientation of the antigen binding domains
Authors: Alvarez-Cienfuegos Ana , Nuñez-Prado Natalia , Compte Marta , Cuesta Angel M. , Blanco-Toribio Ana , Harwood Seandean Lykke , Villate Maider , Merino Nekane , Bonet Jaume , Navarro Rocio , Muñoz-Briones Clara , Sørensen Karen Marie Juul , Mølgaard Kasper , Oliva Baldo , Sanz Laura , Blanco Francisco J. , Alvarez-Vallina Luis
Published: June 2016

Here, we describe a new strategy that allows the rapid and efficient engineering of mono and multispecific trivalent antibodies. By fusing single-domain antibodies from camelid heavy-chain-only immunoglobulins (VHHs) to the N-terminus of a human collagen XVIII trimerization domain (TIEXVIII) we produced monospecific trimerbodies that were efficiently secreted as soluble functional proteins by mammalian cells. The purified VHH-TIEXVIII trimerbodies were trimeric in solution and exhibited excellent antigen binding capacity. Furthermore, by connecting with two additional glycine-serine-based linkers three VHH-TIEXVIII modules on a single polypeptide chain, we present an approach for the rational design of multispecific tandem trimerbodies with defined stoichiometry and controlled orientation. Using this technology we report here the construction and characterization of a tandem VHH-based trimerbody capable of simultaneously binding to three different antigens: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Multispecific tandem VHH-based trimerbodies were well expressed in mammalian cells, had good biophysical properties and were capable of simultaneously binding their targeted antigens. Importantly, these antibodies were very effective in inhibiting the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Multispecific VHH-based trimerbodies are therefore ideal candidates for future applications in various therapeutic areas.
Mobile phone imaging and cloud-based analysis for standardized malaria detection and reporting
Authors: Scherr Thomas F. , Gupta Sparsh , Wright David W. , Haselton Frederick R.
Published: June 2016

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been widely deployed in low-resource settings. These tests are typically read by visual inspection and accurate record keeping and data aggregation remains a substantial challenge. A successful malaria elimination campaign will require new strategies that maximize the sensitivity of RDTs, reduce user error and integrate results reporting tools. In this report, an unmodified mobile phone was used to photograph RDTs, which were subsequently uploaded into a globally accessible database, REDCap and then analyzed three ways: with an automated image processing program, visual inspection and a commercial lateral flow reader. The mobile phone image processing detected 20.6 malaria parasites/microliter of blood, compared to the commercial lateral flow reader which detected 64.4 parasites/microliter. Experienced observers visually identified positive malaria cases at 12.5 parasites/microliter, but encountered reporting errors and false negatives. Visual interpretation by inexperienced users resulted in only an 80.2% true negative rate, with substantial disagreement in the lower parasitemia range. We have demonstrated that combining a globally accessible database, such as REDCap, with mobile phone based imaging of RDTs provides objective, secure, automated, data collection and result reporting. This simple combination of existing technologies would appear to be an attractive tool for malaria elimination campaigns.
Numerical Demultiplexing of Color Image Sensor Measurements via Non-linear Random Forest Modeling
Authors: Deglint Jason , Kazemzadeh Farnoud , Cho Daniel , Clausi David A. , Wong Alexander
Published: June 2016

The simultaneous capture of imaging data at multiple wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum is highly challenging, requiring complex and costly multispectral image devices. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of simultaneous multispectral imaging using conventional image sensors with color filter arrays via a novel comprehensive framework for numerical demultiplexing of the color image sensor measurements. A numerical forward model characterizing the formation of sensor measurements from light spectra hitting the sensor is constructed based on a comprehensive spectral characterization of the sensor. A numerical demultiplexer is then learned via non-linear random forest modeling based on the forward model. Given the learned numerical demultiplexer, one can then demultiplex simultaneously-acquired measurements made by the color image sensor into reflectance intensities at discrete selectable wavelengths, resulting in a higher resolution reflectance spectrum. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of such a method for the purpose of simultaneous multispectral imaging.
BcMtg2 is required for multiple stress tolerance, vegetative development and virulence in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Shao Wenyong , Zhang Yu , Wang Jin , Lv Chiyuan , Chen Changjun
Published: June 2016

InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, theMtg2gene encodes the Obg protein, which has an important function in assembling ribosomal subunits. However, little is known about the role of the Obg GTPase in filamentous fungi. In this study, we identified anMtg2ortholog,BcMtg2, inB. cinerea. TheBcMtg2deletion mutant showed a defect in spore production, conidial germination and sclerotial formation. Additionally, the mutant increased sensitivity to various environmental stresses. TheBcMtg2mutant exhibited dramatically decreased virulence on host plant tissues.BcMtg2mutant showed increased sensitivity to osmotic and oxidative stresses and to Congo red (cell wall stress agent). In the yeast complement assay, growth defects of yeast BY4741ΔMTG2 mutant were partly restored by genetic complementation ofBcMtg2under these environmental stresses. Additionally, compared with the parental strain and complement strain, theBcMtg2deletion mutant displayed a minor glycerol response to osmosis stress. These defective phenotypes were recovered in the complement strainΔBcMtg2C, which was created by adding the wild-typeBcMtg2gene to theΔBcMtg2mutant. The results of this study indicate thatBcMtg2has a necessary role in asexual development, environmental stress response and pathogenicity inB. cinerea.
Zolpidem is a potent stoichiometry-selective modulator of α1β3 GABAA receptors: evidence of a novel benzodiazepine site in the α1-α1 interface
Authors: Che Has Ahmad Tarmizi , Absalom Nathan , van Nieuwenhuijzen Petra S. , Clarkson Andrew N. , Ahring Philip K. , Chebib Mary
Published: June 2016

Zolpidem is not a typical GABAAreceptor hypnotic. Unlike benzodiazepines, zolpidem modulates tonic GABA currents in the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, exhibits residual effects in mice lacking the benzodiazepine binding site and improves speech, cognitive and motor function in human patients with severe brain injury. The receptor by which zolpidem mediates these effects is not known. In this study we evaluated binary α1β3 GABAAreceptors in either the 3α1:2β3 or 2α1:3β3 subunit stoichiometry, which differ by the existence of either an α1-α1 interface, or a β3-β3 interface, respectively. Both receptor stoichiometries are readily expressed inXenopusoocytes, distinguished from each other by using GABA, zolpidem, diazepam and Zn2+. At the 3α1:2β3 receptor, clinically relevant concentrations of zolpidem enhanced GABA in a flumazenil-sensitive manner. The efficacy of diazepam was significantly lower compared to zolpidem. No modulation by either zolpidem or diazepam was detected at the 2α1:3β3 receptor, indicating that the binding site for zolpidem is at the α1-α1 interface, a site mimicking the classical α1-γ2 benzodiazepine site. Activating α1β3 (3α1:2β3) receptors may, in part, mediate the physiological effects of zolpidem observed under distinct physiological and clinical conditions, constituting a potentially attractive drug target.
Risk of Band Keratopathy in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Weng Shih-Feng , Jan Ren-Long , Chang Chun , Wang Jhi-Joung , Su Shih-Bin , Huang Chien-Cheng , Tseng Sung-Huei , Chang Yuh-Shin
Published: June 2016

