bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and In Silico Characterization of Defensin Genes from Some Indigenous Plant Species of Pakistan
Authors: Aslam M. , Hussain F. , Ahmed N. , Jamil A. 
Published: June 2022

Aims: Damage of crop plants due to pathogenic attacks, postharvest crops spoilage and lethal effects of chemical pesticides has enforced scientists to find some potential natural alternative. Plants produce different types of antimicrobial peptides including defensins in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Defensins are small cysteine rich, cationic peptide with 40-45 amino acid residues with a variety of biological activities. Hence defensins have pharmaceutical and agricultural significance especially wide range of antifungal activities.
Methodology: Nine plant species viz Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Conyza bonariensis, Alhagi marorum, Sonchus arvensis, Brassica compestris, Eruca sativa, Cirsium arvensis and Brassica juncea were selected for the study. Four set of primers were applied on extracted genomic DNAs and four amplified genes were isolated from different plants species by PCR. The amplified genes were cloned via pTZ57R/T in E.coli. The cloned fragments were sequenced and characterized by different bioinformatics tool such as coding length and peptide sequence, site of cell aggregation, peptide physico-chemical properties, antimicrobial properties and gene expression pattern.
Result: The amplified products from B. napus, B. nigra, B. compestris, E. sativa and B. juncea were about 330 bp in length and showed upto 85% nucleotide homology to the reported defensins. Deduced amino acid sequence from Bn-Def, Es-Def Bj-Def and Bc- Def showed the conserved defensin domain. These sequences were also characterized for different characteristic like charged amino acids, pI value, shelflife and stability. Sonchus arvensis didn’t give any specific product by prescribed set of primers. However the products from Alhagi marorum was about 770 bp and B. napus was of 270 bp but both give homology below 30%.
Conclusion: This study showed that in silico characterization of deduced antimicrobial peptides from different plant species has depicted these as an effective alternative to communal therapeutics. However, further work is needed to verify defensins specific activity at protein level.
Nanobiomimetic Medicine
Authors: Chang Meiqi , Dong Caihong , Huang Hui , Ding Li , Feng Wei , Chen Yu 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe application of nanotechnology in medicine aims at developing the precise theranostics of diseases by leveraging the extraordinary effects of engineered nanomedicines, materdicine, and biomaterials. However, finely controlling the biological behavior of nanomaterials in the complex living systems remains a great challenge in terms of accuracy and intelligence. Inspired by nature, biomimetics has become an attractive strategy based on the highly ordered natural biological structure for the development of clinically valuable materials and technologies, arising from the superior bioavailability. The rapid development of biomimetics in nanomedical applications prompts the authors to propose the concept of “nanobiomimetic medicine”, which is a considerable subdiscipline in nanomedicine and materdicine that applies the concept and strategies of biomimetics to facilitate and promote the disease theranostics. Herein, the authors aim to furnish a state‐of‐the‐art review on the latest progress in the field of nanobiomimetic medicine. The design strategies, structural features and biological properties of biomimetic materials are initially introduced to reveal the inherent bionic mechanism and the potential structure‐function relationships. Furthermore, advances with respect to the applications of diverse biomimetic materials are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future direction of nanobiomimetic medicine are discussed and prospected in order to stimulate more biomimetic fundamental and technological breakthroughs in nanomedicine.
