bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroglobin mediates neuroprotection of hypoxic postconditioning against transient global cerebral ischemia in rats through preserving the activity of Na+/K+ ATPases
Authors: Wen Haixia , Liu Liu , Zhan Lixuan , Liang Donghai , Li Luxi , Liu Dandan , Sun Weiwen , Xu En
Published: May 2018

Hypoxic postconditioning (HPC) is an innovative neuroprotective strategy with cytoprotective effects on the hippocampal neurons against transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) in adult rats. However, its molecular mechanisms have not yet been adequately elucidated. Neuroglobin (Ngb) is an endogenous neuroprotectant with hypoxia-inducible property, and its role in experimental stroke has been increasingly attractive. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore the involvement of Ngb in HPC-mediated neuroprotection and to further investigate its underlying molecular mechanism. We found that HPC increased Ngb expression in CA1 subregion after tGCI. Also, the inhibition of Ngb expression with Ngb antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODNs) eliminated the neuroprotective effect mediated by HPC, whereas overexpression of Ngb ameliorated neuronal damage in CA1 after tGCI, indicating that HPC conferred neuroprotective effects via upregulation of Ngb. We further showed that HPC increased the membranous level of Na+/K+ ATPases β1 subunit (Atp1b1) in CA1 after tGCI. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ngb upregulation in CA1 after HPC maintained the membranous level of Atp1b1 through Ngb–Atp1b1 interaction and reduced the glutathionylation of membranous Atp1b1 via suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately preserving the activity of NKA. Taken together, these data indicate that Ngb is involved in the neuroprotection of HPC against tGCI via maintenance of NKA activity in the hippocampal CA1.
Pseudopodium-enriched atypical kinase 1 mediates angiogenesis by modulating GATA2-dependent VEGFR2 transcription
Authors: Wang Huawei , Lapek John , Fujimura Ken , Strnadel Jan , Liu Bei , Gonzalez David J. , Zhang Wei , Watson Felicia , Yu Vicky , Liu Chao , Melo Carina Muccilo , Miller Yury I. , Elliott Kathryn C. , Cheresh David A. , Klemke Richard L.
Published: May 2018

PEAK1 is a newly described tyrosine kinase and scaffold protein that transmits integrin-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) signals to facilitate cell movement and growth. While aberrant expression of PEAK1 has been linked to cancer progression, its normal physiological role in vertebrate biology is not known. Here we provide evidence that PEAK1 plays a central role in orchestrating new vessel formation in vertebrates. Deletion of the PEAK1 gene in zebrafish, mice, and human endothelial cells (ECs) induced severe defects in new blood vessel formation due to deficiencies in EC proliferation, survival, and migration. Gene transcriptional and proteomic analyses of PEAK1-deficient ECs revealed a significant loss of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) mRNA and protein expression, as well as downstream signaling to its effectors, ERK, Akt, and Src kinase. PEAK1 regulates VEGFR2 expression by binding to and increasing the protein stability of the transcription factor GATA-binding protein 2 (GATA2), which controls VEGFR2 transcription. Importantly, PEAK1-GATA2-dependent VEGFR2 expression is mediated by EC adhesion to the ECM and is required for breast cancer-induced new vessel formation in mice. Also, elevated expression of PEAK1 and VEGFR2 mRNA are highly correlated in many human cancers including breast cancer. Together, our findings reveal a novel PEAK1-GATA2-VEGFR2 signaling axis that integrates cell adhesion and growth factor cues from the extracellular environment necessary for new vessel formation during vertebrate development and cancer.
Mucosal-associated invariant T cells are a profibrogenic immune cell population in the liver
Authors: Hegde Pushpa , Weiss Emmanuel , Paradis Valérie , Wan Jinghong , Mabire Morgane , Sukriti Sukriti , Rautou Pierre-Emmanuel , Albuquerque Miguel , Picq Olivia , Gupta Abhishak Chandra , Ferrere Gladys , Gilgenkrantz Hélène , Kiaf Badr , Toubal Amine , Beaudoin Lucie , Lettéron Philippe , Moreau Richard , Lehuen Agnès , Lotersztajn Sophie
Published: May 2018

Liver fibrosis is the common response to chronic liver injury, and leads to cirrhosis and its complications. Persistent inflammation is a driving force of liver fibrosis progression. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are non-conventional T cells that display altered functions during chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we show that circulating MAIT cells are reduced in patients with alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related cirrhosis while they accumulate in liver fibrotic septa. Using two models of chronic liver injury, we demonstrate that MAIT cell-enriched mice show increased liver fibrosis and accumulation of hepatic fibrogenic cells, whereas MAIT cell-deficient mice are resistant. Co-culture experiments indicate that MAIT cells enhance the proinflammatory properties of monocyte-derived macrophages, and promote mitogenic and proinflammatory functions of fibrogenic cells, via distinct mechanisms. Our results highlight the profibrogenic functions of MAIT cells and suggest that targeting MAIT cells may constitute an attractive antifibrogenic strategy during chronic liver injury.
Recurrent rearrangements of FOS and FOSB define osteoblastoma
Authors: Fittall Matthew W. , Mifsud William , Pillay Nischalan , Ye Hongtao , Strobl Anna-Christina , Verfaillie Annelien , Demeulemeester Jonas , Zhang Lei , Berisha Fitim , Tarabichi Maxime , Young Matthew D. , Miranda Elena , Tarpey Patrick S. , Tirabosco Roberto , Amary Fernanda , Grigoriadis Agamemnon E. , Stratton Michael R. , Van Loo Peter , Antonescu Cristina R. , Campbell Peter J. , Flanagan Adrienne M. , Behjati Sam
Published: May 2018

