bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salt‐inducible kinases are required for glucose uptake and insulin signaling in human adipocytes
Authors: Säll Johanna , Lindahl Maria , Fritzen Andreas M. , Fryklund Claes , Kopietz Franziska , Nyberg Emma , Warvsten Anna , Morén Björn , Foretz Marc , Kiens Bente , Stenkula Karin G. , Göransson Olga 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveSalt‐inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) is abundantly expressed in adipocytes and downregulated in adipose tissue from individuals with obesity or insulin resistance. The main aims of this work were to investigate the involvement of SIKs in the regulation of glucose uptake in primary mature human adipocytes and to identify mechanisms underlying this regulation.MethodsPrimary mature adipocytes were isolated from human, rat, or mouse adipose tissue and treated with pan‐SIK inhibitors. Adipocytes isolated from wild type, ob/ob, and SIK2 knockout mice were also used. Glucose uptake was examined by glucose tracer assay. The insulin signaling pathway was monitored by Western blotting, co‐immunoprecipitation, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.ResultsThis study demonstrates that SIK2 is downregulated in obese ob/ob mice and that SIK activity is required for intact glucose uptake in primary human and mouse adipocytes. The underlying mechanism involves direct effects on the insulin signaling pathway, likely at the level of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)‐trisphosphate (PIP3) generation or breakdown. Moreover, lack of SIK2 alone is sufficient to attenuate glucose uptake in mouse adipocytes.ConclusionsSIK2 is required for insulin action in human adipocytes, and the mechanism includes direct effects on the insulin signaling pathway.
Preparing microcrystalline cellulose‐reinforced polylactic acid composites by an energy saving method
Authors: Jia Xue , Cui Boyu , Li Shuang , Xie Hao , Wang Weihong , Cui Yutong , Ding Jiayan , Zhang Xianquan , Song Yongming 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMicrocrystalline cellulose (MCC) fibers are co mmonly used to reinforce polymers; however, their freeze‐drying process consumes a lot of energy. In this study, MCC dried at different temperatures, oven‐dried at 25, 50, 75, and 103°C and freeze‐dried, was evaluated based on their effect on the reinforced composites. The dried MCC was compounded with polylactic acid (PLA) by melt extrusion and compressed into an MCC/PLA composite film. The morphology, structure, and crystallinity of the dried MCCs and MCC/PLA composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size analysis, x‐ray diffraction, mechanical testing, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was proved that MCC dried at 103°C was more uniformly dispersed and tightly bound to the PLA matrix than freeze‐dried MCC. Tensile measurements showed that the MCC dried at 103°C had nearly the same tensile strength (58.35 MPa) as that of the freeze‐dried MCC (58.7 MPa) and was higher than that of the other oven‐dried MCC. Energy consumption evaluation revealed that oven‐drying consumed much less energy than freeze‐drying MCC for 24 h to obtain the same final moisture content. MCC dried at 103°C has significantly better properties than MCC dried at 25, 50, and 75°C, similar to freeze‐drying. Concerning performance and energy consumption, drying at 103°C is determined the optimal choice to support the preparation of MCC‐reinforced PLA composites.Highlights
Drying temperature effects aggregation of MCC.
MCC Dried at 103°C can present similar properties to freeze‐dried MCC but save more energy.
Oven‐drying can be a good way to dry MCC for the preparation of MCC/PLA composite.
Enhanced mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) using hexene‐doping graphitic nanoplatelets
Authors: Yoon Seo Jeong , Baek Jaehoon , Baek Jong‐Beom , Jeon In‐Yup 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHexene‐doping graphitic nanoplatelets (HxGNs), as a new filler, have extraordinary properties (e.g., hexene‐functionalization, wedge‐shaped pore, high specific surface areas, and so on), and interfacial interactions with hydrophobic polymers. Thus, the HxGNs sufficiently increase the mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). HxGN@PVC_X nanocomposites can be prepared easily with a solution casting method because the HxGNs are well dispersed in tetrahydrofuran. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, toughness, and strain‐to‐failure of HxGN@PVC_5 nanocomposites increase by approximately 33.1%, 27.3%, 58.6%, and 40.5%, respectively, compared with pure PVC. Especially, the low toughness of PVC, which hinders practical applications, has been greatly improved. The improved performance is from the outstanding properties of the HxGNs and the excellent interfacial interactions between the HxGNs and PVC chain. As a result, HxGNs as a filler act as a reinforcing agent and plasticizer for the PVC matrix.Highlights
The performance of the HxGN@PVC_5 nanocomposites is increased.
