bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of the Development Coordination Disorder of caregivers and Teachers in India
Authors: Sankar U. Ganapathy , Monisha R.
Published: February 2022

For the early diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder, there is a need to understand the salient features of the disorder among the children. There are few researchers tat evaluate the awareness of developmental coordination disorder among caregivers, teachers, medical professionals as well as allied health professional in Indian context. Online survey was completed by 100 participants, 20 caregivers, 30 school teachers, 30 allied health professionals and 20 medical professionals were completed the survey. Results of the study suggest that developmental coordination disorder is the least known disorder among majority of the caregivers and allied health professionals. However half of the sample was familiar with the term developmental coordination disorder but every participant were familiar with the term dyspraxia. Among all the participants, it has been documented that allied health professionals were more familiar with the characteristic features of developmental coordination disorder children. They were familiar with the motor coordination difficulty. Every participant demonstrates poor recognition of psychological effects in developmental coordination disorder. Low percentage of medical professionals reported that they were exposed to diagnose the children with developmental coordination disorder. Teachers play a vital role in evaluating the warning signs of the disorder and they believe that 80% of children in primary schools were lazy and have motor skill impairment. The study concludes that there is a need for appropriate service delivery and timely evaluation to prevent the development of co-morbidities associated with developmental coordination disorder.
Parents Experience among Fathers of Premature Children
Authors: Kale Anushri , Kurian Bibin
Published: February 2022

Background: The improvement of preterm youngster have shown that helpless social/intuitive abilities, poor conduct and passionate self-guideline, enthusiastic troubles, and decreased consideration are the most well-known conduct issues in preterm babies and kids. The fathers were faced with a significant burden, yet they did not express themselves, even in tough situations, and instead relied on self-comfort to make decisions free of emotion. Parents' psyche and physiology may be altered as a result of having a premature baby. Premature infants are at greater risk for cerebral palsy, delays in development, hearing problems and problems with their vision. The earlier a baby is born, the greater these risks will be. Premature newborns have many physiologic challenges when adapting to the extrauterine environment.

Objectives: Parents experiences of fathers of premature born-children. To associate the parents experience of fathers with selected demographic variables.

Materials and Methods: The study will based on phenomenal research approach with focused group design. The study will be conducted on different hospitals of Wardha city. In this study total sample no is 40 fathers who fulfill the inclusion criteria will be selected.

Expected Results: This study planned the parents’ experiences among fathers of premature born children. Hence it is expected to have their own experiences as fathers.
Assessment of Attitude and Perception of COVID 19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural and Urban Areas of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Gadge Radhika , Gupta Shreya , Reche Amit , Madhu Priyanka Paul
Published: February 2022

Background: COVID 19 pandemic has afflicted the whole world. Older age group and people with comorbidities are on major risk to COVID 19. Around 200 vaccines are being developed around the world in hope to return the life to normal. On January 3, 2021, India’s drug regulator approved two COVID 19 vaccines in India- Covaxin and Covisheild. COVID 19 vaccines are a great boon for the public health but they have posed new challenges amongst the healthcare workers as well as general population. Hesitancy towards these vaccines is one such significant botheration to public health.

Objectives: To evaluate the attitude and perception of COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy amongst the different age groups i.e., 18-45 years, >45 years (without co-morbidities and >45 years (with co-morbidities).

Methodology: A special questionnaire would be designed for evaluation of the hesitancy for COVID 19 vaccine amongst the 400 participants from various rural and urban areas in Maharashtra according to different age groups i.e., 18-45 years, >45 years (without co-morbidities and >45 years (with co-morbidities).

Expected Results: As the world is fighting with the deadly pandemic, COVID 19 vaccines have come to the relief of the people. The emanation and distribution of these vaccines have put forth many challenges in front of the government and the health care workers. COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy is one such challenge amongst the Indian population. Thus, this study is formulated to assess the attitude and perception of people towards COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy and to determine the cause of it.

Conclusion: This study will evaluate the attitude and perception for COVID 19 vaccine among the participants. Senior citizens perceive that they will have some side effects due to vaccine whereas 18+ citizens perceive that their immunity can resist COVID-19.
Stargardt's Disease Diagnosed in Adults: Case Report
Authors: Sande Miguel Thiago , Mitleg Rocha Felipe Bekman Diniz , Rossett Tais Cristina , Da Costa Daniel Almeida , Bastos Pereira Maurício
Published: February 2022

Aims: To describe a Stargardt disease, (STGD1) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease often associated with mutations in ABCA4 and characterized by the accumulation of autofluorescent lipofuscin deposits in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

Presentation of Case:  J.A.D.L, male, 52 years old, foreman, born in Rio de Janeiro, attends the ophthalmologic consultation complaining of progressive low visual acuity, noticed at around 31 years of age.

Discussion: Stargardt disease is the most common hereditary macular dystrophy, representing 7% of retinal dystrophies. The first and only clinical manifestation is the decrease in central vision, which predominantly starts between six and fifteen years of age.

Methodology: Case report.

