bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-3148 acts as molecular switch promoting malignant transformation and adipocytic differentiation of immortalized human bone marrow stromal cells via direct targeting of the SMAD2/TGFβ pathway
Authors: Vishnubalaji Radhakrishnan , Elango Ramesh , Manikandan Muthurangan , Siyal Abdul-Aziz , Ali Dalia , Al-Rikabi Ammar , Hamam Dana , Hamam Rimi , Benabdelkamel Hicham , Masood Afshan , Alanazi Ibrahim O. , Alfadda Assim A. , Alfayez Musaad , Aldahmash Abdullah , Kassem Moustapha , Alajez Nehad M.
Published: September 2020

MicroRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) play a key role in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression and are implicated in a number of physiological and pathological conditions, including cellular malignant transformation. In the current study, we investigated the role of miR-3148 in regulating human stromal (mesenchymal) stem cell (hMSC) differentiation and transformation. Stable expression of miR-3148 in telomerized hMSC (hMSC-miR-3148) led to significant increase in in vitro adipocytic differentiation and suppression of osteoblastic differentiation. Concordantly, global gene expression profiling revealed significant enrichment in cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, and pathways related to enhanced cell movement and survival, whereas processes related to bone and connective tissue developments, cell death, apoptosis, and necrosis were downregulated. Global proteomic analysis using 2D-DIGE followed by mass spectrometry (MS) revealed significant changes in protein expression in hMSC-miR-3148 and enrichment in protein networks associated with carcinogenesis. Functional studies revealed that hMSC-miR-3148 exhibited enhanced in vitro cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, sphere formation, doxorubicin resistance, and increased active number of cells in S and G2/M cell cycle phases and formed sarcoma-like tumors with adipocyte infiltration when implanted into immunocompromised mice. SMAD2 was identified as bone fide gene target for miR-3148 using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and UTR-based reporter assay. In agreement with our data, SMAD2 expression was downregulated in 47% of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that elevated miR-3148 expression correlates with poor prognosis in several human cancer types, including sarcoma. Our study identified miR-3148 as factor regulating hMSC differentiation and is involved in promoting malignant transformation of telomerized hMSC.
Correction to: Cancer immunotherapy with γδ T cells: many paths ahead of us
Authors: Kabelitz Dieter , Serrano Ruben , Kouakanou Léonce , Peters Christian , Kalyan Shirin
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
ddRAD sequencing-based genotyping for population structure analysis in cultivated tomato provides new insights into the genomic diversity of Mediterranean ‘da serbo’ type long shelf-life germplasm
Authors: Esposito Salvatore , Cardi Teodoro , Campanelli Gabriele , Sestili Sara , Díez María José , Soler Salvador , Prohens Jaime , Tripodi Pasquale
Published: September 2020

Double digest restriction-site associated sequencing (ddRAD-seq) is a flexible and cost-effective strategy for providing in-depth insights into the genetic architecture of germplasm collections. Using this methodology, we investigated the genomic diversity of a panel of 288 diverse tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) accessions enriched in ‘da serbo’ (called ‘de penjar’ in Spain) long shelf life (LSL) materials (152 accessions) mostly originating from Italy and Spain. The rest of the materials originate from different countries and include landraces for fresh consumption, elite cultivars, heirlooms, and breeding lines. Apart from their LSL trait, ‘da serbo’ landraces are of remarkable interest for their resilience. We identified 32,799 high-quality SNPs, which were used for model ancestry population structure and non-parametric hierarchical clustering. Six genetic subgroups were revealed, clearly separating most ‘da serbo’ landraces, but also the Spanish germplasm, suggesting a subdivision of the population based on type and geographical provenance. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the collection decayed very rapidly within <5 kb. We then investigated SNPs showing contrasted minor frequency allele (MAF) in ‘da serbo’ materials, resulting in the identification of high frequencies in this germplasm of several mutations in genes related to stress tolerance and fruit maturation such asCTR1andJAR1. Finally, a mini-core collection of 58 accessions encompassing most of the diversity was selected for further exploitation of key traits. Our findings suggest the presence of a genetic footprint of the ‘da serbo’ germplasm selected in the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, we provide novel insights on LSL ‘da serbo’ germplasm as a promising source of alleles for tolerance to stresses.
Tomato fruit as a model for tissue-specific gene silencing in crop plants
Authors: Feder Ari , Jensen Sarah , Wang Anquan , Courtney Lance , Middleton Lesley , Van Eck Joyce , Liu Yongsheng , Giovannoni James J.
Published: September 2020

Use of CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated 9)-mediated genome editing has proliferated for use in numerous plant species to modify gene function and expression, usually in the context of either transient or stably inherited genetic alternations. While extremely useful in many applications, modification of some loci yields outcomes detrimental to further experimental evaluation or viability of the target organism. Expression of Cas9 under a promoter conferring gene knockouts in a tissue-specific subset of genomes has been demonstrated in insect and animal models, and recently in Arabidopsis. We developed an in planta GFP (green fluorescent protein) assay system to demonstrate fruit-specific gene editing in tomato using a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase 2 gene promoter. We then targeted a SET-domain containing polycomb protein, SlEZ2, previously shown to yield pleiotropic phenotypes when targeted via 35S-driven RNA interference and we were able to characterize fruit phenotypes absent additional developmental perturbations. Tissue-specific gene editing will have applications in assessing function of essential genes otherwise difficult to study via germline modifications and will provide routes to edited genomes in tissues that could not otherwise be recovered when their germline modification perturbs their normal development.
Auxin regulation and MdPIN expression during adventitious root initiation in apple cuttings
Authors: Guan Ling , Li Yingjun , Huang Kaihui , Cheng Zong-Ming
Published: September 2020

