bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of M2 macrophage polarization by the crosstalk between Stat6 and Trim24
Authors: Yu Tao , Gan Shucheng , Zhu Qingchen , Dai Dongfang , Li Ni , Wang Hui , Chen Xiaosong , Hou Dan , Wang Yan , Pan Qiang , Xu Jing , Zhang Xingli , Liu Junli , Pei Siyu , Peng Chao , Wu Ping , Romano Simona , Mao Chaoming , Huang Mingzhu , Zhu Xiaodong , Shen Kunwei , Qin Jun , Xiao Yichuan
Published: September 2019

Stat6 is known to drive macrophage M2 polarization. However, how macrophage polarization is fine-tuned by Stat6 is poorly understood. Here, we find that Lys383 of Stat6 is acetylated by the acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP) during macrophage activation to suppress macrophage M2 polarization. Mechanistically, Trim24, a CBP-associated E3 ligase, promotes Stat6 acetylation by catalyzing CBP ubiquitination at Lys119 to facilitate the recruitment of CBP to Stat6. Loss of Trim24 inhibits Stat6 acetylation and thus promotes M2 polarization in both mouse and human macrophages, potentially compromising antitumor immune responses. By contrast, Stat6 mediates the suppression of TRIM24 expression in M2 macrophages to contribute to the induction of an immunosuppressive tumor niche. Taken together, our findings establish Stat6 acetylation as an essential negative regulatory mechanism that curtails macrophage M2 polarization.
Spatiotemporal material functionalization via competitive supramolecular complexation of avidin and biotin analogs
Authors: Kamperman Tom , Koerselman Michelle , Kelder Cindy , Hendriks Jan , Crispim João F. , de Peuter Xandra , Dijkstra Pieter J. , Karperien Marcel , Leijten Jeroen
Published: September 2019

Spatiotemporal control over engineered tissues is highly desirable for various biomedical applications as it emulates the dynamic behavior of natural tissues. Current spatiotemporal biomaterial functionalization approaches are based on cytotoxic, technically challenging, or non-scalable chemistries, which has hampered their widespread usage. Here we report a strategy to spatiotemporally functionalize (bio)materials based on competitive supramolecular complexation of avidin and biotin analogs. Specifically, an injectable hydrogel is orthogonally post-functionalized with desthiobiotinylated moieties using multivalent neutravidin. In situ exchange of desthiobiotin by biotin enables spatiotemporal material functionalization as demonstrated by the formation of long-range, conformal, and contra-directional biochemical gradients within complex-shaped 3D hydrogels. Temporal control over engineered tissue biochemistry is further demonstrated by timed presentation and sequestration of growth factors using desthiobiotinylated antibodies. The method’s universality is confirmed by modifying hydrogels with biotinylated fluorophores, peptides, nanoparticles, enzymes, and antibodies. Overall, this work provides a facile, cytocompatible, and universal strategy to spatiotemporally functionalize materials.
Bioorthogonal protein-DNA conjugation methods for force spectroscopy
Authors: Synakewicz Marie , Bauer Daniela , Rief Matthias , Itzhaki Laura S.
Published: September 2019

Accurate and stable site-specific attachment of DNA molecules to proteins is a requirement for many single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques. The most commonly used method still relies on maleimide chemistry involving cysteine residues in the protein of interest. Studies have consequently often focused on model proteins that either have no cysteines or with a small number of cysteines that can be deleted so that cysteines can then be introduced at specific sites. However, many proteins, especially in eukaryotes, contain too many cysteine residues to be amenable to this strategy, and therefore there is tremendous need for new and broadly applicable approaches to site-specific conjugation. Here we present bioorthogonal approaches for making DNA-protein conjugates required in force spectroscopy experiments. Unnatural amino acids are introduced site-specifically and conjugated to DNA oligos bearing the respective modifications to undergo either strain-promoted azidealkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) or inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder (IE-DA) reactions. We furthermore show that SPAAC is compatible with a previously published peptide-based attachment approach. By expanding the available toolkit to tag-free methods based on bioorthogonal reactions, we hope to enable researchers to interrogate the mechanics of a much broader range of proteins than is currently possible.
Lipidated Polyaza Crown Ethers as Membrane Anchors for DNA-Controlled Content Mixing between Liposomes
Authors: Löffler Philipp M. G. , Hansen Anders Højgaard , Ries Oliver , Jakobsen Ulla , Rabe Alexander , Sørensen Kristian T. , Glud Kasper , Vogel Stefan
Published: September 2019

The ability to manipulate and fuse nano-compartmentalized volumes addresses a demand for spatiotemporal control in the field of synthetic biology, for example in the bottom-up construction of (bio)chemical nanoreactors and for the interrogation of enzymatic reactions in confined space. Herein, we mix entrapped sub-attoliter volumes of liposomes (~135 nm diameter) via lipid bilayer fusion, facilitated by the hybridization of membrane-anchored lipidated oligonucleotides. We report on an improved synthesis of the membrane-anchor phosphoramidites that allows for a flexible choice of lipophilic moiety. Lipid-nucleic acid conjugates (LiNAs) with and without triethylene glycol spacers between anchor and the 17 nt binding sequence were synthesized and their fusogenic potential evaluated. A fluorescence-based content mixing assay was employed for kinetic monitoring of fusion of the bulk liposome populations at different temperatures. Data obtained at 50 °C indicated a quantitative conversion of the limiting liposome population into fused liposomes and an unprecedently high initial fusion rate was observed. For most conditions and designs only low leakage during fusion was observed. These results consolidate LiNA-mediated membrane fusion as a robust platform for programming compartmentalized chemical and enzymatic reactions.
Cross-linked chitosan aerogel modified with Pd(II)/phthalocyanine: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application
Authors: Al-Azmi Amal , Keshipour Sajjad
Published: September 2019

