bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conformal Coverage of ZnO Nanowire Arrays by ZnMnO3: Room‐temperature Photodeposition from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Rettenmaier Karin , Zickler Gregor A. , Berger Thomas 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCompositionally and structurally complex semiconductor oxide nanostructures gain importance in many energy‐related applications. Simple and robust synthesis routes ideally complying with the principles of modern green chemistry are therefore urgently needed. Here we report on the one‐step, room‐temperature synthesis of a crystalline–amorphous biphasic ternary metal oxide at the ZnO surface using aqueous precursor solutions. More specifically, conformal and porous ZnMnO3 shells are photodeposited from KMnO4 solution onto immobilized ZnO nanowires acting not only as the substrate but also as the Zn precursor. This water‐based, low temperature process yields ZnMnO3/ZnO composite electrodes featuring in 1 M Na2SO4 aqueous solution capacitance values of 80–160 F g−1 (as referred to the total mass of the porous film i. e. the electroactive ZnMnO3 phase and the ZnO nanowire array). Our results highlight the suitability of photodeposition as a simple and green route towards complex functional materials.
Generative adversarial networks applied to gene expression analysis: An interdisciplinary perspective
Authors: Ai Xusheng , Smith Melissa C , Feltus Frank Alex 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe remarkable flexibility and adaptability of generative adversarial networks (GANs) have led to the proliferation of its models in bioinformatics research. Proteomic and transcriptomic profiles have been shown to be promising methods for discovering and identifying disease biomarkers. However, those analyses were performed by trained human examiners making the process tedious, time consuming, and hard to standardize. With the development of GANs, it is now possible to reduce computational costs and human time for bioinformatics analysis to produce effective biomarkers. Moreover, GANs help address the lack of phenotypic state transitional gene expression data as well as avoid protected human data constraints by generating RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) data from random vectors. The purpose of this review is to summarize the use of GAN approaches and techniques to augment RNA‐seq expression data and identify clinically useful biomarkers. We compare different studies that use different types of GAN models to examine the biomarkers. Also, we identify research gaps and challenges that apply GANs to bio‐informatics. Finally, we propose potential directions for future research.
Ulinastatin inhibits the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by involving uPA/uPAR signaling
Authors: Li Chang‐Zhi , Qiang Yuan‐Yuan , Liu Zhi‐Jie , Zheng Li‐Sheng , Peng Li‐Xia , Mei Yan , Meng Dong‐Fang , Wei Wen‐Wen , Chen Dong‐Wen , Xu Liang , Lang Yan‐Hong , Xie Ping , Peng Xing‐Si , Wang Ming‐Dian , Guo Ling‐Ling , Shu Di‐Tian , Ding Liu‐Yan , Lin Si‐Ting , Luo Fei‐Fei , Wang Jing , Li Sha‐Sha , Huang Bi‐Jun , Chen Jin‐Dong , Qian Chao‐Nan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDistant metastasis is the primary reason for treatment failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we investigated the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on NPC metastasis and its underlying mechanism. Highly‐metastatic NPC cell lines S18 and 58F were treated with UTI and the effect on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined by MTS and Transwell assays. S18 cells with luciferase‐expressing (S18–1C3) were injected into the left hind footpad of nude mice to establish a model of spontaneous metastasis from the footpad to popliteal lymph node (LN). The luciferase messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the metastasis inhibition rate was calculated. Key molecular members of the UTI‐related uPA, uPAR, and JAT/STAT3 signaling pathways were detected by qPCR and immunoblotting. UTI suppressed the migration and infiltration of S18 and 5‐8F cells and suppressed the metastasis of S18 cells in vivo without affecting cell proliferation. uPAR expression decreased from 24 to 48 h after UTI treatment. The antimetastatic effect of UTI is partly due to the suppression of uPA and uPAR. UTI partially suppresses NPC metastasis by downregulating the expression of uPA and uPAR.
