bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maf deficiency in T cells dysregulates Treg - TH17 balance leading to spontaneous colitis
Authors: Imbratta Claire , Leblond Marine M. , Bouzourène Hanifa , Speiser Daniel E. , Velin Dominique , Verdeil Grégory
Published: April 2019

The maintenance of homeostasis in the gut is a major challenge for the immune system. Here we demonstrate that the transcription factor MAF plays a central role in T cells for the prevention of gastro-intestinal inflammation. Conditional knock out mice lackingMafin all T cells developed spontaneous late-onset colitis, correlating with a decrease of FOXP3+RORγt+T cells proportion, dampened IL-10 production in the colon and an increase of inflammatory TH17 cells. Strikingly, FOXP3+specific conditional knock out mice for MAF did not develop colitis and demonstrated normal levels of IL-10 in their colon, despite the incapacity of regulatory T cells lacking MAF to suppress colon inflammation inRag1−/−mice transferred with naïve CD4+T cells. We showed that one of the cellular sources of IL-10 in the colon of these mice are TH17 cells. Thus, MAF is critically involved in the maintenance of the gut homeostasis by regulating the balance between Tregand TH17 cells either at the level of their differentiation or through the modulation of their functions.
Complete assembly of the Leishmania donovani (HU3 strain) genome and transcriptome annotation
Authors: Camacho Esther , González-de la Fuente Sandra , Rastrojo Alberto , Peiró-Pastor Ramón , Solana Jose Carlos , Tabera Laura , Gamarro Francisco , Carrasco-Ramiro Fernando , Requena Jose M. , Aguado Begoña
Published: April 2019

Leishmania donovani is a unicellular parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis, a fatal disease in humans. In this study, a complete assembly of the genome of L. donovani is provided. Apart from being the first published genome of this strain (HU3), this constitutes the best assembly for an L. donovani genome attained to date. The use of a combination of sequencing platforms enabled to assemble, without any sequence gap, the 36 chromosomes for this species. Additionally, based on this assembly and using RNA-seq reads derived from poly-A + RNA, the transcriptome for this species, not yet available, was delineated. Alternative SL addition sites and heterogeneity in the poly-A addition sites were commonly observed for most of the genes. After a complete annotation of the transcriptome, 2,410 novel transcripts were defined. Additionally, the relative expression for all transcripts present in the promastigote stage was determined. Events of cis-splicing have been documented to occur during the maturation of the transcripts derived from genes LDHU3_07.0430 and LDHU3_29.3990. The complete genome assembly and the availability of the gene models (including annotation of untranslated regions) are important pieces to understand how differential gene expression occurs in this pathogen, and to decipher phenotypic peculiarities like tissue tropism, clinical disease, and drug susceptibility.
Probing prothrombin structure by limited proteolysis
Authors: Acquasaliente Laura , Pelc Leslie A. , Di Cera Enrico
Published: April 2019

Prothrombin, or coagulation factor II, is a multidomain zymogen precursor of thrombin that undergoes an allosteric equilibrium between two alternative conformations, open and closed, that react differently with the physiological activator prothrombinase. Specifically, the dominant closed form promotes cleavage at R320 and initiates activation along the meizothrombin pathway, whilst the open form promotes cleavage at R271 and initiates activation along the alternative prethrombin-2 pathway. Here we report how key structural features of prothrombin can be monitored by limited proteolysis with chymotrypsin that attacks W468 in the flexible autolysis loop of the protease domain in the open but not the closed form. Perturbation of prothrombin by selective removal of its constituent Gla domain, kringles and linkers reveals their long-range communication and supports a scenario where stabilization of the open form switches the pathway of activation from meizothrombin to prethrombin-2. We also identify R296 in the A chain of the protease domain as a critical link between the allosteric open-closed equilibrium and exposure of the sites of cleavage at R271 and R320. These findings reveal important new details on the molecular basis of prothrombin function.
Brevibacterium from Austrian hard cheese harbor a putative histamine catabolism pathway and a plasmid for adaptation to the cheese environment
Authors: Anast Justin M. , Dzieciol Monika , Schultz Dylan L. , Wagner Martin , Mann Evelyne , Schmitz-Esser Stephan
Published: April 2019

The genus Brevibacterium harbors many members important for cheese ripening. We performed real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine the abundance of Brevibacterium on rinds of Vorarlberger Bergkäse, an Austrian artisanal washed-rind hard cheese, over 160 days of ripening. Our results show that Brevibacterium are abundant on Vorarlberger Bergkäse rinds throughout the ripening time. To elucidate the impact of Brevibacterium on cheese production, we analysed the genomes of three cheese rind isolates, L261, S111, and S22. L261 belongs to Brevibacterium aurantiacum, whereas S111 and S22 represent novel species within the genus Brevibacterium based on 16S rRNA gene similarity and average nucleotide identity. Our comparative genomic analysis showed that important cheese ripening enzymes are conserved among the genus Brevibacterium. Strain S22 harbors a 22 kb circular plasmid which encodes putative iron and hydroxymethylpyrimidine/thiamine transporters. Histamine formation in fermented foods can cause histamine intoxication. We revealed the presence of a putative metabolic pathway for histamine degradation. Growth experiments showed that the three Brevibacterium strains can utilize histamine as the sole carbon source. The capability to utilize histamine, possibly encoded by the putative histamine degradation pathway, highlights the importance of Brevibacterium as key cheese ripening cultures beyond their contribution to cheese flavor production.
High-frequency dynamics of evanescently-coupled nanowire lasers
Authors: Adams M. J. , Jevtics D. , Strain M. J. , Henning I. D. , Hurtado A.
Published: April 2019

