bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidant sensor in the cGMP-binding pocket of PKGIα regulates nitroxyl-mediated kinase activity
Authors: Donzelli Sonia , Goetz Mara , Schmidt Kjestine , Wolters Markus , Stathopoulou Konstantina , Diering Simon , Prysyazhna Oleksandra , Polat Volkan , Scotcher Jenna , Dees Christian , Subramanian Hariharan , Butt Elke , Kamynina Alisa , Schobesberger Sophie , King S. Bruce , Nikolaev Viacheslav O. , de Wit Cor , Leichert Lars I. , Feil Robert , Eaton Philip , Cuello Friederike
Published: August 2017

Despite the mechanisms for endogenous nitroxyl (HNO) production and action being incompletely understood, pharmacological donors show broad therapeutic promise and are in clinical trials. Mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis showed that chemically distinct HNO donors 1-nitrosocyclohexyl acetate or Angeli’s salt induced disulfides within cGMP-dependent protein kinase I-alpha (PKGIα), an interdisulfide between Cys42 of the two identical subunits of the kinase and a previously unobserved intradisulfide between Cys117 and Cys195 in the high affinity cGMP-binding site. Kinase activity was monitored in cells transfected with wildtype (WT), Cys42Ser or Cys117/195Ser PKGIα that cannot form the inter- or intradisulfide, respectively. HNO enhanced WT kinase activity, an effect significantly attenuated in inter- or intradisulfide-deficient PKGIα. To investigate whether the intradisulfide modulates cGMP binding, real-time imaging was performed in vascular smooth muscle cells expressing a FRET-biosensor comprising the cGMP-binding sites of PKGIα. HNO induced FRET changes similar to those elicited by an increase of cGMP, suggesting that intradisulfide formation is associated with activation of PKGIα. Intradisulfide formation in PKGIα correlated with enhanced HNO-mediated vasorelaxation in mesenteric arteries in vitro and arteriolar dilation in vivo in mice. HNO induces intradisulfide formation in PKGIα, inducing the same effect as cGMP binding, namely kinase activation and thus vasorelaxation.
RNAi combining Sleeping Beauty transposon system inhibits ex vivo expression of foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 in transgenic sheep cells
Authors: Deng Shoulong , Li Guangdong , Yu Kun , Tian Xiuzhi , Wang Feng , Li Wenting , Jiang Wuqi , Ji Pengyun , Han Hongbing , Fu Juncai , Zhang Xiaosheng , Zhang Jinlong , Liu Yixun , Lian Zhengxing , Liu Guoshi
Published: August 2017

Foot and mouth disease, which is induced by the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV), takes its toll on the cloven-hoofed domestic animals. The VP1 gene in FMDV genome encodes the viral capsid, a vital element for FMDV replication. Sleeping Beauty (SB) is an active DNA-transposon system responsible for genetic transformation and insertional mutagenesis in vertebrates. In this study, a conserved VP1-shRNA which specifically targets the ovine FMDV-VP1 gene was constructed and combined with SB transposase and transposon. Then, they were microinjected into pronuclear embryos to breed transgenic sheep. Ninety-two lambs were born and the VP1-shRNA was positively integrated into eight of them. The rate of transgenic sheep production in SB transposon system was significantly higher than that in controls (13.04% vs. 3.57% and 7.14%, P < 0.05). The ear fibroblasts of the transgenic lambs transfected with the PsiCheck2-VP1 vector had a significant inhibitory effect on the VP1 gene of the FMDV. In conclusion, the VP1-shRNA transgenic sheep were successfully generated by the current new method. The ear fibroblasts from these transgenic sheep possess a great resistance to FMDV. The result indicated that RNAi technology combining the “Sleeping Beauty” transposon system is an efficient method to produce transgenic animals.
Diversity of culturable aerobic denitrifying bacteria in the sediment, water and biofilms in Liangshui River of Beijing, China
Authors: Lv Pengyi , Luo Jinxue , Zhuang Xuliang , Zhang Dongqing , Huang Zhanbin , Bai Zhihui
Published: August 2017

Aerobic denitrification is a process reducing the nitrate into gaseous nitrogen forms in the presence of oxygen gas, which makes the nitrification and denitrification performed simultaneously. However, little was known on the diversity of the culturable aerobic denitrifying bacteria in the surface water system. In this study, 116 strains of aerobic denitrifying bacteria were isolated from the sediment, water and biofilm samples in Liangshui River of Beijing. These bacteria were classified into 14 genera based on the 16 S rDNA, such as Pseudomonas, Rheinheimera, and Gemmobacter. The Pseudomonas sp., represented by the Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas mendocina and Pseudomonas putida, composed the major culturable aerobic denitrifiers of the river, followed by Ochrobactrum sp. and Rheinheimera sp. The PCA plot showed the unclassified Pseudomonas sp. and Rheinheimera pacifica preferred to inhabit in biofilm phase while one unclassified Ochrobactrum sp. and Pseudomonas resinovorans had higher abundance in the sediment. In the overlying water, the Pseudomonas stutzeri and Ochrobactrum rhizosphaerae were found to have higher abundance, indicating these aerobic denitrifiers had different habitat-preferable characteristics among the 3 phases of river system. The findings may help select the niche to isolate the aerobic denitrifiers and facilitate the bioaugmentation-based purification of the nitrate polluted surface water.
Influence of oxalate ligand functionalization on Co/ZSM-5 activity in Fischer Tropsch synthesis and hydrodeoxygenation of oleic acid into hydrocarbon fuels
Authors: Ayodele Olumide Bolarinwa
Published: August 2017

