bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural innervation stimulates splenic TFF2 to arrest myeloid cell expansion and cancer
Authors: Dubeykovskaya Zina , Si Yiling , Chen Xiaowei , Worthley Daniel L. , Renz Bernhard W. , Urbanska Aleksandra M. , Hayakawa Yoku , Xu Ting , Westphalen C. Benedikt , Dubeykovskiy Alexander , Chen Duan , Friedman Richard A. , Asfaha Samuel , Nagar Karan , Tailor Yagnesh , Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Fox James G. , Kitajewski Jan , Wang Timothy C.
Published: February 2016

CD11b+Gr-1+myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) expand in the spleen during cancer and promote progression through suppression of cytotoxic T cells. An anti-inflammatory reflex arc involving the vagus nerve and memory T cells is necessary for resolution of acute inflammation. Failure of this neural circuit could promote procarcinogenic inflammation and altered tumour immunity. Here we show that splenic TFF2, a secreted anti-inflammatory peptide, is released by vagally modulated memory T cells to suppress the expansion of MDSCs through CXCR4. Splenic denervation interrupts the anti-inflammatory neural arc, resulting in the expansion of MDSCs and colorectal cancer. Deletion ofTff2recapitulates splenic denervation to promote carcinogenesis. Colorectal carcinogenesis could be suppressed through transgenic overexpression of TFF2, adenoviral transfer of TFF2 or transplantation of TFF2-expressing bone marrow. TFF2 is important to the anti-inflammatory reflex arc and plays an essential role in arresting MDSC proliferation. TFF2 offers a potential approach to prevent and to treat cancer.
MeCP2 SUMOylation rescues Mecp2-mutant-induced behavioural deficits in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Tai Derek J. C. , Liu Yen C. , Hsu Wei L. , Ma Yun L. , Cheng Sin J. , Liu Shau Y. , Lee Eminy H. Y.
Published: February 2016

The methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene, MECP2, is an X-linked gene encoding the MeCP2 protein, and mutations of MECP2 cause Rett syndrome (RTT). However, the molecular mechanism of MECP2-mutation-caused RTT is less known. Here we find that MeCP2 could be SUMO-modified by the E3 ligase PIAS1 at Lys-412. MeCP2 phosphorylation (at Ser-421 and Thr-308) facilitates MeCP2 SUMOylation, and MeCP2 SUMOylation is induced by NMDA, IGF-1 and CRF in the rat brain. MeCP2 SUMOylation releases CREB from the repressor complex and enhances Bdnf mRNA expression. Several MECP2 mutations identified in RTT patients show decreased MeCP2 SUMOylation. Re-expression of wild-type MeCP2 or SUMO-modified MeCP2 in Mecp2-null neurons rescues the deficits of social interaction, fear memory and LTP observed in Mecp2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice. These results together reveal an important role of MeCP2 SUMOylation in social interaction, memory and synaptic plasticity, and that abnormal MeCP2 SUMOylation is implicated in RTT.
GABAergic interneurons form transient layer-specific circuits in early postnatal neocortex
Authors: Anastasiades Paul G. , Marques-Smith Andre , Lyngholm Daniel , Lickiss Tom , Raffiq Sayda , Kätzel Dennis , Miesenböck Gero , Butt Simon J. B.
Published: February 2016

GABAergic interneurons play key roles in cortical circuits, yet little is known about their early connectivity. Here we use glutamate uncaging and a novel optogenetic strategy to track changes in the afferent and efferent synaptic connections of developing neocortical interneuron subtypes. We find that Nkx2-1-derived interneurons possess functional synaptic connections before emerging pyramidal cell networks. Subsequent interneuron circuit maturation is both subtype and layer dependent. Glutamatergic input onto fast spiking (FS), but not somatostatin-positive, non-FS interneurons increases over development. Interneurons of both subtype located in layers (L) 4 and 5b engage in transient circuits that disappear after the somatosensory critical period. These include a pathway mediated by L5b somatostatin-positive interneurons that specifically targets L4 during the first postnatal week. The innervation patterns of immature cortical interneuron circuits are thus neither static nor progressively strengthened but follow a layer-specific choreography of transient connections that differ from those of the adult brain.
The RNA helicase DHX34 functions as a scaffold for SMG1-mediated UPF1 phosphorylation
Authors: Melero Roberto , Hug Nele , López-Perrote Andrés , Yamashita Akio , Cáceres Javier F. , Llorca Oscar
Published: February 2016

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is a messenger RNA quality-control pathway triggered by SMG1-mediated phosphorylation of the NMD factor UPF1. In recent times, the RNA helicase DHX34 was found to promote mRNP remodelling, leading to activation of NMD. Here we demonstrate the mechanism by which DHX34 functions in concert with SMG1. DHX34 comprises two distinct structural units, a core that binds UPF1 and a protruding carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) that binds the SMG1 kinase, as shown using truncated forms of DHX34 and electron microscopy of the SMG1–DHX34 complex. Truncation of the DHX34 CTD does not affect binding to UPF1; however, it compromises DHX34 binding to SMG1 to affect UPF1 phosphorylation and hence abrogate NMD. Altogether, these data suggest the existence of a complex comprising SMG1, UPF1 and DHX34, with DHX34 functioning as a scaffold for UPF1 and SMG1. This complex promotes UPF1 phosphorylation leading to functional NMD.
Structural basis of complement membrane attack complex formation
Authors: Serna Marina , Giles Joanna L. , Morgan B. Paul , Bubeck Doryen
Published: February 2016

In response to complement activation, the membrane attack complex (MAC) assembles from fluid-phase proteins to form pores in lipid bilayers. MAC directly lyses pathogens by a ‘multi-hit’ mechanism; however, sublytic MAC pores on host cells activate signalling pathways. Previous studies have described the structures of individual MAC components and subcomplexes; however, the molecular details of its assembly and mechanism of action remain unresolved. Here we report the electron cryo-microscopy structure of human MAC at subnanometre resolution. Structural analyses define the stoichiometry of the complete pore and identify a network of interaction interfaces that determine its assembly mechanism. MAC adopts a ‘split-washer’ configuration, in contrast to the predicted closed ring observed for perforin and cholesterol-dependent cytolysins. Assembly precursors partially penetrate the lipid bilayer, resulting in an irregular β-barrel pore. Our results demonstrate how differences in symmetric and asymmetric components of the MAC underpin a molecular basis for pore formation and suggest a mechanism of action that extends beyond membrane penetration.
Cancer-associated SF3B1 mutations affect alternative splicing by promoting alternative branchpoint usage
Authors: Alsafadi Samar , Houy Alexandre , Battistella Aude , Popova Tatiana , Wassef Michel , Henry Emilie , Tirode Franck , Constantinou Angelos , Piperno-Neumann Sophie , Roman-Roman Sergio , Dutertre Martin , Stern Marc-Henri
Published: February 2016

Hotspot mutations in the spliceosome gene SF3B1 are reported in ∼20% of uveal melanomas. SF3B1 is involved in 3′-splice site (3′ss) recognition during RNA splicing; however, the molecular mechanisms of its mutation have remained unclear. Here we show, using RNA-Seq analyses of uveal melanoma, that the SF3B1R625/K666 mutation results in deregulated splicing at a subset of junctions, mostly by the use of alternative 3′ss. Modelling the differential junctions in SF3B1WT and SF3B1R625/K666 cell lines demonstrates that the deregulated splice pattern strictly depends on SF3B1 status and on the 3’ss-sequence context. SF3B1WT knockdown or overexpression do not reproduce the SF3B1R625/K666 splice pattern, qualifying SF3B1R625/K666 as change-of-function mutants. Mutagenesis of predicted branchpoints reveals that the SF3B1R625/K666-promoted splice pattern is a direct result of alternative branchpoint usage. Altogether, this study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying splicing alterations induced by mutant SF3B1 in cancer, and reveals a role for alternative branchpoints in disease.
Cellular delivery and photochemical release of a caged inositol-pyrophosphate induces PH-domain translocation in cellulo
Authors: Pavlovic Igor , Thakor Divyeshsinh T. , Vargas Jessica R. , McKinlay Colin J. , Hauke Sebastian , Anstaett Philipp , Camuña Rafael C. , Bigler Laurent , Gasser Gilles , Schultz Carsten , Wender Paul A. , Jessen Henning J.
Published: February 2016

Inositol pyrophosphates, such as diphospho-myo-inositol pentakisphosphates (InsP7), are an important family of signalling molecules, implicated in many cellular processes and therapeutic indications including insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis and weight gain. To understand their cellular functions, chemical tools such as photocaged analogues for their real-time modulation in cells are required. Here we describe a concise, modular synthesis of InsP7 and caged InsP7. The caged molecule is stable and releases InsP7 only on irradiation. While photocaged InsP7 does not enter cells, its cellular uptake is achieved using nanoparticles formed by association with a guanidinium-rich molecular transporter. This novel synthesis and unprecedented polyphosphate delivery strategy enable the first studies required to understand InsP7 signalling in cells with controlled spatiotemporal resolution. It is shown herein that cytoplasmic photouncaging of InsP7 leads to translocation of the PH-domain of Akt, an important signalling-node kinase involved in glucose homeostasis, from the membrane into the cytoplasm.
PAF-Wnt signaling-induced cell plasticity is required for maintenance of breast cancer cell stemness
Authors: Wang Xin , Jung Youn-Sang , Jun Sohee , Lee Sunhye , Wang Wenqi , Schneider Andrea , Sun Oh Young , Lin Steven H. , Park Bum-Joon , Chen Junjie , Keyomarsi Khandan , Park Jae-Il
Published: February 2016

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumour heterogeneity, therapy resistance and metastasis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of cancer cell stemness remain elusive. Here we identify PCNA-associated factor (PAF) as a key molecule that controls cancer cell stemness. PAF is highly expressed in breast cancer cells but not in mammary epithelial cells (MECs). In MECs, ectopic expression of PAF induces anchorage-independent cell growth and breast CSC marker expression. In mouse models, conditional PAF expression induces mammary ductal hyperplasia. Moreover, PAF expression endows MECs with a self-renewing capacity and cell heterogeneity generation via Wnt signalling. Conversely, ablation of endogenous PAF induces the loss of breast cancer cell stemness. Further cancer drug repurposing approaches reveal that NVP-AUY922 downregulates PAF and decreases breast cancer cell stemness. Our results unveil an unsuspected role of the PAF-Wnt signalling axis in modulating cell plasticity, which is required for the maintenance of breast cancer cell stemness.
Nucleotide-dependent assembly of the peroxisomal receptor export complex
Authors: Grimm Immanuel , Saffian Delia , Girzalsky Wolfgang , Erdmann Ralf
Published: February 2016

Pex1p and Pex6p are two AAA-ATPases required for biogenesis of peroxisomes. Both proteins form a hetero-hexameric complex in an ATP-dependent manner, which has a dual localization in the cytosol and at the peroxisomal membrane. At the peroxisomal membrane, the complex is responsible for the release of the import receptor Pex5p at the end of the matrix protein import cycle. In this study, we analyzed the recruitment of the AAA-complex to its anchor protein Pex15p at the peroxisomal membrane. We show that the AAA-complex is properly assembled even under ADP-conditions and is able to bind efficiently to Pex15p in vivo. We reconstituted binding of the Pex1/6p-complex to Pex15p in vitro and show that Pex6p mediates binding to the cytosolic part of Pex15p via a direct interaction. Analysis of the isolated complex revealed a stoichiometry of Pex1p/Pex6p/Pex15p of 3:3:3, indicating that each Pex6p molecule of the AAA-complex binds Pex15p. Binding of the AAA-complex to Pex15p in particular and to the import machinery in general is stabilized when ATP is bound to the second AAA-domain of Pex6p and its hydrolysis is prevented. The data indicate that receptor release in peroxisomal protein import is associated with a nucleotide-depending Pex1/6p-cycle of Pex15p-binding and release.
Robots Learn to Recognize Individuals from Imitative Encounters with People and Avatars
Authors: Boucenna Sofiane , Cohen David , Meltzoff Andrew N. , Gaussier Philippe , Chetouani Mohamed
Published: February 2016

Prior to language, human infants are prolific imitators. Developmental science grounds infant imitation in the neural coding of actions and highlights the use of imitation for learning from and about people. Here, we used computational modeling and a robot implementation to explore the functional value of action imitation. We report 3 experiments using a mutual imitation task between robots, adults, typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We show that a particular learning architecture - specifically one combining artificial neural nets for (i) extraction of visual features, (ii) the robot’s motor internal state, (iii) posture recognition and (iv) novelty detection - is able to learn from an interactive experience involving mutual imitation. This mutual imitation experience allowed the robot to recognize the interactive agent in a subsequent encounter. These experiments using robots as tools for modeling human cognitive development, based on developmental theory, confirm the promise of developmental robotics. Additionally, findings illustrate how person recognition may emerge through imitative experience, intercorporeal mapping and statistical learning.
Exploring the impact of different multi-level measures of physician communities in patient-centric care networks on healthcare outcomes: A multi-level regression approach
Authors: Uddin Shahadat
Published: February 2016

A patient-centric care network can be defined as a network among a group of healthcare professionals who provide treatments to common patients. Various multi-level attributes of the members of this network have substantial influence to its perceived level of performance. In order to assess the impact different multi-level attributes of patient-centric care networks on healthcare outcomes, this study first captured patient-centric care networks for 85 hospitals using health insurance claim dataset. From these networks, this study then constructed physician collaboration networks based on the concept of patient-sharing network among physicians. A multi-level regression model was then developed to explore the impact of different attributes that are organised at two levels on hospitalisation cost and hospital length of stay. For Level-1 model, the average visit per physician significantly predicted both hospitalisation cost and hospital length of stay. The number of different physicians significantly predicted only the hospitalisation cost, which has significantly been moderated by age, gender and Comorbidity score of patients. All Level-1 findings showed significance variance across physician collaboration networks having different community structure and density. These findings could be utilised as a reflective measure by healthcare decision makers. Moreover, healthcare managers could consider them in developing effective healthcare environments.
Trait self-esteem and neural activities related to self-evaluation and social feedback
Authors: Yang Juan , Xu Xiaofan , Chen Yu , Shi Zhenhao , Han Shihui
Published: February 2016

Self-esteem has been associated with neural responses to self-reflection and attitude toward social feedback but in different brain regions. The distinct associations might arise from different tasks or task-related attitudes in the previous studies. The current study aimed to clarify these by investigating the association between self-esteem and neural responses to evaluation of one’s own personality traits and of others’ opinion about one’s own personality traits. We scanned 25 college students using functional MRI during evaluation of oneself or evaluation of social feedback. Trait self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale after scanning. Whole-brain regression analyses revealed that trait self-esteem was associated with the bilateral orbitofrontal activity during evaluation of one’s own positive traits but with activities in the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate and occipital cortices during evaluation of positive social feedback. Our findings suggest that trait self-esteem modulates the degree of both affective processes in the orbitofrontal cortex during self-reflection and cognitive processes in the medial prefrontal cortex during evaluation of social feedback.
Hybrid coordination-network-engineering for bridging cascaded channels to activate long persistent phosphorescence in the second biological window
Authors: Qin Xixi , Li Yang , Zhang Ruili , Ren Jinjun , Gecevicius Mindaugas , Wu Yiling , Sharafudeen Kaniyarakkal , Dong Guoping , Zhou Shifeng , Ma Zhijun , Qiu Jianrong
Published: February 2016

We present a novel “Top-down” strategy to design the long phosphorescent phosphors in the second biological transparency window via energy transfer. Inherence in this approach to material design involves an ingenious engineering for hybridizing the coordination networks of hosts, tailoring the topochemical configuration of dopants and bridging a cascaded tunnel for transferring the persistent energy from traps, to sensitizers and then to acceptors. Another significance of this endeavour is to highlight a rational scheme for functionally important hosts and dopants, Cr/Nd co-doped Zn1−xCaxGa2O4 solid solutions. Such solid-solution is employed as an optimized host to take advantage of its characteristic trap site level to establish an electron reservoir and network parameters for the precipitation of activators Nd3+ and Cr3+. The results reveal that the strategy employed here has the great potential, as well as opens new opportunities for future new-wavelength, NIR phosphorescent phosphors fabrication with many potential multifunctional bio-imaging applications.
ROCK1 Induces Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Glomeruli to Aggravate Albuminuria in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Peng Hui , Li Yuanqing , Wang Cheng , Zhang Jun , Chen Yanru , Chen Wenfang , Cao Jin , Wang Yanlin , Hu Zhaoyong , Lou Tanqi
Published: February 2016

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) can cause loss of tight junctions, which in glomeruli are associated with albuminuria. Here we evaluated the role of EndMT in the development of albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We demonstrated that EndMT occurs in the glomerular endothelium of patients with DN, showing by a decrease in CD31 but an increase in α-SMA expression. In glomeruli of db/db mice, there was an increased ROCK1 expression in the endothelium plus a decreased CD31-positive cells. Cultured glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) underwent EndMT when stimulated by 30 mM glucose and exhibited increased permeability. Meanwhile, they showed a higher ROCK1 expression and activation. Notably, inhibition of ROCK1 largely blocked EndMT and the increase in endothelial permeability under this high-glucose condition. In contrast, overexpression of ROCK1 induced these changes. Consistent alterations were observed in vivo that treating db/db mice with the ROCK1 inhibitor, fasudil, substantially suppressed the expression of α-SMA in the glomerular endothelium and reduced albuminuria. Thus we conclude that ROCK1 is induced by high glucose and it stimulates EndMT, resulting in increased endothelial permeability. Inhibition of ROCK1 could be a therapeutic strategy for preventing glomerular endothelial dysfunction and albuminuria in developing DN.
Precocious leaf senescence by functional loss of PROTEIN S-ACYL TRANSFERASE14 involves the NPR1-dependent salicylic acid signaling
Authors: Zhao Xin-Ying , Wang Jia-Gang , Song Shi-Jian , Wang Qun , Kang Hui , Zhang Yan , Li Sha
Published: February 2016

We report here that Arabidopsis PROTEIN S-ACYL TRANSFERASE14 (PAT14), through its palmitate transferase activity, acts at the vacuolar trafficking route to repress salicylic acid (SA) signaling, thus mediating age-dependent but not carbon starvation-induced leaf senescence. Functional loss of PAT14 resulted in precocious leaf senescence and its transcriptomic analysis revealed that senescence was dependent on salicylic acid. Overexpressing PAT14 suppressed the expression of SA responsive genes. Introducing the SA deficient mutants, npr1-5 and NahG, but not other hormonal mutants, completely suppressed the precocious leaf senescence of PAT14 loss-of-function, further supporting the epistatic relation between PAT14 and the SA pathway. By confocal fluorescence microscopy, we showed that PAT14 is localized at the Golgi, the trans-Golg network/early endosome and prevacuolar compartments, indicating its roles through vacuolar trafficking. By reporter analysis and real time PCRs, we showed that the expression PAT14, unlike most of the senescence associated genes, is not developmentally regulated, suggesting post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms on its functionality. We further showed that the maize and wheat homologs of PAT14 fully rescued the precocious leaf senescence of pat14-2, demonstrating that the role of PAT14 in suppressing SA signaling during age-dependent leaf senescence is evolutionarily conserved between dicots and monocots.
Microbial communities play important roles in modulating paddy soil fertility
Authors: Luo Xuesong , Fu Xiaoqian , Yang Yun , Cai Peng , Peng Shaobing , Chen Wenli , Huang Qiaoyun
Published: February 2016

We studied microbial communities in two paddy soils, which did not receive nitrogen fertilization and were distinguished by the soil properties. The two microbial communities differed in the relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria and total microbial biomass. Variability in microbial communities between the two fields was related to the levels of phosphorus and soil moisture. Redundancy analysis for individual soils showed that the bacterial community dynamics in the high-yield soil were significantly correlated with total carbon, moisture, available potassium and pH and those in the low-yield cores were shaped by pH and nitrogen factors. Biolog Eco-plate data showed a more active microbial community in the high yield soil. The variations of enzymatic activities in the two soils were significantly explained by total nitrogen, total potassium and moisture. The enzymatic variability in the low-yield soil was significantly explained by potassium, available nitrogen, pH and total carbon and that in the high-yield soil was partially explained by potassium and moisture. We found the relative abundances of Gram-negative bacteria andActinomycetespartially explained the spatial and temporal variations of soil enzymatic activities, respectively. The high-yield soil microbes are probably more active to modulate soil fertility for rice production.
Grain-rich diets altered the colonic fermentation and mucosa-associated bacterial communities and induced mucosal injuries in goats
Authors: Ye Huimin , Liu Junhua , Feng Panfei , Zhu Weiyun , Mao Shengyong
Published: February 2016

Remarkably little information is available about the impact of high-grain (HG) feeding on colonic mucosa-associated bacteria and mucosal morphology. In the present study, 12 male goats were randomly assigned to either a hay diet (n = 6) or an HG diet (65% grain; n = 6) to characterise the changes in the composition of the bacterial community in colonic mucosa and the mucosal morphology of the colon. The results showed that HG feeding decreased the colonic pH and increased the concentrations of total short chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides in colonic digesta. The principal coordinate analysis results showed that the HG diet altered the colonic mucosal bacterial communities, with an increase in the abundance of genusBlautiaand a decrease in the abundance of generaBacillus, Enterococcus,andLactococcus. The HG-fed goats showed sloughing of the surface layer epithelium, intercellular tight junction erosion, cell mitochondrial damage and upregulation of the relative mRNA expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in colonic mucosa. Collectively, our data indicate that HG feeding induced changes in colonic mucosal morphology and cytokines expression that might be caused by excessive fermentation and dramatic shifts in the bacterial populations in the colon.
Novel pseudo-random number generator based on quantum random walks
Authors: Yang Yu-Guang , Zhao Qian-Qian
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we investigate the potential application of quantum computation for constructing pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) and further construct a novel PRNG based on quantum random walks (QRWs), a famous quantum computation model. The PRNG merely relies on the equations used in the QRWs and thus the generation algorithm is simple and the computation speed is fast. The proposed PRNG is subjected to statistical tests such as NIST and successfully passed the test. Compared with the representative PRNG based on quantum chaotic maps (QCM), the present QRWs-based PRNG has some advantages such as better statistical complexity and recurrence. For example, the normalized Shannon entropy and the statistical complexity of the QRWs-based PRNG are 0.999699456771172 and 1.799961178212329e-04 respectively given the number of 8 bits-words, say, 16Mbits. By contrast, the corresponding values of the QCM-based PRNG are 0.999448131481064 and 3.701210794388818e-04 respectively. Thus the statistical complexity and the normalized entropy of the QRWs-based PRNG are closer to 0 and 1 respectively than those of the QCM-based PRNG when the number of words of the analyzed sequence increases. It provides a new clue to construct PRNGs and also extends the applications of quantum computation.
Noise induced hearing loss impairs spatial learning/memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice
Authors: Liu Lijie , Shen Pei , He Tingting , Chang Ying , Shi Lijuan , Tao Shan , Li Xiaowei , Xun Qingying , Guo Xiaojing , Yu Zhiping , Wang Jian
Published: February 2016

Hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline in the elderly and is considered to be an independent risk factor for dementia. One of the most common causes for acquired sensorineural hearing loss is exposure to excessive noise, which has been found to impair learning ability and cognitive performance in human subjects and animal models. Noise exposure has also been found to depress neurogenesis in the hippocampus. However, the effect is mainly attributed to the oxidant stress of noise on the cognitive brain. In the present study, young adult CBA/CAJ mice (between 1.5 and 2 months of age) were briefly exposed a high sound level to produce moderate-to-severe hearing loss. In both the blood and hippocampus, only transient oxidative stress was observed after noise exposure. However, a deficit in spatial learning/memory was revealed 3 months after noise exposure. Moreover, the deficit was correlated with the degree of hearing loss and was associated with a decrease in neurogenesis in the hippocampus. We believe that the observed effects were likely due to hearing loss rather than the initial oxidant stress, which only lasted for a short period of time.
Evaluation of the cause of unexplained radiocaesium contamination of brown rice in Fukushima in 2013 using autoradiography and gamma-ray spectrometry
Authors: Matsunami Hisaya , Murakami Toshifumi , Fujiwara Hideshi , Shinano Takuro
Published: February 2016

The Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011, caused the release of radioactive materials from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), contaminating eastern Japan, particularly in part of Fukushima Prefecture. In 2012 and 2014, the radiocaesium concentration in brown rice did not exceed regulatory levels in Minamisoma City, Fukushima. However, in 2013, some radiocaesium concentrations in brown rice exceeded regulatory levels. In this work, autoradiograms showed that high radioactivity was present as contaminated spots on the panicles of rice and in brown rice in 2013. We evaluate the contribution of direct contamination to the radiocaesium concentration in brown rice and discuss the origin of radiocaesium contamination in brown rice using the 134Cs/137Cs radioactivity ratio. Here, we show that the main cause of the unexplained radiocaesium contamination of brown rice in Minamisoma City in 2013 is the adherence of radioactive materials to the rice panicles and these radioactive materials are associated with reactor units 2 or 3 of FDNPP.
Pure & crystallized 2D Boron Nitride sheets synthesized via a novel process coupling both PDCs and SPS methods
Authors: Yuan Sheng , Linas Sébastien , Journet Catherine , Steyer Philippe , Garnier Vincent , Bonnefont Guillaume , Brioude Arnaud , Toury Bérangère
Published: February 2016

Within the context of emergent researches linked to graphene, it is well known that h-BN nanosheets (BNNSs), also referred as 2D BN, are considered as the best candidate for replacing SiO2 as dielectric support or capping layers for graphene. As a consequence, the development of a novel alternative source for highly crystallized h-BN crystals, suitable for a further exfoliation, is a prime scientific issue. This paper proposes a promising approach to synthesize pure and well-crystallized h-BN flakes, which can be easily exfoliated into BNNSs. This new accessible production process represents a relevant alternative source of supply in response to the increasing need of high quality BNNSs. The synthesis strategy to prepare pure h-BN is based on a unique combination of the Polymer Derived Ceramics (PDCs) route with the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process. Through a multi-scale chemical and structural investigation, it is clearly shown that obtained flakes are large (up to 30 μm), defect-free and well crystallized, which are key-characteristics for a subsequent exfoliation into relevant BNNSs.
Genome sequence and virulence factors of a group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strain with a new element carrying erm(B)
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Zhang Xiaoxia , Zong Zhiyong
Published: February 2016

A Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) strain WCHSDSE-1, which caused an outbreak of tonsillopharyngitis among healthcare workers in China, was subjected to genome sequencing and analysis. WCHSDSE-1 belongs to the Lancefield group G, emm type stG211.1 and sequence type 44. WCHSDSE-1 has virulence factors for adherence, impairing the recruitment of neutrophils to infection sites and toxins including streptolysins O and S and exotoxin G. WCHSDSE-1 has a 45.4-kb element resembling a conjugative transposon. This element is absent from other known SDSE genomes and contains the macrolide-resistant gene erm(B). Conjugative transfer of erm(B) was not successful in mating experiments, suggesting that the element might have lost its ability of conjugation. An almost identical element, which contains the tetracycline-resistant gene tet(M) instead of erm(B), is present on the genome of Filifactor alocis ATCC 35896. The boundaries and insertion sites of the two elements were identified and both were flanked by a 3-bp direct repeat, which is characteristic of transposition. In conclusion, the spectrum of virulence factors of WCHSDSE-1 is similar to other SDSE strains causing invasive diseases. WCHSDSE-1 possesses a new transposable element encoding macrolide resistance, which could pick up different resistance genes and could be transferred across species in oral microflora.
Sensory gating, inhibition control and gamma oscillations in the human somatosensory cortex
Authors: Cheng Chia-Hsiung , Chan Pei-Ying S. , Niddam David M. , Tsai Shang-Yueh , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Liu Chia-Yih
Published: February 2016

Inhibiting the responses to irrelevant stimuli is an essential component of human cognitive function. Pre-attentive auditory sensory gating (SG), an attenuated neural activation to the second identical stimulus, has been found to be related to the performance of higher-hierarchical brain function. However, it remains unclear whether other cortical regions, such as somatosensory cortex, also possess similar characteristics, or if such a relationship is modality-specific. This study used magnetoencephalography to record neuromagnetic responses to paired-pulse electrical stimulation to median nerve in 22 healthy participants. Somatosensory SG ratio and cortical brain oscillations were obtained and compared with the behavioral performance of inhibition control, as evaluated by somatosensory and auditory Go-Nogo tasks. The results showed that somatosensory P35m SG ratio correlated with behavioral performance of inhibition control. Such relationship was also established in relation to the auditory Go-Nogo task. Finally, a higher frequency value of evoked gamma oscillations was found to relate to a better somatosensory SG ability. In conclusion, our data provided an empirical link between automatic cortical inhibition and behavioral performance of attentive inhibition control. This study invites further research on the relationships among gamma oscillations, neurophysiological indices and behavioral performance in clinical populations in terms of SG or cortical inhibition.
The tomato floral homeotic protein FBP1-like gene, SlGLO1, plays key roles in petal and stamen development
Authors: Guo Xuhu , Hu Zongli , Yin Wencheng , Yu Xiaohui , Zhu Zhiguo , Zhang Jianling , Chen Guoping
Published: February 2016

MADS-box transcription factors play important role in plant growth and development, especially floral organ identities. In our study, a MADS-box gene SlGLO1- tomato floral homeotic protein FBP1-like gene was isolated. Its tissue-specific expression profile analysis showed that SlGLO1 was highly expressed in petals and stamens. RNAi (RNA interference) repression of SlGLO1 resulted in floral organ abnormal phenotypes, including green petals with shorter size and aberrant carpelloid stamens. SlGLO1-silenced lines are male sterile. Total chlorophyll content was increased and chlorophyll biosynthetic genes were significantly up-regulated in SlGLO1-silenced petals and stamens. Furthermore, B-class genes expression analysis indicated that the repressed function of SlGLO1 led to the enhanced expression of TAP3 and the down-regulation of TPI in the petals and stamens, while the expression of TM6 was reduced in petals and increased in stamens and carpels of SlGLO1-RNAi plants. Additionally, pollen grains of transgenic lines were aberrant and failed to germinate and tomato pollen-specific genes were down-regulated by more than 90% in SlGLO1-silenced lines. These results suggest that SlGLO1 plays important role in regulating plant floral organ and pollen development in tomato.
Direct and sustained intracellular delivery of exogenous molecules using acoustic-transfection with high frequency ultrasound
Authors: Yoon Sangpil , Kim Min Gon , Chiu Chi Tat , Hwang Jae Youn , Kim Hyung Ham , Wang Yingxiao , Shung K. Kirk
Published: February 2016

Controlling cell functions for research and therapeutic purposes may open new strategies for the treatment of many diseases. An efficient and safe introduction of membrane impermeable molecules into target cells will provide versatile means to modulate cell fate. We introduce a new transfection technique that utilizes high frequency ultrasound without any contrast agents such as microbubbles, bringing a single-cell level targeting and size-dependent intracellular delivery of macromolecules. The transfection apparatus consists of an ultrasonic transducer with the center frequency of over 150 MHz and an epi-fluorescence microscope, entitled acoustic-transfection system. Acoustic pulses, emitted from an ultrasonic transducer, perturb the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane of a targeted single-cell to induce intracellular delivery of exogenous molecules. Simultaneous live cell imaging using HeLa cells to investigate the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ and propidium iodide (PI) and the delivery of 3 kDa dextran labeled with Alexa 488 were demonstrated. Cytosolic delivery of 3 kDa dextran induced via acoustic-transfection was manifested by diffused fluorescence throughout whole cells. Short-term (6 hr) cell viability test and long-term (40 hr) cell tracking confirmed that the proposed approach has low cell cytotoxicity.
Negative outcomes evoke cyclic irrational decisions in Rock, Paper, Scissors
Authors: Dyson Benjamin James , Wilbiks Jonathan Michael Paul , Sandhu Raj , Papanicolaou Georgios , Lintag Jaimie
Published: February 2016

Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) represents a unique gaming space in which the predictions of human rational decision-making can be compared with actual performance. Playing a computerized opponent adopting a mixed-strategy equilibrium, participants revealed a non-significant tendency to over-select Rock. Further violations of rational decision-making were observed using an inter-trial analysis where participants were more likely to switch their item selection at trialn + 1following a loss or draw at trialn, revealing the strategic vulnerability of individuals following the experience of negative rather than positive outcome. Unique switch strategies related to each of these trialnoutcomes were also identified: after losing participants were more likely to ‘downgrade’ their item (e.g., Rock followed by Scissors) but after drawing participants were more likely to ‘upgrade’ their item (e.g., Rock followed by Paper). Further repetition analysis revealed that participants were more likely to continue their specific cyclic item change strategy into trialn + 2. The data reveal the strategic vulnerability of individuals following the experience of negative rather than positive outcome, the tensions between behavioural and cognitive influences on decision making and underline the dangers of increased behavioural predictability in other recursive, non-cooperative environments such as economics and politics.
Cross Reactive Material 197 glycoconjugate vaccines contain privileged conjugation sites
Authors: Möginger Uwe , Resemann Anja , Martin Christopher E. , Parameswarappa Sharavathi , Govindan Subramanian , Wamhoff Eike-Christian , Broecker Felix , Suckau Detlev , Pereira Claney Lebev , Anish Chakkumkal , Seeberger Peter H. , Kolarich Daniel
Published: February 2016

Production of glycoconjugate vaccines involves the chemical conjugation of glycans to an immunogenic carrier protein such as Cross-Reactive-Material-197 (CRM197). Instead of using glycans from natural sources recent vaccine development has been focusing on the use of synthetically defined minimal epitopes. While the glycan is structurally defined, the attachment sites on the protein are not. Fully characterized conjugates and batch-to-batch comparisons are the key to eventually create completely defined conjugates. A variety of glycoconjugates consisting of CRM197 and synthetic oligosaccharide epitopes was characterised using mass spectrometry techniques. The primary structure was assessed by combining intact protein MALDI-TOF-MS, LC-MALDI-TOF-MS middle-down and LC-ESI-MS bottom-up approaches. The middle-down approach on CNBr cleaved glycopeptides provided almost complete sequence coverage, facilitating rapid batch-to-batch comparisons, resolving glycan loading and identification of side products. Regions close to the N- and C-termini were most efficiently conjugated.
MicroRNA-101 targets von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) to induce HIF1α mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in normoxia condition
Authors: Liu Ning , Xia Wu-Yan , Liu Shan-Shan , Chen Hai-Yan , Sun Lei , Liu Meng-Yao , Li Lin-Feng , Lu Hong-Min , Fu Yu-Jie , Wang Pei , Wu Hailong , Gao Jian-Xin
Published: February 2016

The activation/inactivation of HIF1α is precisely regulated in an oxygen-dependent manner. HIF1α is essential for hypoxia induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Several recent studies indicated that the expression of miRNAs can be modulated by hypoxia. However, the involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of HIF1α induction remains elusive. In present study, we demonstrated thatmiR-101was rapidly and transiently induced after hypoxia in breast cancer cells. Over-expression ofmiR-101significantly inhibited cell proliferation in breast cancer cells through increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in normoxia condition. This inhibitory phenomenon seems due tomiR-101-mediated induction of HIF1α, because we identified thatVHL, a negative regulator of HIF1α, is a novel target ofmiR-101and over-expression ofmiR-101decreased VHL levels and subsequently stabilized HIF1α and induced its downstream targetVEGFA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of VHL or HIF1α overexpression could also induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest whereas enforced expression of VHL, administration of anti-miR-101oligos or treatment of 2-MeOE2, an inhibitor of HIF1α, could rescue cells from such inhibition. These results reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of HIF1α induction in normoxia and suggest thatmiR-101mediated proliferation inhibition may through HIF1α mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
Facile and Chemically Pure Preparation of YVO4:Eu3+ Colloid with Novel Nanostructure via Laser Ablation in Water
Authors: Wang Haohao , Odawara Osamu , Wada Hiroyuki
Published: February 2016

A YVO4:Eu3+ colloid with an interesting nanostructure was formed by pulsed laser ablation in deionized water without any additives or surfactants. Analyses of particle morphology, composition and optical properties were accomplished by SEM, TEM, EDS PL and UV-vis. Ovoid-like particles formed by the agglomeration of numerous nanocrystals were observed by SEM and TEM, while EDS with area-mode analysis revealed that the content of dopant ion was well retained within the nanoparticles. In addition, the formation mechanism is deduced and discussed for the first time in this research. The findings of this study could provide new insights into the understanding of laser-induced oxide materials and offer an opportunity for other research groups to pursue red emitting nanophosphors with outstandingly purity.
Transcriptional Regulation of Atp-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling Factors: Smarcal1 and Brg1 Mutually Co-Regulate Each Other
Authors: Haokip Dominic Thangminlen , Goel Isha , Arya Vijendra , Sharma Tapan , Kumari Reshma , Priya Rashmi , Singh Manpreet , Muthuswami Rohini
Published: February 2016

The ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors regulate gene expression. However, it is not known whether these factors regulate each other. Given the ability of these factors to regulate the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors, we postulate that one ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factor should be able to regulate the transcription of another ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factor. In this paper, we show that BRG1 and SMARCAL1, both members of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein family, regulate each other. BRG1 binds to the SMARCAL1 promoter, while SMARCAL1 binds to the brg1 promoter. During DNA damage, the occupancy of SMARCAL1 on the brg1 promoter increases coinciding with an increase in BRG1 occupancy on the SMARCAL1 promoter, leading to increased brg1 and SMARCAL1 transcripts respectively. This is the first report of two ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors regulating each other.
In situ FT-IR spectroscopy investigations of dimethyl carbonate synthesis: on the contribution of gas-phase species
Authors: Meunier F. C.
Published: February 2016

Gas-phase contributions need to be subtracted from in situ IR spectra collected over solids to reveal the spectrum of adsorbates.
Simultaneous determination of four vasoactive phytochemicals in different pharmaceutical preparations by a simple HPLC-DAD method
Authors: Ibrahim Fawzia , Sharaf El-Din Mohie Khaled , El-Shaheny Rania Nabih , El-Deen Asmaa Kamal , Shimizu Kuniyoshi
Published: February 2016

A new, simple isocratic HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of four vasoactive phytochemicals: ascorbic acid (ASC), rutin (RUT), hesperidin (HSP), and diosmin (DSM) in different pharmaceutical preparations.
A simple and green analytical method for determination of copper(ii) in whisky and sugarcane spirit by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Carlos de Souza João , Pezza Helena Redigolo , Pezza Leonardo
Published: February 2016

In this paper we propose a new, fast, simple, economical, portable and environmentally friendly analytical methodology for the determination of copper(ii) ions in whisky and sugarcane spirit, using the combination of spot-test and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
The classification and identification of complex chemical compositions in yanhusuo herb using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS
Authors: Yuan Lei , Yin Jia , Tian Meng , Xie Jiabin , Wang Yuan , Hou Zhiguo , Li Yubo , Zhang Yanjun
Published: February 2016

A method applied for the classification and identification of complex chemical compositions in yanhusuo herb using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS coupled with characteristic fragments and neutral losses.
Bioactive clusters promoting cell penetration and nucleic acid complexation for drug and gene delivery applications: from designed to self-assembled and responsive systems
Authors: Bartolami Eline , Bouillon Camille , Dumy Pascal , Ulrich Sébastien
Published: February 2016

Recent developments in the (self-)assembly of cationic clusters promoting nucleic acids complexation and cell penetration open the door to applications in drug and gene delivery.
Novel porphyrin-preparation, characterization, and applications in solar energy conversion
Authors: Lu Jianfeng , Li Hao , Liu Shuangshuang , Chang Yu-Cheng , Wu Hui-Ping , Cheng Yibing , Wei-Guang Diau Eric , Wang Mingkui
Published: February 2016

Accelerated inner charge transfer in porphyrins promotes a broad light-harvesting ability up to 840 nm and a conversion efficiency of 9.2%.
The origin of luminescence from di[4-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)phenyl]sulfone (DAPSF), a blue light emitter: an X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) study
Authors: Zhang Duo , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xiaohong , Sham Tsun-Kong , Hu Yongfeng , Sun Xuhui
Published: February 2016

The blue luminescence band of DAPSF is primarily associated with the sulfur functional group.
The impact of solvents on the singlet and triplet states of selected fluorine corroles – absorption, fluorescence, and optoacoustic studies
Authors: Bursa Bartosz , Wróbel Danuta , Barszcz Bolesław , Kotkowiak Michał , Vakuliuk Olena , Gryko Daniel T. , Kolanowski Łukasz , Baraniak Marek , Lota Grzegorz
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the influence of aprotic solvents on the spectroscopic properties as well as the energy deactivation of two free-base corrole dyes substituted with C6F5 and/or 4-NO2C6H4 groups.
Understanding the molecular switching properties of octaphyrins
Authors: Woller T. , Contreras-García J. , Geerlings P. , De Proft Frank , Alonso M.
Published: February 2016

Triggering Hückel–Möbius topological and aromaticity switches in octaphyrins by protonation and redox reactions.
Retracted Article: Atomic-scale simulation to study the dynamical properties and local structure of Cu–Zr and Ni–Zr metallic glass-forming alloys
Authors: Yang M. H. , Li Y. , Li J. H. , Liu B. X.
Published: February 2016

Molecular dynamics simulation with well-developed EAM potentials was carried out to investigate the transport properties and local atomic structure of Cu–Zr and Ni–Zr metallic glasses and supercooled liquids.
New aqua-soluble dicopper(ii) aminoalcoholate cores for mild and water-assisted catalytic oxidation of alkanes
Authors: Fernandes Tiago A. , Santos Carla I. M. , André Vânia , Dias Sara S. P. , Kirillova Marina V. , Kirillov Alexander M.
Published: February 2016

Two new dicopper(ii) pre-catalysts were synthesized, fully characterized, and applied for the mild homogeneous oxidation of alkanes.
Gas-permeable hydrophobic tubular membranes for ammonia recovery in bio-electrochemical systems
Authors: Kuntke P. , Zamora P. , Saakes M. , Buisman C. J. N. , Hamelers H. V. M.
Published: February 2016

Integration of a gas-permeable hydrophobic membrane in the cathode compartment of a bio-electrochemical system enables efficient ammonia recovery from wastewater.