Results: Therefore, the referral of young patients with visual complaints without initial abnormalities of the fundus of the eye for ophthalmological evaluation is essential, since the diagnosis of patients at an early stage of the disease is increasingly important with the advent of new therapeutic possibilities.

Conclusion: Although many factors contribute to the phenotype of patients with STGD1, the expression and residual activity of ABCA4 mutants play an important role in determining disease severity.

Retinal thickness and disease duration influence the visual prognosis of patients. Patients with Stargardt's disease have a smaller macular thickness when compared to normal individuals, and this reduction is related to the duration of the pathology. Therefore, OCT is fundamental for the follow-up of these patients, contributing to a better prognostic assessment of the disease.
Circular Economy in Marine Waste Management Through Triple-layered Business Model Canvas Approach
Authors: . Zulkieflimasnyah , Kemala Sari Putri Reno , Permatacita Fitriah , Oktapiani Serli , Nurjihadi Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Aims: The shift from linear to circular business models is becoming increasingly necessary at the environmental level. There are many ways to make business and the environment an inseparable unit, one of which is by promoting the circular economy business model.

Methodology: This study focuses on the Triple Layer Business Model Canvas approach to apply the circular economy concept by using the example of a marine waste processing company.

Results: The results showed that the mapping of the waste processing business model with the TLBMC approach can be described as a whole, the sustainable value of the company in three integrated layers, namely the economic layer, the environmental layer, and the social layer. Despite the limitations resulting from this study but the findings in this study can be adapted to other waste processing companies.
Controlled Growth of Single‐Crystal Pd Quantum Dots on 2D Carbon for Large Current Density Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhang Danyan , Zheng Xuchen , Qi Lu , Xue Yurui , He Feng , Li Yuliang
Published: February 2022

The key issue for industrial large‐scale hydrogen production by water electrolysis is developing environment‐friendly electrocatalysts that can work well at large current densities and low overpotentials. Thanks to the superior advantages of 2D graphdiyne (GDY) on chemical structure and the alkyne bond strong reductivity, the highly selective, in situ growth of the single‐crystal Pd (111) quantum dots is achieved. The metal dots distribute uniformly and densely on the GDY surface (GDY‐Pd1) in a controllable way at low temperatures without adding additional reductive agents. Experimental and theoretical results show that the 2D GDY affords an ideal platform to construct highly selective and active electrocatalysts with accurate structures, defined valence states, facilitated charge transfer ability, and enhanced electric conductivity for hydrogen evolution reaction. Remarkably, the electrocatalyst can reach 500 and 1000 mA cm−2 at small overpotentials of only 201 and 261 mV, with high long‐term stability, which are better than most of the reported ones. The results demonstrate that 2D DGY is an excellent support in the controllable synthesis of metal quantum dots with well‐defined surface and structure and the potential to achieve large‐scale preparation. This study takes a critical step toward industrial hydrogen production.
DNA‐Based Nanofabrication for Nanoelectronics
Authors: Hui Liwei , Bai Ruobing , Liu Haitao
Published: February 2022

This review surveys recent developments of DNA nanotechnology related to its applications in nanoelectronics industry. The authors start with a brief introduction of DNA nanostructures, followed by a focused discussion of various DNA‐based fabrication approaches that are relevant to the semiconductor industry, including DNA‐based doping of semiconductor materials, DNA‐based fabrication of nanostructures of metallic, dielectric, and semiconductor materials, and DNA‐based lithographic patterning of Si, SiO2, metal, graphene, and polymer substrates. Examples of DNA‐templated fabrication of prototype nanoscale transistors and sensors are highlighted. Finally, major technical challenges facing the future applications of DNA nanotechnology in nanoelectronics and beyond are discussed.
Microfluidic Seeding of Cells on the Inner Surface of Alginate Hollow Microfibers
Authors: Aykar Saurabh S. , Alimoradi Nima , Taghavimehr Mehrnoosh , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N.
Published: February 2022

Mimicking microvascular tissue microenvironment in vitro calls for a cytocompatible technique of manufacturing biocompatible hollow microfibers suitable for cell‐encapsulation/seeding in and around them. The techniques reported to date either have a limit on the microfiber dimensions or undergo a complex manufacturing process. Here, a microfluidic‐based method for cell seeding inside alginate hollow microfibers is designed whereby mouse astrocytes (C8‐D1A) are passively seeded on the inner surface of these hollow microfibers. Collagen I and poly‐d‐lysine, as cell attachment additives, are tested to assess cell adhesion and viability; the results are compared with nonadditive‐based hollow microfibers (BARE). The BARE furnishes better cell attachment and higher cell viability immediately after manufacturing, and an increasing trend in the cell viability is observed between Day 0 and Day 2. Swelling analysis using percentage initial weight and width is performed on BARE microfibers furnishing a maximum of 124.1% and 106.1%, respectively. Degradation analysis using weight observed a 62% loss after 3 days, with 46% occurring in the first 12 h. In the frequency sweep test performed, the storage modulus (G′) remains comparatively higher than the loss modulus (G″) in the frequency range 0–20 Hz, indicating high elastic behavior of the hollow microfibers.
Prussian Blue Nanozyme as a Pyroptosis Inhibitor Alleviates Neurodegeneration
Authors: Ma Xinxin , Hao Junnian , Wu Jianrong , Li Yuehua , Cai Xiaojun , Zheng Yuanyi
Published: February 2022

