bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of selected media supplements to improve F/HN lentiviral vector production yields
Authors: Gélinas Jean-François , Davies Lee A. , Gill Deborah R. , Hyde Stephen C.
Published: August 2017

The development of lentiviral-based therapeutics is challenged by the high cost of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) production. Lentiviruses are enveloped viruses that capture a portion of the host cell membrane during budding, which then constitutes part of the virus particle. This process might lead to lipid and protein depletion in the cell membrane and affect cell viability. Furthermore, growth in suspension also causes stresses that can affect virus production yields. To assess the impact of these issues, selected supplements (Cholesterol Lipid Concentrate, Chemically Defined Lipid Concentrate, Lipid Mixture 1, Gelatin Peptone N3, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and Pluronic F-68) were assayed in order to improve production yields in a transient transfection production of a Sendai virus F/HN-pseudotyped HIV-1-based third generation lentiviral vector in FreeStyle 293 (serum-free media) in suspension. None of the supplements tested had a significant positive impact on lentiviral vector yields, but small non-significant improvements could be combined to increase vector production in a cell line where other conditions have been optimised.
Increased expression of Siglec-9 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zeng Zhilin , Li Miao , Wang Meijia , Wu Xiaomei , Li Qinghai , Ning Qin , Zhao Jianping , Xu Yongjian , Xie Jungang
Published: August 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common inflammatory lung disease. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins 9 (Siglec-9) is predominantly expressed on innate immune cells and has been shown to exert regulatory effect on immune cells through glycan recognition. Soluble Siglec-9 (sSiglec-9), the extracellular region of Siglec-9, might fulfill its function partly by competitive inhibiting siglec-9 binding to its ligands; however, the role of Siglec-9 and sSiglec-9 in the pathogenesis COPD remain largely unknown. In this study, we showed that Siglec-9 expression in alveolar and peripheral blood neutrophil were increased in COPD patients by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, respectively. Plasma levels of sSiglelc-9 were elevated in COPD patients by ELISA. In vitro, Siglec-9 expression and/or sSiglelc-9 levels were up-regulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), some cytokines, and dexamethasone (DEX). Recombinant sSiglce-9 increased oxidative burst in neutrophil and enhanced neutrophil chemotaxis toward IL-8 independent on CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression, but it did not affect neutrophil apoptosis or secretions of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Siglec-9 was complementarily increased to induce a negative feedback loop to limit neutrophil activation in COPD, sSiglce-9 enhanced neutrophil ROS and chemotaxis toward IL-8 likely via competitively inhibiting ligands binding to Siglec-9.
LSD1 modulates the non-canonical integrin β3 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells
Authors: Lim So-Young , Macheleidt Iris , Dalvi Priya , Schäfer Stephan C. , Kerick Martin , Ozretić Luka , Ortiz-Cuaran Sandra , George Julie , Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine , Wolf Jürgen , Timmermann Bernd , Thomas Roman K. , Schweiger Michal R. , Buettner Reinhard , Odenthal Margarete
Published: August 2017

The epigenetic writer lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is aberrantly upregulated in many cancer types and its overexpression correlates with poor survival and tumor progression. In this study, we analysed LSD1 function in non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinomas. Expression profiling of 182 cases of lung adenocarcinoma proved a significant correlation of LSD1 overexpression with lung adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis. KRAS-mutated lung cancer cell clones were stably silenced for LSD1 expression. RNA-seq and comprehensive pathway analysis revealed, that genes related to a recently described non-canonical integrin β3 pathway, were significantly downregulated by LSD1 silencing. Hence, invasion and self-renewal capabilities were strongly decreased. Notably, this novel defined LSD1/integrin β3 axis, was also detected in human lung adenocarcinoma specimens. Furthermore, the linkage of LSD1 to an altered expression pattern of lung-lineage specific transcription factors and genes, which are involved in alveolar epithelial differentiation, was demonstrated. Thus, our findings point to a LSD1-integrin β3 axis, conferring attributes of invasiveness and tumor progression to lung adenocarcinoma.
Persistent anomalies of the extratropical Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation as an initiator of El Niño/Southern Oscillation events
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Hassanzadeh Pedram , Caballero Rodrigo
Published: August 2017

Climates across both hemispheres are strongly influenced by tropical Pacific variability associated with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Conversely, extratropical variability also can affect the tropics. In particular, seasonal-mean alterations of near-surface winds associated with the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) serve as a significant extratropical forcing agent of ENSO. However, it is still unclear what dynamical processes give rise to year-to-year shifts in these long-lived NPO anomalies. Here we show that intraseasonal variability in boreal winter pressure patterns over the Central North Pacific (CNP) imparts a significant signature upon the seasonal-mean circulations characteristic of the NPO. Further we show that the seasonal-mean signature results in part from year-to-year variations in persistent, quasi-stationary low-pressure intrusions into the subtropics of the CNP, accompanied by the establishment of persistent, quasi-stationary high-pressure anomalies over high latitudes of the CNP. Overall, we find that the frequency of these persistent extratropical anomalies (PEAs) during a given winter serves as a key modulator of intraseasonal variability in extratropical North Pacific circulations and, through their influence on the seasonal-mean circulations in and around the southern lobe of the NPO, the state of the equatorial Pacific 9–12 months later.
Phenology-dependent variation in the non-structural carbohydrates of broadleaf evergreen species plays an important role in determining tolerance to defoliation (or herbivory)
Authors: Chen Zhicheng , Wang Lin , Dai Yongxin , Wan Xianchong , Liu Shirong
Published: August 2017

