bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel internal regulators and candidate miRNAs within miR-379/miR-656 miRNA cluster can alter cellular phenotype of human glioblastoma
Authors: Nayak Subhashree , Aich Meghali , Kumar Anupam , Sengupta Suman , Bajad Prajakta , Dhapola Parashar , Paul Deepanjan , Narta Kiran , Purkrait Suvendu , Mehani Bharati , Suri Ashish , Chakraborty Debojyoti , Mukhopadhyay Arijit , Sarkar Chitra
Published: May 2018

Clustered miRNAs can affect functioning of downstream pathways due to possible coordinated function. We observed 78–88% of the miR-379/miR-656 cluster (C14MC) miRNAs were downregulated in three sub-types of diffuse gliomas, which was also corroborated with analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. The miRNA expression levels decreased with increasing tumor grade, indicating this downregulation as an early event in gliomagenesis. Higher expression of the C14MC miRNAs significantly improved glioblastioma prognosis (Pearson’s r = 0.62; p < 3.08e-22). ENCODE meta-data analysis, followed by reporter assays validated existence of two novel internal regulators within C14MC. CRISPR activation of the most efficient internal regulator specifically induced members of the downstream miRNA sub-cluster and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. Luciferase assays validated novel targets for miR-134 and miR-485-5p, two miRNAs from C14MC with the most number of target genes relevant for glioma. Overexpression of miR-134 and miR-485-5p in human glioblastoma cells suppressed invasion and proliferation, respectively. Furthermore, apoptosis was induced by both miRs, individually and in combination. The results emphasize the tumor suppressive role of C14MC in diffuse gliomas, and identifies two specific miRNAs with potential therapeutic value and towards better disease management and therapy.
Rapid parallel evolution overcomes global honey bee parasite
Authors: Oddie Melissa , Büchler Ralph , Dahle Bjørn , Kovacic Marin , Le Conte Yves , Locke Barbara , de Miranda Joachim R. , Mondet Fanny , Neumann Peter
Published: May 2018

In eusocial insect colonies nestmates cooperate to combat parasites, a trait called social immunity. However, social immunity failed for Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) when the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor switched hosts from Eastern honey bees (Apis cerana). This mite has since become the most severe threat to A. mellifera world-wide. Despite this, some isolated A. mellifera populations are known to survive infestations by means of natural selection, largely by supressing mite reproduction, but the underlying mechanisms of this are poorly understood. Here, we show that a cost-effective social immunity mechanism has evolved rapidly and independently in four naturally V. destructor-surviving A. mellifera populations. Worker bees of all four ‘surviving’ populations uncapped/recapped worker brood cells more frequently and targeted mite-infested cells more effectively than workers in local susceptible colonies. Direct experiments confirmed the ability of uncapping/recapping to reduce mite reproductive success without sacrificing nestmates. Our results provide striking evidence that honey bees can overcome exotic parasites with simple qualitative and quantitative adaptive shifts in behaviour. Due to rapid, parallel evolution in four host populations this appears to be a key mechanism explaining survival of mite infested colonies.
A Pulse-Biasing Small-Signal Measurement Technique Enabling 40 MHz Operation of Vertical Organic Transistors
Authors: Kheradmand-Boroujeni Bahman , Klinger Markus P. , Fischer Axel , Kleemann Hans , Leo Karl , Ellinger Frank
Published: May 2018

Organic/polymer transistors can enable the fabrication of large-area flexible circuits. However, these devices are inherently temperature sensitive due to the strong temperature dependence of charge carrier mobility, suffer from low thermal conductivity of plastic substrates, and are slow due to the low mobility and long channel length (L). Here we report a new, advanced characterization circuit that within around ten microseconds simultaneously applies an accurate large-signal pulse bias and a small-signal sinusoidal excitation to the transistor and measures many high-frequency parameters. This significantly reduces the self-heating and therefore provides data at a known junction temperature more accurate for fitting model parameters to the results, enables small-signal characterization over >10 times wider bias I–V range, with ~105 times less bias-stress effects. Fully thermally-evaporated vertical permeable-base transistors with physical L = 200 nm fabricated using C60 fullerene semiconductor are characterized. Intrinsic gain up to 35 dB, and record transit frequency (unity current-gain cutoff frequency, fT) of 40 MHz at 8.6 V are achieved. Interestingly, no saturation in fT − I and transconductance (gm − I) is observed at high currents. This paves the way for the integration of high-frequency functionalities into organic circuits, such as long-distance wireless communication and switching power converters.
Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and adult asthma: a case-control study
Authors: Huang Xiji , Zhou Yun , Cui Xiuqing , Wu Xiaojie , Yuan Jing , Xie Jungang , Chen Weihong
Published: May 2018

