Quantitative Formation Research Articles

Sensitivity fields and parameter estimation from dielectric objects

The quantitative phase image formation process is posed as a problem of parameter estimation from intensity measurements. This approach is inclusive of traditional pixel-oriented imaging, where the sought parameters are the pixel values. The resulting optimization process to find the parameters is then seen to depend on the sensitivity field: this is the gradient of the scattered field with respect to the parameters, and it turns out to obey a scattering relationship that is analogous to that of the original scattered field. Examples are given from several regimes of scattering strength.

Potential for formation of methylated thioarsenates in geothermal environments

Geothermal waters typically have elevated arsenic (As) concentrations. Various As species have been identified, including methylated thioarsenates, which present a high environmental and health risk due to high mobility and toxicity. Upon discharge from hot springs, temperature and geogenic sulfide excess decrease, while redox potential increases. The combined effects of those parameters on activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens and thereby on extent of As methylation versus thiolation is currently unknown. Here, we incubated sediments from alkaline hot springs and outflow channels at the Tengchong geothermal region in southwestern China, where inorganic and methylated thioarsenates had been detected, at temperatures between 20 to 90 °C with different initial aqueous As and sulfur species. Results from field samples and incubation experiments showed methylated thioarsenates, but no methylated oxyarsenates, implying quantitative thiolation even at low sulfide concentrations. Enrichment cultures derived from one sediment with quantitative formation of dimethyl-dithioarsenate (DMDTA) at 55 °C, showed a dominance of inorganic trithioarsenate at 35 °C and monomethylated thioarsenates at 55 °C when incubated with two other sediments. The rate-limiting step was microbially mediated As methylation from arsenite, which was not observed at 20 °C or >= 75 °C, in contrast to thiolation of already methylated arsenates. Addition of free sulfide and thiosulfate to incubation experiments promoted formation of inorganic or monomethylated high-thiolated arsenates, while sulfate promoted full methylation and formation of DMDTA, probably due to continuous low supply of microbially produced sulfide. Since DMDTA is more mobile and toxic than inorganic and monomethylated thioarsenates, understanding constraints to its formation is especially important for future risk assessment

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Bioreductors of Bilimbi Fruit Extract (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) as an Antioxidant

The rapid development of technology today affects the birth of renewable technologies such as nanotechnology. This study reports the results of synthesizing gold nanoparticles with a more environmentally friendly method (green synthesis) using bilimbi fruit extracted through the infusion process. This synthesis method approach can be widely used in biological preparation. This study aims to determine the characteristics of synthesized gold nanoparticles and their potential as antioxidants shown through IC50 intensity. UV-Vis spectrophotometer and TEM were used to analyze the quantitative formation of gold nanoparticles. The analysis used 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 ppm concentration variations. The UV-Vis spectrum characterization results showed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of 534-536 nm. The average diameter of the synthesized nanoparticles was 7.98 nm withΩΩ, an approximate overall particle size of 7-12 nm characterized using TEM. Antioxidant activity was carried out using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) silencing assay. The percent attenuation at each gold nanoparticle concentration of 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 ppm was 99.4%, 90.7%, 79.5%, and 71.9%, respectively. So, the IC50 value can be obtained at 0.514 ppm, which is included in the strong antioxidant. This shows that gold nanoparticles mediated by bilimbi fruit extract are effective antioxidant agents.

Determining of the effect of reinforcing microrelief guides on the efficiency of folding integrated covers

The object of research is the processes of strengthening the working surfaces of profile folding strips made of stainless steel AISI 347 and carbon steel AISI 1005 using laser formation of microrelief guides. The analytical and experimental studies are based on the technique of laser microrelief formation by pulsed laser effects. The main assumption of the study is that the use of laser microrelief formation could increase the hardness and wear resistance of the folding strips, improving the process of folding integrated covers. Analyzing the effect of different hardening methods on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the working surfaces of folding strips is necessary to achieve this goal. A methodology for assessing microstructural changes and their impact on the mechanical properties of folding strips during laser hardening has been proposed. It has been shown that the formation of microrelief guides by laser pulse exposure reduces the thermal load on the material, increases the uniformity of hardening and wear resistance. The revealed wear rates calculated for carbon steel AISI 1005 are 0.875, and for stainless steel AISI 347 – 0.345. To improve the accuracy and efficiency of the folding process, a methodology has been devised for calculating the quantitative formation of microrelief guides on the working surface of profile folding strips. This will not only improve the wear resistance and mechanical properties of the strips but also optimize production processes. Differences in the results of hardening for stainless steel AISI 347 and carbon steel AISI 1005 were found: the hardness values for AISI 347 are 3,088–4,904 MPa at a load of 50–350 g with a deviation of 37.1 %, and for AISI 1005 – 2141–1665 MPa with a deviation of 22.3 %

