bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro differentiation of germ cells from stem cells: a comparison between primordial germ cells and in vitro derived primordial germ cell-like cells
Authors: Ge W , Chen C , De Felici M , Shen W
Published: October 2015

Stem cells are unique cell types capable to proliferate, some of them indefinitely, while maintaining the ability to differentiate into a few or any cell lineages. In 2003, a group headed by Hans R. Schöler reported that oocyte-like cells could be produced from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro. After more than 10 years, where have these researches reached? Which are the major successes achieved and the problems still remaining to be solved? Although during the last years, many reviews have been published about these topics, in the present work, we will focus on an aspect that has been little considered so far, namely a strict comparison between the in vitro and in vivo developmental capabilities of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) isolated from the embryo and the PGC-like cells (PGC-LCs) produced in vitro from different types of stem cells in the mouse, the species in which most investigation has been carried out. Actually, the formation and differentiation of PGCs are crucial for both male and female gametogenesis, and the faithful production of PGCs in vitro represents the basis for obtaining functional germ cells.
Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR regulates cyclin J via inhibition of microRNA-205 expression in bladder cancer
Authors: Sun X , Du P , Yuan W , Du Z , Yu M , Yu X , Hu T
Published: October 2015

The level of microRNA-205 (miR-205) is commonly deregulated in a number of cancers. Through the screening of the microRNA expression profile in bladder cancer tissue and cell lines, we found that expression of miR-205 was significantly suppressed. In addition, the levels of miR-205 expression had a negative correlation with the degree of bladder cancer malignancy. However, the biological functions of miR-205 remained unclear. In this study, we have demonstrated that miR-205 had a role in the inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells. Moreover, we have identified cyclin J (CCNJ) gene, which is involved in cell cycle regulation, as a novel target for miR-205. Furthermore, a long non-coding RNA HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA) was observed to participate in the silencing of miR-205 in bladder cancer cells by breaking the balance of histone modification between H3K4me3 (histone H3 at lysine 4 methylation) and H3K27me3 on miR-205 promoter. This study elucidates an important role that miR-205 had in the regulation of proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for combating bladder cancer.
Caspase-3 feedback loop enhances Bid-induced AIF/endoG and Bak activation in Bax and p53-independent manner
Authors: Guo W , Zhang Y , Ling Z , Liu X , Zhao X , Yuan Z , Nie C , Wei Y
Published: October 2015

Chemoresistance in cancer has previously been attributed to gene mutations or deficiencies. Bax or p53 deficiency can lead to resistance to cancer drugs. We aimed to find an agent to overcome chemoresistance induced by Bax or p53 deficiency. Here, we used immunoblot, flow-cytometry analysis, gene interference, etc. to show that genistein, a major component of isoflavone that is known to have anti-tumor activities in a variety of models, induces Bax/p53-independent cell death in HCT116 Bax knockout (KO), HCT116 p53 KO, DU145 Bax KO, or DU145 p53 KO cells that express wild-type (WT) Bak. Bak knockdown (KD) only partially attenuated genistein-induced apoptosis. Further results indicated that the release of AIF and endoG also contributes to genistein-induced cell death, which is independent of Bak activation. Conversely, AIF and endoG knockdown had little effect on Bak activation. Knockdown of either AIF or endoG alone could not efficiently inhibit apoptosis in cells treated with genistein, whereas an AIF, endoG, and Bak triple knockdown almost completely attenuated apoptosis. Next, we found that the Akt-Bid pathway mediates Bak-induced caspase-dependent and AIF- and endoG-induced caspase-independent cell death. Moreover, downstream caspase-3 could enhance the release of AIF and endoG as well as Bak activation via a positive feedback loop. Taken together, our data elaborate the detailed mechanisms of genistein in Bax/p53-independent apoptosis and indicate that caspase-3-enhanced Bid activation initiates the cell death pathway. Our results also suggest that genistein may be an effective agent for overcoming chemoresistance in cancers with dysfunctional Bax and p53.
Conformations of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) orchestrate neuronal survival by a crosstalk between EGFR and NMDAR
Authors: Bertrand T , Lesept F , Chevilley A , Lenoir S , Aimable M , Briens A , Hommet Y , Bardou I , Parcq J , Vivien D
Published: October 2015

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a pleiotropic serine protease of the central nervous system (CNS) with reported neurotrophic and neurotoxic functions. Produced and released under its single chain form (sc), the sc-tPA can be cleaved by plasmin or kallikrein in a two chain form, tc-tPA. Although both sc-tPA and tc-tPA display a similar fibrinolytic activity, we postulated here that these two conformations of tPA (sc-tPA and tc-tPA) could differentially control the effects of tPA on neuronal survival. Using primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons, our present study reveals that sc-tPA is the only one capable to promoteN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-induced calcium influx and subsequent excitotoxicity. In contrast, both sc-tPA and tc-tPA are capable to activate epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs), a mechanism mediating the antiapoptotic effects of tPA. Interestingly, we revealed a tPA dependent crosstalk between EGFR and NMDAR in which a tPA-dependent activation of EGFRs leads to downregulation of NMDAR signaling and to subsequent neurotrophic effects.
Observation of correlated electronic decay in expanding clusters triggered by near-infrared fields
Authors: Schütte B. , Arbeiter M. , Fennel T. , Jabbari G. , Kuleff A.I. , Vrakking M.J.J. , Rouzée A.
Published: October 2015

