bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune evasion in lung metastasis of leiomyosarcoma: upregulation of EPCAM inhibits CD8+ T cell infiltration
Authors: Kanahori Masaya , Shimada Eijiro , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Endo Makoto , Fujiwara Toshifumi , Nabeshima Akira , Hirose Takeshi , Kawaguchi Kengo , Oyama Ryunosuke , Oda Yoshinao , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: January 2024

Background

Leiomyosarcomas are among the most common histological types of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), with no effective treatment available for advanced patients. Lung metastasis, the most common site of distant metastasis, is the primary prognostic factor. We analysed the immune environment targeting lung metastasis of STS to explore new targets for immunotherapy.

Methods

We analysed the immune environment of primary and lung metastases in 38 patients with STS using immunohistochemistry. Next, we performed gene expression analyses on primary and lung metastatic tissues from six patients with leiomyosarcoma. Using human leiomyosarcoma cell lines, the effects of the identified genes on immune cells were assessed in vitro.

Results

Immunohistochemistry showed a significant decrease in CD8+ cells in the lung metastases of leiomyosarcoma. Among the genes upregulated in lung metastases, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EPCAM) showed the strongest negative correlation with the number of CD8+ cells. Transwell assay results showed that the migration of CD8+ T cells was significantly increased in the conditioned media obtained after inhibition or knock down of EPCAM.

Conclusions

EPCAM was upregulated in lung metastases of leiomyosarcoma, suggesting inhibition of CD8+ T cell migration. Our findings suggest that EPCAM could serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for leiomyosarcoma.
Atmospheric deposition and river runoff stimulate the utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus in coastal seas
Authors: Jin Haoyu , Zhang Chao , Meng Siyu , Wang Qin , Ding Xiaokun , Meng Ling , Zhuang Yunyun , Yao Xiaohong , Gao Yang , Shi Feng , Mock Thomas , Gao Huiwang
Published: January 2024

In coastal seas, the role of atmospheric deposition and river runoff in dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) utilization is not well understood. Here, we address this knowledge gap by combining microcosm experiments with a global approach considering the relationship between the activity of alkaline phosphatases and changes in phytoplankton biomass in relation to the concentration of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP). Our results suggest that the addition of aerosols and riverine water stimulate the biological utilization of DOP in coastal seas primarily by depleting DIP due to increasing nitrogen concentrations, which enhances phytoplankton growth. This “Anthropogenic Nitrogen Pump” was therefore identified to make DOP an important source of phosphorus for phytoplankton in coastal seas but only when the ratio of chlorophyll a to DIP [Log10 (Chl a / DIP)] is larger than 1.20. Our study therefore suggests that anthropogenic nitrogen input might contribute to the phosphorus cycle in coastal seas.
Early excitatory-inhibitory cortical modifications following skill learning are associated with motor memory consolidation and plasticity overnight
Authors: Eisenstein Tamir , Furman-Haran Edna , Tal Assaf
Published: January 2024

Consolidation of motor memories is vital to offline enhancement of new motor skills and involves short and longer-term offline processes following learning. While emerging evidence link glutamate and GABA dynamics in the primary motor cortex (M1) to online motor skill practice, its relationship with offline consolidation processes in humans is unclear. Using two-day repeated measures of behavioral and multimodal neuroimaging data before and following motor sequence learning, we show that short-term glutamatergic and GABAergic responses in M1 within minutes after learning were associated with longer-term learning-induced functional, structural, and behavioral modifications overnight. Furthermore, Glutamatergic and GABAergic modifications were differentially associated with different facets of motor memory consolidation. Our results point to unique and distinct roles of Glutamate and GABA in motor memory consolidation processes in the human brain across timescales and mechanistic levels, tying short-term changes on the neurochemical level to overnight changes in macroscale structure, function, and behavior.
A two-step activation mechanism enables mast cells to differentiate their response between extracellular and invasive enterobacterial infection
Authors: von Beek Christopher , Fahlgren Anna , Geiser Petra , Di Martino Maria Letizia , Lindahl Otto , Prensa Grisna I. , Mendez-Enriquez Erika , Eriksson Jens , Hallgren Jenny , Fällman Maria , Pejler Gunnar , Sellin Mikael E.
Published: January 2024

Mast cells localize to mucosal tissues and contribute to innate immune defense against infection. How mast cells sense, differentiate between, and respond to bacterial pathogens remains a topic of ongoing debate. Using the prototype enteropathogen Salmonella Typhimurium (S.Tm) and other related enterobacteria, here we show that mast cells can regulate their cytokine secretion response to distinguish between extracellular and invasive bacterial infection. Tissue-invasive S.Tm and mast cells colocalize in the mouse gut during acute Salmonella infection. Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) sensing of extracellular S.Tm, or pure lipopolysaccharide, causes a modest induction of cytokine transcripts and proteins, including IL-6, IL-13, and TNF. By contrast, type-III-secretion-system-1 (TTSS-1)-dependent S.Tm invasion of both mouse and human mast cells triggers rapid and potent inflammatory gene expression and >100-fold elevated cytokine secretion. The S.Tm TTSS-1 effectors SopB, SopE, and SopE2 here elicit a second activation signal, including Akt phosphorylation downstream of effector translocation, which combines with TLR activation to drive the full-blown mast cell response. Supernatants from S.Tm-infected mast cells boost macrophage survival and maturation from bone-marrow progenitors. Taken together, this study shows that mast cells can differentiate between extracellular and host-cell invasive enterobacteria via a two-step activation mechanism and tune their inflammatory output accordingly.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the BIRC6-mediated regulation of apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Liu Shuo-Shuo , Jiang Tian-Xia , Bu Fan , Zhao Ji-Lan , Wang Guang-Fei , Yang Guo-Heng , Kong Jie-Yan , Qie Yun-Fan , Wen Pei , Fan Li-Bin , Li Ning-Ning , Gao Ning , Qiu Xiao-Bo
Published: January 2024

