bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidental Detection of a Right atrial wire Attached Mobile Thrombus of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in a Case of MALT Lymphoma
Authors: Aleid Norah  F. , Alsaad Afnan  M. , Alkhateeb Abdullah  A. , Soliman Mohamed  A. , Mustafa Yazan  H. , Soliman Ayman F. , Altaweel Muneera
Published: August 2023

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are widely used in primary prevention for cardiomyopathy patients.

A 57-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy post ICD implantation was found to have an incidental asymptomatic echocardiogram finding of a mobile thrombus attached to the tip of the ICD wire in the right atrium. The thrombosis is probably due to a hypercoagulability state in patient with Cardiomyopathy and MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this case report is to highlight accidental discoveries of ICD wire thrombi and the appropriate therapeutic strategy.
Effect of Irrigation Levels and Straw Mulching on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Papaya under Drip Irrigation System
Authors: Gaat Baljeet Singh , Kumar Mukesh , Naresh Ram , Kumar Suresh , Kapil  , Kumar Narender , Rani Santosh , Kumar Raj
Published: August 2023

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a significant fruit crop cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. However, its cultivation is often constrained by limited water availability and soil moisture stress, which may significantly affect its yield and quality. This study aimed to explore the effects of irrigation levels and straw mulch on the growth and yield of papaya under a drip irrigation system. The experiment encompassed six treatments: three different irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of crop water requirement) and two mulch levels (straw mulching and no mulch). The effect of mulch levels on plant growth, yield, and water use efficiency was statistically significant. The results revealed that applying 100% of crop water requirement along with straw mulch resulted in the maximum plant height, stem girth, crown diameter, and yield compared to the no mulch treatment. The study also evaluated irrigation water use efficiency, an essential aspect of sustainable farming practices. The results indicated that the maximum irrigation water use efficiency (58.47 kg m-3) was recorded when 50% of the crop water requirement was met alongside straw mulch. Conversely, the minimum irrigation water use efficiency was observed when 100% of the crop water requirement was completed without any mulch under the drip irrigation system.
Response of China aster to Bio-inoculant Amendments under Pot Experiment
Authors: Singh Suraj , Topno Samir E. , Prasad V. M.
Published: August 2023

The present investigation was layout out in Completely Randomized design (CRD) to assess the impact of biofertilizers on China aster with total of nine treatments and each treatment replicated thrice. The treatments consist of different combinations of bio-inoculants (Azospirillum, PSB, VAM and KSB). The results revealed that the treatment T8 (75%RDF+Azospirillum+PSB) was found significantly higher compared to other treatment combination, which recorded highest plant height (27.28 cm), Number of leaves (27.44), plant spread (15.28 cm2), Days to bud emergence (47.11 days), days of first bud break (54.67 days), opening first flower (62.33 days),number of flowers per plant(14.12), stalk length (13.00 cm), flower dimeter (4.92cm),Vase life (12.22 days), Leaf area (14.11 cm2).The economics viz. Gross return (Rs. 16,800), Net return (Rs. 8928) and Benefit cost ratio (2.13) was found highest in the same treatment.
Temporal Temperature Evolution during the Pyrolysis of Cotton Stalks, Corn Stalk and Rice Husk Using Multifunction Family Oven for the Biochar Production
Authors: Tarpilga Moussa Dit Corneille , Ouedraogo François , Woro Gounkaou Yomi , Da Fatoumata , Ouedraogo Salifou , Naon Bétaboalé
Published: August 2023

The multifunctional family oven is an oven able to produce simultaneously biochar for soil improvement and energy for cooking. However, the quality of the biochar produced depends not only on the selected biomass but especially on the pyrolysis temperature which is a very important parameter. This experimental study aims to understand the functioning of the oven with respect to its biochar production and the pyrolysis duration. To carry out our study, K-type thermocouples were used to measure the temperature on the different walls and chambers of the oven. Cotton stalks, corn stalks and rice husk were used for this study. The results obtained showed that the cotton stalks reached the maximum pyrolysis temperature at 430 °C around 1700 s. This temperature remained constant for 1500 s before decreasing to mark the end of pyrolysis. As for the corn husks, they reached their maximum average pyrolysis temperature at 470 °C after 3000 s. The rice husk reached a maximum pyrolysis temperature of 420 °C after 3500 s. A comparative study of the temperature curves of the three biomasses revealed that cotton stalks pyrolyze faster with short time than the other two biomasses. The results obtained on the pyrolysis temperature, corroborate those of the literature from which the multifunctional family oven produces a quality biochar. The maximum temperature of combustion which starts the pyrolysis is about 800 °C and can last for 1h30 min. Thus, this heat is valued by the cooking of different dishes of the country.
A Study on the Impact of Digital Financial Inclusion on the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Sensen Jiang
Published: August 2023

