bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piwi reduction in the aged niche eliminates germline stem cells via Toll-GSK3 signaling
Authors: Lin Kun-Yang , Wang Wen-Der , Lin Chi-Hung , Rastegari Elham , Su Yu-Han , Chang Yu-Tzu , Liao Yung-Feng , Chang Yi-Chieh , Pi Haiwei , Yu Bo-Yi , Chen Shu-Hwa , Lin Chung-Yen , Lu Mei-Yeh , Su Tsu-Yi , Tzou Fei-Yang , Chan Chih-Chiang , Hsu Hwei-Jan
Published: June 2020

Transposons are known to participate in tissue aging, but their effects on aged stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report that in the Drosophila ovarian germline stem cell (GSC) niche, aging-related reductions in expression of Piwi (a transposon silencer) derepress retrotransposons and cause GSC loss. Suppression of Piwi expression in the young niche mimics the aged niche, causing retrotransposon depression and coincident activation of Toll-mediated signaling, which promotes Glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity to degrade β-catenin. Disruption of β-catenin-E-cadherin-mediated GSC anchorage then results in GSC loss. Knocking down gypsy (a highly active retrotransposon) or toll, or inhibiting reverse transcription in the piwi-deficient niche, suppresses GSK3 activity and β-catenin degradation, restoring GSC-niche attachment. This retrotransposon-mediated impairment of aged stem cell maintenance may have relevance in many tissues, and could represent a viable therapeutic target for aging-related tissue degeneration.
Regular-triangle trimer and charge order preserving the Anderson condition in the pyrochlore structure of CsW2O6
Authors: Okamoto Yoshihiko , Amano Haruki , Katayama Naoyuki , Sawa Hiroshi , Niki Kenta , Mitoka Rikuto , Harima Hisatomo , Hasegawa Takumi , Ogita Norio , Tanaka Yu , Takigawa Masashi , Yokoyama Yasunori , Takehana Kanji , Imanaka Yasutaka , Nakamura Yuto , Kishida Hideo , Takenaka Koshi
Published: June 2020

Since the discovery of the Verwey transition in magnetite, transition metal compounds with pyrochlore structures have been intensively studied as a platform for realizing remarkable electronic phase transitions. We report on a phase transition that preserves the cubic symmetry of the β-pyrochlore oxide CsW2O6, where each of W 5d electrons are confined in regular-triangle W3 trimers. This trimer formation represents the self-organization of 5d electrons, which can be resolved into a charge order satisfying the Anderson condition in a nontrivial way, orbital order caused by the distortion of WO6 octahedra, and the formation of a spin-singlet pair in a regular-triangle trimer. An electronic instability due to the unusual three-dimensional nesting of Fermi surfaces and the strong correlations of the 5d electrons characteristic of the pyrochlore oxides are both likely to play important roles in this charge-orbital-spin coupled phenomenon.
Topoisomerase 3β knockout mice show transcriptional and behavioural impairments associated with neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity
Authors: Joo Yuyoung , Xue Yutong , Wang Yue , McDevitt Ross A. , Sah Nirnath , Bossi Simone , Su Shuaikun , Lee Seung Kyu , Peng Wei , Xie Aoji , Zhang Yongqing , Ding Yi , Ku Wai Lim , Ghosh Soumita , Fishbein Kenneth , Shen Weiping , Spencer Richard , Becker Kevin , Zhao Keji , Mattson Mark P. , van Praag Henriette , Sharov Alexei , Wang Weidong
Published: June 2020

Topoisomerase 3β (Top3β) is the only dual-activity topoisomerase in animals that can change topology for both DNA and RNA, and facilitate transcription on DNA and translation on mRNAs. Top3β mutations have been linked to schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. Here we show that Top3β knockout mice exhibit behavioural phenotypes related to psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. The mice also display impairments in hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Notably, the brains of the mutant mice exhibit impaired global neuronal activity-dependent transcription in response to fear conditioning stress, and the affected genes include many with known neuronal functions. Our data suggest that Top3β is essential for normal brain function, and that defective neuronal activity-dependent transcription may be a mechanism by which Top3β deletion causes cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders.
MLKL trafficking and accumulation at the plasma membrane control the kinetics and threshold for necroptosis
Authors: Samson Andre L. , Zhang Ying , Geoghegan Niall D. , Gavin Xavier J. , Davies Katherine A. , Mlodzianoski Michael J. , Whitehead Lachlan W. , Frank Daniel , Garnish Sarah E. , Fitzgibbon Cheree , Hempel Anne , Young Samuel N. , Jacobsen Annette V. , Cawthorne Wayne , Petrie Emma J. , Faux Maree C. , Shield-Artin Kristy , Lalaoui Najoua , Hildebrand Joanne M. , Silke John , Rogers Kelly L. , Lessene Guillaume , Hawkins Edwin D. , Murphy James M.
Published: June 2020

Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) is the terminal protein in the pro-inflammatory necroptotic cell death program. RIPK3-mediated phosphorylation is thought to initiate MLKL oligomerization, membrane translocation and membrane disruption, although the precise choreography of events is incompletely understood. Here, we use single-cell imaging approaches to map the chronology of endogenous human MLKL activation during necroptosis. During the effector phase of necroptosis, we observe that phosphorylated MLKL assembles into higher order species on presumed cytoplasmic necrosomes. Subsequently, MLKL co-traffics with tight junction proteins to the cell periphery via Golgi-microtubule-actin-dependent mechanisms. MLKL and tight junction proteins then steadily co-accumulate at the plasma membrane as heterogeneous micron-sized hotspots. Our studies identify MLKL trafficking and plasma membrane accumulation as crucial necroptosis checkpoints. Furthermore, the accumulation of phosphorylated MLKL at intercellular junctions accelerates necroptosis between neighbouring cells, which may be relevant to inflammatory bowel disease and other necroptosis-mediated enteropathies.
Holistic engineering of cell-free systems through proteome-reprogramming synthetic circuits
Authors: Contreras-Llano Luis E. , Meyer Conary , Liu Yao , Sarker Mridul , Lim Sierin , Longo Marjorie L. , Tan Cheemeng
Published: June 2020

Synthetic biology has focused on engineering genetic modules that operate orthogonally from the host cells. A synthetic biological module, however, can be designed to reprogram the host proteome, which in turn enhances the function of the synthetic module. Here, we apply this holistic synthetic biology concept to the engineering of cell-free systems by exploiting the crosstalk between metabolic networks in cells, leading to a protein environment more favorable for protein synthesis. Specifically, we show that local modules expressing translation machinery can reprogram the bacterial proteome, changing the expression levels of more than 700 proteins. The resultant feedback generates a cell-free system that can synthesize fluorescent reporters, protein nanocages, and the gene-editing nuclease Cas9, with up to 5-fold higher expression level than classical cell-free systems. Our work demonstrates a holistic approach that integrates synthetic and systems biology concepts to achieve outcomes not possible by only local, orthogonal circuits.
MeCP2 regulates gene expression through recognition of H3K27me3
Authors: Lee Wooje , Kim Jeeho , Yun Jung-Mi , Ohn Takbum , Gong Qizhi
Published: June 2020

MeCP2 plays a multifaceted role in gene expression regulation and chromatin organization. Interaction between MeCP2 and methylated DNA in the regulation of gene expression is well established. However, the widespread distribution of MeCP2 suggests it has additional interactions with chromatin. Here we demonstrate, by both biochemical and genomic analyses, that MeCP2 directly interacts with nucleosomes and its genomic distribution correlates with that of H3K27me3. In particular, the methyl-CpG-binding domain of MeCP2 shows preferential interactions with H3K27me3. We further observe that the impact of MeCP2 on transcriptional changes correlates with histone post-translational modification patterns. Our findings indicate that MeCP2 interacts with genomic loci via binding to DNA as well as histones, and that interaction between MeCP2 and histone proteins plays a key role in gene expression regulation.
Rapid fast-delta decay following prolonged wakefulness marks a phase of wake-inertia in NREM sleep
Authors: Hubbard Jeffrey , Gent Thomas C. , Hoekstra Marieke M. B. , Emmenegger Yann , Mongrain Valerie , Landolt Hans-Peter , Adamantidis Antoine R. , Franken Paul
Published: June 2020

Sleep-wake driven changes in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREM) sleep (NREMS) EEG delta (δ-)power are widely used as proxy for a sleep homeostatic process. Here, we noted frequency increases in δ-waves in sleep-deprived mice, prompting us to re-evaluate how slow-wave characteristics relate to prior sleep-wake history. We identified two classes of δ-waves; one responding to sleep deprivation with high initial power and fast, discontinuous decay during recovery sleep (δ2) and another unrelated to time-spent-awake with slow, linear decay (δ1). Reanalysis of previously published datasets demonstrates that δ-band heterogeneity after sleep deprivation is also present in human subjects. Similar to sleep deprivation, silencing of centromedial thalamus neurons boosted subsequent δ2-waves, specifically. δ2-dynamics paralleled that of temperature, muscle tone, heart rate, and neuronal ON-/OFF-state lengths, all reverting to characteristic NREMS levels within the first recovery hour. Thus, prolonged waking seems to necessitate a physiological recalibration before typical NREMS can be reinstated.
Phonon-exciton Interactions in WSe2 under a quantizing magnetic field
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Wang Tianmeng , Miao Shengnan , Li Yunmei , Lu Zhenguang , Jin Chenhao , Lian Zhen , Meng Yuze , Blei Mark , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Tongay Sefaattin , Yao Wang , Smirnov Dmitry , Zhang Chuanwei , Shi Su-Fei
Published: June 2020

Strong many-body interaction in two-dimensional transitional metal dichalcogenides provides a unique platform to study the interplay between different quasiparticles, such as prominent phonon replica emission and modified valley-selection rules. A large out-of-plane magnetic field is expected to modify the exciton-phonon interactions by quantizing excitons into discrete Landau levels, which is largely unexplored. Here, we observe the Landau levels originating from phonon-exciton complexes and directly probe exciton-phonon interaction under a quantizing magnetic field. Phonon-exciton interaction lifts the inter-Landau-level transition selection rules for dark trions, manifested by a distinctively different Landau fan pattern compared to bright trions. This allows us to experimentally extract the effective mass of both holes and electrons. The onset of Landau quantization coincides with a significant increase of the valley-Zeeman shift, suggesting strong many-body effects on the phonon-exciton interaction. Our work demonstrates monolayer WSe2 as an intriguing playground to study phonon-exciton interactions and their interplay with charge, spin, and valley.
Scientists’ warning on affluence
Authors: Wiedmann Thomas , Lenzen Manfred , Keyßer Lorenz T. , Steinberger Julia K.
Published: June 2020

For over half a century, worldwide growth in affluence has continuously increased resource use and pollutant emissions far more rapidly than these have been reduced through better technology. The affluent citizens of the world are responsible for most environmental impacts and are central to any future prospect of retreating to safer environmental conditions. We summarise the evidence and present possible solution approaches. Any transition towards sustainability can only be effective if far-reaching lifestyle changes complement technological advancements. However, existing societies, economies and cultures incite consumption expansion and the structural imperative for growth in competitive market economies inhibits necessary societal change.
Nolz1 expression is required in dopaminergic axon guidance and striatal innervation
Authors: Soleilhavoup Clement , Travaglio Marco , Patrick Kieran , Garção Pedro , Boobalan Elangovan , Adolfs Youri , Spriggs Ruth V. , Moles-Garcia Emma , Dhiraj Dalbir , Oosterveen Tony , Ferri Sarah L. , Abel Ted , Brodkin Edward S. , Pasterkamp R. Jeroen , Brooks Brian P. , Panman Lia
Published: June 2020

Midbrain dopaminergic (DA) axons make long longitudinal projections towards the striatum. Despite the importance of DA striatal innervation, processes involved in establishment of DA axonal connectivity remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate a striatal-specific requirement of transcriptional regulator Nolz1 in establishing DA circuitry formation. DA projections are misguided and fail to innervate the striatum in both constitutive and striatal-specific Nolz1 mutant embryos. The lack of striatal Nolz1 expression results in nigral to pallidal lineage conversion of striatal projection neuron subtypes. This lineage switch alters the composition of secreted factors influencing DA axonal tract formation and renders the striatum non-permissive for dopaminergic and other forebrain tracts. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of wild-type and Nolz1−/− mutant striatal tissue led to the identification of several secreted factors that underlie the observed guidance defects and proteins that promote DA axonal outgrowth. Together, our data demonstrate the involvement of the striatum in orchestrating dopaminergic circuitry formation.
Eliminating the capsule-like layer to promote glucose uptake for hyaluronan production by engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Wang Yang , Hu Litao , Huang Hao , Wang Hao , Zhang Tianmeng , Chen Jian , Du Guocheng , Kang Zhen
Published: June 2020

Hyaluronan is widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceutics. Development of robust and safe cell factories and cultivation approaches to efficiently produce hyaluronan is of many interests. Here, we describe the metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum and application of a fermentation strategy to manufacture hyaluronan with different molecular weights. C. glutamicum is engineered by combinatorial overexpression of type I hyaluronan synthase, enzymes of intermediate metabolic pathways and attenuation of extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis. The engineered strain produces 34.2 g L−1 hyaluronan in fed-batch cultures. We find secreted hyaluronan encapsulates C. glutamicum, changes its cell morphology and inhibits metabolism. Disruption of the encapsulation with leech hyaluronidase restores metabolism and leads to hyper hyaluronan productions of 74.1 g L−1. Meanwhile, the molecular weight of hyaluronan is also highly tunable. These results demonstrate combinatorial optimization of cell factories and the extracellular environment is efficacious and likely applicable for the production of other biopolymers.
Substrate specificity of the TRAMP nuclear surveillance complexes
Authors: Delan-Forino Clémentine , Spanos Christos , Rappsilber Juri , Tollervey David
Published: June 2020

During nuclear surveillance in yeast, the RNA exosome functions together with the TRAMP complexes. These include the DEAH-box RNA helicase Mtr4 together with an RNA-binding protein (Air1 or Air2) and a poly(A) polymerase (Trf4 or Trf5). To better determine how RNA substrates are targeted, we analyzed protein and RNA interactions for TRAMP components. Mass spectrometry identified three distinct TRAMP complexes formed in vivo. These complexes preferentially assemble on different classes of transcripts. Unexpectedly, on many substrates, including pre-rRNAs and pre-mRNAs, binding specificity is apparently conferred by Trf4 and Trf5. Clustering of mRNAs by TRAMP association shows co-enrichment for mRNAs with functionally related products, supporting the significance of surveillance in regulating gene expression. We compared binding sites of TRAMP components with multiple nuclear RNA binding proteins, revealing preferential colocalization of subsets of factors. TRF5 deletion reduces Mtr4 recruitment and increases RNA abundance for mRNAs specifically showing high Trf5 binding.
Combustible ice mimicking behavior of hydrogen-bonded organic framework at ambient condition
Authors: Wang Yang , Hou Xudong , Liu Congyan , Albolkany Mohamed K. , Wang Yan , Wu Niannian , Chen Chunhui , Liu Bo
Published: June 2020

Adsorption of guest molecules by porous materials proceeds in a spontaneous exothermic way, whereas desorption usually requires external energy input as an endothermic process. Reducing such energy consumption makes great sense in practice. Here we report the reversible and automatic methanol (MeOH) adsorption/release in an ionic hydrogen-bonded organic framework (iHOF) constructed from guanidinium cation and borate anion ([B(OCH3)4]3[C(NH2)3]4Cl•4CH3OH, termed Gd-B) at ambient condition. The metastable Gd-B automatically releases all sixteen MeOH molecules (63.4 wt%) via desorption and tetra-methyl borate hydrolysis at ambient atmosphere and the structure can be recovered when re-exposed to MeOH vapor or liquid, mimicking combustible ice behavior but at ambient condition. Reversible capture/release of four guest MeOH molecules is also realized without destroying its crystal structure. The combustible Gd-B paves a way for exploring metastable iHOF materials as carrier for alternative energy source and drug delivery etc.
Quantum Monte Carlo study of lattice polarons in the two-dimensional three-orbital Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model
Authors: Li Shaozhi , Johnston Steven
Published: June 2020

The electron–lattice interaction gives rise to a rich set of phenomena in quantum materials. Microscopically, this interaction often arises from the modulation of orbital overlaps; however, many theoretical studies neglect such couplings. Here, we present an exact diagonalization and determinant quantum Monte Carlo study of a three-orbital Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model, on a two-dimensional Lieb lattice and in the negative charge transfer regime. At half-filling (one hole/unit cell), we observe a bipolaron insulating phase with a bond-disproportionate lattice. This phase is robust against moderate hole doping but is suppressed at large hole concentrations, leading to a metallic polaron-liquid-like state with fluctuating patches of local distortions. We also find an s-wave superconducting state at large hole doping that primarily appears on the oxygen sublattice. Our work provides a non-perturbative view of SSH-type couplings in two dimensions with implications for materials where such couplings are dominant.
CODC: a Copula-based model to identify differential coexpression
Authors: Ray Sumanta , Lall Snehalika , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra
Published: June 2020

Differential coexpression has recently emerged as a new way to establish a fundamental difference in expression pattern among a group of genes between two populations. Earlier methods used some scoring techniques to detect changes in correlation patterns of a gene pair in two conditions. However, modeling differential coexpression by means of finding differences in the dependence structure of the gene pair has hitherto not been carried out. We exploit a copula-based framework to model differential coexpression between gene pairs in two different conditions. The Copula is used to model the dependency between expression profiles of a gene pair. For a gene pair, the distance between two joint distributions produced by copula is served as differential coexpression. We used five pan-cancer TCGA RNA-Seq data to evaluate the model that outperforms the existing state of the art. Moreover, the proposed model can detect a mild change in the coexpression pattern across two conditions. For noisy expression data, the proposed method performs well because of the popular scale-invariant property of copula. In addition, we have identified differentially coexpressed modules by applying hierarchical clustering on the distance matrix. The identified modules are analyzed through Gene Ontology terms and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.
Adipose tissue morphology, imaging and metabolomics predicting cardiometabolic risk and family history of type 2 diabetes in non-obese men
Authors: Rawshani Aidin , Eliasson Björn , Rawshani Araz , Henninger Josefin , Mardinoglu Adil , Carlsson Åsa , Sohlin Maja , Ljungberg Maria , Hammarstedt Ann , Rosengren Annika , Smith Ulf
Published: June 2020

We evaluated the importance of body composition, amount of subcutaneous and visceral fat, liver and heart ectopic fat, adipose tissue distribution and cell size as predictors of cardio-metabolic risk in 53 non-obese male individuals. Known family history of type 2 diabetes was identified in 25 individuals. The participants also underwent extensive phenotyping together with measuring different biomarkers and non-targeted serum metabolomics. We used ensemble learning and other machine learning approaches to identify predictors with considerable relative importance and their intricate interactions. Visceral fat and age were strong individual predictors of ectopic fat accumulation in liver and heart along with markers of lipid oxidation and reduced glucose tolerance. Subcutaneous adipose cell size was the strongest individual predictor of whole-body insulin sensitivity and also a marker of visceral and ectopic fat accumulation. The metabolite 3-MOB along with related branched-chain amino acids demonstrated strong predictability for family history of type 2 diabetes.
Impact of Local Stiffness on Entropy Driven Microscopic Dynamics of Polythiophene
Authors: Gupta Sudipta , Chatterjee Sourav , Zolnierczuk Piotr , Nesterov Evgueni E. , Schneider Gerald J.
Published: June 2020

We exploited the high temporal and spatial resolution of neutron spin echo spectroscopy to investigate the large-scale dynamics of semiflexible conjugated polymer chains in solutions. We used a generalized approach of the well-established Zimm model of flexible polymers to describe the relaxation mode spectra of locally stiff polythiophene chains. The Zimm mode analysis confirms the existence of beads with a finite length that corresponds to a reduced number of segmental modes in semiflexible chains. Irrespective of the temperature and the molecular weight of the conjugated polymer, we witness a universal behavior of the local chain stiffness and invariability of the bead length. Our experimental findings indicate possibly minor role of the change in π-electron conjugation length (and therefore conjugated backbone planar to non-planar conformational transition) in the observed thermochromic behavior of polythiophene but instead point on the major role of chain dynamics in this phenomenon. We also obtained the first experimental evidence of an existence of a single-chain glass state in conjugated polymers.
Wave exposure reduces herbivory in post-disturbed reefs by filtering species composition, abundance and behaviour of key fish herbivores
Authors: Karkarey Rucha , Rathod Pooja , Arthur Rohan , Yadav Shreya , Theo Anne , Alcoverro Teresa
Published: June 2020

Harsh environmental conditions limit how species use the landscape, strongly influencing the way assemblages are distributed. In the wake of repeated coral bleaching mortalities in Lakshadweep, we examined how wave exposure influences herbivory  in exposed and sheltered reefs. We used a combination of i. field observations of fish herbivore composition, abundance and activity across 6 exposed and 6 sheltered reefs; ii. experimental manipulations in a subset of these reefs (herbivore exclosures); and iii. opportunistic observations of fish recruitment, to determine how exposure influences herbivore biomass and herbivory. Species richness, biomass, abundance, total bite rates and species-specific per capita bite rates were lower in exposed compared to sheltered reefs, linked to strong environmental filtering of species composition, abundance and behaviour. For some critical species, this environmental filtering begins with differential recruitment and post-recruitment processes between exposures. Bite rates at sheltered sites were dominated by just a few species, most being laterally compressed surgeonfish that may find it difficult accessing or surviving in wave-battered shallow reefs. Exclosure experiments confirmed  that exposed reefs  were less controlled by herbivores than sheltered reefs. In post-disturbed reefs like Lakshadweep, environmental gradients appear to be key mediators of critical functions like herbivory by determining species composition, abundance and behaviour.
Target control based on edge dynamics in complex networks
Authors: Lu Furong , Yang Kaikai , Qian Yuhua
Published: June 2020

In the past decade, the study of the dynamics of complex networks has been a focus of research. In particular, the controllability of complex networks based on the nodal dynamics has received strong attention. As a result, significant theories have been formulated in network control. Target control theory is one of the most important results among these theories. This theory addresses how to select as few input nodes as possible to control the chosen target nodes in a nodal linear dynamic system. However, the research on how to control the target edges in switchboard dynamics, which is a dynamical process defined on the edges, has been lacking. This shortcoming has motivated us to give an effective control scheme for the target edges. Here, we propose the k-travel algorithm to approximately calculate the minimum number of driven edges and driver nodes for a directed tree-like network. For general cases, we put forward a greedy algorithm TEC to approximately calculate the minimum number of driven edges and driver nodes. Analytic calculations show that networks with large assortativity coefficient as well as small average shortest path are efficient in random target edge control, and networks with small clustering coefficient are efficient in local target edge control.
Dimorphic flowers modify the visitation order of pollinators from male to female flowers
Authors: Tsuji Kaoru , Kobayashi Kazuya , Hasegawa Eisuke , Yoshimura Jin
Published: June 2020

Sexual dimorphism is a pervasive form of variation within species. Understanding how and why sexual dimorphism evolves would contribute to elucidating the mechanisms underlying the diversification of traits. In flowering plants, pollinators are considered a driver of sexual dimorphism when they affect female and male plant fitness in distinct ways. Here, we found that flowers appear to manipulate the behavior of pollinators using sexually dimorphic traits in the dioecious treeEurya japonica. In this plant, female flowers present a higher-quality reward for pollinators, whereas male flowers have a more conspicuous appearance. Plants benefit by inducing pollinators to carry pollen from male to female flowers, and their sexual dimorphism might thus facilitate pollen movement through pollinator behavior. In two-choice experiments, pollinators frequently moved from male to female flowers, whereas computer simulation suggested that sexually dimorphic traits would evolve if pollinators changed behavior depending on the traits of the flowers they had just visited. These results suggest that the floral traits affecting the visiting order of pollinators have evolved in plants. UsingE. japonica, we theoretically show that the induction of sequential behavior in pollinators might be crucial to the evolution of sexual dimorphism in flowers, and our experiments support these findings.
Cellulose Mediated Transferrin Nanocages for Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Hazra Raj Shankar , Kale Narendra , Aland Gourishankar , Qayyumi Burhanuddin , Mitra Dipankar , Jiang Long , Bajwa Dilpreet , Khandare Jayant , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Quadir Mohiuddin
Published: June 2020

Herein we report a hierarchically organized, water-dispersible ‘nanocage’ composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), which are magnetically powered by iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Capturing CTCs from peripheral blood is extremely challenging due to their low abundance and its account is clinically validated in progression-free survival of patients with HNC. Engaging multiple hydroxyl groups along the molecular backbone of CNC, we co-ordinated Fe3O4 NPs onto CNC scaffold, which was further modified by conjugation with a protein - transferrin (Tf) for targeted capture of CTCs. Owing to the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, these nanocages were magnetic in nature, and CTCs could be captured under the influence of a magnetic field. Tf-CNC-based nanocages were evaluated using HNC patients’ blood sample and compared for the CTC capturing efficiency with clinically relevant Oncoviu platform. Conclusively, we observed that CNC-derived nanocages efficiently isolated CTCs from patient’s blood at 85% of cell capture efficiency to that of the standard platform. Capture efficiency was found to vary with the concentration of Tf and Fe3O4 nanoparticles immobilized onto the CNC scaffold. We envision that, Tf-CNC platform has immense connotation in ‘liquid biopsy’ for isolation and enumeration of CTCs for early detection of metastasis in cancer.
Signatures of the autonomic nervous system and the heart’s pacemaker cells in canine electrocardiograms and their applications to humans
Authors: Rosenberg Aviv A. , Weiser-Bitoun Ido , Billman George E. , Yaniv Yael
Published: June 2020

Heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) are mainly determined by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which interacts with receptors on the sinoatrial node (SAN; the heart’s primary pacemaker), and by the “coupled-clock” system within the SAN cells. HRV changes are associated with cardiac diseases. However, the relative contributions of the ANS and SAN to HRV are not clear, impeding effective treatment. To discern the SAN’s contribution, we performed HRV analysis on canine electrocardiograms containing basal and ANS-blockade segments. We also analyzed human electrocardiograms of atrial fibrillation and heart failure patients, as well as healthy aged subjects. Finally, we used a mathematical model to simulate HRV under decreased “coupled-clock” regulation. We found that (a) in canines, the SAN and ANS contribute mainly to long- and short-term HRV, respectively; (b) there is evidence suggesting a similar relative SAN contribution in humans; (c) SAN features can be calculated from beat-intervals obtainedin-vivo, without intervention; (d) ANS contribution can be modeled by sines embedded in white noise; (e) HRV changes associated with cardiac diseases and aging can be interpreted as deterioration of both SAN and ANS; and (f) SAN clock-coupling can be estimated from changes in HRV. This may enable future non-invasive diagnostic applications.
Publisher Correction: 6-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime intercepts GSK3 signaling to promote and enhance skeletal muscle differentiation affecting miR-206 expression in mice
Authors: Ragozzino Elvira , Brancaccio Mariarita , Di Costanzo Antonella , Scalabrì Francesco , Andolfi Gennaro , Wanderlingh Luca G. , Patriarca Eduardo J. , Minchiotti Gabriella , Altamura Sergio , Summa Vincenzo , Varrone Francesca
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Generation of knockout rabbits with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Hashikawa Yoshiko , Hayashi Ryuhei , Tajima Masaru , Okubo Toru , Azuma Shohei , Kuwamura Mitsuru , Takai Naofumi , Osada Yasuyuki , Kunihiro Yayoi , Mashimo Tomoji , Nishida Kohji
Published: June 2020

Severe immunodeficient mice are widely used to examine human and animal cells behaviour in vivo. However, mice are short-lived and small in size; while large animals require specific large-scale equipment. Rabbits are also commonly employed as experimental models and are larger than mice or rats, easy to handle, and suitable for long-term observational and pre-clinical studies. Herein, we sought to develop and maintain stable strains of rabbits with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) via the CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting Il2rg. Consequently, X-SCID rabbits presented immunodeficient phenotypes including the loss of T and B cells and hypoplasia of the thymus. Further, these rabbits exhibited a higher success rate with engraftments upon allogeneic transplantation of skin tissue than did wild type controls. X-SCID rabbits could be stably maintained for a minimum of four generations. These results indicate that X-SCID rabbits are effective animals for use in a non-rodent model of severe immunodeficiency.
The Response of COL and FT Homologues to Photoperiodic Regulation in Carrot (Daucus carota L.)
Authors: Liu Lijie , Ou Chenggang , Chen Shumin , Shen Qi , Liu Bo , Li Min , Zhao Zhiwei , Kong Xiaoping , Yan Xiangping , Zhuang Feiyun
Published: June 2020

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a biennial plant requiring vernalization to induce flowering, but long days can promote its premature bolting and flowering. The basic genetic network controlling the flowering time has been constructed for carrot, but there is limited information on the molecular mechanisms underlying the photoperiodic flowering response. The published carrot genome could provide an effective tool for systematically retrieving the key integrator genes of GIGANTEA (GI), CONSTANS-LIKE (COL), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) homologues in the photoperiod pathway. In this study, the bolting time of wild species “Songzi” (Ws) could be regulated by different photoperiods, but the orange cultivar “Amsterdam forcing” (Af) displayed no bolting phenomenon. According to the carrot genome and previous de novo transcriptome, 1 DcGI, 15 DcCOLs, 2 DcFTs, and 3 DcSOC1s were identified in the photoperiod pathway. The circadian rhythm peaks of DcGI, DcCOL2, DcCOL5a, and DcCOL13b could be delayed under long days (LDs). The peak value of DcCOL2 in Af (12.9) was significantly higher than that in Ws (6.8) under short day (SD) conditions, and was reduced under LD conditions (5.0). The peak values of DcCOL5a in Ws were constantly higher than those in Af under the photoperiod treatments. The expression levels of DcFT1 in Ws (463.0) were significantly upregulated under LD conditions compared with those in Af (1.4). These responses of DcCOL2, DcCOL5a, and DcFT1 might be related to the different bolting responses of Ws and Af. This study could provide valuable insights into understanding the key integrator genes in the carrot photoperiod pathway.
hFRUIT: An optimized agent for optical clearing of DiI-stained adult human brain tissue
Authors: Hildebrand Sven , Schueth Anna , Wangenheim Klaus von , Mattheyer Christian , Pampaloni Francesco , Bratzke Hansjürgen , Roebroeck Alard F. , Galuske Ralf A. W.
Published: June 2020

Here, we describe a new immersion-based clearing method suitable for optical clearing of thick adult human brain samples while preserving its lipids and lipophilic labels such as 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI). This clearing procedure is simple, easy to implement, and allowed for clearing of 5 mm thick human brain tissue samples within 12 days. Furthermore, we show for the first time the advantageous effect of the Periodate-Lysine-Paraformaldehyde (PLP) fixation as compared to the more commonly used 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) on clearing performance.
Multivalent and synergistic chitosan oligosaccharide-Ag nanocomposites for therapy of bacterial infection
Authors: Mei Lin , Xu Zhenlong , Shi Yanmei , Lin Chunlei , Jiao Shuyan , Zhang Lijun , Li Pengxu
Published: June 2020

Chitosan oligosaccharide functionalized silver nanoparticles with synergistic bacterial activity were constructed as a multivalent inhibitor of bacteria. Placing the chitosan oligosaccharide on silver nanoparticles can dramatically enhance the adsorption to the bacterial membrane via multivalent binding. The multicomponent nanostructures can cooperate synergistically against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity was increased via orthogonal array design to optimize the synthesis condition. The synergistic bacterial activity was confirmed by fractional inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition test. Through studies of antimicrobial action mechanism, it was found that the nanocomposites interacted with the bacteria by binding to Mg2+ ions of the bacterial surface. Then, the nanocomposites disrupted bacterial membrane by increasing the permeability of the outer membrane, resulting in leakage of cytoplasm. This strategy of chitosan oligosaccharide modification can increase the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles and accelerate wound healing at the same time. The nanomaterial without cytotoxicity has promising applications in bacteria-infected wound healing therapy.
Successful delivery of large-size CRISPR/Cas9 vectors in hard-to-transfect human cells using small plasmids
Authors: Søndergaard Jonas Nørskov , Geng Keyi , Sommerauer Christian , Atanasoai Ionut , Yin Xiushan , Kutter Claudia
Published: June 2020

With the rise of new powerful genome engineering technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, cell models can be engineered effectively to accelerate basic and disease research. The most critical step in this procedure is the efficient delivery of foreign nucleic acids into cells by cellular transfection. Since the vectors encoding the components necessary for CRISPR/Cas genome engineering are always large (9–19 kb), they result in low transfection efficiency and cell viability, and thus subsequent selection or purification of positive cells is required. To overcome those obstacles, we here show a non-toxic and non-viral delivery method that increases transfection efficiency (up to 40-fold) and cell viability (up to 6-fold) in a number of hard-to-transfect human cancer cell lines and primary blood cells. At its core, the technique is based on adding exogenous small plasmids of a defined size to the transfection mixture.
Magnetically powered metachronal waves induce locomotion in self-assemblies
Authors: Collard Ylona , Grosjean Galien , Vandewalle Nicolas
Published: June 2020

When tiny soft ferromagnetic particles are placed along a liquid interface and exposed to a vertical magnetic field, the balance between capillary attraction and magnetic repulsion leads to self-organization into well-defined patterns. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that precessing magnetic fields induce metachronal waves on the periphery of these assemblies, similar to the ones observed in ciliates and some arthropods. The outermost layer of particles behaves like an array of cilia or legs whose sequential movement causes a net and controllable locomotion. This bioinspired many-particle swimming strategy is effective even at low Reynolds number, using only spatially uniform fields to generate the waves.
Electrical nucleation, displacement, and detection of antiferromagnetic domain walls in the chiral antiferromagnet Mn3Sn
Authors: Sugimoto Satoshi , Nakatani Yoshinobu , Yamane Yuta , Ikhlas Muhammad , Kondou Kouta , Kimata Motoi , Tomita Takahiro , Nakatsuji Satoru , Otani Yoshichika
Published: June 2020

Antiferromagnets exhibiting distinctive responses to the electric and magnetic fields have attracted attention as breakthrough materials in spintronics. The current-induced Néel-order spin-orbit torque can manipulate the antiferromagnetic domain wall (AFDW) in a collinear CuMnAs owing to a lack of local inversion symmetry. Here, we demonstrate that the electrical nucleation, displacement, and detection of AFDWs are also possible in a noncollinear antiferromagnet, i.e., chiral Mn3Sn with local inversion symmetry. The asymmetric magnetoresistance measurements reveal that AFDWs align parallel to the kagome planes in the microfabricated wire. Numerical calculation shows these AFDWs consist of stepwise sub-micron size Bloch wall-like spin textures in which the octupole moment gradually rotates over three segments of domain walls. We further observed that the application of a pulse-current drives these octupole based AFDWs along the wire. Our findings could provide a guiding principle for engineering the AFDW structure in the chiral antiferromagnetic materials.
Graphene oxide nanosheets modulate spinal glutamatergic transmission and modify locomotor behaviour in an in vivo zebrafish model
Authors: Cellot Giada , Vranic Sandra , Shin Yuyoung , Worsley Robyn , Rodrigues Artur Filipe , Bussy Cyrill , Casiraghi Cinzia , Kostarelos Kostas , McDearmid Jonathan Robert
Published: June 2020

The article reports that graphene oxide nanosheets (s-GO), by interfering with synapses, have the potential to be used as behavioural modulators.
Strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite grown on graphene oxide nanosheet-reinforced chitosan scaffold to promote bone regeneration
Authors: Wu Tingting , Li Binglin , Wang Wanshun , Chen Lingling , Li Zhan , Wang Ming , Zha Zhengang , Lin Zefeng , Xia Hong , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2020

SrHA grown on GO nanosheet-reinforced chitosan scaffolds promoted the bone regeneration as SrHA and GO had good osteoconductivity and high ALP activity while the chitosan matrix played a role in antibacteria.
Rapamycin–PLGA microparticles prevent senescence, sustain cartilage matrix production under stress and exhibit prolonged retention in mouse joints
Authors: Dhanabalan Kaamini M. , Gupta Vishal K. , Agarwal Rachit
Published: June 2020

Controlled rapamycin release through microparticles induces autophagy and prevents senescence in chondrocytes under stress.
Pore space partition of a fragile Ag(i)-carboxylate framework via post-synthetic linker insertion
Authors: Kim Dongwook , Seong Junmo , Han Seungwan , Baek Seung Bin , Lah Myoung Soo
Published: June 2020

Pore space partitioning via post-synthetic insertion of dipyridyl linkers with different lengths modulates the porosity of Ag(i)-based MOFs.
Pyridine N-oxide promoted hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by [PSiP]-pincer iron hydrides
Authors: Chang Guoliang , Zhang Peng , Yang Wenjing , Xie Shangqing , Sun Hongjian , Li Xiaoyan , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter
Published: June 2020

Five [PSiP]-pincer iron hydrides 1–5 were used as catalysts to study the effects of pyridine N-oxide and the electronic properties of [PSiP]-ligands on the catalytic hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds.
A metal-free radical technique for cross-linking of polymethylhydrosiloxane or polymethylvinylsiloxane using AIBN
Authors: Deriabin Konstantin V. , Dobrynin Mikhail V. , Islamova Regina M.
Published: June 2020

A new method comprising AIBN was developed for the metal-free cross-linking of PMHS or PMVS.
Induction, control, and rationalization of supramolecular chirogenesis using metalloporphyrin tweezers: a structure-function correlation
Authors: Dhamija Avinash , Mondal Pritam , Saha Bapan , Rath Sankar Prasad
Published: June 2020

A brief account of our systematic investigation for understanding the underpinning mechanism of chirality induction and control at the molecular level over the last few years is presented in this Perspective article.
Secondary organic aerosol formation from evaporated biofuels: comparison to gasoline and correction for vapor wall losses
Authors: He Yicong , King Brandon , Pothier Matson , Lewane Liam , Akherati Ali , Mattila James , Farmer Delphine K. , McCormick Robert L. , Thornton Matthew , Pierce Jeffrey R. , Volckens John , Jathar Shantanu H.
Published: June 2020

With an ongoing interest in displacing petroleum-based sources of energy with biofuels, we measure and model the formation and composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from organic compounds present in biofuels.
Nanosilver impacts on aquatic microbial decomposers and litter decomposition assessed as pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT)
Authors: Batista Daniela , Tlili Ahmed , Gessner Mark O. , Pascoal Cláudia , Cássio Fernanda
Published: June 2020

The pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) concept was applied to assess nanoparticle chronic effects on microbial litter decomposers and processes.
Biosourced terpenoids for the development of sustainable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesivesviaemulsion polymerisation
Authors: Droesbeke Martijn A. , Simula Alexandre , Asua José M. , Du Prez Filip E.
Published: June 2020

Terpenoid-based (meth)acrylates are introduced in waterborne acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesivesviaemulsion polymerization. These materials showed good tack, peel strength and shear resistance properties, comparable to a petroleum-based benchmark.
Total alkali silica classification of rocks with LIBS: influences of the chemical and physical matrix effects
Authors: Xu Weijie , Sun Chen , Tan Yongqi , Gao Liang , Zhang Yuqing , Yue Zengqi , Shabbir Sahar , Wu Mengting , Zou Long , Chen Fengye , Liu Shu , Yu Jin
Published: June 2020

The matrix effects in LIBS analyses have been considered with univariate and machine learning based multivariate regression models for TAS classification of rocks.
Nuclear delivery of dual anticancer drug-based nanomedicine constructed by cisplatinum-induced peptide self-assembly
Authors: Xu Tengyan , Liang Chunhui , Zheng Debin , Yan Xiaorong , Chen Yaoxia , Chen Yumiao , Li Xinxin , Shi Yang , Wang Ling , Yang Zhimou
Published: June 2020

Nuclear delivery of anticancer drugs, particularly dual complementary anticancer drugs, can significantly improve chemotherapy efficacy.
Shell-mediated control of surface chemistry of highly stoichiometric magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Lavorato Gabriel C. , Rubert Aldo A. , Xing Yutao , Das Raja , Robles Joshua , Litterst F. Jochen , Baggio-Saitovitch Elisa , Phan Manh-Huong , Srikanth Hariharan , Vericat Carolina , Fonticelli Mariano H.
Published: June 2020

Magnetite nanostructures gradually oxidize under environmental conditions. Here we demonstrate that a Zn-ferrite epitaxial coating protects magnetite cores from oxidation and provides a core/shell system with enhanced magnetic properties.
Facile synthesis of a linear porous organic polymer via Schiff-base chemistry for propyne/propylene separation
Authors: Hou Shengtai , Suo Xian , Chen Nanqing , Zhang Pengfei , Dai Sheng
Published: June 2020

Synthesis of the linear porous organic polymer (L-POP) for selective separation of acetylene (C3H4) from ethylene (C3H6).
Metal–organic framework derived nitrogen-doped carbon-RhNi alloys anchored on graphene for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Xia Xian-Ming , Yuan Cheng-Zong , Wang Gang , Ling Cong , Zhao Tan , Li Wan-Qing , Cheang Tuck-Yun , Zhong Sheng-Liang , Xu An-Wu
Published: June 2020

Nitrogen-doped carbon-RhNi alloy nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide nanosheet hybrid structure (NC-RhNi/rGO) exhibit high HER performance.
Chitosan/MCM-48 nanocomposite as a potential adsorbent for removing phenol from aqueous solution
Authors: Fathy Mahmoud , Selim Hanaa , Shahawy Abeer E. L.
Published: June 2020

A new hybrid mesoporous nanocomposite (CMCM-48) based on chitosan and silica MCM-48 was considered as a potential adsorbent for removing phenol from aqueous solutions (toxic liquid waste) in a batch process.
Enzyme-less amperometric sensor manufactured using a Nafion–LaNiO3 nanocomposite for hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Ahmadi Elahe , Gholivand Mohammad Bagher , Karami Changiz
Published: June 2020

In the present study, an enzyme-less amperometric sensor based on Nafion (NF) and a LaNiO3 (LNO) nanocomposite was constructed for H2O2 detection.
Effects of thiol substitution in deep-eutectic solvents (DESs) as solvents for metal oxides
Authors: Damilano Giacomo , Laitinen Antero , Willberg-Keyriläinen Pia , Lavonen Tiina , Häkkinen Riina , Dehaen Wim , Binnemans Koen , Kuutti Lauri
Published: June 2020

The study compared thiol LTTM to their alcoholic analogues. This study set the basis for the discovery of this alternate domain of thiol LTTMs.
Natural products' role against COVID-19
Authors: Antonio Ananda da Silva , Wiedemann Larissa Silveira Moreira , Veiga-Junior Valdir Florêncio
Published: June 2020

Natural products can play an important role in COVID-19 chemotherapy development.
Integrating CRISPR-Cas12a with a DNA circuit as a generic sensing platform for amplified detection of microRNA
Authors: Peng Shuang , Tan Zhen , Chen Siyu , Lei Chunyang , Nie Zhou
Published: June 2020

A generic sensing strategy that integrates CRISPR-Cas12a with a DNA circuit is proposed for amplified detection of microRNA.