bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra‐operative fluorescence‐based detection of positive surgical margins during radical prostatectomy: Lessons learned from a pilot ex vivo translational study
Authors: Fiard Gaelle , Hughes Cecilia , Heus Redha , Abert Bruno , Chipon Emilie , Boudry Isabelle , Saada‐Sebag Geraldine , Kassem Maysoun , Lanchon Cecilia , Long Jean‐Alexandre , Descotes Jean‐Luc , Moreau‐Gaudry Alexandre , Voros Sandrine
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Nerve‐sparing techniques during radical prostatectomy have been associated with an increased risk of positive surgical margins. The intra‐operative detection of residual prostatic tissue could help mitigate this risk. The objectives of the present study were to assess the feasibility of using an anti‐prostate‐specific membrane antigen (anti‐PSMA) antibody conjugated with a fluorophore to characterize fresh prostate tissue as prostatic or non‐prostatic for intra‐operative surgical margin detection.

Methods

Fresh prostatic tissue samples were collected from transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP) or prostate biopsies, and either immunolabelled with anti‐PSMA antibody conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488 or used as controls. A dedicated, laparoscopy‐compliant fluorescence device was developed for real‐time fluorescence detection. Confocal microscopy was used as the gold standard for comparison. Spectral unmixing was used to distinguish specific, Alexa Fluor 488 fluorescence from nonspecific autofluorescence.

Results

The average peak wavelength of the immuno‐labeled TURP samples (n = 4) was 541.7 ± 0.9 nm and of the control samples (n = 4) was 540.8 ± 2.2 nm. Spectral unmixing revealed that these similar measures were explained by significant autofluorescence, linked to electrocautery. Three biopsy samples were then obtained from seven patients and also displayed significant nonspecific fluorescence, raising questions regarding the reproducibility of the fixation of the anti‐PSMA antibodies on the samples. Comparing the fluorescence results with final pathology proved challenging due to the small sample size and tissue alterations.

Conclusions

This study showed similar fluorescence of immuno‐labeled prostate tissue samples and controls, failing to demonstrate the feasibility of intra‐operative margin detection using PSMA immuno‐labeling, due to marked tissue autofluorescence. We successfully developed a fluorescence device that could be used intraoperatively in a laparoscopic setting. Use of the infrared range as well as newly available antibodies could prove interesting options for future research.
Exosome‐Hydrogel System in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy
Authors: Wang Junwu , Zhu Mengyue , Hu Yingkun , Chen Renxin , Hao Zhuowen , Wang Yi , Li Jingfeng
Published: December 2022

Exosomes, as messengers of cell‐to‐cell communication, have many functional properties similar to those of their derived cells. Because they contain a large number of bioactive components that regulate recipient cell behavior, they are inanimate and do not require external maintenance or assistance. Various cell‐derived exosomes are involved in many physiological processes of bone tissue repair. Hydrogels are widely used as scaffolding materials for bone tissue repair because their 3D network structure resembles the natural extracellular matrix. Moreover, their material properties and biological functions are adjustable. Exosomes can be delivered directly to the bone tissue damage site by hydrogel, and their duration of action in vivo can be prolonged by slow release. Therefore, the exosome‐loaded hydrogel (Exo‐Gel) system is a promising material for bone tissue engineering. In this study, the progress of the application of Exo‐Gel in bone tissue repair and the improvement strategies, problems and research prospects of the current exosomes and hydrogels that have been applied to the Exo‐Gel system for bone tissue repair are reviewed.
Shampoo Science: A Review of the Physiochemical Processes behind the Function of a Shampoo
Authors: Thompson Courtney J. , Ainger Nick , Starck Pierre , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Ryan Anthony J.
Published: December 2022

The components of a shampoo are selected specifically to carry out important roles within the formulation. They must be carefully considered as not only do they act to carry out their own function but they also influence the function of the other components through complexation and other physiochemical interactions. This review focuses on the four principal components in a commercial shampoo formulation: surfactant, deposition polymer, structuring polymer, and viscosity modifiers. The most common molecule types used commercially to carry out the specific roles are discussed, with each of their fundamental functions outlined in detail. The mechanisms by which these molecules can perform these roles are reviewed. Further consideration is taken to outline how components could interact with one another to hinder or facilitate processes.
Conjugated Poly(ionic liquid)‐Based Nanoporous Membrane for Rapid Moisture Response
Authors: Zhang Ya‐Jun , Wu Hao , Tan Liang‐Xiao , Wei Yi , Ren Ju‐Jie , Li Ya‐Juan , Yu Xu‐Dong , Sun Jian‐Ke
Published: December 2022