The transcription factor FOS has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of bone tumours, following the discovery that the viral homologue, v-fos, caused osteosarcoma in laboratory mice. However, mutations of FOS have not been found in human bone-forming tumours. Here, we report recurrent rearrangement of FOS and its paralogue, FOSB, in the most common benign tumours of bone, osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma. Combining whole-genome DNA and RNA sequences, we find rearrangement of FOS in five tumours and of FOSB in one tumour. Extending our findings into a cohort of 55 cases, using FISH and immunohistochemistry, provide evidence of ubiquitous mutation of FOS or FOSB in osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma. Overall, our findings reveal a human bone tumour defined by mutations of FOS and FOSB.
Mitochondrial DNA is unsuitable to test for isolation by distance
Authors: Teske Peter R. , Golla Tirupathi Rao , Sandoval-Castillo Jonathan , Emami-Khoyi Arsalan , van der Lingen Carl D. , von der Heyden Sophie , Chiazzari Brent , Jansen van Vuuren Bettine , Beheregaray Luciano B.
Published: May 2018

Tests for isolation by distance (IBD) are the most commonly used method of assessing spatial genetic structure. Many studies have exclusively used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences to test for IBD, but this marker is often in conflict with multilocus markers. Here, we report a review of the literature on IBD, with the aims of determining (a) whether significant IBD is primarily a result of lumping spatially discrete populations, and (b) whether microsatellite datasets are more likely to detect IBD when mtDNA does not. We also provide empirical data from four species in which mtDNA failed to detect IBD by comparing these with microsatellite and SNP data. Our results confirm that IBD is mostly found when distinct regional populations are pooled, and this trend disappears when each is analysed separately. Discrepancies between markers were found in almost half of the studies reviewed, and microsatellites were more likely to detect IBD when mtDNA did not. Our empirical data rejected the lack of IBD in the four species studied, and support for IBD was particularly strong for the SNP data. We conclude that mtDNA sequence data are often not suitable to test for IBD, and can be misleading about species’ true dispersal potential. The observed failure of mtDNA to reliably detect IBD, in addition to being a single-locus marker, is likely a result of a selection-driven reduction in genetic diversity obscuring spatial genetic differentiation.
New insights into the origin of remote PPG signals in visible light and infrared
Authors: Moço Andreia V. , Stuijk Sander , de Haan Gerard
Published: May 2018

Remote photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical measurement technique with established applications in vital signs monitoring. Recently, the consensual understanding of blood volume variations (BVVs) as the origin of PPG signals was challenged, raising validity concerns about the remote SpO2methodology. Recognizing the imperative for new opto-physiological evidence, this investigation supports the volumetric hypothesis with living skin experiments and Monte Carlo simulations of remote PPG-amplitude in visible light (VIS) and infrared (IR). Multilayered models of the skin were developed to simulate the separate contributions from skin layers containing pulsatile arterioles to the PPG signal in the 450–1000 nm range. The simulated spectra were qualitatively compared with observations of the resting and compressed finger pad, and complemented with videocapillaroscopy. Our results indicate that remote PPG systems indeed probe arterial blood. Green wavelengths probe dermal arterioles while red-IR wavelengths also reach subcutaneous BVVs. Owing to stable penetration depths, the red-IR diagnostic window promotes the invariance of SpO2measurements to skin non-homogeneities.
SILAC–based quantitative MS approach for real-time recording protein-mediated cell-cell interactions
Authors: Wang Xixi , He Yu , Ye Yang , Zhao Xinyu , Deng Shi , He Gu , Zhu Hongxia , Xu Ningzhi , Liang Shufang
Published: May 2018

In tumor microenvironment, interactions among multiple cell types are critical for cancer progression. To understand the molecular mechanisms of these complex interplays, the secreted protein analysis between malignant cancer cells and the surrounding nonmalignant stroma is a good viewpoint to investigate cell-cell interactions. Here, we developed two stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based mass spectrometry (MS)/MS approaches termed spike-in SILAC and triple-SILAC to quantify changes of protein secretion level in a cell co-cultured system. Within the co-culture system of CT26 and Ana-1 cells, the spike-in SILAC and triple-SILAC MS approaches are sensitive to quantitatively measure protein secretion changes. Three representative quantified proteins (Galectin-1, Cathepsin L1 and Thrombospondin-1) by two SILAC-based MS methods were further validated by Western blotting, and the coming result matched well with SILACs’. We further applied these two SILACs to human cell lines, NCM460 and HT29 co-culture system, for evaluating the feasibility, which confirmed the spike-in and triple SILAC were capable of monitoring the changed secreted proteins of human cell lines. Considering these two strategies in time consuming, sample complexity and proteome coverage, the triple-SILAC way shows more efficiency and economy for real-time recording secreted protein levels in tumor microenvironment.
Unravelling miRNA regulation in yield of rice (Oryza sativa) based on differential network model
Authors: Hu Jihong , Zeng Tao , Xia Qiongmei , Qian Qian , Yang Congdang , Ding Yi , Chen Luonan , Wang Wen
Published: May 2018

