bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Perilipin 5 integrates lipid droplet lipolysis with PGC-1α/SIRT1-dependent transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial function
Authors: Gallardo-Montejano Violeta I. , Saxena Geetu , Kusminski Christine M. , Yang Chaofeng , McAfee John L. , Hahner Lisa , Hoch Kathleen , Dubinsky William , Narkar Vihang A. , Bickel Perry E.
Published: August 2016

Dysfunctional cellular lipid metabolism contributes to common chronic human diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease and diabetic cardiomyopathy. How cells balance lipid storage and mitochondrial oxidative capacity is poorly understood. Here we identify the lipid droplet protein Perilipin 5 as a catecholamine-triggered interaction partner of PGC-1α. We report that during catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis, Perilipin 5 is phosphorylated by protein kinase A and forms transcriptional complexes with PGC-1α and SIRT1 in the nucleus. Perilipin 5 promotes PGC-1α co-activator function by disinhibiting SIRT1 deacetylase activity. We show by gain-and-loss of function studies in cells that nuclear Perilipin 5 promotes transcription of genes that mediate mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative function. We propose that Perilipin 5 is an important molecular link that couples the coordinated catecholamine activation of the PKA pathway and of lipid droplet lipolysis with transcriptional regulation to promote efficient fatty acid catabolism and prevent mitochondrial dysfunction.
Satellite measurements reveal strong anisotropy in spatial coherence of climate variations over the Tibet Plateau
Authors: Chen Deliang , Tian Yudong , Yao Tandong , Ou Tinghai
Published: August 2016

This study uses high-resolution, long-term satellite observations to evaluate the spatial scales of the climate variations across the Tibet Plateau (TP). Both land surface temperature and precipitation observations of more than 10 years were analysed with a special attention to eight existing ice-core sites in the TP. The temporal correlation for the monthly or annual anomalies between any two points decreases exponentially with their spatial distance, and we used the e-folding decay constant to quantify the spatial scales. We found that the spatial scales are strongly direction-dependent, with distinctive patterns in the west-east and south-north orientations, for example. Meanwhile, in the same directions the scales are largely symmetric backward and forward. Focusing on the west-east and south-north directions, we found the spatial coherence in the first is generally stronger than in the second. The annual surface temperature had typical spatial scales of 302–480 km, while the annual precipitation showed smaller scales of 111–182 km. The majority of the eight ice-core sites exhibit scales much smaller than the typical scales over the TP as a whole. These results provide important observational basis for the selection of appropriate downscaling strategies, deployment of climate-data collection networks, and interpreting paleoclimate reconstructions.
Limits to sustained energy intake XXV: milk energy output and thermogenesis in Swiss mice lactating at thermoneutrality
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Jun , Li Li , Yang Deng-Bao , Chi Qing-Sheng , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R.
Published: August 2016

Previous studies at 21 °C and 5 °C suggest that in Swiss mice sustained energy intake (SusEI) and reproductive performance are constrained by the mammary capacity to produce milk. We aimed to establish if this constraint also applied at higher ambient temperature (30 °C). Female Swiss mice lactating at 30 °C had lower asymptotic food intake and weaned lighter litters than those at 21 °C. Resting metabolic rate, daily energy expenditure, milk energy output and suckling time were all lower at 30 °C. In a second experiment we gave mice at 30 °C either 6 or 9 pups to raise. Female performance was independent of litter size, indicating that it is probably not controlled by pup demands. In a third experiment we exposed only the mother, or only the offspring to the elevated temperature. In this case the performance of the mother was only reduced when she was exposed and not when her pups were exposed, showing that the high temperature directly constrains female performance. These data suggest that at 30 °C SusEI and reproductive performance are likely constrained by the capacity of females to dissipate body heat and not indirectly via pup demands. Constraints seem to change with ambient temperature in this strain of mouse.
Designing Quantum Spin-Orbital Liquids in Artificial Mott Insulators
Authors: Dou Xu , Kotov Valeri N. , Uchoa Bruno
Published: August 2016

Quantum spin-orbital liquids are elusive strongly correlated states of matter that emerge from quantum frustration between spin and orbital degrees of freedom. A promising route towards the observation of those states is the creation of artificial Mott insulators where antiferromagnetic correlations between spins and orbitals can be designed. We show that Coulomb impurity lattices on the surface of gapped honeycomb substrates, such as graphene on SiC, can be used to simulate SU(4) symmetric spin-orbital lattice models. We exploit the property that massive Dirac fermions form mid-gap bound states with spin and valley degeneracies in the vicinity of a Coulomb impurity. Due to electronic repulsion, the antiferromagnetic correlations of the impurity lattice are driven by a super-exchange interaction with SU(4) symmetry, which emerges from the bound states degeneracy at quarter filling. We propose that quantum spin-orbital liquids can be engineered in artificially designed solid-state systems at vastly higher temperatures than achievable in optical lattices with cold atoms. We discuss the experimental setup and possible scenarios for candidate quantum spin-liquids in Coulomb impurity lattices of various geometries.
Hybrid α-Fe2O3@Ni(OH)2 nanosheet composite for high-rate-performance supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Jiang Hong , Ma Haifeng , Jin Ying , Wang Lanfang , Gao Feng , Lu Qingyi
Published: August 2016

