bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging human teeth by phosphorus magnetic resonance with nuclear Overhauser enhancement
Authors: Sun Yi , Brauckmann Ole , Nixdorf Donald R. , Kentgens Arno , Garwood Michael , Idiyatullin Djaudat , Heerschap Arend
Published: August 2016

Three-dimensional phosphorus MR images (31P MRI) of teeth are obtained at a nominal resolution of 0.5 mm in less than 15 minutes using acquisition pulse sequences sensitive to ultra-short transversal relaxation times. The images directly reflect the spatially resolved phosphorus content of mineral tissue in dentin and enamel; they show a lack of signal from pulp tissue and reduced signal from de-mineralized carious lesions. We demonstrate for the first time that the signal in 31P MR images of mineralized tissue is enhanced by a 1H-31P nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE). Using teeth as a model for imaging mineralized human tissue, graded differences in signal enhancement are observed that correlate well with known mineral content. From solid-state NMR experiments we conclude that the NOE is facilitated by spin diffusion and that the NOE difference can be assigned to a higher water content and a different micro-structure of dentin. Thus, a novel method for imaging mineral content without ionizing radiation is proposed. This method has potential use in the assessment of de-mineralization states in humans, such as caries of teeth and osteoporosis of bones.
Serum metabolomic signatures discriminate early liver inflammation and fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Huang Haijun , Sun Zeyu , Pan Hongying , Chen Meijuan , Tong Yongxi , Zhang Jiajie , Chen Deying , Su Xiaoling , Li Lanjuan
Published: August 2016

Chronic HBV (CHB) infected patients with intermediate necroinflammation and fibrosis are recommended to receive antiviral treatment. However, other than liver biopsy, there is a lack of sensitive and specific objective method to determine the necroinflammation and fibrosis stages in CHB patients. This study aims to identify unique serum metabolomic profile associated with histological progression in CHB patients and to develop novel metabolite biomarker panels for early CHB detection and stratification. A comprehensive metabolomic profiling method was established to compare serum samples collected from health donor (n = 67), patients with mild (G < 2 and S < 2, CHB1, n = 52) or intermediate (G ≥ 2 or S ≥ 2, CHB2, n = 36) necroinflammation and fibrosis. Multivariate models were developed to differentiate CHB1 and CHB2 from controls. A set of CHB-associated biomarkers was identified, including lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and bile acid metabolism products. Stratification of CHB1 and CHB2 patients by a simple logistic index, the PIPSindex, based on phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylserine (PS), was achieved with an AUC of 0.961, which outperformed all currently available markers. A panel of serum metabolites that differentiate health control, CHB1 and CHB2 patients has been identified. The proposed metabolomic biosignature has the potential to be used as indicator for antiviral treatment for CHB management.
Regulation of SLD5 gene expression by miR-370 during acute growth of cancer cells
Authors: Yamane Keitaro , Naito Hisamichi , Wakabayashi Taku , Yoshida Hironori , Muramatsu Fumitaka , Iba Tomohiro , Kidoya Hiroyasu , Takakura Nobuyuki
Published: August 2016

SLD5 is a member of the GINS complex, essential for DNA replication in eukaryotes. It has been reported that SLD5 is involved in early embryogenesis in the mouse and cell cycle progression and genome integrity in Drosophila. SLD5 may be involved in malignant tumor progression, but its relevance in human cancer has not been determined. Here, we found strong SLD5 expression in both human bladder cancer tissues from patients and cell lines. Knockdown of SLD5 using small interfering RNA resulted in reduction of cell growth both in vitro and an in vivo xenograft model. Moreover, we found that high levels of SLD5 in bladder cancer cells result from downregulation of microRNA (miR)-370 that otherwise suppresses its expression. High level expression of DNA-methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 and IL-6 were also observed in bladder cancer cells. Knockdown of IL-6 led to downregulation of DNMT1 and SLD5 expression, suggesting that IL-6-induced overexpression of DNMT1 suppresses miR-370, resulting in high SLD5 expression. Our findings could contribute to understanding tumorigenic processes and progression of human bladder cancer, whereby inhibition of SLD5 could represent a novel strategy to prevent tumor growth.
Autophagy-associated alpha-arrestin signaling is required for conidiogenous cell development in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Dong Bo , Xu Xiaojin , Chen Guoqing , Zhang Dandan , Tang Mingzhi , Xu Fei , Liu Xiaohong , Wang Hua , Zhou Bo
Published: August 2016

Conidiation patterning is evolutionarily complex and mechanism concerning conidiogenous cell differentiation remains largely unknown. Magnaporthe oryzae conidiates in a sympodial way and uses its conidia to infect host and disseminate blast disease. Arrestins are multifunctional proteins that modulate receptor down-regulation and scaffold components of intracellular trafficking routes. We here report an alpha-arrestin that regulates patterns of conidiation and contributes to pathogenicity in M. oryzae. We show that disruption of ARRDC1 generates mutants which produce conidia in an acropetal array and ARRDC1 significantly affects expression profile of CCA1, a virulence-related transcription factor required for conidiogenous cell differentiation. Although germ tubes normally develop appressoria, penetration peg formation is dramatically impaired and Δarrdc1 mutants are mostly nonpathogenic. Fluorescent analysis indicates that EGFP-ARRDC1 puncta are well colocalized with DsRed2-Atg8, and this distribution profile could not be altered in Δatg9 mutants, suggesting ARRDC1 enters into autophagic flux before autophagosome maturation. We propose that M. oryzae employs ARRDC1 to regulate specific receptors in response to conidiation-related signals for conidiogenous cell differentiation and utilize autophagosomes for desensitization of conidiogenous receptor, which transmits extracellular signal to the downstream elements of transcription factors. Our investigation extends novel significance of autophagy-associated alpha-arrestin signaling to fungal parasites.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 deficiency exacerbates chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury
Authors: Liu Yanlong , Zhao Cuiqing , Xiao Jian , Liu Liming , Zhang Min , Wang Cuiling , Wu Guicheng , Zheng Ming-Hua , Xu Lan-Man , Chen Yong-Ping , Mohammadi Moosa , Chen Shao-Yu , Cave Matthew , McClain Craig , Li Xiaokun , Feng Wenke
Published: August 2016