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure was reported to be associated with childhood asthma. However, the quantitative relationship between PAHs exposure and adult asthma and possible inflammatory pathways are less clear. We aimed to investigate potential associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and adult asthma. We enrolled 507 adult asthma cases and 536 matched controls. The concentrations of 12 urinary PAHs metabolites and plasma cytokines of interleukin (IL)-9 and eotaxin were measured. Potential associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and adult asthma were analyzed by logistic regression. The relationships between urinary PAHs metabolites and plasma cytokines were determined by generalized linear regression. After adjusted for covariates, each 1-unit-increase in natural log-transformed concentrations of 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFLU), 4- hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OHPHE), 1-OHPHE, 2-OHPHE, 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR) and ∑OH-PAHs were significantly associated with elevated risk of adult asthma with odds ratios of 2.04, 2.38, 2.04, 1.26, 2.35 and 1.34, respectively. And the associations were more pronounced in the subjects who were female, younger than 45 years, smoker and had history of occupational dust exposure. No associations were observed between urinary PAHs metabolites levels and expressions of IL-9 and eotaxin. Our results demonstrated that elevated urinary PAHs metabolites levels were associated with increased risk of asthma in adults.
Superconducting and normal-state anisotropy of the doped topological insulator Sr0.1Bi2Se3
Authors: Smylie M. P. , Willa K. , Claus H. , Koshelev A. E. , Song K. W. , Kwok W.-K. , Islam Z. , Gu G. D. , Schneeloch J. A. , Zhong R. D. , Welp U.
Published: May 2018

SrxBi2Se3 and the related compounds CuxBi2Se3 and NbxBi2Se3 have attracted considerable interest, as these materials may be realizations of unconventional topological superconductors. Superconductivity with Tc ~3 K in SrxBi2Se3 arises upon intercalation of Sr into the layered topological insulator Bi2Se3. Here we elucidate the anisotropy of the normal and superconducting state of Sr0.1Bi2Se3 with angular dependent magnetotransport and thermodynamic measurements. High resolution x-ray diffraction studies underline the high crystalline quality of the samples. We demonstrate that the normal state electronic and magnetic properties of Sr0.1Bi2Se3 are isotropic in the basal plane while we observe a large two-fold in-plane anisotropy of the upper critical field in the superconducting state. Our results support the recently proposed odd-parity nematic state characterized by a nodal gap of Eu symmetry in SrxBi2Se3.
Computational identification and validation of alternative splicing in ZSF1 rat RNA-seq data, a preclinical model for type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Chi , Dower Ken , Zhang Baohong , Martinez Robert V. , Lin Lih-Ling , Zhao Shanrong
Published: May 2018

Obese ZSF1 rats exhibit spontaneous time-dependent diabetic nephropathy and are considered to be a highly relevant animal model of progressive human diabetic kidney disease. We previously identified gene expression changes between disease and control animals across six time points from 12 to 41 weeks. In this study, the same data were analysed at the isoform and exon levels to reveal additional disease mechanisms that may be governed by alternative splicing. Our analyses identified alternative splicing patterns in genes that may be implicated in disease pathogenesis (such as Shc1, Serpinc1, Epb4.1l5, and Il-33), which would have been overlooked in standard gene-level analysis. The alternatively spliced genes were enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion, cell–cell interactions/junctions, and cytoskeleton signalling, whereas the differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways related to immune response, G protein-coupled receptor, and cAMP signalling. Our findings indicate that additional mechanistic insights can be gained from exon- and isoform-level data analyses over standard gene-level analysis. Considering alternative splicing is poorly conserved between rodents and humans, it is noted that this work is not translational, but the point holds true that additional insights can be gained from alternative splicing analysis of RNA-seq data.
East Asian warm season temperature variations over the past two millennia
Authors: Zhang Huan , Werner Johannes P. , García-Bustamante Elena , González-Rouco Fidel , Wagner Sebastian , Zorita Eduardo , Fraedrich Klaus , Jungclaus Johann H. , Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Zhu Xiuhua , Xoplaki Elena , Chen Fahu , Duan Jianping , Ge Quansheng , Hao Zhixin , Ivanov Martin , Schneider Lea , Talento Stefanie , Wang Jianglin , Yang Bao , Luterbacher Jürg
Published: May 2018

East Asia has experienced strong warming since the 1960s accompanied by an increased frequency of heat waves and shrinking glaciers over the Tibetan Plateau and the Tien Shan. Here, we place the recent warmth in a long-term perspective by presenting a new spatially resolved warm-season (May-September) temperature reconstruction for the period 1–2000 CE using 59 multiproxy records from a wide range of East Asian regions. Our Bayesian Hierarchical Model (BHM) based reconstructions generally agree with earlier shorter regional temperature reconstructions but are more stable due to additional temperature sensitive proxies. We find a rather warm period during the first two centuries CE, followed by a multi-century long cooling period and again a warm interval covering the 900–1200 CE period (Medieval Climate Anomaly, MCA). The interval from 1450 to 1850 CE (Little Ice Age, LIA) was characterized by cooler conditions and the last 150 years are characterized by a continuous warming until recent times. Our results also suggest that the 1990s were likely the warmest decade in at least 1200 years. The comparison between an ensemble of climate model simulations and our summer reconstructions since 850 CE shows good agreement and an important role of internal variability and external forcing on multi-decadal time-scales.
Influences of Sedimentary Environments and Volcanic Sources on Diagenetic Alteration of Volcanic Tuffs in South China
Authors: Gong Nina , Hong Hanlie , Huff Warren D. , Fang Qian , Bae Christopher J. , Wang Chaowen , Yin Ke , Chen Shuling
Published: May 2018

Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) altered volcanic ashes (tuffs) are widely distributed within the P-Tr boundary successions in South China. Volcanic altered ashes from terrestrial section-Chahe (CH) and marine section-Shangsi (SS) are selected to further understand the influence of sedimentary environments and volcanic sources on diagenetic alterarion on volcanic tuffs. The zircon 206Pb/238U ages of the corresponding beds between two sections are almost synchronous. Sedimentary environment of the altered tuffs was characterized by a low pH and did not experience a hydrothermal process. The dominant clay minerals of all the tuff beds are illite-smectite (I-S) minerals, with minor chlorite and kaolinite. I-S minerals of CH (R3) are more ordered than SS (R1), suggesting that CH also shows a higher diagenetic grade and more intensive chemical weathering. Besides, the nature of the volcanism of the tuff beds studied is derived from different magma sources. The clay mineral compositions of tuffs have little relation with the types of source volcanism and the depositional environments. Instead, the degree of the mixed-layer clay minerals and the REE distribution are mainly dependent upon the sedimentary environments. Thus, the mixed-layer clay minerals ratio and their geochemical index can be used as the paleoenvironmental indicator.
Tropical Meridional Overturning Circulation Observed by Subsurface Moorings in the Western Pacific
Authors: Song Lina , Li Yuanlong , Wang Jianing , Wang Fan , Hu Shijian , Liu Chuanyu , Diao Xinyuan , Guan Cong
Published: May 2018

Meridional ocean current in the northwestern Pacific was documented by seven subsurface moorings deployed at 142°E during August 2014-October 2015. A sandwich structure of the tropical meridional overturning circulation (TMOC) was revealed between 0–6°N that consists of a surface northward flow (0–80 m), a thermocline southward flow (80–260 m; 22.6–26.5 σ
θ
), and a subthermocline northward flow (260–500 m; 26.5–26.9 σ
θ
). Based on mooring data, along with satellite and reanalysis data, prominent seasonal-to-interannual variations were observed in all three layers, and the equatorial zonal winds were found to be a dominant cause of the variations. The TMOC is generally stronger in boreal winter and weaker in summer. During 2014–2015, the TMOC was greatly weakened by westerly wind anomalies associated with the El Niño condition. Further analysis suggests that the TMOC can affect equatorial surface temperature in the western Pacific through anomalous upwelling/downwelling and likely plays a vital role in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Locally induced neuronal synchrony precisely propagates to specific cortical areas without rhythm distortion
Authors: Toda Haruo , Kawasaki Keisuke , Sato Sho , Horie Masao , Nakahara Kiyoshi , Bepari Asim K. , Sawahata Hirohito , Suzuki Takafumi , Okado Haruo , Takebayashi Hirohide , Hasegawa Isao
Published: May 2018

Propagation of oscillatory spike firing activity at specific frequencies plays an important role in distributed cortical networks. However, there is limited evidence for how such frequency-specific signals are induced or how the signal spectra of the propagating signals are modulated during across-layer (radial) and inter-areal (tangential) neuronal interactions. To directly evaluate the direction specificity of spectral changes in a spiking cortical network, we selectively photostimulated infragranular excitatory neurons in the rat primary visual cortex (V1) at a supra-threshold level with various frequencies, and recorded local field potentials (LFPs) at the infragranular stimulation site, the cortical surface site immediately above the stimulation site in V1, and cortical surface sites outside V1. We found a significant reduction of LFP powers during radial propagation, especially at high-frequency stimulation conditions. Moreover, low-gamma-band dominant rhythms were transiently induced during radial propagation. Contrastingly, inter-areal LFP propagation, directed to specific cortical sites, accompanied no significant signal reduction nor gamma-band power induction. We propose an anisotropic mechanism for signal processing in the spiking cortical network, in which the neuronal rhythms are locally induced/modulated along the radial direction, and then propagate without distortion via intrinsic horizontal connections for spatiotemporally precise, inter-areal communication.
Climate change is affecting mortality of weasels due to camouflage mismatch
Authors: Atmeh Kamal , Andruszkiewicz Anna , Zub Karol
Published: May 2018

Direct phenological mismatch caused by climate change can occur in mammals that moult seasonally. Two colour morphs of the weasel Mustela nivalis (M. n.) occur sympatrically in Białowieża Forest (NE Poland) and differ in their winter pelage colour: white in M. n. nivalis and brown in M. n. vulgaris. Due to their small body size, weasels are vulnerable to attacks by a range of different predators; thus cryptic coat colour may increase their winter survival. By analysing trapping data, we found that the share of white subspecies in the weasel population inhabiting Białowieża Forest decreases with decreasing numbers of days with snow cover. This led us to hypothesise that selective predation pressure should favour one of the two phenotypes, according to the prevailing weather conditions in winter. A simple field experiment with weasel models (white and brown), exposed against different background colours, revealed that contrasting models faced significantly higher detection by predators. Our observations also confirmed earlier findings that the plasticity of moult in M. n. nivalis is very limited. This means that climate change will strongly influence the mortality of the nivalis-type due to prolonged camouflage mismatch, which will directly affect the abundance and geographical distribution of this subspecies.
Reproductive parasitism by worker honey bees suppressed by queens through regulation of worker mandibular secretions
Authors: Mumoki Fiona N. , Pirk Christian W. W. , Yusuf Abdullahi A. , Crewe Robin M.
Published: May 2018

Social cohesion in social insect colonies can be achieved through the use of chemical signals whose production is caste-specific and regulated by social contexts. In honey bees, queen mandibular gland pheromones (QMP) maintain reproductive dominance by inhibiting ovary activation and production of queen-like mandibular gland signals in workers. We investigated whether honey bee queens can control reproductively active workers of the intraspecific social parasite Apis mellifera capensis, parasitising A. m. scutellata host colonies. Our results show that the queen’s QMP suppresses ovarian activation and inhibits the production of QMP pheromone signals by the parasitic workers, achieved through differential expression of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these pheromones at two points in the biosynthetic pathway. This is the first report showing that honey bee queens can regulate reproduction in intraspecific social parasites and deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of worker reproduction in social insects.
Vitamin D levels correlate with lymphocyte subsets in elderly patients with age-related diseases
Authors: Mao Xudong , Hu Bin , Zhou Zhiwen , Xing Xubin , Wu Yan , Gao Jing , He Yue , Hu Ying , Cheng Qihong , Gong Qing
Published: May 2018

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with age-related illnesses, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CRVD), cerebrovascular disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In our retrospective observational study, blood samples of elderly healthy controls (n = 461) and patients with age-related diseases (n = 8,621) were subjected to flow-cytometry in order to determine correlations between age-related diseases and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, CD3, and CD19 lymphocyte markers, as well as serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2(25(OH)D2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25(OH)D3). More than 70% of the patients in each disease group had total vitamin D < 20 ng/mL (P < 0.001). In CRVD patients, CD3 and CD19 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D3. In CAD patients, CD8, CD4, CD19 and CD4/CD8 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D2, and CD8 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D3. In T2DM and hypertension patients, CD8, CD3, CD19 and CD4/CD8 correlated with 25(OH)D3. Progressive trends (P < 0.05) towards increased CD8 and CD4/CD8 were observed in vitamin-D-deficient T2DM and hypertension patients. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in CD8 were observed in vitamin-D-deficient CAD patients, whereas significant differences (P < 0.05) in CD8 and CD19 were observed in CRVD patients. Higher CD8 and CD4/CD8 in 25(OH)D-deficient T2DM and hypertension patients suggested a Th1 lymphocyte profile induction. Increases in CD8-positive lymphocytes suggested a similar, less pronounced effect in vitamin-D-deficient CRVD and CAD patients.
Circulating MiR-374a-5p is a potential modulator of the inflammatory process in obesity
Authors: Doumatey Ayo P. , He William J. , Gaye Amadou , Lei Lin , Zhou Jie , Gibbons Gary H. , Adeyemo Adebowale , Rotimi Charles N.
Published: May 2018

Obese individuals without expected metabolic co-morbidities are referred to as metabolically healthy obese (MHO). The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain elusive. MicroRNAs may be involved in the MHO phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we screened 179 serum miRNAs in 20 African-American women (10 MHOs and 10 metabolically abnormal obese individuals -MAO). We identified 8 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) with validation in an independent sample of 64 MHO and 34 MAO. Of the eight DEMs in the screening phase (p ≤ 0.05), miR-374a-5p remained significant (p = 0.04) with directional consistency in the validation sample. Ingenuity Pathway analysis revealed that miR-374a-5p putatively targeted 37 mRNAs (e.g. chemokines and transcription factors) which are members of canonical pathways involved in inflammation (IL-17A signaling) and lipid metabolism. Analysis restricted to adipocytes, the main source of circulating miRNAs in obesity, identified 3 mRNAs (CCL2, STEAP2, EN1) as the main target of miR-374a-5p. Evaluation of the 3 mRNAs in an independent sample showed that CCL2 was significantly downregulated (p = 0.0005). In summary, MiR-374a-5p is upregulated in MHO compared to MAO individuals and appears to show association with downregulation of pro-inflammatory markers that are linked to insulin resistance. Given the correlative nature of our findings, functional studies are needed.
Molecular details of dimerization kinetics reveal negligible populations of transient µ-opioid receptor homodimers at physiological concentrations
Authors: Meral Derya , Provasi Davide , Prada-Gracia Diego , Möller Jan , Marino Kristen , Lohse Martin J. , Filizola Marta
Published: May 2018

Various experimental and computational techniques have been employed over the past decade to provide structural and thermodynamic insights into G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) dimerization. Here, we use multiple microsecond-long, coarse-grained, biased and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations (a total of ~4 milliseconds) combined with multi-ensemble Markov state models to elucidate the kinetics of homodimerization of a prototypic GPCR, the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), embedded in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/cholesterol lipid bilayer. Analysis of these computations identifies kinetically distinct macrostates comprising several different short-lived dimeric configurations of either inactive or activated MOR. Calculated kinetic rates and fractions of dimers at different MOR concentrations suggest a negligible population of MOR homodimers at physiological concentrations, which is supported by acceptor photobleaching fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments. This study provides a rigorous, quantitative explanation for some conflicting experimental data on GPCR oligomerization.
X-ray based virtual histology allows guided sectioning of heavy ion stained murine lungs for histological analysis
Authors: Albers Jonas , Markus M. Andrea , Alves Frauke , Dullin Christian
Published: May 2018

Examination of histological or immunohistochemically stained 2D sections of embedded tissue is one of the most frequently used tools in biomedical research and clinical routine. Since to date, targeted sectioning of specific regions of interest (ROI) in the sample is not possible, we aimed at developing a guided sectioning approach based on x-ray 3D virtual histology for heavy ion stained murine lung samples. For this purpose, we increased the contrast to noise ratio of a standard benchtop microCT by 5–10-fold using free-propagation phase contrast imaging and thus substantially improved image quality. We then show that microCT 3D datasets deliver more precise anatomical information and quantification of the sample than traditional histological sections, which display deformations of the tissue. To quantify these deformations caused by sectioning we developed the “Displacement Index (DI)”, which combines block-matching with the calculation of the local mutual information. We show that the DI substantially decreases when a femtosecond laser microtome is used for sections as opposed to a traditional microtome. In conclusion, our microCT based virtual histology approach can be used as a supplement and a guidance tool for traditional histology, providing 3D measurement capabilities and offering the ability to perform sectioning directly at an ROI.
Long-term risk for end-stage kidney disease and death in a large population-based cohort
Authors: Zitt Emanuel , Pscheidt Constanze , Concin Hans , Kramar Reinhard , Peter Raphael S. , Beyersmann Jan , Lhotta Karl , Nagel Gabriele
Published: May 2018

Knowledge of metabolic risk factors for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the general population is limited when considering the competing event death in risk analysis. The aim of our prospective observational study was to investigate how blood pressure and metabolic factors might influence the risks for ESKD and death before ESKD in a large Austrian population-based cohort with long-term follow-up. 177,255 participants (53.8% women; mean age 42.5 years) were recruited between 1988 and 2005 and linked to the Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry and the National Mortality Registry. Over a mean follow-up of 16 years 358 participants reached ESKD and 19,512 participants died. Applying fully adjusted cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models elevated fasting blood glucose, hypertension, hypertrigylceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were associated with a higher relative risk for ESKD than for death before ESKD, whereas elevated γ-glutamyltransferase was associated with an increased relative risk of death but not ESKD. Results were similar using continuous or categorical exposure variable measures in the general cohort but differed in selected high-risk populations. These findings might help improve the design of renal risk factor modification trials and kidney disease awareness and prevention programs in the general population, which may ultimately decrease the burden of ESKD.
Niche conservatism of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti - two mosquito species with different invasion histories
Authors: Cunze Sarah , Kochmann Judith , Koch Lisa K. , Klimpel Sven
Published: May 2018

Biological invasions have been associated with niche changes; however, their occurrence is still debated. We assess whether climatic niches between native and non-native ranges have changed during the invasion process using two globally spread mosquitoes as model species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Considering the different time spans since their invasions (>300 vs. 30–40 years), niche changes were expected to be more likely for Ae. aegypti than for Ae. albopictus. We used temperature and precipitation variables as descriptors for the realized climatic niches and different niche metrics to detect niche dynamics in the native and non-native ranges. High niche stability, therefore, no niche expansion but niche conservatism was revealed for both species. High niche unfilling for Ae. albopictus indicates a great potential for further expansion. Highest niche occupancies in non-native ranges occurred either under more temperate (North America, Europe) or tropical conditions (South America, Africa). Aedes aegypti has been able to fill its native climatic niche in the non-native ranges, with very low unfilling. Our results challenge the assumption of rapid evolutionary change of climatic niches as a requirement for global invasions but support the use of native range-based niche models to project future invasion risk on a large scale.
Microwave effects in the dilute acid hydrolysis of cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Sweygers Nick , Alewaters Niels , Dewil Raf , Appels Lise
Published: May 2018

In this study, the effect of microwaves on the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a biphasic system was evaluated via a kinetic analysis. The reaction system consisted of an acidified aqueous phase and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as an organic phase, in which HMF is extracted directly upon formation during the reaction. Two identically shaped reactors were used to assess the influence of microwaves on the production of HMF. A borosilicate glass reactor was used to heat the reaction mixture via microwaves directly, whereas the silicon carbide (SiC) wall of the second reactor absorbed all microwaves and hence the reactor content was heated via convective heat transfer. An identical temperature profile was imposed on both reactors. Cellulose, glucose and fructose were chosen as feedstocks for the conversion to HMF. It was observed that microwaves have a significant effect on the reactions. The hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose was a 2.3 folds faster in the presence of microwaves at the process conditions (0.046 M HCl, 177 °C). The isomerization of glucose to fructose showed a similar increase (factor 2.5). The required energy input for the reaction was systematically higher for the SiC reactor.
Malonylation of histone H2A at lysine 119 inhibits Bub1-dependent H2A phosphorylation and chromosomal localization of shugoshin proteins
Authors: Ishiguro Tadashi , Tanabe Kana , Kobayashi Yuki , Mizumoto Shinsuke , Kanai Motomu , Kawashima Shigehiro A.
Published: May 2018

Post-translational modifications of histones, such as acetylation and phosphorylation, are highly conserved in eukaryotes and their combination enables precise regulation of many cellular functions. Recent studies using mass spectrometry have revealed various non-acetyl acylations in histones, including malonylation and succinylation, which change the positive charge of lysine into a negative one. However, the molecular function of histone malonylation or succinylation is poorly understood. Here, we discovered the functions of malonylation in histone H2A at lysine 119 (H2A-K119) in chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. Analyses of H2A-K119 mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe showed that anionic mutations, specifically to aspartate (K119D) and glutamate (K119E), showed mis-segregation of the chromosomes and sensitivity to microtubule-destabilizing reagents in mitosis and meiosis. We found that the chromosomal localization of shugoshin proteins, which depends on Bub1-catalyzed phosphorylation of H2A at serine 121 (H2A-S121), was significantly reduced in the H2A-K119D and the H2A-K119E mutants. Biochemical analyses using K119-unmodified or -malonylated H2A-C-tail peptides showed that H2A-K119 malonylation inhibited the interaction between Bub1 and H2A, leading to a decrease in Bub1-dependent H2A-S121 phosphorylation. Our results indicate a novel crosstalk between lysine malonylation and serine/threonine phosphorylation, which may be important for fine-tuning chromatin functions such as chromosome segregation.
BlsA integrates light and temperature signals into iron metabolism through Fur in the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Tuttobene Marisel R. , Cribb Pamela , Mussi María Alejandra
Published: May 2018

Light modulates global features of the important human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii lifestyle including metabolism, tolerance to antibiotics and virulence, most of which depend on the short BLUF-type photoreceptor BlsA. In this work, we show that the ability to circumvent iron deficiency is also modulated by light at moderate temperatures, and disclose the mechanism of signal transduction by showing that BlsA antagonizes the functioning of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in a temperature-dependent manner. In fact, we show that BlsA interacts with Fur in the dark at 23 °C, while the interaction is significantly weakened under blue light. Moreover, under iron deprived conditions, expression of Fur-regulated Acinetobactin siderophore genes is only induced in the dark in a BlsA-dependent manner. Finally, growth under iron deficiency is supported in the dark rather than under blue light at moderate temperatures through BlsA. The data is consistent with a model in which BlsA might sequester the repressor from the corresponding operator-promoters, allowing Acinetobactin gene expression. The photoregulation of iron metabolism is lost at higher temperatures such as 30 °C, consistent with fading of the BlsA-Fur interaction at this condition. Overall, we provide new understanding on the functioning of the widespread Fur regulator as well as short-BLUFs.
Macrophage Cytokines Enhance Cell Proliferation of Normal Prostate Epithelial Cells through Activation of ERK and Akt
Authors: Dang Tu , Liou Geou-Yarh
Published: May 2018

Macrophage infiltrations (inflammation) are associated with prostate disorders such as prostatitis, prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. All prostate disorders have elevated cell proliferation, and are initiated from normal prostate epithelial cells. To date, the mechanism of how macrophages regulate normal prostate epithelial cell proliferation remains largely unknown. Using a 3D co-culture system, we here show that Raw 264.7 macrophages increased cell proliferation of normal prostate epithelial PZ-HPV-7 cells. In addition, these Raw 264.7 macrophages expressed higher levels of Ym1 and CD206. We further identify macrophage-secreted cytokines including CCL3, IL-1ra, osteopontin, M-CSF1 and GDNF as mediators for potentiating PZ-HPV-7 cell proliferation in 3D. All these cytokines differentially activated ERK and Akt. Blockade of both kinases through their inhibitors hindered macrophage-induced cell proliferation of PZ-HPV-7 cells. Hence, our data provide mechanistic insight of how inflammation may contribute to development of prostatic diseases at a very early stage through augment of cell proliferation of normal prostate epithelial cells.
Passive temperature control based on a phase change metasurface
Authors: Wu Sheng-Rui , Lai Kuan-Lin , Wang Chih-Ming
Published: May 2018

In this paper, a tunable mid-infrared metasurface based on VO2 phase change material is proposed for temperature control. The proposed structure consisting of a VO2/SiO2/VO2 cavity supports a thermally switchable Fabry-Perot-like resonance mode at the transparency window of the atmosphere. Theoretically, the radiative cooling power density of the proposed metasurface can be switched to four-fold as the device temperature is below/above the phase change temperature of VO2. Besides radiative cooling, a passive temperature control application based on this huge cooling power switching ability is theoretically demonstrated. We believe the proposed device can be applied for small radiative cooling and temperature control applications.
A randomized, controlled pilot trial of the Emotional Faces Memory Task: a digital therapeutic for depression
Authors: Iacoviello Brian M. , Murrough James W. , Hoch Megan M. , Huryk Kathryn M. , Collins Katherine A. , Cutter Gary R. , Iosifescu Dan V. , Charney Dennis S.
Published: May 2018

There is an urgent need for more effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Digital therapeutics, such as computerized cognitive–emotional training interventions, represent a promising new strategy for treating MDD. Here we report a replication of efficacy of a digital cognitive–emotional training intervention designed to enhance cognitive control for emotional information-processing. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study design, 51 participants with MDD in a current major depressive episode were randomly assigned to participate in a digital cognitive–emotional training regimen (Emotional Faces Memory Task (EFMT); n = 28) involving 18 sessions over 6 weeks, or an active control condition (CT; n = 23) involving computerized working memory training. MDD symptoms were assessed weekly using a clinician-rated measure (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; Ham-D); and neurocognition (working memory), at baseline and study outcome. Mixed-effects model for repeated measures (MMRM) analysis of all participants randomized revealed a significantly greater reduction in MDD symptom severity (Ham-D) from baseline to outcome in the EFMT group (8.65 points) compared to the CT group (4.77 points) (F(6,205) = 3.23, p = .005, d = 0.46). Ten of 28 EFMT participants achieved clinical response (≥50% reduction in symptoms) compared to 4 of 23 in CT. Both groups exhibited similar, small improvements in working memory. This replicated the preliminary efficacy of a digital cognitive–emotional training approach for the treatment of MDD. EFMT may be a feasible and effective intervention strategy for MDD, but future studies to elucidate its mechanism of action are warranted. This study is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT: 01934491).
A colorimetric method for cysteine determination based on the peroxidase-like activity of ficin
Authors: Huang Zili , Yang Yufang , Long Yijuan , Zheng Huzhi
Published: May 2018

H2O2 could oxidize TMB to blue-colored oxTMB with catalysis by ficin. l-Cys competed with TMB for H2O2 leading to fading of the chromogenic reaction.
Macrophage-targeting and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanopolyplexes mediate anti-inflammatory siRNA delivery against acute liver failure (ALF)
Authors: Zhang Wenxin , Zhou Yang , Li Xudong , Xu Xin , Chen Yongbing , Zhu Rongying , Yin Lichen
Published: May 2018

Macrophage-targeting and ROS-degradable nanopolyplexes were developed to realize efficient TNF-α siRNA delivery toward the treatment of acute liver failure.
Fermentation alters the bioaccessible phenolic compounds and increases the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effects of aronia juice in a dairy matrix followingin vitrodigestion
Authors: Du Xue , Myracle Angela D.
Published: May 2018

Fermentation is an effective strategy to enhance the health-beneficial properties (antioxidant capacity and carbohydrase inhibitory activity) of aronia polyphenols.
Reusable magnetic PdxCoy nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbons for green Suzuki–Miyaura reactions
Authors: Enneiymy Mohamed , Le Drian Claude , Matei Ghimbeu Camélia , Becht Jean-Michel
Published: May 2018

(Pdx–Coy)@MC were prepared in one-pot via an eco-friendly route and used many times for Suzuki reactions in H2O or H2O/EtOH mixture.
A novel green process for tannic acid hydrolysis using an internally sulfonated hollow polystyrene sphere as catalyst
Authors: Luo Qionglin , Zeng Shunqin , Shu You , Fu Zaihui , Zhao Hongran , Su Shengpei
Published: May 2018

A polystyrene-hollow sphere catalyst was prepared by treating polystyrene-encapsulated calcium carbonate particles with concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Recent advances in the synthesis of fluorinated hydrazones
Authors: Guo Rui , Chen Junting
Published: May 2018

Fluorinated compounds are widely used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials.
Nuclear quantum effect and H/D isotope effect on Cl· + (H2O)n→ HCl + OH·(H2O)n−1(n= 1–3) reactions
Authors: Sugiura Keita , Tachikawa Masanori , Udagawa Taro
Published: May 2018

Cl·+ (H2O)n→ HCl + OH(H2O)n−1(n= 1–3) reactions have been investigated using multicomponent quantum mechanics method, which can take account of the nuclear quantum effect of proton and deuteron.
Water-soluble cyclometalated platinum(ii) and iridium(iii) complexes: synthesis, tuning of the photophysical properties, and in vitro and in vivo phosphorescence lifetime imaging
Authors: Solomatina Anastasia I. , Su Shih-Hao , Lukina Maria M. , Dudenkova Varvara V. , Shcheslavskiy Vladislav I. , Wu Cheng-Ham , Chelushkin Pavel S. , Chou Pi-Tai , Koshevoy Igor O. , Tunik Sergey P.
Published: May 2018

Novel water-soluble iridium complexes with sulfonated diphosphine allow in vitro and in vivo lifetime hypoxia imaging.
Humanization and directed evolution of the selenium-containing scFv phage abzyme
Authors: Xu Yan , Li Pengju , Nie Jiaojiao , Zhao Qi , Guan Shanshan , Kuai Ziyu , Qiao Yongbo , Jiang Xiaoyu , Li Ying , Li Wei , Shi Yuhua , Kong Wei , Shan Yaming
Published: May 2018

A novel two-step sequential screening strategy used for the improvement of GPX mimics and other abzymes.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation ofN-arylsulfonyl carbazoles as novel anticancer agents
Authors: You Xin , Zhu Daqian , Lu Wenhua , Sun Yichen , Qiao Shuang , Luo Bingling , Du Yongliang , Pi Rongbiao , Hu Yumin , Huang Peng , Wen Shijun
Published: May 2018

In this work, a set of structurally diverse synthetic carbazoles was screened for their anticancer activities.
Attenuation of pressure dips underneath piles of spherocylinders
Authors: Zhao Haiyang , An Xizhong , Gou Dazhao , Zhao Bo , Yang Runyu
Published: May 2018

The discrete element method (DEM) was used to simulate the piling of rod-like (elongated sphero-cylindrical) particles, mainly focusing on the effect of particle shape on the structural and force properties of the piles.
Sulfur nanodots as MoS2 antiblocking agent for stable sodium ion battery anodes
Authors: Xu Zhanwei , Yao Kai , Li Zhi , Fu Licai , Fu Hao , Li Jia , Cao Liyun , Huang Jianfeng
Published: May 2018

Sulfur nanodots were employed as efficient antiblocking agent for MoS2 sheets, which thus show significantly enhanced sodium storage performance.
Intracellular delivery of peptide drugs using viral nanoparticles of bacteriophage P22: covalent loading and cleavable release
Authors: Wang Jigang , Fang Ti , Li Ming , Zhang Wenjing , Zhang Zhi-Ping , Zhang Xian-En , Li Feng
Published: May 2018

