bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone and sexsteroids down‐regulate reactive astroglia in the male ratbrain after a penetrating brain injury
Authors: Garcı́a‐Estrada Joaquı́n , Luquı́n Sonia , Fernández Ana M. , Garcia‐segura Luis Miguel
Published: July 2002

Astrocytes are a target for steroid hormones and for steroids produced by the nervoussystem (neurosteroids). The effect of gonadal hormones and several neurosteroids in theformation of gliotic tissue has been assessed in adult male rats after a penetrating wound of thecerebral cortex and the hippocampal formation. The hormones testosterone, 17β‐estradiol and progesterone and the neurosteroids dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone andpregnenolone sulfate resulted in a significant decrease in the accumulation of astrocytes in theproximity of the wound and in a decreased bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in reactiveastrocytes. Of all steroids tested, dehydroepiandrosterone was the most potent inhibitor of gliotictissue formation. These findings suggest that neurosteroids and sex steroids may affect brainrepair by down‐regulating gliotic tissue.
Depolarization‐induced release of [3H]d‐aspartate from GABAergic neurons caused by reversal of glutamate transporters
Authors: Jensen Jette B. , Pickering Darryl S. , Schousboe Arne
Published: July 2002

Cultured neocortical neurons, which predominantly consist of GABAergic neurons exhibit a pronounced stimulus‐coupled GABA release. Since the cultures may contain a small population of glutamatergic neurons and the GABAergic neurons have a high content of glutamate it was of interest to examine if glutamate in addition to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) could be released from these cultures. The neurons were preloaded with [3H]d‐aspartate and subsequently its release was followed during depolarization induced by a high potassium concentration or the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor agonists, AMPA and kainate. Depolarization of the neurons with 55 mM potassium increased the release of [3H]d‐aspartate by more than 10‐fold. When the non‐specific calcium‐channel blockers cobalt or lanthanum were included in the stimulation buffer with potassium, the release of [3H]d‐aspartate was decreased by about 40%. These results indicated that some of the released [3H]d‐aspartate might originate from a vesicular pool. When AMPA was applied to the neurons, the release of [3H]d‐aspartate was increased 2‐fold and could not be prevented or decreased by addition of cobalt. Since AMPA has a rapid desensitizing effect on AMPA receptors, it was examined whether AMPA under non‐desensitizing conditions was able to induce an increased release of [3H]d‐aspartate as compared to the conditions of applying AMPA alone. The desensitization of AMPA receptors was blocked by 6‐chloro‐3,4‐dihydro‐3‐(2‐norbornen‐5‐yl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐benzothiadiazine‐7‐sulphonamide‐1,1‐dioxide (cyclothiazide). Under the non‐desensitizing conditions, the AMPA‐induced release of [3H]d‐aspartate was highly enhanced showing about a 10‐fold increase over basal release. Addition of cobalt or lanthanum did not decrease the amount of [3H]d‐aspartate released, indicating that the release originated from a cytoplasmic pool. Kainate, which induces an almost non‐desensitizing effect on AMPA receptors, showed similar results as observed for AMPA under non‐desensitizing conditions. The NMDA receptor antagonist (5R,10 S)‐(+)‐5‐methyl‐10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5,10‐imine (MK‐801) had only minor effects on the [3H]d‐aspartate release induced by AMPA and kainate. Thus, the depolarization‐induced release of [3H]d‐aspartate from cultured GABAergic neurons appears to be caused mainly by reversal of the glutamate transporters.
Neuroendocrine responsivity to clomipramine challenge test in neuroleptic naive psychotic patients before and after treatment with haloperidol
Authors: Angelopoulos E , Markianos M , Daskalopoulou E , Tzemos J , Stefanis C
Published: July 2002

The prolactin, cortisol and growth hormone (GH) responses to intravenous administration of 25 mg clomipramine (CMI) were studied in young male psychotic patients who had never received neuroleptics and suffered from schizophrenia (13 patients), delusional disorder (three patients) or schizoaffective disorder (one patient). The test was repeated after 1 month in 16 patients who were hospitalized and treated with haloperidol in doses appropriate for best clinical response (range: 7.5–40 mg daily). Symptomatology was assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). There was no association of the side effects caused by the administration of CMI (nausea and emesis) to the GH responses. The side effects appeared significantly less in the after treatment trials. Treatment with haloperidol did not influence the response patterns of the three hormones. An indication that high haloperidol doses may inhibit the prolactin response to CMI was obtained when the data were compared between low (7.5–10 mg/day, mean 9.7) and high (15–40 mg/day, mean 22.0) dose subgroups. Significant positive correlations were found between the prolactin and cortisol responses to CMI in the drug-free state, and the scores in the positive symptoms subscale of the BPRS. The degree of improvement did not correlate to any of the hormonal data.
Isolated diastolic heart failure as a cause of breathlessness in the community: the Arbroath study
Authors: MacFadyen Robert J. , MacLeod Catherine M. , Shiels Paul , Smith W. Russell , MacDonald Thomas M.
Published: July 2002

