bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unimolecular Photochemistry of 4‐Thiouracils
Authors: Khvorostov Artem , Lapinski Leszek , Rostkowska Hanna , Nowak Maciej J.
Published: June 2005

Unimolecular phototautomeric reactions in 4‐thiouracil, 1‐methyl‐4‐thiouracil and 6‐aza‐4‐thiouracil were studied using the matrix‐isolation technique combined with infrared absorption spectroscopy. For monomers of these compounds, isolated in solid argon at 10 K, an intramolecular proton‐transfer photoreaction was observed. Upon UV (λ > 345 nm) irradiation, the initial oxo‐thione forms of 4‐thiouracils were converted into the corresponding oxo–thiol tautomers. The photogenerated oxo–thiol isomers were identified by comparing their experimental IR spectra with the spectra theoretically calculated at the DFT(B3LYP)/6‐311++ G(2d,p) level. Good agreement between the observed and predicted pattern of spectral bands allowed a reliable identification. This is the first report on experimental observation of isomeric forms of 4‐thiouracils other than the canonical oxo–thione tautomers.
Cardiovascular Hospitalizations Among Older Adults in the US and Denmark
Authors: Berg Frederikke Held , Lassen Mats C. Højbjerg , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Fonarow Gregg C. , Yeh Robert W. , Zheng ZhaoNian , Gislason Gunnar H. , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Wadhera Rishi K.
Published: February 2025

Importance

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US. However, it remains unclear how the burden of cardiovascular events in the US compares with that of other high-income countries with distinct health care systems like Denmark, both overall and by income.

Objective

To compare cardiovascular hospitalization rates (acute myocardial infarction [MI], heart failure [HF], ischemic stroke) and associated outcomes among adults 65 years or older, overall and by income, between the US and Denmark.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cross-sectional study used national data from the US and Denmark from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022. The study population included all Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older in the US and all adults 65 years or older in Denmark.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was age- and sex-standardized hospitalization rates for MI, HF, and ischemic stroke, as well as 30-day all-cause mortality rates.

Results

The US study population included 58 614 110 adults 65 years or older (mean [SE] age, 74.6 [7.7] years; 32 179 146 female [54.9%]) of whom 1 171 058 (2.0%) were hospitalized for a cardiovascular event. The Danish study population included 1 176 542 adults 65 years or older (mean [SE] age, 75.3 [7.1] years; 634 217 female [53.9%]) of whom 16 305 (1.4%) were hospitalized with a cardiovascular event. The overall age- and sex-standardized cardiovascular hospitalization rate was significantly higher in the US compared with Denmark (risk ratio [RR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.47-1.52), as were associated 30-day all-cause mortality rates (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.17). Across conditions, the risk of hospitalization for MI (RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.51-1.61) and HF (RR, 2.37; 95% CI, 2.31-2.43) was significantly higher in the US compared with Denmark, whereas hospitalizations for ischemic stroke were lower (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.88-0.93). Overall cardiovascular hospitalization rates in the US were more than 2-fold higher among low-income adults compared with higher-income adults (RR, 2.38; 95% CI, 2.25-2.47), whereas the magnitude of income-based disparities was smaller in Denmark (RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.39-1.50).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this international cross-sectional study, cardiovascular hospitalization rates were significantly higher in the US compared with Denmark. There were income-based differences in the burden of cardiovascular hospitalizations in both countries, although the magnitude of these disparities was much greater in the US.
Salt Substitution and Recurrent Stroke and Death
Authors: Ding Xiong , Zhang Xinyi , Huang Liping , Xiong Shangzhi , Li Zhifang , Zhao Yi , Zhou Bo , Yin Xuejun , Xu Bingqing , Wu Yanfeng , Neal Bruce , Tian Maoyi , Yan Lijing L.
Published: February 2025

Importance

The direct effect of consumption of salt substitutes on recurrent stroke and mortality among patients with stroke remains unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of salt substitutes vs regular salt on the incidence of recurrent stroke and mortality among patients with stroke.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), an open-label, cluster randomized clinical trial, was conducted in 600 northern Chinese villages (clusters). Patients who self-reported a hospital diagnosis of stroke were included in this prespecified subgroup analysis. Data were analyzed from November 2023 to August 2024.

Interventions

Participants were assigned to use either a salt substitute, consisting of 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride by mass, or regular salt.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was recurrent stroke.

Results

After excluding 5746 persons without a baseline history of stroke, 15 249 patients with stroke (mean [SD] age, 64.1 [8.8] years; 6999 [45.9%] female; 8250 male [54.1%]) were included. Over a median (IQR) follow-up of 61.2 (60.9-61.6) months, the mean difference in systolic blood pressure was −2.05 mm Hg (95% CI, −3.03 to −1.08 mm Hg). A total of 2735 recurrent stroke events (691 fatal and 2044 nonfatal) and 3242 deaths were recorded. Recurrent stroke was significantly lower in the salt substitute vs regular salt group (rate ratio [RR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.95; P = .005), with larger effects on hemorrhagic stroke (relative reduction, 30%; P = .002). Death rates were also significantly lower (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82-0.96; P = .003), with larger effects on stroke-related deaths (relative reduction 21%; P = .01). No significant difference was observed for hyperkalemia (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.74-1.38; P = .96).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this cluster trial demonstrate that salt substitution was safe, along with reduced risks of stroke recurrence and death, which underscores large health gains from scaling up this low-cost intervention among patients with stroke.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02092090
Improvement of Prurigo Nodularis With Erenumab
Authors: Pereira Manuel P. , Metz Martin
Published: February 2025

