bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesoporous MnCeOx solid solutions for low temperature and selective oxidation of hydrocarbons
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Lu Hanfeng , Zhou Ying , Zhang Li , Wu Zili , Yang Shize , Shi Hongliang , Zhu Qiulian , Chen Yinfei , Dai Sheng
Published: October 2015

The development of noble-metal-free heterogeneous catalysts that can realize the aerobic oxidation of C–H bonds at low temperature is a profound challenge in the catalysis community. Here we report the synthesis of a mesoporous Mn0.5Ce0.5Ox solid solution that is highly active for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons under mild conditions (100–120 °C). Notably, the catalytic performance achieved in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol (100 °C, conversion: 17.7%) is superior to those by the state-of-art commercial catalysts (140–160 °C, conversion: 3-5%). The high activity can be attributed to the formation of a Mn0.5Ce0.5Ox solid solution with an ultrahigh manganese doping concentration in the CeO2 cubic fluorite lattice, leading to maximum active surface oxygens for the activation of C–H bonds and highly reducible Mn4+ ions for the rapid migration of oxygen vacancies from the bulk to the surface.
IRSp53 senses negative membrane curvature and phase separates along membrane tubules
Authors: Prévost Coline , Zhao Hongxia , Manzi John , Lemichez Emmanuel , Lappalainen Pekka , Callan-Jones Andrew , Bassereau Patricia
Published: October 2015

BAR domain proteins contribute to membrane deformation in diverse cellular processes. The inverted-BAR (I-BAR) protein IRSp53, for instance, is found on the inner leaflet of the tubular membrane of filopodia; however its role in the formation of these structures is incompletely understood. Here we develop an original assay in which proteins are encapsulated in giant unilamellar vesicles connected to membrane nanotubes. Our results demonstrate that I-BAR dimers sense negative membrane curvature. Experiment and theory reveal that the I-BAR displays a non-monotonic sorting with curvature, and expands the tube at high imposed tension while constricting it at low tension. Strikingly, at low protein density and tension, protein-rich domains appear along the tube. This peculiar behaviour is due to the shallow intrinsic curvature of I-BAR dimers. It allows constriction of weakly curved membranes coupled to local protein enrichment at biologically relevant conditions. This might explain how IRSp53 contributes in vivo to the initiation of filopodia.
RFX transcription factors are essential for hearing in mice
Authors: Elkon Ran , Milon Beatrice , Morrison Laura , Shah Manan , Vijayakumar Sarath , Racherla Manoj , Leitch Carmen C. , Silipino Lorna , Hadi Shadan , Weiss-Gayet Michèle , Barras Emmanuèle , Schmid Christoph D. , Ait-Lounis Aouatef , Barnes Ashley , Song Yang , Eisenman David J. , Eliyahu Efrat , Frolenkov Gregory I. , Strome Scott E. , Durand Bénédicte , Zaghloul Norann A. , Jones Sherri M. , Reith Walter , Hertzano Ronna
Published: October 2015

Sensorineural hearing loss is a common and currently irreversible disorder, because mammalian hair cells (HCs) do not regenerate and current stem cell and gene delivery protocols result only in immature HC-like cells. Importantly, although the transcriptional regulators of embryonic HC development have been described, little is known about the postnatal regulators of maturating HCs. Here we apply a cell type-specific functional genomic analysis to the transcriptomes of auditory and vestibular sensory epithelia from early postnatal mice. We identify RFX transcription factors as essential and evolutionarily conserved regulators of the HC-specific transcriptomes, and detect Rfx1,2,3,5 and 7 in the developing HCs. To understand the role of RFX in hearing, we generate Rfx1/3 conditional knockout mice. We show that these mice are deaf secondary to rapid loss of initially well-formed outer HCs. These data identify an essential role for RFX in hearing and survival of the terminally differentiating outer HCs.
Formation of functional super-helical assemblies by constrained single heptad repeat
Authors: Mondal Sudipta , Adler-Abramovich Lihi , Lampel Ayala , Bram Yaron , Lipstman Sophia , Gazit Ehud
Published: October 2015

Inspired by the key role of super-helical motifs in molecular self-organization, several tandem heptad repeat peptides were used as building blocks to form well-ordered supramolecular nano-assemblies. However, the need for stable helical structures limits the length of the smallest described units to three heptad repeats. Here we describe the first-ever self-assembling single heptad repeat module, based on the ability of the non-coded α-aminoisobutyric acid to stabilize very short peptides in helical conformation. A conformationally constrained peptide comprised of aromatic, but not aliphatic, residues, at the first and fourth positions formed helical fibrillar assemblies. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the peptide demonstrates super-helical packing in which phenylalanine residues formed an ‘aromatic zipper’ arrangement at the molecular interface. The modification of the minimal building block with positively charged residues results in tight DNA binding ascribed to the combined factors of helicity, hydrophobicity and charge. The design of these peptides defines a new direction for assembly of super-helical nanostructures by minimal molecular elements.
Single-molecule spectroscopy exposes hidden states in an enzymatic electron relay
Authors: Grossman Iris , Yuval Aviram Haim , Armony Gad , Horovitz Amnon , Hofmann Hagen , Haran Gilad , Fass Deborah
Published: October 2015