In this study, we report a facile fabrication of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet hybrid composite, α-Fe2O3 nanosheet@Ni(OH)2 nanosheet, by a two-step hydrothermal method to achieve high specific capacitance and good stability performance at high charging/discharging rates when serving as electrode material of supercapacitors. The α-Fe2O3@Ni(OH)2 hybrid electrode not only has a smooth decrease of the specific capacitance with increasing current density, compared with the sharp decline of single component of Ni(OH)2 electrode, but also presents excellent rate capability with a specific capacitance of 356 F/g at a current density of 16 A/g and excellent cycling stability (a capacity retention of 93.3% after 500 cycles), which are superior to the performances of Ni(OH)2 with a lower specific capacitance of 132 F/g and a lower capacity retention of 81.8% at 16 A/g. The results indicate such hybrid structure would be promising as excellent electrode material for good performances at high current densities in the future.
A highly sensitive underwater video system for use in turbid aquaculture ponds
Authors: Hung Chin-Chang , Tsao Shih-Chieh , Huang Kuo-Hao , Jang Jia-Pu , Chang Hsu-Kuang , Dobbs Fred C.
Published: August 2016

The turbid, low-light waters characteristic of aquaculture ponds have made it difficult or impossible for previous video cameras to provide clear imagery of the ponds’ benthic habitat. We developed a highly sensitive, underwater video system (UVS) for this particular application and tested it in shrimp ponds having turbidities typical of those in southern Taiwan. The system’s high-quality video stream and images, together with its camera capacity (up to nine cameras), permit in situ observations of shrimp feeding behavior, shrimp size and internal anatomy, and organic matter residues on pond sediments. The UVS can operate continuously and be focused remotely, a convenience to shrimp farmers. The observations possible with the UVS provide aquaculturists with information critical to provision of feed with minimal waste; determining whether the accumulation of organic-matter residues dictates exchange of pond water; and management decisions concerning shrimp health.
Staphylokinase has distinct modes of interaction with antimicrobial peptides, modulating its plasminogen-activation properties
Authors: Nguyen Leonard T. , Vogel Hans J.
Published: August 2016

Staphylokinase (Sak) is a plasminogen activator protein that is secreted by many Staphylococcus aureus strains. Sak also offers protection by binding and inhibiting specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we evaluate Sak as a more general interaction partner for AMPs. Studies with melittin, mCRAMP, tritrpticin and bovine lactoferricin indicate that the truncation of the first ten residues of Sak (SakΔN10), which occurs in vivo and uncovers important residues in a bulge region, improves its affinity for AMPs. Melittin and mCRAMP have a lower affinity for SakΔN10 and in docking studies, they bind to the N-terminal segment and bulge region of SakΔN10. By comparison, lactoferricin and tritrpticin form moderately high affinity 1:1 complexes with SakΔN10 and their cationic residues form several electrostatic interactions with the protein’s α-helix. Overall, our work identifies two distinct AMP binding surfaces on SakΔN10 whose occupation would lead to either inhibition or promotion of its plasminogen activating properties.
Lubricity of gold nanocrystals on graphene measured using quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Lodge M. S. , Tang C. , Blue B. T. , Hubbard W. A. , Martini A. , Dawson B. D. , Ishigami M.
Published: August 2016

In order to test recently predicted ballistic nanofriction (ultra-low drag and enhanced lubricity) of gold nanocrystals on graphite at high surface speeds, we use the quartz microbalance technique to measure the impact of deposition of gold nanocrystals on graphene. We analyze our measurements of changes in frequency and dissipation induced by nanocrystals using a framework developed for friction of adatoms on various surfaces. We find the lubricity of gold nanocrystals on graphene to be even higher than that predicted for the ballistic nanofriction, confirming the enhanced lubricity predicted at high surface speeds. Our complementary molecular dynamics simulations indicate that such high lubricity is due to the interaction strength between gold nanocrystals and graphene being lower than previously assumed for gold nanocrystals and graphite.
Molecular chaperone Hsp27 regulates the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway in cancer
Authors: Vahid Sepideh , Thaper Daksh , Gibson Kate F. , Bishop Jennifer L. , Zoubeidi Amina
Published: August 2016

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a molecular chaperone highly expressed in aggressive cancers, where it is involved in numerous pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways. Using functional genomics we identified for the first time that Hsp27 regulates the gene signature of transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ, which are negatively regulated by the Hippo Tumor Suppressor pathway. The Hippo pathway inactivates YAP by phosphorylating and increasing its cytoplasmic retention with the 14.3.3 proteins. Gain and loss of function experiments in prostate, breast and lung cancer cells showed that Hsp27 knockdown induced YAP phosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization while overexpression of Hsp27 displayed opposite results. Mechanistically, Hsp27 regulates the Hippo pathway by accelerating the proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated MST1, the core Hippo kinase, resulting in reduced phosphorylation/activity of LATS1 and MOB1, its downstream effectors. Importantly, our in vitro results were supported by data from human tumors; clinically, high expression of Hsp27 in prostate tumors is correlated with increased expression of YAP gene signature and reduced phosphorylation of YAP in lung and invasive breast cancer clinical samples. This study reveals for the first time a link between Hsp27 and the Hippo cascade, providing a novel mechanism of deregulation of this tumor suppressor pathway across multiple cancers.
Sorbent track: Quantitative monitoring of adsorbed VOCs under in-situ plasma exposure
Authors: Jia Zixian , Rousseau Antoine
Published: August 2016