Stimuli‐responsive nanoporous materials represent a newly emerging category of functional materials, for which instant and significant response behavior is strongly demanded but still challenging. Herein, a new kind of conjugated poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) synthesized via a simple one‐pot spontaneous nucleophilic substitution and polymerization between 4,4'‐vinylenedipyridine and propargyl bromide is reported. A nanoporous membrane actuator is further developed via ionic complexation between the current PIL and trimesic acid. The actuator carries a gradient density in the hydrophobicity content along the membrane cross‐section, which results in a fast response to moisture.
Thermal nonlinear stability of functionally graded porous material nearly cylindrical shells with surrounding elastic media and tangentially restrained edges
Authors: Nhu Trang Le Thi , Van Tung Hoang
Published: December 2022

This paper aims to investigate the influences of surrounding elastic media and tangential edge constraints on the buckling and postbucking behaviors of nearly cylindrical shell (NCS) made of functionally graded porous material (FGPM) and subjected to uniform temperature rise. Three different types of porosity distributions are considered and assumed to be in forms of cosine functions of thickness variable. The volume fractions of material constituents are assumed to vary through the shell thickness according to power‐law functions. Temperature‐dependent material properties and elasticity of tangential constraints of boundary edges are included. Governing equations are established within the framework of classical shell theory taking into account von Kármán–Donnell nonlinearity and interactive pressure from surrounding elastic media. Multiterm analytical solutions for simply supported NCSs are assumed and Galerkin procedure is utilized to derive expressions of buckling load and nonlinear load–deflection relation. An iteration process is adopted to determine critical thermal loads and postbuckling temperature–deflection paths. Numerous parametric studies are carried out to assess many different effects on thermal buckling resistance and postbuckling load carrying capabilities. The study reveals that porosity and tangential edge constraint have beneficial and deteriorative influences on the thermal stability of the NCSs, respectively. Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrate that surrounding elastic media have significantly beneficial influences on the thermal nonlinear stability of FGPM NCSs.
A fixed point method for stability of nonlinear volterra integral equations in the sense of Ulam
Authors: Öğrekçi Süleyman , Başcı Yasemin , Mısır Adil
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we investigate the Hyers–Ulam and Hyers–Ulam–Rassias stability of solutions of a general class of nonlinear Volterra integral equations. By applying a fixed point theorem and modifying a technique widely used in similar problems, we improve some well‐known results on this problem. We also provide some examples illustrating the improvement of the results mentioned.
An HIE‐FDTD algorithm for dispersive media with modified Lorentz model
Authors: Chen Faxiang
Published: December 2022

In this letter, a hybrid implicit–explicit finite difference time domain (HIE‐FDTD) method is developed to simulate general dispersive media with modified Lorentz model. The dispersive media is described through modified Lorentz model and is incorporated into the HIE‐FDTD method by two different auxiliary differential equations (ADEs). One ADE establishes the relationship between the electric displacement and electric field intensity and the other one establishes the connection between the electric current density and electric field intensity. Numerical examples are conducted and it can be seen from the numerical results that the proposed algorithm can simulate dispersive media correctly and also improve computational efficiency compared with the FDTD method and one unconditionally stable FDTD method.
Post‐acquisition water‐signal removal in 3D water‐unsuppressed 1H‐MR spectroscopic imaging of the prostate
Authors: Stamatelatou Angeliki , Sima Diana M. , van Huffel Sabine , van Asten Jack J. A. , Heerschap Arend , Scheenen Tom W. J.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To develop a robust processing procedure of raw signals from water‐unsuppressed MRSI of the prostate for the mapping of absolute tissue concentrations of metabolites.

Methods

Water‐unsuppressed 3D MRSI data were acquired from a phantom, from healthy volunteers, and a patient with prostate cancer. Signal processing included sequential computation of the modulus of the FID to remove water sidebands, a Hilbert transformation, and k‐space Hamming filtering. For the removal of the water signal, we compared Löwner tensor‐based blind source separation (BSS) and Hankel Lanczos singular value decomposition techniques. Absolute metabolite levels were quantified with LCModel and the results were statistically analyzed to compare the water removal methods and conventional water‐suppressed MRSI.

Results

The post‐processing algorithms successfully removed the water signal and its sidebands without affecting metabolite signals. The best water removal performance was achieved by Löwner tensor‐based BSS. Absolute tissue concentrations of citrate in the peripheral zone derived from water‐suppressed and unsuppressed 1H MRSI were the same and as expected from the known physiology of the healthy prostate. Maps for citrate and choline from water‐unsuppressed 3D 1H‐MRSI of the prostate showed expected spatial variations in metabolite levels.

Conclusion

We developed a robust relatively simple post‐processing method of water‐unsuppressed MRSI of the prostate to remove the water signal. Absolute quantification using the water signal, originating from the same location as the metabolite signals, avoids the acquisition of additional reference data.
Nurse competence provides more individuality in the care of older hospitalized people
Authors: Katja Lahtinen , Terhi Lemetti , Minna Stolt , Jouko Katajisto , Riitta Suhonen
Published: December 2022

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess Registered Nurses' perceptions of general nurse competence, patient‐centred care competence, and individuality in the care of older patients and to explore their associations.

Design

A descriptive correlative survey.