Adventitious root (AR) formation is critical for the efficient propagation of elite horticultural and forestry crops. Despite decades of research, the cellular processes and molecular mechanisms underlying AR induction in woody plants remain obscure. We examined the details of AR formation in apple (Malus domestica) M.9 rootstock, the most widely used dwarf rootstock for intensive production, and investigated the role of polar auxin transport in postembryonic organogenesis. AR formation begins with a series of founder cell divisions and elongation of the interfascicular cambium adjacent to vascular tissues. This process is associated with a relatively high indole acetic acid (IAA) content and hydrolysis of starch grains. Exogenous auxin treatment promoted this cell division, as well as the proliferation and reorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membrane. In contrast, treatment with the auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) inhibited cell division in the basal region of the cuttings and resulted in abnormal cell divisions during the early stage of AR formation. In addition, PIN-FORMED (PIN) transcripts were differentially expressed throughout the whole AR development process. We also detected upregulation of MdPIN8 and MdPIN10 during induction; upregulation of MdPIN4, MdPIN5, and MdPIN8 during extension; and upregulation of all MdPINs during AR initiation. This research provides an improved understanding of the cellular and molecular underpinnings of the AR process in woody plants.
Penetration of foliar-applied Zn and its impact on apple plant nutrition status: in vivo evaluation by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Xie Ruohan , Zhao Jianqi , Lu Lingli , Brown Patrick , Guo Jiansheng , Tian Shengke
Published: September 2020

The absorption of foliar fertilizer is a complex process and is poorly understood. The ability to visualize and quantify the pathway that elements take following their application to leaf surfaces is critical for understanding the science and for practical applications of foliar fertilizers. By the use of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence to analyze the in vivo localization of elements, our study aimed to investigate the penetration of foliar-applied Zn absorbed by apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves with different physiological surface properties, as well as the possible interactions between foliar Zn level and the mineral nutrient status of treated leaves. The results indicate that the absorption of foliar-applied Zn was largely dependent on plant leaf surface characteristics. High-resolution elemental maps revealed that the high binding capacity of the cell wall for Zn contributed to the observed limitation of Zn penetration across epidermal cells. Trichome density and stomatal aperture had opposite effects on Zn fertilizer penetration: a relatively high density of trichomes increased the hydrophobicity of leaves, whereas the presence of stomata facilitated foliar Zn penetration. Low levels of Zn promoted the accumulation of other mineral elements in treated leaves, and the complexation of Zn with phytic acid potentially occurred owing to exposure to high-Zn conditions. The present study provides direct visual evidence for the Zn penetration process across the leaf surface, which is important for the development of strategies for Zn biofortification in crop species.
Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity
Authors: Sonter Laura J. , Dade Marie C. , Watson James E. M. , Valenta Rick K.
Published: September 2020

Renewable energy production is necessary to halt climate change and reverse associated biodiversity losses. However, generating the required technologies and infrastructure will drive an increase in the production of many metals, creating new mining threats for biodiversity. Here, we map mining areas and assess their spatial coincidence with biodiversity conservation sites and priorities. Mining potentially influences 50 million km2 of Earth’s land surface, with 8% coinciding with Protected Areas, 7% with Key Biodiversity Areas, and 16% with Remaining Wilderness. Most mining areas (82%) target materials needed for renewable energy production, and areas that overlap with Protected Areas and Remaining Wilderness contain a greater density of mines (our indicator of threat severity) compared to the overlapping mining areas that target other materials. Mining threats to biodiversity will increase as more mines target materials for renewable energy production and, without strategic planning, these new threats to biodiversity may surpass those averted by climate change mitigation.
Rational design of DNA nanostructures for single molecule biosensing
Authors: Raveendran Mukhil , Lee Andrew J. , Sharma Rajan , Wälti Christoph , Actis Paolo
Published: September 2020

The ability to detect low concentrations of biomarkers in patient samples is one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare. In general, biosensing approaches are based on measuring signals resulting from the interaction of a large ensemble of molecules with the sensor. Here, we report a biosensor platform using DNA origami featuring a central cavity with a target-specific DNA aptamer coupled with a nanopore read-out to enable individual biomarker detection. We show that the modulation of the ion current through the nanopore upon the DNA origami translocation strongly depends on the presence of the biomarker in the cavity. We exploit this to generate a biosensing platform with a limit of detection of 3 nM and capable of the detection of human C-reactive protein (CRP) in clinically relevant fluids. Future development of this approach may enable multiplexed biomarker detection by using ribbons of DNA origami with integrated barcoding.
Hunting strategies to increase detection of chronic wasting disease in cervids
Authors: Mysterud Atle , Hopp Petter , Alvseike Kristin Ruud , Benestad Sylvie L. , Nilsen Erlend B. , Rolandsen Christer M. , Strand Olav , Våge Jørn , Viljugrein Hildegunn
Published: September 2020

