bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with recovery of meat products following recalls due to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
Authors: SEYS S. A. , SAMPEDRO F. , HEDBERG C. W.
Published: June 2016

Food-product recall data for recalls due to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from 2000 to 2012 were obtained for establishments regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Statistical tests were used to assess the factors associated with recovery of product following STEC recalls along with the relationship between cluster detection and jurisdictions. Our results indicated that the percentage of recalled product recovered following a recall action due to STEC was dependent on the complexity of distribution, type of distribution, amount of time between production and recall dates, and the number of pounds of product recalled. Illness-related STEC recalls were associated with a lower percentage of product recovery which was probably impacted by larger amounts of product recalled, broader production scope, and delays from epidemiological and traceback investigations. Further, detection of illnesses related to STEC recalls seemed to be enhanced in states with additional resources and a history of successful foodborne investigations. This makes an argument for additional resources dedicated to public health agencies specifically for the surveillance of foodborne illnesses.
Cumulative context effects and variant lexical representations: Word use and English final t/d deletion
Authors: Raymond William D. , Brown Esther L. , Healy Alice F.
Published: June 2016

Word production variability is widespread in speech, and rates of variant production correlate with many factors. Recent research suggests mental representation of both canonical word forms and distinct reduced variants, and that production and processing are sensitive to variant frequency. What factors lead to frequency-weighted variant representations? An experiment manipulated following context and word repetition for final t/d words in read, narrative English speech. Modeling the experimentally generated data statistically showed higher final-segment deletion in tokens followed by consonant-initial words, but no evidence of increased deletion with repetition, regardless of context. Deletion rates were also higher the greater a word's cumulative exposure to consonant contexts (measured from distributional statistics), but there was no effect of word frequency. Token effects are interpreted in terms of articulation processes. The type-level context effect is interpreted within exemplar and usage-based models of language to suggest that experiences with word variants in contexts register as frequency-weighted representations.
Incidence of apoptosis after retinoids and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) supplementation during goat in vitro embryo production
Authors: Conceição Juliana C.Z. , Moura Marcelo T. , Ferreira-Silva José C. , Cantanhêde Ludymila F. , Chaves Ricardo M. , Lima Paulo F. , Oliveira Marcos A.L.
Published: June 2016

The addition of growth factors and vitamins enhances goat embryonic development in vitro. However, few attempts have been reported trying to identify supplementation regimens for oocyte maturation or embryo culture with additive properties. The present report was aimed to evaluate if retinoids [0.3 μM retinyl acetate (RAc) and 0.5 μM 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA)] supplementation during goat oocyte maturation and retinoids and/or 50 ng mL–1 IGF-I during embryo culture synergically enhanced embryonic development while diminishing the incidence of apoptosis. All combinations of RAc and RA treatment produced blastocysts with similar efficiencies, while IGF-I enhanced embryos yields irrespectively of retinoid addition. Moreover, retinoids and IGF-I supplementation showed similar caspase activity or DNA fragmentation indexes in blastocysts. In conclusion, supplementation with retinoids and IGF-I during goat embryo culture enhances blastocysts development without synergic reduction of apoptosis.
Committee Decisions under Majority Rule Revisited
Authors: Sauermann Jan
Published: June 2016

Spatial committee decision-making experiments provide ample evidence for the predictive power of the majority rule core if it is not empty. Furthermore, an empty core does not substantively reduce the stability of majority decision making. In this article, I put these two findings to a critical test using two preference configurations from Fiorina's and Plott's (1978) seminal committee experiments. In my experiment, committees with fixed individual preferences make multiple decisions over time. Contrary to the existing evidence, I find that results diverge from the core in the course of the experiment. In line with previous research, an empty core has no noticeable behavioral effects.
Chaotic light at mid-infrared wavelength
Authors: Jumpertz Louise , Schires Kevin , Carras Mathieu , Sciamanna Marc , Grillot Frédéric
Published: June 2016

The onset of nonlinear dynamics and chaos is evidenced in a mid-infrared distributed feedback quantum cascade laser both in the temporal and frequency domains. As opposed to the commonly observed route to chaos in semiconductor lasers, which involves undamping of the laser relaxation oscillations, quantum cascade lasers first exhibit regular self-pulsation at the external cavity frequency before entering into a chaotic low-frequency fluctuation regime. The bifurcation sequence, similar to that already observed in class A gas lasers under optical feedback, results from the fast carrier relaxation dynamics occurring in quantum cascade lasers, as confirmed by numerical simulations. Such chaotic behavior can impact various practical applications including spectroscopy, which requires stable single-mode operation. It also allows the development of novel mid-infrared high-power chaotic light sources, thus enabling secure free-space high bit-rate optical communications based on chaos synchronization.
Tumour suppressor death-associated protein kinase targets cytoplasmic HIF-1α for Th17 suppression
Authors: Chou Ting-Fang , Chuang Ya-Ting , Hsieh Wan-Chen , Chang Pei-Yun , Liu Hsin-Yu , Mo Shu-Ting , Hsu Tzu-Sheng , Miaw Shi-Chuen , Chen Ruey-Hwa , Kimchi Adi , Lai Ming-Zong
Published: June 2016

Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a tumour suppressor. Here we show that DAPK also inhibits T helper 17 (Th17) and prevents Th17-mediated pathology in a mouse model of autoimmunity. We demonstrate that DAPK specifically downregulates hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). In contrast to the predominant nuclear localization of HIF-1α in many cell types, HIF-1α is located in both the cytoplasm and nucleus in T cells, allowing for a cytosolic DAPK–HIF-1α interaction. DAPK also binds prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2) and increases HIF-1α-PHD2 association. DAPK thereby promotes the proline hydroxylation and proteasome degradation of HIF-1α. Consequently, DAPK deficiency leads to excess HIF-1α accumulation, enhanced IL-17 expression and exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Additional knockout of HIF-1α restores the normal differentiation of Dapk−/− Th17 cells and prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development. Our results reveal a mechanism involving DAPK-mediated degradation of cytoplasmic HIF-1α, and suggest that raising DAPK levels could be used for treatment of Th17-associated inflammatory diseases.
Early synaptic deficits in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease involve neuronal adenosine A2A receptors
Authors: Viana da Silva Silvia , Haberl Matthias Georg , Zhang Pei , Bethge Philipp , Lemos Cristina , Gonçalves Nélio , Gorlewicz Adam , Malezieux Meryl , Gonçalves Francisco Q. , Grosjean Noëlle , Blanchet Christophe , Frick Andreas , Nägerl U Valentin , Cunha Rodrigo A. , Mulle Christophe
Published: June 2016

Synaptic plasticity in the autoassociative network of recurrent connections among hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells is thought to enable the storage of episodic memory. Impaired episodic memory is an early manifestation of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD amyloidosis, we show that associative long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) is abolished in CA3 pyramidal cells at an early stage. This is caused by activation of upregulated neuronal adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) rather than by dysregulation of NMDAR signalling or altered dendritic spine morphology. Neutralization of A2AR by acute pharmacological inhibition, or downregulation driven by shRNA interference in a single postsynaptic neuron restore associative CA3 LTP. Accordingly, treatment with A2AR antagonists reverts one-trial memory deficits. These results provide mechanistic support to encourage testing the therapeutic efficacy of A2AR antagonists in early AD patients.
Operando NMR spectroscopic analysis of proton transfer in heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions
Authors: Wang Xue Lu , Liu Wenqing , Yu Yan-Yan , Song Yanhong , Fang Wen Qi , Wei Daxiu , Gong Xue-Qing , Yao Ye-Feng , Yang Hua Gui
Published: June 2016

Proton transfer (PT) processes in solid–liquid phases play central roles throughout chemistry, biology and materials science. Identification of PT routes deep into the realistic catalytic process is experimentally challenging, thus leaving a gap in our understanding. Here we demonstrate an approach using operando nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that allows to quantitatively describe the complex species dynamics of generated H2/HD gases and liquid intermediates in pmol resolution during photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this system, the effective protons for HER are mainly from H2O, and CH3OH evidently serves as an outstanding sacrificial agent reacting with holes, further supported by our density functional theory calculations. This results rule out controversy about the complicated proton sources for HER. The operando NMR method provides a direct molecular-level insight with the methodology offering exciting possibilities for the quantitative studies of mechanisms of proton-involved catalytic reactions in solid–liquid phases.
Integrating an electrically active colloidal quantum dot photodiode with a graphene phototransistor
Authors: Nikitskiy Ivan , Goossens Stijn , Kufer Dominik , Lasanta Tania , Navickaite Gabriele , Koppens Frank H. L. , Konstantatos Gerasimos
Published: June 2016

The realization of low-cost photodetectors with high sensitivity, high quantum efficiency, high gain and fast photoresponse in the visible and short-wave infrared remains one of the challenges in optoelectronics. Two classes of photodetectors that have been developed are photodiodes and phototransistors, each of them with specific drawbacks. Here we merge both types into a hybrid photodetector device by integrating a colloidal quantum dot photodiode atop a graphene phototransistor. Our hybrid detector overcomes the limitations of a phototransistor in terms of speed, quantum efficiency and linear dynamic range. We report quantum efficiencies in excess of 70%, gain of 105 and linear dynamic range of 110 dB and 3 dB bandwidth of 1.5 kHz. This constitutes a demonstration of an optoelectronically active device integrated directly atop graphene and paves the way towards a generation of flexible highly performing hybrid two-dimensional (2D)/0D optoelectronics.
Coherent manipulation of a solid-state artificial atom with few photons
Authors: Giesz V. , Somaschi N. , Hornecker G. , Grange T. , Reznychenko B. , De Santis L. , Demory J. , Gomez C. , Sagnes I. , Lemaître A. , Krebs O. , Lanzillotti-Kimura N. D. , Lanco L. , Auffeves A. , Senellart P.
Published: June 2016

In a quantum network based on atoms and photons, a single atom should control the photon state and, reciprocally, a single photon should allow the coherent manipulation of the atom. Both operations require controlling the atom environment and developing efficient atom–photon interfaces, for instance by coupling the natural or artificial atom to cavities. So far, much attention has been drown on manipulating the light field with atomic transitions, recently at the few-photon limit. Here we report on the reciprocal operation and demonstrate the coherent manipulation of an artificial atom by few photons. We study a quantum dot-cavity system with a record cooperativity of 13. Incident photons interact with the atom with probability 0.95, which radiates back in the cavity mode with probability 0.96. Inversion of the atomic transition is achieved for 3.8 photons on average, showing that our artificial atom performs as if fully isolated from the solid-state environment.
GhLTPG1, a cotton GPI-anchored lipid transfer protein, regulates the transport of phosphatidylinositol monophosphates and cotton fiber elongation
Authors: Deng Ting , Yao Hongyan , Wang Jin , Wang Jun , Xue Hongwei , Zuo Kaijing
Published: June 2016

