Article
Ecology
Benno I. Simmons, Andrew P. Beckerman, Katrine Hansen, Pietro K. Maruyama, Constantinos Televantos, Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni, Bo Dalsgaard
Summary: This study examines the impact of indirect interactions on plant-hummingbird pollination networks and finds that different assembly processes result in significantly different patterns of indirect interactions. Neutral effects tend to produce densely connected motifs, while niche-based processes lead to motifs with a core of interacting generalists and peripheral specialists.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adeline Goulet, Raphaela Joos, Katherine Lavelle, Douwe Van Sinderen, Jennifer Mahony, Christian Cambillau
Summary: This study presents structure predictions of adhesion devices of five representative siphophages infecting Streptococcus thermophilus using AlphaFold2. The predictions reveal the mosaic nature of these devices and identify active sites and residues. Analyzing phage-encoded host adhesion devices with AlphaFold2 should become a standard method for characterizing phage-host interaction machineries and annotating phage genomes reliably.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
D. Lee, B. Yoo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of adding maltodextrin during agglomeration on the physical, rheological, and structural properties of different types of water-soluble cellulose gums. The results showed that different cellulose gums exhibited varying flowability and cohesiveness in the presence of MD, and the concentration of MD influenced their porosity and dynamic moduli.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Mechanics
Srinivas Nunna, Anil R. Ravindran, Jens Mroszczok, Claudia Creighton, Russell J. Varley
Summary: Carbon fibres and their composites are highly valued for their excellent tensile properties and light weight, but their performance under compression loading has been a major obstacle to wider usage. This review discusses the reasons for this deficiency and provides suggestions on how to improve the compressive properties of carbon fibre and carbon fibre composites.
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Robert A. Kozol, Andrew J. Conith, Anders Yuiska, Alexia Cree-Newman, Bernadeth Tolentino, Kasey Benesh, Alexandra Paz, Evan Lloyd, Johanna E. Kowalko, Alex C. Keene, Craig Albertson, Erik R. Duboue
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of brain anatomy using a single species of fish with divergent surface and cave morphs, and finds that dorsal regions of the brain are contracted while ventral regions have expanded. The study suggests that the anatomical evolution captured by volume and shape may be driven by similar developmental mechanisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenming Wang, Xiaojia Liu, Yajie Wang, Yuan Wang, Dan Fu, Hongfang Xi, Yi Zhao, Hongfei Wang
Summary: Ferritins can be classified into four subfamilies based on their structural characteristics, but the ferritin from Mycoplasma penetrans possesses unique characteristics and should be categorized as a new subfamily called Mycoplasma Ferritin (Mfr).
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Linguistics
Shota Momma
Summary: This study built a computational model to test the lexical boost effect in long-distance dependency sentence production. The results of five recall-based structural priming experiments showed that the lexical boost effect occurs when both prime and target sentences contain cross-clausal filler-gap dependencies or when neither does, but it disappears when only one of them contains filler-gap dependencies crossing the complementizer structure.
JOURNAL OF MEMORY AND LANGUAGE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mehrnaz Bitaraf, M. E. Ghazi, Morteza Izadifard
Summary: Samples of MgFe2O4 (MFO)(x)-BaTiO3 (BTO)((100-x)) (x = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50) were synthesized using a sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction data showed that all composites had tetragonal phase for BTO and spinel phase for MFO. FESEM analysis revealed that as the concentration of MgFe2O4 increased, the ferrite particles became more agglomerated with an irregular shape. Hysteresis loops (M-H) measurements indicated an increase in saturation magnetization with higher MFO content. The UV-visible spectra showed that the band gap energies ranged from 2.17-2.70 eV, with a decrease in dielectric constant and an increase in dielectric tangent loss as MFO content increased. Nyquist plots also demonstrated a larger diameter semicircle, indicating higher resistivity, with increasing MFO phase in the composites.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Xiaoyong Yang, Pavel A. Korzhavyi, Yang Liu, Qianglin Wei, Temirlan R. Arslanov, John P. A. Waerna, Yu Yang, Ping Zhang
Summary: In this study, the properties of U3Si, U3Si2, and USi compounds were systematically investigated, and the reaction energies between them were calculated. The results showed that under appropriate conditions, the formation of USi is more likely to occur, while high temperature and sufficient uranium environment are more favorable for the formation of U3Si.
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shashank Bhushan Das, Rakesh Kumar Singh, Vivek Kumar, Nishant Kumar, Pallavi Singh, Naman Kumar Naik
Summary: The popularity of spinel ferrite nanomaterials has increased due to their widespread applications in various industries. In this research, Yttrium substituted CoYxFe2-xO4 nanomaterials were synthesized and characterized. The results showed that the properties of the materials, such as crystallite size, porosity, and surface morphology, varied with the Y3+ content. The changes in the optical, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of the materials also had important implications for their potential applications in optoelectronic, magnetic, and environmental fields.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
S. Satapathy, Mohammed Batouche, Taieb Seddik, Mostafa M. Salah, K. K. Maurya
Summary: The primary objective of contemporary manufacturing is to produce low-cost, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient items. This study investigated CdCrO3 as a compound that fulfills these criteria. The structural, electronic, thermodynamic, and transport characteristics of CdCrO3 were examined using FP LAPW program and GGA. The study found that CdCrO3 has potential as a thermoelectric material with a high figure of merit value.
Review
Polymer Science
Sofia Maggiore, Mariana D. Banea, Paola Stagnaro, Giorgio Luciano
Summary: Hybrid joining techniques combine different joining methods to create joints with improved properties. They are widely used in various industries and the research on structural adhesives in hybrid joining processes shows promising potential for reducing mass and manufacturing costs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kang Ma, Ze Ren, Jiaming Ma, Nannan Chen, Jingling Liu
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial diversity, functions, and community assembly mechanisms in different microhabitats of a subtropical estuary. The results revealed differences in bacterial patterns and community assembly mechanisms in distinct microhabitats, providing important insights for understanding the mechanisms to maintain estuarine wetland conservation under environmental changes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Afzal Siddiqui, Sachin Thawarkar, Surya Prakash Singh
Summary: A novel perylene diimide derivative was synthesized and investigated to examine the effect of bulky group on the formation of nano-architectonics. Experimental techniques revealed the mechanism and properties of the highly ordered nano and microstructures. The study also explored the impact of substituents on the morphology and absorption properties of the compound through DFT calculations.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhengguo Li, Lijun An, Shaojie Zhang, Zhaoyu Shi, Jiahe Bao, Muhetaer Tuerhong, Munira Abudukeremu, Jing Xu, Yuanqiang Guo
Summary: This study extracted a polysaccharide SRP70-1 from Stevia rebaudiana, analyzed its structure and immunological functions, and found that it may be helpful for the development of functional foods.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dian Baker, Karen K. Giuliano, Madhuli Thakkar-Samtani, Frank A. Scannapieco, Michael Glick, Marcos Restrepo, Lisa J. Heaton, Julie Frantsve-Hawley
Summary: In this 2019 study, hospital records were analyzed to examine the relationship between preventive dental treatment and periodontal therapy prior to hospitalization, and the risk of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia. The results showed that both preventive dental treatment in the 12 months prior and periodontal therapy in the 6 months prior were associated with a reduced risk of NVHAP.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kaining Zhang, Shanshan Li, Yawen Wang, Zhihao Wang, Nancy Mulvenna, Hang Yang, Peipei Zhang, Huan Chen, Yan Li, Hongliang Wang, Yongxiang Gao, Sivaramesh Wigneshweraraj, Steve Matthews, Kaiming Zhang, Bing Liu
Summary: In this study, we report a phage-encoded enolase inhibitor protein, Gp60, which can inhibit bacterial growth and peptidoglycan synthesis by disrupting the structure of enolase. This phage-inspired disassembly of enolase represents an alternative strategy for the development of antimicrobial drugs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georg Meisl, Catherine K. Xu, Jonathan D. Taylor, Thomas C. T. Michaels, Aviad Levin, Daniel Otzen, David Klenerman, Steve Matthews, Sara Linse, Maria Andreasen, Tuomas P. J. Knowles
