bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting self-renewal pathways in cancer stem cells: clinical implications for cancer therapy
Authors: Borah A , Raveendran S , Rochani A , Maekawa T , Kumar D S
Published: November 2015

Extensive cancer research in the past few decades has identified the existence of a rare subpopulation of stem cells in the grove of cancer cells. These cells are known as the cancer stem cells marked by the presence of surface biomarkers, multi-drug resistance pumps and deregulated self-renewal pathways (SRPs). They have a crucial role in provoking cancer cells leading to tumorigenesis and its progressive metastasis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are much alike to normal stem cells in their self-renewal mechanisms. However, deregulations in the SRPs are seen in CSCs, making them resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents resulting in the tumor recurrence. Current treatment strategies in cancer fail to detect and differentiate the CSCs from their non-tumorigenic progenies owing to absence of specific biomarkers. Now, it has become imperative to understand complex functional biology of CSCs, especially the signaling pathways to design improved treatment strategies to target them. It is hopeful that the SRPs in CSCs offer a promising target to alter their survival strategies and impede their tumorigenic potential. However, there are many perils associated with the direct targeting method by conventional therapeutic agents such as off targets, poor bioavailability and poor cellular distribution. Recent evidences have shown an increased use of small molecule antagonists directly to target these SRPs may lead to severe side-effects. An alternative to solve these issues could be an appropriate nanoformulation. Nanoformulations of these molecules could provide an added advantage for the selective targeting of the pathways especially Hedgehog, Wnt, Notch and B-cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 in the CSCs while sparing the normal stem cells. Hence, to achieve this goal a complete understanding of the molecular pathways corroborate with the use of holistic nanosystem (nanomaterial inhibition molecule) could possibly be an encouraging direction for future cancer therapy.
Rational design of inorganic dielectric materials with expected permittivity
Authors: Xie Congwei , Oganov Artem R. , Dong Dong , Liu Ning , Li Duan , Debela Tekalign Terfa
Published: November 2015

Techniques for rapid design of dielectric materials with appropriate permittivity for many important technological applications are urgently needed. It is found that functional structure blocks (FSBs) are helpful in rational design of inorganic dielectrics with expected permittivity. To achieve this, coordination polyhedra are parameterized as FSBs and a simple empirical model to evaluate permittivity based on these FSB parameters is proposed. Using this model, a wide range of examples including ferroelectric, high/low permittivity materials are discussed, resulting in several candidate materials for experimental follow-up.
Crystal structure of CobK reveals strand-swapping between Rossmann-fold domains and molecular basis of the reduced precorrin product trap
Authors: Gu Shuang , Sushko Oleksandr , Deery Evelyne , Warren Martin J. , Pickersgill Richard W.
Published: November 2015

CobK catalyzes the essential reduction of the precorrin ring in the cobalamin biosynthetic pathway. The crystal structure of CobK reveals that the enzyme, despite not having the signature sequence, comprises two Rossmann fold domains which bind coenzyme and substrate respectively. The two parallel β-sheets have swapped their last β-strands giving a novel sheet topology which is an interesting variation on the Rossmann-fold. The trapped ternary complex with coenzyme and product reveals five conserved basic residues that bind the carboxylates of the tetrapyrrole tightly anchoring the product. A loop, disordered in both the apoenzyme and holoenzyme structures, closes around the product further tightening binding. The structure is consistent with a mechanism involving protonation of C18 and pro-R hydride transfer from NADPH to C19 of precorrin-6A and reveals the interactions responsible for the specificity of CobK. The almost complete burial of the reduced precorrin product suggests a remarkable form of metabolite channeling where the next enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway triggers product release.
Ternary SnS2–xSex Alloys Nanosheets and Nanosheet Assemblies with Tunable Chemical Compositions and Band Gaps for Photodetector Applications
Authors: Yu Jing , Xu Cheng-Yan , Li Yang , Zhou Fei , Chen Xiao-Shuang , Hu Ping-An , Zhen Liang
Published: November 2015

Ternary metal dichalcogenides alloys exhibit compositionally tunable optical properties and electronic structure and therefore, band gap engineering by controllable doping would provide a powerful approach to promote their physical and chemical properties. Herein we obtained ternary SnS2−xSexalloys with tunable chemical compositions and optical properties via a simple one-step solvothermal process. Raman scattering and UV-vis-NIR absorption spectra reveal the composition-related optical features and the band gaps can be discretely modulated from 2.23 to 1.29 eV with the increase of Se content. The variation tendency of band gap was also confirmed by first-principles calculations. The change of composition results in the difference of crystal structure as well as morphology for SnS2−xSexsolid solution, namely, nanosheets assemblies or nanosheet. The photoelectrochemical measurements indicate that the performance of ternary SnS2−xSexalloys depends on their band structures and morphology characteristics. Furthermore, SnS2−xSexphotodetectors present high photoresponsivity with a maximum of 35 mA W−1and good light stability in a wide range of spectral response from ultraviolet to visible light, which renders them promising candidates for a variety of optoelectronic applications.
Targeted gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for CD163 detection in atherosclerosis by MRI
Authors: Tarin Carlos , Carril Monica , Martin-Ventura Jose Luis , Markuerkiaga Irati , Padro Daniel , Llamas-Granda Patricia , Moreno Juan Antonio , García Isabel , Genicio Nuria , Plaza-Garcia Sandra , Blanco-Colio Luis Miguel , Penades Soledad , Egido Jesus
Published: November 2015