This case report describes a patient in her 50s with prurigo nodularis and itch at the elbows, which spread to all extremities, the trunk, and genital area.
Return on Investment of Enhanced Behavioral Health Services
Authors: Hawrilenko Matt , Smolka Casey , Ward Emily , Ambwani Geetu , Brown Millard , Mohandas Anita , Paulus Martin , Krystal John , Chekroud Adam
Published: February 2025

Importance

Employer-sponsored benefit programs aim to increase access to behavioral health care, which may help contain health care costs. However, research has either focused solely on clinical outcomes or demonstrated reductions in medical claims without accounting for the costs of behavioral health services, leaving the financial return on investment unknown.

Objective

To determine whether a clinically effective employer-sponsored behavioral health benefit is associated with net medical cost savings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included participants eligible for an employer-sponsored behavioral health benefit between November 1, 2019, and May 31, 2023. Eligibility criteria included having a behavioral health diagnosis and, in the program group, attending at least 1 behavioral health appointment. Program users were matched to nonusers on medical risk scores, behavioral health diagnoses, date of diagnosis, age, sex, and employer. Participants were followed up for 1 year before and after the benefit launch.

Exposure

A digital platform screened individuals for common behavioral health conditions and provided access to video and in-person psychotherapy, medication management, care navigation, and self-guided digital content.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were per member per month (PMPM) medical spending, inclusive of all medical claims and program costs. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to compare changes in net medical spending between groups from the year before and up to 1 year after an index mental health diagnosis.

Results

This study included 13 990 participants: 4907 of 4949 (99.1%) eligible program group members were matched to 9083 control participants. Their mean (SD) age was 37 (13.2) years, and most participants (65.5%) were female. Costs decreased in the program group relative to the control group, with a net difference-in-differences of −$164 PMPM (95% CI, −$228 to −$100 PMPM), corresponding to savings of $1070 per participant in the first program year and a return on investment of 1.9 times the costs (ie, every $100 invested reduced medical claims costs by $190). Behavioral health costs in the program group increased relative to the control group but were more than offset by decreases in physical health care costs. Savings were larger for participants with higher medical risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, every $100 invested in an employer-sponsored behavioral health program with fast access to psychotherapy and medication management was associated with a reduction in medical claims costs by $190. These findings suggest that expanding access to behavioral health care may be a financially viable cost-reduction strategy for health care buyers.
Recent Drug Overdose Mortality Decline Compared With Pre–COVID-19 Trend
Authors: Kiang Mathew V. , Humphreys Keith
Published: February 2025

This cross-sectional study compares annual state-level fatal drug overdose rates from 2020 through 2023 with the expected fatal drug overdose rates based on trajectories before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Observational and Genetic Analyses of Traumatic Experiences and Endometriosis
Authors: Koller Dora , Løkhammer Solveig , Goroshchuk Oksana , Denner Veronika , Stiltner Brendan , Mitjans Marina , He Jun , Taylor Hugh S. , Lawn Rebecca B. , Koenen Karestan C. , Polimanti Renato
Published: February 2025

Importance

Although psychological traumas have been associated with endometriosis, limited information is available regarding the role of trauma type and genetic predisposition.

Objective

To examine the relationship between traumatic experiences and endometriosis using observational and genetically informed analyses.

Design, Setting, and Participants

For this case-control study, the analyses were performed between May 13, 2023, and September 30, 2024. Genotypic and phenotypic information was combined from UK Biobank individual-level data (up to 8276 patients with endometriosis and 240 117 female controls) with genome-wide information available from a large meta-analysis (European ancestry: 21 779 patients and 449 087 female controls; East Asian ancestry: 1713 patients and 1581 female controls) and the FinnGen cohort (16 588 patients and 111 583 female controls of European descent).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Phenotypic associations via multiple regression; latent-class analysis (LCA) to investigate the co-occurrence patterns of different traumatic experiences in endometriosis cases and controls; genetic correlation and polygenic risk scoring (PRS) analyses to assess pleiotropy linking traumatic events to endometriosis.

Results

Up to 8276 women with endometriosis (mean [SD] age, 53.2 [13.0] years) and 240 117 female controls (mean [SD] age, 56.5 [9.6] years) were investigated in the study. Women with endometriosis were more likely to report childhood and adulthood traumatic experiences and stressful events (eg, contact trauma odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26). Our LCA highlighted the association of endometriosis with emotional and physical trauma (225 [8%] vs 3948 [5%]; P < 2.2 × 10−16) and sexual trauma (414 [5%] vs 3158 [4%]; P = 2.9 × 10−3). Unaffected women (controls) were more likely assigned to the “no trauma” latent class (563 [20%] vs 18 949 [24%]; P = 7.4 × 10−14). Our genetic correlation (rg) analyses linked endometriosis to multiple trauma-related outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (meta-analysis rg = 0.31, P = 7.1 × 10−16; FinnGen rg = 0.26, P = 4.7 × 10−15) and childhood maltreatment (meta-analysis rg = 0.23, P = 1.3 × 10−6; FinnGen rg = 0.16, P = 1 × 10−4). Endometriosis PRS was associated with increased odds of the disease (β = 0.31, P < 2.2 × 10−16), but no interaction was observed with different types of trauma events.