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the essential staple food crops and tillering, panicle branching and grain filling are three important traits determining the grain yield. Although miRNAs have been reported being regulating yield, no study has systematically investigated how miRNAs differentially function in high and low yield rice, in particular at a network level. This abundance of data from high-throughput sequencing provides an effective solution for systematic identification of regulatory miRNAs using developed algorithms in plants. We here present a novel algorithm, Gene Co-expression Network differential edge-like transformation (GRN-DET), which can identify key regulatory miRNAs in plant development. Based on the small RNA and RNA-seq data, miRNA-gene-TF co-regulation networks were constructed for yield of rice. Using GRN-DET, the key regulatory miRNAs for rice yield were characterized by the differential expression variances of miRNAs and co-variances of miRNA-mRNA, including osa-miR171 and osa-miR1432. Phytohormone cross-talks (auxin and brassinosteroid) were also revealed by these co-expression networks for the yield of rice.
Fission Yeast Sirtuin Hst4 Functions in Preserving Genomic Integrity by Regulating Replisome Component Mcl1
Authors: Konada Lahiri , Aricthota Shalini , Vadla Raghavendra , Haldar Devyani
Published: May 2018

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe sirtuin Hst4, functions in the maintenance of genome stability by regulating histone H3 lysine56 acetylation (H3K56ac) and promoting cell survival during replicative stress. However, its molecular function in DNA damage survival is unclear. Here, we show that hst4 deficiency in the fission yeast causes S phase delay and DNA synthesis defects. We identified a novel functional link between hst4 and the replisome component mcl1 in a suppressor screen aimed to identify genes that could restore the slow growth and Methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) sensitivity phenotypes of the hst4Δ mutant. Expression of the replisome component Mcl1 rescues hst4Δ phenotypes. Interestingly, hst4 and mcl1 show an epistatic interaction and suppression of hst4Δ phenotypes by mcl1 is H3K56 acetylation dependent. Furthermore, Hst4 was found to regulate the expression of mcl1. Finally, we show that hSIRT2 depletion results in decreased levels of And-1 (human orthologue of Mcl1), establishing the conservation of this mechanism. Moreover, on induction of replication stress (MMS treatment), Mcl1 levels decrease upon Hst4 down regulation. Our results identify a novel function of Hst4 in regulation of DNA replication that is dependent on H3K56 acetylation. Both SIRT2 and And-1 are deregulated in cancers. Therefore, these findings could be of therapeutic importance in future.
Interaction of hepatic stellate cells with neutrophils and macrophages in the liver following oncogenic kras activation in transgenic zebrafish
Authors: Yang Qiqi , Yan Chuan , Gong Zhiyuan
Published: May 2018

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) plays a crucial role in the liver disease progression from liver fibrosis/cirrhosis to cancer. Here, we found a rapid change of microenvironment after kras
V12
-induction in zebrafish liver with progressively increased stromal cell number and enlarged liver size. Neutrophils and macrophages exhibited a faster response than HSCs. By manipulating the numbers of neutrophils and macrophages through morpholino knockdown, we found that macrophages contributed to both HSC survival and activation while neutrophils appear to be only required for HSC activation. Serotonin, which is essential for HSC survival and activation, was found up-regulated in hepatocytes and macrophages, but not in neutrophils after kras
V12
induction. Serotonin receptor was highly expressed in HSCs; increase of the receptor activity by an agonist stimulated HSCs and oncogenic growth of the liver while an opposite effect was observed with an antagonist. Activated HSCs promoted the pro-tumorigenesis functions of neutrophils and macrophages through secretion of Tgfb1. Overall, these observations elucidated a cellular interaction in microenvironment where that upregulated serotonin in hepatocytes and macrophages activated HSCs. Since the microenvironment crosstalk plays a vital role in manipulation of liver carcinogenesis, the underlying mechanism may provide potential therapeutic targets for liver diseases.
Modulations in martensitic Heusler alloys originate from nanotwin ordering
Authors: Gruner M. E. , Niemann R. , Entel P. , Pentcheva R. , Rößler U. K. , Nielsch K. , Fähler S.
Published: May 2018

Heusler alloys exhibiting magnetic and martensitic transitions enable applications like magnetocaloric refrigeration and actuation based on the magnetic shape memory effect. Their outstanding functional properties depend on low hysteresis losses and low actuation fields. These are only achieved if the atomic positions deviate from a tetragonal lattice by periodic displacements. The origin of the so-called modulated structures is the subject of much controversy: They are either explained by phonon softening or adaptive nanotwinning. Here we used large-scale density functional theory calculations on the Ni2MnGa prototype system to demonstrate interaction energy between twin boundaries. Minimizing the interaction energy resulted in the experimentally observed ordered modulations at the atomic scale, it explained that a/b twin boundaries are stacking faults at the mesoscale, and contributed to the macroscopic hysteresis losses. Furthermore, we found that phonon softening paves the transformation path towards the nanotwinned martensite state. This unified both opposing concepts to explain modulated martensite.
Effect of different types of olive oil pomace dietary supplementation on the rumen microbial community profile in Comisana ewes
Authors: Mannelli Federica , Cappucci Alice , Pini Francesco , Pastorelli Roberta , Decorosi Francesca , Giovannetti Luciana , Mele Marcello , Minieri Sara , Conte Giuseppe , Pauselli Mariano , Rapaccini Stefano , Viti Carlo , Buccioni Arianna
Published: May 2018