The cotton fibers are seed trichomes that elongate from the ovule epidermis. Polar lipids are required for the quick enlargement of cell membrane and fiber cell growth, however, how lipids are transported from the ovules into the developing fibers remains less known. Here, we reported the functional characterization of GhLTPG1, a GPI-anchored lipid transport protein, during cotton fiber elongation. GhLTPG1 was abundantly expressed in elongating cotton fibers and outer integument of the ovules and GhLTPG1 protein was located on cell membrane. Biochemical analysis showed that GhLTPG1 specifically bound to phosphatidylinositol mono-phosphates (PtdIns3P, PtdIns4P and PtdIns5P) in vitro and transported PtdInsPs from the synthesis places to the plasma membranes in vivo. Expression of GhLTPG1 in Arabidopsis caused an increased number of trichomes and fibers in GhLTPG1-knockdown cotton plants exhibited significantly reduced length, decreased polar lipid content and repression of fiber elongation-related genes expression. These results suggested that GhLTPG1 protein regulates the cotton fiber elongation through mediating the transport of phosphatidylinositol monophosphates.
Genomic prediction models for grain yield of spring bread wheat in diverse agro-ecological zones
Authors: Saint Pierre C. , Burgueño J. , Crossa J. , Fuentes Dávila G. , Figueroa López P. , Solís Moya E. , Ireta Moreno J. , Hernández Muela V. M. , Zamora Villa V. M. , Vikram P. , Mathews K. , Sansaloni C. , Sehgal D. , Jarquin D. , Wenzl P. , Singh Sukhwinder
Published: June 2016

Genomic and pedigree predictions for grain yield and agronomic traits were carried out using high density molecular data on a set of 803 spring wheat lines that were evaluated in 5 sites characterized by several environmental co-variables. Seven statistical models were tested using two random cross-validations schemes. Two other prediction problems were studied, namely predicting the lines’ performance at one site with another (pairwise-site) and at untested sites (leave-one-site-out). Grain yield ranged from 3.7 to 9.0 t ha−1across sites. The best predictability was observed when genotypic and pedigree data were included in the models and their interaction with sites and the environmental co-variables. The leave-one-site-out increased average prediction accuracy over pairwise-site for all the traits, specifically from 0.27 to 0.36 for grain yield. Days to anthesis, maturity, and plant height predictions had high heritability and gave the highest accuracy for prediction models. Genomic and pedigree models coupled with environmental co-variables gave high prediction accuracy due to high genetic correlation between sites. This study provides an example of model prediction considering climate data along-with genomic and pedigree information. Such comprehensive models can be used to achieve rapid enhancement of wheat yield enhancement in current and future climate change scenario.
Lipid Discovery by Combinatorial Screening and Untargeted LC-MS/MS
Authors: Bilgin Mesut , Born Petra , Fezza Filomena , Heimes Michael , Mastrangelo Nicolina , Wagner Nicolai , Schultz Carsten , Maccarrone Mauro , Eaton Suzanne , Nadler André , Wilm Matthias , Shevchenko Andrej
Published: June 2016

We present a method for the systematic identification of picogram quantities of new lipids in total extracts of tissues and fluids. It relies on the modularity of lipid structures and applies all-ions fragmentation LC-MS/MS and Arcadiate software to recognize individual modules originating from the same lipid precursor of known or assumed structure. In this way it alleviates the need to recognize and fragment very low abundant precursors of novel molecules in complex lipid extracts. In a single analysis of rat kidney extract the method identified 58 known and discovered 74 novel endogenous endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related molecules, including a novel class of N-acylaspartates that inhibit Hedgehog signaling while having no impact on endocannabinoid receptors.
Urban particulate matter down-regulates filaggrin via COX2 expression/PGE2 production leading to skin barrier dysfunction
Authors: Lee Chiang-Wen , Lin Zih-Chan , Hu Stephen Chu-Sung , Chiang Yao-Chang , Hsu Lee-Fen , Lin Yu-Ching , Lee I-Ta , Tsai Ming-Horng , Fang Jia-You
Published: June 2016

We explored the regulation of filaggrin, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression induced by urban particulate matter (PM) in human keratinocytes. In addition, we investigated the signaling pathways involved in PM-induced effects on COX2/PGE2 and filaggrin. PMs induced increases in COX2 expression and PGE2 production and decreased filaggrin expression. These effects were attenuated by pretreatment with COX2 inhibitor and PGE2 receptor antagonist, or after transfection with siRNAs of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), gp91phox and p47phox. Furthermore, PM-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidase activity was attenuated by pretreatment with an AhR antagonist (AhRI) or antioxidants. Moreover, Nox-dependent ROS generation led to phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK, which then activated the downstream molecules NF-κB and AP-1, respectively. In vivo studies in PMs-treated mice showed that AhRI and apocynin (a Nox2 inhibitor) had anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing COX2 and increasing filaggrin expression. Our results reveal for the first time that PMs-induced ROS generation is mediated through the AhR/p47 phox/NADPH oxidase pathway, which in turn activates ERK1/2, p38/NF-κB and JNK/AP-1 and which ultimately induces COX2 expression and filaggrin downregulation. Up-regulated expression of COX2 and production of PGE2 may lead to impairment of skin barrier function.
Continuously Tunable, Polarization Controlled, Colour Palette Produced from Nanoscale Plasmonic Pixels
Authors: Balaur Eugeniu , Sadatnajafi Catherine , Kou Shan Shan , Lin Jiao , Abbey Brian
Published: June 2016