The successful mitigation of emerging wildlife diseases may involve controversial host culling. For livestock, ‘preemptive host culling’ is an accepted practice involving the removal of herds with known contact to infected populations. When applied to wildlife, this proactive approach comes in conflict with biodiversity conservation goals. Here, we present an alternative approach of ‘proactive hunting surveillance’ with the aim of early disease detection that simultaneously avoids undesirable population decline by targeting demographic groups with (1) a higher likelihood of being infected and (2) a lower reproductive value. We applied this harvesting principle to populations of reindeer to substantiate freedom of chronic wasting disease (CWD) infection. Proactive hunting surveillance reached 99% probability of freedom from infection (<4 reindeer infected) within 3–5 years, in comparison to ~10 years using ordinary harvest surveillance. However, implementation uncertainties linked to social issues appear challenging also with this kind of host culling.
Infrared retinal images for flashless detection of macular edema
Authors: Ajaz Aqsa , Kumar Dinesh K.
Published: September 2020

This study evaluates the use of infrared (IR) images of the retina, obtained without flashes of light, for machine-based detection of macular oedema (ME). A total of 41 images of 21 subjects, here with 23 cases and 18 controls, were studied. Histogram and gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) parameters were extracted from the IR retinal images. The diagnostic performance of the histogram and GLCM parameters was calculated in hindsight based on the known labels of each image. The results from the one-way ANOVA indicated there was a significant difference between ME eyes and the controls when using GLCM features, with the correlation feature having the highest area under the curve (AUC) (AZ) value. The performance of the proposed method was also evaluated using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier that gave sensitivity and specificity of 100%. This research shows that the texture of the IR images of the retina has a significant difference between ME eyes and the controls and that it can be considered for machine-based detection of ME without requiring flashes of light.
Heritability of overlapping impulsivity and compulsivity dimensional phenotypes
Authors: Tiego Jeggan , Chamberlain Samuel R. , Harrison Ben J. , Dawson Andrew , Albertella Lucy , Youssef George J. , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Yücel Murat
Published: September 2020

Impulsivity and compulsivity are traits relevant to a range of mental health problems and have traditionally been conceptualised as distinct constructs. Here, we reconceptualised impulsivity and compulsivity as partially overlapping phenotypes using a bifactor modelling approach and estimated heritability for their shared and unique phenotypic variance within a classical twin design. Adult twin pairs (N = 173) completed self-report questionnaires measuring psychological processes related to impulsivity and compulsivity. We fitted variance components models to three uncorrelated phenotypic dimensions: a general impulsive–compulsive dimension; and two narrower phenotypes related to impulsivity and obsessiveness.There was evidence of moderate heritability for impulsivity (A2 = 0.33), modest additive genetic or common environmental effects for obsessiveness (A2 = 0.25; C2 = 0.23), and moderate effects of common environment (C2 = 0.36) for the general dimension, This general impulsive–compulsive phenotype may reflect a quantitative liability to related mental health disorders that indexes exposure to potentially modifiable environmental risk factors.
Host age is not a consistent predictor of microbial diversity in the coral Porites lutea
Authors: Wainwright Benjamin J. , Zahn Geoffrey L. , Afiq-Rosli Lutfi , Tanzil Jani T. I. , Huang Danwei
Published: September 2020

Corals harbour diverse microbial communities that can change in composition as the host grows in age and size. Larger and older colonies have been shown to host a higher diversity of microbial taxa and this has been suggested to be a consequence of their more numerous, complex and varied micro-niches available. However, the effects of host age on community structure and diversity of microbial associates remain equivocal in the few studies performed to date. To test this relationship more robustly, we use established techniques to accurately determine coral host age by quantifying annual skeletal banding patterns, and utilise high-throughput sequencing to comprehensively characterise the microbiome of the common reef-building coral,Porites lutea. Our results indicate no clear link between coral age and microbial diversity or richness. Different sites display distinct age-dependent diversity patterns, with more anthropogenically impacted reefs appearing to show a winnowing of microbial diversity with host age, possibly a consequence of corals adapting to degraded environments. Less impacted sites do not show a signature of winnowing, and we observe increases in microbial richness and diversity as the host ages. Furthermore, we demonstrate that corals of a similar age from the same reef can show very different microbial richness and diversity.
A novel fusion based on the evolutionary features for protein fold recognition using support vector machines
Authors: Refahi Mohammad Saleh , Mir A. , Nasiri Jalal A.
Published: September 2020

Protein fold recognition plays a crucial role in discovering three-dimensional structure of proteins and protein functions. Several approaches have been employed for the prediction of protein folds. Some of these approaches are based on extracting features from protein sequences and using a strong classifier. Feature extraction techniques generally utilize syntactical-based information, evolutionary-based information and physicochemical-based information to extract features. In recent years, finding an efficient technique for integrating discriminate features have been received advancing attention. In this study, we integrate Auto-Cross-Covariance and Separated dimer evolutionary feature extraction methods. The results’ features are scored by Information gain to define and select several discriminated features. According to three benchmark datasets, DD, RDD ,and EDD, the results of the support vector machine show more than 6$$\%$$%improvement in accuracy on these benchmark datasets.
Basal and cold-induced fatty acid uptake of human brown adipose tissue is impaired in obesity
Authors: Saari T. J. , Raiko J. , U-Din M. , Niemi T. , Taittonen M. , Laine J. , Savisto N. , Haaparanta-Solin M. , Nuutila P. , Virtanen K. A.
Published: September 2020

Fatty acids (FA) are important substrates for brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolism, however, it remains unclear whether there exists a difference in FA metabolism of BAT between lean and obese healthy humans. In this study we evaluated supraclavicular BAT fatty acid uptake (FAU) along with blood perfusion in lean and obese subjects during cold exposure and at room temperature using positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Additionally, tissue samples were taken from supraclavicular region (typical BAT region) from a subset of subjects to evaluate histological presence of BAT. Non-shivering cold stress elevated FAU and perfusion of BAT in lean, but not in obese subjects. Lean subjects had greater FAU in BAT compared to obese subjects during cold exposure and interestingly also at room temperature. The higher BAT FAU was related to younger age and several indicators of superior systemic metabolic health. The subjects who manifested BAT histologically had several folds higher BAT FAU compared to subjects with no such histological manifestation. Together, obese subjects have less active tissue in supraclavicular region both in basal and cold-activated state and the FA metabolism of BAT is blunted in obesity.
Neural processing of olfactory-related words in subjects with congenital and acquired olfactory dysfunction
Authors: Joshi Akshita , Han Pengfei , Faria Vanda , Larsson Maria , Hummel Thomas
Published: September 2020

Olfactory loss can be acquired (patients with a history of olfactory experiences), or inborn (patients without olfactory experiences/life-long inability to smell). Inborn olfactory loss, or congenital anosmia (CA), is relatively rare and there is a knowledge gap regarding the compensatory neural mechanisms involved in this condition. The study aimed to investigate the top-down olfactory processing in patients with CA or idiopathic acquired anosmia (IA) in comparison to normosmia controls (NC) during expectancy and reading of odor-associated words. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess brain activations in 14 patients with CA, 8 patients with IA, and 16 NC healthy participants during an expectancy and reading task. Words with strong olfactory associations (OW) (e.g. “banana”) or with little or no olfactory associations (CW) (e.g. “chair”) were used as stimuli and were presented with a block design Analyses were conducted to explore the brain activation in response to OW expectancy or OW reading between groups (CW as baseline). During the expectancy condition of OW, IA and NC groups showed stronger activation in posterior OFC extending to right insula, caudate region and frontal medial OFC respectively. Whereas during the reading condition of OW, CA patients showed stronger activation in posterior OFC extending to the insula. Increased activation of higher-order brain regions related to multisensory integration among CA patients suggests a compensatory mechanism for processing semantic olfactory cues.
Multifractal characterization of the Coniacian–Santonian OAE3 in lacustrine and marine deposits based on spectral gamma ray logs
Authors: Kouamelan Kouamelan Serge , Zou Changchun , Wang Chengshan , Assie Konan Roger , Peng Cheng , Mondah Ohouo Rebecca , N’dri Koffi Alexis , Brantson Eric Thompson
Published: September 2020

Limited to the Atlantic and its surrounding basins, the expression of the Coniacian–Santonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE3) was discovered in the non-marine Cretaceous Songliao Basin, Eastern Asia not long ago. In this study, based on spectral gamma ray logs data recorded in three basins, the self-similarity of the OAE3 was studied through the analysis of the scaling properties of thorium–potassium and thorium–uranium distributions both in marine and terrestrial environments using the multifractal detrending fluctuation analysis. The results indicate that, in both marine and terrestrial systems, the OAE3 intervals are characterized by their multifractal nature due to long-range correlation. However, the multifractal features of the studied OAE3 intervals are different in the three basins, although some common trends were observed. By comparing the degree of multifractality of the OAE3 deposits with the clay minerals and the redox conditions, it appears that the changes of the multifractal features are controlled by local changes such as clay mineralogy and redox conditions in both milieus under different sedimentation patterns. At all sites, the left side shortened spectrum of the thorium–potassium distribution suggests the presence of local fluctuations with minor amplitudes during the OAE3. Furthermore, the shortened singularity spectrum of the thorium–uranium distribution reflects the existence of small-scale fluctuations with large amplitudes at marine sites while in the non-marine Songliao Basin, the thorium–uranium distribution suggests the presence of local fluctuations with small amplitudes during the OAE3. Therefore, a more local behavior of the event is considered although the regional character is not neglected.
Currently favored sampling practices for tumor sequencing can produce optimal results in the clinical setting
Authors: Pongor Lőrinc S. , Munkácsy Gyöngyi , Vereczkey Ildikó , Pete Imre , Győrffy Balázs
Published: September 2020

Tumor heterogeneity is a consequence of clonal evolution, resulting in a fractal-like architecture with spatially separated main clones, sub-clones and single-cells. As sequencing an entire tumor is not feasible, we ask the question whether there is an optimal clinical sampling strategy that can handle heterogeneity and hypermutations? Here, we tested the effect of sample size, pooling strategy as well as sequencing depth using whole-exome sequencing of ovarian tumor specimens paired with normal blood samples. Our study has an emphasis on clinical application—hence we compared single biopsy, combined local biopsies and combined multi-regional biopsies. Our results show that sequencing from spatially neighboring regions show similar genetic compositions, with few private mutations. Pooling samples from multiple distinct regions of the primary tumor did not increase the overall number of identified mutations but may increase the robustness of detecting clonal mutations. Hypermutating tumors are a special case, since increasing sample size can easily dilute sub-clonal private mutations below detection thresholds. In summary, we compared the effects of sampling strategies (single biopsy, multiple local samples, pooled global sample) on mutation detection by next generation sequencing. In view of the limitations of present tools and technologies, only one sequencing run per sample combined with high coverage (100–300 ×) sequencing is affordable and practical, regardless of the number of samples taken from the same patient.
Compared DNA and RNA quality of breast cancer biobanking samples after long-term storage protocols in − 80 °C and liquid nitrogen
Authors: Babel Maximilian , Mamilos Andreas , Seitz Stephan , Niedermair Tanja , Weber Florian , Anzeneder Tobias , Ortmann Olaf , Dietmaier Wolfgang , Brochhausen Christoph
Published: September 2020

Molecular investigations are crucial for further developments in precision medicine. RNA sequencing, alone or in combination with further omic-analyses, resulted in new therapeutic strategies. In this context, biobanks represent infrastructures to store tissue samples and body fluids in combination with clinical data to promote research for new predictive and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic candidate molecules. Until today, the optimal storage conditions are a matter of debate especially with view to the storage temperature. In this unique approach we compared parallel samples from the same tumour, one half stored at − 80 °C and one half in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen, with almost identical pre-analytical conditions. We demonstrated that RNA isolated from breast cancer samples revealed significantly higher RINe-values after 10 years of storage in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen compared to storage at − 80 °C. In contrast, no significant difference was found regarding the DIN-values after DNA isolation. Morphological changes of the nucleus and cytoplasm, especially in the samples stored at − 80 °C, gave insights to degenerative effects, most possibly due to the storage protocol and its respective peculiarities. In addition, our results indicate that exact point-to point documentation beginning at the sample preparation is mandatory.
Detection ofPseudomonas aeruginosaquorum sensing molecules at an electrified liquid|liquid micro-interface through facilitated proton transfer
Authors: Burgoyne Edward D. , Molina-Osorio Andrés F. , Moshrefi Reza , Shanahan Rachel , McGlacken Gerard P. , Stockmann Talia Jane , Scanlon Micheál D.
Published: September 2020

Miniaturization of electrochemical detection ofPseudomonas aeruginosaquorum sensing molecules at a liquid/liquid interface through facilitated proton transfer reactions.
Rhodium-catalysed diastereo- and enantio-selective cyclopropanation of α-boryl styrenes
Authors: Sun Xiao , Gu Peiming , Qin Jiao , Su Yan
Published: September 2020

A rhodium-catalyzed diastereo- and enantio-selective cyclopropanation of α-boryl styrenes with α-diazoarylacetates was established.
Probing the active sites for methane activation on Ga/ZSM-5 zeolites with solid-state NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Xingling , Chu Yueying , Qi Guodong , Wang Qiang , Gao Wei , Wang Xiang , Li Shenhui , Xu Jun , Deng Feng
Published: September 2020

Solid-state NMR reveals that the active Ga species are located on Brønsted acid sites in Ga/ZSM-5 zeolite channels and show strong Lewis acidity for methane activation.
Negative thermal quenching of photoluminescence in a copper–organic framework emitter
Authors: Wu Ting , Jiang Shenlong , Samanta Pabitra Narayan , Xie Yangbin , Li Jipeng , Wang Xiaoling , Devashis Majumdar , Gu Xiangwei , Wang Yusong , Huang Wei , Zhang Qun , Leszczynski Jerzy , Wu Dayu
Published: September 2020

This work reports the observation of the NTQ effect in a copper–organic framework emitter through delocalization–localization transition of its imidazole ligand.
High peroxidase-mimicking activity of gold@platinum bimetallic nanoparticle-supported molybdenum disulfide nanohybrids for the selective colorimetric analysis of cysteine
Authors: Wan Ling , Wu Liquan , Su Shao , Zhu Dan , Chao Jie , Wang Lianhui
Published: September 2020

A sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor was designed for cysteine detection based on a high activity peroxidase-mimicking gold@platinum bimetallic nanoparticle-supported molybdenum disulfide nanohybrid.
Effects of pH and ions on the morphological evolution of boehmite prepared by hydrothermal treatment of ultrafine Bayer gibbsite
Authors: Huang Wenqiang , Liu Guihua , Qi Tiangui , Li Xiaobin , Zhou Qiusheng , Peng Zhihong
Published: September 2020

Boehmite morphology depended on the pH and ions of the solution by hydrothermal treatment of gibbsite owing to the difference in nucleation and growth of boehmite from Al3+, Al(OH)4− or the Al(OH)4−Na+ ion pair.
Methylene spacer regulated variation in supramolecular assembly of zinc(ii) dicyanamide complexes with reduced Schiff base ligands: synthesis, structure and DFT study
Authors: Karmakar Mainak , Frontera Antonio , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: September 2020

Three tetranuclear zinc dicyanamide complexes with three potential hexadentate reduced Schiff base ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The DFT study is devoted to the analysis of the competition between C–H⋯π and π⋯π interactions.
Electric field induced intra-molecular self-redox: superalkali Li3N3Mg as a candidate for NLO molecular switches
Authors: Yi Xiu-Guang , Wang Yin-Feng , Qin Tian , Liu Xue-Xia , Jiang Shu-Ling , Huang Jiangen , Yang Kai , Li Jia , Li Zhi-Ru
Published: September 2020