When an excited atom is embedded into an environment, novel relaxation pathways can emerge that are absent for isolated atoms. A well-known example is interatomic Coulombic decay, where an excited atom relaxes by transferring its excess energy to another atom in the environment, leading to its ionization. Such processes have been observed in clusters ionized by extreme-ultraviolet and X-ray lasers. Here, we report on a correlated electronic decay process that occurs following nanoplasma formation and Rydberg atom generation in the ionization of clusters by intense, non-resonant infrared laser fields. Relaxation of the Rydberg states and transfer of the available electronic energy to adjacent electrons in Rydberg states or quasifree electrons in the expanding nanoplasma leaves a distinct signature in the electron kinetic energy spectrum. These so far unobserved electron-correlation-driven energy transfer processes may play a significant role in the response of any nano-scale system to intense laser light.
Discovery of protein acetylation patterns by deconvolution of peptide isomer mass spectra
Authors: Abshiru Nebiyu , Caron-Lizotte Olivier , Rajan Roshan Elizabeth , Jamai Adil , Pomies Christelle , Verreault Alain , Thibault Pierre
Published: October 2015

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) play important roles in the control of various biological processes including protein–protein interactions, epigenetics and cell cycle regulation. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches enable comprehensive identification and quantitation of numerous types of PTMs. However, the analysis of PTMs is complicated by the presence of indistinguishable co-eluting isomeric peptides that result in composite spectra with overlapping features that prevent the identification of individual components. In this study, we present Iso-PeptidAce, a novel software tool that enables deconvolution of composite MS/MS spectra of isomeric peptides based on features associated with their characteristic fragment ion patterns. We benchmark Iso-PeptidAce using dilution series prepared from mixtures of known amounts of synthetic acetylated isomers. We also demonstrate its applicability to different biological problems such as the identification of site-specific acetylation patterns in histones bound to chromatin assembly factor-1 and profiling of histone acetylation in cells treated with different classes of HDAC inhibitors.
Storage of multiple single-photon pulses emitted from a quantum dot in a solid-state quantum memory
Authors: Tang Jian-Shun , Zhou Zong-Quan , Wang Yi-Tao , Li Yu-Long , Liu Xiao , Hua Yi-Lin , Zou Yang , Wang Shuang , He De-Yong , Chen Geng , Sun Yong-Nan , Yu Ying , Li Mi-Feng , Zha Guo-Wei , Ni Hai-Qiao , Niu Zhi-Chuan , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: October 2015

Quantum repeaters are critical components for distributing entanglement over long distances in presence of unavoidable optical losses during transmission. Stimulated by the Duan–Lukin–Cirac–Zoller protocol, many improved quantum repeater protocols based on quantum memories have been proposed, which commonly focus on the entanglement-distribution rate. Among these protocols, the elimination of multiple photons (or multiple photon-pairs) and the use of multimode quantum memory are demonstrated to have the ability to greatly improve the entanglement-distribution rate. Here, we demonstrate the storage of deterministic single photons emitted from a quantum dot in a polarization-maintaining solid-state quantum memory; in addition, multi-temporal-mode memory with 1, 20 and 100 narrow single-photon pulses is also demonstrated. Multi-photons are eliminated, and only one photon at most is contained in each pulse. Moreover, the solid-state properties of both sub-systems make this configuration more stable and easier to be scalable. Our work will be helpful in the construction of efficient quantum repeaters based on all-solid-state devices.
Quantification of Interfibrillar Shear Stress in Aligned Soft Collagenous Tissues via Notch Tension Testing
Authors: Szczesny Spencer E. , Caplan Jeffrey L. , Pedersen Pal , Elliott Dawn M.
Published: October 2015

The mechanical function of soft collagenous tissues is largely determined by their hierarchical organization of collagen molecules. While collagen fibrils are believed to be discontinuous and transfer load through shearing of the interfibrillar matrix, interfibrillar shear stresses have never been quantified. Scaling traditional shear testing procedures down to the fibrillar length scale is impractical and would introduce substantial artifacts. Here, through the use of a novel microscopic variation of notch tension testing, we explicitly demonstrate the existence of interfibrillar shear stresses within tendon fascicles and provide the first measurement of their magnitude. Axial stress gradients along the sample length generated by notch tension testing were measured and used to calculate a value of 32 kPa for the interfibrillar shear stress. This estimate is comparable to the interfibrillar shear stress predicted by previous multiscale modeling of tendon fascicles, which supports the hypothesis that fibrils are discontinuous and transmit load through interfibrillar shear. This information regarding the structure-function relationships of tendon and other soft collagenous tissues is necessary to identify potential causes for tissue impairment with degeneration and provide the foundation for developing regenerative repair strategies or engineering biomaterials for tissue replacement.
Isolation and molecular characterization of newly emerging avian reovirus variants and novel strains in Pennsylvania, USA, 2011–2014
Authors: Lu Huaguang , Tang Yi , Dunn Patricia A. , Wallner-Pendleton Eva A. , Lin Lin , Knoll Eric A.
Published: October 2015