At the beginning of 2020, the sudden epidemic of new coronavirus pneumonia spread across the country, and the sudden disaster affected all aspects of the production industry, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises with relatively weak overall strength, the impact of the epidemic is worse. From the perspective of the performance of small and medium- sized enterprises in China, this paper hopes to make an important breakthrough on whether digital inclusive finance can reduce the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises through exploration in this paper, so as to supplement the research content of digital inclusive finance and small and medium-sized enterprises. On this basis, this paper intends to select listed enterprises on China's New Third Board as research samples, use the digital inclusive finance index compiled by Peking University to measure the development degree of digital inclusive finance in China, and conduct a quasi-natural experiment to study the impact of digital inclusive finance on the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises through the external impact affecting the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises. It is of reference significance for how to improve the performance of smes with the help of digital inclusive finance.
Escravidão e liberdade no Oeste paulista oitocentista
Authors: Pires Maria de Fátima Novaes
Published: August 2023

Ribeirão Preto, no oeste paulista, assumiu importância crucial na economia do Império quando o Brasil passou a produzir mais da metade do café mundial. Grandes produtores de café, a exemplo de Martinho Prado Júnior, fizeram fortuna naquela região, que absorveu parcela considerável de mão de obra constituída por migrantes, imigrantes e escravizados, estes últimos oriundos de diversas partes do Brasil, sobretudo das províncias do norte. A partir de 1883, o município expandiu-se com a implantação da rede ferroviária da Companhia Mogiana, responsável pelo transporte de expressivas cargas de sacas de café. Dois anos antes da implantação dessa ferrovia, uma trama envolvendo a liberta Dorothea e o senhor Antônio Beraldo d’Azevedo teve lugar naquela região. O que essa trama teria ainda hoje a nos ensinar sobre a influência da Lei do Ventre Livre (Lei 2.040) nas formas processuais do direito e das lutas pela liberdade nos anos finais da escravidão no Brasil? É o que trata este artigo.
Websites Selling Direct-to-Consumer Anti-Mullerian Hormone Tests
Authors: Johnson Alexis , Thompson Rachel , Nickel Brooke , Shih Patti , Hammarberg Karin , Copp Tessa
Published: August 2023

Importance

The recent provision of direct-to-consumer (DTC) Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing in several countries has been contentious, particularly due to concerns about judicious testing and informed consent.

Objective

To describe and analyze information on websites that sell DTC AMH tests.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Qualitative study including content analysis of text information from websites in multiple countries that sell AMH tests DTC. The top 50 search results from 4 different internet search strings were captured and reviewed for eligibility. Data were extracted in March 2022 and analyzed from April 2022 to July 2023.

Main outcomes and measures

Themes and categories were derived from the website content using a conventional inductive approach, with a particular focus on information content, quality and accuracy, as well as the tone and language used.

Results

Twenty-seven websites across 7 different countries formed the sample for analysis. Information varied considerably across websites and was organized into 6 overarching categories: (1) whether a test description was included (25 websites [93%]); (2) statements about what the test can do, which included indicating ovarian reserve (26 websites [96%]) and indicating likelihood of conceiving (20 websites [74%]); (3) statements about the usefulness of the test result, which included enabling women to adjust their reproductive timeline (11 websites [41%]) and determining whether egg freezing was a viable option (8 websites [30%]); (4) blood collection method (ie, through a laboratory or an at-home sample); (5) promotion tactics, such as stating the convenience of testing (24 websites [89%]) and using language promoting empowerment and control (7 websites [26%]); and (6) statements about limitations of the test, which included polycystic ovary syndrome falsely inflating AMH levels (13 websites [48%]) and that it cannot accurately predict chances of conceiving (9 websites [33%]).

Conclusion and relevance

In this qualitative study including content analysis, most websites selling DTC AMH tests included false and misleading claims which might lead consumers to purchase an AMH test in the belief that it can reliably predict fertility potential and age of menopause. Depending on the test result, this may in turn lead to misplaced anxiety or reassurance about one’s fertility and modifications to subsequent conception or contraceptive plans and behavior.
Unintentional Pediatric Ingestion of Cannabis—Addressing a Growing Public Health Risk
Authors: Tobin Thomas , Xie James , George Kyle
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the growing unintentional ingestion of cannabis and copycat products by children and urges clinicians, legitimate cannabis companies, large consumer brands, state attorneys general, and national legislators to provide solutions and education to adult users.
Construction of Polypropionate Fragments in Natural Product Synthesis
Authors: Turks Māris , Laclef Sylvain , Vogel Pierre
Published: August 2023

Polypropionates constitute an important class of natural products that possess significant and practically applicable biological activities. Many polypropionates or their semisynthetic congeners are known as antibiotics and as anticancer and antiparasitic agents. Asymmetric synthesis of polypropionates can be designed in terms of stereo‐n‐ads. The most prominent transformations in the synthesis of polypropionate fragments are aldol reactions, crotylations, additions of allenylmetals, and cycloadditions. This chapter deals with the aforementioned enantioselective and diastereoselective transformations leading to polypropionate fragments and polypropionate natural products. Discussions on recent asymmetric total synthesis of zincophorin methyl ester and discodermolide showcase the continuous development of the field. It is demonstrated that the available methods are applicable on a large scale. They have found use in the pharmaceutical industry, which has produced complex biologically active polypropionate natural productsviachemical synthesis in the scale necessary for clinical trials.
Radicals in Stereoselective CC Bond Formation
Authors: Bonjoch Josep , Bradshaw Ben , Diaba Faïza
Published: August 2023

An overview of the most commonly used procedures involving radical reactions for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds, focused on target‐oriented synthesis, is presented. The predominance of substrate‐controlled diastereoselective processes among the examples reflects that asymmetric synthesis of natural products or related compounds
via
radicals is still challenging despite the progress made in the last decade. Even the application of chiral auxiliaries or chiral Lewis acids as ligands in drug and natural product synthesis has had only limited success.

