bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
4,3-α-Glucanotransferase, a novel reaction specificity in glycoside hydrolase family 70 and clan GH-H
Authors: Gangoiti Joana , van Leeuwen Sander S. , Gerwig Gerrit J. , Duboux Stéphane , Vafiadi Christina , Pijning Tjaard , Dijkhuizen Lubbert 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLactic acid bacteria possess a diversity of glucansucrase (GS) enzymes that belong to glycoside hydrolase family 70 (GH70) and convert sucrose into α-glucan polysaccharides with (α1 → 2)-, (α1 → 3)-, (α1 → 4)- and/or (α1 → 6)-glycosidic bonds. In recent years 3 novel subfamilies of GH70 enzymes, inactive on sucrose but using maltodextrins/starch as substrates, have been established (e.g. GtfB of Lactobacillus reuteri 121). Compared to the broad linkage specificity found in GSs, all GH70 starch-acting enzymes characterized so far possess 4,6-α-glucanotransferase activity, cleaving (α1 → 4)-linkages and synthesizing new (α1 → 6)-linkages. In this work a gene encoding a putative GH70 family enzyme was identified in the genome of Lactobacillus fermentum NCC 2970, displaying high sequence identity with L. reuteri 121 GtfB 4,6-α-glucanotransferase, but also with unique variations in some substrate-binding residues of GSs. Characterization of this L. fermentum GtfB and its products revealed that it acts as a 4,3-α-glucanotransferase, converting amylose into a new type of α-glucan with alternating (α1 → 3)/(α 1 → 4)-linkages and with (α1 → 3,4) branching points. The discovery of this novel reaction specificity in GH70 family and clan GH-H expands the range of α-glucans that can be synthesized and allows the identification of key positions governing the linkage specificity within the active site of the GtfB-like GH70 subfamily of enzymes.
Isolation of cell type-specific apoptotic bodies by fluorescence-activated cell sorting
Authors: Atkin-Smith Georgia K. , Paone Stephanie , Zanker Damien J. , Duan Mubing , Phan Than K. , Chen Weisan , Hulett Mark D. , Poon Ivan K. H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractApoptotic bodies (ApoBDs) are membrane-bound extracellular vesicles that can mediate intercellular communication in physiological and pathological settings. By combining recently developed analytical strategies with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), we have developed a method that enables the isolation of ApoBDs from cultured cells to 99% purity. In addition, this approach also enables the identification and isolation of cell type-specific ApoBDs from tissue, bodily fluid and blood-derived samples.
Heterophase-structured nanocrystals as superior supports for Ru-based catalysts in selective hydrogenation of benzene
Authors: Peng Zhikun , Liu Xu , Li Shuaihui , Li Zhongjun , Li Baojun , Liu Zhongyi , Liu Shouchang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractZrO2 heterophase structure nanocrystals (HSNCs) were synthesized with tunable ratios of monoclinic ZrO2 (m-ZrO2) to tetragonal ZrO2 (t-ZrO2). The phase mole ratio of m-ZrO2 versus t-ZrO2 in ZrO2 HSNCs was tuned from 40% to 100%. The concentration of the surface hydroxyl groups on m-ZrO2 is higher than that on t-ZrO2. ZrO2 HSNCs have different surface hydroxyl groups on two crystalline phases. This creates more intimate synergistic effects than their single-phase counterparts. The ZrO2 HSNCs were used as effective supports to fabricate heterophase-structured Ru/ZrO2 catalysts for benzene-selective hydrogenation. The excellent catalytic performance including high activity and selectivity is attributed to the heterogeneous strong/weak hydrophilic interface and water layer formed at the m-ZrO2/t-ZrO2 catalyst junction.