We analyse the dynamics and conditions for stability in an array of two laterally-coupled nanowire lasers in terms of their separation, difference in resonant frequencies and pumping rate under conditions of weak coupling. We find that the regions of stability are very small and are found close to zero frequency offset between the lasers. Outside these regions various forms of instability including periodic oscillation, chaos and complex dynamics are predicted. Importantly, the analysis of the frequency of periodic oscillations for realistic laser separations and pumping yields values of order 100 GHz thus underlining the significant potential of nanowire laser arrays for ultra-high frequency on-chip systems with very low foot-print and energy requirements.
Different Circulating Trace Amine Profiles in De Novo and Treated Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: D’Andrea Giovanni , Pizzolato Gilberto , Gucciardi Antonina , Stocchero Matteo , Giordano Giuseppe , Baraldi Eugenio , Leon Alberta
Published: April 2019

Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains a challenge to date. New evidence highlights the potential clinical value of circulating trace amines (TAs) in early-stage PD and their involvement in disease progression. A new ultra performance chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify plasmatic TAs, and the catecholamines and indolamines pertaining to the same biochemical pathways. Three groups of subjects were recruited: 21de novo, drug untreated, PD patients, 27 in treatment PD patients and 10 healthy subjects as controls. Multivariate and univariate data analyses were applied to reveal metabolic changes among the groups in attempt to discover new putative markers for early PD detection and disease progression. Different circulating levels of tyrosine (p = 0.002), tyramine (p < 0.001), synephrine (p = 0.015), norepinephrine (p = 0.012), metanephrine (p = 0.001), β-phenylethylamine (p = 0.001) and serotonin (p = 0.006) were found among the three groups. While tyramine behaves as a putative biomarker for early-stage PD (AUC = 0.90) tyramine, norepinephrine, and tyrosine appear to act as biomarkers of disease progression (AUC > 0.75). The findings of this pilot cross-sectional study suggest that biochemical anomalies of the aminergic and indolic neurotransmitters occur in PD patients. Compounds within the TAs family may constitute putative markers for early stage detection and progression of PD.
Inheritance and fitness costs of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry2Ad in laboratory strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Liao Jinying , Xue Yiqun , Xiao Guangjing , Xie Miao , Huang Shuting , You Shijun , Wyckhuys Kris A. G. , You Minsheng
Published: April 2019

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the main pests of Brassica crops worldwide. Management of P. xylostella is particularly challenging, as different field populations have readily acquired resistance to a wide range of insecticides, including Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins. In this study, a novel strain of P. xyllostela (Fuzhou-R2Ad) with 120-fold resistance to Bt Cry2Ad was selected in the laboratory, after screening for 66 generations from the susceptible strain Fuzhou-S. In the absence of Bt Cry2Ad toxin, the Fuzhou-R2Ad had significantly lower fitness as compared to the susceptible strain, which might be related to induced genetic changes to Bt toxins. We used several models to measure the dominance levels of insecticide resistance among different strains and found an incompletely recessive inheritance pattern of the Fuzhou-R2Ad resistance, which might be controlled by multiple genes. This study constitutes the first report of laboratory-acquired resistance to Cry2Ad toxin in P. xylostella. Our work presents further insights into the mechanism of Bt resistance and has immediate implications for the integrated pest management of P. xylostella globally.
Precision and informational limits in inelastic optical spectroscopy
Authors: Török Peter , Foreman Matthew R.
Published: April 2019

Using Fisher information and the Cramér-Rao lower bound, we analyse fundamental precision limits in the determination of spectral parameters in inelastic optical scattering. General analytic formulae are derived which account for the instrument response functions of the dispersive element and relay optics found in practical Raman and Brillouin spectrometers. Limiting cases of dispersion and diffraction limited spectrometers, corresponding to measurement of Lorentzian and Voigt lineshapes respectively, are discussed in detail allowing optimal configurations to be identified. Effects of defocus, spherical aberration, detector pixelation and a finite detector size are also considered.
Quantum Effects In Imaging Nano-Structures Using Photon-Induced Near-Field Electron Microscopy
Authors: Etman Naglaa , Said Afaf M. A. , Atia Khaled S. R. , Sultan Reem , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Amin Muhamed , Obayya S. S. A.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce the quantum mechanical approach as a more physically-realistic model to accurately quantify the electron-photon interaction in Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM). Further, we compare the maximum coupling speed between the electrons and the photons in the quantum and classical regime. For a nanosphere of radius 2.13 nm, full quantum calculations show that the maximum coupling between photon and electron occurs at a slower speed than classical calculations report. In addition, a significant reduction in PINEM field intensity is observed for the full quantum model. Furthermore, we discuss the size limitation for particles imaged using the PIMEN technique and the role of the background material in improving the PINEM intensity. We further report a significant reduction in PINEM intensity in nearly touching plasmonic particles (0.3 nm gap) due to tunneling effect.
Data-driven discovery of a novel sepsis pre-shock state predicts impending septic shock in the ICU
Authors: Liu Ran , Greenstein Joseph L. , Granite Stephen J. , Fackler James C. , Bembea Melania M. , Sarma Sridevi V. , Winslow Raimond L.
Published: April 2019

