bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the Limits and Effects of High-Rate Cycling on Lithium Iron Phosphate Cylindrical Cells
Authors: Holloway Justin , Maddar Faduma , Lain Michael , Loveridge Melanie , Copley Mark , Kendrick Emma , Greenwood David
Published: November 2020

The impacts on battery cell ageing from high current operation are investigated using commercial cells. This study utilised two tests–(i) to establish the maximum current limits before cell failure and (ii) applying this maximum current until cell failure. Testing was performed to determine how far cycling parameters could progress beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations. Current fluxes were increased up to 100 C cycling conditions without the cell undergoing catastrophic failure. Charge and discharge current capabilities were possible at magnitudes of 1.38 and 4.4 times, respectively, more than that specified by the manufacturer’s claims. The increased current was used for longer term cycling tests to 500 cycles and the resulting capacity loss and resistance increase was dominated by thermal fatigue of the electrodes. This work shows that there is a discrepancy between manufacturer-stated current limits and actual current limits of the cell, before the cell undergoes catastrophic failure. This presumably is based on manufacturer-defined performance and lifetime criteria, as well as prioritised safety factors. For certain applications, e.g., where high performance is needed, this gap may not be suitable; this paper shows how this gap could be narrowed for these applications using the testing described herein.
Acid Resistance of Glass Ionomer Cement Restorative Materials
Authors: Perera Dinuki , Yu Sean C. H. , Zeng Henry , Meyers Ian A. , Walsh Laurence J.
Published: November 2020

In view of the need for aesthetics, restorations of teeth will typically be completed using tooth colored restorative materials. With the advent of biomimetic restorative materials, such as glass ionomer cements (GIC), much greater emphasis is now being placed on how well such materials can resist the challenge of acids that are present in foods and drinks, or gastric contents that are regurgitated. This laboratory study compared the dissolution and behavior of five GIC materials (GC Fuji® VII, GC Fuji® Bulk, GC Fuji® IX Fast, Fuji® IX Extra and GC Equia® Forte Fil) when exposed to three acids (citric acid, phosphoric acid and lactic acid), versus ultrapure deionized water, which was used as a control. Discs of each material GIC were submerged in solutions and percentage weight changes over time determined. Subsequently, the GIC materials were also placed as a part of standardized Class II sandwich restorations in bovine teeth (n = 20), and submerged in the solutions, and the extent of GIC dissolution and protection of the adjacent tooth was scored. Weight loss increased with time and with acid concentration. Overall, the most soluble material was GC Fuji® IX Extra, while GC Fuji® IX Fast and GC Fuji® Bulk were less soluble, and the least soluble material was GC Equia® Forte Fil. The most destructive solution for both the discs and for GIC restorations in teeth was 10% citric acid, while the least destructive acid was 0.1% lactic acid. The more recent GIC materials GC Fuji® Bulk and GC Equia® Forte Fil showed increased acid resistance over the older GIC materials, and this further justifies their use in open sandwich Class II restorations in more hostile environments.
First De Novo Transcriptome of the Copepod Rhincalanus gigas from Antarctic Waters
Authors: Lauritano Chiara , Roncalli Vittoria , Ambrosino Luca , Cieslak Matthew , Ianora Adrianna
Published: November 2020

Antarctic waters are the largest almost untapped diversified resource of our planet. Molecular resources for Antarctic organisms are very limited and mostly represented by sequences used for species genotyping. In this study, we present the first transcriptome for the copepod Rhincalanus gigas, one of the predominant zooplankton species of Antarctic waters. This transcriptome represents also the first molecular resource for an eucalanoid copepod. The transcriptome is of high quality and completeness. The presence of three predicted genes encoding antifreeze proteins and gene duplication within the glutathione metabolism pathway are suggested as possible adaptations to cope with this harsh environment. The R. gigas transcriptome represents a powerful new resource for investigating the molecular basis associated with polar biological processes and ecology.
A Synthetic CPP33-Conjugated HOXA9 Active Domain Peptide Inhibits Invasion Ability of Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Yu Seong-Lan , Koo Han , Lee Se-In , Kang JaeKu , Han Young-Hyun , Yeom Young Il , Lee Dong Chul
Published: November 2020

Homeobox A9 (HOXA9) expression is associated with the aggressive growth of cancer cells and poor prognosis in lung cancer. Previously, we showed that HOXA9 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we have carried out additional studies toward the development of a peptide-based therapeutic agent. Vectors expressing partial DNA fragments of HOXA9 were used to identify a unique domain involved in the inhibition of NSCLC cell invasion. Next, we performed in vitro invasion assays and examined the expression of EMT-related genes in transfected NSCLC cells. The C-terminal fragment (HOXA9-C) of HOXA9 inhibited cell invasion and led to upregulation of CDH1 and downregulation of SNAI2 in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. Reduced SNAI2 expression was consistent with the decreased binding of transcription factor NF-kB to the SNAI2 promoter region in HOXA9-C overexpressing cells. Based on the above results, we synthesized a cell-permeable peptide, CPP33-HADP (HOXA9 active domain peptide), for lung-specific delivery and tested its therapeutic efficiency. CPP33-HADP effectively reduced the invasion ability of NSCLC cells in both in vitro and in vivo mouse models. Our results suggest that CPP33-HADP has significant potential for therapeutic applications in metastatic NSCLC.
Aptamers for Proteins Associated with Rheumatic Diseases: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Shatunova Elizaveta A. , Korolev Maksim A. , Omelchenko Vitaly O. , Kurochkina Yuliya D. , Davydova Anna S. , Venyaminova Alya G. , Vorobyeva Mariya A.
Published: November 2020

Nucleic acid aptamers capable of affine and specific binding to their molecular targets have now established themselves as a very promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Although the main focus in aptamers’ research and development for biomedicine is made on cardiovascular, infectious, and malignant diseases, the use of aptamers as therapeutic or diagnostic tools in the context of rheumatic diseases is no less important. In this review, we consider the main features of aptamers that make them valuable molecular tools for rheumatologists, and summarize the studies on the selection and application of aptamers for protein biomarkers associated with rheumatic diseases. We discuss the progress in the development of aptamer-based diagnostic assays and targeted therapeutics for rheumatic disorders, future prospects in the field, and issues that have yet to be addressed.
The Future of Biobanking: What Is Next?
Authors: Caenazzo Luciana , Tozzo Pamela
Published: November 2020

Biobanks are an extraordinary tool for research and scientific progress. Since their origin, the debate on the main technical, regulatory and ethical aspects has not stopped. The future of biobanks should take into account many factors: the need to improve the technical standards of collection, conservation and use of the sample, the usefulness of achieving forms of harmonization and common governance, the improvement of biobank networks, including through public–private partnerships and improving the sustainability of these infrastructures.
Spontaneous Ultrasonic Vocalization Transmission in Adult, Male Long–Evans Rats Is Age-Dependent and Sensitive to EtOH Modulation
Authors: Mittal Nitish , Maddox W. Todd , Schallert Timothy , Duvauchelle Christine L.
Published: November 2020

Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are well-established markers of motivational and emotional status. Recent work from our lab has provided novel evidence for a role of USVs in models of ethanol (EtOH) use. For instance, USV acoustic characteristics can be used to accurately discriminate between rats selectively bred for high EtOH intake (e.g., alcohol-preferring (P) and high-alcohol-drinking (HAD)) versus EtOH-avoiding (e.g., alcohol-non-preferring (NP) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD)) strains, as well as differentiate between male and female rats. In the present study we sought to explore the effect of age and alcohol availability on spontaneously emitted 50–55 kHz frequency modulated (FM) and 22–28 kHz USVs in adult, male Long–Evans rats. With the hypothesis that age and alcohol experience influence spontaneous USV emissions, we examined USV data collected across a 24-week intermittent EtOH access experiment in male Long–Evans rats. USV counts and acoustic characteristic (i.e., mean frequency, duration, bandwidth and power) data revealed distinct age-dependent phenotypes in both 50–55 kHz FM and 22–28 kHz USV transmission patterns that were modulated by EtOH exposure. These results highlight the influence of age and EtOH experience on the unique emotional phenotypes of male Long–Evans rats.
The Effect of Syntactic Impairment on Errors in Reading Aloud: Text Reading and Comprehension of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Authors: Szterman Ronit , Friedmann Naama
Published: November 2020

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children show difficulties in reading aloud and comprehension of texts. Here, we examined the hypothesis that these reading difficulties are tightly related to the syntactic deficit displayed by DHH children. We first assessed the syntactic abilities of 32 DHH children communicating in spoken language (Hebrew) aged 9;1–12;2. We classified them into two groups of DHH children—with and without a syntactic deficit according to their performance in six syntactic tests assessing their comprehension and production of sentences with syntactic movement. We also assessed their reading at the single word level using a reading aloud test of words, nonwords, and word pairs, designed to detect the various types of dyslexia, and established, for each participant, whether they had dyslexia and of what type. Following this procedure, 14 of the children were identified with a syntactic deficit, and 15 with typical syntax (3 marginally impaired); 22 of the children had typical reading at the word level, and 4 had dyslexia (3 demonstrated sublexical reading). The main experiment examined reading aloud and comprehension of 6 texts with syntactic movement (which contained, e.g., relative clauses and topicalized sentences), in comparison to 6 parallel texts without movement. The results indicated a close connection between syntactic difficulties and errors in reading aloud and in comprehension of texts. The DHH children with syntactic deficit made significantly more errors in reading aloud and more comprehension errors than the DHH children with intact syntax (and than the hearing controls), even though most of them did not have dyslexia at the word level. The DHH children with syntactic deficit made significantly more reading errors when they read texts with syntactic movement than on matched texts without movement. These results indicate that difficulties in text reading, manifesting both in errors in reading aloud and in impaired comprehension, may stem from a syntactic deficit and may occur even when reading at the word level is completely intact.
Therapeutic Potential of PARP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jang Albert , Sartor Oliver , Barata Pedro C. , Paller Channing J.
Published: November 2020

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an incurable malignancy with a poor prognosis. Up to 30% of patients with mCRPC have mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors take advantage of HRR deficiency to kill tumor cells based on the concept of synthetic lethality. Several PARP inhibitors (PARPis) have been successful in various malignancies with HRR gene mutations including BRCA1/2, especially in breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More recently, olaparib and rucaparib were approved for mCRPC refractory to novel hormonal therapies, and other PARPis will likely follow. This article highlights the mechanism of action of PARPis at the cellular level, the preclinical data regarding a proposed mechanism of action and the effectiveness of PARPis in cancer cell lines and animal models. The article expands on the clinical development of PARPis in mCRPC, discusses potential biomarkers that may predict successful tumor control, and summarizes present and future clinical research on PARPis in the metastatic disease landscape.
Tumor BRCA Testing in High Grade Serous Carcinoma: Mutation Rates and Optimal Tissue Requirements
Authors: Turashvili Gulisa , Lazaro Conxi , Ying Shengjie , Charames George , Wong Andrew , Hamilton Krista , Yee Denise , Agro Evangeline , Chang Martin , Pollett Aaron , Lerner-Ellis Jordan
Published: November 2020

Background: Approximately 25% of women diagnosed with tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma have germline deleterious mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2, characteristic of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, while somatic mutations have been detected in 3–7%. We set out to determine the BRCA mutation rates and optimal tissue requirements for tumor BRCA testing in patients diagnosed with tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma. Methods: Sequencing was performed using a multiplexed polymerase chain reaction-based approach on 291 tissue samples, with a minimum sequencing depth of 500X and an allele frequency of >5%. Results: There were 253 surgical samples (87%), 35 biopsies (12%) and 3 cytology cell blocks (1%). The initial failure rate was 9% (25/291), including 9 cases (3%) with insufficient tumor, and 16 (6%) with non-amplifiable DNA. Sequencing was successful in 78% (228/291) and deemed indeterminate due to failed exons or variants below the limit of detection in 13% (38/291). Repeat testing was successful in 67% (28/42) of retested samples, with an overall success rate of 86% (251/291). Clinically significant (pathogenic, likely pathogenic) variants were identified in 17% (48/276) of complete and indeterminate cases. Successful sequencing was dependent on sample type, tumor cellularity and size (p ≤ 0.001) but not on neoadjuvant chemotherapy or age of blocks (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows a 17% tumor BRCA mutation rate, with an overall success rate of 86%. Biopsy and cytology samples and post-chemotherapy specimens can be used for tumor BRCA testing, and optimal tumors measure ≥5 mm in size with at least 20% cellularity.
Lipid Regulatory Proteins as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Ovarian Cancer in Obese Women
Authors: Yang Jing , Stack M. Sharon
Published: November 2020

Obesity has become a recognized global epidemic that is associated with numerous comorbidities including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer incidence and progression. Ovarian cancer (OvCa) has a unique mechanism of intra-peritoneal metastasis, already present in 80% of women at the time of diagnosis, making it the fifth leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy. Meta-analyses showed that obesity increases the risk of OvCa progression, leads to enhanced overall and organ-specific tumor burden, and adversely effects survival of women with OvCa. Recent data discovered that tumors grown in mice fed on a western diet (40% fat) have elevated lipid levels and a highly increased expression level of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1). SREBP1 is a master transcription factor that regulates de novo lipogenesis and lipid homeostasis, and induces lipogenic reprogramming of tumor cells. Elevated SREBP1 levels are linked to cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. This review will summarize recent findings to provide a current understanding of lipid regulatory proteins in the ovarian tumor microenvironment with emphasis on SREBP1 expression in the obese host, the role of SREBP1 in cancer progression and metastasis, and potential therapeutic targeting of SREBPs and SREBP-pathway genes in treating cancers, particularly in the context of host obesity.
DNA Methylation of FKBP5 as Predictor of Overall Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Cugliari Giovanni , Catalano Chiara , Guarrera Simonetta , Allione Alessandra , Casalone Elisabetta , Russo Alessia , Grosso Federica , Ferrante Daniela , Viberti Clara , Aspesi Anna , Sculco Marika , Pirazzini Chiara , Libener Roberta , Mirabelli Dario , Magnani Corrado , Dianzani Irma , Matullo Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor with median survival of 12 months and limited effective treatments. The scope of this study was to study the relationship between blood DNA methylation (DNAm) and overall survival (OS) aiming at a noninvasive prognostic test. We investigated a cohort of 159 incident asbestos exposed MPM cases enrolled in an Italian area with high incidence of mesothelioma. Considering 12 months as a cut-off for OS, epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) revealed statistically significant (p value = 7.7 × 10−9) OS-related differential methylation of a single-CpG (cg03546163), located in the 5′UTR region of the FKBP5 gene. This is an independent marker of prognosis in MPM patients with a better performance than traditional inflammation-based scores such as lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Cases with DNAm < 0.45 at the cg03546163 had significantly poor survival compared with those showing DNAm ≥ 0.45 (mean: 243 versus 534 days; p value< 0.001). Epigenetic changes at the FKBP5 gene were robustly associated with OS in MPM cases. Our results showed that blood DNA methylation levels could be promising and dynamic prognostic biomarkers in MPM.
Construction of a Novel Multigene Panel Potently Predicting Poor Prognosis in Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Xiaozeng , Kapoor Anil , Gu Yan , Chow Mathilda Jing , Peng Jingyi , Major Pierre , Tang Damu
Published: November 2020

We observed associations of IQGAP1 downregulation with poor overall survival (OS) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs, n = 611) were derived from ccRCCs with (n = 111) and without IQGAP1 (n = 397) reduction using the TCGA PanCancer Atlas ccRCC dataset. These DEGs exhibit downregulations of immune response and upregulations of DNA damage repair pathways. Through randomization of the TCGA dataset into a training and testing subpopulation, a 9-gene panel (SigIQGAP1NW) was derived; it predicts poor OS in training, testing, and the full population at a hazard ratio (HR) 2.718, p < 2 × 10−16, p = 1.08 × 10−5, and p < 2 × 10−16, respectively. SigIQGAP1NW independently associates with poor OS (HR 1.80, p = 2.85 × 10−6) after adjusting for a set of clinical features, and it discriminates ccRCC mortality at time-dependent AUC values of 70% at 13.8 months, 69%/31M, 69%/49M, and 75.3%/71M. All nine component genes of SigIQGAP1NW are novel to ccRCC. The inclusion of RECQL4 (a DNA helicase) in SigIQGAP1NW agrees with IQGAP1 DEGs enhancing DNA repair. THSD7A affects kidney function; its presence in SigIQGAP1NW is consistent with our observed THSD7A downregulation in ccRCC (n = 523) compared to non-tumor kidney tissues (n = 100). Collectively, we report a novel multigene panel that robustly predicts poor OS in ccRCC.
Association of Mutation Profiles with Postoperative Survival in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Goto Taichiro , Kunimasa Kei , Hirotsu Yosuke , Nakagomi Takahiro , Yokoyama Yujiro , Higuchi Rumi , Otake Sotaro , Oyama Toshio , Amemiya Kenji , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Omata Masao
Published: November 2020

Findings on mutations, associated with lung cancer, have led to advancements in mutation-based precision medicine. This study aimed to comprehensively and synthetically analyze mutations in lung cancer, based on the next generation sequencing data of surgically removed lung tumors, and identify the mutation-related factors that can affect clinical outcomes. Targeted sequencing was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens obtained from 172 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery in our hospital. The clinical and genomic databases of the hospital were combined to determine correlations between clinical factors and mutation profiles in lung cancer. Multivariate analyses of mutation-related factors that may affect the prognosis were also performed. Based on histology, TP53 was the driver gene in 70.0% of the cases of squamous cell carcinoma. In adenocarcinoma cases, driver mutations were detected in TP53 (26.0%), KRAS (25.0%), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (23.1%). According to multivariate analysis, the number of pathogenic mutations (≥3), presence of a TP53 mutation, and TP53 allele fraction >60 were poor prognostic mutational factors. The TP53 allele fraction tended to be high in caudally and dorsally located tumors. Moreover, TP53-mutated lung cancers located in segments 9 and 10 were associated with significantly poorer prognosis than those located in segments 1–8. This study has identified mutation-related factors that affect the postoperative prognosis of lung cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the TP53 mutation profile varies with the site of lung tumor, and that postoperative prognosis varies accordingly.
Total Pelvic Exenteration, Cytoreductive Surgery, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Rectal Cancer with Associate Peritoneal Metastases: Surgical Strategies to Optimize Safety
Authors: Tuech Jean-Jacques , Pinson Jean , Nouhaud François-Xavier , Wood Gregory , Clavier Thomas , Sabourin Jean-Christophe , Di Fiore Frederic , Monge Matthieu , Papet Eloïse , Coget Julien
Published: November 2020

Background: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a curative treatment option for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is an established treatment option for locally advanced pelvic malignancy. These two procedures have high mortality and morbidity, and therefore, their combination is not currently recommended. Herein, we reported our experience on TPE associated with CRS/HIPEC with a critical analysis for rectal cancer with associate peritoneal metastases. Methods: From March 2006 to August 2020, 319 patients underwent a CRS/HIPEC in our hospital. Among them, 16 (12 men and four women) underwent an associated TPE. The primary endpoints were perioperative morbidity and mortality. Results: There was locally recurrent rectal cancer in nine cases, six locally advanced primary rectal cancer, and a recurrent appendiceal adenocarcinoma. The median Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) was 8. (4–16). Mean duration of the surgical procedure was 596 min (420–840). Complete cytoreduction (CC0) was achieved in all patients, while clear resection (R0) margins on the resected pelvic organs were achieved in 81.2% of cases. The median hospital stay was 46 days (26–129), and nine patients (56.2%) experienced severe complications (grade III to V) that led to death in two cases (12.5%). The total reoperation rate for patients was 6/16 (37.5%) and 3/16 (18.75%) with percutaneous radiological-guided drainage. Conclusions: In summary, TPE/extended TPE (ETPE) associated with CRS/HIPEC may be a reasonable procedure in selected patients at expert centers. Pelvic involvement should not be considered a definitive contraindication for CRS/HIPEC in patients with resectable peritoneal surface diseases if a R0 resection could be achieved on all sites. However, the morbidity and the mortality are high with this combination of treatment, and further research is needed to assess the oncologic benefit and quality of life before such a radical approach can be recommended.
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor and Sex Hormone-Responsive Cancers
Authors: Brook Naomi , Brook Emily , Dass Crispin R. , Chan Arlene , Dharmarajan Arun
Published: November 2020

