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Van Le V, Kang M, Ko SR, Park CY, Lee JJ, Choi IC, Oh HM, Ahn CY. Response of particle-attached and free-living bacterial communities to Microcystis blooms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:42. [PMID: 38183480 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12828-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The massive proliferation of Microcystis threatens freshwater ecosystems and degrades water quality globally. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to Microcystis growth is crucial for managing Microcystis blooms. The lifestyles of bacteria can be classified generally into two groups: particle-attached (PA; > 3 µm) and free-living (FL; 0.2-3.0 µm). However, little is known about the response of PA and FL bacteria to Microcystis blooms. Using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the stability, assembly process, and co-occurrence patterns of PA and FL bacterial communities during distinct bloom stages. PA bacteria were phylogenetically different from their FL counterparts. Microcystis blooms substantially influenced bacterial communities. The time decay relationship model revealed that Microcystis blooms might increase the stability of both PA and FL bacterial communities. A contrasting community assembly mechanism was observed between the PA and FL bacterial communities. Throughout Microcystis blooms, homogeneous selection was the major assembly process that impacted the PA bacterial community, whereas drift explained much of the turnover of the FL bacterial community. Both PA and FL bacterial communities could be separated into modules related to different phases of Microcystis blooms. Microcystis blooms altered the assembly process of PA and FL bacterial communities. PA bacterial community appeared to be more responsive to Microcystis blooms than FL bacteria. Decomposition of Microcystis blooms may enhance cooperation among bacteria. Our findings highlight the importance of studying bacterial lifestyles to understand their functions in regulating Microcystis blooms. KEY POINTS: • Microcystis blooms alter the assembly process of PA and FL bacterial communities • Microcystis blooms increase the stability of both PA and FL bacterial communities • PA bacteria seem to be more responsive to Microcystis blooms than FL bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ve Van Le
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingyeong Kang
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Ra Ko
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Yeong Park
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jay Jung Lee
- Geum River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Chungbuk, 29027, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Chan Choi
- Geum River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Chungbuk, 29027, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Mock Oh
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi-Yong Ahn
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Maya J, Malloum A, Fifen JJ, Dhaouadi Z, Fouda HPE, Conradie J. Quantum cluster equilibrium theory applied to liquid ammonia. J Comput Chem 2024; 45:1279-1288. [PMID: 38353541 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Through this paper, the authors propose using the quantum cluster equilibrium (QCE) theory to reinvestigate ammonia clusters in the liquid phase. The ammonia clusters from size monomer to hexadecamer were considered to simulate the liquid ammonia in this approach. The clusterset used to model the liquid ammonia is an ensemble of different structures of ammonia clusters. After studious research of the representative configurations of ammonia clusters through the cluster research program ABCluster, the configurations have been optimized at the MN15/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. These optimizations lead to geometries and frequencies as inputs for the Peacemaker code. The QCE study of this molecular system permits us to get the liquid phase populations in a temperature range of 190-260 K, covering the temperatures from the melting point to the boiling point. The results show that the population of liquid ammonia comprises mainly the ammonia hexadecamer followed by pentadecamer, tetradecamer, and tridecamer. We noted that the small-sized ammonia clusters do not contribute to the population of liquid ammonia. In addition, the thermodynamic properties, such as heat of vaporization, heat capacity, entropy, enthalpy, and free energies, obtained by the QCE theory have been compared to the experiment given some relatively good agreements in the gas phase and show considerable discrepancies in liquid phase except the density. Finally, based on the predicted population, we calculated the infrared spectrum of liquid ammonia at 215 K temperature. It comes out that the calculated infrared spectrum qualitatively agrees with the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Maya
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
- National Radiation Protection Agency, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Alhadji Malloum
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jean Jules Fifen
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Zoubeida Dhaouadi
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Atomique Moléculaire et Application, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisie
| | | | - Jeanet Conradie
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Park JE, Park JW, Sim MK, Kim SR, Kim KS. Inhibition of DAPK3 Suppresses Radiation-Induced Cellular Senescence by Activation of a PGC1α-Dependent Metabolism Pathway in Brain Endothelial Cells. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glae088. [PMID: 38563090 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In the brain, environmental changes, such as neuroinflammation, can induce senescence, characterized by the decreased proliferation of neurons and dendrites and synaptic and vascular damage, resulting in cognitive decline. Senescence promotes neuroinflammatory disorders by senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and reactive oxygen species. In human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs), we demonstrate that chronological aging and irradiation increase death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK3) expression. To confirm the role of DAPK3 in HBMVEC senescence, we disrupted DAPK3 activity using small interfering RNA (siRNA) or a dominant-negative mutant (DAPK3-P216S), which reduced cellular senescence phenotypes, as assessed by changes in tube formation, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, and cell proliferation. In endothelial cells, DAPK3 promotes cellular senescence by regulating the phosphorylation and inactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α) via the protein kinase B pathway, resulting in the decreased expression of mitochondrial metabolism-associated genes, such as ATP5G1, BDNF, and COX5A. Our studies show that DAPK3 is involved in cellular senescence and PGC1α regulation, suggesting that DAPK3 regulation may be important for treating aging-related brain diseases or the response to radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Eun Park
- Divisions of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Radiological & Medico-Oncological Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Woo Park
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Myong-Kyu Sim
- Divisions of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Ra Kim
- Divisions of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Seok Kim
- Divisions of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Radiological & Medico-Oncological Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Le Clercq LS, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Methylation-based markers for the estimation of age in African cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13940. [PMID: 38390700 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Age is a key demographic in conservation where age classes show differences in important population metrics such as morbidity and mortality. Several traits, including reproductive potential, also show senescence with ageing. Thus, the ability to estimate age of individuals in a population is critical in understanding the current structure as well as their future fitness. Many methods exist to determine age in wildlife, with most using morphological features that show inherent variability with age. These methods require significant expertise and become less accurate in adult age classes, often the most critical groups to model. Molecular methods have been applied to measuring key population attributes, and more recently epigenetic attributes such as methylation have been explored as biomarkers for age. There are, however, several factors such as permits, sample sovereignty, and costs that may preclude the use of extant methods in a conservation context. This study explored the utility of measuring age-related changes in methylation in candidate genes using mass array technology. Novel methods are described for using gene orthologues to identify and assay regions for differential methylation. To illustrate the potential application, African cheetah was used as a case study. Correlation analyses identified six methylation sites with an age relationship, used to develop a model with sufficient predictive power for most conservation contexts. This model was more accurate than previous attempts using PCR and performed similarly to candidate gene studies in other mammal species. Mass array presents an accurate and cost-effective method for age estimation in wildlife of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Stéphane Le Clercq
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
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Keyes CA, Giltrow KR, Mahon TJ. A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1085-1092. [PMID: 37993753 PMCID: PMC11003911 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03137-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Very little literature currently exists prescribing which maceration method to use when preparing infant human remains, resulting in bone quality that is suitable for forensic anthropological analysis. The aim of the study was to test five maceration methods to determine which is most suitable for infant remains for forensic anthropological analysis. The sample included five neonate pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus), ranging between one to three days old. Five maceration methods were tested on the pig carcasses (one pig per maceration method) to determine their effectiveness. The methods included invertebrate maceration by meal worms, chemical maceration by bleach, chemical maceration by borax solution, enzymatic maceration by laundry detergent and sodium carbonate solution, and chemical maceration by sodium hypochlorite. A scoring method was created to assess the effectiveness of each maceration method. Invertebrate maceration and chemical maceration using bleach were the least successful methods of maceration (total maceration score = 8 respectively). Chemical maceration using borax and chemical maceration using sodium hypochlorite achieved complete maceration of the skeletal remains; however, they both resulted in artifacts that are unsuitable for forensic analysis (total maceration score = 14 respectively). Enzymatic maceration using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate was the most successful method (total maceration score = 17). The detergent technique subsequently successfully macerated all five sets of infant human remains. This study has validated that the enzymatic maceration technique using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate can be used to effectively macerate the remains of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Keyes
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - K R Giltrow
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - T-J Mahon
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Hwang HY, Gim D, Yi H, Jung H, Lee J, Kim D. Precise editing of pathogenic nucleotide repeat expansions in iPSCs using paired prime editor. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae310. [PMID: 38661210 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, a group of genetic diseases characterized by the expansion of specific DNA sequences, pose significant challenges to treatment and therapy development. Here, we present a precise and programmable method called prime editor-mediated correction of nucleotide repeat expansion (PE-CORE) for correcting pathogenic nucleotide repeat expansion. PE-CORE leverages a prime editor and paired pegRNAs to achieve targeted correction of repeat sequences. We demonstrate the effectiveness of PE-CORE in HEK293T cells and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Specifically, we focus on spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia type, two diseases associated with nucleotide repeat expansion. Our results demonstrate the successful correction of pathogenic expansions in iPSCs and subsequent differentiation into motor neurons. Specifically, we detect distinct downshifts in the size of both the mRNA and protein, confirming the functional correction of the iPSC-derived motor neurons. These findings highlight PE-CORE as a precision tool for addressing the intricate challenges of nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, paving the way for targeted therapies and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Yeon Hwang
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmin Gim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwalin Yi
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Jung
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaecheol Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biohealth Regulatory Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Daesik Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Yang J, Xiong W, Huang L, Li Z, Fan Q, Hu F, Duan X, Fan J, Li B, Feng J, Xu Y, Chen X, Shen Z. A mesoporous superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle as a generic drug delivery system for tumor ferroptosis therapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:204. [PMID: 38658948 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
As a famous drug delivery system (DDS), mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MON) are degraded slowly in vivo and the degraded components are not useful for cell nutrition or cancer theranostics, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are not mesoporous with low drug loading content (DLC). To overcome the problems of MON and SPION, we developed mesoporous SPIONs (MSPIONs) with an average diameter of 70 nm and pore size of 3.9 nm. Sorafenib (SFN) and/or brequinar (BQR) were loaded into the mesopores of MSPION, generating SFN@MSPION, BQR@MSPION and SFN/BQR@MSPION with high DLC of 11.5% (SFN), 10.1% (BQR) and 10.0% (SNF + BQR), demonstrating that our MSPION is a generic DDS. SFN/BQR@MSPION can be used for high performance ferroptosis therapy of tumors because: (1) the released Fe2+/3+ in tumor microenvironment (TME) can produce •OH via Fenton reaction; (2) the released SFN in TME can inhibit the cystine/glutamate reverse transporter, decrease the intracellular glutathione (GSH) and GSH peroxidase 4 levels, and thus enhance reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxide levels; (3) the released BQR in TME can further enhance the intracellular oxidative stress via dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition. The ferroptosis therapeutic mechanism, efficacy and biosafety of MSPION-based DDS were verified on tumor cells and tumor-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Huang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Zongheng Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingdeng Fan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaopin Duan
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Junbing Fan
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Yikai Xu
- Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
| | - Zheyu Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
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Maumela P, Khwathisi A, Madala NE, Serepa-Dlamini MH. In silico biotechnological potential of Bacillus sp. strain MHSD_37 bacterial endophyte. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:399. [PMID: 38658836 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endophytic bacteria possess a range of unique characteristics that enable them to successfully interact with their host and survive in adverse environments. This study employed in silico analysis to identify genes, from Bacillus sp. strain MHSD_37, with potential biotechnological applications. RESULTS The strain presented several endophytic lifestyle genes which encode for motility, quorum sensing, stress response, desiccation tolerance and root colonisation. The presence of plant growth promoting genes such as those involved in nitrogen fixation, nitrate assimilation, siderophores synthesis, seed germination and promotion of root nodule symbionts, was detected. Strain MHSD_37 also possessed genes involved in insect virulence and evasion of defence system. The genome analysis also identified the presence of genes involved in heavy metal tolerance, xenobiotic resistance, and the synthesis of siderophores involved in heavy metal tolerance. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis of the excretome identified secondary metabolites with biological activities such as anti-cancer, antimicrobial and applications as surfactants. CONCLUSIONS Strain MHSD_37 thereby demonstrated potential biotechnological application in bioremediation, biofertilisation and biocontrol. Moreover, the strain presented genes encoding products with potential novel application in bio-nanotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pfariso Maumela
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, 2028, Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, South Africa
| | - Adivhaho Khwathisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, 0950, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Ntakadzeni Edwin Madala
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, 0950, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Mahloro Hope Serepa-Dlamini
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, 2028, Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, South Africa.
