bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of crystal facets in plasmonic catalysis
Authors: Kang Yicui , João Simão M. , Lin Rui , Liu Kang , Zhu Li , Fu Junwei , Cheong Weng-Chon , Lee Seunghoon , Frank Kilian , Nickel Bert , Liu Min , Lischner Johannes , Cortés Emiliano 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWhile the role of crystal facets is well known in traditional heterogeneous catalysis, this effect has not yet been thoroughly studied in plasmon-assisted catalysis, where attention has primarily focused on plasmon-derived mechanisms. Here, we investigate plasmon-assisted electrocatalytic CO2 reduction using different shapes of plasmonic Au nanoparticles - nanocube (NC), rhombic dodecahedron (RD), and octahedron (OC) - exposing {100}, {110}, and {111} facets, respectively. Upon plasmon excitation, Au OCs doubled CO Faradaic efficiency (FECO) and tripled CO partial current density (jCO) compared to a dark condition, with NCs also improving under illumination. In contrast, Au RDs maintained consistent performance irrespective of light exposure, suggesting minimal influence of light on the reaction. Temperature experiments ruled out heat as the main factor to explain such differences. Atomistic simulations and electromagnetic modeling revealed higher hot carrier abundance and electric field enhancement on Au OCs and NCs than RDs. These effects now dominate the reaction landscape over the crystal facets, thus shifting the reaction sites when comparing dark and plasmon-activated processes. Plasmon-assisted H2 evolution reaction experiments also support these findings. The dominance of low-coordinated sites over facets in plasmonic catalysis suggests key insights for designing efficient photocatalysts for energy conversion and carbon neutralization.
Sputum culture reversion in longer treatments with bedaquiline, delamanid, and repurposed drugs for drug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Kho Sooyeon , Seung Kwonjune J. , Huerga Helena , Bastard Mathieu , Khan Palwasha Y. , Mitnick Carole D. , Rich Michael L. , Islam Shirajul , Zhizhilashvili Dali , Yeghiazaryan Lusine , Nikolenko Elena Nikolaevna , Zarli Khin , Adnan Sana , Salahuddin Naseem , Ahmed Saman , Vargas Zully Haydee Ruíz , Bekele Amsalu , Shaimerdenova Aiman , Tamirat Meseret , Gelin Alain , Vilbrun Stalz Charles , Hewison Catherine , Khan Uzma , Franke Molly 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSputum culture reversion after conversion is an indicator of tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure. We analyze data from the endTB multi-country prospective observational cohort (NCT03259269) to estimate the frequency (primary endpoint) among individuals receiving a longer (18-to-20 month) regimen for multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR) TB who experienced culture conversion. We also conduct Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to identify factors associated with reversion, including comorbidities, previous treatment, cavitary disease at conversion, low body mass index (BMI) at conversion, time to conversion, and number of likely-effective drugs. Of 1,286 patients, 54 (4.2%) experienced reversion, a median of 173 days (97-306) after conversion. Cavitary disease, BMI < 18.5, hepatitis C, prior treatment with second-line drugs, and longer time to initial culture conversion were positively associated with reversion. Reversion was uncommon. Those with cavitary disease, low BMI, hepatitis C, prior treatment with second-line drugs, and in whom culture conversion is delayed may benefit from close monitoring following conversion.
ARTseq-FISH reveals position-dependent differences in gene expression of micropatterned mESCs
Authors: Hu Xinyu , van Sluijs Bob , García-Blay Óscar , Stepanov Yury , Rietrae Koen , Huck Wilhelm T. S. , Hansen Maike M. K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDifferences in gene-expression profiles between individual cells can give rise to distinct cell fate decisions. Yet how localisation on a micropattern impacts initial changes in mRNA, protein, and phosphoprotein abundance remains unclear. To identify the effect of cellular position on gene expression, we developed a scalable antibody and mRNA targeting sequential fluorescence in situ hybridisation (ARTseq-FISH) method capable of simultaneously profiling mRNAs, proteins, and phosphoproteins in single cells. We studied 67 (phospho-)protein and mRNA targets in individual mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) cultured on circular micropatterns. ARTseq-FISH reveals relative changes in both abundance and localisation of mRNAs and (phospho-)proteins during the first 48 hours of exit from pluripotency. We confirm these changes by conventional immunofluorescence and time-lapse microscopy. Chemical labelling, immunofluorescence, and single-cell time-lapse microscopy further show that cells closer to the edge of the micropattern exhibit increased proliferation compared to cells at the centre. Together these data suggest that while gene expression is still highly heterogeneous position-dependent differences in mRNA and protein levels emerge as early as 12 hours after LIF withdrawal.
