bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic targeting of cGAS–STING pathway in lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jinli , Xing Lumin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe presence of DNA in the cytosol triggers a protective response from the innate immune system. Cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) is an essential cytosolic DNA sensor that triggers a potent innate immune response. As a result of this signaling cascade reaction, type I interferon and other immune mediators activate an immune response. The cGAS–STING pathway has great anticancer immunity‐boosting potential since it produces type I interferons. The detection of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) in response to various stimuli initiates a protective host's cGAS–STING signals. So, it is clear that a substantial relationship is expected between cancer biotherapy and the functioning of the cGAS–STING pathway. Several STING agonists with promising outcomes have been created for preclinical cancer therapy research. Notably, immunotherapy has dramatically extended patient survival and radically altered the course of lung cancer treatment, particularly in more advanced instances. However, this method is still ineffective for a large number of lung cancer patients. cGAS–STING can overcome resistance and boost anticancer immunity by stimulating the activity of many pro‐inflammatory mediators, augmenting dendritic cell cross‐presentation, and initiating a tumor‐specific CD8+ T cell response. This review aims to present the most recent results on the functionality of the cGAS–STING pathway in cancer progression and its potential as an immunotherapy target, with a focus on lung cancer.
DRIM modulates Src activation and regulates angiogenic functions in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Tong Jia , Dong Xuefei , Martin Tracey A. , Yang Yiming , Dong Bo , Jiang Wen G. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDownregulated in Metastasis Protein (DRIM) was discovered in malignant epithelial cells and was thought to be mainly a nucleus protein affecting cancer cells. Recent single‐cell sequencing analysis suggests that DRIM is abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells. There has been no knowledge of the role of DRIM in the endothelium. In the present study, using protein fraction method and cell imaging, we identified that the DRIM protein was abundantly present in both nucleus and the cytoskeletal fractions of human vascular endothelial cells. Knockdown of DRIM in the endothelial cells significantly affected growth, migration, and angiogenic tubule formation. Proteomics analyses revealed that Src was an important direct target protein of DRIM, a finding further confirmed by protein interaction assay. Silencing DRIM activated the tyrosine 419 site phosphorylation of Src kinase in endothelial cells, thereby affecting the downstream proteins of Src including p‐FAK and p‐STAT3, and exerting biological effects. To conclude, our results provide evidence of DRIM being a nuclear and cytoskeletal‐associated protein, having a novel key role of the protein in vascular endothelial cells.
Hydrogen Release From Ammonia: Size and Support Effects in Heterogeneous Transition Metal Catalysis
Authors: Wang Jihao , Chen Shilong , Behrens Malte 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAmmonia, industrially produced by the Haber–Bosch process, can serve as a promising renewable energy carrier based on its high hydrogen content and energy density as well as its full‐fledged infrastructure worldwide for transportation. Renewable hydrogen will be converted firstly in ammonia synthesis, stored and/or transported bound in ammonia, and released on demand by ammonia decomposition. So far, the most active catalysts for the decomposition reaction are Ru‐based due to its optimal nitrogen binding energy compared to other transition metals. However, due to the high cost of Ru, the development of alternative catalysts for ammonia decomposition is attractive, especially non‐noble transition metals such as Fe, Ni, or Co. For supported metal catalysts, size and support effects play important roles in the catalytic reaction, resulting in a change of their geometric and/or electronic properties. In this review, we first discuss and comment on representative existing studies of the size and support effects of Ru, Fe, Ni, and Co catalysts in ammonia decomposition from an experimental and theoretical view, suggesting possible reasons for geometrical and electronic effects. Afterward, we will summarize the available catalytic data in the literature in the form of TOFH2 and reaction rate of each supported transition‐metal catalyst with different supports as a function of the particle size, attempting to identify an optimum particle size and a trend for the different supports. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and perspectives of future‐oriented research on the size and support effect in ammonia decomposition.
Propane Dehydrogenation Over Silicalite‐1 Supported PtMn Catalyst with Low Pt Loading
Authors: Wang Wenxin , Hu Huimin , Song Jiaxin , Fan Xiaoqiang , Yu Xuehua , Kong Lian , Xiao Xia , Xie Zean , Zhao Zhen 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPt‐based catalysts have been widely studied for propane dehydrogenation (PDH) because of their high activity and environmental sustainability. However, as a precious metal, the development of catalysts with high stability and low Pt content is of great significance. In this study, a series of silicalite‐1 (S‐1) supported PtMn (0.1PtxMn/S‐1) catalysts with low Pt loading amount (0.1 wt%) was prepared. The effects of different Mn loadings on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the PDH reaction were studied. The addition of an appropriate amount of Mn regulated the dispersion of Pt particles and increased the number of active sites of the catalyst, enhancing the catalytic performance of PDH even at a low Pt loading. The initial propane conversion was 46.1% over 0.1Pt0.3Mn/S‐1 catalyst, and the deactivation rate constant was the lowest of 0.01 h−1. This may be because of an appropriate Mn loading was beneficial for enhancing the interaction between the metal and the support, forming MnOx is attached to the S‐1 surface, while the surface of MnOx stabilized the PtMn alloy, thereby improving the catalytic performance for PDH.
Chemoenzymatic Cascade Synthesis of Metal‐Chelating α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Young Sophie H. , Andon James S. , Lim Jooyeon , Franke Mareena C. , Weix Daniel J. , Wang Tina , Buller Andrew R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMetal‐chelating noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) are uniquely functional building blocks for proteins, peptide catalysts, and small molecule sensors. However, catalytic asymmetric approaches to synthesizing these molecules are hindered by their functional group variability and intrinsic propensity to ligate metals. In particular, bipyridyl‐l‐alanine (BpyAla) is a highly sought ncAA, but its complex, inefficient syntheses have limited utility. Here, we develop a chemoenzymatic approach to efficiently construct BpyAla. Three enzymes that can be produced in high titer together react to convert Gly and an aldehyde into the corresponding β‐hydroxy ncAA, which is subsequently deoxygenated. We explore approaches to synthesizing biaryl aldehydes and show how the three‐enzymatic cascade can access a range of α‐amino acids with bulky side chains, including a variety of metal‐chelating amino acids. We show that newly accessible BpyAla analogues are compatible with existing amber suppression technology, which will enable future merging of traditional synthetic and biosynthetic approaches to tuning metal reactivity.
Photocatalyzed Dehydration of 1‐Aryl‐1,2‐Ethanediols to Methyl Ketones Driven by Eosin Y Fragmentation Products
Authors: Taskinen Elina K. , Kolb Daniel , Morgenstern Martin , König Burkhard 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHerein, we report a mild photocatalytic redox‐neutral dehydration of aryl‐1,2‐ethanediols forming the respective methyl ketones. In the proposed mechanistic cycle an initial hydrogen atom abstraction (HAT) is followed by a 1,2‐spin center shift (SCS) as key steps. Interestingly, Eosin Y was found to act as a pre‐catalyst dissociating into a catalytically active mixture under irradiation. To the best of our knowledge, this exemplifies the first synthetic utilization of Eosin Y degradation products. As a result, our reaction can be realized with a single organic photocatalyst and releases water as a sole by‐product.
Continuous packed bed column removal of Cr6+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions from synthetic wastewater using polymeric ultra‐permeable and biodegradable ferromagnetic nanocomposite membrane
Authors: Suter Evans , Rutto Hilary , Omwoyo Wesley 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWater purification techniques, including membrane technologies, ion exchange and adsorption, chemical/biochemical reduction, and electrochemical processes, have been developed to remove/recover metal ions species from polluted wastewater. This work assessed the efficiency of polymeric, biodegradable, ultra‐permeable and magnetic nanocomposite membrane (CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT) in a continuous packed bed column for the removal of Cd(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) metal ions from synthetic wastewaters. The eco‐compatibility of CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT was increased using chitosan biopolymer. Fe3O4 nanoparticles increased the surface area and improved the separation process. CNCs and N6 polymeric materials enhanced their strength, porosity, and additional binding sites. The CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT nanocomposite membrane was employed as packing material in a fixed‐bed lab‐scale column (height 30 cm, diameter 1.5 cm) to constantly remove Cd(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) metal ions from synthetic wastewaters and actual hexavalent chromium tannery effluent. The studies were carried out with different initial metal ion concentrations (10, 20, and 30 mg/L), input flow rates (2, 4, and 6 mL/min), and solution pH values (2.0, 5.0, and 8.0). The obtained experimental data from the breakthrough curves was fitted to the traditional dynamic Thomas model, Yoon‐Nelson, and Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model.
