bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Chemical Recycling Approach for Catalytic Oxidation of Epoxy Resin and in situ Separation of Degraded Products
Authors: Liu Lulu , Liu Xuehui , Li Xiaohui , Xu Shimei , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: April 2024

Although many approaches have been proposed to recycling waste epoxy resin (EP), the separation of mixed degraded products remains a challenge due to their similar structures. To address this, we present a catalytic oxidation strategy that enables mild degradation of EP and in situ separation of degraded products through supramolecular interactions. The oxidative degradation relies on FeIV=O radicals with strong oxidizing properties, which are generated from the electron transfer of FeCl2 with reaction reagents. As the FeIV=O radicals attacked the C−N bonds of EP, EP was broken into fragments rich in active functional groups. Meanwhile, the FeIV=O radicals were reduced to iron ions that can coordinate with the carboxyl groups on the fragments. As a result, the degraded products with different carboxyl content can be effortlessly separated into liquid and solid phase by coordinating with the catalyst. The success of this work lays the foundation for high‐value application of degraded products and provides new design ideas for recycling waste plastics with complex compositions.
Enantiopure [6]‐Azairidahelicene by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of a Configurationally Labile [4]‐Helicene
Authors: Pazos Ariadna , Cruz Carlos M. , Cuerva Juan M. , Rivilla Ivan , Cossío Fernando P. , Freixa Zoraida
Published: April 2024

A pair of enantiopure [6]‐azairidahelicenes incorporating chirality at the metal center and on the helicenic ligand were synthesized by dynamic kinetic resolution (dkr) of a configurationally labile [4]‐helicenic ligand (4‐(2‐pyridyl)‐benzo[g]phenanthrene, L1H) using bis‐cyclometalated chiral‐at‐metal only iridium(III) precursors as chiral inductors. The origin of the observed dkr is attributed to the different conformation and stability of diastereomeric reaction intermediates formed during the cyclometalation process. The isolated enantiomers exhibited circularly polarized phosphorescence (CPP), with |gphos| values of 1.8×10−3.
Record High Iodate Anion Capture by a Redox‐Active Cationic Polymer Network
Authors: Guo Qi , Li Jie , Zhao Yuting , Li Lingyi , He Linwei , Zhao Fuqiang , Zhai Fuwan , Zhang Mingxing , Chen Long , Chai Zhifang , Wang Shuao
Published: April 2024

As a critical radioactive anionic contaminant, traditional adsorbents primarily remove iodate (IO3−) through ion exchange or hard acid‐hard base interactions, but suffer from limited affinity and capacity. Herein, employing the synergistic effect of ion exchange and redox, we successfully synthesized a redox‐active cationic polymer network (SCU‐CPN‐6, [C9H10O2N5 ⋅ Cl]n) by merging guanidino groups with ion‐exchange capability and phenolic groups with redox ability via a Schiff base reaction. SCU‐CPN‐6 exhibits a groundbreaking adsorption capacity of 896 mg/g for IO3−. The inferior adsorption capacities of polymeric networks containing only redox (~0 mg/g) or ion exchange (232 mg/g) fragments underscore the synergistic “1+1>2” effect of the two mechanisms. Besides, SCU‐CPN‐6 shows excellent uptake selectivity for IO3− in the presence of high concentrations of SO42−, Cl−, and NO3−. Meanwhile, a high distribution coefficient indicates its exemplary deep‐removal performance for low IO3− concentration. The synergic strategy not only presents a breakthrough solution for the efficient removal of IO3− but also establishes a promising avenue for the design of advanced adsorbents for diverse applications.
Building Co16‐N3‐Based UiO‐MOF to Expand Design Parameters for MOF Photosensitization
Authors: Guo Guang‐Chen , Zhao Jiong‐Peng , Guo Song , Shi Wen‐Xiong , Liu Fu‐Chen , Lu Tong‐Bu , Zhang Zhi‐Ming
Published: April 2024

The construction of secondary building units (SBUs) in versatile metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represents a promising method for developing multi‐functional materials, especially for improving their sensitizing ability. Herein, we developed a dual small molecules auxiliary strategy to construct a high‐nuclear transition‐metal‐based UiO‐architecture Co16‐MOF‐BDC with visible‐light‐absorbing capacity. Remarkably, the N3− molecule in hexadecameric cobalt azide SBU offers novel modification sites to precise bonding of strong visible‐light‐absorbing chromophores via click reaction. The resulting Bodipy@Co16‐MOF‐BDC exhibits extremely high performance for oxidative coupling benzylamine (~100 % yield) via both energy and electron transfer processes, which is much superior to that of Co16‐MOF‐BDC (31.5 %) and Carboxyl @Co16‐MOF‐BDC (37.5 %). Systematic investigations reveal that the advantages of Bodipy@Co16‐MOF‐BDC in dual light‐absorbing channels, robust bonding between Bodipy/Co16 clusters and efficient electron‐hole separation can greatly boost photosynthesis. This work provides an ideal molecular platform for synergy between photosensitizing MOFs and chromophores by constructing high‐nuclear transition‐metal‐based SBUs with surface‐modifiable small molecules.
Crystalline Olefin‐Linked Chiral Covalent Organic Frameworks as a Platform for Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: He Ting , On Ivan Keng Wee , Bi Shuai , Huang Ziyue , Guo Jingjing , Wang Zhifang , Zhao Yanli
Published: April 2024