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition in which timely treatment substantially reduces mortality. Reliable identification of patients with sepsis who are at elevated risk of developing septic shock therefore has the potential to save lives by opening an early window of intervention. We hypothesize the existence of a novel clinical state of sepsis referred to as the “pre-shock” state, and that patients with sepsis who enter this state are highly likely to develop septic shock at some future time. We apply three different machine learning techniques to the electronic health record data of 15,930 patients in the MIMIC-III database to test this hypothesis. This novel paradigm yields improved performance in identifying patients with sepsis who will progress to septic shock, as defined by Sepsis- 3 criteria, with the best method achieving a 0.93 area under the receiver operating curve, 88% sensitivity, 84% specificity, and median early warning time of 7 hours. Additionally, we introduce the notion of patient-specific positive predictive value, assigning confidence to individual predictions, and achieving values as high as 91%. This study demonstrates that early prediction of impending septic shock, and thus early intervention, is possible many hours in advance.
Sex-specific differences in spring and autumn migration in a northern large herbivore
Authors: Debeffe Lucie , Rivrud Inger Maren , Meisingset Erling L. , Mysterud Atle
Published: April 2019

Ongoing global warming is now affecting migratory cycles in a large variety of taxa in seasonally variable environments. Disruption of migratory systems can cause population decline and affect ecosystem function across the globe. It is therefore urgent to understand the drivers of migration and how the different fitness limitations of the sexes affect migration, but studies seldom considered the full annual cycle. We analysed the annual migration cycle of 237 red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Norway and investigate how different seasonal limitations affected the variation in a suite of migration characteristics. We found fundamental differences in migration phenology between seasons, and migratory traits were much more variable in males. Spring migratory movements were characterized by longer distance roamed, lower speed, lasted longer, more frequent use of stopovers, timing was more synchronized and coincided with onset of plant growth, and with higher daily activity levels. Timing of autumn migration was more variable and not closely related to cease of plant growth. Our study emphasizes the benefits of studying the full annual cycle to gain further insight into the migration process, and how understanding the limitations of the full annual migration process of both sexes is critical for conservation purposes.
Hand-Fabricated CNT/AgNPs Electrodes using Wax-on-Plastic Platforms for Electro-Immunosensing Application
Authors: Chen Sensen , Qamar Ahmad Z. , Asefifeyzabadi Narges , Funneman Madison , Taki Motahareh , Elliot Lee , Kinsel Mary E. , Kinsel Gary R. , Shamsi Mohtashim H.
Published: April 2019

Fabrication of inexpensive and flexible electronic and electrochemical sensors is in high demand for a wide range of biochemical and biomedical applications. We explore hand fabrication of CNT modified AgNPs electrodes using wax-on-plastic platforms and their application in electrochemical immunosensing. Wax patterns were printed on polyethylene terephthalate-based substrates to laydown templates for the electrodes. Hand painting was employed to fabricate a silver conductive layer using AgNPs ink applied in the hydrophilic regions of the substrate surrounded by wax. CNT was drop cast on top of the working electrodes to improve their electrochemical signal. The device layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the hand fabricated AgNPs and CNT/AgNPs electrodes was tested using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and amperometry. The electrochemical response of CNT/AgNPs electrodes was relatively faster, higher, and more selective than unmodified AgNPs sensing electrodes. Finally, the hand-painted CNT/AgNPs electrodes were applied to detect carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by measuring the end-product of immunoassay performed on magnetic particles. The detection limit for CEA was found to be 0.46 ng/mL.
Bioproduction of pure, kilobase-scale single-stranded DNA
Authors: Shepherd Tyson R. , Du Rebecca R. , Huang Hellen , Wamhoff Eike-Christian , Bathe Mark
Published: April 2019

Scalable production of kilobase single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with sequence control has applications in therapeutics, gene synthesis and sequencing, scaffolded DNA origami, and archival DNA memory storage. Biological production of circular ssDNA (cssDNA) using M13 addresses these needs at low cost. However, one unmet goal is to minimize the essential protein coding regions of the exported DNA while maintaining its infectivity and production purity to produce sequences less than 3,000 nt in length, relevant to therapeutic and materials science applications. Toward this end, synthetic miniphage with inserts of custom sequence and size offers scalable, low-cost synthesis of cssDNA at milligram and higher scales. Here, we optimize growth conditions using an E. coli helper strain combined with a miniphage genome carrying only an f1 origin and a β-lactamase-encoding (bla) antibiotic resistance gene, enabling isolation of pure cssDNA with a minimum sequence genomic length of 1,676 nt, without requiring additional purification from contaminating DNA. Low-cost scalability of isogenic, custom-length cssDNA is demonstrated for a sequence of 2,520 nt using a bioreactor, purified with low endotoxin levels (<5 E.U./ml). We apply these exonuclease-resistant cssDNAs to the self-assembly of wireframe DNA origami objects and to encode digital information on the miniphage genome for biological amplification.
Metabolites can regulate stem cell behavior through the STAT3/AKT pathway in a similar trend to that under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Jeong Gun-Jae , Kang Donglim , Kim Ae-Kyeong , Han Kyu-Hyun , Jeon Hye Ran , Kim Dong-ik
Published: April 2019