Procaspase 9 is the initiator caspase for apoptosis, but how its levels and activities are maintained remains unclear. The gigantic Inhibitor-of-Apoptosis Protein BIRC6/BRUCE/Apollon inhibits both apoptosis and autophagy by promoting ubiquitylation of proapoptotic factors and the key autophagic protein LC3, respectively. Here we show that BIRC6 forms an anti-parallel U-shaped dimer with multiple previously unannotated domains, including a ubiquitin-like domain, and the proapoptotic factor Smac/DIABLO binds BIRC6 in the central cavity. Notably, Smac outcompetes the effector caspase 3 and the pro-apoptotic protease HtrA2, but not procaspase 9, for binding BIRC6 in cells. BIRC6 also binds LC3 through its LC3-interacting region, probably following dimer disruption of this BIRC6 region. Mutation at LC3 ubiquitylation site promotes autophagy and autophagic degradation of BIRC6. Moreover, induction of autophagy promotes autophagic degradation of BIRC6 and caspase 9, but not of other effector caspases. These results are important to understand how the balance between apoptosis and autophagy is regulated under pathophysiological conditions.
scDisInFact: disentangled learning for integration and prediction of multi-batch multi-condition single-cell RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Ziqi , Zhao Xinye , Bindra Mehak , Qiu Peng , Zhang Xiuwei
Published: January 2024

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been widely used for disease studies, where sample batches are collected from donors under different conditions including demographic groups, disease stages, and drug treatments. It is worth noting that the differences among sample batches in such a study are a mixture of technical confounders caused by batch effect and biological variations caused by condition effect. However, current batch effect removal methods often eliminate both technical batch effect and meaningful condition effect, while perturbation prediction methods solely focus on condition effect, resulting in inaccurate gene expression predictions due to unaccounted batch effect. Here we introduce scDisInFact, a deep learning framework that models both batch effect and condition effect in scRNA-seq data. scDisInFact learns latent factors that disentangle condition effect from batch effect, enabling it to simultaneously perform three tasks: batch effect removal, condition-associated key gene detection, and perturbation prediction. We evaluate scDisInFact on both simulated and real datasets, and compare its performance with baseline methods for each task. Our results demonstrate that scDisInFact outperforms existing methods that focus on individual tasks, providing a more comprehensive and accurate approach for integrating and predicting multi-batch multi-condition single-cell RNA-sequencing data.
Unraveling the rate-determining step of C2+ products during electrochemical CO reduction
Authors: Deng Wanyu , Zhang Peng , Qiao Yu , Kastlunger Georg , Govindarajan Nitish , Xu Aoni , Chorkendorff Ib , Seger Brian , Gong Jinlong
Published: January 2024

The electrochemical reduction of CO has drawn a large amount of attention due to its potential to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals by using renewable energy. However, the reaction’s mechanism is not yet well understood. A major debate is whether the rate-determining step for the generation of multi-carbon products is C-C coupling or CO hydrogenation. This paper conducts an experimental analysis of the rate-determining step, exploring pH dependency, kinetic isotope effects, and the impact of CO partial pressure on multi-carbon product activity. Results reveal constant multi-carbon product activity with pH or electrolyte deuteration changes, and CO partial pressure data aligns with the theoretical formula derived from *CO-*CO coupling as the rate-determining step. These findings establish the dimerization of two *CO as the rate-determining step for multi-carbon product formation. Extending the study to commercial copper nanoparticles and oxide-derived copper catalysts shows their rate-determining step also involves *CO-*CO coupling. This investigation provides vital kinetic data and a theoretical foundation for enhancing multi-carbon product production.
The synthesis and characterization of an iron(VII) nitrido complex
Authors: Keilwerth Martin , Mao Weiqing , Malischewski Moritz , Jannuzzi Sergio A. V. , Breitwieser Kevin , Heinemann Frank W. , Scheurer Andreas , DeBeer Serena , Munz Dominik , Bill Eckhard , Meyer Karsten
Published: January 2024

Complexes of iron in high oxidation states are captivating research subjects due to their pivotal role as active intermediates in numerous catalytic processes. Structural and spectroscopic studies of well-defined model complexes often provide evidence of these intermediates. In addition to the fundamental molecular and electronic structure insights gained by these complexes, their reactivity also affects our understanding of catalytic reaction mechanisms for small molecule and bond-activation chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization of a stable, octahedral Fe(VI) nitrido complex and an authenticated, unique Fe(VII) species, prepared by one-electron oxidation. The super-oxidized Fe(VII) nitride rearranges to an Fe(V) imide through an intramolecular amination mechanism and ligand exchange, which is characterized spectroscopically and computationally. This enables combined reactivity and stability studies on a single molecular system of a rare high-valent complex redox pair. Quantum chemical calculations complement the spectroscopic parameters and provide evidence for a diamagnetic (S = 0) d2 Fe(VI) and a genuine S = 1/2, d1 Fe(VII) configuration of these super-oxidized nitrido complexes.
An efficient approach to study multi-polar fuzzy ideals of semirings
Authors: Bashir Shahida , Alharbi Talal , Mazhar Rabia , Khalid Issra , ul Hassan Afzal Muneeb , Riaz Chaudhry Nauman
Published: January 2024

The multi polar fuzzy (m-PF) set has an extensive range of implementations in real world problems related to the multi-polar information, multi-index and multi-attributes data. This paper introduces innovative extensions to algebraic structures. We present the definitions and some important results of m-polar fuzzy subsemirings (m-PFSSs), m-polar fuzzy ideals (m-PFIs), m-polar fuzzy generalized bi-ideals (m-PFGBIs), m-polar fuzzy bi-ideals (m-PFBIs) and m-polar fuzzy quasi-ideals (m-PFQIs) in semirings. The main contributions of the paper include the derivation and proof of key theorems that shed light on the algebraic interplay and computational aspects of m-polar fuzzy ideals (m-PFIs), m-polar fuzzy generalized bi-ideals (m-PFGBIs), m-polar fuzzy bi-ideals (m-PFBIs) and m-polar fuzzy quasi-ideals (m-PFQIs) in semirings along with examples. Moreover, this paper deals with several important properties of m-PFIs and characterizes regular and intra-regular semirings by the properties of these ideals.
Edge roughness quantifies impact of physician variation on training and performance of deep learning auto-segmentation models for the esophagus
Authors: Yan Yujie , Kehayias Christopher , He John , Aerts Hugo J. W. L. , Fitzgerald Kelly J. , Kann Benjamin H. , Kozono David E. , Guthier Christian V. , Mak Raymond H.
Published: January 2024

Manual segmentation of tumors and organs-at-risk (OAR) in 3D imaging for radiation-therapy planning is time-consuming and subject to variation between different observers. Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist with segmentation, but challenges exist in ensuring high-quality segmentation, especially for small, variable structures, such as the esophagus. We investigated the effect of variation in segmentation quality and style of physicians for training deep-learning models for esophagus segmentation and proposed a new metric, edge roughness, for evaluating/quantifying slice-to-slice inconsistency. This study includes a real-world cohort of 394 patients who each received radiation therapy (mainly for lung cancer). Segmentation of the esophagus was performed by 8 physicians as part of routine clinical care. We evaluated manual segmentation by comparing the length and edge roughness of segmentations among physicians to analyze inconsistencies. We trained eight multiple- and individual-physician segmentation models in total, based on U-Net architectures and residual backbones. We used the volumetric Dice coefficient to measure the performance for each model. We proposed a metric, edge roughness, to quantify the shift of segmentation among adjacent slices by calculating the curvature of edges of the 2D sagittal- and coronal-view projections. The auto-segmentation model trained on multiple physicians (MD1-7) achieved the highest mean Dice of 73.7 ± 14.8%. The individual-physician model (MD7) with the highest edge roughness (mean ± SD: 0.106 ± 0.016) demonstrated significantly lower volumetric Dice for test cases compared with other individual models (MD7: 58.5 ± 15.8%, MD6: 67.1 ± 16.8%, p < 0.001). A multiple-physician model trained after removing the MD7 data resulted in fewer outliers (e.g., Dice ≤ 40%: 4 cases for MD1-6, 7 cases for MD1-7, Ntotal = 394). While we initially detected this pattern in a single clinician, we validated the edge roughness metric across the entire dataset. The model trained with the lowest-quantile edge roughness (MDER-Q1, Ntrain = 62) achieved significantly higher Dice (Ntest = 270) than the model trained with the highest-quantile ones (MDER-Q4, Ntrain = 62) (MDER-Q1: 67.8 ± 14.8%, MDER-Q4: 62.8 ± 15.7%, p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that there is significant variation in style and quality in manual segmentations in clinical care, and that training AI auto-segmentation algorithms from real-world, clinical datasets may result in unexpectedly under-performing algorithms with the inclusion of outliers. Importantly, this study provides a novel evaluation metric, edge roughness, to quantify physician variation in segmentation which will allow developers to filter clinical training data to optimize model performance.
The effect of whole blood logistics on neutrophil non-specific activation and kinetics ex vivo
Authors: Li Chao , Farooqui Mehtab , Yada Ravi Chandra , Cai Joseph B. , Huttenlocher Anna , Beebe David J.
Published: January 2024

While the exquisite sensitivity of neutrophils enables their rapid response to infection in vivo; this same sensitivity complicates the ex vivo study of neutrophils. Handling of neutrophils ex vivo is fraught with unwanted heterogeneity and alterations that can diminish the reproducibility of assays and limit what biological conclusions can be drawn. There is a need to better understand the influence of ex vivo procedures on neutrophil behavior to guide improved protocols for ex vivo neutrophil assessment to improve inter/intra-experimental variability. Here, we investigate how whole blood logistics (i.e., the procedure taken from whole blood collection to delivery of the samples to analytical labs and storage before neutrophil interrogation) affects neutrophil non-specific activation (i.e., baseline apoptosis and NETosis) and kinetics (i.e., activation over time). All the experiments (60+ whole blood neutrophil isolations across 36 blood donors) are performed by a single operator with optimized isolation and culture conditions, and automated image analysis, which together increase rigor and consistency. Our results reveal: (i) Short-term storage (< 8 h) of whole blood does not significantly affect neutrophil kinetics in subsequent two-dimensional (2D) cell culture; (ii) Neutrophils from long-term storage (> 24 h) in whole blood show significantly higher stability (i.e., less non-specific activation) compared to the control group with the isolated cells in 2D culture. (iii) Neutrophils have greater non-specific activation and accelerated kinetic profiles when stored in whole blood beyond 48 h.
Effect of interferon therapy on quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Wan Meijuan , Wang Wen , Lin Shumei , Zhang Xi
Published: January 2024