Oestrogens and androgens play important roles in normal and cancerous tissue and have been shown to negatively regulate pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression in sex hormone-responsive tumours. PEDF suppresses tumour growth and its downregulation by oestrogen is implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and progression. PEDF expression is reduced in cancerous tissue of the prostate, breast, ovary, and endometrium compared to their normal tissue counterparts, with a link between PEDF downregulation and sex hormone signalling observed in pre-clinical studies. PEDF reduces growth and metastasis of tumour cells by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, increasing adhesion, and reducing migration. PEDF may also prevent treatment resistance in some cancers by downregulating oestrogen receptor signalling. By interacting with components of the tumour microenvironment, PEDF counteracts the proliferative and immunosuppressive effects of oestrogens, to ultimately reduce tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we focus on sex hormone regulation of PEDF’s anti-tumour action in sex hormone-responsive tumours.
Calcitriol in the Presence of Conditioned Media from Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells Enhances Ex Vivo Polarization of M2 Alternative Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages
Authors: Anisiewicz Artur , Łabędź Natalia , Krauze Izabela , Wietrzyk Joanna
Published: November 2020

In this study, we differentiated murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) into M0, M1, and M2 in the presence or absence of calcitriol. Real-time PCR analysis of gene expression, FACS analysis of surface markers, and chemokine/cytokine production assays were performed. In addition, the effect of the conditioned media (CM) from murine breast cancer 4T1 (metastatic) and 67NR (non-metastatic) and Eph4-Ev (normal) cells with and without calcitriol on the polarization of M1/M2 cells was determined. We found that calcitriol enhanced the differentiation of M2 macrophages, which was manifested by increased expression of Cd206 and Spp1 mRNA and CD36, Arg, and CCL2 in M2 BMDMs and by decreased expression of Cd80 and Spp1 mRNA and IL-1, IL-6, OPN, and iNOS in M1 BMDMs. 4T1 CM showed a higher effect on the gene and protein expression in macrophages than 67NR and Eph4-Ev, with the greatest effect observed on M2 macrophages which increased their differentiation and properties characteristic of alternative macrophages. Moreover, M2 macrophages differentiated with calcitriol-stimulated migration of 4T1 and 67NR cells through fibronectin and collagen type IV, respectively. Overall, our results indicated that vitamin D supplementation may not always be beneficial, especially in relation to cancers causing excessive, pathological activation of the immune system.
Rh Particles Supported on Sulfated g-C3N4: A Highly Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Alkene Hydroformylation
Authors: Shi Yukun , Lu Yang , Ren Tongxin , Li Jie , Hu Qiqige , Hu Xiaojing , Zhu Baolin , Huang Weiping
Published: November 2020

The hydroformylation of alkenes with CO and H2 to manufacture aldehydes is one of the most large-scale chemical reactions. However, an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for alkene hydroformylation is extremely in demand in academia and industry. In this study, a sulfated carbon nitride supported rhodium particle catalyst (Rh/S-g-C3N4) was successfully synthesized via an impregnation-borohydride reduction method and applied in the hydroformylation of alkenes. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, and nitrogen adsorption. The influence of the sulfate content, pressure of syngas, temperature, and reaction time, as well as the stability of Rh/S-g-C3N4, on the hydroformylation was examined in detail. The delocalized conjugated structure in g-C3N4 can lead to the formation of electron-deficient aromatic intermediates with alkenes. The sulphate g-C3N4 has a defected surface owing to the formation of oxygen vacancies, which increased the adsorption and dispersion of RhNPs on the surface of g-C3N4. Therefore, Rh/S-g-C3N4 exhibited an outstanding catalytic performance for styrene hydroformylation (TOF = 9000 h−1), the conversion of styrene could reach 99.9%, and the regioselectivity for the branched aldehyde was 52% under the optimized reaction conditions. The catalytic properties of Rh/S-g-C3N4 were also studied in the hydroformylation of various alkenes and displayed an excellent catalytic performance. Furthermore, the reuse of Rh/S-g-C3N4 was tested for five recycling processes, without an obvious decrease in the activity and selectivity under the optimum reaction conditions. These findings demonstrated that Rh/S-g-C3N4 is a potential catalyst for heterogeneous hydroformylation.
CITCO as an Adjuvant Facilitates CHOP-Based Lymphoma Treatment in hCAR-Transgenic Mice
Authors: Kurian Ritika , Hedrich William , Mackowiak Bryan , Li Linhao , Wang Hongbing
Published: November 2020

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a malignant cancer originating in the lymphatic system with a 25–30% mortality rate. CHOP, consisting of cyclophosphamide (CPA), doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, is a first-generation chemotherapy extensively used to treat NHL. However, poor survival rates among patients in advanced stages of NHL shows a need to improve this standard of care treatment. CPA, an integral component of CHOP, is a prodrug that requires CYP2B6-mediated bioactivation to 4-hydroxy-CPA (4-OH-CPA). The expression of CYP2B6 is transcriptionally regulated by the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NRi13). We have previously demonstrated that the induction of hepatic CYP2B6 by CITCO, a selective human CAR (hCAR) agonist, results in CHOP’s enhanced antineoplastic effects in vitro. Here, we investigate the in vivo potential of CITCO as an adjuvant of CPA-based NHL treatment in a hCAR-transgenic mouse line. Our results demonstrate that the addition of CITCO to the CHOP regimen leads to significant suppression of the growth of EL-4 xenografts in hCAR-transgenic mice accompanied by reduced expression of cyclin-D1, ki67, Pcna, and increased caspase 3 fragmentation in tumor tissues. CITCO robustly induced the expression of cyp2b10 (murine ortholog of CYP2B6) through hCAR activation and increased plasma concentrations of 4-OH-CPA. Comparing to intraperitoneal injection, oral gavage of CITCO results in optimal hepatic cyp2b10 induction. Our in vivo studies have collectively uncovered CITCO as an effective facilitator for CPA-based NHL treatment with a pharmacokinetic profile favoring oral administration, promoting CITCO as a promising adjuvant candidate for CPA-based regimens.
MicroRNAs and Mammarenaviruses: Modulating Cellular Metabolism
Authors: Fernandes Jorlan , Miranda Renan Lyra , de Lemos Elba Regina Sampaio , Guterres Alexandro
Published: November 2020

Mammarenaviruses are a diverse genus of emerging viruses that include several causative agents of severe viral hemorrhagic fevers with high mortality in humans. Although these viruses share many similarities, important differences with regard to pathogenicity, type of immune response, and molecular mechanisms during virus infection are different between and within New World and Old World viral infections. Viruses rely exclusively on the host cellular machinery to translate their genome, and therefore to replicate and propagate. miRNAs are the crucial factor in diverse biological processes such as antiviral defense, oncogenesis, and cell development. The viral infection can exert a profound impact on the cellular miRNA expression profile, and numerous RNA viruses have been reported to interact directly with cellular miRNAs and/or to use these miRNAs to augment their replication potential. Our present study indicates that mammarenavirus infection induces metabolic reprogramming of host cells, probably manipulating cellular microRNAs. A number of metabolic pathways, including valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, d-Glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism, thiamine metabolism, and pools of several amino acids were impacted by the predicted miRNAs that would no longer regulate these pathways. A deeper understanding of mechanisms by which mammarenaviruses handle these signaling pathways is critical for understanding the virus/host interactions and potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets, through the inhibition of specific pathologic metabolic pathways.
Ex Vivo Culture Models to Indicate Therapy Response in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Demers Imke , Donkers Johan , Kremer Bernd , Speel Ernst Jan
Published: November 2020

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by a poor 5 year survival and varying response rates to both standard-of-care and new treatments. Despite advances in medicine and treatment methods, mortality rates have hardly decreased in recent decades. Reliable patient-derived tumor models offer the chance to predict therapy response in a personalized setting, thereby improving treatment efficacy by identifying the most appropriate treatment regimen for each patient. Furthermore, ex vivo tumor models enable testing of novel therapies before introduction in clinical practice. A literature search was performed to identify relevant literature describing three-dimensional ex vivo culture models of HNSCC to examine sensitivity to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. We provide a comprehensive overview of the currently used three-dimensional ex vivo culture models for HNSCC with their advantages and limitations, including culture success percentage and comparison to the original tumor. Furthermore, we evaluate the potential of these models to predict patient therapy response.
Biomarkers Determination Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Song Chao , Guo Shuang , Jin Sila , Chen Lei , Jung Young
Published: November 2020

An overview of noteworthy new methods of biomarker determination based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is presented. Biomarkers can be used to identify the occurrence and development of diseases, which furthers the understanding of biological processes in the body. Accurate detection of a disease-specific biomarker is helpful for the identification, early diagnosis and prevention of a disease and for monitoring during treatment. The search for and discovery of valuable biomarkers have become important research hotspots. Different diseases have different biomarkers, some of which are involved in metabolic processes. Therefore, the fingerprint characteristics and band intensities in SERS spectra have been used to identify metabolites and analyze markers. As a promising technique, SERS has been widely used for the quantitative and qualitative determination of different types of biomarkers for different diseases. SERS techniques provide new technologies for the diagnosis of disease-related markers and determining the basis for clinical treatment. Herein, several SERS-based methods with excellent sensitivity and selectivity for the determination of biomarkers for tumors, viruses, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiac muscle tissue injury, and cell activity are highlighted.
Application of Polypropylene-Based Nanocomposite Films for Sliced Turkish Pastrami under Vacuum/Modified Atmosphere Packaging: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ayas Gülsüm Erol , Ayhan Zehra , Duraccio Donatella , Silvestre Clara , Cimmino Sossio
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polypropylene (PP)-based nanomaterials with improved barrier properties by nanoclay and antimicrobial properties by poly-beta-pinene (PβP) on the quality and shelf life of sliced pastrami as an alternative to the commercial multilayered materials. Sliced pastrami was packaged using nanocomposite films with and w/o PβP, and multilayered material under air, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum. Packaged products were screened for microbiological, physicochemical and sensory quality at 4 °C for 6 months. Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens and coagulase positive Staphylococus aureus were not detected in the products during entire storage. No yeast and mold growth occurred for entire storage using antimicrobial nanocomposite and multilayer material under vacuum. The antimicrobial effect of PβP on the pastrami was higher under vacuum compared to MAP applications suggesting that direct contact of the material is required with the food surface. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of pastrami under vacuum were lower than those of MAP applications. The initial carbonyl content of the product was determined as 3.38 nmol/mg and a slight increase was observed during storage period for all applications. The shelf life of pastrami is suggested as 150 days using PβP containing nanomaterials under vacuum, which is longer than the shelf life of a commercial product on the market using multilayer materials.
ZrO2-Sm2O3 Layer Growth Using the MOCVD Method at Low Temperatures and Under Reduced Pressure
Authors: Sawka Agata
Published: November 2020

This work presents the results of structure, microstructure, and chemical composition investigations performed on ZrO2-Sm2O3 layers synthesized by MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) using Zr(tmhd)4 and Sm(tmhd)3 as reactants on quartz glass substrate. The molar percentage of Sm(tmhd)3 used to obtain the layers at both 500 and 550 °C was 14% and 22.75%, respectively. Synthesis parameters were selected so that the value of the extended criterion Grx/Rex2 (Gr—Grashof number, Re—Reynolds number, x—the distance from the gas inflow point to the CVD (MOCVD) reactor) could be maintained below 0.01. It was determined from XRD (X-ray diffraction) analyses that the layers deposited at 500 °C contained small amounts of a crystalline phase and the layers obtained at 550 °C contained greater amounts of the crystalline phase (solid solution). SEM (scanning electron microscope) observations have also shown that the crystalline phase is present in the layers synthesized at 500 °C, as well as at 550 °C. EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) studies have indicated that molar content of Sm2O3 in the crystalline phase is lower in comparison to the amount present in the respective amorphous phase. The larger the Sm2O3 content in the layer, the higher the growth rate.
Nanostructural Characterisation and Optical Properties of Sputter-Deposited Thick Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) Coatings
Authors: Subacius Andrius , Baloukas Bill , Bousser Etienne , Hinder Steve J. , Baker Mark A. , Rebholz Claus , Matthews Allan
Published: November 2020

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films, used in many optoelectronic applications, are typically grown to a thickness of a maximum of a few hundred nanometres. In this work, the composition, microstructure and optical/electrical properties of thick ITO coatings deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering from a ceramic ITO target in an Ar/O2 gas mixture (total O2 flow of 1%) on unheated glass substrates are reported for the first time. In contrast to the commonly observed (200) or (400) preferential orientations in ITO thin films, the approximately 3.3 μm thick coatings display a (622) preferential orientation. The ITO coatings exhibit a purely nanocrystalline structure and show good electrical and optical properties, such as an electrical resistivity of 1.3 × 10−1 Ω·cm, optical transmittance at 550 nm of ~60% and optical band gap of 2.9 eV. The initial results presented here are expected to provide useful information for future studies on the synthesis of high-quality thick ITO coatings.
Production and Properties of FeB-Fe2B-Fe3(B,C) Surface Layers Formed on Tool Steel Using Combination of Diffusion and Laser Processing
Authors: Bartkowska Aneta
Published: November 2020

The paper presents the study results of laser remelting diffusion boronized layers produced on CT90 tool steel. A diffusion boronized layer was produced at 950 °C in a powder mixture containing boron carbide as a source of boron. A needle-like microstructure of iron boride was obtained. After diffusion boronizing, the specimens were subjected to laser processing, which was carried out using a diode laser with a nominal power of 3 kW. Three laser beam power values were applied (600, 900, and 1200 W). The aim of the study was to investigate the microstructure, microhardness, chemical, and phase composition as well as the wear and corrosion resistance of newly formed FeB-Fe2B-Fe3(B,C) layers. As a result of the laser beam interaction, the needle-like borides occurring in the subsurface zone were remelted, and three characteristic areas were obtained: the remelted zone, the heat-affected zone, and the substrate. The properties of newly formed layers have improved in comparison to diffusion boronized layers (except for corrosion resistance). It should be noted that using the highest laser beam power contributed to a slight reduction in wear resistance. Both the reduced corrosion and wear resistance were caused by greater remelting of the steel substrate and thus by the increased iron content in the formed layer.
Self-Assembly of Self-Cleaning Polystyrene/Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Films with Well-Ordered Micro-Structures
Authors: Liu Yang , Deng Jianchao , Wang Yamei , Zhan Xiaoyang , Zhang Deyuan , Chen Huawei
Published: November 2020

Well-ordered porous films have been widely applied in various areas, such as chemical sensors, microreactors, and tissue engineering. In this article, we propose a novel air-liquid interface self-assembly method to fabricate well-ordered porous polystyrene (PS)/styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) films by simply dipping the PS/SBS chloroform solutions onto the surface of a mixed water/ethanol liquid phase. The proper volume ratio of water/ethanol is necessary for the formation of films with highly uniform pore size. The effect of weight ratio of PS/SBS, the volume ratio of water/ethanol and the concentration of the solutions were experimentally investigated. The pore size decreases with the concentration of polymer solution, and the structure becomes more regular with the decrease of water/ethanol volume ratio. Ordered structure can be formed under PS/SBS in a certain weight ratio. The self-assembled films also have the function of self-cleaning. Besides the analysis of structural characteristic, the self-assembly mechanism was also discussed.
Colored Microbial Coatings in Show Caves from the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador): First Microbiological Approach
Authors: Miller Ana Z. , García-Sánchez Angela M. , L. Coutinho Mathilda , Costa Pereira Manuel F. , Gázquez Fernando , Calaforra José M. , Forti Paolo , Martínez-Frías Jesús , Toulkeridis Theofilos , Caldeira Ana T. , Saiz-Jimenez Cesareo
Published: November 2020

The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) have a unique ecosystem on Earth due to their outstanding biodiversity and geological features. This also extends to their subterranean heritage, such as volcanic caves, with plenty of secondary mineral deposits, including coralloid-type speleothems and moonmilk deposits. In this study, the bacterial communities associated with speleothems from two lava tubes of Santa Cruz Island were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was carried out for the morphological characterization and detection of microbial features associated with moonmilk and coralloid speleothems from Bellavista and Royal Palm Caves. Microbial cells, especially filamentous bacteria in close association with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), were abundant in both types of speleothems. Furthermore, reticulated filaments and Actinobacteria-like cells were observed by FESEM. The analysis of 16S rDNA revealed the presence of different bacterial phylotypes, many of them associated with the carbon, nitrogen, iron and sulfur cycles, and some others with pollutants. This study gives insights into subsurface microbial diversity of the Galapagos Islands and further shows the interest of the conservation of these subterranean geoheritage sites used as show caves.
New Imidazolium Ionic Liquids from Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste for Curing Epoxy Resins as Organic Coatings of Steel
Authors: Atta Ayman M. , Al-Lohedan Hamad A. , Ezzat Abdelrahman O. , Sabeela Nourah I.
Published: November 2020

Imidazolium ionic liquid (IIL) was prepared from aminolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste with pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) to apply as hardener of epoxy resin. Its purified chemical structures, thermal stability, and thermal characteristics were identified as well as amino phthalamide aminolyzed products. The thermal, thermomechanical, and mechanical properties of the cured epoxy resins with different weight percentages of IIL were investigated to optimize the best weight ratio to obtain homogeneous networks. The adhesion, durability, and corrosion resistance of the cured epoxy resins on the steel surfaces were tested to confirm that the best weight ratio of epoxy: IL was 2:1. This ratio achieved higher adhesion strength and salt spray resistance to seawater extended to 1500 h.
Near-Field Flow Structure and Entrainment of a Round Jet at Low Exit Velocities: Implications on Microclimate Ventilation
Authors: Kabanshi Alan
Published: November 2020

This paper explores the flow structure, mean/turbulent statistical characteristics of the vector field and entrainment of round jets issued from a smooth contracting nozzle at low nozzle exit velocities (1.39–6.44 m/s). The motivation of the study was to increase understand of the near field and get insights on how to control and reduce entrainment, particularly in applications that use jets with low-medium momentum flow like microclimate ventilation systems. Additionally, the near field of free jets with low momentum flow is not extensively covered in literature. Particle image velocimetry (PIV), a whole field vector measurement method, was used for data acquisition of the flow from a 0.025 m smooth contracting nozzle. The results show that at low nozzle exit velocities the jet flow was unstable with oscillations and this increased entrainment, however, increasing the nozzle exit velocity stabilized the jet flow and reduced entrainment. This is linked to the momentum flow of the jet, the structure characteristics of the flow and the type or disintegration distance of vortices created on the shear layer. The study discusses practical implications on microclimate ventilation systems and at the same time contributes data to the development and validation of a planned computational turbulence model for microclimate ventilation.
Crystal Chemistry of Alkali–Aluminum–Iron Sulfates from the Burnt Mine Dumps of the Chelyabinsk Coal Basin, South Urals, Russia
Authors: Zolotarev Andrey A. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Avdontceva Margarita S. , Shilovskikh Vladimir V. , Rassomakhin Mikhail A. , Yapaskurt Vasiliy O. , Pekov Igor V.
Published: November 2020

Technogenic steklite, KAl(SO4)2, and unnamed mineral phase (K,Na)3Na3(Fe,Al)2(SO4)6 from burnt dumps of the Chelyabinsk Coal Basin have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. Steklite is trigonal, space group P3¯, a = 4.7277(3), c = 7.9871(5) Å, V = 154.60(2) Å3. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 0.026 (wR2 = 0.068). It is based upon the [Al(SO4)2]− layers formed by corner sharing of SO4 tetrahedra and AlO6 polyhedra. The anionic [Al(SO4)2]− layers are parallel to the (001) plane and linked via interlayer K+ ions. The regular octahedral coordination of Al is observed that distinguishes technogenic steklite from that found in Tolbachik fumaroles. The (K,Na)3Na3(Fe,Al)2(SO4)6 phase is trigonal, space group R3¯, a = 13.932(2), c = 17.992(2) Å, V = 3024.4(7) Å3, R1 = 0.073 (wR2 = 0.108). The crystal structure is based upon the anionic chains [(Fe,Al)(SO4)3]3− running parallel to the c axis and interconnected via K+ and Na+ ions. There are no known minerals or synthetic compounds isotypic to (K,Na)3Na3(Fe,Al)2(SO4)6, due to the presence of separate K and Na sites in its structure.