The ability to query enzyme molecules individually is transforming our view of catalytic mechanisms. Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) is a multidomain catalyst of disulfide-bond formation that relays electrons from substrate cysteines through two redox-active sites to molecular oxygen. The chemical steps in electron transfer have been delineated, but the conformational changes accompanying these steps are poorly characterized. Here we use single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to probe QSOX conformation in resting and cycling enzyme populations. We report the discovery of unanticipated roles for conformational changes in QSOX beyond mediating electron transfer between redox-active sites. In particular, a state of the enzyme not previously postulated or experimentally detected is shown to gate, via a conformational transition, the entrance into a sub-cycle within an expanded QSOX kinetic scheme. By tightly constraining mechanistic models, smFRET data can reveal the coupling between conformational and chemical transitions in complex enzymatic cycles.
Tetrathiomolybdate inhibits mitochondrial complex IV and mediates degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in cancer cells
Authors: Kim Kyu Kwang , Abelman Sarah , Yano Naohiro , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Singh Rakesh K. , Tipping Marla , Moore Richard G.
Published: October 2015

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor that triggers adaptive responses upon low oxygen conditions and plays a crucial role in cancer metabolism and therapy resistance. Tetrathiomolybdate (TM), a therapy option for copper overload disorder, has also been shown to be capable of limiting tumor angiogenesis, although its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Using ovarian and endometrial cancer cell lines, we observed that TM downregulates HIF-1α protein levels and HIF-transcriptional targets involved in tumor angiogenesis and glycolysis, but did not affect HIF-1α protein synthesis. TM-mediated HIF-1α downregulation was suppressed when HIF-prolyl hydroxylase activity was pharmacologically inhibited using deferoxamine or dimethyloxaloylglycine and also when the oxygen-dependent degradation domains of HIF-1α, which are responsible for the interaction with HIF-prolyl hydroxylase, were deleted. These findings suggest that TM causes HIF-1α downregulation in a HIF-prolyl hydroxylase-dependent manner. Our studies showed that TM inhibits the activity of the copper-dependent mitochondrial complex IV and reduces mitochondrial respiration, thereby possibly increasing oxygen availability, which is crucial for HIF-prolyl hydroxylase activity. Pimonidazole staining also showed that TM elevates oxygen tension in hypoxic cells. Our studies provide mechanistic evidence for TM-mediated HIF-1α regulation and suggest its therapeutic potential as a method of blocking angiogenesis in ovarian and endometrial tumors.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in China at a city level
Authors: Zhang Yan-Lin , Cao Fang
Published: October 2015

This study presents one of the first long term datasets including a statistical summary of PM2.5 concentrations obtained from one-year monitoring in 190 cities in China. We found only 25 out of 190 cities could meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of China and the population-weighted mean of PM2.5 in Chinese cities are 61 μg/m3, ~3 times as high as global population-weighted mean, highlighting a high health risk. PM2.5 concentrations are generally higher in north than in south regions due to relative large PM emissions and unfavorable meteorological conditions for pollution dispersion. A remarkable seasonal variability of PM2.5 is observed with the highest during the winter and the lowest during the summer. Due to the enhanced contributions from dust particles and open biomass burning, high PM2.5 abundances are also found in the spring (in Northwest and West Central China) and autumn (in East China), respectively. In addition, we found the lowest and highest PM2.5 often occurs in the afternoon and evening hours, respectively, associated with daily variation of the boundary layer depth and anthropogenic emissions. The diurnal distribution of the PM2.5-to-CO ratio consistently displays a pronounced peak during the afternoon periods, reflecting a significant contribution of secondary PM formation.
Time-Specific Fear Acts as a Non-Photic Entraining Stimulus of Circadian Rhythms in Rats
Authors: Pellman Blake A. , Kim Earnest , Reilly Melissa , Kashima James , Motch Oleksiy , de la Iglesia Horacio O. , Kim Jeansok J.
Published: October 2015

Virtually all animals have endogenous clock mechanisms that “entrain” to the light-dark (LD) cycle and synchronize psychophysiological functions to optimal times for exploring resources and avoiding dangers in the environment. Such circadian rhythms are vital to human mental health, but it is unknown whether circadian rhythms “entrained” to the LD cycle can be overridden by entrainment to daily recurring threats. We show that unsignaled nocturnal footshock caused rats living in an “ethological” apparatus to switch their natural foraging behavior from the dark to the light phase and that this switch was maintained as a free-running circadian rhythm upon removal of light cues and footshocks. Furthermore, this fear-entrained circadian behavior was dependent on an intact amygdala and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Thus, time-specific fear can act as a non-photic entraining stimulus for the circadian system and limbic centers encoding aversive information are likely part of the circadian oscillator network that temporally organizes behavior.
Distinct roles of the RasGAP family proteins in C. elegans associative learning and memory
Authors: Gyurkó M. Dávid , Csermely Péter , Sőti Csaba , Steták Attila
Published: October 2015

The Ras GTPase activating proteins (RasGAPs) are regulators of the conserved Ras/MAPK pathway. Various roles of some of the RasGAPs in learning and memory have been reported in different model systems, yet, there is no comprehensive study to characterize all gap genes in any organism. Here, using reverse genetics and neurobehavioural tests, we studied the role of all known genes of the rasgap family in C. elegans in associative learning and memory. We demonstrated that their proteins are implicated in different parts of the learning and memory processes. We show that gap-1 contribute redundantly with gap-3 to the chemosensation of volatile compounds, gap-1 plays a major role in associative learning, while gap-2 and gap-3 are predominantly required for short- and long-term associative memory. Our results also suggest that the C. elegans Ras orthologue let-60 is involved in multiple processes during learning and memory. Thus, we show that the different classes of RasGAP proteins are all involved in cognitive function and their complex interplay ensures the proper formation and storage of novel information in C. elegans.
HMGB1 induction of clusterin creates a chemoresistant niche in human prostate tumor cells
Authors: Zhou Junmin , Chen Xianghong , Gilvary Danielle L. , Tejera Melba M. , Eksioglu Erika A. , Wei Sheng , Djeu Julie Y.
Published: October 2015

