bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct effects of β1 integrin on cell proliferation and cellular signaling in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells
Authors: Hou Sicong , Isaji Tomoya , Hang Qinglei , Im Sanghun , Fukuda Tomohiko , Gu Jianguo
Published: January 2016

An aberrant expression of integrin β1 has been implicated in breast cancer progression. Here, we compared the cell behaviors of wild-type (WT), β1 gene deleted (KO) and β1 gene restored (Res) MDA-MB-231 cells. Surprisingly, the expression of β1 exhibited opposite effects on cell proliferation. These effects were dependent on cell densities and they showed an up-regulation of cell proliferation when cells were cultured under sparse conditions and a down-regulation of cell growth under dense conditions. By comparison with WT cells, the phosphorylation levels of ERK in KO cells were consistently suppressed under sparse culture conditions, but consistently up-regulated under dense culture conditions. The phosphorylation levels of EGFR were increased in the KO cells. By contrast, the phosphorylation levels of AKT were decreased in the KO cells. The abilities for both colony and tumor formation were significantly suppressed in the KO cells, suggesting that β1 plays an important role in cell survival signaling for tumorigenesis. These aberrant phenotypes in the KO cells were rescued in the Res cells. Taken together, these results clearly showed the distinct roles of β1 in cancer cells: the inhibition of cell growth and the promotion of cell survival, which may shed light on cancer therapies.
Electronic resonances in broadband stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Batignani G. , Pontecorvo E. , Giovannetti G. , Ferrante C. , Fumero G. , Scopigno T.
Published: January 2016

Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy is a formidable tool to probe molecular vibrations. Under electronic resonance conditions, the cross section can be selectively enhanced enabling structural sensitivity to specific chromophores and reaction centers. The addition of an ultrashort, broadband femtosecond pulse to the excitation field allows for coherent stimulation of diverse molecular vibrations. Within such a scheme, vibrational spectra are engraved onto a highly directional field and can be heterodyne detected overwhelming fluorescence and other incoherent signals. At variance with spontaneous resonance Raman, however, interpreting the spectral information is not straightforward, due to the manifold of field interactions concurring to the third order nonlinear response. Taking as an example vibrational spectra of heme proteins excited in the Soret band, we introduce a general approach to extract the stimulated Raman excitation profiles from complex spectral lineshapes. Specifically, by a quantum treatment of the matter through density matrix description of the third order nonlinear polarization, we identify the contributions which generate the Raman bands, by taking into account for the cross section of each process.
A Flow-Through Cell Electroporation Device for Rapidly and Efficiently Transfecting Massive Amounts of Cells in vitro and ex vivo
Authors: Zhao Deyao , Huang Dong , Li Yang , Wu Mengxi , Zhong Wenfeng , Cheng Qiang , Wang Xiaoxia , Wu Yidi , Zhou Xiao , Wei Zewen , Li Zhihong , Liang Zicai
Published: January 2016

Continuous cell electroporation is an appealing non-viral approach for genetically transfecting a large number of cells. Yet the traditional macro-scale devices suffer from the unsatisfactory transfection efficiency and/or cell viability due to their high voltage, while the emerging microfluidic electroporation devices is still limited by their low cell processing speed. Here we present a flow-through cell electroporation device integrating large-sized flow tube and small-spaced distributed needle electrode array. Relatively large flow tube enables high flow rate, simple flow characterization and low shear force, while well-organized needle array electrodes produce an even-distributed electric field with low voltage. Thus the difficulties for seeking the fine balance between high flow rate and low electroporation voltage were steered clear. Efficient in vitro electrotransfection of plasmid DNA was demonstrated in several hard-to-transfect cell lines. Furthermore, we also explored ex vivo electroporated mouse erythrocyte as the carrier of RNA. The strong ability of RNA loading and short exposure time of freshly isolated cells jointly ensured a high yield of valid carrier erythrocytes, which further successfully delivered RNA into targeted tissue. Both in vitro and ex vivo electrotransfection could be accomplished at high cell processing speed (20 million cells per minute) which remarkably outperforms previous devices.
Structural Variant Detection by Large-scale Sequencing Reveals New Evolutionary Evidence on Breed Divergence between Chinese and European Pigs
Authors: Zhao Pengju , Li Junhui , Kang Huimin , Wang Haifei , Fan Ziyao , Yin Zongjun , Wang Jiafu , Zhang Qin , Wang Zhiquan , Liu Jian-Feng
Published: January 2016

In this study, we performed a genome-wide SV detection among the genomes of thirteen pigs from diverse Chinese and European originated breeds by next genetation sequencing and constrcuted a single-nucleotide resolution map involving 56,930 putative SVs. We firstly identified a SV hotspot spanning 35 Mb region on the X chromosome specifically in the genomes of Chinese originated individuals. Further scrutinizing this region by large-scale sequencing data of extra 111 individuals, we obtained the confirmatory evidence on our initial finding. Moreover, thirty five SV-related genes within the hotspot region, being of importance for reproduction ability, rendered significant different evolution rates between Chinese and European originated breeds. The SV hotspot identified herein offers a novel evidence for assessing phylogenetic relationships, as well as likely explains the genetic difference of corresponding phenotypes and features, among Chinese and European pig breeds. Furthermore, we employed various SVs to infer genetic structure of individuls surveyed. We found SVs can clearly detect the difference of genetic background among individuals. This clues us that genome-wide SVs can capture majority of geneic variation and be applied into cladistic analyses. Characterizing whole genome SVs demonstrated that SVs are significantly enriched/depleted with various genomic features.
Transgenic FingRs for Live Mapping of Synaptic Dynamics in Genetically-Defined Neurons
Authors: Son Jong-Hyun , Keefe Matthew D. , Stevenson Tamara J. , Barrios Joshua P. , Anjewierden Scott , Newton James B. , Douglass Adam D. , Bonkowsky Joshua L.
Published: January 2016

Tools for genetically-determined visualization of synaptic circuits and interactions are necessary to build connectomics of the vertebrate brain and to screen synaptic properties in neurological disease models. Here we develop a transgenic FingR (fibronectin intrabodies generated by mRNA display) technology for monitoring synapses in live zebrafish. We demonstrate FingR labeling of defined excitatory and inhibitory synapses and show FingR applicability for dissecting synapse dynamics in normal and disease states. Using our system we show that chronic hypoxia, associated with neurological defects in preterm birth, affects dopaminergic neuron synapse number depending on the developmental timing of hypoxia.
Messenger RNA delivery of a cartilage-anabolic transcription factor as a disease-modifying strategy for osteoarthritis treatment
Authors: Aini Hailati , Itaka Keiji , Fujisawa Ayano , Uchida Hirokuni , Uchida Satoshi , Fukushima Shigeto , Kataoka Kazunori , Saito Taku , Chung Ung-il , Ohba Shinsuke
Published: January 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease and a major health problem in the elderly population. No disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) has been made available for clinical use. Here we present a disease-modifying strategy for OA, focusing on messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery of a therapeutic transcription factor using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polyamino acid block copolymer-based polyplex nanomicelles. When polyplex nanomicelles carrying the cartilage-anabolic, runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 mRNA were injected into mouse OA knee joints, OA progression was significantly suppressed compared with the non-treatment control. Expressions of cartilage-anabolic markers and proliferation were augmented in articular chondrocytes of the RUNX1-injected knees. Thus, this study provides a proof of concept of the treatment of degenerative diseases such as OA by the in situ mRNA delivery of therapeutic transcription factors; the presented approach will directly connect basic findings on disease-protective or tissue-regenerating factors to disease treatment.
Bixin protects mice against ventilation-induced lung injury in an NRF2-dependent manner
Authors: Tao Shasha , Rojo de la Vega Montserrat , Quijada Hector , Wondrak Georg T. , Wang Ting , Garcia Joe G. N. , Zhang Donna D.
Published: January 2016

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a therapeutic intervention widely used in the clinic to assist patients that have difficulty breathing due to lung edema, trauma, or general anesthesia. However, MV causes ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), a condition characterized by increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier that results in edema, hemorrhage and neutrophil infiltration, leading to exacerbated lung inflammation and oxidative stress. This study explored the feasibility of using bixin, a canonical NRF2 inducer identified during the current study, to ameliorate lung damage in a murine VILI model. In vitro, bixin was found to activate the NRF2 signaling pathway through blockage of ubiquitylation and degradation of NRF2 in a KEAP1-C151 dependent manner; intraperitoneal (IP) injection of bixin led to pulmonary upregulation of the NRF2 response in vivo. Remarkably, IP administration of bixin restored normal lung morphology and attenuated inflammatory response and oxidative DNA damage following MV. This observed beneficial effect of bixin derived from induction of the NRF2 cytoprotective response since it was only observed in Nrf2+/+ but not in Nrf2−/− mice. This is the first study providing proof-of-concept that NRF2 activators can be developed into pharmacological agents for clinical use to prevent patients from lung injury during MV treatment.
Visualization of terahertz surface waves propagation on metal foils
Authors: Wang Xinke , Wang Sen , Sun Wenfeng , Feng Shengfei , Han Peng , Yan Haitao , Ye Jiasheng , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2016

Exploitation of surface plasmonic devices (SPDs) in the terahertz (THz) band is always beneficial for broadening the application potential of THz technologies. To clarify features of SPDs, a practical characterization means is essential for accurately observing the complex field distribution of a THz surface wave (TSW). Here, a THz digital holographic imaging system is employed to coherently exhibit temporal variations and spectral properties of TSWs activated by a rectangular or semicircular slit structure on metal foils. Advantages of the imaging system are comprehensively elucidated, including the exclusive measurement of TSWs and fall-off of the time consumption. Numerical simulations of experimental procedures further verify the imaging measurement accuracy. It can be anticipated that this imaging system will provide a versatile tool for analyzing the performance and principle of SPDs.
Bcl6 Sets a Threshold for Antiviral Signaling by Restraining IRF7 Transcriptional Program
Authors: Xu Feng , Kang Yanhua , Zhuang Ningtong , Lu Zhe , Zhang Hang , Xu Dakang , Ding Yina , Yin Hongping , Shi Liyun
Published: January 2016

The coordination of restraining and priming of antiviral signaling constitute a fundamental aspect of immunological functions. However, we currently know little about the molecular events that can translate the pathogenic cues into the appropriate code for antiviral defense. Our present study reports a specific role of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)6 as a checkpoint in the initiation of the host response to cytosolic RNA viruses. Remarkably, Bcl6 specifically binds to the interferon-regulatory factor (IRF)7 loci and restrains its transcription, thereby functioning as a negative regulator for interferon (IFN)-β production and antiviral responses. The signal-controlled turnover of the Bcl6, most likely mediated by microRNA-127, coordinates the antiviral response and inflammatory sequelae. Accordingly, de-repression of Bcl6 resulted in a phenotypic conversion of macrophages into highly potent IFN-producing cells and rendered mice more resistant to pathogenic RNA virus infection. The failure to remove the Bcl6 regulator, however, impedes the antiviral signaling and exaggerates viral pneumonia in mice. We thus reveal a novel key molecular checkpoint to orchestrate antiviral innate immunity.
Inactivation of Ricin Toxin by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields Including Evidences from Cell and Animal Toxicity
Authors: Wei Kai , Li Wei , Gao Shan , Ji Bin , Zang Yating , Su Bo , Wang Kaile , Yao Maosheng , Zhang Jue , Wang Jinglin
Published: January 2016

Ricin is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant protein toxin extracted from the castor oil plant and it has been classified as a chemical warfare agent. Here, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) at 30 kV/cm (pulse durations: 10 ns, 100 ns and 300 ns) were applied to inactivating ricin up to 4.2 μg/mL. To investigate the efficacy, cells and mice were tested against the ricin treated by the nsPEFs via direct intraperitoneal injection and inhalation exposure. Results showed that nsPEFs treatments can effectively reduce the toxicity of the ricin. Without the nsPEFs treatment, 100% of mice were killed upon the 4 μg ricin injection on the first day, however 40% of the mice survived the ricin treated by the nsPEFs. Compared to injection, inhalation exposure even with higher ricin dose required longer time to observe mice fatality. Pathological observations revealed damages to heart, lung, kidney and stomach after the ricin exposure, more pronounced for lung and kidney including severe bleeding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and circular dichroism (CD) analyses revealed that although the primary structure of ricin was not altered, its secondary structures (beta-sheet and beta-turn) underwent transition upon the nsPEFs treatment.
Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antigen TpF1 induces angiogenesis through the activation of the IL-8 pathway
Authors: Pozzobon Tommaso , Facchinello Nicola , Bossi Fleur , Capitani Nagaja , Benagiano Marisa , Di Benedetto Giulietta , Zennaro Cristina , West Nicole , Codolo Gaia , Bernardini Marialina , Baldari Cosima Tatiana , D’Elios Mario Milco , Pellegrini Luca , Argenton Francesco , de Bernard Marina
Published: January 2016

Over 10 million people every year become infected by Treponema pallidum and develop syphilis, a disease with broad symptomatology that, due to the difficulty to eradicate the pathogen from the highly vascularized secondary sites of infection, is still treated with injections of penicillin. Unlike most other bacterial pathogens, T. pallidum infection produces indeed a strong angiogenic response whose mechanism of activation, however, remains unknown. Here, we report that one of the major antigen of T. pallidum, the TpF1 protein, has growth factor-like activity on primary cultures of human endothelial cells and activates specific T cells able to promote tissue factor production. The growth factor-like activity is mediated by the secretion of IL-8 but not of VEGF, two known angiogenic factors. The pathogen’s factor signals IL-8 secretion through the activation of the CREB/NF-κB signalling pathway. These findings are recapitulated in an animal model, zebrafish, where we observed that TpF1 injection stimulates angiogenesis and IL-8, but not VEGF, secretion. This study suggests that the angiogenic response observed during secondary syphilis is triggered by TpF1 and that pharmacological therapies directed to inhibit IL-8 response in patients should be explored to treat this disease.
Comparison of bacterial communities of conventional and A-stage activated sludge systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Alejandro , Rodriguez-Sanchez Alejandro , Lotti Tommaso , Garcia-Ruiz Maria-Jesus , Osorio Francisco , Gonzalez-Lopez Jesus , van Loosdrecht Mark C. M.
Published: January 2016

The bacterial community structure of 10 different wastewater treatment systems and their influents has been investigated through pyrosequencing, yielding a total of 283486 reads. These bioreactors had different technological configurations: conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems and very highly loaded A-stage systems. A-stage processes are proposed as the first step in an energy producing municipal wastewater treatment process. Pyrosequencing analysis indicated that bacterial community structure of all influents was similar. Also the bacterial community of all CAS bioreactors was similar. Bacterial community structure of A-stage bioreactors showed a more case-specific pattern. A core of genera was consistently found for all influents, all CAS bioreactors and all A-stage bioreactors, respectively, showing that different geographical locations in The Netherlands and Spain did not affect the functional bacterial communities in these technologies. The ecological roles of these bacteria were discussed. Influents and A-stage bioreactors shared several core genera, while none of these were shared with CAS bioreactors communities. This difference is thought to reside in the different operational conditions of the two technologies. This study shows that bacterial community structure of CAS and A-stage bioreactors are mostly driven by solids retention time (SRT) and hydraulic retention time (HRT), as suggested by multivariate redundancy analysis.
AGE-RAGE signal generates a specific NF-κB RelA “barcode” that directs collagen I expression
Authors: Peng Yunqian , Kim Ji-Min , Park Hal-Sol , Yang Annie , Islam Celia , Lakatta Edward G. , Lin Li
Published: January 2016

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are sugar-modified biomolecules that accumulate in the body with advancing age and are implicated in the development of multiple age-associated structural and functional abnormities and diseases. It has been well documented that AGEs signal via their receptor RAGE to activate several cellular programs including NF-κB, leading to inflammation. A large number of stimuli can activate NF-κB; yet different stimuli, or the same stimulus for NF-κB in different cellular settings, produce a very different transcriptional landscape and physiological outcome. The NF-κB barcode hypothesis posits that cellular network dynamics generate signal-specific post-translational modifications, or a “barcode” to NF-κB and that a signature “barcode” mediates a specific gene expression pattern. In the current study, we established that AGE-RAGE signaling results in NF-κB activation that directs collagen Ia1 and Ia2 expression. We further demonstrated that AGE-RAGE signal induces phosphorylation of RelA at three specific residues, T254, S311 and S536. These modifications are required for transcription of collagen I genes and are a consequence of cellular network dynamics. The increase of collagen content is a hallmark of arterial aging and our work provides a potential mechanistic link between RAGE signaling, NF-κB activation and aging-associated arterial alterations in structure and function.
DNA Methylation mediated down-regulating of MicroRNA-33b and its role in gastric cancer
Authors: Yin Haixin , Song Peng , Su Rui , Yang Guihua , Dong Lei , Luo Min , Wang Bin , Gong Bei , Liu Changzheng , Song Wei , Wang Fang , Ma Yanni , Zhang Junwu , Wang Weibin , Yu Jia
Published: January 2016

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) provides a new and powerful tool for studying the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Currently, down-regulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs by CpG island hypermethylation is emerging as a common hallmark of cancer. Here, we reported that the down-regulation of miR-33b was associated with pM stage of gastric cancer (GC) patients. Ectopic expression of miR-33b in HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, which might be due to miR-33b targeting oncogene c-Myc. Moreover, enhanced methylation level of the CpG island upstream of miR-33b in GC patients with down-regulated miR-33b was confirmed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) amplification. Furthermore, re-introduction of miR-33b significantly suppressed tumorigenesis of GC cells in the nude mice. In conclusion, miR-33b acts as a tumor suppressor and hypermethylation of the CpG island upstream of miR-33b is responsible for its down-regulation in gastric cancer.
Overexpression of sonic hedgehog in the triple negative breast cancer: clinicopathological characteristics of high burden breast cancer patients from Bangladesh
Authors: Noman A. S. , Uddin M. , Rahman M. Z. , Nayeem M. J. , Alam S. S. , Khatun Z. , Wahiduzzaman M. , Sultana A. , Rahman M. L. , Ali M. Y. , Barua D. , Ahmed I. , Islam M. S. , Aboussekhra A. , Yeger H. , Farhat W. A. , Islam S. S.
Published: January 2016

Dysregulation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been documented in mammary gland development and breast cancer (BC) progression. Despite the remarkable progress in therapeutic interventions, BC related mortality in Bangladesh increased in the last decade. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) still presents a critical therapeutic challenge. Thus effective targeted therapy is urgently needed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of BC patients from Bangladesh. Routine immunohistochemical analysis and high throughput RNA-Seq data from the TCGA library were used to analyze the expression pattern and association of high and low level of Shh expression in a collection of BC patients with a long-term follow-up. High levels of Shh were observed in a subset of BC tumors with poor prognostic pathological features. Higher level of Shh expression correlated with a significantly poorer overall survival of patients compared with patients whose tumors expressed a low level of Shh. These data support the contention that Shh could be a novel biomarker for breast cancer that is involved in mediating the aggressive phenotype of BC. We propose that BC patients exhibiting a higher level of Shh expression, representing a subset of BC patients, would be amenable to Shh targeted therapy.
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 mediates striatal degeneration via the regulation of C1q
Authors: Cho Kyoung Joo , Cheon So Young , Kim Gyung Whan
Published: January 2016

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1), an early signaling element in the cell death pathway, has been hypothesized to participate in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. The systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) facilitates the development of selective striatal lesions. However, it remains unclear whether specific neurons are selectively targeted in 3-NP-infused striatal degeneration. Recently, it has been proposed that complement-mediated synapse elimination may be reactivated aberrantly in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. We hypothesized that ASK1 is involved in striatal astrocyte reactivation; reactive astrocyte secretes molecules detrimental to neuron; and striatal neurons are more susceptible to these factors. Our results indicate that striatal astrocyte is reactivated and ASK1 level increases after 3-NP general and chronic infusion. Reactive striatal astrocyte increases TGF-beta differentially to cortex and striatum. ASK1 may be involved in regulation of astrocyte TGF-beta and it is linked to the C1q level in spatial and temporal and moreover in the earlier stage of progressing striatal neuronal loss. Conclusively the present study suggests that ASK1 mediates 3-NP toxicity and regulates C1q level through the astrocyte TGF-beta. And also it may suggest that C1q level may be a surrogate of prediction marker representing neurodegenerative disease progress before developing behavioral impairment.
Origin of the Avalanche-Like Photoluminescence from Metallic Nanowires
Authors: Ma Zongwei , Yu Ying , Shen Shaoxin , Dai Hongwei , Yao Linhua , Han Yibo , Wang Xia , Han Jun-Bo , Li Liang
Published: January 2016

Surface plasmonic systems provide extremely efficient ways to modulate light-matter interaction in photon emission, light harvesting, energy conversion and transferring, etc. Various surface plasmon enhanced luminescent behaviors have been observed and investigated in these systems. But the origin of an avalanche-like photoluminescence, which was firstly reported in 2007 from Au and subsequently from Ag nanowire arrays/monomers, is still not clear. Here we show, based on systematic investigations including the excitation power/time related photoluminescent measurements as well as calculations, that this avalanche-like photoluminescence is in fact a result of surface plasmon assisted thermal radiation. Nearly all of the related observations could be perfectly interpreted with this concept. Our finding is crucial for understanding the surface plasmon mediated thermal and photoemission behaviors in plasmonic structures, which is of great importance in designing functional plasmonic devices.
State-dependent and cell type-specific temporal processing in auditory thalamocortical circuit
Authors: Sakata Shuzo
Published: January 2016

Ongoing spontaneous activity in cortical circuits defines cortical states, but it still remains unclear how cortical states shape sensory processing across cortical laminae and what type of response properties emerge in the cortex. Recording neural activity from the auditory cortex (AC) and medial geniculate body (MGB) simultaneously with electrical stimulations of the basal forebrain (BF) in urethane-anesthetized rats, we investigated state-dependent spontaneous and auditory-evoked activities in the auditory thalamocortical circuit. BF stimulation induced a short-lasting desynchronized state, with sparser firing and increased power at gamma frequency in superficial layers. In this desynchronized state, the reduction in onset response variability in both AC and MGB was accompanied by cell type-specific firing, with decreased responses of cortical broad spiking cells, but increased responses of cortical narrow spiking cells. This onset response was followed by distinct temporal evolution in AC, with quicker rebound firing in infragranular layers. This temporal profile was associated with improved processing of temporally structured stimuli across AC layers to varying degrees, but not in MGB. Thus, the reduction in response variability during the desynchronized state can be seen subcortically whereas the improvement of temporal tuning emerges across AC layers, emphasizing the importance of state-dependent intracortical processing in hearing.
Resistin, a fat-derived secretory factor, promotes metastasis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells through ERM activation
Authors: Lee Jung Ok , Kim Nami , Lee Hye Jeong , Lee Yong Woo , Kim Su Jin , Park Sun Hwa , Kim Hyeon Soo
Published: January 2016

Resistin, an adipocyte-secreted factor, is known to be elevated in breast cancer patients. However, the molecular mechanism by which resistin acts is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether resistin could stimulate invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. Here, we report that resistin stimulated invasion and migration of breast cancer cells as well as phosphorylation of c-Src. Inhibition of c-Src blocked resistin-induced breast cancer cell invasion. Resistin increased intracellular calcium concentration and chelation of intracellular calcium blocked resistin-mediated activation of Src. Resistin also induced phosphorylation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Inhibition of c-Src blocked resistin-mediated PP2A phosphorylation. In addition, resistin increased phosphorylation of PKCα. Inhibition of PP2A enhanced resistin-induced PKCα phosphorylation, demonstrating that PP2A activity is critical for PKCα phosphorylation. Resistin also increased phosphorylation of ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM). Additionally, ezrin interacted with PKCα and resistin promoted co-localization of ezrin and PKCα. Either inhibition of c-Src and PKCα or knock-down of ezrin blocked resistin-induced breast cancer cells invasion. Moreover, resistin increased expression of vimentin, a key molecule for cancer cell invasion. Knock-down of ezrin abrogated resistin-induced vimentin expression. These results suggest that resistin play as a critical regulator of breast cancer metastasis.
Ultrahigh Performance of Novel Capacitive Deionization Electrodes based on A Three-Dimensional Graphene Architecture with Nanopores
Authors: Shi Wenhui , Li Haibo , Cao Xiehong , Leong Zhi Yi , Zhang Jun , Chen Tupei , Zhang Hua , Yang Hui Ying
Published: January 2016

In order to achieve optimal desalination during capacitive deionization (CDI), CDI electrodes should possess high electrical conductivity, large surface area, good wettability to water, narrow pore size distribution and efficient pathways for ion and electron transportation. In this work, we fabricated a novel CDI electrode based on a three-dimensional graphene (3DG) architecture by constructing interconnected graphene sheets with in-plane nanopores (NP-3DG). As compared to 3DG, NP-3DG features a larger specific surface area of 445 m2 g−1 and therefore the higher specific capacitance. The ultrahigh electrosorptive capacity of NP-3DG predicted from Langmuir isotherm is 17.1 mg g−1 at a cell potential of 1.6 V. This can be attributed to the interconnected macropores within the graphene networks and nanopores on graphene sheets. Both of macropores and nanopores are favorable for enhancing CDI peroformance by buffering ions to reduce the diffusion distances from the external electrolyte to the interior surfaces and enlarging the surface area.
CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates investigation of neural circuit disease using human iPSCs: mechanism of epilepsy caused by an SCN1A loss-of-function mutation
Authors: Liu J , Gao C , Chen W , Ma W , Li X , Shi Y , Zhang H , Zhang L , Long Y , Xu H , Guo X , Deng S , Yan X , Yu D , Pan G , Chen Y , Lai L , Liao W , Li Z
Published: January 2016

Mutations in SCN1A, the gene encoding the α subunit of Nav1.1 channel, can cause epilepsies with wide ranges of clinical phenotypes, which are associated with the contrasting effects of channel loss-of-function or gain-of-function. In this project, CRISPR/Cas9- and TALEN-mediated genome-editing techniques were applied to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based-disease model to explore the mechanism of epilepsy caused by SCN1A loss-of-function mutation. By fluorescently labeling GABAergic subtype in iPSC-derived neurons using CRISPR/Cas9, we for the first time performed electrophysiological studies on SCN1A-expressing neural subtype and monitored the postsynaptic activity of both inhibitory and excitatory types. We found that the mutation c.A5768G, which led to no current of Nav1.1 in exogenously transfected system, influenced the properties of not only Nav current amount, but also Nav activation in Nav1.1-expressing GABAergic neurons. The two alterations in Nav further reduced the amplitudes and enhanced the thresholds of action potential in patient-derived GABAergic neurons, and led to weakened spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in the patient-derived neuronal network. Although the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) did not change significantly, when the frequencies of both sIPSCs and sEPSCs were further analyzed, we found the whole postsynaptic activity transferred from the inhibition-dominated state to excitation in patient-derived neuronal networks, suggesting that changes in sIPSCs alone were sufficient to significantly reverse the excitatory level of spontaneous postsynaptic activity. In summary, our findings fill the gap of our knowledge regarding the relationship between SCN1A mutation effect recorded on exogenously transfected cells and on Nav1.1-expressing neurons, and reveal the physiological basis underlying epileptogenesis caused by SCN1A loss-of-function mutation.
Ion collision cross section measurements in Fourier transform-based mass analyzers
Authors: Li Dayu , Tang Yang , Xu Wei
Published: January 2016

High-vacuum ion collision cross section (CCS) measurements in Fourier transform mass analyzers.
Picric acid capped silver nanoparticles as a probe for colorimetric sensing of creatinine in human blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples
Authors: Parmar Ankita K. , Valand Nikunj N. , Solanki Kalpesh B. , Menon Shobhana K.
Published: January 2016

A new approach has been proposed for the traditional Jaffe's reaction by coating Ag NPs with picric acid to form an assembly that can selectively detect creatinine. This sensor proficiently and selectively recognizes creatinine due to the ability of picric acid to bind with it and form a complex.
Recent advances in carbon-based dots for electroanalysis
Authors: Yulong Ying , Xinsheng Peng
Published: January 2016

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) demonstrate unique properties in the electroanalysis field, including electroresistance, electrochemiluminescence, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensors.
LAPONITE®-stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles for in vivo MR imaging of tumors
Authors: Ding Ling , Hu Yong , Luo Yu , Zhu Jianzhi , Wu Yilun , Yu Zhibo , Cao Xueyan , Peng Chen , Shi Xiangyang , Guo Rui
Published: January 2016

LAPONITE®-stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles with great colloidal stability and high T2 relaxivity are synthesized by a facile controlled coprecipitation method, and can significantly enhance the contrast of tumors in vivo, indicating their tremendous potential in MR imaging applications.
Interfacial nano-biosensing in microfluidic droplets for high-sensitivity detection of low-solubility molecules
Authors: Dou Maowei , García José Mireles , Zhan Sihui , Li XiuJun
Published: January 2016

To address insolubility issues in detection of organic chemicals, we developed an innovative interfacial nanosensing strategy in microfluidic droplets for high-sensitivity detection of 17β-estradiol and other low-solubility molecules.
Fluorescent supramolecular nanoparticles signal the loading of electrostatically charged cargo
Authors: Graña-Suárez Laura , Verboom Willem , Huskens Jurriaan
Published: January 2016

Supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) become responsive to the loading of cargo by attaching a fluorescent dye to one of the building blocks. The SNPs shrink upon loading them with a positively charged cargo polymer. When using a dye-labeled cargo, FRET occurs between the SNP components and the cargo.
Hydrophobicity-induced prestaining for protein detection in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: Li Zhe , Guan Weijiang , Lu Chao , Zhou Xi-Rui , Luo Shi-Zhong , You Ying , Ouyang Jin
Published: January 2016

An aggregation-induced emission fluorescent surfactant has been used to prestain protein by means of strong hydrophobic interaction between fluorescent surfactants and proteins.
Betaine mediated synthesis of annulated dihydrofurans from oxobis(methylthio)ketene acetals and N-butyl-N′-methyl ethane-1,2-diamine as precursors via NHC elimination
Authors: Kumar Atul , Maurya Shivam , Pratap Kemant , Srivastava Suman
Published: January 2016

First in situ generation of betaine intermediate has been developed using new precursors oxobis(methylthio)ketene acetals and N-butyl-N′-methyl ethane-1,2-diamine for the synthesis of annulated dihydrofurans.
Attraction by repulsion: compounds with like charges undergo self-assembly in water that improves in high salt and persists in real biological fluids
Authors: Garnett Graham A. E. , Daze Kevin D. , Peña Diaz Jorge A. , Fagen Noah , Shaurya Alok , Ma Manuel C. F. , Collins Mary S. , Johnson Darren W. , Zakharov Lev N. , Hof Fraser
Published: January 2016

We report a family of like-charged molecules that assemble in water and get stronger in high salt.
Correlating the melting point alteration with the supramolecular structure in aripiprazole drug cocrystals
Authors: Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Ravikumar Krishnan
Published: January 2016

Structural reasons for the melting point variations in isostructural cocrystals of the aripiprazole drug are investigated through combined spectroscopic and diffraction studies.
Metal adatoms generated by the co-play of melamine assembly and subsequent CO adsorption
Authors: Wang Li , Chen Qiwei , Shi Hong , Liu Huihui , Ren Xinguo , Wang Bing , Wu Kai , Shao Xiang
Published: January 2016

CO exposure induces the formation of monoatomic gold species trapped in the melamine monolayer assembled on the Au(111) surface.
Experimental and computational evaluation of the barrier to torsional rotation in a butadiyne-linked porphyrin dimer
Authors: Peeks Martin D. , Neuhaus Patrik , Anderson Harry L.
Published: January 2016

Temperature-dependent changes in the UV-vis-NIR absorption spectrum of a butadiyne linked porphyrin dimer have been used to determine the height of the energy barrier to torsional rotation.
Chemical bonding-induced rich electronic properties of oxygen adsorbed few-layer graphenes
Authors: Thuy Tran Ngoc Thanh , Lin Shih-Yang , Lin Yu-Tsung , Lin Ming-Fa
Published: January 2016

The electronic properties of graphene oxides enriched by strong chemical bonding are investigated using first-principles calculations.
Gradual plasmon evolution and huge infrared near-field enhancement of metallic bridged nanoparticle dimers
Authors: Huang Yu , Ma Lingwei , Hou Mengjing , Xie Zheng , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: January 2016

Gradual plasmon evolutions of BDP and CTP modes are visualized. Particularly, the CTP mode enables huge infrared near-field enhancement.
Anisotropic structure and dynamics of the solvation shell of a benzene solute in liquid water from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Choudhary Ashu , Chandra Amalendu
Published: January 2016

The anisotropic structure and dynamics of the hydration shell of a benzene solute in liquid water have been investigated by means of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations using the BLYP (Becke–Lee–Yang–Parr) and dispersion corrected BLYP-D functionals.
Ammonia-modified Co(ii) sites in zeolites: spin and electron density redistribution through the CoII–NO bond
Authors: Stępniewski Adam , Radoń Mariusz , Góra-Marek Kinga , Broclawik Ewa
Published: January 2016

Both considerable share of the CoIII–NO−resonance structure and large π*-backdonation (evidenced by electron density transfer channels) rationalize the huge activation of the NO ligand in [Co(ii)(NH3)n]–NO adducts.
Oxygen vacancies on nanosized ceria govern the NOxstorage capacity of NSR catalysts
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Yunbo , He Hong
Published: January 2016

The oxygen vacancies on Pt/BaO/CeO2govern the NOxstorage capacity by creating efficient sites or channels for nitrate formation and its further transformation to Ba-based storage sites.
A new type of photomagnetic system: photoinduced charge transfer in polyoxometalate-based organic–inorganic hybrid
Authors: Gao Qiao , Li Fengyan , Sun Zhixia , Xu Lin , Sun Minghui
Published: January 2016

A new photomagnetic system having the magnetic transformation from diamagnetism to paramagnetism in the polyoxometalate-based organic–inorganic hybrid has been created.
Paving the way for the synthesis of a series of divalent actinide complexes: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Wu Q.-Y. , Lan J.-H. , Wang C.-Z. , Cheng Z.-P. , Chai Z.-F. , Gibson J. K. , Shi W.-Q.
Published: January 2016

A series of divalent actinide species were systematically studied to identify the interactions between the +2 actinide ions and Cp′ ligands.
Nitrogen-rich 4,4′-azo bis(1,2,4-triazolone) salts—the synthesis and promising properties of a new family of high-density insensitive materials
Authors: Zhu Jiaping , Jin Shaohua , Wan Li , Zhang Chunyuan , Li Lijie , Chen Shusen , Shu Qinghai
Published: January 2016

4,4′-Azo-bis(1,2,4-triazolone) (ZTO) based salts from alkaline (Li+, K+, Na+, and Cs+), alkaline earth metal salts (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+) and hydrazinium salt were synthesized in a simple, straightforward manner and were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis.
Competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions in a hexagonal bipyramidal nickel thiolate cluster
Authors: Hamaguchi Tomohiko , Doud Michael D. , Hilgar Jeremy , Rinehart Jeffrey D. , Kubiak Clifford P.
Published: January 2016

A new hexagonal bipyramidal Ni8 cluster is reported and its magnetic behaviour is analyzed.
Enhancing the photovoltaic performance and stability of QDSSCs using surface reinforced Pt nanostructures with controllable morphology and superior electrocatalysis via cost-effective chemical bath deposition
Authors: Srinivasa Rao S. , Durga Ikkurthi Kanaka , Kang Tae-Su , Kim Soo-Kyoung , Punnoose Dinah , Gopi Chandu V. V. M. , Eswar Reddy Araveeti , Krishna T. N. V. , Kim Hee-Je
Published: January 2016

Several metal sulfides Pt CEs were studied as CEs for QDSSCs.
High energy supercapattery with an ionic liquid solution of LiClO4
Authors: Yu Linpo , Chen George Z.
Published: January 2016

A supercapattery combining an ideally polarized capacitor-like electrode and a battery-like electrode is demonstrated theoretically and practically using an ionic liquid electrolyte containing 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tri(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (BMPyrrFAP), gamma-butyrolactone (γ-GBL) and LiClO4. The electrochemical deposition and dissolution of lithium metal on a platinum and glass carbon electrode were investigated in this ionic liquid solution. The CVs showed that the fresh electrochemically deposited lithium metal was stable in the electrolyte, which encouraged the investigation of this ionic liquid solution in a supercapattery with a lithium battery negative electrode. The active material counted specific energy of the supercapattery based on a lithium negative electrode and an activated carbon (Act-C) positive electrode could reach 230 W h kg−1 under a galvanostatic charge–discharge current density of 1 mA cm−2. The positive electrode material (Act-C) was also investigated by CV, AC impedance, SEM and BET. The non-uniform particle size and micropores dominated porous structure of the Act-C enabled its electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) behavior in the ionic liquid solution. The measured specific capacitance of the Act-C in this ionic liquid solution is higher than the same Act-C in aqueous solution, which indicates the Act-C can also perform well in the ionic liquid electrolyte.
Highly efficient reduction of carbonyls, azides, and benzyl halides by NaBH4 in water catalyzed by PANF-immobilized quaternary ammonium salts
Authors: Du Jianguo , Xu Gang , Lin Huikun , Wang Guangwei , Tao Minli , Zhang Wenqin
Published: January 2016