Palladium(II) phthalocyanine (PdPc) tetrasulfonate was chemically bonded to an amine moiety of chitosan aerogel. The reaction was promoted by the transformation of sulfonic acid groups of PdPc to sulfonyl chloride, which is highly active for amination. The porous composite showed good catalytic activity in the oxidation reaction of some alkylarenes, aliphatic and benzylic alcohols, and cyclohexanol. High conversions and excellent selectivities were obtained for the solvent-free reactions under aerobic conditions at 80 °C during 24 h. While many oxidation reactions have been reported catalysed with palladium phthalocyanine, this is the first reported oxidation of alkylarenes via this catalyst. The organometallic compound is applicable as a heterogeneous catalyst having high chemical stability with recyclability up to six times.
Nickel chelation therapy as an approach to combat multi-drug resistant enteric pathogens
Authors: Benoit Stéphane L. , Schmalstig Alan A. , Glushka John , Maier Susan E. , Edison Arthur S. , Maier Robert J.
Published: September 2019

The nickel (Ni)-specific chelator dimethylglyoxime (DMG) has been used for many years to detect, quantitate or decrease Ni levels in various environments. Addition of DMG at millimolar levels has a bacteriostatic effect on some enteric pathogens, including multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella Typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae. DMG inhibited activity of two Ni-containing enzymes, Salmonella hydrogenase and Klebsiella urease. Oral delivery of nontoxic levels of DMG to mice previously inoculated with S. Typhimurium led to a 50% survival rate, while 100% of infected mice in the no-DMG control group succumbed to salmonellosis. Pathogen colonization numbers from livers and spleens of mice were 10- fold reduced by DMG treatment of the Salmonella-infected mice. Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, we were able to detect DMG in the livers of DMG-(orally) treated mice. Inoculation of Galleria mellonella (wax moth) larvae with DMG prior to injection of either MDR K. pneumoniae or MDR S. Typhimurium led to 40% and 60% survival, respectively, compared to 100% mortality of larvae infected with either pathogen, but without prior DMG administration. Our results suggest that DMG-mediated Ni-chelation could provide a novel approach to combat enteric pathogens, including recalcitrant multi-drug resistant strains.
Cold Preflush of Porcine Kidney Grafts Prior to Normothermic Machine Perfusion Aggravates Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Fabry Gregor , Doorschodt Benedict M. , Grzanna Tim , Boor Peter , Elliott Aaron , Stollenwerk André , Tolba René H. , Rossaint Rolf , Bleilevens Christian
Published: September 2019

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) of kidney grafts is a promising new preservation method to improve graft quality and clinical outcome. Routinely, kidneys are washed out of blood remnants and cooled using organ preservation solutions prior to NMP. Here we assessed the effect of cold preflush compared to direct NMP. After 30 min of warm ischemia, porcine kidneys were either preflushed with cold histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (PFNMP group) prior to NMP or directly subjected to NMP (DNMP group) using a blood/buffer solution. NMP was performed at a perfusion pressure of 75 mmHg for 6 h. Functional parameters were assessed as well as histopathological and biochemical analyses. Renal function as expressed by creatinine clearance, fractional excretion of sodium and total output of urine was inferior in PFNMP. Urine protein and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations as markers for kidney damage were significantly higher in the PFNMP group. Additionally, increased osmotic nephropathy was found after PFNMP. This study demonstrated that cold preflush prior to NMP aggravates ischemia reperfusion injury in comparison to direct NMP of warm ischemia-damaged kidney grafts. With increasing use of NMP systems for kidneys and other organs, further research into graft flushing during retrieval is warranted.
The role of FRIGIDA and FLOWERING LOCUS C genes in flowering time of Brassica rapa leafy vegetables
Authors: Takada Satoko , Akter Ayasha , Itabashi Etsuko , Nishida Namiko , Shea Daniel J. , Miyaji Naomi , Mehraj Hasan , Osabe Kenji , Shimizu Motoki , Takasaki-Yasuda Takeshi , Kakizaki Tomohiro , Okazaki Keiichi , Dennis Elizabeth S. , Fujimoto Ryo
Published: September 2019

There is a wide variation of flowering time among lines of Brassica rapa L. Most B. rapa leafy (Chinese cabbage etc.) or root (turnip) vegetables require prolonged cold exposure for flowering, known as vernalization. Premature bolting caused by low temperature leads to a reduction in the yield/quality of these B. rapa vegetables. Therefore, high bolting resistance is an important breeding trait, and understanding the molecular mechanism of vernalization is necessary to achieve this goal. In this study, we demonstrated that BrFRIb functions as an activator of BrFLC in B. rapa. We showed a positive correlation between the steady state expression levels of the sum of the BrFLC paralogs and the days to flowering after four weeks of cold treatment, suggesting that this is an indicator of the vernalization requirement. We indicate that BrFLCs are repressed by the accumulation of H3K27me3 and that the spreading of H3K27me3 promotes stable FLC repression. However, there was no clear relationship between the level of H3K27me3 in the BrFLC and the vernalization requirement. We also showed that if there was a high vernalization requirement, the rate of repression of BrFLC1 expression following prolonged cold treatments was lower.
Chemical Profiling of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Headspace of Algal Cultures as Early Biomarkers of Algal Pond Crashes
Authors: Reese Kristen L. , Fisher Carolyn L. , Lane Pamela D. , Jaryenneh James D. , Moorman Matthew W. , Jones A. Daniel , Frank Matthias , Lane Todd W.
Published: September 2019