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Landsman C, Myburgh J, Meyer A. The taphonomic effects of long-term burial in the South African Highveld. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03235-x. [PMID: 38649549 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Taphonomy studies the environmental effects on remains from the time of deposition to the time of recovery and has been integrated into the field of forensic anthropology. The changes to skeletal remains are dependent on the method of disposal and the surrounding environment. This study focused on buried remains where the type and chemical composition of the soil and the microorganisms present need to be considered. The aim was to investigate the type, frequency, and correlations of the taphonomic alterations of buried domestic pigs. Six taphonomic alterations were observed which included depositional staining, adipocere formation, bone weathering, acidic soil corrosion, and plant, and animal activity. Depositional staining, weathering and plant activity were the most common alterations followed by adipocere which was present on 92.3% of the remains. The bones were mostly stained dark brown and brown; however, the trunk region was the only region to present with black staining. The right sides were darker than the left due to the body positioning as most pigs were placed on their right sides and thus were in direct contact with the cadaver decomposition island. Additionally, the right sides presented with more adipocere as well as increased plant activity suggesting that the soil retained water. Darker stains were correlated with a more complete skeleton as adipocere provides some protection. The study confirms that there are various complicated relationships between different taphonomic alterations. A good understanding of them is needed in forensic anthropology to assist in reconstructing the events that occur after death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Landsman
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Jolandie Myburgh
- Forensic Anthropology Research Centre, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Bophelo Road, Prinshof 349-Jr, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa
| | - Anja Meyer
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
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Zhan L, Chen S, Xin Y, Lv J, Fu H, Gao D, Jiang F, Zhou X, Wang N, Lee PS. Dual-Responsive MXene-Functionalized Wool Yarn Artificial Muscles. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024:e2402196. [PMID: 38650164 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Fiber-based artificial muscles are promising for smart textiles capable of sensing, interacting, and adapting to environmental stimuli. However, the application of current artificial muscle-based textiles in wearable and engineering fields has largely remained a constraint due to the limited deformation, restrictive stimulation, and uncomfortable. Here, dual-responsive yarn muscles with high contractile actuation force are fabricated by incorporating a very small fraction (<1 wt.%) of Ti3C2Tx MXene/cellulose nanofibers (CNF) composites into self-plied and twisted wool yarns. They can lift and lower a load exceeding 3400 times their own weight when stimulated by moisture and photothermal. Furthermore, the yarn muscles are coiled homochirally or heterochirally to produce spring-like muscles, which generated over 550% elongation or 83% contraction under the photothermal stimulation. The actuation mechanism, involving photothermal/moisture-mechanical energy conversion, is clarified by a combination of experiments and finite element simulations. Specifically, MXene/CNF composites serve as both photothermal and hygroscopic agents to accelerate water evaporation under near-infrared (NIR) light and moisture absorption from ambient air. Due to their low-cost facile fabrication, large scalable dimensions, and robust strength coupled with dual responsiveness, these soft actuators are attractive for intelligent textiles and devices such as self-adaptive textiles, soft robotics, and wearable information encryption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuxiang Zhan
- Shanghai Frontier Science Research Center for Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
- Engineering Research Center of Technical Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Shaohua Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yangyang Xin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Jian Lv
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Hongbo Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Dace Gao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Feng Jiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xinran Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Ni Wang
- Shanghai Frontier Science Research Center for Advanced Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
- Engineering Research Center of Technical Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Pooi See Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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11
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Zheng Y, Zhu X, Jiang M, Cao F, You Q, Chen X. Development and Applications of D-Amino Acid Derivatives-based Metabolic Labeling of Bacterial Peptidoglycan. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319400. [PMID: 38284300 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan, an essential component within the cell walls of virtually all bacteria, is composed of glycan strands linked by stem peptides that contain D-amino acids. The peptidoglycan biosynthesis machinery exhibits high tolerance to various D-amino acid derivatives. D-amino acid derivatives with different functionalities can thus be specifically incorporated into and label the peptidoglycan of bacteria, but not the host mammalian cells. This metabolic labeling strategy is highly selective, highly biocompatible, and broadly applicable, which has been utilized in various fields. This review introduces the metabolic labeling strategies of peptidoglycan by using D-amino acid derivatives, including one-step and two-step strategies. In addition, we emphasize the various applications of D-amino acid derivative-based metabolic labeling, including bacterial peptidoglycan visualization (existence, biosynthesis, and dynamics, etc.), bacterial visualization (including bacterial imaging and visualization of growth and division, metabolic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, etc.), pathogenic bacteria-targeted diagnostics and treatment (positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy, etc.), and live bacteria-based therapy. Finally, a summary of this metabolic labeling and an outlook is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Zheng
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Zhu
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Mingyi Jiang
- Fujian-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Industrial Biocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 32 Shangsan Road, Fuzhou, 350007, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Cao
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Qing You
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
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Gafar MA, Omolo CA, Elhassan E, Ibrahim UH, Govender T. Applications of peptides in nanosystems for diagnosing and managing bacterial sepsis. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:40. [PMID: 38637839 PMCID: PMC11027418 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01029-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Sepsis represents a critical medical condition stemming from an imbalanced host immune response to infections, which is linked to a significant burden of disease. Despite substantial efforts in laboratory and clinical research, sepsis remains a prominent contributor to mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology presents innovative opportunities for the advancement of sepsis diagnosis and treatment. Due to their unique properties, including diversity, ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, high specificity, and excellent pharmacological efficacy, peptides hold great potential as part of nanotechnology approaches against sepsis. Herein, we present a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the applications of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis, with the potential to expedite diagnosis and enhance management outcomes. Firstly, sepsis pathophysiology, antisepsis drug targets, current modalities in management and diagnosis with their limitations, and the potential of peptides to advance the diagnosis and management of sepsis have been adequately addressed. The applications have been organized into diagnostic or managing applications, with the last one being further sub-organized into nano-delivered bioactive peptides with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, peptides as targeting moieties on the surface of nanosystems against sepsis, and peptides as nanocarriers for antisepsis agents. The studies have been grouped thematically and discussed, emphasizing the constructed nanosystem, physicochemical properties, and peptide-imparted enhancement in diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. The strengths, limitations, and research gaps in each section have been elaborated. Finally, current challenges and potential future paths to enhance the use of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis have been deliberately spotlighted. This review reaffirms peptides' potential as promising biomaterials within nanotechnology strategies aimed at improving sepsis diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Gafar
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 1996, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Calvin A Omolo
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa.
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, United States International University-Africa, P. O. Box 14634-00800, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Eman Elhassan
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Usri H Ibrahim
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thirumala Govender
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa.
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Motadi SA, Mbhenyane XG, Zuma MK, Freeland Graves JH. Effects of Cucurbita Moschata squash (Butternut) seed paste in improving zinc and iron status in children attending Early Childhood Development centres in Limpopo province, South Africa. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300845. [PMID: 38635826 PMCID: PMC11025940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cucurbita moschata (Butternut squash) seeds are a rich source of nutrition containing nutrients including iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. The aim of this study was to determine if Cucurbita Moschata squash seed paste improves zinc and iron status, anthropometric status, and dietary intake in preschool children. A pretest-posttest control group trial using cluster randomisation was conducted over 6 months. Four preschools were randomly assigned to receive 100 g of intervention or 100 g of a placebo as the control to enhance iron and zinc status. A total of 276 preschool children were recruited from eight government registered Early Childhood Development centres in Limpopo province, South Africa. The control group consumed Cucurbita moschata flesh twice-weekly, while the intervention group consumed Cucurbita moschata seed paste twice-weekly during a six-month period. Iron (serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin) and zinc (serum zinc) status and anthropometric indices such as weight, height and mid upper arm circumference for children were evaluated at baseline and the endpoint. Iron and zinc-rich food consumption was measured using a 24-hour dietary recall and food record during the study, and dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire which was conducted at the beginning and endpoint. The intervention group significantly improved in the mean serum iron 0.23 μg/dL (95% CI: 0.11;0.33); ferritin 0.21μg/dL (95% CI: 0.13;0.39), transferrin saturation 0.33% (0.23;0.74) and zinc 0.16 μmol/dl (95% CI: 0.13;0.25) at the end of the study. In addition, the intervention group exhibited greater mean weight for age of 0.13 z-score (95% CI: 0.28; 0.34) and weight for height of 0.04 z-score (95% CI: 0.12,0.05), as well as the consumption of iron (p < 0,001), zinc (p < 0,001), and vitamin C (p < 0.001). At the end of the trial, fiber (p < 0.001), riboflavin (p = 0.001), vitamin B6 (p < 0.001), and vitamin B12 (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the control group. Thus, the inclusion of intervention in the diet of children in an impoverished area of South Africa improved the iron and zinc status of these children. This supplement could be a cost effective and sustainable approach to improve nutrient status in rural South Africa. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202308740458863).