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of exercise limitation due to diastolic heart failure among patients felt to have cardiac breathlessness by their general medical practitioner but not referred to hospital. We found that 18% of patients had a simple investigated profile compatible with isolated diastolic dysfunction as a cause of their symptoms. Symptoms appeared to pre‐date major cardiac events (infarction; stroke; arrhythmia) that dominated the subsequent clinical course. The patients in this group have adverse cardiovascular risk profiles. Obesity was a common co‐morbidity which may impair detailed 2‐D echocardiographic assessment.
Heart failure update
Authors: Gomes Uta C.S. , Cleland John G.F.
Published: July 2002

The RUSSLAN study, which randomised 504 patients with post‐infarction heart failure in whom intravenous inotropic support might be deemed appropriate, was presented for the first time in a hotline session at the annual meeting of the Working Group on Heart Failure of the European Society of Cardiology. The study suggested that levosimendan, a new calcium sensitising agent, could be used safely in patients with post‐infarction heart failure in the absence of severe hypotension and that it appeared to improve symptoms and survival. If these results can be confirmed it would render it unique among intravenous inotropic agents.
PUTTING RISK IN PERSPECTIVE: AN EVIDENCE‐BASED APPROACH TO SELECTED RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ORAL CONTRACEPTION
Authors: Murphy Patricia Aikins
Published: July 2002

Although use of oral contraceptives is an effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy, concerns exist about associated adverse health outcomes. The concept of risk and different approaches to describing risk are discussed, and studies of health risks associated with specific exposures are used to illustrate the differences between relative and absolute risk. Evidence about health risks associated with use of oral contraceptives is presented within the context of population‐based risk estimates.
Management of the Third Stage Of Labor: An Evidence‐Based Approach
Authors: Brucker Mary C.
Published: July 2002

The third stage of labor usually is eclipsed by the excitement of the birth of a baby. Evidence shows that management of this stage can directly influence important maternal outcomes such as blood loss, need for manual removal of the placenta, and postpartum hemorrhage. Most of the large trials have compared active management of the third stage to expectant management. Active management includes routine use of cord traction and uterotonins, whereas expectant management can be characterized as one of watchful waiting. The use of herbal therapies and homeopathic remedies lack study; additional factors such as site of birth and hydrotherapy also remain to be explored. However, on the basis of current evidence, if a decrease in postpartum bleeding or avoidance of manual removal is desired, an active approach to third stage is the one that should be adopted until and unless contradictory findings are published.
CONTROVERSIES IN IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES: VACCINE SAFETY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MIDWIFERY PRACTICE
Authors: Hackley Barbara K.
Published: July 2002

Adverse events occur only rarely after vaccine exposure. Yet, given the high vaccine coverage rates in the United States, the public is increasingly becoming concerned that vaccines may be causing immediate or long‐term health problems and less concerned about the possibility of becoming infected. More than 10,000 reports of possible vaccine‐related adverse events are reported every year to VAERS, the passive surveillance system that monitors vaccine safety after licensure. As providers of primary health care services to women, midwives are ideally positioned to answer women's questions about vaccine safety. This article provides the background midwives need to be able to help their clients make informed vaccine decisions. It discusses the incidence and risks of infection, the efficacy and risks of vaccines, issues complicating the evaluation of vaccine safety, the state of vaccine safety monitoring systems, and approaches consumers use in vaccine decision making.
Comparison of patient questionnaires, medical records, and plasma assays in assessing exposure to benzodiazepines in elderly subjects
Authors: Moore Nicholas , Pierfitte Corinne , Pehourcq Fabienne , Lagnaoui Rajaa , Bégaud Bernard
Published: July 2002

Objective

Exposure in pharmacoepidemiologic studies can rely on various sources such as medical records, patient questionnaires, or plasma samples, which do not always concur. This study endeavored to compare sources of information on current exposure to benzodiazepines in elderly subjects.

Methods

In a study in a hospital admissions department, 1136 elderly subjects included in a case‐control study each completed a structured questionnaire. In addition, an inspection of the medical records of each subject was performed, as well as screening of a plasma sample (high‐pressure liquid chromatography–diode array detector) for current exposure to benzodiazepines.

Results

Benzodiazepines were found in the plasma of 33% of 1013 patients, in the records of 31% of patients, and in the questionnaires of 36% of 797 respondents. With use of the plasma results as a standard, questionnaires had 11% false positives and 28% false negatives; medical records had 14% false positives and 23% false negatives. The κ for concordance between questionnaires and records was 0.63. Most of the errors were related to the unexpected presence in plasma of clorazepate, commonly used as a hypnotic agent.

Conclusions

Patient recall and medical records are not reliable measures of current exposure to benzodiazepines in elderly persons, although this unreliability may be more marked with certain drugs used as hypnotic agents.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 445–450; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2001.116147
The effects of empathy on search efforts for missing persons
Authors: Saraqini Dea , Stear Cassie , N. Moore Kara
Published: May 2020

People have difficulty sighting missing persons, partially because people's limited cognitive resources are required for searching. As a result, people sometimes do not devote resources to searching. This research will examine whether empathy increases the resources devoted to searching and search performance. In Experiment 1, we will manipulate empathy toward a formerly missing person and measure willingness to volunteer to search and actual search performance. In Experiment 2, we will manipulate empathy felt toward a missing person. We will measure the time participants spend studying the missing person's photograph. We hypothesize that participants induced to feel empathy will indicate more willingness to search (Exp 1 & 2), put more effort toward searching (Exp 1), and spend more time studying the photograph (Exp 2) than those not induced to feel empathy. If empathy increases search effort and performance, it could be induced in actual missing persons cases to increase recovery rates.
Flexible Electrocatalytic Nanofiber Membrane Reactor for Lithium/Sulfur Conversion Chemistry
Authors: Ji Lei , Wang Xia , Jia Yongfeng , Hu Quanli , Duan Limei , Geng Zhibin , Niu Zhiqiang , Li Weishan , Liu Jinghai , Zhang Yuegang , Feng Shouhua
Published: May 2020

Severe lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effects and sluggish electrochemical conversion kinetics constitute bottlenecks in developing fast‐rechargeable, high‐energy, and high‐power Li/S batteries. Here, a flexible and conductive TiN–Ti4O7 core‐shell nanofiber (TiNOC) membrane reactor is designed to electrocatalytically mediate Li/S conversion chemistry. The Ti, N, and O atoms in the nanofiber function as electrocatalysts and chemical confinement active sites to initiate long‐chain LiPS conversion and phase change, as well as to suppress soluble LiPS shuttling. With a sulfur cathode‐membrane reactor module configuration, Li/S cells possess a high sulfur utilization of 91.20%, good rate capability of 869.10 mA h g−1, and high capacity retention of 92.49%, with a coulomb efficiency of 99.57% after 200 cycles at 5 C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the optimized chemisorption configurations facilitate the elongation of LiS and SS bonds, as well as charge transfer along TiS and LiN bonds, which favors bond breakage, bond formation, and the activation of solid‐state S8, Li2S2, and Li2S. Layer‐by‐layer module stacking provides Li/S batteries with a high areal sulfur loading of 12.00 mg cm−2 to deliver a high areal capacity of 14.40 mA h cm−2 at 2.26 mA. Two batteries in series can power real‐world applications such as light emitting diode (LED) bulbs with a high energy output of 69.00 mW h.
Ferroelectric Domain Wall Memristor
Authors: McConville James P. V. , Lu Haidong , Wang Bo , Tan Yueze , Cochard Charlotte , Conroy Michele , Moore Kalani , Harvey Alan , Bangert Ursel , Chen Long‐Qing , Gruverman Alexei , Gregg J. Marty
Published: May 2020

A domain wall‐enabled memristor is created, in thin film lithium niobate capacitors, which shows up to twelve orders of magnitude variation in resistance. Such dramatic changes are caused by the injection of strongly inclined conducting ferroelectric domain walls, which provide conduits for current flow between electrodes. Varying the magnitude of the applied electric‐field pulse, used to induce switching, alters the extent to which polarization reversal occurs; this systematically changes the density of the injected conducting domain walls in the ferroelectric layer and hence the resistivity of the capacitor structure as a whole. Hundreds of distinct conductance states can be produced, with current maxima achieved around the coercive voltage, where domain wall density is greatest, and minima associated with the almost fully switched ferroelectric (few domain walls). Significantly, this “domain wall memristor” demonstrates a plasticity effect: when a succession of voltage pulses of constant magnitude is applied, the resistance changes. Resistance plasticity opens the way for the domain wall memristor to be considered for artificial synapse applications in neuromorphic circuits.
Reaction Mechanism Optimization of Solid‐State Li–S Batteries with a PEO‐Based Electrolyte
Authors: Fang Ruyi , Xu Henghui , Xu Biyi , Li Xinyu , Li Yutao , Goodenough John B.
Published: May 2020

The shuttle effect of long‐chain polysulfides (Li2Sn, n = 4–8) from the multistep reactions reduces the cycling life of solid‐state lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). Moreover, the ambiguous reaction mechanism of polysulfides in an SPE also limits the development of high‐performance solid‐state Li–S batteries. Here, a solid‐state Li–S cell with a much‐improved cycling performance is reported by coating the sulfur cathode with a layer of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which not only suppresses the formation of soluble polysulfides, but also changes the reaction mechanism of the sulfur from a multistep “solid–liquid–solid” reaction to a single‐step “solid–solid” reaction. These results show that long‐chain polysulfides are insoluble and unstable in PVDF polymers with a low solvent property, which facilitates the direct transformation of elemental sulfur to solid Li2S2/Li2S without the formation of intermediary products. However, the strong PEO–Li2Sn (n = 4–8) attraction causes a dissolution of polysulfides in PEO. The introduction of a polymer with a low solvent property in the sulfur cathode would be promising for the development of solid‐state Li–S batteries with a long cycling life.
Flexible Janus Textile‐Based Electroosmotic Pump for Large‐Area Unidirectional Positive Water Transport
Authors: Zhang Yuying , Tian Mingwei , Wang Lihong , Zhao Hongtao , Qu Lijun
Published: May 2020

Moisture management plays a vital role in enhancing the comfort of smart textiles and has attracted widespread attention. However, passive liquid transportation is the main method for clothes, and exhibits insufficient capacity for moisture transfer. Herein, a novel and flexible Janus textile‐based electroosmotic pump with directional positive water transport is proposed, based on the mechanism of electroosmosis. This Janus structure is assembled with carbon fabric as the anode and nickel‐plated nonwoven as the cathode with a filling of track‐etched polycarbonate membrane. Water flow can be directionally transported, even vertically against gravity, driven by low‐voltage based on the principle of a microfluidic double electron layer in the microchannels of a nanoporous membrane. The maximum water flux of the proposed electroosmotic pump reached 140.94 mg min−1 cm−2 with the driven voltage of 6 V, which is an excellent moisture permeability performance compared with previous membrane‐based electroosmotic pumps. Such innovative wearable devices can actively tune the moisture permeability for various conditions. As a proof of concept, the wearable electroosmotic pump is applied to sports insoles and sportswear to achieve durable, sufficient directional water transport. Such moisture transporting wearable devices have potential in areas such as smart clothing and medical protection.
Electrodeposition of Versatile Nanostructured Sb/Sb2O3 Microcomposites: A Parameter Study
Authors: Voigt Karsten , Heubner Christian , Liebmann Tobias , Matthey Björn , Weiser Mathias , Schneider Michael , Michaelis Alexander
Published: May 2020

Antimony (Sb) and its oxides are considered to be promising materials for numerous applications, such as secondary batteries, catalysis, and thermoelectrics. Recent studies show that Sb/Sb2O3 composites can easily be prepared by electrochemical deposition. In the present work, the impact of process parameters, such as flow conditions, substrate roughness, and current‐potential modulations, on the properties of the Sb/Sb2O3 deposits are investigated. The deposits are characterized by electron microscopy including energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis as well as X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The systematic investigations on the process parameters reveal that the size, morphology, and composition of the resulting Sb/Sb2O3 composites can be adjusted in a wide range. The insights of this parameter study imply a huge design freedom for the electrochemical formation of nanostructured Sb/Sb2O3 composites, allowing straightforward implementation of rational designs depending on a desired application.
The Bioinspired Facile Method to Efficiently Generate Diverse Proteinosomes with pH Switchable Permeability
Authors: Qin Jianghui , Wei Shaoyin , Xu Hongyan , Wang Liwen , Hao Pengyan , Peng Bo , Zhang Yagang , Shi Pengzhong , Zan Xingjie
Published: May 2020

Proteinosome, characterized by an inner aqueous cavity wrapped by membrane with embedded protein, is one of the most attractive structures, has huge potential applications on drug delivery, tissue engineering, catalysis, synthetic biology, artificial cells, engineering of the biomachines, biosensors, and biodevices, etc. Here, inspired by polyphenol chemistry, a facile and universal method is presented to fabricate the diverse proteinosomes, with independence on the amino acid sequence, isoelectric points, molecular weight (Mw), wettability, and functional domains of applied proteins. Besides, the materials employed here are green and cost‐effective, and the method developed here is efficient and easily operated without any expensive equipments. The proteinosomes and the mechanism of generating proteinosomes are well characterized and analyzed by various techniques. The permeability of generated proteinosomes is underlined, which not only shows dependence on the applied proteins but also the Mw of diffused molecules. In addition, the permeability can be reversibly switched on/off in 100% by environmental pH. Capitalizing the facility and university of this method, it is believed it paves the way of the proteinosomes to multiple potential applications, such as drug delivery, micro‐/nanoreactors, tissue engineering, catalysis, biosensor, etc.
Polymer Electronics: To Be or Not to Be?
Authors: Blom Paul W. M.
Published: May 2020

The realization that polymers can be used as active material in opto‐electronic applications initiated substantial effort in the scientific community to explore new materials. Polymers can be made strong, flexible, lightweight, and can be mass produced. Furthermore, polymers can be processed at low temperatures, typically below 150 °C, creating the opportunity to use a range of plastic substrates instead of glass. Many polymers are soluble in organic solvents, making it possible to create electronically active “inks” that allow for solution‐processed electronic components as light‐emitting diodes and transistors. Examples of innovative new products based on semiconducting polymers are inkjet‐printed displays, non‐contact radio frequency identification tags, and sensors. However, the realization of polymeric displays is hindered by the relatively low efficiency of polymer‐based light‐emitting diodes. Major problems are the inability to realize multi‐layers from solution, insufficient harvesting of triplet excitons and the presence of defects. Printed circuits of organic transistors are still hampered by stability issues and relatively low charge carrier mobility of the organic semiconductors. More recently, organic electrochemical transistors have been employed as biosensors. Herein, the fundamentals and recent progress of polymer‐based light‐emitting devices and transistors are being discussed.
Organ‐Restricted Vascular Delivery of Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer Therapy
Authors: Bölükbas Deniz A. , Datz Stefan , Meyer‐Schwickerath Charlotte , Morrone Carmela , Doryab Ali , Gößl Dorothee , Vreka Malamati , Yang Lin , Argyo Christian , van Rijt Sabine H. , Lindner Michael , Eickelberg Oliver , Stoeger Tobias , Schmid Otmar , Lindstedt Sandra , Stathopoulos Georgios T. , Bein Thomas , Wagner Darcy E. , Meiners Silke
Published: May 2020

Nanoparticle‐based targeted drug delivery holds promise for treatment of cancers. However, most approaches fail to be translated into clinical success due to ineffective tumor targeting in vivo. Here, the delivery potential of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized with targeting ligands for epidermal growth factor receptor and C─C chemokine receptor type 2 is explored in lung tumors. The addition of active targeting ligands on MSNs enhances their uptake in vitro but fails to promote specific delivery to tumors in vivo, when administered systemically via the blood or locally to the lung into immunocompetent murine lung cancer models. Ineffective tumor targeting is due to efficient clearance of the MSNs by the phagocytic cells of the liver, spleen, and lung. These limitations, however, are successfully overcome using a novel organ‐restricted vascular delivery (ORVD) approach. ORVD in isolated and perfused mouse lungs of Kras‐mutant mice enables effective nanoparticle extravasation from the tumor vasculature into the core of solid lung tumors. In this study, ORVD promotes tumor cell‐specific uptake of nanoparticles at cellular resolution independent of their functionalization with targeting ligands. Organ‐restricted vascular delivery thus opens new avenues for optimized nanoparticles for lung cancer therapy and may have broad applications for other vascularized tumor types.
Parathyroid Hormone‐Loaded Microneedle Promotes Tendon Healing Through Activation of mTOR
Authors: Yao Zhixiao , Xue Tong , Cai Chuandong , Li Juehong , Lu Mingkuan , Liu Xudong , Jin Tuo , Wu Fei , Liu Shen , Fan Cunyi
Published: May 2020

Tendon rupture/defects may impose a huge economic and mental burden on patients and society. At present, neither surgery nor conservative treatment regimens can provide long‐term therapeutic benefits, and the prognosis is often disappointing owing to the loss of tendon function and strength. There is an urgent need for innovative strategies to treat defective tendons. Here, a microneedle patch is developed for the efficient transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The microneedle tip is made up of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and is water swellable, but insoluble, thereby ensuring the accurate and efficient release of PTH, while evacuating the skin without any tip material deposition. The PTH‐loaded microneedle patch is replaced daily in a rat tendon defect‐healing model. Results from histology, biomechanics, and gene expression analysis confirm that this newly developed microneedle patch accelerates tendon healing following the subcutaneous delivery of PTH and activates the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade, which may be involved in the underlying mechanism. These results suggest that the PTH‐loaded microneedle patch developed herein may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of injured tendons.
Covalent Inhibitors Allosterically Block the Activation of Rho Family Proteins and Suppress Cancer Cell Invasion
Authors: Sun Zhongya , Zhang Hao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liao Liping , Zhou Wen , Zhang Fengcai , Lian Fulin , Huang Jing , Xu Pan , Zhang Rukang , Lu Wenchao , Zhu Mingrui , Tao Hongru , Yang Feng , Ding Hong , Chen Shijie , Yue Liyan , Zhou Bing , Zhang Naixia , Tan Minjia , Jiang Hualiang , Chen Kaixian , Liu Bo , Liu Chuanpeng , Dang Yongjun , Luo Cheng
Published: May 2020

The Rho family GTPases are crucial drivers of tumor growth and metastasis. However, it is difficult to develop GTPases inhibitors due to a lack of well‐characterized binding pockets for compounds. Here, through molecular dynamics simulation of the RhoA protein, a groove around cysteine 107 (Cys107) that is relatively well‐conserved within the Rho family is discovered. Using a combined strategy, the novel inhibitor DC‐Rhoin is discovered, which disrupts interaction of Rho proteins with guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). Crystallographic studies reveal that the covalent binding of DC‐Rhoin to the Cys107 residue stabilizes and captures a novel allosteric pocket. Moreover, the derivative compound DC‐Rhoin04 inhibits the migration and invasion of cancer cells, through targeting this allosteric pocket of RhoA. The study reveals a novel allosteric regulatory site within the Rho family, which can be exploited for anti‐metastasis drug development, and also provides a novel strategy for inhibitor discovery toward “undruggable” protein targets.
Multimodal Nanoscale Tomographic Imaging for Battery Electrodes
Authors: Müller Simon , Lippuner Manuel , Verezhak Mariana , De Andrade Vincent , De Carlo Francesco , Wood Vanessa
Published: May 2020

Accurate representations of the 3D structure within a lithium‐ion battery are key to understanding performance limitations. However, obtaining exact reconstructions of electrodes, where the active particles, the carbon black and polymeric binder domain, and the pore space are visualized is challenging. Here, it is shown that multimodal imaging can be used to overcome this challenge. High‐resolution ptychographic X‐ray computed tomography are combined with lower resolution but higher contrast transmission X‐ray tomographic microscopy to obtain 3D reconstructions of pristine and cycled graphite‐silicon composite electrodes. This cross‐correlation enables quantitative analysis of the surface of active particles, including the heterogeneity of carbon‐black and binder domain and solid‐electrolyte interphase coverage. Capturing the active particles as well as the carbon black‐binder domain allows using these segmented structures for electrochemical simulations to highlight the influence of the particle embedding on local state of charge heterogeneities.
Hierarchical Polyelemental Nanoparticles as Bifunctional Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Reactions
Authors: Wu Meiling , Cui Mingjin , Wu Lianping , Hwang Sooyeon , Yang Chunpeng , Xia Qinqin , Zhong Geng , Qiao Haiyu , Gan Wentao , Wang Xizheng , Kline Dylan , Zachariah Michael R. , Su Dong , Li Teng , Hu Liangbing
Published: May 2020

Efficient electrocatalysts are critical in various clean energy conversion and storage systems. Polyelemental nanomaterials are attractive as multifunctional catalysts due to their wide compositions and synergistic properties. However, controlled synthesis of polyelemental nanomaterials is difficult due to their complex composition. Herein, a one‐step synthetic strategy is presented to fabricate a hierarchical polyelemental nanomaterial, which contains ultrasmall precious metal nanoparticles (IrPt, ≈5 nm) anchored on spinel‐structure transition metal oxide nanoparticles. The polyelemental nanoparticles serve as excellent bifunctional catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The mass catalytic activity of the polyelemental nanoparticles is 7‐times higher than that of Pt in ORR and 28‐times that of Ir in OER at the same overpotentials, demonstrating the high activity of the bifunctional electrocatalyst. This outstanding performance is attributed to the controlled multiple elemental composition, mixed chemical states, and large electroactive surface area. The hierarchical nanostructure and polyelemental design of these nanoparticles offer a general and powerful alternative material for catalysis, solar cells, and more.
Cotton yield and lint quality responses to nitrogen rate and placement in the humid southeast
Authors: McClanahan Sarah , Frame W. Hunter , Stewart Ryan D. , Thomason Wade E.
Published: May 2020

Proper N management in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) is essential to optimize yields. Information on proper N application rate and placement method is needed for coarse‐textured soils of the humid Southeast. The objective of this study was to measure strip‐tilled cotton performance in response to five N rate and placement application methods. Five N rates (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha−1) and three placement methods {broadcast (urea + ammonium sulfate [AMS], surface banded (urea ammonium nitrate [UAN] + ammonium thiosulfate [ATS]), and injected (UAN + ATS) were evaluated from 2016 to 2018 at five sites in Virginia and one site in North Carolina. Petiole NO3–N, lint yield, lint percent turnout, and fiber quality parameters were measured. Nitrogen rate and placement had a significant effect on lint yield but only N rate affected petiole NO3–N concentration. Quadratic plateau analysis of relative yield found that 133, 128, and 180 kg N ha−1were the optimum N rates for injected, surface‐banded, and broadcast systems with relative yields of 95, 90, and 94%, respectively. A critical petiole NO3–N concentration threshold of 5600 mg NO3–N kg−1at early bloom was calculated to reach 92% relative yield. Neither rate nor placement had an effect on fiber quality parameters. This study shows that both surface banding and injecting between 128 and 133 kg N ha−1can produce 90% or more relative yield for a modern cotton variety in the upper southeastern coastal plain of the United States.
Molecularly Tailored Lithium–Arene Complex Enables Chemical Prelithiation of High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Jang Juyoung , Kang Inyeong , Choi Jinkwan , Jeong Hyangsoo , Yi Kyung‐Woo , Hong Jihyun , Lee Minah
Published: May 2020

Prelithiation is of great interest to Li‐ion battery manufacturers as a strategy for compensating for the loss of active Li during initial cycling of a battery, which would otherwise degrade its available energy density. Solution‐based chemical prelithiation using a reductive chemical promises unparalleled reaction homogeneity and simplicity. However, the chemicals applied so far cannot dope active Li in Si‐based high‐capacity anodes but merely form solid–electrolyte interphases, leading to only partial mitigation of the cycle irreversibility. Herein, we show that a molecularly engineered Li–arene complex with a sufficiently low redox potential drives active Li accommodation in Si‐based anodes to provide an ideal Li content in a full cell. Fine control over the prelithiation degree and spatial uniformity of active Li throughout the electrodes are achieved by managing time and temperature during immersion, promising both fidelity and low cost of the process for large‐scale integration.
Emerging Concepts of Nanobiotechnology in mRNA Delivery
Authors: Wang Yue , Yu Chengzhong
Published: May 2020

Introducing mRNA into cells has attracted intense interest for diverse applications; however, success requires delivery solutions. Engineered nanomaterials have been applied as mRNA nanocarriers; their functions are designed mainly as delivery vehicles, but rarely in regulation of the protein translation. Recently, progress in nanobiotechnology has shifted the design principle of mRNA nanocarriers from simple delivery tools to translation modulators. Here, we review the emerging concepts of nanomaterials regulating mRNA translation and recent progress in mRNA delivery. Designer nanomaterials providing integrated functions for specific mRNA applications are also reviewed to provide insights for the design of next‐generation nanomaterials to revolutionize mRNA technology.
Comparative impact of SiO2 and TiO2 nanofillers on the performance of thin‐film nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Urper‐Bayram Gulsum Melike , Bossa Nathan , Warsinger David M. , Koyuncu Ismail , Wiesner Mark
Published: May 2020

Nanoparticle (NP) additions can substantially improve the performance of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration polyamide (PA) membranes. However, the relative impacts of leading additives are poorly understood. In this study, we compare the effects of TiO2 and SiO2 NPs as nanofillers in PA membranes with respect to permeate flux and the rejection of organic matter (OM) and salts. Thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) PA membranes were fabricated using similarly sized TiO2 15 nm and SiO2 (10 – 20 nm) NPs, introduced at four different NP concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.2, and 0.5% w/v). Compared with PA membranes fabricated without NPs, membranes fabricated with nanofillers improved membranes hydrophilicity, membrane porosity, and consequently the permeability. Permeability was increased by 24 and 58% with the addition of TiO2 and SiO2, respectively. Rejection performance and fouling behavior of the membranes were examined with salt (MgSO4 and NaCl) and OM (humic acid [HA] and tannic acid [TA]). The addition of TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers to the PA membranes improved the permeability of these membranes and also increased the rejection of MgSO4, especially for TiO2 membranes. The addition of TiO2 and SiO2 to the membranes exhibited a higher flux and lower flux decline ratio than the control membrane in OM solution filtration. TFN membranes' HA and TA rejections were at least 77 and 71%, respectively. The surface change properties of NPs appear to play a dominant role in determining their effects as nanofillers in the composite membrane matrix through a balance of changes produced in membrane pore size and membrane hydrophilicity.
Design of a PID optimized neural networks and PD fuzzy logic controllers for a two‐wheeled mobile robot
Authors: Ben Jabeur Chiraz , Seddik Hassene
Published: May 2020

In this paper, two intelligent techniques for a two‐wheeled differential mobile robot are designed and presented: A smart PID optimized neural networks based controller (SNNPIDC) and a PD fuzzy logic controller (PDFLC). Basically, mobile robots are required to work and navigate under exigent circumstances where the environment is hostile, full of disturbances such as holes and stones. The robot navigation leads to an autonomous decision making to overcome an obstacle and/or to stop the engine to protect it. In fact, the actuators that drive the robot should in no way be damaged and should stop to change direction in case of insurmountable disturbances. In this context, two controllers are implemented and a comparative study is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. For the first one, neural networks are used to optimize the parameters of a PID controller and for the second a fuzzy inference system type Mamdani based controller is adopted. The goal is to implement control algorithms for safe robot navigation while avoiding damage to the motors. In these two control cases, the smart robot has to quickly perform tasks and adapt to changing environment conditions while ensuring stability and accuracy and must be autonomous with regards to decision making. Simulations results aren't done in real environments, but are obtained with the Matlab/Simulink environment in which holes and stones are modeled by different load torques and are applied as disturbances on the mobile robot environment. These simulation results and the robot performances are satisfactory and are compared to a PID controller in which parameters are tuned by the Ziegler–Nichols tuning method. The applied methods have proven to be highly robust.
Analysis of means approach in advanced designs
Authors: Jayalath Kalanka P. , Ng Hon Keung Tony
Published: May 2020

Analysis of means (ANOM), similar to Shewhart control chart that exhibits individual mean effects on a graphical display, is an attractive alternative mean testing procedure for the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The procedure is primarily used to analyze experimental data from designs with only fixed effects. Recently introduced, the ANOM procedure based on the q‐distribution (ANOMQ procedure) generalizes the ANOM approach to random effects models. This article reveals that the application of ANOM and ANOMQ procedures in advanced designs such as hierarchically nested and split‐plot designs with fixed, random, and mixed effects enhances the data visualization aspect in graphical testing. Data from two real‐world experiments are used to illustrate the proposed procedure; furthermore, these experiments exhibit the ANOM procedures' visualization ability compared with ANOVA from the point of view of the practitioner.
Protection and Isolation of Bioorthogonal Metal Catalysts by Using Monolayer‐Coated Nanozymes
Authors: Zhang Xianzhi , Fedeli Stefano , Gopalakrishnan Sanjana , Huang Rui , Gupta Aarohi , Luther David C. , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: May 2020

We demonstrate here the protection of biorthogonal transition metal catalysts (TMCs) in biological environments by using self‐assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Encapsulation of TMCs in this hydrophobic environment preserves catalytic activity in presence of pH conditions and complex biological media that would deactivate free catalyst. Significantly, the protection affords by these nanozymes extends to isolation of the catalyst active site, as demonstrated by the independence of rate over a wide pH range, in strong contrast to the behavior of the free catalyst.
Invasive strategy for COVID patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome: The first multicenter Italian experience
Authors: Secco Gioel Gabrio , Tarantini Giuseppe , Mazzarotto Pietro , Garbo Roberto , Parisi Rosario , Maggio Silvia , Vercellino Matteo , Pistis Gianfranco , Audo Andrea , Kozel Daniela , Centini Giacomo , Di Mario Carlo
Published: May 2020

Objective

To report our initial experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)/acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing standard of care invasive management.

Background

The rapid diffusion of the SARS‐CoV‐2 together with the need for isolation for infected patients might be responsible for a suboptimal treatment for SARS‐CoV‐2 ACS patients. Recently, the group of Sichuan published a protocol for COVID/ACS infected patients that see the thrombolysis as the gold standard of care.

Methods

We enrolled 31 consecutive patients affected by SARS‐COV‐2 admitted to our emergencies room for suspected ACS.

Results

All patients underwent urgent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when required except two patients with severe hypoxemia and unstable hemodynamic condition that were conservatively treated. Twenty‐one cases presented diffuse ST‐segment depression while in the remaining cases anterior and inferior ST‐elevation was present in four and six cases, respectively. PCI was performed in all cases expect two that were diagnosed as suspected myocarditis because of the absence of severe coronary disease and three with apical ballooning at ventriculography diagnostic for Tako‐Tsubo syndromes. Two patients conservatively treated died. The remaining patients undergoing PCI survived except one that required endotracheal intubation (ETI) and died at Day 6. ETI was required in five more patients while in the remaining cases CPAP was used for respiratory support.

Conclusions

Urgent PCI for ACS is often required in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients improving the prognosis in all but the most advanced patients. Complete patient history and examination, routine ECG monitoring, echocardiography, and careful evaluation of changes in cardiac enzymes should be part of the regular assessment procedures also in dedicated COVID positive units.
Terminal deletion of chromosome 13 in a fetus with normal NIPT: The added value of invasive prenatal diagnosis in the NIPT era
Authors: Vervecken Evy , Blaumeiser Bettina , Vanderheyden Tina , Hauspy Jan , Janssens Katrien
Published: May 2020

In the age of noninvasive prenatal testing, there is still an important role for invasive prenatal diagnosis, even for chromosomes 13, 18, and 21.
Second Sphere Ligand Promoted Organoiridium Catalysts for Methanol Dehydrogenation under Mild Conditions
Authors: Bai Chuang , Wang Huihui , Ning Fandi , Fu Junhao , Wei Jun , Lu Guanbin , Shen Yangbin , Zhou Xiaochun
Published: May 2020

Hydrogen produced from renewable resources is a potential source of clean energy. And Methanol is a liquid at room temperature and has a hydrogen content of up to 12.6 wt%, makes it a promising hydrogen source and can provide great benefits for sustainable hydrogen production. In this work, the modification of the picolinic acid ligand along with changes in the type and substituent position of the groups enhances the activity in iridium‐catalyzed methanol dehydrogenation catalysis. These second sphere ligand modifications are found to be effective for achieving highly active organoiridium catalysts for methanol dehydrogenation reaction under mild conditions, i. e. 1 atm, 78 °C, with a weak base and without using an organic solvent, exhibiting a TOF of 377 h−1. The electronic population analysis of each ligand is theoretically calculated, which shows that catalytic activity is dramatically affected by modifications to the metal's secondary coordination sphere environment, and the high activity originates from appropriate coordination by the picolinic acid ligand and carboxylic acid moiety in addition to the hydroxyl functionality. Moreover, kinetic experiments suggest that the C−H bond of methanol is linked to the iridium core and broken in the rate‐determining step of the reaction. This study will be valuable for catalyst development in the field of methanol dehydrogenation.
Significance of tumour regression in lymph node metastases of gastric and gastro‐oesophageal junction adenocarcinomas
Authors: Reim Daniel , Novotny Alexander , Friess Helmut , Slotta‐Huspenina Julia , Weichert Wilko , Ott Katja , Dislich Bastian , Lorenzen Sylvie , Becker Karen , Langer Rupert
Published: May 2020

The presence of lymph node (LN) metastases is one of the most important negative prognostic factors in upper gastrointestinal carcinomas. Tumour regression similar to that in primary tumours can be observed in LN metastases after neoadjuvant therapy. We evaluated the prognostic impact of histological regression in LNs in 480 adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastro‐oesophageal junction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Regressive changes in LNs (nodular and/or hyaline fibrosis, sheets of foamy histiocytes or acellular mucin) were assessed by histology. In total, regressive changes were observed in 128 of 480 patients. LNs were categorised according to the absence or presence of both residual tumour and regressive changes (LN−/+ and Reg−/+). 139 cases were LN−/Reg−, 28 cases without viable LN metastases revealed regressive changes (LN−/Reg+), 100 of 313 cases with LN metastases showed regressive changes (LN+/Reg+), and 213 of 313 metastatic LN had no signs of regression (LN+/Reg−). Overall, LN/Reg categorisation correlated with overall survival with the best prognosis for LN−/Reg− and the worst prognosis for LN+/Reg− (p < 0.001). LN−/Reg+ cases had a nearly significant better outcome than LN+/Reg+ (p = 0.054) and the latter had a significantly better prognosis than LN+/Reg− (p = 0.01). The LN/Reg categorisation was also an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.1–1.38; p < 0.001). We conclude that the presence of regressive changes after neoadjuvant treatment in LNs and LN metastases of gastric and gastro‐oesophageal junction cancers is a relevant prognostic factor.
Combined effects of carotid plaques and hypertension on the risk of cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality
Authors: Li Wen , Zhao Jianqiu , Song Lu , Chen Shuohua , Liu Xuemei , Wu Shouling
Published: May 2020

Background

Both hypertension and atherosclerotic plaques are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Hypothesis

This study aimed to investigate whether the combined effects of carotid plaques and hypertension increase the risks of CVD and all‐cause mortality.

Methods

Patients from the stroke and elderly cohorts of the Kailuan study in China who completed a carotid sonography examination were included in the study. Participants in both cohorts underwent physical examinations between 2010 and 2011 and were divided into four groups: no carotid plaques with normal blood pressure (n = 2227), hypertension only (n = 1290), carotid plaques only (n = 1128), and hypertension with carotid plaques (n = 1862). The outcomes included the first occurrence of CVD and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Among the 6507 participants (mean age, 58.1 ± 11.8 years, 61% males), 157 cardiovascular events, and 210 deaths occurred after average follow‐ups of 4.5 and 4.9 years, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, carotid plaques only and hypertension with carotid plaques were associated with excess risk (hazard ratio [HR]; confidence interval [CI]) for the first occurrence of CVD (HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.01‐3.44; and HR = 2.97; 95% CI, 1.66‐5.29, respectively), cerebral infarction (HR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.16‐6.15; and HR = 4.15; 95% CI, 1.87‐9.19, respectively), and all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.16‐3.31; and HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.09‐3.13, respectively).

Conclusions

The combination of hypertension and atherosclerotic plaques may increase the risk of CVD events and all‐cause mortality, especially cerebral infarction, compared with participants without those factors.