Avian reovirus (ARV) infections of broiler and turkey flocks have caused significant clinical disease and economic losses in Pennsylvania (PA) since 2011. Most of the ARV-infected birds suffered from severe arthritis, tenosynovitis, pericarditis and depressed growth or runting-stunting syndrome (RSS). A high morbidity (up to 20% to 40%) was observed in ARV-affected flocks and the flock mortality was occasionally as high as 10%. ARV infections in turkeys were diagnosed for the first time in PA in 2011. From 2011 to 2014, a total of 301 ARV isolations were made from affected PA poultry. The molecular characterization of the Sigma C gene of 114 field isolates, representing most ARV outbreaks, revealed that only 21.93% of the 114 sequenced ARV isolates were in the same genotyping cluster (cluster 1) as the ARV vaccine strains (S1133, 1733 and 2048), whereas 78.07% of the sequenced isolates were in genotyping clusters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (which were distinct from the vaccine strains) and represented newly emerging ARV variants. In particular, genotyping cluster 6 was a new ARV genotype that was identified for the first time in 10 novel PA ARV variants of field isolates.
Health reform and mortality in China: Multilevel time-series analysis of regional and socioeconomic inequities in a sample of 73 million
Authors: Astell-Burt Thomas , Liu Yunning , Feng Xiaoqi , Yin Peng , Page Andrew , Liu Shiwei , Liu Jiangmei , Wang Lijun , Zhou Maigeng
Published: October 2015

China’s 2009 expansion of universal health insurance has received global interest, but little empirical investigation. This epidemiological study was a first attempt to assess potential impacts on population health and health equity. Multilevel negative binomial regression was used to analyse all-cause and non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality between 2006 and 2012 from a representative sample including all 31 provinces. The age-standardised ratios (per 100,000) in 2006 were 860.4 and 732.9 for mortality from all-causes and NCDs respectively. These ratios decreased over time to 737.5 (all-causes) and 642.9 (NCD) by 2012. Modelling indicated these trajectories were curvilinear, dipping more rapidly from 2009 onwards. Compared to the east, all-cause mortality was higher in other regions (e.g. northwest RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.48). Compared to more affluent urban areas, rate ratios for all-cause mortality were 1.23 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.54) in the least affluent urban areas, 1.22 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.46) in affluent rural areas and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.51, 1.79) in the least affluent rural areas. These health inequities were largely repeated for NCD mortality and did not vary spatiotemporally. Overall, universal health insurance in China may have accelerated reductions in all-cause and NCD mortality, but potential impacts on health inequity may take longer to manifest.
Migration of PIP2 lipids on voltage-gated potassium channel surface influences channel deactivation
Authors: Chen Liping , Zhang Qiansen , Qiu Yunguang , Li Zanyuan , Chen Zhuxi , Jiang Hualiang , Li Yang , Yang Huaiyu
Published: October 2015

Published studies of lipid-protein interactions have mainly focused on lipid binding to an individual site of the protein. Here, we show that a lipid can migrate between different binding sites in a protein and this migration modulates protein function. Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels have several potential binding sites for phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the KCNQ2 channel reveal that PIP2 preferentially binds to the S4-S5 linker when the channel is in the open state while maintains a certain probability of migrating to the S2-S3 linker. Guided by the MD results, electrophysiological experiments using KCNQ2, KCNQ1 and hERG channels show that the migration of PIP2 toward the S2-S3 linker controls the deactivation rate of the channel. The data suggest that PIP2 can migrate between different binding sites in Kv channels with significant impacts on channel deactivation, casting new insights into the dynamics and physiological functions of lipid-protein interactions.
Qubit-Programmable Operations on Quantum Light Fields
Authors: Barbieri Marco , Spagnolo Nicolò , Ferreyrol Franck , Blandino Rémi , Smith Brian J. , Tualle-Brouri Rosa
Published: October 2015

Engineering quantum operations is a crucial capability needed for developing quantum technologies and designing new fundamental physics tests. Here we propose a scheme for realising a controlled operation acting on a travelling continuous-variable quantum field, whose functioning is determined by a discrete input qubit. This opens a new avenue for exploiting advantages of both information encoding approaches. Furthermore, this approach allows for the program itself to be in a superposition of operations and as a result it can be used within a quantum processor, where coherences must be maintained. Our study can find interest not only in general quantum state engineering and information protocols, but also details an interface between different physical platforms. Potential applications can be found in linking optical qubits to optical systems for which coupling is best described in terms of their continuous variables, such as optomechanical devices.
Influence of a high-altitude hypoxic environment on human plasma microRNA profiles
Authors: Yan Yan , Shi Yonghui , Wang Cheng , Guo Pengtao , Wang Junjun , Zhang Chen-Yu , Zhang Chunni
Published: October 2015

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising disease biomarkers. However, the influence of high-altitude hypoxic environments on plasma miRNA profiles remains unknown. This study included a total of 509 plasma samples from 278 native Tibetans and 80 newly arrived migrant Han Chinese (Tibet Han) residing at 3560 m and 151 Han Chinese residing at 8.9 m (Nanjing Han). The levels of 754 miRNAs were initially determined using a TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA) in two pooled samples from 50 Tibet Han and 50 Nanjing Han individuals. Some markedly altered miRNAs in Tibet Han were subsequently measured in all 509 plasma samples by individual qRT-PCR. Compared with the Nanjing Han, 172 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the Tibet Han (105 upregulated and 67 downregulated). The correlation coefficient for the two groups was 0.72. Several upregulated miRNAs were randomly selected for analysis by qRT-PCR and the results were consistent with those identified by TLDA. These miRNAs were also significantly increased in the Tibetans compared with the Nanjing Han. Furthermore, these altered miRNAs showed strong positive correlations with red blood cell counts and hemoglobin values. These data are the first to provide clear evidence that a high-altitude hypoxic environment significantly affects human plasma miRNA profiles.
Distinct microbiological signatures associated with triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Banerjee Sagarika , Wei Zhi , Tan Fei , Peck Kristen N. , Shih Natalie , Feldman Michael , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Alwine James C. , Robertson Erle S.
Published: October 2015

