bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural mechanism for signal transduction in RXR nuclear receptor heterodimers
Authors: Kojetin Douglas J. , Matta-Camacho Edna , Hughes Travis S. , Srinivasan Sathish , Nwachukwu Jerome C. , Cavett Valerie , Nowak Jason , Chalmers Michael J. , Marciano David P. , Kamenecka Theodore M. , Shulman Andrew I. , Rance Mark , Griffin Patrick R. , Bruning John B. , Nettles Kendall W.
Published: August 2015

A subset of nuclear receptors (NRs) function as obligate heterodimers with retinoid X receptor (RXR), allowing integration of ligand-dependent signals across the dimer interface via an unknown structural mechanism. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, x-ray crystallography and hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry, here we show an allosteric mechanism through which RXR co-operates with a permissive dimer partner, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, while rendered generally unresponsive by a non-permissive dimer partner, thyroid hormone (TR) receptor. Amino acid residues that mediate this allosteric mechanism comprise an evolutionarily conserved network discovered by statistical coupling analysis (SCA). This SCA network acts as a signalling rheostat to integrate signals between dimer partners, ligands and coregulator-binding sites, thereby affecting signal transmission in RXR heterodimers. These findings define rules guiding how NRs integrate two ligand-dependent signalling pathways into RXR heterodimer-specific responses.
Plasticity and ductility in graphene oxide through a mechanochemically induced damage tolerance mechanism
Authors: Wei Xiaoding , Mao Lily , Soler-Crespo Rafael A. , Paci Jeffrey T. , Huang Jiaxing , Nguyen SonBinh T. , Espinosa Horacio D.
Published: August 2015

The ability to bias chemical reaction pathways is a fundamental goal for chemists and material scientists to produce innovative materials. Recently, two-dimensional materials have emerged as potential platforms for exploring novel mechanically activated chemical reactions. Here we report a mechanochemical phenomenon in graphene oxide membranes, covalent epoxide-to-ether functional group transformations that deviate from epoxide ring-opening reactions, discovered through nanomechanical experiments and density functional-based tight binding calculations. These mechanochemical transformations in a two-dimensional system are directionally dependent, and confer pronounced plasticity and damage tolerance to graphene oxide monolayers. Additional experiments on chemically modified graphene oxide membranes, with ring-opened epoxide groups, verify this unique deformation mechanism. These studies establish graphene oxide as a two-dimensional building block with highly tuneable mechanical properties for the design of high-performance nanocomposites, and stimulate the discovery of new bond-selective chemical transformations in two-dimensional materials.
Dipeptide species regulate p38MAPK–Smad3 signalling to maintain chronic myelogenous leukaemia stem cells
Authors: Naka Kazuhito , Jomen Yoshie , Ishihara Kaori , Kim Junil , Ishimoto Takahiro , Bae Eun-Jin , Mohney Robert P. , Stirdivant Steven M. , Oshima Hiroko , Oshima Masanobu , Kim Dong-Wook , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Takihara Yoshihiro , Kato Yukio , Ooshima Akira , Kim Seong-Jin
Published: August 2015

Understanding the specific survival of the rare chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) stem cell population could provide a target for therapeutics aimed at eradicating these cells. However, little is known about how survival signalling is regulated in CML stem cells. In this study, we survey global metabolic differences between murine normal haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and CML stem cells using metabolomics techniques. Strikingly, we show that CML stem cells accumulate significantly higher levels of certain dipeptide species than normal HSCs. Once internalized, these dipeptide species activate amino-acid signalling via a pathway involving p38MAPK and the stemness transcription factor Smad3, which promotes CML stem cell maintenance. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of dipeptide uptake inhibits CML stem cell activity in vivo. Our results demonstrate that dipeptide species support CML stem cell maintenance by activating p38MAPK–Smad3 signalling in vivo, and thus point towards a potential therapeutic target for CML treatment.
Transcriptional regulation of Annexin A2 promotes starvation-induced autophagy
Authors: Moreau Kevin , Ghislat Ghita , Hochfeld Warren , Renna Maurizio , Zavodszky Eszter , Runwal Gautam , Puri Claudia , Lee Shirley , Siddiqi Farah , Menzies Fiona M. , Ravikumar Brinda , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: August 2015

Autophagy is an important degradation pathway, which is induced after starvation, where it buffers nutrient deprivation by recycling macromolecules in organisms from yeast to man. While the classical pathway mediating this response is via mTOR inhibition, there are likely to be additional pathways that support the process. Here, we identify Annexin A2 as an autophagy modulator that regulates autophagosome formation by enabling appropriate ATG9A trafficking from endosomes to autophagosomes via actin. This process is dependent on the Annexin A2 effectors ARP2 and Spire1. Annexin A2 expression increases after starvation in cells in an mTOR-independent fashion. This is mediated via Jun N-terminal kinase activation of c-Jun, which, in turn, enhances the trans-activation of the Annexin A2 promoter. Annexin A2 knockdown abrogates starvation-induced autophagy, while its overexpression induces autophagy. Hence, c-Jun-mediated transcriptional responses support starvation-induced autophagy by regulating Annexin A2 expression levels.
The precision of value-based choices depends causally on fronto-parietal phase coupling
Authors: Polanía Rafael , Moisa Marius , Opitz Alexander , Grueschow Marcus , Ruff Christian C.
Published: August 2015