Two broadleaf evergreen canopy species (Schima superbaandEngelhardia roxburghiana) with different phenologies in a subtropical region of southern China were used to determine the influence of leaf phenology on the impact of an insect pest attack.S.superbaregenerates its leaves in February, whileE.roxburghianaregenerates its leaves in May. The mothThalassodes quadrariaattacked the two broadleaf evergreen species in March to April, and the newly produced leaves were removed forS.superbabut not forE.roxburghiana. The young trees were artificially defoliated to imitate an insect pest attack during March 2014. Nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and growth measurements and a retrospective analysis based on the radial growth of mature trees were conducted in January 2015. The results showed that NSC concentrations decreased inS.superbaduring canopy rebuilding, and the subsequent defoliation severely inhibited leaf and shoot growth, prevented NSC restoration in roots and stem xylem, and caused high mortality. The insect outbreaks reduced the radial growth ofS.superba. In contrast,E.roxburghianaexperienced less growth retardation, lower mortality, and normal radial growth. Thus, taking phenology-dependent variation in NSCs into consideration, defoliation and insect pest outbreaks more negatively impactedS.superbathanE.roxburghiana.
Unraveling variations of crystalline cellulose induced by ionic liquid and their effects on enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Ling Zhe , Chen Sheng , Zhang Xueming , Takabe Keiji , Xu Feng
Published: August 2017

Ionic liquid (IL) is one of the pretreatment processes gaining considerable interests to remove the native recalcitrance of lignocellulose. But the cellulose crystalline transformation during the pretreatment and their correlations with enzymatic digestibility have not been fully elucidated. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and holocellulose, which have differential sources and original crystallinity, were respectively pretreated with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4min]Cl). Cellulose crystalline variations as well as chemical and morphological changes were determined. Crystallinity of different materials was proved to influence the effects of pretreatment and following enzymatic digestibility. Recrystallized cellulose Iβ was revealed from slight initial cellulose Iα of Avicel, which was accomplished via formation of intermediate paracrystalline phases. The conversion yield of IL pretreated Avicel displayed no obvious changes, mainly resulted from initial high crystalline order and the recrystallization behavior. Recalcitrance of holocellulose was destroyed during cellulose allomorph transformation and hemicelluloses extraction, contributing to significant increase of glucose yield up to 92.20%. Explicit comprehension on cellulose supramolecular structure may help provide more efficient process for bioconversion after IL pretreatment.
A hybrid resistive pulse-optical detection platform for microfluidic experiments
Authors: Hinkle Preston , Westerhof Trisha M. , Qiu Yinghua , Mallin David J. , Wallace Matthew L. , Nelson Edward L. , Taborek Peter , Siwy Zuzanna S.
Published: August 2017

Resistive-pulse sensing is a label-free method for characterizing individual particles as they pass through ion-conducting channels or pores. During a resistive pulse experiment, the ionic current through a conducting channel is monitored as particles suspended in the solution translocate through the channel. The amplitude of the current decrease during a translocation, or ‘pulse’, depends not only on the ratio of the particle and channel sizes, but also on the particle position, which is difficult to resolve with the resistive pulse signal alone. We present experiments of simultaneous electrical and optical detection of particles passing through microfluidic channels to resolve the positional dependencies of the resistive pulses. Particles were tracked simultaneously in the two signals to create a mapping of the particle position to resistive pulse amplitude at the same instant in time. The hybrid approach will improve the accuracy of object characterization and will pave the way for observing dynamic changes of the objects such as deformation or change in orientation. This combined approach of optical detection and resistive pulse sensing will join with other attempts at hybridizing high-throughput detection techniques such as imaging flow cytometry.
Effect of cortisol diurnal rhythm on emotional memory in healthy young adults
Authors: Nagamine Mitsue , Noguchi Hiroko , Takahashi Nobuaki , Kim Yoshiharu , Matsuoka Yutaka
Published: August 2017

Few studies have investigated the relationship between cortisol diurnal rhythm and cognitive function in healthy young adults, especially for emotional memory. To address this deficiency, this study examined the effect of diurnal cortisol slope (DCS) and heart rate variability (HRV) on emotional memory. Participants included healthy volunteers (44 men and 23 women; mean age 20.60 yrs). Participants were shown emotionally arousing slides and were asked to return to the laboratory one week later where they were given a “surprise” memory test to examine their emotional memory retention. Participants were asked to collect saliva samples at four time points (08:00, 11:00, 15:00, and 20:00) on the experimental days; these samples were used to calculate the DCS. Moreover, HRV was measured during the experiment. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that declarative memory ability, sleep duration, and the DCS were the final significant determinants for emotional memory enhancement (B = −20.41, 0.05, −48.20, ps < 0.05), with participants having flatter cortisol slopes showing reduced or absent emotional memory enhancement. These findings are discussed in reference to the possible effects of diurnal rhythm mechanisms of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system on emotional memory.
Association of the PLCB1 gene with drug dependence
Authors: Cabana-Domínguez Judit , Roncero Carlos , Pineda-Cirera Laura , Palma-Álvarez R. Felipe , Ros-Cucurull Elena , Grau-López Lara , Esojo Abderaman , Casas Miquel , Arenas Concepció , Ramos-Quiroga Josep Antoni , Ribasés Marta , Fernàndez-Castillo Noèlia , Cormand Bru
Published: August 2017