Development of chemoresistance, especially to docetaxel (DTX), is the primary barrier to the cure of castration-resistant prostate cancer but its mechanism is obscure. Here, we report a seminal crosstalk between dying and residual live tumor cells during treatment with DTX that can result in outgrowth of a chemoresistant population. Survival was due to the induction of secretory/cytoplasmic clusterin (sCLU), which is a potent anti-apoptotic protein known to bind and sequester Bax from mitochondria, to prevent caspase 3 activation. sCLU induction in live cells depended on HMGB1 release from dying cells. Supernatants from DTX-treated DU145 tumor cells, which were shown to contain HMGB1, effectively induced sCLU from newly-plated DU145 tumor cells and protected them from DTX toxicity. Addition of anti-HMBG1 to the supernatant or pretreatment of newly-plated DU145 tumor cells with anti-TLR4 or anti-RAGE markedly abrogated sCLU induction and protective effect of the supernatant. Mechanistically, HMGB1 activated NFκB to promote sCLU gene expression and prevented the translocation of activated Bax to mitochondria to block cell death. Importantly, multiple currently-used chemotherapeutic drugs could release HMGB1 from tumor cells. These results suggest that acquisition of chemoresistance may involve the HMGB1/TLR4-RAGE/sCLU pathway triggered by dying cells to provide survival advantage to remnant live tumor cells.
Zeta-Fe2O3 – A new stable polymorph in iron(III) oxide family
Authors: Tuček Jiří , Machala Libor , Ono Shigeaki , Namai Asuka , Yoshikiyo Marie , Imoto Kenta , Tokoro Hiroko , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Zbořil Radek
Published: October 2015

Iron(III) oxide shows a polymorphism, characteristic of existence of phases with the same chemical composition but distinct crystal structures and, hence, physical properties. Four crystalline phases of iron(III) oxide have previously been identified: α-Fe2O3 (hematite), β-Fe2O3, γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) and ε-Fe2O3. All four iron(III) oxide phases easily undergo various phase transformations in response to heating or pressure treatment, usually forming hexagonal α-Fe2O3, which is the most thermodynamically stable Fe2O3 polymorph under ambient conditions. Here, from synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments, we report the formation of a new iron(III) oxide polymorph that we have termed ζ-Fe2O3 and which evolved during pressure treatment of cubic β-Fe2O3 ("Equation missing" space group) at pressures above 30 GPa. Importantly, ζ-Fe2O3 is maintained after pressure release and represents the first monoclinic Fe2O3 polymorph (I2/a space group) that is stable at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. ζ-Fe2O3 behaves as an antiferromagnet with a Néel transition temperature of ~69 K. The complex mechanism of pressure-induced transformation of β-Fe2O3, involving also the formation of Rh2O3-II-type Fe2O3 and post-perovskite-Fe2O3 structure, is suggested and discussed with respect to a bimodal size distribution of precursor nanoparticles.
Xenon Blocks Neuronal Injury Associated with Decompression
Authors: Blatteau Jean-Eric , David Hélène N. , Vallée Nicolas , Meckler Cedric , Demaistre Sebastien , Lambrechts Kate , Risso Jean-Jacques , Abraini Jacques H.
Published: October 2015

Despite state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment, about 30% of patients suffering neurologic decompression sickness (DCS) exhibit incomplete recovery. Since the mechanisms of neurologic DCS involve ischemic processes which result in excitotoxicity, it is likely that HBO in combination with an anti-excitotoxic treatment would improve the outcome in patients being treated for DCS. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of the noble gas xenon in an ex vivo model of neurologic DCS. Xenon has been shown to provide neuroprotection in multiple models of acute ischemic insults. Fast decompression compared to slow decompression induced an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a well-known marker of sub-lethal cell injury. Post-decompression administration of xenon blocked the increase in LDH release induced by fast decompression. These data suggest that xenon could be an efficient additional treatment to HBO for the treatment of neurologic DCS.
Toward Improved Lifetimes of Organic Solar Cells under Thermal Stress: Substrate-Dependent Morphological Stability of PCDTBT:PCBM Films and Devices
Authors: Li Zhe , Ho Chiu Kar , Shahid Ashraf Raja , Fearn Sarah , Dattani Rajeev , Cheng Wong Him , Tan Ching-Hong , Wu Jiaying , Cabral João T. , Durrant James R.
Published: October 2015

Morphological stability is a key requirement for outdoor operation of organic solar cells. We demonstrate that morphological stability and lifetime of polymer/fullerene based solar cells under thermal stress depend strongly on the substrate interface on which the active layer is deposited. In particular, we find that the stability of benchmark PCDTBT/PCBM solar cells under modest thermal stress is substantially increased in inverted solar cells employing a ZnO substrate compared to conventional devices employing a PEDOT:PSS substrate. This improved stability is observed to correlate with PCBM nucleation at the 50 nm scale, which is shown to be strongly influenced by different substrate interfaces. Employing this approach, we demonstrate remarkable thermal stability for inverted PCDTBT:PC70BM devices on ZnO substrates, with negligible (<2%) loss of power conversion efficiency over 160 h under 85 °C thermal stress and minimal thermally induced “burn-in” effect. We thus conclude that inverted organic solar cells, in addition to showing improved environmental stability against ambient humidity exposure as widely reported previously, can also demonstrate enhanced morphological stability. As such we show that the choice of suitable substrate interfaces may be a key factor in achieving prolonged lifetimes for organic solar cells under thermal stress conditions.
Dysfunctional Default Mode Network in Methadone Treated Patients Who Have a Higher Heroin Relapse Risk
Authors: Li Wei , Li Qiang , Wang Defeng , Xiao Wei , Liu Kai , Shi Lin , Zhu Jia , Li Yongbin , Yan Xuejiao , Chen Jiajie , Ye Jianjun , Li Zhe , Wang Yarong , Wang Wei
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify whether heroin relapse is associated with changes in the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of chronic heroin relapsers (HR) (12 males, 1 female, age: 36.1 ± 6.9 years) and abstainers (HA) (11males, 2 female; age: 42.1 ± 8.1 years) were investigated with an independent component analysis to address the functional connectivity of their DMN. Group comparison was then performed between the relapsers and abstainers. Our study found that the left inferior temporal gyrus and the right superior occipital gyrus associated with DMN showed decreased functional connectivity in HR when compared with HA, while the left precuneus and the right middle cingulum had increased functional connectivity. Mean intensity signal, extracted from left inferior temporal gyrus of HR patients, showed a significant negative correlation corresponding to the degree of heroin relapse. These findings suggest that altered functional connectivity of DMN may contribute to the potential neurobiological mechanism(s) of heroin relapse and have a predictive value concerning heroin relapse under MMT.
Co/Mo bimetallic addition to electrolytic manganese dioxide for oxygen generation in acid medium
Authors: Delgado Dario , Minakshi Manickam , McGinnity Justin , Kim Dong-Jin
Published: October 2015