Current pharmacological interventions for Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unsatisfactory in clinical settings. Inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis represents a potential therapeutic target for the alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases. The development of inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis agonists or antagonists may transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the identification of specific compounds that inhibit pyroptosis remains challenging. Herein, Prussian blue nanozyme (PBzyme) is revealed as a pyroptosis inhibitor to alleviate the neurodegeneration in mouse and cell models of PD. PBzyme protects the microglia and neurons against 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). PBzyme alleviates motor deficits, attenuates the damage of mitochondrial membrane potential, and rescues dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, intra‐cerebroventricular injection of PBzyme reduces dopaminergic degeneration and inhibits neuroinflammation in an MPTP‐induced PD mouse model. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that PBzyme reduces the activation of microglial nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and caspase‐1 by scavenging reactive oxygen species, thereby downregulating gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage as well as inflammatory factor production, and eventually leading to the inhibition of microglia pyroptosis. Overall, this work highlights the neuroprotective effects of PBzyme as a pyroptosis inhibitor and provides valuable mechanistic insights and a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD.
Porous Polymeric Membranes Doped with Halloysite Nanotubes and Oxygenic Polyoxometalates
Authors: Yu Jiaying , Boudjelida Soufiane , Galiano Francesco , Figoli Alberto , Bonchio Marcella , Carraro Mauro
Published: February 2022

Endowing anti‐fouling capabilities to water treatment membranes is a key feature for their long lifetime, but it continues to be a challenging task. Herein, a strategy for preparing composite membranes is reported comprising halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as scaffolds to support a ruthenium substituted polyoxometalate (Ru4POM), with the goal of using evolved O2, resulting from the Ru4POM‐catalyzed H2O2 dismutation, as anti‐fouling agent. Two different amino alkyl derivatives, that is, a phosphonate and a silane, are grafted, respectively, in the lumen and on the surface of HNTs to support Ru4POM, and the resulting hybrid nanostructures are compared, in terms of catalytic efficiency and stability, to establish the most promising membrane additive. Porous polyether sulfone–based membranes are thus prepared to obtain a first proof of concept for this doping strategy. With respect to the former Ru4POM‐containing membranes, HNTs provide Earth‐abundant and low‐cost scaffolds for their efficient dispersion in the polymeric matrix. Preliminary tests on permeability and anti‐fouling behavior are finally discussed.
Stretchable Organic Light‐Emitting Devices with Invisible Orderly Wrinkles by using a Transfer‐Free Technique
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Yu , Ji Zhi‐Kun , Yin Da , Liu Yue‐Feng , Bi Yan‐Gang , Feng Jing , Sun Hong‐Bo
Published: February 2022

Stretchable organic light‐emitting devices (SOLEDs) based on orderly wrinkles have become a promising candidate for the new‐generation deformable displays because of their high‐optoelectronic performance and stretching stability. However, the complex thin film transfer process to form the wrinkles and the decreased display quality caused by the large‐period wrinkles with a few hundreds of microns are obstacles to their practical applications. Herein, a simple transfer‐free technique is designed to introduce the orderly wrinkles with a much smaller period of 70 µm into the SOLEDs, which is the smallest value reported to date for the orderly wrinkles integrated in the SOLEDs. The small‐period wrinkles are invisible by naked eyes and beneficial to the applications of the SOLEDs in high‐quality stretchable displays. The electroluminescence performance of the SOLED with 20% stretchability are comparable to those of the rigid OLEDs on glass substrates. After 2000 cycles of stretching, the luminance of the device remained at 90% of its initial value. Meantime, the transfer‐free technique is compatible with the flexible encapsulation process. The luminance of the encapsulated SOLEDs exhibit negligible decline after 600‐min continuous operation under ambient condition. This work provides an effective solution for achieving high‐performance SOLEDs by a simple process.
Radical Polychloromethylation/Cyclization of Unactivated Alkenes: Access to Polychloromethyl‐Substituted Ring‐Fused Quinazolinones
Authors: Liu Han , Yang Zixian , Yu Jin‐Tao , Pan Changduo
Published: February 2022

A radical di‐ and trichloromethylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes was developed with commercially available dichloromethane and chloroform as di‐and trichloromethyl radical sources under metal‐free conditions. Variously substituted di‐ and trichloromethylated pyrrolo‐ and piperidino‐quinazolinones were obtained in 47–94% yields. Additionally, dibromomethylation/cyclization was also achieved under standard conditions when CH2Br2 was utilized. Moreover, the obtained dichloromethylated product can be transformed into 1′H‐spiro[cyclopropane‐1,3′‐pyrrolo[2,1‐b]quinazolin]‐9′(2′H)‐one after treating by KOH.

