bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevation of serum sphingosine-1-phosphate attenuates impaired cardiac function in experimental sepsis
Authors: Coldewey Sina M. , Benetti Elisa , Collino Massimo , Pfeilschifter Josef , Sponholz Christoph , Bauer Michael , Huwiler Andrea , Thiemermann Christoph
Published: June 2016

Serum levels of the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are reduced in septic patients and are inversely associated with disease severity. We show that serum S1P is reduced in human sepsis and in murine models of sepsis. We then investigated whether pharmacological or genetic approaches that alter serum S1P may attenuate cardiac dysfunction and whether S1P signaling might serve as a novel theragnostic tool in sepsis. Mice were challenged with lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan (LPS/PepG). LPS/PepG resulted in an impaired systolic contractility and reduced serum S1P. Administration of the immunomodulator FTY720 increased serum S1P, improved impaired systolic contractility and activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-pathway in the heart. Cardioprotective effects of FTY720 were abolished following administration of a S1P receptor 2 (S1P2) antagonist or a PI3K inhibitor. Sphingosine kinase-2 deficient mice had higher endogenous S1P levels and the LPS/PepG-induced impaired systolic contractility was attenuated in comparison with wild-type mice. Cardioprotective effects of FTY720 were confirmed in polymicrobial sepsis. We show here for the first time that the impaired left ventricular systolic contractility in experimental sepsis is attenuated by FTY720. Mechanistically, our results indicate that activation of S1P2 by increased serum S1P and the subsequent activation of the PI3K-Akt survival pathway significantly contributes to the observed cardioprotective effect of FTY720.
Scaling Law for Irreversible Entropy Production in Critical Systems
Authors: Hoang Danh-Tai , Prasanna Venkatesh B. , Han Seungju , Jo Junghyo , Watanabe Gentaro , Choi Mahn-Soo
Published: June 2016

We examine the Jarzynski equality for a quenching process across the critical point of second-order phase transitions, where absolute irreversibility and the effect of finite-sampling of the initial equilibrium distribution arise in a single setup with equal significance. We consider the Ising model as a prototypical example for spontaneous symmetry breaking and take into account the finite sampling issue by introducing a tolerance parameter. The initially ordered spins become disordered by quenching the ferromagnetic coupling constant. For a sudden quench, the deviation from the Jarzynski equality evaluated from the ideal ensemble average could, in principle, depend on the reduced coupling constant ε0 of the initial state and the system size L. We find that, instead of depending on ε0 and L separately, this deviation exhibits a scaling behavior through a universal combination of ε0 and L for a given tolerance parameter, inherited from the critical scaling laws of second-order phase transitions. A similar scaling law can be obtained for the finite-speed quench as well within the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.
Salvianolic Acid B Attenuates Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis through Inhibition of the TGF-β Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Qingmei , Chu Haiyan , Ma Yanyun , Wu Ting , Qian Feng , Ren Xian , Tu Wenzhen , Zhou Xiaodong , Jin Li , Wu Wenyu , Wang Jiucun
Published: June 2016

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal disorder. In our previous study, we found that the Yiqihuoxue formula (YQHX), a prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine, had a curative effect on scleroderma, a typical fibrotic disease. The aim of this study was to determine the key ingredient mediating the therapeutic effects of YQHX and to examine its effect on pulmonary fibrosis, including its mechanism. Luciferase reporter assays showed that the most important anti-fibrotic component of the YQHX was Salviae miltiorrhiza (SM). Experiments performed using a bleomycin-instilled mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis showed that Salvianolic acid B (SAB), the major ingredient of SM, had strong anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects through its inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar structure disruption and collagen deposition. Furthermore, SAB suppressed TGF-β-induced myofibroblastic differentiation of MRC-5 fibroblasts and TGF-β-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of A549 cells by inhibiting both Smad-dependent signaling and the Smad-independent MAPK pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that SM is the key anti-fibrotic component of the YQHX and that SAB, the major ingredient of SM, alleviates experimental pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that SAB potently inhibits pulmonary fibrosis.
Large Size Color-tunable Electroluminescence from Cationic Iridium Complexes-based Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Zeng Qunying , Li Fushan , Guo Tailiang , Shan Guogang , Su Zhongmin
Published: June 2016

Solution-processable light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with simple device architecture have become an attractive candidate for application in next generation lighting and flat-panel displays. Herein, single layer LECs employing two cationic Ir(III) complexes showing highly efficient blue-green and yellow electroluminescence with peak current efficiency of 31.6 cd A−1 and 40.6 cd A−1, respectively, have been reported. By using both complexes in the device, color-tunable LECs with a single spectral peak in the wavelength range from 499 to 570 nm were obtained by varying their rations. In addition, the fabrication of efficient LECs was demonstrated based on low cost doctor-blade coating technique, which was compatible with the roll to roll fabrication process for the large size production. In this work, for the first time, 4 inch LEC devices by doctor-blade coating were fabricated, which exhibit the efficiencies of 23.4 cd A−1 and 25.4 cd A−1 for the blue-green and yellow emission, respectively. The exciting results indicated that highly efficient LECs with controllable color could be realized and find practical application in large size lighting and displays.
Lens-based wavefront sensorless adaptive optics swept source OCT
Authors: Jian Yifan , Lee Sujin , Ju Myeong Jin , Heisler Morgan , Ding Weiguang , Zawadzki Robert J. , Bonora Stefano , Sarunic Marinko V.
Published: June 2016

