bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency Department Peer Support Program and Patient Outcomes After Opioid Overdose
Authors: Treitler Peter , Crystal Stephen , Cantor Joel , Chakravarty Sujoy , Kline Anna , Morton Cory , Powell Kristen Gilmore , Borys Suzanne , Cooperman Nina A.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Patients treated in emergency departments (EDs) for opioid overdose often need drug treatment yet are rarely linked to services after discharge. Emergency department–based peer support is a promising approach for promoting treatment linkage, but evidence of its effectiveness is lacking.

Objective

To examine the association of the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP), an ED peer recovery support service, with postdischarge addiction treatment initiation, repeat overdose, and acute care utilization.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This intention-to-treat retrospective cohort study used 2014 to 2020 New Jersey Medicaid data for Medicaid enrollees aged 18 to 64 years who were treated for nonfatal opioid overdose from January 2015 to June 2020 at 70 New Jersey acute care hospitals. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to November 2023.

Exposure

Hospital OORP implementation.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation within 60 days of discharge. Secondary outcomes included psychosocial treatment initiation, medically treated drug overdoses, and all-cause acute care visits after discharge. An event study design was used to compare 180-day outcomes between patients treated in OORP hospitals and those treated in non-OORP hospitals. Analyses adjusted for patient demographics, comorbidities, and prior service use and for community-level sociodemographics and drug treatment access.

Results

A total of 12 046 individuals were included in the study (62.0% male). Preimplementation outcome trends were similar for patients treated in OORP and non-OORP hospitals. Implementation of the OORP was associated with an increase of 0.034 (95% CI, 0.004-0.064) in the probability of 60-day MOUD initiation in the half-year after implementation, representing a 45% increase above the preimplementation mean probability of 0.075 (95% CI, 0.066-0.084). Program implementation was associated with fewer repeat medically treated overdoses 4 half-years (−0.086; 95% CI, −0.154 to −0.018) and 5 half-years (−0.106; 95% CI, −0.184 to −0.028) after implementation. Results differed slightly depending on the reference period used, and hospital-specific models showed substantial heterogeneity in program outcomes across facilities.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of patients treated for opioid overdose, OORP implementation was associated with an increase in MOUD initiation and a decrease in repeat medically treated overdoses. The large variation in outcomes across hospitals suggests that treatment effects were heterogeneous and may depend on factors such as implementation success, program embeddedness, and availability of other hospital- and community-based OUD services.
Visual Pathway Outcomes Based on Sample Size in Clinical Neuroprotection Research
Authors: Küchlin Sebastian , Ihorst Gabriele , Heinrich Sven P. , Márquez Neila Pablo , Albrecht Philipp , Hug Martin J. , Lagrèze Wolf A.
Published: March 2024

This cohort study calculates clinical trial sample sizes powered by visual pathway outcomes of acute optic neuritis in neuroprotection research.
Trends in Intracranial and Cerebral Volumes of Framingham Heart Study Participants Born 1930 to 1970
Authors: DeCarli Charles , Maillard Pauline , Pase Matthew P. , Beiser Alexa S. , Kojis Daniel , Satizabal Claudia L. , Himali Jayandra J. , Aparicio Hugo J. , Fletcher Evan , Seshadri Sudha
Published: March 2024

Importance

Human brain development and maintenance is under both genetic and environmental influences that likely affect later-life dementia risk.

Objective

To examine environmental influences by testing whether time-dependent secular differences occurred in cranial and brain volumes and cortical thickness over birth decades spanning 1930 to 1970.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from the community-based Framingham Heart Study cohort for participants born in the decades 1930 to 1970. Participants did not have dementia or history of stroke and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained from March 18, 1999, to November 15, 2019. The final analysis dataset was created in October 2023.

Exposure

Years of birth ranging from 1925 to 1968.

Main Measures

Cross-sectional analysis of intracranial, cortical gray matter, white matter, and hippocampal volumes as well as cortical surface area and cortical thickness. The secular measure was the decade in which the participant was born. Covariates included age at MRI and sex.

Results

The main study cohort consisted of 3226 participants with a mean (SD) age of 57.7 (7.8) years at the time of their MRI. A total of 1706 participants were female (53%) and 1520 (47%) were male. The birth decades ranged from the 1930s to 1970s. Significant trends for larger intracranial, hippocampal, and white matter volumes and cortical surface area were associated with progressive birth decades. Comparing the 1930s birth decade to the 1970s accounted for a 6.6% greater volume (1234 mL; 95% CI, 1220-1248, vs 1321 mL; 95% CI, 1301-1341) for ICV, 7.7% greater volume (441.9 mL; 95% CI, 435.2-448.5, vs 476.3 mL; 95% CI, 467.0-485.7) for white matter, 5.7% greater value (6.51 mL; 95% CI, 6.42-6.60, vs 6.89 mL; 95% CI, 6.77-7.02) for hippocampal volume, and a 14.9% greater value (1933 cm2; 95% CI, 1908-1959, vs 2222 cm2; 95% CI, 2186-2259) for cortical surface area. Repeat analysis applied to a subgroup of 1145 individuals of similar age range born in the 1940s (mean [SD] age, 60.0 [2.8] years) and 1950s (mean [SD] age, 59.0 [2.8] years) resulted in similar findings.