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatokine that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. We sought to determine the role of FGF21 in hepatic steatosis in mice exposed to chronic alcohol treatment and to discern underlying mechanisms. Male FGF21 knockout (FGF21 KO) and control (WT) mice were divided into groups that were fed either the Lieber DeCarli diet containing 5% alcohol or an isocaloric (control) diet for 4 weeks. One group of WT mice exposed to alcohol received recombinant human FGF21 (rhFGF21) in the last 5 days. Liver steatosis and inflammation were assessed. Primary mouse hepatocytes and AML-12 cells were incubated with metformin or rhFGF21. Hepatic genes and the products involved in in situ lipogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation were analyzed. Alcohol exposure increased circulating levels and hepatic expression of FGF21. FGF21 depletion exacerbated alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury, which was associated with increased activation of genes involved in lipogenesis mediated by SREBP1c and decreased expression of genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation mediated by PGC1α. rhFGF21 administration reduced alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in WT mice. These results reveal that alcohol-induced FGF21 expression is a hepatic adaptive response to lipid dysregulation. Targeting FGF21 signaling could be a novel treatment approach for alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Atomistic clustering-ordering and high-strain deformation of an Al0.1CrCoFeNi high-entropy alloy
Authors: Sharma Aayush , Singh Prashant , Johnson Duane D. , Liaw Peter K. , Balasubramanian Ganesh
Published: August 2016

Computational investigations of structural, chemical, and deformation behavior in high-entropy alloys (HEAs), which possess notable mechanical strength, have been limited due to the absence of applicable force fields. To extend investigations, we propose a set of intermolecular potential parameters for a quinary Al-Cr-Co-Fe-Ni alloy, using the available ternary Embedded Atom Method and Lennard-Jones potential in classical molecular-dynamics simulations. The simulation results are validated by a comparison to first-principles Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) - Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) [KKR-CPA] calculations for the HEA structural properties (lattice constants and bulk moduli), relative stability, pair probabilities, and high-temperature short-range ordering. The simulation (MD)-derived properties are in quantitative agreement with KKR-CPA calculations (first-principles) and experiments. We study AlxCrCoFeNi for Al ranging from 0 ≤ x ≤2 mole fractions, and find that the HEA shows large chemical clustering over a wide temperature range for x < 0.5. At various temperatures high-strain compression promotes atomistic rearrangements in Al0.1CrCoFeNi, resulting in a clustering-to-ordering transition that is absent for tensile loading. Large fluctuations under stress, and at higher temperatures, are attributed to the thermo-plastic instability in Al0.1CrCoFeNi.
Free-energy studies reveal a possible mechanism for oxidation-dependent inhibition of MGL
Authors: Scalvini Laura , Vacondio Federica , Bassi Michele , Pala Daniele , Lodola Alessio , Rivara Silvia , Jung Kwang-Mook , Piomelli Daniele , Mor Marco
Published: August 2016

The function of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), a key actor in the hydrolytic deactivation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2AG), is tightly controlled by the cell’s redox state: oxidative signals such as hydrogen peroxide suppress MGL activity in a reversible manner through sulfenylation of the peroxidatic cysteines, C201 and C208. Here, using as a starting point the crystal structures of human MGL (hMGL), we present evidence from molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulations along with high-resolution mass spectrometry studies indicating that sulfenylation of C201 and C208 alters the conformational equilibrium of the membrane-associated lid domain of MGL to favour closed conformations of the enzyme that do not permit the entry of substrate into the active site.
Competing Orders and Anomalies
Authors: Moon Eun-Gook
Published: August 2016

A conservation law is one of the most fundamental properties in nature, but a certain class of conservation “laws” could be spoiled by intrinsic quantum mechanical effects, so-called quantum anomalies. Profound properties of the anomalies have deepened our understanding in quantum many body systems. Here, we investigate quantum anomaly effects in quantum phase transitions between competing orders and striking consequences of their presence. We explicitly calculate topological nature of anomalies of non-linear sigma models (NLSMs) with the Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) terms. The non-perturbative nature is directly related with the ’t Hooft anomaly matching condition: anomalies are conserved in renormalization group flow. By applying the matching condition, we show massless excitations are enforced by the anomalies in a whole phase diagram in sharp contrast to the case of the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson theory which only has massive excitations in symmetric phases. Furthermore, we find non-perturbative criteria to characterize quantum phase transitions between competing orders. For example, in 4D, we show the two competing order parameter theories, CP(1) and the NLSM with WZW, describe different universality class. Physical realizations and experimental implication of the anomalies are also discussed.
Isolation and Characterization of a Highly Mutated Chinese Isolate of Enterovirus B84 from a Patient with Acute Flaccid Paralysis
Authors: Zheng Huanying , Zhang Yong , Liu Leng , Lu Jing , Guo Xue , Li Hui , Zeng Hanri , Fang Ling , Xu Wenbo , Ke Changwen
Published: August 2016