Achieving high degree of active metal dispersions at the highest possible metal loading and high reducibility of the metal remains a challenge in Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS) ﻿as well as in hydrogeoxygenation (HDO)﻿.﻿This study therefore reports the influence of oxalic acid (OxA) functionalization on the﻿ metal dispersion, reducibility and﻿ activity of Co supported ZSM-5 catalyst in FTS and HDO of oleic acid into paraffin biofuel. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) results showed that cobalt oxalate supported ZSM-5 catalyst (CoOx/ZSM-5) synthesized from the incorporation of freshly prepared cobalt oxalate complex into ZSM-5 displayed increase in surface area, pore volume and average pore size while the nonfunctionalized cobalt supported on ZSM-5 (Co/ZSM-5) catalyst showed reduction in those properties. Furthermore, both XRD and XPS confirmed the presence of Co° formed from the decomposition of CoOx during calcination of CoOx/ZSM-5 under inert atmosphere. The HRTEM showed that Co species average particle sizes were smaller in CoOx/ZSM-5 than in Co/ZSM-5, and in addition, CoOx/ZSM-5 shows a clear higher degree of active metal dispersion. The FTS result showed that at CO conversion over Co/ZSM-5 and CoOx/ZSM-5 catalysts were 74.28% and 94.23% and their selectivity to C5+ HC production were 63.15% and 75.4%, respectively at 4 h TOS. The HDO result also showed that the CoOx/ZSM-5 has higher OA conversion of 92% compared to 59% over Co/ZSM-5. In addition CoOx/ZSM-5 showed higher HDO and isomerization activities compared to Co/ZSM-5.
Social rivalry triggers visual attention in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Grandgeorge Marine , Gautier Yentl , Brugaillères Pauline , Tiercelin Inès , Jacq Carole , Lebret Marie-Claude , Hausberger Martine
Published: August 2017

Visual social attention is central to social functioning and learning and may act as a reinforcer. Social rivalry, which occurs when an individual is excluded from dyadic interactions, can promote interspecific learning by triggering attention. We applied it to an animal-assisted intervention, where the behaviour of ASD children was compared between an experimental (attention shift of the animal trainer from the dog-child to the dog only) and a control (attention maintained on the dyad) groups (study 1). The results show that ASD children are sensitive to the direction of (visual) social attention and may act, physically and visually, in order to regain it. When the animal trainer concentrated on the dog, the overall visual attention of the ASD children increased, suggesting a heightened awareness towards their environment. They oriented more towards the animal trainer and the dog, contrarily to the control group. The repetition of the procedure was even associated with increased joint attention with the animal trainer (study 2). Thus, ASD children do care about and seek human visual attention. They show an ability to adapt their social behaviour, which questions whether their known deficits in social competencies are hard wired or whether the deficits are in their expression.
Identification of Novel Clinically Relevant Variants in 70 Southern Chinese patients with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection by Next-generation Sequencing
Authors: Fang Miaoxian , Yu Changjiang , Chen Siyao , Xiong Weiping , Li Xin , Zeng Rong , Zhuang Jian , Fan Ruixin
Published: August 2017

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening pathology and remains challenging worldwide. Up to 40% of TAAD are hereditary with complex heterogeneous genetic backgrounds. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been successfully applied to identify genetic variants in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In our study, NGS coupled with DNA target-capture array was used to screen 11 known causative genes of TAAD in 70 patients from Southern China. All the identified variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. We identified forty variants in 36 patients (51.4%), including three known pathogenic (7.5%), 10 likely pathogenic variants (25%, 9 in FBN1, 1 in ACTA2), and 27 variants with uncertain significance (VUS) (67.5%). Among the 27 VUS, 14 (51.9%) were in the FBN1 gene, 3 in Col5A2, 2 in ACTA2, 2 in MYH11, 2 in MYLK, 2 in SLC2A10, 1 in MSTN and 1 in SMAD3 respectively. Based on the segregation data and independent reports, five known likely pathogenic variants and four VUS were upgraded to pathogenic variant and likely pathogenic variant respectively. Our data indicate that NGS is a highly efficient genetic method for identification of pathogenic variants in TAAD patients.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta is regulated by a Glucocorticoid-Dependent Mechanism in Denervation Mouse Bone
Authors: Li Ye , Jie Ligang , Tian Austin Y. , Zhong Shenrong , Tian Mason Y. , Zhong Yixiu , Wang Yining , Li Hongwei , Li Jinlong , Sun Xiaoyan , Du Hongyan
Published: August 2017

Bone growth and remodeling is inhibited by denervation in adults and children, resulting in alterations of linear growth and bone mass and increased risk for osteoporosis and pathologic fractures. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) isoforms are a key group of growth factors that enhance bone formation. To explore the relation between denervation-induced reduction of bone formation and TGF-β gene expression, we measured mRNA levels of TGF-β in denervation mouse bone and found decreased mRNA levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3. These changes were accompanied by diminishing weight loss, bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular thickness, trabecular separation and trabecular number of femur and lumbar, serum osteocalcin, total calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, and increased serum C telopeptide. Recombinant human TGF-β1 (rhTGF-β1) prevented denervation-induced reduction of BMD further supporting our hypothesis that denervation-induced reduction of bone formation is a result of inhibition of TGF-β gene expression. In addition, antiprogestins RU 38486 blunted the denervation-induced decrease in mRNA levels of TGF-β group, while dexamethasone (DEX) decreased TGF-β group mRNA levels in normal mice. Furthermore, the denervated-mice exhibited a threefold increase in plasma corticosterone. These results suggest that denervation-induced reduction of bone formation may be regulated by glucocorticoids via inhibition of TGF-β gene expression at least in part.
Primary patient-derived lung adenocarcinoma cell culture challenges the association of cancer stem cells with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Tiran Verena , Lindenmann Joerg , Brcic Luka , Heitzer Ellen , Stanzer Stefanie , Tabrizi-Wizsy Nassim Ghaffari , Stacher Elvira , Stoeger Herbert , Popper Helmut H. , Balic Marija , Dandachi Nadia
Published: August 2017

The cancer stem cell (CSC) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) models have been closely associated and used to describe both the formation of metastasis and therapy resistance. We established a primary lung cell culture from a patient in a clinically rare and unique situation of primary resistant disease. This culture consisted of two biologically profoundly distinct adenocarcinoma cell subpopulations, which differed phenotypically and genotypically. One subpopulation initiated and sustained in spheroid cell culture (LT22s) whereas the other subpopulation was only capable of growth and proliferation under adherent conditions (LT22a). In contrast to our expectations, LT22s were strongly associated with the epithelial phenotype, and expressed additionally CSC markers ALDH1 and CD133, whereas the LT22a was characterized as mesenchymal with lack of CSC markers. The LT22s cells also demonstrated an invasive behavior and mimicked gland formation. Finally, LT22s were more resistant to Cisplatin than LT22a cells. We demonstrate a primary lung adenocarcinoma cell culture derived from a patient with resistant disease, with epithelial aggressive subpopulation of cells associated with stem cell features and therapy resistance. Our findings challenge the current model associating CSC and disease resistance mainly to mesenchymal cells and may have important clinical implications.
Genetic studies in mice directly link oocytes produced during adulthood to ovarian function and natural fertility
Authors: Wang Ning , Satirapod Chonthicha , Ohguchi Yasuyo , Park Eun-Sil , Woods Dori C. , Tilly Jonathan L.
Published: August 2017

Multiple labs have reported that mammalian ovaries contain oogonial stem cells (OSCs), which can differentiate into oocytes that fertilize to produce offspring. However, the physiological relevance of these observations to adult ovarian function is unknown. Here we performed targeted and reversible ablation of premeiotic germ cells undergoing differentiation into oocytes in transgenic mice expressing the suicide gene, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk), driven by the promoter of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8), a germ cell-specific gene activated during meiotic commitment. Over a 21-day ablation phase induced by the HSVtk pro-drug, ganciclovir (GCV), oocyte numbers declined due to a disruption of new oocyte input. However, germ cell differentiation resumed after ceasing the ablation protocol, enabling complete regeneration of the oocyte pool. We next employed inducible lineage tracing to fate map, through Cre recombinase-mediated fluorescent reporter gene activation only in Stra8-expressing cells, newly-formed oocytes. Induction of the system during adulthood yielded a mosaic pool of unmarked (pre-existing) and marked (newly-formed) oocytes. Marked oocytes matured and fertilized to produce offspring, which grew normally to adulthood and transmitted the reporter to second-generation offspring. These findings establish that oocytes generated during adulthood contribute directly to ovarian function and natural fertility in mammals.
GPR88 is a critical regulator of feeding and body composition in mice
Authors: Lau Jackie , Farzi Aitak , Enriquez Ronaldo F. , Shi Yan-Chuan , Herzog Herbert
Published: August 2017

GPR88 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor with predominant expression in reward-related areas in the brain. While the lack of GPR88 has been demonstrated to induce behavioral deficits, the potential function of the receptor in the control of food intake and energy balance remains unexplored. In this work, the role of GPR88 in energy homeostasis was investigated in Gpr88−/− mice fed either standard chow or high fat diet (HFD). Gpr88−/− mice showed significantly reduced adiposity accompanied with suppressed spontaneous food intake, particularly pronounced under HFD treatment. While energy expenditure was likewise lower in Gpr88−/− mice, body weight gain remained unchanged. Furthermore, deregulation in glucose tolerance and insulin responsiveness in response to HFD was attenuated in Gpr88−/− mice. On the molecular level, distinct changes in the hypothalamic mRNA levels of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cartpt), a neuropeptide involved in the control of feeding and reward, were observed in Gpr88−/− mice. In addition, GPR88 deficiency was associated with altered expressions of the anorectic Pomc and the orexigenic Npy in the arcuate nucleus, especially under HFD condition. Together, our results indicate that GPR88 signalling is not only important for reward processes, but also plays a role in the central regulatory circuits for energy homeostasis.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 deficiency inhibits neutrophil infiltration after traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Yang Ting , Liu Yang-Wuyue , Zhao Li , Wang Hao , Yang Nan , Dai Shuang-Shuang , He Fengtian
Published: August 2017