Conclusion and Relevance

In this study, secular trends for larger brain volumes suggested improved brain development among individuals born between 1930 and 1970. Early life environmental influences may explain these results and contribute to the declining dementia incidence previously reported in the Framingham Heart Study cohort.
Sources of Contraception Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Shankar Michelle , Wood Sarah , Sharifi Mona , Costa Deena Kelly , Canavan Maureen , McNamara Meredithe , Camenga Deepa R.
Published: March 2024

This cross-sectional study describes the nationwide pattern of contraception access by sociodemographic characteristics and health care settings among US youth aged 15 to 24 years.
Artificial Intelligence Simulation of Adolescents’ Responses to Vaping-Prevention Messages
Authors: Sheeran Paschal , Kenny Alexander , Bermudez Andrea , Gray Kurt , Galper Emily F. , Boynton Marcella , Noar Seth M.
Published: March 2024

This quality improvement study investigates if a large language model could simulate adolescents’ responses to vaping-prevention campaigns and identify the most effective messages to address the public health crisis of adolescent vaping.
Workspace for female telecommuters living in an urban apartment house with children
Authors: Matsushita Daisuke
Published: March 2024

WFH‐related issues regarding house planning, spatial arrangements, and relationships among cohabitants for sharing spaces remain to be clarified. This research aimed to clarify the usage patterns of shared spaces for work‐from‐home (WFH) and the respective behavioral patterns in different household compositions, targeting women in the child‐rearing stage and residing with family in residential building estates in urban areas. Forty‐four percent (n = 199) of women performing childcare who regularly telecommuted had a spouse or partner who also telecommuted, and 65.6% (n = 328) had a child at home while telecommuting. Male spouses or partners (male) did less than half of the housework (12.7%) and childcare (19.8%) than women (41.0% housework, 34.4% childcare). Women primarily used dining rooms for office work (n = 221; 44.2%). When the children were at home during telecommuting, the unclear distinction between work and home was not a deficiency but rather an inevitable acceptance, and a tendency to work in a corner overlooking the common area was observed. When both spouses telecommute without children, men work in their bedrooms or private rooms, whereas women work in common areas, such as the dining room. Simultaneously, women tended to seek spaces dedicated to their work and keep their workspaces separate from common area.
Patient‐Reported Sinonasal Symptoms and Risk of Relapse in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Romich Ellen , Banerjee Shubhasree , Amudala Naomi , Chou Sherry , Li Ruolan , Lee Hongzhe , Cohen Noam , Merkel Peter A. , Rhee Rennie L.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Relapses are frequent and difficult to predict in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV), resulting in long‐term use of immunosuppression. Although sinonasal disease is associated with relapse of AAV, detailed characterization of sinonasal symptoms is lacking. Using a patient‐reported outcome, the 22‐item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), we investigated the relationship between sinonasal symptoms and disease activity in AAV.

Methods

This was a prospective, longitudinal study of individual with AAV and healthy individuals. Relapse was defined as a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegner's Granulomatosis score >0. Higher SNOT‐22 scores indicate worse symptoms. Generalized estimating equation and Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the association between SNOT‐22 and relapse.

Results

There were 773 visits (106 active disease visits) from 168 patients with AAV and 51 controls. Median SNOT‐22 at remission was higher in AAV versus controls (20 vs 5; P < 0.001) and higher during active disease versus remission (P < 0.001). In all AAV, and particularly within granulomatosis with polyangiitis, higher SNOT‐22 scores were observed months to years before relapse and were associated with increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.2–6.2; P = 0.02). Similar findings were seen when examining patients with versus without sinonasal disease and after removing relapses limited to the ear, nose, and throat.

Conclusion

A patient‐reported outcome measure of sinonasal disease, the SNOT‐22, not only changes with disease activity in AAV, but also is associated with a higher risk of relapse within two years. These findings support the possibility that the SNOT‐22 score may enhance prediction of relapse and that persistent sinonasal disease may be important in the pathophysiology of relapse.
Viable Vitreous Grafts of Whole Porcine Menisci for Transplant in the Knee and Temporomandibular Joints
Authors: Wang Shangping , Mueller Dustin , Chen Peng , Pan Ge , Wilson Marshall , Sun Shuchun , Chen Zhenzhen , Lee Thomas , Damon Brooke , Hepfer R. Glenn , Hill Cherice , Kern Michael J. , Pullen William M. , Wu Yongren , Brockbank Kelvin G. M. , Yao Hai
Published: March 2024