Conclusions and Relevance

The present study comprehensively investigated the impact of childhood and adulthood traumatic experiences and stressful events on endometriosis. In particular, our findings highlight the potential association between contact traumas and endometriosis, which appears to be independent of the disease genetic predisposition.
Use of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography to Monitor Disease Activity in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis on Tocilizumab
Authors: Quinn Kaitlin A. , Ahlman Mark A. , Grayson Peter C.
Published: February 2025

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)– positron emission tomography (PET) scans to monitor disease activity in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) on tocilizumab.

Methods

Patients with GCA were recruited into a prospective cohort in which they underwent clinical, laboratory, and imaging assessments, including FDG‐PET. FDG‐PET scans were interpreted as active or inactive based on global impression by two independent readers. The PET Vascular Activity Score (PETVAS) was calculated to quantify arterial FDG uptake (scale 0–27). Vascular FDG‐PET findings were described in patients with GCA on tocilizumab for at least six months. For patients in established clinical remission, FDG‐PET findings were compared between those treated with tocilizumab versus glucocorticoid monotherapy.

Results

A total of 36 patients with GCA underwent FDG‐PET imaging on tocilizumab. Five patients had active clinical symptoms, and FDG‐PET scans were active in all cases (PETVAS range: 20–27). For the 31 patients in clinical remission on tocilizumab, FDG‐PET was active in 16 of these patients (52%) across a wide range of PETVAS (range 11–27). There were no associations between FDG‐PET activity during remission and historical clinical features or longitudinal outcomes, including relapse risk or angiographic progression of disease. PETVAS was significantly lower during clinical remission in patients treated with tocilizumab compared to an additional 12 patients treated with glucocorticoid monotherapy (PETVAS 18 vs 24; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

FDG‐PET has limited value to guide management decisions or inform prognosis when obtained during remission in patients with GCA on tocilizumab. Compared to glucocorticoid monotherapy, tocilizumab significantly reduces, but often does not eliminate, vascular inflammation in GCA.
High‐Performance Infrared Self‐Powered Photodetector Based on 2D Van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Liu Weijing , Wu Yifan , Bao Xiaozhendong , Sun Lin , Xie Yuee , Chen Yuanping
Published: February 2025

Self‐powered photodetection is an effective way to resolve the issue of high dark current in infrared photodetectors under a bias voltage. To date, high‐performance infrared self‐powered photodetectors (ISPDs) are mostly based on heterostructures consisting of 2D and 3D materials, while those based on 2D/2D heterostructures are rare. This will hinder the development of infrared devices toward miniaturization and energy‐saving. By exploring some 2D/2D van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures, constructed by typical 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), it is found that the heterostructure PdSe2/MoTe2 is a high‐performance ISPD. It exhibits a good capability of self‐powered broadband detection from 300 to 1550 nm, even extending to 4050 nm. Especially, under near‐infrared illumination of 980 nm, its responsivity and detectivity can approach 395 mA W−1 and 1.92 × 1011 Jones, respectively, which can be comparable with the high‐performance 2D/3D ISPDs. The heterostructure also possesses good environmental stability and infrared imaging capability. In addition, Three necessary conditions are proposed to construct 2D/2D high‐performance ISPD, i.e., a large difference of work function, high infrared absorption, and a type‐II band alignment. This work will guide a way to search for excellent ISPDs.
Elucidating Synergistic Mechanism of Zinc Single‐Atom Sites and Lewis Acid–Base Pairs to Boost Zinc–Iodine Batteries Performance
Authors: Zhao Yuliang , Wang Yiyang , Xue Wenjuan , Huang Hongliang , Li Jianwei , Hu Chuangang , Liu Dong
Published: February 2025

Zinc–iodine batteries (ZIBs) are promising energy storage devices due to their nonflammable aqueous electrolyte and intrinsically safe zinc (Zn) anode but encounters thorny challenges, including soluble polyiodides shuttling and sluggish iodine redox kinetics. Here, an ionic porous organic polymers (iPOPs) with Lewis acid–base pairs (e.g., pyridine cation and free Br−) and Zn single‐atom sites (iPOP‐TPyPZn) is developed as an advanced I2 host to notably enhance the performance of ZIBs. The iPOP‐TPyPZn can not only significantly prevent polyiodides shuttling via the synergy of Lewis acid–base pairs but also expedite redox kinetics of I2 species through the combined action of Lewis acid sites and Zn single‐atom catalytic sites. Benefiting from the double synergistic mechanism, the assembled ZIBs with I2 loaded iPOP‐TPyPZn cathode exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance with ultra‐high cycling stability over 40 000 cycles at 8 A g−1. Combined in/ex situ spectral characterizations and theoretical calculations clearly reveal the reversible reaction mechanism of I2 species and the vital role of double synergistic mechanism in enhancing ZIBs performance. This work not only provides a promising path for precise preparation of advanced I2 hosts but also offers new insights into the reaction mechanism toward metal–I2 batteries.
Electrical Impedance Tomography Monitoring of Salt Transportation in Cellulose Hydrogel for Solar‐Driven Evaporative Desalination via Laser Defined Wettability
Authors: Xu Yang , Zhong Haosong , Lu Xupeng , Tang Miao , Chen Siyu , Yang Cuiyun , Chen Yi , Kim Minseong , Liu Yang , Li Mitch Guijun
Published: February 2025