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Affiliation(s)
- Selekane Ananias Motadi
- Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane
- Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma
- Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Smallholder Agricultural Development, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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14
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Shin H, Ha WS, Kim J, Park SH, Han K, Baek MS. Association between migraine and the risk of vascular dementia: A nationwide longitudinal study in South Korea. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300379. [PMID: 38630676 PMCID: PMC11023172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the potential association between migraine and vascular dementia (VaD) using a nationwide population database. BACKGROUND Migraine and VaD showed similar structural and functional changes in pathophysiology process and shared common risk factors, However, whether migraine prevalence increases VaD incidence remains controversial. METHODS This retrospective population-based cohort study used the medical records from the Korean National Health Insurance System database. Migraine (G43) was defined by using the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases code. More than two migraine diagnoses at least 3 months apart were defined as "chronic migraine". Cox proportional hazards model estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of VaD for group comparisons. RESULTS We included 212,836 patients with migraine and 5,863,348 individuals without migraine. During 10 years of follow-up, 3,914 (1.8%) and 60,258 (1.0%) patients with and without migraine, respectively, were newly diagnosed with VaD. After adjustment, patients with migraine showed a 1.21-fold higher risk of VaD than those without migraine (HR = 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.25). Patients with chronic migraine showed a higher cumulative incidence of VaD than those with episodic migraine. The adjusted HR for the VaD incidence with migraine was higher in: (1) patients aged <65 years; (2) women; (3) patients without hypertension, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation; and (4) non-smokers. CONCLUSION Migraine is associated with an increased risk of VaD, particularly in chronic migraine patients. Incidence of VaD in the setting of migraine may have distinct pathophysiology from that of VaD with traditional cardiovascular risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyomin Shin
- Department of Neurology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Woo Seok Ha
- Department of Neurology, Gangwon-do Wonju Medical Center, Wonju, South Korea
- Department of Neurology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaeho Kim
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Park
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungdo Han
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Seok Baek
- Department of Neurology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
- Research Institute of Metabolism and Inflammation, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
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15
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Kim M, Lee J, Jung J, Shin D, Kim J, Cho E, Xing Y, Jeong H, Park S, Oh SH, Kim YH, Jeong S. Surface-Originated Weak Confinement in Tetrahedral Indium Arsenide Quantum Dots. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10251-10256. [PMID: 38587307 PMCID: PMC11027140 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
While the shape-dependent quantum confinement (QC) effect in anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystals has been extensively studied, the QC in facet-specified polyhedral quantum dots (QDs) remains underexplored. Recently, tetrahedral nanocrystals have gained prominence in III-V nanocrystal synthesis. In our study, we successfully synthesized well-faceted tetrahedral InAs QDs with a first excitonic absorption extending up to 1700 nm. We observed an unconventional sizing curve, indicating weaker confinement than for equivalently volumed spherical QDs. The (111) surface states of InAs QDs persist at the conduction band minimum state even after ligand passivation with a significantly reduced band gap, which places tetrahedral QDs at lower energies in the sizing curve. Consequently, films composed of tetrahedral QDs demonstrate an extended photoresponse into the short-wave infrared region, compared to isovolume spherical QD films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meeree Kim
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department
of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaegwan Jung
- Department
of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Daekwon Shin
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Jugyoung Kim
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Eunhye Cho
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Yaolong Xing
- Department
of Energy Engineering, KENTECH Institute for Energy Materials and
Devices, Korea Institute of Energy Technology
(KENTECH), Naju-si 58330, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonjun Jeong
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Seongmin Park
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
| | - Sang Ho Oh
- Department
of Energy Engineering, KENTECH Institute for Energy Materials and
Devices, Korea Institute of Energy Technology
(KENTECH), Naju-si 58330, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- Department
of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- School
of Physics, Institute of Science, Suranaree
University of Technology, Nakhon
Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
| | - Sohee Jeong
- Department
of Energy Science (DOES) and Center for Artificial Atoms, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic
of Korea
- Sungkyunkwan
Institute of Energy Science and Technology (SIEST), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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16
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Gabuza K, Mabuda TI, Patel O, Khuboni N, van Aarde R, Riedel S, Sangweni NF, Windvogel S, Johnson R, Muller CJF. Afriplex GRTTM extract attenuates hepatic steatosis in an in vitro model of NAFLD. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297572. [PMID: 38630788 PMCID: PMC11023570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, it is acknowledged that vitamin E, insulin sensitizers and anti-diabetic drugs are used to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), however, these therapeutic interventions harbour adverse side effects. Pioglitazone, an anti-diabetic drug, is currently the most effective therapy to manage NAFLD. The use of natural medicines is widely embraced due to the lack of evidence of their negative side effects. Rooibos has been previously shown to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental models of diabetes, however, this is yet to be explored in a setting of NAFLD. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of an aspalathin-rich green rooibos extract (Afriplex GRTTM) against markers of hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in an in vitro model of NAFLD. METHODS Oleic acid [1 mM] was used to induce hepatic steatosis in C3A liver cells. Thereafter, the therapeutic effect of Afriplex GRTTM, with or without pioglitazone, was determined by assessing its impact on cell viability, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular lipid accumulation and the expression of genes and proteins (ChREBP, SREBF1, FASN, IRS1, SOD2, Caspase-3, GSTZ1, IRS1 and TNF-α) that are associated with the development of NAFLD. RESULTS Key findings showed that Afriplex GRTTM added to the medium alone or combined with pioglitazone, could effectively block hepatic lipid accumulation without inducing cytotoxicity in C3A liver cells exposed oleic acid. This positive outcome was consistent with effective regulation of genes involved in insulin signaling, as well as carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (IRS1, SREBF1 and ChREBP). Interestingly, in addition to reducing protein levels of an inflammatory marker (TNF-α), the Afriplex GRTTM could ameliorate oleic acid-induced hepatic steatotic damage by decreasing the protein expression of oxidative stress and apoptosis related markers such as GSTZ1 and caspase-3. CONCLUSION Afriplex GRTTM reduced hepatic steatosis in oleic acid induced C3A liver cells by modulating SREBF1, ChREBP and IRS-1 gene expression. The extract may also play a role in alleviating inflammation by reducing TNF-α expression, suggesting that additional experiments are required for its development as a suitable therapeutic option against NAFLD. Importantly, further research is needed to explore its antioxidant role in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwazi Gabuza
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thendo I. Mabuda
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Oelfah Patel
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Noxolo Khuboni
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, eMpangeni, South Africa
| | - Ruzayda van Aarde
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sylvia Riedel
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nonhlakanipho F. Sangweni
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantal Windvogel
- Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rabia Johnson
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christo J. F. Muller
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, eMpangeni, South Africa
- Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
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Aribisala JO, S'thebe NW, Sabiu S. In silico exploration of phenolics as modulators of penicillin binding protein (PBP) 2× of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8788. [PMID: 38627456 PMCID: PMC11021432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59489-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae remain the leading cause of pneumonia-related deaths in children < 5 years globally, and mutations in penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2 × have been identified as the major cause of resistance in the organism to beta-lactams. Thus, the development of new modulators with enhanced binding of PBP2x is highly encouraged. In this study, phenolics, due to their reported antibacterial activities, were screened against the active site of PBP2x using structure-based pharmacophore and molecular docking techniques, and the ability of the top-hit phenolics to inhibit the active and allosteric sites of PBP2x was refined through 120 ns molecular dynamic simulation. Except for gallocatechin gallate and lysidicichin, respectively, at the active and allosteric sites of PBP2x, the top-hit phenolics had higher negative binding free energy (ΔGbind) than amoxicillin [active site (- 19.23 kcal/mol), allosteric site (- 33.75 kcal/mol)]. Although silicristin had the best broad-spectrum effects at the active (- 38.41 kcal/mol) and allosteric (- 50.54 kcal/mol) sites of PBP2x, the high thermodynamic entropy (4.90 Å) of the resulting complex might suggest the need for its possible structural refinement for enhanced potency. Interestingly, silicristin had a predicted synthetic feasibility score of < 5 and quantum calculations using the DFT B3LYP/6-31G+ (dp) revealed that silicristin is less stable and more reactive than amoxicillin. These findings point to the possible benefits of the top-hit phenolics, and most especially silicristin, in the direct and synergistic treatment of infections caused by S. pneumoniae. Accordingly, silicristin is currently the subject of further confirmatory in vitro research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamiu Olaseni Aribisala
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nosipho Wendy S'thebe
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Saheed Sabiu
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Hahnle L, Mennen M, Gumedze F, Mutithu D, Adriaanse M, Egan D, Mazondwa S, Walters R, Appiah LT, Inofomoh F, Ogah O, Adekanmbi O, Goma F, Ogola E, Mwazo K, Suliman A, Singh K, Raspail L, Prabhakaran D, Perel P, Sliwa K, Ntusi NAB. Greater Disease Severity and Worse Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 in Africa. Glob Heart 2024; 19:34. [PMID: 38638124 PMCID: PMC11025574 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 cardiovascular research from Africa is limited. This study describes cardiovascular risk factors, manifestations, and outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the African region, with an overarching goal to investigate whether important differences exist between African and other populations, which may inform health policies. Methods A multinational prospective cohort study was conducted on adults hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19, consecutively admitted to 40 hospitals across 23 countries, 6 of which were African countries. Of the 5,313 participants enrolled globally, 948 were from African sites (n = 9). Data on demographics, pre-existing conditions, clinical outcomes in hospital (major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), renal failure, neurological events, pulmonary outcomes, and death), 30-day vitality status and re-hospitalization were assessed, comparing African to non-African participants. Results Access to specialist care at African sites was significantly lower than the global average (71% vs. 95%), as were ICU admissions (19.4% vs. 34.0%) and COVID-19 vaccination rates (0.6% vs. 7.4%). The African cohort was slightly younger than the non-African cohort (55.0 vs. 57.5 years), with higher rates of hypertension (48.8% vs. 46.9%), HIV (5.9% vs. 0.3%), and Tuberculosis (3.6% vs. 0.3%). In African sites, a higher proportion of patients suffered cardiac arrest (7.5% vs. 5.1%) and acute kidney injury (12.7% vs. 7.2%), with acute kidney injury (AKI) appearing to be one of the strongest predictors of MACE and death in African populations compared to other populations. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher among African participants (18.2% vs. 14.2%). Conclusions Overall, hospitalised African patients with COVID-19 had a higher mortality despite a lower mean age, contradicting literature that had previously reported a lower mortality attributed to COVID-19 in Africa. African sites had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates and higher AKI rates, which were positively associated with increased mortality. In conclusion, African patients were hospitalized with more severe COVID-19 cases and had poorer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Hahnle
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Noncommunicable Diseases and associated multimorbidities, South Africa
| | - Mathilda Mennen
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Noncommunicable Diseases and associated multimorbidities, South Africa
| | - Freedom Gumedze
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Daniel Mutithu
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Noncommunicable Diseases and associated multimorbidities, South Africa
- Cape Heart Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marguerite Adriaanse
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Noncommunicable Diseases and associated multimorbidities, South Africa
| | - Daniel Egan
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Rochelle Walters
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Noncommunicable Diseases and associated multimorbidities, South Africa