Unveiling the purely young star formation history of the SMC’s northeastern shell from colour–magnitude diagram fitting

ABSTRACT We obtain a quantitative star formation history (SFH) of a shell-like structure (‘shell’) located in the northeastern part of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We use the Survey of the MAgellanic Stellar History to derive colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs), reaching below the oldest main-sequence turnoff, from which we compute the SFHs with CMD-fitting techniques. We present, for the first time, a novel technique that uses red clump (RC) stars from the CMDs to assess and account for the SMC’s line-of-sight depth effect present during the SFH derivation. We find that accounting for this effect recovers a more accurate SFH. We quantify an $\sim$7 kpc line-of-sight depth present in the CMDs, in good agreement with depth estimates from RC stars in the northeastern SMC. By isolating the stellar content of the northeastern shell and incorporating the line-of-sight depth into our calculations, we obtain an unprecedentedly detailed SFH. We find that the northeastern shell is primarily composed of stars younger than $\sim$500 Myr, with significant star formation enhancements around $\sim$250 and $\sim$450 Myr. These young stars are the main contributors to the shell’s structure. We show synchronicity between the northeastern shell’s SFH with the Large Magellanic Cloud’s (LMC) northern arm, which we attribute to the interaction history of the SMC with the LMC and the Milky Way (MW) over the past $\sim$500 Myr. Our results highlight the complex interplay of ram pressure stripping and the influence of the MW’s circumgalactic medium in shaping the SMC’s northeastern shell.

Synthesis of a stable crystalline nitrene.

Nitrenes are a highly reactive, yet fundamental, compound class. They possess a monovalent nitrogen atom and usually a short life span, typically in the nanosecond range. Here, we report on the synthesis of a stable nitrene by photolysis of the arylazide MSFluindN3 (1), which gave rise to the quantitative formation of the arylnitrene MSFluindN (2) (MSFluind is dispiro[fluorene-9,3'-(1',1',7',7'-tetramethyl-s-hydrindacen-4'-yl)-5',9''-fluorene]) that remains unchanged for at least 3 days when stored under argon atmosphere at room temperature. The extraordinary life span permitted the full characterization of 2 by single-crystal x-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, which supported a triplet ground state. Theoretical simulations suggest that in addition to the kinetic stabilization conferred by the bulky MSFluind aryl substituent, electron delocalization across the central aromatic ring contributes to the electron stabilization of 2.

Synthesis and intracellular basic protein delivery of a polyanionic flexible organic framework

Although cationic porous polymers have been widely used for gene and drug delivery, the delivering function of anionic porous polymers has rarely been explored. Herein, we prepare a polyanionic flexible organic framework (pa-FOF) through the quantitative formation of the acylhydrazone bond from a tetraanionic tetraaldehyde and a tetraanionic diacylhydrazine. Pa-FOF is highly water-soluble and has a size of 26 to 51 nm, which depends on the concentration of the monomers, and an aperture of approximately 3.8 nm. Fluorescence, zeta potential, confocal laser scanning microscopic and flow cytometric experiments reveal that pa-FOF can adsorb basic proteins, including lysozyme, trypsin and cytochrome c, which is driven by intermolecular ion-pairing electrostatic attraction and hydrophobicity, and realizes efficient intracellular delivery of the adsorbed proteins. Confocal laser scanning microscopic imaging experiments further illustrate that the delivery of cytochrome c can significantly increase its ability of causing cell apoptosis.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a Superbulky low‐Valent β‐diketiminate Ga(I) Complex

