bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse, uncultivated bacteria and archaea underlying the cycling of dissolved protein in the ocean
Authors: Orsi William D , Smith Jason M , Liu Shuting , Liu Zhanfei , Sakamoto Carole M , Wilken Susanne , Poirier Camille , Richards Thomas A , Keeling Patrick J , Worden Alexandra Z , Santoro Alyson E
Published: March 2016

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) supports a significant amount of heterotrophic production in the ocean. Yet, to date, the identity and diversity of microbial groups that transform DON are not well understood. To better understand the organisms responsible for transforming high molecular weight (HMW)-DON in the upper ocean, isotopically labeled protein extract from Micromonas pusilla, a eukaryotic member of the resident phytoplankton community, was added as substrate to euphotic zone water from the central California Current system. Carbon and nitrogen remineralization rates from the added proteins ranged from 0.002 to 0.35 μmol C l−1 per day and 0.03 to 0.27 nmol N l−1 per day. DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) coupled with high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes linked the activity of 77 uncultivated free-living and particle-associated bacterial and archaeal taxa to the utilization of Micromonas protein extract. The high-throughput DNA-SIP method was sensitive in detecting isotopic assimilation by individual operational taxonomic units (OTUs), as substrate assimilation was observed after only 24 h. Many uncultivated free-living microbial taxa are newly implicated in the cycling of dissolved proteins affiliated with the Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria and Marine Group II (MGII) Euryarchaeota. In addition, a particle-associated community actively cycling DON was discovered, dominated by uncultivated organisms affiliated with MGII, Flavobacteria, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia and Bdellovibrionaceae. The number of taxa assimilating protein correlated with genomic representation of TonB-dependent receptor (TBDR)-encoding genes, suggesting a possible role of TBDR in utilization of dissolved proteins by marine microbes. Our results significantly expand the known microbial diversity mediating the cycling of dissolved proteins in the ocean.
Population genomics reveals that within-fungus polymorphism is common and maintained in populations of the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis
Authors: Wyss Tania , Masclaux Frédéric G , Rosikiewicz Pawel , Pagni Marco , Sanders Ian R
Published: March 2016

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are symbionts of most plants, increasing plant growth and diversity. The model AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis (isolate DAOM 197198) exhibits low within-fungus polymorphism. In contrast, another study reported high within-fungus variability. Experiments with other R. irregularis isolates suggest that within-fungus genetic variation can affect the fungal phenotype and plant growth, highlighting the biological importance of such variation. We investigated whether there is evidence of differing levels of within-fungus polymorphism in an R. irregularis population. We genotyped 20 isolates using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and developed novel approaches for characterizing polymorphism among haploid nuclei. All isolates exhibited higher within-isolate poly-allelic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) densities than DAOM 197198 in repeated and non-repeated sites mapped to the reference genome. Poly-allelic SNPs were independently confirmed. Allele frequencies within isolates deviated from diploids or tetraploids, or that expected for a strict dikaryote. Phylogeny based on poly-allelic sites was robust and mirrored the standard phylogeny. This indicates that within-fungus genetic variation is maintained in AM fungal populations. Our results predict a heterokaryotic state in the population, considerable differences in copy number variation among isolates and divergence among the copies, or aneuploidy in some isolates. The variation may be a combination of all of these hypotheses. Within-isolate genetic variation in R. irregularis leads to large differences in plant growth. Therefore, characterizing genomic variation within AM fungal populations is of major ecological importance.
AMPK antagonizes hepatic glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP signalling via phosphorylation-induced activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4B
Authors: Johanns M. , Lai Y.-C. , Hsu M.-F. , Jacobs R. , Vertommen D. , Van Sande J. , Dumont J. E. , Woods A. , Carling D. , Hue L. , Viollet B. , Foretz M , Rider M H
Published: March 2016

Biguanides such as metformin have previously been shown to antagonize hepatic glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling independently of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase by AMP. Here we show that incubation of hepatocytes with the small-molecule AMPK activator 991 decreases glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity and downstream PKA target phosphorylation. Moreover, incubation of hepatocytes with 991 increases the Vmax of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) without affecting intracellular adenine nucleotide concentrations. The effects of 991 to decrease glucagon-stimulated cAMP concentrations and activate PDE4B are lost in hepatocytes deleted for both catalytic subunits of AMPK. PDE4B is phosphorylated by AMPK at three sites, and by site-directed mutagenesis, Ser304 phosphorylation is important for activation. In conclusion, we provide a new mechanism by which AMPK antagonizes hepatic glucagon signalling via phosphorylation-induced PDE4B activation.
Designing high-performance layered thermoelectric materials through orbital engineering
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Song Lirong , Madsen Georg K. H. , Fischer Karl F. F. , Zhang Wenqing , Shi Xun , Iversen Bo B.
Published: March 2016

Thermoelectric technology, which possesses potential application in recycling industrial waste heat as energy, calls for novel high-performance materials. The systematic exploration of novel thermoelectric materials with excellent electronic transport properties is severely hindered by limited insight into the underlying bonding orbitals of atomic structures. Here we propose a simple yet successful strategy to discover and design high-performance layered thermoelectric materials through minimizing the crystal field splitting energy of orbitals to realize high orbital degeneracy. The approach naturally leads to design maps for optimizing the thermoelectric power factor through forming solid solutions and biaxial strain. Using this approach, we predict a series of potential thermoelectric candidates from layered CaAl2Si2-type Zintl compounds. Several of them contain nontoxic, low-cost and earth-abundant elements. Moreover, the approach can be extended to several other non-cubic materials, thereby substantially accelerating the screening and design of new thermoelectric materials.
Tuning selectivity of electrochemical reactions by atomically dispersed platinum catalyst
Authors: Choi Chang Hyuck , Kim Minho , Kwon Han Chang , Cho Sung June , Yun Seongho , Kim Hee-Tak , Mayrhofer Karl J. J. , Kim Hyungjun , Choi Minkee
Published: March 2016

