Laser Upcycling of Hemoglobin Protein Biowaste into Engineered Graphene Aerogel Architectures for 3D Supercapacitors.

Graphene aerogels (GAs) with engineered architectures are a promising material for applications ranging from filtration to energy storage/conversion. However, current preparation approaches involve the combination of multiple intrinsically-different methodologies to achieve graphene-synthesis and architecture-engineering, complicating the entire procedure. Here, a novel approach to prepare GAs with engineered architectures based on the laser-upcycling of protein biowaste, hemoglobin, is introduced.

Bimodal functions of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the brain.

Aims: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a pluripotent neuropeptide crucial for maintaining vascular homeostasis, yet its full therapeutic potential remains incompletely exploited. Within the brain, CGRP demonstrates a distinct bimodal effect, contributing to neuroprotection in ischemic conditions while inducing neuronal sensitization and inflammation in non-ischemic settings. Despite extensive research on CGRP, the absence of a definitive determinant for this observed dichotomy has limited its potential for therapeutic applications in the brain.

Image quality evaluation for a clinical organ-targeted PET camera.

Introduction: A newly developed clinical organ-targeted Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system (also known as Radialis PET) is tested with a set of standardized and custom tests previously used to evaluate the performance of Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) systems.

Methods: Imaging characteristics impacting standardized uptake value (SUV) and detectability of small lesions, namely spatial resolution, linearity, uniformity, and recovery coefficients, are evaluated.

Results: In-plane spatial resolution was measured as 2.

Chemical Bonding Induces One-Dimensional Physics in Bulk Crystal BiIrSe.

One-dimensional (1D) systems persist as some of the most interesting because of the rich physics that emerges from constrained degrees of freedom. A desirable route to harness the properties therein is to grow bulk single crystals of a physically three-dimensional (3D) but electronically 1D compound. Most bulk compounds which approach the electronic 1D limit still field interactions across the other two crystallographic directions and, consequently, deviate from the 1D models.

Modulation of Heme-Induced Inflammation Using MicroRNA-Loaded Liposomes: Implications for Hemolytic Disorders Such as Malaria and Sickle Cell Disease.

Hemolytic disorders, like malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD), are responsible for significant mortality and morbidity rates globally, specifically in the Americas and Africa. In both malaria and SCD, red blood cell hemolysis leads to the release of a cytotoxic heme that triggers the expression of unique inflammatory profiles, which mediate the tissue damage and pathogenesis of both diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-451a and let-7i-5p, contribute to a reduction in the pro-inflammatory responses induced by circulating free hemes.

Complete genome sequences of Providencia bacteriophages PibeRecoleta, Stilesk and PatoteraRojo.

Objectives: Providencia is a genus of gram-negative bacteria within the order Enterobacterales, closely related to Proteus and Morganella. While ubiquitous in the environment, some species of Providencia, such as P. rettgeri and P.

Air Stabilization of LiPS Solid-State Electrolytes through Laser-Based Processing.

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) that employ solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have the potential to replace more conventional batteries that employ liquid electrolytes due to their inherent safety, compatibility with lithium metal and reputable ionic conductivity. LiPS is a promising SSE with reported ionic conductivities in the order of 10 mS/cm. However, its susceptibility to degradation through oxidation and hydrolysis limits its commercial viability.

The Role of Mock Reviewing Sessions in the National Research Mentoring Network Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators: A Randomized Controlled Study.

The National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) Strategic Empowerment Tailored for Health Equity Investigators (SETH) study evaluates the value of adding Developmental Network to Coaching in the career advancement of diverse Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs). Focused NIH-formatted Mock Reviewing Sessions (MRS) prior to the submission of grants can significantly enhance the scientific merits of an ESI's grant application. We evaluated the most prevalent design, analysis-related factors, and the likelihood of grant submissions and awards associated with going through MRS, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and logistic regression methods.

Individual and Institutional Factors Contribute to Research Capacity Building for Early-Stage Investigators from Groups Underrepresented in Biomedical Research: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis.

Background: Enhancement of diversity within the U.S. research workforce is a recognized need and priority at a national level.

Lower Volumes, Higher Speeds: Changes to Crash Type, Timing, and Severity on Urban Roads from COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Policies.

Stay-at-home policies in response to COVID-19 transformed high-volume arterials and highways into lower-volume roads, and reduced congestion during peak travel times. To learn from the effects of this transformation on traffic safety, an analysis of crash data in Ohio's Franklin County, U.S.

Grassroots Approach to Forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in an Academic Radiology Department.

Radiology is among the medical specialties that have made the fewest gains in closing the gap in underrepresented minorities and women. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are important for promoting healthy learning environments for trainees, health equity for patients, and equitable career development opportunities for employees, all of which contribute to innovation in today's competitive health care environment. DEI committees can self-organize or form from institutional directives.

Sickle Cell Hemoglobin Genotypes Affect Malaria Parasite Growth and Correlate with Exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p Levels.

Malaria affects a significant portion of the global population, with 247 million cases in 2021, primarily in Africa. However, certain hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell trait (SCT), have been linked to lower mortality rates in malaria patients. Hemoglobin (Hb) mutations, including HbS and HbC, can cause sickle cell disease (SCD) when both alleles are inherited (HbSS and HbSC).

Cost Analysis of Orthoptist-Led Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Screening Clinics.

Purpose: To conduct a costing study comparing orthoptist-led with consultant-led clinics screening for optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) in children with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) attending the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne.

Methods: Patients with NF1 examined in the orthoptist-led NF1 screening clinic and/or consultant-led clinics during the study period were identified. The workflow management software Q-Flow 6® provided data documenting patient's time spent with the orthoptist, nurse, and ophthalmologist.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Research Career Advancement of Health Equity Scholars from Diverse Backgrounds.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly taxed scientific research and seems to have exacerbated existing inequities within the research field, particularly for early-stage investigators (ESIs). This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditionally underrepresented ESIs enrolled in an NIH-supported study evaluating the effectiveness of developmental networks, grant writing coaching, and mentoring on research career advancement. The survey consisted of 24 closed-ended (quantitative) and 4 open-ended questions (qualitative) linked to a participant's ability to meet grant submission deadlines, research and professional development disruptions, stress level, career transition level, self-efficacy and management of scholarly tasks, and familial responsibilities.

Synthesis of an aqueous, air-stable, superconducting 1T'-WS monolayer ink.

Liquid-phase chemical exfoliation can achieve industry-scale production of two-dimensional (2D) materials for a wide range of applications. However, many 2D materials with potential applications in quantum technologies often fail to leave the laboratory setting because of their air sensitivity and depreciation of physical performance after chemical processing. We report a simple chemical exfoliation method to create a stable, aqueous, surfactant-free, superconducting ink containing phase-pure 1T'-WS monolayers that are isostructural to the air-sensitive topological insulator 1T'-WTe.

Direct Synthesis of 1-Butanol with High Faradaic Efficiency from CO Utilizing Cascade Catalysis at a Ni-Enhanced (CrO)GaO Electrocatalyst.

Electrochemical transformation of CO into energy-dense liquid fuels provides a viable solution to challenges regarding climate change and nonrenewable resource dependence. Here, we report on the modification of a Cr-Ga oxide electrocatalyst through the introduction of nickel to generate a catalyst that generates 1-butanol at unprecedented faradaic efficiencies (ξ = 42%). This faradaic efficiency occurs at -1.

MiR-451a and let-7i-5p loaded extracellular vesicles attenuate heme-induced inflammation in hiPSC-derived endothelial cells.

Hemolysis is associated with many pathologies, including trauma, sepsis, hemorrhagic stroke, malaria, and genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD). When hemolysis occurs, free-heme drives vascular inflammation, resulting in oxidative tissue damage and cardiometabolic complications. A better understanding of heme clearance and detoxification is essential to preventing sustained tissue damage.

Unlocking High Capacity and Fast Na Diffusion of H CrS by Proton-Exchange Pretreatment.

This study presents a new material, "H CrS " (denotes approximate composition) formed by proton-exchange of NaCrS which has a measured capacity of 728 mAh g with significant improvements to capacity retention, sustaining over 700 mAh g during cycling experiments. This is the highest reported capacity for a transition metal sulfide electrode and outperforms the most promising proposed sodium anodes to date. H CrS exhibits a biphasic structure featuring alternating crystalline and amorphous lamella on the scale of a few nanometers.

Neuregulin-1 attenuates hemolysis- and ischemia induced-cerebrovascular inflammation associated with sickle cell disease.

Objectives: Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at severely heightened risk for cerebrovascular injury and acute cerebrovascular events, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, potentially leading to impaired development and life-long physical and cognitive disabilities. Cerebrovascular injury specific to SCD includes inflammation caused by underlying conditions of chronic hemolysis and reduced cerebrovascular perfusion. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether expression of neuregulin-1β (NRG-1), an endogenous neuroprotective polypeptide, is increased in SCD or experimental conditions mimicking the hemolysis and ischemic conditions of SCD, and to determine if treatment with exogenous NRG-1 reduces markers of cerebrovascular inflammation.

Angiogenic and angiostatic factors present in the saliva of malaria patients.

Background: Malaria related mortality is associated with significant deregulation of host inflammatory factors such as interferon-inducible protein 10, a member of the CXC or α-subfamily (CXCL10), and host angiogenic factors such as angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). However, detection of these factors in malaria patients requires the drawing of blood, which is invasive and increases the risk of accidental blood-borne infections. There has been an increased interest in the use of saliva as the body fluid of choice for the diagnosis of many infectious diseases including malaria.

Evaluation of a High-Sensitivity Organ-Targeted PET Camera.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the Radialis organ-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) Camera with standardized tests and through assessment of clinical-imaging results. Sensitivity, count-rate performance, and spatial resolution were evaluated according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU-4 standards, with necessary modifications to accommodate the planar detector design. The detectability of small objects was shown with micro hotspot phantom images.

The comparative mortality of an elite group in the long run of history: an observational analysis of politicians from 11 countries.

This study aims to compare the mortality rate and life expectancy of politicians with those of the age and gender-matched general populations. This was an observational analysis of mortality rates of politicians (i.e.

Neuregulin-1/ErbB4 signaling modulates HRP2-induced damage to brain cortical organoids.

Human cerebral malaria (HCM) is a severe complication of infection that is characterized by capillary occlusions, rupture of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), perivascular cellular injury, and brain swelling. histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), a byproduct of parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) lysis, crosses the BBB when compromised to cause brain injury. We hypothesized that HRP2-induced neuronal damage can be attenuated by Neuregulin-1 (NRG1), an anti-inflammatory neuroprotective factor.

Reversible Intercalation of Li Ions in an Earth-Abundant Phyllosilicate Clay.

The phyllosilicate family of clays is an intriguing collection of materials that make ideal models for studying the intercalation of alkali ions due to their layered topology and broadly tunable composition space. In this spirit, we present a hydrothermal method to prepare a layered iron phyllosilicate clay, FeSiO(OH), and an evaluation of its electrochemical performance for the (de)insertion of Li ions. Through careful structural refinement, we determined that this iron clay contains a 2:1 stacking sequence, which is directly analogous to the widely studied mineral montmorillonite, with the crystallites adopting a platelike morphology.