Olive oil pomace (OOP) is a bio-waste rich in highly soluble polyphenols. OOP has been proposed as an additive in ruminant feeding to modulate rumen fermentations. Three groups of ewes were fed the following different diets: a control diet and two diets supplemented with OOP, obtained with a two-phase (OOP2) or three-phase (OOP3) olive milling process. Rumen liquor (RL) showed a higher content of 18:3 cis9 cis12 cis15 (α-linolenic acid, α-LNA) with OOP2 inclusion, and of 18:2 cis9 trans11 (rumenic acid, RA) with OOP3 inclusion. The overall composition of the RL microbiota did not differ among treatments. Significant differences, between control and treated groups, were found for six bacterial taxa. In particular, RL microbiota from animals fed OOPs showed a reduction in Anaerovibrio, a lipase-producing bacterium. The decrease in the Anaerovibrio genus may lead to a reduction in lipolysis, thus lowering the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids available for biohydrogenation. Milk from animals fed OOP showed a higher content of 18:1 cis9 (oleic acid, OA) but the α-LNA concentration was increased in milk from animals treated with OOP2 only. Therefore, inclusion of OOP in ruminant diets may be a tool to ameliorate the nutritional characteristics of milk.
Clinical and epidemiological features of Heart-Hand Syndrome: a hospital-based study in China
Authors: Yin Yaobin , Ji Jianguang , Borné Yan , Wang Yanqing , Zhao Junhui , Chen Shanlin , Tian Wen
Published: May 2018

Heart–hand syndrome (HHS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by the co-occurrence of a congenital cardiac disease and an upper limb malformation. This study revealed the clinical and epidemiological features of HHS in China. The study was based on patients with congenital upper limb malformation treated in Beijing Ji Shui Tan hospital from October 1st, 2013 to October 1st, 2016. We reviewed the patients’ medical records and identified patients with abnormal ultrasonic cardiogram and/or electrocardiogram (ECG). A total of 1462 patients (910 male and 552 female) were identified to be treated for congenital upper limb malformation. Among them, 172 (11.8%) had abnormal ultrasonic cardiogram and/or ECG. Abnormal heart structure were discovered in 121 patients and 51 patients had abnormal ECG. The most common type of abnormal heart structure was tricuspid regurgitation (53/121, 43.8%), while the most common abnormal ECG was wave patterns (22/51, 43.1%). This hospital-based study suggests that the rate of congenital heart disease is high in patients treated for congenital upper extremity malformation in China. Surgeons and anesthetists should be aware of the comorbidity and preoperational examination of congenital heart diseases is highly needed to avoid complications during operation.
Laser-patterned metallic interconnections for all stretchable organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Marchiori Bastien , Delattre Roger , Hannah Stuart , Blayac Sylvain , Ramuz Marc
Published: May 2018

We describe a process allowing the patterning of fully stretchable organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). The device consists of an active stretchable area connected with stretchable metallic interconnections. The current literature does not provide a complete, simple and accurate process using the standard thin film microelectronic techniques allowing the creation of such sensors. An innovative patterning process based on the combination of laser ablation and thermal release tape ensures the fabrication of highly stretchable metallic lines – encapsulated in polydimethylsiloxane – from conventional aluminium tape. State-of-the-art stretchability up to 70% combined with ultra-low mOhms resistance is demonstrated. We present a photolithographic process to pattern the organic active area onto stretchable substrate. Finally the formulation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) is tuned to achieve an OECT with a maximum stretchability of 38% while maintaining transconductance up to 0.35 mS and channel current as high as 0.2 mA.
Direct phenotypic conversion of human fibroblasts into functional osteoblasts triggered by a blockade of the transforming growth factor-β signal
Authors: Yamamoto Kenta , Kishida Tsunao , Nakai Kei , Sato Yoshiki , Kotani Shin-ichiro , Nishizawa Yuta , Yamamoto Toshiro , Kanamura Narisato , Mazda Osam
Published: May 2018

A procedure to generate functional osteoblasts from human somatic cells may pave the way to a novel and effective transplantation therapy in bone disorders. Here, we report that human fibroblasts were induced to show osteoblast phenotypes by culturing with ALK5 i II, which is a specific inhibitor for activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) (tumor growth factor-β receptor 1 (TGF-β R1)). Cells cultured with ALK5 i II expressed osteoblast-specific genes and massively produced calcified bone matrix, similar to the osteoblasts induced from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-OBs). Treatment with vitamin D3 in addition to ALK5 i II induced more osteoblast-like characters, and the efficiency of the conversion reached approximately 90%. The chemical compound-mediated directly converted osteoblasts (cOBs) were similar to human primary osteoblasts in terms of expression profiles of osteoblast-related genes. The cOBs abundantly produced bone matrix in vivo and facilitated bone healing after they were transplanted into immunodeficient mice at an artificially induced defect lesion in femoral bone. The present procedure realizes a highly efficient direct conversion of human fibroblasts into transgene-free and highly functional osteoblasts, which might be applied in a novel strategy of bone regeneration therapy in bone diseases.
Wideband performance analysis of ground-plane cloak designed with polarization-independent randomly patterned metamaterial
Authors: Lee Hyunsoo , Koh Il-Suek , Kim Yongjune , Lee Yongshik
Published: May 2018

