bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An autophagy-inducing stapled peptide induces mitochondria dysfunction and triggers autotic cell death in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhe , Shan Gao , Li Na , Chen Jingyi , Ji Changyang , Li Xiaoxiao , Jiang Liwen , Lee Terence Kin Wah , Keng Vincent W. , Zhao Yanxiang
Published: August 2023

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent bulk degradation process essential for cell viability but excessive autophagy leads to a unique form of cell death termed autosis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer with notable defect in its autophagy process. In previous studies, we developed stapled peptides that specifically targeted the essential autophagy protein Beclin 1 to induce autophagy and promote endolysosomal trafficking. Here we show that one lead peptide Tat-SP4 induced mild increase of autophagy in TNBC cells but showed potent anti-proliferative effect that could not be rescued by inhibitors of programmed cell death pathways. The cell death induced by Tat-SP4 showed typical features of autosis including sustained adherence to the substrate surface, rupture of plasma membrane and effective rescue by digoxin, a cardioglycoside that blocks the Na+/K+ ATPase. Tat-SP4 also induced prominent mitochondria dysfunction including loss of mitochondria membrane potential, elevated mitochondria reactive oxygen species and reduced oxidative phosphorylation. The anti-proliferative effect of Tat-SP4 was confirmed in a TNBC xenograft model. Our study uncovers three notable aspects of autosis. Firstly, autosis can be triggered by moderate increase in autophagy if such increase exceeds the endogenous capacity of the host cells. Secondly, mitochondria may play an essential role in autosis with dysregulated autophagy leading to mitochondria dysfunction to trigger autosis. Lastly, intrinsic autophagy deficiency and quiescent mitochondria bioenergetic profile likely render TNBC cells particularly susceptible to autosis. Our designed peptides like Tat-SP4 may serve as potential therapeutic candidates against TNBC by targeting this vulnerability.
Regio- and enantioselective CuH-catalyzed 1,2- and 1,4-hydrosilylation of 1,3-enynes
Authors: Wang Zi-Lu , Li Qi , Yang Meng-Wei , Song Zhao-Xin , Xiao Zhen-Yu , Ma Wei-Wei , Zhao Jin-Bo , Xu Yun-He
Published: August 2023

We report a copper-catalyzed ligand-controlled selective 1,2- and 1,4-hydrosilylation of 1,3-enynes, which furnishes enantiomerically enriched propargyl- and 1,2-allenylsilane products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). This reaction proceeds under mild conditions, shows broad substrate scope for both 1,3-enynes and trihydrosilanes, and displays excellent regioselectivities. Mechanistic studies based on deuterium-labeling reactions and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that allenylcopper is the dominant reactive intermediate under both 1,2- and 1,4-hydrosilylation conditions, and it undergoes metathesis with silanes via selective four-membered or six-membered transition state, depending on the nature of the ligand. The weak interactions between the ligands and the reacting partners are found to be the key controlling factor for the observed regioselectivity switch. The origin of high enantiocontrol in the 1,4-hydrosilylation is also revealed by high level DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations.
Exciton Superposition across Moiré States in a Semiconducting Moiré Superlattice
Authors: Lian Zhen , Chen Dongxue , Meng Yuze , Chen Xiaotong , Su Ying , Banerjee Rounak , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Tongay Sefaattin , Zhang Chuanwei , Cui Yong-Tao , Shi Su-Fei
Published: August 2023

Moiré superlattices of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides enable unprecedented spatial control of electron wavefunctions, leading to emerging quantum states. The breaking of translational symmetry further introduces a new degree of freedom: high symmetry moiré sites of energy minima behaving as spatially separated quantum dots. We demonstrate the superposition between two moiré sites by constructing a trilayer WSe2/monolayer WS2 moiré heterojunction. The two moiré sites in the first layer WSe2 interfacing WS2 allow the formation of two different interlayer excitons, with the hole residing in either moiré site of the first layer WSe2 and the electron in the third layer WSe2. An electric field can drive the hybridization of either of the interlayer excitons with the intralayer excitons in the third WSe2 layer, realizing the continuous tuning of interlayer exciton hopping between two moiré sites and a superposition of the two interlayer excitons, distinctively different from the natural trilayer WSe2.
Experimental impacts of grazing on grassland biodiversity and function are explained by aridity
Authors: Zhang Minna , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Li Guangyin , Isbell Forest , Wang Yue , Hautier Yann , Wang Yao , Xiao Yingli , Cai Jinting , Pan Xiaobin , Wang Ling
Published: August 2023