Infectious agents are the third highest human cancer risk factor and may have a greater role in the origin and/or progression of cancers and related pathogenesis. Thus, knowing the specific viruses and microbial agents associated with a cancer type may provide insights into cause, diagnosis and treatment. We utilized a pan-pathogen array technology to identify the microbial signatures associated with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This technology detects low copy number and fragmented genomes extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded archival tissues. The results, validated by PCR and sequencing, define a microbial signature present in TNBC tissue which was underrepresented in normal tissue. Hierarchical clustering analysis displayed two broad microbial signatures, one prevalent in bacteria and parasites and one prevalent in viruses. These signatures demonstrate a new paradigm in our understanding of the link between microorganisms and cancer, as causative or commensal in the tumor microenvironment and provide new diagnostic potential.
Enhanced electron-phonon coupling for a semiconductor charge qubit in a surface phonon cavity
Authors: Chen J. C. H. , Sato Y. , Kosaka R. , Hashisaka M. , Muraki K. , Fujisawa T.
Published: October 2015

Electron-phonon coupling is a major decoherence mechanism, which often causes scattering and energy dissipation in semiconductor electronic systems. However, this electron-phonon coupling may be used in a positive way for reaching the strong or ultra-strong coupling regime in an acoustic version of the cavity quantum electrodynamic system. Here we propose and demonstrate a phonon cavity for surface acoustic waves, which is made of periodic metal fingers that constitute Bragg reflectors on a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. Phonon band gap and cavity phonon modes are identified by frequency, time and spatially resolved measurements of the piezoelectric potential. Tunneling spectroscopy on a double quantum dot indicates the enhancement of phonon assisted transitions in a charge qubit. This encourages studying of acoustic cavity quantum electrodynamics with surface phonons.
Co-activator binding protein PIMT mediates TNF-α induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle via the transcriptional down-regulation of MEF2A and GLUT4
Authors: Kain Vasundhara , Kapadia Bandish , Viswakarma Navin , Seshadri Sriram , Prajapati Bhumika , Jena Prasant K , Teja Meda Chandana Lakshmi , Subramanian Maitreyi , Kaimal Suraj Sashidhara , Kumar Sireesh T , Prakash Babu Phanithi , Thimmapaya Bayar , Reddy Janardan K , Parsa Kishore V. L. , Misra Parimal
Published: October 2015

The mechanisms underlying inflammation induced insulin resistance are poorly understood. Here, we report that the expression of PIMT, a transcriptional co-activator binding protein, was up-regulated in the soleus muscle of high sucrose diet (HSD) induced insulin resistant rats and TNF-α exposed cultured myoblasts. Moreover, TNF-α induced phosphorylation of PIMT at the ERK1/2 target site Ser298. Wild type (WT) PIMT or phospho-mimic Ser298Asp mutant but not phospho-deficient Ser298Ala PIMT mutant abrogated insulin stimulated glucose uptake by L6 myotubes and neonatal rat skeletal myoblasts. Whereas, PIMT knock down relieved TNF-α inhibited insulin signaling. Mechanistic analysis revealed that PIMT differentially regulated the expression of GLUT4, MEF2A, PGC-1α and HDAC5 in cultured cells and skeletal muscle of Wistar rats. Further characterization showed that PIMT was recruited to GLUT4, MEF2A and HDAC5 promoters and overexpression of PIMT abolished the activity of WT but not MEF2A binding defective mutant GLUT4 promoter. Collectively, we conclude that PIMT mediates TNF-α induced insulin resistance at the skeletal muscle via the transcriptional modulation of GLUT4, MEF2A, PGC-1α and HDAC5 genes.
Characterization of AnNce102 and its role in eisosome stability and sphingolipid biosynthesis
Authors: Athanasopoulos Alexandros , Gournas Christos , Amillis Sotiris , Sophianopoulou Vicky
Published: October 2015

The plasma membrane is implicated in a variety of functions, whose coordination necessitates highly dynamic organization of its constituents into domains of distinct protein and lipid composition. Eisosomes, at least partially, mediate this lateral plasma membrane compartmentalization. In this work, we show that the Nce102 homologue of Aspergillus nidulans colocalizes with eisosomes and plays a crucial role in density/number of PilA/SurG foci in the head of germlings. In addition we demonstrate that AnNce102 and PilA negatively regulate sphingolipid biosynthesis, since their deletions partially suppress the thermosensitivity of basA mutant encoding sphingolipid C4-hydroxylase and the growth defects observed upon treatment with inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis, myriocin and Aureobasidin A. Moreover, we show that YpkA repression mimics genetic or pharmacological depletion of sphingolipids, conditions that induce the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and can be partially overcome by deletion of pilA and/or annce102 at high temperatures. Consistent with these findings, pilAΔ and annce102Δ also show differential sensitivity to various oxidative agents, while AnNce102 overexpression can bypass sphingolipid depletion regarding the PilA/SurG foci number and organization, also leading to the mislocalization of PilA to septa.
Origin of metallic behavior in NiCo2O4 ferrimagnet
Authors: Bitla Yugandhar , Chin Yi-Ying , Lin Jheng-Cyuan , Van Chien Nguyen , Liu Ruirui , Zhu Yuanmin , Liu Heng-Jui , Zhan Qian , Lin Hong-Ji , Chen Chien-Te , Chu Ying-Hao , He Qing
Published: October 2015

