bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cartilage-Specific Knockout of the Mechanosensory Ion Channel TRPV4 Decreases Age-Related Osteoarthritis
Authors: O’Conor Christopher J. , Ramalingam Sendhilnathan , Zelenski Nicole A. , Benefield Halei C. , Rigo Isaura , Little Dianne , Wu Chia-Lung , Chen Di , Liedtke Wolfgang , McNulty Amy L. , Guilak Farshid
Published: July 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease of articular cartilage and surrounding tissues, and is associated with both advanced age and joint injury. Biomechanical factors play a critical role in the onset and progression of OA, yet the mechanisms through which physiologic or pathologic mechanical signals are transduced into a cellular response are not well understood. Defining the role of mechanosensory pathways in cartilage during OA pathogenesis may yield novel strategies or targets for the treatment of OA. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) ion channel transduces mechanical loading of articular cartilage via the generation of intracellular calcium ion transients. Using tissue-specific, inducible Trpv4 gene-targeted mice, we demonstrate that loss of TRPV4-mediated cartilage mechanotransduction in adulthood reduces the severity of aging-associated OA. However, loss of chondrocyte TRPV4 did not prevent OA development following destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). These results highlight potentially distinct roles of TRPV4-mediated cartilage mechanotransduction in age-related and post-traumatic OA, and point to a novel disease-modifying strategy to therapeutically target the TRPV4-mediated mechanotransduction pathway for the treatment of aging-associated OA.
Impact of obesity on taste receptor expression in extra-oral tissues: emphasis on hypothalamus and brainstem
Authors: Herrera Moro Chao D. , Argmann C. , Van Eijk M. , Boot R. G. , Ottenhoff R. , Van Roomen C. , Foppen E. , Siljee J. E. , Unmehopa U. A. , Kalsbeek A. , Aerts J. M. F. G.
Published: July 2016

Sweet perception promotes food intake, whereas that of bitterness is inhibitory. Surprisingly, the expression of sweet G protein-coupled taste receptor (GPCTR) subunits (T1R2 and T1R3) and bitter GPCTRs (T2R116, T2R118, T2R138 and T2R104), as well as the α-subunits of the associated signalling complex (αGustducin, Gα14 and αTransducin), in oral and extra-oral tissues from lean and obese mice, remains poorly characterized. We focused on the impact of obesity on taste receptor expression in brain areas involved in energy homeostasis, namely the hypothalamus and brainstem. We demonstrate that many of the GPCTRs and α-subunits are co-expressed in these tissues and that obesity decreases expression of T1R3, T2R116, Gα14, αTrans and TRPM5. In vitro high levels of glucose caused a prominent down-regulation of T1R2 and Gα14 expression in cultured hypothalamic neuronal cells, leptin caused a transient down-regulation of T1R2 and T1R3 expression. Intriguingly, expression differences were also observed in other extra-oral tissues of lean and obese mice, most strikingly in the duodenum where obesity reduced the expression of most bitter and sweet receptors. In conclusion, obesity influences components of sweet and bitter taste sensing in the duodenum as well as regions of the mouse brain involved in energy homeostasis, including hypothalamus and brainstem.
Compact characterization of liquid absorption and emission spectra using linear variable filters integrated with a CMOS imaging camera
Authors: Wan Yuhang , Carlson John A. , Kesler Benjamin A. , Peng Wang , Su Patrick , Al-Mulla Saoud A. , Lim Sung Jun , Smith Andrew M. , Dallesasse John M. , Cunningham Brian T.
Published: July 2016

A compact analysis platform for detecting liquid absorption and emission spectra using a set of optical linear variable filters atop a CMOS image sensor is presented. The working spectral range of the analysis platform can be extended without a reduction in spectral resolution by utilizing multiple linear variable filters with different wavelength ranges on the same CMOS sensor. With optical setup reconfiguration, its capability to measure both absorption and fluorescence emission is demonstrated. Quantitative detection of fluorescence emission down to 0.28 nM for quantum dot dispersions and 32 ng/mL for near-infrared dyes has been demonstrated on a single platform over a wide spectral range, as well as an absorption-based water quality test, showing the versatility of the system across liquid solutions for different emission and absorption bands. Comparison with a commercially available portable spectrometer and an optical spectrum analyzer shows our system has an improved signal-to-noise ratio and acceptable spectral resolution for discrimination of emission spectra, and characterization of colored liquid’s absorption characteristics generated by common biomolecular assays. This simple, compact, and versatile analysis platform demonstrates a path towards an integrated optical device that can be utilized for a wide variety of applications in point-of-use testing and point-of-care diagnostics.
A Memory of Majorana Modes through Quantum Quench
Authors: Chung Ming-Chiang , Jhu Yi-Hao , Chen Pochung , Mou Chung-Yu , Wan Xin
Published: July 2016

We study the sudden quench of a one-dimensional p-wave superconductor through its topological signature in the entanglement spectrum. We show that the long-time evolution of the system and its topological characterization depend on a pseudomagnetic field Reff(k). Furthermore, Reff(k) connects both the initial and the final Hamiltonians, hence exhibiting a memory effect. In particular, we explore the robustness of the Majorana zero-mode and identify the parameter space in which the Majorana zero-mode can revive in the infinite-time limit.
A novel single cell method to identify the genetic composition at a single nuclear body
Authors: Anchel David , Ching Reagan W. , Cotton Rachel , Li Ren , Bazett-Jones David P.
Published: July 2016

