bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bidentate Polycomb Repressive-Deubiquitinase complex is required for efficient activity on nucleosomes
Authors: Foglizzo Martina , Middleton Adam J. , Burgess Abigail E. , Crowther Jennifer M. , Dobson Renwick C. J. , Murphy James M. , Day Catherine L. , Mace Peter D.
Published: September 2018

Attachment of ubiquitin to lysine 119 of Histone 2A (H2AK119Ub) is an epigenetic mark characteristic of repressed developmental genes, which is removed by the Polycomb Repressive-Deubiquitinase (PR-DUB) complex. Here we report the crystal structure of the Drosophila PR-DUB, revealing that the deubiquitinase Calypso and its activating partner ASX form a 2:2 complex. The bidentate Calypso–ASX complex is generated by dimerisation of two activated Calypso proteins through their coiled-coil regions. Disrupting the Calypso dimer interface does not affect inherent catalytic activity, but inhibits removal of H2AK119Ub as a consequence of impaired recruitment to nucleosomes. Mutating the equivalent surface on the human counterpart, BAP1, also compromises activity on nucleosomes. Together, this suggests that high local concentrations drive assembly of bidentate PR-DUB complexes on chromatin—providing a mechanistic basis for enhanced PR-DUB activity at specific genomic foci, and the impact of distinct classes of PR-DUB mutations in tumorigenesis.
A distal centriolar protein network controls organelle maturation and asymmetry
Authors: Wang Lei , Failler Marion , Fu Wenxiang , Dynlacht Brian D.
Published: September 2018

A long-standing mystery in the centrosome field pertains to the origin of asymmetry within the organelle. The removal of daughter centriole-specific/enriched proteins (DCPs) and acquisition of distal appendages on the future mother centriole are two important steps in the generation of asymmetry. We find that DCPs are recruited sequentially, and their removal is abolished in cells lacking Talpid3 or C2CD3. We show that removal of certain DCPs constitutes another level of control for distal appendage (DA) assembly. Remarkably, we also find that Talpid3 forms a distal centriolar multi-functional hub that coordinates the removal of specific DCPs, DA assembly, and recruitment of ciliary vesicles through distinct regions mutated in ciliopathies. Finally, we show that Talpid3, C2CD3, and OFD1 differentially regulate the assembly of sub-distal appendages, the CEP350/FOP/CEP19 module, centriolar satellites, and actin networks. Our work extends the spatial and functional understanding of proteins that control organelle maturation and asymmetry, ciliogenesis, and human disease.
The MinDE system is a generic spatial cue for membrane protein distribution in vitro
Authors: Ramm Beatrice , Glock Philipp , Mücksch Jonas , Blumhardt Philipp , García-Soriano Daniela A. , Heymann Michael , Schwille Petra
Published: September 2018

The E. coli MinCDE system has become a paradigmatic reaction–diffusion system in biology. The membrane-bound ATPase MinD and ATPase-activating protein MinE oscillate between the cell poles followed by MinC, thus positioning the main division protein FtsZ at midcell. Here we report that these energy-consuming MinDE oscillations may play a role beyond constraining MinC/FtsZ localization. Using an in vitro reconstitution assay, we show that MinDE self-organization can spatially regulate a variety of functionally completely unrelated membrane proteins into patterns and gradients. By concentration waves sweeping over the membrane, they induce a direct net transport of tightly membrane-attached molecules. That the MinDE system can spatiotemporally control a much larger set of proteins than previously known, may constitute a MinC-independent pathway to division site selection and chromosome segregation. Moreover, the here described phenomenon of active transport through a traveling diffusion barrier may point to a general mechanism of spatiotemporal regulation in cells.
Probing ultrafast spin-relaxation and precession dynamics in a cuprate Mott insulator with seven-femtosecond optical pulses
Authors: Miyamoto T. , Matsui Y. , Terashige T. , Morimoto T. , Sono N. , Yada H. , Ishihara S. , Watanabe Y. , Adachi S. , Ito T. , Oka K. , Sawa A. , Okamoto H.
Published: September 2018

A charge excitation in a two-dimensional Mott insulator is strongly coupled with the surrounding spins, which is observed as magnetic-polaron formations of doped carriers and a magnon sideband in the Mott-gap transition spectrum. However, the dynamics related to the spin sector are difficult to measure. Here, we show that pump-probe reflection spectroscopy with seven-femtosecond laser pulses can detect the optically induced spin dynamics in Nd2CuO4, a typical cuprate Mott insulator. The bleaching signal at the Mott-gap transition is enhanced at ~18 fs. This time constant is attributable to the spin-relaxation time during magnetic-polaron formation, which is characterized by the exchange interaction. More importantly, ultrafast coherent oscillations appear in the time evolution of the reflectivity changes, and their frequencies (1400–2700 cm−1) are equal to the probe energy measured from the Mott-gap transition peak. These oscillations can be interpreted as the interference between charge excitations with two magnons originating from charge–spin coupling.
Crystal structure of the red light-activated channelrhodopsin Chrimson
Authors: Oda Kazumasa , Vierock Johannes , Oishi Satomi , Rodriguez-Rozada Silvia , Taniguchi Reiya , Yamashita Keitaro , Wiegert J. Simon , Nishizawa Tomohiro , Hegemann Peter , Nureki Osamu
Published: September 2018

