bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatocarcinogenesis: How Do Peroxisome Proliferators Relate?
Authors: Farber Emmanuel
Published: March 2008

There is an increasing awareness that many peroxisome proliferators are being introduced into our environment and many of these have shown carcinogenic activity in some rodent species. The agents involved include drugs (e.g., hypolipdemic agents of several chemical structures including HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) and industrial chemicals. The neoplasms seen are mainly in the liver with a variable incidence in the pancreas. The association between peroxisome proliferation and neoplasms is impressive. Yet, there are several seemingly fundamental differences between carcinogenic peroxisome proliferators and mutagenic or genotoxic chemical carcinogens. Peroxisome proliferators in general are neither mutagenic nor genotoxic and do not induce precancerous hepatic lesions and liver cell cancer until they have reached the late stage. With many agents, it appears that a considerable degree of peroxisome proliferation must take place for them to be carcinogenic. One poorly documented speculation is that peroxisome proliferators induce cancer by acting mainly as promoters, presupposing that the animals being tested are “preinitiated,” a conclusion that is scientifically indefensible. This presentation covers a comparison between the key requirements for cancer development with genotoxic agents and those seen with peroxisome proliferators, and discusses the methylation of genes for selective enzymes of the resistance phenotype induced by mutagenic carcinogens.
Emergency Contraception for Patients Taking Isotretinoin
Authors: Gold Sarah , Horvath Sarah , Zaenglein Andrea
Published: April 2024

This Viewpoint explains the need for emergency contraception as the last chance to avoid pregnancy for patients taking isotretinoin.
Cutaneous Stigmata of Bacterial Endocarditis
Authors: Castrichini Matteo , Haemmerle Robert J. , Tosh Pritish K.
Published: April 2024

This case report describes Osler nodes and Janeway lesions on a man in his 70s.
A Dynamical Systems View of Psychiatric Disorders—Practical Implications
Authors: Scheffer Marten , Bockting Claudi L. , Borsboom Denny , Cools Roshan , Delecroix Clara , Hartmann Jessica A. , Kendler Kenneth S. , van de Leemput Ingrid , van der Maas Han L. J. , van Nes Egbert , Mattson Mark , McGorry Pat D. , Nelson Barnaby
Published: April 2024

Importance

Dynamical systems theory is widely used to explain tipping points, cycles, and chaos in complex systems ranging from the climate to ecosystems. It has been suggested that the same theory may be used to explain the nature and dynamics of psychiatric disorders, which may come and go with symptoms changing over a lifetime. Here we review evidence for the practical applicability of this theory and its quantitative tools in psychiatry.

Observations

Emerging results suggest that time series of mood and behavior may be used to monitor the resilience of patients using the same generic dynamical indicators that are now employed globally to monitor the risks of collapse of complex systems, such as tropical rainforest and tipping elements of the climate system. Other dynamical systems tools used in ecology and climate science open ways to infer personalized webs of causality for patients that may be used to identify targets for intervention. Meanwhile, experiences in ecological restoration help make sense of the occasional long-term success of short interventions.

Conclusions and Relevance

Those observations, while promising, evoke follow-up questions on how best to collect dynamic data, infer informative timescales, construct mechanistic models, and measure the effect of interventions on resilience. Done well, monitoring resilience to inform well-timed interventions may be integrated into approaches that give patients an active role in the lifelong challenge of managing their resilience and knowing when to seek professional help.
Disparities in Mentorship and Implications for US Surgical Resident Education and Wellness
Authors: Silver Casey M. , Yuce Tarik K. , Clarke Callisia N. , Schlick Cary Jo R. , Khorfan Rhami , Amortegui Daniela , Nussbaum Michael , Turner Patricia L. , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Hu Yue-Yung
Published: April 2024

Importance

Many surgeons cite mentorship as a critical component of training. However, little evidence exists regarding factors associated with mentorship and the influence of mentorship on trainee education or wellness.

Objectives

To evaluate factors associated with surgical trainees’ perceptions of meaningful mentorship, assess associations of mentorship with resident education and wellness, and evaluate programmatic variation in mentorship.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A voluntary, anonymous survey was administered to clinically active residents in all accredited US general surgery residency programs following the 2019 American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination. Data were analyzed from July 2019 to July 2022.

Exposure

Residents were asked, “Do you have a mentor who genuinely cares about you and your career?”

Main Outcomes and Measures

Resident characteristics associated with report of meaningful mentorship were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression. Associations of mentorship with education (clinical and operative autonomy) and wellness (career satisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, suicidality) were examined using cluster-adjusted multivariable logistic regression controlling for resident and program factors. Residents’ race and ethnicity were self-identified using US census categories (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White), which were combined and dichotomized as non-Hispanic White vs non-White or Hispanic.

Results

A total of 6956 residents from 301 programs completed the survey (85.6% response rate); 6373 responded to all relevant questions (2572 [40.3%] female; 2539 [39.8%] non-White or Hispanic). Of these, 4256 (66.8%) reported meaningful mentorship. Non-White or Hispanic residents were less likely than non-Hispanic White residents to report meaningful mentorship (odds ratio [OR], 0.81, 95% CI, 0.71-0.91). Senior residents (postgraduate year 4/5) were more likely to report meaningful mentorship than interns (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.59-3.62). Residents with meaningful mentorship were more likely to endorse operative autonomy (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 3.35-4.46) and less likely to report burnout (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.46-0.58), thoughts of attrition (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.36-0.50), and suicidality (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60) compared with residents without meaningful mentorship.

