bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histone H3.3 sub-variant H3mm7 is required for normal skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Harada Akihito , Maehara Kazumitsu , Ono Yusuke , Taguchi Hiroyuki , Yoshioka Kiyoshi , Kitajima Yasuo , Xie Yan , Sato Yuko , Iwasaki Takeshi , Nogami Jumpei , Okada Seiji , Komatsu Tetsuro , Semba Yuichiro , Takemoto Tatsuya , Kimura Hiroshi , Kurumizaka Hitoshi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki
Published: April 2018

Regulation of gene expression requires selective incorporation of histone H3 variant H3.3 into chromatin. Histone H3.3 has several subsidiary variants but their functions are unclear. Here we characterize the function of histone H3.3 sub-variant, H3mm7, which is expressed in skeletal muscle satellite cells. H3mm7 knockout mice demonstrate an essential role of H3mm7 in skeletal muscle regeneration. Chromatin analysis reveals that H3mm7 facilitates transcription by forming an open chromatin structure around promoter regions including those of myogenic genes. The crystal structure of the nucleosome containing H3mm7 reveals that, unlike the S57 residue of other H3 proteins, the H3mm7-specific A57 residue cannot form a hydrogen bond with the R40 residue of the cognate H4 molecule. Consequently, the H3mm7 nucleosome is unstable in vitro and exhibited higher mobility in vivo compared with the H3.3 nucleosome. We conclude that the unstable H3mm7 nucleosome may be required for proper skeletal muscle differentiation.
Rice auxin influx carrier OsAUX1 facilitates root hair elongation in response to low external phosphate
Authors: Giri Jitender , Bhosale Rahul , Huang Guoqiang , Pandey Bipin K. , Parker Helen , Zappala Susan , Yang Jing , Dievart Anne , Bureau Charlotte , Ljung Karin , Price Adam , Rose Terry , Larrieu Antoine , Mairhofer Stefan , Sturrock Craig J. , White Philip , Dupuy Lionel , Hawkesford Malcolm , Perin Christophe , Liang Wanqi , Peret Benjamin , Hodgman Charlie T. , Lynch Jonathan , Wissuwa Matthias , Zhang Dabing , Pridmore Tony , Mooney Sacha J. , Guiderdoni Emmanuel , Swarup Ranjan , Bennett Malcolm J.
Published: April 2018

Root traits such as root angle and hair length influence resource acquisition particularly for immobile nutrients like phosphorus (P). Here, we attempted to modify root angle in rice by disrupting the OsAUX1 auxin influx transporter gene in an effort to improve rice P acquisition efficiency. We show by X-ray microCT imaging that root angle is altered in the osaux1 mutant, causing preferential foraging in the top soil where P normally accumulates, yet surprisingly, P acquisition efficiency does not improve. Through closer investigation, we reveal that OsAUX1 also promotes root hair elongation in response to P limitation. Reporter studies reveal that auxin response increases in the root hair zone in low P environments. We demonstrate that OsAUX1 functions to mobilize auxin from the root apex to the differentiation zone where this signal promotes hair elongation when roots encounter low external P. We conclude that auxin and OsAUX1 play key roles in promoting root foraging for P in rice.
Electron density modulation of NiCo2S4 nanowires by nitrogen incorporation for highly efficient hydrogen evolution catalysis
Authors: Wu Yishang , Liu Xiaojing , Han Dongdong , Song Xianyin , Shi Lei , Song Yao , Niu Shuwen , Xie Yufang , Cai Jinyan , Wu Shaoyang , Kang Jian , Zhou Jianbin , Chen Zhiyan , Zheng Xusheng , Xiao Xiangheng , Wang Gongming
Published: April 2018

Metal sulfides for hydrogen evolution catalysis typically suffer from unfavorable hydrogen desorption properties due to the strong interaction between the adsorbed H and the intensely electronegative sulfur. Here, we demonstrate a general strategy to improve the hydrogen evolution catalysis of metal sulfides by modulating the surface electron densities. The N modulated NiCo2S4 nanowire arrays exhibit an overpotential of 41 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 37 mV dec−1, which are very close to the performance of the benchmark Pt/C in alkaline condition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory studies consistently confirm the surface electron densities of NiCo2S4 have been effectively manipulated by N doping. The capability to modulate the electron densities of the catalytic sites could provide valuable insights for the rational design of highly efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution and beyond.
Shallow magma diversions during explosive diatreme-forming eruptions
Authors: Le Corvec Nicolas , Muirhead James D. , White James D. L.
Published: April 2018

The diversion of magma is an important mechanism that may lead to the relocation of a volcanic vent. Magma diversion is known to occur during explosive volcanic eruptions generating subterranean excavation and remobilization of country and volcanic rocks. However, feedbacks between explosive crater formation and intrusion processes have not been considered previously, despite their importance for understanding evolving hazards during volcanic eruptions. Here, we apply numerical modeling to test the impacts of excavation and subsequent infilling of diatreme structures on stress states and intrusion geometries during the formation of maar–diatreme complexes. Explosive excavation and infilling of diatremes affects local stress states which inhibits magma ascent and drives lateral diversion at various depths, which are expected to promote intra-diatreme explosions, host rock mixing, and vent migration. Our models demonstrate novel mechanisms explaining the generation of saucer-shaped sills, linked with magma diversion and enhanced intra-diatreme explosive fragmentation during maar-diatreme volcanism. Similar mechanisms will occur at other volcanic vents producing crater-forming eruptions.
Negative circular polarization emissions from WSe2/MoSe2 commensurate heterobilayers
Authors: Hsu Wei-Ting , Lu Li-Syuan , Wu Po-Hsun , Lee Ming-Hao , Chen Peng-Jen , Wu Pei-Ying , Chou Yi-Chia , Jeng Horng-Tay , Li Lain-Jong , Chu Ming-Wen , Chang Wen-Hao
Published: April 2018

Van der Waals heterobilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides with spin–valley coupling of carriers in different layers have emerged as a new platform for exploring spin/valleytronic applications. The interlayer coupling was predicted to exhibit subtle changes with the interlayer atomic registry. Manually stacked heterobilayers, however, are incommensurate with the inevitable interlayer twist and/or lattice mismatch, where the properties associated with atomic registry are difficult to access by optical means. Here, we unveil the distinct polarization properties of valley-specific interlayer excitons using epitaxially grown, commensurate WSe2/MoSe2 heterobilayers with well-defined (AA and AB) atomic registry. We observe circularly polarized photoluminescence from interlayer excitons, but with a helicity opposite to the optical excitation. The negative circular polarization arises from the quantum interference imposed by interlayer atomic registry, giving rise to distinct polarization selection rules for interlayer excitons. Using selective excitation schemes, we demonstrate the optical addressability for interlayer excitons with different valley configurations and polarization helicities.
Inhibition of cancer stem cell like cells by a synthetic retinoid
Authors: Chen Junwei , Cao Xin , An Quanlin , Zhang Yao , Li Ke , Yao Wenting , Shi Fuchun , Pan Yanfang , Jia Qiong , Zhou Wenwen , Yang Fang , Wei Fuxiang , Wang Ning , Yu Biao
Published: April 2018

Developing novel drugs that can abrogate the growth and metastasis of malignant tumors is a major challenge for cancer researchers. Here we describe a novel synthetic retinoid, namely WYC-209, which inhibits proliferation of malignant murine melanoma tumor-repopulating cells (TRCs), known to resist conventional drug treatment, with an IC50 of 0.19 μM in a dose-dependent manner. WYC-209 also inhibits proliferation of TRCs of human melanoma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer in culture. Interestingly, the treated TRCs fail to resume growth even after the drug washout. Importantly, the molecule abrogates 87.5% of lung metastases of melanoma TRCs in immune-competent wild-type C57BL/6 mice at 0.22 mg kg−1 without showing apparent toxicity. Pretreating the melanoma TRCs with retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonists or with RAR siRNAs blocks or reduces the inhibitory effect of the molecule, suggesting that the target of the molecule is RAR. WYC-209 induces TRC apoptosis and pretreating the TRCs with caspase 3 inhibitor or depleting caspase 3 with siRNAs substantially rescues growth of TRCs from WYC-209 inhibition, suggesting that WYC-209 induces TRCs apoptosis primarily via the caspase 3 pathway. Our findings demonstrate the promise of the new retinoid WYC-209 in treating malignant melanoma tumors with high efficacy and little toxicity.
Chemically triggered drug release from an antibody-drug conjugate leads to potent antitumour activity in mice
Authors: Rossin Raffaella , Versteegen Ron M. , Wu Jeremy , Khasanov Alisher , Wessels Hans J. , Steenbergen Erik J. , ten Hoeve Wolter , Janssen Henk M. , van Onzen Arthur H. A. M. , Hudson Peter J. , Robillard Marc S.
Published: April 2018

Current antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) target internalising receptors on cancer cells leading to intracellular drug release. Typically, only a subset of patients with solid tumours has sufficient expression of such a receptor, while there are suitable non-internalising receptors and stroma targets. Here, we demonstrate potent therapy in murine tumour models using a non-internalising ADC that releases its drugs upon a click reaction with a chemical activator, which is administered in a second step. This was enabled by the development of a diabody-based ADC with a high tumour uptake and very low retention in healthy tissues, allowing systemic administration of the activator 2 days later, leading to efficient and selective activation throughout the tumour. In contrast, the analogous ADC comprising the protease-cleavable linker used in the FDA approved ADC Adcetris is not effective in these tumour models. This first-in-class ADC holds promise for a broader applicability of ADCs across patient populations.
Gold nanocrystal-mediated sliding of doublet DNA origami filaments
Authors: Urban Maximilian J. , Both Steffen , Zhou Chao , Kuzyk Anton , Lindfors Klas , Weiss Thomas , Liu Na
Published: April 2018

Sliding is one of the fundamental mechanical movements in machinery. In macroscopic systems, double-rack pinion machines employ gears to slide two linear tracks along opposite directions. In microscopic systems, kinesin-5 proteins crosslink and slide apart antiparallel microtubules, promoting spindle bipolarity and elongation during mitosis. Here we demonstrate an artificial nanoscopic analog, in which gold nanocrystals can mediate coordinated sliding of two antiparallel DNA origami filaments powered by DNA fuels. Stepwise and reversible sliding along opposite directions is in situ monitored and confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy. A theoretical model including different energy transfer mechanisms is developed to understand the observed fluorescence dynamics. We further show that such sliding can also take place in the presence of multiple DNA sidelocks that are introduced to inhibit the relative movements. Our work enriches the toolbox of DNA-based nanomachinery, taking one step further toward the vision of molecular nanofactories.
Energy-loss return gate via liquid dielectric polarization
Authors: Kim Taehun , Yong Hyungseok , Kim Banseok , Kim Dongseob , Choi Dukhyun , Park Yong Tae , Lee Sangmin
Published: April 2018

There has been much research on renewable energy-harvesting techniques. However, owing to increasing energy demands, significant energy-related issues remain to be solved. Efforts aimed at reducing the amount of energy loss in electric/electronic systems are essential for reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment. Here, we design an energy-loss return gate system that reduces energy loss from electric/electronic systems by utilizing the polarization of liquid dielectrics. The use of a liquid dielectric material in the energy-loss return gate generates electrostatic potential energy while reducing the dielectric loss of the electric/electronic system. Hence, an energy-loss return gate can make breakthrough impacts possible by amplifying energy-harvesting efficiency, lowering the power consumption of electronics, and storing the returned energy. Our study indicates the potential for enhancing energy-harvesting technologies for electric/electronics systems, while increasing the widespread development of these systems.
Accessing valley degree of freedom in bulk Tin(II) sulfide at room temperature
Authors: Lin Shuren , Carvalho Alexandra , Yan Shancheng , Li Roger , Kim Sujung , Rodin Aleksandr , Carvalho Lídia , Chan Emory M. , Wang Xi , Castro Neto Antonio H. , Yao Jie
Published: April 2018

The field of valleytronics has promised greater control of electronic and spintronic systems with an additional valley degree of freedom. However, conventional and two-dimensional valleytronic systems pose practical challenges in the utilization of this valley degree of freedom. Here we show experimental evidences of the valley effect in a bulk, ambient, and bias-free model system of Tin(II) sulfide. We elucidate the direct access and identification of different sets of valleys, based primarily on the selectivity in absorption and emission of linearly polarized light by optical reflection/transmission and photoluminescence measurements, and demonstrate strong optical dichroic anisotropy of up to 600% and nominal polarization degrees of up to 96% for the two valleys with band-gap values 1.28 and 1.48 eV, respectively; the ease of valley selection further manifested in their non-degenerate nature. Such discovery enables a new platform for better access and control of valley polarization.
A nanofluidic knot factory based on compression of single DNA in nanochannels
Authors: Amin Susan , Khorshid Ahmed , Zeng Lili , Zimny Philip , Reisner Walter
Published: April 2018

Knots form when polymers self-entangle, a process enhanced by compaction with important implications in biological and artificial systems involving chain confinement. In particular, new experimental tools are needed to assess the impact of multiple variables influencing knotting probability. Here, we introduce a nanofluidic knot factory for efficient knot formation and detection. Knots are produced during hydrodynamic compression of single DNA molecules against barriers in a nanochannel; subsequent extension of the chain enables direct assessment of the number of independently evolving knots. Knotting probability increases with chain compression as well as with waiting time in the compressed state. Using a free energy derived from scaling arguments, we develop a knot-formation model that can quantify the effect of interactions and the breakdown of Poisson statistics at high compression. Our model suggests that highly compressed knotted states are stabilized by a decreased free energy as knotted contour contributes a lower self-exclusion derived free energy.
High-sensitivity ion detection at low voltages with current-driven organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Ghittorelli Matteo , Lingstedt Leona , Romele Paolo , Crăciun N. Irina , Kovács-Vajna Zsolt Miklós , Blom Paul W. M. , Torricelli Fabrizio
Published: April 2018

Ions dissolved in aqueous media play a fundamental role in plants, animals, and humans. Therefore, the in situ quantification of the ion concentration in aqueous media is gathering relevant interest in several fields including biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, healthcare products, water and food test and control, agriculture industry and security. The fundamental limitation of the state-of-art transistor-based approaches is the intrinsic trade-off between sensitivity, ion concentration range and operating voltage. Here we show a current-driven configuration based on organic electrochemical transistors that overcomes this fundamental limit. The measured ion sensitivity exceeds by one order of magnitude the Nernst limit at an operating voltage of few hundred millivolts. The ion sensitivity normalized to the supply voltage is larger than 1200 mV V−1 dec−1, which is the largest value ever reported for ion-sensitive transistors. The proposed approach is general and can be extended to any transistor technology, thus opening opportunities for high-performance bioelectronics.
A novel autophagy enhancer as a therapeutic agent against metabolic syndrome and diabetes
Authors: Lim Hyejin , Lim Yu-Mi , Kim Kook Hwan , Jeon Young Eui , Park Kihyoun , Kim Jinyoung , Hwang Hui-Yun , Lee Dong Jin , Pagire Haushabhau , Kwon Ho Jeong , Ahn Jin Hee , Lee Myung-Shik
Published: April 2018

