bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA Therapeutics in Cancer: Current Advances and Challenges
Authors: Reda El Sayed Soha , Cristante Justine , Guyon Laurent , Denis Josiane , Chabre Olivier , Cherradi Nadia
Published: May 2021

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in 1993 has challenged the dogma of gene expression regulation. MiRNAs affect most of cellular processes from metabolism, through cell proliferation and differentiation, to cell death. In cancer, deregulated miRNA expression leads to tumor development and progression by promoting acquisition of cancer hallmark traits. The multi-target action of miRNAs, which enable regulation of entire signaling networks, makes them attractive tools for the development of anti-cancer therapies. Hence, supplementing downregulated miRNA by synthetic oligonucleotides or silencing overexpressed miRNAs through artificial antagonists became a common strategy in cancer research. However, the ultimate success of miRNA therapeutics will depend on solving pharmacokinetic and targeted delivery issues. The development of a number of nanocarrier-based platforms holds significant promises to enhance the cell specific controlled delivery and safety profile of miRNA-based therapies. In this review, we provide among the most comprehensive assessments to date of promising nanomedicine platforms that have been tested preclinically, pertaining to the treatment of selected solid tumors including lung, liver, breast, and glioblastoma tumors as well as endocrine malignancies. The future challenges and potential applications in clinical oncology are discussed.
Radiomics in Oncology, Part 2: Thoracic, Genito-Urinary, Breast, Neurological, Hematologic and Musculoskeletal Applications
Authors: Caruso Damiano , Polici Michela , Zerunian Marta , Pucciarelli Francesco , Guido Gisella , Polidori Tiziano , Landolfi Federica , Nicolai Matteo , Lucertini Elena , Tarallo Mariarita , Bracci Benedetta , Nacci Ilaria , Rucci Carlotta , Eid Marwen , Iannicelli Elsa , Laghi Andrea
Published: May 2021

Radiomics has the potential to play a pivotal role in oncological translational imaging, particularly in cancer detection, prognosis prediction and response to therapy evaluation. To date, several studies established Radiomics as a useful tool in oncologic imaging, able to support clinicians in practicing evidence-based medicine, uniquely tailored to each patient and tumor. Mineable data, extracted from medical images could be combined with clinical and survival parameters to develop models useful for the clinicians in cancer patients’ assessment. As such, adding Radiomics to traditional subjective imaging may provide a quantitative and extensive cancer evaluation reflecting histologic architecture. In this Part II, we present an overview of radiomic applications in thoracic, genito-urinary, breast, neurological, hematologic and musculoskeletal oncologic applications.
Ultrastaging Using Ex Vivo Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) in Gastric Cancer: Experiences of a European Center
Authors: Märkl Bruno , Grosser Bianca , Bauer Kerstin , Vlasenko Dmytro , Schenkirsch Gerhard , Probst Andreas , Kriening Bernadette
Published: May 2021

Background: In this study, the effectiveness of One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) in combination with ex vivo SLN mapping is compared with conventional histology including immunohistochemistry. Methods: LNs were retrieved from gastrectomy specimens in an unfixed state. After ex vivo SLN mapping using methylene-blue, LNs were sliced to provide samples for histology and OSNA. Results: In total, 334 LNs were retrieved in the fresh state from 41 patients. SLN detection was intended in 40 cases but was successful in only 29, with a correct LN status prediction in 23 cases (79%). Excluding one case out of 41 with a failure likely caused by a processing error, OSNA showed a high effectiveness with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of 85.4%, 93.5%, and 92.4%, respectively. The LN status could be predicted in all but one case, in which the single positive LN was not eligible for OSNA testing. Moreover, OSNA evaluation led to upstaging from N0 to N+ in three cases (14%). Conclusion: The ex vivo SLN protocol used resulted in a relatively poor detection rate. However, the OSNA method was not hampered by this detection rate and proved its potential to increase the sensitivity of metastases detection.
Improving Care for Spanish-Speaking Older Adults with Breast Cancer: Feasibility, Reliability, and Validity of a Self-Administered Spanish Language Geriatric Assessment
Authors: Soto-Perez-de-Celis Enrique , Vazquez Jessica , Kim Heeyoung , Sun Can-Lan , Charles Kemeberly , Celis Ashley , Katheria Vani , Li Daneng , Dale William , Sedrak Mina S.
Published: May 2021

We evaluated the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a Spanish-language self-administered geriatric assessment (GA) in older (age ≥ 65) Spanish-speaking women with breast cancer in the United States. Eligible participants (n = 181) were recruited and randomized. Feasibility was defined as the participant’s unassisted GA completion rate, completion time, and perception on ease of completion. Reliability and validity were assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Two-sided p < 0.05 was considered significant. Ninety-eight percent of participants (n = 177) completed the GA at least once. Median age was 70 years (range: 65–95) and 55% had ≤8th grade education. Forty-one percent (n = 73) were unable to complete the GA unassisted, median completion time was 28 min (range 8–90), and 77% (n = 136) rated the GA as “easy”/“very easy”. Patients with ≤8th grade education took longer to complete the GA (30 vs. 25 min, p = 0.0036) and needed more assistance (59% vs. 19%, p < 0.001) than those with ≥9th grade education. Test–retest reliability was high (≥0.82) for all domains except social activity (0.73). Validity among similar scales was found. The self-administered GA is a feasible, reliable, and valid tool for Spanish-speaking older women with breast cancer. Tailoring GA tools to the patients’ educational level is important when implementing tools in multicultural environments.
Current Implications of microRNAs in Genome Stability and Stress Responses of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Gajek Arkadiusz , Gralewska Patrycja , Marczak Agnieszka , Rogalska Aneta
Published: May 2021