The construction of olefin‐linked chiral covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with high crystallinity is highly desirable while remains great challenge due to the poor reversibility of the formation reaction for the olefin linkages during the in situ structural self‐healing process. Herein, we successfully synthesized two sets of enantiomeric olefin‐linked COFs. The chiral catalytic groups are uniformly distributed on the pore walls of COFs, resulting in the full exposure of catalytic sites to the reactants in asymmetric catalysis. The as‐prepared (R)/(S)‐CCOF8 exhibits excellent catalytic performance with exceeding 99 % enantiomeric excess in the enantioselective electrophilic amination reaction. Moreover, the heterogeneous chiral catalysts are conveniently recycled and could maintain the performance after ten catalytic cycles. Our findings expand the scope to construct stable and crystalline chiral COFs for the asymmetric catalysis.
Comparison of threshold algorithms for automatic processing of fat crystal microscopic images based on ImageJ
Authors: Xiong Miao , Qi Ang , Zhang Lu
Published: April 2024

Microscopic image analysis is a crucial tool in fat crystallization research, enabling the analysis of crystal size, network structure, fractal dimension and other parameters through binarization. It is essential to seek an appropriate thresholding algorithm to binarize fat crystal images, which plays a vital role in image segmentation. In this article, the effectiveness of 17 thresholding algorithms such as Default, Mean, IsoData, Otsu, Li and Triangle were analyzed in processing fat crystal images with different shapes, background colors and image intensities. This was expected to discover a stable and objective thresholding algorithm for the binarization of fat crystal images. The performance evaluation was conducted according to the peak signal noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM) and region non‐uniformity (RNU) parameter. Moreover, the comparative analysis of crystal size error, crystal area fraction and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for fractal dimension values would provide a foundation for the selection of thresholding techniques for fat crystal network images. The results indicated that the Default algorithm exhibited remarkable robustness and applicability with high‐quality and stable outputs in fat crystal image processing.
Steady‐state and dynamic control of hydrocracking tail oil distillation process for high‐valued products
Authors: Li Min , Liu Wenzhi , Gao Yan , Huang Zhuocheng , Li Gaoyang , Pan Hui , Ling Hao
Published: April 2024

The maximum utilization of hydrocracking tail oil becomes increasingly important for petrochemical industry. The aim of this work is to develop optimized distillation processes to achieve various high‐valued qualified oil products from hydrocracking tail oil. Six different oil products is produced and the steady‐state distillation process, which aims to fractionate six qualified narrow distillates is established. The algorithm method incorporating divided‐wall column (DWC) configuration was introduced into the steady‐state design. Compared with traditional separation sequences, the DWC configuration leads to an energy‐saving potential up to 11.17%. Furthermore, effective dynamic control strategies were proposed, demonstrating precise and efficient control performance. In the presence of a 15% feed disturbance, the dynamic control structure is capable of maintaining the product distillation range near the set value. This comprehensive study provides a thorough investigation into the efficient utilization of hydrocracking tail oil, establishing a robust theoretical foundation for its industrial application.
Thermal aging of high‐performance fabrics used in the outer shell of firefighters' protective clothing
Authors: Hoque Md. Saiful , Dolez Patricia I.
Published: April 2024

High‐performance fibers are known for their exceptional specific strength and resistance to various hazardous conditions, including fire. However, the long‐term performance of these fibers when exposed to convective heat has rarely been reported. This study investigated the accelerated thermal aging behavior of three high‐performance fabrics of different blends of inherently flame‐resistant high‐performance fibers: copolymer of aramids (Technora®)/polybenzoxazole (PBO); para‐aramid/meta‐aramid; and para‐aramid/polybenzimidazole (PBI). Fabric specimens were thermally aged for up to 1200 h at temperatures ranging from 90 to 320°C. While all three fabrics experienced losses in the breaking force, the Technora®/PBO fabric displayed the best strength retention, despite the complete disappearance of the Technora® fiber crystallinity after aging at 320°C for 1200 h. The para‐aramid/PBI blended fabric showed signs of competing aging processes at high temperatures. An increase in the fabrics' crystallinity and evidence of chain scission were observed after thermal aging. Additionally, degradation in the fabric's water‐repellent finish was observed. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of more durable and safer protective gear, particularly for high‐risk activities like firefighting.
Biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles: A new era in cancer therapy
Authors: Gaffar Nabila Abdul , Zahid Mavia , Asghar Akleem , Shafiq Muhammad Faisal , Jelani Seemal , Rehan Farah
Published: April 2024

Cancer remains a global health crisis, claiming countless lives throughout the years. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation often bring about severe side effects, underscoring the pressing need for innovative, more efficient, and less toxic therapies. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising technology capable of producing environmentally friendly anticancer nanoparticles. Among various nanoparticle types, metal‐based nanoparticles stand out due to their exceptional performance and ease of use in methods of imaging. The widespread accessibility of biological precursors for synthesis based on plants of metal nanoparticles has made large‐scale, eco‐friendly production feasible. This evaluation provides a summary of the green strategy for synthesizing metal‐based nanoparticles and explores their applications. Moreover, this review delves into the potential of phyto‐based metal nanoparticles in combating cancer, shedding light on their probable mechanisms of action. These insights are invaluable for enhancing both biomedical and environmental applications. The study also touches on the numerous potential applications of nanotechnology in the field of medicine. Consequently, this research offers a concise and well‐structured summary of nanotechnology, which should prove beneficial to researchers, engineers, and scientists embarking on future research endeavors.
Intensively Cultivated Roman Villae Estates: Case Study of Medulin Bay (Istria, Croatia)
Authors: Doneus Nives , Doneus Michael
Published: April 2024

Our image of the Roman landscape of Istria is characterised by large‐scale centuriation and architectural remains of Roman villae. Detection and mapping of other, less dramatic landscape features require systematic large‐scale prospection, but this faces significant difficulties in the Mediterranean environment. However, the developments in the field of airborne laser scanning offer the possibility to create archaeologically usable digital terrain models under water and under very dense and low maquis vegetation. This paper reports on the use of terrain models created using a green laser and a sophisticated archaeologically driven ground point filtering strategy. Combined with archaeological aerial photo interpretation, this provides the means for landscape mapping and interpretation that has revealed a wealth of archaeological structures hinting at Roman agricultural practices and landscape. Our case study is based on a laser scan of about 24 km2 of land and underwater terrain in Medulin Bay. Processed, visualised and interpreted for archaeological purposes, the data reveal not only features ranging from prehistoric hilltop settlements to modern military installations but also features a complex picture of the Roman land use. Of particular interest is the large number of planting pits, which extend over a total length of 4 km. They were laid on a regular grid of approximately 35 × 35 m, sometimes combined in contiguous parcels. They can be interpreted as remains of orchards or tree nurseries of Roman date, and the paper examines also the question of whether they can be linked to the associated Roman estates. The case study area presented here shows that the potential of remote sensing methods goes far beyond the mere finding of traditional sites but can open up new landscape‐scale perspectives on regions that have been archaeologically little explored.
Eye of the future: Unlocking the potential utilization of hydrogels in intraocular lenses
Authors: Wu Hao , Wang Jiale , Fan Wenhui , Zhong Qi , Xue Rongyue , Li Siyu , Song Zongming , Tao Ye
Published: April 2024

Hydrogels are distinguished by their exceptional ability to absorb and retain large volumes of water within their complex three‐dimensional polymer networks, which is advantageous for the development of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Their innate hydrophilicity offers an optimal substrate for the fabrication of IOLs that simulate the natural lens' accommodation, thereby reducing irritation and facilitating healing after surgery. The swelling and water retention characteristics of hydrogels contribute to their notable biocompatibility and versatile mechanical properties. However, the clinical application of hydrogels faces challenges, including managing potential adverse postimplantation effects. Rigorous research is essential to ascertain the safety and effectiveness of hydrogels. This review systematically examines the prospects and constraints of hydrogels as innovative materials for IOLs. Our comprehensive analysis examines their inherent properties, various classification strategies, cross‐linking processes, and sensitivity to external stimuli. Additionally, we thoroughly evaluate their interactions with ocular tissues, underscoring the potential for hydrogels to be refined into seamless and biologically integrated visual aids. We also discuss the anticipated technological progress and clinical uses of hydrogels in IOL manufacturing. With ongoing technological advancements, the promise of hydrogels is poised to evolve from concept to clinical reality, marking a significant leap forward in ophthalmology characterized by improved patient comfort, enhanced functionality, and reliable safety.
Obesity is associated with acute kidney injury in ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A national representative cohort study
Authors: Ye Congyan , Ma Xueping , Shi Bo , Yan Rui , Fu Shizhe , Wang Kairu , Jia Shaobin , Yan Ru , Cong Guangzhi
Published: April 2024

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and potentially life‐threatening complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the relationship between obesity and the risk of AKI in this specific patient population has not been previously examined.

Methods

We queried the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2019) using ICD‐10 codes to obtain a sample of adults with STEMI undergoing PCI. All patients were further subcategorized into obese and nonobese cohorts. The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of obesity on AKI. The consistency of this correlation between subgroups was investigated using subgroup analysis and interaction testing.

Results

A total of 62,599 (weighted national estimate of 529,016) patients were identified, of which 9.80% (n = 6137) had AKI. Obesity comprised 19.78% (n = 1214) of the AKI cohort. Obese patients were on average younger, male, white, and had more comorbidities. Additionally, there was a significant positive association between obesity and AKI incidence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–1.34), which was more pronounced in female patients (aOR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.33–1.82, p < 0.001, p‐interaction = 0.008). The AKI incidence in these patients increased steadily during the 4‐year study period, and it was consistently higher in obese patients than in nonobese patients (p‐trend < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

Obesity was independently associated with a greater risk of AKI among adults with STEMI undergoing PCI, particularly in female patients.
Development of an Activity Coefficient Model for the Aqueous Amino Acid Solution
Authors: Kim Jun‐Woo , Lee Kang Hoon , Park Woo Hyung , Lee Jina , Park Chanhun , Kim Miae , Kim Jin‐Kuk
Published: April 2024

The enthalpy and solubility of aqueous amino acid solutions are essential thermodynamic properties for the modeling of heat and mass balance, and these properties can be estimated by considering the activity coefficient in thermodynamic calculations. In this study, the parameters of a non‐random two‐liquid model were identified using heat capacity and solubility data together to calculate the acceptable activity coefficient for an aqueous amino acid system. As a result, a highly accurate activity coefficient model of an aqueous amino acid solution was developed, and inaccurate alternative solutions regressed with heat capacity or solubility only can be avoided.
Desulfurization of Gasoline and Diesel by Fly Ash‐Derived FAU Zeolite
Authors: Hossi Januario Da Costa , Nkazi Diakanua , van der Merwe Josias , Joel Atuman Samaila , Harding Kevin Graham
Published: April 2024

Sulfur in fossil fuels is a major environmental and public health concern worldwide due to emissions of sulfur oxides formed during combustion. This may require new developments or upgrades of existing refining technologies. Hence, further desulfurization of gasoline and diesel to combat hazardous emissions could be a significant step toward environmental protection. In this study, adsorptive desulfurization of gasoline and diesel was achieved using a low‐cost fly ash‐derived faujasite (FAU) zeolite as complementary to the conventional hydrodesulfurization method. Sulfur levels of fuel samples, brought to the laboratory from typical fuel stations, were detected by a turbidimetric method before and after desulfurization. FAU zeolite sorbent, prepared from coal fly ash, was contacted with the fuel samples at stopped flow, and the residual fuels were analyzed to determine the sorbent's desulfurization performance. The process was optimized to enhance the sorbent's performance by varying the reaction conditions such as temperature, fuel volume, and the sorbent chemical composition. The results indicated that, at ambient temperature and pressure, the zeolitic desulfurization could reduce the sulfur content approximately by 40 % of its initial concentration, from 61 to 37 ppm and 155 to 97 ppm, in gasoline and diesel, respectively. Therefore, fly ash zeolites offer a possible opportunity for further desulfurization of refining petroleum fuels which may lead to economic and environmental gains.
Ambiguous Faces of Water‐Based Inclusion Compounds: L4(4)8(8) Intercalato‐Clathrate Hydrate of Pt(II) Complex
Authors: Pietrzak Anna , Wojciechowski Jakub , Nowak Przemysław , Gacki Michał , Ochocki Justyn , Wolf Wojciech M.
Published: April 2024

Clathrate hydrates are among the most intensively studied H‐bond inclusion compounds. Despite the broad definition for this class of compounds, their meaning commonly refers to closed polyhedral nanocages that encapsulate small guest molecules. On the other hand, larger solutes enforce another type of encapsulation because of the solute size effect. Herein, we report a series of structures containing various molecules encapsulated by intercalated water layers constructed of polycyclic moieties of L4(4)8(8) topology. We parametrized the corrugation of individual layers and characterized interactions governing their formation. We suggested that these could be categorized as two‐dimensional clathrates based on the character of intra‐layer interactions and the effects observed between entrapped molecules and water‐based intercalators.
Divergent Synthesis of Pyrazoles via Manganese Pincer Complex Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions
Authors: Sarkar Koushik , Kumar Pramod , Mule Arjun , Maji Biplab
Published: April 2024

This report detailed the synthesis of multi‐substituted pyrazoles through the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reaction catalyzed by a well‐defined manganese(I)‐pincer complex. Symmetrically substituted pyrazoles were synthesized by reacting 1,3‐diols with hydrazines. Unsymmetrically substituted pyrazoles were selectively made via the ADC of primary alcohols with methyl hydrazones. Water and hydrogen are liberated as the green byproducts. The endurance of these methodologies has been presented by producing 30 substrates with varied functionalities. Model reactions were scaled up to demonstrate practicability. The reaction rate and order were measured to transparent the involvement of the reagents during catalysis. Control experiments elucidated the plausible reaction mechanisms.
From the Randomized AMBORA Trial to Clinical Practice: Comparison of Medication Errors in Oral Antitumor Therapy
Authors: Cuba Lisa , Dürr Pauline , Dörje Frank , Fromm Martin F. , Schlichtig Katja
Published: April 2024

The randomized AMBORA trial showed that medication errors are frequent in patients treated with oral antitumor therapeutics and that they can be substantially reduced by an intensified clinical pharmacological/pharmaceutical care program. While randomized controlled trials are essential to generate clinical evidence, their generalizability in real‐world is not always given. The AMBORA care program was implemented in clinical routine within the AMBORA Competence and Consultation Center (AMBORA Center) at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen‐EMN, allowing a thorough comparison of medication error frequencies and characteristics. Our primary analysis compared data at therapy initiation of new oral antitumor therapeutics from the AMBORA trial intervention group (n = 98) and the AMBORA Center (n = 142). Medication errors involving the oral antitumor therapeutics were twofold higher in real‐world compared to the randomized controlled trial (mean 0.83 ± 0.80 per patient vs. 0.41 ± 0.53, P < 0.001). We observed more complex oral antitumor therapeutic regimens, a higher median number of medications, and a higher ECOG status in clinical routine vs. the randomized trial. A high percentage of medication errors was completely solved in both groups (85.7% vs. 88.3%, ns). Medication error characteristics within the complete medication (oral antitumor therapeutics and concomitant medication) were similar in both groups (e.g., patient‐related causes, drug–drug/drug–food interactions). Taken together, medication errors were even more frequent in clinical routine than in the randomized controlled trial and a high rate was solved in clinical routine by a clinical pharmacological/pharmaceutical care program.
Process Development for the Enzymatic Gram‐Scale Production of the Unnatural Nucleotide Sugar UDP‐6‐Azido‐GalNAc
Authors: Frohnmeyer Hannes , Verkade Jorge M. M. , Spiertz Markus , Rentsch Andreas , Hoffmann Niels , Sobota Milan , Schwede Frank , Tjeerdsma Peter , Elling Lothar
Published: April 2024

Azido sugars hold great promise as substrates in numerous click‐chemistry applications. However, the synthesis of activated azido sugars is limited by cost and complexity. Conventional chemical activation methods are intricate and time‐consuming. In response, we have developed a process for the large‐scale production of UDP‐6‐azido‐GalNAc through enzymatic nucleotide sugar synthesis on a gram scale. Our optimization strategies encompassed refining the process parameters of an enzyme cascade featuring NahK from Bifidobacterium longum and AGX1 from Homo sapiens. Using the repetitive‐batch‐mode technology, we synthesized up to 2.1 g of UDP‐6‐azido‐GalNAc, achieving yields up to 97 % in five consecutive batch cycles using a single enzyme batch. The synthesis process demonstrated to have total turnover numbers (TTNs) between 4.4–4.8 g of product per gram of enzyme (gP/gE) and STYs ranging from 1.7–2.4 g per liter per hour (g*L−1*h−1). By purification of a product solution pool containing 2.6 g (4.1 mmol) UDP‐6‐azido‐GalNAc, 2.1 g (2,122.1 mg) UDP‐6‐azido‐GalNAc (sodium salt) with a purity of 99.96 % (HPLC) were obtained. The overall recovery after purification was 81 % (3.32 mmol). Our work establishes a robust production platform for the gram‐scale synthesis of unnatural nucleotide sugars, opening new avenues for applications in glycan engineering.
Upregulation of FGF9 and NOVA1 in cancer‐associated fibroblasts promotes cell proliferation, invasion and migration of triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Bo , Liu Yang , Yu Jinsong , Lin Xi
Published: April 2024

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in cancer progression. This study aimed to explore the roles of CAFs‐derived Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) and Neuro‐oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression. MDA‐MB‐231 and BT‐549 cells were cocultured with CAF conditioned‐medium (CAF‐CM) or normal fibroblasts conditioned‐medium (NF‐CM). MTT, EdU, colony formation, wound healing, transwell migration, and invasion assays were employed to determine cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Western blot and RT‐qPCR were carried out to examine the protein and mRNA expression of FGF9 and NOVA1. Xenograft tumor experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of CAFs, FGF9, and NOVA1 on tumor growth in vivo. Our results showed that CAFs significantly promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of TNBC cells. FGF9 and NOVA1 were significantly upregulated in TNBC CAFs, tissues and cells. CAF‐CM also could increase the expression of FGF9 and NOVA1 in TNBC cells. Knockdown of FGF9 or NOVA1 could hamper cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of TNBC cells. Moreover, CAFs with FGF9/NOVA1 knockdown also could inhibit TNBC progression. Besides, CAFs significantly accelerated tumor growth in vivo, which was blocked by FGF9/NOVA1 knockdown in nude mice. In conclusion, our results indicated the tumor‐promoting role of CAFs in TNBC progression. FGF9 and NOVA1 upregulation in CAFs induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and facilitated tumor growth in vivo in TNBC development.
Generic qPCR assays for quality control in environmental DNA research
Authors: Zhu Xiaocheng , Bell Karen L. , Rourke Meaghan L. , Wu Hanwen , Gopurenko David
Published: April 2024

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been widely used for species surveillance. However, the lack of adequate quality control in many eDNA research projects and applications can lead to false‐negative results, greatly affecting biosecurity surveillance and conservation efforts. Exogenous DNA is routinely added to eDNA samples and used as a positive control, typically after DNA extraction. However, this type of positive control is only able to identify false negatives due to errors at the amplification stage. Therefore, errors in upstream processes, such as sample collection will not be identified by an exogenous control. We designed two independent sets of generic quality control qPCR assays (QCqPCR) targeting abundant endogenous DNA that is obtained during sample collection. Our QCqPCR assays target the chloroplast 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA sequences. In silico analyses indicated these regions were highly conserved among plants, algae and bacteria commonly found in freshwater, marine, or terrestrial environments. These QCqPCR assays were purposely mismatched against the human genome to avoid false positives resulting from human DNA contamination. Both assays remained highly efficient and sensitive under annealing temperatures between 58 and 62°C, allowing them to be multiplexed with most qPCR analyses. We validated our assays by multiplexing with a species‐specific Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) assay on field‐collected environmental water samples. Potential false‐negative reactions can be identified by the failed or suppressed QCqPCR assay and the negative species‐specific assay. We recommend incorporating either one of the QCqPCR assays in qPCR‐based eDNA analysis to identify potential false negatives and improve the reliability of eDNA surveys.
Identification of common mechanisms and biomarkers of atrial fibrillation and heart failure based on machine learning
Authors: Zhang Zhijun , Ding Jianying , Mi Xiaolong , Lin Yuanyuan , Li Xinjian , Lian Jun , Liu Jinwen , Qu Lijuan , Zhao Bingye , Li Xuewen
Published: April 2024

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. Heart failure (HF) is a disease caused by heart dysfunction. The prevalence of AF and HF were progressively increasing over time. The co‐existence of AF and HF presents a significant therapeutic challenge. In order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis of AF and HF, it is necessary to carry out biomarker related studies.

Methods and results

The training set and validation set data of AF and HF patient samples were downloaded from the GEO database, ‘limma’ was used to compare the differences in gene expression levels between the disease group and the normal group to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) identified the modules with the highest positive correlation with AF and HF. Functional enrichment and PPI network construction of key genes were carried out. Biomarkers were screened by machine learning. The infiltration of immune cells in AF and HF groups was evaluated by R‐packet ‘CIBERSORT’. The miRNA network was constructed and potential therapeutic agents for biomarker genes were predicted through the drugbank database. Through WGCNA analysis, it was found that the modules most positively correlated with AF and HF were MEturquoise (r = 0.21, P value = 0.09) and MEbrown (r = 0.62, P value = 8e‐12), respectively. We screened 25 genes that were highly correlated with both AF and HF. Lasso regression analysis results showed 7 and 20 core genes in AF and HF groups, respectively. The top 20 important genes in AF and HF groups were obtained as core genes by RF model analysis. Four biomarkers were obtained after the intersection of core genes in four groups, namely, GLUL, NCF2, S100A12, and SRGN. The diagnostic efficacy of four genes in AF validation sets was good (AUC: GLUL 0.76, NCF2 0.64, S100A12 0.68, and SRGN 0.76), as well as in the HF validation set (AUC: GLUL 0.76, NCF2 0.84, S100A12 0.92, and SRGN 0.68). The highest correlation with neutrophils was observed for GLUL, NCF2, and S100A12, while SRGN exhibited the strongest correlation with T cells CD4 memory resting in the AF group. GLUL, NCF2, S100A12, and SRGN were most associated with neutrophils in the HF group. A total of 101 miRNAs were predicted by four genes, and GLUL, NCF2, and S100A12 predicted a total of 10 potential therapeutic agents.

Conclusions

We identified four biological markers that are highly correlated with AF and HF, namely, GLUL, NCF2, S100A12, and SRGN. Our findings provide theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AF and HF.
The impact of IL‐10 and IL‐17 on myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of asthma
Authors: Vetter Charlotte , Schieb Jakob , Vedder Nora , Lange Tim , Brunn Tobias , van Geffen Chiel , Gercke Philipp , Kolahian Saeed
Published: April 2024

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) hold promise for clinical applications due to their immunosuppressive properties, particularly in the context of inflammation. In the present study, the number and immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs isolated from naïve Il10−/−, Il17−/−, and WT mice as control, as well as from house dust mite extract (HDM)‐induced asthmatic Il10−/− and Il17−/− mice, were investigated. IL‐10 deficiency increased the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN)‐MDSCs in the lung, spleen, and bone marrow, without concurrent impairment of their suppressive activity in vitro. In the asthma model, the IL‐17 knockout was concomitant with a lower number and activity of monocytic (M)‐MDSCs and an altered inflammatory reaction with impaired lung function. Additionally, we found a higher baseline inflammation of the Il17−/− mice in the lung, manifested in increased airway resistance. We conclude that the impact of IL‐10 and IL‐17 deficiency on MDSCs differs in the context of inflammation. Accordingly, the in vitro experiments demonstrated an increased number of PMN‐MDSCs across tissues in Il10−/− mice, which indicates that IL‐10 might serve a pivotal role in preserving immune homeostasis under physiological circumstances. In the context of HDM‐induced airway inflammation, IL‐17 was found to be an important player in the suppression of pulmonary inflammation and regulation of M‐MDSCs.
Diastereoselective Synthesis and Functionalization of tert‐Butylsulfinyl‐2‐(Chlorodiphenylmethyl)Pyrrolidine
Authors: Carboni Davide , Di Remigio Simone , Quintavalla Arianna , Lombardo Marco
Published: April 2024

The addition of the carbenoid species (chlorodiphenylmethyl)lithium to chiral N‐(4‐bromobutylidene)‐2‐methylpropane‐2‐sulfinamide affords in high yield (up to 81 %) and excellent diastereoselectivity (>99 : 1) the yet undisclosed tert‐butylsulfinyl‐2‐(chlorodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine. Preliminary investigations into SN1 solvolysis reactions of this chloride with different alcohols revealed its potential for further functionalizations leading to differently substituted chiral pyrrolidines, yet showing a relative lability of the tert‐butylsulfinyl chiral auxiliary under the employed reaction conditions. Most notably, reactions with sterically hindered alcohols yielded unprecedented derivatives, not easily obtainable using the currently reported procedures for the stereoselective synthesis of diphenylprolinol derivatives.
Feasibility Study of a Novel Secondary Zinc‐Flow Battery as Stationary Energy Storage System: From Design to Environmental Assessment
Authors: Genthe Sascha , Bockelmann Marina , Minke Christine , Turek Thomas
Published: April 2024