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Boosting the Catalytic Performance of CuOx in CO2 Hydrogenation by Incorporating CeO2 Promoters
Authors: Xu Jinhui , Li Lingling , Pan Jing , Cui Wenjie , Liang Xi , Yu Yang , Liu Bo , Wang Xiao , Song Shuyan , Zhang Hongjie
Published: February 2022

Copper is one of the most promising components in CO2 hydrogenation reactions, however, it still seriously suffers from the lower capability in CO2 activity, as well as poor durability. Herein, a novel copper‐cerium mixed metal oxide is fabricated via a controllable surface deposition route, showing excellent catalytic performance in CO2 hydrogenation. Of particular note, among the various samples with tunable Cu/Ce molar ratios, the obtained CuOx‐5CeO2 containing 0.42% Ce exhibits the highest catalytic activity with ≈31% CO2 conversion and 98% CO selectivity at 380 °C, as well as an excellent stability for 50 h. The as‐prepared catalysts are then characterized by H2‐temperature‐programmed reduction, CO2‐termperature programmed desorption, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy to explore the possible reaction pathways. The results indicate the significance of the interactions between CuOx and CeO2, which can facilitate the activation of H2 and CO2 simultaneously, to promote the formation of formate intermediates.
Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped KMn8O16 with Oxygen Vacancy for Stable Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cui Guodong , Zeng Yinxiang , Wu Jinfang , Guo Yan , Gu Xiaojun , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: February 2022

The development of MnO2 as a cathode for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) is severely limited by the low intrinsic electrical conductivity and unstable crystal structure. Herein, a multifunctional modification strategy is proposed to construct N‐doped KMn8O16 with abundant oxygen vacancy and large specific surface area (named as N‐KMO) through a facile one‐step hydrothermal approach. The synergetic effects of N‐doping, oxygen vacancy, and porous structure in N‐KMO can effectively suppress the dissolution of manganese ions, and promote ion diffusion and electron conduction. As a result, the N‐KMO cathode exhibits dramatically improved stability and reaction kinetics, superior to the pristine MnO2 and MnO2 with only oxygen vacancy. Remarkably, the N‐KMO cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 262 mAh g−1 after 2500 cycles at 1 A g−1 with a capacity retention of 91%. Simultaneously, the highest specific capacity can reach 298 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. Theoretical calculations reveal that the oxygen vacancy and N‐doping can improve the electrical conductivity of MnO2 and thus account for the outstanding rate performance. Moreover, ex situ characterizations indicate that the energy storage mechanism of the N‐KMO cathode is mainly a H+ and Zn2+ co‐insertion/extraction process.
Phosphorus Vacancies as Effective Polysulfide Promoter for High‐Energy‐Density Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Sun Rui , Bai Yu , Bai Zhe , Peng Lin , Luo Min , Qu Meixiu , Gao Yangchen , Wang Zhenhua , Sun Wang , Sun Kening
Published: February 2022

Lithium–sulfur batteries have aroused great interest in the context of rechargeable batteries, while the shuttle effect and sluggish conversion kinetics severely handicap their development. Defect engineering, which can adjust the electronic structures of electrocatalyst, and thus affect the surface adsorption and catalytic process, has been recognized as a good strategy to solve the above problems. However, research on phosphorus vacancies has been rarely reported, and how phosphorus vacancies affect battery performance remains unclear. Herein, CoP with phosphorus vacancies (CoP‐Vp) is fabricated to study the enhancement mechanism of phosphorus vacancies in Li–S chemistry. The derived CoP‐Vp features a low Co‐P coordination number and the introduced phosphorus vacancies mainly exist in the form of clusters. The obtained CoP‐Vp can reinforce the affinity to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and thus the shuttle effect can be restrained. In addition, the reduced reaction energy barriers and the promoted diffusion of Li+ can accelerate redox kinetics. Electrochemical tests and in situ Raman results confirm the advantages of phosphorus vacancies. The S/CNT‐CoP‐Vp electrode presents outstanding cycling performance and achieves a high capacity of 8.03 mAh cm−2 under lean electrolyte condition (E/S = 5 μLE mg−1S). This work provides a new insight into improving the performance of Li–S batteries through defect engineering.
Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐3‐acyl‐1H‐indoles with α‐Diazo Carbonyl Compounds: Synthesis of 5‐Carbonyl Substituted Benzo[a]carbazoles via [5+1] Annulation
Authors: Li Bin , Shen Nana , Wang Kelin , Fan Xuesen , Zhang Xinying
Published: February 2022

In this paper, an efficient synthesis of 5‐carbonyl substituted benzo[a]carbazoles via Rh(III)‐catalyzed [5+1] annulation reaction of 2‐aryl‐3‐acyl‐1H‐indoles with α‐diazo carbonyl compounds is presented. The cascade process is accomplished by a C−H bond alkylation, cyclization and aromatization. Notably, this novel method features broad substrate compatibility and good functional group tolerance. In addition, the synthetic applications of this protocol have also been demonstrated by gram‐scale synthesis and derivatization to an antitumor agent.
“We will start building from that”: Social capital, social networks and African migrants’ job‐seeking experiences in Australia
Authors: Olliff Louise , Baak Melanie , Baddeley Michelle , Lino Lejukole James , Munyonge Everine , Saidi Ibrahim , Treuren Gerrit J. M.
Published: February 2022