Intrinsically Bioactive Manganese–Eumelanin Nanocomposites Mediated Antioxidation and Anti‐Neuroinflammation for Targeted Theranostics of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Sun Duo , Liu Kaijun , Li Yang , Xie Tian , Zhang Mi , Liu Yu , Tong Haipeng , Guo Yu , Zhang Qianhui , Liu Heng , Fang Jingqin , Chen Xiao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOverproduced reactive oxygen species and the induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation often result in secondary injury, which is associated with unfavorable prognosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, current medications cannot effectively ameliorate the secondary injury at traumatic sites. Here, it is reported that intrinsically bioactive multifunctional nanocomposites (ANG‐MnEMNPs‐Cur, AMEC) mediate antioxidation and anti‐neuroinflammation for targeted TBI theranostics, which are engineered by loading the neuroprotective agent curcumin on angiopep‐2 functionalized and manganese doped eumelanin‐like nanoparticles. After intravenous delivery, efficient AMEC accumulation is observed in lesions of TBI mice models established by controlled cortical impact method, evidenced by T1–T2 magnetic resonance and photoacoustic dual‐modal imaging. Therapeutically, AMEC effectively alleviates neuroinflammation, protects blood–brain barrier integrity, relieves brain edema, reduces brain tissue loss, and improves the cognition of TBI mice. Mechanistically, following the penetration into the traumatic tissues via angiopep‐2 mediated targeting effect, the efficacy of AMEC is synergistically improved by combined functional moieties of curcumin and eumelanin. This is achieved by the alleviation of oxidative stress, inhibition of neuroinflammation via M1‐to‐M2 macrophage reprogramming, and promotion of neuronal regeneration. The as‐developed AMEC with well‐defined mechanisms of action may represent a promising targeted theranostics strategy for TBI and other neuroinflammation‐associated intracranial diseases.
A Review of Preconcentrator Materials, Flow Regimes and Detection Technologies for Gas Adsorption and Sensing
Authors: Chowdhury Aminur Rashid , Lee Tse‐Ang , Day Coco , Hutter Tanya 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA preconcentrator is a device used to lower the detection limit of a gas sensor, often integrated upstream of the sensor. Gas preconcentrators have attracted great research interest because of their wide range applications including atmospheric pollution detection, breath analysis, and homeland security. Nanoporous materials, such as carbonaceous adsorbents, metal‐organic frameworks, metallic adsorbents, and oxides, are used to preconcentrate gases for improving detection capability. In this review, preconcentrator materials, detection technologies, and integration with detector configurations are surveyed. Current limitations and future improvement opportunities are also discussed.
Heterogeneous Transfer‐Learning‐Enabled Diverse Metasurface Design
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qian Chao , Fan Zhixiang , Chen Jieting , Li Erping , Jin Jianming , Chen Hongsheng 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWith the rapid growth in intelligent metasurfaces in the recent years, deep learning has attracted attention to transform the ways in which metasurfaces are simulated and designed. The unique advantages of deep learning lie in the powerful data‐driven modality, which allows a computational model to learn useful information using hierarchically structured layers. Among the various successful examples, there are forward and inverse designs. However, such designs are inherently data‐hungry. Thus, the data utilization efficiency must be maximized, and green metasurface design must be achieved. Here, the authors propose heterogeneous transfer learning to allow transferrable and data‐efficient metasurface design. The key to this method is a flexible network framework, which integrates feature augmentation and dimensionality reduction. The concept is demonstrated through three scenarios, i.e., metasurfaces with different parameterizations, different physical sizes, and completely different geometries, where the relative error reduction reaches up to 50%. Furthermore, an inverse metasurface design is proposed, which combines the forward predicted network and heuristic algorithm. This work considerably reduces the workload on data collection and overcomes the limitation that previous works only focused on fixed physical structures. The authors have also envisioned a “global metasurface gene bank,” in which researchers can freely “withdraw and save data” for various applications.
Stable 24.29%‐Efficiency FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Methyl Haloacetate‐Lead Dimer Complex
Authors: Zhan Sheng , Duan Yuwei , Liu Zhike , Yang Lu , He Kun , Che Yuhang , Zhao Wenjing , Han Yu , Yang Shaomin , Zhao Guangtao , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) 
Published: June 2022

AbstractFormamidinium methylammonium lead iodide (FAMAPbI3) perovskite has been intensively investigated as a potential photovoltaic material because it has higher phase stability than its pure FAPbI3 perovskite counterpart. However, its power conversion efficiency (PCE) is significantly inferior due to its high density of surface detects and mismatched energy level with electrodes. Herein, a bifunctional passivator, methyl haloacetate (methyl chloroacetate, (MClA), methyl bromoacetate (MBrA)), is designed to reduce defect density, to tune the energy levels and to improve interfacial charge extraction in the FAMAPbI3 perovskite cell by synergistic passivation of both CO groups and halogen anions. As predicted by modeling undercoordinated Pb2+, the MBrA shows a very strong interaction with Pb2+ by forming a dimer complex ([C6H10Br2O4Pb]2+), which effectively reduces the defect density of the perovskite and suppresses non‐radiative recombination. Meanwhile, the Br− in MBrA passivates iodine‐deficient defects. Consequently, the MBrA‐modified device presents an excellent PCE of 24.29%, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.18 V (Voc loss ≈ 0.38 V), which is one of the highest PCEs among all FAMAPbI3‐based perovskite solar cells reported to date. Furthermore, the MBrA‐modified devices without any encapsulation exhibit remarkable long‐term stability with only 9% of PCE loss after exposure to ambient air for 1440 h.
Genetic diversity, gene flow, and differentiation among wild, semiwild, and landrace chile pepper (Capsicum annuum) populations in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Pérez‐Martínez Ana L. , Eguiarte Luis E. , Mercer Kristin L. , Martínez‐Ainsworth Natalia E. , McHale Leah , van der Knaap Esther , Jardón‐Barbolla Lev 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPremiseCapsicum annuum (Solanaceae) was originally domesticated in Mexico, where wild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated (C. annuum var. annuum) chile pepper populations (>60 landraces) are common, and wild‐resembling individuals (hereafter semiwild) grow spontaneously in anthropogenic environments. Here we analyze the role of elevation and domestication gradients in shaping the genetic diversity in C. annuum from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.MethodsWe collected samples of 341 individuals from 28 populations, corresponding to wild, semiwild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated C. annuum, and closely related species Capsicum frutescens and C. chinense. From the genetic variation of 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, we assessed the population genetic structure, inbreeding, and gene flow through variance distribution analyses, genetic clustering, and connectivity estimations.ResultsGenetic diversity (HE) did not differ across domestication levels. However, inbreeding coefficients were higher in semiwild and cultivated chiles than in wild populations. We found evidence for gene flow between wild populations and cultivated landraces along the coast. Genetic structure analysis revealed strong differentiation between most highland and lowland landraces.ConclusionsGene flow between wild and domesticated populations may be mediated by backyards and smallholder farms, while mating systems may facilitate gene flow between landraces and semiwild populations. Domestication and elevation may overlap in their influence on genetic differentiation. Lowland Gui'ña dani clustered with highland landraces perhaps due to the social history of the Zapotec peoples. In situ conservation may play an important role in preserving semiwild populations and private alleles found in landraces.
Nanodiamond composites: A new material for the preservation of parchment
Authors: Palmieri Elena , Cicero Cristina , Orazi Noemi , Mercuri Fulvio , Zammit Ugo , Mazzuca Claudia , Orlanducci Silvia 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this work, the application of nanodiamond (ND)‐composites and dispersions as consolidating agents for parchment substrates has been studied. Different nanocomposites and ND‐based dispersions have been tested showing very promising results and making ND a potential high‐performance additive in the field of restoration. The effect of ND treatment on parchment has been evaluated by analyzing the variations in the parchment denaturation temperature, with respect to the untreated samples, by means of the Light Transmission Analysis (LTA), before and after artificial aging. The hydrolysis/gelatinization degree of the collagen molecule has also been analyzed by means of the Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform IR (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopy on the same samples investigated by LTA. ND composites, at certain concentrations, seem to improve the structural stability of the collagen networking, contrasting the thermo‐hygrometrically induced aging. Therefore, ND has confirmed to be a promising material to be applied for the restoration and conservation of Cultural Heritage.
