bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marangoni‐Driven Self‐Assembly MXene As Functional Membrane Enables Dendrite‐Free and Flexible Zinc–Iodine Pouch Cells
Authors: Liu Huan , Xu Zhijing , Cao Bin , Xin Zijun , Lai Hongjuan , Gao Shan , Xu Bin , Yang Jin‐Lin , Xiao Tao , Zhang Bao , Fan Hong Jin
Published: March 2024

Zn metal is a promising anode material in aqueous batteries, but the direct use of Zn foil encounters severe issues of dendrite formation and side reactions, causing short cycle life. Conventional thick and rigid insulating protection layers may impede Zn ion diffusion and detach during mechanical deformation of the battery. Herein, a dendrite‐free zinc anode is demonstrated by grafting a thin (≈10 nm) Ti3C2Tx MXene functional membrane which is formed via Marangoni‐driven self‐assembly. The thin MXene membrane initiates uniform nucleation and promotes deposition of (002)‐oriented Zn in a lateral growth mode. Meanwhile, the membrane functions as a soft, stress‐adaptive, and protective layer to the underneath active zinc. This functional membrane renders Zn anode with improved cycling stability without notable dendrite formation or side‐reaction products. Flexible Zn─I2 pouch cells fabricated from the MXene‐covered Zn foil (20 µm thick) anode and a modified ZnI2 cathode demonstrate stable capacity up to 1500 cycles and unchanged voltage upon various mechanical deformations. This work affords new insights into designing functional soft membranes for constructing flexible Zn‐based energy devices.
Time‐varying reaction of U.S. meat demand to animal disease outbreaks
Authors: Wang Yangchuan , Massa Olga Isengildina , Stewart Shamar L.
Published: March 2024

This study examined the impact of the mad cow (BSE) and bird flu (HPAI) outbreaks on the demand for beef, pork, and broiler meat in the United States from 1997 to 2022. Using time‐varying elasticities obtained from the Rotterdam model extended to include animal disease outbreaks, we found that the BSE outbreaks significantly reduced beef consumption. These reactions were indeed time‐varying, ranging from 1.312% in 2003 to 1.212% in 2005. HPAI outbreaks had a delayed reaction, with a rebound in broiler meat consumption in the quarter following the start of the outbreak. In general, the magnitude of these reactions was proportional to the severity of an outbreak.
Dementias Platform UK: Bringing genetics into life
Authors: Leonenko Ganna , Bauermeister Sarah , Ghanti Dipanwita , Stevenson‐Hoare Joshua , Simmonds Emily , Brookes Keeley , Morgan Kevin , Chaturvedi Nishi , Elliott Paul , Thomas Alan , Wareham Nicholas , Gallacher John , Escott‐Price Valentina
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION

The Dementias Platform UK (DPUK) Data Portal is a data repository bringing together a wide range of cohorts. Neurodegenerative dementias are a group of diseases with highly heterogeneous pathology and an overlapping genetic component that is poorly understood. The DPUK collection of independent cohorts can facilitate research in neurodegeneration by combining their genetic and phenotypic data.

METHODS

For genetic data processing, pipelines were generated to perform quality control analysis, genetic imputation, and polygenic risk score (PRS) derivation with six genome‐wide association studies of neurodegenerative diseases. Pipelines were applied to five cohorts.

DISCUSSION

The data processing pipelines, research‐ready imputed genetic data, and PRS scores are now available on the DPUK platform and can be accessed upon request though the DPUK application process. Harmonizing genome‐wide data for multiple datasets increases scientific opportunity and allows the wider research community to access and process data at scale and pace.
Acoustic Levitation Synthesis of Ultrahigh‐Density Spherical Nucleic Acid Architectures for Specific SERS Analysis
Authors: Ding Zhongxiang , Gao Heng , Wang Chao , Li Yuzhu , Li Ning , Chu Leiming , Chen Haijie , Xie Haijiao , Su Mengke , Liu Honglin
Published: March 2024

Controllably regulating the electrostatic bilayer of nanogold colloids is a significant premise for synthesizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA) and building ordered plasmonic architectures. We develop a facile acoustic levitation reactor to universally synthesize SNAs with an ultra‐high density of DNA strands, which is even higher than those of various state‐of‐the‐art methods. Results reveal a new mechanism of DNA grafting via acoustic wave that can reconfigure the ligands on colloidal surfaces. The acoustic levitation reactor enables substrate‐free three‐dimentional (3D) spatial assembly of SNAs with controllable interparticle nanogaps through regulating DNA lengths. This kind of architecture may overcome the plasmonic enhancement limits by blocking electron tunneling and breaking electrostatic shielding in dried aggregations. Finite element simulations support the architecture with 3D spatial plasmonic hotspot matrix, and its ultrahigh surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) capability is evidenced by in situ untargeted tracking of biomolecular events during photothermal stimulation (PTS)‐induced cell death process. For biomarker diagnosis, the conjugation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aptamer onto SNAs enables in situ targeted tracking of ATP during PTS‐induced cell death process. Particularly, the CD71 receptor and integrin α3β1 protein on PL45 cell membrance could be well distinguished by label‐free SERS fingerprints when using specific XQ‐2d and DML‐7 aptamers, respectively, to synthesize SNA architectures. Our current acoustic levitation reactor offers a new method for synthesizing SNAs and enables both targeted and untargeted SERS analysis for tracking molecular events in living systems. It promises great potentials in biochemical synthesis and sensing in future.
Total Synthesis of Pallamolides A−E
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Lijun , Jia Yanxing
Published: March 2024