Methods

Data were collected using questionnaires at one Finnish university hospital during winter 2016–2017 amongst Registered Nurses (n = 223) and analyzedd statistically using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, Pearson's correlations coefficients) and path analysis.

Results

Registered Nurses assessed their general competence, patient‐centred care competenc,e and individuality in the care of older patients at a good level. The Path model confirmed general nurse competence was a predictor of patient‐centred care competence, which in turn was a predictor of individuality in the nursing care of older patients. The novelty lies in empirical confirmation of the association between nurse competence and individuality in the care. Increasing competence may enhance individuality in the care of older people and enable interventions to support care outcomes.
Association of sleep duration and physical frailty with cognitive function in older patients with coexisting atrial fibrillation and heart failure
Authors: Seo Eun Ji , Won Mi Hwa , Son Youn‐Jung
Published: December 2022

Aim

To investigate the associations of sleep duration and physical frailty with cognitive function in older patients with both atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

Design

This study used a cross‐sectional, secondary data analysis design.

Method

We included outpatients aged ≥ 65 years with coexisting atrial fibrillation and heart failure in South Korea. We used a sample of 176 patients (men = 100) with HF among 277 data from the parent study. The data were collected through a self‐report, structured questionnaire and electronic medical record.

Results

Our main finding showed that long sleep duration and physically frail status were significant predictors of cognitive impairment in older adults with both atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Healthcare providers should be aware of the importance of assessing sleep duration and physical activity in older adults with both atrial fibrillation and heart failure to prevent or delay cognitive impairment.
HIV self‐testing enabled access to testing for Black persons: The GetaKit study
Authors: O'Byrne Patrick , Musten Alexandra , McCready Lance , Robinson Robin , Durrant Garfield , Tigert Jason , Orser Lauren
Published: December 2022

In Ontario, new HIV diagnoses continue to affect gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and persons of African, Caribbean, or Black (ACB) ethnicities. Because treatment and suppressed viral loads flow from diagnosis, testing is key. We sought to determine the outcomes of online ordering and mail‐out of free at‐home HIV self‐testing in Ontario, Canada. We implemented the GetaKit study to offer such free HIV self‐testing using the INSTI® test and offered it via a website (GetaKit.ca) to eligible persons in Ontario. From April 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, we distributed kits to 1551 persons; 40% were white and 26% were ACB. We found that ACB participants were less likely to fulfill established criteria for HIV PrEP, such as previous sexually transmitted infections diagnoses and drug use, despite having a similar test positivity rate. We also found that ACB women, who may represent a larger number of new infections than previously thought, did not have a higher rate of first‐time testing. Our results suggest that HIV self‐testing can enable testing, but that work is required to increase uptake among ACB persons and women. Overall, HIV self‐testing thus corresponded with increased testing among persons who were Black, yet lower rates of results reporting. Patient or Public Contributions: Community members from the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, Max Ottawa, and Black Cap, and nurses from Ottawa Public Health were involved in the design, promotion, and implementation of this study.
Novel molecules and target genes for vegetative heat tolerance in wheat
Authors: Rose Teresa , Wilkinson Mark , Lowe Claudia , Xu Jiemeng , Hughes David , Hassall Kirsty L. , Hassani‐Pak Keywan , Amberkar Sandeep , Noleto‐Dias Clarice , Ward Jane , Heuer Sigrid
Published: December 2022

To prevent yield losses caused by climate change, it is important to identify naturally tolerant genotypes with traits and related pathways that can be targeted for crop improvement. Here we report on the characterization of contrasting vegetative heat tolerance in two UK bread wheat varieties. Under chronic heat stress, the heat‐tolerant cultivar Cadenza produced an excessive number of tillers which translated into more spikes and higher grain yield compared to heat‐sensitive Paragon. RNAseq and metabolomics analyses revealed that over 5000 genotype‐specific genes were differentially expressed, including photosynthesis‐related genes, which might explain the observed ability of Cadenza to maintain photosynthetic rate under heat stress. Around 400 genes showed a similar heat‐response in both genotypes. Only 71 genes showed a genotype × temperature interaction. As well as known heat‐responsive genes such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), several genes that have not been previously linked to the heat response, particularly in wheat, have been identified, including dehydrins, ankyrin‐repeat protein‐encoding genes, and lipases. Contrary to primary metabolites, secondary metabolites showed a highly differentiated heat response and genotypic differences. These included benzoxazinoid (DIBOA, DIMBOA), and phenylpropanoids and flavonoids with known radical scavenging capacity, which was assessed via the DPPH assay. The most highly heat‐induced metabolite was (glycosylated) propanediol, which is widely used in industry as an anti‐freeze. To our knowledge, this is the first report on its response to stress in plants. The identified metabolites and candidate genes provide novel targets for the development of heat‐tolerant wheat.
Oligomerization of photochemically oxidized phenothiazine by nanostructured α‐Fe2O3
Authors: Sobrinho Luiza F , Nascimento Otaciro R , Icimoto Marcelo Y , Lanfredi Alexandre JC , Droppa Roosevelt , Nantes Iseli L
Published: December 2022

Phenothiazines (PTZs) and their derivatives are a group of compounds that have diverse applications in medicine, the dye industry and advanced materials. Due to the electron–hole donating characteristic, these compounds have also been applied in batteries and solar energy devices. PTZs can be converted into stable radical cations by chemical and photochemical reactions. The PTZ radical cations are reactive for polymerization. The photochemical formation of PTZ radical cations is favored in aggregates by the Type I mechanism in which one molecule in the triplet excited state abstracts one electron from a neighbor molecule. In the present study, 10H‐phenothiazine (PHT) was dissolved in chloroform and converted to the radical cation species (PHT•+) by UV light irradiation. The radical cation was characterized by UV–visible absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques. Addition of α‐Fe2O3 nanorods and nanowires to PHT•+ chloroform solution promoted its color change from orange to blue‐green. Absorption measurement revealed a significant decrease of the UV and visible bands assigned to radical cation species and the appearance of a broad band at the spectral region of 650 nm. The blue‐green solution was dried, leading to the formation of crystals that were characterized using the X‐ray diffraction technique. Considering possible PHT oligo(poly)merization, the crystals were analyzed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry that corroborated the formation of oligomers containing three, four and five PHT residues and their sulfoxide derivatives. The PHT oligomers retained photosensitivity and exhibited an electron paramagnetic resonance signal indicating possible applications as hole donors in electronic devices. Oligomerization was also obtained by aggregation of PHT•+ in sodium dodecylsulfate micelles indicating that proximity and orientation of the free radical molecules is the mechanism for the oligomerization. Therefore, a new route for PHT oligomerization catalyzed by α‐Fe2O3 nanowires is proposed. The method is readily available, inexpensive and environmentally safe. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Lactate‐based ionic liquids as chiral solvents for cellulose
Authors: Radicke Julian , Roos Eliane , Sebastiani Daniel , Brehm Martin , Kressler Jörg
Published: December 2022

We report the first example of a chiral polymer—cellulose—being dissolved in both enantiomers of a chiral solvent. We synthesized six room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) based on imidazolium and 1,2,3‐triazolium cations and lactate as chiral anion. Some of them have not been described before. We characterize the dissolution of cellulose in the ILs, which are found to be relatively good cellulose solvents with a solubility of up to 18.5 wt.‐%. At the same time, we find solubility differences of up to a factor of 3 between the enantiomers of the solvent, which is a very pronounced chiral recognition effect. Interestingly, the racemate of the solvent dissolves significantly less cellulose than either enantiopure form, which is a significant deviation from ideal mixing behavior. We also report the physicochemical properties of the six ILs (density, viscosity, decomposition temperature, NMR and circular dichroism spectra). Based on molecular dynamics simulations of the solutions and a model which we have published before, we attempt a semi‐quantitative prediction of the cellulose solubility, which yields solid results for the enantiopure solvents. From the simulation results, we obtain microscopic insight into the hydrogen bond network of the complex mixtures in which many different hydrogen bond donors and acceptors compete.
Soft polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane by coupling pulsed direct‐liquid injections with dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Cacot Laura , Carnide Guillaume , Kahn Myrtil L. , Naudé Nicolas , Stafford Luc , Clergereaux Richard
Published: December 2022

This work examines the combination of pulsed direct‐liquid injections with dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure for the deposition of organosilicon coatings using hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as the precursor and nitrogen as the carrier gas. In such conditions, deposition relies on the charging of micrometer droplets and their transport toward the substrate by the Coulomb force. The thin‐film morphology and extent of precursor fragmentation are strongly linked to the amount of energy provided by the filamentary discharge to HMDSO droplets. While cross‐linked and smooth coatings were achieved at low energies as in standard gas phase plasma polymers, viscous and droplet‐like structured thin films were deposited at higher energies. The latter material is attributed to the soft polymerization of HMDSO droplets related to plasma–droplet interactions.
Damage to OSG low‐k films during IPVD deposition of the Ta barrier layer
Authors: Serov Alexander O. , Ryabinkin Alexey N. , Vishnevskiy Alexey S. , Naumov Sergej , Pal Alexander F. , Rakhimova Tatyana V. , Seregin Dmitry S. , Vorotilov Konstantin A. , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: December 2022

The degradation of a porous organosilicate glass low‐k dielectric during the ionized physical vapor deposition of tantalum coating is studied. The main contribution to the damage is made by vacuum UV flux (1014–1015 s–1 cm–2) from the argon inductively coupled plasma of the ionizer, and the effect of the direct current magnetron sputter plasma is small. The damage by vacuum ultraviolet photons with an energy exceeding the band gap of the SiO2 matrix is associated not only with the removal of carbon‐containing groups (terminal CH3 and bridging CH2) but also with the breaking of Si–O bonds in the Si–O–Si matrix followed by the formation of hydrophilic Si–OH and Si–H groups. Consequently, the degree of damage can be much higher than would be expected from the depth of CH3 group depletion.
Control strategies for atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization of fluorinated silane thin films with antiadhesive properties
Authors: Laghi Giulia , Franco Domenico , Condorelli Guglielmo Guido , Gallerani Riccardo , Guglielmino Salvatore , Laurita Romolo , Morganti Dario , Traina Francesco , Conoci Sabrina , Gherardi Matteo
Published: December 2022

