bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinoid acid induced 16 deficiency aggravates colitis and colitis-associated tumorigenesis in mice
Authors: Xu Yu-Lin , Ding Cui-Ling , Qian Chun-Lin , Qi Zhong-Tian , Wang Wen
Published: December 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a serious health issue, but etiopathological factors remain unclear. Although some studies reported the roles of Retinoid acid induced 16 (RAI16) in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma and PKA signaling, the roles of RAI16 in IBD and CRC are undressed. RAI16−/− mice were generated and the roles of RAI16 were addressed in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or azoxymethane (AOM)-DSS induced IBD or CAC mouse models, respectively. At first, RAI16−/− mice were viable, fertile with no apparent defects. Then, it was found that RAI16−/− mice were more susceptibility to colitis induced by DSS than wild type (WT) littermates, which was evaluated by disease activity index and histological score. Furthermore, the expressions of tissues repair associated molecules Cox2, Ereg and MMP-10 were significantly decreased in RAI16−/− colon under DSS treatment. Gut barrier related genes including antimicrobial peptides Reg3b and Reg3g and intestinal mucus genes Muc4, Muc6 and Muc20 were reduced in RAI16−/− colon. These findings indicated that RAI16 may function to affect genes involved in intestinal barrier function and immunoprotective inflammation. Accordingly, RAI16−/− mice displayed significantly increased tumor burden compared with WT mice assessed in CAC model induced by AOM/DSS. Much more Ki67 + nuclei were observed in RAI16−/− tumors suggesting RAI16 to be critical in colonic cell proliferation during tumorigenesis. Conclusively, we demonstrate the roles of RAI16 in colonic inflammation and inflammation-associated tumorigenesis by using a novel RAI16−/− mouse model for the first time.
W–Cu composites with submicron- and nanostructures: progress and challenges
Authors: Hou Chao , Song Xiaoyan , Tang Fawei , Li Yurong , Cao Lijun , Wang Jie , Nie Zuoren
Published: December 2019

W–Cu composite materials are widely used in civilian industries and aerospace fields owing to their integrated properties of high hardness, wear and arc resistance, electrical and thermal conductivities, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The recently developed submicron- and nanostructured W–Cu composites exhibit superior performance compared to their conventional coarse-grained counterparts and are expected to further expand applications of this group of materials. This review is focused on recent important progress in the preparation, characterization, and mechanical and physical properties of W–Cu composites with refined structures. We summarize the technologies that are capable of refining component structures and evaluate their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, the effects of component refinement and additives such as alloying elements and dispersed particles on the comprehensive performance of W–Cu composites are demonstrated. At the end of the review, we propose potential research issues and directions worthy of attention for the future development of W–Cu composites.
Quantum Griffiths singularities in TiO superconducting thin films with insulating normal states
Authors: Zhang Chao , Fan Yunjie , Chen Qiaoling , Wang Tianyi , Liu Xiang , Li Qi , Yin Yuewei , Li Xiaoguang
Published: December 2019

A superconductor–metal transition (SMT) with an unconventional diverging dynamic critical exponent was recently discovered, and it drew tremendous attention because this signature of a quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) was thought to be a common characteristic of low-disorder crystalline superconductors. However, because the QGS was observed only in limited materials with metallic normal states, the question of whether the QGS exists in other superconducting systems is still unanswered. In this paper, a superconductor–insulator transition (SIT) is observed in TiO thin films with insulating normal states, which offers a more universal platform for investigating the QGS. A thickness-tuned SIT is obtained when the magnetic field is zero. Importantly, a magnetic field-tuned SIT with a diverging dynamic critical exponent, which is direct evidence of a QGS, is observed in TiO thin films with different thicknesses. By constructing a comprehensive phase diagram, it is demonstrated that the critical magnetic field Hc tends to saturate as the temperature approaches 0 K, which is different from the upturn trend of Hc observed in SMT systems and probably due to the weaker Josephson coupling of the locally ordered superconducting islands (rare regions) in a weakly insulating normal state background. The results extend the QGS scenario from only SMT systems to SIT systems, and they provide vital evidence that QGSs are common in crystalline superconducting thin films, which has possible applications in quantum-computing devices.
Novel approach reveals genomic landscapes of single-strand DNA breaks with nucleotide resolution in human cells
Authors: Cao Huifen , Salazar-García Lorena , Gao Fan , Wahlestedt Thor , Wu Chun-Lin , Han Xueer , Cai Ye , Xu Dongyang , Wang Fang , Tang Lu , Ricciardi Natalie , Cai DingDing , Wang Huifang , Chin Mario P. S. , Timmons James A. , Wahlestedt Claes , Kapranov Philipp
Published: December 2019

Single-strand breaks (SSBs) represent the major form of DNA damage, yet techniques to map these lesions genome-wide with nucleotide-level precision are limited. Here, we present a method, termed SSiNGLe, and demonstrate its utility to explore the distribution and dynamic changes in genome-wide SSBs in response to different biological and environmental stimuli. We validate SSiNGLe using two very distinct sequencing techniques and apply it to derive global profiles of SSBs in different biological states. Strikingly, we show that patterns of SSBs in the genome are non-random, specific to different biological states, enriched in regulatory elements, exons, introns, specific types of repeats and exhibit differential preference for the template strand between exons and introns. Furthermore, we show that breaks likely contribute to naturally occurring sequence variants. Finally, we demonstrate strong links between SSB patterns and age. Overall, SSiNGLe provides access to unexplored realms of cellular biology, not obtainable with current approaches.
PBRM1 acts as a p53 lysine-acetylation reader to suppress renal tumor growth
Authors: Cai Weijia , Su Liya , Liao Lili , Liu Zongzhi Z. , Langbein Lauren , Dulaimi Essel , Testa Joseph R. , Uzzo Robert G. , Zhong Zhijiu , Jiang Wei , Yan Qin , Zhang Qing , Yang Haifeng
Published: December 2019

p53 acetylation is indispensable for its transcriptional activity and tumor suppressive function. However, the identity of reader protein(s) for p53 acetylation remains elusive. PBRM1, the second most highly mutated tumor suppressor gene in kidney cancer, encodes PBRM1. Here, we identify PBRM1 as a reader for p53 acetylation on lysine 382 (K382Ac) through its bromodomain 4 (BD4). Notably, mutations on key residues of BD4 disrupt recognition of p53 K382Ac. The mutation in BD4 also reduces p53 binding to promoters of target genes such as CDKN1A (p21). Consequently, the PBRM1 BD4 mutant fails to fully support p53 transcriptional activity and is defective as a tumor suppressor. We also find that expressions of PBRM1 and p21 correlate with each other in human kidney cancer samples. Our findings uncover a tumor suppressive mechanism of PBRM1 in kidney cancer and provide a mechanistic insight into the crosstalk between p53 and SWI/SNF complexes.
A first-principle mechanism for particulate aggregation and self-assembly in stratified fluids
Authors: Camassa Roberto , Harris Daniel M. , Hunt Robert , Kilic Zeliha , McLaughlin Richard M.
Published: December 2019

An extremely broad and important class of phenomena in nature involves the settling and aggregation of matter under gravitation in fluid systems. Here, we observe and model mathematically an unexpected fundamental mechanism by which particles suspended within stratification may self-assemble and form large aggregates without adhesion. This phenomenon arises through a complex interplay involving solute diffusion, impermeable boundaries, and aggregate geometry, which produces toroidal flows. We show that these flows yield attractive horizontal forces between particles at the same heights. We observe that many particles demonstrate a collective motion revealing a system which appears to solve jigsaw-like puzzles on its way to organizing into a large-scale disc-like shape, with the effective force increasing as the collective disc radius grows. Control experiments isolate the individual dynamics, which are quantitatively predicted by simulations. Numerical force calculations with two spheres are used to build many-body simulations which capture observed features of self-assembly.
The METLIN small molecule dataset for machine learning-based retention time prediction
Authors: Domingo-Almenara Xavier , Guijas Carlos , Billings Elizabeth , Montenegro-Burke J. Rafael , Uritboonthai Winnie , Aisporna Aries E. , Chen Emily , Benton H. Paul , Siuzdak Gary
Published: December 2019

Machine learning has been extensively applied in small molecule analysis to predict a wide range of molecular properties and processes including mass spectrometry fragmentation or chromatographic retention time. However, current approaches for retention time prediction lack sufficient accuracy due to limited available experimental data. Here we introduce the METLIN small molecule retention time (SMRT) dataset, an experimentally acquired reverse-phase chromatography retention time dataset covering up to 80,038 small molecules. To demonstrate the utility of this dataset, we deployed a deep learning model for retention time prediction applied to small molecule annotation. Results showed that in 70$$\%$$%of the cases, the correct molecular identity was ranked among the top 3 candidates based on their predicted retention time. We anticipate that this dataset will enable the community to apply machine learning or first principles strategies to generate better models for retention time prediction.
Platinum–copper single atom alloy catalysts with high performance towards glycerol hydrogenolysis
Authors: Zhang Xi , Cui Guoqing , Feng Haisong , Chen Lifang , Wang Hui , Wang Bin , Zhang Xin , Zheng Lirong , Hong Song , Wei Min
Published: December 2019

Selective hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived glycerol to propanediol is an important reaction to produce high value-added chemicals but remains a big challenge. Herein we report a PtCu single atom alloy (SAA) catalyst with single Pt atom dispersed on Cu nanoclusters, which exhibits dramatically boosted catalytic performance (yield: 98.8%) towards glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol. Remarkably, the turnover frequency reaches up to 2.6 × 103 molglycerol·molPtCu–SAA−1·h−1, which is to our knowledge the largest value among reported heterogeneous metal catalysts. Both in situ experimental studies and theoretical calculations verify interface sites of PtCu–SAA serve as intrinsic active sites, in which the single Pt atom facilitates the breakage of central C–H bond whilst the terminal C–O bond undergoes dissociation adsorption on adjacent Cu atom. This interfacial synergistic catalysis based on PtCu–SAA changes the reaction pathway with a decreased activation energy, which can be extended to other noble metal alloy systems.
Mitochondrial oxidative capacity and NAD+ biosynthesis are reduced in human sarcopenia across ethnicities
Authors: Migliavacca Eugenia , Tay Stacey K. H. , Patel Harnish P. , Sonntag Tanja , Civiletto Gabriele , McFarlane Craig , Forrester Terence , Barton Sheila J. , Leow Melvin K. , Antoun Elie , Charpagne Aline , Seng Chong Yap , Descombes Patrick , Feng Lei , Francis-Emmanuel Patrice , Garratt Emma S. , Giner Maria Pilar , Green Curtis O. , Karaz Sonia , Kothandaraman Narasimhan , Marquis Julien , Metairon Sylviane , Moco Sofia , Nelson Gail , Ngo Sherry , Pleasants Tony , Raymond Frederic , Sayer Avan A. , Ming Sim Chu , Slater-Jefferies Jo , Syddall Holly E. , Fang Tan Pei , Titcombe Philip , Vaz Candida , Westbury Leo D. , Wong Gerard , Yonghui Wu , Cooper Cyrus , Sheppard Allan , Godfrey Keith M. , Lillycrop Karen A. , Karnani Neerja , Feige Jerome N.
Published: December 2019

