bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
USP7 regulates the ERK1/2 signaling pathway through deubiquitinating Raf-1 in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Park Hong-Beom , Hwang Sohyun , Baek Kwang-Hyun
Published: August 2022

Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is one of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family. It is a key regulator of numerous cellular functions including immune response, cell cycle, DNA damage and repair, epigenetics, and several signaling pathways. USP7 acts by removing ubiquitin from the substrate proteins. USP7 also binds to a specific binding motif of substrate proteins having the [P/A/E]-X-X-S or K-X-X-X-K protein sequences. To date, numerous substrate proteins of USP7 have been identified, but no studies have been conducted using the binding motif that USP7 binds. In the current study, we analyzed putative substrate proteins of USP7 through the [P/A/E]-X-X-S and K-X-X-X-K binding motifs using bioinformatics tools, and confirmed that Raf-1 is one of the substrates for USP7. USP7 binds to the Pro-Val-Asp-Ser (PVDS) motif of the conserved region 2 (CR2) which contains phosphorylation sites of Raf-1 and decreased M1-, K6-, K11-, K27-, K33-, and K48-linked polyubiquitination of Raf-1. We further identified that the DUB activity of USP7 decreases the threonine phosphorylation level of Raf-1 and inhibits signaling transduction through Raf activation. This regulatory mechanism inhibits the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the G2/M transition and the cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells. In summary, our results indicate that USP7 deubiquitinates Raf-1 and is a new regulator of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.
Molecular basis of MHC I quality control in the peptide loading complex
Authors: Domnick Alexander , Winter Christian , Sušac Lukas , Hennecke Leon , Hensen Mario , Zitzmann Nicole , Trowitzsch Simon , Thomas Christoph , Tampé Robert
Published: August 2022

Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules are central to adaptive immunity. Their assembly, epitope selection, and antigen presentation are controlled by the MHC I glycan through a sophisticated network of chaperones and modifying enzymes. However, the mechanistic integration of the corresponding processes remains poorly understood. Here, we determine the multi-chaperone-client interaction network of the peptide loading complex (PLC) and report the PLC editing module structure by cryogenic electron microscopy at 3.7 Å resolution. Combined with epitope-proofreading studies of the PLC in near-native lipid environment, these data show that peptide-receptive MHC I molecules are stabilized by multivalent chaperone interactions including the calreticulin-engulfed mono-glucosylated MHC I glycan, which only becomes accessible for processing by α-glucosidase II upon loading of optimal epitopes. Our work reveals allosteric coupling between peptide-MHC I assembly and glycan processing. This inter-process communication defines the onset of an adaptive immune response and provides a prototypical example of the tightly coordinated events in endoplasmic reticulum quality control.
Omicron BA.4/BA.5 escape neutralizing immunity elicited by BA.1 infection
Authors: Khan Khadija , Karim Farina , Ganga Yashica , Bernstein Mallory , Jule Zesuliwe , Reedoy Kajal , Cele Sandile , Lustig Gila , Amoako Daniel , Wolter Nicole , Samsunder Natasha , Sivro Aida , San James Emmanuel , Giandhari Jennifer , Tegally Houriiyah , Pillay Sureshnee , Naidoo Yeshnee , Mazibuko Matilda , Miya Yoliswa , Ngcobo Nokuthula , Manickchund Nithendra , Magula Nombulelo , Karim Quarraisha Abdool , von Gottberg Anne , Abdool Karim Salim S. , Hanekom Willem , Gosnell Bernadett I. ,   COMMIT-KZN Team, Khoza Thandeka , Smit Theresa , Wong Emily , Lessells Richard J. , de Oliveira Tulio , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S. , Sigal Alex
Published: August 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages, first detected in South Africa, have changes relative to Omicron BA.1 including substitutions in the spike receptor binding domain. Here we isolated live BA.4 and BA.5 viruses and measured BA.4/BA.5 neutralization elicited by BA.1 infection either in the absence or presence of previous vaccination as well as from vaccination without BA.1 infection. In BA.1-infected unvaccinated individuals, neutralization relative to BA.1 declines 7.6-fold for BA.4 and 7.5-fold for BA.5. In vaccinated individuals with subsequent BA.1 infection, neutralization relative to BA.1 decreases 3.2-fold for BA.4 and 2.6-fold for BA.5. The fold-drop versus ancestral virus neutralization in this group is 4.0-fold for BA.1, 12.9-fold for BA.4, and 10.3-fold for BA.5. In contrast, BA.4/BA.5 escape is similar to BA.1 in the absence of BA.1 elicited immunity: fold-drop relative to ancestral virus neutralization is 19.8-fold for BA.1, 19.6-fold for BA.4, and 20.9-fold for BA.5. These results show considerable escape of BA.4/BA.5 from BA.1 elicited immunity which is moderated with vaccination and may indicate that BA.4/BA.5 may have the strongest selective advantage in evading neutralization relative to BA.1 in unvaccinated, BA.1 infected individuals.
Linking oxidative and reductive clusters to prepare crystalline porous catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction with H2O
Authors: Zhou Jie , Li Jie , Kan Liang , Zhang Lei , Huang Qing , Yan Yong , Chen Yifa , Liu Jiang , Li Shun-Li , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: August 2022

