bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL-17 induces reactive astrocytes and up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through JAK/STAT signaling
Authors: You Tao , Bi Yihui , li Jun , Zhang Mingkai , Chen Xuezhou , Zhang Keke , Li Jun
Published: March 2017

Spinal cord injury is a grave neurological disability resulting in neuron degeneration and permanent paralysis. The inflammation triggered by the injury would promote the spinal cord lesion in turn. Activated astrocytes during inflammatory response could promote glial scar formation and contribute to the progression of the spinal cord injury. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) was upregulated in inflammatory responses to contusion or compression of the spinal cord. in this study, IL-17 could induce reactive astrocytes which was indicated by a well-known hallmark glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)in vitroandin vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that the upregulation of VEGF was induced by IL-17 human astrocytoma cells. In our further investigation, IL-17 induced the expression of VEGF in spinal cord injury by activating JAK/STAT signaling pathway bothin vitroandin vivo. In addition, we also found that IL-17 significantly changed tissue preservation and residual urine volumes and blood-spinal cord-barrier integrityin vivo. This newly found IL-17-JAK/STAT-VEGF axis improves our understanding of the molecular mechanism of spinal cord injury during inflammatory response and provides another potential target of spinal cord injury.
Standardized and flexible eight colour flow cytometry panels harmonized between different laboratories to study human NK cell phenotype and function
Authors: Veluchamy John P. , Delso-Vallejo María , Kok Nina , Bohme Fenna , Seggewiss-Bernhardt Ruth , van der Vliet Hans J. , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Huppert Volker , Spanholtz Jan
Published: March 2017

Advancements in multi-colour fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) panel warrant harmonized procedures to obtain comparable data between various laboratories. The intensifying clinical exploration of Natural Killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy demands standardized and harmonized NK cell FACS panels and acquisition protocols. Eight colour FACS panels were designed to study human NK cell phenotype and function within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The panels were designed around fixed backbone markers and channels, covering antigens for non-NK lineage exclusion (CD3, TCRγδ, CD19, CD14, SYTOX® Blue) and NK cell selection (CD45, CD56, CD16), complemented with variable drop-in markers/channels to study NK cell phenotype (NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2D and KIR2D) or NK cell function and activation (CD25, NKp44 and CD107a). Harmonized FACS set-up and data analysis for three different flow cytometers has been established, leading to highly comparable and reproducible data sets using the same PBMC reference samples (n = 6). Further studies of NK cells in fresh or cryopreserved PBMC samples (n = 12) confirmed that freezing and thawing of PBMC samples did not significantly affect NK phenotype or function. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that cryopreserved PBMC samples analysed by standardized FACS panels and harmonized analysis protocols will generate highly reliable data sets for multi-center clinical trials under validated conditions.
Advanced analytical methodologies for measuring healthy ageing and its determinants, using factor analysis and machine learning techniques: the ATHLOS project
Authors: Caballero Francisco Félix , Soulis George , Engchuan Worrawat , Sánchez-Niubó Albert , Arndt Holger , Ayuso-Mateos José Luis , Haro Josep Maria , Chatterji Somnath , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B.
Published: March 2017

A most challenging task for scientists that are involved in the study of ageing is the development of a measure to quantify health status across populations and over time. In the present study, a Bayesian multilevel Item Response Theory approach is used to create a health score that can be compared across different waves in a longitudinal study, using anchor items and items that vary across waves. The same approach can be applied to compare health scores across different longitudinal studies, using items that vary across studies. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) are employed. Mixed-effects multilevel regression and Machine Learning methods were used to identify relationships between socio-demographics and the health score created. The metric of health was created for 17,886 subjects (54.6% of women) participating in at least one of the first six ELSA waves and correlated well with already known conditions that affect health. Future efforts will implement this approach in a harmonised data set comprising several longitudinal studies of ageing. This will enable valid comparisons between clinical and community dwelling populations and help to generate norms that could be useful in day-to-day clinical practice.
Exploring RNA conformational space under sparse distance restraints
Authors: Taylor William R. , Hamilton Russell S.
Published: March 2017

We show that the application of a small number of restraints predicted by coevolution analysis can provide a powerful restriction on the conformational freedom of an RNA molecule. The greatest degree of restriction occurs when a contact is predicted between the distal ends of a pair of adjacent stemloops but even with this location additional flexibilities in the molecule can mask the contribution. Multiple cross-links, especially those including a pseudoknot provided the strongest restraint on conformational freedom with the effect being most apparent in topologically simple folds and less so if the fold is more topologically entwined. Little was expected for large structures (over 300 bases) and although a few strong localised restrictions were observed, they contributed little to the restraint of the overall fold. Although contacts predicted using a correlated mutation analysis can provide some powerful restrictions on the conformational freedom of RNA molecules, they are too erratic in their occurrence and distribution to provide a general approach to the problem of RNA 3D structure prediction from sequence.
Prevalence and magnitude of groundwater use by vegetation: a global stable isotope meta-analysis
Authors: Evaristo Jaivime , McDonnell Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2017

