Morphological Evolution of Metal-Organic Frameworks into Hedrite, Sheaf and Spherulite Superstructures with Localized Different Coloration.

The branched metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are the first superstructures of this kind, and the growth mechanism may explain crystal shapes of other materials. The mechanism of the formation of fascinating structures having a hedrite, sheaf or spherulite appearance are detailed. The branching can be controlled, resulting in crystals that either exhibit multiple generations of branching or a single generation.

Cryo-tomography and 3D Electron Diffraction Reveal the Polar Habit and Chiral Structure of the Malaria Pigment Crystal Hemozoin.

Detoxification of heme in depends on its crystallization into hemozoin. This pathway is a major target of antimalarial drugs. The crystalline structure of hemozoin was established by X-ray powder diffraction using a synthetic analog, β-hematin.

Topotaxial mutual-exchange growth of magnetic Zintl EuInAs nanowires with axion insulator classification.

Due to quasi-one-dimensional confinement, nanowires possess unique electronic properties, which can promote specific device architectures. However, nanowire growth presents paramount challenges, limiting the accessible crystal structures and elemental compositions. Here we demonstrate solid-state topotactic exchange that converts wurtzite InAs nanowires into Zintl EuInAs.

Bio-Inspired Crystalline Core-Shell Guanine Spherulites.

Spherical particles with diameters within the wavelength of visible light, known as spherulites, manipulate light uniquely due to their spatial organization and their structural birefringence. Most of the known crystalline spherulites are branched, and composed of metals, alloys, and semi-crystalline polymers. Recently, a different spherulite architecture is discovered in the vision systems of decapod crustaceans - core-shell spherulites composed of highly birefringent ( ) organic single-crystal platelets, with exceptional optical properties.

Silica Biomineralization with Lignin Involves Si-O-C Bonds That Stabilize Radicals.

Plants undergo substantial biomineralization of silicon, which is deposited primarily in cell walls as amorphous silica. The mineral formation could be moderated by the structure and chemistry of lignin, a polyphenol polymer that is a major constituent of the secondary cell wall. However, the reactions between lignin and silica have not yet been well elucidated.

Early detection of active Human CytomegaloVirus (hCMV) infection in pregnant women using data generated for noninvasive fetal aneuploidy testing.

Background: Prenatal hCMV infections can lead to severe embryopathy and neurological sequelae in neonates. Screening during pregnancy is not recommended by global societies, as there is no effective therapy. Recently, several groups showed that maternal-fetal hCMV transmission can be strongly reduced by administering anti-viral agents early in pregnancy.

Quantitative atomic cross section analysis by 4D-STEM and EELS.

We demonstrate the use of a 4-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscope (4D-STEM) to extract atomic cross section information in amorphous materials. We measure the scattering amplitudes of 200 keV electrons in several representative specimens: amorphous carbon, silica, amorphous ice of pure water, and vitrified phosphate buffer solution. Diffraction patterns are recorded by 4D-STEM with or without energy filter at the zero-loss peak.

The muscle protein synthetic response following corn protein ingestion does not differ from milk protein in healthy, young adults.

Plant-derived proteins are generally believed to possess lesser anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. This is, at least partly, attributed to the lower leucine content of most plant-derived proteins. Corn protein has a leucine content that is highest among most plant-derived proteins and it even exceeds the levels observed in animal-derived proteins such as whey protein.

WO Nanowhiskers Decorating SiO Nanofibers: Lessons from SEM/TEM Growth to Large Scale Synthesis and Fundamental Structural Understanding.

Tungsten suboxide WO nanowhiskers are a material of great interest due to their potential high-end applications in electronics, near-infrared light shielding, catalysis, and gas sensing. The present study introduces three main approaches for the fundamental understanding of WO nanowhisker growth and structure. First, WO nanowhiskers were grown from γ-WO/-SiO nanofibers in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) utilizing a specially designed microreactor (μReactor).

Encapsulation of Uranium Oxide in Multiwall WS Nanotubes.

Uranium is a high-value energy element, yet also poses an appreciable environmental burden. The demand for a straightforward, low energy, and environmentally friendly method for encapsulating uranium species can be beneficial for long-term storage of spent uranium fuel and a host of other applications. Leveraging on the low melting point (60 °C) of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and nanocapillary effect, a uranium compound is entrapped in the hollow core of WS nanotubes.

A Low or High Physical Activity Level Does Not Modulate Prostate Tumor Tissue Protein Synthesis Rates.

Introduction: Physical activity level has been identified as an important factor in the development and progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we determined the impact of a low versus high physical activity level on skeletal muscle, healthy prostate, and prostate tumor protein synthesis rates in vivo in prostate cancer patients.

Methods: Thirty prostate cancer patients (age, 66 ± 5 yr; body mass index, 27.

Resistance Exercise Training, a Simple Intervention to Preserve Muscle Mass and Strength in Prostate Cancer Patients on Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) forms the cornerstone in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. However, by suppressing testosterone ADT results in a decrease of skeletal muscle mass. In this narrative review, we explore the magnitude and mechanisms of ADT-induced muscle mass loss and the consequences for muscle strength and physical performance.

One Week of Single-Leg Immobilization Lowers Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates in Healthy, Young Adults.

Purpose: Short periods of limb immobilization lower myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. Within skeletal muscle, the extracellular matrix of connective proteins is recognized as an important factor determining the capacity to transmit contractile force. Little is known regarding the impact of immobilization and subsequent recovery on muscle connective protein synthesis rates.