AbstractA low‐valent GaI complex with the superbulky β‐diketiminate ligand DIPePBDI (HC[C(Me)N−DIPeP]2, DIPeP=2,6‐C(H)Et2‐phenyl)) was obtained by reduction of (DIPePBDI)GaI2 (1) with KC8 in toluene. Considering that (BDI)GaI and analogue (BDI)AlI complexes are prone to decomposition and can generally only be obtained in low yields (20–40 %), the quantitative formation of (DIPePBDI)GaI (2) is remarkable and no doubt related to its excellent thermal stability even in refluxing toluene. Although the low‐valent metal center in 2 is sterically protected by the superbulky DIPePBDI ligand, it is readily oxidized by N2O to give intermediate (DIPePBDI)Ga=O which readily decomposed by abstracting a proton from the backbone Me‐substituent. Reaction with trimethylsilyl azide gave an intermediate imido complex (DIPePBDI)Ga=N(SiMe3)2 which reacted with a second equivalent of Me3SiN3 to a mixture of an azide/amido complex (DIPePBDI)GaN3[N(SiMe3)2] (4) and a tetrazagallole complex (DIPePBDI)Ga[N4(SiMe3)2] (5) in a 1 : 2 ratio. Whereas the azide/amido complex 4 could be structurally characterised, the tetraazagallole complex 5 was identified by NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations on (DIPePBDI)GaI (2) and its reaction products complement this study.

Nur77-IRF1 axis inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth and improves anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy

The nuclear receptor Nur77 plays paradoxical roles in numerous cancers. However, whether Nur77 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) growth and affects immunological responses against ESCC has not been determined. The functional role of Nur77 in ESCC was investigated in this study using human ESCC cell lines, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cell proliferation and colony formation assays, flow cytometry analysis, western blotting and animal models. The target gene controlled by Nur77 was verified using dual-luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and functional rescue experiments. To examine the clinical importance of Nur77, 72 human primary ESCC tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry. Taken together, these findings showed that, both in vitro and in vivo, Nur77 dramatically reduced ESCC cell growth and triggered apoptosis. Nur77 directly interacts with the interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) promoter to inhibit its activity in ESCC. Pharmacological induction of Nur77 using cytosporone B (CsnB) inhibited ESCC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CsnB increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration and cytotoxicity to inhibit the formation of ESCC tumors in an immunocompetent mouse model. In ESCC tissues, Nur77 expression was downregulated, and IRF1 expression was increased; moreover, their expression levels were negatively related. IRF1 and Nur77 were strongly correlated with overall survival. These findings suggested that Nur77 targets and regulates the IRF1/PD-L1 axis to serve as a tumor suppressor in ESCC.Graphical abstract of the regulatory mechanism of Nur77 overexpression downregulates IRF1 in the inhibition of ESCC progression and enhance anti-PD-1 therapy efficacy.

Cyclotriphosphazene‐Based Photocatalysts containing Orthogonal BODIPY Moieties for Chemical Transformations

AbstractMolecular organic photocatalysts developed for use in chemical transformation reactions have gained momentum in recent years. In this study, six new triplet photosensitizers were prepared to determine their photocatalyst capabilities and chemical transformation abilities. The chemical structures of the synthesized orthogonal BODIPYs and their cyclotriphosphazene derivatives were analyzed and then their photophysical characteristics including the UV‐Vis absorption spectra, fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yields, were investigated. The quantitative singlet oxygen formation was determined by chemical trapping using DPBF (diphenylisobenzofuran). In particular, cyclotriphosphazene derivative 12 having three BODIPY moieties showed efficient singlet oxygen production with high photostability and good molar extinction coefficient. The photo‐oxidation ratio constant of 1,5‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) was calculated as 28.7×10−3 min−1 for compound 12 and at the end of 22.5 min., DHN converted to juglone with 100 % efficiency. In addition, the ability of the compounds to convert 1,3‐cyclohexadiene into peroxides in the presence of molecular oxygen and light was investigated and the conversion efficiency was determined by NMR technique. All compounds have been presented as photocatalysts for use in different synthetic photochemistry applications.

Formation of Key Aroma Compounds During 30 Weeks of Ripening in Gouda-Type Cheese Produced from Pasteurized and Raw Milk.

