bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide prediction of CRISPR/Cas9 targets in Kluyveromyces marxianus and its application to obtain a stable haploid strain
Authors: Lee Ming-Hsuan , Lin Jinn-Jy , Lin Yu-Ju , Chang Jui-Jen , Ke Huei-Mien , Fan Wen-Lang , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: May 2018

Kluyveromyces marxianus, a probiotic yeast, is important in industrial applications because it has a broad substrate spectrum, a rapid growth rate and high thermotolerance. To date, however, there has been little effort in its genetic engineering by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Therefore, we aimed at establishing the CRISPR/Cas9 system inK. marxianusand creating stable haploid strains, which will make genome engineering simpler. First, we predicted the genome-wide target sites of CRISPR/Cas9 that have been conserved among the eight sequenced genomes ofK. marxianusstrains. Second, we established the CRISPR/Cas9 system in theK. marxianus4G5 strain, which was selected for its high thermotolerance, rapid growth, a pH range of pH3-9, utilization of xylose, cellobiose and glycerol, and toxin tolerance, and we knocked out its MATα3 to prevent mating-type switching. Finally, we usedK. marxianusMATα3 knockout diploid strains to obtain stable haploid strains with a growth rate comparable to that of the diploid 4G5 strain. In summary, we present the workflow from identifying conserved CRISPR/Cas9 targets in the genome to knock out the MATα3 genes inK. marxianusto obtain a stable haploid strain, which can facilitate genome engineering applications.
Functional expression of an oxygen-labile nitrogenase in an oxygenic photosynthetic organism
Authors: Tsujimoto Ryoma , Kotani Hiroya , Yokomizo Konomi , Yamakawa Hisanori , Nonaka Aoi , Fujita Yuichi
Published: May 2018

Transfer of nitrogen fixation ability to plants, especially crops, is a promising approach to mitigate dependence on chemical nitrogen fertilizer and alleviate environmental pollution caused by nitrogen fertilizer run-off. However, the need to transfer a large number of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes and the extreme vulnerability of nitrogenase to oxygen constitute major obstacles for transfer of nitrogen-fixing ability to plants. Here we demonstrate functional expression of a cyanobacterial nitrogenase in the non-diazotrophic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Synechocystis 6803). A 20.8-kb chromosomal fragment containing 25 nif and nif-related genes of the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya boryana was integrated into a neutral genome site of Synechocystis 6803 by five-step homologous recombination together with the cnfR gene encoding the transcriptional activator of the nif genes to isolate CN1. In addition, two other transformants CN2 and CN3 carrying additional one and four genes, respectively, were isolated from CN1. Low but significant nitrogenase activity was detected in all transformants. This is the first example of nitrogenase activity detected in non-diazotrophic photosynthetic organisms. These strains provide valuable platforms to investigate unknown factors that enable nitrogen-fixing growth of non-diazotrophic photosynthetic organisms, including plants.
Recruitment Drives Spatial Variation in Recovery Rates of Resilient Coral Reefs
Authors: Holbrook Sally J. , Adam Thomas C. , Edmunds Peter J. , Schmitt Russell J. , Carpenter Robert C. , Brooks Andrew J. , Lenihan Hunter S. , Briggs Cheryl J.
Published: May 2018

Tropical reefs often undergo acute disturbances that result in landscape-scale loss of coral. Due to increasing threats to coral reefs from climate change and anthropogenic perturbations, it is critical to understand mechanisms that drive recovery of these ecosystems. We explored this issue on the fore reef of Moorea, French Polynesia, following a crown-of-thorns seastar outbreak and cyclone that dramatically reduced cover of coral. During the five-years following the disturbances, the rate of re-establishment of coral cover differed systematically around the triangular-shaped island; coral cover returned most rapidly at sites where the least amount of live coral remained after the disturbances. Although sites differed greatly in the rate of return of coral, all showed at least some evidence of re-assembly to their pre-disturbance community structure in terms of relative abundance of coral taxa and other benthic space holders. The primary driver of spatial variation in recovery was recruitment of sexually-produced corals; subsequent growth and survivorship were less important in shaping the spatial pattern. Our findings suggest that, although the coral community has been resilient, some areas are unlikely to attain the coral cover and taxonomic structure they had prior to the most recent disturbances before the advent of another landscape-scale perturbation.
Role of IGF-1R in ameliorating apoptosis of GNE deficient cells
Authors: Singh Reema , Chaudhary Priyanka , Arya Ranjana
Published: May 2018

Sialic acids (SAs) are nine carbon acidic amino sugars, found at the outermost termini of glycoconjugates performing various physiological and pathological functions. SA synthesis is regulated by UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE) that catalyzes rate limiting steps. Mutations in GNE result in rare genetic disorders, GNE myopathy and Sialuria. Recent studies indicate an alternate role of GNE in cell apoptosis and adhesion, besides SA biosynthesis. In the present study, using a HEK cell-based model for GNE myopathy, the role of Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor (IGF-1R) as cell survival receptor protein was studied to counter the apoptotic effect of non-functional GNE. In the absence of functional GNE, IGF-1R was hyposialylated and transduced a downstream signal upon IGF-1 (IGF-1R ligand) treatment. IGF-1 induced activation of IGF-1R led to AKT (Protein Kinase B) phosphorylation that may phosphorylate BAD (BCL2 Associated Death Promoter) and its dissociation from BCL2 to prevent apoptosis. However, reduced ERK (Extracellular signal-regulated kinases) phosphorylation in GNE deficient cells after IGF-1 treatment suggests downregulation of the ERK pathway. A balance between the ERK and AKT pathways may determine the cell fate towards survival or apoptosis. Our study suggests that IGF-1R activation may rescue apoptotic cell death of GNE deficient cell lines and has potential as therapeutic target.
A generalised significance test for individual communities in networks
Authors: Kojaku Sadamori , Masuda Naoki
Published: May 2018

