bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erratum: Confirmation of the topology of the Wendelstein 7-X magnetic field to better than 1:100,000
Authors: Pedersen T. Sunn , Otte M. , Lazerson S. , Helander P. , Bozhenkov S. , Biedermann C. , Klinger T. , Wolf R. C. , Bosch H-S ,   The Wendelstein 7-X Team
Published: February 2017

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 13493 (2016); Published: 30 November 2016; Updated: 14 February 2017 The original version of this Article contained errors in the spelling of authors names and their affiliations. These errors were: The affiliation of Boyd Blackwell is 10, but was incorrectlygiven as 10,11,12.
Transcriptome analysis around the onset of strawberry fruit ripening uncovers an important role of oxidative phosphorylation in ripening
Authors: Wang Qing-Hua , Zhao Cheng , Zhang Miao , Li Yu-Zhong , Shen Yuan-Yue , Guo Jia-Xuan
Published: February 2017

Although much progress has been made towards understanding the ripening of non-climacteric fruit using the strawberry as a model plant, the defined molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, RNA-sequencing was performed using four cDNA libraries around the onset of ripening, and a total of 31,793 unigenes and 335 pathways were annotated including the top five pathways, which were involved in ribosome, spliceosome, protein processing, plant-pathogen interaction and plant hormone signaling, and the important DEGs related to ripening were annotated to be mainly involved in protein translation and processing, sugar metabolism, energy metabolism, phytohormones, antioxidation, pigment and softening, especially finding a decreased trend of oxidative phosphorylation during red-coloring. VIGS-mediated downregulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase gene PDHE1α, a key gene for glycolysis-derived oxidative phosphorylation, could inhibit respiration and ATP biosynthesis, whilst promote the accumulation of sugar, ABA, ETH, and PA, ultimately accelerating the ripening. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that a set of metabolism transition occurred during green-to-white-to-red stages that are coupled with more-to-less DEGs, and the oxidative phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of ripening. On the basis of our results, we discuss an oxidative phosphorylation-based model underlying strawberry fruit ripening.
Strain Dependent Electronic Structure and Band Offset Tuning at Heterointerfaces of ASnO3 (A=Ca, Sr, and Ba) and SrTiO3
Authors: Baniecki John D. , Yamazaki Takashi , Ricinschi Dan , Van Overmeere Quentin , Aso Hiroyuki , Miyata Yusuke , Yamada Hiroaki , Fujimura Norifumi , Maran Ronald , Anazawa Toshihisa , Valanoor Nagarajan , Imanaka Yoshihiko
Published: February 2017

The valence band (VB) electronic structure and VB alignments at heterointerfaces of strained epitaxial stannate ASnO3 (A=Ca, Sr, and Ba) thin films are characterized using in situ X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies, with band gaps evaluated using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with geometric phase analysis is used to resolve strain at atomic resolution. The VB electronic structure is strain state dependent in a manner that correlated with a directional change in Sn-O bond lengths with strain. However, VB offsets are found not to vary significantly with strain, which resulted in ascribing most of the difference in band alignment, due to a change in the band gaps with strain, to the conduction band edge. Our results reveal significant strain tuning of conduction band offsets using epitaxial buffer layers, with strain-induced offset differences as large as 0.6 eV possible for SrSnO3. Such large conduction band offset tunability through elastic strain control may provide a pathway to minimize the loss of charge confinement in 2-dimensional electron gases and enhance the performance of photoelectrochemical stannate-based devices.
Geosmin-producing Species of Coelosphaerium (Synechococcales, Cyanobacteria) in Lake Shinji, Japan
Authors: Godo T. , Saki Y. , Nojiri Y. , Tsujitani M. , Sugahara S. , Hayashi S. , Kamiya H. , Ohtani S. , Seike Y.
Published: February 2017

In Lake Shinji, Japan, periodic outbreaks of musty odour have occurred since mid-May 2007. Although the substance responsible for the odour was identified as geosmin, the odour-producing organism was unknown. We cultivated an axenic unialgal strain and determined that a species of Coelosphaerium (Synechococcales) was responsible for the production of geosmin in Lake Shinji. Our analysis was conducted using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine the odorous compound. To determine the algae species, it was observed by optical microscopy to describe its morphological characteristics and the polymerase chain reaction was used to characterise the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region. In addition, we explored the relationship between the number of cells of the Coelosphaerium sp. and the concentration of geosmin. In conclusion, geosmin, the cause of the musty odour in Lake Shinji in autumn 2009, was produced by Coelosphaerium sp., and to our knowledge, this is the first report of a geosmin-producing species in the family Coelosphaeriaceae.
Co-operation, Competition and Crowding: A Discrete Framework Linking Allee Kinetics, Nonlinear Diffusion, Shocks and Sharp-Fronted Travelling Waves
Authors: Johnston Stuart T. , Baker Ruth E. , McElwain D. L. Sean , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: February 2017

Invasion processes are ubiquitous throughout cell biology and ecology. During invasion, individuals can become isolated from the bulk population and behave differently. We present a discrete, exclusion-based description of the birth, death and movement of individuals. The model distinguishes between individuals that are part of, or are isolated from, the bulk population by imposing different rates of birth, death and movement. This enables the simulation of various co-operative or competitive mechanisms, where there is either a positive or negative benefit associated with being part of the bulk population, respectively. The mean-field approximation of the discrete process gives rise to 22 different classes of partial differential equation, which can include Allee kinetics and nonlinear diffusion. Here we examine the ability of each class of partial differential equation to support travelling wave solutions and interpret the long time behaviour in terms of the individual-level parameters. For the first time we show that the strong Allee effect and nonlinear diffusion can result in shock-fronted travelling waves. We also demonstrate how differences in group and individual motility rates can influence the persistence of a population and provide conditions for the successful invasion of a population.
Interleukin-1β pre-treated bone marrow stromal cells alleviate neuropathic pain through CCL7-mediated inhibition of microglial activation in the spinal cord
Authors: Li Jian , Deng Guoying , Wang Haowei , Yang Mei , Yang Rui , Li Xiangnan , Zhang Xiaoping , Yuan Hongbin
Published: February 2017