Gene loci make specific associations with compartments of the nucleus (e.g. the nuclear envelope, nucleolus and transcription factories) and this association may determine or reflect a mechanism of genetic control. With current methods, it is not possible to identify sets of genes that converge to form a “gene hub” as there is a reliance on loci-specific probes, or immunoprecipitation of a particular protein from bulk cells. We introduce a method that will allow for the identification of loci contained within the vicinity of a single nuclear body in a single cell. For the first time, we demonstrate that the DNA sequences originating from a single sub-nuclear structure in a single cell targeted by two-photon irradiation can be determined and mapped to a particular locus. Its application to single PML nuclear bodies reveals ontologically related loci that frequently associate with each other and with PML bodies in a population of cells and a possible nuclear body targeting role for specific transcription factor binding sites.
CpsR, a GntR family regulator, transcriptionally regulates capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis and governs bacterial virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Wu Kaifeng , Xu Hongmei , Zheng Yuqiang , Wang Libin , Zhang Xuemei , Yin Yibing
Published: July 2016

Transcriptional regulation of capsule expression is critical for pneumococcal transition from carriage to infection, yet the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we describe the regulation of capsular polysaccharide, one of the most important pneumococcal virulence factor by a GntR family regulator, CpsR. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays have shown the direct interaction between CpsR and the cps promoter (cpsp), and their interaction could be competitively interfered by glucose. DNase I footprinting assays localized the binding site to a region −146 to −114 base pairs relative to the transcriptional start site of the cps locus in S. pneumoniae D39. We found that CpsR negatively controlled the transcription of the cps locus and hence CPS production, which was confirmed by fine-tuning expression of CpsR in a ΔcpsR complemented strain. Increased expression of CpsR in complemented strain led to a decreased resistance to the whole-blood-mediated killing, suggesting a protective role for CpsR-cpsp interaction in the establishment of invasive infection. Finally, animal experiments showed that CpsR-cpsp interaction was necessary for both pneumococcal colonization and invasive infection. Taken together, our results provide a thorough insight into the regulation of capsule production mediated by CpsR and its important roles in pneumococcal pathogenesis.
A Hierarchical Mechanism of RIG-I Ubiquitination Provides Sensitivity, Robustness and Synergy in Antiviral Immune Responses
Authors: Sun Xiaoqiang , Xian Huifang , Tian Shuo , Sun Tingzhe , Qin Yunfei , Zhang Shoutao , Cui Jun
Published: July 2016

RIG-I is an essential receptor in the initiation of the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway upon viral infection. Although K63-linked ubiquitination plays an important role in RIG-I activation, the optimal modulation of conjugated and unanchored ubiquitination of RIG-I as well as its functional implications remains unclear. In this study, we determined that, in contrast to the RIG-I CARD domain, full-length RIG-I must undergo K63-linked ubiquitination at multiple sites to reach full activity. A systems biology approach was designed based on experiments using full-length RIG-I. Model selection for 7 candidate mechanisms of RIG-I ubiquitination inferred a hierarchical architecture of the RIG-I ubiquitination mode, which was then experimentally validated. Compared with other mechanisms, the selected hierarchical mechanism exhibited superior sensitivity and robustness in RIG-I-induced type I IFN activation. Furthermore, our model analysis and experimental data revealed that TRIM4 and TRIM25 exhibited dose-dependent synergism. These results demonstrated that the hierarchical mechanism of multi-site/type ubiquitination of RIG-I provides an efficient, robust and optimal synergistic regulatory module in antiviral immune responses.
Do Automated Peritoneal Dialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Have the Same Clinical Outcomes? A Ten-year Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Tang Chao-Hsiun , Chen Tso-Hsiao , Fang Te-Chao , Huang Siao-Yuan , Huang Kuan-Chih , Wu Yu-Ting , Wang Chia-Chen , Sue Yuh-Mou
Published: July 2016

This paper reports a comprehensive comparison for mortality and technique failure rates between automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Taiwan. A propensity-score matched cohort study was conducted by retrieving APD and CAPD patients identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2001 and 2010. The main outcomes were the 5-year mortality and technique failure rates. Further analyses were then carried out based upon the first (2001–2004), second (2005–2007), and third (2008–2010) sub-periods. Similar baseline characteristics were identified for APD (n = 2,287) and CAPD (n = 2,287) patients. The proportion on APD therapy increased rapidly in the second sub-period. As compared to CAPD patients of this sub-period, APD patients had a significantly higher risk of mortality (HR, 1.37; 95% CI 1.09–1.72; p < 0.01) and technique failure (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.10–1.86; p < 0.01), particularly in the first year after peritoneal dialysis commencement. However, APD patients had similar mortality and technique failure rates to those of CAPD patients throughout the full sample period and the first and third sub-periods. These findings do not suggest the presence of a clear advantage of CAPD over APD. Differences observed between these two modalities might be attributed to specials circumstances of sub-periods.
Correction: Corrigendum: Changes in soil organic carbon in croplands subjected to fertilizer management: a global meta-analysis
Authors: Han Pengfei , Zhang Wen , Wang Guocheng , Sun Wenjuan , Huang Yao
Published: July 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 27199; Published online: 02 June 2016; Updated: 08 July 2016 In the original version of this Article, Yao Huang was incorrectly affiliated with ‘University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China’. The correct affiliation is listed below. State KeyLaboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
The proneurotrophin receptor sortilin is required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis control by macrophages
Authors: Vázquez Cristina L. , Rodgers Angela , Herbst Susanne , Coade Stephen , Gronow Achim , Guzman Carlos A. , Wilson Mark S. , Kanzaki Makoto , Nykjaer Anders , Gutierrez Maximiliano G.
Published: July 2016

