bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANNosylation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Modifies TLR4 Localization and NF‐κB Translocation in T24 Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Hohagen Mariam , Sánchez Laura , Herbst Ann‐Jacqueline , Kählig Hanspeter , Shin Jae Won , Berry David , Del Favero Giorgia , Kleitz Freddy
Published: March 2024

D‐mannose is widely used as non‐antibiotic treatment for bacterial urinary tract infections. This application is based on a well‐studied mechanism of binding to the type 1 bacterial pili and, therefore, blocking bacteria adhesion to the uroepithelial cells. To implement D‐mannose into carrier systems, the mechanism of action of the sugar in the bladder environment is also relevant and requires investigation. Herein, two different MANNosylation strategies using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are described. The impact of different chemical linkers on bacterial adhesion and bladder cell response is studied via confocal microscopy imaging of the MSN interactions with the respective organisms. Cytotoxicity is assessed and the expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and caveolin‐1 (CAV‐1), in the presence or absence of simulated infection with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is evaluated using the human urinary bladder cancer cell line T24. Further, localisation of the transcription factor NF‐κB due to the MANNosylated materials is examined over time. The results show that MANNosylation modifies bacterial adhesion to the nanomaterials and significantly affects TLR4, caveolin‐1, and NF‐κB in bladder cells. These elements are essential components of the inflammatory cascade/pathogens response during urinary tract infections. These findings demonstrate that MANNosylation is a versatile tool to design hybrid nanocarriers for targeted biomedical applications.
Macrophage‐Capturing Self‐Assembly Photosensitizer Nanoparticles Induces Immune Microenvironment Re‐Programming and Golgi‐Responsive Immunogenic Cell Death in Head and Neck Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Zhi‐hang , Zhou Xin‐yu , Zhang Yi‐yi , Zhao Tong‐Chao , Li Jiang , Zhong Lai‐ping , Pang Yi‐chuan
Published: March 2024

Head and neck carcinoma treatment is shifted toward the combination of therapy causing immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and immunogenic cell death. In this study, a CSFRi‐chimeric TAMCSFR+‐targeting extracellular vesicle (EV@CSFRi) platform is developed and designed an intracellular protoporphyrin conjugated with RVRR peptide sequence for furin‐cleavage to perform Golgi‐targeting and generating ROS (GT‐RG). The graphical abstract illustrates the self‐assembly of GT‐RG nanoparticles into nanofiber through the hydrophily of RVRR and hydrophobicity of RG, and the red line indicates the site of furin cleavage. As is shown in the Graphical abstract, the Golgi‐targeting Protoporphyrin‐RVRR platform is composed with CSFRi‐chimeric extracellular vesicles and forms the tumor‐responsive TAM‐reprogramming bilayers (GT‐RGEV@CSFRi). The GT‐RGEV@CSFRi acted as a multifunctional theranostic platform, which can induce immunogenic cell death and further help modulate TAM, thus suppressing the HNC xenograft model by combination therapy with anti‐PD‐1.
Lead‐Free Perovskite Single Crystal Linear Array Detector for High‐Resolution X‐Ray Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yunxia , Hao Jinglu , Zhao Zeqin , Pi Jiacheng , Shi Ruixin , Li Xiaojun , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning , Liu Shengzhong(Frank) , Liu Yucheng
Published: March 2024

0D Bi‐based 329‐type halide perovskite is demonstrated as a promising semiconductor for X‐ray detection due to its strong X‐ray absorption, superior stability, availability of large single crystals (SCs) and solution processibility at low temperature. However, its low mobility‐lifetime product (µτ) limits its further improvement in detection sensitivity. Based on the first‐principles calculations, this work designs a new 2D Bi‐based 329‐type halide perovskite using a mixed‐halide‐induced structural dimension regulation strategy. By using a continuous supply of a precursor solution, this work successfully grows inch‐sized high‐quality SCs. These SCs exhibit large µτ product, high resistivity, and low ion migration. The detectors fabricated using the SCs show X‐ray detection sensitivity as high as 24,509 µC Gyair−1 cm−2, short response time of 315 µs, low detection limit of 4.3 nGy s−1, and superior stability. These properties are the best among all lead‐free perovskite detectors and are comparable to those of the best lead‐based perovskite detectors. The linear array detector assembled on the SCs for the first time also shows a high spatial resolution of 10.6 lp mm−1 during X‐ray imaging. The high performance combined with superior stability of these new 329‐type lead‐free halide perovskite SCs is expected to promote a new generation of X‐ray detection technologies.
Mechanical Performance of Copper‐Nanocluster‐Polymer Nanolattices
Authors: Tang Jin , Liang Heyi , Ren An , Ma Liang , Hao Wei , Yao Yuqing , Zheng Letian , Li Hanying , Li Qi
Published: March 2024

A type of copper‐nanocluster‐polymer composites is reported and showcased that their 3D nanolattices exhibit a superior combination of high strength, toughness, deformability, resilience, and damage‐tolerance. Notably, the strength and toughness of ultralight copper‐nanocluster‐polymer nanolattices in some cases surpass current best performers, including alumina, nickel, and other ceramic or metallic lattices at low densities. Additionally, copper‐nanocluster‐polymer nanolattices are super‐resilient, crack‐resistant, and one‐step printed under ambient condition which can be easily integrated into sophisticated microsystems as highly effective internal protectors. The findings suggest that, unlike traditional nanocomposites, the laser‐induced interface and the high fraction of ultrasmall Cu15 nanoclusters as crosslinking junctions contribute to the marked nonlinear elasticity of copper‐nanocluster‐polymer network, which synergizes with the lattice‐topology effect and culminates in the exceptional mechanical performance.
Thermophoretic Assay for Biosensing
Authors: Ling Haixiang , Yuan Yunhe , Chen Fuli , Guo Jiuchuan , Guo Jinhong , Li Diangeng
Published: March 2024

Thermophoresis refers to the directional movement of particles driven by temperature gradients, which is ubiquitous in nature. This phenomenon can be conveniently used to manipulate molecules and objects such as biomolecules, colloids, metal nanoparticles, and cells. Because of these advantages, thermophoresis is widely used in biosensing. In vitro diagnosis, as an important field of biosensing, is highly compatible with thermophoresis. Compared with traditional in vitro diagnostic techniques, thermophoretic diagnosis is a homogeneous system that boasts high efficiency and rapid detection as well as a wide detection range; thus, thermophoresis has a myriad of applications. The emergence of microscale and multifield coupling thermophoresis technologies yield widespread applications of thermophoresis in the field of in vitro diagnostics. This study presents the history of thermophoresis and reviews various cases of biosensors utilizing thermophoresis. Those biosensors are widely used in in vitro diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and other fields. Furthermore, it assesses the advantages of thermophoresis, and finally discusses its current challenges and future development.
Photophore‐Anchored Molecular Switch for High‐Performance Nonvolatile Organic Memory Transistor
Authors: Hassan Syed Zahid , Kwon Jieun , Lee Juhyeok , Sim Hye Ryun , An Sanghyeok , Lee Sangjun , Chung Dae Sung
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, molecular‐switch‐embedded memory devices, particularly field‐effect transistors (FETs), have gained significant interest. Molecular switches are integrated to regulate the resistance or current levels in FETs. Despite substantial efforts, realizing large memory window with a long retention time, a critical factor in memory device functionality, remains a challenge. This is due to the inability of an isomeric state of a molecular switch to serve as a stable deep trap state within the semiconductor layer. Herein, the study addresses this limitation by introducing chemical bonding between molecular switch and conjugated polymeric semiconductor, facilitating closed isomer of diarylethene (DAE) to operate as a morphologically stable deep trap state. Azide‐ and diazirine‐anchored DAEs are synthesized, which form chemical bonds to the polymer through photocrosslinking, thereby implementing permanent and controllable trapping states nearby conjugated backbone of polymer semiconductor. Consequently, when diazirine‐anchored DAE is blended with F8T2 and subjected to photocrosslinking, the resulting organic FETs exhibit remarkable memory performance, including a memory window of 22 V with a retention time over 106 s, a high photoprogrammable on/off ratio over 103, and a high operational stability over 100 photocycles. Further, photophore‐anchored DAEs can achieve precise patterning, which enables meticulous control over the semiconductor layer structure.
Tuning Thermal Stability and Power Consumption of Sb2Te3 Phase Change Memory with Metallic Elements
Authors: Shao Mingyue , Qiao Yang , Song Sannian , Ding Xing , Song Zhitang , Xue Yuan
Published: March 2024

Phase change materials have issues in the automotive industry and in‐memory computing due to their limited thermal stability and high power consumption. Consequently, numerous studies are conducted to enhance the performance of these materials. Uncertainty persists regarding the effects and mechanisms of various doping on the parent material. In this study, four metallic doping elements are selected, and their effects on Sb2Te3 are meticulously analyzed through experiments and ab initio calculations. The thermal stability of Sb2Te3 has been somewhat enhanced by doping these four elements, with Ta doping having the most impact. According to the ab initio molecular dynamics, this improvement results from the tetrahedral centered In and the increased coordination numbers of Ta, Ti, and Sc. Sc located at the center of the octahedron can accelerate the crystallization process. Ta, in particular, exerts the greatest influence on the migration rates of Sb and Te, resulting in the slowest grain growth rate. Simultaneously, it maximizes the delay in the transition from the cubic phase to the hexagonal phase. These features are beneficial for reducing power consumption. The elucidation of the distinct effects of doping elements sets the stage for phase change memory to adapt to various application scenarios.
Construction of Elastic and Conductive Channels for High‐Rate and High‐Areal‐Capacity Sulfur Cathodes in All‐Solid‐State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ma Ruqin , Fan Yuteng , Jin Yanting , Pan Siyuan , Zhong Haoyue , Luo Yu , Gu Jiabao , Luo Mingzeng , Wu Yuqi , Hu Wenxuan , Chen Pengzhan , Su Yu , Wu Guanyu , Yan Jiawei , Gao Jun , Gong Zhengliang , Yang Yong
Published: March 2024

All solid‐state lithium–sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) have attracted significant attention due to their enhanced safety and superior energy density. However, the considerable volume change during cycling poses a challenge, resulting in electrochemical‐mechanical degradation. To address this issue, polypyrrole (PPy) is coated on a nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotube (NCNT) network to exhibit suitable conductivity and compatibility with sulfide electrolyte. Functionally, PPy@NCNT provides a continuous and conductive pathway, reducing the tortuosity of charge transport. Mechanically, operando pressure measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM) tests are conducted, demonstrating that the flexible and viscoelastic structure of PPy@NCNT can alleviate local stress. The axial pressure on the cathode can be reduced by 11% with a sulfur area capacity of 3 mg cm−2 at 30 °C. At a high areal mass loading of 4.5 mg cm−2, a high areal capacity of 6 mAh cm−2 (1348 mAh g−1, 1C = 1675 mA g−1) is achieved at 0.1C, maintaining stability over 300 cycles at 0.2C. Remarkably, it can achieve an areal capacity of over 8.8 mAh cm−2 and stable cycling even at 60 °C. This study, being the first to regulate mechano‐electrochemical action in ASSLSBs with flexible conducting polymer, highlights the significance of integrating a continuous and elastic network into solid‐state conversion‐type cathodes.
A Lewis Acid–Lewis Base Hybridized Electrocatalyst for Roundtrip Sulfur Conversion in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Lin Qiaowei , Liang Jiaxing , Fang Ruopian , Sun Changlong , Rawal Aditya , Huang Jun , Yang Quan‐Hong , Lv Wei , Wang Da‐Wei
Published: March 2024

Electrocatalysts can optimize the sulfur/sulfide reaction kinetics in Li–S batteries to compete with the loss of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) caused by the shuttling effect. However, the design rationale of electrocatalysts to drive roundtrip sulfur/sulfide conversion is lacking. Here, pairing Lewis acidic and Lewis basic active sites to reach collective adsorption of LiPSs and simultaneous activation of electrophiles and nucleophiles in LiPSs is proposed. This concept is validated by doping polyaniline with protonated metatungstate anions, which enables reduced activation energies for both sulfur reduction reaction and sulfide oxidation reaction and results in significantly improved kinetics. Such electrocatalysts enable a Li–S battery to reach a low capacity‐decay rate of 0.029% per cycle for 1000 cycles. This work would offer insights into battery technologies where sulfur electrocatalysis will play pivotal roles.
A chemoselective and one‐pot method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical secondary amines via coupling reaction of ammonia and aryl(alkyl) halides catalyzed by MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL as a bifunctional nanocatalyst
Authors: Nosratollahi Shahnaz , Soleiman‐Beigi Mohammad , Norouzi Masoomeh
Published: March 2024

Copper, an abundant metal on Earth, has re‐emerged as a suitable alternative to versatile Palladium‐catalyzed C–N coupling. Herein, a new recoverable and reusable bifunctional catalyst was synthesized by combining an ionic liquid and linking Cu(II) on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. New nanocatalyst (MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL) was completely characterized using different techniques. Continuing, MNP@IAH@Cu‐IL was applied in the synthesis of primary and secondary amines via C(sp2)‐N coupling reaction successfully. This catalyst worked well in the synthesis of anilines derivatives in high yields and excellent quality. Further, we described a novel and one‐pot process for the synthesis of unsymmetrical secondary amine derivatives from two different aryl(alkyl) halides. This procedure shows attractive features such as 100% atom economy, high yields of the desired products under base‐free conditions, excellent functional group tolerance, work‐up simplicity, and recyclability.
Adsorption of 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol ester and glycidyl ester from refined bleached deodorized palm oil using zeolite‐based adsorbents
Authors: Restiawaty Elvi , Rida Faza Muhammad , Maulana Aulia , Culsum Neng Tresna Umi , Saputera Wibawa Hendra , Widiatmoko Pramujo , Elisabeth Jenny , Budhi Yogi Wibisono
Published: March 2024

Palm oil processing can result in different food products like cooking oil and margarine. Nevertheless, these food products might contain harmful contaminants, namely 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol ester (3‐MCPDE) and glycidyl ester (GE), which can negatively affect animal organs and potentially cause human cancer. Therefore, the objective of this study was to lower the concentration of 3‐MCPDE and GE in refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) using zeolite as an adsorbent. Adsorption experiments were conducted in a batch reactor, varying the percentage of adsorbents, temperature, type of zeolite, and the use of a mixture of zeolite and activated carbon (AC). The sample was analyzed before and after adsorption using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) to confirm the concentration alteration of 3‐MCPDE and GE. The study showed that the most effective temperature for adsorption was 35°C and used a zeolite percentage of 2%. Beta zeolites resulted in the highest removal of 3‐MCPDE (86%) among the evaluated zeolites attributed to their elevated pore volume, Si/Al ratio, and overall acidity strength. Through a synergistic combination of beta zeolite and AC, the removal percentage of 3‐MCPDE was enhanced to 94%, with a corresponding 75% reduction in GE. This study paves the way for addressing 3‐MCPDE and GE concerns in RBDPO by combining zeolite and AC.
Sexual homicide offenders as repeat and nonrepeat offenders: An empirical study of sexual homicide cases in Mainland China
Authors: Chan Heng Choon (Oliver)
Published: March 2024

The comparative examination of different groups of sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) is currently limited. To expand our understanding of Chinese sexual homicides, this study aimed to distinguish between the modus operandi (MO) characteristics of repeat (i.e., with previous arrest and/or conviction) and nonrepeat (i.e., without previous arrest and/or conviction) offenders. Data were gathered from police arrest records, court documents, and published case reports in mainland China, covering a 31‐year period (1988–2018). A sample of 86 male SHOs (31 repeat and 55 nonrepeat offenders) was identified and the offenders' MO characteristics were examined. Compared with nonrepeat offenders, repeat offenders were significantly more likely to commit sexual murder in outdoor locations, approach their victims initially using a non‐surprise approach, engage in nonvaginal penetration of their victims, use a personal weapon to kill their victims, and move their victims' bodies away from the crime scene. However, repeat offenders were less likely to be arrested immediately after committing the murder. The findings have practical implications for police investigative strategies, such as suspect prioritization.
GMP implementation of a hybrid continuous manufacturing process for a recombinant non‐mAb protein—A case study
Authors: Natarajan Venkatesh , Soice Neil , Mullen Johanna , Bull David
Published: March 2024

Advances in manufacturing technology coupled with the increased potency of new biotherapeutic modalities have created an external environment where continuous manufacturing (CM) can address a growing need. Amgen has successfully implemented a hybrid CM process for a commercial lifecycle program. In this process, the bioreactor, harvest, capture column, and viral inactivation/depth filtration unit operations were integrated together in an automated, continuous module, while the remaining downstream unit operations took place in stand‐alone batch mode. CM operations are particularly suited for so‐called “high mix, low volume” manufacturing plants, where a variety of molecules are manufactured in relatively low volumes. The selected molecule fit this mold and was manufactured in a low‐capital micro‐footprint suite attached to an existing therapeutic production facility. Use of a hybrid process within an already operating facility required less capital and minimized complexity. To enable this hybrid CM process, an established fed‐batch process was converted to a perfusion process with continuous harvest. Development efforts included both process changes and the generation of a novel cell line adapted to long‐term perfusion. Chromatography resins were updated, and purification processes adapted to handle variable inputs due to the fluctuations in harvest titer from the lengthy production process. A novel automated single‐use (SU) viral inactivation (VI) skid was introduced, which entailed the development of a robust pH verification and alarm system, along with procedures for product isolation to allow discard of specific cycles. The CM process demonstrated consistent performance, meaning it met predefined performance criteria (including product quality attributes, or PQAs) when operated within established process parameters and manufactured according to applicable procedures. Using a 75% reduction in scale, it resulted in a five‐fold reduction in process media and buffer usage, a fifteen‐fold increase in mass per thaw, and an overall process productivity increase of 45‐fold (as measured by grams drug substance per liter per day.) The hybrid CM process also enabled increased material demand to be met with no change in cost of goods manufactured or plant capacity, due to the repurposing of existing facility space and the flexible duration of the hybrid CM harvest. Overall, the success of the hybrid CM platform represents an exciting opportunity to reduce costs and increase process efficiency in industry.
Halo‐1,2,3‐triazoles: Valuable Compounds to Access Biologically Relevant Molecules
Authors: Coelho Dylan , Colas Yoann , Ethève‐Quelquejeu Mélanie , Braud Emmanuelle , Iannazzo Laura
Published: March 2024

1,2,3‐triazole is an important building block in organic chemistry. It is now well known as a bioisostere for various functions, such as the amide or the ester bond, positioning it as a key pharmacophore in medicinal chemistry and it has found applications in various fields including life sciences. Attention was first focused on the synthesis of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole molecules however 1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles have now emerged as valuable molecules due to the possibility to expand the structural modularity. In the last decade, methods mainly derived from the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction have been developed to access halo‐triazole compounds and have been applied to nucleosides, carbohydrates, peptides and proteins. In addition, late‐stage modification of halo‐triazole derivatives by metal‐mediated cross‐coupling or halo‐exchange reactions offer the possibility to access highly functionalized molecules that can be used as tools for chemical biology. This review summarizes the synthesis, the functionalization, and the applications of 1,4,5‐trisubstituted halo‐1,2,3‐triazoles in biologically relevant molecules.
Surgery and superficial x‐ray radiotherapy for keloids of the preauricular and contralateral ear lobe: Case report
Authors: Tan Qin , Xu JinHui , Xu Wei , Lu Hao
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

The combined approach of surgical resection along with superficial x‐ray radiotherapy emerges as a superior treatment option for individuals with keloids, which hold huge potential for enhancing aesthetic outcomes and preventing keloid recurrence.
An unusual presentation of giant sebaceous cyst over the back: A case report
Authors: Doshi Neel , Gond Pratik , Prasad Tanisha , Shrestha Abhigan Babu
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

Sebaceous cysts are a prevalent form of benign cutaneous cysts that often manifest as epidermal cysts when their size exceeds 5 cm in diameter. Despite their infrequent occurrence, cases of massive epidermal cysts measuring 5 cm or larger have been documented. Malignant transformations within epidermal cysts are exceedingly rare but not impossible. Although their development into malignancies is a rare event, it is essential to acknowledge the potential for benign epidermal cysts to undergo such transformation. In clinical terminology, these cysts predominantly affect the facial, cervical, and dorsal regions. They usually remain asymptomatic, with their formation attributed to the sequestration of epithelial remnants during embryonic fusion or trauma. In this report, we present a remarkable case of a colossal epidermal cyst found on the upper back of a 75‐year‐old male individual, highlighting the uncommon nature of such occurrences within the medical domain. This case adds to the literature by presenting a rare case report highlighting the clinical presentation, probable consequences, and surgical therapy of larger epidermal cysts.
Radial artery pseudoaneurysm a rare complication after coronary angiography: A case report and systematic review of the reported cases
Authors: Alqahtani Nasser G.
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

This is a case of 83 years old male who had radial artery pseudoaneurysm after cardiac catheterization. The diagnosis was through Doppler ultrasound and the patient was treated with thrombin injection and reported good outcomes. The literature also included 41 cases of pseudoaneurysm after catheterization. The mean age of patients was 68.5 years with a male prevalence of 49%. Onset of pseudoaneurysm ranged from 0 days (directly after the catheterization) to 150 days with a median of 5 days. The treatment of patients was mainly surgical (19 cases) followed by compression (either manual or TR band) (12 cases), thrombin injection (four cases), compression then surgery (three cases), compression then thrombin injection (one case), percutaneous endovascular repair using a covered stent (one case) and not reported in one case. All cases recovered well.
Piperazine‐Assisted Construction of 2D/3D Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite for Realizing High‐Efficiency Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Ziyue , Kang Shuaiqing , Zhou Xia , Chen Haiyang , Jiang Xingxing , Zhang Zhichao , Zheng Jialei , Zhang Ruopeng , Chen Weijie , Zhang Jiandong , Li Yaowen
Published: March 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Monolithic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells (TSCs) have gained significant attention due to their easy device integration and the potential to surpass the Shockley–Queisser limit of single‐junction solar cells. However, the surfaces of wide‐bandgap perovskite films are densely populated with defects, leading to severe non‐radiative recombination and energy loss. As a consequence, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite/organic TSCs lags behind that of other TSC counterparts. To address these issues, we designed a functional ammonium salt, 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperazin‐1‐ium iodide (PZOI), comprising a piperazine iodide and a terminated hydroxyl group, which was applied for post‐treating the perovskite surface. Our findings reveal that PZOI reacts with and consumes residual PbX2 (X: I or Br) to form a 2D perovskite component, thereby eliminating Pb0 defects, while the terminated hydroxyl group in PZOI can also passivate uncoordinated Pb2+. Consequently, the shallow/deep‐level defect densities of the 2D/3D perovskite film were significantly reduced, leading to an enhanced PCE of single‐junction 2D/3D wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells to 18.18% with a reduced energy loss of 40 meV. Importantly, the corresponding perovskite/organic TSCs achieved a remarkable PCE of 24.05% with enhanced operational stability (T90 ~500 h).
Regional, sex, and age inequities in asthma hospital admissions in Spain and Portugal
Authors: Vieira Rafael José , Pereira Ana Margarida , Taborda‐Barata Luís , Regateiro Frederico S. , Marques‐Cruz Manuel , Robalo Cordeiro Carlos , Loureiro Cláudia Chaves , Dávila Ignacio J. , Bousquet Jean , Fonseca João A. , Sousa‐Pinto Bernardo
Published: March 2024

Background

Asthma presents a significant health challenge, imposing a considerable burden on healthcare services. Discrepancies in asthma‐related hospitalisations may reflect underlying health disparities. We aimed to analyse inequities in asthma hospital admissions in mainland Portugal and Spain, from a regional perspective and considering sex and age.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using data from the Spanish and Portuguese national hospitalisations databases. We calculated crude national and regional yearly hospitalisation rates according per Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics region. Additionally, we calculated hospitalisation rates adjusted for asthma prevalence and the female‐to‐male ratio in asthma hospital admissions per age group, considering the female‐to‐male ratio in the overall population.

Results

Between 2012 and 2016, there were 92,084 asthma hospital admissions in mainland Spain and 7717 in mainland Portugal. There was a trend for a higher‐than‐average rate of asthma‐related hospitalisations in the Northern regions of both countries. Women had a hospitalisation rate that was 3.2 times higher than men. Age was associated with higher risk for asthma hospitalisation, with individuals aged 65 and older displaying a hospitalisation rate 4.5 times higher than those under 65. Additionally, while hospitalisations in women aged <65 years were 2.3 times more likely than in men of the same age, hospitalisations in women aged ≥65 years were 3.5 times higher than in men aged ≥65 years.