The role of groundwater as a resource in sustaining terrestrial vegetation is widely recognized. But the global prevalence and magnitude of groundwater use by vegetation is unknown. Here we perform a meta-analysis of plant xylem water stable isotope (δ2H and δ18O, n = 7367) information from 138 published papers – representing 251 genera, and 414 species of angiosperms (n = 376) and gymnosperms (n = 38). We show that the prevalence of groundwater use by vegetation (defined as the number of samples out of a universe of plant samples reported to have groundwater contribution to xylem water) is 37% (95% confidence interval, 28–46%). This is across 162 sites and 12 terrestrial biomes (89% of heterogeneity explained; Q-value = 1235; P < 0.0001). However, the magnitude of groundwater source contribution to the xylem water mixture (defined as the proportion of groundwater contribution in xylem water) is limited to 23% (95% CI, 20–26%; 95% prediction interval, 3–77%). Spatial analysis shows that the magnitude of groundwater source contribution increases with aridity. Our results suggest that while groundwater influence is globally prevalent, its proportional contribution to the total terrestrial transpiration is limited.
A De Novo Nonsense Mutation in MAGEL2 in a Patient Initially Diagnosed as Opitz-C: Similarities Between Schaaf-Yang and Opitz-C Syndromes
Authors: Urreizti Roser , Cueto-Gonzalez Anna Maria , Franco-Valls Héctor , Mort-Farre Sílvia , Roca-Ayats Neus , Ponomarenko Julia , Cozzuto Luca , Company Carlos , Bosio Mattia , Ossowski Stephan , Montfort Magda , Hecht Jochen , Tizzano Eduardo F. , Cormand Bru , Vilageliu Lluïsa , Opitz John M. , Neri Giovanni , Grinberg Daniel , Balcells Susana
Published: March 2017

Opitz trigonocephaly C syndrome (OTCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial anomalies, variable intellectual and psychomotor disability, and variable cardiac defects with a high mortality rate. Different patterns of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity are known in this syndrome. Whole exome and genome sequencing of a 19-year-old girl (P7), initially diagnosed with OTCS, revealed a de novo nonsense mutation, p.Q638*, in the MAGEL2 gene. MAGEL2 is an imprinted, maternally silenced, gene located at 15q11-13, within the Prader-Willi region. Patient P7 carried the mutation in the paternal chromosome. Recently, mutations in MAGEL2 have been described in Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SHFYNG) and in severe arthrogryposis. Patient P7 bears resemblances with SHFYNG cases but has other findings not described in this syndrome and common in OTCS. We sequenced MAGEL2 in nine additional OTCS patients and no mutations were found. This study provides the first clear molecular genetic basis for an OTCS case, indicates that there is overlap between OTCS and SHFYNG syndromes, and confirms that OTCS is genetically heterogeneous. Genes encoding MAGEL2 partners, either in the retrograde transport or in the ubiquitination-deubiquitination complexes, are promising candidates as OTCS disease-causing genes.
Visualizing Adsorption of Cyanophage P-SSP7 onto Marine Prochlorococcus
Authors: Murata Kazuyoshi , Zhang Qinfen , Gerardo Galaz-Montoya Jesús , Fu Caroline , Coleman Maureen L. , Osburne Marcia S. , Schmid Michael F. , Sullivan Matthew B. , Chisholm Sallie W. , Chiu Wah
Published: March 2017

Marine cyanobacteria perform roughly a quarter of global carbon fixation, and cyanophages that infect them liberate some of this carbon during infection and cell lysis. Studies of the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus MED4 and its associated cyanophage P-SSP7 have revealed complex gene expression dynamics once infection has begun, but the initial cyanophage-host interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we used single particle cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to investigate cyanophage-host interactions in this model system, based on 170 cyanophage-to-host adsorption events. Subtomogram classification and averaging revealed three main conformations characterized by different angles between the phage tail and the cell surface. Namely, phage tails were (i) parallel to, (ii) ~45 degrees to, or (iii) perpendicular to the cell surface. Furthermore, different conformations of phage tail fibers correlated with the aforementioned orientations of the tails. We also observed density beyond the tail tip in vertically-oriented phages that had penetrated the cell wall, capturing the final stage of adsorption. Together, our data provide a quantitative characterization of the orientation of phages as they adsorb onto cells, and suggest that cyanophages that abut their cellular targets are only transiently in the “perpendicular” orientation required for successful infection.
Ibuprofen results in alterations of human fetal testis development
Authors: Ben Maamar Millissia , Lesné Laurianne , Hennig Kristin , Desdoits-Lethimonier Christèle , Kilcoyne Karen R. , Coiffec Isabelle , Rolland Antoine D. , Chevrier Cécile , Kristensen David M. , Lavoué Vincent , Antignac Jean-Philippe , Le Bizec Bruno , Dejucq-Rainsford Nathalie , Mitchell Rod T. , Mazaud-Guittot Séverine , Jégou Bernard
Published: March 2017

Among pregnant women ibuprofen is one of the most frequently used pharmaceutical compounds with up to 28% reporting use. Regardless of this, it remains unknown whether ibuprofen could act as an endocrine disruptor as reported for fellow analgesics paracetamol and aspirin. To investigate this, we exposed human fetal testes (7–17 gestational weeks (GW)) to ibuprofen using ex vivo culture and xenograft systems. Ibuprofen suppressed testosterone and Leydig cell hormone INSL3 during culture of 8–9 GW fetal testes with concomitant reduction in expression of the steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and HSD17B3, and of INSL3. Testosterone was not suppressed in testes from fetuses younger than 8 GW, older than 10–12 GW, or in second trimester xenografted testes (14–17 GW). Ex vivo, ibuprofen also affected Sertoli cell by suppressing AMH production and mRNA expression of AMH, SOX9, DHH, and COL2A1. While PGE2 production was suppressed by ibuprofen, PGD2 production was not. Germ cell transcripts POU5F1, TFAP2C, LIN28A, ALPP and KIT were also reduced by ibuprofen. We conclude that, at concentrations relevant to human exposure and within a particular narrow ‘early window’ of sensitivity within first trimester, ibuprofen causes direct endocrine disturbances in the human fetal testis and alteration of the germ cell biology.
Albedo feedbacks to future climate via climate change impacts on dryland biocrusts
Authors: Rutherford William A. , Painter Thomas H. , Ferrenberg Scott , Belnap Jayne , Okin Gregory S. , Flagg Cody , Reed Sasha C.
Published: March 2017