Genetic factors involved in the susceptibility to drug addiction still remain largely unknown. MiRNAs seem to play key roles in the drug-induced plasticity of the brain that likely drives the emergence of addiction. In this work we explored the role of miRNAs in drug addiction. With this aim, we selected 62 SNPs located in the 3’UTR of target genes that are predicted to alter the binding of miRNA molecules and performed a case-control association study in a Spanish sample of 735 cases (mainly cocaine-dependent subjects with multiple drug dependencies) and 739 controls. We found an association between rs1047383 in the PLCB1 gene and drug dependence that was replicated in an independent sample (663 cases and 667 controls). Then we selected 9 miRNAs predicted to bind the rs1047383 region, but none of them showed any effect on PLCB1 expression. We also assessed two miRNAs binding a region that contains a SNP in linkage disequilibrium with rs1047383, but although one of them, hsa-miR-582, was found to downregulate PLCB1, no differences were observed between alleles. Finally, we explored the possibility that PLCB1 expression is altered by cocaine and we observed a significant upregulation of the gene in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine abusers and in human dopaminergic-like neurons after cocaine treatment. Our results, together with previous studies, suggest that PLCB1 participates in the susceptibility to drug dependence.
WS2 and MoS2 biosensing platforms using peptides as probe biomolecules
Authors: Sun Xiuxia , Fan Jun , Fu Caihong , Yao Linyan , Zhao Sha , Wang Jie , Xiao Jianxi
Published: August 2017

Biosensors based on the two-dimensional layered nanomaterials transition metal dichalcogenides such as WS2 and MoS2 have shown broad applications, while they largely rely on the utilization of single stranded DNA as probe biomolecules. Herein we have constructed novel WS2- and MoS2- based biosensing platforms using peptides as probe biomolecules. We have revealed for the first time that the WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets display a distinct adsorption for Arg amino acid and particularly, Arg-rich peptdies. We have demonstrated that the WS2 and MoS2 dramatically quench the fluorescence of our constructed Arg-rich probe peptide, while the hybridization of the probe peptide with its target collagen sequence leads to the fluorescence recovery. The WS2-based platform provides a sensitive fluorescence-enhanced assay that is highly specific to the target collagen peptide with little interferences from other proteins. This assay can be applied for quantitative detection of collagen biomarkers in complex biological fluids. The successful development of WS2- and MoS2- based biosensors using non-ssDNA probes opens great opportunities for the construction of novel multifunctional biosensing platforms, which may have great potential in a wide range of biomedical field.
Glucocorticoids are lower at delivery in maternal, but not cord blood of obese pregnancies
Authors: Stirrat Laura I. , Just George , Homer Natalie Z. M. , Andrew Ruth , Norman Jane E. , Reynolds Rebecca M.
Published: August 2017

Glucocorticoids are vital for lung maturation. We previously showed that cortisol is lower in obese pregnancy. Whether this is maintained at delivery is unknown but is clinically relevant as maternal and cord blood cortisol levels are correlated and offspring of obese are more likely to need neonatal respiratory support. We hypothesized that glucocorticoids are lower in maternal and cord blood at delivery in obese pregnancies. Glucocorticoids (cortisol and corticosterone) and their inactive versions (cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone) were measured by LC-MS/MS in maternal and cord plasma from 259 Caucasian women at delivery (BMI 18–55 kg/m2). Analyses adjusted for labour status, delivery mode, offspring gender, birthweight and gestational age. Cortisol and corticosterone were significantly higher in maternal than cord blood. Inactive versions were significantly higher in cord than maternal blood. Increased maternal BMI associated with lower maternal cortisol, corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone. Despite significant positive correlations between maternal and cord blood glucocorticoid levels, increased maternal BMI was not associated with lower cord blood glucocorticoid levels. Conditions at delivery may overcome any potential negative effects of low maternal glucocorticoids on the fetus in the short-term. This may not preclude the longer-term effects of fetal exposure to lower glucocorticoid levels during obese pregnancy.
A CDC42-centered signaling unit is a dominant positive regulator of endothelial integrity
Authors: Amado-Azevedo J. , Reinhard N. R. , van Bezu J. , de Menezes R. X. , van Beusechem V. W. , van Nieuw Amerongen G. P. , van Hinsbergh V. W. M. , Hordijk P. L.
Published: August 2017

