bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tunable colloid trajectories in nematic liquid crystals near wavy walls
Authors: Luo Yimin , Beller Daniel A. , Boniello Giuseppe , Serra Francesca , Stebe Kathleen J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe ability to dictate the motion of microscopic objects is an important challenge in fields ranging from materials science to biology. Field-directed assembly drives microparticles along paths defined by energy gradients. Nematic liquid crystals, consisting of rod-like molecules, provide new opportunities in this domain. Deviations of nematic liquid crystal molecules from uniform orientation cost elastic energy, and such deviations can be molded by bounding vessel shape. Here, by placing a wavy wall in a nematic liquid crystal, we impose alternating splay and bend distortions, and define a smoothly varying elastic energy field. A microparticle in this field displays a rich set of behaviors, as this system has multiple stable states, repulsive and attractive loci, and interaction strengths that can be tuned to allow reconfigurable states. Microparticles can transition between defect configurations, move along distinct paths, and select sites for preferred docking. Such tailored landscapes have promise in reconfigurable systems and in microrobotics applications.
Notch2 controls non-autonomous Wnt-signalling in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Mangolini Maurizio , Götte Frederik , Moore Andrew , Ammon Tim , Oelsner Madlen , Lutzny-Geier Gloria , Klein-Hitpass Ludger , Williamson James C. , Lehner Paul J. , Dürig Jan , Möllmann Michael , Rásó-Barnett Lívia , Hughes Katherine , Santoro Antonella , Méndez-Ferrer Simón , Oostendorp Robert A. J. , Zimber-Strobl Ursula , Peschel Christian , Hodson Daniel J. , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Ringshausen Ingo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe Wnt signalling pathway, one of the core de-regulated pathways in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), is activated in only a subset of patients through somatic mutations. Here we describe alternative, microenvironment-dependent mechanisms of Wnt activation in malignant B cells. We show that tumour cells specifically induce Notch2 activity in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) required for the transcription of the complement factor C1q. MSC-derived C1q in turn inhibits Gsk3-β mediated degradation of β-catenin in CLL cells. Additionally, stromal Notch2 activity regulates N-cadherin expression in CLL cells, which interacts with and further stabilises β-catenin. Together, these stroma Notch2-dependent mechanisms induce strong activation of canonical Wnt signalling in CLL cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the Wnt pathway impairs microenvironment-mediated survival of tumour cells. Similarly, inhibition of Notch signalling diminishes survival of stroma-protected CLL cells in vitro and disease engraftment in vivo. Notch2 activation in the microenvironment is a pre-requisite for the activation of canonical Wnt signalling in tumour cells.
Influence of PEDOT:PSS crystallinity and composition on electrochemical transistor performance and long-term stability
Authors: Kim Seong-Min , Kim Chang-Hyun , Kim Youngseok , Kim Nara , Lee Won-June , Lee Eun-Hak , Kim Dokyun , Park Sungjun , Lee Kwanghee , Rivnay Jonathan , Yoon Myung-Han 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOwing to the mixed electron/hole and ion transport in the aqueous environment, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)-based organic electrochemical transistor has been regarded as one of the most promising device platforms for bioelectronics. Nonetheless, there exist very few in-depth studies on how intrinsic channel material properties affect their performance and long-term stability in aqueous environments. Herein, we investigated the correlation among film microstructural crystallinity/composition, device performance, and aqueous stability in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) films. The highly organized anisotropic ordering in crystallized conducting polymer films led to remarkable device characteristics such as large transconductance (∼20 mS), extraordinary volumetric capacitance (113 F·cm−3), and unprecedentedly high [μC*] value (∼490 F·cm−1V−1s−1). Simultaneously, minimized poly(styrenesulfonate) residues in the crystallized film substantially afforded marginal film swelling and robust operational stability even after >20-day water immersion, >2000-time repeated on-off switching, or high-temperature/pressure sterilization. We expect that the present study will contribute to the development of long-term stable implantable bioelectronics for neural recording/stimulation.
Repeated inversions within a pannier intron drive diversification of intraspecific colour patterns of ladybird beetles
Authors: Ando Toshiya , Matsuda Takeshi , Goto Kumiko , Hara Kimiko , Ito Akinori , Hirata Junya , Yatomi Joichiro , Kajitani Rei , Okuno Miki , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Kobayashi Masaaki , Takano Tomoyuki , Minakuchi Yohei , Seki Masahide , Suzuki Yutaka , Yano Kentaro , Itoh Takehiko , Shigenobu Shuji , Toyoda Atsushi , Niimi Teruyuki 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHow genetic information is modified to generate phenotypic variation within a species is one of the central questions in evolutionary biology. Here we focus on the striking intraspecific diversity of >200 aposematic elytral (forewing) colour patterns of the multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, which is regulated by a tightly linked genetic locus h. Our loss-of-function analyses, genetic association studies, de novo genome assemblies, and gene expression data reveal that the GATA transcription factor gene pannier is the major regulatory gene located at the h locus, and suggest that repeated inversions and cis-regulatory modifications at pannier led to the expansion of colour pattern variation in H. axyridis. Moreover, we show that the colour-patterning function of pannier is conserved in the seven-spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, suggesting that H. axyridis’ extraordinary intraspecific variation may have arisen from ancient modifications in conserved elytral colour-patterning mechanisms in ladybird beetles.
Gallium nitride nanowire as a linker of molybdenum sulfides and silicon for photoelectrocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Zhou Baowen , Kong Xianghua , Vanka Srinivas , Chu Sheng , Ghamari Pegah , Wang Yichen , Pant Nick , Shih Ishiang , Guo Hong , Mi Zetian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe combination of earth-abundant catalysts and semiconductors, for example, molybdenum sulfides and planar silicon, presents a promising avenue for the large-scale conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The inferior interface between molybdenum sulfides and planar silicon, however, severely suppresses charge carrier extraction, thus limiting the performance. Here, we demonstrate that defect-free gallium nitride nanowire is ideally used as a linker of planar silicon and molybdenum sulfides to produce a high-quality shell-core heterostructure. Theoretical calculations revealed that the unique electronic interaction and the excellent geometric-matching structure between gallium nitride and molybdenum sulfides enabled an ideal electron-migration channel for high charge carrier extraction efficiency, leading to outstanding performance. A benchmarking current density of 40 ± 1 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, the highest value ever reported for a planar silicon electrode without noble metals, and a large onset potential of +0.4 V were achieved under standard one-sun illumination.
Lung colonization by Aspergillus fumigatus is controlled by ZNF77
Authors: Gago Sara , Overton Nicola L. D. , Ben-Ghazzi Nagwa , Novak-Frazer Lilyann , Read Nick D. , Denning David W. , Bowyer Paul 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAspergillus fumigatus is a critical pathogen of humans. Exposure to A. fumigatus conidia occurs frequently but is normally cleared from the respiratory airways. In contrast, individuals with respiratory diseases are often highly colonized by fungi. Here, we use genome-edited epithelial cells to show that the genetic variant rs35699176 in ZNF77 causes loss of integrity of the bronchial epithelium and increases levels of extracellular matrix proteins. These changes promote A. fumigatus conidial adhesion, germination and growth. RNA-seq and LC/MS-MS analysis reveal rs35699176 upregulates vesicle trafficking leading to an increment of adhesion proteins. These changes make cells carrying rs35699176 more receptive to A. fumigatus in the early stages of infection. Moreover, patients with fungal asthma carrying rs35699176+/− have higher A. fumigatus loads in their respiratory airway. Our results indicate ZNF77 as a key controller of Aspergillus colonization and suggest its utility as a risk-marker for patient stratification.
Structures of insect Imp-L2 suggest an alternative strategy for regulating the bioavailability of insulin-like hormones
Authors: Roed Nikolaj Kulahin , Viola Cristina M. , Kristensen Ole , Schluckebier Gerd , Norrman Mathias , Sajid Waseem , Wade John D. , Andersen Asser Sloth , Kristensen Claus , Ganderton Timothy R. , Turkenburg Johan P. , De Meyts Pierre , Brzozowski Andrzej M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling axis is an evolutionary ancient and highly conserved hormonal system involved in the regulation of metabolism, growth and lifespan in animals. Human insulin is stored in the pancreas, while insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is maintained in blood in complexes with IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP1–6). Insect insulin-like polypeptide binding proteins (IBPs) have been considered as IGFBP-like structural and functional homologues. Here, we report structures of theDrosophilaIBP Imp-L2 in its free form and bound toDrosophilainsulin-like peptide 5 and human IGF-1. Imp-L2 contains two immunoglobulin-like fold domains and its architecture is unrelated to human IGFBPs, suggesting a distinct strategy for bioavailability regulation of insulin-like hormones. Similar hormone binding modes may exist in other insect vectors, as the IBP sequences are highly conserved. Therefore, these findings may open research routes towards a rational interference of transmission of diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fevers.
Discovering human diabetes-risk gene function with genetics and physiological assays
Authors: Peiris Heshan , Park Sangbin , Louis Shreya , Gu Xueying , Lam Jonathan Y. , Asplund Olof , Ippolito Gregory C. , Bottino Rita , Groop Leif , Tucker Haley , Kim Seung K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDeveloping systems to identify the cell type-specific functions regulated by genes linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk could transform our understanding of the genetic basis of this disease. However, in vivo systems for efficiently discovering T2D risk gene functions relevant to human cells are currently lacking. Here we describe powerful interdisciplinary approaches combining Drosophila genetics and physiology with human islet biology to address this fundamental gap in diabetes research. We identify Drosophila orthologs of T2D-risk genes that regulate insulin output. With human islets, we perform genetic studies and identify cognate human T2D-risk genes that regulate human beta cell function. Loss of BCL11A, a transcriptional regulator, in primary human islet cells leads to enhanced insulin secretion. Gene expression profiling reveals BCL11A-dependent regulation of multiple genes involved in insulin exocytosis. Thus, genetic and physiological systems described here advance the capacity to identify cell-specific T2D risk gene functions.
A cocoon silk chemistry strategy to ultrathin N-doped carbon nanosheet with metal single-site catalysts
Authors: Zhu Youqi , Sun Wenming , Luo Jun , Chen Wenxing , Cao Tai , Zheng Lirong , Dong Juncai , Zhang Jian , Zhang Maolin , Han Yunhu , Chen Chen , Peng Qing , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDevelopment of single-site catalysts supported by ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) porous matrix with ultrahigh surface area is highly desired but also challenging. Here we report a cocoon silk chemistry strategy to synthesize isolated metal single-site catalysts embedded in ultrathin 2D porous N-doped carbon nanosheets (M-ISA/CNS, M = Fe, Co, Ni). X-ray absorption fine structure analysis and spherical aberration correction electron microscopy demonstrate an atomic dispersion of metal atoms on N-doped carbon matrix. In particular, the Co-ISA/CNS exhibit ultrahigh specific surface area (2105 m2 g−1) and high activity for C–H bond activation in the direct catalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol with hydrogen peroxide at room temperature, while the Co species in the form of phthalocyanine and metal nanoparticle show a negligible activity. Density functional theory calculations discover that the generated O = Co = O center intermediates on the single Co sites are responsible for the high activity of benzene oxidation to phenol.
A conformational sensor based on genetic code expansion reveals an autocatalytic component in EGFR activation
Authors: Baumdick Martin , Gelléri Márton , Uttamapinant Chayasith , Beránek Václav , Chin Jason W. , Bastiaens Philippe I. H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation by growth factors (GFs) relies on dimerization and allosteric activation of its intrinsic kinase activity, resulting in trans-phosphorylation of tyrosines on its C-terminal tail. While structural and biochemical studies identified this EGF-induced allosteric activation, imaging collective EGFR activation in cells and molecular dynamics simulations pointed at additional catalytic EGFR activation mechanisms. To gain more insight into EGFR activation mechanisms in living cells, we develop a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based conformational EGFR indicator (CONEGI) using genetic code expansion that reports on conformational transitions in the EGFR activation loop. Comparing conformational transitions, self-association and auto-phosphorylation of CONEGI and its Y845F mutant reveals that Y845 phosphorylation induces a catalytically active conformation in EGFR monomers. This conformational transition depends on EGFR kinase activity and auto-phosphorylation on its C-terminal tail, generating a looped causality that leads to autocatalytic amplification of EGFR phosphorylation at low EGF dose.
Alpha-enolase regulates the malignant phenotype of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via the AMPK-Akt pathway
Authors: Dai Jingbo , Zhou Qiyuan , Chen Jiwang , Rexius-Hall Megan L. , Rehman Jalees , Zhou Guofei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic shift toward increased glycolysis observed in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) during the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are not fully understood. Here we show that the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase (ENO1) regulates the metabolic reprogramming and malignant phenotype of PASMC. We show that ENO1 levels are elevated in patients with associated PAH and in animal models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). The silencing or inhibition of ENO1 decreases PASMC proliferation and de-differentiation, and induces PASMC apoptosis, whereas the overexpression of ENO1 promotes a synthetic, de- differentiated, and apoptotic-resistant phenotype via the AMPK-Akt pathway. The suppression of ENO1 prevents the hypoxia-induced metabolic shift from mitochondrial respiration to glycolysis in PASMC. Finally, we find that pharmacological inhibition of ENO1 reverses HPH in mice and rats, suggesting ENO1 as a regulator of pathogenic metabolic reprogramming in HPH.
Towards synthetic cells using peptide-based reaction compartments
Authors: Vogele Kilian , Frank Thomas , Gasser Lukas , Goetzfried Marisa A. , Hackl Mathias W. , Sieber Stephan A. , Simmel Friedrich C. , Pirzer Tobias 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMembrane compartmentalization and growth are central aspects of living cells, and are thus encoded in every cell’s genome. For the creation of artificial cellular systems, genetic information and production of membrane building blocks will need to be coupled in a similar manner. However, natural biochemical reaction networks and membrane building blocks are notoriously difficult to implement in vitro. Here, we utilized amphiphilic elastin-like peptides (ELP) to create self-assembled vesicular structures of about 200 nm diameter. In order to genetically encode the growth of these vesicles, we encapsulate a cell-free transcription-translation system together with the DNA template inside the peptide vesicles. We show in vesiculo production of a functioning fluorescent RNA aptamer and a fluorescent protein. Furthermore, we implement in situ expression of the membrane peptide itself and finally demonstrate autonomous vesicle growth due to the incorporation of this ELP into the membrane.
An interstellar synthesis of phosphorus oxoacids
Authors: Turner Andrew M. , Bergantini Alexandre , Abplanalp Matthew J. , Zhu Cheng , Góbi Sándor , Sun Bing-Jian , Chao Kang-Heng , Chang Agnes H. H. , Meinert Cornelia , Kaiser Ralf I. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPhosphorus signifies an essential element in molecular biology, yet given the limited solubility of phosphates on early Earth, alternative sources like meteoritic phosphides have been proposed to incorporate phosphorus into biomolecules under prebiotic terrestrial conditions. Here, we report on a previously overlooked source of prebiotic phosphorus from interstellar phosphine (PH3) that produces key phosphorus oxoacids—phosphoric acid (H3PO4), phosphonic acid (H3PO3), and pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7)—in interstellar analog ices exposed to ionizing radiation at temperatures as low as 5 K. Since the processed material of molecular clouds eventually enters circumstellar disks and is partially incorporated into planetesimals like proto Earth, an understanding of the facile synthesis of oxoacids is essential to untangle the origin of water-soluble prebiotic phosphorus compounds and how they might have been incorporated into organisms not only on Earth, but potentially in our universe as well.
Active particles bound by information flows
Authors: Khadka Utsab , Holubec Viktor , Yang Haw , Cichos Frank 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSelf-organization is the generation of order out of local interactions. It is deeply connected to many fields of science from physics, chemistry to biology, all based on physical interactions. The emergence of collective animal behavior is the result of self-organization processes as well, though they involve abstract interactions arising from sensory inputs, information processing, storage, and feedback. Resulting collective behaviors are found, for example, in crowds of people, flocks of birds, and swarms of bacteria. Here we introduce interactions between active microparticles which are based on the information about other particle positions. A real-time feedback of multiple active particle positions is the information source for the propulsion direction of these particles. The emerging structures require continuous information flows. They reveal frustrated geometries due to confinement to two dimensions and internal dynamical degrees of freedom that are reminiscent of physically bound systems, though they exist only as nonequilibrium structures.
Tuning topological phase and quantum anomalous Hall effect by interaction in quadratic band touching systems
Authors: Zeng Tian-Sheng , Zhu Wei , Sheng Donna 
Published: September 2018

AbstractInteraction-driven topological phases significantly enrich the class of topological materials and thus are of great importance. Here, we study the phase diagram of interacting spinless fermions filling the two-dimensional checkerboard lattice with a quadratic band touching (QBT) point. By developing new diagnosis based on the state-of-the-art density-matrix renormalization group and exact diagonalization, we determine accurate quantum phase diagram for such a system at half-filling with three distinct phases. For weak nearest-neighboring interactions, we demonstrate the instability of the QBT towards an interaction-driven spontaneous quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect. For strong interactions, the system breaks the rotational symmetry realizing a nematic charge-density-wave (CDW) phase. Interestingly, for intermediate interactions we discover a symmetry-broken bond-ordered critical phase sandwiched in between the QAH and CDW phases, which splits the QBT into two Dirac points driven by interaction. Instead of the direct transition between QAH and CDW phases, our identification of an intermediate phase sheds new light on the theoretical understanding of the interaction-driven phases in QBT systems.
Characterization of different fat depots in NAFLD using inflammation-associated proteome, lipidome and metabolome
Authors: Lovric Alen , Granér Marit , Bjornson Elias , Arif Muhammad , Benfeitas Rui , Nyman Kristofer , Ståhlman Marcus , Pentikäinen Markku O. , Lundbom Jesper , Hakkarainen Antti , Sirén Reijo , Nieminen Markku S. , Lundbom Nina , Lauerma Kirsi , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Mardinoglu Adil , Boren Jan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome, accompanied with excessive fat accumulation in the liver and other vital organs. Ectopic fat accumulation was previously associated with negative effects at the systemic and local level in the human body. Thus, we aimed to identify and assess the predictive capability of novel potential metabolic biomarkers for ectopic fat depots in non-diabetic men with NAFLD, using the inflammation-associated proteome, lipidome and metabolome. Myocardial and hepatic triglycerides were measured with magnetic spectroscopy while function of left ventricle, pericardial and epicardial fat, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Measured ectopic fat depots were profiled and predicted using a Random Forest algorithm, and by estimating the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. We have identified distinct metabolic signatures of fat depots in the liver (TAG50:1, glutamate, diSM18:0 and CE20:3), pericardium (N-palmitoyl-sphinganine, HGF, diSM18:0, glutamate, and TNFSF14), epicardium (sphingomyelin, CE20:3, PC38:3 and TNFSF14), and myocardium (CE20:3, LAPTGF-β1, glutamate and glucose). Our analyses highlighted non-invasive biomarkers that accurately predict ectopic fat depots, and reflect their distinct metabolic signatures in subjects with NAFLD.