The causes of impaired skeletal muscle mass and strength during aging are well-studied in healthy populations. Less is known on pathological age-related muscle wasting and weakness termed sarcopenia, which directly impacts physical autonomy and survival. Here, we compare genome-wide transcriptional changes of sarcopenia versus age-matched controls in muscle biopsies from 119 older men from Singapore, Hertfordshire UK and Jamaica. Individuals with sarcopenia reproducibly demonstrate a prominent transcriptional signature of mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction in skeletal muscle, with low PGC-1α/ERRα signalling, and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial proteostasis genes. These changes translate functionally into fewer mitochondria, reduced mitochondrial respiratory complex expression and activity, and low NAD+ levels through perturbed NAD+ biosynthesis and salvage in sarcopenic muscle. We provide an integrated molecular profile of human sarcopenia across ethnicities, demonstrating a fundamental role of altered mitochondrial metabolism in the pathological loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in older people.
Multistaged discharge constructing heterostructure with enhanced solid-solution behavior for long-life lithium-oxygen batteries
Authors: Xu Shu-Mao , Liang Xiao , Wu Xue-Yan , Zhao Shen-Long , Chen Jun , Wang Kai-Xue , Chen Jie-Sheng
Published: December 2019

Inferior charge transport in insulating and bulk discharge products is one of the main factors resulting in poor cycling stability of lithium–oxygen batteries with high overpotential and large capacity decay. Here we report a two-step oxygen reduction approach by pre-depositing a potassium carbonate layer on the cathode surface in a potassium–oxygen battery to direct the growth of defective film-like discharge products in the successive cycling of lithium–oxygen batteries. The formation of defective film with improved charge transport and large contact area with a catalyst plays a critical role in the facile decomposition of discharge products and the sustained stability of the battery. Multistaged discharge constructing lithium peroxide-based heterostructure with band discontinuities and a relatively low lithium diffusion barrier may be responsible for the growth of defective film-like discharge products. This strategy offers a promising route for future development of cathode catalysts that can be used to extend the cycling life of lithium–oxygen batteries.
Relaxed purifying selection in autopolyploids drives transposable element over-accumulation which provides variants for local adaptation
Authors: Baduel Pierre , Quadrana Leandro , Hunter Ben , Bomblies Kirsten , Colot Vincent
Published: December 2019

Polyploidization is frequently associated with increased transposable element (TE) content. However, what drives TE dynamics following whole genome duplication (WGD) and the evolutionary implications remain unclear. Here, we leverage whole-genome resequencing data available for ~300 individuals of Arabidopsis arenosa, a well characterized natural diploid-autotetraploid plant species, to address these questions. Based on 43,176 TE insertions we detect in these genomes, we demonstrate that relaxed purifying selection rather than transposition bursts is the main driver of TE over-accumulation after WGD. Furthermore, the increased pool of TE insertions in tetraploids is especially enriched within or near environmentally responsive genes. Notably, we show that the major flowering-time repressor gene FLC is disrupted by a TE insertion specifically in the rapid-cycling tetraploid lineage that colonized mainland railways. Together, our findings indicate that tetrasomy leads to an enhanced accumulation of genic TE insertions, some of which likely contribute to local adaptation.
Controllability governs the balance between Pavlovian and instrumental action selection
Authors: Dorfman Hayley M. , Gershman Samuel J.
Published: December 2019

A Pavlovian bias to approach reward-predictive cues and avoid punishment-predictive cues can conflict with instrumentally-optimal actions. Here, we propose that the brain arbitrates between Pavlovian and instrumental control by inferring which is a better predictor of reward. The instrumental predictor is more flexible; it can learn values that depend on both stimuli and actions, whereas the Pavlovian predictor learns values that depend only on stimuli. The arbitration theory predicts that the Pavlovian predictor will be favored when rewards are relatively uncontrollable, because the additional flexibility of the instrumental predictor is not useful. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that the Pavlovian approach bias is stronger under low control compared to high control contexts.
Hydroxide promotes carbon dioxide electroreduction to ethanol on copper via tuning of adsorbed hydrogen
Authors: Luo Mingchuan , Wang Ziyun , Li Yuguang C. , Li Jun , Li Fengwang , Lum Yanwei , Nam Dae-Hyun , Chen Bin , Wicks Joshua , Xu Aoni , Zhuang Taotao , Leow Wan Ru , Wang Xue , Dinh Cao-Thang , Wang Ying , Wang Yuhang , Sinton David , Sargent Edward H.
Published: December 2019

Producing liquid fuels such as ethanol from CO2, H2O, and renewable electricity offers a route to store sustainable energy. The search for efficient electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction relies on tuning the adsorption strength of carbonaceous intermediates. Here, we report a complementary approach in which we utilize hydroxide and oxide doping of a catalyst surface to tune the adsorbed hydrogen on Cu. Density functional theory studies indicate that this doping accelerates water dissociation and changes the hydrogen adsorption energy on Cu. We synthesize and investigate a suite of metal-hydroxide-interface-doped-Cu catalysts, and find that the most efficient, Ce(OH)x-doped-Cu, exhibits an ethanol Faradaic efficiency of 43% and a partial current density of 128 mA cm−2. Mechanistic studies, wherein we combine investigation of hydrogen evolution performance with the results of operando Raman spectroscopy, show that adsorbed hydrogen hydrogenates surface *HCCOH, a key intermediate whose fate determines branching to ethanol versus ethylene.
Genomic risk score offers predictive performance comparable to clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke
Authors: Abraham Gad , Malik Rainer , Yonova-Doing Ekaterina , Salim Agus , Wang Tingting , Danesh John , Butterworth Adam S. , Howson Joanna M. M. , Inouye Michael , Dichgans Martin
Published: December 2019

Recent genome-wide association studies in stroke have enabled the generation of genomic risk scores (GRS) but their predictive power has been modest compared to established stroke risk factors. Here, using a meta-scoring approach, we develop a metaGRS for ischaemic stroke (IS) and analyse this score in the UK Biobank (n = 395,393; 3075 IS events by age 75). The metaGRS hazard ratio for IS (1.26, 95% CI 1.22–1.31 per metaGRS standard deviation) doubles that of a previous GRS, identifying a subset of individuals at monogenic levels of risk: the top 0.25% of metaGRS have three-fold risk of IS. The metaGRS is similarly or more predictive compared to several risk factors, such as family history, blood pressure, body mass index, and smoking. We estimate the reductions needed in modifiable risk factors for individuals with different levels of genomic risk and suggest that, for individuals with high metaGRS, achieving risk factor levels recommended by current guidelines may be insufficient to mitigate risk.
Polyanions provide selective control of APC/C interactions with the activator subunit
Authors: Mizrak Arda , Morgan David O.
Published: December 2019

Transient interactions between the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) and its activator subunit Cdc20 or Cdh1 generate oscillations in ubiquitylation activity necessary to maintain the order of cell cycle events. Activator binds the APC/C with high affinity and exhibits negligible dissociation kinetics in vitro, and it is not clear how the rapid turnover of APC/C-activator complexes is achieved in vivo. Here, we describe a mechanism that controls APC/C-activator interactions based on the availability of substrates. We find that APC/C-activator dissociation is stimulated by abundant cellular polyanions such as nucleic acids and polyphosphate. Polyanions also interfere with substrate ubiquitylation. However, engagement with high-affinity substrate blocks the inhibitory effects of polyanions on activator binding and APC/C activity. We propose that this mechanism amplifies the effects of substrate affinity on APC/C function, stimulating processive ubiquitylation of high-affinity substrates and suppressing ubiquitylation of low-affinity substrates.
Neonatal annulus fibrosus regeneration occurs via recruitment and proliferation of Scleraxis-lineage cells
Authors: Torre Olivia M. , Mroz Victoria , Benitez Anthony R. Martinez , Huang Alice H. , Iatridis James C.
Published: December 2019

Intervertebral disc (IVD) injuries are a cause of degenerative changes in adults which can lead to back pain, a leading cause of disability. We developed a model of neonatal IVD regeneration with full functional restoration and investigate the cellular dynamics underlying this unique healing response. We employed genetic lineage tracing in mice using Scleraxis (Scx) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) to fate-map annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, respectively. Results indicate functional AF regeneration after severe herniation injury occurs in neonates and not adults. AF regeneration is mediated by Scx-lineage cells that lose ScxGFP expression and adopt a stem/progenitor phenotype (Sca-1, days 3–14), proliferate, and then redifferentiate towards type I collagen producing, ScxGFP+ annulocytes at day 56. Non Scx-lineage cells were also transiently observed during neonatal repair, including Shh-lineage cells, macrophages, and myofibroblasts; however, these populations were no longer detected by day 56 when annulocytes redifferentiate. Overall, repair did not occur in adults. These results identify an exciting cellular mechanism of neonatal AF regeneration that is predominantly driven by Scx-lineage annulocytes.
Development of neural perceptual vowel spaces during the first year of life
Authors: McCarthy Kathleen M. , Skoruppa Katrin , Iverson Paul
Published: December 2019

This study measured infants’ neural responses for spectral changes between all pairs of a set of English vowels. In contrast to previous methods that only allow for the assessment of a few phonetic contrasts, we present a new method that allows us to assess changes in spectral sensitivity across the entire vowel space and create two-dimensional perceptual maps of the infants’ vowel development. Infants aged four to eleven months were played long series of concatenated vowels, and the neural response to each vowel change was assessed using the Acoustic Change Complex (ACC) from EEG recordings. The results demonstrated that the youngest infants’ responses more closely reflected the acoustic differences between the vowel pairs and reflected higher weight to first-formant variation. Older infants had less acoustically driven responses that seemed a result of selective increases in sensitivity for phonetically similar vowels. The results suggest that phonetic development may involve a perceptual warping for confusable vowels rather than uniform learning, as well as an overall increasing sensitivity to higher-frequency acoustic information.
Raman Spectra Shift of Few-Layer IV-VI 2D Materials
Authors: Park Minwoo , Choi Jin Sik , Yang Li , Lee Hoonkyung
Published: December 2019

Raman spectroscopy is the most commonly used method to investigate structures of materials. Recently, few-layered IV-VI 2D materials (SnS, SnSe, GeS, and GeSe) have been found and ignited significant interest in electronic and optical applications. However, unlike few-layer graphene, in which its interlayer structures such as the number of its layers are confirmed through measurement of the Raman scattering, few-layer IV-VI 2D materials have not yet been developed to the point of understanding their interlayer structure. Here we performed first-principles calculations on Raman spectroscopy for few-layer IV-VI 2D materials. In addition to achieving consistent results with measurements of bulk structures, we revealed significant red and blue shifts of characteristic Raman modes up to 100 cm−1 associated with the layer number. These shifts of lattice vibrational modes originate from the change of the bond lengths between the metal atoms and chalcogen atoms through the change of the interlayer interactions. Particularly, our study shows weak covalent bonding between interlayers, making the evolution of Raman signals according to the thickness different from other vdW materials. Our results suggest a new way for obtaining information of layer structure of few-layer IV-VI 2D materials through Raman spectroscopy.
Characterization of cancer omics and drug perturbations in panels of lung cancer cells
Authors: Suzuki Ayako , Onodera Keiichi , Matsui Ken , Seki Masahide , Esumi Hiroyasu , Soga Tomoyoshi , Sugano Sumio , Kohno Takashi , Suzuki Yutaka , Tsuchihara Katsuya
Published: December 2019

To better understand the disruptions of transcriptional regulations and gene expression in lung cancers, we constructed a multi-omics catalogue of the responses of lung cancer cells to a series of chemical compounds. We generated and analyzed 3,240 RNA-seq and 3,393 ATAC-seq libraries obtained from 23 cell lines treated with 95 well-annotated compounds. To demonstrate the power of the created multi-omics resource, we attempted to identify drugs that could induce the designated changes alone or in combination. The basal multi-omics information was first integrated into co-expression modules. Among these modules, we identified a stress response module that may be a promising drug intervention target, as new combinations of compounds that could be used to regulate this module and the consequent phenotypic appearance of cancer cells have been identified. We believe that the multi-omics profiles generated in this study and the strategy used to stratify them will lead to more rational and efficient development of anticancer drugs.
Zika virus infection causes temporary paralysis in adult mice with motor neuron synaptic retraction and evidence for proximal peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Morrey John D. , Oliveira Alexandre L. R. , Wang Hong , Zukor Katherine , de Castro Mateus Vidigal , Siddharthan Venkatraman
Published: December 2019

Clinical evidence is mounting that Zika virus can contribute to Guillain-Barré syndrome which causes temporary paralysis, yet the mechanism is unknown. We investigated the mechanism of temporary acute flaccid paralysis caused by Zika virus infection in aged interferon αβ-receptor knockout mice used for their susceptibility to infection. Twenty-five to thirty-five percent of mice infected subcutaneously with Zika virus developed motor deficits including acute flaccid paralysis that peaked 8-10 days after viral challenge. These mice recovered within a week. Despite Zika virus infection in the spinal cord, motor neurons were not destroyed. We examined ultrastructures of motor neurons and synapses by transmission electron microscopy. The percent coverage of motor neurons by boutons was reduced by 20%; more specifically, flattened-vesicle boutons were reduced by 46%, and were normalized in recovering mice. Using electromyographic procedures employed in people to help diagnose Guillain-Barré syndrome, we determined that nerve conduction velocities between the sciatic notch and the gastrocnemius muscle were unchanged in paralyzed mice. However, F-wave latencies were increased in paralyzed mice, which suggests that neuropathy may exist between the sciatic notch to the nerve rootlets. Reversible synaptic retraction may be a previously unrecognized cofactor along with peripheral neuropathy for the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome during Zika virus outbreaks.
Biological Evaluation of Noscapine analogues as Potent and Microtubule-Targeted Anticancer Agents
Authors: Tomar Vartika , Kumar Neeraj , Tomar Ravi , Sood Damini , Dhiman Neerupma , Dass Sujata K. , Prakash Satya , Madan Jitender , Chandra Ramesh
Published: December 2019

In present investigation, an attempt was undertaken to modify the C-9 position of noscapine (Nos), an opium alkaloid to yield 9 -hydroxy methyl and 9 -carbaldehyde oxime analogues for augmenting anticancer potential. The synthesis of 9-hydroxy methyl analogue of Nos was carried out by Blanc reaction and 9-carbaldehyde oxime was engineered by oxime formation method and characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy, and so on techniques. In silico docking techniques informed that 9-hydroxy methyl and 9-carbaldehyde oxime analogues of Nos had higher binding energy score as compared to Nos. The IC50 of Nos was estimated to be 46.8 µM signficantly (P < 0.05) higher than 8.2 µM of 9-carbaldehyde oxime and 4.6 µM of 9-hydroxy methyl analogue of Nos in U87, human glioblastoma cells. Moreover, there was significant (P < 0.05) difference between the IC50 of 9-carbaldehyde oxime and 9-hydroxy methyl analogue of Nos. Consistent to in vitro cytotoxicity data, 9-hydroxy methyl analogue of Nos induced significantly (P < 0.05) higher degree of apoptosis of 84.6% in U87 cells as compared to 78.5% and 64.3% demonstrated by 9-carbaldehyde oxime and Nos, respectively. Thus the higher therapeutic efficacy of 9-hydroxy methyl analogue of Nos may be credited to higher solubility and inhibitory constant (K).
Interpretation of detections of volcanic activity at Ioto Island obtained from in situ seismometers and remote hydrophones of the International Monitoring System
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Zampolli Mario , Haralabus Georgios , Stanley Jerry , Mattila James , Meral Özel Nurcan
Published: December 2019

In-situ seismic observations identified that volcanic activity of Ioto (formerly Iwojima), a volcanic island offshore Japan, increased in early September 2018. Observations of discolored nearshore waters and a splash reported by a local flyover provided evidence for a connection between undersea eruptions and recorded seismic activity. However there remain uncertainties as to when the undersea eruption series commenced and how much of the in-situ seismic activity recorded on the island was associated with volcanic earthquakes versus undersea eruptions. During this period, a large number of underwater acoustic (hydroacoustic) signals were recorded by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) International Monitoring System (IMS) hydroacoustic station HA11, at Wake Island (U.S. Territory), in the northwestern Pacific Ocean with signals with directions of arrival consistent with sources located at Ioto. The analysis presented here interprets signal features of the remote hydroacoustic recordings provided by HA11 in order to attempt to distinguish between volcanic earthquake signals and undersea eruption signals originating from Ioto. Histograms of hydroacoustic events interpreted as originating from Ioto correlate well with the in-situ seismic observations at Ioto in the early stage of volcanic activity. The results presented suggest that around 75% of the signals detected at HA11 with directions of arrival consistent with Ioto as their origin could be associated with undersea eruptions, supporting the conclusion that the IMS hydroacoustic stations can contribute to volcanic event remote monitoring.
Suppressyn localization and dynamic expression patterns in primary human tissues support a physiologic role in human placentation
Authors: Sugimoto Jun , Schust Danny J. , Kinjo Tadatsugu , Aoki Yoichi , Jinno Yoshihiro , Kudo Yoshiki
Published: December 2019

We previously identified suppressyn (SUPYN), a placental protein that negatively regulates the cell fusion essential for trophoblast syncytialization via binding to the trophoblast receptor for syncytin-1, ASCT2, and hypothesized that SUPYN may thereby regulate cell-cell fusion in the placenta. Here, we redefine in vivo SUPYN localization using specific monoclonal antibodies in a rare early placental sample, showing SUPYN localization in villous and extravillous trophoblast subtypes, the decidua and even in placental debris in the maternal vasculature. In human trophoblast cell lines, we show SUPYN alters ASCT2 glycosylation within the secretory pathway and that this binding is associated with inhibition of cell fusion. Using newly-optimized trophoblast isolation protocols that allow tracking of ex vivo cell fusion, we present transcription and translation dynamics of fusion-related proteins over 96 hours in culture and the effects of changes in ambient oxygen levels on these processes. We report converse syncytin-1 and SUPYN transcriptional and translational responses to surrounding oxygen concentrations that suggest both are important in the effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on placental syncytialization. Our results suggest that SUPYN’s anti-fusogenic properties may be exerted at several sites in the maternal body and its dysregulation may be associated with diseases of abnormal placentation.
Pectic Oligosaccharides from Cranberry Prevent Quiescence and Persistence in the Uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073
Authors: Sun Jiadong , Deering Robert W. , Peng Zhiyuan , Najia Laila , Khoo Christina , Cohen Paul S. , Seeram Navindra P. , Rowley David C.
Published: December 2019

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli create a large burden on healthcare and frequently lead to recurrent infections. Part of the success of E. coli as an uropathogenic bacterium can be attributed to its ability to form quiescent intracellular reservoirs in bladder cells and its persistence after antibiotic treatment. Cranberry juice and related products have been used for the prevention of UTIs with varying degrees of success. In this study, a group of cranberry pectic oligosaccharides (cPOS) were found to both inhibit quiescence and reduce the population of persister cells formed by the uropathogenic strain, CFT073. This is the first report detailing constituents of cranberry with the ability to modulate these important physiological aspects of uropathogenic E. coli. Further studies investigating cranberry should be keen to include oligosaccharides as part of the ‘active’ cocktail of chemical compounds.
Treatment evaluation to improve preventing mother to child transmission among women with syphilis
Authors: Gong Tian , Shao Yan , Liu Juning , Wu Qianlan , Xu Rong , Sun Li , Peng Xiaoju
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preventing mother to child syphilis transmission to improve pregnancy outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of municipal databases of mother-to-child syphilis transmission. Pregnant women with syphilis were included. Group specific pregnancy outcomes were analyzed according to treatment. A total of 28 pregnant women were diagnosed with syphilis in 2012; 321 were diagnosed with syphilis in 2018. A prevalence of 0.14% was observed amongst pregnant women in Suzhou city from 2012–2018. Primary treatments included benzathine penicillin, ceftriaxone sodium or erythromycin when patients were allergic to Benzathine penicillin. The treatment coverage was 81.57%, and only 52.86% of pregnant women were adequately treated. Adverse pregnant outcomes were higher amongst untreated women. Expanding early screening coverage and promoting treatment were key to improving pregnancy outcomes amongst women with syphilis.
Encoding kirigami bi-materials to morph on target in response to temperature
Authors: Liu Lu , Qiao Chuan , An Haichao , Pasini Damiano
Published: December 2019

Shape morphing in response to an environmental stimulus, such as temperature, light, and chemical cues, is currently pursued in synthetic analogs for manifold applications in engineering, architecture, and beyond. Existing strategies mostly resort to active, namely smart or field responsive, materials, which undergo a change of their physical properties when subjected to an external stimulus. Their ability for shape morphing is intrinsic to the atomic/molecular structure as well as the mechanochemical interactions of their constituents. Programming shape changes with active materials require manipulation of their composition through chemical synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that a pair of off-the-shelf passive solids, such as wood and silicone rubber, can be topologically arranged in a kirigami bi-material to shape-morph on target in response to a temperature stimulus. A coherent framework is introduced to enable the optimal orchestration of bi-material units that can engage temperature to collectively deploy into a geometrically rich set of periodic and aperiodic shapes that can shape-match a predefined target. The results highlight reversible morphing by mechanics and geometry, thus contributing to relax the dependence of current strategies on material chemistry and fabrication.
Jatrorrhizine Balances the Gut Microbiota and Reverses Learning and Memory Deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Wang Sheng , Jiang Wei , Ouyang Ting , Shen Xiu-Yin , Wang Fen , Qu Yu-hua , Zhang Min , Luo Tao , Wang Hua-Qiao
Published: December 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental components and has become a major public health issue throughout the world. Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the evolution of those major pathological symptoms. Jatrorrhizine (JAT), a main component of a traditional Chinese herbal, coptidis rhizome, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and we previously showed that it is also able to clear oxygen free radicals and reduce inflammatory responses. In this study, we demonstrated that JAT administration could alleviate the learning and memory deficits in AD. Furthermore, we also found that JAT treatment reduced the levels of Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. Other studies suggest that there are gut microbiome alterations in AD. In order to explore the underlying mechanisms between gut microbiota and AD, DNA sequencing for 16s rDNA V3-V4 was performed in fecal samples from APP/PS1 transgenic mice and C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice. Our results indicated that APP/PS1 mice showed less Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) abundance in gut microbiota than WT mice and with different composition. Furthermore, JAT treatment enriched OTUs abundance and alpha diversity in APP/PS1 mice compared to WT mice. High dose of JAT treatment altered the abundance of some specific gut microbiota such as the most predominant phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, APP/PS1 mice display gut dysbiosis, and JAT treatment not only improved the memory deficits, but also regulated the abundance of the microbiota. This may provide a therapeutic way to balance the gut dysbiosis in AD patients.
Oblique Electrostatic Inkjet-Deposited TiO2 Electron Transport Layers for Efficient Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Shahiduzzaman Md. , Sakuma Toshiharu , Kaneko Tetsuya , Tomita Koji , Isomura Masao , Taima Tetsuya , Umezu Shinjiro , Iwamori Satoru
Published: December 2019

In this study, a new, simple, and novel oblique electrostatic inkjet (OEI) technique is developed to deposit a titanium oxide (TiO2) compact layer (CL) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate without the need for a vacuum environment for the first time. The TiO2 is used as electron transport layers (ETL) in planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This bottom-up OEI technique enables the control of the surface morphology and thickness of the TiO2 CL by simply manipulating the coating time. The OEI-fabricated TiO2 is characterized tested and the results are compared with that of TiO2 CLs produced by spin-coating and spray pyrolysis. The OEI-deposited TiO2 CL exhibits satisfactory surface coverage and smooth morphology, conducive for the ETLs in PSCs. The power-conversion efficiencies of PSCs with OEI-deposited TiO2 CL as the ETL were as high as 13.19%. Therefore, the present study provides an important advance in the effort to develop simple, low-cost, and easily scaled-up techniques. OEI may be a new candidate for depositing TiO2 CL ETLs for highly efficient planar PSCs, thus potentially contributing to future mass production.
Cyanidioschyzon merolae aurora kinase phosphorylates evolutionarily conserved sites on its target to regulate mitochondrial division
Authors: Kato Shoichi , Okamura Erika , Matsunaga Tomoko M. , Nakayama Minami , Kawanishi Yuki , Ichinose Takako , Iwane Atsuko H. , Sakamoto Takuya , Imoto Yuuta , Ohnuma Mio , Nomura Yuko , Nakagami Hirofumi , Kuroiwa Haruko , Kuroiwa Tsuneyoshi , Matsunaga Sachihiro
Published: December 2019

The mitochondrion is an organelle that was derived from an endosymbiosis. Although regulation of mitochondrial growth by the host cell is necessary for the maintenance of mitochondria, it is unclear how this regulatory mechanism was acquired. To address this, we studied the primitive unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, which has the simplest eukaryotic genome and a single mitochondrion. Here we show that the C. merolae Aurora kinase ortholog CmAUR regulates mitochondrial division through phosphorylation of mitochondrial division ring components. One of the components, the Drp1 ortholog CmDnm1, has at least four sites phosphorylated by CmAUR. Depletion of the phosphorylation site conserved among eukaryotes induced defects such as mitochondrial distribution on one side of the cell. Taken together with the observation that human Aurora kinase phosphorylates Drp1 in vitro, we suggest that the phosphoregulation is conserved from the simplest eukaryotes to mammals, and was acquired at the primitive stage of endosymbiosis.
Electrochemical biosensors based on antibody, nucleic acid and enzyme functionalized graphene for the detection of disease-related biomolecules
Authors: Wang Chen-Feng , Sun Xin-Yue , Su Ming , Wang Yi-Peng , Lv Yun-Kai
Published: December 2019

The application of biomacromolecule functionalized graphene electrochemical biosensors in the detection of pathogens and disease markers was reviewed.
Application of chemometric tools for homogeneity and stability evaluation during the preparation of a powdered milk laboratory reference material for inorganic analysis
Authors: Santos Adilson S. , dos Santos Liz O. , dos Santos Ivanice F. , dos Santos Kelly R. , Ferreira Sergio L. C.
Published: December 2019

Powdered milk and its derivatives are widely consumed worldwide, which require the development of reference materials for the evaluation of analytical methodologies that are developed for the analysis of these samples.
The construction of a CND/Cu2+ fluorescence sensing system for the ultrasensitive detection of glyphosate
Authors: Wang Xianfeng , Sakinati Mina , Yang Yixia , Ma Yi , Yang Mei , Luo Huibo , Hou Changjun , Huo Danqun
Published: December 2019

Illustration of “turn-on” fluorescent sensor based on CND/Cu2+ system for ultrasensitive detection of glyphosate.
Bioinspired, ATP-driven co-operative supramolecular polymerization and its pathway dependence
Authors: Mishra Ananya , Korlepara Divya B. , Balasubramanian Sundaram , George Subi J.
Published: December 2019

An ATP-triggered strategy to achieve pathway dependency for the co-operative supramolecular polymerization of an amphiphilic monomer.
A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton–Todd-type reaction under open air
Authors: Ou Yingcong , Huang Yuanting , He Zhenlin , Yu Guodian , Huo Yanping , Li Xianwei , Gao Yang , Chen Qian
Published: December 2019

A phosphoryl radical-initiated Atherton–Todd-type reaction enables the phosphorylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines under mild reaction conditions.
Inhibition of volatilization and polycrystalline cracking, and the optical properties of β-Ga2O3 grown by the EFG method
Authors: Tang Huili , He Nuotian , Zhang Hao , Liu Bo , Zhu Zhichao , Xu Mengxuan , Chen Liang , Liu Jinliang , Ouyang Xiaoping , Xu Jun
Published: December 2019

Large-size β-Ga2O3 single crystals without sub-grain boundaries and cracks were grown by the optimized EFG technology.
Role of substituents on resonance assisted hydrogen bonding vs. intermolecular hydrogen bonding
Authors: Gurbanov Atash V. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Demukhamedova Svetlana D. , Alieva Irada N. , Godjaev Niftali M. , Zubkov Fedor I. , Mahmudov Kamran T. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: December 2019

Resonance assisted hydrogen bond (RAHB) ring can be weakened/opened by a strong electron-donor (ED) group.
Unravelling the early oxidation mechanism of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) surfaces by adsorbed oxygen and water: a first-principles DFT-D3 investigation
Authors: Dzade Nelson Y.
Published: December 2019

This work unravels the early oxidation mechanism of the (001), (101), and (110) Zn3P2 surfaces in the presence of oxygen and water, using first-principles DFT-D3 calculations.
Role of van der Waals interaction in enhancing the photon absorption capability of the MoS2/2D heterostructure
Authors: Saini Himanshu , Jyothirmai M. V. , Waghmare Umesh V. , Thapa Ranjit
Published: December 2019

van der Waals (vdW) interaction-based heterostructures are identified for enhanced photon absorption proficiency.
Dicerium letterbox-shaped tetraphenolates: f-block complexes designed for two-electron chemistry
Authors: Arnold Polly L. , Wang Kai , Gray Steven J. , Moreau Liane M. , Booth Corwin H. , Curcio Massimiliano , Wells Jordann A. L. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z.
Published: December 2019

Well-defined dinuclear lanthanide complexes: stabilisation of both CeIII and CeIV.
A mixed-ligand strategy regulates thorium-based MOFs
Authors: Huang Zhi-wei , Hu Kong-qiu , Mei Lei , Kong Xiang-he , Yu Ji-pan , Liu Kang , Zeng Li-wen , Chai Zhi-Fang , Shi Wei-Qun
Published: December 2019

A thorium-based MOF formedviathe synergistic construction of porphyrin and bipyridyl based on the mixed-ligand strategy has the effect of enhancing photocatalysis.
High-performance room-temperature sodium–sulfur battery enabled by electrocatalytic sodium polysulfides full conversion
Authors: Wang Nana , Wang Yunxiao , Bai Zhongchao , Fang Zhiwei , Zhang Xiao , Xu Zhongfei , Ding Yu , Xu Xun , Du Yi , Dou Shixue , Yu Guihua
Published: December 2019

Developing novel gold nanoclusters as an electrocatalyst can facilitate a completely reversible reaction between S and Na, achieving advanced high-energy-density room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries.
Photochemistry of iron in aquatic environments
Authors: Lueder Ulf , Jørgensen Bo Barker , Kappler Andreas , Schmidt Caroline
Published: December 2019

Light-induced reduction of Fe(iii) delivers Fe(ii) as nutrient or substrate for growth of planktonic or sedimentary organisms. Biological uptake, as well as chemical or microbial oxidation of Fe(ii) close this photochemically driven iron cycle.
Effect of influent carbon fractionation and reactor configuration on mainstream nitrogen removal and NOB out-selection
Authors: Klaus Stephanie A. , Sadowski Michael S. , Kinyua Maureen N. , Miller Mark W. , Regmi Pusker , Wett Bernhard , De Clippeleir Haydée , Chandran Kartik , Bott Charles B.
Published: December 2019

The magnitude of A-stage effluent particulate COD correlated negatively with B-stage NOB rate during fully intermittent aeration. This was likely due to heterotrophic competition for nitrite during intermittent aeration.
Combined experimental and computational studies on preferential CO2 adsorption over a zinc-based porous framework solid
Authors: Saha Debraj , Gayen Saikat , Maity Tanmoy , Frontera Antonio , Ortega-Castro Joaquín , Leus Karen , Wang Guangbo , Van Der Voort Pascal , Brandão Paula , Koner Subratanath
Published: December 2019

Synthesis, characterization and study of selective CO2 adsorption over other small gas molecules on a Zn-based porous framework compound.