Capacity For Synthesis Research Articles

Spatiotemporal dynamics of functional connectivity and association with molecular architecture in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a self-disorder characterized by disrupted brain dynamics and architectures of multiple molecules. This study aims to explore spatiotemporal dynamics and its association with psychiatric symptoms. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 98 patients with schizophrenia. Brain dynamics included the temporal and spatial variations in functional connectivity density and association with symptom scores were evaluated. Moreover, the spatial association between dynamics and receptors/transporters according to prior molecular imaging in healthy subjects was examined. Patients demonstrated decreased temporal variation and increased spatial variation in perceptual and attentional systems. However, increased temporal variation and decreased spatial variation were revealed in higher order networks and subcortical networks in patients. Specifically, spatial variation in perceptual and attentional systems was associated with symptom severity. Moreover, case-control differences were associated with dopamine, serotonin and mu-opioid receptor densities, serotonin reuptake transporter density, dopamine transporter density, and dopamine synthesis capacity. Therefore, this study implicates the abnormal dynamic interactions between the perceptual system and cortical core networks; in addition, the subcortical regions play a role in the dynamic interaction among the cortical regions in schizophrenia. These convergent findings support the importance of brain dynamics and emphasize the contribution of primary information processing to the pathological mechanism underlying schizophrenia.

Sensitivity of isoprene emission rate to ozone in greening trees is concurrently determined by isoprene synthesis capacity and stomatal conductance

The sensitivity of isoprene emission rate (ISOrate) to ozone (O3) in plant suggests potentially large changes in future isoprene emissions, which will have important consequences for atmospheric chemistry. However, the interspecific variation of ISOrate sensitivity to O3 and its key drivers remain largely unknown. In this study, four urban greening tree species were exposed to two O3 treatments (charcoal-filtered air, CF; and non-filtered ambient air plus 60 ppb extra O3, EO3) in open-top chambers for one growing season. We aimed to compare the interspecific variation in O3 inhibitory effect on ISOrate and explore its physiological mechanism. EO3 decreased the ISOrate by on average 42.5 % across species. According to absolute effect size ranking, the highest ISOrate sensitivity to EO3 was observed in Salix matsudana, followed by Sophora japonica and hybrid poplar clone ‘546’, while Quercus mongolica ISOrate was the least sensitive. Leaf anatomical structures differed in tree species but did not respond to EO3. Furthermore, the ISOrate sensitivity to O3 was driven by the concurrent effects of O3 on ISO synthesis ability (i.e., dimethylallyl diphosphate and isoprene synthase contents) and stomatal conductance. Overall, the mechanistic understanding grained from this study may promote the integrity of O3 effect into process-based ISO emission models.

Developmental rate displays effects of inheritance but not of sex in interpopulation hybrids of Tigriopus californicus.

Coevolved genetic interactions within populations can be disrupted by hybridization resulting in loss of fitness in hybrid individuals (i.e., hybrid breakdown). However, the extent to which variation in fitness-related traits among hybrids is inherited across generations remains unclear, and variation in these traits may be sex-specific in hybrids due to differential effects of genetic incompatibilities in females and males. Here we present two experiments investigating variation in developmental rate among reciprocal interpopulation hybrids of the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus. Developmental rate is a fitness-related trait in this species that is affected by interactions between mitochondrial-encoded and nuclear-encoded genes in hybrids that result in variation in mitochondrial ATP synthesis capacities. First, we show that F2 -hybrid developmental rate is equivalent in two reciprocal crosses and is unaffected by sex, suggesting that breakdown of developmental rate is likely experienced equally by females and males. Second, we demonstrate that variation in developmental rate among F3 hybrids is heritable; times to copepodid metamorphosis of F4 offspring of fast-developing F3 parents (12.25 ± 0.05 days, μ ± SEM)were significantly faster than those of F4 offspring of slow-developing parents (14.58 ± 0.05 days). Third, we find that ATP synthesis rates in these F4 hybrids are unaffected by the developmental rates of their parents, but that mitochondria from females synthesize ATP at faster rates than mitochondria from males. Taken together, these results suggest that sex-specific effects vary among fitness-related traits in these hybrids, and that effects likely associated with hybrid breakdown display substantial inheritance across hybrid generations.

Installing the neurospora carotenoid pathway in plants enables cytosolic formation of provitamin A and its sequestration in lipid droplets

Vitamin A deficiency remains a severe global health issue, which creates a need to biofortify crops with provitamin A carotenoids (PACs). Expanding plant cell capacity for synthesis and storing of PACs outside the plastids is a promising biofortification strategy that has been little explored. Here, we engineered PAC formation and sequestration in the cytosol of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, Arabidopsis seeds, and citrus callus cells, using a fungal (Neurospora crassa) carotenoid pathway that consists of only three enzymes converting C5 isopentenyl building blocks formed from mevalonic acid into PACs, including β-carotene. This strategy led to the accumulation of significant amounts of phytoene and γ- and β-carotene, in addition to fungal, health-promoting carotenes with 13 conjugated double bonds, such as the PAC torulene, in the cytosol. Increasing the isopentenyl diphosphate pool by adding a truncated Arabidopsis hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase substantially increased cytosolic carotene production. Engineered carotenes accumulate in cytosolic lipid droplets (CLDs), which represent a novel sequestering sink for storing these pigments in plant cytosol. Importantly, β-carotene accumulated in the cytosol of citrus callus cells was more light stable compared to compared with plastidial β-carotene. Moreover, engineering cytosolic carotene formation increased the number of large-sized CLDs and the levels of β-apocarotenoids, including retinal, the aldehyde corresponding to vitamin A. Collectively, our study opens up the possibility of exploiting the high-flux mevalonic acid pathway for PAC biosynthesis and enhancing carotenoid sink capacity in green and non-green plant tissues, especially in lipid-storing seeds, and thus paves the way for further optimization of carotenoid biofortification in crops.

Striatal dopamine synthesis and cognitive flexibility differ between hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers.

In rodents and nonhuman primates, sex hormones are powerful modulators of dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. Yet less is known about hormonal regulation of the DA system in the human brain. Using positron emission tomography (PET), we address this gap by comparing hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers across multiple aspects of DA function: DA synthesis capacity via the PET radioligand 6-[18F]fluoro-m-tyrosine ([18F]FMT), baseline D2/3 receptor binding potential using [11C]raclopride, and DA release using methylphenidate-paired [11C]raclopride. Participants consisted of 36 healthy women (n = 15 hormonal contraceptive users; n = 21 naturally cycling/non users of hormonal contraception), and men (n = 20) as a comparison group. A behavioral index of cognitive flexibility was assessed prior to PET imaging. Hormonal contraceptive users exhibited greater DA synthesis capacity than NC participants, particularly in dorsal caudate, and greater cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, across individuals, the magnitude of striatal DA synthesis capacity was associated with cognitive flexibility. No group differences were observed in D2/3 receptor binding or DA release. Analyses by sex alone may obscure underlying differences in DA synthesis tied to women's hormone status. Hormonal contraception (in the form of pill, shot, implant, ring, or intrauterine device) is used by ~400 million women worldwide, yet few studies have examined whether chronic hormonal manipulations impact basic properties of the DA system. Findings from this study begin to address this critical gap in women's health.

Investigations of Ascorbic Acid Synthesis and Distribution in Broiler Tissues at Different Post-Hatch Days.