The scarcity of clean water has become a growing problem worldwide. Solar‐driven desalination based on evaporation has become a promising green technology for obtaining drinking water from saline water for the welfare of human society. However, the accumulation of salt precipitated from the saline at the evaporator surface remains a severe problem in improving evaporation efficiency. To overcome this problem, it is crucial to investigate the transportation mechanism of salt in the saline during the evaporation process. Herein, an in situ monitoring strategy with the electrical impedance tomography (EIT) method is proposed to characterize the salt transportation and accumulation process inside the nano‐crystal cellulose (NCC)‐MnO2 nanoparticle solar evaporator. The coating of laser‐induced graphene (LIG) with tunable water wettability shows that the hydrophobic structures can suppress salt accumulation during evaporation. The collected condensation water generated from the bacteria‐polluted saline proves to be clean. It is hoped that this work can further inspire research on the salt‐resistive evaporator design.
A Potential 3‐in‐1 Combined AntiSARS‐CoV‐2 Therapy Using Pulmonary MIL‐100(Fe) Formulation
Authors: Fodor Beatrice , Álvarez‐Miguel Inés , Biglione Catalina , López Guillermo G. , González‐Fernández África , Salles Fabrice , Hidalgo Tania , Horcajada Patricia
Published: February 2025

The emergence and rapid propagation of infectious diseases, including the COVID‐19 pandemic, has evidenced the vulnerabilities in global health surveillance, the ease of transmission, and the imperative need for effective treatments. In this context, nanomedicines based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered great relevance as promising drug delivery platforms in a large range of complex diseases (e.g., cancer, and infections). However, most research has focused on sensing with scarce examples in antiviral therapies. Hence, here a pioneer combined 3‐in‐1 effect anti‐COVID pulmonary multitherapy based on the mesoporous iron(III) carboxylate MIL‐100(Fe) nanoparticles is proposed, with the proven intrinsic MOF effect, associated with favipiravir drug into their porosity and heparin on their external surface. A significant antiviral effect against a real scenario of COVID‐19 infection is demonstrated (≈70% inhibition), ensuring a suitable cellular viability. Further, a convenient pulmonary formulation is prepared based on mannitol‐based microspheres, testing its safety and biodistribution in healthy mice. No significant side effects are observed, reaching successfully the deep lungs, emphasizing a reduced immunological response compared to their controls. Therefore, these promising results open new horizons for future (pre)clinical trials targeting challenging infectious/pulmonary pathologies, enhancing the feasibility of designing customized therapeutic MOF platforms.
Elementally Doped Carbonized Polymer Dots: Control of Optical Properties and Their Versatile Applications
Authors: Fu Qiang , Ma Zhimeng , Sun Shouhong , Zhang Kailin , Zhan Yi , Liu Dongya
Published: February 2025

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) are a class of luminescent nanomaterials formed through cross‐linking and polymerization. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, ease of synthesis, good aqueous dispersion, high chemical stability, unique cross‐linking structure, and modifiable surface properties, CPDs have attracted significant attention. However, pure CPDs exhibit certain limitations in terms of optical performance, particularly in terms of fluorescence intensity, phosphorescence intensity, and emission wavelength tunability, which may not meet the requirements of specific applications. To address these limitations, doping CPDs with various elements, such as nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P) to modify their band structure and surface functionalization can significantly enhance their optical properties and photochemical stability, thereby expanding their application potential. This paper reviews the main synthesis methods for elementally doped CPDs, examines the effects of different types of elemental doping on their photochemical properties, and explores promising applications in optoelectronic devices, sensors, and catalysis. Finally, recent advancements in elementally doped CPDs are summarized, along with future development directions and challenges.
CO2 in Ionene–Ionic Liquid Composite Membranes
Authors: Chen Ying , Nguyen Manh‐Thuong , Yao Jennifer , Han Kee Sung , Ravula Sudhir , Zhang Mingyi , Xia Ying , Walter Eric D. , Bazak J. David , Young Robert P. , Zhu Zihua , Bara Jason E. , Washton Nancy M. , Heldebrant David J.
Published: February 2025