Although neuropathic pain is one of the most intractable diseases, recent studies indicate that systemic or local injection of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines release and alleviates neuropathic pain. However, it is still not clear whether pre-treated BMSCs have a strong anti-inflammatory and/or analgesia effect. Using the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain, IL-1β pre-treated BMSCs (IL-1β-BMSCs) were injected into rats followed by SNL in order to determine possible effects. Results indicated that IL-1β-BMSCs were more efficacious in both amelioration of neuropathic pain and inhibition of microglia activation. Specifically, microglia inhibition was found to be mediated by chemokine C-C motif ligand 7 (CCL7) but not CCL2. Results also showed that IL-1β-BMSCs had a stronger inhibitory effect on astrocyte activation as well as CCL7 release, which was found to be mediated by IL-10 not transforming growth factor-β1. In addition, we also found directional migration of IL-1β-BMSCs was mediated by inceased C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 13 expression following SNL. In conclusion, our results indicated IL-1β-BMSCs could inhibit microglia activation and neuropathic pain by decreasing CCL7 level in spinal cord.
One-Step Hydrothermal Fabrication of Three-dimensional MoS2 Nanoflower using Polypyrrole as Template for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lu Xin , Lin Yingwu , Dong Haifeng , Dai Wenhao , Chen Xin , Qu Xuanhui , Zhang Xueji
Published: February 2017

Herein, a facile and cost-effective strategy for hydrothermal synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) MoS2 with adequate active edge sites and advanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance using polypyrrole (PPy) as template is reported. The MoS2 is first thermally nucleated using hexaammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O and thiourea as precursor in the presence of PPy, and then they are further annealed to remove PPy at higher temperature to generate 3D MoS2-P. Morphology and composition characterizations reveal that the 3D MoS2-P exhibits a nanoflower morphology. It presents larger stretched “thin folding leaves” and higher mesoporous volume of 0.608 cm3 g−1 than the MoS2 without PPy as template. Importantly, the 3D MoS2-P shows enhanced HER catalytic activity (onset potential at −100 mV) than previously reports that MoS2-based HER catalysts. The large “thin folding leaves” possessing efficient edge active sites and defects are responsible to for the enhanced HER performance, while the high mesoporous volume facilitates the transfer of reaction substrate. Our study provides a facile and cost-effective method for synthesis of 3D MoS2 with advanced HER performances, which has great potential for larger-scale production and practical industrial applications.
Morphologies of tungsten nanotendrils grown under helium exposure
Authors: Wang Kun , Doerner R. P. , Baldwin M. J. , Meyer F. W. , Bannister M. E. , Darbal Amith , Stroud Robert , Parish Chad M.
Published: February 2017

Nanotendril “fuzz” will grow under He bombardment under tokamak-relevant conditions on tungsten plasma-facing materials in a magnetic fusion energy device. We have grown tungsten nanotendrils at low (50 eV) and high (12 keV) He bombardment energy, in the range 900–1000 °C, and characterized them using electron microscopy. Low energy tendrils are finer (~22 nm diameter) than high-energy tendrils (~176 nm diameter), and low-energy tendrils have a smoother surface than high-energy tendrils. Cavities were omnipresent and typically ~5–10 nm in size. Oxygen was present at tendril surfaces, but tendrils were all BCC tungsten metal. Electron diffraction measured tendril growth axes and grain boundary angle/axis pairs; no preferential growth axes or angle/axis pairs were observed, and low-energy fuzz grain boundaries tended to be high angle; high energy tendril grain boundaries were not observed. We speculate that the strong tendency to high-angle grain boundaries in the low-energy tendrils implies that as the tendrils twist or bend, strain must accumulate until nucleation of a grain boundary is favorable compared to further lattice rotation. The high-energy tendrils consisted of very large (>100 nm) grains compared to the tendril size, so the nature of the high energy irradiation must enable faster growth with less lattice rotation.
Crystal shape controlled H2 storage rate in nanoporous carbon composite with ultra-fine Pt nanoparticle
Authors: Chen Tsan-Yao , Zhang Yanhui , Hsu Liang-Ching , Hu Alice , Zhuang Yu , Fan Chia-Ming , Wang Cheng-Yu , Chung Tsui-Yun , Tsao Cheng-Si , Chuang Haw-Yeu
Published: February 2017

This study demonstrates that the hydrogen storage rate (HSR) of nanoporous carbon supported platinum nanocatalysts (NC) is determined by their heterojunction and geometric configurations. The present NC is synthesized in an average particle size of ~1.5 nm by incipient wetness impregnation of Pt4+ at carbon support followed by annealing in H2 ambient at 102–105 °C. Among the steps in hydrogen storage, decomposition of H2 molecule into 2 H atoms on Pt NC surface is the deciding factor in HSR that is controlled by the thickness of Pt NC. For the best condition, HSR of Pt NC in 1~2 atomic layers thick (4.7 μg/g min) is 2.6 times faster than that (1.3 μg/g min) of Pt NC with higher than 3 atomic layers thick.
Robust ferromagnetism carried by antiferromagnetic domain walls
Authors: Hirose Hishiro T. , Yamaura Jun-ichi , Hiroi Zenji
Published: February 2017