Sorbent-TRACK is a new device developed to monitor adsorption and surface oxidation of pollutants under direct plasma exposure. It is based on direct transmitted Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A pyrex reactor under controlled gas pressure and composition is inserted on the infrared beam of a commercially available Nicolet 5700 FTIR spectrometer. A substrate holder is located on the optical path of the infrared beam. A thin pellet of a dedicated catalyst (CeO2 in the present work) is inserted in a substrate holder and can be exposed to direct plasma treatment using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge. The time resolution of Sorbent-TRACK is limited by the time resolution of the Nicolet 5700 FTIR spectrometer and close to 30 s. The dynamic of the adsorption and plasma oxidation of acetone and isopropanol on CeO2 are studied and intermediates are monitored. Performances and sensitivity of Sorbent-TRACK are reported Adsorption and oxidation of acetone leads to production of adsorbed isobutene and acetic acid, where oxidation of isopropanol gives mainly to adsorbed acetone, mesityl oxide and acetate. An increase of the plasma power leads to an increase of the isopropanol and acetone oxidation rate and a related increase of the production of adsorbed intermediates.
Charge density waves in disordered media circumventing the Imry-Ma argument
Authors: Changlani Hitesh J. , Tubman Norm M. , Hughes Taylor L.
Published: August 2016

Two powerful theoretical predictions, Anderson localization and the Imry-Ma argument, impose significant restrictions on the phases of matter that can exist in the presence of even the smallest amount of disorder in one-dimensional systems. These predictions forbid electrically conducting states and ordered states respectively. It was thus remarkable that a mechanism to circumvent Anderson localization relying on the presence of correlated disorder was found, that is also realized in certain biomolecular systems. In a similar manner, we show that the Imry-Ma argument can be circumvented, resulting in the formation of stable ordered states with discrete broken symmetries in disordered one dimensional systems. We then investigate other mechanisms by which disorder can destroy an ordered state.
Stochastic modeling of biochemical systems with multistep reactions using state-dependent time delay
Authors: Wu Qianqian , Tian Tianhai
Published: August 2016

To deal with the growing scale of molecular systems, sophisticated modelling techniques have been designed in recent years to reduce the complexity of mathematical models. Among them, a widely used approach is delayed reaction for simplifying multistep reactions. However, recent research results suggest that a delayed reaction with constant time delay is unable to describe multistep reactions accurately. To address this issue, we propose a novel approach using state-dependent time delay to approximate multistep reactions. We first use stochastic simulations to calculate time delay arising from multistep reactions exactly. Then we design algorithms to calculate time delay based on system dynamics precisely. To demonstrate the power of proposed method, two processes of mRNA degradation are used to investigate the function of time delay in determining system dynamics. In addition, a multistep pathway of metabolic synthesis is used to explore the potential of the proposed method to simplify multistep reactions with nonlinear reaction rates. Simulation results suggest that the state-dependent time delay is a promising and accurate approach to reduce model complexity and decrease the number of unknown parameters in the models.
From greening to browning: Catchment vegetation development and reduced S-deposition promote organic carbon load on decadal time scales in Nordic lakes
Authors: Finstad Anders G. , Andersen Tom , Larsen Søren , Tominaga Koji , Blumentrath Stefan , de Wit Heleen A. , Tømmervik Hans , Hessen Dag Olav
Published: August 2016

Increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), often labelled “browning”, is a current trend in northern, particularly boreal, freshwaters. The browning has been attributed to the recent reduction in sulphate (S) deposition during the last 2 to 3 decades. Over the last century, climate and land use change have also caused an increasing trend in vegetation cover (“greening”) and this terrestrially fixed carbon represents another potential source for export of organic carbon to lakes and rivers. The impact of this greening on the observed browning of lakes and rivers on decadal time scales remains poorly investigated, however. Here, we explore time-series both on water chemistry and catchment vegetation cover (using NDVI as proxy) from 70 Norwegian lakes and catchments over a 30-year period. We show that the increase in terrestrial vegetation as well as temperature and runoff significantly adds to the reduced SO4-deposition as a driver of freshwater DOC concentration. Over extended periods (centuries), climate mediated changes in vegetation cover may cause major browning of northern surface waters, with severe impact on ecosystem productivity and functioning.
Improved Compressive Sensing of Natural Scenes Using Localized Random Sampling
Authors: Barranca Victor J. , Kovačič Gregor , Zhou Douglas , Cai David
Published: August 2016