This chapter covers the classic radical chain processes involving atom‐transfer or reductive procedures and nonchain methods using either reductive species, such as Sm(II) or Ti(III), or oxidative Mn(III) derivatives. Furthermore, new improvements in enolate oxidative couplings and the introduction of organocatalysis in radical chemistry are also discussed.
Stereoselective carbon–sulfur (CS) bond formation
Authors: Oh Kyungsoo
Published: August 2023

This chapter aims to provide an overview of stereoselective CS bond formations that centered around three classes of hydrocarbon compounds: alkynes, alkenes, and alkanes. The stereoselective functionalization of alkynes is reviewed in the context of hydrothiolation, bisthiolation, and carbothiolation that necessitate transition metal and Brønsted acid catalysis. The next section covers the thiofunctionalization of electron‐rich and electron‐poor alkenes through sulfetheration and conjugate addition reactions, in which the roles of Lewis acid and Brønsted acid catalysts are discussed in detail. The last section is centered on the use of alkanes in the stereoselectiveS‐alkylation catalyzed by transition metal and organocatalysis.
Interventional Radiology for the Cancer Patient
Authors: Ahrar Judy U. , Wallace Michael J. , Avritscher Rony
Published: August 2023

Overview

In the past decades, there has been a substantial expansion in the use of image‐guided procedures for diagnosing and treating various types of cancer. Percutaneous biopsy is usually the first step in obtaining a definitive diagnosis and aids in the development of the treatment plan. Patients with primary or metastatic disease involving the liver are candidates for a wide range of image‐guided interventions such as hepatic arterial embolization procedures, liver tumor ablation, and portal vein embolization. Cancer patients also benefit from a variety of palliative image‐guided interventions, such as vena cava filter placement, biliary drainage and stent placement, and renal artery embolization, to name a few. Interventional radiology offers a multitude of minimally invasive procedures that are a key component in the management of cancer patients.
Tumor Growth Kinetics
Authors: Comen Elizabeth , Gilewski Teresa A. , Norton Larry
Published: August 2023

Overview

Kineticsis the study of movement and changes in magnitude over time. Kinetics is a central concept in oncology; cancer progression reflects changes in cancer cell numbers, metastatic sites, and tumor mass as a function of time. It is the purpose of this chapter to illustrate both the practical applications and theoretical implications of one aspect of kinetics—tumor growth kinetics. Just as time and space are inextricably linked so too are growth kinetics and the tumor's microenvironment. Here we review the kinetics of cellular proliferation and population growth, finding a theoretical basis for improved practices in cancer chemotherapy.
Principles of Dose, Schedule, and Combination Therapy
Authors: Hait William N. , Eder Joseph P.
Published: August 2023

Overview

The discovery and development of oncology drugs are complex and associated with a high failure rate. For example, the chance of a new drug that enters clinical trial has an approximately ten percent chance of achieving regulatory approval and ultimately becoming available for patients. Determining the proper dose and schedule of a drug are arguably the two most important determinants of both safety and efficacy, the primary determinants of regulatory approval. Understanding how to best estimate the proper dose and schedule for the many types of therapeutic agents now widely available and in development is a critical skill for those in the drug discovery and development field. This area of expertise has been made more complex with the addition of biological agents such as monoclonal antibodies, alternative protein scaffolds, and vaccines to that of hormones and small molecule platforms. In this chapter, we review the basic principles that underlie the appropriate selection of dose and schedule with a major focus on cytotoxic chemotherapy. In addition, we discuss the many variables that can underlie the dose‐response relationship including characteristics of the tumor, the tumor microenvironment, the host including enzymes of drug metabolism and mechanisms of drug clearance. Finally, we review the clinical trial designs that have been successfully used to properly select dose and schedule for oncology drugs.
Alkylating Agents and Platinum Antitumor Compounds
Authors: Siddik Zahid H.
Published: August 2023