Endothelial barrier function is carefully controlled to protect tissues from edema and damage inflicted by extravasated leukocytes. RhoGTPases, in conjunction with myriad regulatory proteins, exert both positive and negative effects on the endothelial barrier integrity. Precise knowledge about the relevant mechanisms is currently fragmented and we therefore performed a comprehensive analysis of endothelial barrier regulation by RhoGTPases and their regulators. Combining RNAi with electrical impedance measurements we quantified the relevance of 270 Rho-associated genes for endothelial barrier function. Statistical analysis identified 10 targets of which six promoted- and four reduced endothelial barrier function upon downregulation. We analyzed in more detail two of these which were not previously identified as regulators of endothelial integrity. We found that the Rac1-GEF (Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factor) TIAM2 is a positive regulator and the Cdc42(Rac1)-GAP (GTPase-Activating Protein) SYDE1 is a negative regulator of the endothelial barrier function. Finally, we found that the GAP SYDE1 is part of a Cdc42-centered signaling unit, also comprising the Cdc42-GEF FARP1 and the Cdc42 effector PAK7 which controls the integrity of the endothelial barrier. In conclusion, using a siRNA-based screen, we identified new regulators of barrier function and found that Cdc42 is a dominant positive regulator of endothelial integrity.
Dopaminergic Modulation of Biological Motion Perception in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Liu Tingting , Hu Panpan , Cao Ruihua , Ye Xing , Tian Yanghua , Chen Xianwen , Wang Kai
Published: August 2017

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder pathologically characterized by a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. In previous studies, greater attention was paid to impairments in motor disturbances in contrast to impairments of cognitive function in PD that was often ignored. In present study, a duration discrimination paradigm was used to assess global and local biological motion (BM) perception in healthy controls(HCs) and PD patients with and without dopamine substitution treatment (DST). Biological motion sequences and inanimate motion sequences (inverted BM sequences) were sequentially presented on a screen. Observers were required to verbally make a 2-alternative forced-choice to indicate whether the first or second interval appeared longer. The stimuli involved global and local BM sequences. Statistical analyses were conducted on points of subjective equality (PSE). We found significant differences between untreated PD patients and HCs as well as differences between global and local BM conditions. PD patients have a deficit in both global and local BM perception. Nevertheless, these two BM conditions can be improved under DST. Our data indicates that BM perception may be damaged in PD patients and dopaminergic medication is conducive to maintain the BM perception in PD patients.
Transferrin-navigation Nano Artificial Antibody Fluorescence Recognition of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Jiaoyang , Li Ping , Wu Chuanchen , Zhang Hongyan , Zhang Wen , Wang Hui , Tang Bo
Published: August 2017

Specific recognition of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is of great significance for cancer diagnosis and personalized therapy. The antibodies and aptamer are commonly used for recognition of CTCs, but they often suffer from low stability and high cost. Therefore, chemically stable and low-cost artificial recognition elements are still highly demanded. Herein, we prepared nano artificial antibody based on molecular imprinting and applied for fluorescence recognition of CTCs. Surface imprinting was employed to construct a transferrin (TRA)-imprinted layer on the surface of rhodamine doped silica nanoparticles. Take advantage of the specific interaction between TRA and TRA receptor (overexpressed on cancer cells), the as-prepared TRA-imprinted artificial antibody was allowed for specific targeting cancer cells mediated by TRA. And the average recognition efficiency of the artificial antibody for the cancer cells was 88% through flow cytometry. Finally, the nano artificial antibody was successfully applied to specific identify mimetic CTCs, under the same conditions, the recognition ability of artificial antibody for CTCs was 8 times higher than the white blood cells.
InGaP (GaInP) mesa p-i-n photodiodes for X-ray photon counting spectroscopy
Authors: Butera S. , Lioliou G. , Krysa A. B. , Barnett A. M.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, for the first time an InGaP (GaInP) photon counting X-ray photodiode has been developed and shown to be suitable for photon counting X-ray spectroscopy when coupled to a low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifier. The characterisation of two randomly selected 200 μm diameter and two randomly selected 400 μm diameter In0.5Ga0.5P p+-i-n+ mesa photodiodes is reported; the i-layer of the p+-i-n+ structure was 5 μm thick. At room temperature, and under illumination from an 55Fe radioisotope X-ray source, X-ray spectra were accumulated; the best spectrometer energy resolution (FWHM) achieved at 5.9 keV was 900 eV for the 200 μm In0.5Ga0.5P diameter devices at reverse biases above 5 V. System noise analysis was also carried out and the different noise contributions were computed.
Detection of dynamic substrate binding using MRI
Authors: Yadav Nirbhay N. , Yang Xing , Li Yuguo , Li Wenbo , Liu Guanshu , van Zijl Peter C. M.
Published: August 2017

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is rarely used for molecular binding studies and never without synthetic metallic labels. We designed an MRI approach that can specifically detect the binding of natural substrates (i.e. no chemical labels). To accomplish such detection of substrate-target interaction only, we exploit (i) the narrow resonance of aliphatic protons in free substrate for selective radio-frequency (RF) labeling and, (ii) the process of immobilisation upon binding to a solid-like target for fast magnetic transfer of this label over protons in the target backbone. This cascade of events is ultimately detected with MRI using magnetic interaction between target and water protons. We prove this principle using caffeine as a substrate in vitro and then apply it in vivo in the mouse brain. The combined effects of continuous labeling (label pumping), dynamic reversible binding, and water detection was found to enhance the detection sensitivity by about two to three orders of magnitude.
Origin of colossal dielectric response in (In + Nb) co-doped TiO2 rutile ceramics: a potential electrothermal material
Authors: Ke Shanming , Li Tao , Ye Mao , Lin Peng , Yuan Wenxiang , Zeng Xierong , Chen Lang , Huang Haitao
Published: August 2017