A ground-plane cloak is designed based on the quasi-conformal mapping method to hide a perfectly conducting object. It is fabricated with a metamaterial, a mixture of a dielectric and air. Using the dielectric mixing formula, the required volume fraction is calculated for a designed refractive index of the cloak. To guarantee the statistical isotropy of the cloak structure, many small pixels are randomly connected to form the metamaterial. A three-dimensional printing machine is used to implement the whole designed cloak structure. The performance of the cloak is experimentally analyzed over a wide frequency range for both independent polarizations. The measurement is also validated by numerical full-wave simulations. Because the quasi-conformal mapping generates unrealistic refractive indices, less than unity, those are removed. The effect of the truncation is experimentally observed and theoretically analyzed by the ray-tracing method.
Variation in faecal microbiota in a group of horses managed at pasture over a 12-month period
Authors: Salem Shebl E. , Maddox Thomas W. , Berg Adam , Antczak Philipp , Ketley Julian M. , Williams Nicola J. , Archer Debra C.
Published: May 2018

Colic (abdominal pain) is a common cause of mortality in horses. Change in management of horses is associated with increased colic risk and seasonal patterns of increased risk have been identified. Shifts in gut microbiota composition in response to management change have been proposed as one potential underlying mechanism for colic. However, the intestinal microbiota in normal horses and how this varies over different seasons has not previously been investigated. In this study the faecal microbiota composition was studied over 12 months in a population of horses managed at pasture with minimal changes in management. We hypothesised that gut microbiota would be stable in this population over time. Faecal samples were collected every 14 days from 7 horses for 52 weeks and the faecal microbiota was characterised by next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The faecal microbiota was dominated by members of the phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes throughout. Season, supplementary forage and ambient weather conditions were significantly associated with change in the faecal microbiota composition. These results provide important baseline information demonstrating physiologic variation in the faecal microbiota of normal horses over a 12-month period without development of colic.
Clay-induced DNA breaks as a path for genetic diversity, antibiotic resistance, and asbestos carcinogenesis
Authors: González-Tortuero Enrique , Rodríguez-Beltrán Jerónimo , Radek Renate , Blázquez Jesús , Rodríguez-Rojas Alexandro
Published: May 2018

Natural clays and synthetic nanofibres can have a severe impact on human health. After several decades of research, the molecular mechanism of how asbestos induces cancer is not well understood. Different fibres, including asbestos, can penetrate cell membranes and introduce foreign DNA in bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Incubating Escherichia coli under friction forces with sepiolite, a clayey material, or with asbestos, causes double-strand DNA breaks. Antibiotics and clays are used together in animal husbandry, the mutagenic effect of these fibres could be a pathway to antibiotic resistance due to the friction provided by peristalsis of the gut from farm animals in addition to horizontal gene transfer. Moreover, we raise the possibility that the same mechanism could generate bacteria diversity in natural scenarios, playing a role in the evolution of species. Finally, we provide a new model on how asbestos may promote mutagenesis and cancer based on the observed mechanical genotoxicity.
Homoallylglycine residues are superior precursors to orthogonally modified thioether containing polypeptides
Authors: Perlin Pesach , Gharakhanian Eric G. , Deming Timothy J.
Published: May 2018

Homoallylglycine N-carboxyanhydride, Hag NCA, monomers were synthesized and used to prepare polypeptides containing Hag segments with controllable lengths of up to 245 repeats.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the solidification process of multicrystalline silicon from homogeneous nucleation to grain coarsening
Authors: Sui Xiaoxiao , Cheng Yongjian , Zhou Naigen , Tang Binbing , Zhou Lang
Published: May 2018

Based on the Stillinger–Weber potential, molecular dynamics simulations of the solidification processes of multicrystalline silicon were carried out.
Strain tuned InSe/MoS2 bilayer van der Waals heterostructures for photovoltaics or photocatalysis
Authors: Zhang J. , Lang X. Y. , Zhu Y. F. , Jiang Q.
Published: May 2018

InSe/MoS2 heterostructures with tunable properties entail new opportunities for fundamental researches and applications in high performance electronic devices.
On the importance of initial conditions for excited-state dynamics
Authors: Suchan Jiří , Hollas Daniel , Curchod Basile F. E. , Slavíček Petr
Published: May 2018

The vast majority ofab initioexcited-state simulations are performed within semiclassical, trajectory-based approaches. Apart from the underlying electronic-structure theory, the reliability of the simulations is controlled by a selection of initial conditions for the classical trajectories. We discuss appropriate choices of initial conditions for simulations of different experimental arrangements: dynamics initiated by continuum-wave (CW) laser fields or triggered by ultrashort laser pulses.
Enhanced separation performance of aqueous biphasic systems formed by carbohydrates and tetraalkylphosphonium- or tetraalkylammonium-based ionic liquids
Authors: Quental Maria V. , Pereira Matheus M. , Ferreira Ana M. , Pedro Sónia N. , Shahriari Shahla , Mohamadou Aminou , Coutinho João A. P. , Freire Mara G.
Published: May 2018

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) formed by non-aromatic and non-fluorinated ionic liquids and carbohydrates are competitive separation platforms.
Flexible plastic, paper and textile lab-on-a chip platforms for electrochemical biosensing
Authors: Economou Anastasios , Kokkinos Christos , Prodromidis Mamas
Published: May 2018

Flexible biosensors represent an increasingly important and rapidly developing field of research.
Novel 1D coordination polymers built from acyclic cryptate containing bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) ligands and featuring coordinated counteranions
Authors: El-Massaoudi Mohamed , Radi Smaail , Salhi Amin , Mabkhot Yahia N. , Al-Showiman Salim S. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Adarsh N. N. , Garcia Yann
Published: May 2018

