bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The value of circulating microRNAs for early diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma: A case-control study on historical samples
Authors: Jørgensen Steffen , Paulsen Isabella Worlewenut , Hansen Jakob Werner , Tholstrup Dorte , Hother Christoffer , Sørensen Erik , Petersen Mikkel Steen , Nielsen Kaspar Rene , Rostgaard Klaus , Larsen Margit Anita Hørup , Brown Peter de Nully , Ralfkiær Elisabeth , Homburg Keld Mikkelsen , Hjalgrim Henrik , Erikstrup Christian , Ullum Henrik , Troelsen Jesper , Grønbæk Kirsten , Pedersen Ole Birger
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs are small regulatory RNAs that are deregulated in a wide variety of human cancers, including different types of B-cell lymphoma. Nevertheless, the feasibility of circulating microRNA for early diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma has not been established. To address the possibility of detecting specific circulating microRNAs years before a B-cell lymphoma is diagnosed, we studied the plasma expression of microRNA first in pre-treatment samples from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and subsequently in repository samples from blood donors who later developed B-cell lymphomas. In addition, we studied the microRNA expression in the diagnostic lymphoma biopsy. The most strongly induced (miR-326) and suppressed (miR-375) plasma microRNA at diagnosis, when compared with healthy blood donors, were also substantially up- or down-regulated in plasma repository samples taken from several months to up to two years before the blood donors were diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. Importantly, at these time points the donors had no signs of disease and felt healthy enough to donate blood. In conclusion, this first study of plasma microRNA profiles from apparently healthy individuals, taken several years before B-cell lymphoma diagnosis, suggests that plasma microRNA profiles may be predictive of lymphoma development.
Synthesis, characterization and application of a non-flammable dicationic ionic liquid in lithium-ion battery as electrolyte additive
Authors: Chatterjee Kajari , Pathak Anil D. , Lakma Avinash , Sharma Chandra Shekhar , Sahu Kisor Kumar , Singh Akhilesh Kumar
Published: June 2020

A novel dicationic room temperature ionic liquid, 1,1′-(5,14-dioxo-4,6,13,15-tetraazaoctadecane-1,18-diyl) bis(3-(sec-butyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium) bis((trifluoromethyl)-sulfonyl) imide has been synthesized and fully characterized. Its thermal and electrochemical analyses along with transport properties have been studied. We propose it as a potential nominal additive to the commonly used conventional organic carbonate electrolyte mixture and study its adaptability in Lithium-ion batteries which are the prime power sources for ultraportable electronic devices. We have compared the performance characteristics of the full cells made without and with this ionic liquid. The cells comprise lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide cathode, graphite anode and ethylene carbonate - dimethyl carbonate (1:1, v/v + LiPF6) mixture electrolyte with nominal amount of ionic liquid as additive. The major concern with conventional electrolytes such as degradation of the materials inside batteries has been addressed by this electrolyte additive. Additionally, this additive is safer at relatively higher temperature. In its presence, the overall battery life is enhanced and it shows good cycling performance and coulombic efficiency with better discharge capacities (22% higher) after 100 cycles. Even after the increase in current rate from 10 mA/g to 100 mA/g, the cell still retains around 73% of capacity.
Central Composite Design for Optimizing the Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Plantago major Extract and Investigating Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Nikaeen Ghazal , Yousefinejad Saeed , Rahmdel Samane , Samari Fayezeh , Mahdavinia Saeideh
Published: June 2020

Central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimize the synthesis condition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the extract of Plantago major (P. major) seeds via a low cost and single-step process. The aqueous seed extract was applied as both reducing element and capping reagent for green production of AgNPs. Five empirical factors of synthesis including temperature (Temp), pH, volume of P. major extract (Vex), volume of AgNO3 solution (VAg) and synthesis time were used as independent variables of model and peak intensity of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) originated from NPs as the dependent variable. The predicted optimal conditions was determined to be: Temp = 55 °C, pH = 9.9,Vex = 1.5 mL, VAg = 30 mL, time = 60 min. The characterization of the prepared AgNPs at these optimum conditions was conducted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the surface bio-functionalities. Bio-activity of these AgNPs against bacteria and fungi were evaluated based on its assay against Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli and Penicillium digitatum. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of these NPs was checked using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay.
Efficient production of a high-performance dispersion strengthened, multi-principal element alloy
Authors: Smith T. M. , Thompson A. C. , Gabb T. P. , Bowman C. L. , Kantzos C. A.
Published: June 2020

Additive manufacturing currently facilitates new avenues for materials discovery that have not been fully explored. In this study we reveal how additive manufacturing can be leveraged to produce dispersion strengthened (DS), multi-principal element alloys (MPEA) without the use of traditional mechanical alloying or chemical reactions. This new processing technique employed resonant acoustic mixing to coat an equiatomic NiCoCr powder with nano-scale yttrium oxides. Then, through laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), the coated powder was successfully consolidated into 99.9% dense parts. Microstructural analysis confirmed the successful incorporation and dispersion of nano-scale oxides throughout the build volume. Furthermore, high temperature mechanical testing of the DS alloys showed significant improvements in strength and ductility over the baseline NiCoCr. As a result, this recently discovered processing route opens a new alloy design and production path that is synergistic between additive manufacturing and dispersion strengthening, possibly enabling a new generation of high-performance alloys.
Near Field Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
Authors: Heydarian Hesam , Yazdanfar Payam , Zarif Arezoo , Rashidian Bizhan
Published: June 2020

