bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biophysical Regulation of Chromatin Architecture Instills a Mechanical Memory in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Heo Su-Jin , Thorpe Stephen D. , Driscoll Tristan P. , Duncan Randall L. , Lee David A. , Mauck Robert L.
Published: November 2015

Mechanical cues direct the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we identified the operative molecular mechanisms through which dynamic tensile loading (DL) regulates changes in chromatin organization and nuclear mechanics in MSCs. Our data show that, in the absence of exogenous differentiation factors, short term DL elicits a rapid increase in chromatin condensation, mediated by acto-myosin based cellular contractility and the activity of the histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2. The resulting change in chromatin condensation stiffened the MSC nucleus, making it less deformable when stretch was applied to the cell. We also identified stretch induced ATP release and purinergic calcium signaling as a central mediator of this chromatin condensation process. Further, we showed that DL, through differential stabilization of the condensed chromatin state, established a ‘mechanical memory’ in these cells. That is, increasing strain levels and number of loading events led to a greater degree of chromatin condensation that persisted for longer periods of time after the cessation of loading. These data indicate that, with mechanical perturbation, MSCs develop a mechanical memory encoded in structural changes in the nucleus which may sensitize them to future mechanical loading events and define the trajectory and persistence of their lineage specification.
eIF5A1/RhoGDIα pathway: a novel therapeutic target for treatment of spinal cord injury identified by a proteomics approach
Authors: Liu Wei , Shang Fei-Fei , Xu Yang , Belegu Visar , Xia Lei , Zhao Wei , Liu Ran , Wang Wei , Liu Jin , Li Chen-Yun , Wang Ting-Hua
Published: November 2015

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is frequently accompanied by a degree of spontaneous functional recovery. The underlying mechanisms through which such recovery is generated remain elusive. In this study, we observed a significant spontaneous motor function recovery 14 to 28 days after spinal cord transection (SCT) in rats. Using a comparative proteomics approach, caudal to the injury, we detected difference in 20 proteins. Two of these proteins, are eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A1 (eIF5A1) that is involved in cell survival and proliferation and Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (RhoGDIα), a member of Rho GDI family that is involved in cytoskeletal reorganization. After confirming the changes in expression levels of these two proteins following SCT, we showed that in vivo eIF5A1 up-regulation and down-regulation significantly increased and decreased, respectively, motor function recovery. In vitro, eIF5A1 overexpression in primary neurons increased cell survival and elongated neurite length while eIF5A1 knockdown reversed these results. We found that RhoGDIα up-regulation and down-regulation rescues the effect of eIF5A1 down-regulation and up-regulation both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, we have identified eIF5A1/RhoGDIα pathway as a new therapeutic target for treatment of spinal cord injured patients.
MicroRNA-155-IFN-γ Feedback Loop in CD4+T Cells of Erosive type Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Hu Jing-Yu , Zhang Jing , Ma Jing-Zhi , Liang Xue-Yi , Chen Guan-Ying , Lu Rui , Du Ge-Fei , Zhou Gang
Published: November 2015

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated immune disorder and we have indicated a Th1-dominated immune response in OLP. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) could promote Th1 cells polarization. The present study aims to determine the role of miR-155 in immune response of OLP. The expression of miR-155 and the target mRNA was tested by Real-Time PCR. The serum levels of IL-2, 4, 10 and IFN-γ were examined with ELISA. Furthermore, in vitro study was built to observe the function of miR-155 in erosive-type OLP (EOLP). Finally, we determined the expression and correlation of miR-155 and SOCS1 in EOLP CD4+ T cells. The results showed miR-155 was high related with the disease severities. Besides, serum IFN-γ was specifically increased in EOLP group, while IL-4 was decreased. In vitro studies showed miR-155 could reinforce IFN-γ signal transducer and the induction of IFN-γ could also promote miR-155 expression in EOLP CD4+ T cells. In addition, miR-155 levels were negatively related with SOCS1 mRNA expression in EOLP CD4+ T cells. Our study revealed a positive miR-155- IFN-γ feedback loop in EOLP CD4+ T cell, which might contribute to the Th1-dominated immune response. Furthermore, miR-155 could be used for the evaluation and treatment of OLP.
MLN4924 Synergistically Enhances Cisplatin-induced Cytotoxicity via JNK and Bcl-xL Pathways in Human Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Ho I-Lin , Kuo Kuan-Lin , Liu Shing-Hwa- , Chang Hong-Chiang , Hsieh Ju-Ton , Wu June-Tai , Chiang Chih-Kang , Lin Wei-Chou , Tsai Yu-Chieh , Chou Chien-Tso , Hsu Chen-Hsun , Pu Yeong-Shiau , Shi Chung-Sheng , Huang Kuo-How
Published: November 2015

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the primary treatment for metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma. However, the response rate is only 40–65%. This study investigated the anti-tumor effect and underlying mechanisms of the combination of cisplatin and the NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor MLN4924 in human bladder urothelial carcinoma. The combination of cisplatin and MLN4924 exerted synergistic cytotoxicity on two high-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma cell lines, NTUB1 and T24 (combination index <1). MLN4924 also potentiated the cisplatin-induced apoptosis and activation of caspase-3 and -7, phospho-histone H2A.X and PARP. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and a down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) were also observed during cisplatin and MLN4924 treatment. Inhibition of JNK activation partially restored cell viability and Bcl-xL expression. Bcl-xL overexpression also rescued cell viability. MLN4924 significantly potentiated cisplatin-induced tumor suppression in urothelial carcinoma xenograft mice. In summary, MLN4924 synergistically enhanced the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin via an increase in DNA damage, JNK activation and down-regulation of Bcl-xL in urothelial carcinoma cells. These findings provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Goodness-of-fit test for meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Zhongxue , Zhang Guoyi , Li Jing
Published: November 2015