Gas adsorption and framework flexibility of CALF-20 explored via experiments and simulations
Authors: Oktavian Rama , Goeminne Ruben , Glasby Lawson T. , Song Ping , Huynh Racheal , Qazvini Omid Taheri , Ghaffari-Nik Omid , Masoumifard Nima , Cordiner Joan L. , Hovington Pierre , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Moghadam Peyman Z. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn 2021, Svante, in collaboration with BASF, reported successful scale up of CALF-20 production, a stable MOF with high capacity for post-combustion CO2 capture which exhibits remarkable stability towards water. CALF-20’s success story in the MOF commercialisation space provides new thinking about appropriate structural and adsorptive metrics important for CO2 capture. Here, we combine atomistic-level simulations with experiments to study adsorptive properties of CALF-20 and shed light on its flexible crystal structure. We compare measured and predicted CO2 and water adsorption isotherms and explain the role of water-framework interactions and hydrogen bonding networks in CALF-20’s hydrophobic behaviour. Furthermore, regular and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations are performed with both density-functional theory (DFT) and machine learning potentials (MLPs) trained to DFT energies and forces. From these simulations, the effects of adsorption-induced flexibility in CALF-20 are uncovered. We envisage this work would encourage development of other MOF materials useful for CO2 capture applications in humid conditions.
Chiral coordination polymer nanowires boost radiation-induced in situ tumor vaccination
Authors: Huang Zhusheng , Gu Rong , Huang Shiqian , Chen Qian , Yan Jing , Cui Xiaoya , Jiang Haojie , Yao Dan , Shen Chuang , Su Jiayue , Liu Tao , Wu Jinhui , Luo Zhimin , Hu Yiqiao , Yuan Ahu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRadiation-induced in situ tumor vaccination alone is very weak and insufficient to elicit robust antitumor immune responses. In this work, we address this issue by developing chiral vidarabine monophosphate-gadolinium nanowires (aAGd-NWs) through coordination-driven self-assembly. We elucidate the mechanism of aAGd-NW assembly and characterize their distinct features, which include a negative surface charge, ultrafine topography, and right-handed chirality. Additionally, aAGd-NWs not only enhance X-ray deposition but also inhibit DNA repair, thereby enhancing radiation-induced in situ vaccination. Consequently, the in situ vaccination induced by aAGd-NWs sensitizes radiation enhances CD8+ T-cell-dependent antitumor immunity and synergistically potentiates the efficacy immune checkpoint blockade therapies against both primary and metastatic tumors. The well-established aAGd-NWs exhibit exceptional therapeutic capacity and biocompatibility, offering a promising avenue for the development of radioimmunotherapy approaches.
Unraveling dispersion and buoyancy dynamics around radial A + B → C reaction fronts: microgravity experiments and numerical simulations
Authors: Stergiou Yorgos , Escala Darío M. , Papp Paszkál , Horváth Dezső , Hauser Marcus J. B. , Brau Fabian , De Wit Anne , Tóth Ágota , Eckert Kerstin , Schwarzenberger Karin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRadial Reaction–Diffusion–Advection (RDA) fronts for A + B → C reactions find wide applications in many natural and technological processes. In liquid solutions, their dynamics can be perturbed by buoyancy-driven convection due to concentration gradients across the front. In this context, we conducted microgravity experiments aboard a sounding rocket, in order to disentangle dispersion and buoyancy effects in such fronts. We studied experimentally the dynamics due to the radial injection of A in B at a constant flow rate, in absence of gravity. We compared the obtained results with numerical simulations using either radial one– (1D) or two–dimensional (2D) models. We showed that gravitational acceleration significantly distorts the RDA dynamics on ground, even if the vertical dimension of the reactor and density gradients are small. We further quantified the importance of such buoyant phenomena. Finally, we showed that 1D numerical models with radial symmetry fail to predict the dynamics of RDA fronts in thicker geometries, while 2D radial models are necessary to accurately describe RDA dynamics where Taylor–Aris dispersion is significant.
A quantum critical Bose gas of magnons in the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet YbCl3 under magnetic fields
Authors: Matsumoto Yosuke , Schnierer Simon , Bruin Jan A. N. , Nuss Jürgen , Reiss Pascal , Jackeli George , Kitagawa Kentaro , Takagi Hidenori 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBose–Einstein condensation (BEC) is a quantum phenomenon in which a macroscopic number of bosons occupy the lowest energy state and acquire coherence at low temperatures. In three-dimensional antiferromagnets, a magnetic-field-induced transition has been successfully described as a magnon BEC. For a strictly two-dimensional (2D) system, it is known that BEC cannot take place due to the presence of a finite density of states at zero energy. However, in a realistic quasi-2D magnet consisting of stacked magnetic layers, a small but finite interlayer coupling stabilizes marginal BEC but such that 2D physics is still expected to dominate. This 2D-limit BEC behaviour has been reported in a few materials but only at very high magnetic fields that are difficult to access. The honeycomb S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet YbCl3 exhibits a transition to a fully polarized state at a relatively low in-plane magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate the formation of a quantum critical 2D Bose gas at the transition field, which, with lowering the field, experiences a BEC marginally stabilized by an extremely small interlayer coupling. Our observations establish YbCl3, previously a Kitaev quantum spin liquid material, as a realization of a quantum critical BEC in the 2D limit.
Integrated de novo transcriptome of Culex pipiens mosquito larvae as a resource for genetic control strategies
Authors: Mastrantonio Valentina , Libro Pietro , Di Martino Jessica , Matera Michele , Bellini Romeo , Castrignanò Tiziana , Urbanelli Sandra , Porretta Daniele 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe present a de novo transcriptome of the mosquito vector Culex pipiens, assembled by sequences of susceptible and insecticide resistant larvae. The high quality of the assembly was confirmed by TransRate and BUSCO. A mapping percentage until 94.8% was obtained by aligning contigs to Nr, SwissProt, and TrEMBL, with 27,281 sequences that simultaneously mapped on the three databases. A total of 14,966 ORFs were also functionally annotated by using the eggNOG database. Among them, we identified ORF sequences of the main gene families involved in insecticide resistance. Therefore, this resource stands as a valuable reference for further studies of differential gene expression as well as to identify genes of interest for genetic-based control tools.
Chromosomal-level genome assembly and annotation of the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria scabra
Authors: Zhong Shengping , Liu Xujia , Ma Xiaowan , Chen Xiuli , Jiang Yan , Zeng Mengqing , Zhao Longyan , Huang Lianghua , Huang Guoqiang , Zhao Yongzhen , Liu Hongtao , Qiao Ying 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHolothuria scabra, a commercially valuable yet ecologically vulnerable tropical holothuroid, has experienced a severe decline in its wild populations, especially in China. Genomic resources are crucial for the development of effective genomic breeding projects and stock conservation strategies to restore these natural populations. Until now, a high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome for H. scabra has not been available. Here, we employed Oxford Nanopore and Hi-C sequencing technologies to assemble and annotate a high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome of H. scabra. The final genome comprised 31 scaffolds with a total length of 1.19 Gb and a scaffold N50 length of 53.52 Mb. Remarkably, 1,191.67 Mb (99.95%) of the sequences were anchored to 23 pseudo-chromosomes, with the longest one spanning 79.75 Mb. A total of 34,418 protein-coding genes were annotated in the final genome, with BUSCO analysis revealing 98.01% coverage of metazoa_odb10 genes, marking a significant improvement compared to the previous report. These chromosome-level sequences and annotations will provide an essential genomic basis for further investigation into molecular breeding and conservation management of H. scabra.
PVP/aprepitant microcapsules produced by supercritical antisolvent process
Authors: Zhang Zhuo , Hao Guizhou , Sun Xuemei , Wang Feibo , Zhang Dengbo , Hu Dedong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was a green alternative to improve the low bioavailability of insoluble drugs. However, it is difficult for SAS process to industrialize with limited production capacity. A coaxial annular nozzle was used to prepare the microcapsules of aprepitant (APR) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by SAS with N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. Meanwhile, the effects of polymer/drug ratio, operating pressure, operating temperature and overall concentration on particles morphology, mean particle diameter and size distribution were analyzed. Microcapsules with mean diameters ranging from 2.04 μm and 9.84 μm were successfully produced. The morphology, particle size, thermal behavior, crystallinity, drug content, drug dissolution and residual amount of DMF of samples were analyzed. The results revealed that the APR drug dissolution of the microcapsules by SAS process was faster than the unprocessed APR. Furthermore, the drug powder collected every hour is in the kilogram level, verifying the possibility to scale up the production of pharmaceuticals employing the SAS process from an industrial point of view.
Control of spontaneous charging of sliding water drops by plasma-surface treatment
Authors: Darvish Fahimeh , Shumaly Sajjad , Li Xiaomei , Dong Yun , Diaz Diego , Khani Mohammadreza , Vollmer Doris , Butt Hans-Jürgen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSlide electrification is the spontaneous separation of electric charges at the rear of water drops sliding over solid surfaces. This study delves into how surfaces treated with a low-pressure plasma impact water slide electrification. Ar, O2, and N2 plasma treatment reduced the drop charge and contact angles on glass, quartz, and SU-8 coated with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS), and polystyrene. Conversely, 64% higher drop charge was achieved using electrode-facing treatment in plasma chamber. Based on the zeta potential, Kelvin potential, and XPS measurements, the plasma effects were attributed to alterations of the topmost layer's chemistry, such as oxidation and etching, and superficially charge deposition. The surface top layer charges were less negative after electrode-facing and more negative after bulk plasma treatment. As a result, the zeta potential was less negative after electrode-facing and more negative after bulk plasma treatment. Although the fluorinated layer was applied after plasma activation, we observed a discernible impact of plasma-glass treatment on drop charging. Plasma surface modification offers a means to adjust drop charges: electrode-facing treatment of the fluorinated layer leads to an enhanced drop charge, while plasma treatment on the substrate prior to fluorination diminishes drop charges, all without affecting contact angles or surface roughness.
Widely-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics identify metabolites associated with flowering regulation of Choy Sum
Authors: Huang Xinmin , Zhu Yunna , Su Wei , Song Shiwei , Chen Riyuan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractChoy Sum, a stalk vegetable highly valued in East and Southeast Asia, is characterized by its rich flavor and nutritional profile. Metabolite accumulation is a key factor in Choy Sum stalk development; however, no research has focused on metabolic changes during the development of Choy Sum, especially in shoot tip metabolites, and their effects on growth and flowering. Therefore, in the present study, we used a widely targeted metabolomic approach to analyze metabolites in Choy Sum stalks at the seedling (S1), bolting (S3), and flowering (S5) stages. In total, we identified 493 metabolites in 31 chemical categories across all three developmental stages. We found that the levels of most carbohydrates and amino acids increased during stalk development and peaked at S5. Moreover, the accumulation of amino acids and their metabolites was closely related to G6P, whereas the expression of flowering genes was closely related to the content of T6P, which may promote flowering by upregulating the expressions of BcSOC1, BcAP1, and BcSPL5. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the accumulation of stem tip substances during development and flowering and of the regulatory mechanisms of stalk development in Choy Sum and other related species.