The shortage of suitable donor meniscus grafts from the knee and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) impedes treatments for millions of patients. Vitrification offers a promising solution by transitioning these tissues into a vitreous state at cryogenic temperatures, protecting them from ice crystal damage using high concentrations of cryoprotectant agents (CPAs). However, vitrification's success is hindered for larger tissues (>3 mL) due to challenges in CPA penetration. Dense avascular meniscus tissues require extended CPA exposure for adequate penetration; however, prolonged exposure becomes cytotoxic. Balancing penetration and reducing cell toxicity is required. To overcome this hurdle, a simulation‐based optimization approach is developed by combining computational modeling with microcomputed tomography (µCT) imaging to predict 3D CPA distributions within tissues over time accurately. This approach minimizes CPA exposure time, resulting in 85% viability in 4‐mL meniscal specimens, 70% in 10‐mL whole knee menisci, and 85% in 15‐mL whole TMJ menisci (i.e., TMJ disc) post‐vitrification, outperforming slow‐freezing methods (20%–40%), in a pig model. The extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and biomechanical strength of vitreous tissues remain largely intact. Vitreous meniscus grafts demonstrate clinical‐level viability (≥70%), closely resembling the material properties of native tissues, with long‐term availability for transplantation. The enhanced vitrification technology opens new possibilities for other avascular grafts.
Reconfigurable Transparent Variable‐Stiffness Soft Robot for Underwater Operations
Authors: Fang Qin , Zhang Jingyu , Xiang Pingyu , Zheng Nenggan , Wang Yue , Xiong Rong , Gong Zhefeng , Lu Haojian
Published: March 2024

In the realm of underwater exploration and operations, soft robots exhibit considerable application potential due to their capacity for agile and complex deformations as well as their inherent compliance. These characteristics grant them excellent environmental adaptability and reduce damage to delicate samples and organisms. Nonetheless, existing underwater soft robots are primarily designed to mimic the movements of marine organisms or for specific functions, and little attention is paid to the camouflage ability. To address these challenges, in this study, a reconfigurable transparent soft robot with variable stiffness for underwater operations is presented. The design and fabrication methodology of the robot module is presented, followed by the kinematic analysis and stiffness characterization. Leveraging the proposed robot module, a soft manipulator and a soft gripper are designed for underwater operations. The soft manipulator excels in underwater pipeline detection and obstacle avoidance, while the soft gripper showcases considerable load‐bearing capacity (about 71 times its weight), making it suitable for tasks such as retrieving aquatic biological samples or garbage fishing. The proposed reconfigurable soft robot demonstrates robust camouflage capabilities, high environmental adaptability, and notable versatility, suggesting potential solutions to existing challenges in the field of underwater exploration.
Self‐reported history of breastfeeding in relation to recalled age at menarche in the United States
Authors: Gold Claire L. , Bertone‐Johnson Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Menarche is a key life history event that shapes the female reproductive trajectory and is important to the study of human biology because of the associated epidemiological and social consequences later in life. Our question is whether breastfeeding is associated with the variation in timing of menarche. Using data from a college‐aged female student population from Amherst, MA, we examined whether having been breastfed was associated with age at menarche. Of the 340 female participants with information on breastfeeding during infancy, we found that women who were breastfed (n = 286) had an adjusted mean age of menarche of 12.53 years (SE 0.09), while those who were not breastfed (n = 54) had an adjusted mean age of menarche of 12.04 years (SE 0.20; p < 0.03). We propose further research that explores a finer distinction between formula‐fed, mixed‐fed or predominantly breastfed infants, duration of breastfeeding and age at menarche.
Bridging Atom Engineering for Low‐Temperature Oxygen Activation in a Robust Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Zi‐Yu , Zhang Yuan , Shaheer A. R. Mahammed , Liu Tian‐Fu , Cao Rong
Published: March 2024

Achieving active site engineering at the atomic level poses a significant challenge in the design and optimization of catalysts for energy‐efficient catalytic processes, especially for a reaction with two reactants competitively absorbed on catalytic active sites. Herein, we show an example that tailoring the local environment of cobalt sites in a robust metal–organic framework through substituting the bridging atom from −Cl to −OH group leads to a highly active catalyst for oxygen activation in an oxidation reaction. Comprehensive characterizations reveal that this variation imparts drastic changes on the electronic structure of metal centers, the competitive reactant adsorption behavior, and the intermediate formation. As a result, exceptional low‐temperature CO oxidation performance was achieved with T25(Temperature for 25 % conversion)=35 °C and T100 (Temperature for 100 % conversion)=150 °C, which stands out from existing MOF‐based catalysts and even rivals many noble metal catalysts. This work provides a guidance for the rational design of catalysts for efficient oxygen activation for an oxidation reaction.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Migratory Hydrocyanation of Internal Alkenes: Expanding the Scope to α,ω‐Diaryl Internal Alkenes
Authors: Jiao Mingdong , Long Jinguo , Chen Jianxi , Yang Hua , Wang Ting , Fang Xianjie
Published: March 2024

Metal‐hydride‐catalyzed migratory functionalization of alkenes witnessed extensive development in the past few years. However, the asymmetric version of this reaction has remained largely underdeveloped owing to the difficulty in simultaneous control of both regio‐ and stereoselectivity. In addition, exploring the wider alkene substrate scope to enable more synthetically valuable applications represents another challenge in this field. In this context, a nickel‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrocyanation of internal alkenes involving a chain‐walking process is demonstrated. The reaction exhibits excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivity, proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and delivers benzylic nitriles in high yields. Even α,ω‐diaryl internal alkenes, which are known to be one of the most challenging substrates of this type, could be successfully converted to the desired products with good regio‐ and stereoselectivity by modifying the electronic and steric effects. Theoretical calculations suggest that the η3‐benzyl coordination mode and the aryl substituent (3,5‐(OMe)2C6H3) on the diphosphite ligand are both key factors in regulating regio‐ and enantioselectivity.
NIR‐II Absorption/Fluorescence of D–A π‐Conjugated Polymers Composed of Strong Electron Acceptors Based on Boron‐Fused Azobenzene Complexes
Authors: Nakamura Masashi , Kanetani Ippei , Gon Masayuki , Tanaka Kazuo
Published: March 2024

Luminescence in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1,000–1,700 nm) window is beneficial especially for deep tissue imaging and optical sensors because of intrinsic high permeability through various media. Strong electron‐acceptors with low‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels are a crucial unit for donor–acceptor (D–A) π‐conjugated polymers (CPs) with the NIR‐II emission property, however, limited kinds of molecular skeletons are still available. Herein, D–A CPs involving fluorinated boron‐fused azobenzene complexes (BAz) with enhanced electron‐accepting properties are reported. Combination of fluorination at the azobenzene ligand and trifluoromethylation at the boron can effectively lower the LUMO energy level down to −4.42 eV, which is much lower than those of conventional strong electron‐acceptors. The synthesized series of CPs showed excellent absorption/fluorescence property in solution over a wide NIR range including NIR‐II. Furthermore, owing to the inherent solid‐state emissive property of the BAz skeleton, obvious NIR‐II fluorescence from the film (up to λFL=1213 nm) and the nanoparticle in water (λFL=1036 nm, brightness=up to 29 cm−1 M−1) were observed, proposing that our materials are applicable for developing next‐generation of NIR‐II luminescent materials.
Mechanical, viscoelastic, and biodegradability characteristics of ramie fibre‐reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites
Authors: Behera Basanta Kumar
Published: March 2024

Biocomposites made from natural fibers have attracted significant attention in recent years owing to the global concern regarding plastic accumulation. In this investigation, ramie fiber was employed as a natural fiber reinforcement in the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) matrix to enhance the biodegradability of the polymer composite. ABS/ramie fiber composites were prepared by compression molding with various wt% (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %) of ramie fibers within the ABS matrix. Subsequently, the biodegradability, water absorption, mechanical properties, viscoelastic behavior, and thermal characteristics of the prepared composites were evaluated. The biodegradation test results demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between the concentrations of fibers in neat ABS. The maximum biodegradation of the composites was 2.56% at 20 wt% ramie fibers in the ABS matrix. Moreover, an increase in the wt% of ramie fiber led to an increase in water absorption. Although the tensile strength and impact strength decreased with increasing fiber content, the tensile modulus of the ABS/ramie fiber composites initially increased up to 5 wt% fiber and then started decreasing, and the natural fibers in ABS reduced the viscoelastic properties. The objective of developing ABS/ramie fiber composites is to utilize them as environmentally sustainable materials in automotive manufacturing industry.
Evolution of staining methods in neuroanatomy: Impetus for emanation of neuron doctrine during the turn of 20th century
Authors: Ghosh Sanjib Kumar , Walocha Jerzy A.
Published: March 2024

The nervous system is distinctive as compared to other tissue systems in human body owing to intricate structural organization. Histological studies played a key role in unveiling complex details of nervous tissue. However, the process of developing suitable staining method for nerve cells was arduous and spanned across almost half a century. The present study explored details of the journey involving quest for propitious staining method in neuroanatomy culminating in promulgation of neuron doctrine at the onset of 20th century. Initial efforts involving hematoxylin (including its diverse modifications) and subsequent adoption of analogous dye‐based stains (like Nissl's method) had limited success in visualization of different parts of a nerve cell and structural details of nervous tissue. This was due to inability of dye‐based stains to penetrate the connective tissue sheath of nervous tissue. Eventually, advent of metallic stains in form of silver impregnation method (Golgi stain), reduced silver impregnation method with gold stain (Cajal's stain) and silver carbonate staining method of Río‐Hortega unraveled the structure of nervous tissue. The evolution of staining methods catalyzed the refinement of theories pertinent to constitution of nervous tissue. Golgi's staining led to emergence of reticular theory (neurons exist as a network) and Nissl's staining was the basis of the concept of Nervösen Grau (nerve cells and glial cells are embedded in mass of gray matter). Finally, Cajal's staining method successfully elucidated the complex anatomy of nerve terminals and resulted in emanation of neuron doctrine (neurons exists as individual units with adjacent connections).
An empirical exploration of the subjectivity problem of information qualities
Authors: Van der Sluis Frans , Faure Julien , Homnual Sofie Phutachard
Published: March 2024