Colour filters based on nano-apertures in thin metallic films have been widely studied due to their extraordinary optical transmission and small size. These properties make them prime candidates for use in high-resolution colour displays and high accuracy bio-sensors. The inclusion of polarization sensitive plasmonic features in such devices allow additional control over the electromagnetic field distribution, critical for investigations of polarization induced phenomena. Here we demonstrate that cross-shaped nano-apertures can be used for polarization controlled color tuning in the visible range and apply fundamental theoretical models to interpret key features of the transmitted spectrum. Full color transmission was achieved by fine-tuning the periodicity of the apertures, whilst keeping the geometry of individual apertures constant. We demonstrate this effect for both transverse electric and magnetic fields. Furthermore we have been able to demonstrate the same polarization sensitivity even for nano-size, sub-wavelength sets of arrays, which is paramount for ultra-high resolution compact colour displays.
Maintaining semen quality by improving cold chain equipment used in cattle artificial insemination
Authors: Lieberman Daniel , McClure Elizabeth , Harston Stephen , Madan Damian
Published: June 2016

Artificial insemination of dairy cattle is a common practice in the developing world that can improve farmer incomes and food security. Maintaining the fertilizing potential of frozen semen as it is manipulated, transported and stored is crucial to the success of this process. Here we describe simple technological improvements to protect semen from inadvertent thermal fluctuations that occur when users mishandle semen using standard equipment. We show that when frozen semen is mishandled, characteristics of semen biology associated with fertility are negatively affected. We describe several design modifications and results from thermal performance tests of several improved prototypes. Finally, we compare semen that has been mishandled in standard and improved equipment. The data suggest that our canister improvements can better maintain characteristics of semen biology that correlate with fertility when it is mishandled.
Antiproliferation of berberine is mediated by epigenetic modification of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) metabolic pathway in hepatoma cells
Authors: Zhang Lei , Miao Xiao-Jie , Wang Xin , Pan Hai-Hui , Li Pu , Ren Hong , Jia Yong-Rui , Lu Chuang , Wang Hong-Bing , Yuan Lan , Zhang Guo-Liang
Published: June 2016

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) regulates hepatic xenobiotic and energy metabolism, as well as promotes cell growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. Berberine is an ancient multipotent alkaloid drug which derived from Coptis chinensis plants. Here we report that berberine is able to be cellular uptake and accessible to chromatin in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Berberine induces more apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, but less ROS production in CAR overexpressed mCAR-HepG2 cells. Moreover, berberine inhibits expressions of CAR and its target genes CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. Furthermore, berberine enhances DNA methylation level in whole genome but reduces that in promoter regions CpG sites of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 genes under the presence of CAR condition. These results indicated that the antiproliferation of berberine might be mediated by the unique epigenetic modifying mechanism of CAR metabolic pathway, suggesting that berberine is a promising candidate in anticancer adjuvant chemotherapy, due to its distinct pharmacological properties in clinic.
Long-term exposure to abnormal glucose levels alters drug metabolism pathways and insulin sensitivity in primary human hepatocytes
Authors: Davidson Matthew D. , Ballinger Kimberly R. , Khetani Salman R.
Published: June 2016

Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can progress to inflammation, fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding how chronic hyperglycemia affects primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) can facilitate the development of therapeutics for these diseases. Conversely, elucidating the effects of hypoglycemia on PHHs may provide insights into how the liver adapts to fasting, adverse diabetes drug reactions and cancer. In contrast to declining PHH monocultures, micropatterned co-cultures (MPCCs) of PHHs and 3T3-J2 murine embryonic fibroblasts maintain insulin-sensitive glucose metabolism for several weeks. Here, we exposed MPCCs to hypo-, normo- and hyperglycemic culture media for ~3 weeks. While albumin and urea secretion were not affected by glucose level, hypoglycemic MPCCs upregulated CYP3A4 enzyme activity as compared to other glycemic states. In contrast, hyperglycemic MPCCs displayed significant hepatic lipid accumulation in the presence of insulin, while also showing decreased sensitivity to insulin-mediated inhibition of glucose output relative to a normoglycemic control. In conclusion, we show for the first time that PHHs exposed to hypo- and hyperglycemia can remain highly functional, but display increased CYP3A4 activity and selective insulin resistance, respectively. In the future, MPCCs under glycemic states can aid in novel drug discovery and mechanistic investigations.
BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cell lines are resistant to MEK inhibitors and show distinct sensitivities to 6-thioguanine
Authors: Gu Yuexi , Helenius Mikko , Väänänen Kristiina , Bulanova Daria , Saarela Jani , Sokolenko Anna , Martens John , Imyanitov Evgeny , Kuznetsov Sergey
Published: June 2016

Germ-line or somatic inactivation of BRCA1 is a defining feature for a portion of human breast cancers. Here we evaluated the anti-proliferative activity of 198 FDA-approved and experimental drugs against four BRCA1-mutant (HCC1937, MDA-MB-436, SUM1315MO2 and SUM149PT) and four BRCA1-wild-type (MDA-MB-231, SUM229PE, MCF10A and MCF7) breast cancer cell lines. We found that all BRCA1-mutant cell lines were insensitive to inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 and 2 (MEK1/2) Selumetinib and Pimasertib in contrast to BRCA1-wildtype control cell lines. However, unexpectedly, only two BRCA1-mutant cell lines, HCC1937 and MDA-MB-436, were hypersensitive to a nucleotide analogue 6-thioguanine (6-TG). SUM149PT cells readily formed radiation-induced RAD51-positive nuclear foci indicating a functional homologous recombination, which may explain their resistance to 6-TG. However, the reason underlying 6-TG resistance of SUM1315MO2 cells remains unclear. Our data reveal a remarkable heterogeneity among BRCA1-mutant cell lines and provide a reference for future studies.
Plasma levels of growth differentiation factor-15 are associated with myocardial injury in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Yuan Zhize , Li Haiqing , Qi Quan , Gong Wenhui , Qian Cheng , Dong Rong , Zang Yi , Li Jia , Zhou Mi , Cai Junfeng , Wang Zhe , Chen Anqing , Ye Xiaofeng , Zhao Qiang
Published: June 2016

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has recently emerged as a risk predictor in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We therefore aimed to investigate the role of GDF-15 in the occurrence of cardiac injury during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). 55 consecutive patients with coronary artery diseases were recruited in this prospective, observational study. All patients were operated for OPCAB surgery. Serial blood samples were collected preoperatively, 12 hours and 36 hours after surgery. GDF-15, together with C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase MB and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels in plasma were measured at each time-point. GDF-15 levels increased significantly at 12 hours after surgery, attaining nearly 2.5 times the baseline levels (p < 0.001). Postoperative GDF-15 levels correlated positively with cTnI (p = 0.003) and EuroSCORE II (p = 0.013). According to the ROC curves, postoperative plasma GDF-15 was found to be the best biomarker to predict perioperative cardiac injury, compared with cTnI, CK-MB and EuroSCORE II. Circulating GDF-15 is a promising novel biomarker for identifying perioperative myocardial injury in patients undergoing OPCAB.
Ribosome-associated Asc1/RACK1 is required for endonucleolytic cleavage induced by stalled ribosome at the 3′ end of nonstop mRNA
Authors: Ikeuchi Ken , Inada Toshifumi
Published: June 2016

Dom34-Hbs1 stimulates degradation of aberrant mRNAs lacking termination codons by dissociating ribosomes stalled at the 3′ ends and plays crucial roles in Nonstop Decay (NSD) and No-Go Decay (NGD). In the dom34Δ mutant, nonstop mRNA is degraded by sequential endonucleolytic cleavages induced by a stalled ribosome at the 3′ end. Here, we report that ribosome-associated Asc1/RACK1 is required for the endonucleolytic cleavage of nonstop mRNA by stalled ribosome at the 3′ end of mRNA in dom34Δ mutant cells. Asc1/RACK1 facilitates degradation of truncated GFP-Rz mRNA in the absence of Dom34 and exosome-dependent decay. Asc1/RACK1 is required for the sequential endonucleolytic cleavages by the stalled ribosome in the dom34Δ mutant, depending on its ribosome-binding activity. The levels of peptidyl-tRNA derived from nonstop mRNA were elevated in dom34Δasc1Δ mutant cells and overproduction of nonstop mRNA inhibited growth of mutant cells. E3 ubiquitin ligase Ltn1 degrades the arrest products from truncated GFP-Rz mRNA in dom34Δ and dom34Δasc1Δ mutant cells and Asc1/RACK1 represses the levels of substrates for Ltn1-dependent degradation. These indicate that ribosome-associated Asc1/RACK1 facilitates endonucleolytic cleavage of nonstop mRNA by stalled ribosomes and represses the levels of aberrant products even in the absence of Dom34. We propose that Asc1/RACK1 acts as a fail-safe in quality control for nonstop mRNA.
Mixed release of two parasitoids and a polyphagous ladybird as a potential strategy to control the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Tan Xiaoling , Hu Nana , Zhang Fan , Ramirez-Romero Ricardo , Desneux Nicolas , Wang Su , Ge Feng
Published: June 2016

A mixed species release of parasitoids is used to suppress outbreaks of tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae); however, this biocontrol may be inhibited by interspecific interactions. We investigated the effects of mixed releases of natural enemies of B. tabaci on predation rates, parasite performance and adult parasitoid emergence under greenhouse conditions. We tested the polyphagous predatory ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and two whitefly-specific parasitoids, namely Encarsia formosa and Encarsia sophia (both, Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Harmonia axyridis exhibited the lowest rates of predation when released with each parasitoid than with both parasitoid species together and showed a significant preference for non-parasitized nymphs as prey. Both E. formosa and E. sophia parasitized more B. tabaci when released with the ladybird than when the wasps were released either alone or mixed with the other parasitoid. We also found that the presence of H. axyridis significantly reduced adult parasitoid emergence; the highest rate of adult emergence was obtained with parasitoids released alone. Our results indicate that different combinations of natural enemies can influence observed rates of predation, parasitism and parasitoid emergence. Therefore, the combination of natural enemies to be used for a particular biological control program should depend on the specific objectives.
Large enhancement of the photovoltaic effect in ferroelectric complex oxides through bandgap reduction
Authors: An Hyunji , Han Jun Young , Kim Bongjae , Song Jaesun , Jeong Sang Yun , Franchini Cesare , Bark Chung Wung , Lee Sanghan
Published: June 2016

Tuning the bandgap in ferroelectric complex oxides is a possible route for improving the photovoltaic activity of materials. Here, we report the realization of this effect in epitaxial thin films of the ferroelectric complex oxide Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12(BLT) suitably doped by Fe and Co. Our study shows that Co (BLCT) doping and combined Fe, Co (BLFCT) doping lead to a reduction of the bandgap by more than 1 eV compared to undoped BLT, accompanied by a surprisingly more efficient visible light absorption. Both BLCT and BLFCT films can absorb visible light with a wavelength of up to 500 nm while still exhibiting ferroelectricity, whereas undoped BLT only absorbs UV light with a wavelength of less than 350 nm. Correlated with its bandgap reduction, the BLFCT film shows a photocurrent density enhanced by 25 times compared to that of BLT films. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the bandgap contraction is caused by the formation of new energy states below the conduction bands due to intermixed transition metal dopants (Fe, Co) in BLT. This mechanism of tuning the bandgap by simple doping can be applied to other wide-bandgap complex oxides, thereby enabling their use in solar energy conversion or optoelectronic applications.
Myeloid thrombomodulin lectin-like domain inhibits osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone loss
Authors: Cheng Tsung-Lin , Lai Chao-Han , Shieh Shyh-Jou , Jou Yin-Bo , Yeh Jwu-Lai , Yang Ai-Lun , Wang Yan-Hsiung , Wang Chau-Zen , Chen Chung-Hwan , Shi Guey-Yueh , Ho Mei-Ling , Wu Hua-Lin
Published: June 2016

Osteoclastogenesis is an essential process during bone metabolism which can also be promoted by inflammatory signals. Thrombomodulin (TM), a transmembrane glycoprotein, exerts anti-inflammatory activities such as neutralization of proinflammatory high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) through TM lectin-like domain. This study aimed to identify the role of myeloid TM (i.e., endogenous TM expression on the myeloid lineage) in osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone loss. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, we observed that the protein levels of TM were dramatically reduced as these cells differentiated into osteoclasts. In addition, osteoclastogenesis and extracellular HMGB1 accumulation were enhanced in primary cultured monocytes from myeloid-specific TM-deficient mice (LysMcre/TMflox/flox) and from TM lectin-like domain deleted mice (TMLeD/LeD) compared with their respective controls. Micro-computerized tomography scans showed that ovariectomy-induced bone loss was more pronounced in TMLeD/LeD mice compared with controls. Finally, the inhibiting effects of recombinant TM lectin-like domain (rTMD1) on bone resorption in vitro and bone loss in both the ovariectomized model and collagen antibody-induced arthritis model has been detected. These findings suggested that the myeloid TM lectin-like domain may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by reducing HMGB1 signaling and rTMD1 may hold therapeutic potential for inflammatory bone loss.
The evolution of genes encoding for green fluorescent proteins: insights from cephalochordates (amphioxus)
Authors: Yue Jia-Xing , Holland Nicholas D. , Holland Linda Z. , Deheyn Dimitri D.
Published: June 2016

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) was originally found in cnidarians and later in copepods and cephalochordates (amphioxus) (Branchiostoma spp). Here, we looked for GFP-encoding genes in Asymmetron, an early-diverged cephalochordate lineage and found two such genes closely related to some of the Branchiostoma GFPs. Dim fluorescence was found throughout the body in adults of Asymmetron lucayanum, and, as in Branchiostoma floridae, was especially intense in the ripe ovaries. Spectra of the fluorescence were similar between Asymmetron and Branchiostoma. Lineage-specific expansion of GFP-encoding genes in the genus Branchiostoma was observed, largely driven by tandem duplications. Despite such expansion, purifying selection has strongly shaped the evolution of GFP-encoding genes in cephalochordates, with apparent relaxation for highly duplicated clades. All cephalochordate GFP-encoding genes are quite different from those of copepods and cnidarians. Thus, the ancestral cephalochordates probably had GFP, but since GFP appears to be lacking in more early-diverged deuterostomes (echinoderms, hemichordates), it is uncertain whether the ancestral cephalochordates (i.e. the common ancestor of Asymmetron and Branchiostoma) acquired GFP by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from copepods or cnidarians or inherited it from the common ancestor of copepods and deuterostomes, i.e. the ancestral bilaterians.
Magnetic metal–organic frameworks for selective enrichment and exclusion of proteins for MALDI-TOF MS analysis
Authors: Wan Wei , Liang Qionglin , Zhang Xiaoqiong , Yan Min , Ding Mingyu
Published: June 2016

We firstly report magnetic metal–organic frameworks for selective enrichment and exclusion of proteins for MALDI-TOF MS analysis.
Fabrication of a composite modified glassy carbon electrode: a highly selective, sensitive and rapid electrochemical sensor for silver ion detection in river water samples
Authors: Azhari Syaza , Sathishkumar Palanivel , Ahamad Rahmalan , Ahmad Farediah , Mohd Yusoff Abdull Rahim
Published: June 2016

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim]PF6),N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)ethylenediamine and Nafion to form a MWCNT-BZE-[bmim]PF6-Nafion-GCE.
Hydrogen bonding mediated orthogonal and reversible self-assembly of porphyrin sensitizers onto TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Zeininger Lukas , Lodermeyer Fabian , Costa Ruben D. , Guldi Dirk M. , Hirsch Andreas
Published: June 2016

We report on the orthogonal, highly directional and reversible self-assembly of porphyrins onto TiO2 nanoparticles by means of hydrogen bonding interactions.
Controlled synthesis and comparison of NiCo2S4/graphene/2D TMD ternary nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Shen Jianfeng , Dong Pei , Baines Robert , Xu Xiaowei , Zhang Zhuqing , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Ye Mingxin
Published: June 2016

Novel ternary electrode materials based on graphene, NiCo2S4, and transition metal dichalcogenides were designed and fabricated with the intention of exploiting synergistic effects conducive to supercapacitive energy storage.
Ball-milled sulfur-doped graphene materials contain metallic impurities originating from ball-milling apparatus: their influence on the catalytic properties
Authors: Chua Chun Kiang , Sofer Zdeněk , Khezri Bahareh , Webster Richard D. , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2016

Ball-milling apparatus is a source of metallic impurities in graphene materials. Sulfur-doped graphene obtained from zirconium dioxide-based ball-milling apparatus contains drastically lower amount of metallic impurities than that obtained from stainless-steel based ball-milling apparatus. The metallic impurities exhibit catalytic effects toward the electrochemical catalysis of hydrazine and cumene hydroperoxide.
Alcohols as molecular probes in ionic liquids: evidence for nanostructuration
Authors: Vaz Inês C. M. , Bhattacharjee Arijit , Rocha Marisa A. A. , Coutinho João A. P. , Bastos Margarida , Santos Luís M. N. B. F.
Published: June 2016