The functional effects of a dominant consumer are altered following the loss of a dominant producer
Authors: Mahanes Samuel A. , Sorte Cascade J. B. , Bracken Matthew E. S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHuman impacts on ecosystems are resulting in unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss worldwide. The loss of species results in the loss of the multiple roles that each species plays or functions (i.e., “ecosystem multifunctionality”) that it provides. A more comprehensive understanding of the effects of species on ecosystem multifunctionality is necessary for assessing the ecological impacts of species loss. We studied the effects of two dominant intertidal species, a primary producer (the seaweed Neorhodomela oregona) and a consumer (the shellfish Mytilus trossulus), on 12 ecosystem functions in a coastal ecosystem, both in undisturbed tide pools and following the removal of the dominant producer. We modified analytical methods used in biodiversity–multifunctionality studies to investigate the potential effects of individual dominant species on ecosystem function. The effects of the two dominant species from different trophic levels tended to differ in directionality (+/−) consistently (92% of the time) across the 12 individual functions considered. Using averaging and multiple threshold approaches, we found that the dominant consumer—but not the dominant producer—was associated with ecosystem multifunctionality. Additionally, the relationship between abundance and multifunctionality differed depending on whether the dominant producer was present, with a negative relationship between the dominant consumer and ecosystem function with the dominant producer present compared to a non‐significant, positive trend where the producer had been removed. Our findings suggest that interactions among dominant species can drive ecosystem function. The results of this study highlight the utility of methods previously used in biodiversity‐focused research for studying functional contributions of individual species, as well as the importance of species abundance and identity in driving ecosystem multifunctionality, in the context of species loss.
Discipline differences in mental models: How mechanical engineers and automation engineers evaluate machine processes
Authors: Schmidt Judith , Müller Romy 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInterdisciplinary collaboration frequently comes into play when existing problems cannot be solved by one discipline alone. However, the interlocking of contributions from different disciplines is by no means trivial. This exploratory study examines one foundation of successful teamwork, namely shared mental models. To this end, we compared the contents of mental models between members of different but interdependent disciplines who collaboratively solve knowledge‐intensive, creative tasks. Five automation and five mechanical engineers were recruited from a company that produces packaging machines. In semi‐structured interviews, participants reported their approach to evaluating the process behavior of a packaging machine, and their mental models were represented in concept maps. Quantitative analyses revealed that the maps of automation engineers were smaller than those of mechanical engineers. In qualitative analyses, the focus on different levels of abstraction and on contents from the two disciplines was examined. Automation engineers represented a large proportion of rather abstract machine functions, whereas mechanical engineers additionally represented the physical implementation of these functions. The disciplinary focus also differed in the sense that automation engineers mainly attended to automated machine processes, while mechanical engineers attended to both mechanical and automated processes. Overall, automation engineers' focus was narrower than that of mechanical engineers. We explain these results by considering typical tasks and reasoning processes in both disciplines, and discuss how shared mental models can aid the integration of different disciplinary perspectives, for instance, during Systems Engineering.
Synthesis and Reactions of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted 1,3,5‐Triazines
Authors: Jeon Woohyung , Baiazitov Ramil , Chierchia Matteo , Niederer Kyle , Ren Hongyu , Moon Young‐Choon , Gilbert Bradley B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA variety of di‐ and trifluoromethyl‐s‐triazines are prepared following straightforward synthetic protocols from simple, commercially available starting materials. Trichloromethyl‐substituted triazine electrophiles are obtained in good yield and react with amine nucleophiles to afford aminotriazine products in good to excellent yield. The nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction is broad in scope and proceeds smoothly with both aromatic and aliphatic (primary, secondary, and branched) amines in the presence of non‐participating functional groups including alcohols, carboxylic acids, indoles, and common amine protecting groups. Furthermore, most reactions require only a catalytic amount of 4‐DMAP with no stoichiometric base and are complete within two hours at ambient temperature.
TNFRSF13B gene mutation in familial acute myeloid leukemia: A new piece in the complex scenario of hereditary predisposition?