Information qualities such as usefulness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness are to some extent subjective. Information resources have different meanings to different people and at different moments. This apparent subjectivity hinders indexing based on qualities for retrieval and filtering purposes. We conceptualize this as the subjectivity problem and address it through two studies. Study One explores whether, on public fora, people consider qualities as claims they should agree upon. Study Two explores, through a vignettes study, which conditions foster this inter‐subjective validity of quality claims. We conclude that information qualities become agreeable given the right set of conditions. We discuss the need for transparency about information qualities and quality considerations in order to offer these conditions to end users.
Sn‐MFI and Fe‐MFI zeolites for fructose conversion to levulinic and lactic acids by the one‐pot method
Authors: Sobuś Natalia , Król Magdalena , Drożdż Ewa , Piotrowski Marcin , Yoney Büşra , Kornaus Kamil , Komarek Sebastian
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the results of the use of MFI zeolite as a catalyst modified with tin and iron. Sn‐MFI and Fe‐MFI catalysts were obtained by ion exchange under hydrothermal conditions with and without ammonium exchange. Catalytic materials were characterized with the use of analytical techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet‐visible range (DRS UV–visible), hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR), or Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The one‐pot catalytic conversion of fructose was performed at 220 °C for 1–5 h. Based on the results, the influence of time and material selection on the products obtained can be seen. Lactic acid (LAC) was obtained with a yield of 68.7% (after 2 h) and levulinic acid (LA) with a yield of 70.9% (after 5 h) with the participation of MFI. In turn, formic acid with a yield of 28.5% (after 5 h) was obtained with the participation of Fe‐MFI.
Kinetic and quantitative analysis of gaseous products of thermochemical biomass conversion based on thermogravimetric and mass‐spectrometric data
Authors: Badenko Vladislav , Sosnovsky Ilya , Kozlov Alexander , Penzik Maxim , Zhang Shu
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study is to apply a new approach to the quantitative analysis of the formation of gaseous products generated during the thermochemical conversion of wood waste samples of different fineness by using thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometry (TGA‐MS). Profiles of the release of gaseous components in the process of thermochemical conversion of wood samples were obtained based on data from the combined use of mass spectrometry and thermogravimetry. The resulting mass spectrometric data were processed according to the proposed methodology and the characteristics of the released gases were noted. The kinetic coefficients of the gases’ formation were calculated from the processed data.
Teacher perspectives on the introduction of linguistics in the languages classroom: Evidence from a co‐creation project on French, German and Spanish
Authors: Sheehan Michelle , Havinga Anna D. , Kasstan Jonathan R. , Stollhans Sascha , Corr Alice , Gillman Peter
Published: March 2024

Linguistics is conspicuously absent from language teaching in UK schools. A‐level cultural topics cover a range of themes such as cyber‐society, cultural heritage and multiculturalism, but the approach taken to these topics is not informed by linguistics. In previous work, we have argued that this is an unfortunate omission not only because linguistics is appealing to many language students and perceived by them to be useful, but also because the existing cultural topics could be significantly enriched by the inclusion of the critical/analytical study of language itself. In this paper, we provide concrete examples of how linguistics can be integrated into the existing A‐level curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) in England and Wales. Reporting on a project in which teachers trialled linguistics materials co‐created by us (a group of academics) and experienced languages teachers, we present evidence that linguistics materials are perceived to be both highly novel and nonetheless compatible with the existing A‐level curriculum. Data from questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews with participating teachers also show that: (i) these new materials can be taught with little or no prior experience of linguistics; and (ii) adding linguistics materials to the curriculum leads to significant impacts on teacher and pupil attitudes towards language(s). Despite some challenges, which we also discuss, the results highlight again the great potential of linguistics as a component of language teaching and the contribution that it can make to the enrichment of the discipline.
Patterns of B‐cell lymphocyte expression changes in pre‐ and post‐malignant prostate tissue are associated with prostate cancer progression
Authors: Sadasivan Sudha M. , Loveless Ian M. , Chen Yalei , Gupta Nilesh S. , Sanii Ryan , Bobbitt Kevin R. , Chitale Dhananjay A. , Williamson Sean R. , Rundle Andrew G. , Rybicki Benjamin A.
Published: March 2024

Backround

Inflammation characterized by the presence of T and B cells is often observed in prostate cancer, but it is unclear how T‐ and B‐cell levels change during carcinogenesis and whether such changes influence disease progression.

Methods

The study used a retrospective sample of 73 prostate cancer cases (45 whites and 28 African Americans) that underwent surgery as their primary treatment and had a benign prostate biopsy at least 1 year before diagnosis. CD3+, CD4+, and CD20+ lymphocytes were quantified by immunohistochemistry in paired pre‐ and post‐diagnostic benign prostate biopsy and tumor surgical specimens, respectively. Clusters of similar trends of expression across two different timepoints and three distinct prostate regions—benign biopsy glands (BBG), tumor‐adjacent benign glands (TAG), and malignant tumor glandular (MTG) regions—were identified using Time‐series Anytime Density Peaks Clustering (TADPole). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of time to biochemical recurrence associated with region‐specific lymphocyte counts and regional trends.

Results

The risk of biochemical recurrence was significantly reduced in men with an elevated CD20+ count in TAG (HR = 0.81, p = 0.01) after adjusting for covariates. Four distinct patterns of expression change across the BBG‐TAG‐MTG regions were identified for each marker. For CD20+, men with low expression in BBG and higher expression in TAG compared to MTG had an adjusted HR of 3.06 (p = 0.03) compared to the reference group that had nominal differences in CD20+ expression across all three regions. The two CD3+ expression patterns that featured lower CD3+ expression in the BBG compared to the TAG and MTG regions had elevated HRs ranging from 3.03 to 4.82 but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Longitudinal and spatial expression patterns of both CD3+ and CD20+ suggest that increased expression in benign glands during prostate carcinogenesis is associated with an aggressive disease course.
Modified coronally advanced flap technique in the treatment of fibrous epulis: A case report with 1‐year follow‐up
Authors: Zheng Kaixin , Zhang Yuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Currently, the treatment of epulis is primarily surgical excision, which would greatly affect the aesthetics of patients if happened in the anterior region. It's challenging for clinicians to balance the aesthetic after surgery and less surgical trauma. To overcome this disadvantage, the authors propose the modified coronally advanced flap technique which applies the principles of minimally invasive surgery to provide satisfactory therapeutic results in fibrous epulis.

Methods

We report a case of an 18‐year‐old female with the chief complaint of a gingival swelling in the right upper anterior region. After the initial periodontal therapy, the modified surgical approach was applied to this patient. Unlike conventional coronally advanced flap technique, an additional incision was made, and the free portion was rotated into the adjacent space to completely cover the trauma, which avoided the use of the second operative zone.

Results

The gingiva recovered with normal color, contour, and consistency after surgery, the papilla filled up the proximal space well and was in good harmony with the adjacent papillae. The surgical results remained stable during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

The use of modified coronally advanced flap technique allows the clinician to successfully resume the natural appearance of gingiva in the treatment of fibrous epulis, as well as simplify the surgical approach, shorten the operative time, and demonstrate no tendency of recurrence.

Key Points

Why is this case new information?

This novel technique not only removes the epulis, but also takes into account the postoperative aesthetics of the surgery at the same time.

This minimally invasive surgical technique reduces operative time and increases patient comfort.

Keys to successful management of this case are as follows: (i) Adequate preoperative assessment of the location of the additional incision; (ii) tension‐free coronal flap advancement.

What are the primary limitations to success in this case?

Clinical studies with long‐term outcomes of this approach are needed.

This procedure may be limited to larger gingival tumors.
Neuromodulatory Effects Induced by the Association of Moringa oleifera Lam., Tribulus terrestris L., Rhodiola rosea Lam., and Undaria pinnatidifida Extracts in the Hypothalamus
Authors: Chiavaroli Annalisa , Di Simone Simonetta Cristina , Acquaviva Alessandra , Nilofar Nilofar , Libero Maria Loreta , Brunetti Luigi , Recinella Lucia , Leone Sheila , Orlando Giustino , Zengin Gokhan , Di Vito Maura , Menghini Luigi , Ferrante Claudio
Published: March 2024

The present study investigated the role of a commercial formulation constituted by herbal extracts from Rhodiola rosea, Undaria pinnatifida, Tribulus terrestris, and Moringa oleifera. The formulation was analysed for determining the content in total phenols and flavonoids and scavenging/reducing properties. The formulation was also tested on isolated mouse hypothalamus in order to investigate effects on serotonin, dopamine, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexin A. The gene expression of gonadrotopin releasing hormone (GnRH) was also assayed. The formulation was able to reduce dopamine and serotonin turnover, and this could be related, albeit partially, to the capability of different phytochemicals, among which hyperoside and catechin to inhibit monoaminooxidases activity. In parallel, the formulation was effective in reducing the gene expression of NPY and orexin‐A and to improve the gene expression of GnRH. In this context, the increased GnRH gene expression induced by the formulation may contribute not only to improve the resistance towards the stress related to ageing, but also to prevent the reduction of libido that could be related with a stimulation of the serotoninergic pathway. According to the in silico analysis, hyperoside could play a pivotal role in modulating the gene expression of GnRH. Regarding NPY and orexin A gene expression, no direct interactions between the formulation phytochemicals and these neuropeptides were anticipated; thus, suggesting that the pattern of gene expression observed following exposure of the hypothalamus to the formulation may be secondary to inhibitory effects of dopamine and serotonin turnover. Concluding, the present study demonstrated the efficacy of the formulation in exerting neuromodulatory effects at the hypothalamic level; thus, suggesting the potential to contrast stress and fatigue.
Exploring the Efficacy of Noncovalent SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease Inhibitors: A Computational Simulation Analysis Study
Authors: Xiong Fei , Zhang Yan‐Jun , Jiang Hui‐Ying , Wang Zhong‐Hua
Published: March 2024

The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease, as a key target for antiviral therapeutics, is instrumental in maintaining virus stability, facilitating translation, and enabling the virus to evade innate immunity. Our research focused on designing non‐covalent inhibitors to counteract the action of this protease. Utilizing a 3D‐QSAR model and contour map, we successfully engineered eight novel non‐covalent inhibitors. Further evaluation and comparison of these novel compounds through methodologies including molecular docking, ADMET analysis, frontier molecular orbital studies, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy revealed that the inhibitors N02 and N03 demonstrated superior research performance (N02 ΔGbind=−206.648 kJ/mol, N03 ΔGbind=−185.602 kJ/mol). These findings offer insightful guidance for the further refinement of molecular structures and the development of more efficacious inhibitors. Consequently, future investigations can draw upon these findings to unearth more potent inhibitors, thereby amplifying their impact in the treatment and prevention of associated diseases.
Progress through Temporal Analysis of Products and Steady‐state Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis to Elucidate Oxidation, CO2 Hydrogenation and Lower Olefins Production Reactions
Authors: Otroshchenko Tatiana , Kondratenko Vita A. , Zanina Anna , Zhang Qiyang , Kondratenko Evgenii V.
Published: March 2024

A prerequisite for the development or optimization of heterogeneous catalysts is a comprehensive understanding of the reaction mechanism and kinetics at the level as elementary as possible. In comparison with steady‐state catalytic tests typically used for this purpose, non‐steady‐state (transient) studies provide deeper insights due to higher time resolution. For several decades, temporal analysis of products (TAP) and steady‐state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA) have been successfully applied to the analysis of various heterogeneous reactions. In this review, we highlight the contributions made by TAP and SSITKA studies between 2017 and 2023 to the understanding of reaction mechanisms and to the derivation of microkinetics. The versatility of these methods is illustrated by the examples of oxidative coupling of methane, CO/CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons or methanol, metathesis of ethylene with 2‐butenes to propene, acrolein oxidation to acrylic acid, methanol conversion to olefins and non‐oxidative propane dehydrogenation to propene. We also provide our personal views on possible developments in this area.
Interface Engineering of Electrocatalysts for Efficient and Selective Oxygen Evolution in Alkaline/Seawater
Authors: Kim Daekyu , Zu Wenhan , Lam Kwok Ching , Lee Lawrence Yoon Suk
Published: March 2024

Electrochemical water splitting is regarded as an effective technology for producing green hydrogen, which is crucial for addressing energy and environmental challenges. In particular, direct seawater splitting offers significant economic and environmental advantages. However, its efficiency is hindered by the high overpotential required for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the competition from chloride oxidation. This review highlights the potential of interface engineering to overcome these limitations and develop efficient OER electrocatalysts. We comprehensively explore recent advancements in interface engineering for OER in both alkaline and seawater environments. We begin by introducing the mechanisms of freshwater and seawater electrolysis, emphasizing key considerations for OER catalyst design. Subsequently, we review the recent progress made in various interface engineering strategies, analyzing their impact on OER performance in both electrolytes. Finally, we outline promising future directions for developing efficient seawater oxidation catalysts through interface engineering.
Operando Monitoring of Homolytic Cleavage of H2 into Surface Hydrides on Defective Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles
Authors: André Rémi F. , Gallet Jean‐Jacques , Bournel Fabrice , Carenco Sophie
Published: March 2024

The use of ceria as catalyst in hydrogenation reactions is a recent trend, as they were uncovered to be active on a number of substrates, including alkynes, alkenes, and enones. While some studies focused on the use of well‐defined shapes, others emphasized the interest of defective structures. Overall, the meeting point of these studies is the need to characterize the surface reactivity vs. H2, by considering a number of interesting textures (films, nanopowders with various grain size or porosity), using monitoring techniques that preserve the original features of the materials. A key question is in particular to assess the possibility to form surface hydride through homolytic H2 splitting at cerium sites rather than at the oxygen one, a route recently highlighted as plausible. To address this question on small crystallites of CeO2, we designed a low‐temperature synthetic route for nanorods with an average grain size of 10 nm. Then, we employed near‐ambient‐pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy as an operando tool to monitor the cerium surface oxidation state during the initial annealing of the nanopowders, followed by exposure to a moderate pressure of H2 (0.52 mbar). We demonstrate that H2 homolytic splitting at cerium sites is the main activation process on this surface at 100 °C, leading to the oxidation of ca. 30 % of the surface cerium atoms from Ce3+ to Ce4+. The surface hydride species were however not stable at 250 °C, H2 was released, and cerium reduced back to Ce3+. A similar mechanism was observed on a defective ceria material obtained by calcination of CeO(OH)2, with comparable intensities. Overall, we report here CeO2 nanorods, exposing predominantly {100} and {110} facets, as showing an interesting surface reactivity for potential application in hydrogenation reactions, and we expose a straight operando methodology to delineate suitable temperatures to be used.
Accelerating Cellular Uptake with Unnatural Amino Acid for Inhibiting Immunosuppressive Cancer Cells
Authors: Yi Meihui , Ashton‐Rickardt Gabriel , Tan Weiyi , Liu Zhiyu , He Hongjian , Hsieh Jer‐Tsong , Xu Bing
Published: March 2024

Targeting immunosuppressive metastatic cancer cells is a key challenge in therapy. We recently have shown that a rigid‐rod aromatic, pBP−NBD, that responds to enzymes and kill immunosuppressive metastatic osteosarcoma (mOS) and castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells in mimetic bone microenvironment. However, pBP−NBD demonstrated moderate efficacy against CRPC cells. To enhance activity, we incorporated the unnatural amino acid L‐ or D‐4,4′‐biphenylalanine (L‐ or D−BiP) into pBP−NBD, drastically increasing cellular uptake and CRPC inhibition. Specifically, we inserted BiP into pBP−NBD to target mOS (Saos2 and SJSA1) and CRPC (VCaP and PC3) cells with overexpressed phosphatases. Our results show that the D‐peptide backbone with an aspartate methyl diester at the C‐terminal offers the highest activity against these immunosuppressive mOS and CRPC cells. Importantly, imaging shows that the peptide assemblies almost instantly enter the cells and accumulate primarily within the endoplasmic reticulum of Saos2, SJSA1, and PC3 cells and at the lysosomes of VCaP cells. By using BiP to boost cellular uptake and self‐assembly within cancer cells, this work illustrates an unnatural hydrophobic amino acid as a versatile and effective residue to boost endocytosis of synthetic peptides for intracellular self‐assembly.
Ferromagnetically Coupled Chromium(III) Dimer Shows Luminescence and Sensitizes Photon Upconversion
Authors: Trippmacher Simon , Demeshko Serhiy , Prescimone Alessandro , Meyer Franc , Wenger Oliver S. , Wang Cui
Published: March 2024

There has been much progress on mononuclear chromium(III) complexes featuring luminescence and photoredox activity, but dinuclear chromium(III) complexes have remained underexplored in these contexts until now. We identified a tridentate chelate ligand able to accommodate both meridional and facial coordination of chromium(III), to either access a mono‐ or a dinuclear chromium(III) complex depending on reaction conditions. This chelate ligand causes tetragonally distorted primary coordination spheres around chromium(III) in both complexes, entailing comparatively short excited‐state lifetimes in the range of 400 to 800 ns in solution at room temperature and making photoluminescence essentially oxygen insensitive. The two chromium(III) ions in the dimer experience ferromagnetic exchange interactions that result in a high spin (S=3) ground state with a coupling constant of +9.3 cm−1. Photoinduced energy transfer from the luminescent ferromagnetically coupled dimer to an anthracene derivative results in sensitized triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion. Based on these proof‐of‐principle studies, dinuclear chromium(III) complexes seem attractive for the development of fundamentally new types of photophysics and photochemistry enabled by magnetic exchange interactions.
Flexible and Stretchable Electrodes for In Vivo Electrophysiological and Electrochemical Monitoring†
Authors: Sheng Kai‐Kai , Lu Yi‐Fei , Fan Wen‐Ting , Liu Yan‐Ling
Published: March 2024

Comprehensive Summary

In vivo monitoring of bioelectrical and biochemical signals with implanted electrodes has received great interest over the past decades. However, this faces huge challenges because of the severe mechanical mismatch between conventional rigid electrodes and soft biological tissues. In recent years, the emergence of flexible and stretchable electrodes offers seamless and conformable biological‐electronic interfaces and has demonstrated significant advantages for in vivo electrochemical and electrophysiological monitoring. This review first summarizes the strategies for electrode fabrication from the point of substrate and conductive materials. Next, recent progress in electrode functionalization for improved performance is presented. Then, the advances of flexible and stretchable electrodes in exploring bioelectrical and biochemical signals are introduced. Finally, we present some challenges and perspectives ranging from electrode fabrication to application.

Key Scientists

In 2001, a seminal work by Kipke et al. first showed flexible polyimide‐based intracortical electrode arrays.[1] This electrode was further expanded to 252‐channel using microelectromechanical systems technology by Stieglitz et al. in 2009 and achieved large‐scale cortical recordings.[2] Later, Lieber et al. created mesh electronics that allow for seamless and minimally invasive three‐dimensional interpenetration with nerve tissues, opening up unique applications for flexible electronics.[3] Subsequently, Rogers et al. described bioresorbable electronics for transient electrical activity recordings in 2016.[4] And Frank et al. proposed polymer electrode arrays capable of resolving single neurons in 2019.[5] It wasn't until 2020 that a significant breakthrough in biochemical signals monitoring by Peng et al. demonstrated functionalized carbon nanotube fibre bundles for multiple disease biomarkers monitoring.[6] Later on, Mooney et al. established the first fully viscoelastic electrode arrays for neural recordings from the brain and heart in 2021.[7] Recently, Bao et al. presented tissue‐mimicking, stretchable neurotransmitter interfaces for monitoring the brain and gut.[8]
C9‐Functionalized Doxycycline Analogs as Drug Candidates to Prevent Pathological α‐Synuclein Aggregation and Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease Degeneration
Authors: Rose Clémence , Tomas‐Grau Rodrigo Hernán , Zabala Brenda , Michel Patrick Pierre , Brunel Jean‐Michel , Chehín Rosana , Raisman‐Vozari Rita , Ferrié Laurent , Figadère Bruno
Published: March 2024

Doxycycline, a semi‐synthetic tetracycline, is a widely used antibiotic for treating mild‐to‐moderate infections, including skin problems. However, its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, combined with its ability to interfere with α‐synuclein aggregation, make it an attractive candidate for repositioning in Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, the antibiotic activity of doxycycline restricts its potential use for long‐term treatment of Parkinsonian patients. In the search for non‐antibiotic tetracyclines that could operate against Parkinson's disease pathomechanisms, eighteen novel doxycycline derivatives were designed. Specifically, the dimethyl‐amino group at C4 was reduced, resulting in limited antimicrobial activity, and several coupling reactions were performed at position C9 of the aromatic D ring, this position being one of the most reactive for introducing substituents. Using the Thioflavin‐T assay, we found seven compounds were more effective than doxycycline in inhibiting α‐synuclein aggregation. Furthermore, two of these derivatives exhibited better anti‐inflammatory effects than doxycycline in a culture system of microglial cells used to model Parkinson's disease neuroinflammatory processes. Overall, through structure‐activity relationship studies, we identified two newly designed tetracyclines as promising drug candidates for Parkinson's disease treatment.