Stem cell therapy has long been considered a promising mode of treatment for many incurable diseases. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have provided the most promising results to date for regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, due to several obstacles such as difficulty in sourcing and characterizing hMSCs, they remain largely unavailable for clinical use. The signaling requirements for maintaining stem cell function have been studied widely, but little is known about how metabolism contributes to stem cell function. hMSCs have been shown to promote therapeutic efficacy in hypoxic conditions through metabolic conversion. According to published studies, certain metabolites are able to convert stem cell metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. In this study, we selected several metabolites (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), Phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP) and sodium oxalate (OXA)) to examine the relation between metabolites and stem cell functions. In addition, we investigated the ability of selected metabolites to induce rapid expansion of this cell population. Our results indicate that selected metabolites stimulate stem cell proliferation by induce glycolytic metabolism via AKT/STAT signaling.
Designed Mutations Alter the Binding Pathways of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein
Authors: Wu Di , Zhou Huan-Xiang
Published: April 2019

Many cellular functions, including signaling and regulation, are carried out by intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) binding to their targets. Experimental and computational studies have now significantly advanced our understanding of these binding processes. In particular, IDPs that become structured upon binding typically follow a dock-and-coalesce mechanism, whereby the docking of one IDP segment initiates the process, followed by on-target coalescence of remaining IDP segments. Multiple dock-and-coalesce pathways may exist, but one may dominate, by relying on electrostatic attraction and molecular flexibility for fast docking and fast coalescing, respectively. Here we critically test this mechanistic understanding by designing mutations that alter the dominant pathway. This achievement marks an important step toward precisely manipulating IDP functions.
Mixed-metal metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Abednatanzi Sara , Gohari Derakhshandeh Parviz , Depauw Hannes , Coudert François-Xavier , Vrielinck Henk , Van Der Voort Pascal , Leus Karen
Published: April 2019

Mixed-metal MOFs contain at least 2 different metal ions presenting promising potential in heterogeneous catalysis, gas sorption/separation, luminescence and sensing.
EDTA-Na3functionalized Fe3O4nanoparticles: grafting density control for MRSA eradication
Authors: Manna Palash Kumar , Nickel Rachel , Li Jie , Wroczynskyj Yaroslav , Liu Song , van Lierop Johan
Published: April 2019

We report a synthesis strategy to simplify often cumbersome post-synthesis ligand exchange protocols and use that approach to synthesize EDTA-Na3(N-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediaminetriacetate, trisodium salt) functionalized hydrophilic and biocompatible Fe3O4nanoparticles.
A combination of chicken embryo extract and a nutritional supplement protect a rat model of aging againstd-galactose-induced dysfunction of mitochondria and autophagy
Authors: Zhou Huimin , Ma Jia , Shan Yujia , Qi Xia , Wang Huaxin , Jia Li
Published: April 2019

The aging process is usually associated with increased oxidative stress and deficiency of tissues and organs, which causes a decline in the life quality of individuals.
Nutraceutical protein isolate from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) milling waste by-product: functional aspects and digestibility
Authors: Tapal Arun , Vegarud Gerd E. , Sreedhara Ashoka , Kaul Tiku Purnima
Published: April 2019

The aim of the present study was to utilize the protein from pigeon pea milling waste by-product for the preparation of protein isolate (PPI).
Body distribution of stable copper isotopes during the progression of cholestatic liver disease induced by common bile duct ligation in mice
Authors: Costas-Rodríguez Marta , Van Campenhout Sanne , Hastuti Agustina A M B , Devisscher Lindsey , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: April 2019

Patients with chronic liver disease from different aetiologies show a light serum Cu isotopic composition compared to the reference population, with the enrichment in the 63Cu isotope correlating with the severity of the disease. However, the mechanisms underlying Cu isotope fractionation at the onset and during progression of the disease are still unclear. In this work, a common bile duct ligation (CBDL) murine model was used to investigate the effect of cholestasis-induced liver disease on the Cu isotopic composition. Wild type male and female mice underwent surgical ligation of the common bile duct and were sacrificed 2, 4 and 6 weeks, and 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the surgical intervention, respectively. The age- and gender-matched control mice underwent sham surgery. Disease progression was evaluated using serum bilirubin levels, hepatic pro-inflammatory chemokine levels and Metavir fibrosis score. CBDL-operated mice show an overall body enrichment in the light isotope 63Cu. The Cu isotopic composition of organs, bone and serum becomes gradually lighter compared to the sham-operated mice with increasing severity of the disease. The light Cu isotopic composition of the CBDL-operated mice might result from an altered Cu intake and/or excretion. As the intestinal uptake of dietary Cu is largely mediated by transporters of Cu(i), mRNA and protein expression levels of two major metal transporters (CTR1 and DMT1) and Cu reductases (STEAP proteins and duodenal cytochrome B) were examined in the duodenal tissues as potential factors inducing Cu isotope fractionation. However, no significant differences in protein expression levels were observed between the CBDL- and sham-operated mice.
Metal-catalysed reactions enabled by guanidine-type ligands
Authors: Cui Xi-Yang , Tan Choon-Hong , Leow Dasheng
Published: April 2019

A review of metal–guanidine complexes, which are selective and powerful catalysts for organic transformations, asymmetric synthesis, and polymerisation.
A pH-/thermo-responsive hydrogel formed from N,N′-dibenzoyl-l-cystine: properties, self-assembly structure and release behavior of SA
Authors: Zhong Jinlian , Fu Hongyu , Jia Xinjian , Lou Haoxiang , Wan Tiantian , Luo Haiqing , Liu Huijin , Zhong Dichang , Luo Xuzhong
Published: April 2019