Compressive sensing (CS) theory demonstrates that by using uniformly-random sampling, rather than uniformly-spaced sampling, higher quality image reconstructions are often achievable. Considering that the structure of sampling protocols has such a profound impact on the quality of image reconstructions, we formulate a new sampling scheme motivated by physiological receptive field structure, localized random sampling, which yields significantly improved CS image reconstructions. For each set of localized image measurements, our sampling method first randomly selects an image pixel and then measures its nearby pixels with probability depending on their distance from the initially selected pixel. We compare the uniformly-random and localized random sampling methods over a large space of sampling parameters, and show that, for the optimal parameter choices, higher quality image reconstructions can be consistently obtained by using localized random sampling. In addition, we argue that the localized random CS optimal parameter choice is stable with respect to diverse natural images, and scales with the number of samples used for reconstruction. We expect that the localized random sampling protocol helps to explain the evolutionarily advantageous nature of receptive field structure in visual systems and suggests several future research areas in CS theory and its application to brain imaging.
Low voltage-driven oxide phototransistors with fast recovery, high signal-to-noise ratio, and high responsivity fabricated via a simple defect-generating process
Authors: Yun Myeong Gu , Kim Ye Kyun , Ahn Cheol Hyoun , Cho Sung Woon , Kang Won Jun , Cho Hyung Koun , Kim Yong-Hoon
Published: August 2016

We have demonstrated that photo-thin film transistors (photo-TFTs) fabricated via a simple defect-generating process could achieve fast recovery, a high signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and high sensitivity. The photo-TFTs are inverted-staggered bottom-gate type indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) TFTs fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD)-derived Al2O3 gate insulators. The surfaces of the Al2O3 gate insulators are damaged by ion bombardment during the deposition of the IGZO channel layers by sputtering and the damage results in the hysteresis behavior of the photo-TFTs. The hysteresis loops broaden as the deposition power density increases. This implies that we can easily control the amount of the interface trap sites and/or trap sites in the gate insulator near the interface. The photo-TFTs with large hysteresis-related defects have high S/N ratio and fast recovery in spite of the low operation voltages including a drain voltage of 1 V, positive gate bias pulse voltage of 3 V, and gate voltage pulse width of 3 V (0 to 3 V). In addition, through the hysteresis-related defect-generating process, we have achieved a high responsivity since the bulk defects that can be photo-excited and eject electrons also increase with increasing deposition power density.
Electronic structures and enhanced optical properties of blue phosphorene/transition metal dichalcogenides van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Peng Qiong , Wang Zhenyu , Sa Baisheng , Wu Bo , Sun Zhimei
Published: August 2016

As a fast emerging topic, van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have been proposed to modify two-dimensional layered materials with desired properties, thus greatly extending the applications of these materials. In this work, the stacking characteristics, electronic structures, band edge alignments, charge density distributions and optical properties of blue phosphorene/transition metal dichalcogenides (BlueP/TMDs) vdW heterostructures were systematically studied based on vdW corrected density functional theory. Interestingly, the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are located in different parts of BlueP/MoSe2, BlueP/WS2 and BlueP/WSe2 heterostructures. The MoSe2, WS2 or WSe2 layer can be used as the electron donor and the BlueP layer can be used as the electron acceptor. We further found that the optical properties under visible-light irradiation of BlueP/TMDs vdW heterostructures are significantly improved. In particular, the predicted upper limit energy conversion efficiencies of BlueP/MoS2 and BlueP/MoSe2 heterostructures reach as large as 1.16% and 0.98%, respectively, suggesting their potential applications in efficient thin-film solar cells and optoelectronic devices.
Hydrogen Generation using non-polar coaxial InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Well Structure Formed on Hollow n-GaN Nanowires
Authors: Park Ji-Hyeon , Mandal Arjun , Kang San , Chatterjee Uddipta , Kim Jin Soo , Park Byung-Guon , Kim Moon-Deock , Jeong Kwang-Un , Lee Cheul-Ro
Published: August 2016

This article demonstrates for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the merits of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown on hollow n-GaN nanowires (NWs) as a plausible alternative for stable photoelectrochemical water splitting and efficient hydrogen generation. These hollow nanowires are achieved by a growth method rather not by conventional etching process. Therefore this approach becomes simplistic yet most effective. We believe relatively low Ga flux during the selective area growth (SAG) aids the hollow nanowire to grow. To compare the optoelectronic properties, simultaneously solid nanowires are also studied. In this present communication, we exhibit that lower thermal conductivity of hollow n-GaN NWs affects the material quality of InGaN/GaN MQWs by limiting In diffusion. As a result of this improvement in material quality and structural properties, photocurrent and photosensitivity are enhanced compared to the structures grown on solid n-GaN NWs. An incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) of around ~33.3% is recorded at 365 nm wavelength for hollow NWs. We believe that multiple reflections of incident light inside the hollow n-GaN NWs assists in producing a larger amount of electron hole pairs in the active region. As a result the rate of hydrogen generation is also increased.
Sub-2 nm Thick Fluoroalkylsilane Self-Assembled Monolayer-Coated High Voltage Spinel Crystals as Promising Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Zettsu Nobuyuki , Kida Satoru , Uchida Shuhei , Teshima Katsuya
Published: August 2016

We demonstrate herein that an ultra-thin fluoroalkylsilane self-assembled monolayer coating can be used as a modifying agent at LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4−δcathode/electrolyte interfaces in 5V-class lithium-ion batteries. Bare LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4−δ cathode showed substantial capacity fading, with capacity dropping to 79% of the original capacity after 100 cycles at a rate of 1C, which was entirely due to dissolution of Mn3+ from the spinel lattice via oxidative decomposition of the organic electrolyte. Capacity retention was improved to 97% on coating ultra-thin FAS17-SAM onto the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode surface. Such surface protection with highly ordered fluoroalkyl chains insulated the cathode from direct contact with the organic electrolyte and led to increased tolerance to HF.
Evolutionary and Expression Analysis Provides Evidence for the Plant Glutamate-like Receptors Family is Involved in Woody Growth-related Function
Authors: Chen Jianqing , Jing Yinghui , Zhang Xinyue , Li Leiting , Wang Peng , Zhang Shaoling , Zhou Hongsheng , Wu Juyou
Published: August 2016