Ascorbic acid (AA) is an indispensable nutrient required to sustain optimal poultry health and performance, which is commonly excluded from the diet of broilers. To investigate the synthesis and distribution of AA during broiler growth and clarify its possible turnover, 144 1 d old healthy Arbor Acres broilers with a body weight of approximately 41 g were randomly assigned to eight groups of 18 broilers each. The kidney, liver, ileum, and spleen of one bird from each group were collected every week until 42 d to detect the synthesis capacity, tissue distribution, and transporter gene expression of AA. The results showed that kidney L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) activity responded quadratically (p < 0.001), with maximum activity observed at 7 to 21 d old. Hepatic total AA and dehydroascrobate (DHA) concentration increased linearly (p < 0.001) with age, as did splenic total AA (p < 0.001). In the ileum, mRNA expression of sodium vitamin C transporter 1/2 (SVCT1/2) decreased with the growing age of the broilers (p < 0.05). The expression of SVCT1 in the kidney was not influenced by the growing age of the broilers. The progressive buildup of AA in the liver and spleen of broilers as they age implies an amplified demand for this nutrient. The waning synthesis capacity over time, however, raises concerns regarding the possible inadequacy of AA in the latter growth phase of broilers. The addition of AA to the broilers' diet might have the potential to optimize their performance. However, the effectiveness of such dietary supplementation requires further investigation.

The interface targeting hnRNPA2B1 regulates the repression of transthyretin against human retinal microvascular endothelial cells in high-glucose environment.

The interaction between transthyretin (TTR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)A2B1 is involved in the neovascularization of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs) under hyperglycemic conditions. However, whether the TTR-hnRNPA2B1 interface can be altered and how this protein-protein interaction and associated downstream pathways are regulated is unclear. We performed homologous sequential analysis and binding energy assays using Discovery Studio and designed substitution targeting three fragments of the interface (fragment 1: aa 34-39, -RKAADD-; fragment 2, aa 61-68, -EEEFVEGI-; and fragment 3, aa 96-102, -TANDSGP-) to disrupt or stabilize the TTR-hnRNPA2B1 complex and were subjected to Co-immunoprecipitation analysis. To investigate the effect of TTR-hnRNPA2B1 interface alterations on the physiological properties of hRECs, we performed CCK-8, EdU, migration, wound healing and tube formation assays. To study the downstream genes, we performed qRT-PCR and western blot. Nineteen TTR substitutions were recombinantly expressed in soluble form, results indicated that reducing the binding energy stabilized the TTR-hnRNPA2B1, while increasing the binding energy had the opposite effect. The native TTR significantly prohibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis, migration and tube formation capacities of hRECs, while fragment 1 always reduced these effects. However, the I68R and D99R substitutions in fragments 2 and 3, respectively, increased the inhibitory effect of TTR. Furthermore, our qRT-PCR and western blot results showed that the expression and protein levels of STAT-4, miR-223-3p and FBXW7 were also regulated by the alteration of the TTR-hnRNPA2B1 interface. This work suggests that the formation of the TTR-hnRNPA2B1 complex plays vital role in hyperglycemia, and modification of this interface regulates the TTR-mediated inhibition of hREC neovascularization via the STAT-4/miR-223-3p/FBXW7 pathway. This mechanism could have important implications for diabetic retinopathy treatment.

Overlapping Mendelian disorders of immunity and metabolism shape CD4 +T cell immunometabolism

Abstract During the past decade it has become increasingly apparent that cellular metabolism plays a critical role in the function and regulation of the immune system. Immune cell utilization of specific metabolic pathways influences immune function and can be pharmacologically targeted to alter immune outcomes. The importance of immune cell metabolism and function is further demonstrated by the development of primary immunodeficiencies in patients deficient in certain metabolic pathways. To identify novel mechanisms governing the interplay between CD4 +T cell metabolism and function, we performed a series of CRISPR screens evaluating CD4 +T cell expansion, substrate uptake, and mitochondrial function. Specifically, we leveraged the Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) and Immunity (IEI) to identify new immunometabolic regulators. Through these screens, I identified the transcription factor Bcl11b as a critical regulator in CD4 +effector T cell mitochondrial metabolism and function. Additional studies suggest Bcl11b plays a key role regulating mitochondria and metabolic stress in activated T cells. Conversely, screens of IEM genes for T cell functional defects showed that the N-linked glycosylation and the entry enzyme for de novohexosamine synthesis, Gfpt1, pathway were essential for CD4 +T cell expansion and survival. Notably, Gfpt1-deficient T H1 cells more affected than T H17 cells, which had greater capacity for salvage UDP-GlcNAc synthesis. This IEM and IEI-based CRISPR screening approach offers a unique opportunity to identify novel genes and regulatory pathways that are critical and sufficient for productive immune responses and to evaluate their effect on immunometabolism. R01 DK105550