This study is a retrospective, nationwide, matched cohort study to investigate the risk of band keratopathy following end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The study cohort included 94,039 ESRD on-dialysis patients identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), code 585 and registered between January 2000 to December 2009 at the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. An age- and sex-matched control group comprised 94,039 patients selected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Information for each patient was collected from the index date until December 2011. In total, 230 ESRD patients and 26 controls had band keratopathy (P < 0.0001) during the follow-up period, indicating a significantly elevated risk of band keratopathy in the ESRD patients compared with controls (incidence rate ratio = 12.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.14–18.32). After adjustment for potential confounders including sarcoidosis, hyperparathyroidism, iridocyclitis and phthisis bulbi, ESRD patients were 11.56 times more likely to develop band keratopathy in the full cohort (adjusted HR = 11.56, 95% CI = 7.70–17.35). In conclusion, ESRD increases the risk of band keratopathy. Close interdisciplinary collaboration between nephrologists and ophthalmologists is important to deal with band keratopathy following ESRD and prevent visual acuity impairments.
A high-density genetic map and growth related QTL mapping in bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
Authors: Fu Beide , Liu Haiyang , Yu Xiaomu , Tong Jingou
Published: June 2016

Growth related traits in fish are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL), but no QTL for growth have been detected in bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) due to the lack of high-density genetic map. In this study, an ultra-high density genetic map was constructed with 3,121 SNP markers by sequencing 117 individuals in a F1 family using 2b-RAD technology. The total length of the map was 2341.27 cM, with an average marker interval of 0.75 cM. A high level of genomic synteny between our map and zebrafish was detected. Based on this genetic map, one genome-wide significant and 37 suggestive QTL for five growth-related traits were identified in 6 linkage groups (i.e. LG3, LG11, LG15, LG18, LG19, LG22). The phenotypic variance explained (PVE) by these QTL varied from 15.4% to 38.2%. Marker within the significant QTL region was surrounded by CRP1 and CRP2, which played an important role in muscle cell division. These high-density map and QTL information provided a solid base for QTL fine mapping and comparative genomics in bighead carp.
N-terminal tetrapeptide T/SPLH motifs contribute to multimodal activation of human TRPA1 channel
Authors: Hynkova Anna , Marsakova Lenka , Vaskova Jana , Vlachova Viktorie
Published: June 2016

Human transient receptor potential ankyrin channel 1 (TRPA1) is a polymodal sensor implicated in pain, inflammation and itching. An important locus for TRPA1 regulation is the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain, through which various exogenous electrophilic compounds such as allyl-isothiocyanate from mustard oil or cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon activate primary afferent nociceptors. This major region is comprised of a tandem set of 17 ankyrin repeats (AR1-AR17), five of them contain a strictly conserved T/SPLH tetrapeptide motif, a hallmark of an important and evolutionarily conserved contribution to conformational stability. Here, we characterize the functional consequences of putatively stabilizing and destabilizing mutations in these important structural units and identify AR2, AR6 and AR11-13 to be distinctly involved in the allosteric activation of TRPA1 by chemical irritants, cytoplasmic calcium and membrane voltage. Considering the potential involvement of the T/SP motifs as putative phosphorylation sites, we also show that proline-directed Ser/Thr kinase CDK5 modulates the activity of TRPA1 and that T673 outside the AR-domain is its only possible target. Our data suggest that the most strictly conserved N-terminal ARs define the energetics of the TRPA1 channel gate and contribute to chemical-, calcium- and voltage-dependence.
Three-dimensional bioprinting using self-assembling scalable scaffold-free “tissue strands” as a new bioink
Authors: Yu Yin , Moncal Kazim K. , Li Jianqiang , Peng Weijie , Rivero Iris , Martin James A. , Ozbolat Ibrahim T.
Published: June 2016

Recent advances in bioprinting have granted tissue engineers the ability to assemble biomaterials, cells and signaling molecules into anatomically relevant functional tissues or organ parts. Scaffold-free fabrication has recently attracted a great deal of interest due to the ability to recapitulate tissue biology by using self-assembly, which mimics the embryonic development process. Despite several attempts, bioprinting of scale-up tissues at clinically-relevant dimensions with closely recapitulated tissue biology and functionality is still a major roadblock. Here, we fabricate and engineer scaffold-free scalable tissue strands as a novel bioink material for robotic-assisted bioprinting technologies. Compare to 400 μm-thick tissue spheroids bioprinted in a liquid delivery medium into confining molds, near 8 cm-long tissue strands with rapid fusion and self-assemble capabilities are bioprinted in solid form for the first time without any need for a scaffold or a mold support or a liquid delivery medium and facilitated native-like scale-up tissues. The prominent approach has been verified using cartilage strands as building units to bioprint articular cartilage tissue.
Monogamy relation of multi-qubit systems for squared Tsallis-q entanglement
Authors: Yuan Guang-Ming , Song Wei , Yang Ming , Li Da-Chuang , Zhao Jun-Long , Cao Zhuo-Liang
Published: June 2016