Sorting of luminal and membrane proteins into phagosomes is critical for the immune function of this organelle. However, little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to the spatiotemporal regulation of this process. Here, we investigated the role of the proneurotrophin receptor sortilin during phagosome maturation and mycobacterial killing. We show that this receptor is acquired by mycobacteria-containing phagosomes via interactions with the adaptor proteins AP-1 and GGAs. Interestingly, the phagosomal association of sortilin is critical for the delivery of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) and required for efficient phagosome maturation. Macrophages from Sort1−/− mice are less efficient in restricting the growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis. In vivo, Sort1−/− mice showed a substantial increase in cellular infiltration of neutrophils in their lungs and higher bacterial burden after infection with M. tuberculosis. Altogether, sortilin defines a pathway required for optimal intracellular mycobacteria control and lung inflammation in vivo.
A novel Si/Sn composite with entangled ribbon structure as anode materials for lithium ion battery
Authors: Wu Jinbo , Zhu Zhengwang , Zhang Hongwei , Fu Huameng , Li Hong , Wang Aimin , Zhang Haifeng
Published: July 2016

A novel Si/Sn composite anode material with unique ribbon structure was synthesized by Mechanical Milling (MM) and the structural transformation was studied in the present work. The microstructure characterization shows that Si/Sn composite with idealized entangled ribbon structured can be obtained by milling the mixture of the starting materials, Si and Sn for 20 h. According to the calculated results based on the XRD data, the as-milled 20 h sample has the smallest avergae crystalline size. It is supposed that the flexible ribbon structure allows for accommodation of intrinsic damage, which significantly improves the fracture toughness of the composite. The charge and discharge tests of the as-milled 20 h sample have been performed with reference to Li+/Li at a current density of 400 mA g−1 in the voltage from 1.5 to 0.03 V (vs Li/Li+) and the result shows that the initial capacity is ∼1400 mA h g−1, with a retention of ∼1100 mA h g−1 reversible capacity after 50 cycles, which is possible serving as the promising anode material for the lithium ion battery application.
Linifanib (ABT-869) Potentiates the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents through the Suppression of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Mediated AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Chen Jing , Guo Jiawei , Chen Zhi , Wang Jieqiong , Liu Mingyao , Pang Xiufeng
Published: July 2016

Gastric cancer, highly dependent on tumor angiogenesis, causes uncontrolled lethality, in part due to chemoresistance. Here, we demonstrate that linifanib (ABT-869), a novel multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, markedly augments cytotoxicity of chemotherapies in human gastric cancer. ABT-869 and chemotherapeutic agents exhibited a strong synergy to inhibit the viability of several gastric cancer cell lines, with combination index values ranging from 0.017 to 0.589. Additionally, the combination of ABT-869 and chemotherapeutic agents led to remarkable suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, in a preclinical gastric cancer xenograft mouse model, drug co-treatments led to increased mouse survival as well as a synergistic reduction in tumor size and the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Mechanistic studies further revealed that all of the co-treatments containing ABT-869 resulted in decreased activation of the VEGF receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor and the insulin growth factor receptor. Inhibition of these receptor tyrosine kinases consequently attenuated the activation of the downstream AKT/mTOR signaling pathway both in cultured gastric cancer cells and in gastric cancer xenografts. Collectively, our findings suggest that the addition of ABT-869 to traditional chemotherapies may be a promising strategy for the treatment of human gastric cancer.
Molecular insights into chronotype and time-of-day effects on decision-making
Authors: Ingram Krista K , Ay Ahmet , Kwon Soo Bin , Woods Kerri , Escobar Sue , Gordon Molly , Smith Isaac H. , Bearden Neil , Filipowicz Allan , Jain Kriti
Published: July 2016

Recent reports highlight that human decision-making is influenced by the time of day and whether one is a morning or evening person (i.e., chronotype). Here, we test whether these behavioral effects are associated with endogenous biological rhythms. We asked participants to complete two well-established decision-making tasks in the morning or evening: the matrix task (an ethical decision task) and the balloon analog risk task (BART; a risk-taking task), and we measured their chronotype in two ways. First, participants completed a self-report measure, the Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Second, we measured the expression of two circadian clock-regulated genes—Per3andNr1d2—from peripheral clock cells in participants’ hair follicle samples. Using a cosinor model, we estimated the phase of the peripheral clock and assigned RNA chronotypes to participants with advanced (larks) or delayed (owls) phases. The behavioral data were analyzed independently for self-reported (MEQ) and RNA-based chronotypes. We find that significant chronotype and/or time-of-day effects between larks and owls in decision-making tasks occur only in RNA-based chronotypes. Our results provide evidence that time-of-day effects on decision-making can be explained by phase differences in oscillating clock genes and suggest that variation in the molecular clockwork may influence inter-individual differences in decision-making behavior.
Lateralized antennal control of aggression and sex differences in red mason bees, Osmia bicornis
Authors: Rogers L. J. , Frasnelli E. , Versace E.
Published: July 2016

