bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale structural control of thiostannate chalcogels with two-dimensional crystalline constituents
Authors: Ha Thanh Duy Cam , Lee Heehyeon , Kang Yeo Kyung , Ahn Kyunghan , Jin Hyeong Min , Chung In , Kang Byungman , Oh Youngtak , Kim Myung-Gil
Published: December 2022

Chalcogenide aerogels (chalcogels) are amorphous structures widely known for their lack of localized structural control. This study, however, demonstrates a precise multiscale structural control through a thiostannate motif ([Sn2S6]4−)-transformation-induced self-assembly, yielding Na-Mn-Sn-S, Na-Mg-Sn-S, and Na-Sn(II)-Sn(IV)-S aerogels. The aerogels exhibited [Sn2S6]4−:Mn2+ stoichiometric-variation-induced-control of average specific surface areas (95–226 m2 g−1), thiostannate coordination networks (octahedral to tetrahedral), phase crystallinity (crystalline to amorphous), and hierarchical porous structures (micropore-intensive to mixed-pore state). In addition, these chalcogels successfully adopted the structural motifs and ion-exchange principles of two-dimensional layered metal sulfides (K2xMnxSn3-xS6, KMS-1), featuring a layer-by-layer stacking structure and effective radionuclide (Cs+, Sr2+)-control functionality. The thiostannate cluster-based gelation principle can be extended to afford Na-Mg-Sn-S and Na-Sn(II)-Sn(IV)-S chalcogels with the same structural features as the Na-Mn-Sn-S chalcogels (NMSCs). The study of NMSCs and their chalcogel family proves that the self-assembly principle of two-dimensional chalcogenide clusters can be used to design unique chalcogels with unprecedented structural hierarchy.
Glucose absorption drives cystogenesis in a human organoid-on-chip model of polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Li Sienna R. , Gulieva Ramila E. , Helms Louisa , Cruz Nelly M. , Vincent Thomas , Fu Hongxia , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Freedman Benjamin S.
Published: December 2022

In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), fluid-filled cysts arise from tubules in kidneys and other organs. Human kidney organoids can reconstitute PKD cystogenesis in a genetically specific way, but the mechanisms underlying cystogenesis remain elusive. Here we show that subjecting organoids to fluid shear stress in a PKD-on-a-chip microphysiological system promotes cyst expansion via an absorptive rather than a secretory pathway. A diffusive static condition partially substitutes for fluid flow, implicating volume and solute concentration as key mediators of this effect. Surprisingly, cyst-lining epithelia in organoids polarize outwards towards the media, arguing against a secretory mechanism. Rather, cyst formation is driven by glucose transport into lumens of outwards-facing epithelia, which can be blocked pharmacologically. In PKD mice, glucose is imported through cysts into the renal interstitium, which detaches from tubules to license expansion. Thus, absorption can mediate PKD cyst growth in human organoids, with implications for disease mechanism and potential for therapy development.
Effects of phytoplankton, viral communities, and warming on free-living and particle-associated marine prokaryotic community structure
Authors: Yeh Yi-Chun , Fuhrman Jed A.
Published: December 2022

Free-living and particle-associated marine prokaryotes have physiological, genomic, and phylogenetic differences, yet factors influencing their temporal dynamics remain poorly constrained. In this study, we quantify the entire microbial community composition monthly over several years, including viruses, prokaryotes, phytoplankton, and total protists, from the San-Pedro Ocean Time-series using ribosomal RNA sequencing and viral metagenomics. Canonical analyses show that in addition to physicochemical factors, the double-stranded DNA viral community is the strongest factor predicting free-living prokaryotes, explaining 28% of variability, whereas the phytoplankton (via chloroplast 16S rRNA) community is strongest with particle-associated prokaryotes, explaining 31% of variability. Unexpectedly, protist community explains little variability. Our findings suggest that biotic interactions are significant determinants of the temporal dynamics of prokaryotes, and the relative importance of specific interactions varies depending on lifestyles. Also, warming influenced the prokaryotic community, which largely remained oligotrophic summer-like throughout 2014–15, with cyanobacterial populations shifting from cold-water ecotypes to warm-water ecotypes.
Photochemical diazidation of alkenes enabled by ligand-to-metal charge transfer and radical ligand transfer
Authors: Bian Kang-Jie , Kao Shih-Chieh , Nemoto David , Chen Xiao-Wei , West Julian G.
Published: December 2022

