bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-construction layer effect of LiNi0.8Co0.15Mn0.05O2 with solvent evaporation process
Authors: Park Kwangjin , Park Jun-Ho , Hong Suk-Gi , Choi Byungjin , Heo Sung , Seo Seung-Woo , Min Kyoungmin , Park Jin-Hwan
Published: March 2017

The solvent evaporation method on the structural changes and surface chemistry of the cathode and the effect of electrochemical performance of Li1.0Ni0.8Co0.15Mn0.05O2 (NCM) has been investigated. After dissolving of Li residuals using minimum content of solvent in order to minimize the damage of pristine material and the evaporation time, the solvent was evaporated without filtering and remaining powder was re-heated at 700 °C in oxygen environment. Two kinds of solvent, de-ionized water and diluted nitric acid, were used as a solvent. The almost 40% of Li residuals were removed using solvent evaporation method. The NCM sample after solvent evaporation process exhibited an increase in the initial capacity (214.3 mAh/g) compared to the pristine sample (207.4 mAh/g) at 0.1C because of enhancement of electric conductivity caused by decline of Li residuals. The capacity retention of NCM sample after solvent evaporation process (96.0% at the 50th cycle) was also improved compared to that of the pristine NCM sample (90.6% at the 50th cycle). The uniform Li residual layer after solvent treated and heat treatment acted like a coating layer, leading to enhance the cycle performance. The NCM sample using diluted nitric acid showed better performance than that using de-ionized water.
Engineering a lipase B from Candida antactica with efficient perhydrolysis performance by eliminating its hydrolase activity
Authors: Wang Xu-Ping , Zhou Peng-Fei , Li Zhi-Gang , Yang Bo , Hollmann Frank , Wang Yong-Hua
Published: March 2017

A Ser105Ala mutant of the lipase B from Candida antarctica enables ‘perhydrolase-only’ reactions. At the example of the chemoenzymatic Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone, we demonstrate that with this mutant selective oxidation can be achieved in deep eutectic solvent while essentially eliminating the undesired hydrolysis reaction of the product.
Achromatic light patterning and improved image reconstruction for parallelized RESOLFT nanoscopy
Authors: Chmyrov Andriy , Leutenegger Marcel , Grotjohann Tim , Schönle Andreas , Keller-Findeisen Jan , Kastrup Lars , Jakobs Stefan , Donnert Gerald , Sahl Steffen J. , Hell Stefan W.
Published: March 2017

Fluorescence microscopy is rapidly turning into nanoscopy. Among the various nanoscopy methods, the STED/RESOLFT super-resolution family has recently been expanded to image even large fields of view within a few seconds. This advance relies on using light patterns featuring substantial arrays of intensity minima for discerning features by switching their fluorophores between ‘on’ and ‘off’ states of fluorescence. Here we show that splitting the light with a grating and recombining it in the focal plane of the objective lens renders arrays of minima with wavelength-independent periodicity. This colour-independent creation of periodic patterns facilitates coaligned on- and off-switching and readout with combinations chosen from a range of wavelengths. Applying up to three such periodic patterns on the switchable fluorescent proteins Dreiklang and rsCherryRev1.4, we demonstrate highly parallelized, multicolour RESOLFT nanoscopy in living cells for ~100 × 100 μm2 fields of view. Individual keratin filaments were rendered at a FWHM of ~60–80 nm, with effective resolution for the filaments of ~80–100 nm. We discuss the impact of novel image reconstruction algorithms featuring background elimination by spatial bandpass filtering, as well as strategies that incorporate complete image formation models.
Optical determination of Shockley-Read-Hall and interface recombination currents in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Sarritzu Valerio , Sestu Nicola , Marongiu Daniela , Chang Xueqing , Masi Sofia , Rizzo Aurora , Colella Silvia , Quochi Francesco , Saba Michele , Mura Andrea , Bongiovanni Giovanni
Published: March 2017

Metal-halide perovskite solar cells rival the best inorganic solar cells in power conversion efficiency, providing the outlook for efficient, cheap devices. In order for the technology to mature and approach the ideal Shockley-Queissier efficiency, experimental tools are needed to diagnose what processes limit performances, beyond simply measuring electrical characteristics often affected by parasitic effects and difficult to interpret. Here we study the microscopic origin of recombination currents causing photoconversion losses with an all-optical technique, measuring the electron-hole free energy as a function of the exciting light intensity. Our method allows assessing the ideality factor and breaks down the electron-hole recombination current into bulk defect and interface contributions, providing an estimate of the limit photoconversion efficiency, without any real charge current flowing through the device. We identify Shockley-Read-Hall recombination as the main decay process in insulated perovskite layers and quantify the additional performance degradation due to interface recombination in heterojunctions.
Chimeric viruses between Rocio and West Nile: the role for Rocio prM-E proteins in virulence and inhibition of interferon-α/β signaling
Authors: Amarilla Alberto A. , Setoh Yin X. , Periasamy Parthiban , Peng Nias Y. , Pali Gabor , Figueiredo Luiz T. , Khromykh Alexander A. , Aquino Victor H.
Published: March 2017

Mosquito-transmitted flavivirus Rocio (ROCV) was responsible for an outbreak of encephalitis in the Ribeira Valley, located in the south coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in 1975–1976. ROCV also causes fatal encephalitis in adult mice. Seroprevalence studies in humans, horses and water buffaloes in different regions of Brazil have suggested that ROCV is still circulating in the country, indicating the risk of re-emergence of this virus. West Nile virus (WNV) is also a mosquito-transmitted encephalitic flavivirus, however, WNV strains circulating in Australia have not been associated with outbreaks of disease in humans and exhibit low virulence in adult mice. To identify viral determinants of ROCV virulence, we have generated reciprocal chimeric viruses between ROCV and the Australian strain of WNV by swapping structural prM and E genes. Chimeric WNV containing ROCV prM-E genes replicated more efficiently than WNV or chimeric ROCV containing WNV prM-E genes in mammalian cells, was as virulent as ROCV in adult mice, and inhibited type I IFN signaling as efficiently as ROCV. The results show that ROCV prM and E proteins are major virulence determinants and identify unexpected function of these proteins in inhibition of type I interferon response.
Membrane remodeling by the M2 amphipathic helix drives influenza virus membrane scission
Authors: Martyna Agnieszka , Bahsoun Basma , Badham Matthew D. , Srinivasan Saipraveen , Howard Mark J. , Rossman Jeremy S.
Published: March 2017

Membrane scission is a crucial step in all budding processes, from endocytosis to viral budding. Many proteins have been associated with scission, though the underlying molecular details of how scission is accomplished often remain unknown. Here, we investigate the process of M2-mediated membrane scission during the budding of influenza viruses. Residues 50–61 of the viral M2 protein bind membrane and form an amphipathic α-helix (AH). Membrane binding requires hydrophobic interactions with the lipid tails but not charged interactions with the lipid headgroups. Upon binding, the M2AH induces membrane curvature and lipid ordering, constricting and destabilizing the membrane neck, causing scission. We further show that AHs in the cellular proteins Arf1 and Epsin1 behave in a similar manner. Together, they represent a class of membrane-induced AH domains that alter membrane curvature and fluidity, mediating the scission of constricted membrane necks in multiple biological pathways.
Physiological and transcriptional approaches reveal connection between nitrogen and manganese cycles in Shewanella algae C6G3
Authors: Aigle Axel , Bonin Patricia , Iobbi-Nivol Chantal , Méjean Vincent , Michotey Valérie
Published: March 2017

To explain anaerobic nitrite/nitrate production at the expense of ammonium mediated by manganese oxide (Mn(IV)) in sediment, nitrate and manganese respirations were investigated in a strain (Shewanella algae C6G3) presenting these features. In contrast to S. oneidensis MR-1, a biotic transitory nitrite accumulation at the expense of ammonium was observed in S. algae during anaerobic growth with Mn(IV) under condition of limiting electron acceptor, concomitantly, with a higher electron donor stoichiometry than expected. This low and reproducible transitory accumulation is the result of production and consumption since the strain is able to dissimilative reduce nitrate into ammonium. Nitrite production in Mn(IV) condition is strengthened by comparative expression of the nitrate/nitrite reductase genes (napA, nrfA, nrfA-2), and rates of the nitrate/nitrite reductase activities under Mn(IV), nitrate or fumarate conditions. Compared with S. oneidensis MR-1, S. algae contains additional genes that encode nitrate and nitrite reductases (napA-α and nrfA-2) and an Outer Membrane Cytochrome (OMC)(mtrH). Different patterns of expression of the OMC genes (omcA, mtrF, mtrH and mtrC) were observed depending on the electron acceptor and growth phase. Only gene mtrF-2 (SO1659 homolog) was specifically expressed under the Mn(IV) condition. Nitrate and Mn(IV) respirations seem connected at the physiological and transcriptional levels.
A Novel Biocontainment Strategy Makes Bacterial Growth and Survival Dependent on Phosphite
Authors: Hirota Ryuichi , Abe Kenji , Katsuura Zen-ichiro , Noguchi Reiji , Moribe Shigeaki , Motomura Kei , Ishida Takenori , Alexandrov Maxym , Funabashi Hisakage , Ikeda Takeshi , Kuroda Akio
Published: March 2017

There is a growing demand to develop biocontainment strategies that prevent unintended proliferation of genetically modified organisms in the open environment. We found that the hypophosphite (H3PO2, HPt) transporter HtxBCDE from Pseudomonas stutzeri WM88 was also capable of transporting phosphite (H3PO3, Pt) but not phosphate (H3PO4, Pi), suggesting the potential for engineering a Pt/HPt-dependent bacterial strain as a biocontainment strategy. We disrupted all Pi and organic Pi transporters in an Escherichia coli strain expressing HtxABCDE and a Pt dehydrogenase, leaving Pt/HPt uptake and oxidation as the only means to obtain Pi. Challenge on non-permissive growth medium revealed that no escape mutants appeared for at least 21 days with a detection limit of 1.94 × 10−13 per colony forming unit. This represents, to the best of our knowledge, the lowest escape frequency among reported strategies. Since Pt/HPt are ecologically rare and not available in amounts sufficient for the growth of the Pt/HPt-dependent bacteria, this strategy offers a reliable and practical method for biocontainment.
A Stronger Multi-observable Uncertainty Relation
Authors: Song Qiu-Cheng , Li Jun-Li , Peng Guang-Xiong , Qiao Cong-Feng
Published: March 2017

Uncertainty relation lies at the heart of quantum mechanics, characterizing the incompatibility of non-commuting observables in the preparation of quantum states. An important question is how to improve the lower bound of uncertainty relation. Here we present a variance-based sum uncertainty relation for N incompatible observables stronger than the simple generalization of an existing uncertainty relation for two observables. Further comparisons of our uncertainty relation with other related ones for spin-"Equation missing" and spin-1 particles indicate that the obtained uncertainty relation gives a better lower bound.
Direct measurement of the propagation of the phase-transition region of liquid crystals
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Katayama Kenji
Published: March 2017

Many types of active matter, such as biological cells, have liquid-crystalline membranes, which are soft and flexible in their interactions with their surroundings and sometimes allow molecular-structural or -orientational changes to extend for long distances, owing to long-range molecular interactions. Despite the technological and fundamental importance of these long-range changes, there is no good physical property with which to express them for the liquid crystal. Here, we show direct measurements of the propagation of structural or orientational changes due to long-range molecular interactions in liquid crystals. We induced a patterned phase transition in a liquid crystal via illumination with a fringe pattern and observed the propagation of the phase-transition region. We determined that the propagation occurred in a ballistic manner with a velocity of 80–110 m/s and that two types of propagation—side-by-side and head-to-tail molecular interactions—were found.
Effect of defects on reaction of NiO surface with Pb-contained solution
Authors: Kim Jongjin , Hou Binyang , Park Changyong , Bahn Chi Bum , Hoffman Jason , Black Jennifer , Bhattacharya Anand , Balke Nina , Hong Hawoong , Kim Ji Hyun , Hong Seungbum
Published: March 2017

In order to understand the role of defects in chemical reactions, we used two types of samples, which are molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown NiO(001) film on Mg(001) substrate as the defect free NiO prototype and NiO grown on Ni(110) single crystal as the one with defects. In-situ observations for oxide-liquid interfacial structure and surface morphology were performed for both samples in water and Pb-contained solution using high-resolution X-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy. For the MBE grown NiO, no significant changes were detected in the high-resolution X-ray reflectivity data with monotonic increase in roughness. Meanwhile, in the case of native grown NiO on Ni(110), significant changes in both the morphology and atomistic structure at the interface were observed when immersed in water and Pb-contained solution. Our results provide simple and direct experimental evidence of the role of the defects in chemical reaction of oxide surfaces with both water and Pb-contained solution.
Determination of Low Loss in Isotopically Pure Single Crystal 28Si at Low Temperatures and Single Microwave Photon Energy
Authors: Kostylev Nikita , Goryachev Maxim , Bulanov Andrey D. , Gavva Vladimir A. , Tobar Michael E.
Published: March 2017

The low dielectric losses of an isotopically pure single crystal 28Si sample were determined at a temperature of 20 mK and at powers equivalent to that of a single photon. Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) analysis revealed large Quality Factors of order 2 × 106 (dielectric loss ~5 × 10−7) at high powers, degrading to 7 × 105 (dielectric loss ~1.4 × 10−6) at single photon energy. A very low-loss narrow line width paramagnetic spin flip transition was detected with extreme sensitivity in 28Si, with very small concentration below 1011 cm−3 (less than 10 parts per trillion) and g-factor of 1.995 ± 0.008. Such determination was only possible due to the low dielectric photonic losses combined with the long lifetime of the spin transition (low magnetic loss), which enhances the magnetic AC susceptibility. Such low photonic loss at single photon energy combined with the narrow line width of the spin ensemble, indicate that single crystal 28Si could be an important crystal for future cavity QED experiments.
Priming of transcriptional memory responses via the chromatin accessibility landscape in T cells
Authors: Tu Wen Juan , Hardy Kristine , Sutton Christopher R. , McCuaig Robert , Li Jasmine , Dunn Jenny , Tan Abel , Brezar Vedran , Morris Melanie , Denyer Gareth , Lee Sau Kuen , Turner Stephen J. , Seddiki Nabila , Smith Corey , Khanna Rajiv , Rao Sudha
Published: March 2017

Memory T cells exhibit transcriptional memory and “remember” their previous pathogenic encounter to increase transcription on re-infection. However, how this transcriptional priming response is regulated is unknown. Here we performed global FAIRE-seq profiling of chromatin accessibility in a human T cell transcriptional memory model. Primary activation induced persistent accessibility changes, and secondary activation induced secondary-specific opening of previously less accessible regions associated with enhanced expression of memory-responsive genes. Increased accessibility occurred largely in distal regulatory regions and was associated with increased histone acetylation and relative H3.3 deposition. The enhanced re-stimulation response was linked to the strength of initial PKC-induced signalling, and PKC-sensitive increases in accessibility upon initial stimulation showed higher accessibility on re-stimulation. While accessibility maintenance was associated with ETS-1, accessibility at re-stimulation-specific regions was linked to NFAT, especially in combination with ETS-1, EGR, GATA, NFκB, and NR4A. Furthermore, NFATC1 was directly regulated by ETS-1 at an enhancer region. In contrast to the factors that increased accessibility, signalling from bHLH and ZEB family members enhanced decreased accessibility upon re-stimulation. Interplay between distal regulatory elements, accessibility, and the combined action of sequence-specific transcription factors allows transcriptional memory-responsive genes to “remember” their initial environmental encounter.
Targeted deletion of Crif1 in mouse epidermis impairs skin homeostasis and hair morphogenesis
Authors: Shin Jung-Min , Choi Dae-Kyoung , Sohn Kyung-Cheol , Kim Ji-Young , Im Myung , Lee Young , Seo Young-Joon , Shong Minho , Lee Jeung-Hoon , Kim Chang Deok
Published: March 2017

The epidermis, which consists mainly of keratinocytes, acts as a physical barrier to infections by regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Hair follicles undergo continuous cycling to produce new one. Therefore, optimum supply of energy from the mitochondria is essential for maintaining skin homeostasis and hair growth. CRIF1 is a mitochondrial protein that regulates mitoribosome-mediated synthesis and insertion of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation polypeptides into the mitochondrial membrane in mammals. Recent studies reveal that conditional knockout (cKO) of Crif1 in specific tissues of mice induced mitochondrial dysfunction. To determine whether the mitochondrial function of keratinocytes affects skin homeostasis and hair morphogenesis, we generated epidermis-specific Crif1 cKO mice. Deletion of Crif1 in epidermis resulted in impaired mitochondrial function and Crif1 cKO mice died within a week. Keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation were markedly inhibited in Crif1 cKO mice. Furthermore, hair follicle morphogenesis of Crif1 cKO mice was disrupted by down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These results demonstrate that mitochondrial function in keratinocytes is essential for maintaining epidermal homeostasis and hair follicle morphogenesis.
Efficacy of alginate-based reflux suppressant and magnesium-aluminium antacid gel for treatment of heartburn in pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial
Authors: Meteerattanapipat Pontip , Phupong Vorapong
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of alginate-based reflux suppressant and magnesium-aluminium antacid gel for treatment of heartburn in pregnancy. A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. One hundred pregnant women at less than 36 weeks gestation with heartburn at least twice per week were randomized to either alginate-based reflux suppressant or to magnesium-aluminium antacid gel. Details of heartburn were recorded before beginning the treatment and the second week of study. Primary outcome measure was the improvement of heartburn frequency after treatment and secondary outcome were the improvement of heartburn intensity, quality of life, maternal satisfaction, maternal side effects, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. There was no difference between treatment and control groups in improvement of heartburn frequency (80% vs 88%, p = 0.275), 50% reduction of frequency of heartburn (56% vs 52%, p = 0.688), improvement of heartburn intensity (92% vs 92%, p = 1.000) and 50% reduction of heartburn intensity (68% vs 80% cases, p = 0.075). There were also no significant differences in quality of life, maternal satisfaction, maternal side effects, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Alginate-based reflux suppressant was not different from magnesium-aluminium antacid gel in the treatment of heartburn in pregnancy.
Analysis of spatial heterogeneity in normal epithelium and preneoplastic alterations in mouse prostate tumor models
Authors: Valkonen Mira , Ruusuvuori Pekka , Kartasalo Kimmo , Nykter Matti , Visakorpi Tapio , Latonen Leena
Published: March 2017

Cancer involves histological changes in tissue, which is of primary importance in pathological diagnosis and research. Automated histological analysis requires ability to computationally separate pathological alterations from normal tissue with all its variables. On the other hand, understanding connections between genetic alterations and histological attributes requires development of enhanced analysis methods suitable also for small sample sizes. Here, we set out to develop computational methods for early detection and distinction of prostate cancer-related pathological alterations. We use analysis of features from HE stained histological images of normal mouse prostate epithelium, distinguishing the descriptors for variability between ventral, lateral, and dorsal lobes. In addition, we use two common prostate cancer models, Hi-Myc and Pten+/− mice, to build a feature-based machine learning model separating the early pathological lesions provoked by these genetic alterations. This work offers a set of computational methods for separation of early neoplastic lesions in the prostates of model mice, and provides proof-of-principle for linking specific tumor genotypes to quantitative histological characteristics. The results obtained show that separation between different spatial locations within the organ, as well as classification between histologies linked to different genetic backgrounds, can be performed with very high specificity and sensitivity.
Structural and functional studies of a noncanonical Dicer from Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Yu Xiang , Li Xuhang , Zheng Lina , Ma Jinbiao , Gan Jianhua
Published: March 2017

RNaseIII proteins are dsRNA-specific endonucleases involved in many important biological processes, such as small RNA processing and maturation in eukaryotes. Various small RNAs have been identified in a protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. EhRNaseIII is the only RNaseIII endonuclease domain (RIIID)-containing protein in E. histolytica. Here, we present three crystal structures that reveal several unique structural features of EhRNaseIII, especially the interactions between the two helixes (α1 and α7) flanking the RIIID core domain. Structure and sequence analysis indicate that EhRNaseIII is a noncanonical Dicer and it lacks a dsRBD in the C-terminal region (CTR). In vitro studies suggest that EhRNaseIII prefers to bind and cleave longer dsRNAs, generating products around 25 nucleotides in length. Truncation of the CTR or attaching the dsRBD of Aquifex aeolicus RNaseIII can enhance the binding and cleavage activities of EhRNaseIII. In combination with in vitro crosslinking assay, our results suggested that EhRNaseIII functions in a cooperative mode. We speculate that some partner proteins may exist in E. histolytica and regulates the activity of EhRNaseIII through interaction with its CTR. Our studies support that EhRNaseIII plays an important role in producing small RNAs in E. histolytica.
Predicting siRNA efficacy based on multiple selective siRNA representations and their combination at score level
Authors: He Fei , Han Ye , Gong Jianting , Song Jiazhi , Wang Han , Li Yanwen
Published: March 2017

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) may induce to targeted gene knockdown, and the gene silencing effectiveness relies on the efficacy of the siRNA. Therefore, the task of this paper is to construct an effective siRNA prediction method. In our work, we try to describe siRNA from both quantitative and qualitative aspects. For quantitative analyses, we form four groups of effective features, including nucleotide frequencies, thermodynamic stability profile, thermodynamic of siRNA-mRNA interaction, and mRNA related features, as a new mixed representation, in which thermodynamic of siRNA-mRNA interaction is introduced to siRNA efficacy prediction for the first time to our best knowledge. And then an F-score based feature selection is employed to investigate the contribution of each feature and remove the weak relevant features. Meanwhile, we encode the siRNA sequence and existed empirical design rules as a qualitative siRNA representation. These two kinds of siRNA representations are combined to predict siRNA efficacy by supported Vector Regression (SVR) at score level. The experimental results indicate that our method may select the features with powerful discriminative ability and make the two kinds of siRNA representations work at full capacity. The prediction results also demonstrate that our method can outperform other popular siRNA efficacy prediction algorithms.
Rectifying the output of vibrational piezoelectric energy harvester using quantum dots
Authors: Li Lijie
Published: March 2017

Piezoelectric energy harvester scavenges mechanical vibrations and generates electricity. Researchers have strived to optimize the electromechanical structures and to design necessary external power management circuits, aiming to deliver high power and rectified outputs ready for serving as batteries. Complex deformation of the mechanical structure results in charges with opposite polarities appearing on same surface, leading to current loss in the attached metal electrode. External power management circuits such as rectifiers comprise diodes that consume power and have undesirable forward bias. To address the above issues, we devise a novel integrated piezoelectric energy harvesting device that is structured by stacking a layer of quantum dots (QDs) and a layer of piezoelectric material. We find that the QD can rectify electrical charges generated from the piezoelectric material because of its adaptable conductance to the electrochemical potentials of both sides of the QDs layer, so that electrical current causing energy loss on the same surface of the piezoelectric material can be minimized. The QDs layer has the potential to replace external rectification circuits providing a much more compact and less power-consumption solution.
BDE-99 impairs differentiation of human and mouse NPCs into the oligodendroglial lineage by species-specific modes of action
Authors: Dach Katharina , Bendt Farina , Huebenthal Ulrike , Giersiefer Susanne , Lein Pamela J. , Heuer Heike , Fritsche Ellen
Published: March 2017

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are bioaccumulating flame retardants causing developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in humans and rodents. Their DNT effects are suspected to involve thyroid hormone (TH) signaling disruption. Here, we tested the hypothesis whether disturbance of neural progenitor cell (NPC) differentiation into the oligodendrocyte lineage (O4+cells) by BDE-99 involves disruption of TH action in human and mouse (h,m)NPCs. Therefore, we quantified differentiation of NPCs into O4+cells and measured their maturation via expression of myelin-associated genes (hMBP, mMog) in presence and absence of TH and/or BDE-99. T3 promoted O4+cell differentiation in mouse, but not hNPCs, and induced hMBP/mMoggene expression in both species. BDE-99 reduced generation of human and mouse O4+cells, but there is no indication for BDE-99 interfering with cellular TH signaling during O4+cell formation. BDE-99 reduced hMBPexpression due to oligodendrocyte reduction, but concentrations that did not affect the number of mouse O4+cells inhibited TH-induced mMogtranscription by a yet unknown mechanism. In addition, ascorbic acid antagonized only the BDE-99-dependent loss of human, not mouse, O4+cells by a mechanism probably independent of reactive oxygen species. These data point to species-specific modes of action of BDE-99 on h/mNPC development into the oligodendrocyte lineage.
KUS121, a VCP modulator, attenuates ischemic retinal cell death via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Hata Masayuki , Ikeda Hanako O. , Kikkawa Chinami , Iwai Sachiko , Muraoka Yuki , Hasegawa Tomoko , Kakizuka Akira , Yoshimura Nagahisa
Published: March 2017

Ischemic neural damages cause several devastating diseases, including brain stroke and ischemic retinopathies, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been proposed to be the underlying mechanism of the neuronal cell death of these conditions. We previously synthesized Kyoto University substances (KUSs) as modulators of valosin-containing protein (VCP); KUSs inhibit VCP ATPase activity and protect cells from different cell death-inducing insults. Here, we examined the efficacy of KUS121 in a rat model of retinal ischemic injury. Systemic administration of KUS121 to rats with ischemic retinal injury significantly suppressed inner retinal thinning and death of retinal ganglion and amacrine cells, with a significant functional maintenance of visual functions, as judged by electroretinography. Furthermore, intravitreal injection of KUS121, which is the clinically preferred route of drug administration for retinal diseases, appeared to show an equal or better neuroprotective efficacy in the ischemic retina compared with systemic administration. Indeed, induction of the ER stress marker C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) after the ischemic insult was significantly suppressed by KUS121 administration. Our study suggests VCP modulation by KUS as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for ischemic neuronal diseases.
Hypertension and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Han Hedong , Guo Wei , Shi Wentao , Yu Yamei , Zhang Yunshuo , Ye Xiaofei , He Jia
Published: March 2017

Observational studies examining the relationship between hypertension and breast cancer risk have reported conflicting findings. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence regarding the association between hypertension and risk of breast cancer. Eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library until August 2016. We included observational studies that reported relative risks (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results from individual studies were pooled by using a random-effects model. 29 articles of 30 studies, with totally 11643 cases of breast cancer, were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. We observed a statistically significant association between hypertension and increased breast cancer risk (RR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.22). In the subgroup analysis, we found a positive association between hypertension and breast cancer incidence among postmenopausal women (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.31). In contrast, hypertension was not associated with risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.12) and Asian population (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.22).This meta-analysis collectively suggests a significantly association between hypertension and breast cancer risk, specifically for postmenopausal hypertensive women.
Functional conservation and coherence of HIV-1 subtype A Vpu alleles
Authors: Romani Bizhan , Kavyanifard Amirarsalan , Allahbakhshi Elham
Published: March 2017

Functional studies of HIV-1 proteins are normally conducted using lab adapted strains of HIV-1. The extent of those functions in clinical strains is sometimes unknown. In this study, we amplified and sequenced HIV-1 Vpu from 10 Iranian patients infected with HIV-1. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Vpu alleles were closely related to the CRF35_AD from Iran and subtype A Vpu. We addressed some of the well-established functions of the HIV-1 Vpu, as well as some of its recently reported functions. Ability of the clinical strains of subtype A Vpu alleles for downregulation of CD4 was similar to that of the lab adapted NL4.3 Vpu. Majority of the subtype A Vpu alleles performed stronger than NL4.3 Vpu for downregulation of SNAT1. The Vpu alleles differentially induced downregulation of HLA-C, ranging from no effect to 88% downregulation of surface HLA-C. Downregulation of tetherin and enhancement of virus release was similar for the subtype A Vpu alleles and NL4.3. Subtype A Vpu alleles were more potent when compared with NL4.3 for inhibition of NF-κB activation. Our study shows that subtype A Vpu alleles exert the classical functions of HIV-1 Vpu.
Kidney-specific transposon-mediated gene transfer in vivo
Authors: Woodard Lauren E. , Cheng Jizhong , Welch Richard C. , Williams Felisha M. , Luo Wentian , Gewin Leslie S. , Wilson Matthew H.
Published: March 2017

Methods enabling kidney-specific gene transfer in adult mice are needed to develop new therapies for kidney disease. We attempted kidney-specific gene transfer following hydrodynamic tail vein injection using the kidney-specific podocin and gamma-glutamyl transferase promoters, but found expression primarily in the liver. In order to achieve kidney-specific transgene expression, we tested direct hydrodynamic injection of a DNA solution into the renal pelvis and found that luciferase expression was strong in the kidney and absent from extra-renal tissues. We observed heterogeneous, low-level transfection of the collecting duct, proximal tubule, distal tubule, interstitial cells, and rarely glomerular cells following injection. To assess renal injury, we performed the renal pelvis injections on uninephrectomised mice and found that their blood urea nitrogen was elevated at two days post-transfer but resolved within two weeks. Although luciferase expression quickly decreased following renal pelvis injection, the use of the piggyBac transposon system improved long-term expression. Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide stabilised luciferase expression, suggesting immune clearance of the transfected cells occurs in immunocompetent animals. Injection of a transposon expressing erythropoietin raised the haematocrit, indicating that the developed injection technique can elicit a biologic effect in vivo. Hydrodynamic renal pelvis injection enables transposon mediated-kidney specific gene transfer in adult mice.
Identification and comparative profiling of miRNAs in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) with red/yellow bicoloured flowers
Authors: Zhao Daqiu , Wei Mengran , Shi Min , Hao Zhaojun , Tao Jun
Published: March 2017

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is popular worldwide because of its gorgeous flower colour, and the yellow flower is the rarest. However, its mechanism of yellow formation is still unexplored from the post-translational level. In this study, the anatomy of the petal, cell sap pH and metal elements were investigated in bicoloured flower cultivar ‘Jinhui’ with red outer-petal and yellow inner-petal, and the yellow formation was influenced by the anatomy of petal, while not by the cell sap pH and metal elements. Subsequently, microRNAs sequencing (miRNA-seq) was used to identify small RNAs (sRNAs). A total of 4,172,810 and 3,565,152 specific unique sRNAs were obtained, 207 and 204 conserved miRNAs and 38 and 42 novel miRNAs were identified from red outer-petal and yellow inner-petal, respectively, which were confirmed by subcloning. Among these miRNAs, 163 conserved and 28 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed in two wheel of petals. And 5 differentially expressed miRNAs and their corresponding target genes related to yellow formation were screened, and their dynamic expression patterns confirmed that the yellow formation might be under the regulation of miR156e-3p-targeted squamosa promoter binding protein-like gene (SPL1). These results improve the understanding of miRNA regulation of the yellow formation in P. lactiflora.
A facile template route to periodic mesoporous organosilicas nanospheres with tubular structure by using compressed CO2
Authors: Huang Xin , Li Wei , Wang Meijin , Tan Xiuniang , Wang Qian , Wang Cheng , Zhang Mengnan , Yuan Jing
Published: March 2017

Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) nanospheres with tubular structure were prepared with compressed CO2using cationic and anionic mixed surfactant (CTAB/SDS) and triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 as bi-templates. TEM, N2adsorption-desorption, solid NMR, and FTIR were employed to characterize the obtained materials. Compressed CO2severed as acidic reagent to promote the hydrolysis of organosilicas, and could tune the morphology and structure of the obtained PMOs nanomaterials simple by adjusting the CO2pressure during the synthesis process. Rhodamine B (RB) and Ibuprofen (IBU), as the model dye and drug, were loaded into the prepared nanomaterials to reveal its adsorption and desorption ability. Furthermore, different molars of the surfactant (CTAB/SDS) and organosilane precursor (BTEB) were investigated to show the effect of the surfactant concentration on the morphology and structure of the PMOs prepared with compressed CO2, and some different structures were obtained. A possible mechanism for the synthesis of PMOs with tubular structure using compressed CO2was proposed based on the experimental results.
Towards a correlative approach for characterising single virus particles by transmission electron microscopy and nanoscale Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hermelink A. , Naumann D. , Piesker J. , Lasch P. , Laue M. , Hermann P.
Published: March 2017

The morphology and structure of biological nanoparticles, such as viruses, can be efficiently analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Pd2+fluorescent sensors based on amino and imino derivatives of rhodamine and improvement of water solubility by the formation of inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Zhang Yan-Song , Balamurugan Rathinam , Lin Jian-Chin , Fitriyani Sri , Liu Jui-Hsiang , Emelyanenko Alexander
Published: March 2017

Mono- and bis-rhodamine derivatives appended with amino (RhB1) and imino (BRI) groups, respectively, have been designed as fluorescent sensors for Pd2+ions.
C-Phycocyanin as a tumour-associated macrophage-targeted photosensitiser and a vehicle of phthalocyanine for enhanced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wan Dong-Hua , Zheng Bi-Yuan , Ke Mei-Rong , Duan Ji-Ying , Zheng Yun-Quan , Yeh Chih-Kuang , Huang Jian-Dong
Published: March 2017

C-Phycocyanin was first reported as a tumour-associated macrophage targeted photosensitiser and a vehicle of zinc phthalocyanine for enhanced photodynamic therapy.
Ultrasensitive nanoparticle enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using a super-hydrophobic substrate coupled with magnetic confinement
Authors: Dong Daming , Jiao Leizi , Du Xiaofan , Zhao Chunjiang
Published: March 2017

In this study, we developed a substrate to enhance the sensitivity of LIBS by 5 orders of magnitude.
Improving artificial metalloenzymes' activity by optimizing electron transfer
Authors: Hu Cheng , Yu Yang , Wang Jiangyun
Published: March 2017

This feature article discusses the strategies to optimize electron transfer efficiency, towards enhancing the activity of artificial metalloenzymes.
Molecular control over colloidal assembly
Authors: Gerth M. , Voets I. K.
Published: March 2017

A perspective on molecularly controlled colloidal assembly and its use in fundamental science and technology.
C(sp3)–H dehydrogenation and C(sp2)–H alkoxy carbonylation of inactivated cyclic amines towards functionalized N-heterocycles
Authors: He Yan , Wang Fang , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: March 2017

A novel and efficient synthesis of tetrahydropyridine-, dihydropyrrole-, and tetrahydroazepine-3-carboxylates via cascade reactions of cyclic amines with CO and alcohols is presented. To our knowledge, this should be the first example in which functionalized N-heterocycles were prepared through Pd-catalyzed C(sp3)–H dehydrogenation and C(sp2)–H carbonylation of cyclic amines.
A stochastic method for asphaltene structure formulation from experimental data: avoidance of implausible structures
Authors: De León Jennifer , Velásquez Ana M. , Hoyos Bibian A.
Published: March 2017

We present a sequential-stochastic algorithm to propose asphaltene molecular representations from experimental data, avoiding the pentane effect and following Clar's sextet rule.
Electronic and relativistic contributions to ion-pairing in polyoxometalate model systems
Authors: Sures Dylan J. , Serapian Stefano A. , Kozma Károly , Molina Pedro I. , Bo Carles , Nyman May
Published: March 2017

Experiment and theory delineate covalency, electrostatic association, and relativistic effect contributions to polyoxometalate-alkali ion-pairs in water.
A chemist's overview of surface electron spins
Authors: Huang Zhichao , Zhang Yajie , He Yang , Song Huanjun , Yin Cen , Wu Kai
Published: March 2017

Tuning surface electron spins with chemical approaches and systems.
Influence of temperature on the growth and surface morphology of Fe3+ poisoned KDP crystals
Authors: Li Weidong , Yu Guangwei , Wang Shenglai , Ding Jianxu , Xu Xinguang , Gu Qingtian , Wang Duanliang , Huang Pingping
Published: March 2017

A series of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals and Fe3+ doped KDP crystals were grown at different temperatures.
Fluorine substituted (Mn,Ir)O2:F high performance solid solution oxygen evolution reaction electro-catalysts for PEM water electrolysis
Authors: Ghadge Shrinath Dattatray , Patel Prasad Prakash , Datta Moni Kanchan , Velikokhatnyi Oleg I. , Kuruba Ramalinga , Shanthi Pavithra M. , Kumta Prashant N.
Published: March 2017

The exploration of high performance electro-catalysts to facilitate oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton exchange membrane based water splitting is of vital importance for various energy storage devices and for sustainable hydrogen production.
Chemistry in nanoconfined water
Authors: Muñoz-Santiburcio Daniel , Marx Dominik
Published: March 2017

Nanoconfined liquids have extremely different properties from the bulk, which profoundly affects chemical reactions taking place in nanosolvation.
Phase behavior of colloid–polymer depletion mixtures with unary or binary depletants
Authors: Park Nayoung , Conrad Jacinta C.
Published: March 2017

The phase behavior of colloid–polymer mixtures containing unary or binary polymers as depletants could be superimposed onto a single diagram using an effective polymer concentration.
Construction of the septahydroxylated ABC-ring system of dihydro-β-agarofurans: application of 6-exo-dig radical cyclization
Authors: Fujisawa Hiroki , Ishiyama Tomochika , Urabe Daisuke , Inoue Masayuki
Published: March 2017

The intricate tricyclic system of highly oxygenated dihydro-β-agarofurans was constructed by utilizing 6-exo-dig radical cyclization as a key transformation.
Intrinsic point defects in buckled and puckered arsenene: a first-principles study
Authors: Iordanidou K. , Kioseoglou J. , Afanas’ev V. V. , Stesmans A. , Houssa M.
Published: March 2017

Using first-principles calculations, we study the impact of various point defects on the structural, energetic, and electronic properties of arsenene.
Does water belong to the homologous series of hydroxyl compounds H(CH2)nOH?
Authors: Świergiel Jolanta , Jadżyn Jan
Published: March 2017

Discrepancy between permittivity of water and alcohols and consistency in dipolar orientation effects revealed the anomalously high polarizability of water.
How does ytterbium chloride interact with DMPC bilayers? A computational and experimental study
Authors: Gonzalez Miguel A. , Barriga Hanna M. G. , Richens Joanna L. , Law Robert V. , O'Shea Paul , Bresme Fernando
Published: March 2017

Lanthanide salts have been studied for many years, primarily in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments of mixed lipid–protein systems and more recently to study lipid flip-flop in model membrane systems.
ZnO powders as multi-facet single crystals
Authors: Haque Francia , Chenot Stéphane , Viñes Francesc , Illas Francesc , Stankic Slavica , Jupille Jacques
Published: March 2017

ZnO smokes are revealed as faceted nanocrystals by identification of their hydrated surfacesviainfrared spectroscopy supported by density functional simulations.
New pressure-induced polymorphic transitions of anhydrous magnesium sulfate
Authors: Benmakhlouf A. , Errandonea D. , Bouchenafa M. , Maabed S. , Bouhemadou A. , Bentabet A.
Published: March 2017

Discovery of phase transitions in MgSO4under compression. The high-pressure phases involve a coordination number increase for magnesium.
A novel naphthalenediimide-based lanthanide–organic framework with polyoxometalate templates exhibiting reversible photochromism
Authors: Zhang Hai-Long , Liao Jian-Zhen , Yang Wenbin , Wu Xiao-Yuan , Lu Can-Zhong
Published: March 2017

The first visible-light-responsive photochromic polyoxometalate-templated lanthanide–organic framework (LOF) has been constructed from a carboxyphenyl-substituted naphthalenediimide (NDI) derivative.
Physiological effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the photosynthesis and water use efficiency of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
Authors: Cao Zhiming , Stowers Cheyenne , Rossi Lorenzo , Zhang Weilan , Lombardini Leonardo , Ma Xingmao
Published: March 2017

CeO2NPs displayed concentration and coating property dependent effects on soybean photosynthesis and water use efficiency.
Antimicrobial activity of flame-synthesized nano-TiO2 coatings
Authors: De Falco G. , Porta A. , Petrone A. M. , Del Gaudio P. , El Hassanin A. , Commodo M. , Minutolo P. , Squillace A. , D'Anna A.
Published: March 2017

TiO2 in the form of nanocrystals possesses photocatalyst properties leading to excellent capability of degrading a number of environmental contaminants such as organics, bacteria, and viruses.
Physical–chemical stability and in vitro digestibility of hybrid nanoparticles based on the layer-by-layer assembly of lactoferrin and BSA on liposomes
Authors: Liu Weilin , Kong Youyu , Tu Piaohan , Lu Junmeng , Liu Chengmei , Liu Wei , Han Jianzhong , Liu Jianhua
Published: March 2017

Novel hybrid nanoparticles fabricated by the layer-by-layer deposition of lactoferrin and BSA on nanoliposomes showed a higher physical–chemical stability and digestibility than bare liposomes.
Real-time quantification of endothelial response to shear stress and vascular modulators
Authors: DeStefano Jackson G. , Williams Ashley , Wnorowski Alexa , Yimam Nahom , Searson Peter C. , Wong Andrew D.
Published: March 2017

Real-time quantification of endothelial cell morphology and activity under applied shear stress.
Engineering dendrimers to produce dendrimer dipole excitation based terahertz radiation sources suitable for spectrometry, molecular and biomedical imaging
Authors: Rahman Anis , Rahman A. K. , Tomalia Donald A.
Published: March 2017

Systematic engineering of PAMAM dendrimer CNDPs (i.e., surface chemistry and interior compositions) produced hyperpolarizable substrates that generated terahertz radiation when exposed to a pump laser.
LiSr3Be3B3O9F4: a new ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal for fourth-harmonic generation of Nd:YAG lasers
Authors: Guo Shu , Liang Fei , Liu Lijuan , Xia Mingjun , Fang Zhi , Wu Ruofei , Wang Xiaoyang , Lin Zheshuai , Chen Chuangtian
Published: March 2017

An acentric borate LiSr3Be3B3O9F4was developed and proved to be another ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal for 266 nm laser generation.
The energetic 3-trinitromethyl-5-nitramino-1H-1,2,4-triazole and nitrogen-rich salts
Authors: Hermann Tobias S. , Klapötke Thomas M. , Krumm Burkhard , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: March 2017

An oxygen- and nitrogen-rich energetic triazole as an excellent example with outstanding performance but high sensitivity, which can be adjusted by the formation of nitrogen-rich salts.
Metal-free synthesis of 2-aminonaphthalenes by intramolecular transannulation of 1-sulfonyl-4-(2-alkenylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Xu Ze-Feng , Yu Xing , Yang Dongdong , Li Chuan-Ying
Published: March 2017

A facile metal-free synthesis of 2-aminonaphthalenes by intramolecular transannulation of 1-sulfonyl-4-(2-alkenylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazoles was realized with the proposed ketenimine as the key intermediate.