| | - Lambert Tetteh Appiah
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Francisca Inofomoh
- Internal Medicine Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
| | - Okechukwu Ogah
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Fastone Goma
- Centre for Primary Care Research, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Kieran Mwazo
- Department of Medicine, Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mombasa, Kenya
| | | | - Kavita Singh
- Public Health Foundation of India, Gurugram, Haryana and Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi, IN
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Dorairaj Prabhakaran
- Public Health Foundation India, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, IN
- World Heart Federation, CH
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, GB
| | - Pablo Perel
- World Heart Federation, CH
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, GB
| | - Karen Sliwa
- World Heart Federation, CH
- Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine & Cardiology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ntobeko A. B. Ntusi
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/SAMRC Extramural Unit on Intersection of Noncommunicable Diseases and Infectious Diseases, South Africa
- World Heart Federation, CH
- J46 (J floor) Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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Nashed A, Naidoo KJ. Universal Glycosyltransferase Continuous Assay for Uniform Kinetics and Inhibition Database Development and Mechanistic Studies Illustrated on ST3GAL1, C1GALT1, and FUT1. ACS Omega 2024; 9:17518-17532. [PMID: 38645360 PMCID: PMC11025096 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Chemical systems glycobiology requires experimental and computational tools to make possible big data analytics benefiting genomics and proteomics. The impediment to tool development is that the nature of glycan construction and mutation is not template driven but rests on cooperative glycosyltransferase (GT) catalytic synthesis. What is needed is the collation of kinetics and inhibition data in a standardized form to make possible analytics of glycan and glycoconjugate synthesis, mechanism extraction, and pattern recognition. Currently, kinetics assays in use for GTs are not universal in processing nucleoside phosphate UDP, GDP, and CMP donor-based glycosylation reactions due to limitations in accuracy and large substrate volume requirements. Here we present a universal glycosyltransferase continuous (UGC) assay able to measure the declining concentration of the NADH reporter molecule through fluorescence spectrophotometry and, therefore, determine reaction rate parameters. The development and parametrization of the assay is based on coupling the nucleotide released from GT reactions with pyruvate kinase, via nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) in the case of NDP-based donor reactions. In the case of CMP-based reactions, the coupling is carried out via another kinase, cytidylate kinase in combination with NDK, which phosphorylates CMP to CDP, then CDP to CTP. Following this, we conduct kinetics and inhibition assay studies on the UDP, GDP, and CMP-based glycosylation reactions, specifically C1GAlT1, FUT1, and ST3GAL1, to represent each class of donor, respectively. The accuracy of calculating initial rates using the continuous assay compared to end point (noncontinuous) assays is demonstrated for the three classes of GTs. The previously identified natural product soyasaponin1 inhibitor was used as a model to demonstrate the application of the UGC assay as a standardized inhibition assay for GTs. We show that the dose response of ST3GAL1 to a serial dilution of Soyasaponin1 has time-dependent inhibition. This brings into question previous inhibition findings, arrived at using an end point assay, that have selected a seemingly random time point to measure inhibition. Consequently, using standardized Km values taken from the UGC assay study, ST3GAL1 was shown to be the most responsive enzyme to soyasaponin1 inhibition, followed by FUT1, then C1GALT1 with IC50 values of 37, 52, and 886 μM respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullateef Nashed
- Scientific
Computing Research Unit, University of Cape
Town, PD Hahn Building, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, PD Hahn Building, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kevin J. Naidoo
- Scientific
Computing Research Unit, University of Cape
Town, PD Hahn Building, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, PD Hahn Building, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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20
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Song Y, Xia L, Salla M, Xi S, Fu W, Wang W, Gao M, Huang S, Huang S, Wang X, Yu X, Niu T, Zhang Y, Wang S, Han M, Ni M, Wang Q, Zhang H. A Hybrid Redox-Mediated Zinc-Air Fuel Cell for Scalable and Sustained Power Generation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202314796. [PMID: 38391058 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202314796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have attracted considerable attention for their high energy density, safety, low noise, and eco-friendliness. However, the capacity of mechanically rechargeable ZABs was limited by the cumbersome procedure for replacing the zinc anode, while electrically rechargeable ZABs suffer from issues including low depth of discharge, zinc dendrite and dead zinc formation, and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction, etc. To address these issues, we report a hybrid redox-mediated zinc-air fuel cell (HRM-ZAFC) utilizing 7,8-dihydroxyphenazine-2-sulfonic acid (DHPS) as the anolyte redox mediator, which shifts the zinc oxidation reaction from the electrode surface to a separate fuel tank. This approach decouples fuel feeding and electricity generation, providing greater operation flexibility and scalability for large-scale power generation applications. The DHPS-mediated ZAFC exhibited a superior peak power density of 0.51 W/cm2 and a continuous discharge capacity of 48.82 Ah with ZnO as the discharge product in the tank, highlighting its potential for power generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Lingchao Xia
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Manohar Salla
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, 627833, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weiyin Fu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Wanwan Wang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Mengqi Gao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Songpeng Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Shiqiang Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Xun Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Xingzi Yu
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, 400044, China
| | - Tong Niu
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, 400044, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, 400044, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Ming Han
- School of Engineering, Temasek Polytechnic, 21 Tampines Ave 1, 529757, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Meng Ni
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
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21
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Nguyen TD, Chooi WH, Jeon H, Chen J, Tan J, Roxby DN, Lee CYP, Ng SY, Chew SY, Han J. Label-Free and High-Throughput Removal of Residual Undifferentiated Cells From iPSC-Derived Spinal Cord Progenitor Cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2024; 13:387-398. [PMID: 38321361 PMCID: PMC11016845 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of spinal cord progenitor cells (SCPCs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has beneficial effects in treating spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the presence of residual undifferentiated iPSCs among their differentiated progeny poses a high risk as these cells can develop teratomas or other types of tumors post-transplantation. Despite the need to remove these residual undifferentiated iPSCs, no specific surface markers can identify them for subsequent removal. By profiling the size of SCPCs after a 10-day differentiation process, we found that the large-sized group contains significantly more cells expressing pluripotent markers. In this study, we used a sized-based, label-free separation using an inertial microfluidic-based device to remove tumor-risk cells. The device can reduce the number of undifferentiated cells from an SCPC population with high throughput (ie, >3 million cells/minute) without affecting cell viability and functions. The sorted cells were verified with immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis, and colony culture assay. We demonstrated the capabilities of our technology to reduce the percentage of OCT4-positive cells. Our technology has great potential for the "downstream processing" of cell manufacturing workflow, ensuring better quality and safety of transplanted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Dai Nguyen
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing of Personalized Medicine IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Hon Chooi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hyungkook Jeon
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Manufacturing Systems and Design Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, The Republic of Korea
| | - Jiahui Chen
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerome Tan
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing of Personalized Medicine IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel N Roxby
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing of Personalized Medicine IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheryl Yi-Pin Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shi-Yan Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sing Yian Chew
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing of Personalized Medicine IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jongyoon Han
- Critical Analytics for Manufacturing of Personalized Medicine IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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22
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Kim SH, Oh KW, Noh MY, Kwon MS. Optimal Therapeutic Strategy of Bone Marrow-Originated Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells for ALS. Stem Cells Transl Med 2024; 13:309-316. [PMID: 38244235 PMCID: PMC11016834 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by selective and progressive neurodegenerative changes in motor neural networks. Given the system complexity, including anatomically distributed sites of degeneration from the motor cortex to the spinal cord and chronic pro-inflammatory conditions, a cell-based therapeutic strategy could be an alternative approach to treating ALS. Lessons from previous mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) trials in ALS realized the importance of 3 aspects in current and future MSC therapy, including the preparation of MSCs, administration routes and methods, and recipient-related factors. This review briefly describes the current status and future prerequisites for an optimal strategy using bone-marrow-originated MSCs to treat ALS. We suggest mandatory factors in the optimized therapeutic strategy focused on advanced therapy medicinal products produced according to Good Manufacturing Practice, an optimal administration method, the selection of proper patients, and the importance of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cell Therapy Center, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Wook Oh
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cell Therapy Center, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Young Noh
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cell Therapy Center, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Soo Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHA Bio Complex, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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23
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Wilkinson C, Brooks J, Stander MA, Malgas R, Roodt-Wilding R, Makunga NP. Metabolomic profiling of wild rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) ecotypes and their antioxidant-derived phytopharmaceutical potential. Metabolomics 2024; 20:45. [PMID: 38615312 PMCID: PMC11016507 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02103-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aspalathus linearis (commonly known as rooibos) is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa and is a popular herbal drink and skin phytotherapeutic ingredient, with health benefits derived primarily from its unique phenolic content. Several, seemingly habitat-specific ecotypes from the Cederberg (Western Cape) and Northern Cape have morphological, ecological, genetic and biochemical differences. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Despite the commercial popularity of the cultivated variety, the uncultivated ecotypes are largely understudied. To address gaps in knowledge about the biochemical constituency, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of fifteen populations was performed, enabling high-throughput metabolomic fingerprinting of 50% (v/v) methanolic extracts. Antioxidant screening of selected populations was performed via three assays and antimicrobial activity on two microbial species was assessed. The metabolomic results were corroborated with total phenolic and flavonoid screening of the extracts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Site-specific chemical lineages of rooibos ecotypes were confirmed via multivariate data analyses. Important features identified via PLS-DA disclosed higher relative abundances of certain tentative metabolites (e.g., rutin, aspalathin and apiin) present in the Dobbelaarskop, Blomfontein, Welbedacht and Eselbank sites, in comparison to other locations. Several unknown novel metabolites (e.g., m/z 155.0369, 231.0513, 443.1197, 695.2883) are responsible for metabolomic separation of the populations, four of which showed higher amounts of key metabolites and were thus selected for bioactivity analysis. The Welbedacht and Eselbank site 2 populations consistently displayed higher antioxidant activities, with 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of 679.894 ± 3.427 µmol Trolox/g dry matter and 635.066 ± 5.140 µmol Trolox/g dry matter, respectively, in correlation with a high number of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The contribution of the individual metabolites to the pharmacological effectiveness of rooibos remains unknown and as such, further structural elucidation and phytopharmacological testing is thus urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wilkinson
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa
| | - J Brooks
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa
| | - M A Stander
- Department of Biochemistry, and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Central Analytical Facility, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa
| | - R Malgas
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa
| | - R Roodt-Wilding
- Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa
| | - N P Makunga
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600, South Africa.
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24
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Mambwe D, Coertzen D, Leshabane M, Mulubwa M, Njoroge M, Gibhard L, Girling G, Wicht KJ, Lee MCS, Wittlin S, Moreira DRM, Birkholtz LM, Chibale K. hERG, Plasmodium Life Cycle, and Cross Resistance Profiling of New Azabenzimidazole Analogues of Astemizole. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:463-469. [PMID: 38628794 PMCID: PMC11017395 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Toward addressing the cardiotoxicity liability associated with the antimalarial drug astemizole (AST, hERG IC50 = 0.0042 μM) and its derivatives, we designed and synthesized analogues based on compound 1 (Pf NF54 IC50 = 0.012 μM; hERG IC50 = 0.63 μM), our previously identified 3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole AST analogue. Compound 11 retained in vitro multistage antiplasmodium activity (ABS PfNF54 IC50 = 0.017 μM; gametocytes PfiGc/PfLGc IC50 = 1.24/1.39 μM, and liver-stage PbHepG2 IC50 = 2.30 μM), good microsomal metabolic stability (MLM CLint < 11 μL·min-1·mg-1, EH < 0.33), and solubility (150 μM). It shows a ∼6-fold and >6000-fold higher selectivity against human ether-á-go-go-related gene higher selectively potential over hERG relative to 1 and AST, respectively. Despite the excellent in vitro antiplasmodium activity profile, in vivo efficacy in the Plasmodium berghei mouse infection model was diminished, attributable to suboptimal oral bioavailability (F = 14.9%) at 10 mg·kg-1 resulting from poor permeability (log D7.4 = -0.82). No cross-resistance was observed against 44 common Pf mutant lines, suggesting activity via a novel mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dickson Mambwe
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dina Coertzen
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Meta Leshabane
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mwila Mulubwa
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mathew Njoroge
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liezl Gibhard
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gareth Girling
- Wellcome
Sanger Institute, Wellcome
Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J. Wicht
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marcus C. S. Lee
- Wellcome
Sanger Institute, Wellcome
Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
- Biological
Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss
Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), DMPK & Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
- South
African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research
Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute
of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Nam SY, Jo J, Lee WK, Cho CM. Factor modification in the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver cancer risk in a nationwide cohort. Int J Epidemiol 2024; 53:dyae053. [PMID: 38641427 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyae053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The effect modification by smoking and menopausal status in the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and liver cancer risk has not been reported. METHODS This population-based cohort study included 4.486 million cancer-free individuals among those who underwent national cancer screening in 2010 and were followed up until December 2017. We conducted analyses in populations that excluded people with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis (Model I) and that included those diseases (Model III). HDL-C level was classified into eight groups at 10-mg/dL intervals. Liver cancer risk by HDL-C was measured using adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS During follow-up, 18 795 liver cancers in Model I and 20 610 liver cancers in Model III developed. In Model I, low HDL-C levels (aHR 1.83; 95% CI 1.65-2.04) and extremely high HDL-C levels (aHR 1.24; 95% CI 1.10-1.40) were associated with an increased liver cancer risk compared with a moderate HDL-C level of 50-59mg/dL. This association was similar in both men and women with larger effect size in men (aHR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.70-2.15). The hazardous association between low HDL-C and liver cancer risk was remarkable in current smokers (aHR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.84-2.60) and in pre-menopausal women (aHR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.29-6.58) compared with post-menopausal women (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.10-1.93). This association was similarly observed in Model III. CONCLUSIONS Low and extremely high HDL-C levels were associated with an increased liver cancer risk. The unfavourable association between low HDL-C and liver cancer was remarkable in smokers and pre-menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Youn Nam
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Junwoo Jo
- Department of Statistics, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Won Kee Lee
- Biostatistics, Medical Research Collaboration Center, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyunpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Chang Min Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
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Wang Z, Li B, Liu B, Lee JW, Bai Q, Yang W, Wang J, Yang J, Zhang X, Sun H, Yang X, Kim BJ, Guo X. Facilely Modified Nickel-Based Hole Transporting Layers for Organic Solar Cells with 19.12% Efficiency and Enhanced Stability. Small 2024:e2400915. [PMID: 38597683 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Hole transporting layers (HTLs), strategically positioned between electrode and light absorber, play a pivotal role in shaping charge extraction and transport in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the commonly used poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) HTL, with its hygroscopic and acidic nature, undermines the operational durability of OSC devices. Herein, an environmentally friendly approach is developed utilizing nickel acetate tetrahydrate (NiAc·4H2O) and [2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl] phosphonic acid (2PACz) as the NiAc·4H2O/2PACz HTL, aiming at overcoming the limitations posed by the conventional PEDOT:PSS one. Encouragingly, a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.12% is obtained for the OSCs employing NiAc·4H2O/2PACz as the HTL, surpassing that of devices with the PEDOT:PSS HTL (17.59%), which is ranked among the highest ones of OSCs. This improvement is attributed to the appropriate work function, enhanced hole mobility, facilitated exciton dissociation efficiency, and lower recombination loss of NiAc·4H2O/2PACz-based devices. Furthermore, the NiAc·4H2O/2PACz-based OSCs exhibit superior operational stability compared to their PEDOT:PSS-based counterparts. Of significant note, the NiAc·4H2O/2PACz HTL demonstrates a broad generality, boosting the PCE of the PM6:PY-IT and PM6:Y6-based OSCs from 16.47% and 16.79% (with PEDOT:PSS-based analogs as HTLs) to 17.36% and 17.57%, respectively. These findings underscore the substantial potential of the NiAc·4H2O/2PACz HTL in advancing OSCs, offering improved performance and stability, thereby opening avenue for highly efficient and reliable solar energy harvesting technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfei Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Bolin Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Jin-Woo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Qingqing Bai
- Center for Advanced Analytical Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Wanli Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Junwei Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Xiage Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Huiliang Sun
- Center for Advanced Analytical Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xi Yang
- 506, Building C1, Grand Tech Park, Huangpu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510700, China
| | - Bumjoon J Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Xugang Guo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
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Lee H, Nam J, Jang H, Park YS, Son MH, Lee IH, Eyun SI, Yang JH, Jeon J, Yang S. BRD2-specific inhibitor, BBC0403, inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis pathogenesis in osteoarthritis-induced C57BL/6 male mice. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38600628 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The discovery of new bromo- and extra-terminal inhibitors presents new drugs to treat osteoarthritis (OA). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The new drug, BBC0403, was identified in the DNA-encoded library screening system by searching for compounds that target BRD (bromodomain-containing) proteins. The binding force with BRD proteins was evaluated using time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) and binding kinetics assays. Subsequently, in vitro and ex vivo analyses demonstrated the effects of the BRD2 inhibitor, BBC0403, on OA. For animal experiments, medial meniscus destabilization was performed to create a 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mouse model, and intra-articular (i.a.) injections were administered. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were then performed. The underlying mechanism was confirmed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using RNA-seq. KEY RESULTS TR-FRET and binding kinetics assays revealed that BBC0403 exhibited higher binding specificity for BRD2 compared to BRD3 and BRD4. The anti-OA effects of BBC0403 were tested at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μM (no cell toxicity in the range tested). The expression of catabolic factors, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation was reduced. Additionally, the i.a. injection of BBC0403 prevented OA cartilage degradation in mice. Finally, BBC0403 was demonstrated to suppress NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrated that BBC0403 is a novel BRD2-specific inhibitor and a potential i.a.-injectable therapeutic agent to treat OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyemi Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jiho Nam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hahyeong Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | | | | | | | - Seong-Il Eyun
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyun Yang
- Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jimin Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Siyoung Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
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28
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Green F, du Plooy C, Rehman AM, Nhapi RT, Lake MT, Barnett W, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Stein DJ, Wedderburn CJ. Language outcomes of preschool children who are HIV-exposed uninfected: An analysis of a South African cohort. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297471. [PMID: 38598467 PMCID: PMC11006185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are approximately 16 million children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (CHEU) worldwide. Studies suggest that CHEU are at risk for developmental impairment in infancy, particularly in language domains. However, there is limited research examining neurocognitive function in CHEU older than 2 years, including important pre-school years. This study aimed to investigate associations between HIV exposure without infection and neurocognitive outcomes and to determine risk factors for neurodevelopment in CHEU at age 3-4 years. METHODS The Drakenstein Child Health Study is a South African population-based birth cohort which enrolled women in pregnancy with ongoing follow up. Neurocognitive outcomes were assessed in children at 3.5 years by trained assessors blinded to HIV status including general cognitive function, language, and memory, measured using the Kaufmann Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II). Data were compared between CHEU and children who were HIV-unexposed uninfected (CHUU) using multivariable logistic and linear regression, including testing for effect modification; sex-stratified risk factor analyses were performed. RESULTS A total of 497 children were included (97 [20%] CHEU; 400 [80%] CHUU; 50% male), with a mean age of 3.5 years (range 3.4-3.6). Groups had similar birth and household characteristics, although mothers of CHEU were older, on average. Overall, CHEU had lower expressive language scores compared to CHUU on unadjusted and adjusted analyses (effect size: -0.23 [95% CI -0.45, -0.01]). There were no group differences in general cognitive or memory function (p>0.05). On sex-stratified analyses, male CHEU were found to have higher odds of suboptimal cognitive development compared to male CHUU (aOR 2.28 [95% CI 1.06, 4.87], p = 0.034). Several other factors including birthweight, maternal education, maternal ART duration and HIV viral load during pregnancy were associated with cognition, memory, or expressive language outcomes in CHEU, dependent on child sex. INTERPRETATION The findings suggest that perinatal HIV exposure continues to be associated with impaired language development across the preschool years, highlighting the importance of targeting early interventions to optimise language outcomes. Further, the results suggest the importance of demographic, biological and HIV-related variables influencing developmental outcomes in CHEU. The greater risk of suboptimal cognitive development in male CHEU requires investigation around sex-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Green
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher du Plooy
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea M. Rehman
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond T. Nhapi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marilyn T. Lake
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC, Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Liu X, Wang M, Cao L, Zhuang J, Wang D, Wu M, Liu B. Living Artificial Skin: Photosensitizer and Cell Sandwiched Bacterial Cellulose for Chronic Wound Healing. Adv Mater 2024:e2403355. [PMID: 38598646 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Chronic wounds pose a significant global public health challenge due to their suboptimal treatment efficacy caused by bacterial infections and microcirculatory disturbances. Inspired by the biofunctionality of natural skin, an artificial skin (HV@BC@TBG) is bioengineered with bacterial cellulose (BC) sandwiched between photosensitizers (PS) and functionalized living cells. Glucose-modified PS (TBG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-functionalized living cells (HV) are successively modified on each side of BC through biological metabolism and bio-orthogonal reaction. As the outermost layer, the TBG layer can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light illumination to efficiently combat bacterial infections. The HV layer is the inner layer near the diabetic wound, which servs as a living factory to continuously secrete VEGF to accelerate wound repair by promoting fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis. The sandwiched structural artificial skin HV@BC@TBG is nontoxic, biocompatible, and demonstrated its ability to significantly accelerate the healing process of infected diabetic wounds, rendering it a promising next-generation medical therapy for chronic wound management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingang Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Jiahao Zhuang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
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Kang F, Niu M, Zhou Z, Zhang M, Xiong H, Zeng F, Wang J, Chen X. Spatiotemporal Concurrent PARP Inhibitor Sensitization Based on Radiation-Responsive Nanovesicles for Lung Cancer Chemoradiotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400908. [PMID: 38598819 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The implementation of chemoradiation combinations has gained great momentum in clinical practices. However, the full utility of this paradigm is often restricted by the discordant tempos of action of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Here, a gold nanoparticle-based radiation-responsive nanovesicle system loaded with cisplatin and veliparib, denoted as CV-Au NVs, is developed to augment the concurrent chemoradiation effect in a spatiotemporally controllable manner of drug release. Upon irradiation, the in situ generation of •OH induces the oxidation of polyphenylene sulfide from being hydrophobic to hydrophilic, resulting in the disintegration of the nanovesicles and the rapid release of the entrapped cisplatin and veliparib (the poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor). Cisplatin-induced DNA damage and the impairment of the DNA repair mechanism mediated by veliparib synergistically elicit potent pro-apoptotic effects. In vivo studies suggest that one-dose injection of the CV-Au NVs and one-time X-ray irradiation paradigm effectively inhibit tumor growth in the A549 lung cancer model. This study provides new insight into designing nanomedicine platforms in chemoradiation therapy from a vantage point of synergizing both chemotherapy and radiation therapy in a spatiotemporally concurrent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Kang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P. R. China
| | - Meng Niu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P. R. China
| | - Zijian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang'An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Mingru Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P. R. China
| | - Hehe Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang'An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Fantian Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang'An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
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Nhau PT, Gamede M, Sibiya N. COVID-19-Induced Diabetes Mellitus: Comprehensive Cellular and Molecular Mechanistic Insights. Pathophysiology 2024; 31:197-209. [PMID: 38651404 PMCID: PMC11036300 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology31020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite evidence demonstrating the risks of developing diabetes mellitus because of SARS-CoV-2, there is, however, insufficient scientific data available to elucidate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and COVID-19. Research indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with persistent damage to organ systems due to the systemic inflammatory response. Since COVID-19 is known to induce these conditions, further investigation is necessary to fully understand its long-term effects on human health. Consequently, it is essential to consider the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic when predicting the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the future, especially since the incidence of diabetes mellitus was already on the rise before the pandemic. Additional research is required to fully comprehend the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Therefore, this article delves deeper into the current literature and links the perceived relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and diabetes. In addition, the article highlights the necessity for further research to fully grasp the mechanisms that SARS-CoV-2 utilises to induce new-onset diabetes. Where understanding and consensus are reached, therapeutic interventions to prevent the onset of diabetes could be proposed. Lastly, we propose advocating for the regular screening of diabetes and pre-diabetes, particularly for the high-risk population with a history of COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praise Tatenda Nhau
- Pharmacology Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Mlindeli Gamede
- Human Physiology Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
| | - Ntethelelo Sibiya
- Pharmacology Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
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Nodola P, Miya GM, Mazwi V, Oriola AO, Oyedeji OO, Hosu YS, Kuria SK, Oyedeji AO. Citrus limon Wastes from Part of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: Medicinal, Sustainable Agricultural, and Bio-Resource Potential. Molecules 2024; 29:1675. [PMID: 38611954 PMCID: PMC11013870 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The fruits of Citrus limon are often purchased for their vitamin C-rich juice, while the fruit peel and the tree leaves are discarded as wastes. This study obtained the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) of C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves), evaluated their medicinal value as antioxidants, their potential for sustainable use in agriculture as an insecticide for post-harvest preservation of grains, and their potential as a bioresource in livestock feed formulations. The EOs were isolated from C. limon leaves and peel using a hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus. The oil constituents were identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) hyphenated technique. The oils were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power methods. An insecticidal study was conducted using contact toxicity, fumigation, and repellence bioassay methods against Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevils). Finally, the predicted income from using lemon peel as an alternative or substitute ingredient for maize in livestock feed formulations was obtained through a conventional simulation method. Chemically, limonene was found to be present in all the EOs analyzed (12-52%), while α-pinene was only found in the fresh leaf and peel oils (13.3% and 10.6%). Caryophyllene oxide was identified as the major component of the dried leaf oil (17.7%). At 20 µg m, the dry peel oil exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (52.41 ± 0.26%) against the DPPH radical, which was comparable to L-ascorbic acid (a standard antioxidant) at 54.25 ± 3.55%. The insecticidal study revealed that the dry peel oil is a better insect repellent (73.33 ± 6.95% at 10 µL) and fumigant (LC50 = 0.17 µL g-1 after 48 h) natural agent compared to the peel oil. Conversely, the dry peel oil showed a better contact activity (LC50 = 1.69 µL g-1) against the maize weevils compared to the dry leaf oil. The simulation study showed the cost of using dry lemon peel as an alternative to maize in livestock feed formulation to be ZAR 2.8 billion, compared against the higher cost of feed formulation with maize, which currently stands at ZAR 24.9 billion. This study has shown that C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves) contain EOs with unique chemical profiles, valuable medicinal properties as free radical scavengers, and considerable insecticidal properties for agricultural use in post-harvest grain preservation, presenting a cost-effective and promising bioresource for livestock feed production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phumelele Nodola
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa; (P.N.); (G.M.M.); (V.M.); (A.O.O.)
| | - Gugulethu M. Miya
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa; (P.N.); (G.M.M.); (V.M.); (A.O.O.)
| | - Vuyokazi Mazwi
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa; (P.N.); (G.M.M.); (V.M.); (A.O.O.)
| | - Ayodeji O. Oriola
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa; (P.N.); (G.M.M.); (V.M.); (A.O.O.)
| | | | - Yiseyon S. Hosu
- Department of Business Management and Economics, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa;
| | - Simon K. Kuria
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa;
| | - Adebola O. Oyedeji
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa; (P.N.); (G.M.M.); (V.M.); (A.O.O.)
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Zhu Y, Niu X, Ding C, Lin Y, Fang W, Yan L, Cheng J, Zou J, Tian Y, Huang W, Huang W, Pan Y, Wu T, Chen X, Kang D. Carrier-Free Self-Assembly Nano-Sonosensitizers for Sonodynamic-Amplified Cuproptosis-Ferroptosis in Glioblastoma Therapy. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024:e2402516. [PMID: 38582500 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death significantly depending on the transport efficacy of copper (Cu) ionophores. However, existing Cu ionophores, primarily small molecules with a short blood half-life, face challenges in transporting enough amounts of Cu ions into tumor cells. This work describes the construction of carrier-free nanoparticles (Ce6@Cu NPs), which self-assembled by the coordination of Cu2+ with the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6), facilitating sonodynamic-triggered combination of cuproptosis and ferroptosis. Ce6@Cu NPs internalized by U87MG cells induce a sonodynamic effect and glutathione (GSH) depletion capability, promoting lipid peroxidation and eventually inducing ferroptosis. Furthermore, Cu+ concentration in tumor cells significantly increases as Cu2+ reacts with reductive GSH, resulting in the downregulation of ferredoxin-1 and lipoyl synthase. This induces the oligomerization of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase, causing proteotoxic stress and irreversible cuproptosis. Ce6@Cu NPs possess a satisfactory ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, resulting in significant accumulation in orthotopic U87MG-Luc glioblastoma. The sonodynamic-triggered combination of ferroptosis and cuproptosis in the tumor by Ce6@Cu NPs is evidenced both in vitro and in vivo with minimal side effects. This work represents a promising tumor therapeutic strategy combining ferroptosis and cuproptosis, potentially inspiring further research in developing logical and effective cancer therapies based on cuproptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Xuegang Niu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Chengyu Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Yuanxiang Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Wenhua Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Lingjun Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Junjie Cheng
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Jianhua Zou
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
| | - Yuanbo Pan
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Tiantian Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences/NHC key laboratory of tropical disease control/School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Dezhi Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350209, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Regional Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350212, China
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Kok AM, Juvonen R, Pasanen M, Mandiwana V, Kalombo ML, Ray SS, Rikhotso-Mbungela R, Lall N. Evaluation of Lippia scaberrima Sond. and Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren extracts on human CYP enzymes and gold nanoparticle synthesis: implications for drug metabolism and cytotoxicity. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:152. [PMID: 38580936 PMCID: PMC10996199 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04439-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolism is an important component of the kinetic characteristics of herbal constituents, and it often determines the internal dose and concentration of these effective constituents at the target site. The metabolic profile of plant extracts and pure compounds need to be determined for any possible herb-drug metabolic interactions that might occur. METHODS Various concentrations of the essential oil of Lippia scaberrima, the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima alone and their combinations with fermented and unfermented Aspalathus linearis extract were used to determine the inhibitory potential on placental, microsomal and recombinant human hepatic Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Furthermore, the study investigated the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles from the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima as a lead sample. Confirmation and characterization of the synthesized gold nanoparticles were conducted through various methods. Additionally, the cytotoxic properties of the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima were compared with the gold nanoparticles synthesized from Lippia scaberrima using gum arabic as a capping agent. RESULTS All the samples showed varying levels of CYP inhibition. The most potent inhibition took place for CYP2C19 and CYP1B1 with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of less than 0.05 µg/L for the essential oil tested and IC50-values between 0.05 µg/L-1 µg/L for all the other combinations and extracts tested, respectively. For both CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 the IC50-values for the essential oil, the extracts and combinations were found in the range of 1 - 10 µg/L. The majority of the IC50 values found were higher than 10 µg/L and, therefore, were found to have no inhibition against the CYP enzymes tested. CONCLUSION Therefore, the essential oil of Lippia scaberrima, the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima alone and their combinations with Aspalathus linearis do not possess any clinically significant CYP interaction potential and may be further investigated for their adjuvant potential for use in the tuberculosis treatment regimen. Furthermore, it was shown that the cytotoxic potential of the Lippia scaberrima gold nanoparticles was reduced by twofold when compared to the ethanolic extract of Lippia scaberrima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Mari Kok
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Research Fellow, South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, 6019, South Africa
| | - Risto Juvonen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Markku Pasanen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vusani Mandiwana
- Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Michel Lonji Kalombo
- Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Suprakas Sinha Ray
- Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Rirhandzu Rikhotso-Mbungela
- Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Namrita Lall
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
- Senior Research Fellow, Bio-Tech R&D Institute, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
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Hong SN, Hye Song J, Jin Kim S, Ha Park Y, Wan Choi C, Eun Kim J, Ran Kim E, Kyung Chang D, Kim YH. One-Year Clinical Outcomes of Subcutaneous Infliximab Maintenance Therapy Compared With Intravenous Infliximab Maintenance Therapy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024; 30:517-528. [PMID: 37260346 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the pharmacokinetic profile of subcutaneous (SC) infliximab (IFX) is superior to conventional intravenous (IV) IFX, long-term efficacy and safety of SC IFX in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have not been reported yet. This study aimed to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes of IBD patients treated with SC IFX compared with those of IBD patients treated with IV IFX during maintenance therapy. METHODS This prospective cohort study enrolled 61 IBD patients in clinical remission who received scheduled IFX maintenance therapy. Of them, 38 patients were switched to SC IFX, while 23 patients continued IV IFX with dose optimization. Enrolled patients were followed up for 1 year. The primary outcome was durable remission defined as clinical remission (Crohn's disease, Harvey-Bradshaw index <5; ulcerative colitis, partial Mayo score <2) and biochemical remission (C-reactive protein <0.5 mg/dL) with IFX trough level ≥3 µg/mL throughout the follow-up period. RESULTS One-year clinical remission, 1-year biochemical remission, and mucosal healing did not differ between the IV and SC IFX groups (n = 20 of 23 vs 33 of 38; P = 1.000; n = 22 of 23 vs 34 of 38; P = .641; and n = 10 of 18 vs 17 of 25; P = .414, respectively). During follow-up, the number of patients with IFX trough level <3 μg/mL was significantly lower in the SC IFX group (n = 0 of 38, 0%) than in the IV IFX group (n = 10 of 23, 43%) (P < .001). The SC IFX group showed higher 1-year durable remission than the IV IFX group (n = 31 of 38, 82% vs n = 11 of 23, 48%; P = .013). The incidence of IFX-related adverse events did not differ significantly between both groups (26% vs 39%; P = .446). CONCLUSION The SC IFX switch induced a higher 1-year durable remission rate than continuing IV IFX in patients with IBD during scheduled maintenance therapy, showing similar safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Noh Hong
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Hye Song
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Jin Kim
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Ha Park
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Wan Choi
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Eun Kim
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ran Kim
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Kyung Chang
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Ho Kim
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Basson C, Serem JC, Bipath P, Hlophe YN. L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid inhibited markers of cell survival in B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro. Cell Biol Int 2024. [PMID: 38570921 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy and remains a major cause of skin cancer mortality, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Recent findings revealed that L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid induce cytotoxicity and morphological changes in B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro. This paper highlights the effects of L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid at previously determined half-maximal inhibitory concentrations on cell cycle progression, cell death and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase inhibition. Melanoma, B16 F10 and murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells were used in this study, as both cell lines express all the enzymes associated with the kynurenine pathway. Post exposure to the compounds at half-maximal inhibitory concentrations, transmission electron microscopy was used to assess intracellular morphological changes. Flow cytometry was used to analyse cell cycle progression and quantify apoptosis via the dual staining of Annexin V and propidium iodide and cell survival via extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase. L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid at half-maximal inhibitory concentrations induced intracellular morphological changes representative of cell death. Flow cytometry revealed alterations in cell cycle distribution, increased apoptosis and significantly inhibition of cell survival. L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid are exogenous kynurenine compounds which inhibited cell survival through extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase inhibition, induced cell cycle alterations and induced apoptosis in B16 F10 melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlise Basson
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - June Cheptoo Serem
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Priyesh Bipath
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yvette Nkondo Hlophe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Mihov Y, Meyer AH, Kakebeeke TH, Stülb K, Arhab A, Zysset AE, Leeger-Aschmann CS, Schmutz EA, Kriemler S, Jenni OG, Puder JJ, Messerli-Bürgy N, Munsch S. Child eating behavior predicts body mass index after 1 year: results from the Swiss Preschooler's Health Study (SPLASHY). Front Psychol 2024; 15:1292939. [PMID: 38629046 PMCID: PMC11019003 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1292939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Child obesity is a growing global issue. Preventing early development of overweight and obesity requires identifying reliable risk factors for high body mass index (BMI) in children. Child eating behavior might be an important and malleable risk factor that can be reliably assessed with the parent-report Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). Using a hierarchical dataset (children nested within child care centers) from a representative cohort of Swiss preschool children, we tested whether eating behavior, assessed with a 7-factor solution of the CEBQ, and BMI at baseline predicted the outcome BMI after 1 year, controlling for socioeconomic status (n = 555; 47% female; mean age = 3.9 years, range: 2.2-6.6; mean BMI = 16 kg/m2, range: 11.2-23; mean age- and sex-corrected z-transformed BMI, zBMI = 0.4, range -4 to +4.7). The statistical model explained 65.2% of zBMI at follow-up. Baseline zBMI was a strong positive predictor, uniquely explaining 48.8% of outcome variance. A linear combination of all CEBQ scales, taken together, explained 10.7% of outcome variance. Due to their intercorrelations, uniquely explained variance by any individual scale was of negligible clinical relevance. Only food responsiveness was a significant predictor, when accounting for all other predictors and covariates in the model, and uniquely explained only 0.4% of outcome variance. Altogether, our results confirm, extend, and refine previous research on eating behavior and zBMI in preschool children, by adjusting for covariates, accounting for intercorrelations between predictors, partitioning explained outcome variance, and providing standardized beta estimates. Our findings show the importance of carefully examining the contribution of predictors in multiple regression models for clinically relevant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoan Mihov