Conclusions and Relevance

One-third of trainees reported lack of meaningful mentorship, particularly non-White or Hispanic trainees. Although education and wellness are multifactorial issues, mentorship was associated with improvement; thus, efforts to facilitate mentorship are needed, especially for minoritized residents.
Reasoning versus prior beliefs: The case of COVID‐19 fake news
Authors: Čavojová Vladimíra , Lorko Matej , Šrol Jakub
Published: April 2024

We conduct a survey on a large representative sample of Slovak population to examine the role of analytic thinking, scientific reasoning, conspiracy mentality, and conspiracy beliefs in trust in COVID‐19 fake news and willingness to share it. We find that the ability to distinguish between fake and real news about COVID‐19 is significantly negatively correlated with conspiracy mentality and with beliefs in pandemic‐related conspiracy theories. Analytic thinking is not a significant predictor. Although fake news is generally less likely to be trusted and shared than real news, when fake news is consistent with preexisting opinions, people are more willing to share it compared with belief‐consistent real news. We also find that people are mostly overconfident in their ability to distinguish between fake and real news, and we identify a subpopulation of people that refuse to get vaccinated who trust fake COVID‐19 news significantly more than real news. Thus, consistency with one's beliefs is the best indicator of trust in fake news and willingness to share such news.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites as Piezoelectric Nanogenerator: Properties, Fabrication and Market Applications
Authors: Mukherjee Anindita , Dasgupta Ghosh Barnali , Ghosh Anupam , Roy Sunanda
Published: April 2024

Depletion of fossil fuels and increase in pollution through chemical batteries trigger the development of self‐powered devices based on flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNG). Biocompatible piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites merged with piezoelectric fillers like ZnO, KNN, and BaTiO3 reproduce amended piezoelectric current, contributing to the safe application as biosensors and flexible industrial devices. Optimized loading, precise selection, and variating the surface chemistry of piezoelectric filler, along with fabrication schemes comprising different structural configurations of composites, considerably influence its potential for application as an energy harvester. Also, optimized processing condition upgrades dielectric constant and energy storage density, and reduces dielectric loss, thereby plummeting energy dissipation even after prolonged usage. Consequently, this article reviews the principles, properties, fabrication techniques, and market application of PVDF composites. A detailed relationship of significant electrical properties of PVDF composites with its fabrication methods and (piezoelectric parameters of fabricated PVDF composites with reported real‐life wearable, implantable, and industrial‐based portable piezoelectric devices are discussed in detail along with tabulated data for a clear understanding of structure–property relationship. Again, the market strategy for establishing flexible PVDF composite as a PNG has been discussed. A piece of in‐depth knowledge is provided for procuring affordable futuristic large‐scale PVDF‐based nanogenerators exhibiting affordable market worth.
The Explicit Multi‐Electron Catalytic Mechanism of Heteropolyvanadotungstate Dominating Ultra‐Durable Room‐Temperature Na‐S Batteries
Authors: Zhang Jia‐Yuan , Zhang Xi‐Yue , Wang Jie , Feng Yi , Fan Lin‐Lin , Cao Yun‐Dong , Liu Hong , Lv Cai‐Li , Gao Guang‐Gang
Published: April 2024

The room‐temperature sodium‐sulfur (RT Na‐S) batteries have been seriously hindered in their practical application due to the sluggish redox kinetics and incomplete conversion of polysulfides. In this study, a structure‐determined Keggin‐type heteropolyvanadotungstate of H5PW10V2O40·30H2O (PW10V2) is engineered and reveal its catalytic mechanism in RT Na‐S system. With the assistance of precise V sites and highly reversible multi‐electron redox properties, PW10V2 as a bidirectional molecular catalyst expedites the complete conversions between polysulfides and the insoluble sodium sulfide, while undergoing the reversible transformation between its reduced and oxidized states. Furthermore, PW10V2 with multicenter active sites can capture polysulfides efficiently. Consequently, the cell with the constructed PW10V2‐based modified separator achieves the perdurable cyclability up to 4000 loops even at 10 C toward an exceptionally low capacity decay rate of 0.012% per cycle, far surpassing those of current state‐of‐the‐art RT Na‐S batteries that employ the functional materials based on separator. This work first demonstrates the underlying electrochemical reaction processes of polyoxometalate‐based functional materials, which guides solving the challenging issues related to sodium polysulfides in RT Na‐S batteries.
Dendrite‐Free Zinc Anode via Oriented Plating with Alkaline Earth Metal Ion Additives
Authors: Cao Jin , Wu Junxiu , Wu Haiyang , Jin Yan , Luo Ding , Yang Xuelin , Zhang Lulu , Zhang Dongdong , Qin Jiaqian , Lu Jun
Published: April 2024

The cost‐effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered significant attention. Nevertheless, obstacles such as dendrite growth and side reactions have hindered their practical application. Here, an alkaline earth metal ion, strontium ions (Sr2+), is chosen as a dual‐functional electrolyte additive to improve the reversibility of ZIBs. Importantly, Sr2+ ions adsorb on the anode surface, creating a dynamic electrostatic shield layer, thus regulating the Zn2+ deposition behavior and suppressing side reactions. Meanwhile, Sr2+ ions prefer to adsorb on (002) and (110) planes of Zn, thus inducing the preferential deposition of (100) crystal plane and achieving dendrite‐free zinc anode. Consequently, the assembled Zn||Zn symmetric battery delivers an ultralong lifespan of 3500 h, and the Zn||Ti asymmetric battery shows a superior Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% for Zn stripping/plating at 2 mA cm−2. Further, the Zn||NH4V4O10 battery presents an excellent retention of 97.7% over 800 cycles under 2 A g−1. This research introduces a novel alkaline earth metal ion electrolyte additive and establishes its persistent dynamic electrostatic shielding effect and preferentially oriented (100) plane plating, ensuring dendrite‐free zinc deposition. These findings chart a course for further exploration of unexplored alkaline earth elements in enhancing metal battery technologies.
Precisely Self‐Cooperative Nanoassembly Enables Photothermal/Ferroptosis Synergistic Tumor Eradication
Authors: Yang Xiaohong , Feng Chengcheng , Wang Pengfei , Xie Shishi , Wang Yuequan , Zhang Haotian , He Zhonggui , Zhang Shenwu , Luo Cong
Published: April 2024

Ferroptosis is identified as a potential target for anticancer therapy. However, most conventional ferroptosis inducers not only fail to trigger intracellular lipid peroxidation storm, but are also prone to cause ferroptosis‐related toxicity through off‐target destruction of intracellular antioxidant defense systems. Therefore, a potent and highly tumor‐specific ferroptosis induction modality is desired. Herein, a self‐cooperative nanomedicine for imaging‐guided photothermal ferrotherapy, which is fabricated based on molecular nanoassembly (NA) of DiR (a photothermal probe) and ferrocene (Fc, a reactant of the Fenton reaction), is elaborately exploited. DiR‐elicited hyperthermia induces both photothermal therapy (PTT) and a significant acceleration of the kinetics of the Fc‐involved Fenton reaction, collaboratively causing a lipid peroxidation storm in tumor cells. In turn, plenty of lipid peroxides boost PTT through the downregulation of heat shock protein 90. As expected, such a self‐cooperative NA demonstrates synergetic tumor eradication in the 4T1 breast tumor‐bearing mice xenograft model. This study offers a novel nanotherapeutic paradigm for precise multimodal cancer therapy.
A Gelatin/Alginate Double Network Hydrogel Nerve Guidance Conduit Fabricated by a Chemical‐Free Gamma Radiation for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Park Junggeon , Choe Goeun , Jeong Sung‐In , Kim Hyung‐Seok , Lee Jae Young
Published: April 2024

Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are widely developed using various materials for the functional repair of injured or diseased peripheral nerves. Especially, hydrogels are considered highly suitable for the fabrication of NGCs due to their beneficial tissue‐mimicking characteristics (e.g., high water content, softness, and porosity). However, the practical applications of hydrogel‐based NGCs are hindered due to their poor mechanical properties and complicated fabrication processes. To bridge this gap, a novel double‐network (DN) hydrogel using alginate and gelatin by a two‐step crosslinking process involving chemical‐free gamma irradiation and ionic crosslinking, is developed. DN hydrogels (1% alginate and 15% gelatin), crosslinked with 30 kGy gamma irradiation and barium ions, exhibit substantially improved mechanical properties, including tensile strength, elastic modulus, and fracture stain, compared to single network (SN) gelatin hydrogels. Additionally, the DN hydrogel NGC exhibits excellent kink resistance, mechanical stability to successive compression, suture retention, and enzymatic degradability. In vivo studies with a sciatic defect rat model indicate substantially improved nerve function recovery with the DN hydrogel NGC compared to SN gelatin and commercial silicone NGCs, as confirm footprint analysis, electromyography, and muscle weight measurement. Histological examination reveals that, in the DN NGC group, the expression of Schwann cell and neuronal markers, myelin sheath, and exon diameter are superior to the other controls. Furthermore, the DN NGC group demonstrates increased muscle fiber formation and reduced fibrotic scarring. These findings suggest that the mechanically robust, degradable, and biocompatible DN hydrogel NGC can serve as a novel platform for peripheral nerve regeneration and other biomedical applications, such as implantable tissue constructs.
Antibody‐Conjugated Nanogel with Two Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chae Yun Jin , Lee Kang‐Gon , Oh Doogie , Lee Su‐Kyoung , Park Yongdoo , Kim Jongseong
Published: April 2024

Cancer immunotherapy by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) acts on antitumor responses by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. However, this powerful therapy is hampered by its high treatment cost and limited efficacy. Here, it is shown that the development of an antibody‐conjugated nanogel (ANGel), consisting of N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid and antibody‐binding protein (protein A), potentiates the efficacy of two ICI monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (cytotoxic‐T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 and programmed death ligand‐1 mAbs). Compared with mAb treatment alone, treatment with a bispecific ANGel surface‐conjugated with the mAbs significantly decreases both the survival of Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) and M D Anderson‐Metastatic Breast‐231 (MDA‐MB‐231) breast cancer cells in vitro and the burden of 4T1‐luciferase‐2‐derived orthotopic syngeneic tumors in vivo. The bispecific ANGel is also more potent than the conventional treatment at prolonging survival in animals with triple‐negative breast cancer. The advantage of the bispecific ANGel over other engineered bispecific antibodies arises not only from the adaptability to link multiple antibodies quickly and easily, but also from the capability to maintain the anticancer effect steadily at subcutaneously delivered tumor site. This finding has an important implication for cancer immunotherapy, opening a new paradigm to treat solid tumors.
Efficient Delivery of Lomitapide using Hybrid Membrane‐Coated Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures for Glioblastoma Therapy
Authors: Song Mingming , Tian Jiameng , Wang Li , Dong Shuqi , Fu Kun , Chen Siyu , Liu Chang
Published: April 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and prevalent primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Traditional chemotherapy has poor therapeutic effects and significant side effects due to drug resistance, the natural blood‐brain barrier (BBB), and nonspecific distribution, leading to a lack of clinically effective therapeutic drugs. Here, 1430 small molecule compounds are screened based on a high‐throughput drug screening platform and a novel anti‐GBM drug, lomitapide (LMP) is obtained. Furthermore, a bionic nanodrug delivery system (RFA NPs) actively targeting GBM is constructed, which mainly consists of tetrahedral DNA nanocages (tFNA NPs) loaded with LMP as the core and a folate‐modified erythrocyte–cancer cell–macrophage hybrid membrane (FRUR) as the shell. FRUR camouflage conferred unique features on tFNA NPs, including excellent biocompatibility, improved pharmacokinetic profile, efficient BBB permeability, and tumor targeting ability. The results show that the LMP RFA NPs exhibited superior and specific anti‐GBM activities, reduced off‐target drug delivery, prolonged lifespan, and has negligible side effects in tumor‐bearing mice. This study combines high‐throughput drug screening with biomimetic nanodrug delivery system technology to provide a theoretical and practical basis for drug development and the optimization of clinical treatment strategies for GBM treatment.
Biomass Solid‐State Electrolyte with Abundant Ion and Water Channels for Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Dou Haozhen , Xu Mi , Zhang Zhen , Luo Dan , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: April 2024

Flexible zinc–air batteries are the leading candidates as the next‐generation power source for flexible/wearable electronics. However, constructing safe and high‐performance solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) with intrinsic hydroxide ion (OH−) conduction remains a fundamental challenge. Herein, by adopting the natural and robust cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as building blocks, the biomass SSEs with penetrating ion and water channels are constructed by knitting the OH−‐conductive CNFs and water‐retentive CNFs together via an energy‐efficient tape casting. Benefiting from the abundant ion and water channels with interconnected hydrated OH− wires for fast OH− conduction under a nanoconfined environment, the biomass SSEs reveal the high water‐uptake, impressive OH− conductivity of 175 mS cm−1 and mechanical robustness simultaneously, which overcomes the commonly existed dilemma between ion conductivity and mechanical property. Remarkably, the flexible zinc–air batteries assemble with biomass SSEs deliver an exceptional cycle lifespan of 310 h and power density of 126 mW cm−2. The design methodology for water and ion channels opens a new avenue to design high‐performance SSEs for batteries.
SRSF1 Is Required for Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Thermogenic Function in Brown Adipocytes Through its Control of Ndufs3 Splicing
Authors: Yuan Ningyang , Shen Lei , Peng Qian , Sha Rula , Wang Zhenzhen , Xie Zhiqi , You Xue , Feng Ying
Published: April 2024

RNA splicing dysregulation and the involvement of specific splicing factors are emerging as common factors in both obesity and metabolic disorders. The study provides compelling evidence that the absence of the splicing factor SRSF1 in mature adipocytes results in whitening of brown adipocyte tissue (BAT) and impaired thermogenesis, along with the inhibition of white adipose tissue browning in mice. Combining single‐nucleus RNA sequencing with transmission electron microscopy, it is observed that the transformation of BAT cell types is associated with dysfunctional mitochondria, and SRSF1 deficiency leads to degenerated and fragmented mitochondria within BAT. The results demonstrate that SRSF1 effectively binds to constitutive exon 6 of Ndufs3 pre‐mRNA and promotes its inclusion. Conversely, the deficiency of SRSF1 results in impaired splicing of Ndufs3, leading to reduced levels of functional proteins that are essential for mitochondrial complex I assembly and activity. Consequently, this deficiency disrupts mitochondrial integrity, ultimately compromising the thermogenic capacity of BAT. These findings illuminate a novel role for SRSF1 in influencing mitochondrial function and BAT thermogenesis through its regulation of Ndufs3 splicing within BAT.
Rationally Engineering pH Adaptation of Acid‐Induced Arginine Decarboxylase from Escherichia coli to Alkaline Environments to Efficiently Biosynthesize Putrescine
Authors: Wang Li , Ding Bo , Hu Xiangyang , Li Guohui , Deng Yu
Published: April 2024

Acid‐induced arginine decarboxylase AdiA is a typical homo‐oligomeric protein biosynthesizing alkaline nylon monomer putrescine. However, upon loss of the AdiA decamer oligomeric state at neutral and alkaline conditions the activity also diminishes, obstructing the whole‐cell biosynthesis of alkaline putrescine. Here, a structure cohesion strategy is proposed to change the pH adaptation of AdiA to alkaline environments based on the rational engineering of meridional and latitudinal oligomerization interfaces. After integrating substitutions of E467K at the latitudinal interface and H736E at the meridional channel interface, the structural stability of AdiA decamer and its substrate transport efficiency at neutral and alkaline conditions are improved. Finally, E467K_H736E is well adapted to neutral and alkaline environments (pH 7.0–9.0), and its enzymatic activity is 35‐fold higher than that of wild AdiA at pH 8.0. Using E467K_H736E in the putrescine synthesis pathway, the titer of putrescine is up to 128.9 g·L−1 with a conversion of 0.94 mol·mol−1 in whole‐cell catalysis. Additionally, the neutral pH adaptation of lysine decarboxylase, with a decamer structure similar to AdiA, is also improved using this cohesion strategy, providing an option for pH‐adaptation engineering of other oligomeric decarboxylases.
Thrombospondin‐1 Regulates Trophoblast Necroptosis via NEDD4‐Mediated Ubiquitination of TAK1 in Preeclampsia
Authors: Hu Haoyue , Ma Jing , Peng You , Feng Rixuan , Luo Chenling , Zhang Minyi , Tao Zixin , Chen Lu , Zhang Tao , Chen Wenqian , Yin Qian , Zhai Jinguo , Chen Jun , Yin Ailan , Wang Chi Chiu , Zhong Mei
Published: April 2024

Preeclampsia (PE) is considered as a disease of placental origin. However, the specific mechanism of placental abnormalities remains elusive. This study identified thrombospondin‐1 (THBS1) is downregulated in preeclamptic placentae and negatively correlated with blood pressure. Functional studies show that THBS1 knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion and increases the cycle arrest and apoptosis rate of HTR8/SVneo cells. Importantly, THBS1 silencing induces necroptosis in HTR8/SVneo cells, accompanied by the release of damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Necroptosis inhibitors necrostatin‐1 and GSK′872 restore the trophoblast survival while pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK has no effect. Mechanistically, the results show that THBS1 interacts with transforming growth factor B‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1), which is a central modulator of necroptosis quiescence and affects its stability. Moreover, THBS1 silencing up‐regulates the expression of neuronal precursor cell‐expressed developmentally down‐regulated 4 (NEDD4), which acts as an E3 ligase of TAK1 and catalyzes K48‐linked ubiquitination of TAK1 in HTR8/SVneo cells. Besides, THBS1 attenuates PE phenotypes and improves the placental necroptosis in vivo. Taken together, the down‐regulation of THBS1 destabilizes TAK1 by activating NEDD4‐mediated, K48‐linked TAK1 ubiquitination and promotes necroptosis and DAMPs release in trophoblast cells, thus participating in the pathogenesis of PE.
A Dual‐Cation Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer for Continuous H2 Production from Seawater
Authors: Ren Yongwen , Fan Faying , Zhang Yaojian , Chen Lin , Wang Zhe , Li Jiedong , Zhao Jingwen , Tang Bo , Cui Guanglei
Published: April 2024

Direct seawater splitting (DSS) offers an aspirational route toward green hydrogen (H2) production but remains challenging when operating in a practically continuous manner, mainly due to the difficulty in establishing the water supply–consumption balance under the interference from impurity ions. A DSS system is reported for continuous ampere‐level H2 production by coupling a dual‐cation exchange membrane (CEM) three‐compartment architecture with a circulatory electrolyte design. Monovalent‐selective CEMs decouple the transmembrane water migration from interferences of Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cl− ions while maintaining ionic neutrality during electrolysis; the self‐loop concentrated alkaline electrolyte ensures the constant gradient of water chemical potential, allowing a specific water supply–consumption balance relationship in a seawater–electrolyte–H2 sequence to be built among an expanded current range. Even paired with commercialized Ni foams, this electrolyzer (model size: 2 × 2 cm2) continuously produces H2 from flowing seawater with a rate of 7.5 mL min−1 at an industrially relevant current of 1.0 A over 100 h. More importantly, the energy consumption can be further reduced by coupling more efficient NiMo/NiFe foams (≈6.2 kWh Nm−3 H2 at 1.0 A), demonstrating the potential to further optimize the continuous DSS electrolyzer for practical applications.
Boosting 2000‐Fold Hypergolic Ignition Rate of Carborane by Substitutes Migration in Metal Clusters
Authors: Huang Jia‐Hong , Ji Ao‐Qi , Wang Zhao‐Yang , Wang Qian‐You , Zang Shuang‐Quan
Published: April 2024

Hypergolic propellants rely on fuel and oxidizer that spontaneously ignite upon contact, which fulfill a wide variety of mission roles in launch vehicles and spacecraft. Energy‐rich carboranes are promising hypergolic fuels, but triggering their energy release is quite difficult because of their ultrastable aromatic cage structure. To steer the development of carborane‐based high‐performance hypergolic material, carboranylthiolated compounds integrated with atomically precise copper clusters are presented, yielding two distinct isomers, Cu14B‐S and Cu14C‐S, both possessing similar ligands and core structures. With the migration of thiolate groups from carbon atoms to boron atoms, the ignition delay (ID) time shortened from 6870 to 3 ms when contacted with environmentally benign oxidizer high‐test peroxide (HTP, with a H2O2 concentration of 90%). The extraordinarily short ignition ID time of Cu14B‐S is ranking among the best of HTP‐active hypergolic materials. The experimental and theoretical findings reveal that benefitting from the migration of thiolate groups, Cu14B‐S, characterized by an electron‐rich metal kernel, displays enhanced reducibility and superior charge transfer efficiency. This results in exceptional activation rates with HTP, consequently inducing carborane combustion and the simultaneous release of energy. This fundamental investigation shed light on the development of advanced green hypergolic propulsion systems.
Self‐Healing Ionogel‐Enabled Self‐Healing and Wide‐Temperature Flexible Zinc‐Air Batteries with Ultra‐Long Cycling Lives
Authors: Li Hongli , Xu Fuchang , Li Yang , Sun Junqi
Published: April 2024

Hydrogel‐based zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) are promising flexible rechargeable batteries. However, the practical application of hydrogel‐based ZABs is limited by their short service life, narrow operating temperature range, and repair difficulty. Herein, a self‐healing ionogel is synthesized by the photopolymerization of acrylamide and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether acrylate in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide with zinc acetate dihydrate and first used as an electrolyte to fabricate self‐healing ZABs. The obtained self‐healing ionogel has a wide operating temperature range, good environmental and electrochemical stability, high ionic conductivity, satisfactory mechanical strength, repeatable and efficient self‐healing properties enabled by the reversibility of hydrogen bonding, and the ability to inhibit the production of dendrites and by‐products. Notably, the self‐healing ionogel has the highest ionic conductivity and toughness compared to other reported self‐healing ionogels. The prepared self‐healing ionogel is used to assemble self‐healing flexible ZABs with a wide operating temperature range. These ZABs have ultra‐long cycling lives and excellent stability under harsh conditions. After being damaged, the ZABs can repeatedly self‐heal to recover their battery performance, providing a long‐lasting and reliable power supply for wearable devices. This work opens new opportunities for the development of electrolytes for ZABs.
Large‐scale computational screening of highly effective zeolites for trace PH3 capture from hydrogen
Authors: Yan Kexin , Tong Gui , Gao Weiqun , Li Bihong , Sun Weizhen , Zhao Ling
Published: April 2024

Developing highly efficient adsorbents to remove trace PH3 from circulating H2 is essential for electronic‐grade silica production. Here, the pure PH3 adsorption and PH3/H2 separation performances of 103 all‐silica zeolites under various operating conditions were simulated using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation. Based on our well‐validated force field, the optimal ranges of zeolites and the most decisive factors for pure PH3 adsorption and separation were identified by the combination of quantitative structure–activity relationship, Pearson coefficient, and adsorption density profile. Finally, the top 17 zeolites were identified through TSA, PSA, and VSA processes, which typically feature 10‐membered rings as limiting pores. Structures with 1D channels show the best performance. Some 2D and 3D zeolites (i.e., IMF, ITH, ITR, MEL, TUN), which are characterized by interconnected straight channels with cavities at channel intersections, also exhibit high selective adsorption capacities for PH3. This work provides direction for the design of novel zeolites.
Supertwisted Chiral Gyroid Mesophase in Chiral Rod‐Like Compounds
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Shu‐Gui , Li Ya‐Xin , Cao Yu , Liu Feng , Zeng Xiang‐Bing , Cseh Liliana , Ungar Goran
Published: April 2024

Among the intriguing bicontinuous self‐assembled structures, the gyroid cubic is the most ubiquitous. It is found in block and star polymers, surfactants with or without solvent, in thermotropic liquid crystals with end‐ or side‐chains, and in biosystems providing structural color and modelling cell mitosis. It contains two interpenetrating networks of opposite chirality and is thus achiral if, as usual, the content of the two nets is the same. However, we now find that this is not the case for strongly chiral compounds. While achiral molecules follow the opposite twists of nets 1 and 2, molecules with a chiral center in their rod‐like core fail to follow the 70° twist between junctions in net 2 and instead wind against it by −110° to still match the junction orientation. The metastable chiral gyroid is a high‐entropy high‐heat‐capacity mesophase. The homochirality of its nets makes the CD signal of the thienofluorenone compounds close to that in the stable I23 phase with 3 isochiral nets.
Molecular Ratchets and Kinetic Asymmetry: Giving Chemistry Direction
Authors: Borsley Stefan , Leigh David A. , Roberts Benjamin M. W.
Published: April 2024

Over the last two decades ratchet mechanisms have transformed the understanding and design of stochastic molecular systems—biological, chemical and physical—in a move away from the mechanical macroscopic analogies that dominated thinking regarding molecular dynamics in the 1990s and early 2000s (e.g. pistons, springs, etc), to the more scale‐relevant concepts that underpin out‐of‐equilibrium research in the molecular sciences today. Ratcheting has established molecular nanotechnology as a research frontier for energy transduction and metabolism, and has enabled the reverse engineering of biomolecular machinery, delivering insights into how molecules ‘walk’ and track‐based synthesisers operate, how the acceleration of chemical reactions enables energy to be transduced by catalysts (both motor proteins and synthetic catalysts), and how dynamic systems can be driven away from equilibrium through catalysis. The recognition of molecular ratchet mechanisms in biology, and their invention in synthetic systems, is proving significant in areas as diverse as supramolecular chemistry, systems chemistry, dynamic covalent chemistry, DNA nanotechnology, polymer and materials science, molecular biology, heterogeneous catalysis, endergonic synthesis, the origin of life, and many other branches of chemical science. Put simply, ratchet mechanisms give chemistry direction. Kinetic asymmetry, the key feature of ratcheting, is the dynamic counterpart of structural asymmetry (i.e. chirality). Given the ubiquity of ratchet mechanisms in endergonic chemical processes in biology, and their significance for behaviour and function from systems to synthesis, it is surely just as fundamentally important. This Review charts the recognition, invention and development of molecular ratchets, focussing particularly on the role for which they were originally envisaged in chemistry, as design elements for molecular machinery. Different kinetically asymmetric systems are compared, and the consequences of their dynamic behaviour discussed. These archetypal examples demonstrate how chemical systems can be driven inexorably away from equilibrium, rather than relax towards it.
Vertically Concentrated Quantum Wells Enabling Highly Efficient Deep‐Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Xia Yu , Song Bin , Zhang Zhipeng , Wang Kai‐Li , Li Yu‐Han , Li Nan , Chen Chun‐Hao , Chen Jing , Xing Guichuan , Wang Zhao‐Kui
Published: April 2024

Deep‐blue perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) based on quasi‐two‐dimensional (quasi‐2D) systems exist heightened sensitivity to the domain distribution. The top‐down crystallization mode will lead to a vertical gradient distribution of quantum well (QW) structure, which is unfavorable for deep‐blue emission. Herein, a thermal gradient annealing treatment is proposed to address the polydispersity issue of vertical QWs in quasi‐2D perovskites. The formation of large‐n domains at the upper interface of the perovskite film can be effectively inhibited by introducing a low‐temperature source in the annealing process. Combined with the utilization of NaBr to inhibit the undesirable n=1 domain, a vertically concentrated QW structure is ultimately attained. As a result, the fabricated device delivers a narrow and stable deep‐blue emission at 458 nm with an impressive external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.82 %. Green and sky‐blue PeLEDs with remarkable EQE of 21.83 % and 17.51 % are also successfully achieved, respectively, by using the same strategy. The findings provide a universal strategy across the entire quasi‐2D perovskites, paving the way for future practical application of PeLEDs.
Self‐assembly aryl cyclopalladated imine film supported on the silicon surface—Fabrication, formation of active PdPd/PdO sites, and catalytic properties for Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction
Authors: Guo Rumeng , He Xiaohang , Zhang Wenfen , Huang Dongmei , Li Tiesheng , Liu Minghua , Wu Yangjie
Published: April 2024

Tailoring the structure and arrangement of the organometallic catalyst are essential for the fundamental investigating and applications, and the impacting challenges, such as the size, active species distribution, and composition, as well as the orientation of catalyst, are critical for determining their activities and efficiencies. Herein, a series of aryl cyclopalladated catalysts containing different alkane chains were synthesized, and their self‐assembly films covalent binding to the silicon surface were fabricated and characterized with water drop contact angle, Raman, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic performances of these catalytic films were explored using Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction as a template. One of these catalytic films exhibited a higher catalytic activity with a TON value of up to 68,333 h−1, which was 20 times higher than that of homogeneous catalyst due to the ordered arrangement of this catalyst on the silicon surface, and could be reused at least seven times. The catalytic mechanism was heterogeneous catalysis occurred at interface confirmed by hot filtration tests, poisoning tests, and ReactIR. The real active site was PdPd/PdO, and the synergistic effect between Pd and PdO in the active sites (PdPd/PdO) made the key initial oxidation step easily proceed, improving its catalytic activity. The loss of active sites and residues absorbed on the surface of catalytic film were the main reason for deactivation.
‘It Just Makes Sense to Me’: A qualitative study exploring patient decision‐making and experiences with prostate MRI during active surveillance for prostate cancer
Authors: Sutherland Ryan , Gross Cary P. , Ma Xiaomei , Jeong Farah , Seibert Tyler M. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Catalona William J. , Ellis Shellie D. , Loeb Stacy , Schulman‐Green Dena , Leapman Michael S.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Although prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used in the diagnosis, staging and active surveillance of prostate cancer, little is known about patient perspectives on MRI.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study consisting of in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews of patients with low‐ and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer managed with active surveillance. Interviews focused on experiences with and knowledge of prostate MRI and MRI‐ultrasound fusion biopsy during active surveillance. We purposively sampled patients who received prostate MRI as part of their clinical care, conducted interviews until reaching thematic saturation and performed conventional content analysis to analyse data.

Results

Twenty patients aged 51–79 years (mean = 68 years) participated in the study. At diagnosis, 17 (85%) had a Gleason grade group 1, and three (15%) had a grade group 2 tumour. Overall, participants viewed prostate MRI as a valuable tool that accurately localizes and monitors prostate cancer over time, and they considered prostate MRI central to active surveillance monitoring. We identified five thematic categories related to MRI use: (1) the experiential aspects of undergoing an MRI scan; (2) the experience of visualizing one's own prostate and prostate cancer; (3) adequacy of provider explanations of MRI results; (4) confidence in prostate MRI in decision‐making; and (5) the role of prostate MRI in longitudinal follow‐up, including an interest in using MRI to modify the timing of, or replace, prostate biopsy.

Conclusion

Patients value prostate MRI as a tool that enhances their confidence in the initial diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. This work can inform future studies to optimize patient experience, education and counselling during active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Feasibility study of virtual reality in audiovisual environment: Assessment of university cafeteria acoustic environment
Authors: Zehua Wen , Xiaoyang Guo
Published: April 2024

This study primarily focuses on investigating whether virtual reality scenarios can authentically replicate real‐life audio‐visual environments. The authenticity of audio‐visual environments plays a crucial role in both the design and VR fields today. Only when the authenticity of audio‐visual interactive experiences is validated as feasible can virtual reality technology demonstrate positive impacts. We assessed the annoyance levels subjectively under different audio‐visual conditions: a real cafeteria environment and a simulated cafeteria environment. Participants were tasked with the same activities in both environments. After each experiment, they indicated their levels of annoyance by completing a questionnaire. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between the overall subjective annoyance levels in both experiments and the subjective annoyance levels associated with different behaviors. This suggests that under identical audio conditions, virtual reality scenarios more effectively replicate the real noise environment. Furthermore, we have uncovered that certain objective factors influence the expression of authenticity. Optimizing these factors may potentially further enhance the feasibility of virtual reality technology in audio‐visual environments.
Diversified realistic face image generationGANfor human subjects in multimedia content creation
Authors: Kumar Lalit , Singh Dushyant Kumar
Published: April 2024

Face image generation plays an important role in generating innovative and unique multimedia content using the GAN model. With these qualities of the GAN model, they have numerous challenges in the human face image generation. The problems encountered in the generation of facial images are like blurriness in images, incomplete details in the generated facial images, high computational power requirements, and so forth. In this manuscript, we proposed a GAN model that utilizes the composite strength of VGG‐16 and ResNet‐50's models to overcome those difficulties. It uses VGG‐16 to build a discriminator model to discriminate between real and fake images. The generator model utilizes a combination of components from the ResNet‐50 and VGG‐16 models to enhance the image generation process at each iteration, resulting in the creation of realistic face images. The proposed DRFI GAN (Diversified and Realistic Face Image Generation GAN) model's generator achieves an impressive low FID score of 20.50, which is less than existing state‐of‐the‐art approaches. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the images generated by the DRFI GAN model exhibit 10%–15% greater efficiency and realism with reduced training time compared to existing state‐of‐the‐art methods with lower FID scores.
Using Capillary Electrophoresis to Investigate Protein Conformational and Compositional Heterogeneity
Authors: Grosas Aidan B. , Du Plessis Mar‐dean , Thevarajah Joel J. , Gaborieau Marianne , Carver John A. , Castignolles Patrice
Published: April 2024

Detailed insights into protein structure/function relationships require robust characterization methodologies. Free‐solution capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a unique separation technique which is sensitive to the conformation and/or composition of proteins, and therefore provides information on the heterogeneity of these properties. Three unrelated, conformationally/compositionally‐altered proteins were separated by CE. An electrophoretic mobility distribution was determined for each protein along with its conformational and/or compositional heterogeneity. The CE results were compared with molar mass distributions obtained from size‐exclusion chromatography coupled to light scattering (SEC‐MALS). Bovine serum albumin multimers and two monomeric species were separated, highlighting variations in conformational/compositional heterogeneity among the multimers. Analysis of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase resolved two monomeric conformers and various tetrameric species, illustrating the impact of zinc ion removal and disulfide bond reduction on the protein's heterogeneity. The apo (calcium‐free) and holo forms of bovine α‐lactalbumin were separated and differences in the species’ heterogeneity were measured; by contrast, the SEC‐MALS profiles were identical. Comparative analysis of these structurally unrelated proteins provided novel insights into the interplay between molar mass and conformational/compositional heterogeneity. Overall, this study expands the utility of CE by demonstrating its capacity to discern protein species and their heterogeneity, properties which are not readily accessible by other analytical techniques.
Case report: Emerging BRCA mutation confers benefit from olaparib after chemotherapy intolerance in advanced triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Shen Xia‐Bo , Wu Jia‐Yi , Li Jia‐ying , Shao Xi‐Ying , Wang Xiao‐Jia
Published: April 2024

Key Clinical Message

In a patient with metastatic breast cancer, an acquired BRCA mutation in the BRCA gene was detected, resulting in benefits from olaparib treatment. This underscores the importance of ongoing genetic phenotype testing after paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a poor prognosis and elevated mortality risk. BRCA mutations are commonly regarded as prevalent mutations in TNBC patients, strongly associated with congenital familial heredity. Dynamic changes in mutation sites, however, are rarely reported. In this case report, we report a 59‐year‐old TNBC patient who developed pulmonary metastases post‐chemoradiotherapy. No BRCA mutations were detected through NGS. After 7.6 months of nab‐paclitaxel treatment, the patient experienced progression of lung metastases, and BRCA mutations were detected through NGS testing. Subsequent administration of olaparib resulted in a reduction in lung metastasis, demonstrating significant therapeutic efficacy. This case underscores the infrequent occurrence of treatment‐induced BRCA mutations and emphasizes the significance of dynamic NGS genetic testing for real‐time assessment of a patient's mutational status.