Higher Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates Following Ingestion of an Omnivorous Meal Compared with an Isocaloric and Isonitrogenous Vegan Meal in Healthy, Older Adults.

Background: Plant-derived proteins are considered to have fewer anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. The anabolic properties of isolated proteins do not necessarily reflect the anabolic response to the ingestion of whole foods. The presence or absence of the various components that constitute the whole-food matrix can strongly impact protein digestion and amino acid absorption and, as such, modulate postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates.

Vicia faba Peptide Network Supplementation Does Not Differ From Milk Protein in Modulating Changes in Muscle Size During Short-Term Immobilization and Subsequent Remobilization, but Increases Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates During Remobilization in Healthy Young Men.

Background: Muscle mass and strength decrease during short periods of immobilization and slowly recover during remobilization. Recent artificial intelligence applications have identified peptides that appear to possess anabolic properties in in vitro assays and murine models.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the impact of Vicia faba peptide network compared with milk protein supplementation on muscle mass and strength loss during limb immobilization and regain during remobilization.

Collagen Protein Ingestion during Recovery from Exercise Does Not Increase Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates.

Introduction: Protein ingestion during recovery from exercise has been reported to augment myofibrillar protein synthesis rates, without increasing muscle connective protein synthesis rates. It has been suggested that collagen protein may be effective in stimulating muscle connective protein synthesis. The present study assessed the capacity of both whey and collagen protein ingestion to stimulate postexercise myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates.

Resistance Exercise Counteracts the Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Muscle Characteristics in Cancer Patients.

Context: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) forms the cornerstone in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. However, ADT also lowers skeletal muscle mass.

Objective: To identify the impact of ADT with and without resistance exercise training on muscle fiber characteristics in PCa patients.

Topotactic, Vapor-Phase, Monitored Formation of Ultrathin, Phase-Pure 2D-on-3D Halide Perovskite Surfaces.

Two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites, HaPs, can provide chemical stability to three-dimensional (3D) HaP surfaces, protecting them from exposure to ambient species and from reacting with contacting layers. Both actions occur with 2D HaPs, with the general stoichiometry RPbI (R: long or bulky organic amine) covering the 3D ones. Adding such covering films can also boost power conversion efficiencies of photovoltaic cells by passivating surface/interface trap states.

Evaluating direct detection detectors for short-range order characterization of amorphous materials by electron scattering.

The introduction of direct electron detectors (DEDs) to transmission electron microscopy has set off the 'resolution revolution', especially for cryoTEM low-dose imaging of soft matter. In comparison to traditional indirect electron detectors such as Charged-Coupled Devices (CCD), DEDs show an improved modulation transfer function (MTF) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) across all spatial frequencies, as well as faster frame rates which enable single electron counting. The benefits of such characteristics for imaging, spectroscopy and electron holography have been demonstrated previously.

Cheese Ingestion Increases Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates Both at Rest and During Recovery from Exercise in Healthy, Young Males: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial.

Background: Protein ingestion increases muscle protein synthesis rates. The food matrix in which protein is provided can strongly modulate the postprandial muscle protein synthetic response. So far, the muscle protein synthetic response to the ingestion of whole foods remains largely unexplored.

Acute Quark Ingestion Increases Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates at Rest with a Further Increase after Exercise in Young and Older Adult Males in a Parallel-Group Intervention Trial.

Background: Ingestion of protein concentrates or isolates increases muscle protein synthesis rates in young and older adults. There is far less information available on the anabolic response following the ingestion of dairy wholefoods, which are commonly consumed in a normal diet.

Objectives: This study investigates whether ingestion of 30 g protein provided as quark increases muscle protein synthesis rates at rest and whether muscle protein synthesis rates are further increased after resistance exercise in young and older adult males.

Onset of androgen deprivation therapy leads to rapid deterioration of body composition, physical performance, cardiometabolic health and quality-of-life in prostate cancer patients.

Objectives: To assess the adverse impact of the first 5 months of androgen deprivation therapy on body composition, physical performance, cardiometabolic health and health-related quality-of-life in prostate cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four prostate cancer patients (70 ± 7 years) were assessed shortly after initiation of androgen deprivation therapy and again 5 months thereafter. Measurements consisted of whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (body composition), computed tomography scanning of the upper leg (muscle mass), one-repetition maximum leg press (muscle strength), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (aerobic capacity), blood draws (metabolic parameters), accelerometry (habitual physical activity) and questionnaires (health-related quality-of-life).

Resistance Exercise Training Increases Muscle Mass and Strength in Prostate Cancer Patients on Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effects of 20 wk resistance exercise training with or without protein supplementation on body composition, muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and aerobic capacity in prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Methods: Sixty prostate cancer patients receiving ADT were randomly assigned to perform 20 wk of resistance exercise training with supplementation of 31 g whey protein (EX + PRO, n = 30) or placebo (EX + PLA, n = 30), consumed immediately after exercise and every night before sleep. A separate control group (CON, n = 36) only received usual care.

Plate-like Guanine Biocrystals Form via Templated Nucleation of Crystal Leaflets on Preassembled Scaffolds.

Controlling the morphology of crystalline materials is challenging, as crystals have a strong tendency toward thermodynamically stable structures. Yet, organisms form crystals with distinct morphologies, such as the plate-like guanine crystals produced by many terrestrial and aquatic species for light manipulation. Regulation of crystal morphogenesis was hypothesized to entail physical growth restriction by the surrounding membrane, combined with fine-tuned interactions between organic molecules and the growing crystal.