(In + Nb) co-doped TiO2 (TINO) rutile is an emerging material with a colossal dielectric permittivity (CP) and a low dielectric loss over wide temperature and frequency ranges. The electrical inhomogeneous nature of TINO ceramics is demonstrated by direct local current probing with high-resolution conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM). The CP response in TINO is found to originate from the electron-pinned defect dipole induced conductive cluster effect and the electrode effect. Two types of dielectric relaxations are simultaneously observed due to these two effects. With the given synthesis condition, we found TINO shows a highly leaky feature that impairs its application as a dielectric material. However, the fast-temperature-rising phenomenon found in this work may open a new door for TINO to be applied as a potential electrothermal material with high efficiency, oxidation-proof, high temperature stability, and energy saving.
Reducing the Dispersion of Periodic Structures with Twist and Polar Glide Symmetries
Authors: Dahlberg O. , Mitchell-Thomas R. C. , Quevedo-Teruel O.
Published: August 2017

In this article, a number of guiding structures are proposed which take advantage of higher symmetries to vastly reduce the dispersion. These higher symmetries are obtained by executing additional geometrical operations to introduce more than one period into the unit cell of a periodic structure. The specific symmetry operations employed here are a combination of p-fold twist and polar glide. Our dispersion analysis shows that a mode in a structure possessing higher symmetries is less dispersive than in a conventional structure. It is also demonstrated that, similar to the previously studied Cartesian glide-symmetric structures, polar glide-symmetric structures also exhibit a frequency independent response. Promising applications of these structures are leaky-wave antennas which utilize the low frequency dependence.
Chill coma in the locust, Locusta migratoria, is initiated by spreading depolarization in the central nervous system
Authors: Robertson R. Meldrum , Spong Kristin E. , Srithiphaphirom Phinyaphat
Published: August 2017

The ability of chill-sensitive insects to function at low temperatures limits their geographic ranges. They have species-specific temperatures below which movements become uncoordinated prior to entering a reversible state of neuromuscular paralysis. In spite of decades of research, which in recent years has focused on muscle function, the role of neural mechanisms in determining chill coma is unknown. Spreading depolarization (SD) is a phenomenon that causes a shutdown of neural function in the integrating centres of the central nervous system. We investigated the role of SD in the process of entering chill coma in the locust, Locusta migratoria. We used thermolimit respirometry and electromyography in whole animals and extracellular and intracellular recording techniques in semi-intact preparations to characterize neural events during chilling. We show that chill-induced SD in the central nervous system is the mechanism underlying the critical thermal minimum for coordinated movement in locusts. This finding will be important for understanding how insects adapt and acclimate to changing environmental temperatures.
Mind wandering simultaneously prolongs reactions and promotes creative incubation
Authors: Leszczynski Marcin , Chaieb Leila , Reber Thomas P. , Derner Marlene , Axmacher Nikolai , Fell Juergen
Published: August 2017

Mind wandering (MW) refers to the disengagement of attention from the external environment and the generation of thoughts unrelated to the task at hand. It is a ubiquitous cognitive process resulting in lapses of attention. MW imposes a negative impact on attention-based task performance, but also has been associated with enhanced creativity and future planning. In three experiments we show that MW relates simultaneously to both behavioral costs but also benefits. Behavioral costs were measured by prolonged reaction times (RT) in sustained attention to response tasks (SART), whereas the benefits were observed as improved performance in the creative problem solving and daily routine planning tasks performed after the SART. Additionally, we found an increased dispersion of RTs during MW suggesting that attention during these times underwent dynamical changes compared to states when participants were fully focused on the task. Our results support a model in which MW deteriorates performance in the task at hand and is related to dynamical changes in attention. At the same time it is also able to improve human capacity for complex operations.
miR-96 attenuates status epilepticus-induced brain injury by directly targeting Atg7 and Atg16L1
Authors: Gan Jing , Cai Qianyun , Qu Yi , Zhao Fengyan , Wan Chaomin , Luo Rong , Mu Dezhi
Published: August 2017

Status epilepticus (SE) can cause brain damage and lead to neural dysfunction. Developing novel targets for SE therapy and diagnosis is important and necessary. Previously, we found several differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the developing hippocampus following SE, including the autophagy-related miR-96. In the present study, we employed immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis to assess the expression of autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) and Atg16L1 and the status of autophagosome formation in the hippocampus of immature rats with SE. Additional in vivo intervention was also performed to investigate the potential therapeutic function of miR-96 in developing rats with SE. We found that Atg7 and Atg16L1 were up-regulated in the neurons after SE, together with an increase in autophagosome formation. Meanwhile, overexpression of miR-96 significantly prevented brain damage in SE rats by inhibiting Atg7 and Atg16L1 expression and autophagosome formation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, Rapamycin negated miR-96 mediated brain injury attenuation through inducing autophagosome formation. Our study indicates that miR-96 might be a potential target for therapy of pediatric SE.
Field-free manipulation of magnetization alignments in a Fe/GaAs/GaMnAs multilayer by spin-orbit-induced magnetic fields
Authors: Lee Sangyeop , Yoo Taehee , Bac Seul-Ki , Choi Seonghoon , Lee Hakjoon , Lee Sanghoon , Liu Xinyu , Dobrowolska Margaret , Furdyna Jacek K.
Published: August 2017