Viral nanoparticles of bacteriophage P22 are utilized for the intracellular delivery of peptides through covalent loading and cleavable release.
Biodegradable crosslinked polyesters derived from thiomalic acid and S-nitrosothiol analogues for nitric oxide release
Authors: Yapor Janet P. , Neufeld Bella H. , Tapia Jesus B. , Reynolds Melissa M.
Published: May 2018

Crosslinked polyesters with Young's moduli similar to that of certain soft biological tissues were prepared via bulk polycondensation of thiomalic acid and 1,8-octanediol alone, and with citric or maleic acid.
A surface state-controlled, high-performance, self-powered photovoltaic detector based on an individual SnS nanorod with a symmetrical electrode structure
Authors: Luo Bin , Zhao Jie , Cheng Baochang , Chen Guanwen , Ouyang Tengfei , Pan Yuxuan , Li Binghui , Xiao Yanhe , Lei Shuijin
Published: May 2018

A surface state-controlled, self-powered photovoltaic detector is realized in an individual SnS nanorod-based two-terminal device with symmetrical Ag electrodes.
Floating-non-solvent method for inducing the formation of highly crystalline conjugated polymer nanofibrils in the solution state for high-performance organic transistors
Authors: Kim Gun Woo , Jang Young Jin , Kim Min , Park Yeong Don
Published: May 2018

In this study, we report a facile dip-coating printing method using a floating non-solvent technique to produce highly crystalline nanofibrils.
RecA-like domain 2 of DNA-dependent ATPase A domain, a SWI2/SNF2 protein, mediates conformational integrity and ATP hydrolysis
Authors: Bansal Ritu , Arya Vijendra , Sethy Ramesh , Rakesh Radhakrishnan , Muthuswami Rohini
Published: May 2018

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling proteins use the energy released from ATP hydrolysis to reposition nucleosomes in DNA-dependent processes. These proteins are classified as SF2 helicases. SMARCAL1, a member of this protein family, is known to modulate both DNA repair and transcription by specifically recognizing DNA molecules possessing double-strand to single-strand transition regions. Mutations in this gene cause a rare autosomal recessive disorder known as Schimke Immuno-Osseous Dysplasia (SIOD).

Structural studies have shown that the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling proteins possess two RecA-like domains termed as RecA-like domain 1 and RecA-like domain 2. Using Active DNA-dependent ATPase A domain (ADAAD), the bovine homolog of SMARCAL1, as a model system we had previously shown that the RecA-like domain 1 containing helicase motifs Q, I, Ia, II, and III are sufficient for ligand binding; however, the Rec A-like domain 2 containing motifs IV, V, and VI are needed for ATP hydrolysis. In the present study, we have focused on the motifs present in the RecA-like domain 2. Our studies demonstrate that the presence of an aromatic residue in motif IV is needed for interaction with DNA in the presence of ATP. We also show that the motif V is required for the catalytic efficiency of the protein and motif VI is needed for interaction with DNA in the presence of ATP. Finally, we show that the SIOD-associated mutation, R820H, present in motif VI results in loss of ATPase activity, and therefore, reduced response to DNA damage.
Grammatical Word Production Across Metrical Contexts in School-Aged Children's and Adults' Speech
Authors: Redford Melissa A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test whether age-related differences in grammatical word production are due to differences in how children and adults chunk speech for output or to immature articulatory timing control in children.

Method

Two groups of 12 children, 5 and 8 years old, and 1 group of 12 adults produced sentences with phrase-medial determiners. Preceding verbs were varied to create different metrical contexts for chunking the determiner with an adjacent content word. Following noun onsets were varied to assess the coherence of determiner–noun sequences. Determiner vowel duration, amplitude, and formant frequencies were measured.

Results

Children produced significantly longer and louder determiners than adults regardless of metrical context. The effect of noun onset on F1 was stronger in children's speech than in adults' speech; the effect of noun onset on F2 was stronger in adults' speech than in children's. Effects of metrical context on anticipatory formant patterns were more evident in children's speech than in adults' speech.

Conclusion

The results suggest that both immature articulatory timing control and age-related differences in how chunks are accessed or planned influence grammatical word production in school-aged children's speech. Future work will focus on the development of long-distance coarticulation to reveal the evolution of speech plan structure over time.
Ultrahigh‐resolution coherent optical spectrum analysis based on electrical frequency sweeping with a doubled measurement range
Authors: Zhu Beibei , Xue Min , Pan Shilong
Published: May 2018

Based on electrical frequency sweeping, an ultrahigh‐resolution coherent optical spectrum analyser with a doubled measurement range is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the scheme, a frequency‐swept electrical signal is converted to the optical domain. By selecting one of the second‐order sidebands of the generated optical signal, a wavelength‐swept signal with a frequency range that is twice the bandwidths of the electro‐optic and RF components is generated. With the wavelength‐swept signal, high‐resolution optical spectrum analysis with a doubled measurement range is implemented. In a proof‐of‐concept experiment, the spectrum of a multi‐tone optical signal with a bandwidth of 20 GHz is measured with a resolution of 1.5 MHz by employing 10 GHz components.