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1. A Pooled Case-only Analysis of Reproductive Risk Factors and Breast Cancer Subtype Among Black Women in the Southeastern United States

   14. Sanderson, M; Pal, T; Beeghly-Fadiel, A; Fadden, M. K; Dujon, S. A; Clinton, C; Jimenez, C; Davis, J; Fortune, M; Thompson, J; et al (July 2021, Cancer epidemiology biomarkers prevention)

   Background: We investigated the association between reproductive risk factors and breast cancer subtype in Black women. On the basis of the previous literature, we hypothesized that the relative prevalence of specific breast cancer subtypes might differ according to reproductive factors. Methods: We conducted a pooled analysis of 2,188 (591 premenopausal, 1,597 postmenopausal) Black women with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer from four studies in the southeastern United States. Breast cancers were classified by clinical subtype. Case-only polytomous logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) status in relation to estrogen receptor–positive (ER+)/HER2− status (referent) for reproductive risk factors. Results: Relative to women who had ER+/HER2− tumors, women who were age 19–24 years at first birth (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22–2.59) were more likely to have TNBC. Parous women were less likely to be diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer and more likely to be diagnosed with TNBC relative to ER+/HER2− breast cancer. Postmenopausal parous women who breastfed were less likely to have TNBC [OR, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.43–0.99)]. Conclusions: This large pooled study of Black women with breast cancer revealed etiologic heterogeneity among breast cancer subtypes. Impact: Black parous women who do not breastfeed are more likely to be diagnosed with TNBC, which has a worse prognosis, than with ER+/HER2− breast cancer. 

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2. Toward scalable fabrication of electrochemical paper sensor without surface functionalization

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-022-00143-1  

   Wang, Cheng; Wu, Rui; Ling, Hao; Zhao, Zhiling; Han, Wenjia; Shi, Xiaowen; Payne, Gregory F.; Wang, Xiaohui (December 2022, npj Flexible Electronics)

   Abstract Paper-based electrochemical sensors provide the opportunity for low-cost, portable and environmentally friendly single-use chemical analysis and there are various reports of surface-functionalized paper electrodes. Here we report a composite paper electrode that is fabricated through designed papermaking using cellulose, carbon fibers (CF), and graphene oxide (GO). The composite paper has well-controlled structure, stable, and repeatable properties, and offers the electrocatalytic activities for sensitive and selective chemical detection. We demonstrate that this CF/GO/cellulose composite paper can be reduced electrochemically using relatively mild conditions and this GO reduction confers electrocatalytic properties to the composite paper. Finally, we demonstrate that this composite paper offers sensing performance (sensitivity and selectivity) comparable to, or better than, paper-based sensors prepared by small-batch surface-modification (e.g., printing) methods. We envision this coupling of industrialized papermaking technologies with interfacial engineering and electrochemical reduction can provide a platform for single-use and portable chemical detection for a wide range of applications. 

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3. Design and synthesis of covalently tethered “isoG-star” as a recyclable host for selective cesium separation

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D3GC02932H  

   Liu, Mengjia; He, Ying; Wojtas, Lukasz; Shi, Xiaodong (October 2023, Green Chemistry)

   By employing well-defined isoguanosine self-assembled pentamer formation and post-assembly modification, covalently tethered isoG-star through olefin metathesis was prepared as a recyclable receptor for selective cesium separation. 

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4. DASH : a versatile and high‐capacity gene stacking system for plant synthetic biology

   https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70179  

   Zhao, Chengsong; Stepanova, Anna N; Alonso, Jose M (June 2025, Plant Biotechnology Journal)

   Summary DNA assembly systems based on the Golden Gate method are popular in synthetic biology but have several limitations: small insert size, incompatibility with other cloning platforms, DNA domestication requirement, generation of fusion scars, and lack of post‐assembly modification. To address these obstacles, we present the DASH assembly toolset, which combines features of Golden Gate‐based cloning, recombineering, and site‐specific recombinase systems. We developed (1) a set of donor vectors based on the GoldenBraid platform, (2) an acceptor vector derived from the plant transformation‐competent artificial chromosome (TAC) vector, pYLTAC17, and (3) a re‐engineered recombineering‐readyE. colistrain, CZ105, based on SW105. The initial assembly steps are carried out using the donor vectors following standard GoldenBraid assembly procedures. Importantly, existing parts and transcriptional units created using compatible Golden Gate‐based systems can be transferred to the DASH donor vectors using standard single‐tube restriction/ligation reactions. The cargo DNA from a DASH donor vector is then efficiently transferredin vivoinE. coliinto the acceptor vector by the sequential action of a rhamnose‐inducible phage‐derived PhiC31 integrase and arabinose‐inducible yeast‐derived Flippase (FLP) recombinase using CZ105. Furthermore, recombineering‐based post‐assembly modification, including the removal of undesirable scars, is greatly simplified. To demonstrate the utility of the DASH system, a 116 kilobase (kb) DNA construct harbouring a 97 kb cargo consisting of 35 transcriptional units was generated. One of the coding DNA sequences (CDSs) in the final assembly was replaced through recombineering, and thein plantafunctionality of the entire construct was tested in both transient and stable transformants. 

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5. Solid State Reaction Epitaxy, A New Approach for Synthesizing Van der Waals heterolayers: The Case of Mn and Cr on Bi ₂ Se ₃

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202315112  

   Khatun, Salma; Alanwoko, Onyedikachi; Pathirage, Vimukthi; de Oliveira, Caique C.; Tromer, Raphael M.; Autreto, Pedro A.; Galvao, Douglas S.; Batzill, Matthias (March 2024, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures that pair materials with diverse properties enable various quantum phenomena. However, the direct growth of vdW heterostructures is challenging. Modification of the surface layer of quantum materials to introduce new properties is an alternative process akin to solid state reaction. Here, vapor deposited transition metals (TMs), Cr and Mn, are reacted with Bi₂Se₃with the goal to transform the surface layer to XBi₂Se₄(X = Cr, Mn). Experiments and ab initio MD simulations demonstrate that the TMs have a high selenium affinity driving Se diffusion toward the TM. For monolayer Cr, the surface Bi₂Se₃is reduced to Bi₂‐layer and a stable (pseudo) 2D Cr_1+δSe₂layer is formed. In contrast, monolayer Mn can transform upon mild annealing into MnBi₂Se₄. This phase only forms for a precise amount of initial Mn deposition. Sub‐monolayer amounts dissolve into the bulk, and multilayers form stable MnSe adlayers. This study highlights the delicate energy balance between adlayers and desired surface modified layers that governs the interface reactions and that the formation of stable adlayers can prevent the reaction with the substrate. The success of obtaining MnBi₂Se₄points toward an approach for the engineering of other multicomponent vdW materials by surface reactions. 

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