Highly efficient, easily recyclable and reusable polyacrylonitrile fiber-supported quaternary ammonium salts for the reduction of aldehydes, ketones, azides, and benzyl halides in water using NaBH4 as the reducing reagent.
Eco-friendly construction of highly functionalized chromenopyridinones by an organocatalyzed solid-state melt reaction and their optical properties
Authors: Paul Sanjay , Lee Yong Rok
Published: January 2016

Diverse chromenopyridinone derivatives were synthesized under organocatalytic solid-state melt conditions. The optical properties of these π-expanded chromenopyridine derivatives were examined.
An integrated hybrid microfluidic device for oviposition-based chemical screening of adult Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Leung Jacob C. K. , Hilliker Arthur J. , Rezai Pouya
Published: January 2016

We present agar-PDMS microdevices for studying egg-laying of free-flyingDrosophila melanogasterexposed to chemicals on the chip at various concentrations.
Stitching of tyrosine and 10H-acridin-9-one: turn-ON fluorescence in the narrow pH range 7.4–8.5 and intracellular labelling of cancer cells
Authors: Singh Palwinder , Kumar Arun , Kaur Sukhmeet , Singh Amrinder , Gupta Muskan , Kaur Gurcharan
Published: January 2016

We tailored 10H-acridin-9-one and (S)-tyrosine into 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[(9-oxo-9,10-dihydroacridine-4-carbonyl) amino]propionic acid (2).
Facile solvolysis of a surprisingly twisted tertiary amide
Authors: Bloomfield Aaron J. , Chaudhuri Subhajyoti , Mercado Brandon Q. , Batista Victor S. , Crabtree Robert H.
Published: January 2016

A twisted 3° amide is cleaved at the same rate as a methyl ester under alkaline conditions at 22 °C.
Nanoscale mapping of heterogeneity of the polarization reversal in lead-free relaxor–ferroelectric ceramic composites
Authors: Gobeljic D. , Shvartsman V. V. , Belianinov A. , Okatan B. , Jesse S. , Kalinin S. V. , Groh C. , Rödel J. , Lupascu D. C.
Published: January 2016

Heterogeneity of domain patterns and polarization switching in ferroelectric–relaxor ceramic composites were addressed using piezoresponse force microscopy.
Self-assembly of subwavelength nanostructures with symmetry breaking in solution
Authors: Tian Xiang-Dong , Chen Shu , Zhang Yue-Jiao , Dong Jin-Chao , Panneerselvam Rajapandiyan , Zhang Yun , Yang Zhi-Lin , Li Jian-Feng , Tian Zhong-Qun
Published: January 2016

The self-assembly of asymmetric nanostructures with adjustable building blocks (Au nanospheres: 90–250 nm and Ag nanocubes: 100–160 nm) and meanwhile with interparticle gaps controlled by silica shells (from 1 nm to beyond 10 nm).
Perovskite-organic hybrid tandem solar cells using a nanostructured perovskite layer as the light window and a PFN/doped-MoO3/MoO3 multilayer as the interconnecting layer
Authors: Liu Jian , Lu Shunmian , Zhu Lu , Li Xinchen , Choy Wallace C. H.
Published: January 2016

A two-terminal Perovskite (PVSK)-organic hybrid tandem solar cell with nanostructured PVSK layer as light window and PFN/doped MoO3/MoO3 multilayer interconnection layer is presented.
Photoluminescence characterisations of a dynamic aging process of organic–inorganic CH3NH3PbBr3perovskite
Authors: Sheng R. , Wen X. , Huang S. , Hao X. , Chen S. , Jiang Y. , Deng X. , Green M. A. , Ho-Baillie A. W. Y.
Published: January 2016

PL decay traces (left) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) image (right) of 2 weeks air stored perovskite film.
Palladium-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,2,4]thiadiazine 1,1-dioxides: an efficient strategy to the synthesis of benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives
Authors: Wang Dongyin , Liu Wei , Yi Fei , Zhao Yongli , Chen Junmin
Published: January 2016

An efficient strategy to the synthesis of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,2,4]thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives via palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides with various aryl iodides is described.
Stereoselective synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives using an organocatalyzed tandem Michael–Michael reaction
Authors: Huang Huicai , Bihani Manisha , Zhao John C.-G.
Published: January 2016

A highly efficient and stereoselective method for the synthesis of functionalized spirooxindole derivatives was realized using enamine catalysis.
Triflate-functionalized calix[6]arenes as versatile building-blocks: application to the synthesis of an inherently chiral Zn(ii) complex
Authors: Zahim Sara , Lavendomme Roy , Reinaud Olivia , Luhmer Michel , Evano Gwilherm , Jabin Ivan
Published: January 2016

The regioselective synthesis of two calix[6]arenes bearing triflate groups is described. These compounds constitute versatile molecular platforms that allow the elaboration of sophisticated calixarene-based systems selectively functionalized at the large and/or at the small rim.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of bromoenals with 3-aminooxindoles: highly enantioselective synthesis of spirocyclic oxindolo-γ-lactams
Authors: Chen Kun-Quan , Li Yao , Zhang Chun-Lin , Sun De-Qun , Ye Song
Published: January 2016

The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of α-bromoenals and 3-aminooxindoles was developed, giving spirocyclic oxindolo-γ-lactams in good yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.
Synthesis, structure and pyrolysis of stabilised phosphonium ylides containing saturated oxygen heterocycles
Authors: Aitken R. Alan , Karodia Nazira , McCarron Hollie B. , Rouxel Cécile , Sahabo Nina , Slawin Alexandra M. Z.
Published: January 2016

Pyrolysis of the stable crystalline ylides gives O-heterocyclic alkynes and other, carbene-derived products.