Tsallis-q entanglement is a bipartite entanglement measure which is the generalization of entanglement of formation for q tending to 1. We first expand the range of q for the analytic formula of Tsallis-q entanglement. For "Equation missing", we prove the monogamy relation in terms of the squared Tsallis-q entanglement for an arbitrary multi-qubit systems. It is shown that the multipartite entanglement indicator based on squared Tsallis-q entanglement still works well even when the indicator based on the squared concurrence loses its efficacy. We also show that the μ-th power of Tsallis-q entanglement satisfies the monogamy or polygamy inequalities for any three-qubit state.
Insecticide resistance and nutrition interactively shape life-history parameters in German cockroaches
Authors: Jensen Kim , Ko Alexander E. , Schal Coby , Silverman Jules
Published: June 2016

Fitness-related costs of evolving insecticide resistance have been reported in a number of insect species, but the interplay between evolutionary adaptation to insecticide pressure and variable environmental conditions has received little attention. We provisioned nymphs from three German cockroach (Blattella germanicaL.) populations, which differed in insecticide resistance, with either nutritionally rich or poor (diluted) diet throughout their development. One population was an insecticide-susceptible laboratory strain; the other two populations originated from a field-collected indoxacarb-resistant population, which upon collection was maintained either with or without further selection with indoxacarb. We then measured development time, survival to the adult stage, adult body size, and results of a challenge with indoxacarb. Our results show that indoxacarb resistance and poor nutritional condition increased development time and lowered adult body size, with reinforcing interactions. We also found lower survival to the adult stage in the indoxacarb-selected population, which was exacerbated by poor nutrition. In addition, nutrition imparted a highly significant effect on indoxacarb susceptibility. This study exemplifies how poor nutritional condition can aggravate the life-history costs of resistance and elevate the detrimental effects of insecticide exposure, demonstrating how environmental conditions and resistance may interactively impact individual fitness and insecticide efficacy.
Bone Marrow Is a Reservoir for Cardiac Resident Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Na , Qi Xin , Han Zhibo , Liang Lu , Kong Deling , Han Zhongchao , Zhao Shihua , He Zuo-Xiang , Li Zongjin
Published: June 2016

Resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs) represent a responsive stem cell reservoir within the adult myocardium and have a significant function in myocardial homeostasis and injury. However, the distribution, origin, homing and possible therapeutic benefits of CSCs are still under discussion. Here we investigated whether bone marrow (BM) stem cells could contribute to repopulating the pool of CSCs in heart. The engraftment of BM cells in heart was detected at a low level after BM transplantation (BMT) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) could increase BM cells engraftment but not significant. We clarified that more than 50% CSCs are derived from BM and confirmed that BM-derived CSCs have similar characteristics with the host CSCs. Furthermore, we transplanted BM-derived CSCs into heart ischemia models and presented evidence for the first time that BM-derived CSCs can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo. In conclusions, BM stem cells could be a potential back-up source of CSCs for restoring heart function after injury or maintaining homeostasis of CSCs.
Real-time spectroscopic monitoring of photocatalytic activity promoted by graphene in a microfluidic reactor
Authors: Li Yifan , Lin Beichen , Ge Likai , Guo Hongchen , Chen Xinyi , Lu Miao
Published: June 2016

Photocatalytic microreactors have been utilized as rapid, versatile platforms for the characterization of photocatalysts. In this work, a photocatalytic microreactor integrated with absorption spectroscopy was proposed for the real-time monitoring of photocatalytic activity using different catalysts. The validity of this method was investigated by the rapid screening on the photocatalytic performance of a titanium oxide (TiO2)-decorated graphene oxide (GO) sheet for the degradation of methylene blue under monochromatic visible irradiation. The sampling interval time could be minimized to 10 s for achieving real-time detection. The best photocatalytic activity was observed for an optimized TiO2/GO weight mixing ratio of 7:11, with a reaction rate constant up to 0.067 min−1. The addition of GO into TiO2 enhances photocatalytic activity and adsorption of MB molecules. The synthetic reaction rate constant was up to approximately 0.11 min−1, which was also the highest among the catalysts. The microreactor exhibited good sensitivity and reproducibility without weakening the performance of the photocatalysts. Consequently, the photocatalytic microreactor is promising as a simple, portable and rapid screening tool for new photocatalysts.
Loss of flotillin expression results in weakened desmosomal adhesion and Pemphigus vulgaris-like localisation of desmoglein-3 in human keratinocytes
Authors: Völlner Frauke , Ali Jawahir , Kurrle Nina , Exner Yvonne , Eming Rüdiger , Hertl Michael , Banning Antje , Tikkanen Ritva
Published: June 2016

Desmosomes are adhesion plaques that mediate cell-cell adhesion in many tissues, including the epidermis, and generate mechanical resistance to tissues. The extracellular domains of desmosomal cadherin proteins, desmogleins and desmocollins, are required for the interaction with cadherins of the neighbouring cells, whereas their cytoplasmic tails associate with cytoplasmic proteins which mediate connection to intermediate filaments. Disruption of desmosomal adhesion by mutations, autoantibodies or bacterial toxins results in severe human disorders of e.g. the skin and the heart. Despite the vital role of desmosomes in various tissues, the details of their molecular assembly are not clear. We here show that the two members of the flotillin protein family directly interact with the cytoplasmic tails of desmogleins. Depletion of flotillins in human keratinocytes results in weakened desmosomal adhesion and reduced expression of desmoglein-3, most likely due to a reduction in the desmosomal pool due to increased turnover. In the absence of flotillins, desmoglein-3 shows an altered localisation pattern in the cell-cell junctions of keratinocytes, which is highly similar to the localisation observed upon treatment with pemphigus vulgaris autoantibodies. Thus, our data show that flotillins, which have previously been connected to the classical cadherins, are also of importance for the desmosomal cell adhesion.
Calcitonin attenuates cartilage degeneration and nociception in an experimental rat model of osteoarthritis: role of TGF-β in chondrocytes
Authors: Wen Zhi-Hong , Tang Chi-Chieh , Chang Yi-Chen , Huang Shi-Ying , Lin Yen-You , Hsieh Shih-Peng , Lee Hsin-Pai , Lin Sung-Chun , Chen Wu-Fu , Jean Yen-Hsuan
Published: June 2016

We investigated the role of the calcitonin (Miacalcin) in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and in nociceptive behavior in an experimental rat model of OA and osteoporosis. OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) of the right knee and by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) in Wistar rats. Nociceptive behaviors (secondary mechanical allodynia and weight-bearing distribution of the hind paws) were analyzed prior to surgery and every week, beginning at 12 weeks after surgery, up to 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, histopathological studies were performed on the cartilage of the knee joints. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the effect of calcitonin on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression in articular cartilage chondrocytes. Rats subjected to ACLT + OVX surgery showed obvious OA changes in the joints. Animals subjected to ACLT + OVX and treated with calcitonin showed significantly less cartilage degeneration and improved nociceptive tests compared with animals subjected to ACLT + OVX surgeries alone. Moreover, calcitonin increased TGF-β1 expression in chondrocytes in ACLT + OVX-affected cartilage. Subcutaneous injection of calcitonin (1) attenuated the development of OA, (2) concomitantly reduced nociception, and (3) modulated chondrocyte metabolism, possibly by increasing cellular TGF-β1 expression.
Fabrication of Laser-reduced Graphene Oxide in Liquid Nitrogen Environment
Authors: Guan Y. C. , Fang Y. W. , Lim G. C. , Zheng H. Y. , Hong M. H.
Published: June 2016