CD163 is a membrane receptor expressed by macrophage lineage. Studies performed in atherosclerosis have shown that CD163 expression is increased at inflammatory sites, pointing at the presence of intraplaque hemorrhagic sites or asymptomatic plaques. Hence, imaging of CD163 expressing macrophages is an interesting strategy in order to detect atherosclerotic plaques. We have prepared a targeted probe based on gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles vectorized with an anti-CD163 antibody for the specific detection of CD163 by MRI. Firstly, the specificity of the targeted probe was validated in vitro by incubation of the probe with CD163(+) or (−) macrophages. The probe was able to selectively detect CD163(+) macrophages both in human and murine cells. Subsequently, the targeted probe was injected in 16 weeks old apoE deficient mice developing atherosclerotic lesions and the pararenal abdominal aorta was imaged by MRI. The accumulation of probe in the site of interest increased over time and the signal intensity decreased significantly 48 hours after the injection. Hence, we have developed a highly sensitive targeted probe capable of detecting CD163-expressing macrophages that could provide useful information about the state of the atheromatous lesions.
Structure of Mycobacterium thermoresistibile GlgE defines novel conformational states that contribute to the catalytic mechanism
Authors: Mendes Vitor , Blaszczyk Michal , Maranha Ana , Empadinhas Nuno , Blundell Tom L.
Published: November 2015

GlgE, an enzyme of the pathway that converts trehalose to α-glucans, is essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Inhibition of GlgE, which transfers maltose from a maltose-1-phosphate donor to α-glucan/maltooligosaccharide chain acceptor, leads to a toxic accumulation of maltose-1-phosphate that culminates in cellular death. Here we describe the first high-resolution mycobacterial GlgE structure from Mycobacterium thermoresistibile at 1.96 Å. We show that the structure resembles that of M. tuberculosis and Streptomyces coelicolor GlgEs, reported before, with each protomer in the homodimer comprising five domains. However, in M. thermoresistibile GlgE we observe several conformational states of the S domain and provide evidence that its high flexibility is important for enzyme activity. The structures here reported shed further light on the interactions between the N-terminal domains and the catalytic domains of opposing chains and how they contribute to the catalytic reaction. Importantly this work identifies a useful surrogate system to aid the development of GlgE inhibitors against opportunistic and pathogenic mycobacteria.
Effects of a discoloration-resistant calcium aluminosilicate cement on the viability and proliferation of undifferentiated human dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Niu Li-na , Watson Devon , Thames Kyle , Primus Carolyn M. , Bergeron Brian E. , Jiao Kai , Bortoluzzi Eduardo A. , Cutler Christopher W. , Chen Ji-hua , Pashley David H. , Tay Franklin R.
Published: November 2015

Discoloration-resistant calcium aluminosilicate cement has been formulated to overcome the timely problem of tooth discoloration reported in the clinical application of bismuth oxide-containing hydraulic cements. The present study examined the effects of this experimental cement (Quick-Set2) on the viability and proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) by comparing the cellular responses with commercially available calcium silicate cement (white mineral trioxide aggregate; WMTA) after different aging periods. Cell viability and proliferation were examined using assays that examined plasma membrane integrity, leakage of cytosolic enzyme, caspase-3 activity for early apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial metabolic activity and intracellular DNA content. Results of the six assays indicated that both Quick-Set2 and WMTA were initially cytotoxic to hDPSCs after setting for 24 h, with Quick-Set2 being comparatively less cytotoxic than WMTA at this stage. After two aging cycles, the cytotoxicity profiles of the two hydraulic cements were not significantly different and were much less cytotoxic than the positive control (zinc oxide–eugenol cement). Based on these results, it is envisaged that any potential beneficial effect of the discoloration-resistant calcium aluminosilicate cement on osteogenesis by differentiated hDPSCs is more likely to be revealed after outward diffusion and removal of its cytotoxic components.
M1 of Murine Gamma-Herpesvirus 68 Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone Production
Authors: Feng Jiaying , Gong Danyang , Fu Xudong , Wu Ting-ting , Wang Jane , Chang Jennifer , Zhou Jingting , Lu Gang , Wang Yibin , Sun Ren
Published: November 2015

Viruses rely on host chaperone network to support their infection. In particular, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident chaperones play key roles in synthesizing and processing viral proteins. Influx of a large amount of foreign proteins exhausts the folding capacity in ER and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR). A fully-executed UPR comprises signaling pathways that induce ER folding chaperones, increase protein degradation, block new protein synthesis and may eventually activate apoptosis, presenting both opportunities and threats to the virus. Here, we define a role of the MHV-68M1 gene in differential modulation of UPR pathways to enhance ER chaperone production. Ectopic expression of M1 markedly induces ER chaperone genes and expansion of ER. The M1 protein accumulates in ER during infection and this localization is indispensable for its function, suggesting M1 acts from the ER. We found that M1 protein selectively induces the chaperon-producing pathways (IRE1, ATF6) while, interestingly, sparing the translation-blocking arm (PERK). We identified, for the first time, a viral factor capable of selectively intervening the initiation of ER stress signaling to induce chaperon production. This finding provides a unique opportunity of using viral protein as a tool to define the activation mechanisms of individual UPR pathways.
CAP2 in cardiac conduction, sudden cardiac death and eye development
Authors: Field Jeffrey , Ye Diana Z. , Shinde Manasi , Liu Fang , Schillinger Kurt J. , Lu MinMin , Wang Tao , Skettini Michelle , Xiong Yao , Brice Angela K. , Chung Daniel C. , Patel Vickas V.
Published: November 2015

Sudden cardiac death kills 180,000 to 450,000 Americans annually, predominantly males. A locus that confers a risk for sudden cardiac death, cardiac conduction disease and a newly described developmental disorder (6p22 syndrome) is located at 6p22. One gene at 6p22 is CAP2, which encodes a cytoskeletal protein that regulates actin dynamics. To determine the role of CAP2 in vivo, we generated knockout (KO) mice. cap2−/cap2− males were underrepresented at weaning and ~70% died by 12 weeks of age, but cap2−/cap2− females survived at close to the expected levels and lived normal life spans. CAP2 knockouts resembled patients with 6p22 syndrome in that mice were smaller and they developed microphthalmia and cardiac disease. The cardiac disease included cardiac conduction disease (CCD) and, after six months of age, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), most noticeably in the males. To address the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, we used Cre-mediated recombination to knock out CAP2 in cardiomyocytes. We found that the mice developed CCD, leading to sudden cardiac death from complete heart block, but no longer developed DCM or the other phenotypes, including sex bias. These studies establish a direct role for CAP2 and actin dynamics in sudden cardiac death and cardiac conduction disease.
Zeolite Nanoparticles for Selective Sorption of Plasma Proteins
Authors: Rahimi M. , Ng E.-P. , Bakhtiari K. , Vinciguerra M. , Ahmad H. Ali , Awala H. , Mintova S. , Daghighi M. , Bakhshandeh Rostami F. , de Vries M. , Motazacker M. M. , Peppelenbosch M. P. , Mahmoudi M. , Rezaee F.
Published: November 2015

The affinity of zeolite nanoparticles (diameter of 8–12 nm) possessing high surface area and high pore volume towards human plasma proteins has been investigated. The protein composition (corona) of zeolite nanoparticles has been shown to be more dependent on the plasma protein concentrations and the type of zeolites than zeolite nanoparticles concentration. The number of proteins present in the corona of zeolite nanoparticles at 100% plasma (in vivo state) is less than with 10% plasma exposure. This could be due to a competition between the proteins to occupy the corona of the zeolite nanoparticles. Moreover, a high selective adsorption for apolipoprotein C-III (APOC-III) and fibrinogen on the zeolite nanoparticles at high plasma concentration (100%) was observed. While the zeolite nanoparticles exposed to low plasma concentration (10%) exhibited a high selective adsorption for immunoglobulin gamma (i.e. IGHG1, IGHG2 and IGHG4) proteins. The zeolite nanoparticles can potentially be used for selectively capture of APOC-III in order to reduce the activation of lipoprotein lipase inhibition during hypertriglyceridemia treatment. The zeolite nanoparticles can be adapted to hemophilic patients (hemophilia A (F-VIII deficient) and hemophilia B (F-IX deficient)) with a risk of bleeding and thus might be potentially used in combination with the existing therapy.
A tool for determining duration of mortality events in archaeological assemblages using extant ungulate microwear
Authors: Rivals Florent , Prignano Luce , Semprebon Gina M. , Lozano Sergi
Published: November 2015

The seasonality of human occupations in archaeological sites is highly significant for the study of hominin behavioural ecology, in particular the hunting strategies for their main prey-ungulates. We propose a new tool to quantify such seasonality from tooth microwear patterns in a dataset of ten large samples of extant ungulates resulting from well-known mass mortality events. The tool is based on the combination of two measures of variability of scratch density, namely standard deviation and coefficient of variation. The integration of these two measurements of variability permits the classification of each case into one of the following three categories: (1) short events, (2) long-continued event and (3) two separated short events. The tool is tested on a selection of eleven fossil samples from five Palaeolithic localities in Western Europe which show a consistent classification in the three categories. The tool proposed here opens new doors to investigate seasonal patterns of ungulate accumulations in archaeological sites using non-destructive sampling.
Design of exceptionally strong and conductive Cu alloys beyond the conventional speculation via the interfacial energy-controlled dispersion of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles
Authors: Zeon Han Seung , Kim Kwang Ho , Kang Joonhee , Joh Hongrae , Kim Sang Min , Ahn Jee Hyuk , Lee Jehyun , Lim Sung Hwan , Han Byungchan
Published: November 2015

The development of Cu-based alloys with high-mechanical properties (strength, ductility) and electrical conductivity plays a key role over a wide range of industrial applications. Successful design of the materials, however, has been rare due to the improvement of mutually exclusive properties as conventionally speculated. In this paper, we demonstrate that these contradictory material properties can be improved simultaneously if the interfacial energies of heterogeneous interfaces are carefully controlled. We uniformly disperse γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles over Cu matrix and then we controlled atomic level morphology of the interface γ-Al2O3//Cu by adding Ti solutes. It is shown that the Ti dramatically drives the interfacial phase transformation from very irregular to homogeneous spherical morphologies resulting in substantial enhancement of the mechanical property of Cu matrix. Furthermore, the Ti removes impurities (O and Al) in the Cu matrix by forming oxides leading to recovery of the electrical conductivity of pure Cu. We validate experimental results using TEM and EDX combined with first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which all consistently poise that our materials are suitable for industrial applications.
Isolation and Identification of Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing-Related Micro-RNAs by Functionalized Silicon Nanowire Field-effect Transistor
Authors: Chen Kuan-I , Pan Chien-Yuan , Li Keng-Hui , Huang Ying-Chih , Lu Chia-Wei , Tang Chuan-Yi , Su Ya-Wen , Tseng Ling-Wei , Tseng Kun-Chang , Lin Chi-Yun , Chen Chii-Dong , Lin Shih-Shun , Chen Yit-Tsong
Published: November 2015

Many transcribed RNAs are non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), which bind to complementary sequences on messenger RNAs to regulate the translation efficacy. Therefore, identifying the miRNAs expressed in cells/organisms aids in understanding genetic control in cells/organisms. In this report, we determined the binding of oligonucleotides to a receptor-modified silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (SiNW-FET) by monitoring the changes in conductance of the SiNW-FET. We first modified a SiNW-FET with a DNA probe to directly and selectively detect the complementary miRNA in cell lysates. This SiNW-FET device has 7-fold higher sensitivity than reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in detecting the corresponding miRNA. Next, we anchored viral p19 proteins, which bind the double-strand small RNAs (ds-sRNAs), on the SiNW-FET. By perfusing the device with synthesized ds-sRNAs of different pairing statuses, the dissociation constants revealed that the nucleotides at the 3′-overhangs and pairings at the terminus are important for the interactions. After perfusing the total RNA mixture extracted from Nicotiana benthamiana across the device, this device could enrich the ds-sRNAs for sequence analysis. Finally, this bionanoelectronic SiNW-FET, which is able to isolate and identify the interacting protein-RNA, adds an additional tool in genomic technology for the future study of direct biomolecular interactions.
Porous VOxNy nanoribbons supported on CNTs as efficient and stable non-noble electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Huang K. , Bi K. , Lu Y. K. , Zhang R. , Liu J. , Wang W. J. , Tang H. L. , Wang Y. G. , Lei M.
Published: November 2015

Novel nanocomposites of carbon nanotubes supported porous VOxNy nonoribbons (VOxNy-CNTs) have been synthesized by the annealing of the sol-gel mixture of CNTs and V2O5 under NH3 atmosphere as well as the ageing process in air. Besides the morphological and structural characterizations revealed by TEM, SEAD, EDS, XRD and XPS measurements, typical electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk electrode (RDE) and chronoamperometry have been employed to determine the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance of VOxNy-CNTs. Inspiringly, the results indicate that VOxNy-CNTs catalyst exhibits a 0.4 mA/cm2 larger diffusion-limited current density, a 0.10  V smaller onset potential value, a 10.73% less of ORR current decay and an excellent methanol-tolerance compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst. Therefore, we have reasonable grounds to believe that this new VOxNy-CNTs nanocomposites can be regarded as a promising non-precious methanol-tolerant ORR catalyst candidate for alkaline fuel cells.
An outbreak of artemisinin resistant falciparum malaria in Eastern Thailand
Authors: Imwong Mallika , Jindakhad Thantip , Kunasol Chanon , Sutawong Kreepol , Vejakama Phisitt , Dondorp Arjen M.
Published: November 2015

Artemisinin resistant falciparum malaria is an increasing problem in Southeast Asia, but has not been associated with increased transmission of the disease, yet. During a recent outbreak in 2014 in Ubon Ratchatani, Eastern Thailand, parasites from 101 patients with falciparum malaria were genotyped for antimalarial drug resistance markers. Mutations in the Kelch13 marker for artemisinin resistance were present in 93% of samples, mainly C580Y from 2 major clusters as identified by microsatellite typing. Resistance markers for antifolates and chloroquine were also highly prevalent. Most strains (91%) carried single copy number PfMDR1, suggesting sustained sensitivity to mefloquine, the partner drug in the local first-line artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The high prevalence of artemisinin resistance in this recent malaria outbreak suggests but does not prove a causative role in increased transmission. Careful monitoring of ACT efficacy and additional genetic epidemiological studies are warranted to guide the public health response to the outbreak.
Industrial arsenic contamination causes catastrophic changes in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Chen Guangjie , Shi Haibin , Tao Jianshuang , Chen Li , Liu Yuanyuan , Lei Guoliang , Liu Xiaohai , Smol John P.
Published: November 2015

Heavy metal pollution is now widely recognized to pose severe health and environmental threats, yet much of what is known concerning its adverse impacts on ecosystem health is derived from short-term ecotoxicological studies. Due to the frequent absence of long-term monitoring data, little is known of the long-tem ecological consequences of pollutants such as arsenic. Here, our dated sediment records from two contaminated lakes in China faithfully document a 13.9 and 21.4-fold increase of total arsenic relative to pre-1950 background levels. Concurrently, coherent responses in keystone biota signal pronounced ecosystem changes, with a >10-fold loss in crustacean zooplankton (important herbivores in the food webs of these lake systems) and a >5-fold increase in a highly metal-tolerant alga. Such fundamental ecological changes will cascade through the ecosystem, causing potentially catastrophic consequences for ecosystem services in contaminated regions.
Probing Origin of Binding Difference of inhibitors to MDM2 and MDMX by Polarizable Molecular Dynamics Simulation and QM/MM-GBSA Calculation
Authors: Chen Jianzhong , Wang Jinan , Zhang Qinggang , Chen Kaixian , Zhu Weiliang
Published: November 2015

