Conditional and inducible gene targeting using Cre/loxP‐mediated recombination is a powerful reverse genetics approach used to study spatiotemporal gene functions in specified cell types. To enable ...temporal gene manipulation in the melanocyte lineage, we established a novel inducible Cre‐driver mouse line by targeting an all‐in‐one tetracycline/doxycycline (Dox)‐inducible Cre expression cassette into the Pmel locus (PmelP2A‐TetON3G‐TRE3G‐iCre), a gene locus preferentially expressed in pigment cells. By crossing these Cre‐driver mice with a strong Cre‐reporter mouse line, Gt(ROSA)26Sortm9(CAG‐tdTomato)Hze, we show the effectiveness of the PmelP2A‐TetON3G‐TRE3G‐iCre mouse line in facilitating Dox‐inducible Cre/loxP recombination in a wide variety of pigment cell lineages including hair follicle melanocytes and their stem cells. Furthermore, to demonstrate proof of concept, we ablated Notch signaling postnatally in the PmelP2A‐TetON3G‐TRE3G‐iCre mice. In agreement with the previously reported phenotype, induced ablation of Notch signaling in the melanocyte lineage resulted in premature hair graying, demonstrating the utility of the PmelP2A‐TetON3G‐TRE3G‐iCre allele. Therefore, the PmelP2A‐TetON3G‐TRE3G‐iCre mouse line is suitable for assessing gene functions in melanocytes using an in vivo inducible reverse genetics approach. Furthermore, we unexpectedly identified previously unrecognized PMEL‐expressing cells in non‐pigmentary organs in the mice, suggesting unanticipated functions of PMEL other than melanosome formation.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this paper, the origin of positive zeta potential exhibited by nanodiamond particles is explained. Positive zeta potentials in nano-structured carbons can be explained by the presence of graphitic ...planes at the surface, which leave oxygen-free Lewis sites and so promotes the suppression of acidic functional groups. Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy have been used to show that positive zeta potential of nanodiamond is only exhibited in the presence of sp
carbon at the surface.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a global network of interconnected computing, sensing, and networking devices that can exchange data and information via various network protocols. It can connect ...numerous smart devices thanks to recent advances in wired, wireless, and hybrid technologies. Lightweight IoT protocols can compensate for IoT devices with restricted hardware characteristics in terms of storage, Central Processing Unit (CPU), energy, etc. Hence, it is critical to identify the optimal communication protocol for system architects. This necessitates an evaluation of next-generation networks with improved characteristics for connectivity. This paper highlights significant wireless and wired IoT technologies and their applications, offering a new categorization for conventional IoT network protocols. It provides an in-depth analysis of IoT communication protocols with detailed technical information about their stacks, limitations, and applications. The study further compares industrial IoT-compliant devices and software simulation tools. Finally, the study provides a summary of the current challenges, along with a broad overview of the future directions to tackle the challenges, in the next IoT generation. This study aims to provide a comprehensive primer on IoT concepts, protocols, and future insights that academics and professionals can use in various contexts.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Climate change is defined as the shift in climate patterns mainly caused by greenhouse gas emissions from natural systems and human activities. So far, anthropogenic activities have caused about ...1.0 °C of global warming above the pre-industrial level and this is likely to reach 1.5 °C between 2030 and 2052 if the current emission rates persist. In 2018, the world encountered 315 cases of natural disasters which are mainly related to the climate. Approximately 68.5 million people were affected, and economic losses amounted to $131.7 billion, of which storms, floods, wildfires and droughts accounted for approximately 93%. Economic losses attributed to wildfires in 2018 alone are almost equal to the collective losses from wildfires incurred over the past decade, which is quite alarming. Furthermore, food, water, health, ecosystem, human habitat and infrastructure have been identified as the most vulnerable sectors under climate attack. In 2015, the Paris agreement was introduced with the main objective of limiting global temperature increase to 2 °C by 2100 and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C. This article reviews the main strategies for climate change abatement, namely conventional mitigation, negative emissions and radiative forcing geoengineering. Conventional mitigation technologies focus on reducing fossil-based CO
2
emissions. Negative emissions technologies are aiming to capture and sequester atmospheric carbon to reduce carbon dioxide levels. Finally, geoengineering techniques of radiative forcing alter the earth’s radiative energy budget to stabilize or reduce global temperatures. It is evident that conventional mitigation efforts alone are not sufficient to meet the targets stipulated by the Paris agreement; therefore, the utilization of alternative routes appears inevitable. While various technologies presented may still be at an early stage of development, biogenic-based sequestration techniques are to a certain extent mature and can be deployed immediately.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are ...alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 °C, and high temperature, higher than 300 °C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 °C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800–1300 °C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Six compounds namely, tanshinone IIA (1), carnosic acid (2), rosmarinic acid (3), salvianolic acid B (4), baicalein (5), and glycyrrhetinic acid (6) were screened for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities ...against both the spike (S) and main protease (Mpro) receptors using molecular docking studies. Molecular docking recommended the superior affinities of both salvianolic acid B (4) and glycyrrhetinic acid (6) as the common results from the previously published computational articles. On the other hand, their actual anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities were tested
using plaque reduction assay to calculate their IC
values after measuring their CC
values using MTT assay on Vero E6 cells. Surprisingly, tanshinone IIA (1) was the most promising member with IC
equals 4.08 ng μl
. Also, both carnosic acid (2) and rosmarinic acid (3) showed promising IC
values of 15.37 and 25.47 ng μl
, respectively. However, salvianolic acid (4) showed a weak anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC
value equals 58.29 ng μl
. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns were performed for the most active compound from the computational point of view (salvianolic acid 4), besides, the most active one biologically (tanshinone IIA 1) on both the S and Mpro complexes of them (four different molecular dynamics processes) to confirm the docking results and give more insights regarding the stability of both compounds inside the SARS-CoV-2 mentioned receptors, respectively. Also, to understand the mechanism of action for the tested compounds towards SARS-CoV-2 inhibition it was necessary to examine the mode of action for the most two promising compounds, tanshinone IIA (1) and carnosic acid (2). Both compounds (1 and 2) showed very promising virucidal activity with a most prominent inhibitory effect on viral adsorption rather than its replication. This recommended the predicted activity of the two compounds against the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 rather than its Mpro protein. Our results could be very promising to rearrange the previously mentioned compounds based on their actual inhibitory activities towards SARS-CoV-2 and to search for the reasons behind the great differences between their
and
results against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we recommend further advanced preclinical and clinical studies especially for tanshinone IIA (1) to be rapidly applied in COVID-19 management either alone or in combination with carnosic acid (2), rosmarinic acid (3), and/or salvianolic acid (4).
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
The multifunctional potential of a transition and noble metal catalyst supported on either a single support or combined oxide support in the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) is reviewed. ...The close interaction and interfacial area between the metal, reducible oxide, and acidic support are highlighted, which are crucial for low‐temperature CPOM. The effects of the catalyst components and their preparation methods are considered. Their impact on the catalytic performance and stability on the CPOM reaction is evaluated. The two main mechanisms of CPOM, namely, direct partial oxidation and combustion and reforming reaction, are also covered along with the most recent kinetic studies. Finally, the deactivation of the CPOM catalysts is evaluated in terms of coke and carbon deposition along with CO poisoning.
An overview is given on the multifunctional potential of a transition and noble metal catalyst supported on either single support or combined oxide support in the catalytic partial oxidation of methane. The factors influencing the oxidation reaction along with the mechanism and recent kinetic studies are reported. The deactivation of the catalytic partial oxidation of methane catalysts is evaluated.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Herein, a study of the thermal combustion/pyrolysis behaviour of three lignocellulosic biomass materials was tested. Alongside this, an investigation on the reduction of the subsequently produced ...pollution emissions was carried out. The lignocellulosic biomasses (miscanthus × giganteus, orange peel waste (OPW) and potato peel waste (PPW)) were physiochemically characterised, along with in-situ gas detection from the combustion/pyrolysis processes. XRD and EDX results showed high level of inorganic salts in the bulk and surface of the samples tested, which had an impact on the combustion/pyrolysis behaviour. Among the three lignocellulosic biomasses tested, OPW showed the highest higher heating value of 17.88 MJ Kg−1, whereas potato ash was the best candidate as a potential source of potassium (23.8 wt%) to be used in the fertiliser industry. The EDX results showed that miscanthus was the only lignocellulosic biomass to show high % Si in the surface composition. This was the reason for the low-temperature melting due to the formation of low fusion-temperature silicate as a result of SiO2, K, Cl and S. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted under pure nitrogen atmosphere, where hydrogen gas was observed in the temperature range of 580–700 °C. Combustion experiments were run under air where NOx emissions are generated during the combustion process. To mitigate those emissions, coupling the DeNOx catalyst with urea to construct an in-situ NH3-SCR system during the combustion achieved low levels of NOx emissions.
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•NOx gases were generated during the combustion process under air atmosphere.•Pt/TiO2/ZSM-5 did reduce the NOx emissions to a manageable level.•Coupling the DeNOx catalyst with urea during the combustion effectively reduced NOx emissions.•NOx emissions were converted into nitrogen and water over Pt/TiO2/ZSM-5 coupled with urea during the combustion.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background In pandemic COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the prognosis of patients has been determined using clinical data and CT (computed tomography) scans, but it is still unclear whether chest ...CT characteristics are correlated to COVID-19 severity. Aim To explore the potential association between clinical data and 25-point CT score and investigate their predictive significance in COVID-19-positive patients at Fayoum University Hospital in Egypt. Methods This study was conducted on 252 Egyptian COVID-19 patients at Fayoum University Hospital in Egypt. The patients were classified into two groups: a mild group (174 patients) and a severe group (78 patients). The results of clinical laboratory data, and CT scans of severe and mild patients, were collected, analyzed, and compared. Results The severe group show high significance levels of CRP, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, urea, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil percent, and heart rate (HR) than the mild group. Lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and decreased oxygen saturation (SpO2) were the most observed abnormalities in severe COVID-19 patients. Lymphopenia, low SpO2 and albumin levels, elevated serum LDH, ferritin, urea, and CRP levels were found to be significantly correlated with severity CT score (P<0.0001). Conclusion The clinical severity of COVID-19 and the CT score are highly correlated. Our findings indicate that the CT scoring system can help to predict COVID-19 disease outcomes and has a strong correlation with clinical laboratory testing.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective: The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the amniotic fluid (AF) microbiology of patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM); and (2) examine the relationship ...between intra-amniotic inflammation with and without microorganisms (sterile inflammation) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with preterm PROM.
Methods: AF samples obtained from 59 women with preterm PROM were analyzed using cultivation techniques (for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as genital mycoplasmas) and with broad-range polymerase chain reaction coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS). AF concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was determined using ELISA. Results of both tests were correlated with AF IL-6 concentrations and the occurrence of adverse obstetrical/perinatal outcomes.
Results: (1) PCR/ESI-MS, AF culture, and the combination of these two tests each identified microorganisms in 36% (21/59), 24% (14/59) and 41% (24/59) of women with preterm PROM, respectively; (2) the most frequent microorganisms found in the amniotic cavity were Sneathia species and Ureaplasma urealyticum; (3) the frequency of microbial-associated and sterile intra-amniotic inflammation was overall similar 29% (17/59): however, the prevalence of each differed according to the gestational age when PROM occurred; (4) the earlier the gestational age at preterm PROM, the higher the frequency of both microbial-associated and sterile intra-amniotic inflammation; (5) the intensity of the intra-amniotic inflammatory response against microorganisms is stronger when preterm PROM occurs early in pregnancy; and (6) the frequency of acute placental inflammation (histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis) was significantly higher in patients with microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation than in those without intra-amniotic inflammation 93.3% (14/15) versus 38% (6/16); p = 0.001.
Conclusions: (1) The frequency of microorganisms in preterm PROM is 40% using both cultivation techniques and PCR/ESI-MS; (2) PCR/ESI-MS identified microorganisms in the AF of 50% more women with preterm PROM than AF culture; and (3) sterile intra-amniotic inflammation was present in 29% of these patients, and it was as or more common than microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation among those presenting after, but not before, 24 weeks of gestation.
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