Enterovirus B84 (EV-B84) is a newly identified serotype within the species Enterovirus B (EV-B). To date, only ten nucleotide sequences of EV-B84 are published and only one full-length genome sequence (the prototype strain) is available in the GenBank database. Here, a highly mutated EV-B84 (strain AFP452/GD/CHN/2004) was recovered from a patient with acute flaccid paralysis in the Guangdong province of China in 2004 making this the first report of EV-B84 in China. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic dendrogram analysis revealed high variation from the global EV-B84 strains (African and Indian strains) and frequent intertypic recombination in the non-structural protein region, suggesting high genetic diversity in EV-B84. The Chinese EV-B84 strain, apparently evolving independently of the other ten strains, strongly suggests that the EV-B84 strain has been circulating for many years. However, the extremely low isolation rate suggests that it is not a prevalent EV serotype in China or worldwide. This study provides valuable information about the molecular epidemiology of EV-B84 in China, and will be helpful in future studies to understand the association of EV-B84 with neurological disorders; it also helps expand the number of whole virus genome sequences of EV-B84 in the GenBank database.
Heritability of fear of humans in urban and rural populations of a bird species
Authors: Carrete Martina , Martínez-Padilla Jesús , Rodríguez-Martínez Sol , Rebolo-Ifrán Natalia , Palma Antonio , Tella José L.
Published: August 2016

Flight initiation distance (FID), a measure of an animal’s tolerance to human disturbance and a descriptor of its fear of humans, is increasingly employed for conservation purposes and to predict the response of species to urbanization. However, most work devoted to understanding variability in FID has been conducted at the population level and little is still known about inter-individual variability in this behaviour. We estimated the heritability of FID, a factor fundamental to understanding the strength and evolutionary consequences of selection of particular phenotypes associated with human disturbances. We used a population of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) monitored long-term and for which FID was previously shown to be highly consistent across an individual’s lifespan. Heritability estimates varied between 0.37 and 0.80, depending on the habitat considered (urban-rural) and method used (parent-offspring regressions or animal models). These values are unusually high compared with those previously reported for other behavioural traits. Although more research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of this resemblance between relatives, selection pressures acting on this behaviour should be seriously considered as an important evolutionary force in animal populations increasingly exposed to human disturbance worldwide.
Suppression of superconductivity and structural phase transitions under pressure in tetragonal FeS
Authors: Lai Xiaofang , Liu Ying , Lü Xujie , Zhang Sijia , Bu Kejun , Jin Changqing , Zhang Hui , Lin Jianhua , Huang Fuqiang
Published: August 2016

Pressure is a powerful tool to study iron-based superconductors. Here, we report systematic high-pressure transport and structural characterizations of the newly discovered superconductor FeS. It is found that superconductor FeS (tetragonal) partly transforms to a hexagonal structure at 0.4 GPa and then completely transforms to an orthorhombic phase at 7.4 GPa and finally to a monoclinic phase above 9.0 GPa. The superconducting transition temperature of tetragonal FeS was gradually depressed by pressure, different from the case in tetragonal FeSe. With pressure increasing, the S-Fe-S angles only slightly change but the anion height deviates farther from 1.38 Å. This change of anion height, together with the structural instability under pressure, should be closely related to the suppression of superconductivity. We also observed an anomalous metal-semiconductor transition at 6.0 GPa and an unusual increased resistance with further compression above 9.6 GPa. The former can be ascribed to the tetragonal-orthorhombic structural phase transition and the latter to the electronic structure changes of the high-pressure monoclinic phase. Finally, a phase diagram of tetragonal FeS as functions of pressure and temperature was mapped out for the first time, which will shed new light on understanding of the structure and physics of the superconducting FeS.
Requirement of HDAC6 for activation of Notch1 by TGF-β1
Authors: Deskin Brian , Lasky Joseph , Zhuang Yan , Shan Bin
Published: August 2016

TGF-β1 is enriched in the tumor microenvironment and acts as a key inducer of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer. The NOTCH signaling pathway is conserved across species and is an essential pathway for development, cell differentiation and cancer biology. Dysregulation of Notch signaling is a common feature of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is correlated with poor prognosis. Crosstalk exists between the NOTCH and TGF-β signaling pathways in EMT. Herein we report that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) modulates TGF-β1-mediated activation of the Notch pathway. HDAC6, a primarily cytoplasmic deacetylase, mediates TGF-β1-induced EMT in human lung cancer cells. Inhibition of HDAC6 with a small molecule inhibitor, namely tubacin or with siRNA attenuated TGF-β1-induced Notch-1 signaling. We show that TGFβ-1-induced EMT is accompanied by rapid HDAC6-dependent deacetylation of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Consistently, inhibition of HSP90 with its small molecule inhibitor 17AAG attenuated expression of TGF-β1-induced Notch-1 target genes, HEY-1 and HES-1. These findings reveal a novel function of HDAC6 in EMT via mediating the TGF-β-Notch signaling cascade and support HDAC6 as a key regulator of TGFβ-induced EMT in NSCLC. This work suggests that HDAC6 may be an attractive therapeutic target against tumor progression and metastasis.
Accumulation of microcystins in a dominant Chironomid Larvae (Tanypus chinensis) of a large, shallow and eutrophic Chinese lake, Lake Taihu
Authors: Xue Qingju , Su Xiaomei , Steinman Alan D. , Cai Yongjiu , Zhao Yanyan , Xie Liqiang
Published: August 2016