Overview

Alkylating agents and platinum‐based compounds are highly potent antitumor drugs used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. These drugs target DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) but require activation by spontaneous or metabolic transformation to induce formation of DNA monofunctional adducts and interstrand and intrastrand crosslinks. As a result of this damage, the DNA unwinds and/or bends, and such distortions are then recognized by specialized DNA damage recognition proteins to activate checkpoints, which arrest the cell cycle to allow cells time to repair the damage and survive. If the DNA damage is extensive and repair cannot be completed, then cells activate p53‐dependent or independent apoptosis (programmed cell death) to affect antitumor drug response. As activated species from alkylating agents and platinum compounds are not tumor‐selective, they will also interact with DNA and other endogenous macromolecules in normal cells to induce severe side effects; at times the toxicity can be irreversible and cumulative and, thereby, presents a dose‐limiting barrier. Another limitation is that genetic changes in tumors that are either intrinsic or acquired can inhibit apoptosis and induce resistance to alkylating and platinating drugs. Resistance mechanisms may be observed in the form of reduced drug accumulation, increased drug inactivation, increased DNA repair, failure of DNA damage recognition system to recognize the damage, and aberrant apoptotic signal transduction pathways. Rational strategies to circumvent resistance mechanisms are, therefore, needed desperately to enhance patient care.
Agents Targeting Microtubules and Mitotic Processes
Authors: Rowinsky Eric K.
Published: August 2023

Overview

The treatment of many diseases owes much to the importance of medicines derived from natural sources, and the treatment of malignant disease is no exception. Billions of years of evolutionary pressure have resulted in the natural selection of plants, fungi, and microorganisms capable of producing potent and specific toxins. After several plant‐derived compounds and other natural products, many of which targeted the mitotic processes, demonstrated prominent anticancer activity in the 1950s and 1960s, the microtubule was recognized as a subcellular target of major strategic importance.

The first widely used class of antimicrotubule agents, the plant‐derived vinca alkaloids, had been the mainstay of both palliative and curative regimens for treating malignancies for several decades. The addition of the plant‐derived taxanes, which possess a unique mechanism of action and anticancer spectra, to our therapeutic arsenal several decades later resulted in renewed interest in the microtubule and mitotic processes as targets for which to develop cancer therapeutics, as well as in the identification of other natural products to treat cancers. More recently, several plant‐ and marine‐derived compounds as well as synthetic agents with yet even more distinctive disruptive actions on microtubules and other mitotic constituents have been identified. These include the analogs of the epothilones and halichondrin B, which were isolated from soil‐dwelling myxobacterium and marine sponges, respectively. They also include potent antimicrotubule agents, such as analogs of maytansine and dolastatin, which are components of antibody‐drug conjugates. This chapter focuses on the microtubule as a target for therapeutic development and antimicrotubule agents that comprise our therapeutic armamentarium.
Neoplasms of the Small Intestine, Vermiform Appendix, and Peritoneum and Carcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Authors: Beasley Georgia M. , Sun Zhifei , Nussbaum Daniel P. , Tyler Douglas S.
Published: August 2023

Overview

Cancers of the small bowel, large bowel, and appendix compromise a multitude of distinct pathologic entities and clinical presentations. While tumors of the small bowel are uncommon with <3% of all alimentary tract tumors and 0.4% of all malignancies arise in the small bowel, colon cancer is the third most common malignant tumor and the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Although adenocarcinoma remains the common pathology, many advances have been made regarding our diagnoses and management of carcinoid tumors and even to a larger degree in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Additional advances include our understanding of genetics, new imaging modalities, and minimally invasive surgeries. This chapter will provide a comprehensive review of the management and treatment of cancers of the small bowel, large bowel, and appendix.
Bone Tumors
Authors: Damron Timothy A.
Published: August 2023

Overview

Bone tumors are uncommon lesions that affect all ages of patients and may involve any bone in the body. Bone lesions may be benign neoplasms or reactive lesions, primary bone sarcomas, metastatic carcinomas to bone, myeloma, or lymphoma. The benign bone lesions, which predominate in children and young adults, may behave in an inactive, active, or aggressive fashion, and the latter may simulate malignancy. Primary bone sarcomas have a bimodal distribution, whereas metastatic disease, myeloma, and lymphoma of bone predominate in adults. Despite the broad spectrum of bone tumors, each individual entity has a distinct clinical and radiographic presentation, with a predilection for specific locations, which lends itself to narrowing the differential diagnosis and selecting appropriate management.

Bone sarcomas account for less than 0.2% of all cancers. During 2014, approximately 3020 new cases of primary bone sarcomas were diagnosed, and approximately 1460 deaths occurred. The three most common bone sarcomas are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. However, the most common primary malignancy of bone is myeloma, and the most common cancer that involves bone is metastatic carcinoma.

The pathologic classification of bone tumors continues to evolve. To a large extent, classification continues to be according to the cell of origin or tissue type. Primary bone tumors may derive from cartilage cells, bone cells, and vascular cells, among others, but for some tumors, the cell of origin is unknown. The most widely accepted pathologic classification system to date is that of the World Health Organization.
Plasma Cell Tumors
Authors: Raje Noopur , Hideshima Teru , Yee Andrew J. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: August 2023

Overview

Plasma cell disorders have in common a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells associated with the production of a monoclonal protein. These disorders range from the common, indolent condition of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, characterized by the presence of hypercalcemia, anemia, renal dysfunction, and/or lytic lesions. Progress in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of myeloma has led to remarkable advances in its treatment. High‐dose melphalan with autologous stem‐cell transplant was historically a mainstay of treatment. Now, highly effective and well‐tolerated drug classes such as the proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib and carfilzomib) and immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., lenalidomide and pomalidomide) have rapidly transformed the treatment of myeloma and significantly improved the overall survival. The increasing use of extended treatment strategies such as maintenance therapy and the arrival of newer drug classes such as plasma cell‐specific monoclonal antibodies are setting the stage for improving outcomes further.
Antiemetic Therapy
Authors: Forde Patrick M. , Ettinger David S.
Published: August 2023

