bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permafrost Wetlands Are Sources of Dissolved Iron and Dissolved Organic Carbon to the Amur‐Mid Rivers in Summer
Authors: Tashiro Y. , Yoh M. , Shesterkin V. P. , Shiraiwa T. , Onishi T. , Naito D.
Published: August 2023

Dissolved iron (dFe) transported by the Amur River greatly contributes to phytoplankton growth in the Sea of Okhotsk. Nevertheless, there has been little research on the source of dFe to rivers, especially in the Amur‐Mid Basin, which is situated in a sporadic permafrost area. In the Amur‐Mid Basin, permafrost generally exists in wetlands in flat valleys, and these permafrost wetlands could be a source of dFe to rivers. To assess the importance of permafrost wetlands for dFe export, we conducted a local survey on land and soil characteristics of wetlands, and moreover analyzed the chemical composition (dFe, dissolved organic carbon [DOC], pH, and electrical conductivity [EC]) of 24 rivers with different watershed sizes in summer. As a result of local survey, the thickly accumulated peat soils in the permafrost wetland were almost saturated and rich in organic matter from the surface to a greater depth near the permafrost table. In addition, the coverage of such permafrost wetlands in watersheds showed significant positive correlations with dFe (r2 = 0.67, p = 1.7e−6) and DOC (r2 = 0.48, p = 1.8e−4) and a negative correlation with EC (r2 = 0.52, p = 7.7e−5). The dFe concentration was also correlated well with DOC concentration (r2 = 0.68, p = 7.3e−7) but not correlated with pH and watershed area. These findings are the first to indicate that permafrost wetlands in the Amur‐Mid Basin considerably contribute to dFe and DOC export to rivers, and their coverage primarily determines riverine dFe and DOC concentrations in summer.
Current challenges for 3D printing complete dentures: experiences from a multi-centre clinical trial
Authors: Osnes Cecilie , Davda Krishan , Hyde T. Paul , Khalid Syeda , Dillon Sean , Archer Natalie , Attrill David , Devlin Hugh , Keeling Andrew
Published: August 2023

Aims To develop an optimal clinical and laboratory protocol for the fabrication of 3D printing dentures.

Design A prospective feasibility study across three UK dental schools.

Material and methods Each patient received one conventional and one 3D-printed denture. Both dentures were constructed using the same impression, jaw registration and wax trial denture. Variables investigated included methods of digitisation of the impression and optional use of a 3D-printed baseplate for jaw registration.

Results Clinicians strongly preferred 3D-printed baseplates. Patients felt that conventional and printed dentures were similar in retention and stability. More patients favoured conventional dentures over 3D-printed dentures in terms of comfort.

Discussion It is feasible to combine conventional clinical work with digital techniques to produce 3D-printed dentures. 3D-printed baseplates offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional bases at the jaw registration stage. Challenges were faced in tooth positioning and managing occlusion, particularly where roots required adjustment.

Conclusion 3D printing is suitable for producing baseplates for jaw registration blocks and wax trial insertions. It is feasible to produce 3D-printed dentures using conventional clinical techniques for impressions, jaw registration and wax trial insertion. The workflow used in this study for 3D-printed dentures is not superior to conventional dentures. Further work is required.
Classification of IDH wild-type glioblastoma tumorspheres into low- and high-invasion groups based on their transcriptional program
Authors: Park Junseong , Shim Jin-Kyoung , Lee Mirae , Kim Dokyeong , Yoon Seon-Jin , Moon Ju Hyung , Kim Eui Hyun , Park Jeong-Yoon , Chang Jong Hee , Kang Seok-Gu
Published: August 2023

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most lethal tumors, exhibits a highly infiltrative phenotype. Here, we identified transcription factors (TFs) that collectively modulate invasion-related genes in GBM.

Methods

The invasiveness of tumorspheres (TSs) were quantified using collagen-based 3D invasion assays. TF activities were quantified by enrichment analysis using GBM transcriptome, and confirmed by cell-magnified analysis of proteome imaging. Invasion-associated TFs were knocked down using siRNA or shRNA, and TSs were orthotopically implanted into mice.

Results

After classifying 23 patient-derived GBM TSs into low- and high-invasion groups, we identified active TFs in each group—PCBP1 for low invasion, and STAT3 and SRF for high invasion. Knockdown of these TFs reversed the phenotype and invasion-associated-marker expression of GBM TSs. Notably, MRI revealed consistent patterns of invasiveness between TSs and the originating tumors, with an association between high invasiveness and poor prognosis. Compared to controls, mice implanted with STAT3- or SRF-downregulated GBM TSs showed reduced normal tissue infiltration and tumor growth, and prolonged survival, indicating a therapeutic response.