Channelrhodopsins are light-activated ion channels that mediate cation permeation across cell membranes upon light absorption. Red-light-activated channelrhodopsins are of particular interest, because red light penetrates deeper into biological tissues and also enables dual-color experiments in combination with blue-light-activated optogenetic tools. Here we report the crystal structure of the most red-shifted channelrhodopsin from the algae Chlamydomonas noctigama, Chrimson, at 2.6 Å resolution. Chrimson resembles prokaryotic proton pumps in the retinal binding pocket, while sharing similarity with other channelrhodopsins in the ion-conducting pore. Concomitant mutation analysis identified the structural features that are responsible for Chrimson’s red light sensitivity; namely, the protonation of the counterion for the retinal Schiff base, and the polar residue distribution and rigidity of the retinal binding pocket. Based on these mechanistic insights, we engineered ChrimsonSA, a mutant with a maximum activation wavelength red-shifted beyond 605 nm and accelerated closing kinetics.
Modulation of plant-mediated interactions between herbivores of different feeding guilds: Effects of parasitism and belowground interactions
Authors: Vaello Teresa , Sarde Sandeep J. , Marcos-García Mª Ángeles , de Boer Jetske G. , Pineda Ana
Published: September 2018

Herbivory affects subsequent herbivores, mainly regulated by the phytohormones jasmonic (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Additionally, organisms such as soil microbes belowground or parasitoids that develop inside their herbivorous hosts aboveground, can change plant responses to herbivory. However, it is not yet well known how organisms of trophic levels other than herbivores, below- and above-ground, alter the interactions between insect species sharing a host plant. Here, we investigated whether the parasitoid Aphidius colemani and different soil microbial communities (created through plant-soil feedbacks) affect the JA and SA signalling pathways in response to the aphid Myzus persicae and the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis, as well as subsequent thrips performance. Our results show that the expression of the JA-responsive gene CaPINII in sweet pepper was more suppressed by aphids than by parasitised aphids. However, parasitism did not affect the expression of CaPAL1, a biosynthetic gene of SA. Furthermore, aphid feeding enhanced thrips performance compared with uninfested plants, but this was not observed when aphids were parasitised. Soils where different plant species were previously grown, did not affect plant responses or the interaction between herbivores. Our study shows that members of the third trophic level can modify herbivore interactions by altering plant physiology.
The prognostic significance of heart-type fatty acid binding protein in patients with stable coronary heart disease
Authors: Ho Sing-Kong , Wu Yen-Wen , Tseng Wei-Kung , Leu Hsin-Bang , Yin Wei-Hsian , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Chang Kuan-Cheng , Wang Ji-Hung , Yeh Hung-I , Wu Chau-Chung , Chen Jaw-Wen
Published: September 2018

To investigate the prognostic value of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with stable coronary heart disease (SCHD). A total of 1,071 patients with SCHD were prospectively enrolled in this Taiwan multicenter registry study, followed for 24 months. The cut-off value of H-FABP, 4.143 ng/mL, was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. The primary cardiovascular (CV) outcome was composite CV events, defined as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, angina related-hospitalization, PAOD-related hospitalization and heart failure. Secondary outcomes included CV or cerebrovascular death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and acute heart failure-related hospitalization. We found that the high H-FABP group had more than a two-fold higher rate of primary CV outcomes than the low H-FABP group (32.36% vs. 15.78%, p < 0.001). Eleven patients (4.82%) of the high H-FABP group died during the 24 months of follow-up, compared to only one patient (0.12%) in the low H-FABP group. The acute heart failure-related hospitalization rate was also significantly higher in the high H-FABP group (3.5% vs. 0.95%, p < 0.005). The results remained significant after adjusting for baseline covariates. In conclusion, H-FABP was an independent predictor for CV outcomes in the patients with SCHD, mainly in CV death and acute heart failure-related hospitalization.
Distribution patterns and variation analysis of simple sequence repeats in different genomic regions of bovid genomes
Authors: Qi Wen-Hua , Jiang Xue-Mei , Yan Chao-Chao , Zhang Wan-Qing , Xiao Guo-Sheng , Yue Bi-Song , Zhou Cai-Quan
Published: September 2018

As the first examination of distribution, guanine-cytosine (GC) pattern, and variation analysis of microsatellites (SSRs) in different genomic regions of six bovid species, SSRs displayed nonrandomly distribution in different regions. SSR abundances are much higher in the introns, transposable elements (TEs), and intergenic regions compared to the 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs), 5′UTRs and coding regions. Trinucleotide perfect SSRs (P-SSRs) were the most frequent in the coding regions, whereas, mononucleotide P-SSRs were the most in the introns, 3′UTRs, TEs, and intergenic regions. Trifold P-SSRs had more GC-contents in the 5′UTRs and coding regions than that in the introns, 3′UTRs, TEs, and intergenic regions, whereas mononucleotide P-SSRs had the least GC-contents in all genomic regions. The repeat copy numbers (RCN) of the same mono- to hexanucleotide P-SSRs showed significantly different distributions in different regions (P < 0.01). Except for the coding regions, mononucleotide P-SSRs had the most RCNs, followed by the pattern: di- > tri- > tetra- > penta- > hexanucleotide P-SSRs in the same regions. The analysis of coefficient of variability (CV) of SSRs showed that the CV variations of RCN of the same mono- to hexanucleotide SSRs were relative higher in the intronic and intergenic regions, followed by the CV variation of RCN in the TEs, and the relative lower was in the 5′UTRs, 3′UTRs, and coding regions. Wide SSR analysis of different genomic regions has helped to reveal biological significances of their distributions.
Transgene-free genome editing in marine algae by bacterial conjugation – comparison with biolistic CRISPR/Cas9 transformation
Authors: Sharma A. K. , Nymark M. , Sparstad T. , Bones A. M. , Winge P.
Published: September 2018