Abstract #1401957: Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Malnutrition After Bariatric Surgery and Cirrhosis from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Hypoglycemia is rare in patients who do not have diabetes treated by insulin or insulin secretagogues. However, severe malnutrition can predispose to hypoglycemia through substrate limitation of gluconeogenesis and glycogen depletion, and severe hepatic insufficiency may lead to hypoglycemia due to reduced capacity for gluconeogenesis and synthesis and storage of glycogen. We report a case of hypoglycemia occurring in a patient with malnutrition after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and cirrhosis due to alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Endocrinology was consulted to evaluate a 67-year-old female for possible hypoglycemia. Her history was notable for RYGB surgery and AAT deficiency complicated by cirrhosis. The patient reported a 3-y history of dizziness and palpitations that resolved after eating. BMI was 18 kg/m2, and bitemporal wasting and sarcopenia were observed. Markers of liver function were abnormal, including prothrombin time (16.3 sec, 11.7-14.7) and albumin level (2.2 g/dL, 3.5-5.7). GFR calculated to 81 mL/min/1.73 m2. During a diagnostic fast, plasma glucose fell to 47 mg/dL, and simultaneously measured insulin and C-peptide levels were 0.8 mIU/mL (expected < 3) and 1.4 ng/dL (expected < 0.6), respectively. Beta-hydroxybutyrate level was 0.1 mM (expected > 2.7). An insulin secretagogues panel, ACTH-stimulation test, and IGF-2 level were unremarkable. Malnutrition is a well-known risk factor for hypoglycemia, and approximately 5% of hospitalized patients with malnutrition experience hypoglycemia. Significant protein-energy malnutrition, though uncommon after RYGB, has been documented in nearly 5% of patients in some series. Severe hepatic insufficiency is also an independent risk factor for hypoglycemia, and 10-15% of patients with AAT deficiency develop hepatic injury due to accumulation of Z-type AAT polymers in the liver. Though the patient had advanced liver failure as indicated by elevated prothrombin time and inability to mount a ketogenic response to hypoglycemia, AAT deficiency induced cirrhosis alone has not been documented to cause hypoglycemia in adults. C-peptide is metabolized mostly by the kidneys, and the discrepancy between insulin and C-peptide levels was most likely due to impaired renal function, with GFR artifactually high due to low serum creatinine level from sarcopenia. This case of hypoglycemia is unusual because it was due to the co-occurrence of two unusual disorders – severe protein malnutrition following RYGB and cirrhosis due to AAT deficiency – and measurements of C-peptide and beta-hydroxybutyrate were confounded by the patient’s renal and hepatic function, respectively.

Critical Roles of the Cysteine-Glutathione Axis in the Production of γ-Glutamyl Peptides in the Nervous System.

γ-Glutamyl moiety that is attached to the cysteine (Cys) residue in glutathione (GSH) protects it from peptidase-mediated degradation. The sulfhydryl group of the Cys residue represents most of the functions of GSH, which include electron donation to peroxidases, protection of reactive sulfhydryl in proteins via glutaredoxin, and glutathione conjugation of xenobiotics, whereas Cys-derived sulfur is also a pivotal component of some redox-responsive molecules. The amount of Cys that is available tends to restrict the capacity of GSH synthesis. In in vitro systems, cystine is the major form in the extracellular milieu, and a specific cystine transporter, xCT, is essential for survival in most lines of cells and in many primary cultivated cells as well. A reduction in the supply of Cys causes GPX4 to be inhibited due to insufficient GSH synthesis, which leads to iron-dependent necrotic cell death, ferroptosis. Cells generally cannot take up GSH without the removal of γ-glutamyl moiety by γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) on the cell surface. Meanwhile, the Cys-GSH axis is essentially common to certain types of cells; primarily, neuronal cells that contain a unique metabolic system for intercellular communication concerning γ-glutamyl peptides. After a general description of metabolic processes concerning the Cys-GSH axis, we provide an overview and discuss the significance of GSH-related compounds in the nervous system.

Evidence of the predominance of passive symplastic phloem loading and sugar transport with leaf ageing in Camellia oleifera

Phloem loading and transport of sugar from leaves to sink tissues such as fruits are crucial for yield formation. Camellia oleifera is an evergreen horticultural crop with high value; however, its low production limits the development of the C. oleifera industry. In this study, using a combination of ultrastructural observation, fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) and inhibitor treatment, we revealed that C. oleifera leaves mainly adopt a symplastic loading route from mesophyll cells to the surrounding vascular bundle cells in minor veins. HPLC assays showed that sucrose is the main sugar transported and only a small amount of raffinose or stachyose was detected in petioles, supporting a passive symplastic loading route in C. oleifera leaves. Compared to leaves grown this year (LT), the carbohydrate synthesis capacity in leaves grown last year (LL) was decreased while LL retained more soluble sugar, suggesting a decrease in transport capacity with leaf ageing. TEM and tissue staining showed that a reduction in plasmodesmata density leads to a decline in the degree of cellular coupling and is responsible for the weakening transport capacity in older leaves. RNA-seq revealed several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including CoPDCB1-1, CoSUT1 and CoSWEET12, which are likely involved in the regulation of phloem loading and sugar transport. An expression correlation network is constructed between PD-callose binding protein genes, sugar transporter genes and senescence-associated genes. Collectively, this study provides the evidence of the passive symplastic phloem loading pathway in C. oleifera leaves and constructs the correlation between sugar transport and leaf ageing.

Small extracellular vesicles from pregnant women with maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia impair endothelial cell function in vitro

Maternal physiological hypercholesterolemia MPH, maternal total cholesterol (TC) levels at term of pregnancy ≤280 mg/dL) occurs to assure fetal development. Maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia (MSPH, TC levels >280 mg/dL) is a pathological condition associated with maternal, placental, and fetal endothelial dysfunction and early neonatal atherosclerosis development. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are delivered to the extracellular space by different cells, where they modulate cell functions by transporting active signaling molecules, including proteins and miRNA. AimTo determine whether sEVs from MSPH women could alter the function of endothelial cells (angiogenesis, endothelial activation and nitric oxide synthesis capacity). MethodsThis study included 24 Chilean women (12 MPH and 12 MSPH). sEVs were isolated from maternal plasma and characterized by sEV markers (CD9, Alix and HSP70), nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and protein and cholesterol content. The endothelial cell line HMEC-1 was used to determine the uptake of labeled sEVs and the effects of sEVs on cell viability, endothelial tube formation, endothelial cell activation, and endothelial nitric oxide expression and function. ResultsIn MSPH women, the plasma concentration of sEVs was increased compared to that in MPH women. MSPH-sEVs were highly taken up by HMEC-1 cells and reduced angiogenic capacity and the expression and activity of eNOS without changing cell viability or endothelial activation compared to MPH-sEVs. ConclusionsEVs from MSPH women impair angiogenesis and nitric oxide synthesis in endothelial cells, which could contribute to MSPH-associated endothelial dysfunction.

A survey of the genes encoding trehalose-metabolism enzymes in crustaceans

Abstract Trehalose is important in activity, development, and environmental-stress response, especially in invertebrates. It is mainly synthesized by trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP), and degraded by trehalase (TRE). In the present study, the tps, tpp, and tre were identified from various crustacean species and their phylogeny, structure, network, and transcriptome were analyzed. The tps and tpp are fused in crustaceans, accompanied with multi-copies of genes to improve the synthesis capacity of trehalose, and they may be formed by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and/or segmental duplications. Phylogenetic subgroups of enzymes in the same species may be due to the different lengths and distribution positions of domains. The protein with single TPP domain in the salmon louse, the copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837), probably has a depoisoning effect. Structure analyses and location predictions showed that crustacean TRE possess an α-helix-rich structure with barrel core, and are membrane-bound, cytoplasmic, and secreted. Additionally, the non-acid TRE might not be adjusted by Ca2+ because there is no binding domain in crustaceans. Expression profiles of different tissues, developmental periods, and environmental-challenge responses, as well as genes of co-expression networks suggested that TPS (including TPP) and TRE might play important roles in physiological activities including development and environmental adaptation in crustaceans. Multi-copies of tre may enhance survival ability of copepods in diverse and sometimes harsh environments. Branchiopods, copepods, and the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 are suspected to adopt possible acid TRE as a supplementary strategy in response to stress.

Evidence for absence of links between striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and working memory capacity, spontaneous eye-blink rate, and trait impulsivity.

Individual differences in striatal dopamine synthesis capacity have been associated with working memory capacity, trait impulsivity, and spontaneous eye-blink rate (sEBR), as measured with readily available and easily administered, 'off-the-shelf' tests. Such findings have raised the suggestion that individual variation in dopamine synthesis capacity, estimated with expensive and invasive brain positron emission tomography (PET) scans, can be approximated with simple, more pragmatic tests. However, direct evidence for the relationship between these simple trait measures and striatal dopamine synthesis capacity has been limited and inconclusive. We measured striatal dopamine synthesis capacity using [18F]-FDOPA PET in a large sample of healthy volunteers (N = 94) and assessed the correlation with simple, short tests of working memory capacity, trait impulsivity, and sEBR. We additionally explored the relationship with an index of subjective reward sensitivity. None of these trait measures correlated significantly with striatal dopamine synthesis capacity, nor did they have out-of-sample predictive power. Bayes factor analyses indicated the evidence was in favour of absence of correlations for all but subjective reward sensitivity. These results warrant caution for using these off-the-shelf trait measures as proxies of striatal dopamine synthesis capacity.

Synthesis, optical, mechanical characteristics, and gamma-ray shielding capacity of polyethylene -basalt mixture

In this work, a new polymeric composite consisting of polyethylene polymers as a base material filled with different weight percentages of basalt rock was prepared. The basalt ratio was added to the base material with percentages of 1.0 up to 20.0 wt%. The crystal structure, optical, mechanical properties, and gamma-ray shielding capacity of the undoped and the doped polymeric samples which were coded as HDPE-Bx, where x = 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 wt% were investigated. The optical energy band gap (EOptical) of the prepared mixture was decreased by increasing the basalt concentration in the mixture from 4 to 2.6 eV for the allowed direct transition and from 5.5 to 4.7 eV for the allowed indirect transition. The mechanical properties of the HDPE polymers were enhanced with the enhancement of Basalt (powder) added to the host polymers with ratios ranging from 0.0 to 20.0 wt%. Radiation shielding capacity of the prepared samples was investigated in the 0.015–15 MeV photon energy via Phy-X software and MCNP-5 simulation code. Results revealed that the mass attenuation coefficient (μm) of the prepared samples increased with increasing the basalt ratio from 1.0 to 20 wt%. Besides, the half-value layer (HVL) decreased. The μm ranged from 0.7455 to 2.956 cm2/g for HDPE-B0 to HDPE-B20 at 0.015 MeV photon energy, while at 15 MeV, the result refers to an increase in the μm from 0.0181 to 0.0189 cm2/g for HDPE-B0 to HDPE-B20. The HVL of the prepared samples was arranged in the order that HDPE-B0 > HDPE-B1 > HDPE-B3 > HDPE-B5 > HDPE-B10 > HDPE-B20. This order assured that HDPE-B20 is better in shielding applications than the other prepared samples.