Both brain native inflammatory cells and infiltrated peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) are primary participants in the brain inflammatory damage post-TBI. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) has been reported to regulate microglias and astrocytes to affect inflammation after TBI, but its effect on modulating infiltrated peripheral WBCs remains unclear. In a mouse moderate TBI model, we found that mGluR5 knockout (KO) significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain at 24 hours post TBI, which was accompanied by improved neurological dysfunction. Further investigation indicated that mGluR5 KO reduced the permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB), the entrance for neutrophils to enter brain, and markedly decreased the mRNA levels of neutrophil-associated chemokines in brain tissue, including CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, CCL4 and CCL5. Using brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), neutrophils and a BBB model in vitro, we confirmed the inhibitory effect of mGluR5 deficiency on neutrophil infiltration and demonstrated that blockade of protein kinase C (PKC) signaling was involved in it. These results provide insight into the role of mGluR5 in the regulation of inflammation in the acute phase of TBI, which may provide novel clues for TBI therapy.
Comparative RNA function analysis reveals high functional similarity between distantly related bacterial 16 S rRNAs
Authors: Tsukuda Miyuki , Kitahara Kei , Miyazaki Kentaro
Published: August 2017

The 16 S rRNA sequence has long been used uncritically as a molecular clock to infer phylogenetic relationships among prokaryotes without fully elucidating the evolutionary changes that this molecule undergoes. In this study, we investigated the functional evolvability of 16 S rRNA, using comparative RNA function analyses between the 16 S rRNAs of Escherichia coli (Proteobacteria) and Acidobacteria (78% identity, 334 nucleotide differences) in the common genetic background of E. coli. While the growth phenotype of an E. coli mutant harboring the acidobacterial gene was disrupted significantly, it was restored almost completely following introduction of a 16 S rRNA sequence with a single base-pair variation in helix 44; the remaining 332 nucleotides were thus functionally similar to those of E. coli. Our results suggest that 16 S rRNAs share an inflexible cradle structure formed by ribosomal proteins and have evolved by accumulating species-specific yet functionally similar mutations. While this experimental evidence suggests the neutral evolvability of 16 S rRNA genes and hence satisfies the necessary requirements to use the sequence as a molecular clock, it also implies the promiscuous nature of the 16 S rRNA gene, i.e., the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer among bacteria.
Photoinduced Strain Release and Phase Transition Dynamics of Solid-Supported Ultrathin Vanadium Dioxide
Authors: He Xing , Punpongjareorn Napat , Liang Weizheng , Lin Yuan , Chen Chonglin , Jacobson Allan J. , Yang Ding-Shyue
Published: August 2017

The complex phase transitions of vanadium dioxide (VO2) have drawn continual attention for more than five decades. Dynamically, ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with atomic-scale spatiotemporal resolution has been employed to study the reaction pathway in the photoinduced transition of VO2, using bulk and strain-free specimens. Here, we report the UED results from 10-nm-thick crystalline VO2 supported on Al2O3(0001) and examine the influence of surface stress on the photoinduced structural transformation. An ultrafast release of the compressive strain along the surface-normal direction is observed at early times following the photoexcitation, accompanied by faster motions of vanadium dimers that are more complex than simple dilation or bond tilting. Diffraction simulations indicate that the reaction intermediate involved on picosecond times may not be a single state, which implies non-concerted atomic motions on a multidimensional energy landscape. At longer times, a laser fluence multiple times higher than the thermodynamic enthalpy threshold is required for complete conversion from the initial monoclinic structure to the tetragonal lattice. For certain crystalline domains, the structural transformation is not seen even on nanosecond times following an intense photoexcitation. These results signify a time-dependent energy distribution among various degrees of freedom and reveal the nature of and the impact of strain on the photoinduced transition of VO2.
Finding disagreement pathway signatures and constructing an ensemble model for cancer classification
Authors: Zhang Qiaosheng , Li Jie , Wang Dong , Wang Yadong
Published: August 2017

Cancer classification based on molecular level is a relatively routine research procedure with advances in high-throughput molecular profiling techniques. However, the number of genes typically far exceeds the number of the sample size in gene expression studies. The existing gene selection methods are almost based on statistics and machine learning, overlooking relevant biological principles or knowledge while working with biological data. Here, we propose a robust ensemble learning paradigm, which incorporates multiple pathways information, to predict cancer classification. We compare the proposed method with other methods, such as Elastic SCAD and PPDMF, and estimate the classification performance. The results show that the proposed method has the higher performances on most metrics and robust performance. We further investigate the biological mechanism of the ensemble feature genes. The results demonstrate that the ensemble feature genes are associated with drug targets/clinically-relevant cancer. In addition, some core biological pathways and biological process underlying clinically-relevant phenotypes are identified by function annotation. Overall, our research can provide a new perspective for the further study of molecular activities and manifestations of cancer.
TCR–like antibodies mediate complement and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against Epstein-Barr virus–transformed B lymphoblastoid cells expressing different HLA-A*02 microvariants
Authors: Lai Junyun , Choo Joanna Ai Ling , Tan Wei Jian , Too Chien Tei , Oo Min Zin , Suter Manuel A. , Mustafa Fatimah Bte , Srinivasan Nalini , Chan Conrad En Zuo , Lim Andrew Guo Xian , Zhong Youjia , Chan Soh Ha , Hanson Brendon J. , Gascoigne Nicholas R. J. , MacAry Paul A.
Published: August 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common gammaherpesvirus associated with various human malignancies. Antibodies with T cell receptor-like specificities (TCR-like mAbs) provide a means to target intracellular tumor- or virus-associated antigens by recognising their processed peptides presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (pMHC) complexes. These antibodies are however thought to be relevant only for a single HLA allele. Here, we show that HLA-A*02:01-restricted EBV antigenic peptides EBNA1562-570, LMP1125-133and LMP2A426-434display binding degeneracy towards HLA-A*02 allelic microvariants, and that these pMHC complexes are recognised by anti-EBV TCR-like mAbs E1, L1 and L2 raised in the context of HLA-A*02:01. These antibodies bound endogenously derived pMHC targets on EBV–transformed human B lymphoblastoid cell lines expressing A*02:01, A*02:03, A*02:06 and A*02:07 alleles. More importantly, these TCR-like mAbs mediated both complement-dependent and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of these cell linesin vitro. This finding suggests the utility of TCR-like mAbs against target cells of closely related HLA subtypes, and the potential applicability of similar reagents within populations of diverse HLA-A*02 alleles.
Novelty application of multi-omics correlation in the discrimination of sulfur-fumigation and non-sulfur-fumigation Ophiopogonis Radix
Authors: Dai Shengyun , Shang Zhanpeng , Wang Fei , Cao Yanfeng , Shi Xinyuan , Lin Zhaozhou , Wang Zhibin , Li Ning , Lu Jianqiu , Qiao Yanjiang , Zhang Jiayu
Published: August 2017