Genomic alterations and aberrant DNA damage signaling are hallmarks of ovarian cancer (OC), the leading cause of mortality among gynecological cancers worldwide. Owing to the lack of specific symptoms and late-stage diagnosis, survival chances of patients are significantly reduced. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and replication stress response inhibitors present attractive therapeutic strategies for OC. Recent research has focused on ovarian cancer-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) that play significant regulatory roles in various cellular processes. While miRNAs have been shown to participate in regulation of tumorigenesis and drug responses through modulating the DNA damage response (DDR), little is known about their potential influence on sensitivity to chemotherapy. The main objective of this review is to summarize recent findings on the utility of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers, in particular, ovarian cancer, and their regulation of DDR or modified replication stress response proteins. We further discuss the suppressive and promotional effects of various miRNAs on ovarian cancer and their participation in cell cycle disturbance, response to DNA damage, and therapeutic functions in multiple cancer types, with particular focus on ovarian cancer. Improved understanding of the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate drug resistance should facilitate the development of effective combination therapies for ovarian cancer.
Current Updates on Cancer-Causing Types of Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) in East, Southeast, and South Asia
Authors: Xia Chichao , Li Sile , Long Teng , Chen Zigui , Chan Paul K. S. , Boon Siaw Shi
Published: May 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains one of the most prominent cancer-causing DNA viruses, contributing to approximately 5% of human cancers. While association between HPV and cervical cancers has been well-established, evidence on the attribution of head and neck cancers (HNC) to HPV have been increasing in recent years. Among the cancer-causing HPV genotypes, HPV16 and 18 remain the major contributors to cancers across the globe. Nonetheless, the distribution of HPV genotypes in ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically diverse East, Southeast, and South Asia may differ from other parts of the world. In this review, we garner and provide updated insight into various aspects of HPV reported in recent years (2015–2021) in these regions. We included: (i) the HPV genotypes detected in normal cancers of the uterine cervix and head and neck, as well as the distribution of the HPV genotypes by geography and age groups; (ii) the laboratory diagnostic methods and treatment regimens used within these regions; and (iii) the oncogenic properties of HPV prototypes and their variants contributing to carcinogenesis. More importantly, we also unveil the similarities and discrepancies between these aspects, the areas lacking study, and the challenges faced in HPV studies.
Fascin Inhibitors Decrease Cell Migration and Adhesion While Increase Overall Survival of Mice Bearing Bladder Cancers
Authors: Zhao Zhankui , Wang Yufeng , Zhang J. Jillian , Huang Xin-Yun
Published: May 2021

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Early stage bladder tumors can be surgically removed, but these patients usually have relapses. When bladder cancer becomes metastatic, survival is very low. There is an urgent need for new treatments for metastatic bladder cancers. Here, we report that a new fascin inhibitor decreases the migration and adhesion of bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, this inhibitor decreases the primary tumor growth and increases the overall survival of mice bearing bladder cancers, alone, as well as in combination with the chemotherapy medication, cisplatin, or the immune checkpoint inhibitor, anti-PD-1 antibody. These data suggest that fascin inhibitors can be explored as a new treatment for bladder cancers.
The Critical Role of TRIB2 in Cancer and Therapy Resistance
Authors: Mayoral-Varo Victor , Jiménez Lucía , Link Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

The Tribbles pseudokinases family consists of TRIB1, TRIB2, TRIB3 and STK40 and, although evolutionarily conserved, they have distinctive characteristics. Tribbles members are expressed in a context and cell compartment-dependent manner. For example, TRIB1 and TRIB2 have potent oncogenic activities in vertebrate cells. Since the identification of Tribbles proteins as modulators of multiple signalling pathways, recent studies have linked their expression with several pathologies, including cancer. Tribbles proteins act as protein adaptors involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system, as they bridge the gap between substrates and E3 ligases. Between TRIB family members, TRIB2 is the most ancestral member of the family. TRIB2 is involved in protein homeostasis regulation of C/EBPα, β-catenin and TCF4. On the other hand, TRIB2 interacts with MAPKK, AKT and NFkB proteins, involved in cell survival, proliferation and immune response. Here, we review the characteristic features of TRIB2 structure and signalling and its role in many cancer subtypes with an emphasis on TRIB2 function in therapy resistance in melanoma, leukemia and glioblastoma. The strong evidence between TRIB2 expression and chemoresistance provides an attractive opportunity for targeting TRIB2.
How Has Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy Changed in Italy between 2004 and 2011? An Analysis of the National Patterns-Of-Practice (POP) Database by the Uro-Oncology Study Group of the Italian Society of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)
Authors: Mazzeo Ercole , Triggiani Luca , Frassinelli Luca , Guarneri Alessia , Bartoncini Sara , Antognoni Paolo , Gottardo Stefania , Greco Diana , Borghesi Simona , Nanni Sara , Bruni Alessio , Ingrosso Gianluca , D’Angelillo Rolando Maria , Detti Beatrice , Francolini Giulio , Magli Alessandro , Guerini Andrea Emanuele , Arcangeli Stefano , Spiazzi Luigi , Ricardi Umberto , Lohr Frank , Magrini Stefano Maria
Published: May 2021