Effect of particle microstructure and the role of proton on the lithium insertion properties of HTiNbO5 electrode material

Layered oxides showing edge-sharing octahedra are promising negative electrode materials for high-power Li-ion batteries. In this sense, we propose the synthesis of the lamellar HTiNbO5 by solid-state (SS), sol-gel (SG) and exfoliation-restacking (NS) syntheses investigating in the same way the charge storage mechanism of this oxide and the influence of the microstructure on material and electrochemical properties. An arsenal of characterization techniques has been used to investigate these three types of particles using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, but also by associating mass spectroscopy to thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Their ability to intercalate lithium has been compared, showing interesting and very similar specific capacities for solid-state and sol-gel synthesis (> 100 mAh.g − 1 at 0.5 A.g − 1). In addition, it was shown that the synthesis giving rise to nanosheet (NS) led to lower performance due to the presence of organic molecules in the interlayer spacing of the 2D lamellar structure. Lastly, in situ XRD evidenced a solid-solution reaction for HTiNbO5, with an initial and irreversible phase change leading to the formation of Li0.4HTiNbO5. Moreover, ex situ1H MAS NMR measurements highlight the essential role of the proton in the charge storage mechanism of HTiNbO5. Thus, this paper demonstrates the interest of HTiNbO5 as a fast negative electrode material for high-power Li-ion batteries as well as the predominant role that the proton can play in the diffusion of lithium ions inside a confined interlayer space.

Serum- and xeno-free culture of human umbilical cord perivascular cells for pediatric heart valve tissue engineering

BackgroundConstructs currently used to repair or replace congenitally diseased pediatric heart valves lack a viable cell population capable of functional adaptation in situ, necessitating repeated surgical intervention. Heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) can address these limitations by producing functional living tissue in vitro that holds the potential for somatic growth and remodelling upon implantation. However, clinical translation of HVTE strategies requires an appropriate source of autologous cells that can be non-invasively harvested from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-rich tissues and cultured under serum- and xeno-free conditions. To this end, we evaluated human umbilical cord perivascular cells (hUCPVCs) as a promising cell source for in vitro production of engineered heart valve tissue.MethodsThe proliferative, clonogenic, multilineage differentiation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis capacities of hUCPVCs were evaluated in a commercial serum- and xeno-free culture medium (StemMACS™) on tissue culture polystyrene and benchmarked to adult bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs). Additionally, the ECM synthesis potential of hUCPVCs was evaluated when cultured on polycarbonate polyurethane anisotropic electrospun scaffolds, a representative biomaterial for in vitro HVTE.ResultshUCPVCs had greater proliferative and clonogenic potential than BMMSCs in StemMACS™ (p < 0.05), without differentiation to osteogenic and adipogenic phenotypes associated with valve pathology. Furthermore, hUCPVCs cultured with StemMACS™ on tissue culture plastic for 14 days synthesized significantly more total collagen, elastin, and sulphated glycosaminoglycans (p < 0.05), the ECM constituents of the native valve, than BMMSCs. Finally, hUCPVCs retained their ECM synthesizing capacity after 14 and 21 days in culture on anisotropic electrospun scaffolds.ConclusionOverall, our findings establish an in vitro culture platform that uses hUCPVCs as a readily-available and non-invasively sourced autologous cell population and a commercial serum- and xeno-free culture medium to increase the translational potential of future pediatric HVTE strategies.Graphical This study evaluated the proliferative, differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis capacities of human umbilical cord perivascular cells (hUCPVCs) when cultured in serum- and xeno-free media (SFM) against conventionally used bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) and serum-containing media (SCM). Our findings support the use of hUCPVCs and SFM for in vitro heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) of autologous pediatric valve tissue. Figure created with BioRender.com.

Synthesis and adsorption capacity of biochar derived from Tamarindus indica shell for the removal of heavy metal

&lt;p&gt;Tamarindus indica shell biochar is employed as an alternate adsorbent precursor for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. It investigated the Tamarindus indica shell biochar's capacity to absorb chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and Lead (Pb). This study showed the extensive explored how biosorption experimental limitations counting primary metal attentiveness, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and contact time affect the process. The complete analysis of the Tamarindus indica shell's adsorption capability with respect to chromium, copper, and nickel removal was conducted using a batch adsorption procedure. Determining the amount of heavy metal removal in the aqueous solution proceeded by Gas Chromatography (GC). The experimental data analyzed using the Yoon Nelson and Thomson models to regulate the equilibrium isotherms. The optimal parameters for the overall adsorption model were determined by using ANOVA. Investigate the adsorbent's surface area to determine the presence of heavy metal presents using SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. Each researched heavy metal's adsorption capability is listed below: Cr = 6.07 mg/L, Cu = 5.53 mg/L and Pb = 5.497mg/L with a removal percentage of 64%, 92% and 78%, respectively. The results showed that biochar generated from Tamarindus indica shells is an effective adsorbent for removing copper from aqueous solutions but not a viable biosorbent for removing chromium. Also, the regenerated column's adsorption capability was examined. The outcomes of the research demonstrated that bio-char, which produced from Tamarindus indica shell can be employed as an efficient and reasonably priced adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;

3D‐Printed Graded Electrode with Ultrahigh MnO2 Loading for Non‐Aqueous Electrochemical Energy Storage

AbstractElectrolytic manganese dioxide is one of the promising cathode candidates for electrochemical energy storage devices due to its high redox capacity and ease of synthesis. Yet, high‐loading MnO2 often suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics, especially in non‐aqueous electrolytes. The non‐uniform deposition of MnO2 on a porous current collectors also makes it difficult to fully utilize the active materials at high mass loading. Here, a 3D printed graded graphene aerogel (3D GA) that contains sparsely separated exterior ligaments is developed to create large open channels for mass transport as well as densely arranged interior ligaments providing large ion‐accessible active surface. The unique structural design homogenizes the thickness of electro deposited MnO2 even at an ultrahigh mass loading of ≈70 mg cm−2. The electrode achieves a remarkable volumetric capacity of 29.1 mA h cm−3 in the non‐aqueous electrolyte. A Li‐ion hybrid capacitor device assembled with a graded 3D GA/MnO2 cathode and graded 3D GA/VOx anode exhibits a wide voltage window of 0–4 V and a superior volumetric energy density of 20.2 W h L−1. The findings offer guidance on 3D printed electrode design for supporting ultrahigh loading of active materials and developments of high energy density energy storage devices.

An automatic analysis framework for FDOPA PET neuroimaging

In this study we evaluate the performance of a fully automated analytical framework for FDOPA PET neuroimaging data, and its sensitivity to demographic and experimental variables and processing parameters. An instance of XNAT imaging platform was used to store the King’s College London institutional brain FDOPA PET imaging archive, alongside individual demographics and clinical information. By re-engineering the historical Matlab-based scripts for FDOPA PET analysis, a fully automated analysis pipeline for imaging processing and data quantification was implemented in Python and integrated in XNAT. The final data repository includes 892 FDOPA PET scans organized from 23 different studies. We found good reproducibility of the data analysis by the automated pipeline (in the striatum for the Kicer: for the controls ICC = 0.71, for the psychotic patients ICC = 0.88). From the demographic and experimental variables assessed, gender was found to most influence striatal dopamine synthesis capacity (F = 10.7, p < 0.001), with women showing greater dopamine synthesis capacity than men. Our automated analysis pipeline represents a valid resourse for standardised and robust quantification of dopamine synthesis capacity using FDOPA PET data. Combining information from different neuroimaging studies has allowed us to test it comprehensively and to validate its replicability and reproducibility performances on a large sample size.