A rapid and sensitive approach to differentiate sulfur-fumigated (SF) Ophiopogonis Radix based on Multi-Omics Correlation Analysis (MOCA) strategy was first established. It was characterized by multiple data-acquisition methods (NIR, HPLC, and UHPLC-HRMS) based metabonomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. As a result, SF and non-sulfur fumigated (NSF) Ophiopogonis Radix samples were efficaciously discriminated. Moreover, based on the acquired HRMS data, 38 sulfur-containing discriminatory markers were eventually characterized, whose NIR absorption could be in close correlation with the discriminatory NIR wavebands (5000–5200 cm−1) screened by NIR metabonomics coupled with SiPLS and 2D-COS methods. This results were also validated from multiple perspectives, including metabonomics analysis based on the discriminatory markers and the simulation of SF ophiopogonin D and Ophiopogonis Radix sample. In conclusion, our results first revealed the intrinsic mechanism of discriminatory NIR wavebands by means of UHPLC-HRMS analysis. Meanwhile, the established MOCA strategy also provided a promising NIR based differential method for SF Ophiopogonis Radix, which could be exemplary for future researches on rapid discrimination of other SF Chinese herbal medicines.
Dynamics and implications of circulating anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b isoform in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Hueso Luisa , Rios-Navarro Cesar , Ruiz-Sauri Amparo , Chorro Francisco Javier , Nunez Julio , Sanz Maria Jesus , Bodi Vicente , Piqueras Laura
Published: August 2017

Angiogenesis is crucial to restore microvascular perfusion in the jeopardized myocardium in the weeks following reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). (VEGF)-A165b, an anti-angiogenic factor, has been identified as a regulator of vascularization; however, it has not been previously implicated in acute myocardial infarction. We sought to investigate the dynamics of circulating VEGF-A165b and its association with cardiac magnetic resonance-derived infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). 50 STEMI patients and 23 controls were included. Compared with control individuals, serum VEGF-A165b was elevated in STEMI patients prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Following PCI, serum VEGF-A165b increased further, reaching a maximum level at 24 h and decreased one month after reperfusion. VEGF-A165b levels at 24 h were associated with a large infarct size and inversely related to LVEF. VEGF-A165b expression was increased in myocardial infarct areas from patients with previous history of AMI. An ex vivo assay using serum from STEMI patients showed that neutralization of VEGF-A165b increased tubulogenesis. Overall, the study suggests that VEGF-A165b might play a deleterious role after AMI as an inhibitor of angiogenesis in the myocardium. Accordingly, neutralization of VEGF-A165b could represent a novel pro-angiogenic therapy for reperfusion of myocardium in STEMI.
Optimum electronic structures for high thermoelectric figure of merit within several isotropic elastic scattering models
Authors: Yan Yuli , Jin Yu Rong , Zhang Guangbiao , Yang Jiong , Wang Yuanxu , Ren Wei
Published: August 2017

Electronic band structure is vital in determination the performance of thermoelectric materials. What is the optimum electronic structure for the largest figure of merit? To answer the question, we studied the relationship between the thermoelectric properties and the electronic band structure under the assumption of isotropic elastic scattering, within the context of Chasmar-Stratton theory. The results show that whether the anisotropic band structure and the effective mass of the carrier are beneficial to improving the thermoelectric properties. The scattering mechanism and the shape of the Fermi surface play a decisive role. Regardless of scattering mechanism type, a larger valley degeneracy is always beneficial to thermoelectric materials.
Facile electrosynthesis of silicon carbide nanowires from silica/carbon precursors in molten salt
Authors: Zou Xingli , Ji Li , Lu Xionggang , Zhou Zhongfu
Published: August 2017

Silicon carbide nanowires (SiC NWs) have attracted intensive attention in recent years due to their outstanding performances in many applications. A large-scale and facile production of SiC NWs is critical to its successful application. Here, we report a simple method for the production of SiC NWs from inexpensive and abundantly available silica/carbon (SiO2/C) precursors in molten calcium chloride. The solid-to-solid electroreduction and dissolution-electrodeposition mechanisms can easily lead to the formation of homogenous SiC NWs. This template/catalyst-free approach greatly simplifies the synthesis procedure compared to conventional methods. This general strategy opens a direct electrochemical route for the conversion of SiO2/C into SiC NWs, and may also have implications for the electrosynthesis of other micro/nanostructured metal carbides/composites from metal oxides/carbon precursors.
Immunization with truncated envelope protein of Zika virus induces protective immune response in mice
Authors: Han Jian-Feng , Qiu Yang , Yu Jiu-Yang , Wang Hong-Jiang , Deng Yong-Qiang , Li Xiao-Feng , Zhao Hui , Sun Han-Xiao , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: August 2017