Autophagy is a critical regulator of cellular homeostasis, dysregulation of which is associated with diverse diseases. Here we show therapeutic effects of a novel autophagy enhancer identified by high-throughput screening of a chemical library against metabolic syndrome. An autophagy enhancer increases LC3-I to LC3-II conversion without mTOR inhibition. MSL, an autophagy enhancer, activates calcineurin, and induces dephosphorylation/nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy gene expression. MSL accelerates intracellular lipid clearance, which is reversed by lalistat 2 orTfebknockout. Its administration improves the metabolic profile ofob/obmice and ameliorates inflammasome activation. A chemically modified MSL with increased microsomal stability improves the glucose profile not only ofob/obmice but also of mice with diet-induced obesity. Our data indicate that our novel autophagy enhancer could be a new drug candidate for diabetes or metabolic syndrome with lipid overload.
Resonantly enhanced multiple exciton generation through below-band-gap multi-photon absorption in perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Manzi Aurora , Tong Yu , Feucht Julius , Yao En-Ping , Polavarapu Lakshminarayana , Urban Alexander S. , Feldmann Jochen
Published: April 2018

Multi-photon absorption and multiple exciton generation represent two separate strategies for enhancing the conversion efficiency of light into usable electric power. Targeting below-band-gap and above-band-gap energies, respectively, to date these processes have only been demonstrated independently. Here we report the combined interaction of both nonlinear processes in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals. We demonstrate nonlinear absorption over a wide range of below-band-gap excitation energies (0.5–0.8 Eg). Interestingly, we discover high-order absorption processes, deviating from the typical two-photon absorption, at specific energetic positions. These energies are associated with a strong enhancement of the photoluminescence intensity by up to 105. The analysis of the corresponding energy levels reveals that the observed phenomena can be ascribed to the resonant creation of multiple excitons via the absorption of multiple below-band-gap photons. This effect may open new pathways for the efficient conversion of optical energy, potentially also in other semiconducting materials.
Stable transformation of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis using a single transfection plasmid
Authors: Silva Marta G. , Knowles Donald P. , Mazuz Monica L. , Cooke Brian M. , Suarez Carlos E.
Published: April 2018

Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis, are the two major causes of bovine babesiosis, a global neglected disease in need of improved methods of control. Here, we describe a shared method for the stable transfection of these two parasites using electroporation and blasticidin/blasticidin deaminase as a selectable marker. Stably transfected B. bigemina and B. bovis were obtained using a common transfection plasmid targeting the enhanced green fluorescent protein-BSD (egfp-bsd) fusion gene into the elongation factor-1α (ef-1α) locus of B. bigemina and B. bovis under the control of the B. bigemina ef-1α promoter. Sequencing, Southern blotting, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analysis of parasite-infected red blood cells, demonstrated that the egfp-bsd gene was expressed and stably integrated solely into the ef-1α locus of both, B. bigemina and B. bovis. Interestingly, heterologous B. bigemina ef-1α sequences were able to drive integration into the B. bovis genome by homologous recombination, and the stably integrated B. bigemina ef-1α-A promoter is fully functional in B. bovis. Collectively, the data provides a new tool for genetic analysis of these parasites, and suggests that the development of vaccine platform delivery systems based on transfected B. bovis and B. bigemina parasites using homologous and heterologous promoters is feasible.
Author Correction: Development and validation of risk prediction models for cardiovascular mortality in Chinese people initialising peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study
Authors: Yu Dahai , Cai Yamei , Chen Ying , Chen Tao , Qin Rui , Zhao Zhanzheng , Simmons David
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: Controlled dynamic screening of excitonic complexes in 2D semiconductors
Authors: Klots Andrey R. , Weintrub Benjamin , Prasai Dhiraj , Kidd Daniel , Varga Kalman , Velizhanin Kirill A. , Bolotin Kirill I.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Analysis of HIV-1 envelope evolution suggests antibody-mediated selection of common epitopes among Chinese former plasma donors from a narrow-source outbreak
Authors: Andrews Sophie M. , Zhang Yonghong , Dong Tao , Rowland-Jones Sarah L. , Gupta Sunetra , Esbjörnsson Joakim
Published: April 2018

The HIV-1 envelope mutates rapidly to evade recognition and killing, and is a major target of humoral immune responses and vaccine development. Identification of common epitopes for vaccine development have been complicated by genetic variation on both virus and host levels. We studied HIV-1 envelopegp120evolution in 12 Chinese former plasma donors infected with a purportedly single founder virus, with the aim of identifying common antibody epitopes under immune selection. We found five amino acid sites under significant positive selection in ≥50% of the study participants, and 22 sites consistent with antibody-mediated selection. Despite strong selection pressure, some sites housed a limited repertoire of amino acids. Structural modelling revealed that most of the variable amino acid sites were located on the exposed distal edge of the Gp120 trimer, whilst invariant sites clustered within the centre of the protein complex. Two sites, flanking the V3 hypervariable loop, represent novel antibody sites. Analysis of HIV-1 evolution in hosts infected with a narrow-source virus may provide insight and novel understanding of common epitopes under antibody-mediated selection. If verified in functional studies, such epitopes could be suitable as targets in vaccine development.
Community Detection in Complex Networks via Clique Conductance
Authors: Lu Zhenqi , Wahlström Johan , Nehorai Arye
Published: April 2018