Drylands represent the planet’s largest terrestrial biome and evidence suggests these landscapes have large potential for creating feedbacks to future climate. Recent studies also indicate that dryland ecosystems are responding markedly to climate change. Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) ‒ soil surface communities of lichens, mosses, and/or cyanobacteria ‒ comprise up to 70% of dryland cover and help govern fundamental ecosystem functions, including soil stabilization and carbon uptake. Drylands are expected to experience significant changes in temperature and precipitation regimes, and such alterations may impact biocrust communities by promoting rapid mortality of foundational species. In turn, biocrust community shifts affect land surface cover and roughness—changes that can dramatically alter albedo. We tested this hypothesis in a full-factorial warming (+4 °C above ambient) and altered precipitation (increased frequency of 1.2 mm monsoon-type watering events) experiment on the Colorado Plateau, USA. We quantified changes in shortwave albedo via multi-angle, solar-reflectance measurements. Warming and watering treatments each led to large increases in albedo (>30%). This increase was driven by biophysical factors related to treatment effects on cyanobacteria cover and soil surface roughness following treatment-induced moss and lichen mortality. A rise in dryland surface albedo may represent a previously unidentified feedback to future climate.
High-Speed Scalable Silicon-MoS2 P-N Heterojunction Photodetectors
Authors: Dhyani Veerendra , Das Samaresh
Published: March 2017

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising material for ultrasensitive photodetector owing to its favourable band gap and high absorption coefficient. However, their commercial applications are limited by the lack of high quality p-n junction and large wafer scale fabrication process. A high speed Si/MoS2 p-n heterojunction photodetector with simple and CMOS compatible approach has been reported here. The large area MoS2 thin film on silicon platform has been synthesized by sulfurization of RF-sputtered MoO3 films. The fabricated molecular layers of MoS2 on silicon offers high responsivity up to 8.75 A/W (at 580 nm and 3 V bias) with ultra-fast response of 10 μsec (rise time). Transient measurements of Si/MoS2 heterojunction under the modulated light reveal that the devices can function up to 50 kHz. The Si/MoS2 heterojunction is found to be sensitive to broadband wavelengths ranging from visible to near-infrared light with maximum detectivity up to ≈1.4 × 1012 Jones (2 V bias). Reproducible low dark current and high responsivity from over 20 devices in the same wafer has been measured. Additionally, the MoS2/Si photodetectors exhibit excellent stability in ambient atmosphere.
Proteomic Analysis of Host Cell Protein Dynamics in the Culture Supernatants of Antibody-Producing CHO Cells
Authors: Park Jin Hyoung , Jin Jong Hwa , Lim Myung Sin , An Hyun Joo , Kim Jong Won , Lee Gyun Min
Published: March 2017

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most common cell line used for the production of therapeutic proteins including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Host cell proteins (HCPs), secreted and released from lysed cells, accumulate extracellularly during the cultures of recombinant CHO (rCHO) cells, potentially impairing product quality. In an effort to maintain good mAb quality during the cultures, HCPs accumulated extracellularly in batch and fed-batch cultures of a mAb-producing rCHO cell line were identified and quantified by nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, followed by their gene ontology and functional analysis. Due to higher cell concentration and longer culture duration, more HCPs were identified and quantitated in fed-batch culture (2145 proteins identified and 1673 proteins quantified) than in batch culture (1934 proteins identified and 1486 proteins quantified). Clustering analysis of HCPs showed that the concentration profiles of HCPs affecting mAb quality (Lgmn, Ctsd, Gbl1, and B4galt1) correlated with changes in mAb quality attributes such as aggregation, charge variants, and N-glycosylation during the cultures. Taken together, the dataset of HCPs obtained in this study provides insights into determining the appropriate target proteins to be removed during both the cultures and purification steps for ensuring good mAb quality.
A high-resolution history of the South American Monsoon from Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene
Authors: Novello Valdir F. , Cruz Francisco W. , Vuille Mathias , Stríkis Nicolás M. , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai , Emerick Suellyn , de Paula Marcos S. , Li Xianglei , Barreto Eline de S. , Karmann Ivo , Santos Roberto V.
Published: March 2017

The exact extent, by which the hydrologic cycle in the Neotropics was affected by external forcing during the last deglaciation, remains poorly understood. Here we present a new paleo-rainfall reconstruction based on high-resolution speleothem δ18O records from the core region of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS), documenting the changing hydrological conditions over tropical South America (SA), in particular during abrupt millennial-scale events. This new record provides the best-resolved and most accurately constrained geochronology of any proxy from South America for this time period, spanning from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the mid-Holocene.
New insights into the intracellular distribution pattern of cationic amphiphilic drugs
Authors: Vater Magdalena , Möckl Leonhard , Gormanns Vanessa , Schultz Fademrecht Carsten , Mallmann Anna M. , Ziegart-Sadowska Karolina , Zaba Monika , Frevert Marie L. , Bräuchle Christoph , Holsboer Florian , Rein Theo , Schmidt Ulrike , Kirmeier Thomas
Published: March 2017

Cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) comprise a wide variety of different substance classes such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiarrhythmics. It is well recognized that CADs accumulate in certain intracellular compartments leading to specific morphological changes of cells. So far, no adequate technique exists allowing for ultrastructural analysis of CAD in intact cells. Azidobupramine, a recently described multifunctional antidepressant analogue, allows for the first time to perform high-resolution studies of CADs on distribution pattern and morphological changes in intact cells. We showed here that the intracellular distribution pattern of azidobupramine strongly depends on drug concentration and exposure time. The mitochondrial compartment (mDsRed) and the late endo-lysosomal compartment (CD63-GFP) were the preferred localization sites at low to intermediate concentrations (i.e. 1 μM, 5 μM). In contrast, the autophagosomal compartment (LC3-GFP) can only be reached at high concentrations (10 μM) and long exposure times (72 hrs). At the morphological level, LC3-clustering became only prominent at high concentrations (10 μM), while changes in CD63 pattern already occurred at intermediate concentrations (5 μM). To our knowledge, this is the first study that establishes a link between intracellular CAD distribution pattern and morphological changes. Therewith, our results allow for gaining deeper understanding of intracellular effects of CADs.
HNF-4 participates in the hibernation-associated transcriptional regulation of the chipmunk hibernation-related protein gene
Authors: Tsukamoto Daisuke , Ito Michihiko , Takamatsu Nobuhiko
Published: March 2017

The chipmunk hibernation-related protein 25 (HP-25) is involved in the circannual control of hibernation in the brain. The liver-specific expression of the HP-25 gene is repressed in hibernating chipmunks under the control of endogenous circannual rhythms. However, the molecular mechanisms that differentially regulate the HP-25 gene during the nonhibernation and hibernation seasons are unknown. Here, we show that the hibernation-associated HP-25 expression is regulated epigenetically. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that significantly less hepatocyte nuclear receptor HNF-4 bound to the HP-25 gene promoter in the liver of hibernating chipmunks compared to nonhibernating chipmunks. Concurrently in the hibernating chipmunks, coactivators were dissociated from the promoter, and active transcription histone marks on the HP-25 gene promoter were lost. On the other hand, small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression was upregulated in the liver of hibernating chipmunks. Overexpressing SHP in primary hepatocytes prepared from nonhibernating chipmunks caused HNF-4 to dissociate from the HP-25 gene promoter, and reduced the HP-25 mRNA level. These results suggest that hibernation-related HP-25 expression is epigenetically regulated by the binding of HNF-4 to the HP-25 promoter, and that this binding might be modulated by SHP in hibernating chipmunks.
Embedding dual function into molecular motors through collective motion
Authors: Saito Nen , Kaneko Kunihiko
Published: March 2017

Protein motors, such as kinesins and dyneins, bind to a microtubule and travel along it in a specific direction. Previously, it was thought that the directionality for a given motor was constant in the absence of an external force. However, the directionality of the kinesin-5 Cin8 was recently found to change as the number of motors that bind to the same microtubule is increased. Here, we introduce a simple mechanical model of a microtubule-sliding assay in which multiple motors interact with the filament. We show that, due to the collective phenomenon, the directionality of the motor changes (e.g., from minus- to plus- end directionality), depending on the number of motors. This is induced by a large diffusive component in the directional walk and by the subsequent frustrated motor configuration, in which multiple motors pull the filament in opposite directions, similar to a game of tug-of-war. A possible role of the dual-directional motors for the mitotic spindle formation is also discussed. Our framework provides a general mechanism to embed two conflicting tasks into a single molecular machine, which works context-dependently.
Excretion rates of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol, uric acid and microalbuminuria as glycemic control indexes in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ma Cong , Sheng Junqin , Liu Zhiwen , Guo Minghao
Published: March 2017

1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), uric acid and urinary proteins are excreted into the urine with increasing glucosuria. In the present retrospective study we analyzed whether these factors could be used as indicators for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) glucose control in 6,766 (T2DM) patients. There were 3,988 cases (58.9%) with HbA1c ≤ 6.5%, 853 cases (12.61%) with HbA1c levels ranging from 6.5% to 7% and 1,925 cases (28.5%) with HbA1c > 7%. HbA1c percentages were correlated with age, MA and 1,5-AG serum concentrations (P < 0.001). The serum uric acid concentration (P < 0.001) was significantly lower in elevated MA (P < 0.001) and 24-hour urinary protein (P = 0.024) patients. Hb1Ac percentages (P < 0.001) were significantly enhanced in patients with 1,5-AG serum concentrations ≤10 mg/L compared to >10 mg/L. With a derived receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a 1,5-AG cut-off value of 11.55 mg/L for hyperglycemia could be diagnosed with a specificity of 71.2 (69.7–72.6) and a sensitivity of 75.3 (73.6–76.9). The serum 1,5-AG concentration is a marker for hyperglycemia and may be particularly useful as an indicator for short-term glycemic excursions in order to improve treatments in T2DM patients.
DPP-4 Inhibitor and Estrogen Share Similar Efficacy Against Cardiac Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury in Obese-Insulin Resistant and Estrogen-Deprived Female Rats
Authors: Sivasinprasasn Sivaporn , Tanajak Pongpan , Pongkan Wanpitak , Pratchayasakul Wasana , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: March 2017