Electric field induced intramolecular self-redox from Li32+N33−Mg+ to Li3+N33−Mg2+ indicates Li3N3Mg to be a candidate for intra-molecular self-redox NLO switches.
Boron-based ternary Rb6Be2B6 cluster featuring unique sandwich geometry and a naked hexagonal boron ring
Authors: Wang Ying-Jin , Feng Lin-Yan , Xu Li , Hou Xiang-Ru , Li Nan , Miao Chang-Qing , Zhai Hua-Jin
Published: September 2020

Boron-based ternary Rb6Be2B6 cluster features a naked hexagonal boron ring and unique “Big Mac” sandwich shape, being stabilized collectively by four-fold 2σ/6π/6σ/2σ aromaticity.
Predicted strong spin-phonon interactions in Li-doped diamond
Authors: Gentile Francesco S. , Mackrodt William C. , Allan Neil L. , Dovesi Roberto
Published: September 2020

DFT calculations of the Li substitutional defect in diamond indicate that the quartet spin state is lower in energy than the doublet, with unprecedented differences in the frequency and intensity in the Raman spectra of the two states.
Intrinsic electronic spectra of cryogenically prepared protoporphyrin IX ions in vacuo – deprotonation-induced Stark shifts
Authors: Zagorec-Marks Wyatt , Smith James E. T. , Foreman Madison M. , Sharma Sandeep , Weber J. Mathias
Published: September 2020

We present electronic spectra containing the Qx and Qy absorption bands of singly and doubly deprotonated protoporphyrin IX, prepared as mass selected ions in vacuo at cryogenic temperatures, revealing vibronic structure of both bands.
The local structure of self-doped BiS2-based layered systems as a function of temperature
Authors: Pugliese G. M. , Paris E. , Capone F. G. , Stramaglia F. , Wakita T. , Terashima K. , Yokoya T. , Mizokawa T. , Mizuguchi Y. , Saini N. L.
Published: September 2020

The local structure of BiS2-based compounds shows an asymmetric Bi-environment with a crucial role of the axial sulfur distance in the electronic transport.
Simulation on diffusivity and statistical size of polymer chains in polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Huang Jian-Hua , Sun Dan-Dan , Lu Rong-Xing , Zhang Huan , Khan Raja Azhar Ashraaf
Published: September 2020

The behavior of polymer diffusivity can be explained by the cooperation of polymer adsorption and nanoparticle-exchange motion.
Metalloenzyme-mimic innate G-quadruplex DNAzymes using directly coordinated metal ions as active centers
Authors: Yu Yali , Zhang Qingqing , Gao Heng , Yan Chenxiao , Zheng Xiong , Yang Tong , Zhou Xiaoshun , Shao Yong
Published: September 2020

Metal ion-coordinated G-quadruplexes were first demonstrated to behave like metalloenzymes using directly complexed metal ions as the active centers.
Estimating the accuracy of the MARTINI model towards the investigation of peripheral protein–membrane interactions
Authors: Srinivasan Sriraksha , Zoni Valeria , Vanni Stefano
Published: September 2020

In this article, we investigate the ability of the MARTINI CG force field, specifically the 3 open-beta version, to reproduce known experimental observations regarding the membrane binding behavior of 12 peripheral membrane proteins and peptides.
Controllable membrane remodeling by a modified fragment of the apoptotic protein Bax
Authors: Schaefer Katherine G. , Grau Brayan , Moore Nicolas , Mingarro Ismael , King Gavin M. , Barrera Francisco N.
Published: September 2020

We strategically introduced glutamic acid residues into a short sequence of the Bax protein that constitutively creates membrane pores. The resulting BaxE5 achieves acidity-triggered membrane remodeling.
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids regulate chemerin in cultured adipocytes: role of GPR120 and derived lipid mediators
Authors: Sáinz N. , Fernández-Galilea M. , Costa A. G. V. , Prieto-Hontoria P. L. , Barraco G. M. , Moreno-Aliaga M. J.
Published: September 2020

n-3 PUFAs block the TNF-α-stimulatory effect on chemerin through GPR120 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RvD1, RvD2 and MaR1 also prevent TNF-α actions on chemerin in human adipocytes.
Bolus rheology and ease of swallowing of particulated semi-solid foods as evaluated by an elderly panel
Authors: Ben Tobin Aarti , Mihnea Mihaela , Hildenbrand Marie , Miljkovic Ana , Garrido-Bañuelos Gonzalo , Xanthakis Epameinondas , Lopez-Sanchez Patricia
Published: September 2020

Preparation of a bolus is a complex process with both food comminution and degree of lubrication with saliva playing an important role in a safe swallow.
Stabilization of Cu+by tuning a CuO–CeO2interface for selective electrochemical CO2reduction to ethylene
Authors: Chu Senlin , Yan Xupeng , Choi Changhyeok , Hong Song , Robertson Alex W. , Masa Justus , Han Buxing , Jung Yousung , Sun Zhenyu
Published: September 2020

By utilizing the synergistic interaction between CuO and CeO2, the stabilization of Cu+species at a metal–oxide interface is realized. H2production is considerably suppressed, resulting in enhanced ethylene production with a high FE of 50.0%.
Microfluidic-prepared, monodisperse, X-ray-visible, embolic microspheres for non-oncological embolization applications
Authors: Beh Cyrus W. , Fu Yingli , Weiss Clifford R. , Hu Charles , Arepally Aravind , Mao Hai-Quan , Wang Tza-Huei , Kraitchman Dara L.
Published: September 2020