Gouda-type cheeses were produced on a pilot-scale from raw milk (RM-G) and pasteurized milk (PM-G). Sixteen key aroma compounds previously characterized by the sensomics approach were quantitated in the unripened cheeses and at five different ripening stages (4, 7, 11, 19, and 30 weeks) by means of stable isotope dilution assays. Different trends were observed in the formation of the key aroma compounds. Short-chain free fatty acids and ethyl butanoate as well as ethyl hexanoate continuously increased during ripening but to a greater extent in RM-G. Branched-chain fatty acids such as 3-methylbutanoic acid were also continuously formed and reached a 60-fold concentration after 30 weeks, in particular in PM-G. 3-Methylbutanal and butane-2,3-dione reached a maximum concentration after 7 weeks and decreased with longer ripening. Lactones were high in the unripened cheeses and increased only slightly during ripening. Recent results have shown that free amino acids were released during ripening. The aroma compounds 3-methylbutanal, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 3-methylbutanoic acid are suggested to be formed by microbial enzymes degrading the amino acid l-leucine following the Ehrlich pathway. To gain insight into the quantitative formation of each of the three aroma compounds, the conversion of the labeled precursors (13C6)-l-leucine and (2H3)-2-keto-4-methylpentanoic acid into the isotopically labeled aroma compounds was studied. By applying the CAMOLA approach (defined mixture of labeled and unlabeled precursor), l-leucine was confirmed as the only precursor of the three aroma compounds in the cheese with the preferential formation of 3-methylbutanoic acid.

A challenging case of carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae-related pyogenic liver abscess with capsular polysaccharide hyperproduction: a case report

BackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections are a major public health problem, necessitating the administration of polymyxin E (colistin) as a last-line antibiotic. Meanwhile, the mortality rate associated with colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae infections is seriously increasing. On the other hand, importance of administration of carbapenems in promoting colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae is unknown.Case presentationWe report a case of K. pneumoniae-related pyogenic liver abscess in which susceptible K. pneumoniae transformed into carbapenem- and colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae during treatment with imipenem. The case of pyogenic liver abscess was a 50-year-old man with diabetes and liver transplant who was admitted to Abu Ali Sina Hospital in Shiraz. The K. pneumoniae isolate responsible for community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess was isolated and identified. The K. pneumoniae isolate was sensitive to all tested antibiotics except ampicillin in the antimicrobial susceptibility test and was identified as a non-K1/K2 classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) strain. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified the isolate as sequence type 54 (ST54). Based on the patient’s request, he was discharged to continue treatment at another center. After two months, he was readmitted due to fever and progressive constitutional symptoms. During treatment with imipenem, the strain acquired blaOXA−48 and showed resistance to carbapenems and was identified as a multidrug resistant (MDR) strain. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test for colistin was performed by broth microdilution method and the strain was sensitive to colistin (MIC < 2 µg/mL). Meanwhile, on blood agar, the colonies had a sticky consistency and adhered to the culture medium (sticky mucoviscous colonies). Quantitative real-time PCR and biofilm formation assay revealed that the CRKP strain increased capsule wzi gene expression and produced slime in response to imipenem. Finally, K. pneumoniae-related pyogenic liver abscess with resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, including the last-line antibiotics colistin and tigecycline, led to sepsis and death.ConclusionsBased on this information, can we have a theoretical hypothesis that imipenem is a promoter of resistance to carbapenems and colistin in K. pneumoniae? This needs more attention.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Virulence Potentials of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Different Food Samples in Yola

Aim: the aim of this work is to determine the Phenotypic and Genotypic Virulence Potentials of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Different Food Samples in Yola. Study Design: the study was a randomized study; the samples (sources of organisms) were collected at random from different market and shops within the study area. Place and Duration of Study: the study was carried out in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, north eastern Nigeria. Methodology: phenotypic virulence potentials of the isolates was determined by haemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar and biofilm formation ability, using Christensen’s tube method and microtiter plate method for the qualitative and quantitative biofilm formation respectively. Genotypic virulence determination was done by polymerase chain reaction amplification of plcB, hlyA and actA genes. Results: All the isolates (100%) were beta haemolytic on 5% sheep blood agar and all the isolates were biofilm formers but with different degree of biofilm formation abilities. Genotypically all the isolates (100%) indicated the presence of all the three virulence genes amplified. Conclusion: food samples isolates analyzed are potentially virulence pathogenic of L. monocytogenes that can pose food borne listeriosis to high risk individuals in the study area.

Identification and validation of tryptophan metabolism-related lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma prognosis and immune response

BackgroundTryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid. Increasing evidence suggests that tryptophan metabolism plays a complex role in immune escape from Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tryptophan metabolism remains to be investigated.MethodsThis study uses The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-LUAD dataset as the training cohort, and several datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database are merged into the validation cohort. Genes related to tryptophan metabolism were identified from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) database and further screened for lncRNAs with Trp-related expression. Subsequently, a prognostic signature of lncRNAs related to tryptophan metabolism was constructed using Cox regression analysis, (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression) and LASSO analysis. The predictive performance of this risk score was validated by Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analysis, (receiver operating characteristic) ROC curves, and nomograms. We also explored the differences in immune cell infiltration, immune cell function, tumor mutational load (TMB), tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), and anticancer drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups. Finally, we used real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, transwell, flow cytometry, and nude mouse xenotransplantation models to elucidate the role of ZNF8-ERVK3-1 in LUAD.ResultsWe constructed 16 tryptophan metabolism-associated lncRNA prognostic models in LUAD patients. The risk score could be used as an independent prognostic indicator for the prognosis of LUAD patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, ROC curves, and risk maps validated the prognostic value of the risk score. The high-risk and low-risk groups showed significant differences in phenotypes, such as the percentage of immune cell infiltration, immune cell function, gene mutation frequency, and anticancer drug sensitivity. In addition, patients with high-risk scores had higher TMB and TIDE scores compared to patients with low-risk scores. Finally, we found that ZNF8-ERVK3-1 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. A series of in vitro experiments showed that knockdown of ZNF8-ERVK3-1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and increased apoptosis. In vivo experiments with xenografts have shown that knocking down ZNF8-ERVK3-1 can significantly inhibit tumor size and tumor proliferation.ConclusionWe constructed a new prognostic model for tryptophan metabolism-related lncRNA. The risk score was closely associated with common clinical features such as immune cell infiltration, immune-related function, TMB, and anticancer drug sensitivity. Knockdown of ZNF8-ERVK3-1 inhibited LUAD cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and G0/G1 phase blockade and promoted apoptosis.

Barking up the wrong tree? - A guide to forest owner typology methods

Creating typologies of forest owners is a common approach for analyzing and understanding heterogeneity in responses to forest policies and management practice uptake. While many forest owner typologies have been developed, only a few quantitative methods dominate the field with little information on how methodological choice affects outcomes. In this study we compare five methods for quantitative typology formation and ask what type of information each method provides, and to which degree the methods complement each other. Empirically we use data from a survey conducted in 2014–2015 about Swedish forest owner's objectives, attitudes, and factors of decision-making. The results show that individual forest owners are assigned to different clusters by the compared methods, and how each method highlights different aspects of forest owner characteristics. The study shows the importance of method selection as it influences how we can describe and interpret forest owners in connection to policy adoption, uptake of practices, and environmental awareness. We conclude by providing basis for a methodological guidance on how to make judgments when selecting method(s) to typology formation based on research purpose and approach.

Singlet Fission in a New Series of Systematically Designed Through-space Coupled Tetracene Oligomers.

Singlet fission (SF) holds great promise for current photovoltaic technologies, where tetracenes, with their relatively high triplet energies, play a major role for application in silicon-based solar cells. However, the SF efficiencies in tetracene dimers are low due to the unfavorable energetics of their singlet and triplet energy levels. In the solid state, tetracene exhibits high yields of triplet formation through SF, raising great interest about the underlying mechanisms. To address this discrepancy, we designed and prepared a novel molecular system based on a hexaphenylbenzene core decorated with 2 to 6 tetracene chromophores. The spatial arrangement of tetracene units, induced by steric hindrance in the central part, dictates through-space coupling, making it a relevant model for solid-state chromophore organization. We then revealed a remarkable increase in SF quantum yield with the number of tetracenes, reaching quantitative (196 %) triplet pair formation in hexamer. We observed a short-lived correlated triplet pair and limited magnetic effects, indicating ineffective triplet dissociation in these through-space coupled systems. These findings emphasize the crucial role of the number of chromophores involved and the interchromophore arrangement for the SF efficiency. The insights gained from this study will aid designing more efficient and technology-compatible SF systems for applications in photovoltaics.

Singlet Fission in a New Series of Systematically Designed Through‐space Coupled Tetracene Oligomers

AbstractSinglet fission (SF) holds great promise for current photovoltaic technologies, where tetracenes, with their relatively high triplet energies, play a major role for application in silicon‐based solar cells. However, the SF efficiencies in tetracene dimers are low due to the unfavorable energetics of their singlet and triplet energy levels. In the solid state, tetracene exhibits high yields of triplet formation through SF, raising great interest about the underlying mechanisms. To address this discrepancy, we designed and prepared a novel molecular system based on a hexaphenylbenzene core decorated with 2 to 6 tetracene chromophores. The spatial arrangement of tetracene units, induced by steric hindrance in the central part, dictates through‐space coupling, making it a relevant model for solid‐state chromophore organization. We then revealed a remarkable increase in SF quantum yield with the number of tetracenes, reaching quantitative (196 %) triplet pair formation in hexamer. We observed a short‐lived correlated triplet pair and limited magnetic effects, indicating ineffective triplet dissociation in these through‐space coupled systems. These findings emphasize the crucial role of the number of chromophores involved and the interchromophore arrangement for the SF efficiency. The insights gained from this study will aid designing more efficient and technology‐compatible SF systems for applications in photovoltaics.

Integrated analysis identifies cuproptosis-related gene DLAT and its competing endogenous RNAs network to predict the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis. However, the relationship between cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) and its competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network with the prognosis of PAAD patients remains unclear. To investigate this relationship, we calculated the difference in CRGs between PAAD tissues and normal tissues using the 'limma' R package. Additionally, we employed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis to construct a prognostic signature for CRGs. Survival analysis of patients with PAAD was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Furthermore, we used bioinformatics tools to screen for CRGs-related MicroRNA (miRNA) and lncRNAs. To validate these findings, we conducted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays to assess the effect of DLAT in vitro. Our results revealed a cuproptosis-related prognostic signature consisting of 3 prognostic genes (DLAT, LIAS, and LIPT1). Notably, patients with a high-risk score for the CRGs signature exhibited poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) (P < .05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prognostic signature of CRGs. The results showed that the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year area under the curve values for predicting OS were 0.62, 0.66, and 0.79, respectively. Additionally, the CRGs-related ceRNA network revealed the regulatory axis of LINC00857/has-miR-1179/DLAT in PAAD. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown of LINC00857 and DLAT inhibited the growth and invasion of PAAD cells. This study identified a CRG-related prognostic signature consisting of 3 biomarkers (DLAT, LIAS, and LIPT1) for PAAD. Furthermore, ceRNA network analysis suggested the involvement of the LINC00857/has-miR-1179/DLAT axis in the development of PAAD. Overall, this study provides theoretical support for the investigation of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as potential therapeutic targets in PAAD.

Artificial Photosynthesis for Regioselective Reduction of NAD(P)+ to NAD(P)H Using Water as an Electron and Proton Source.

In photosynthesis, four electrons and four protons taken from water in photosystem II (PSII) are used to reduce NAD(P)+ to produce NAD(P)H in photosystem I (PSI), which is the most important reductant to reduce CO2. Despite extensive efforts to mimic photosynthesis, artificial photosynthesis to produce NAD(P)H using water electron and proton sources has yet to be achieved. Herein, we report the photocatalytic reduction of NAD(P)+ to NAD(P)H and its analogues in a molecular model of PSI, which is combined with water oxidation in a molecular model of PSII. Photoirradiation of a toluene/trifluoroethanol (TFE)/borate buffer aqueous solution of hydroquinone derivatives (X-QH2), 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion, cobaloxime, and NAD(P)+ (PSI model) resulted in the quantitative and regioselective formation of NAD(P)H and p-benzoquinone derivatives (X-Q). X-Q was reduced to X-QH2, accompanied by the oxidation of water to dioxygen under the photoirradiation of a toluene/TFE/borate buffer aqueous solution of [(N4Py)FeII]2+ (PSII model). The PSI and PSII models were combined using two glass membranes and two liquid membranes to produce NAD(P)H using water as an electron and proton source with the turnover number (TON) of 54. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to achieve the stoichiometry of photosynthesis, photocatalytic reduction of NAD(P)+ by water to produce NAD(P)H and O2.

The effect of fermented feed on the intestinal biocenosis of piglets

By the thirtieth day of life in the feces of piglets, whose mothers and they themselves received biofermented microbiological starter culture of Lesnov compound feed, a significantly higher content of beneficial microflora was found: bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, enterococcus, escherichia in comparison with animals receiving standard compound feed, which indicates a faster quantitative and qualitative formation of obligate microflora. A high quantitative level of normal microflora prevents the reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms in the intestines of young animals and protects piglets from nonspecific gastroenteritis.