Although there have been numerous studies on microcystin (MC) accumulation in aquatic organisms recently, the bioaccumulation of MCs in relatively small sized organisms, as well as potential influencing factors, has been rarely studied. Thus, in this study, we investigated the bioaccumulation of three MC congeners (-LR, -RR and -YR) in the chironomid larvae of Tanypus chinensis (an excellent food source for certain fishes), the potential sources of these MCs, and potentially relevant environmental parameters over the course of one year in Lake Taihu, China. MC concentrations in T. chinensis varied temporally with highest concentrations during the warmest months (except August 2013) and very low concentrations during the remaining months. Among the three potential MC sources, only intracellular MCs were significantly and positively correlated with MCs in T. chinensis. Although MC concentrations in T. chinensis significantly correlated with a series of physicochemical parameters of water column, cyanobacteria species explained the most variability of MC accumulation, with the rest primarily explained by extraMC-LR. These results indicated that ingestion of MC-producing algae of cyanobacteria accounted for most of the MC that accumulated in T. chinensis. The high MC concentrations in T. chinensis may pose a potential health threat to humans through trophic transfer.
Fluorescence based Aptasensors for the determination of hepatitis B virus e antigen
Authors: Huang Rongrong , Xi Zhijiang , Deng Yan , He Nongyue
Published: August 2016

This research is aimed at selecting specific aptamer of hepatitis B e antigen by SELEX and its applications. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is used as an indicator of virological response when treating patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B. HBeAg also indicates a high viremia and high infectivity in untreated patients. With HBeAg modified magnetic beads as targets, three groups of aptamers are successfully selected. These are the first reported DNA aptamers that can specifically bind to HBeAg. Based on the property that the conformation changes upon binding to its target, aptamer has emerged as ideal candidate in a variety of sensing applications. In this study, we present a simple strategy for aptamer-based fluorescence biosensors for the quantitative detection of HBeAg, in which a fluorescence labeled HBeAg aptamer serves as the molecular recognition element and a short DNA molecule that is complementary to the aptamer serves as the competitor. The LOD for HBeAg is 609 ng/mL. Later, the fluorescence system is deployed in HBeAg positive and negative blood serum (p < 0.05). The total detection assay could be completed in 2 min. These newly isolated aptamers could assist the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B.
ZCF32, a fungus specific Zn(II)2 Cys6 transcription factor, is a repressor of the biofilm development in the human pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Kakade Pallavi , Sadhale Parag , Sanyal Kaustuv , Nagaraja Valakunja
Published: August 2016

As a human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans can cause a wide variety of disease conditions ranging from superficial to systemic infections. Many of these infections are caused by an inherent ability of the pathogen to form biofilms on medical devices resulting in high mortality. Biofilms formed by C. albicans are a complex consortium of yeast and hyphal cells embedded in an extracellular matrix and are regulated by a network of transcription factors. Here, we report the role of a novel Zn(II)2-Cys6 binuclear cluster transcription factor, ZCF32, in the regulation of biofilm formation. Global transcriptome analysis reveals that biofilm development is the most altered pathway in the zcf32 null mutant. To delineate the functional correlation between ZCF32 and biofilm development, we determined the set of genes directly regulated by Zcf32. Our data suggests that Zcf32 regulates biofilm formation by repressing the expression of adhesins, chitinases and a significant number of other GPI-anchored proteins. We establish that there is the lesser recruitment of Zcf32 on the promoters of biofilm genes in biofilm condition compared to the planktonic mode of growth. Taking together, we propose that the transcription factor ZCF32 negatively regulates biofilm development in C. albicans.
Functional characterization of GmBZL2 (AtBZR1 like gene) reveals the conserved BR signaling regulation in Glycine max
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Yan-Jie , Yang Bao-Jun , Yu Xian-Xian , Wang Dun , Zu Song-Hao , Xue Hong-Wei , Lin Wen-Hui
Published: August 2016

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play key roles in plant growth and development, and regulate various agricultural traits. Enhanced BR signaling leads to increased seed number and yield in Arabidopsis bzr1-1D (AtBZR1P234L, gain-of-function mutant of the important transcription factor in BR signaling/effects). BR signal transduction pathway is well elucidated in Arabidopsis but less known in other species. Soybean is an important dicot crop producing edible oil and protein. Phylogenetic analysis reveals AtBZR1-like genes are highly conserved in angiosperm and there are 4 orthologues in soybean (GmBZL1-4). We here report the functional characterization of GmBZL2 (relatively highly expresses in flowers). The P234 site in AtBZR1 is conserved in GmBZL2 (P216) and mutation of GmBZL2P216L leads to GmBZL2 accumulation. GmBZL2P216L (GmBZL2*) in Arabidopsis results in enhanced BR signaling; including increased seed number per silique. GmBZL2* partially rescued the defects of bri1-5, further demonstrating the conserved function of GmBZL2 with AtBZR1. BR treatment promotes the accumulation, nuclear localization and dephosphorylation/phosphorylation ratio of GmBZL2, revealing that GmBZL2 activity is regulated conservatively by BR signaling. Our studies not only indicate the conserved regulatory mechanism of GmBZL2 and BR signaling pathway in soybean, but also suggest the potential application of GmBZL2 in soybean seed yield.
Schistosome sex matters: a deep view into gonad-specific and pairing-dependent transcriptomes reveals a complex gender interplay
Authors: Lu Zhigang , Sessler Florian , Holroyd Nancy , Hahnel Steffen , Quack Thomas , Berriman Matthew , Grevelding Christoph G.
Published: August 2016

As a key event for maintaining life cycles, reproduction is a central part of platyhelminth biology. In case of parasitic platyhelminths, reproductive processes can also contribute to pathology. One representative example is the trematode Schistosoma, which causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease, whose pathology is associated with egg production. Among the outstanding features of schistosomes is their dioecious lifestyle and the pairing-dependent differentiation of the female gonads which finally leads to egg synthesis. To analyze the reproductive biology of Schistosoma mansoni in-depth we isolated complete ovaries and testes from paired and unpaired schistosomes for comparative RNA-seq analyses. Of >7,000 transcripts found in the gonads, 243 (testes) and 3,600 (ovaries) occurred pairing-dependently. Besides the detection of genes transcribed preferentially or specifically in the gonads of both genders, we uncovered pairing-induced processes within the gonads including stem cell-associated and neural functions. Comparisons to work on neuropeptidergic signaling in planarian showed interesting parallels but also remarkable differences and highlights the importance of the nervous system for flatworm gonad differentiation. Finally, we postulated first functional hints for 235 hypothetical genes. Together, these results elucidate key aspects of flatworm reproductive biology and will be relevant for basic as well as applied, exploitable research aspects.
Incorporating structure context of HA protein to improve antigenicity calculation for influenza virus A/H3N2
Authors: Qiu Jingxuan , Qiu Tianyi , Yang Yiyan , Wu Dingfeng , Cao Zhiwei
Published: August 2016

The rapid and consistent mutation of influenza requires frequent evaluation of antigenicity variation among newly emerged strains, during which several in-silico methods have been reported to facilitate the assays. In this paper, we designed a structure-based antigenicity scoring model instead of those sequence-based previously published. Protein structural context was adopted to derive the antigenicity-dominant positions, as well as the physic-chemical change of local micro-environment in correlation with antigenicity change. Then a position specific scoring matrix (PSSM) profile and local environmental change over above positions were integrated to predict the antigenicity variance. Independent testing showed a high accuracy of 0.875 and sensitivity of 0.986, with a significant ability to discover antigenic-escaping strains. When applying this model to the historical data, global and regional antigenic drift events can be successfully detected. Furthermore, two well-known vaccine failure events were clearly suggested. Therefore, this structure-context model may be particularly useful to identify those to-be-failed vaccine strains, in addition to suggest potential new vaccine strains.
Investigation of the functional role of human Interleukin-8 gene haplotypes by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing
Authors: Benakanakere Manjunatha R. , Finoti Livia S. , Tanaka Urara , Grant Gregory R. , Scarel-Caminaga Raquel M. , Kinane Denis F.
Published: August 2016

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene polymorphisms have been considered as susceptibility factors in periodontal disease. However, the functional roles of IL-8 gene haplotypes have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to engineer the IL-8 gene and tested the functionality of different haplotypes. Two sgRNAs vectors targeting the IL-8 gene and the naked homologous repair DNA carrying different haplotypes were used to successfully generate HEK293T cells carrying the AT genotype at the first SNP - rs4073 (alias -251), TT genotype at the second SNP - rs2227307 (alias +396), TC or CC genotypes at the third SNP - rs2227306 (alias +781) at the IL-8 locus. When stimulated with Poly I:C, ATC/TTC haplotype, cells significantly up-regulated the IL-8 at both transcriptional and translational levels. To test whether ATC/TTC haplotype is functional, we used a trans-well assay to measure the transmigration of primary neutrophils incubated with supernatants from the Poly I:C stimulation experiment. ATC/TTC haplotype cells significantly increased transmigration of neutrophils confirming the functional role for this IL-8 haplotype. Taken together, our data provides evidence that carriage of the ATC/TTC haplotype in itself may increase the influx of neutrophils in inflammatory lesions and influence disease susceptibility.
Beta rhythm modulation by speech sounds: somatotopic mapping in somatosensory cortex
Authors: Bartoli Eleonora , Maffongelli Laura , Campus Claudio , D’Ausilio Alessandro
Published: August 2016

During speech listening motor regions are somatotopically activated, resembling the activity that subtends actual speech production, suggesting that motor commands can be retrieved from sensory inputs. Crucially, the efficient motor control of the articulators relies on the accurate anticipation of the somatosensory reafference. Nevertheless, evidence about somatosensory activities elicited by auditory speech processing is sparse. The present work looked for specific interactions between auditory speech presentation and somatosensory cortical information processing. We used an auditory speech identification task with sounds having different place of articulation (bilabials and dentals). We tested whether coupling the auditory task with a peripheral electrical stimulation of the lips would affect the pattern of sensorimotor electroencephalographic rhythms. Peripheral electrical stimulation elicits a series of spectral perturbations of which the beta rebound reflects the return-to-baseline stage of somatosensory processing. We show a left-lateralized and selective reduction in the beta rebound following lip somatosensory stimulation when listening to speech sounds produced with the lips (i.e. bilabials). Thus, the somatosensory processing could not return to baseline due to the recruitment of the same neural resources by speech stimuli. Our results are a clear demonstration that heard speech sounds are somatotopically mapped onto somatosensory cortices, according to place of articulation.
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry-based Sensing: Pyrenyl Derivatives of Phenylboronic Acid for Saccharide and Formaldehyde
Authors: Chang Xingmao , Fan Jiayun , Wang Min , Wang Zhaolong , Peng Haonan , He Gang , Fang Yu
Published: August 2016