Porous structure of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) plays an important role in developing flexible graphene-based devices. In this work, we report a novel methodology for reduction of freestanding graphite oxide (GO) sheet by picosecond pulse laser direct writing in liquid nitrogen. Non-agglomerate and porous structure of rGO is fabricated successfully due to frozen effect during laser processing. Compared with laser-irradiated rGO developed in N2 gas at ambient environment, the frozen rGO developed in liquid N2 shows better ordered structure with less defects, crack-free morphology as well as better electron supercapacitor performance including 50–60 Ω/sq in sheet electrical resistance. Mechanism of cryotemperature photoreduction GO is also discussed.
Circular dichroism spectroscopy of membrane proteins
Authors: Miles A. J. , Wallace B. A.
Published: June 2016

Circular dichroism spectra of helical bundle (red), beta barrel (blue), and mixed helical/sheet/unordered (green) membrane proteins.
Improvement in ionization efficiency of direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) by corona discharge
Authors: Sekimoto Kanako , Sakakura Motoshi , Kawamukai Takatomo , Hike Hiroshi , Shiota Teruhisa , Usui Fumihiko , Bando Yasuhiko , Takayama Mitsuo
Published: June 2016

Occurrence of a plasma jet by a combination of DC corona discharges with conventional DART results in significant improvement of DART ionization efficiency.
A gas-diffusion microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) coupled with portable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS): facile determination of sulphite in wines
Authors: Chen Miao , Yang Hua , Rong Liya , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: June 2016

A novel facile method for on-site determination of sulphite in wine using a gas-diffusion microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was explored.
Carbon nanotubes functionalized by click chemistry as scaffolds for the preparation of electrochemical immunosensors. Application to the determination of TGF-beta 1 cytokine
Authors: Sánchez-Tirado E. , González-Cortés A. , Yáñez-Sedeño P. , Pingarrón J. M.
Published: June 2016

The first electrochemical immunosensor for TGF-β1 cytokine in human serum based on carbon nanotubes functionalized by click chemistry is reported.
Naked-eye sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and pyrophosphate (PPi) based on a horseradish peroxidase catalytic colorimetric system with Cu(ii)
Authors: Shi Dongmin , Sun Yue , Lin Lin , Shi Chunjun , Wang Guangfeng , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a novel colorimetric method for the detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and pyrophosphate (PPi) was designed based on a Cu2+–horseradish peroxidase (HRP)–3,3′,5,5′-tetra-methylbenzidine (TMB)–H2O2 system.
A simple and sensitive method for the determination of iodide and iodate in raw, ultraviolet- and ozone-treated aquacultural seawater samples using ion chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet detector
Authors: Rodriguez E. Sanz , Setiawan A. N. , Pope S. , Haddad P. R. , Nesterenko P. N. , Paull B.
Published: June 2016

A new and sensitive ion chromatographic method for the speciation of iodine in aquacultural seawater samples has been developed.
Structures and magnetism of mono-palladium and mono-platinum doped Au25(PET)18nanoclusters
Authors: Tian Shubo , Liao Lingwen , Yuan Jinyun , Yao Chuanhao , Chen Jishi , Yang Jinlong , Wu Zhikun
Published: June 2016

Herein we report the crystal structures of [Au24Pt(PET)18]0and [Au24Pd(PET)18]0as well as the main source of magnetism in [Au25(PET)18]0.
Novel and scalable solid-state synthesis of a nanocrystalline FeF3/C composite and its excellent electrochemical performance
Authors: Lee Jangwook , Kang Byoungwoo
Published: June 2016