Inflammaging and Immunosenescence in the Post‐COVID Era: Small Molecules, Big Challenges
Authors: Francavilla Fabio , Intranuovo Francesca , La Spada Gabriella , Lacivita Enza , Catto Marco , Graps Elisabetta Anna , Altomare Cosimo Damiano 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAging naturally involves a decline in biological functions, often triggering a disequilibrium of physiological processes. A common outcome is the altered response exerted by the immune system to counteract infections, known as immunosenescence, which has been recognized as a primary cause, among others, of the so‐called long‐COVID syndrome. Moreover, the uncontrolled immunoreaction leads to a state of subacute, chronic inflammatory state known as inflammaging, responsible in turn for the chronicization of concomitant pathologies in a self‐sustaining process. Anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs are the current choice for the therapy of inflammaging in post‐COVID complications, with contrasting results. The increasing knowledge of the biochemical pathways of inflammaging led to disclose new small molecules‐based therapies directed toward different biological targets involved in inflammation, immunological response, and oxidative stress. Herein, paying particular attention to recent clinical data and preclinical literature, we focus on the role of endocannabinoid system in inflammaging, and the promising therapeutic option represented by the CB2R agonists, the role of novel ligands of the formyl peptide receptor 2 and ultimately the potential of newly discovered monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors with neuroprotective activity in the treatment of immunosenescence.
4‐Aza Cyclopentenone Prostaglandin Analogues: Synthesis and NF‐κB Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Doherty William , Conway Lorna , Leveau Brian , Giulia Nacca Francesca , Chiappa Lucia , Riccio Anna , Roberts Stanley M. , Gabriella Santoro M. , Evans Paul 
Published: December 2024

AbstractInspired by the cyclopentenone family of prostaglandins, a series of 4‐aza, cross‐conjugated cyclopentenones is described. Synthesised from N‐protected (4R)‐aza‐cyclopentenone 5, the exocyclic alkene was installed using a modified Baylis‐Hillman type aldol reaction, whereby carbon‐carbon bond formation is accompanied by dehydration. In this manner octanal and octenal, for example, can be introduced to mimic the ω‐group present in the natural prostaglandins. Similarly, a focused range of alternative substituents were introduced using different aldehydes and ketones. The presence of the tert‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) group on the 4‐amino‐cyclopentenone substituent enabled subsequent derivatisation and various electrophiles were successfully incorporated. The ability of the family of 4‐amino functionalised cross‐conjugated cyclopentenones to block activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) was studied and compared with the natural prostanoid, Δ12,14‐15‐deoxy‐PGJ2 (2). Thereafter, the synthesis of a series of thiol adducts from these compounds were prepared and similarly evaluated biologically. The adducts showed comparable and, on occasion, more potent inhibition of NF‐κB than their cyclopentenone precursors and generally demonstrated diminished cytotoxicity. For example, cross‐conjugated dieneone 12 inhibited the activation of NF‐κB with an IC50 value of 6.2 μM, whereas its endocyclic N‐Boc (27) and N‐acetyl (28) cysteine adducts blocked NF‐κB activity with values of 1.0 and 8.0 μM respectively.
Suboccipital Cisterna Magna Injection for Vehicle Delivery in Pigs Using Computed Tomography
Authors: Myers Luke S. , Christian Sarah , Fridley Jennifer , Dindot Scott V. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGene therapies are being developed for several central nervous system (CNS) disorders. These therapies are primarily administered to the CNS via the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as the blood–brain barrier prevents the transport of large molecules to the brain. Currently, intrathecal injection is the most commonly used route of administration over cisterna magna injections in the clinic for gaining access to the CSF. However, studies in nonhuman primates (NHPs) have shown that administering gene therapies via suboccipital cisterna magna injection results in superior distribution and more cells being transduced in the brain compared to lumbar injection. It has also been reported that comparable CNS size is important when translating therapeutic dosages from animal studies to human trials. Therefore, we chose to develop a computed tomography (CT)‐guided cisterna magna injection protocol in pigs as they are anatomically closer in size to humans than nonhuman primates and rodents. Pigs are also a readily available and cost‐effective large animal model for preclinical studies compared to nonhuman NHPs. In this paper, we describe a method for CT‐guided suboccipital cisterna magna injections in pigs. We developed this protocol utilizing CT to confirm needle placement with three‐dimensional visualization. A CT‐guided injection minimizes procedural risk and can be performed without a contrast agent, which is required in magnetic resonance and fluoroscopy imaging. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol: Computed tomography–guided suboccipital cisterna magna injection in pigs to confirm needle placement prior to the administration of a test article or vehicle
Growth and Inelastic Light Scattering Studies on Sr2Nb2O7 Single Crystal
Authors: Suganya M. , Vijayakumar P. , Sivasubramanian V. , Ganesan K. , Sarguna R.M. , Gill Amirdha Sher , Ganesamoorthy S. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractA crack‐free and high structural quality Sr2Nb2O7 single crystals are grown by the optical float zone method using optimized growth parameters. The Laue pattern confirms the single crystalline nature of the grown crystal. Temperature‐dependent Raman and Brillouin light scattering studies reveal a significant shift in phonon modes across normal to incommensurate phase transition (Tn‐in) which occurs ≈488 K. In the temperature range from 900 down to 500 K, two optical phonon modes ≈63 (B1 mode) and 54 cm−1 (A1 mode) are observed. The frequency of A1 mode strongly decreases with an increase in temperature above the Tn‐in while the frequency of this mode almost remains constant below the Tn‐in. In contrast, the frequency of B1 phonon mode is found to increase with temperature in the range of 500–900 K but it does not display a significant shift below the phase transition temperature. In addition, in the in‐commensurate phase (T< 488 K), a new optical phonon mode (M1) at ≈35 cm−1 also begins to appear and exhibits strong stiffening behavior with an increase in temperature in the range of 300–488 K. Moreover, the anomalous behavior of the acoustic phonon across Tn‐in are further probed using Brilliouin scattering. Longitudinal acoustic phonon mode at 41 GHz exhibits a strong change in slope near Tn‐in. In addition, the transverse acoustic modes at 28.6 and 22.4 GHz also exhibit strong anomalies with minimum frequency near Tn‐in. The inelastic light scattering studies provide valuable information on the phase transition.
The Roles of Surface Hydrogen and Hydroxyl in Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation on Ni‐Based Electrocatalysts
Authors: Tian Xiaoyu , Liu Jiaxiang , Zhao Pengcheng , Li Xianping , Li Zhuo , Sheng Wenchao 
Published: December 2024

AbstractOne important target for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) is to enable the application of anode non‐precious metal hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalyst. Nickel presents a promising candidate for alkaline HOR; yet, its practical application is hampered by the intrinsically sluggish activity and poor stability. Herein, a series of Ni‐based metals (Ni5Mo, Ni25Co, Ni14W and Ni) are electrodeposited as model catalysts to systematically explore the alkaline HOR by considering the role of adsorbed hydroxyl (OHad). Spectroscopic studies together with density functional theory calculations shed light on the beneficial effect of transition metal M (M=Mo, Co, W) alloying/doping on HOR by introducing the charge transfer from M to Ni and down shifting Ni 3d band center. The HOR specific activities on Ni‐based catalysts reveal a volcano‐type relationship with the hydrogen binding energy (HBE). The strongly adsorbed OHad is proven to induce deactivation for Ni active sites, and the deactivation potential is OHad binding energy (OHBE) dependent. This study adds new insight into the HOR mechanism and stability of Ni‐based electrocatalysts, providing a new avenue for the rational design of highly efficient and robust alkaline HOR catalysts.