Conclusion

This study suggests that marked regional inequities in asthma hospital admissions exist in Spain and Portugal. Additionally, women are particularly at risk of hospitalisation due to asthma, and such risk increases with age.
Autocleaving Bonds for Better Drugs
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Chang Annabelle , Xu Bing
Published: March 2024

While bond formation has historically been the mainstay of medicinal chemistry, the phenomenon of bond cleavage has received less focus. However, the success of numerous oral medications demonstrates the importance of controlled cleavage in prodrugs to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, effective strategies to control this cleavage remain limited. This concept article introduces a novel approach: employing peptides as conjugates to drugs to modulate the hydrolysis of these conjugates and enhance drug efficacy. The article begins by briefly outlining common prodrug strategies, followed by a few representative examples of how peptides can be leveraged to control the autohydrolysis of peptide‐conjugated prodrugs for bacterial and cancer cell inhibition. Finally, it provides a brief outlook on the future potential of this promising new research direction in molecular medicine.
The retention efficiency of a large dam and reservoir eutrophication in a tropical coastal watershed under a rainfall reduction scenario
Authors: dos Reis Veríssimo Fernanda Albuquerque , Molisani Mauricio Mussi
Published: March 2024

Tropical coastal rivers transport significant amounts of materials, and the dam's retention efficiency can affect hydrological processes generating impacts on reservoirs, such as eutrophication. Nevertheless, climate change projects uneven regional rainfall reduction, affecting surface water circulation and consequently the dam retention efficiency with possible effects on reservoir eutrophication. Here, we investigated the water, suspended particulate matter, and nutrient mass‐balance budgets in a large reservoir under a lowest rainfall year and effects on reservoir eutrophication in a tropical coastal watershed. Under low rainfall condition, the annual water budget showed that the dam water retention was limited, but the dam retained around 75% of the suspended particulate matter fluxes from the rivers. In terms of nutrients, the dam exported TN, TP and D‐Si while retaining PO43− on average; however, these circumstances fluctuated depending on the sample event. The reservoir's trophic state varied from mesotrophic to eutrophic possible reflecting the reduced dam's nutrient retention efficiency under influence of the low rainfall condition. However, 2 years following our sampling period, supereutrophic conditions and algal bloom were measured. Because human activities account for the majority of N and P loads across the watershed, mainly to soils, this biological response has been attributed to a greater rainfall regime that transfers N and P from soils to the reservoir.
Analytical formulations of tunnel–soil–pile interaction under seismic excitations
Authors: Haque Md. Foisal , Ansary Mehedi Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Tunnel–soil–pile interaction (TSPI) is a vital issue during seismic excitation because of the evaluation of the interactive structural behaviors of the tunnel. This study derives analytical formulae for the proposed TSPI model under transverse horizontal shear, vertical shear, and body waves, considering a series of piles along the tunnel's longitudinal axis. For this reason, the soil medium is considered to be an isotropic, homogeneous, elastic, and infinite. Also, the tunnel is assumed to be a beam element to connect to the series of piles by the linear elastic springs. Parametric studies of proposed formulae show the parabolic and exponential variations of tunnel forces and soil pressures when increases the number of piles. Also, recalculated tunnel moments of previous studies by using proposed formulae vary closely, which may indicate the accuracy of the present formulations. Similar variations are obtained for the previous field study verification by the present formulations. Therefore, the design charts and graphs are addressed in the present research which may be used as a standard to enhance this research in the future.
Seismic performance loss evaluation of reinforced concrete frame structure based on updatable damage model
Authors: Li Zuohua , Lu Jianfeng , Teng Jun
Published: March 2024

As structural seismic damage develops, the internal force transfer and damage weight relationship of component are constantly changing, and the fixed weighted coefficient is adopted by the traditional weighted method, which cannot reflect the changes in the structural damage state. The structure is a network formed by connecting a large number of components, and the network state undergoes complex changes with the development of component damage. In this paper, a novel method for component damage transfer to structural seismic performance loss is proposed using network shortest paths. First, a directed weighted complex network based on force transfer direction and component stiffness is constructed for reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures. Then, the component damage is calculated by the degradation of its stiffness and is used to update the weight distribution of the damage network. Finally, the structural performance loss is evaluated by the degradation of damage network efficiency. Results show that the proposed method with an updated component weight relationship is able to reflect the true loss of structural performance according to the finite element dynamic elastic‐plastic analysis of RC frame structures. For the structural performance loss degree (none, slight, moderate, severe, complete), the proposed method and the weighted method both exhibit high accuracy (number correctly classified/total number of samples) when structural performance loss is none, severe, or complete loss. The accuracy of the proposed method is significantly higher than that of the weighted method when structural performance loss is slight and moderate loss, with 58.1% and 84.2% improvement, respectively. For structural typical damage modes (global, local, and weak layer damage mode), the proposed method and the weighted method both exhibit high accuracy when structures exhibit global damage mode. The accuracy of the proposed method is significantly higher than that of the weighted method when structures exhibit local and weak layer damage mode. The accuracy of the proposed method is stable at 95.2%, while the accuracy of the weighted method is 76.2% and 70.2%, respectively. Overall, the weighted method exhibits high accuracy when structural performance loss is less than slight loss or greater than moderate loss, while the proposed method exhibits high accuracy throughout the entire process of structural performance loss, especially in moderate loss.
Nonresilience curve: A new tool for use in resilience assessment
Authors: Wang Cao
Published: March 2024

Resilience assessment is a widely used method to evaluate the ability of an object (e.g., an individual structure, or a system consisting of multiple interacting structures) to withstand, recover from, and adapt to disruptive events. This paper proposes a novel concept of “nonresilience curve,” which measures the nonresilience (complement of resilience) of an object of interest conditional on a specific hazard intensity. It is by nature an extension of the well‐established fragility curves, integrating the multiple damage states of a posthazard object. The applicability of the proposed nonresilience curve to individual structures and systems (including series systems, parallel systems, and more general and complicated systems) has been demonstrated in this paper. It is also preliminarily shown that the shape of the cumulative distribution function of a lognormal distribution is suitable to approximate the nonresilience curve, if only limited data points associated with the target nonresilience curve are available. Since the nonresilience curve is a function of the hazard intensity measure (IM), one can estimate the nonresilience of an object in a fully probabilistic manner by additionally taking into account the uncertainty associated with the IM. The proposed nonresilience curve can be further extended to formulate nonresilience surface, which is a joint function of both the IM and the available resource that supports the posthazard recovery process. The nonresilience curve is promising to be adopted in engineering practice for resilience assessment and resilience‐based design of civil structures and infrastructure systems.
Seismic motion incoherency effects on SSSI responses of nuclear buildings
Authors: Wang Dongyang , Sun Xiaoying , Liu Ziqiao , Yang Jianhua
Published: March 2024

The spatial variation of ground motion may significantly aggravate the seismic damage of large‐scale structures such as nuclear buildings. Establishing the seismic wave field with spatial features is the basis and key to seismic analysis of large‐scale complex structures. For the nuclear island buildings, which are arranged close to each other, the influence of structure–soil–structure interaction (SSSI) and incoherent motion on the structural seismic response should be considered. Taking a domestic nuclear power project as an example, the seismic response analyses under incoherent seismic motion and coherent seismic motion are carried out respectively. The seismic motion incoherency effects on the nuclear island buildings on the common raft and the adjacent seismic category I structure are explored by comparing the results of the in‐structure response spectrum (ISRS) at key elevations. The results indicate that the seismic motion incoherency does not change the trend of the response spectrum curve and the dominant frequency. Both the peak acceleration and zero‐period acceleration of ISRS are changed to some extent. Overall, seismic motion incoherency has a more significant impact on the ISRS of nuclear buildings with smaller volumes.
Community detection in the human connectome: Method types, differences and their impact on inference
Authors: Brooks Skylar J. , Jones Victoria O. , Wang Haotian , Deng Chengyuan , Golding Staunton G. H. , Lim Jethro , Gao Jie , Daoutidis Prodromos , Stamoulis Catherine
Published: March 2024

Community structure is a fundamental topological characteristic of optimally organized brain networks. Currently, there is no clear standard or systematic approach for selecting the most appropriate community detection method. Furthermore, the impact of method choice on the accuracy and robustness of estimated communities (and network modularity), as well as method‐dependent relationships between network communities and cognitive and other individual measures, are not well understood. This study analyzed large datasets of real brain networks (estimated from resting‐state fMRI from = 5251 pre/early adolescents in the adolescent brain cognitive development [ABCD] study), and = 5338 synthetic networks with heterogeneous, data‐inspired topologies, with the goal to investigate and compare three classes of community detection methods: (i) modularity maximization‐based (Newman and Louvain), (ii) probabilistic (Bayesian inference within the framework of stochastic block modeling (SBM)), and (iii) geometric (based on graph Ricci flow). Extensive comparisons between methods and their individual accuracy (relative to the ground truth in synthetic networks), and reliability (when applied to multiple fMRI runs from the same brains) suggest that the underlying brain network topology plays a critical role in the accuracy, reliability and agreement of community detection methods. Consistent method (dis)similarities, and their correlations with topological properties, were estimated across fMRI runs. Based on synthetic graphs, most methods performed similarly and had comparable high accuracy only in some topological regimes, specifically those corresponding to developed connectomes with at least quasi‐optimal community organization. In contrast, in densely and/or weakly connected networks with difficult to detect communities, the methods yielded highly dissimilar results, with Bayesian inference within SBM having significantly higher accuracy compared to all others. Associations between method‐specific modularity and demographic, anthropometric, physiological and cognitive parameters showed mostly method invariance but some method dependence as well. Although method sensitivity to different levels of community structure may in part explain method‐dependent associations between modularity estimates and parameters of interest, method dependence also highlights potential issues of reliability and reproducibility. These findings suggest that a probabilistic approach, such as Bayesian inference in the framework of SBM, may provide consistently reliable estimates of community structure across network topologies. In addition, to maximize robustness of biological inferences, identified network communities and their cognitive, behavioral and other correlates should be confirmed with multiple reliable detection methods.
Altered intersubject functional variability of brain white‐matter in major depressive disorder and its association with gene expression profiles
Authors: Gai Qun , Chu Tongpeng , Li Qinghe , Guo Yuting , Ma Heng , Shi Yinghong , Che Kaili , Zhao Feng , Dong Fanghui , Li Yuna , Xie Haizhu , Mao Ning
Published: March 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder. Its mechanism is still unknown. Although the altered intersubject variability in functional connectivity (IVFC) within gray‐matter has been reported in MDD, the alterations to IVFC within white‐matter (WM‐IVFC) remain unknown. Based on the resting‐state functional MRI data of discovery (145 MDD patients and 119 healthy controls [HCs]) and validation cohorts (54 MDD patients, and 78 HCs), we compared the WM‐IVFC between the two groups. We further assessed the meta‐analytic cognitive functions related to the alterations. The discriminant WM‐IVFC values were used to classify MDD patients and predict clinical symptoms in patients. In combination with the Allen Human Brain Atlas, transcriptome‐neuroimaging association analyses were further conducted to investigate gene expression profiles associated with WM‐IVFC alterations in MDD, followed by a set of gene functional characteristic analyses. We found extensive WM‐IVFC alterations in MDD compared to HCs, which were associated with multiple behavioral domains, including sensorimotor processes and higher‐order functions. The discriminant WM‐IVFC could not only effectively distinguish MDD patients from HCs with an area under curve ranging from 0.889 to 0.901 across three classifiers, but significantly predict depression severity (r = 0.575, p = 0.002) and suicide risk (r = 0.384, p = 0.040) in patients. Furthermore, the variability‐related genes were enriched for synapse, neuronal system, and ion channel, and predominantly expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Our results obtained good reproducibility in the validation cohort. These findings revealed intersubject functional variability changes of brain WM in MDD and its linkage with gene expression profiles, providing potential implications for understanding the high clinical heterogeneity of MDD.
Tissue‐resident memory T cells in immunotherapy and immune‐related adverse events by immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Xiong Hao , Shen Zhu
Published: March 2024

Tissue‐resident memory T cells (TRM) are a specialized subset of T cells that reside in tissues and provide long‐term protective immunity against pathogens that enter the body through that specific tissue. TRM cells have specific phenotype and reside preferentially in barrier tissues. Recent studies have revealed that TRM cells are the main target of immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy since their role in cancer immunosurveillance. Furthermore, TRM cells also play a crucial part in pathogenesis of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we provide a concise review of biological characteristics of TRM cells, and the major advances and recent findings regarding their involvement in immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and the corresponding irAEs.
Reliability of the carousel simulator for assessing labor cervical dilation in medical obstetrics education
Authors: Sartorao‐Filho Carlos Izaias , Sartorao Ana Luisa Varrone , Terribile Diogo Coutinho , Barbosa Angelica Mercia Pascon , Rudge Marilza Vieira da Cunha
Published: March 2024

Objective

To determine the reliability of the Carousel simulator in medical education for obstetric examinations. Cervical dilation examination training in pregnant women exposes patients to additional uncomfortable and health‐risk procedures, a gold standard, and does not objectively evaluate the medical student's competence.

Method

We studied the reliability of training internship medical students in obstetrics. Participating students were assigned to take the examination of digital assessment of the cervical dilation on the simulator. Classes performed 12 consecutive randomly blind predetermined cervical dilation examinations using the Carousel simulator. The exact answer and the answer with certainty within ±1 cm were registered and analyzed. Incorrect or outlier answers were considered with a cutoff of ≥2 cm from the dilation. A dispersion graph for each centimeter of dilation simulation was constructed.

Results

Sixty‐six medical obstetricians took part, performing 396 examinations. Thus, we observed 49 outliers (12.37%) in simulated assessments. According to the analysis, we did not observe outliers from dilation 1 to 4 cm; dilation 7 to 9 cm had a higher index of outlier measurements. We did not consider any dilation simulation dispersion graphic as a null correlation. A strong correlation was seen in the dilation 1 to 6 cm and the dilation 10 cm. The dilations 7, 8, and 9 cm showed a weak correlation.

Conclusion

The Carousel simulator model is a reliable method for student learning. The simulator is an essential study tool capable of reducing the embarrassment and possible harm caused by the excessive and repetitive number of in vivo digital vaginal examinations. Novel studies are proposed to improve the simulator device and method, mainly to estimate the adequate repetitions and training needed before in vivo practice.
It's an e‐work life! An explorative study on the relationships between e‐work characteristics and well‐being
Authors: Vignoli Michela , Costantini Arianna , Ceschi Andrea , Perinelli Enrico
Published: March 2024

This study investigates how remote e‐working characteristics are related to employees' well‐being in Italy. We conducted a longitudinal study with two time points and a 1‐month time lag, involving a final sample of 223 employees. Controlling for the auto‐regressive effects of all the outcomes, our results revealed that experiencing work‐life balance during e‐working was negatively associated with emotional exhaustion and social isolation, while it was positively related to career progression. Organisational trust also showed a positive relationship with career progression. Regarding well‐being indicators of e‐working, cognitive weariness during e‐working was positively linked to emotional exhaustion, social isolation and physical complaints. Lastly, social isolation was negatively associated with subsequent perceptions of career progression. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors in e‐work related to different well‐being outcomes and can inform organisational interventions aimed at enhancing the well‐being of employees working remotely.