Ionene – ionic liquid (IL) composites are promising materials for CO2 separation, yet a molecular‐level understanding of their structure and its impact on CO2 speciation, solubility, rotation, and diffusivity remains unclear. Herein, using multimodal nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we reveal that the composites contain IL‐rich domains extending across hundreds of nanometres within the ionene matrix, and these bicontinuous domains span the entire membrane depth. CO2 also absorbs into the ionene matrix, with the distribution between two CO2 species varying with temperature and time. The rotational correlation times of these two species are on the timescale of 0.1 and 1 ns, respectively. As IL content increases, the ionic domains expand, resulting in higher CO2 solubility due to enhanced molecular dynamics and increased free volume in both ionene backbones and IL‐rich regions. Although CO2 diffusion in the membranes is an order of magnitude slower than in bulk IL, the activation energy for CO2 diffusion remains comparable. Ionene‐IL composites represent a promising platform for designing CO2 separation membranes, offering enhanced CO2diffusion and selectivity through IL‐rich domains, and increased CO2 solubility and mechanical integrity from the ionene matrix.
Advances in the Energy‐Saving Electro‐Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid
Authors: Ren Yujie , Fan Shilin , Yu Xiao , Shi Shaoqi , Wang Jinggang , Zeng Jia , Zhang Jian , Chen Chunlin
Published: February 2025

As a pivotal bio‐based building block, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) holds immense and broad application potential in the chemistry industry. Its polymeric derivative, polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF), emerges as an appealing alternative to conventional petroleum‐based polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The electrochemical route for oxidizing 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into FDCA presents significant advantages over the thermochemical processes, without the requirements of high temperature, high pressure, chemical oxidants, and precious metal catalysts, featuring higher energy efficiency. Furthermore, the electrosynthesis of FDCA at the anode can be synergistically integrated with selective reduction reactions at the cathode, enabling the simultaneous production of two desirable value‐added products and further enhancing overall energy utilization efficiency. This work reviews the advancements in electrocatalytic HMF to FDCA (EHTF), encompassing catalyst design, reaction mechanisms, coupling strategies, and reactor configurations. It also indicates the challenges and opportunities of EHTF and provides insights into the future development directions.
The Environmental Impact of Medical Imaging Agents and the Roadmap to Sustainable Medical Imaging
Authors: Pichler Verena , Martinho Ricardo P. , Temming Lisanne , Segers Tim , Wurm Frederik R. , Koshkina Olga
Published: February 2025

Medical imaging agents, i.e., contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiopharmaceuticals, play a vital role in the diagnosis of diseases. Yet, they mostly contain harmful and non‐biodegradable substances, such as per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals or radionuclides. As a result of their increasing clinical use, these agents are entering various water bodies and soil, posing risks to environment and human health. Here, the environmental effects of the application of imaging agents are outlined for the major imaging modalities, and the respective chemistry of the contrast agents with environmental implications is linked. Recommendations are introduced for the design and application of contrast agents: the 3Cs of imaging agents: control, change, and combine; and recent approaches for more sustainable imaging strategies are highlighted. This combination of measures should engage an open discussion, inspire solutions to reduce pollution by imaging agents, and increase awareness for the impact of toxic waste related to imaging agents.
Microglial cGAS Deletion Preserves Intercellular Communication and Alleviates Amyloid‐β‐Induced Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: He Sijia , Li Xin , Mittra Namrata , Bhattacharjee Anindita , Wang Hu , Song Shujie , Zhao Shangang , Liu Feng , Han Xianlin
Published: February 2025

Innate immune activation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). The cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, involving cGAMP synthase (cGAS) and Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), has emerged as a key mediator of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the precise mechanisms through which cGAS activation influences AD progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we observed significant up‐regulation of cGAS‐STING signaling pathway in AD. Notably, this increase is primarily attributed to microglia, rather than non‐microglial cell types. Using an inducible, microglia‐specific cGAS knockout mouse model in the 5xFAD background, we demonstrated that deleting microglial cGAS at the onset of amyloid‐β (Aβ) pathology profoundly restricts plaque accumulation and protects mice from Aβ‐induced cognitive impairment. Mechanistically, our study revealed cGAS promotes plaque‐associated microglia accumulation and is essential for inflammasome activation. Moreover, we showed that restricting cGAS‐mediated innate immunity is crucial for preserving inter‐cellular communication in the brain and induces pleiotrophin, a neuroprotective factor. These findings offer novel insights into the specific roles of the innate immune system in AD employing a cell‐type‐specific approach. The conclusions provide a foundation for targeted interventions to modulate the microglial cGAS‐STING signaling pathway, offering promising therapeutic strategy for AD treatment.
Phenobot: An Autodigital Modeling System for in situ Phenotyping in Horticulture
Authors: Hu Kewei , Pan Yaoqiang , Liu Tianhao , Zhou Hugh , Chen Chao , Kang Hanwen
Published: February 2025

Accurate reconstruction of plant models for phenotyping analysis is critical for optimizing sustainable agricultural practices in precision agriculture. Traditional laboratory‐based phenotyping, while valuable, falls short of understanding how plants grow under uncontrolled conditions. Robotic technologies offer a promising avenue for large‐scale, direct phenotyping in real‐world environments. This study explores the deployment of emerging robotics and digital technology in plant phenotyping to improve performance and efficiency. Three critical functional modules, environmental understanding, robotic motion planning, and in situ phenotyping, are introduced to automate the entire process. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in agricultural environments. The phenorobot system autonomously collects high‐quality data by navigating around plants. In addition, the in situ modeling model reconstructs high‐quality plant models from the data collected by the robot. The developed robotic system shows high efficiency and robustness, demonstrating its potential to advance plant science in real‐world agricultural environments.
A Proactive Agent Collaborative Framework for Zero‐Shot Multimodal Medical Reasoning
Authors: Gu Zishan , Liu Fenglin , Chen Jiayuan , Yin Changchang , Zhang Ping
Published: February 2025