The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has opened the possibility for targeted genome editing in various organisms including diatom model organisms. One standard method for delivery of vectors to diatom cells is by biolistic particle bombardment. Recently delivery by conjugation was added to the tool-box. An important difference between these methods is that biolistic transformation results in transgene integration of vector DNA into the algae genome, whereas conjugative transformation allows the vector to be maintained as an episome in the recipient cells. In this study, we have used both transformation methods to deliver the CRISPR/Cas9 system to the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum aiming to induce mutations in a common target gene. This allowed us to compare the two CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems with regard to mutation efficiency, and to assess potential problems connected to constitutive expression of Cas9. We found that the percentage of CRISPR-induced targeted biallelic mutations are similar for both methods, but an extended growth period might be needed to induce biallelic mutations when the CRISPR/Cas9 system is episomal. Independent of the CRISPR/Cas9 vector system, constitutive expression of Cas9 can cause re-editing of mutant lines with small indels. Complications associated with the biolistic transformation system like the permanent and random integration of foreign DNA into the host genome and unstable mutant lines caused by constitutive expression of Cas9 can be avoided using the episomal CRISPR/Cas9 system. The episomal vector can be eliminated from the diatom cells by removal of selection pressure, resulting in transient Cas9 expression and non-transgenic mutant lines. Depending on legislation, such lines might be considered as non-GMOs.
CDKN2A as transcriptomic marker for muscle-invasive bladder cancer risk stratification and therapy decision-making
Authors: Worst Thomas S. , Weis Cleo-Aron , Stöhr Robert , Bertz Simone , Eckstein Markus , Otto Wolfgang , Breyer Johannes , Hartmann Arndt , Bolenz Christian , Wirtz Ralph M. , Erben Philipp
Published: September 2018

Deletions of the cell cycle control gene CDKN2A are described as progression markers of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and to be associated with fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGFR3) mutations. The prognostic role of CDKN2A RNA expression in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is under discussion. In 80 MIBC patients (m/f 60/20) who underwent radical cystectomy the expression of CDKN2A and FGFR3 was examined with qRT-PCR (test cohort). The MDA cohort (n = 57) and the TCGA cohort (n = 365) served for validation. The expression of drug target genes and TCGA molecular subtypes was correlated with CDKN2A expression. In the test cohort CDKN2Ahigh patients (n = 8; 10.0%) had a significantly shorter recurrence-free (p = 0.018) and disease-specific (p = 0.006) survival compared to the rest of the cohort. A similar stratification was seen in the validation cohorts (CDKN2Ahigh: n = 7, 12.3%, p = 0.001; n = 46, 12.6%, p = 0.011). In the TCGA cohort these patients had a comparably low expression of drug target genes. The expression of CDKN2A significantly differed among TGCA molecular subtypes. 71.7% of CDKN2Ahigh were TCGA basal squamous tumours but also show divergent molecular features compared to this group. In summary CDKN2A RNA expression-based risk stratification of MIBC allows the identification of a CDKN2Ahigh poor prognosis group with low expression of drug target genes.
High-temperature thermal stability driven by magnetization dilution in CoFeB free layers for spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory
Authors: Iwata-Harms Jodi M. , Jan Guenole , Liu Huanlong , Serrano-Guisan Santiago , Zhu Jian , Thomas Luc , Tong Ru-Ying , Sundar Vignesh , Wang Po-Kang
Published: September 2018

Spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) is the most promising emerging non-volatile embedded memory. For most applications, a wide range of operating temperatures is required, for example −40 °C to +150 °C for automotive applications. This presents a challenge for STT-MRAM, because the magnetic anisotropy responsible for data retention decreases rapidly with temperature. In order to compensate for the loss of thermal stability at high temperature, the anisotropy of the devices must be increased. This in turn leads to larger write currents at lower temperatures, thus reducing the efficiency of the memory. Despite the importance of high-temperature performance of STT-MRAM for energy efficient design, thorough physical understanding of the key parameters driving its behavior is still lacking. Here we report on CoFeB free layers diluted with state-of-the-art non-magnetic metallic impurities. By varying the impurity material and concentration to modulate the magnetization, we demonstrate that the magnetization is the primary factor driving the temperature dependence of the anisotropy and thermal stability. We use this understanding to develop a simple model allowing for the prediction of thermal stability of STT-MRAM devices from blanket film properties, and find good agreement with direct measurements of patterned devices.
Surveying the genome and constructing a high-density genetic map of napiergrass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach)
Authors: Paudel Dev , Kannan Baskaran , Yang Xiping , Harris-Shultz Karen , Thudi Mahendar , Varshney Rajeev K. , Altpeter Fredy , Wang Jianping
Published: September 2018

Napiergrass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach) is a tropical forage grass and a promising lignocellulosic biofuel feedstock due to its high biomass yield, persistence, and nutritive value. However, its utilization for breeding has lagged behind other crops due to limited genetic and genomic resources. In this study, next-generation sequencing was first used to survey the genome of napiergrass. Napiergrass sequences displayed high synteny to the pearl millet genome and showed expansions in the pearl millet genome along with genomic rearrangements between the two genomes. An average repeat content of 27.5% was observed in napiergrass including 5,339 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Furthermore, to construct a high-density genetic map of napiergrass, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was employed in a bi-parental population of 185 F1 hybrids. A total of 512 million high quality reads were generated and 287,093 SNPs were called by using multiple de-novo and reference-based SNP callers. Single dose SNPs were used to construct the first high-density linkage map that resulted in 1,913 SNPs mapped to 14 linkage groups, spanning a length of 1,410 cM and a density of 1 marker per 0.73 cM. This map can be used for many further genetic and genomic studies in napiergrass and related species.
A short isoform of ATG7 fails to lipidate LC3/GABARAP
Authors: Ogmundsdottir M. H. , Fock V. , Sooman L. , Pogenberg V. , Dilshat R. , Bindesbøll C. , Ogmundsdottir H. M. , Simonsen A. , Wilmanns M. , Steingrimsson E.
Published: September 2018

Autophagy is a degradation pathway important for cellular homeostasis. The E1-like enzyme ATG7 is a key component of the autophagy machinery, with the main function of mediating the lipidation of LC3/GABARAP during autophagosome formation. By analysing mRNA-sequencing data we found that in addition to the full-length ATG7 isoform, various tissues express a shorter isoform lacking an exon of 27 amino acids in the C-terminal part of the protein, termed ATG7(2). We further show that ATG7(2) does not bind LC3B and fails to mediate the lipidation of members of the LC3/GABARAP family. We have thus identified an isoform of ATG7 that is unable to carry out the best characterized function of the protein during the autophagic response. This short isoform will have to be taken into consideration when further studying the role of ATG7.
Fecal microbiota profile in a group of myasthenia gravis patients
Authors: Moris German , Arboleya Silvia , Mancabelli Leonardo , Milani Christian , Ventura Marco , de los Reyes-Gavilán Clara G. , Gueimonde Miguel
Published: September 2018

The intestinal microbiota plays a key role in the maintenance of human health. Alterations in this microbiota have been described in several autoimmune diseases, including nervous system diseases. Nevertheless, the information regarding neuromuscular conditions is still limited. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the intestinal microbiota composition in myasthenia gravis patients (MG). To this end fecal samples were taken from ten patients, with antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor, and ten age and sex matched controls from the same population (Asturias region, Spain). Fecal samples were submitted to microbiota analyses by 16S rRNA gene profiling, bifidobacterial ITS-region profiling and qPCR. The fecal levels of short chain fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. MG patients were found to harbor lower relative proportions of Verrucomicrobiaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, among others, and increased of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the family Desulfovibrionaceae. The increase of these latter microbial groups was also confirmed at quantitative level by qPCR. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found between MG patients and the control group in the bifidobacterial population at the species level or in short chain fatty acids profiles. Our data indicates an altered fecal microbiota pattern in MG patients and point out at specific microbiota targets for intervention in this population.
Impact of Age and Diastolic Function on Novel, 4D flow CMR Biomarkers of Left Ventricular Blood Flow Kinetic Energy
Authors: Crandon Saul , Westenberg Jos J. M. , Swoboda Peter P. , Fent Graham J. , Foley James R. J. , Chew Pei G. , Brown Louise A. E. , Saunderson Christopher , Al-Mohammad Abdallah , Greenwood John P. , van der Geest Rob J. , Dall’Armellina Erica , Plein Sven , Garg Pankaj
Published: September 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) methods of assessing mitral inflow velocities are pre-load dependent, limiting their reliability for evaluating diastolic function. Left ventricular (LV) blood flow kinetic energy (KE) derived from four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow CMR) may offer improvements. It remains unclear whether 4D LV blood flow KE parameters are associated with physiological factors, such as age when compared to 2D mitral inflow velocities. Fifty-three healthy volunteers underwent standard CMR, plus 4D flow acquisition. LV blood flow KE parameters demonstrated good reproducibility with mean coefficient of variation of 6 ± 2% and an accuracy of 99% with a precision of 97%. The LV blood flow KEiEDV E/A ratio demonstrated good association to the 2D mitral inflow E/A ratio (r = 0.77, P < 0.01), with both decreasing progressively with advancing age (P < 0.01). Furthermore, peak E-wave KEiEDV and A-wave KEiEDV displayed a stronger association to age than the corresponding 2D metrics, peak E-wave and A-wave velocity (r = −0.51 vs −0.17 and r = 0.65 vs 0.46). Peak E-wave KEiEDV decreases whilst peak A-wave KEiEDV increases with advancing age. This study presents values for various LV blood flow KE parameters in health, as well as demonstrating that they show stronger and independent correlations to age than standard diastolic metrics.
Micro-computed tomography and histology to explore internal morphology in decapod larvae
Authors: Castejón Diego , Alba-Tercedor Javier , Rotllant Guiomar , Ribes Enric , Durfort Mercè , Guerao Guillermo
Published: September 2018

Traditionally, the internal morphology of crustacean larvae has been studied using destructive techniques such as dissection and microscopy. The present study combines advances in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology to study the internal morphology of decapod larvae, using the common spider crab (Maja brachydactylaBalss, 1922) as a model and resolving the individual limitations of these techniques. The synergy of micro-CT and histology allows the organs to be easily identified, revealing simultaneously the gross morphology (shape, size, and location) and histological organization (tissue arrangement and cell identification). Micro-CT shows mainly the exoskeleton, musculature, digestive and nervous systems, and secondarily the circulatory and respiratory systems, while histology distinguishes several cell types and confirms the organ identity. Micro-CT resolves a discrepancy in the literature regarding the nervous system of crab larvae. The major changes occur in the metamorphosis to the megalopa stage, specifically the formation of the gastric mill, the shortening of the abdominal nerve cord, the curving of the abdomen beneath the cephalothorax, and the development of functional pereiopods, pleopods, and lamellate gills. The combination of micro-CT and histology provides better results than either one alone.
Comparison of immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy between heat-shock proteins, HSP70 and GrpE, in the DnaK operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kim Woo Sik , Kim Jong-Seok , Kim Hong Min , Kwon Kee Woong , Eum Seok-Yong , Shin Sung Jae
Published: September 2018

Antigens (Ags) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) that are constitutively expressed, overexpressed during growth, essential for survival, and highly conserved may be good vaccine targets if they induce the appropriate anti-Mtb Th1 immune response. In this context, stress response-related antigens of Mtb might serve as attractive targets for vaccine development as they are rapidly expressed and are up-regulated during Mtb infection in vivo. Our group recently demonstrated that GrpE, encoded by rv0351 as a cofactor of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the DnaK operon, is a novel immune activator that interacts with DCs to generate Th1-biased memory T cells in an antigen-specific manner. In this study, GrpE was evaluated as a subunit vaccine in comparison with the well-known HSP70 against the hyper-virulent Mtb Beijing K-strain. Both HSP70- and GrpE-specific effector/memory T cells expanded to a similar extent as those stimulated with ESAT-6 in the lung and spleen of Mtb-infected mice, but GrpE only produced a similar level of IFN-γ to that produced by ESAT-6 stimulation during the late phase and the early phase of Mtb K infection, indicating that GrpE is highly-well recognised by the host immune system as a T cell antigen. Mice immunised with the GrpE subunit vaccine displayed enhanced antigen-specific IFN-γ and serum IgG2c responses along with antigen-specific effector/memory T cell expansion in the lungs. In addition, GrpE-immunisation markedly induced multifunctional Th1-type CD4+ T cells co-expressing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in the lungs of Mtb K-infected mice, whereas HSP70-immunisation induced mixed Th1/Th2 immune responses. GrpE-immunisation conferred a more significant protective effect than that of HSP70-immunisation in terms of bacterial reduction and improved inflammation, accompanied by the remarkable persistence of GrpE-specific multifunctional CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that GrpE is an excellent vaccine antigen component for the development of a multi-antigenic Mtb subunit vaccine by generating Th1-biased memory T cells with multifunctional capacity, and confers durable protection against the highly virulent Mtb K.
ERK activating peptide, AES16-2M promotes wound healing through accelerating migration of keratinocytes
Authors: Lee Sora , Kim Myun Soo , Jung Su-Jin , Kim Daejin , Park Hyun Jeong , Cho Daeho
Published: September 2018

Wound healing is an important issue that influences quality of life, and the need for products associated with wound healing is growing annually. New materials and therapies for skin wounds are being continuously researched and developed in order to increase treatment efficacy. Here, we show that the peptide AES16-2M comprised of five short amino acid sequences (REGRT) demonstrates efficacy in wound healing. AES16-2M exerted more effective healing than the control in an acute wound model, and tissue regeneration was similar to that of normal tissue in AES16-2M-treated skin. We found that the increase in re-epithelialization by AES16-2M early in wound development was due to migration of keratinocytes; a scratch assay using a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) also demonstrated effective wound closure by AES16-2M. The migration of keratinocytes effected by AES16-2M was promoted through ERK phosphorylation and blocked with U0126, an ERK inhibitor. Moreover, AES16-2M treatment stimulated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) migration as well as keratinocyte. Taken together, these results suggest that AES16-2M can be an effective therapeutic agent for wound healing by promoting migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts via ERK phosphorylation.
Regulation of the effector function of CD8+ T cells by gut microbiota-derived metabolite butyrate
Authors: Luu Maik , Weigand Katharina , Wedi Fatana , Breidenbend Carina , Leister Hanna , Pautz Sabine , Adhikary Till , Visekruna Alexander
Published: September 2018

The gut microbiota produces metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that regulate the energy homeostasis and impact on immune cell function of the host. Recently, innovative approaches based on the oral administration of SCFAs have been discussed for therapeutic modification of inflammatory immune responses in autoimmune diseases. So far, most studies have investigated the SCFA-mediated effects on CD4+ T cells and antigen presenting cells. Here we show that butyrate and, to a lesser degree, propionate directly modulate the gene expression of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and Tc17 cells. Increased IFN-γ and granzyme B expression by CTLs as well as the molecular switch of Tc17 cells towards the CTL phenotype was mediated by butyrate independently of its interaction with specific SCFA-receptors GPR41 and GPR43. Our results indicate that butyrate strongly inhibited histone-deacetylases (HDACs) in CD8+ T cells thereby affecting the gene expression of effector molecules. Accordingly, the pan-HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium valproate exerted similar influence on CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, higher acetate concentrations were also able to increase IFN-γ production in CD8+ T lymphocytes by modulating cellular metabolism and mTOR activity. These findings might have significant implications in adoptive immunotherapy of cancers and in anti-viral immunity.
Deletion of BmoR affects the expression of genes related to thiol/disulfide balance in Bacteroides fragilis
Authors: Teixeira Felipe L. , Pauer Heidi , Costa Scarlathe B. , Smith C. Jeffrey , Domingues Regina M. C. P. , Rocha Edson R. , Lobo Leandro A.
Published: September 2018

Bacteroides fragilis, an opportunistic pathogen and commensal bacterium in the gut, is one the most aerotolerant species among strict anaerobes. However, the mechanisms that control gene regulation in response to oxidative stress are not completely understood. In this study, we show that the MarR type regulator, BmoR, regulates the expression of genes involved in the homeostasis of intracellular redox state. Transcriptome analysis showed that absence of BmoR leads to altered expression in total of 167 genes. Sixteen of these genes had a 2-fold or greater change in their expression. Most of these genes are related to LPS biosynthesis and carbohydrates metabolism, but there was a significant increase in the expression of genes related to the redox balance inside the cell. A pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase located directly upstream of bmoR was shown to be repressed by direct binding of BmoR to the promoter region. The expression of two other genes, coding for a thiosulphate:quinone-oxidoreductase and a thioredoxin, are indirectly affected by bmoR mutation during oxygen exposure. Phenotypic assays showed that BmoR is important to maintain the thiol/disulfide balance in the cell, confirming its relevance to B. fragilis response to oxidative stress.
Cyanomethyl anion transfer reagents for diastereoselective Corey–Chaykovsky cyclopropanation reactions
Authors: Hommelsheim Renè , Hock Katharina J. , Schumacher Christian , Hussein Mohanad A. , Nguyen Thanh V. , Koenigs Rene M.
Published: September 2018

A readily available sulfonium salt opens up new synthetic pathways to access nitrile cyclopropanes in a highly diastereoselective fashion.
Metal-free direct C-arylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and ethyl cyanoacetate: a platform to access diverse arrays of meta-functionalized phenols
Authors: Taneja Neha , Peddinti Rama Krishna
Published: September 2018

A base mediated, highly convenient strategy for the direct C-arylation of 1,3-dicarbonyls and cyanoacetate with various phenol derivatives as aryl partners is presented.
Isocyanide insertion into Au–H bonds: first gold iminoformyl complexes
Authors: Fernandez-Cestau Julio , Rocchigiani Luca , Pintus Anna , Rama Raquel J. , Budzelaar Peter H. M. , Bochmann Manfred
Published: September 2018

The reaction of gold hydrides with isocyanides leads to η1-iminoformyl complexes, the first example of an isocyanide insertion in gold chemistry. Key intermediates are gold(ii) isocyanide adducts.
A ratiometric fluorescent probe for peroxynitrite prepared by de novo synthesis and its application in assessing the mitochondrial oxidative stress status in cells and in vivo
Authors: Zhou Dong-Ye , Li Yongfei , Jiang Wen-Li , Tian Yang , Fei Junjie , Li Chun-Yan
Published: September 2018

A ratiometric fluorescent probe is prepared by de novo synthesis for assessing the mitochondrial oxidative stress status in cells and in vivo.
Novel polyoxometalate-based cobalt complexes based on rigid pyridyl-triazole-tetrazole and pyridyl-bis(triazole) ligands
Authors: Wang Xiuli , Bai Xue , Lin Hongyan , Sun Junjun , Liu Guocheng , Wang Xiang
Published: September 2018

Three novel polyoxometalate (POM)-based cobalt complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The adsorption activities for organic dyes and electrochemical properties have been studied in detail.
Effects of thermal disorder on the electronic structure of halide perovskites: insights from MD simulations
Authors: Mladenović Marko , Vukmirović Nenad
Published: September 2018

The effects of thermal disorder on the electronic properties of organic/inorganic halide perovskites are largest in materials with the smallest lattice constant.
DFT investigations for the catalytic reaction mechanism of methane combustion occurring on Pd(ii)/Al-MCM-41
Authors: Gannouni Anis , Michel Carine , Delbecq Françoise , Zina Mongia Saïd , Sautet Philippe
Published: September 2018

A theoretical analysis was carried out on the mechanism of methane combustion occurring on the single site palladium oxide species supported on a Al-MCM-41 silica.
Role of sterics in phosphine-ligated gold clusters
Authors: Parrish Katherine A. , King Mary , Ligare Marshall R. , Johnson Grant E. , Hernández Heriberto
Published: September 2018

This study examined the solution-phase exchange reactions of triphenylphosphine (PPh3) ligands on Au8L72+ (L = PPh3) gold clusters with three different tolyl ligands using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to provide insight into how steric differences in the phosphines influence the extent of ligand exchange and the stability of the resulting mixed-phosphine clusters.
Nd3+,Ho3+-Codoped apatite-related NaLa9(GeO4)6O2 phosphors for the near- and middle-infrared region
Authors: Baklanova Yana V. , Lipina Olga A. , Enyashin Andrey N. , Surat Ludmila L. , Tyutyunnik Alexander P. , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Fortes A. Dominic , Chufarov Alexander Yu. , Gorbatov Evgeny V. , Zubkov Vladimir G.
Published: September 2018

The apatite-like NaLa9(GeO4)6O2:Nd3+,Ho3+ phosphor is prepared using the solid-state method.
Coloured rice-derived polyphenols reduce lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammatory cytokines ex vivo
Authors: Callcott Esther T. , Thompson Kiara , Oli Prakash , Blanchard Christopher L. , Santhakumar Abishek B.
Published: September 2018

Coloured rice-derived polyphenols demonstrate potential at reducing biomarkers associated with lipid peroxidation and inflammation.
Nitrogen-doped carbon dots as fluorescence ON–OFF–ON sensor for parallel detection of copper(ii) and mercury(ii) ions in solutions as well as in filter paper-based microfluidic device
Authors: Patir Khemnath , Gogoi Sonit Kumar
Published: September 2018

Fluorescent nitrogen doped carbon dots show parallel detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions in both aqueous medium and on microfluidic device.
Thiol-free oligonucleotide surface modification of gold nanoparticles for nanostructure assembly
Authors: Maslova Anastasia O. , Hsing I. Ming
Published: September 2018

Thiol-free DNA scaffold assembly method has been developed for AuNPs surface modification that allows to control the position of functional strands for further nucleic acid circuit.
Facile preparation of highly sensitive and selective fluorescent paper sensor for the visual and cyclic detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+
Authors: Yu Liying , Qu Yaoyao , Chai Fang , Chen Lihua
Published: September 2018

The fluorescent paper sensor based on LAA-CQDs was prepared and applied to detect heavy metal ions Cu2+ and Hg2+. Notably, the paper sensor can be recycled for detecting at least four times, which greatly reduced resource consumption.
Design and synthesis of polymeric carbon nitride@zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (CoWS) semiconductor junction nanowires for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Haiyu , Jin Zhiliang
Published: September 2018

ZIF-9(CoWS) as co-catalyst was successfully introduced into the reaction system of EY and PCN catalyst, which exhibits excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Copper-catalyzed regioselective dehydrogenative alkoxylation of morpholinonyl alkenols: application to the synthesis of spirotricyclic dihydropyrans and of trans-fused bicyclic morpholines
Authors: Beng Timothy K. , Bauder Megan , Rodriguez Morgan J. , Moreno Antonio
Published: September 2018

A base-free, regioselective, and atom-economical approach to morpholine-fused dihydropyrans, by Cu-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrogenative alkoxylation of allylic morpholinols, is described.
Simple and modular design platform of bimodal turn-on chemodosimeters for oxophilic metal cations
Authors: Hogan David T. , Sutherland Todd C.
Published: September 2018

Three chemodosimeters that exhibit up to 3000-fold enhancement in turn-on visible colour and emission in the presence of oxophilic metal cations.
Dirhodium(ii)/P(t-Bu)3 catalyzed tandem reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with arylboronic acids
Authors: Ma Ziling , Wang Yuanhua
Published: September 2018

Axially alkylphosphane ligated Rh2(OAc)4 catalyzes the tandem reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with arylboronic acids to produce ketone derivatives in high yields.
Synthesis of aryl-thioglycopeptides through chemoselective Pd-mediated conjugation
Authors: Montoir David , Amoura Mehdi , Ababsa Zine El Abidine , Vishwanatha T. M. , Yen-Pon Expédite , Robert Vincent , Beltramo Massimiliano , Piller Véronique , Alami Mouad , Aucagne Vincent , Messaoudi Samir
Published: September 2018

A highly chemoselective thioglycoconjugation method of iodoaryl aminoacids, small peptides and complex unprotected polypeptides is reported.
Chemical interactions between red P and functional groups in NiP3/CNT composite anodes for enhanced sodium storage
Authors: Ihsan-Ul-Haq Muhammad , Huang He , Cui Jiang , Yao Shanshan , Wu Junxiong , Chong Woon Gie , Huang Baoling , Kim Jang-Kyo
Published: September 2018

The chemical bonds induced by the ball milling at the heterointerfaces of NiP3/CNT composite electrodes enhanced their sodium storage performance.
MOF-derived honeycomb-like N-doped carbon structures assembled from mesoporous nanosheets with superior performance in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Han Xiguang , Sun Liming , Wang Fan , Sun Di
Published: September 2018

Nitrogen-doped carbon honeycomb-like structures assembled from two-dimensional mesoporous nanosheets were successfully fabricatedviaa thermal annealing and acid etching strategy. The samples exhibited excellent electrochemical properties as anode materials for LIBs.
Anisotropic electrical and magnetic properties in grain-oriented Bi4Ti3O12–La0.5Sr0.5MnO3
Authors: Zou Wei , Wang Jianlin , Chen Zezhi , Shi Nai , Li Zhiang , Cui Zhangzhang , Li Xiaoning , Yin Xiaofeng , Yan Wensheng , Huang Haoliang , Peng Ranran , Fu Zhengping , Lu Yalin
Published: September 2018

A high aspect ratio nanoplate and extremely high grain-oriented ceramics with large electrical and magnetic anisotropy in novel semiconducting Aurivillius ferroelectrics are obtained, which have potential applications in selective photocatalysis and charge-spin valves.
Anodizing with voltage versus optical path length modulation: a new tool for the preparation of photonic structures
Authors: Kushnir Sergey E. , Pchelyakova Tatyana Yu. , Napolskii Kirill S.
Published: September 2018

Direct control of the optical path length of each layer inside anodic alumina produces a high quality photonic crystal.
LabVIEW‐based real‐time error compensation system for measurement current transformer using piecewise linearisation
Authors: Ballal Makarand Sudhakar , Wath Manish Ganesh
Published: September 2018

This article describes the development of an error compensation algorithm for a measurement current transformer (CT). The flux‐magnetising current loops are derived in the proposed algorithm to minimise the number of required loops for computation. At every sampling interval, the exciting current is obtained from these loops and then it is added to the measured secondary current to gain the corrected primary current. The performance is tested using MATLAB program and later, the same code is executed in LabVIEW environment. Performance analysis indicates that the proposed algorithm improved the accuracy of the measurement CT notably even with minimum loops. The experimental test results demonstrate that the compensator is capable to correct the accuracy of the measurement CT in remarkable manner.
Activity induced variation in spin-orbit angles as derived from Rossiter–McLaughlin measurements
Authors: Oshagh M. , Triaud A. H. M. J. , Burdanov A. , Figueira P. , Reiners A. , Santos N. C. , Faria J. , Boue G. , Díaz R. F. , Dreizler S. , Boldt S. , Delrez L. , Ducrot E. , Gillon M. , Guzman Mesa A. , Jehin E. , Khalafinejad S. , Kohl S. , Serrano L. , Udry S.
Published: September 2018

One of the most powerful methods used to estimate sky-projected spin-orbit angles of exoplanetary systems is through a spectroscopic transit observation known as the RossiterMcLaughlin (RM) effect. So far mostly single RM observations have been used to estimate the spin-orbit angle, and thus there have been no studies regarding the variation of estimated spin-orbit angle from transit to transit. Stellar activity can alter the shape of photometric transit light curves and in a similar way they can deform the RM signal. In this paper we present several RM observations, obtained using the HARPS spectrograph, of known transiting planets that all transit extremely active stars, and by analyzing them individually we assess the variation in the estimated spin-orbit angle. Our results reveal that the estimated spin-orbit angle can vary significantly (up to ~42°) from transit to transit, due to variation in the configuration of stellar active regions over different nights. This finding is almost two times larger than the expected variation predicted from simulations. We could not identify any meaningful correlation between the variation of estimated spin-orbit angles and the stellar magnetic activity indicators. We also investigated two possible approaches to mitigate the stellar activity influence on RM observations. The first strategy was based on obtaining several RM observations and folding them to reduce the stellar activity noise. Our results demonstrated that this is a feasible and robust way to overcome this issue. The second approach is based on acquiring simultaneous high-precision short-cadence photometric transit light curves using TRAPPIST/SPECULOOS telescopes, which provide more information about the stellar active region’s properties and allow a better RM modeling.
Three new species of Cucullanus (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with a key to species of Cucullanus from Anguilliformes
Authors: Moravec František , Justine Jean-Lou
Published: September 2018

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies of nematode specimens from the digestive tract of some rarely collected anguilliform and perciform fishes off New Caledonia, three new species of Cucullanus Müller, 1777 (Cucullanidae) are described: C. austropacificus n. sp. from the longfin African conger Conger cinereus (Congridae), C. gymnothoracis n. sp. from the lipspot moray Gymnothorax chilospilus (Muraenidae), and C. incognitus n. sp. from the seabream Dentex fourmanoiri (Sparidae). Cucullanus austropacificus n. sp. is characterized by the presence of cervical alae, ventral sucker, alate spicules 1.30–1.65 mm long, conspicuous outgrowths of the anterior and posterior cloacal lips and by elongate-oval eggs measuring 89–108 × 48–57 μm; C. gymnothoracis n. sp. is similar to the foregoing species, but differs from it in the absence of cervical alae and the posterior cloacal outgrowth, in the shape and size of the anterior cloacal outgrowth and somewhat shorter spicules 1.12 mm long; C. incognitus n. sp. (based on female morphology) differs from other congeneric species parasitic in the Sparidae mainly in possessing cervical alae, the postequatorial vulva, phasmids situated at the mid-length of the tail and in the size of the eggs (75–84 × 45–66 μm). A key to species of Cucullanus parasitizing anguilliform fishes is provided.
Comparing Schizophrenia Patients With a Predicted High/Low
Risk of Nonresponse Receiving Treatment with Ziprasidone and Haloperidol: A
Randomized-Controlled Study
Authors: Schennach Rebecca , Riedel Michael , Spellmann Ilja , Musil Richard , Obermeier Michael , Jäger Markus , Bottlender Roland , Schmauss Max , Laux Gerd , Möller Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2018

Introduction The aim of this double-blind randomized study was to
evaluate the response to antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients
with predicted high/low risk of nonresponse identified by applying a
set of well-established scales and predictors of outcome and to compare
efficacy between ziprasidone and haloperidol.

Methods One hundred twelve schizophrenia patients (ziprasidone:
n=54; haloperidol: n=58) were rated weekly on the Positive
and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), the Global Assessment
of Functioning Scale (GAF), the Social and Occupational Functioning Scale
(SOFAS), the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), and Hillside Akathisia Scale
(HAS).

Results Ninety-two patients (82%) were predicted to have a
high risk of nonresponse. No significant difference regarding PANSS
improvement in this subsample was found comparing ziprasidone and
haloperidol (p=0.563). Also, for the total patient sample, no
significant difference was found regarding the course of the PANSS total
score, GAF (p=0.921), and SOFAS (p=0.658) between
ziprasidone and haloperidol. Haloperidol resulted in higher scores on the
SAS (p=0.001) and HAS (p=0.011).

Discussion An alarmingly high number of patients were at high risk of
nonresponse to antipsychotic treatment.