Overview

Dramatic progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy‐induced emesis, especially since the introduction of the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists in the early 1990s and the 2003 introduction of the NK‐1 receptor antagonist, aprepitant. Recent surveys indicate the need for heightened awareness of the frequency and severity of acute and, especially, delayed nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. Fortunately, new agents have been added to the antiemetic arsenal to further enhance the efficacy of antiemetic prophylaxis. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and mind–body interventions appear promising in controlling nausea, and are being explored further. Appropriate implementation of guidelines for prophylaxis based on the specific chemotherapy agents used will ensure that fewer patients experience these most distressing of side effects.
Association of the time of day of EVT with clinical outcomes and benefit from successful recanalization after stroke
Authors: Burbano Vanessa Granja , Wölfer Teresa A. , Vlegels Naomi , Quandt Fanny , Zimmermann Hanna , Wischmann Johannes , Kellert Lars , Liebig Thomas , Dimitriadis Konstantinos , Saver Jeffrey L. , Tiedt Steffen ,   for the GSR investigators
Published: August 2023

Experimental and neuroimaging studies suggest an influence of the time of day on acute infarct growth, but whether this could inform patient selection for acute treatments is uncertain. In a multicenter cohort of 9357 stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment, morning treatment (05:00–10:59) was associated with lowest 90‐day mRS scores (adjusted odds ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08–1.47]; p = 0.004). The association between successful recanalization and outcome was stronger in morning compared to evening‐treated patients (pia = 0.046) with treatment benefit persisting until 24 h for morning‐treated compared to 11.5 h for evening‐treated patients suggesting that the time of day might inform patient selection for EVT.
Patient costs for buprenorphine influence engagement in treatment
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2023

Newly published research has uncovered a strong association between patients' out‐of‐pocket costs for buprenorphine and the likelihood that they will keep using the medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). The study, involving privately insured individuals who initiated buprenorphine treatment between 2013 and 2020, also showed a disappointingly low rate of one‐year continuation of the treatment overall.
Molecule Design of Novel Electron Acceptor with Superior Chemical Stability for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Wang Wenxuan , Zhang Shaoqing , Zhang Tao , Yang Yi , Cui Yong , Yu Yue , Xiao Yang , Ryu Du Hyeon , Song Chang Eun , Hou Jianhui
Published: August 2023

The stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells is significantly affected by the decomposition of acceptor–donor–acceptor type non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs), bringing a significant challenge for the manufacture and applications. Herein, a novel acceptor with superior chemical stability named GS‐22 is designed and synthesized and the relationship between molecular structure and chemical stability is investigated. Based on structure analysis, the exocyclic vinyl groups are proven to exhibit inferior chemical stability and can be easily destructed under an alkaline environment and illumination. Owing to the single‐bonded end groups and the completely non‐fused core, GS‐22 shows remarkably high chemical stability, contributing to obviously improved device stability. Impressively, the fitting T80 (the lifetime when power conversion efficiency retains 80% of the initial value) of the encapsulated OPV cell reaches 3770 h. This work provides an effective molecular design strategy for NFAs with superior chemical stability.
Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles with Integrated Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for mRNA CAR T Cell Engineering
Authors: Hamilton Alex G. , Swingle Kelsey L. , Joseph Ryann A. , Mai David , Gong Ningqiang , Billingsley Margaret M. , Alameh Mohamad‐Gabriel , Weissman Drew , Sheppard Neil C. , June Carl H. , Mitchell Michael J.
Published: August 2023

The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) signaling pathway is a major source of dampened T cell activity in the tumor microenvironment. While clinical approaches to inhibiting the PD‐1 pathway using antibody blockade have been broadly successful, these approaches lead to widespread PD‐1 suppression, increasing the risk of autoimmune reactions. This study reports the development of an ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for simultaneous therapeutic gene expression and RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated transient gene knockdown in T cells. In developing this platform, interesting interactions are observed between the two RNA cargoes when co‐encapsulated, leading to improved expression and knockdown characteristics compared to delivering either cargo alone. This messenger RNA (mRNA)/small interfering RNA (siRNA) co‐delivery platform is adopted to deliver chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) mRNA and siRNA targeting PD‐1 to primary human T cells ex vivo and strong CAR expression and PD‐1 knockdown are observed without apparent changes to overall T cell activation state. This delivery platform shows great promise for transient immune gene modulation for a number of immunoengineering applications, including the development of improved cancer immunotherapies.
Dual Function Polymer Ligands of Perovskite Nanocrystals for Extraordinary Water Resistance and X‐Ray Imaging Scintillators
Authors: Zheng Wei , Zhang Hao , Wang Xiaojia , Zhang Xiangzhou , Long Teng , Wang Hua , Yu William W. , Zhou Chuanjian
Published: August 2023