We investigate the process of selectively manipulating the magnetization alignment in magnetic layers in the Fe/GaAs/GaMnAs structure by current-induced spin-orbit (SO) magnetic field. The presence of such fields manifests itself through the hysteretic behavior of planar Hall resistance observed for two opposite currents as the magnetization in the structure switches directions. In the case of the Fe/GaAs/GaMnAs multilayer, hystereses are clearly observed when the magnetization switches direction in the GaMnAs layer, but are negligible when magnetization transitions occur in Fe. This difference in the effect of the SO-field in the two magnetic layers provides an opportunity to control the magnetization in one layer (in the presence case in GaMnAs) by a current, while the magnetization in the other layer (i.e., Fe) remains fixed. Owing to our ability to selectively control the magnetization in the GaMnAs layer, we are able to manipulate the relative spin configurations in our structure between collinear and non-collinear alignments simply by switching the current direction even in the absence of an external magnetic field.
One-pot preparation of nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy with enhanced oxidative stability and robust antibacterial activity
Authors: Liu Xue , Du Jing , Shao Yang , Zhao Shao-Fan , Yao Ke-Fu
Published: August 2017

Metallic core–shell nanostructures have inspired prominent research interests due to their better performances in catalytic, optical, electric, and magnetic applications as well as the less cost of noble metal than monometallic nanostructures, but limited by the complicated and expensive synthesis approaches. Development of one-pot and inexpensive method for metallic core–shell nanostructures’ synthesis is therefore of great significance. A novel Cu network supported nanoporous Ag-Cu alloy with an Ag shell and an Ag-Cu core was successfully synthesized by one-pot chemical dealloying of Zr-Cu-Ag-Al-O amorphous/crystalline composite, which provides a new way to prepare metallic core–shell nanostructures by a simple method. The prepared nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy demonstrates excellent air-stability at room temperature and enhanced oxidative stability even compared with other reported Cu@Ag core-shell micro-particles. In addition, the nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy also possesses robust antibacterial activity against E. Coli DH5α. The simple and low-cost synthesis method as well as the excellent oxidative stability promises the nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy potentially wide applications.
Identification of amino acid residues involved in the dRP-lyase activity of human Pol ι
Authors: Miropolskaya Nataliya , Petushkov Ivan , Kulbachinskiy Andrey , Makarova Alena V.
Published: August 2017

Besides X-family DNA polymerases (first of all, Pol β) several other human DNA polymerases from Y- and A- families were shown to possess the dRP-lyase activity and could serve as backup polymerases in base excision repair (Pol ι, Rev1, Pol γ and Pol θ). However the exact position of the active sites and the amino acid residues involved in the dRP-lyase activity in Y- and A- family DNA polymerases are not known. Here we carried out functional analysis of fifteen amino acid residues possibly involved in the dRP-lyase activity of human Pol ι. We show that substitutions of residues Q59, K60 and K207 impair the dRP-lyase activity of Pol ι while residues in the HhH motif of the thumb domain are dispensable for this activity. While both K60G and K207A substitutions decrease Schiff-base intermediate formation during dRP group cleavage, the latter substitution also strongly affects the DNA polymerase activity of Pol ι, suggesting that it may impair DNA binding. These data are consistent with an important role of the N-terminal region in the dRP-lyase activity of Pol ι, with possible involvement of residues from the finger domain in the dRP group cleavage.
Interleukin-6-dependent growth in a newly established plasmablastic lymphoma cell line and its therapeutic targets
Authors: Mine Sohtaro , Hishima Tsunekazu , Suganuma Akihiko , Fukumoto Hitomi , Sato Yuko , Kataoka Michiyo , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Kuroda Makoto , Suzuki Tadaki , Hasegawa Hideki , Fukayama Masashi , Katano Harutaka
Published: August 2017

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, highly aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with plasma-cell differentiation occurring typically in immune-suppressed patients such as those with AIDS. This study reports the establishment and characterization of a new cell line, PBL-1, derived from a patient with AIDS-associated PBL. Morphological assessment of PBL-1 indicated plasma-cell differentiation with a CD20(−) CD38(+) CD138(+) immunophenotype and IgH/c-myc translocation. The cell line harbours Epstein-Barr virus, but a 52.7-kbp length defect was identified in its genome, resulting in no expression of viral microRNAs encoded in the BamHI-A Rightward Transcript region. Importantly, supplementation of culture medium with >5 ng/mL of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was required for PBL-1 growth. Starvation of IL-6 or addition of tocilizumab, an inhibitory antibody for the IL-6 receptor, induced apoptosis of PBL-1. Transduction of IL-6 into PBL-1 by lentivirus vector induced autologous growth without IL-6 supplementation of culture medium. These data indicate the IL-6 dependency of PBL-1 for proliferation and survival. mTOR inhibitors induced cell death effectively, suggesting mTOR in the IL-6 signalling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for PBL. This established PBL cell line will be a useful tool to further understand the pathophysiology of PBL and aid the future development of PBL treatment.
Differential Cortical Gray Matter Deficits in Adolescent- and Adult-Onset First-Episode Treatment-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Wang Qiang , Ni Peiyan , Deng Wei , Li Yinfei , Zhao Liansheng , Ma Xiaohong , Wang Yingcheng , Yu Hua , Li Xiaojing , Zhang Pingping , Meng Yajing , Liang Sugai , Li Mingli , Li Tao
Published: August 2017