A supramolecular hydrogel possessing pH-sensitive properties and thermo-reversibility was prepared, and the release behavior of salicylic acid from it is in accordance with the Fickian diffusion control within the given time.
Mechanism of magnetisation relaxation in {MIII2DyIII2} (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Al) “Butterfly” complexes: how important are the transition metal ions here?
Authors: Peng Yan , Singh Mukesh Kumar , Mereacre Valeriu , Anson Christopher E. , Rajaraman Gopalan , Powell Annie K.
Published: April 2019

Tuning of relaxation of magnetisation through 3d metal ion variations in 3d2Dy2 butterflies.
Electroforming of a metal–organic framework on porous copper hollow fibers
Authors: Demirel Özlem H. , Rijnaarts Timon , de Wit Patrick , Wood Jeffery A. , Benes Nieck E.
Published: April 2019

Porous hollow fibers are used for the first time as both support and metal source for electroforming of MOF films.
A core@double shell-structured PBO composite with excellent dielectric properties and high heat resistance
Authors: Liu Qiang , Cheng Zhipeng , Qian Jun , Chen Xuexue , Zhang Yitong , Zhuang Qixin
Published: April 2019

Herein, a new high dielectric performance composite was prepared, which contained a core@double shell structure filler.
Fabrication of flexible high-performance organic field-effect transistors using phenacene molecules and their application toward flexible CMOS inverters
Authors: Pompei Emanuela , Turchetti Claudio , Hamao Shino , Miura Akari , Goto Hidenori , Okamoto Hideki , Fujiwara Akihiko , Eguchi Ritsuko , Kubozono Yoshihiro
Published: April 2019

The transport properties of 3,10-ditetradecylpicene ((C14H29)2-picene) and [6]phenacene thin-film field-effect transistors (FETs) on Si and plastic substrates are reported, in which SiO2and parylene are used as gate dielectrics, respectively.
Highly selective chromoionophores for ratiometric Na+sensing based on an oligoethyleneglycol bridged bithiophene detection unit
Authors: Moser Maximilian , Thorley Karl J. , Moruzzi Floriana , Ponder James F. , Maria Iuliana P. , Giovannitti Alexander , Inal Sahika , McCulloch Iain
Published: April 2019

A series of nine novel Na+selective ratiometric optical probes (S1–S9) have been developed and evaluated both by computational and experimental means.
Rationally designed organelle-specific thermally activated delayed fluorescence small molecule organic probes for time-resolved biological applications
Authors: Zhang Qingyang , Xu Shengnan , Li Meng , Wang Yali , Zhang Na , Guan Yan , Chen Mingxing , Chen Chuan-Feng , Hu Hai-Yu
Published: April 2019

A new strategy for TADF-based probes to maintain long fluorescence emission lifetime in TRFI studies in cells was developed.
Light-controlled thrombin catalysis and clot formation using a photoswitchable G-quadruplex DNA aptamer
Authors: Ali Aysha , Bullen Gemma A. , Cross Benjamin , Dafforn Timothy R. , Little Haydn A. , Manchester Jack , Peacock Anna F. A. , Tucker James H. R.
Published: April 2019

The application of light distorts the structure of an anthracene-functionalized DNA aptamer, preventing its inhibitive binding to the clotting enzyme thrombin, resulting in photoswitched catalysis.
Photoactive Zn–air batteries using spinel-type cobalt oxide as a bifunctional photocatalyst at the air cathode
Authors: Tomon Chanikarn , Sarawutanukul Sangchai , Duangdangchote Salatan , Krittayavathananon Atiweena , Sawangphruk Montree
Published: April 2019

Spinel-type cobalt oxide (Co3O4) was synthesized and used as a photoactive bifunctional electrocatalyst towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the air cathode of zinc–air batteries (ZABs).
Hydrogen bonding between hydroxylic donors and MLCT-excited Ru(bpy)2(bpz)2+ complex: implications for photoinduced electron–proton transfer
Authors: Lymar Sergei V. , Manbeck Gerald F. , Polyansky Dmitry E.
Published: April 2019

Rates of electron–proton transfer within the H-bonded exciplexes are evaluated using the free energy correlation with donor's H-bonding acidity.
Carbonyl and olefin hydrosilylation mediated by an air-stable phosphorus(iii) dication under mild conditions
Authors: Andrews Ryan J. , Chitnis Saurabh S. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: April 2019

The air-stable Lewis acid [(terpy)PPh][B(C6F5)4]21 mediates the hydrosilylation of aldehydes, ketones, and olefins. The mechanism of these hydrosilylations is considered.
Conformational preference and cationic structure of 2-methylpyrazine by VUV-MATI spectroscopy and natural bond orbital analysis
Authors: Kang Do Won , Kim Hong Lae , Kwon Chan Ho
Published: April 2019

Alkylpyrazines, which are well-known as aromatic substances and traditional medicines, are interesting molecular systems, and their methyl conformations result in unique structural and dynamical properties.
Utilising an anilido-imino ligand to stabilise zinc-phosphanide complexes: reactivity and fluorescent properties
Authors: Webb Dylan , Fulton J. Robin
Published: April 2019

Anilido-imino-based ligands have been used to generate new zinc complexes, including rare zinc phosphanide and phosphinodichalcogenoate complexes. The fluorescence intensity of these compounds is highly dependent upon the non-ancillary ligand.
POM-FLPs: [MoIV3]n-polyoxometalate bifunctional catalysis by [MoIV3]n–Om Lewis pairs frustrated by triangular MoIV–MoIV bonds
Authors: Luo Benlong , Xu Li
Published: April 2019

The largest [Mo@Mo20]-1 and the first [Ge@Mo16Zn0.5Ge1.5]-2 incorporating group IV metals are added to the [MoIV3]n-POMs hybrid cluster family, which allows for the first systematic investigation into their reasonable syntheses, diversified molecular and electronic structures, and their influence on the catalytic hydrogenation performance of such POM-FLPs system.
Rhodium nanoparticles stabilized by ferrocenyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and catalytic styrene hydrogenation
Authors: Ibrahim M. , Wei M. M. , Deydier E. , Manoury E. , Poli R. , Lecante P. , Philippot K.
Published: April 2019

A series of ferrocenyl-phosphine ligands has been used to stabilize small rhodium nanoparticles that are active in the catalytic hydrogenation of styrene.
Design of novel lanthanide-doped core–shell nanocrystals with dual up-conversion and down-conversion luminescence for anti-counterfeiting printing
Authors: Xie Shaowen , Gong Guo , Song Ya , Tan Haihu , Zhang Changfan , Li Na , Zhang Yanxian , Xu Lijian , Xu Jianxiong , Zheng Jie
Published: April 2019

Mono-dispersed, dumbbell-shaped lanthanide-doped NaYF4@NaGdF4 core–shell nanoparticles with dual-mode fluorescence were synthesized for anti-counterfeiting.
Synthesis, crystal structures and nonlinear optical properties of β-RbCdI3·H2O and CsCdI3·H2O
Authors: Wu Qi , Liu Xian , Xu Siran , Pi Hongbing , Han Xue , Liu Yang , Li Yanjun
Published: April 2019

The synthesis, crystal structures and properties of two new potential IR NLO materials, β-RbCdI3·H2O and CsCdI3·H2O, are presented.
Dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]arsole-containing conjugated polymers in organic photovoltaic devices
Authors: Green Joshua P. , Cha Hyojung , Shahid Munazza , Creamer Adam , Durrant James R. , Heeney Martin
Published: April 2019

Dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]arsole containing donor polymers are reported and investigated in organic solar cell devices for the first time.
Ultrafast photoinduced energy and charge transfer
Authors: Chergui Majed
Published: April 2019

After presenting the basic theoretical models of excitation energy transfer and charge transfer, I describe some of the novel experimental methods used to probe them. Finally, I discuss recent results concerning ultrafast energy and charge transfer in biological systems, in chemical systems and in photovoltaics based on sensitized transition metal oxides.
Extensive review of popular functional foods and nutraceuticals against obesity and its related complications with a special focus on randomized clinical trials
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Kamesh , Chiu Hui-Fang , Wang Chin-Kun
Published: April 2019

Weight management (anti-obesity) by popular functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Metal-free ATRP “grafting from” technique for renewable cellulose graft copolymers
Authors: Lu Chuanwei , Wang Chunpeng , Yu Juan , Wang Jifu , Chu Fuxiang
Published: April 2019

Photoinduced metal-free “grafting from” atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been successfully applied to the fabrication of renewable cellulose graft copolymers with the aid of 2-bromo-2-phenylacetyl ester-modified ethyl cellulose as the macroinitiator.
On-the-fly exchangeable microfluidic nozzles for facile production of various monodisperse micromaterials
Authors: Kamperman Tom , van Loo Bas , Gurian Melvin , Henke Sieger , Karperien Marcel , Leijten Jeroen
Published: April 2019

Exchangeable microfluidic nozzles enable the facile production of a wide variety of micromaterials using a single cleanroom-free manufactured microfluidic device.
A microfluidic platform with cell-scale precise temperature control for simultaneous investigation of the osmotic responses of multiple oocytes
Authors: Lei Zeling , Xie Dongcheng , Mbogba Momoh Karmah , Chen Zhongrong , Tian Conghui , Xu Lei , Zhao Gang
Published: April 2019

A microfluidic platform that integrates precise temperature control and multi-oocyte capture is proposed for investigation of oocyte osmotic responses.
Prediction of zinc-binding sites using multiple sequence profiles and machine learning methods
Authors: Yan Renxiang , Wang Xiaofeng , Tian Yarong , Xu Jing , Xu Xiaoli , Lin Juan
Published: April 2019

The zinc (Zn2+) cofactor has been proven to be involved in numerous biological mechanisms and the zinc-binding site is recognized as one of the most important post-translation modifications in proteins.
A NIR-responsive indocyanine green-genistein nanoformulation to control the polycomb epigenetic machinery for the efficient combinatorial photo/chemotherapy of glioblastoma
Authors: Kaundal Babita , Srivastava Anup K. , Sardoiwala Mohammed Nadim , Karmakar Surajit , Choudhury Subhasree Roy
Published: April 2019

A novel ICG-Gen@CasNPs based chemo/photodynamic therapy showing proteasomal degradation of polycomb proteins and inducing oxidative stress mediated apoptosis in glioblastoma cells.
Hexamethylene-1,6-bis(N-d-glucopyranosylamine) as a novel corrosion inhibitor for oil and gas industry: electrochemical and computational analysis
Authors: Onyeachu I. B. , Chauhan D. S. , Ansari K. R. , Obot I. B. , Quraishi M. A. , Alamri Aeshah H.
Published: April 2019

