bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐Performance Vanadium Diselenide Nanosheets for the Realization of Compact Pulsed Fiber Lasers
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Zhang Ying , Zhao Yang , Shi Xinyao , Feng Tianci , Zhang Kai 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVanadium diselenide (VSe2), as a transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC), is an important class of graphene‐like 2D layered materials. It has excellent optical absorption nonlinearity, high thermal damage threshold, and large modulation depth, which can make it to be applied in the field of ultrashort pulse. Here, the nonlinear optical absorption properties of VSe2 are investigated along with in‐depth exploration of its ultrafast photonics performance. VSe2 is used as a saturable absorber (SA) in an erbium‐doped fiber ring laser to successfully generate a mode‐locked laser pulse with a central wavelength of 1565.3 nm, a repetition rate of 5.882 MHz, and a pulse width of 1.2 ps. What is noticeable is that the pulse has a high signal‐to‐noise ratio, which ensures that the mode‐locked pulse can remain stable for a long time. The results suggest that VSe2 as TMDC has potential applications in optical communications. Furthermore, this study expands the field of SA materials in fiber lasers.
Bis(perfluoropinacolato)silane: A Neutral Silane Lewis Superacid Activates Si−F Bonds
Authors: Tschernuth Florian S. , Thorwart Thaddäus , Greb Lutz , Hanusch Franziska , Inoue Shigeyoshi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDespite the earth abundance and easy availability of silicon, only few examples of isolable neutral silicon centered Lewis superacids are precedent in the literature. To approach the general drawbacks of limited solubility and unselective deactivation pathways, we introduce a Lewis superacid, based on perfluorinated pinacol substituents. The compound is easily synthesized on a gram‐scale as the corresponding acetonitrile mono‐adduct 1⋅(MeCN) and was fully characterized, including single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (SC‐XRD) and state‐of‐the‐art computations. Lewis acidity investigations by the Gutmann‐Beckett method and fluoride abstraction experiments indicate a Lewis superacidic nature. The challenging Si−F bond activation of Et3SiF is realized and promising catalytic properties are demonstrated, consolidating the potential applicability of silicon centered Lewis acids in synthetic catalysis.
Oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of polyvinyl alcohol and zein bilayer‐coated paper
Authors: Hamdani Syeda Shamila , Li Zhao , Ruoqi Ping , Rollend Emily , Rabnawaz Muhammad 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAs reported herein, a bilayer coating approach using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and zein is employed to enhance the water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of paper materials. The coating was applied onto three different types of paper substrates to study the general applicability of this approach. The bilayer‐coated paper samples exhibited a reduction of up to 65% in their water vapor transmission rate in comparison to the corresponding uncoated paper substrates at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. In addition, the bilayer‐coated paper samples showed at least a 40‐fold decrease in oxygen transmission rate from that of the uncoated paper samples. In addition, the coated paper showed excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the obtained coated paper has a smooth texture without pores. Pulp was recovered from the coated paper by washing with water/ethanol. Thus, this work provides a unique coated paper with excellent barrier properties and therefore has the potential for real‐world application as an alternative to single‐use plastics.
Up‐Regulated Interleukin‐10 Induced by E2F Transcription Factor 2–MicroRNA‐17‐5p Circuitry in Extrafollicular Effector B Cells Contributes to Autoantibody Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Xu Lingxiao , Wang Lei , Shi Yumeng , Deng Yun , Oates Jim C. , Kamen Diane L. , Gilkeson Gary S. , Wang Fang , Zhang Miaojia , Tan Wenfeng , Tsao Betty P. 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveElevated interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have B cell–promoting effects, contributing to autoantibody production and tissue damage. We aimed to characterize up‐regulated IL‐10+ B cell subsets and dysregulated IL10 expression in SLE B cells for new therapeutic options.MethodsProportions of Th10 and IL‐10+ B cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were assessed using flow cytometry. The IL10 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) dual‐luciferase vector was constructed and cotransfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA) mimics, or miRNA inhibitors into Raji cells. Transcript levels were quantified using TaqMan assays.ResultsCulture conditions that induced IL‐10+ Breg cells in healthy controls resulted in expansion of IL‐10+ double‐negative 2 (DN2; IgD−CD27−CD21−CD11c+) B cells in SLE PBMCs. Proportions of IL‐10+ DN2, but not those of IL‐10− DN2, correlated with disease activity and levels of antibodies to double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) (r = 0.60, P = 0.03 for cohort 1; r = 0.38, P = 0.03 for cohort 2), and were associated with high levels or seropositivity of anti‐Sm (P = 0.03 for cohort 1; P = 0.01 for cohort 2) and IgG anticardiolipin (P < 0.01 for cohort 1; P = 0.02 for cohort 2) in SLE patients from 2 cohorts, of mainly African American subjects (cohort 1) and of Asian subjects (cohort 2). Proportions of Th10 (CD45RA−CXCR5−CXCR3+PD‐1highCD4+) cells correlated with IL‐10+ DN2 frequencies (r = 0.60, P < 0.01 for cohort 2), antinuclear antibody titers (r = 0.52, P = 0.01 for cohort 2), and proteinuria levels (r = 0.72, P < 0.01 for cohort 2) in SLE patients. Screening of predicted IL10 3′‐UTR–targeting miRNAs in SLE B cells identified miRNA‐17‐5p (miR‐17‐5p) and miR‐20a‐5p, with their levels inversely correlated with IL10 (r = −0.47, P < 0.01 for miR‐17‐5p; r = −0.37, P = 0.03 for miR‐20‐5p) and transcription factor E2F2 (r = −0.48, P = 0.04 for miR‐17‐5p; r = −0.45, P = 0.05 for miR‐20‐5p). In Raji cells, knockdown of E2F2 expression resulted in increased levels of miR‐17‐5p and miR‐20a‐5p and decreased IL10 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, and overexpression and inhibition of miR‐17‐5p down‐regulated and up‐regulated, respectively, IL10 mRNA levels, suggesting regulation of IL10 expression by an E2F2‐miR‐17‐5p loop.ConclusionIL‐10 promotes extrafollicular autoimmune responses in patients with active SLE, which might be dampened by targeting the E2F2–miR‐17‐5p circuitry.
2D MOFs‐based Materials for the Application of Water Pollutants Removing: Fundamentals and Prospects
Authors: Liu Jiadi , Li Qingqing , Mao Feifei , Wang Kuaibing , Wu Hua 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWater quality can have serious impacts on human health. One crucial issue of water pollution seriously affects our safety due to the continually emerging of discovered anthropogenic pollutants. The water treatment technologies are persistent improvement to adapt such new contaminants, which accelerates the evolution of materials science to explore solving the problems. Metal‐organic Frameworks (MOFs) as the significant porous and multi‐dimensional networks has been concerned for toxic pollutant elimination, especially probed the applications of outstanding layered 2D skeletons MOFs‐based materials. The emphases of this review highlight the 2D MOFs‐based materials used in water remediation and treatment strategies including adsorption and catalysis methods. Further, the prospects and challenges of 2D MOFs‐based materials for water treatments applications would be surveyed meticulously for the future research and development.
Hydroxy‐Porphyrin as an Effective, Endogenous Molecular Clamp during Early Stages of Amyloid Fibrillization
Authors: Nath Soumav , Roy Priti , Mandal Raki , Roy Rajat , Buell Alexander K. , Sengupta Neelanjana , Tarafdar Pradip K. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAmyloid fibril formation of proteins is of great concern in neurodegenerative disease and can be detrimental to the storage and stability of biologics. Recent evidence suggests that insulin fibril formation reduces the efficacy of type II diabetes management and may lead to several complications. To develop anti‐amyloidogenic compounds of endogenous origin, we have utilized the hydrogen bond anchoring, π stacking ability of porphyrin, and investigated its role on the inhibition of insulin amyloid formation. We report that hydroxylation and metal removal from the heme moiety yields an excellent inhibitor of insulin fibril formation. Thioflavin T, tyrosine fluorescence, Circular Dichorism (CD) spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies suggest that hematoporphyrin (HP) having hydrogen bonding ability on both sides is a superior inhibitor compared to hemin and protoporphyrin (PP). Experiments with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) amyloid fibril formation also validated the efficacy of endogenous porphyrin based small molecules. Our results will help to decipher a general therapeutic strategy to counter amyloidogenesis.
Social disparities in health behaviours: The role of class‐related behavioural norms and social class identification
Authors: Blondé Jérôme , Easterbrook Matthew J. , Kulich Clara , Chipeaux Marion , Lorenzi‐Cioldi Fabio 
Published: September 2021

AbstractInequalities in health behaviours (i.e., the tendency of socially disadvantaged people, compared to more advantaged people, to engage in fewer healthy behaviours) have been mostly accounted for by individual and environmental factors. The present research proposed to consider a social identity perspective by examining the combined impact of class‐related norms and social class identification on intentions to engage in healthy behaviours. Based on a correlational study (N = 407), our results showed that healthy behaviours were perceived to be more normative of the upper‐middle class than the lower‐middle class, regardless of participants' class membership. We also found that intentions to perform healthy behaviours increased among those who highly identified with the upper‐middle class, when they perceived healthy behaviours as highly normative of that class. Moreover, those who highly identified with the lower‐middle class (vs. the upper‐middle class) reported lower intentions when healthy behaviours were viewed as normative of the upper‐middle class. This suggests that a stronger prevalence of healthy behaviours among socially privileged people is driven by in‐group conformity, whereas the tendency to act less healthily among those disadvantaged would be underpinned by out‐group rejection. More generally, these findings underscore the importance of social identity factors in providing novel insights for research on health disparities.
Structural Studies Provide New Insights into the Role of Lysine Acetylation on Substrate Recognition by CARM1 and Inform the Design of Potent Peptidomimetic Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Yurui , Marechal Nils , van Haren Matthijs J. , Troffer‐Charlier Nathalie , Cura Vincent , Cavarelli Jean , Martin Nathaniel I. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe dynamic interplay of post‐translational modifications (PTMs) in chromatin provides a communication system for the regulation of gene expression. An increasing number of studies have highlighted the role that such crosstalk between PTMs plays in chromatin recognition. In this study, (bio)chemical and structural approaches were applied to specifically probe the impact of acetylation of Lys18 in the histone H3 tail peptide on peptide recognition by the protein methyltransferase coactivator‐associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1). Peptidomimetics that recapitulate the transition state of protein arginine N‐methyltransferases, were designed based on the H3 peptide wherein the target Arg17 was flanked by either a free or an acetylated lysine. Structural studies with these peptidomimetics and the catalytic domain of CARM1 provide new insights into the binding of the H3 peptide within the enzyme active site. While the co‐crystal structures reveal that lysine acetylation results in minor conformational differences for both CARM1 and the H3 peptide, acetylation of Lys18 does lead to additional interactions (Van der Waals and hydrogen bonding) and likely reduces the cost of desolvation upon binding, resulting in increased affinity. Informed by these findings a series of smaller peptidomimetics were also prepared and found to maintain potent and selective CARM1 inhibition. These findings provide new insights both into the mechanism of crosstalk between arginine methylation and lysine acetylation as well as towards the development of peptidomimetic CARM1 inhibitors.
Design, Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Glucocerebrosidase Imaging Agents
Authors: Rowland Rhianna J. , Chen Yurong , Breen Imogen , Wu Liang , Offen Wendy A. , Beenakker Thomas J. , Su Qin , van den Nieuwendijk Adrianus M. C. H. , Aerts Johannes M. F. G. , Artola Marta , Overkleeft Herman S. , Davies Gideon J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by inherited deficiencies in β‐glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Current treatments require rapid disease diagnosis and a means of monitoring therapeutic efficacy, both of which may be supported by the use of GBA‐targeting activity‐based probes (ABPs). Here, we report the synthesis and structural analysis of a range of cyclophellitol epoxide and aziridine inhibitors and ABPs for GBA. We demonstrate their covalent mechanism‐based mode of action and uncover binding of the new N‐functionalised aziridines to the ligand binding cleft. These inhibitors became scaffolds for the development of ABPs; the O6‐fluorescent tags of which bind in an allosteric site at the dimer interface. Considering GBA's preference for O6‐ and N‐functionalised reagents, a bi‐functional aziridine ABP was synthesized as a potentially more powerful imaging agent. Whilst this ABP binds to two unique active site clefts of GBA, no further benefit in potency was achieved over our first generation ABPs. Nevertheless, such ABPs should serve useful in the study of GBA in relation to GD and inform the design of future probes.
Inherent Reactivity of Spiro‐Activated Electrophilic Cyclopropanes
Authors: Jüstel Patrick M. , Stan Alexandra , Pignot Cedric D. , Ofial Armin R. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe kinetics of the ring‐opening reactions of thiophenolates with geminal bis(acceptor)‐substituted cyclopropanes in DMSO at 20 °C was monitored by photometric methods. The determined second‐order rate constants of the SN2 reactions followed linear relationships with Mayr nucleophilicity parameters (N/sN) and Brønsted basicities (pKaH) of the thiophenolates as well as with Hammett substituent parameters (σ) for groups attached to the thiophenolates. Phenyl‐substituted cyclopropanes reacted by up to a factor of 15 faster than their unsubstituted analogues, in accord with the known activating effect of adjacent π‐systems in SN2 reactions. Variation of the electronic properties of substituents at the phenyl groups of the cyclopropanes gave rise to parabolic Hammett relationships. Thus, the inherent SN2 reactivity of electrophilic cyclopropanes is activated by electron‐rich π‐systems because of the more advanced C1−C2 bond polarization in the transition state. On the other hand, electron‐poor π‐systems also lower the energetic barriers for the attack of anionic nucleophiles owing to attractive electrostatic interactions.
Sophoridine Derivatives Induce Apoptosis and Autophagy to Suppress the Growth of Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibition of mTOR Signaling
Authors: Dai Linlin , Wang Luyao , Tan Cheng , Cai Jun , Shen Hongsheng , Zhang Ting , Zhi Shuang , Yang Zibo , Hu Yunhui , Zhao Xiumei , Li Dongdong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn order to improve the antitumor potency and therapeutic margins of natural product sophoridine, its novel nitrogen mustard carbamate derivatives were designed and synthesized. In screening their in vitro activity, we found all the tested compounds were more potent against the highly aggressive triple‐negative breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Cellular functional assays showed that representative compounds could induce G1‐phase arrest and trigger apoptosis, evidenced by the alteration of Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3 and PARP levels. Furthermore, these compounds significantly enhanced the autophagic flux with increased expression of LC3‐II and Beclin‐1, as well as decreased level of p62, which may attribute to simultaneously inhibition of the phosphorylation of p70S6K, 4E‐BP1 and AKT, the key substrates of the mTOR signaling pathway. In vivo, two compounds revealed potent antitumor activity in mice bearing MDA‐MB‐231. Altogether, our work describes novel leads to yield more potent chemotherapeutics against triple‐negative breast cancers, possibly mesenchymal stem‐like subtype.
Critical Conditions for Studying Interleukin‐11 Signaling In Vitro and Avoiding Experimental Artefacts
Authors: Viswanathan Sivakumar , Ng Benjamin , Widjaja Anissa A. , Pua Chee Jian , Tham Nevin , Tan Jessie , Cook Stuart A. , Schafer Sebastian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractInterleukin (IL) 11 is a member of the IL6 family of cytokines which require the ubiquitous gp130 receptor to activate canonical (JAK/STAT) and non‐canonical (e.g., ERK) signaling pathways. The IL11 cytokine is upregulated in a number of fibro‐inflammatory diseases and cancer, where it binds the cognate IL11 receptor alpha subunit (IL11RA) to form a hexameric IL11:IL11RA:gp130 signaling complex. The specific IL11RA receptor is highly expressed on cells of the stromal and parenchymal niche but expressed at low levels on immune cells, highly passaged cells, or transformed cell lines. Consequently, primary cells such as hepatic stellate cells, fibroblasts, and hepatocytes are ideal experimental systems to study IL11 signaling in vitro. In contrast to immortalized cell lines, primary cells better display relevant cellular physiology and pathobiology. This collection of protocols details experimental and culturing conditions for primary cells that preserve meaningful cellular states and physiological responses ex vivo in conventional 2D cell culture systems. Readouts of cellular activity are chosen carefully to capture the non‐canonical, post‐transcriptional activity of IL11 signaling. Our data suggest that cell type, cell culture conditions, passage number, concentrations of stimuli, timing, and other factors have major implications for studies of IL11 signaling. In vitro experiments with primary cell material need to be planned and executed with great caution. Otherwise, physiologically relevant mechanisms may become dysfunctional and reproducible experimental artefacts can obscure our view of true cytokine biology. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Expansion of primary human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEpiCs)Basic Protocol 2: Expansion of primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs)Alternate Protocol 1: Isolation and expansion of primary mouse lung fibroblastsSupport Protocol 1: Freezing and thawing of primary cellsSupport Protocol 2: Operetta high‐content imaging‐based phenotypingSupport Protocol 3: Colorimetric assay of solubilized collagenSupport Protocol 4: Quantification of fibrosis marker secretionSupport Protocol 5: Western blotting studies of IL11 signaling in HSCs, HLFs, and HRPTEpiCsBasic Protocol 3: IL11 stimulation of primary human hepatocytesAlternate Protocol 2: IL11 stimulation of primary mouse hepatocytesSupport Protocol 6: Alanine transaminase (ALT) secretion by human and mouse hepatocytes
Immuno‐Spin Trapping Method for the Analysis of S‐Nitrosylated Proteins
Authors: Sircar Esha , Stoyanovsky Detcho A. , Billiar Timothy R. , Sengupta Rajib 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe dynamic and unstable nature of protein nitrosothiols (PSNOs) derived from complex biological matrices (like cell lysates) make them unsuitable for proteomic/biochemical analysis in vitro. In an attempt to increase the stability of cell‐derived PSNOs, scientists have devised methods to derivatize thiols undergoing nitrosylation, with a suitable molecule, to yield a stable adduct that could easily be detected using appropriate antibodies. The Biotin Switch Assay (BTSA) is currently the most widely used method for tagging PSNOs; however, the error‐prone and cumbersome nature of the BTSA protocol prompted the development of alternative mechanisms of tagging cell‐derived PSNOs. One such method is the immuno‐spin trapping method using 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide (DMPO), which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the BTSA and proves to be a promising alternative. Here we describe the protocol for DMPO‐based PSNO labeling and subsequent proteomic analysis by western blotting with an anti‐DMPO antibody. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol: Labeling of cell‐derived PSNOs by DMPO‐based immuno‐spin trapping and their subsequent analysis by immunostaining
MXene/Carbon Nanotube Hybrids: Synthesis, Structures, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Yu Le Ping , Zhou Xiao Hong , Lu Lu , Xu Lyu , Wang Feng Jun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSince the successful preparation of few‐layer transition metal carbides from three‐dimensional MAX phases in 2011, MXenes (known as a family of layered transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have been intensively studied. Though MXenes have been adopted as active materials in many applications, issues including aggregation and restacking are likely to hamper their potential applications. In order to address these prevailing challenges, the concept of MXene/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrids was proposed initially in 2015, where CNTs were incorporated as the spacers and conductive additives. Ever since, MXene/CNT hybrids with different architectures have been synthesized by a number of methods and applied in numerous fields. Herein, after the discussion about general synthesis approaches, architectures, and properties of the hybrids, this Review summarized the recent advances in the application of MXene/CNT hybrids in energy storage devices, sensors, electrocatalysis, electromagnetic interference shielding, and water treatment, in which the function of individual components was clarified. In the end, the current research trend in this field were discussed and several technical issues were highlighted along with some suggestions on future research directions.