An efficient electrocatalyst comprising inexpensive and earth-abundant materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for the development of water electrolysis. In this work, in-situ addition of cobalt/molybdenum ions to the electrolytic manganese dioxide has been shown to be beneficial for the OER in acid solution as its overpotential performed better (305 mV) than that of the commercial DSA® (341 mV) at 100 mA cm−2. The OER was investigated at ambient temperature in 2 M H2SO4 solution on the modified EMD (MnMoCoO) electrodes. The energy efficiency of the MnMoCoO electrodes improved significantly with the amount of Co in the plating solution. For the electrodeposited catalysts, physico-chemical and electrochemical measurements were conducted including static overpotentials. The better performance of the modified EMD was attributed to an improved charge transfer resistance (Rct; 0.290 Ω cm2), average roughness factor (rf; 429) and decrease in water content in the electrodeposited catalysts. The kinetic parameters obtained on MnMoCoO catalysts were compared and discussed according to the cobalt concentration.
Efficient Photocatalytic Activities of TiO2 Hollow Fibers with Mixed Phases and Mesoporous Walls
Authors: Hou Huilin , Shang Minghui , Wang Lin , Li Wenge , Tang Bin , Yang Weiyou
Published: October 2015

Currently, Degussa P25, with the typical mixed phases of anatase and rutile TiO2, is widely applied as the commercial photocatalysts. However, there are still some of obstacles for the P25 nanoparticles with totally high photocatalytic activities, especially for the catalytic stability due to their inevitable aggregation of the nanoparticles when used as the photocatalysts. In the present work, we reported the exploration of a novel TiO2 photocatalyst, which could offer an ideal platform for synergetic combination of the mixed-phase composition, hollow architecture and mesoporous walls for the desired excellent photocatalytic efficiency and robust stability. The mesoporous TiO2 hollow nanofibers were fabricated via a facile single capillary electrospinning technique, in which the foaming agents were used for creating mesopores throughout the walls of the hollow fibers. The obtained hollow fibers exhibit a high purity and possess the mixed phases of 94.6% anatase and 5.4% rutile TiO2. As compared to P25, the as-fabricated mesoporous TiO2 hollow fibers exhibited much higher efficient photocatalytic activities and stabilities toward the hydrogen evolution with a rate of ~499.1 μmol g−1·h−1 and ~99.5% degradation Rhodamine B (RhB) in 60 min, suggesting their promising application in efficient photocatalysts.
The strength of electron electron correlation in Cs3C60
Authors: Baldassarre L. , Perucchi A. , Mitrano M. , Nicoletti D. , Marini C. , Pontiroli D. , Mazzani M. , Aramini M. , Riccó M. , Giovannetti G. , Capone M. , Lupi S.
Published: October 2015

Cs3C60 is an antiferromagnetic insulator that under pressure (P) becomes metallic and superconducting below Tc = 38 K. The superconducting dome present in the T − P phase diagram close to a magnetic state reminds what found in superconducting cuprates and pnictides, strongly suggesting that superconductivity is not of the conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) type We investigate the insulator to metal transition induced by pressure in Cs3C60 by means of infrared spectroscopy supplemented by Dynamical Mean-Field Theory calculations. The insulating compound is driven towards a metallic-like behaviour, while strong correlations survive in the investigated pressure range. The metallization process is accompanied by an enhancement of the Jahn-Teller effect. This shows that electronic correlations are crucial in determining the insulating behaviour at ambient pressure and the bad metallic nature for increasing pressure. On the other hand, the relevance of the Jahn-Teller coupling in the metallic state confirms that phonon coupling survives in the presence of strong correlations.
A regulatory loop containing miR-26a, GSK3β and C/EBPα regulates the osteogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Zi , Xie Qing , Yu Zhang , Zhou Huifang , Huang Yazhuo , Bi Xiaoping , Wang Yefei , Shi Wodong , Sun Hao , Gu Ping , Fan Xianqun
Published: October 2015

