bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of exposure to MoO3-NP and common bean fertilized by MoO3-NPs on biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters in rats
Authors: Shaban Eman E. , Salama Dina M. , Abd El-Aziz Mahmoud E. , Ibrahim Khadiga S. , Nasr Soad M. , Desouky Hassan M. , Elbakry Hagar F. H.
Published: July 2022

Nanotechnologies has been used to introduce several beneficial tools in the agricultural field. Herein, the effect of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoO3-NPs) was investigated by evaluating the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in rats orally exposed to MoO3-NPs or fed common beans (CB) fertilized by MoO3-NPs. In the first study, 18 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: G1 (control group) was given water orally, while G2 and G3 were administered 10 and 40 ppm MoO3-NPs by oral gavage tube, respectively. There was a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, and total protein; however, there was a a significant decrease in body weight change (BWC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, creatine kinase–MB (CK-MB), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and testosterone levels in G3 compared to G1. In the second study, 24 rats were divided into 4 groups: the control (C) group was fed a balanced diet, and three groups were fed on a balanced diet plus 10% CB that was fertilized with 0, 10, and 40 ppm MoO3-NPs, resulting in nCB, CB10, and CB40 groups, respectively. This revealed a significant increase in BWC and total food intake (TFI) but a significant decrease in relative kidney weight in all the CB groups compared to the control group. In CB10 and CB40 groups ALT, LDH, TSH, FT3, and testosterone levels were significantly lower than the respective levels in the control group. We concluded that high doses of MoO3-NPs caused more side effects than low doses in both experiments.
Evaluating changes in growth and pigmentation of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Paecilomyces variotii in response to gamma and ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Bland Jesse , Gribble Lisa Astuto , Hamel Michael C. , Wright Jeremy B. , Moormann Garrett , Bachand Marlene , Wright Ginger , Bachand George D.
Published: July 2022

Melanin-containing fungi (black molds) have the capacity to thrive under extreme environmental conditions such as the elevated radiation levels inside the former Chernobyl reactors. These fungi have been hypothesized to grow toward and use gamma radiation as an energy source, but the literature does not clearly address which energies of the electromagnetic spectrum, if any, positively affect fungal growth. The goal of this work was to characterize the response of non-melanized and melanized fungi to two distinct electromagnetic wavelengths, i.e., ultraviolet (UV) and gamma ray, keeping absorption and other potentially confounding variables constant. Exposure to UV or gamma radiation induced significant changes in fungi pigmentation, but not growth rate ofCladosporium cladosporioidesandPaecilomyces variotii. Specifically, increased pigmentation of both fungi was observed in samples exposed to UV, while decreased pigmentation was observed for gamma-irradiated samples. These results provide new insights into the role of electromagnetic energies on growth of fungi and provide an impetus to examine additional energies and types of radiation to develop a fundamental understanding of this phenomenon.
Tensile strength of nanocrystalline FeCoNi medium-entropy alloy fabricated using electrodeposition
Authors: Watanabe Atsuya , Yamamoto Takahisa , Takigawa Yorinobu
Published: July 2022

Crystal-grain refinement is one of the effective approaches to obtaining high-strength materials. A good strength/ductility balance has been reported in fine grains of high- and medium-entropy alloys. However, crystal-grain refinement at the nanometer scale has not been achieved yet. In this study, we used electrodeposition to fabricate 0.2-mm thick equiatomic FeCoNi medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) with 10-nm crystal grains. The nanocrystalline FeCoNi MEAs exhibit the maximum tensile strength of 1.6 GPa, which is the highest reported result to date.
Age-related changes of whole-brain dynamics in spontaneous neuronal coactivations
Authors: Shou Guofa , Yuan Han , Cha Yoon-Hee , Sweeney John A. , Ding Lei
Published: July 2022

Human brains experience whole-brain anatomic and functional changes throughout the lifespan. Age-related whole-brain network changes have been studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine their low-frequency spatial and temporal characteristics. However, little is known about age-related changes in whole-brain fast dynamics at the scale of neuronal events. The present study investigated age-related whole-brain dynamics in resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) signals from 73 healthy participants from 6 to 65 years old via characterizing transient neuronal coactivations at a resolution of tens of milliseconds. These uncovered transient patterns suggest fluctuating brain states at different energy levels of global activations. Our results indicate that with increasing age, shorter lifetimes and more occurrences were observed in the brain states that show the global high activations and more consecutive visits to the global highest-activation brain state. There were also reduced transitional steps during consecutive visits to the global lowest-activation brain state. These age-related effects suggest reduced stability and increased fluctuations when visiting high-energy brain states and with a bias toward staying low-energy brain states. These age-related whole-brain dynamics changes are further supported by changes observed in classic alpha and beta power, suggesting its promising applications in examining the effect of normal healthy brain aging, brain development, and brain disease.
Relationship between subjective well-being and aripiprazole: an [11C]raclopride PET study
Authors: Kim Seoyoung , Ock Elena Younhye , Kwon Jun Soo , Kim Euitae
Published: July 2022

The dopamine blockade by antipsychotics trigger subjective dysphoria. Compared with D2 antagonists, aripiprazole, a D2 partial agonist, was expected to produce a different experience. Indeed, a previous study reported no relationship between the D2 receptor occupancy by aripiprazole and subjective dysphoria, while the D2 receptor occupancy by antagonists was associated with negative subjective experiences. This study revisited the relationship in patients treated with aripiprazole by using an inhibitory Emax model, which enables the individual drug-free binding potential and D2 receptor occupancy to be properly estimated. Eight patients with schizophrenia who have been clinically stable on aripiprazole were enrolled. Assessments including Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics Scale (Kv-SWN) were administered. [11C]raclopride PET scan were conducted 2, 26, and 74 h after aripiprazole administration. Regression analysis showed a significant negative association between the D2 receptor occupancy by aripiprazole in the striatum and the Kv-SWN (R2 = 0.55, p = 0.036), but the PANSS total score was not associated with the Kv-SWN (R2 = 0.42, p = 0.080). The negative association between D2 receptor occupancy by aripiprazole and subjective well-being implies that clinicians should find the lowest effective doses of aripiprazole for clinically stable patients to improve their subjective experiences and clinical outcomes.
Pregabalin administration in patients with fibromyalgia: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Maffulli Nicola , Knobe Matthias , Tenze Giacomo , Aljalloud Ali , Colarossi Giorgia
Published: July 2022

Several studies investigated the effectiveness and the safety of different doses of pregabalin in fibromyalgia. However, the optimal protocol remains controversial. A Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing 300, 450, and 600 mg/daily of pregabalin for fibromyalgia was conducted. The literature search was conducted in January 2022. All the double-blind randomised clinical trials comparing two or more dose protocols of pregabalin for fibromyalgia were accessed. Studies enrolling less than 50 patients were not eligible, nor were those with a length of follow-up shorter than eight weeks. The outcomes of interests were: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), sleep quality, and adverse events. The network meta-analyses were performed using the routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis, with log odd ratio (LOR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) effect measure. Data from 4693 patients (mean age 48.5 years) were retrieved. 93.1% (4370 of 4693 patients) were women. The median follow-up was 14.8 weeks. Pregabalin 450 mg/daily resulted in greater reduction in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (SMD − 1.83). Pregabalin 600 demonstrated the greatest sleep quality (SMD 0.15). Pregabalin 300 mg/daily evidenced the lowest rate of adverse events (LOR 0.12). The dose of pregabalin must be customised according to patients’ characteristics and main symptoms.
Improved SSD network for fast concealed object detection and recognition in passive terahertz security images
Authors: Cheng Lu , Ji Yicai , Li Chao , Liu Xiaojun , Fang Guangyou
Published: July 2022

With the strengthening of global anti-terrorist measures, it is increasingly important to conduct security checks in public places to detect concealed objects carried by the human body. Research in recent years has shown that deep learning is helpful for detecting concealed objects in passive terahertz images. However, previous studies have failed to achieve superior accuracy and performance for real-time labeling. Our research aims to propose a novel method for accurate and real-time detection of concealed objects in terahertz images. To reach this goal we trained and tested a promising detector based on deep residual networks using human image data collected by passive terahertz devices. Specifically, we replaced the backbone network of the SSD (Single Shot MultiBox Detector) algorithm with a more representative residual network to reduce the difficulty of network training. Aiming at the problems of repeated detection and missed detection of small targets, a feature fusion-based terahertz image target detection algorithm was proposed. Furthermore, we introduced a hybrid attention mechanism in SSD to improve the algorithm’s ability to acquire object details and location information. Finally, the Focal Loss function was introduced to improve the robustness of the model. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the SSD algorithm is improved from 95.04 to 99.92%. Compared with other current mainstream models, such as Faster RCNN, YOLO, and RetinaNet, the proposed method can maintain high detection accuracy at a faster speed. This proposed method based on SSD achieves a mean average precision of 99.92%, an F1 score of 0.98, and a prediction speed of 17 FPS on the validation subset. This proposed method based on SSD-ResNet-50 can provide a technical reference for the application and development of deep learning technology in terahertz smart security systems. In the future, it can be widely used in some public scenarios with real-time security inspection requirements.
The effects of probiotics on risk and time preferences
Authors: Dantas Aline M. , Sack Alexander T. , Bruggen Elisabeth , Jiao Peiran , Schuhmann Teresa
Published: July 2022

Animal models, human neuroimaging and lesion studies revealed that the gut microbiota can influence the interaction between the central and the enteric nervous systems via the gut–brain axis (GBA) and can affect brain regions linked to basic emotional and cognitive processes. The role of the gut microbiota in decision-making in healthy humans thus far remains largely unknown. Our study establishes a functional relationship between the gut microbiota and healthy humans’ decisions that involve risk and time. We conducted a between subjects’ placebo-controlled double-blinded design, with two groups and two sessions separated by 28 days, during which participants received daily doses of probiotics or a placebo. We investigated whether the prolonged and controlled intake of probiotics affects risk-taking behavior and intertemporal choices using incentivized economic tasks. We found a significant decrease in risk-taking behavior and an increase in future-oriented choices in the probiotics group as compared to the placebo group. These findings provide the first direct experimental evidence suggesting a potential functional role on the part of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in decision-making, creating a path for potential clinical applications and allowing for a better understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of risk-taking behavior and intertemporal choices.
Theoretical studies on RNA recognition by Musashi 1 RNA-binding protein
Authors: Darai Nitchakan , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Wolschann Peter , Lee Vannajan Sanghiran , Wolfinger Michael T. , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada
Published: July 2022

The Musashi (MSI) family of RNA-binding proteins, comprising the two homologs Musashi-1 (MSI1) and Musashi-2 (MSI2), typically regulates translation and is involved in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. MSI proteins contain two ribonucleoprotein-like RNA-binding domains, RBD1 and RBD2, that bind single-stranded RNA motifs with a central UAG trinucleotide with high affinity and specificity. The finding that MSI also promotes the replication of Zika virus, a neurotropic Flavivirus, has triggered further investigations of the biochemical principles behind MSI–RNA interactions. However, a detailed molecular understanding of the specificity of MSI RBD1/2 interaction with RNA is still missing. Here, we performed computational studies of MSI1–RNA association complexes, investigating different RNA pentamer motifs using molecular dynamics simulations with binding free energy calculations based on the solvated interaction energy method. Simulations with Alphafold2 suggest that predicted MSI protein structures are highly similar to experimentally determined structures. The binding free energies show that two out of four RNA pentamers exhibit a considerably higher binding affinity to MSI1 RBD1 and RBD2, respectively. The obtained structural information on MSI1 RBD1 and RBD2 will be useful for a detailed functional and mechanistic understanding of this type of RNA–protein interactions.
Insight into the hierarchical control governing leg stiffness during the stance phase of running
Authors: Garofolini Alessandro , Mickle Karen J. , McLaughlin Patrick , Taylor Simon B.
Published: July 2022

Leg stiffness plays a key role in the storage and release of elastic energy during stance. However, the extent to which a runner is able to reuse stored energy remains a limiting factor in determining their running effectiveness. In this study, ten habitual rearfoot strikers and ten habitual forefoot strikers were asked to run on a treadmill in three footwear conditions: traditional, neutral, and minimal running shoes. We examined the effect of habitual foot strike pattern and footwear on leg stiffness control within three task-relevant phases of stance (i.e. touch-down, loading, unloading). Control was quantified using stride-to-stride leg stiffness time-series and the coefficient of variability and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). The results are interpreted within a theoretical framework that blends dynamic systems theory and optimal feedback control. Results indicate that leg stiffness control is tightly regulated by an active control process during the loading period of stance. In contrast, the touch-down and unloading phases are driven mostly by passive allometric control mechanisms. The effect of footwear on leg stiffness control was inconclusive due to inconsistent trends across three shoe types. However, stiffness control was affected by landing technique. Habitual rearfoot strike runners have reduced DFA values during the touch-down and unloading phases. These sub-phases are associated with an allometric control process and suggests that rearfoot strike runners express a reduction in system complexity for leg stiffness control and hence, a less adaptable system.
Acute and protracted abstinence from methamphetamine bidirectionally changes intrinsic excitability of indirect pathway spiny projection neurons in the dorsomedial striatum
Authors: Choi Sanghoon , Du Yijuan , Wokosin David L. , Graves Steven M.
Published: July 2022

Methamphetamine (meth) is an addictive psychostimulant and illicit use presents significant personal and socioeconomic harm. Behavioral studies support the involvement of the dorsal striatum in drug-seeking but stimulant induced dysfunction in this region is understudied. The dorsal striatum can be subdivided into the dorsomedial (DMS) and dorsolateral (DLS) striatum with the DMS implicated in goal-directed and DLS in habitual behaviors; both regions are primarily composed of GABAergic direct (dSPNs) and indirect pathway (iSPNs) spiny projection neurons. To examine the effect of repeated meth on SPNs, mice were administered meth (2 mg/kg) for ten consecutive days and intrinsic excitability, dendritic excitability, and spine density were examined. DMS iSPN intrinsic excitability was increased at 1 day but decreased at 21 days of abstinence. In contrast, DMS dSPN intrinsic excitability was unchanged at either timepoint. Dendritic excitability and spine densities were unaltered in DMS iSPNs and dSPNs at 1 and 21 days of abstinence. The effect of repeated meth on iSPN excitability was specific to the DMS; DLS iSPN intrinsic excitability, dendritic excitability, and spine density were unchanged at 1 and 21 days of abstinence. These findings point toward DMS iSPN dysfunction in meth use disorders with differential dysfunction dependent on abstinence duration.
Calotropis gigantea stem bark extracts inhibit liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine
Authors: Sawong Suphunwadee , Pekthong Dumrongsak , Suknoppakit Pennapha , Winitchaikul Thanwarat , Kaewkong Worasak , Somran Julintorn , Intapa Chaidan , Parhira Supawadee , Srisawang Piyarat
Published: July 2022

Several fractions ofCalotropis giganteaextracts have been proposed to have potential anticancer activity in many cancer models. The present study evaluated the anticancer activity ofC. giganteastem bark extracts in liver cancer HepG2 cells and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary liver cancer in rats. The carcinogenesis model induced by DEN administration has been widely used to study pathophysiological features and responses in rats that are comparable to those seen in cancer patients. The dichloromethane (CGDCM), ethyl acetate, and water fractions obtained from partitioning crude ethanolic extract were quantitatively analyzed for several groups of secondary metabolites and calactin contents. A combination ofC. giganteastem bark extracts with doxorubicin (DOX) was assessed in this study to demonstrate the enhanced cytotoxic effect to cancer compared to the single administration. The combination of DOX and CGDCM, which had the most potential cytotoxic effect in HepG2 cells when compared to the other three fractions, significantly increased cytotoxicity through the apoptotic effect with increased caspase-3 expression. This combination treatment also reduced ATP levels, implying a correlation between ATP and apoptosis induction. In a rat model of DEN-induced liver cancer, treatment with DOX,C. giganteaat low (CGDCM-L) and high (CGDCM-H) doses, and DOX + CGDCM-H for 4 weeks decreased the progression of liver cancer by lowering the liver weight/body weight ratio and the occurrence of liver hyperplastic nodules, fibrosis, and proliferative cells. The therapeutic applications lowered TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and α-SMA inflammatory cytokines in a similar way, implying that CGDCM had a curative effect against the inflammation-induced liver carcinogenesis produced by DEN exposure. Furthermore, CGDCM and DOX therapy decreased ATP and fatty acid synthesis in rat liver cancer, which was correlated with apoptosis inhibition. CGDCM reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression in liver cancer rats when used alone or in combination with DOX, implying that apoptosis-inducing hepatic carcinogenesis was suppressed. Our results also verified the low toxicity of CGDCM injection on the internal organs of rats. Thus, this research clearly demonstrated a promising, novel anticancer approach that could be applied in future clinical studies of CGDCM and combination therapy.
Temporal response characterization across individual multiomics profiles of prediabetic and diabetic subjects
Authors: Zheng Minzhang , Piermarocchi Carlo , Mias George I.
Published: July 2022

Longitudinal deep multiomics profiling, which combines biomolecular, physiological, environmental and clinical measures data, shows great promise for precision health. However, integrating and understanding the complexity of such data remains a big challenge. Here we utilize an individual-focused bottom-up approach aimed at first assessing single individuals’ multiomics time series, and using the individual-level responses to assess multi-individual grouping based directly on similarity of their longitudinal deep multiomics profiles. We used this individual-focused approach to analyze profiles from a study profiling longitudinal responses in type 2 diabetes mellitus. After generating periodograms for individual subject omics signals, we constructed within-person omics networks and analyzed personal-level immune changes. The results identified both individual-level responses to immune perturbation, and the clusters of individuals that have similar behaviors in immune response and which were associated to measures of their diabetic status.
Coenzyme Q10 in the eye isomerizes by sunlight irradiation
Authors: Mamun Md. Al , Nabi Md. Mahamodun , Sato Tomohito , Aramaki Shuhei , Takanashi Yusuke , Sakamoto Takumi , Hizume Kaito , Mori Chikako , Yasue Maiha , Ozaki Masataka , Islam Ariful , Kahyo Tomoaki , Horikawa Makoto , Takahashi Yutaka , Okazaki Shigetoshi , Ohishi Kentaro , Nagashima Yu , Seno Keiji , Hotta Yoshihiro , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: July 2022

Photoisomerization of lipids has been well studied. As for the eyes, photoisomerization from 11-cis isomer to all-trans-retinal is well-known as the first step of the visual transduction in the photoreceptors. In addition to that, there would be other ocular lipids that undergo photoisomerization, which may be involved in ocular health and function. To explore any photoisomerizable lipids in the eyes, the nonirradiated and sunlight-irradiated eyeball extracts were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, followed by the identification of the decreased lipid species in the irradiated extracts. Surprisingly, more than nine hundred lipid species were decreased in the irradiated extracts. Three lipid species, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), triglyceride(58:4), and coenzyme Q9, were decreased both significantly (p < 0.05) and by more than two-fold, where CoQ10 showed the most significant decrease. Later, photoisomerization was identified as the prominent cause underlying the decrease of CoQ10. Interestingly, CoQ10 in the sunlight-irradiated fresh eyeballs was also isomerized. Both the visible light and ultraviolet radiation were capable of producing CoQ10 isomer, while the latter showed rapid action. This study is believed to enhance our understanding of the biochemistry and photodamage of the eye and can potentially contribute to the advancement of opto-lipidomics.
Towards a data-driven system for personalized cervical cancer risk stratification
Authors: Langberg Geir Severin R. E. , Nygård Jan F. , Gogineni Vinay Chakravarthi , Nygård Mari , Grasmair Markus , Naumova Valeriya
Published: July 2022

Mass-screening programs for cervical cancer prevention in the Nordic countries have been effective in reducing cancer incidence and mortality at the population level. Women who have been regularly diagnosed with normal screening exams represent a sub-population with a low risk of disease and distinctive screening strategies which avoid over-screening while identifying those with high-grade lesions are needed to improve the existing one-size-fits-all approach. Machine learning methods for more personalized cervical cancer risk estimation may be of great utility to screening programs shifting to more targeted screening. However, deriving personalized risk prediction models is challenging as effective screening has made cervical cancer rare and the exam results are strongly skewed towards normal. Moreover, changes in female lifestyle and screening habits over time can cause a non-stationary data distribution. In this paper, we treat cervical cancer risk prediction as a longitudinal forecasting problem. We define risk estimators by extending existing frameworks developed on cervical cancer screening data to incremental learning for longitudinal risk predictions and compare these estimators to machine learning methods popular in biomedical applications. As input to the prediction models, we utilize all the available data from the individual screening histories.Using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, we find in numerical experiments that the models are strongly biased towards normal results due to imbalanced data. To identify females at risk of cancer development, we adapt an imbalanced classification strategy to non-stationary data. Using this strategy, we estimate the absolute risk from longitudinal model predictions and a hold-out set of screening data. Comparing absolute risk curves demonstrate that prediction models can closely reflect the absolute risk observed in the hold-out set. Such models have great potential for improving cervical cancer risk stratification for more personalized screening recommendations.
Genetic diversity of microsymbionts nodulating Trifolium pratense in subpolar and temperate climate regions
Authors: Kozieł Marta , Kalita Michał , Janczarek Monika
Published: July 2022

Rhizobia are soil-borne bacteria forming symbiotic associations with legumes and fixing atmospheric dinitrogen. The nitrogen-fixation potential depends on the type of host plants and microsymbionts as well as environmental factors that affect the distribution of rhizobia. In this study, we compared genetic diversity of bacteria isolated from root nodules of Trifolium pratense grown in two geographical regions (Tromsø, Norway and Lublin, Poland) located in distinct climatic (subpolar and temperate) zones. To characterize these isolates genetically, three PCR-based techniques (ERIC, BOX, and RFLP of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer), 16S rRNA sequencing, and multi-locus sequence analysis of chromosomal house-keeping genes (atpD, recA, rpoB, gyrB, and glnII) were done. Our results indicate that a great majority of the isolates are T. pratense microsymbionts belonging to Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii. A high diversity among these strains was detected. However, a lower diversity within the population derived from the subpolar region in comparison to that of the temperate region was found. Multi-locus sequence analysis showed that a majority of the strains formed distinct clusters characteristic for the individual climatic regions. The subpolar strains belonged to two (A and B) and the temperate strains to three R. leguminosarum genospecies (B, E, and K), respectively.
Behavior of colloidal gels made of thermoresponsive anisotropic nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Long , Thérien-Aubin Héloïse
Published: July 2022

Amongst colloidal gels, those designed by the assembly of anisotropic colloidal particles tend to form fibrillar gels and are attracting interest as artificial cell growth environments since they have a structure reminiscent of biological extracellular matrices. Their properties can be tuned by controlling the size, shape, and rigidity of the nanoparticles used during their formation. Herein, the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of the nanocolloidal building blocks and the properties of the resulting gels is investigated. Thermoresponsive particles with different aspect ratios and controlled rigidity were prepared, and the gelation and the properties of the resulting gels were studied. The results show how the aspect ratio and rigidity of polymer colloids tune the properties of the gels. An increase in the aspect ratio of the nanocolloid used led to a sol–gel transition observed at lower particle concentration, but an increase in the rigidity of the nanocolloids delayed the sol–gel transition to higher concentration. However, at a constant concentration, increases in the anisotropy produced gels with higher modulus and lower yield strain. Similarly, an increase in rigidity of the colloids increased the modulus and reduced the yield strain of the resulting gels.
Paired miRNA- and messenger RNA-sequencing identifies novel miRNA-mRNA interactions in multiple myeloma
Authors: Aass Kristin Roseth , Nedal Tonje Marie Vikene , Tryggestad Synne Stokke , Haukås Einar , Slørdahl Tobias S. , Waage Anders , Standal Therese , Mjelle Robin
Published: July 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of terminally differentiated plasma cells that proliferate in the bone marrow. miRNAs are promising biomarkers for risk stratification in MM and several miRNAs are shown to have a function in disease pathogenesis. However, to date, surprisingly few miRNA-mRNA interactions have been described for and functionally validated in MM. In this study, we performed miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq on CD138 + cells isolated from bone marrow aspirates of 86 MM patients to identify novel interactions between sRNAs and mRNAs. We detected 9.8% significantly correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs of which 5.17% were positively correlated and 4.65% were negatively correlated. We found that miRNA-mRNA pairs that were predicted by in silico target-prediction algorithms were more negatively correlated than non-target pairs, indicating functional miRNA targeting and that correlation between miRNAs and mRNAs from patients can be used to identify miRNA-targets. mRNAs for negatively correlated miRNA-mRNA target pairs were associated with gene ontology terms such as autophagy, protein degradation and endoplasmic stress response, reflecting important processes in MM. Targets for two specific miRNAs, miR-125b-5p and miR-365b-3p, were functionally validated in MM cell line transfection experiments followed by RNA-sequencing and qPCR. In summary, we identified functional miRNA-mRNA target pairs by correlating miRNA and mRNA data from primary MM cells. We identified several target pairs that are of potential interest for further studies. The data presented here may serve as a hypothesis-generating knowledge base for other researchers in the miRNA/MM field. We also provide an interactive web application that can be used to exploit the miRNA-target interactions as well as clinical parameters associated to these target-pairs.
Transcription-associated DNA DSBs activate p53 during hiPSC-based neurogenesis
Authors: Michel Nadine , Young Heather M. Raimer , Atkin Naomi D. , Arshad Umar , Al-Humadi Reem , Singh Sandeep , Manukyan Arkadi , Gore Lana , Burbulis Ian E. , Wang Yuh-Hwa , McConnell Michael J.
Published: July 2022

Neurons are overproduced during cerebral cortical development. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) divide rapidly and incur frequent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) throughout cortical neurogenesis. Although half of the neurons born during neurodevelopment die, many neurons with inaccurate DNA repair survive leading to brain somatic mosaicism. Recurrent DNA DSBs during neurodevelopment are associated with both gene expression level and gene length. We used imaging flow cytometry and a genome-wide DNA DSB capture approach to quantify and map DNA DSBs during human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based neurogenesis. Reduced p53 signaling was brought about by knockdown (p53KD); p53KDled to elevated DNA DSB burden in neurons that was associated with gene expression level but not gene length in neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Furthermore, DNA DSBs incurred from transcriptional, but not replicative, stress lead to p53 activation in neurotypical NPCs. In p53KDNPCs, DNA DSBs accumulate at transcription start sites of genes that are associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. These findings add to a growing understanding of how neuronal genome dynamics are engaged by high transcriptional or replicative burden during neurodevelopment.
E2F4 transcription factor is a prognostic biomarker related to immune infiltration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Qi Li , Ren Zihan , Li Wei
Published: July 2022

To investigate the relationship between the transcription factor, E2F4, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and to preliminarily explore the signaling pathways and immunological role of E2F4. The mRNA expression of E2F4 in HNSCC was evaluated by searching Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. E2F4 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using the CMU1h-ENT database. The association between E2F4 expression and tumor infiltration of immune cells was analyzed. Intracellular signaling by E2F4 was explored using KEGG and GO analysis. The correlation of E2F4 expression with clinical characteristics and its prognostic role were validated and analyzed in TCGA database. From the analysis of GEO and TCGA data, E2F4 expression was found to be up-regulated in HNSCC tumor tissues, and its level was associated with T, Grade, and M staging. Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox analyses indicated that the high expression of E2F4 was related to a poor prognosis. Thus, E2F4 was considered a potential prognostic factor for HNSCC. Immunohistochemical staining showed that E2F4 was mainly localized in the cell nucleus; it was highly expressed in HNSCC tissues, with a significant difference noted from that in pericancerous mucosa tissues. A correlation was observed between the differential expression of E2F4 and the immune infiltration of HNSCC. As revealed by KEGG and GO analysis, differential enrichment was found in the cell cycle, spliceosome, meiosis, microbial polysaccharide synthesis, and WNT signaling pathway, as well as in cyclic adenosine monophosphate, ERBB2, VEGF, GCNP and MYC pathways. E2F4 plays an important role in tumor progression and may be a critical biological prognostic factor for HNSCC. In addition, it functions in the nucleus as a transcription factor, regulates immune cells, and could be a promising molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC.
Ultra-rapid somatic variant detection via real-time targeted amplicon sequencing
Authors: Wadden Jack , Newell Brandon S. , Bugbee Joshua , John Vishal , Bruzek Amy K. , Dickson Robert P. , Koschmann Carl , Blaauw David , Narayanasamy Satish , Das Reetuparna
Published: July 2022

Molecular markers are essential for cancer diagnosis, clinical trial enrollment, and some surgical decision making, motivating ultra-rapid, intraoperative variant detection. Sequencing-based detection is considered the gold standard approach, but typically takes hours to perform due to time-consuming DNA extraction, targeted amplification, and library preparation times. In this work, we present a proof-of-principle approach for sub-1 hour targeted variant detection using real-time DNA sequencers. By modifying existing protocols, optimizing for diagnostic time-to-result, we demonstrate confirmation of a hot-spot mutation from tumor tissue in ~52 minutes. To further reduce time, we explore rapid, targeted Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and design a bioinformatics tool—LAMPrey—to process sequenced LAMP product. LAMPrey’s concatemer aware alignment algorithm is designed to maximize recovery of diagnostically relevant information leading to a more rapid detection versus standard read alignment approaches. Using LAMPrey, we demonstrate confirmation of a hot-spot mutation (250x support) from tumor tissue in less than 30 minutes.
Visible-light-driven Photocatalytic Ozonation of Aqueous Organic Pollutants
Authors: Xiao Jiadong , Guo Zhuang , Cao Hongbin , Xie Yongbing
Published: July 2022

Visible-light photocatalytic ozonation has great potential for practical wastewater treatment using natural sunlight and air. This chapter reviews the typical catalysts for visible-light photocatalytic ozonation, the state-of-the-art understanding of the reaction mechanism, as well as the property–activity relationships, stabilities and future optimization directions of catalysts. Also, the present state and challenges for its practical application are discussed.
Hybrid Ceramic Membrane Catalytic Ozonation
Authors: Song Zilong , Ren Ruijun , Zhang Yuting , Li Ao , Liu Jing , Qi Fei
Published: July 2022

This chapter reviews all applications of (catalytic) ozonation coupled with ceramic membrane without functional surface groups. The combination of ozonation and ceramic membrane shows better potential performance on membrane fouling elimination, which depends on the combination mode, including pre- or in situ ozonation. After that, the ceramic membrane can be made to function by means of several surface engineering methods, which can develop the activity to catalyze ozonation. All typical surface engineering methods reported in the literature are reviewed. In catalytic ozonation with ceramic membrane, the surface reaction mechanism is involved with the interface catalytic ozonation via the surface oxygen contained group and the free electrons of the catalytic ceramic membrane. Based on this, iron, manganese, cerium, copper, several hybrid metal oxides and carbon materials have been used to develop the catalytic activity of the ceramic membrane. All these involving the catalytic ceramic membrane showed good performance in emerging contaminants degradation that cannot be separated by membrane separation; the interface with catalytic ozonation also degrades disinfection by-product precursors; further, the interface with catalytic ozonation derived by the catalytic ceramic membrane shows potential activity on organic membrane fouling elimination. Based on all this, the future perspectives of the combination of ozonation and ceramic membrane are shown.
Dual-emissive EY/UiO-66-NH2 as a ratiometric probe for turn-on sensing and cell imaging of hypochlorite
Authors: Yu Fangfang , Wang Yihan , Liu Tengfei , Liu Xiaohui , Jiang Hui , Wang Xuemei
Published: July 2022

EY/UiO-66-NH2 could be used as a self-calibrating nanoprobe for the detection of ClO−, which exhibits a wide linear range 0.1–200 μM and a low detection limit 46.4 nM. The content of EY is important to the ratiometric fluorescence of the probe.
Porous organic polymers for drug delivery: hierarchical pore structures, variable morphologies, and biological properties
Authors: Tang Yunxin , Varyambath Anuraj , Ding Yuanchen , Chen Bailiang , Huang Xinyi , Zhang Yu , Yu Deng-guang , Kim Il , Song Wenliang
Published: July 2022

Porous organic polymers have received considerable attention in recent years because of their applicability as biomaterials.
Ancillary ligand-regulated Ti(iv)-based metallocalixarene coordination cages for photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Tian Yi-Qi , Cui Yun-Shu , Zhu Jia-Hui , Xu Cong-Qiao , Yi Xiao-Yi , Li Jun , Liu Chao
Published: July 2022

The first family of tunable metallocalixarene coordination cages of Ti(iv) with a framework formula [Ti12(iOPr)12(TBC[4])6L6] have been assembled from six {Ti2(iOPr)2(TBC[4])}2+ nodes and six pyridinedicarboxylic ligands through [6+6] condensation.
High-efficiency synthesis of red carbon dots using machine learning
Authors: Luo Jun Bo , Chen Jiao , Liu Hui , Huang Cheng Zhi , Zhou Jun
Published: July 2022

An efficient synthesis method based on machine learning was proposed to assist researchers in synthesizing red fluorescent CDs, and it avoids invalid synthetic experiments and improves the efficiency of red CD synthesis.
Correction: Oxamic acids: useful precursors of carbamoyl radicals
Authors: Ogbu Ikechukwu Martin , Kurtay Gülbin , Robert Frédéric , Landais Yannick
Published: July 2022

Correction for ‘Oxamic acids: useful precursors of carbamoyl radicals’ by Ikechukwu Martin Ogbu et al., Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 7593–7607, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01953A.
Assembling photoactive materials from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): room temperature phosphorescence and excimer-emission in co-crystals with 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene
Authors: Azzali Alessandra , d'Agostino Simone , Capacci Mattia , Spinelli Floriana , Ventura Barbara , Grepioni Fabrizia
Published: July 2022

Co-crystallization of PAHs with a polyhalogenated co-former afforded three novel co-crystals, which display remarkable features such as mechanochemical interconversion, photoreactivity, excimer fluorescence, and RTP phosphorescence in the solid state.
Substitution enables significant new decay channels for a non-canonical amino acid
Authors: Ghosh Paulami , Nandy Tonima , Singh Prashant C. , Ghosh Debashree
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we have investigated the nonradiative processes of indole (Ind) and 7-fluoroindole (7F-Ind) using high-level theoretical and spectroscopic methods.
The origins of segregation behaviors of solute atoms and their effect on the strength of α-Al//θ′-Al2Cu interfaces in Al–Cu alloys
Authors: Chen Xiangkai , Chen Xiaohua , Wang Zidong , Chen Kaixuan , Wang Yanlin
Published: July 2022

The total segregation energies and strengthening energies of the Cd, Si, Sc and Zr at the (001)α-Al//(001)θ′ interface and the chemical and mechanical contributions of the segregation energies and strengthening energies.
New insight into the electronic structure of SiF4: synergistic back-donation and the eighteen-electron rule
Authors: Wang Haoran , Wu Panpan , Wu Zhenyu , Shi Lili , Cheng Longjiu
Published: July 2022

Si–F σ bonds, synergistic back-donation (SBD) bonds and the eighteen-electron rule lead to the high thermal stability of SiF4 in dry air or vacuum.
Heterogeneous interface-induced electrocatalytic efficiency boosting of bimetallic Cu/Zn selenides for stable water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Velpandian Muthuraja , Ummethala Govind , Malladi Sairam K. , Meduri Praveen
Published: July 2022

Low overpotential and high stability of heterostructured bimetallic copper and zinc selenides for OER and ORR.
Improving the activity and synergistic catalysis of l-aspartate β-decarboxylase by arginine introduction on the surface
Authors: Hao Mingzhu , Cui Ruizhi , Zhu Xiaoqing , Han Laichuang , Zhou Zhemin , Liu Zhongmei
Published: July 2022

Introduction of arginine on the surface relieved the pH-dependent inactivation of l-aspartate-β-decarboxylase, which promoted its application in synthetic biology and biocatalysis.
Three layered cucurbit[6]uril-based metal–organic rotaxane networks functionalized by sulfonic groups for proton conduction
Authors: Li Ying , Xu Yan-Jun , Fan Ming-Yue , Feng Zhen-Jie , Li Jun-Jun , Wu Xue-Song , Sun Jing , Wang Xin-Long , Su Zhong-Min
Published: July 2022

Three new cucurbit[6]uril-based metal–organic rotaxane networks functionalized by a sulfonic group (–SO3H) have been designed and synthesized.
Chemistry of 2,5-diaminotetrazole
Authors: Bauer Josh , Benz Maximilian , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: July 2022

2,5-Diaminotetrazole is one of the easiest double substituted tetrazoles, which is up to now not properly characterized. Similar as for its more prominent isomer, 1,5-diaminotetrazole, many functionalization reaction are possible.
Multi-element co-doped biomass porous carbon with uniform cellular pores as a supercapacitor electrode material to realise high value-added utilisation of agricultural waste
Authors: Yue Xiandong , Yang Haixia , An Ping , Gao Zexing , Li Haokun , Ye Feng
Published: July 2022

Biomass-based porous carbon materials have attracted considerable attention because of their simple, low-cost, green, and pollution-free preparation process.
Synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of group 2 complexes with a thiopyridyl scorpionate ligand
Authors: Stevens Matthew P. , Spray Emily , Vitorica-Yrezabal Iñigo J. , Singh Kuldip , Timmermann Vanessa M. , Sotorrios Lia , Macgregor Stuart A. , Ortu Fabrizio
Published: July 2022

Group 2 organometallics were synthesised with a thiopyridyl scorpionate ligand and were tested for their catalytic activity in hydrophosphination reactions. Kinetic studies and DFT calculations were also used to elucidate degradation pathways.
Time-resolved photoluminescence studies of perovskite chalcogenides
Authors: Ye Kevin , Zhao Boyang , Diroll Benjamin T. , Ravichandran Jayakanth , Jaramillo R.
Published: July 2022

The rates of excited-state decay through recombination processes determine the usefulness of a semiconductor for ambipolar devices. We find that recombination rates in chalcogenide perovskites are promising for continued progress towards solar cells.
Concluding remarks: Photoelectron spectroscopy and the future of surface analysis
Authors: Nilsson Anders
Published: July 2022

Three different directions have evolved during the last decade and will become even more essential in the future to come and these arein situandoperandoapproaches, interface probing and ultrafast time resolved measurements.
Ginseng oligosaccharides protect neurons from glutamate-induced oxidative damage through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway
Authors: Yan Xiuci , Chen Xuenan , Fu Chunge , Jing Chenxu , Zhao Daqing , Sun Liwei
Published: July 2022

In our study, the oligosaccharide fraction was obtained from ginseng, and its neuroprotective efficacy was demonstrated. Furthermore, the efficacy mechanism of ginseng oligosaccharides may be related to the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
In situ quantitative analysis of beryllium by EPMA: analytical conditions and further insights into beryllium geochemistry
Authors: Wu Run-Qiu , Rao Can , Wang Ru-Cheng , Che Xu-Dong , Li Xiao-Feng , Wang Qi , Zhang Zhi-Qi
Published: July 2022

Accurate in situ analysis of beryllium (Be) is still a technical bottleneck in the fields of geoscience and materials science.
A universal bipolar host based on isonicotinonitrile and carbazole for efficient red, green and blue PhOLEDs
Authors: Zhou Haitao , Wang Guoliang , Guo Shiyan , Jin Xin , Luo Xin , Miao Yanqin , Huang Jinhai , Wang Hua , Su Jianhua
Published: July 2022

A universal bipolar host for RGB PhOLEDs with an EQEmax of 26.84%, 20.04% and 16.22%, respectively.
Acid catalysis through N-protonation in undistorted carboxamides: improvement of amide proton sponge acylating ability
Authors: Mikshiev Vladimir Y. , Tolstoy Peter M. , Tupikina Elena Yu. , Puzyk Aleksandra M. , Vovk Mikhail A.
Published: July 2022

Molecular design by means of quantum-chemistry to improve an acid catalysed acyl-migration reaction through protonated amide nitrogen atom in carboxamides.
Enhanced excitonic features in an anisotropic ReS2/WSe2 heterostructure
Authors: Usman Arslan , Adel Aly M. , Masenda Hilary , Thompson Joshua J. P. , Gunasekera Surani M. , Mucha-Kruczyński Marcin , Brem Samuel , Malic Ermin , Koch Martin
Published: July 2022

A ReS2/WSe2 heterostructure and its polarization resolved PL spectra.
Quantitatively linking morphology and optical response of individual silver nanohedra
Authors: Wang Yisu , Sztranyovszky Zoltan , Zilli Attilio , Albrecht Wiebke , Bals Sara , Borri Paola , Langbein Wolfgang
Published: July 2022

A method linking three-dimensional morphology and quantitative optical scattering and absorption cross-sections of individual plasmonic nanoparticles is demonstrated, enabling a quantitative understanding of the morphology–optical response relation.
Solution combustion synthesis: the relevant metrics for producing advanced and nanostructured photocatalysts
Authors: Siddique Fizza , Gonzalez-Cortes Sergio , Mirzaei Amir , Xiao Tiancun , Rafiq M. A. , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: July 2022

This article critically evaluates the influence of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) metrics on the properties of the synthesized product. Special attention is paid to photocatalytic applications of SCS-synthesized products.