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Freiburg, Switzerland
| | - Andrea H. Meyer
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Freiburg, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tanja H. Kakebeeke
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Stülb
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Freiburg, Switzerland
| | - Amar Arhab
- Obstetric Service, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Annina E. Zysset
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Einat A. Schmutz
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susi Kriemler
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oskar G. Jenni
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jardena J. Puder
- Obstetric Service, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Simone Munsch
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Freiburg, Switzerland
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Lee EJ, Lee W, Yun TH, You HR, Kim HJ, Yu HN, Kim SK, Kim Y, Ahn H, Lim J, Yim C, Choi J. Suppression of Thermally Induced Surface Traps in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids via Ultrafast Pulsed Light. Small 2024:e2400380. [PMID: 38564784 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Thermal annealing (TA) of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) films is considered an important process for recent high-performing CQD solar cells (SCs) due to its beneficial effects on CQD solids, including enhanced electrical conductivity, denser packing of CQD films, and the removal of organic residues and solvents. However, the conventional TA for CQDs, which requires several minutes, leads to hydroxylation and oxidation on the CQD surface, resulting in the formation of trap states and a subsequent decline in SC performance. To address these challenges, this study introduces a flashlight annealing (FLA) technique that significantly reduces the annealing time to the millisecond scale. Through the FLA approach, it successfully suppressed hydroxylation and oxidation, resulting in decreased trap states within the CQD solids while simultaneously preserving their charge transport properties. As a result, CQD SCs treated with FLA exhibited a notable improvement, achieving an open-circuit voltage of 0.66 V compared to 0.63 V in TA-treated devices, leading to an increase in power conversion efficiency from 12.71% to 13.50%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eon Ji Lee
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjong Lee
- Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University (CNU), 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ho Yun
- Department of Precision Mechanical Engineering, Kyungpook National University (KNU), 2559 Gyeongsang-daero, Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Ryul You
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jeong Kim
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Na Yu
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Kwan Kim
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghoon Kim
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Kookmin University (KMU), Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungju Ahn
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL), 80, Jigok-ro 127 beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang-si, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongchul Lim
- Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University (CNU), 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Changyong Yim
- Department of Energy Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University (KNU), 2559 Gyeongsang-daero, Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, 37224, Republic of Korea
- Convergence Research Center of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering (CRCMCE), Kyungpook National University (KNU), 2559 Gyeongsang-daero, Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, 37224, Republic of Korea
- Department of Advanced Science and Technology Convergence, Kyungpook National University (KNU), 2559 Gyeongsang-daero, Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongmin Choi
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungang-Daero, Hyeonpung-Eup, Dalseong-Gun, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
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Chiramba C, Möller DS, Lorenz CD, Chirombo RR, Mason AJ, Bester MJ, Gaspar ARM. Tryptophan End-Tagging Confers Antifungal Activity on a Tick-Derived Peptide by Triggering Reactive Oxygen Species Production. ACS Omega 2024; 9:15556-15572. [PMID: 38585074 PMCID: PMC10993377 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
WHO has identified several Candida species including Candida albicans as critical priority fungal pathogens due to greater infection prevalence and formation of recalcitrant biofilms. Novel antifungal agents are urgently needed, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being considered as potential alternatives, but inactivity in physiological salt environments, serum, and plasma often limits further therapeutic development. Tryptophan end-tagging is a strategy to overcome these limitations and is thought to selectively enhance membrane permeabilization in both fungal and bacterial plasma membranes. Here, we show that C-terminal tryptophan end-tagging of the tick-derived peptide Os-C transforms an inactive peptide into Os-C(W5), an antifungal peptide capable of preventing the formation of C. albicans biofilms. Mechanistic insight is provided by circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, which demonstrate that tryptophan end-tagging alters the secondary structure of Os-C, while the latter reveals that end-tagging reduces interactions with, and insertion into, a model C. albicans membrane but promotes peptide aggregation on its surface. Interestingly, this leads to the induction of reactive oxygen species production rather than membrane permeabilization, and consequently, oxidative stress leads to cell wall damage. Os-C(W5) does not induce the hemolysis of human erythrocytes. Reduced cell adhesion and viability contribute to decreased biofilm extracellular matrix formation which, although reduced, is retained in the serum-containing medium. In this study, tryptophan end-tagging was identified as a promising strategy for enhancing the antifungal activity, including the biofilm inhibitory activity of Os-C against C. albicans in physiological salt environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Court
K. Chiramba
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Dalton S. Möller
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | | | - Rumbidzai R. Chirombo
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - A. James Mason
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Megan J. Bester
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Anabella R. M. Gaspar
- Department
of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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40
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Busic-Sontic A, Schubert R. Social resilience indicators for pandemic crises. Disasters 2024; 48:e12610. [PMID: 37715563 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Coping and recovery capabilities in disasters depend to a large part on the social resilience of the societies or regions that are hit by the respective disruptions. Prior disaster studies suggest a variety of indicators to assess social resilience in the natural hazard context. This paper discusses whether the most common disaster-related social resilience indicators, including social cohesion and support, can meaningfully capture social resilience in pandemic crises, since pandemics typically entail physical distancing and other social restrictions. Based on a review of frequently used social resilience measures, this study proposes pandemic-tailored indicators of social resilience to map a society's or region's coping and recovery capabilities in a meaningful way. Applying the suggested set of indicators to a sample of 1,500 residents surveyed in Switzerland during the summer 2020 phase of the COVID-19 crisis revealed low levels of social support and community engagement, but a high level of willingness to help others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ante Busic-Sontic
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renate Schubert
- Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Principal Investigator, Future Resilient Systems, Singapore-ETH Centre, Singapore
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41
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Kim HJ, Kim SY. Cervical enamel projections from a periodontal perspective: A scoping review. Clin Anat 2024; 37:353-365. [PMID: 38348736 DOI: 10.1002/ca.24141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
Cervical enamel projections (CEPs) represent a unique developmental and anatomical anomaly wherein the enamel structure extends apically beyond the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. In this scoping review, the existing literature on CEPs was evaluated to delineate their characteristics, prevalence, predilection for specific teeth and surfaces, clinical significance, and management approaches. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using the keywords "enamel projection(s)" or "ectopic enamel." In total, 24 studies meeting inclusion criteria were included in the review. The prevalence of CEPs varied widely (8.3%-85.1%), predominantly manifesting as grade I or grade III. Mandibular first and second molars exhibited a higher incidence of CEPs, with a notable predilection for buccal surfaces. The consensus in most studies was that CEPs are associated with localized periodontal diseases. Recommendations inclined toward the removal of ectopic enamel during periodontal surgery to enhance periodontal attachment formation. However, decision-making should involve careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks based on individual circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ju Kim
- Department of Periodontics, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Periodontology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kim
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Munyai LF, Mugwedi L, Wasserman RJ, Dondofema F, Riddell E, Keates C, Dalu T. Water and sediment chemistry drivers of chlorophyll-a dynamics within a Ramsar declared floodplain pan wetland system. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33052-z. [PMID: 38561533 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33052-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Floodplain pans are hydrologically dynamic in nature and characterised by variables such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a), water, and sediment chemistry over their hydroperiods. The present study investigated the spatio-temporal variations in water and sediment physico-chemical, and chlorophyll-a concentration characteristics of six floodplain pans found in the Ramsar declared Makuleke wetlands, Kruger National Park, South Africa. The water and sediment physico-chemical variable values were generally elevated during the high-water period, whereas chlorophyll-a concentrations varied across pans and hydroperiod. Benthic chl-a concentration significantly varied across pans with concentrations ranging from 161 to 1036.2 mg m2. The two-way ANOVA showed significant differences in benthic chl-a concentration among hydroperiods, and no significant differences were observed in pelagic chl-a across pans and hydroperiods. Generally, pelagic and benthic chl-a concentration increased as water and sediment chemistry variables increased. Furthermore, three sediment variables, i.e. pH, calcium, and magnesium, and water conductivity were found to be significant in structuring benthic chlorophyll-a dynamics in pans. However, none of the sediment and water variables had a significant effect on pelagic chl-a. Hydroperiod had a significant effect on influencing chl-a concentration, with high and low water level periods being characterised by low and high chl-a concentration, respectively. The n-MDS results showed strong overlaps in chl-a biomass among the Makuleke floodplain pans across hydroperiods. The increasing chl-a concentration in these floodplain pans due to potential bioturbation effects as a result of large mammals could potentially lead to eutrophication, which in turn could affect the system's primary productivity and aquatic biota. Therefore, it is important to establish a continuous monitoring programme on these pans to inform sound management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linton F Munyai
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa.