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for osteogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) will provide deeper insights into the regulatory mechanisms of this process and help develop more efficient methods for cell-based therapies. In this study, we analysed the role of miR-26a in the regulation of hADSC osteogenesis. The endogenous expression of miR-26a increased during the osteogenic differentiation. The overexpression of miR-26a promoted hADSC osteogenesis, whereas osteogenesis was repressed by miR-26a knockdown. Additionally, miR-26a directly targeted the 3′UTR of the GSK3β, suppressing the expression of GSK3β protein. Similar to the effect of overexpressing miR-26a, the knockdown of GSK3β promoted osteogenic differentiation, whereas GSK3β overexpression inhibited this process, suggesting that GSK3β acted as a negative regulator of hADSC osteogenesis. Furthermore, GSK3β influences Wnt signalling pathway by regulating β-catenin and subsequently altered the expression of its downstream target C/EBPα. In turn, C/EBPα transcriptionally regulated the expression of miR-26a by physically binding to the CTDSPL promoter region. Taken together, our data identified a novel feedback regulatory circuitry composed of miR-26a, GSK3β and C/EBPα, the function of which might contribute to the regulation of hADSC osteogenesis. Our findings provided new insights into the function of miR-26a and the mechanisms underlying osteogenesis of hADSCs.
Systems pharmacology-based dissection of mechanisms of Chinese medicinal formula Bufei Yishen as an effective treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Li Jiansheng , Zhao Peng , Li Ya , Tian Yange , Wang Yonghua
Published: October 2015

The present work adopted a systems pharmacology-based approach to provide new insights into the active compounds and therapeutic targets of Bufei Yishen formula (BYF) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, we established a rat model of cigarette smoke- and bacterial infection-induced COPD to validate the mechanisms of BYF action that were predicted in systems pharmacology study. The systems pharmacology model derived 216 active compounds from BYF and 195 potential targets related to various diseases. The compound-target network showed that each herbal drug in the BYF formula acted on similar targets, suggesting potential synergistic effects among these herbal drugs. The ClueGo assay, a Cytoscape plugin, revealed that most targets were related to activation of MAP kinase and matrix metalloproteinases. By using target-diseases network analysis, we found that BYF had great potential to treatment of multiple diseases, such as respiratory tract diseases, immune system and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, we found that BYF had the ability to prevent COPD and its comorbidities, such as ventricular hypertrophy, in vivo. Moreover, BYF inhibited the inflammatory cytokine and hypertrophic factors expression, protease-antiprotease imbalance and the collagen deposition, which may be the underlying mechanisms of action of BYF.
Harmonizing HeLa cell cytoskeleton behavior by multi-Ti oxide phased nanostructure synthesized through ultrashort pulsed laser
Authors: Chinnakkannu Vijayakumar Chandramouli , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan , Tan Bo
Published: October 2015

Knowledge about cancer cell behavior on heterogeneous nanostructures is relevant for developing a distinct biomaterial that can actuate cancer cells. In this manuscript, we have demonstrated a harmonized approach of forming multi Ti-oxide phases in a nanostructure (MTOP nanostructure) for its unique cancer cell controlling behavior.Conventionally, single phases of TiO2 are used for targeted therapy and as drug carrier systems.In this research, we have shown a biomaterial that can control HeLa cells diligently using a combination of TiO, Ti3O and TiO2 phases when compared to fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells.MTOP-nanostructures are generated by varying the ionization energy in the vapor plume of the ultrashort pulse laser; this interaction with the material allows accurate tuning and composition of phases within the nanostructure. In addition, the lattice spacing of MTOP-nanostructures was analyzed as shown by HR-TEM investigations. An FESEM investigation of MTOP-nanostructures revealed a greater reduction of HeLa cells relative to fibroblast cells. Altered cell adhesion was followed by modulation of HeLa cell architecture with a significant reduction of actin stress fibers.The intricate combination of MTOP-nanostructures renders a biomaterial that can precisely alter HeLa cell but not fibroblast cell behavior, filling a void in the research for a biomaterial to modulate cancer cell behavior.
Electronic Structures of Clusters of Hydrogen Vacancies on Graphene
Authors: Wu Bi-Ru , Yang Chih-Kai
Published: October 2015

Hydrogen vacancies in graphane are products of incomplete hydrogenation of graphene. The missing H atoms can alter the electronic structure of graphane and therefore tune the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the composite. We systematically studied a variety of well-separated clusters of hydrogen vacancies in graphane, including the geometrical shapes of triangles, parallelograms, hexagons and rectangles, by first-principles density functional calculation. The results indicate that energy levels caused by the missing H are generated in the broad band gap of pure graphane. All triangular clusters of H vacancies are magnetic, the larger the triangle the higher the magnetic moment. The defect levels introduced by the missing H in triangular and parallelogram clusters are spin-polarized and can find application in optical transition. Parallelograms and open-ended rectangles are antiferromagnetic and can be used for nanoscale registration of digital information.
Long-term stability of phase-separated half-Heusler compounds
Authors: Krez J. , Balke B. , Ouardi S. , Selle S. , Höche T. , Felser C. , Hermes W. , Schwind M.
Published: October 2015

The long-term stability of n- and p-type thermoelectric half-Heusler materials is investigated. The dendritic microstructure is temperature resistant and maintained the low thermal conductivity values (κ < 4 W m−1 K−1) even after 500 heating and cooling cycles.
Nickel as a co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution on graphitic-carbon nitride (sg-CN): what is the nature of the active species?
Authors: Indra Arindam , Menezes Prashanth W. , Kailasam Kamalakannan , Hollmann Dirk , Schröder Marc , Thomas Arne , Brückner Angelika , Driess Matthias
Published: October 2015

Structural changes of a nickel co-catalyst on graphitic carbon nitride have been uncovered during photocatalytic proton reduction by using XPS andin situEPR measurements.
Hierarchy in inorganic membranes
Authors: Caro Juergen
Published: October 2015

Inorganic membranes usually possess an unsymmetrical cross section showing a hierarchical structure: the ZIF-8 separation layer is deposited on a graded titania support.
Promotional effect of iron oxide on the catalytic properties of Fe–MnOx/TiO2 (anatase) catalysts for the SCR reaction at low temperatures
Authors: Deng Shengcai , Zhuang Ke , Xu Bolian , Ding Yuanhua , Yu Lei , Fan Yining
Published: October 2015

The surface interaction of the iron-improved MnOx/TiO2 (anatase) catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide was studied. The role of iron was investigated through detailed experiments.
Adsorption and transformations of ethene on hydrogenated rhodium clusters in faujasite-type zeolite. A computational study
Authors: Markova Velina K. , Vayssilov Georgi N. , Genest Alexander , Rösch Notker
Published: October 2015

Phase diagrams from DFT modeling suggest that zeolite-supported Rh4 clusters may be appropriate for the catalytic hydrogenation of ethene to ethane, whereas Rh3 clusters favor the formation of the stable adsorbed ethylidyne species, preventing further hydrogenation.
An investigation of new infrared nonlinear optical material: BaCdSnSe4, and three new related centrosymmetric compounds: Ba2SnSe4, Mg2GeSe4, and Ba2Ge2S6
Authors: Wu Kui , Su Xin , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: October 2015

The crystal-structures and properties of new four compounds were systematically reported and non-centrosymmetric BaCdSnSe4showed a good SHG response.
Nano ellipsoids at the fluid–fluid interface: effect of surface charge on adsorption, buckling and emulsification
Authors: Dugyala Venkateshwar Rao , Anjali Thiriveni G. , Upendar Siliveru , Mani Ethayaraja , Basavaraj Madivala G.
Published: October 2015

In this contribution, we discuss the role of surface charge on the adsorption of shape anisotropic particles to fluid–fluid interfaces in the context of their application in particle-stabilized emulsions. Starting with a pendent aqueous drop containing nano-ellipsoids of known surface charge density suspended in an oil medium, we study the kinetics of adsorption of the ellipsoids to the water–decane interface using pendant drop tensiometry. The interfacial tension of the drop is recorded as a function of time by analyzing the shape of the drop. We show that the particles that are weakly charged readily adsorb to the water–decane interface and the adsorption behavior is influenced by the particle surface charge density. Furthermore, as the area available for the particles deposited at the interface is reduced, the interface populated with self-assembled ellipsoids shows wrinkles indicating buckling of the particle-laden interface under compression. However, the buckling is not observed if nano-ellipsoids are highly charged confirming that the particles do not adsorb to the interface when they are highly charged. This suggests that in several examples where the particles at interfaces concept is exploited, the repulsive energy barrier due to the particle surface charge plays a key role in the adsorption of particles to the interfaces. However, once the particles are adsorbed, the interfacial properties of the monolayer depend on the particle–particle interactions. Thus a combination of these interactions determines the concentration of particles at the interface, their microstructure and interfacial properties. The effect of these interactions on the quantity and size of the emulsion drops stabilized by ellipsoidal particles is also explored.
Upconversion luminescence and blackbody radiation in tetragonal YSZ co-doped with Tm3+ and Yb3+
Authors: Soares M. R. N. , Ferro M. , Costa F. M. , Monteiro T.
Published: October 2015

YSZ:Tm,Yb NPs produced by PLAL exhibit pressure dependent visible upconversion with NIR excitation, explained by Tm3+ emission and blackbody radiation.
Enhanced nonlinear optical characteristics of copper-ion-doped double crossover DNAs
Authors: Park Byeongho , Lee Byung Jic , Dugasani Sreekantha Reddy , Cho Youngho , Kim Chulki , Seo Minah , Lee Taikjin , Jhon Young Min , Choi Jaebin , Lee Seok , Park Sung Ha , Jun Seong Chan , Yeom Dong-Il , Rotermund Fabian , Kim Jae Hun
Published: October 2015

The nonlinearity of double crossover DNAs investigated by Z-scan and four-wave mixing experiments was considerably enhanced with copper-ion doping.
A fluorometric microarray with ZnO substrate-enhanced fluorescence and suppressed “coffee-ring” effects for fluorescence immunoassays
Authors: Li Shuying , Dong Minmin , Li Rui , Zhang Liyan , Qiao Yuchun , Jiang Yao , Qi Wei , Wang Hua
Published: October 2015

A fluorometric microarray was fabricated with hydrophobic silicane and ZnO nanoparticles showing ZnO substrate-enhanced fluorescence and suppressed “coffee-ring” effects for fluorescence immunoassays.
Reduced graphene oxide decorated on MnO2nanoflakes grown on C/TiO2nanowire arrays for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Yang Sainan , Yan Peng , Li Yiju , Cheng Kui , Ye Ke , Zhang Chunyan , Cao Dianxue , Wang Guiling , Li Qiang
Published: October 2015

In this work, RGO is decorated on MnO2nanoflakes, which are electrochemically deposited on preformed C/TiO2shell/core nanowire arrays to form a RGO/MnO2/C/TiO2shell/core array electrode.
Textured transparent conductive B/Al doped ZnO films utilizing reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Liu Yang , Huang Qian , Bai Lisha , Wei Changchun , Zhang Dekun , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: October 2015

Total transmittance (Ttot, solid line) and haze factor (HT, dashed line) of the etched ZnO:B-320, ZnO:B/Al-450 and ZnO:Al films.
Biological denitrification in high salinity wastewater using semen litchi as a carbon source
Authors: Li Hua , Zhou Ziming , Liu Qingsong , Dong Hongbiao , Duan Yafei , Li Chunhou , Zhang Jiasong , Tan Hongxin
Published: October 2015

A high nitrate removal rate and denitrification rate was obtained in high salinity wastewater using semen litchi as the sole carbon source.
In situ hydrogenation of furfural with additives over a RANEY® Ni catalyst
Authors: Xu Ying , Qiu Songbai , Long Jinxing , Wang Chenguang , Chang Jiamin , Tan Jin , Liu Qiying , Ma Longlong , Wang Tiejun , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2015