Maximum atom efficiency as well as distinct chemoselectivity is expected for electrocatalysis on atomically dispersed (or single site) metal centres, but its realization remains challenging so far, because carbon, as the most widely used electrocatalyst support, cannot effectively stabilize them. Here we report that a sulfur-doped zeolite-templated carbon, simultaneously exhibiting large sulfur content (17 wt% S), as well as a unique carbon structure (that is, highly curved three-dimensional networks of graphene nanoribbons), can stabilize a relatively high loading of platinum (5 wt%) in the form of highly dispersed species including site isolated atoms. In the oxygen reduction reaction, this catalyst does not follow a conventional four-electron pathway producing H2O, but selectively produces H2O2 even over extended times without significant degradation of the activity. Thus, this approach constitutes a potentially promising route for producing important fine chemical H2O2, and also offers opportunities for tuning the selectivity of other electrochemical reactions on various metal catalysts.
Early interventions in risk groups for schizophrenia: what are we waiting for?
Authors: Sommer Iris E , Bearden Carrie E , van Dellen Edwin , Breetvelt Elemi J , Duijff Sasja N , Maijer Kim , van Amelsvoort Therese , de Haan Lieuwe , Gur Raquel E , Arango Celso , Díaz-Caneja Covadonga M , Vinkers Christiaan H , Vorstman Jacob AS
Published: March 2016

Intervention strategies in adolescents at ultra high-risk (UHR) for psychosis are promising for reducing conversion to overt illness, but have only limited impact on functional outcome. Recent studies suggest that cognition does not further decline during the UHR stage. As social and cognitive impairments typically develop before the first psychotic episode and even years before the UHR stage, prevention should also start much earlier in the groups at risk for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Early intervention strategies could aim to improve stress resilience, optimize brain maturation, and prevent or alleviate adverse environmental circumstances. These strategies should urgently be tested for efficacy: the prevalence of ~1% implies that yearly ~22 in every 100,000 people develop overt symptoms of this illness, despite the fact that for many of them—e.g., children with an affected first-degree family member or carriers of specific genetic variants—increased risk was already identifiable early in life. Our current ability to recognize several risk groups at an early age not only provides an opportunity, but also implies a clinical imperative to act. Time is pressing to investigate preventive interventions in high-risk children to mitigate or prevent the development of schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders.
Epigenetic suppression of neprilysin regulates breast cancer invasion
Authors: Stephen H M , Khoury R J , Majmudar P R , Blaylock T , Hawkins K , Salama M S , Scott M D , Cosminsky B , Utreja N K , Britt J , Conway R E
Published: March 2016

In women, invasive breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second cause of cancer-related death. Therefore, identifying novel regulators of breast cancer invasion could lead to additional biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Neprilysin, a cell-surface enzyme that cleaves and inactivates a number of substrates including endothelin-1 (ET1), has been implicated in breast cancer, but whether neprilysin promotes or inhibits breast cancer cell progression and metastasis is unclear. Here, we asked whether neprilysin expression predicts and functionally regulates breast cancer cell invasion. RT–PCR and flow cytometry analysis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines revealed decreased neprilysin expression compared with normal epithelial cells. Expression was also suppressed in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) compared with normal tissue. In addition, in vtro invasion assays demonstrated that neprilysin overexpression decreased breast cancer cell invasion, whereas neprilysin suppression augmented invasion. Furthermore, inhibiting neprilysin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells increased ET1 levels significantly, whereas overexpressing neprilysin decreased extracellular-signal related kinase (ERK) activation, indicating that neprilysin negatively regulates ET1-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. To determine whether neprilysin was epigenetically suppressed in breast cancer, we performed bisulfite conversion analysis of breast cancer cells and clinical tumor samples. We found that the neprilysin promoter was hypermethylated in breast cancer; chemical reversal of methylation in MDA-MB-231 cells reactivated neprilysin expression and inhibited cancer cell invasion. Analysis of cancer databases revealed that neprilysin methylation significantly associates with survival in stage I IDC and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer subtypes. These results demonstrate that neprilysin negatively regulates the ET axis in breast cancer, and epigenetic suppression of neprilysin in invasive breast cancer cells enables invasion. Together, this implicates neprilysin as an important regulator of breast cancer invasion and clarifies its utility as a potential biomarker for invasive breast cancer.
Intravascular optical imaging of high-risk plaques in vivo by targeting macrophage mannose receptors
Authors: Kim Ji Bak , Park Kyeongsoon , Ryu Jiheun , Lee Jae Joong , Lee Min Woo , Cho Han Saem , Nam Hyeong Soo , Park Ok Kyu , Song Joon Woo , Kim Tae Shik , Oh Dong Joo , Gweon DaeGab , Oh Wang-Yuhl , Yoo Hongki , Kim Jin Won
Published: March 2016