The current study aimed to explore age-variant trait differences of cortical gray matter volume (GMV) in a unique sample of first-episode and treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia. A total of 158 subjects, including 26 adolescent-onset patients and 49 adult-onset patients as well as 83 age- and gender-matched controls were scanned using a 3T MRI scanner. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) following Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL) was used to explore group differences between patients and controls in regional GMV. We found that patients with schizophrenia had decreased GMV in the left parietal postcentral region that extended to the left frontal regions, the right middle temporal gyrus, the occipital lobe and the right cerebellum posterior pyramis. Further analysis showed a distinct pattern of gray matter alterations in adolescent-onset patients compared with both healthy controls and adult-onset patients. Relative to healthy controls, adolescent-onset patients showed GMV alterations in the left parietal postcentral gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and right cerebellum posterior pyramis, while GMV deficits in adult-onset patients were focused on the cingulo-fronto-temporal module and right occipital regions. Our study identified differential cortical gray matter deficits between adolescent- and adulthood-onset patients with schizophrenia, which suggests that the cortical abnormalities in schizophrenia are likely adjusted by the developmental community structure of the human brain.
Topological N-glycosylation and site-specific N-glycan sulfation of influenza proteins in the highly expressed H1N1 candidate vaccines
Authors: She Yi-Min , Farnsworth Aaron , Li Xuguang , Cyr Terry D.
Published: August 2017

The outbreak of a pandemic influenza H1N1 in 2009 required the rapid generation of high-yielding vaccines against the A/California/7/2009 virus, which were achieved by either addition or deletion of a glycosylation site in the influenza proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. In this report, we have systematically evaluated the glycan composition, structural distribution and topology of glycosylation for two high-yield candidate reassortant vaccines (NIBRG-121xp and NYMC-X181A) by combining various enzymatic digestions with high performance liquid chromatography and multiple-stage mass spectrometry. Proteomic data analyses of the full-length protein sequences determined 9 N-glycosylation sites of hemagglutinin, and defined 6 N-glycosylation sites and the glycan structures of low abundance neuraminidase, which were occupied by high-mannose, hybrid and complex-type N-glycans. A total of ~300 glycopeptides were analyzed and manually validated by tandem mass spectrometry. The specific N-glycan structure and topological location of these N-glycans are highly correlated to the spatial protein structure and the residential ligand binding. Interestingly, sulfation, fucosylation and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine of N-glycans were also reliably identified at the specific glycosylation sites of the two influenza proteins that may serve a crucial role in regulating the protein structure and increasing the protein abundance of the influenza virus reassortants.
Biocomposite nanofiber matrices to support ECM remodeling by human dermal progenitors and enhanced wound closure
Authors: Anjum Fraz , Agabalyan Natacha A. , Sparks Holly D. , Rosin Nicole L. , Kallos Michael S. , Biernaskie Jeff
Published: August 2017

Cell-based therapies have recently been the focus of much research to enhance skin wound healing. An important challenge will be to develop vehicles for cell delivery that promote survival and uniform distribution of cells across the wound bed. These systems should be stiff enough to facilitate handling, whilst soft enough to limit damage to newly synthesized wound tissue and minimize patient discomfort. Herein, we developed several novel modifiable nanofibre scaffolds comprised of Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and gelatin (GE). We asked whether they could be used as a functional receptacle for adult human Skin-derived Precursor Cells (hSKPs) and how naked scaffolds impact endogenous skin wound healing. PCL and GE were electrospun in a single facile solvent to create composite scaffolds and displayed unique morphological and mechanical properties. After seeding with adult hSKPs, deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and sulphated glycosaminoglycans was found to be enhanced in composite grafts. Moreover, composite scaffolds exhibited significantly higher cell proliferation, greater cell spreading and integration within the nanofiber mats. Transplantation of acellular scaffolds into wounds revealed scaffolds exhibited improvement in dermal-epidermal thickness, axonal density and collagen deposition. These results demonstrate that PCL-based nanofiber scaffolds show promise as a cell delivery system for wound healing.
The novel link between planar möbius aromatic and third order nonlinear optical properties of metal–bridged polycyclic complexes
Authors: Wang Li , Ye Jinting , Wang Hongqiang , Xie Haiming , Qiu Yongqing
Published: August 2017

Metal–bridged polcyclic aromatic complexes, exhibiting unusual optical effects such as near-infrared photoluminescence with particularly large Stokes shifts, long lifetimes and aggregation enhancement, have been established as unique “carbonloong chemistry”. Herein, the electronic structures, aromaticities, absorption spectra and third order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of metal–bridged polcyclic aromatic complexes (M = Fe, Re, Os and Ir) are investigated using the density functional theory computations. It is found that the bridge–head metal can stabilize and influence rings, thus creating π–, σ– and metalla–aromaticity in an extended, π–conjugated framework. Interestingly, metal radius greatly influence the bond, aromaticity, liner and third order NLO properties, which reveals useful information to develop new applications of metal regulatory mechanism in NLO materials field. Significantly, the novel relationship between the aromaticity and third order NLO response has firstly been proposed, that the metal-bridged polycyclic complex with larger aromaticity will exhibit larger third order nonlinear optical response. It is our expectation that the novel link between aromaticity and NLO response could provide valuable information for scientists to develop the potential NLO materials on the basis of metal–bridged polycyclic complexes.
RNA-seq analysis of apical meristem reveals integrative regulatory network of ROS and chilling potentially related to flowering in Litchi chinensis
Authors: Lu Xingyu , Li Jingjing , Chen Houbin , Hu Jiaqi , Liu Pengxu , Zhou Biyan
Published: August 2017

Litchi is an important woody fruit tree. Floral initiation in litchi is triggered by low temperatures. However, defective flowering is a major challenge for litchi production in times of climate change and global warming. Previous studies have shown that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by methyl viologen dichloride hydrate (MV) promotes flowering. In this study, potted trees were transferred to growth chambers for low-temperature (LT), medium-temperature (MT), and high-temperature (HT) treatments. Trees at MT were subjected to ROS treatment to promote flowering, and those at LT were induced to flower. RNA-sequencing was applied to obtain a global transcriptome of the apical meristem and reveal potential gene networks controlling the transformation from vegetative meristems (VM) into inflorescence meristems (IM). We assembled 73,117 unigenes with a mean size of 790 bp and 11741 unigenes were identified as both chilling and ROS responsive genes (CRRGs), of which 48 were identified as flowering-related CRRGs, 59 were plant hormone signal transduction CRRGs, and 146 were plant hormone biosynthesis-related CRRGs. Genes co-expression network analysis indicated inner relationships, suggesting that ROS and chilling promotes the VM to IM transition through a regulatory gene network of transcription factors, hormones, and flowering regulators.
Deswelling and deformation of microgels in concentrated packings
Authors: Bouhid de Aguiar I. , van de Laar T. , Meireles M. , Bouchoux A. , Sprakel J. , Schroën K.
Published: August 2017

Increasing the particle density of a suspension of microgel colloids above the point of random-close packing, must involve deformations of the particle to accommodate the increase in volume fraction. By contrast to the isotropic osmotic deswelling of soft particles, the particle-particle contacts give rise to a non-homogeneous pressure, raising the question if these deformations occur through homogeneous deswelling or by the formation of facets. Here we aim to answer this question through a combination of imaging of individual microgels in dense packings and a simple model to describe the balance between shape versus volume changes. We find a transition from shape changes at low pressures to volume changes at high pressures, which can be explained qualitatively with our model. Whereas contact mechanics govern at low pressures giving rise to facets, osmotic effects govern at higher pressures, which leads to a more homogeneous deswelling. Our results show that both types of deformation play a large role in highly concentrated microgel suspensions and thus must be taken into account to arrive at an accurate description of the structure, dynamics and mechanics of concentrated suspensions of soft spheres.
Short Chain Fatty Acids Enhance Aryl Hydrocarbon (Ah) Responsiveness in Mouse Colonocytes and Caco-2 Human Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Jin Un-Ho , Cheng Yating , Park Hyejin , Davidson Laurie A. , Callaway Evelyn S. , Chapkin Robert S. , Jayaraman Arul , Asante Andrew , Allred Clinton , Weaver Evelyn A. , Safe Stephen
Published: August 2017

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands are important for gastrointestinal health and play a role in gut inflammation and the induction of T regulatory cells, and the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) butyrate, propionate and acetate also induce similar protective responses. Initial studies with butyrate demonstrated that this compound significantly increased expression of Ah-responsive genes such as Cyp1a1/CYP1A1 in YAMC mouse colonocytes and Caco-2 human colon cancer cell lines. Butyrate synergistically enhanced AhR ligand-induced Cyp1a1/CYP1A1 in these cells with comparable enhancement being observed for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and also microbiota-derived AhR ligands tryptamine, indole and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA). The effects of butyrate on enhancing induction of Cyp1b1/CYP1B1, AhR repressor (Ahrr/AhRR) and TCDD-inducible poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (Tiparp/TiPARP) by AhR ligands were gene- and cell context-dependent with the Caco-2 cells being the most responsive cell line. Like butyrate and propionate, the prototypical hydroxyamic acid-derived histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors Panobinostat and Vorinostat also enhanced AhR ligand-mediated induction and this was accompanied by enhanced histone acetylation. Acetate also enhanced basal and ligand-inducible Ah responsiveness and histone acetylation, demonstrating that acetate was an HDAC inhibitor. These results demonstrate SCFA-AhR ligand interactions in YAMC and Caco-2 cells where SCFAs synergistically enhance basal and ligand-induced expression of AhR-responsive genes.