Limitations of predicting microvascular invasion in patients with hepatocellular cancer prior to liver transplantation
Authors: Grąt Michał , Stypułkowski Jan , Patkowski Waldemar , Bik Emil , Krasnodębski Maciej , Wronka Karolina M. , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Wasilewicz Michał , Grąt Karolina , Masior Łukasz , Ligocka Joanna , Krawczyk Marek 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMicrovascular invasion (MVI) is well known to negatively influence outcomes following surgical treatment of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rationale for prediction of MVI before liver transplantation (LT). Data of 200 HCC patients after LT were subject to retrospective analysis. MVI was present in 57 patients (28.5%). Tumor number (p = 0.001) and size (p = 0.009), and alpha-fetoprotein (p = 0.049) were independent predictors of MVI used to create a prediction model, defined as: 0.293x(tumor number) + 0.283x(tumor size in cm) + 0.164xloge(alpha-fetoprotein in ng/ml) (c statistic = 0.743). The established cut-off (≥2.24) was associated with sensitivity and specificity of 72%. MVI was not an independent risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.307), in contrast to tumor number (p = 0.047) and size (p < 0.001), alpha-fetoprotein (p < 0.001) and poor differentiation (p = 0.039). Recurrence-free survival at 5 years for patients without MVI was 85.9% as compared to 83.3% (p = 0.546) and 55.3% (p = 0.001) for patients with false negative and true positive prediction of MVI, respectively. The use of both morphological and biological tumor features enables effective pre-transplant prediction of high-risk MVI. Provided that these parameters are combined in selection of HCC patients for LT, pre-transplant identification of all patients with MVI does not appear necessary.
Combining in-situ lithography with 3D printed solid immersion lenses for single quantum dot spectroscopy
Authors: Sartison Marc , Portalupi Simone Luca , Gissibl Timo , Jetter Michael , Giessen Harald , Michler Peter 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn the current study, we report on the deterministic fabrication of solid immersion lenses (SILs) on lithographically pre-selected semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). We demonstrate the combination of state-of-the-art low-temperature in-situ photolithography and femtosecond 3D direct laser writing. Several QDs are pre-selected with a localization accuracy of less than 2 nm with low-temperature lithography and three-dimensional laser writing is then used to deterministically fabricate hemispherical lenses on top of the quantum emitter with a submicrometric precision. Due to the printed lenses, the QD light extraction efficiency is enhanced by a factor of 2, the pumping laser is focused more, and the signal-to-noise ratio is increased, leading to an improved localization accuracy of the QD to well below 1 nm. Furthermore, modifications of the QD properties, i.e. strain and variation of internal quantum efficiency induced by the printed lenses, are also reported.
Rational and practical exfoliation of graphite using well-defined poly(3-hexylthiophene) for the preparation of conductive polymer/graphene composite
Authors: Iguchi Hiroki , Higashi Chisato , Funasaki Yuichi , Fujita Keisuke , Mori Atsunori , Nakasuga Akira , Maruyama Tatsuo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractProcessing and manipulation of highly conductive pristine graphene in large quantities are still major challenges in the practical application of graphene for electric device. In the present study, we report the liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite in toluene using well-defined poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to produce a P3HT/graphene composite. We synthesize and use regioregular P3HT with controlled molecular weights as conductive dispersants for graphene. Simple ultrasonication of graphite flakes with the P3HT successfully produces single-layer and few-layer graphene sheets dispersed in toluene. The produced P3HT/graphene composite can be used as conductive graphene ink, indicating that the P3HT/graphene composite has high electrical conductivity owing to the high conductivity of P3HT and graphene. The P3HT/graphene composite also works as an oxidation-resistant and conductive film for a copper substrate, which is due to the high gas-barrier property of graphene.
Structural origin of fractional Stokes-Einstein relation in glass-forming liquids
Authors: Pan Shaopeng , Wu Z. W. , Wang W. H. , Li M. Z. , Xu Limei 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn many glass-forming liquids, fractional Stokes-Einstein relation (SER) is observed above the glass transition temperature. However, the origin of such phenomenon remains elusive. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the break- down of SER and the onset of fractional SER in a model of metallic glass-forming liquid. We find that SER breaks down when the size of the largest cluster consisting of trapped atoms starts to increase sharply at which the largest cluster spans half of the simulations box along one direction, and the fractional SER starts to follows when the largest cluster percolates the entire system and forms 3-dimentional network structures. Further analysis based on the percolation theory also confirms that percolation occurs at the onset of the fractional SER. Our results directly link the breakdown of the SER with structure inhomogeneity and onset of the fraction SER with percolation of largest clusters, thus provide a possible picture for the break- down of SER and onset of fractional SER in glass-forming liquids, which is is important for the understanding of the dynamic properties in glass-forming liquids.
Further characterization of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and its synergistic interaction with Sugarcane mosaic virus in maize
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhang Chao , Wang Chunyan , Qian Yajuan , Li Zhenghe , Hong Jian , Zhou Xueping 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMaize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) was first reported in maize in China in 2009. In this study we further analyzed the epidemiology of MCMV and corn lethal necrosis disease (CLND) in China. We determined that CLND observed in China was caused by co-infection of MCMV and sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). Phylogenetic analysis using four full-length MCMV cDNA sequences obtained in this study and the available MCMV sequences retrieved from GenBank indicated that Chinese MCMV isolates were derived from the same source. To screen for maize germplasm resistance against MCMV infection, we constructed an infectious clone of MCMV isolate YN2 (pMCMV) and developed an Agrobacterium-mediated injection procedure to allow high throughput inoculations of maize with the MCMV infectious clone. Electron microscopy showed that chloroplast photosynthesis in leaves was significantly impeded by the co-infection of MCMV and SCMV. Mitochondria in the MCMV and SCMV co-infected cells were more severely damaged than in MCMV-infected cells. The results of this study provide further insight into the epidemiology of MCMV in China and shed new light on physiological and cytopathological changes related to CLND in maize.
SHG-specificity of cellular Rootletin filaments enables naïve imaging with universal conservation
Authors: Akiyama Toshihiro , Inoko Akihito , Kaji Yuichi , Yonemura Shigenobu , Kakiguchi Kisa , Segawa Hiroki , Ishitsuka Kei , Yoshida Masaki , Numata Osamu , Leproux Philippe , Couderc Vincent , Oshika Tetsuro , Kano Hideaki 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDespite growing demand for truly naïve imaging, label-free observation of cilium-related structure remains challenging, and validation of the pertinent molecules is correspondingly difficult. In this study, in retinas and cultured cells, we distinctively visualized Rootletin filaments in rootlets in the second harmonic generation (SHG) channel, integrated in custom coherent nonlinear optical microscopy (CNOM) with a simple, compact, and ultra-broadband supercontinuum light source. This SHG signal was primarily detected on rootlets of connecting cilia in the retinal photoreceptor and was validated by colocalization with anti-Rootletin staining. Transfection of cells with Rootletin fragments revealed that the SHG signal can be ascribed to filaments assembled from the R234 domain, but not to cross-striations assembled from the R123 domain. Consistent with this, Rootletin-depleted cells lacked SHG signal expected as centrosome linker. As a proof of concept, we confirmed that similar fibrous SHG was observed even in unicellular ciliates. These findings have potential for broad applications in clinical diagnosis and biophysical experiments with various organisms.
Single cell time-lapse analysis reveals that podoplanin enhances cell survival and colony formation capacity of squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Miyashita Tomoyuki , Higuchi Youichi , Kojima Motohiro , Ochiai Atsushi , Ishii Genichiro 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTumor initiating cells (TICs) are characterized by high clonal expansion capacity. We previously reported that podoplanin is a TIC-specific marker for the human squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431. The aim of this study is to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the high clonal expansion potential of podoplanin-positive A431cells using Fucci imaging. Single podoplanin-positive cells created large colonies at a significantly higher frequency than single podoplanin-negative cells, whereas no difference was observed between the two types of cells with respect to cell cycle status. Conversely, the cell death ratio of progenies derived from podoplanin-positive single cell was significantly lower than that of cells derived from podoplanin-negative cells. Single A431 cells, whose podoplanin expression was suppressed by RNA interference, exhibited increased cell death ratios and decreased frequency of large colony forming. Moreover, the frequency of large colony forming decreased significantly when podoplanin-positive single cells was treated with a ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase) inhibitor, whereas no difference was observed in single podoplanin-negative cells. Our current study cleared that high clonal expansion capacity of podoplanin-positive TICs populations was the result of reduced cell death by podoplanin-mediated signaling. Therefore, podoplanin activity may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas.
CNTs-Modified Nb3O7F Hybrid Nanocrystal towards Faster Carrier Migration, Lower Bandgap and Higher Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Huang Fei , Li Zhen , Yan Aihua , Zhao Hui , Liang Huagen , Gao Qingyu , Qiang Yinghuai 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNovel semiconductor photocatalysts have been the research focus and received much attention in recent years. The key issues for novel semiconductor photocatalysts are to effectively harvest solar energy and enhance the separation efficiency of the electron-hole pairs. In this work, novel Nb3O7F/CNTs hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal plus etching technique. The important finding is that appropriate pH values lead to the formation of Nb3O7F nanocrystal directly. A general strategy to introdue interaction between Nb3O7F and CNTs markedly enhances the photocatalytic activity of Nb3O7F. Comparatively, Nb3O7F/CNTs nanocomposites exhibit higher photodegradation efficiency and faster photodegradation rate in the solution of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. The higher photocatalytic activity may be attributed to more exposed active sites, higher carrier migration and narrower bandgap because of good synergistic effect. The results here may inspire more engineering, new design and facile fabrication of novel photocatalysts with highly photocatalytic activity.
Core-shell structured titanium-nitrogen alloys with high strength, high thermal stability and good plasticity
Authors: Zhang Y. S. , Zhao Y. H. , Zhang W. , Lu J. W. , Hu J. J. , Huo W. T. , Zhang P. X. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMultifunctional materials with more than two good properties are widely required in modern industries. However, some properties are often trade-off with each other by single microstructural designation. For example, nanostructured materials have high strength, but low ductility and thermal stability. Here by means of spark plasma sintering (SPS) of nitrided Ti particles, we synthesized bulk core-shell structured Ti alloys with isolated soft coarse-grained Ti cores and hard Ti-N solid solution shells. The core-shell Ti alloys exhibit a high yield strength (~1.4 GPa) comparable to that of nanostructured states and high thermal stability (over 1100 °C, 0.71 of melting temperature), contributed by the hard Ti-N shells, as well as a good plasticity (fracture plasticity of 12%) due to the soft Ti cores. Our results demonstrate that this core-shell structure offers a design pathway towards an advanced material with enhancing strength-plasticity-thermal stability synergy.
Transcriptome profiles reveal gene regulation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) nodulation
Authors: Peng Ze , Liu Fengxia , Wang Liping , Zhou Hai , Paudel Dev , Tan Lubin , Maku James , Gallo Maria , Wang Jianping 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms of symbiosis in cultivated peanut with a ‘crack entry’ infection process are largely understudied. In this study, we investigated the root transcriptional profiles of two pairs of non-nodulating (nod−) and nodulating (nod+) sister inbred peanut lines, E4/E5 and E7/E6, and their nod+ parents, F487A and PI262090 during rhizobial infection and nodule initiation by using RNA-seq technology. A total of 143, 101, 123, 215, 182, and 289 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in nod− E4, E7 and nod+ E5, E6, F487A, and PI262090 after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. Different deficiencies at upstream of symbiotic signaling pathway were revealed in the two nod− genotypes. DEGs specific in nod+ genotypes included orthologs to some known symbiotic signaling pathway genes, such as NFR5, NSP2, NIN, ERN1, and many other novel and/or functionally unknown genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of nod+ specific DEGs revealed 54 significantly enriched GO terms, including oxidation-reduction process, metabolic process, and catalytic activity. Genes related with plant defense systems, hormone biosynthesis and response were particularly enriched. To our knowledge, this is the first report revealing symbiosis-related genes in a genome-wide manner in peanut representative of the ‘crack entry’ species.