A comprehensive study of the solution and solvation of linear alcohols (propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and pentan-1-ol) in ionic liquids (ILs) is presented.
Catalytic hydrotreatment of Alcell lignin fractions using a Ru/C catalyst
Authors: Kloekhorst Arjan , Heeres Hero Jan
Published: June 2016

We here report the catalytic hydrotreatment of three different Alcell lignin fractions using a Ru/C catalyst in a batch reactor set-up (400 °C, 4 h, 100 bar H2 intake, 5 wt% catalyst on lignin).
Aqueous photoproduction of Au nanoparticles by natural organic matter: effect of NaBH4 reduction
Authors: Liu Zilu , Xie Pengfei , Ma Jiahai
Published: June 2016

Aromatic ketone moieties of NOM dominate aqueous photoproduction of AuNPs.
Visualizing mechanical modulation of nanoscale organization of cell-matrix adhesions
Authors: Ou Guanqing , Thakar Dhruv , Tung Jason C. , Miroshnikova Yekaterina A. , Dufort Christopher C. , Gutierrez Edgar , Groisman Alex , Weaver Valerie M.
Published: June 2016

We present a novel platform for superresolution imaging of adhesion proteins on physiologically relevant substrates.
Minimum wound size for clotting: flowing blood coagulates on a single collagen fiber presenting tissue factor and von Willebrand factor
Authors: Zhu Shu , Tomaiuolo Maurizio , Diamond Scott L.
Published: June 2016

We demonstrated in a microfluidic system that initiation of clotting of flowing human whole blood overcomes a patch threshold response to stimuli patch size when tissue factor and von Willebrand factor are present.
Application of post-genomic techniques in dog cancer research
Authors: Ceciliani F. , Roccabianca P. , Giudice C. , Lecchi C.
Published: June 2016

We present in this review the most recent achievement in the application of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to canine cancer research. The protocols to recover material suitable for omics analyses from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues are highlighted, together with the potential of omics in veterinary cancer diagnostics.
Assembly of hepatitis E vaccine by ‘in situ’ growth of gold clusters as nano-adjuvants: an efficient way to enhance the immune responses of vaccination
Authors: Wang Hai , Ding Yanping , Su Shishuai , Meng Duojia , Mujeeb Ayeesha , Wu Yan , Nie Guangjun
Published: June 2016

Vaccine-based immunotherapy plays an integral role in the development of present and future clinical therapies.
Phase behavior of side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers containing biphenyl mesogens with different spacer lengths synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Mehravar Ehsan , Iturrospe Amaia , Arbe Arantxa , Asua José M. , Leiza Jose R.
Published: June 2016

High molar mass SCLCPs were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization, and the phase behavior of the polymers was investigated by a combination of DSC, PLM, SAXS and WAXS.
Rosin-based block copolymer intracellular delivery nanocarriers with reduction-responsive sheddable coronas for cancer therapy
Authors: An So Young , Hong Sung Hwa , Tang Chuanbing , Oh Jung Kwon
Published: June 2016

Rosin-based, reduction-responsive block copolymer-based nanocarriers exhibiting excellent colloidal stability enabling the delivery of anticancer drugs to cancerous tissues for the enhanced release of encapsulated drugs, offering great versatility as intracellular drug-delivery nanocarriers for cancer therapy.
Synthesis, photophysical and electroluminescent properties of blue-emitting dual core imidazole–anthracene/pyrene derivatives
Authors: Zhang Fuli , Li Weiling , Wei Donghui , Wei Xinyu , Li Zhongyi , Zhang Shiying , Li Suzhi , Wei Bin , Cao Guangxiu , Zhai Bin
Published: June 2016

Two blue emitting dual core materials 1 and 2 consisting of phenanthroimidazole and anthracene or pyrene chromophores were synthesized, and efficient nondoped blue-emitting OLEDs with low onset voltages and little efficiency roll-off were fabricated.
Synthesis of β-phthalimido-alcohols via regioselective ring opening of epoxide by using reusable basic magnetic nano particles and their biological investigation
Authors: Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Moosavi-Zare Ahmad Reza , Zarei Mahmoud , Zare Abdolkarim , Noroozizadeh Ehsan , Karamian Roya , Asadbegy Mostafa
Published: June 2016

In this work, regioselective ring opening of epoxides including aromatic and aliphatic epoxides to give β-phthalimido-alcohols has been reported.
Multifunctional reduced graphene oxide coated cloths for oil/water separation and antibacterial application
Authors: Upadhyay Ravi Kant , Dubey Amrita , Waghmare Prashant R. , Priyadarshini Richa , Roy Susanta Sinha
Published: June 2016

Reduced graphene oxide coated cloths have been utilized for oil/water separation and antibacterial application.
A novel low-temperature solid-state route for nanostructured cubic garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 and its application to Li-ion battery
Authors: Kumar P. Jeevan , Nishimura K. , Senna M. , Düvel A. , Heitjans P. , Kawaguchi T. , Sakamoto N. , Wakiya N. , Suzuki H.
Published: June 2016

Garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 nanoparticles with 1 mass% Al were prepared via a solid-state route at 750 °C within 3 h. A model cell sandwiched by Li and LiCoO2 exhibited initial discharge capacity of 64 μA h cm−2 μm−1, being 93% of LiCoO2 theoretical value.
Combining microfluidic devices with coarse capillaries to reduce the size of monodisperse microbubbles
Authors: Jiang X. , Zhang Y. , Edirisinghe M. , Parhizkar M.
Published: June 2016