Background and purpose: Two previous “Patterns Of Practice” surveys (POP I and POP II), including more than 4000 patients affected by prostate cancer treated with radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) between 1980 and 2003, established a “benchmark” Italian data source for prostate cancer radiotherapy. This report (POP III) updates the previous studies. Methods: Data on clinical management and outcome of 2525 prostate cancer patients treated by EBRT from 2004 to 2011 were collected and compared with POP II and, when feasible, also with POP I. This report provides data on clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, radiation therapy management, and toxicity as collected within the framework of POP III. Results: More than 50% of POP III patients were classified as low or intermediate risk using D’Amico risk categories as in POP II; 46% were classified as ISUP grade group 1. CT scan, bone scan, and endorectal ultrasound were less frequently prescribed. Dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), and hypofractionated RT were more frequently offered during the study period. Treatment was commonly well tolerated. Acute toxicity improved compared to the previous series; late toxicity was influenced by prescribed dose and treatment technique. Five-year overall survival, biochemical relapse free survival (BRFS), and disease specific survival were similar to those of the previous series (POP II). BRFS was better in intermediate- and high-risk patients treated with ≥ 76 Gy. Conclusions: This report highlights the improvements in radiotherapy planning and dose delivery among Italian Centers in the 2004–2011 period. Dose-escalated treatments resulted in better biochemical control with a reduction in acute toxicity and higher but acceptable late toxicity, as not yet comprehensively associated with IMRT/IGRT. CTV-PTV margins >8 mm were associated with increased toxicity, again suggesting that IGRT—allowing for tighter margins—would reduce toxicity for dose escalated RT. These conclusions confirm the data obtained from randomized controlled studies.
Biomarkers in Hepatobiliary Cancers: What Is Useful in Clinical Practice?
Authors: Boilève Alice , Hilmi Marc , Delaye Matthieu , Tijeras-Raballand Annemilaï , Neuzillet Cindy
Published: May 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancers (BTC) exhibit a poor prognosis with 5-year overall survival rates around 15%, all stages combined. Most of these primary liver malignancies are metastatic at diagnostic, with only limited therapeutic options, relying mainly on systemic therapies. Treatment modalities are different yet partially overlapping between HCC and BTC. The complex molecular profile of BTC yields to several actionable therapeutic targets, contrary to HCC that remains the field of antiangiogenic drugs in non-molecularly selected patients. Immunotherapy is now validated in the first line in HCC in combination with bevacizumab, while clinical activity of single agent immunotherapy appears limited to a subset of patients in BTC, still poorly characterized, and combinations are currently under investigation. In this review, we provide a critical evaluation and grading of clinical relevance on (i) the main prognostic biomarkers in HCC and BTC, (ii) the main theragnostic biomarkers in both tumors, and lastly (iii) what is recommended in clinical practice.
Is Breast Cancer Risk Associated with Menopausal Hormone Therapy Modified by Current or Early Adulthood BMI or Age of First Pregnancy?
Authors: Leventea Eleni , Harkness Elaine F. , Brentnall Adam R. , Howell Anthony , Evans D. Gareth , Harvie Michelle
Published: May 2021

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has an attenuated effect on breast cancer (BC) risk amongst heavier women, but there are few data on a potential interaction with early adulthood body mass index (at age 20 years) and age of first pregnancy. We studied 56,489 women recruited to the PROCAS (Predicting Risk of Cancer at Screening) study in Manchester UK, 2009-15. Cox regression models estimated the effect of reported MHT use at entry on breast cancer (BC) risk, and potential interactions with a. self-reported current body mass index (BMI), b. BMI aged 20 and c. First pregnancy >30 years or nulliparity compared with first pregnancy <30 years. Analysis was adjusted for age, height, family history, age of menarche and menopause, menopausal status, oophorectomy, ethnicity, self-reported exercise and alcohol. With median follow up of 8 years, 1663 breast cancers occurred. BC risk was elevated amongst current users of combined MHT compared to never users (Hazard ratioHR 1.64, 95% CI 1.32–2.03), risk was higher than for oestrogen only users (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.79–1.34). Risk of current MHT was attenuated by current BMI (interaction HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.99) per 5 unit increase in BMI. There was little evidence of an interaction between MHT use, breast cancer risk and early and current BMI or with age of first pregnancy.
Serum Metabolite Profiles in Participants of Lung Cancer Screening Study; Comparison of Two Independent Cohorts
Authors: Widłak Piotr , Jelonek Karol , Kurczyk Agata , Żyła Joanna , Sitkiewicz Magdalena , Bottoni Edoardo , Veronesi Giulia , Polańska Joanna , Rzyman Witold
Published: May 2021

Serum metabolome is a promising source of molecular biomarkers that could support early detection of lung cancer in screening programs based on low-dose computed tomography. Several panels of metabolites that differentiate lung cancer patients and healthy individuals were reported, yet none of them were validated in the population at high-risk of developing cancer. Here we analyzed serum metabolome profiles in participants of two lung cancer screening studies: MOLTEST-BIS (Poland, n = 369) and SMAC-1 (Italy, n = 93). Three groups of screening participants were included: lung cancer patients, individuals with benign pulmonary nodules, and those without any lung alterations. Concentrations of about 400 metabolites (lipids, amino acids, and biogenic amines) were measured by a mass spectrometry-based approach. We observed a reduced level of lipids, in particular cholesteryl esters, in sera of cancer patients from both studies. Despite several specific compounds showing significant differences between cancer patients and healthy controls within each study, only a few cancer-related features were common when both cohorts were compared, which included a reduced concentration of lysophosphatidylcholine LPC (18:0). Moreover, serum metabolome profiles in both noncancer groups were similar, and differences between cancer patients and both groups of healthy participants were comparable. Large heterogeneity in levels of specific metabolites was observed, both within and between cohorts, which markedly impaired the accuracy of classification models: The overall AUC values of three-state classifiers were 0.60 and 0.51 for the test (MOLTEST) and validation (SMAC) cohorts, respectively. Therefore, a hypothetical metabolite-based biomarker for early detection of lung cancer would require adjustment to lifestyle-related confounding factors that putatively affect the composition of serum metabolome.
Advances in the Pathogenesis of EBV-Associated Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Chabay Paola
Published: May 2021

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in adults. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) positive DLBCL of the elderly was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008, it was restricted only to patients older than 50 years old, and it was attributed to immunesenescence associated with physiological aging. After the description of EBV-associated DLBCL in children and young adults, the WHO redefined the definition, leading to the substitution of the modifier “elderly” with “not otherwise specified” (EBV + DLBCL, NOS) in the updated classification, and it is no more considered provisional. The incidence of EBV + DLBCL, NOS varies around the world, in particular influenced by the percentage of EBV+ cells used as cut-off to define a case as EBV-associated. EBV has effect on the genetic composition of tumor cells, on survival, and at the recruitment of immune cells at the microenvironment. In this review, the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of DLBCL is discussed.
Tracking the Antibody Immunome in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer by Using Antigen Self-Assembled Protein Arrays
Authors: González-González María , Sayagués José María , Muñoz-Bellvís Luis , Pedreira Carlos Eduardo , de Campos Marcello L. R. , García Jacinto , Alcázar José Antonio , Braz Patrick F. , Galves Breno L. , González Luis Miguel , Bengoechea Oscar , Abad María del Mar , Cruz Juan Jesús , Bellido Lorena , Fonseca Emilio , Díez Paula , Juanes-Velasco Pablo , Landeira-Viñuela Alicia , Lecrevisse Quentin , Montalvillo Enrique , Góngora Rafael , Blanco Oscar , Sánchez-Santos José Manuel , LaBaer Joshua , Orfao Alberto , Fuentes Manuel
Published: May 2021

Sporadic Colorectal Cancer (sCRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the Western world, and the sCRC patients presenting with synchronic metastasis have the poorest prognosis. Genetic alterations accumulated in sCRC tumor cells translate into mutated proteins and/or abnormal protein expression levels, which contribute to the development of sCRC. Then, the tumor-associated proteins (TAAs) might induce the production of auto-antibodies (aAb) via humoral immune response. Here, Nucleic Acid Programmable Protein Arrays (NAPPArray) are employed to identify aAb in plasma samples from a set of 50 sCRC patients compared to seven healthy donors. Our goal was to establish a systematic workflow based on NAPPArray to define differential aAb profiles between healthy individuals and sCRC patients as well as between non-metastatic (n = 38) and metastatic (n = 12) sCRC, in order to gain insight into the role of the humoral immune system in controlling the development and progression of sCRC. Our results showed aAb profile based on 141 TAA including TAAs associated with biological cellular processes altered in genesis and progress of sCRC (e.g., FSCN1, VTI2 and RPS28) that discriminated healthy donors vs. sCRC patients. In addition, the potential capacity of discrimination (between non-metastatic vs. metastatic sCRC) of 7 TAAs (USP5, ML4, MARCKSL1, CKMT1B, HMOX2, VTI2, TP53) have been analyzed individually in an independent cohort of sCRC patients, where two of them (VTI2 and TP53) were validated (AUC ~75%). In turn, these findings provided novel insights into the immunome of sCRC, in combination with transcriptomics profiles and protein antigenicity characterizations, wich might lead to the identification of novel sCRC biomarkers that might be of clinical utility for early diagnosis of the tumor. These results explore the immunomic analysis as potent source for biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic value in CRC. Additional prospective studies in larger series of patients are required to confirm the clinical utility of these novel sCRC immunomic biomarkers.
2D-Layered Non-Precious Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Fundamentals to Applications
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta Kumar , Bisoi Soubhagya Ranjan , Huang Yi-June , Tsai Dung-Sheng , Lee Chuan-Pei
Published: May 2021

The production of hydrogen via the water splitting process is one of the most promising technologies for future clean energy requirements, and one of the best related challenges is the choice of the most highly efficient and cost effective electrocatalyst. Conventional electrocatalysts based on precious metals are rare and very-expensive for large-scale production of hydrogen, demanding the exploration for low-cost earth abundant alternatives. In this context, extensive works from both theoretical and experimental investigations have shown that two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have gained considerable attention as highly effective electrocatalytic materials for electrical-driven hydrogen production because of their unique layered structure and exciting electrical properties. This review highlights recent advancements on 2D layered materials, including graphene, transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), MXene, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as cost-effective and highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. In addition, some fundamental aspects of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process and a wide ranging overview on several strategies to design and synthesize 2D layered material as HER electrocatalysts for commercial applications are introduced. Finally, the conclusion and futuristic prospects and challenges of the advancement of 2D layered materials as non-precious HER electrocatalysts are briefly discussed.
Cost Effective Solvothermal Method to Synthesize Zn-Doped TiO2 Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic and Photocatalytic Degradation Applications
Authors: Rajaramanan Tharmakularasa , Shanmugaratnam Sivagowri , Gurunanthanan Vijayakumar , Yohi Shivatharsiny , Velauthapillai Dhayalan , Ravirajan Punniamoorthy , Senthilnanthanan Meena
Published: May 2021

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a commonly used wide bandgap semiconductor material for energy and environmental applications. Although it is a promising candidate for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications, its overall performance is still limited due to low mobility of porous TiO2 and its limited spectral response. This limitation can be overcome by several ways, one of which is doping that could be used to improve the light harvesting properties of TiO2 by tuning its bandgap. TiO2 doped with elements, such as alkali-earth metals, transition metals, rare-earth elements, and nonmetals, were found to improve its performance in the photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications. Among the doped TiO2 nanomaterials, transition metal doped TiO2 nanomaterials perform efficiently by suppressing the relaxation and recombination of charge carriers and improving the absorption of light in the visible region. This work reports the possibility of enhancing the performance of TiO2 towards Dye Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSCs) and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) by employing Zn doping on TiO2 nanomaterials. Zn doping was carried out by varying the mole percentage of Zn on TiO2 by a facile solvothermal method and the synthesized nanomaterials were characterised. The XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) studies confirmed the presence of anatase phase of TiO2 in the synthesized nanomaterials, unaffected by Zn doping. The UV-Visible spectrum of Zn-doped TiO2 showed a red shift which could be attributed to the reduced bandgap resulted by Zn doping. Significant enhancement in Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) was observed with 1.0 mol% Zn-doped TiO2 based DSSC, which was 35% greater than that of the control device. In addition, it showed complete degradation of MB within 3 h of light illumination and rate constant of 1.5466×10−4s−1 resembling zeroth order reaction. These improvements are attributed to the reduced bandgap energy and the reduced charge recombination by Zn doping on TiO2.
Effect of Different Catalyst Supports on the Quality, Yield and Morphology of Carbon Nanotubes Produced from Waste Polypropylene Plastics
Authors: Modekwe Helen Uchenna , Mamo Messai Adenew , Moothi Kapil , Daramola Michael Olawale
Published: May 2021

The role of the effect of the support on the reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, the study documented in this article investigated the effect of different metal oxide supports (MgO, CaO and TiO2) and mixed oxide supports (CaTiO3) on the performance of a bimetallic NiMo catalyst prepared via the sol–gel method during the catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from waste polypropylene (PP). Waste PP was pyrolyzed at 700 °C in a single-stage chemical vapor deposition reactor and off-gas was utilized in-situ as a cheap carbon feedstock for the growth of CNTs under similar conditions for all the prepared NiMo catalysts (supported and unsupported). The structures of the prepared catalysts and deposited carbon were extensively characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), etc. The catalytic performance of NiMo supported and unsupported catalysts was evaluated in terms of the yield, purity, and morphology of synthesized CNTs. The results revealed that the stabilizing role of supports is fundamental in preventing nanoparticle agglomeration and aggregation, thereby resulting in improved yield and quality of CNTs. Supported NiMo catalysts produced better aligned graphitic and high-quality CNTs. The NiMo/CaTiO3 catalyst produced the highest carbon of 40.0%, while unsupported NiMo produced low-quality CNTs with the lowest carbon yield of 18.4%. Therefore, the type of catalyst support and overall stability of catalytic materials play significant roles in the yield and quality of CNTs produced from waste PP.
Further Evidence That Defects in Main Thyroid Dysgenesis-Related Genes Are an Uncommon Etiology for Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism in Mexican Patients: Report of Rare Variants in FOXE1, NKX2-5 and TSHR
Authors: Alcántara-Ortigoza Miguel Angel , Sánchez-Verdiguel Iraís , Fernández-Hernández Liliana , Enríquez-Flores Sergio , González-Núñez Aidy , Hernández-Martínez Nancy Leticia , Sánchez Carmen , González-del Angel Ariadna
Published: May 2021

Mexico shows a high birth prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to thyroid dysgenesis (TD). PAX8 defects underlie only 1% of these cases and NKX2-1 does not seem to be involved. Here, we analyzed other TD-related genes in 128 non-related Mexican patients (females 77.3%; 6 months to 16.6 years) with non-syndromic CH-TD diagnosis established by clinical evaluation, thyroid hormone serum profiling, and scintigraphy (74%) or ultrasonography (26%). We performed Sanger sequencing of FOXE1, NKX2-5, and TSHR and evaluated copy number variations (CNVs) in TSHR, FOXE1, PAX8, and NKX2-1 by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Odds ratios for TD risk were explored for FOXE1 polyalanine stretches [polyAla-rs71369530] in cases and controls (N = 116). Five rare missense changes cataloged as benign (NKX2-5:p.(Ala119Ser)-rs137852684), of unknown significance (FOXE1:p.(Ala335Gly)-rs543372757; TSHR:p.(Asp118Asn)-rs1414102266), and likely pathogenic (FOXE1:p.(Gly124Arg)-rs774035532; TSHR:p.(Trp422Arg)-rs746029360) accounted for 1.5% (N = 2/128) of clinically relevant genotypes (supported in part by protein modeling) in CH-TD. No CNVs were identified, nor did polyAla > 14 alanines in FOXE1 significantly protect against TD. The present and previously published data collectively show that small clinically relevant germline variants in PAX8, FOXE1, and TSHR are found in only a very small proportion (2.5%) of isolated CH-TD Mexican patients.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline-Based Polymer Nanocomposites as Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Authors: Rangel-Olivares Francisco R. , Arce-Estrada Elsa M. , Cabrera-Sierra Román
Published: May 2021

Polymer nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANI)-based metal oxides (SiO2, CeO2, and TiO2A) were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization by rapid mixing in a hydrochloric acid medium to evaluate and compare their performance as anti-corrosion coatings on commercial 1018 steel in a 3.5% NaCl medium. The anti-corrosion coatings were developed by dispersing synthesized nanocomposites on an alkydalic resin (AR) for their subsequent electrochemical characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses show that PANI has a certain degree of crystallinity in its structure. The incorporation of metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymer matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses, while the interaction of nanoparticles with PANI was proven by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals that nanoparticles infer greater resistance to the thermal decomposition of PANI. Finally, the use of open circuit potential (OCP) study, Tafel curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that coatings made with TiO2A NPs exhibit the best anti-corrosion properties as compared to those synthesized with SiO2 and CeO2 NPs.
Effect of Ge Concentration on the On-Current Boosting of Logic P-Type MOSFET with Sigma-Shaped Source/Drain
Authors: Ko Eunjung , Lee Juhee , Ryu Seung-Wook , Shin Hyunsu , Park Seran , Ko Dae-Hong
Published: May 2021

Silicon german ium (SiGe) has attracted significant attention for applications in the source/drain (S/D) regions of p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (p-MOSFETs). However, in SiGe, as the Ge concentration increases, high-density defects are generated, which limit its applications. Therefore, several techniques have been developed to minimize defects; however, these techniques require relatively thick epitaxial layers and are not suitable for gate-all-around FETs. This study examined the effect of Ge concentration on the embedded SiGe source/drain region of a logic p-MOSFET. The strain was calculated through nano-beam diffraction and predictions through a simulation were compared to understand the effects of stress relaxation on the change in strain applied to the Si channel. When the device performance was evaluated, the drain saturation current was approximately 710 µA/µm at an off current of 100 nA/µm with a drain voltage of 1 V, indicating that the current was enhanced by 58% when the Ge concentration was optimized.
N+ Irradiation and Substrate-Induced Variability in the Metamagnetic Phase Transition of FeRh Films
Authors: Bennett Steven P. , LaGasse Samuel W. , Currie Marc , Erve Olaf Van’t , Prestigiacomo Joseph C. , Cress Cory D. , Qadri Syed B.
Published: May 2021

Metamagnetic FeRh has been the focus of numerous studies for its highly unique antiferromagnetic (AF) to ferromagnetic (FM) metamagnetic transition. While this phase transition usually occurs above room temperature (often Tc > 400 K), both ion irradiation and strained epitaxial growth have been used to bring it to applicable temperatures. Nevertheless, cross sample variability is pervasive in these studies. Here we explore the optical and magnetic properties of 35 nm thick FeRh grown by magnetron sputter deposition simultaneously on two different single crystal substrates: epitaxially on MgO (001) and highly strained with large lattice mismatch on Al2O3 (1000). We then irradiate the epitaxial film with 5 keV N+ ions to introduce disorder (and to a lesser extent, modify chemical composition) without effecting the surface morphology. We find that the phase-transitional properties of both films are strikingly different due to the large lattice mismatch, despite being grown in tandem with nominally identical growth conditions including Fe/Rh stoichiometry, pressure, and temperature. We observe that N+ implantation lowers Tc by ~60 K, yielding a sample with nominally the same transition temperature as the non-epitaxial film on sapphire, yet with a significantly increased magnetic moment, a larger magnetization change and a more abrupt transition profile. We attribute these differences to the Volmer-Weber type growth mode induced by the sapphire substrate and the resulting rougher surface morphology.
Novel Nitride Materials Synthesized at High Pressure
Authors: Wang Pei , Wang Shanmin , Zou Yongtao , Zhu Jinlong , He Duanwei , Wang Liping , Zhao Yusheng
Published: May 2021

Nitride materials including conventional manmade superhard light-element nitrides, such as cubic boron nitride (cBN), cubic silicon nitride (γ-Si3N4), and carbonitrides, have been extensively used for machining (e.g., turning, cutting, grinding, boring, drilling) and coating of ferr ous alloys due to their remarkable performances of high rigidity, high melting-point, and prominent chemical and thermal stabilities. However, to some degree, superhard nitrides merely compensate for the adverse limitations of diamond: reaction (with iron), oxidation, and graphitization at moderate temperatures; they are still unable to dominate the market owing to their relatively low hardness when compared to diamond. Therefore, recent efforts toward the preparation of nitride materials with outstanding mechanical performance and chemical inertness have focused on synthesizing ternary light-element nitride compounds and harvesting the effect of work hardening through microstructure manipulations. These new light-element nitrides are potential candidates to displace diamond in the cutting business. On the other hand, incorporation of transition-metal atoms into the dinitrogen triple-bond can form novel hard transition-metal nitride alloys (TMNAs), such as Mo-N, W-N, Pt-N, Ir-N, Os-N, etc., which are potential candidates for the cutting, coating, and polishing of iron-group metals. However, synthesis of high-crystallinity and stoichiometric TMNAs via traditional routes is challenging, since the embedded nitrogen in the transition-metal lattice is thermodynamically unfavorable at ambient condition. A novel approach involving ion-exchange reactions under moderate pressure and temperature has been developed in recent years for preparation of well-crystallized stoichiometric TMNAs, which have quickly been realized as emergent materials in electronics, catalysts, and superconductors as well.
Enhanced Electrochromic Performance by Anodic Polarization in Nickel Oxide Films
Authors: Guo Xing , Wang Wei , Wen Rui-Tao
Published: May 2021

Nickel oxide (NiO) is considered to be the best candidate for the compensatory layer of WO3-based smart windows. In this article, we demonstrate that a facile anodic polarization can dramatically improve the electrochromic performance. Unambiguous evidence of performance enhancement was demonstrated by both in situ optical response and cyclic voltammetry. Benefiting from this treatment, the quantity of voltammetric charge increased by ∼43.8% under the same test conditions, enhancing the corresponding electrochromic modulation by ∼17.6 %. The improved performance is due to the newly exposed high-valence Ni3+ ions during anion-dependent anodization. These results offer a novel strategy for the preparation of high-performance NiO films and provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanism in the electrochromic process.
Microstructural Characteristics of Frazil Particles and the Physical Properties of Frazil Ice in the Yellow River, China
Authors: Zhang Yaodan , Li Zhijun , Xiu Yuanren , Li Chunjiang , Zhang Baosen , Deng Yu
Published: May 2021

Frazil particles, ice crystals or slushy granules that form in turbulent water, change the freezing properties of ice to create “frazil ice”. To understand the microstructural characteristics of these particles and the physical properties of frazil ice in greater depth, an in situ sampler was designed to collect frazil particles in the Yellow River. The ice crystal microstructural characteristics of the frazil particles (morphology, size, air bubble, and sediment) were observed under a microscope, and their nucleation mechanism was analyzed according to its microstructure. The physical properties of frazil ice (ice crystal microstructure, air bubble, ice density, and sediment content) were also observed. The results showed that these microstructures of frazil particles can be divided into four types: granular, dendritic, needle-like, and serrated. The size of the measured frazil particles ranged from 0.1 to 25 mm. Compared with columnar ice, the crystal microstructure of frazil ice is irregular, with a mean crystal diameter less than 5 mm extending in all directions. The crystal grain size and ice density of frazil ice are smaller than columnar ice, but the bubble and sediment content are larger.
The Beauty of Twist-Bend Nematic Phase: Fast Switching Domains, First Order Fréedericksz Transition and a Hierarchy of Structures
Authors: Panov Vitaly P. , Song Jang-Kun , Mehl Georg H. , Vij Jagdish K.
Published: May 2021

The twist-bend nematic phase (NTB) exhibits a complicated hierarchy of structures responsible for several intriguing properties presented here. These are: the observation of a fast electrooptic response, the exhibition of a large electroclinic effect, and the observation of an unusual pattern of the temperature dependence of birefringence of bent-shaped bimesogens in parallel-rubbed planar-aligned cells. These unusual effects inspired the use of highly sophisticated techniques that led to the discovery of the twist-bend nematic phase. Results of the optical retardation of a parallel-rubbed planar-aligned cell show that the ‘heliconical angle’ (the angle the local director makes with the optical axis) starts increasing in the high temperature N phase, it exhibits a jump at the N–NTB transition temperature and continues to increase in magnitude with a further reduction in temperature. The liquid crystalline parallel-rubbed planar-aligned and twist-aligned cells in this phase exhibit fascinating phenomena such as a demonstration of the beautiful stripes and dependence of their periodicity on temperature. The Fréedericksz transition in the NTB phase is found to be of the first order both in rubbed planar and homeotropic-aligned cells, in contrast to the second order transition exhibited by a conventional nematic phase. This transition shows a significant hysteresis as well as an abrupt change in the orientation of the director as a function of the applied electric field. Hierarchical structures are revealed using the technique of polymer templating the structure of the liquid crystalline phase of interest, and imaging of the resulting structure by scanning electron microscopy.
Monitoring the Trade of Legally Protected Wildlife on Facebook and Instagram Illustrated by the Advertising and Sale of Apes in Indonesia
Authors: Nijman Vincent , Smith Jaima H. , Foreman Grace , Campera Marco , Feddema Kim , Nekaris K. A. I.
Published: May 2021

Apes continue to be trafficked to meet the demand for pets or zoos. Indonesia, the most diverse country in terms of ape species, has been implicated in the global trade in gibbons, orangutans and, to a lesser degree, chimpanzees. Recently trade has shifted to online platforms, a trend that may have been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic and partial lockdowns. We assessed the availability of legally protected apes for sale on Facebook and Instagram over two 16-months periods (2017–2018 and 2020–2021). Despite Facebook and Instagram explicitly banning the sale of endangered animals, and Facebook not allowing the sale of live animals, we found 106 gibbons, 17 orangutans and four chimpanzees for sale on five Facebook pages and 19 Instagram accounts. All orangutans and chimpanzees and 70% of the gibbons were infants or juveniles. We did not record any obvious responses of vendors to the Covid-19 pandemic. Facebook and Instagram accounts were linked (similar names, cross-referencing each other and announcing new accounts on existing ones), names were altered (e.g., “petshop” to “pethsop”) and new vendors emerged for short periods. Facebook and Instagram’s policy of not allowing the sale of live and/or endangered wildlife on their platforms is not effectively implemented in Indonesia.
Record of Caromiobenella (Copepoda, Monstrilloida) in Brazil and Discovery of the Male of C. brasiliensis: Morphological and Molecular Evidence
Authors: da Cruz Lopes da Rosa Judson , Dias Cristina de Oliveira , Suárez-Morales Eduardo , Weber Laura Isabel , Fischer Luciano Gomes
Published: May 2021

Monstrilloid copepods are protelean parasites with a complex life cycle that includes an endoparasitic juvenile phase and free-living early naupliar and adult phases. The monstrilloid copepod genus Caromiobenella Jeon, Lee and Soh, 2018 is known to contain nine species, each one with a limited distribution; except for two species, members of this widespread genus are known exclusively from males. Hitherto, members of Caromiobenella have not been recorded from tropical waters of the South Western Atlantic (SWA). The nominal species Monstrilla brasiliensis Dias and Suárez-Morales, 2000 was originally described from female specimens collected in coastal waters of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), but the male remained unknown. The failure to reliably link both sexes of monstrilloid species is one of the main problems in the current taxonomy of the group, thus leading to a separate treatment for each sex. New zooplankton collections in coastal waters and intertidal rocky pools of the SWA yielded several male and female monstrilloid copepods tentatively identified as Monstrilla brasiliensis. Our results of both morphologic and molecular (mtCOI) analyses allowed us to confirm that these males and females were conspecific. We also found evidence suggesting that Caromiobenella is not a monophyletic taxon. Our male specimens are morphologically assignable to Caromiobenella, therefore, females of the nominal species Monstrilla brasiliensis, are matched here with the aforementioned males and, thus, the species should be known as C. brasiliensis comb. nov. (Dias and Suárez-Morales, 2000). This finding represents the third documented discovery of a female of Caromiobenella, the first record of the genus in the Southwestern Atlantic, and the first documented record of monstrilloids from coastal tidepools. With the addition of C. brasiliensis, Caromiobenella now includes 10 valid species worldwide. This work represents the second successful use of molecular methods to link both sexes of a monstrilloid copepod. The male of C. brasiliensis is herein described, and a key to the known species of Caromiobenella and data on the habitat and local abundance of C. brasiliensis are also provided.
Strongyloides-Specific IgE Phage cDNA Clones and Development of a Novel ELISA for Strongyloidiasis
Authors: Ahmad Hussain , Arifin Norsyahida , Nolan Thomas J. , Lok James B. , Anuar Nor Suhada , Noordin Rahmah
Published: May 2021

Strongyloidiasis, caused mainly by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is prevalent worldwide and potentially fatal in immunosuppressed patients. We report on a new IgE biomarker to diagnose Strongyloides infection. Sera from two groups infected with Strongyloides served as positive samples: Group 1A, in which infection was confirmed by stool-microscopy and/or stool-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was seropositive by an IgG-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an IgG4 rapid test, and Group 1B in which infection was confirmed by stool-PCR but was seronegative. Negative samples (controls) comprised infections with other parasites (Group II) and healthy donors (Group III). Immunoscreenings of an S. stercoralis complementary DNA (cDNA) library were performed, and the cDNA clone with the highest diagnostic potential (clone A133) was selected for recombinant protein production and then evaluated using IgE Western blot and ELISA. The Western blot showed that the recombinant protein (rA133) was 100% reactive with Group IA (n = 10) and Group IB (n = 5), and 96% non-reactive with Groups II and III (n = 25). Subsequently, the IgE-ELISA was developed and showed 100% diagnostic sensitivity in Groups IA (n = 32) and IB (n = 11); and 99.3% specificity in Groups II and III (n = 144). In conclusion, this study has identified rA133 as a novel recombinant protein with potential diagnostic value, and that the IgE-ELISA incorporating this protein may be useful for patient diagnosis and epidemiological studies.