Algae ponds used in industrial biomass production are susceptible to pathogen or grazer infestation, resulting in pond crashes with high economic costs. Current methods to monitor and mitigate unhealthy ponds are hindered by a lack of early indicators that precede culture crash. We used solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify volatiles emitted from healthy and rotifer infested cultures of Microchloropsis salina. After 48 hours of algal growth, marine rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, were added to the algae cultures and volatile organic compounds (VOC) were sampled from the headspace using SPME fibers. A GC-MS approach was used in an untargeted analysis of VOCs, followed by preliminary identification. The addition of B. plicatilis to healthy cultures of M. salina resulted in decreased algal cell numbers, relative to uninfected controls, and generated trans-β-ionone and β-cyclocitral, which were attributed to carotenoid degradation. The abundances of the carotenoid-derived VOCs increased with rotifer consumption of algae. Our results indicate that specific VOCs released by infected algae cultures may be early indicators for impending pond crashes, providing a useful tool to monitor algal biomass production and pond crash prevention.
The soil bacterial and fungal diversity were determined by the stoichiometric ratios of litter inputs: evidence from a constructed wetland
Authors: Ping Yunmei , Pan Xu , Li Wei , Wang Jinzhi , Cui Lijuan
Published: September 2019

Plant litter is an important component in wetland ecosystems, and the role of plant litter decomposition is considered to be important for wetland ecosystem functions and services. However, the consequences of litter inputs have seldom been experimentally tested in real ecosystems such as constructed wetlands (CWs). The enriched nutrients in CWs might weaken the role of litter inputs on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Here, we conducted a two-month field experiment to examine the effects of litter inputs on the soils in CWs. Our results showed that litter inputs significantly affected soil microbial (bacterial and fungi) diversities and properties (soil total nitrogen and nitrogen isotopes), and litter species with higher stoichiometry ratios, i.e. C/N, C/P and N/P led to higher microbial diversities. However, litter species had no or weak effects on microbial activities (CO2and CH4flux) or on the relative abundance of microbial communities, indicating that other environmental factors in such a CW might have stronger effects on those factors than litter inputs. These results highlighted the importance of submerged plant litter in nutrient-rich wetland ecosystems and provide potential tools for managers to improve the ecosystem functions and/or services via altering microbial diversities.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Discrimination of urinary exosomes from microvesicles by lipidomics using thin layer liquid chromatography (TLC) coupled with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Singhto Nilubon , Vinaiphat Arada , Thongboonkerd Visith
Published: September 2019

Urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles and exosomes, play several important roles in cell biology and serve as potential biomarkers in various kidney diseases. Although they have differential biophysical properties, specific biomarkers are required to discriminate these EVs during isolation/purification. The present study aimed to define differential lipidome profiles of urinary microvesicles vs. exosomes. Urine samples collected from eight healthy individuals were pooled and underwent lipid extraction using 2:1(v/v) chloroform/methanol. The recovered lipids were resolved by thin layer liquid chromatography (TLC) and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. From three and five TLC bands observed in microvesicles and exosomes, respectively, several fatty acids, glycerolipids and phospholipids were identified from both EVs without clear differential patterns. However, their sphingolipid profiles were unique. Ceramide phosphates (CerP), hexosyl sphingoid bases (HexSph), lactosyl ceramides (LacCer), mannosyl di-PI-ceramides (M(IP)2 C), sulfatides hexosyl ceramide (SHexCer) and sulfatides hexoxyl sphingoid bases (SHexSph) were detectable only in urinary exosomes, whereas phosphatidylinositol ceramides (PI-Cer) were detectable only in urinary microvesicles. The presence of CerP only in urinary exosomes was successfully validated by dot blot analysis. Our extensive lipidome analyses of urinary microvesicles vs. exosomes provide potential lipidome markers to discriminate exosomes from microvesicles and may lead to better understanding of EVs biogenesis.
Characteristics and Evolution of sill-driven off-axis hydrothermalism in Guaymas Basin – the Ringvent site
Authors: Teske Andreas , McKay Luke J. , Ravelo Ana Christina , Aiello Ivano , Mortera Carlos , Núñez-Useche Fernando , Canet Carles , Chanton Jeffrey P. , Brunner Benjamin , Hensen Christian , Ramírez Gustavo A. , Sibert Ryan J. , Turner Tiffany , White Dylan , Chambers Christopher R. , Buckley Andrew , Joye Samantha B. , Soule S. Adam , Lizarralde Daniel
Published: September 2019

The Guaymas Basin spreading center, at 2000 m depth in the Gulf of California, is overlain by a thick sedimentary cover. Across the basin, localized temperature anomalies, with active methane venting and seep fauna exist in response to magma emplacement into sediments. These sites evolve over thousands of years as magma freezes into doleritic sills and the system cools. Although several cool sites resembling cold seeps have been characterized, the hydrothermally active stage of an off-axis site was lacking good examples. Here, we present a multidisciplinary characterization of Ringvent, an ~1 km wide circular mound where hydrothermal activity persists ~28 km northwest of the spreading center. Ringvent provides a new type of intermediate-stage hydrothermal system where off-axis hydrothermal activity has attenuated since its formation, but remains evident in thermal anomalies, hydrothermal biota coexisting with seep fauna, and porewater biogeochemical signatures indicative of hydrothermal circulation. Due to their broad potential distribution, small size and limited life span, such sites are hard to find and characterize, but they provide critical missing links to understand the complex evolution of hydrothermal systems.
Persistent homology of unweighted complex networks via discrete Morse theory
Authors: Kannan Harish , Saucan Emil , Roy Indrava , Samal Areejit
Published: September 2019