Glutamate-like receptors (GLRs) is a highly conserved family of ligand-gated ion channels, which have been associated with various physiological and developmental processes. Here, we investigated the evolutionary pattern of GLRs in plants. We observed that tandem duplications occupied the largest proportion of the plant GLR gene family expansion. Based on a phylogenetic tree, we suggested a new subfamily, GLR4, which is widespread in angiosperm but absence on Brassicales. Meanwhile, because GLR1 and GLR2 subfamilies were potential sister clades, we combined them into the GLR1&2 subfamily. A comparative analysis of plant GLR subfamilies revealed that selective forces shaped the GLR1&2 repertoires in the stems of eudicotyledons with distinct functional preferences. Moreover, GLR1&2 formed a species-specific highwoody-expanded subfamily, with preferential expression in the cambial-enriched and shoot apical meristem fractions of the highwood species. Together, these findings lay the foundation for evolutionary analysis of plant GLRs over the entire plant timescale and identified unique targets for manipulating the woody-growth behaviours of plant GLRs.
Blockage of Galectin-receptor Interactions by α-lactose Exacerbates Plasmodium berghei-induced Pulmonary Immunopathology
Authors: Liu Jinfeng , Huang Shiguang , Su Xin-zhuan , Song Jianping , Lu Fangli
Published: August 2016

Malaria-associated acute lung injury (ALI) is a frequent complication of severe malaria that is often caused by “excessive” immune responses. To better understand the mechanism of ALI in malaria infection, here we investigated the roles of galectin (Gal)-1, 3, 8, 9 and the receptors of Gal-9 (Tim-3, CD44, CD137, and PDI) in malaria-induced ALI. We injected alpha (α)-lactose into mice-infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbANKA) to block galectins and found significantly elevated total proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, higher parasitemia and tissue parasite burden, and increased numbers of CD68+ alveolar macrophages as well as apoptotic cells in the lungs after blockage. Additionally, mRNA levels of Gal-9, Tim-3, CD44, CD137, and PDI were significantly increased in the lungs at day 5 after infection, and the levels of CD137, IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 in the lungs were also increased after α-lactose treatment. Similarly, the levels of Gal-9, Tim-3, IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, and IL-10 were all significantly increased in murine peritoneal macrophages co-cultured with PbANKA-infected red blood cells in vitro; but only IFN-α and IFN-β were significantly increased after α-lactose treatment. Our data indicate that Gal-9 interaction with its multiple receptors play an important role in murine malaria-associated ALI.
Neural stem cells secrete factors facilitating brain regeneration upon constitutive Raf-Erk activation
Authors: Rhee Yong-Hee , Yi Sang-Hoon , Kim Joo Yeon , Chang Mi-Yoon , Jo A-Young , Kim Jinyoung , Park Chang-Hwan , Cho Je-Yoel , Choi Young-Jin , Sun Woong , Lee Sang-Hun
Published: August 2016

The intracellular Raf-Erk signaling pathway is activated during neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation, and neuronal and astrocytic differentiation. A key question is how this signal can evoke multiple and even opposing NSC behaviors. We show here, using a constitutively active Raf (ca-Raf), that Raf-Erk activation in NSCs induces neuronal differentiation in a cell-autonomous manner. By contrast, it causes NSC proliferation and the formation of astrocytes in an extrinsic autocrine/paracrine manner. Thus, treatment of NSCs with medium (CM) conditioned in ca-Raf-transduced NSCs (Raf-CM; RCM) became activated to form proliferating astrocytes resembling radial glial cells (RGCs) or adult-type NSCs. Infusion of Raf-CM into injured mouse brains caused expansion of the NSC population in the subventricular zone, followed by the formation of new neurons that migrated to the damaged site. Our study shows an example how molecular mechanisms dissecting NSC behaviors can be utilized to develop regenerative therapies in brain disorders.
Mangifera sylvatica (Wild Mango): A new cocoa butter alternative
Authors: Akhter Sayma , McDonald Morag A. , Marriott Ray
Published: August 2016