Which meal would you like today, chicken or pasta? For such value-based choices, organisms must flexibly integrate various types of sensory information about internal states and the environment to transform them into actions. Recent accounts suggest that these choice-relevant processes are mediated by information transfer between functionally specialized but spatially distributed brain regions in parietal and prefrontal cortex; however, it remains unclear whether such fronto-parietal communication is causally involved in guiding value-based choices. We find that transcranially inducing oscillatory desynchronization between the frontopolar and -parietal cortex leads to more inaccurate choices between food rewards while leaving closely matched perceptual decisions unaffected. Computational modelling shows that this exogenous manipulation leads to imprecise value assignments to the choice alternatives. Thus, our study demonstrates that accurate value-based decisions critically involve coherent rhythmic information transfer between fronto-parietal brain areas and establishes an experimental approach to non-invasively manipulate the precision of value-based choices in humans.
Characterization of hepatic lipid profiles in a mouse model with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and subsequent fibrosis
Authors: Saito Kosuke , Uebanso Takashi , Maekawa Keiko , Ishikawa Masaki , Taguchi Ryo , Nammo Takao , Nishimaki-Mogami Tomoko , Udagawa Haruhide , Fujii Masato , Shibazaki Yuichiro , Yoneyama Hiroyuki , Yasuda Kazuki , Saito Yoshiro
Published: August 2015

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major health problem since it often leads to hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the underlying mechanisms of NASH development and subsequent fibrosis have yet to be clarified. We compared comprehensive lipidomic profiles between mice with high fat diet (HFD)-induced steatosis and STAM mice with NASH and subsequent fibrosis. The STAM mouse is a model that demonstrates NASH progression resembling the disease in humans: STAM mice manifest NASH at 8 weeks, which progresses to fibrosis at 12 weeks and finally develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Overall, 250 lipid molecules were detected in the liver using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that STAM mice with NASH presented a significantly higher abundance of sphingolipids and lower levels of triacylglycerols than the HFD-fed control mice. The abundance of certain fatty acids in phospholipid side chains was also significantly different between STAM and control mice, although global levels of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines were comparable. Finally, increase in levels of acylcarnitines and some diacylglycerols was observed in STAM mice toward the fibrosis stage, but not in age-matched control mice. Our study provides insights into the lipid status of the steatotic, NASH and fibrotic liver that would help elucidate the molecular pathophysiology of NASH progression.
Dynamic scalp topography reveals neural signs just before performance errors
Authors: Ora Hiroki , Sekiguchi Tatsuhiko , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: August 2015

Performance errors may cause serious consequences. It has been reported that ongoing activity of the frontal control regions across trials associates with the occurrence of performance errors. However, neural mechanisms that cause performance errors remain largely unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that some neural functions required for correct outcomes are lacking just before performance errors and to determine this lack of neural function we applied a spatiotemporal analysis to high-density electroencephalogram signals recorded during a visual discrimination task, a d2 test of attention. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a difference in the temporal development of scalp ERP between trials with error and correct outcomes as seen by topography during the d2 test of attention. We observed differences in the signal potential in the frontal region and then the occipital region between reaction times matched with correct and error outcomes. Our observations suggest that lapses of top-down signals from frontal control regions cause performance errors just after the lapses.
Early pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy modelled in patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Shoji Emi , Sakurai Hidetoshi , Nishino Tokiko , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Heike Toshio , Awaya Tomonari , Fujii Nobuharu , Manabe Yasuko , Matsuo Masafumi , Sehara-Fujisawa Atsuko
Published: August 2015

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and fatal muscle degenerating disease caused by a dystrophin deficiency. Effective suppression of the primary pathology observed in DMD is critical for treatment. Patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising tool for drug discovery. Here, we report an in vitro evaluation system for a DMD therapy using hiPSCs that recapitulate the primary pathology and can be used for DMD drug screening. Skeletal myotubes generated from hiPSCs are intact, which allows them to be used to model the initial pathology of DMD in vitro. Induced control and DMD myotubes were morphologically and physiologically comparable. However, electric stimulation of these myotubes for in vitro contraction caused pronounced calcium ion (Ca2+) influx only in DMD myocytes. Restoration of dystrophin by the exon-skipping technique suppressed this Ca2+ overflow and reduced the secretion of creatine kinase (CK) in DMD myotubes. These results suggest that the early pathogenesis of DMD can be effectively modelled in skeletal myotubes induced from patient-derived iPSCs, thereby enabling the development and evaluation of novel drugs.
Elevated serum transaminase activities were associated with increased serum levels of iron regulatory hormone hepcidin and hyperferritinemia risk
Authors: An Peng , Wang Hao , Wu Qian , Guo Xin , Wu Aimin , Zhang Zhou , Zhang Di , Xu Xiaochen , Mao Qianyun , Shen Xiaoyun , Zhang Lihong , Xiong Zhiqi , He Lin , Liu Yun , Min Junxia , Zhou Daizhan , Wang Fudi
Published: August 2015

Iron imbalance is a feature of liver damage. However, the biological correlation of serum hepcidin, a key regulator of iron homeostasis, with liver malfunction is undefined. To this end, we piloted the Chinese population studies to address whether hepcidin is linked to liver functionality. The serum hepcidin, ferritin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and bilirubin were examined in two independent Chinese cohorts consisted of 3455 individuals. After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, smoking habits, drinking categories and diabetic status, a positive association between hepcidin and alanine transaminase (ALT) (beta = 0.18 ± 0.01, P < 0.0001) was discovered using linear regression in a cohort consisting of 1813 individuals. This association was then validated in the second independent cohort of 1642 individuals (beta = 0.08 ± 0.02, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, consistent with cohort study, by applying both CCl4 and lipopolysaccharide induced mouse liver injury models, at least 2-fold elevations in hepcidin expression, serum ALT and inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were discovered during the initiation stage of liver injury. Our findings suggest that increased serum hepcidin may reflect a protective response to the iron status and elevated serum cytokines during liver injury. Additional studies are warranted to validate these findings and test their potential clinical relevance in patients.
Electronic control of coherence in a two-dimensional array of photonic crystal surface emitting lasers
Authors: Taylor R. J. E. , Childs D. T. D. , Ivanov P. , Stevens B. J. , Babazadeh N. , Crombie A. J. , Ternent G. , Thoms S. , Zhou H. , Hogg R. A.
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate a semiconductor PCSEL array that uniquely combines an in-plane waveguide structure with nano-scale patterned PCSEL elements. This novel geometry allows two-dimensional electronically controllable coherent coupling of remote vertically emitting lasers. Mutual coherence of the PCSEL elements is verified through the demonstration of a two-dimensional Young’s Slits experiment. In addition to allowing the all-electronic control of the interference pattern, this type of device offers new routes to power and brightness scaling in semiconductor lasers and opportunities for all-electronic beam steering.
Ferroelectric-like metallic state in electron doped BaTiO3
Authors: Fujioka J. , Doi A. , Okuyama D. , Morikawa D. , Arima T. , Okada K. N. , Kaneko Y. , Fukuda T. , Uchiyama H. , Ishikawa D. , Baron A. Q. R. , Kato K. , Takata M. , Tokura Y.
Published: August 2015

We report that a ferroelectric-like metallic state with reduced anisotropy of polarization is created by the doping of conduction electrons into BaTiO3, on the bases of x-ray/electron diffraction and infrared spectroscopic experiments. The crystal structure is heterogeneous in nanometer-scale, as enabled by the reduced polarization anisotropy. The enhanced infrared intensity of soft phonon along with the resistivity reduction suggests the presence of unusual electron-phonon coupling, which may be responsible for the emergent ferroelectric structure compatible with metallic state.
Self protein-protein interactions are involved in TPPP/p25 mediated microtubule bundling
Authors: DeBonis Salvatore , Neumann Emmanuelle , Skoufias Dimitrios A.
Published: August 2015

TPPP/p25 is a microtubule-associated protein, detected in protein inclusions associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Deletion analysis data show that TPPP/p25 has two microtubule binding sites, both located in intrinsically disordered domains, one at the N-terminal and the other in the C-terminal domain. In copolymerization assays the full-length protein exhibits microtubule stimulation and bundling activity. In contrast, at the same ratio relative to tubulin, truncated forms of TPPP/p25 exhibit either lower or no microtubule stimulation and no bundling activity, suggesting a cooperative phenomenon which is enhanced by the presence of the two binding sites. The binding characteristics of the N- and C-terminally truncated proteins to taxol-stabilized microtubules are similar to the full-length protein. However, the C-terminally truncated TPPP/p25 shows a lower Bmax for microtubule binding, suggesting that it may bind to a site of tubulin that is masked in microtubules. Bimolecular fluorescent complementation assays in cells expressing combinations of various TPPP/p25 fragments, but not that of the central folded domain, resulted in the generation of a fluorescence signal colocalized with perinuclear microtubule bundles insensitive to microtubule inhibitors. The data suggest that the central folded domain of TPPP/p25 following binding to microtubules can drive s homotypic protein-protein interactions leading to bundled microtubules.
A Highly Efficient Sensor Platform Using Simply Manufactured Nanodot Patterned Substrates
Authors: Rasappa Sozaraj , Ghoshal Tandra , Borah Dipu , Senthamaraikannan Ramsankar , Holmes Justin D. , Morris Michael A.
Published: August 2015

Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a low-cost means to nanopattern surfaces. Here, we use these nanopatterns to directly print arrays of nanodots onto a conducting substrate (Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coated glass) for application as an electrochemical sensor for ethanol (EtOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection. The work demonstrates that BCP systems can be used as a highly efficient, flexible methodology for creating functional surfaces of materials. Highly dense iron oxide nanodots arrays that mimicked the original BCP pattern were prepared by an ‘insitu’ BCP inclusion methodology using poly(styrene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO). The electrochemical behaviour of these densely packed arrays of iron oxide nanodots fabricated by two different molecular weight PS-b-PEO systems was studied. The dual detection of EtOH and H2O2was clearly observed. The as-prepared nanodots have good long term thermal and chemical stability at the substrate and demonstrate promising electrocatalytic performance.
Purkinje Cells as Sources of Arrhythmias in Long QT Syndrome Type 3
Authors: Iyer Vivek , Roman-Campos Danilo , Sampson Kevin J. , Kang Guoxin , Fishman Glenn I. , Kass Robert S.
Published: August 2015

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Purkinje cells (PC) within the specialized cardiac conduction system have unique electrophysiological properties that we hypothesize may produce the primary sources of arrhythmia in heritable LQTS. LQTS type 3 (LQT3) transgenic mice harboring the ΔKPQ+/− mutation were crossed with Contactin2-EGFP BAC transgenic mice, which express a fluorescent reporter gene within the Purkinje fiber network. Isolated ventricular myocytes (VMs) (EGFP−) and PCs (EGFP+) from wild type and ΔKPQ mutant hearts were compared using the whole-cell patch clamp technique and microfluorimetry of calcium transients. Increased late sodium current was seen in ΔKPQ-PCs and ΔKPQ-VMs, with larger density in ΔKPQ-PCs. Marked prolongation of action potential duration of ΔKPQ-PCs was seen compared to ΔKPQ-VMs. ΔKPQ-PCs, but not ΔKPQ-VMs, exhibited frequent early afterdepolarizations, which corresponded to repetitive oscillations of intracellular calcium. Abnormalities in cell repolarization were reversed with exposure to mexiletine. We present the first direct experimental evidence that PCs are uniquely sensitive to LQT3 mutations, displaying electrophysiological behavior that is highly pro-arrhythmic.
Unfolding the band structure of non-crystalline photonic band gap materials
Authors: Tsitrin Samuel , Williamson Eric Paul , Amoah Timothy , Nahal Geev , Chan Ho Leung , Florescu Marian , Man Weining
Published: August 2015

Non-crystalline photonic band gap (PBG) materials have received increasing attention and sizeable PBGs have been reported in quasi-crystalline structures and, more recently, in disordered structures. Band structure calculations for periodic structures produce accurate dispersion relations, which determine group velocities, dispersion, density of states and iso-frequency surfaces and are used to predict a wide-range of optical phenomena including light propagation, excited-state decay rates, temporal broadening or compression of ultrashort pulses and complex refraction phenomena. However, band calculations for non-periodic structures employ large super-cells of hundreds to thousands building blocks and provide little useful information other than the PBG central frequency and width. Using stereolithography, we construct cm-scale disordered PBG materials and perform microwave transmission measurements, as well as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The photonic dispersion relations are reconstructed from the measured and simulated phase data. Our results demonstrate the existence of sizeable PBGs in these disordered structures and provide detailed information of the effective band diagrams, dispersion relation, iso-frequency contours and their angular dependence. Slow light phenomena are also observed in these structures near gap frequencies. This study introduces a powerful tool to investigate photonic properties of non-crystalline structures and provides important effective dispersion information, otherwise difficult to obtain.
Reconsolidation of a cocaine associated memory requires DNA methyltransferase activity in the basolateral amygdala
Authors: Shi Hai-Shui , Luo Yi-Xiao , Yin Xi , Wu Hong-Hai , Xue Gai , Geng Xu-Hong , Hou Yan-Ning
Published: August 2015

Drug addiction is considered an aberrant form of learning and drug-associated memories evoked by the presence of associated stimuli (drug context or drug-related cues) contribute to recurrent craving and reinstatement. Epigenetic changes mediated by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) have been implicated in the reconsolidation of fear memory. Here, we investigated the role of DNMT activity in the reconsolidation of cocaine-associated memories. Rats were trained over 10 days to intravenously self-administer cocaine by nosepokes. Each injection was paired with a light/tone conditioned stimulus (CS). After acquisition of stable self-administration behaviour, rats underwent nosepoke extinction (10 d) followed by cue-induced reactivation and subsequent cue-induced and cocaine-priming + cue-induced reinstatement tests or subsequently tested to assess the strength of the cocaine-associated cue as a conditioned reinforcer to drive cocaine seeking behaviour. Bilateral intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion of the DNMT inhibitor5-azacytidine (5-AZA, 1 μg per side) immediately following reactivation decreased subsequent reinstatement induced by cues or cocaine priming as well as cue-maintained cocaine-seeking behaviour. In contrast, delayed intra-BLA infusion of 5-AZA 6 h after reactivation or 5-AZA infusion without reactivation had no effect on subsequent cue-induced reinstatement. These findings indicate that memory reconsolidation for a cocaine-paired stimulus depends critically on DNMT activity in the BLA.
Effect of ethnicity and socioeconomic variation to the gut microbiota composition among pre-adolescent in Malaysia
Authors: Chong Chun Wie , Ahmad Arine Fadzlun , Lim Yvonne Ai Lian , Teh Cindy Shuan Ju , Yap Ivan Kok Seng , Lee Soo Ching , Chin Yuee Teng , Loke P’ng , Chua Kek Heng
Published: August 2015

Gut microbiota plays an important role in mammalian host metabolism and physiological functions. The functions are particularly important in young children where rapid mental and physical developments are taking place. Nevertheless, little is known about the gut microbiome and the factors that contribute to microbial variation in the gut of South East Asian children. Here, we compared the gut bacterial richness and composition of pre-adolescence in Northern Malaysia. Our subjects covered three distinct ethnic groups with relatively narrow range of socioeconomic discrepancy. These included the Malays (n = 24), Chinese (n = 17) and the Orang Asli (indigenous) (n = 20). Our results suggested a strong ethnicity and socioeconomic-linked bacterial diversity. Highest bacterial diversity was detected from the economically deprived indigenous children while the lowest diversity was recorded from the relatively wealthy Chinese children. In addition, predicted functional metagenome profiling suggested an over-representation of pathways pertinent to bacterial colonisation and chemotaxis in the former while the latter exhibited enriched gene pathways related to sugar metabolism.
Losing dexterity: patterns of impaired coordination of finger movements in musician’s dystonia
Authors: Furuya Shinichi , Tominaga Kenta , Miyazaki Fumio , Altenmüller Eckart
Published: August 2015

Extensive training can bring about highly-skilled action, but may also impair motor dexterity by producing involuntary movements and muscular cramping, as seen in focal dystonia (FD) and tremor. To elucidate the underlying neuroplastic mechanisms of FD, the present study addressed the organization of finger movements during piano performance in pianists suffering from the condition. Principal component (PC) analysis identified three patterns of fundamental joint coordination constituting finger movements in both patients and controls. The first two coordination patterns described less individuated movements between the “dystonic” finger and key-striking fingers for patients compared to controls. The third coordination pattern, representing the individuation of movements between the middle and ring fingers, was evident during a sequence of strikes with these fingers in controls, which was absent in the patients. Consequently, rhythmic variability of keystrokes was more pronounced during this sequence of strikes for the patients. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis further identified greater variability of keystrokes for individuals displaying less individuated movements between the affected and striking fingers. The findings suggest that FD alters dexterous joint coordination so as to lower independent control of finger movements and thereby degrades fine motor control.
Vagotomy attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Authors: Song Nana , Liu Jun , Shaheen Saad , Du Lei , Proctor Mary , Roman Jesse , Yu Jerry
Published: August 2015

The progression of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) entails a complex network of interactions between multiple classes of molecules and cells, which are closely related to the vagus nerve. Stimulation of the vagus nerve increases fibrogenic cytokines in humans, therefore, activation of the nerve may promote PF. The hypothesis was tested by comparing the extent and severity of fibrosis in lungs with and without vagal innervation in unilaterally vagotomized mice. The results show that in vagotomized lungs, there were less collagen staining, less severe fibrotic foci (subpleural, peri-vascular and peri-bronchiolar lesions) and destruction of alveolar architecture; decreased collagen deposition (denervated vs intact: COL1α1, 19.1 ± 2.2 vs 22.0 ± 2.6 ng/mg protein; COL1α2, 4.5 ± 0.3 vs 5.7 ± 0.5 ng/mg protein; p < 0.01, n = 21) and protein levels of transforming growth factor beta and interleukin 4; and fewer myofibroblast infiltration (denervated vs intact: 1.2 ± 0.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 cells/visual field; p < 0.05, n = 6) and M2 macrophages [though the infiltration of macrophages was increased (denervated vs intact: 112 ± 8 vs 76 ± 9 cells/visual field; p < 0.01, n = 6), the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased (denervated vs intact: 31 ± 4 vs 57 ± 9%; p < 0.05, n = 5)]. It indicated that the vagus nerve may influence PF by enhancing fibrogenic factors and fibrogenic cells.
Sensitive detection of cardiac biomarkers using a magnetic microbead immunoassay
Authors: Woolley Christine F. , Hayes Mark A.
Published: August 2015

A novel magnetic bead-based microimmunoassay achieves superior quantitation abilities for three cardiac biomarkers used in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
Potentiometric determination of acid dissociation constants of novel biaryl monomers
Authors: Zayas H. A. , McCluskey A. , Bowyer M. C. , Holdsworth C. I.
Published: August 2015

pKas of novel biaryl monomers for MIPs designed for aqueous environment were determined by the Yasuda–Shedlovsky method.
Preparation and evaluation of polydopamine imprinting layer coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the determination of testosterone in prostate cancer LNcap cells
Authors: Tang Xiaoshuang , Liu Wei , Chen Jiaqi , Jia Jing , Ma Zhenkun , Shi Qi , Gao Yang , Wang Xinyang , Xu Shan , Wang Ke , Guo Peng , He Dalin
Published: August 2015

A novel type of core–shell imprinted nanocomposite was synthesized for selective extraction and detection of testosterone (TSTO) in prostate cancer cell samples.
Development and validation of high performance liquid chromatographic and derivative spectrophotometric methods for determination of gadodiamide in liposomal formulations
Authors: Maia Ana Luiza Chaves , Fernandes Christian , Silva Taízia Dutra , Pereira de Oliveira Cynthia Nara , Silveira Josianne Nicácio , Ramaldes Gilson Andrade
Published: August 2015

High performance liquid chromatography and derivative spectrophotometry were applied for determination of gadodiamide in liposomes.
Visual detection of 8-OHdG based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles capped with the anti-8-OHdG antibody
Authors: Wu Liping , Pu Wendan , Liu Yue , Zhao Huawen , Shu Weiqun
Published: August 2015

AuNPs, capped with anti-8-OHdG antibody, aggregate when 8-OHdG was added, resulting in color change and redshift of absorption wavelength. So a simple and rapid method to selectively determine 8-OHdG was developed and semi-quantitative determination could be achieved by the naked eye.
Free-standing molecularly imprinted photonic hydrogels based on β-cyclodextrin for the visual detection of l-tryptophan
Authors: Yang Zhaokun , Shi Dongjian , Chen Mingqing , Liu Shirong
Published: August 2015

Molecularly imprinted photonic hydrogels fabricated by a colloidal crystal template method have been exfoliated from the substrate to get a free-standing film.
Determination of diethofencarb (isopropyl 3,4-diethoxyphenylcarbamate) by square wave voltammetry using a multiwall carbon nanotube paste electrode
Authors: AKBAŞ Nur , İNAM Recai
Published: August 2015

A new sensitive square wave anodic peak at +861 mV obtained using a newly prepared carbon nanotube electrode provided determination of the fungicide diethofencarb.
A near infrared colorimetric and fluorometric probe for organophosphorus nerve agent mimics by intramolecular amidation
Authors: Hu Xiao-Xiao , Su Yue-Ting , Ma Yun-Wei , Zhan Xin-Qi , Zheng Hong , Jiang Yun-Bao
Published: August 2015

A carboxylic acid group was activated by nerve agent mimics to conduct intramolecular amidation in heptamethine chromophore, leading to large red-shifts of both absorption and excitation wavelengths in the near infrared region.
A neutral branched platinum–acetylide complex possessing a tetraphenylethylene core: preparation of a luminescent organometallic gelator and its unexpected spectroscopic behaviour during sol-to-gel transition
Authors: Ren Yuan-Yuan , Wu Nai-Wei , Huang Junhai , Xu Zheng , Sun Dan-Dan , Wang Cui-Hong , Xu Lin
Published: August 2015

A neutral branched platinum–acetylide complex TPA possessing a tetraphenylethylene core was successfully prepared, which was found to form luminescent organometallic gels in ethyl acetate.
High power organic cathodes using thin films of electropolymerized benzidine polymers
Authors: Truong Thanh-Tam , Coates Geoffrey W. , Abruña Héctor D.
Published: August 2015

Thin films of benzidine polymers were electrochemically deposited directly onto conductive substrates by oxidative coupling. The polymer films exhibited two reversible one-electron transfers at fast rates of charge and discharge.
Divalent metal ions modulated strong frustrated M(ii)–Fe(iii)3O (M = Fe, Mn, Mg) chains with metamagnetism only in a mixed valence iron complex
Authors: Wu Qi-Long , Han Song-De , Wang Qing-Lun , Zhao Jiong-Peng , Ma Feng , Jiang Xue , Liu Fu-Chen , Bu Xian-He
Published: August 2015

Using divalent ions to link the frustrated Fe(iii)3O units two isostructural chains were generated with distinct magnetic behaviour: frustrations and metamagnetism in mixed valence complex, but magnetic frustrations in heterometallic complexes.
Homochiral metal phosphonate nanotubes
Authors: Liu Xun-Gao , Bao Song-Song , Huang Jian , Otsubo Kazuya , Feng Jian-Shen , Ren Min , Hu Feng-Chun , Sun Zhihu , Zheng Li-Min , Wei Shiqiang , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

A new type of homochiral metal–organic nanotubular structures based on metal phosphonates are reported, namely, (R)- or (S)-[M(pemp)(H2O)2] [M = CoII (1), NiII (2)] [pemp2− = (R)- or (S)-(1-phenylethylamino)methylphosphonate].
Coordination-directed self-assembly of a simple benzothiadiazole-fused tetrathiafulvalene to low-bandgap metallogels
Authors: Amacher Anneliese M. , Puigmartí-Luis Josep , Geng Yan , Lebedev Victor , Laukhin Vladimir , Krämer Karl , Hauser Jürg , Amabilino David B. , Decurtins Silvio , Liu Shi-Xia
Published: August 2015

Coordination-driven gelation of a benzothiadiazole-fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) is for the first time demonstrated for the construction of low-bandgap metallogels.
A novel crystalline SiCO compound
Authors: Marqués Miriam , Morales-García Angel , Menéndez José Manuel , Baonza Valentín G. , Recio José Manuel
Published: August 2015

Ab initio evolutionary structural searches have been performed on SixCyO2(x+y) compounds.
Improved charge transport and injection in a meso-superstructured solar cell by a tractable pre-spin-coating process
Authors: Li Nan , Li Haoyuan , Li Yu , Wang Shufeng , Wang Liduo
Published: August 2015

By pre-spin-coating a perovskite precursor solution, increased perovskite capacity in the mesoporous structure, enhanced electron injection and more charge transport pathways are realized.
Structure, luminescence properties and energy transfer of Tb3+–Eu3+ codoped LiBaB9O15 phosphors
Authors: Li Ting , Li Panlai , Wang Zhijun , Xu Shuchao , Bai Qiongyu , Yang Zhiping
Published: August 2015

A series of single-composition phosphors LiBaB9O15:Tb3+,Eu3+ have been prepared via a high-temperature solid-state reaction process.
Competition between vinylidene rearrangement and 1,2-insertion of carbon-disubstituted internal alkynes at a Cp*Ir(iii) complex
Authors: Ikeda Yousuke , Kodama Shintaro , Tsuchida Noriko , Ishii Youichi
Published: August 2015

Competition between vinylidene rearrangement/1,1-insertion and 1,2-alkyne insertion into the Ir–Ar bond of [Cp*Ir(ppy-F4)]+ was observed on reaction with diarylacetylenes. The former process afforded the 9-membered iridacycle via the subsequent 1,4-Ir migration.
Tricarbonyl99mTc(i) and Re(i)–thiosemicarbazone complexes: synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation for targeting bacterial infection
Authors: Nayak Dipak Kumar , Baishya Rinku , Natarajan Ramalingam , Sen Tuhinadri , Debnath Mita Chatterjee
Published: August 2015

Tricarbonyl99mTc(1) and Re(1) thiosemicarbazone complexes have been synthesised, characterised crystallographically and subjected to biological evaluation in rats intramuscularly infected withS. aureus.
Water-soluble Tb3+ and Eu3+ complexes based on task-specific ionic liquid ligands and their application in luminescent poly(vinyl alcohol) films
Authors: Li Qing-Feng , Yue Dan , Ge Gen-Wu , Du Xiaodi , Gong Yanchuan , Wang Zhenling , Hao Jianhua
Published: August 2015

Synthesis of water-soluble Tb3+ and Eu3+ complexes based on TSIL ligands and their application in luminescent poly(vinyl alcohol) films.
Charge-tunable indium–organic frameworks built from cationic, anionic, and neutral building blocks
Authors: Bu Fei , Lin Qipu , Zhai Quan-Guo , Bu Xianhui , Feng Pingyun
Published: August 2015

Three different indium building blocks, from a positive trimer to a negative monomer, lead to In-MOFs with tunable framework charge.
Consumption of high-dose vitamin C (1250 mg per day) enhances functional and structural properties of serum lipoprotein to improve anti-oxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-aging effects via regulation of anti-inflammatory microRNA
Authors: Kim Seong-Min , Lim So-Mang , Yoo Jeong-Ah , Woo Moon-Jea , Cho Kyung-Hyun
Published: August 2015

Increase of apoA-I in HDL and enhancement of anti-atherosclerotic activity by high-dose vitamin C consumption, especially in the male smoker group.
Halogen bonding in the crystal structures of 1,2-diiodo alkenes
Authors: Hettstedt Christina , Mayer Peter , Karaghiosoff Konstantin
Published: August 2015

The crystal structures of 1,2-diiodoolefins are governed by extensive halogen bonding involving I⋯I, I⋯O and I⋯C interactions. These interactions are discussed considering nine new crystal structures determined in our laboratory and several additional crystal structures from the literature that complement our data.
Structural, Raman, FT-IR and optical properties of Rb3Y2(PO4)3 and Rb3La(PO4)2 doped with Eu3+ ions
Authors: Pelczarska Aleksandra , Watras Adam , Godlewska Patrycja , Radomińska Ewa , Macalik Lucyna , Szczygieł Irena , Hanuza Jerzy , Dereń Przemysław J.
Published: August 2015

Rb3La(PO4)2 and Rb3Y2(PO4)3 doped with Eu3+ were obtained through two different routes. The synthesis technique influences the optical properties of compounds.
ESIPT and CHEF based highly sensitive and selective ratiometric sensor for Al3+ with imaging in human blood cells
Authors: Das Sangita , Goswami Shyamaprosad , Aich Krishnendu , Ghoshal Kakali , Quah Ching Kheng , Bhattacharyya Maitree , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: August 2015

We have synthesised a probe for the fluorescence ratiometric detection of Al3+. This probe can be used to image Al3+ in living cells.
Achieving plasmon reproducibility from surfactant free gold nanostar synthesis
Authors: Ramsey Jacob D. , Zhou Lixia , Kyle Almlie C. , Lange Jordan D. , Burrows Sean M.
Published: August 2015

The novelty and significance lies in the low temperature synthesis to improve reproducibility of the plasmonic response by a factor of at least two compared to current approaches.
Polyacrylamide modified mesoporous SBA-16 hybrids encapsulated with a lanthanide (Eu3+/Tb3+) complex
Authors: Li Ying , Zhu Ruidan , Wang Jie-Lin , Wang Xia , Liu Shuang-He
Published: August 2015

Novel polymeric mesoporous luminescent hybrids have been synthesized by linking the binary and ternary Ln3+ complexes to polyacrylamide-functionalized mesoporous SBA-16 in situ. The excellent luminescent properties of these materials together with the highly ordered mesoporous structure will expand their applications in optical or electronic areas.
Anchoring gold nanoparticles inside polyaniline shells with magnetic cores for the enhancement of catalytic stability
Authors: Qiao Xiaoguang , Liu Xianchun , Li Xiaoting , Xing Shuangxi
Published: August 2015

Owing to the protection effect and stability of polyaniline, the yolk–shell nanostructured Fe3O4@Au–polyaniline illustrated enhanced catalytic stability.
In situ growth of Au nanoparticles on 3D Bi2O2CO3 for surface plasmon enhanced visible light photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Rui , Li Xinwei , Cui Wen , Zhang Yuxin , Dong Fan
Published: August 2015

The highly visible light active 3D Au/Bi2O2CO3 heterostructure was fabricated by a one-pot in situ hydrothermal method.
Characteristics of localized surface plasmons excited on mixed monolayers composed of self-assembled Ag and Au nanoparticles
Authors: Tanaka Daisuke , Imazu Keisuke , Sung Jinwoo , Park Cheolmin , Okamoto Koichi , Tamada Kaoru
Published: August 2015

AuNPs form ∼100 nm island domains in a homogeneous AgNP matrix phase in mixed monolayers, which maintain independent LSPR bands and selective fluorescence quenching.
Co-assembly of cyclic peptide nanotubes and block copolymers in thin films: controlling the kinetic pathway
Authors: Zhang Chen , Xu Ting
Published: August 2015

Controlling the kinetic pathway of co-assembling cyclic peptide nanotubes and block copolymers in thin films.
Highly dispersible disk-like graphene nanoflakes
Authors: Georgakilas Vasilios , Vrettos Katerina , Katomeri Katerina , Kouloumpis Antonios , Dimos Konstantinos , Gournis Dimitris , Zboril Radek
Published: August 2015

The preparation of highly dispersible disk like graphene nanoflakes with uniform size and thickness is presented.
Effects of multivalent histamine supported on gold nanoparticles: activation of histamine receptors by derivatized histamine at subnanomolar concentrations
Authors: Gasiorek Friederike , Pouokam Ervice , Diener Martin , Schlecht Sabine , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: August 2015

Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with native histamine. The multivalent presentation resulted in extremely low activation concentration for histaminic receptors.
Paley's watchmaker analogy and prebiotic synthetic chemistry in surfactant assemblies. Formaldehyde scavenging by pyrroles leading to porphyrins as a case study
Authors: Alexy Eric J. , Hintz Carl W. , Hughes Hubert M. , Taniguchi Masahiko , Lindsey Jonathan S.
Published: August 2015

Facile exchange of micromolar dialkylpyrrolic constituents among a Poisson distribution of aqueous micelles overcomes immense statistical odds against reaction.
Correction: Synergism between genome sequencing, tandem mass spectrometry and bio-inspired synthesis reveals insights into nocardioazine B biogenesis
Authors: Alqahtani Norah , Porwal Suheel K. , James Elle D. , Bis Dana M. , Karty Jonathan A. , Lane Amy L. , Viswanathan Rajesh
Published: August 2015

Correction for ‘Synergism between genome sequencing, tandem mass spectrometry and bio-inspired synthesis reveals insights into nocardioazine B biogenesis’ by Norah Alqahtani et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 7177–7192.
Nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl halides with other electrophiles: concept and mechanistic considerations
Authors: Gu Jun , Wang Xuan , Xue Weichao , Gong Hegui
Published: August 2015

We herein summarize recent Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl electrophiles with a variety of other electrophiles to generate C(sp3)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp2) bonds.
Process integration for microalgal lutein and biodiesel production with concomitant flue gas CO2 sequestration: a biorefinery model for healthcare, energy and environment
Authors: Dineshkumar R. , Dash Sukanta Kumar , Sen Ramkrishna
Published: August 2015

An integrated green microalgal biorefinery was developed with a view to sequestering flue gas CO2 and synthesizing lutein and lipid for potential environmental, healthcare and biofuel applications respectively.
Graphene and graphene oxide double decorated SnO2 nanofibers with enhanced humidity sensing performance
Authors: Xu Jing , Gu Shaozhen , Lu Bingan
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate humidity sensing with SnO2@G–GO nanocomposites using three important parameters for a sensing device: sensitivity, response and recovery time, and stability.
Highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped graphene with enhanced hydrogenation activity
Authors: Liu Ping , Li Gen , Chang Wan-Ting , Wu Meng-Yao , Li Yong-Xin , Wang Jun
Published: August 2015

Pd nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) were prepared as hydrogenation catalysts.
Alumina–titania (Al2O3–TiO2) hollow fiber sorptive microextraction coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for determination of trace elements in diesel and gasoline samples
Authors: Nomngongo Philiswa N. , Ngila J. Catherine
Published: August 2015

Application of alumina–titania hollow fiber sorptive microextraction coupled to ICP-MS for simultaneous preconcentration of trace elements in liquid fuel samples.
Human hair-derived graphene-like carbon nanosheets to support Pt nanoparticles for direct methanol fuel cell application
Authors: Sun Guiqin , Zhou Lihui , Li Jinxia , Tang Jing , Wang Ying
Published: August 2015

A novel graphene-like carbon nanosheet (HGCN) with high specific surface area and multimodal pore system was synthesized using human hair as a carbon source for the deposition of PtNPs.
Evaluation of imprint DESI-MS substrates for the analysis of fungal metabolites
Authors: Tata Alessandra , Perez Consuelo J. , Ore Moriam O. , Lostun Dragos , Passas Aristides , Morin Sylvie , Ifa Demian R.
Published: August 2015

Optimized in situ screening, characterization and imaging of fungal metabolites by imprint DESI-MS.
Carbon quantum dots decorated leaf-like CuO nanosheets and their improved dispersion for an excellent UV-shielding properties in polymer films
Authors: Periyayya Uthirakumar , S Muthulingam , Khan Rizwan , Dao Van-Dung , Tran Van-Huong , Lee In-Hwan
Published: August 2015

Carbon quantum dot decorated leaf-like CuO nanosheets were prepared by a simple method and successfully dispersed in the polymer film to improve UV-shielding properties.
3D-hierarchical SnS nanostructures: controlled synthesis, formation mechanism and lithium-ion storage performance
Authors: Li Shuankui , Zheng Jiaxin , Hu Zongxiang , Zuo Shiyong , Wu Zhiguo , Yan Pengxun , Pan Feng
Published: August 2015

A series of SnS nanocrystals with tunable morphology and sheet thickness were prepared through a solvothermal method and by introducing selective additives to the solution. Their propertiesvs.morphology were investigated for use in lithium storage.
Synthesis and self-assembly of PMBTFVB-g-PNIPAM fluorine-containing amphiphilic graft copolymer
Authors: Lu Guolin , Jiang Xiaojun , Li Yongjun , Lv Xuliang , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: August 2015

This article reports the synthesis of an amphiphilic graft copolymer containing a perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether-based backbone and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) side chains by a combination of thermal step-growth cycloaddition polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).
Efficient and rapid direct transesterification reactions of cellulose with isopropenyl acetate in ionic liquids
Authors: Kakuchi Ryohei , Yamaguchi Makoto , Endo Takatsugu , Shibata Yoshiki , Ninomiya Kazuaki , Ikai Tomoyuki , Maeda Katsuhiro , Takahashi Kenji
Published: August 2015

We have established a new cellulose modification protocol without any additional catalysts and corrosive chemicals.
A benzimidazolium-based organic trication: a selective fluorescent sensor for detecting cysteine in water
Authors: Singh Amanpreet , Singh Ajnesh , Singh Narinder , Jang Doo Ok
Published: August 2015

A benzimidazolium- and imidazolium-based trication was developed as a selective fluorescence probe for cysteine.
Spinel nickel ferrite nanoparticles strongly cross-linked with multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a bi-efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution
Authors: Li Pengxi , Ma Ruguang , Zhou Yao , Chen Yongfang , Liu Qian , Peng Guihua , Liang Zhenhua , Wang Jiacheng
Published: August 2015

NiFe2O4 nanoparticles successfully cross-linked with the outer walls of MWCNTs demonstrate excellent catalytic activities and stabilities for both the ORR and OER compared to commercial Pt/C, owing to the strong coupling and synergistic effects.
Immunosensor for prostate-specific antigen using Au/Pd@flower-like SnO2 as platform and Au@mesoporous carbon as signal amplification
Authors: Yang Long , Zhao Hui , Deng Guogang , Ran Xin , Li Yucong , Xie Xiaoguang , Li Can-Peng
Published: August 2015

The illustration for the constructed electrochemical immunosensor and the signal amplification strategy.
Comparison of rhenium–porphyrin dyads for CO2photoreduction: photocatalytic studies and charge separation dynamics studied by time-resolved IR spectroscopy
Authors: Windle Christopher D. , George Michael W. , Perutz Robin N. , Summers Peter A. , Sun Xue Zhong , Whitwood Adrian C.
Published: August 2015

A new dyad for photocatalytic CO2reduction produces ten times more CO and much longer-lived charge-separation than earlier rhenium-porphyrin dyads.
Lab on a single microbead: an ultrasensitive detection strategy enabling microRNA analysis at the single-molecule level
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Liu Chenghui , Sun Lingbo , Duan Xinrui , Li Zhengping
Published: August 2015

A single microbead-based sensing platform has been developed, which enables the detection of microRNA at the single-molecule level.