Herein, a zinc‐air flow battery (ZAFB) as an environmentally friendly and inexpensive energy storage system is investigated. For this purpose, an optimized ZAFB for households is designed based on the most recent publications, and an economic and ecological analysis of the system is carried out. The results show that the customer price of the designed ZAFB is estimated at ≈5000 € and is thus about one‐third lower than the quoted price for a comparable vanadium flow battery (VFB). The carbon footprint (CF) analysis shows that especially the alkaline electrolyte and the silver‐containing gas diffusion electrode have a high share of the greenhouse gas emissions of the ZAFB system. However, the CF is 41% lower than that of the VFB, highlighting the great potential of the ZAFB as an alternative home storage system.
Recent Studies in Metal–Organic Framework‐Based Photocatalysts for Advancing Water Splitting and CO2 Reduction
Authors: Li Hanqi , Liu Nanliu , Liu Yin , Guo Yuzheng , Jiang Zhuo
Published: April 2024

Combining functional materials with mental–organic frameworks (MOFs) has emerged as a versatile approach to enhance the photocatalytic performance of artificial photocatalysts. This comprehensive review delves into the structural design of MOF‐based composites and highlight the advantages of each structure in water splitting and CO2 reduction. The review begins by discussing the diverse effects of various combination modes on the separation of photogenerated carriers. The synthetic approaches employed for each MOF‐based composite are presented. Subsequently, an in‐depth analysis of the photocatalytic performance of MOF‐based materials in water splitting and CO2 reduction is provided. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects in the conclusion and outlook section are addressed.
Novel MIR143HG::PLAG1 gene fusion identified in a rectal myxoid leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Wei Shuanzeng , Pei Jianming , Belser Paul , Lee Teresa , Farma Jeffrey M. , Patchefsky Arthur S. , Flieder Douglas B. , Montgomery Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2024

Myxoid leiomyosarcoma (MLS) is a rare but well‐documented tumor that often portends a poor prognosis compared to the conventional leiomyosarcoma. This rare sarcoma has been reported in the uterus, external female genitalia, soft tissue, and other locations. However, a definite rectal MLS has not been reported. Recently five cases of MLS were reported to harbor PLAG1 fusions (TRPS1::PLAG1, RAD51B::PLAG1, and TRIM13::PLAG1). In this report, we present a case of rectal MLS with a novel MIR143HG::PLAG1 fusion detected by RNA next‐generation sequencing.
Meta‐analysis of breast cancer risk for individuals with PALB2 pathogenic variants
Authors: Ruberu Thanthirige L. M. , Braun Danielle , Parmigiani Giovanni , Biswas Swati
Published: April 2024

Multigene panel testing now allows efficient testing of many cancer susceptibility genes leading to a larger number of mutation carriers being identified. They need to be counseled about their cancer risk conferred by the specific gene mutation. An important cancer susceptibility gene is PALB2. Multiple studies reported risk estimates for breast cancer (BC) conferred by pathogenic variants in PALB2. Due to the diverse modalities of reported risk estimates (age‐specific risk, odds ratio, relative risk, and standardized incidence ratio) and effect sizes, a meta‐analysis combining these estimates is necessary to accurately counsel patients with this mutation. However, this is not trivial due to heterogeneity of studies in terms of study design and risk measure. We utilized a recently proposed Bayesian random‐effects meta‐analysis method that can synthesize estimates from such heterogeneous studies. We applied this method to combine estimates from 12 studies on BC risk for carriers of pathogenic PALB2 mutations. The estimated overall (meta‐analysis‐based) risk of BC is 12.80% (6.11%−22.59%) by age 50 and 48.47% (36.05%−61.74%) by age 80. Pathogenic mutations in PALB2 makes women more susceptible to BC. Our risk estimates can help clinically manage patients carrying pathogenic variants in PALB2.
Pore‐throat structure and fractal characteristics of tight gas sandstone reservoirs: A case study of the second member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Zhongba area, western Sichuan depression, China
Authors: Liu Lin , Liu Xiangjun , Sang Qin , Li Wei , Xiong Jian , Liang Lixi
Published: April 2024

Pore‐throat structure is a key factor that influences the storage and fluid flow capacity of tight sandstone reservoirs. Taking the tight sandstone reservoir of Xu2 Fm in Zhongba area as an example, the reservoir quality, pore‐throat type and pore size distribution of tight sandstone in the study area were described by casting thin section, scanning electron microscope and high‐pressure mercury injection test. In order to quantitatively characterize the complexity and heterogeneity of pore‐throat structure, fractal analysis was performed using mercury saturation and pore size data. This study mainly reveals the relationship between the geometric shape characteristics and fractal dimension of the binary pore structure of ultra‐low permeability tight sandstone and clarifies the influence of different scale pore throats on reservoir physical properties. The results indicate that the physical properties of the reservoir in the study area are poor, the pores are mainly intergranular pores and dissolution pores, the throat is flake and necked and the pore size distribution range is large. The fractal curve obtained by the mercury saturation method shows a significant turning point, and the pore‐throat system is divided into two types: small‐scale and large‐scale. The fractal dimension of large‐scale pore throat is greater than the three‐dimensional Euclidean space dimension, which does not conform to the fractal theory. The fractal dimension of small‐scale pore throat is closely related to the pore‐throat structure and has obvious fractal characteristics. The geometric shape of binary pore‐throat structure in tight sandstone is the main factor affecting the difference of fractal dimension. The development of small pores in sandstone is positively correlated with the total porosity, but its contribution to permeability is relatively low. The physical properties of tight sandstone are mainly controlled by the development degree of large‐scale pore throat.
Intracortical brain‐heart interplay: An EEG model source study of sympathovagal changes
Authors: Catrambone Vincenzo , Candia‐Rivera Diego , Valenza Gaetano
Published: April 2024

The interplay between cerebral and cardiovascular activity, known as the functional brain‐heart interplay (BHI), and its temporal dynamics, have been linked to a plethora of physiological and pathological processes. Various computational models of the brain‐heart axis have been proposed to estimate BHI non‐invasively by taking advantage of the time resolution offered by electroencephalograph (EEG) signals. However, investigations into the specific intracortical sources responsible for this interplay have been limited, which significantly hampers existing BHI studies. This study proposes an analytical modeling framework for estimating the BHI at the source‐brain level. This analysis relies on the low‐resolution electromagnetic tomography sources localization from scalp electrophysiological recordings. BHI is then quantified as the functional correlation between the intracortical sources and cardiovascular dynamics. Using this approach, we aimed to evaluate the reliability of BHI estimates derived from source‐localized EEG signals as compared with prior findings from neuroimaging methods. The proposed approach is validated using an experimental dataset gathered from 32 healthy individuals who underwent standard sympathovagal elicitation using a cold pressor test. Additional resting state data from 34 healthy individuals has been analysed to assess robustness and reproducibility of the methodology. Experimental results not only confirmed previous findings on activation of brain structures affecting cardiac dynamics (e.g., insula, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior and mid‐cingulate cortices) but also provided insights into the anatomical bases of brain‐heart axis. In particular, we show that the bidirectional activity of electrophysiological pathways of functional brain‐heart communication increases during cold pressure with respect to resting state, mainly targeting neural oscillations in the , , and bands. The proposed approach offers new perspectives for the investigation of functional BHI that could also shed light on various pathophysiological conditions.
Atomic Tailoring of Ubiquitin Side Chains Influences E2‐Mediated Ubiquitin Chain Formation
Authors: Song Haewon , Mikami Toshiki , Majima Sohei , Bode Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2024

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a small, highly conserved protein essential for eukaryotic biology, and is unique in its formation of polyubiquitin chains by conjugation to one of its seven lysine side chains. Here we report that atomic tailoring of Ub side chains – i. e. the insertion, deletion, or replacement of specific atoms – has significant and unexpected consequences on the enzymatic conjugation of Ub oligomers by isopeptide bond formation mediated by E2 conjugating enzymes. These studies employed chemical synthesis and ligation methods to prepare numerous specifically tailored Ub monomers on multi‐milligram scales. While some modifications including N‐terminal acylation and methionine replacement did not affect protein folding or Ub chain formation with Ube2 K, other modifications had a pronounced effect of oligomerization with Ubc13/Mms2. We observed that Ala46Hse mutation obliterates the ability of this Ub monomer to accept another Ub at Lys63 in Ubc13‐mediated conjugations. Exhaustive replacement of all seven lysines with shorter surrogates Orn, Dab, or Dap essentially blocks Ub chain formation, and in the case of Dap, precludes proper folding of the Ub protein.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection—Descriptive study
Authors: Azadbakht Saleh , Azadbakht Salehe , Azadbakht Morteza
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

The presence of blood in the stomach has been thought to affect the performance of diagnostic tests used in detecting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stomach. This study evaluates the effect of upper gastrointestinal bleeding on the efficacy of a rapid urease test (RUT) and compares the results with the pathologic method.

Methods

In this descriptive study, 100 patients presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, confirmed from endoscopy, referred to Shahid Rahimi Hospital in Khorramabad were enrolled. Antral biopsy was performed in all the patients and the samples were extracted for histopathology and RUT. A questionnaire was used to collect rapid urease test outcomes and associated parameters (antibiotic, bismuth, and proton pump inhibitors), histology and demographic data. Histopathology was used as the gold standard for diagnosis of H. pylori.

Results

Of the 52 patients who were reported positive for H. pylori in pathology, 36 had RUT‐positive H. pylori, sensitivity 69.2%, and of 48 patients whose pathology was negative, 25 had negative RUT, specificity 52.1%. Of 59 RUT, 36 had positive pathology, positive predictive value was 61% and from 41 with negative RUT, 25 had negative pathology, negative predictive value was 61%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the age of 50 years and above, p = 0.042, and previous history of bleeding, p = 0.019.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal bleeding can reduce the sensitivity of RUT. The negative results of these tests in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding should therefore be interpreted carefully.