Binding abilities of current inhibitors to MDMX are weaker than to MDM2. Polarizable molecular dynamics simulations (MD) followed by Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (QM//MM-GBSA) calculations were performed to investigate the binding difference of inhibitors to MDM2 and MDMX. The predicted binding free energies not only agree well with the experimental results, but also show that the decrease in van der Walls interactions of inhibitors with MDMX relative to MDM2 is a main factor of weaker bindings of inhibitors to MDMX. The analyses of dihedral angles based on MD trajectories suggest that the closed conformation formed by the residues M53 and Y99 in MDMX leads to a potential steric clash with inhibitors and prevents inhibitors from arriving in the deep of MDMX binding cleft, which reduces the van der Waals contacts of inhibitors with M53, V92, P95 and L98. The calculated results using the residue-based free energy decomposition method further prove that the interaction strength of inhibitors with M53, V92, P95 and L98 from MDMX are obviously reduced compared to MDM2. We expect that this study can provide significant theoretical guidance for designs of potent dual inhibitors to block the p53-MDM2/MDMX interactions.
Metformin suppressed the proliferation of LoVo cells and induced a time-dependent metabolic and transcriptional alteration
Authors: He Jiaojiao , Wang Ke , Zheng Ningning , Qiu Yunping , Xie Guoxiang , Su Mingming , Jia Wei , Li Houkai
Published: November 2015

Metformin is a widely used anti-diabetic drug with potential anti-tumor activity. However, little is known about its global metabolic and transcriptional impacts on tumor cells. In current study, we performed a metabolic profiling on human-derived colon cancer LoVo cells treated by 10 mM metformin for 8, 24 and 48 h. An obvious time-dependent metabolic alteration was observed from 8 to 48 h, prior to the reduction of cell viability. A total of 47, 45 and 66 differential metabolites were identified between control and metformin-treated cells at three time points. Most of the metabolites were up-regulated at 8 h, but down-regulated at 24 and 48 h by metformin. These metabolites were mainly involved in carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, vitamins and nucleotides metabolism pathways. Meanwhile, the transcirptomic profile revealed 134 and 3061 differentially expressed genes at 8 and 24 h by metformin. In addition to the cancer signaling pathways, expression of genes involved in cell energy metabolism pathways was significantly altered, which were further validated with genes in glucose metabolism pathway. Altogether, our current data indicate that metformin suppressed the proliferation of LoVo cells, which may be due to the modulation on cell energy metabolism at both metabolic and transcriptional levels in a time-dependent way.
A Novel Self-Assembling Al-based Composite Powder with High Hydrogen Generation Efficiency
Authors: Wang Cuiping , Liu Yuheng , Liu Hongxin , Yang Tao , Chen Xinren , Yang Shuiyuan , Liu Xingjun
Published: November 2015

In this study, a novel self-assembling hydrogen generation powder comprised of 80Al-10Bi-10Sn wt.% was prepared using the gas atomization method and then collected in an air environment. The morphological and hydrolysis properties of the powders were investigated. The results indicated that the powders formed unique core/shell microstructures with cracked surfaces and (Bi, Sn)-rich phases distributed on the Al grain boundaries. The powders exhibited good oxidation resistance and reacted violently with distilled water at temperatures as low as 0 °C. Furthermore, at 30 °C, the powders exhibited a hydrogen conversion yield of 91.30% within 16 minutes. The hydrogen produced by this powder could be directly used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The mechanisms of the hydrolysis reactions were also analyzed.
Resonances of nanoparticles with poor plasmonic metal tips
Authors: Ringe Emilie , DeSantis Christopher J. , Collins Sean M. , Duchamp Martial , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Skrabalak Sara E. , Midgley Paul A.
Published: November 2015

The catalytic and optical properties of metal nanoparticles can be combined to create platforms for light-driven chemical energy storage and enhanced in-situ reaction monitoring. However, the heavily damped plasmon resonances of many catalytically active metals (e.g. Pt, Pd) prevent this dual functionality in pure nanostructures. The addition of catalytic metals at the surface of efficient plasmonic particles thus presents a unique opportunity if the resonances can be conserved after coating. Here, nanometer resolution electron-based techniques (electron energy loss, cathodoluminescence and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) are used to show that Au particles incorporating a catalytically active but heavily damped metal, Pd, sustain multiple size-dependent localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) that are narrow and strongly localized at the Pd-rich tips. The resonances also couple with a dielectric substrate and other nanoparticles, establishing that the full range of plasmonic behavior is observed in these multifunctional nanostructures despite the presence of Pd.
Microenvironmental Hypoxia regulates FLT3 expression and biology in AML
Authors: Sironi Silvia , Wagner Michaela , Kuett Alexander , Drolle Heidrun , Polzer Harald , Spiekermann Karsten , Rieger Christina , Fiegl Michael
Published: November 2015

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase constitutively expressed by acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) blasts. In addition, 25% of AML patients harbour a FLT3-ITD mutation, associated with inferior outcome due to increased relapse rate. Relapse might be propagated by interactions between AML blasts and the bone marrow microenvironment. Besides cellular elements of the microenvironment (e.g. mesenchymal stromal cells), bone marrow hypoxia has emerged as an additional crucial component. Hence, effects of hypoxia on FLT3 expression and biology could provide novel insight into AML biology. Here we show that 25% of AML patients down-regulate FLT3 expression on blasts in response to in vitro hypoxia (1% O2), which was independent of its mutational state. While virtually no AML cell lines regulate FLT3 in response to hypoxia, the down-regulation could be observed in Ba/F3 cells stably transfected with different FLT3 mutants. Hypoxia-mediated down-regulation was specific for FLT3, reversible and proteasome-dependent; with FLT3 half-life being significantly shorter at hypoxia. Also, PI-3K inhibition could partially abrogate down-regulation of FLT3. Hypoxia-mediated down-regulation of FLT3 conferred resistance against cytarabine in vitro. In conclusion, FLT3 expression in AML is dependent on the oxygen partial pressure, but response to hypoxia differs.
Femtosecond laser rapid fabrication of large-area rose-like micropatterns on freestanding flexible graphene films
Authors: Shi Xuesong , Li Xin , Jiang Lan , Qu Liangti , Zhao Yang , Ran Peng , Wang Qingsong , Cao Qiang , Ma Tianbao , Lu Yongfeng
Published: November 2015

We developed a simple, scalable and high-throughput method for fabrication of large-area three-dimensional rose-like microflowers with controlled size, shape and density on graphene films by femtosecond laser micromachining. The novel biomimetic microflower that composed of numerous turnup graphene nanoflakes can be fabricated by only a single femtosecond laser pulse, which is efficient enough for large-area patterning. The graphene films were composed of layer-by-layer graphene nanosheets separated by nanogaps (~10–50 nm) and graphene monolayers with an interlayer spacing of ~0.37 nm constituted each of the graphene nanosheets. This unique hierarchical layering structure of graphene films provides great possibilities for generation of tensile stress during femtosecond laser ablation to roll up the nanoflakes, which contributes to the formation of microflowers. By a simple scanning technique, patterned surfaces with controllable densities of flower patterns were obtained, which can exhibit adhesive superhydrophobicity. More importantly, this technique enables fabrication of the large-area patterned surfaces at centimeter scales in a simple and efficient way. This study not only presents new insights of ultrafast laser processing of novel graphene-based materials but also shows great promise of designing new materials combined with ultrafast laser surface patterning for future applications in functional coatings, sensors, actuators and microfluidics.
QUANTITY: An Isobaric Tag for Quantitative Glycomics
Authors: Yang Shuang , Wang Meiyao , Chen Lijun , Yin Bojiao , Song Guoqiang , Turko Illarion V. , Phinney Karen W. , Betenbaugh Michael J. , Zhang Hui , Li Shuwei
Published: November 2015

Glycan is an important class of macromolecules that play numerous biological functions. Quantitative glycomics - analysis of glycans at global level - however, is far behind genomics and proteomics owing to technical challenges associated with their chemical properties and structural complexity. As a result, technologies that can facilitate global glycan analysis are highly sought after. Here, we present QUANTITY (Quaternary Amine Containing Isobaric Tag for Glycan), a quantitative approach that can not only enhance detection of glycans by mass spectrometry, but also allow high-throughput glycomic analysis from multiple biological samples. This robust tool enabled us to accomplish glycomic survey of bioengineered Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with knock-in/out enzymes involved in protein glycosylation. Our results demonstrated QUANTITY is an invaluable technique for glycan analysis and bioengineering.
Sustainability, Green Chemistry and White Biotechnology
Authors: Sheldon Roger A.
Published: November 2015

The historical development of the principles of green chemistry and sustainability is outlined. In order to measure the ‘greenness’ of chemical processes, it is necessary to have meaningful metrics and the most widely accepted metrics are the E factor and atom economy. These and other green metrics which address the amount of waste formed are discussed, as are metrics addressing the environmental impact of waste such as life cycle assessment. The pivotal role of catalysis in reducing waste is discussed. Solvent losses are a major source of waste in chemical processes and the use of alternative solvents and multiphase catalysis is discussed. White biotechnology constitutes the industrial application of biocatalysis, and biocatalytic processes fit very well with the principles of green chemistry. Biocatalytic processes are conducted using isolated enzymes or with whole microbial cells (fermentations), and the merits of both types of transformation are discussed. Enzymatic production of the pharmaceuticals, pregabalin, atorvastatin and sitagliptin, and the cosmetic ingredient, myristyl myristate, are presented as examples of green and sustainable processes involving white biotechnology. Finally, green chemistry and white biotechnology in the context of the utilisation of renewable biomass for sustainable production of biofuels and chemicals are discussed.
Photocatalyst-free hypervalent iodine reagent catalyzed decarboxylative acylarylation of acrylamides with α-oxocarboxylic acids driven by visible-light irradiation
Authors: Ji Wangqin , Tan Hui , Wang Min , Li Pinhua , Wang Lei
Published: November 2015

A photocatalyst-free hypervalent iodine reagent catalyzed decarboxylative acylarylation of acrylamides with α-oxocarboxylic acids driven by visible-light irradiation has been developed.
Neutral Fe(iv) alkylidenes, including some that bind dinitrogen
Authors: Lindley Brian M. , Jacobs Brian P. , MacMillan Samantha N. , Wolczanski Peter T.
Published: November 2015

Neutral, formally Fe(iv) alkylidene species are sought as plausible olefin metathesis catalysts, and the synthesis of several is described herein.
Sandwich organization of non-ionic surfactant liquid crystalline phases as induced by large inorganic K4Nb6O17 nanosheets
Authors: Guégan R. , Sueyoshi K. , Anraku S. , Yamamoto S. , Miyamoto N.
Published: November 2015

While retaining its liquid crystal properties, niobate nanosheets were used to sandwich a lamellar monodomain made up of nonionic surfactants and water.
Graphene mediated improved sodium storage in nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 for sodium ion batteries with ether electrolyte
Authors: Das Shyamal K. , Jache Birte , Lahon Homen , Bender Conrad L. , Janek Juergen , Adelhelm Philipp
Published: November 2015

Synergy of graphene and diglyme electrolyte in significantly improving the sodium insertion electrochemistry of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide is demonstrated.
Nickel–glycerol: an efficient, recyclable catalysis system for Suzuki cross coupling reactions using aryl diazonium salts
Authors: Bhojane Jeevan Manohar , Sarode Sachin Ashok , Nagarkar Jayashree Milind
Published: November 2015

A palladium free, chemoselective and environmentally benign protocol for a C–C bond formation reaction.
Carbonized 1H-benzotriazole modified carbon depositing Pd for ethanol electrooxidation
Authors: Liu Yanqin , Wang Wei , Wang Fengxia , Yang Yan , Chai Dan , Lei Ziqiang
Published: November 2015

A Pd/BTA-MC catalyst was prepared with an enhanced electrochemical performance towards ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.
Ferric perchlorate-mediated one-step reaction of [60]fullerene with primary amides for the synthesis of fullerooxazoles
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Feng , Li Fa-Bao , Shi Ji-Long , Wu Jun , Liu Li
Published: November 2015

The reaction of [60]fullerene with amides promoted by cheap and easily available ferric perchlorate affords a series of interesting fullerooxazole derivatives.
Cyclodextrin encapsulated monometallic and inverted core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles as efficient free radical scavengers
Authors: Bhoi Vinod Ishwarbhai , Kumar Santosh , Murthy Chivukula Narayana
Published: November 2015

A facile and green route for monometallic and core–shell bimetallic Ag and Au nanoparticles using cyclodextrin as reducing and stabilizing agent for radical scavenging.
Complexation of Hg2+, CH3Hg+, Sn2+ and (CH3)2Sn2+ with phosphonic NTA derivatives
Authors: De Stefano Concetta , Foti Claudia , Giuffrè Ottavia , Milea Demetrio
Published: November 2015

Replacing carboxylic with phosphonic groups in NTA significantly affects the sequestering ability toward Hg2+, CH3Hg+, Sn2+ and (CH3)2Sn2+.
Development of a Fe3O4@SnO2:Er3+,Yb3+–APTES nanocarrier for microwave-triggered controllable drug release, and the study of the loading and release mechanisms using microcalorimetry
Authors: Peng Hongxia , Cui Bin , Zhao Weiwei , Zhao Xiaotong , Wang Yingsai , Chang Zhuguo , Wang Yaoyu
Published: November 2015

New multifunctional core–shell nanocomposites were synthesized and applied as an efficient microwave sensitive nanocarrier for on-command drug release.
Discovery of elusive structures of multifunctional transition-metal borides
Authors: Liang Yongcheng , Wu Zhaobing , Yuan Xun , Zhang Wenqing , Zhang Peihong
Published: November 2015

A definitive determination of crystal structures is an important prerequisite for designing and exploiting new functional materials. We find that the long-assumed TMB2phases of multifunctional tungsten and molybdenum borides are in fact a family of complex TMB3polytypes.
Two-dimensional material-based saturable absorbers: towards compact visible-wavelength all-fiber pulsed lasers
Authors: Luo Zhengqian , Wu Duanduan , Xu Bin , Xu Huiying , Cai Zhiping , Peng Jian , Weng Jian , Xu Shuo , Zhu Chunhui , Wang Fengqiu , Sun Zhipei , Zhang Han
Published: November 2015

We report a kind of visible saturable absorbers—2D transition-metal dichalcogenides, and successfully demonstrate compact red-light Q-switched Pr-doped all-fibre lasers.
Synthesis and bioactivity of antitubercular peptides and peptidomimetics: an update
Authors: De Leon Rodriguez Luis M. , Kaur Harveen , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: November 2015

This mini-review provides an update on the synthesis and bioactivity of peptides and peptidomimetics that exhibit very potent antitubercular activity.
Synthesis under mild conditions and high catalytic property of bimetal Ni–Cu/SiO2 hollow spheres
Authors: Sun Xinzhi , Du Fanglin
Published: November 2015

Bimetal Ni–Cu/SiO2 hollow spheres which have been first synthesized and have higher catalytic properties than Ni/silica and commercial Raney Ni with the conversion of nitrobenzene reaching 95% within 1 h.
Controlled release from hydroxyapatite nanoparticles incorporated into biodegradable, soluble host matrixes
Authors: Giroto A. S. , Fidélis S. C. , Ribeiro C.
Published: November 2015

We report in this paper a strategy to prepare nanocomposite fertilizers based on the dispersion of Hap into urea and thermoplastic starch at nanoscale, where Hap was assumed as a model for poorly soluble phosphate phases, such as phosphate rocks.
Fabrication of CuO–1.5ZrO2 composite thin film, from heteronuclear molecular complex and its electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation
Authors: Ehsan Muhammad Ali , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Khaledi Hamid , Mazhar Muhammad , Shahid Muhammad Mehmood , Pandikumar Alagarsamy , Huang Nay Ming
Published: November 2015

CuO–1.5ZrO2 composite electrodes fabricated from a single source precursor [Cu4Zr6(μ-O)8(dmap)4(OAc)12]·H2O have been utilized for the oxidation of methanol.
Prediction of stoichiometric PoHn compounds: crystal structures and properties
Authors: Liu Yunxian , Duan Defang , Tian Fubo , Wang Chao , Wu Gang , Ma Yanbin , Yu Hongyu , Li Da , Liu Bingbing , Cui Tian
Published: November 2015

The calculated formation enthalpies of PoHn (n = 1–6) with respect to Po and H at different pressures.
The influence of electronic transfer on friction properties of hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: An Xuhong , Yao Houjun , Ma Fei , Lu Zhibin
Published: November 2015

A fundamental understanding of the influence of electronic transfer with varying sliding positions and loads on friction plays a vital role in elucidating the tribological properties and applications of a material in nanomechanics.
Effect of particle size on anti-oxidation property of mullite coating prepared by pulse arc discharge deposition
Authors: Jianfeng Huang , Bo Zhang , Haibo OuYang , Liyun Cao , Cuiyan Li , Jie Fei , Hejun Li
Published: November 2015

Mullite coatings with different particle sizes were prepared on carbon/carbon (C/C)–SiC composites surface by pulse arc discharge deposition (PADD).
Inhibition effect on the evolution of a twist grain boundary for an Al/Ni bimetal interface under torsion
Authors: Qiao Chong , Fu Xiaonan , Chi Runze , Guo Yangyang , Wang Qingxia , Liu Chengyan , Wang Fei , Jia Yu
Published: November 2015

We study the evolution phenomena of metal twist grain boundaries (GBs) in the [100], [111] and [110] orientations, together with their bimetal interface, under anticlockwise and clockwise torsions.
Enhancement of the catalytic activity of ordered mesoporous TiO2by using carbon fiber support and appropriate evaluation of synergy between surface adsorption and photocatalysis by Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) integration equation
Authors: Lin Xiao , Li Ming , Li Youji , Chen Wei
Published: November 2015

OMT/CFs show high photoactivity due to some superiorities, and a L–H integration equation is proposed to well evaluate synergy.
A conformationally persistent pseudo-bicyclic guanidinium for anion coordination as stabilized by dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds
Authors: Seipp Charles A. , Williams Neil J. , Bryantsev Vyacheslav S. , Custelcean Radu , Moyer Bruce A.
Published: November 2015

The first example of a pseudo-bicyclic guanidinium ligand is reported, and its complexes are evaluated by crystallographic and computational approaches.
Multiple thermal magnetic relaxation in a two-dimensional ferromagnetic dysprosium(iii) metal–organic framework
Authors: Liu Cai-Ming , Xiong Jin , Zhang De-Qing , Wang Bing-Wu , Zhu Dao-Ben
Published: November 2015

Intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction exists in a dysprosium(iii) MOF with a highly ordered 2D (4, 4) grid network, showing two-step thermal magnetic relaxation.
Visible light-driven water oxidation using a covalently-linked molecular catalyst–sensitizer dyad assembled on a TiO2electrode
Authors: Yamamoto Masanori , Wang Lei , Li Fusheng , Fukushima Takashi , Tanaka Koji , Sun Licheng , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

The combination of porphyrin as a sensitizer and a ruthenium complex as a water oxidation catalyst (WOC) is promising to exploit highly efficient molecular artificial photosynthetic systems.
Engineering a nanolab for the determination of lysosomal nitric oxide by the rational design of a pH-activatable fluorescent probe
Authors: Li Yinhui , Wu Wei , Yang Jinfeng , Yuan Lin , Liu Changhui , Zheng Jing , Yang Ronghua
Published: November 2015

A pH-activatable fluorescent probe, Rhod-H-NO, was designed and synthesized for the determination of lysosomal NO in living cells and in vivo.
Titanium oxynitride microspheres with the rock-salt structure for use as visible-light photocatalysts
Authors: Yoo Jung Bo , Yoo Hyo Jin , Jung Hyuk Joon , Kim Han Sol , Bang Sora , Choi Jongmyung , Suh Hoyoung , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Jin-Gyu , Hur Nam Hwi
Published: November 2015

Novel photocatalysts (TiO2@TiO1−xNx) with the core–shell structure, prepared by controlled nitridation of TiO2 microspheres, show photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation.
Covalently attached graphene–ionic liquid hybrid nanomaterials: synthesis, characterization and tribological application
Authors: Gusain Rashi , Mungse Harshal P. , Kumar Niranjan , Ravindran T. R. , Pandian Ramanathaswamy , Sugimura Hiroyuki , Khatri Om P.
Published: November 2015

Covalently interacted graphene–ionic liquid hybrid nanomaterials as lubricant additives significantly improve lubrication properties by reducing friction and wear.
Enzyme–substrate interactions promote the self-assembly of amino acid derivatives into supramolecular hydrogels
Authors: Xie Yanyan , Huang Renliang , Qi Wei , Wang Yuefei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: November 2015

The first example of enzyme-substrate interaction-promoted self-assembly was reported for the synthesis of supramolecular hydrogels from Fmoc-amino acids and amino acid esters in the presence of α-chymotrypsin.
The Dimensionality of Spanish in Young Spanish–English Dual-Language Learners
Authors:   Language and Reading Research Consortium (LARRC)
Published: November 2015

Purpose

This study examined the latent dimensionality of Spanish in young Spanish–English dual-language learners (DLLs).

Method

Two hundred eighty-six children participated. In their prekindergarten year, children completed norm-referenced and experimental language measures in Spanish requiring different levels of cognitive processing in both receptive and expressive language modalities.

Results

The best-fitting model suggested a bifactor solution with a single general language factor
L
plus two additional factors
word knowledge
and
integrative language knowledge
. The general trait
L
reflects the proportion of common item variance for all of the items, and the group traits of word knowledge and integrative language knowledge explain additional domain-specific variance for those item subsets.

Conclusion

Results suggest that the Spanish language in preschool-age Spanish–English DLLs is not separable into content, form, and use, nor is it separable by higher- and lower-level language domains or processing demands. Instead it appears that a general language factor underlies oral language in Spanish in DLL preschoolers and that other factors account for additional variance over and above
L
. Findings are discussed in relation to a companion study of monolingual English-speaking prekindergarteners.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170303