Integrating ex situ biomimetic extraction analyses into contaminated sediment assessment and management decisions.

This study evaluated a novel ex situ passive sampling biomimetic extraction (BE) method to estimate toxic potency in sediments. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analysis of polydimethylsiloxane fibers equilibrated with field sediments was used to quantify bioavailable polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other unresolved, site-specific contaminant mixtures. This method is biomimetic because contaminants partition to the fiber based on hydrophobicity and abundance, and GC-FID quantification accounts for all constituents absorbed to the fiber that may contribute to toxicity.

Environmental fate and aquatic risk assessment of oxyfluorfen in California rice fields.

The herbicide oxyfluorfen [OXY; 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene] recently emerged as a potential solution to combat herbicide resistance in California rice. Proposed as a preemergent applied preflood to soil, products are in development for use with OXY-tolerant rice strains. Currently, OXY is not registered for use with rice and its use in or near aquatic resources is restricted due to its high aquatic toxicity.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of Tinospora cordifolia extract.

Tinospora cordifolia extract exhibits diverse benefits-anti-arthritis, anti-malarial, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, antihepatotoxic, and antipyretic effects. Its specific anti-inflammatory and healing capacities remain unexplored, prompting a study utilizing a mouse skin wound model and direct T. cordifolia extraction.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Allene-alkyne Cascade Cyclization: Access to the Sulfone-cyclopenta[]naphthalene Core.

A ruthenium-catalyzed intramolecular cascade cyclization of allene-alkyne has been achieved. This method offers a streamlined and atom-economical approach for the construction of sulfone bearing 1-cyclopenta[]naphthalenes, an important structural scaffold that exists in biologically active compounds. Our approach, backed by mechanistic insights from deuterium labeling, DFT calculations, and potential for reaction scale-up, presents synthetic chemists with an invaluable tool for efficiently producing a distinct carbon framework in a one-pot manner.

Electronically Nonadiabatic Quenching of Excited States of O by Collisions with O Atoms.

The kinetics of electronically inelastic quenching of O(Δ) and O(Σ) by collisions with O(P) have been investigated using mixed quantum-classical trajectories governed by adiabatic potential energy surfaces and state couplings generated from a recently developed diabatic potential energy matrix (DPEM) for the 14 lowest-energy A' states of O. Using the coherent switching with decay of mixing (CSDM) method, dynamics calculations were performed both with 14 coupled electronic states and with 8 coupled electronical states, and similar results were obtained. The calculated thermal quenching rate coefficients are generally small, but they increase with temperature.

eIF3 engages with 3'-UTR termini of highly translated mRNAs.

Stem cell differentiation involves a global increase in protein synthesis to meet the demands of specialized cell types. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this translational burst and the involvement of initiation factors remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the role of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) in early differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs).

Measuring STEM Instructors' Learning of and Growth in Inclusive Teaching: Development and Evaluation of the STEM Faculty Inclusive Teaching Survey (FITS).

There is a growing emphasis for professional development programs that teach instructors about inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) practices and the impact of instructor and student identities on these practices. As instructors implement these practices, there is a need for instructors, departments, and faculty developers to measure instructor progress and to help identify next steps in improving inclusive STEM teaching. This study describes the development of the Faculty Inclusive Teaching Survey (FITS) using scale-development theory, frameworks using Clarke and Hollingsworth's interconnected model of professional growth and Dewsbury's Deep Teaching model, and higher-education STEM, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and professional development literature.

Selective Depolymerization for Sculpting Polymethacrylate Molecular Weight Distributions.

Chain-end reactivation of polymethacrylates generated by reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) has emerged as a powerful tool for triggering depolymerization at significantly milder temperatures than those traditionally employed. In this study, we demonstrate how the facile depolymerization of poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) can be leveraged to selectively skew the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and predictably alter the viscoelastic properties of blended PBMA mixtures. By mixing polymers with thermally active chain ends with polymers of different molecular weights and inactive chain ends, the MWD of the blends can be skewed to be high or low by selective depolymerization.