Finding proper strategies to control plasma polymerization processes is a crucial aspect to produce thin films with tailored characteristics. In this work, the validity of the Yasuda parameter W/FM (W: discharge power and FM: precursor feed rate) as a controlling parameter for a polymerization process assisted by an atmospheric pressure single electrode plasma jet and the aerosolized fluorinated silane precursor trimethoxy(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)silane is demonstrated. The properties of thin films deposited under different W/FM values are discussed using attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results suggest the presence of two deposition domains as a function of W/FM (an energy‐deficient domain and a monomer‐deficient domain), each inducing coatings with different chemical and physical properties. Furthermore, coatings deposited under the same W/FM values exhibit similar characteristics regardless of the power and feed rate values adopted. Considering the potential use of the deposited coatings to increase the antiadhesive properties of implantable medical devices, preliminary results on coatings' antiadhesive activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are presented.
High altitude pulmonary edema in children: A systematic review
Authors: Ucrós Santiago , Aparicio Camila , Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Ivy Dunbar
Published: December 2022

Introduction

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a form of acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by altitude‐related hypoxia seen in children as well as in adults. In this systematic review we focus in HAPE occurring in children and adolescents.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted including publications in children 0–18 years of age from three databases up to June 2022.

Results

Thirty‐five studies representing 210 cases were found. The mean age was 9.8 ± 3.6 years with a male/female ratio of 2.6. The peak age incidence was seen in children between 6 and 10 years old. Only two children (0.9%) were ≤2 years old. The mean altitude in 166 cases was 2861 masl. Only 17 cases (8.1%) occurred at altitudes below 2500 masl. Regarding the different HAPE subtypes there was a predominance of re‐entry HAPE (R‐HAPE) with 58%, followed by classic HAPE (C‐HAPE) with 37.6%. The mean time between arrival and onset of symptoms was 16.5 h. The mortality rate was 1.4%. In 10/28 (36%) of C‐HAPE cases there was a structural cardiac/pulmonary anomaly compared to 1/19 (5%) in R‐HAPE (p < 0.01). HAPE recurrence was found in 46 cases (21.9%). The involvement in the chest X‐rays was seen predominantly in the apices and in the right lung.

Conclusions

R‐HAPE was the most common HAPE subtype; HAPE peak age was found between 6 and 10 years of age; HAPE was more frequent in males and was rare in children under 2 years old; associated HAPE structural abnormalities were more common in C‐HAPE than in R‐HAPE.
Structure and function analysis of Sam68 and hnRNP A1 synergy in the exclusion of exon 7 from SMN2 transcripts
Authors: Nadal Marta , Anton Rosa , Dorca‐Arévalo Jonatan , Estébanez‐Perpiñá Eva , Tizzano Eduardo F. , Fuentes‐Prior Pablo
Published: December 2022

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the absence of a functional copy of the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 gene (SMN1). The nearly identical paralog, SMN2, cannot compensate for the loss of SMN1 because exon 7 is aberrantly skipped from most SMN2 transcripts, a process mediated by synergistic activities of Src‐associated during mitosis, 68 kDa (Sam68/KHDRBS1) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1. This results in the production of a truncated, nonfunctional protein that is rapidly degraded. Here, we present several crystal structures of Sam68 RNA‐binding domain (RBD). Sam68‐RBD forms stable symmetric homodimers by antiparallel association of helices α3 from two monomers. However, the details of domain organization and the dimerization interface differ significantly from previously characterized homologs. We demonstrate that Sam68 and hnRNP A1 can simultaneously bind proximal motifs within the central region of SMN2 (ex7). Furthermore, we show that the RNA‐binding pockets of the two proteins are close to each other in their heterodimeric complex and identify contact residues using crosslinking‐mass spectrometry. We present a model of the ternary Sam68·SMN2 (ex7)·hnRNP A1 complex that reconciles all available information on SMN1/2 splicing. Our findings have important implications for the etiology of SMA and open new avenues for the design of novel therapeutics to treat splicing diseases.
Unveiling the biological interface of protein complexes by mass spectrometry‐coupled methods
Authors: Shin Goeun , Lim Sung In
Published: December 2022