The selective of furan ring compounds increased to 65.38%/62.08%.
Recent progress in designing shell cross-linked polymer capsules for drug delivery
Authors: Miksa Beata
Published: October 2015

This tutorial review highlights the progress made during recent years in the development of the shell cross-linked (SCL) polymer nanocapsules and the impact of the most important scientific ideas on this field of knowledge.
A new fluorescent pH probe for acidic conditions
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Song Guang-Jie , Cao Xiang-Jian , Liu Jin-Ting , Chen Ming-Yu , Cao Xiao-Qun , Zhao Bao-Xiang
Published: October 2015

A new fluorescent probe based on imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine probe for low pH was synthesized and characterized.
Performance and characteristics of fluoride adsorption using nanomagnetite graphite–La adsorbent
Authors: Wen Shuangxi , Wang Yili , Dong Shuoxun
Published: October 2015

Nanomagnetite graphite–La was a promising adsorbent for effective F− removal with high adsorption capacity and stable reuse ability.
{CoIIIMnIII}ncorrugated chains based on heteroleptic cyanido metalloligands
Authors: Alexandru Maria-Gabriela , Visinescu Diana , Marino Nadia , de Munno Giovanni , Lloret Francesc , Julve Miguel
Published: October 2015

The use of cyanide-bearing complexes affords one-dimensional coordination polymers with the formulas {[MnIII(salen)(μ-NC)2CoIII(4,4-dmbipy)(CN)2]·H2O}n(1) and {[MnIII(salen)(μ-NC)2CoIII(dmphen)(CN)2]}n(2) .
Temperature-responsive hairy particle-supported proline for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in water
Authors: Li Xinjuan , Yang Beilei , Jia Xianbin , Chen Maoqin , Hu Zhiguo
Published: October 2015

In this paper, three kinds of hairy particles with different brush structures were prepared and evaluated as chiral catalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction.
Tea waste-supported hydrated manganese dioxide (HMO) for enhanced removal of typical toxic metal ions from water
Authors: Wan Shunli , Qu Nan , He Feng , Wang Mengkun , Liu Guobin , He Hai
Published: October 2015

A novel composite sorbent with hydrated manganese oxide (HMO) (<5 nm) highly dispersed on tea waste (TW), enjoying synergistic benefits from both materials, efficiently and selectively sorbed Pb(ii), Cd(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) from water.
Ni(ii) complexes bearing pyrrolide-imine ligands with pendant N-, O- and S-donor groups: synthesis, structural characterization and use in ethylene oligomerization
Authors: Pinheiro A. C. , Virgili A. H. , Roisnel T. , Kirillov E. , Carpentier J.-F. , Casagrande O. L.
Published: October 2015

Nickel complexes bearing pyrrolide-imine ligands with pendant N-, O- and S-donor groups have been synthesized and their catalytic behavior in ethylene oligomerization has been investigated.
“Flash” synthesis of “giant” Mn-doped CdS/ZnS nanocrystals for high photostability
Authors: Xu Ruilin , Liao Chen , Zhang Huichao , Huang Bo , Fan Kai , Gao Xiaoqin , Cui Yiping , Zhang Jiayu
Published: October 2015

“Flash” synthesis of “giant” Mn-doped CdS/ZnS nanocrystals with high photostability is developed for the application in white LEDs.
Adsorption studies of Malachite green on 5-sulphosalicylic acid doped tetraethoxysilane (SATEOS) composite material
Authors: Ahad Sozia , Islam Nasarul , Bashir Arshid , Rehman Suhail-ul , Pandith Altaf Hussain
Published: October 2015

Batch adsorption studies are reported for the removal of Malachite green from an aqueous solution using 5-sulphosalicylic acid doped tetraethoxysilane (SATEOS) composite material, prepared in our laboratory previously.
Hydrogelation of bile acid–peptide conjugates and in situ synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles in the hydrogel matrix
Authors: Maity Mitasree , Sajisha Valiparambil Sanjayan , Maitra Uday
Published: October 2015

A number of bile acid–peptide conjugates were synthesized and their hydrogelation properties were studied. These gels were used as scaffolds to in situ make Ag and Au nanoparticle–gel hybrids.
Bio-based green solvent for the catalyst free oxidation of arylboronic acids into phenols
Authors: Gupta Surabhi , Chaudhary Priyanka , Seva Lavudi , Sabiah Shahulhameed , Kandasamy Jeyakumar
Published: October 2015

A bio-based green solvent, lactic acid is found to be an efficient reaction medium for the catalyst free oxidation of aryl boronic acids into phenols with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.
An approach to prepare nanosized HZSM-22 with enhanced lifetime in the methanol to hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction
Authors: Wang Jinbang , Xu Shutao , Li Jinzhe , Zhi Yuchun , Zhang Mozhi , He Yanli , Wei Yingxu , Guo Xinwen , Liu Zhongmin
Published: October 2015

Nanosized HZSM-22 has been successfully prepared using ball milling combined with alkaline and acid post-treatment, and presented significant enhancement of catalytic stability due to the improvement of the diffusion effect.
The structure, carbon deposition and stability of a ZrOx/Ni–MnOx/SiO2 catalyst for the CO2 reforming of methane
Authors: Yao Lu , Shi Jia , Hu Changwei
Published: October 2015

A ZrOx/Ni–MnOx/SiO2 catalyst with both high activity and stability was obtained. Most of the deposited carbon was CO2-oxidizable with the release of CO and H2.
One step hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2–ZrO2 nanocomposites and investigation of the morphological evolution
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Wang Qiang , Zhang Jing , Wang Jigang , Guo Ming , Chen Shaowei , Li Chunhong , Hu Changwen , Xie Youchang
Published: October 2015