Comparison of lateralization in social and non-social bees tests the hypothesis that population-level, directional asymmetry has evolved as an adjunct to social behaviour. Previous research has supported this hypothesis: directional bias of antennal use in responding to odours and learning to associate odours with a food reward is absent in species that feed individually, such as mason bees, whereas it is clearly present in eusocial honeybees and stingless bees. Here we report that, when mason bees engage in agonistic interactions, a species-typical interactive behaviour, they do exhibit a directional bias according to which antenna is available to be used. Aggression was significantly higher in dyads using only their left antennae (LL) than it was in those using only their right antennae (RR). This asymmetry was found in both males and females but it was stronger in females. LL dyads of a male and a female spent significantly more time together than did other dyadic combinations. No asymmetry was present in non-aggressive contacts, latency to first contact or body wiping. Hence, population-level lateralization is present only for social interactions common and frequent in the species’ natural behaviour. This leads to a refinement of the hypothesis linking directional lateralization to social behaviour.
Influence of Resting Venous Blood Volume Fraction on Dynamic Causal Modeling and System Identifiability
Authors: Hu Zhenghui , Ni Pengyu , Wan Qun , Zhang Yan , Shi Pengcheng , Lin Qiang
Published: July 2016

Changes in BOLD signals are sensitive to the regional blood content associated with the vasculature, which is known as V0 in hemodynamic models. In previous studies involving dynamic causal modeling (DCM) which embodies the hemodynamic model to invert the functional magnetic resonance imaging signals into neuronal activity, V0 was arbitrarily set to a physiolog-ically plausible value to overcome the ill-posedness of the inverse problem. It is interesting to investigate how the V0 value influences DCM. In this study we addressed this issue by using both synthetic and real experiments. The results show that the ability of DCM analysis to reveal information about brain causality depends critically on the assumed V0 value used in the analysis procedure. The choice of V0 value not only directly affects the strength of system connections, but more importantly also affects the inferences about the network architecture. Our analyses speak to a possible refinement of how the hemody-namic process is parameterized (i.e., by making V0 a free parameter); however, the conditional dependencies induced by a more complex model may create more problems than they solve. Obtaining more realistic V0 information in DCM can improve the identifiability of the system and would provide more reliable inferences about the properties of brain connectivity.
TMPRSS2 Independency for Haemagglutinin Cleavage In Vivo Differentiates Influenza B Virus from Influenza A Virus
Authors: Sakai Kouji , Ami Yasushi , Nakajima Noriko , Nakajima Katsuhiro , Kitazawa Minori , Anraku Masaki , Takayama Ikuyo , Sangsriratanakul Natthanan , Komura Miyuki , Sato Yuko , Asanuma Hideki , Takashita Emi , Komase Katsuhiro , Takehara Kazuaki , Tashiro Masato , Hasegawa Hideki , Odagiri Takato , Takeda Makoto
Published: July 2016

Influenza A and B viruses show clear differences in their host specificity and pandemic potential. Recent studies have revealed that the host protease TMPRSS2 plays an essential role for proteolytic activation of H1, H3, and H7 subtype strains of influenza A virus (IAV) in vivo. IAV possessing a monobasic cleavage site in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein replicates poorly in TMPRSS2 knockout mice owing to insufficient HA cleavage. In the present study, human isolates of influenza B virus (IBV) strains and a mouse-adapted IBV strain were analysed. The data showed that IBV successfully underwent HA cleavage in TMPRSS2 knockout mice, and that the mouse-adapted strain was fully pathogenic to these mice. The present data demonstrate a clear difference between IAV and IBV in their molecular mechanisms for spreading in vivo.
Microaneurysms cause refractory macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Tomiyasu Taneto , Hirano Yoshio , Yoshida Munenori , Suzuki Norihiro , Nishiyama Takeshi , Uemura Akiyoshi , Yasukawa Tsutomu , Ogura Yuichiro
Published: July 2016

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents can treat macular edema (ME) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). However, refractory ME, the mechanism of which is not well elucidated, occurs frequently. Sixty-six eyes with ME secondary to BRVO were enrolled in this retrospective observational case-control study. Twenty eyes received a sub-Tenon’s capsule injection of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA), 22 eyes an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection (ranibizumab), 16 eyes were switched from STTA to ranibizumab, 4 eyes underwent vitrectomy and 4 eyes were untreated. Multiple regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted, respectively, to identify independent predictors of visual acuity (VA) prognosis and risk factors for refractory ME longer than 1 year. The mechanism of refractory ME and therapeutic approaches for identified risk factors also were investigated. Thirty-four (52%) eyes had refractory ME for over 1 year. Microaneurysms were identified as risk factors for refractory ME, leading to poor final VA. Ranibizumab suppressed microaneurysm formation and refractory ME, with early administration more effective. For already formed microaneurysms, laser photocoagulation reduced additional treatments. Microaneurysms may cause refractory ME in BRVO. Alternative therapy to suppress microaneurysms should be considered to prevent refractory ME in patients with BRVO.
Application of nanodisc technology for direct electrochemical investigation of plant cytochrome P450s and their NADPH P450 oxidoreductase
Authors: Bavishi Krutika , Laursen Tomas , Martinez Karen L. , Møller Birger Lindberg , Della Pia Eduardo Antonio
Published: July 2016