Mimicking natural photosynthesis to convert CO2 with H2O into value-added fuels achieving overall reaction is a promising way to reduce the atmospheric CO2 level. Casting the catalyst of two or more catalytic sites with rapid electron transfer and interaction may be an effective strategy for coupling photocatalytic CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation. Herein, based on the MOF ∪ COF collaboration, we have carefully designed and synthesized a crystalline hetero-metallic cluster catalyst denoted MCOF-Ti6Cu3 with spatial separation and functional cooperation between oxidative and reductive clusters. It utilizes dynamic covalent bonds between clusters to promote photo-induced charge separation and transfer efficiency, to drive both the photocatalytic oxidative and reductive reactions. MCOF-Ti6Cu3 exhibits fine activity in the conversion of CO2 with water into HCOOH (169.8 μmol g−1h−1). Remarkably, experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that photo-excited electrons are transferred from Ti to Cu, indicating that the Cu cluster is the catalytic reduction center.
Characterization of gene expression profiles in the mouse brain after 35 days of spaceflight mission
Authors: Holley Jacob M. , Stanbouly Seta , Pecaut Michael J. , Willey Jeffrey S. , Delp Michael , Mao Xiao Wen
Published: August 2022

It has been proposed that neuroinflammatory response plays an important role in the neurovascular remodeling in the brain after stress. The goal of the present study was to characterize changes in the gene expression profiles associated with neuroinflammation, neuronal function, metabolism and stress in mouse brain tissue. Ten-week old male C57BL/6 mice were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on SpaceX-12 for a 35-day mission. Within 38 ± 4 h of splashdown, mice were returned to Earth alive. Brain tissues were collected for analysis. A novel digital color-coded barcode counting technology (NanoStringTM) was used to evaluate gene expression profiles in the spaceflight mouse brain. A set of 54 differently expressed genes (p < 0.05) significantly segregates the habitat ground control (GC) group from flight (FLT) group. Many pathways associated with cellular stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolism were significantly altered by flight conditions. A decrease in the expression of genes important for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin sheath maintenance was observed. Moreover, mRNA expression of many genes related to anti-viral signaling, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and bacterial immune response were significantly downregulated. Here we report that significantly altered immune reactions may be closely associated with spaceflight-induced stress responses and have an impact on the neuronal function.
4-bit adhesion logic enables universal multicellular interface patterning
Authors: Kim Honesty , Skinner Dominic J. , Glass David S. , Hamby Alexander E. , Stuart Bradey A. R. , Dunkel Jörn , Riedel-Kruse Ingmar H.
Published: August 2022

Multicellular systems, from bacterial biofilms to human organs, form interfaces (or boundaries) between different cell collectives to spatially organize versatile functions1,2. The evolution of sufficiently descriptive genetic toolkits probably triggered the explosion of complex multicellular life and patterning3,4. Synthetic biology aims to engineer multicellular systems for practical applications and to serve as a build-to-understand methodology for natural systems5–8. However, our ability to engineer multicellular interface patterns2,9is still very limited, as synthetic cell–cell adhesion toolkits and suitable patterning algorithms are underdeveloped5,7,10–13. Here we introduce a synthetic cell–cell adhesin logic with swarming bacteria and establish the precise engineering, predictive modelling and algorithmic programming of multicellular interface patterns. We demonstrate interface generation through a swarming adhesion mechanism, quantitative control over interface geometry and adhesion-mediated analogues of developmental organizers and morphogen fields. Using tiling and four-colour-mapping concepts, we identify algorithms for creating universal target patterns. This synthetic 4-bit adhesion logic advances practical applications such as human-readable molecular diagnostics, spatial fluid control on biological surfaces and programmable self-growing materials5–8,14. Notably, a minimal set of just four adhesins represents 4 bits of information that suffice to program universal tessellation patterns, implying a low critical threshold for the evolution and engineering of complex multicellular systems3,5.
The relationship between interoception and agency and its modulation by heartbeats: an exploratory study
Authors: Koreki Akihiro , Goeta Diana , Ricciardi Lucia , Eilon Talia , Chen Jiaying , Critchley Hugo D. , Garfinkel Sarah N. , Edwards Mark , Yogarajah Mahinda
Published: August 2022

Interoception, the sense of the internal physiological state of the body, theoretically underpins aspects of self-representation. Experimental studies link feelings of body ownership to interoceptive perception, yet few studies have tested for association between the sense of agency and interoceptive processing. Here, we combined an intentional binding paradigm with cardiac measures of interoceptive processing (behavioural performance on a heartbeat discrimination task, and effects of timing within the cardiac cycle) in twenty-six non-clinical participants as an exploratory study. We found performance accuracy on the heartbeat discrimination task correlated positively with the intentional binding effect, an index of sense of agency (β = 0.832, p = 0.005), even after controlling for effects of age, sex, educational level, heart rate, heart rate variability and time accuracy. The intentional binding effect was enhanced during cardiac systole (compared to diastole) in individuals with greater heartbeat discrimination accuracy (β = 0.640, p = 0.047). These findings support the proposal that interoception contributes to mechanisms underlying the emergence of sense of agency.
Real-world treatment patterns for atopic dermatitis in South Korea
Authors: Lee Ji Hyun , Choi Ahhyung , Noh Yunha , Oh In-Sun , Jeon Ja-Young , Yoo Hyun-Jeong , Shin Ju-Young , Son Sang Wook
Published: August 2022

The phenotypes of atopic dermatitis (AD) are diverse, and ethnic differences have been suggested. To date, few studies have explored large-scale national data on the treatment patterns of AD in Asians. Therefore, we aimed to examine real-world treatment patterns for AD, including the probability of discontinuation of AD treatment and restart after discontinuation. A retrospective observational study was conducted using the nationwide healthcare database in South Korea between January 1, 2016 to July 31, 2020. We identified 944,559 pediatric patients and 1,066,453 adults with AD. Topical corticosteroids and antihistamines were the most commonly prescribed medications in all age groups. The frequency of topical corticosteroid prescription decreased as the age increased. Although immunosuppressive drugs were not widely used in both children and adults, cyclosporine was the most frequently prescribed immunosuppressant, particularly among those aged 12 years or more (1–2%). Pediatric patients were more likely to discontinue treatment than adult patients. Treatment restart for moderate-to-severe AD was earlier than that for overall AD. In conclusion, significant differences were observed in the treatment patterns of AD between pediatric and adult patients. These findings will improve our understanding of the latest treatment patterns for AD, which may contribute to decision-making in clinical practice.
Predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for the fatality of COVID-19 patients complicated with cardiovascular diseases and/or risk factors
Authors: Higaki Akinori , Okayama Hideki , Homma Yoshito , Sano Takahide , Kitai Takeshi , Yonetsu Taishi , Torii Sho , Kohsaka Shun , Kuroda Shunsuke , Node Koichi , Matsue Yuya , Matsumoto Shingo
Published: August 2022

Previous studies have reported that a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with disease severity and poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical implications of NLR in patients with COVID-19 complicated with cardiovascular diseases and/or its risk factors (CVDRF). In total, 601 patients with known NLR values were selected from the CLAVIS-COVID registry for analysis. Patients were categorized into quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to baseline NLR values, and demographic and clinical parameters were compared between the groups. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method. The diagnostic performance of the baseline and follow-up NLR values was tested using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Finally, two-dimensional mapping of patient characteristics was conducted using t-stochastic neighborhood embedding (t-SNE). In-hospital mortality significantly increased with an increase in the baseline NLR quartile (Q1 6.3%, Q2 11.0%, Q3 20.5%; and Q4, 26.6%; p < 0.001). The cumulative mortality increased as the quartile of the baseline NLR increased. The paired log-rank test revealed significant differences in survival for Q1 vs. Q3 (p = 0.017), Q1 vs. Q4 (p < 0.001), Q2 vs. Q3 (p = 0.034), and Q2 vs. Q4 (p < 0.001). However, baseline NLR was not identified as an independent prognostic factor using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. The area under the curve for predicting in-hospital death based on baseline NLR was only 0.682, whereas that of follow-up NLR was 0.893. The two-dimensional patient map with t-SNE showed a cluster characterized by high mortality with high NLR at follow-up, but these did not necessarily overlap with the population with high NLR at baseline. NLR may have prognostic implications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CVDRF, but its significance depends on the timing of data collection.
“Salvage techniques” are the key to overcome difficult biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Maruta Shikiko , Sugiyama Harutoshi , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Sugihara Chihei , Ouchi Mayu , Kan Motoyasu , Yamada Toshihito , Miura Yoshifumi , Nagashima Hiroki , Takahashi Koji , Kusakabe Yuko , Ohyama Hiroshi , Okitsu Koichiro , Ohno Izumi , Mikata Rintaro , Sakai Yuji , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Kato Jun , Kato Naoya
Published: August 2022

Although the efficacy and safety of salvage techniques for biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have been reported, few reports analyzed the choice of techniques and their clinical outcomes in large cohorts. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of biliary cannulation in patients with native papillae. We retrospectively identified 1021 patients who underwent initial ERCP from January 2013 to March 2020. We investigated background factors, treatment details, cannulation success rates, and adverse event rates. Then we analyzed a series of treatment processes, including salvage techniques such as double guidewire technique (DGT), needle knife pre-cutting (NKP), and transpancreatic pre-cut papillotomy (TPPP). The initial ERCP success rate using standard technique alone was 62.8%, which increased to 94.3% including salvage techniques. Salvage techniques were frequently required in patients with long oral protrusions (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.80–3.15; p < 0.001). A total of 503 cases (49.3%) had long oral protrusions, 47.5% of which required the salvage techniques, much higher than 27.5% of not-long cases. Patients with long oral protrusions had a higher frequency of NKP. In conclusion, patients with long oral protrusions frequently required salvage techniques. Salvage techniques may help to overcome many difficult biliary cannulation cases.
Image thresholding segmentation based on weighted Parzen-window and linear programming techniques
Authors: Xiong Fusong , Zhang Zhiqiang , Ling Yun , Zhang Jian
Published: August 2022

Image segmentation by thresholding is an important and fundamental task in image processing and computer vision. In this paper, a new bi-level thresholding approach based on weighted Parzen-window and linear programming techniques is proposed to use in image thresholding segmentation. First, by proposing a weighted Parzen-window to describe the gray level distribution status, we obtain the boundaries for the foreground and background of the image. Then the image thresholding problem can be transformed into the problem of solving a linear programming problem for computing the coefficient values of weighted Parzen-window. The results of testing on synthetic, NDT and a set of benchmark images indicate that the proposed method can achieve a higher segmentation accuracy and robustness in comparison to some classical thresholding methods, such as inter class variance method (OTSU), Kapur’s entropy-based method (KSW), and some state-of-art methods that consider spatial information, such as CHPSO, GLLV histogram method and GABOR histogram method.
The prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients according to endobronchial metastatic lesion
Authors: Hong Yoonki , Park Sunmin , Lee Myoung Kyu
Published: August 2022

To evaluate the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients according to endobronchial metastatic lesion (EML), especially those not identified on positron emission tomography or computed tomography. We evaluated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to the presence of EML in patients with NSCLC who were diagnosed at a tertiary hospital between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 364 patients were enrolled in this study. EML was found in 69 (19.0%) patients with NSCLC. In the patients with EML versus the patients without EML, median PFS was 7.0 (3.5–13.5) and 9.5 (5.5–17.5) months (P = 0.011), and median OS was 12.0 (6.0–30.0) versus 20.0 (10.0–39.0) months (P = 0.016), respectively. Median PFS and OS rates were highest in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (+) and EML (−) patients and lowest in EGFR (−) and EML (+) patients (P < 0.001). By multivariate cox regression analysis, PFS in overall patients with NSCLC was significantly associated with EML, EGFR mutation, performance status, and pleural effusion. NSCLC patients with EML had worse prognoses of PFS and OS than patients without EML.
Long-term study on survival and development of successive generations of Mytilus galloprovincialis cryopreserved larvae
Authors: Heres P. , Troncoso J. , Paredes E.
Published: August 2022

Shellfish aquaculture needs the development of new tools for the improvement of good practices avoiding the reliance on natural spat collection to increase production efficiently. The aim of this work was to improve the cryopreservation protocol for Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae described in Paredes et al. (in: Wolkers, Oldenhof (eds) Cryopreservation and freeze-drying protocol, methods in molecular biology, Humana Press, 2021, pp 2180, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0783-1_18). Moreover, the capability of producing adult mussels from cryopreserved 72 h-old D-larvae and potential long-term effects of cryopreservation through progenies were evaluated. The selection of 72-h old D-larvae for cryopreservation yielded 75% of recovery, higher than 50% from trochophores. The best combination was 10% Ethylene–Glycol + 0.4 M Trehalose in Filtered Sea Water (FSW) with cooling at − 1 °C/min and a water bath at 35 °C for thawing. Sucrose (SUC) solutions did not improve larval recovery (p > 0.05). At settlement, 5.26% of cryopreserved F1 larvae survived and over 70% settled. F2 cryopreservation produced 0.15% survival of spat and settlement varied from 35 to 50%. The delay of shell size showed on cryopreserved larvae declined throughout larval rearing without significant differences with controls from settlement point (p > 0.05). Long-term experiments showed that it is possible to obtain adult mussels from cryopreserved larvae and this tool does not compromise the quality of following progenies, neither for cryopreservation nor post-thawing development of them.
Genetically-biased fertilization in APOBEC1 complementation factor (A1cf) mutant mice
Authors: Hirose Naoki , Blanchet Genevieve , Yamauchi Yasuhiro , Snow Abigail C. , Friedman Robin , Khoo Carmen Y. , Lary Christine W. , Ward Monika A. , Nadeau Joseph H.
Published: August 2022

Meiosis, recombination, and gametogenesis normally ensure that gametes combine randomly. But in exceptional cases, fertilization depends on the genetics of gametes from both females and males. A key question is whether their non-random union results from factors intrinsic to oocytes and sperm, or from their interactions with conditions in the reproductive tracts. To address this question, we used in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a mutant and wild-type allele of the A1cf (APOBEC1 complementation factor) gene in mice that are otherwise genetically identical. We observed strong distortion in favor of mutant heterozygotes showing that bias depends on the genetics of oocyte and sperm, and that any environmental input is modest. To search for the potential mechanism of the ‘biased fertilization’, we analyzed the existing transcriptome data and demonstrated that localization of A1cf transcripts and its candidate mRNA targets is restricted to the spermatids in which they originate, and that these transcripts are enriched for functions related to meiosis, fertilization, RNA stability, translation, and mitochondria. We propose that failure to sequester mRNA targets in A1cf mutant heterozygotes leads to functional differences among spermatids, thereby providing an opportunity for selection among haploid gametes. The study adds to the understanding of the gamete interaction at fertilization. Discovery that bias is evident with IVF provides a new venue for future explorations of preference among genetically distinct gametes at fertilization for A1cf and other genes that display significant departure of Mendelian inheritance.
Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of MMP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and establishment of relevant prognostic model
Authors: Dai Lei , Mugaanyi Joseph , Cai Xingchen , Dong Mingjun , Lu Caide , Lu Changjiang
Published: August 2022

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) encodes endopeptidases associated with degradation of multiple components of the extracellular matrix. This function has increasingly been considered to play a major proteolysis role in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the relationship between MMP1 gene expression, tumor-immune microenvironment and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients remains mostly unclear. This study focused on a comprehensive analysis of MMP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma, specifically the prognosis and tumor-immune microenvironment. MMP1 expression was analyzed using TCGA database and clinical samples. MMP1 associated mechanisms, pathways, mutations and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated. We also analyzed the tumor-immune microenvironment and corresponding treatments. Our research demonstrated that MMP1 expression was upregulated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and correlated with poor survival. A prognostic model was established and its performance evaluated. We also found and report various correlations between MMP1 and immune-related cells/genes, as well the potential therapeutic agents. These findings indicate that MMP1 can potentially be a promising prognostic biomarker and indicator of the tumor-immune microenvironment status in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Subseasonal controls of U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones
Authors: Xiang Baoqiang , Wang Bin , Zhang Wei , Harris Lucas , Delworth Thomas L. , Zhang Gan , Cooke William F.
Published: August 2022

Landfalling tropical cyclones (LTCs) are the most devastating disaster to affect the U.S., while the demonstration of skillful subseasonal (between 10 days and one season) prediction of LTCs is less promising. Understanding the mechanisms governing the subseasonal variation of TC activity is fundamental to improving its forecast, which is of critical interest to decision-makers and the insurance industry. This work reveals three localized atmospheric circulation modes with significant 10–30 days subseasonal variations: Piedmont Oscillation (PO), Great America Dipole (GAD), and the Subtropical High ridge (SHR) modes. These modes strongly modulate precipitation, TC genesis, intensity, track, and landfall near the U.S. coast. Compared to their strong negative phases, the U.S. East Coast has 19 times more LTCs during the strong positive phases of PO, and the Gulf Coast experiences 4–12 times more frequent LTCs during the positive phases of GAD and SHR. Results from the GFDL SPEAR model show a skillful prediction of 13, 9, and 22 days for these three modes, respectively. Our findings are expected to benefit the prediction of LTCs on weather timescale and also suggest opportunities exist for subseasonal predictions of LTCs and their associated heavy rainfalls.
Dual PET-fMRI reveals a link between neuroinflammation, amyloid binding and compensatory task-related brain activity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Canário Nádia , Jorge Lília , Martins Ricardo , Santana Isabel , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: August 2022

The interplay among neuropathological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta (Aβ), as well their impact on neuronal function remains elusive. A major gap in knowledge is the functional impact of neuroinflammation. The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as the most prominent site of amyloid pathology in AD, is a pivotal region to investigate the concomitant presence of pathophysiological mechanisms such as microglia activation, indexing neuroinflammation, and changes in task related activity. Here we used a dual PET approach to simultaneously study Aβ load and neuroinflammation (TSPO uptake marker), using 11C-PiB and 11C-PK11195 radiotracers, respectively and fMRI to study task related neural activation in an AD sample (n = 19) and matched controls (n = 19). Here we show significantly increased Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation and brain activity related to a visual object working memory task in this key region. Microglia activation was associated with increased brain activity specifically in patients, independently of amyloid binding, raising the possibility that abnormal brain activity might be restored in clinical trials aimed at reducing microglia activation.
3-Ethyl-6-vinyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one (EVP): a versatile CO2-derived lactone platform for polymer synthesis
Authors: Rapagnani Rachel M. , Tonks Ian A.
Published: August 2022

3-Ethyl-6-vinyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one (EVP) is a CO2-derived lactone synthesized via Pd-catalyzed telomerization of butadiene.
Controlling the quantity of γ-Fe inside multiwall carbon nano-onions: the key role of sulfur
Authors: Song Jiaxin , Guo Xilong , Zhang Lin , Odunmbaku Omololu , Wu Hansong , Wang Shanling , Wen Jiqiu , Gu Aiqun , Guo Jian , Zhang Hong , Boi Filippo S.
Published: August 2022

We present an innovative chemical vapour synthesis (CVS) approach, in which the inclusion of small quantities of sulfur during the pyrolysis of ferrocene/dichlorobenzene mixtures allows for an important control in the relative abundance of FCC γ-Fe.
Dihalo bismuth cations: unusual coordination properties and inverse solvent effects in Lewis acidity
Authors: Ramler Jacqueline , Stoy Andreas , Preitschopf Tobias , Kettner Janosch , Fischer Ingo , Roling Bernhard , Fantuzzi Felipe , Lichtenberg Crispin
Published: August 2022

Dihalo bismuth cations show an unusual pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry with a stereochemically inactive lone pair. Their relevance for the Lewis acidity of BiX3 is discussed.
The protein-stabilizing effects of TMAO in aqueous and non-aqueous conditions
Authors: Monhemi Hassan , Hoang Hai Nam , Standley Daron M. , Matsuda Tomoko , Housaindokht Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2022

We present a new water-dependent molecular mechanism for the widely-used protein stabilizing osmolyte, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), whose mode of action has remained controversial.
Glucose-induced self-assembly and phase separation in hydrophilic triblock copolymers and the governing mechanism
Authors: Patel Divya , Bhojani Amit K. , Ray Debes , Singh Dheeraj K. , Bhattacharjee Sanyukta , Seth Debabrata , Aswal Vinod K. , Kuperkar Ketan , Bahadur Pratap
Published: August 2022

The self-assembly of solutions of hydrophilic Pluronics® in water and in the presence of varying concentrations of glucose was studied, depicting changes in micellar dimensions.
A self-assembled coordination cage enhances the reactivity of confined amides via mechanical bond-twisting
Authors: Tamura Hiroyuki , Takezawa Hiroki , Fujita Makoto , Ishikita Hiroshi
Published: August 2022

Theoretical analysis revealed the mechanism that accelerates base-catalyzed amide hydrolysis inside the octahedral coordination cage via mechanical bond twisting as demonstrated in recent experiments.
Correction: Computational approaches for XANES, VtC-XES, and RIXS using linear-response time-dependent density functional theory based methods
Authors: Nascimento Daniel R. , Govind Niranjan
Published: August 2022

Correction for ‘Computational approaches for XANES, VtC-XES, and RIXS using linear-response time-dependent density functional theory based methods’ by Daniel R. Nascimento et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2022, 24, 14680–14691, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CP01132H.
Reactivity of a di(amidoxime) ligand in the presence of Cu(ii)/Ni(ii)
Authors: Liu Tingting , Liu Qian , Xue Yun , Yang Suliang , Ma Fuqiu , Tian Guoxin
Published: August 2022

Glutardiamidoxime can form polynuclear complexes with Cu(ii) or Ni(ii) in the form of cyclic diimino ligands under different conditions. In particular, a new reaction route for the preparation of glutarimidedioxime from glutardiamidoxime was found.
Natural deep eutectic solvent assisted synthesis and applications of chiral carbon dots
Authors: Wang Min , Li Chunhu , Zhou Meiling , Xia Zhining , Huang Yike
Published: August 2022

Novel N, Cl-doped chiral carbon dots (CCDs) were prepared for the first time through a one-step hydrothermal method using vine tea as the precursor, and natural deep eutectic solvents as the eco-friendly solvent, doping agent, and chiral source.
Correction: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using green tea leaf extract, characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial activity
Authors: Widatalla Hiba Abbas , Yassin Layla Fathi , Alrasheid Ayat Ahmed , Ahmed Shimaa Abdelrahman , Widdatallah Marvit Osman , Eltilib Sahar Hussein , Mohamed Alaa Abdulmoneim
Published: August 2022

Correction for ‘Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using green tea leaf extract, characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial activity’ by Hiba Abbas Widatalla et al., Nanoscale Adv., 2022, 4, 911–915. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NA00509J.
Nanocomposite-enhanced hydrophobicity effect in biosourced polyurethane with low volume fraction of organophilic CNC: towards solvent-absorbent and porous membranes
Authors: Majdoub Mohammed , Essamlali Younes , Amedlous Abdallah , EL Gharrak Abdelouahed , Zahouily Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Herein, we focus on the development of new nanocomposite porous membranes based on castor oil-derived polyurethane (PUBCO) and octadecylamine-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-ODA) as compatible nanoreinforcements.
Single–atom catalysts based on Fenton-like/peroxymonosulfate system for water purification: design and synthesis principle, performance regulation and catalytic mechanism
Authors: Hao Liping , Guo Chao , Hu Zhenyu , Guo Rui , Liu Xuanwen , Liu Chunming , Tian Ye
Published: August 2022

Novel single-atom catalysts (SACs) have become the frontier materials in the field of environmental remediation, especially wastewater purification because of their nearly 100% ultra-high atomic utilization and excellent properties.
Bridge DNA guided assembly of nanoparticles to program chemical reaction networks
Authors: Zhang Jianing , Yu Jiayu , Jin Jing , Zhou Xiang , Liang Haojun , Zhou Feng , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2022

The structures of bridge DNA linker and the length of toeholds have an essential effect on the multi-step reaction.
A convenient synthesis of N-(hetero)arylamides by the oxidative coupling of methylheteroarenes with amines
Authors: Jaiswal Anjali , Preeti  , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: August 2022

An oxidative amidation of 2-methylpyridines/2-methylbenzimidazole with amines using copper acetate and elemental sulfur in DMSO to afford various N-(hetero)arylamides has been accomplished.
Synthesis of trans-stilbenes via phosphine-catalyzed coupling reactions of benzylic halides
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Xie Zhilong , Ye Zhanqiang , Zhang Mingyang , Li Dongdeng , Yamaguchi Masahiko , Bao Ming
Published: August 2022

This is the first example of phosphine-catalyzed homo-coupling of benzyl chlorides to provide trans-stilbenes. In the presence of different bases, phenylcarbene and phosphonium alkoxide are considered as key intermediates, respectively.
The total synthesis of rhynchosporosides via orthogonal one-pot glycosylation and stereoselective α-glycosylation strategies
Authors: Yang Rui , Sun Xingchun , Zhang Yunqin , Xiao Guozhi
Published: August 2022

Rhynchosporosides have been synthesized via orthogonal one-pot glycosylation based on PTFAI glycosylation, Yu glycosylation, and PVB glycosylation, and merging reagent modulation and remote anchimeric assistance (RMRAA) α-glucosylation strategies.
Facile regeneration of lithium borohydride from anhydrous lithium metaborate using magnesium hydride
Authors: Zhu Yongyang , Liu Mili , Li Jianding , Zeng Weiwei , Zeng Liming , Wu Daifeng , Zhou Qing , Tang Renheng , Xiao Fangming
Published: August 2022

In this work, we report a facile method to regenerate LiBH4from its ideal hydrolytic product (LiBO2) using MgH2as the reducing agent under ambient conditions.
Molecular insights into the ‘defects’ network in the thermosets and the influence on the mechanical performance
Authors: Zhao Fugui , Zhang Haobo , Zhang Dujuan , Wang Xiaomu , Wang Dingxuan , Zhang Junying , Cheng Jue , Gao Feng
Published: August 2022

The introduction of ‘defects’ to the thermoset crosslinking network is one of the most applicable strategies for improving the modulus and toughness simultaneously.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of benzo-[d]-imidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole and imidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole carboxamide triazole derivatives as antimycobacterial agents
Authors: Chitti Surendar , Van Calster Kevin , Cappoen Davie , Nandikolla Adinarayana , Khetmalis Yogesh Mahadu , Cos Paul , Kumar Banoth Karan , Murugesan Sankaranarayanan , Gowri Chandra Sekhar Kondapalli Venkata
Published: August 2022

In the search for new anti-mycobacterial agents, we revealed the importance of imidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole and benzo-[d]-imidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole carboxamide derivatives.
Improved nitrogen reduction activity of NbSe2 tuned by edge chirality
Authors: Zhou Chen , Yuan Saifei , Zhao Wen , Guo Wenyue , Ren Hao
Published: August 2022

The zigzag edge of the NbSe2 monolayer exhibits an overpotential as low as 0.45 V along the enzymatic pathway.
Cyclodextrin-induced release of drug-entrapping liposomes associated with the solation of liposome gels
Authors: Yamada Hiromu , Yamana Keita , Kawasaki Riku , Yasuhara Kazuma , Ikeda Atsushi
Published: August 2022

The solation of liposome gels owing to the addition of trimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (TMe-β-CDx) and the uptake of cationic liposomes released from liposome gels by Colon26 cells are demonstrated.
A hybrid composite of H2V3O8 and graphene for aqueous lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance
Authors: Duan Wenyuan , Li Yanlin , He Yeming , Xin Duqiang , Lashari Najeeb ur Rehman , Ma Cheng , Zhao Yuzhen , Miao Zongcheng
Published: August 2022

Aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (ARLBs) are regarded as a competitive challenger for large-scale energy storage systems because of their high safety, modest cost, and green nature.
Synthesis, photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of push–pull tetrazoles
Authors: West Anna-Kay , Kaylor Lukas J. , Subir Mahamud , Rayat Sundeep
Published: August 2022

A 2,5-disubstituted tetrazole with ap-nitrophenyl unit as an acceptor and a 4-(N,N-diphenylamino) phenyl group as a donor exhibits strong push–pull characteristics and displays high NLO activity.
Establishing the selective phospholipid membrane coordination, permeation and lysis properties for a series of ‘druggable’ supramolecular self-associating antimicrobial amphiphiles
Authors: Boles Jessica E. , Bennett Charlotte , Baker Jennifer , Hilton Kira L. F. , Kotak Hiral A. , Clark Ewan R. , Long Yifan , White Lisa J. , Lai Hin Yuk , Hind Charlotte K. , Sutton J. Mark , Garrett Michelle D. , Cheasty Anne , Ortega-Roldan Jose L. , Charles Mark , Haynes Cally J. E. , Hiscock Jennifer R.
Published: August 2022

A combination of computational and synthetic phospholipid vesicle/nanodisc assays are used to investigate the mode of action for a class of antimicrobial agents, while a range of DMPK studies establish agent druggability.
Room temperature charge-transfer phosphorescence from organic donor–acceptor Co-crystals
Authors: Garain Swadhin , Ansari Shagufi Naz , Kongasseri Anju Ajayan , Chandra Garain Bidhan , Pati Swapan K. , George Subi J.
Published: August 2022

A modular, non-covalent donor–acceptor strategy is proposed to bias the excited-state manifold of organic systems and to realize unprecedented charge-transfer phosphorescence.
Monitoring and modulating a catalytic hybridization circuit for self-adaptive bioorthogonal DNA assembly
Authors: Gong Xue , He Shizhen , Li Ruomeng , Chen Yingying , Tan Kaiyue , Wan Yeqing , Liu Xiaoqing , Wang Fuan
Published: August 2022

A localized catalytic circuit, facilitating the self-assembly of DNA nanosponges, is developed for robust and accurate monitoring of miRNA targets in live cells and mice.
Data storage and encryption with a high security level based on molecular configurational isomers
Authors: Liu Yang , Shen Jinghui , Dong Yu , Zhu Lijuan , Li Caicong , Wang Donghui , Huang Weiguo
Published: August 2022

Developing advanced materials for highly secure data-encryption is crucial but very challenging, as most data-encryption materials (the message area) are chemically different from the substrates (the background) on which they are being written, leading to high risks of data leakage by deciphering via sophisticated instrumental analysis.
Enhanced high-temperature energy storage properties of polymer composites by interlayered metal nanodots
Authors: Li Shuai , Dong Jiufeng , Niu Yujuan , Li Li , Wang Feng , Hu Renchao , Cheng Jin , Sun Liang , Pan Zizhao , Xu Xinwei , Wang Hong
Published: August 2022

The PC-Au nanodots-PC heterojunction film with merely 0.0035 vol% of Au nanodots exhibited a superior Ue (6.25 J cm−3) and η (86.6%) at 150 °C, far surpassing those of the reported advanced polymers and nanocomposite dielectrics.
Orientation-controlled crystallization of γ-glycine films with enhanced piezoelectricity
Authors: Sui Jiajie , Li Jun , Gu Long , Schmidt Connor A. , Zhang Ziyi , Shao Yan , Gazit Ehud , Gilbert Pupa U. P. A. , Wang Xudong
Published: August 2022

Orientation of glycine crystals are tuned by the surface curvature at nucleation site with enhanced piezoelectricity in self-assembled glycine–PVA films.
LaBS3 revisited: a promising mid-infrared nonlinear optical material
Authors: Han Ya-Xiang , Hu Chun-Li , Fang Zhi , Chen Qian-Qian , Li Bing-Xuan , Lin Yuan , Mao Jiang-Gao
Published: August 2022

LaBS3 possesses a large SHG effect, high laser-induced damage threshold, wide band gap, and high thermal stability.
The multifaceted actions of the lncRNA H19 in cardiovascular biology and diseases
Authors: Busscher Denise , Boon Reinier A. , Juni Rio P.
Published: August 2022

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and debility worldwide. Various molecular mechanisms have been studied to better understand the development and progression of cardiovascular pathologies with hope to eradicate these diseases. With the advancement of the sequencing technology, it is revealed that the majority of our genome is non-coding. A growing body of literature demonstrates the critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as epigenetic regulators of gene expression. LncRNAs can regulate cellular biological processes through various distinct molecular mechanisms. The abundance of lncRNAs in the cardiovascular system indicates their significance in cardiovascular physiology and pathology. LncRNA H19, in particular, is a highly evolutionarily conserved lncRNA that is enriched in cardiac and vascular tissue, underlining its importance in maintaining homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we discuss the versatile function of H19 in various types of cardiovascular diseases. We highlight the current literature on H19 in the cardiovascular system and demonstrate how dysregulation of H19 induces the development of cardiovascular pathophysiology.
Uncovering protein function: from classification to complexes
Authors: Morris Rhiannon , Black Katrina A. , Stollar Elliott J.
Published: August 2022

Almost all interactions and reactions that occur in living organisms involve proteins. The various biological roles of proteins include, but are not limited to, signal transduction, gene transcription, cell death, immune function, structural support, and catalysis of all the chemical reactions that enable organisms to survive. The varied roles of proteins have led to them being dubbed ‘the workhorses of all living organisms’. This article discusses the functions of proteins and how protein function is studied in a laboratory setting. In this article, we begin by examining the functions of protein domains, followed by a discussion of some of the major classes of proteins based on their function. We consider protein binding in detail, which is central to protein function. We then examine how protein function can be altered through various mechanisms including post-translational modification, and changes to environment, oligomerisation and mutations. Finally, we consider a handful of the techniques employed in the laboratory to understand and measure the function of proteins.
Lexical Acquisition and Phonological Development in Minimally Verbal Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Biller Maysoon F. , Yeager Kayleigh A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

This study examines two components of lexical acquisition and phonological development that occur during the first 50-word stage of language development in neurotypical (NT) children. One component is how children learn words based on their existing speech sound inventories (i.e., in-phonology and out-of-phonology word learning). The other component is the relationship between the children's number of words and the number of phonemes in their speech sound inventories. The goal of this study is to determine if the same two components occur in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) who are older than their NT peers but are in the same stage of lexical development.

Method:

This study involved 20 minimally verbal children with ASDs, ages 28–72 months, who produced five to 50 spoken words. The children's spoken words were obtained from the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories. The speech sound inventories were obtained from the utterances produced during assessment/play sessions with the children. The children's spoken words from the Communicative Development Inventories (CDI) were categorized as either in-phonology or out-of-phonology based on whether the words began with a phoneme in the child's existing speech sound inventory. Additionally, the children's number of spoken words on the CDI was compared to the number of phonemes in their speech sound inventories.

Results:

The children in this study produced in-phonology words more often than out-of-phonology words (
z
= −3.922;
p
< .001). Moreover, there was a moderate positive correlation between the children's number of spoken words and the number of phonemes in their speech sound inventories (
r
= .534,
p
= .019).

Conclusions:

The relationship between lexical acquisition and phonological development appears to exist for the children in this study, who are in the first 50-word stage of development. Clinical implications for increasing the expressive language of children with ASDs were discussed.
The Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey (AGES)
Authors: Deshev Boris , Taylor Rhys , Minchin Robert , Scott Tom C. , Brinks Elias
Published: August 2022

Context. Many galaxy properties are known to correlate with the environment in which the galaxies are embedded. Their cold, neutral gas content, which is usually assessed through 21 cm H I observations, is related to many other galaxy properties as it is the underlying fuel for star formation. With its high sensitivity and broad sky coverage the blind Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey (AGES) brings significant improvement to the census of H I properties of galaxies in a wide range of environments, from voids to the core of a massive cluster. Here we present an H I census over a volume of ∼44 000 Mpc3 towards the merging cluster Abell 1367 and extending well beyond.

Aims. We measure the effects that different environments have on the H I content of their constituent galaxies.

Methods. We use AGES- a deep, blind, H I survey carried out with the Arecibo radio telescope, which covers 20 square degrees on the sky centred on the merging cluster Abell 1367, mapping the large-scale structure (LSS) surrounding the cluster out to cz = 20 000 km s−1. The survey is sensitive down to a column density of NH I = 1.5 × 1017 cm−2 for emission filling the beam and a line width of 10 km s−1. As an approximate mass sensitivity limit, a member of A1367 (at a distance of 92 Mpc), containing MH I = 2.7 × 108 M⊙ distributed over a top-hat profile of 50 km s−1 width would be detected at 4σ. The results are analysed in combination with optical spectroscopy data from SDSS which we use to estimate the local galaxy density based on the Voronoi-Delaunay method.

Results. We present the results of the complete AGES survey of the A1367 field. In total, we detect 457 H I sources, 213 of which are detected for the first time by the AGES survey, and 134 of which are presented in this article for the first time. Of the 457 detections, 225 are in the cluster and 232 are in the remaining volume surveyed. Here we present the full catalogue of H I detections and their basic properties, including optical ones. We concentrate on the difference between the cluster and the foreground and background LSS, revealing a continuous correlation of H I-detected fraction (and H I deficiency) with local galaxy density, independent of global environment.