bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in skin and fleece characteristics of Scottish cashmere goats following selection for increased annual production and decreased fibre diameter
Authors: Merchantt M. , Riach D. J.
Published: May 2017

The aim of this experiment was to determine the mechanisms involved in changes in the production of cashmere as a consequence of genetic selection. Skin follicle parameters and pattern of cashmere growth were compared in two selected lines of Scottish cashmere goats and a randomly bred control line. One line, the fine line, had been selected for low fibre diameter, and this had resulted in lower fibre diameter, but the weight of cashmere produced had also been reduced. Selection for fibre quantity and quality to give maximum financial return (the value line) had increased cashmere weight without a significant increase in cashmere diameter.

Skin follicle density and the ratio of secondary to primary follicles (S/P ratio) were measured at 5 months of age in 25 female kids from each line. The density of follicles in the value line was greater (P · 0.05) than that in the fine or control lines (means were 21·8, 19·8 and 20·1 follicles per mm2 respectively, s.e.d. 0.73). S/P ratio increased (P · 0.001) from control to fine to value lines (means were 6.5, 7.7 and 8.4 respectively, s.e.d. = 0.30).

The rate of cashmere growth (length), peak cashmere length, the duration of the cashmere growing period and dates of initiation and cessation of growth were measured in the same 25 goats from each line between 2 and 3 years of age. These traits were estimated from the regression of measurements of staple length taken at approximately 6-weekly intervals from the start of the growing period until peak staple length was reached. Measurements were made on the shoulder, mid side and hip. There was no difference in cashmere growth rate between the selection lines (average 0·29 (s.e. 0.006) mm/day). Cashmere growth started earliest in the value line and latest in the fine line but the date of cessation of growth was not different. This affected the duration of the growing period which was 183, 163 and 214 days (s.e.d. 9.6, P · 0.001) for the control, fine and value lines respectively. Peak staple length of cashmere was longest in the value line.

Increased weight of cashmere in the value line was brought about through an increase in the number of secondary follicles and by an increase in the length of cashmere due to an increase in the duration of the growing period.
RIEMANN–HILBERT CORRESPONDENCE FOR MIXED TWISTOR -MODULES
Authors: Monteiro Fernandes Teresa , Sabbah Claude
Published: May 2017

We introduce the notion of regularity for a relative holonomic ${\mathcal{D}}$-module in the sense of Monteiro Fernandes and Sabbah [Internat. Math. Res. Not. (21) (2013), 4961–4984]. We prove that the solution functor from the bounded derived category of regular relative holonomic modules to that of relative constructible complexes is essentially surjective by constructing a right quasi-inverse functor. When restricted to relative ${\mathcal{D}}$-modules underlying a regular mixed twistor ${\mathcal{D}}$-module, this functor satisfies the left quasi-inverse property.
First Detailed Study of Circulation off Angola
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: May 2017

New data give scientists insight into the eastern boundary current off Angola, helping them to evaluate and assess why simulations create sea surface temperature biases in the region.
Eyesight: a study of the staff of a dental school
Authors: Chandler Nicholas P , Gray Andrew R , Murray Colleen M
Published: May 2017

Objectives/Aims:

The aim was to investigate the vision of all 90 dentally qualified staff at a dental school.

Materials and Methods:

Ethical approval was obtained and a questionnaire-based survey conducted. Data were screened and analysed using Stata 13.1. The χ2 and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to test for significance with an alpha level of 0.05.

Results:

The participation rate was 95.6%. Most of the teachers (92%) considered their eyesight was satisfactory to practice dentistry. Of the 97% who had been tested at some stage, 15% had their eye examination due to sight deterioration with 22% needing correction. Almost two-thirds were myopic and a third were hyperopic. Forty-nine per cent wore spectacles only, with about a quarter of this group alternating between spectacles and contact lenses. Of those with corrected vision, 80% followed their optometrist’s recall advice. Four participants reported that they were colour blind. While 4% had had laser-eye surgery, a further 27% were interested in this. Magnification was used by 72% with no significant differences between genders, age of staff member, place of qualification or registration status. Most of the staff (81%) thought that screening of dental student’s eyesight should be mandatory, and regular eye examinations as a condition of dental practice was supported by 67%.

Discussion:

The number of teachers reporting recent vision tests was encouraging; nevertheless, a worrying 8% surveyed were unsure if their eyesight was satisfactory for work. The commonest vision problem was myopia, with almost half of the teachers wearing spectacles. It is clear that visual standards for dentistry would be helpful. Magnification use was high, with many non-users indicating their intention to buy loupes.

Conclusions:

Within the limits of this study the teachers were conscientious regarding their eye care, irrespective of their training and age. There was strong support for the mandatory testing of vision for all dentists and especially dental students.
Characterising and predicting cyanobacterial blooms in an 8-year amplicon sequencing time course
Authors: Tromas Nicolas , Fortin Nathalie , Bedrani Larbi , Terrat Yves , Cardoso Pedro , Bird David , Greer Charles W , Shapiro B Jesse
Published: May 2017

Cyanobacterial blooms occur in lakes worldwide, producing toxins that pose a serious public health threat. Eutrophication caused by human activities and warmer temperatures both contribute to blooms, but it is still difficult to predict precisely when and where blooms will occur. One reason that prediction is so difficult is that blooms can be caused by different species or genera of cyanobacteria, which may interact with other bacteria and respond to a variety of environmental cues. Here we used a deep 16S amplicon sequencing approach to profile the bacterial community in eutrophic Lake Champlain over time, to characterise the composition and repeatability of cyanobacterial blooms, and to determine the potential for blooms to be predicted based on time course sequence data. Our analysis, based on 135 samples between 2006 and 2013, spans multiple bloom events. We found that bloom events significantly alter the bacterial community without reducing overall diversity, suggesting that a distinct microbial community—including non-cyanobacteria—prospers during the bloom. We also observed that the community changes cyclically over the course of a year, with a repeatable pattern from year to year. This suggests that, in principle, bloom events are predictable. We used probabilistic assemblages of OTUs to characterise the bloom-associated community, and to classify samples into bloom or non-bloom categories, achieving up to 92% classification accuracy (86% after excluding cyanobacterial sequences). Finally, using symbolic regression, we were able to predict the start date of a bloom with 78–92% accuracy (depending on the data used for model training), and found that sequence data was a better predictor than environmental variables.
Autotrophic and heterotrophic acquisition of carbon and nitrogen by a mixotrophic chrysophyte established through stable isotope analysis
Authors: Terrado Ramon , Pasulka Alexis L , Lie Alle A-Y , Orphan Victoria J , Heidelberg Karla B , Caron David A
Published: May 2017

Collectively, phagotrophic algae (mixotrophs) form a functional continuum of nutritional modes between autotrophy and heterotrophy, but the specific physiological benefits of mixotrophic nutrition differ among taxa. Ochromonas spp. are ubiquitous chrysophytes that exhibit high nutritional flexibility, although most species generally fall towards the heterotrophic end of the mixotrophy spectrum. We assessed the sources of carbon and nitrogen in Ochromonas sp. strain BG-1 growing mixotrophically via short-term stable isotope probing. An axenic culture was grown in the presence of either heat-killed bacteria enriched with 15N and 13C, or unlabeled heat-killed bacteria and labeled inorganic substrates (13C-bicarbonate and 15N-ammonium). The alga exhibited high growth rates (up to 2 divisions per day) only until heat-killed bacteria were depleted. NanoSIMS and bulk IRMS isotope analyses revealed that Ochromonas obtained 84–99% of its carbon and 88–95% of its nitrogen from consumed bacteria. The chrysophyte assimilated inorganic 13C-carbon and 15N-nitrogen when bacterial abundances were very low, but autotrophic (photosynthetic) activity was insufficient to support net population growth of the alga. Our use of nanoSIMS represents its first application towards the study of a mixotrophic alga, enabling a better understanding and quantitative assessment of carbon and nutrient acquisition by this species.
Diabetes-associated microbiota in fa/fa rats is modified by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Authors: Arora Tulika , Seyfried Florian , Docherty Neil G , Tremaroli Valentina , le Roux Carel W , Perkins Rosie , Bäckhed Fredrik
Published: May 2017

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and duodenal jejunal bypass (DJB), two different forms of bariatric surgery, are associated with improved glucose tolerance, but it is not clear whether the gut microbiota contributes to this effect. Here we used fa/fa rats as a model of impaired glucose tolerance to investigate whether (i) the microbiota varies between fa/fa and nondiabetic fa/+ rats; (ii) the microbiota of fa/fa rats is affected by RYGB and/or DJB; and (iii) surgically induced microbiota alterations contribute to glucose metabolism. We observed a profound expansion of Firmicutes (specifically, Lactobacillus animalis and Lactobacillus reuteri) in the small intestine of diabetic fa/fa compared with nondiabetic fa/+ rats. RYGB-, but not DJB-, treated fa/fa rats exhibited greater microbiota diversity in the ileum and lower L. animalis and L. reuteri abundance compared with sham-operated fa/fa rats in all intestinal segments, and their microbiota composition resembled that of unoperated fa/+ rats. To investigate the functional role of RYGB-associated microbiota alterations, we transferred microbiota from sham- and RYGB-treated fa/fa rats to germ-free mice. The metabolic phenotype of RYGB-treated rats was not transferred by the transplant of ileal microbiota. In contrast, postprandial peak glucose levels were lower in mice that received cecal microbiota from RYGB- versus sham-operated rats. Thus, diabetes-associated microbiota alterations in fa/fa rats can be modified by RYGB, and modifications in the cecal microbiota may partially contribute to improved glucose tolerance after RYGB.
Structural basis for conductance through TRIC cation channels
Authors: Su Min , Gao Feng , Yuan Qi , Mao Yang , Li De-lin , Guo Youzhong , Yang Cheng , Wang Xiao-hui , Bruni Renato , Kloss Brian , Zhao Hong , Zeng Yang , Zhang Fa-ben , Marks Andrew R , Hendrickson Wayne A , Chen Yu-hang
Published: May 2017

Mammalian TRICs function as K+-permeable cation channels that provide counter ions for Ca2+ handling in intracellular stores. Here we describe the structures of two prokaryotic homologues, archaeal SaTRIC and bacterial CpTRIC, showing that TRIC channels are symmetrical trimers with transmembrane pores through each protomer. Each pore holds a string of water molecules centred at kinked helices in two inverted-repeat triple-helix bundles (THBs). The pores are locked in a closed state by a hydrogen bond network at the C terminus of the THBs, which is lost when the pores assume an open conformation. The transition between the open and close states seems to be mediated by cation binding to conserved residues along the three-fold axis. Electrophysiology and mutagenesis studies show that prokaryotic TRICs have similar functional properties to those of mammalian TRICs and implicate the three-fold axis in the allosteric regulation of the channel.
Emptying Dirac valleys in bismuth using high magnetic fields
Authors: Zhu Zengwei , Wang Jinhua , Zuo Huakun , Fauqué Benoît , McDonald Ross D. , Fuseya Yuki , Behnia Kamran
Published: May 2017

The Fermi surface of elemental bismuth consists of three small rotationally equivalent electron pockets, offering a valley degree of freedom to charge carriers. A relatively small magnetic field can confine electrons to their lowest Landau level. This is the quantum limit attained in other dilute metals upon application of sufficiently strong magnetic field. Here we report on the observation of another threshold magnetic field never encountered before in any other solid. Above this field, Bempty, one or two valleys become totally empty. Drying up a Fermi sea by magnetic field in the Brillouin zone leads to a manyfold enhancement in electric conductance. We trace the origin of the large drop in magnetoresistance across Bempty to transfer of carriers between valleys with highly anisotropic mobilities. The non-interacting picture of electrons with field-dependent mobility explains most results but the Coulomb interaction may play a role in shaping the fine details.
Out-of-plane chiral domain wall spin-structures in ultrathin in-plane magnets
Authors: Chen Gong , Kang Sang Pyo , Ophus Colin , N’Diaye Alpha T. , Kwon Hee Young , Qiu Ryan T. , Won Changyeon , Liu Kai , Wu Yizheng , Schmid Andreas K.
Published: May 2017

Chiral spin textures in ultrathin films, such as skyrmions or chiral domain walls, are believed to offer large performance advantages in the development of novel spintronics technologies. While in-plane magnetized films have been studied extensively as media for current- and field-driven domain wall dynamics with applications in memory or logic devices, the stabilization of chiral spin textures in in-plane magnetized films has remained rare. Here we report a phase of spin structures in an in-plane magnetized ultrathin film system where out-of-plane spin orientations within domain walls are stable. Moreover, while domain walls in in-plane films are generally expected to be non-chiral, we show that right-handed spin rotations are strongly favoured in this system, due to the presence of the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. These results constitute a platform to explore unconventional spin dynamics and topological phenomena that may enable high-performance in-plane spin-orbitronics devices.
Antiferromagnetic CuMnAs multi-level memory cell with microelectronic compatibility
Authors: Olejník K. , Schuler V. , Marti X. , Novák V. , Kašpar Z. , Wadley P. , Campion R. P. , Edmonds K. W. , Gallagher B. L. , Garces J. , Baumgartner M. , Gambardella P. , Jungwirth T.
Published: May 2017

Antiferromagnets offer a unique combination of properties including the radiation and magnetic field hardness, the absence of stray magnetic fields, and the spin-dynamics frequency scale in terahertz. Recent experiments have demonstrated that relativistic spin-orbit torques can provide the means for an efficient electric control of antiferromagnetic moments. Here we show that elementary-shape memory cells fabricated from a single-layer antiferromagnet CuMnAs deposited on a III–V or Si substrate have deterministic multi-level switching characteristics. They allow for counting and recording thousands of input pulses and responding to pulses of lengths downscaled to hundreds of picoseconds. To demonstrate the compatibility with common microelectronic circuitry, we implemented the antiferromagnetic bit cell in a standard printed circuit board managed and powered at ambient conditions by a computer via a USB interface. Our results open a path towards specialized embedded memory-logic applications and ultra-fast components based on antiferromagnets.
Structure of the quaternary complex between SRP, SR, and translocon bound to the translating ribosome
Authors: Jomaa Ahmad , Fu Yu-Hsien Hwang , Boehringer Daniel , Leibundgut Marc , Shan Shu-ou , Ban Nenad
Published: May 2017

During co-translational protein targeting, the signal recognition particle (SRP) binds to the translating ribosome displaying the signal sequence to deliver it to the SRP receptor (SR) on the membrane, where the signal peptide is transferred to the translocon. Using electron cryo-microscopy, we have determined the structure of a quaternary complex of the translating Escherichia coli ribosome, the SRP–SR in the ‘activated’ state and the translocon. Our structure, supported by biochemical experiments, reveals that the SRP RNA adopts a kinked and untwisted conformation to allow repositioning of the ‘activated’ SRP–SR complex on the ribosome. In addition, we observe the translocon positioned through interactions with the SR in the vicinity of the ribosome exit tunnel where the signal sequence is extending beyond its hydrophobic binding groove of the SRP M domain towards the translocon. Our study provides new insights into the mechanism of signal sequence transfer from the SRP to the translocon.
Mesoporous metallic rhodium nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Bo , Li Cuiling , Dag Ömer , Abe Hideki , Takei Toshiaki , Imai Tsubasa , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Islam Md. Tofazzal , Wood Kathleen , Henzie Joel , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: May 2017

Mesoporous noble metals are an emerging class of cutting-edge nanostructured catalysts due to their abundant exposed active sites and highly accessible surfaces. Although various noble metal (e.g. Pt, Pd and Au) structures have been synthesized by hard- and soft-templating methods, mesoporous rhodium (Rh) nanoparticles have never been generated via chemical reduction, in part due to the relatively high surface energy of rhodium (Rh) metal. Here we describe a simple, scalable route to generate mesoporous Rh by chemical reduction on polymeric micelle templates [poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PMMA)]. The mesoporous Rh nanoparticles exhibited a ∼2.6 times enhancement for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol compared to commercially available Rh catalyst. Surprisingly, the high surface area mesoporous structure of the Rh catalyst was thermally stable up to 400 °C. The combination of high surface area and thermal stability also enables superior catalytic activity for the remediation of nitric oxide (NO) in lean-burn exhaust containing high concentrations of O2.
Fortilin binds IRE1α and prevents ER stress from signaling apoptotic cell death
Authors: Pinkaew Decha , Chattopadhyay Abhijnan , King Matthew D. , Chunhacha Preedakorn , Liu Zhihe , Stevenson Heather L. , Chen Yanjie , Sinthujaroen Patuma , McDougal Owen M. , Fujise Ken
Published: May 2017

The endoplasmic reticulum, the cytoplasmic organelle that matures a massive amount of nascent secretory polypeptides, is particularly sensitive to stress. Endoplasmic reticulum stress causes unfolded proteins to populate the organelle, eliciting the unfolded protein response. During the unfolded protein response, GRP78—an endoplasmic reticulum master stress regulator—detaches from three endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors (IRE1α, PERK, and ATF6) and allows them to activate the apoptotic signaling pathway. Fortilin, a pro-survival molecule, is known to inhibit apoptosis by binding and inhibiting p53, but its role in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis remains unknown. Here, we report that fortilin directly interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of IRE1α, inhibits both kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase) activities of the stress sensor, and protects cells against apoptotic cell death at both cellular and whole animal levels. Our data support a role of fortilin in the unfolded protein response and its potential participation in human diseases caused by unfolded protein response.
Two-dimensional Penta-BP5 Sheets: High-stability, Strain-tunable Electronic Structure and Excellent Mechanical Properties
Authors: Liu Shijie , Liu Bo , Shi Xuhan , Lv Jiayin , Niu Shifeng , Yao Mingguang , Li Quanjun , Liu Ran , Cui Tian , Liu Bingbing
Published: May 2017

Two-dimensional (2D) crystals exhibit unique and exceptional properties and show promise for various applications. In this work, we systematically studied the structures of a 2D boronphosphide (BP) monolayer with different stoichiometric ratios (BPx, x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) and observed that each compound had a stable 2D structure with metallic or semiconducting electronic properties. Surprisingly, for the BP5 compounds, we discovered a rare penta-graphene-like 2D structure with a tetragonal lattice. This monolayer was a semiconductor with a quasi-direct band gap of 2.68 eV. More importantly, investigation of the strain effect revealed that small uniaxial strain can trigger the band gap of the penta-BP5 monolayer to transition from a quasi-direct to direct band gap, whereas moderate biaxial strain can cause the penta-BP5 to transform from a semiconductor into a metal, indicating the great potential of this material for nanoelectronic device applications based on strain-engineering techniques. The wide and tuneable band gap of monolayer penta-BP5 makes it more advantageous for high-frequency-response optoelectronic materials than the currently popular 2D systems, such as transition metal dichalcogenides and black phosphorus. These unique structural and electronic properties of 2D BP sheets make them promising for many potential applications in future nanodevices.
Hybridizing Feature Selection and Feature Learning Approaches in QSAR Modeling for Drug Discovery
Authors: Ponzoni Ignacio , Sebastián-Pérez Víctor , Requena-Triguero Carlos , Roca Carlos , Martínez María J. , Cravero Fiorella , Díaz Mónica F. , Páez Juan A. , Arrayás Ramón Gómez , Adrio Javier , Campillo Nuria E.
Published: May 2017

Quantitative structure–activity relationship modeling using machine learning techniques constitutes a complex computational problem, where the identification of the most informative molecular descriptors for predicting a specific target property plays a critical role. Two main general approaches can be used for this modeling procedure: feature selection and feature learning. In this paper, a performance comparative study of two state-of-art methods related to these two approaches is carried out. In particular, regression and classification models for three different issues are inferred using both methods under different experimental scenarios: two drug-like properties, such as blood-brain-barrier and human intestinal absorption, and enantiomeric excess, as a measurement of purity used for chiral substances. Beyond the contrastive analysis of feature selection and feature learning methods as competitive approaches, the hybridization of these strategies is also evaluated based on previous results obtained in material sciences. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that there is not a clear winner between both approaches because the performance depends on the characteristics of the compound databases used for modeling. Nevertheless, in several cases, it was observed that the accuracy of the models can be improved by combining both approaches when the molecular descriptor sets provided by feature selection and feature learning contain complementary information.
Reproducing Infra-Slow Oscillations with Dopaminergic Modulation
Authors: Kobayashi Toshihiro , Shimada Yutaka , Fujiwara Kantaro , Ikeguchi Tohru
Published: May 2017

In the human brain, billions of neurons construct a neural network via synaptic connections. Neuronal excitation and inhibition are transmitted to other neurons through synapses via neurotransmitters. Dopamine is one of these neurotransmitters that plays a number of important roles. There are a variety of rhythms in the brain, such as alpha rhythm, beta rhythm, and so on. Infra-slow oscillation, ISO, is one of the rhythms observed in the brain, and ranges below 0.1 Hz. One of the key roles of dopamine is the generation of ISO in neural networks. Although the mechanism underlying the generation of ISO remains unknown, ISO can be generated by activation of the D1-type dopamine receptor. The D1-type receptor regulates spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), which is a learning rule of the change in synaptic weights. In this paper, to reproduce ISO in neural networks, we show that dopaminergic modulation of STDP is essential. More specifically, we discovered a close relationship between two dopaminergic effects: modulation of the STDP function and generation of ISO. We therefore, numerically investigated the relationship in detail and proposed a possible mechanism by which ISO is generated.
Basin stability for chimera states
Authors: Rakshit Sarbendu , Bera Bidesh K. , Perc Matjaž , Ghosh Dibakar
Published: May 2017

Chimera states, namely complex spatiotemporal patterns that consist of coexisting domains of spatially coherent and incoherent dynamics, are investigated in a network of coupled identical oscillators. These intriguing spatiotemporal patterns were first reported in nonlocally coupled phase oscillators, and it was shown that such mixed type behavior occurs only for specific initial conditions in nonlocally and globally coupled networks. The influence of initial conditions on chimera states has remained a fundamental problem since their discovery. In this report, we investigate the robustness of chimera states together with incoherent and coherent states in dependence on the initial conditions. For this, we use the basin stability method which is related to the volume of the basin of attraction, and we consider nonlocally and globally coupled time-delayed Mackey-Glass oscillators as example. Previously, it was shown that the existence of chimera states can be characterized by mean phase velocity and a statistical measure, such as the strength of incoherence, by using well prepared initial conditions. Here we show further how the coexistence of different dynamical states can be identified and quantified by means of the basin stability measure over a wide range of the parameter space.
A novel PRKAG2 mutation in a Chinese family with cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre-excitation
Authors: Yang Kun-Qi , Lu Chao-Xia , Zhang Ying , Yang Yan-Kun , Li Jia-Cheng , Lan Tian , Meng Xu , Fan Peng , Tian Tao , Wang Lin-Ping , Liu Ya-Xin , Zhang Xue , Zhou Xian-Liang
Published: May 2017

PRKAG2 syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder that is characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, ventricular pre-excitation and conduction system abnormalities. There is little knowledge in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) characteristics of PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy. This study investigated the genetic defect in a three-generation Chinese family with cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre-excitation using whole-exome sequencing. A novel missense mutation, c.1006 G > T (p.V336L), was identified in PRKAG2. This mutation had not been identified in the ExAC database, and the prediction result of MutationTaster indicated a deleterious effect. Furthermore, it cosegregated with the disease in the present family and was absent in unrelated 300 healthy controls. cDNA analysis did not detect any splicing defects, although the variant occurred in the first base of exon 9. CMR evaluation in five affected members showed diffuse hypertrophy in a concentric pattern, with markedly increased left ventricular mass above age and gender limits (median 151.3 g/m2, range 108.4–233.4 g/m2). Two patients in progressive stage and one patient with sudden cardiac death exhibited extensive subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement. In conclusion, molecular screening for PRKAG2 mutations should be considered in patients who exhibit cardiac hypertrophy coexisting with ventricular pre-excitation. CMR offers promising advantages for evaluation of PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy.
A sensitive mass spectrometry platform identifies metabolic changes of life history traits in C. elegans
Authors: Gao Arwen W. , Chatzispyrou Iliana A. , Kamble Rashmi , Liu Yasmine J. , Herzog Katharina , Smith Reuben L. , van Lenthe Henk , Vervaart Martin A. T. , van Cruchten Arno , Luyf Angela C. , van Kampen Antoine , Pras-Raves Mia L. , Vaz Frédéric M. , Houtkooper Riekelt H.
Published: May 2017

Abnormal nutrient metabolism is a hallmark of aging, and the underlying genetic and nutritional framework is rapidly being uncovered, particularly using C. elegans as a model. However, the direct metabolic consequences of perturbations in life history of C. elegans remain to be clarified. Based on recent advances in the metabolomics field, we optimized and validated a sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) platform for identification of major metabolite classes in worms and applied it to study age and diet related changes. Using this platform that allowed detection of over 600 metabolites in a sample of 2500 worms, we observed marked changes in fatty acids, amino acids and phospholipids during worm life history, which were independent from the germ-line. Worms underwent a striking shift in lipid metabolism after early adulthood that was at least partly controlled by the metabolic regulator AAK-2/AMPK. Most amino acids peaked during development, except aspartic acid and glycine, which accumulated in aged worms. Dietary intervention also influenced worm metabolite profiles and the regulation was highly specific depending on the metabolite class. Altogether, these MS-based methods are powerful tools to perform worm metabolomics for aging and metabolism-oriented studies.
Extensive phenotypic characterization of a new transgenic mouse reveals pleiotropic perturbations in physiology due to mesenchymal hGH minigene expression
Authors: Kaklamanos Aimilios , Rozman Jan , Roulis Manolis , Karagianni Niki , Armaka Maria , Wu Moya , Brachthäuser Laura , Calzada-Wack Julia , Horsch Marion , Beckers Johannes , Rathkolb Birgit , Adler Thure , Neff Frauke , Wolf Eckhard , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Fuchs Helmut , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Kollias George
Published: May 2017

The human growth hormone (hGH) minigene used for transgene stabilization in mice has been recently identified to be locally expressed in the tissues where transgenes are active and associated with phenotypic alterations. Here we extend these findings by analyzing the effect of the hGH minigene in TgC6hp55 transgenic mice which express the human TNFR1 under the control of the mesenchymal cell-specific CollagenVI promoter. These mice displayed a fully penetrant phenotype characterized by growth enhancement accompanied by perturbations in metabolic, skeletal, histological and other physiological parameters. Notably, this phenotype was independent of TNF-TNFR1 signaling since the genetic ablation of either Tnf or Tradd did not rescue the phenotype. Further analyses showed that the hGH minigene was expressed in several tissues, also leading to increased hGH protein levels in the serum. Pharmacological blockade of GH signaling prevented the development of the phenotype. Our results indicate that the unplanned expression of the hGH minigene in CollagenVI expressing mesenchymal cells can lead through local and/or systemic mechanisms to enhanced somatic growth followed by a plethora of primary and/or secondary effects such as hyperphagia, hypermetabolism, disturbed glucose homeostasis, altered hematological parameters, increased bone formation and lipid accumulation in metabolically critical tissues.
Microbiota modulation counteracts Alzheimer’s disease progression influencing neuronal proteolysis and gut hormones plasma levels
Authors: Bonfili Laura , Cecarini Valentina , Berardi Sara , Scarpona Silvia , Suchodolski Jan S. , Nasuti Cinzia , Fiorini Dennis , Boarelli Maria Chiara , Rossi Giacomo , Eleuteri Anna Maria
Published: May 2017

Gut microbiota has a proven role in regulating multiple neuro-chemical pathways through the highly interconnected gut-brain axis. Oral bacteriotherapy thus has potential in the treatment of central nervous system-related pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current AD treatments aim to prevent onset, delay progression and ameliorate symptoms. In this work, 3xTg-AD mice in the early stage of AD were treated with SLAB51 probiotic formulation, thereby affecting the composition of gut microbiota and its metabolites. This influenced plasma concentration of inflammatory cytokines and key metabolic hormones considered therapeutic targets in neurodegeneration. Treated mice showed partial restoration of two impaired neuronal proteolytic pathways (the ubiquitin proteasome system and autophagy). Their cognitive decline was decreased compared with controls, due to a reduction in brain damage and reduced accumulation of amyloid beta aggregates. Collectively, our results clearly prove that modulation of the microbiota induces positive effects on neuronal pathways that are able to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Thymic homing of activated CD4+ T cells induces degeneration of the thymic epithelium through excessive RANK signaling
Authors: Yin Chen , Pei Xiao-Yan , Shen Hui , Gao Ya-Nan , Sun Xiu-Yuan , Wang Wei , Ge Qing , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2017

Activated T cells have been shown to be able to recirculate into the thymus from the periphery. The present study was aimed to elucidate the functional consequences of thymic homing of activated T cells upon developing thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells (TEC). In the presence of activated T cells, especially CD4+T cells, T cell development was found to be inhibited in thymic organ cultures with markedly reduced cellularity. Thymic transplantation demonstrated that the inhibitory effect was most likely due to a defective microenvironment. As the major component of the thymic stroma, the TEC compartment was severely disturbed after prolonged exposure to the activated T cells. In addition to reduced cell proliferation, TEC differentiation was heavily skewed to the mTEC lineage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RANKL highly expressed by activated CD4+T cells was primarily responsible for the detrimental effects. Presumably, excessive RANK signaling drove overproduction of mTECs and possibly exhaustion of epithelial progenitors, thereby facilitating the deterioration of the epithelial structures. These findings not only reveal a novel activity of activated T cells re-entering the thymus, but also provide a new perspective for understanding the mechanism underlying thymic involution.
Influence of NH3 plasma and Ti doping on pH-sensitive CeO2 electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor biosensors
Authors: Kao Chyuan-Haur , Chang Che-Wei , Tzu Chen Yu , Ming Su Wei , Cheng Lu Chien , Lin Chan-Yu , Chen Hsiang
Published: May 2017

In this study, CeO2 pH-sensitive sensing membranes in electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor structures on silicon substrate were fabricated. To enhance sensing performance, the membrane underwent Ti doping and NH3 plasma treatment on the surface. To examine the effects of Ti doping and plasma treatment, multiple material properties evaluations were conducted using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Results indicate that Ti doping and plasma treatment can remove defects and enhance crystallization, thereby achieving improved pH-sensing performance of the membrane with high sensitivity, high linearity, low hysteresis voltage and low drift voltage. CeO2-based EIS membranes with Ti doping and NH3 plasma treatment show promise for future portable pH-sensitive biosensors.
Towards personalized tumor markers
Authors: Kulasingam Vathany , Prassas Ioannis , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: May 2017

The cancer biomarker discovery pipeline is progressing slowly. The difficulties of finding novel and effective biomarkers for diagnosis and management of cancer patients are well-known. We speculate that it is unlikely to discover new serological biomarkers characterized by high sensitivity and specificity. This projection is supported by recent findings that cancers are genetically highly heterogeneous. Here, we propose a new way of improving the landscape of cancer biomarker research. There are currently hundreds, if not thousands, of described biomarkers which perform at high specificity (> 90%), but at relatively low sensitivity (< 30%). We call these “rare tumor markers.” Borrowing from the principles of precision medicine, we advocate that among these low sensitivity markers, some may be useful to specific patients. We suggest screening new patients for hundreds to thousands of cancer biomarkers to identify a few that are informative, and then use them clinically. This is similar to what we currently do with genomics to identify personalized therapies. We further suggest that this approach may explain as to why some biomarkers are elevated in only a small group of patients. It is likely that these differences in expression are linked to specific genomic alterations, which could then be found with genomic sequencing.
Biomass-based chemical looping technologies: the good, the bad and the future
Authors: Zhao Xiao , Zhou Hui , Sikarwar Vineet Singh , Zhao Ming , Park Ah-Hyung A. , Fennell Paul S. , Shen Laihong , Fan Liang-Shih
Published: May 2017

This review article focuses on the challenges and opportunities of biomass-based chemical looping technologies and explores fundamentals, recent developments and future perspectives.
vhfRNAi: a web-platform for analysis of host genes involved in viral infections discovered by genome wide RNAi screens
Authors: Thakur Anamika , Qureshi Abid , Kumar Manoj
Published: May 2017

Knockdown of host genes using high-throughput genome-wide RNA interference screens has identified numerous host factors that affect viral infections, which would be helpful in understanding host–virus interactions.
A specific environment-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent turn-on probe for synergistic enhancement of anticancer activity of a chemo-drug
Authors: Li Jun , Zhu Zhipeng , Rong Shaoqin , Li Heran , Guo Yuenan , Xue Qiang , Ding Dan
Published: May 2017

A near-infrared fluorescent turn-on probe has been reported for specific HER2 imaging and synergistic enhancement of anticancer activity of doxorubicin.
Specific dsDNA recognition by a mimic of the DNA binding domain of the c-Myc/Max transcription factor
Authors: Ruiz García Yara , Pabon-Martinez Y. Vladimir , Smith C. I. Edvard , Madder Annemieke
Published: May 2017

We here report on the synthesis of the first mimic of the DNA binding domain of the c-Myc/Max-bHLH-ZIP transcription factor able to selectively recognize its cognate E-box sequence 5′-CACGTG-3′ through the major groove of the double-stranded DNA.
Click Co sandwich-terminated dendrimers as polyhydride reservoirs and micellar templates
Authors: Rapakousiou Amalia , Belin Colette , Salmon Lionel , Ruiz Jaime , Astruc Didier
Published: May 2017

Dendrimers containing 9, 27 and 81 [CoI(η4-cyclopentadiene)(η5-cyclopentadienyl)] termini serve as polyhydride reservoirs reducing protons to dihydrogen and AuIIIto micellar capsules.
The effects of lattice strain, dislocations, and microstructure on the transport properties of YSZ films
Authors: Harrington George F. , Cavallaro Andrea , McComb David W. , Skinner Stephen J. , Kilner John A.
Published: May 2017

We report that lattice strain and dislocations play a negligible role on the ionic conductivity of YSZ films.
Synthesis of BaTaO2N oxynitride from Ba-rich oxide precursor for construction of visible-light-driven Z-scheme overall water splitting
Authors: Dong Beibei , Qi Yu , Cui Junyan , Liu Baodan , Xiong Fengqiang , Jiang Xin , Li Zheng , Xiao Yejun , Zhang Fuxiang , Li Can
Published: May 2017

A novel synthesis of BaTaO2N photocatalyst with low defect density is introduced for promotion of overall water splitting performance.
A theoretical study on the mechanistic highlights behind the Brønsted-acid dependent mer–fac isomerization of homoleptic carbenic iridium complexes for PhOLEDs
Authors: Setzer Tobias , Lennartz Christian , Dreuw Andreas
Published: May 2017

The strongly acid-dependent mer–fac isomerization reaction of homoleptic carbenic iridium complexes used in PhOLEDs has been investigated quantum chemically.
Stereospecific control of the metal-centred chirality of rhodium(iii) and iridium(iii) complexes bearing tetradentate CNN′P ligands
Authors: Carmona María , Rodríguez Ricardo , Méndez Isabel , Passarelli Vincenzo , Lahoz Fernando J. , García-Orduña Pilar , Carmona Daniel
Published: May 2017

Complexes of formula [MCl2(κ4C,N,N′,P-L)] (M = Rh, Ir) were diastereoselectively obtained with predetermined absolute configuration from MCl3·xH2O and tripodal tetradentate ligands.
Facile routes to abnormal-NHC-cobalt(ii) complexes
Authors: Ghadwal Rajendra S. , Lamm Jan-Hendrik , Rottschäfer Dennis , Schürmann Christian J. , Demeshko Serhiy
Published: May 2017

Deprotonation of 1 with Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 affords aNHC-Co(ii) complex 2, whereas carbene transfer from 3 to Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 enables access to complex 4.
Imaging out-of-plane polarized emission patterns on gap mode SERS substrates: from high molecular coverage to the single molecule regime
Authors: Joshi P. B. , Anthony T. P. , Wilson A. J. , Willets K. A.
Published: May 2017

Gap mode surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are created when a single nanoparticle is deposited on a thin metal film, creating a region of significant electromagnetic field enhancement in the gap between the nanoparticle and the film due to excitation of a vertically-oriented, out-of-plane dipole plasmon mode, e.g. the gap plasmon. When molecules are located in the gap and couple to the gap plasmon mode, the resulting emission is polarized perpendicular to the thin film, generating SERS emission patterns that have a characteristic donut shape. We analyze these SERS emission patterns using a dipole emission model and extract out-of-plane and in-plane emission angles associated with the gap plasmon mode. Fluctuations in both of these angles reveal dynamic heterogeneity due to molecular motion within the hot spot that changes as a function of molecular coverage. We also reveal static heterogeneity associated with structural defects in the thin film component of the gap mode substrates, indicating that even nanometer-scale surface roughness can impact the quality of gap mode emission.
Photoinduced difunctionalization of 2,3-dihydrofuran for the efficient synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans
Authors: Zhu Xingxing , Han Man-Yi , Li Pinhua , Wang Lei
Published: May 2017

An efficient photoinduced multicomponent difunctionalization of 2,3-dihydrofuran has been developed for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans under mild reaction conditions.
Maghemite-containing PLGA–PEG-based polymeric nanoparticles for siRNA delivery: toxicity and silencing evaluation
Authors: Lellouche Emmanuel , Locatelli Erica , Israel Liron Limor , Naddaka Maria , Kurlander Ella , Michaeli Shulamit , Lellouche Jean-Paul , Franchini Mauro Comes
Published: May 2017

Gene therapy based on siRNA has emerged as an exciting new therapeutic approach. In this work, incorporation of PEI into PLGA-b-PEG and encapsulation of magnetic NPs as MRI contrast agent, resulted in unique theranostic nanoparticles.
Quad-band terahertz absorption enabled using a rectangle-shaped resonator cut with an air gap
Authors: Wang Ben-Xin , Wang Gui-Zhen , Zhu Huaxin
Published: May 2017

Quad-band terahertz absorption responses were theoretically investigated in a simple design of a metamaterial absorber, which consisted of only one rectangle-shaped metallic resonator with an air gap.
Special properties of luminescent magnetic NaGdF4:Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion nanocubes with surface modifications
Authors: Chen Longyi , Tse Wai Hei , Siemiarczuk Alex , Zhang Jin
Published: May 2017

Gadolinium-based upconversion nanocubes with amine surface modification are made by a one-pot process. The interfacial effect on their behaviors are observed.
Retracted Article: Spatially resolved mechanical properties of photo-responsive azobenzene-based supramolecular gels
Authors: Mun Gyuri , Choi Heekyoung , Im Nayoung , Ahn Junho , Park Jaehyeon , Seo Hyowon , Choi Yeonweon , Lee Ji Ha , Jung Jong Hwa
Published: May 2017

The mechanical properties of azobenzene-based gelators were finely controlled by UV irradiation.
Reaction engineering of biocatalytic (S)-naproxen synthesis integrating in-line process monitoring by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Aßmann M. , Stöbener A. , Mügge C. , Gaßmeyer S. K. , Hilterhaus L. , Kourist R. , Liese A. , Kara S.
Published: May 2017

Biocatalytic (S)-naproxen synthesis using an (S)-selective arylmalonate decarboxylase mutant (AMDase G74C/M159L/C188G/V43I/A125P/V156L, AMDase-CLGIPL) exposes a promising environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical synthesis strategies.
Near UV-Visible electronic absorption originating from charged amino acids in a monomeric protein
Authors: Prasad Saumya , Mandal Imon , Singh Shubham , Paul Ashim , Mandal Bhubaneswar , Venkatramani Ravindra , Swaminathan Rajaram
Published: May 2017

We report 250–800 nm UV-Vis monomeric protein absorption originating from protein backbone–sidechain and sidechain–sidechain charge transfer transitions involving Lys/Glu residues.
Highly efficient and durable water oxidation in a near-neutral carbonate electrolyte electrocatalyzed by a core–shell structured NiO@Ni–Ci nanosheet array
Authors: Ma Min , Liu Yiwei , Ma Xiao , Ge Ruixiang , Qu Fengli , Liu Zhiang , Du Gu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Yao Yadong , Sun Xuping
Published: May 2017

Core–shell structured NiO@Ni–Ci/CC exhibits superior water oxidation activity, requiring 387 mV overpotential to drive 15 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M K–Ci.
Swapping conventional salts with an entrapped lithiated anionic polymer: fast single-ion conduction and electrolyte feasibility in LiFePO4/Li batteries
Authors: Gowneni Soujanya , Basak Pratyay
Published: May 2017

Herein, we report on a new class of quasi-solid polymer electrolyte matrix that supports appreciably fast single-ion conduction.
Green one-pot synthesis and processing of polyimide–silica hybrid materials
Authors: Leimhofer Lukas , Baumgartner Bettina , Puchberger Michael , Prochaska Thomas , Konegger Thomas , Unterlass Miriam M.
Published: May 2017

A green and scalable one-pot hydrothermal synthesis generates polyimide/silica hybrid materials, which can be processed by green, solvent-free sintering.
A rod bacterium-like magnetic polymer micelle for strongly enhancing selective accumulation and internalization of nanocarriers
Authors: Gao Yuqian , Zhao Jingya , Zhang Xiaobin , Wei Xiao , Xiong Xiang , Guo Xing , Zhou Shaobing
Published: May 2017

The precise and highly efficient delivery of a therapeutic agent with nanocarriers to a tumor site to achieve excellent therapeutic efficacy remains a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy.
Fabrication of solar and electrically adjustable large area smart windows for indoor light and heat modulation
Authors: Singh Ashutosh K. , Kiruthika S. , Mondal Indrajit , Kulkarni Giridhar U.
Published: May 2017

Invisible Cu mesh electrodes used as ITO alternative serve as transparent heaters for large area smart window applications with commercial thermochromic pigments and gels as active layers.