Estrogen deprivation aggravates cardiac injury after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although either estrogen or the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, vildagliptin, reduces myocardial damage following cardiac I/R, their effects on the heart in obese-insulin resistant and estrogen deprived conditions remain unknown. Ovariectomized (O) rats (n = 36) were divided to receive either normal diet (NDO) or high-fat diet (HFO) for 12 weeks, followed by treatment with a vehicle, estrogen or vildagliptin for 4 weeks. The setting of in vivo cardiac I/R injury, 30-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion, was performed. At 12 weeks after ovariectomy, both NDO and HFO rats exhibited an obese-insulin resistant condition. Both NDO and HFO rats treated with estrogen and vildagliptin showed reduced fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA index. Both treatments improved cardiac function indicated by restoration of heart rate variability and increased %left ventricular ejection fraction (%LVEF). The treatments similarly protected cardiac mitochondrial function against I/R injury, leading to a reduction in the infarct size, oxidative stress and apoptosis in the ischemic myocardium. These findings demonstrate that vildagliptin effectively improves metabolic status, and shares similar efficacy to estrogen in reducing myocardial infarction and protecting cardiac mitochondrial function against I/R injury in estrogen-deprived obese-insulin resistant rats.
Plectin is a novel regulator for apical extrusion of RasV12-transformed cells
Authors: Kadeer Ailijiang , Maruyama Takeshi , Kajita Mihoko , Morita Tomoko , Sasaki Ayana , Ohoka Atsuko , Ishikawa Susumu , Ikegawa Masaya , Shimada Takashi , Fujita Yasuyuki
Published: March 2017

Several lines of evidence have revealed that newly emerging transformed cells are often eliminated from the epithelium, though the underlying molecular mechanisms of this cancer preventive phenomenon still remain elusive. In this study, using mammalian cell culture systems we have identified plectin, a versatile cytoskeletal linker protein, as a novel regulator for apical extrusion of RasV12-transformed cells. Plectin is accumulated in RasV12 cells when they are surrounded by normal epithelial cells. Similarly, cytoskeletal proteins tubulin, keratin, and Epithelial Protein Lost In Neoplasm (EPLIN) are also accumulated in the transformed cells surrounded by normal cells. Knockdown or functional disruption of one of these molecules diminishes the accumulation of the others, indicating that the accumulation process of the individual protein mutually depends on each other. Furthermore, plectin-knockdown attenuates caveolin-1 (Cav-1) enrichment and PKA activity in RasV12 cells and profoundly suppresses the apical extrusion. These results indicate that the plectin-microtubules-EPLIN complex positively regulates apical elimination of RasV12-transformed cells from the epithelium in a coordinated fashion. Further development of this study would open a new avenue for cancer preventive medicine.
Unprecedented large inverted repeats at the replication terminus of circular bacterial chromosomes suggest a novel mode of chromosome rescue
Authors: El Kafsi Hela , Loux Valentin , Mariadassou Mahendra , Blin Camille , Chiapello Hélène , Abraham Anne-Laure , Maguin Emmanuelle , van de Guchte Maarten
Published: March 2017

The first Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus genome sequence revealed the presence of a very large inverted repeat (IR), a DNA sequence arrangement which thus far seemed inconceivable in a non-manipulated circular bacterial chromosome, at the replication terminus. This intriguing observation prompted us to investigate if similar IRs could be found in other bacteria. IRs with sizes varying from 38 to 76 kbp were found at the replication terminus of all 5 L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus chromosomes analysed, but in none of 1373 other chromosomes. They represent the first naturally occurring very large IRs detected in circular bacterial genomes. A comparison of the L. bulgaricus replication terminus regions and the corresponding regions without IR in 5 L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis genomes leads us to propose a model for the formation and evolution of the IRs. The DNA sequence data are consistent with a novel model of chromosome rescue after premature replication termination or irreversible chromosome damage near the replication terminus, involving mechanisms analogous to those proposed in the formation of very large IRs in human cancer cells. We postulate that the L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus-specific IRs in different strains derive from a single ancestral IR of at least 93 kbp.
Valuation in major depression is intact and stable in a non-learning environment
Authors: Chung Dongil , Kadlec Kelly , Aimone Jason A. , McCurry Katherine , King-Casas Brooks , Chiu Pearl H.
Published: March 2017

The clinical diagnosis and symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) have been closely associated with impairments in reward processing. In particular, various studies have shown blunted neural and behavioral responses to the experience of reward in depression. However, little is known about whether depression affects individuals’ valuation of potential rewards during decision-making, independent from reward experience. To address this question, we used a gambling task and a model-based analytic approach to measure two types of individual sensitivity to reward values in participants with MDD: ‘risk preference,’ indicating how objective values are subjectively perceived, and ‘inverse temperature,’ determining the degree to which subjective value differences between options influence participants’ choices. On both of these measures of value sensitivity, participants with MDD were comparable to non-psychiatric controls. In addition, both risk preference and inverse temperature were stable over four laboratory visits and comparable between the groups at each visit. Neither valuation measure varied with severity of clinical symptoms in MDD. These data suggest intact and stable value processing in MDD during risky decision-making.
Ecological and genetic impact of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami on intertidal mud snails
Authors: Miura Osamu , Kanaya Gen , Nakai Shizuko , Itoh Hajime , Chiba Satoshi , Makino Wataru , Nishimura Tomohiro , Kojima Shigeaki , Urabe Jotaro
Published: March 2017

Natural disturbances often destroy local populations and can considerably affect the genetic properties of these populations. The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami greatly damaged local populations of various coastal organisms, including the mud snail Batillaria attramentaria, which was an abundant macroinvertebrate on the tidal flats in the Tohoku region. To evaluate the impact of the tsunami on the ecology and population genetic properties of these snails, we monitored the density, shell size, and microsatellite DNA variation of B. attramentaria for more than ten years (2005–2015) throughout the disturbance event. We found that the density of snails declined immediately after the tsunami. Bayesian inference of the genetically effective population size (Ne) demonstrated that the Ne declined by 60–99% at the study sites exposed to the tsunami. However, we found that their genetic diversity was not significantly reduced after the tsunami. The maintenance of genetic diversity is essential for long-term survival of local populations, and thus, the observed genetic robustness could play a key role in the persistence of snail populations in this region which has been devastated by similar tsunamis every 500–800 years. Our findings have significant implications for understanding the sustainability of populations damaged by natural disturbances.
Differentiating littering, urban runoff and marine transport as sources of marine debris in coastal and estuarine environments
Authors: Willis Kathryn , Denise Hardesty Britta , Kriwoken Lorne , Wilcox Chris
Published: March 2017

Marine debris is a burgeoning global issue with economic, ecological and aesthetic impacts. While there are many studies now addressing this topic, the influence of urbanisation factors such as local population density, stormwater drains and roads on the distribution of coastal litter remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we carried out standardized surveys at 224 transect surveys at 67 sites in two estuaries and along the open coast in Tasmania, Australia. We explored the relative support for three hypotheses regarding the sources of the debris; direct deposition by beachgoers, transport from surrounding areas via storm water drains and coastal runoff, and onshore transport from the marine system. We found strong support for all three mechanisms, however, onshore transport from the marine reservoir was the most important mechanism. Overall, the three models together explained 45.8 percent of the variation in our observations. Our results also suggest that most debris released into the marine environment is deposited locally, which may be the answer to where all the missing plastic is in the ocean. Furthermore, local interventions are likely to be most effective in reducing land-based inputs into the ocean.
Monodomain Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Layers for Phase Modulation
Authors: Oton E. , Netter E. , Nakano T. , D.-Katayama Y. , Inoue F.
Published: March 2017

Liquid crystal “Blue Phases” (BP) have evolved, in the last years, from a scientific curiosity to emerging materials for new photonic and display applications. They possess attractive features over standard nematic liquid crystals, like submillisecond switching times and polarization- independent optical response. However, BPs still present a number of technical issues that prevent their use in practical applications: their phases are only found in limited temperature ranges, thus requiring stabilization of the layers; stabilized BP layers are inhomogeneous and not uniformly oriented, which worsen the optical performance of the devices. It would be essential for practical uses to obtain perfectly aligned and oriented monodomain BP layers, where the alignment and orientation of the cubic lattice are organized in a single 3D structure. In this work we have obtained virtually perfect monodomain BP layers and used them in devices for polarization independent phase modulation. We demonstrate that, under applied voltage, well aligned and oriented layers generate smoother and higher values of the phase shift than inhomogeneous layers, while preserving polarization independency. All BP devices were successfully stabilized in BPI phase, maintaining the layer monodomain homogeneity at room temperature, covering the entire area of the devices with a unique BP phase.
Lyotropic liquid crystal engineering moving beyond binary compositional space – ordered nanostructured amphiphile self-assembly materials by design
Authors: van ‘t Hag Leonie , Gras Sally L. , Conn Charlotte E. , Drummond Calum J.
Published: March 2017

Engineering guidelines for an increased control over properties of self-assembly materials using multi-component systems is crucial for their applications.
Upconversion fluorescent and X-ray-sensitive bifunctional nanoprobes for assessing the penetrability of inorganic nanoparticles in the digestive system
Authors: Chen Zenghui , Wu Xiaofeng , Hu Shigang , Hu Pan , Yan Huanyuan , Tang Zhijun , Liu Yunxin
Published: March 2017

We systematically evaluated size-dependent and surface-dependent penetrability of upconversion nanoparticles towards the digestive system of the mouse through fluorescent signals and X-ray imaging.
Fluorescence probe for mercury(ii) based on the aqueous synthesis of CdTe quantum dots stabilized with 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate
Authors: Paim Ana Paula S. , Rodrigues S. Sofia M. , Ribeiro David S. M. , de Souza Gustavo C. S. , Santos João L. M. , Araújo Alberto N. , Amorim Célia G. , Teixeira-Neto Érico , da Silva Valdinete L. , Montenegro Maria C. B. S. M.
Published: March 2017

A new capping ligand, 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MES), for CdTe quantum dots passivation provide high selectivity and sensitivity in Hg(ii) determination.
Multifunctional mixed-metal nanoscale coordination polymers for triple-modality imaging-guided photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Yong-Mei , Liu Wei , Yin Xue-Bo
Published: March 2017

Multifunctional mixed-metal nanoscale coordination polymers (NCPs) are robustly prepared with a Ru complex, Gd3+, and Yb3+. The NCPs were used as fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and X-ray computed tomography triple-modality imaging and imaging-guided photodynamic therapy.
Effects of Mg–Zr codoping on the photoelectrochemical properties of a Ta3N5semiconductor: a theoretical insight
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Ma Aibin , Li Zhaosheng , Jiang Jinghua , Chen Jianqing , Zou Zhigang
Published: March 2017

DFT calculations were performed to investigate the effects of Mg–Zr codoping on the photoelectrochemical properties of a Ta3N5semiconductor.
Synthesis of Fe0.32Co0.68/γ-Al2O3@C nanocomposite for depth treatment of dye sewage based on adsorption and advanced catalytic oxidation
Authors: Bao Zepei , Ye Lin , Fang Beibei , Zhao Lijun
Published: March 2017

The Fe0.32Co0.68/γ-Al2O3@C nanocomposite can be utilized as a bifunctional adsorbent and catalyst for the degradation of organic dyes.
Synergistically enhanced upconversion luminescence in Li+-doped core–shell-structured ultrasmall nanoprobes for dual-mode deep tissue fluorescence/CT imaging
Authors: Hu Min , Ma Dandan , Cheng Yuzhong , Liu Chengcheng , Zhang Zhipeng , Cai Yanjun , Wu Si , Wang Ruifeng
Published: March 2017

The development of upconversion luminescence that allows for multimodal imaging in terms of resolution and penetration depth using a single system is attracting increasing interest for use in clinical molecular imaging and diagnostics.
An on-flow assay for screening of β-secretase ligands by immobilised capillary reactor-mass spectrometry
Authors: Ferreira Lopes Vilela Adriana , Cardoso Carmen Lúcia
Published: March 2017

The enzyme β-secretase1 (BACE1) initiates the cleavage of the Ab amyloid precursor protein (APP), to generate and aggregate β-amyloid (Ab) peptides, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, a BACE1 immobilised capillary enzyme reactor (ICER) attached to a mass spectrometer for the on-flow screening of ligands was prepared.
Dissipation of the excess energy of the adsorbate-thermalization via electron transfer
Authors: Strak Pawel , Sakowski Konrad , Kempisty Pawel , Krukowski Stanislaw
Published: March 2017

A new scenario for the thermalization process of adsorbates at solid surfaces is proposed.
Correction: The medicinal chemist's toolbox for late stage functionalization of drug-like molecules
Authors: Cernak Tim , Dykstra Kevin D. , Tyagarajan Sriram , Vachal Petr , Krska Shane W.
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘The medicinal chemist's toolbox for late stage functionalization of drug-like molecules’ by Tim Cernak et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016, 45, 546–576.
The selective oxidation of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons and the observation of uncoupling via redox cycling during naphthalene oxidation by the CYP101B1 system
Authors: Hall Emma A. , Sarkar Md Raihan , Bell Stephen G.
Published: March 2017

Oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by P450s can be lowered by redox cycling but CYP101B1 regioselectively hydroxylated substituted naphthalenes and biphenyls.
Controllable synthesis of Ce-doped α-MnO2for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO
Authors: Wei Yajuan , Liu Jia , Su Wei , Sun Yan , Zhao Yanli
Published: March 2017

On account of the highly active exposed Mn atom on α-MnO2with a mesoporous channel, the catalyst exhibits high performance for NH3-based selective catalytic reduction of NO.
Removal rates and energy demand of the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia and organic substances in real stored urine
Authors: Zöllig Hanspeter , Remmele Annette , Morgenroth Eberhard , Udert Kai M.
Published: March 2017

Galvanostatic electrolysis of real stored urine leads to a fast removal of ammonia and organic substances by indirect oxidation. However, this comes with a price: high energy needs and harmful byproducts.
Effect of pretreatment severity on the cellulose and lignin isolated from Salix using ionoSolv pretreatment
Authors: Weigand Lisa , Mostame Shahrokh , Brandt-Talbot Agnieszka , Welton Tom , Hallett Jason P.
Published: March 2017

The ionoSolv pretreatment is a new technique employing protic low-cost ionic liquids and has previously been applied to successfully fractionate switchgrass and the grass Miscanthus giganteus. This study investigates the effect of using the protic ionic liquid solution [N2220][HSO4]80% with two different acid/base ratios (1.02 and 0.98) at 120, 150 and 170 °C on the pretreatment outcome of the hardwood willow. The ionic liquid solution was able to fractionate willow, and a pulp and lignin fraction were recovered after treatment. The pretreatment success was determined via enzymatic hydrolysis of the pulp, which showed that the ionoSolv pretreatment was able to increase enzymatic glucose yields compared to untreated willow biomass. The pretreatment produced a cellulose-rich pulp with high hemicellulose and lignin removal. The pulp composition and glucose yield after saccharification were greatly influenced by the acidity of the ionic liquid solution, temperature and pretreatment time. The extracted lignin was analysed via 2-D HSQC NMR spectroscopy and GPC to investigate the changes in the lignin structure induced by the pretreatment severity. The lignin structure (in terms of inter-unit linkages and S/G ratio) and molecular weight varied significantly depending on the pretreatment conditions used.
Boron-doped melamine-derived carbon nitrides tailored by ionic liquids for catalytic conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates
Authors: Su Qian , Yao Xiaoqian , Cheng Weiguo , Zhang Suojiang
Published: March 2017

Boron-doped melamine-derived carbon nitrides were tailored with BmimBF4 as a soft template and boron source for CO2 conversion into cyclic carbonates.
Correction: High yield 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural production from biomass sugars under facile reaction conditions: a hybrid enzyme- and chemo-catalytic technology
Authors: Alipour Siamak , Relue Patricia A. , Viamajala Sridhar , Varanasi Sasidhar
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘High yield 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural production from biomass sugars under facile reaction conditions: a hybrid enzyme- and chemo-catalytic technology’ by Siamak Alipour, Green Chem., 2016, 18, 4990–4998.
Open-channel, water-in-oil emulsification in paper-based microfluidic devices
Authors: Li C. , Boban M. , Tuteja A.
Published: March 2017

Fabrication of an open-channel, paper-based microfluidic device, utilizing selective wettability, capable of generating water-in-oil emulsions and fabricating hydrogel particles.
Antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activity of prenyl-1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Porta Exequiel O. J. , Jäger Sebastián N. , Nocito Isabel , Lepesheva Galina I. , Serra Esteban C. , Tekwani Babu L. , Labadie Guillermo R.
Published: March 2017

A series of prenyl 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared from isoprenyl azides and different alkynes. Most of the compounds were active against T. cruzi and L. donovani.
Copper-catalyzed gem-difluoromethylenation of C(sp2)–H bonds of alkenes
Authors: Xu Hui , Wang Dejing , Chen Yunrong , Wan Wen , Deng Hongmei , Ma Kesen , Wu Shaoxiong , Hao Jian , Jiang Haizhen
Published: March 2017

Copper-catalyzed gem-difluoromethylenation of the C(sp2)–H bonds of alkenes has been developed. This protocol is the first to efficiently achieve gem-difluoromethylenation of C(sp2)–H bonds of unactivated aliphatic terminal olefins and is applied in gem-difluoromethylenation/cyclization of alkenes.
Novel anti-tubulin agents from plant and marine origins: insight from a molecular modeling and dynamics study
Authors: Yadava Umesh , Yadav Vivek Kumar , Yadav Ramesh Kumar
Published: March 2017

The screening of a variety of botanical species and marine organisms provided satisfactory novel tubulin binding agents (TBAs).
Temperature dependent amplified spontaneous emission of vacuum annealed perovskite films
Authors: Qin Liang , Lv Longfeng , Li Chunhai , Zhu Lijie , Cui Qiuhong , Hu Yufeng , Lou Zhidong , Teng Feng , Hou Yanbing
Published: March 2017

The vacuum annealed perovskite film exhibits a smooth morphology and good crystallinity, which could enhance the temperature dependent ASE performance.
Hydrolysis of cis- and transplatin: structure and reactivity of the aqua complexes in a solvent free environment
Authors: Corinti Davide , Coletti Cecilia , Re Nazzareno , Piccirillo Susanna , Giampà Marco , Crestoni Maria Elisa , Fornarini Simonetta
Published: March 2017

Vibrational spectroscopy and ligand exchange reactivity allows unambiguous discrimination of singly and doubly aquated species from cis- and transplatin, highlighting elementary events at the basis of anticancer action.
A solvent free method of analysis to rapidly determine trace levels of ten medium and low brominated diphenyl ethers in soil pore water
Authors: Cheng Hu , Bian Yongrong , Song Yang , He Wenxiang , Gu Chenggang , Wang Fang , Yang Xinglun , Ye Mao , Ji Rongting , Jiang Xin
Published: March 2017

A solvent free method to rapidly determine trace levels of ten brominated diphenyl ethers in soil pore water.
A cancer cell-specific two-photon fluorescent probe for imaging hydrogen sulfide in living cells
Authors: Song Xuezhen , Dong Baoli , Kong Xiuqi , Wang Chao , Zhang Nan , Lin Weiying
Published: March 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could induce the proliferation of cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and has close relation with the tumor growth.
Preparation and characterization of a novel imidacloprid microcapsule via coating of polydopamine and polyurea
Authors: Gao Zideng , Pang Long , Feng Haojie , Wang Shunyi , Wang Qiuyun , Wang Mengyao , Xia Yining , Hu Shuwen
Published: March 2017

A novel method to encapsulate imidacloprid with step self-polymerization of dopamine and IPDI was developed, which no organic solvent or surfactant was used in the preparation process.
Differential effects of in vitro cultures of Linum usitatissimum L. (Flax) on biosynthesis, stability, antibacterial and antileishmanial activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles: a mechanistic approach
Authors: Abbasi Bilal Haider , Anjum Sumaira , Hano Christophe
Published: March 2017

The use of plants and plant-derived materials for biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is developing into a lucrative field of green nanotechnology and gaining more importance owing to its simplicity, rapidity, and eco-friendliness.
Iron oxide deposited on metallic nickel for water oxidation
Authors: Najafpour Mohammad Mahdi , Moghaddam Navid Jameei
Published: March 2017

A cost effective and very simple method to synthesize an efficient water-oxidizing iron-based oxide deposited on Ni foam was reported.
Polydopamine nanoparticles doped in liquid crystal elastomers for producing dynamic 3D structures
Authors: Li Zhen , Yang Yang , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Xiaoyong , Chen Qiaomei , Qian Xiaojie , Liu Na , Wei Yen , Ji Yan
Published: March 2017

Achieving 3D structures that can be reversibly formed from dry 2D polymer films is useful for the development of suitable smart materials capable of converting an external stimulus into a mechanical response.
Cultured cell-derived decellularized matrices: a review towards the next decade
Authors: Hoshiba T.
Published: March 2017

Summary of recent progress in cell-derived decellularized matrices preparation and application, with perspectives towards the next decade.