The HxGN into PVC matrix is effective to overcome the disadvantages of PVC.
A mechanochemical reaction can make graphitic nanoplatelets with specific groups.
Graphitic nanoplatelets with specific groups can be used as new filler.
Combining Super Learner with high‐dimensional propensity score to improve confounding adjustment: A real‐world application in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Dhopeshwarkar Neil , Yang Wei , Hennessy Sean , Rhodes Joanna M. , Cuker Adam , Leonard Charles E. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeHigh‐dimensional propensity score (hdPS) is a semiautomated method that leverages a vast number of covariates available in healthcare databases to improve confounding adjustment. A novel combined Super Learner (SL)‐hdPS approach was proposed to assist with selecting the number of covariates for propensity score inclusion, and was found in plasmode simulation studies to improve bias reduction and precision compared to hdPS alone. However, the approach has not been examined in the applied setting.MethodsWe compared SL‐hdPS's performance with that of several hdPS models, each with prespecified covariates and a different number of empirically‐identified covariates, using a cohort study comparing real‐world bleeding rates between ibrutinib‐ and bendamustine‐rituximab (BR)‐treated individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Optum's de‐identified Clinformatics® Data Mart commercial claims database (2013–2020). We used inverse probability of treatment weighting for confounding adjustment and Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for bleeding outcomes. Parameters of interest included prespecified and empirically‐identified covariate balance (absolute standardized difference [ASD] thresholds of <0.10 and <0.05) and outcome HR precision (95% confidence intervals).ResultsWe identified 2423 ibrutinib‐ and 1102 BR‐treated individuals. Including >200 empirically‐identified covariates in the hdPS model compromised covariate balance at both ASD thresholds. SL‐hdPS balanced more covariates than all individual hdPS models at both ASD thresholds. The bleeding HR 95% confidence intervals were generally narrower with SL‐hdPS than with individual hdPS models.ConclusionIn a real‐world application, hdPS was sensitive to the number of covariates included, while use of SL for covariate selection resulted in improved covariate balance and possibly improved precision.
HopBox: An image analysis pipeline to characterize hop cone morphology
Authors: Altendorf Kayla R. , Heineck Garett C. , Wakholi Collins , Tawril Anna , Raja Pranav , Rippner Devin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHop cone morphology can influence picking and drying ability, and color can impact consumer preference and may be indicative of quality. However, these characteristics are not generally evaluated in hop breeding programs due to the tedious nature of trait quantification and the extensive variation among cones within a genotype. We developed the HopBox, which is a simply constructed light box with a camera mount, and a publicly available image processing pipeline that identifies hop cones within color‐corrected images, reads a QR code within the image, and outputs data on hop cone length, width, area, perimeter, openness, weight, color, and density. The trained model was applied to images of 500 cones each from 15 replicated advanced hop genotypes from the USDA‐ARS breeding program in Prosser, Washington. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p < 0.001) differences between genotypes for all traits measured, enabling breeders to discriminate between genotypes for selection purposes. Broad sense heritability for all traits ranged from 0.23 to 0.59. A random sampling of hop cones from the complete dataset revealed that imaging only 5–10 cones adequately captured genotypic variation and provided acceptable rank correlations (rs > 0.75); however, increasing the sample size to 30 provided optimal precision. Instructions for constructing a HopBox and the code for the analysis pipeline are publicly available online and have wide applicability for hop breeding and research.