Near field scanning optical microscopy exploiting differential interference contrast enhancement is demonstrated. Beam splitting in the near field region is implemented using a dual color probe based on plasmonic color sorter idea. This provides the ability to illuminate two neighboring points on the sample simultaneously. It is shown that by modulating the two wavelengths employed in exciting such a probe, phase difference information can be retrieved through measuring the near field photoinduced force at the difference of the two modulation frequencies. This difference in frequency is engineered to correspond to the first resonant frequency of the cantilever, resulting in improved SNR, and sensitivity. The effect of both topographical and material changes in the proposed near field differential interference (NFDIC) technique are investigated for CNT and silica samples. This method is a promising technique for high contrast and high spatial resolution microscopy.
Tumor spheroids under perfusion within a 3D microfluidic platform reveal critical roles of cell-cell adhesion in tumor invasion
Authors: Huang Yu Ling , Ma Yujie , Wu Cindy , Shiau Carina , Segall Jeffrey E. , Wu Mingming
Published: June 2020

Tumor invasion within the interstitial space is critically regulated by the force balance between cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell interactions. Interstitial flows (IFs) are present in both healthy and diseased tissues. However, the roles of IFs in modulating cell force balance and subsequently tumor invasion are understudied. In this article, we develop a microfluidic model in which tumor spheroids are embedded within 3D collagen matrices with well-defined IFs. Using co-cultured tumor spheroids (1:1 mixture of metastatic and non-tumorigenic epithelial cells), we show that IFs downregulate the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin on non-tumorigenic cells and promote tumor invasion. Our microfluidic model advances current tumor invasion assays towards a more physiologically realistic model using tumor spheroids instead of single cells under perfusion. We identify a novel mechanism by which IFs can promote tumor invasion through an influence on cell-cell adhesion within the tumor and highlight the importance of biophysical parameters in regulating tumor invasion.
Motifs enable communication efficiency and fault-tolerance in transcriptional networks
Authors: Roy Satyaki , Ghosh Preetam , Barua Dipak , Das Sajal K.
Published: June 2020

Analysis of the topology of transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) is an effective way to study the regulatory interactions between the transcription factors (TFs) and the target genes. TRNs are characterized by the abundance of motifs such as feed forward loops (FFLs), which contribute to their structural and functional properties. In this paper, we focus on the role of motifs (specifically, FFLs) in signal propagation in TRNs and the organization of the TRN topology with FFLs as building blocks. To this end, we classify nodes participating in FFLs (termed motif central nodes) into three distinct roles (namely, roles A, B and C), and contrast them with TRN nodes having high connectivity on the basis of their potential for information dissemination, using metrics such as network efficiency, path enumeration, epidemic models and standard graph centrality measures. We also present the notion of a three tier architecture and how it can help study the structural properties of TRN based on connectivity and clustering tendency of motif central nodes. Finally, we motivate the potential implication of the structural properties of motif centrality in design of efficient protocols of information routing in communication networks as well as their functional properties in global regulation and stress response to study specific disease conditions and identification of drug targets.
Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics on the New Occurrence of Peripheral Artery Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study in Northern China
Authors: Wang Dandan , Zhang Qian , Wang Anxin , Wu Shouling , Zhao Xingquan
Published: June 2020

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common atherosclerotic disease which could lead to severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Previous studies have indicated the ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) was associated with many atherosclerotic diseases and cardiovascular events. This study aimed to find out the relationship between ICVH metrics and the new occurrence of PAD. We collected information of baseline from 2010 on the seven ICVH metrics (including smoking, body mass index, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose); and assessed PAD by ankle brachial index among the enrolled participants. The relationship between the ICVH metrics and new occurrence of PAD was analyzed using the multivariate logistic regression in 2018. There were 214 participants were diagnosed with the new occurrence of PAD during the follow-up visit. Participants with PAD tend to be older, with a lower level of education and a higher morbidity of hypertension. Among the seven ICVH metrics, BMI seems to be the most sensitive metric to the occurrence of PAD after adjusting the other risk factors (HR (95% CI) = 0.704 (0.529–0.937), P = 0.0163). We further found out as the number of ICVH metric increased, the morbidity of PAD decreased gradually (HR (95% CI) = 0.888 (0.801–0.984), P for trend= 0.0240). There is no difference between different age and gender groups. The ICVH metrics affect the new occurrence of PAD in a Chinese population. It enhances the importance of ideal health behaviors and factors in the prevention of PAD.
Essential Contribution of Macrophage Tie2 Signalling in a Murine Model of Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Yin Xue , Zhang Bingyu , Chen Lei , Xia Wei , Liu Gaoqin , Zhu Xuefei , Ren Chi , Liu Weiming , Lu Peirong
Published: June 2020

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause progressive blindness, is characterised by choroid neovascularization (CNV) in the macular area. Although close attention has been paid to AMD, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs are available, its complex pathogenesis is still elusive. Tie2-expressing macrophages (TEMs) have been found to promote angiogenesis in remodel tissues and tumours. This study aimed to elucidate the role of macrophage Tie2 signalling in laser-induced CNV (LCNV). We observed that TEMs were responsible for the severity of CNV. Mechanistically, TEM deletion resulted in impaired LCNV due to the suppression of inflammatory angiogenesis and the promotion of apoptosis. We also observed that TEMs prevented apoptosis of b.End3 cells, but promoted their migration, proliferation and tube formation via VEGF, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene (AKT)-dependent signalling pathways. The flow cytometry results comparing dry AMD patients and healthy controls with wet AMD patients showed that the percentage of Tie2+CD14+ cells was higher in the wet AMD patients’ peripheral blood. This study demonstrates that Tie2 expression by macrophages intensifies CNV in LCNV murine models, thereby proposing an additional intervention option to inhibit CNV.
Risk factors and mortality of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a one-year follow-up study
Authors: Huette Pierre , Abou-Arab Osama , Djebara Az-Eddine , Terrasi Benjamin , Beyls Christophe , Guinot Pierre-Grégoire , Havet Eric , Dupont Hervé , Lorne Emmanuel , Ntouba Alexandre , Mahjoub Yazine
Published: June 2020

Hip fracture (HF) remains a main issue in the elderly patient. About 1.6 million patients a year worldwide are victims of a HF. Their incidence is expected to rise with the aging of the world’s population. Identifying risk factors is mandatory in order to reduce mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors of 1-year mortality after HF surgery. We performed an observational, prospective, single-center study at Amiens University Hospital (Amiens, France). After ethical approval, we consecutively included all patients with a HF who underwent surgery between June 2016 and June 2017. Perioperative data were collected from medical charts and by interviews. Mortality rate at 12 months was recorded. Univariate analysis was performed and mortality risk factors were investigated using a Cox model. 309 patients were analyzed during this follow-up. Mortality at 1 year was 23.9%. Time to surgery over 48 hours involved 181 patients (58.6%) while 128 patients (41.4%) had surgery within the 48 hours following the hospital admission. Independent factors associated with 1-year mortality were: age (HR at 1.059 (95%CI [1.005–1.116], p = 0,032), Lee score ≥ 3 (HR at 1,52 (95% CI [1,052–2,198], p = 0.026) and time to surgery over 48 hours (HR of 1.057 (95% CI [1.007–1.108], p = 0.024). Age, delayed surgical (over 48 hours) management and medical history are important risk factors of 1-year mortality in this French cohort
The association of blood lead levels and renal effects may be modified by genetic combinations of Metallothionein 1A 2A polymorphisms
Authors: Yang Chen-Cheng , Lin Chia-I , Lee Su-Shin , Wang Chao-Ling , Dai Chia-Yen , Chuang Hung-Yi
Published: June 2020

Metallothionein (MT) is a protein with function of heavy metal detoxification. However, studies about how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MT genes influence lead nephropathy are relatively scarce. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the association between blood lead levels and renal biomarkers and to study whether this association is influenced by the combination of MT1A and MT2A SNPs. Blood lead, urinary uric acid (UA), and urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels were analyzed from 485 participants. Genotyping were performed on MT1A SNPs (rs11640851 and rs8052394) and MT2A SNPs (rs10636 and rs28366003). The combined MT1A 2A SNPs were divided into 16 groups. Among renal biomarkers, urinary UA was negatively significant associated with the time-weighted index of cumulative blood lead (TWICL), while urinary NAG was positively significant with TWICL. Furthermore, the association between urinary UA and TWICL was significantly modified by group 6 of combined SNPs (MT1A 2 A SNPs combination were AAAGGGAA, ACAGGGAA, and ACGGGGAA). In conclusion, the negative association of urinary UA and TWICL is modified by group 6, which means participants of group 6 are more susceptible to lead nephrotoxicity.
Taxonomic diversity of sputum microbiome in lung cancer patients and its relationship with chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes
Authors: Druzhinin V. G. , Matskova L. V. , Demenkov P. S. , Baranova E. D. , Volobaev V. P. , Minina V. I. , Apalko S. V. , Churina M. A. , Romanyuk S. A. , Shcherbak S. G. , Ivanov V. I. , Larionov A. V.
Published: June 2020

Here we report a pilot-sized study to compare the taxonomic composition of sputum microbiome in 17 newly-diagnosed lung cancer (LC) patients and 17 controls. Another object was to compare the representation of individual bacterial genera and species in sputum with the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the blood lymphocytes of LC patients and in controls. Both groups were male; average age 56.1 ± 11.5 in patients and 55.7 ± 4.1 in controls. Differences in the species composition of bacterial communities in LC patients and controls were significant (pseudo-F = 1.94; p = 0.005). Increased prevalence in LC patients was detected for the genera Haemophilus and Bergeyella; whereas a decrease was observed for the genera Atopobium, Stomatobaculum, Treponema and Porphyromonas. Donors with high frequencies of chromosomal aberrations had a significant reduction in the microbiome of representatives of the genus Atopobium in the microbiome and a simultaneous increase in representatives of the species Alloprevotella compared to donors with a low level of chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes. Thus, a comparison of the bacterial composition in the sputum of donors with cytogenetic damages in theirs lymphocytes, warrants further investigations on the potential role of microorganisms in the process of mutagenesis in somatic cells of the host body.
Prediction of post-treatment retinal sensitivity by baseline retinal perfusion density measurements in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Rachima Soraya , Hirabayashi Kazutaka , Imai Akira , Iesato Yasuhiro , Murata Toshinori
Published: June 2020

In this study, we investigated the longitudinal correlation between macular sensitivity and perfusion density (PD) in retinas affected by branch retinal vein occlusion. Retinal sensitivity was measured using microperimetry and PD was measured by optical coherence tomography angiography. We also investigated the possibility that the PD, 1 month after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, is a predictor of retinal sensitivity after 1 year of successful macular oedema management with anti-VEGF. The correlation between measurements of retinal sensitivity and PD at baseline (1 M) and at 6 and 12 months were investigated. There was a significant positive correlation between retinal sensitivity and PD at all time points (baseline (1 M), r = 0.67, P < 0.0001; 6 months, r = 0.59, P < 0.0001; 12 months, r = 0.62, P < 0.0001) and between the PD at 1 month and retinal sensitivity at 12 months (r = 0.63, P < 0.0001). Unlike in areas that showed a mild to moderate decline in PD, retinal sensitivity in areas where the decrease in PD was severe at baseline did not show significant improvement with treatment over time. These findings suggest that the PD value measured using optical coherence tomography angiography at or soon after the baseline can predict retinal sensitivity after 1 year of anti-VEGF treatment.
Time series analysis of temporal trends in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome morbidity rate in China from 2005 to 2019
Authors: Wang Yongbin , Xu Chunjie , Wu Weidong , Ren Jingchao , Li Yuchun , Gui Lihui , Yao Sanqiao
Published: June 2020

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is seriously endemic in China with 70%~90% of the notified cases worldwide and showing an epidemic tendency of upturn in recent years. Early detection for its future epidemic trends plays a pivotal role in combating this threat. In this scenario, our study investigates the suitability for application in analyzing and forecasting the epidemic tendencies based on the monthly HFRS morbidity data from 2005 through 2019 using the nonlinear model-based self-exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) and logistic smooth transition autoregressive (LSTAR) methods. The experimental results manifested that the SETAR and LSTAR approaches presented smaller values among the performance measures in both two forecasting subsamples, when compared with the most extensively used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) method, and the former slightly outperformed the latter. Descriptive statistics showed an epidemic tendency of downturn with average annual percent change (AAPC) of −5.640% in overall HFRS, however, an upward trend with an AAPC = 1.213% was observed since 2016 and according to the forecasts using the SETAR, it would seemingly experience an outbreak of HFRS in China in December 2019. Remarkably, there were dual-peak patterns in HFRS incidence with a strong one occurring in November until January of the following year, additionally, a weak one in May and June annually. Therefore, the SETAR and LSTAR approaches may be a potential useful tool in analyzing the temporal behaviors of HFRS in China.
Abrogation of PRRSV infectivity by CRISPR-Cas13b-mediated viral RNA cleavage in mammalian cells
Authors: Cui Jin , Techakriengkrai Navapon , Nedumpun Teerawut , Suradhat Sanipa
Published: June 2020

CRISPR/Cas9 enables dsDNA viral genome engineering. However, the lack of RNA targeting activities limits the ability of CRISPR/Cas9 to combat RNA viruses. The recently identified class II type VI CRISPR/Cas effectors (Cas13) are RNA-targeting CRISPR enzymes that enable RNA cleavage in mammalian and plant cells. We sought to knockdown the viral RNA of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) directly by exploiting the CRISPR/Cas13b system. Effective mRNA cleavage by CRISPR/Cas13b-mediated CRISPR RNA (crRNA) targeting the ORF5 and ORF7 genes of PRRSV was observed. To address the need for uniform delivery of the Cas13b protein and crRNAs, an all-in-one system expressing Cas13b and duplexed crRNA cassettes was developed. Delivery of a single vector carrying double crRNAs enabled the simultaneous knockdown of two PRRSV genes. Transgenic MARC-145 cells stably expressing the Cas13b effector and crRNA mediated by lentiviral-based transduction showed a robust ability to splice the PRRSV genomic RNA and subgenomic RNAs; viral infection was almost completely abrogated by the combination of double crRNAs simultaneously targeting the ORF5 and ORF7 genes. Our study indicated that the CRISPR/Cas13b system can effectively knockdown the PRRSV genome in vitro and can potentially be used as a potent therapeutic antiviral strategy.
Formation and suppression of hydrogen blisters in tunnelling oxide passivating contact for crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Choi Sungjin , Kwon Ohmin , Min Kwan Hong , Jeong Myeong Sang , Jeong Kyung Taek , Kang Min Gu , Park Sungeun , Hong Kuen Kee , Song Hee-eun , Kim Ka-Hyun
Published: June 2020

The formation of hydrogen blisters in the fabrication of tunnelling oxide passivating contact (TOPCon) solar cells critically degrades passivation. In this study, we investigated the formation mechanism of blisters during the fabrication of TOPCons for crystalline silicon solar cells and the suppression of such blisters. We tested the effects of annealing temperature and duration, surface roughness, and deposition temperature on the blister formation, which was suppressed in two ways. First, TOPCon fabrication on a rough surface enhanced adhesion force, resulting in reduced blister formation after thermal annealing. Second, deposition or annealing at higher temperatures resulted in the reduction of hydrogen in the film. A sample fabricated through low-pressure chemical vapor deposition at 580 °C was free from silicon–hydrogen bonds and blisters after the TOPCon structure was annealed. Remarkably, samples after plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at 300, 370, and 450 °C were already blistered in the as-deposited state, despite low hydrogen contents. Analysis of the hydrogen incorporation, microstructure, and deposition mechanism indicate that in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) deposition, although the increase of substrate temperature reduces the hydrogen content, it risks the increase of porosity and molecular-hydrogen trapping, resulting in even more severe blistering.
Promising abscopal effect of combination therapy with thermal tumour ablation and intratumoural OK-432 injection in the rat osteosarcoma model
Authors: Iwai Tadashi , Oebisu Naoto , Hoshi Manabu , Orita Kumi , Yamamoto Akira , Hamamoto Shinichi , Kageyama Ken , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: June 2020

Treatment options for metastatic osteosarcoma are limited. The present study aimed to evaluate whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with intratumoural OK-432 injection induces systemic anti-tumour immunity in rat osteosarcoma model. Eighty of 145 rats were assigned to four groups to evaluate overall survival and tumour size: control (no treatment), RFA-only, OK-432, and RFA-OK-432. The remaining 65 were assigned for histological examination. Maximum diameters of tibial and lung tumours were determined. Tumour samples were histologically examined using haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. Overall survival was significantly prolonged in the RFA-OK-432 group compared to the RFA-only and OK-432 groups. Only rats in the RFA-OK-432 group exhibited significant decreases in maximum tumour diameter after treatment. Ki-67-positive tumour cells in the RFA-OK-432 group were significantly stained negative on immunohistochemical analysis as opposed to those in the RFA-only and OK-432 groups. The number of CD11c+, OX-62+, CD4+, and CD8 + cells significantly increased in the RFA-OK-432 group compared to the RFA-only group. RFA with intratumoural OK-432 injection resulted in distant tumour suppression, prolonged survival, and increased dendritic cells, cytotoxic T cells, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, whereas RFA or OK-432 alone did not produce this effect. This combination may induce an abscopal effect in human osteosarcoma.
Inosine is an alternative carbon source for CD8+-T-cell function under glucose restriction
Authors: Wang Tingting , Gnanaprakasam J. N. Rashida , Chen Xuyong , Kang Siwen , Xu Xuequn , Sun Hua , Liu Lingling , Rodgers Hayley , Miller Ethan , Cassel Teresa A. , Sun Qiushi , Vicente-Muñoz Sara , Warmoes Marc O. , Lin Penghui , Piedra-Quintero Zayda Lizbeth , Guerau-de-Arellano Mireia , Cassady Kevin A. , Zheng Song Guo , Yang Jun , Lane Andrew N. , Song Xiaotong , Fan Teresa W.-M. , Wang Ruoning
Published: June 2020

T cells undergo metabolic rewiring to meet their bioenergetic, biosynthetic and redox demands following antigen stimulation. To fulfil these needs, effector T cells must adapt to fluctuations in environmental nutrient levels at sites of infection and inflammation. Here, we show that effector T cells can utilize inosine, as an alternative substrate, to support cell growth and function in the absence of glucose in vitro. T cells metabolize inosine into hypoxanthine and phosphorylated ribose by purine nucleoside phosphorylase. We demonstrate that the ribose subunit of inosine can enter into central metabolic pathways to provide ATP and biosynthetic precursors, and that cancer cells display diverse capacities to utilize inosine as a carbon source. Moreover, the supplementation with inosine enhances the anti-tumour efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive T-cell transfer in solid tumours that are defective in metabolizing inosine, reflecting the capability of inosine to relieve tumour-imposed metabolic restrictions on T cells.
Semi-biological approaches to solar-to-chemical conversion
Authors: Fang Xin , Kalathil Shafeer , Reisner Erwin
Published: June 2020

This review provides an overview of the cross-disciplinary field of semi-artificial photosynthesis, which combines strengths of biocatalysis and artificial photosynthesis to develop new concepts and approaches for solar-to-chemical conversion.
A new family of two-dimensional ferroelastic semiconductors with negative Poisson's ratios
Authors: Yuan Jun-Hui , Mao Ge-Qi , Xue Kan-Hao , Wang Jiafu , Miao Xiang-Shui
Published: June 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with both ferroelasticity and negative Poisson's ratios have attracted intensive interest, but it is very rare to have both ferroelasticity and negative Poisson's ratios in a single material.
An approach for feature selection with data modelling in LC-MS metabolomics
Authors: Plyushchenko Ivan , Shakhmatov Dmitry , Bolotnik Timofey , Baygildiev Timur , Nesterenko Pavel N. , Rodin Igor
Published: June 2020

The data processing workflow for LC-MS based metabolomics study is suggested with signal drift correction, univariate analysis, supervised learning, feature selection and unsupervised modelling.
Mitochondrial-targeted deep-red fluorescent probe for ATP and its application in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Peng Wentao , Hu Mingxing , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2020

A novel mitochondrial-targeted deep-red fluorescence ATP probe, NIR-A, was reported together with its successful application to monitor ATP fluctuation in Ramos cells and zebrafish in real-time.
Synchrotron radiation soft X-ray microscopy and low energy X-ray fluorescence to reveal elemental changes in spermatozoa treated with photobiomodulation therapy
Authors: Zupin Luisa , Pascolo Lorella , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Gariani Gianluca , Luppi Stefania , Giolo Elena , Ottaviani Giulia , Crovella Sergio , Ricci Giuseppe
Published: June 2020

Low energy X-ray fluorescence reveals the effects of photobiomodulation therapy on sperm.
Fluorescent carbonaceous materials isolated from cigarette ashes for the determination of iron(iii) in water samples
Authors: Díaz-Álvarez Myriam , Martín-Esteban Antonio
Published: June 2020

In the present work, ready-to-use fluorescent carbonaceous materials (CMs) were isolated from cigarette ashes by following a simple procedure based on the dispersion of ashes in water and subsequent filtration.
A lysozyme corona complex for the controlled pharmacokinetic release of probucol from mesoporous silica particles
Authors: Giri Kalpeshkumar , Lau Michael , Kuschnerus Inga , Moroni Irene , Garcia-Bennett Alfonso E.
Published: June 2020

Mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) enhance and allow to control the release kinetics of poorly soluble compound probucol (PB) under the influence of a pore-blocking lysozyme protein corona.
Salt-rich solid electrolyte interphase for safer high-energy-density Li metal batteries with limited Li excess
Authors: Yuan Shouyi , Bao Junwei Lucas , Wang Nan , Zhang Xiang , Wang Yonggang , Truhlar Donald G. , Xia Yongyao
Published: June 2020

An optimized carbonate-based electrolyte is proposed for Li metal batteries with a high-voltage cathode and limited Li metal.
Single particle Raman spectroscopy analysis of the metal–organic framework DUT-8(Ni) switching transition under hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Krylov Alexander , Senkovska Irena , Ehrling Sebastian , Maliuta Mariia , Krylova Svetlana , Slyusareva Evgenia , Vtyurin Alexander , Kaskel Stefan
Published: June 2020

According to in situ Raman experiments, in certain pressure ranges open (op) and closed pore (cp) phases coexist in DUT-8(Ni) crystals.
Viscosity sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probes based on functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Liu Fei , Yuan Ziwen , Sui Xiao , Wang Chaojun , Xu Meiying , Li Wei , Chen Yuan
Published: June 2020

A new family of viscosity sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probes is created by grafting rotors on single walled carbon nanotubes. The new photoluminescence emission peaks are highly sensitive to the viscosity of solutions.
Enhancement of mixing in a viscous, non-volatile droplet using a contact-free vapor-mediated interaction
Authors: Hegde Omkar , Kabi Prasenjit , Basu Saptarshi
Published: June 2020

Mixing at small fluidic length scales is especially challenging in viscous and non-volatile droplets frequently encountered in bio-chemical assays.
CO2 capture, activation and dissociation on the Ti2C surface and Ti2C MXene: the role of surface structure
Authors: T. Aswathi Mohan , Kuriakose Nishamol , Mondal Krishnakanta , Ghosh Prasenjit
Published: June 2020

Barrier-less CO2 activation on Ti2C(100) and MXene with preferential adsorption on the (100) surface and a lower dissociation barrier on MXene.
Sn4+ and S2− co-doped N–TiO2−x nanoparticles for efficient and photocatalytic removal of contaminants
Authors: He Jiahui , Ye Jin , Ge Kai , Cao Jiayu , Fu Congcong , Li Zhenxing , Zhang Yue , Yang Yongfang
Published: June 2020

N–TiO2−x nanoparticles (NPs) were selected as a basic construction unit because there are many Ti3+ and O vacancies on its surface.
General screening of surface alloys for catalysis
Authors: Montemore Matthew M. , Nwaokorie Chukwudi F. , Kayode Gbolade O.
Published: June 2020

We develop a general, reusable model for predicting adsorption energies of many species on a wide array of alloy surfaces.
Catalytic self-etherification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 5,5′(oxy-bis(methylene))bis-2-furfural over zeolite catalysts: effect of pore structure and acidity
Authors: Zhang Pilan , Yang Jie , Hu Hualei , Hu Danxin , Gan Jiang , Zhang Yexin , Chen Chunlin , Li Xiaoqiang , Wang Lei , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2020

Understanding the role of pore structure and acidity of zeolite catalyst in the self-etherification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 5,5′(oxy-bis(methylene))bis-2-furfural.
Catalytic reductive deoxygenation of esters to ethers driven by hydrosilane activation through non-covalent interactions with a fluorinated borate salt
Authors: Rysak Vincent , Dixit Ruchi , Trivelli Xavier , Merle Nicolas , Agbossou-Niedercorn Francine , Vanka Kumar , Michon Christophe
Published: June 2020

A fluorinated borate BArF salt catalyses the reductive deoxygenation of esters to ethers by using hydrosilanes. Experimental and theoretical studies highlight the role of noncovalent interactions in the reaction mechanism.
Tris(ferrocenylmethidene)sumanene: synthesis, photophysical properties and applications for efficient caesium cation recognition in water
Authors: Kasprzak Artur , Kowalczyk Agata , Jagielska Agata , Wagner Barbara , Nowicka Anna M. , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: June 2020

Tris(ferrocenylmethidene)sumanene was synthesized, characterized and applied for caesium cation recognition in water.
Addition of CF2 group to endohedral fullerene Sc3N@Ih-C80
Authors: Pykhova Anastasia D. , Semivrazhskaya Olesya O. , Samoylova Nataliya A. , Rybalchenko Alexey V. , Rosenkranz Marco , Ioffe Ilya N. , Popov Alexey A. , Goryunkov Alexey A.
Published: June 2020

[6,6]-Open Cs-Sc3N@C80CF2 adduct is formed in reaction of Sc3N@Ih-C80 with CF2ClCOONa. CF2 addition imposes considerable restrictions on the Sc3N motion inside the carbon cage. DFT calculations suggest that the reaction pathway is nucleophilic rather than carbenic.
Characterisation of dissolved organic matter to optimise powdered activated carbon and clarification removal efficiency
Authors: Shutova Y. , Rao N. R. H. , Zamyadi A. , Baker A. , Bridgeman J. , Lau B. , Henderson R. K.
Published: June 2020

Removal of dissolved organic matter fractions via three different treatment processes.
Antifatigue and antihypoxia activities of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula in mice
Authors: Xie Qi , Sun Yuting , Cao Lanlan , Chen Liangni , Chen Jie , Cheng Xuemei , Wang Changhong
Published: June 2020

Codonopsis pilosula is a traditional Chinese medicine and food supplement that is widely used in China. Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides from C. pilosula display antifatigue and antihypoxia activities.
Combination of apple peel and blueberry extracts synergistically induced lifespan extension via DAF-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Song Bingbing , Wang Hong , Xia Wen , Zheng Bisheng , Li Tong , Liu Rui Hai
Published: June 2020

Apples and blueberries are rich in phytochemicals with a wide range of biological activities and health benefits. Our research found that the combination of apple peel extracts and blueberry extracts could synergistically promote the lifespan via DAF-16 in C. elegans.
Pomegranate juice as a functional food: a comprehensive review of its polyphenols, therapeutic merits, and recent patents
Authors: Fahmy Heba , Hegazi Nesrine , El-Shamy Sherine , Farag Mohamed A.
Published: June 2020

A review on pomegranate juice as a functional food in the context of its polyphenol composition, therapeutic merits, and recent patents.
Full atom-efficiency transformation of wasted polycarbonates into epoxy thermosets and the catalyst-free degradation of the thermosets for environmental sustainability
Authors: Shao Shih Wei , Chen Chien Han , Chan Jian Ren , Juang Tzong Yuan , Abu-Omar Mahdi M. , Lin Ching Hsuan
Published: June 2020

We report a strategy for transforming wasted polycarbonates into epoxy thermosets and degrading the thermosets with 1-hexylamine in a catalyst-free aminolysis process for environmental sustainability.
Cation distribution, magnetic and hyperfine interaction studies of Ni–Zn spinel ferrites: role of Jahn Teller ion (Cu2+) substitution
Authors: Humbe Ashok V. , Kounsalye Jitendra S. , Somvanshi Sandeep B. , Kumar Arun , Jadhav K. M.
Published: June 2020

Herein, the effect of Cu2+ substitution on the structural, morphological, cation distribution, magnetic, and Mössbauer properties of mixed Ni–Zn spinel ferrites was studied.
Mechanistic insight into biopolymer induced iron oxide mineralization through quantification of molecular bonding
Authors: Sand K. K. , Jelavić S. , Dobberschütz S. , Ashby P. D. , Marshall M. J. , Dideriksen K. , Stipp S. L. S. , Kerisit S. N. , Friddle R. W. , DeYoreo J. J.
Published: June 2020

Microbial production of iron (oxyhydr)oxides biopolymers impact the global iron cycle and has been responsible for major biogeochemical events. Here we quantify the molecular bonding and its role for mineralization.
Synthesis and characterization of new square planar heteroleptic cationic complexes [Ni(ii) β-oxodithioester-dppe]+; their use as a catalyst for Chan–Lam coupling
Authors: Kumari Kavita , Kumar Saurabh , Singh Krishna Nand , Drew Michael G. B. , Singh Nanhai
Published: June 2020

Six new structurally characterized heteroleptic cationic [Ni(ii) β-oxodithioester-dppe]+PF6− complexes as efficient catalysts for Chan–Lam coupling reaction affording N-arylated products with significant functional group tolerance.
Engineering diformyl diaryldipyrromethane into a molecular keypad lock
Authors: Gowri Sreedevi K. C. , Thomas Ajesh P. , Adinarayana B. , Srinivasan A.
Published: June 2020

A diaryldipyrromethane-based acyclic system acts as a photolabile sequential chemosensor for both anions and cations via ESIDPT and deprotonation, which is engineered into a fluorescent molecular keypad lock system.
Functionalized MXenes as effective polyselenide immobilizers for lithium–selenium batteries: a density functional theory (DFT) study
Authors: Jayan Rahul , Islam Md Mahbubul
Published: June 2020

Sulfur and oxygen functionalized MXenes are promising anchoring materials to inhibit polyselenides shuttling in Li–Se batteries.
Highly active Fe–N-doped porous hollow carbon nanospheres as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts in both acidic and alkaline media
Authors: Hao Meng-geng , Dun Rong-min , Su Yu-miao , Li Wen-mu
Published: June 2020

MF nanospheres decomposed into NH3 and CO2 as soft templates, nitrogen sources and pore-forming agents.
Intrinsic limit of contact resistance in the lateral heterostructure of metallic and semiconducting PtSe2
Authors: Yang Eunyeong , Seo Jae Eun , Seo Dongwook , Chang Jiwon
Published: June 2020

Low contact resistance can be achieved in the metallic and semiconducting PtSe2 lateral heterostructure through the thickness-dependent phase transition in PtSe2.
Challenges and strategies relating to device function layers and their integration toward high-performance inorganic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Huaxin , Li Haiyun , Cai Wensi , Zhang Pengfei , Cao Siliang , Chen Zhenyu , Zang Zhigang
Published: June 2020

This review systematically summarizes challenges and strategies relating to the functional layers of PSCs and their integration aimed at performance improvement and commercialization.
Solvent-free, under air selective synthesis of α-glycosides adopting glycosyl chlorides as donors
Authors: Traboni Serena , Vessella Giulia , Bedini Emiliano , Iadonisi Alfonso
Published: June 2020

A solvent-free, under air approach for the highly stereoselective synthesis of α-glycosides from glycosyl chloride donors, promoted by a triethylphosphite, tetrabutylammonium bromide, and N,N-diisopropylethylamine combination.
Emulsion-templated synthetic polypeptide scaffolds prepared by ring-opening polymerization ofN-carboxyanhydrides
Authors: Onder Ozgun Can , Utroša Petra , Caserman Simon , Podobnik Marjetka , Žnidarič Magda Tušek , Grdadolnik Jože , Kovačič Sebastijan , Žagar Ema , Pahovnik David
Published: June 2020

Ring-opening polymerization ofN-carboxyanhydrides was performed in oil-in-oil high internal phase emulsion to obtain well-defined macroporous synthetic polypeptides.
Symmetrical substituted glycolides: methodology and polymerization
Authors: Onur Arıcan Mehmet , Mert Olcay
Published: June 2020

Poly(substituted glycolide)s have emerged during the past decades to create extraordinary breakthroughs in a wide range of therapeutic applications due to superior properties as an alternative to PLA and PLGA systems.
Graphene oxide: a green oxidant-acid bifunctional carbon material for the synthesis of functionalized isoindolin-1-ones via formal amide insertion and substitution
Authors: Peng Xiangjun , Hu Dan , Huang Panpan , Liao Huiwu , Zeng Yong , Liu Qian , Liu Liangxian
Published: June 2020

A formal amide insertion and substitution reaction using graphene oxide as an oxidant-acid bifunctional carbon material
Mutation-induced change in chignolin stability from π-turn to α-turn
Authors: Maruyama Yutaka , Koroku Shunpei , Imai Misaki , Takeuchi Koh , Mitsutake Ayori
Published: June 2020

A mutation from threonine to proline at the eighth residue in chignolin changes π-turn to α-turn.
Template-free synthesis and lithium-ion storage performance of multiple ZnO nanoparticles encapsulated in hollow amorphous carbon shells
Authors: Jin Yunxia , Wang Shimin , Li Jia , Qu Sheng , Yang Liufang , Guo Junming
Published: June 2020

Core–shell structure of ZnO@amorphous carbon shell was synthesized using a simple and effective method, and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance as anode of lithium-ion batteries.
One-step synthesis of hydrophobic clinoptilolite modified by silanization for the degradation of crystal violet dye in aqueous solution
Authors: Jiao Jian , Sun Jihong , Ullah Raza , Bai Shiyang , Zhai Chengwei
Published: June 2020

One-step synthesis of hydrophobic CPs was demonstrated, in which the kinetically-controlled induction period and thermodynamically-based rapid growth process were elucidated.
Highly selective and sensitive simultaneous nanomolar detection of Cs(i) and Al(iii) ions using tripodal organic nanoparticles in aqueous media: the effect of the urea backbone on chemosensing
Authors: Mishra Jayanti , Kaur Manpreet , Kaur Navneet , Ganguli Ashok K.
Published: June 2020

Two ligands1and2are synthesized and their organic nanoparticles (1-ONP and2-ONP) are generated.1-ONP has shown the chemosensing of Cs(i) (∼220 nm) and Al(iii) (∼377 nm) in aqueous medium while2-ONP has not shown any chemosensing behaviour.
CuCo2O4 nanoneedle array with high stability for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Ling , Li Ruizhi , Li Weiqun , Li Rongcong , Li Chenliang , Zhou Yingke
Published: June 2020

The CuCo2O4 nanoneedle array with enhanced electrochemical performance especially high stability is due to the hierarchical porosity framework with the high mesoporous nanoneedle array.
Self-optimising processes and real-time-optimisation of organic syntheses in a microreactor system using Nelder–Mead and design of experiments
Authors: Fath Verena , Kockmann Norbert , Otto Jürgen , Röder Thorsten
Published: June 2020

Comparing an enhanced simplex algorithm with model-free design of experiments, this work presents a flexible platform for multi-objective, real-time optimisation.
Information and motility exchange in collectives of active particles
Authors: Paoluzzi Matteo , Leoni Marco , Marchetti M. Cristina
Published: June 2020

We examine the interplay of motility and information exchange in a model of active particles. Non-motile particles additionally recover their motility at a fixed rate, as in the SIS (Susceptible, Infected, Susceptible) model of epidemic spreading.
Two-dimensional Janus-like particles on a triangular lattice
Authors: Patrykiejew A. , Rżysko W.
Published: June 2020

We have studied the phase behavior of a two-dimensional system of Janus-like particles on a triangular lattice using the Monte Carlo method in a grand canonical ensemble.
Liquid crystal–ferrofluid emulsions
Authors: Dierking Ingo , Yoshida Susumu , Kelly Thomas , Pitcher William
Published: June 2020

Properties of rarely investigated liquid crystal-ferrofluid emulsions and their perspectives for the study of fundamental physics as well as modern applications are discussed.
Design of hollow spherical Co@hsZSM5@metal dual-layer nanocatalysts for tandem CO2 hydrogenation to increase C2+ hydrocarbon selectivity
Authors: Kwok Kelvin Mingyao , Chen Luwei , Zeng Hua Chun
Published: June 2020

Hollow spherical ZSM-5 with dual-layer metal nanoparticles on its inner and outer surfaces can be used for tandem CO2 hydrogenation.
Engineered macroporous hydrogel scaffolds via pickering emulsions stabilized by MgO nanoparticles promote bone regeneration
Authors: Pan Haotian , Gao Huichang , Li Qingtao , Lin Zefeng , Feng Qi , Yu Chenxi , Zhang Xiaohua , Dong Hua , Chen Dafu , Cao Xiaodong
Published: June 2020

A novel macroporous composite hydrogel scaffolds were developed by using Pickering emulsions stabilized by MgO NPs for application in the field of bone regeneration.
Efficient quasi-two dimensional perovskite light-emitting diodes using a cage-type additive
Authors: Wang Run , Zhang Yue , Ma Xing-Juan , Deng Yan-Hong , Shi Jun-Wei , Wang Xing-Chen , Jia Ya-Lan , Xu Qiang , Xiong Zu-Hong , Gao Chun-Hong
Published: June 2020

High performance quasi-2D PeLEDs with maximum current efficiency of 35.5 cd A−1, by introducing α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) with a cage-type structure as an additive and TFB/PVK bilayer as a hole transport layer, are demonstrated.
Broadband organic photodetectors exhibiting photomultiplication with a narrow bandgap non-fullerene acceptor as an electron trap
Authors: Liu Ming , Miao Jianli , Wang Jian , Zhao Zijin , Yang Kaixuan , Zhang Xiaoli , Peng Hongshang , Zhang Fujun
Published: June 2020

Broadband PM-OPDs were fabricated with PBDB-T : IEICO-4F (100 : 3, wt/wt) as active layers, exhibiting EQE >100% in the spectral range from 310 nm to 850 nm.
Near infrared organic photodetectors based on enhanced charge transfer state absorption by photonic architectures
Authors: Gibert-Roca Martí , Molet Pau , Mihi Agustín , Campoy-Quiles Mariano
Published: June 2020

Solution processed organic photodetectors with a nanostructured active layer in the shape of a photonic crystal exhibit an improved NIR response, below the band gap of the active layer materials, that can be tuned by varying the lattice parameter.