This article explores the job‐seeking experiences of Black African migrants in South Australia, focussing on the role played by social networks in labour market integration. While it has been long held that “who you know” matters when finding work, the quality and nature of interpersonal connections that can be put to use for job‐seeking purposes suggests that not all networks effectively leverage social capital when it comes to employment. This article argues that Africa‐born migrants in South Australia are a small, diverse population whose experiences of labour market integration are mediated by both reception (how they are received and perceived) and strategy and choice (decisions made by migrants themselves). There is evidence of these migrants’ evolving and expanding social networks; however, the strategy of building the “right” social networks only goes part‐way to addressing employment gaps, while racialised social hierarchies are embedded in the Australian labour market.
Slowing gait speed precedes cognitive decline by several years
Authors: Skillbäck Tobias , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Skoog Johan , Rydén Lina , Wetterberg Hanna , Guo Xinxin , Sacuiu Simona , Mielke Michelle M. , Zettergren Anna , Skoog Ingmar , Kern Silke
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In this longitudinal study, we aimed to examine if slowing gait speed preceded cognitive decline and correlated with brain amyloidosis.

Methods

The sample (n = 287) was derived from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, with follow‐ups between 2000 and 2015. Gait speed was measured by indoor walk, and cognition using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score. All participants had CDR = 0 at baseline. Some participants had data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)1‐42 concentrations at the 2009 examination.

Results

Gait speed for participants who worsened in CDR score during follow‐up was slower at most examinations. Baseline gait speed could significantly predict CDR change from baseline to follow‐up. Subjects with pathological CSF Aβ1‐42 concentrations at the 2009 visit had lost more gait speed compared to previous examinations.

Discussion

Our results indicate that gait speed decline precedes cognitive decline, is linked to Alzheimer's pathology, and might be used for early detection of increased risk for dementia development.
Projecting the long‐term societal value of a disease‐modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease in the United States
Authors: Prados Maria J. , Liu Ying , Jun Hankyung , Lam Jenny , Mattke Soeren
Published: February 2022

Introduction

We estimate societal value of a disease‐modifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment that reduces progression by 30% in early stages.

Methods

Using the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research value flower as framework, we estimate gross societal value, that is, not including treatment cost, from avoided medical and social care costs, productivity and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY) gains for patients and caregivers, adjusting for severity of disease, value of financial insurance, and value of insurance for currently unafflicted adults with a Markov model.

Results

Predicted societal value from 2021 until 2041 is $2.62 trillion for the overall afflicted US population and $986 billion for the 2021 prevalent cohort or $134,418 per person, with valuation of patients’ QALY gains (63%) and avoided nursing‐home costs (20%) as largest components. Delays in access because of health system capacity constraints could reduce realized value between 52% and 69%. The value of insurance for the unafflicted is $4.52 trillion or $18,399 on average per person.

Discussion

With a total of $5.5 trillion, the projected gross societal value of a hypothetical AD treatment is substantial, which may help to put the cost of treatment into perspective.
Rice bran wax structured oleogels and in vitro bioaccessibility of curcumin
Authors: Dent Terrence , Hallinan Robert , Chitchumroonchokchai Chureeporn , Maleky Farnaz
Published: February 2022

Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in turmeric, exhibits a wide range of health‐promoting properties. However, its application in food formulations and as nutritional supplements is limited by its poor bioaccessibility. This study investigates the effects of curcumin on the structure formation and physical properties of oleogels made with three different concentrations of rice bran wax (RBW) (2%, 6%, and 10% w/w) compared to an ungelled control oil and examines the bioaccessibility of curcumin contained in those lipid systems. The physical and structural properties were characterized using a penetration test, solid fat content, polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Data analysis revealed no significant differences in polymorphic or thermal properties between oleogels with and without curcumin; however, differences in microstructural properties were documented for oleogels with curcumin. Moreover, the percent of lipid crystallinity in 6% and 10% RBW oleogel increased in samples containing curcumin. An in vitro simulated digestion study showed that curcumin bioaccessibility significantly increased with increasing RBW content relative to the ungelled control. Results from this study provide insight into the potential utilization of RBW oleogels for delivering curcumin and other poorly water‐soluble compounds in food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
The morphology and differentiation of stromal cells in the cortex of follicles in the bursa of Fabricius of the chicken
Authors: Oláh Imre , Felföldi Balázs , Benyeda Zsófia , Nagy Nándor , Kovács Tamás
Published: February 2022

Mesenchymal reticular cells (MRCs) form a supporting system in the cortex of the bursal follicle. The stellate‐shaped MRCs exhibit a low electron density, which is helpful for their identification. A remarkable feature of MRC is the formation of multiple blebs in the nuclear envelope. The large, irregularly shaped blebs—which are perinuclear spaces—may be detached from the nuclear membrane, creating a sac‐like granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER). Inside the bleb, membrane‐bound bodies originate from cytoplasmic impressions. The cytoplasm contains a few round mitochondria, in which the internal membranes form either ovoid vesicles or the entire internal structure is indistinct. These mitochondria may be associated with the blebs. The classical Golgi complex with cis and trans faces cannot be recognized, but the accumulation of very small vesicles occurs around two or three stacked flat cisterns. The MRC forms a continuous layer along the corticomedullary basal lamina (CMBL), and during cell migration between the cortex and medulla, it may contribute to the temporary closure of the gap in the CMBL. At the outer surface of the cortex, transitory cells between the MRC and fibrocytes of the interfollicular connective tissue are present, and both cells can produce GER by blebbing. This finding suggests that MRCs and fibrocytes may have a common origin. The other stromal cell is the macrophage (Ma), which may fuse together to form multinucleated giant cells. The definition of histological classification of the third type of stromal cell is questionable, but certain morphological features may be referred to as progenitors of MRCs.
Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of the immune cell system and epithelial surfaces of the respiratory organs in the bimodally breathing African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)
Authors: Maina John Ndegwa , Icardo Jose Manuel , Zaccone Giacomo , Aragona Marialuisa , Lauriano Eugenia Rita , Alesci Alessio , Albano Marco , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Germana Antonino , Fernandes Jorge Manuel Oliveira , Kiron Viswanath , Capillo Gioele
Published: February 2022

Acetylcholine (Ach) represents the old neurotransmitter in central and peripheral nervous system. Its muscarinic and nicotinic receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs) constitute an independent cholinergic system that is found in immune cells and play a key role in the regulation of the immune function and cytokine production. Gas exchanging surfaces of the gills and air‐breathing organs (ABOs) of the sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus were investigated using ultrastructural and confocal immunofluorescence techniques. This study was predominantly focused on the structure of the immune cell types, the expression of their neurotransmitters, including the antimicrobial peptide piscidin 1, and the functional significance of respiratory gas exchange epithelia. A network of immune cells (monocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells) was observed in the gill and the ABO epithelia. Eosinophils containing 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) immunoreactivity were seen in close association with mast cells expressing acetylcholine (Ach), 5‐HT, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and piscidin 1. A rich and dense cholinergic innervation dispersing across the islet capillaries of the gas exchange barrier and the localization of Ach in the squamous pavement cells covering the capillaries were evidenced byVAChT antibodies. We report for the first time that piscidin 1 (Pis 1)‐positive mast cells interact with Pis 1‐positive nerves found in the epithelia of the respiratory organs. Pis 1 immunoreactivity was also observed in the covering respiratory epithelium of the ABOs and associated with a role in local mucosal immune defense. The above results anticipate future studies on the neuro‐immune interactions at mucosal barrier surfaces, like the gill and the skin of fish, areas densely populated by different immune cells and sensory nerves that constantly sense and adapt to tissue‐specific environmental challenges.
Potential of the CRISPR‐Cas system for improved parasite diagnosis
Authors: You Hong , Gordon Catherine A. , MacGregor Skye R. , Cai Pengfei , McManus Donald P.
Published: February 2022

CRISPR‐Cas technology accelerates development of fast, accurate, and portable diagnostic tools, typified by recent applications in COVID‐19 diagnosis. Parasitic helminths cause devastating diseases afflicting 1.5 billion people globally, representing a significant public health and economic burden, especially in developing countries. Currently available diagnostic tests for worm infection are neither sufficiently sensitive nor field‐friendly for use in low‐endemic or resource‐poor settings, leading to underestimation of true prevalence rates. Mass drug administration programs are unsustainable long‐term, and diagnostic tools – required to be rapid, specific, sensitive, cost‐effective, and user‐friendly without specialized equipment and expertise – are urgently needed for rapid mapping of helminthic diseases and monitoring control programs. We describe the key features of the CRISPR‐Cas12/13 system and emphasise its potential for the development of effective tools for the diagnosis of parasitic and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a key recommendation of the NTDs 2021–2030 roadmap released by the World Health Organization.
Ensuring robustness in the quality of antibiotic susceptibility test discs for four novel antibiotics
Authors: Ahirrao Vinod K. , Jadhav Rajiv A. , Vaidya Suyog N. , Bhagwat Sachin S. , Yeole Ravindra D. , Patel Mahesh V.
Published: February 2022

Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) discs are used as an in‐vitro diagnostic tool to select the appropriate antibiotic to treat an infection. Generally, the concentration of the drug loaded on to the AST discs is measured by studying its activity against quality control organisms. This methodology has several limitations—it is time consuming, requires trained manpower, has a wider acceptance criteria of zone of inhibitions—causing ambiguity in judging smaller variations in drug concentration. To overcome these issues, we have developed and validated high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods for the determination of strength of AST discs for in‐house researched antibiotics, namely Levonadifloxacin/WCK 771, Nafithromycin/WCK 4873, Cefepime‐Tazobactam/WCK 4282, and Cefepime‐Zidebactam/WCK 5222. The drugs were extracted from the AST discs using an appropriate solvent. The developed methods are simple, accurate, precise, reproducible, rugged, and robust. They are efficient in terms of time, and can be easily conducted in a quality control laboratory during release as well as stability evaluation of AST disc. Application of HPLC methods for the determination of strength of AST discs ensures flawless quality and, consequently, a better selection of drugs to treat bacterial infections in clinics.
Did court dismiss director's Title IX claim?
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2022

A Thomas Jefferson University Hospital director told his supervisor he had been sexually molested by female resident physician “Jane Roe” after a work party at his home. He claimed Roe was falsely denying it.
Review recent rulings involving the First Amendment
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2022

An overview of the key topics faced by campus administrators with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Rifaximin protects SH‐SY5Y neuronal cells from iron overload‐induced cytotoxicity via inhibiting STAT3/NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Yuan Qi , Hu Xiaoxuan , Liao Jinmao , Kuang Jia
Published: February 2022

Acute or chronic liver disease‐caused liver failure is the cause of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), characterized by neuropsychiatric manifestations. Liver diseases potentially lead to peripheral iron metabolism dysfunction and surges of iron concentration in the brain, contributing to the pathophysiological process of degenerative disorders of the central nervous system. In this study, the mechanism of rifaximin treating HE was investigated. Ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)‐induced iron overload significantly reduced the proliferation and boosted the apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells through increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inducing iron metabolism disorder. Rifaximin treatment could rectify the FAC‐induced iron overload and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced iron deposition, therefore, effectively protecting SH‐SY5Y cells from ROS‐induced cell injury and apoptosis. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling is involved in the protective function of rifaximin against LPS‐induced iron deposition. The therapeutic effect of rifaximin on HE associated with acute hepatic failure in mouse model was ascertained. In conclusion, Rifaximin could effectively protect SH‐SY5Y cells against injury caused by iron overload through the rectification of the iron metabolism disorder via the STAT3/NF‐κB signaling pathway.
CREG mitigates neonatal HIE injury through survival promotion and apoptosis inhibition in hippocampal neurons via activating AKT signaling
Authors: Chen Dan , Zhang Yi , Ji Lian , Wu Yubin
Published: February 2022

Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (Neonatal HIE) is a common but serious disease caused by perinatal asphyxia injury in newborns. Elevated neuronal apoptosis plays an important role in the injury process post hypoxia ischemia of the brain, which accurate mechanism is still worthy to be studied. Cellular repressor of E1A‐stimulated genes (CREG) possesses the protective effect in ischemia‐reperfusion in multiple organs, including livers and hearts. The main purpose of this work was to investigate whether CREG was involved in alleviating neonatal HIE and explore the possible mechanisms. We found that CREG expression was downregulated in the hippocampus of neonatal HIE rats as well as oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)‐treated hippocampal neurons. Besides, CREG overexpression promoted survival while inhibited apoptosis in OGD/R‐induced hippocampal neurons accompanied by AKT signaling activation, which could be reversed by CREG silence. In addition, the protective effects of CREG overexpression could be antagonized by AKT deactivation, indicating the function of CREG was attributed by regulating AKT pathway. Collectedly, we demonstrated that CREG protected hippocampal neurons from hypoxic ischemia‐induced injury through regulating survival and apoptosis via activating AKT signaling pathway.
In‐situ ATR‐IR Spectroscopy Reveals Complex Absorption‐Diffusion Dynamics in Model Polymer‐Membrane‐Catalyst Assemblies (PCMA)
Authors: Enes da Silva Maria Joao , Banerjee Aayan , Lefferts Leon , Faria Albanese Jimmy Alexander
Published: February 2022

Molecular transport in porous media plays an essential role in heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we have studied a Polymer‐Membrane‐Catalyst Assembly (PCMA) system consisting of PET membranes with a well‐defined pore structure coated with thermo‐responsive polymer (poly(n‐isopropylacrylamide) or p‐NIPAM) coupled to an in‐situ ATR‐IR cell containing palladium supported on γ‐Al2O3. This PCMA model is designed to mimic the structure of a core‐shell catalyst coated with stimulus responsive polymer. At low temperatures (<32 °C), where p‐NIPAM is in its swollen state, the addition of polymer brushes caused a delay in CO chemisorption on Pd. Strikingly, when the polymer collapses (>32 °C), we observed faster CO−Pd saturation. Our multi‐physics model of the CO transport and chemisorption on the PCMA suggests that the delay is caused by the strong affinity of the CO molecules with the polymer brushes. When stimulus responsive polymers are present, a complex interplay between diffusion and absorption determines the dynamic behavior of the system. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this behavior could be reversed by reducing the ratio of polymer inside the pores and the surface, in which the delay observed is now above the LCST. This new insights on the dynamics of transport, absorption, and chemisorption processes occurring on so‐called “nano‐reactors” provide new opportunities for developing new self‐regulating catalysts with faster transitions between ON‐ and OFF‐ states.
Sequential Visible Light‐Induced Reactions Using Different Photocatalysts: Transformation of Furans into 2‐Pyridones via γ‐Lactams Using a New Ring Expansion Reaction
Authors: Kalaitzakis Dimitris , Bosveli Artemis , Montagnon Tamsyn , Vassilikogiannakis Georgios
Published: February 2022