Interferon therapy is the most effective treatment for achieving clinical cure in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the treatment outcomes of interferon therapy are uncertain, multiple side effects can occur during treatment, and the treatment is expensive. Although these characteristics may affect patients’ quality of life, research examining this topic is limited. We used a cross-sectional design to examine 100 CHB patients receiving interferon, 100 receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, and 87 receiving non-antiviral treatment. Characteristic information, the Hepatitis B Quality of Life Instrument, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire were used to collect information. We found that quality of life in the interferon treatment group was higher than that in the non-antiviral treatment and nucleoside/nucleotide analogue treatment groups (p < 0.05). The factors influencing quality of life were resilience, presenteeism, hair loss, and antiviral treatment (p < 0.05). Although interferon therapy has some potential side effects, the results suggested that it did not negatively affect quality of life. Overall, interferon therapy did not have a major impact on CHB patients’ daily lives and work.
Artificial intelligence assisted patient blood and urine droplet pattern analysis for non-invasive and accurate diagnosis of bladder cancer
Authors: Demir Ramiz , Koc Soner , Ozturk Deniz Gulfem , Bilir Sukriye , Ozata Halil İbrahim , Williams Rhodri , Christy John , Akkoc Yunus , Tinay İlker , Gunduz-Demir Cigdem , Gozuacik Devrim
Published: January 2024

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the urinary system. Yet, current bladder cancer diagnosis and follow-up techniques are time-consuming, expensive, and invasive. In the clinical practice, the gold standard for diagnosis remains invasive biopsy followed by histopathological analysis. In recent years, costly diagnostic tests involving the use of bladder cancer biomarkers have been developed, however these tests have high false-positive and false-negative rates limiting their reliability. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of cost-effective, and non-invasive novel diagnosis methods. To address this gap, here we propose a quick, cheap, and reliable diagnostic method. Our approach relies on an artificial intelligence (AI) model to analyze droplet patterns of blood and urine samples obtained from patients and comparing them to cancer-free control subjects. The AI-assisted model in this study uses a deep neural network, a ResNet network, pre-trained on ImageNet datasets. Recognition and classification of complex patterns formed by dried urine or blood droplets under different conditions resulted in cancer diagnosis with a high specificity and sensitivity. Our approach can be systematically applied across droplets, enabling comparisons to reveal shared spatial behaviors and underlying morphological patterns. Our results support the fact that AI-based models have a great potential for non-invasive and accurate diagnosis of malignancies, including bladder cancer.
Lack of imbalance between the master regulators TTF1/NKX2-1 and ΔNp63/p40 implies adverse prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Vescio Martina , Bulloni Matteo , Pelosi Giuseppe , Pattini Linda
Published: January 2024

The transcription factors TTF1/NKX2-1 and ΔNp63/p40 are the counterposed molecular markers associated with the main Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer subtypes: TTF1 for adenocarcinoma, p40 for squamous cell carcinoma. Although they generally display a mutually exclusive expression, some exceptions exist simultaneously lacking or (very rarely) expressing both markers, either pattern being associated to poor prognosis. Hence, we quantitatively analyzed the relationship between their coordinated activity and prognosis. By analyzing the respective downstream transcriptional programs of the two genes, we defined a simple quantitative index summarizing the amount of mutual exclusivity between their activities, called Mean Absolute Activity (MAA). Systematic analysis of the MAA index in a dataset of 1018 NSCLC samples replicated on a validation dataset of 275 showed that the loss of imbalance between TTF-1 and p40 corresponds to a steady, progressive reduction in both overall and recurrence-free survival. Coherently, samples correspondent to more balanced activities were enriched for pathways related to increased malignancy and invasiveness. Importantly, multivariate analysis showed that the prognostic significance of the proposed index MAA is independent of other clinical variables including stage, sex, age and smoke exposure. These results hold irrespectively of tumor morphology across NSCLC subtypes, providing a unifying description of different expression patterns.
Theoretical optimisation of a novel gas sensor using periodically closed resonators
Authors: Zaky Zaky A. , Al-Dossari M. , Sharma Arvind , Hendy Ahmed S. , Aly Arafa H.
Published: January 2024

This study investigates using the phononic crystal with periodically closed resonators as a greenhouse gas sensor. The transfer matrix and green methods are used to investigate the dispersion relation theoretically and numerically. A linear acoustic design is proposed, and the waveguides are filled with gas samples. At the center of the structure, a defect resonator is used to excite an acoustic resonant peak inside the phononic bandgap. The localized acoustic peak is shifted to higher frequencies by increasing the acoustic speed and decreasing the density of gas samples. The sensitivity, transmittance of the resonant peak, bandwidth, and figure of merit are calculated at different geometrical conditions to select the optimum dimensions. The proposed closed resonator gas sensor records a sensitivity of 4.1 Hz m−1 s, a figure of merit of 332 m−1 s, a quality factor of 113,962, and a detection limit of 0.0003 m s−1. As a result of its high performance and simplicity, the proposed design can significantly contribute to gas sensors and bio-sensing applications.
Lifestyle and behavioural changes in older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic are associated with subjective cognitive complaints
Authors: Zsuffa Janos Andras , Katz Sandor , Koszovacz Vanda , Berente Dalida Borbala , Kamondi Anita , Csukly Gabor , Mangialasche Francesca , Rocha Ana Sabsil Lopez , Kivipelto Miia , Horvath Andras Attila
Published: January 2024

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) is a self-reported experience of persistently impaired cognitive functions which could be the earliest red flag of neurocognitive disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restriction measures changed the lifestyle and behaviour of older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the relation of these changes and SCC status in Hungary. This cross-sectional study analysed the data of 359 elderly Hungarians who filled out the WW-FINGERS-SARS-CoV2 survey. A quarter of the respondents (n:88) reported SCC in connection with the pandemic. We compared sociodemographic features, health status, lifestyle, and social life parameters between subjects with reported SCC and without. To eliminate the potential interrelation across group differences, stepwise logistic regression was applied. Participants with SCC showed the following characteristics, compared to individuals without: (1) they were older; (2) they were more likely to be women; (3) they had a higher number of chronic disorders; (4) showed more prominent impairment in physical mobility; (5) had worse sleep quality; (6) spent less time with family; and (7) used internet more frequently during the pandemic (allp’s < 0.001). Logistic regression highlighted that only two parameters were related to SCC status independently, the physical mobility (ability to walk 500 m without difficulties; OR = 1.186;p < 0.001; 95%CI = 1.101, 1.270) and changes in time spent with grandchildren (OR = 1.04;p = 0.015; 95%CI = 1.008, 1.073). Our study draws attention to the importance of physical mobility and quality time with family as key factors in the cognitive well-being of elderly people.
Identification of VWA5A as a novel biomarker for inhibiting metastasis in breast cancer by machine-learning based protein prioritization
Authors: Koh Jiwon , Jeong Dabin , Park Soo Young , Han Dohyun , Kim Da Sol , Kim Ha Yeon , Kim Hyeyoon , Yang Sohyeon , Kim Sun , Ryu Han Suk
Published: January 2024

Distant metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer (BC). The timing of distant metastasis differs according to subtypes of BCs and there is a need for identification of biomarkers for the prediction of early and late metastasis. To identify biomarker candidates whose abundance level can discriminate metastasis types, we performed a high-throughput proteomics assay using tissue samples from BCs with no metastasis, late metastasis, and early metastasis, processed data with machine learning-based feature selection, and found that low VWA5A could be responsible for shorter duration of metastasis-free interval. Low expression of VWA5A gene in METABRIC cohort was associated with poor survival in BCs, especially in hormone receptor (HR)-positive BCs. In-vitro experiments confirmed tumor suppressive effect of VWA5A on BCs in HR+ and triple-negative BC cell lines. We found that expression of VWA5A can be assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on archival tissue samples. Decreasing nuclear expression of VWA5A was significantly associated with advanced T stage and lymphatic invasion in consecutive BCs of all subtypes. We discovered lower expression of VWA5A as the potential biomarker for metastasis-prone BCs, and our results support the clinical utility of VWA5A IHC, as an adjunctive tools for prognostication of BCs.
Stochastic resonance in 2D materials based memristors
Authors: Roldán J. B. , Cantudo A. , Torres J. J. , Maldonado D. , Shen Yaqing , Zheng Wenwen , Yuan Yue , Lanza M.
Published: January 2024

Stochastic resonance is an essential phenomenon in neurobiology, it is connected to the constructive role of noise in the signals that take place in neuronal tissues, facilitating information communication, memory, etc. Memristive devices are known to be the cornerstone of hardware neuromorphic applications since they correctly mimic biological synapses in many different facets, such as short/long-term plasticity, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, pair-pulse facilitation, etc. Different types of neural networks can be built with circuit architectures based on memristive devices (mostly spiking neural networks and artificial neural networks). In this context, stochastic resonance is a critical issue to analyze in the memristive devices that will allow the fabrication of neuromorphic circuits. We do so here with h-BN based memristive devices from different perspectives. It is found that the devices we have fabricated and measured clearly show stochastic resonance behaviour. Consequently, neuromorphic applications can be developed to account for this effect, that describes a key issue in neurobiology with strong computational implications.
New orphan disease therapies from the proteome of industrial plasma processing waste- a treatment for aceruloplasminemia
Authors: Zanardi Alan , Nardini Ilaria , Raia Sara , Conti Antonio , Ferrini Barbara , D’Adamo Patrizia , Gilberti Enrica , DePalma Giuseppe , Belloli Sara , Monterisi Cristina , Coliva Angela , Rainone Paolo , Moresco Rosa Maria , Mori Filippo , Zurlo Giada , Scali Carla , Natali Letizia , Pancanti Annalisa , Giovacchini Pierangelo , Magherini Giulio , Tovani Greta , Salvini Laura , Cicaloni Vittoria , Tinti Cristina , Tinti Laura , Lana Daniele , Magni Giada , Giovannini Maria Grazia , Gringeri Alessandro , Caricasole Andrea , Alessio Massimo
Published: January 2024

Plasma-derived therapeutic proteins are produced through an industrial fractionation process where proteins are purified from individual intermediates, some of which remain unused and are discarded. Relatively few plasma-derived proteins are exploited clinically, with most of available plasma being directed towards the manufacture of immunoglobulin and albumin. Although the plasma proteome provides opportunities to develop novel protein replacement therapies, particularly for rare diseases, the high cost of plasma together with small patient populations impact negatively on the development of plasma-derived orphan drugs. Enabling therapeutics development from unused plasma fractionation intermediates would therefore constitute a substantial innovation. To this objective, we characterized the proteome of unused plasma fractionation intermediates and prioritized proteins for their potential as new candidate therapies for human disease. We selected ceruloplasmin, a plasma ferroxidase, as a potential therapy for aceruloplasminemia, an adult-onset ultra-rare neurological disease caused by iron accumulation as a result of ceruloplasmin mutations. Intraperitoneally administered ceruloplasmin, purified from an unused plasma fractionation intermediate, was able to prevent neurological, hepatic and hematological phenotypes in ceruloplasmin-deficient mice. These data demonstrate the feasibility of transforming industrial waste plasma fraction into a raw material for manufacturing of new candidate proteins for replacement therapies, optimizing plasma use and reducing waste generation.
The Russia-Ukraine war decreases food affordability but could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: van Meijl Hans , Bartelings Heleen , van Berkum Siemen , Cui Hao David , Kristkova Zuzana Smeets , van Zeist Willem Jan
Published: January 2024

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has the potential to exacerbate food insecurity around the world, as both countries are major exporters of grains and other agricultural products. In this model-based scenario study, medium-term effects of the war are quantified on agricultural production, trade flows, market prices, food security, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. The scenarios assess the possible consequences of macro-economic and agricultural production impacts in Ukraine, trade sanctions against Russia, and conflict-related energy price developments for global trade, food security, and greenhouse gas emissions. From a food security perspective, we conclude that there is enough food on the global level, but higher food and energy prices cause problems for low-income populations, spending a large part of their income on staple foods. Agricultural production and area expansion in parts of the world other than Ukraine and Russia could pose a risk to biodiversity and lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions related to land. However, total greenhouse gas emissions might decrease as lower emissions from less use of fossil energy due to higher energy and fertilizer prices in the whole economy dominate additional emissions resulting from land use change.
The southward migration of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current enhanced oceanic degassing of carbon dioxide during the last two deglaciations
Authors: Ai Xuyuan E. , Thöle Lena M. , Auderset Alexandra , Schmitt Mareike , Moretti Simone , Studer Anja S. , Michel Elisabeth , Wegmann Martin , Mazaud Alain , Bijl Peter K. , Sigman Daniel M. , Martínez-García Alfredo , Jaccard Samuel L.
Published: January 2024

Previous studies suggest that meridional migrations of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current may have altered wind-driven upwelling and carbon dioxide degassing in the Southern Ocean during past climate transitions. Here, we report a quantitative and continuous record of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current latitude over the last glacial-interglacial cycle, using biomarker-based reconstructions of surface layer temperature gradient in the southern Indian Ocean. The results show that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current was more equatorward during the ice ages and shifted ~6° poleward at the end of glacial terminations, consistent with Antarctic Circumpolar Current migration playing a role in glacial-interglacial atmospheric carbon dioxide change. Comparing the temporal evolution of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current mean latitude with other observations provides evidence that Earth’s axial tilt affects the strength and latitude range of Southern Ocean wind-driven upwelling, which may explain previously noted deviations in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration from a simple correlation with Antarctic climate.
Exploring the in vitro potential of royal jelly against glioblastoma and neuroblastoma: impact on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and the biomolecular content
Authors: Simsek Ozek Nihal
Published: January 2024

Royal jelly induced a variation of cellular biomolecules, reduced cell growth, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cell lines through its ROS inductive effect.
Circularly polarized phosphorescence with a large dissymmetry factor from a helical platinum(ii) complex
Authors: Ikeshita Masahiro , Watanabe Shinya , Suzuki Seika , Tanaka Shota , Hattori Shingo , Shinozaki Kazuteru , Imai Yoshitane , Tsuno Takashi
Published: January 2024

A helical platinum(ii) complex exhibits intense red circularly polarized phosphorescence (CPP) with glum of 0.010 in the dilute solution state.
Use of quantum chemical methods to study concomitant polymorphs of a new benzimidazole-1,2,3-triazole hybrid compound
Authors: Shishkina Svitlana V. , Shaposhnyk Anna M. , Dyakonenko Viktoriya V. , Shyshkina Mariia O. , Kovalenko Sergiy M.
Published: January 2024

Two concomitant polymorphs formed due to different conformations of the molecule have been studied thoroughly using methods of quantum chemistry.
Observation of the out-of-plane orbital antidamping-like torque
Authors: Gong Zeyang , Liu Fu , Guo Xinhong , Jiang Changjun
Published: January 2024

The y- and z-polarized orbital current is observed in FM/CuOx bilayers. The and all increase dramatically and then monotonically decrease, highlighting that the orbital current originates in the FM/CuOx interface.
Comment on “Universal features in the lifetime distribution of clusters in hydrogen-bonding liquids” by I. Jukić, M. Požar, B. Lovrinčević and A. Perera, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021, 23, 19537
Authors: Grelska Joanna
Published: January 2024

The H-bond lifetime distribution peaks shown in the commented article are thought to have a specific correlation with the H-bond cluster type that is most prevalent in the system.
Probing local charge transfer processes of Pt–Au heterodimers in plasmon-enhanced electrochemistry by CO stripping techniques
Authors: Guo Chenxi , Xia Shiyu , Tian Yu , Li Fenghua , Xu Guobao , Wu Fengxia , Niu Wenxin
Published: January 2024

CO-stripping experiments are employed as a highly structure-sensitive and in situ strategy to explore plasmon-enhanced electrooxidation reactions on Pt–Au heterodimers.
Reply to the ‘Comment on “Universal features in the lifetime distribution of clusters in hydrogen-bonding liquids”’ by J. Grelska, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP05269A
Authors: Perera Aurélien , Lovrinčević Bernarda , Požar Martina
Published: January 2024

Besides confirming our calculations on other liquids, J. Grelska claims that the 1st peak is the topology peak, confusing it with its the species dependence, while it is the 3rd peak which reflects topology, specifically in the sense of branching.
ATR-far-ultraviolet spectroscopy: a challenge to new σ chemistry
Authors: Ozaki Yukihiro , Morisawa Yusuke , Tanabe Ichiro
Published: January 2024

This review reports the recent progress on ATR-far ultraviolet (FUV) spectroscopy in the condensed phase.
Additive- and base-free tandem aerobic oxidative cleavage of olefins to esters using bifunctional mesoporous copper-incorporated Al-SBA-15
Authors: Ravi Krishnan , Dalal Yash S. , Sabu Anjana C. , Khalifa Mohd. Shadab A. , Biradar Ankush V.
Published: January 2024

Esters with fruity and floral aromas are synthesized through one-step aerobic oxidative cleavage of olefins and esterification with alcohols in γ-valerolactone, offering eco-friendly synthesis methods.
Regulating luminescence thermal quenching based on the synergistic effect of energy transfer and energy gap modulation
Authors: Ma Qincan , Gao Fuhua , Cai Da , Zhang Yueli
Published: January 2024

This paper reports the role of synergistic effect of energy transfer and energy gap modulation in achieving the thermal quenching regulation of Eu3+ doped phosphors.
Realizing the high thermoelectric performance of highly preferentially oriented SnSe based nanorods via band alignment
Authors: Gong Yaru , Ying Pan , Zhang Qingtang , Liu Yuqi , Huang Xinqi , Dou Wei , Zhang Yujing , Li Di , Zhang Dewei , Feng Tao , Wang Meiyu , Chen Guang , Tang Guodong
Published: January 2024

Polycrystalline SnSe is considered as a highly promising candidate for thermoelectric applications due to its facile processing, machinability and scale-up applications.
Natural high-entropy interfaces with kinetics-boosted and water-desolventized effects for high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries
Authors: Li Yanxin , Jia Hongfeng , Ali Usman , Liu Bingqiu , Li Lu , Zhang Lingyu , Wang Tingting , Wang Chungang
Published: January 2024

Diatomite featuring compositional and structural advantages was employed for modifying zinc anode. Uniform and rapid Zn2+ transport is realized by the gradient electric field of the high-entropy composition and the pore structure with reactive groups enables efficient desolventization.
Preparation of aldehyde-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals via aerobic oxidation of cellulose in a recyclable triisopropoxy vanadium oxidation system
Authors: Lv Xianqing , Zhao Chengke , Zhang Xiwei , Wu Zhuotong , Shuai Li
Published: January 2024

Aldehyde-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals can be prepared via a catalytic aerobic process in a recyclable triisopropoxy vanadium (VO(OiPr)3)/O2 system.
Selenium-doped carbon materials: synthesis and applications for sustainable technologies
Authors: Dyjak Sławomir , Jankiewicz Bartłomiej J. , Kaniecki Stanisław , Kiciński Wojciech
Published: January 2024

Se doping endows carbon materials with rich and versatile chemistry, thus transforming them into functional materials for sustainable technologies such as heterogeneous (electro)catalysis, energy conversion/storage devices, and pollutant removal.
Photocatalytic upgrading of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural – aerobic or anaerobic?
Authors: Zhang Yingchuan , Jia Guangri , Wang Wenchao , Jiang Liqun , Guo Zhengxiao
Published: January 2024

Aerobic photocatalysis generates ROS to oxidise HMF into DFF and FDCA with co-production of H2O2 that potentially induce over-oxidation. Anaerobic photocatalysis enables ambient HMF oxidation with simultaneous HER, or hydrogenation of HMF to BHMF.
pH-responsive and antibacterial PANI-PEDOT:PSS fibres for wearable applications
Authors: Smith Rachel E. , Totti Stella , Reid Daniel , Hingley-Wilson Suzanne M. , Velliou Eirini , Campagnolo Paola , Ward Neil I. , Varcoe John R. , Crean Carol
Published: January 2024

With the emergence of wearable electronics for health and the prevalence of chronic wounds, there is demand for an effective wearable pH sensor.
Fabrication of S/CoS2/NiS2/PZH composite using hydrothermal technology for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Ya Yuan , Xue Yan Xue , Dai Fei Fei , Gao Ding Ling , Liu Yu Xiang , Qin Na , Chen Jian Hua , Yang Qian
Published: January 2024

S/NiS2/CoS2/PZH prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method has high specific capacitance, high energy density, and excellent cycle stability.
Performance of a nanowire-like aluminium-based organometallic complex with high activity for the electrocatalysis of CO2 to CO
Authors: Lu Boming , Liu Tianxia , Ma Xuejiao , Zhang Yaping
Published: January 2024

An organometallic complex (2-MI/Al-F-N) with active sites mainly located in the nanowire structure was prepared, its peak faradaic efficiency was 90.1% at −1.1 V vs. RHE and maximum current density of 14.08 mA cm−2.
Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of tertiary indolines to indoles using azo/hydrazide redox
Authors: Maiti Santanu , Kim Jun Soo , Kim Jinho
Published: January 2024

A dehydrogenation of tertiary indolines to indoles facilitated by Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidation has been developed.
Enhanced reliability of aluminum–sulfur batteries with cost-effective ionic liquid electrolyte and sulfur/graphite cathode
Authors: Gorle Mohan , Jetti Vatsala Rani
Published: January 2024