Summary: The study reveals that both disease-related proteins and proteins with functional roles in biology are capable of self-replication. However, the rate of self-replication is insignificant on the biologically relevant time scale for proteins fulfilling structural roles, while disease-related proteins can self-replicate quickly within the associated disease's time scale.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xeni Miliara, Takashi Tatsuta, Akinori Eiyama, Thomas Langer, Sarah L. Rouse, Steve Matthews
Summary: The PRELID-TRIAP1 family is responsible for lipid transfer in mitochondria. The lipid binding is mediated by an extended, water-mediated hydrogen bonding network. Disruption of this network by mutation R53E results in lipid release from the protein.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Frank A. Scannapieco
Summary: Mirdza E. (Mitzi) Neiders has had a diverse career at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, serving as a teacher, dentist, researcher, mentor, and role-model to thousands of faculty, students, and patients over the span of nearly 60 years. Being one of the first women on the dental school faculty, she has made significant contributions to dentistry and her community. This article highlights her journey and celebrates her retirement.
Article
Ecology
Lijun Wang, Hongxia Wang, Hua Zhang, Hui Wu
Summary: Research has found that the commensal Streptococcus can enhance the biofilm formation ability of Staphylococcus, effectively promoting its colonization in vivo. The surface protein BapA1 of Streptococcus is crucial for the formation of the dual-species biofilm, while three virulence determinants of Staphylococcus play important roles in this process. These findings reveal a new mechanism in which the biofilm matrix formed between Streptococcus BapA1 and Staphylococcus eDNA contributes to the formation of the dual-species biofilm.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Linlin Li, Qiu Zhong, Yunze Zhao, Juan Bao, Bing Liu, Zhuojun Zhong, Jing Wang, Lan Yang, Tingting Zhang, Mengjun Cheng, Nannan Wu, Tongyu Zhu, Shuai Le
Summary: A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) phage phiYY effectively killed a pyomelanin-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in a patient with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic lung infection. Phage therapy was used as a last resort, with three-course nebulized phiYY treatment reducing bacterial burden and clinical symptoms. Recurrences of P. aeruginosa infections were observed after phage therapy, but the recurrent isolates were still susceptible to phiYY with distinct antibiotic-susceptibility profiles. Further assessment of the safety and efficacy of dsRNA phage is necessary for its use in chronic lung infection treatment.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Parmanand Ahirwar, Veronika Kozlovskaya, Bhavitavya Nijampatnam, Edwin M. Rojas, Piyasuda Pukkanasut, Daniel Inman, Maksim Dolmat, Anna C. Law, Norbert Schormann, Champion Deivanayagam, Gregory J. Harber, Suzanne M. Michalek, Hui Wu, Eugenia Kharlampieva, Sadanandan E. Velu
Summary: We developed analoguesof biofilm inhibitor IIIC5 to enhance solubility, maintain inhibitory activities, and facilitate encapsulation into pH-responsive hydrogel microparticles. The optimized compound HA5 exhibited improved solubility (120.09 μg/mL), inhibited Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation with an IC50 value of 6.42 μM, and showed no adverse effects on the growth of oral commensal species even at a 15-fold higher concentration. The crystal structure of HA5 in complex with GtfB catalytic domain unveiled its active site interactions. HA5 demonstrated its ability to inhibit S. mutans Gtfs and reduce glucan production. Encapsulating HA5 in hydrogel to form hydrogel-encapsulated biofilm inhibitor (HEBI) achieved selective inhibition of S. mutans biofilms similar to HA5. Treatment of S. mutans-infected rats with HA5 or HEBI resulted in a significant reduction in buccal, sulcal, and proximal dental caries compared to untreated infected rats.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Chang Liu, Hua Zhang, Xian Peng, Meghan S. Blackledge, Robert E. Furlani, Haoting Li, Zhaoming Su, Roberta J. Melander, Christian Melander, Suzanne Michalek, Hui Wu
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major concern in public health, and new alternatives to combat biofilm-driven infections are needed. A 2-aminoimidazole derivative has been identified to inhibit biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus by targeting a key transcriptional regulator. This compound shows promise as a new anti-infective agent that can attenuate virulence in bacterial infections.
Article
Microbiology
Lihua Yang, Jing Wang, Shuguang Lu, Youhong Zhong, Kun Xiong, Xiaoxiao Liu, Bing Liu, Xiaoxue Wang, Peng Wang, Shuai Le
Summary: This study discovered a carrier state bacterial phage coexistence mediated by H-NS, which promotes long-term coexistence of host bacteria and phages in the soil. This finding challenges the conventional lytic-lysogenic binary model and demonstrates the ubiquity and ecological importance of the carrier state in nature.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Norbert Schormann, Manisha Patel, Luke Thannickal, Sangeetha Purushotham, Ren Wu, Joshua L. Mieher, Hui Wu, Champion Deivanayagam
Summary: The proteins GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD are involved in glucosyltransferase reactions in saliva and play crucial roles in the development of dental plaque. These enzymes belong to the glycoside hydrolase family and have different abilities to synthesize soluble and insoluble glucans.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lijun Wang, Xueting Huang, Qian Jin, Jie Tang, Hua Zhang, Jing-Ren Zhang, Hui Wu
Summary: This study investigates the role of response regulators in mediating hypermucoviscosity in Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. The findings reveal that the response regulator OmpR is essential for hypermucoviscosity and virulence of K. pneumoniae, and its regulation involves energy production and metabolism.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wuming Liu, Jianbin Bi, Yifan Ren, Huan Chen, Jia Zhang, Tao Wang, Mengzhou Wang, Lin Zhang, Junzhou Zhao, Zheng Wu, Yi Lv, Bing Liu, Rongqian Wu
Summary: This study investigates the role of CIRP in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and explores the therapeutic potential of targeting extracellular CIRP with X-aptamers. The results indicate that serum CIRP concentrations are elevated in AP mice. Recombinant CIRP induces mitochondrial injury and ER stress in pancreatic acinar cells. CIRP-deficient mice exhibit less severe pancreatic injury and inflammatory responses. By employing a bead-based X-aptamer library, a specific X-aptamer that binds to CIRP (XA-CIRP) is identified. Structurally, XA-CIRP inhibits the interaction between CIRP and TLR4. Functionally, it attenuates CIRP-induced pancreatic acinar cell injury in vitro and L-arginine-induced pancreatic injury and inflammation in vivo. Therefore, targeting extracellular CIRP with X-aptamers could be a promising strategy for treating AP.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yanqing Li, Feng Zhu, Yan Li, Shunli Pan, Hongliang Wang, Zai Yang, Zhihao Wang, Zhenyu Hu, Jianfeng Yu, Joseph D. Barritt, Tianhui Li, Xi Liu, Yawen Wang, Xiancang Ma, Bing Liu
Summary: The gut microbiome is crucial for human health. This study introduces a novel model using bacteriophages to selectively deplete specific bacteria in mice, allowing for a more in-depth understanding of their functions.
CELL REPORTS METHODS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hang Yang, Huijun Yuan, Xiaohui Zhao, Meng Xun, Shangrui Guo, Nan Wang, Bing Liu, Hongliang Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates that the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells depends on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, with phosphoinositides playing essential roles in this process. The intracellular domain and catalytic activity of ACE2 are not required for efficient virus entry, and the Delta variant also enters cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis.