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Liquid and gel electrolytes based on common commercial and recently commercialized salts for application in lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are presented herein. Various solvent mixtures and electrolytes based on them are presented. Selected organic carbonates' mixtures are chosen as the base for these electrolytes. LiTDI (lithium 4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)-imidazolide) and LiPF6 (lithium hexafluorophosphate) are chosen to compare the behavior and the electrochemical properties of the investigated systems. The limited optimizations of electrolytes are presented for LiTDI salt. Results for LiPF6 electrolytes are presented as a benchmark. The detailed comparison of lithium transference numbers is presented. All liquid electrolytes present quite high values of conductivity at room temperature and in some cases reach above 6 mS cm−1 for LiTDI solutions. The base for gel electrolytes is PVdF-HFP co-polymer (poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)). The conductivity of gel electrolytes exceeds 1 mS cm−1 in case of the LiTDI system. All presented electrolytes show relatively high stability vs. Li/Li+, up to 4.7 V in both liquid and gel systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor MYC is a proto‐oncogene with a well‐documented essential role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of several types of cancer. MYC binds to specific E‐box sequences in the genome to regulate gene expression in a cell‐type‐ and developmental‐stage‐specific manner. To date, a combined analysis of essential MYC‐bound E‐boxes and their downstream target genes important for growth of different types of cancer is missing. In this study, we designed a CRISPR/Cas9 library to destroy E‐box sequences in a genome‐wide fashion. In parallel, we used the Brunello library to knock out protein‐coding genes. We performed high‐throughput screens with these libraries in four MYC‐dependent cancer cell lines—K562, ST486, HepG2, and MCF7—which revealed several essential E‐boxes and genes. Among them, we pinpointed crucial common and cell‐type‐specific MYC‐regulated genes involved in pathways associated with cancer development. Extensive validation of our approach confirmed that E‐box disruption affects MYC binding, target‐gene expression, and cell proliferation in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo. Our unique, well‐validated tool opens new possibilities to gain novel insights into MYC‐dependent vulnerabilities in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that mercury that enters the atmosphere is a serious threat to the natural environment. From the available literature, it can be stated that fossil fuels are among the main carriers of this fuel. The question arises whether it is the right approach. While the enrichment of bituminous coal produces limited amounts of mercury, they are being released into the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of coal. The situation is similar in the case of biomass, which releases large amounts of mercury into the atmosphere when subjected to the combustion process. While bituminous coal is the carrier of mercury, the application of currently known technology, rational production and the use of fossil fuels make it possible to maximally minimize mercury emissions into the atmosphere. This study evaluated the mercury content in the ashes resulting from the combustion of bituminous coal subjected to the enrichment process. The samples were collected from ten mines located in the Polish part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). In total, thirty coal samples and thirty products of the combustion process were examined. All sixty samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis, including: moisture content, ash content, sulfur content, carbon content, and Gross Calorific Value.

Biomass is one of the oldest and most widely used renewable energy sources. The biomass is the whole organic matter of vegetable or animal origin which is biodegradable. Biomass includes leftovers from agricultural production, forestry residues, and industrial and municipal waste. The use of biomass in the power industry has become a standard and takes place in Poland and other European countries. This paper discusses the correlation of mercury content in different biomass types used in the power industry and in products of biomass combustion. Different biomass types, which are currently burned in a commercial power plant in Poland, were discussed. A photographic documentation of different biomass types, such as straw briquettes, wood briquettes, pellets from energy crops (sunflower husk and wood husk), wood pellets, wood chips, and agro-biomass (seeds) was carried out. The presented paper discusses the results obtained for 15 biomass samples. Five selected biomass samples were burned in controlled conditions in the laboratory at the University of Silesia. The ash resulting from the combustion of five biomass samples was tested for mercury content. A total of twenty biomass samples and its combustion products were tested. Based on the obtained results, it was found that any supply of biomass, regardless of its type, is characterized by variable mercury content in dry matter. In the case of e.g. wood chips, the spread of results reaches 235.1 μm/kg (in dry matter). Meanwhile, the highest mercury content, 472.4 μm/kg (in dry matter) was recorded in the biomass of straw, wood pellets, and pellets from energy crops (sunflower husk). In the case of combustion products of five selected biomass types, a three or four fold increase in the mercury content has been observed.

Short RNAs derived from the cleavage of tRNA molecules are observed in most organisms. Their occurrence seems to be induced by stress conditions, but still little is known about their biogenesis and functions. We find that the recovery of tRNA fragments depends on the RNA isolation method. Using an optimized RNA extraction protocol and northern blot hybridization technique, we show that the tRNA-derived fragments in yeast are widespread in 12 different growth conditions. We did not observe significant stress-dependent changes in the amounts of tRNA fragments pool. Instead, we show the differential processing of almost all individual tRNAs. We also provide evidence that 3′-part-derived tRNA fragments are as abundant as the 5′- one in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting set of S. cerevisiae tRNA fragments provides a robust basis for further experimental studies on biological functions of tRFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the synthesis route and electrochemical properties of new class of ionic liquids (ILs) obtained from lithium derivate TDI (4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazolium) anion. ILs synthesized by us were EMImTDI, PMImTDI and BMImTDI, i.e. TDI anion with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations, where alkyl meant ethyl, propyl and butyl groups. TDI anion contains fewer fluorine atoms than LiPF6 and thanks to C–F instead of P–F bond, they are less prone to emit fluorine or hydrogen fluoride due to the rise in temperature. Use of IL results in non-flammability, which is making such electrolyte even safer for both application and environment. The thermal stability of synthesized compounds was tested by DSC and TGA and no signal of decomposition was observed up to 250 °C. The LiTDI salt was added to ILs to form complete electrolytes. The structures of tailored ILs with lithium salt were confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns. The electrolytes showed excellent properties regarding their ionic conductivity (over 3 mS cm−1 at room temperature after lithium salt addition), lithium cation transference number (over 0.1), low viscosity and broad electrochemical stability window. The ionic conductivity and viscosity measurements of pure ILs are reported for reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an experimental comparative study of the effect of elasticity of the continuous liquid in generation of droplets in microfluidic flow focusing devices. For a wide range of values of dynamic viscosity of the Newtonian droplet phase we compare the dynamics of the formation of droplets in three different Newtonian and non-Newtonian, viscoelastic (Boger) fluid pairs of the same (and nearly constant) shear viscosities. In both Newtonian and viscoelastic systems we find similar regimes of operation of the system: (i) dripping without satellites, (ii) dripping with single satellites, (iii) formation of multiple satellites, and (iv) jetting. We find that the elasticity of the focusing liquid stabilizes the jets facilitating formation of smaller droplets, and leads to transitions between various regimes at lower ratios of flow and at lower values of the capillary numbers in comparison to the Newtonian focusing liquids. We also show that the polydispersity of Newtonian droplets produced in non-Newtonian continuous phases depend significantly on the viscosity of the droplet phase while this dependence is minor when the continuous liquid is Newtonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is among the ten most common malignancies. Survival rates range from very poor to over 90% and highly depend on the stage and subtype. Characteristic features of NHL are recurrent translocations juxtaposing an oncogene (e.g. MYC , BCL2) to the enhancers in the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus. Survival and proliferation of many B-cell lymphomas depend on the expression of the translocated oncogene. Thus, targeting IGH enhancers as an anti-lymphoma treatment seems a promising strategy. Recently, a small molecule - 7-[[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)amino](2-pyridinyl)methyl]-8-quinolinol (compound 30666) was identified to decrease activity of the Eμ enhancer and reduce the expression of translocated oncogenes in multiple myeloma and some NHL cell lines (Dolloff, 2019). Here, we aimed to test the effect of compound 30666 in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and shed light on its mechanism of action. We report that both IGH -translocation positive NHL cells as well as IGH- translocation negative B cells and non-B cell controls treated with compound 30666 exhibited consistent growth inhibition. A statistically significant increase in cell percentage in sub-G1 phase of cell cycle was observed, suggesting induction of apoptosis. Compound 30666 downregulated MYC levels in BL cell lines and altered IGH enhancer RNA expression. Moreover, a global decrease of H3K27ac and an increase of H3K4me1 was observed upon 30666 treatment, which suggests switching enhancers to a poised or primed state. Altogether, our findings indicate that 30666 inhibitor affects enhancer activity but might not be as specific for IGH enhancers as previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: B-cell malignancies are a heterogenous group of lymphomas and leukemias and are the 6th most common cancer-related cause of death. Apart from several oncogenes and tumor suppressors involved in their pathogenesis, recently the role of non-coding, regulatory sequences has been implied. Enhancers are DNA elements controlling gene expression to ensure proper cell development and function. However, the activity of enhancers can be redirected, setting cells on the path towards cancer. In this review, we discuss different mechanisms through which enhancers are exploited in malignant B cells. We also highlight the potential of therapeutic targeting of enhancers as a direction for future investigation. B-cell lymphomas and leukemias derive from B cells at various stages of maturation and are the 6th most common cancer-related cause of death. While the role of several oncogenes and tumor suppressors in the pathogenesis of B-cell neoplasms was established, recent research indicated the involvement of non-coding, regulatory sequences. Enhancers are DNA elements controlling gene expression in a cell type- and developmental stage-specific manner. They ensure proper differentiation and maturation of B cells, resulting in production of high affinity antibodies. However, the activity of enhancers can be redirected, setting B cells on the path towards cancer. In this review we discuss different mechanisms through which enhancers are exploited in malignant B cells, from the well-studied translocations juxtaposing oncogenes to immunoglobulin loci, through enhancer dysregulation by sequence variants and mutations, to enhancer hijacking by viruses. We also highlight the potential of therapeutic targeting of enhancers as a direction for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of a new generation of sequencing techniques has revealed that most of the genome has already been transcribed. However, only a small part of the genome codes proteins. The rest of the genome "dark matter" belongs to divergent groups of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), that is not translated into proteins. There are two groups of ncRNAs, which include small and long non-coding RNAs (sncRNA and lncRNA respectively). Over the last decade, there has been an increased interest in lncRNAs and their interaction with cellular components. In this review, we presented the newest information about the human lncRNA interactome. The term lncRNA interactome refers to cellular biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides that interact with lncRNA. The lncRNA interactome was characterized in the last decade, however, understanding what role the biomolecules associated with lncRNA play and the nature of these interactions will allow us to better understand lncRNA's biological functions in the cell. We also describe a set of methods currently used for the detection of lncRNA interactome components and the analysis of their interactions. We think that such a holistic and integrated analysis of the lncRNA interactome will help to better understand its potential role in the development of organisms and cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal translocations in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) result in activation of oncogenes by placing them under the regulation of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) super-enhancers. Aberrant expression of translocated oncogenes induced by enhancer activity can contribute to lymphomagenesis. The role of the IGH enhancers in normal B-cell development is well established, but knowledge regarding the precise mechanisms of their involvement in control of the translocated oncogenes is limited. The goal of this project was to define the critical regions in the IGH regulatory elements and identify enhancer RNAs (eRNA). We designed a sgRNA library densely covering the IGH enhancers and performed tiling CRISPR interference screens in three NHL cell lines. This revealed three regions crucial for NHL cell growth. With chromatin-enriched RNA-Seq we showed transcription from the core enhancer regions and subsequently validated expression of the eRNAs in a panel of NHL cell lines and tissue samples. Inhibition of the essential IGH enhancer regions decreased expression of eRNAs and translocated oncogenes in several NHL cell lines. The observed expression and growth patterns were consistent with the breakpoints in the IGH locus. Moreover, targeting the Eμ enhancer resulted in loss of B-cell receptor expression. In a Burkitt lymphoma cell line, MYC overexpression partially rescued the phenotype induced by IGH enhancer inhibition. Our results indicated the most critical regions in the IGH enhancers and provided new insights into the current understanding of the role of IGH enhancers in B-cell NHL. As such, this study forms a basis for development of potential therapeutic approaches.

Eukaryotic genomes contain several types of recurrent sequence motifs, e.g. transcription factor motifs, miRNA binding sites, repetitive elements. CRISPR/Cas9 can facilitate identification and study of crucial motifs. We present transCRISPR, the first online tool dedicated to search for sequence motifs in the user-provided genomic regions and design optimal sgRNAs targeting them. Users can obtain sgRNAs for chosen motifs, for up to tens of thousands of target regions in 30 genomes, either for the Cas9 or dCas9 system. TransCRISPR provides user-friendly tables and visualizations, summarizing features of identified motifs and designed sgRNAs such as genomic localization, quality scores, closest transcription start sites and others. Experimental validation of sgRNAs for MYC binding sites designed with transCRISPR confirmed efficient disruption of the targeted motifs and effect on expression of MYC-regulated genes. TransCRISPR is available from https://transcrispr.igcz.poznan.pl/transcrispr/., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Recently, a number of ribosome-associated non-coding RNAs (rancRNAs) have been discovered in all three domains of life. In our previous studies, we have described several types of rancRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, derived from many cellular RNAs, including mRNAs, rRNAs, tRNAs and snoRNAs. Here, we present the evidence that the tRNA fragments from simple eukaryotic organism S. cerevisiae directly bind to the ribosomes. Interestingly, rancRNA-tRFs in yeast are derived from both, 5'- and 3'-part of the tRNAs and both types of tRFs associate with the ribosomes in vitro The location of tRFs within the ribosomes is distinct from classical A- and P-tRNA binding sites. Moreover, 3'-tRFs bind to the distinct site than 5'-tRFs. These interactions are stress dependent and as a consequence, provoke regulation of protein biosynthesis. We observe strong correlation between tRF binding to the ribosomes and inhibition of protein biosynthesis in particular environmental conditions. These results implicate the existence of an ancient and conserved mechanism of translation regulation with the involvement of ribosome-associating tRNA-derived fragments., (© FEMS 2016.)