Developmental Trajectory of Autistic‐Like Behaviors in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism
Authors: Lian Bin , He Yihan , Dong Da , Quan Li , Feng Tingyong , Li Ming 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in social functioning, stereotyped patterns of behaviors, narrowed interests, and elevated anxiety. Certain ASD symptoms can persist, whereas others may improve throughout the lifespan, but the specific patterns of changes have not been clearly delineated. Using a valproic acid (VPA) rat model of ASD, the present study took a developmental approach and examined how autistic‐like behaviors, including anxiety‐like behavior, object obsession, and social functioning deficits, manifested differently in three critical periods representing preadolescent (postnatal day [PND] 25), adolescent (PND 45), and adulthood life stage (PND 75) in a sex‐dependent manner. Starting on PNDs 25, 45, and 75, VPA‐ or saline‐exposed male and female offspring were tested in an elevated plus maze (EPM) and a newly validated composite social and object interaction and a triple recognition test (object, spatial, and social recognition). Across the three age groups, VPA‐exposed offspring did not exhibit enhanced anxiety‐like behavior in the EPM nor enhanced object interaction (“object obsession”) in the triple recognition test. However, both male and female preadolescent (PND 25) VPA‐exposed offspring showed a significantly increased latency to initiate social contact than the saline‐exposed controls, although their latencies to contact novel objects were comparable to those of the controls. Male preadolescent and adolescent VPA‐exposed offspring, to a lesser extent the female preadolescent offspring, exhibited significantly lower levels of social interaction. These social functioning deficits were absent in adult VPA offspring. Additionally, prenatal VPA exposure did not cause an impairment of object recognition, spatial recognition, or social recognition of a familiar conspecific. Unexpectedly, it enhanced social recognition of a novel conspecific, but only in adolescent female offspring. These findings suggest that this rat model based on prenatal VPA exposure is valid in capturing early social motivational and functioning deficits but is limited in its capacity to model increased object obsession and enhanced anxiety as seen in ASD, as well as the developmental trajectory of non‐social ASD symptoms. Recognizing these limitations is important as it informs us how to properly use this model to investigate the neurobiology of ASD and incentivizes us to develop better rodent models.
Maternal Sensitization in Virgin Female Rats: Behavioral Effects of Enriched Environment
Authors: Núñez‐Murrieta Mauricio A. , Rendón‐Candanedo Esmeralda , Angeles‐Torres Diana , Noguez Paula , Coria‐Avila Genaro A. , Bolado‐García Victoria E. , Corona‐Morales Aleph A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn virgin female rats, the continuous presence of pups causes them to express typical maternal behaviors, a process known as maternal sensitization. Previous experience with pups accelerates maternal sensitization. It is also known that in primiparous rats, enriched environment (EE) increases the expression of maternal behaviors. Here, we investigated whether experience, other than pup exposure, affects the process of maternal sensitization and hypothesized that EE increases the expression of maternal behaviors and maternal motivation in virgin rats. Virgin adult females were housed in standard conditions or physical and social EE for 21 days. Then, females were exposed daily to pups until they expressed full maternal behaviors. Thereafter, females performed pup preference, pup motivation in a novel context, and resident‐intruder tests. We found that initial pup rejection was higher in EE rats, but eventually, both groups became maternally sensitized simultaneously. The frequency and duration of pup licking were higher in EE rats. In the other tests, EE rats exhibited more entries to the open arms, retrieved more pups toward the closed arms, and were more aggressive towards an intruder. We conclude that housing in a social EE modulates aspects of the pup‐induced maternal sensitization, particularly increasing pup licking and motivation in both familiar and novel circumstances.