Two new coordination polymers, namely, ZnL2(BF4)2 (1) and CuL2(NO3)2 (2) were constructed from a new flexible acyclic cryptate-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) ligand.
A fluorescent probe for the detection of HOCl in lysosomes
Authors: Huang Xiao-Qing , Wang Zhao-Yue , Lv Yan-Jing , Shen Shi-Li , Zhu Yan , Wang Juan , Zhang Yan-Ru , Wang Jun-Mei , Ge Yan-Qing , Cao Xiao-Qun
Published: May 2018

A novel lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe (LR1) for HOCl was developed based on the rhodamine framework. Probe LR1 was able to target lysosomes and detect endogenous HOCl with low cytotoxicity.
Novel triple responsive polybenzimidazole synthesized via amine-ene Michael addition
Authors: Gao Lilong , Wang Wenlin , Yu Bing , Cong Hailin
Published: May 2018

BITO polyesters were synthesized for the first time, which show pH, CD and ROS responsiveness and have great potential as drug delivery systems.
Traversing the profile of biomimetically nanoengineered iron substituted hydroxyapatite: synthesis, characterization, property evaluation, and drug release modeling
Authors: Sheikh Lubna , Sinha Shivendra , Singhababu Y. N. , Verma Vineeta , Tripathy Sucheta , Nayar Suprabha
Published: May 2018

Heuristic picture connoting the green synthesis of iron substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles having versatile properties.
Organic-phase synthesis of Li3V2(PO4)3@Carbon nanocrystals and their lithium storage properties
Authors: Zhang Cunliang , Liu Yanmei , Li Jian , Zhu Kai , Chen Zhe , Liao Shijun , Zhang Xinhe
Published: May 2018

Li3V2(PO4)3@Carbon nanocrystals exhibit superior lithium storage properties due to the shortened lithium-ion diffusion length and the enhanced surface electronic conductivity.
Global minimum beryllium hydride sheet with novel negative Poisson's ratio: first-principles calculations
Authors: Li Feng , Aeberhard Urs , Wu Hong , Qiao Man , Li Yafei
Published: May 2018

As one of the most prominent metal-hydrides, beryllium hydride has received much attention over the past several decades, since 1978, and is considered as an important hydrogen storage material.
A convenient approach to difluoromethylated all-carbon quaternary centers via Ni(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition
Authors: Yu Xuan , Bai Hui , Wang Dong , Qin Zhaohai , Li Jia-Qi , Fu Bin
Published: May 2018

Ni(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition afforded compounds with all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers featuring a CF2H group in good enantioselectivities.
Simulation of the optimal diameter and wall thickness of hollow Fe3O4 microspheres in magnetorheological fluids
Authors: Pei Lei , Pang Haoming , Chen Kaihui , Xuan Shouhu , Gong Xinglong
Published: May 2018

The shear stress exhibited a quadratic dependence on the dimensionless wall thickness under a certain particle diameter.
Hierarchical porous carbon microspheres with superhydrophilic surface for efficient adsorption and detection of water-soluble contaminants
Authors: Li Junfang , Bai Hua , Li Xinshi , Li Wentao , Zhai Junfeng , Li Mengchen , Xi Guangcheng
Published: May 2018

A hierarchical porous carbon microspheres with superhydrophilic surfaces for efficient adsorption water-soluble contaminants is reported. After loading gold nanoparticles, they also can be used as an active surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate with ultralow detection limit.
A study on the interfacial stability of the cathode/polycarbonate interface: implication of overcharge and transition metal redox
Authors: Li Jiedong , Dong Shanmu , Wang Chen , Hu Zhenglin , Zhang Zhongyi , Zhang Hui , Cui Guanglei
Published: May 2018

In this work, we reported an unusual charge compensation through the parasitic reaction of polycarbonate, a high ionic conductivity polymer electrolyte, with transition metal ions (iron ions in LiFePO4) at cathodic interface, which leads to significant overcharge.
Multirole organic-induced scalable synthesis of a mesoporous MoS2-monolayer/carbon composite for high-performance lithium and potassium storage
Authors: Jia Baorui , Zhao Yongzhi , Qin Mingli , Wang Wei , Liu Zhiwei , Lao Cheng-Yen , Yu Qiyao , Liu Ye , Wu Haowang , Zhang Zili , Qu Xuanhui
Published: May 2018

A mesoporous MoS2-monolayer/carbon composite was synthesized by a multirole organic-induced scalable method for superior lithium-ion and potassium-ion storage.
Synthesis of single-particle level white-light-emitting carbon dots via a one-step microwave method
Authors: Ahmad Kafeel , Pal Ayan , Pan Uday Narayan , Chattopadhyay Arun , Paul Anumita
Published: May 2018

Single-particle level white-light-emitting carbon dots via a one-step microwave synthesis.
Emitters with a pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile core and short delayed fluorescence lifetimes of about 1.5 μs: orange-red TADF-based OLEDs with very slow efficiency roll-offs at high luminance
Authors: Chen Zhanxiang , Wu Zhongbin , Ni Fan , Zhong Cheng , Zeng Weixuan , Wei Danqing , An Kebin , Ma Dongge , Yang Chuluo
Published: May 2018

The device with bis-PXZ-PCN reveals a maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.8% and a slow efficiency roll-off of 15%.
Defect of branched-chain amino acid metabolism promotes the development of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the mTOR signaling
Authors: Li Huajie , Ye Dan , Xie Wei , Hua Fei , Yang Yilin , Wu Jian , Gu Aifang , Ren Yi , Mao Keshi
Published: May 2018

Diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in humans. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, namely valine, leucine, and isoleucine) metabolic defect is observed in human diabetes, which is associated with insulin resistance. But whether BCAAs connect diabetes and AD remains unknown. Here, we show that BCAA metabolic defect may be one of the drivers of AD. BCAA levels were increased in the blood in human patients and mice with diabetes or AD. BCAA-enriched diet promoted the development of AD in mice as evidenced by the behavior and pathological analysis. Branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 and 2 (BCAT1 and BCAT2) are the two enzymes for the first step metabolism of BCAAs by catalyzing BCAAs to generate branched-chain ketoacids. The expression of Bcat1 but not Bcat2 was significantly down-regulated in the brain tissues of diabetic, aged, and AD mice. Leucine up-regulated the phosphorylation of Tau but not affected the accumulation of amyloid β in the brain tissues or isolated neurons. In addition, knockdown of the expression of Bcat1, which would result in the accumulation of BCAAs, led to the same phenotype as BCAAs supplement in neurons. Interestingly, leucine supplement or Bcat1 knockdown promoted the activation of the mTOR signaling in the brains of AD mice or neurons. Subsequently, mTOR was critically involved in leucine and Bcat1 knockdown-mediated phosphorylation of Tau. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that diabetes-related BCAA accumulation in the brain tissues led to the phosphorylation of Tau and, subsequently, the development of diabetes-related AD.
Eat it right: ER-phagy and recovER-phagy
Authors: Loi Marisa , Fregno Ilaria , Guerra Concetta , Molinari Maurizio
Published: May 2018

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of protein, lipid, phospholipid, steroid and oligosaccharide synthesis and modification, calcium ion storage, and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous products. Its volume (and activity) must be maintained under normal growth conditions, must be expanded in a controlled manner on activation of ER stress programs and must be reduced to pre-stress size during the recovery phase that follows ER stress termination. ER-phagy is the constitutive or regulated fragmentation and delivery of ER fragments to lysosomal compartments for clearance. It gives essential contribution to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, proteostasis, lipidostasis and oligosaccharidostasis (i.e. the capacity to produce the proteome, lipidome and oligosaccharidome in appropriate quality and quantity). ER turnover is activated on ER stress, nutrient deprivation, accumulation of misfolded polypeptides, pathogen attack and by activators of macroautophagy. The selectivity of these poorly characterized catabolic pathways is ensured by proteins displayed at the limiting membrane of the ER subdomain to be removed from cells. These proteins are defined as ER-phagy receptors and engage the cytosolic macroautophagy machinery via specific modules that associate with ubiquitin-like, cytosolic proteins of the Atg8/LC3/GABARAP family. In this review, we give an overview on selective ER turnover and on the yeast and mammalian ER-phagy receptors identified so far.
Coenzyme A, protein CoAlation and redox regulation in mammalian cells
Authors: Gout Ivan
Published: May 2018

In a diverse family of cellular cofactors, coenzyme A (CoA) has a unique design to function in various biochemical processes. The presence of a highly reactive thiol group and a nucleotide moiety offers a diversity of chemical reactions and regulatory interactions. CoA employs them to activate carbonyl-containing molecules and to produce various thioester derivatives (e.g. acetyl CoA, malonyl CoA and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA), which have well-established roles in cellular metabolism, production of neurotransmitters and the regulation of gene expression. A novel unconventional function of CoA in redox regulation, involving covalent attachment of this coenzyme to cellular proteins in response to oxidative and metabolic stress, has been recently discovered and termed protein CoAlation (S-thiolation by CoA or CoAthiolation). A diverse range of proteins was found to be CoAlated in mammalian cells and tissues under various experimental conditions. Protein CoAlation alters the molecular mass, charge and activity of modified proteins, and prevents them from irreversible sulfhydryl overoxidation. This review highlights the role of a key metabolic integrator CoA in redox regulation in mammalian cells and provides a perspective of the current status and future directions of the emerging field of protein CoAlation.
Improvement of stereo matching algorithm based on sum of gradient magnitude differences and semi‐global method with refinement step
Authors: Hamzah R.A. , Ibrahim H.
Published: May 2018

A new stereo matching algorithm which uses improved matching cost computation and optimisation using the semi‐global method (SGM) is proposed. The absolute difference is sensitive to low textured regions and high noise on the stereo images with radiometric distortions. To get over these problems, sum of gradient magnitude differences has been introduced at the first stage. This method is strong against the radiometric differences on the stereo images. Hence, this approach will reduce the error of preliminary data for stereo corresponding process. The SGM is used at the aggregation, and optimisation stage uses 16 different directions of 2D path. Additionally, the iterative guided filter is utilised at the refinement stage which minimises the errors and increases the accuracy. The proposed work produces accurate results and performs much better compared with some established algorithms based on the standard stereo benchmarking evaluation from the Middlebury and KITTI.
Adaptive quantum genetic algorithm for task sequence planning of complex assembly systems
Authors: Zhang Linbin , Lv Huanpei , Tan Dapeng , Xu Fang , Chen Jiaoliao , Bao Guanjun , Cai Shibo
Published: May 2018