We have achieved the first total synthesis of pallamolides A−E. Of these compounds, pallamolides B−E possess intriguing tetracyclic skeletons with novel intramolecular transesterifications. Key transformations include highly diastereoselective sequential Michael addition reactions to construct the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane core with the simultaneous generation of two quaternary carbon centers, a one‐pot SmI2‐mediated intramolecular ketyl–enoate cyclization/ketone reduction to generate the key oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane moiety, and an acid‐mediated deprotection/oxa‐Michael addition/β‐hydroxy elimination cascade sequence to assemble the tetracyclic pallamolide skeleton. Kinetic resolution of ketone 14 through Corey–Bakshi–Shibata reduction enabled the asymmetric synthesis of pallamolides A−E.
Engineering a Dual‐Functionalized PolyHIPE Resin for Photobiocatalytic Flow Chemistry
Authors: Broumidis Emmanouil , Paradisi Francesca
Published: March 2024

The use of a dual resin for photobiocatalysis, encompassing both a photocatalyst and an immobilized enzyme, brings several challenges, including effective immobilization, maintaining photocatalyst and enzyme activity and ensuring sufficient light penetration. However, the benefits, such as integrated processes, reusability, easier product separation, and potential for scalability, can outweigh these challenges, making dual resin systems promising for efficient and sustainable photobiocatalytic applications. In this study, we employed a photosensitizer‐containing porous emulsion‐templated polymer as a functional support that is used to covalently anchor a chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis (CiVCPO). We demonstrate the versatility of this heterogeneous photobiocatalytic material, which enables the bromination of four aromatic substrates, including rutin—a natural occurring flavonol—under blue light (456 nm) irradiation and continuous flow conditions.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes@pectin/κ‐carrageenan‐based nanocomposite biohydrogel prepared by gamma irradiation for efficient methylene blue dye sequestration
Authors: Aboelkhir Doaa M. , Sayed Asmaa , Eldondaity Leila S. , Joseph Veronica , Amin Ayman , Mahmoud Ghada A.
Published: March 2024

This study addresses the critical issue of removing toxic dyes from industrial wastewater to protect the environment and human health. To address this challenge, a bio‐based composite hydrogel was synthesized using gamma irradiation, 20 kGy, incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes@pectin/κ‐carrageenan/polyacrylic acid (MWCNTs PC/KC/PAAc) for removing methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. The prepared composites underwent characterization through Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis demonstrated a significant increase in surface area upon the addition of MWCNTs. Specifically, the surface area increased from 342.5 m2 g−1 for PC/KC/PAAc to 689.5 m2 g−1 when 0.175 wt% of MWCNTs were added. Also, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were utilized to examine the surface topography of PC/KC/PAAc and MWCNTs@PC/KC/PAAc. The results reveal that at 0.175 wt% of MWCNTs, there was a more uniform surface topography with well‐distributed MWCNTs within the matrix. In the adsorption study of MB dye, it was found that the highest MB removal efficiency was achieved at pH 11, with values of 68.21% and 96% for PC/KC/PAAc and MWCNTs@PC/KC/PAAc, respectively. Furthermore, upon studying the effect of MWCNTs (%), the results showed that the removal (%) of PC/KC/PAAc was 68.21 ± 1.02%, and this percentage increased rapidly with the addition of MWCNTs, reaching a maximum of 96 ± 0.85% when 0.175 (wt%) of MWCNTs was added. Isotherm and kinetic modeling demonstrated that MB adsorption follows the Freundlich isotherm for PC/KC/PAAc and the Redlich–Peterson isotherm for MWCNTs@PC/KC/PAAc, both following a pseudo‐second‐order kinetics model. In addition, from AFM data, after MB removal, the height increased significantly from 322 nm for PC/KC/PAAc to 810 nm for MWCNTs@PC/KC/PAAc (0.175 wt%), indicating a substantially higher adsorption of MB by MWCNTs@PC/KC/PAAc.
Harmless photonic crystal tattoo with angle‐independent structural color based on SiO2 nanoparticles and silk fibroin
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Liu Shiqi , Zhu Long , Wu Yun , Si Pengxiang , Zhang Dan
Published: March 2024

Owing to the potentially irritant nature of chemical ingredient in cosmetics, harmless photonic crystal tattoo (HPCT) materials with angle‐independent structural color have shown great promise in cosmetic industry. However, it still remains a challenge to produce artificial photonic crystal materials with good adherence to biological cutaneous tissue. Herein, a photonic crystal tattoo based on SiO2 nanoparticles/silk fibroin (SiO2 NPs/SF) is reported. With the SF solution addition of 55.8%, the 180° peel strength and nanoindentation adhesion force of product increased by 427.4% and 103.9%, respectively. Finally, as proof of concept, its applications for creating tattoo with optical pattern on artificial skin were shown. Based on its superior adhesion, harmlessness, and environmental friendliness, the product may be a promising candidate material for the cosmetic industry.
Zero‐sum game for nonlinear multiagent systems with full‐state constraints
Authors: Ji Weiyu , Pan Yingnan , Zhao Meng
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses the zero‐sum game problem for strict‐feedback nonlinear multiagent systems with full‐state constraints. Specifically, this paper focuses on the zero‐sum game scenario, wherein multiple agents aim to optimize the control strategies while considering the conflicting objectives of their opponents. To handle the full‐state constraints, a one‐to‐one nonlinear mapping technique is employed to convert the original strict‐feedback system into a more manageable pure‐feedback system without state constraints. In order to find a Nash equilibrium for virtual control signals and external disturbances, a simplified reinforcement learning algorithm is proposed, which tackles the challenges posed by solving the Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs equation. Unlike the existing
optimal control strategies that deal with matching conditions, the
optimal control strategy for strict‐feedback nonlinear systems needs to address the computational complexity issue arising from the repeated derivation of the virtual controller. To overcome the high‐order virtual controller problem, an approach based on the dynamic surface technique is introduced. By incorporating an approximation term of the high‐order virtual controller into the value function, the computational complexity challenge is effectively resolved. Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, it is proved that all signals of the closed‐loop systems are semi‐global uniformly ultimately bounded and the tracking control performance can be guaranteed. Finally, simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Cost‐effectiveness of Resonance® metallic ureteral stent compared with standard polyurethane ureteral stents in malignant ureteric obstruction: A cost‐utility analysis
Authors: Cooper Dawn M. , Lines Rachel , Shergill Iqbal
Published: March 2024

Background

Malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) is a frequent challenge for urologists. Patients have poor prognoses, treatment aims to improve quality‐of‐life while optimising renal function. Standard practice in the United Kingdom is to use polyurethane stents, which require frequent surgical replacements for blockages and encrustation. More durable metallic stents are available, although these incur an increased initial purchase price.

Aims

We aim to assess whether the use of polyurethane double‐J (JJ) or metallic stent, Resonance® is more cost‐effective for managing MUO in the UK healthcare setting.

Methods

A Markov model was parameterised to 5 years with costs and health‐related quality‐of‐life consequences for treating MUO with Resonance metallic stent (Cook Medical), versus standard JJ stents, from the UK care system perspective, with 3.5% discounting. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to assess the effect of uncertainty.

Results

Over 5 years, approximately four fewer repeat surgical interventions were estimated in the metallic stent arm compared with the JJ stent, driving a 23.4% reduction in costs. The mean estimates of costs and benefits indicate that treatment of MUO with Resonance for 5 years is dominant over JJ stents. Over 5 years a cost‐saving of £2164.74 and a health gain of +0.046 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient is estimated. With a maximum willingness to pay of £20 k per QALY, a net monetary benefit (NMB) of £3077.83 is estimated. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis at a willingness to pay threshold of £20 000 indicates an 89.3% probability of Resonance being cost‐effective over JJ stents. Within 1‐year savings of £726.53 are estimated driven by a reduction of two fewer repeat surgical interventions when using the metallic stent.

Conclusions

Resonance metallic stents for the treatment of MUO reduce the number of repeat procedures and could be a cost‐effective option for the treatment, potentially offering efficiencies to the healthcare system.
Application of hydrogel microneedles in the oral cavity
Authors: He Yiyao , He Dawei , Fan Lin , Ren Song , Wang Lin , Sun Jiang
Published: March 2024

Microneedles are a transdermal drug delivery system in which the needle punctures the epithelium to deliver the drug directly to deep tissues, thus avoiding the influence of the first‐pass effect of the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the likelihood of pain induction. Hydrogel microneedles are microneedles prepared from hydrogels that have good biocompatibility, controllable mechanical properties, and controllable drug release and can be modified to achieve environmental control of drug release in vivo. The large epithelial tissue in the oral cavity is an ideal site for drug delivery via microneedles. Hydrogel microneedles can overcome mucosal hindrances to delivering drugs to deep tissues; this prevents humidity and a highly dynamic environment in the oral cavity from influencing the efficacy of the drugs and enables them to obtain better therapeutic effects. This article analyzes the materials and advantages of common hydrogel microneedles and reviews the application of hydrogel microneedles in the oral cavity.
Evaluation of Orange data mining software and examples for lecturing machine learning tasks in geoinformatics
Authors: Dobesova Zdena
Published: March 2024

The study presents the advantages of, and possible uses for, Orange software for data mining in combination with processing spatial data by ArcGIS Pro software in education. To present suitability of Orange software in education, the scientific method of Physics of Notation by D. Moody is used to evaluate the Orange software's visual vocabulary. All nine principles are applied in the presented evaluation. As a result, a high level of effective cognition of the Orange visual vocabulary is proven by this method. Namely, the semantic transparency of visual vocabulary, thanks the explicit inner icons, is semantically immediate. Also, principle of dual coding is used properly by automatic text labels of graphical symbols with the opportunity to rename labels. Renaming is also a way to ensure the partial overloading of symbols found by the first principle of semiotic clarity. The principle of cognitive interaction is partially fulfilled by automatically reorganizing connector lines between symbols to reduce the crossing of lines. A high level of effective cognition is beneficial for students. The evaluation of the visual notation of Orange software is presented to inform teachers and the geoinformatics community of the highly effective cognitive aspects of Orange software. The two practical lectures of processing in Orange and ArcGIS Pro software are shown to the teachers and students of geoinformatics community as examples of machine learning tasks. They are cluster analyses carried out with the density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise method, first for the location of cafés in Olomouc town and the second example concerns finding similar European towns based on their land use arrangement, using the neural network and following hierarchical clustering. Both examples could provide inspiration for the geoinformatics community to adopt Orange data mining software.
Lignans Isolated from Piper truncatum Act as New Potent Antitrypanosomal Compounds
Authors: de M. Gonçalves Marina , Totini Carlos H. , De Castro Erica V. , Albuquerque Vanessa , Antar Guilherme M. , Tempone Andre G. , Lago João Henrique G.
Published: March 2024

The hexane extract from twigs of Piper truncatum Vell (Piperaceae) displayed activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and was subjected to chromatographic steps to afford six dibenzylbutyrolactolic lignans, being four knowns: cubebin (1), (−)‐9α‐O‐methylcubebin (2), (+)‐9β‐O‐methylcubebinin (3) and 3,4‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐demethylenedioxycubebin (4) as well as two new, named truncatin A (5) and B (6). Initially, in vitro activity against trypomastigotes was evaluated and compounds 1, 4 and 6 exhibited EC50 values of 41.6, 21.0 and 39.6 μM, respectively. However, when tested against amastigotes, the relevant clinical form in the chronic phase of Chagas disease, compounds 1–6 displayed activities with EC50 values ranging from 1.6 to 13.7 μM. In addition, the mammalian cytotoxicity of compounds 1–6 was evaluated against murine fibroblasts (NCTC). Compounds 2, 3 and 4 exhibited reduced toxicity against NCTC cells (CC50>200 μM), resulting in SI values of>21.9,>14.5 and>121.9, respectively. Compound 4 showed the highest potency with an SI value twice superior to that determined by the standard drug benznidazole (SI>54.6) against the intracellular amastigotes. These data suggest that lignan 4 can be considered a possible scaffold for designing a new drug candidate for Chagas disease.
Establishment and evaluation of detection methods for process‐specific residual host cell protein and residual host cell DNA in biological preparation
Authors: Tian Yixiao , Wang Xinyue , Shao Dongyan , Zhao Wen , Chen Renan , Huang Qingsheng
Published: March 2024

To establish accurate detection methods of process‐specific Escherichia coli residual host cell protein (HCP) and residual host cell DNA (rcDNA) in recombinant biological preparations. Taking the purification process of GLP expressed by E. coli as a specific‐process model, the HCP of empty E. coli was intercepted to immunize mice and rabbits. Using IgG from immunized rabbits as the coating antibody and mouse immune serum as the second sandwich antibody, a process‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for E. coli HCP was established. Targeting the 16S gene of E. coli, ddPCR was used to obtain the absolute copies of rcDNA in samples. Non‐process‐specific commercial ELISA kit and the process‐specific ELISA established in this study were used to detect the HCP in GLP preparation. About 62% of HCPs, which should be process‐specific HCPs, could not be detected by the non‐process‐specific commercial ELISA kit. The sensitivity of established ELISA can reach 338 pg/mL. The rcDNA could be absolutely quantitated by ddPCR, for the copies of rcDNA in three multiple diluted samples showed a reduced gradient. While the copies of rcDNA in three multiple diluted samples could not be distinguished by the qPCR. Process‐specific ELISA has high sensitivity in detecting process‐specific E. coli HCP. The absolutely quantitative ddPCR has much higher accuracy than the relatively quantitative qPCR, it is a nucleic acid quantitative method that is expected to replace qPCR in the future.
Cisplatin‐resistance induces lung squamous carcinoma cell growth by nicotine‐mediated α7nAchR/HDAC1/Cyclin D1/pRb cell cycle activation
Authors: Rao Leh , Guo Dan , Wu Jia‐Ping
Published: March 2024

The majority of adenocarcinoma lung cancer is found in nonsmokers. A history of tobacco use is more common in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The aim of this study is to identify the cisplatin (CDDP)‐resistance that promotes lung squamous carcinoma cell growth through nicotine‐mediated HDAC1/7nAchR/E2F/pRb cell cycle activation. Squamous cell carcinoma (NCI‐H520 and NCI‐H157) cells were examined after cisplatin and nicotine treatment by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide assay, cell migration assay, immunofluorescence staining, western blot analysis, and immunoprecipitation analysis. Consequently, CDDP is released from DNA and Rb phosphorylated pRb as a result of nicotine‐induced cancer cell proliferation through 7nAchR, which then triggers the opening of the HDAC1 cell cycle. The cell cycle is stopped when CDDP adducts are present. Nicotine exerts cancer cytoprotective effects by allowing HDAC1 repair mechanisms to re‐establish E2F promoting DNA stimulation cell cycle integrity in the cytosol and preventing potential CDDP and HDAC1 suppressed in the nuclear. Concentration expression of nicotine causes squamous carcinoma cell carcinogens to emerge from inflammation. COX2, NF‐KB, and NOS2 increase as a result of nicotine‐induced squamous carcinoma cell inflammation. Nicotine enhanced the cell growth‐related proteins such as α7nAchR, EGFR, HDAC1, Cyclin D, Cyclin E, E2F, Rb, and pRb by western blot analysis. It also induced cancer cell inflammation and growth. As a result, we suggest that nicotine will increase the therapeutic resistance effects of CDDP. This has the potential to interact with nicotine through α7nAchR receptors and HDAC1/Cyclin D/E2F/pRb potentially resulting in CDDP therapy resistance, as well as cell cycle‐induced cancer cell growth.
Predisposition in Dynamic Covalent Chemistry: The Role of Non‐Covalent Interactions in the Assembly of Tetrahedral Boronate Cages
Authors: Rondelli Manuel , Pasán Jorge , Fernández Israel , Martín Tomás
Published: March 2024

Directional bonding strategies guide the design of complex molecular architectures, yet challenges arise due to emergent behavior. Rigid structures face geometric constraints and sensitivity to mismatches, hindering the efficient assembly of molecular organic cages (MOCs). Harnessing intramolecular non‐covalent interactions offers a promising solution, broadening geometrical possibilities and enhancing adaptability to boost assembly yields. However, identifying these interactions remains challenging, with their full potential sometimes latent until final assembly. This study explores these challenges by synthesizing boronic acid tripods with varied oxygen positions at the tripodal feet and investigating their role in assembling tetrahedral boronate MOCs. Our results reveal substantial differences in the assembly efficiency among tripods. While the building blocks with oxygen in the benzylic position relative to the central aromatic ring form the MOCs in high yields, those with the oxygen atom directly bound to the central aromatic ring, only yield traces. Through X‐ray crystallography and DFT analyses, we elucidate how intramolecular interactions profoundly influence the geometry of the building blocks and cages in a relay‐like fashion, highlighting the importance of considering intramolecular interactions in the rational design of (supra)molecular architectures.
Flexible Full‐Inorganic Ultrathin Films with Stable Circularly Polarized Luminescence Covering the Visible to Near‐Infrared Region
Authors: Wu Wenxuan , Yao Wenyan , Zuo Lulu , Li Xinwei , Yang Xuekang , Liu Yaling , Tang Zhiyong
Published: March 2024

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials hold significant value in various fields, including information storage, secure communication, three‐dimensional displays, biological detection, and optoelectronic devices. Using the Langmuir‐Schaeffer (LS) assembly technique, we successfully construct a series of large‐area flexible optical ultrathin films. Impressively, the inorganic assembled ultrathin films exhibit excellent CPL optical activity covering the visible to near‐infrared (NIR) region, with the luminescence asymmetry factor glum ranging from 0.59 to 0.72. Moreover, such ultrathin films also display outstanding mechanical flexibility, the optical activity of which even after 240 bending cycles shows almost no difference compared to the unbent samples. Owing to the ultra‐broadband optical activity and ultra‐stable optical activity of such full‐inorganic assembled materials on flexible substrates, coupled with their excellent processability and outstanding mechanical flexibility, we anticipate they will find use in many fields such as communication technology and flexible optoelectronics.
Unexpected sequel to the application of silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride to an open carious lesion in a primary molar: A case report
Authors: Craig Graham G. , Shi Jeffrey X.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The use of silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride was designed for the treatment of open carious lesions in primary molars in dental outreach programs. However, during the COVID‐19 pandemic when aerosol‐producing procedures were inadvisable, one dental location started using it as the first stage in a two‐visit restorative procedure for carious primary molars. If the gap between the fluoride application and the restoration placement stages was around 3–5 weeks it was noticed that a black friable crust appeared on the caries surface. To investigate further a normally discarded crust from one patient was retrieved and sent for analysis.

Materials and Methods

Two techniques suitable for identification and preliminary analysis of material of unknown composition, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used. The only preparation was that the specimen was dried and coated beforehand.

Results and Conclusions

This preliminary examination showed two unexpected findings. The first was that the crust surface indicated a possible dentine derivation as it was covered with reasonably evenly spaced holes. In addition, the EDS spectrum showed it to be, at least, partially mineralized. The second unexpected finding was that the surface was coated with electron‐dense particles. The size of the particles and the EDS spectrum pointed to the likelihood of the majority of them being nanosilver. These unexpected findings suggest a possible new direction for research.
Evaluation of the relationship between the expression of AgNOR and Ki67 with the recurrence rate in central granulomatous giant cell lesions: A case‐control
Authors: Dareh Mina T. B. , Andisheh‐Tadbir Azadeh , Aghakouchakzadeh Arezoo
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Giant cell granuloma is a local nonneoplastic lesion that is divided into two categories, based on its site of occurrence: Central and peripheral giant cell granuloma. Central giant cell granuloma is an intraosseous lesion that has a tendency to recure even in surgically treated cases. Several studies have proven that there is an association between different lesions clinical behavior and their histological features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AgNOR and Ki67 in lesions with and without recurrency.

Material and Methods

Files and records of 35 patients who had been histologically diagnosed with central giant cell granuloma were investigated. Histological features were studied after performing AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker. The data were analyzed by chi‐square, Fisher, and T‐test.

Results

Acquired data indicated that the count of AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker was significantly higher in lesions with recurrency than the lesions with no recurrency. The same results were attained from Ki67 intensity.

Conclusion

The current study indicated that AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker have prognostic value in predicting recurrency of central giant cell granuloma lesions.
Second harmonic reduction strategy for two‐stage inverter energy storage system with dual active bridge converter based on virtual LC series resonant circuit
Authors: Yang Hao , Yang Lihui , Shi Jinzhu , Chen Zhenyi , Ji Junqi
Published: March 2024

The second harmonic current (SHC) caused by the instantaneous power of downstream inverter will seriously deteriorate the performance of two‐stage inverter and shorten the life of energy storage device, which narrows the application prospect of two‐stage inverter energy storage system (TSIESS). To reduce the SHC in TSIESS, this paper proposes a strategy of virtual LC series resonant circuit with notch filter (NF‐VLCSRC). This strategy utilizes the virtual impedance technology to achieve the function of a LC series resonant circuit (LCSRC) paralleled to the intermediate DC bus capacitor of the TSIESS, so the output impedance of the DAB converter can become larger than the impedance of the DC bus capacitor at twice fundamental frequency and thus the SHC in the front‐end DAB converter can be reduced effectively without power loss problem caused by the internal resistance of the actual LCSRC. Then, in order to facilitate the implementation and avoid interference of parameter mismatches on system performance, the NF is adopted to realize the VLCSRC strategy based on the frequency characteristics of the introduced virtual impedance. Theory analysis and experimental results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques.
Design of a mixed load‐modulation balanced power amplifier with ultra‐extended power back‐off range
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Zhang Ruizhe , Xuan Xuefei
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes a mixed design strategy to expand the power back‐off (OBO) range of the pseudo‐Doherty load‐modulation balanced power amplifier (LMBA). An asymmetric LMBA configuration is employed to increase the OBO range. The two PA branches of the balanced PA operate in different class‐C modes, thereby obtaining two OBO points. Further, an asymmetrical coupler is also introduced into the asymmetrical LMBA architecture to expand the OBO. Here, the relationship between the OBO and coupler's parameters and asymmetrical configuration parameters is built. The behaviors of the proposed PA as a function of input power are derived when several representative parameters are chosen. To validate the proposed topology, a PA with an OBO of 15 dB operating across 3.4–3.6 GHz is designed, fabricated, and tested. Measurements illustrate that the PA can deliver a saturated output power of 43.6–44.5 dBm with a drain efficiency ranging from 70% to 72%. Drain efficiencies are between 50% and 68% at the OBO of 15 dB. The LMBA implemented here shows state‐of‐the‐art performance in terms of the OBO range.
Effectiveness of interventions to enhance healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Chen Pam , Vilorio Nalini Campillo , Dhatariya Ketan , Jeffcoate William , Lobmann Ralf , McIntosh Caroline , Piaggesi Alberto , Steinberg John , Vas Prash , Viswanathan Vijay , Wu Stephanie , Game Fran
Published: March 2024

Background

It is critical that interventions used to enhance the healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes are backed by high‐quality evidence and cost‐effectiveness. In previous years, the systematic review accompanying guidelines published by the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot performed 4‐yearly updates of previous searches, including trials of prospective, cross‐sectional and case‐control design.

Aims

Due to a need to re‐evaluate older studies against newer standards of reporting and assessment of risk of bias, we performed a whole new search from conception, but limiting studies to randomised control trials only.

Materials and Methods

For this systematic review, we searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for published studies on randomised control trials of interventions to enhance healing of diabetes‐related foot ulcers. We only included trials comparing interventions to standard of care. Two independent reviewers selected articles for inclusion and assessed relevant outcomes as well as methodological quality.

Results

The literature search identified 22,250 articles, of which 262 were selected for full text review across 10 categories of interventions. Overall, the certainty of evidence for a majority of wound healing interventions was low or very low, with moderate evidence existing for two interventions (sucrose‐octasulfate and leucocyte, platelet and fibrin patch) and low quality evidence for a further four (hyperbaric oxygen, topical oxygen, placental derived products and negative pressure wound therapy). The majority of interventions had insufficient evidence.

Conclusion

Overall, the evidence to support any other intervention to enhance wound healing is lacking and further high‐quality randomised control trials are encouraged.
Leaf morphological traits show greater responses to changes in climate than leaf physiological traits and gas exchange variables
Authors: Everingham Susan E. , Offord Catherine A. , Sabot Manon E. B. , Moles Angela T.
Published: March 2024

Adaptation to changing conditions is one of the strategies plants may use to survive in the face of climate change. We aimed to determine whether plants' leaf morphological and physiological traits/gas exchange variables have changed in response to recent, anthropogenic climate change. We grew seedlings from resurrected historic seeds from ex‐situ seed banks and paired modern seeds in a common‐garden experiment. Species pairs were collected from regions that had undergone differing levels of climate change using an emerging framework—Climate Contrast Resurrection Ecology, allowing us to hypothesise that regions with greater changes in climate (including temperature, precipitation, climate variability and climatic extremes) would be greater trait responses in leaf morphology and physiology over time. Our study found that in regions where there were greater changes in climate, there were greater changes in average leaf area, leaf margin complexity, leaf thickness and leaf intrinsic water use efficiency. Changes in leaf roundness, photosynthetic rate, stomatal density and the leaf economic strategy of our species were not correlated with changes in climate. Our results show that leaves do have the ability to respond to changes in climate, however, there are greater inherited responses in morphological leaf traits than in physiological traits/variables and greater responses to extreme measures of climate than gradual changes in climatic means. It is vital for accurate predictions of species' responses to impending climate change to ensure that future climate change ecology studies utilise knowledge about the difference in both leaf trait and gas exchange responses and the climate variables that they respond to.
Chimeric antigen receptor‐T cell therapy shows similar efficacy and toxicity in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma aged 70 and older compared to younger patients: A multicenter cohort study
Authors: Berning Philipp , Shumilov Evgenii , Maulhardt Markus , Boyadzhiev Hristo , Kerkhoff Andrea , Call Simon , Reicherts Christian , Saidy Anna O. , Aydilek Enver , Hoffmann Michèle , Novak Urban , Daskalakis Michael , Schmitz Norbert , Stelljes Matthias , Wulf Gerald , Bacher Ulrike , Lenz Georg , Pabst Thomas
Published: March 2024

CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapy has become a standard treatment for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL). While the benefits of CAR‐T cell treatment are clear in the general patient population, there remains a relative scarcity of real‐world evidence regarding its efficacy and toxicity in patients (pts) aged ≥70 years with DLBCL. We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis including 172 r/r DLBCL pts with CAR‐T cell treatment, axicabtagene ciloleucel or tisagenlecleucel, between 2019 and 2023 at three tertiary centers. Pts were grouped by age at CAR‐T infusion (<70 vs. ≥70 years). Subsequently, descriptive and survival analyses, including propensity score matching, were performed to compare outcomes between both age groups. We identified 109 pts aged <70 and 63 pts aged ≥70 years. Overall response rates for both age groups were comparable (77.7% vs. 78.3%; p = 0.63). With a median follow‐up of 8.3 months, median progression‐free survival was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.5–21.8) and 11.1 months (95% CI: 4.9–NR) (p = 0.93) for both cohorts. Median overall survival reached 21.8 months (95% CI: 11.8–NR) and 34.4 months (95% CI: 10.1–NR) (p = 0.97), respectively. No significant differences in the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (p = 0.53) or grade ≥3 neurotoxicity (p = 0.56) were observed. Relapse and nonrelapse mortality were not significantly different between both groups. Our findings provide additional support that CAR‐T cell therapy is feasible and effective in patients with r/r DLBCL aged 70 years or older, demonstrating outcomes comparable to those observed in younger patients. CAR‐T cell therapy should be not withheld for elderly patients with r/r DLBCL.
Quantifying the impact of sample, instrument, and data processing on biological signatures in modern and fossil tissues detected with Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wiemann Jasmina , Heck Philipp R.
Published: March 2024

Raman spectroscopy is a popular tool for characterizing complex biological materials and their geological remains. Ordination methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA), use spectral variance to create a compositional space, the ChemoSpace, grouping samples based on spectroscopic manifestations reflecting different biological properties or geological processes. PCA allows to reduce the dimensionality of complex spectroscopic data and facilitates the extraction of informative features into formats suitable for downstream statistical analyses, thus representing a first step in the development of diagnostic biosignatures from complex modern and fossil tissues. For such samples, however, there is presently no systematic and accessible survey of the impact of sample, instrument, and spectral processing on the occupation of the ChemoSpace. Here, the influence of sample count, unwanted signals and different signal‐to‐noise ratios, spectrometer decalibration, baseline subtraction, and spectral normalization on ChemoSpace grouping is investigated and exemplified using synthetic spectra. Increase in sample size improves the dissociation of groups in the ChemoSpace, and our sample yields a representative and mostly stable pattern in occupation with less than 10 samples per group. The impact of systemic interference of different amplitude and frequency, periodical or random features that can be introduced by instrument or sample, on compositional biological signatures is reduced by PCA and allows to extract biological information even when spectra of differing signal‐to‐noise ratios are compared. Routine offsets (
1 cm−1) in spectrometer calibration contribute in our sample to less than 0.1% of the total spectral variance captured in the ChemoSpace and do not obscure biological information. Standard adaptive baselining, together with normalization, increases spectral comparability and facilitates the extraction of informative features. The ChemoSpace approach to biosignatures represents a powerful tool for exploring, denoising, and integrating molecular information from modern and ancient organismal samples.
Recurrence patterns after complex multimodality therapy and hepatic arterial infusion for colorectal liver metastases: A reflection of biology and technique
Authors: Hernandez Matthew C. , Fan Darrell , Sandhu Jaideep , Mahuron Kelly , Kessler Jonathan , Raoof Mustafa , Fakih Marwan , Singh Gagandeep , Fong Yuman , Melstrom Laleh G.
Published: March 2024

Background and Methods

We characterized colorectal liver metastasis recurrence and survival patterns after surgical resection and intraoperative ablation ± hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) placement. We estimated patterns of recurrence and survival in patients undergoing contemporary multimodal treatments. Between 2017 and 2021, patient, tumor characteristics, and recurrence data were collected. Primary outcomes included recurrence patterns and survival data based on operative intervention.

Results

There were 184 patients who underwent hepatectomy and intraoperative ablation. Sixty patients (32.6%) underwent HAIP placement. A total of 513 metastases were ablated, median total of 2 ablations per patient. Median time to recurrence was 31 [22–40] months. Recurrence patterns included tumor at ablative margin on first scheduled postoperative imaging (8, 4.3%), local tumor recurrence at ablative site (69, 37.5%), and non‐ablated liver tumor recurrence (38, 20.6%). In patients who underwent HAIP placement, the rate of liver recurrence was reduced (45% vs 70.9%, p = 0.0001). Median overall survival was 64 [41‐58] months and prolonged survival was associated with HAIP treatment (85 [66–109] vs 60 [51–70] months.

Conclusions and Discussion

Hepatic recurrence is common and combination of intraoperative ablation and HAIP treatments were associated with prolonged survival. These data may reflect patient selection however, future work will clarify preoperative tumor and patient characteristics that may better predict recurrence expectations.
Deformity in valgus knee malalignment is not only in the femur but also in tibia or both, based on demographic and morphological analysis before and after knee osteotomies
Authors: An Jae‐Sung , Jacquet Christophe , Loddo Glauco , Mabrouk Ahmed , Koga Hideyuki , Argenson Jean‐Noël , Ollivier Matthieu
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify the demographic and morphological features of valgus knee deformity with unilateral osteoarthritic knee in the coronal plane. A secondary aim was to identify the distinct phenotypes of valgus knees in Hirschmann's phenotype and the coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) classifications before and after a knee osteotomy (KO).

Methods

A total of 107 patients (57 female and 50 male) with a mean age of 42.4 ± 17.2 years, who underwent varisation osteotomy for symptomatic unilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) and constitutional valgus deformity, were enrolled in the study, and the mean follow‐up period was 29.1 ± 7.3 months. The included cases comprised 60 cases of distal femoral osteotomy, 10 cases of double‐level osteotomy and 33 cases of high tibial osteotomy. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative clinical, functional and radiological evaluations, analysed by analysis of variance tests.

Results

An analysis of the location of the valgus deformities demonstrated that 56 cases (52.3%) were femoral based, 18 cases (16.8%) were both femoral and tibial based and 33 cases (30.9%) were tibial based. Twelve preosteotomy cases (11.2%) and 38 postosteotomy cases (35.5%) matched the most common eight Hirschmann's phenotypes, phenotyping the coronal lower limb alignment based on the native alignment in young patients without OA. Four (3.7%) preosteotomy cases and 89 postosteotomy cases (83.1%) matched the most common three CPAK phenotypes (Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅴ) based on constitutional alignment and joint line obliquity in healthy and osteoarthritic knees.

Conclusion

In valgus knee malalignment, the location of the deformity is not only solely femoral‐based but also solely tibial‐based or combined femoral and tibial‐based. An individualised osteotomy approach would be recommended to achieve careful preoperative planning that considers the location of the deformity and the resultant joint line. Hirschmann's and CPAK classification would not be relevant when KO is considered.

Level of Evidence

Level Ⅳ, retrospective case–control study.
Mobile medial pivot (lateral slide)‐type total knee arthroplasty exhibited different motion patterns between under anaesthesia and weight‐bearing condition
Authors: Tanifuji Osamu , Mochizuki Tomoharu , Sato Takashi , Watanabe Satoshi , Omori Go , Kawashima Hiroyuki
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which has medial pivot and mobile‐bearing mechanisms, has been developed and clinically used. However, the in vivo dynamic kinematics of the mobile medial pivot‐type TKA (MMPTKA) is unclear. This study analysed the in vivo kinematics of MMPTKA in weight‐bearing and nonweight‐bearing conditions.

Methods

The study included 10 knees that underwent primary TKA using MMPTKA. After TKA, lateral view radiographs of the knee in full extension, 90° of flexion and passive full flexion were taken under general anaesthesia in the nonweight‐bearing condition. At least 6 months postoperatively, knee motion during squatting from a weight‐bearing standing position was observed using a flat‐panel detector and analysed using the three‐dimensional‐to‐two‐dimensional image registration technique.

Results

Under anaesthesia: in passive full flexion, the anteroposterior (AP) locations of the femoral component's medial and lateral distal points were 10.2 and 16.0 mm posterior, and the rotational angles of the femoral component's X‐axis (FCX) and insert were 8.1° external rotation and 18.5° internal rotation to full extension, respectively. Squatting: the AP translations of the femoral component's medial and lateral most distal points were 2.2 and 6.4 mm, and the rotational angles of the FCX and insert were 5.7° and 1.6° external rotation, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the AP translation of the femoral component's medial and lateral most distal points and changes in the insert's rotational angle when comparing under anaesthesia and squatting.

Conclusions

The kinematics of the insert in MMPTKA was significantly influenced by loading and muscle contraction. The femoral component exhibited substantial external rotation and posterior translation under anaesthesia, which may contribute to achieving an optimal range of motion. The insert remained relatively stable during squatting and minimal rotation was observed, indicating good stability. MMPTKA was expected to demonstrate rational kinematics by incorporating mobile and medial pivot mechanisms.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, prospective biomechanical case series study.