Network science plays a central role in understanding and modeling complex systems in many areas including physics, sociology, biology, computer science, economics, politics, and neuroscience. One of the most important features of networks is community structure, i.e., clustering of nodes that are locally densely interconnected. Communities reveal the hierarchical organization of nodes, and detecting communities is of great importance in the study of complex systems. Most existing community-detection methods consider low-order connection patterns at the level of individual links. But high-order connection patterns, at the level of small subnetworks, are generally not considered. In this paper, we develop a novel community-detection method based on cliques, i.e., local complete subnetworks. The proposed method overcomes the deficiencies of previous similar community-detection methods by considering the mathematical properties of cliques. We apply the proposed method to computer-generated graphs and real-world network datasets. When applied to networks with known community structure, the proposed method detects the structure with high fidelity and sensitivity. When applied to networks with no a priori information regarding community structure, the proposed method yields insightful results revealing the organization of these complex networks. We also show that the proposed method is guaranteed to detect near-optimal clusters in the bipartition case.
Poultry hatcheries as potential reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli: A risk to public health and food safety
Authors: Osman Kamelia M. , Kappell Anthony D. , Elhadidy Mohamed , ElMougy Fatma , El-Ghany Wafaa A. Abd , Orabi Ahmed , Mubarak Aymen S. , Dawoud Turki M. , Hemeg Hassan A. , Moussa Ihab M. I. , Hessain Ashgan M. , Yousef Hend M. Y.
Published: April 2018

Hatcheries have the power to spread antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens through the poultry value chain because of their central position in the poultry production chain. Currently, no information is available about the presence of AMREscherichia colistrains and the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) they harbor within hatchezries. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of hatcheries in harboring hemolytic AMRE.coli. Serotyping of the 65 isolated hemolyticE.colirevealed 15 serotypes with the ability to produce moderate biofilms, and shared susceptibility to cephradine and fosfomycin and resistance to spectinomycin. The most common β-lactam resistance gene wasblaTEM, followed byblaOXA-1,blaMOX-like,blaCIT-like,blaSHVandblaFOX. Hierarchical clustering ofE.coliisolates based on their phenotypic and genotypic profiles revealed separation of the majority of isolates from hatchlings and the hatchery environments, suggesting that hatchling and environmental isolates may have different origins. The high frequency of β-lactam resistance genes in AMRE.colifrom chick hatchlings indicates that hatcheries may be a reservoir of AMRE.coliand can be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of ARGs posing an eminent threat to poultry and human health.
Bumblebee olfactory learning affected by task allocation but not by a trypanosome parasite
Authors: Martin Callum D. , Fountain Michelle T. , Brown Mark J. F.
Published: April 2018

Parasites can induce behavioural changes in their host organisms. Several parasite species are known to infect bumblebees, an important group of pollinators. Task allocation within bumblebee colonies can also cause differences in behaviour. Thus, task allocation may lead to context-dependent impacts of parasites on host behaviour. This study usesBombus terrestrisand its gut trypanosomeCrithidia bombi, to investigate the effects of parasitism, task allocation (foraging or nest-work) and their interactions, on olfactory learning. Prior to undergoing the olfactory learning task, bees were orally infected with a field-realistic dose ofC. bombi, and observed to determine task allocation. Parasitism did not significantly affect olfactory learning, but task allocation did, with foragers being significantly more likely to learn than nest bees. There was no significant interaction between parasitism and task. These results suggest thatC. bombiis unlikely to affect pollination services via changes in olfactory learning of its host if bees are under no environmental or nutritional stress. However, wild and commercial colonies are likely to face such stressors. Future studies in the field are needed to extrapolate our results to real world effects.
Author Correction: Kanglaite sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to Taxol via NF-κΒ inhibition and connexin 43 upregulation
Authors: Wang Yijia , Zhang Chunze , Zhang Shiwu , Zhao Zhenying , Wang Jiawen , Song Jiali , Wang Yue , Liu Jun , Hou Shaobin
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Contributions of cuticle permeability and enzyme detoxification to pyrethroid resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Yahouédo Gildas A. , Chandre Fabrice , Rossignol Marie , Ginibre Carole , Balabanidou Vasileia , Mendez Natacha Garcia Albeniz , Pigeon Olivier , Vontas John , Cornelie Sylvie
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: Impaired oxidative stress response characterizes HUWE1-promoted X-linked intellectual disability
Authors: Bosshard Matthias , Aprigliano Rossana , Gattiker Cristina , Palibrk Vuk , Markkanen Enni , Backe Paul Hoff , Pellegrino Stefania , Raymond F. Lucy , Froyen Guy , Altmeyer Matthias , Bjørås Magnar , Dianov Grigory L. , Loon Barbara van
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Implementation of a Toffoli gate using an array of coupled cavities in a single step
Authors: Cao Y. , Wang G. C. , Liu H. D. , Sun C. F.
Published: April 2018

The Toffoli gate (controlled-controlled-NOT gate) is one typical three-qubit gate, it plus a Hadamard gate form a universal set of gates in quantum computation. We present an efficient method to implement the Toffoli gate using an array of coupled cavities with one three-level atom in each cavity. The large detuning between atoms and classical (quantum) fields plays an important role and the gate is implemented in one-step. The quantum information is encoded into the low-lying states of identical atoms and it is convenient to address qubit individually. Based on the Markovian master equation, it is shown that the scheme to implement the Toffoli gate is robust against the decoherence.
Bilayer synergetic coupling double negative acoustic metasurface and cloak
Authors: Ma Fuyin , Huang Meng , Xu Yicai , Wu Jiu Hui
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose a bilayer plate-type lightweight double negative metasurface based on a new synergetic coupling design concept, by which the perfect absorption, double negative bands, free manipulation of phase shifts with a 2π span and acoustic cloak can be successively realized. Firstly, the synergetic behavior between resonant and anti-resonant plates is presented to construct a bilayer unit in which each component respectively provides a pre-defined function in realizing the perfect absorption. Based on this bilayer structure, a double negative band with simultaneously negative effective mass density and bulk modulus is obtained, which, as a metasurface, can obtain continuous phase shifts almost completely covering a 2π range, thus facilitating the design of a three-dimensional (3D) acoustic cloak. In addition, based on this strong sound absorption concept, a two-dimensional (2D) omnidirectional broadband acoustical dark skin, covering between 800 to 6000 Hz, is also demonstrated through the proposed bilayer plate-type structure form. The proposed design concepts and metasurfaces have widespread potential application values in strong sound attenuation, filtering, superlens, imaging, cloak, and extraordinary wave steering, in which the attributes of strong absorption, double negative parameters or continuous phase shifts with full 2π span are required to realize the expected extraordinary physical features.
Mimicking Electromagnetic Wave Coupling in Tokamak Plasma with Fishnet Metamaterials
Authors: Rustomji K. , Abdeddaim R. , Achard J. , Chmiaa M. , Georget E. , Goniche M. , Helou W. , Hillairet J. , Enoch S. , Tayeb G.
Published: April 2018

This paper reports a fishnet hyperbolic metamaterial that mimics the electromagnetic properties of magnetically confined plasma. These electromagnetic properties are strongly anisotropic and different from any conventional material, therefore cannot be mimicked by bulk materials. The structure is made of a stack of thin copper grids spaced by Rohacell foam. We numerically and experimentally show that this kind of structuration matches well the properties of a homogeneous plasma. This solution breaks a long-lasting bottleneck and will accelerate the development of high-frequency heating systems to be used in nuclear fusion.
Crystal structure of Bacillus cereus flagellin and structure-guided fusion-protein designs
Authors: Il Kim Meong , Lee Choongdeok , Park Jaewan , Jeon Bo-Young , Hong Minsun
Published: April 2018

Flagellin is a major component of the flagellar filament. Flagellin also functions as a specific ligand that stimulates innate immunity through direct interaction with Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) in the host. Because flagellin activates the immune response, it has been of interest to develop as a vaccine adjuvant in subunit vaccines or antigen fusion vaccines. Despite the widespread application of flagellin fusion in preventing infectious diseases, flagellin-antigen fusion designs have never been biophysically and structurally characterized. Moreover, flagellin from Salmonella species has been used extensively despite containing hypervariable regions not required for TLR5 that can cause an unexpected immune response. In this study, flagellin from Bacillus cereus (BcFlg) was identified as the smallest flagellin molecule containing only the conserved TLR5-activating D0 and D1 domains. The crystal structure of BcFlg was determined to provide a scheme for fusion designs. Through homology-based modeling and comparative structural analyses, diverse fusion strategies were proposed. Moreover, cellular and biophysical analysis of an array of fusion constructs indicated that insertion fusion at BcFlg residues 178–180 does not interfere with the protein stability or TLR5-stimulating capacity of flagellin, suggesting its usefulness in the development and optimization of flagellin fusion vaccines.
Traction table versus double reverse traction repositor in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures
Authors: Zhang Ruipeng , Yin Yingchao , Li Shilun , Jin Lin , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Yingze
Published: April 2018

A novel reduction technique of intramedullary nailing (IMN) for femoral shaft fractures was introduced, and in this study, its therapeutic effect was compared with patients treated with the traditional traction table. From November 2012 to August 2015, the patients with femoral shaft fractures fixed with anterograde IMN were reviewed. Seventy-four patients treated with the traction table and forty-eight patients treated with the double reverse traction repositor (DRTR) met the inclusion criteria of this study. The surgical time, blood loss, open reduction rate and complications were reviewed in this study. The fracture healing was assessed by the radiographs conducted at each follow-up. The functional outcome (hip and knee flexion, Harris Hip Score, and Lysholm knee score) was evaluated at the final follow-up. Average surgical time, blood loss, hip and knee flexion, and Harris Hip Score showed no difference (P > 0.05) between the two groups. However, the DRTR was superior to the traction table in fracture healing, Lysholm knee score, open reduction and complications rate (P < 0.05). Thus, we concluded that minimally invasive treatment of femoral shaft fractures could be obtained with the DRTR.
Contribution of DA Signaling to Appetitive Odor Perception in a Drosophila Model
Authors: Pu Yuhan , Palombo Melissa Megan Masserant , Shen Ping
Published: April 2018

Understanding cognitive processes that translate chemically diverse olfactory stimuli to specific appetitive drives remains challenging. We have shown that food-related odors arouse impulsive-like feeding of food media that are palatable and readily accessible in well-nourished Drosophila larvae. Here we provide evidence that two assemblies of four dopamine (DA) neurons, one per brain hemisphere, contribute to perceptual processing of the qualitative and quantitative attributes of food scents. These DA neurons receive neural representations of chemically diverse food-related odors, and their combined neuronal activities become increasingly important as the chemical complexity of an appetizing odor stimulus increases. Furthermore, in each assembly of DA neurons, integrated odor signals are transformed to one-dimensional DA outputs that have no intrinsic reward values. Finally, a genetic analysis has revealed a D1-type DA receptor (Dop1R1)-gated mechanism in neuropeptide Y-like neurons that assigns appetitive significance to selected DA outputs. Our findings suggest that fly larvae provide a useful platform for elucidation of molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying cognitive processing of olfactory and possibly other sensory cues.
Photoreceptor-induced RPE phagolysosomal maturation defects in Stargardt-like Maculopathy (STGD3)
Authors: Dejos Camille , Kuny Sharee , Han Woo Hyun , Capel Heather , Lemieux Hélène , Sauvé Yves
Published: April 2018

For many neurodegenerative disorders, expression of a pathological protein by one cell type impedes function of other cell types, which in turn contributes to the death of the first cell type. In transgenic mice modelling Stargardt-like (STGD3) maculopathy, human mutant ELOVL4 expression by photoreceptors is associated with defects in the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To examine how photoreceptors exert cytotoxic effects on RPE cells, transgenic ELOVL4 (TG1–2 line; TG) and wild-type (WT) littermates were studied one month prior (preclinical stage) to onset of photoreceptor loss (two months). TG photoreceptor outer segments presented to human RPE cells are recognized and internalized into phagosomes, but their digestion is delayed. Live RPE cell imaging pinpoints decreased numbers of acidified phagolysomes. In vivo, master regulator of lysosomal genes, transcription factor EB (TFEB), and key lysosomal enzyme Cathepsin D are both unaffected. Oxidative stress, as ruled out with high-resolution respirometry, does not play a role at such an early stage. Upregulation of CRYBA1/A3 and phagocytic cells (microglia/macrophages) interposed between RPE and photoreceptors support adaptive responses to processing delays. Impaired phagolysosomal maturation is observed in RPE of mice expressing human mutant ELOVL4 in their photoreceptors prior to photoreceptor death and associated vision loss.
Immune-cognitive system connectivity reduces bumblebee foraging success in complex multisensory floral environments
Authors: Mobley Melissa W. , Gegear Robert J.
Published: April 2018

Bumblebees are declining at alarming rate worldwide, posing a significant threat to the function and diversity of temperate ecosystems. These declines have been attributed, in part, to the direct effect of specific pathogens on bumblebee survival. However, pathogens may also have a negative impact on host populations indirectly through immune-induced cognitive deficits in infected individuals. To gain greater insight into mechanisms and potential conservation implications of such ‘immune-brain crosstalk’ in bumblebees, we non-pathogenetically activated humoral and cellular immune pathways in individuals and then tested for long-term reductions in cognitive performance and foraging proficiency. We show that chronic activation of humoral, but not a cellular, immune pathways and effectors in foragers significantly reduces their ability to flexibly and efficiently harvest resources in multi-sensory floral environments for at least 7 days post-treatment. Humoral defense responses thus have the potential to confer significant foraging costs to bumblebee foragers over timeframes that would negatively impact colony growth and reproductive output under natural conditions. Our findings indicate that fitness effects of immune-brain crosstalk should be considered before attributing wild bumblebee decline to a particular pathogen species.
Distribution and clinical associations of integrating conjugative elements and cag pathogenicity islands of Helicobacter pylori in Indonesia
Authors: Waskito Langgeng Agung , Miftahussurur Muhammad , Lusida Maria Inge , Syam Ari Fahrial , Suzuki Rumiko , Subsomwong Phawinee , Uchida Tomohisa , Hamdan Muhammad , Nasronudin  , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: April 2018

The clinical associations and correlations with other virulence factors such as cag pathogenicity island (PAI) of the Integrating Conjugative Elements Helicobacter pylori TFSS (ICEHptfs), a new type IV secretion system (TFSS) in H. pylori has not been described. Among 103 studied strains from Indonesia, almost all strains (99.0%) contained cag PAI with more than half (55.8%) were intact cag PAI. Patients infected with intact cag PAI strains showed significantly higher antral activity, inflammation and atrophy as well as corporal inflammation than those with non-intact cag PAI strains, confirming the virulence of cag PAI. Over half of strains (53.8%) contained ICEHptfs, predominantly consisted of ICEHptfs3-tfs4a (42.8%) and ICEHptfs3 (16.3%). Although patients infected with ICEHptfs-positive strains had lower H. pylori density, those with the complete ICEHptfs4b strains tended to have higher antral activity than the negative one. In combination, patients infected with combination of intact cag PAI-ICEHptfs-positive strains had more severe inflammation than those with non-intact cag PAI-ICEHptfs-negative, suggesting a possibility of a mutual correlation between these TFSS(s).
Integrated dual-tomography for refractive index analysis of free-floating single living cell with isotropic superresolution
Authors: B. Vinoth , Lai Xin-Ji , Lin Yu-Chih , Tu Han-Yen , Cheng Chau-Jern
Published: April 2018

Digital holographic microtomography is a promising technique for three-dimensional (3D) measurement of the refractive index (RI) profiles of biological specimens. Measurement of the RI distribution of a free-floating single living cell with an isotropic superresolution had not previously been accomplished. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the development of an integrated dual-tomographic (IDT) imaging system for RI measurement of an unlabelled free-floating single living cell with an isotropic superresolution by combining the spatial frequencies of full-angle specimen rotation with those of beam rotation. A novel ‘UFO’ (unidentified flying object) like shaped coherent transfer function is obtained. The IDT imaging system does not require any complex image-processing algorithm for 3D reconstruction. The working principle was successfully demonstrated and a 3D RI profile of a single living cell, Candida rugosa, was obtained with an isotropic superresolution. This technology is expected to set a benchmark for free-floating single live sample measurements without labeling or any special sample preparations for the experiments.
Insight into the cold adaptation and hemicellulose utilization of Cladosporium neopsychrotolerans from genome analysis and biochemical characterization
Authors: Ma Rui , Huang Huoqing , Bai Yingguo , Luo Huiying , Fan Yunliu , Yao Bin
Published: April 2018

