bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-33 regulates intestinal inflammation by modulating macrophages in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Seo Dong Hyuk , Che Xiumei , Kwak Min Seob , Kim Soochan , Kim Jae Hyeon , Ma Hyun Woo , Kim Da Hye , Kim Tae Il , Kim Won Ho , Kim Seung Won , Cheon Jae Hee
Published: April 2017

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) that signals through the ST2 receptor has emerged as a critical modulator in several inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the precise mechanisms by which IL-33 modulates IBD are controversial. The aim of this study was thus to clarify the role of IL-33 in IBD. The plasma levels of IL-33 were significantly decreased, but soluble ST2 levels were increased in patients with IBD compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, IL-33 restored goblet cell numbers and induced macrophage switching from the M1 to the M2 phenotype. These effects were sufficient to ameliorate colitis in dextran sodium sulfate, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, and peritoneal cavity cell transfer models. IL-33 facilitated goblet cell restoration via modulating macrophages toward the M2 phenotype. In addition, wound healing was significantly faster in IL-33-treated human monocyte-derived macrophages than in control cells, which could be attributed to increased polarisation into M2 macrophages. We found that patients with IBD show decreased serum levels of IL-33 compared with healthy individuals and that IL-33 can attenuate colitis and aid tissue repair in mice. The mechanism by which IL-33 exerts these effects appears to involve the stimulation of differentiation of goblet cells and M2 macrophages.
Carbon-bearing silicate melt at deep mantle conditions
Authors: Ghosh Dipta B. , Bajgain Suraj K. , Mookherjee Mainak , Karki Bijaya B.
Published: April 2017

Knowledge about the incorporation and role of carbon in silicate magmas is crucial for our understanding of the deep mantle processes. CO2 bearing silicate melting and its relevance in the upper mantle regime have been extensively explored. Here we report first-principles molecular dynamics simulations of MgSiO3 melt containing carbon in three distinct oxidation states - CO2, CO, and C at conditions relevant for the whole mantle. Our results show that at low pressures up to 15 GPa, the carbon dioxide speciation is dominated by molecular form and carbonate ions. At higher pressures, the dominant species are silicon-polyhedral bound carbonates, tetrahedral coordination, and polymerized di-carbonates. Our results also indicate that CO2 component remains soluble in the melt at high pressures and the solution is nearly ideal. However, the elemental carbon and CO components show clustering of carbon atoms in the melt at high pressures, hinting towards possible exsolution of carbon from silicate melt at reduced oxygen contents. Although carbon lowers the melt density, the effect is modest at high pressures. Hence, it is likely that silicate melt above and below the mantle transition zone, and atop the core-mantle boundary could efficiently sequester significant amounts of carbon without being gravitationally unstable.
Glucose uptake in Azotobacter vinelandii occurs through a GluP transporter that is under the control of the CbrA/CbrB and Hfq-Crc systems
Authors: Quiroz-Rocha Elva , Moreno Renata , Hernández-Ortíz Armando , Fragoso-Jiménez Juan Carlos , Muriel-Millán Luis Felipe , Guzmán Josefina , Espín Guadalupe , Rojo Fernando , Núñez Cinthia
Published: April 2017

Azotobacter vinelandii, a strict aerobic, nitrogen fixing bacterium in the Pseudomonadaceae family, exhibits a preferential use of acetate over glucose as a carbon source. In this study, we show that GluP (Avin04150), annotated as an H+-coupled glucose-galactose symporter, is the glucose transporter in A. vinelandii. This protein, which is widely distributed in bacteria and archaea, is uncommon in Pseudomonas species. We found that expression of gluP was under catabolite repression control thorugh the CbrA/CbrB and Crc/Hfq regulatory systems, which were functionally conserved between A. vinelandii and Pseudomonas species. While the histidine kinase CbrA was essential for glucose utilization, over-expression of the Crc protein arrested cell growth when glucose was the sole carbon source. Crc and Hfq proteins from either A. vinelandii or P. putida could form a stable complex with an RNA A-rich Hfq-binding motif present in the leader region of gluP mRNA. Moreover, in P. putida, the gluP A-rich Hfq-binding motif was functional and promoted translational inhibition of a lacZ reporter gene. The fact that gluP is not widely distributed in the Pseudomonas genus but is under control of the CbrA/CbrB and Crc/Hfq systems demonstrates the relevance of these systems in regulating metabolism in the Pseudomonadaceae family.
Entomopathogenic nematodes in agricultural areas in Brazil
Authors: de Brida Andressa Lima , Rosa Juliana Magrinelli Osório , Oliveira Cláudio Marcelo Gonçalves de , Castro Bárbara Monteiro de Castro e , Serrão José Eduardo , Zanuncio José Cola , Leite Luis Garrigós , Wilcken Silvia Renata Siciliano
Published: April 2017

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) can control pests due to the mutualistic association with bacteria that kill the host by septicemia and make the environment favorable for EPNs development and reproduction. The diversity of EPNs in Brazilian soils requires further study. The identification of EPNs, adapted to environmental and climatic conditions of cultivated areas is important for sustainable pest suppression in integrated management programs in agricultural areas of Brazil. The objective was to identify EPNs isolated from agricultural soils with annual, fruit and forest crops in Brazil. Soil samples were collected and stored in 250 ml glass vials. The nematodes were isolated from these samples with live bait traps ([Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae]. Infective juveniles were collected with White traps and identified by DNA barcoding procedures by sequencing the D2/D3 expansion of the 28S rDNA region by PCR. EPNs identified in agricultural areas in Brazil were Heterorhabditis amazonensis, Metarhabditis rainai, Oscheios tipulae and Steinernema rarum. These species should be considered pest biocontrol agents in Brazilian agricultural areas.
Novel benthic foraminifera are abundant and diverse in an area of the abyssal equatorial Pacific licensed for polymetallic nodule exploration
Authors: Goineau Aurélie , Gooday Andrew J.
Published: April 2017

The benthic biota of the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ, abyssal eastern equatorial Pacific) is the focus of a major research effort linked to possible future mining of polymetallic nodules. Within the framework of ABYSSLINE, a biological baseline study conducted on behalf of Seabed Resources Development Ltd. in the UK-1 exploration contract area (eastern CCZ, ~4,080 m water depth), we analysed foraminifera (testate protists), including ‘live’ (Rose Bengal stained) and dead tests, in 5 cores (0–1 cm layer, >150-μm fraction) recovered during separate megacorer deployments inside a 30 by 30 km seafloor area. In both categories (live and dead) we distinguished between complete and fragmented specimens. The outstanding feature of these assemblages is the overwhelming predominance of monothalamids, a group often ignored in foraminiferal studies. These single-chambered foraminifera, which include agglutinated tubes, spheres and komokiaceans, represented 79% of 3,607 complete tests, 98% of 1,798 fragments and 76% of the 416 morphospecies (live and dead combined) in our samples. Only 3.1% of monothalamid species and 9.8% of all species in the UK-1 assemblages are scientifically described and many are rare (29% singletons). Our results emphasise how little is known about foraminifera in abyssal areas that may experience major impacts from future mining activities.
The effect of the serum corona on interactions between a single nano-object and a living cell
Authors: Dror Yael , Sorkin Raya , Brand Guy , Boubriak Olga , Urban Jill , Klein Jacob
Published: April 2017

Nanoparticles (NPs) which enter physiological fluids are rapidly coated by proteins, forming a so-called corona which may strongly modify their interaction with tissues and cells relative to the bare NPs. In this work the interactions between a living cell and a nano-object, and in particular the effect on this of the adsorption of serum proteins, are directly examined by measuring the forces arising as an Atomic Force Microscope tip (diameter 20 nm) - simulating a nano-object - approaches and contacts a cell. We find that the presence of a serum protein corona on the tip strongly modifies the interaction as indicated by pronounced increase in the indentation, hysteresis and work of adhesion compared to a bare tip. Classically one expects an AFM tip interacting with a cell surface to be repelled due to cell elastic distortion, offset by tip-cell adhesion, and indeed such a model fits the bare-tip/cell interaction, in agreement with earlier work. However, the force plots obtained with serum-modified tips are very different, indicating that the cell is much more compliant to the approaching tip. The insights obtained in this work may promote better design of NPs for drug delivery and other nano-medical applications.
Chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory activities of Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. pubescens) bark extracts
Authors: Zhang Huan-li , Gan Xiao-qing , Fan Qing-fei , Yang Jing-jing , Zhang Ping , Hu Hua-bin , Song Qi-shi
Published: April 2017

In this study, 44 compounds in the petroleum ether extract of Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. pubescens) bark, a traditional Dai herbal medicine, were identified by GC-MS. Major components included 3(2H)-benzofuranone, asarinin and (dimethoxymethyl)-3-methoxy-benzene. A total of 18 compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of Maqian bark by column chromatography and identified by chemical and spectral analyses. Rhoifoline B, zanthoxyline dimethoxy derivative, N-nortidine, nitidine, decarine are the major alkaloids. Both the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant inhibition on NO production, which imply anti-inflammatory activity, in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells without cell toxicity. Decarine is the major anti-inflammatory constituent with NO IC50 values of 48.43 μM on RAW264.7 cells. The petroleum ether extract, the ethyl acetate extract and decarine showed anti-inflammatory activities through inhibiting TNF-α and IL-1β production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells without cell toxicity too. Decarine showed anti-inflammatory activity on human colon cells by reducing IL-6 and IL-8 production in TNF-α+IL-1β-induced Caco-2 cells. These results support the use of Maqian bark as a remedy for enteritis and colitis recorded by Dai medicine in China, and elucidate the major pharmacological compounds in Maqian bark.
MicroRNA-140-5p inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by directly targeting the unique isomerase Pin1 to block multiple cancer-driving pathways
Authors: Yan Xingxue , Zhu Zhendong , Xu Shenmin , Yang Li-nan , Liao Xin-Hua , Zheng Min , Yang Dayun , Wang Jichuang , Chen Dongmei , Wang Long , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng , Chen Ruey-Hwa , Zhou Xiao Zhen , Lu Kun Ping , Liu Hekun
Published: April 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer related-death. As a major common regulator of numerous cancer-driving pathways and a unique therapeutic target, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 is overexpressed in a majority of HCCs, whereas the mechanism underlying Pin1 overexpression remains elusive. Here we find that miR-140-5p inhibits HCC by directly targeting Pin1 to block multiple cancer-driving pathways. Bioinformatics analysis, miRNA binding and functional assays identify that miR-140-5p directly interacts with the 3′UTR of Pin1 and inhibits Pin1 translation. Furthermore, like stable Pin1 knockdown, moderate overexpression of miR-140-5p not only eliminates Pin1, but also inhibits cells growth and metastasis. Importantly, these effects of miR-140-5p are largely rescued by reconstitution of Pin1. Moreover, miR-140-5p inhibits multiple Pin1-dependent cancer pathways and suppresses tumor growth in mice. The clinical significance of these findings has been substantiated by the demonstrations that miR-140-5p is frequently down-regulated and inversely correlated with Pin1 overexpression in HCC tissues and cell lines. Given prevalent miR-140-5p downregulation in other cancers and major impact of Pin1 overexpression on activating numerous cancer-driving pathways including global miRNA downregulation, the miR-140-5p/Pin1 axis may play a major role in tumorigenesis and offer promising therapeutic targets for HCC and other cancers.
Serum Glycopatterns as Novel Potential Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure
Authors: Zhong Yaogang , Guo Yonghong , Liu Xiawei , Zhang Jiaxu , Ma Tianran , Shu Jian , Yang Jiajun , Zhang Jing , Jia Zhansheng , Li Zheng
Published: April 2017

Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) is an increasingly recognized distinct disease entity encompassing an acute deterioration of liver function in patients with cirrhosis, so little is known about the alterations of protein glycopatterns in serum with its development. We aimed to identify the alterations of serum glycopatterns in ACHBLF and probe the possibility of them as novel potential biomarkers for diagnosis of ACHBLF. As a result, there were 18 lectins (e.g., WFA, GSL-II, and PNA) to give significantly alterations of serum glycopatterns in ACHBLF compared with healthy controls (HC) (all p ≤ 0.0386). Meanwhile, among these lectins, there were 12 lectins (e.g., WFA, GAL-II, and EEL) also exhibited significantly alterations of serum glycopatterns in ACHBLF compared with HBV-infected chronic hepatitis (cHB) (all p ≤ 0.0252). The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated there were 5 lectins (PHA-E + L, BS-I, ECA, ACA, and BPL) had the greatest discriminatory power for distinguishing ACHBLF and HC or cHB, respectively (all p ≤ 0.00136). We provided a new basic insight into serum glycopatterns in ACHBLF and investigated the correlation of alterations in serum glycopatterns as novel potential biomarkers for diagnosis of ACHBLF.
p38α MAPK regulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoclast progenitors and bone remodeling in an aging-dependent manner
Authors: Cong Qian , Jia Hao , Li Ping , Qiu Shoutao , Yeh James , Wang Yibin , Zhang Zhen-Lin , Ao Junping , Li Baojie , Liu Huijuan
Published: April 2017

Bone mass is determined by the balance between bone formation, carried out by mesenchymal stem cell-derived osteoblasts, and bone resorption, carried out by monocyte-derived osteoclasts. Here we investigated the potential roles of p38 MAPKs, which are activated by growth factors and cytokines including RANKL and BMPs, in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by ablating p38α MAPK in LysM+monocytes. p38α deficiency promoted monocyte proliferation but regulated monocyte osteoclastic differentiation in a cell-density dependent manner, with proliferating p38α−/− cultures showing increased differentiation. While young mutant mice showed minor increase in bone mass, 6-month-old mutant mice developed osteoporosis, associated with an increase in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption and an increase in the pool of monocytes. Moreover, monocyte-specific p38α ablation resulted in a decrease in bone formation and the number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, likely due to decreased expression of PDGF-AA and BMP2. The expression of PDGF-AA and BMP2 was positively regulated by the p38 MAPK-Creb axis in osteoclasts, with the promoters of PDGF-AA and BMP2 having Creb binding sites. These findings uncovered the molecular mechanisms by which p38α MAPK regulates osteoclastogenesis and coordinates osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis.
Long-term treatment with intranasal insulin ameliorates cognitive impairment, tau hyperphosphorylation, and microglial activation in a streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer’s rat model
Authors: Guo Zhangyu , Chen Yanxing , Mao Yan-Fang , Zheng Tingting , Jiang Yasi , Yan Yaping , Yin Xinzhen , Zhang Baorong
Published: April 2017

Recent evidence reveals that aberrant brain insulin signaling plays an important role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Intranasal insulin administration has been reported to improve memory and attention in healthy participants and in AD patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we treated intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-injected (ICV-STZ) rats, a commonly used animal model of sporadic AD, with daily intranasal delivery of insulin (2 U/day) for 6 consecutive weeks and then studied their cognitive function with the Morris water maze test and biochemical changes via Western blotting. We observed cognitive deficits, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation in the brains of ICV-STZ rats. Intranasal insulin treatment for 6 weeks significantly improved cognitive function, attenuated the level of tau hyperphosphorylation, ameliorated microglial activation, and enhanced neurogenesis in ICV-STZ rats. Additionally, our results indicate that intranasal delivery of insulin probably attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation through the down-regulation of ERK1/2 and CaMKII in the brains of ICV-STZ rats. Our findings demonstrate a beneficial effect of intranasal insulin and provide the mechanistic basis for treating AD patients with intranasal insulin.
Phenotypic and genotypic correlation between myopia and intelligence
Authors: Williams Katie M. , Hysi Pirro G. , Yonova-Doing Ekaterina , Mahroo Omar A. , Snieder Harold , Hammond Christopher J.
Published: April 2017

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is our most common eye condition and the prevalence is increasing globally. Visual impairment will occur if uncorrected, whilst high myopia causes sight-threatening complications. Myopia is associated with higher intelligence. As both are heritable, we set out to examine whether there is a genetic correlation between myopia and intelligence in over 1,500 subjects (aged 14–18 years) from a twin birth cohort. The phenotypic correlation between refractive error and intelligence was −0.116 (p < 0.01) - the inverse correlation due to the fact that myopia is a negative refractive error. Bivariate twin modeling confirmed both traits were heritable (refractive error 85%, intelligence 47%) and the genetic correlation was −0.143 (95% CI −0.013 to −0.273). Of the small phenotypic correlation the majority (78%) was explained by genetic factors. Polygenic risk scores were constructed based on common genetic variants identified in previous genome-wide association studies of refractive error and intelligence. Genetic variants for intelligence and refractive error explain some of the reciprocal variance, suggesting genetic pleiotropy; in the best-fit model the polygenic score for intelligence explained 0.99% (p = 0.008) of refractive error variance. These novel findings indicate shared genetic factors contribute significantly to the covariance between myopia and intelligence.
3D lattice distortions and defect structures in ion-implanted nano-crystals
Authors: Hofmann Felix , Tarleton Edmund , Harder Ross J. , Phillips Nicholas W. , Ma Pui-Wai , Clark Jesse N. , Robinson Ian K. , Abbey Brian , Liu Wenjun , Beck Christian E.
Published: April 2017

Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) milling is a mainstay of nano-scale machining. By manipulating a tightly focussed beam of energetic ions, often gallium (Ga+), FIB can sculpt nanostructures via localised sputtering. This ability to cut solid matter on the nano-scale revolutionised sample preparation across the life, earth and materials sciences. Despite its widespread usage, detailed understanding of the FIB-induced structural damage, intrinsic to the technique, remains elusive. Here we examine the defects caused by FIB in initially pristine objects. Using Bragg Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (BCDI), we are able to spatially-resolve the full lattice strain tensor in FIB-milled gold nano-crystals. We find that every use of FIB causes large lattice distortions. Even very low ion doses, typical of FIB imaging and previously thought negligible, have a dramatic effect. Our results are consistent with a damage microstructure dominated by vacancies, highlighting the importance of free-surfaces in determining which defects are retained. At larger ion fluences, used during FIB-milling, we observe an extended dislocation network that causes stresses far beyond the bulk tensile strength of gold. These observations provide new fundamental insight into the nature of the damage created and the defects that lead to a surprisingly inhomogeneous morphology.
Performance, stability and operation voltage optimization of screen-printed aqueous supercapacitors
Authors: Lehtimäki Suvi , Railanmaa Anna , Keskinen Jari , Kujala Manu , Tuukkanen Sampo , Lupo Donald
Published: April 2017

Harvesting micropower energy from the ambient environment requires an intermediate energy storage, for which printed aqueous supercapacitors are well suited due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. In this work, a systematic study of a large set of devices is used to investigate the effect of process variability and operating voltage on the performance and stability of screen printed aqueous supercapacitors. The current collectors and active layers are printed with graphite and activated carbon inks, respectively, and aqueous NaCl used as the electrolyte. The devices are characterized through galvanostatic discharge measurements for quantitative determination of capacitance and equivalent series resistance (ESR), as well as impedance spectroscopy for a detailed study of the factors contributing to ESR. The capacitances are 200–360 mF and the ESRs 7.9–12.7 Ω, depending on the layer thicknesses. The ESR is found to be dominated by the resistance of the graphite current collectors and is compatible with applications in low-power distributed electronics. The effects of different operating voltages on the capacitance, leakage and aging rate of the supercapacitors are tested, and 1.0 V found to be the optimal choice for using the devices in energy harvesting applications.
High hydrostatic pressure specifically affects molecular dynamics and shape of low-density lipoprotein particles
Authors: Golub M. , Lehofer B. , Martinez N. , Ollivier J. , Kohlbrecher J. , Prassl R. , Peters J.
Published: April 2017

Lipid composition of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and its physicochemical characteristics are relevant for proper functioning of lipid transport in the blood circulation. To explore dynamical and structural features of LDL particles with either a normal or a triglyceride-rich lipid composition we combined coherent and incoherent neutron scattering methods. The investigations were carried out under high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), which is a versatile tool to study the physicochemical behavior of biomolecules in solution at a molecular level. Within both neutron techniques we applied HHP to probe the shape and degree of freedom of the possible motions (within the time windows of 15 and 100 ps) and consequently the flexibility of LDL particles. We found that HHP does not change the types of motion in LDL, but influences the portion of motions participating. Contrary to our assumption that lipoprotein particles, like membranes, are highly sensitive to pressure we determined that LDL copes surprisingly well with high pressure conditions, although the lipid composition, particularly the triglyceride content of the particles, impacts the molecular dynamics and shape arrangement of LDL under pressure.
Lifetime imaging of GFP at CoxVIIIa reports respiratory supercomplex assembly in live cells
Authors: Rieger Bettina , Shalaeva Daria N. , Söhnel Anna-Carina , Kohl Wladislaw , Duwe Patrick , Mulkidjanian Armen Y. , Busch Karin B.
Published: April 2017

The assembly of respiratory complexes into macromolecular supercomplexes is currently a hot topic, especially in the context of newly available structural details. However, most work to date has been done with purified detergent-solubilized material and in situ confirmation is absent. We here set out to enable the recording of respiratory supercomplex formation in living cells. Fluorescent sensor proteins were placed at specific positions at cytochrome c oxidase suspected to either be at the surface of a CI1CIII2CIV1 supercomplex or buried within this supercomplex. In contrast to other loci, sensors at subunits CoxVIIIa and CoxVIIc reported a dense protein environment, as detected by significantly shortened fluorescence lifetimes. According to 3D modelling CoxVIIIa and CoxVIIc are buried in the CI1CIII2CIV1 supercomplex. Suppression of supercomplex scaffold proteins HIGD2A and CoxVIIa2l was accompanied by an increase in the lifetime of the CoxVIIIa-sensor in line with release of CIV from supercomplexes. Strikingly, our data provide strong evidence for defined stable supercomplex configuration in situ.
The global regulator Ncb2 escapes from the core promoter and impacts transcription in response to drug stress in Candida albicans
Authors: Shariq Mohd , Dhamgaye Sanjiveeni , Nair Remya , Goyal Neha , Jain Vaibhav , Mukhopadhyay Arnab , Mondal Alok K. , Mukhopadhyay Gauranga , Prasad Rajendra
Published: April 2017

Ncb2, the β subunit of NC2 complex, a heterodimeric regulator of transcription was earlier shown to be involved in the activated transcription of CDR1 gene in azole resistant isolate (AR) of Candida albicans. This study examines its genome-wide role by profiling Ncb2 occupancy between genetically matched pair of azole sensitive (AS) and AR clinical isolates. A comparison of Ncb2 recruitment between the two isolates displayed that 29 genes had higher promoter occupancy of Ncb2 in the AR isolate. Additionally, a host of genes exhibited exclusive occupancy of Ncb2 at promoters of either AR or AS isolate. The analysis also divulged new actors of multi-drug resistance, whose transcription was activated owing to the differential occupancy of Ncb2. The conditional, sequence-specific positional escape of Ncb2 from the core promoter in AS isolate and its preferential recruitment to the core promoter of certain genes in AR isolates was most noteworthy means of transcription regulation. Together, we show that positional rearrangement of Ncb2 resulting in either activation or repression of gene expression in response to drug-induced stress, represents a novel regulatory mechanism that opens new opportunities for therapeutic intervention to prevent development of drug tolerance in C. albicans cells.
Dynamic Default Mode Network across Different Brain States
Authors: Lin Pan , Yang Yong , Gao Junfeng , De Pisapia Nicola , Ge Sheng , Wang Xiang , Zuo Chun S. , Jonathan Levitt James , Niu Chen
Published: April 2017

The default mode network (DMN) is a complex dynamic network that is critical for understanding cognitive function. However, whether dynamic topological reconfiguration of the DMN occurs across different brain states, and whether this potential reorganization is associated with prior learning or experience is unclear. To better understand the temporally changing topology of the DMN, we investigated both nodal and global dynamic DMN-topology metrics across different brain states. We found that DMN topology changes over time and those different patterns are associated with different brain states. Further, the nodal and global topological organization can be rebuilt by different brain states. These results indicate that the post-task, resting-state topology of the brain network is dynamically altered as a function of immediately prior cognitive experience, and that these modulated networks are assembled in the subsequent state. Together, these findings suggest that the changing topology of the DMN may play an important role in characterizing brain states.
Transcriptome-based investigation of cirrus development and identifying microsatellite markers in rattan (Daemonorops jenkinsiana)
Authors: Zhao Hansheng , Sun Huayu , Li Lichao , Lou Yongfeng , Li Rongsheng , Qi Lianghua , Gao Zhimin
Published: April 2017

Rattan is an important group of regenerating non-wood climbing palm in tropical forests. The cirrus is an essential climbing organ and provides morphological evidence for evolutionary and taxonomic studies. However, limited data are available on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the cirrus. Thus, we performed in-depth transcriptomic sequencing analyses to characterize the cirrus development at different developmental stages of Daemonorops jenkinsiana. The result showed 404,875 transcripts were assembled, including 61,569 high-quality unigenes were identified, of which approximately 76.16% were annotated and classified by seven authorized databases. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profiles identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) concentrated in developmental pathways, cell wall metabolism, and hook formation between the different stages of the cirri. Among them, 37 DEGs were validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, 14,693 transcriptome-based microsatellites were identified. Of the 168 designed SSR primer pairs, 153 were validated and 16 pairs were utilized for the polymorphic analysis of 25 rattan accessions. These findings can be used to interpret the molecular mechanisms of cirrus development, and the developed microsatellites markers provide valuable data for assisting rattan taxonomy and expanding the understanding of genomic study in rattan.
Transition metal ions regulated oxygen evolution reaction performance of Ni-based hydroxides hierarchical nanoarrays
Authors: Zhou Tingting , Cao Zhen , Zhang Pan , Ma Houyi , Gao Zhen , Wang Heng , Lu Yue , He Jia , Zhao Yunfeng
Published: April 2017

Nickel-based hydroxide hierarchical nanoarrays (NiyM(OH)x HNAs M = Fe or Zn) are doped with non-noble transition metals to create nanostructures and regulate their activities for the oxygen evolution reaction. Catalytic performance in these materials depends on their chemical composition and the presence of nanostructures. These novel hierarchical nanostructures contain small secondary nanosheets that are grown on the primary nanowire arrays, providing a higher surface area and more efficient mass transport for electrochemical reactions. The activities of the NiyM(OH)x HNAs for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) followed the order of Ni2.2Fe(OH)x > Ni(OH)2 > Ni2.1Zn(OH)x, and these trends are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Fe-doped nickel hydroxide hierarchical nanoarrays (Ni2.2Fe(OH)x HNAs), which had an appropriate elemental composition and hierarchical nanostructures, achieve the lowest onset overpotential of 234 mV and the smallest Tafel slope of 64.3 mV dec−1. The specific activity, which is normalized to the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the catalyst, of the Ni2.2Fe(OH)x HNAs is 1.15 mA cm−2BET at an overpotential of 350 mV. This is ~4-times higher than that of Ni(OH)2. These values are also superior to those of a commercial IrOx electrocatalyst.
Phosphodiesterase 4B negatively regulates endotoxin-activated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist responses in macrophages
Authors: Yang Jing-Xing , Hsieh Kou-Chou , Chen Yi-Ling , Lee Chien-Kuo , Conti Marco , Chuang Tsung-Hsien , Wu Chin-Pyng , Jin S.-L. Catherine
Published: April 2017

Activation of TLR4 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Type 4 phosphodiesterases (PDE4) are key cAMP-hydrolyzing enzymes, and PDE4 inhibitors are considered as immunosuppressors to various inflammatory responses. We demonstrate here that PDE4 inhibitors enhance the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) secretion in LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages, and this response was regulated at the transcriptional level rather than an increased IL-1Ra mRNA stability. Studies with PDE4-deficient macrophages revealed that the IL-1Ra upregulation elicited by LPS alone is PKA-independent, whereas the rolipram-enhanced response was mediated by inhibition of only PDE4B, one of the three PDE4 isoforms expressed in macrophages, and it requires PKA but not Epac activity. However, both pathways activate CREB to induce IL-1Ra expression. PDE4B ablation also promoted STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr705) to LPS stimulation, but this STAT3 activation is not entirely responsible for the IL-1Ra upregulation in PDE4B-deficient macrophages. In a model of LPS-induced sepsis, only PDE4B-deficient mice displayed an increased circulating IL-1Ra, suggesting a protective role of PDE4B inactivation in vivo. These findings demonstrate that PDE4B negatively modulates anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in innate immune cells, and selectively targeting PDE4B should retain the therapeutic benefits of nonselective PDE4 inhibitors.
Three serum metabolite signatures for diagnosing low-grade and high-grade bladder cancer
Authors: Tan Guangguo , Wang Haibo , Yuan Jianlin , Qin Weijun , Dong Xin , Wu Hong , Meng Ping
Published: April 2017

To address the shortcomings of cystoscopy and urine cytology for detecting and grading bladder cancer (BC), ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with Q-TOF mass spectrometry in conjunction with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses was employed as an alternative method for the diagnosis of BC. A series of differential serum metabolites were further identified for low-grade(LG) and high-grade(HG) BC patients, suggesting metabolic dysfunction in malignant proliferation, immune escape, differentiation, apoptosis and invasion of cancer cells in BC patients. In total, three serum metabolites including inosine, acetyl-N-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine and PS(O-18:0/0:0) were selected by binary logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test based on their combined use for HG BC showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.961 in the discovery set and 0.950 in the validation set when compared to LG BC. Likewise, this composite biomarker panel can also differentiate LG BC from healthy controls with the AUC of 0.993 and 0.991 in the discovery and validation set, respectively. This finding suggested that this composite serum metabolite signature was a promising and less invasive classifier for probing and grading BC, which deserved to be further investigated in larger samples.
Purely one-dimensional bands with a giant spin-orbit splitting: Pb nanoribbons on Si(553) surface
Authors: Kopciuszyński Marek , Krawiec Mariusz , Zdyb Ryszard , Jałochowski Mieczysław
Published: April 2017

We report on a giant Rashba type splitting of metallic bands observed in one-dimensional structures prepared on a vicinal silicon substrate. A single layer of Pb on Si(553) orders this vicinal surface making perfectly regular distribution of monatomic steps. Although there is only one layer of Pb, the system reveals very strong metallic and purely one-dimensional character, which manifests itself in multiple surface state bands crossing the Fermi level in the direction parallel to the step edges and a small band gap in the perpendicular direction. As shown by spin-polarized photoemission and density functional theory calculations these surface state bands are spin-polarized and completely decoupled from the rest of the system. The experimentally observed spin splitting of 0.6 eV at room temperature is the largest found to now in the silicon-based metallic nanostructures, which makes the considered system a promising candidate for application in spintronic devices.
Rosmarinic acid suppresses colonic inflammation in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced mice via dual inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 activation
Authors: Jin Bo-Ram , Chung Kyung-Sook , Cheon Se-Yun , Lee Minho , Hwang Soonjae , Noh Hwang Sam , Rhee Ki-Jong , An Hyo-Jin
Published: April 2017

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon. Although UC is generally treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressants, most of these treatments often prove to be inadequate. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic ester included in various medicinal herbs such as Salvia miltiorrhiz and Perilla frutescens. Although RA has many biological and pharmacological activities, the anti-inflammatory effect of RA in colonic tissue remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying molecular mechanism of RA in mice with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. In the DSS-induced colitis model, RA significantly reduced the severity of colitis, as assessed by disease activity index (DAI) scores, colonic damage, and colon length. In addition, RA resulted in the reduction of the inflammatory-related cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-22, and protein levels of COX-2 and iNOS in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, RA effectively and pleiotropically inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation, and subsequently reduced the activity of pro-survival genes that depend on these transcription factors. These results demonstrate that RA has an ameliorative effect on colonic inflammation and thus a potential therapeutic role in colitis.
Down-regulation of nuclear HMGB1 reduces ischemia-induced HMGB1 translocation and release and protects against liver ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhao Guangyuan , Fu Cheng , Wang Lu , Zhu Lan , Yan Yutao , Xiang Ying , Zheng Fang , Gong Feili , Chen Song , Chen Gang
Published: April 2017

Hepatocyte-specific HMGB1 deletion has been found to worsen the injury and inflammation in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), highlighting a role for intracellular HMGB1 in cellular protection. Down-regulation of nuclear HMGB1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) might not only decrease its injurious extracellular role by reducing its release but also serve to maintain its beneficial intracellular role, thus protecting against IRI. We established a non-lethal liver IRI model in mice via segmental hepatic warm ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 6 h. HMGB1-siRNA achieved a reduction of ~60–70% in the nuclear HMGB1 expression in the liver at 48 h post-treatment. Knockdown of nuclear HMGB1 expression dramatically reduced both the degree of nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1 during hepatic ischemia and of HMGB1 release after hepatic reperfusion, resulting in significant preservation of liver function and a marked reduction in pathological damage. Also, HMGB1-siRNA pretreatment markedly inhibited the increases in hepatic expression of TLR4, TLR2, RAGE, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, iNOS, and COX-2 seen in control mice after hepatic reperfusion. We demonstrated for the first time that down-regulation of nuclear HMGB1 reduces ischemia-induced HMGB1 release and protects against liver IRI, which is helpful for better understanding the role of HMGB1 in organ IRI.
Red luminescence control of Eu(iii) complexes by utilizing the multi-colored electrochromism of viologen derivatives
Authors: Kanazawa Kenji , Komiya Yuta , Nakamura Kazuki , Kobayashi Norihisa
Published: April 2017

The electroresponsive switching of red photoluminescence based on the electrochemical coloration of cyan–magenta–green (CMG) viologen components was achieved by combining a luminescent Eu3+chelate and viologen derivatives, resulting in CMG coloration in a single cell.
Change of the isoelectric point of hemoglobin at the air/water interface probed by the orientational flip-flop of water molecules
Authors: Devineau Stéphanie , Inoue Ken-ichi , Kusaka Ryoji , Urashima Shu-hei , Nihonyanagi Satoshi , Baigl Damien , Tsuneshige Antonio , Tahara Tahei
Published: April 2017

Nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy reveals that the isoelectric point of proteins can largely change when the proteins are adsorbed at the air/water interface.
Integration of digital microfluidics with whispering-gallery mode sensors for label-free detection of biomolecules
Authors: Wondimu Sentayehu F. , von der Ecken Sebastian , Ahrens Ralf , Freude Wolfgang , Guber Andreas E. , Koos Christian
Published: April 2017

WGM biosensor arrays are integrated with a DMF system. The viability of the system is demonstrated by refractive-index and biosensing experiments.
A biomolecule-assisted, cost-efficient route for growing tunable CuInS2 films for green energy application
Authors: Frank Anna , Wochnik Angela S. , Bein Thomas , Scheu Christina
Published: April 2017

A successful biomolecule-assisted, non-toxic solvothermal synthesis for CuInS2 on TCO substrate with desirable absorption behavior and band gaps is presented.
Computational screening of phosphite derivatives as high-performance additives in high-voltage Li-ion batteries
Authors: Han Young-Kyu , Yoo Jaeik , Yim Taeeun
Published: April 2017

We presented a computational screening protocol for the efficient development of cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI)-forming additive materialsviathe first-principles calculations.
In situ nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging of live biofilms in a microchannel
Authors: Renslow R. S. , Marshall M. J. , Tucker A. E. , Chrisler W. B. , Yu X.-Y.
Published: April 2017

The firstin situnuclear magnetic resonance microimaging of live biofilms in a transferrable microfluidic platform.
Cyclic ether synthesis from diols using trimethyl phosphate
Authors: Asai Shota , Kato Maho , Monguchi Yasunari , Sajiki Hironao , Sawama Yoshinari
Published: April 2017

Cyclic ethers are simply synthesized from diols by using trimethyl phosphate at room temperature.
Temporal viscosity modulations driven by a pH sensitive polymer coupled to a pH-changing chemical reaction
Authors: Escala D. M. , Muñuzuri A. P. , De Wit A. , Carballido-Landeira J.
Published: April 2017

Conformational changes of a PAA molecule linked to a pH-changing reaction can produce a temporal viscosity modulation.
Interfacial interactions between CoTPP molecules and MgO(100) thin films
Authors: Franke Matthias , Wechsler Daniel , Tariq Quratulain , Röckert Michael , Zhang Liang , Kumar Thakur Pardeep , Tsud Nataliya , Bercha Sofiia , Prince Kevin , Lee Tien-Lin , Steinrück Hans-Peter , Lytken Ole
Published: April 2017

We have investigated the interactions between cobalt(ii)-tetraphenylporphyrin molecules and MgO(100) thin films on Ag(100) by means of synchrotron radiation X-ray and ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy.
Identifying and suppressing interfacial recombination to achieve high open-circuit voltage in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Correa-Baena Juan-Pablo , Tress Wolfgang , Domanski Konrad , Anaraki Elham Halvani , Turren-Cruz Silver-Hamill , Roose Bart , Boix Pablo P. , Grätzel Michael , Saliba Michael , Abate Antonio , Hagfeldt Anders
Published: April 2017

Dopants in the hole transport layer limit the open-circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells.
Can BECCS deliver sustainable and resource efficient negative emissions?
Authors: Fajardy Mathilde , Mac Dowell Niall
Published: April 2017

Negative emissions technologies (NETs) in general and bioenergy with CO2 capture and storage (BECCS) in particular are commonly regarded as vital yet controversial to meeting our climate goals. In this contribution we show how the sustainability and carbon efficiency, or otherwise, of BECCS depends entirely on the choices made throughout the BECCS supply chain.
Novel non-target analysis of fluorine compounds using ICPMS/MS and HPLC-ICPMS/MS
Authors: Jamari N. Laili A. , Dohmann J. Frederik , Raab Andrea , Krupp Eva M. , Feldmann Joerg
Published: April 2017

The first study which shows that total fluorine determination and fluorine speciation analysis are possible with a conventional ICPMS/MS by creating BaF+ions in the plasma and limiting the polyatomic interfering barium oxide/hydroxide ions at a ppb level.
Anticancer effects of novel resveratrol analogues on human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Vergara Daniele , De Domenico Stefania , Tinelli Andrea , Stanca Eleonora , Del Mercato Loretta L. , Giudetti Anna M. , Simeone Pasquale , Guazzelli Nicola , Lessi Marco , Manzini Chiara , Santino Angelo , Bellina Fabio , Maffia Michele
Published: April 2017

We describe the molecular mechanisms of the action of novel trans-restricted analogues of resveratrol with enhanced anti-cancer properties.
A new and versatile one-pot strategy to synthesize alpha-bromoketones from secondary alcohols using ammonium bromide and oxone
Authors: Rammurthy Banothu , Swamy Peraka , Naresh Mameda , Srujana Kodumuri , Durgaiah Chevella , Krishna Sai Gajula , Narender Nama
Published: April 2017

A new, efficient and green protocol for the one-pot synthesis of alpha-bromoketones from secondary alcohols is reported.
Addition of N-nucleophiles to gold(iii)-bound isocyanides leading to short-lived gold(iii) acyclic diaminocarbene complexes
Authors: Anisimova Tatyana B. , Kinzhalov Mikhail A. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Novikov Alexander S. , Kukushkin Vadim Yu. , Pombeiro Armando J. L. , Luzyanin Konstantin V.
Published: April 2017

Addition of hydrazone to gold(iii)–isocyanides led to the generation of rare short-lived gold(iii) acyclic diaminocarbene complexes.
Efficient construction of C–N and C–S bonds in 2-iminothiazoles via cascade reaction of enaminones with potassium thiocyanate
Authors: Chen Xue-Bing , Wang Xue-Quan , Song Jia-Na , Yang Qing-Li , Huang Chao , Liu Wei
Published: April 2017

Regioselective cascade reactions have been developed by using enaminones and potassium thiocyanate, offering a novel protocol for the synthesis of thiazoles from enaminones.
Synthesis of AHMOD-containing aminolipopeptides, unique bioactive peptaibiotics
Authors: Stubbing Louise A. , Kavianinia Iman , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: April 2017

An interesting family of bioactive aminolipopeptides contain the unusual building block 2-amino-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-oxodecanoic acid (AHMOD).
A divergent and metal free synthesis of sulfoximine tethered imidazoles, imidazopyridines, imidazothiazoles, imidazobenzothiazines, thiazoles and selenazoles
Authors: Battula S. R. K. , Rama Kishore Putta V. P. , Subbareddy G. V. , Chakravarthy I. E. , Saravanan V.
Published: April 2017

A divergent and metal free approach has been successfully developed for the synthesis of sulfoximine tethered heterocycles from a α-bromoalkanone building block.
Metal-free chloroamidation of indoles with sulfonamides and NaClO
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Tong Kun , Zhang Ai Hua , Tan Ren Xiang , Yu Shouyun
Published: April 2017

An efficient and rapid protocol for chloroamidation of indoles with sulfonamides and aqueous NaClO has been developed. The reaction completes in less than half an hour at room temperature without any transition metals.
Interfacial layers at a nanometre scale on iron corroded in carbonated anoxic environments
Authors: Leon Yoanna , Dillmann Philippe , Neff Delphine , Schlegel Michel L. , Foy Eddy , Dynes James J.
Published: April 2017

Two tests of iron corrosion in compacted clay and clay slurry were performed for several years.
Notably enhanced thermoelectric properties of lamellar polypyrrole by doping with β-naphthalene sulfonic acid
Authors: Tang Xianxian , Liu Taoxiang , Li Han , Yang Dongwang , Chen Liangjun , Tang Xinfeng
Published: April 2017

This work demonstrates the development of lamellar polypyrrole (PPy) with much enhanced thermoelectric properties after doping β-naphthalene sulfonic acid.
Novel AIE columnar liquid crystals: the influence of the number of diphenylacrylonitrile groups on the mesomorphic and fluorescence properties
Authors: Lin Liangbin , Guo Hongyu , Fang Xiaoting , Yang Fafu
Published: April 2017

Triphenylene derivatives with one or two diphenylacrylonitrile groups exhibited not only an ordered hexagonal columnar mesophase but also good AIE fluorescence properties in both solution and solid state.
A general strategy for high performance stretchable conductors based on carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires
Authors: Cao Lijun , Wang Zhan , Liu Yang , Shi Rui , Wang Xiangjing , Liu Juqing
Published: April 2017

A general strategy, combining prestraining and embedding, for high performance stretchable conductors based on one-dimensional conductive materials, has been proposed.