bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective on-surface covalent coupling based on metal-organic coordination template
Authors: Xing Shuaipeng , Zhang Zhe , Fei Xiyu , Zhao Wei , Zhang Ran , Lin Tao , Zhao Danli , Ju Huanxin , Xu Hu , Fan Jian , Zhu Junfa , Ma Yu-qiang , Shi Ziliang
Published: January 2019

Control over on-surface reaction pathways is crucial but challenging for the precise construction of conjugated nanostructures at the atomic level. Herein we demonstrate a selective on-surface covalent coupling reaction that is templated by metal-organic coordinative bonding, and achieve a porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanoribbon structure. In contrast to the inhomogeneous polymorphic structures resulting from the debrominated aryl-aryl coupling reaction on Au(111), the incorporation of an Fe-terpyridine (tpy) coordination motif into the on-surface reaction controls the molecular conformation, guides the reaction pathway, and finally yields pure organic sexipyridine-p-phenylene nanoribbons. Emergent molecular conformers and reaction products in the reaction pathways are revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy, density functional theory calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, demonstrating the template effect of Fe-tpy coordination on the on-surface covalent coupling. Our approach opens an avenue for the rational design and synthesis of functional conjugated nanomaterials with atomic precision.
Emergence of a floral colour polymorphism by pollinator-mediated overdominance
Authors: Kellenberger Roman T. , Byers Kelsey J. R. P. , De Brito Francisco Rita M. , Staedler Yannick M. , LaFountain Amy M. , Schönenberger Jürg , Schiestl Florian P. , Schlüter Philipp M.
Published: January 2019

Maintenance of polymorphism by overdominance (heterozygote advantage) is a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology. In most examples known in nature, overdominance is a result of homozygotes suffering from deleterious effects. Here we show that overdominance maintains a non-deleterious polymorphism with black, red and white floral morphs in the Alpine orchid Gymnadenia rhellicani. Phenotypic, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that the morphs differ solely in cyanidin pigments, which are linked to differential expression of an anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) gene. This expression difference is caused by a premature stop codon in an ANS-regulating R2R3-MYB transcription factor, which is heterozygous in the red colour morph. Furthermore, field observations show that bee and fly pollinators have opposite colour preferences; this results in higher fitness (seed set) of the heterozygous morph without deleterious effects in either homozygous morph. Together, these findings demonstrate that genuine overdominance exists in nature.
Room-temperature electrochemical water–gas shift reaction for high purity hydrogen production
Authors: Cui Xiaoju , Su Hai-Yan , Chen Ruixue , Yu Liang , Dong Jinchao , Ma Chao , Wang Suheng , Li Jianfeng , Yang Fan , Xiao Jianping , Zhang Mengtao , Ma Ding , Deng Dehui , Zhang Dong H. , Tian Zhongqun , Bao Xinhe
Published: January 2019

Traditional water–gas shift reaction provides one primary route for industrial production of clean-energy hydrogen. However, this process operates at high temperatures and pressures, and requires additional separation of H2from products containing CO2, CH4and residual CO. Herein, we report a room-temperature electrochemical water–gas shift process for direct production of high purity hydrogen (over 99.99%) with a faradaic efficiency of approximately 100%. Through rational design of anode structure to facilitate CO diffusion and PtCu catalyst to optimize CO adsorption, the anodic onset potential is lowered to almost 0 volts versus the reversible hydrogen electrode at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The optimized PtCu catalyst achieves a current density of 70.0 mA cm−2at 0.6 volts which is over 12 times that of commercial Pt/C (40 wt.%) catalyst, and remains stable for even more than 475 h. This study opens a new and promising route of producing high purity hydrogen.
Highly modified and immunoactive N-glycans of the canine heartworm
Authors: Martini Francesca , Eckmair Barbara , Štefanić Saša , Jin Chunsheng , Garg Monika , Yan Shi , Jiménez-Castells Carmen , Hykollari Alba , Neupert Christine , Venco Luigi , Varón Silva Daniel , Wilson Iain B. H. , Paschinger Katharina
Published: January 2019

The canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a mosquito-borne parasitic nematode whose range is extending due to climate change. In a four-dimensional analysis involving HPLC, MALDI-TOF–MS and MS/MS in combination with chemical and enzymatic digestions, we here reveal an N-glycome of unprecedented complexity. We detect N-glycans of up to 7000 Da, which contain long fucosylated HexNAc-based repeats, as well as glucuronylated structures. While some modifications including LacdiNAc, chitobiose, α1,3-fucose and phosphorylcholine are familiar, anionic N-glycans have previously not been reported in nematodes. Glycan array data show that the neutral glycans are preferentially recognised by IgM in dog sera or by mannose binding lectin when antennal fucose and phosphorylcholine residues are removed; this pattern of reactivity is reversed for mammalian C-reactive protein, which can in turn be bound by the complement component C1q. Thereby, the N-glycans of D. immitis contain features which may either mediate immunomodulation of the host or confer the ability to avoid immune surveillance.
Online photochemical derivatization enables comprehensive mass spectrometric analysis of unsaturated phospholipid isomers
Authors: Zhang Wenpeng , Zhang Donghui , Chen Qinhua , Wu Junhan , Ouyang Zheng , Xia Yu
Published: January 2019

Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics is the primary tool for the structural analysis of lipids but the effective localization of carbon–carbon double bonds (C=C) in unsaturated lipids to distinguish C=C location isomers remains challenging. Here, we develop a large-scale lipid analysis platform by coupling online C=C derivatization through the Paternò-Büchi reaction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This provides rich information on lipid C=C location isomers, revealing C=C locations for more than 200 unsaturated glycerophospholipids in bovine liver among which we identify 55 groups of C=C location isomers. By analyzing tissue samples of patients with breast cancer and type 2 diabetes plasma samples, we find that the ratios of C=C isomers are much less affected by interpersonal variations than their individual abundances, suggesting that isomer ratios may be used for the discovery of lipid biomarkers.
Fibril formation and therapeutic targeting of amyloid-like structures in a yeast model of adenine accumulation
Authors: Laor Dana , Sade Dorin , Shaham-Niv Shira , Zaguri Dor , Gartner Myra , Basavalingappa Vasantha , Raveh Avi , Pichinuk Edward , Engel Hamutal , Iwasaki Keita , Yamamoto Tatsuyuki , Noothalapati Hemanth , Gazit Ehud
Published: January 2019

The extension of the amyloid hypothesis to include non-protein metabolite assemblies invokes a paradigm for the pathology of inborn error of metabolism disorders. However, a direct demonstration of the assembly of metabolite amyloid-like structures has so far been provided only in vitro. Here, we established an in vivo model of adenine self-assembly in yeast, in which toxicity is associated with intracellular accumulation of the metabolite. Using a strain blocked in the enzymatic pathway downstream to adenine, we observed a non-linear dose-dependent growth inhibition. Both the staining with an indicative amyloid dye and anti-adenine assemblies antibodies demonstrated the accumulation of adenine amyloid-like structures, which were eliminated by lowering the supplied adenine levels. Treatment with a polyphenol inhibitor reduced the occurrence of amyloid-like structures while not affecting the dramatic increase in intracellular adenine concentration, resulting in inhibition of cytotoxicity, further supporting the notion that toxicity is triggered by adenine assemblies.
Identity crisis in alchemical space drives the entropic colloidal glass transition
Authors: Teich Erin G. , van Anders Greg , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: January 2019

A universally accepted explanation for why liquids sometimes vitrify rather than crystallize remains hotly pursued, despite the ubiquity of glass in our everyday lives, the utilization of the glass transition in innumerable modern technologies, and nearly a century of theoretical and experimental investigation. Among the most compelling hypothesized mechanisms underlying glass formation is the development in the fluid phase of local structures that somehow prevent crystallization. Here, we explore that mechanism in the case of hard particle glasses by examining the glass transition in an extended alchemical (here, shape) space; that is, a space where particle shape is treated as a thermodynamic variable. We investigate simple systems of hard polyhedra, with no interactions aside from volume exclusion, and show via Monte Carlo simulation that glass formation in these systems arises from a multiplicity of competing local motifs, each of which is prevalent in—and predictable from—nearby ordered structures in alchemical space.
Surface diffusion-limited lifetime of silver and copper nanofilaments in resistive switching devices
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Ming , Ambrosi Elia , Bricalli Alessandro , Laudato Mario , Sun Zhong , Chen Xiaodong , Ielmini Daniele
Published: January 2019

Silver/copper-filament-based resistive switching memory relies on the formation and disruption of a metallic conductive filament (CF) with relatively large surface-to-volume ratio. The nanoscale CF can spontaneously break after formation, with a lifetime ranging from few microseconds to several months, or even years. Controlling and predicting the CF lifetime enables device engineering for a wide range of applications, such as non-volatile memory for data storage, tunable short/long term memory for synaptic neuromorphic computing, and fast selection devices for crosspoint arrays. However, conflictive explanations for the CF retention process are being proposed. Here we show that the CF lifetime can be described by a universal surface-limited self-diffusion mechanism of disruption of the metallic CF. The surface diffusion process provides a new perspective of ion transport mechanism at the nanoscale, explaining the broad range of reported lifetimes, and paving the way for material engineering of resistive switching device for memory and computing applications.
Genome-wide profiling of adenine base editor specificity by EndoV-seq
Authors: Liang Puping , Xie Xiaowei , Zhi Shengyao , Sun Hongwei , Zhang Xiya , Chen Yu , Chen Yuxi , Xiong Yuanyan , Ma Wenbin , Liu Dan , Huang Junjiu , Songyang Zhou
Published: January 2019

The adenine base editor (ABE), capable of catalyzing A•T to G•C conversions, is an important gene editing toolbox. Here, we systematically evaluate genome-wide off-target deamination by ABEs using the EndoV-seq platform we developed. EndoV-seq utilizes Endonuclease V to nick the inosine-containing DNA strand of genomic DNA deaminated by ABE in vitro. The treated DNA is then whole-genome sequenced to identify off-target sites. Of the eight gRNAs we tested with ABE, 2–19 (with an average of 8.0) off-target sites are found, significantly fewer than those found for canonical Cas9 nuclease (7–320, 160.7 on average). In vivo off-target deamination is further validated through target site deep sequencing. Moreover, we demonstrated that six different ABE-gRNA complexes could be examined in a single EndoV-seq assay. Our study presents the first detection method to evaluate genome-wide off-target effects of ABE, and reveals possible similarities and differences between ABE and canonical Cas9 nuclease.
Inward- and outward-facing X-ray crystal structures of homodimeric P-glycoprotein CmABCB1
Authors: Kodan Atsushi , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Nakatsu Toru , Matsuoka Keita , Kimura Yasuhisa , Ueda Kazumitsu , Kato Hiroaki
Published: January 2019

P-glycoprotein extrudes a large variety of xenobiotics from the cell, thereby protecting tissues from their toxic effects. The machinery underlying unidirectional multidrug pumping remains unknown, largely due to the lack of high-resolution structural information regarding the alternate conformational states of the molecule. Here we report a pair of structures of homodimeric P-glycoprotein: an outward-facing conformational state with bound nucleotide and an inward-facing apo state, at resolutions of 1.9 Å and 3.0 Å, respectively. Features that can be clearly visualized at this high resolution include ATP binding with octahedral coordination of Mg2+; an inner chamber that significantly changes in volume with the aid of tight connections among transmembrane helices (TM) 1, 3, and 6; a glutamate−arginine interaction that stabilizes the outward-facing conformation; and extensive interactions between TM1 and TM3, a property that distinguishes multidrug transporters from floppases. These structural elements are proposed to participate in the mechanism of the transporter.
Promotion of homology-directed DNA repair by polyamines
Authors: Lee Chih-Ying , Su Guan-Chin , Huang Wen-Yen , Ko Min-Yu , Yeh Hsin-Yi , Chang Geen-Dong , Lin Sung-Jan , Chi Peter
Published: January 2019

Polyamines, often elevated in cancer cells, have been shown to promote cell growth and proliferation. Whether polyamines regulate other cell functions remains unclear. Here, we explore whether and how polyamines affect genome integrity. When DNA double-strand break (DSB) is induced in hair follicles by ionizing radiation, reduction of cellular polyamines augments dystrophic changes with delayed regeneration. Mechanistically, polyamines facilitate homologous recombination-mediated DSB repair without affecting repair via non-homologous DNA end-joining and single-strand DNA annealing. Biochemical reconstitution and functional analyses demonstrate that polyamines enhance the DNA strand exchange activity of RAD51 recombinase. The effect of polyamines on RAD51 stems from their ability to enhance the capture of homologous duplex DNA and synaptic complex formation by the RAD51-ssDNA nucleoprotein filament. Our work demonstrates a novel function of polyamines in the maintenance of genome integrity via homology-directed DNA repair.
Munc18 and Munc13 serve as a functional template to orchestrate neuronal SNARE complex assembly
Authors: Wang Shen , Li Yun , Gong Jihong , Ye Sheng , Yang Xiaofei , Zhang Rongguang , Ma Cong
Published: January 2019

The transition of the Munc18-1/syntaxin-1 complex to the SNARE complex, a key step involved in exocytosis, is regulated by Munc13-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin-2, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identify an interaction between Munc13-1 and the membrane-proximal linker region of synaptobrevin-2, and reveal its essential role in transition and exocytosis. Upon this interaction, Munc13-1 not only recruits synaptobrevin-2-embedded vesicles to the target membrane but also renders the synaptobrevin-2 SNARE motif more accessible to the Munc18-1/syntaxin-1 complex. Afterward, the entry of SNAP-25 leads to a half-zippered SNARE assembly, which eventually dissociates the Munc18-1/syntaxin-1 complex to complete SNARE complex formation. Our data suggest that Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 together serve as a functional template to orchestrate SNARE complex assembly.
RNA-binding protein ZFP36L1 regulates osteoarthritis by modulating members of the heat shock protein 70 family
Authors: Son Young-Ok , Kim Hyo-Eun , Choi Wan-Su , Chun Churl-Hong , Chun Jang-Soo
Published: January 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a whole-joint disease characterized by cartilage destruction and other whole-joint pathological changes. There is currently no effective disease-modifying therapy. Here we investigate the post-transcriptional mRNA regulation of OA-modulating proteins in chondrocytes and show that the ZFP36 family member, ZFP36L1, is specifically upregulated in OA chondrocytes and OA cartilage of humans and mice. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of ZFP36L1 alone in mouse knee-joint tissue does not modulate OA pathogenesis. However, genetic ablation or silencing of Zfp36l1 significantly abrogates experimental OA in mice. Knockdown of Zfp36l1 increases the mRNA expression of two heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family members, which act as its direct targets. Furthermore, overexpression of HSPA1A in joint tissues protects mice against experimental OA by inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis. Our results indicate that the RNA-binding protein, ZFP36L1, regulates HSP70 family members that appear to protect against OA pathogenesis by inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis.
Extrusion-based Bioprinting
Authors: Kuss Mitchell , Duan Bin
Published: January 2019

3D bioprinting is a fairly recent innovation in the world of biofabrication. It is a promising and growing technique for use in a wide variety of biofabrication applications. 3D bioprinting can be used to create complex, hierarchical constructs, along with constructs with mechanical and biological heterogeneity. Extrusion-based bioprinting uses a form of mechanical force to extrude any number of bioinks, which could contain cells or other biological materials, in a layer-by-layer manner into a predetermined design. The extrusion-based bioprinting technique allows for the use of multiple bioinks and biological materials in a single bioprinting process, which allows for the construct to be considerably more complex and can closer mimic biological materials and native tissue. This technique can be used in many different types of bioprinting applications, including bone, tendon, skin, cardiovascular, and many other types of tissue bioprinting.
Microfluidic Platforms for Biofabrication and 3D Tissue Modeling
Authors: Nie Minghao , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: January 2019

The function of mammalian tissue relies greatly on the microscale tissue architecture into which specific types of cells are three-dimensionally arranged. To replicate these microscale tissue architectures and observe cell behaviors inside these architectures, techniques for handling, observing and stimulating the cells with microscale resolution are required; microfluidic technology—the technology that deals with the behavior, precise control, and manipulation of fluids that are geometrically constrained to a small scale—is one of the most promising candidate technologies for the fabrication and modeling of three-dimensional (3D) tissues with microscale architectures. In this book chapter, we report the recent progresses of biofabrication and 3D tissue modeling utilizing microfluidic platforms. We cover the applications of microfluidic platforms in the following two aspects: (1) microfluidic biofabrication platforms to fabricate microtissues such as cell-laden beads, cell-laden fibers and cell-laden sheets with high throughput and precise patterning of cells; (2) tissue-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip platforms to perform on-chip housing/installation, sensing and stimulation of tissues for 3D tissue modeling.
3D Tissue Modelling of Orthopaedic Tissues
Authors: Bojedla Ramya , Chameettachal Shibu , Pati Falguni
Published: January 2019

Bones are organs of the skeletal system, providing shape, mechanical support and facilitating movement. They are well known for their self-healing abilities; however, large-scale bone defects cannot be healed completely by the body, and in most cases, external intervention is needed to repair the defects. Among different treatment options such as autografts and allografts, bone tissue engineering is becoming widespread. The essential idea is to apply the concepts of tissue engineering, i.e. the interplay of cells, scaffolds and biological molecules to form a ‘tissue engineering construct’ (TEC), which can promote bone repair and regeneration. The key players in bringing research and clinical practice together are the design and manufacturing technologies. The ability of 3D printing technology to make customized medical devices will make it the core manufacturing technology for bone tissue engineering in future generations.
3D Modeling of Hepatic Tissue
Authors: Regier Mary C. , Stevens Kelly R.
Published: January 2019

The liver is the largest visceral organ in the human body, performing many hundreds of functions that are critical for life. It is the site of metabolic processes, nutrient synthesis and storage, regulatory activities, and pathogen and xenobiotic defense processes. Models that recapitulate liver physiology are essential for predicting drug metabolism and toxicity as well as for understanding and treating diverse forms for disease. This chapter covers the utility and shortcomings of in vivo and in vitro liver models, with a focus on 3D models that mimic aspects of liver structure.
Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials and delivery systems for biofilm-infection control
Authors: Liu Yong , Shi Linqi , Su Linzhu , van der Mei Henny C. , Jutte Paul C. , Ren Yijin , Busscher Henk J.
Published: January 2019

Bacterial-infections are mostly due to bacteria in their biofilm-mode of growth. Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials possess excellent potential in biofilm-infection control, overcoming the biological barriers of biofilms.
From inorganic precipitation to organic aggregation: solubility product constant-mediated specific metal-ion lighting-up using a triazolium iodide organic fluorescence tag
Authors: Kang Qing , Xiao Yin , Wang Yong
Published: January 2019

Innovation in sensing strategies is a continual goal pursued by analytical chemists.
Crossing constriction channel-based microfluidic cytometry capable of electrically phenotyping large populations of single cells
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhao Yang , Chen Deyong , Wang Ke , Wei Yuanchen , Xu Ying , Huang Chengjun , Wang Junbo , Chen Jian
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a crossing constriction channel-based microfluidic system for high-throughput characterization of specific membrane capacitance (Csm) and cytoplasm conductivity (σcy) of single cells.
Reversible pH-induced fluorescence colour change of gold nanoclusters based on pH-regulated surface interactions
Authors: Cuaran-Acosta Daniel , Londoño-Larrea Pablo , Zaballos-García Elena , Pérez-Prieto Julia
Published: January 2019

A water-dispersible, biocompatible, fluorescent ratiometric pH nanosensor over a broad pH range is reported.
Exploring ligand non-innocence of coordinatively-versatile diamidodipyrrinato cobalt complexes
Authors: Saund Simran S. , Goldschmid Samantha L. , Ng Karina , Stewart Veronica , Siegler Maxime A. , Thoi V. Sara
Published: January 2019

A new strategy is reported for modifying the redox activity of diamidodipyrrins through coordination modes in the same metal–ligand platform.
Destabilization of DNA through interstrand crosslinking by UO22+
Authors: Rossberg André , Abe Takaya , Okuwaki Koji , Barkleit Astrid , Fukuzawa Kaori , Nakano Tatsuya , Mochizuki Yuji , Tsushima Satoru
Published: January 2019

UO22+ was shown to form an interstrand crosslink between two different strands of a single DNA molecule.
Magnetic interactions in the S = 1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnets Ba2CuTeO6 and Ba2CuWO6: parent phases of a possible spin liquid
Authors: Mustonen Otto , Vasala Sami , Mutch Heather , Thomas Chris I. , Stenning Gavin B. G. , Baggio-Saitovitch Elisa , Cussen Edmund J. , Karppinen Maarit
Published: January 2019

Magnetic interactions in double perovskites Ba2CuTeO6 and Ba2CuWO6 are characterized leading to a prediction of a spin-liquid-like state in Ba2Cu(Te1−xWx)O6.
Catalyst-free hydrothiolation of alkynes with dithiocarbamic acids
Authors: Ziyaei Halimehjani A. , Breit B.
Published: January 2019

A highly regio- and stereocontrolled procedure for the synthesis of vinyl dithiocarbamates via catalyst-free hydrothiolation of unactivated alkynes with in situ prepared dithiocarbamic acids with total atom economy is reported.
Palladium-catalyzed N1-selective allylation of indoles with allylic alcohols promoted by titanium tetraisopropoxide
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu , Lin Yu-Huan , Wu Yen-Ku
Published: January 2019

The N1-selective allylation of indoles with allylic alcohols has been accomplished by synergistic functions of palladium catalysts and titanium tetraisopropoxide.
Single-crystal silicon-based electrodes for unbiased solar water splitting: current status and prospects
Authors: Luo Zhibin , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: January 2019

This review describes recent developments of single-crystal silicon (Si) as the photoelectrode material for solar water splitting, including the promising strategies to obtain highly efficient and stable single-crystal Si-based photoelectrodes for hydrogen evolution and water oxidation, as well as the future development of spontaneous solar water splitting with single-crystal Si-based tandem cells.
Morphological/nanostructural control toward intrinsically stretchable organic electronics
Authors: Ma Rujun , Chou Shu-Yu , Xie Yu , Pei Qibing
Published: January 2019

The development of intrinsically stretchable electronics poses great challenges in synthesizing elastomeric conductors, semiconductors and dielectric materials.
Ferrocene-appended pharmacophores: an exciting approach for modulating the biological potential of organic scaffolds
Authors: Singh Amandeep , Lumb Isha , Mehra Vishu , Kumar Vipan
Published: January 2019

The present review article describes the recent developments (2014–18) on the synthesis of ferrocene-based pharmacophores with the specific benefits of introducing/replacing organic pharmacophores with the ferrocene core for desired bioactivities.
Emerging techniques in bioethanol production: from distillation to waste valorization
Authors: Gavahian Mohsen , Munekata Paulo E. S. , Eş Ismail , Lorenzo Jose M. , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin , Barba Francisco J.
Published: January 2019

Ethanol production from biomass, especially waste biomass, and the use of such ethanol as fuel can reduce fossil fuel consumption and ameliorate the hidden costs of burning fossil fuels such as its environmental impact.
Suitability of the Compton-to-Rayleigh ratio in X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy: hydroxyapatite-based materials characterization
Authors: Pessanha Sofia , Silva Sara , Martins Luís , Santos José Paulo , Silveira João M.
Published: January 2019

In this work, we established a methodology for the analysis and characterization of hydroxyapatite-based materials using X-ray fluorescence.
Redox active azo-based metal–organic frameworks as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Yan , Wu Mengke , Luo Yulin , Pang Baocheng , Su Xiaoru , Zhou Mingjiong , Han Lei
Published: January 2019

Two redox active azo-based metal–organic frameworks (Cu-MOF 1 and Ni-MOF 2) exhibit high specific capacities, good rate performances and cycling stabilities when directly used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
Facile synthesis of superhydrophobic three-metal-component layered double hydroxide films on aluminum foils for highly improved corrosion inhibition
Authors: Wang Fengyi , Guo Zhiguang
Published: January 2019

A simple hydrothermal method was presented to obtain various superhydrophobic ZnMgAl layered double hydroxide films on aluminum foils (AF) with excellent corrosion inhibition.
Tough and electro-responsive hydrogel actuators with bidirectional bending behavior
Authors: Jiang Haoyang , Fan Lixia , Yan Shuang , Li Feibo , Li Huanjun , Tang Jianguo
Published: January 2019

A tough and electro-responsive hydrogel actuator exhibits fast, cyclic and bidirectional bending behavior.
A lithium passivated MoO3 nanobelt decorated polypropylene separator for fast-charging long-life Li–S batteries
Authors: Kaisar Nahid , Abbas Syed Ali , Ding Jiang , Chen Hsin-An , Pao Chun-Wei , Boopathi Karunakara Moorthy , Mohapatra Anisha , Chen Yu-Ting , Wu Sheng Hui , Fang Jason , Jou Shyankay , Chu Chih Wei
Published: January 2019

A separator comprising polypropylene (PP)coated with MoO3 nanobelts, prepared through facile grinding of commercial MoO3 powder, exhibit excellent electrochemical performance at high C-rate for Li–S battery.
Shape tunable gallium nanorods mediated tumor enhanced ablation through near-infrared photothermal therapy
Authors: Sun Xuyang , Sun Mengmeng , Liu Miaomiao , Yuan Bo , Gao Weiping , Rao Wei , Liu Jing
Published: January 2019

Shape tunable liquid metal nanoparticles were fabricated with characterization of biocompatibility, favorable photothermal conversion efficiency and tumor targeting capability for photothermal therapy.
Fabrication of diffraction gratings by top-down and bottom-up approaches based on scanning probe lithography
Authors: Yang Mi-Sun , Song Changhoon , Choi Jihoon , Jo Jeong-Sik , Choi Jin-Hyun , Moon Byung Kee , Noh Heeso , Jang Jae-Won
Published: January 2019

Generation of diffraction gratings by top-down and bottom-up approaches based on scanning probe lithography is demonstrated.
Direct conversion of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes into diamond nanofibers and the subsequent growth of large-sized diamonds
Authors: Narayan J. , Bhaumik A. , Sachan R. , Haque A. , Gupta S. , Pant P.
Published: January 2019

We report a pulsed laser annealing method to convert carbon fibers and nanotubes into diamond fibers under ambient conditions.
Thermoelectric properties of oligoglycine molecular wires
Authors: Hou Songjun , Wu Qingqing , Sadeghi Hatef , Lambert Colin J.
Published: January 2019

We have investigated the electrical and thermoelectrical properties of glycine chains with and without cysteine terminal groups.
Na3V2(PO4)3: an advanced cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xianghua , Rui Xianhong , Chen Dong , Tan Huiteng , Yang Dan , Huang Shaoming , Yu Yan
Published: January 2019

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered to be the most promising electrochemical energy storage devices for large-scale grid and electric vehicle applications due to the advantages of resource abundance and cost-effectiveness.
Insights into defective TiO2 in electrocatalytic N2 reduction: combining theoretical and experimental studies
Authors: Yang Li , Wu Tongwei , Zhang Rong , Zhou Huang , Xia Li , Shi Xifeng , Zheng Hongguo , Zhang Yanning , Sun Xuping
Published: January 2019

Defective TiO2 acts as an effective electrocatalyst for N2-to-NH3 fixation with a yield of 1.24 × 10−10 mol s−1 cm−2 and FE of 9.17% at −0.15 V.
Blue perovskite light-emitting diodes: progress, challenges and future directions
Authors: Kumawat Naresh Kumar , Liu Xiao-Ke , Kabra Dinesh , Gao Feng
Published: January 2019

We report on the progress, challenges and future directions of blue perovskite light-emitting diodes to facilitate their further development.
Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition between 3-subsituted oxindoles and enals catalyzed by camphor sulfonyl hydrazine
Authors: Cheng Wen-Fu , Chen Ling-Yan , Xu Fang-Fang , Lin Wei-Yu , Ren Xinfeng , Li Ya
Published: January 2019

3,3-Disubstituted oxindoles containing vicinal stereogenic carbon centers have been synthesized through organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition between 3-substituted oxindoles and enals catalyzed by chiral camphor sulfonyl hydrazines (CaSHs).
Synthesis and biological activity of dehydrophos derivatives
Authors: Jiménez-Andreu M. Mercedes , Lucía Quintana Ainhoa , Aínsa José A. , Sayago Francisco J. , Cativiela Carlos
Published: January 2019

A versatile procedure for the synthesis of dehydrophos derivatives along with the effects of structural variations on bioactivity is reported.
Core–shell structured poly(vinylidene fluoride)-grafted-BaTiO3 nanocomposites prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of VDF for high energy storage capacitors
Authors: Bouharras Fatima Ezzahra , Raihane Mustapha , Silly Gilles , Totee Cedric , Ameduri Bruno
Published: January 2019

Core–shell structured PVDF-g-BaTiO3 nanocomposites were prepared by surface-initiated RAFT of VDF from BaTiO3 nanoparticles.
Simultaneously improved dielectric and mechanical properties of silicone elastomer by designing a dual crosslinking network
Authors: Sun Haibin , Liu Xueying , Yu Bing , Feng Zhanbin , Ning Nanying , Hu Guo-Hua , Tian Ming , Zhang Liqun
Published: January 2019

A homogenous silicone dielectric elastomer with simultaneously improved dielectric and mechanical properties is synthesized by designing a dual crosslinking network.
Systematically investigating the influence of inserting alkylthiophene spacers on the aggregation, photo-stability and optoelectronic properties of copolymers from dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene and benzothiadiazole derivatives
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Fang , Tong Junfeng , Zhang Mingjin , Guo Pengzhi , Li Jianfeng , Xia Yangjun , Wang Chenglong , Wu Hongbin
Published: January 2019

PDTBDT-SBT and PDTBDT-SFBT presented a superior trade-off between band gaps and photo-stabilities.
Correlation of in vitro cell adhesion, local shear flow and cell density
Authors: Jötten A. M. , Angermann S. , Stamp M. E. M. , Breyer D. , Strobl F. G. , Wixforth A. , Westerhausen C.
Published: January 2019

By combination of particle image velocimetry and live cell imaging in an acoustically driven microfluidic chamber, we study shear and cell density dependent adhesion. We find excellent agreement with simulations considering pure geometrical effects.
Suppression of GeOx interfacial layer and enhancement of the electrical performance of the high-K gate stack by the atomic-layer-deposited AlN buffer layer on Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor devices
Authors: Wang Chin-I. , Chang Teng-Jan , Wang Chun-Yuan , Yin Yu-Tung , Shyue Jing-Jong , Lin Hsin-Chih , Chen Miin-Jang
Published: January 2019

For high-performance Ge-based transistors, one important point of focus is interfacial germanium oxide (GeOx). An AlN buffer layer effectively suppresses the interfacial GeOx, and produces a significant enhancement of the electrical characteristics.
Arctigenin prevents monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats
Authors: Jiang Wei-Long , Han Xiao , Zhang Yu-Feng , Xia Qing-Qing , Zhang Jia-Ming , Wang Feng
Published: January 2019

Arctigenin ameliorates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension, at least in part, through exerting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative effects, which inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome signal pathway in rats.
Dimethylacrylamide, a novel electrolyte additive, can improve the electrochemical performances of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhu Guobin , Yang Siming , Wang Yan , Qu Qunting , Zheng Honghe
Published: January 2019

To enhance the electrochemical properties of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) was selected as a novel electrolyte additive.
A targeted biocompatible organic nanoprobe for photoacoustic and near-infrared-II fluorescence imaging in living mice
Authors: Xie Xinhui , Hu Yili , Zhang Chao , Song Jialei , Zhuang Suyang , Wang Yuntao
Published: January 2019

We developed a targeted organic nanoprobe for both photoacoustic imaging and near-infrared-II fluorescence imaging in living mice.
Bortezomib-induced new bergamotene derivatives xylariterpenoids H–K from sponge-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis maculans 16F-12
Authors: Li Yingxin , Zhang Fengli , Banakar Shivakumar , Li Zhiyong
Published: January 2019

The addition of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, to the fermentation broth of a sponge-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis maculans 16F-12 led to the isolation of four new bergamotene derivatives xylariterpenoids H–K (1–4).
Photovoltaic cells as a highly efficient system for biomedical and electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis
Authors: Niciński K. , Witkowska E. , Korsak D. , Noworyta K. , Trzcińska-Danielewicz J. , Girstun A. , Kamińska A.
Published: January 2019

We have developed a conductive SERS platform based on photovoltaic materials (PV) covered with a thin layer of silver, especially useful in electrochemical SERS analysis.
Large-scale preparation of size-controlled Fe3O4@SiO2 particles for electrophoretic display with non-iridescent structural colors
Authors: Wang Wei , Zheng Ang , Jiang Yifan , Lan Dongsheng , Lu Fenghua , Zheng Lelin , Zhuang Lin , Hong Ruijiang
Published: January 2019

Fe3O4@SiO2 particles were prepared on the gram-scale by selecting Na3Cit as the modifier with binary solvent and were assembled into colloidal amorphous arrays with unique and attractive optical properties for EPD.
Perylene bisbenzimidazole nonlinear dielectric material for energy storage
Authors: Hein Samuel J. , Edder Carine , Kowalczyk Marta , Borzenko Andrey , Mourokh Lev , Lazarev Pavel
Published: January 2019

We synthesized and characterized an organic molecule which can serve as a unit for high-density energy storage.
Electrochemical estimation of active site density on a metal-free carbon-based catalyst
Authors: Chakraborty Arup , Bera Bapi , Priyadarshani Divya , Leuaa Pradipkumar , Choudhury Debittree , Neergat Manoj
Published: January 2019

Estimated ESA of nitrogen-doped carbon and carbon using AQS-adsorption method.
Purification and characterization of alkaline phosphatase from lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Chu Yu-Hao , Yu Xin-Xin , Jin Xing , Wang Yu-Tang , Zhao Duo-Jia , Zhang Po , Sun Guang-Mei , Zhang Ying-Hua
Published: January 2019

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) excreted from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) showed the ability to degrade organophosphorus pesticides.
A chemotherapeutic approach targeting the acidic tumor microenvironment: combination of a proton pump inhibitor and paclitaxel for statistically optimized nanotherapeutics
Authors: Bhattacharya Saswati , Khanam Jasmina , Sarkar Pradipta , Pal Tapan Kumar
Published: January 2019

Development of statistically optimized, paclitaxel–lansoprazole, dual drug loaded PLGA nanoparticles as a promising tumor acidic microenvironment targeted chemotherapeutic approach.
New ferrocenyl-containing organic hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells in regular (n-i-p) and inverted (p-i-n) architectures
Authors: Jia Jingwen , Duan Liangsheng , Chen Yu , Zong Xueping , Sun Zhe , Wu Quanping , Xue Song
Published: January 2019

New ferrocene-containing organic HTMs for fabricating perovskite solar cells.
Silver sulfadiazine loaded zein nanofiber mats as a novel wound dressing
Authors: Ullah Sana , Hashmi Motahira , Khan Muhammad Qamar , Kharaghani Davood , Saito Yuseke , Yamamoto Takayuki , Kim Ick Soo
Published: January 2019

In this report a novel antibacterial wound dressing was prepared and then characterized for required testing. We loaded silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) for the first time by electrospinning.
Molybdenum imidazole citrate and bipyridine homocitrate in different oxidation states – balance between coordinated α-hydroxy and α-alkoxy groups
Authors: Wang Si-Yuan , Zhou Zhao-Hui
Published: January 2019

Oxo and thiomolybdenum(iv/vi) citrates, molybdenum(v) homocitrate and molybdenum(vi) citrate were obtained, showing the influence of coordinated α-hydroxy and α-alkoxy groups with different oxidation states.
Solution and on-surface synthesis of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons as a new family of semiconductors
Authors: Narita Akimitsu , Chen Zongping , Chen Qiang , Müllen Klaus
Published: January 2019

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with various structures and properties can be synthesized in solution or on surface.
Halogenoborane mediated allene cyclooligomerization
Authors: Tao Xin , Wölke Christian , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: January 2019

Allene reacts with the strongly electrophilic halogenoboranes XB(C6F5)2 (X: Cl or Br) by forming a mixture of 1,3,5-trimethylenecyclohexane and the stoichiometric halogeno-borated tetramerization products.
Curvature sensing by cardiolipin in simulated buckled membranes
Authors: Elías-Wolff Federico , Lindén Martin , Lyubartsev Alexander P. , Brandt Erik G.
Published: January 2019

Simulated buckling of coarse-grained lipid membranes and elastic theory predicts that cardiolipin strongly prefers negative membrane curvatures.
Characterizing surface wetting and interfacial properties using enhanced sampling (SWIPES)
Authors: Jiang Hao , Fialoke Suruchi , Vicars Zachariah , Patel Amish J.
Published: January 2019

We introduce an accurate and efficient method for characterizing surface wetting and interfacial properties, such as the contact angle made by a liquid droplet on a solid surface, and the vapor–liquid surface tension of a fluid.
A simple technique for development of fibres with programmable microsphere concentration gradients for local protein delivery
Authors: Mehrpouya Fahimeh , Yue Zhilian , Romeo Tony , Gorkin Robert , Kapsa Robert M. I. , Moulton Simon E. , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: January 2019

Herein we present a simple approach for fabrication of alginate fibers with programmable microsphere concentration gradients for local protein delivery.
Plexcitonics – fundamental principles and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Manuel Ajay P. , Kirkey Aaron , Mahdi Najia , Shankar Karthik
Published: January 2019

The nanoscale confinement and coupling of electromagnetic radiation into plexcitonic modes has drawn immense interest because of the innovative possibilities for their application in light harvesting and light emitting devices (LEDs).
Repurposing of idebenone as a potential anti-cancer agent
Authors: Damiani Elisabetta , Yuecel Raif , Wallace Heather M.
Published: January 2019

Glioblastoma (GB) represents the most common and aggressive form of malignant primary brain tumour associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we considered the potential use of idebenone (IDE), a Coenzyme Q10 analogue, as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for GB. On two GB cell lines, U373MG and U87MG, IDE decreased the viable cell number and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of two known anti-proliferative agents: temozolomide and oxaliplatin. IDE also affected the clonogenic and migratory capacity of both GB cell lines, at 25 and 50 µM, a concentration equivalent to that transiently reached in plasma after oral intake that is deemed safe for humans. p21 protein expression was decreased in both cell lines, indicating that IDE likely exerts its effects through cell cycle dysregulation, and this was confirmed in U373MG cells only by flow cytometric cell cycle analysis which showed S-phase arrest. Caspase-3 protein expression was also significantly decreased in U373MG cells indicating IDE-induced apoptosis that was confirmed by flow cytometric Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. No major decrease in caspase-3 expression was observed in U87MG cells nor apoptosis as observed by flow cytometry analysis. Overall, the present study demonstrates that IDE has potential as an anti-proliferative agent for GB by interfering with several features of glioma pathogenesis such as proliferation and migration, and hence might be a drug that could be repurposed for aiding cancer treatments. Furthermore, the synergistic combinations of IDE with other agents aimed at different pathways involved in this type of cancer are promising.
LncRNA POU3F3 promotes cancer cell migration and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by up-regulating TGF-β1
Authors: Li Wei , Wu Xingyu , She Wensheng
Published: January 2019

Up-regulation of lncRNA POU3F3 has been observed in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, while its expression pattern and functionality in other human disease is unknown. Our study showed that plasma levels of lncRNA POU3F3 and TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β) were both increased in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients than in healthy controls. Plasma levels of lncRNA POU3F3 were not affected by the diameter of primary tumors but increased in patients with tumor metastasis. Plasma levels of lncRNA POU3F3 and TGF-β1 were positively correlated only in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients but not in healthy controls. Follow-up study showed that high plasma levels of lncRNA POU3F3 were significantly correlated with poor overall survival. LncRNA POU3F3 overexpression and exogenous TGF-β1 treatment led to promoted, while TGF-β1 inhibitor led to inhibited migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. TGF-β1 inhibitor partially rescued the inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion caused by lncRNA POU3F3 overexpression. LncRNA POU3F3 overexpression led to down-regulated TGF-β1 expression, while exogenous TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 inhibitor treatment did not significantly change the expression level of lncRNA POU3F3. Therefore, lncRNA POU3F3 may promote cancer cell migration and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by up-regulating TGF-β1.
Minerval (2-hydroxyoleic acid) causes cancer cell selective toxicity by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation and compromising bioenergetic compensation capacity
Authors: Massalha Wessal , Markovits Mark , Pichinuk Edward , Feinstein-Rotkopf Yael , Tarshish Mark , Mishra Kumudesh , Llado Victoria , Weil Miguel , Escriba Pablo V. , Kakhlon Or
Published: January 2019

This work tests bioenergetic and cell-biological implications of the synthetic fatty acid Minerval (2-hydroxyoleic acid), previously demonstrated to act by activation of sphingomyelin synthase in the plasma membrane (PM) and lowering of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) and their carcinogenic signaling. We show here that Minerval also acts, selectively in cancer cell lines, as an ATP depleting uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). As a function of its exposure time, Minerval compromised the capacity of glioblastoma U87-MG cells to compensate for aberrant respiration by up-modulation of glycolysis. This effect was not exposure time-dependent in the lung carcinoma A549 cell line, which was more sensitive to Minerval. Compared with OxPhos inhibitors FCCP (uncoupler), rotenone (electron transfer inhibitor), and oligomycin (F1F0-ATPase inhibitor), Minerval action was similar only to that of FCCP. This similarity was manifested by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization, facilitation of oxygen consumption rate (OCR), restriction of mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial fragmentation. Additionally, compared with other OxPhos inhibitors, Minerval uniquely induced ER stress in cancer cell lines. These new modes of action for Minerval, capitalizing on the high fatty acid requirements of cancer cells, can potentially enhance its cancer-selective toxicity and improve its therapeutic capacity.