Experimental and theoretical studies on hexamethylene-1,6-bis(N-d-glucopyranosylamine) as a novel inhibitor against sweet corrosion useful for oil and gas industry.
The QM/MM-QTAIM approach reveals the nature of the different reactivity of cephalosporins in the active site of L1 metallo-β-lactamase
Authors: Khrenova Maria G. , Krivitskaya Alexandra V. , Tsirelson Vladimir G.
Published: April 2019

We combine the QM/MM and the QTAIM approaches to predict the reactivity of cephalosporins in the active site of L1 metallo-β-lactamase.
Structure–property correlations in phase-pure B-doped Q-carbon high-temperature superconductor with a record Tc = 55 K
Authors: Bhaumik Anagh , Narayan Jagdish
Published: April 2019

The discovery of record BCS Tc = 55 K superconductivity in phase-pure B-doped Q-carbon will provide the pathway to achieve room-temperature superconductivity.
Stabilizing electrochemical Li–O2batteries with a metal-based cathode of PdNi on Ni nonwoven fabric
Authors: Wang Huan-Feng , Li Jun-Feng , Sun Xue-Xi , Xu Ji-Jing
Published: April 2019

A nanoporous metal-based cathode (PdNi/NiNF) with a high discharge capacity of 15 700 mA h g−1is fabricated for use in Li–O2batteries.
Copper-catalyzed oxidative amination of methanol to access quinazolines
Authors: Satish Gandhesiri , Polu Ashok , Kota Laxman , Ilangovan Andivelu
Published: April 2019

A novel method for the copper-catalyzed oxidative amination of 2′-aminoarylketones with methanol as a C1 carbon source and ammonium acetate as an amine source to construct quinazolines was established in a one-pot manner.
Enhancing the thermal stability of the carbon-based perovskite solar cells by using a CsxFA1−xPbBrxI3−x light absorber
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Chai Nianyao , Wang Chang , Hua Jingchen , Huang Fuzhi , Peng Yong , Zhong Jie , Ku Zhiliang , Cheng Yi-bing
Published: April 2019

Mixed-cation CsxFA1–xPbBrxI3–x perovskite was used as light absorber for the carbon-based perovskite solar cells, and the as-prepared solar devices showed excellent long-term stability under constant heat (85 °C) and thermal cycling (−30 °C to 85 °C) condition.
Investigation of inverse emulsion assisted controlled release of polyacrylamides for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Liu Zheyu , Mendiratta Shruti , Chen Xin , Zhang Jian , Li Yiqiang
Published: April 2019

A high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide-based polymer encapsulated in water-in-oil emulsion is proposed for enhanced oil recovery. Its high viscosity, viscoelasticity and plugging capacity with aging time are beneficial for oil mobilization.
Interfacial electronic structure between a W-doped In2O3 transparent electrode and a V2O5 hole injection layer for inorganic quantum-dot light-emitting diodes
Authors: Heo Su Been , Yu Jong Hun , Kim Minju , Yi Yeonjin , Lee Ji-Eun , Kim Han-Ki , Kang Seong Jun
Published: April 2019

Interfacial electronic structure between W-doped In2O3 and V2O5 has been investigated, and we found gap states that can provide an efficient hole carrier injection pathway.
Deciphering the lithium ion movement in lithium ion batteries: determination of the isotopic abundances of 6Li and 7Li
Authors: Diehl Marcel , Evertz Marco , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: April 2019

Different aging experiments were performed on NMC622/graphite cells with a 6Li enriched electrolyte to unravel the lithium distribution.
Photocatalytic carbanion generation – benzylation of aliphatic aldehydes to secondary alcohols
Authors: Donabauer Karsten , Maity Mitasree , Berger Anna Lucia , Huff Gregory S. , Crespi Stefano , König Burkhard
Published: April 2019

We present a redox-neutral method for the photocatalytic generation of carbanions.
Multivalent metal ion hybrid capacitors: a review with a focus on zinc-ion hybrid capacitors
Authors: Dong Liubing , Yang Wang , Yang Wu , Li Yang , Wu Wenjian , Wang Guoxiu
Published: April 2019

Multivalent metal ion hybrid capacitors are overviewed from the angle of design concept, configuration, electrochemical behavior and energy storage mechanism.
Controllable growth of vertically oriented graphene for high sensitivity gas detection
Authors: Li Jiurong , Liu Zhiduo , Guo Qinglei , Yang Siwei , Xu Anli , Wang Ziwen , Wang Gang , Wang Yongqiang , Chen Da , Ding Guqiao
Published: April 2019

Directly synthesize vertical graphene nano-petals (VGNPs) on SiO2 substrate by PACVD, the growth temperature is significantly reduced and reaches at 550 °C. We utilize the unique topography of VGNPs to investigate the ammonia gas sensitivity and realize the ppt level detection ability.
CrmA orthologs from diverse poxviruses potently inhibit caspases-1 and -8, yet cleavage site mutagenesis frequently produces caspase-1-specific variants
Authors: Bloomer David T. , Kitevska-Ilioski Tanja , Pantaki-Eimany Delara , Ji Yanhao , Miles Mark A. , Heras Begona , Hawkins Christine J.
Published: April 2019

Poxviruses encode many proteins that enable them to evade host anti-viral defense mechanisms. Spi-2 proteins, including Cowpox virus CrmA, suppress anti-viral immune responses and contribute to poxviral pathogenesis and lethality. These proteins are ‘serpin’ protease inhibitors, which function via a pseudosubstrate mechanism involving initial interactions between the protease and a cleavage site within the serpin. A conformational change within the serpin interrupts the cleavage reaction, deforming the protease active site and preventing dissociation. Spi-2 proteins like CrmA potently inhibit caspases-1, -4 and -5, which produce proinflammatory cytokines, and caspase-8, which facilitates cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated target cell death. It is not clear whether both of these functions are equally perilous for the virus, or whether only one must be suppressed for poxviral infectivity and spread but the other is coincidently inhibited merely because these caspases are biochemically similar. We compared the caspase specificity of CrmA to three orthologs from orthopoxviruses and four from more distant chordopoxviruses. All potently blocked caspases-1, -4, -5 and -8 activity but exhibited negligible inhibition of caspases-2, -3 and -6. The orthologs differed markedly in their propensity to inhibit non-mammalian caspases. We determined the specificity of CrmA mutants bearing various residues in positions P4, P3 and P2 of the cleavage site. Almost all variants retained the ability to inhibit caspase-1, but many lacked caspase-8 inhibitory activity. The retention of Spi-2 proteins’ caspase-8 specificity during chordopoxvirus evolution, despite this function being readily lost through cleavage site mutagenesis, suggests that caspase-8 inhibition is crucial for poxviral pathogenesis and spread.
MiR-205 suppresses epithelial–mesenchymal transition and inhibits tumor growth of human glioma through down-regulation of HOXD9
Authors: Dai Bin , Zhou Guanghua , Hu Zhiqiang , Zhu Guangtong , Mao Beibei , Su Haiyang , Jia Qingbin
Published: April 2019

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in cancer progression. Hsa-miR-205 is considered one of the fundamental regulators of EMT. In the present study, we found that miR-205 was down-regulated in glioma tissues and human glioma cells U87 and U251. Meanwhile, miR-205 overexpression enhanced E-cadherin, reduced mesenchymal markers, and decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. In vivo, miR-205 suppressed tumor growth. Additionally, HOXD9 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-205. Suppression of HOXD9 by miR-205 was demonstrated by luciferase reporter assay, quantitative real time-PCR analysis, and western blot. Moreover, we observed a negative correlation between miR-205 and HOXD9 in human glioma tissues. In summary, our findings demonstrated that miR-205 suppresses glioma tumor growth, invasion, and reverses EMT through down-regulating its target HOXD9.
MPSSS impairs the immunosuppressive function of cancer-associated fibroblasts via the TLR4-NF-κB pathway
Authors: Xu Yuwei , Ma Jing , Zheng Qilin , Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Minghua , Ma Fangli , Qin Zhihai , Lei Ningjing , Tao Ning
Published: April 2019

The polysaccharides MPSSS was extracted from Lentinus edodes and has been reported to effectively inhibit tumor growth and eliminate the function of myeloid-derived immune suppressor cell-mediated T cell inhibition, thus improving the efficacy of cancer therapy. The exploration of how MPSSS affects the functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) will provide a new perspective for understanding the antitumor effects of MPSSS. In the present study, prostate CAFs were selected as target cells to study whether MPSSS affected cell proliferation and function. The results showed that MPSSS did not directly inhibit the growth of prostate CAFs but interfered with CAF-mediated T cell inhibition and affected the immunosuppressive function of prostate CAFs. Mechanistic studies were further performed and showed that MPSSS activated key node proteins in the NF-κB pathway that were dependent on MyD88, and a TLR4 inhibitor blocked the changes in these proteins and the effect of MPSSS. We hypothesize that MPSSS can activate the MyD88-dependent TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway to change the function of CAFs. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that MPSSS can not only effectively inhibit the growth of prostate cancer as we previously reported but also alter the function of prostate CAFs by activating the TLR4-NF-κB pathway, providing a new strategy for the comprehensive treatment of tumors.
Oleic acid ameliorates palmitic acid-induced ER stress and inflammation markers in naive and cerulein-treated exocrine pancreas cells
Authors: Ben-Dror Karin , Birk Ruth
Published: April 2019

Dietary fat overload (typical to obesity) increases the risk of pancreatic pathologies through mechanisms yet to be defined. We previously showed that saturated dietary fat induces pancreatic acinar lipotoxicity and cellular stress. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of exocrine pancreas cells is highly developed and thus predisposed to stress. We studied the combination of saturated and unsaturated FAs in metabolic and pancreatitis like cerulein (CER)-induced stress states on cellular ER stress.

Exocrine pancreas AR42J and rat primary exocrine acinar cells underwent acute (24 h) challenge with different FAs (saturated, monounsaturated) at different concentrations (250 and 500 µM) and in combination with acute CER-induced stress, and were analyzed for fat accumulation, ER stress unfolded protein response (UPR) and immune and enzyme markers. Acute exposure of AR42J and pancreatic acinar cells to different FAs and their combinations increased triglyceride accumulation. Palmitic acid significantly dose-dependently enhanced the UPR, immune factors and pancreatic lipase (PL) levels, as demonstrated by XBP1 splicing and elevation in UPR transcripts and protein levels (Xbp1,Atf6, Atf4, Chop, Tnfα, Tgfβ and Il-6). Exposure to high palmitic levels in a CER-induced stress state synergistically increased ER stress and inflammation marker levels. Exposure to oleic acid did not induce ER stress and PL levels and significantly decreased immune factors in an acute CER-induced stress state. Combination of oleic and palmitic acids significantly reduced the palmitic-induced ER stress, but did not affect the immune factor response. We show that combination of monounsaturated and saturated FAs protects from exocrine pancreatic cellular ER stress in both metabolic and CER-induced stress.