| 1. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(författare)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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Ingår i: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 2. |
- Wang, Yuchen, et al.
(författare)
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Field observations of C2 and C3 organosulfates and insights into their formation mechanisms at a suburban site in Hong Kong
- 2023
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Ingår i: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 904
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Organosulfates (OSs) are formed from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their oxidation products in the presence of sulfate particles. While OSs represent an important component in secondary organic aerosol, the knowledge of their formation driving force, mechanisms, and environmental impact remain inadequately understood. In this study, we report ambient observations of C2-3 oxygenated VOCs derived OSs (C2-3 OSs) at a suburban location of Hong Kong during autumn 2016. The C2-3 OSs, including glycolaldehyde sulfate (GS), hydroxyacetone sulfate (HAS), glycolic acid sulfate (GAS), and lactic acid sulfate (LAS), were quantified/semiquantified using offline liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of aerosol filter samples. The average sum concentration of C2-3 OSs was 36 ng/m3. Correlation analysis revealed that sulfate, surface area, and liquid water content were important factors influencing C2-3 OS formation. Online measurement with an iodide High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Chemical-Ionization Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-CIMS) coupled with the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO) was also conducted to monitor C2-3 OSs, and their potential oxygenated VOC precursors in both gas-and particle-phase, and aerosol acidity tracer simultaneously. Our measurements support that glycolaldehyde/glyoxal, hydroxyacetone, glycolic acid/glyoxal, and lactic acid/ methylglyoxal are likely precursors for GS, HAS, GAS, and LAS, respectively. Additionally, we found strong correlation between C2-3 OSs and H3S2O8 , a marker for aerosol acidity, providing field observational evidence for acid-catalyzed formation of small OSs. Based on both online and offline measurements, acid-catalyzed formation mechanisms in particle/aqueous phase are proposed. Specifically, the unique structure of adjacent carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the C2-3 oxygenated VOC precursors can facilitate the formation of (1) a five member ring intermediate via intramolecular hydrogen bond to react with sulfur trioxide through heterogenous reaction or (2) cyclic sulfate intermediate via particle-phase reaction with sulfuric acid to generate C2-3 OSs. These proposed mechanisms provide an alternative pathway for the liquid-phase production of C2-3 OSs.
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| 3. |
- Alander, B., et al.
(författare)
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A facile way of making inexpensive rigid and soft protein biofoams with rapid liquid absorption
- 2018
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Ingår i: Industrial crops and products (Print). - : Elsevier. - 0926-6690 .- 1872-633X. ; 119, s. 41-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A novel and facile method to produce inexpensive protein biofoams suitable for sponge applications is presented. The protein used in the study was wheat gluten (WG), readily available as a by/co-product, but the method is expected to work for other cross-linkable proteins. The foams were obtained by high-speed stirring of pristine WG powder in water at room temperature followed by drying. Glutaraldehyde was used to crosslink the foam material in order to stabilize the dispersion, reduce its tackiness and improve the strength of the final foam. The foams were of medium to high density and absorbed readily both hydrophobic and hydrophilic liquids. The foam structure, consisting primarily of an open pore/channel system, led to a remarkably fast capillary-driven (pore-filling only) uptake of a hydrophobic liquid (limonene). Essentially all uptake occurred within the first second (to ca. 90% of the dry weight). In a polar liquid (water), the rapid pore-filling occurred in parallel with a more time-dependent swelling of the foam matrix material. Further improvement in the foam strength was achieved by making a denser foam or adding TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibres. Soft foams were obtained by adding glycerol.
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| 4. |
- An, Wenling, et al.
(författare)
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Enhanced Recent Local Moisture Recycling on the Northwestern Tibetan Plateau Deduced From Ice Core Deuterium Excess Records
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres. - 2169-897X .- 2169-8996. ; 122:23, s. 12541-12556
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local moisture recycling plays an essential role in maintaining an active hydrological cycle of the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Previous studies were largely limited to the seasonal time scale due to short and sparse observations, especially for the northwestern TP. In this study, we used a two-component mixing model to estimate local moisture recycling over the past decades from the deuterium excess records of two ice cores (i.e., Chongce and Zangser Kangri) from the northwestern TP. The results show that on average almost half of the precipitation on the northwestern TP is provided by local moisture recycling. In addition, the local moisture recycling ratio has increased evidently on the northwestern TP, suggesting an enhanced hydrological cycle. This recent increase could be due to the climatic and environmental changes on the TP in the past decades. Rapid increases in temperature and precipitation have enhanced evaporation. Changes of land surface of plateau have significantly increased evapotranspiration. All of these have intensified local moisture recycling. However, the mixing model used in this study only includes a limited number of climate factors. Some of the extreme values of moisture recycling ratio could be caused by large-scale atmospheric circulation and other climatic and weather events. Moreover, the potential mechanisms for the increase in local recycling need to be further examined, since the numeric simulations from climate models did not reproduce the increased contribution of local moisture recycling in precipitation.