Macrophages mediate atheroma expansion and disruption, and denote high-risk arterial plaques. Therefore, they are substantially gaining importance as a diagnostic imaging target for the detection of rupture-prone plaques. Here, we developed an injectable near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe by chemically conjugating thiolated glycol chitosan with cholesteryl chloroformate, NIRF dye (cyanine 5.5 or 7), and maleimide-polyethylene glycol-mannose as mannose receptor binding ligands to specifically target a subset of macrophages abundant in high-risk plaques. This probe showed high affinity to mannose receptors, low toxicity, and allowed the direct visualization of plaque macrophages in murine carotid atheroma. After the scale-up of the MMR-NIRF probe, the administration of the probe facilitated in vivo intravascular imaging of plaque inflammation in coronary-sized vessels of atheromatous rabbits using a custom-built dual-modal optical coherence tomography (OCT)-NIRF catheter-based imaging system. This novel imaging approach represents a potential imaging strategy enabling the identification of high-risk plaques in vivo and holds promise for future clinical implications.
Dynamic secondary degeneration in the spinal cord and ventral root after a focal cerebral infarction among hypertensive rats
Authors: Dang Ge , Chen Xinran , Chen Yicong , Zhao Yuhui , Ouyang Fubing , Zeng Jinsheng
Published: March 2016

Cerebral infarction can cause secondary damage to nonischemic brain regions. However, whether this phenomenon will appear in central nervous system regions outside the brain remains unclear. Here we investigated pathological changes in the spinal cord and ventral root after ischemic stroke. All rats exhibited apparent neurological deficits post-MCAO, which improved gradually but could still be detected 12-weeks. Neuronal filaments in the corticospinal tract (CST) and neurons in the ventral horn were significantly declined in the contralateral cervical and lumbar enlargement 1-week post-MCAO. These decreases remained stable until 12-weeks, accompanied by progressively increased glial activation in the ventral horn. Axonal degeneration and structural derangement were evident in the contralateral cervical and lumbar ventral root 1-week post-MCAO; these changes spontaneously attenuated over time, but abnormalities could still be observed 12-weeks. The number of neural fibers in the contralateral CST and neurons in the contralateral ventral horn were positively correlated with neurological scores 12-weeks post-MCAO. Additionally, GFAP+cell density in the contralateral CST and ventral horn was negatively correlated with neurological scores. Our results suggest that cerebral infarction can elicit secondary degeneration in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord, as well as the projecting ventral root, which may hamper functional recovery after stroke.
Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies against Disparate Epitopes on Ricin Toxin’s Enzymatic Subunit Interfere with Intracellular Toxin Transport
Authors: Yermakova Anastasiya , Klokk Tove Irene , O’Hara Joanne M. , Cole Richard , Sandvig Kirsten , Mantis Nicholas J.
Published: March 2016

Ricin is a member of the A-B family of bacterial and plant toxins that exploit retrograde trafficking to the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a means to deliver their cytotoxic enzymatic subunits into the cytoplasm of mammalian cells. In this study we demonstrate that R70 and SyH7, two well-characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against distinct epitopes on the surface of ricin’s enzymatic subunit (RTA), interfere with toxin transport from the plasma membrane to the trans Golgi network. Toxin-mAb complexes formed on the cell surface delayed ricin’s egress from EEA-1+ and Rab7+ vesicles and enhanced toxin accumulation in LAMP-1+ vesicles, suggesting the complexes were destined for degradation in lysosomes. Three other RTA-specific neutralizing mAbs against different epitopes were similar to R70 and SyH7 in terms of their effects on ricin retrograde transport. We conclude that interference with toxin retrograde transport may be a hallmark of toxin-neutralizing antibodies directed against disparate epitopes on RTA.
Notch Signaling Coordinates Progenitor Cell-Mediated Biliary Regeneration Following Partial Hepatectomy
Authors: Lu Jie , Zhou Yingqun , Hu Tianyuan , Zhang Hui , Shen Miao , Cheng Ping , Dai Weiqi , Wang Fan , Chen Kan , Zhang Yan , Wang Chengfeng , Li Jingjing , Zheng Yuanyuan , Yang Jing , Zhu Rong , Wang Jianrong , Lu Wenxia , Zhang Huawei , Wang Junshan , Xia Yujing , De Assuncao Thiago M. , Jalan-Sakrikar Nidhi , Huebert Robert C. , Bin Zhou  , Guo Chuanyong
Published: March 2016

Aberrant transcriptional regulation contributes to the pathogenesis of both congenital and adult forms of liver disease. Although the transcription factor RBPJ is essential for liver morphogenesis and biliary development, its specific function in the differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells (HPC) has not been investigated, and little is known about its role in adult liver regeneration. HPCs are bipotent liver stem cells that can self-replicate and differentiate into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes in vitro. HPCs are thought to play an important role in liver regeneration and repair responses. While the coordinated repopulation of both hepatocyte and cholangiocyte compartment is pivotal to the structure and function of the liver after regeneration, the mechanisms coordinating biliary regeneration remain vastly understudied. Here, we utilized complex genetic manipulations to drive liver-specific deletion of the Rbpj gene in conjunction with lineage tracing techniques to delineate the precise functions of RBPJ during biliary development and HPC-associated biliary regeneration after hepatectomy. Furthermore, we demonstrate that RBPJ promotes HPC differentiation toward cholangiocytes in vitro and blocks hepatocyte differentiation through mechanisms involving Hippo-Notch crosstalk. Overall, this study demonstrates that the Notch-RBPJ signaling axis critically regulates biliary regeneration by coordinating the fate decision of HPC and clarifies the molecular mechanisms involved.
Forgetting of long-term memory requires activation of NMDA receptors, L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, and calcineurin
Authors: Sachser Ricardo Marcelo , Santana Fabiana , Crestani Ana Paula , Lunardi Paula , Pedraza Lizeth Katherine , Quillfeldt Jorge Alberto , Hardt Oliver , de Oliveira Alvares Lucas
Published: March 2016

In the past decades, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying memory consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction have been well characterized. However, the neurobiological underpinnings of forgetting processes remain to be elucidated. Here we used behavioral, pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches to explore mechanisms controlling forgetting. We found that post-acquisition chronic inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+channel (LVDCC), and protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), maintains long-term object location memory that otherwise would have been forgotten. We further show that NMDAR activation is necessary to induce forgetting of object recognition memory. Studying the role of NMDAR activation in the decay of the early phase of long-term potentiation (E-LTP) in the hippocampus, we found that ifenprodil infused 30 min after LTP inductionin vivoblocks the decay of CA1-evoked postsynaptic plasticity, suggesting that GluN2B-containing NMDARs activation are critical to promote LTP decay. Taken together, these findings indicate that a well-regulated forgetting process, initiated by Ca2+influx through LVDCCs and GluN2B-NMDARs followed by CaN activation, controls the maintenance of hippocampal LTP and long-term memories over time.
NECAB3 Promotes Activation of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 during Normoxia and Enhances Tumourigenicity of Cancer Cells
Authors: Nakaoka Hiroki J. , Hara Toshiro , Yoshino Seiko , Kanamori Akane , Matsui Yusuke , Shimamura Teppei , Sato Hiroshi , Murakami Yoshinori , Seiki Motoharu , Sakamoto Takeharu
Published: March 2016

Unlike most cells, cancer cells activate hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) to use glycolysis even at normal oxygen levels, or normoxia. Therefore, HIF-1 is an attractive target in cancer therapy. However, the regulation of HIF-1 during normoxia is not well characterised, although Mint3 was recently found to activate HIF-1 in cancer cells and macrophages by suppressing the HIF-1 inhibitor, factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1). In this study, we analysed Mint3-binding proteins to investigate the mechanism by which Mint3 regulates HIF-1. Yeast two-hybrid screening using Mint3 as bait identified N-terminal EF-hand calcium binding protein 3 (NECAB3) as a novel factor regulating HIF-1 activity via Mint3. NECAB3 bound to the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of Mint3, formed a ternary complex with Mint3 and FIH-1, and co-localised with Mint3 at the Golgi apparatus. Depletion of NECAB3 decreased the expression of HIF-1 target genes and reduced glycolysis in normoxic cancer cells. NECAB3 mutants that binds Mint3 but lacks an intact monooxygenase domain also inhibited HIF-1 activation. Inhibition of NECAB3 in cancer cells by either expressing shRNAs or generating a dominant negative mutant reduced tumourigenicity. Taken together, the data indicate that NECAB3 is a promising new target for cancer therapy.
Insulin Resistance in Human iPS Cells Reduces Mitochondrial Size and Function
Authors: Burkart Alison M. , Tan Kelly , Warren Laura , Iovino Salvatore , Hughes Katelyn J. , Kahn C. Ronald , Patti Mary-Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Insulin resistance, a critical component of type 2 diabetes (T2D), precedes and predicts T2D onset. T2D is also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. To define the cause-effect relationship between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction, we compared mitochondrial metabolism in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from 5 healthy individuals and 4 patients with genetic insulin resistance due to insulin receptor mutations. Insulin-resistant iPSC had increased mitochondrial number and decreased mitochondrial size. Mitochondrial oxidative function was impaired, with decreased citrate synthase activity and spare respiratory capacity. Simultaneously, expression of multiple glycolytic enzymes was decreased, while lactate production increased 80%. These perturbations were accompanied by an increase in ADP/ATP ratio and 3-fold increase in AMPK activity, indicating energetic stress. Insulin-resistant iPSC also showed reduced catalase activity and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Thus, insulin resistance can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction with reduced mitochondrial size, oxidative activity and energy production.
Physical connections between different SSVEP neural networks
Authors: Wu Zhenghua
Published: March 2016

This work investigates the mechanism of the Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP). One theory suggests that different SSVEP neural networks exist whose strongest response are located in different frequency bands. This theory is based on the fact that there are similar SSVEP frequency-amplitude response curves in these bands. Previous studies that employed simultaneous stimuli of different frequencies illustrated that the distribution of these networks were similar, but did not discuss the physical connection between them. By comparing the SSVEP power and distribution under a single-eye stimulus and a simultaneous, dual-eye stimulus, this work demonstrates that the distributions of different SSVEP neural networks are similar to each other and that there should be physical overlapping between them. According to the band-pass filter theory in a signal transferring channel, which we propose in this work for the first time, there are different amounts of neurons that are involved under repetitive stimuli of different frequencies and that the response intensity of each neuron is similar to each other so that the total response (i.e., the SSVEP) that is observed from the scalp is different.
Role of surgery in patients with focally progressive gastrointestinal stromal tumors resistant to imatinib
Authors: Gao Xiaodong , Xue Anwei , Fang Yong , Shu Ping , Ling Jiaqian , Qin Jing , Hou Yingyong , Shen Kuntang , Sun Yihong , Qin Xinyu
Published: March 2016