Impact of - and -Direction External Side Chains in Y-Series Acceptors on the Molecular Packing and Charge Carrier Dynamics of Organic Photovoltaics.

The side-chain directions in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) strongly influence the intermolecular interactions in NFAs; however, the influence of these side chains on the morphologies and charge carrier dynamics of Y6-based acceptors remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesize four distinct Y6-based acceptors, i.e.

The Quantum Information Science Challenge for Chemistry.

We discuss the goals and the need for quantum information science (QIS) in chemistry. It is important to identify concretely how QIS matters to chemistry, and we articulate some of the most pressing and interesting research questions at the interface between chemistry and QIS, that is, "chemistry-centric" research questions relevant to QIS. We propose in what ways and in what new directions the field should innovate, in particular where a chemical perspective is essential.

Quantifying the Chirality of Vibrational Modes in Helical Molecular Chains.

Chiral phonons have been proposed to be involved in various physical phenomena, yet the chirality of molecular normal modes has not been well defined mathematically. Here we examine two approaches for assigning and quantifying the chirality of molecular normal modes in double-helical molecular wires with various levels of twist. First, associating with each normal mode a structure obtained by imposing the corresponding motion on a common origin, we apply the continuous chirality measure (CCM) to quantitatively assess the relationship between the chirality-weighted normal mode spectrum and the chirality of the underlying molecular structure.

Second Law of Thermodynamics without Einstein Relation.

Materials that are constantly driven out of thermodynamic equilibrium, such as active and living systems, typically violate the Einstein relation. This may arise from active contributions to particle fluctuations which are unrelated to the dissipative resistance of the surrounding medium. We show that in these cases the widely used relation between informatic entropy production and heat dissipation does not hold.

Roughness Impact of Piezoelectric Dental Scaler on Two Distinct Flowable Composite Filling Materials.

Dental ultrasonic scalers are commonly employed in periodontal treatment; however, their ability to roughen tooth surfaces is a worry since roughness may increase plaque production, a key cause of periodontal disease. This research studied the influence of a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler on the roughness of two distinct flowable composite filling materials. To do this, 10 disc-shaped samples were generated from each of the two flowable composite materials.

Isolation of Soil Microorganisms Using iChip Technology.

The iChip isolation technique uses an in-situ isolation device that increases the cultivability of previously unculturable microorganisms. Microorganisms are an important source of novel chemistries and potentially bioactive molecules. However, only 1% of environmental microorganisms can be cultured using conventional laboratory methods.

Characterization of Biological Absorption Spectra Spanning the Visible to the Short-Wave Infrared.

For noninvasive light-based physiological monitoring, optimal wavelengths of individual tissue components can be identified using absorption spectroscopy. However, because of the lack of sensitivity of hardware at longer wavelengths, absorption spectroscopy has typically been applied for wavelengths in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) range from 400 to 1,000 nm. Hardware advancements in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) range have enabled investigators to explore wavelengths in the ~1,000 nm to 3,000 nm range in which fall characteristic absorption peaks for lipid, protein, and water.

Adaptive Immunity Determines the Cancer Treatment Outcome of Oncolytic Virus and Anti-PD-1.

The immune checkpoint inhibitor, anti-programmed death protein-1 (anti-PD-1), enhances adaptive immunity to kill tumor cells, and the oncolytic virus (OV) triggers innate immunity to clear the infected tumor cells. We create a mathematical model to investigate how the interaction between adaptive and innate immunities under OV and anti-PD-1 affects tumor reduction. For different immunity strength, we create the corresponding virtual baseline patients and cohort patients to decipher the major factors determining the treatment outcome.

Eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticle biosynthesis powered by probiotic bacteria.