Synthesis of 1,4‐benzodioxan derivatives and the evaluation of their biological activity as a novel juvenile hormone signaling inhibitor
Authors: Furuta Kenjiro , Yamada Naoko , Kayukawa Takumi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDJuvenile hormone (JH) signaling inhibitors may be used as insect growth regulators because of their ability to control metamorphosis and reproduction in insects by regulating the action of JH.RESULTSWe identified ethyl (E)‐3‐(4‐{[7‐ (4‐methoxycarbonylbenzyloxy)‐1,4‐benzodioxan‐6‐yl]methyl}phenyl)prop‐2‐enoate (EMBP) and observed its strong precocious metamorphosis‐inducing activity against silkworm larvae. To further elucidate its mechanism of action, we investigated the effect of EMBP on the JH‐mediated signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. In a reporter assay using a Bombyx mori cell line, EMBP strongly suppressed the induction of reporter gene expression by Juvenile hormone I (JH I) in a concentration‐dependent manner. A parallel rightward shift was observed in the dose–response curve of JH I after treatment with EMBP, indicating that EMBP competitively inhibited JH. Moreover, we monitored developmental changes in the JH‐responsive gene, Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr‐h1), and ecdysone‐responsive gene, Broad‐Complex (BRC), in EMBP‐treated silkworm larvae. EMBP suppressed only the expression of Kr‐h1 in third‐instar larvae.CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrated that EMBP specifically regulates the JH‐mediated Kr‐h1 signaling pathway. EMBP could be used as a lead compound in the development of new insect growth regulators. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Entanglement‐Enhanced Quantum Ranging in Near‐Earth Spacetime
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Wen Cuihong , Jing Jiliang , Wang Jieci 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA quantum ranging protocol to determine the distance between an observer and a target in the near‐Earth curved spacetime is proposed. Unlike quantum illumination, the quantum ranging scheme utilizes multiple quantum hypothesis testing to simultaneously determine the presence and location of the target. The interest is in how the Earth's spacetime curvature influences photon propagation as well as the performance of the quantum ranging. It is found that the maximum potential advantage of the quantum ranging strategy in the curved spacetime outperforms its flat spacetime counterpart. It is shown that the number of transmitted modes can enhance the maximum potential advantage of the quantum ranging tasks. In contrast, the maximum potential advantage of quantum ranging cannot be significantly increased by dividing the range into multiple slices in the curved spacetime.
Adsorption of Fuchsine Dye on TiZnPbO Nanocomposites: Analytical Modeling and Interpretation
Authors: Jethave Ganesh , Fegade Umesh , Attarde Sanjay , Ansar Sabah , Bathula Chinna , Kolate Sachin , Wu Reng‐Jang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this study, the synthesis process of TiZnPbO nanocomposite and its use for the removal of Basic Fuchsin (BF) dye from wastewater was studied. The influence of contact duration (90 min), concentration (200 mg/L), solution pH (3.0), and adsorbent dosage (0.2 g) on adsorption studies were thoroughly examined. The kinetic models (pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order) and isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) are used to understand the adsorption mechanism and behavior of BF over adsorbents. According to the kinetic data, the models fit a pseudo‐second‐order equation which is an indication of a heterogeneous chemisorption process. The Langmuir isotherm is best fitted with R2of 0.999 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 208.33 mg/g. It was determined that the values of n for the adsorption of BF on TiZnPbO at 298 K were less than unity (n=0.516, 0.504, and 0.501). This finding showed that the BF dyes should be adsorbed on this adsorbent in a non‐parallel orientation. As for BF adsorption on TiZnPbO, the isotherm data indicated that it behaved more like a multilayer than a monolayer. The TiZnPbO adsorbent showed high recyclability at least 5 times.
Aniline‐Doped MOF‐199 in MOF‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Pieris Y.T. Poornima , Ranathunga Harith , Hettiarachchi Perera Champika V. , R. Ishanie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMetal‐organic framework (MOF)‐sensitized solar cells (MSSC) were fabricated using aniline‐doped MOF‐199. The light harvesting and semiconductor properties of MOF‐199 were fine‐tuned by introducing aniline as guest molecules. After doping with aniline structural changes were not depicted in the powder X‐ray diffraction pattern confirming the undisturbed 3D framework of MOF‐199. A clear color change was observed after doping due to which enhanced absorbance peaks were observed in the UV‐visible spectra. The modified MOF‐199 was then utilized in MOF‐sensitized solar cells as the light‐absorbing material that demonstrated a 73 % enhancement in the overall device efficiency when compared to MSSC fabricated with unmodified/neat MOF‐199.