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionized modern ophthalmology, providing depth resolved images of the retinal layers in a system that is suited to a clinical environment. Although the axial resolution of OCT system, which is a function of the light source bandwidth, is sufficient to resolve retinal features at a micrometer scale, the lateral resolution is dependent on the delivery optics and is limited by ocular aberrations. Through the combination of wavefront sensorless adaptive optics and the use of dual deformable transmissive optical elements, we present a compact lens-based OCT system at an imaging wavelength of 1060 nm for high resolution retinal imaging. We utilized a commercially available variable focal length lens to correct for a wide range of defocus commonly found in patient’s eyes and a novel multi-actuator adaptive lens for aberration correction to achieve near diffraction limited imaging performance at the retina. With a parallel processing computational platform, high resolution cross-sectional and en face retinal image acquisition and display was performed in real time. In order to demonstrate the system functionality and clinical utility, we present images of the photoreceptor cone mosaic and other retinal layers acquired in vivo from research subjects.
Multiplex giant magnetoresistive biosensor microarrays identify interferon-associated autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lee Jung-Rok , Haddon D. James , Wand Hannah E. , Price Jordan V. , Diep Vivian K. , Hall Drew A. , Petri Michelle , Baechler Emily C. , Balboni Imelda M. , Utz Paul J. , Wang Shan X.
Published: June 2016

High titer, class-switched autoantibodies are a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Dysregulation of the interferon (IFN) pathway is observed in individuals with active SLE, although the association of specific autoantibodies with chemokine score, a combined measurement of three IFN-regulated chemokines, is not known. To identify autoantibodies associated with chemokine score, we developed giant magnetoresistive (GMR) biosensor microarrays, which allow the parallel measurement of multiple serum antibodies to autoantigens and peptides. We used the microarrays to analyze serum samples from SLE patients and found individuals with high chemokine scores had significantly greater reactivity to 13 autoantigens than individuals with low chemokine scores. Our findings demonstrate that multiple autoantibodies, including antibodies to U1-70K and modified histone H2B tails, are associated with IFN dysregulation in SLE. Further, they show the microarrays are capable of identifying autoantibodies associated with relevant clinical manifestations of SLE, with potential for use as biomarkers in clinical practice.
Cytochrome bd Displays Significant Quinol Peroxidase Activity
Authors: Al-Attar Sinan , Yu Yuanjie , Pinkse Martijn , Hoeser Jo , Friedrich Thorsten , Bald Dirk , de Vries Simon
Published: June 2016

Cytochrome bd is a prokaryotic terminal oxidase that catalyses the electrogenic reduction of oxygen to water using ubiquinol as electron donor. Cytochrome bd is a tri-haem integral membrane enzyme carrying a low-spin haem b558, and two high-spin haems: b595 and d. Here we show that besides its oxidase activity, cytochrome bd from Escherichia coli is a genuine quinol peroxidase (QPO) that reduces hydrogen peroxide to water. The highly active and pure enzyme preparation used in this study did not display the catalase activity recently reported for E. coli cytochrome bd. To our knowledge, cytochrome bd is the first membrane-bound quinol peroxidase detected in E. coli. The observation that cytochrome bd is a quinol peroxidase, can provide a biochemical basis for its role in detoxification of hydrogen peroxide and may explain the frequent findings reported in the literature that indicate increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and decreased virulence in mutants that lack the enzyme.
MicroRNA-320a promotes 5-FU resistance in human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Wang Weibin , Zhao Lijun , Wei Xueju , Wang Lanlan , Liu Siqi , Yang Yu , Wang Fang , Sun Guotao , Zhang Junwu , Ma Yanni , Zhao Yupei , Yu Jia
Published: June 2016

The drug-resistance of pancreatic cancer cells results in poor therapeutic effect. To predict the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy drugs to specific patients and to reverse the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells are critical for chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in the genesis of drug-resistance of various cancer types. There are also many advantages of miRNAs in diagnosis and therapy of disease. Although several miRNAs regulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in human pancreatic cancer have been reported, the detailed molecular mechanism remains to be determined. In this study, we found that miR-320a was significantly up-regulated in 5-FU resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Over-expression of miR-320a strongly contributed to pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, which was represented by the increased proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug-resistance characteristics and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-320a was able to bind to 3′UTR of PDCD4 mRNA, and mediated its down-regulation in 5-FU resistance of human pancreatic cancer cells. Whereas restoration of PDCD4 expression could partially attenuate the function of miR-320a in pancreatic cancer. Taken together, our study demonstrated that miR-320a played important role in regulating 5-FU resistance by targeting PDCD4 and might be developed as new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump improves the clinical outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in left ventricular dysfunction patients
Authors: Yang Feng , Wang Jinhong , Hou Dengbang , Xing Jialin , Liu Feng , Xing Zhi chen , Jiang Chunjing , Hao Xing , Du Zhongtao , Yang Xiaofang , Zhao Yanyan , Miao Na , Jiang Yu , Dong Ran , Gu Chengxiong , Sun Lizhong , Wang Hong , Hou Xiaotong
Published: June 2016

Severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) are often associated with a higher mortality. The efficacy and safety of the preoperative prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion is not well established. 416 consecutive patients with severe LV dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤35%) undergoing isolated OPCAB were enrolled in a retrospective observational study. 191 patients was enrolled in the IABP group; the remaining 225 patients was in control group. A total of 129 pairs of patients were propensity-score matched. No significant differences in demographic and preoperative risk factors were found between the two groups. The postoperative 30-day mortality occurred more frequently in the control group compared with the IABP group (8.5% vs. 1.6%,p = 0.02). There was a significant reduction of low cardiac output syndrome in the IABP group compared with the control group (14% vs. 6.2%,p = 0.04). Prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥48 h) occurred more frequently in the control group (34.9% vs. 20.9%,p = 0.02). IABP also decreased the postoperative length of stay. Preoperative IABP was associated with a lower 30-day mortality, suggesting that it is effective in patients with severe LV dysfunction undergoing OPCAB.
Functional and pharmacological characterization of two different ASIC1a/2a heteromers reveals their sensitivity to the spider toxin PcTx1
Authors: Joeres Niko , Augustinowski Katrin , Neuhof Andreas , Assmann Marc , Gründer Stefan
Published: June 2016

Acid Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) detect extracellular proton signals and are involved in synaptic transmission and pain sensation. ASIC subunits assemble into homo- and heteromeric channels composed of three subunits. Single molecule imaging revealed that heteromers composed of ASIC1a and ASIC2a, which are widely expressed in the central nervous system, have a flexible 2:1/1:2 stoichiometry. It was hitherto not possible, however, to functionally differentiate these two heteromers. To have a homogenous population of ASIC1a/2a heteromers with either 2:1 or 1:2 stoichiometry, we covalently linked subunits in the desired configuration and characterized their functional properties in Xenopus oocytes. We show that the two heteromers have slightly different proton affinity, with an additional ASIC1a subunit increasing apparent affinity. Moreover, we found that zinc, which potentiates ASIC2a-containing ASICs but not homomeric ASIC1a, potentiates both heteromers. Finally, we show that PcTx1, which binds at subunit-subunit interfaces of homomeric ASIC1a, inhibits both heteromers suggesting that ASIC2a can also contribute to a PcTx1 binding site. Using this functional fingerprint, we show that rat cortical neurons predominantly express the ASIC1a/2a heteromer with a 2:1 stoichiometry. Collectively, our results reveal the contribution of individual subunits to the functional properties of ASIC1a/2a heteromers.
Identification of G protein-coupled receptors required for vitellogenin uptake into the oocytes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Bai Hua , Palli Subba Reddy
Published: June 2016

Previous studies suggested that a membrane receptor might be involved in mediating vitellogenin (Vg) uptake and juvenile hormone (JH)-regulated remodeling of follicular epithelium (also called ‘patency’). G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is one of the largest membrane receptor protein families and controls many key physiological processes. To investigate the role of GPCRs in insect reproduction and juvenile hormone-regulated Vg uptake, we performed a comprehensive RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting GPCRs in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Out of 112 GPCRs tested, knockdown of 41 GPCRs resulted in a reduction in fecundity. Interestingly, RNAi against two GPCRs (a Rhodopsin-like receptor and a Dopamine D2-like receptor) led to a significant reduction in Vg accumulation in developing oocytes. Functional assays of these two GPCRs showed that JH triggers a dose-dependent inhibition of intracellular cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing Tribolium Dopamine D2-like receptor. These data suggest that Dopamine D2-like receptor plays crucial roles in regulating Vg uptake and is a promising candidate membrane receptor mediating JH regulation of patency in the red flour beetle.
Relationship of Early Spontaneous Type V Blood Pressure Fluctuation after Thrombolysis in Acute Cerebral Infarction Patients and the Prognosis
Authors: Zuo Lian , Wan Ting , Xu Xiahong , Liu Feifeng , Li Changsong , Li Ying , Zhang Yue , Zhang Jing , Bao Huan , Li Gang
Published: June 2016

We examined the relationship between an early spontaneous type V blood pressure fluctuation and the post-thrombolysis prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction. Patients were admitted consecutively. All patients were categorized into the type V blood pressure fluctuation group or non-type V blood pressure group. Their blood pressure was monitored before thrombolysis and until 6 h after thrombolysis. Baseline data and clinical outcomes were compared. Of 170 patients, 43 (25.2%) had an early type V blood pressure fluctuation. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score before thrombolysis and 24 h after thrombolysis and the modified Rankin scale score at 90 days differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that an unfavorable prognosis at 3 months was associated with the NIHSS score before thrombolysis (P = 0.000) but probably not with this blood pressure fluctuation (P = 0.058). An early spontaneous type V blood pressure fluctuation is common in patients with acute cerebral infarction who received venous thrombolysis, especially if they have a higher NIHSS score before thrombolysis. The type V blood pressure fluctuation may not influence patients’ prognosis; however, this needs to be confirmed in future trials.
CD4+CD25+ T Cells in primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury
Authors: Huang Hongdong , Luo Yang , Liang Yumei , Long Xidai , Peng Youming , Liu Zhihua , Wen Xiaojun , Jia Meng , Tian Ru , Bai Chengli , Li Cui , He Fuliang , Lin Qiushi , Wang Xueyan , Dong Xiaoqun
Published: June 2016