Predicting and understanding the cation distribution in spinels has been one of the most interesting problems in materials science. The present work investigates the effect of cation redistribution on the structural, electrical, optical and magnetic properties of mixed-valent inverse spinel NiCo2O4(NCO) thin films. It is observed that the films grown at low temperatures (T < 400 °C) exhibit metallic behavior while that grown at higher temperatures (T > 400 °C) are insulators with lower ferrimagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition temperature. So far, n-type Fe3O4 has been used as a conducting layer for the spinel thin films based devices and the search for a p-type counterpart still remains elusive. The inherent coexistence and coupling of ferrimagnetic order and the metallic nature in p-type NCO makes it a promising candidate for spintronic devices. Detailed X-ray Absorption and X–ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism studies revealed a strong correlation between the mixed-valent cation distribution and the resulting ferrimagnetic-metallic/insulating behavior. Our study clearly demonstrates that it is the concentration of Ni3+ions and the Ni3+–O2−Ni2+double exchange interaction that is crucial in dictating the metallic behavior in NCO ferrimagnet. The metal-insulator and the associated magnetic order-disorder transitions can be tuned by the degree of cation site disorder via growth conditions.
A morphological investigation of sexual and lateral dimorphism in the developing metanephric kidney
Authors: Short Kieran M. , Smyth Ian M.
Published: October 2015

Sexual dimorphism is a prominent feature of renal physiology and as a consequence, it differentially affects predisposition to many adult kidney diseases. Furthermore the left and right kidneys differ in terms of their position, size and involvement in congenital malformations of the urogenital tract. We set out to determine whether differences in the program of branching morphogenesis that establishes the basic architecture of the kidney were apparent with respect to either sex or laterality in mouse embryonic kidneys. This was achieved using a combination of optical projection tomography imaging and computational analysis of many spatial metrics describing the branched ureteric tree. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of twelve aspects of ureteric morphology across developmental time and we found no consistent differences between kidneys of different sexes or laterality. These results suggest that dimorphism is established after birth or at a physiological or cellular level that is not reflected in the morphology of the ureteric tree.
The effect of background music on episodic memory and autonomic responses: listening to emotionally touching music enhances facial memory capacity
Authors: Mado Proverbio Alice , Lozano Nasi Valentina , Alessandra Arcari Laura , De Benedetto Francesco , Guardamagna Matteo , Gazzola Martina , Zani Alberto
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate how background auditory processing can affect other perceptual and cognitive processes as a function of stimulus content, style and emotional nature. Previous studies have offered contrasting evidence and it has been recently shown that listening to music negatively affected concurrent mental processing in the elderly but not in young adults. To further investigate this matter, the effect of listening to music vs. listening to the sound of rain or silence was examined by administering an old/new face memory task (involving 448 unknown faces) to a group of 54 non-musician university students. Heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressure were measured during an explicit face study session that was followed by a memory test. The results indicated that more efficient and faster recall of faces occurred under conditions of silence or when participants were listening to emotionally touching music. Whereas auditory background (e.g., rain or joyful music) interfered with memory encoding, listening to emotionally touching music improved memory and significantly increased heart rate. It is hypothesized that touching music is able to modify the visual perception of faces by binding facial properties with auditory and emotionally charged information (music), which may therefore result in deeper memory encoding.
Peginterferon alfa-2a plus Weight-Based or Flat-Dose Ribavirin for Treatment-Naïve Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 Rapid Responders: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Liu Chen-Hua , Huang Chung-Feng , Liu Chun-Jen , Dai Chia-Yen , Huang Jee-Fu , Lin Jou-Wei , Liang Cheng-Chao , Yang Sheng-Shun , Lin Chih-Lin , Su Tung-Hung , Yang Hung-Chih , Chen Pei-Jer , Chen Ding-Shinn , Chuang Wan-Long , Kao Jia-Horng , Yu Ming-Lung
Published: October 2015

The impact of ribavirin (RBV) dosage on sustained virologic response (SVR) rates remains elusive in hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV-2) rapid responders receiving 16 weeks of peginterferon (Peg-IFN) plus RBV. Treatment-naïve HCV-2 patients with rapid virologic response (RVR) received Peg-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/week plus weight-based RBV (1,000 or 1,200 mg/day; cut-off body weight: 75 kg) for 6 weeks and then randomly received Peg-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/week plus weight-based (1,000 or 1,200 mg/day; n = 247) or flat-dose (800 mg/day; n = 246) RBV for additional 10 weeks. The primary endpoint was SVR24. Patients receiving weight-based and flat-dose RBV therapies had comparable SVR24 rates (93.5% versus 91.9%, P = 0.49). The risk differences (RDs) of SVR24 receiving weight-based and flat-dose RBV arms were 7.1% [95% CI: 0.7% to 13.6%] in males and −5.8% [95% CI: −12.1% to 0.5%] in females (interaction P = 0.01). The SVR24 rate was higher in males receiving ≥13 mg/kg/day than those receiving <13 mg/kg/day (96.3% versus 85.1%, P = 0.001). In conclusion, Peg-IFN alfa-2a plus weight-based or flat-dose RBV for 16 weeks provides comparable SVR24 rates in treatment-naïve HCV-2 rapid responders. However, males should receive weight-based RBV to achieve a high SVR24 rate.
Bt rice does not disrupt the host-searching behavior of the parasitoid Cotesia chilonis
Authors: Liu Qingsong , Romeis Jörg , Yu Huilin , Zhang Yongjun , Li Yunhe , Peng Yufa
Published: October 2015

We determined whether plant volatiles help explain why Cotesia chilonis (a parasitoid of the target pest Chilo suppressalis) is less abundant in Bt than in non-Bt rice fields. Olfactometer studies revealed that C. chilonis females responded similarly to undamaged Bt and non-Bt rice plants. Parasitoids preferred rice plants damaged by 3rd-instar larvae of C. suppressalis, but did not differentiate between caterpillar-infested Bt and non-Bt plants. According to GC-MS analyses of rice plant volatiles, undamaged Bt and non-Bt rice plants emitted the same number of volatile compounds and there were no significant differences in the quantity of each volatile compound between the treatments. When plants were infested with and damaged by C. suppressalis larvae, both Bt and non-Bt rice plants emitted higher numbers and larger amounts of volatile compounds than undamaged plants, but there were no significant differences between Bt and non-Bt plants. These results demonstrate that the volatile-mediated interactions of rice plants with the parasitoid C. chilonis were not disrupted by the genetic engineering of the plants. We infer that parasitoid numbers are lower in Bt than in non-Bt fields because damage and volatile induction by C. suppressalis larvae are greatly reduced in Bt fields.
The asymmetry of telomere replication contributes to replicative senescence heterogeneity
Authors: Bourgeron Thibault , Xu Zhou , Doumic Marie , Teixeira Maria Teresa
Published: October 2015

In eukaryotes, the absence of telomerase results in telomere shortening, eventually leading to replicative senescence, an arrested state that prevents further cell divisions. While replicative senescence is mainly controlled by telomere length, the heterogeneity of its onset is not well understood. This study proposes a mathematical model based on the molecular mechanisms of telomere replication and shortening to decipher the causes of this heterogeneity. Using simulations fitted on experimental data obtained from individual lineages of senescent Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, we decompose the sources of senescence heterogeneity into interclonal and intraclonal components and show that the latter is based on the asymmetry of the telomere replication mechanism. We also evidence telomere rank-switching events with distinct frequencies in short-lived versus long-lived lineages, revealing that telomere shortening dynamics display important variations. Thus, the intrinsic heterogeneity of replicative senescence and its consequences find their roots in the asymmetric structure of telomeres.
A dark green fluorescent protein as an acceptor for measurement of Förster resonance energy transfer
Authors: Murakoshi Hideji , Shibata Akihiro C. E. , Nakahata Yoshihisa , Nabekura Junichi
Published: October 2015

Measurement of Förster resonance energy transfer by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM-FRET) is a powerful method for visualization of intracellular signaling activities such as protein-protein interactions and conformational changes of proteins. Here, we developed a dark green fluorescent protein (ShadowG) that can serve as an acceptor for FLIM-FRET. ShadowG is spectrally similar to monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) and has a 120-fold smaller quantum yield. When FRET from mEGFP to ShadowG was measured using an mEGFP-ShadowG tandem construct with 2-photon FLIM-FRET, we observed a strong FRET signal with low cell-to-cell variability. Furthermore, ShadowG was applied to a single-molecule FRET sensor to monitor a conformational change of CaMKII and of the light oxygen voltage (LOV) domain in HeLa cells. These sensors showed reduced cell-to-cell variability of both the basal fluorescence lifetime and response signal. In contrast to mCherry- or dark-YFP-based sensors, our sensor allowed for precise measurement of individual cell responses. When ShadowG was applied to a separate-type Ras FRET sensor, it showed a greater response signal than did the mCherry-based sensor. Furthermore, Ras activation and translocation of its effector ERK2 into the nucleus could be observed simultaneously. Thus, ShadowG is a promising FLIM-FRET acceptor.
Optical design of nanowire absorbers for wavelength selective photodetectors
Authors: Mokkapati S. , Saxena D. , Tan H. H. , Jagadish C.
Published: October 2015

We propose the optical design for the absorptive element of photodetectors to achieve wavelength selective photo response based on resonant guided modes supported in semiconductor nanowires. We show that the waveguiding properties of nanowires result in very high absorption efficiency that can be exploited to reduce the volume of active semiconductor compared to planar photodetectors, without compromising the photocurrent. We present a design based on a group of nanowires with varying diameter for multi-color photodetectors with small footprint. We discuss the effect of a dielectric shell around the nanowires on the absorption efficiency and present a simple approach to optimize the nanowire diameter-dielectric shell thickness for maximizing the absorption efficiency.
The HIV matrix protein p17 induces hepatic lipid accumulation via modulation of nuclear receptor transcriptoma
Authors: Renga Barbara , Francisci Daniela , Carino Adriana , Marchianò Silvia , Cipriani Sabrina , Chiara Monti Maria , Del Sordo Rachele , Schiaroli Elisabetta , Distrutti Eleonora , Baldelli Franco , Fiorucci Stefano
Published: October 2015

Liver disease is the second most common cause of mortality in HIV-infected persons. Exactly how HIV infection per se affects liver disease progression is unknown. Here we have investigated mRNA expression of 49 nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) and 35 transcriptional coregulators in HepG2 cells upon stimulation with the HIV matrix protein p17. This viral protein regulated mRNA expression of some NRs among which LXRα and its transcriptional co-activator MED1 were highly induced at mRNA level. Dissection of p17 downstream intracellular pathway demonstrated that p17 mediated activation of Jak/STAT signaling is responsible for the promoter dependent activation of LXR. The treatment of both HepG2 as well as primary hepatocytes with HIV p17 results in the transcriptional activation of LXR target genes (SREBP1c and FAS) and lipid accumulation. These effects are lost in HepG2 cells pre-incubated with a serum from HIV positive person who underwent a vaccination with a p17 peptide as well as in HepG2 cells pre-incubated with the natural LXR antagonist gymnestrogenin. These results suggest that HIV p17 affects NRs and their related signal transduction thus contributing to the progression of liver disease in HIV infected patients.
An efficient colorimetric and fluorescent probe for the detection of fluoride ions based on a benzothiadiazole derivative
Authors: Yu Yanhua , Dong Changzhi
Published: October 2015

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent probe based on a benzothiadiazole derivative was designed and synthesized, which showed excellent selectivity for fluoride.
Nanogold supported on manganese oxide doped alumina microspheres as a highly active and selective catalyst for CO oxidation in a H2-rich stream
Authors: Miao Yu-Xin , Li Wen-Cui , Sun Qiang , Shi Lei , He Lei , Wang Jing , Deng Gao-Ming , Lu An-Hui
Published: October 2015

The exceptionally high catalytic activity for CO-PROX reaction is due to the Au–support interaction and the unique reducibility of the support.
A nitrogen-containing carbon film derived from vapor phase polymerized polypyrrole as a fast charging/discharging capability anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yuan Tao , He Yu-Shi , Zhang Weimin , Ma Zi-Feng
Published: October 2015

A nitrogen-containing carbon film was derived from a vapor phase polymerized PPy precursor and developed as a fast charge/discharge capability anode for lithium-ion batteries.
Multiple photosynthetic reaction centres of porphyrinic polypeptide–Li+@C60 supramolecular complexes
Authors: Ohkubo Kei , Hasegawa Tetsuya , Rein Régis , Solladié Nathalie , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: October 2015

Multiple photosynthetic reaction centres have been constructed using supramolecular complexes of multiporphyrinic peptides with lithium ion encapsulated fullerene to afford long-lived charge-separated states.
A programmable Y-shaped junction scaffold-mediated modular and cascade amplification strategy for the one-step, isothermal and ultrasensitive detection of target DNA
Authors: Liu Shufeng , Gong Hongwei , Sun Xinya , Liu Tao , Wang Li
Published: October 2015

A programmable Y-shaped junction probe-mediated modular and cascade amplification strategy was proposed for the one-pot, isothermal and ultrasensitive detection of target DNA.
Fast microwave treatments of single source alkoxides for nanostructured Li-ion battery electrodes
Authors: Laveda Josefa Vidal , Chandhok Vibhuti , Murray Claire A. , Paterson Gary W. , Corr Serena A.
Published: October 2015

Low cost and green synthetic approach for the preparation of metal alkoxide precursors in the synthesis of phase pure olivine LiFe1−xMnxPO4 (x = 0, 0.5 and 1) and Mn3O4 hausmannite nanostructures through fast microwave and ultrasound-assisted routes.
4-Aminoquinaldine monohydrate polymorphism: prediction and impurity aided discovery of a difficult to access stable form
Authors: Braun Doris E. , Oberacher Herbert , Arnhard Kathrin , Orlova Maria , Griesser Ulrich J.
Published: October 2015

Crystal structure prediction studies of 4-aminoquinaldine monohydrate led, 80 years after its first synthesis, to the thermodynamically most stable form under conditions relevant for production and storage.
Importance of porous structure and synergistic effect on the catalytic oxidation activities over hierarchical Mn–Ni composite oxides
Authors: Tang Wenxiang , Deng Yuzhou , Li Wenhui , Li Jiaqi , Liu Gang , Li Shuangde , Wu Xiaofeng , Chen Yunfa
Published: October 2015

Hierarchically porous manganese–nickel composite oxides (MNCOs) were successfully synthesized by an oxalate route and further applied for catalytic removal of benzene.
Hydrogen energy future with formic acid: a renewable chemical hydrogen storage system
Authors: Singh Ashish Kumar , Singh Suryabhan , Kumar Abhinav
Published: October 2015

Formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid, could serve as one of the better fuels for portable devices, vehicles and other energy-related applications in the future.
Gas–solid interaction of H2–Ce0.95Zr0.05O2: new insights into surface participation in heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Jain Ruchi , Dubey Anjani , Ghosalya Manoj K. , Gopinath Chinnakonda S.
Published: October 2015

A conventional gas–solid interaction has been explored with valence band APPES and changes in molecular vibrations of hydrogen.
PtCu nanodendrite-assisted synthesis of PtPdCu concave nanooctahedra for efficient electrocatalytic methanol oxidation
Authors: Gong Ming-Xing , Jiang Xian , Xue Tie-Ying , Shen Tian-Yi , Xu Lin , Sun Dong-Mei , Tang Ya-Wen
Published: October 2015

PtPdCu alloy concave nanooctahedra show superior electrocatalytic activity and durability for the methanol oxidation reaction.
Coordination chemistry of 2,2′-biphenylenedithiophosphinate and diphenyldithiophosphinate with U, Np, and Pu
Authors: Macor Joseph A. , Brown Jessie L. , Cross Justin N. , Daly Scott R. , Gaunt Andrew J. , Girolami Gregory S. , Janicke Michael T. , Kozimor Stosh A. , Neu Mary P. , Olson Angela C. , Reilly Sean D. , Scott Brian L.
Published: October 2015

New members of the dithiophosphinic acid family of potential actinide extractants were prepared: heterocyclic 2,2′-biphenylenedithiophosphinic acids.
An effective approach for modifying carbonaceous materials with niobium single sites to improve their catalytic properties
Authors: Bozzi A. S. , Lavall R. L. , Souza T. E. , Pereira M. C. , de Souza P. P. , De Abreu H. A. , De Oliveira A. , Ortega P. F. R. , Paniago R. , Oliveira L. C. A.
Published: October 2015