Synthesis, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Linear and Star Poly(L‐lactide)s
Authors: Nanok Tanin , Khanom Natthatida , Hormnirun Pimpa , Chansaenroch Chawakorn , Laobuthee Apirat 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPoly(L‐lactide) with various architectures and molecular weights have been studied with respect to their thermal and mechanical properties. Their synthesis has been performed with an aluminum salen catalyst, which allows to obtain linear chains, tetrahedral 4‐arm stars and stars with two linked tetrahedra with 3 arms each, all with defined molecular weights. The polymers are characterized by their molecular weight distributions and then subjected to differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses, which show differences in the characteristic temperatures of not more than 10 degrees. The crystallinity index clearly increases with the weight of the chains with only a minor dependency on the topology. Thin films of the polymers are studied with respect to their elongation at break, their tensile strength, and their moduli. The elongation is most sensitive to the polymer type with a 15‐fold increase between the shortest linear polymer and the 6‐arm star polymer with the longest chains.
Design, Synthesis, and Antiproliferative Activities of 1,3‐Disubstituted 2‐Thioxoimidazolidin‐4‐one Derivatives against HepG2 and MCF‐7 Cells
Authors: Khirallah Salma M. , Ramadan Heba M. M. , El‐Deen Ibrahim M. , El rayess Ranza A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA series of 1,3‐disubstituted‐2‐thioxoimidazolidin‐4‐one and diazine derivatives were synthesized and confirmed through IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of synthesized compounds against HePG2 and MCF‐7 cells were assessed by MTT assay. Furthermore, Aromatase, VEGFR‐2, B‐Raf, cell cycle, Annexin V, caspase‐3 and sulphatase expression by PCR, and β‐catenin expression by western blot were estimated. The results revealed that the synthesized compounds possess cytotoxic activity against HePG2 and MCF‐7 cell lines. Compound 11 (2,2′‐(1E,1′E)‐1,1′‐(hydrazine‐1,2‐diylidene) bis (ethan‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidene) bis (4‐(phenyldiazenyl) phenol) had greater cytotoxic activity than staurosporine (6.24 μg/mL), with IC50 of 2.55 μg/mL against HepG2 cells and (4.21 μg/mL) against MCF‐7 cells. Moreover, the inhibitory activity against aromatase was (0.156 μg/mL), (0.23 μg/mL) against VEGFR2, and (0.25 μg/mL) against B‐Raf. Also, this compound decreased DNA content of HepG2 cells in the S phase and the G2/M phase, and increased the apoptosis in Annexin measurement. By real‐time PCR, This compound up‐regulated the expression of caspase‐3 in HepG2 cells, reduced the expression of sulphatase gene in HepG2 cells, and reduced β‐catenin expression in HepG2 by western blot analysis. Consequently, the synthesized derivatives could be a promising scaffold for the development of potent anti‐cancer agents due to their apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory activities.
New Fluoro‐ and Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Trimethoxychalcones as Anticancer Agents: Synthesis, Bio‐evaluation, and Computational Studies
Authors: Polat M. Fatih , Anil Derya Aktas , Ozkemahli Gizem , Turkmenoglu Burcin , Hepokur Ceylan , Burmaoglu Serdar , Algul Oztekin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe designed and synthesized a novel series of trimethoxy chalcones with CF3 or F substituents at various positions of ring B, characterized using IR, NMR spectral data, and elemental analyses, based on the fact that methoxy and fluoro‐substituted chalcones are included in the literature as a pharmacophore due to their anticancer activities. All compounds (12‐21) were tested for cytotoxicity against A549, HEPG2, MCF7, and normal mouse fibroblasts (L929) using the XTT assay. The most active compound, 13, was also shown to induce MCF7 cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, indicating that they exert their antitumor potency via MCF7 cell apoptosis. The mechanisms involved in apoptotic cell death induced by compound 13 were also investigated to see if apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl‐2, and p53 were involved. In addition, the compounds with the strongest apoptotic effects against human EGFR and VEGFR‐2 receptors were studied in silico. Finally, methoxy and fluoro‐substituted chalcones derivatives have been shown to have potent anticancer properties.