In this work, a major advance for the controlled production of monodisperse microbubbles, which are a key constituent in many advanced technologies, has been invented using simple microfluidic technology.
Blue luminescence and Schottky diode applications of monoclinic HfO2 nanostructures
Authors: Kumar G. Mohan , Ilanchezhiyan P. , Xiao Fu , Siva C. , Kumar A. Madhan , Yalishev Vadim , Yuldashev Sh. U. , Kang T. W.
Published: June 2016

Schottky diodes based on metal–semiconductor (MS) and metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) configurations are nowadays widely regarded as key components for the realization of a number of improved electronic and optoelectronic functions.
Promotional effect of ionic liquids in electrophilic fluorination of methylated uracils
Authors: Borodkin Gennady I. , Elanov Innokenty R. , Gatilov Yury V. , Shubin Vyacheslav G.
Published: June 2016

The use of a small amount of ionic liquid as an additive results in acceleration of the fluorination of 6-methyluracil and 1,3,6-trimethyluracil with Selectfluor™ in MeOH and EtOH.
Investigation into glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan/cardo-poly-etherketone composite membrane for pervaporation separation of methanol and dimethyl carbonate mixtures
Authors: Chen Jian Hua , Dong Xin Fei , He Ya Shan
Published: June 2016

Methanol/dimethyl carbonate mixtures were separated using GA–STA–CS/PEK-C membrane, which was prepared using glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked silicatungtic acid hydrate (STA)/chitosan (CS) as active layer and cardo-polyetherketone (PEK-C) as substrate.
A novel adduct of ECG fused to piceid and four new dimeric stilbene glycosides from Polygonum cuspidatum
Authors: Yang Ya-nan , Li Fu-shuang , Liu Fu , Feng Zi-ming , Jiang Jian-shuang , Zhang Pei-cheng
Published: June 2016

Polyflavanostilbene B (1), an unusual adduct of epicatechin-3-O-gallate fused to piceid through a carbon–carbon bond, four new dimeric stilbene glycosides (2–5), and four new compounds (6–9), were isolated from the rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum.
Detailed theoretical investigation on ESIPT process of pigment yellow 101
Authors: Zhang Meixia , Zhou Qiao , Du Can , Ding Yong , Song Peng
Published: June 2016

The ESIPT scheme amongenol–enol,enol–ketoandketo–keto: The equilibrium ESIPT process exists in the S1state. And following with the radiative transition, the reversed GSIPT can also occur in the S0state.
Interaction of magnesium hydride clusters with Nb doped MgO additive studied by density functional calculations
Authors: Sandhya K. S. , Pukazhselvan D. , Fagg Duncan Paul , Koga Nobuaki
Published: June 2016

The hydrogen adsorption behaviour of MgO differs significantly to that of Nb doped MgO, draws new promising applications in hydrogen storage and catalysis.
Enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of boron nitride nanoplatelets/elastomer nanocomposites by latex mixing
Authors: Kwon O.-Seok , Lee Dongju , Lee Seong Pil , Kang Yong Gu , Kim Nam Chul , Song Sung Ho
Published: June 2016

Hexagonal boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs) can serve as two-dimensional (2D) fillers for elastomer nanocomposites due to their excellent and intriguing mechanical and thermal properties.
Synthesis of PbI2 nanowires for high sensitivity photodetectors
Authors: Liu Jinqiu , Liang Zhaohuan , Xu Bo , Xiang Hui , Xia Yidong , Yin Jiang , Liu Zhiguo
Published: June 2016

A simple catalyst-free physical vapor transport method was used to synthesize lead iodide (PbI2) nanowires of high crystalline quality.
Hirundigenin type C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum stauntonii and their anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Lai Chang-zhi , Liu Hai-bin , Liu Jian-xin , Ouyang Qin , Pang Shu-wen , Zhou Hua , Tian Hai-yan , Liu Liang , Yao Xin-sheng , Tang Jin-shan
Published: June 2016

Hirundigenin type C21 steroidal glycosides and their anti-inflammatory activity.
Binaphthyl-based molecular barrier materials for phosphoric acid poisoning in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Jeong Dong-Cheol , Mun Bohyun , Lee Hyekyung , Hwang Seung Jun , Yoo Sung Jong , Cho EunAe , Lee Yunmi , Song Changsik
Published: June 2016

In this study, thiol-functionalized binaphthyl barrier molecules were designed and synthesized for eliminating phosphoric acid (PA)-poisoning on Pt catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs).
Polyphenolic profiles and the in vivo antioxidant effect of nipa vinegar on paracetamol induced liver damage
Authors: Beh Boon Kee , Mohamad Nurul Elyani , Yeap Swee Keong , Lim Kian Lam , Ho Wan Yong , Yusof Hamidah Mohd , Sharifuddin Shaiful Adzni , Jamaluddin Anisah , Long Kamariah , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu
Published: June 2016

Nipa vinegar, which is rich in gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, has reverted the paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice by reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.
The reactivity of acyl chlorides towards sodium phosphaethynolate, Na(OCP): a mechanistic case study
Authors: Heift Dominikus , Benkő Zoltán , Suter Riccardo , Verel René , Grützmacher Hansjörg
Published: June 2016

The phosphaethynolate anion (OCP)−has three different functions in the reaction with 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl chloride (MesCOCl): it acts as a nucleophile, as an en-component in [2 + 2] cycloadditions and as a formal P−transfer reagent.