Meta-analysis is a very useful tool to combine information from different sources. Fixed effect and random effect models are widely used in meta-analysis. Despite their popularity, they may give us misleading results if the models don’t fit the data but are blindly used. Therefore, like any statistical analysis, checking the model fitting is an important step. However, in practice, the goodness-of-fit in meta-analysis is rarely discussed. In this paper, we propose some tests to check the goodness-of-fit for the fixed and random effect models with assumption of normal distributions in meta-analysis. Through simulation study, we show that the proposed tests control type I error rate very well. To demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed tests, we also apply them to some real data sets. Our study shows that the proposed tests are useful tools in checking the goodness-of-fit of the normal models used in meta-analysis.
RA-XII inhibits tumour growth and metastasis in breast tumour-bearing mice via reducing cell adhesion and invasion and promoting matrix degradation
Authors: Leung Hoi-Wing , Zhao Si-Meng , Yue Grace Gar-Lee , Lee Julia Kin-Ming , Fung Kwok-Pui , Leung Ping-Chung , Tan Ning-Hua , Lau Clara Bik-San
Published: November 2015

Cancer cells acquire invasive ability to degrade and adhere to extracellular matrix (ECM) and migrate to adjacent tissues. This ultimately results metastasis. Hence, the present study investigated the in vitro effects of cyclopeptide glycoside, RA-XII on cell adhesion, invasion, proliferation and matrix degradation and its underlying mechanism in murine breast tumour cells, 4T1. The effect of RA-XII on tumour growth and metastasis in 4T1-bearing mice was also investigated. Our results showed that RA-XII inhibited tumour cell adhesion to collagen, fibronectin and laminin, RA-XII also reduced the expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule, intracellular adhesion molecule and integrins and integrin binding. In addition, RA-XII significantly inhibited breast tumour cell migration via interfering cofilin signaling and chemokine receptors. The activities of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and urokinase-type of plasminogen activator and the expressions of ECM-associated proteinases were attenuated significantly by RA-XII. Furthermore, RA-XII induced G1 phase arrest and inhibited the expressions of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. RA-XII inhibited the expressions of molecules in PI3K/AKT, NF-kappaB, FAK/pSRC, MAPK and EGFR signaling. RA-XII was also shown to have anti-tumour, anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activities in metastatic breast tumour-bearing mice. These findings strongly suggested that RA-XII is a potential anti-metastatic agent for breast cancer.
Tuning the Quantum Efficiency of Random Lasers - Intrinsic Stokes-Shift and Gain
Authors: Lubatsch Andreas , Frank Regine
Published: November 2015

We report the theoretical analysis for tuning the quantum efficiency of solid state random lasers. Vollhardt-Wölfle theory of photonic transport in disordered non-conserving and open random media, is coupled to lasing dynamics and solved positionally dependent. The interplay of non-linearity and homogeneous non-radiative frequency conversion by means of a Stokes-shift leads to a reduction of the quantum efficiency of the random laser. At the threshold a strong decrease of the spot-size in the stationary state is found due to the increase of non-radiative losses. The coherently emitted photon number per unit of modal surface is also strongly reduced. This result allows for the conclusion that Stokes-shifts are not sufficient to explain confined and extended mode regimes.
CUL4A facilitates hepatocarcinogenesis by promoting cell cycle progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Pan Yingfang , Wang Bo , Yang Xiaoyun , Bai Fuxiang , Xu Qun , Li Xueen , Gao Lifen , Ma Chunhong , Liang Xiaohong
Published: November 2015

CUL4A, a member of the CULLIN family, functions as a scaffold protein for an E3 ubiquitin ligase. It was reported that the CUL4A gene showed amplification in some human primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, the exact role of CUL4A in HCC remains unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression and function of CUL4A in HCC development. Through immunohistochemistry study, we showed increased CUL4A expression in HCC tissues. Statistical analysis disclosed an inverse correlation between CUL4A expression and tumor differentiation grade and patient survival, but a positive correlation with hepatocyte proliferation as well as lymphatic and venous invasion. CUL4A expression in HCC tissues was associated with HBeAg status in patients and upregulated by HBV in HCC cell lines. Further functional assay showed that CUL4A overexpression significantly promoted growth of H22 tumor homografts in BALB/c mice. Consistently, CUL4A knockdown inhibited the proliferation of established HCC cells, accompanied by S-phase reduction and Cyclin A and Cyclin B1 repression. Furthermore, CUL4A siRNA ameliorated the motility of HCC cell lines with altered expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated molecules. Taken together, our findings indicate that CUL4A plays a pivotal role in HCC progression and may serve as a potential marker for clinical diagnosis and target for therapy.
Genome-wide association study-identified SNPs (rs3790844, rs3790843) in the NR5A2 gene and risk of pancreatic cancer in Japanese
Authors: Ueno Makoto , Ohkawa Shinichi , Morimoto Manabu , Ishii Hiroshi , Matsuyama Masato , Kuruma Sawako , Egawa Naoto , Nakao Haruhisa , Mori Mitsuru , Matsuo Keitaro , Hosono Satoyo , Nojima Masanori , Wakai Kenji , Nakamura Kozue , Tamakoshi Akiko , Takahashi Mami , Shimada Kazuaki , Nishiyama Takeshi , Kikuchi Shogo , Lin Yingsong
Published: November 2015

We genotyped 2 SNPs (rs3790844 T/C and rs3790843 G/A) in the NR5A2 gene that were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of pancreatic cancer in populations of mainly European ancestry and we examined their associations with pancreatic cancer risk in a case-control study of 360 patients and 400 control subjects in Japan. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0.80). For rs3790843, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.41–1.36) and 0.60 (95%CI: 0.33–1.08) for subjects with the AG and AA genotype, respectively, compared to subjects with the GG genotype. The per allele OR was 0.78 (0.62–0.99) (P = 0.046). For rs3790844, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.37–1.14) and 0.47 (95%CI: 0.27–0.83) for subjects with the CT and CC genotype, respectively, compared to subjects with the TT genotype. The per allele OR was 0.70 (0.56–0.89) (P = 0.003). Our case-control study found that rs3790843 and rs3790844 in the NR5A2 gene are associated with pancreatic cancer risk in Japanese subjects. The direction of association is consistent with the prior findings from GWASs.
Water Lubrication of Stainless Steel using Reduced Graphene Oxide Coating
Authors: Kim Hae-Jin , Kim Dae-Eun
Published: November 2015

Lubrication of mechanical systems using water instead of conventional oil lubricants is extremely attractive from the view of resource conservation and environmental protection. However, insufficient film thickness of water due to low viscosity and chemical reaction of water with metallic materials have been a great obstacle in utilization of water as an effective lubricant. Herein, the friction between a 440 C stainless steel (SS) ball and a 440 C stainless steel (SS) plate in water lubrication could be reduced by as much as 6-times by coating the ball with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The friction coefficient with rGO coated ball in water lubrication was comparable to the value obtained with the uncoated ball in oil lubrication. Moreover, the wear rate of the SS plate slid against the rGO coated ball in water lubrication was 3-times lower than that of the SS plate slid against the uncoated ball in oil lubrication. These results clearly demonstrated that water can be effectively utilized as a lubricant instead of oil to lower the friction and wear of SS components by coating one side with rGO. Implementation of this technology in mechanical systems is expected to aid in significant reduction of environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of oil lubricants.
Enteral siRNA delivery technique for therapeutic gene silencing in the liver via the lymphatic route
Authors: Murakami Masahiro , Nishina Kazutaka , Watanabe Chie , Yoshida-Tanaka Kie , Piao Wenying , Kuwahara Hiroya , Horikiri Yuji , Miyata Kanjiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro , Kataoka Kazunori , Yoshida Masayuki , Mizusawa Hidehiro , Yokota Takanori
Published: November 2015

An efficient targeting delivery technology is needed for functional oligonucleotides to exert their potential effect on the target gene without an adverse effect in vivo. Development of enteral delivery systems for nucleic acids is a major challenge because of their large molecular size and instability. Here, we describe a new enteral delivery technique that enables small interfering RNA (siRNA) selectively delivered to the liver to silence its target Apolipoprotein B gene expression. A nuclease-resistant synthetic siRNA was conjugated with α-tochopherol and administered as lipid nanoparticle to the large intestine of the mice in a postprandial state. The selective transport into the liver, effective gene silence and consequently significant reduction in serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, were demonstrated. The chylomicron-mediated pathway via the lymphatic route was suggested as major mechanism. This unique approach may provide a basis for developing oral and rectal delivery systems for nucleic acids targeting liver.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell aggregate: an optimal cell therapy for full-layer cutaneous wound vascularization and regeneration
Authors: An Yulin , wei Wei , Jing Huan , Ming Leiguo , Liu Shiyu , Jin Yan
Published: November 2015

Cutaneous wounds are among the most common soft tissue injuries. Wounds involving dermis suffer more from outside influence and higher risk of chronic inflammation. Therefore the appearance and function restoration has become an imperative in tissue engineering research. In this study, cell-aggregates constructed with green fluorescent protein-expressing (GFP+) rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were applied to rat acute full-layer cutaneous wound model to confirm its pro-regeneration ability and compare its regenerative efficacy with the currently thriving subcutaneous and intravenous stem cell administration strategy, with a view to sensing the advantages, disadvantages and the mechanism behind. According to results, cell-aggregates cultured in vitro enjoyed higher expression of several pro-healing genes than adherent cultured cells. Animal experiments showed better vascularization along with more regular dermal collagen deposition for cell-aggregate transplanted models. Immunofluorescence staining on inflammatory cells indicated a shorter inflammatory phase for cell-aggregate group, which was backed up by further RT-PCR. The in situ immunofluorescence staining manifested a higher GFP+-cell engraftment for cell-aggregate transplanted models versus cell administered ones. Thus it is safe to say the BMMSCs aggregate could bring superior cutaneous regeneration for full layer cutaneous wound to BMMSCs administration, both intravenous and subcutaneous.
Hepatitis B virus efficiently infects non-adherent hepatoma cells via human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide
Authors: Okuyama-Dobashi Kaori , Kasai Hirotake , Tanaka Tomohisa , Yamashita Atsuya , Yasumoto Jun , Chen Wenjia , Okamoto Toru , Maekawa Shinya , Watashi Koichi , Wakita Takaji , Ryo Akihide , Suzuki Tetsuro , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Moriishi Kohji
Published: November 2015

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been reported as a functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, HBV could not efficiently infect HepG2 cells expressing NTCP (NTCP-HepG2 cells) under adherent monolayer-cell conditions. In this study, NTCP was mainly detected in the basolateral membrane region, but not the apical site, of monolayer NTCP-HepG2 cells. We hypothesized that non-adherent cell conditions of infection would enhance HBV infectivity. Non-adherent NTCP-HepG2 cells were prepared by treatment with trypsin and EDTA, which did not degrade NTCP in the membrane fraction. HBV successfully infected NTCP-HepG2 cells at a viral dose 10 times lower in non-adherent phase than in adherent phase. Efficient infection of non-adherent NTCP-HepG2 cells with blood-borne or cell-culture-derived HBV was observed and was remarkably impaired in the presence of the myristoylated preS1 peptide. HBV could also efficiently infect HepaRG cells under non-adherent cell conditions. We screened several compounds using our culture system and identified proscillaridin A as a potent anti-HBV agent with an IC50 value of 7.2 nM. In conclusion, non-adherent host cell conditions of infection augmented HBV infectivity in an NTCP-dependent manner, thus providing a novel strategy to identify anti-HBV drugs and investigate the mechanism of HBV infection.
Enhancing the sensitivity of a micro-diaphragm resonating sensor by effectively positioning the mass on the membrane
Authors: Kim Jinsik , Kim Hye Jin , Cho EunAe , Shin Hyun-Joon , Park Jung Ho , Hwang Kyo Seon
Published: November 2015

The detection of biomarkers in the liquid phase using mechanical sensors is difficult because of noise caused by the liquid. To reduce and verify the side effects of liquid loading, we performed calculations and experiments to determine the shift in resonant frequency according to the loading conditions. A 2-μm-thick piezoelectric rectangular micro-diaphragm with a 500 × 500 μm membrane was used. These dimensions were determined such that there would be an analogous resonant frequency shift ratio in both (1, 1) and (2, 2) modes. By calculating and measuring the resonant frequency, we verified that the resonant frequency of the sensor would change only through contact with the liquid, even the resonant frequency change by only liquid much higher than the changes caused by the nanoparticles. The real signal constituted only 0.017% of the initial resonant frequency. To enhance the sensitivity by reducing the unexpected surface stress in the liquid, the liquid was dropped onto the surface of the micro-diaphragm. This resulted in an improvement of more than 10 times the sensitivity in both modes. In addition, by controlling the position in the micro-diaphragm resonating sensor, more sensitive positions with large displacements were determined according to each mode.
The coffee-machine bacteriome: biodiversity and colonisation of the wasted coffee tray leach
Authors: Vilanova Cristina , Iglesias Alba , Porcar Manuel
Published: November 2015

Microbial communities are ubiquitous in both natural and artificial environments. However, microbial diversity is usually reduced under strong selection pressures, such as those present in habitats rich in recalcitrant or toxic compounds displaying antimicrobial properties. Caffeine is a natural alkaloid present in coffee, tea and soft drinks with well-known antibacterial properties. Here we present the first systematic analysis of coffee machine-associated bacteria. We sampled the coffee waste reservoir of ten different Nespresso machines and conducted a dynamic monitoring of the colonization process in a new machine. Our results reveal the existence of a varied bacterial community in all the machines sampled and a rapid colonisation process of the coffee leach. The community developed from a pioneering pool of enterobacteria and other opportunistic taxa to a mature but still highly variable microbiome rich in coffee-adapted bacteria. The bacterial communities described here, for the first time, are potential drivers of biotechnologically relevant processes including decaffeination and bioremediation.
Iron(ii) triflate/N-heterocyclic carbene-catalysed cross-coupling of arylmagnesiums with aryl chlorides and tosylates
Authors: Chua Yi-Yuan , Duong Hung A.
Published: November 2015

An iron(ii) triflate/N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst system enables the coupling of arylmagnesiums with aryl chlorides and tosylates with high efficiency.
Controlled formation of uniform CeO2 nanoshells in a buffer solution
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yang Li-Ping , Wu Zi-Xiao , Piao Jun-Yu , Cao An-Min , Wan Li-Jun
Published: November 2015

Uniform CeO2 nanoshells were successfully prepared by using MOPS buffer solution as a unique growth medium.
Copper-catalyzed, hypervalent iodine mediated CC bond activation of enaminones for the synthesis of α-keto amides
Authors: Wan Jie-Ping , Lin Yunfang , Cao Xiaoji , Liu Yunyun , Wei Li
Published: November 2015

An unprecedented approach toward the general synthesis of α-keto amides has been established by tailoring the CC double bond of enaminones in the presence of CuI and hypervalent iodine.
Porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks from custom-designed porphyrins
Authors: Huh Seong , Kim Sung-Jin , Kim Youngmee
Published: November 2015

This paper highlights porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks (porph-MOFs) assembled from metal ions and custom-designed porphyrins: pyridyl-based, carboxyphenyl-based porphyrins and other custom-designed porphyrins.
The effect of fluorophore incorporation on fluorescence enhancement in colloidal photonic crystals
Authors: Eftekhari Ehsan , Cole Ivan S. , Li Qin
Published: November 2015

Diffusion-swelling dye incorporation method improves photonic structure-induced emission enhancement.
Preparation of uniform Si nanoparticles for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Sun Lin , Su Tingting , Xu Lei , Du Hong-Bin
Published: November 2015

Si nanoparticles, prepared from attapulgite, show excellent performance as an anode material for Li ion batteries.
Can ferroelectric polarization explain the high performance of hybrid halide perovskite solar cells?
Authors: Sherkar Tejas S. , Jan Anton Koster L.
Published: November 2015

Ferroelectricity can lead to creation of channels for efficient transport, however it is unlikely to explain the high open-circuit voltage (VOC), typical of high performance perovskite solar cells.
MicroRNAs regulate KDM5 histone demethylases in breast cancer cells
Authors: Denis Hélène , Van Grembergen Olivier , Delatte Benjamin , Dedeurwaerder Sarah , Putmans Pascale , Calonne Emilie , Rothé Françoise , Sotiriou Christos , Fuks François , Deplus Rachel
Published: November 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression.
Metabolomic analysis of riboswitch containing E. coli recombinant expression system
Authors: Muhamadali Howbeer , Xu Yun , Morra Rosa , Trivedi Drupad K. , Rattray Nicholas J. W. , Dixon Neil , Goodacre Royston
Published: November 2015

In this study we have employed metabolomics approaches to understand the metabolic effects of producing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as a recombinant protein inEscherichia colicells.
Alkaloid synthesis using chiral secondary amine organocatalysts
Authors: Ishikawa Hayato , Shiomi Shinya
Published: November 2015

The full strategies of alkaloid syntheses which contain asymmetric organocatalytic reaction for construction of these scaffolds is discussed.
A high-spin nickel(ii) borohydride complex in dehalogenation
Authors: Tak Hyeonwoo , Lee Hyunjoo , Kang Joongoo , Cho Jaeheung
Published: November 2015

A mononuclear high-spin (η2-BH4) nickel(ii) complex bearing a macrocyclic tridentate N-donor ligand was prepared and its reactivity was investigated in dehalogenation reactions.
Biocompatible responsive polypyrrole/GO nanocomposite coatings for biomedical applications
Authors: Kumar A. Madhan , Suresh Bharathi , Ramakrishna Suresh , Kim Kye-Seong
Published: November 2015

Hybrid implant coating materials composed of at least two constituents of different chemistry, functionality, and biocompatibility have attracted attention in a wide range of biomedical applications.
Photothermal healing of a glass fiber reinforced composite interface by gold nanoparticles
Authors: Cao Zhenxing , Wang Rongguo , Yang Fan , Hao Lifeng , Jiao Weicheng , Liu Wenbo , Wang Qi , Zhang Boyu
Published: November 2015

Scheme of interfacial healing process.
Enhancement of the physicochemical properties of polyurethane–perovskite nanocomposites via addition of nickel titanate nanoparticles
Authors: Murali Adhigan , Gurusamy-Thangavelu Senthil A. , Jaisankar Sellamuthu N. , Mandal Asit Baran
Published: November 2015

Perovskite is integrated by in situ addition with polyurethane (PU) to form unprecedented nanocomposite films (~1.5 mm). Trace amount of NiTiO3 NPs (0.5 wt%) has been added to enhance the physicochemical, electrical, optical and magnetic properties.
Maltol, a Maillard reaction product, exerts anti-tumor efficacy in H22 tumor-bearing mice via improving immune function and inducing apoptosis
Authors: Li Wei , Su Xiao-min , Han Ye , Xu Qi , Zhang Jing , Wang Zi , Wang Ying-ping
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-hepatoma activity of maltol, a Maillard reaction product, in H22 tumor-bearing mice.
Gas separation membranes made through thermal rearrangement of ortho-methoxypolyimides
Authors: Comesaña-Gándara Bibiana , de la Campa José G. , Hernández Antonio , Jo Hye Jin , Lee Young Moo , de Abajo Javier , Lozano Angel E.
Published: November 2015

ortho-Methoxypolyimides were prepared from 3,3ʹ-dimethoxybenzidine (DMAB) and hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride (6FDA).
Self-assembly of dipeptide sodium salts derived from alanine: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Sun Jichao , Zhang Heng , Guo Kai , Yuan Shiling
Published: November 2015

The dipeptides self-assemble into a helical structure after a 200 ns MD simulation.
Cellulose sulfonic acid as a green, efficient, and reusable catalyst for Nazarov cyclization of unactivated dienones and pyrazoline synthesis
Authors: Daneshfar Zahra , Rostami Ali
Published: November 2015

A high yielding and eco-friendly procedure for the preparation of cyclopentenoid and pyrazoline derivatives via cellulose sulfonic acid-mediated electrocyclization processes.
Expedient synthesis of nitrovinyl substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone scaffolds
Authors: Sharma Shivangi , Naganaboina Ram Tilak , Peddinti Rama Krishna
Published: November 2015

A simple and rapid oxidative acetalization and Diels–Alder protocol of nitrovinyl substituted guaiacols has been developed to synthesize nitrovinyl-bearing bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone derivatives.
10-Hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline: switching between single- and double-well proton transfer through structural modifications
Authors: Hristova S. , Dobrikov G. , Kamounah F. S. , Kawauchi S. , Hansen P. E. , Deneva V. , Nedeltcheva D. , Antonov L.
Published: November 2015

Proton transfer in HBQ and modified compounds was investigated experimentally (steady state absorption and emission spectroscopy, NMR and chemometrics) and theoretically (DFT and TD-DFT M06-2X/TZVP calculations) in ground and excited singlet state.
New insights into binding interaction of novel ester-functionalized m-E2-m gemini surfactants with lysozyme: a detailed multidimensional study
Authors: Akram Mohd , Bhat Imtiyaz Ahmad , Kabir-ud-Din Kabir-ud-Din
Published: November 2015

Different binding patterns of m-E2-m (12-E2-12 and 14-E2-14) surfactants to HEWL.
Microscopic origins of anisotropic active stress in motor-driven nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Blackwell Robert , Sweezy-Schindler Oliver , Baldwin Christopher , Hough Loren E. , Glaser Matthew A. , Betterton M. D.
Published: November 2015

Filament steric interactions and their alterations in active systems give insight into dipolar active stresses.
Correction: Polymerized ionic liquid block copolymers for electrochemical energy
Authors: Meek Kelly M. , Elabd Yossef A.
Published: November 2015

Correction for ‘Polymerized ionic liquid block copolymers for electrochemical energy’ by Kelly M. Meek et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5ta07170d.
Correction: Oxygen deficient, carbon coated self-organized TiO2 nanotubes as anode material for Li-ion intercalation
Authors: Brumbarov J. , Vivek J. P. , Leonardi S. , Valero-Vidal C. , Portenkirchner E. , Kunze-Liebhäuser J.
Published: November 2015

Correction for ‘Oxygen deficient, carbon coated self-organized TiO2 nanotubes as anode material for Li-ion intercalation’ by J. Brumbarov et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 16469–16477.
Ca2+, pH and thermo triple-responsive mechanized Zr-based MOFs for on-command drug release in bone diseases
Authors: Tan Li-Li , Song Nan , Zhang Sean Xiao-An , Li Haiwei , Wang Bo , Yang Ying-Wei
Published: November 2015

A new design opens up the possibility of developing smart biomaterials for bone cancer (lowered pH and hypercalcemia) therapy.
A facile and one-step ethanol-thermal synthesis of MoS2 quantum dots for two-photon fluorescence imaging
Authors: Gu Wei , Yan Yinghan , Cao Xuni , Zhang Cuiling , Ding Caiping , Xian Yuezhong
Published: November 2015

MoS2 quantum dots with two-photon fluorescence features are synthesized through a one-step solvothermal approach and successfully used for cellular bioimaging.
Functionalised type-I collagen as a hydrogel building block for bio-orthogonal tissue engineering applications
Authors: Ravichandran R. , Islam M. M. , Alarcon E. I. , Samanta A. , Wang S. , Lundström P. , Hilborn J. , Griffith M. , Phopase J.
Published: November 2015

Modulating the hydrogel properties from injectable to implantable scaffolds using the bio-orthogonal thiol-Michael addition click reaction.
Simultaneous imaging of intracellular pH and O2 using functionalized semiconducting polymer dots
Authors: Xu Wei , Lu Sisi , Xu Mengxi , Jiang Yaqi , Wang Yiru , Chen Xi
Published: November 2015

We developed novel functionalized semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) for the simultaneous imaging of intracellular pH and oxygen.
Solid-state white light-emitting electrochemical cells based on scattering red color conversion layers
Authors: Lin Guan-Rung , Cheng Jing-Rong , Wang Chi-Wei , Sarma Monima , Chen Hsiao-Fan , Su Hai-Ching , Chang Chih-Hao , Wong Ken-Tsung
Published: November 2015

Efficient white LECs based on recycling the trapped EL in waveguide and substrate mode.
Effects of the radio-frequency sputtering power of an MgO tunneling barrier on the tunneling magneto-resistance ratio for Co2Fe6B2/MgO-based perpendicular-magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Lee Du-Yeong , Seo Hyung-Tak , Park Jea-Gun
Published: November 2015

For Co2Fe6B2–MgO based p-MTJ spin valves with [Co/Pt]n–SyAF layers ex situ annealed at 350 °C and 30 kOe for 30 min, the tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) ratio strongly depended on the radio-frequency (RF) sputtering power in a 0.65–1.15 nm thick MgO tunneling barrier, achieving a TMR ratio of 168% at 300 W.
Mixed Pierce-two-stream instability development in an extraction system of a negative ion source
Authors: Barminova H. Y. , Chikhachev A. S.
Published: November 2015

Mixed Pierce-two-stream instability may occur in an extraction system of a negative ion source based on a volume-produced plasma. The reasons for instability development are discussed. Analytically the conditions of unstable beam propagation are determined. The instability threshold is shown to be increased compared with the pure Pierce instability. The influence of inclined perturbations on the instability behavior is investigated. The numerical calculations are performed in COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulation results confirm the existence of such a mixed instability appearance that develops due to both the electrons of the external circuit and the background positive ions.
Shock compression response of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) plastic to 985 GPa
Authors: Root Seth , Mattsson Thomas R. , Cochrane Kyle , Lemke Raymond W. , Knudson Marcus D.
Published: November 2015

Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) plastic (PMP) is a hydrocarbon polymer with potential applications to inertial confinement fusion experiments and as a Hugoniot impedance matching standard for equation of state experiments. Using Sandia's Z-machine, we performed a series of flyer plate experiments to measure the principal Hugoniot and reshock states of PMP up to 985 GPa. The principal Hugoniot measurements validate density functional theory (DFT) calculations along the Hugoniot. The DFT calculations are further analyzed using a bond tracking method to understand the dissociation pathway under shock compression. Complete dissociation occurs at a compression factor similar to other sp3-hybridized, C-C bonded systems, which suggests a limiting compression for C-C bonds. The combined experimental and DFT results provide a solid basis for constructing an equation of state model for PMP.
Thickness and microstructure effects in the optical and electrical properties of silver thin films
Authors: Ding Guowen , Clavero César , Schweigert Daniel , Le Minh
Published: November 2015

The optical and electrical response of metal thin films approaching thicknesses in the range of the electron mean free path is highly affected by electronic scattering with the interfaces and defects. Here, we present a theoretical and experimental study on how thickness and microstructure affect the properties of Ag thin films. We are able to successfully model the electrical resistivity and IR optical response using a thickness dependent electronic scattering time. Remarkably, the product of electronic scattering time and resistivity remains constant regardless of the thickness (τx ρ = C), with a value of 59 ± 2 μΩ cm ⋅ fs for Ag films in the investigated range from 3 to 74 nm. Our findings enable us to develop a theoretically framework that allows calculating the optical response of metal thin films in the IR by using their measured thickness and resistivity. An excellent agreement is found between experimental measurements and predicted values. This study also shows the theoretical lower limit for emissivity in Ag thin films according to their microstructure and thickness. Application of the model presented here will allow rapid characterization of the IR optical response of metal thin films, with important application in a broad spectrum of fundamental and industrial applications, including optical coatings, low-emissivity windows and semiconductor industry.
Influence of vitamin B12 availability on oceanic dimethylsulfide and dimethylsulfoniopropionate
Authors: Lee Peter A. , Bertrand Erin M. , Saito Mak A. , DiTullio Giacomo R.
Published: November 2015

Environmental context Cobalamin, or vitamin B12, is receiving increased attention as a critical trace nutrient in the growth and metabolic processes of oceanic phytoplankton and bacterial communities. We present evidence that indicates B12 has a more significant role in the biogeochemical cycling of the climatically important compounds dimethylsulfide and dimethylsulfoniopropionate than previously understood. Several possible mechanisms are examined that link cellular-level processes involving B12 to global-scale biogeochemical processes involving the oceanic cycling of dimethylsulfoniopropionate and dimethylsulfide. Abstract Evidence is presented showing that dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPd) and dimethylsulfide (DMS) concentrations are influenced by the availability of vitamin B12 in two oceanographically distinct regions with different DMS production capacities, the central equatorial Pacific Ocean and the Ross Sea, Antarctica. In both locations, addition of B12 to incubation experiments resulted in decreases in DMS and, in some cases, DMSPd concentrations relative to unamended controls. In no case did increasing iron availability significantly (α=0.1) alter DMS concentrations relative to controls. The relative decreases in DMS between B12 addition and control experiments were significant (α=0.1) in five of seven experiments conducted at ambient iron levels. Overall, DMS concentrations were on average 33.4% (±15.1%; 1 standard deviation) lower, relative to unamended controls, by the end of incubation experiments when B12 was added. Declines in DMSPd were observed in three of five experiments. Similar trends were observed when B12 was added to iron-supplemented bottle incubation experiments (30.4±10.4% lower final DMS concentrations in +B12Fe treatments relative to +Fe treatments). Several possible molecular-level explanations exist for this link between B12 and DMS production, including potential B12 dependence of methyltransferase enzymes involved in both DMS and DMSP degradation. Although the enzymology of these reactions remains unclear, the relationships described here provide evidence for plausible mechanisms behind the microbial modulation of oceanic DMS.
Surfactant toxicity to Artemia franciscana and the influence of humic acid and chemical composition
Authors: Deese Rachel D. , LeBlanc Madeline R. , Cook Robert L.
Published: November 2015

Environmental context
Surfactants, a pollutant class routinely introduced into aquatic environments, can be toxic to a variety of species. It is thus important to understand how surfactants’ toxicity is influenced by their interactions with other environmental constituents, including natural organic matter. We report the changes in toxicity of three surfactants to brine shrimp in the presence of unmodified and chemically modified humic acids.

Abstract
Surfactants can be extremely toxic to aquatic species and are introduced to the environment in a variety of ways. It is thus important to understand how other environmental constituents, in this case humic acids (HAs), may alter the toxicity of anthropogenic surfactants. Hatching and mortality assays of Artemia Franciscana were performed for three different toxic surfactants: Triton X-100 (Tx-100, non-ionic), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, cationic) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic). HAs of varying composition and concentrations were added to the assays to determine the toxicity mitigating ability of the HAs. Tx-100 had a significant toxic effect on Artemia mortality rates and HAs from terrestrial sources were able to mitigate the toxicity, but an aquatic HA did not. CPC and SDS limited hatching success of the Artemia and, as HAs were added, the hatching percentages increased for all HA sources, indicating toxicity mitigation. In order to determine which functional groups within HAs were responsible for the interaction with the surfactants, the HAs were chemically modified by: (i) bleaching to reduce aromatics, (ii) Soxhlet extraction to reduce lipids and (iii) acid hydrolysis to reduce O- and N-alkyl groups. Although most of the modified HAs had some toxicity mitigating ability for each of the surfactants, there were two notable differences: (1) the lipid-extracted HA did not reduce the toxicity of Tx-100 and (2) the bleached HA had a lower toxicity mitigating ability for CPC than the other modified HAs.
Cumulus cell-conditioned medium supports embryonic stem cell differentiation to germ cell-like cells
Authors: Shah Syed Mohmad , Saini Neha , Ashraf Syma , Singh Manoj Kumar , Manik Radhey Sham , Singla Suresh Kumar , Palta Prabhat , Chauhan Manmohan Singh
Published: November 2015

Cumulus cells provide cellular interactions and growth factors required for oogenesis. In vitro studies of oogenesis are limited primarily because of the paucity of their source, first trimester fetal gonads, and the small number of germ lineage precursor cells present within these tissues. In order to understand this obscure but vitally important process, the present study was designed to direct differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into germ lineage cells. For this purpose, buffalo ES cells were differentiated, as embryoid bodies (EBs) and monolayer adherent cultures, in the presence of different concentrations of cumulus-conditioned medium (CCM; 10%, 20% and 40%) for different periods of culture (4, 8 and 14 days) to identify the optimum differentiation-inducing concentration and time. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that 20%–40% CCM induced the highest expression of primordial germ cell-specific (deleted in Azoospermia- like (Dazl), dead (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box polypeptide 4 (Vasa also known as DDX4) and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf)); meiotic (synaptonemal complex protein 3 (Sycp3), mutl homolog I (Mlh1), transition protein 1/2 (Tnp1/2) and protamine 2 (Prm2); spermatocyte-specific boule-like RNA binding protein (Boule) and tektin 1 (Tekt1)) and oocyte-specific growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and zona pellucida 2 /3 (Zp2/3)) genes over 8–14 days in culture. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed expression of primordial germ cell (c-KIT, DAZL and VASA), meiotic (SYCP3, MLH1 and PROTAMINE 1), spermatocyte (ACROSIN and HAPRIN) and oocyte (GDF9 and ZP4) markers in both EBs and monolayer differentiation cultures. Western blotting revealed germ lineage-specific protein expression in Day 14 EBs. The significantly lower (P < 0.05) concentration of 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine in differentiated EBs compared to undifferentiated EBs suggests that methylation erasure may have occurred. Oocyte-like structures obtained in monolayer differentiation stained positive for ZONA PELLUCIDA protein 4 and progressed through various embryo-like developmental stages in extended cultures.
PAK4 promotes kinase-independent stabilization of RhoU to modulate cell adhesion
Authors: Dart Anna E. , Box Gary M. , Court William , Gale Madeline E. , Brown John P. , Pinder Sarah E. , Eccles Suzanne A. , Wells Claire M.
Published: November 2015

P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a Cdc42 effector protein thought to regulate cell adhesion disassembly in a kinase-dependent manner. We found that PAK4 expression is significantly higher in high-grade human breast cancer patient samples, whereas depletion of PAK4 modifies cell adhesion dynamics of breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, systematic analysis of PAK4 functionality revealed that PAK4-driven adhesion turnover is neither dependent on Cdc42 binding nor kinase activity. Rather, reduced expression of PAK4 leads to a concomitant loss of RhoU expression. We report that RhoU is targeted for ubiquitination by the Rab40A–Cullin 5 complex and demonstrate that PAK4 protects RhoU from ubiquitination in a kinase-independent manner. Overexpression of RhoU rescues the PAK4 depletion phenotype, whereas loss of RhoU expression reduces cell adhesion turnover and migration. These data support a new kinase-independent mechanism for PAK4 function, where an important role of PAK4 in cellular adhesions is to stabilize RhoU protein levels. Thus, PAK4 and RhoU cooperate to drive adhesion turnover and promote cell migration.
Histone demethylase KDM4B regulates otic vesicle invagination via epigenetic control of Dlx3 expression
Authors: Uribe Rosa A. , Buzzi Ailín L. , Bronner Marianne E. , Strobl-Mazzulla Pablo H.
Published: November 2015

In vertebrates, the inner ear arises from the otic placode, a thickened swathe of ectoderm that invaginates to form the otic vesicle. We report that histone demethylase KDM4B is dynamically expressed during early stages of chick inner ear formation. A loss of KDM4B results in defective invagination and striking morphological changes in the otic epithelium, characterized by abnormal localization of adhesion and cytoskeletal molecules and reduced expression of several inner ear markers, including Dlx3. In vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation reveals direct and dynamic occupancy of KDM4B and its target, H3K9me3, at regulatory regions of the Dlx3 locus. Accordingly, coelectroporations of DLX3 or KDM4B encoding constructs, but not a catalytically dead mutant of KDM4B, rescue the ear invagination phenotype caused by KDM4B knockdown. Moreover, a loss of DLX3 phenocopies a loss of KDM4B. Collectively, our findings suggest that KDM4B play a critical role during inner ear invagination via modulating histone methylation of the direct target Dlx3.
TDP-43 is intercellularly transmitted across axon terminals
Authors: Feiler Marisa S. , Strobel Benjamin , Freischmidt Axel , Helferich Anika M. , Kappel Julia , Brewer Bryson M. , Li Deyu , Thal Dietmar R. , Walther Paul , Ludolph Albert C. , Danzer Karin M. , Weishaupt Jochen H.
Published: November 2015

Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kD (TDP-43) is an aggregation-prone prion-like domain-containing protein and component of pathological intracellular aggregates found in most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. TDP-43 oligomers have been postulated to be released and subsequently nucleate TDP-43 oligomerization in recipient cells, which might be the molecular correlate of the systematic symptom spreading observed during ALS progression. We developed a novel protein complementation assay allowing quantification of TDP-43 oligomers in living cells. We demonstrate the exchange of TDP-43 between cell somata and the presence of TDP-43 oligomers in microvesicles/exosomes and show that microvesicular TDP-43 is preferentially taken up by recipient cells where it exerts higher toxicity than free TDP-43. Moreover, studies using microfluidic neuronal cultures suggest both anterograde and retrograde trans-synaptic spreading of TDP-43. Finally, we demonstrate TDP-43 oligomer seeding by TDP-43–containing material derived from both cultured cells and ALS patient brain lysate. Thus, using an innovative detection technique, we provide evidence for preferentially microvesicular uptake as well as both soma-to-soma “horizontal” and bidirectional “vertical” synaptic intercellular transmission and prion-like seeding of TDP-43.