Grazing by domestic herbivores is the most widespread land use on the planet, and also a major global change driver in grasslands. Yet, experimental evidence on the long-term impacts of livestock grazing on biodiversity and function is largely lacking. Here, we report results from a network of 10 experimental sites from paired grazed and ungrazed grasslands across an aridity gradient, including some of the largest remaining native grasslands on the planet. We show that aridity partly explains the responses of biodiversity and multifunctionality to long-term livestock grazing. Grazing greatly reduced biodiversity and multifunctionality in steppes with higher aridity, while had no effects in steppes with relatively lower aridity. Moreover, we found that long-term grazing further changed the capacity of above- and below-ground biodiversity to explain multifunctionality. Thus, while plant diversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grasslands with excluded livestock, soil biodiversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grazed grasslands. Together, our cross-site experiment reveals that the impacts of long-term grazing on biodiversity and function depend on aridity levels, with the more arid sites experiencing more negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. We also highlight the fundamental importance of conserving soil biodiversity for protecting multifunctionality in widespread grazed grasslands.
Observation of ultrafast interfacial Meitner-Auger energy transfer in a Van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Dong Shuo , Beaulieu Samuel , Selig Malte , Rosenzweig Philipp , Christiansen Dominik , Pincelli Tommaso , Dendzik Maciej , Ziegler Jonas D. , Maklar Julian , Xian R. Patrick , Neef Alexander , Mohammed Avaise , Schulz Armin , Stadler Mona , Jetter Michael , Michler Peter , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Takagi Hidenori , Starke Ulrich , Chernikov Alexey , Wolf Martin , Nakamura Hiro , Knorr Andreas , Rettig Laurenz , Ernstorfer Ralph
Published: August 2023

Atomically thin layered van der Waals heterostructures feature exotic and emergent optoelectronic properties. With growing interest in these novel quantum materials, the microscopic understanding of fundamental interfacial coupling mechanisms is of capital importance. Here, using multidimensional photoemission spectroscopy, we provide a layer- and momentum-resolved view on ultrafast interlayer electron and energy transfer in a monolayer-WSe2/graphene heterostructure. Depending on the nature of the optically prepared state, we find the different dominating transfer mechanisms: while electron injection from graphene to WSe2 is observed after photoexcitation of quasi-free hot carriers in the graphene layer, we establish an interfacial Meitner-Auger energy transfer process following the excitation of excitons in WSe2. By analysing the time-energy-momentum distributions of excited-state carriers with a rate-equation model, we distinguish these two types of interfacial dynamics and identify the ultrafast conversion of excitons in WSe2 to valence band transitions in graphene. Microscopic calculations find interfacial dipole-monopole coupling underlying the Meitner-Auger energy transfer to dominate over conventional Förster- and Dexter-type interactions, in agreement with the experimental observations. The energy transfer mechanism revealed here might enable new hot-carrier-based device concepts with van der Waals heterostructures.
Proton-controlled molecular ionic ferroelectrics
Authors: Huang Yulong , Gottfried Jennifer L. , Sarkar Arpita , Zhang Gengyi , Lin Haiqing , Ren Shenqiang
Published: August 2023

Molecular ferroelectric materials consist of organic and inorganic ions held together by hydrogen bonds, electrostatic forces, and van der Waals interactions. However, ionically tailored multifunctionality in molecular ferroelectrics has been a missing component despite of their peculiar stimuli-responsive structure and building blocks. Here we report molecular ionic ferroelectrics exhibiting the coexistence of room-temperature ionic conductivity (6.1 × 10−5 S/cm) and ferroelectricity, which triggers the ionic-coupled ferroelectric properties. Such ionic ferroelectrics with the absorbed water molecules further present the controlled tunability in polarization from 0.68 to 1.39 μC/cm2, thermal conductivity by 13% and electrical resistivity by 86% due to the proton transfer in an ionic lattice under external stimuli. These findings enlighten the development of molecular ionic ferroelectrics towards multifunctionality.
Evaluation of the diabetes care cascade and compliance with WHO global coverage targets in Iran based on STEPS survey 2021
Authors: Azadnajafabad Sina , Ahmadi Naser , Rezaei Negar , Rashidi Mohammad-Mahdi , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Mohammadi Esmaeil , Abbasi-Kangevari Mohsen , Naderian Mohammadreza , Ghasemi Erfan , Farzi Yosef , Kazemi Ameneh , Dilmaghani-Marand Arezou , Yoosefi Moein , Rezaei Shahabeddin , Nasserinejad Maryam , Fattahi Nima , Rezaei Nazila , Haghshenas Rosa , Foroutan Mehr Elmira , Koolaji Sogol , Razi Farideh , Djalalinia Shirin , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to investigate the diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes epidemiology, care cascade, and compliance with global coverage targets. We recruited the results of the nationally representative Iran STEPS Survey 2021. Diabetes and prediabetes were two main outcomes. Diabetes awareness, treatment coverage, and glycemic control were calculated for all population with diabetes to investigate the care cascade. Four global coverage targets for diabetes developed by the World Health Organization were adopted to assess the DM diagnosis and control status. Among 18,119 participants, the national prevalence of DM and prediabetes were 14.2% (95% confidence interval 13.4–14.9) and 24.8% (23.9–25.7), respectively. The prevalence of DM treatment coverage was 65.0% (62.4–67.7), while the prevalence of good (HbA1C < 7%) glycemic control was 28.0% (25.0–31.0) among all individuals with diabetes. DM diagnosis and statin use statics were close to global targets (73.3% vs 80%, and 50.1% vs 60%); however, good glycemic control and strict blood pressure control statistics, were much way behind the goals (36.7% vs 80%, and 28.5% vs 80%). A major proportion of the Iranian population are affected by DM and prediabetes, and glycemic control is poorly achieved, indicating a sub-optimal care for diabetes and comorbidities like hypertension.
Genomic properties and clinical outcomes associated with tertiary lymphoid structures in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Wang Liye , Gong Shuai , Pang Lina , Zhang Shengli , Zhang Xiaoke , He Wei
Published: August 2023

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) play a crucial role in determining prognosis and response to immunotherapy in several solid malignancies. Nevertheless, the effect of TLS-associated gene signature based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort in patients with breast cancer (BRCA) remains controversial. Based on TCGA-BRCA dataset (n = 866), 9-gene was identified to construct an TLS signature and further analyzed its prognostic value. Then, we explored the relationship of this TLS signature with molecular subtype, immune microenvironment, tumor mutational burden (TMB). High-TLS signature patients had a better overall survival (OS) than low-TLS signature patients, consistent with the results in the METABRIC cohort. Multivariate analysis revealed that TLS signature remained an independent prognostic indicator for OS. In addition, we established a nomogram with the integration of TLS signature and other independent variables to predict individual risk of death. The comprehensive results showed that patients with high TLS signature benefit from immunotherapy; the signature was also correlated with inhibition of cell proliferation pathways, low TP53 mutation rate, high infiltration of B cells, CD8 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, and M1 macrophages. Therefore, TLS signature is a promising biomarker to distinguish the prognosis and immune microenvironment in BRCA.
Novel biogenic silver nanoconjugates of Abrus precatorius seed extracts and their antiproliferative and antiangiogenic efficacies
Authors: Kaur Amritpal , Sharma Yash , Singh Gagandeep , Kumar Anoop , Kaushik Nutan , Khan Asim Ali , Bala Kumud
Published: August 2023

Biogenic silver nanoconjugates (AgNCs), derived from medicinal plants, have been widely explored in the field of biomedicines. AgNCs for the first-time were synthesized using ethyl acetate seed extracts of Abrus precatorius and their antiproliferative and antiangiogenic efficacies were evaluated against cervical and oral carcinoma. Ultraviolet–Visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light Scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for characterization of AgNCs. Antiproliferative activity was investigated using MTT, DNA fragmentation and in-vitro antioxidant enzyme activity assays. In-vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was used to evaluate antiangiogenic activity. A total of 11 compounds were identified in both the extracts in GCMS analysis. The synthesized AgNCs were spherical shaped with an average size of 97.4 nm for AgAPE (Sox) and 64.3 nm for AgAPE (Mac). AgNCs possessed effective inhibition against Hep2C and KB cells. In Hep2C cells, AgAPE (Mac) revealed the highest SOD, catalase, GST activity and lower MDA content, whereas AgAPE (Sox) showed the highest GSH content. On the other hand, in KB cells, AgAPE (Sox) exhibited the higher SOD, GST activity, GSH content, and least MDA content, while AgAPE (Mac) displayed the highest levels of catalase activity. Docking analysis revealed maximum binding affinity of safrole and linoleic acid with selected targets. AgAPE (Sox), AgAPE (Mac) treatment profoundly reduced the thickness, branching, and sprouting of blood vessels in the chick embryos. This study indicates that A. precatorius-derived AgNCs have enhanced efficacies against cervical and oral carcinoma as well as against angiogenesis, potentially limiting tumour growth.
Influence of initial gas concentration on methane–air mixtures explosion characteristics and implications for safety management
Authors: Jia Quansheng , Si Rongjun , Wang Lei , Li Zhongbei , Xue Shaoqian
Published: August 2023

Gas explosions, particularly those involving methane–air mixtures, present considerable hazards in confined spaces, such as coal mines. Comprehending the explosion characteristics and their correlations with initial gas concentrations is vital for devising effective safety measures. This study examines the influence of initial gas concentration on explosion temperature, overpressure, and flame evolution in methane–air premixed gas explosions, utilizing a custom-built 20-L spherical explosion experimental apparatus. The explosion temperatures display an oscillatory pattern, reaching maximum values at 6.5%, 9.5%, and 12% initial gas concentrations, with corresponding temperatures of 995 K, 932 K, and 1153 K. The maximum overpressure exhibits an initial rise and fall trend, modeled by an exponential function. Notably, in proximity to the 9.5% concentration, the pressure wave fosters the reverse propagation of the flame wave, leading to a secondary temperature increase. Flame sensors were employed to investigate the presence, absence, and duration of flames, demonstrating that elevated initial gas concentrations resulted in more prolonged flame durations and increased harm. At an initial gas concentration of 9.5%, a persistent flame is generated instantaneously during the explosion. Furthermore, the study analyzes the interplay between temperature and overpressure, underscoring the significance of mitigating high-temperature burns near tunnel walls and enclosed spaces. These findings advance the understanding of gas explosion dynamics and hold substantial implications for safety measures in coal mines.
Effects of interstimulus interval and significance on electrodermal and central measures of the phasic orienting reflex (OR) in a dishabituation task
Authors: Barry Robert J. , Steiner-Lim Genevieve Z. , Cave Adele E. , De Blasio Frances M. , MacDonald Brett
Published: August 2023

Although the P300 event-related potential (ERP) is the most likely central measure of Sokolov’s Orienting Reflex (OR), there are few systematic comparisons with the skin conductance response (SCR), the “gold standard” electrodermal OR measure. We examine habituation, stimulus significance, and inter-stimulus interval (ISI) effects in SCRs and components of the P300 from single-trial ERPs in an auditory dishabituation paradigm. Single trial ERP components were separated by temporal principal components analysis, and five components of the P300 were examined as potential phasic OR measures: P3a, P3b, Novelty P3, and two Slow Waves (SW1, SW2). Across the factors of ISI and significance, SCRs showed decrement over trials, recovery at a deviant, and dishabituation at the subsequent standard. This general pattern was not present in any of the components of the P300. SCRs were also larger to significant stimuli and at the long ISI; effects differed between P300 components. The electrodermal SCR showed the complete profile over trials expected of the phasic OR, and was enhanced by stimulus significance, confirming it as the model measure of Sokolov’s phasic OR. Components of the P300 failed to match this profile, but instead appear to reflect different aspects of the stimulus processing involved in OR elicitation.
Characterization of neural mechanotransduction response in human traumatic brain injury organoid model
Authors: Beltrán Susana M. , Bobo Justin , Habib Ahmed , Kodavali Chowdari V. , Edwards Lincoln , Mamindla Priyadarshini , Taylor Rebecca E. , LeDuc Philip R. , Zinn Pascal O.
Published: August 2023

The ability to model physiological systems through 3D neural in-vitro systems may enable new treatments for various diseases while lowering the need for challenging animal and human testing. Creating such an environment, and even more impactful, one that mimics human brain tissue under mechanical stimulation, would be extremely useful to study a range of human-specific biological processes and conditions related to brain trauma. One approach is to use human cerebral organoids (hCOs) in-vitro models. hCOs recreate key cytoarchitectural features of the human brain, distinguishing themselves from more traditional 2D cultures and organ-on-a-chip models, as well as in-vivo animal models. Here, we propose a novel approach to emulate mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) using hCOs that undergo strain rates indicative of TBI. We subjected the hCOs to mild (2 s−1) and moderate (14 s−1) loading conditions, examined the mechanotransduction response, and investigated downstream genomic effects and regulatory pathways. The revealed pathways of note were cell death and metabolic and biosynthetic pathways implicating genes such as CARD9, ENO1, and FOXP3, respectively. Additionally, we show a steeper ascent in calcium signaling as we imposed higher loading conditions on the organoids. The elucidation of neural response to mechanical stimulation in reliable human cerebral organoid models gives insights into a better understanding of TBI in humans.
Transcranial focused ultrasound-induced blood‒brain barrier opening in mice without shaving hairs
Authors: Xu Lu , Gong Yan , Chien Chih-Yen , Leuthardt Eric , Chen Hong
Published: August 2023

Acoustic coupling through hairs remains a challenge to performing transcranial-focused ultrasound procedures. Here, we demonstrated that this challenge could be addressed by using oil as the coupling medium, leveraging oil's high affinity to hairs due to their inherent hydrophobicity. We compared focused ultrasound-induced blood–brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBO) outcomes in mice under three coupling conditions: oil with hairs (“oil + hairs”), ultrasound gel with hair shaving (“ultrasound gel + no hair”), and ultrasound gel with hairs (“ultrasound gel + hairs”). The quality of the coupling was evaluated by $${\mathrm{T}}_{2}$$

T
2

-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and passive cavitation detection (PCD). The outcome of FUS-BBBO was assessed by MRI contrast agent extravasation using in vivo $${\mathrm{T}}_{1}$$

T
1

-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI. It was also evaluated by ex vivo fluorescence imaging of the mouse brain after intravenous injection of a model drug, Evans blue. The results showed that “oil + hairs” consistently achieved high-quality acoustic coupling without trapping air bubbles. The FUS-BBBO outcome was not significantly different between the “oil + hairs” and the “ultrasound gel + no hair” groups. These two groups had significantly higher levels of BBB opening than the “ultrasound gel + hairs” group. This study demonstrated that oil could be a coupling medium for transcranial FUS procedures without shaving hairs.
Association of pulmonary artery catheter with in-hospital outcomes after cardiac surgery in the United States: National Inpatient Sample 1999–2019
Authors: Beydoun Hind A. , Beydoun May A. , Eid Shaker M. , Zonderman Alan B.
Published: August 2023

To examine associations of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) use with in-hospital death and hospital length of stay (days) overall and within subgroups of hospitalized cardiac surgery patients. Secondary analyses of 1999–2019 National Inpatient Sample data were performed using 969,034 records (68% male, mean age: 65 years) representing adult cardiac surgery patients in the United States. A subgroup of 323,929 records corresponded to patients with congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, mitral/tricuspid valve disease and/or combined surgeries. We evaluated PAC in relation to clinical outcomes using regression and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE). Hospitalized cardiac surgery patients experienced more in-hospital deaths and longer stays if they had ≥ 1 subgroup characteristics. For risk-adjusted models, in-hospital deaths were similar among recipients and non-recipients of PAC (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96, 1.12), although PAC was associated with more in-hospital deaths among the subgroup with congestive heart failure (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03, 1.26). PAC recipients experienced shorter stays than non-recipients (β =  − 0.40, 95% CI − 0.64, − 0.15), with variations by subgroup. We obtained comparable results using TMLE. In this retrospective cohort study, PAC was associated with shorter stays and similar in-hospital death rates among cardiac surgery patients. Worse clinical outcomes associated with PAC were observed only among patients with congestive heart failure. Prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and extend these preliminary findings.
Design and characterization of Lactotransferrin peptide-loaded dextran-docosahexaenoic acid nanoparticles: an immune modulator for hepatic damage
Authors: Madkhali Osama A. , Moni Sivakumar S. , Sultan Muhammad H. , Bakkari Mohammed Ali , Almoshari Yosif , Shaheen Emad Sayed , Alshammari Abdulrahman
Published: August 2023

The primary objective of this research was to create injectable delivery formulations using Lactotransferrin (LTF) peptide-loaded dextran nanoparticles coated with docosahexaenoic acid. These nanoparticles, designated as LLDDNP, underwent a lyophilization process. The study encompassed a comprehensive investigation, including physicochemical characterization, in vivo assessment of biomarkers, and an examination of immune response through cytokine modulation. The zeta potential of LLDDNP was − 24.5 ± 12 mV, while their average particle size was 334.9 z.d.nm. The particles exhibited a conductivity of 2.10 mS/cm, while their mobility in the injectable dosage form was measured at − 3.65 µm cm/Vs. The scanning electron microscopy investigation, the lyophilization processes resulted in discrete particles forming particle aggregations. However, transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that LLDDNP is spherical and smooth. The thermogram showed that about 95% of LLDDNP's weight was lost at 270 °C, indicating that the particles are extremely thermal stable. The XRD analysis of LLDDNP exhibited clear and distinctive peaks at 2θ angles, specifically at 9.6°, 20.3°, 21.1°, 22°, 24.6°, 25.2°, 36°, and 44.08°, providing compelling evidence of the crystalline nature of the particles. According to proton NMR studies, the proton dimension fingerprint region of LLDDNP ranges from 1.00 to 1.03 ppm. The in vitro release of LTF from LLDDNP was found to follow zero-order kinetics, with a commendable R2 value of 0.942, indicating a consistent and predictable release pattern over time. The in vivo investigation revealed a significant impact of hepatotoxicity on the elevation of various cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8R, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ. Additionally, the presence of hepatotoxicity led to an increase in apoptosis markers, namely caspase 3 and caspase 9, as well as elevated levels of liver biomarkers such as CRP, ALP, ALT, and AST. In contrast, the treatment with LLDDNP modulated the levels of all biomarkers, including cytokines level in the treatment group extremely high significant at p < 0.001.
Estimation of genomic and mitochondrial DNA integrity in the renal tissue of mice administered with acrylamide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Authors: Mohamed Hanan R. H. , Behira Loren S. T. , Diab Ayman
Published: August 2023

The Kidneys remove toxins from the blood and move waste products into the urine. However, the accumulation of toxins and fluids in the body leads to kidney failure. For example, the overuse of acrylamide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in many food and consumer products increases human exposure and risks; however, there are almost no studies available on the effect of TiO2NPs coadministration with acrylamide on the integrity of genomic and mitochondrial DNA. Accordingly, this study was conducted to estimate the integrity of genomic and mitochondrial DNA in the renal tissue of mice given acrylamide and TiO2NPs. To achieve this goal, mice were administrated orally TiO2NPs or/and acrylamide at the exposure dose levels (5 mg/kg b.w) and (3 mg/kg b.w), respectively, five times per week for two consecutive weeks. Concurrent oral administration of TiO2NPs with acrylamide caused remarkable elevations in the tail length, %DNA in tail and tail moment with higher fragmentation incidence of genomic DNA compared to those detected in the renal tissue of mice given TiO2NPs alone. Simultaneous coadministration of TiO2NPs with acrylamide also caused markedly high elevations in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p53 expression level along with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and high decreases in the number of mitochondrial DNA copies and expression level of β catenin gene. Therefore, from these findings, we concluded that concurrent coadministration of acrylamide with TiO2NPs augmented TiO2NPs induced genomic DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction through increasing intracellular ROS generation, decreasing mitochondrial DNA Copy, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and altered p53 and β catenin genes expression. Therefore, further studies are recommended to understand the biological and toxic effects resulting from TiO2NPs with acrylamide coadministration.
Intracellular trafficking and glycosylation of hydroxyproline-O-glycosylation module in tobacco BY-2 cells is dependent on medium composition and transcriptome analysis
Authors: Karki Uddhab , Perez Sanchez Paula , Chakraborty Sankalpa , Dickey Berry , Vargas Ulloa Jacqueline , Zhang Ningning , Xu Jianfeng
Published: August 2023

Expression of recombinant proteins in plant cells with a “designer” hydroxyproline (Hyp)-O-glycosylated peptide (HypGP), such as tandem repeats of a “Ser-Pro” motif, has been shown to boost the secreted protein yields. However, dramatic secretion and Hyp-O-glycosylation of HypGP-tagged proteins can only be achieved when the plant cells were grown in nitrogen-deficient SH medium. Only trace amounts of secreted fusion protein were detected in MS medium. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the possible mechanism underlying these results by examining the intracellular trafficking and Hyp-O-glycosylation of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fused with a (SP)32 tag, consisting of 32 repeats of a "Ser-Pro" motif, in tobacco BY-2 cells. When cells were grown in MS medium, the (SP)32-EGFP formed protein body-like aggregate and was retained in the ER, without undergoing Hyp-O-glycosylation. In contrast, the fusion protein becomes fully Hyp-O-glycosylated, and then secreted in SH medium. Transcriptome analysis of the BY-2 cells grown in SH medium vs. MS medium revealed over 16,000 DEGs, with many upregulated DEGs associated with the microtubule-based movement, movement of subcellular component, and microtubule binding. These DEGs are presumably responsible for the enhanced ER-Golgi transport of HypGP-tagged proteins, enabling their glycosylation and secretion in SH medium.
Effects of co-players' identity and reputation in the public goods game
Authors: Sampaio Waldir M. , Freitas Ana Luísa , Rêgo Gabriel G. , Morello Leticia Y. N. , Boggio Paulo S.
Published: August 2023

Players’ identity and their reputation are known to influence cooperation in economic games, but little is known about how they interact. Our study aimed to understand how presenting pre-programmed co-players’ identities (face photos; names) along with their previous cooperation history (reputation) could influence participants’ cooperative decisions in a public goods game. Participants (N = 759) were allocated to one of six experimental groups: (i) control (no information); (ii) only reputation (neutral, free-rider, or cooperative); (iii) only face; (iv) face with reputation; (v) only name; (vi) name with reputation. In the reputation group, cooperation significantly decreased when free-riders were playing and significantly increased when they were cooperators. Person’s identity affected cooperativeness only when combined with reputation: face photo mitigated the negative effect of the free-rider reputation, while name identity mitigated any significant effect expected for reputation. Our study suggests a hierarchy: reputation changes cooperation, but a person's identity can modulate reputation.
Identification of a two metastasis-related prognostic signature in the process of predicting the survival of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Yuebin , Wu Jun , Yan Bincheng , Yang Yirong , Zhong Huacai , Yi Wang , Cao Chengjian , Wang Qian
Published: August 2023

Metastasis is a major cause of treatment failure and poor outcomes in cancer patients. The data used in the current study was downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. Differentially expressed metastasis-related genes were identified and the biological functions were implemented. Kaplan–Meier analysis univariate, and, multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify robust prognostic biomarkers, followed by construction of the risk model and nomogram. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to identify pathways enriched in low- and high-risk groups. POLR2J3 and MYH11 were treated as prognostic biomarkers in LSCC and the risk model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the good performance of the risk model. A nomogram with high accuracy was constructed, as evidenced by calibration and decision curves. Moreover, we found that the expressions of POLR2J3 and MYH11 was significantly higher in metastasis tissues compared with those in non-metastasis tissues by RT-qPCR and IHC. Our study identified novel metastasis-related prognostic biomarkers in LSCC and constructed a unique nomogram for predicting the prognosis of LSCC patients. Moreover, we explored the related mechanisms of metastasis-related genes in regulating LSCC.
Agar-based optical sensors for electric current measurements
Authors: Fujiwara Eric , Rosa Lidia O. , Oku Hiromasa , Cordeiro Cristiano M. B.
Published: August 2023

Biodegradable optical waveguides are breakthrough technologies to light delivery and sensing in biomedical and environmental applications. Agar emerges as an edible, soft, low-cost, and renewable alternative to traditional biopolymers, presenting remarkable optical and mechanical characteristics. Previous works introduced agar-made optical fibers for chemical measurements based on their inherent response to humidity and surrounding concentration. Therefore, we propose, for the first time, an all-optical, biodegradable electric current sensor. As flowing charges heat the agar matrix and modulate its refractive index, we connect the optical device to a DC voltage source using pin headers and excite the agar sample with coherent light to project spatiotemporally deviating speckle fields. Experiments proceeded with spheres and no-core fibers comprising 2 wt% agar/water. Once the increasing current stimulates the speckles’ motion, we acquire such images with a camera and evaluate their correlation coefficients, yielding exponential decay-like functions whose time constants provide the input amperage. Furthermore, the light granules follow the polarization of the applied voltage drop, providing visual information about the current direction. The results indicate a maximum resolution of $$\sim $$
∼
0.4 $$\upmu $$
μ
A for electrical stimuli $$\le $$
≤
 100 $$\upmu $$
μ
A, which fulfills the requirements for bioelectrical signal assessment.
Effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells therapy on clinical response in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome
Authors: Li Fangfang , Lu Junhui , Shi Xinlian , Li Dongya , Zhou Tingting , Jiang Tianqi , Wang Shengming
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this trial was to clinically assess the effect and safety of Adipose Tissue-derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) treatment on primary Sjogren’s Syndrome (pSS). In this 6-month randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups. After demographic characteristics and clinical examination were achieved, local injection of ADSCs into bilateral glands was performed with patients in ADSCs group (n = 35) and placebo solution was used for another group (n = 39) at three time points. Patients were followed up at 1-, 3- and 6-month. At each visit, studies of clinical and laboratory outcomes, as well as subjective symptoms, were conducted. A total of 74 subjects who met the including criteria were allocated in two groups and eventually 64 subjects (86.5%) completed the treatments and the follow-up assessments. Secretion of salivary and lachrymal glands were significantly improved in 3-month (P < 0.05). A great improvement of European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) was found after ADSCs treatment with intergroup comparison from baseline to follow-up (P < 0.05). There is also a significant difference of European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) between the two groups in the follow-up (P < 0.05). A significant abatement of IgG, IgM, C3, C4 and ESR between two groups was observed in part of follow-up time points (P < 0.05). The ADSCs therapy can provide relief of oral and eye’s dryness in our trial in a short time and has potential improvement of subjective and systemic syndromes of pSS.
A large-scale analysis of refractive errors in students attending public primary schools in Mexico
Authors: Ramírez-Ortiz Marco Antonio , Amato-Almanza Mónica , Romero-Bautista Iván , Klunder-Klunder Miguel , Aguirre-Luna Oswaldo , Kuzhda Iryna , Resnikoff Serge , Eckert Kristen Allison , Lansingh Van Charles
Published: August 2023

A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted from September 2013 through July 2014 to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among students attending public primary schools in Mexico. Among 3,861,156 students at 14,566 public primary schools in all 32 states of Mexico, teachers identified reduced visual acuity in 1,253,589 (32.5%) using visual acuity measurement. Optometrists confirmed 391,498 [31.2%, mean (SD) age: 8.8 (1.9) years; 204,110 girls (52.9%)] had refractive errors using visual acuity measurement and noncycloplegic static retinoscopy. Among 288,537 (72.4%) of children with previous eyeglasses usage data reported, 241,505 (83.7%) had uncorrected refractive errors. Before prescription eyeglasses were provided, 281,891 students (72%) had logMAR visual acuity ≤ 0.2; eyeglasses corrected vision loss in 85.6% (n = 241,352) of them. Simple myopic astigmatism was the most frequent refractive error (25.7%, n = 100,545). Astigmatism > − 1.00 diopters was present in 54.6% of all students with ametropia. The anisometropia rate based on spherical equivalent difference between right and left eye ≥ 1.50 diopters was 3.9% (n = 15,402). Uncorrected refractive errors are an important issue in primary school students in Mexico. An updated study is needed to analyze the evolving trends over the past decade.
Chromophore carbonyl twisting in fluorescent biosensors encodes direct readout of protein conformations with multicolor switching
Authors: Allert Malin J. , Kumar Shivesh , Wang You , Beese Lorena S. , Hellinga Homme W.
Published: August 2023

Fluorescent labeling of proteins is a powerful tool for probing structure-function relationships with many biosensing applications. Structure-based rules for systematically designing fluorescent biosensors require understanding ligand-mediated fluorescent response mechanisms which can be challenging to establish. We installed thiol-reactive derivatives of the naphthalene-based fluorophore Prodan into bacterial periplasmic glucose-binding proteins. Glucose binding elicited paired color exchanges in the excited and ground states of these conjugates. X-ray structures and mutagenesis studies established that glucose-mediated color switching arises from steric interactions that couple protein conformational changes to twisting of the Prodan carbonyl relative to its naphthalene plane. Mutations of residues contacting the carbonyl can optimize color switching by altering fluorophore conformational equilibria in the apo and glucose-bound proteins. A commonly accepted view is that Prodan derivatives report on protein conformations via solvatochromic effects due to changes in the dielectric of their local environment. Here we show that instead Prodan carbonyl twisting controls color switching. These insights enable structure-based biosensor design by coupling ligand-mediated protein conformational changes to internal chromophore twists through specific steric interactions between fluorophore and protein.
Nuclear linear-chain structure arises in carbon-14
Authors: Han Jiaxing , Ye Yanlin , Lou Jianling , Yang Xiaofei , Li Qite , Yang Zaihong , Yang Yanyun , Wang Jiansong , Xu Jinyan , Ge Yucheng , Hua Hui , Li Zhihuan , Yang Biao , Liu Yang , Bai Shiwei , Ma Kai , Chen Jiahao , Li Gen , Hu Ziyao , Yu Hanzhou , Tan Zhiwei , Yang Lisheng , Wang Shujing , Tao Longchun , Liu Wei , Jiang Ying , Li Jingjing , Wang Dongxi , Huang Siwei , Chen Ying , Pu Weiliang , Wei Kang , Ma Junbing , Yang Herun , Ma Peng , Xu Shiwei , Bai Zhen , Jin Shuya , Duan Fangfang , Song Yushou , Hu Liyuan , Li Yao , Li Junwei , Zhang Suyalatu , Huang Meirong , Wang Dexin , Li Ziming
Published: August 2023

The shape and internal structure of an atomic nucleus can change significantly with increasing excitation energy, angular momentum, or isospin asymmetry. As an example of this structural evolution, linear-chain configurations in carbon or heavier isotopes have been predicted for decades. Recent studies have found non-stability of this structure in 12C while evidenced its appearance in 16C. It is then necessary to investigate the linear-chain molecular structures in 14C to clarify the exact location on the nuclear chart where this structure begins to emerge, and thus to benchmark theoretical models. Here we show a cluster-decay experiment for 14C with all final particles coincidentally detected, allowing a high Q-value resolution, and thus a clear decay-path selection. Unambiguous spin-parity analyses are conducted, strongly evidencing the emergence of the π-bond linear-chain molecular rotational band in 14C. The present results encourage further studies on even longer chain configurations in heavier neutron-rich nuclei.
A link criticality approach for pedestrian network design to promote walking
Authors: Verma Rajat , Ukkusuri Satish V.
Published: August 2023

Measures of walkability generally do not provide a detailed quantitative assessment of pedestrian infrastructure development prioritization. In this study, a link-based composite measure of walkability and walking is introduced to overcome this limitation. This measure, called ‘pednet score’, is based on a weighted pedestrian network (‘pednet’) made of sidewalks and crosswalks whose edge weights are descriptive of their popularity. Edge popularity is derived from home-based walk trip assignments derived from simulated pedestrian demand. Properties of the pednet score are studied using three hypothetical variants of the pednet in three North American cities, each involving the addition of candidate sidewalk and/or crosswalk segments. It is shown that a strategic selection of these segments based on pednet score can substantially increase walking trips, in some cases up to 236%, and reduce current mean pedestrian trip distances by up to 340 m. A mixed development approach involving both sidewalks and crosswalks also shows considerably higher improvement than those segments considered alone. Results from marginal benefit curves strongly indicate the utility of the pednet score as a measure of link criticality for segment prioritization in pedestrian network design.
Comparative genomics unveils extensive genomic variation between populations of Listeria species in natural and food-associated environments
Authors: Liao Jingqiu , Guo Xiaodong , Li Shaoting , Anupoju Sai Manohar Balu , Cheng Rachel A , Weller Daniel L , Sullivan Genevieve , Zhang Hailong , Deng Xiangyu , Wiedmann Martin
Published: August 2023

Comprehending bacterial genomic variation linked to distinct environments can yield novel insights into mechanisms underlying differential adaptation and transmission of microbes across environments. Gaining such insights is particularly crucial for pathogens as it benefits public health surveillance. However, the understanding of bacterial genomic variation is limited by a scarcity of investigations in genomic variation coupled with different ecological contexts. To address this limitation, we focused on Listeria, an important bacterial genus for food safety that includes the human pathogen L. monocytogenes, and analyzed a large-scale genomic dataset collected by us from natural and food-associated environments across the United States. Through comparative genomics analyses on 449 isolates from the soil and 390 isolates from agricultural water and produce processing facilities representing L. monocytogenes, L. seeligeri, L. innocua, and L. welshimeri, we find that the genomic profiles strongly differ by environments within each species. This is supported by the environment-associated subclades and differential presence of plasmids, stress islands, and accessory genes involved in cell envelope biogenesis and carbohydrate transport and metabolism. Core genomes of Listeria species are also strongly associated with environments and can accurately predict isolation sources at the lineage level in L. monocytogenes using machine learning. We find that the large environment-associated genomic variation in Listeria appears to be jointly driven by soil property, climate, land use, and accompanying bacterial species, chiefly representing Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Collectively, our data suggest that populations of Listeria species have genetically adapted to different environments, which may limit their transmission from natural to food-associated environments.
Identification and practical validation of spectrally efficient non-orthogonal frequency shaping waveform
Authors: Xu Tongyang , Darwazeh Izzat
Published: August 2023

Signal waveform is the basic physical layer element that fundamentally determines the most important key performance indicator in communication systems, namely spectral efficiency. Traditional waveforms rely on orthogonal Nyquist shaping but result in restricted spectral efficiency. Non-orthogonal waveforms have been proposed to enhance spectral efficiency via compressing either time or frequency resources. However, beyond 25% efficiency improvements in this way, classical Mazo theory states that performance will start to degrade. Here we use a robust and low-complexity neural network modulator to create asymmetric sub-carrier shapes, for multi-carrier non-orthogonal frequency shaping (NOFS) signals. The result is a non-Nyquist waveform which achieves 150% spectral efficiency improvement and still operates well with simple receiver processing. We set up a hardware communication link with over-the-air image transmission that practically validates the spectral efficiency improvement. This spectral efficiency will save communication resources for future communications systems such as 6G services.
An off–on fluorescent nanoprobe for l-cysteine sensing based on the FRET effect
Authors: Shi Cai , Zhao Yiming , Xu Ruoqian , Ding Yujie
Published: August 2023

A self-assembled l-cysteine nanosensor was constructed based on the FRET effect, indicating the potential of the probe in practical applications.
Tetraethylene glycol-based polymer networks for the efficient removal of radioactive methyl iodide and iodine vapor
Authors: Zhang Qian , Li Na , Li Jun , Guo Hu Zhi- , Yue Tian-Jiao , Guo Hai-Ming
Published: August 2023

A new application of aliphatic polyether derivatives: the highly efficient adsorption of methyl iodide and iodine vapor.
Enantioselective construction of spirodihydrofuran oxindoles via one-pot organo-/iodine sequential catalysis
Authors: Xia Ai-Bao , Huang Li-Sha , Li Chang-Ping , Hu Qing-Bo , Zhu Jin-Yao , Bai Liang , Xu Dan-Qian
Published: August 2023

An efficient strategy for the enantioselective construction of spirodihydrofuran oxindoles with vicinal quaternary stereocenters was first developed via a one-pot Michael/iodization/SN2 nucleophilic substitution sequence.
Tailoring buried interface of tin oxide-based n-i-p perovskite solar cells via bidirectional and multifunctional metal ion chelating agent modification
Authors: Wang Meng , He Aoxi , Wu Lili , Hao Xia , Xia Gengpei , Jiang Yu , Su Rong , Zhang Jingquan
Published: August 2023

For the n-i-p perovskite solar cells hiring tin oxide (SnO2) as electron transporting material, the buried interface (SnO2/perovskite interface) acts as the working interface and growth substrate of the perovskite crystal simultaneously.