In this paper we show a very simple route for the incorporation of catalytically active niobium species on the surface of carbon materials, such as graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes and activated carbon.
Encapsulation of dyes in metal–organic frameworks and their tunable nonlinear optical properties
Authors: Song Tao , Yu Jiancan , Cui Yuanjing , Yang Yu , Qian Guodong
Published: October 2015

Two series of cationic dyes have been encapsulated in the 1D channel of MOFs, and the tunable second order nonlinear optical properties of these MOF⊃dye materials were observed.
Development of a Cr(iii) ion selective fluorescence probe using organic nanoparticles and its real time applicability
Authors: Saini Anu , Bhasin Aman K. K. , Singh Narinder , Kaur Navneet
Published: October 2015

Recognition of Cr(iii) ion using highly selective fluorescent organic nanoparticles N1 and its validation using DFT geometry optimization.
Syntheses and luminescence of La1−xEux[B8O11(OH)5] and β-La1−xEuxB5O9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.135)
Authors: Sun Xiaorui , Gao Wenliang , Cong Rihong , Yang Tao
Published: October 2015

A systematic luminescence study was performed on La1–xEux[B8O11(OH)5] and β-La1−xEuxB5O9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.135), which show bright red emissions.
Facet-controlled facilitation of PbS nanoarchitectures by understanding nanocrystal growth
Authors: Loc Welley Siu , Quan Zewei , Lin Cuikun , Pan Jinfong , Wang Yuxuan , Yang Kaikun , Jian Wen-Bin , Zhao Bo , Wang Howard , Fang Jiye
Published: October 2015

Dimension-controlled PbS nanoarchitectures prepared in solution.
TiC2: a new two-dimensional sheet beyond MXenes
Authors: Zhao Tianshan , Zhang Shunhong , Guo Yaguang , Wang Qian
Published: October 2015

A carbon-dimer-based metal carbide nanosheet with a high Li storage capacity and a low migration barrier.
Crossed ferric oxide nanosheets supported cobalt oxide on 3-dimensional macroporous Ni foam substrate used for diesel soot elimination under self-capture contact mode
Authors: Cao Chunmei , Li Xingang , Zha Yuqing , Zhang Jing , Hu Tiandou , Meng Ming
Published: October 2015

Crossed Fe2O3 nanosheets supported cobalt oxides on three-dimensionally macroporous nickel foam substrate possess particularly high performance for catalytic soot combustion.
Arrays of high quality SAM-based junctions and their application in molecular diode based logic
Authors: Wan Albert , Suchand Sangeeth C. S. , Wang Lejia , Yuan Li , Jiang Li , Nijhuis Christian A.
Published: October 2015

This paper describes a method to generate arrays of self-assembled monolayer based junctions with good yields in working junctions (∼80%) and high electrical stability. We formed arrays of molecular diodes which were used to construct AND and OR logic gates.
Selective modification of the 3′′-amino group of kanamycin prevents significant loss of activity in resistant bacterial strains
Authors: Santana Andrés G. , Zárate Sandra G. , Asensio Juan Luis , Revuelta Julia , Bastida Agatha
Published: October 2015

The N-3′′ modification in the kanamycin A antibiotic prevents significant loss of activity in resistant bacterial strains.
Improved binding affinity and interesting selectivities of aminopyrimidine-bearing carbohydrate receptors in comparison with their aminopyridine analogues
Authors: Lippe Jan , Seichter Wilhelm , Mazik Monika
Published: October 2015

Interesting structure–activity relationships were identified on the basis of systematic binding studies on new acyclic carbohydrate receptors.
One pot oxidative N–S bond formation to access 2-sulfenylimine chromenes
Authors: Kale Ashok , Chennapuram Madhu , Bingi Chiranjeevi , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Atmakur Krishnaiah
Published: October 2015

Synthesis of 2-sulfenylimine chromene compounds is accomplished in a one-pot, catalyst-free, five-component reaction in toluene. When aniline was employed as nucleophile formation of hexahydrobenzofuran-2-N-phenyl carboxamide was observed. Excellent yields, simple reaction conditions high compatibility are the advantages of this protocol.
Fluorinated porphyrinoids as efficient platforms for new photonic materials, sensors, and therapeutics
Authors: Bhupathiraju N. V. S. Dinesh K. , Rizvi Waqar , Batteas James D. , Drain Charles Michael
Published: October 2015

Porphyrinoids are robust heterocyclic dyes studied extensively for their applications in medicine and as photonic materials because of their tunable photophysical properties, diverse means of modifying the periphery, and the ability to chelate most transition metals.
A method for investigating the stereochemical course of terpene cyclisations
Authors: Rabe Patrick , Rinkel Jan , Klapschinski Tim A. , Barra Lena , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: October 2015

The products of three bacterial terpene cyclases were characterised and the mechanisms of their formations were investigated using isotopic labellings.
K2S2O8-mediated metal-free direct C–H functionalization of quinones using arylboronic acids
Authors: Ilangovan Andivelu , Polu Ashok , Satish Gandhesiri
Published: October 2015

Direct C–H functionalization of quinones with arylboronic acids is achieved using K2S2O8 as the sole and efficient green catalytic system.
Umbelliprenin and lariciresinol isolated from a long-term-used herb medicine Ferula sinkiangensis induce apoptosis and G0/G1 arresting in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Lijing , Si Jianyong , Li Guangzhi , Li Xiaojin , Zhang Leilei , Gao Li , Huo Xiaowei , Liu Dongyu , Sun Xiaobo , Cao Li
Published: October 2015

Effective chemicals isolated from folk medicine are commonly used in the treatment of cancer in Asian countries like China and India.