Disulfide isomerase-like protein AtPDIL1–2 is a good candidate for trichlorophenol phytodetoxification
Authors: Peng Ri-He , Qiu Jin , Tian Yong-Sheng , Gao Jian-jie , Han Hong-juan , Fu Xiao-Yan , Zhu Bo , Xu Jing , Wang Bo , Li Zhen-jun , Wang Li-juan , Yao Quan-Hong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTrichlorophenol (TCP) is a widely used and persistent environmentally toxic compound that poses a carcinogenic risk to humans. Phytoremediation is a proficient cleanup technology for organic pollutants. In this study, we found that the disulfide isomerase-like protein AtPDIL1–2 in plants is a good candidate for enhancing 2,4,6-TCP phytoremediation. The expression of AtPDIL1-2 in Arabidopsis was induced by 2,4,6-TCP. The heterologously expressed AtPDIL1-2 in Escherichia coli exhibited both oxidase and isomerase activities as protein disulfide isomerase and improved bacteria tolerance to 2,4,6-TCP. Further research revealed that transgenic tobacco overexpressing AtPDIL1-2 was more tolerant to high concentrations of 2,4,6-TCP and removed the toxic compound at far greater rates than the control plants. To elucidate the mechanism of action of AtPDIL1-2, we investigated the chemical interaction of AtPDIL1-2 with 2,4,6-TCP for the first time. HPLC analysis implied that AtPDIL1-2 exerts a TCP-binding activity. A suitable configuration of AtPDIL1-2-TCP binding was obtained by molecular docking studies using the AutoDock program. It predicted that the TCP binding site is located in the b-b′ domain of AtPDIL1-2 and that His254 of the protein is critical for the binding interaction. These findings imply that AtPDIL1-2 can be used for TCP detoxification by the way of overexpression in plants.
Biotic and abiotic factors investigated in two Drosophila species – evidence of both negative and positive effects of interactions on performance
Authors: Ørsted Michael , Schou Mads Fristrup , Kristensen Torsten Nygaard 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMultiple environmental factors acting in concert can interact and strongly influence population fitness and ecosystem composition. Studies investigating interactions usually involve only two environmental factors; most frequently a chemical and another abiotic factor such as a stressful temperature. Here we investigate the effects of three environmental factors: temperature, an insecticide (dimethoate) and interspecific co-occurrence. We expose two naturally co-occurring species of Drosophila (D. hydei and D. melanogaster) to the different environments during development and examine the consequences on several performance measures. Results are highly species and trait specific with evidence of two- and three-way interactions in approximately 30% of all cases, suggesting that additive effects of combined environmental factors are most common, and that interactions are not universal. To provide more informative descriptions of complex interactions we implemented re-conceptualised definitions of synergism and antagonism. We found approximately equal proportions of synergistic and antagonistic interactions in both species, however the effects of interactions on performance differed between the two. Furthermore, we found negative impacts on performance in only 60% of interactions, thus our study also reveals a high proportion of cases with positive effects of interactions.
In ovo injection of betaine alleviates corticosterone-induced fatty liver in chickens through epigenetic modifications
Authors: Hu Yun , Sun Qinwei , Liu Jie , Jia Yimin , Cai Demin , Idriss Abdulrahman A. , Omer Nagmeldin A. , Zhao Ruqian 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBetaine alleviates high-fat diet-induced fatty liver and prenatal betaine programs offspring hepatic lipid metabolism. Excessive corticosterone (CORT) exposure causes fatty liver in chickens, yet it remains unknown whether and how prenatal betaine modulates the susceptibility of CORT-induced fatty liver later in life. In this study, fertilized eggs were injected with saline or betaine before incubation, and the hatchlings were raised at 8 weeks of age followed by 7 days of subcutaneous CORT injection. CORT-induced fatty liver was less severe in betaine-treated chickens, with significantly reduced oil-red staining and hepatic triglyceride content (P < 0.05). The protective effect of prenatal betaine was associated with significantly up-regulated expression of PPARα and CPT1α, as well as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded genes (P < 0.05). Moreover, betaine rescued CORT-induced alterations in methionine cycle genes, which coincided with modifications of CpG methylation on CPT1α gene promoter and mtDNA D-loop regions. Furthermore, the elevation of hepatic GR protein content after CORT treatment was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the reduction of GR binding to the control region of affected genes was significantly increased (P < 0.05), in betaine-treated chickens. These results indicate that in ovo betaine injection protects the juvenile chickens from CORT-induced fatty liver.