Ferroic materials, such as ferromagnetic or ferroelectric materials, have been utilized as recording media for memory devices. A recent trend for downsizing, however, requires an alternative, because ferroic orders tend to become unstable for miniaturization. The domain wall nanoelectronics is a new developing direction for next-generation devices, in which atomic domain walls, rather than conventional, large domains themselves, are the active elements. Here we show that atomically thin magnetic domain walls generated in the antiferromagnetic insulator Cd2Os2O7 carry unusual ferromagnetic moments perpendicular to the wall as well as electron conductivity: the ferromagnetic moments are easily polarized even by a tiny field of 1 mT at high temperature, while, once cooled down, they are surprisingly robust even in an inverse magnetic field of 7 T. Thus, the magnetic domain walls could serve as a new-type of microscopic, switchable and electrically readable magnetic medium which is potentially important for future applications in the domain wall nanoelectronics.
Humans expect generosity
Authors: Brañas-Garza Pablo , Rodríguez-Lara Ismael , Sánchez Angel
Published: February 2017

Mechanisms supporting human ultra-cooperativeness are very much subject to debate. One psychological feature likely to be relevant is the formation of expectations, particularly about receiving cooperative or generous behavior from others. Without such expectations, social life will be seriously impeded and, in turn, expectations leading to satisfactory interactions can become norms and institutionalize cooperation. In this paper, we assess people’s expectations of generosity in a series of controlled experiments using the dictator game. Despite differences in respective roles, involvement in the game, degree of social distance or variation of stakes, the results are conclusive: subjects seldom predict that dictators will behave selfishly (by choosing the Nash equilibrium action, namely giving nothing). The majority of subjects expect that dictators will choose the equal split. This implies that generous behavior is not only observed in the lab, but also expected by subjects. In addition, expectations are accurate, matching closely the donations observed and showing that as a society we have a good grasp of how we interact. Finally, correlation between expectations and actual behavior suggests that expectations can be an important ingredient of generous or cooperative behavior.
Dentin Sialoprotein is a Novel Substrate of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yuan Guohua , Chen Lei , Feng Junsheng , Yang Guobin , Ni Qingwen , Xu Xiaoping , Wan Chunyan , Lindsey Merry , Donly Kevin J. , MacDougall Mary , Chen Zhi , Chen Shuo
Published: February 2017

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) is essential for dentinogenesis and processed into fragments in the odontoblast-like cells and the tooth compartments. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is expressed in teeth from early embryonic to adult stage. Although MMP9 has been reported to be involved in some physiological and pathological conditions through processing substrates, its role in tooth development and whether DSP is a substrate of MMP9 remain unknown. In this study, the function of MMP9 in the tooth development was examined by observation of Mmp9 knockout (Mmp9−/−) mouse phenotype, and whether DSP is a substrate of MMP9 was explored by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results showed that Mmp9−/− teeth displayed a phenotype similar to dentinogenesis imperfecta, including decreased dentin mineral density, abnormal dentin architecture, widened predentin and irregular predentin-dentin boundary. The distribution of MMP9 and DSP overlapped in the odontoblasts, the predentin, and the mineralized dentin, and MMP9 was able to specifically bind to DSP. MMP9 highly efficiently cleaved DSP into distinct fragments in vitro, and the deletion of Mmp9 caused improper processing of DSP in natural teeth. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that MMP9 is important for tooth development and DSP is a novel target of MMP9 during dentinogenesis.
pH-sensitive micelles for the intracellular co-delivery of curcumin and Pluronic L61 unimers for synergistic reversal effect of multidrug resistance
Authors: Hong Wei , Shi Hong , Qiao Mingxi , Zhang Zehui , Yang Wenting , Dong Lingying , Xie Fucheng , Zhao Chunpeng , Kang Li
Published: February 2017

Pluronic L61 unimers, which are biomacromolecular modulators, and curcumin, a small-molecule modulator, were co-formulated into pH-sensitive micelles to reveal the full synergistic potential of combination drug treatments to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). Compared to monotherapy, combined therapy significantly improved the cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and apoptotic effects of doxorubicin (DOX) against MCF-7/ADR cells. In mechanistic studies, both L61 and curcumin enhanced the cytotoxic effect by acting on mitochondrial signalling pathways. The compounds selectively accumulated in the mitochondria and disabled the mitochondria by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing the ATP levels, and releasing cytochromec, which initiated a cascade of caspase-9 and caspase-3 reactions. Furthermore, both curcumin and L61 down-regulated the expression and function of P-gp in response to drug efflux from the MCF-7/ADR cells. In the MCF-7/ADR tumour-bearing mouse model, intravenous administration of the combined therapy directly targeted the tumour, as revealed by the accumulation of DiR in the tumour site, which led to a significant inhibition of tumour growth without measurable side effects. In conclusion, co-formulation consisting of L61 and curcumin in pH-sensitive micelles induced significant synergistic effects on the reversal of MDR. Therefore, the intracellular co-delivery of various MDR modulators has great potential to reverse MDR in tumours.
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate IL-6 over-production during concomitant influenza virus and Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Klemm Carolin , Bruchhagen Christin , van Krüchten Andre , Niemann Silke , Löffler Bettina , Peters Georg , Ludwig Stephan , Ehrhardt Christina
Published: February 2017

Bacterial super-infections are a major complication of influenza virus (IV) infections and often lead to severe pneumonia. One hallmark of IV-associatedStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is rapid progression to a serious disease outcome. Changes in immune and inflammatory host responses increase morbidity and complicate efficient therapy. A key player during inflammation is the multifunctional cytokine IL-6. Although increased IL-6 levels have been observed after severe disease upon IV and/or bacterial super-infection, the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we focused on cellular signalling pathways regulating IL-6 production upon IV/S. aureussuper-infection. Additionally, infection with viable bacteria was mimicked by lipoteichoic acid stimulation in this model. Analyses of cellular signalling mechanisms revealed synergistically increased activation of the MAPK p38 as well as enhanced phosphorylation of the MAPKs ERK1/2 and JNK in the presence of super-infecting bacteria. Interestingly, inhibition of MAPK activity indicated a strong dependence of IL-6 expression on p38 and ERK1/2, while the MAPK JNK seems not to be involved. Thus, our results provide new molecular insights into the regulation of IL-6, a marker of severe disease, which might contribute to the lethal synergism of IV andS. aureus.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in wild-derived mice: generation of tamed wild-derived strains by mutation of the a (nonagouti) gene
Authors: Hirose Michiko , Hasegawa Ayumi , Mochida Keiji , Matoba Shogo , Hatanaka Yuki , Inoue Kimiko , Goto Tatsuhiko , Kaneda Hideki , Yamada Ikuko , Furuse Tamio , Abe Kuniya , Uenoyama Yoshihisa , Tsukamura Hiroko , Wakana Shigeharu , Honda Arata , Ogura Atsuo
Published: February 2017

Wild-derived mice have contributed to experimental mouse genetics by virtue of their genetic diversity, which may help increase the chance of identifying novel modifier genes responsible for specific phenotypes and diseases. However, gene targeting using wild-derived mice has been unsuccessful because of the unavailability of stable embryonic stem cells. Here, we report that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting can be applied to the Japanese wild-derived MSM/Ms strain (Mus musculus molossinus). We targeted the nonagouti (a) gene encoding the agouti protein that is localized in hair and the brain. We obtained three homozygous knockout mice as founders, all showing black coat colour. While homozygous knockout offspring were physiologically indistinguishable from wild-type litter-mates, they showed specific domesticated behaviours: hypoactivity in the dark phase and a decline in the avoidance of a human hand. These phenotypes were consistent over subsequent generations. Our findings support the empirical hypothesis that nonagouti is a domestication-linked gene, the loss of which might repress aggressive behaviour.
The Gadolinium (Gd3+) and Tin (Sn4+) Co-doped BiFeO3 Nanoparticles as New Solar Light Active Photocatalyst
Authors: Irfan Syed , Rizwan Syed , Shen Yang , Li Liangliang , Asfandiyar  , Butt Sajid , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: February 2017

The process of photocatalysis is appealing to huge interest motivated by the great promise of addressing current energy and environmental issues through converting solar light directly into chemical energy. However, an efficient solar energy harvesting for photocatalysis remains a critical challenge. Here, we reported a new full solar spectrum driven photocatalyst by co-doping of Gd3+ and Sn4+ into A and B-sites of BiFeO3 simultaneously. The co-doping of Gd3+ and Sn4+ played a key role in hampering the recombination of electron-hole pairs and shifted the band-gap of BiFeO3 from 2.10 eV to 2.03 eV. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurement confirmed that the co-doping of Gd3+ and Sn4+ into BiFeO3 increased the surface area and porosity, and thus the photocatalytic activity of the Bi0.90Gd0.10Fe0.95Sn0.05O3 system was significantly improved. Our work proposed a new photocatalyst that could degrade various organic dyes like Congo red, Methylene blue, and Methyl violet under irradiation with different light wavelengths and gave guidance for designing more efficient photocatalysts.
Arabidopsis thaliana dehydroascorbate reductase 2: Conformational flexibility during catalysis
Authors: Bodra Nandita , Young David , Astolfi Rosado Leonardo , Pallo Anna , Wahni Khadija , De Proft Frank , Huang Jingjing , Van Breusegem Frank , Messens Joris
Published: February 2017

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) catalyzes the glutathione (GSH)-dependent reduction of dehydroascorbate and plays a direct role in regenerating ascorbic acid, an essential plant antioxidant vital for defense against oxidative stress. DHAR enzymes bear close structural homology to the glutathione transferase (GST) superfamily of enzymes and contain the same active site motif, but most GSTs do not exhibit DHAR activity. The presence of a cysteine at the active site is essential for the catalytic functioning of DHAR, as mutation of this cysteine abolishes the activity. Here we present the crystal structure of DHAR2 from Arabidopsis thaliana with GSH bound to the catalytic cysteine. This structure reveals localized conformational differences around the active site which distinguishes the GSH-bound DHAR2 structure from that of DHAR1. We also unraveled the enzymatic step in which DHAR releases oxidized glutathione (GSSG). To consolidate our structural and kinetic findings, we investigated potential conformational flexibility in DHAR2 by normal mode analysis and found that subdomain mobility could be linked to GSH binding or GSSG release.
Zinc finger protein ZPR9 functions as an activator of AMPK-related serine/threonine kinase MPK38/MELK involved in ASK1/TGF-β/p53 signaling pathways
Authors: Seong Hyun-A , Manoharan Ravi , Ha Hyunjung
Published: February 2017

Murine protein serine-threonine kinase 38 (MPK38), an AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related kinase, has been implicated in the induction of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-, transforming growth factor-β (TGF‐β)-, and p53-mediated activity involved in metabolic homeostasis. Here, zinc finger protein ZPR9 was found to be an activator of MPK38. The association of MPK38 and ZPR9 was mediated by cysteine residues present in each of these two proteins, Cys269 and Cys286 of MPK38 and Cys305 and Cys308 of ZPR9. MPK38 phosphorylated ZPR9 at Thr252. Wild‐type ZPR9, but not the ZPR9 mutant T252A, enhanced ASK1, TGF‐β, and p53 function by stabilizing MPK38. The requirement of ZPR9 Thr252 phosphorylation was validated using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ZPR9 (T252A) knockin cell lines. The knockdown of endogenous ZPR9 showed an opposite trend, resulting in the inhibition of MPK38‐dependent ASK1, TGF‐β, and p53 function. This effect was also demonstrated in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells that were haploinsufficient (+/−) for ZPR9, NIH 3T3 cells with inducible knockdown of ZPR9, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ZPR9 knockout cells. Furthermore, high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice displayed reduced MPK38 kinase activity and ZPR9 expression compared to that in mice on control chow, suggesting that ZPR9 acts as a physiological activator of MPK38 that may participate in obesity.
Constitutive activation of CREB in mice enhances temporal association learning and increases hippocampal CA1 neuronal spine density and complexity
Authors: Serita Tatsurou , Fukushima Hotaka , Kida Satoshi
Published: February 2017

Transcription factor CREB is believed to play essential roles in the formation of long-term memory (LTM), but not in learning and short-term memory (STM). Surprisingly, we previously showed that transgenic mice expressing a dominant active mutant of CREB (DIEDML) in the forebrain (DIEDML mice) demonstrated enhanced STM and LTM in hippocampal-dependent, rapid, one-trial learning tasks. Here we show that constitutive activation of CREB enhances hippocampal-dependent learning of temporal association in trace fear conditioning and delayed matching-to-place tasks. We then show that in DIEDML mice the apical tuft dendrites of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, required for temporal association learning, display increased spine density, especially of thin spines and of Homer1-negative spines. In contrast, the basal and apical oblique dendrites of CA1 neurons, required for rapid one-trial learning, show increased density of thin, stubby, and mushroom spines and of Homer1-positive spines. Furthermore, DIEDML mice showed increased dendritic complexity in the proximal portion of apical CA1 dendrites to the soma. In contrast, forebrain overexpression of CaMKIV, leading to enhanced LTM but not STM, show normal learning and CA1 neuron morphology. These findings suggest that dendritic region-specific morphological changes in CA1 neurons by constitutive activation of CREB may contribute to improved learning and STM.
Induction of Invertebrate Larval Settlement; Different Bacteria, Different Mechanisms?
Authors: Freckelton Marnie L. , Nedved Brian T. , Hadfield Michael G.
Published: February 2017

Recruitment via settlement of pelagic larvae is critical for the persistence of benthic marine populations. For many benthic invertebrates, larval settlement occurs in response to surface microbial films. Larvae of the serpulid polychaete Hydroides elegans can be induced to settle by single bacterial species. Until now, only Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea had been subjected to detailed genetic and mechanistic studies. To determine if the complex structures, termed tailocins, derived from phage-tail gene assemblies and hypothesized to be the settlement cue in P. luteoviolacea were present in all inductive bacteria, genomic comparisons with inductive strains of Cellulophaga lytica, Bacillus aquimaris and Staphylococcus warneri were undertaken. They revealed that the gene assemblies for tailocins are lacking in these other bacteria. Negatively stained TEM images confirmed the absence of tailocins and revealed instead large numbers of extracellular vesicles in settlement-inductive fractions from all three bacteria. TEM imaging confirmed for C. lytica that the vesicles are budded from cell surfaces in a manner consistent with the production of outer membrane vesicles. Finding multiple bacteria settlement cues highlights the importance of further studies into the role of bacterial extracellular vesicles in eliciting settlement and metamorphosis of benthic marine larvae.
The structural switch of nucleotide-free kinesin
Authors: Cao Luyan , Cantos-Fernandes Soraya , Gigant Benoît
Published: February 2017

Kinesin-1 is an ATP-dependent motor protein that moves towards microtubules (+)-ends. Whereas structures of isolated ADP-kinesin and of complexes with tubulin of apo-kinesin and of ATP-like-kinesin are available, structural data on apo-kinesin-1 in the absence of tubulin are still missing, leaving the role of nucleotide release in the structural cycle unsettled. Here, we identified mutations in the kinesin nucleotide-binding P-loop motif that interfere with ADP binding. These mutations destabilize the P-loop (T87A mutant) or magnesium binding (T92V), highlighting a dual mechanism for nucleotide release. The structures of these mutants in their apo form are either isomorphous to ADP-kinesin-1 or to tubulin-bound apo-kinesin-1. Remarkably, both structures are also obtained from the nucleotide-depleted wild-type protein. Our results lead to a model in which, when detached from microtubules, apo-kinesin possibly occupies the two conformations we characterized, whereas, upon microtubule binding, ADP-kinesin converts to the tubulin-bound apo-kinesin conformation and releases ADP. This conformation is primed to bind ATP and, therefore, to run through the natural nucleotide cycle of kinesin-1.
New findings of silica nanoparticles induced ER autophagy in human colon cancer cell
Authors: Wei Fujing , Wang Yimin , Luo Zewei , Li Yu , Duan Yixiang
Published: February 2017

Nanoparticle-induced autophagy has been extensively studied, however, real time information about the endoplasmic reticulum involved autophagic process (ER autophagy) induced by nanomaterials remains unknown. In this work, silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were synthesized with characteristics of low toxicity, good biocompatibility and excellent water dispersibility to treat cells. Results show that either low concentration (10 μg/mL) or high concentration (200 μg/mL) of SNPs could increase the quantity of processing from microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3-I (LC3-I) to the other variant of LC3 (LC3-II). Interestingly, the level of autophagy induced by the SNPs is associated with the treated time but not the concentrations of SNPs. Importantly, for the first time, SNP accumulation in ER was discovered through co-localization analysis, which incurs ER autophagy. These new findings about SNPs-induced ER autophagy could open an effective way for securely designing silica-based nanoparticles and enable us to know more about ER autophagy.
TAZ contributes to pulmonary fibrosis by activating profibrotic functions of lung fibroblasts
Authors: Noguchi Satoshi , Saito Akira , Mikami Yu , Urushiyama Hirokazu , Horie Masafumi , Matsuzaki Hirotaka , Takeshima Hideyuki , Makita Kosuke , Miyashita Naoya , Mitani Akihisa , Jo Taisuke , Yamauchi Yasuhiro , Terasaki Yasuhiro , Nagase Takahide
Published: February 2017

Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) regulates a variety of biological processes. Nuclear translocation and activation of TAZ are regulated by multiple mechanisms, including actin cytoskeleton and mechanical forces. TAZ is involved in lung alveolarization during lung development and Taz-heterozygous mice are resistant to bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. In this study, we explored the roles of TAZ in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through histological analyses of human lung tissues and cell culture experiments. TAZ was highly expressed in the fibroblastic foci of lungs from patients with IPF. TAZ controlled myofibroblast marker expression, proliferation, migration, and matrix contraction in cultured lung fibroblasts. Importantly, actin stress fibers and nuclear accumulation of TAZ were more evident when cultured on a stiff matrix, suggesting a feedback mechanism to accelerate fibrotic responses. Gene expression profiling revealed TAZ-mediated regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and type I collagen. Clinical relevance of TAZ-regulated gene signature was further assessed using publicly available transcriptome data. These findings suggest that TAZ is involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through multifaceted effects on lung fibroblasts.
Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon stock in Moso bamboo forests in subtropical China
Authors: Tang Xiaolu , Xia Mingpeng , Pérez-Cruzado César , Guan Fengying , Fan Shaohui
Published: February 2017

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla (Carr.) Mitford cv. Pubescens) is an important timber substitute in China. Site specific stand management requires an accurate estimate of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock for maintaining stand productivity and understanding global carbon cycling. This study compared ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) approaches to study the spatial distribution of SOC stock within 0–60 cm using 111 soil samples in Moso bamboo forests in subtropical China. Similar spatial patterns but different spatial distribution ranges of SOC stock from OK and IDW highlighted the necessity to apply different approaches to obtain accurate and consistent results of SOC stock distribution. Different spatial patterns of SOC stock suggested the use of different fertilization treatments in Moso bamboo forests across the study area. SOC pool within 0–60 cm was 6.46 and 6.22 Tg for OK and IDW; results which were lower than that of conventional approach (CA, 7.41 Tg). CA is not recommended unless coordinates of the sampling locations are missing and the spatial patterns of SOC stock are not required. OK is recommended for the uneven distribution of sampling locations. Our results can improve methodology selection for investigating spatial distribution of SOC stock in Moso bamboo forests.
Cigarette smoke attenuates phagocytic ability of macrophages through down-regulating Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) expressions
Authors: Wang Yueqin , Luo Guangwei , Chen Jie , Jiang Rui , Zhu Jianhua , Hu Na , Huang Wei , Cheng Guilian , Jia Min , Su Bingtao , Zhang Nian , Cui Tianpen
Published: February 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases resulting from habitual smoking. Impaired clearance of apoptotic cell by airway macrophages contributes to lung inflammation. Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), as a link between apoptotic cells and phagocytes, facilitates clearance of apoptotic cells and attenuates inflammation. We sought to investigate altered expression and potential role of MFG-E8 in COPD. In this study, apoptosis was increased and the level of MFG-E8 was decreased while HMGB1 expression was increased in lung tissues of CS-exposed mice. Compared with CS-exposed WT mice, more apoptotic cells were accumulated in lung tissues of CS-exposed MFG-E8 deficiency mice. Exposure of a range of macrophages to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) resulted in decreased MFG-E8 expression. Administration of rmMFG-E8 ameliorated phagocytic ability of RAW264.7 cells and suppressed inflammatory response induced by CS-exposure. 10% CSE stimulation suppressed Rac1 membrane localization in RAW264.7 cells which was restored by administration of rmMFG-E8. MFG-E8 deficiency diminished uptake of apoptotic thymocytes by peritoneal macrophages upon CSE exposure. Overall, the findings in current work provide a novel target for diagnosing and treating COPD.
SUMO regulates the activity of Smoothened and Costal-2 in Drosophila Hedgehog signaling
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Yajuan , Jiang Kai , Jia Jianhang
Published: February 2017

In Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, the GPCR-family protein Smoothened (Smo) acts as a signal transducer that is regulated by phosphorylation and ubiquitination, which ultimately change the cell surface accumulation of Smo. However, it is not clear whether Smo is regulated by other post-translational modifications, such as sumoylation. Here, we demonstrate that knockdown of the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) pathway components Ubc9 (a SUMO-conjugating enzyme E2), PIAS (a SUMO-protein ligase E3), and Smt3 (the SUMO isoform in Drosophila) by RNAi prevents Smo accumulation and alters Smo activity in the wing. We further show that Hh-induced-sumoylation stabilizes Smo, whereas desumoylation by Ulp1 destabilizes Smo in a phosphorylation independent manner. Mechanistically, we discover that excessive Krz, the Drosophila β-arrestin 2, inhibits Smo sumoylation and prevents Smo accumulation through Krz regulatory domain. Krz likely facilitates the interaction between Smo and Ulp1 because knockdown of Krz by RNAi attenuates Smo-Ulp1 interaction. Finally, we provide evidence that Cos2 is also sumoylated, which counteracts its inhibitory role on Smo accumulation in the wing. Taken together, we have uncovered a novel mechanism for Smo activation by sumoylation that is regulated by Hh and Smo interacting proteins.
Synthesis of new benzothiazole Schiff base as selective and sensitive colorimetric sensor for arsenic on-site detection at ppb level
Authors: Chauhan Kalpana , Singh Prem , Kumari Bhawana , Singhal Rakesh Kumar
Published: February 2017

A new colorimetric sensor based on benzothiazole Schiff base has been proposed for the rapid detection of As3+/As5+.
Sensitive method for the determination of molybdenum in natural groundwater at sub-ppb levels using DLLME coupled with ETAAS
Authors: Tissot Florencia , Torres Julia , Knochen Moisés
Published: February 2017

Potassium ethyl xanthate is used as a chelating agent in a semi-mechanised DLLME-ETAAS method for the determination of Mo at sub-ppb levels.
A bio-inspired strategy for the interfacial assembly of graphene oxide with in situ generated Ag/AgCl: designing sustainable hybrid photocatalysts
Authors: Reddy Thuniki Naveen , Begum Gousia , Rana Rohit Kumar
Published: February 2017

In a bio-inspired assembly, polyamine mediated the formation of an oriented GO–Ag/AgCl structure with an effective interfacial interaction, improving photocatalytic activity and stability.
Unexpectedly high concentrations of monoterpenes in a study of UK homes
Authors: Wang Chunting Michelle , Barratt Benjamin , Carslaw Nicola , Doutsi Artemis , Dunmore Rachel E. , Ward Martyn W. , Lewis Alastair C.
Published: February 2017

This paper reports the current concentrations, speciation and variability of VOCs in UK homes driven by buildings and by behaviour.
A strategic screening approach to identify transformation products of organic micropollutants formed in natural waters
Authors: Li Zhe , Kaserzon Sarit L. , Plassmann Merle M. , Sobek Anna , Gómez Ramos María José , Radke Michael
Published: February 2017

Many transformation products (TPs) from organic micropollutants are not included in routine environmental monitoring programs due to limited knowledge of their occurrence and fate.
Stability of carboxyl-functionalized carbon black nanoparticles: the role of solution chemistry and humic acid
Authors: Han Yosep , Hwang Gukhwa , Park Soyeon , Gomez-Flores Allan , Jo Eunhye , Eom Ig-Chun , Tong Meiping , Kim Hye-Jin , Kim Hyunjung
Published: February 2017

Stability of carbon black in an aqueous system is sensitive to ion valence, ionic strength, and humic acid.
Pharmaceutical removal in synthetic human urine using biochar
Authors: Solanki Avni , Boyer Treavor H.
Published: February 2017

This research addresses the potential for biochar to remove pharmaceuticals from synthetic urine, thereby allowing the treated urine to be used as a contaminant-free nutrient product.
An assessment of hydrocarbon species in the methanol-to-hydrocarbon reaction over a ZSM-5 catalyst
Authors: Suwardiyanto Suwardiyanto , Howe Russell F. , Gibson Emma K. , Catlow C. Richard A. , Hameed Ali , McGregor James , Collier Paul , Parker Stewart F. , Lennon David
Published: February 2017

A ZSM-5 catalyst is examined in relation to the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction as a function of reaction temperature and time-on-stream. The reaction profile is characterised using in-line mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the material contained within a catch-pot downstream from the reactor is analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For a fixed methanol feed, reaction conditions are selected to define various stages of the reaction coordinate: (i) initial methanol adsorption at a sub-optimum reaction temperature (1 h at 200 °C); (ii) initial stages of reaction at an optimised reaction temperature (1 h at 350 °C); (iii) steady-state operation at an optimised reaction temperature (3 days at 350 °C); and (iv) accelerated ageing (3 days at 400 °C). Post-reaction, the catalyst samples are analysed ex situ by a combination of temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) and spectroscopically by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), diffuse-reflectance infrared and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopies. The TPO measurements provide an indication of the degree of ‘coking’ experienced by each sample. The EPR measurements detect aromatic radical cations. The IR and INS measurements reveal the presence of retained hydrocarbonaceous species, the nature of which are discussed in terms of the well-developed ‘hydrocarbon pool’ mechanism. This combination of experimental evidence, uniquely applied to this reaction system, establishes the importance of retained hydrocarbonaceous species in effecting the product distribution of this economically relevant reaction system.
A two-step efficient preparation of a renewable dicarboxylic acid monomer 5,5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furancarboxylic acid] from d-fructose and its application in polyester synthesis
Authors: Amarasekara Ananda S. , H. Nguyen Loc , Okorie Nnaemeka C. , M. Jamal Saad
Published: February 2017

A renewable monomer 5,5′-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-furancarboxylic acid] from d-fructose.
Tunable nanoelectromechanical resonator for logic computations
Authors: Kazmi Syed N. R. , Hafiz Md A. A. , Chappanda Karumbaiah N. , Ilyas Saad , Holguin Jorge , Costa Pedro M. F. J. , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: February 2017

Electro-thermally tunable nanoelectromechanical resonator for NOR, NOT, XNOR, XOR, and AND logic operations.
Spatial mismatch, non-additive binding energies and selectivity in supramolecular complexes
Authors: Schneider Hans-Jörg
Published: February 2017

A geometric mismatch in supramolecular complexes often leads to deviations from the additivity of binding energies with the consequence of large changes in selectivity and binding mode.
Efficient synthesis of multiply substituted butenolides from keto acids and terminal alkynes promoted by combined acids
Authors: Mao Wenbin , Zhu Chen
Published: February 2017

A general and efficient approach to highly substituted butenolides through the annulation of keto acids and terminal alkynes is described.
Use of fermented glutinous rice as a natural enzyme cocktail for improving dough quality and bread staling
Authors: Huang Lu , Chen Xiaohong , Rui Xin , Li Wei , Li Teng , Xu Xiao , Dong Mingsheng
Published: February 2017

Jiu-niang (rice wine) could be used as a natural enzyme cocktail for the improvement of bread quality.
Graphene quantum dot-based theranostic agents for active targeting of breast cancer
Authors: Ko N. R. , Nafiujjaman M. , Lee J. S. , Lim H.-N. , Lee Y.-k. , Kwon I. K.
Published: February 2017

A novel GQD-complex was designed as a promising theranostic agent for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.
Vascularization of LBL structured nanofibrous matrices with endothelial cells for tissue regeneration
Authors: Cui Lei , Li Jing , Long Yunze , Hu Min , Li Jinqing , Lei Zhanjun , Wang Hongjun , Huang Rong , Li Xueyong
Published: February 2017

The aligned LBL scaffold promoted host vessel infiltration into the scaffolds and integration within vitroprefabricated vascular structures.
Simulation of a conventional water treatment plant for the minimization of new emerging pollutants in drinking water sources: process optimization using response surface methodology
Authors: Bhaskar Reddy A. Vijaya , Yusop Zulkifli , Jaafar Jafariah , Aris Azmi B. , Majid Zaiton A.
Published: February 2017

This study described the ability of conventional water treatment plants for the removal of NEPs by optimizing the concentrations of pH, PAC, activated carbon and chlorine (Cl2).
Highly stable PDMS–PTFPMS/PVDF OSN membranes for hexane recovery during vegetable oil production
Authors: Li Xiang , Chen Binglun , Cai Weibin , Wang Tao , Wu Zhen , Li Jiding
Published: February 2017

There is a lack of stable and hydrophobic OSN membranes meaning that their implementation in non-polar solvent nanofiltration remains a challenge. PDMS–PTFPMS (fluoropolymer) offers an alternative membrane material in relevant applications.
Highly specific and rapid glycan based amperometric detection of influenza viruses
Authors: Cui Xikai , Das Amrita , Dhawane Abasaheb N. , Sweeney Joyce , Zhang Xiaohu , Chivukula Vasanta , Iyer Suri S.
Published: February 2017

(4,7di-OMe)Sα2,3Gal or (4,7di-OMe)Sα2,6Gal is used for the highly specific and rapid detection of influenza viruses.
Regulating the active species of Ni(OH)2 using CeO2: 3D CeO2/Ni(OH)2/carbon foam as an efficient electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Liu Zhengqing , Li Na , Zhao Hongyang , Zhang Yi , Huang Yunhui , Yin Zongyou , Du Yaping
Published: February 2017

We found that Ni(OH)2 nanosheets of Ni(OH)2/NOSCF decorated with ∼3.3 nm CeO2 NPs displayed enhanced OER performance.
Colossal permittivity with ultralow dielectric loss in In + Ta co-doped rutile TiO2
Authors: Dong Wen , Hu Wanbiao , Frankcombe Terry J. , Chen Dehong , Zhou Chao , Fu Zhenxiao , Cândido Ladir , Hai Guoqiang , Chen Hua , Li Yongxiang , Withers Ray L. , Liu Yun
Published: February 2017

Electron-pinned defect dipoles, in the form of highly stable triangle-diamond and/or triangle-linear dopant defect clusters with well defined relative positions for Ti reduction, are present in rutile In + Ta co-doped TiO2 for the colossal permittivity and low loss.
Suppressing the chromium disproportionation reaction in O3-type layered cathode materials for high capacity sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Cao Ming-Hui , Wang Yong , Shadike Zulipiya , Yue Ji-Li , Hu Enyuan , Bak Seong-Min , Zhou Yong-Ning , Yang Xiao-Qing , Fu Zheng-Wen
Published: February 2017

The reversible multi-electron oxidation/reduction process of Cr3+/Cr4.2+ with a large reversible capacity can be achieved in a novel O3-type NaCr1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2. The disproportionation reaction of Cr4+ to Cr3+ and Cr6+ can be effectively suppressed by Fe3+ and Mn4+ substitution.
Fine-tuning solid state packing and significantly improving photovoltaic performance of conjugated polymers through side chain engineering via random polymerization
Authors: Wang Xinlong , Deng Wei , Chen Yusheng , Wang Xiaofeng , Ye Pan , Wu Xiaoxi , Yan Cenqi , Zhan Xiaowei , Liu Feng , Huang Hui
Published: February 2017

A series of random conjugated polymers' solid state packing and photovoltaic performances were systematically tuned upon simply varying the ratio of side chain and afforded PCE 10.3%.