A multi-nozzle device incorporating pseudo-check valves rapidly generates monodisperse, spherical microbeads, impregnated with X-ray contrast agents, suitable for targeted embolic therapy.
A comparative experimental and theoretical study of the mechanism of graphene oxide mild reduction by ascorbic acid andN-acetyl cysteine for biomedical applications
Authors: Marrani Andrea Giacomo , Motta Alessandro , Palmieri Valentina , Perini Giordano , Papi Massimiliano , Dalchiele Enrique A. , Schrebler Ricardo , Zanoni Robertino
Published: September 2020

Use ofN-acetyl cysteine and ascorbic acid in the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) represents a new step towards GO derivatives with tailored functionalities and oxidation degree for optimized biomedical applications.
Suppressing vanadium crossover using sulfonated aromatic ion exchange membranes for high performance flow batteries
Authors: Wang Tongshuai , Han Junyoung , Kim Kihyun , Münchinger Andreas , Gao Yuechen , Farchi Alain , Choe Yoong-Kee , Kreuer Klaus-Dieter , Bae Chulsung , Kim Sangil
Published: September 2020

Novel ion exchange membrane with just the right width of selective aqueous ionic domain (<0.6 nm) and unique functionalities show extraordinary ion selectivity. These unique ion transport properties of our membrane is reflected in a remarkable flow battery performance.
Fine tuning and optimization of magnetic hyperthermia treatments using versatile trapezoidal driving-field waveforms
Authors: Barrera Gabriele , Allia Paolo , Tiberto Paola
Published: September 2020

Magnetic hyperthermia healing treatments are optimized and tuned by exploiting trapezoidal driving fields.
Recent developments in the synthesis and applications of furopyrazoles
Authors: Olyaei Abolfazl , Sadeghpour Madieh
Published: September 2020

This review aims to describe the different strategies developed so far for the synthesis of furopyrazoles and their biological and pharmacological properties.
A novel approach to photoelectrochemical immunoassay for procalcitonin on the basis of SnS2/CdS
Authors: Wang Mengdi , Liu Xuejing , Jia Hongying , Li Yuyang , Ren Xing , Wu Dan , Wang Huan , Wei Qin , Ju Huangxian
Published: September 2020

A label-free photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay system based on the one-step synthesis of SnS2/CdS nanocomposites is successfully constructed for sensitively analyzing procalcitonin (PCT).
Dip-coated rapeseed meal composite as a green carrier for light-induced controlled release of pesticide
Authors: Chenxi Yang , Juan Li , Jian Wang , Zhen Guo , Huanyuan Wang , Chendi Shi , Dongwen Hua , Ling Li
Published: September 2020

4-Aminoazobenzene moieties act as light-driven “stirrers” to stimulate the release of pesticide.
The structural properties of silicon-doped DBrTBT/ZnSe solar cell materials: a theoretical study
Authors: Zhang Fulan , Yuan Binfang , Xu Jianhua , Huang Huisheng , Li Laicai
Published: September 2020

A new molecular design for solar cell materials is reported for the silicon-doped 4,7-di(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole adsorbed on ZnSe(100) and ZnSe(111) surfaces.
Lissajous scanning magnetic particle imaging as a multifunctional platform for magnetic hyperthermia therapy
Authors: Wells James , Twamley Shailey , Sekar Aparna , Ludwig Antje , Paysen Hendrik , Kosch Olaf , Wiekhorst Frank
Published: September 2020

Magnetic nanoparticle localisation, remote thermometry and focussed hyperthermia therapy application using Lissajous scanning magnetic particle imaging.
In situ synthesis of silver nanowire gel and its super-elastic composite foams
Authors: Huang Shu , Feng Chuang , Mayes Edwin L. H. , Yao Bicheng , He Zijun , Asadi Sajjad , Alan Tuncay , Yang Jie
Published: September 2020

A very convenient one-pot strategy to fabricate highly porous silver gels via the in situ synthesis of silver nanowires (AgNW).
Nanoporous silver using pulsed laser deposition for high-performance oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen peroxide sensing
Authors: Zhao Xuanliang , Deng Zhongyang , Zhao Wei , Feng Bin , Wang Min , Huang Meirong , Liu Lei , Zou Guisheng , Shao Yang , Zhu Hongwei
Published: September 2020

Nanoporous silver with good electrochemical activity is prepared using pulsed laser deposition and is used for high-performance oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen peroxide sensing.
Polyarylene polyimides with hydrocarbon and semi-fluorinated backbones: synthesis, characterization, and properties
Authors: Budy Stephen M. , Hall Jamie Dore , Son David Y.
Published: September 2020

A highly phenylated diamine was synthesized for the microwave preparation of six new polyimides.
Synthesis and excited state processes of arrays containing amine-rich carbon dots and unsymmetrical rylene diimides
Authors: Đorđević Luka , Haines Philipp , Cacioppo Michele , Arcudi Francesca , Scharl Tobias , Cadranel Alejandro , Guldi Dirk M. , Prato Maurizio
Published: September 2020