Vicinal diamines are privileged synthetic motifs in chemistry due to their prevalence and powerful applications in bioactive molecules, pharmaceuticals, and ligand design for transition metals. With organic diazides being regarded as modular precursors to vicinal diamines, enormous efforts have been devoted to developing efficient strategies to access organic diazide generated from olefins, themselves common feedstock chemicals. However, state-of-the-art methods for alkene diazidation rely on the usage of corrosive and expensive oxidants or complicated electrochemical setups, significantly limiting the substrate tolerance and practicality of these methods on large scale. Toward overcoming these limitations, here we show a photochemical diazidation of alkenes via iron-mediated ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) and radical ligand transfer (RLT). Leveraging the merger of these two reaction manifolds, we utilize a stable, earth abundant, and inexpensive iron salt to function as both radical initiator and terminator. Mild conditions, broad alkene scope and amenability to continuous-flow chemistry rendering the transformation photocatalytic were demonstrated. Preliminary mechanistic studies support the radical nature of the cooperative process in the photochemical diazidation, revealing this approach to be a powerful means of olefin difunctionalization.
Control of SARS-CoV-2 infection by MT1-MMP-mediated shedding of ACE2
Authors: Guo Xuanming , Cao Jianli , Cai Jian-Piao , Wu Jiayan , Huang Jiangang , Asthana Pallavi , Wong Sheung Kin Ken , Ye Zi-Wei , Gurung Susma , Zhang Yijing , Wang Sheng , Wang Zening , Ge Xin , Kwan Hiu Yee , Lyu Aiping , Chan Kui Ming , Wong Nathalie , Huang Jiandong , Zhou Zhongjun , Bian Zhao-Xiang , Yuan Shuofeng , Wong Hoi Leong Xavier
Published: December 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The full-length membrane form of ACE2 (memACE2) undergoes ectodomain shedding to generate a shed soluble form (solACE2) that mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Currently, it is not known how the physiological regulation of ACE2 shedding contributes to the etiology of COVID-19 in vivo. The present study identifies Membrane-type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) as a critical host protease for solACE2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to increased activation of MT1-MMP that is colocalized with ACE2 in human lung epithelium. Mechanistically, MT1-MMP directly cleaves memACE2 at M706-S to release solACE218-706 that binds to the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (S), thus facilitating cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. Human solACE218-706 enables SARS-CoV-2 infection in both non-permissive cells and naturally insusceptible C57BL/6 mice. Inhibition of MT1-MMP activities suppresses solACE2-directed entry of SARS-CoV-2 in human organoids and aged mice. Both solACE2 and circulating MT1-MMP are positively correlated in plasma of aged mice and humans. Our findings provide in vivo evidence demonstrating the contribution of ACE2 shedding to the etiology of COVID-19.
Targeting anti-apoptotic pathways eliminates senescent melanocytes and leads to nevi regression
Authors: Kohli Jaskaren , Ge Chen , Fitsiou Eleni , Doepner Miriam , Brandenburg Simone M. , Faller William J. , Ridky Todd W. , Demaria Marco
Published: December 2022

Human melanocytic nevi (moles) result from a brief period of clonal expansion of melanocytes. As a cellular defensive mechanism against oncogene-induced hyperplasia, nevus-resident melanocytes enter a senescent state of stable cell cycle arrest. Senescent melanocytes can persist for months in mice and years in humans with a risk to escape the senescent state and progress to melanoma. The mechanisms providing prolonged survival of senescent melanocytes remain poorly understood. Here, we show that senescent melanocytes in culture and in nevi express high level of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member BCL-W but remain insensitive to the pan-BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-263. We demonstrate that resistance to ABT-263 is driven by mTOR-mediated enhanced translation of another anti-apoptotic member, MCL-1. Strikingly, the combination of ABT-263 and MCL-1 inhibitors results in synthetic lethality to senescent melanocytes, and its topical application sufficient to eliminate nevi in male mice. These data highlight the important role of redundant anti-apoptotic mechanisms for the survival advantage of senescent melanocytes, and the proof-of-concept for a non-invasive combination therapy for nevi removal.
Microporous organic nanotube assisted design of high performance nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Han Shuangqiao , Zhu Junyong , Uliana Adam A. , Li Dongyang , Zhang Yatao , Zhang Lin , Wang Yong , He Tao , Elimelech Menachem
Published: December 2022

Microporous organic nanotubes (MONs) hold considerable promise for designing molecular-sieving membranes because of their high microporosity, customizable chemical functionalities, and favorable polymer affinity. Herein, we report the use of MONs derived from covalent organic frameworks to engineer 15-nm-thick microporous membranes via interfacial polymerization (IP). The incorporation of a highly porous and interpenetrated MON layer on the membrane before the IP reaction leads to the formation of polyamide membranes with Turing structure, enhanced microporosity, and reduced thickness. The MON-modified membranes achieve a remarkable water permeability of 41.7 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and high retention of boron (78.0%) and phosphorus (96.8%) at alkaline conditions (pH 10), surpassing those of reported nanofiltration membranes. Molecular simulations reveal that introducing the MONs not only reduces the amine molecule diffusion toward the organic phase boundary but also increases membrane porosity and the density of water molecules around the membrane pores. This MON-regulated IP strategy provides guidelines for creating high-permeability membranes for precise nanofiltration.
High-throughput first-principle prediction of collinear magnetic topological materials
Authors: Su Yunlong , Hu Jiayu , Cai Xiaochan , Shi Wujun , Xia Yunyouyou , Xu Yuanfeng , Xu Xuguang , Chen Yulin , Li Gang
Published: December 2022

The success of topological band theory and symmetry-based topological classification significantly advances our understanding of the Berry phase. Based on the critical concept of topological obstruction, efficient theoretical frameworks, including topological quantum chemistry and symmetry indicator theory, were developed, making a massive characterization of real materials possible. However, the classification of magnetic materials often involves the complexity of their unknown magnetic structures, which are often hard to know from experiments, thus, hindering the topological classification. In this paper, we design a high-throughput workflow to classify magnetic topological materials by automating the search for collinear magnetic structures and the characterization of their topological natures. We computed 1049 chosen transition-metal compounds (TMCs) without oxygen and identified 64 topological insulators and 53 semimetals, which become 73 and 26 when U correction is further considered. Due to the lack of magnetic structure information from experiments, our high-throughput predictions provide insightful reference results and make the step toward a complete diagnosis of magnetic topological materials.
Effects of population growth on Israel’s demand for desalinated water
Authors: Kramer Isaac , Tsairi Yaara , Roth Michael Buchdahl , Tal Alon , Mau Yair
Published: December 2022

In 2005, Israel began using desalination to augment limited natural water supplies. While desalination has helped Israel overcome chronic water shortages, high-population growth may test this approach. We examine how three population growth scenarios (low, medium, high) could affect water demand and supply by 2065. Our projections show that Israel will need to desalinate as much as 3.7 billion m3annually, compared to 0.5 billion m3in 2020. Meeting this demand could require the construction of 30 new desalination units. The effects of population growth on Israel’s water supply are likely to dwarf those of climate change. Increased desalination would, however, increase electricity demand, requiring over 11 TWh electricity annually. Population growth is also likely to challenge Israel’s wastewater management policies, producing more effluent than farmers will have the capacity to consume. The Israeli experience will provide important lessons for regions facing similar pressures.
Leukocyte CH25H is a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xu Lidong , Gao Jun , Li Jieyi , Zhao Xiaokai , Yang Pengmin , Ge Yujun , Guo Dawei , Liu Zhonghua , Wang Xiyong , Gu Wenchao , Wang Pengli , Hu Xun , Gong Ziying , Zhang Daoyun
Published: December 2022

Metastasis, a major challenge during the treatment of lung cancer, causes deterioration in patient health outcomes. Thus, to address this problem, this study aimed to explore the role and contribution of Cholesterol 25-Hydroxylase (CH25H) as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in lung cancer. Online public databases were used to analyze the expression level, prognostic value, gene-pathway enrichment, and immune infiltration of CH25H in lung cancer patients. The Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze and detect the CH25H expression levels in leukocytes from lung cancer patients. The expression level of CH25H was significantly reduced in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), which is associated with a higher disease stage, but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that LUAD patients with low CH25H expression had a worse prognosis. Mechanistically, our results showed that in LUAD, CH25H may be a regulatory factor affecting the immune cell infiltration level, and the resultant tumor development. Experimental data showed that low expression of CH25H in leukocytes was significantly associated with LUAD metastasis (P < 0.01). Our study suggests that CH25H may function as a prognostic and risk stratification biomarker for LUAD.
Regionalization, constraints, and the ancestral ossification patterns in the vertebral column of amniotes
Authors: Verrière Antoine , Fröbisch Nadia B. , Fröbisch Jörg
Published: December 2022

The development of the vertebral column has been studied extensively in modern amniotes, yet many aspects of its evolutionary history remain enigmatic. Here we expand the existing data on four major vertebral developmental patterns in amniotes based on exceptionally well-preserved specimens of the early Permian mesosaurid reptile Mesosaurus tenuidens: (i) centrum ossification, (ii) neural arch ossification, (iii) neural arch fusion, and (iv) neurocentral fusion. We retrace the evolutionary history of each pattern and reconstruct the ancestral condition in amniotes. Despite 300 million years of evolutionary history, vertebral development patterns show a surprisingly stability in amniotes since their common ancestor. We propose that this stability may be linked to conservatism in the constraints posed by underlying developmental processes across amniotes. We also point out that birds, mammals, and squamates each show specific trends deviating from the ancestral condition in amniotes, and that they remain rather unchanged within these lineages. The stability of their unique patterns demonstrates a certain homogeneity of vertebral developmental constraints within these lineages, which we suggest might be linked to their specific modes of regionalization. Our research provides a framework for the evolution of axial development in amniotes and a foundation for future studies.
Electron energy loss spectroscopy database synthesis and automation of core-loss edge recognition by deep-learning neural networks
Authors: Kong Lingli , Ji Zhengran , Xin Huolin L.
Published: December 2022

The ionization edges encoded in the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectra enable advanced material analysis including composition analyses and elemental quantifications. The development of the parallel EELS instrument and fast, sensitive detectors have greatly improved the acquisition speed of EELS spectra. However, the traditional way of core-loss edge recognition is experience based and human labor dependent, which limits the processing speed. So far, the low signal–noise ratio and the low jump ratio of the core-loss edges on the raw EELS spectra have been challenging for the automation of edge recognition. In this work, a convolutional-bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (CNN-BiLSTM) is proposed to automate the detection and elemental identification of core-loss edges from raw spectra. An EELS spectral database is synthesized by using our forward model to assist in the training and validation of the neural network. To make the synthesized spectra resemble the real spectra, we collected a large library of experimentally acquired EELS core edges. In synthesize the training library, the edges are modeled by fitting the multi-Gaussian model to the real edges from experiments, and the noise and instrumental imperfectness are simulated and added. The well-trained CNN-BiLSTM network is tested against both the simulated spectra and real spectra collected from experiments. The high accuracy of the network, 94.9%, proves that, without complicated preprocessing of the raw spectra, the proposed CNN-BiLSTM network achieves the automation of core-loss edge recognition for EELS spectra with high accuracy.
Combined effects of sepsis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on left ventricular performance in a murine model
Authors: Kayumov Mukhammad , Kim Dowan , Raman Sainath , MacLaren Graeme , Jeong In Seok , Cho Hwa Jin
Published: December 2022

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be a viable salvage therapy in selected patients with septic shock. As ECMO use increases, we studied left ventricular (LV) performance during sepsis with and without ECMO using a pressure–volume (PV) loop in a murine model and aimed to understand LV hemodynamics in septic shock with ECMO. The rats were divided into Group 1 (ECMO applied to healthy rats), Group 2 (ECMO for septic rats), Group 3 (Controls, n = 20) and Group 4 (Sepsis induction only, n = 20). The cardiac parameters include end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic pressure (EDP), and end-systolic pressure (ESP), ejection fraction (EF), end-systolic elastance (Ees), diastolic time constant (Tau) index, arterial elastance (Ea), pressure–volume area (PVA), stroke work (SW), and potential energy (PE). We compared the changes of parameters in all groups. A total of 74 rats were included in the analyses. After 2 h on ECMO, Group 2 was associated with significant increases in ESP, EDV, ESV, PVA, PE, and SW. The difference ratio of PE and PVA was significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, myocardial oxygen consumption was higher in septic shock with ECMO than in controls.
Early identification of subjective cognitive functional decline among patients with Parkinson’s disease: a longitudinal pilot study
Authors: Rosenblum Sara , Meyer Sonya , Richardson Ariella , Hassin-Baer Sharon
Published: December 2022

Practical methods for early identification of Parkinson’s disease (PD) mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) through changes in real-life daily functioning are scarce. The aim of the study was to examine whether the cognitive functional (CF) feature, comprising of seven self-reported Movement Disorder Society’s (MDS) Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) items, predicts PD patients’ cognitive functional status after a year. We conducted a 1-year follow-up of 34 PD patients (50–78 year; 70.6% men) suspected of MCI using the following measures: the MDS-UPDRS, UPDRS-CF feature, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test (TMT), Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Functional Rating Scale (PD-CFRS), and Daily Living Questionnaire (DLQ). The first and second UPDRS-CF feature scores, and additional measures at the 1-year follow-up significantly correlated. Hierarchical regression revealed that the initial MoCA, TMT, and BDI scores predicted the second UPDRS-CF, and the first UPDRS-CF predicted 31% of the second PD-CFRS score variance. Depression moderated the relationship between the first UPDRS-CF score and the DLQ Part A. These results suggest practical, self-reported, daily functional markers for identifying gradual decline in PD patients. They consider the patients’ heterogeneity, underlying cognitive pathology, and implications on daily functioning, health, and well-being.
Development and experimental verification of C-arm camera shooting locator
Authors: Yang Jun , Yang Lin , Jon Tae Gyong , Fang Zejun , Jin Peng , Hong Zhenghua , Ye Fei , Wang Jiawen
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to develop a self-made C-arm camera shooting locator and verify its accuracy and advantages. A total of 60 physicians and nurses from the Surgical System of Sanmen People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Province, China, were randomly selected as filming operators. The C-arm machine with a self-made locator and a C-arm machine without a locator were used to measure the center of the circular plate. The iron nails were used to shoot. The distance between the iron nail and the center point of the circular display area on display was defined as the shooting deviation. When it was less than 3 cm, the shooting was stopped. The number of shots, total shooting time, and first-shot deviation in the C-arm camera shooting groups with and without the locator were statistically analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of the two were compared. The average number of shots, average total shooting time, and average first-shot deviation of the C-arm camera using the locator were significantly better than those in the group without the locator, and the differences were statistically significant. When the shooting distance (X) was equal to 30 cm and the shooting angle (Y) was equal to 0°, the average number of shots, average total shooting time, and average first-shot deviation were optimal. The C-arm camera shooting locator can improve the shooting accuracy of the C-arm camera and effectively reduce the number of shots and total shooting time. Hence, it can be applied in clinical and surgical practice.
Efficient photocatalytic degradation of petroleum oil spills in seawater using a metal-organic framework (MOF)
Authors: Showman M. S. , El-Aziz Asmaa M. Abd , Yahya Rana
Published: December 2022

Photocatalysis is a green approach that has appeared to be a viable option for the degradation of a variety of organic contaminants. This work outlines the process of preparing the titanium-based metal-organic framework (MIL-125) photocatalysts using a simple solvothermal method. Structural, morphological, and optical analysis of samples (MT18 and MT48) was carried out by XRD, FT-IR, Raman, SEM, TGA, BET, and UV–Vis. Results indicated that the sample prepared at 150 °C and reaction time of 48 h (MT48) has a low crystal size of 7 nm with an optical band gap of 3.2 eV and a surface area of 301 m2 g−1. Under UV–visible light irradiation, the as-prepared MOFs proved to upgrade photocatalytic activity in degrading crude oil spills in saltwater. Effects of catalyst dosage and exposure time on the degradation of an oil spill in seawater were studied and analyzed using UV–Vis spectrophotometry and gas chromatography (GC–MS) which emphasized that the use of 250 ppm of MT48 photocatalyst under UV–Vis irradiation can degrade about 99% of oil spills in water after 2 h of exposure. The study's data revealed that MIL-125 could be used to photocatalyzed the cleanup of crude oil spills.
Hydrogels with intrinsic antibacterial activity prepared from naphthyl anthranilamide (NaA) capped peptide mimics
Authors: Aldilla Vina R. , Chen Renxun , Kuppusamy Rajesh , Chakraborty Sudip , Willcox Mark D. P. , Black David StC. , Thordarson Pall , Martin Adam D. , Kumar Naresh
Published: December 2022

In this study, we prepared antibacterial hydrogels through the self-assembly of naphthyl anthranilamide (NaA) capped amino acid based cationic peptide mimics. These ultra-short cationic peptide mimics were rationally designed with NaA as a capping group, l-phenylalanine, a short aliphatic linker, and a cationic group. The synthesized peptide mimics efficiently formed hydrogels with minimum gel concentrations between 0.1 and 0.3%w/v. The resulting hydrogels exhibited desirable viscoelastic properties which can be tuned by varying the cationic group, electronegative substituent, or counter anion. Importantly, nanofibers from the NaA-capped cationic hydrogels were found to be the source of hydrogels’ potent bacteriacidal actvity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria while remaining non-cytotoxic. These intrinsically antibacterial hydrogels are ideal candidates for further development in applications where bacterial contamination is problematic.
Plasmon-exciton couplings in the MoS2/AuNP plasmonic hybrid structure
Authors: Kim Hyuntae , Im Jaeseung , Nam Kiin , Han Gang Hee , Park Jin Young , Yoo Sungjae , Haddadnezhad MohammadNavid , Park Sungho , Park Woongkyu , Ahn Jae Sung , Park Doojae , Jeong Mun Seok , Choi Soobong
Published: December 2022

The understanding and engineering of the plasmon-exciton coupling are necessary to control the innovative optoelectronic device platform. In this study, we investigated the intertwined mechanism of each plasmon-exciton couplings in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and plasmonic hybrid structure. The results of absorption, simulation, electrostatics, and emission spectra show that interaction between photoexcited carrier and exciton modes are successfully coupled by energy transfer and exciton recombination processes. Especially, neutral exciton, trion, and biexciton can be selectively enhanced by designing the plasmonic hybrid platform. All of these results imply that there is another degree of freedom to control the individual enhancement of each exciton mode in the development of nano optoelectronic devices.
Water quality and the CO2-carbonate system during the preconditioning of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in a recirculating aquaculture system
Authors: Villasuso-Palomares Salvador , Gutiérrez-Wing María T. , Paniagua-Chávez Carmen G.
Published: December 2022

The continued increase of the demand for seed of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) has driven the aquaculture industry to produce land-based hatcheries using broodstock conditioning. This has led to the need to create closed systems to control the main factors involved in reproduction (temperature and food). Additionally, reproductive synchronization of broodstocks may be considered to ensure homogeneous maturation and spawning among the organisms. In this work, we synchronized the broodstock reproductive stage of Pacific oysters in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) using a “preconditioning” process and evaluated the effect of the water quality and the CO2-carbonate system on preconditioned broodstock. The oysters were kept at 12 °C for 45 days in a RAS containing a calcium reactor (C2) or without a calcium reactor (C1, control). Water quality parameters were measured daily, and the oyster’s condition and reproductive development were monitored using condition index, biometrics, and histology, on Days 0, 20, and 45. C1 and C2 systems kept the water quality within the ranges reported as favorable for bivalves. The calcium reactor kept the pH (8.03–8.10), alkalinity (200 mg/L as CaCO3), CO32− (≤ 80 µmol/kg), and Ω aragonite (≤ 1) closer to the ranges reported as optimal for bivalves. However, no significant differences were detected in the total weight and the condition index in C1 and C2. The preconditioning allowed to maintain the organisms in early reproductive development, allowing gametogenesis synchronization to start maturation.
Explore how immobilization strategies affected immunosensor performance by comparing four methods for antibody immobilization on electrode surfaces
Authors: Huang Jiaoling , Xie Zhixun , Xie Liji , Luo Sisi , Zeng Tingting , Zhang Yanfang , Zhang Minxiu , Wang Sheng , Li Meng , Wei You , Fan Qing , Xie Zhiqin , Deng Xianwen , Li Dan
Published: December 2022

Among the common methods used for antibody immobilization on electrode surfaces, which is the best available option for immunosensor fabrication? To answer this question, we first used graphene-chitosan-Au/Pt nanoparticle (G-Chi-Au/PtNP) nanocomposites to modify a gold electrode (GE). Second, avian reovirus monoclonal antibody (ARV/MAb) was immobilized on the GE surface by using four common methods, which included glutaraldehyde (Glu), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS), direct incubation or cysteamine hydrochloride (CH). Third, the electrodes were incubated with bovine serum albumin, four different avian reovirus (ARV) immunosensors were obtained. Last, the four ARV immunosensors were used to detect ARV. The results showed that the ARV immunosensors immobilized via Glu, EDC/NHS, direct incubation or CH showed detection limits of 100.63 EID50 mL−1, 100.48 EID50 mL−1, 100.37 EID50 mL−1 and 100.46 EID50 mL−1 ARV (S/N = 3) and quantification limits of 101.15 EID50 mL−1, and 101.00 EID50 mL−1, 100.89 EID50 mL−1 and 100.98 EID50 mL−1 ARV (S/N = 10), respectively, while the linear range of the immunosensor immobilized via CH (0–105.82 EID50 mL−1 ARV) was 10 times broader than that of the immunosensor immobilized via direct incubation (0–104.82 EID50 mL−1 ARV) and 100 times broader than those of the immunosensors immobilized via Glu (0–103.82 EID50 mL−1 ARV) or EDC/NHS (0–103.82 EID50 mL−1 ARV). And the four immunosensors showed excellent selectivity, reproducibility and stability.
AmiA and AliA peptide ligands are secreted by Klebsiella pneumoniae and inhibit growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Lux Janine , Holivololona Lalaina , San Millan Gutierrez Raquel , Hilty Markus , Ramette Alban , Heller Manfred , Hathaway Lucy J.
Published: December 2022

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the human nasopharynx, a multi-species microbial niche. Pneumococcal Ami-AliA/AliB oligopeptide permease is an ABC transporter involved in environmental sensing with peptides AKTIKITQTR, FNEMQPIVDRQ, and AIQSEKARKHN identified as ligands of its substrate binding proteins AmiA, AliA, and AliB, respectively. These sequences match ribosomal proteins of multiple bacterial species, including Klebsiella pneumoniae. By mass spectrometry, we identified such peptides in the Klebsiella pneumoniae secretome. AmiA and AliA peptide ligands suppressed pneumococcal growth, but the effect was dependent on peptide length. Growth was suppressed for diverse pneumococci, including antibiotic-resistant strains, but not other bacterial species tested, with the exception of Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, whose growth was suppressed by the AmiA peptide ligand. By multiple sequence alignments and protein and peptide binding site predictions, for AmiA we have identified the location of an amino acid in the putative binding site whose mutation appears to result in loss of response to the peptide. Our results indicate that pneumococci sense the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae peptides in the environment.
Association of body composition fat parameters and breast density in mammography by menopausal status
Authors: Chu Ajung , Sung Pamela , Lee Jongyoon , Cheun Jong-Ho , Hwang Ki-Tae , Lee Kooklae , Kim Jiwon , Jeong Jibong
Published: December 2022

We investigated the relationship between body fat-driven obesity and breast fat density in mammography according to menopausal status. We retrospectively analyzed 8537 women (premenopausal, n = 4351; postmenopausal, n = 4186). Body fat parameters included BMI (body mass index), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), fat mass index (FMI), Percentage of body fat (PBF), and visceral fat area (VFA). Body fat-driven obesity was defined as follows: overall obesity, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; central obesity, WC > 85 cm; abdominal obesity, WHR > 0.85; excessive FMI, the highest quartile (Q4) of FMI; excessive PBF, the highest quartile (Q4) of VFA; visceral obesity, and the highest quartile (Q4) of VFA). Breast density was classified according to BI-RADS (grade a, b, c, and d), which defined as an ordinal scale (grade a = 1, grade b = 2, grade c = 3, and grade d = 4). All body fat-driven obesity parameters were negatively associated with the grade of breast density in both groups of women (p < 0.001): The more fatty parameters are, the less dense breast is. In multivariable binary logistic regression, all body fat-driven obesity parameters also showed a negative association with grade d density (vs. grade a, b, or c). In premenopausal women, BMI was a more associated parameter with grade d density than those of the other fat-driven parameters (OR 0.265, CI 0.204–0.344). In postmenopausal women, WC was more associated with grade d density than the others (OR 0.315, CI 0.239–0.416). We found that BMI, WC, WHR, FMI, PBF and VFA were negatively correlated with dense breast, and the association degree pattern between body fat-driven obesity and dense breast differs according to menopausal status.
Preclinical evaluation of pentagamavunone-1 as monotherapy and combination therapy for pancreatic cancer in multiple xenograft models
Authors: Kamitani Naoki , Nakamae Ikuko , Yoneda-Kato Noriko , Kato Jun-ya , Sho Masayuki
Published: December 2022

We previously reported that pentagamavunone-1 (PGV-1) effectively inhibited cell proliferation in many types of human tumors, including pancreatic cancer, by inducing M phase (prometaphase) arrest, senescence, and apoptosis with few side effects. However, a detailed evaluation of the effects of PGV-1 on pancreatic cancer cells in an in vivo setting has not yet been conducted. The present study investigated the potential efficacy of PGV-1 as both monotherapy and combination therapy for pancreatic cancer using multiple xenograft mouse assays. A cell-line derived xenograft model (CDX-M) with pancreatic cancer cell line and a patient-derived xenograft mouse model (PDX-M) using resected pancreatic cancer samples without neoadjuvant chemotherapy were established in both heterotopic and orthotopic manners. PGV-1 effectively suppressed tumor formation at the heterotopic and orthotopic sites in CDX-M than in untreated mice. Combination therapy with PGV-1 and gemcitabine more effectively suppressed tumor formation than monotherapy with PGV-1 or gemcitabine when administered after tumor formation. Monotherapy with PGV-1 or gemcitabine less effectively suppressed tumor formation in PDX-M than in CDX-M, whereas combination therapy with PGV-1 and gemcitabine more effectively suppressed tumor formation. PGV-1 as monotherapy and combination therapy with gemcitabine effectively inhibited tumor formation and has potential as an anticancer candidate for pancreatic cancer.
Decolorization and detoxication of plant-based proteins using hydrogen peroxide and catalase
Authors: Sakai Kiyota , Okada Masamichi , Yamaguchi Shotaro
Published: December 2022

The gap between the current supply of meat and its predicted future demand is widening, increasing the need to produce plant-based meat analogs. Despite ongoing technical developments, one of the unresolved challenges of plant-based meat analogs is to safely and effectively decolor plant proteins that originally exhibit yellow–brown or strong brown color. This study aimed to develop an effective and safe decoloring system for soy-based protein products using food-grade hydrogen peroxide and catalase. First, soy-based protein isolate (PI) and textured vegetable protein (TVP) were treated with hydrogen peroxide, and then the residual hydrogen peroxide was degraded using catalase. This process caused notable decolorization of PI and TVP, and residual hydrogen peroxide was not detected in these products. These findings indicate that this process could safely and effectively decolorize soy-based proteins. Interestingly, this decoloring process enhanced the solubility, water- and oil-holding capacities, foaming capacity, and emulsifying stability of decolored soy-based PI. Additionally, cooking loss and juiciness of decolored TVP-based foods were improved compared to those of non-treated foods. These findings indicate that the decoloring process also enhances the physical properties of soy-based protein products.
Comparative analysis of environmental standards to install a rooftop temperature monitoring station
Authors: Kim Byeongtaek , Hwang Sungeun , Lee Youngtae , Shin Seungsook , Kim Kihoon
Published: December 2022

Urban climate influences economic activities and the health and safety of urban residents. Therefore, monitoring temperature in urban areas is important. However, owing to the lack of space for an appropriate observation site, an automatic weather station (AWS) was installed on a building rooftop. The rooftop installation can indicate temperature differences depending on the intensity of strong solar radiation and radiant heat of the building, and wind speed. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to provide observation standards for measuring rooftop temperature according to the optimal rooftop material and observation height. Specifically, an AWS was installed on the rooftop of the Gochang Standard Weather Station (GSWO), Jeollabuk-do Province, to observe the urban climate in South Korea and establish suitable weather standards. Different temperatures, optimum surface materials, and optimum heights for measuring the temperature at the rooftop of GSWO were investigated and compared over 1 year. The temperature recorded after installing a palm mat on the rooftop was more similar to that observed in the grassland. Furthermore, the installation height of the temperature sensor of 2.5–3.0 m for the palm mat and 3.5–4.0 m for concrete was found to be the optimal height for observing temperature at the rooftop.
Factors associated with long-term use of digital devices in the electronic Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Pathiravasan Chathurangi H. , Zhang Yuankai , Wang Xuzhi , Trinquart Ludovic , Benjamin Emelia J. , Borrelli Belinda , McManus David D. , Kheterpal Vik , Lin Honghuang , Spartano Nicole L. , Schramm Eric , Liu Chunyu , Murabito Joanne M.
Published: December 2022

Long-term use of digital devices is critical for successful clinical or research use, but digital health studies are challenged by a rapid drop-off in participation. A nested e-cohort (eFHS) is embedded in the Framingham Heart Study and uses three system components: a new smartphone app, a digital blood pressure (BP) cuff, and a smartwatch. This study aims to identify factors associated with the use of individual eFHS system components over 1-year. Among 1948 eFHS enrollees, we examine participants who returned surveys within 90 days (n = 1918), and those who chose to use the smartwatch (n = 1243) and BP cuff (n = 1115). For each component, we investigate the same set of candidate predictors for usage and use generalized linear mixed models to select predictors (P < 0.1, P value from Z test statistic), adjusting for age, sex, and time (app use: 3-month period, device use: weekly). A multivariable model with the predictors selected from initial testing is used to identify factors associated with use of components (P < 0.05, P value from Z test statistic) adjusting for age, sex, and time. In multivariable models, older age is associated with higher use of all system components. Female sex and higher education levels are associated with higher completion of app-based surveys whereas higher scores for depressive symptoms, and lower than excellent self-rated health are associated with lower use of the smartwatch over the 12-month follow-up. Our findings show that sociodemographic and health related factors are significantly associated with long-term use of digital devices. Future research is needed to test interventional strategies focusing on these factors to evaluate improvement in long-term engagement.
Analysis of volatile short-chain fatty acids in the gas phase using secondary electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry
Authors: Wüthrich Cedric , Fan Zhiyuan , Vergères Guy , Wahl Fabian , Zenobi Renato , Giannoukos Stamatios
Published: December 2022

Development and testing of a dynamic vapor generator for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile short-chain fatty acids in the gas phase using a secondary electrospray ionization source coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer.
CuO nanoleaf and β-cyclodextrin functionalized reduced graphene oxide: a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of 2-chlorophenol and 2, 4-dichlorophenol
Authors: Akond Umme Solaem , Mahanta Abhinandan , Jasimuddin Sk.
Published: December 2022

CuO nanoleaf-β-cyclodextrin functionalized reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode can simultaneously and selectively detect 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol.
Keggin-type polyoxometalate-based crown ether complex for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Yang Guang , Wu Yuchao , Lv Zengxiang , Jiang Xinyuan , Shi Jianhang , Zhang Yuzhen , Chen Ming , Ni Lubin , Diao Guowang , Wei Yongge
Published: December 2022

A novel supramolecular assembly built from Keggin-type polyoxometalates and [18]crown-6 ether building blocks was first applied as sulfur host in lithium–sulfur batteries to resolve remaining critical challenge of polysulfide shuttle effect.
Adsorption kinetics of NO2 gas on oxyfluorinated graphene film
Authors: Sysoev Vitalii I. , Yamaletdinov Ruslan D. , Plyusnin Pavel E. , Okotrub Alexander V. , Bulusheva Lyubov G.
Published: December 2022

Illustration of NO2 adsorption sites on the oxyfluorinated graphene surface.
A DFT study of the endo-selectivity mechanism of the Diels–Alder reaction in lindenane dimeric sesquiterpene synthesis promoted by pyridines
Authors: Li Yuxin , Zhang Rong , Song Yuling , Xie Hujun , Wu Ruibo
Published: December 2022

DFT calculation revealed that that hydrogen bond interaction plays an important role in the endo-selectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction between lindenane sesquiterpenes promoted by pyridines.
Is a thin mechanism appropriate for aromatic nitration?
Authors: Ambrosio Francesco , Capobianco Amedeo , Landi Alessandro , Pizza Teodoro , Peluso Andrea
Published: December 2022

Mechanism of toluene nitration by NO2BF4 in dichloromethane solution involving a single electron transfer from advanced ab initio MD simulations.
Recent advances in the development of green furan ring-containing polymeric materials based on renewable plant biomass
Authors: Karlinskii Bogdan Ya. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: December 2022

Recent advances in sustainable bio-based furanic materials are highlighted with a focus on structural and functional diversity, connected to practical applications of both linear and branched polymer types.
Selective mono-N-methylation of amines using methanol as a methylating reagent over heterogeneous Ni catalysts
Authors: Wang Pan , Yuan Ziliang , Xian Chensheng , Liu Bing , Li Xun , Zhang Zehui
Published: December 2022

Mixed oxide (ZnAlOx) supported heterogeneous Ni nanoparticle catalysts (Ni/ZnAlOx-600) for the direct synthesis of mono-N-methylamines from amines and methanol.
Transparent glass-nanocomposites possessing piezoelectric ZnO/Zn2SiO4 nanocrystallites for piezocatalytic dye degradation
Authors: Sharma Moolchand , Singh Gurpreet , Vaish Rahul
Published: December 2022

Transparent glass nanocomposites comprising piezoelectric ZnO and β-Zn2SiO4 nanocrystallites in 44SiO2–11Al2O3–35ZnO–10K2O (mol%) glass matrix were explored for piezocatalytic dye degradation application.
Operational variable effect on the COD removal efficiency using electrocoagulation in landfill leachate treatment
Authors: Núñez Javier , Larral Josefa , Roeckel Marlene , Fernández Katherina , Maril Marisol , Tobosque Pablo , Carrasco Claudia
Published: December 2022

This research shows a detailed statistical study based on several scientific articles published in the last few decades related to the electrocoagulation treatment of landfill leachate.
Walnut polyphenols and the active metabolite urolithin A improve oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells by up-regulating PKA/CREB/BDNF signaling
Authors: An Lei , Li Mengxue , Zou Cunen , Wang Ke , Zhang Wei , Huang Xiaolong , Wang Yousheng
Published: December 2022

Walnut polyphenols and urolithin A up-regulate PKA/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway which is required for their neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and may underlie their health benefits on the brain.
Superparamagnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by gamma irradiation
Authors: Zorai Amel , Souici Abdelhafid , Dragoe Diana , Rivière Eric , Ouhenia Salim , Belloni Jacqueline , Mostafavi Mehran
Published: December 2022

The radiolytic method is used to synthesize ultrasmall cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, CoFe2O4, exhibiting superparamagnetic properties.
Deep eutectic solvent mediated synthesis and fabrication of a WO3–MgO nanocomposite as an electrode material for energy storage applications
Authors: Joel C. , Bennie R. Biju , Antony A. Jerold , Paul Raj A. Nirmal , Selvakumar G.
Published: December 2022

WO3–MgO nanocomposite prepared using Deep Eutectic solvents has been fabricated into device suitable for energy storage applications.
Redispersion mechanisms of 2D nanosheets: combined role of intersheet contact and surface chemistry
Authors: Liu Bei , Zhang Jingyan , Han Qi , Shu Yufei , Wang Li , Li Hui , Li Lei , Wang Zhongying
Published: December 2022

The redispersion of 2D nanomaterials in response to surface chemistry is regulated by the intersheet contact of the nanosheets (random aggregation vs. aligned stacks).
Laboratory activities involving nanomaterials: risk assessment and investigating researchers symptoms
Authors: Nasirzadeh Nafiseh , Golbabaei Farideh , Omari Shekaftik Soqrat
Published: December 2022

The prevalence of non-specific symptoms resulting of the increasing use of nanomaterials indicates a threat to human health that has led to the attention and expansion of risk assessment methods.
Photosensitisation of inkjet printed graphene with stable all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Austin Jonathan S. , Cottam Nathan D. , Zhang Chengxi , Wang Feiran , Gosling Jonathan H. , Nelson-Dummet Oliver , James Tyler S. S. , Beton Peter H. , Trindade Gustavo F. , Zhou Yundong , Tuck Christopher J. , Hague Richard , Makarovsky Oleg , Turyanska Lyudmila
Published: December 2022

All-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals are formulated for inkjet deposition and utilised as photosensitive layers in single layer graphene and inkjet-printed graphene detectors with high photoresponse in UV-vis range.
Calcium-catalysed synthesis of amines through imine hydrosilylation: an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Boumekla Yougourthen , Xia Fengjie , Vidal Lucas , Totée Cédric , Raynaud Christophe , Ouali Armelle
Published: December 2022

Ca(NTf2)PF6, generated from commercial precursors, promotes imine hydrosilylation in high yields and is used to prepare a bioactive amine on the gram scale. The mechanistic investigations highlight an unprecedented Si–H activation by the Ca center.
Binaphthyl-derived armchair-type molecular carbon rings with chirality: synthesis and optical properties
Authors: Huang Qiang , Zhang Jinling , Chen Huafeng , Kong Xin , Xu Peng , Du Pingwu
Published: December 2022

Two novel chiral binaphthyl-derived hoop-shaped aromatic hydrocarbon enantiomers were synthesized, and their photophysical and chiroptical properties were further studied and discussed.