The benefits of surgery for focally progressive gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) during imatinib therapy are still in discussion. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgical resection of progressive lesions following tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy (S group) or TKI therapy alone (NS group) in GIST patients. We retrospectively investigated 57 patients with focally progressive GIST during imatinib therapy who were treated in Zhongshan hospital, Fudan University. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the S group were significantly longer than those in the NS group. Among S group, the patients with R0 resection showed longer PFS than R2 resection; however, no difference was found between these two groups. Moreover, PFS and OS were not different in the NS-S group compared with S group. On multivariate analysis, surgery is an independent prognostic factor for longer PFS and OS. Our study supports the decision of treating GIST patients who were focally resistant to imatinib with surgery resection based on its benefit.
A Web Server and Mobile App for Computing Hemolytic Potency of Peptides
Authors: Chaudhary Kumardeep , Kumar Ritesh , Singh Sandeep , Tuknait Abhishek , Gautam Ankur , Mathur Deepika , Anand Priya , Varshney Grish C. , Raghava Gajendra P. S.
Published: March 2016

Numerous therapeutic peptides do not enter the clinical trials just because of their high hemolytic activity. Recently, we developed a database, Hemolytik, for maintaining experimentally validated hemolytic and non-hemolytic peptides. The present study describes a web server and mobile app developed for predicting and screening of peptides having hemolytic potency. Firstly, we generated a dataset HemoPI-1 that contains 552 hemolytic peptides extracted from Hemolytik database and 552 random non-hemolytic peptides (from Swiss-Prot). The sequence analysis of these peptides revealed that certain residues (e.g., L, K, F, W) and motifs (e.g., “FKK”, “LKL”, “KKLL”, “KWK”, “VLK”, “CYCR”, “CRR”, “RFC”, “RRR”, “LKKL”) are more abundant in hemolytic peptides. Therefore, we developed models for discriminating hemolytic and non-hemolytic peptides using various machine learning techniques and achieved more than 95% accuracy. We also developed models for discriminating peptides having high and low hemolytic potential on different datasets called HemoPI-2 and HemoPI-3. In order to serve the scientific community, we developed a web server, mobile app and JAVA-based standalone software (http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/hemopi/).
Strain-induced water dissociation on supported ultrathin oxide films
Authors: Song Zhenjun , Fan Jing , Xu Hu
Published: March 2016

Controlling the dissociation of single water molecule on an insulating surface plays a crucial role in many catalytic reactions. In this work, we have identified the enhanced chemical reactivity of ultrathin MgO(100) films deposited on Mo(100) substrate that causes water dissociation. We reveal that the ability to split water on insulating surface closely depends on the lattice mismatch between ultrathin films and the underlying substrate, and substrate-induced in-plane tensile strain dramatically results in water dissociation on MgO(100). Three dissociative adsorption configurations of water with lower energy are predicted, and the structural transition going from molecular form to dissociative form is almost barrierless. Our results provide an effective avenue to achieve water dissociation at the single-molecule level and shed light on how to tune the chemical reactions of insulating surfaces by choosing the suitable substrates.
Occurrence and removal of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in the water treatment processes
Authors: Lv Xuemin , Xiao Sanhua , Zhang Gang , Jiang Pu , Tang Fei
Published: March 2016

This paper evaluated the occurrence and removal efficiency of four selected phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (bisphenol A (BPA), octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP) and diethylstilbestrol (DES)) in two drinking waterworks in Jiangsu province which take source water from Taihu Lake. The recombined yeast estrogen screen (YES) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were applied to assess the estrogenicity and detect the estrogens in the samples. The estrogen equivalents (EEQs) ranged from nd (not detected) to 2.96 ng/L, and the estrogenic activities decreased along the processes. Among the 32 samples, DES prevailed in all samples, with concentrations ranging 1.46–12.0 ng/L, BPA, OP and NP were partially detected, with concentrations ranging from nd to 17.73 ng/L, nd to 0.49 ng/L and nd to 3.27 ng/L, respectively. DES was found to be the main contributor to the estrogenicity (99.06%), followed by NP (0.62%), OP (0.23%) and BPA (0.09%). From the observation of treatment efficiency, the advanced treatment processes presented much higher removal ratio in reducing DES, the biodegradation played an important role in removing BPA, ozonation and pre-oxidation showed an effective removal on all the four estrogens; while the conventional ones can also reduce all the four estrogens.
What can rodent models tell us about apathy and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Magnard R , Vachez Y , Carcenac C , Krack P , David O , Savasta M , Boulet S , Carnicella S
Published: March 2016

In addition to classical motor symptoms, Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients display incapacitating neuropsychiatric manifestations, such as apathy, anhedonia, depression and anxiety. These hitherto generally neglected non-motor symptoms, have gained increasing interest in medical and scientific communities over the last decade because of the extent of their negative impact on PD patients’ quality of life. Although recent clinical and functional imaging studies have provided useful information, the pathophysiology of apathy and associated affective impairments remains elusive. Our aim in this review is to summarize and discuss recent advances in the development of rodent models of PD-related neuropsychiatric symptoms using neurotoxin lesion-based approaches. The data collected suggest that bilateral and partial lesions of the nigrostriatal system aimed at inducing reliable neuropsychiatric-like deficits while avoiding severe motor impairments that may interfere with behavioral evaluation, is a more selective and efficient strategy than medial forebrain bundle lesions. Moreover, of all the different classes of pharmacological agents, D2/D3 receptor agonists such as pramipexole appear to be the most efficient treatment for the wide range of behavioral deficits induced by dopaminergic lesions. Lesion-based rodent models, therefore, appear to be relevant tools for studying the pathophysiology of the non-motor symptoms of PD. Data accumulated so far confirm the causative role of dopaminergic depletion, especially in the nigrostriatal system, in the development of behavioral impairments related to apathy, depression and anxiety. They also put forward D2/D3 receptors as potential targets for the treatment of such neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD.
A multipurpose biochip for food pathogen detection
Authors: Primiceri Elisabetta , Chiriacò Maria Serena , de Feo Francesco , Santovito Elisa , Fusco Vincenzina , Maruccio Giuseppe
Published: March 2016

We realized an innovative biosensing platform with high sensitivity, low-cost and label-free features forS. aureusandL. monocytogenesdetection from meat.
Aptamer-integrated DNA nanostructures for biosensing, bioimaging and cancer therapy
Authors: Meng Hong-Min , Liu Hui , Kuai Hailan , Peng Ruizi , Mo Liuting , Zhang Xiao-Bing
Published: March 2016

We survey advances in biosensing, bioimaging and cancer therapy applications of aptamer-integrated DNA nanostructures in this review.
CeO2 nanodots embedded in a porous silica matrix as an active yet durable catalyst for HCl oxidation
Authors: Chen Xian , Xu Xihua , Fei Zhaoyang , Xie Xingxing , Lou Jiawei , Tang Jihai , Cui Mifen , Qiao Xu
Published: March 2016

The nano-sized CeO2 particles (2–4 nm) with significantly rich surface defects and excellent redox ability uniformly embedded in the porous SiO2 matrix exhibit superior and durable activity (1.60 gCl2 gcat−1 h−1) with a time on stream of 100 h.
The novel dipeptide Tyr-Ala (TA) significantly enhances the lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhang Z. , Zhao Y. , Wang X. , Lin R. , Zhang Y. , Ma H. , Guo Y. , Xu L. , Zhao B.
Published: March 2016

Food-derived bioactive peptides may have various physiological modulatory and regulatory functions and are now being studied extensively.
A carboxylic acid functionalized benzimidazole-based supramolecular gel with multi-stimuli responsive properties
Authors: Yao Hong , Wu Hong-Ping , Chang Jing , Lin Qi , Wei Tai-Bao , Zhang You-Ming
Published: March 2016

We fabricated an organogel C11-OG and a novel metallogel Pb-MG, both of which exhibit strong blue AIEE in gel states.
Functionalization of silver nanoparticles with 5-sulfoanthranilic acid dithiocarbamate for selective colorimetric detection of Mn2+and Cd2+ions
Authors: Mehta Vaibhavkumar N. , Rohit Jigneshkumar V. , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: March 2016

A schematic representation of Mn2+and Cd2+ion-induced aggregation of SAA-DTC-Ag NPs.
Self limiting atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on perovskite surfaces: a reality?
Authors: Choudhury Devika , Rajaraman Gopalan , Sarkar Shaibal K.
Published: March 2016

The feasibility of self-saturated atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on an organolead halide perovskite (MAPbI3−xClx) surface through a well known trimethylaluminium (TMA)–water (H2O) chemistry is studied.
Fabrication and investigation of nanofibrous matrices as esophageal tissue scaffolds using human non-keratinized, stratified, squamous epithelial cells
Authors: Kuppan Purushothaman , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari
Published: March 2016

Clinical conditions of the esophagus are conventionally treated by autologous grafts and are generally associated with complications such as leakage, infection and stenosis necessitating an alternative synthetic graft with superior outcomes.
Tapered carbon nanocone tips obtained by dynamic oxidation in air
Authors: Huang Wei , Xu Jianxun , Lu Xing
Published: March 2016

We present a facile approach to sharpen dull carbon nanocone tip to make the materials more appropriate for AFM applications.
Antiproliferative activity of cationic and neutral thiosemicarbazone copper(ii) complexes
Authors: Mohamed Subarkhan M. , Prabhu R. N. , Raj Kumar R. , Ramesh R.
Published: March 2016

Three new copper(ii) thiosemicarbazone complexes were synthesized and characterized. The DNA/protein binding and antiproliferative activity of the complexes have been described.
Efficient conversion of cotton stalks over a Fe modified HZSM-5 catalyst under microwave irradiation
Authors: Kong Xiangjin , Li Xiaole , Wu Shuxiang , Zhang Xin , Liu Junhai
Published: March 2016

Doped amounts of Fe species to HZSM-5 distinctly improved the catalytic performance of the catalyst for the liquefaction of cotton stalk to bio-oil due to the enhanced total and weak acid sites.
Excitation-independent carbon dots, from photoluminescence mechanism to single-color application
Authors: Wen Zhi-Hui , Yin Xue-Bo
Published: March 2016

Green- and Blue-Cdots were obtained with excitation-independent emission. The PL mechanism of the Cdots was proposed based on their optical properties and structure. Their single-color application was validated with doubly encrypted characters.
Formation of cobalt silicide nanoparticles on graphene with a synergistic effect and high stability for ethanol oxidation
Authors: Zhang Mingmei , Pan Denghui , Li Yuan , Yan Zaoxue , Meng Suci , Xie Jimin
Published: March 2016

Stable cobalt silicide (CoSi) with an average diameter of less than 4 nm is uniformly decorated with graphene by a chemical vapor deposition method.
In-depth study on the gene silencing capability of silica nanoparticles with different pore sizes: degree and duration of RNA interference
Authors: Kim Seongchan , Na Hee-Kyung , Won Cheolhee , Min Dal-Hee
Published: March 2016

The mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) having different pore sizes were synthesized and utilized for siRNA delivery system capable of controlling kinetics of RNA interference.
AuGe surface plasmon enhances photoluminescence of the InAs/GaAs bilayer quantum dot heterostructure
Authors: Pandey Sushil Kumar , Tyagi Lavi , Shete Pranav , Ghadi Hemant , Rawool Harshal , Murkute Poonam , Chakrabarti Subhananda
Published: March 2016

We report an improvement in the photoluminescence of a GaAs-capped InAs/GaAs bilayer quantum dot (QD) heterostructure by AuGe nanoparticle deposition on the surface of a thin capped layer.
Investigation of CO2 reaction with copper oxide nanoparticles for room temperature gas sensing
Authors: Tanvir N. B. , Yurchenko O. , Wilbertz Ch. , Urban G.
Published: March 2016

CO2 sensing at room temperature: the interaction of CO2 and H2O with copper oxide nanoparticles results in reversible formation of basic carbonates. This phenomenon is the key reaction for the work function readout based CO2 sensing which enables the prospects towards low power and low cost gas sensors.
In situ formation of zinc ferrite modified Al-doped ZnO nanowire arrays for solar water splitting
Authors: Xu Yang-Fan , Rao Hua-Shang , Wang Xu-Dong , Chen Hong-Yan , Kuang Dai-Bin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: March 2016

A simple wet-chemical treating method is introduced to in situ fabricate ZnFe2O4 onto conductive Al:ZnO nanowire arrays for solar-driven water splitting.
VY6, a β-lactoglobulin-derived peptide, altered metabolic lipid pathways in the zebra fish liver
Authors: Mohammed-Geba K. , Arrutia F. , Do-Huu H. , Borrell Y. J. , Galal-Khallaf A. , Ardura A. , Riera Francisco A. , Garcia-Vazquez Eva
Published: March 2016

Today enormous research efforts are being focused on alleviating the massive, adverse effects of obesity.
Orange juice consumption and its effect on blood lipid profile and indices of the metabolic syndrome; a randomised, controlled trial in an at-risk population
Authors: Simpson E. J. , Mendis B. , Macdonald I. A.
Published: March 2016

Despite media concern, daily orange juice consumption did not result in adverse metabolic effects, despite providing additional dietary sugars.
A galinstan-based inkjet printing system for highly stretchable electronics with self-healing capability
Authors: Li Guangyong , Wu Xuan , Lee Dong-Weon
Published: March 2016

We present a novel approach to realize highly stretchable electronics with self-healing capability by using a galinstan-based inkjet nozzle, which consists of a main microfluidic channel and a coplanar channel.
Design and synthesis of thiamine analogues to study their binding to the ECF transporter for thiamine in bacteria
Authors: Monjas L. , Swier L. J. Y. M. , de Voogd A. R. , Oudshoorn R. C. , Hirsch A. K. H. , Slotboom D. J.
Published: March 2016

This work presents new small molecules that bind to the protein ThiT, which confers substrate specificity to the Energy-Coupling Factor (ECF) transporter for thiamine. Further development of the molecules may lead to compounds with antimicrobial activity.
Synthesis of novel polycyano-containing organic ligands via double carbanion cleavage of 1′,3′-dioxo-1′,3′-dihydrospiro[cyclopropane-1,2′-indene] derivatives
Authors: Karpov S. V. , Kaukov Ya. S. , Grigor'ev A. A. , Nasakin O. E. , Kaukova O. V. , Tafeenko V. A.
Published: March 2016

Electron deficient 1′,3′-dioxo-1′,3′-dihydrospiro[cyclopropane-1,2′-indene] derivatives undergo double carbanion cleavage under the action of alcohols resulting in the formation of new stable allylic-type anions.
Acetylpyrene-labelled 7-methylguanine nucleotides: unusual fluorescence properties and application to decapping scavenger activity monitoring
Authors: Kasprzyk Renata , Kowalska Joanna , Wieczorek Zbigniew , Szabelski Mariusz , Stolarski Ryszard , Jemielity Jacek
Published: March 2016

We describe acetylpyrene-labeled mRNA cap analogues with untypical fluorescent properties as probes for inhibitor screening of DcpS.
A fast controlled synthesis of poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s under transition-metal-free conditions
Authors: Motoshige Asahi , Kakinuma Junko , Iyoda Tomokazu , Sanji Takanobu
Published: March 2016

A transition-metal-free polymerization of an AB-type monomer for the synthesis of well-defined poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s is described.
PhSeBr mediated hydroxylative oxidative dearomatization of naphthols – an open air facile one-pot synthesis of ketols
Authors: Sarkar Debayan , Ghosh Manoj Kumar , Rout Nilendri , Giri Santanab
Published: March 2016

A facile open air methodology for oxidative dearomatisation of planar naphthols is described.
Silver-mediated calcium terephthalate with enhanced electronic conductivity as an organic anode for efficient Li-ion batteries
Authors: Xue Jing , Fan Cong , Wang Liping , Zhou Aijun , Li Jingze
Published: March 2016

The rational addition of Ag particles into organic calcium terephthalate could improve its electronic conductivity, leading to improved performance as anode for Li-ion batteries.
Luminescence and energy transfer of a color tunable phosphor: Tb3+ and Eu3+ co-doped ScPO4
Authors: Mi Ruiyu , Chen Jian , Liu Yan-gai , Fang Minghao , Mei Lefu , Huang Zhaohui , Wang Baochen , Zhaob Chenglong
Published: March 2016

The PL spectra of ScPO4:0.03Tb3+, yEu3+ (y = 0–0.05) phosphors under N-UV excitation (λex = 370 nm) and the tunable luminescence.
Enhanced reversibility and electrochemical performances of mechanically alloyed Cu3P achieved by Fe addition
Authors: Zhou Aijun , Yang Bin , Wang Weihang , Dai Xinyi , Zhao Mingjuan , Xue Jing , Han Mangui , Fan Cong , Li Jingze
Published: March 2016

Fe-addition into Cu3P during mechanical alloying enhances the electrode's reversibility by a multi-phase constitute and a refined microstructure.
Efficient polymer solar cells employing pure ZnO cathode interlayers without thickness-dependent and light-soaking effect and negligible electrode selection
Authors: Wang Jiantai , Zhang Xiaoqin , Yang Qingqing , Yan Chi , Fu Yingying , Zhang Baohua , Xie Zhiyuan
Published: March 2016

The PSCs with PCE reach to 10.04% in conventional structure were fabricated with a new method prepared pure ZnO cathode interlayer. The fabricated PSCs demonstrated negligible light-soaking effect and cathode selection.
Synthesis and characterization of Co–Al–Fe nonstoichiometric spinel-type catalysts for catalytic CO oxidation
Authors: Lv Min , Guo Xiaoli , Wang Zhongpeng , Wang Liguo , Li Qian , Zhang Zhaoliang
Published: March 2016

CoAlFe nonstoichiometric spinel-type oxides derived from hydrotalcites precursors exhibit high activities for catalytic CO oxidation.
Stable monodisperse colloidal spherical gold nanoparticles formed by an imidazolium gemini surfactant-based water-in-oil microemulsion with excellent catalytic performance
Authors: Wang Shubin , Xin Xia , Zhang Han , Shen Jinglin , Zheng Yan , Song Zhaohua , Yang Yanzhao
Published: March 2016

A facile and versatile method for the synthesis of stable monodisperse colloidal gold nanoparticles was developed using a water-in-oil microemulsion-templating strategy.
The green reduction of graphene oxide
Authors: Aunkor M. T. H. , Mahbubul I. M. , Saidur R. , Metselaar H. S. C.
Published: March 2016

Graphene is an ultra-thin material, which has received broad interest in many areas of science and technology because of its unique physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties.
Controlled construction of 3D hierarchical manganese fluoride nanostructures via an oleylamine-assisted solvothermal route with high performance for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Authors: Rui Kun , Wen Zhaoyin , Jin Jun , Huang Xiao
Published: March 2016

We present a facile and effective solvothermal method to fabricate 3D hierarchical dendritic MnF2 nanostructures built from a bunch of radially oriented nanorods as an anode for LIBs.
Construction and luminescence property of a highly ordered 2D self-assembled amphiphilic bidentate organoplatinum(ii) complex
Authors: Xiang Yunjie , Li Wenjing , Fang Yuxi , Zhang Dengqing , Li Xianying , Jin Wusong
Published: March 2016

A red luminescent film was constructed by self-assembly of 1-Pt from methanol. The film on a substrate, exhibiting multi-stimuli responsiveness, was further obtained.
Synthesis and characterisation of non-ionic AB-diblock nanoparticles prepared by RAFT dispersion polymerization with polymerization-induced self-assembly
Authors: Pei Yiwen , Jarrett Kevin , Garces Leonardo Gutierrez , Saunders Martin , Croue Jean-Philippe , Roth Peter J. , Buckley Craig E. , Lowe Andrew B.
Published: March 2016

The RAFT-PISA synthesis and characterization of non-ionic soft matter nanoparticles is described.
A versatile glycosylation strategy via Au(iii) catalyzed activation of thioglycoside donors
Authors: Vibhute Amol M. , Dhaka Arun , Athiyarath Vignesh , Sureshan Kana M.
Published: March 2016

We report a mild, versatile and high yielding glycosylation method via activation of thioglycoside donors using a Au(iii) catalyst and without using any co-promoter. Both armed and disarmed donors could be activated by this method and the anomeric selectivity could be tuned by changing the solvents.
Self-assembly of polyoxometalates, Pt nanoparticles and metal–organic frameworks into a hybrid material for synergistic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Guo Weiwei , Lv Hongjin , Chen Zheyuan , Sullivan Kevin P. , Lauinger Sarah M. , Chi Yingnan , Sumliner Jordan M. , Lian Tianquan , Hill Craig L.
Published: March 2016

A POM can perform four functions simultaneously, a theme of potential value in the construction of energy converting multicomponent assemblies.
Effects of moisture on (La, A)MnO3 (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) solid oxide fuel cell cathodes: a first-principles and experimental study
Authors: Sharma Vinit , Mahapatra Manoj K. , Krishnan Sridevi , Thatcher Zachary , Huey Bryan D. , Singh P. , Ramprasad R.
Published: March 2016

In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), cathode degradation in the presence of moisture is a major concern at higher temperatures. We provide a comprehensive picture of the interaction between moisture and (La, A)MnO3 based SOFC cathodes.
Achieving high-performance planar perovskite solar cell with Nb-doped TiO2 compact layer by enhanced electron injection and efficient charge extraction
Authors: Chen Bai-Xue , Rao Hua-Shang , Li Wen-Guang , Xu Yang-Fan , Chen Hong-Yan , Kuang Dai-Bin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: March 2016

A PSC based on 2% Nb-doped TiO2 achieved a PCE of up to 16.3%, which is consistent with a stabilized maximum power output of 15.8%.
Graphene scaffolds in progressive nanotechnology/stem cell-based tissue engineering of the nervous system
Authors: Akhavan Omid
Published: March 2016

Graphene scaffolds are highly promising candidates in the versatile physicochemical stimulated proliferation/differentiation of neural stem cells required in future regenerative nanomedicine.