Regulation of cytokine and chemokine expression by histone lysine methyltransferase MLL1 in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Okamoto Keita , Araki Yasuto , Aizaki Yoshimi , Tanaka Shinya , Kadono Yuho , Mimura Toshihide 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHistone lysine methylation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously reported aberrant expression of the gene encoding mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1), which catalyzes methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), in RA synovial fibroblasts (SFs). The aim of this study was to elucidate the involvement of MLL1 in the activated phenotype of RASFs. SFs were isolated from synovial tissues obtained from patients with RA or osteoarthritis (OA) during total knee joint replacement. MLL1 mRNA and protein levels were determined after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). We also examined changes in trimethylation of H3K4 (H3K4me3) levels in the promoters of RA-associated genes (matrix-degrading enzymes, cytokines, and chemokines) and the mRNA levels upon small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of MLL1 in RASFs. We then determined the levels of H3K4me3 and mRNAs following treatment with the WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5)/MLL1 inhibitor MM-102. H3K4me3 levels in the gene promoters were also compared between RASFs and OASFs. After TNFα stimulation, MLL1 mRNA and protein levels were higher in RASFs than OASFs. Silencing of MLL1 significantly reduced H3K4me3 levels in the promoters of several cytokine (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-15) and chemokine (C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 [CCL2], CCL5, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 [CXCL9], CXCL10, CXCL11, and C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 [CX3CL1]) genes in RASFs. Correspondingly, the mRNA levels of these genes were significantly decreased. MM-102 significantly reduced the promoter H3K4me3 and mRNA levels of the CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 genes in RASFs. In addition, H3K4me3 levels in the promoters of the IL-6, IL-15, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CX3CL1 genes were significantly higher in RASFs than OASFs. Our findings suggest that MLL1 regulates the expression of particular cytokines and chemokines in RASFs and is associated with the pathogenesis of RA. These results could lead to new therapies for RA.
Mammalian and avian species quantification in homogenized foods: real time PCR and digital PCR as tools for label compliance controls
Authors: Barbara Bertasi , Michela Tilola , Lucia Mangeri , Roberto Benevenia , Veronica Cappa , Alessandra Scaburri , Sonia Scaramagli , Raffaella Bergami , Pavoni Enrico , Marina Nadia Losio , Simone Peletto 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCurrently food fraud and authenticity of products composition are topics of great concern; ingredients quantification could allow to identify small amounts of contaminats or voluntary addition of improper components. Many molecular methods are available for species identification in foodstuffs but, for a better application, they should not be affected by the interference of other ingredients. The main purpose of this work was to verify the Real Time PCR and the Digital PCR (dPCR) quantification performances on baby food samples, specifically selected for their high miscibility to limit variability; chicken was selected as target to verify the performance of quantification of methods after having spiked the same quantity in different baby foods. The other aims were: (1) to verify a constant genome copies ratio existence between mammalian and avian species (2) to verify the dPCR performance, set up on housekeeping, to quantify mammalian and avian species in commercial products. Digital PCR showed fewer differences respect to Real Time PCR, at the same 15% w/w chicken spiking level. Despite the constant difference between mammalian and avian genome copies, in samples with the same spiking weight, the confidence intervals increasing towards the extreme values, made impossible to use genome copies ratio as a sort of correction factor between species. Finally, the dPCR system using the myostatin housekeeping gene to determine the chicken content seemed reliable to verify the labelling compliance in meat-based commercial products.
Prevalence and contributing factors of anemia in patients with gynecological cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ning Kexue , Sun Xingyu , Liu Ling , He Lijuan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia among patients with gynecological cancer prior to any treatment and to identify contributing factors associated with anemia in this group. We retrospectively analyzed data from female patients aged 18 and above, diagnosed with various forms of gynecological cancer at The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University between February 2016 and March 2021. Anemia was assessed based on the most recent CBC results before any cancer treatment. Eligibility was based on a definitive histopathological diagnosis. Key variables included demographic details, clinical characteristics, and blood counts, focusing on hemoglobin levels. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression models, and anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels below 12 g/dL for women, according to WHO criteria. Of the 320 participants, a significant prevalence of anemia was found. Correlations between anemia and factors like age, educational level, and biological markers (iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels) were identified. In our study, we found that the prevalence of anemia among patients with gynecological cancer prior to any treatment was 59.06%, indicating a significant health concern within this population. The study highlights a significant prevalence of anemia in patients with gynecological cancer, emphasizing the need for regular hemoglobin screening and individualized management. These findings suggest the importance of considering various characteristics and clinical variables in anemia management among this patient group. Further studies are needed to explore the long-term effects of these factors on patient outcomes and to develop targeted interventions.