CD4+CD25+T cells are critical for maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance. We measured the number of CD4+CD25+cells in the patients with primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury, to explore the molecular pathogenesis of this disease. We selected 30 patients with primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury and 30 healthy volunteers. Information on clinical characteristics and laboratory tests was obtained from each subject. The number of CD4+CD25+cells and glomerular injury were assessed by flow cytometry and histopathology, respectively. Both serum IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 and endothelial cell markers were analyzed by ELISA. ADAMTS13 antibody was detected by Western blotting. CD4+CD25+cells were significantly reduced in patients with primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury compared to controls (P < 0.05). The number of CD4+CD25+cells was negatively related to blood urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, proteinuria, and supernatant IL-4; whereas positively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients. Gradually decreasing CD4+CD25+cells were also found as increasing renal injury. Additionally, patients exhibited increasing supernatant IL-4, serum IL-2 and IL-6, endothelial cell markers, and anti-ADAMTS13 antibody compared with controls (allP < 0.05). CD4+CD25+cells may play a key role in the pathogenesis of primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury.
Contribution of the Twin Arginine Translocation system to the exoproteome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ball Geneviève , Antelmann Haike , Imbert Paul Roger Claude , Gimenez Maxime Rémi , Voulhoux Romé , Ize Bérengère
Published: June 2016

The opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosauses secretion systems to deliver exoproteins into the environment. These exoproteins contribute to bacterial survival, adaptation, and virulence. The Twin arginine translocation (Tat) export system enables the export of folded proteins into the periplasm, some of which can then be further secreted outside the cell. However, the full range of proteins that are conveyed by Tat is unknown, despite the importance of Tat for the adaptability and full virulence ofP. aeruginosa. In this work, we explored theP. aeruginosaTat-dependent exoproteome under phosphate starvation by two-dimensional gel analysis. We identified the major secreted proteins and new Tat-dependent exoproteins. These exoproteins were further analyzed by a combination ofin silicoanalysis, regulation studies, and protein localization. Altogether we reveal that the absence of the Tat system significantly affects the composition of the exoproteome by impairing protein export and affecting gene expression. Notably we discovered three new Tat exoproteins and one novel type II secretion substrate. Our data also allowed the identification of two new start codons highlighting the importance of protein annotation for subcellular predictions. The new exoproteins that we identify may play a significant role inP. aeruginosapathogenesis, host interaction and niche adaptation.
Improved Gate Dielectric Deposition and Enhanced Electrical Stability for Single-Layer MoS2 MOSFET with an AlN Interfacial Layer
Authors: Qian Qingkai , Li Baikui , Hua Mengyuan , Zhang Zhaofu , Lan Feifei , Xu Yongkuan , Yan Ruyue , Chen Kevin J.
Published: June 2016

Transistors based on MoS2 and other TMDs have been widely studied. The dangling-bond free surface of MoS2 has made the deposition of high-quality high-k dielectrics on MoS2 a challenge. The resulted transistors often suffer from the threshold voltage instability induced by the high density traps near MoS2/dielectric interface or inside the gate dielectric, which is detrimental for the practical applications of MoS2 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). In this work, by using AlN deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) as an interfacial layer, top-gate dielectrics as thin as 6 nm for single-layer MoS2 transistors are demonstrated. The AlN interfacial layer not only promotes the conformal deposition of high-quality Al2O3 on the dangling-bond free MoS2, but also greatly enhances the electrical stability of the MoS2 transistors. Very small hysteresis (ΔVth) is observed even at large gate biases and high temperatures. The transistor also exhibits a low level of flicker noise, which clearly originates from the Hooge mobility fluctuation instead of the carrier number fluctuation. The observed superior electrical stability of MoS2 transistor is attributed to the low border trap density of the AlN interfacial layer, as well as the small gate leakage and high dielectric strength of AlN/Al2O3 dielectric stack.
Biomineralization Guided by Paper Templates
Authors: Camci-Unal Gulden , Laromaine Anna , Hong Estrella , Derda Ratmir , Whitesides George M.
Published: June 2016

This work demonstrates the fabrication of partially mineralized scaffolds fabricated in 3D shapes using paper by folding and by supporting deposition of calcium phosphate by osteoblasts cultured in these scaffolds. This process generates centimeter-scale free-standing structures composed of paper supporting regions of calcium phosphate deposited by osteoblasts. This work is the first demonstration that paper can be used as a scaffold to induce template-guided mineralization by osteoblasts. Because paper has a porous structure, it allows transport of O2 and nutrients across its entire thickness. Paper supports a uniform distribution of cells upon seeding in hydrogel matrices and allows growth, remodelling and proliferation of cells. Scaffolds made of paper make it possible to construct 3D tissue models easily by tuning material properties such as thickness, porosity and density of chemical functional groups. Paper offers a new approach to study mechanisms of biomineralization and perhaps ultimately new techniques to guide or accelerate the repair of bone.
Genetic diversity, seasonality and transmission network of human metapneumovirus: identification of a unique sub-lineage of the fusion and attachment genes
Authors: Chow Wei Zhen , Chan Yoke Fun , Oong Xiang Yong , Ng Liang Jie , Nor’E Siti Sarah , Ng Kim Tien , Chan Kok Gan , Hanafi Nik Sherina , Pang Yong Kek , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Tee Kok Keng
Published: June 2016

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important viral respiratory pathogen worldwide. Current knowledge regarding the genetic diversity, seasonality and transmission dynamics of HMPV among adults and children living in tropical climate remains limited. HMPV prevailed at 2.2% (n = 86/3,935) among individuals presented with acute respiratory tract infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between 2012 and 2014. Seasonal peaks were observed during the northeast monsoon season (November–April) and correlated with higher relative humidity and number of rainy days (P < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of the fusion and attachment genes identified the co-circulation of three known HMPV sub-lineages, A2b and B1 (30.2% each, 26/86) and B2 (20.9%, 18/86), with genotype shift from sub-lineage B1 to A2b observed in 2013. Interestingly, a previously unrecognized sub-lineage of A2 was identified in 18.6% (16/86) of the population. Using a custom script for network construction based on the TN93 pairwise genetic distance, we identified up to nine HMPV transmission clusters circulating as multiple sub-epidemics. Although no apparent major outbreak was observed, the increased frequency of transmission clusters (dyads) during seasonal peaks suggests the potential roles of transmission clusters in driving the spread of HMPV. Our findings provide essential information for therapeutic research, prevention strategies and disease outbreak monitoring of HMPV.
High-responsivity vertical-illumination Si/Ge uni-traveling-carrier photodiodes based on silicon-on-insulator substrate
Authors: Li Chong , Xue ChunLai , Liu Zhi , Cong Hui , Cheng Buwen , Hu Zonghai , Guo Xia , Liu Wuming
Published: June 2016

Si/Ge uni-traveling carrier photodiodes exhibit higher output current when space-charge effect is overcome and the thermal effects is suppressed. High current is beneficial for increasing the dynamic range of various microwave photonic systems and simplifying high-bit-rate digital receivers in many applications. From the point of view of packaging, detectors with vertical-illumination configuration can be easily handled by pick-and-place tools and are a popular choice for making photo-receiver modules. However, vertical-illumination Si/Ge uni-traveling carrier (UTC) devices suffer from inter-constraint between high speed and high responsivity. Here, we report a high responsivity vertical-illumination Si/Ge UTC photodiode based on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. When the transmission of the monolayer anti-reflection coating was maximum, the maximum absorption efficiency of the devices was 1.45 times greater than the silicon substrate owing to constructive interference. The Si/Ge UTC photodiode had a dominant responsivity at 1550 nm of 0.18 A/W, a 50% improvement even with a 25% thinner Ge absorption layer.
Integrating landfill bioreactors, partial nitritation and anammox process for methane recovery and nitrogen removal from leachate
Authors: Sun Faqian , Su Xiaomei , Kang Tingting , Wu Songwei , Yuan Mengdong , Zhu Jing , Zhang Xiayun , Xu Fang , Wu Weixiang
Published: June 2016

A new process consisting of a landfill bioreactor, partial-nitritation (PN) and the anammox process has been developed for landfill leachate treatment. In this study, the landfill bioreactor exhibited excellent performance in methane-rich biogas recovery, with a specific biogas yield of 0.47 L gas g−1 COD and methane percentages of 53–76%. PN was achieved in the aerobic reactor by high free ammonia (101 ± 83 mg NH3 L−1) inhibition for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria and the desired PN effluent composition (effluent nitrite: ammonium ratio of 1.1 ± 0.3) was controlled by adjusting the alkalinity concentration per unit of ammonium oxidized to approximately 14.3 mg CaCO3 mg−1 N in the influent. The startup of anammox process was successfully achieved with a membrane bioreactor in 160 d and a maximum nitrogen removal rate of 216 mg N L−1 d−1 was attained for real landfill leachate treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction results confirmed that the cell-specific anammox activity was approximately 68–95 fmol N cell−1 d−1, which finally led to the stable operation of the system.
Genetic divergence of enterovirus D68 in China and the United States
Authors: Xiang Zichun , Xie Zhengde , Liu Lulu , Ren Lili , Xiao Yan , Paranhos-Baccalà Gláucia , Wang Jianwei
Published: June 2016

The largest outbreak of human enterovirus 68 (EV-D68) infections associated with severe respiratory illness and neurological complications emerged from the United States in 2014. China reported the circulation of EV-D68 since 2006, but these cases were sporadic and did not display neurological symptoms. Yet viral determinants responsible for the difference in prevalence between China and the U.S. were not clear. We analyzed the genome of 64 reported Chinese EV-D68 strains and found that genogroup replacement has occurred in China since 2006. The six coding mutations (M291T, V341A, T860N, D927N, S1108G and R2005K) associated with neurovirulence reported in American strains were not found in Chinese strains. Moreover, 2014 Chinese strains had a unique R220A mutation in the puff region of VP2 while R220E mutation occurred in other strains. Like other enteroviruses, the loop sequences of the domain X and Y in the 3′-UTR of the Chinese strains are complementary. However, the X loop sequences of the 2014 American strains were not complementary but identical to Y loop sequences. These results indicate that different EV-D68 strains circulated in China and America and the mutations might be responsible for different prevalence. Our findings also provide new evidence for the sequence diversity of EV-D68.
Leptospiral outer membrane protein LipL32 induces inflammation and kidney injury in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Chang Ming-Yang , Cheng Yi-Chuan , Hsu Shen-Hsing , Ma Tsu-Lin , Chou Li-Fang , Hsu Hsiang-Hao , Tian Ya-Chung , Chen Yung-Chang , Sun Yuh-Ju , Hung Cheng-Chieh , Pan Rong-Long , Yang Chih-Wei
Published: June 2016