A new photocatalytic ring expansion reaction that transforms γ‐lactams into 2‐pyridones is described. The reaction is radical‐triggered and was inspired by a late‐stage oxidation commonly observed in fungal metabolism. The reaction is particularly powerful because it can be included in a one pot process which converts readily accessible furans directly into 2‐pyridones through sequential photo‐induced reactions (energy transfer and electron transfer). The study also unveiled unprecedented reactivity for the mild and metal‐free photocatalyst eosin, wherein it is used to cleave a C−I bond activated only by an electron donor on the neighbouring carbon.
Metal‐Organic Framework (MOF) Morphology Control by Design
Authors: Suresh Kuthuru , Kalenak Andre P. , Sotuyo Ania , Matzger Adam J.
Published: February 2022

Exerting morphological control over metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) is critical for determining their catalytic performance and to optimize their packing behavior in areas from separations to fuel gas storage. A mechanism‐based approach to tailor the morphology of MOFs is introduced and experimentally demonstrated for five cubic Zn4O‐based MOFs. This methodology provides three key features: 1) computational screening for selection of appropriate additives to change crystal morphology based on knowledge of the crystal structure alone; 2) use of additive to metal cluster geometric relationships to achieve morphologies expressing desired crystallographic facets; 3) potential for suppression of interpenetration for certain phases.
Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes Templated Hollow C@MnO Nanospheres as Sulfur Host Materials for Li−S Batteries
Authors: Xie Dongjiu , Jouini Oumeima , Mei Shilin , Quan Ting , Xu Yaolin , Kochovski Zdravko , Lu Yan
Published: February 2022

Li−S battery has been considered as the next‐generation energy storage device, which still suffers from the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). In this work, mesoporous hollow carbon‐coated MnO nanospheres (C@MnO) have been designed and synthesized using spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) as template, KMnO4 as MnO precursor, and polydopamine as carbon source to improve the electrochemical performance of Li−S battery. The hollow C@MnO nanospheres enable the combination of physical confinement and chemical adsorption of the LiPSs. The thin carbon coating layer can provide good electrical conductivity and additional physical confinement to polysulfides. Moreover, the encapsulated MnO inside the carbon shell exhibits strong chemical adsorption to polysulfides. The constructed C@MnO/S cathode shows the discharge capacity of 1026 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C with 79% capacity retention after 80 cycles. The synthesized hollow C@MnO nanoparticles can work as highly efficient sulfur host materials, providing an effective solution to suppress the shuttle effect in Li−S battery.
Exciton Dynamics in Mn/Ni Dual‐doped Semiconductor Quantum Dots
Authors: Saha Avijit , Gahlot Kushagra , Viswanatha Ranjani
Published: February 2022

Doping transition metal impurities in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) has been shown to offer an effective handle over their electronic, optical and magnetic properties. Incorporation of more than one type of transition ions in same QDs is nontrivial due to different thermodynamic constraints, however, it can provide attractive properties and insights to meet recent challenges in the field of luminescent and magnetic materials. Herein, we present a solution‐processed controlled synthesis of Mn and Ni codoped CdS colloidal QDs which show dual emission due to two different impurities. Controlled doping helps to understand the decay dynamics of exciton through various decay channels. Based on the competition between Mn and Ni dopant states, we observe reliable signatures for the short‐lived transient charge transfer of the photogenerated hole to the excited state of Mn and then to the Ni state. Along with the interesting excitonic dynamics, we also observe significant enhancement of magnetization due to the codoping.
Reactive Oxygen Species‐Responsive Peptide‐Drug Conjugate for Mitochondria‐Specific Chemotherapy
Authors: Ji Lei , Li Zhi‐Xiang , Cheng Dong‐Bing , Zhang Xue‐Hao , Liu Junan , Yang Zixin , Qiao Zeng‐Ying , Wang Hao
Published: February 2022

Chemotherapy is one of the main means in clinical cancer treatment, but the efficient and precise delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs remains a key bottleneck. The precise delivery of nanomedicines to the mitochondria may achieve unexpected therapeutic effect, and peptides are considered as a promising class of mitochondrial targeting molecules. In this paper, we reported a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive peptide‐drug conjugate (PDC, CPT‐TK‐KLAK) self‐delivery system, where a mitochondria‐targeted peptide (KLAK, sequence: (KLAKLAK)2) is linked to the anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) via a ROS responsive unit. The release amount of CPT from CPT‐TK‐KLAK in the 1 mM H2O2 solution was ca. 90% in 24 h, while CPT‐CC‐KLAK barely released CPT in 1 mM H2O2 solution. Therefore, after targeting to the mitochondria of HeLa cells, CPT‐TK‐KLAK can specifically release CPT under overproduced ROS, which in turn destroys mitochondria and induces ROS burst, causing HeLa cells apoptosis. As a result, CPT‐TK‐KLAK exhibits high cytotoxicity to HeLa cells with an IC50 of 0.37 μM, which is 9‐fold lower than free CPT. This ROS‐responsive PDC can also be applied for the targeted delivery of other chemotherapeutic agents, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy.