bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microprojection arrays applied to skin generate mechanical stress, induce an inflammatory transcriptome and cell death, and improve vaccine-induced immune responses
Authors: Ng Hwee-Ing , Tuong Zewen K. , Fernando Germain J. P. , Depelsenaire Alexandra C. I. , Meliga Stefano C. , Frazer Ian H. , Kendall Mark A. F.
Published: October 2019

Chemical adjuvants are typically used to improve immune responses induced by immunisation with protein antigens. Here we demonstrate an approach to enhance immune responses that does not require chemical adjuvants. We applied microprojection arrays to the skin, producing a range of controlled mechanical energy to invoke localised inflammation, while administering influenza split virus protein antigen. We used validated computational modelling methods to identify links between mechanical stress and energy generated within the skin strata and resultant cell death. We compared induced immune responses to those induced by needle-based intradermal antigen delivery and used a systems biology approach to examine the nature of the induced inflammatory response, and correlated this with markers of cell stress and death. Increasing the microprojection array application energy and the addition of QS-21 adjuvant were each associated with enhanced antibody response to delivered antigen and with induction of gene transcriptions associated with TNF and NF-κB signalling pathways. We concluded that microprojection intradermal antigen delivery inducing controlled local cell death could potentially replace chemical adjuvants to enhance the immune response to protein antigen.
Online Gambling of Pure Chance: Wager Distribution, Risk Attitude, and Anomalous Diffusion
Authors: Wang Xiangwen , Pleimling Michel
Published: October 2019

Online gambling sites offer many different gambling games. In this work we analyse the gambling logs of numerous solely probability-based gambling games and extract the wager and odds distributions. We find that the log-normal distribution describes the wager distribution at the aggregate level. Viewing the gamblers’ net incomes as random walks, we study the mean-squared displacement of net income and related quantities and find different diffusive behaviors for different games. We discuss possible origins for the observed anomalous diffusion.
New insights on lake sediment DNA from the catchment: importance of taphonomic and analytical issues on the record quality
Authors: Giguet-Covex C. , Ficetola G. F. , Walsh K. , Poulenard J. , Bajard M. , Fouinat L. , Sabatier P. , Gielly L. , Messager E. , Develle A. L. , David F. , Taberlet P. , Brisset E. , Guiter F. , Sinet R. , Arnaud F.
Published: October 2019

Over the last decade, an increasing number of studies have used lake sediment DNA to trace past landscape changes, agricultural activities or human presence. However, the processes responsible for lake sediment formation and sediment properties might affect DNA records via taphonomic and analytical processes. It is crucial to understand these processes to ensure reliable interpretations for “palaeo” studies. Here, we combined plant and mammal DNA metabarcoding analyses with sedimentological and geochemical analyses from three lake-catchment systems that are characterised by different erosion dynamics. The new insights derived from this approach elucidate and assess issues relating to DNA sources and transfer processes. The sources of eroded materials strongly affect the “catchment-DNA” concentration in the sediments. For instance, erosion of upper organic and organo-mineral soil horizons provides a higher amount of plant DNA in lake sediments than deep horizons, bare soils or glacial flours. Moreover, high erosion rates, along with a well-developed hydrographic network, are proposed as factors positively affecting the representation of the catchment flora. The development of open and agricultural landscapes, which favour the erosion, could thus bias the reconstructed landscape trajectory but help the record of these human activities. Regarding domestic animals, pastoral practices and animal behaviour might affect their DNA record because they control the type of source of DNA (“point” vs. “diffuse”).
Interpersonal synchrony feels good but impedes self-regulation of affect
Authors: Galbusera Laura , Finn Michael T. M. , Tschacher Wolfgang , Kyselo Miriam
Published: October 2019

The social benefits of interpersonal synchrony are widely recognized. Yet, little is known about its impact on the self. According to enactive cognitive science, the human self for its stability and regulation needs to balance social attunement with disengagement from others. Too much interpersonal synchrony is considered detrimental for a person’s ability to self-regulate. In this study, 66 adults took part in the Body-Conversation Task (BCT), a dyadic movement task promoting spontaneous social interaction. Using whole-body behavioural imaging, we investigated the simultaneous impact of interpersonal synchrony (between persons) and intrapersonal synchrony (within a person) on positive affect and self-regulation of affect. We hypothesized that interpersonal synchrony’s known tendency to increase positive affect would have a trade-off, decreasing a person’s ability to self-regulate affect. Interpersonal synchrony predicted an increase in positive affect. Consistent with our hypothesis, it simultaneously predicted a weakening in self-regulation of affect. Intrapersonal synchrony, however, tended to oppose these effects. Our findings challenge the widespread belief that harmony with others has only beneficial effects, pointing to the need to better understand the impact of interaction dynamics on the stability and regulation of the human self.
Stretchable Hydrophobic Surfaces and Self-Cleaning Applications
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Qahtani Hussain , Al-Aqeeli Naser , Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Al-Merbati Abdulrahman S. , Baroud Turki N. , Adukwu Johnny Adukwu Ebaika
Published: October 2019

Hydrophobizing of stretchable elastomer surfaces is considered and the reversible behavior of the resulting surface wetting state is examined after stretching and relaxing the hydrophobized samples. The environmental dust are analyzed in terms of elemental constitutes and size, and the dust pinning on the hydrophobized surface is measured. The dust removal mechanisms, by the water droplets on the hydrophobized surface, are investigated. We demonstrated that deposition of functionalized nano-size silica units on the elastomer surface gives rise to hydrophobicity with 135° ± 3° contact angle and low hysteresis of 3° ± 1°. Stretching hydrophobized elastomer surface by 50% (length) reduces the contact angle to 122° ± 3° and enhances the hysteresis to 6° ± 1°. However, relaxing the stretched sample causes exchanging surface wetting state reversibly. Water droplet rolling and sliding can clean the dusty hydrophobized surface almost 95% (mass ratio of the dust particles removed). Droplet puddling causes striations like structures along the droplet path and close examination of the few residues of the dust reveals that the droplet takes away considerably large amount of dust from surface.
Evolutionary, genetic, structural characterization and its functional implications for the influenza A (H1N1) infection outbreak in India from 2009 to 2017
Authors: Jones Sara , Nelson-Sathi Shijulal , Wang Yejun , Prasad Raji , Rayen Sabrina , Nandel Vibhuti , Hu Yueming , Zhang Wei , Nair Radhakrishnan , Dharmaseelan Sanjai , Chirundodh Dhanya Valaveetil , Kumar Rakesh , Pillai Radhakrishna Madhavan
Published: October 2019

Influenza A (H1N1) continues to be a major public health threat due to possible emergence of a more virulent H1N1 strain resulting from dynamic changes in virus adaptability consequent to functional mutations and antigenic drift in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) surface proteins. In this study, we describe the genetic and evolutionary characteristics of H1N1 strains that circulated in India over a period of nine years from 2009 to 2017 in relation to global strains. The finding is important from a global perspective since previous phylogenetic studies have suggested that the tropics contributed substantially to the global circulation of influenza viruses. Bayesian phylogenic analysis of HA sequences along with global strains indicated that there is a temporal pattern of H1N1 evolution and clustering of Indian isolates with globally circulating strains. Interestingly, we observed four new amino acid substitutions (S179N, I233T, S181T and I312V) in the HA sequence of H1N1 strains isolated during 2017 and two (S181T and I312V) were found to be unique in Indian isolates. Structurally these two unique mutations could lead to altered glycan specificity of the HA gene. Similarly, sequence and structural analysis of NA domain revealed that the presence of K432E mutation in H1N1 strains isolated after 2015 from India and in global strains found to induce a major loop shift in the vicinity of the catalytic site. The findings presented here offer an insight as to how these acquired mutations could be associated to an improved adaptability of the virus for efficient human transmissibility.
Genetic variation regulates the activation and specificity of Restriction-Modification systems in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Sánchez-Busó Leonor , Golparian Daniel , Parkhill Julian , Unemo Magnus , Harris Simon R.
Published: October 2019

Restriction-Modification systems (RMS) are one of the main mechanisms of defence against foreign DNA invasion and can have an important role in the regulation of gene expression. The obligate human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae carries one of the highest loads of RMS in its genome; between 13 to 15 of the three main types. Previous work has described their organization in the reference genome FA1090 and has inferred the associated methylated motifs. Here, we studied the structure of RMS and target methylated motifs in 25 gonococcal strains sequenced with Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) technology, which provides data on DNA modification. The results showed a variable picture of active RMS in different strains, with phase variation switching the activity of Type III RMS, and both the activity and specificity of a Type I RMS. Interestingly, the Dam methylase was found in place of the NgoAXI endonuclease in two of the strains, despite being previously thought to be absent in the gonococcus. We also identified the real methylation target of NgoAXII as 5′-GCAGA-3′, different from that previously described. Results from this work give further insights into the diversity and dynamics of RMS and methylation patterns in N. gonorrhoeae.
Engineered Ureolytic Microorganisms Can Tailor the Morphology and Nanomechanical Properties of Microbial-Precipitated Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Heveran Chelsea M. , Liang Liya , Nagarajan Aparna , Hubler Mija H. , Gill Ryan , Cameron Jeffrey C. , Cook Sherri M. , Srubar Wil V.
Published: October 2019

We demonstrate for the first time that the morphology and nanomechanical properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can be tailored by modulating the precipitation kinetics of ureolytic microorganisms through genetic engineering. Many engineering applications employ microorganisms to produce CaCO3. However, control over bacterial calcite morphology and material properties has not been demonstrated. We hypothesized that microorganisms genetically engineered for low urease activity would achieve larger calcite crystals with higher moduli. We compared precipitation kinetics, morphology, and nanomechanical properties for biogenic CaCO3 produced by two Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains that were engineered to display either high or low urease activity and the native producer Sporosarcina pasteurii. While all three microorganisms produced calcite, lower urease activity was associated with both slower initial calcium depletion rate and increased average calcite crystal size. Both calcite crystal size and nanoindentation moduli were also significantly higher for the low-urease activity E. coli compared with the high-urease activity E. coli. The relative resistance to inelastic deformation, measured via the ratio of nanoindentation hardness to modulus, was similar across microorganisms. These findings may enable design of novel advanced engineering materials where modulus is tailored to the application while resistance to irreversible deformation is not compromised.
Kawasaki Disease following administration of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in young children
Authors: Yung Chee Fu , Ma Xiangmei , Cheung Yin Bun , Oh Bee Khiam , Soh Sally , Thoon Koh Cheng
Published: October 2019

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis mainly affecting young children and the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. We performed a self-controlled case series analysis to investigate the association between PCV13 and KD. All hospitalized KD cases <2 y old from our hospital in Singapore from 2010 to 2014 were included. Complete KD cases were classified based on the definitions of the American Heart Association. During the study period, 288 KD cases were identified. A total of 21 KD cases (12 were classified as Complete KD) had date of onset within the risk interval of day 1 to day 28 post PCV13. The age-adjusted Relative Incidence (RI) for KD following PCV13 dose 1, dose 2 and dose 3 were 1.40 (95% CI, 0.72 to 2.71), 1.23 (95% CI, 0.62 to 2.44) and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.40) respectively. There were seven Complete KD cases with onset during the risk interval after dose 1 of PCV13 (age-adjusted RI 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16 to 5.81). We did not detect a significant increased risk for overall KD among PCV13 recipients.
The MTH1 inhibitor TH588 is a microtubule-modulating agent that eliminates cancer cells by activating the mitotic surveillance pathway
Authors: Gul Nadia , Karlsson Joakim , Tängemo Carolina , Linsefors Sanna , Tuyizere Samuel , Perkins Rosie , Ala Chandu , Zou Zhiyuan , Larsson Erik , Bergö Martin O. , Lindahl Per
Published: October 2019

The mut-T homolog-1 (MTH1) inhibitor TH588 has shown promise in preclinical cancer studies but its targeting specificity has been questioned. Alternative mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects of TH588 have been suggested but the question remains unresolved. Here, we performed an unbiased CRISPR screen on human lung cancer cells to identify potential mechanisms behind the cytotoxic effect of TH588. The screen identified pathways and complexes involved in mitotic spindle regulation. Using immunofluorescence and live cell imaging, we showed that TH588 rapidly reduced microtubule plus-end mobility, disrupted mitotic spindles, and prolonged mitosis in a concentration-dependent but MTH1-independent manner. These effects activated a USP28-p53 pathway – the mitotic surveillance pathway – that blocked cell cycle reentry after prolonged mitosis; USP28 acted upstream of p53 to arrest TH588-treated cells in the G1-phase of the cell cycle. We conclude that TH588 is a microtubule-modulating agent that activates the mitotic surveillance pathway and thus prevents cancer cells from re-entering the cell cycle.
Garnet, the archetypal cubic mineral, grows tetragonal
Authors: Cesare B. , Nestola F. , Johnson T. , Mugnaioli E. , Della Ventura G. , Peruzzo L. , Bartoli O. , Viti C. , Erickson T.
Published: October 2019

Garnet is the archetypal cubic mineral, occurring in a wide variety of rock types in Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Owing to its prevalence, durability and compositional diversity, garnet is used to investigate a broad range of geological processes. Although birefringence is a characteristic feature of rare Ca–Fe3+garnet and Ca-rich hydrous garnet, the optical anisotropy that has occasionally been documented in common (that is, anhydrous Ca–Fe2+–Mg–Mn) garnet is generally attributed to internal strain of the cubic structure. Here we show that common garnet with a non-cubic (tetragonal) crystal structure is much more widespread than previously thought, occurring in low-temperature, high-pressure metamorphosed basalts (blueschists) from subduction zones and in low-grade metamorphosed mudstones (phyllites and schists) from orogenic belts. Indeed, a non-cubic symmetry appears to be typical of common garnet that forms at low temperatures (<450 °C), where it has a characteristic Fe–Ca-rich composition with very low Mg contents. We propose that, in most cases, garnet does not initially grow cubic. Our discovery indicates that the crystal chemistry and thermodynamic properties of garnet at low-temperature need to be re-assessed, with potential consequences for the application of garnet as an investigative tool in a broad range of geological environments.
RGS2 drives male aggression in mice via the serotonergic system
Authors: Mark Melanie D. , Wollenweber Patric , Gesk Annika , Kösters Katja , Batzke Katharina , Janoschka Claudia , Maejima Takashi , Han Jing , Deneris Evan S. , Herlitze Stefan
Published: October 2019

Aggressive behavior in our modern, civilized society is often counterproductive and destructive. Identifying specific proteins involved in the disease can serve as therapeutic targets for treating aggression. Here, we found that overexpression of RGS2 in explicitly serotonergic neurons augments male aggression in control mice and rescues male aggression in Rgs2−/− mice, while anxiety is not affected. The aggressive behavior is directly correlated to the immediate early gene c-fos induction in the dorsal raphe nuclei and ventrolateral part of the ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus, to an increase in spontaneous firing in serotonergic neurons and to a reduction in the modulatory action of Gi/o and Gq/11 coupled 5HT and adrenergic receptors in serotonergic neurons of Rgs2-expressing mice. Collectively, these findings specifically identify that RGS2 expression in serotonergic neurons is sufficient to drive male aggression in mice and as a potential therapeutic target for treating aggression.
QCM sensing of miR-21 by formation of microRNA–DNA hybrid duplexes and intercalation on surface-functionalized pyrene
Authors: Park Hyeoun Ji , Lee Soo Suk
Published: October 2019

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensors were developed for the sensitive and specific detection of microRNA-21 (miR-21) through the formation of miR-21–DNA hybrid duplexes and non-specific intercalation of surface-modified pyrene molecules.
Greening microwave-assisted acid digestion of animal feed samples
Authors: Savio Marianela , Fialho Lucimar L. , Nóbrega Joaquim A.
Published: October 2019

The combination of dilute nitric acid digestion followed by recovery of the acid digests, represents steps towards green chemistry approaches: “reduce the use, recycle and reuse”, strictly following the major green chemistry recommendations.
Elucidation of molecular pathways responsible for the accelerated wound healing induced by a novel fibrous chitin dressing
Authors: Zhong Zibiao , Huang Yao , Hu Qianchao , He Weiyang , Duan Bo , Yan Xiaomin , Yang Zhenjie , Liang Wenjin , Liu Zhongzhong , Peng Zhonghua , Wang Yanfeng , Zhang Lina , Ye Qifa
Published: October 2019

Fibrous chitin dressing (FCD) prepared from a NaOH-urea aqueous solution of chitin via a physical process was used to study its effect on wound healing using a full-thickness cutaneous wound model in rats and mice.
Dynamic mechanical loading and growth factors influence chondrogenesis of induced pluripotent mesenchymal progenitor cells in a cartilage-mimetic hydrogel
Authors: Aisenbrey Elizabeth A. , Bilousova Ganna , Payne Karin , Bryant Stephanie J.
Published: October 2019

The chondrogenesis of iPSC-mesenchymal progenitor cells in a cartilage mimetic hydrogel is dependent on the combinatory effects of biophysical cues and exogenous growth factors.
Sensing of citrulline modifications in histone peptides by deep cavitand hosts
Authors: Gill Adam D. , Hickey Briana L. , Wang Siwen , Xue Min , Zhong Wenwan , Hooley Richard J.
Published: October 2019

A host–guest fluorescence sensor array can site-selectively sense histone peptide modifications that change only a single atom in the peptide backbone.
Facile assembly of bifunctional, magnetically retrievable mesoporous silica for enantioselective cascade reactions
Authors: Zhao Zhongrui , Chang Fengwei , Wang Tao , Wang Lijian , Zhao Lingbo , Peng Cheng , Liu Guohua
Published: October 2019

A magnetically recyclable bifunctional catalyst enables synergistic Suzuki cross-coupling/asymmetric transfer hydrogenation and successive reduction/asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reactions for the preparation of chiral aromatic alcohols.
tert-Butyl peroxide (TBHP)/KI-mediated dual C(sp2)–H bond amination of arylamines with α-diazo carbonyls toward 1,2,4-benzotriazines
Authors: Zhang Tian-Shu , Zhang Hongping , Fu Rong , Wang Jianyi , Hao Wen-Juan , Tu Shu-Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: October 2019

A new radical-induced dehydrogenative heterocyclization of arylamines with α-diazo carbonyls has been established under KI/TBHP catalytic oxidative conditions, enabling two-fold C(sp2)–H bond amination to access 1,2,4-triazine derivatives.
S-Dimethylarsino-glutathione (darinaparsin®) targets histone H3.3, leading to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells
Authors: Xu Xiaohan , Wang Haibo , Li Hongyan , Hu Xuqiao , Zhang Yu , Guan Xinyuan , Toy Patrick H. , Sun Hongzhe
Published: October 2019

Histone H3.3 was identified as an arsenic-binding protein ofS-dimethylarsino-glutathione (ZIO-101, darinaparsin®) in leukemia cells by GE-ICP-MS, leading to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Structural, electronic, and optical studies of BaRE2Ge3O10 (RE = Y, Sc, Gd–Lu) germanates with a special focus on the [Ge3O10]8− geometry
Authors: Lipina Olga A. , Surat Ludmila L. , Chufarov Alexander Yu. , Tyutyunnik Alexander P. , Enyashin Andrey N. , Baklanova Inna V. , Belova Ksenia G. , Baklanova Yana V. , Zubkov Vladimir G.
Published: October 2019

A new series of BaRE2Ge3O10 trigermanates crystallizing in the monoclinic system (S.G. P21/m) has been characterized by various methods.
A new criterion for the prediction of solid-state phase transition in TMDs
Authors: Zhu Sheng-Hai , Yan Bao-Luo , Zeng Wei , Fan Dai-He , Tang Bin , Liu Fu-Sheng , Liu Xin , Qin Han , Liu Qi-Jun
Published: October 2019

Based on the reverse shifts of the DOS curves near the Fermi level, we propose a new criterion for solid-state phase transition named Conch Criterion, which has been verified in the TMD system.
Conjugation-broken thiophene-based electropolymerized polymers with well-defined structures: effect of conjugation lengths on electrochromic properties
Authors: Zhang Ling , Luo Feifei , Li Weijun , Yan Shuanma , Chen Zhangxin , Zhao Ruiyang , Ren Ning , Wu Yizhao , Chen Yuliang , Zhang Cheng
Published: October 2019

The present work highlights the links between electrochromic properties and conjugation-broken thiophene polymers with well-defined structures.
Study of odd–even effects in physisorption and chemisorption of Ar, N2, O2and NO on open shell Ag11–13+clusters by means of self-consistent van der Waals density functional calculations
Authors: Fernández Eva M. , Balbás Luis C.
Published: October 2019

Electronic and structural odd-even effects in the adsorption of small molecules on open shell silver cationic clusters have been rationalized.
Correction: An EPR study of ampullosporin A, a medium-length peptaibiotic, in bicelles and vesicles
Authors: Bortolus Marco , Dalzini Annalisa , Formaggio Fernando , Toniolo Claudio , Gobbo Marina , Maniero Anna Lisa
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘An EPR study of ampullosporin A, a medium-length peptaibiotic, in bicelles and vesicles’ by Marco Bortolus et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 749–760.
Correction: Ca10Na10[Te9O42](H2O): a hydrothermally synthesized quaternary tellurium(vi) oxide containing edge-sharing octahedral trimers
Authors: Zhang Li-Yun , Lii Kwang-Hwa
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘Ca10Na10[Te9O42](H2O): a hydrothermally synthesized quaternary tellurium(vi) oxide containing edge-sharing octahedral trimers’ by Li-Yun Zhang, et al., Dalton Trans., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9dt03521d.
Ultrasmall silicon nanoparticles as a promising platform for multimodal imaging
Authors: Singh Garima , Ddungu John L. Z. , Licciardello Nadia , Bergmann Ralf , De Cola Luisa , Stephan Holger
Published: October 2019

Biocompatible ultrasmall silicon nanoparticles (2.4 ± 0.5 nm) equipped with both a near-infrared dye and a radiolabel provide reliable information about biodistribution and pharmacokinetic properties.
Whole slide imaging of circulating tumor cells captured on a capillary microchannel device
Authors: Zheng Yiting , Li Qingxuan , Hu Weike , Liao Jun , Zheng Guoan , Su Ming
Published: October 2019

The integrated capillary microchannel modified with polymer brushes allows direct blood sampling, efficient CTC capturing, and rapid enumeration with whole slide imaging.
Low-molecular-mass iron complexes in blood plasma of iron-deficient pigs do not originate directly from nutrient iron
Authors: Dziuba Nathaniel , Hardy Joanne , Lindahl Paul A.
Published: October 2019

This study aims to detect a nutrient-derived iron complex called NTBI in blood but detected complexes originate from internal stores.
Understanding photophysical properties of iridium complexes with N-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-diphenylphosphinic amide as the ancillary ligand
Authors: Si Yanling , Wu Qinchao , Liu Yumeng , Yang Guochun
Published: October 2019

The photophysical and charge transportation properties of POXD-based iridium complexes were investigated to unveil the microscopic mechanism behind experimental phenomena.
Surface coatings for solid-state nanopores
Authors: Eggenberger Olivia M. , Ying Cuifeng , Mayer Michael
Published: October 2019

Nanopores enable the characterization of single biomolecules; to interrogate these molecules without artifacts from wall interactions, nanopore coatings are required.
Fluorescent polymer dots and graphene oxide based nanocomplexes for “off-on” detection of metalloproteinase-9
Authors: Li Qiaoyu , Wang Yanlin , Yu Guopeng , Liu Yushan , Tang Keqi , Ding Chuanfan , Chen Hui , Yu Shaoning
Published: October 2019

Numerous studies have demonstrated that cancer-related matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an ideal biomarker for cancer diagnosis.
Selective inhibition of APOBEC3 enzymes by single-stranded DNAs containing 2′-deoxyzebularine
Authors: Barzak Fareeda M. , Harjes Stefan , Kvach Maksim V. , Kurup Harikrishnan M. , Jameson Geoffrey B. , Filichev Vyacheslav V. , Harjes Elena
Published: October 2019

Selective inhibitors for APOBEC3B and APOBEC3A/G were obtained by substituting the preferred 2′-deoxycytidine by 2′-deoxyzebularine (Z) in a CCC DNA-motif.
Inhibitory effect of a natural phenolic compound, 3-p-trans-coumaroyl-2-hydroxyquinic acid against the attachment phase of biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus through targeting sortase A
Authors: Wu Yan-Ping , Liu Xiao-Yan , Bai Jin-Rong , Xie Hong-Chen , Ye Si-Liang , Zhong Kai , Huang Yi-Na , Gao Hong
Published: October 2019

3-p-trans-Coumaroyl-2-hydroxyquinic acid (CHQA), a natural phenolic compound, prevented Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation due to the inhibition of the initial attachment stage of biofilm development by targeting sortase A.
Density functional study of Li/Na adsorption properties of single-layer and double-layer antimonenes
Authors: Wei Huilan , Sun Jianping , Hu Yifan , Li Zhao , Ai Mei
Published: October 2019

β-Antimonene, a stable two-dimensional material, has been successfully prepared recently.
Transition metal oxide@hydroxide assemblies as electrode materials for asymmetric hybrid capacitors with excellent cycling stabilities
Authors: Hu Pengfei , Liu Ying , Song Jianrong , Song Xiufeng , Wu Xiang
Published: October 2019

In this work, three-dimensional cactus-like Co3O4@Ni(OH)2 electrode materials are grown directly on Ni foam via a two-step hydrothermal method.
Experimental and computational studies of a graphene oxide barrier layer covalently functionalized with amino acids on Mg AZ13 alloy in salt medium
Authors: Palaniappan N. , Cole I. S. , Kuznetsov A. E. , K. Balasubramanian , Justin Thomas K. R.
Published: October 2019

Leucine functionalized graphene oxide chemisorbed on a 111 surface AZ13 magnesium alloy via edge functional groups.
A minimal structural variation can overcome tumour resistance of oxaliplatin: the case of 4,5-dehydrogenation of the cyclohexane ring
Authors: Papadia Paride , Gandin Valentina , Barbanente Alessandra , Ruello Alessandro G. , Marzano Cristina , Micoli Katia , Hoeschele James D. , Natile Giovanni , Margiotta Nicola
Published: October 2019

A new family of anticancer compounds has been derived from oxaliplatin by inserting a double-bond between carbons 4 and 5 of the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane ring.
Microgels as viscosity modifiers influence lubrication performance of continuum
Authors: Andablo-Reyes Efren , Yerani Demetra , Fu Ming , Liamas Evangelos , Connell Simon , Torres Ophelie , Sarkar Anwesha
Published: October 2019

Biocompatible microgels modify the rheology of continuum acting as thickening or thinning agents. Here, the influence of high shear rheology of microgels on tribological performance of the continuum is demonstrated.
Novel hybrid capacitive deionization constructed by a redox-active covalent organic framework and its derived porous carbon for highly efficient desalination
Authors: Li Yuquan , Ding Zibiao , Zhang Xinlu , Li Jingliang , Liu Xinjuan , Lu Ting , Yao Yefeng , Pan Likun
Published: October 2019

Hybrid capacitive deionization constructed by redox-active covalent organic framework and its derived porous carbon exhibits excellent salt removal performance.
Flexible high-efficiency CZTSSe solar cells on stainless steel substrates
Authors: Ahn Kwangseok , Kim Se-Yun , Kim Sammi , Son Dae-Ho , Kim Seung-Hyun , Kim SeongYeon , Kim JunHo , Sung Shi-Joon , Kim Dae-Hwan , Kang Jin-Kyu
Published: October 2019

Stainless steel (SS) foil is made of abundant materials and is a durable and flexible substrate, but the efficiency of a solar cell on SS foil deterioratesviathe diffusion of impurities from the SS substrate into a Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4(CZTSSe) absorber layer.
Manipulating nickel oxides in naturally derived cellulose nanofiber networks as robust cathodes for high-performance Ni–Zn batteries
Authors: Li Lei , Jiang Lili , Qing Yan , Zeng Yinxiang , Zhang Zhen , Xiao Lu , Lu Xihong , Wu Yiqiang
Published: October 2019

A well-designed nanostructured Ni–NiO/CC composite electrode for high-rate and high-energy Ni–Zn batteries by manipulating the growth of nickel oxides in cellulose nanofiber derived carbon networks.
Abnormally heat-enhanced Yb excited state lifetimes in Bi7F11O5 nanocrystals and the potential applications in lifetime luminescence nanothermometry
Authors: Wang Tianhui , Xiao Taizhong , Fan Youzhun , He Fangyu , Li Yongjin , Peng Yuehong , Wang Qi , Yin Zhaoyi , Yang Zhengwen , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo
Published: October 2019

A heating-induced monotonous increase in the Yb3+ excited state (2F5/2) lifetimes is found in Yb3+ single doped Bi7F11O5 nanocrystals.
Active FHOD1 promotes the formation of functional actin stress fibers
Authors: Shi Xuemeng , Zhao Shuangshuang , Cai Jinping , Wong Gary , Jiu Yaming
Published: October 2019

The formin FHOD1 acts as a nucleating, capping and bundling protein of actin filaments. In cells, release from the C-terminal diaphanous autoregulatory domain (DAD) of FHOD1 stimulates the protein into the active form. However, the cellular physiological relevance of active form FHOD1 and the phenotypic regulation by FHOD1 depletion are not completely understood. Here, we show that in contrast with the cytosolic diffused expression of auto-inhibited FHOD1, active FHOD1 by C-terminal truncation was recruited into all three types of actin stress fibers in human osteosarcoma cells. Notably, the recruited active FHOD1 was more incorporated with myosin II than α-actinin, and associated with both naïve and mature focal adhesions. Active FHOD1 displayed faster turnover than actin molecules on ventral stress fibers. Moreover, we witnessed the emergence of active FHOD1 from the cell periphery, which subsequently moved centripetally together with transverse arcs. Furthermore, FHOD1 knockdown resulted in defective maturation of actomyosin bundles and subsequently longer non-contractile dorsal stress fibers, whereas the turnover of both actin and myosin II were maintained normally. Importantly, the loss of FHOD1 led to slower actin centripetal flow, resulting in abnormal cell spreading and migration defects. Taken together, these results reveal a critical role of FHOD1 in temporal- and spatial- control of the morphology and dynamics of functional actin stress fibers during variable cell behavior.
Slugs and snails, or sugar and spice?: Sex determination and sexual differentiation
Authors: Hanley Neil
Published: October 2019

Mammalian existence relies upon pregnancy producing either male or female offspring. Under normal circumstances, this ‘polarized’ outcome is determined by the chromosomal constitution of the spermatozoan that successfully fertilizes the ovum -- a Y chromosome acts dominantly to produce a male foetus. This concept of sex chromosome action has been with us for almost a century1. However, understanding the genetic steps between fertilization and the development of male or female appearance proved less forthcoming for a long time. Building upon the landmark experiments of Jost in the 1940s2, the previous decade has witnessed significant advances in the understanding of male and female development3. For the most part, information has arisen either by genetic manipulation of laboratory mice or by careful clinical and molecular genetic analyses of human individuals with sex reversal. In both circumstances, chromosomal constitution (46,XY or 46,XX) fails to correspond to the sexual phenotype (male or female).
Electrophoresis fast: Clinical automation
Authors: Hurl Martin
Published: October 2019

In this article, Martin Hurl, UK product manager at Analytical Technologies Ltd, outlines the development of automated electrophoresis and reviews how two users with different demands have dramatically increased productivity by adopting an automated system.
Suicide: a way of life: Programmed cell death
Authors: Corfe Bernard
Published: October 2019

The development of mammals (and many, if not all, of their metazoan relatives), their cellular homoeostasis (once developed) and their healthy response to several disease states, are all dependent on a form of cellular suicide called programmed cell death, or apoptosis. In contrast with necrosis, which is caused by massive physical or chemical stresses and leads rapidly to cellular dysfunction and lysis, apoptosis is a ‘deliberate’ process that engages biochemical pathways linking stimulus and outcome, which involves characterized cellular proteins and biochemical events.
Super sonic: High-resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy
Authors: Buckin Vitaly , Kudryashov Evegny
Published: October 2019

High-resolution ultrasonic spectrometry is a novel analytical technique with enormous potential for the investigation of a wide range of samples and dynamic processes. The non-destructive technique is based on measuring the changes that take place to ultrasonic waves as they pass through materials.
Teaching the scientists of tomorrow
Authors: Dallimore Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

There is growing concern among the scientific community regarding the decline in the numbers of young people entering science-related degrees and careers. A recent review carried out by Sir Gareth Roberts for Her Majesty's Treasury made a number of recommendations for improving science education in schools and universities. One of the concerns that arose from the review was school pupils' negative image of careers that result from the study of science and engineering, and the inadequate information about these. Furthermore, university students perceived that there is an insufficient number of attractive career opportunities in research for highly qualified research scientists and engineers. Besides the negative image of a career in science, students also found that starting salaries and salary progression were increasingly uncompetitive compared with the salaries of their counterparts in other sectors.
Research Colloquium: Connective tissue
Authors: Burd Gary
Published: October 2019

The Connective Tissue Research Colloquium at the Biochemical Society's Cardiff Meeting in July gave young researchers the opportunity to gain experience in presenting their work at an international meeting. Scientists were asked to submit abstracts for poster presentations and some were then asked to give 15-minute presentations. The meeting was relaxed and informal, and everyone seemed to benefit from the experience.
Regulation of B Lymphocytes in Health and Disease; Stevenage, UK: 2 May 2002
Authors: Galloway Tamara
Published: October 2019

A Biochemical Society Focused Meeting, entitled ‘Regulation of B Lymphocytes in Health and Disease’, was held at GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage on 2 May 2002. The meeting was organized by Raj Malhotra and Keith Ray of GlaxoSmithKline, and Tamara Galloway of the University of Plymouth, on behalf of the Biochemical Immunology Group.
The Research Assessment Exercise has lost support: Supporting Excellence in the Science Base
Authors: Withnall Mike
Published: October 2019

An online membership consultation that took place over the summer on the future of research assessment and funding found that 82% of respondents consider that the credibility of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) has been seriously undermined by the inability of Higher Education Funding Councils to reward appropriately improved performance following RAE 2001. Only 21% of respondents consider that the RAE is the fairest and most rigorous system available for assessing research quality.
The Animal Science Group: Supporting Excellence in the Science Base
Authors: Rothwell Nancy
Published: October 2019

None of us likes it, most of us accept it, but some of us have to use animals in our research. Those who do require animals to answer scientific questions or to develop new treatments for animal and human disease know only too well of the problems: the continuous personal and national concern about animal welfare, the high cost and complexity in designing and analysing whole-animal experiments. This must make it one of the most difficult subjects with which we have to deal. These problems are compounded by concerns about public opinion, the vociferous and sometimes violent actions of a small group of extremists who oppose animal experiments, and a seemingly ever increasing burden of regulations, requirements, paperwork and delays.
The Joy of Essex: 2–4 July 2003: Biochemical Society Meeting No. 679 Stress, Signalling and Control, University of Essex,UK
Authors: Burgess Mark
Published: October 2019

There was not a white stiletto in sight at the Biochemical Society's meeting at the University of Essex. There were, however, plenty of incisive reports from the cutting edge of science. There were 119 presentations, 140 posters and three medal lectures, the Biochemical Society's Annual Symposium ‘Free Radicals: Enzymology Signalling and Disease’, one piper playing, a barbecue and free whisky.
Calcium Oscillations and the 5th UK Calcium Signalling Conference: University of Liverpool, 1–2 May 2003
Authors: Simpson Alec
Published: October 2019

A 1-day symposium on Calcium Oscillations was held in conjunction with the 5th UK Calcium Signalling Conference at the University of Liverpool to mark the retirement of Professor Peter Cobbold.
Bridging the knowledge gap: The HINARI programme
Authors: Long Maurice
Published: October 2019

“The Health InterNetwork Access Initiative (HINARI), is using information technology to narrow the information gap in health science.” Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, in his address to the Pan American Health Organization,Washington DC, 2 December 2002. “As a direct consequence of this arrangement, many thousands of doctors, researchers and health policy-makers among others will be able to use the best-available scientific evidence to an unprecedented degree to help them improve the health of their populations. It is perhaps the biggest step ever taken towards reducing the health information gap between rich and poor countries.” Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization, London, 9 July 2001.
56th Harden Conference: Biological Electron and Proton Transfer: University of Plymouth, UK, 26–30 August 2003
Authors: Burgess Mark
Published: October 2019

The Biochemical Society's Harden Conferences are held in memory of Sir Arthur Harden, FRS, a distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at the Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine in London who shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Hans Von Euler in 1929 and was knighted in 1937. They are residential research conferences that aim to bring together scientists from various backgrounds who have a common interest in, but different multidisciplinary approaches to, a particular area of life sciences research.
Molecular Environment of Integrins: (including presentation of the Jubilee Lecture) Chancellors Conference Centre, University of Manchester, 1–3 December 2003
Authors: Green Linda
Published: October 2019

This Biochemical Society Focused Meeting was held jointly with the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, to mark the award of the Jubilee Lectureship to Dr Erkki Ruoslahti (Burnham Institute, La Jolla,CA, USA) in recognition of his pioneering discoveries in the extracellular matrix and cell-adhesion fields.
More choose research in industry: Biochemistry Graduate Employment Survey 2002
Authors: Withnall Mike
Published: October 2019

There was another small decline in the proportion of first degree graduates going on to study for a higher degree (from 29.6% to 27.8%), which was balanced by a 3% increase in those moving to research in industry. The proportion of PhD graduates researching in industry also increased noticeably (from 8.4% to 14.1%), although the proportion starting postdoctoral positions in academia was in the normal range of 41–45%. The proportion of First Class Honours graduates who chose to study for a research degree (51.3%) remained low, compared with the levels seen in the 1990s (consistently between 60% and 70%). Overall, there were no really startling changes. The proportions of first degree and Masters graduates remaining in science for their first post (53.2% and 69.8%, respectively) were similar to those observed in 2001, whereas for PhD graduates, the percentage (66.0%) was slightly higher. Little unemployment was apparent.
Plague: A natural history of Yersinia pestis
Authors: Titball Richard W.
Published: October 2019

Yersinia pestis is the aetiological agent of plague, a disease that has a place in history as one the major causes of death from the 14th to the 17th Centuries1. It is estimated that, during the Black Death pandemic, approximately 30% of the population of Europe died of plague, and so great in number were the corpses that, in many parts of Europe, the dead were placed in burial pits rather than receiving individual burials. Y. pestis has also been responsible for two other pandemics of disease. The first of these, the Justinian plague, occurred during the 1st Century. The third pandemic occurred during the latter part of the 19th Century and was confined mainly to South-East Asia1. Even today, several thousand cases of plague are reported to the World Health Organization each year, mainly from South-East Asia, the southwestern parts of the USA, Madagascar and Africa.
Out in the midday sun: Repair of UV damage in the Archaea
Authors: McCready Shirley , Marcello Lucio
Published: October 2019

Living organisms have been exposed to the damaging UV rays in sunlight ever since life began on the Earth, a little over 3.5 billion years ago. Indeed, UV levels on the early Earth's surface were significantly higher than they are now. UV light is absorbed by DNA and causes mutagenic and lethal damage, and today's life forms have evolved a range of strategies for surviving UV irradiation. These include protection from UV (e.g. by pigments, such as melanin, that absorb UV), repair of damaged DNA, and ways of surviving when the damage remains unrepaired (e.g. DNA polymerases that bypass DNA damage).
Recruitment and retention in the biosciences: Teaching the scientists of tomorrow
Authors: Dargan Sheila
Published: October 2019

Although it is relatively easy to get primary school pupils excited about science, extracting a comparable level of enthusiasm from secondary school students is much more challenging. Over the past 15 years, the number of pupils sufficiently qualified to enter science A-levels has almost tripled, but unfortunately this has not been mirrored in the numbers electing to take their scientific education beyond GCSE or equivalent level.
Vaccines in silico: The growth and power of immunoinformatics
Authors: Flower Darren R.
Published: October 2019

Immunoinformatics is a newly emergent subdiscipline within bioinformatics which deals with the special problems of immunology. It is rapidly establishing itself as a pivotal tool within vaccinology. This article shows how immunoinformatics complements, but does not replace, laboratory experimentation, allowing researchers to focus on key questions in vaccine discovery.
Digital transcriptomics: A flavour of SAGE
Authors: Nielsen Kåre Lehmann , Emmersen Jeppe , Welinder Karen G.
Published: October 2019

Transcriptome analyses compare the expression level of all or a selected set of genes in an organism in response to various environmental conditions in a broad sense. SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) is a digital transcriptomics method complementary to hybridizationbased methods such as DNA microarrays. SAGE counts the number of 21 nt tags cut out from each cDNA as a measure of expression of the corresponding mRNA, known as well as unknown. Furthermore, the tags can be used to RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends)-clone the unknown genes and to verify predicted exons.
Government spending on science: Where does the money go?
Authors: MP Ian Gibson
Published: October 2019

It is not an exciting prospect to write about large sums of money being delivered here, there and everywhere in the science arena without having a clear idea where this money may end up and having confidence that it will appear at the coal-face.
Intellectual property rights: The key to protecting bright ideas
Authors: Head-Rapson Niall
Published: October 2019

With the estimated value of the life sciences and biotechnology market worldwide estimated to reach over 2000 billion (£1.330 billion, US$206 billion) by 2010 (excluding any application relating to agriculture), protecting new ideas or discoveries legally would appear to be a sound strategy for making the most of your discovery.
Animal rights extremists: The public is waking up
Authors: Festing Simon
Published: October 2019

Despite the menace of the animal rights extremists, the scientific community are becoming more confident at explaining the need for animal research. A co-ordinated approach to communications, together with cautious moves towards greater openness, should allow us to keep the public on our side.
Design -- optimize -- synthesize: New synthetic capabilities offered by a flow microreactor
Authors: Gray Richard
Published: October 2019

Every day, scientists working in drug discovery and development are offered new tools, techniques and approaches as the answer to their need to improve productivity and performance. Incremental enhancements to existing methods can be helpful, but the emergence of a new technology is often the solution to a seemingly intractable problem. A radically new way of approaching the task can make a breakthrough in performance that cannot be achieved by evolutionary change to existing methods.
Changes to Travel Grants
Authors: McEwan Iain J.
Published: October 2019

“To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour”