bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolytic Enzyme Activity and mRNA Expressions of Amino Acid and Peptide Transporter Genes in Tissues of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Different Salinities
Authors: Kombat Emmanuel O. , Abakari Godwin , Salifu Abdul‐Razak , Alhassan Elliot H. , Zhao Jin‐Liang
Published: December 2024

This study examined the effects of different salinity levels and exposure time on the activity of proteolytic enzymes and the mRNA expression of amino acid (AA) and peptide transporter genes in various fish tissues of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). O. niloticus juveniles, weighing 25.30 ± 4.82 g, were subjected to salt concentrations of 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 g/L for 30 days. After being exposed to salt for 3 h (acute exposure) and 30 days (chronic exposure), fish tissues (liver, gills and intestines) were sampled. Real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) was used to determine the mRNA expressions of peptide and AA transporter genes, while the activities of proteolytic enzymes were assessed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Salinity and exposure time had no significant impact (p > 0.05) on the proteolytic enzyme activity in both intestine and liver tissues of O. niloticus, except for elastase and protease at 24 g/L salinity. PepT1a mRNA gene expression in the fish gut was observed to be considerably elevated (p < 0.05) at both exposure times with increasing salinities. PepT1b did not exhibit any appreciable alterations (p < 0.05) in the gills or intestines at the various salinities. In the intestine, the expression of PepT2 was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) with rising salinity for chronic exposure but remained unchanged for acute exposure. In contrast, the expression of PepT2 rose substantially (p < 0.05) in the gills with rising salinity for acute exposure and downregulated for chronic exposure. Both exposure time and salinity significantly impacted (p < 0.05) the expression of slc3a1 in the gut. There were significant variations (p < 0.05) in slc3a9 expression in the gut and gill at all salinities for both acute and chronic exposures. In contrast, substantial variations in slc3a19 expression were seen in the intestine at various salinities for acute exposure but not for chronic exposure. The gills displayed significant differences at all salinities for both exposure times.
Proband‐Only Exome Sequencing for Intellectual Disability in Iran: Diagnostic Yield and Genetic Insights
Authors: Ghalamkari Safoura , Mianesaz Hamidreza , Chitsaz Ahmad , Ghazavi Mohammadreza , Salehi Mansoor
Published: December 2024

Intellectual disability (ID) is a leading cause for referral to genetic services, with the most severe cases typically attributed to single genetic defects. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of cost‐effective proband‐only exome sequencing for individuals diagnosed with ID within the Iranian population for the first time where a high rate of parental consanguinity exists. A total of 99 unrelated patients with ID were investigated by exome sequencing during 8 years. As a result, 43 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified in 40 patients, indicating a molecular diagnostic rate of 40.4% (40/99). The inclusion of five chromosomal copy number variations in the subsequent analysis increased the diagnostic rate of proband‐only exome sequencing to 45.4% (45/99). Additionally, parental testing revealed five de novo variants. This contributed to a total diagnostic rate of 50.5% (50/99). In our study, proband‐only exome sequencing achieved a remarkable diagnostic rate, identifying nearly half of the ID cases. This rate of diagnosis could be primarily attributed to prevalent consanguineous marriage in the Iranian population and the rare identification of de novo variants. With the ongoing advancements in neurogenetics, proband‐only exome sequencing demonstrates significant potential as a future cost‐effective diagnostic approach in Iran.
Construction of N‐Sulfonyl Amidines: Self‐Assembly through Synergy between Hydrogen Bonding and Lewis Pairs
Authors: Ye Weijian , Lu Aoyun , Zhang Ziyi , Lu Guodan , Du Xiangshuai , Wang Yong , Wan Xiaobing
Published: December 2024

Self‐assembly with non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) is a ubiquitous phenomenon observed in biology and materials chemistry, while its application in synthetic chemistry is still in its infancy. Herein, a self‐assembly condensation method from sulfonamides and imides is reported, leading to the formation of N‐acyl‐N′‐sulfonyl amidines. DFT calculations and NMR investigations suggest that the process is facilitated by cooperative assisted NCIs, including hydrogen bonding and Lewis pairs. Moreover, this methodology can be applied in the late‐stage derivatization of bioactive and complex sulfonamides, offering a potential avenue for the discovery of drug molecules. Extension of this methodology to the condensation of various sulfonamides and amides has also been successfully achieved.
Transethnic analysis identifies SORL1 variants and haplotypes protective against Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhou Xiaopu , Cao Han , Jiang Yuanbing , Chen Yuewen , Zhong Huan , Fu Wing Yu , Lo Ronnie Ming Nok , Wong Bonnie Wing Yan , Cheng Elaine Yee Ling , Mok Kin Ying , Kwok Timothy C. Y. , Mok Vincent C. T. , Ip Fanny C. F. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Miyashita Akinori , Hara Norikazu , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Hardy John , Chen Yu , Fu Amy K. Y. , Ip Nancy Y.
Published: December 2024

INTRODUCTION

The SORL1 locus exhibits protective effects against Alzheimer's disease (AD) across ancestries, yet systematic studies in diverse populations are sparse.

METHODS

Logistic regression identified AD‐associated SORL1 haplotypes in East Asian (N = 5249) and European (N = 8588) populations. Association analysis between SORL1 haplotypes and AD‐associated traits or plasma biomarkers was conducted. The effects of non‐synonymous mutations were assessed in cell‐based systems.

RESULTS

Protective SORL1 variants/haplotypes were identified in the East Asian and European populations. Haplotype Hap_A showed a strong protective effect against AD in East Asians, linked to less severe AD phenotypes, higher SORL1 transcript levels, and plasma proteomic changes. A missense variant within Hap_A, rs2282647‐C allele, was linked to a lower risk of AD and decreased expression of a truncated SORL1 protein isoform.

DISCUSSION

Our transethnic analysis revealed key SORL1 haplotypes that exert protective effects against AD, suggesting mechanisms of the protective role of SORL1 in AD.

Highlights

We examined the AD‐protective mechanisms of SORL1 in the general population across diverse ancestral backgrounds by jointly analyzing data from three East Asian cohorts (ie, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Japan) and a European cohort.

Comparative analysis unveiled key ethnic‐specific SORL1 genetic variants and haplotypes. Among these, the SORL1 minor haplotype, Hap_A, emerged as the primary AD‐protective factor in East Asians. Hap_A exerts significant AD‐protective effects in both APOE ε4 carriers and non‐carriers.

SORL1 haplotype Hap_A is associated with cognitive function, brain volume, and the activity of specific neuronal and immune‐related pathways closely connected to AD risk.

Protective variants within Hap_A are linked to increased SORL1 expression in human tissues.

We identified an isoform‐specific missense variant in Hap_A that modifies the function and levels of a truncated SORL1 protein isoform that is poorly investigated.
Regulated Li+ Solvation via Competitive Coordination Mechanism of Organic Cations for High Voltage and Fast Charging Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Yu Jiangtao , Ma Xinyu , Zou Xiuyang , Hu Yin , Yang Mingchen , Cai Yuanli , Yan Feng
Published: December 2024

Li+ solvation exerted a decisive effect on electrolyte physicochemical properties. Suitable tuning for Li+ solvation enabled batteries to achieve unexpected performance. Here, we introduced inert organic cations to compete with Li+ for combining electrolyte molecules to modulate Li+ coordination in the electrolyte. The relevance between the number of cationic sites in organic cations and the competitive solvation ability was explored. The organic cations with multiple cationic sites attracted solvent molecules and anions away from Li+ to form new solvated shell, improving the Li+ transport kinetics and desolvation process in electrolyte while enhancing electrolyte oxidation tolerance. Moreover, electrostatic shielding provided by organic cations and anion‐derived robust SEI promoted uniform and rapid Li+ deposition on Li electrodes. With the positive effect of organic cations, Li||LiCoO2 (LCO) batteries showed high specific capacity (136.46 mAh g−1) at high charge/discharge rate (10 C). Furthermore, Li||LCO batteries exhibited good capacity retention (70 % after 500 cycles) at 4.6 V charge cut‐off voltage. This work provides fresh insights for the optimization of electrolytes and battery performance.
Boosting C2+ Alcohols Selectivity and Activity in High‐Current CO Electroreduction using Synergistic Cu/Zn Co‐Catalysts
Authors: Wu Zhitan , Meng Nannan , Yang Rong , Chen Maoxin , Pan Jinhui , Chi Sijia , Wu Chao , Xi Shibo , Liu Yuan , Ou Yingqing , Wu Wenya , Han Shuhe , Zhang Bin , Yang Quan‐Hong , Ping Loh Kian
Published: December 2024

The electrosynthesis of multi‐carbon (C2+) alcohols, specifically ethanol and n‐propanol through CO electroreduction (CORR) in H2O, presents a sustainable pathway for intermittent renewable energy storage and a low‐carbon economy. However, achieving high selectivity for alcohol production at industrial current densities is kinetically hampered by side reactions such as ethylene generation and hydrogen evolution reaction, which result from competing adsorption of *CO and *H. In this study, we developed a Cu/Zn alloy catalyst to simultaneously enhance the activity and selectivity for alcohol production by increasing CO capture capacity and enriching active hydrogen on Cu sites. Our findings demonstrate that the Cu/5Zn alloy with a molar ratio of Cu to Zn of 95 : 5 exhibits a Faradaic efficiency of 50 % for the selective electrosynthesis of C2+ alcohols during ampere‐level CO electrolysis. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the Cu/Zn alloy promotes polarized Cu sites, enhancing CO adsorption while facilitating the spillover of hydrogen atoms from Zn to Cu sites, contributing to selective alcohol formation.
High‐Nuclearity Polyoxometalate‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Oxidative Cleavage of C−C Bond
Authors: Zhao Qixin , Zeng Yang , Jiang Zhiqiang , Huang Zhenxuan , Long De‐Liang , Cronin Leroy , Xuan Weimin
Published: December 2024

High‐nuclearity polyoxometalate (POM) clusters are attractive building blocks (BBs) for the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their high connectivity and inherently multiple metal centers as functional sites. This work demonstrates a strategy of step‐wise growth on ring‐shaped [P8W48O184]40− precursor, which produced two new high‐nuclearity polyoxotungstates, a half‐closed [H16P8W58O218]32− {W58} and a fully‐closed [H16P8W64O236]32− {W64}. By in situ synthesis, unique MOFs of copper triazole‐benzoic acid (HL) complexes incorporating the negatively‐charged {W58} and {W64} as nodes, {Cu11(HL)9W58} HNPOMOF‐1 and {Cu9(HL)9W64} HNPOMOF‐2, were constructed by delicately tuning the reaction conditions, mainly solution pH, which controls the formation of {W58} and {W64}, and at the same time the protonation of triazole‐benzoic acid ligand thus its coordination mode to copper ion that creates the highest nuclearity POM‐derived MOFs reported to date. HNPOMOF‐1 features 3D framework possessing cage‐like cavities filled with exposed carboxyl groups, while the inherent 2D layer‐like HNPOMOF‐2 allows for facile exfoliation into ultrathin nanosheets, and the resulted HNPOMOF‐2NS exhibits superior activity towards photocatalytic oxidative cleavage of C−C bond for a series of lignin models. This work not only provides a strategy to build high‐nuclearity POM cluster‐based frameworks, but also demonstrates their great potential as functional materials for green catalysis.
Coaxial Helices in Chiral Supramolecular Aggregates from Highly Hindered Chiral Allenes
Authors: Lago‐Silva María , Fernández‐Míguez Manuel , Fernández Zulema , Cid María Magdalena , Quiñoá Emilio , Rodríguez Rafael , Freire Félix
Published: December 2024

Chiral allenes self‐assembly following a cooperative mechanism into a supramolecular chiral aggregate consisting of two coaxial helices: the internal helix described by the allene stack and the external helix which consist in a 4‐helix described by the four allene substituents. More precisely, this supramolecular aggregate possesses six axially chiral elements within its structure—the allene, the allene stack (internal helix) and the stacks of the four allene substituents (external 4‐helix)—. Interestingly, slight variations in the magnitude of the tilting degree while keeping its P‐ or M‐ orientation (internal helix) can vary the orientation of the 4‐axial motifs at the external helix. Thus, while (P)‐1 produces a supramolecular helix with a Θ ca. 15° (Pint) and a M1/P2/M1’/P2’ orientation of the four axial motifs at the periphery, (P)‐2 produces a supramolecular helix with a Θ ca. 23° (Pint) and a P1/P2/P1’/P2’ orientation of the four axial motifs at the external helix. As a result, the ECD spectra and the AFM images of the (P)‐1 and (P)‐2 supramolecular aggregates dominated by the 1 and 1’ substituents of the chiral allene indicate opposite handedness although the chirality of the building block and the orientation of the allene stack are the same
Direct Synthesis of Semiconductive AgBiS2 NC Inks toward High‐Efficiency, Low‐Cost and Environmental‐Friendly Solar Cells
Authors: Yuan Lin , Li Yang , Liu Yang , Lu Kunyuan , Shi Guozheng , Sun Xiang , Li Yong , Dong Xinyu , Xiao Yuran , Huang Lizhen , Liu Zeke , Ma Wanli
Published: December 2024

Silver bismuth sulfide nanocrystals (AgBiS2 NCs) embody a pioneering heavy‐metal‐free photovoltaic material renowned for its ultrahigh absorption coefficient, offering promising opportunities for advancing the field of ultra‐thin and biocompatible solar cells. Currently, the fabrication of AgBiS2 NC photovoltaic devices relies on hot‐injection synthesis and subsequent tedious ligand exchange, leading to high production cost, complex processes and environmental pollution. Here, we developed a direct‐synthesis (DS) method without ligand‐exchange for AgBiS2 NC semiconductive inks, significantly simplifying the material preparation and device fabrication processes. The synthesis cost of AgBiS2 inks (17.0 $ g−1) is over an order of magnitude lower than the traditional method (203.5–275.2 $ g−1). Through optimizing synthesis and device structure, a champion power conversion efficiency of 9.32 % was achieved, aligning with the highest reported efficiency (9.17 %) based on ligand‐exchanged methods. In addition, our DS‐AgBiS2 inks show excellent storage stability for over ten months. More importantly, the life cycle assessment (LCA) indicates drastically reduced energy consumption as well as environmental and human health impact for our strategy. The low‐cost and scalable synthesis approach for AgBiS2 NC semiconductive inks present a “greener” pathway for the commercial applications of NC optoelectronics.
Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds Weaken Interaction Between Solvents and Small Organic Molecules Towards Superior Lithium‐Organic Batteries
Authors: Sun Tianjiang , Zhang Weijia , Shi Mengyao , Li Diantao , Sun Qiong , Cheng Min , Tao Zhanliang
Published: December 2024

The strong interaction between organic electrode materials (OEMs) and electrolyte components induces a high solubility tendency of OEMs, thus hindering the practical application of lithium‐organic batteries. Herein, we propose an efficient strategy for intramolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs) to redistribute the charge of OEMs to weaken the interaction with electrolyte components, thereby suppressing their dissolution. For the designed 2,2′,2′′‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzene‐1,3,5‐triyl) tris (1H‐naphtho[2,3‐d]imidazole‐4,9‐dione) (TPNQ) molecule, the intramolecular HBs (O−H⋅⋅⋅N and N−H⋅⋅⋅O) reduce the charge density of active sites and alter the charge distribution on the molecular skeleton. As a result, TPNQ shows significantly reduced solubility in both ether‐ and ester‐based solvents. In situ measurements and theoretical calculations indicate that the O−H⋅⋅⋅N dominated HB interaction strengthening during the discharging process, which can continuously suppress dissolution. Therefore, the TPNQ cathode displays high cycling stability (no capacity fading over 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1; 88.4 % capacity retention over 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1), fast Li+‐storage kinetics (211 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1), and surprising low‐temperature performances (stability cycles 500 times at −60 °C). Our results offer evidence that the intramolecular HBs strategy is promising in developing robust organic electrode materials for rechargeable batteries.
Hydrogen/Electron Amphiphilic Bi‐Functional Water Molecular Inactivator‐Assisted Interface Stabilization in Highly Reversible Zn Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wenwei , Zhu Shaohua , Yang Tong , Wu Lu , Li Jinghao , Liang Jiang , Liu Yu , Cui Lianmeng , Tang Chen , Chen Xinran , Zhou Huiqing , Qiao Fan , Zhou Min , Luo Ping , Chi Fengtong , Liao Xiaobin , Zhang Lei , An Qinyou
Published: December 2024

Continuous hydrogen‐bond‐network in aqueous electrolytes can lead to uncontrollable hydrogen transfer, and combining the interfacial parasitic electron consumption cause the side reaction in aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs). Herein, hydrogen/electron amphiphilic bi‐functional 1,5‐Pentanediol (PD) molecule was introduced to stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interface. Stronger proton affinity of ‐OH in PD can break bulk‐H2O hydrogen‐bond‐network to inhibit the activity of water, and electron affinity can enhance electron acceptation capability, which ensures that PD is preferentially bound to electrode material over H2O. Besides, the participation of PD in the Zn2+ solvation structure reduces water content at the solid–liquid interface and promotes uniform deposition process by optimizing Zn2+ de‐solvation energy. Accordingly, dense and vertical zinc texture based on intrinsic steric hindrance effect of PD and formed SEI protective layer to induce stable Zinc anode‐electrolyte interface. Moreover, an organic–inorganic shielding water layer was formed at the cathode side to suppress vanadium dissolution in vanadium Oxide. Consequently, Zn//Zn symmetric cell could cycle for more than 5600 hours at 1 mAh cm−2@1 mA cm−2 (more than 250 hours at 50 °C). Besides, the VO2 and I2 cathode all achieved stable cycling performance and former pouch cell could reach average capacity of 0.13 Ah.
The Upcycling of Polyester Fabric for High‐Performance HDPE/WPET Composites via Solid‐State Drawing
Authors: Li Liang , Du Xvtong , Yang Shuangqiao
Published: December 2024

Polyester is the most widely used synthetic fiber globally. However, recycled products from waste polyester textiles (WPET) often suffer from poor performance and low value. This paper introduces solid‐state shear milling technology (S3M) to transform WPET into ultrafine fiber powder with a high aspect ratio, followed by solid‐state drawing processing producing to produce high performance HDPE/WPET composites. Compared with the pure high density, the flexural strength of WPET with 15% content increased to 24.94 MPa, while the tensile modulus and flexural modulus increased to 507 and 798 MPa, respectively, and the prestretched sheet with good performance was prepared. At a solid‐state drawing ratio of 6, the composite exhibited an impressive tensile strength of 116.8 MPa, representing a 600% increase compared to unstretched samples. Additionally, the in‐plane thermal conductivity reached 2.89 W/mK, which was 438% higher than unstretched samples. SAXS and 2D‐WAXD analyses demonstrated that high solid‐state drawing enhanced the orientation of WPET fibers and HDPE, forming an oriented structure. This led to composite crystallinity and orientation levels of 63.7% and 93%, respectively. This study has represented a novel approach to producing high‐performance functional products from dye‐containing polyester fabrics without requiring separation or physical recovery processes.
The Joys of Giving Up … Embracing the Motivations and Gratifications of Intentional Value Uncapture in Sustainable Development
Authors: Kabalska Agnieszka , Wagner Ralf
Published: December 2024

This study examines the concept of sustainable value (SV), focusing on SV derived from social interactions within entrepreneurial processes. We introduce the novel concept of value intentionally uncaptured (VIU), exploring its dimensions at both the individual and collective levels. This research employs uses and gratification theory and self‐determination theory to conceptualize motivations for leaving VIU (M‐VIU) and gratifications from leaving VIU (G‐VIU). We challenge traditional notions of value creation and capture, positing that entrepreneurs can generate and capture social and environmental value by intentionally not capturing economic value. This intentional relinquishment evokes the ambiguity inherent in SV, suggesting that motivations and gratifications in VIU are interconnected, dynamic, and fluctuating, not linear. Methodologically, we integrate theory development with empirical evidence, including expert reviews and interviews, to ask whether it is reasonable to leave value uncaptured. Our findings reveal that motivations for and gratifications from VIU are reciprocal and co‐active, challenging the traditional view that positive outcomes are derived solely from proactive actions. This conceptual study both broadens the perspective on value creation and capture and significantly contributes to understanding individual and collective gratifications from intentionally uncapturing value, emphasizing the benefits of not engaging in certain activities.
Deciphering the Interplay Between G‐Quadruplexes and Natural/Synthetic Polyamines
Authors: Gil‐Martínez Ariadna , Galiana‐Roselló Cristina , Lázaro‐Gómez Andrea , Mulet‐Rivero Laura , González‐García Jorge
Published: December 2024

The interplay between polyamines and G‐quadruplexes has been largely overlooked in the literature, even though polyamines are ubiquitous metabolites in living cells and G‐quadruplexes are transient regulatory elements, being both of them key regulators of biological processes. Herein, we compile the investigations connecting G‐quadruplexes and biogenic polyamines to understand the biological interplay between them. Moreover, we overview the main works focused on synthetic ligands containing polyamines designed to target G‐quadruplexes, aiming to unravel the structural motifs for designing potent and selective G4 ligands.
Visible‐Light‐Induced ArC(sp3)−F Bond Activation in Aqueous Media: From DFT Study to Molecular Design
Authors: Zhang Cefei , Li Sitong , Deng Lijun , Yan Jinmeng , Su Zhishan , Yu Zhipeng , Hu Changwei
Published: December 2024

Trifluoromethylarenes (ArCF3) are crucial bioisosteres in medicinal chemistry, but catalyst‐free and controlled photo‐activation of the ArC(sp3)−F bond remains a significant challenge. The photo‐induced defluorination acyl fluoride exchange (photo‐DAFEx) of m‐trifluoromethylaniline, induced by ultraviolet light, emerges as a promising novel photo‐click reaction for photoaffinity drug discovery. However, the photophysical properties of NMe2PhF2C(sp3)−F derivatives and factors affecting ArC(sp3)−F bond activation in photo‐DAFEx are not yet fully understood, hindering the development of new photo‐defluorination reagents with longer absorption wavelength for the photo‐DAFEx. Herein, the photophysical properties, the related mechanism and their affecting factors of a series of ArCF3 compounds are systematically studied using (TD)DFT methods. The skeleton of aromatic core is found to be intimately related to the absorption wavelength needed for ArC(sp3)−F bond activation. A photo‐induced intramolecular single‐electron activation model was proposed to rationalize the photo‐activation of the ArC(sp3)−F bond. The transfer of excited electron to C(sp3)−F antibonding orbital determined the activation. Based on the above knowledge, three novel ArCF3 reagents with extended excitation wavelength were designed and predicted, and the absorption spectra and photo‐defluorination reactivity of two of them with visible absorption wavelength were validated experimentally, which provided a theoretical guidance for designing next‐generation photo‐DAFEx.
Top advances of the year: Breast cancer
Authors: Farley Clara R. , Sakach Elizabeth , Ridge Natalie , Sacks Ruth , Kalinsky Kevin
Published: December 2024

In this review, top updates over the past year in caring for patients with breast cancer are discussed. These include both local management as well as systemic therapy.
Synthesis, Characterization, and CO2 Methanation Over Hierarchical ZSM‐5‐NiCoAl Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocomposites: Improvement of C−C Coupling to Ethane
Authors: Prasanseang Warot , Maineawklang Narasiri , Liwatthananukul Natthawoot , Somsri Supattra , Wattanakit Chularat
Published: December 2024

To date, preparing materials with highly dispersed metal nanoparticles without metal agglomeration on a solid support is challenging. This work presents an alternative approach for synthesizing NiCo species on hierarchical ZSM‐5 materials derived from a ZSM‐5@NiCoAl‐LDHs composite. The designed material was prepared by the growth of a NiCo‐layered double hydroxides (LDHs) precursor on the surface of hierarchical ZSM‐5 nanosheets. The effect of the weight ratio of NiCo‐LDHs precursor to ZSM‐5 on the composite properties has been studied. The results show that 45 wt.% LDHs (ZSM‐5@NiCoAl‐LDHs‐45) is the most suitable condition for preparing NiCoAl‐LDHs/ZSM‐5 composite, which promotes a strong interaction between bimetallic NiCo and hierarchical ZSM‐5. The ZSM‐5@NiCoAl‐LDHs‐45 showed a BET surface of 386 m2 g−1, in which the surface area has been re‐allocated between microspores and mesopores due to the presence of NiCoAl‐LDHs composite. The catalyst was also tested for CO2 methanation at 380 °C under atmospheric hydrogen pressure. The results show that the catalyst could provide CO2 conversion of up to 40 % at WSHV of 2.91 h−1. Interestingly, it could not only promote methane but also provide a high selectivity of ethane, approximately 20.4 %. Moreover, the excellent catalytic stability of ethane production was illustrated over 24 hours of time‐on‐stream (TOS).
Chemically Crosslinked Alginate Hydrogel with Polyaziridine: Effects on Physicochemical Properties and Promising Applications
Authors: Lee Chaehoon , Fiocco Giacomo , Vigani Barbara , Recca Teresa , Milanese Chiara , Delledonne Chiara , Licchelli Maurizio , Rossi Silvia , Chung Yongjae , Volpi Francesca , Weththimuni Maduka L. , Malagodi Marco
Published: December 2024

Alginate biopolymer is widely employed in many industrial fields thanks to its pleasing features of biodegradability, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and relatively low cost. The gelling process of alginate with divalent cations is fairly simple and thus it is used as a versatile biomaterial to tailor the desired mechanical and moisture properties. This study focused on developing new gel formulations to enhance the properties of calcium‐alginate hydrogel (CA). The newly synthesized hydrogels, referred to as CA‐CHEM gels, were chemically cross‐linked with different ratios of pentaerythritol tris[3‐(1‐aziridinyl)propionate] (PTAP) through the reaction between the carboxylic groups of alginate and aziridines of PTAP. The reaction was successfully monitored by NMR. The new CA‐CHEM gels were chemically characterized using FTIR‐ATR, while SEM analysis confirmed the changes in the porosity and homogeneity of the network. Additionally, thermogravimetric analyses and mechanical properties showed improvement in degradation stability and in structural strength, compared to plain CA, with an increasing PTAP content up to 1 % w/w. Finally, the new CA‐CHEM gels effectively controlled water absorption and release. In particular, CA‐CHEM‐1 performed as the most controlled system, making it promising for delivering aqueous cleaning solutions on water‐sensitive surfaces such as a wooden historical musical instrument.
Charge State Tuning and Photochemical Stability of Au25(SR)18 Nanoclusters
Authors: de Jong Johanna A. , Workentin Mark S. , Hesari Mahdi
Published: December 2024

The photolysis of the gold nanoclusters Au25(SR)18z (R=C2H4Ph and C12H25, z=1−, 0 and 1+) NCs in halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane leads to changes in the charged states of the Au25(SR)18z observed using UV‐Visible and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry results proved that during charge transformation from anion to neutral and eventually cation forms, the size of nanoclusters remains intact. Electrochemistry of Au25(SR)18 has enabled the monitoring of these changes by cyclic voltammetry, indicating decay in the redox peak current upon irradiation. In the absence of light and/or in a non‐halogenated solvent, e. g., tetrahydrofuran, no substantial change in the photophysical signatures of Au25 nanoclusters was observed. These observations highlight the importance of selecting appropriate solvent(s) in the synthesis and photochemical studies of atomically precise metal nanoclusters and the possibility of using photochemistry in halogenated solvents to synthesize different charge states of atomically precise metal nanoclusters. Thus, other monodispersed molecule‐like nanoclusters, with various sizes and charges, can be achieved via this photosynthetic protocol under controlled conditions, e. g., solvent, light, and photolysis duration.
The Updated Genome of the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, a Model Species for Evolutionary and Genetic Studies of Parental Care
Authors: Cunningham Christopher B. , Benowitz Kyle M. , Moore Allen J.
Published: December 2024

Understanding the evolution of social behavior requires establishing links between genomes and social phenotypes. High quality genomic resources from a diverse set of social species are required for both broad scale comparative genomic analyses and targeted functional genomic experiments and are therefore crucial for this goal. Here, we report on an updated genome for the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, an evolutionary and genomic model species for social behavior and parental care. The new assembly used PacBio sequencing reads and long read assemblers. This version of the genome greatly improves the continuity of the assembly and added new annotations, particularly lncRNA's. These updates will allow this resource to continue to be useful for newer functional genomic techniques. This improved assembly will also keep N. vespilloides a valuable comparative genomic resource. Updating genomic resources will continue to allow the field to make discoveries about the evolution of complex phenotypes, such as parental care.
Outbreak conditions and impacts of parasites in copepod populations
Authors: Garvang Even Sletteng , Eliassen Lasse Krøger , Titelman Josefin , Andersen Tom
Published: December 2024

Although parasitism is vital for ecosystem dynamics and food webs, the population effects of parasitism in the marine pelagic have received little attention. Pelagic copepods link primary producers and higher consumers in marine food webs and host numerous parasites that may affect reproduction, behavior, and survival. We present a simple model consisting of uninfected hosts, infected hosts, and the free‐living parasite stage and use it to investigate population dynamics and outbreak conditions of this host–parasite system. The host population growth is limited by a carrying capacity determined by resource availability and stoichiometric constraints. We parameterized the model for 10 copepod species with different traits but with the same Blastodinium‐like parasite. We derived a threshold ratio for establishing infection, which showed that the parasite could invade and persist in all hosts. The ability of parasites to invade host populations largely depended on traits of free‐living spores and host density. From numerical analysis, we found that the parasite typically induced oscillations in the host population. Host traits were important for infection dynamics: High host growth rates mitigated some of the consequences of infection, and larger copepods were more susceptible to infection than smaller ones. The model implies that parasitism can impact the functional role of the copepod population in the ecosystem, and the system as a whole.
Harnessing fear of predators and competitors as deterrents for an invasive predator
Authors: Yiu Sze Wing , Suraci Justin P. , Norbury Grant , Garvey Patrick M.
Published: December 2024

Manipulation of animal behavior is a powerful tool for nonlethal wildlife management where lethal control is not possible. Animal behavior is driven by motivations to acquire food and mates and to avoid predation, and animals utilize their sensory systems to obtain information and assess perceived risks. It is therefore possible to achieve management objectives by exploiting animal motivation and risk assessment by using sensory cues to trigger behavioral responses. Domestic cats (Felis catus) are invasive predators contributing to global biodiversity loss, but cat management is controversial because cats are valued as companion animals. To develop a nonlethal approach to reduce cat impacts on native biodiversity, we conducted playback experiments and manipulated risks perceived by cats using auditory cues from a predator (humans) and competitors (domestic dog Canis familiaris and cats). We tested the effectiveness of sound cues to induce fear behaviors and deter cats from food patches in captive and urban environments. Human playbacks protected the greatest proportion of food patches, were more likely to reduce time spent feeding, and induced fleeing responses and spatial avoidance to a greater degree than competitor or control treatments. Human playbacks had a similar impact on both captive and free‐roaming urban cats. Cat and dog playbacks were effective in protecting food patches but induced fewer fear responses. Habitat complexity reduced the level of perceived risk and cat responses. Our study demonstrated the efficacy of using audio playbacks as deterrents for cats, and we are currently integrating playbacks into a management tool to repel cats from areas where they are not wanted but lethal control is not feasible.
Progress of Arbutin from Dietary Supplement to Advanced Medicine
Authors: Mishra Pooja , Ahsan Farogh , Mahmood Tarique , Bano Shahzadi , Shamim Arshiya , Ansari Vaseem Ahamad , Yadav Jyoti
Published: December 2024

Arbutin, a naturally occurring hydroquinone, has gained attention for its diverse pharmacological properties. Traditional uses include blood sugar regulation and wound healing, while modern applications focus on its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Its synthesis involves complex biochemical pathways, contributing to its unique characteristics. Pharmacokinetic studies have shed light on its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, crucial for understanding its efficacy. Toxicity concerns underscore the need for further research into its safety. Additionally, novel dosage forms of arbutin are explored, presenting innovative strategies to enhance its delivery and efficacy in therapeutic applications. Arbutin's pharmacological activities span antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and glucose metabolism regulation thus modulating various molecular pathways and targets, such as glucose transporter‐4, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor, and adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, offering promising therapeutic avenues in medicine. This review covers arbutin comprehensively, encompassing its sources, chemical properties, synthesis methods, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activities, food supplements, toxicity profiles, and novel dosage forms. By addressing these aspects, the review lays the groundwork for future research and development in natural therapeutics.
Bridging HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis and in vitro biological activity assay through molecular docking and network pharmacology: The example of European nettle tree (Celtis australis L.)
Authors: Cetiz Mehmet Veysi , Yagi Sakina , Kurt Umran , Koyuncu Ismail , Yuksekdag Ozgur , Caprioli Giovanni , Acquaticci Laura , Angeloni Simone , Senkardes Ismail , Zengin Gokhan
Published: December 2024

Celtis australis L. (Family: Cannabaceae) is commonly used to treat many diseases like gastrointestinal problems, menstrual bleeding and amenorrhea. The present study was designed to investigate the chemical constituents, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and cytotoxic properties of different extracts from twigs, fruits and leaves of C. australis. EtOAc, EtOH, 70% EtOH and aqueous extracts were prepared by maceration. Results showed that the EtOH extract of the leaves had the highest total phenolic content and possessed remarkable antiradical, ion reducing and total antioxidant activities. Additionally, the leaves (EtOH or EtOAc extracts) exerted the best enzyme inhibition properties. The polar extracts of the leaves had significant cytotoxic effect against the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT‐29) and human prostate cancer (DU‐145) cell lines while the EtOAc of the twigs was effective against the former cell line. Phytochemically, the twigs and fruits accumulated high content of vanillic acid, 4‐hydroxy benzoic acid and syringic acid. Through a combination of in vitro and in silico approaches, we identified key phytochemicals exhibited significant inhibitory effects on several cancer‐related proteins, through in vitro and in silico approaches that show significant inhibition of cancer‐related proteins. In conclusion, these findings indicated that C. australis could be a promising source of bioactive molecules for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
β‐halovinyl Aldehydes: Multifaceted Versatile Building Blocks In Organic Synthesis
Authors: Saini Paras , Jyoti  , Sharma Pawan K. , Singh Virender
Published: December 2024

β‐halovinyl aldehydes serve as a valuable building blocks in organic synthesis. These aldo‐x bifunctional building blocks (AXB3s) contain a alkenic double bond (vinyl) as well as a formyl group along with a halogen atom (Cl, Br, I) bonded with the β‐carbon atom of vinyl aldehyde. Owing to the presence of these multiple reactive sites, β‐halovinyl aldehydes act as a suitable precursor for Michael addition, direct addition, addition‐elimination reactions, cross‐coupling reactions, condensation reactions, nucleophilic substitution reactions, domino reactions, MCRs, Diels‐Alder reaction, functional group transformation reactions and enantioselective transformations. Therefore, a comprehensive review on synthetic exploration of β‐halovinyl aldehydes has been carried out for the generation of reactive intermediates and diverse bioactive heterocycles by using various C−C, C−N, C−S and C−O bond forming reactions. In this review, we have assembled the literature from mid‐2007 to Jan 2024.
From Soil to Salad: Strategies for Reducing Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
Authors: Bimal Sheth Ukti , Haque Md Ariful , Jang Min Ji , Haruna Samuel , Johnston Tony V. , Choe Deokyeong , Gao Ying , Ku Seockmo
Published: December 2024

This study addresses the global issue of foodborne illness, specifically focusing on those resulting from the consumption of leafy green vegetables. It explores the rising trend of consuming minimally processed or raw foods and the imperative of maintaining safety standards starting at the preharvest stage to prevent pathogenic bacterial contamination. The study identifies soil and irrigation water as key sources of pathogens and emphasizes the need for strict preventive measures during production and preharvest. It discusses the challenges of postharvest decontamination and highlights the importance of early‐stage prevention strategies. The paper also examines advanced pathogen detection methods and food safety practices recommended by USDA and FSMA's PSR, including HACCP and LGMA strategies. Aimed at providing insights for consumers and producers, the study underscores the necessity of effective manufacturing strategies to ensure the safety of leafy greens.
An Optimized Bidirectional Long Short‐Term Memory Model Based on Hyperspectral Analysis of Protein Content in Milk Powder
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Xue Heru , Jiang Xinhua , Liu Jiangping
Published: December 2024

Protein content is an important index in the assessment of dairy nutrition. As a crucial source of protein absorption in people's daily life, the quality of milk powder products not only has a deep impact on the development of the dairy industry, but also seriously damages the health of consumers. It is of great significance to find a faster and more accurate method for detecting milk protein content. This paper utilizes the chemical content of milk powder and hyperspectral data as independent variables. By comparing 14 kinds of preprocessing algorithms, the mean‐centered (MC) method is selected to preprocess the data, and then the combined method of competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE) is used to screen the feature wavelength, so as to establish the model and learn the internal dynamic change law of the feature. Furthermore, the Attention mechanism was introduced to assign different weights to bidirectional long short‐term memory (BiLSTM) hidden states through mapping weighting and learning parameter matrix. To reduce the loss of information and strengthen the influence of important information, at the same time, in order to solve the difficult problem of hyperparameter selection of the model, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is proposed to optimize the hyperparameter selection of the model. The test results showed that with WOA‐BiLSTM‐Attention model algorithm, the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9975 and root mean square error (RMSEP) of 0.0337 in comparison with R2 and RMSEP values obtained from BiLSTM‐Attention model algorithm, which were higher by 0.799% lower by 56.5%, respectively. This study provides algorithm support and theoretical basis for fast non‐destructive testing based on deep learning algorithm to predict protein content in milk powder.
Pharmacokinetics of Geraniol and Its Metabolites in Mice After Oral Administration
Authors: Moriki Yoshiaki , Mitsugi Ryo , Kayou Tomoyoshi , Horikoshi Jumpei , Yamaguchi Yoshimasa , Shibuya Shuichi , Shimizu Takahiko
Published: December 2024

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol that is extracted from the essential oils of aromatic plants. Geraniol has several biological activities such as anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. However, the pharmacokinetics of geraniol and its metabolites after oral administration remain unknown in mice. To investigate the pharmacokinetics, the blood concentrations were measured in C57BL/6J mice by LC‐MS/MS after oral administration of geraniol at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The Cmax for blood levels of geraniol was only 0.05 ± 0.01 μg/mL at 1 h after administration. In contrast, geranic acid, one of the geraniol metabolites, rapidly reached a peak level that was markedly higher than that of geraniol. Furthermore, the glucuronide conjugate of geraniol was detected at a higher level than geraniol. These results indicate that geraniol is rapidly converted to geranic acid or glucuronide conjugate after oral administration. Moreover, geraniol was detected in the liver and the brain, whereas 8‐hydroxygeraniol was not detected in any tissues. In contrast, geranic acid was detected in several tissues in the order of kidney > liver = lung > brain. Therefore, the metabolites of geraniol are present in the blood and tissues of mice treated with geraniol, and various pharmacological effects of geraniol may be caused by its metabolites.
The Potential of the Probiotic Isolate Lactobacillus plantarum SS18‐50 to Prevent Colitis in Mice
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhang Tiehua , Qiu Luxin , Zhao Changhui
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) SS18‐50 (an isolate with favorable probiotic properties following space traveling) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice. Male ICR mice were randomly assigned to one of six groups: a control group, a model group, and four intervention groups comprising the isolate (SS18‐50‐L and SS18‐50‐H) and the wild type (GS18‐L and GS18‐H) strains. The model group and the intervention groups were administered a 3.5% DSS (w/v) solution to induce acute enteritis. The four intervention groups were administered the corresponding bacterial suspensions, SS18‐50‐L (1.0 × 107 CFU/mL), SS18‐50‐H (1.0 × 109 CFU/mL), GS18‐L (1.0 × 107 CFU/mL), and GS18‐H (1.0 × 109 CFU/mL). The results demonstrated that the disease activity index (DAI) score of the SS18‐50‐H was markedly lower than that of the CON. Subsequently, the colon tissue of mice was analyzed to determine the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results demonstrated that all strains within the intervention groups exhibited good performance to prevent colitis. Particularly, the SS18‐50‐H strain exhibited a pronounced stimulative effect on GSH, an increase in SOD activity, and a decrease in MPO activity and MDA content. The SS18‐50‐H treatment resulted in a notable elevation in serum somatostatin (SS) levels and a concomitant reduction in endothelin (ET) and substance P (SP) levels, which approached normal ranges. The results of the RT‐qPCR analysis demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), cyclooxygenase (COX‐2), interleukin (IL‐10), and interleukin (IL‐6) in the SS18‐50‐H were significantly reduced to levels comparable to those observed in the CON. In conclusion, L. plantarum SS18‐50 has been demonstrated to inhibit the development of colitis in a dose‐dependent manner, thereby establishing it as a high‐quality lactic acid bacterium with a colitis inhibitory effect.
Evaluation of the Food Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan‐Starch Composite Films
Authors: Madivoli E. S. , Kisato J. , Kimani P. K. , Kamau K
Published: December 2024

Single use plastics are a leading source of microplastics that have been detected along the food chain. This study evaluated the potential of starch (ST) and carrageenan (CRG) in packaging film formulation. CRG isolated from the seaweed (SW) Eucheuma denticulatam was blended with starch and cast to obtain films whose moisture content (MC), total soluble matter (TSM), degree of solubility (DS), water vapor permeability (WVP), opacity (O), contact angles (CA), moisture absorption (MA), and percent elongation (PE) were evaluated. The films’ morphology, crystallinity, opacity, thermal profile, and functional groups were then studied by scanning electron microscopy, powder diffraction, UV–Vis, thermal gravimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. From the results obtained, the SWF films exhibited a higher MC, DS, and TSM than CRG and CRG‐ST films but lower DC values. The PE of CRG films was lower than that of SWF (30%) though incorporation of ST increased the PE of CRG‐ST. However, SWF films had WVP of 2.25 × 10−7 gs−1m−1Pa−1, compared to 3.65 × 10−7 gs−1m−1Pa−1 of CRG, 2.73 × 10−7 gs−1m−1Pa−1 of CRG‐ST and a moisture absorption of 29.29 ± 3.5 as compared to 17.29 ± 0.87 of CRG and 23.80% ± 4.12% of CRG‐ST. The opacities were found to be 41.02, 79.89, and 42.23 for SWF, CRG, CRG‐ST while the contact angles were found to be 72.86, 80.93, 65.57 for SWF, CRG, and CRG‐ST, respectively. Moreover, the films were impermeable to vegetable oil, had carbohydrate functional groups, good thermal stabilities, and trace micronutrients. In conclusion, this study formulated packaging films with enhanced food barrier and mechanical properties that can potentially replace single use packaging films.