This work reports on the preparation of carbon dots (CDs) and rylene diimide hybrids and their spectroscopic investigation reveals complex inter-chromophoric interactions.
Correction: Photoswitchable dynasore analogs to control endocytosis with light
Authors: Camarero Núria , Trapero Ana , Pérez-Jiménez Ariadna , Macia Eric , Gomila-Juaneda Alexandre , Martín-Quirós Andrés , Nevola Laura , Llobet Artur , Llebaria Amadeu , Hernando Jordi , Giralt Ernest , Gorostiza Pau
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Photoswitchable dynasore analogs to control endocytosis with light’ by Núria Camarero et al., Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 8981–8988, DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03820b.
Chlorination of dithienobenzodithiophene (DTBDT) based polymers to simultaneously improve the VOC, JSC and FF of non-fullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Zhou Jialing , Zhang Bao , Zou Wenjun , Tang Ailing , Geng Yanfang , Zeng Qingdao , Guo Qiang , Zhou Erjun
Published: September 2020

Two donor–π–acceptor polymers (PE64 and PE65) with dithienobenzodithiophene (DTBDT) as the electron-donating unit and quinoxaline as the electron-accepting unit were designed to extend the application of DTBDT in non-fullerene organic solar cells.
Atomically dispersed iridium catalysts for multifunctional electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Qiaoqiao , Duan Zhiyao , Wang Yin , Li Lina , Nan Bing , Guan Jingqi
Published: September 2020

Atomically dispersed iridium embedded nitrogen-doped graphene shows excellent HER, OER, and ORR performance, where the IrN4–G center is the active site for these reactions.
Nanoscale observation of the solid electrolyte interface and lithium dendrite nucleation–growth process during the initial lithium electrodeposition
Authors: Wang Shuwei , Yin Xiaoguang , Liu Dongqing , Liu Yuanming , Qin Xianying , Wang Wei , Zhao Rui , Zeng Xiaojie , Li Baohua
Published: September 2020

The influence of current density and capacity on lithium deposition was investigated, including the nucleation, growth and SEI evolution processes.
Ultrahigh and economical uranium extraction from seawaterviainterconnected open-pore architecture poly(amidoxime) fiber
Authors: Xu Xiao , Xu Lu , Ao Junxuan , Liang Yulin , Li Cheng , Wang Yangjie , Huang Chen , Ye Feng , Li Qingnuan , Guo Xiaojing , Li Jingye , Wang Hengti , Ma Shengqian , Ma Hongjuan
Published: September 2020

Easy placement, salvageability, low-cost, and ultrahigh uranium capacity AO-OpNpNc fibers are a far more realistic means of massive uranium extraction from seawater.
Correction: Biocompatible and multifunctional gold nanorods for effective photothermal therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liao Yu-Te , Liu Chia-Hung , Chin Yin , Chen Sin-Yuan , Liu Shing Hwa , Hsu Yih-Chih , Wu Kevin C.-W.
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Biocompatible and multifunctional gold nanorods for effective photothermal therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma’ by Yu-Te Liao et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019, 7, 4451–4460, DOI: 10.1039/C9TB00574A.
Inhibition of RAS: proven and potential vulnerabilities
Authors: Zuberi Mariyam , Khan Imran , O'Bryan John P.
Published: September 2020

RAS is a membrane localized small GTPase frequently mutated in human cancer. As such, RAS has been a focal target for developing cancer therapeutics since its discovery nearly four decades ago. However, efforts to directly target RAS have been challenging due to the apparent lack of readily discernable deep pockets for binding small molecule inhibitors leading many to consider RAS as undruggable. An important milestone in direct RAS inhibition was achieved recently with the groundbreaking discovery of covalent inhibitors that target the mutant Cys residue in KRAS(G12C). Surprisingly, these G12C-reactive compounds only target mutant RAS in the GDP-bound state thereby locking it in the inactive conformation and blocking its ability to couple with downstream effector pathways. Building on this success, several groups have developed similar compounds that selectively target KRAS(G12C), with AMG510 and MRTX849 the first to advance to clinical trials. Both have shown early promising results. Though the success with these compounds has reignited the possibility of direct pharmacological inhibition of RAS, these covalent inhibitors are limited to treating KRAS(G12C) tumors which account for <15% of all RAS mutants in human tumors. Thus, there remains an unmet need to identify more broadly efficacious RAS inhibitors. Here, we will discuss the current state of RAS(G12C) inhibitors and the potential for inhibiting additional RAS mutants through targeting RAS dimerization which has emerged as an important step in the allosteric regulation of RAS function.
Alternative splicing in plant abiotic stress responses
Authors: Punzo Paola , Grillo Stefania , Batelli Giorgia
Published: September 2020

Modifications of the cellular proteome pool upon stress allow plants to tolerate environmental changes. Alternative splicing is the most significant mechanism responsible for the production of multiple protein isoforms from a single gene. The spliceosome, a large ribonucleoprotein complex, together with several associated proteins, controls this pre-mRNA processing, adding an additional level of regulation to gene expression. Deep sequencing of transcriptomes revealed that this co- or post-transcriptional mechanism is highly induced by abiotic stress, and concerns vast numbers of stress-related genes. Confirming the importance of splicing in plant stress adaptation, key players of stress signaling have been shown to encode alternative transcripts, whereas mutants lacking splicing factors or associated components show a modified sensitivity and defective responses to abiotic stress. Here, we examine recent literature on alternative splicing and splicing alterations in response to environmental stresses, focusing on its role in stress adaptation and analyzing the future perspectives and directions for research.