Conclusions

Our integrative transcriptome analysis revealed three invasion-associated TFs in GBM. Based on the relationship among the transcriptional program, invasive phenotype, and prognosis, we suggest these TFs as potential targets for GBM therapy.
RAB14 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer through autophagy‑dependent AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Deng Huanhuan , Deng Leihong , Chao Haichao , Yu Zhaojun , Huang Jianbiao , Song Zhen , Peng Lifen , Zeng Tao
Published: August 2023

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the 9th most common cancer of mortality. Autophagy and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) have an essential role in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, the relationship between autophagy and EMT is still poorly understood in BLCA. Functional enrichment and pathway network analysis were carried out. Comprehensive protein-protein interactions (PPI) networks were proposed to prioritize candidate autophagy-related genes. Furthermore, an autophagy-related signature and a nomogram model were established by integrating clinical information and this signature risk score to evaluate candidate autophagy-related genes. RAB14 expression and its association with pathological information and survival were evaluated in samples from TCGA dataset. Knocking down RAB14 in T24 cells was constructed, and immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting and a series of functional assays were performed to evaluate the migration, invasion, EMT and autophagy abilities of BLCA cells. The autophagy-related gene RAB14 was the only candidate gene identified by three kinds of analytic approaches. RAB14 was highly upregulated in BLCA and correlated with clinical outcomes based on TCGA BLCA datasets. Knocking down RAB14 was found to inhibit EMT and autophagy in T24 cells. RAB14 levels were positively related to those of LC3B and Beclin1, two genes with critical roles in the autophagy process, and the correlation was further confirmed in clinical tissue specimens by IHC and western blot analysis. In addition, RAB14-promoted EMT, migration, and invasion in T24 cells could be partially reversed by autophagy activator, rapamycin. The effects of RAB14 on autophagy was associated with level of p-Akt, indicating that they were possibly mediated via PI3K/AKT signaling. These findings indicated that autophagy-related gene RAB14-promoted EMT, migration and invasion of bladder cancer via the Akt-associated autophagic pathway.
Catalytic site flexibility facilitates the substrate and catalytic promiscuity of Vibrio dual lipase/transferase
Authors: Wang Chongyang , Liu Changshui , Zhu Xiaochuan , Peng Quancai , Ma Qingjun
Published: August 2023

Although enzyme catalysis is typified by high specificity, enzymes can catalyze various substrates (substrate promiscuity) and/or different reaction types (catalytic promiscuity) using a single active site. This interesting phenomenon is widely distributed in enzyme catalysis, with both fundamental and applied importance. To date, the mechanistic understanding of enzyme promiscuity is very limited. Herein, we report the structural mechanism underlying the substrate and catalytic promiscuity of Vibrio dual lipase/transferase (VDLT). Crystal structures of the VDLT from Vibrio alginolyticus (ValDLT) and its fatty acid complexes were solved, revealing prominent structural flexibility. In particular, the “Ser−His−Asp” catalytic triad machinery of ValDLT contains an intrinsically flexible oxyanion hole. Analysis of ligand-bound structures and mutagenesis showed that the flexible oxyanion hole and other binding residues can undergo distinct conformational changes to facilitate substrate and catalytic promiscuity. Our study reveals a previously unknown flexible form of the famous catalytic triad machinery and proposes a “catalytic site tuning” mechanism to expand the mechanistic paradigm of enzyme promiscuity.
Molecular insights into intrinsic transducer-coupling bias in the CXCR4-CXCR7 system
Authors: Sarma Parishmita , Carino Carlo Marion C. , Seetharama Deeksha , Pandey Shubhi , Dwivedi-Agnihotri Hemlata , Rui Xue , Cao Yubo , Kawakami Kouki , Kumari Poonam , Chen Yu-Chih , Luker Kathryn E. , Yadav Prem N. , Luker Gary D. , Laporte Stéphane A. , Chen Xin , Inoue Asuka , Shukla Arun K.
Published: August 2023

Chemokine receptors constitute an important subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and they are critically involved in a broad range of immune response mechanisms. Ligand promiscuity among these receptors makes them an interesting target to explore multiple aspects of biased agonism. Here, we comprehensively characterize two chemokine receptors namely, CXCR4 and CXCR7, in terms of their transducer-coupling and downstream signaling upon their stimulation by a common chemokine agonist, CXCL12, and a small molecule agonist, VUF11207. We observe that CXCR7 lacks G-protein-coupling while maintaining robust βarr recruitment with a major contribution of GRK5/6. On the other hand, CXCR4 displays robust G-protein activation as expected but exhibits significantly reduced βarr-coupling compared to CXCR7. These two receptors induce distinct βarr conformations even when activated by the same agonist, and CXCR7, unlike CXCR4, fails to activate ERK1/2 MAP kinase. We also identify a key contribution of a single phosphorylation site in CXCR7 for βarr recruitment and endosomal localization. Our study provides molecular insights into intrinsic-bias encoded in the CXCR4-CXCR7 system with broad implications for drug discovery.
Diastereo- and atroposelective synthesis of N-arylpyrroles enabled by light-induced phosphoric acid catalysis
Authors: Dai Lei , Zhou Xueting , Guo Jiami , Dai Xuan , Huang Qingqin , Lu Yixin
Published: August 2023

The C−N axially chiral N-arylpyrrole motifs are privileged scaffolds in numerous biologically active molecules and natural products, as well as in chiral ligands/catalysts. Asymmetric synthesis of N-arylpyrroles, however, is still challenging, and the simultaneous creation of contiguous C−N axial and central chirality remains unknown. Herein, a diastereo- and atroposelective synthesis of N-arylpyrroles enabled by light-induced phosphoric acid catalysis has been developed. The key transformation is a one-pot, three-component oxo-diarylation reaction, which simultaneously creates a C−N axial chirality and a central quaternary stereogenic center. A broad range of unactivated alkynes were readily employed as a reaction partner in this transformation, and the N-arylpyrrole products are obtained in good yields, with excellent enantioselectivities and very good diastereoselectivities. Notably, the N-arylpyrrole skeletons represent interesting structural motifs that could be used as chiral ligands and catalysts in asymmetric catalysis.
Unreprogrammed H3K9me3 prevents minor zygotic genome activation and lineage commitment in SCNT embryos
Authors: Xu Ruimin , Zhu Qianshu , Zhao Yuyan , Chen Mo , Yang Lingyue , Shen Shijun , Yang Guang , Shi Zhifei , Zhang Xiaolei , Shi Qi , Kou Xiaochen , Zhao Yanhong , Wang Hong , Jiang Cizhong , Li Chong , Gao Shaorong , Liu Xiaoyu
Published: August 2023

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) can be used to reprogram differentiated somatic cells to a totipotent state but has poor efficiency in supporting full-term development. H3K9me3 is considered to be an epigenetic barrier to zygotic genomic activation in 2-cell SCNT embryos. However, the mechanism underlying the failure of H3K9me3 reprogramming during SCNT embryo development remains elusive. Here, we perform genome-wide profiling of H3K9me3 in cumulus cell-derived SCNT embryos. We find redundant H3K9me3 marks are closely related to defective minor zygotic genome activation. Moreover, SCNT blastocysts show severely indistinct lineage-specific H3K9me3 deposition. We identify MAX and MCRS1 as potential H3K9me3-related transcription factors and are essential for early embryogenesis. Overexpression of Max and Mcrs1 significantly benefits SCNT embryo development. Notably, MCRS1 partially rescues lineage-specific H3K9me3 allocation, and further improves the efficiency of full-term development. Importantly, our data confirm the conservation of deficient H3K9me3 differentiation in Sertoli cell-derived SCNT embryos, which may be regulated by alternative mechanisms.
Emergent layer stacking arrangements in c-axis confined MoTe2
Authors: Hart James L. , Bhatt Lopa , Zhu Yanbing , Han Myung-Geun , Bianco Elisabeth , Li Shunran , Hynek David J. , Schneeloch John A. , Tao Yu , Louca Despina , Guo Peijun , Zhu Yimei , Jornada Felipe , Reed Evan J. , Kourkoutis Lena F. , Cha Judy J.
Published: August 2023

The layer stacking order in 2D materials strongly affects functional properties and holds promise for next-generation electronic devices. In bulk, octahedral MoTe2 possesses two stacking arrangements, the ferroelectric Weyl semimetal Td phase and the higher-order topological insulator 1T′ phase. However, in thin flakes of MoTe2, it is unclear if the layer stacking follows the Td, 1T′, or an alternative stacking sequence. Here, we use atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy to directly visualize the MoTe2 layer stacking. In thin flakes, we observe highly disordered stacking, with nanoscale 1T′ and Td domains, as well as alternative stacking arrangements not found in the bulk. We attribute these findings to intrinsic confinement effects on the MoTe2 stacking-dependent free energy. Our results are important for the understanding of exotic physics displayed in MoTe2 flakes. More broadly, this work suggests c-axis confinement as a method to influence layer stacking in other 2D materials.
Multifunctional IgG/IgM antibodies and cellular cytotoxicity are elicited by the full-length MSP1 SumayaVac-1 malaria vaccine
Authors: Rosenkranz Micha , Fürle Kristin , Hibbert Julia , Ulmer Anne , Ali Arin , Giese Thomas , Blank Antje , Haefeli Walter E. , Böhnlein Ernst , Lanzer Michael , Thomson-Luque Richard
Published: August 2023

Radical control of malaria likely requires a vaccine that targets both the asymptomatic liver stages and the disease-causing blood stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. While substantial progress has been made towards liver stage vaccines, the development of a blood stage vaccine is lagging behind. We have recently conducted a first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant, full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1FL) formulated with GLA-SE as adjuvant. Here, we show that the vaccine, termed SumayaVac-1, elicited both a humoral and cellular immune response as well as a recall T cell memory. The induced IgG and IgM antibodies were able to stimulate various Fc-mediated effector mechanisms associated with protection against malaria, including phagocytosis, release of reactive oxygen species, production of IFN-γ as well as complement activation and fixation. The multifunctional activity of the humoral immune response remained for at least 6 months after vaccination and was comparable to that of naturally acquired anti-MSP1 antibodies from semi-immune adults from Kenya. We further present evidence of SumayaVac-1 eliciting a recallable cellular cytotoxicity by IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells. Our study revitalizes MSP1FL as a relevant blood stage vaccine candidate and warrants further evaluation of SumayaVac-1 in a phase II efficacy trial.
Reversed Holocene temperature–moisture relationship in the Horn of Africa
Authors: Baxter A. J. , Verschuren D. , Peterse F. , Miralles D. G. , Martin-Jones C. M. , Maitituerdi A. , Van der Meeren T. , Van Daele M. , Lane C. S. , Haug G. H. , Olago D. O. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: August 2023

Anthropogenic climate change is predicted to severely impact the global hydrological cycle1, particularly in tropical regions where agriculture-based economies depend on monsoon rainfall2. In the Horn of Africa, more frequent drought conditions in recent decades3,4 contrast with climate models projecting precipitation to increase with rising temperature5. Here we use organic geochemical climate-proxy data from the sediment record of Lake Chala (Kenya and Tanzania) to probe the stability of the link between hydroclimate and temperature over approximately the past 75,000 years, hence encompassing a sufficiently wide range of temperatures to test the ‘dry gets drier, wet gets wetter’ paradigm6 of anthropogenic climate change in the time domain. We show that the positive relationship between effective moisture and temperature in easternmost Africa during the cooler last glacial period shifted to negative around the onset of the Holocene 11,700 years ago, when the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration exceeded 250 parts per million and mean annual temperature approached modern-day values. Thus, at that time, the budget between monsoonal precipitation and continental evaporation7 crossed a tipping point such that the positive influence of temperature on evaporation became greater than its positive influence on precipitation. Our results imply that under continued anthropogenic warming, the Horn of Africa will probably experience further drying, and they highlight the need for improved simulation of both dynamic and thermodynamic processes in the tropical hydrological cycle.
Coral reefs benefit from reduced land–sea impacts under ocean warming
Authors: Gove Jamison M. , Williams Gareth J. , Lecky Joey , Brown Eric , Conklin Eric , Counsell Chelsie , Davis Gerald , Donovan Mary K. , Falinski Kim , Kramer Lindsey , Kozar Kelly , Li Ning , Maynard Jeffrey A. , McCutcheon Amanda , McKenna Sheila A. , Neilson Brian J. , Safaie Aryan , Teague Christopher , Whittier Robert , Asner Gregory P.
Published: August 2023

Coral reef ecosystems are being fundamentally restructured by local human impacts and climate-driven marine heatwaves that trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality1. Reducing local impacts can increase reef resistance to and recovery from bleaching2. However, resource managers lack clear advice on targeted actions that best support coral reefs under climate change3 and sector-based governance means most land- and sea-based management efforts remain siloed4. Here we combine surveys of reef change with a unique 20-year time series of land–sea human impacts that encompassed an unprecedented marine heatwave in Hawai‘i. Reefs with increased herbivorous fish populations and reduced land-based impacts, such as wastewater pollution and urban runoff, had positive coral cover trajectories predisturbance. These reefs also experienced a modest reduction in coral mortality following severe heat stress compared to reefs with reduced fish populations and enhanced land-based impacts. Scenario modelling indicated that simultaneously reducing land–sea human impacts results in a three- to sixfold greater probability of a reef having high reef-builder cover four years postdisturbance than if either occurred in isolation. International efforts to protect 30% of Earth’s land and ocean ecosystems by 2030 are underway5. Our results reveal that integrated land–sea management could help achieve coastal ocean conservation goals and provide coral reefs with the best opportunity to persist in our changing climate.
No evidence for magnetic field effects on the behaviour of Drosophila
Authors: Bassetto Marco , Reichl Thomas , Kobylkov Dmitry , Kattnig Daniel R. , Winklhofer Michael , Hore P. J. , Mouritsen Henrik
Published: August 2023

Migratory songbirds have the remarkable ability to extract directional information from the Earth’s magnetic field1,2. The exact mechanism of this light-dependent magnetic compass sense, however, is not fully understood. The most promising hypothesis focuses on the quantum spin dynamics of transient radical pairs formed in cryptochrome proteins in the retina3–5. Frustratingly, much of the supporting evidence for this theory is circumstantial, largely because of the extreme challenges posed by genetic modification of wild birds. Drosophila has therefore been recruited as a model organism, and several influential reports of cryptochrome-mediated magnetic field effects on fly behaviour have been widely interpreted as support for a radical pair-based mechanism in birds6–23. Here we report the results of an extensive study testing magnetic field effects on 97,658 flies moving in a two-arm maze and on 10,960 flies performing the spontaneous escape behaviour known as negative geotaxis. Under meticulously controlled conditions and with vast sample sizes, we have been unable to find evidence for magnetically sensitive behaviour in Drosophila. Moreover, after reassessment of the statistical approaches and sample sizes used in the studies that we tried to replicate, we suggest that many—if not all—of the original results were false positives. Our findings therefore cast considerable doubt on the existence of magnetic sensing in Drosophila and thus strongly suggest that night-migratory songbirds remain the organism of choice for elucidating the mechanism of light-dependent magnetoreception.
Europeans’ support for refugees of varying background is stable over time
Authors: Bansak Kirk , Hainmueller Jens , Hangartner Dominik
Published: August 2023

Protracted global conflicts during the past decade have led to repeated major humanitarian protection crises in Europe. During the height of the Syrian refugee crisis at the end of 2015, Europe hosted around 2.3 million people requesting asylum1. Today, the ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in Europe since World War II, with more than eight million Ukrainians seeking refuge across Europe2. Here we explore whether repeated humanitarian crises threaten to exhaust solidarity and whether Europeans welcome Ukrainian asylum seekers over other asylum seekers3,4. We conducted repeat conjoint experiments during the 2015–2016 and 2022 refugee crises, asking 33,000 citizens in 15 European countries to evaluate randomly varied profiles of asylum seekers. We find that public preferences for asylum seekers with specific attributes have remained remarkably stable and general support has, if anything, increased slightly over time. Ukrainian asylum seekers were welcomed in 2022, with their demographic, religious and displacement profile having a larger role than their nationality. Yet, this welcome did not come at the expense of support for other marginalized refugee groups, such as Muslim refugees. These findings have implications for our theoretical understanding of the drivers and resilience of public attitudes towards refugees and for policymakers tasked to find effective responses to the enduring stress on the asylum system5–8.
Validation of the Idylla GeneFusion assay to detect fusions and MET exon-skipping in non-small cell lung cancers
Authors: Gilson Pauline , Pouget Celso , Belmonte Richard , Fadil Smahane , Demange Jessica , Rouyer Marie , Lacour Julien , Betz Margaux , Dardare Julie , Witz Andréa , Merlin Jean-Louis , Harlé Alexandre
Published: August 2023

Gene fusions and MET exon skipping drive oncogenesis in 8–9% and 3% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) respectively. Their detection are essential for the management of patients since they confer sensitivity to specific targeted therapies with significant clinical benefit over conventional chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) account for historical reference techniques however molecular-based technologies (RNA-based sequencing and RT-PCR) are emerging as alternative or complementary methods. Here, we evaluated the analytical performance of the fully-automated RT-PCR Idylla GeneFusion assay compared to reference methods using 35 fixed NSCLC samples. Idylla demonstrated overall agreement, sensitivity and specificity of 100% compared to RNASeq. Interestingly, it succeeded in retrieving 10 out of 11 samples with inconclusive results due to insufficient RNA quality for sequencing. Idylla showed an overall agreement, sensitivity and specificity of 90.32%, 91.67% and 89.47% compared to IHC/FISH respectively. Using commercial standards, the limit of detection of the Idylla system for the most frequent fusions and exon skipping ranges between 5 and 10 ng RNA input. These results support that the Idylla assay is a reliable and rapid option for the detection of these alterations, however a particular attention is needed for the interpretation of the expression imbalance.
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw without osteolysis on computed tomography: a retrospective and observational study
Authors: Sakamoto Yuki , Sawada Shunsuke , Kojima Yuka
Published: August 2023

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a refractory osteonecrosis caused by antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonate and denosumab (DMB). In MRONJ surgery, computed tomography (CT) is generally used to determine the extent of bone resection. However, in some recent MRONJ cases, no abnormal findings were detected on CT. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of MRONJ without osteolysis. This retrospective and observational study included 18 patients diagnosed with MRONJ between October 2020 and October 2022 at Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Kansai Medical University Medical Center. In four of 18 patients with MRONJ, no abnormal findings such as osteolysis, separation of sequestrum, and periosteal reaction were observed on CT images at the first visit. All four patients with non-osteolytic MRONJ had malignant tumors and received high-dose DMB, and in the four patients there were no preceding dental infections such as apical lesions or periodontal disease and the trigger of MRONJ was unknown. Surgery was performed in three of the four patients. The extent of bone resection was determined using magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative gross findings. In the future, it is necessary to establish a method for diagnosing non osteolytic MRONJ and determining the extent of bone resection.
Synthesis of trimetallic oxide (Fe2O3–MgO–CuO) nanocomposites and evaluation of their structural and optical properties
Authors: Al-Hammadi A. H. , Alnehia Adnan , Al-Sharabi Annas , Alnahari Hisham , Al-Odayni Abdel-Basit
Published: August 2023

In this paper, tri-phase Fe2O3–MgO–CuO nanocomposites (NCs) and pure CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using sol–gel technique. The physical properties of the prepared products were examined using SEM, XRD, and UV–visible. The XRD data indicated the formation of pure CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO NPs, as well as nanocomposite formation with Fe2O3 (cubic), MgO (cubic), and CuO (monoclinic). The crystallite size of all the prepared samples was calculated via Scherrer's formula. The energy bandgap of CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO and Fe2O3–MgO–CuO NCs were computed from UV–visible spectroscopy as following 2.13, 2.29, 5.43 and 2.96 eV, respectively. The results showed that Fe2O3–MgO–CuO NCs is an alternative material for a wide range of applications as optoelectronics devices due to their outstanding properties.
General cross-modality registration framework for visible and infrared UAV target image registration
Authors: Luo Yu , Cha Hao , Zuo Lei , Cheng Peng , Zhao Qing
Published: August 2023

In all-day-all-weather tasks, well-aligned multi-modality images pairs can provide extensive complementary information for image-guided UAV target detection. However, multi-modality images in real scenarios are often misaligned, and images registration is extremely difficult due to spatial deformation and the difficulty narrowing cross-modality discrepancy. To better overcome the obstacle, in this paper, we construct a General Cross-Modality Registration (GCMR) Framework, which explores generation registration pattern to simplify the cross-modality image registration into a easier mono-modality image registration with an Image Cross-Modality Translation Network (ICMTN) module and a Multi-level Residual Dense Registration Network (MRDRN). Specifically, ICMTN module is used to generate a pseudo infrared image taking a visible image as input and correct the distortion of structural information during the translation of image modalities. Benefiting from the favorable geometry correct ability of the ICMTN, we further employs MRDRN module which can fully extract and exploit the mutual information of misaligned images to better registered Visible and Infrared image in a mono-modality setting. We evaluate five variants of our approach on the public Anti-UAV datasets. The extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed architecture achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Geothermal and structural features of La Palma island (Canary Islands) imaged by ambient noise tomography
Authors: Cabrera-Pérez Iván , Soubestre Jean , D’Auria Luca , Barrancos José , Martín-Lorenzo Alba , van Dorth David Martínez , Padilla Germán D. , Przeor Monika , Pérez Nemesio M.
Published: August 2023

La Palma island is located in the NW of the Canary Islands and is one of the most volcanically active of the archipelago, therefore the existence of geothermal resources on the island is highly probable. The main objective of this work is to detect velocity anomalies potentially related to active geothermal reservoirs on La Palma island, by achieving a high-resolution seismic velocity model of the first few kilometres of the crust using Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT). The obtained ANT model is merged with a recent local earthquake tomography model. Our findings reveal two high-velocity zones in the island’s northern and southern parts, that could be related to a plutonic intrusion and old oceanic crust materials. Conversely, four low-velocity zones are imaged in the southern part of the island. Two of them can be related to hydrothermal alteration zones located beneath the Cumbre Vieja volcanic complex. This hypothesis is reinforced by comparing the S-wave velocity model with the seismicity recorded during the pre-eruptive phase of the 2021 Tajogaite eruption, which revealed an aseismic volume coinciding with these low-velocity zones. Another low-velocity zone is observed in the southern part of the island, which we interpret as highly fractured rocks which could favour the ascent of hot fluids. A last low-velocity zone is observed in the central part of the island and associated with loose deposits generated by the Aridane valley mega landslide.
Comparison of angiogenic potential in vitrified vs. slow frozen human ovarian tissue
Authors: Schallmoser Andreas , Einenkel Rebekka , Färber Cara , Hüren Vanessa , Emrich Norah , John Julia , Sänger Nicole
Published: August 2023

Vitrification of ovarian tissue is a promising alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method. Few empirical investigations have been conducted to determine the angiogenic profiles of these two freezing methods. In this study we aimed to answer the question whether one of the cryopreservation methods should be preferred based on the secretion of angiogenic factors. Tissue culture with reduced oxygen (5%) was conducted for 48 h with samples of fresh, slow frozen/thawed and vitrified/rapid warmed ovarian cortex tissue from 20 patients. From each patient, tissue was used in all three treatment groups. Tissue culture supernatants were determined regarding cytokine expression profiles of angiogenin, angiopoietin-2, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, heparin binding epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, Leptin, Platelet-derived growth factor B, placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor A via fluoroimmunoassay. Apoptotic changes were assessed by TUNEL staining of cryosections and supplemented by hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Comparing the angiogenic expression profiles of vitrified/rapid warmed tissue with slow frozen/thawed tissue samples, no significant differences were observed. Detection of apoptotic DNA fragmentation via TUNEL indicated minor apoptotic profiles that were not significantly different comparing both cryopreservation methods. Vitrification of ovarian cortical tissue does not appear to impact negatively on the expression profile of angiogenic factors and may be regarded as an effective alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method.
Rho enhancers play unexpectedly minor roles in Rhodopsin transcription and rod cell integrity
Authors: Sun Chi , Ruzycki Philip A. , Chen Shiming
Published: August 2023

Enhancers function with a basal promoter to control the transcription of target genes. Enhancer regulatory activity is often studied using reporter-based transgene assays. However, unmatched results have been reported when selected enhancers are silenced in situ. In this study, using genomic deletion analysis in mice, we investigated the roles of two previously identified enhancers and the promoter of the Rho gene that codes for the visual pigment rhodopsin. The Rho gene is robustly expressed by rod photoreceptors of the retina, and essential for the subcellular structure and visual function of rod photoreceptors. Mutations in RHO cause severe vision loss in humans. We found that each Rho regulatory region can independently mediate local epigenomic changes, but only the promoter is absolutely required for establishing active Rho chromatin configuration and transcription and maintaining the cell integrity and function of rod photoreceptors. To our surprise, two Rho enhancers that enable strong promoter activation in reporter assays are largely dispensable for Rho expression in vivo. Only small and age-dependent impact is detectable when both enhancers are deleted. Our results demonstrate context-dependent roles of enhancers and highlight the importance of studying functions of cis-regulatory regions in the native genomic context.
Near infrared-emitting multimodal nanosystem for in vitro magnetic hyperthermia of hepatocellular carcinoma and dual imaging of in vivo liver fibrosis
Authors: Nazeer Shaiju S. , Saraswathy Ariya , Nimi Nirmala , Santhakumar Hema , Radhakrishnapillai Suma Parvathy , Shenoy Sachin J. , Jayasree Ramapurath S.
Published: August 2023

Prolonged usage of traditional nanomaterials in the biological field has posed several short- and long-term toxicity issues. Over the past few years, smart nanomaterials (SNs) with controlled physical, chemical, and biological features have been synthesized in an effort to allay these challenges. The current study seeks to develop theranostic SNs based on iron oxide to enable simultaneous magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for chronic liver damage like liver fibrosis which is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. To accomplish this, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared, coated with a biocompatible and naturally occurring polysaccharide, alginate. The resultant material, ASPIONs were evaluated in terms of physicochemical, magnetic and biological properties. A hydrodynamic diameter of 40 nm and a transverse proton relaxation rate of 117.84 mM−1 s−1 pronounces the use of ASPIONs as an efficient MRI contrast agent. In the presence of alternating current of 300 A, ASPIONs could elevate the temperature to 45 °C or more, with the possibility of hyperthermia based therapeutic approach. Magnetic therapeutic and imaging potential of ASPIONs were further evaluated respectively in vitro and in vivo in HepG2 carcinoma cells and animal models of liver fibrosis, respectively. Finally, to introduce dual imaging capability along with magnetic properties, ASPIONs were conjugated with near infrared (NIR) dye Atto 700 and evaluated its optical imaging efficiency in animal model of liver fibrosis. Histological analysis further confirmed the liver targeting efficacy of the developed SNs for Magnetic theranostics and optical imaging as well as proved its short-term safety, in vivo.
Production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) from some waste lignocellulosic materials and FTIR characterization of structural changes
Authors: Akcay Caglar , Ceylan Faik , Arslan Recai
Published: August 2023

In this study, oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushroom was cultivated from hazelnut branches (HB) (Corylus avellana L.), hazelnut husk (HH), wheat straw (WS), rice husk (RH) and spent coffee grounds (CG). Hazelnut branch waste was used for the first time in oyster mushroom cultivation. In the study, mushrooms were grown by preparing composts from 100 to 50% mixtures of each waste type. Yield, biological activity, spawn run time, total harvesting time and mushroom quality characteristics were determined from harvested mushroom caps. In addition, chemical analysis of lignocellulosic materials (extractive contents, holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin and ash contents) were carried out as a result of mushroom production and their changes according to their initial amounts were examined. In addition, the changes in the structure of waste lignocellulosic materials were characterized by FTIR analysis. As a result of the study, 172 g/kg yield was found in wheat straw used as a control sample, while it was found as 255 g/kg in hazelnut branch pruning waste. The highest spawn run time (45 days) was determined in the compost prepared from the mixture of hazelnut husk and spent coffee ground wastes. This study showed that HB wastes can be used for the cultivation of oyster mushroom (P. ostreatus). After mushroom cultivation processes, holocelulose and α-cellulose content rates decreased while ash contents increased. FTIR spectroscopy indicated that significant changes occurred in the wavelengths regarding cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components. Most significant changes occurred in 1735, 1625, 1510, 1322 and 1230 wavelengths.
Exogenous epibrassinolide application improves essential oil biosynthesis and trichome development in peppermint via modulating growth and physicochemical processes
Authors: Parrey Zubair Ahmad , Shah Sajad Hussain , Mohammad Firoz , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Alamri Saud , Kalaji Hazem M.
Published: August 2023

Peppermint has gained a promising status due to the presence of a high proportion of bioactive compounds, especially menthol. Due to its pharmacological efficacy, the demand for its plant-based bioactive compounds necessitates its cultivation worldwide. Brassinosteroids are polyhydroxylated sterol derivatives that regulate diverse processes and control many agronomic traits during plant growth and development. A factorial randomised pot experiment was performed in the net house to investigate the effect of 24-Epibrassinolide (EBL) on the growth, physiology, essential oil content, stomatal behaviour and trichome development of the three cultivars of peppermint. Four levels of foliage-applied EBL, viz. 0, 10–5, 10–6 and 10–7 M were applied to the three cultivars of peppermint (Kukrail, Pranjal and Tushar). Among the different treatments of EBL, the application of 10–6 M increased shoot length by 38.84, 37.59 and 36.91%, root length by 36.73, 29.44 and 33.47%, chlorophyll content by 24.20, 22.48 and 23.32%, PN by 32.88, 32.61 and 33.61%, EO content by 32.72, 30.00 and 28.84%, EO yield per plant by 66.66, 77.77 and 73.33% and menthol yield per plant by 127.27, 110 and 118.18% in Kukrail, Tushar and Pranjal respectively, compared with their respective control plants. Further, the 10–6 M EBL exhibited improved trichome size and density, cellular viability and menthol content of the oil analysed from scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and GC–MS respectively as compared to the control. In conclusion, out of different levels of EBL, two sprays of 10–6 M EBL proved effective in enhancing the morphophysiological features and productivity of mint plants, particularly for cultivar Kukrail.
Chemokine expression predicts T cell-inflammation and improved survival with checkpoint inhibition across solid cancers
Authors: Romero Joan Miguel , Titmuss Emma , Wang Yifan , Vafiadis James , Pacis Alain , Jang Gun Ho , Zhang Amy , Golesworthy Bryn , Lenko Tatiana , Williamson Laura M. , Grünwald Barbara , O’Kane Grainne M. , Jones Steven J. M. , Marra Marco. A. , Wilson Julie M. , Gallinger Steven , Laskin Janessa , Zogopoulos George
Published: August 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are highly effective in specific cancers where canonical markers of antitumor immunity are used for patient selection. Improved predictors of T cell-inflammation are needed to identify ICI-responsive tumor subsets in additional cancer types. We investigated associations of a 4-chemokine expression signature (c-Score: CCL4, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10) with metrics of antitumor immunity across tumor types. Across cancer entities from The Cancer Genome Atlas, subgroups of tumors displayed high expression of the c-Score (c-Scorehi) with increased expression of immune checkpoint (IC) genes and transcriptional hallmarks of the cancer-immunity cycle. There was an incomplete association of the c-Score with high tumor mutation burden (TMB), with only 15% of c-Scorehi tumors displaying ≥10 mutations per megabase. In a heterogeneous pan-cancer cohort of 82 patients, with advanced and previously treated solid cancers, c-Scorehi tumors had a longer median time to progression (103 versus 72 days, P = 0.012) and overall survival (382 versus 196 days, P = 0.038) following ICI therapy initiation, compared to patients with low c-Score expression. We also found c-Score stratification to outperform TMB assignment for overall survival prediction (HR = 0.42 [0.22–0.79], P = 0.008 versus HR = 0.60 [0.29-1.27], P = 0.18, respectively). Assessment of the c-Score using the TIDE and PredictIO databases, which include ICI treatment outcomes from 10 tumor types, provided further support for the c-Score as a predictive ICI therapeutic biomarker. In summary, the c-Score identifies patients with hallmarks of T cell-inflammation and potential response to ICI treatment across cancer types, which is missed by TMB assignment.
TXPhos: a highly stable and efficient ligand designed for ppm level Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling in water
Authors: Zhang Lei , Hu Wenbo , Li Heng , Shi Jicheng , Yuan Bingxin
Published: August 2023

TXPhos, a highly stable and efficient ligand designed for ppm level Pd catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions under micellar conditions with a TOF up to 40 000 s−1.
Correlation analysis of modern analytical data – a chemometric dissection of spectral and chromatographic variables
Authors: Folli Gabriely S. , de Paulo Ellisson H. , Santos Francine D. , Nascimento Márcia H. C. , da Cunha Pedro H. P. , Romão Wanderson , Filgueiras Paulo R.
Published: August 2023

Evaluate spectral correlation of different analytical instruments for better application of chemometric methods of lesser or greater complexity.
Enzyme-free and sensitive method for single-stranded nucleic acid detection based on CHA and HCR
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Huang Chaowang , Nie Fuping , Hu Mingdong
Published: August 2023

A method which owns the advantages of simplicity, speed, and enzyme-free operation for single-stranded nucleic acid detection was established by combining CHA and HCR.
Insertion of carbon monoxide into an unsymmetrical diborene to form an oxaborirane
Authors: Zhu Lizhao , Kinjo Rei
Published: August 2023

The room-temperature fixation of carbon monoxide by an unsymmetrical diborene gives an oxaborirane species featuring a π-delocalized system.
A fresh perspective on metal ammonia molecular complexes and expanded metals: opportunities in catalysis and quantum information
Authors: Jackson Benjamin A. , Khan Shahriar N. , Miliordos Evangelos
Published: August 2023

Recent advances in understanding the electronic structure of metal ammonia complexes enable development of novel materials with diffuse electrons and catalytic applications.
Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production over ZnIn2S4 by producing sulfur vacancies and coupling with nickel-based polyoxometalate
Authors: You Kejia , Li Bonan , Li Xiaohu , Li Rui , Wu Junhao , Ma Baochun , Ding Yong
Published: August 2023

Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production over ZnIn2S4 by producing sulfur vacancies and coupling with nickel-based polyoxometalate.
Recent advances in microfluidics-enabled controlled reaction, assembly and exfoliation of inorganic nanomaterials
Authors: Doddapaneni V. Vinay K. , Chang Alvin , Jun Ho-Young , Choi Chang-Ho , Feng Zhenxing , Chang Chih-hung
Published: August 2023

Microfluidics, involving chemical or physical phenomena at the submillimeter length scale under continuous flow, allows the controlled reaction, assembly, and exfoliation of nanomaterials by adjusting the momentum, heat, and mass transfer.
Correlation of rattlers with thermal transport and thermoelectric performance
Authors: She Aixian , Zhao Yinchang , Ni Jun , Meng Sheng , Dai Zhenhong
Published: August 2023

The presence of rattlers in the host–guest structure has sparked great interest in the field of thermoelectrics, as it allows for the suppression of thermal transport in materials through vigorous anharmonic vibrations.
The simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO reaction with dimethylamine and trimethylamine: kinetics and atmospheric implications
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhong Licheng , Liu Siyue , Jiang Haotian , Shi Jiayu , Jin Yuqi , Yang Xueming , Dong Wenrui
Published: August 2023

Kinetics of the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) reacting with two abundant amines in the atmosphere: dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) and trimethylamine ((CH3)3N).
Correction: Photoelectron angular distributions as sensitive probes of surfactant layer structure at the liquid–vapor interface
Authors: Dupuy Rémi , Filser Jakob , Richter Clemens , Seidel Robert , Trinter Florian , Buttersack Tillmann , Nicolas Christophe , Bozek John , Hergenhahn Uwe , Oberhofer Harald , Winter Bernd , Reuter Karsten , Bluhm Hendrik
Published: August 2023

Correction for ‘Photoelectron angular distributions as sensitive probes of surfactant layer structure at the liquid–vapor interface’ by Rémi Dupuy et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2022, 24, 4796–4808, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CP05621B.
Photoinduced activation of alkyl chlorides
Authors: Ji Cheng-Long , Zhai Xinyi , Fang Qing-Yun , Zhu Chengjian , Han Jie , Xie Jin
Published: August 2023

In this review, photoinduced activation of unactivated alkyl chlorides via single electron transfer strategy, chlorine atom transfer, metallaphotoredox synergistic catalysis, and photoexcited metal catalysis strategies have been discussed.
Influence of Al doping on the structure and electrochemical performance of the Co-free LiNi0.8Mn0.2O2 cathode material
Authors: Tian Rongzheng , Yin Shan , Zhang Hongzhou , Song Dawei , Ma Yue , Zhang Lianqi
Published: August 2023

The effect of Al doping on the structural, thermal and cycling stabilities of the Co-free LiNi0.8Mn0.2O2 cathode is investigated for the first time.
A layered CoSeO3 pre-catalyst for electrocatalytic water oxidation
Authors: Wang Ting , Yang Shujiao , Zheng Haoquan , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui
Published: August 2023

The cross channels in layered CoSeO3 provide space for easy surface reconstruction. The superior activity of CoSeO3 is because of a larger ion diffusion coefficient, more surface contacting OH− anions and faster charge transfer kinetics.