Cocoa butter is the pure butter extracted from cocoa beans and is a major ingredient in the chocolate industry. Global production of cocoa is in decline due to crop failure, diseases and ageing plantations, leading to price fluctuations and the necessity for the industry to find high quality cocoa butter alternatives. This study explored the potential of a wild mango (Mangifera sylvatica), an underutilised fruit in south-east Asia, as a new Cocoa Butter Alternative (CBA). Analyses showed that wild mango butter has a light coloured fat with a similar fatty acid profile (palmitic, stearic and oleic acid) and triglyceride profile (POP, SOS and POS) to cocoa butter. Thermal and physical properties are also similar to cocoa butter. Additionally, wild mango butter comprises 65% SOS (1, 3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol) which indicates potential to become a Cocoa Butter Improver (an enhancement of CBA). It is concluded that these attractive properties of wild mango could be prompted by a coalition of policy makers, foresters, food industries and horticulturists to promote more widespread cultivation of this wild fruit species to realise the market opportunity.
Correction: Corrigendum: Static and Dynamical Properties of heavy actinide Monopnictides of Lutetium
Authors: Mir Showkat H. , Jha Prakash C. , Islam M. S. , Banerjee Amitava , Luo Wei , Dabhi Shweta D. , Jha Prafulla K. , Ahuja R.
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 29309; published online: 07 July 2016; updated: 24 August 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Amitava Banerjee, which was incorrectly given as Amitava Banarjee. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Entanglement transfer from two-mode continuous variable SU(2) cat states to discrete qubits systems in Jaynes-Cummings Dimers
Authors: Ran Du , Hu Chang-Sheng , Yang Zhen-Biao
Published: August 2016

We study the entanglement transfer from a two-mode continuous variable system (initially in the two-mode SU(2) cat states) to a couple of discrete two-state systems (initially in an arbitrary mixed state), by use of the resonant Jaynes-Cummings (JC) interaction. We first quantitatively connect the entanglement transfer to non-Gaussianity of the two-mode SU(2) cat states and find a positive correlation between them. We then investigate the behaviors of the entanglement transfer and find that it is dependent on the initial state of the discrete systems. We also find that the largest possible value of the transferred entanglement exhibits a variety of behaviors for different photon number as well as for the phase angle of the two-mode SU(2) cat states. We finally consider the influences of the noise on the transferred entanglement.
Noncoding RNA-regulated gain-of-function of STOX2 in Finnish pre-eclamptic families
Authors: Oudejans Cees BM , Poutsma Ankie , Michel Omar J. , Thulluru Hari K. , Mulders Joyce , van de Vrugt Henri J. , Sistermans Erik A. , van Dijk Marie
Published: August 2016

The familial forms of early onset pre-eclampsia and related syndromes (HELLP) present with hypertension and proteinuria in the mother and growth restriction of the fetus. Genetically, these clinically similar entities are caused by different founder-dependent, placentally-expressed paralogous genes. All susceptibility genes (STOX1, lincHELLP, INO80B) identified so far are master control genes that regulate an essential trophoblast differentiation pathway, but act at different entry points. Many genes remain to be identified. Here we demonstrate that a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) within intron 3 of the STOX2 gene on 4q35.1 acts as a permissive cis-acting regulator of alternative splicing of STOX2. When this lncRNA is mutated or absent, an alternative exon (3B) of STOX2 is included. This introduces a stop codon resulting in the deletion of a highly conserved domain of 64 amino acids in the C-terminal of the STOX2 protein. A mutation present within a regulatory region within intron 1 of STOX2 has the same effect after blocking with CRISPR technology: transcripts with exon 3B are upregulated. This proces appears related to transcriptional control by a chromatin-splicing adaptor complex as described for FGFR2. For STOX2, CHD5, coding for a chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein, qualifies as the chromatin modifier in this process.
Chemotaxis of bio-hybrid multiple bacteria-driven microswimmers
Authors: Zhuang Jiang , Sitti Metin
Published: August 2016

In this study, in a bio-hybrid microswimmer system driven by multiple Serratia marcescens bacteria, we quantify the chemotactic drift of a large number of microswimmers towards L-serine and elucidate the associated collective chemotaxis behavior by statistical analysis of over a thousand swimming trajectories of the microswimmers. The results show that the microswimmers have a strong heading preference for moving up the L-serine gradient, while their speed does not change considerably when moving up and down the gradient; therefore, the heading bias constitutes the major factor that produces the chemotactic drift. The heading direction of a microswimmer is found to be significantly more persistent when it moves up the L-serine gradient than when it travels down the gradient; this effect causes the apparent heading preference of the microswimmers and is the crucial reason that enables the seemingly cooperative chemotaxis of multiple bacteria on a microswimmer. In addition, we find that their chemotactic drift velocity increases superquadratically with their mean swimming speed, suggesting that chemotaxis of bio-hybrid microsystems can be enhanced by designing and building faster microswimmers. Such bio-hybrid microswimmers with chemotactic steering capability may find future applications in targeted drug delivery, bioengineering and lab-on-a-chip devices.
A new (Ba, Ca) (Ti, Zr)O3 based multiferroic composite with large magnetoelectric effect
Authors: Naveed-Ul-Haq M. , Shvartsman Vladimir V. , Salamon Soma , Wende Heiko , Trivedi Harsh , Mumtaz Arif , Lupascu Doru C.
Published: August 2016

The lead-free ferroelectric 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 − 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) is a promising component for multifunctional multiferroics due to its excellent room temperature piezoelectric properties. Having a composition close to the polymorphic phase boundary between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases, it deserves a case study for analysis of its potential for modern electronics applications. To obtain magnetoelectric coupling, the piezoelectric phase needs to be combined with a suitable magnetostrictive phase. In the current article, we report on the synthesis, dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric characterization of a new magnetoelectric multiferroic composite consisting of BCZT as a piezoelectric phase and CoFe2O4 (CFO) as the magnetostrictive phase. We found that this material is multiferroic at room temperature and manifests a magnetoelectric effect larger than that of BaTiO3 −CoFe2O4 bulk composites with similar content of the ferrite phase.
Combined expression of miR-34a and Smac mediated by oncolytic vaccinia virus synergistically promote anti-tumor effects in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Lei Wen , Wang Shibing , Yang Chunmei , Huang Xianbo , Chen Zhenzhen , He Wei , Shen Jianping , Liu Xinyuan , Qian Wenbin
Published: August 2016

Despite great progress made in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), it is still incurable. Promising phase II clinical results have been reported recently for oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) clinic therapeutics. One reason for this has focused on the critical therapeutic importance of the immune response raised by these viruses. However, few studies have performed their applications as an optimal delivery system for therapeutic gene, especially miRNA in MM. In this study, we constructed two novel OVVs (TK deletion) that express anti-tumor genes, miR-34a and Smac, respectively, in MM cell lines and xenograft model. The results demonstrated that the novel OVV can effectively infect MM cell lines, and forcefully enhance the exogenous gene (miR-34a or Smac) expression. Furthermore, utilization of VV-miR-34a combined with VV-Smac synergistically inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism is proposed that blocking of Bcl-2 by VV-miR-34a increases the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and then synergistically amplifies the antitumor effects of Smac-induced cell apoptosis. Our study is the first to utilize OVV as the vector for miR-34a or Smac expression to treat MM, and lays the groundwork for future clinical therapy for MM.
Human heme oxygenase 1 is a potential host cell factor against dengue virus replication
Authors: Tseng Chin-Kai , Lin Chun-Kuang , Wu Yu-Hsuan , Chen Yen-Hsu , Chen Wei-Chun , Young Kung-Chia , Lee Jin-Ching
Published: August 2016

Dengue virus (DENV) infection and replication induces oxidative stress, which further contributes to the progression and pathogenesis of the DENV infection. Modulation of host antioxidant molecules may be a useful strategy for interfering with DENV replication. In this study, we showed that induction or exogenous overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme, effectively inhibited DENV replication in DENV-infected Huh-7 cells. This antiviral effect of HO-1 was attenuated by its inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), suggesting that HO-1 was an important cellular factor against DENV replication. Biliverdin but not carbon monoxide and ferrous ions, which are products of the HO-1 on heme, mediated the HO-1-induced anti-DENV effect by non-competitively inhibiting DENV protease, with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 8.55 ± 0.38 μM. Moreover, HO-1 induction or its exogenous overexpression, rescued DENV-suppressed antiviral interferon response. Moreover, we showed that HO-1 induction by cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) and andrographolide, a natural product, as evidenced by a significant delay in the onset of disease and mortality and virus load in the infected mice’s brains. These findings clearly revealed that a drug or therapy that induced the HO-1 signal pathway was a promising strategy for treating DENV infection.
Pathogenicity of duck plague and innate immune responses of the Cherry Valley ducks to duck plague virus
Authors: Li Ning , Hong Tianqi , Li Rong , Guo Mengjiao , Wang Yao , Zhang Jinzhou , Liu Jiyuan , Cai Yumei , Liu Sidang , Chai Tongjie , Wei Liangmeng
Published: August 2016

Duck plague caused by duck plague virus (DPV) is an acute and contagious disease. To better understand the pathogenic mechanism of duck plague virus in ducklings, an infection experiment was performed. Our results showed that typical symptoms were observed in the infected ducklings. DPV could replicate quickly in many tissues, leading to pathological lesions, especially on the spleen. Real-time quantitative PCR demonstrated that expression of many innate immune-related genes was mostly up-regulated in the brain and the antiviral innate immune response was established, but not sufficient to restrict viral replication. In contrast, although the expression of many major pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) increased in the spleen, the expression of most cytokines was declined. Our study indicates that DPV is a pantropic virus that can replicate rapidly in tissues, causing serious pathological lesions but the immune responses are different in the spleen and brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report to systematically explore the expression profiles of the immune genes in the DPV-infected ducks. Our data provide a foundation for further study of the pathogenicity of duck plague.
Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Neural Stem Cells therapy for experimental ischemia stroke in preclinical studies
Authors: Chen Lukui , Zhang Guilong , Gu Yuchun , Guo Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2016

To evaluate the preclinical studies using NSCs transplantation therapy for experimental ischemic stroke and determine the effect size of NSCs therapy and the correlations between different clinical measures. We firstly searched literatures to identify studies of NSCs therapy in animal cerebral ischemia models and then calculated the quality score of studies, assessed the effect size of NSCs therapy relative to behavioral and histologic endpoints by meta-analysis. A total of 37 studies and 54 independent treated interventions were used for systematic review and meta-analysis. The median quality score was 5 of 10. 36 studies (53 intervention arms) reported functional outcome, 22 studies (34 intervention arms) reported structural outcome. After adjusted by subgroup and sensitivity analysis, the mean effect sizes were improved by 1.35 for mNSS, 1.84 for rotarod test, 0.61 for cylinder test and 0.84 for infarct volume. Furthermore, effect size had a certain interaction with clinical variables, for example early NSCs therapy etc. In this preclinical studies, we demonstrated that transplanted NSCs significantly improved outcomes (both functional and structural outcome) in ischemic stroke. It is suggested that future preclinical animal model studies of stroke should improve study quality validity and reduce potentially confounded publication bias.
Microwave-Assisted Green Organic Synthesis
Authors: de la Hoz Antonio , Díaz-Ortiz Angel , Prieto Pilar
Published: August 2016

Since the first publications on the use of microwave irradiation in synthetic chemistry, it was clear that this methodology would have a marked influence in all areas of this discipline. Reduction of reaction times, improved yields, modifications of selectivities, increased product purities and simplification of work-up procedures were described and, in most cases, these conditions and results could not be achieved by classical heating. This methodology can be included within the concept of Green Chemistry because the strong absorption of microwave irradiation by one component of the reaction would lead to shorter reaction times and improved energy efficiency. Moreover, the synergy with solvent-free conditions, solid catalysts and green solvents has expanded the green applications of this non-conventional energy source. Finally, the use of flow systems, another green methodology, has permitted the scale-up of microwave-assisted reactions under green conditions.
Microwave Reactor Concepts: From Resonant Cavities to Traveling Fields
Authors: Sturm Guido S. J. , Stankiewicz Andrzej I. , Stefanidis Georgios D.
Published: August 2016

Microwave chemistry has been investigated for nearly thirty years with many notable results being published on apparent process enhancement due to microwave exposure. Conclusive proof of beneficial microwave-chemical interactions is lacking though, as are design rules for successful implementation of microwave-chemical processing systems. In this chapter, the main cause for this is asserted to be the current absence both of suitable instrumentation for research, and processing equipment that merges chemistry with electromagnetic aspects. Several concepts are presented to show how these challenges may be addressed.
Magnetically Assisted Separations in Chemical Industry and Biotechnology: Basic Principles and Applications
Authors: Hristov Jordan
Published: August 2016

Magnetic separation techniques performed in gas–solid and liquid–solid systems are encountered in chemical engineering and biotechnology. The chapter considers separations based on magnetically-assisted fluidized beds, techniques utilizing non-tailored magnetic particles, magnetically-assisted sedimentation, applications of functionalized particles, all of them applicable either in the stages of technologies or in environmental applications. As a new topic, never reviewed before, gas enrichment by magnetic membranes is analyzed.
Plasma-Assisted Nitrogen Fixation Reactions
Authors: Patil B. S. , Hessel V. , Lang J. , Wang Q.
Published: August 2016

The preferences for localized chemicals production and changing scenarios of renewable electricity cost gives a renewed boost to plasma-assisted valuable chemicals production. Especially, plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation for fertilizer production has the potential to largely change the energy structure in bulk chemicals production. Nitrogen is the most fundamental element for sustaining life on earth and responsible for production of a wide range of synthetic products. The chemical nitrogen fixation process, i.e. the Haber–Bosch ammonia production process, is one of the most important chemical processes, which supports ∼40% of the global population by producing more than 130 million tons of ammonia per year and requires ∼1–2% of the world’s total energy consumption. Thermal plasma nitric oxide synthesis was already commercialized in 1903, however it had lower energy efficiency. It is theoretically possible to fix nitrogen with lower energy input by non-thermal plasmas. Therefore, much effort has been expended to develop and improve plasma NO, NH3 and HCN syntheses—this includes investigation of the different types of plasma reactors, the synergy between plasma and catalysts as well as improvement of the heat exchange. All these reported literature efforts have been summarized and critically analyzed in this book chapter. An outlook on further possible developments in plasma-assisted chemical synthesis processes is also given.
High-Gravity Operation in Vortex Chambers for the Generation of High-Efficiency Fluidized Beds
Authors: Trujillo Waldo Rosales , De Wilde Juray
Published: August 2016

This chapter deals with rotating fluidized beds in static vortex chambers. High-G operation allows operation in a range of conditions very different from those in conventional fluidized beds, e.g. achieving extremely short gas–solid contact times. High-G operation also allows intensifying interfacial transfer of mass, heat and momentum. The latter allows generating high-density fluidized beds at high gas–solid slip velocities and reducing bubbling, opening perspectives for significantly increasing the efficiency of fluidized bed devices. Intensified interfacial momentum transfer also allows fluidizing particles that cannot be properly fluidized in conventional fluidized beds, such as large Geldart D- and fine/cohesive Geldart C-type particles, opening perspectives for a variety of novel applications in the energy, food and feed and pharma industries. After an introduction to high-G fluidization, the hydrodynamic characteristics and design aspects of vortex chambers for the generation of rotating fluidized beds are discussed. Next, illustrations of (potential) applications taking advantage of the intensified interfacial mass and heat transfer and of the intensified reactions are presented. The chapter ends with extensions of the concept and an outlook.
Selective molecular recognition on calixarene-functionalized 3D surfaces
Authors: Zhang Fan , Sun Yue , Tian Demei , Shin Weon Sup , Kim Jong Seung , Li Haibing
Published: August 2016

Calixarene based various 3D surface materials with unique signal amplification in molecular recognition are presented, including quantum dots (QDs), metal nanoparticles (NPs), nanotubes, and mesoporous silica.
Capsule-bowl conversion triggered by a guest reaction
Authors: Wang Shitao , Sawada Tomohisa , Fujita Makoto
Published: August 2016

A new M20L8 coordination capsule showed unique capsule-bowl conversion by a guest encapsulation/reaction.