Uniform cauliflower-like and rough nano-spheres of CeO2–ZrO2 composites were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process using only urea as a mineralizer without any surfactant or template.
CNT addition to the LiBH4–MgH2composite: the effect of milling sequence on the hydrogen cycling properties
Authors: Cova F. , Gennari F. C. , Arneodo Larochette P.
Published: October 2015

The effect of the addition of CNT to the 2LiBH4 : MgH2system was studied. The enhanced kinetic behaviour disappeared after several absorption/desorption cycles.
New structural hypostases of the A·T and G·C Watson–Crick DNA base pairs caused by their mutagenic tautomerisation in a wobble manner: a QM/QTAIM prediction
Authors: Brovarets’ Ol’ha O. , Hovorun Dmytro M.
Published: October 2015

Our investigation reveals the hitherto unknown ability of the canonical Watson–Crick DNA base pairs to switch into wobble mismatches with mutagenic tautomers, clarifying the nature of genome instability.
Preparation and tribological properties of organically modified graphite oxide in liquid paraffin at ultra-low concentrations
Authors: Liu Lei , Chen Yongwei , Huang Peng
Published: October 2015

Ultra-low concentration (0.008 wt%) of HDTMS or OTMS modified GO in liquid paraffin can reduce the friction coefficients (FC) of the mixtures by 34.0% and 15.5% respectively. HDTMS who possesses longer alkyl chain works better in decreasing FC.
Cyclometalated ruthenium(ii) complexes with bis(benzimidazolyl)benzene for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Shao Jiang-Yang , Fu Nianqing , Yang Wen-Wen , Zhang Chun-Yu , Zhong Yu-Wu , Lin Yuan , Yao Jiannian
Published: October 2015

The length of alkyl chains on the benzimidazole rings of cyclometalated ruthenium dyes is critical to the DSSC performance.
Submicron-sized silicon oxycarbide spheres as anodes for alkali ion batteries
Authors: Weinberger M. , Pfeifer C. , Schindler S. , Diemant T. , Behm R. J. , Wohlfahrt-Mehrens M.
Published: October 2015

Silicon oxycarbide nanospheres were synthesized as an anode for sodium and lithium ion batteries. In the sodium system the material delivers high capacities of up to 200 mA h g−1at 25 mA g−1.
Chromate conversion coated aluminium as a light-weight and corrosion-resistant current collector for aqueous lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Gheytani Saman , Liang Yanliang , Jing Yan , Xu Jeff Q. , Yao Yan
Published: October 2015

We report chromate conversion coated (CCC) aluminium foil as a corrosion-resistant current collector in aqueous lithium-ion battery cathodes. CCC aluminium-based electrodes show better cycling stability and higher coulombic efficiency than those fabricated on stainless steel and titanium foils.
Star-shaped triphenylene discotic liquid crystalline oligomers and their hydrogen-bonded supramolecular complexes with simple acids
Authors: Zhao Ke-Qing , Bai Xiao-Yan , Xiao Bo , Gao Yue , Hu Ping , Wang Bi-Qin , Zeng Qing-Dao , Wang Chen , Heinrich Benoît , Donnio Bertrand
Published: October 2015

The synthesis and self-assembly properties of four novel star-shaped oligomers containing triphenylene discotic mesogens are reported.
Copper thiocyanate (CuSCN): an efficient solution-processable hole transporting layer in organic solar cells
Authors: Chaudhary Neeraj , Chaudhary Rajiv , Kesari J. P. , Patra Asit , Chand Suresh
Published: October 2015

Here, we report copper(i)thiocyanate (CuSCN) as an efficient and solution-processable hole transport layer (HTL) in bulk heterojunction solar cells.
Bisecting GlcNAc modification stabilizes BACE1 protein under oxidative stress conditions
Authors: Kizuka Yasuhiko , Nakano Miyako , Kitazume Shinobu , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Taniguchi Naoyuki
Published: October 2015

β-Site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) is a protease essential for amyloid-β (Aβ) production in Alzheimer's disease (AD). BACE1 protein is known to be up-regulated by oxidative stress-inducing stimuli but the mechanism for this up-regulation still needs to be clarified. We have recently found that BACE1 is modified with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-III (GnT-III, encoded by the Mgat3 gene) and that GnT-III deficiency reduces Aβ-plaque formation in the brain by accelerating lysosomal degradation of BACE1. Therefore, we hypothesized that bisecting GlcNAc would stabilize BACE1 protein on oxidative stress. In the present study, we first show that Aβ deposition in the mouse brain induces oxidative stress, together with an increase in levels of BACE1 and bisecting GlcNAc. Furthermore, prooxidant treatment induces expression of BACE1 protein in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), whereas it reduces BACE1 protein in GnT-III (Mgat3) knock-out MEFs by accelerating lysosomal degradation of BACE1. We purified BACE1 from Neuro2A cells and performed LC/ESI/MS analysis for BACE1-derived glycopeptides and mapped bisecting GlcNAc-modified sites on BACE1. Point mutations at two N-glycosylation sites (Asn153 and Asn223) abolish the bisecting GlcNAc modification on BACE1. These mutations almost cancelled the enhanced BACE1 degradation seen in Mgat3−/− MEFs, indicating that bisecting GlcNAc on BACE1 indeed regulates its degradation. Finally, we show that traumatic brain injury-induced BACE1 up-regulation is significantly suppressed in the Mgat3−/− brain. These results highlight the role of bisecting GlcNAc in oxidative stress-induced BACE1 expression and offer a novel glycan-targeted strategy for suppressing Aβ generation.