Topological data analysis can reveal higher-order structure beyond pairwise connections between vertices in complex networks. We present a new method based on discrete Morse theory to study topological properties of unweighted and undirected networks using persistent homology. Leveraging on the features of discrete Morse theory, our method not only captures the topology of the clique complex of such graphs via the concept of critical simplices, but also achieves close to the theoretical minimum number of critical simplices in several analyzed model and real networks. This leads to a reduced filtration scheme based on the subsequence of the corresponding critical weights, thereby leading to a significant increase in computational efficiency. We have employed our filtration scheme to explore the persistent homology of several model and real-world networks. In particular, we show that our method can detect differences in the higher-order structure of networks, and the corresponding persistence diagrams can be used to distinguish between different model networks. In summary, our method based on discrete Morse theory further increases the applicability of persistent homology to investigate the global topology of complex networks.
Plasma metabolites associated with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance: metabolite-model design and external validation
Authors: Hernández-Alonso Pablo , García-Gavilán Jesús , Camacho-Barcia Lucía , Sjödin Anders , Hansen Thea T. , Harrold Jo , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Halford Jason C. G. , Canudas Silvia , Bulló Mònica
Published: September 2019

Different plasma metabolites have been related to insulin resistance (IR). However, there is a lack of metabolite models predicting IR with external validation. The aim of this study is to identify a multi-metabolite model associated to the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-IR values. We performed a cross-sectional metabolomics analysis of samples collected from overweight and obese subjects from two independent studies. The training step was performed in 236 subjects from the SATIN study and validated in 102 subjects from the GLYNDIET study. Plasma metabolomics profile was analyzed using three different approaches: GC/quadrupole-TOF, LC/quadrupole-TOF, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Associations between metabolites and HOMA-IR were assessed using elastic net regression analysis with a leave-one-out cross validation (CV) and 100 CV runs. HOMA-IR was analyzed both as linear and categorical (median or lower versus higher than the median). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed based on metabolites’ weighted models. A set of 30 metabolites discriminating extremes of HOMA-IR were consistently selected. These metabolites comprised some amino acids, lipid species and different organic acids. The area under the curve (AUC) for the discrimination between HOMA-IR extreme categories was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74–0.90), based on the multi-metabolite model weighted with the regression coefficients of metabolites in the validation dataset. We identified a set of metabolites discriminating between extremes of HOMA-IR and able to predict HOMA-IR with high accuracy.
A multicentre clinical validation of AminoIndex Cancer Screening (AICS)
Authors: Mikami Haruo , Kimura Osamu , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Kikuchi Shinya , Nakamura Yohko , Ando Toshihiko , Yamakado Minoru
Published: September 2019

AminoIndex Cancer Screening (AICS) is a novel cancer screening test based on plasma free amino acid (PFAA) levels. This system categorises subjects as rank A, B, or C in order of increasing probability of each cancer incidence. The current study aimed to validate the potential of AICS for cancer detection. AICS values were determined from the PFAA levels in subjects examined at Chiba Cancer Center Cohort, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, and Saihaku Hospital, and the cancer incidence was investigated. The sensitivities of rank C for cancer diagnosis within 1 year after AICS examination were 83.3% (10/12) for gastric, 50.0% (2/4) for lung, 46.2% (6/13) for colorectal, 50.0% (8/16) for prostate, 43.8% (7/16) for breast, and 50.0% (1/2) for uterine/ovarian cancer. The total cancer detection rate via AICS was 0.33% (34/10,245). The sensitivities during the maximum follow-up period of 6.2 years were 51.7% (15/29) for gastric, 18.2% (2/11) for lung, 28.6% (8/28) for colorectal, 36.4% (8/22) for prostate, 29.0% (9/31) for breast, and 33.3% (2/6) for uterine/ovarian cancers. In conclusion, AICS is a more useful method for evaluating the probability of cancer incidence than for predicting onset, suggesting that annual AICS should be recommended to detect any malignancy.
Sensory sensitivity as a link between concussive traumatic brain injury and PTSD
Authors: Hoffman Ann N. , Lam Jamie , Hovda David A. , Giza Christopher C. , Fanselow Michael S.
Published: September 2019

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries to military personnel, a population often exposed to stressful stimuli and emotional trauma. Changes in sensory processing after TBI might contribute to TBI-post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comorbidity. Combining an animal model of TBI with an animal model of emotional trauma, we reveal an interaction between auditory sensitivity after TBI and fear conditioning where 75 dB white noise alone evokes a phonophobia-like phenotype and when paired with footshocks, fear is robustly enhanced. TBI reduced neuronal activity in the hippocampus but increased activity in the ipsilateral lateral amygdala (LA) when exposed to white noise. The white noise effect in LA was driven by increased activity in neurons projecting from ipsilateral auditory thalamus (medial geniculate nucleus). These data suggest that altered sensory processing within subcortical sensory-emotional circuitry after TBI results in neutral stimuli adopting aversive properties with a corresponding impact on facilitating trauma memories and may contribute to TBI-PTSD comorbidity.
Legumes display common and host-specific responses to the rhizobial cellulase CelC2 during primary symbiotic infection
Authors: Menéndez E. , Robledo M. , Jiménez-Zurdo J. I. , Velázquez E. , Rivas R. , Murray J. D. , Mateos P. F.
Published: September 2019

Primary infection of legumes by rhizobia involves the controlled localized enzymatic breakdown of cell walls at root hair tips. Previous studies determined the role of rhizobial CelC2 cellulase in different steps of the symbiotic interaction Rhizobium leguminosarum-Trifolium repens. Recent findings also showed that CelC2 influences early signalling events in the Ensifer meliloti-Medicago truncatula interaction. Here, we have monitored the root hair phenotypes of two legume plants, T. repens and M. sativa, upon inoculation with strains of their cognate and non-cognate rhizobial species, R. leguminosarum bv trifolii and E. meliloti, (over)expressing the CelC2 coding gene, celC. Regardless of the host, CelC2 specifically elicited ‘hole-on-the-tip’ events (Hot phenotype) in the root hair apex, consistent with the role of this endoglucanase in eroding the noncrystalline cellulose found in polarly growing cell walls. Overproduction of CelC2 also increased root hair tip redirections (RaT phenotype) events in both cognate and non-cognate hosts. Interestingly, heterologous celC expression also induced non-canonical alterations in ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) homeostasis at root hair tips of Trifolium and Medicago. These results suggest the concurrence of shared unspecific and host-related plant responses to CelC2 during early steps of symbiotic rhizobial infection. Our data thus identify CelC2 cellulase as an important determinant of events underlying early infection of the legume host by rhizobia.
Widespread distribution of supraglacial lakes around the margin of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet
Authors: Stokes Chris R. , Sanderson Jack E. , Miles Bertie W. J. , Jamieson Stewart S. R. , Leeson Amber A.
Published: September 2019

Supraglacial lakes are important to ice sheet mass balance because their development and drainage has been linked to changes in ice flow velocity and ice shelf disintegration. However, little is known about their distribution on the world’s largest ice sheet in East Antarctica. Here, we use ~5 million km2 of high-resolution satellite imagery to identify >65,000 lakes (>1,300 km2) that formed around the peak of the melt season in January 2017. Lakes occur in most marginal areas where they typically develop at low elevations (<100 m) and on low surface slopes (<1°), but they can exist 500 km inland and at elevations >1500 m. We find that lakes often cluster a few kilometres down-ice from grounding lines and ~60% (>80% by area) develop on ice shelves, including some potentially vulnerable to collapse driven by lake-induced hydro-fracturing. This suggests that parts of the ice sheet may be highly sensitive to climate warming.
NRF2-dependent gene expression promotes ciliogenesis and Hedgehog signaling
Authors: Martin-Hurtado Ana , Martin-Morales Raquel , Robledinos-Antón Natalia , Blanco Ruth , Palacios-Blanco Ines , Lastres-Becker Isabel , Cuadrado Antonio , Garcia-Gonzalo Francesc R.
Published: September 2019

The transcription factor NRF2 is a master regulator of cellular antioxidant and detoxification responses, but it also regulates other processes such as autophagy and pluripotency. In human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), NRF2 antagonizes neuroectoderm differentiation, which only occurs after NRF2 is repressed via a Primary Cilia-Autophagy-NRF2 (PAN) axis. However, the functional connections between NRF2 and primary cilia, microtubule-based plasma membrane protrusions that function as cellular antennae, remain poorly understood. For instance, nothing is known about whether NRF2 affects cilia, or whether cilia regulation of NRF2 extends beyond hESCs. Here, we show that NRF2 and primary cilia reciprocally regulate each other. First, we demonstrate that fibroblasts lacking primary cilia have higher NRF2 activity, which is rescued by autophagy-activating mTOR inhibitors, indicating that the PAN axis also operates in differentiated cells. Furthermore, NRF2 controls cilia formation and function. NRF2-null cells grow fewer and shorter cilia and display impaired Hedgehog signaling, a cilia-dependent pathway. These defects are not due to increased oxidative stress or ciliophagy, but rather to NRF2 promoting expression of multiple ciliogenic and Hedgehog pathway genes. Among these, we focused on GLI2 and GLI3, the transcription factors controlling Hh pathway output. Both their mRNA and protein levels are reduced in NRF2-null cells, consistent with their gene promoters containing consensus ARE sequences predicted to bind NRF2. Moreover, GLI2 and GLI3 fail to accumulate at the ciliary tip of NRF2-null cells upon Hh pathway activation. Given the importance of NRF2 and ciliary signaling in human disease, our data may have important biomedical implications.
Targeted mutagenesis of the ryanodine receptor by Platinum TALENs causes slow swimming behaviour in Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
Authors: Higuchi Kentaro , Kazeto Yukinori , Ozaki Yuichi , Yamaguchi Toshiya , Shimada Yukinori , Ina Yoshiaki , Soma Satoshi , Sakakura Yoshitaka , Goto Rie , Matsubara Takahiro , Nishiki Issei , Iwasaki Yuki , Yasuike Motoshige , Nakamura Yoji , Matsuura Aiko , Masuma Shukei , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Masaoka Tetsuji , Kobayashi Takanori , Fujiwara Atushi , Gen Koichiro
Published: September 2019

In bluefin tuna aquaculture, high mortalities of hatchery-reared juveniles occur in sea cages owing to wall collisions that are caused by high-speed swimming in panic due to changes in illuminance. Here, we report that targeted gene mutagenesis of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1b), which allows the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release Ca2+ in fast skeletal muscle, using highly active Platinum TALENs caused slow swimming behaviour in response to external stimuli in Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) larvae. This characteristic would be a useful trait to prevent wall collisions in aquaculture production. A pair of Platinum TALENs targeting exons 2 and 43 of the PBT ryr1b gene induced deletions in each TALEN target site of the injected embryos with extremely high efficiency. In addition, ryr1b expression was significantly decreased in the mutated G0 larvae at 7 days after hatching (DAH). A touch-evoked escape behaviour assay revealed that the ryr1b-mutated PBT larvae swam away much less efficiently in response to mechanosensory stimulation at 7 DAH than did the wild-type larvae. Our results demonstrate that genome editing technologies are effective tools for determining the functional characterization of genes in a comparatively short period, and create avenues for facilitating genetic studies and breeding of bluefin tuna species.
Extracorporeal Life Support Enhances the Forward Pressure Wave to Cause a Mismatch between Cardiac Oxygen Demand and Supply
Authors: Wang Chih-Hsien , Chang Ru-Wen , Wu En- Ting , Hsiao Yi-Jing , Wu Ming-Shiou , Yu Hsi-Yu , Chen Yih-Sharng , Lai Liang-Chuan , Yu Sung-Liang
Published: September 2019

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a world-famous life-saving method. Until now, changes in arterial wave properties due to ECLS have remained unexamined. In this study, we determined the effects of ECLS on arterial wave properties and ventricular/arterial coupling in male Wistar rats with the measured aortic pressure alone. Ascending aortic pressure signals were measured before ECLS and at 30, 60, and 90 min after weaned off. The aortic pressure signal then calculated by fourth-order derivative to obtain an assumed triangular flow wave. The ratio of mean systolic pressure to mean diastolic pressure (Pms/Pmd), a parameter for evaluating the matching condition between myocardial oxygen demand and supply, was significantly higher after ECLS. The magnitude of forward pressure (|Pf|) augmented by ECLS prevailed over the backward pressure (|Pb|), leading to a decline in wave reflection factor. Pms/Pmd was positively linearly correlated with |Pf| (Pms/Pmd = 0.9177 + 0.0078 × |Pf|, r = 0.8677; P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that |Pf| was a predominant factor responsible for the mismatch between the myocardial oxygen demand and supply in rats after ECLS phase of experiment.
Age- and sex-dependent role of osteocytic pannexin1 on bone and muscle mass and strength
Authors: Aguilar-Perez Alexandra , Pacheco-Costa Rafael , Atkinson Emily G. , Deosthale Padmini , Davis Hannah M. , Essex Alyson L. , Dilley Julian E. , Gomez Leland , Rupert Joseph E. , Zimmers Teresa A. , Thompson Roger J. , Allen Matthew R. , Plotkin Lilian I.
Published: September 2019

Pannexins (Panxs), glycoproteins that oligomerize to form hemichannels on the cell membrane, are topologically similar to connexins, but do not form cell-to-cell gap junction channels. There are 3 members of the family, 1–3, with Panx1 being the most abundant. All Panxs are expressed in bone, but their role in bone cell biology is not completely understood. We now report that osteocytic Panx1 deletion (Panx1Δot) alters bone mass and strength in female mice. Bone mineral density after reaching skeletal maturity is higher in female Panx1Δot mice than in control Panx1fl/fl mice. Further, osteocytic Panx1 deletion partially prevented aging effects on cortical bone structure and mechanical properties. Young 4-month-old female Panx1Δot mice exhibited increased lean body mass, even though pannexin levels in skeletal muscle were not affected; whereas no difference in lean body mass was detected in male mice. Furthermore, female Panx1-deficient mice exhibited increased muscle mass without changes in strength, whereas Panx1Δot males showed unchanged muscle mass and decreased in vivo maximum plantarflexion torque, indicating reduced muscle strength. Our results suggest that osteocytic Panx1 deletion increases bone mass in young and old female mice and muscle mass in young female mice, but has deleterious effects on muscle strength only in males.
Synergy between B cell receptor/antigen uptake and MHCII peptide editing relies on HLA-DO tuning
Authors: Jiang Wei , Adler Lital N. , Macmillan Henriette , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: September 2019

B cell receptors and surface-displayed peptide/MHCII complexes constitute two key components of the B-cell machinery to sense signals and communicate with other cell types during antigen-triggered activation. However, critical pathways synergizing antigen-BCR interaction and antigenic peptide-MHCII presentation remain elusive. Here, we report the discovery of factors involved in establishing such synergy. We applied a single-cell measure coupled with super-resolution microscopy to investigate the integrated function of two lysosomal regulators for peptide loading, HLA-DM and HLA-DO. In model cell lines and human tonsillar B cells, we found that tunable DM/DO stoichiometry governs DMfreeactivity for exchange of placeholder CLIP peptides with high affinity MHCII ligands. Compared to their naïve counterparts, memory B cells with less DMfreeconcentrate a higher proportion of CLIP/MHCII in lysosomal compartments. Upon activation mediated by high affinity BCR, DO tuning is synchronized with antigen internalization and rapidly potentiates DMfreeactivity to optimize antigen presentation for T-cell recruitment.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Chondro-protective effects of polydatin in osteoarthritis
through its effect on restoring dysregulated autophagy via modulating MAPK, and PI3K/Akt
signaling pathways
Authors: Wu Zhengyuan , Luan Zhiwei , Zhang Xiaohan , Zou Kai , Ma Shiting , Yang Zhenyi , Feng Wenyu , He Mingwei , Jiang Linhua , Li Jia , Yao Jun
Published: September 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the cartilage that is
prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly demography. Polydatin (PD), a natural
resveratrol glucoside, has shown significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic
potential in previous studies. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic
properties of PD in vitro and in vivo, and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. The
expression levels of all relevant factors were evaluated by qRT-PCR, western
blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) where suitable. Reactive oxygen species
(ROS) and apoptosis were analyzed using the suitable probes and flow cytometry. The
histological evidence of cartilage was assessed in rat models, moreover, the several
serum cytokines levels and autophagy levels were evaluated. The result showed PD
displayed significant chondro-protective effects, inferred in terms of reduced
inflammation and cartilage degradation, apoptosis inhibition, and lower ROS
production. The protective effects were attenuated by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,
indicating a mediating role of autophagy in PD action. Mechanistically, PD exerted
its effects by inhibiting the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways which led to the
down-regulation of mTOR. In conclusion, PD protects against cartilage degeneration
by activating the autophagy flux in the chondrocytes via the MAPK and PI3K/Akt
signaling pathways.
Retraction Note: Non-coding RNAome of RPE cells under oxidative stress suggests unknown regulative aspects of Retinitis pigmentosa etiopathogenesis
Authors: Donato Luigi , Scimone Concetta , Rinaldi Carmela , D’Angelo Rosalia , Sidoti Antonina
Published: September 2019

This article has been retracted.
Synthesis of a CdS-decorated Eu-MOF nanocomposite for the construction of a self-powered photoelectrochemical aptasensor
Authors: Gao Jie , Chen Yingxu , Ji Weihao , Gao Zhonghong , Zhang Jingdong
Published: September 2019

A CdS/Eu-MOF composite with enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance was synthesized and coupled with an aptamer to construct a PEC sensor for ampicillin detection.
Library based identification and characterisation of polymers with nano-FTIR and IR-sSNOM imaging
Authors: Meyns Michaela , Primpke Sebastian , Gerdts Gunnar
Published: September 2019

Near-field spectroscopy techniques push resolution to the nanoscale: IR-sSNOM characterises domain distributions in mixed polymers and nano-FTIR combined with appropriate library search tools correctly identifies polymer samples.
Neutralization of insulin by photocleavage under high vacuum
Authors: Schätti Jonas , Kriegleder Moritz , Debiossac Maxime , Kerschbaum Michael , Geyer Philipp , Mayor Marcel , Arndt Markus , Köhler Valentin
Published: September 2019

Electrosprayed peptide ion beams are charge manipulated by photocleavage of chemical tags.
Spontaneous mirror-symmetry breaking coupled to top-bottom chirality transfer: from porphyrin self-assembly to scalemic Diels–Alder adducts
Authors: Arlegui Aitor , Soler Bernat , Galindo Alex , Arteaga Oriol , Canillas Adolf , Ribó Josep M. , El-Hachemi Zoubir , Crusats Joaquim , Moyano Albert
Published: September 2019

This report shows how the net supramolecular chirality that emerged by spontaneous mirror-symmetry breaking (SMSB) at the mesoscale level can be transferred towards asymmetric solution chemistry.
Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative ortho-amidation of O-methyl ketoximes with oxamic acids
Authors: Jing Kun , Cui Peng-Cheng , Wang Guan-Wu
Published: September 2019

The first palladium-catalyzed ortho-amidation of ketoximes has been developed with oxamic acids as the amidation source. The reaction with N-monosubstituted substrates undergoes further intramolecular cyclization to provide 3-methyleneisoindolinones.
Two new MOFs based on 5-((4-carboxypyridin-2-yl)oxy) isophthalic acid displaying unique selective CO2 gas adsorption and magnetic properties
Authors: Cheng Jian-Guo , Liu Jiao , Tong Wen-Quan , Wu Dan , Yang Fan , Hou Lei , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: September 2019

The reaction of Cu(ii)/Co(ii) with a N-heterocyclic carboxylate ligand produced two new MOFs with different topologies. The Cu-MOF showed selective adsorption for CO2 over CH4, and the antiferromagnetic properties existed in the two MOFs.
Understanding the structure and dynamics of cationic surfactants from studies of pure solid phases
Authors: Cockcroft Jeremy K. , Shamsabadi André , Wu Han , Rennie Adrian R.
Published: September 2019

Unravelling the phase behaviour of n-alkyltrimethylammonium bromides (C10 to C18): from tight-packed interdigitation to rotational disorder with increasing temperature.
Rapid carbene formation increases ion diffusivity in an imidazolium acetate ionic liquid confined between polar glass plates
Authors: Filippov Andrei , Antzutkin Oleg N. , Shah Faiz Ullah
Published: September 2019

1-Ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]) is one of the most widely used ionic liquids for various applications.
Molecular mechanisms for thermal degradation of CO2-loaded aqueous monoethanolamine solution: a first-principles study
Authors: Yoon Bohak , Stowe Haley M. , Hwang Gyeong S.
Published: September 2019

While isocyanate tends to be an important intermediate, MEA degradation mechanisms and kinetics are largely governed by entropic effects.
CFA-15 – a perfluorinated metal–organic framework with linear 1-D CuII-chains containing accessible unsaturated, reactive metal centres
Authors: Fritzsche J. , Ettlinger R. , Grzywa M. , Jantz S. G. , Kalytta-Mewes A. , Bunzen H. , Höppe H. A. , Volkmer D.
Published: September 2019

The synthesis and crystal structure of the perfluorinated metal–organic framework CFA-15, CuII3(tfpc)2(OH)2·DMF, and the organic ligand H2-tfpc, 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, are described.
Physical insights into mechanistic processes in organometallic chemistry: an introduction
Authors: Morris Robert H.
Published: September 2019

Mechanistic studies of late transition metal hydride homogeneous catalysts – 3d versus 4d metals.
Organic Lewis pairs for selective copolymerization of epoxides with anhydrides to access sequence-controlled block copolymers
Authors: Ji He-Yuan , Song Dong-Po , Wang Bin , Pan Li , Li Yue-Sheng
Published: September 2019

A selective copolymerization strategy is developed for one-step precise synthesis of diverse poly(ester-block-ether)s from bio-based epoxides and anhydrides by using organocatalysts.
An effective hybrid strategy for converting rice straw to furoic acid by tandem catalysisviaSn-sepiolite combined with recombinantE. coliwhole cells harboring horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase
Authors: Peng Bo , Ma Cui-Luan , Zhang Peng-Qi , Wu Chang-Qing , Wang Zi-Wei , Li Ai-Tao , He Yu-Cai , Yang Bin
Published: September 2019

The upgrading of biomass-derived furfural into high-value bio-based chemicals has attracted interest.
A concise tutorial review of TOF-SIMS based molecular and cellular imaging
Authors: Massonnet Philippe , Heeren Ron M. A.
Published: September 2019

This concise tutorial review provides a description of the current state of the art in the application of time-of flight based secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) in the field of molecular and cellular imaging.
Radiosynthesis and preliminaryin vivoevaluation of18F-labelled glycosylated duramycin peptides for imaging of phosphatidylethanolamine during apoptosis
Authors: Haskali Mohammad B. , Denoyer Delphine , Roselt Peter D. , Hicks Rodney J. , Hutton Craig A.
Published: September 2019

[18F]-Labelled duramycin derivatives incorporating hydrophilic aminogalacturonic acid moieties were prepared as tracers forin vivoimaging of phosphatidylethanolamine during apoptosis.
High-performance electrochromic films with fast switching times using transparent/conductive nanoparticle-modulated charge transfer
Authors: Yun Junsang , Song Yongkwon , Cho Ikjun , Ko Yongmin , Kwon Cheong Hoon , Cho Jinhan
Published: September 2019

Facile charge transfer-induced structural/interfacial designs for high-performance transition metal oxide-based electrochromic films.
Hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering: the importance of polymer choice
Authors: Spicer Christopher D.
Published: September 2019

We explore the design and synthesis of hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering from the perspective of the underlying polymer chemistry. The key polymers, properties and architectures used, and their effect on tissue growth are discussed.
Carbocatalysed hydrolytic cleaving of the glycosidic bond in fucoidan under microwave irradiation
Authors: Mission Elaine G. , Agutaya Jonas Karl Christopher N. , Quitain Armando T. , Sasaki Mitsuru , Kida Tetsuya
Published: September 2019

Fucose recovery from Undaria pinnatifida (F-UP) and Fucus vesiculosus (F-FV) via microwave-carbocatalysis consist of random scission leading to the production of short-chain oligosaccharides followed by acid-catalysed hydrolysis.
Aniline trimer-including carboxymethylated β-cyclodextrin as an efficient corrosion inhibitor for Q235 carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution
Authors: Yang Feng , Liu Yu , Liu Tong , Liu Shuan , Zhao Haichao
Published: September 2019

In this work, a water-soluble host–guest complex containing carboxymethylated beta-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) and an aniline trimer (AT) was synthesized.
A low-temperature technique and new strategy for the dual growth of carbon nanotubes and nanorods through the confinement of explosive materials inside a porous structure
Authors: Saber Osama , Aljaafari Abdullah , Alshoaibi Adil , Osama Aya
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we report a low temperature technique and new strategy for the dual growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanorods (CNRs) with alumina nanoparticles to avoid the high temperature required for CNT and CNR production.
A novel forced separation method for the preparation of paraffin with excellent phase changes
Authors: Bai Gang , Fan Qinzhen , Sun Jianfeng , Cheng Lihua , Song Xi-Ming
Published: September 2019

A novel forced separation method based on driving forced vacuum sweating was used to prepare phase-change paraffin with the carbon atom distribution of the paraffin wax and its fractions as per the following.
A gold nanoparticle strip for simultaneously evaluating FMDV immunized antibody level and discriminating FMDV vaccinated animals from infected animals
Authors: Yang Suzhen , Sun Yaning , Yang Jifei , Liu Yunchao , Feng Hua , Zhang Gaiping
Published: September 2019

A gold nanoparticle strip was developed for rapidly evaluating FMDV type O antibody level and simultaneously discriminating FMDV vaccinated animals from infected animals.
Synthesis and photovoltaic application of NIR-emitting perylene-monoimide dyes with large Stokes-shift
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Kovida Kovida , Sahoo Dhananjaya , Varghese Nonu , Mohanta Kallol , Koner Apurba Lal
Published: September 2019

A series of NIR emitting perylene-monoimide (PMI) dyes were developed via tetra alkynylation of PMI(Br)4 at bay and peri positions using Sonogashira coupling protocol for organic photovoltaics application.
Exploring half-metallic Co-based full Heusler alloys using a DFT+Umethod combined with linear response approach
Authors: Nawa Kenji , Miura Yoshio
Published: September 2019

A density functional theory (DFT)+Umethod based on linear response (LR) theory was applied to investigate the electronic structures of Co-based full Heusler alloys of ternary Co2YSi and quaternary Co2(Y,Mn)Si.
Mass-producible disposable needle-type ion-selective electrodes for plant research
Authors: Miah Md. Abunasar , Nakagawa Yusei , Tanimoto Ryo , Shinjo Rina , Kondo Motohiko , Suzuki Hiroaki
Published: September 2019

Easily mass-producible needle-type ion-selective electrodes were developed for the direct and indirect measurement of ion concentrations in live plants.