A Cell Trappable Methyl Rhodol‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection
Authors: Fosnacht Kaylin G. , Hammers Matthew D. , Earp Mary S. , Gilbert Annie K. , Pluth Michael D. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHydrogen sulfide is a biologically important molecule and developing chemical tools that enable further investigations into the functions of H2S is essential. Fluorescent turn‐on H2S probes have been developed for use in cellulo and in vivo, but the membrane permeability of these probes can lead to probe leakage and signal attenuation over time. Here we report a cell trappable fluorescent probe for H2S, CT‐MeRhoAz, which is based on a methylrhodolazide scaffold derivatized with an acetoxymethyl ester group. Prior to ester cleavage, the CT‐MeRhoAz probe generates a 2500‐fold turn‐on response to H2S, which is enhanced to a 3000‐fold response for the carboxylic acid form of the probe. Additionally, the probe is highly selective for H2S over other biologically relevant sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen‐based analytes. Live cell imaging experiments confirmed the biocompatibility of CT‐MeRhoAz and also that it is cell trappable, unlike the parent MeRhoAz scaffold.
Photoluminescence Quenching in CsPbCl3 upon Fe Doping: Colloidal Synthesis, Structural and Optical Properties
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Mandal Prasenjit , Viswanatha Ranjani 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDoped perovskite lead halide nanocrystals (PHNCs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic applications, but the major challenge faced by the researchers is the inability to dope foreign elements into perovskite lattice because of the strong lead‐halide bond energies. In this work, we have used Fe as a dopant in CsPbCl3 to explore different doping techniques based on the colloidal synthesis of PHNCs to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques. We are able to dope a relatively higher amount of Fe (∼10%) than reported and observe clear optical signatures when the precursor does not have pre‐existing Pb−Cl bonds. We prove that there are two competing processes inside a doped PHNC – one is the effect of dopant energy levels, and the other is surface passivation by halide ions. Using the most optimal synthesis strategy, we show that although Fe does act as a luminescence quencher in perovskite similar to II–VI quantum dots (QDs), the quenching requires much more Fe compared to trace amounts of Fe required in traditional QDs. Our work will assist in giving an overall comparative idea of doping and finding the most optimized strategy and help identify the underlying physical processes in perovskite based QDs.
Association of hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms with health‐related quality of life among long‐term oropharyngeal cancer survivors
Authors: Aggarwal Puja , Nader Marc‐Elie , Gidley Paul W. , Pratihar Raj , Jivani Shirin , Garden Adam S. , Mott Frank E. , Goepfert Ryan P. , Ogboe Christopher Wallace , Charles Camille , Fuller Clifton D. , Lai Stephen Y. , Gunn G. Brandon , Sturgis Erich M. , Hanna Ehab Y. , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Shete Sanjay 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigated the association of hearing loss and tinnitus with overall health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among long‐term oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors.MethodsThis study included OPC survivors treated between 2000 and 2013 and surveyed from September 2015 to July 2016. Hearing loss and tinnitus were measured by asking survivors to rate their “difficulty with hearing loss and/or ringing in the ears” from 0 (not present) to 10 (as bad as you can imagine). Hearing loss and tinnitus scores were categorized as follows: 0 for none, 1–4 for mild, and 5–10 for moderate to severe. The primary outcome was the mean score of MD nderson Symptom Inventory Head & Neck module interference component as a HRQoL surrogate dichotomized as follows: 0 to 4 for none to mild and 5 to 10 for moderate to severe interference.ResultsAmong 880 OPC survivors, 35.6% (314), reported none, 39.3% (347) reported mild, and 25.1% (221) reported moderate to severe hearing loss and tinnitus. On multivariable analysis, mild (OR, 5.83; 95% CI; 1.48–22.88; p = 0.012) and moderate (OR, 30.01; 95% CI; 7.96–113.10; p < 0.001) hearing loss and tinnitus were associated with higher odds of reporting moderate to severe symptom interference scores in comparison to no hearing loss and tinnitus. This association of hearing dysfunction was consistent with all domains of HRQoL.ConclusionsOur findings provide preliminary evidence to support the need for continued audiological evaluations and surveillance to detect hearing dysfunction, to allow for early management and to alleviate the long‐term impact on QoL.
Examination of risk factors for discontinuation of follow‐up care in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Howren M. Bryant , Christensen Alan J. , Pagedar Nitin A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundLittle research has examined discontinuation of follow‐up care in patients with head and neck cancer. This exploratory study sought to examine key demographic, disease, and behavioral factors as possible correlates of discontinuation (N = 512).MethodsCross‐sectional study examined correlates of discontinuation of follow‐up care within 1 year. The primary outcome was defined as a disease‐free survivor not returning to cancer clinic for two consecutive follow‐up appointments within the first year of care and not reentering oncologic care at any point thereafter. Demographic, disease, and behavioral factors were examined using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐six (24.6%) patients discontinued by 12‐month follow‐up. Being unmarried (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.01–1.63, p = 0.041) and having elevated depressive symptomatology (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07, p = 0.034) were significantly associated with discontinuation. Receipt of a single (vs. multimodal) treatment approached significance (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 0.96–3.07, p = 0.071).ConclusionApproximately one quarter of patients disengaged from important follow‐up care within 1 year. Lack of social support, depressive symptomatology, and single treatment modality may be important correlates of discontinuation of care in patients with head and neck cancer. Additional studies of this outcome are needed. Improved understanding of correlates associated with discontinuation could facilitate the identification of at‐risk patients and further development of interventions to keep patients engaged at a crucial time in the survivorship care trajectory.
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in two children; case report on clinical course, challenges in diagnosis and the role of FDG‐PET/CT‐scan
Authors: Sahba S. , Huurnink A. , Van den Berg J. M. , Tuitert B. , Vastert S. J. , Ten Tusscher G. W. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA, also called Still's disease) is a rare childhood auto‐inflammatory disease with significant morbidity. This case report illustrates the clinical course and highlights diagnostic challenges. FDG‐PET/CT imaging may be beneficial in the diagnostic process for some cases, in order to achieve rapid diagnosis and early treatment.
Reactivity‐Tunable Palladium Precatalysts with Favorable Catalytic Properties in Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Liang Siou‐Wei , Guo Yingjie , Lee Wan‐Ching , Zeng Pin‐Rui , Lin Tzu‐Hao , Xie Pei‐Zhen , Kang Hsuan‐Hao , Lu I‐Chung , Chang Yu‐Chang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this study, two (HO)R2P→Pd(II)Cl2←NHC precatalysts (1 s) were designed and synthesized. Using these precatalysts, unreactive aryl chlorides, benzyl chlorides, or benzoyl chlorides were highly efficiently converted to the desired products in three to tens of minutes at 35 °C. Upon deprotonation of 1 s, density‐functional theory calculations and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed that NHC was dissociated from the deprotonated precatalysts. Although it is difficult to ascertain the NHC dissociated from Pd(II) or Pd(0) species, the proposed anionic (O−)R2P→Pd(II)Cl2 species could be reduced using ethoxide to form Pd(0) catalytic species. The cation and anion functions of salt additives were systematically elucidated. The cation size could be used to modulate the catalytic properties of 1 s through outer‐sphere electrostatic interactions between the coordinated R2P(O−) and alkali metal ions. Moreover, the basicity of base was proportional to the catalytic yields. This study introduces newly designed Pd(II) precatalysts with superb catalytic properties that are stable and remarkably efficient.
LGBTQI+ responsive school counseling: Exemplary school counselor educators’ curricular integration
Authors: Luke Melissa , Goodrich Kristopher M. , Brammer M. Kathryn 
Published: June 2022

AbstractExperiences of 17 school counselor educators who integrated LGBTQI+ issues in their school counseling curricula were explored. This consensual qualitative research study resulted in four categories: turning points, professional reasons to integrate, school counseling andragogy, and integration and balance of knowledge/skills/awareness. Implications for teaching and future research will be explored.