Recent Progress in Synthesis of Nanostructures through Ion Exchange Route and their Applications
Authors: Singh Vikram 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe inorganic colloidal nanocrystals (ICNCs) have received a great deal of interest because of their tunable electronic and optical properties with coarse and finely controlled compositions, morphologies and thus, hybrid nanostructures have a wide range of applications in supercapacitor, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) and photothermal therapy (PPT). The ion exchange (IEx) process includes great diffusion rates of parent nanoparticles (NPs) ions from their crystal structure and their complete dissociation in specific solvents. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of different transition metal atoms with specific p‐block elements have been reviewed to analyze their effect on the IEx process. The alloy and doped and inorganic perovskite ICNCs have been synthesized via different IEx methodologies, showing varied photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs), nano‐dimensional morphology, composition, reaction time and temperature, and their performance for a specific application have been tabulated. The perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are responsible for fast IEx dynamics that drop to homogenization in their composition, leading to NCs emitting in a narrow spectral region acting as an intermediate between those of the model NPs. The nanoscale metal‐organic particles (NMOPs) have opened plausible opportunities for their application in nanomedicine having highly enriched functionalities, well‐designed shapes/sizes, adjustable compositions, and intrinsic biodegradability. The potential to develop well‐designed heterostructures and for the growth of large‐area monocrystalline CsPbBr3 thin films provide a strong base for fundamental investigations of the intrinsic properties of perovskite‐based devices. The Cs3Sb2I9 is an active emitter layer that directs us toward low‐dimensional lead‐free A3B2X9 perovskite optoelectronic materials.
C‐Heteroatom Bond Formation via a Highly C2‐Site Selective Functionalization of Quinone Imine Ketals
Authors: Nong Xingxiu , Li Linxia , Zhou Mengting , Liu Teng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractQuinone imine ketals (QIKs), as a kind of functionalized organic synthons, have attracted considerable attention in organic synthesis during recent years. In this paper, acetyl chloride, acetyl bromide, H‐phosphonate and thiophenol were used as nucleophiles to react with QIKs, providing a series of C2‐site functionalization molecules via an efficient C−Cl/C−Br/C−P/C−S bond formation with high yields and excellent selectivity under mild conditions.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Macrocyclic Isoquinolines and Isoquinolones via a C−H/N−H Annulations Reaction
Authors: Gurumurthy Palanivelu , Raja Rajini , Arumugam Natarajan , Almansour Abdulrahman I. , Kumar Raju Suresh , Perumal Karthikeyan , Parthasarathy Kanniyappan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAn Ru(II)‐catalyzed C−H annulations of oximes and N‐methoxybenzamides with bridged alkyne is described. This method is useful for the efficient synthesis of various macrocyclic isoquinolines and isoquinolones in good to moderate yields. A possible mechanism, involving a key five‐membered metallacycle intermediate, alkyne insertion followed by reductive elimination to give a final annulated product has been proposed.
Synergistic modulation of oxygen vacancies and carbon atoms in TiO2 via a simple pot‐in‐pot reaction for improved visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic performances
Authors: Cui Junyan , Li Fangyuan , Zhang Yanyan , Yuan Huiyu , Jia Quanli , Yang Daoyuan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNovel synthesis methods are urgently expected for visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts. Hereby we report a series of TiO2‐based photocatalysts (T‐x) by using a simple pot‐in‐pot reaction approach. In this approach, two reaction media are isolated from each other by the crucible reactor. The obtained T‐x sample shows nanosheet‐aggregate structure and wide visible‐light absorption property with an optimal bandgap of 2.35 eV. Factors that influence the bandgap modulation, including nitrogen, fluorine, carbon and oxygen vacancy etc., are discussed in detail. Characterization results demonstrate a substantial increase of oxygen vacancies and carbon atoms in T‐x sample, which were proven to the main reason for the extended visible‐light absorption and enhanced photocatalytic performance. Under visible‐light irradiation, T‐x sample shows excellent photocatalytic degradation activity for RhB with a k value of 0.027 min−1 and good photoelectrochemical performance. Trapping experiments reveal that ⋅OH are the main active species to oxidize the RhB dye. This new pot‐in‐pot reaction approach enables synthesis of novel photocatalytic materials with wide visible‐light‐response.