We synthesized two specially designed pyrenyl (Py) derivatives of phenylboronic acid, PSNB1 and PSNB2, of which PSNB2 self-assemble to form dynamic aggregate in methanol-water mixture (1:99, v/v) via intermolecular H-bonding and pi-pi stacking. Interestingly, the dynamic aggregate shows smart response to presence of fructose (F) as evidenced by fluorescence color change from green to blue. More interestingly, the fluorescence emission of the resulted PSNB2-F changes from blue to green with the addition of formaldehyde (FA). The reason behind is formation of a PSNB2-F dimer via FA cross-linking. Based upon the reactions as found, sensitive and fast sensing of F and FA in water was realized, of which the experimental DLs could be significantly lower than 10 μM for both analytes, and the response times are less than 1 min. It is believed that not only the materials as created may have the potential to find real-life applications but also the strategy as developed can be adopted to develop other dynamic materials.
Multi-observable Uncertainty Relations in Product Form of Variances
Authors: Qin Hui-Hui , Fei Shao-Ming , Li-Jost Xianqing
Published: August 2016

We investigate the product form uncertainty relations of variances for n (n ≥ 3) quantum observables. In particular, tight uncertainty relations satisfied by three observables has been derived, which is shown to be better than the ones derived from the strengthened Heisenberg and the generalized Schrödinger uncertainty relations and some existing uncertainty relation for three spin-half operators. Uncertainty relation of arbitrary number of observables is also derived. As an example, the uncertainty relation satisfied by the eight Gell-Mann matrices is presented.
A pivotal role of vacuolar H+-ATPase in regulation of lipid production in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Zhang Huiying , Zeng Rensen , Chen Daoyi , Liu Jian
Published: August 2016

Microalgal lipids have been considered as a promising source for biodiesel production. Alkaline pH can induce neutral lipid accumulation in microalgae cells. However, whether and how proton pumps, especially vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), function in these processes is not well known. In this study, we treated Phaeodactylum tricornutum with V-ATPase specific inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (BFA1) to determine its role in lipid production. Firstly, V-ATPase activity was increased in the latter phase of microalgae growth. BFA1 treatment decreased the cell density and lipid contents. Further analysis showed that BFA1 treatment reduced the number and size of oil bodies. GC-MS analysis showed that lipid components were not affected by BFA1 treatment. Intracellular pH was decreased and nitrogen depletion was delayed after BFA1 treatment. RNA-Seq analysis showed that expression of genes involved in calcium signaling, sulfur metabolism, cell cycle, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, porphyrin, chlorophyll metabolism and lipid catabolic metabolism were upregulated, while expression of genes involved in ion transmembrane transport, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, fatty acid biosynthesis were downregulated under BFA1 treatment. Our findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid accumulation and the key genes involved in lipid metabolism in Phaeodactylum tricornutum in response to BFA1.
Integrated solid-state nanopore platform for nanopore fabrication via dielectric breakdown, DNA-speed deceleration and noise reduction
Authors: Goto Yusuke , Yanagi Itaru , Matsui Kazuma , Yokoi Takahide , Takeda Ken-ichi
Published: August 2016

The practical use of solid-state nanopores for DNA sequencing requires easy fabrication of the nanopores, reduction of the DNA movement speed and reduction of the ionic current noise. Here, we report an integrated nanopore platform with a nanobead structure that decelerates DNA movement and an insulating polyimide layer that reduces noise. To enable rapid nanopore fabrication, we introduced a controlled dielectric breakdown (CDB) process into our system. DNA translocation experiments revealed that single nanopores were created by the CDB process without sacrificing performance in reducing DNA movement speed by up to 10 μs/base or reducing noise up to 600 pArms at 1 MHz. Our platform provides the essential components for proceeding to the next step in the process of DNA sequencing.
An optimised assay for quantitative, high-throughput analysis of polysialyltransferase activity
Authors: Elkashef Sara M. , Sutherland Mark , Patterson Laurence H. , Loadman Paul M. , Falconer Robert A.
Published: August 2016

Optimisation of a highly sensitive cell-free high-throughput HPLC-based assay for assessment of human polysialyltransferase activity is reported.
Multicavity macrocyclic hosts
Authors: Hu Wei-Bo , Hu Wen-Jing , Liu Yahu A. , Li Jiu-Sheng , Jiang Biao , Wen Ke
Published: August 2016

Multicavity macrocyclic hosts are host molecules comprising more than one macrocyclic guest binding components connected through multipoint linkages.
Highly dynamic metal exchange in anthrax lethal factor involves the occupation of an inhibitory metal binding site
Authors: Young Calvin J. , Siemann Stefan
Published: August 2016

Rapid metal exchange in anthrax lethal factor and potentially other zinc enzymes proceedsviathe formation of transient bimetallic species.
Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from diols and CO2 catalyzed by carbenes
Authors: Bobbink Felix D. , Gruszka Weronika , Hulla Martin , Das Shoubhik , Dyson Paul J.
Published: August 2016

The synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2 is a well-established reaction, whereas the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from diols and CO2 is considerably more challenging, and few efficient catalysts are available.
A comparison of adsorbed and grafted fibronectin coatings under static and dynamic conditions
Authors: Montaño-Machado Vanessa , Hugoni Ludivine , Díaz-Rodríguez Sergio , Tolouei Ranna , Chevallier Pascale , Pauthe Emmanuel , Mantovani Diego
Published: August 2016

Coatings for medical devices are expected to improve their surface biocompatibility mainly by being bioactive, i.e. stimulating healing-oriented interactions with living cells, tissues and organs.
Role of the metal cation types around VO4groups on the nonlinear optical behavior of materials: experimental and theoretical analysis
Authors: Su Xin , Yang Zhihua , Han Guopeng , Wang Ying , Wen Ming , Pan Shilie
Published: August 2016

We combined experimental and theoretical studies of βII-Li3VO4, KCd4(VO4)3and Ca3(VO4)2crystals, which turns out that the metal cation types and coordination around VO4groups, the distorted and parallel oriented VO4tetrahedron, could produce the large SHG coefficient.
Inhibitory mechanism of morin on α-glucosidase and its anti-glycation properties
Authors: Zeng Li , Zhang Guowen , Liao Yijing , Gong Deming
Published: August 2016

Morin can inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase and attenuate the generation of AGEs both related to diabetes mellitus.
Synthesis, molecular docking and in vitro antiproliferative activity of novel pyrano[3,2-c]carbazole derivatives
Authors: Padmaja Pannala , Subba Reddy Basireddy V. , Jain Nishant , Mutheneni Srinivasa Rao , Bollepelli Priyanka , Polepalli Sowjanya , Rambabu Gundla , Reddy Pedavenkatagari Narayana
Published: August 2016

A new series of polycyclic pyrano[3,2-c]carbazole derivatives were synthesized, of which three compounds displayed pronounced antiproliferative activity on cancer cells.
Synthetic genetic polymers: advances and applications
Authors: Ma Qian , Lee Danence , Tan Yong Quan , Wong Garrett , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: August 2016

Advances and applications of synthetic genetic polymers (xeno-nucleic acids) are reviewed in this article. The types of synthetic genetic polymers are summarized. The basic properties of them are elaborated and their technical applications are presented. Challenges and prospects of synthetic genetic polymers are discussed.
Correction: Molecular weight prediction with no dependence on solvent viscosity. A quantitative pulse field gradient diffusion NMR approach
Authors: Arrabal-Campos Francisco M. , Oña-Burgos Pascual , Fernández Ignacio
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Molecular weight prediction with no dependence on solvent viscosity. A quantitative pulse field gradient diffusion NMR approach’ by Francisco M. Arrabal-Campos, et al., Polym. Chem., 2016, 7, 4326–4329.
Ru-Catalyzed selective C–H oxidative olefination with N-heteroarenes directed by pivaloyl amide
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Changpeng , Han Jian , Huang Zhi-Bin , Zhao Yingsheng
Published: August 2016

Ruthenium-catalysed C7-position alkynylation for indoline derivatives with various olefins was reported.
Performance improvement by alumina coatings on Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ phosphor powder deposited using atomic layer deposition in a fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Zhou Zhi , Zhou Nan , Lu Xiangyang , Kate Melvin ten , Valdesueiro David , Ruud van Ommen J. , Hintzen H. T. (Bert)
Published: August 2016

To improve the thermal stability, Al2O3 has been successfully coated on a Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ (YAG:Ce) phosphor powder host by using the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) approach in a fluidized bed reactor.
Recent activity in the development of proton-conducting oxides for high-temperature applications
Authors: Kochetova N. , Animitsa I. , Medvedev D. , Demin A. , Tsiakaras P.
Published: August 2016

This review describes the recent achievements in research and development of high-temperature proton-conducting materials, providing useful information for their eventual application in intermediate- and high-temperature electrochemical devices.
Bis-resorcin[4]arene–bridged porphyrin conjugates: synthesis, fluorescence and binding studies
Authors: Al-Azemi Talal F. , Vinodh Mickey , Alipour Fatemeh H.
Published: August 2016

The synthesis of bis-resorcin[4]arene–bridged porphyrin conjugates and effect of the structure type on binding, and fluorescence quenching behaviors are presented.
Mechanical and structural properties of graphene-like carbon nitride sheets
Authors: de Sousa J. M. , Botari T. , Perim E. , Bizao R. A. , Galvao Douglas S.
Published: August 2016

Mechanical properties and fracture dynamics of graphene-like CN membranes were investigated.
Recyclable montmorillonite-supported thiazolium ionic liquids for high-yielding and solvent-free upgrading of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to C10 and C12 furoins
Authors: Yan Bing , Zang Hongjun , Jiang Yi , Yu Songbai , Chen Eugene Y.-X.
Published: August 2016

Six Na+/montmorillonite (MMT) – supported thiazolium (TM) ionic liquids (ILs) have been synthesized and employed to catalyze the highly selective condensation of furfural (FF) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into C10 and C12 furoins, respectively.
Copper(ii)-catalyzed cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide with alkanes and ethers via unactivated C(sp3)–H activation at room temperature
Authors: Guo Zhicheng , Jin Can , Zhou Jiadi , Su Weike
Published: August 2016

This reaction system shows mild condition and broad substrate scope for generation of O-substituted N-hydroxyphthalimide derivatives via unactivated C(sp3)–H activation.
Strongly-coupled PbS QD solids by doctor blading for IR photodetection
Authors: Maulu Alberto , Rodríguez-Cantó Pedro J. , Navarro-Arenas Juan , Abargues Rafael , Sánchez-Royo Juan F. , García-Calzada Raúl , Martínez Pastor Juan P.
Published: August 2016

In this work, doctor blading is proposed for the fabrication of strongly-coupled QD solids from a PbS nanoink for photodetection at telecom wavelengths.
Carbon dot-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of flower-like MoS2 nanospheres constructed by few-layered multiphase MoS2 nanosheets for supercapacitors
Authors: Wu Jinzhu , Dai Jun , Shao Yanbin , Cao Meiqi , Wu Xiaohong
Published: August 2016

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has emerged as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.
Titania nanotubes infiltrated with the conducting polymer PEDOT modified by Prussian blue – a novel type of organic–inorganic heterojunction characterised with enhanced photoactivity
Authors: Siuzdak K. , Szkoda M. , Karczewski J. , Ryl J. , Lisowska-Oleksiak A.
Published: August 2016

A highly ordered p–n heterojunction was formed based on titania nanotubes containing a conducting polymer with Prussian blue matrix.
Reactivity of a half-lantern Pt2(ii,ii) complex with triphenylphosphine: selectivity in a protonation reaction
Authors: Niazi Maryam , Shahsavari Hamid R. , Haghighi Mohsen Golbon , Halvagar Mohammad Reza , Hatami Samaneh , Notash Behrouz
Published: August 2016

Reaction of PPh3 with half-lantern complex [{Pt(ppy)(μ2-Spy)}2], 1, gave complex [Pt(ppy)(η1-S-Spy)(PPh3)], 2, as a result of platinum–nitrogen bonds dissociation. Complex 2 revealed anionic selectivity upon protonation reaction with acidic species.
Surface functionalized natural inorganic nanorod for highly efficient cellulase immobilization
Authors: Yang Chao , Mo Haodao , Zang Limin , Chen Jian , Wang Zhenqiang , Qiu Jianhui
Published: August 2016

Immobilization of cellulase on attapulgite@chitosan nanocomposite support.
Characteristics and performance of CaO-based high temperature CO2 sorbents derived from a sol–gel process with different supports
Authors: Xu Yongqing , Luo Cong , Zheng Ying , Ding Haoran , Wang Qiyao , Shen Qiuwan , Li Xiaoshan , Zhang Liqi
Published: August 2016

10 CaO-based sorbents were synthesized by a sol–gel process supported with various materials, and their cyclic behavior was investigated under the same reaction conditions.
A solid-state approach to fabricate a CdS/CuS nano-heterojunction with promoted visible-light photocatalytic H2-evolution activity
Authors: Cheng Feiyue , Xiang Quanjun
Published: August 2016

CdS/CuS nano-heterojunction composites were synthesized by the solid-state strategy and exhibited the enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-evolution activity.
Effect of co-doping of alkali metal ions on Ca0.5RE1−x(MoO4)2:xEu3+ (RE = Y, La) phosphors with enhanced luminescence properties
Authors: Mahalingam Venkatakrishnan , Thirumalai Jagannathan
Published: August 2016

Illustration of elemental mapping and PL emission spectra of the phosphors, Ca0.5RE1−x(MoO4)2:Eu3+,M+ (RE = Y, La; M = Li, K and Na).
Preparation of renewable lignin-derived nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres as anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Huajun , Wang Qiujun , Deng Yonghong , Shi Qiao , Qian Yong , Wang Bingbing , Lü Lei , Qiu Xueqing
Published: August 2016

After diazotization, the lignin-based azo colloidal spheres favour thermal stability and can keep an intact spherical structure during the pyrolysis process.
Synthesis and catalytic activity of ruthenium indenylidene complexes bearing unsymmetrical NHC containing a heteroaromatic moiety
Authors: Smoleń Michał , Kośnik Wioletta , Loska Rafał , Gajda Roman , Malińska Maura , Woźniak Krzysztof , Grela Karol
Published: August 2016

New ruthenium(ii) indenylidene catalysts were synthesized and used in olefin metathesis reactions in toluene under air, leading to high conversions and good selectivities.
Growth, nanostructure, and optical properties of epitaxial VNx/MgO(001) (0.80 ≤ x ≤ 1.00) layers deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Mei A. B. , Tuteja M. , Sangiovanni D. G. , Haasch R. T. , Rockett A. , Hultman L. , Petrov I. , Greene J. E.
Published: August 2016

VNx/MgO(001) layers (1.0 ≥x≥ 0.80) are characterized using structural-analyses, photoemission, ellipsometry, and theory; results show N-vacancies, the primary defects, are non-interacting.
Optimised modulation technique for three‐phase differential multilevel converters with fundamental frequency switching strategy
Authors: Mojibian Mohammad Jafar , Tavakoli Bina Mohammad
Published: August 2016

In recent years, various modulation techniques have been introduced for different topologies of multilevel converters; every technique has its own advantages as well as disadvantages in practice. This study presents a new optimised variable offset modulation technique for differential multilevel converters that is based on using the concept of optimised offset in a simple buck converter. This modulation technique with achievement to full DC utilisation reduces switching losses. The resultant switching pulses reduce the switching power losses for multilevel converters compared with the conventional techniques. To evaluate the suggested method, the optimised offset has been compared with three conventional modulation techniques. All four modulation techniques are implemented on a reduced structure 16‐level converter with fundamental frequency switching strategy. Comparative analysis for the experiments confirms the capability of the presented technique in efficiency enhancement as well as high quality of the output voltage and loss reduction.