Leptospirosis is an often overlooked cause of acute kidney injury that can lead to multiple organ failure and even death. The principle protein that conserved in many pathogenic leptospires is the outer membrane protein LipL32. However, the role of LipL32 in the pathogenesis of renal injury in leptospirosis is not entirely clear. Here we studied the effects of LipL32 on the developing kidney in zebrafish larvae. Incubation of zebrafish larvae with Leptospira santarosai serovar Shermani induced acute tubular injury predominantly in the proximal pronephric ducts. Furthermore, microinjection of lipl32 mRNA or recombinant LipL32 protein into zebrafish larvae increased macrophage accumulation and disrupted the basolateral location of NA-K-ATPase in pronephric ducts. These changes led to substantial impairment of the pronephric kidney structure. We further demonstrated that morpholino knockdown of tlr2, but not tlr4, reduced the LipL32-induced leukocyte infiltration and kidney injury. These data demonstrate that LipL32 contributes to the renal pathology in leptospirosis and gives some clues to the potential virulence of LipL32. Our results support the use of zebrafish as a model organism for studying the disease mechanism of leptospiral infection. This model might permit the future exploration of the virulence and molecular pathways of different leptospiral outer membrane proteins.
Genetically encoded optical activation of DNA recombination in human cells
Authors: Luo J. , Arbely E. , Zhang J. , Chou C. , Uprety R. , Chin J. W. , Deiters A.
Published: June 2016

Two precisely regulated, light-activated Cre recombinase enzymes were generated through the site-specific incorporation of two genetically encoded photocaged amino acids in human cells.
Crystalline fibres of a covalent organic framework through bottom-up microfluidic synthesis
Authors: Rodríguez-San-Miguel David , Abrishamkar Afshin , Navarro Jorge A. R. , Rodriguez-Trujillo Romen , Amabilino David B. , Mas-Ballesté Ruben , Zamora Félix , Puigmartí-Luis Josep
Published: June 2016

This work describes the formation of high quality fibres of a covalent organic framework (COF) under microfluidic conditions.
Functionalized SPIONs: the surfactant nature modulates the self-assembly and cluster formation
Authors: Luchini Alessandra , Heenan Richard K. , Paduano Luigi , Vitiello Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

SuperParamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) represent a suitable system for several applications especially in nanomedicine.
Lagrangian descriptors in dissipative systems
Authors: Junginger Andrej , Hernandez Rigoberto
Published: June 2016

In noisy chemical reactions with dissipation a reweighted Lagrangian descriptor reveals invariant manifolds.
A novel dichromic self-referencing optical probe SrO:Bi3+,Eu3+ for temperature spatially and temporally imaging
Authors: Fu Jipeng , Pang Ran , Jiang Lihong , Jia Yonglei , Sun Wenzhi , Zhang Su , Li Chengyu
Published: June 2016

A dichromic temperature sensitive probe was synthesized to construct an effective luminescence temperature sensor and to realize real-time monitoring of surface temperature transients from room temperature to 200 °C.
Tin/vanadium redox electrolyte for battery-like energy storage capacity combined with supercapacitor-like power handling
Authors: Lee Juhan , Krüner Benjamin , Tolosa Aura , Sathyamoorthi Sethuraman , Kim Daekyu , Choudhury Soumyadip , Seo Kum-Hee , Presser Volker
Published: June 2016

We introduce a high performance hybrid electrochemical energy storage system based on an aqueous electrolyte containing tin sulfate (SnSO4) and vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) with nanoporous activated carbon.
Dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed dyes
Authors: Hashmi Syed Ghufran , Özkan Merve , Halme Janne , Zakeeruddin Shaik Mohammed , Paltakari Jouni , Grätzel Michael , Lund Peter D.
Published: June 2016

Inkjet printing dyes on TiO2 films enables the creation of DSSCs with tailored transparency, color density gradients, and patterns of multiple dyes on the same photoelectrode.
Interference stabilization of autoionizing states in molecular N2 studied by time- and angular-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Eckstein Martin , Mayer Nicola , Yang Chung-Hsin , Sansone Giuseppe , Vrakking Marc J. J. , Ivanov Misha , Kornilov Oleg
Published: June 2016

An autoionizing resonance in molecular N2 is excited by an ultrashort XUV pulse and probed by a subsequent weak IR pulse, which ionizes the contributing Rydberg states. Time- and angular-resolved photoelectron spectra recorded with a velocity map imaging spectrometer reveal two electronic contributions with different angular distributions. One of them has an exponential decay rate of 20 ± 5 fs, while the other one is shorter than 10 fs. This observation is interpreted as a manifestation of interference stabilization involving the two overlapping discrete Rydberg states. A formalism of interference stabilization for molecular ionization is developed and applied to describe the autoionizing resonance. The results of calculations suggest, that the effect of the interference stabilization is facilitated by rotationally-induced couplings of electronic states with different symmetry.
Faraday efficiency and mechanism of electrochemical surface reactions: CO2 reduction and H2 formation on Pt(111)
Authors: Hussain Javed , Jónsson Hannes , Skúlason Egill
Published: June 2016

An atomic scale model of the electrical double layer is used to calculate the mechanism and rate of electrochemical reduction of CO2 as well as H2 formation at a Pt(111) electrode. The water layer contains solvated protons and the electrode has excess electrons at the surface. Density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation is used to describe the electronic structure while the mechanism and activation energy of the various elementary reactions is obtained by calculating minimum energy paths using the nudged elastic band method. The applied electrical potential is deduced from the calculated work function. The optimal reaction mechanism for CO2 reduction to either methane or methanol is found and the estimated rate compared with that of the competing reaction, H2 formation. When the free energy of only the intermediates and reactants is taken into account, not the activation energy, Pt(111) would seem to be a good electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction, significantly better than Cu(111). This, however, contradicts experimental findings. Detailed calculations reported here show that the activation energy for CO2 reduction is high for both Heyrovsky and Tafel mechanisms on Pt(111) in the relevant range of applied potential. The rate-limiting step of the Heyrovsky mechanism, *COOH + H+ + e− → *CO + H2O, is estimated to have an activation energy of 0.95 eV at −0.9 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode. Under the same conditions, the activation energy for H2 formation is estimated to be only 0.5 eV. This explains why attempts to reduce CO2 using platinum electrodes have produced only H2. A comparison is made with analogous results for Cu(111) [J. Hussain et al., Procedia Comput. Sci., 2015, 51, 1865] where a reaction mechanism with low activation energy for CO2 electroreduction to methane was identified. The difference between the two electrocatalysts is discussed.
Upgrading of palmitic acid to iso-alkanes over bi-functional Mo/ZSM-22 catalysts
Authors: Shi Yanchun , Cao Yaya , Duan Yanan , Chen Hao , Chen Yu , Yang Mingde , Wu Yulong
Published: June 2016

Bi-functional Mo/ZSM-22 catalysts were designed to upgrade palmitic acid and further to isomerize n-alkanes.
Analysis of the optimality of the standard genetic code
Authors: Kumar Balaji , Saini Supreet
Published: June 2016

Many theories have been proposed attempting to explain the origin of the genetic code. In this work, we compare performance of the standard genetic code against millions of randomly generated codes. On left, ability of genetic codes to encode additional information and their robustness to frameshift mutations.
In vitro repair of a defective EGFP transcript and translation into a functional protein
Authors: Balke Darko , Becker Aileen , Müller Sabine
Published: June 2016

Twin ribozymes mediate the exchange of a short patch of RNA against an exogenous oligonucleotide within a suitable RNA substrate.
Insulin-mimetic and anti-inflammatory potential of a vanadyl-Schiff base complex for its application against diabetes
Authors: Ki Jieun , Mukherjee Abhishek , Rangasamy Sabarinathan , Purushothaman Baskaran , Song Joon Myong
Published: June 2016

Insulin-mimetic and anti-inflammatory potential of vanadium oxo complex (VOTP) enhances the GLUT4 translocation by inducing the phosphorylation of tyrosine moiety in insulin receptor substrate (IRS1).
EB depth-curing as a facile method to prepare highly stable membranes
Authors: Altun Veysi , Bielmann Michael , Vankelecom Ivo F. J.
Published: June 2016

Solvent resistant polymeric membranes were prepared via electron beam (EB) curing after adding acrylate monomers to the existing membrane casting solution.
Effect of biofilm parameters and extracellular polymeric substance composition on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation
Authors: Mangwani Neelam , Shukla Sudhir K. , Kumari Supriya , Das Surajit , Rao T. Subba
Published: June 2016

This study with ten marine isolates demonstrates that the attached phenotypes of the marine bacteria showed significant variation in biofilm architecture and, in turn, biodegradation of PAHs.
A low spin manganese(iv) nitride single molecule magnet
Authors: Ding Mei , Cutsail III George E. , Aravena Daniel , Amoza Martín , Rouzières Mathieu , Dechambenoit Pierre , Losovyj Yaroslav , Pink Maren , Ruiz Eliseo , Clérac Rodolphe , Smith Jeremy M.
Published: June 2016

Structural, spectroscopic and magnetic methods have been used to characterize the tris(carbene)borate compound PhB(MesIm)3MnN as a four-coordinate manganese(iv) complex with a low spin (S = 1/2) configuration.
Capillarity-induced directed self-assembly of patchy hexagram particles at the air–water interface
Authors: Kang Sung-Min , Choi Chang-Hyung , Kim Jongmin , Yeom Su-Jin , Lee Daeyeon , Park Bum Jun , Lee Chang-Soo
Published: June 2016

Directed self-assembly can produce ordered or organized superstructures through pre-programmed interactions.
A unique porous architecture built by ultrathin wrinkled NiCoO2/rGO/NiCoO2 sandwich nanosheets for pseudocapacitance and Li ion storage
Authors: Leng Xuning , Shao Yuan , Wu Libo , Wei Sufeng , Jiang Zhonghao , Wang Guoyong , Jiang Qing , Lian Jianshe
Published: June 2016

Ultrathin mesoporous wrinkled NiCoO2/rGO/NiCoO2 sandwich nanosheets, prepared by a facile and scalable chemical co-precipitation method, show excellent electrochemical performance.
Synthesis of diblock/statistical cationic glycopolymers with pendant galactose and lysine moieties: gene delivery application and intracellular behaviors
Authors: Sun Jingjing , Sheng Ruilong , Luo Ting , Wang Zhao , Li Hui , Cao Amin
Published: June 2016

A new series of cationic block copolymers PHML-b-PMAGal and statistical copolymers P(HML-st-MAGal) with pendant natural galactose and (l-)-lysine moieties were prepared via RAFT polymerization.
Exploring Synthetic and Systems Biology at the University of Edinburgh
Authors: Fletcher Liz , Rosser Susan , Elfick Alistair
Published: June 2016

The Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology ('SynthSys') was originally established in 2007 as the Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Today, SynthSys embraces an extensive multidisciplinary community of more than 200 researchers from across the University with a common interest in synthetic and systems biology. Our research is broad and deep, addressing a diversity of scientific questions, with wide ranging impact. We bring together the power of synthetic biology and systems approaches to focus on three core thematic areas: industrial biotechnology, agriculture and the environment, and medicine and healthcare. In October 2015, we opened a newly refurbished building as a physical hub for our new U.K. Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology funded by the BBSRC/EPSRC/MRC as part of the U.K. Research Councils' Synthetic Biology for Growth programme.
GeneMill: A 21st century platform for innovation
Authors: Johnson James R. , D'Amore Rosalinda , Thain Simon C. , Craig Thomas , McCue Hannah V. , Hertz-Fowler Christiane , Hall Neil , Hall Anthony J.W.
Published: June 2016

GeneMill officially launched on 4th February 2016 and is an open access academic facility located at The University of Liverpool that has been established for the high-throughput construction and testing of synthetic DNA constructs. GeneMill provides end-to-end design, construction and phenotypic characterization of small to large gene constructs or genetic circuits/pathways for academic and industrial applications. Thus, GeneMill is equipping the scientific community with easy access to the validated tools required to explore the possibilities of Synthetic Biology.
A growing toolbox of techniques for studying β-barrel outer membrane protein folding and biogenesis
Authors: Horne Jim E. , Radford Sheena E.
Published: June 2016

Great strides into understanding protein folding have been made since the seminal work of Anfinsen over 40 years ago, but progress in the study of membrane protein folding has lagged behind that of their water soluble counterparts. Researchers in these fields continue to turn to more advanced techniques such as NMR, mass spectrometry, molecular dynamics (MD) and single molecule methods to interrogate how proteins fold. Our understanding of β-barrel outer membrane protein (OMP) folding has benefited from these advances in the last decade. This class of proteins must traverse the periplasm and then insert into an asymmetric lipid membrane in the absence of a chemical energy source. In this review we discuss old, new and emerging techniques used to examine the process of OMP folding and biogenesis in vitro and describe some of the insights and new questions these techniques have revealed.
Synthetic promoter design for new microbial chassis
Authors: Gilman James , Love John
Published: June 2016

The judicious choice of promoter to drive gene expression remains one of the most important considerations for synthetic biology applications. Constitutive promoter sequences isolated from nature are often used in laboratory settings or small-scale commercial production streams, but unconventional microbial chassis for new synthetic biology applications require well-characterized, robust and orthogonal promoters. This review provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges for synthetic promoter discovery and design, including molecular methodologies, such as saturation mutagenesis of flanking regions and mutagenesis by error-prone PCR, as well as the less familiar use of computational and statistical analyses for de novo promoter design.
Blueprints for green biotech: development and application of standards for plant synthetic biology
Authors: Patron Nicola J.
Published: June 2016

Synthetic biology aims to apply engineering principles to the design and modification of biological systems and to the construction of biological parts and devices. The ability to programme cells by providing new instructions written in DNA is a foundational technology of the field. Large-scale de novo DNA synthesis has accelerated synthetic biology by offering custom-made molecules at ever decreasing costs. However, for large fragments and for experiments in which libraries of DNA sequences are assembled in different combinations, assembly in the laboratory is still desirable. Biological assembly standards allow DNA parts, even those from multiple laboratories and experiments, to be assembled together using the same reagents and protocols. The adoption of such standards for plant synthetic biology has been cohesive for the plant science community, facilitating the application of genome editing technologies to plant systems and streamlining progress in large-scale, multi-laboratory bioengineering projects.
New chemistry from natural product biosynthesis
Authors: Hubert Catherine B. , Barry Sarah M.
Published: June 2016

Catalysts are a vital part of synthetic chemistry. However, there are still many important reactions for which catalysts have not been developed. The use of enzymes as biocatalysts for synthetic chemistry is growing in importance due to the drive towards sustainable methods for producing both bulk chemicals and high value compounds such as pharmaceuticals, and due to the ability of enzymes to catalyse chemical reactions with excellent stereoselectivity and regioselectivity. Such challenging transformations are a common feature of natural product biosynthetic pathways. In this mini-review, we discuss the potential to use biosynthetic pathways as a starting point for biocatalyst discovery. We introduce the reader to natural product assembly and tailoring, then focus on four classes of enzyme that catalyse C─H bond activation reactions to functionalize biosynthetic precursors. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges involved in novel enzyme discovery.