Lead perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have shown great potential for optoelectronic device applications due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the application of PNCs is significantly limited due to the inferior stability resulting from the highly dynamic ligands on the surface. Herein, poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene) (PMAO) with low molecular weight (Mn = 1911) is synthesized by copolymerization and used as multi‐dentate ligands to prepare CsPbBr3 PNCs via hot injection. The PNCs exhibit excellent water resistance, which maintains fluorescence for 2600 min while conventional PNCs are completely destroyed after 100 min. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that PMAO as a multi‐dentate ligand has higher adsorption energy to the surface of PNCs. Due to the large amount of extra anhydride structure of PMAO, PMAO‐PNCs are used as a cross‐linking agent to directly prepare flexible films by an in situ one‐step polymerization reaction with 1,3‐bis(3‐aminopropyl) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS‐NH2). The fluorescent flexible films show great potential for applications including X‐ray imaging scintillators and flexible light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). This study can provide guidance to prepare ultra‐stable PNCs and flexible perovskite films with good stability in a simple and efficient way.
Layered Gallium Monosulfide as Phase‐Change Material for Reconfigurable Nanophotonic Components On‐Chip
Authors: Gutiérrez Yael , Dicorato Stefano , Ovvyan Anna P. , Brückerhoff‐Plückelmann Frank , Resl Josef , Giangregorio Maria M , Hingerl Kurt , Cobet Christoph , Schiek Manuela , Duwe Matthias , Thiesen Peter H. , Pernice Wolfram H. P. , Losurdo Maria
Published: August 2023

The demand for information processing at ultrahigh speed with large data transmission capacity is continuously rising. Necessary building blocks for on‐chip photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are reconfigurable integrated low‐loss high‐speed modulators and switches. Phase change materials (PCMs) provide unique opportunities for integration into PICs. Here, the investigation of layered gallium monosulfide (GaS) as a novel low‐loss PCM from infrared to optical frequencies is pioneered, with high index contrast (Δn≈0.5) at the optical telecommunication band. The GaS bandgap switches from 1.5 ± 0.2 eV for the amorphous state to 2.1 ± 0.1 eV for the crystalline state. It is demonstrated that the reversible GaS amorphous‐to‐crystalline phase transition can be operated thermally and by picosecond green (532 nm) laser irradiation. The design of a reconfigurable integrated optical modulator on‐chip based on Mach‐Zehnder Interferometers (MZI) with the GaS PCM cell deposited on one of the arms for application is presented at the telecommunication wavelength of λ = 1310 nm, where the standard single mode optical fiber exhibits zero chromatic dispersion, and at λ = 1550 nm, where a minimum optical loss of 0.22 dB km−1is obtained. This opens the route to applications such as reconfigurable modulators, beam steering using phase modulation, and photonic neural networks.
Flexible Generation and Manipulation of Microwave Bottle Beam Using a Reconfigurable Metamirror
Authors: Lin Menglan , Ratni Badreddine , Qi Peihan , Yi Jianjia , de Lustrac André , Burokur Shah Nawaz
Published: August 2023

Bottle beams have drawn considerable research interest due to their attractive features and applications in beam trapping. Herein, the flexible generation and modulation of bottle beams utilizing a reconfigurable metamirror over a non‐negligible frequency band ranging from 8.5 to 9.5 GHz is investigated. A varactor diode is embedded into each meta‐atom on the metamirror enabling the achievement of a nearly 2π phase coverage by varying the external bias voltage. Based on the caustic theory, several configurations of bottle beam with distinct radius a are realized as proof‐of‐concept validation. Besides, the flexible modulation of the operating frequency is analyzed by judiciously controlling the bias voltages applied to the metasurface. The experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained from numerical simulations. Such a flexible bottle beam generator shows good potential in the microwave regime for near‐field applications, such as imaging and power transmission.
Phase Mask Pinholes as Spatial Filters for Laser Interference Lithography
Authors: Capraro Giovanna , Lipkin Maxim , Möller Michael , Bolten Jens , Lemme Max C.
Published: August 2023

Laser resonators have outputs with Gaussian spatial beam profiles. In laser interference lithography (LIL), using such Gaussian‐shaped beams leads to an inhomogeneous exposure of the substrate. As a result, dimensions of lithography‐defined features vary significantly across the substrate. In most LIL setups, pinholes are used as filters to remove optical noise. Following a concept proposed by Hariharan et al., a phase mask can be added to these pinholes. In theory, this modification results in a more uniform beam profile, and, if applied as spatial filters in LIL, in improved exposure and hence feature size uniformity. Here, the first successful fabrication of such elements is reported on and their use in an LIL setup is demonstrated to reduce feature dimension variations in fabricated devices.
Highly Sensitive Naked Eye Detectable Colorimetric Biosensors Made from Macroporous Framework Melamine Foams for Onsite and Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Environmental Hazards in Flowing Through Sensing Systems
Authors: Pan Bofeng , Zhao Cunyi , Norwood Makela , Wang Minyuan , Liu Gang‐Y. , Sun Gang
Published: August 2023

Personal‐use, naked eye‐readable, low‐cost, highly sensitive, and selective biosensors for rapid detection of environmental toxicants are relevant for many application scenarios. Here, the recent developments of highly sensitive and naked eye distinguishable colorimetric sensors by using commercially available melamine foam (MF) as basic sensing materials for instant and volume‐responsive simultaneous detection of multiple targets in fluid systems are reported. The MF possesses a unique reticulated three‐dimensional (3D) macroporous framework structure enabling rapid mass transfer of large biomolecules through the structures in all directions, ensuring easy access of numerous active binding sites of the chemically modified framework to the proteins and target molecules, and subsequently providing significantly increased sensitive and volume‐responsive detection of target molecules in flowing through sensor systems. Promising results in direct, sandwich, and competitive ELISA tests demonstrated the great application potential of the materials. Besides, an additive and simultaneous detection of two targets in one system is achieved by using different layers of the sensor materials in a flowing‐through filtering device. The novel biosensors are expected to significantly improve the sensitivity and broaden the applications of ELISA in the rapid detections of trace amounts of toxicants in liquid and aerosol systems.
Point Defects in Buckled Honeycomb PAs Monolayer: A Systematic Study of Stability, Electronic, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Huy Huynh Anh , Nguyen‐Tat Bao‐Thien , Nguyen Duy Khanh , Guerrero‐Sanchez J. , Hoat D. M.
Published: August 2023

In this work, the effects of point defects on the electronic and magnetic properties of PAs monolayer are investigated. PAs monolayer is stable in a buckled hexagonal structure, exhibiting indirect gap semiconductor character and is metallized under the presence of vacancies due to the dangling bonds around defect sites. Meanwhile, the non‐magnetic semiconductor character is preserved upon creating antisite defects with a negligible variation of the band gap. Significant magnetism as well as feature‐rich electronic properties are induced by p‐ and n‐type defects. Specifically, doping with Si and Ge atoms leads to the emergence of the magnetic semiconductor nature. In these cases, the total magnetic moment of 1 is obtained, where dopant atoms are mainly responsible for the magnetization. Besides, doping with Br induce the half‐metallic nature with a total magnetic moment of 2 , where magnetic properties are produced by the dopant and its neighbor due to the strong hybridization. In contrast, weak hybridization is the main reason for the absence of magnetism in the Cl‐doped PAs monolayer. Results presented herein introduce the creation of point defects in buckled semiconductor PAs monolayer as efficient functionalization approaches for optoelectronic and spintronic applications.
A Suitable Membrane Distance Regulated by the RBD_ACE2 Interaction is Critical for SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike‐Mediated Viral Invasion
Authors: Wu Mengdan , Li Wei , Lin Sheng , Fan Jiaqi , Cui Lele , Xiang Yijuan , Li Kaiyu , Tang Linwei , Duan Yanping , Chen Zimin , Yang Fanli , Shui Weiwei , Lu Guangwen , Lai Ying
Published: August 2023

The receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of spike recognizing the receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) initiates membrane fusion between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and cell membrane. Although the structure of the RBD_ACE2 complex has been well studied, its functional mechanism in membrane fusion is still not fully understood. Here, using an in vitro cell–vesicle content‐mixing assay, it is found that the cleavage at the S2’ site by thrombin (Thr) protease strongly accelerates membrane fusion, compared to that of cleavage at the S1/S2 site by PreScission (3C) protease. Moreover, mutations at the RBD_ACE2 interface resulted in a positive correlation between binding affinity and fusion probability. In both the cell–vesicle and cell–cell fusion assays, by crosslinking two membranes via the neutravidin (NTV)_biotin interaction or complementary DNA strands, it is found that spike drives membrane fusion in the absence of ACE2, and a suitable distance between two membranes is critical for spike‐mediated membrane fusion. Finally, unsuitable membrane crosslinkers significantly inhibited the fusion probability in the presence of ACE2. Taken together, the results suggest that the RBD_ACE2 complex may act as a crosslinker to bridge the viral and cell membranes at a suitable distance, which is critical, but also substitutable for spike‐mediated SARS‐CoV‐2 entry.
New Consideration of Degradation Accelerating of All‐Solid‐State Batteries under a Low‐Pressure Condition
Authors: Shin Hyeon‐Ji , Kim Jun Tae , Kim A‐Yeon , Noh Namgyu , Park Jungjae , Park Chang Reung , Yu Seungho , Kim Hyoungchul , Chung Kyung Yoon , Yuk Jong Min , Myung Seung‐Taek , Jung Hun‐Gi
Published: August 2023

Sulfide‐based all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) are next‐generation batteries, which resolve the safety issues of energy storage systems. Elaborated intimate contact by providing constant external pressure using a customized cell is a way to overcome chemo‐mechanical deterioration associated with interfacial issues; however, it is not a practical approach. Here, ASSBs are evaluated by adopting a typical coin‐type cell at low pressure (≈0.3 MPa) and it is confirmed that cathode deterioration is a more significant factor in lowering capacity retention than contact loss. Sulfide is infused surprisingly along the grain boundary of the cathode, causing gradual lithium deficiency in the cathode active materials by capturing the active lithium, which is revealed by time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectroscopy using a lithium isotope (6Li). This study sheds light on the urgency of resolving the depletion of lithium ingredients during cycling rather than surface modification, by investigating the factors that accelerate degradation of the cathode during low‐pressure operation of ASSBs.
High‐Efficiency Charge Injection with Discharge Mitigation Strategy for Triboelectric Dielectric Materials
Authors: Zhao Qionghua , Wu Huiyuan , Wang Jian , Xu Shuyan , He Wencong , Shan Chuncai , Fu Shaoke , Li Gui , Li Kaixian , Hu Chenguo
Published: August 2023

The high surface charge density of triboelectric dielectric materials is the core of high output performance triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, the increase in surface charge density enabled by the existing triboelectric material modification is still far from the saturation value (σBS) limited by air breakdown. Here, utilizing the directional high electric field generated by the charge excitation technology of the voltage‐multiplying circuit, an ultrafast charge self‐injection strategy is proposed. An ordinary contact‐separation TENG with a working frequency of 1.5 Hz can realize charge self‐injection on the surface of its dielectric layer to a saturation value within 22 s. Furthermore, the surface charge on the dielectric layer after excessive charge self‐injection can be retained to the maximum value by the step‐by‐step discharge mitigation strategy. Finally, by using a 7 µm thick polyimide film, a super‐high charge density of 1480 µC m−2 is achieved after charge injection, which is the historical high by modification of single layer material series currently. The charge self‐injection technology combined with discharge mitigation strategy proposed in this work is an important breakthrough in the field of triboelectric layer modification. In addition, this work also provides a systematic discussion on the σBS of dielectric layer related physical mechanism.
Internal and External Cultivation Design of Zero‐Strain Columbite‐Structured MNb2O6 toward Lithium‐Ion Capacitors as Competitive Anodes
Authors: Cheng Chao , Wu Dongxu , Gong Tianyu , Yan Yunshen , Liu Yang , Ji Weixiao , Hou Linrui , Yuan Changzhou
Published: August 2023

Modest rate behaviors and structural collapse of battery‐type anodes limit the commercial application of lithium‐ion capacitors (LICs). For this, rational design of advanced anodes with both structural stability and high ionic/electronic conductivities becomes essential to advanced LICs. Herein, a general avenue is developed to construct a series of single‐crystal nano‐blocks assembled as “zero‐strain” columbite‐structured MNb2O6 (M = Cd, Co, Zn, Mn, Mg, Ca) accordion frameworks toward LICs. The intrinsic Li+ (de)insertion involves a solid‐solution charge storage mechanism with a volumetric change of <0.59% over (de)lithiation as established with systematical in(ex) situ analysis. The MNb2O6 exhibits M‐dependent electron/ion transport capabilities, along with the highest electronic and Li+ diffusion rates and the smallest volume change (0.32%) for CdNb2O6. Thanks to its robust structure and superb electron/ion conductivities originating from the “internal (i.e., ionic/electronic transport optimization) and external (i.e., structural design) cultivation” design, the CdNb2O6 shows the optimum electrochemical behaviors with a capacity of 102.8 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 and capacity retention of 80.3% after 20 000 cycles at 5 A g−1. The assembled CdNb2O6‐based LICs display high‐rate energy density and long‐duration stability. More importantly, the devised strategy provides meaningful guidance for optimum design of next‐generation LICs.
Efficacy of lymph node dissection for duodenal cancer according to the lymph node station
Authors: Miura Yuya , Ohgi Katsuhisa , Ashida Ryo , Yamada Mihoko , Otsuka Shimpei , Sasaki Keiko , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Sugiura Teiichi
Published: August 2023

Background

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with duodenal cancer (DC). However, the efficacy and optimal extent of lymph node (LN) dissection have not been thoroughly discussed.

Methods

A total of 98 consecutive patients with DC who underwent surgical resection (pancreatoduodenectomy, n = 55; partial resection, n = 32; pancreas‐sparing total duodenectomy, n = 9) were retrospectively analyzed. The LN stations located upstream of the lymphatic flow were defined as Np stations according to tumor location, whereas the others were defined as Nd stations. The association between the dissection of each LN station and survival outcome was investigated using the efficacy index (EI; percentage of metastases to lymph nodes in each station multiplied by the 5‐year survival rate of metastatic cases).

Results

The survival of patients with LNM at the Nd stations (n = 6) was significantly worse than that of patients with LNM only at the Np stations (n = 20) (relapse‐free survival, median survival time [MST], 6.0 vs. 48.4 months, p < 0.001; overall survival, MST, 15.1 vs. 96.0 months, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified LNM at Nd stations as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio 9.92; p = 0.015). The Np stations had a high EI (range, 8.34–20.88), whereas the Nd stations had an EI of 0, regardless of the tumor location.

Conclusions

LN dissection of the Np stations contributed to acceptable survival, whereas LNM of the Nd stations led to poor survival, possibly reflecting advanced tumor progression to systemic disease in patients with DC.