The Progress and Prospect of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks in Cancer Therapy, Antibacterial Activity, and Biomineralization

The progressive development of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), as a subfamily of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), and their unique features, including tunable pore size, large surface area, high thermal stability, and biodegradability/biocompatibility, have made them attractive in the field of biomedicine, especially for drug delivery and biomineralization applications. The high porosity of ZIFs gives them the opportunity for encapsulating a high amount of therapeutic drugs, proteins, imaging cargos, or a combination of them to construct advanced multifunctional drug delivery systems (DDSs) with combined therapeutic and imaging capabilities. This review summarizes recent strategies on the design and fabrication of ZIF‐based nansystems and their exploration in the biomedical field. First, recent developments for the adjustment of particle size, functionality, and morphology of ZIFs are discussed, which are important for achieving optimized therapeutic/theranostic nanosystems. Second, recent trends on the application of ZIF nanocarriers for the loading of diverse cargos, including anticancer medicines, antibiotic drugs, enzymes, proteins, photosensitizers, as well as imaging and photothermal agents, are investigated in order to understand how multifunctional DDSs can be designed based on the ZIF nanoparticles to treat different diseases, such as cancer and infection. Finally, prospects on the future research direction and applications of ZIF‐based nanomedicines are discussed.Peer reviewe

Study on the parasites of Pseudorhombus elevatus, Psettodes erumei and Brachirus orientalis from the Persian Gulf, Iran

The Persian Gulf is of great economical, environmental and political importance, and includes around 205 species of fishes that only some of them have been studied parasitologically. From the order Pleuronectiformes ( ray-finned fishes), Psettodes erumei (Psettodidae), Pseudorhombus elevatus (Bothidae) and Brachirus orientalis (Soleidae) were selected for the survey. One hundred and forty eight fishes including 97 P. erumei, 43 P. elevatus and 8 B. orientalis were provided from two different regions of Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. From P. erumei, 4 species of nematodes, one cestode and one acanthocephal species are reported including: Philometra sp., Contracaecum sp., Pseudoterranova sp., Raphidascaris sp., Dasyrhynchus sp. (Trypanorhyncha) larvae and Serrasentis sagittifer. This is the first report of S. sagittifer in P. erumei from the Persian Gulf. P. elevatus had fewer species of parasites including one nematode, Contracaecum, one copepod, Heterochondria pillai and one digenea metacercaria Stephanostomum sp. Brachirus orientalis harbored one copepod and two digenea species, Allocreadium sp. and Lepocreadioides zebrini. Our research provides evidences that Indian spiny turbots have larger diversity of parasites than the deep flounders

The importance of nanoscale confinement to electrocatalytic performance

Electrocatalytic nanoparticles that mimic the three-dimensional geometric architecture of enzymes where the reaction occurs down a substrate channel isolated from bulk solution, referred to herein as nanozymes, were used to explore the impact of nano-confinement on electrocatalytic reactions. Surfactant covered Pt-Ni nanozyme nanoparticles, with Ni etched from the nanoparticles, possess a nanoscale channel in which the active sites for electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction are located. Different particle compositions and etching parameters allowed synthesis of nanoparticles with different average substrate channel diameters that have varying amounts of nano-confinement. The results showed that in the kinetically limited regime at low overpotentials, the smaller the substrate channels the higher the specific activity of the electrocatalyst. This is attributed to higher concentrations of protons, relative to bulk solution, required to balance the potential inside the nano-confined channel. However, at higher overpotentials where limitation by mass transport of oxygen becomes important, the nanozymes with larger substrate channels showed higher electrocatalytic activity. A reaction-diffusion model revealed that the higher electrocatalytic activity at low overpotentials with smaller substrate channels can be explained by the higher concentration of protons. The model suggests that the dominant mode of mass transport to achieve these high concentrations is by migration, exemplifying how nano-confinement can be used to enhance reaction rates. Experimental and theoretical data show that under mass transport limiting potentials, the nano-confinement has no effect and the reaction only occurs at the entrance of the substrate channel at the nanoparticle surface

A Survey of Graph-based Deep Learning for Anomaly Detection in Distributed Systems

Anomaly detection is a crucial task in complex distributed systems. A thorough understanding of the requirements and challenges of anomaly detection is pivotal to the security of such systems, especially for real-world deployment. While there are many works and application domains that deal with this problem, few have attempted to provide an in-depth look at such systems. In this survey, we explore the potentials of graph-based algorithms to identify anomalies in distributed systems. These systems can be heterogeneous or homogeneous, which can result in distinct requirements. One of our objectives is to provide an in-depth look at graph-based approaches to conceptually analyze their capability to handle real-world challenges such as heterogeneity and dynamic structure. This study gives an overview of the State-of-the-Art (SotA) research articles in the field and compare and contrast their characteristics. To facilitate a more comprehensive understanding, we present three systems with varying abstractions as use cases. We examine the specific challenges involved in anomaly detection within such systems. Subsequently, we elucidate the efficacy of graphs in such systems and explicate their advantages. We then delve into the SotA methods and highlight their strength and weaknesses, pointing out the areas for possible improvements and future works.Comment: The first two authors (A. Danesh Pazho and G. Alinezhad Noghre) have equal contribution. The article is accepted by IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineerin

Ultrasensitive detection of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in whole blood using dispersible electrodes

The direct quantification of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment efficacy is an unmet clinical need. Herein, we demonstrate the first report of rapid, ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical detection of PD-L1directly in undiluted whole blood using modified gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles as “dispersible electrodes” with an ultralow detection limit of 15 attomolar and a response time of only 15 minutes

Mycobiota and aflatoxin B1 contamination of rainbow trout (Oncorhinchus mykiss) feed with emphasis to Aspergillus section Flavi

In the present study, mycobiota and natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in pellet feed and feed ingredients used in a feed manufacturing plant for rainbow trout nutrition was investigated. The samples were cultured on the standard isolation media for 2 weeks at 28 ºC. Identification of fungal isolates was implemented based on the macro- and microscopic morphological criteria. AFB1 was detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on the results obtained, a total of 109 fungal isolates were identified of which Aspergillus was the prominent genus (57.0%), followed by Penicillium (12.84%), Absidia (11.01%) and Pseudallscheria (10.10%). The most frequent Aspergillus species was A. flavus (60.66%) isolated from all feed ingredients as well as pellet feed. Among 37 A. flavus isolates, 19 (51.35%) were able to produce AFB1 on YES broth in the range of 10.2 to 612.8 µg/g fungal dry weight. HPLC analysis of trout feed showed that pellet feed and all feed ingredients tested except gluten were contaminated with different levels of AFB1 in the range of 1.83 to 67.35 µg/kg. Unacceptable levels of AFB1 were reported for feed including soybean, fish meal and wheat. These results indicate the importance of AF contamination of trout feed in amounts higher than the acceptable level as a risk factor for fish farming production

A New Fuzzy Method for Assessing Six Sigma Measures

Six-Sigma has some measures which measure performance characteristics related to a process. In most of the traditional methods, exact estimation is used to assess these measures and to utilize them in practice. In this paper, to estimate some of these measures, including Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO), Defects per Opportunity (DPO), Defects per unit (DPU) and Yield, a new algorithm based on Buckley's estimation approach is introduced. The algorithm uses a family of confidence intervals to estimate the mentioned measures. The final results of introduced algorithm for different measures are triangular shaped fuzzy numbers. Finally, since DPMO, as one of the most useful measures in Six-Sigma, should be consistent with costumer need, this paper introduces a new fuzzy method to check this consistency. The method compares estimated DPMO with fuzzy customer need. Numerical examples are given to show the performance of the method. All rights reserve

Evaluation of a short RNA within Prostate Cancer Gene 3 in the predictive role for future cancer using non-malignant prostate biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Prostate Cancer 3 (PCA3) is a long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). We recently identified a short ncRNA expressed from intron 1 of PCA3. Here we test the ability of this ncRNA to predict the presence of cancer in men with a biopsy without PCa. METHODS: We selected men whose initial biopsy did not identify PCa and selected matched cohorts whose subsequent biopsies revealed PCa or benign tissue. We extracted RNA from the initial biopsy and measured PCA3-shRNA2, PCA3 and PSA (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: We identified 116 men with and 94 men without an eventual diagnosis of PCa in 2-5 biopsies (mean 26 months), collected from 2002-2008. The cohorts were similar for age, PSA and surveillance period. We detected PSA and PCA3-shRNA2 RNA in all samples, and PCA3 RNA in 90% of biopsies. The expression of PCA3 and PCA3-shRNA2 were correlated (Pearson's r = 0.37, p<0.01). There was upregulation of PCA3 (2.1-fold, t-test p = 0.02) and PCA3-shRNA2 (1.5-fold) in men with PCa on subsequent biopsy, although this was not significant for the latter RNA (p = 0.2). PCA3 was associated with the future detection of PCa (C-index 0.61, p = 0.01). This was not the case for PCA3-shRNA2 (C-index 0.55, p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: PCA3 and PCA3-shRNA2 expression are detectable in historic biopsies and their expression is correlated suggesting co-expression. PCA3 expression was upregulated in men with PCa diagnosed at a future date, the same did not hold for PCA3-shRNA2. Futures studies should explore expression in urine and look at a time course between biopsy and PCa detection

Validation of Novel Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer Progression by the Combination of Bioinformatics, Clinical and Functional Studies

The identification and validation of biomarkers for clinical applications remains an important issue for improving diagnostics and therapy in many diseases, including prostate cancer. Gene expression profiles are routinely applied to identify diagnostic and predictive biomarkers or novel targets for cancer. However, only few predictive markers identified in silico have also been validated for clinical, functional or mechanistic relevance in disease progression. In this study, we have used a broad, bioinformatics-based approach to identify such biomarkers across a spectrum of progression stages, including normal and tumor-adjacent, premalignant, primary and late stage lesions. Bioinformatics data mining combined with clinical validation of biomarkers by sensitive, quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), followed by functional evaluation of candidate genes in disease-relevant processes, such as cancer cell proliferation, motility and invasion. From 300 initial candidates, eight genes were selected for validation by several layers of data mining and filtering. For clinical validation, differential mRNA expression of selected genes was measured by qRT-PCR in 197 clinical prostate tissue samples including normal prostate, compared against histologically benign and cancerous tissues. Based on the qRT-PCR results, significantly different mRNA expression was confirmed in normal prostate versus malignant PCa samples (for all eight genes), but also in cancer-adjacent tissues, even in the absence of detectable cancer cells, thus pointing to the possibility of pronounced field effects in prostate lesions. For the validation of the functional properties of these genes, and to demonstrate their putative relevance for disease-relevant processes, siRNA knock-down studies were performed in both 2D and 3D organotypic cell culture models. Silencing of three genes (DLX1, PLA2G7 and RHOU) in the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and VCaP by siRNA resulted in marked growth arrest and cytotoxicity, particularly in 3D organotypic cell culture conditions. In addition, silencing of PLA2G7, RHOU, ACSM1, LAMB1 and CACNA1D also resulted in reduced tumor cell invasion in PC3 organoid cultures. For PLA2G7 and RHOU, the effects of siRNA silencing on proliferation and cell-motility could also be confirmed in 2D monolayer cultures. In conclusion, DLX1 and RHOU showed the strongest potential as useful clinical biomarkers for PCa diagnosis, further validated by their functional roles in PCa progression. These candidates may be useful for more reliable identification of relapses or therapy failures prior to the recurrence local or distant metastases

pSESYNTH project: Community mobilization for a multi-disciplinary paleo database of the Global South

How to enhance paleoscientific research, collaboration and application in the Global South? The INQUA-funded multi-year pSESYNTH project envisions the first multi-disciplinary Holocene paleo database through a collaborative vision for past human–environmental systems in the Global South, and their future sustainability.Fil: Kulkarni, Charuta. Independent Researcher; IndiaFil: Jara, I. A.. Universidad de Tarapacá; ChileFil: Chevalier, Merari. Rheinische Friedrich-wilhelms-universität Bonn; AlemaniaFil: Isa, A. A.. Ahmadu Bello University; NigeriaFil: Alinezhad, K.. Kiel University; AlemaniaFil: Brugger, S. O.. University of Basel; SuizaFil: Bunbury, M. M. E.. James Cook University; AustraliaFil: Cordero Oviedo, C.. University of Toronto; CanadáFil: Courtney Mustaphi, C.. University of Basel; SuizaFil: Echeverría Galindo, P.. Technische Universität Braunschweig; AlemaniaFil: Ensafi Moghaddam, T.. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension; IránFil: Ferrara, V.. Stockholm University Of The Arts (uniarts);Fil: Garcia Rodriguez, F.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gitau, P.. National Museums Of Kenya; KeniaFil: Hannaford, M.. Lincoln University.; Nueva ZelandaFil: Herbert, A.. The Australian National University; AustraliaFil: Hernández, A.. Universidade Da Coruña; EspañaFil: Jalali, B.. Second Institute Of Oceanography; ChinaFil: Jha, D. K.. Max Planck Institute Of Geoanthropology; AlemaniaFil: Kinyanjui, R. N.. Max Planck Institute Of Geoanthropology; AlemaniaFil: Koren, G.. University of Utrecht; Países BajosFil: Mackay, H.. University of Durham; Reino UnidoFil: Mansilla, C. A.. Universidad de Magallanes; ChileFil: Margalef, O.. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Mukhopadhyay, S.. Deccan College Post Graduate Research Institute; IndiaFil: Onafeso, O.. Olabisi Onabanjo University; NigeriaFil: Riris, P.. Bournemouth University; Reino UnidoFil: Rodriguez Abaunza, A.. Indiana University; Estados UnidosFil: Rodríguez Zorro, P.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Saeidi, S.. Lab. State Office For Cultural Heritage; AlemaniaFil: Ratnayake, A. S.. Uva Wellassa University; Sri LankaFil: Seitz, Carina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Spate, M.. University Of Sydney; AustraliaFil: Vasquez Perez, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Benito, Xavier. Institut de Recerca I Tecnologia Agroalimentàries.; Españ