Task sequence planning (TSP) is the key factor to the efficiency, stableness, and cost of a complex assembly system. To address the issue, an adaptive quantum genetic algorithm based on artificial potential field and gradient of object function is proposed to optimise the solving process, and to obtain the optimal TSP scheme. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm can perform higher efficiency and stableness than the previously reported methods.
Blind deblurring using coupled convolutional sparse coding regularisation for noisy‐blurry images
Authors: An T.‐H. , Choi D. , Cho S. , Hong K.‐S. , Lee S.
Published: May 2018

This Letter proposes a novel method to deblur a blurry image corrupted by noise. The authors estimate a noise‐free version of the input blurred image and a corresponding noise‐free version of the latent image without damaging the blur information, as well as the latent image and blur kernel in an alternating fashion. To this end, they first propose coupled convolutional sparse coding, which incorporates the coupled dictionary concept into convolutional sparse coding. Then they model the noise‐free blurred image to share the sparse coefficients with the noise‐free latent image using the coupled dictionaries. By utilising these noise‐free images as priors in alternating latent image estimation and blur kernel estimation steps, they can estimate a high‐quality latent image and blur kernel in the presence of noise. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms previous methods in handling noisy blurred images.
Robust semi‐NMF with total variation for unsupervised SAR image change detection
Authors: Li Heng‐Chao , Zhao Qing‐He , Yang Gang , Fu Kun , Emery William J.
Published: May 2018

A novel unsupervised change detection for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images using robust semi‐non‐negative matrix factorisation (NMF) with total variation (TV) is proposed. In order to effectively handle the noise and outliers as well as consider spatial contextual information, correntropy induced metric and TV regularisation are simultaneously integrated into semi‐NMF to build a robust semi‐NMF with TV model. Subsequently, the update solutions of the model are optimised by the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker condition and fast gradient projection algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method both visually and quantitatively.
High‐efficiency circular dense dielectric patch antenna with frequency selectivity
Authors: Xu Kai , Shi Jin
Published: May 2018

A circular dense dielectric (DD) patch antenna realised by stacking an upper DD patch on the lower DD patch is proposed to achieve high efficiency and frequency selectivity. The high efficiency is attributed to the non‐metallic radiators and the radiations of both lower and upper DD patches operating at TM11 mode. To achieve higher frequency selectivity than that of the reported DD patch antennas, the opposite E‐field distribution inside the upper DD patch and the quarter‐wavelength open‐circuit stub produce two radiation nulls near the lower band‐edge, while the opposite E‐field distribution inside the lower DD patch and the opposite E‐field distribution at the edges of the two DD patches produce two radiation nulls near the upper band‐edge. For demonstration, a prototype covering the fifth generation (5G) band (3.4–3.6 GHz) achieves the simulated radiation efficiency of 96%, the measured peak gain of 9.2 dBi, 10 dB impedance bandwidth of 12.3%, four radiation nulls, and the cross‐polarisation rejection larger than 22 dB within the 3‐dB beam range at the centre frequency. The results show the features of high efficiency, multiple radiation nulls, wide bandwidth and high gain simultaneously while the reported DD patch antennas just have part of the features.
High‐impedance fault detection and classification in power system distribution networks using morphological fault detector algorithm
Authors: Kavi Moses , Mishra Yateendra , Vilathgamuwa Mahinda D.
Published: May 2018

This study presents a fast, secure and reliable algorithm for the detection and classification of power system disturbances including high‐impedance faults (HIFs). The proposed algorithm utilises mathematical morphology (MM) techniques, where the non‐linear MM characteristics are exploited by strategic cascading of appropriate filtering functions to form a multistage morphological fault detector (MFD) for the extraction of features necessary for the characterisation of HIFs. The target features of the HIF are the randomness and arc extinction and re‐ignition/unsymmetrical characteristics. The reliability and robustness in the extraction of the desired HIF features are enhanced by a weighted convex structuring element designed based on the attributes of power system signals. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested under different types of disturbances including cases of HIFs on different contact surfaces. Moreover, the effectiveness of the algorithm is tested under noise condition to demonstrate its performance of the proposed MFD. All tests are simulated using IEEE13 bus test system.
Single‐ended travelling wave protection algorithm based on full waveform in the time and frequency domains
Authors: Deng Feng , Li Xinran , Zeng Xiangjun
Published: May 2018

Single‐ended travelling‐wave‐based protection has been available for several years, providing the advantages of low cost and no requirement for communication and synchronisation with the remote end. However, conventional single‐ended travelling‐wave‐based protection has low reliability due to its use of only partial fault information, and it has high dependence on extracting a second reflected wavefront. A new single‐ended travelling‐wave‐based protection algorithm using the 2 ms full‐waveform post‐fault signal in the time–frequency domain, which avoids the discrimination of the reflected wavefront, is presented. First, the full‐waveform representation of the travelling wave in 3D subspace is proposed. The fault characteristics of the wideband travelling wave are analysed at different scales. Second, for faults that occur within one line or on adjacent lines, the propagation characteristics and reflection and refraction process are analysed in detail. Then, the correlation and difference of the full waveform are presented qualitatively and quantitatively. Finally, a time–frequency spectrum matrix is established based on the full waveform, and the protection algorithm is developed by using a time–frequency spectrum matrix and wave matching technology. Extensive simulations under different conditions verify the wide applicability and high reliability of the proposed algorithm.