The global spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) as well as its unexpected link to infant microcephaly have resulted in serious public health concerns. No antiviral drugs against ZIKV is currently available, and vaccine development is of high priority to prepare for potential ZIKV pandemic. In the present study, a truncated E protein with the N-terminal 90% region reserved (E90) from a contemporary ZIKV strain was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by a Ni-NTA column, and characterized by Western blotting assays. Immunization with recombinant E90 induced robust ZIKV-specific humoral response in adult BALB/c mice. Passive transfer of the antisera from E90-immunized mice conferred full protection against lethal ZIKV challenge in a neonatal mice model. Our results indicate that recombinant ZIKV E90 described here represents as a promising ZIKV subunit vaccine that deserves further clinical development.
Combined effects of ZnO particle deposition and heat treatment on dimensional stability and mechanical properties of poplar wood
Authors: Cui Wei , Zhang Nannan , Xu Min , Cai Liping
Published: August 2017

This study proposed a one-step wood modification method by combining the deposition of ZnO particles on wood surface and heat treatment. The effects of ZnO particles and heat treatment on mechanical properties and dimensional stability of poplar wood were examined. Samples were sorted into 4 groups, i.e., control, heat-treated, impregnation/heat-treated, and hydrothermal-treated samples. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of impregnation/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated wood samples were measured in comparison with those of the control and heat-treated wood samples. Compared with the control ones, the reduction of the flexural strength of the heat-treated, impregnation/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples were about 11.57%, 8.53% and 15.90%, respectively. The modulus of elasticity of the heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples decreased by 13.78% and 23.78%, respectively, while the impregnation/heat-treated samples increased by about 8.57% due to the ZnO particles growth. The dimensional stabilities of the heat-treated, impregnated/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples were improved in comparison with that of the control sample. All samples were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X - ray diffraction (XRD).
The two-pore channel TPC1 is required for efficient protein processing through early and recycling endosomes
Authors: Castonguay Jan , Orth Joachim H. C. , Müller Thomas , Sleman Faten , Grimm Christian , Wahl-Schott Christian , Biel Martin , Mallmann Robert Theodor , Bildl Wolfgang , Schulte Uwe , Klugbauer Norbert
Published: August 2017

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are localized in endo-lysosomal compartments and assumed to play an important role for vesicular fusion and endosomal trafficking. Recently, it has been shown that both TPC1 and 2 were required for host cell entry and pathogenicity of Ebola viruses. Here, we investigate the cellular function of TPC1 using protein toxins as model substrates for distinct endosomal processing routes. Toxin uptake and activation through early endosomes but not processing through other compartments were reduced in TPC1 knockout cells. Detailed co-localization studies with subcellular markers confirmed predominant localization of TPC1 to early and recycling endosomes. Proteomic analysis of native TPC1 channels finally identified direct interaction with a distinct set of syntaxins involved in fusion of intracellular vesicles. Together, our results demonstrate a general role of TPC1 for uptake and processing of proteins in early and recycling endosomes, likely by providing high local Ca2+ concentrations required for SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion.
Effects of light emitting diode irradiation on neural differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal cells
Authors: Dehghani-Soltani Samereh , Shojaee Mohammad , Jalalkamali Mahshid , Babaee Abdolreza , Nematollahi-mahani Seyed Noureddin
Published: August 2017

Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been introduced as a potential physical factor for proliferation and differentiation of various stem cells. Among the mesenchymal stem cells human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal (hUCM) cells are easily propagated in the laboratory and their low immunogenicity make them more appropriate for regenerative medicine procedures. We aimed at this study to evaluate the effect of red and green light emitted from LED on the neural lineage differentiation of hUCM cells in the presence or absence of retinoic acid (RA). Harvested hUCM cells exhibited mesenchymal and stemness properties. Irradiation of these cells by green and red LED with or without RA pre-treatment successfully differentiated them into neural lineage when the morphology of the induced cells, gene expression pattern (nestin, β-tubulin III and Olig2) and protein synthesis (anti-nestin, anti-β-tubulin III, anti-GFAP and anti-O4 antibodies) was evaluated. These data point for the first time to the fact that LED irradiation and optogenetic technology may be applied for neural differentiation and neuronal repair in regenerative medicine.
Conical Refraction of Elastic Waves by Anisotropic Metamaterials and Application for Parallel Translation of Elastic Waves
Authors: Ahn Young Kwan , Lee Hyung Jin , Kim Yoon Young
Published: August 2017

Conical refraction, which is quite well-known in electromagnetic waves, has not been explored well in elastic waves due to the lack of proper natural elastic media. Here, we propose and design a unique anisotropic elastic metamaterial slab that realizes conical refraction for horizontally incident longitudinal or transverse waves; the single-mode wave is split into two oblique coupled longitudinal-shear waves. As an interesting application, we carried out an experiment of parallel translation of an incident elastic wave system through the anisotropic metamaterial slab. The parallel translation can be useful for ultrasonic non-destructive testing of a system hidden by obstacles. While the parallel translation resembles light refraction through a parallel plate without angle deviation between entry and exit beams, this wave behavior cannot be achieved without the engineered metamaterial because an elastic wave incident upon a dissimilar medium is always split at different refraction angles into two different modes, longitudinal and shear.
Maximizing non-enzymatic methods for harvesting adipose-derived stem from lipoaspirate: technical considerations and clinical implications for regenerative surgery
Authors: Bellei Barbara , Migliano Emilia , Tedesco Marinella , Caputo Silvia , Picardo Mauro
Published: August 2017

In the past decade, adipose tissue has become a highly interesting source of adult stem cells for plastic surgery and regenerative medicine. The adipose source offers two options for the isolation of regenerative cells: the enzymatic digestion an expensive time-consuming procedure lacking a common standard operating protocol, or the non-enzymatic dissociation methods based on mechanical forces to break the processed adipose tissue. Here, we propose innovative inexpensive non-enzymatic protocols to collect and concentrate clinically useful regenerative cells from adipose tissue by centrifugation of the infranatant fraction of lipoaspirate as first step, usually discarded as a byproduct of the surgical procedure, and by fat shaking and wash as second enrichment step. The isolated cells were characterized according to the criteria proposed by the Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) to define human mesenchymal stem cells, and the results were compared with matched lipoaspirate samples processed with collagenase. The results demonstrated the usability of these new procedures as an alternative to fat grafting for treating stem cell-depleted tissues and for specific application requiring minimal or null soft tissue augmentation, such as skin diseases including severe burn and post-oncological scaring, chronic non-healing wounds, and vitiligo.
Transcriptomics analysis of salt stress tolerance in the roots of the mangrove Avicennia officinalis
Authors: Krishnamurthy Pannaga , Mohanty Bijayalaxmi , Wijaya Edward , Lee Dong-Yup , Lim Tit-Meng , Lin Qingsong , Xu Jian , Loh Chiang-Shiong , Kumar Prakash P.
Published: August 2017

Salinity affects growth and development of plants, but mangroves exhibit exceptional salt tolerance. With direct exposure to salinity, mangrove roots possess specific adaptations to tolerate salt stress. Therefore, studying the early effects of salt on mangrove roots can help us better understand the tolerance mechanisms. Using two-month-old greenhouse-grown seedlings of the mangrove tree Avicennia officinalis subjected to NaCl treatment, we profiled gene expression changes in the roots by RNA-sequencing. Of the 6547 genes that were differentially regulated in response to salt treatment, 1404 and 5213 genes were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. By comparative genomics, 93 key salt tolerance-related genes were identified of which 47 were up-regulated. Upon placing all the differentially expressed genes (DEG) in known signaling pathways, it was evident that most of the DEGs involved in ethylene and auxin signaling were up-regulated while those involved in ABA signaling were down-regulated. These results imply that ABA-independent signaling pathways also play a major role in salt tolerance of A. officinalis. Further, ethylene response factors (ERFs) were abundantly expressed upon salt treatment and the Arabidopsis mutant aterf115, a homolog of AoERF114 is characterized. Overall, our results would help in understanding the possible molecular mechanism underlying salt tolerance in plants.
Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells Grown on Porous Silicon Membrane for Transfer to the Rat Eye
Authors: Irani Yazad D. , Klebe Sonja , McInnes Steven J. P. , Jasieniak Marek , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Williams Keryn A.
Published: August 2017

Dysfunction of limbal stem cells or their niche can result in painful, potentially sight-threatening ocular surface disease. We examined the utility of surface-modified porous-silicon (pSi) membranes as a scaffold for the transfer of oral mucosal cells to the eye. Male-origin rat oral mucosal epithelial cells were grown on pSi coated with collagen-IV and vitronectin, and characterised by immunocytochemistry. Scaffolds bearing cells were implanted into normal female rats, close to the limbus, for 8 weeks. Histology, immunohistochemistry and a multiplex nested PCR for sry were performed to detect transplanted cells. Oral mucosal epithelial cells expanded on pSi scaffolds expressed the corneal epithelial cell marker CK3/12. A large percentage of cells were p63+, indicative of proliferative potential, and a small proportion expressed ABCG2+, a putative stem cell marker. Cell-bearing scaffolds transferred to the eyes of live rats, were well tolerated, as assessed by endpoint histology. Immunohistochemistry for pan-cytokeratins demonstrated that transplanted epithelial cells were retained on the pSi membranes at 8 weeks post-implant, but were not detectable on the central cornea using PCR for sry. The pSi scaffolds supported and retained transplanted rat oral mucosal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo and recapitulate some aspects of an artificial stem cell niche.
Aurora A Phosphorylation of YY1 during Mitosis Inactivates its DNA Binding Activity
Authors: Alexander Karen E. , Rizkallah Raed
Published: August 2017

Successful execution of mitotic cell division requires the tight synchronisation of numerous biochemical pathways. The underlying mechanisms that govern chromosome segregation have been thoroughly investigated. However, the mechanisms that regulate transcription factors in coordination with mitotic progression remain poorly understood. In this report, we identify the transcription factor YY1 as a novel mitotic substrate for the Aurora A kinase, a key regulator of critical mitotic events, like centrosome maturation and spindle formation. Using in vitro kinase assays, we show that Aurora A directly phosphorylates YY1 at serine 365 in the DNA-binding domain. Using a new phospho-specific antibody, we show that YY1 phosphorylation at serine 365 occurs during mitosis, and that this phosphorylation is significantly reduced upon inhibition of Aurora A. Furthermore, we show, using electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, that phosphorylation of YY1 at this site abolishes its DNA binding activity in vitro and in vivo. In conformity with this loss of binding activity, phosphorylated YY1 also loses its transctivation ability as demonstrated by a luciferase reporter assay. These results uncover a novel mechanism that implicates Aurora A in the mitotic inactivation of transcription factors.
Correction: Corrigendum: Male African elephants discriminate and prefer vocalizations of unfamiliar females
Authors: Stoeger Angela S. , Baotic Anton
Published: August 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 46414; published online: 19 April 2017; updated: 24 August 2017. This Article contains an error in the Acknowledgements section, where “This research was funded by the FWF, the Austrian Science Fund [P26488-N30].” should read: “This research was funded by the FWF, the Austrian Science Fund [P26448-N30].
Palladium-catalysed alkene chain-running isomerization
Authors: Kocen Andrew L. , Brookhart Maurice , Daugulis Olafs
Published: August 2017

We report a method for palladium-catalysed chain-running isomerization of terminal and internal alkenes.
A luminescent heterometallic metal–organic framework for the naked-eye discrimination of nitroaromatic explosives
Authors: Qi Xiujuan , Jin Yunhe , Li Na , Wang Zhi , Wang Kangcai , Zhang Qinghua
Published: August 2017

A heterometallic MOF with strong blue fluorescence and interrupted cap topology was synthesized, which not only showed naked-eye selective detection ability towards the nitro explosive trinitrobenzene but also displayed the high sensing selectivity towards picric acid.
Low-lying, Rydberg states of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cyclic alkanes
Authors: Bohl E. , Mignolet B. , Johansson J. O. , Remacle F. , Campbell E. E. B.
Published: August 2017

TD-DFT calculations of low-lying, Rydberg states of a series of polycyclic hydrocarbons and cyclic alkanes are presented.
Direct observation of the photoinduced electron transfer processes of bis(4-arylphenylamino benzo)-ortho-carborane using transient absorption spectroscopic measurements
Authors: Son Mi Rang , Cho Yang-Jin , Kim So-Yeon , Son Ho-Jin , Cho Dae Won , Kang Sang Ook
Published: August 2017

The characteristic Cb˙− and Ar˙+ species of ortho-carborane triads generated by the photoinduced electron transfer are investigated by transient absorption measurement.
Sibling rivalry: intrinsic luminescence from two xanthene dye monoanions, resorufin and fluorescein, provides evidence for excited-state proton transfer in the latter
Authors: Kjær Christina , Brøndsted Nielsen Steen , Stockett Mark H.
Published: August 2017

Excited-state proton transfer in gas-phase fluorescein monoanions results in a broad, featureless emission band and a large Stokes shift compared to resorufin, which shares the same xanthene core structure.
A new family of clusters containing a silver-centered tetracapped [Ag@Ag4(μ3-P)4] tetrahedron, inscribed within a N12 icosahedron
Authors: Artem'ev Alexander V. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Doronina Evgeniya P. , Tolstoy Peter M. , Gushchin Artem L. , Rakhmanova Mariana I. , Ivanov Alexander Yu. , Suturina Anastasiya O.
Published: August 2017

A novel family of clusters, containing Ag-centered P-tetracapped tetrahedron, [Ag@Ag4(μ3-P)4], inscribed within a N12 icosahedron, is presented.
Rotaxane synthesis exploiting the M(i)/M(iii) redox couple
Authors: Emerson-King Jack , Knighton Richard C. , Gyton Matthew R. , Chaplin Adrian B.
Published: August 2017

In the context of advancing the use of metal-based building blocks for the construction of new and interesting mechanically interlocked molecules, we herein describe the preparation of rhodium and iridium containing [2]rotaxanes.
Correction: Dual-ions electrochemical deionization: a desalination generator
Authors: Chen Fuming , Huang Yinxi , Guo Lu , Sun Linfeng , Wang Ye , Yang Hui Ying
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Dual-ions electrochemical deionization: a desalination generator’ by Fuming Chen et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7ee00855d.
On-skin liquid metal inertial sensor
Authors: Varga Matija , Ladd Collin , Ma Siyuan , Holbery Jim , Tröster Gerhard
Published: August 2017

Design and characterization of a novel soft and stretchable inertial sensor based on a eutectic gallium–indium droplet and silicone elastomer.
Anisotropic permeability in deterministic lateral displacement arrays
Authors: Vernekar Rohan , Krüger Timm , Loutherback Kevin , Morton Keith , W. Inglis David
Published: August 2017

Inherent array anisotropy causes unintended particle trajectories in a large class of deterministic lateral displacement microfluidic separation devices.
Controlling the photochemical reaction of an azastilbene derivative in water using a water-soluble pillar[6]arene
Authors: Xia Danyu , Wang Pi , Shi Bingbing
Published: August 2017

A host–guest system in water based on a water-soluble pillar[6]arene and an azastilbene derivative, (E)-4,4′-dimethyl-4,4′-diazoniastilbene diiodide, has been constructed. Then this water-soluble pillar[6]arene was successfully used to control the photohydration of the azastilbene derivative in water as a “protective agent”.