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome P450 containing systems has primarily focused on investigating enzymes from microbes and animals for bio-sensing applications. Plant P450s receive electrons from NADPH P450 oxidoreductase (POR) to orchestrate the bio-synthesis of a plethora of commercially valuable compounds. In this report, full length CYP79A1, CYP71E1 and POR of the dhurrin pathway in Sorghum bicolor were reconstituted individually in nanoscale lipid patches, “nanodiscs” and directly immobilized on unmodified gold electrodes. Cyclic voltammograms of CYP79A1 and CYP71E1 revealed reversible redox peaks with average midpoint potentials of 80 ± 5 mV and 72 ± 5 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively. POR yielded two pairs of redox peaks with midpoint potentials of 90 ± 5 mV and −300 ± 10 mV, respectively. The average heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant was calculated to be ~1.5 s−1. POR was electro-catalytically active while the P450s generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These nanodisc-based investigations lay the prospects and guidelines for construction of a simplified platform to perform mediator-free, direct electrochemistry of non-engineered cytochromes P450 under native-like conditions. It is also a prelude for driving plant P450 systems electronically for simplified and cost-effective screening of potential substrates/inhibitors and fabrication of nano-bioreactors for synthesis of high value natural products.
Oxidative Unzipping and Transformation of High Aspect Ratio Boron Nitride Nanotubes into “White Graphene Oxide” Platelets
Authors: Nautiyal Pranjal , Loganathan Archana , Agrawal Richa , Boesl Benjamin , Wang Chunlei , Agarwal Arvind
Published: July 2016

Morphological and chemical transformations in boron nitride nanotubes under high temperature atmospheric conditions is probed in this study. We report atmospheric oxygen induced cleavage of boron nitride nanotubes at temperatures exceeding 750 °C for the first time. Unzipping is then followed by coalescence of these densely clustered multiple uncurled ribbons to form stacks of 2D sheets. FTIR and EDS analysis suggest these 2D platelets to be Boron Nitride Oxide platelets, with analogous structure to Graphene Oxide and therefore we term them as “White Graphene Oxide” (WGO). However, not all BNNTs deteriorate even at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. This leads to the formation of a hybrid nanomaterial system comprising of 1D BN nanotubes and 2D BN oxide platelets, potentially having advanced high temperature sensing, radiation shielding, mechanical strengthening, electron emission and thermal management applications due to synergistic improvement of multi-plane transport and mechanical properties. This is the first report on transformation of BNNT bundles to a continuous array of White Graphene Oxide nanoplatelet stacks.
Dcsbis (PA2771) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly active diguanylate cyclase with unique activity regulation
Authors: Chen Ying , Liu Shiheng , Liu Cuilan , Huang Yan , Chi Kaikai , Su Tiantian , Zhu Deyu , Peng Jin , Xia Zhijie , He Jing , Xu Sujuan , Hu Wei , Gu Lichuan
Published: July 2016

C-di-GMP (3’,5’ -Cyclic diguanylic acid) is an important second messenger in bacteria that influences virulence, motility, biofilm formation, and cell division. The level of c-di-GMP in cells is controlled by diguanyl cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Here, we report the biochemical functions and crystal structure of the potential diguanylase Dcsbis (PA2771, a diguanylate cyclase with a self-blocked I-site) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The full-length Dcsbis protein contains an N-terminal GAF domain and a C-terminal GGDEF domain. We showed that Dcsbis tightly coordinates cell motility without markedly affecting biofilm formation and is a diguanylate cyclase with a catalytic activity much higher than those of many other DGCs. Unexpectedly, we found that a peptide loop (protecting loop) extending from the GAF domain occupies the conserved inhibition site, thereby largely relieving the product-inhibition effect. A large hydrophobic pocket was observed in the GAF domain, thus suggesting that an unknown upstream signaling molecule may bind to the GAF domain, moving the protecting loop from the I-site and thereby turning off the enzymatic activity.
The Next Generation Non-competitive Active Polyester Nanosystems for Transferrin Receptor-mediated Peroral Transport Utilizing Gambogic Acid as a Ligand
Authors: Saini P. , Ganugula R. , Arora M. , Kumar M. N. V. Ravi
Published: July 2016

The current methods for targeted drug delivery utilize ligands that must out-compete endogenous ligands in order to bind to the active site facilitating the transport. To address this limitation, we present a non-competitive active transport strategy to overcome intestinal barriers in the form of tunable nanosystems (NS) for transferrin receptor (TfR) utilizing gambogic acid (GA), a xanthanoid, as its ligand. The NS made using GA conjugated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) have shown non-competitive affinity to TfR evaluated in cell/cell-free systems. The fluorescent PLGA-GA NS exhibited significant intestinal transport and altered distribution profile compared to PLGA NS in vivo. The PLGA-GA NS loaded with cyclosporine A (CsA), a model peptide, upon peroral dosing to rodents led to maximum plasma concentration of CsA at 6 h as opposed to 24 h with PLGA-NS with at least 2-fold higher levels in brain at 72 h. The proposed approach offers new prospects for peroral drug delivery and beyond.
Biodiversity and Activity of the Gut Microbiota across the Life History of the Insect Herbivore Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Chen Bosheng , Teh Beng-Soon , Sun Chao , Hu Sirui , Lu Xingmeng , Boland Wilhelm , Shao Yongqi
Published: July 2016