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
| | - Lutendo Mugwedi
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Ryan J Wasserman
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Farai Dondofema
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Eddie Riddell
- Regional Integration Unit, Conservation Management, SANParks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa
- Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
| | - Chad Keates
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
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Pereyra ME, Bona P, Siroski P, Chinsamy A. Ontogenetic and interelemental study of appendicular bones of Caiman latirostris Daudin, 1802 sheds light on osteohistological variability in crocodylians. J Morphol 2024; 285:e21687. [PMID: 38558429 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The osteohistology of vertebrates provides a reliable source to deduce biological information, particularly regarding growth and development. Although osteohistological studies in Neosuchia (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) are relatively numerous, the number of species studied within the group is still small. Extant crocodilians are known to exhibit intraspecific variability linked to environmental conditions, habitat, feeding, and other intrapopulation factors. Here, we analyzed the osteohistology of the living South American Caiman latirostris throughout posthatching ontogeny. The histology of several appendicular bones of 13 different-sized captive and wild individuals were examined. Although some thin sections revealed the classic lamellar, parallel-fibered, or woven bone matrices, others showed a variation and a mix between the organization of the bone tissue. These histological differences are likely related to variability in the growth dynamics of caimans. In some bones of the juveniles studied, remnants of embryonic bone were observed. Osteohistological variation related to prevailing environmental conditions is documented. Furthermore, our results show ontogenetic variation in the type of bone tissues deposited throughout the development of C. latirostris. This study offers a broad framework for life history interpretations for C. latirostris and provides insight into the evolutionary history and ontogenetic growth of extinct crocodylian lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Pereyra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- División Paleontología Vertebrados, Anexo Laboratorios,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Bona
- División Paleontología Vertebrados, Anexo Laboratorios,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Siroski
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Esperanza, Argentina
| | - Anusuya Chinsamy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Reddy R, Baijnath S, Singh S, Moodley R, Naicker T, Govender N. Hesperidin improves physiological outcomes in an arginine vasopressin rat model of pre-eclampsia. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:341-350. [PMID: 37652562 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hesperidin, a flavanone commonly found in citrus fruits and herbal formulations, has emerged as a potential new therapeutic agent for modulating several diseases. Since pre-eclampsia is a growing public health threat, it may negatively impact the economy and increase the disease burden of South Africa. Phytocompounds are easily accessible, demonstrate minimal side effects, and may confer novel medicinal options as a treatment and preventive preference. OBJECTIVE To investigate the physiological, biochemical, and hematological outcomes of hesperidin in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced rodent model of pre-eclampsia. METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley rats were surgically implanted with mini-osmotic pumps to deliver AVP (200 ng/h) subcutaneously. Animals were treated with hesperidin at 200 mg/kg.b.w via oral gavage for 14 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured on GD 7, 14, and 18 using a non-invasive tail-cuff method and were euthanized on GD 21. RESULTS The findings showed that hesperidin administration significantly decreased blood pressure (P < 0.05) and urinary protein levels in pregnant rats (P < 0.001). Placental and individual pup weight also increased significantly in the pregnant hesperidin-treated groups compared to AVP untreated groups (P < 0.001). Biochemical and hematological markers such as white blood cell count and lymphocyte levels differed significantly (P < 0.05) in AVP groups treated with and without hesperidin. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that hesperidin is an antihypertensive agent with modes of action associated with its diuretic and blood pressure lowering effects and reduction of proteinuria in AVP-induced pre-eclamptic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Reddy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sooraj Baijnath
- Integrated Molecular Physiology Research Initiative, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sanil Singh
- Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Roshila Moodley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Discipline of Optics and Imaging, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nalini Govender
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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45
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Rodseth E, Sumasgutner P, Tate G, Nilsson JF, Watson H, Maritz MF, Ingle RA, Amar A. Pleiotropic effects of melanin pigmentation: haemoparasite infection intensity but not telomere length is associated with plumage morph in black sparrowhawks. R Soc Open Sci 2024; 11:230370. [PMID: 38577209 PMCID: PMC10987988 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the potential pleiotropic effects of melanin pigmentation, particularly on immunity, with reports of variation in haemoparasite infection intensity and immune responses between the morphs of colour-polymorphic bird species. In a population of the black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) in western South Africa, light morphs have a higher haemoparasite infection intensity, but no physiological effects of this are apparent. Here, we investigate the possible effects of haemoparasite infection on telomere length in this species and explore whether relative telomere length is associated with either plumage morph or sex. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we confirmed that dark morphs had a lower haemoparasite infection intensity than light morphs. However, we found no differences in telomere length associated with either the haemoparasite infection status or morph in adults, although males have longer telomeres than females. While differences in haemoparasite intensity between morphs are consistent with pleiotropic effects of melanin pigmentation in the black sparrowhawk, we found no evidence that telomere length was associated with haemoparasite infection. Further work is needed to investigate the implications of possible pleiotropic effects of plumage morph and their potential role in the maintenance of colour polymorphism in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Rodseth
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gareth Tate
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Birds of Prey Programme, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Johan F. Nilsson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hannah Watson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michelle F. Maritz
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert A. Ingle
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Nie S, Qin Y, Ou L, Chen X, Li L. In Situ Reprogramming of Immune Cells Using Synthetic Nanomaterials. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2310168. [PMID: 38229527 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In the past decade, adoptive cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, the complexity and high costs involved in manufacturing current adoptive cell therapy greatly inhibit its widespread availability and access. To address this, in situ cell therapy, which directly reprograms immune cells inside the body, has recently been developed as a promising alternative. Here, an overview of the recent progress in the development of synthetic nanomaterials is provided to deliver plasmid DNA or mRNA for in situ reprogramming of T cells and macrophages, focusing especially on in situ CAR therapies. Also, the main challenges for in situ immune cell reprogramming are discussed and some approaches to overcome these barriers to fulfill the clinical applications are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihong Nie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuyang Qin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liyuan Ou
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Ling Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Shin JH, Pyo JY, Han M, Lee M, Lim SM, Baek JY, Lee JY, Kang JM, Jung I, Ahn JG. Incidence and disease burden of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases after non-pharmaceutical interventions in the COVID-19 era: A nationwide observational study in Korea. Int J Rheum Dis 2024; 27:e15144. [PMID: 38590055 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.15144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infections are considered risk factors for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), the incidence of which is considered to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the incidence of AIRDs and their associated health care services and medical expenses in Korea was investigated. METHODS We included all AIRD cases reported between January 2016 and February 2021 based on the National Health Insurance Service data. We evaluated changes in incidence trends for each AIRD before and after NPI implementation (Feb 2020 to Feb 2021) using segmented regression analysis. Changes in health care utilization and medical costs for each AIRD before and after NPI implementation were also investigated. RESULTS After NPI implementation, monthly incidence rates declined significantly by 0.205 per 1 000 000 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.308 to -0.101, p < .001) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No significant changes in the incidence of all AIRDs other than SLE were observed before and after implementation. Further, annual outpatient department visits per patient were lower during implementation for all diseases, except juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The prescription days per outpatient visit increased significantly during implementation for all diseases, except JIA and ankylosing spondylitis. During implementation, the total annual medical costs per patient tended to decrease for all diseases, except JIA and mixed connective tissue disease. CONCLUSION Implementation of NPIs to contain the pandemic led to a reduction in the incidence of SLE and changed patterns of medical care utilization and treatment cost for most AIRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je Hee Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Yoon Pyo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minkyung Han
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myeongjee Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Min Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jee Yeon Baek
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Young Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Man Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - InKyung Jung
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Gyun Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Noh SA, Kim HS, Kang SH, Yoon CH, Youn TJ, Chae IH. History and evolution of blood pressure measurement. Clin Hypertens 2024; 30:9. [PMID: 38556854 PMCID: PMC10983645 DOI: 10.1186/s40885-024-00268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypertension mostly accompanies no symptoms, and therefore blood pressure (BP) measurement is the only way for early recognition and timely treatment. Methods for BP measurement have a long history of development and improvement. Invasive method via arterial cannulation was first proven possible in the 1800's. Subsequent scientific progress led to the development of the auscultatory method, also known as Korotkoff' sound, and the oscillometric method, which enabled clinically available BP measurement. However, hypertension management status is still poor. Globally, less than half of adults are aware of their hypertension diagnosis, and only one-third of them being treated are under control. Novel methods are actively investigated thanks to technological advances such as sensors and machine learning in addition to the clinical needs for easier and more convenient BP measurement. Each method adopts different technologies with its own specific advantages and disadvantages. Promises of novel methods include comprehensive information on out-of-office BP capturing dynamic short-term and long-term fluctuations. However, there are still pitfalls such as the need for regular calibration since most novel methods capture relative BP changes rather than an absolute value. In addition, there is growing concern on their accuracy and precision as conventional validation protocols are inappropriate for cuffless continuous methods. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the past and present of BP measurement methods. Novel and emerging technologies are also introduced with respect to their potential applications and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su A Noh
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea
| | - Hwang-Soo Kim
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea
| | - Si-Hyuck Kang
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Chang-Hwan Yoon
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Youn
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Ho Chae
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13620, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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49
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Kwon EY, Dunne JP, Lee K. Biological export production controls upper ocean calcium carbonate dissolution and CO 2 buffer capacity. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadl0779. [PMID: 38552016 PMCID: PMC10980259 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Marine biogenic calcium carbonate (CaCO3) cycles play a key role in ecosystems and in regulating the ocean's ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, the drivers and magnitude of CaCO3 cycling are not well understood, especially for the upper ocean. Here, we provide global-scale evidence that heterotrophic respiration in settling marine aggregates may produce localized undersaturated microenvironments in which CaCO3 particles rapidly dissolve, producing excess alkalinity in the upper ocean. In the deep ocean, dissolution of CaCO3 is primarily driven by conventional thermodynamics of CaCO3 solubility with reduced fluxes of CaCO3 burial to marine sediments beneath more corrosive North Pacific deep waters. Upper ocean dissolution, shown to be sensitive to ocean export production, can increase the neutralizing capacity for respired CO2 by up to 6% in low-latitude thermocline waters. Without upper ocean dissolution, the ocean might lose 20% more CO2 to the atmosphere through the low-latitude upwelling regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Kwon
- Center for Climate Physics, Institute for Basic Science, Busan 46241, South Korea
- Pusan National University, Busan 46241, South Korea
| | - John P. Dunne
- NOAA/OAR Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, 201 Forrestal Rd, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kitack Lee
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
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Li G, Wu S, Liu J, Wang K, Chen X, Liu H. Narrow Bandgap Schottky Heterojunction Sonosensitizer with High Electron-Hole Separation Boosted Sonodynamic Therapy in Bladder Cancer. Adv Mater 2024:e2401252. [PMID: 38549283 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is applied to bladder cancer (BC) given its advantages of high depth of tissue penetration and nontoxicity due to the unique anatomical location of the bladder near the abdominal surface. However, low electron-hole separation efficiency and wide bandgap of sonosensitizers limit the effectiveness of SDT. This study aims to develop a TiO2-Ru-PEG Schottky heterojunction sonosensitizer with high electron-hole separation and narrow bandgap for SDT in BC. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiments collectively demonstrate that the bandgap of TiO2-Ru-PEG is reduced due to the Schottky heterojunction with the characteristic of crystalline-amorphous interface formed by the deposition of ruthenium (Ru) within the shell layer of TiO2. Thanks to the enhancement of oxygen adsorption and the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs, TiO2-Ru-PEG promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound (US) irradiation, resulting in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of bladder tumor cells. The in vivo results prove that TiO2-Ru-PEG boosted the subcutaneous and orthotopic bladder tumor models while exhibiting good safety. This study adopts the ruthenium complex for optimizing sonosensitizers, contributing to the progress of SDT improvement strategies and presenting a paradigm for BC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanlin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Urinary Minimally invasive surgery Robot and Intelligent Equipment, Guangzhou Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Sicheng Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Urinary Minimally invasive surgery Robot and Intelligent Equipment, Guangzhou Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jinggong Liu
- Orthopedics Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, P. R. China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Hongxing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Urinary Minimally invasive surgery Robot and Intelligent Equipment, Guangzhou Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
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