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology, particularly in the realm of pharmaceutical sciences, has significantly transformed the potential for treating life-threatening diseases. A pivotal aspect of this evolution is the emergence of "green nanotechnology," which emphasizes the environmentally sustainable synthesis of raw materials through biological processes. This review focuses on the biological synthesis and application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) from probiotic bacteria, particularly those sourced from wastewater.

Nano-delivery of a novel inhibitor of ERCC1-XPF for targeted sensitization of colorectal cancer to platinum-based chemotherapeutics.

In this study, a novel inhibitor of ERCC1/XPF heterodimerization, A4, was used as an inhibitor of repair for DNA damage by platinum-based chemotherapeutics. Nano-formulations of A4 were developed, using self-assembly of the following block copolymers: methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(α-benzyl carboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PBCL), methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL), or methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly (D, L, lactide) (PEO-b-PDLA 50-50). The nano-formulations were characterized for their average diameter, polydispersity, morphology, A4 encapsulation and in vitro release.

Intralesional injection of CpG ODNs complexed with glatiramer acetate mitigates systemic cytokine toxicities and synergistically advances checkpoint blockade efficacy.

PD-L1/PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are mainstream agents for cancer immunotherapy, but the prognosis is unsatisfactory in solid tumor patients lacking preexisting T-cell reactivity. Adjunct therapy strategies including the intratumoral administration of immunostimulants aim to address this limitation. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), TLR9 agonists that can potentiate adaptive immunity, have been widely investigated to tackle PD-L1/PD-1 resistance, but clinical success has been hindered by inconsistent efficacy and immune-related toxicities caused by systemic exposure.

Disclosing the impact of metformin and methotrexate in adjuvant arthritis in female rats: molecular docking and biochemical insights on visfatin.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common systemic autoimmune inflammatory diseases, with a progressive etiology that results in serious complications and a higher chance of early death. Visfatin, an adipokine, is correlated with disease pathologic features and becomes a key biomarker and therapeutic target for RA. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of metformin (an antidiabetic drug with anti-inflammatory activities) and methotrexate (the first choice for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in RA, with diverse adverse effects) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in female rats.

Phyto-mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles from Scrophularia striata extract (AgNPs-SSE): a potential inducer of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Background: Breast carcinoma stands out as the most widespread invasive cancer and the top contributor to cancer-related mortality in women. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools in cancer detection, diagnosis, and prevention. In this study, the antitumor and apoptotic capability of silver nanoparticles synthesized through Scrophularia striata extract (AgNPs-SSE) was investigated toward breast cancer cells.

Characterization of the host specificity of the SH3 cell wall binding domain of the staphylococcal phage 88 endolysin.

Bacteriophages produce endolysins at the end of the lytic cycle, which are crucial for lysing the host cells and releasing virion progeny. This lytic feature allows endolysins to act as effective antimicrobial alternatives when applied exogenously. Staphylococcal endolysins typically possess a modular structure with one or two enzymatically active N-terminal domains (EADs) and a C-terminal cell wall binding domain (CBD).

sp. nov., isolated from the faecal sample of a zoo animal, .

Strain NoAH (=KACC 23135=JCM 35999), a novel Gram-negative, motile bacterium with a rod-shaped morphology, was isolated from the zoo animal faecal samples, specifically the long-tailed goral species . The novel bacterial strain grew optimally in a nutrient broth medium under the following conditions: 1-2% (w/v) NaCl, pH 7-8 and 30 °C. The strain NoAH exhibited high tolerance to NaCl, with the ability to tolerate up to 7% (w/v) NaCl.

Bioanalytical method for NAD detection in blood plasma utilizing solution-phase formate dehydrogenase and electrochemical detection.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a crucial coenzyme in cellular metabolism and is implicated in various diseases. This work introduces an electrochemical bioanalytical method utilizing solution-phase formate dehydrogenase (CbFDH) for detecting its oxidized form (NAD) in human blood plasma samples. The detection mechanism involves the catalytic conversion of NAD to NADH, facilitated by CbFDH in the presence of formate.