Most biomolecules become functional and bioactive by forming protein complexes through interaction with ligands that are diverse in size, shape, and physicochemical properties. In the complex biological milieu, the interaction is ligand‐specific, driven by molecular sensing, and involves the recognition of a binding interface localized within a protein structure. Mapping interfaces of protein complexes is a highly sought area of research as it delivers fundamental insights into proteomes and pathology and hence strategies for therapeutics. While X‐ray crystallography and electron microscopy remain the gold standard for structural elucidation of protein complexes, their artificial and static analytic nature often produces a non‐native interface that otherwise might be negligible or non‐existent in a biological environment. Recently, the mass spectrometry‐coupled approaches, chemical crosslinking (CLMS) and hydrogen‐deuterium exchange (HDMS) have become valuable analytic complements to the traditional techniques. These methods explicitly identify hot residues and motifs embedded in binding interfaces, especially when the interaction is predominantly dynamic, transient, and/or caused by an intrinsically disordered domain. Here, we review the principal role of CLMS and HDMS in protein structural biology with a particular emphasis on the contribution of recent examples to exploring biological interfaces. Additionally, we describe recent studies that utilized these methods to expand our understanding of protein complex formation and the related biological processes, to increase the probability of structure‐based drug design.
Evaluation of Bacillus subtilisPTA‐271 and Trichoderma atrovirideSC1 to control Botryosphaeria dieback and black‐foot pathogens in grapevine propagation material
Authors: Leal Catarina , Gramaje David , Fontaine Florence , Richet Nicolas , Trotel‐Aziz Patricia , Armengol Josep
Published: December 2022

Background

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are a complex group of diseases that lead to major economic losses in all wine‐producing countries. The investigation of biocontrol agents (BCAs) capable of forestalling or at least minimizing the development of GTDs has, recently, become a priority. Nursery experiments were set up to (i) assess the biocontrol effect of Trichoderma atroviride (Ta) SC1 and Bacillus subtilis (Bs) PTA‐271, alone and in simultaneous application, against Botryosphaeria dieback (BOT)‐ and black‐foot (BF)‐ associated pathogens during the grapevine propagation process and (ii) evaluate the success of the BCA inoculation during the grapevine propagation process, using quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the percentage of potentially infected plants and the percentage of fungal isolation from wood fragments of BOT and BF pathogens in nursery material treated with Ta SC1 and Bs PTA‐271, respectively. In one of the experiments, simultaneous treatments with Bs PTA‐271 and Ta SC1 caused a reduction in percentages of potentially infected plants and fungal isolation, from wood fragments containing BOT and BF pathogens.

CONCLUSION

These biological treatments may be relevant components of an integrated approach, using complementary management strategies to limit infection by GTD pathogens, but further research is still needed to elucidate the effectiveness of Bs PTA‐271 and the benefits of simultaneous application with Ta SC1 for the control of GTD pathogens in nurseries. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Charge Balanced Vacancy Engineering to Enhance the Thermoelectric Properties of GeMnTe2
Authors: Gao Lei , Li Wenhao , Wei Sitong , Yang Xinyue , Ji Zhen , Song Weiyu , Zheng Shuqi
Published: December 2022

As a derivative of GeTe and MnTe, GeMnTe2 exhibits a cubic structure with no phase transition. Compared to GeTe, it is considerably cheaper and has a significantly high carrier concentration compared to MnTe, making it an excellent thermoelectric (TE) material with promising applications. Herein, a charge‐balanced vacancy engineering strategy is employed, resulting in a significant improvement in the power factor of GeMnTe2. Furthermore, the density functional theory calculation shows that the doping of Bi and the absence of Ge synergically increase the density of states near the Fermi level. Power factors of ≈13.7 μW cm−1 K−2 are achieved at 8% Bi content, a 22% improvement compared to the undoped system, while a final maximum ZT value of about 1.12 and an average ZT value of 0.72 are achieved. This indicates that charge‐balance vacancy engineering is an effective optimization method for the GeMnTe2 system, which can effectively improve the TE performance.
Exponential stability of nonlinear switched systems with hybrid delayed impulses
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Liu Yang , Jiang Bangxin , Lu Jianquan
Published: December 2022

This article addresses the exponential stability problem of switched systems with hybrid delayed impulses that depend on both current states and historical states. Some sufficient conditions for exponential stability based on Lyapunov functions are obtained. In particular, the potential stabilizing and destabilizing effects of time delays in impulses are investigated. It is shown that when continuous dynamics are stable, the primal stabilizing impulses may destabilize the system if there exist delays in the impulses. Interestingly, under certain conditions, such delayed impulses cannot destroy the stability of the whole system for all impulsive time sequences with arbitrarily bounded impulsive intervals, and the sizes of the delays in the impulses can theoretically be arbitrarily finite. Finally, to illustrate the validity of the derived results, some examples and simulations are provided.
Iterative learning control based on dynamic time warping for a class of discrete‐time nonlinear systems with varying trial lengths and terminus constraint
Authors: Xia Jingkang , Zhang Ruiqing , Li Yanan , Huang Deqing , Li Xuefang
Published: December 2022

This article proposes a dynamic time warping (DTW)‐based iterative learning control (ILC) scheme for discrete‐time nonlinear systems to tackle the path learning problem with varying trial lengths and terminus constraint. By incorporating the improved DTW algorithm, the varying trial lengths are aligned as a desired length. Meanwhile, this algorithm can find the most similar waypoints between the output and the desired paths, which can be used to design an updating law and facilitate the convergence of path learning. Different from the existing ILC methods based on the probability distribution function for learning trajectory in the time domain, the method in this article can be applied to learn the spatial path corresponding to the desired trajectory. Furthermore, the learning property in the presence of variable initial states is discussed under the proposed method. Several illustrative examples manifest the validity of the proposed DTW‐based ILC algorithm.
Analyzing dental fluorosis data using a novel Bayesian model for clustered longitudinal ordinal outcomes with an inflated category
Authors: Kang Tong , Gaskins Jeremy , Levy Steven , Datta Somnath
Published: December 2022

We propose a Bayesian hurdle mixed‐effects model to analyze longitudinal ordinal data under a complex multilevel structure. This research was motivated by the dataset gathered from the Iowa Fluoride Study (IFS) in order to establish the relationships between fluorosis status and potential risk/protective factors. Dental fluorosis is characterized by spots on tooth enamel and is due to ingestion of excessive fluoride intake during enamel formation. Observations are collected from multiple surface zones on each tooth and on all available teeth of children from the studied cohort, which are longitudinally observed at ages 9, 13, and 17. The data not only exhibit a complex hierarchical structure, but also have a large proportion of zero values that are likely to follow different statistical patterns from non‐zero categories. Therefore, we develop a hurdle model to consider the zero category separately, while a proportional odds model is used for the positive categories. The estimated parameters are obtained from a Gibbs sampler implemented by theOpenBUGSsoftware. Our model is compared with two popular methods for ordinal data: the proportional odds model and the partial proportional odds model. We perform a comprehensive analysis of the IFS data and evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of our methodology through simulation studies. Our discoveries provide novel insights to statisticians and dental practitioners about the associations between patient and clinical characteristics and dental fluorosis.
Responsive hydrogel microfibers for biomedical engineering
Authors: Guo Jiahui , Luo Zhiqiang , Wang Fengyuan , Gu Hongcheng , Li Minli
Published: December 2022

Responsive hydrogel microfibers can realize multiple controllable changes in shapes or properties under the stimulation of the surrounding environment, and are called as intelligent biomaterials. Recently, these responsive hydrogel microfibers have been proved to possess significant biomedical values, and remarkable progress has been achieved in biomedical engineering applications, including drug delivery, biosensors and clinical therapy, etc. In this review, the latest research progress and application prospects of responsive hydrogel microfibers in biomedical engineering are summarized. We first introduce the common preparation strategies of responsive hydrogel microfibers. Subsequently, the response characteristics and the biomedical applications of these materials are discussed. Finally, the present opportunities and challenges as well as the prospects for future development are critically analyzed.
Stem cells for organoids
Authors: Qian Shutong , Mao Jiayi , Liu Zhimo , Zhao Binfan , Zhao Qiuyu , Lu Bolun , Zhang Liucheng , Mao Xiyuan , Cheng Liying , Cui Wenguo , Zhang Yuguang , Sun Xiaoming
Published: December 2022

Organoids are three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture systems that simulate the structures and functions of organs, involving applications in disease modeling, drug screening, and cellular developmental biology. The material matrix in organoids can provide a 3D environment for stem cells to differentiate into different cell types and continuously self‐renew, thereby realizing the in vitro culture of organs, which has received extensive attention in recent years. However, some challenges still exist in organoids, including low maturity, high heterogeneity, and lack of spatiotemporal regulation. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the culturing protocols and various applications of stem cell‐derived organoids and proposed insightful thoughts for engineering stem cells into organoids in view of the current shortcomings, to achieve the further application and clinical translation of stem cells and engineered stem cells in organoid research.
Universal Synthesized Strategy for Amorphous Pd‐Based Nanosheets Boosting Ambient Ammonia Electrosynthesis
Authors: Dong Zemeng , Sun Qiyan , Xu Guang‐Rui , Wu Zexing , Li Yanyan , Lai Jianping , Li Guangjiu , Wang Lei
Published: December 2022

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is emerging as a great promise for ambient and sustainable NH3 production while it still suffers from the high adsorption energy of N2, the difficulty of *NN protonation, and inevitable hydrogen evolution, leading to a great challenge for efficient NRR. Herein, we synthesized a series of amorphous trimetal Pd‐based (PdCoM (M = Cu, Ag, Fe, Mo)) nanosheets (NSs) with an ultrathin 2D structure, which shows high efficiency and robust electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation. Among them, amorphous PdCoCu NSs exhibit excellent NRR activity at low overpotentials with an NH3 yield of 60.68 µg h−1 mgcat−1 and a corresponding Faraday efficiency of 42.93% at −0.05 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode as well as outstanding stability with only 5% decrease after a long test period of 40 h at room temperature. The superior NRR activity and robust stability should be attributed to the large specific surface area, abundant active sites as well as structural engineering and electronic effect that boosts up the Pd 4d band center, which further efficiently restrains the hydrogen evolution. This work offers an opportunity for more energy conversion devices through the novel strategy for designing active and stable catalysts.
Defective Homojunction Porphyrin‐Based Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient Sonodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zeng Yuxuan , Ouyang Qunle , Yu Yi , Tan Lei , Liu Xiangmei , Zheng Yufeng , Wu Shuilin
Published: December 2022

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) with non‐invasiveness and high tissue‐penetrating ability has attracted widespread interest in treating deep‐seated tumors or infections. To enhance the treatment efficacy of SDT, the development of high‐efficiency and stable sonosensitizers are still needed. Herein, a defective homojunction porphyrin‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF) with greatly enhanced sonocatalytic ability is easily prepared and used for SDT of osteomyelitis infected by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Acetic acid and benzoic acid are chosen as modulators during the hydrothermal synthesis of porphyrin‐based MOF. It is found that the crystal structure of MOF shifts from PCN‐222 to PCN‐224 as the amount of acetic acid increases. Interestingly, the defective PCN (D‐PCN) contains a two‐phase homojunction structure of PCN‐222/PCN‐224. The sonocatalytic reactive oxygen species production presents a volcano‐type trend with increased acetic acid, among which D‐PCN‐2 with more content of PCN‐224 has the best sonocatalytic antibacterial ability. The reduced band gap introduced a defect, and type‐II homojunction structures of D‐PCN‐2 improve the separation of the ultrasound‐triggered electron hole, which significantly enhances the SDT effect. Through a mixed linker approach, this work develops a new defect‐induced homojunction MOF with great performance for SDT of MRSA‐infected osteomyelitis.
Recent Progress in Photodynamic Immunotherapy with Metal‐Based Photosensitizers
Authors: Xiong Kai , Wei Fangmian , Chen Yu , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: December 2022

Cancer ranks as a leading cause of death. There is an urgent need to develop minimally invasive methods to eradicate tumors and prevent their recurrence. As a light‐driven modality, photodynamic therapy takes advantage of high tumor selectivity and low normal tissue damage. However, it shows poor potential for preventing tumor recurrence. Immunotherapy is currently being used as an alternative treatment for the control of malignant diseases. Although immunotherapy can establish long‐time immune memory and efficiently protects treated patients from cancer relapse, its clinical efficacy is limited by the minority of patients’ responding rate. Recently, photodynamic immunotherapy, which utilizes photosensitizers as an immunotherapy trigger to exert synergistic effects of photodynamic therapy and tumor immunotherapy, has attracted considerable interest. Like all the newly proposed treatments, there is still room for improvement. In this mini review, the progress in photodynamic immunotherapy with metal‐based photosensitizers is summarized. It is hoped that this review can give a broad update on photodynamic immunotherapy and inspire readers.
Application of the new Italian assessment guidelines to a 1960s prestressed concrete road bridge
Authors: Fox Matthew J. , Furinghetti Marco , Pavese Alberto
Published: December 2022

The Italian road network comprises many bridges that were constructed around the middle of last century and are now close to, or have exceeded, their intended design lives. The advanced state of degradation of many of the bridges has been a contributing factor in a number of collapses in recent years, with the problem being particularly prevalent in prestressed concrete construction. In response to the need for improvements in the reliability of existing Italian bridges, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure published in 2020 a new set of guidelines for assessment and monitoring. This article undertakes a critical review of the guidelines, which are currently in a trial phase, through the multilevel assessment of a case‐study prestressed concrete road bridge. Four key areas for potential improvement in future revisions are identified: refinement of the level 3 preliminary assessment approach, greater emphasis on assessment rather than design thinking, objective Knowledge Levels, and treatment of elements with unknown levels of degradation.
Macrophytes as passive bioindicators of trace element pollution in the aquatic environment
Authors: Polechońska Ludmiła , Klink Agnieszka
Published: December 2022

Pollution with trace elements is considered a global problem due to their persistence, nondegradability, and toxicity to living organisms. Aquatic ecosystems are often the final sinks for trace elements, but these pollutants are quickly diluted and difficult to detect and, therefore, comprehensive monitoring of pollution is needed to implement appropriate control measures and prevent irreversible damage to these habitats. Bioindication is one of the recommended methods as it provides information not only on the pollution level but also on the bioavailability of elements and their biological impact. The paper is a synthetic review of the knowledge about the use of macrophytes as passive bioindicators (accumulator taxa) of trace element pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Various aspects of bioindication using accumulator aquatic plants are discussed: the criteria defined for the organisms used in biogeochemical bioindication, advantages of plants as accumulative bioindicators, general trends in the uptake, and accumulation of pollutants by macrophytes (including differences between life forms, organs, and seasons). The use of various groups of macrophytes in accumulative bioindication is described in detail with an emphasis on the relationship between element levels in plant tissues and their habitat as well as performance in the detection of pollution gradients. Knowledge gaps and limitations in the field of bioindication using accumulative macrophytes are indicated and the future perspective is outlined.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Quality

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness