bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a bi-partition of the Younger Dryas Stadial in East Asia associated with inversed climate characteristics compared to Europe
Authors: Schlolaut Gordon , Brauer Achim , Nakagawa Takeshi , Lamb Henry F. , Tyler Jonathan J. , Staff Richard A. , Marshall Michael H. , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Bryant Charlotte L. , Tarasov Pavel E.
Published: March 2017

The Younger Dryas Stadial (YDS) was an episode of northern hemispheric cooling which occurred within the Last Glacial Interglacial Transition (LGIT). A major driver for the YDS climate was a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). It has been inferred that the AMOC began to strengthen mid-YDS, producing a bipartite structure of the YDS in records from continental Europe. These records imply that the polar front and westerlies shifted northward, producing a warmer second phase of the YDS in Europe. Here we present multi-proxy data from the sediments of Lake Suigetsu (Japan), as evidence that a related bi-partition of the YDS also occurred in East Asia. Besides showing for the first time that the bi-partition was not limited to the North Atlantic/European region, the data also imply a climatic dipole between Europe and East Asia since the cold-warm characteristics are reversed at Lake Suigetsu. We suggest that changes in eastward moisture transport from the North Atlantic are the primary mechanism by which the teleconnection can be explained.
Stable mucus-associated bacterial communities in bleached and healthy corals of Porites lobata from the Arabian Seas
Authors: Hadaidi Ghaida , Röthig Till , Yum Lauren K. , Ziegler Maren , Arif Chatchanit , Roder Cornelia , Burt John , Voolstra Christian R.
Published: March 2017

Coral reefs are subject to coral bleaching manifested by the loss of endosymbiotic algae from coral host tissue. Besides algae, corals associate with bacteria. In particular, bacteria residing in the surface mucus layer are thought to mediate coral health, but their role in coral bleaching is unknown. We collected mucus from bleached and healthy Porites lobata colonies in the Persian/Arabian Gulf (PAG) and the Red Sea (RS) to investigate bacterial microbiome composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We found that bacterial community structure was notably similar in bleached and healthy corals, and the most abundant bacterial taxa were identical. However, fine-scale differences in bacterial community composition between the PAG and RS were present and aligned with predicted differences in sulfur- and nitrogen-cycling processes. Based on our data, we argue that bleached corals benefit from the stable composition of mucus bacteria that resemble their healthy coral counterparts and presumably provide a conserved suite of protective functions, but monitoring of post-bleaching survival is needed to further confirm this assumption. Conversely, fine-scale site-specific differences highlight flexibility of the bacterial microbiome that may underlie adjustment to local environmental conditions and contribute to the widespread success of Porites lobata.
Qualitative and Quantitative Imaging Evaluation of Renal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes with Grating-based X-ray Phase-contrast CT
Authors: Braunagel Margarita , Birnbacher Lorenz , Willner Marian , Marschner Mathias , De Marco Fabio , Viermetz Manuel , Notohamiprodjo Susan , Hellbach Katharina , Auweter Sigrid , Link Vera , Woischke Christine , Reiser Maximilian F. , Pfeiffer Franz , Notohamiprodjo Mike , Herzen Julia
Published: March 2017

Current clinical imaging methods face limitations in the detection and correct characterization of different subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), while these are important for therapy and prognosis. The present study evaluates the potential of grating-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (gbPC-CT) for visualization and characterization of human RCC subtypes. The imaging results for 23 ex vivo formalin-fixed human kidney specimens obtained with phase-contrast CT were compared to the results of the absorption-based CT (gbCT), clinical CT and a 3T MRI and validated using histology. Regions of interest were placed on each specimen for quantitative evaluation. Qualitative and quantitative gbPC-CT imaging could significantly discriminate between normal kidney cortex (54 ± 4 HUp) and clear cell (42 ± 10), papillary (43 ± 6) and chromophobe RCCs (39 ± 7), p < 0.05 respectively. The sensitivity for detection of tumor areas was 100%, 50% and 40% for gbPC-CT, gbCT and clinical CT, respectively. RCC architecture like fibrous strands, pseudocapsules, necrosis or hyalinization was depicted clearly in gbPC-CT and was not equally well visualized in gbCT, clinical CT and MRI. The results show that gbPC-CT enables improved discrimination of normal kidney parenchyma and tumorous tissues as well as different soft-tissue components of RCCs without the use of contrast media.
Towards a Humanized Mouse Model of Liver Stage Malaria Using Ectopic Artificial Livers
Authors: Ng Shengyong , March Sandra , Galstian Ani , Gural Nil , Stevens Kelly R. , Mota Maria M. , Bhatia Sangeeta N.
Published: March 2017

The malaria liver stage is an attractive target for antimalarial development, and preclinical malaria models are essential for testing such candidates. Given ethical concerns and costs associated with non‐human primate models, humanized mouse models containing chimeric human livers offer a valuable alternative as small animal models of liver stage human malaria. The best available human liver chimeric mice rely on cellular transplantation into mice with genetically engineered liver injury, but these systems involve a long and variable humanization process, are expensive, and require the use of breeding-challenged mouse strains which are not widely accessible. We previously incorporated primary human hepatocytes into engineered polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based nanoporous human ectopic artificial livers (HEALs), implanted them in mice without liver injury, and rapidly generated human liver chimeric mice in a reproducible and scalable fashion. By re-designing the PEG scaffold to be macroporous, we demonstrate the facile fabrication of implantable porous HEALs that support liver stage human malaria (P. falciparum) infection in vitro, and also after implantation in mice with normal liver function, 60% of the time. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of applying a tissue engineering strategy towards the development of scalable preclinical models of liver stage malaria infection for future applications.
Transcriptomics and proteomic studies reveal acaricidal mechanism of octadecanoic acid-3, 4 - tetrahydrofuran diester against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi
Authors: Song Xu , Chen Zhenzhen , Jia Renyong , Cao Mei , Zou Yuanfeng , Li Lixia , Liang Xiaoxia , Yin Lizi , He Changliang , Yue Guizhou , Yin Zhongqiong
Published: March 2017

In our previous study, a new compound, octadecanoic acid-3, 4-tetrahydrofuran diester, possessing potent acaricidal activity was obtained from neem oil. This study performed RNA-seq transcriptomics and iTRAQ proteomics to uncover the acaricidal mechanism of the compound against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi. The results of transcriptomics indicated that after treatment with octadecanoic acid-3, 4-tetrahydrofuran diester, genes related to “Energy metabolism” were significantly up-/down-regulated, including citrate cycle, oxidative phosphorylation pathway and fatty acid metabolism. Proteomics analysis showed accordant changes of proteins related to oxidative phosphorylation pathway. The target proteins of the compound were NADH dehydrogenase, Ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase, Cytochrome c oxidase, ATP synthase, enolase and superoxide dismutase. In transcriptomics-proteomics correlation analysis, the concordance rate between protein abundances and their corresponding mRNAs was 57%, while others (43%) were discordant changes, suggesting divergent regulating effects of octadecanoic acid-3, 4-tetrahydrofuran diester. These results suggested that the acaricidal mechanism of octadecanoic acid-3, 4-tetrahydrofuran diester attributed to interference with energy metabolism, especially oxidative phosphorylation pathway.
Mapping ECoG channel contributions to trajectory and muscle activity prediction in human sensorimotor cortex
Authors: Nakanishi Yasuhiko , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Shin Duk , Kambara Hiroyuki , Yoshimura Natsue , Tanaka Masataka , Fukuma Ryohei , Kishima Haruhiko , Hirata Masayuki , Koike Yasuharu
Published: March 2017

Studies on brain-machine interface techniques have shown that electrocorticography (ECoG) is an effective modality for predicting limb trajectories and muscle activity in humans. Motor control studies have also identified distributions of “extrinsic-like” and “intrinsic-like” neurons in the premotor (PM) and primary motor (M1) cortices. Here, we investigated whether trajectories and muscle activity predicted from ECoG were obtained based on signals derived from extrinsic-like or intrinsic-like neurons. Three participants carried objects of three different masses along the same counterclockwise path on a table. Trajectories of the object and upper arm muscle activity were predicted using a sparse linear regression. Weight matrices for the predictors were then compared to determine if the ECoG channels contributed more information about trajectory or muscle activity. We found that channels over both PM and M1 contributed highly to trajectory prediction, while a channel over M1 was the highest contributor for muscle activity prediction.
Photodynamic dye adsorption and release performance of natural zeolite
Authors: Hovhannisyan Vladimir , Dong Chen-Yuan , Chen Shean-Jen
Published: March 2017

Clinoptilolite type of zeolite (CZ) is a promising material for biomedicine and pharmaceutics due to its non-toxicity, thermal stability, expanded surface area, and exceptional ability to adsorb various atoms and organic molecules into micropores. Using multiphoton microscopy, we demonstrated that individual CZ particles produce two-photon excited luminescence and second harmonic generation signal at femtosecond laser excitation, and adsorb photo-dynamically active dyes such as hypericin and methylene blue. Furthermore, the release of hypericin from CZ pores in the presence of biomolecules is shown, and CZ can be considered as an effective material for drug delivery and controlled release in biological systems. The results may open new perspectives in application of CZ in biomedical imaging, and introducing of the optical approaches into the clinical environment.
Shock-Resistibility of MEMS-Based Inertial Microswitch under Reverse Directional Ultra-High g Acceleration for IoT Applications
Authors: Xu Qiu , Yang Zhuoqing , Sun Yunna , Lai Liyan , Jin Zhiyu , Ding Guifu , Zhao Xiaolin , Yao Jinyuan , Wang Jing
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a novel MEMS-based inertial microswitch design with multi-directional compact constraint structures for improving the shock-resistibility. Its shock-resistibility in the reverse-sensitive direction to ultra-high g acceleration (~hunderds of thousands) is simulated and analyzed. The dynamic response process indicates that in the designed inertial microswitch the proof mass weight G, the whole system’s stiffness k and the gap x2 between the proof mass and reverse constraint blocks have significant effect on the shock-resistibility. The MEMS inertial microswitch micro-fabricated by surface micromachining has been evaluated using the drop hammer test. The maximum allowable reverse acceleration, which does not cause the spurious trigger, is defined as the reverse acceleration threshold (athr). Test results show that athr increases with the decrease of the gap x2, and the proposed microswitch tends to have a better shock-resistibility under smaller gap. The measured responses of the microswitches with and without constraint structure indicates that the device without constraint structure is prone to spurious trigger, while the designed constraint structures can effectively improve the shock-resistibility. In this paper, the method for improving the shock-resistibility and reducing the spurious trigger has been discussed.
AT-RvD1 Promotes Resolution of Inflammation in NOD/ShiLtJ mice
Authors: Wang Ching-Shuen , Maruyama Christina L. , Easley Justin T. , Trump Bryan G. , Baker Olga J.
Published: March 2017

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by diminished secretory function of the exocrine glands. Treatments for hyposalivation are limited to the use of saliva substitutes and medications that provide only temporary relief. In light of the high degree of need and the limitations of current therapies, development of alternative treatments to restore functioning is essential. Resolvins (Rv), which are highly potent lipid mediators, offer a viable alternative for better treating inflammatory diseases such as SS. The goal of this study was to determine whether systemic preventive treatment with Aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1) reduces inflammation and preserves secretory functioning in NOD/ShiLtJ SS-like mice. Our results indicate that systemic treatment with AT-RvD1 diminishes the progression of the disease in salivary epithelium from female mice as follows: (a) improves secretory function, (b) reduces pro-inflammatory molecule gene expression, (c) increases anti-inflammatory molecule gene expression and (d) induces M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, AT-RvD1 decreases lymphocytic infiltration into the salivary glands when used with small doses of the steroid, dexamethasone, and promotes the tissue healing process.
Rediscovery and reclassification of the dipteran taxon Nothomicrodon Wheeler, an exclusive endoparasitoid of gyne ant larvae
Authors: Pérez-Lachaud Gabriela , Jahyny Benoit J. B. , Ståhls Gunilla , Rotheray Graham , Delabie Jacques H. C. , Lachaud Jean-Paul
Published: March 2017

The myrmecophile larva of the dipteran taxonNothomicrodonWheeler is rediscovered, almost a century after its original description and unique report. The systematic position of this dipteran has remained enigmatic due to the absence of reared imagos to confirm indentity. We also failed to rear imagos, but we scrutinized entire nests of the Brazilian arboreal dolichoderine antAzteca chartifexwhich, combined with morphological and molecular studies, enabled us to establish beyond doubt thatNothomicrodonbelongs to the Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera), not the Syrphidae where it was first placed, and that the species we studied is an endoparasitoid of the larvae ofA. chartifex, exclusively attacking sexual female (gyne) larvae.Northomicrodonparasitism can exert high fitness costs to a host colony. Our discovery adds one more case to the growing number of phorid taxa known to parasitize ant larvae and suggests that many others remain to be discovered. Our findings and literature review confirm that the Phoridae is the only taxon known that parasitizes both adults and the immature stages of different castes of ants, thus threatening ants on all fronts.
Degradation of neural representations in higher visual cortex by sleep deprivation
Authors: Poh Jia-Hou , Chee Michael W. L.
Published: March 2017

A night of total sleep deprivation (TSD) impairs selective attention and is accompanied by attenuated activation within ventral visual cortex (VVC). However, finer details of how TSD compromises selectivity of visual processing remain unclear. Drawing from prior work in cognitive aging, we predicted that TSD would result in dedifferentiation of neural responses for faces and houses within the VVC. Instead, we found preservation of category selectivity. This was observed both in voxels highly selective for each category, and also across multiple voxels evaluated using MVPA. Based on prior findings of impaired attentional modulation following TSD, we also predicted reduced biasing of neural representations towards the attended category when participants viewed ambiguous face/house images. When participants were well rested, attention to houses (or faces) caused activation patterns to more closely resemble those elicited by isolated house (face) images than face (house) images. During TSD, attention to faces enhanced neural similarity to both target (face) and distractor (house) representations, signifying reduced suppression of irrelevant information. Degraded sensory processing reflected in reduced VVC activation following TSD, thus appears to be a result of impaired top-down modulation of sensory representations instead of degraded selectivity of maximally category sensitive voxels, or the dedifferentiation of neural activation patterns.
Dinaciclib potently suppresses MCL-1 and selectively induces the cell death in human iPS cells without affecting the viability of cardiac tissue
Authors: Alsayegh Khaled , Matsuura Katsuhisa , Sekine Hidekazu , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: March 2017

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells hold great potential for being a major source of cells for regenerative medicine. One major issue that hinders their advancement to clinic is the persistence of undifferentiated iPS cells in iPS-derived tissue. In this report, we show that the CDKs inhibitor, Dinaciclib, selectively eliminates iPS cells without affecting the viability of cardiac cells. We found that low nanomolar concentration of dinaciclib increased DNA damage and p53 protein levels in iPSCs. This was accompanied by negative regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1. Gene knockdown experiments revealed that p53 downregulation only increased the threshold of dinaciclib induced apoptosis in iPS cells. Dinaciclib also inhibited the phosphorylation of Serine 2 of the C-terminal domain of RNA Polyemrase II through CDK9 inhibition. This resulted in the inhibition of transcription of MCL-1 and the pluripotency genes, NANOG and c-MYC. Even though dinaciclib caused a slight downregulation of MCL-1 in iPS-derived cardiac cells, the viability of the cells was not significantly affected, and beating iPS-derived cardiac cell sheet could still be fabricated. These findings suggest a difference in tolerance of MCL-1 downregulation between iPSCs and iPS-derived cardiac cells which could be exploited to eliminate remaining iPS cells in bioengineered cell sheet tissues.
High-performance spinel-rich Li1.5MnTiO4+δ ultralong nanofibers as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Hung Vu Ngoc , Arunkumar Paulraj , Bin Im Won
Published: March 2017

Recently, composite materials based on Li-Mn-Ti-O system were developed to target low cost and environmentally benign cathodes for Li-ion batteries. The spinel-layered Li1.5MnTiO4+δ bulk particles showed excellent cycle stability but poor rate performance. To address this drawback, ultralong nanofibers of a Li1.5MnTiO4+δ spinel-layered heterostructure were synthesized by electrospinning. Uniform nanofibers with diameters of about 80 nm were formed of tiny octahedral particles wrapped together into 30 μm long fibers. The Li1.5MnTiO4+δ nanofibers exhibited an improved rate capability compared to both Li1.5MnTiO4+δ nanoparticles and bulk particles. The uniform one-dimensional nanostructure of the composite cathode exhibited enhanced capacities of 235 and 170 mAh g−1 at C/5 and 1 C rates, respectively. Its unique structure provided a large effective contact area for Li+ diffusion, and low charge transfer resistance. Moreover, the layered phase contributed to its capacity in over 3 V region, which increased specific energy (726 Wh kg−1) compared to the bulk particles (534 Wh kg−1).
Atomic resolution structure of serine protease proteinase K at ambient temperature
Authors: Masuda Tetsuya , Suzuki Mamoru , Inoue Shigeyuki , Song Changyong , Nakane Takanori , Nango Eriko , Tanaka Rie , Tono Kensuke , Joti Yasumasa , Kameshima Takashi , Hatsui Takaki , Yabashi Makina , Mikami Bunzo , Nureki Osamu , Numata Keiji , Iwata So , Sugahara Michihiro
Published: March 2017

Atomic resolution structures (beyond 1.20 Å) at ambient temperature, which is usually hampered by the radiation damage in synchrotron X-ray crystallography (SRX), will add to our understanding of the structure-function relationships of enzymes. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) has attracted surging interest by providing a route to bypass such challenges. Yet the progress on atomic resolution analysis with SFX has been rather slow. In this report, we describe the 1.20 Å resolution structure of proteinase K using 13 keV photon energy. Hydrogen atoms, water molecules, and a number of alternative side-chain conformations have been resolved. The increase in the value of B-factor in SFX suggests that the residues and water molecules adjacent to active sites were flexible and exhibited dynamic motions at specific substrate-recognition sites.
Evolution of multi-drug resistant HCV clones from pre-existing resistant-associated variants during direct-acting antiviral therapy determined by third-generation sequencing
Authors: Takeda Haruhiko , Ueda Yoshihide , Inuzuka Tadashi , Yamashita Yukitaka , Osaki Yukio , Nasu Akihiro , Umeda Makoto , Takemura Ryo , Seno Hiroshi , Sekine Akihiro , Marusawa Hiroyuki
Published: March 2017

Resistance-associated variant (RAV) is one of the most significant clinical challenges in treating HCV-infected patients with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We investigated the viral dynamics in patients receiving DAAs using third-generation sequencing technology. Among 283 patients with genotype-1b HCV receiving daclatasvir + asunaprevir (DCV/ASV), 32 (11.3%) failed to achieve sustained virological response (SVR). Conventional ultra-deep sequencing of HCV genome was performed in 104 patients (32 non-SVR, 72 SVR), and detected representative RAVs in all non-SVR patients at baseline, including Y93H in 28 (87.5%). Long contiguous sequences spanning NS3 to NS5A regions of each viral clone in 12 sera from 6 representative non-SVR patients were determined by third-generation sequencing, and showed the concurrent presence of several synonymous mutations linked to resistance-associated substitutions in a subpopulation of pre-existing RAVs and dominant isolates at treatment failure. Phylogenetic analyses revealed close genetic distances between pre-existing RAVs and dominant RAVs at treatment failure. In addition, multiple drug-resistant mutations developed on pre-existing RAVs after DCV/ASV in all non-SVR cases. In conclusion, multi-drug resistant viral clones at treatment failure certainly originated from a subpopulation of pre-existing RAVs in HCV-infected patients. Those RAVs were selected for and became dominant with the acquisition of multiple resistance-associated substitutions under DAA treatment pressure.
Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter Induced COPD in a Rat Model and a Description of the Underlying Mechanism
Authors: He Fang , Liao Baoling , Pu Jinding , Li Chenglong , Zheng Mengning , Huang Lingmei , Zhou Yumin , Zhao Dongxing , Li Bing , Ran Pixin
Published: March 2017

While the health effects of air pollution have been an international public health concern since at least the 1950s, recent research has focused on two broad sources of air pollution, namely, biomass fuel (BMF) and motor vehicle exhaust (MVE). Many studies have shown associations between air pollution PM and exacerbations of pre-existing COPD, but the role of air pollution PM in the development and progression of COPD is still uncertain. The current study indicates that rats can develop pronounced COPD following chronic exposure to air pollution PM (BMF and MVE), as characterized by lung function reduction, mucus metaplasia, lung and systemic inflammation, emphysema, and small airway remodeling. Comparative analyses demonstrate that both BMF and MVE activate similar pathogenesis that are linked to the development of COPD. These findings also show that some differences are found in the lungs of rats exposed to BMF or MVE, which might result in different phenotypes of COPD.
Cell-to-cell transfer of SAA1 protein in a cell culture model of systemic AA amyloidosis
Authors: Claus Stephanie , Puscalau-Girtu Ioana , Walther Paul , Syrovets Tatiana , Simmet Thomas , Haupt Christian , Fändrich Marcus
Published: March 2017

Systemic AA amyloidosis arises from the misfolding of serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) protein and the deposition of AA amyloid fibrils at multiple sites within the body. Previous research already established that mononuclear phagocytes are crucial for the formation of the deposits in vivo and exposure of cultures of such cells to SAA1 protein induces the formation of amyloid deposits within the culture dish. In this study we show that both non-fibrillar and fibrillar SAA1 protein can be readily transferred between cultured J774A.1 cells, a widely used model of mononuclear phagocytes. We find that the exchange is generally faster with non-fibrillar SAA1 protein than with fibrils. Exchange is blocked if cells are separated by a membrane, while increasing the volume of cell culture medium had only small effects on the observed exchange efficiency. Taken together with scanning electron microscopy showing the presence of the respective types of physical interactions between the cultured cells, we conclude that the transfer of SAA1 protein depends on direct cell-to-cell contacts or tunneling nanotubes.
Comparative Subcellular Proteomics Analysis of Susceptible and Near-isogenic Resistant Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) Larval Midgut Response to BmNPV infection
Authors: Wang Xue-yang , Yu Hai-zhong , Xu Jia-ping , Zhang Shang-zhi , Yu Dong , Liu Ming-hui , Wang Lin-ling
Published: March 2017

The molecular mechanism of silkworm resistance to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection remains largely unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that subcellular fractionation combined with proteomics is an ideal technique to analyse host antiviral mechanisms. To clarify the anti-BmNPV mechanism of the silkworm, the near-isogenic line BC9 (resistant strain) and the recurrent parent P50 (susceptible strain) were used in a comparative subcellular proteomics study. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) was conducted on proteins extracted from the cytosol, mitochondria, and microsomes of BmNPV-infected and control larval midguts. A total of 87 proteins were successfully identified from the three subcellular fractions. These proteins were primarily involved in energy metabolism, protein metabolism, signalling pathways, disease, and transport. In particular, disease-relevant proteins were especially changed in microsomes. After infection with BmNPV, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) primarily appeared in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions, which indicated that these two fractions might play a more important role in the response to BmNPV infection. After removing genetic background and individual immune stress response proteins, 16 proteins were identified as potentially involved in repressing BmNPV infection. Of these proteins, the differential expression patterns of 8 proteins according to reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses were consistent with the 2-DE results.
Control strategy of hand movement depends on target redundancy
Authors: Togo Shunta , Yoshioka Toshinori , Imamizu Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

Reaching toward a point target has been intensively studied in human motor control. However, little is known about reaching toward a redundant target, such as grasping a bar, in which the grasping point is irrelevant to the achievement of a task. We examined whether humans could solve the target-redundancy and control problems in a serial fashion or control their body without solving the target-redundancy problem. We equalized the target ranges between two reaching tasks: a point-to-point reaching task without target-redundancy and a point-to-bar reaching task with target-redundancy. In the both tasks, we measured hand viscoelasticity at movement end as parameters that reflect the adopted control strategy. As a result, the hand viscoelasticity in the point-to-bar reaching task was smaller than that in the point-to-point reaching task, even under the same kinematics. These results indicate that the hand viscoelasticity was modulated depending on the target-redundancy. Moreover, it is suggested that a human reaches toward a redundant target by effectively utilizing information of target redundancy rather than explicitly solving the target-redundancy problem.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Vernalization- and Cytokinin-Induced Floral Transition in Dendrobium nobile
Authors: Wen Zhenzhen , Guo Wenzhong , Li Jinchi , Lin Haisheng , He Chunmei , Liu Yunquan , Zhang Qunyu , Liu Wei
Published: March 2017

Vernalization is required for floral initiation in Dendrobium. Interestingly, those beneficial effects can also be achieved by exogenous cytokinin application in greenhouses. Thus, an as yet unknown crosstalk/interaction may exist between vernalization and cytokinin signaling pathways. In this study, we showed, by de novo transcriptome assembly using RNA-seq data from both vegetative and reproductive tissue samples, that some floral transition-related genes—DnVRN1, FT, SOC1, LFY and AP1—were differentially expressed in low-temperature-challenged (LT) or thidiazuron (TDZ)-treated plants, compared to those mock-treated (CK). Both LT and TDZ upregulated SOC1, LFY and AP1, while the upregulation of DnVRN1 and FT was only LT-induced. We further found that LT promoted the upregulation of some key cytokinin signaling regulators, including several cytokinin biosynthesis-related genes and type-B response regulator (RR)-encoding genes, and that both LT and TDZ triggered the significant upregulation of some marker genes in the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway, indicating an important low temperature-cytokinin-GA axis in flowering. Our data thus have revealed a cytokinin-GA signal network underlying vernalization, providing a novel insight into further investigation of the molecular mechanism of floral initiation in Dendrobium.
Cross-talk among metabolic parameters, esophageal microbiota, and host gene expression following chronic exposure to an obesogenic diet
Authors: Kaakoush Nadeem O. , Lecomte Virginie , Maloney Christopher A. , Morris Margaret J.
Published: March 2017

Unhealthy diets, and ensuing weight gain, predispose individuals to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We examined the effect of chronic high fat diet (HFD) on the esophageal microbiota of Sprague Dawley rats using Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing (V4, 515 F/806 R) and on esophageal expression of IL18, PTGS2, PPARA, FFAR3, and CRAT. The relationships among metabolic parameters, esophageal microbiota, and host gene expression were determined. We observed a significant difference between the upper and lower esophageal microbiota in control fed rats, emphasized by enrichment of Lactobacillus species in the lower esophagus. Rats on HFD gained significantly more fat and had reduced insulin sensitivity. Diet type significantly affected the esophageal microbiota, with Clostridium sensu stricto being enriched in both upper and lower segments of HFD fed rats. Of interest, bacterial pathways related to carotenoid biosynthesis were significantly decreased in the lower esophagus of HFD fed rats. We observed strong correlations between metabolic parameters, the esophageal microbial profiles, and host esophageal gene expression. In particular, Fusobacterium, Rothia, and Granulicatella showed consistent correlations across a range of metabolic and gene markers. Our data indicates that unhealthy diets can significantly alter the esophageal microbiota, and enrich for bacterial species previously associated with chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
Increased mitochondrial coupling and anaerobic capacity minimizes aerobic costs of trout in the sea
Authors: Brijs Jeroen , Sandblom Erik , Sundh Henrik , Gräns Albin , Hinchcliffe James , Ekström Andreas , Sundell Kristina , Olsson Catharina , Axelsson Michael , Pichaud Nicolas
Published: March 2017

Anadromy is a distinctive life-history strategy in fishes that has evolved independently many times. In an evolutionary context, the benefits of anadromy for a species or population must outweigh the costs and risks associated with the habitat switch. The migration of fish across the freshwater-ocean boundary coincides with potentially energetically costly osmoregulatory modifications occurring at numerous levels of biological organization. By integrating whole animal and sub-cellular metabolic measurements, this study presents significant findings demonstrating how an anadromous salmonid (i.e.rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss) is able to transform from a hyper- to hypo-osmoregulatory state without incurring significant increases in whole animal oxygen consumption rate. Instead, underlying metabolic mechanisms that fuel the osmoregulatory machinery at the organ level (i.e.intestine) are modulated, as mitochondrial coupling and anaerobic metabolism are increased to satisfy the elevated energetic demands. This may have positive implications for the relative fitness of the migrating individual, as aerobic capacity may be maintained for locomotion (i.e.foraging and predator avoidance) and growth. Furthermore, the ability to modulate mitochondrial metabolism in order to maintain osmotic balance suggests that mitochondria of anadromous fish may have been a key target for natural selection, driving species adaptations to different aquatic environments.
Effects of atmospheric-pressure non-thermal bio-compatible plasma and plasma activated nitric oxide water on cervical cancer cells
Authors: Li Ying , Ho Kang Min , Sup Uhm Han , Joon Lee Geon , Ha Choi Eun , Han Ihn
Published: March 2017

Atmospheric-pressure non-thermal bio-compatible plasma is a partially ionized gas with electrically charged particles. Previous studies demonstrated that dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma could induce apoptosis of various cancer cells, in particular demonstrating the selective cytotoxicity of cancer cells over normal cells. Therefore, DBD plasma can be considered as a potential cancer treatment method for clinical applications. We previously developed a microwave jet plasma system, producing nitric oxide called nitric oxide-plasma activated water (NO-PAW). In this study, we explored the effects of NO-PAW on a cervical cancer cell line, in comparison with DBD plasma. The cytotoxicity results showed that the treatment of HeLa cell with DBD for 4 minutes and 7 μM concentration of NO-PAW could reach almost IC60. For the apoptosis assay, 4 minutes treatment of DBD could induce 7% apoptotic effect, whereas 7 μM NO-PAW could induce 18% apoptotic effect. In addition, we assumed that both DBD plasma and NO-PAW could induce HeLa cell apoptosis by facilitating an accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Although further detail on the molecular signal pathway is still needed, DBD and NO-PAW could become promising applications for effective and safe clinical trials for cancer therapy.
Follistatin-like 1 protects against hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Wang , Liu Jie , Li Jinna , Wang Juan , Zhang Yunxia , Zhang Zhifei , Liu Yafei , Jin Yankun , Li Jifeng , Cao Jie , Wang Chen , Ning Wen , Wang Jun
Published: March 2017

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains a life-limiting disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodelling due to aberrant proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), thus leading to raised pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy. Secreted glycoprotein follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) has been reported to ameliorate tissue remodelling in cardiovascular injuries. However, the role of FSTL1 in deranged pulmonary arteries remains elusive. We found that there were higher serum levels of FSTL1 in patients with PH related to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and in mice model of hypoxia-induced PH (HPH). Haploinsufficiency of Fstl1 in mice contributed to an exacerbated HPH, as demonstrated by increased right ventricular systolic pressure, pulmonary arterial muscularization and right ventricular hypertrophy index. Conversely, FSTL1 administration attenuated HPH. In cultured human PASMCs, hypoxia-promoted cellular viability, DNA synthesis and migration were suppressed by exogenous FSTL1 but enhanced by small interfering RNA targeting FSTL1. Additionally, FSTL1 inhibited the proliferation and migration of PASMCs via extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signal pathway. All these findings indicate that FSTL1 imposed a protective modulation on pulmonary vascular remodelling, thereby suggesting its role in the regulation of HPH.
Surface Acoustic Waves to Drive Plant Transpiration
Authors: Gomez Eliot F. , Berggren Magnus , Simon Daniel T.
Published: March 2017

Emerging fields of research in electronic plants (e-plants) and agro-nanotechnology seek to create more advanced control of plants and their products. Electronic/nanotechnology plant systems strive to seamlessly monitor, harvest, or deliver chemical signals to sense or regulate plant physiology in a controlled manner. Since the plant vascular system (xylem/phloem) is the primary pathway used to transport water, nutrients, and chemical signals—as well as the primary vehicle for current e-plant and phtyo-nanotechnology work—we seek to directly control fluid transport in plants using external energy. Surface acoustic waves generated from piezoelectric substrates were directly coupled into rose leaves, thereby causing water to rapidly evaporate in a highly localized manner only at the site in contact with the actuator. From fluorescent imaging, we find that the technique reliably delivers up to 6x more water/solute to the site actuated by acoustic energy as compared to normal plant transpiration rates and 2x more than heat-assisted evaporation. The technique of increasing natural plant transpiration through acoustic energy could be used to deliver biomolecules, agrochemicals, or future electronic materials at high spatiotemporal resolution to targeted areas in the plant; providing better interaction with plant physiology or to realize more sophisticated cyborg systems.
Photoluminescence tuning of Ca8−xSrxMgGd(PO4)7:Eu2+,yMn2+ phosphors for applications in white LEDs with excellent color rendering index
Authors: Long Jiaqi , Wang Yuzhen , Ma Chaoyang , Yuan Xuanyi , Dong Wenfeng , Ma Ran , Wen Zicheng , Du Miaomiao , Cao Yongge
Published: March 2017

Two series of novel phosphors of green-yellow emitting Ca8−xSrxMgGd(PO4)7:Eu2+ and yellow-orange emitting Sr8MgGd(PO4)7:Eu2+,yMn2+ were successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction.
Regio- and stereospecific rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation with an acyl anion equivalent: an approach to acyclic α-ternary β,γ-unsaturated aryl ketones
Authors: Turnbull Ben W. H. , Chae Jungha , Oliver Samuel , Evans P. Andrew
Published: March 2017

The regio- and stereospecific rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of secondary allylic carbonates with cyanohydrin pronucleophiles facilitates the direct construction of acyclic α-ternary β,γ-unsaturated aryl ketones.
Stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) cyclometalated (C^C) gold(iii) complexes as blue–blue green phosphorescence emitters
Authors: von Arx Tobias , Szentkuti Alexander , Zehnder Thomas N. , Blacque Olivier , Venkatesan Koushik
Published: March 2017

Blue and blue-green phosphorescent Au(iii) compounds based on a novel C^C chelate ligand framework are reported.
Mechanistic insights into the remarkable catalytic activity of nanosized Co@C composites for hydrogen desorption from the LiBH4–2LiNH2 system
Authors: Zhang Yi , Lan Zhenyun , Jian Ni , Ren Zhuanghe , Hu Jianjiang , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge , Lu Yunhao , Liu Yongfeng
Published: March 2017

Weakened B–H bonding and enhanced electrostatic Hδ+⋯Hδ− interactions due to charge redistribution explain the lowered dehydrogenation temperatures of Co-catalysed Li–B–N–H systems.
Selective monophosphorylation of chitosan via phosphorus oxychloride
Authors: Suchyta Dakota J. , Soto Robert J. , Schoenfisch Mark H.
Published: March 2017

Chitosan was selectively monophosphorylated via reaction with phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3) to enhance water solubility while avoiding polyphosphate formation.
1,2,3-Triazolium-based linear ionic polyurethanes
Authors: Jourdain Antoine , Antoniuk Iurii , Serghei Anatoli , Espuche Eliane , Drockenmuller Eric
Published: March 2017

We report the synthesis and detailed characterization of a series of ionic polyurethanes issued from the polyaddition of a 1,2,3-triazolium-functionalized diol monomer having a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide counter-anion with four aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic commercial diisocyanates.
Nanocalipers as novel molecular scaffolds for carbon nanotubes
Authors: Liu Gang , Miyake Yuya , Komatsu Naoki
Published: March 2017

Nanocalipers were synthesized by connecting directly the five aromatic moieties including two receptors, two corners and a core, and found to discriminate the diameter, metallicity and handedness of carbon nanotubes through selective complexation.
DFT investigation of the reaction mechanism for the guanidine catalysed ring-opening of cyclic carbonates by aromatic and alkyl-amines
Authors: Alves M. , Méreau R. , Grignard B. , Detrembleur C. , Jérôme C. , Tassaing T.
Published: March 2017

The bifunctional activity (base/H-bond donor) of TBD allows understanding its higher efficiency compared to its methyl counterpart (MTBD) for the aminolysis of cyclic carbonates by amines.
An efficient asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of unsaturated amides catalyzed by rare-earth metal amides [(Me3Si)2N]3RE(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 with phenoxy-functionalized chiral prolinols
Authors: Fei Zenghui , Zeng Chao , Lu Chengrong , Zhao Bei , Yao Yingming
Published: March 2017

An asymmetric hydrophosphonylation reaction of diethyl phosphite with α,β-unsaturated amides catalyzed by [(Me3Si)2N]3RE(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 with H2Ln ((S)-2,4-R2-6-[[2-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]methyl]phenol) was disclosed.
Promotional effect of lanthana on the high-temperature thermal stability of Pt/TiO2sulfur-resistant diesel oxidation catalysts
Authors: Yang Zhengzheng , Zhang Na , Cao Yi , Li Yunxiang , Liao Yunwen , Li Youping , Gong Maochu , Chen Yaoqiang
Published: March 2017

Lanthana in Pt/TiO2–La2O3catalysts efficiently stabilizes the textural features, and significantly restrains the high-temperature sintering of the Pt/TiO2–La2O3catalyst particles.
Headway in rhodanide anion based ternary gel polymer electrolytes (TILGPEs) for applications in rechargeable lithium ion batteries: an efficient route to achieve high electrochemical and cycling performances
Authors: Karuppasamy K. , Prasanna K. , Kim Dongkyu , Kang Yong Hee , Rhee Hee Woo
Published: March 2017

For the first time, a new category of rhodanide anion based ternary ionic liquid gel polymer electrolytes has been synthesized and characterized for its applications in lithium ion batteries.
Fabrication of durable and flexible single-walled carbon nanotube transparent conductive films
Authors: Devaraju Subramani , Lee Taeheon , Mohanty Aruna Kumar , Hong Young Kun , Yoon Kwan Han , Lee Young Sil , Han Jong Hun , Paik Hyun-jong
Published: March 2017

Highly flexible, durable, and transparent conducting films are fabricated from the de-bundled SWCNTs in aqueous solutions of SPES with high conductivity (125 Ω sq−1) and good transmittance (87%) without adopting any binder or post treatment techniques.
Synthesis of magnetic core–shell Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles from electric arc furnace dust for photocatalytic degradation of steel mill wastewater
Authors: Salamat Saeid , Younesi Habibollah , Bahramifar Nader
Published: March 2017

Fabrication of Fe3O4 from EAF dust using a hydrothermal method and Fe3O4@TiO2 using a sol–gel method for the photocatalytic degradation of steel industry wastewater.
Continuous fabrication of multi-stimuli responsive graphene oxide composite hydrogel fibres by microfluidics
Authors: Peng Li , Liu Yan , Gong Jinghua , Zhang Kaihuan , Ma Jinghong
Published: March 2017

Stimuli responsive graphene oxide composite hydrogel fibres were preparedviaa microfluidic spinning process, and exhibit both thermo-triggered volume-phase transitions and electrically triggered bending behaviours.
Single-phase white-emitting phosphors Ba3Ce(1−x−y)(PO4)3:xTb3+,yMn2+ and Ba3Ce(1−x−z)(PO4)3:xTb3+,zSm3+: structure, luminescence, energy transfer and thermal stability
Authors: Xu Shuchao , Wang Zhijun , Li Panlai , Li Ting , Bai Qiongyu , Sun Jiang , Yang Zhiping
Published: March 2017

A series of Ba3Ce(1−x−y)(PO4)3:xTb3+,yMn2+ and Ba3Ce(1−x−z)(PO4)3:xTb3+,zSm3+ phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction.
Preparation of Ni(OH)2 nanoplatelet/electrospun carbon nanofiber hybrids for highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensors
Authors: Chen Linlin , Liu Lijuan , Guo Qiaohui , Wang Zhonghui , Liu Guiling , Chen Shuiliang , Hou Haoqing
Published: March 2017

Ni(OH)2 nanoplatelets anchored on electrospun carbon nanofibers lead to excellent glucose biosensing.
The distribution and role of nanoclay in lignocellulose–polymer blends
Authors: Karumuri Sriharsha , Hiziroglu Salim , Kalkan A. Kaan
Published: March 2017

We report nanoclay's role as a sealant for hygroscopic wood particles in hindering water penetration. This sealing attribute of nanoclay is different from its well-established role as a diffusion impeder by torturous paths for the penetrant.
Improved lithium-ion and electrically conductive sulfur cathode for all-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Lin Yue , Zhu Yuewu , Zhang Zhi , Liu Jin
Published: March 2017

The performance of a GO–PEG@C/S-based battery is significantly enhanced by incorporating PEG.
Carbon black functionalized stretchable conductive fabrics for wearable heating applications
Authors: Pahalagedara Lakshitha R. , Siriwardane Induni W. , Tissera Nadeeka D. , Wijesena Ruchira N. , de Silva K. M. Nalin
Published: March 2017

There is an increasing interest on robust electrically conductive textiles with light weight and flexibility to meet the applications in wearable electronics.
Preparation of nanoporous graphene oxide by nanocrystal-masked etching: toward a nacre-mimetic metal–organic framework molecular sieving membrane
Authors: Hu Yaoxin , Wu Yueqin , Devendran Citsabehsan , Wei Jing , Liang Yan , Matsukata Masahiko , Shen Wei , Neild Adrian , Huang Han , Wang Huanting
Published: March 2017

A nacre-mimetic ZIF-8 molecular sieving membrane with well-aligned mesoporous GO was developed via nanocrystal-masked etching and bioinspired growth.
Rapid exfoliation of layered covalent triazine-based frameworks into N-doped quantum dots for the selective detection of Hg2+ions
Authors: Zhu Yuanzhi , Qiao Man , Peng Wenchao , Li Yang , Zhang Guoliang , Zhang Fengbao , Li Yafei , Fan Xiaobin
Published: March 2017

A layered covalent triazine-based framework was rapidly cut into N-doped quantum dots by using piranha solution and was used to detect Hg2+ions.
Electronic and defect properties of (CH3NH3)2Pb(SCN)2I2analogues for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Ganose Alex M. , Savory Christopher N. , Scanlon David O.
Published: March 2017

In this report, we study a range of 2-D perovskite-like compounds (CH3NH3)2MPs2X2(M = Sn, Pb; Ps = OCN, SCN, SeCN and X = Cl, Br I), finding suitable band gaps, band alignments and defect behaviour for photovoltaic top cells in tandem devices.
Correction: Supported C60-IL-PdNPs as extremely active nanocatalysts for C–C cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Giacalone Francesco , Campisciano Vincenzo , Calabrese Carla , La Parola Valeria , Liotta Leonarda F. , Aprile Carmela , Gruttadauria Michelangelo
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘Supported C60-IL-PdNPs as extremely active nanocatalysts for C–C cross-coupling reactions’ by Francesco Giacalone et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 17193–17206.
Hyaluronic acid cloaked oleic acid nanoparticles inhibit MAPK signaling with sub-cellular DNA damage in colon cancer cells
Authors: Palvai Sandeep , Kuman Meenu Mahesh , Basu Sudipta
Published: March 2017

Hyaluronic acid cloaked oleic acid nanoparticles show remarkable efficacy in colon cancer cells via MAPK signaling inhibition and DNA damage.