The adoption of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare has garnered significant research interest, yet their performance remains limited due to a lack of domain‐specific knowledge, medical reasoning skills, and their unimodal nature, which restricts them to text‐only inputs. To address these limitations, we propose MultiMedRes, a multimodal medical collaborative reasoning framework that simulates human physicians’ communication by incorporating a learner agent to proactively acquire information from domain‐specific expert models. MultiMedRes addresses medical multimodal reasoning problems through three steps i) Inquire: The learner agent decomposes complex medical reasoning problems into multiple domain‐specific sub‐problems; ii) Interact: The agent engages in iterative “ask‐answer” interactions with expert models to obtain domain‐specific knowledge; and iii) Integrate: The agent integrates all the acquired domain‐specific knowledge to address the medical reasoning problems (e.g., identifying the difference of disease levels and abnormality sizes between medical images). We validate the effectiveness of our method on the task of difference visual question answering for X‐ray images. The experiments show that our zero‐shot prediction achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance, surpassing fully supervised methods, which demonstrates that MultiMedRes could offer trustworthy and interpretable assistance to physicians in monitoring the treatment progression of patients, paving the way for effective human–AI interaction and collaboration.
Leveraging community psychology to counter harmful policies and foster well‐being in migrant children
Authors: Olson Bradley D. , Chávez Noé Rubén , Kamplain Caleb J. , Russell Jordan Tackett
Published: February 2025

Harmful child detention and deportation policies, along with dehumanizing migrant narratives, are part of a global pattern of systemic oppression targeting people on the move. This paper reviews the psychological harms experienced by migrant children caused by detention, separation, and deportation, critiquing the limitations of trauma‐focused, individual therapeutic approaches often adopted by service‐oriented fields. Community psychology principles are presented as an alternative framework, emphasizing ecological and systemic approaches to design more just and humane immigration policies at societal, organizational, and community levels. The paper explores evidence of harm, the strengths and limitations of therapeutic approaches, and harmful policies such as Trump's zero‐tolerance policy and emerging US deportation plans. It also highlights positive frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, such as organizational policies and legal standards centered on the child's best interests. Using a social‐ecological lens, the paper examines harmful policies that escalate risks, stressors, and barriers and highlights humane and protective factors. The authors examine how community psychology challenges oppressive systems, promotes community‐based alternatives, and amplifies the voices of migrant children and families. These efforts underscore the transformative potential of community psychology in addressing immigration injustices through collective action and systemic change.
A Preliminary Investigation of Associations Between Traumatic Events Experienced During Pregnancy and Salivary Diurnal Cortisol Levels of Brazilian Adolescent Mothers and Infants
Authors: Wiley Kyle S. , Gouveia Gisele , Camilo Caroline , Euclydes Verônica , Panter‐Brick Catherine , Matijasevich Alicia , Ferraro Alexandre Archanjo , Fracolli Lislaine Aparecida , Chiesa Anna Maria , Miguel Euripedes Constantino , Polanczyk Guilherme V. , Brentani Helena
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Interpersonal violence against women is a major global health problem that may have intergenerational effects. This study investigated associations between maternal experiences of interpersonal violence and other traumatic events and maternal and infant salivary diurnal cortisol in a cohort of adolescent mothers in São Paulo, Brazil.

Method

Adolescent mothers (14–19 years) participating in a home‐visiting intervention were interviewed retrospectively about lifetime and pregnancy violence and trauma exposure. Mothers collected saliva at waking and before bedtime from themselves (n = 23) and their infants (n = 32) at 12 months postpartum. Multivariable regression models were used to examine associations between trauma history variables and salivary diurnal cortisol.

Results

Adjusting for the intervention group, infant sex, maternal age, non‐supplement medication use, and sample collection time, we found that higher‐than‐average lifetime trauma exposure was associated with maternal evening cortisol (b = 0.472, p‐value = 0.028). Lifetime assaultive violence exposure was also associated with maternal evening cortisol (b = 0.196, p‐value = 0.02). Maternal exposure to traumatic events in pregnancy was positively associated with bedtime cortisol levels of infants (b = 0.21, p = 0.01). Trauma variables were not associated with maternal or infant morning cortisol levels.

Conclusion

Results suggest that maternal trauma history influences both maternal and infant postnatal cortisol regulation as indexed by evening cortisol levels. These results are consistent with models of fetal programming; however, future studies should investigate potential postnatal psychobiological pathways. Lifetime trauma exposure may also become embedded in the maternal hypothalamic–adrenal–pituitary axis regulation. Future studies are needed to consider other biological pathways in the intergenerational transmission of trauma.
Novel A4GALT Variants Cause Rare p Phenotype and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in a Chinese Individual
Authors: Li Guohua , Du Mengyang , Deng Xujing , Wang Shuping , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Junyu , Bao Shihua
Published: February 2025

The rare p phenotype in the rare PP1Pk blood group system is closely associated with spontaneous first‐trimester abortions. Studies have shown that variants in the A4GALT gene contribute to the p phenotype. Here, we report two novel compound heterozygous variants in the A4GALT gene in a Chinese woman with p phenotype and recurrent pregnancy loss. A 24‐year‐old woman with recurrent pregnancy loss was admitted to our department. She was confirmed to be anti‐PP1Pk antibody‐positive, with an IgG titer of 1:32. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed the presence of two compound novel heterozygous variants c.370_371del and c.507C>G in the A4GALT gene, which contributed to the p phenotype and pregnancy loss in this woman. We also summarized the variants of the A4GALT gene reported in the literature. Our findings add more gene variant information on rare p phenotypes and related RPL.
The genetic landscape of early‐onset Alzheimer's disease in China
Authors: Qin Wei , Li Fang‐Yu , Liu Wen‐Ying , Li Ying , Cao Shu‐Man , Wei Yi‐Ping , Li Yan , Wang Qi , Wang Qi‐Geng , Jia Jian‐Ping
Published: February 2025

INTRODUCTION

Research on somatic and germline mutations in Chinese individuals with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) has been limited.

METHODS

We conducted whole‐genome sequencing of blood DNA from 108 patients with EOAD and 116 controls. The analysis included somatic and germline mutations across coding and non‐coding regions, mutational signature determination, pathway enrichment identification, and predictive model.

RESULTS

The mutational burden was significantly higher in the EOAD group compared to the control group. The prevalence of single‐base substitution signature 5, which is strongly associated with aging, was much higher in patients with EOAD than in controls. EOAD‐specific somatic mutations were identified in genes such as MIR31HG, TUBB4B, and APP. Germline mutations in DOCK3, PCSK5, and PDE4D were significantly associated with age of dementia onset. Furthermore, a predictive model comprising 15 mutations demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.78.

DISCUSSION

The accumulation of senescence‐related somatic mutations may increase the risk of developing EOAD.

Highlights

Whole genome sequencing was used to find somatic and germline mutations in Chinese individuals with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD).

Total number and burden of blood somatic mutations were significantly higher.

The prevalence of single‐base substitution signature 5 was notably elevated in EOAD.

EOAD‐specific somatic mutations were identified in MIR31HG, TUBB4B, and APP.

DOCK3, PCSK5, and PDE4D germline mutations were associated with the age of EOAD onset.
ReSpool: Scaling a circular supply chain for recycled textiles
Authors: Thomas Kedron , Clarke‐Sather Abigail R. , Cobb Kelly , Cao Huantian
Published: February 2025

ReSpool is a transdisciplinary partnership among academia, government, industry, and nonprofit entities created in 2022 to develop and demonstrate a transferable model for the recycling of postconsumer textile and apparel waste into new textile products. ReSpool's engineering and creative teams have innovated proprietary technologies including the Fiber Shredder, which enables textile‐to‐fiber shredding for high‐value applications, and a set of processes for the manufacture of yarns and nonwoven textiles from recycled fibers. ReSpool's circular supply chains begin with discarded clothing collected by Goodwill organizations in the two test regions and involves partnerships with Goodwill to recruit and train workers and install in‐house recycling operations. ReSpool then works with textile manufacturers and home goods and apparel retailers on high‐value applications through waste‐led materials and product development. ReSpool takes a systems‐based approach to sustainability research and problem‐solving. This article briefly overviews the “systems thinking” framework and demonstrates how core principles of this framework structure the team's objectives, activities, and innovations. Finally, the article contributes to current debates regarding systems thinking and circularity by presenting a rationale for systems‐based sustainability research and practice ratcheted to regional systems. By focusing on regional factors, connections, and opportunities, ReSpool aims to maximize its flexibility, relevance, and impact while enabling tailored replication of the model across diverse communities. In this way, ReSpool offers an innovative, circular materials model for the textile and apparel industries, turning textile waste into a source of business innovation, sustainable economic development, and skills training for communities across the country.
Longitudinal Plasma Biomarker Profiles Predict Neurological Outcome in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Fraussen Judith , In't Veld Sjors G. J. G. , van Laake‐Geelen Charlotte C. M. , Depreitere Bart , Deckers Jens , Peuskens Dieter , Cornips Erwin M. J. , Bamps Sven , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Somers Veerle
Published: February 2025

Objective

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is diagnosed by imaging and clinical scoring using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). These methods have limited value for prognosis. Here, the prognostic value of plasma neurofilament‐light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and contactin‐1 (CNTN‐1) was analyzed.

Methods

Biomarker levels were determined in the plasma of traumatic SCI patients (n = 37) and healthy controls (n = 22). SCI samples (n = 112) were collected at different time points from 0 to 4 days to 18 weeks post‐injury. NfL and GFAP were measured by single molecule array (Simoa) technology, CNTN‐1 by Luminex. Baseline and outcome AIS and motor scores were collected as a measure of injury severity.

Results

NfL, GFAP, and CNTN‐1 showed different kinetics in SCI patients over time. Baseline biomarker levels could identify AIS‐A SCI patients (NfL + GFAP) and discriminate between patients with a motor score change <5 and those with a change ≥5 (NfL + GFAP+CNTN‐1). Longitudinally, NfL could identify AIS‐A patients up to 12 weeks post‐SCI and discriminate between patients with a motor score change <5 and those with a change ≥5 up to 18 weeks post‐SCI. Further, baseline biomarker levels positively (NfL + GFAP) or negatively (CNTN‐1) correlated with outcome injury severity and together could accurately predict AIS conversion (AUC 0.863) and motor score change (AUC 0.857). This predictive ability was maintained in subacute/chronic SCI stages.

Interpretation

In conclusion, plasma NfL, GFAP, and CNTN‐1 are potential prognostic biomarkers in SCI. This is important for patient stratification in clinical trials, prediction of neurological outcome and informed decision‐making in SCI treatment and rehabilitation. ANN NEUROL 2025
Highly Precise Prediction of Micro‐ and Supra‐pKa Based on 3D Descriptors Integrating Non‐Covalent Interactions
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Yang Qi , Zhang Long , Luo Sanzhong
Published: February 2025

Accurate pKa prediction is crucial for understanding proton dissociation in complex molecular systems. However, existing models often face challenges in addressing subtle stereoelectronic effects and conformational flexibility. This study presents H‐SPOC, a localized 3D descriptor that captures covalent and non‐covalent interactions and incorporates solvent effects to predict site‐specific pKa values accurately. H‐SPOC was validated on multiple benchmark datasets, including SAMPL6, SAMPL7, and SAMPL8, where it outperformed state‐of‐the‐art methods. H‐SPOC also proved versatile across various applications, including 2‐acetoxybenzoic acid (the main components of aspirin) non‐equilibrium conformations, glycine‘s microstate distributions, and the stereoelectronic anomalies of Janus Sponge and Meldrum's Acid. It addressed challenging supra‐pKa predictions in crystalline environments and accurately correlated pKa with reaction rates, selectivity, tautomerism, and pharmacokinetic properties. With its chemically intuitive design and computational efficiency, H‐SPOC provides an efficient framework for rapid and precise micro‐ and supra‐pKa predictions, offering significant potential in drug discovery, catalysis, and materials science.
Enhancement of Antibacterial and Hydrophilic Properties of LDPE Surfaces by Benzoxazine‐Chitosan Coatings: Structure and Performances
Authors: Huang Songyang , Sun Xiang , Zhou Changlu , Zan Rui , Suo Tao , Xin Zhong
Published: February 2025

Although low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) proved its efficacy in alleviating biliary obstruction stemming from biliopancreatic conditions as biliary stents, the problem of stent occlusion resulting from insufficient antibacterial and hydrophilic properties remains worth investigating. In this study, polydopamine (PDA) and poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether (PEGb) were used as anchors on the LDPE surface, and then chitosan‐benzoxazine (CSxBzy) coatings were grafted with PEGb to obtain an innovative surface to enhance the antimicrobial and hydrophilic features of LDPE. The antimicrobial abilities of PE‐CSxBzy were evaluated by co‐culture and plate coating techniques, demonstrating a remarkable inhibitory effect of up to 99.3% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the laser confocal scanning microscope further demonstrated that the PE‐CSxBzy has excellent anti‐bacterial adhesion properties. Compared to pristine LDPE, the amount of adherent bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the number of bile proteins on the PE‐CSxBzy surface were reduced by up to 64.56% and 80.26%, respectively. PE‐CSxBzy exhibited excellent and stable hydrophilicity, with a water contact angle of approximately 50°, which only increased by 18.84% even after 30 days of immersion. PE‐CSxBzy also showed complete biocompatibility with human biliary epithelial cells (BECs) and anticipation for biliary stent materials considering its exceptional hydrophilicity and antibacterial abilities. Moreover, the molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrated that the antibacterial properties and hydrophilic capabilities arise from the synergistic effect of chitosan‐benzoxazine coating structures. This study, we suggest, presents recommendations for regulating the antimicrobial and hydrophilic properties associated with LDPE materials utilized in biliary stent applications.
Segmentation of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and medullary pores from micro‐CT images using 2D and 3D deep learning models
Authors: Lee Andrew H. , Moore Julian M. , Covarrubias Brandon Vera , Lynch Leigha M.
Published: February 2025

Computed tomography (CT) enables rapid imaging of large‐scale studies of bone, but those datasets typically require manual segmentation, which is time‐consuming and prone to error. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) offer an automated solution, achieving superior performance on image data. In this methodology‐focused paper, we used CNNs to train segmentation models from scratch on 2D and 3D patches from micro‐CT scans of otter long bones. These new models, collectively called BONe (Bone One‐shot Network), aimed to be fast and accurate, and we expected enhanced results from 3D training due to better spatial context. Contrary to expectations, 2D models performed slightly better than 3D models in labeling details such as thin trabecular bone. Although lacking in some detail, 3D models appeared to generalize better and predict smoother internal surfaces than 2D models. However, the massive computational costs of 3D models limit their scalability and practicality, leading us to recommend 2D models for bone segmentation. BONe models showed potential for broader applications with variation in performance across species and scan quality. Notably, BONe models demonstrated promising results on skull segmentation, suggesting their potential utility beyond long bones with further refinement and fine‐tuning.