Microbes that live inside insects play critical roles in host nutrition, physiology and behavior. Although Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are one of the most diverse insect taxa, their microbial symbionts are little-studied, particularly during metamorphosis. Here, using ribosomal tag pyrosequencing of DNA and RNA, we investigated biodiversity and activity of gut microbiotas across the holometabolous life cycle of Spodoptera littoralis, a notorious agricultural pest worldwide. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominate but undergo a structural “metamorphosis” in tandem with its host. Enterococcus, Pantoea and Citrobacter were abundant and active in early-instar, while Clostridia increased in late-instar. Interestingly, only enterococci persisted through metamorphosis. Female adults harbored high proportions of Enterococcus, Klebsiella and Pantoea, whereas males largely shifted to Klebsiella. Comparative functional analysis with PICRUSt indicated that early-instar larval microbiome was more enriched for genes involved in cell motility and carbohydrate metabolism, whereas in late-instar amino acid, cofactor and vitamin metabolism increased. Genes involved in energy and nucleotide metabolism were abundant in pupae. Female adult microbiome was enriched for genes relevant to energy metabolism, while an increase in the replication and repair pathway was observed in male. Understanding the metabolic activity of these herbivore-associated microbial symbionts may assist the development of novel pest-management strategies.
Unmixing hysteresis loops of the late Miocene–early Pleistocene loess-red clay sequence
Authors: Zhang Rui , Necula Cristian , Heslop David , Nie Junsheng
Published: July 2016

Magnetic paleoclimatic records often represent mixed environmental signals. Unmixing these signals may improve our understanding of the paleoenvironmental information contained within these records, but such a task is challenging. Here we report an example of numerical unmixing of magnetic hysteresis data obtained from Chinese loess and red clay sequences. We find that the mixed magnetic assemblages of the loess and red clay sediments both contain a component characterized by a narrow hysteresis loop, the abundance of which is positively correlated with magnetic susceptibility. This component has grain sizes close to the superparamagnetic/stable single domain boundary and is attributed to pedogenic activity. Furthermore, a wasp-waisted component is found in both the loess and red clay, however, the wasp-waisted form is more constricted in the red clay. We attribute this component to a mixture of detrital ferrimagnetic grains with pedogenic hematite. The abundance of this component decreases from the base to the top of the red clay, a pattern we attribute to decreased hematite production over the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) due to long-term climate cooling. This work demonstrates the potential of hysteresis loop unmixing to recover quantitative paleoclimatic information carried by both low and high coercivity magnetic minerals.
Detecting Topological Defect Dark Matter Using Coherent Laser Ranging System
Authors: Yang Wanpeng , Leng Jianxiao , Zhang Shuangyou , Zhao Jianye
Published: July 2016

In the last few decades, optical frequency combs with high intensity, broad optical bandwidth and directly traceable discrete wavelengths have triggered rapid developments in distance metrology. However, optical frequency combs to date have been limited to determine the absolute distance to an object (such as satellite missions). We propose a scheme for the detection of topological defect dark matter using a coherent laser ranging system composed of dual-combs and an optical clock via nongravitational signatures. The dark matter field, which comprises a defect, may interact with standard model particles, including quarks and photons, resulting in the alteration of their masses. Thus, a topological defect may function as a dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-depend index of refraction, which would cause the time delay of a periodic extraterrestrial or terrestrial light. When a topological defect passes through the Earth, the optical path of long-distance vacuum path is altered, this change in optical path can be detected through the coherent laser ranging system. Compared to continuous wavelength(cw) laser interferometry methods, dual-comb interferometry in our scheme excludes systematic misjudgement by measuring the absolute optical path length.
Salmonella Degrades the Host Glycocalyx Leading to Altered Infection and Glycan Remodeling
Authors: Arabyan Narine , Park Dayoung , Foutouhi Soraya , Weis Allison M. , Huang Bihua C. , Williams Cynthia C. , Desai Prerak , Shah Jigna , Jeannotte Richard , Kong Nguyet , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Weimer Bart C.
Published: July 2016

Complex glycans cover the gut epithelial surface to protect the cell from the environment. Invasive pathogens must breach the glycan layer before initiating infection. While glycan degradation is crucial for infection, this process is inadequately understood. Salmonella contains 47 glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) that may degrade the glycan. We hypothesized that keystone genes from the entire GH complement of Salmonella are required to degrade glycans to change infection. This study determined that GHs recognize the terminal monosaccharides (N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), galactose, mannose, and fucose) and significantly (p < 0.05) alter infection. During infection, Salmonella used its two GHs sialidase nanH and amylase malS for internalization by targeting different glycan structures. The host glycans were altered during Salmonella association via the induction of N-glycan biosynthesis pathways leading to modification of host glycans by increasing fucosylation and mannose content, while decreasing sialylation. Gene expression analysis indicated that the host cell responded by regulating more than 50 genes resulting in remodeled glycans in response to Salmonella treatment. This study established the glycan structures on colonic epithelial cells, determined that Salmonella required two keystone GHs for internalization, and left remodeled host glycans as a result of infection. These data indicate that microbial GHs are undiscovered virulence factors.
Morphologically and Functionally Distinct Lipid Droplet Subpopulations
Authors: Zhang Shuyan , Wang Yang , Cui Liujuan , Deng Yaqin , Xu Shimeng , Yu Jinhai , Cichello Simon , Serrero Ginette , Ying Yunshu , Liu Pingsheng
Published: July 2016