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| 5. |
- Antonio, Capezza, et al.
(författare)
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Preparation and Comparison of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes as Fillers in Conductive Natural Rubber for Flexible Electronics
- 2019
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Ingår i: Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0030-2228 .- 1541-3764. ; 4:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conductive natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites were prepared by solvent-casting suspensions of reduced graphene oxide(rGO) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), followed by vulcanization of the rubber composites. Both rGO and CNT were compatible as fillers in the NR as well as having sufficient intrinsic electrical conductivity for functional applications. Physical (thermal) and chemical reduction of GO were investigated, and the results of the reductions were monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for establishing a reduction protocol that was useful for the rGO nanocomposite preparation. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed that both nanofillers were adequately dispersed in the main NR phase. The CNT composite displays a marked mechanical hysteresis and higher elongation at break, in comparison to the rGO composites for an equal fraction of the carbon phase. Moreover, the composite conductivity was always ca. 3-4 orders of magnitude higher for the CNT composite than for the rGO composites, the former reaching a maximum conductivity of ca. 10.5 S/m, which was explained by the more favorable geometry of the CNT versus the rGO sheets. For low current density applications though, both composites achieved the necessary percolation and showed the electrical conductivity needed for being applied as flexible conductors for a light-emitting diode.
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| 6. |
- Ashour, Radwa M., et al.
(författare)
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Green Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites for Separation Applications
- 2020
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 12:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials that can be designed to act as selective adsorbents. Due to their high porosity they can possess very high adsorption capacities. However, overcoming the brittleness of these crystalline materials is a challenge for many industrial applications. In order to make use of MOFs for large-scale liquid phase separation processes they can be immobilized on solid supports. For this purpose, nanocellulose can be considered as a promising supporting material due to its high flexibility and biocompatibility. In this study a novel flexible nanocellulose MOF composite material was synthesised in aqueous media by a novel and straightforward in situ one-pot green method. The material consisted of MOF particles of the type MIL-100(Fe) (from Material Institute de Lavoisier, containing Fe(III) 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) immobilized onto bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. The novel nanocomposite material was applied to efficiently separate arsenic and Rhodamine B from aqueous solution, achieving adsorption capacities of 4.81, and 2.77 mg g‒1, respectively. The adsorption process could be well modelled by the nonlinear pseudo-second-order fitting.
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| 7. |
- Birdsong, Björn K., et al.
(författare)
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Flexible and fire-retardant silica/cellulose aerogel using bacterial cellulose nanofibrils as template material
- 2024
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Ingår i: Materials Advances. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2633-5409.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study explores the possibility of using various silsesquioxane precursors such as (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to produce silsesquioxane-bacterial cellulose nanofibre (bCNF) aerogels. Each precursor allowed to customize the aerogel properties, leading to unique properties suitable for various applications requiring lightweight insulative materials. When utilizing APTES as the silsesquioxane precursor, an aerogel capable of over 90% recovery after compression was formed, making them suitable for flexible applications. When MTMS was used as the precursor, the aerogel retained some compression recovery (80%) but had the added property of superhydrophobicity with a contact angle over 160° due to the presence of CH3 functional groups, enabling water-repellence. Finally, TEOS allowed for excellent thermal insulative properties with a low Peak Heat Release Rate (PHRR), making it a promising candidate for fire-resistant applications. The customization of these aerogel materials was attributed to a combination of the chemical composition of the silsesquioxane precursors and the morphology of the coated bacterial cellulose nanofibres (bCNF), such as CH3 groups found in MTMS enabled for superhydrophobicity. Differences in morphology, such as uniform and smooth silsesquioxane coatings when using APTES or a “pearl-necklace” morphology using TEOS, enabled either compression recovery and flexibility or low thermal conduction. This investigation of silsesquioxane-bCNF provides a good understanding of the importance of the choice of precursor effect on insulating aerogel properties.
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| 8. |
- Cai, Guan, et al.
(författare)
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Root exudates with low C/N ratios accelerate CO2 emissions from paddy soil
- 2022
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Ingår i: Land Degradation and Development. - : Wiley. - 1099-145X .- 1085-3278. ; 33:8, s. 1193-1203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Root exudates can significantly modify microbial activity and soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization. However, how root exudates and their C/N stoichiometric ratios control paddy soil C mineralization is poorly understood. This study used a mixture of glucose, oxalic acid, and alanine as root exudate mimics for three C/N stoichiometric ratios (CN6, CN10, and CN80) to explore the underlying mechanisms involved in SOM mineralization. The input of root exudates enhanced CO2 emissions by 1.8–2.3-fold that of soil with only C additions (C-only). Artificial root exudates with low C/N ratios (CN6 and CN10) increased the metabolic quotient (qCO2) by 12% over those with higher stoichiometric ratios (CN80 and C-only), suggesting a relatively high energy demand for microorganisms to acquire organic N from SOM by increasing N-hydrolase production. The increase of stoichiometric ratios of C- to N-hydrolase (β-1,4-glucosidase to β-1,4-N-acetyl glucosaminidase) promoted SOM degradation compared to those involved in organic C- and N- degradation, which had a significant positive correlation with qCO2. The stoichiometric ratios of microbial biomass (MBC/MBN) were positively correlated with C use efficiency, indicating root exudates with higher C/N ratios provide an undersupply of N for microorganisms that trigger the release of N-degrading extracellular enzymes. Our findings showed that the C/N stoichiometry of root exudates controlled SOM mineralization by affecting the specific response of the microbial biomass through the activity of C- and N-releasing extracellular enzymes to adjust the microbial C/N ratio.
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| 9. |
- Capezza, Antonio Jose, et al.
(författare)
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Superabsorbent and Fully Biobased Protein Foams with a Natural Cross-Linker and Cellulose Nanofibers
- 2019
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 2470-1343. ; 4:19, s. 18257-18267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The development of fully natural wheat gluten foams showing rapid and high uptake of water, sheep blood, and saline solution, while maintaining high mechanical stability in the swollen state, is presented. Genipin was added as a natural and polar cross-linker to increase the polarity of the protein chains, whereas cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were added as a reinforcement/stiffener of the foams, alone or in combination with the genipin. The presence of only genipin resulted in a foam that absorbed up to 25 g of water per gram of foam and a more than 15 g uptake in only 8 min. In contrast, with CNF alone, it was not possible to maintain the mechanical stability of the foam during the water uptake and the protein foam disintegrated. The combination of CNF and genipin yielded a material with the best mechanical stability of the tested samples. In the latter case, the foam could be compressed repeatedly more than 80% without displaying any structural damage. The results revealed that a strong network had formed between the wheat gluten matrix, genipin, and cellulose in the foam structure. A unique feature of the absorbent/foam, in contrast to commercial superabsorbents, was that it was able to rapidly absorb nonpolar liquids (here, n-heptane) due to the open-cell structure. The capillary-driven absorption due to the open-cell structure, the high liquid absorption in the cell walls, and the mechanical properties (both in dry and swollen states) of these natural foams make them interesting as a sustainable replacement for a range of petroleum-based foam materials, including absorbent hygiene products such as sanitary pads.
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| 10. |
- Ding, Yang, et al.
(författare)
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Artificial intelligence-assisted point-of-care testing system for ultrafast and quantitative detection of drug-resistant bacteria
- 2023
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Ingår i: SMARTMAT. - : WILEY. - 2766-8525.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As one of the major causes of antimicrobial resistance, beta-lactamase develops rapidly among bacteria. Detection of beta-lactamase in an efficient and low-cost point-of-care testing (POCT) way is urgently needed. However, due to the volatile environmental factors, the quantitative measurement of current POCT is often inaccurate. Herein, we demonstrate an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted mobile health system that consists of a paper-based beta-lactamase fluorogenic probe analytical device and a smartphone-based AI cloud. An ultrafast broad-spectrum fluorogenic probe (B1) that could respond to beta-lactamase within 20 s was first synthesized, and the detection limit was determined to be 0.13 nmol/L. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional microfluidic paper-based analytical device was fabricated for integration of B1. Also, a smartphone-based AI cloud was developed to correct errors automatically and output results intelligently. This smart system could calibrate the temperature and pH in the beta-lactamase level detection in complex samples and mice infected with various bacteria, which shows the problem-solving ability in interdisciplinary research, and demonstrates potential clinical benefits.
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