bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Child Tax Credit—Tax Policy as Health Policy
Authors: Yama Cecile L. , Rook Jordan M.
Published: September 2024

This Viewpoint advocates for a more expansive child tax credit by exploring existing research on the credit and health outcomes.
Where do we stand with screening for colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma based on serum protein biomarkers? A systematic review
Authors: Grancher Adrien , Cuissy Steven , Girot Hélène , Gillibert André , Di Fiore Frédéric , Guittet Lydia
Published: September 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been proven to reduce both mortality and the incidence of this disease. Most CRC screening programs are based on fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), which have a low participation rate. Searching for blood protein biomarkers can lead to the development of a more accepted screening test. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the diagnostic potential of the most promising serum protein biomarkers. A systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases between January 2010 and December 2023. Studies assessing blood protein biomarkers for CRC screening were included. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve of each biomarker were collected. Among 4685 screened studies, 94 were considered for analysis. Most of them were case–control studies, leading to an overestimation of the performance of candidate biomarkers. The performance of no protein biomarker or combination of biomarkers appears to match that of the FIT. Studies with a suitable design and population, testing new assay techniques, or based on algorithms combining FIT with serum tests are needed.
Copackaging Doxorubicin and PD‐L1 siRNA in Dual‐Responsive Covalent Organic Frameworks for Synergistic Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Wang Xuan , Dong Ming‐Jie , Yang Jinlong , Gong Youcong , Huang Jinkun , Yang Qiqi , Dong Haifeng , Zheng Jing
Published: September 2024

Chemoimmunotherapy, which integrates chemotherapeutic drugs with immune modulators, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the generally lackluster clinical outcomes of immunotherapy. Nevertheless, a significant challenge lies in orchestrating multiple events associated with diverse mechanisms that activate antitumor immune responses. Here, a novel approach utilizing dual‐responsive covalent organic frameworks (COFs) co‐encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) and programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) siRNA (siPD‐L1), termed RDAP, is presented for synergistic chemoimmunotherapy. In this system, COFs modified with poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) can adsorb DOX within their porous structure and bind siPD‐L1 onto their surface via electrostatic interactions. The resulting RDAP formulation can escape from lysosome via the “proton sponge effect” and undergo rupture upon exposure to azoreductase, leading to the efficient release of DOX and siPD‐L1 into the cytoplasm of 4T1 cells. The RDAP, harboring dual therapeutic agents, can effectively eliminate tumor cells and trigger significant immunogenic cell death (ICD) through DOX. Additionally, it concomitantly suppresses PD‐L1 expression in tumor cells, thereby significantly enhancing the antitumor immune response and resulting in synergistically improved antitumor efficacy. In mouse models, RDAP demonstrated exceptional efficacy in eliminating both primary and distant tumors, along with a pronounced antimetastatic effect against 4T1 murine breast‐to‐lung metastasis.
Thermally Conductive Yield‐Stress Fluids with Reversible Solid–Liquid Transition Used as Thermal Interface Materials for Heat Dissipation of Chips
Authors: Wei Yimin , Pang Yunsong , Zeng Xiangliang , Zeng Chen , Ren Linlin , Xu Jianbin , Sun Rong , Zeng Xiaoliang
Published: September 2024

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) paly an indispensable role in improving overall performance of chip, due to the boom of cloud service, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. However, traditional TIMs tend to behave as liquid‐like or solid‐like features, which cannot meet the new requirement of both long‐term stability and excellent thermal‐conduction property. Here, a thermally conductive yield stress fluid consisting of phenyl‐vinyl polydimethylsiloxane polymer and aluminum oxide fillers is reported. This material exhibits reversible liquid–solid transition with a yield‐stress value of 87.32 Pa, and low thermal resistance (0.16 K cm2 W−1). The reversible liquid–solid transition and low thermal resistance are both attributed to the formation of the filler network, as demonstrated by using rheology and two‐phase model. Furthermore, a unifying description of the liquid–solid transition is proposed based on a jamming phase diagram, by considering three factors including filler fraction, temperature, and stress. The yield‐stress fluids combine the desired dispensing due to their liquid‐like behavior and the excellent long‐term stability due to their solid‐like feature. An insight is further provided into the application of this yield‐stress fluids in high‐performance TIMs.
The Self‐Expanding Frame of Graphydiyne Induces Rapid Transport of Lithium Ions in All‐Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Shen Han , Song Congying , Wang Zhongqiang , Li Guoxing , Li Yuliang
Published: September 2024

Low ionic conductivity hinders the practical application of solid polymer electrolytes. Here, an interface‐oscillating polymer electrolyte (IOPE) based on graphdiyne (GDY) is designed and prepared to enable high‐performance all‐solid‐state lithium (Li) metal batteries (ASSLMBs). The affinity of GDY to Li ions induces the competitive adsorption of Li ions, weakens the coordination ability of Li ions with electron‐rich oxygen (on ethylene oxide), and accelerates the Li‐ion migration kinetics. The weak coordination between Li+‐acetylene greatly promotes the rapid reversible transition of GDY itself, resulting in strong self‐expanding/shrinking of the GDY skeleton and the GDY/polymer interface oscillation, and the reduction of the Li‐ion diffusion energy barrier at the interfaces. Consequently, the as‐prepared IOPE shows significantly improved Li‐ion conductivity (1.5 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 35 °C) and transference number, as well as excellent stability toward Li metal anodes. The ASSLMBs assembled with LiFePO4 cathodes and IOPE exhibit excellent rate and cycling performance, capable of stable operation for more than 250 cycles with a high‐capacity retention of 98% at 0.1C (1C = 170 mA g−1). The high‐performance all‐solid‐state Li metal pouch cells are also demonstrated to show great potential for the practical application of IOPE.
2D Reconfigurable Memtransistor for High‐Performance Dual‐Mode Memory and Broadband Photodetection
Authors: Tan Chao , Wu Haijuan , Lin Zhicheng , Yang Lei , Wang Zegao
Published: September 2024

Developing multifunctional nanoelectronics will facilitate simplifying the circuits for future high‐integrated system. CuInP2S6 (CIPS) exhibiting ferroionic phenomena allows the manipulation of polarization and conductive behaviors. Here, a MoS2 transistor is fabricated with CIPS gate dielectric layer to realize the functions of nonvolatile memory, broadband photodetector and voltage comparator. It exhibited convex‐shaped anti‐ambipolar transfer characteristics, with a sharp boundary as the n‐/p‐type conductance conversion line, guiding the precise modulation of its working modes by tuning voltage. The CIPS works as a ferroelectric insulator to support the n‐type transistor, while as a semiconductor dominated by Cu+ migration to reconfigure a p‐type memristive transistor. It owns hysteresis behavior in both modes, demonstrating the n‐ and p‐type memory windows synchronously. Also, it exhibits the nonvolatile memory property with low energy‐consumption of 4 pJ per bite, good endurance of 2567 write‐erase cycles, and good retention with a high current on/off ratio of 2 × 103 over 104 s without any obvious decay. Moreover, it extends the photodetection from visible to near‐infrared with the responsivity of 321 AW−1 at 1200 nm wavelength. This work provides an effective strategy for the realization of multiple functions by specific materials and devices.
Microfiber Actuators With Hot‐Pressing‐Programmable Mechano‐Photothermal Responses for Electromagnetic Perception
Authors: Wu Mengjie , Zhou Xinran , Zhang Jiwei , Liu Luyun , Wang Shuang , Zhu Liming , Ming Zechang , Zhang Yufan , Xia Yong , Li Weikang , Zhou Zijie , Fan Minghui , Xiong Jiaqing
Published: September 2024

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a ubiquitous harm and hard to detect dynamically in multiple scenarios. A mechano‐photothermal cooperative microfiber film (MFF) actuator is developed that can synchronously detect EMR with high reliability. The programmable actuation is deployed by a hot‐pressing methodology, achieving the MFF with moderate modulus (378 MPa) and superior toughness (87.26 MJ m−3) that ensure superior response (0.068 cm−1 s−1) and bending curvature (0.63 cm−1). A secondary hot‐pressing can further program the actuation behavior with black phosphorus local photothermal enhancement patterns to achieve 2D–3D transformable geometries. An amphibious robot with a land–water adaptive locomotion mechanism is designed by programming the MFFs. It can crawl on land and locomote on water with a velocity up to ≈1.8 mm s−1, and ≈2.39 cm s−1, respectively. Employing the conductive fabric layer of the actuator with electromagnetic induction effect, the amphibious robot can synchronously perceive environmental EMR with sensitivity up to 99.73% ± 0.15% during locomotion, with superior adaptability to EMR source intensity (0.1 to 3000 W) and distance (≈9 m) compared to a commercial EMR detector. This EMR detective microfiber actuator can inspire a new direction of environment‐interactive smart materials, and soft robots with multi‐scenario adaptivity and autonomous environment perceptivity.
Unlocking Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Through Ru–Sn Dual Metal Sites and a Novel Hydroxyl Spillover Effect
Authors: Yan Zhen‐Tong , Tao Shi , Wang Juan , Lu Xiu‐Li , Lu Tong‐Bu
Published: September 2024

Alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has great potential in practical hydrogen production but is still limited by the lack of active and stable electrocatalysts. Herein, the efficient water dissociation process, fast transfer of adsorbed hydroxyl and optimized hydrogen adsorption are first achieved on a cooperative electrocatalyst, named as Ru–Sn/SnO2 NS, in which the Ru–Sn dual metal sites and SnO2 heterojunction are constructed based on porous Ru nanosheet. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ infrared spectra suggest that Ru–Sn dual sites can optimize the water dissociation process and hydrogen adsorption, while the existence of SnO2 can induce the unique hydroxyl spillover effect, accelerating the hydroxyl transfer process and avoiding the poison of active sites. As results, Ru–Sn/SnO2 NS display remarkable alkaline HER performance with an extremely low overpotential (12 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and robust stability (650 h), much superior to those of Ru NS (27 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with 90 h stability) and Ru–Sn NS (16 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with 120 h stability). The work sheds new light on designing of efficient alkaline HER electrocatalyst.
Tailoring of Polypyrrole Wrapped Cotton Fiber Sponge for Simultaneous Solar Steam and Solar Thermoelectric Generation
Authors: Chen Tingjie , Tang Yuhan , Song Na , Lin Zhaoxing , Xu Lihong , Peng Xiangfang , Chen Xin , He Minghui
Published: September 2024

Solar steam generation (SSG) using floatable evaporators to absorb solar energy and generate heat at the water–air interface has attracted increasing interest in achieving water purification and desalination. Using biodegradable and porous biomass materials as evaporators to fabricate high‐performance SSG devices is a promising route, but the poor efficiency and fussy and energy‐intensive manufacturing process for biomass material‐based evaporators will restrict their practical application. Here, an old commercial cotton quilt is used to prepare porous cotton fiber sponges (CFS) via a simple and scalable mechanical foaming strategy. After being decorated by the polypyrrole (PPy), the CFS@PPy sponge with a hierarchical porous structure shows broadband light absorption capacity, good hydrophilicity, and excellent photothermal capacity. The obtained sponge can be directly used as an evaporator floating on the seawater and shows a high steam‐generation efficiency of 85.07% under 1 sun irradiation. Additionally, it can be used as a photothermal material to construct a solar thermoelectric generation (STG) device and achieve an enhanced open‐circuit voltage (Vout) of 0.4 V and output current (Iout) of ≈59.6 mA under 5 sun irradiations. With the help of a boost converter, the power generation from the STG device can continuously charge the electric bulb and wristband.
TRPC3/6 Channels Mediate Mechanical Pain Hypersensitivity via Enhancement of Nociceptor Excitability and of Spinal Synaptic Transmission
Authors: Sun Zhi‐Chuan , Han Wen‐Juan , Dou Zhi‐Wei , Lu Na , Wang Xu , Wang Fu‐Dong , Ma Sui‐Bin , Tian Zhi‐Cheng , Xian Hang , Liu Wan‐Neng , Liu Ying‐Ying , Wu Wen‐Bin , Chu Wen‐Guang , Guo Huan , Wang Fei , Ding Hui , Liu Yuan‐Ying , Tao Hui‐Ren , Freichel Marc , Birnbaumer Lutz , Li Zhen‐Zhen , Xie Rou‐Gang , Wu Sheng‐Xi , Luo Ceng
Published: September 2024

Patients with tissue inflammation or injury often experience aberrant mechanical pain hypersensitivity, one of leading symptoms in clinic. Despite this, the molecular mechanisms underlying mechanical distortion are poorly understood. Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels confer sensitivity to mechanical stimulation. TRPC3 and TRPC6 proteins, coassembling as heterotetrameric channels, are highly expressed in sensory neurons. However, how these channels mediate mechanical pain hypersensitivity has remained elusive. It is shown that in mice and human, TRPC3 and TRPC6 are upregulated in DRG and spinal dorsal horn under pathological states. Double knockout of TRPC3/6 blunts mechanical pain hypersensitivity, largely by decreasing nociceptor hyperexcitability and spinal synaptic potentiation via presynaptic mechanism. In corroboration with this, nociceptor‐specific ablation of TRPC3/6 produces comparable pain relief. Mechanistic analysis reveals that upon peripheral inflammation, TRPC3/6 in primary sensory neurons get recruited via released bradykinin acting on B1/B2 receptors, facilitating BDNF secretion from spinal nociceptor terminals, which in turn potentiates synaptic transmission through TRPC3/6 and eventually results in mechanical pain hypersensitivity. Antagonizing TRPC3/6 in DRG relieves mechanical pain hypersensitivity in mice and nociceptor hyperexcitability in human. Thus, TRPC3/6 in nociceptors is crucially involved in pain plasticity and constitutes a promising therapeutic target against mechanical pain hypersensitivity with minor side effects.
Endothelial Foxo1 Phosphorylation Inhibition via Aptamer‐Liposome Alleviates OPN‐Induced Pathological Vascular Remodeling Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Shi Chaoran , Ding Yinghe , Qin Tian , Li Chengjun , Yuan Feifei , Liu Yudong , Xie Yong , Qin Yiming , Cao Yong , Wu Tianding , Duan Chunyue , Lu Hongbin , Hu Jianzhong , Jiang Liyuan
Published: September 2024

Reconstruction of the neurovascular unit is essential for the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Nonetheless, detailed documentation of specific vascular changes following SCI and targeted interventions for vascular treatment remains limited. This study demonstrates that traumatic pathological vascular remodeling occurs during the chronic phase of injury, characterized by enlarged vessel diameter, disruption of blood‐spinal cord barrier, endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and heightened extracellular matrix deposition. After SCI, osteopontin (OPN), a critical factor secreted by immune cells, is indispensable for early vascular regeneration but also contributes to traumatic pathological vascular remodeling. This work further elucidates the mechanism by which OPN influences spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells, involving Akt‐mediated Foxo1 phosphorylation. This process facilitates the extranuclear transport of Foxo1 and decreases Smad7 expression, leading to excessive activation of the TGF‐β signaling pathway, which ultimately results in EndoMT and fibrosis. Targeted inhibition of Foxo1 phosphorylation through an endothelium‐specific aptamer‐liposome small molecule delivery system significantly mitigates vascular remodeling, thereby enhancing axon regeneration and neurological function recovery following SCI. The findings offer a novel perspective for drug therapies aimed at specifically targeting pathological vasculature after SCI.
How Does Cultural and Colonial Heritage Affect Optimal Branding Strategies? Evidence From the Rice Sector in Senegal
Authors: Britwum Kofi , Demont Matty
Published: September 2024

Africa's cultural and colonial heritage has profoundly segmented rice markets. Whereas in ancient centers of rice domestication, consumers maintained preferences for local rice consistent with their cultural heritage, preferences have shifted toward imported Asian rice in coastal areas around seaports, due to prior exposure to colonial import substitution policies. To enhance the competitiveness of locally produced rice relative to imported versions, it is necessary to tailor new local rice products to both market segments. A study was conducted in Senegal to test branding strategies for local rice in a country where both market segments coexist. Brands that mimic local and international labels were developed for local rice, and urban consumers bid to upgrade non‐preferred to preferred brands through the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (BDM) mechanism. Contrary to expectations, results from an endogenous switching regression show that descendants from ancient Senegalese rice domesticators placed premiums on local rice with foreign‐looking brands, indicating that foreignness is perceived as a quality cue even in market segments rooted in cultural heritage. Thus, branding local rice using a combination of local and foreign cues could be an effective strategy in promoting domestic rice to both segments shaped by cultural and colonial heritage.
Plastome phylogenomics and new fossil evidence from Dominican amber shed light on the evolutionary history of the Neotropical fern genus Pecluma
Authors: Regalado Ledis , Appelhans Marc S. , Poehlein Anja , Himmelbach Axel , Schmidt Alexander R.
Published: September 2024

Premise

Molecular studies based on chloroplast markers have questioned the monophyly of the fern genus Pecluma (Polypodioideae, Polypodiaceae), which has several species of Polypodium nested within it. We explored the delimitation of Pecluma and its biogeographic pattern by evaluating the phylogenetic position of four Polypodium species not sequenced thus far and integrating the first fossil evidence of Pecluma.

Methods

Using herbarium material, we applied a genome‐skimming approach to obtain a phylogenetic hypothesis of Polypodioideae; assessed the combination of character states observed in the fossil from Miocene Dominican amber using a previously published phylogeny of Polypodioideae based on four plastid markers as framework; calculated divergence times; and conducted an ancestral area estimation.

Results

Within Polypodioideae, Pecluma was recovered as sister to Phlebodium. Three of the newly sequenced species—Polypodium otites, P. pinnatissimum, and P. ursipes—were recovered with maximum support within the Pecluma clade, whereas P. christensenii remained within Polypodium. The closest combination of character states of the fossil was found within Pecluma. Our biogeographic analyses suggest an Eocene origin of the genus in South America, with several subsequent Oligocene and Miocene colonization events to Mexico–Central America and to the West Indies.

Conclusions

Although the circumscription of Pecluma is still challenging, our results elucidate the origin and age of the genus. The newly described fossil, Pecluma hispaniolae sp. nov., supports the hypothesis that the epiphytic communities of the Greater Antilles exhibit a constant generic composition since the Miocene. We propose new combinations (Pecluma otites, Pecluma pinnatissima, and Pecluma ursipes) to accommodate three species previously classified in Polypodium.
Calculation and Comparison of Step Guidelines for Preschooler Physical Activity While Indoors
Authors: Roman Halle , Redman Leanne M. , Neshteruk Cody D. , Hales Derek , Helsel Brian , Kracht Chelsea L.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Preschooler physical activity (PA) is vital for growth and development. The World Health Organization PA guidelines state preschoolers should achieve ≥ 180 min/day of Total PA (TPA) of which ≥ 60 min is moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA). A step/day recommendation to match these guidelines may be a more practical metric for caregivers to promote PA. The purpose of our investigation is to improve upon existing step recommendations by creating one for indoor‐based activities, acknowledging where preschoolers spend most of their time, and various cut‐points for PA.

Methods

In a laboratory study (Aim 1), a validated direct observation protocol was used to quantify preschooler PA intensity while performing indoor activities (n = 35). Actigraph GT3x accelerometers were placed on the waist, wrist, and ankle to measure step count. In a field study (Aim 2), habitual PA of 881 preschoolers (7113 valid days) via waist‐worn accelerometers was used to assess the agreement between created guidelines (Aim 1) and other step recommendations with PA guidelines using Receiver Operating Characteristic and Area Under the Curve (ROC‐AUC).

Results

In the laboratory study, calculated indoor step ranges were 6960–7440 (waist), 7200–8640 (wrist), and 7680–9120 (ankle) to align with existing PA guidance. In the field, the higher step guidelines (> 12 000) achieved very limited agreement, due to few preschoolers achieving this metric. The 6000 step/day guidelines had the highest agreement (AUCs: TPA: 0.637; MVPA: 0.751; TPA + MVPA: 0.761) with PA guideline.

Conclusions

When preschoolers are indoors, 6000 steps may be the minimum for adequate PA.
Solid‐State Melt Rearrangement of Azidofluorenes for the Synthesis of Phenanthridine Derivatives
Authors: Pandey Akanksha M. , Mondal Shankhajit , Andotra Palvi , Gnanaprakasam Boopathy
Published: September 2024

Phenanthridines are prevalent core in several natural products and staining agents that could be assembled in various manners. However, to our knowledge, the skeletal editing of azides via solid‐state melt rearrangement (SSMR) without catalysts, bases, and additives to access phenanthridines is not reported in the literature. Herein, we report solvent‐free and catalyst‐free thermolytic SSMR of azidofluorenes to phenanthridine derivatives. This protocol successfully demonstrates 21 examples of phenanthridines by SSMR of symmetrical and unsymmetrical azidofluorenes in good to excellent yields. The green metrics of the developed protocol are in good accordance with ideal green chemistry metrics.
Self‐Assembled Verteporfin Nanoparticles for Photodynamic and Light‐Independent Therapy in Glioblastoma
Authors: Quinlan John A. , Baumiller Kaylin , Gaur Anandita , Chiou Wen‐An , Robey Robert W. , Gottesman Michael M. , Huang Huang‐Chiao
Published: September 2024

Verteporfin (VP) has been used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) for over 20 years, and new applications have brought it back into the spotlight. VP is hydrophobic and requires lipid carriers for clinical delivery as Visudyne. A nanosuspension of VP, termed NanoVP, that requires no carriers is developed, permitting delivery of VP alone in an aqueous solution. NanoVP is produced by solvent–antisolvent precipitation, with dimethyl sulfoxide as the preferable solvent of several screened. The initial formulation has a hydrodynamic diameter of 104 ± 6.0 nm, concentration of 133 ± 10 μm, polydispersity index (Pdi) of 0.12 ± 0.01, and zeta potential of −22.0 ± 0.93 mV. Seeking a concentration >500 μm, a zeta potential <−10 mV, a diameter <64 nm, and a Pdi < 0.2, eight synthesis parameters are probed, identifying three that modified nanoparticle diameter and three that modified nanoparticle dispersity. The diameter is tuned fourfold from 49.0 ± 4.4 to 195 ± 7.1 nm, and the solution concentration is increased by 6.3‐fold to 838 ± 45.0 μm. Finally, the bioavailability and anticancer capacity of NanoVP in glioblastoma are evaluated. In all, this provides a framework for the modification of amorphous nanoparticle properties and a new formulation for clinical use of VP.
Detaillierte Analyse der Bindepräferenz von Roquin an RNA‐Stammschleifen
Authors: Oberstrass Lasse , Tants Jan‐Niklas , Lichtenthaeler Chiara , Ali Sara E. , Koch Louisa , Mathews David H. , Schlundt Andreas , Weigand Julia E.
Published: September 2024

Die Konzentration von mRNAs in der Zelle wird posttranskriptionell durch cis‐regulierende Elemente in der 3’‐untranslatierten Region gesteuert. Diese linearen oder strukturierten Elemente werden von RNA‐bindenden Proteinen (RBPs) erkannt, um die mRNA‐Stabilität zu kontrollieren. Die Proteine Roquin‐1 und −2 erkennen spezifisch RNA‐Stammschleifenmotive. Mit ihrer einzigartigen ROQ‐Domäne erkennen sie Trinukleotid‐Schleifen enthaltende konstitutive Degradationselemente (engl. constitutive decay elements, CDEs) und Hexanukleotid‐Schleifen enthaltende alternative Degradationselemente (engl. alternative decay elements, ADEs), um den mRNA‐Abbau zu initiieren. Die RNA‐Bindekapazität von Roquin gegenüber verschiedenen Klassen von Stammschleifen ist bis jetzt nicht genau charakterisiert, so dass die genauen Bindepräferenzen unklar sind. Hier katalogisieren wir die RNA‐Bindepräferenz der ROQ‐Domäne auf Nukleotidebene mit sRBNS (engl. structured RNA Bind‐n‐Seq), einem neuartigen und angepassten RBNS Protokoll mit strukturierten RNA‐Bibliotheken. Dadurch konnte eine klare Präferenz von Roquin für bestimmte Schleifengrößen festgestellt werden und die bekannten Konsensusmotive für CDEs und ADEs erweitert werden. Die neu identifizierten Motive werden mit nanomolarer Affinität über die bekannte RNA‐ROQ‐Bindung erkannt. Unter Verwendung dieser neuen Stammschleifenvarianten als Blaupausen haben wir neue Ziel‐mRNAs von Roquin vorhergesagt und den erweiterten Targetraum in Zellen verifiziert. Diese Studie demonstriert die Leistungsfähigkeit von Hochdurchsatzverfahren mit RNA‐Strukturen für die systematische Untersuchung von (strukturellen) RNA‐Bindepräferenzen zur detaillierten Identifizierung von mRNA‐Targets und zur Aufklärung der biologischen Funktion von RBPs.
Homonukleare Super‐Resolution NMR‐Spektroskopie
Authors: Gampp Olivia , Wenchel Luca , Güntert Peter , Riek Roland
Published: September 2024

In homonuklearen 1H NMR ‐Spektren wie dem [1H,1H]‐NOESY‐Spektrum (Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy), einem historischen Eckpfeiler der biomolekularen NMR‐Strukturbiologie, treten innerhalb eines Quadrats von etwa 100 ppm2 hunderte bis tausende von Kreuzpeaks auf, was zu einer starken Signalüberlappung führt. Die spektrale Auflösung ist daher ein limitierender Faktor für die eindeutige Zuordnung der chemischen Verschiebung und die Interpretation der Daten für die Dynamik und Strukturaufklärung. Die Aufnahme der Spektren bei höheren Magnetfeldern, z. B. bei einer 1.2 GHz 1H‐Frequenz, hilft, die spektrale Überlagerung zu verringern, da die Auflösung proportional zur Magnetfeldstärke skaliert. Hier zeigen wir, dass die Linienbreiten von Kreuzpeaks in [1H,1H]‐NOESY‐ und [1H,1H]‐TOCSY‐Spektren durch Super‐Resolution Spektroskopie in jeder Dimension um einen Faktor 2 bis 3 weiter reduziert werden können. In der indirekten Dimension wird eine zusammengesetzte, exponentiell‐kosinus‐gewichtete Anzahl von Scans entlang der Zeitinkremente gemessen und durch eine Windowfunction digital geglättet, während in der direkten Dimension ein Produkt aus Exponential‐ und Kosinusfunktion alsApodisierungsfunktion angewendet wird. Darüber hinaus wird eine Zeitersparnis bei der Messung durch Reduced‐Acquired Super‐ Resolution (RASR) eingeführt. Die Anwendung auf das 20 kDa Protein KRAS zeigt, dass hochaufgelöste NMR‐Spektren, die sich für eine automatisierte Analyse eignen, in weniger als 3 Stunden aufgenommen werden können. Die Methode eröffnet einen Weg zur automatisierten Zuordnung chemischer Verschiebungen, Dynamik und Strukturbestimmung von unmarkierten kleinen und mittelgroßen Proteinen innerhalb von 24 Stunden.
Topological and Morphological Membrane Dynamics in Giant Lipid Vesicles Driven by Monoolein Cubosomes
Authors: Xu Zexi , Booth Andrew , Rappolt Michael , Peckham Michelle , Tyler Arwen I. I. , Beales Paul A.
Published: September 2024

Lipid nanoparticles have important applications as biomedical delivery platforms and broader engineering biology applications in artificial cell technologies. These emerging technologies often require changes in the shape and topology of biological or biomimetic membranes. Here we show that topologically‐active lyotropic liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs) can trigger such transformations in the membranes of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Monoolein (MO) LCNPs, cubosomes with an internal nanostructure of space group
incorporate into 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) GUVs creating excess membrane area with stored curvature stress. Using time‐resolved fluorescence confocal and lattice light sheet microscopy, we observe and characterise various life‐like dynamic events in these GUVs, including growth, division, tubulation, membrane budding and fusion. Our results shed new light on the interactions of LCNPs with bilayer lipid membranes, providing insights relevant to how these nanoparticles might interact with cellular membranes during drug delivery and highlighting their potential as minimal triggers of topological transitions in artificial cells.
Mechanochemical Thioglycolate Modification of Microscale Zero‐Valent Iron for Superior Heavy Metal Removal
Authors: Zu Junning , Zhang Nuanqin , Liu Xupeng , Hu Yuqing , Yu Linghao , Chen Ziyue , Zhang Hao , Li Hao , Zhang Lizhi
Published: September 2024

Microscale zero‐valent iron (mZVI) is widely used for water pollutant control and environmental remediation, yet its reactivity is still constrained by the inert oxide shell. Herein, we demonstrate that mechanochemical thioglycolate (TG) modification can dramatically enhance heavy metal (NiII, CrVI, CdII, PbII, HgII, and SbIII) removal rates of mZVI by times of 16.7 to 88.0. Compared with conventional impregnation (wet chemical process), this dry mechanochemical process could construct more robust covalent bonding between TG and the inert oxide shell of mZVI through its electron‐withdrawing carboxylate group to accelerate the electron release from the iron core, and more effectively strengthen the surface heavy metal adsorption through metal(d)‐sulfur(p) orbital hybridization between its thiol group and heavy metal ions. Impressively, this mechanochemically TG‐modified mZVI exhibited an unprecedented NiII removal capacity of 580.4 mg Ni g−1 Fe, 17.1 and 9.5 times those of mZVI and wet chemically TG‐modified mZVI, respectively. Its application potential was further validated by more than 10 days of stable groundwater NiII removal in a column flow reactor. This study offers a promising strategy to enhance the reactivity of mZVI, and also emphasizes the importance of the modification strategy in optimizing its performance for environmental applications.
Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Novel Double Chloride‐Bridging Trinuclear Ni(II) Mono‐Salamo‐Type Cluster: Experimental and Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Yuan Pei‐Lin , Chen Rui , Liu Le‐Le , Ma Chen‐Yin , Dong Wen‐Kui , Sun Chu‐Feng
Published: September 2024

A mono‐salamo‐type ligand H2L was prepared to utilize 3‐methoxysalicylaldehyde and a semi‐salamo‐type compound, and its novel trinuclear Ni(II) cluster with two significantly various configurations in the solid state was obtained by reaction of H2L with Ni(II) ions. The trinuclear structure of the Ni(II) cluster was validated by x‐ray technique, and Ni(II) ions exhibited hexa‐coordinated twisted octahedrons. Its structural formula is [Ni3(L)2(μ2‐Cl)2(EtOH)2]. Chloride ions have also successfully double bridged to participate in coordination, and play a critical impact in the trinuclear configuration's stability and charge balance. Two solvent ethanol molecules are also participated in coordination. The coordination ratio of the ligand to the metal ion was verified to be 2:3 by UV–Vis absorption titration spectroscopy. The HOMO and LUMO energies of the frontline molecular orbitals of H2L and the complex were analyzed by DFT calculations, and the energy gap value of the ligand H2L was 4.29 eV, and that of the complex was 0.72 eV. The ligand combined with the metal decreased the energy gap value and produced a more active complex. Furthermore, Hirshfeld surface analysis visualizes the weak interactions of crystalline molecules, and these abundant weak interactions play an especially critical effect in the supramolecular structural self‐assembling. The fluorescent researches proclaimed that the fluorescence intensity of the cluster significantly decreased compared with the ligand, suggesting that this ligand and complex have greater promise for fluorescence sensing.
Synthesis, Structural Investigations, and Potential Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity of Mononuclear Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes Decorated by Morpholine/Pyrazole s‐Triazine Ligand
Authors: Gad Shaimaa I. , Altowyan Mezna Saleh , Abu‐Youssef Morsy A. M. , El‐Faham Ayman , Barakat Assem , Tatikonda Rajendhraprasad , Haukka Matti , Soliman Saied M. , Yousri Amal
Published: September 2024

The structure and biological diversities of [Zn(BPTMorph)(H2O)3](ClO4)2 (1), [Zn(BPTMorph)(NO3)2] (2), and [Cd(BPTMorph)(NO3)2] (3) complexes were described. In all complexes, the Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions are coordinated with one 4‐(4,6‐bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)morpholine (BPTMorph) molecule as a pincer NNN‐chelate. The rest of the coordination sphere was found to depend on the type of anion. In 1, there are three coordinated water molecules leading to a distorted octahedral geometry around Zn(II). In 2 and 3, there are two coordinated NO3− groups that differ in their coordination modes. The two NO3− groups are monodentate in 1 and bidentate in 3. Hence, the coordination numbers of Zn(II) and Cd(II) are 5 and 7, respectively. Supramolecular structure investigations indicated the importance of O···H contacts in the molecular packing. The percentages of O···H contacts are 35.4%–36.1%, 44.8%, and 39.7% in complexes 1–3, respectively. The energy breakdown for the intermolecular interactions was performed using energy framework analysis to explore the forces that dominate these interactions. Anticancer activity of complexes 1–3 and BPTMorph against HepG‐2, MCF‐7, and A‐549 cancerous cells was presented. The best result is found for complex 3 against A‐549 where the IC50 is 2.77 ± 0.26 μg/mL and selectivity index is 12.5 although the corresponding values for BPTMorph are 32.39 ± 2.82 μg/mL and 2.7, respectively. In addition, 3 outperformed the anticancer drug cis‐platin against all cell lines. The antimicrobial activity of 3 is the best compared to 1, 2, and BPTMorph. Interestingly, 3 showed antibacterial efficiency comparable to gentamycin against Proteus vulgaris.
Nanoencapsulation of citrus essential oils in systematic modified chitosan‐based nanofibers
Authors: Ulici Adelina Maria , Găină‐Gardiuta Artiom , Vodnar Dan , Barbu‐Tudoran Lucian , Podea Paula Veronica
Published: September 2024

In this study, chitosan (CH)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid nanofibers incorporating three distinct essential oils lemon, lime, and grapefruit were successfully obtained via the innovative electrospinning technique. Characteristics of the electrospinning polymeric mixture loaded with essential oils using variable ratios of CH/PVA were evaluated. The nanoencapsulation process of citrus essential oils was achieved with 47.67%–88.16% encapsulation efficiency. Notably, the thermal stability of the encapsulated essential oils experienced a significant enhancement after encapsulation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed valuable insights, revealing that an increased amount of incorporated essential oil within the polymeric mixture solutions led to a reduction in the average fiber diameters. The resulting nanofibers demonstrated notable attributes such as antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities. The present research demonstrates the ability of CH/PVA hybrid nanofibers obtained through an electrospinning process to preserve citrus essential oils properties quality and reveals a high potential application of nonencapsulated citrus essential oils in biomaterials, food packaging, and advanced cosmetic application.
3D Printing in Biocatalysis and Biosensing: From General Concepts to Practical Applications
Authors: Nyenhuis Jonathan , Heuer Christopher , Bahnemann Janina
Published: September 2024

3D printing has matured into a versatile technique that offers researchers many different printing methods and materials with varying properties. Nowadays, 3D printing is deployed within a myriad of different applications, ranging from chemistry to biotechnology –including bioanalytics, biocatalysis or biosensing. Due to its inherent design flexibility (which enables rapid prototyping) and ease of use, 3D printing facilitates the relatively quick and easy creation of new devices with unprecedented functions.. This review article describes how 3D printing can be employed for research in the fields of biochemistry and biotechnology, and specifically for biocatalysis and biosensor applications. We survey different relevant 3D printing techniques, as well as the surface activation and functionalization of 3D‐printed materials. Finally, we show how 3D printing is used for the fabrication of reaction ware and enzymatic assays in biocatalysis research, as well as for the generation of biosensors using aptamers, antibodies, and enzymes as recognition elements.
Rejection of low‐molecular weight neutral organics is highly sensitive to reverse osmosis system design and operation
Authors: Howe Kerry J. , Hernandez‐Quintero Jose P. , Lee Carson O.
Published: September 2024

A computational model was developed to investigate the significance of system design and operating conditions on the rejection of neutral, low‐MW organics by reverse osmosis for potable reuse. The model demonstrated that the decrease in local rejection as net driving pressure decreases is substantially greater for moderately rejected compounds than for highly rejected compounds. At recovery values less than 70%, the local permeate concentration can exceed the pressure vessel feed concentration for moderately rejected compounds. System‐level rejection of moderately rejected compounds is likewise substantially more sensitive to operating conditions than highly rejected compounds. The findings highlight a drawback of relying on rejection results from bench‐scale testing that operates at low recovery, which invariably has higher rejection than full‐scale systems operating at similar pressure. The analysis demonstrates a trade‐off in which the low‐pressure, high‐recovery operation desired for potable reuse systems can be detrimental to the removal of low‐MW neutral organics. The removal of low‐MW neutral organics can be improved if organics rejection is explicitly evaluated during the design process.
Neuroticism and posttraumatic stress disorder: A Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: You Zifan , Chen Shanshan , Tang Jinsong
Published: September 2024

Objective

Epidemiological studies revealed an unestablished association between neuroticism and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and we conducted mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine whether neuroticism clusters of worry, depressed affect, and sensitivity to environmental stress and adversity (SESA) were involved in the development of PTSD.

Method

We obtained data on three neuroticism clusters, PTSD, and nine other psychiatric disorders from genome‐wide association studies summary statistics and employed univariable, multivariable, and mediation MR analyses to explore causal associations among them.

Results

Neuroticism clusters were linked with PTSD (depressed affect (odds ratio [OR]: 2.94 [95% confidence interval: 2.21–3.92]); SESA (2.69 [1.95–3.71]; worry (1.81 [1.37–2.99])). Neuroticism clusters were also associated with psychiatric disorders, with the depressed effect on panic disorder (PD) (2.60 [1.14–5.91]), SESA on anorexia nervosa (AN) (2.77 [1.95–3.94]) and schizophrenia (2.55 [1.99–3.25]), worry on major depressive disorder (MDD) (2.58 [2.19–3.05]). In multivariable MR, only the SESA‐PTSD association remained (2.60 [2.096, 3.107]) while worry‐PTSD and depressed affect‐PTSD associations attenuated to nonsignificance. Mediation MR analyses suggested that PD mediated 3.76% of the effect of depressed effect on PTSD and AN mediated 10.33% of the effect of SESA on PTSD.

Conclusion

Delving deeper into neuroticism clusters, we comprehensively understand the role of neuroticism in PTSD.
Apathy and Impulsivity Co‐Occur in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Morris Lee‐Anne , Horne Kyla‐Louise , Paermentier Laura , Buchanan Christina M. , MacAskill Michael , Myall Daniel , Husain Masud , Roxburgh Richard , Anderson Tim , Heron Campbell Le
Published: September 2024

Background

Apathy is a debilitating behavioral change in Huntington's disease (HD), but impulsivity in HD has not been well documented, and the co‐occurrence of these behaviors in HD has not been investigated.

Objective

Our objective was to determine whether apathy and impulsivity co‐occur in people with HD and their associations with quality of life.

Methods

Carriers of Huntington's gene expansion (premanifest to mild motor manifest disease; n = 42) along with healthy controls (n = 20) completed measures of apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale and Apathy Motivation Index) and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11 and UPPS‐P impulsivity scale), along with mood, cognition, clinical, and quality of life measures. Apathy and impulsivity measures were each reduced to a single metric per patient using principal component analysis. Correlations and multiple linear regression models determined associations between apathy and impulsivity and the potential influence of other covariates.

Results

Apathy and impulsivity were significantly correlated (r = 0.6, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.36, 0.76]) in HD, with this association remaining after controlling for depressive symptoms, motor disease severity, and cognitive function. Furthermore, apathy and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer quality of life.

Conclusions

Apathy and impulsivity co‐occur in individuals with premanifest to mild manifest HD and have a significant impact on wellbeing. We add to a growing evidence body that apathy and impulsivity may be intrinsically linked.
The Initial Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Different Subtypes of Guillain–Barré Syndrome Diagnosed Based on Serial Electrophysiological Examinations
Authors: Yang Shuo , Chen Na , Zhang Lei , Wang Ying , Chen Lin , Jian Fan , Zhang Zaiqiang , Wang Yilong , Pan Hua
Published: September 2024

Background

We aimed to identify different Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) subtypes, demyelination, axonal degeneration, and reversible conduction failure (RCF) as early as possible by analyzing the initial clinical and electrophysiological examinations.

Methods

This study retrospectively collected GBS patients between October 2018 and December 2022 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The diagnostic criteria for the initial electrophysiological study were based on Rajabally's criteria, and the criteria for the serial electrophysiological study were based on Uncini's criteria. All subjects underwent clinical and electrophysiological evaluations at least twice within 8 weeks.

Results

A total of 47 eligible patients with GBS were included, comprising 19 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), 18 axonal degenerations, and 10 RCFs. In the RCF group, 40%, 30%, and 30% patients were diagnosed as AIDP, axonal, and equivocal at the initial study, respectively. The AIDP group had significantly higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein than the RCF (123.8 [106.4, 215.1] mg/dL vs. 67.1 [36.8, 85.6] mg/dL, p = 0.002) and axonal degeneration (123.8 [106.4, 215.1] mg/dL vs. 60.8 [34.8, 113.0] mg/dL, p < 0.001) groups. The RCF group had significantly lower Hughes functional grades at admission (3 [2, 4] vs. 4 [4, 4], p = 0.012) and discharge (1.0 [1.0, 2.0] vs. 3.0 [2.0, 3.0], p < 0.001) than the axonal degeneration group and showed significantly shorter distal motor latency (DML), Fmin, Fmean, Fmax, and lower F% than the AIDP group (p < 0.05).

Discussion

The early identification of RCF from AIDP had relatively obvious features, including slightly elevated CSF protein levels and normal or slightly prolonged DML and F‐wave latencies, contrasting with the apparent elevation and prolongation seen in AIDP. Differentiating RCF from axonal degeneration remains challenging. One potential distinguishing factor is that the motor function in RCF tends to be better than in the latter.
Chemical Composition, Anti‐Microbial, and Cytotoxic Activities of Essential Oils from Blumea densiflora var. hookeri (C.B. Clarke ex Hook.f.) C.C. Chang & Y.Q. Tseng Leaves from Vietnam
Authors: Binh Hoang Thi , Diep Trinh Thi , Van Ngoc Nguyen
Published: September 2024

The essential oil from the leaves of Blumea densiflora var. hookeri was analyzed using GC‐MS, and bioassays were performed. GC‐MS identified thirty‐four constituents, representing 79.1 % of the oil composition. The major compounds identified in the oil were (E)‐caryophyllene (15.3 %), viridiflorol (5.5 %), trans‐dauca‐4(11),7‐diene (4.6 %), spathulenol (4.4 %), and isolongifolan‐7‐α‐ol (4.3 %). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was assessed to determine its efficacy against six bacterial strains and one fungal strain using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The essential oil demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. A cytotoxicity assay was performed on KB and A549 cancer cell lines using the MTT method. The essential oil displayed strong cytotoxic effects on both cell lines, with IC50 values of 1.40±0.05 μg/mL for KB and 1.72±0.04 μg/mL for A549.
Secondary Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungus Letendraea helminthicola A820 with Anti‐Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Zhang Jianpeng , Tan Ziling , Chen Yuchan , Li Chunan , Li Saini , Liu Hongxin , Zhang Weimin , Yan Hanjing
Published: September 2024

Two undescribed letendrones A−B (1–2), along with three known compounds, ZL‐6 (3), dankasterone B (4), and minimoidione B (5) were isolated from the Aquilaria‐derived fungus Letendraea helminthicola A820. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by analysis of spectroscopes including 1D/2D NMR, IR, UV, and HRESIMS. Among them, the configuration of 1 was further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Letendrones A and B were the new phenalenyl derivatives with radical form that were firstly found in nature. In addition, bioactivity of these compounds was evaluated and compounds 3–5 exhibited inhibitory activity against LPS‐induced NO production in macrophages with IC50 values of 4.64, 13.90, and 34.07 μM. Furthermore, potential targets of the new compounds were analyzed by molecular docking in silico. As a result, compound 1 showed high binding with predicted 5‐HT2c receptor (▵G=−8.2 kcal/mol) potentially associated with depression disease, and compound 2 showed significant connection with phosphodiesterase 3 A (▵G=−9.4 kcal/mol) probably against cardiovascular disorders. Our findings firstly reported the high symmetry phenalenyl compounds from natural products which would provide a basis for further development and utilization of the secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungus Letendraea helminthicola A820.