The low coulombic efficiency and mild conductivity have impeded the commercialization of sulfur-based batteries despite pairing with high energy density and low-cost aluminum anodes.
Synthesis of RhH-doped Au–Ag alloy nanoclusters and dopant evolution
Authors: Han Sang Myeong , Song Suhwan , Yi Hanseok , Sim Eunji , Lee Dongil
Published: January 2024

Two-step kernel evolution occurs during the transformation of [RhH(AuAg)24]2− into [Rh(AuAg)24]1− nanocluster. Hydrogen desorption from the RhH(AuAg)124+ kernel is followed by the kernel oxidation to Rh(AuAg)125+.
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization with 2–5 orders of rate increment
Authors: Ren Ning , Zhu Xinyuan
Published: January 2024

Re-coordination-suppressed ROMP achieved by a binary mechanism pathway with 2–5 orders of rate increment.
Integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and simulations to evaluate phytochemicals from Drymaria cordata against cervical cancer
Authors: Bhattacharya Kunal , Chandra Nath Bhargab , Ahmed Ekbal , Khanal Pukar , Chanu Nongmaithem Randhoni , Deka Satyendra , Das Dibyajyoti , Shrivastava Amit Kumar
Published: January 2024

Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations identify quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-rhamnopyranoside as a promising inhibitor of HRAS and VEGFA proteins, suggesting potential use of Drymaria cordata as a natural source for treating cervical cancer.
Enhanced efficiency of photocatalytically synthesised Co3+/Co2+-incorporated CeO2/SnO2 nanocomposite and supercapacitor studies
Authors: Silambarasan R. , Sai Sundar Perisetti Uttej Siva , Pavalamalar S. , Anbalagan K.
Published: January 2024

Co–CeO2/SnO2 was synthesised via UV photocatalysis, and supercapacitor studies were conducted. The results show that the metal oxide semiconductors perform exceptionally well.
Utilizing EPR spectroscopy to investigate the liquid adsorption properties of bimetallic MIL-53(Al/Cr) MOF
Authors: Thangavel Kavipriya , Folli Andrea , Fischer Marcus , Hartmann Martin , Murphy Damien M. , Pöppl Andreas
Published: January 2024

The flexibility of the MIL-53(M) metal–organic framework (MOF) has been elucidated through EPR spectroscopy, in liquid adsorption processes.
NIR-II fluorescence imaging without intended excitation light
Authors: Ji Aiyan , Lou Hongyue , Li Jiafeng , Hao Yimeng , Wei Xiaonan , Wu Yibin , Zhao Weili , Chen Hao , Cheng Zhen
Published: January 2024

Multi-wavelength LED excited NIR-II imaging strategy based on a blue-shifted dye—TPA-TQT.
Designing dynamic coordination bonds in polar hybrid crystals for a high-temperature ferroelastic transition
Authors: Li Yao-Bin , Chen Xiao-Xian , Xu Wei-Jian , Gong Ya-Ping , Ye Hui , Wang Zhi-Shuo , Zhang Wei-Xiong
Published: January 2024

Three new polar hybrid crystals with a generic formula of AA′RbBiCl6 adopting a 3D lon inorganic framework exhibit different phase-transition behaviours essentially arising from different coordination modes of A′-site organic cations.
Comprehensive interface engineering based on target anchoring agents for efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: Dong Pengpeng , Chen Bitao , Yao Disheng , Li Songbo , Su Jiale , Zhou Bing , Tian Nan , Zheng Guoyuan , Peng Yong , Long Fei
Published: January 2024

We propose a strategy that m-MTDATA into the PTAA/perovskite interface to enhance the wettability of PTAA and align energy levels of HTMs. PhABr is deposited onto perovskite surface to remove excessive residual PbI2 and compensates iodine vacancies.
Spraying-induced in situ growth of CaCO3 for the modification of membranes for oil/water separation
Authors: Cui Jiuyun , Rui Jiangping , Meng Jiawei , Wang Fan , Feng Huiqing , Ge Zhijun , Xie Atian , Pan Jianming
Published: January 2024

A simple spraying-induced in situ growth of inorganic particles was proposed for the first time and a PVDF@SA@CaCO3 membrane was successfully constructed for efficient oil/water separation.
Solvent-induced structural transformation in a one-dimensional coordination polymer
Authors: Jin Kangwoo , Park Nohyoon , Ahn Yongdeok , Seo Daeha , Moon Dohyun , Sung Jooyoung , Park Jinhee
Published: January 2024

1D coordination polymer, termed 1D-DGIST-18, featuring structural flexibility, exhibits hierarchical porosity and turn-on fluorescence upon solvent exchange.
Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of [d-Ala]-nocardiotide A
Authors: Maharani Rani , Muhajir Muhamad Imam , Dirgantara Jelang Muhammad , Hardianto Ari , Mayanti Tri , Harneti Desi , Nurlelasari  , Farabi Kindi , Hidayat Ace Tatang , Supratman Unang , Siahaan Teruna
Published: January 2024

We synthesized [d-Ala]-nocardiotide A as a derivative of nocardiotide A using a combination of solid phase peptide synthesis and liquid phase peptide synthesis to give the desired cyclic peptide product in a yield of 31% after purification.
Tuning the dimensionality of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites towards improved photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Hefeng , Wang Junhui , Zong Xu
Published: January 2024

Dimensional engineering can mediate the advantages and disadvantages of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites in light absorption, charge transfer and dissolution rate, and enables the optimization of the photocatalytic hydrogen production activity.