Many empirical networks have community structure, in which nodes are densely interconnected within each community (i.e., a group of nodes) and sparsely across different communities. Like other local and meso-scale structure of networks, communities are generally heterogeneous in various aspects such as the size, density of edges, connectivity to other communities and significance. In the present study, we propose a method to statistically test the significance of individual communities in a given network. Compared to the previous methods, the present algorithm is unique in that it accepts different community-detection algorithms and the corresponding quality function for single communities. The present method requires that a quality of each community can be quantified and that community detection is performed as optimisation of such a quality function summed over the communities. Various community detection algorithms including modularity maximisation and graph partitioning meet this criterion. Our method estimates a distribution of the quality function for randomised networks to calculate a likelihood of each community in the given network. We illustrate our algorithm by synthetic and empirical networks.
A Phase I Clinical Trial with Ex Vivo Expanded Recipient Regulatory T cells in Living Donor Kidney Transplants
Authors: Mathew James M. , H.-Voss Jessica , LeFever Ann , Konieczna Iwona , Stratton Cheryl , He Jie , Huang Xuemei , Gallon Lorenzo , Skaro Anton , Ansari Mohammed Javeed , Leventhal Joseph R.
Published: May 2018

There is considerable interest in therapeutic transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) for controlling aberrant immune responses. Initial clinical trials have shown the safety of Tregs in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and subjects with juvenile diabetes. Our hypothesis is that infusion(s) of Tregs may induce transplant tolerance thus avoiding long-term use of toxic immunosuppressive agents that cause increased morbidity/mortality. Towards testing our hypothesis, we conducted a phase I dose escalation safety trial infusing billions ofex vivoexpanded recipient polyclonal Tregs into living donor kidney transplant recipients. Despite variability in recipient’s renal disease, our expansion protocol produced Tregs which met all release criteria, expressing >98% CD4+CD25+with <1% CD8+and CD19+contamination. Our product displayed >80% FOXP3 expression with stable demethylation in the FOXP3 promoter. Functionally, expanded Tregs potently suppressed allogeneic responses and induced the generation of new Tregs in the recipient’s allo-respondersin vitro. Within recipients, expanded Tregs amplified circulating Treg levels in a sustained manner. Clinically, all doses of Treg therapy tested were safe with no adverse infusion related side effects, infections or rejection events up to two years post-transplant. This study provides the necessary safety data to advance Treg cell therapy to phase II efficacy trials.
Daytime eyeshine contributes to pupil camouflage in a cryptobenthic marine fish
Authors: Santon Matteo , Bitton Pierre-Paul , Harant Ulrike K. , Michiels Nico K.
Published: May 2018

Ocular reflectors enhance eye sensitivity in dim light, but can produce reflected eyeshine when illuminated. Some fish can occlude their reflectors during the day. The opposite is observed in cryptic sit-and-wait predators such as scorpionfish and toadfish, where reflectors are occluded at night and exposed during the day. This results in daytime eyeshine, proposed to enhance pupil camouflage by reducing the contrast between the otherwise dark pupil and the surrounding tissue. In this study, we test this hypothesis in the scorpionfishScorpaena porcusand show that eyeshine is the result of two mechanisms: the previously describedStratum Argenteum Reflected(SAR) eyeshine, andPigment Epithelium Transmitted(PET) eyeshine, a newly described mechanism for this species. We confirm that the ocular reflector is exposed only when the eye is light-adapted, and present field measurements to show that eyeshine reduces pupil contrast against the iris. We then estimate the relative contribution of SAR and PET eyeshine to pupil brightness. Visual models for different light scenarios in the field show that daytime eyeshine enhances pupil camouflage from the perspective of a prey fish. We propose that the reversed occlusion mechanism of some cryptobenthic predators has evolved as a compromise between camouflage and vision.
Transcriptomic integration of D4R and MOR signaling in the rat caudate putamen
Authors: Valderrama-Carvajal Alejandra , Irizar Haritz , Gago Belén , Jiménez-Urbieta Haritz , Fuxe Kjell , Rodríguez-Oroz María C. , Otaegui David , Rivera Alicia
Published: May 2018

Morphine binding to opioid receptors, mainly to μ opioid receptor (MOR), induces alterations in intracellular pathways essential to the initial development of addiction. The activation of the dopamine D4 receptor (D4R), which is expressed in the caudate putamen (CPu), mainly counteracts morphine-induced alterations in several molecular networks. These involve transcription factors, adaptive changes of MOR signaling, activation of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway and behavioural effects, underlining functional D4R/MOR interactions. To shed light on the molecular mechanisms implicated, we evaluated the transcriptome alterations following acute administration of morphine and/or PD168,077 (D4R agonist) using whole-genome microarrays and a linear regression-based differential expression analysis. The results highlight the development of a unique transcriptional signature following the co-administration of both drugs that reflects a countereffect of PD168,077 on morphine effects. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using GSEA identified 3 pathways enriched positively in morphine vs control and negatively in morphine + PD168,077 vs morphine (Ribosome, Complement and Coagulation Cascades, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and 3 pathways with the opposite enrichment pattern (Alzheimer’s Disease, Neuroactive Ligand Receptor Interaction, Oxidative Phosphorilation). This work supports the massive D4R/MOR functional integration at the CPu and provides a gateway to further studies on the use of D4R drugs to modulate morphine-induced effects.
Dose-dependent decrease in anti-oxidant capacity of whole blood after irradiation: A novel potential marker for biodosimetry
Authors: Sun Lue , Inaba Yohei , Sato Keizo , Hirayama Aki , Tsuboi Koji , Okazaki Ryuji , Chida Koichi , Moritake Takashi
Published: May 2018

Many reports have demonstrated that radiation stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by mitochondria for a few hours to a few days after irradiation. However, these studies were performed using cell lines, and there is a lack of information about redox homeostasis in irradiated animals and humans. Blood redox homeostasis reflects the body condition well and can be used as a diagnostic marker. However, most redox homeostasis studies have focused on plasma or serum, and the anti-oxidant capacity of whole blood has scarcely been investigated. Here, we report changes in the anti-oxidant capacity of whole blood after X-ray irradiation using C57BL/6 J mice. Whole-blood anti-oxidant capacity was measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping using a novel spin-trapping agent, 2-diphenylphosphinoyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole N-oxide (DPhPMPO). We found that whole-blood anti-oxidant capacity decreased in a dose-dependent manner (correlation factor, r > 0.9; P < 0.05) from 2 to 24 days after irradiation with 0.5–3 Gy. We further found that the red blood cell (RBC) glutathione level decreased and lipid peroxidation level increased in a dose-dependent manner from 2 to 6 days after irradiation. These findings suggest that blood redox state may be a useful biomarker for estimating exposure doses during nuclear and/or radiation accidents.
Combination of anti-vascular agent - DMXAA and HIF-1α inhibitor - digoxin inhibits the growth of melanoma tumors
Authors: Smolarczyk Ryszard , Cichoń Tomasz , Pilny Ewelina , Jarosz-Biej Magdalena , Poczkaj Aleksandra , Kułach Natalia , Szala Stanisław
Published: May 2018

Vascular disrupting agents as DMXAA inhibit tumor growth only for a short period of time followed by rapid tumor regrowth. Among others, hypoxia and presence of transcription factor HIF-1α are responsible for tumors regrowth. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibition of murine melanoma growth by combining two agents: anti-vascular - DMXAA and the HIF-1α inhibitor - digoxin and explaining the mechanism of action of this combination. After DMXAA treatment tumor size was reduced only for a limited time. After 7 days regrowth of tumors was observed and number of vessels was increased especially in tumor’s peripheral areas. DMXAA also induced an influx of immune cells: macrophages, CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes, NK cells, CD4+ lymphocytes. Administration of digoxin alone inhibited the growth of tumors. Administration of both agents in the proper sequence significantly inhibited the regrowth of tumors better than either agents alone. Combination therapy reduced number of newly formed vessels. In tumors of mice treated with combination therapy, the number of macrophages M1, CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes, NK cells and to a lesser extent CD4+ cells was increased. The combination of anti-vascular agents with HIF-1α inhibitors appears to be an effective therapeutic option.
Radiative forcing by light-absorbing aerosols of pyrogenetic iron oxides
Authors: Ito Akinori , Lin Guangxing , Penner Joyce E.
Published: May 2018

Iron (Fe) oxides in aerosols are known to absorb sun light and heat the atmosphere. However, the radiative forcing (RF) of light-absorbing aerosols of pyrogenetic Fe oxides is ignored in climate models. For the first time, we use a global chemical transport model and a radiative transfer model to estimate the RF by light-absorbing aerosols of pyrogenetic Fe oxides. The model results suggest that strongly absorbing Fe oxides (magnetite) contribute a RF that is about 10% of the RF due to black carbon (BC) over East Asia. The seasonal average of the RF due to dark Fe-rich mineral particles over East Asia (0.4–1.0 W m−2) is comparable to that over major biomass burning regions. This additional warming effect is amplified over polluted regions where the iron and steel industries have been recently developed. These findings may have important implications for the projection of the climate change, due to the rapid growth in energy consumption of the heavy industry in newly developing countries.
MiR-23a transcriptional activated by Runx2 increases metastatic potential of mouse hepatoma cell via directly targeting Mgat3
Authors: Huang Huang , Liu Yubo , Yu Peishan , Qu Jianhua , Guo Yanjie , Li Wenli , Wang Shujing , Zhang Jianing
Published: May 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and aberrant glycosylation both play important roles in tumor metastasis. In this study, the role of miR-23a in N-glycosylation and the metastasis of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells was investigated. The miRNA expression array profiles that were confirmed by qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed higher miR-23a expression levels in Hca-P cells (with lymphatic metastasis potential) than in Hepa1–6 cells (with no lymphatic metastasis potential), while the expression of mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 3 (Mgat3) was negatively associated with metastasis potential. Mgat3 is a key glycosyltransferase in the synthesis of the bisecting (β1,4GlcNAc branching) N-glycan structure. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Mgat3 may be a target of miR-23a, and this hypothesis was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Furthermore, we found that the transcription factor Runx2 can directly bind to the miR-23a gene promoter and promote its expression, as shown in dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and ChIP assays. Collectively, these results indicate that miR-23a might increase the metastatic potential of mouse HCC by affecting the branch formation of N-glycan chains presented on the cell surface through the targeting of the glycosyltransferase Mgat3. These findings may provide insight into the relationship between abnormal miRNA expression and aberrant glycosylation during tumor lymphatic metastasis.
Her2 Ile655Val polymorphism and its association with breast cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis of case-control studies
Authors: Krishna B. Madhu , Chaudhary Sanjib , Panda Aditya K. , Mishra Dipti Ranjan , Mishra Sandip K.
Published: May 2018

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide. Several factors including genetic and environmental have been linked with susceptibility to development of BC. Her2 is a transmembrane protein with tyrosine kinase activity, overexpressed in several cancers including BC. Various studies in different populations have shown association of Her2 variants with susceptibility to BC, however these results were inconsistent, inconclusive and controversial. To obtain a common conclusive finding, we performed meta-analysis of 35 case-control studies reported earlier including 19, 220 cases and 22, 306 controls. We observed significant association of Her2Ile655Val polymorphism with susceptibility to development of breast cancer (Overall allele Val vs Ile: OR = 1.130, 95% CI = 1.051–1.216, p = 0.001; Ile-Val vs Ile-Ile: OR = 1.100, 95% CI = 1.016–1.192, p = 0.019; Val-Val+Ile-Val vs Ile-Ile: OR = 1.127, 95% CI = 1.038–1.223, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant association with susceptibility to breast cancer in African and Asian populations. However, such association was not observed in other ethnic groups. Our findings suggested that Her2Ile655Val polymorphism is associated with breast cancer risk in overall, Asian and African populations, and can be used as diagnostic marker for BC.
Sporulation-specific cell division defects in ylmE mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor are rescued by additional deletion of ylmD
Authors: Zhang Le , Willemse Joost , Hoskisson Paul A. , van Wezel Gilles P.
Published: May 2018

Cell division during the reproductive phase of theStreptomyceslife-cycle requires tight coordination between synchronous formation of multiple septa and DNA segregation. One remarkable difference with most other bacterial systems is that cell division inStreptomycesis positively controlled by the recruitment of FtsZ by SsgB. Here we show that deletion ofylmD(SCO2081) orylmE(SCO2080), which lie in operon withftsZin thedcwcluster of actinomycetes, has major consequences for sporulation-specific cell division inStreptomyces coelicolor. Electron and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated thatylmEmutants have a highly aberrant phenotype with defective septum synthesis, and produce very few spores with low viability and high heat sensitivity. FtsZ-ring formation was also highly disturbed inylmEmutants. Deletion ofylmDhad a far less severe effect on sporulation. Interestingly, the additional deletion ofylmDrestored sporulation to theylmEnull mutant. YlmD and YlmE are not part of the divisome, but instead localize diffusely in aerial hyphae, with differential intensity throughout the sporogenic part of the hyphae. Taken together, our work reveals a function for YlmD and YlmE in the control of sporulation-specific cell division inS. coelicolor, whereby the presence of YlmD alone results in major developmental defects.
Transdermal water-in-oil nanocarriers of nitric oxide for triggering penile erection
Authors: Nam Eunryel , Yoo Saejong , Kim Hwi-Yool , Kim Young-Rok , Heo Yun Jung
Published: May 2018

Men’s sexual health can have significant effects on a man’s self-esteem, sexual relationship and male reproductive functions. Although commercially available drugs (e.g., VIAGRA and CIALIS) show effective treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), patients with severe ED fail to respond to these medicines. Topical nitric-oxide (NO) delivery to penis can be a painless, alternative solution with severe ED because NO triggers erection and diffuses to the trabecular arteries and smooth muscles in the penis. We here develop water-in-oil (W/O) nanoemulsions (NEs) that contain NO and can directly spread on the penis. We optimize NE formation conditions including hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and ratio of oil, water and surfactants. Then, by spreading NEs on penis skin of intact middle aged dogs, we verify medication effects and safety of the NEs in vivo. The water-in-oil NEs can be a promising non-invasive medication for ED patients with low response to a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, thus increasing quality of life in the aging society.
A novel method for expansion and differentiation of mouse tracheal epithelial cells in culture
Authors: Eenjes Evelien , Mertens Tinne C. J. , Buscop-van Kempen Marjon J. , van Wijck Yolanda , Taube Christian , Rottier Robbert J. , Hiemstra Pieter S.
Published: May 2018

Air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTEC) are a well-established model to study airway epithelial cells, but current methods require large numbers of animals which is unwanted in view of the 3R principle and introduces variation. Moreover, stringent breeding schemes are frequently needed to generate sufficient numbers of genetically modified animals. Current protocols do not incorporate expansion of MTEC, and therefore we developed a protocol to expand MTEC while maintaining their differentiation capacity. MTEC were isolated and expanded using the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in presence or absence of the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT, a Notch pathway inhibitor. Whereas MTEC proliferated without DAPT, growth rate and cell morphology improved in presence of DAPT. ALI-induced differentiation of expanded MTEC resulted in an altered capacity of basal cells to differentiate into ciliated cells, whereas IL-13-induced goblet cell differentiation remained unaffected. Ciliated cell differentiation improved by prolonging the ALI differentiation or by adding DAPT, suggesting that basal cells retain their ability to differentiate. This technique using expansion of MTEC and subsequent ALI differentiation drastically reduces animal numbers and costs for in vitro experiments, and will reduce biological variation. Additionally, we provide novel insights in the dynamics of basal cell populations in vitro.
In vivo Molecular Imaging of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II Expression in Re-endothelialisation after Percutaneous Balloon Denudation in a Rat Model
Authors: Endepols Heike , Mottaghy Felix M. , Simsekyilmaz Sakine , Bucerius Jan , Vogt Felix , Winz Oliver , Richarz Raphael , Krapf Philipp , Neumaier Bernd , Zlatopolskiy Boris D. , Morgenroth Agnieszka
Published: May 2018

The short- and long-term success of intravascular stents depends on a proper re-endothelialisation after the intervention-induced endothelial denudation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of in vivo molecular imaging of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII; identical with prostate-specific membrane antigen PSMA) expression as a marker of re-endothelialisation. Fifteen Sprague Dawley rats underwent unilateral balloon angioplasty of the common carotid artery (CCA). Positron emission tomography (PET) using the GCPII-targeting tracer [18F]DCFPyL was performed after 5–21 days (scan 60–120 min post injection). In two animals, the GCPII inhibitor PMPA (23 mg/kg BW) was added to the tracer solution. After PET, both CCAs were removed, dissected, and immunostained with the GCPII specific antibody YPSMA-1. Difference of GCPII expression between both CCAs was established by PCR analysis. [18F]DCFPyL uptake was significantly higher in the ipsilateral compared to the contralateral CCA with an ipsi-/contralateral ratio of 1.67 ± 0.39. PMPA blocked tracer binding. The selective expression of GCPII in endothelial cells of the treated CCA was confirmed by immunohistological staining. PCR analysis verified the site-specific GCPII expression. By using a molecular imaging marker of GCPII expression, we provide the first non-invasive in vivo delineation of re-endothelialisation after angioplasty.
Template-stereocontrolled [2 + 2] photoreactions directed by surface recognition on hydrophilic functionalized carbon materials
Authors: Ortega Gabriela , Briceño Alexander
Published: May 2018

Supramolecular assistance either in solution or in the solid state to the regioselective synthesis of single photodimers from [2 + 2] photoreactions surface-directed by multivalent H-bonding exo-templates based on hydrophilic carbon nanomaterials is shown.
Modulation of plant chemistry by beneficial root microbiota
Authors: Etalo Desalegn W. , Jeon Je-Seung , Raaijmakers Jos M.
Published: May 2018

Beneficial root microbiota modulate plant chemistry and represent an untapped potential to discover new pathways involved in the biosynthesis of high value natural plant products.
A novel liquid chromatography detector based on a dielectric barrier discharge molecular emission spectrometer with online microwave-assisted hydrolysis for determination of dithiocarbamates
Authors: Han Bingjun , Li Ya , Qian Bing , He Yan , Peng Lixu , Yu Huamei
Published: May 2018

A novel detector for liquid chromatography (LC) for the determination of dithiocarbamate (DTC) fungicides is presented with a miniaturized dielectric barrier discharge–microplasma molecular emission spectrometer and an online microwave-assisted hydrolysis reactor.
Ultrasensitive nanowire-based detection of HCVcoreAg in the serum using a microwave generator
Authors: Malsagova Kristina A. , Pleshakova Tatyana O. , Galiullin Rafael A. , Kaysheva Anna L. , Shumov Ivan D. , Ilnitskii Mikhail A. , Popov Vladimir P. , Glukhov Alexander V. , Archakov Alexander I. , Ivanov Yuri D.
Published: May 2018

The detection of a hepatitis C protein marker – core antigen of hepatitis C virus (HCVcoreAg) with a nanowire field-effect transistor biosensor, coupled with a microwave generator, has been studied.
Dual polarity MALDI imaging mass spectrometry on the same pixel points reveals spatial lipid localizations at high-spatial resolutions in rat small intestine
Authors: Kaya Ibrahim , Jennische Eva , Lange Stefan , Malmberg Per
Published: May 2018

Sensitive laser desorption/ionization obtained via a sublimation-coated 1,5 diaminonaphthalene (1,5-DAN) matrix allowed dual polarity MALDI-IMS analysis on the same pixel points across the jejunal mucosa.
An on-chip valve-assisted microfluidic chip for quantitative and multiplexed detection of biomarkers
Authors: Hu Binfeng , Liu Yong , Deng Jinqi , Mou Lei , Jiang Xingyu
Published: May 2018

A point-of-care immunoassay platform including on-chip valve-assisted microfluidic chips and a portable instrument for quantitative and multiplexed detection of biomarkers.
Target regulated photo induced electron transfer of DNA-Cu nanoparticles and their application for the detection of the hepatitis B gene
Authors: Xie Qiang , Shi Dongmin , Wan Jing , Zhang Xiaojun , Wang Guangfeng
Published: May 2018

Despite the distinct features of polythymine (T)-templated copper nanoparticles (polyT-Cu NPs) as fluorescent probes for various biosensors, most of the reported methods involve labeling with an appropriate fluorescence quencher, or the addition of enzyme to digest the DNA-template.
A dual-function fluorescent probe for monitoring the degrees of hypoxia in living cells via the imaging of nitroreductase and adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Fang Yu , Shi Wen , Hu Yiming , Li Xiaohua , Ma Huimin
Published: May 2018

A new dual-function fluorescent probe for nitroreductase and adenosine triphosphate is developed and applied to monitor the degrees of hypoxia in living cells.
Insight into the structure and morphology of Runclusters on Co(111) and Co(311) surfaces
Authors: Liu Lili , Yu Mengting , Wang Qiang , Hou Bo , Liu Yan , Wu Yanbo , Yang Yongpeng , Li Debao
Published: May 2018

The adsorption configurations, growth modes and morphology of a Ru promoter under the approximate conditions of cobalt catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Hydrogen-bonding-assisted charge transfer: significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution over g-C3N4 anchored with ferrocene-based hole relay
Authors: Liu Ya-Nan , Zhou Xiao , Shen Cong-Cong , Zhao Zhi-Wei , Jiang Yi-Fan , Ma Liu-Bo , Fang Xiao-Xiang , Akif Zeb , Cheag Tuck-Yun , Xu An-Wu
Published: May 2018

Efficient extraction of photogenerated holes by FcDA dramatically improves photocatalytic H2 production over g-C3N4.
Well-defined styryl and biphenyl calcium complexes from dilithio compounds and calcium iodide: synthesis, structure and reactivity toward nitrous oxide
Authors: Wei Baosheng , Zhang Wen-Xiong , Xi Zhenfeng
Published: May 2018

Efficient synthesis and structure elucidation of carbon–calcium σ-bonded compounds are of remarkable interest and importance in organometallic chemistry of the heavier s-block metals.
Elucidation of fluorine's impact on pKa and in vitro Pgp-mediated efflux for a series of PDE9 inhibitors
Authors: Fjelbye Kasper , Marigo Mauro , Clausen Rasmus P. , Jørgensen Erling B. , Christoffersen Claus T. , Juhl Karsten
Published: April 2018

The influence of replacing a hydrogen atom with fluorine on the pKa and Pgp-mediated efflux is elucidated for a series of PDE9 inhibitors.
Charge-switchable nanocapsules with multistage pH-responsive behaviours for enhanced tumour-targeted chemo/photodynamic therapy guided by NIR/MR imaging
Authors: Zhou Jia , Li Tianliang , Zhang Chunlei , Xiao Junyuan , Cui Daxiang , Cheng Yingsheng
Published: May 2018

Interaction of charge-switchable and multistage pH-responsive nanocapsules with MGC-803 cells at tumor site.
Aptamer-based multifunctional ligand-modified UCNPs for targeted PDT and bioimaging
Authors: Hou Weijia , Liu Yuan , Jiang Ying , Wu Yuan , Cui Cheng , Wang Yanyue , Zhang Liqin , Teng I-Ting , Tan Weihong
Published: May 2018

A multifunctional aptamer-based ligand is designed for the surface modification of UCNPs to build an NIR-triggered PDT nanodrug.
Monodisperse and brightly luminescent CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 perovskite composite nanocrystals
Authors: Xuan Tongtong , Lou Sunqi , Huang Junjian , Cao Luyu , Yang Xianfeng , Li Huili , Wang Jing
Published: May 2018

We present a novel process of synthesizing nanoscale monodisperse CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 composite NCs with bright emission in the solid state.
Three primary color emissions from single multilayered nanocrystals
Authors: Yin Xiumei , Wang Hong , Tian Ying , Xing Mingming , Fu Yao , Luo Xixian
Published: May 2018

We demonstrate the realization of steady-state three-primary-color emission in single NaYF4-based up-conversion nanoparticles with a simple five-layer core-shell structure. These nanoparticles show promising potential applications in dynamic display and anti-counterfeiting.
O-Phenylenediamine: a privileged pharmacophore of ferrostatins for radical-trapping reactivity in blocking ferroptosis
Authors: Sheng Xie-Huang , Cui Cheng-Cheng , Shan Chao , Li Yu-Zhen , Sheng Duo-Hong , Sun Bin , Chen De-Zhan
Published: May 2018

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic, iron dependent form of regulated cell death that is characterized by the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides.
Synthesis and supramolecular organization of chiral poly(thiophene)–magnetite hybrid nanoparticles
Authors: Ceunen Ward , Van Oosten Annelien , Vleugels Rick , De Winter Julien , Gerbaux Pascal , Li Zhi , de Feyter Steven , Verbiest Thierry , Koeckelberghs Guy
Published: May 2018

Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated with a conjugated polymer is synthesized and the supramolecular organization of the polymer is studied.
Stabilizing Si/graphite composites with Cu and in situ synthesized carbon nanotubes for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Xu Tianjun , Lin Ning , Cai Wenlong , Yi Zheng , Zhou Jie , Han Ying , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: April 2018

A Si/graphite/Cu–CNT composite was prepared using a mechanical ball-milling method followed by a Cu-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition process.
Direct functionalization of benzylic and non-benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds via keteniminium ion initiated cascade [1,5]-hydrogen transfer/cyclization
Authors: Xu Lubin , Yang Pengfei , Wang Liang
Published: April 2018

Keteniminium intermediates generated in situ initiate the cascade [1,5]-hydride transfer/cyclization for the direct functionalization of benzylic and non-benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds.
Cooperative silanetriolate-carboxylate sensitiser anchoring for outstanding stability and improved performance of dye-sensitised photoelectrodes
Authors: Fournier Maxime , Hoogeveen Dijon A. , Bonke Shannon A. , Spiccia Leone , Simonov Alexandr N.
Published: April 2018

New dye anchoring system that sustains intimate electronic coupling while addressing the notorious instability of dye-sensitised electrodes in aqueous media is introduced.
Hierarchical CuO nanorod arrays in situ generated on three-dimensional copper foam via cyclic voltammetry oxidation for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Ying , Cao Xueying , Jiang Degang , Jia Dedong , Liu Jingquan
Published: May 2018

A supercapacitor electrode with superior performance based on hierarchical CuO nanorod arrays on copper foam is achieved by successive in situ chemical oxidation, calcination and cyclic voltammetry oxidation strategies.
Descriptor of catalytic activity of metal sulfides for oxygen reduction reaction: a potential indicator for mineral flotation
Authors: Tao Hongbiao , Liu Subiao , Luo Jing-Li , Choi Phillip , Liu Qi , Xu Zhenghe
Published: May 2018

Established the descriptor–activity relationship for the catalytic activity of metal sulfides for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Ternary doped porous carbon nanofibers with excellent ORR and OER performance for zinc–air batteries
Authors: Wu Mingguang , Wang Yueqing , Wei Zengxi , Wang Lei , Zhuo Ming , Zhang Jintao , Han Xiaopeng , Ma Jianmin
Published: May 2018

In this work, we synthesized N, F, P ternary doped macroporous carbon fibers (NFPC) for the first time and it exhibits efficient electrocatalytic activity as a bifunctional catalyst for ORR, OER and Zn-air batteries.
Strong, persistent superficial oxidation-assisted chemical bonding of black phosphorus with multiwall carbon nanotubes for high-capacity ultradurable storage of lithium and sodium
Authors: Haghighat-Shishavan Safa , Nazarian-Samani Masoud , Nazarian-Samani Mahboobeh , Roh Ha-Kyung , Chung Kyung-Yoon , Cho Byung-Won , Kashani-Bozorg Seyed Farshid , Kim Kwang-Bum
Published: April 2018

An innovative strategy to prepare hydrophilic black phosphorus-based materials for diverse applications.
Molybdenum oxide quantum dots prepared via a one-step stirring strategy and their application as fluorescent probes for pyrophosphate sensing and efficient antibacterial materials
Authors: Yuan Lili , Niu Yusheng , Li Ronggui , Zheng Lanhong , Wang Yao , Liu Mengli , Xu Gengfang , Huang Lei , Xu Yuanhong
Published: April 2018

MoOx QDs were prepared using a one-step stirring treatment of MoO3 powder in DMSO. They can be used as efficient fluorescent probes and antibacterial materials.
Dinuclear platinum(ii) complex dominated by a zig-zag-type cyclometalated ligand: a new approach to realize high-efficiency near infrared emission
Authors: Yang Shengyi , Meng Fanyuan , Wu Xiugang , Yin Zheng , Liu Xianzhi , You Caifa , Wang Yafei , Su Shijian , Zhu Weiguo
Published: April 2018

Two new zig-zag type di- and mono-nuclear platinum(ii) complexes of (BuPh-BDIQ)Pt2(dpm)2 and (BuPh-BDIQ)Ptdpm were synthesized and characterized by using a zig-zag type cyclometalating ligand BuPh-BDIQ.
Inhibition of FOXO1 transcription factor in primary human adipocytes mimics the insulin-resistant state of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rajan Meenu R. , Nyman Elin , Brännmark Cecilia , Olofsson Charlotta S. , Strålfors Peter
Published: May 2018

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in the expanding adipose tissue of obesity. The insulin resistance manifests in human adipocytes as system-wide impairment of insulin signalling. An exception is the regulation of transcription factor FOXO1 (forkhead box protein O1), which is phosphorylated downstream of mTORC2 (mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin in complex with raptor) and is therefore not exhibiting impaired response to insulin. However, the abundance, and activity, of FOXO1 is reduced by half in adipocytes from patients with diabetes. To elucidate the effect of reduced FOXO1 activity, we here transduced human adipocytes with a dominant-negative construct of FOXO1 (DN-FOXO1). Inhibition of FOXO1 reduced the abundance of insulin receptor, glucose transporter-4, ribosomal protein S6, mTOR and raptor. Functionally, inhibition of FOXO1 induced an insulin-resistant state network-wide, a state that qualitatively and quantitatively mimicked adipocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, and in accordance with these effects of DN-FOXO1, overexpression of wild-type FOXO1 appeared to augment insulin signalling. We combined experimental data with mathematical modelling to show that the impaired insulin signalling in FOXO1-inhibited cells to a large extent can be explained by reduced mTORC1 activity — a mechanism that defines much of the diabetic state in human adipocytes. Our findings demonstrate that FOXO1 is critical for maintaining normal insulin signalling of human adipocytes.
10 GHz highly linear up‐conversion mixer in 65 nm CMOS
Authors: Li J. , Gu Q.J.
Published: May 2018

A highly linear folded‐type up‐conversion mixer working at 10 GHz is presented. The mixer utilises a feedback loop to linearise the gm stage and make the effective gm only determined by a resistor theoretically. Moreover, the effects of local oscillator (LO) power levels on the circuit DC condition and linearity performances are examined from both the theoretical analysis and measurement results. The mixer prototype, fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology, consumes 7.7 mW from 1.2 V supply voltage and exhibits 13.4 dBm OIP3 at the LO power of 2 dBm.
40 Gbps 4‐level pulse amplitude modulation closed‐loop decision‐feedback equaliser with high‐speed comparator in 55 nm CMOS technology
Authors: He Ai , Gai Weixin , Tang Liangxiao
Published: May 2018

A 40 Gbps 4‐tap 4‐level pulse amplitude modulation closed‐loop decision feedback equaliser (DFE) is proposed. The DFE adopts a novel high‐speed comparator to resolve the critical timing constraints of the first tap. The comparator decreases the slicing delay by shortening the gap between initial and target voltages. Compared with the existing closed‐loop DFE designs, the proposed scheme relieves timing constraints without complex clock distribution circuits and extra area. Simulations based on the RF‐MOS model verify that the delay of the comparator is improved by 32.8% and the output swing is increased by more than 2.8 times. The proposed DFE which can compensate −9.5 dB channel loss is designed in 55 nm CMOS technology. The power consumption is 67 mW from a 1.2 V supply and the circuit occupies an active area of 0.021 mm2, achieving 1.68 pJ/bit energy efficiency.
Simple dual‐mode balanced bandpass filter with high selectivity and extended common‐mode noise suppression
Authors: Gu Hui , Ge Lei , Xu Lijie
Published: May 2018

A new miniaturised dual‐mode balanced bandpass filter (BPF) is presented in this letter. To achieve the required differential‐mode (DM) operation with common‐mode (CM) suppression, an octagonal microstrip dual‐mode loop resonator is employed. By symmetrically locating four high‐low impedance sections inside the free area of the loop resonator, the proposed balanced BPF can realise compact size, wide stopband under DM operation, and extended CM suppression, simultaneously. Furthermore, a pair of coupled lines is introduced to readily achieve two transmission zeroes for realising high selectivity of DM response. For demonstration, a dual‐mode balanced BPF with the passband centred at 2.39 GHz is designed and measured. Both the simulated and measured results are provided with good agreement.
Controlled limited‐exchange diffusion network model for cellular‐based applications
Authors: Elhag Ahmed A. , Sadek Mirette , Saleh Mona Z. , Elramly Salwa H.
Published: May 2018

In adaptive diffusion networks, one of the main challenges is the large volume of data exchange among nodes needed to arrive at a collective decision. In this study, a new model for adaptive diffusion networks is proposed which offers a tradeoff between the mean‐square error performance of the system and the volume of data exchanged among network nodes while preserving the network convergence rate. Study of the mean‐square stability of the network under the proposed algorithms is provided. Also, a study of the mean‐error dynamic behaviour of the network is carried out. A closed‐form expression for the overall network steady‐state means‐square error is derived and verified against simulated data. The proposed algorithm is applied to a cellular network location estimation problem, and delivers good performance even under 75% reduction in data exchange volume.
Iterative power allocation for throughput maximisation in IA‐based cellular networks: two‐game approach
Authors: Liu Weihua , Zhang Shunliang , Zhang Xinke , Wang Yongming
Published: May 2018

As a promising interference management technique, interference alignment (IA) was proposed for improving system capacity and spectral efficiency by precoding and filtering design. However, the previous works assumed the equal power allocation among data streams in IA‐based networks, and the sum‐rate may fall short of the theoretical maximum without the energy‐efficient optimisation. In this study, a novel approach (two‐game theoretic) is presented, to solve the rate maximisation problem in the IA‐based uplink multiple‐input multiple‐output cellular networks. First, a two‐game analytical framework is presented, where the IA design and power allocation are modelled as two game processes, respectively, and the authors prove that both games have Nash equilibrium solutions. Second, based on the framework, two iterative algorithms of joint IA and power allocation that achieve the maximum sum‐rate are proposed. In addition, the authors analyse the sum‐rate performance loss under imperfect channel state information (CSI), which depends on the variance of CSI error. Simulation reveals that the sum‐rate performances of the proposed iterative algorithms are higher than that of the previous schemes at low signal‐to‐noise ratio, whose computational complexities are acceptable.
Joint design of device to device caching strategy and incentive scheme in mobile edge networks
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhang Xing , Wang Lin , Yang Juwo , Wang Wenbo
Published: May 2018

Caching at the user devices is a key technology to alleviate backhaul load and improve users' quality of experience in mobile edge networks. However, due to the concern of privacy and limited battery life, users are not willing to share their resources. In this study, the authors jointly design the caching strategy and incentive scheme to encourage the users to share their storage resources and improve the social welfare of the cellular network. First, the user equipments (UEs) are classified into different types according to their preference to share cache resources. Then, based on contract theory, an optimisation problem with necessary constraints is formulated aiming at maximising the base station (BS)'s utility. The reward the BS pays for a UE is based on the total amount of contents it shares with other UEs, which is related to the caching policy of UEs. A heuristic caching strategy is proposed and the optimal contract is obtained. Finally, the system performance of the proposed solution is analysed, simulation results show that the incentive scheme can improve the willingness of users to share contents, and the proposed caching strategy contributes more to the social welfare compared with two baseline caching schemes: fair caching and random caching.
Cooperative spectrum sharing in cognitive radio networks with energy accumulation: design and analysis
Authors: Tang Kun , Shi Ronghua , Xi Jingchun , Shi Heyuan , Lei Wentai
Published: May 2018

The authors propose an efficient spectrum sharing scheme in cooperative cognitive radio networks, where an energy‐constrained secondary transmitter (ST) first scavenges radio frequency (RF) energy from the received primary signals, and then the ST assists the primary transmission to obtain the opportunity of spectrum access. Specifically, the ST can forward the primary signal with its own signal by adopting both the Alamouti coding technique and superposition scheme only if the harvested energy is sufficient while the primary data is decoded correctly by the ST. Otherwise, the ST will continue to harvest RF energy. The authors use the discrete Markov chain to model the processes of charging and discharging of the battery. Moreover, two different joint decoding and interference cancellation schemes are employed at the receivers to restore the desired data. Closed‐form expressions of outage probabilities for both the primary and secondary systems are derived. Aiming to minimise the outage probability of the secondary system with guaranteeing the primary transmission, an optimal power allocation factor for the ST is determined by Monte‐Carlo simulation. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can effectively improve the transfer performance of the secondary system while realising the transfer requirement of the primary system.