Authors: Cumbo Cosimo , Orsini Paola , Tarantini Francesco , Anelli Luisa , Zagaria Antonella , Tragni Vincenzo , Coccaro Nicoletta , Tota Giuseppina , Parciante Elisa , Conserva Maria Rosa , Redavid Immacolata , Minervini Crescenzio Francesco , Minervini Angela , Attolico Immacolata , Gentile Mattia , Pierri Ciro Leonardo , Specchia Giorgina , Musto Pellegrino , Albano Francesco 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTNFRSF13B mutations are widely associated with common variable immunodeficiency. TNFRSF13B was recently counted among relevant genes associated with childhood‐onset of hematological malignancies; nonetheless, its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unexplored. We report the study of a family with two cases of AML, sharing a germline TNFRSF13B mutation favoring the formation of a more stable complex with its ligand TNFSF13: a positive regulator of AML‐initiating cells. Our data turn the spotlight onto the TNFRSF13B role in AML onset, inserting a new fragment into the complex scenario of a hereditary predisposition to myeloid neoplasms.
Neutrophil‐to‐monocyte ratio is the better new inflammatory marker associated with rheumatoid arthritis activity
Authors: Obaid Jamil M. A. S. , Almjydy Malikah M. A. , Garban Maymouna A. Q. , Al‐hebari Fatima S. Q. , Al‐washah Nusaibah A. H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that chronically affects patients with episodes of inflammation. New inflammatory hematological markers were investigated for follow‐up, such as the neutrophil–monocyte ratio (NMR), lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). This study was conducted to determine the most useful marker based on studies of association with RA disease activity and correlation with the classical markers C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and rheumatoid factor (RF).MethodsThis case‐control study included 62 chronic RA patients who had previously been diagnosed and experienced episodes of symptoms while attending a variety of public and private rheumatology clinics in Ibb City, Republic of Yemen, for the period of September 1 to November 30, 2021. Twenty healthy volunteers were included in this study. Complete blood count, CRP, ESR, and RF levels were measured in all participants.ResultsThe total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, platelet count, NMR, LMR, and NLR were positively correlated with CRP and ESR, but the monocyte count was reversed. The area under the curve (AUC = 0.861, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.769–0.948) for the NMR cutoff value of 4.7 was equal to that of CRP and close to that of ESR. This NMR cutoff value had 87% sensitivity and 80% specificity. LMR and NLR cutoff values of 4.35 and 1.35, respectively, resulted in AUCs of (AUC = 0.807, 95% CI, 0.708–0.905) and (AUC = 0.699, 95% CI, 0.571–0.819); their sensitivity and specificity were 62.3%, 90%, 57.4%, and 80%, respectively.ConclusionsAs a convenient and low‐cost inflammatory marker of RA activity, NMR outperformed LMR and NLR.
Direct synthesis of β2,3‐amino acid from β‐hydroxycarbamides: Implication in the synthesis of azumamide analogs and conformational analysis
Authors: Khan Afsar Ali , Vaishnav Jayanti , Gangwar Manoj Kumar , Ampapathi Ravi Sankar , Koley Dipankar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe designed β2,3 unnatural amino acids have been synthesized from α‐methyl‐β‐hydroxycarbamides via direct azidation without obtaining eliminated products. Furthermore, these β2,3 amino acids were utilized to synthesize cyclic tetrapeptides (CTPs) as azumamide analogs. 2D‐NMR analysis revealed the compact secondary structure as a single conformer. Presence of intramolecular H‐bonding in CTPs was observed in this α3β2,3 architecture and displayed a seven‐membered γ‐turn structure.
Insights into thiram fungicide: A comparative study of solution and solid phases through Raman, DCDR, and SERS measurements and DFT simulations
Authors: Valášková Martina , Kuižová Alžbeta , Kočišová Eva , Profant Václav 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThiram, a widely known fungicide, has evinced a negative impact on the environment and human health that led to the banning of its use in plant protection products on all commodities in the European Union. Therefore, there is a need for monitoring possible illicit use, which requires sensitive and accurate detection methods. In this study, the behavior of thiram in different phases was investigated in order to better understand its properties. Raman spectra were obtained from thiram in the solid state as a crystalline powder, dissolved in different solvents, and from dried deposits using the drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) method. The analyses of acquired Raman spectra revealed evidence of hydrogen bonding between thiram and chloroform in the solution phase. The reliability and sensitivity of DCDR measurements were also highlighted, with high‐quality spectra obtained from a dried pattern from droplet at a 40 μM concentration. Moreover, the study identified the most abundant conformer of intact (undegraded) thiram molecule and enabled reliable band assignment and vibrational analysis based on DFT simulations, providing a better understanding of the compound's properties. The results also suggested that thiram can be coordinated to silver in nanostructured SERS active substrates not only in the degraded form but also in the undegraded form. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into thiram's behavior and can be helpful in the further development of efficient and effective methods for its detection and analysis.
A Novel Methacryloyl Chitosan Hydrogel Microneedles Patch with Sustainable Drug Release Property for Effective Treatment of Psoriasis
Authors: Dai Panpan , Ge Xing , Sun Caixia , Jiang Hui , Zuo Wanchao , Wu Pengcheng , Liu Cong , Deng Shuyue , Yang Jun , Dai Jianjun , Ju Yanmin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease that often requires long‐term treatment, and topical transdermal drug delivery can reduce systemic side effects. However, it is still a challenge in efficient transdermal drug delivery for psoriasis treatment due to low penetration efficiency of most drugs and the abnormal skin conditions of psoriasis patients. Here, a safe and effective methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel microneedles (CSMA hMNs) patch is developed and served as a sustained drug release platform for the treatment of psoriasis. By systematically optimizing the CSMA preparation, CSMA hMNs with excellent morphological characteristics and strong mechanical properties (0.7 N needle−1) are prepared with a concentration of only 3% (w/v) CSMA. As a proof‐of‐concept, methotrexate (MTX) and nicotinamide (NIC) are loaded into CSMA hMNs patch, which can produce a sustained drug release of 80% within 24 h in vitro. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the CSMA hMNs patch can effectively inhibit the skin thickening and spleen enlargement of psoriatic mice and has a good biosafety profile at sufficient therapeutic doses. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of hMN systems using modified CS or other biocompatible materials and offers an effective therapeutic option for psoriasis treatment.
Flexible Conductive Decellularized Fish Skin Matrix as a Functional Scaffold for Myocardial Infarction Repair
Authors: Fang Zhanhong , Lv Bingyang , Zhan Jiamian , Xing Xianglong , Ding Chengbin , Liu Jianing , Wang Leyu , Zou Xiaoming , Qiu Xiaozhong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEngineering cardiac patches are proven to be effective in myocardial infarction (MI) repair, but it is still a tricky problem in tissue engineering to construct a scaffold with good biocompatibility, suitable mechanical properties, and solid structure. Herein, decellularized fish skin matrix is utilized with good biocompatibility to prepare a flexible conductive cardiac patch through polymerization of polydopamine (PDA) and polypyrrole (PPy). Compared with single modification, the double modification strategy facilitated the efficiency of pyrrole polymerization, so that the patch conductivity is improved. According to the results of experiments in vivo and in vitro, the scaffold can promote the maturation and functionalization of cardiomyocytes (CMs). It can also reduce the inflammatory response, increase local microcirculation, and reconstruct the conductive microenvironment in infarcted myocardia, thus improving the cardiac function of MI rats. In addition, the excellent flexibility of the scaffold, which enables it to be implanted in vivo through “folding‐delivering‐re‐stretehing” pathway, provides the possibility of microoperation under endoscope, which avoids the secondary damage to myocardium by traditional thoracotomy for implantation surgery.