The occurrence of Cladosporium in cold ecosystems has been evidenced long before, and most of the knowledge about nutrient utilization of this genus is sporadic. An alpine soil isolate C. neopsychrotolerans SL-16, showing great cold tolerance and significant lignocellulose-degrading capability, was sequenced to form a 35.9 Mb genome that contains 13,456 predicted genes. Functional annotation on predicted genes revealed a wide array of proteins involved in the transport and metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and lipid. Large numbers of transmembrane proteins (967) and CAZymes (571) were identified, and those related to hemicellulose degradation was the most abundant. To undermine the hemicellulose (xyaln as the main component) utilization mechanism of SL-16, the mRNA levels of 23 xylanolytic enzymes were quantified, and representatives of three glycoside hydrolase families were functionally characterized. The enzymes showed similar neutral, cold active and thermolabile properties and synergistic action on xylan degradation (the synergy degree up to 15.32). Kinetic analysis and sequence and structure comparison with mesophilic and thermophilic homologues indicated that these cold-active enzymes employed different cold adaptation strategies to function well in cold environment. These similar and complementary advantages in cold adaptation and catalysis might explain the high efficiency of lignocellulose conversion observed in SL-16 under low temperatures.
Engineering TiO2 supported Pt sub-nanoclusters via introducing variable valence Co ion in high-temperature flame for CO oxidation
Authors: Zhao Xing , Hu Yanjie , Jiang Hao , Yu Junru , Jiang Ruixin , Li Chunzhong
Published: April 2018

The Pt sub-nanoclusters were obtained by suppressing the aggregation of Pt in high-temperature flame, and showed high activity in CO oxidation.
Humidity- and light-driven actuators based on carbon nanotube-coated paper and polymer composite
Authors: Zhou Peidi , Chen Luzhuo , Yao Liqiang , Weng Mingcen , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2018

We report a humidity- and light-driven actuator. A smart gripper, of which the initial opening width can be enlarged, is fabricated to demonstrate potential applications.
Hepatoprotection of auraptene from peels of citrus fruits against thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice by activating farnesoid X receptor
Authors: Gao Xiaoguang , Wang Changyuan , Ning Chenqing , Liu Kexin , Wang Xinyuan , Liu Zhihao , Sun Huijun , Ma Xiaodong , Sun Pengyuan , Meng Qiang
Published: April 2018

Auraptene protects against hepatic fibrosis.
Near-field exciton imaging of chemically treated MoS2 monolayers
Authors: Kim Youngbum , Lee Yongjun , Kim Hyun , Roy Shrawan , Kim Jeongyong
Published: April 2018

Modification of local exciton emission in monolayer MoS2 by chemical treatments is spatially uneven as revealed by near field imaging.
Polymer platforms for micro- and nanomotor fabrication
Authors: Hermanová Soňa , Pumera Martin
Published: April 2018

Artificial, self-propelled micro- and nanomotors are small devices capable of autonomous movement, which are a powerful scientific innovation for solving various medical and environmental issues.
Combining autophagy-inducing peptides and brefeldin A delivered by perinuclear-localized mesoporous silica nanoparticles: a manipulation strategy for ER-phagy
Authors: Wang Yimin , Zhao Zhao , Wei Fujing , Luo Zewei , Duan Yixiang
Published: April 2018

A small molecule was screened and delivered to the perinuclear area by mesoporous silica nanoparticles for regulating ER-phagy.
Polyoxometalate precursors for precisely controlled synthesis of bimetallic sulfide heterostructure through nucleation-doping competition
Authors: Tang Yu-Jia , Zhang A-Man , Zhu Hong-Jing , Dong Long-Zhang , Wang Xiao-Li , Li Shun-Li , Han Min , Xu Xiang-Xin , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: April 2018

A series of bimetallic sulfides were synthesized using Anderson-type POMs to study the growth mechanism through the nucleation-doping competition as well as the water splitting performance.
Local symmetric distortion boosted photon up-conversion and thermometric sensitivity in lanthanum oxide nanospheres
Authors: Suo Hao , Zhao Xiaoqi , Zhang Zhiyu , Shi Rui , Wu Yanfang , Xiang Jinmeng , Guo Chongfeng
Published: April 2018

Realizing sensitive sub-tissue thermometry with a large signal-to-noise ratio via finely tailoring the local site symmetry in La2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ nanospheres.
A porous, electrically conductive hexa-zirconium(iv) metal–organic framework
Authors: Goswami Subhadip , Ray Debmalya , Otake Ken-ichi , Kung Chung-Wei , Garibay Sergio J. , Islamoglu Timur , Atilgan Ahmet , Cui Yuexing , Cramer Christopher J. , Farha Omar K. , Hupp Joseph T.
Published: April 2018

Electrical conductivity is engendered in a pyrene containing hexa-zirconium(iv) metal–organic framework by physically encapsulating fullerenes within MOF cavity.