Lipid droplet (LD), a multi-functional organelle, is often found to associate with other cellular membranous structures and vary in size in a given cell, which may be related to their functional diversity. Here we established a method to separate LD subpopulations from isolated CHO K2 LDs into three different size categories. The subpopulation with smallest LDs was nearly free of ER and other membranous structures while those with larger LDs contained intact ER. These distinct subpopulations of LDs differed in their protein composition and ability to recruit proteins. This method was also applicable to LDs obtained from other sources, such as Huh7 cells, mouse liver and brown adipose tissue, et al. We developed an in vitro assay requiring only isolated LDs, Coenzyme A and ATP to drive lipid synthesis. The LD subpopulation nearly depleted of ER was able to incorporate fatty acids into triacylglycerol and phospholipids. Together, our data demonstrate that LDs in a given cell are heterogeneous in size and function and suggest that LDs are one of cellular lipid synthetic organelles.
Long Term Outcome of Routine Image-enhanced Endoscopy in Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer: a Prospective Study of 145 Patients
Authors: Chung Chen-Shuan , Lo Wu-Chia , Wen Ming-Hsun , Hsieh Chen-Hsi , Lin Yu-Chin , Liao Li-Jen
Published: July 2016

Synchronous second primary tumors (SPTs), especially esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are not uncommon. Image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) screening may identify SPTs while there is no evidence to support its benefit. We prospectively recruited an adult cohort with newly-diagnosed HNSCC for IEE screening of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract neoplasia. 145 HNSCC patients were recruited. 22 (15.2%) patients had synchronous UGI tract neoplasia, including 20 ESCNs and 2 gastric adenocarcinoma. At a median follow-up of 2.72 (±1.73) years, the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 0.71. HNSCC patients with synchronous ESCN/UGI tract neoplasia had poorer prognosis than those without (multivariate analysis, hazard ratio [HR] 2.75/2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11~6.82/1.15~6.80, p = 0.03/0.02). HNSCC patients with advanced (stage III&IV) ESCN had worst survivals (p < 0.001). Among those with synchronous ESCNs, hypopharyngeal cancers were associated with poorer prognosis when compared with oral cancers (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.08~5.15, p = 0.03). IEE screening for UGI SPTs in HNSCC patients could be used for risk stratification and prognosis prediction. HNSCC patients with advanced ESCN had the worst prognosis. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the survival benefits from IEE screening.
Urinary melatonin-sulfate/cortisol ratio and the presence of prostate cancer: A case-control study
Authors: Tai Shu-Yu , Huang Shu-Pin , Bao Bo-Ying , Wu Ming-Tsang
Published: July 2016

The circadian-related hormones, melatonin and cortisol, have oncostatic and immunosuppressive properties. This study examined the relationship between these two biomarkers and the presence of prostate cancer. We measured their major metabolites in urine collected from 120 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and 240 age-matched controls from January 2011 to April 2014. Compared with patients with lower urinary melatonin-sulfate or melatonin-sulfate/cortisol (MT/C) ratio levels, those with above-median levels were significantly less likely to have prostate cancer (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.35–0.99; aOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27–0.77) or advanced stage prostate cancer (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.26–0.89; aOR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.17–0.62). The combined effect of both low MT/C ratios and PSA levels exceeding 10 ng/ml was an 8.82-fold greater likelihood of prostate cancer and a 32.06-fold greater likelihood of advanced stage prostate cancer, compared to those with both high MT/C ratios and PSA levels less than 10 ng/ml. In conclusion, patients with high melatonin-sulfate levels or a high MT/C ratio were less likely to have prostate cancer or advanced stage prostate. Besides, a finding of a low MT/C ratio combined with a PSA level exceeding 10 ng/ml showed the greatest potential in detecting prostate cancer and advanced stage prostate cancer.
Bolide impact triggered the Late Triassic extinction event in equatorial Panthalassa
Authors: Onoue Tetsuji , Sato Honami , Yamashita Daisuke , Ikehara Minoru , Yasukawa Kazutaka , Fujinaga Koichiro , Kato Yasuhiro , Matsuoka Atsushi
Published: July 2016

Extinctions within major pelagic groups (e.g., radiolarians and conodonts) occurred in a stepwise fashion during the last 15 Myr of the Triassic. Although a marked decline in the diversity of pelagic faunas began at the end of the middle Norian, the cause of the middle Norian extinction is uncertain. Here we show a possible link between the end-middle Norian radiolarian extinction and a bolide impact. Two palaeoenvironmental events occurred during the initial phase of the radiolarian extinction interval: (1) a post-impact shutdown of primary and biogenic silica production within a time span of 104–105 yr and (2) a sustained reduction in the sinking flux of radiolarian silica for ~0.3 Myr after the impact. The catastrophic collapse of the pelagic ecosystem at this time was probably the dominant factor responsible for the end-middle Norian conodont extinction.
Effect of heavy haze and aerosol pollution on rice and wheat productions in China
Authors: Tie Xuexi , Huang Ru-Jin , Dai Wenting , Cao Junji , Long Xin , Su Xiaoli , Zhao Shuyu , Wang Qiyuan , Li Guohui
Published: July 2016

In China, regional haze pollution is a serious environmental problem. The impact on ecosystem, however, is not clearly understood. This study investigates the effect of regional haze pollution on the yields of rice and wheat in China. The spatial and temporal distributions of aerosol optical depth (AOD) show high particulate pollution in the North China Plain region, Yangtze River Delta region, the central eastern China and the Si Chuan Basin, coexisted largely with crop growth in time and space. The solar irradiance reaching these regions is estimated to reduce by up to 28–49%, calculated using the AOD distributions and tropospheric ultraviolet-visible (TUV) model. Reduction of solar irradiance in these regions can depress optimal yields of about 45% of rice and 75% of wheat growth in China, leading to 2% reduction in total rice production and 8% reduction in total wheat production in China. However, there are large uncertainties of the estimate related to the diffuse solar radiation. For high diffuse radiation case, the estimate reductions of rice and wheat decrease to 1% and 4.5%, respectively. A further detailed study is needed to clearly understand this effect to meet the growing food demand in the nation in the coming decades.
The size-distribution of Earth’s lakes
Authors: Cael B. B. , Seekell D. A.
Published: July 2016

Globally, there are millions of small lakes, but a small number of large lakes. Most key ecosystem patterns and processes scale with lake size, thus this asymmetry between area and abundance is a fundamental constraint on broad-scale patterns in lake ecology. Nonetheless, descriptions of lake size-distributions are scarce and empirical distributions are rarely evaluated relative to theoretical predictions. Here we develop expectations for Earth’s lake area-distribution based on percolation theory and evaluate these expectations with data from a global lake census. Lake surface areas ≥0.46 km2 are power-law distributed with a tail exponent (τ = 2.14) and fractal dimension (d = 1.4), similar to theoretical expectations (τ = 2.05; d = 4/3). Lakes <0.46 km2 are not power-law distributed. An independently developed regional lake census exhibits a similar transition and consistency with theoretical predictions. Small lakes deviate from the power-law distribution because smaller lakes are more susceptible to dynamical change and topographic behavior at sub-kilometer scales is not self-similar. Our results provide a robust characterization and theoretical explanation for the lake size-abundance relationship, and form a fundamental basis for understanding and predicting patterns in lake ecology at broad scales.
UV-VIS spectroscopy for monitoring yogurt stability during storage time
Authors: Aliakbarian B. , Bagnasco L. , Perego P. , Leardi R. , Casale M.
Published: July 2016

Color, texture and taste are key elements of a consumer's buying decision; thus, monitoring the stability of these features throughout the entire period of yogurt validity is fundamental for dairy product producers.
Study of azo-coupling derivatization by sequential injection coupled with spectrophotometric optical fibre detection for propofol analysis
Authors: Li Li , Li Ying
Published: July 2016

A new method for rapid automated propofol determination that can avoid interference, improve detection and consume small amounts of samples and reagents.
muciPRECON: multichannel preconcentrators for portable mid-infrared hydrocarbon gas sensors
Authors: Kokoric V. , Wissel P. A. , Wilk A. , Mizaikoff B.
Published: July 2016

Monitoring of CO oxidation at an Au/TiO2 powder catalyst using FTIR spectroscopy via substrate integrated hollow-waveguide technology.
Determination of trace uranium by a photo-catalytic resonance fluorescence method coupled with dual cloud point extraction
Authors: Li Guirong , Li Jiekang , Han Qian
Published: July 2016

(1) Extracting and purifying uranium in complex samples by dCPE with [UO22+–SA1]. (2) Detecting uranium super sensitively by a photocatalytic RF method with [UO22+–SA2]. (3) Coupling with separation, purification and analysis procedures exhibited a number of advantages, including high selectivity, high sensitivity and low cost.
C–H arylations of 1,2,3-triazoles by reusable heterogeneous palladium catalysts in biomass-derived γ-valerolactone
Authors: Tian Xu , Yang Fanzhi , Rasina Dace , Bauer Michaela , Warratz Svenja , Ferlin Francesco , Vaccaro Luigi , Ackermann Lutz
Published: July 2016

C–H arylations were accomplished with a user-friendly heterogeneous palladium catalyst in the biomass-derived γ-valerolactone (GVL) as an environmentally-benign reaction medium.
Synthesis and electronic properties of nitrogen-bridged dimers of boron subphthalocyanines
Authors: Guilleme J. , González-Rodríguez D. , Torres T.
Published: July 2016

We describe for the first time the synthesis and characterization of a new family of subphthalocyanine derivatives, the μ-azo dimers, in which two closely interacting macrocycles are axially linked together by a B–N–B bridge.
Correction: A versatile two-photon fluorescent probe for ratiometric imaging E. coli β-galactosidase in live cells and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Xue-Xiang , Wu Hao , Li Peng , Qu Zong-Jin , Tan Ming-Qian , Han Ke-Li
Published: July 2016

Correction for ‘A versatile two-photon fluorescent probe for ratiometric imaging E. coli β-galactosidase in live cells and in vivo’ by Xue-Xiang Zhang et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 8283–8286.
Molecular basis for competitive solvation of the Burkholderia cepacia lipase by sorbitol and urea
Authors: Oliveira Ivan P. , Martínez Leandro
Published: July 2016

The molecular scale diversity of protein–solvent interactions.