A scalable solid-state reaction is presented to synthesize an FeF3 cathode material by using PTFE as a source of both fluorine and carbon.
Facile growth of well-dispersed and ultra-small MoS2nanodots in ordered mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Shanshan , Li Chengyi , Qian Min , Bu Juan , Wang Jianxin , Huang Rongqin
Published: June 2016

Well-dispersed and ultra-small 2H phase MoS2nanodots were incorporated into MSNs using a facile confined growth method.
Phosphate bioisostere containing amphiphiles: a novel class of squaramide-based lipids
Authors: Saha Abhishek , Panda Subhankar , Paul Saurav , Manna Debasis
Published: June 2016

We describe a novel class of amphiphiles with squaramide moiety as a phosphate bioisostere.
Transition metal (Ti, Mo, Nb, W) nitride catalysts for lignin depolymerisation
Authors: Chen Long , Korányi Tamás I. , Hensen Emiel J. M.
Published: June 2016

Metal nitrides are promising catalysts for depolymerisation of lignin in supercritical ethanol; cheap and abundant titanium nitride affords an aromatic monomer yield of 19 wt% from soda lignin.
Hierarchically porous bio-inspired films prepared by combining “breath figure” templating and selectively degradable block copolymer directed self-assembly
Authors: Bertrand Arthur , Bousquet Antoine , Lartigau-Dagron Christine , Billon Laurent
Published: June 2016

Hierarchically porous bio-inspired honeycomb films prepared by combining the breath figure bottom-up process and selectively degradable block copolymer directed self-assembly.
Direct planting of ultrafine MoO2+δ nanoparticles in carbon nanofibers by electrospinning: self-supported mats as binder-free and long-life anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Xu Henghui , Huang Yunhui , Hu Xianluo
Published: June 2016

Three-dimensional interconnected carbon nanofibrous mats containing well-dispersed MoO2+δ nanocrystals are fabricated through electrospinning for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes.
Nanostructured water and carbon dioxide inside collapsing carbon nanotubes at high pressure
Authors: Cui Wenwen , Cerqueira Tiago F. T. , Botti Silvana , Marques Miguel A. L. , San-Miguel Alfonso
Published: June 2016

We present simulations of the collapse under hydrostatic pressure of carbon nanotubes containing either water or carbon dioxide.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of Ir(iii)/Re(i) dyads: control of Ir→Re photoinduced energy transfer
Authors: Saad Suad T. , Metherell Alexander J. , Baggaley Elizabeth , Ward Michael D.
Published: June 2016

The extent of Ir→Re photoinduced energy transfer in Ir(iii)/Re(i) dyads can be controlled using a solvent-sensitive conformationally flexible bridging ligand.
Double-decker bis(tetradiazepinoporphyrazinato) rare earth complexes: crucial role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding
Authors: Tarakanova Ekaterina N. , Trashin Stanislav A. , Simakov Anton O. , Furuyama Taniyuki , Dzuban Alexander V. , Inasaridze Liana N. , Tarakanov Pavel A. , Troshin Pavel A. , Pushkarev Victor E. , Kobayashi Nagao , Tomilova Larisa G.
Published: June 2016

Study focuses on specific interactions in diazepine-containing macroheterocycles.
Three novel Cu6S6 cluster-based coordination compounds: synthesis, framework modulation and the sensing of small molecules and Fe3+ ions
Authors: Song Jiang-Feng , Li Si-Zhe , Zhou Rui-Sha , Shao Jia , Qiu Xiao-Min , Jia Ying-Ying , Wang Jun , Zhang Xiao
Published: June 2016

Three novel Cu6S6 cluster-based coordination compounds all display strong red light emission and naked eye colorimetric sensing for nitrobenzene, 2-nitrotoluene and Fe3+ ions.
Synthesis of a series of amino acid derived ionic liquids and tertiary amines: green chemistry metrics including microbial toxicity and preliminary biodegradation data analysis
Authors: Jordan Andrew , Haiß Annette , Spulak Marcel , Karpichev Yevgen , Kümmerer Klaus , Gathergood Nicholas
Published: June 2016

A series ofl-phenylalanine andl-tyrosine derived ionic liquids and tertiary amines were evaluated according to principles of green chemistry.
Combining enzyme and photoredox catalysis for aminoalkylation of indoles via a relay catalysis strategy in one pot
Authors: He Yan-Hong , Xiang Yang , Yang Da-Cheng , Guan Zhi
Published: June 2016

A strategy for combining enzyme and visible-light for mild aminoalkylation of indoles via a relay catalysis reaction is described.
Catalytic and mechanistic insights into the production of ethyl levulinate from biorenewable feedstocks
Authors: Ahmad Ejaz , Alam Md. Imteyaz , Pant K. K. , Haider M. Ali
Published: June 2016

Reaction mechanisms and properties of catalyst materials for the synthesis of ethyl levulinate.
Integrative volumetric bar-chart chip for rapid and quantitative point-of-care detection of myocardial infarction biomarkers
Authors: Song Yujun , Wang Yuzhen , Qi Wenjin , Li Ying , Xuan Jie , Wang Ping , Qin Lidong
Published: June 2016

Here we developed an integrated volumetric bar-chart chip (IV-Chip) technology by integration of our previous V-Chip with a fluid handling design to generate an instrument-free POC device and greatly reduce the detection time and effort.
Developmental exposure to paraquat and maneb can impair cognition, learning and memory in Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Li Bai , He Xi , Sun Yan , Li Baixiang
Published: June 2016

PQ–MB may affect the behavior and cognitive function of rat offspring through the cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling pathway.
Nitrogen versus phosphorus nucleophiles – how changing the nucleophilic heteroatom affects ionic liquid solvent effects in bimolecular nucleophilic substitution processes
Authors: Schaffarczyk McHale Karin S. , Hawker Rebecca R. , Harper Jason B.
Published: June 2016

Changing the nucleophile gave different ionic liquid effects, showing the importance of interactions with all species along the reaction coordinate.
Nauclea latifolia: biological activity and alkaloid phytochemistry of a West African tree
Authors: Boucherle Benjamin , Haudecoeur Romain , Queiroz Emerson Ferreira , De Waard Michel , Wolfender Jean-Luc , Robins Richard J. , Boumendjel Ahcène
Published: June 2016

We review the correlation between extracted compounds fromNauclea latifoliaand their pharmacological activity, with a special focus on infectious diseases and neurological-related disorders, including analgesia. We also critically analyse the reported natural origin of tramadol extracted fromN. latifolia.
Identification of a positive-Seebeck-coefficient exohedral fullerene
Authors: Almutlaq Nasser , Al-Galiby Qusiy , Bailey Steven , Lambert Colin J.
Published: June 2016

If fullerene-based thermoelectricity is to become a viable technology, then fullerenes exhibiting both positive and negative Seebeck coefficients are needed.
New azo-decorated N-pyrrolidinylthiazoles: synthesis, properties and an unexpected remote substituent effect transmission
Authors: Boga Carla , Cino Silvia , Micheletti Gabriele , Padovan Daniele , Prati Luca , Mazzanti Andrea , Zanna Nicola
Published: June 2016

A series of new 5-azo substituted derivatives from 2-N-pyrrolidinylthiazole show an hindered rotation around the C2–N bond in good correlation with the sigma constants of the substituents on the ‘remote’ benzene ring.
Recent advances in catalytic decarboxylative acylation reactions via a radical process
Authors: Guo Li-Na , Wang Hua , Duan Xin-Hua
Published: June 2016

This review highlights the recent advances in radical decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions of α-keto acids which provide powerful tools for C–C and C–X bond formations.