Self‐Destructive Nanoscavengers Capture and Clear Neurotoxic Soluble β‐Amyloid Aggregates
Authors: Zhao Yu , Li Qiushi , Huang Qingqing , Liu Yang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCerebral soluble β‐amyloid aggregates (sAβs) accumulation is one of the most important causes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. In order to mitigate the neurotoxicity induced by sAβs and achieve enhanced AD therapeutic outcomes, robust sAβs clearance become an emerging task. Herein, a self‐destructive nanoscavenger (SDNS) is reported based on multifunctional peptide‐polymer complexes that can capture extracellular sAβs via hydrogen‐bonding interactions and deliver them into microglial lysosomes. The internalized SDNS then occurs self‐destruction within lysosomes and upregulates autophagy, thereby promoting the degradation of neurotoxic sAβs. Importantly, the enhanced autophagy also significantly suppresses the secretion of inflammatory factors by microglia, which is induced by internalized sAβs. Given that cerebral persistent inflammatory environment disturbs microglia‐mediated phagocytosis and degradation, it is believed that this synergistic approach has valuable potential as a therapeutic strategy for AD.
Correlating Molar Mass, π‐Conjugation, and Optical Properties of Narrowly Distributed Anionic Polythiophenes in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Schmidt Martina , Karg Matthias , Thelakkat Mukundan , Brendel Johannes C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPolythiophene‐based conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPE) are attracting increasing attention as sensor or interface materials in chemistry and biology. While cationic polythiophenes are better understood, limited structural information is available on their anionic counterparts. Limited access to well‐defined polymers has made the study of structure‐property relationships difficult and clear correlations have remained elusive. By combining controlled Kumada catalyst transfer polymerization with a polymer‐analog substitution, regioregular and narrowly distributed poly(6‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)hexane‐1‐sulfonate)s (PTHS) with tailored chain length are prepared. Analysis of their aqueous solution structures by small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed a cylindrical conformation for all polymers tested, with a length close to the contour length of the polymer chains, while the estimated radii remain too small (<1.5 nm) for extensive π‐stacking of the chains. The latter is particularly interesting as the longest polymer exhibits a concentration‐independent structured absorption typical of crystalline polythiophenes. Increasing the ionic strength of the solution diminishes these features as the Coulomb repulsion between the charged repeat units is shielded, allowing the polymer to adopt a more coiled conformation. The extended π‐conjugation, therefore, appears to be a key parameter for these unique optical features, which are not present in the corresponding cationic polythiophenes.
Simultaneous quantification of hyperpolarized xenon‐129 ventilation and gas exchange with multi‐breath xenon‐polarization transfer contrast (XTC) MRI
Authors: Amzajerdian Faraz , Hamedani Hooman , Baron Ryan , Loza Luis , Duncan Ian , Ruppert Kai , Kadlecek Stephen , Rizi Rahim 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of a multi‐breath xenon‐polarization transfer contrast (XTC) MR imaging approach for simultaneously evaluating regional ventilation and gas exchange parameters.MethodsImaging was performed in five healthy volunteers and six chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The multi‐breath XTC protocol consisted of three repeated schemes of six wash‐in breaths of a xenon mixture and four normoxic wash‐out breaths, with and without selective saturation of either the tissue membrane or red blood cell (RBC) resonances. Acquisitions were performed at end‐exhalation while subjects maintained tidal breathing throughout the session. The no‐saturation, membrane‐saturation, and RBC‐saturation images were fit to a per‐breath gas replacement model for extracting voxelwise tidal volume (TV), functional residual capacity (FRC), and fractional ventilation (FV), as well as tissue‐ and RBC‐gas exchange (fMem and fRBC, respectively). The sensitivity of the derived model was also evaluated via simulations.ResultsWith the exception of FRC, whole‐lung averages for all metrics were decreased in the COPD subjects compared to the healthy cohort, significantly so for FV, fRBC, and fMem. Heterogeneity was higher overall in the COPD subjects, particularly for fRBC, fMem, and fRBC:Mem. The anterior‐to‐posterior gradient associated with the gravity‐dependence of lung function in supine imaging was also evident for FV, fRBC, and fMem values in the healthy subjects, but noticeably absent in the COPD cohort.ConclusionMulti‐breath XTC imaging generated high‐resolution, co‐registered maps of ventilation and gas exchange parameters acquired during tidal breathing and with low per‐breath xenon doses. Clear differences between healthy and COPD subjects were apparent and consistent with spirometry.